Filling the vacancy in its lead staff position following the resignation of Mark Hogan, the National Concrete Masonry Association board of directors has appointed Robert Thomas, vice president of engineering & research and 18-year association veteran, to fill the role of president in an interim capacity. With plans to pursue other professional interests, Hogan departs NCMA in Herndon, Va., after more than three decades, serving the last 10 years as president.

A May planning session identified key objectives, including (a) expanding support for emerging hardscape markets; (b) positioning concrete masonry products for sustainable construction; (c) prioritizing association investments for market expansion; and, (d) leveraging resources through improved partnerships with related organizations. Says 2008 NCMA Chairman Bill Holden (Block-USA), “There are always opportunities to improve, and the association is enthusiastically pursuing [them].”