Steel Bridge Task Force Members Receive AISC Lifetime Achievement Award

On Wednesday, April 12, the American Institute of Steel Construction presented some of its most prestigious awards at the 2023 NASCC: The Steel Conference.

“This is a time of extraordinary innovation in design and construction with structural steel,” said AISC President Charles J. Carter, SE, PE, PhD. “It’s always a pleasure to recognize the exceptional people who have driven our industry to where it stands today–and who continue to ensure a bright future.”

Three of the members of the Steel Bridge Task Force (BTF) received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The award honors living individuals (industry members, designers, or educators) who have made a difference in the success of AISC and the structural steel industry.

The award provides special recognition to individuals who have provided outstanding service over a sustained period of years to AISC and to the structural steel design/construction/academic community.

Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients

Robert J. Connor, P.E.
Jack and Kay Hockema Professor of Civil Engineering at Purdue University Lyles School of Civil Engineering
For his significant contributions over many years to the advancement of design in the area of fatigue, fracture, and other performance and durability issues related to steel bridges as well as his service to AISC and the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA)

Robert J. Connor, Purdue University

Robert J. Connor is the Jack and Kay Hockema Professor of Civil Engineering and is the director of the Steel Bridge Research, Inspection, Training, and Engineering Center at Purdue University. Connor has been working in the area of fatigue, fracture, and other performance and durability issues related to steel bridges for over 25 years. Connor’s research interests include fatigue and fracture of steel structures; field testing and remote monitoring of structures; bridge inspection reliability; and risk-based inspection methods. He won AISC’s 2018 T.R. Higgins Lectureship Award and a 2012 Special Achievement Award.

Connor is a member of the AISC Committee on Research, the NSBA Technical Committee, AISC’s Technical Committee 10 (Materials, Fabrication, and Erection), Steel Bridge Task Force Oversight Council, and several AASHTO/NSBA Collaboration task groups. He is also a recipient of AISI’s Richard S. Fountain Award and the Robert J. Dexter Memorial Award Lecture.

Francesco Russo, PE, PhD
Founder and President, Russo Structural Services
For his work advancing the state-of-the-art in the analysis and design of complex bridge engineering, bridge inspection, forensics, the inspection/emergency rehabilitation of complex bridge structures, and bridge education–as well as his dedicated service to NSBA.

Francesco Russo, Russo Structural Services

With nearly 30 years of experience in bridge engineering, and having provided engineering services in over 35 states, Frank Russo has wide-ranging experiences providing complex project support including major steel bridge design and rehabilitation. He is a trusted advisor to owners and clients nationwide. His experience includes developing training courses and materials in areas such as steel bridge analysis and design, bridge load rating, engineering for stability during construction, and fatigue and fracture for steel bridges.

Russo is a member of the NSBA Technical Committee, the NSBA Redundancy Task Force, Steel Bridge Task Force, and several AASHTO/NSBA Collaboration task groups. He is vice-chair of AASHTO/NSBA TG 13: Analysis of Steel Bridges. He served as a judge for the 2020 Prize Bridge Awards.

Robert J. Wills, PE
Vice President of Construction, American Iron and Steel Institute
For his long and illustrious career in the steel industry, including his work on codes and standards and construction market activities

Robert J. Wills, American Iron and Steel Institute

Robert J. Wills, PE, is responsible for overseeing AISI’s Construction Market programs in commercial buildings, residential construction, and the transportation/infrastructure markets, as well as the AISI Construction Technical Program. He became vice president of construction market development in 2008 following 18 years of service with the AISI Code and Standards program, during which he was responsible for design specifications, test methods, product specifications, and installation standards related to steel in construction. He is widely recognized for his expertise in fire safety engineering; structural fire testing and performance; wind engineering; and geotechnical and foundation engineering. He was very involved in the development of the International Building Code and the NFPA 5000 Building Construction and Safety Code.

Wills is a member of the Steel Bridge Task Force and NSBA Market Development Committee.

Read about all 11 award recipients