Dr. Jeffrey Packer Joins Steel Tube Institute's HSS Committee Board

CHICAGO, July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Steel Tube Institute of North America (STINA) announced today that Dr. Jeffrey Packer has agreed to serve on the Board of its HSS Committee.  In this capacity, Dr. Packer will advise board members on a variety of issues relating to steel hollow structural sections (HSS).

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Dr. Packer serves as the Bahen/Tanenbaum Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Toronto, Canada. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario and the U.K., a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers, a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (U.K.) and has served on the Editorial Boards of several journals.  

Bill Wolfe, executive director of STINA, noted that Dr. Packer's addition to the HSS Committee's Board will provide it with a broad range of knowledge and experience.  "Jeff Packer is one of the foremost experts in North America concerning the design and use of tubular steel products.  His expertise will be a welcome addition to our HSS Board," Mr. Wolfe said.  "STINA is also exploring the possibility that Dr. Packer may actively contribute to one or more areas of the HSS Committee's new website.  We would like to have the opportunity to share Dr. Packer's expertise with other groups that we serve -- designers, fabricators, contractors, government officials, equipment manufacturers and building owners," Mr. Wolfe explained.

Dr. Jeffrey Packer graduated from the University of Adelaide, Australia in 1972, then subsequently received his Master's degree from the University of Manchester (1975) and Ph.D. from the University of Nottingham (1978), in the U.K.  

Since his initial appointment at the University of Toronto in 1980 he has undertaken research, development and consulting work primarily on tubular steel structures.  He has published extensively on this topic, including several co-authored CIDECT design guide books (published in four languages), another in Chinese, two design guides for the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC), and another for the American Institute of Steel Construction.  

He currently serves on several technical committees including:  the American Welding Society (AWS D1), the Comite International pour le Development et l'Etude de la Construction Tubulaire (CIDECT), the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and the International Institute of Welding (IIW), where he recently also served on the Board of Directors (from 2004 to 2007).

Dr. Packer is the recipient of numerous awards.  Some of the most recent include:  Kurobane Lecture Award (ISTS, 2003), American Institute of Steel Construction Special Achievement Award (2005), Houdremont Award (International Institute of Welding, 2006), a Doctor of Science degree from the University of Nottingham (2006), the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering "Excellence in Innovation in Civil Engineering Award" (CSCE, 2009) for the cast connector concept, and the Ontario Professional Engineers "Engineering Medal for Research and Development" (2010).  

The Steel Tube Institute serves as the voice of the steel pipe and tube industry in North America.  It was formed in 1930 when a group of manufacturers joined forces to promote and market steel tubing.  Their goal was to mount a cooperative effort that would: improve manufacturing techniques and inform customers about their products' utility, versatility and competitive advantages.  This, along with providing a forum for the discussion of issues impacting the industry, remains the basic motivation for the Institute's efforts.

Its membership consists both of Active Members – producers of steel tube and pipe – and Associate Members – companies that supply raw materials, equipment and support services.  Members obtain information about new products and production techniques; develop a rapport and exchange information with companies in the industry, and work to support and advance the steel tubing industry.

The STI's website is located at www.steeltubeinstitute.org.  Bill Wolfe, Executive Director, may be contacted by emailing [email protected].

SOURCE The Steel Tube Institute of North America