“It started one day in fourth grade when I was sitting in a parking lot with my father, watching them build a new elementary school,” recounts Lawrence F. Kruth, PE, vice president of engineering and research at AISC, on how his father inspired him to be an engineer. “I asked my father specifically how they knew what size beams went into the building, and he said, ‘That’s what engineers know how to do.’ And I said, ‘Well, I’d like to do that.’” Kruth is featured in the latest episode of AISC’s Steel Profiles podcast series at www.aisc.org/podcasts.
Tune in to hear Kruth’s fascinating 30-minute conversation with Margaret A. Matthew, PE, AISC senior engineer and host of Steel Profiles. He gives an inside look at his life and career, from his plans for the future of AISC’s engineering and research department, to where he sees the next big innovations and advancements in structural engineering, to his favorite Star Trek episode.
Kruth joined AISC as vice president in 2016. He succeeded Charles J. Carter, SE, PE, PhD, who became AISC’s president. Kruth oversees all of the Institute’s technical activities, including AISC standards and technical publications, research activities, continuing education programs, university programs and technical assistance through the AISC Steel Solutions Center. Previously, he was vice president at Douglas Steel Fabricating in Lansing, Mich., where he spent more than three decades of his career.
Kruth has notable expertise in fabrication and erection, quality systems and safety and connection design. He is a member of the Research Council on Structural Connections, Structural Engineers Association of Michigan, MIOSHA Part 26 - Steel Erection Advisory Committee and MIOSHA Part 10 - Lifting and Digging Equipment Advisory Committee. He has also served as adjunct faculty at Michigan State University for the Capstone Structural Engineering class. In 2011, he was named Engineer of the Year by the Structural Engineers Association of Michigan.
AISC’s Steel Profiles series provides an enlightening and entertaining look at the personalities behind the technical information used in structural steel design and construction. You can play or download all 27 episodes at www.aisc.org/podcasts or on iTunes. In iTunes, simply search for "Steel Profiles" to access all of the episodes. You can also subscribe to the series for free, and each new episode will automatically be downloaded for you.