James M. Fisher, PE, PhD, CSD Structural Engineers, Ermitus, received a BS degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin in 1962. After serving two years as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, he continued his formal education and in 1965 and 1968 respectively he received his MS and PhD degrees in Structural Engineering from the University of Illinois. Prior to joining Computerized Design in 1973, Fisher was an assistant professor of Structural Engineering at the University of Wisconsin -- Milwaukee. Fisher's structural expertise has resulted in authoring and co-authoring sixteen books, numerous technical publications, and several AISC seminars and short courses. He has lectured for AISC throughout the U.S. and Mexico. 

Fisher served as the Chairman of the AISC Specification Committee from 2003 until 2010. He continues to be active on several AISC Specification Task Committees. He is a member of the AISI Cold-Formed Specification Committee and ASCE 7. In addition, Fisher serves as the Consulting Engineer to the Steel Joist Institute (SJI). In 1984, Fisher received the T.R. Higgins Lectureship Award presented by AISC, and in 2000 he received AISC's Lifetime Achievement Award. Both awards recognized his exceptional contribution to the steel construction industry. He also received AISC's highest award, the J. Lloyd Kimbrough Award, in 2006. 

Jon D. Magnusson, SE, PE, NAE, Magnusson Klemencic Associates, is the second recipient of the Steel Conference Speaker Award. Magnusson is Senior Principal at Magnusson Klemencic Associates consulting structural/civil engineers with offices in Seattle and Chicago. Jon earned his BSCE at the University of Washington and then his MSCE at the University of California, Berkeley. His whole career has focused on the engineering of "architectural" structures. Jon is a licensed professional engineer in 24 states. He is an Honorary Member of the national American Institute of Architects, a Distinguished Member of ASCE, and a member of both the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Construction. He has received the AISC Designer Lifetime Achievement Award, the Fritz Medal, and the 2014 ASCE OPAL for Design.

Duane K. Miller, PE, ScD, The Lincoln Electric Co., is the inaugural recipient of the Steel Conference Speaker Award. Miller is a recognized authority on the design and performance of welded connections. He is a popular speaker on the subject and has lectured around the world. He publishes frequently and on three occasions, has been awarded the Silver Quill Award of the American Welding Society (AWS) for the excellence of his published work. He also serves on the AWS Board as a director-at-large. He has authored or co-authored texts and chapters of many handbooks, including the AISC Design Guide on Welding and the Mark’s Handbook of Engineering, 12th Edition. He has also appeared as a subject expert on the History Channel and Discovery Channel.