Matt Ballain has been named executive director of the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute Central Region, spanning Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia. The appointment follows his performance in many roles at PCI, leading to election as 2023 chair, along with nearly 20 years as vice president and general manager of Coreslab Structures, Indianapolis. On PCI’s Executive Committee, Ballain has been an advocate for education and sustainability, including efforts to develop teaching materials for a college or university level prestressed concrete class. Concurrent with Executive Committee duties, he chairs the PCI Sustainability Committee.
“Matt’s understanding of the industry, ability to foster collaboration in the private and non-profit sectors, and track record of substantial growth will serve the region well,” says PCI Central Region Chair Barry Barger (Prestress Services Industries, Grove City, Ohio).
“I look forward to using my skills to further grow the market for producer and associate members, strengthening relationships with university professors and students, and enhancing the PCI Central Region through efforts with PCI and the other PCI regions,” Ballain affirms.
The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association has recognized Lorri Soule, corporate safety manager of Washington-based Miles Sand & Gravel Co., and Maine-based Auburn Concrete in its 8th Annual Safety Awards program. The Truck Mixer Manufacturers Bureau-sponsored award is presented to an individual and/or company whose actions represent the very highest in the advancement of safety in the ready mixed concrete industry. The recipients will be honored at an awards ceremony this month during the 2024 NRMCA ConcreteWorks Conference and Expo, Denver.
“Lorri’s innovative strategies and unwavering commitment have not only elevated safety protocols but also inspired a profound shift in how safety is perceived and practiced across all of our organizations,” Miles S&G officials note. “Her leadership and dedication have transformed safety standards.” They credit her safety management with a 55 percent year over year injury rate decrease in 2023, during which the producer saw a 31 percent increase in worker hours over 2022.
Auburn Concrete earned a company NRMCA Safety Award partly on the strength of a testimonial from its insurance broker, who after two-plus years of working with the producer notes: “I have seen nothing less than a 100 percent commitment to safety and fostering a partnership of innovation which has led to great success. To say they have been anything less than unrelenting in their pursuit of safety would be an understatement.”
National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer Michele Stanley will be interim chief executive officer upon this month’s departure of Michael Johnson, who has served as president and CEO for 11 years and will maintain those titles in a November transition to the American Coatings Association.
“Under Mike’s leadership, NSSGA is in the best position it’s ever been in to represent and advocate for our members,” says Board Chair Jim Nickolas (Martin Marietta Materials). “During his tenure, the association successfully implemented four successive Rocks Build America strategic plans and our membership has grown to exceed 500 companies within the aggregates and industrial sand industry. Mike has assembled a team of professionals that will carry on the great work to deliver value to our member companies. The reputation and influence that NSSGA enjoys today is a testament to the work Mike and his team have done. On behalf of NSSGA’s leadership and its members, we wish him much success in his next chapter.”
The interim CEO appointment was announced less than a month after the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association made similar moves in response to the resignation and immediate exit of Mike Philipps, staff president.
Baker Construction, the largest concrete contractor in the U.S., has named Jason Uthe as chief financial officer, overseeing strategic financial planning, shared services, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting. A certified public accountant and internal auditor, he arrives with 20-plus years of experience in financial operations and driving business growth at high-profile engineering and manufacturing firms. His strategic insights and focus on operational excellence, management notes, will support Baker’s purpose of “Building better structures and building better lives.”
Prior to joining Baker, Uthe served as senior vice president, corporate finance for Cornerstone Building Brands—home to Stoneworks and Ply Gem Stone precast concrete veneer products—where he successfully led corporate finance strategies, planning, operations, investor relations, and ERP transformation. Earlier in his career he held similar roles at Linde, Dover Corp. and Procter & Gamble. Uthe holds a M.S. in Accounting from the University of Cincinnati and MBA in Finance from Xavier University.
“Jason’s proven track record in financial stewardship, deep industry knowledge, and vision for innovation make him an ideal choice for keeping us on track to achieve significant growth while exceeding our clients’ expectations,” says Baker CEO Karl H. Watson, Jr.
ASTM International C01 Committee on Cement has presented the Bryant Mather Award to Steve Wilcox, who runs an eponymous consultancy after nearly 40 years in the industry, most recently as Argos USA technical director. Wilcox was recognized for the expertise and mentorship that marks his decades-long career within the cement industry. His tenure includes service as chair of Subcommittees C01.10, C01.27, and C01.95, which helped strengthen ASTM’s cement standard specifications. An ASTM International member since 1990, Wilcox has been previously honored with the C01 Award of Merit plus one C09 and two C01 Awards of Appreciation.
Calgary-based Carbon Upcycling, a carbon dioxide capture and utilization technology provider, recently joined the Portland Cement Association, marking what company officials call a significant step in their mission to reduce the carbon footprint of cement production. “The most effective and credible pathway to decarbonizing the cement industry is through strategic partnerships and collaboration with long-time industry leaders,” says Carbon Upcycling CEO Apoorv Sinha. “Joining PCA underscores our commitment to advance sustainable practices and substantially reduce carbon emissions. We look forward to forging a low-carbon, resilient future with our fellow members.”
By partnering with international producers and PCA members like Ash Grove Cement and Cemex S.A.B. de C.V., he adds, Carbon Upcycling is driving sustainability initiatives. The firm is currently developing a first-of-a-kind commercial carbon capture and utilization system at Canada’s largest cement plant, the Ash Grove Mississauga mill. The project is intended to yield low-carbon cement and aligns with Canada’s national decarbonization plan.
“Carbon Upcycling’s efforts are helping the cement industry increase circularity and advance its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality,” notes PCA CEO Mike Ireland.
CONSTRUCTION QUALITY CERTIFICATION
The newest credential from American Society for Quality, Milwaukee, responds to universal contractor and owner priorities. Now open to applications, Certified Construction Quality Manager (CCQM) certification addresses the growing need for highly skilled professionals who can manage projects with a focus on quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and sustainable building practices. An ASQ Body of Knowledge guide for CCQM candidates, posted at www.asq.org, references Pre-Contract, Planning, Design, Procurement, Construction, Project Turnover and Closeout, plus Operations and Management phases.
CCQM certification development was a collaborative effort involving the ASQ Design and Construction Division, significant construction subject matter expert contributions, and a partnership with the closely allied ASQ Excellence organization. “This highlights the critical need for advanced quality management skills in construction,” says ASQE Executive Director of Certification Michael Byrnes. “CCQM will play a vital role in promoting sustainable practices and elevating the overall quality of construction projects worldwide.”
“This certification is not only a testament to our shared commitment to excellence but also a strategic move to address the evolving needs of the construction industry,” adds ASQE CEO Jim Templin. “We believe that the CCQM will become a cornerstone for professionals dedicated to driving quality and sustainability in construction.”
Florida-based DPR Construction, one of the nation’s top technical builders, recently honored the first graduates of its Craft Apprenticeship Program. Of the 100 apprentices currently enrolled, 43 have successfully completed the rigorous concrete or drywall programs, which are National Center for Construction Education and Research-certified and recognized across the U.S. DPR’s Craft Apprenticeship Program offers a unique learning experience in both Spanish and English. Participants gain journey-level skills in construction essentials such as math, blueprint reading, and communication, preparing them for trade-specific learning paths in concrete, drywall or electrical.
The contractor is offering the program across the Southeast and Texas to help extend entry points into the trades. Aimed primarily at newer craft team members, it affords participants technical instruction coupled with on-the-job training over the course of about two years. DPR developed the approach to allow apprentices to digest information in a variety of settings, ensuring they are ready to tackle real world construction challenges and able to meet the high quality and safety standards needed to succeed in the industry.
“With labor shortages affecting the industry, we know it takes an all-in approach to bring more people into the trades,” says Chris Bell, DPR’s self-perform work leader in the Southeast. “We want to provide as many entry points to careers in the skilled trades as possible and this complements the excellent union-run programs throughout the country. We’re committed to providing opportunities to learn essential skills that can fuel rewarding life-long careers.”
Miami-based Onx Homes plans to extend its intellectual property portfolio with patent filings for technologies that enable the production of environmentally sustainable, resilient homes at scale and speed. Archicrete is a cement-free formulation with high compressive and flexural strength and a global warming impact 33 percent below that of conventional concrete. Cork-Gypsum Plaster is a cement and sand-free biocomposite designed to reduce heat transfer. Its thermal conductivity is 52 percent less than that of conventional plaster and helps homeowners lower electricity consumption. The Net Zero Energy Buildings method addresses many challenges tied to traditional construction, incorporating predesigned, insulated concrete elements to ensure high quality and repeatability, while significantly easing common schedule and quality issues associated with conventional practice.
“These patents represent a significant advance in construction technology: We can now build communities that are even more durable, cost-effective and environmentally responsible for the next generation of homeowners,” says Onx Homes COO Ravi Bhat.
APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES VETERAN HEIN EARNS TOP CMHA HONOR
The Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association has presented David Hein, P.E. with its 2024 Industry Champion Award, a special recognition that extends beyond CMHA and the immediate concrete products industry. It honors individuals who, through their efforts and dedication, have significantly contributed to the advancement and promotion of concrete products. Recipients hail from various fields and industries and have recognized the value of concrete products, championed their use, and helped to drive innovation, sustainability plus growth.
Since 2020, Hein has been an independent engineer following nearly 20 years with New Mexico-based Applied Research Associates Inc., where he served as transportation infrastructure division manager, principal investigator and principal engineer. During his ARA tenure, Hein was introduced to segmental concrete pavement and the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Association, for whom he managed a number of notable projects. Through his work with the ICPI Foundation, he researched slab and plank finite element modeling, on/offsite Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement benefits, and developed CMHA’s Permeable Design Pro Software. He also consulted on PICP Structural Testing for the University of California Pavement Research Center.
CMHA credits Hein with developing many tools, among them a pavement condition index methodology which treats vehicular installations as assets, monitors their performance and predicts when maintenance will be required. The methodology evolved into ASTM E2840, Standard Practice for Pavement Condition Index Surveys for Interlocking Concrete Roads and Parking Lots, elevating management of paver roads to the level of other competitive pavement types. Hein has also developed a Life Cycle Cost Analysis of segmental concrete pavements allowing the industry to show the financial advantages of selecting pavers. He also chairs the American Society of Civil Engineers Technical Committees that created the ASCE 58-16 Structural Design of Interlocking Concrete Pavement for Municipal Streets and Roadways and ASCE 68-18 Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement standards.
“This award is our way of expressing deep appreciation for invaluable contributions that have supported and elevated the industry as a whole,” says CMHA CEO Robert Thomas. “David continues to be an advocate for segmental concrete pavement through his work with technical associations and government agencies. His recent work with the ICPI Foundation includes looking into developing a strategic map for future research and efforts needed to further institutionalize the use of segmental concrete pavements in Canada and the United States.”