The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) has named Larry Williams, former executive director of the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA), the recipient of its 2025 John P. Matsen Award for Distinguished Service. The honor recognizes individuals who have volunteered their time, talent and resources to advance the cold-formed steel (CFS) industry.
Williams accepted the award at the 2025 CFSEI Expo, held May 19–21 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Larry Williams accepts the CFSEI Distinguished Service Award from CFSEI Immediate Past Chair Dana Hennis (left) and Chair Tammy Gleed (right) at the 2025 CFSEI Expo in Raleigh.
A Champion of Steel Framing
Williams began his career in public relations, representing major California industries. In 1989, his San Francisco-based firm was hired by U.S. Steel to support the reintroduction of a modernized, century-old Northern California mill — a project that evolved into a long-term contract with what is now USS-POSCO Industries.
His entry into the steel framing sector came in 1992, as environmental pressures drove lumber prices sky-high across the Western U.S. With wood costs surging, homebuilders sought alternatives. Working with UPI, Williams helped introduce CFS framing as a viable solution.
One of his early landmark efforts was “Steel Central,” a 1,100-square-foot, steel-framed model home constructed inside San Francisco’s Moscone Center. Presented at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference from 1993 to 1996 in partnership with the California Building Industry Association, the exhibit helped put steel framing in front of thousands of residential builders.
Following his CFSEI Distinguished Service Award recognition, Larry Williams reconnects with friends and colleagues Roger LaBoube and Pat Ford at the 2025 CFSEI Expo in Raleigh.
In 1993, Williams convened a group of engineers to form the Light Gauge Steel Engineers Association — today the Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute. The group produced the first CFS engineering details manual and helped shape the development of national design standards — laying the technical foundation for broader industry adoption.
In 2003, Williams became executive director of the Steel Framing Alliance, an organization focused on promoting residential steel framing. Five years later, he joined the World Steel Association in Brussels as general manager of market development and sustainability.
Uniting an Industry, Growing a Movement
Williams returned to the U.S. in 2012 to lead the newly formed Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA). Backed by key industry leaders and the Association of the Wall & Ceiling Industry, SFIA unified and expanded the steel framing community. Under Williams’ leadership, SFIA grew from 253 members — including just 11 manufacturers — to a roster that, following the 2023 addition of CFSEI, now includes over 1,000 companies and 2,100 individuals as members.
SFIA now represents every major U.S. and Canadian flat-rolled steel mill and distributor, and includes CFSEI — the recognized professional home for cold-formed steel engineers.
From promoting CFS framing to advancing fire safety policy, Williams has played a pivotal role in shaping the steel framing landscape. His work has not only helped evolve building practices, but also connected manufacturers, engineers and contractors around a shared vision for resilient, sustainable construction.
Larry Williams, former SFIA executive director, helped shape the steel framing industry and unite its stakeholders.
Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute
The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) comprises hundreds of structural engineers and other design professionals who are finding a better way to produce safe and efficient designs for commercial and residential structures with cold-formed steel.
CFSEI members work together to develop and evolve industry standards and design methods, produce and issue technical bulletins, and provide seminars and online training to improve the knowledge and skills base of engineers and design professionals.
CFSEI is part of the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA), where its leadership as the industry’s key touchpoint for CFS design receives full support.
For more information, visit www.cfsei.org.
Additional Resources
- CFSEI Awards Program
- CFSEI Publishes Tech Note on the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Bearing Stiffeners
- Ask an Expert: CFSEI Responds to a Question about the Anchored Leg of a Clip Angle