Convening in Las Vegas just prior to the ConExpo-Con/Agg 2020 show, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association committees and divisions recognized individuals and groups for association and industry contributions. Concrete Products joins NRMCA in saluting those honored at the 2020 convention, by AWARD:
WILLIAM B. ALLEN
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| Ted Chandler |
The Workforce Development Committee’s Business Administration task force presented this year’s honor to Ted Chandler, president of Burlington, N.C.-based Chandler Concrete Co. In addition to a 2016-17 NRMCA Chairman’s term, he served on the Executive Committee from 2009-2012 and Board during multiple terms, while also participating in Safety, Environmental & Operations and Government Affairs Committee work.
The Allen Award recognizes outstanding leadership in advancing the ready mixed concrete industry and improving operations’ financial health, performance and sustainability. It is named after Bill Allen, who had more than 50 years’ experience in concrete and aggregates production, transitioning from Memphis ready mixed business owner to building the industry’s top management consultancy, Allen-Villere Partners.
BRUNO BENNA ADVOCACY
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| Scott Olin |
The Government Affairs Committee presented this inaugural award to Scott Olin of North Dakota-based Dickinson Ready Mix. It acknowledges his regular trips to Washington, D.C. to lobby on important policy issues; hosting of fundraisers and tours for Congress members; and, consistent delivery of a pro-business, pro-ready mixed production message to elected officials.
Committee members have named the new award for Bruno Benna, who headed Nevada-based CB Materials; served NRMCA for more than half a century through committee and board work plus a 1993 chairman’s term; and, steadfastly supported ConcretePAC.
JOSEPH E. CARPENTER
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| Jeff Davis |
The NRMCA Safety, Environmental & Operations Committee presented the 2020 Carpenter Award to Jeff Davis, a veteran of Central Concrete Supply Co., San Jose; Cadman Inc., Seattle; and, a family-owned Idaho ready mixed business. Committee members recognize his commitment to operational excellence; service among dozens of state and national associations; lead role in creating an environment attractive to young talent; assistance in helping future industry leaders grow and prosper; and, sustainability-informed work with the NRMCA Environmental Focus Group and the Carbon Leadership Forum.
An equipment and fleet management manager at Rinker Materials in West Palm Beach, Fla., Joseph Carpenter was instrumental in forming the NRMCA Committee on Maintenance, since evolved to Safety, Environmental & Operations.
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| Troy Maschmeyer |
CONCRETE CARES
The NRMCA Manufacturers, Products & Services Division presented the 2020 Concrete Cares Award to producers in two categories, each recipient designating a charitable organization to which the Division donates $1,000. Sequatchie Concrete Service of Tennessee was honored in the first category (< 250,000 yd. annual production) after raising nearly $30,000 for American Cancer Society and sponsoring the “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” walk, coupled with adding a pink mixer to its delivery fleet. In 2019, Sequatchie Concrete’s 300-plus employees assisted in a toy drive for the Forgotten Child Fund, benefitting families during the Christmas season.
Maschmeyer Concrete of Florida was honored in the second Concrete Cares category (> 250,000 yd. annual production), recognizing activities behind a core company value, Community, and commitment of 1 percent or more of annual profits to charitable endeavors. The producer supports and serves Boys & Girls Clubs, Habitat for Humanity, Peggy Adams Animal Rescue, Homes for Heroes and Vietnam Veterans, and stages Touch-A-Truck events in many communities where it operates. Founder Troy Maschmeyer accepted the award.
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| Jerry Haught |
RICHARD D. GAYNOR
The Research, Engineering & Standards Committee honored Jerry Haught, recently retired from Cemex USA as vice president of Technical Services, Florida and Western U.S. Members acknowledged Haught’s contributions to the American Concrete Institute, including work on Committees 301, Specifications, 305, Hot Weather, and 363, High Strength Concrete; NRMCA research and industry standards advocacy; and, the Prescriptive-to-Performance initiative to evolve concrete mix specifications in public and private construction. An NRMCA and National Aggregates Association Technical Services institution, Richard Gaynor capped a long career in 1995-96 as the groups’ executive vice president.
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| John Lee |
PROMOTER OF THE YEAR–BUILDINGS
The Promotion Committee’s Buildings Promoter of 2020 is John Lee, director of Business Development at Cemstone Products Co., Mendota Heights, Minn. Members recognize his key role organizing the Build With Strength Committee within the Minnesota Concrete Council and advancing BWS coalition priorities; informing industry response to proposals for tall wood building schemes; and, promoting insulated form and other reinforced concrete solutions for school construction. Cemstone management credits Lee’s work with sales managers and account representatives to uncover business and promotion opportunities.
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| Martin Schneider |
PROMOTER OF THE YEAR–PAVEMENT
The Promotion Committee named Martin Schneider of Midwest Concrete Materials Inc., Manhattan, Kan., as Pavement Promoter of 2020. Members took note of his role in training City of Manhattan concrete crews on improved finishing practices, leading to a doubling of their slab production rates. That training effort spread to area contractors and supported ongoing efforts to convert street and parking lot pavements from asphalt to concrete at full depth or overlay. Since 2018, Martin was instrumental in converting municipal and church pavement project specs, equating to 35,000 yd. of ready mixed deliveries.
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| Dominic Di Cenzo |
PROMOTER OF THE YEAR–STATE AFFILIATE
The Promotion Committee named Connecticut Concrete Promotion Council Executive Director Dominic Di Cenzo as State Affiliate Promoter of 2020. Members cite a 2019 schedule during which he hosted or facilitated more than 20 presentations to architects, engineers, specifiers, developers, fire marshals, and prospective end users of concrete across the state. His outreach to design professionals last year led to Council sponsorship of the January 2020 Net Zero Schools Summit, an American Institute of Architects, Connecticut Chapter-hosted program at the Yale University School of Architecture.
“From small one-on-one meetings to the largest state-wide events, Dom has seized the opportunity to present on concrete design and construction,” the committee notes. “Outreach through social media to communicate his activities supports other Northeast Region promoters by offering them the opportunity to participate in CCPC programs. His frequent posts and information offerings are exactly what our industry needs. He is advocating for the concrete industry in an area where many of his peers only scratch the surface.”
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| Joel Waters |
STATE ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR
The Mississippi Concrete Association earned the NRMCA Promotion Committee’s State Association of 2020 honor. Accepting the award was MCA Executive Director Joel Waters.
Among MCA highlights and activities throughout a productive 2019 were a) a Build With Strength Mississippi Campaign, through which MCA conveyed the concrete value message to design and engineering professionals, plus state, county and local government officials; b) promotion efforts engaging school administrators and superintendents, building officials, municipal leagues and boards of supervisors; c) a Concrete College offering nine certification classes in partnership with the American Concrete Institute; d) awarding of high school and college scholarships; e) endowing a chair at the Mississippi State University Bagley School of Engineering, affording the association a seat on the Construction Materials Research Council Board; and, f) advocacy geared to resilient-building methods and leading lawmakers to position Mississippi as the fourth state to pass legislation giving policy rebates for new single-family dwellings built to the Insurance Institute for Building & Home Safety Fortified Standard.
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| Materials Division Chairman Matt McGlone of BASF Admixture Systems (left) and former Master Builders CEO Mike Shydlowski flank Dave Nicholson’s wife Kathy and daughter Lynn Sullivan, who accepted the posthumous honor. |
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| Matt Wood |