FALLS CHURCH, VA (June 25, 2024) — The Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA) announced today that its board of directors has appointed Don Allen, P.E., S.E., LEED AP, a longtime steel framing industry veteran, as the association’s new executive director, effective August 1, 2024. Allen succeeds Larry Williams, who will retire and step down as executive director.
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A Seasoned Industry Professional
Allen is a seasoned cold-formed steel (CFS) engineer with association and executive experience. He has been involved in commercial and residential CFS framing since 1990. His CFS framing designs include the LDS Temple in Rome, Italy, and buildings at Ebonyi State University in Abakaliki, Nigeria.
Most recently, Allen worked for the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry as director of technical services. At AWCI, Allen championed the association’s safety education programs, helped develop the second edition of AWCl’s EIFS-Doing It Right® program, argued for changes on behalf of contractors at International Code Council action hearings, participated on the AWCI Construction Technology Council and much more.
Prior to AWCI, Allen worked for steel framing manufacturer and SFIA member, Super Stud Building Products, serving as director of engineering. During his tenure, he helped design and develop SuperStud’s patented SuperMAXX floor joist system, grow its specialty clip system, implement a new design for its RC1 resilient channel and spearhead its sustainability efforts.
Allen’s career also includes serving as technical director for the Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI), the Steel Stud Manufacturers Association and the Steel Framing Alliance. He has also served on various steel industry education committees and committees on specifications and framing standards.
Perfect for the SFIA
Larry Williams, SFIA executive director, said the SFIA Board is thrilled to welcome Allen to the association, noting that “because the SFIA has significant potential for growth, Don is the perfect person to lead our members to the next level.”
“Don has amazing technical understanding, direct experience in association work and the energy to stand up on behalf of member manufacturers, contractors, mills and engineers,” added Williams. “The SFIA has achieved much in a short time. I expect even more progress with Don at the helm.”
On his appointment, Allen said, “It’s an honor to join the SFIA, an association I have long admired and respected. I am excited to work and partner with the SFIA staff and leadership team to grow the market for steel framing.”
Beginning August 1, SFIA members can reach Allen at allen@steelframing.org.
Steel Framing Industry Association
The Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA), a unique organization representing steel mills, coil coaters, stud and connector manufacturers, component fabricators, Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) members, suppliers/distributors, contractors and others, provides members with exclusive access to technical cold-formed steel (CFS) framing services, including CFS certification, environmental product declarations, market data and analysis, technical design guides, specification review services, architectural services, the Steel Framing Learning Portal , the SFIA Awards and more.
