“SEAA is great resource of education, safety and steel industry trends."
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Alan Sears (left) who received the William Davis Service and Ed Valencia (right) who received the Person of the Year awards at the SEAA annual convention & trade show in March. Sales and Safety Managers Recognized for Service to Steel Construction Industry In recognition for their service to the steel construction industry, Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) honored two members at the association’s annual convention, held March 12-14 in Frisco, Texas, with the William Davis and Person of the Year Awards. Alan Sears, National Accounts Sales for Nucor-Vulcraft/Verco Group, based in Florence, S.C., received the William Davis Service Award. The award is given in memory of William Davis, who held board and committee positions with SEAA in the 1980s and 1990s. Davis spent most of his career selling wire rope and rigging products. According to Eddie Williams, Chairman of the Board for Buckner Companies, Graham, N.C., “Davis was the best salesman I have ever known. He was not high pressure, he was patient but persistent, he knew is products, and he bent over backwards for his customers.” But more than that he was devoted to SEAA, says Williams. “He was a great ambassador for the association, always supporting it and promoting it.” Winners of this award share the same qualities of generosity, sincerity, high moral and ethical standards, and a welcoming spirit. Ed Valencia, Director of Safety and Training for LPR Construction, Loveland, Colo., received the Person of the Year Award. “The Person of the Year recognizes dedication and hard work demonstrated by a volunteer. Often this person has worked tirelessly on a special project for the betterment of the industry,” said Tom Underhill, Executive Director of SEAA. Both awards are nominated and voted on by the SEAA Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Alan Sears has served on the association’s board of directors for 14 years, including 10 years as the convention emcee and awards chairperson. “I feel honored to be among the company of others who have received the William Davis Award before me,” he said. During that time, Sears says he is impressed how the association has transitioned from founding members to the leadership of a new generation. “The individuals who had the vision to create this association have shared their knowledge and advice with the next round of leaders enabling it to grow from a regional organization to one that impacts the industry on a national scale.” During his 33-year-career with Nucor-Vulcraft/Verco Group, Sears has served in various roles from engineering to sales management. Outside of work, he plays the trumpet and leads worship at his church. “Alan is one of the most endearing people you could ever meet,” said Steve Burkholder, president of S&R Enterprises, Harrisburg, Pa. “Alan greets you with a smile regardless of the situation. A truly committed volunteer to the association, Alan has remained committed for many, many years. His non-bias views allow the Board to remain focused on the tasks at hand,” he said. “He is a leader by example and his humble character is a trait that makes him the perfect recipient of this award. He has dedicated himself to SEAA year after year and continues his service with humility and extreme generosity,” said Carrie Sopuch-Gulajan, president of Construction Insurance Agency, Manassas, Va. As chairman of the Safety Committee, Ed Valencia has embraced several new initiatives designed to encourage collaboration among member companies on safety-related issues. Establishing a regional network of training and testing centers for Ironworkers using the SEAA and NCCER craft training curriculum is a bold endeavor. He has also been instrumental in establishing a more positive relationship with OSHA, initially reciprocated when OSHA supplied a representative to speak at the association’s 2014 convention. Valencia has worked for LPR Construction for 35 years, first as an Ironworker, connector, and later as a raise and gang foreman. He has served in the company’s safety department for more than 20 years. His goal is for all members, regardless of company size, to share their best practices. “An open, cooperative dialog on safety issues improves the industry as a whole,” he said. “Ed promotes safety in a unique way by taking the written regulations and integrating the technology of today by putting it to use in the field. He is one of the most resourceful people I know and can always find an answer. These qualities coupled with his compassion for safety, his regard for human life, and his dedication to SEAA only added to the reasons why he was chosen to receive the award,” said Sopuch-Gulajan.
Sales and Safety Managers Recognized for Service to Steel Construction Industry In recognition for their service to the steel construction industry, Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) honored two members at the association’s annual convention, held March 12-14 in Frisco, Texas, with the William Davis and Person of the Year Awards. Alan Sears, National Accounts Sales for Nucor-Vulcraft/Verco Group, based in Florence, S.C., received the William Davis Service Award. The award is given in memory of William Davis, who held board and committee positions with SEAA in the 1980s and 1990s. Davis spent most of his career selling wire rope and rigging products. According to Eddie Williams, Chairman of the Board for Buckner Companies, Graham, N.C., “Davis was the best salesman I have ever known. He was not high pressure, he was patient but persistent, he knew is products, and he bent over backwards for his customers.” But more than that he was devoted to SEAA, says Williams. “He was a great ambassador for the association, always supporting it and promoting it.” Winners of this award share the same qualities of generosity, sincerity, high moral and ethical standards, and a welcoming spirit. Ed Valencia, Director of Safety and Training for LPR Construction, Loveland, Colo., received the Person of the Year Award. “The Person of the Year recognizes dedication and hard work demonstrated by a volunteer. Often this person has worked tirelessly on a special project for the betterment of the industry,” said Tom Underhill, Executive Director of SEAA. Both awards are nominated and voted on by the SEAA Board of Directors and Executive Committee. Alan Sears has served on the association’s board of directors for 14 years, including 10 years as the convention emcee and awards chairperson. “I feel honored to be among the company of others who have received the William Davis Award before me,” he said. During that time, Sears says he is impressed how the association has transitioned from founding members to the leadership of a new generation. “The individuals who had the vision to create this association have shared their knowledge and advice with the next round of leaders enabling it to grow from a regional organization to one that impacts the industry on a national scale.” During his 33-year-career with Nucor-Vulcraft/Verco Group, Sears has served in various roles from engineering to sales management. Outside of work, he plays the trumpet and leads worship at his church. “Alan is one of the most endearing people you could ever meet,” said Steve Burkholder, president of S&R Enterprises, Harrisburg, Pa. “Alan greets you with a smile regardless of the situation. A truly committed volunteer to the association, Alan has remained committed for many, many years. His non-bias views allow the Board to remain focused on the tasks at hand,” he said. “He is a leader by example and his humble character is a trait that makes him the perfect recipient of this award. He has dedicated himself to SEAA year after year and continues his service with humility and extreme generosity,” said Carrie Sopuch-Gulajan, president of Construction Insurance Agency, Manassas, Va. As chairman of the Safety Committee, Ed Valencia has embraced several new initiatives designed to encourage collaboration among member companies on safety-related issues. Establishing a regional network of training and testing centers for Ironworkers using the SEAA and NCCER craft training curriculum is a bold endeavor. He has also been instrumental in establishing a more positive relationship with OSHA, initially reciprocated when OSHA supplied a representative to speak at the association’s 2014 convention. Valencia has worked for LPR Construction for 35 years, first as an Ironworker, connector, and later as a raise and gang foreman. He has served in the company’s safety department for more than 20 years. His goal is for all members, regardless of company size, to share their best practices. “An open, cooperative dialog on safety issues improves the industry as a whole,” he said. “Ed promotes safety in a unique way by taking the written regulations and integrating the technology of today by putting it to use in the field. He is one of the most resourceful people I know and can always find an answer. These qualities coupled with his compassion for safety, his regard for human life, and his dedication to SEAA only added to the reasons why he was chosen to receive the award,” said Sopuch-Gulajan.