ORGANIZATIONS – APRIL 2016

The Concrete Industry Management Program’s National Steering Committee grossed more than $925,000 at its annual auction, held in conjunction with the World of Concrete 2016. “[It] surpassed our highest gross proceeds total ever,” affirms Auction Committee Chairman Mike Philipps (Cemex USA). “We had a record in terms of the value of donated items and attendees that helped make this year’s event a tremendous success.”

Roy Simmons of Rockingham Redi-Mix Inc. prevailed in bidding for the signature item, a Granite-mounted 11-yd. Bridgemaster mixer, donated by Mack Trucks and McNeilus Cos. Steve Ireland of SD Ireland Concrete bested other bidders for a second truck: A 1951 Ford-mounted Rex mixer, restored and donated by Dean Leaman of Houston’s Allied Concrete Materials.

The committee once again partnered with GiveSmart, a user-friendly bidding technology service providing customized auction and event solutions. Participants were able to register for the auction; sneak preview items for silent and live bidding; submit instant bids on silent auction items; and, make CIM Program donations. Auction proceeds will support grants to CIM degree programs at Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro; New Jersey Institute of Technology; Texas State University; and, California State University, Chico.

During the National Concrete Masonry Association 2016 Convention in Orlando, the following members were installed as directors: Jack Kennedy of York Building Products (Region I); Michael Carlson of Cemex USA (II); Richard Rafanelli of Northfield, an Oldcastle Company (III); David Echternach of Orco Block & Hardscape (V); Marcus Poirier of Permacon Group (VI); and, Richard Isaacson of iwi Group (Associate Member).



Kevin Cavanaugh

Illinois’ Masonry Advisory Council has appointed Kevin Cavanaugh as Engineering Services and Architectural Education Outreach representative. His addition enables the council to broaden its reach, notes Executive Director Gary Porter, “while serving the needs of architects, engineers, builders, and the public.

Cavanaugh will be responsible for providing technical support and conducting continuing education seminars and “lunch & learns” to the same audiences to emphasize masonry building methods’ traditional features, benefits and built-in resilience. He will also introduce new software tools and review building code changes that are making masonry a much more robust modern material in terms of structural capacity and energy efficiency. 

While studying for a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Maryland, Cavanaugh interned at the National Institute of Standards, Gaithersburg, Md., where he first became involved in concrete and masonry. His 25 years in the industry have included positions in technical, sales and marketing with a lightweight aggregate producer and the National Concrete Masonry Association as energy engineer. 

40 Curt 400More than 40 contractor executives attended the first Decorative Surface Solutions Group annual membership meeting at The Palms Hotel during World of Concrete 2016. DSSG members focus on the rapidly expanding architectural concrete market and decorative flooring solutions including polished concrete, concrete topping slabs, terrazzo, epoxies, and other traditional flooring choices. 

“Although we have had tremendous success over the last 12 months, we are looking to see that increase significantly this year,” said DSSG President Curt Thompson. “Our focus on helping members accelerate their growth and profit is really beginning to resonate with the top-tier companies … Members received nine awards from the Decorative Concrete Council this year. We would like to continue that tradition of excellence and see it grow in the future.”

The American Society of Concrete Contractors has opened registration for its 2016 Concrete Executive Leadership Forum, July 14-17 at the Lodge at Torrey Pines, La Jolla, Calif. The event draws executives from the nation’s leading concrete contracting and general contracting firms to bolster their leadership and management skills. It features seminars, roundtable discussions and networking activities. Highlights of this year’s event include a reception and dinner at the MCAS Miramar Officers’ Club and speaker Richard Picciotto, an FDNY Battalion Commander and the highest-ranking firefighter to survive the World Trade Center collapse. — ASCC, 866/788-2722; www.ascconline.org

Associated Builders and Contractors has named David Allen Co. of Raleigh, N.C., its 2015 Contractor of the Year. Company President Art Odom accepted ABC’s highest honor at the 26th annual Excellence in Construction Awards gala in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Founded in 1920, David Allen has grown to become one of the nation’s largest marble, granite and terrazzo contractors, with nearly 500 employees and craft professionals at offices in Birmingham, Ala.; Columbia, S.C.; Washington, D.C.; and, Miami. Its portfolio includes flooring work at the White House, Pentagon, National Archives and Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.

40 ASA 175The American Shotcrete Association, which provides training, qualification, certification, education, and leadership to increase the acceptance, quality and safe practices of the shotcrete process, has unveiled a new logo and branding. The update is the first since the original logo appeared shortly after the group’s chartering in 1998. The revitalized look reflects what association officials note is an increased emphasis on moving forward with growth, member involvement and outreach in the concrete industry. The new logo uses the green color from the old logo, as well as the stylized nozzle at the end of the last “a.” The smooth curves of the letters in “asa” reflect the curves in shotcrete hoses, as well as supporting the concept that shotcrete is a creative method of placing concrete that is not limited to flat, straight sections.


MISSOURI S&T CONCRETE CONFERENCE

The 2016 Missouri Concrete Conference, May 3-4 on the Rolla campus, will feature presentations covering steel or macro synthetic fibers in concrete; impact of air pollution control on fly ash; proper curing techniques and materials; soil stabilization and full-depth reclamation; new American Concrete Institute pavement construction guide; lithium silicate curing compound; floor slabs and toppings; practical applications of resistivity testing; the Super Air Meter; city and county pavement management programs; and, Missouri Department of Transportation bridge girder specifications.

The conference suits concrete, aggregate and cement producers; contractors, public agencies and consulting engineers; plus, testing lab and equipment interests. Conference registration is $140 per person and can be obtained at www.concrete.mst.edu or through the Missouri S&T Office of Distance and Continuing Education, 573/341-6576. Additional information can be obtained from Associate Professor of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Dr. David Richardson, 573/341-4487 or [email protected].


PCA REVISES BENCHMARK REFERENCE

40 DesignControl 400Dovetailing 100th anniversary observances, the Portland Cement Association has released Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 16th Edition. The title is the definitive resource on concrete technology, backed by a century of PCA research. The 16th Edition provides a wealth of new information, including chapters on concrete pavements and structures, and the latest information on standards, specifications and test methods of ASTM International, American Concrete Institute and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures has become an indispensible resource for professionals and students across the building industry. The new edition is available for purchase through the PCA bookstore, www.cement.org.