Short Span Steel Bridges 
Steel Bridge Task Force Names Gary Wisch as the Recipient of the 2025 Alexander D. Wilson Memorial Award
The Steel Bridge Task Force, which is comprised of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA) and American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Steel and Metals Technical Committee, has named Gary Wisch, P.E., engineering and business development advisor for DeLong’s Inc., as the recipient of the 2025 Alexander D. Wilson Memorial Award. The annual award recognizes individuals who have made significant industry contributions to advance steel as the material of choice for steel bridge supply, production, design, fabrication or construction. It was instituted in 2022 to honor Alexander D. Wilson, a major contributor to the research and development of new technologies for the bridge industry, who served as chairman of the Steel Bridge Task Force for more than two decades.
The award was presented to Wisch at a Steel Bridge Task Force meeting on September 24 in Lafayette, IN. Dan Snyder, vice president of construction at AISI and Chris Garrell, chief bridge engineer at the National Steel Bridge Alliance, presented the award, which reads: “In recognition of his exceptional leadership and contributions to steel bridge fabrication and education, including advancing best practices, mentoring engineers, improving quality and safety, and providing technical guidance, and for his dedicated service as a member and supporter of numerous bridge and transportation organizations.”
“Gary Wisch has spent his entire career fabricating steel bridges and educating engineers on best practices. At DeLong’s, he has contributed to countless steel bridge projects, and he has consistently shared his expertise as an active member or supporter of the AISI-led Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA), Steel Bridge Task Force, AASHTO/NSBA Steel Bridge Collaboration, the Transportation Research Board and many others,” said Snyder. “Always engaged, always ready to provide practical insight, Gary fully embodies the spirit of the Alexander D. Wilson Memorial Award. Our community owes him a profound debt of gratitude for his tireless dedication to the steel bridge industry, both during his career and continuing into his retirement.”
About Gary Wisch
Gary W. Wisch, P.E., has worked for DeLong’s Inc., an active Bridge Task Force member, for 43 years. He spent his first seven years as a research engineer and the subsequent 35 years as the engineering vice president. In this role, Wisch supervised all engineering, drafting and quality control functions. In the past year, Wisch has transitioned towards retirement, working part time in an advisory capacity. Over the years, Wisch has been involved in numerous civic, religious, educational and professional organizations. Wisch has been married for 41 years. He and his wife, Jackie, have three children and five grandchildren.
About Alexander Wilson
As chair of the Steel Bridge Task Force, Alexander (Alex) D. Wilson presided over a group representing the top steel bridge design experts in the United States. As manager of customer technical services for ArcelorMittal USA, he developed and tested new technologies for the bridge industry, including weathering and High-Performance Steels, both of which provide cost-effective and durable alternatives to competing materials and are widely used in bridge construction today. Looking to the next generation of talent, he oversaw the establishment of AISI’s Robert J. Dexter Memorial Award Lecture.
The Alexander D. Wilson Memorial Award was instituted in 2022. The first award was presented to metallurgical consultant Dean C. Krouse. Past recipients include the president of High Steel Structures, John O’Quinn, and former senior steel applications engineer at SSAB Americas, David Stoddard.
As chairman of the Steel Bridge Task Force, Alex Wilson presided over a group representing the top steel bridge design experts in the United States.
About The Steel Bridge Task Force
The Steel Bridge Task Force was formed more than 40 years ago to coordinate research that establishes safe, cost-effective steel bridges and to implement these developments into steel specifications, specifically the AASHTO design codes. Its members include the American Iron and Steel Institute, National Steel Bridge Alliance, AASHTO Steel and Metals Technical Committee, steel producers, steel organizations, steel bridge fabricators, bridge owners, university faculty, consultants and representatives from the Federal Highway Administration.
AISI serves as the voice of the American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI’s membership is comprised of integrated and electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmakers, steel pipe and tube manufacturers and steel processors and fabricators, reflecting the production and distribution of both carbon and stainless steels. These steels are critical to America’s national and economic security, including roads and bridges, buildings, the electrical grid, cars and trucks and all clean energy technologies. AISI also represents associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. For more news about steel and its applications, view AISI’s website at www.steel.org. Follow AISI on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter (@AISISteel) or Instagram.
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