Drew Heron and Jason McElrath each received a 2026 Eddie Award for exemplifying dedicated service and a deep commitment to the Steel Erectors Association of America’s mission and values.
“This year’s honorees embody what service should look like,” said Stephen Burkholder, former SEAA president and current board member. “They contribute not because of what they can gain for their companies, but because they genuinely want to make the steel construction industry better.”
Heron joined the SEAA board of directors in 2020 and serves on the Executive and Events committees while also chairing the Awards Committee. He leads the Project of the Year program and serves as master of ceremonies at SEAA’s Convention & Tradeshow. Heron is the vice president of operations for Deem Structural Services (Longview, Texas).
McElrath has been a member of SEAA since 1995 and has served on the board of directors since 2022. As treasurer and chair of the Finance Committee, he provides financial oversight that helps ensure the long-term strength and stability of the association. McElrath is the president of MP Specialty Insurance (West Columbia, S.C.).
“Their selfless commitment to SEAA and our members makes them both deserving recipients of the Eddie Award,” Burkholder added.
Formerly known as the Person of the Year Award, the recognition was renamed to honor SEAA founding member Edward “Eddie” Williams.
Heron and McElrath received their awards during the President’s Dinner at SEAA’s 2026 Convention & Tradeshow in Kansas City, Mo. That evening, the association also recognized Carrie Gulajan, president of Construction Insurance Agency, with the William Davis Service Award for her decades of leadership.
SEAA is a national trade association representing the interests of steel erectors, fabricators, contractors, and related service providers.
