Steel Bridge Task Force Honors Thomas Murphy with 2026 Richard S. Fountain Award

Image: Mike Grubb, M A Grubb & Associates, presented the Richard S. Fountain Award to Thomas Murphy, Modjeski and Masters, at the Steel Bridge Task Force meeting in Anchorage, Alaska.

The Steel Bridge Task Force, comprised of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA) and the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Steel and Metals Technical Committee, has named Thomas P. Murphy, Ph.D., P.E., S.E., senior vice president and chief technical officer of Modjeski and Masters, as the recipient of the 2026 Richard S. Fountain Award.

Named for the founder of the Steel Bridge Task Force, the Richard S. Fountain Award was established in 2001 to recognize leadership in steel bridge research and outstanding efforts to advance AASHTO specifications.

Murphy received the award at the Steel Bridge Task Force meeting on September 28 in Anchorage, Alaska.

“Tom’s contributions to steel bridge engineering span virtually every aspect of our profession—from the design of complex signature bridges and nationally significant research to the development and implementation of design specifications,” said Dan Snyder, vice president of construction for AISI. “His technical expertise, leadership and continued support of the Steel Bridge Task Force have made him a trusted resource throughout the bridge community. His work on refined analysis and his stewardship of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications have had a lasting impact on bridge design and evaluation practices across the country.”

Thomas Murphy with previous Richard S. Fountain Award winners from the Steel Bridge Task Force members (L-R): Todd Helwig, University of Texas at Austin; Rob Connor, Purdue University; Donald White, Georgia Institute of Technology; Ronald Medlock, High Steel Structures, Inc; Heather Gilmer, Pennoni; Thomas Murphy, Modjeski and Masters; Mike Grubb, M A Grubb & Associates; Frank Russo, Russo Structural Services; Justin Ocel, FHWA.

Career Accomplishments

Murphy has more than 25 years of bridge engineering experience encompassing the analysis, design, detailing and rehabilitation of cable-stayed, suspension, arch, truss and girder bridges, with particular expertise in seismic analysis and design. He has been involved in all stages of the bridge design process, from the development of design specifications and conceptual studies through final design and construction support. He served as Engineer of Record for the award-winning I-74 Mississippi River Bridge arch bridges and has led or participated in more than 10 National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) projects. He was also the lead author of the Federal Highway Administration’s Manual for Refined Analysis in Bridge Design and Evaluation.

Murphy has been a longtime contributor to the Steel Bridge Task Force and has provided significant leadership in maintaining the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, working closely with AASHTO committees and bridge industry experts to incorporate and implement revisions to the specifications. He holds a Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of Michigan and is a registered professional engineer in 30 states.

Previous Award Recipients

• Frank Russo, Russo Structural Services (2025)
• Justin Ocel, FHWA (2024)
• Heather Gilmer, Pennoni (2023)
• Todd Helwig, University of Texas at Austin (2022)
• Robert Connor, Purdue University (2020)
• Ed Wasserman, Modjeski and Masters (2019)
• Alexander Wilson, ArcelorMittal (2014)
• Ronald Medlock, High Steel Structures, Inc. (2013)
• Yoni Adonyi, LeTourneau University (2012)
• Ahmad Itani, University of Nevada, Reno (2011)
• John Kulicki, Modjeski and Masters, Inc. (2009)
• William Wright, Federal Highway Administration (2008)
• Donald White, Georgia Institute of Technology (2007)
• Dean Krouse, Independent Consultant (2006)
• Dennis Mertz, University of Delaware (2005)
• Camille Rubeiz, American Iron and Steel Institute (2003)
• Karl Frank, University of Texas at Austin (2002)
• Mike Grubb, BSDI Ltd. (2001)

About 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 which are critical to the everyday lives of all Americans — including national security, roads and bridges, buildings, the electrical grid, clean energy technologies and the automotive market. 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, X (@AISISteel) or Instagram.