National Ready Mixed Concrete Association Chief Operating Officer Deborah Malone and Chief Financial Officer Joe Roche will lead their organization for an interim period after the late-August resignation and departure of Mike Philipps, who had served as staff president for six years. 2024 Chairman Nathan McKean (BMC Enterprises) credits Philipps for leadership significantly contributing to NRMCA membership expansion and positioning the industry for continued success, concluding, “His contributions have been invaluable and his impact will be felt for years to come.” The NRMCA Executive Committee will form a search committee for a successor.
The Electrical Safety Foundation (ESF) in Arlington, Va. has appointed Jennifer LeFevre as executive director. She arrives after nearly three decades with the Concrete Advancement Foundation and predecessor, the RMC Research and Education Foundation, most recently serving as vice president and senior director. During her CAF tenure, she spearheaded a $12 million fundraising campaign and grew sponsorship, outreach, organizational messaging, and communications efforts. Her work with trustees and colleagues helped the concrete industry build share in key construction markets, broaden the Foundation’s reach, and foster relationships with donors.
“This is a dynamic time for the electrical industry and achieving our nation’s electrification goals,” says ESF Executive Committee Member and National Electrical Manufacturers Association CEO Debra Phillips. “Jennifer has the unique combination of strategic vision and deep technical expertise needed to lead the Electrical Safety Foundation into its next chapter. With many years of success in non-profit and trade association administration, she is a fantastic addition to the team.”
“We are excited to have Ms. LeFevre join ESF and lead the organization into its fourth decade of advocacy for electrical safety,” adds ESF Board Chair Alan Manche (Schneider Electric). “The continued electrification of our society presents more opportunities for the public and workforce to directly engage new and emerging electrical applications that require safety education.”
LeFevre’s arrival coincides with ESF marking 30 years in operation and adoption of a strategic plan for activities through 2027, penned to respond to rapid advancements occurring throughout the industry. The proliferation of emerging technologies and the electrification of everything will ensure that electrical safety is a critical priority for organizations, consumers, and workers.
Virginia-based Groundworks has acquired Clarke Basement Systems, the premier authority in crawl space structural repair, foundation repair, and basement waterproofing in Toronto and the surrounding areas. As a locally owned and operated enterprise, it has served southern Ontario for over two decades, fostering substantial growth through a commitment to delivering durable, warrantied solutions. The deal follows Groundworks’ acquisition of peer operators in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta earlier this year.
“Our partnership with Clarke Basement Systems enables us to move into Canada’s largest market to serve a greater number of customers and assist them in protecting their homes,” says Groundworks Founder and CEO Matt Malone.
MASONRY SYMPOSIUM CALL FOR PAPERS
ASTM International C01, C07 and C15, Committees on Cement, Lime and Masonry, invite abstracts of candidate papers for the 2026 Masonry Symposium: Advancing Masonry Technology and Tradecraft. Scheduled June 2, concurrent with committee meetings at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, the symposium will be programmed to disseminate the latest information on all aspects of innovations in masonry materials, design, specification, construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation. Presenters will emphasize the application of ASTM standards to those areas, and their coordination with building codes, project specifications, and international standards.
Masonry Symposium organizers seek papers on such topics as Specifications, codes and ASTM standards; Design and detailing; Durability; Inspection; Maintenance; Manufacturing; Materials; Moisture management, water penetration and resistance; Performance-based design and specification; Petrography; Research; Sustainability; and, Thermal Performance. Authors are asked to submit by February 7, 2025 a 250- to 300-word abstract through a portal linked at the main symposium site, https://go.astm.org/2026-masonry-symposium. Additional information can also be obtained from technical chairs Bill Kjorlien ([email protected]) and Greg Moody ([email protected]).