CFSEI JOHN P. MATSEN AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
2025 AWARD WINNER

The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) has announced that Larry W. Williams, former Executive Director of the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA), is the recipient of the 2025 CFSEI John P. Matsen Award for Distinguished Service. The award recognizes the significant contributions of an individual who has volunteered time, talent and resources to the cold-formed steel (CFS) industry. Williams received the honor during the 2025 CFSEI Expo held May 19-21, 2025, in Raleigh, North Carolina.

“Without question, the CFSEI and the CFS framing industry would not be where they are today without the leadership and service of Larry Williams.,” says Jeffrey Klaiman, P.E., CFSEI Managing Director. “Larry is presented with this award by unanimous decision of the CFSEI Executive Committee.”

Williams has played a key role in driving innovation, unification, and growth of CFS framing for decades. In the 1990s, he helped form the Light Gauge Steel Engineers Association (LGSEA), the predecessor to CFSEI.  Under Williams’ leadership, CFSEI has advanced research, published Tech Notes and other design resources, delivered education and supported the next generation of CFS design professionals.

Today, CFSEI has grown to over 1000 members, owing much to Williams’ guidance.

Williams believed that “boots on the ground” were needed in different geographic regions to promote CFS framing effectively. As such, he was instrumental in the formation of several steel framing alliances in the US mainland and Hawaii. 

In 2008, Williams assumed the role of general manager of market development and sustainability at the World Steel Association in Brussels. In 2012, he was named Executive Director of SFIA. In that capacity, he oversaw the growth of the SFIA Code Compliance Certification Program, facilitated the smooth transitions to SFIA of BuildSteel.org (2020) and CFSEI (2023). In 2024, Williams set the stage for a successful transition of most of the CFS framing standards to SFIA for development and management. 

In the area of legislative advocacy, Williams spearheaded legal and political efforts in several key states in support of CFS framing and against wood framing. 

The CFSEI Award for Distinguished Service was renamed the CFSEI John P. Matsen Award for Distinguished Service in 2016 to honor John P. Matsen, P.E., founder and principal of Matsen Ford Design Associates in Waukesha, Wisconsin, who passed away in June 2015.