The Metal Construction Association (MCA) presented its annual Larry A. Swaney Award to Tom Seitz, and its first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award to industry legend Dick Bus. The awards were announced on January 30 during MCA's 2024 Winter Meeting at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort & Villas in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The Larry A. Swaney Award is bestowed upon an outstanding industry professional for their contributions to the success of the association and the betterment of the metal construction industry.

This year’s recipient is Tom Seitz. Seitz is the former director of strategic accounts for 3A Composites Americas where he managed business development for their largest customers. Seitz has served extensively within MCA, including as a board member from 2016 until 2020. Seitz also co-chaired the Metal Composite Material Council and chaired the Metal Composite Material Alliance. In January 2020, Seitz became the executive director of the Metal Composite Material (MCM) Alliance.

 “If anyone exemplifies the spirit and entrepreneurship of MCA’s founding president Larry A. Swaney, it’s Tom,” says Partyka. “Tom’s impact on our industry was already tremendous when he retired. His decision to roll up his sleeves and continue to work to accelerate the MCM panel system market has been a gift to the industry.”

MCA’s new Lifetime Achievement Award was created to recognize an individual’s lifetime contributions and accomplishments to the association and metal construction industry.

Dick Bus earned the award for the breadth and significance of his involvement and impact on the metal construction industry. Bus is the president of ATAS International and served on MCA’s board for 18 years, including as vice chair from 2000 to 2006 and chair from 2007 to 2009. Bus’s accomplishments include playing a major role in the growth of the U.S. and Canadian residential metal roofing industry. Bus was also instrumental in the creation of the Metal Roofing Alliance.

Bus has received numerous industry accolades. In 2013, he was inducted into the Metal Roofing Hall of Fame. In 2017, he received the MCA Triumph Award. Bus was recently named as one of the “Power 100” by the Lehigh Valley Business Journal, honoring local leaders who have shaped the community and influenced the quality of life in the region.

MCA Chair Brian Partyka says, “Dick is the very embodiment of teamwork. ‘We’re partners, not competitors’ was his rallying cry. He persuaded the entire metal construction industry to work as allies and forge bonds. Working in the spirit of cooperation has allowed us all to accomplish more for ourselves, our companies, and our industry. We are all lucky to have him as a leader.”

Past MCA service award recipients can be seen here: www.metalconstruction.org/index.php/events/other-awards