Short Span Steel Bridges 
SSSBA Leaders Recognized for Advancing Steel Bridges at AISI General Meeting
Photo: Left to Right: David Stoddard, SSAB; Dr. Michael Barker, University of Wyoming
On June 3, 2025, at the AISI General Meeting held at the InterContinental Hotel–The Wharf in Washington, D.C., Dr. Michael Barker, University of Wyoming, and David Stoddard, SSAB, were recognized for their exceptional leadership in advancing the use of steel in the bridge construction market.
Dr. Michael Barker Recipient of Market Development Industry Leadership Award
The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) presented the 2025 Market Development Industry Leadership Award to Dr. Michael Barker, professor of civil and architectural engineering at the University of Wyoming, to recognize his significant contributions to advancing the competitive use of steel in the construction market.
Pictured Left to Right: Lourenco Goncalves, AISI Chairman and the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.; Michael Barker, professor of civil and architectural engineering at the University of Wyoming; Kevin Dempsey, President and CEO of AISI
J.P. Singh, technical integration engineer, steel, advanced manufacturing at General Motors, was also presented with the award for his accomplishments in the automotive market.
“We are thrilled to celebrate Michael and J.P. for their outstanding leadership and steadfast dedication to championing the benefits of steel in the construction and automotive sectors. Their expertise is essential as we rise to meet modern challenges,” said Goncalves. “Continuous innovation is vital for American steel producers to adapt to changing demands. We deeply value the enduring guidance and impactful contributions of these two remarkable individuals.”
Dr. Barker’s primary research pertains to steel bridges, experimental testing, bridge design specifications, bridge field-testing, high-performance steel and reliability analyses of structures. As an active member of the AISI Bridge Task Force and leader of educational efforts for the AISI-led Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA), he has helped educate more than 20,000 bridge owners and designers on the benefits of steel bridges.
Additionally, he has spearheaded an educational program that has introduced more than 2,000 students to cost-effective steel bridge design and construction, ensuring that the next generation of engineers is well-versed in steel solutions. Barker received his BS and MS in Civil Engineering from Purdue University and his PhD from the University of Minnesota.
David Stoddard Honored for Leadership of the SSSBA
David Stoddard of SSAB Americas also recognized at AISI’s general meeting for his service as chair of the AISI-led Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance. David became the chair of the Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance in 2016. As chair, David made significant contributions in advancing the competitive use of steel in the short span bridge market. He also dedicated numerous hours to recruiting new members and creating partnerships to develop additional opportunities to market steel bridges, doubling active members over the past eight years.
Pictured Left to Right: Chuck Schmitt, SSAB; David Stoddard, SSAB; Lourenco Goncalves, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.; Kevin Dempsey, AISI
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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