Governor Rick Scott has announced five appointments—one new member, four incumbents, all for terms running through June 2018—to the Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council (FCMEC), an organization authorized by Sunshine State lawmakers and funded by a voluntary check-off program among major and independent block producers.
New to the Orlando-based Council is Florida Independent Concrete and Associated Products Inc. Executive Director Michele Stropoli, succeeding Florida Concrete & Products Association Marketing Director Matthew Sitter. She joins the FCMEC’s reappointed Kenneth “Justin” Lord, president and chief executive officer of Central Broward Construction, Ft. Lauderdale; Troy Maschmeyer, president and chief executive officer of Maschmeyer Concrete Company of Florida, Lake Park; Antonio Obregon, president and chief executive officer of Formrite Construction LLC, Boca Raton; and, Charles “Preston” Sparkman, vice president of Sales, Quality Precast Co., Plant City.
Governor Scott signed the FCMEC-chartering Concrete Masonry Education Act in 2014, positioning producers and their contractor customers to step up mason training efforts and improve access to related educational offerings; develop outreach programs to ensure workforce diversity; and, inform the public about the sustainability and economic benefits of concrete masonry products.
Texas A&M University recognized Heldenfels Enterprises, Inc. (HEI) as a member of the 2015 Aggie 100, which honors the fastest-growing, alumni-owned or -operated companies. Based in San Marcos, Texas, with additional plants in Corpus Christi and El Paso, Heldenfels Enterprises ranks 98th with a compound annual growth rate of nearly 32 percent from 2012 through 2014. This is the producer’s fourth time to garner such recognition, having been named to the Aggie 100 in 2005, 2006 and 2010. Capitalizing on strengths and advice of others will ultimately lead to business, affirms HEI President and CEO and 2015 Texas A&M Distinguished Alumnus Fred Heldenfels IV, who encourages young entrepreneurs to “keep learning and listening for the rest of your life … Always be willing to listen to others, and learn what their own God-given strengths are.”
The Center for New Ventures and Entrepreneurship at Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School launched the Aggie 100 program in 2005 to salute graduates from across disciplines for their entrepreneurial endeavors and success as business leaders. “From agriculture to technology and everything in between, this year’s list signifies that, no matter your background, the Aggie entrepreneurial spirit is alive and thriving,” Center Executive Director Dr. Richard Lester told a gathering of 700-plus at the Texas A&M Kyle Field’s Zone Club. “Our sense of entrepreneurial pride swells each year, as we recognize how successful businesses can become by keeping the Aggie Code of Honor at the heart of everything they do.”
The Martin Marietta Materials Board of Directors has elected Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary Roselyn Bar as Executive Vice President. She joined the producer in 1994 as assistant general counsel and assistant corporate secretary, advancing to corporate secretary in 1997, associate general counsel in 1998, deputy general counsel in 2000, vice president and general counsel in 2001, and her most recent post in 2005.
Prior to Martin Marietta, Bar was corporate counsel at Sun America Inc. and corporate attorney at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in New York and Los Angeles. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rochester and a law degree from the Brooklyn Law School. She serves as the vice chair of the Council of Counsel and on the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association Legal Task Force.
Orlando-based precast/prestressed producer and design-build contractor Finfrock is working with Capstone Development Partners in a public-private partnership that will bring the University of South Florida more than 2,000 beds of student housing. With a first phase scheduled for summer 2017, the project consists of five buildings, five to six stories tall, using Finfrock’s new DualDeck Building System. Brought to a commercial stage through $20 million in research & development, plant and equipment outlays, DualDeck makes use of Building Information Modeling and Computer Automated Manufacturing technologies to produce precast/prestressed concrete building components that incorporate the mechanical, electrical and plumbing subsystems.
The building system will allow the University and the Capstone Development team to accelerate the schedule, lower initial and life cycle costs, eliminate contractor-initiated change orders, and provide the superior attributes of concrete construction, all while minimizing the chance for building obsolescence. Due to its 100-percent concrete construction, the development is particularly well suited for the durability demands of on-campus housing. The long-span, column-free space, assures that, as user expectations change, the buildings have great flexibility.
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| Dana Hook |
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| Mitch Klink |
Wisconsin-based precast/prestressed producer and hollow core machinery manufacturer Spancrete has named Dana Hook director of Aftermarket Services and promoted Mitch Klink to Aftermarket sales coordinator. The appointments will help bolster global preventative maintenance and customer service programs. Working directly with Spancrete Global Services, Hook and Klink will provide technical expertise, support and assistance to all customers to enhance parts and service sales, machine sales and total precast solutions around the globe. Hook has over 20 years of experience working in national and regional sales roles. Klink joined Spancrete in 2014 and worked as a production assistant prior to his promotion.
“With our continued global growth, it’s as important as ever to make sure all of our customers are equipped and ready for the future,” says Spancrete President Al Antoniewicz. “Dana and Mitch will help guide our customers through their preventative maintenance and continued equipment and service additions, with Spancrete as their partner.”
Hook received his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical engineering technology from Pennsylvania State University, while Klink attended college at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Oldcastle Precast announced that its Newnan, Ga. operation achieved six years without a recordable injury—less than three months after team members marked a 13th year, 950,646 man hours, without a lost time incident. The company said these safety achievements are a direct result of its employees’ ongoing pledge to safety awareness and practices.
“We maintain employee safety as a primary focus for our teams as well as our customers. Our operators and technical staff are committed to safety and play an active role in achieving and maintaining this record,” affirms Oldcastle Precast Regional General Manager Gene Drake.
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| Hard Bargain Environmental Center |
Fiber cement siding leader James Hardie Building Products supplied its signature HardiePlank for the Alice Ferguson Foundation’s Hard Bargain Environmental Center, located along the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. The net zero energy, net zero water, and carbon neutral structure is designed to meet the Living Building Challenge, representing what developers contend is the most stringent set of green building standards. Only seven buildings worldwide, they add, have been certified through the rigorous regimen, which requires strict adherence to use of non-toxic materials in building construction. Re:Vision Architecture led the project design team and Facchina Construction Co. served as general contractor.
The Alice Ferguson Foundation connects people to the natural world, sustainable agricultural practices, and the cultural heritage of their local watershed through education, stewardship, and advocacy. The Foundation’s curriculum, which examines biodiversity, adaptation, climate resiliency, and the cycles of nature, will get a boost from the building, as it demonstrates the sustainable use of natural resources and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) concepts.
Students of all ages will be challenged to problem solve, particularly around the concepts of water, energy and waste. An Internet-based dashboard providing real time building performance and green features engages students and encourages their collaboration around sustainability goals.