The National Precast Concrete Association Board has appointed Frederick Grubbe, MBA, CAE, successor to President and CEO Ty Gable, who will cap 25-plus years with the Carmel, Ind. group with a previously announced year-end retirement. Effective January 2020, Grubbe will lead NPCA’s staff, programs and activities to ensure objectives are attained, plans fulfilled, and member needs are met. He will participate with directors in developing the strategic plan and maintaining effective internal and external relationships.
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“[Incoming Chairman] Jon Ohmes and I feel Fred’s experience and knowledge are an excellent fit,” says NPCA Chairman Mike Hoffman (Lindsay Precast). “The search team worked diligently to find an exceptional candidate and, along with the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, voted unanimously to hire Fred. We are excited for him to join the staff and begin the next chapter for NPCA.”
Grubbe brings more than 25 years of non-profit executive leadership experience in associations, foundations and government. He previously led the Appraisal Institute, National Fraternal Congress of America and the Think First Foundation. In addition, Grubbe has held senior positions with the U.S. Department of Transportation and in the White House. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Northern Illinois University, an MBA from the Loyola University Chicago Quinlan School of Business, and completed an advanced strategy certificate course at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He also is a Certified Association Executive, which is bestowed by the American Society of Association Executives.
“As just the fourth president and chief executive officer since the organization’s founding in 1965, I have some big shoes to fill following Ty Gable,” notes Grubbe. “With our nation’s leaders currently considering significant infrastructure investment in the next few years, the future for precast concrete products is very solid. I’m delighted to join with the organization’s seasoned leadership and outstanding staff team in ensuring that precast concrete products are at the forefront of that historic investment.”
Dodge Data & Analytics Senior Economist Richard Branch is successor to Chief Economist Robert Murray, who retired at the end of August. After a decade in his former role, Branch is now tasked with ensuring the service’s continued preeminence in tracking, analyzing and forecasting North American construction activity. He will work with clients and national, regional, or trade media to share insights on residential and commercial building plus nonbuilding markets. Branch will likewise play lead roles in producing or overseeing the monthly Dodge Momentum Index, National Construction Starts research, and annual Dodge Construction Outlook Conference.
Concurrently, the firm has expanded the role of Kim Kennedy from manager to director of Forecasting. A Dodge team member for 20-plus years, she will co-author the annual Outlook report and flagship quarterly Construction Market Forecasting Service publications.
The American Concrete Institute has launched the Post-Installed Concrete Anchor Installation Inspector certification program. Geared to individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge required to properly inspect the installation of post-installed adhesive and mechanical anchors, it builds upon the sunsetting Adhesive Anchor Installation Inspector certification program, and includes inspection of post-installed mechanical anchors. Both the new Post-Installed Concrete and existing Adhesive Anchor Installation Inspector programs are cited in the ACI 318-19: Building Codes Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary, released in June. Additional information on the ACI Post-Installed Concrete Anchor Installation Inspector certification program, including a detailed job task analysis, is available at ACICertification.org.
“The Institute is in the process of working with our global network of sponsoring groups to update review session materials,” says ACI Managing Director, Certification John Nehasil. “The program is currently available through more than 40 of our sponsoring groups, and will be available at the upcoming ACI Convention in Cincinnati, and World of Concrete in Las Vegas. As the industry adopts the ACI 318-19 code, we expect demand for certified anchor inspectors to grow.”
Separately, ACI has updated Flatwork Finishing Certification program designations and requirements. Concrete Flatwork Technician has been renamed as ACI Concrete Flatwork Associate; Concrete Flatwork Tradesman as Concrete Flatwork Finisher; and, Concrete Flatwork Finisher and Technician as Advanced Concrete Flatwork Finisher. To earn a new ACI Concrete Flatwork Associate certification, individuals need to pass a written exam; for Flatwork Finisher certification, they need to pass a performance exam and have 1,500 hours of documented work experience. To earn Advanced Concrete Flatwork Finisher certification, individuals need to both pass a written exam and either have 4,500 hours of work experience or 1,500 hours of work experience and pass a performance exam. Additionally, the Concrete Flatwork Finisher and Advanced Concrete Flatwork Finisher programs will have an optional re-certification method through submittal and verification of approved continuing education and work experience.
“These changes are designed to better reflect the knowledge, skills, and responsibilities of certified personnel; provide more flexible and convenient recertification options; and, encourage personal growth within the concrete flatwork finishing sector,” notes Managing Director, Certification John Nehasil. ACI has begun issuing credentials with the new program names to those individuals earning certification, he adds, while those who have already been certified with the retiring program names will receive new credentials upon upgrade or re-certification.
Stainless Steel Fabrication is the latest addition to Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute certification programs. Candidate plants undergo a comprehensive and rigorous audit to demonstrate they have the personnel, organization, experience, procedures, knowledge, equipment, and commitment to provide quality products—meeting or exceeding industry and government agency expectations.
Stainless Steel Fabrication Certification Program plants meet requirements set forth in the normative document ANSI/CRSI – IPG4.1: CRSI Standard for Standard Practice for Stainless Steel Reinforcing Bar Fabrication Facilities. Fabricators most recently attaining certification are Contractors Materials Co. (CRR-Corrosion Resistant Reinforcing) in Walton, Ky.; and, Salit Specialty Rebar Inc. in Buffalo, N.Y. Additional information on Stainless Steel Fabrication and companion certification programs can be obtained from CRSI, 847/517-1200; www.crsi.org.
Separately, CRSI has named three new team members for its regional operations. Kevin Bott has joined the Institute as Western Region manager, following more than a decade as a Tampa, Fla.-based structural engineer. He will cover the region with newly appointed Pacific Northwest Manager Paul Dye, who transitioned to the Institute with a deep background in reinforcing steel, most recently as vice president and chief operating officer of Precision Rebar & Accessories, Vancouver, Wash. An 18-year veteran of Portland Cement Association, David Shepherd, AIA, has been appointed CRSI Midwest Region manager.
CIM COMMITTEE CALLS FOR 2020 AUCTION DONATIONS
Concrete Industry Management National Steering Committee members are building the pool of equipment, material, service, and entertainment, sports or travel package donations for the 2020 Concrete Industry Management Auction, February 5 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The event times with World of Concrete day two and will have respective silent and live auction bidding at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in a North Hall meeting room.