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Investing in the Future of Project Management: The AIST Bernard J. Fedak Project Management Excellence Fund
02/18/2026 - The Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) is pleased to announce the receipt of a generous donation in the amount of US$250,000 from Bernard J. Fedak, 1996 president of the Association of Iron & Steel Engineers (AISE), recipient of the 2007 AIME McConnell Award, and 57-Year AIST Life Member.
This landmark contribution represents the largest personal donation in AIST’s history and reflects Fedak’s longstanding commitment to the advancement of the iron and steel industry.
In recognition of this extraordinary gift, the AIST Board of Directors will match the donation and formally establish the Bernard J. Fedak Project Management Excellence Fund. The fund will support initiatives designed to elevate and sustain the highest standards of excellence in project management throughout the steel industry, focusing on three key pillars: training courses, training grants and professional recognition.
Bernard Fedak told AIST’s Iron & Steel Technology, “AIST and its predecessor AISE played a significant role in my 37‑year career in the steel industry through technical exchange, professional development, networking and collaboration. My donation is intended to give back to the organization and to support project management educational opportunities for today’s steel industry engineers.”
“AIST provided invaluable networking and collaboration opportunities throughout my career,” Fedak said. “It offered a forum to test, challenge and refine ideas related to steel processes, equipment, and project execution, and it supported career development that helped me succeed in my career spanning multiple organizations.”
Fedak went on to describe the importance of project management in the steel industry: “The steel industry is capital-intensive. It is not uncommon today to see companies embark on complex projects costing billions of dollars that take years to complete. Proper scope development, safe and efficient execution, and successful commissioning of all projects will provide enormous bottom-line benefit to any enterprise.”
According to AIST executive director Ron Ashburn, “Mr. Fedak’s generous gift enables AIST to meaningfully invest in elevating project management skills, resources, and recognition across the steel industry, reinforcing AIST’s commitment to developing people and strengthening operational excellence.”
“Project management in this industry is complex, high-stakes business. Raising standards, sharing best practices, and highlighting excellence in this discipline can only help the steel industry deliver successful projects that will shape its future,” Ashburn said.
AIST extends its deepest appreciation to Mr. Bernard J. Fedak for his exceptional generosity and enduring dedication to the steel industry.
In recognition of this extraordinary gift, the AIST Board of Directors will match the donation and formally establish the Bernard J. Fedak Project Management Excellence Fund. The fund will support initiatives designed to elevate and sustain the highest standards of excellence in project management throughout the steel industry, focusing on three key pillars: training courses, training grants and professional recognition.
Bernard Fedak told AIST’s Iron & Steel Technology, “AIST and its predecessor AISE played a significant role in my 37‑year career in the steel industry through technical exchange, professional development, networking and collaboration. My donation is intended to give back to the organization and to support project management educational opportunities for today’s steel industry engineers.”
“AIST provided invaluable networking and collaboration opportunities throughout my career,” Fedak said. “It offered a forum to test, challenge and refine ideas related to steel processes, equipment, and project execution, and it supported career development that helped me succeed in my career spanning multiple organizations.”
Fedak went on to describe the importance of project management in the steel industry: “The steel industry is capital-intensive. It is not uncommon today to see companies embark on complex projects costing billions of dollars that take years to complete. Proper scope development, safe and efficient execution, and successful commissioning of all projects will provide enormous bottom-line benefit to any enterprise.”
According to AIST executive director Ron Ashburn, “Mr. Fedak’s generous gift enables AIST to meaningfully invest in elevating project management skills, resources, and recognition across the steel industry, reinforcing AIST’s commitment to developing people and strengthening operational excellence.”
“Project management in this industry is complex, high-stakes business. Raising standards, sharing best practices, and highlighting excellence in this discipline can only help the steel industry deliver successful projects that will shape its future,” Ashburn said.
AIST extends its deepest appreciation to Mr. Bernard J. Fedak for his exceptional generosity and enduring dedication to the steel industry.
