Commerce Secretary appoints inaugural CMU Checkoff Board of Directors

Sources: U.S. Department of Commerce, CMU Checkoff Transition Advisory Council, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

The Department of Commerce named 21 block producers to two-, three- or four-year terms on the CMU Checkoff Board of Directors. They will soon meet to launch initial operations; appoint Regional Advisory Committee chairs and vice chairs; and, determine when checkoff assessments begin. The inaugural directors, 15 voting and six alternate(*), represent independent and major operators across regions mapped in federal legislation—the Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education and Promotion Act of 2018—spawning the CMU Checkoff:

Northeast

Brendan Quinn, Ernest Maier, Inc. (2024)
Heidi Jandris, Jandris Block (2025)
Richard O’Connor, Taylor Concrete Products, Inc. (2026)
Rocky Fizzano, Fizzano Brothers Concrete Products, Inc. (2025)*

Southeast

Major Ogilvie, Cemex/Ready-Mix USA (2024)
Preston Sparkman, Quality Block & Supply (2025)
Greg Gibbel, Best Block, a Quikrete Company (2026)
Sam Finney, Tidewater Block (2025)*
Gary Hensley, Oldcastle APG, a CRH Company (2026)*

North Central

Melissa Kline, Consumers Concrete Corp. (2024)
Patrick Sauter, King’s Material, Inc. (2025)
Sean Rustad, Lee Building Products (2026)
Jim Gendron, Fendt Builder’s Supply, Inc. (2026)*

South Central

Ryan Ross, Block-Lite (2024)
Dwayne Aucoin, State Block, Inc. (2025)
Mark Wilhelms, Midwest Block & Brick, a Quikrete Company (2026)
Mike Littrell, ABC Block & Brick (2024)*

West

Erik Absalon, Basalite Building Products, LLC (2024)
Kendall Anderegg, Mutual Materials (2025)
Edward Antonini, Angelus Block Company, Inc. (2026)
Michael Finch, RCP Block & Brick, Inc. (2024)*

“I am thrilled to appoint a highly talented slate of industry leaders from across the country to pioneer the National Concrete Masonry Products Board,” said Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. “Concrete masonry is a proud American tradition, and strengthening this important industry will expand markets, create jobs, and lead to higher quality outputs.”

Her appointments follow a November-December 2021 industry referendum where a majority of voters approved the National Concrete Masonry Products Board formation. “This is an exciting moment for the industry and an important step forward in our commitment to build a better future for block,” affirms CMU Checkoff Interim CEO Ray McVeigh. “These board members have been nominated by other producers as the block industry puts its checkoff to work building back lost demand, driving preference for concrete block and ensuring a robust future workforce.”

Based on the projected checkoff assessment of one penny for every concrete block sold in the U.S., Checkoff Transition Advisory Council leaders estimate more than a $100 million will be invested into advancing concrete masonry industry stakeholder interests in the program’s first decade. — www.cmucheckoff.com