PCA Recognizes Industry Standouts

Staff -- Associated Construction Publications, 5/2/2008

Portland Cement Association awarded eight industry professionals with Promotion Progress Awards at its annual spring committee meeting, April 29, in Chicago.

The awards honor individuals who exemplify a commitment of time and energy beyond regular responsibilities in order to achieve important promotional goals. Winners were selected from 15 nominees of PCA member company personnel for outstanding efforts in advancing cement and concrete products.

The members who received the honor were:

• David Collins, Holcim (US), Inc., for his work in promoting new markets for soil cement stabilization and FDR using cement.
• Ed Cooper, Ash Grove Cement Company, for his leadership in promoting concrete pavements in Utah.
• Michael R. Fletcher, Essex Cement Company LLC, a Titan America Business, for his leadership in New York City Habitat for Humanity’s first all-insulating concrete form (ICF) project, a 9-unit condominium complex in Brooklyn.
• Frank Lennox, Buzzi Unicem USA, Inc., devoted his time to introduce pervious concrete and RCC to new audiences, resulting in several new projects.
• Kirk McDonald, California Portland Cement Company, who was instrumental in gaining Caltrans and Nevada DOT acceptance of ASTM C 150 with allowance of up to 5-percent limestone in portland cement.
• Scott Palmer, Salt River Materials Group, for his leadership in the promotion of cement-based products in the residential marketplace.
• Nicholas J. Popoff, St. Marys Cement Inc., through his communications efforts, instituted changes to the Michigan and Illinois DOT specifications to permit the use of up to 5-percent limestone in portland cement.
• James W. Render Jr., Essroc Cement Corporation, for his contributions in the promotion of promoting roller-compacted concrete, concrete pavement and pervious concrete.

The PCA also awarded four allied industries with Distinguished Partner Awards. The awards recognize industry professionals outside of cement companies who demonstrate a commitment of time and energy beyond regular responsibilities to promote concrete and other cement-based materials for a variety of applications.

Also receiving the honor were:

• Patrick Murphy, president, American PolySteel LLC, in recognition of his efforts to gain PolySteel Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Certification, the first insulating concrete form (ICF) system to earn this distinction.
• Brad Reed, senior building inspector, city of Lubbock, Texas, for his role in building ICF homes for low-income residents who qualify through the city’s Affordable Housing Reconstruction program.
• The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago and the Institute for Business & Home Safety.