AASHTO Journal - Stoddard Wins 2024 Alexander Wilson Memorial Award

The Steel Bridge Task Force has named David Stoddard (above, third from right), senior steel applications engineer of SSAB Americas, as the recipient of the 2024 Alexander D. Wilson Memorial Award.

[Above photo by AISI]

The Steel Bridge Task Force – formed over 40 years ago and now comprised of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA), and the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials – said this annual award recognizes individuals who have made significant industry contributions to steel bridge production, design, fabrication, or construction.

The award was created in 2022 to honor Alexander D. Wilson, a major contributor to the research and development of new technologies for the bridge industry. He also served as chair of the Steel Bridge Task Force for more than two decades.

“Under David’s leadership as chairman of the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance for nearly a decade, we’ve witnessed remarkable advancements in steel bridge technology, including the increased adoption of press-brake-formed steel tub girders, which has made steel an even more competitive option for bridge applications,” said Dan Snyder, vice president of construction at AISI, in a statement.

“David’s expertise and dedication have had a lasting impact on the steel bridge industry making him a highly deserving recipient of this award,” he added.

Stoddard has spent over 37 years in the steel industry, with the last 14 at SSAB Americas – a major North American steel plate producer – where he serves as senior steel applications engineer at the company’s Muscatine, IA, plate mill.

Stoddard – who holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in metallurgical engineering from Michigan Technological University – is an active participant in multiple industry associations.

Those include the NSBA Technical and Executive Committees, several AASHTO/NSBA Collaboration Task Groups, the AISI’s Bridge Task Force and Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance – where he’s served as chairman since 2016 – the National Association of County Engineers, the ABS Materials and Welding Committee and the API Offshore Structures Materials Resource Group.