SEAA Honors Carrie Gulajan with Prestigious William Davis Service Award
The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) has presented Carrie Gulajan, President of Construction Insurance Agency, Inc., with the prestigious William Davis Service Award. Gulajan received the historic recognition during the elegant President’s Dinner at the 2026 SEAA Convention & Trade Show in Kansas City, Missouri.
The William Davis Service Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication, leadership, and long-term service to the structural steel construction industry. Unlike standard annual accolades, SEAA presents this distinction only when a candidate’s lifetime contributions merit the honor. For ongoing coverage of key leadership appointments, structural engineering milestones, and safety standards, follow our latest industrial construction news updates.
Decades of High-Impact Service to SEAA
Gulajan has supported SEAA for decades through strategic board leadership, workforce mentorship, and active participation in structural steel initiatives. Serving on the Board of Directors since 2011, she has played an instrumental role in expanding the association’s nationwide reach.
Her diverse operational contributions across SEAA committees include:
- Events Committee Chair: Orchestrating annual conventions, competitive golf tournaments, and critical fundraising campaigns.
- Strategic Planning & Finance Committees: Structuring the financial foundations and long-term direction of the association.
- Executive Leadership: Gulajan currently serves as President-Elect and is officially scheduled to take office as the SEAA President in 2028.
A Historic Milestone for Women in Steel Construction
The William Davis Service Award adds to a growing list of pioneering milestones for Gulajan. In 2015, she shattered industry glass ceilings by becoming the first woman to receive SEAA’s Person of the Year Award.
With this latest accolade, she makes history once again as the first woman to ever earn the William Davis Service Award. This milestone reflects her deep, lasting impact on the association and the broader steel fabrication and erection sectors.
Expert Leadership Built on Risk Management & Safety
Even prior to her appointment to the SEAA Board, Gulajan actively championed jobsite safety and professional ironworker training programs. Her specialized professional background in construction safety, corporate risk management, and niche specialty insurance services has allowed her to deliver invaluable risk-mitigation expertise to structural contractors.
Former SEAA President and current Board member Stephen Burkholder praised her unwavering dedication, noting that her deep industry knowledge, technical expertise, and relationship-focused approach have structurally strengthened both SEAA and its corporate member networks.
Additional 2026 Industry Award Recipients
During the Kansas City gala, SEAA also recognized two prominent industry leaders with the 2026 Eddie Award:
- Drew Heron, Director of Deem Structural Services
- Jason McElrath, President of MP Specialty Insurance
The Eddie Award specifically honors individuals who demonstrate outstanding project leadership, dedicated voluntary service, and a strong, ongoing commitment to SEAA’s core workforce values.
About the Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA)
Founded in 1972, SEAA is the premier national trade association representing steel erectors, fabricators, general contractors, and related service providers across the United States.
The association aggressively promotes workplace safety, operational compliance, and industrial workforce development through strict training initiatives, including its industry-standard Ironworker Craft Training curriculum. Additionally, SEAA collaborates closely with major steel construction and engineering design organizations to support the commercial interests of professionals involved in building complex steel structures.
