Wege Prize has announced a larger and more diverse pool of judges than ever before, promising to help students advance their game-changing concepts for a sustainable future. Now in its 12th year, the competition offers five more preliminary judges, bringing the total to 15.

The Steel Bridge Task Force, which is comprised of the American Iron and Steel Institute, the National Steel Bridge Alliance, and the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials Steel and Metals Technical Committee, has named David Stoddard, senior steel applications engineer at SSAB Americas, as the recipient of the 2024 Alexander D. Wilson Memorial Award.

CAD-PLAN has released ATHENA 2024 AutoCAD-based software. Tailored for the glazing industry, the software solutions are fully compatible with Autodesk products and continually improved for optimized and expanded features. CAD-PLAN customers also receive user-friendly training sessions and have access to customized technical support and personalized consultations.

Ed Sullivan, chief economist and senior vice president of market intelligence for the Portland Cement Association — which represents America’s cement manufacturers — says that the Federal Reserve’s recent move to lower interest rates, coupled with easing inflation, signals a significant retreat in interest rate levels by the end of next year…all to the benefit of construction activity.

Hurricane Milton’s destructive winds caused significant structural damage across Florida, particularly in Tampa and St. Petersburg. A construction crane collapsed into the Tampa Bay Times building, leaving a gaping hole in its side, while winds also tore off Tropicana Field’s roof.

Associated Builders and Contractors announced on Oct. 8 the members of its fourth annual Tech Alliance — a consortium of firms that create construction technology and innovative solutions for ABC contractor-members, which primarily perform work in the commercial and industrial sectors.

The Las Vegas police arrested a Pennsylvania contractor who is accused of defrauding New Jersey homeowners out of $140,000, reported Chris Spiker of Daily Voice Burlington County NJ.

The 2024 IIBEC/OBEC BES — the fall’s premier building enclosure industry event — wrapped on Oct. 1. Nearly 350 attendees were on hand to experience 21 education sessions, interact with 35 exhibitors and network with like-minded colleagues.

BuildBlock announced that Russ Nicely has joined the company as commercial development director. Nicely will focus on continuing education and promotion for architects, engineers, general contractors, specialty subcontractors, owners and developers, as well as working to further develop commercial construction projects across North America.

BuildBlock Building Systems, the manufacturer of BuildBlock Insulating Concrete Forms, announced the addition of Frank Gordon, Assoc. AIA, as the vice president for strategic development. Gordon will be leading the marketing, sales and technical teams and bringing them together to build relationships with industry leaders, stakeholders, developers, industry professionals and more, supporting BuildBlock’s growth initiatives.