Membership

Jim Weber Bestowed With NCMA Lifetime Achievement Award

September 1, 2021

James L. Weber, retiree from Oldcastle Architectural, Inc., was presented with NCMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award on August 5 at the association’s Midyear meeting held at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, WI.

This award is NCMA’s highest recognition for achievement or service by individuals through a member company (or companies). The award recognizes those individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to directly advance the industry and/or the association in a profound and lasting manner.

Weber is known for his sense of humor and sharp wit, traits that are prevalent in all aspects of his life, including business. In addition to his humor, he’s also known as being the consummate devil’s advocate. Weber was exposed to the value of hard work and the concrete block industry early in life when his dad, Wally, who bought Appleton Concrete Products in 1946. His official start date was 1957, the year that he graduated from Appleton High School. In those days, Weber drove the delivery truck, the forklift, the front-end loader, and did every other job to support the family business.

But not for long. He was preparing to see more of the world and gain new experiences and he made full use of those life opportunities. After high school, Weber spent the next four years at St. Norbert College as an ROTC cadet, graduating with a degree in business administration. He was commissioned into the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant in June of 1961. It was at St. Norbert he married his wife Janet in 1962. Jim and Janet lived the military life as Jim served his country with distinction over the next six years. He attended armor school at Fort Knox and later became part of the Ordinance Corps, rising to the rank of captain. In 1964, he served at several weapons depots, and his final posting was commanding an ammunition depot in England.

Jim and Janet were busy during this time, and that included building a new family. They were blessed with the births of all three of their children, Debbie, Darcy, and Jim in a span of just two and a half years. Following military service, the family returned to Appleton where Jim resumed work with his father, Wally. Weber considers his father his first and most influential mentor. In 1972, Appleton Concrete Products merged with West Bend Concrete Products and formed Bend Industries. West Bend’s, Fred Yahr, became the president of the expanded company with Weber serving as the vice president of sales and marketing. Fred Yahr, who served as the NCMA chairman of the board in 1981, is the second most influential mentor cited by Weber saying, “He had more confidence in me than I deserved.”

Jim and Janet attended their first NCMA convention in 1968. Weber remarked how those conventions have provided him the opportunity to meet the most interesting and daring people. In 2003 Weber, as president of Bend Industries, negotiated their sale to Oldcastle Architectural Products Group. His more than five decades of involvement with NCMA has included service on dozens of committees. Weber served as Chair of the NCMA Board in 2006 and was inducted into NCMA’s Hall of Fame in 2009.

A few of the accolades and congratulations received for Weber are below.

“What really sets you apart is your committee involvement and what you bring to the table, which with each meeting, you’re always prepared, always challenging, always have the guts to be the contrarian and I think in the end helps NCMA reach its goal of being a member-driven organization.” – Peter B. Hoyt, retiree of Oldcastle Architectural, Inc. and NCMA 1998 Chair.

“Jim has been very supportive of NCMA and he’s also been very supportive of the NCMA Foundation and in both of those I have had the opportunity to work hand and glove together in.” – Bill Holden, CarbonCure Technologies and NCMA 1990 Chair.

These days, life just seems to continue to get even better for Jim and Janet. Their plans for the future include “doing everything we are doing now, only slower.” It sure doesn’t look like they are slowing down yet. And it doesn’t look like the Weber clan, including seven grandchildren, are ready for that either.

NCMA recognizes Jim Weber’s encompassing legacy and it is fitting that he be recognized with NCMA’s highest recognition – the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Industry News Membership Press Releases

Kevin Curtis Inducted Into NCMA’s Hall of Fame

September 1, 2021

Kevin L Curtis, retired CEO of the Besser Company, Alpena, MI, was presented with NCMA’s Hall of Fame award on August 5 at the association’s Midyear meetings held at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, WI.

NCMA’s Hall of Fame award is presented to the industry’s most valued participants whose careers are highlighted by continual accomplishments on the industry’s behalf, and who have demonstrated unquestioned dedication to NCMA’s highest values.

Born on St. Patrick’s Day in the small town of Rogers City, MI, Curtis grew up with his siblings at Grand Lake. It’s here he developed his love for the great outdoors and for small-town living. He’s proud to share that he’s a product of the Posen school system, graduating in 1971 from Posen High School. He spent some time during his summers working alongside his father, Galen at a satellite Besser research and development site where the Dynapac® was being designed and built. Working in the concrete lab and Besser plant housed on the campus of Alpena Community College gave him more exposure to the industry. And if that weren’t enough, he also found time to help Phil Park, then CEO and chairman of Besser with odd jobs, including Mason tending during the construction of the Besser Bell facility. It was Phil Park who influenced Curtis’s decision to attend Olivet College as Phil and his wife, Maxine, both graduated from Olivet.

While attending Olivet, Curtis quickly fell in love with Paula Murray from Newberry, MI. Kevin and Paula were married in 1974 and both graduated in 1975 from Olivet. This began the 47-year journey that continues today. Upon graduation, Curtis managed a hotel and restaurant complex in Flint, MI, and learned about customer service. In 1978, he began his Besser career as a management trainee. Later that year, he was assigned to the Minnesota district as a service engineer and was promoted five years later to a sales representative. His early success can be attributed to his work ethic, willingness to learn, and the strong relationships he forged with customers. Some of Curtis’s best mentors were customers from this district. In 1985, he and his young family returned to Northern Michigan, where he took on the challenging role of national sales manager, a promotion to vice-president of sales and marketing took place in 1993, which was followed by a promotion to company president in 1999. He became CEO in 2004, the same year that Besser became an employee-owned company. His ability to lead and coach has been instrumental to the successful creation of Besser’s current corporate culture, which is now centered around an employee stock ownership plan. Curtis takes great pride in furthering the tradition of supporting the association that supports Besser.

“Jessie Besser got us into NCMA. We’ve been a strong supporter because we do believe it’s the best way to promote the industry, grow the industry, and it’s a great place to network. And so we’re just a strong believer that you will get value if you participate.”

Curtis’s first NCMA meeting was at the Cincinnati machinery show in 1981. His impact has been felt in roles that are numerous and varied, including serving on the membership committee, the associates division board, the board of directors, and the foundation. Likewise, supporting the local community is important to Curtis. As a parent of hockey players, he served as treasurer of the Blue Line Club, served on the ACC Concrete Technology advisory board, and currently serves as a director for the World Center for Concrete Technology. At Besser, his notable achievements are many, but the closest to his heart is the development of the Servopac® Family of Machines while maintaining improved versions of the cam machines, the engineering and production of big board molds, many acquisitions, and the vision to forge partnerships with creative thinkers inside and outside of our industry. Beyond steel and deals, the positive impact he’s had on the people of the industry is what we’ll all remember the most. The drive to get everyone on the same page through effective communication has permeated Besser and the industry. Forever humble, when he announced his retirement, Curtis was surprised by the outpouring of admiration from former employees, retirees, industry friends that have moved on, and those currently active. Many thanked him for his coaching, friendship and guidance, how he shaped them professionally and personally, his impact is sure to shape our industry for years to come. Curtis’s career has taken him across North America and over 40 countries around the globe where he’s taken the opportunity to develop strong relationships with industry members. Likewise, he’s enjoyed welcoming hundreds of guests to Alpena and introducing them to the culture and people that make Besser unique. Although retired, Curtis will remain as an active member on Besser’s Board of Directors.

Above all else, family is his priority. He and Paula are incredibly proud of their sons. Both sons are married, both are attorneys and both have given Kevin and Paula very active grandchildren to keep them young. Much of their retirement will be spent creating memories with Cory, Angie, Olivia, and Jake in the Houston area and with Alan, Chrissy, and Forrest in Alpena, and of course, their dogs will accompany them. Whether in Alpena, Houston, Florida, or spending time with extended family and friends while traveling in their motor home, one thing is for sure, Curtis will always carry a passion for all things concrete.

A few of the accolades and congratulations received for Curtis are below.

“No one’s more deserving than you. What a distinguished career with Besser, what you brought that company and your contributions to our industry.” – Scott Weber, Basalite Concrete Products.

“I remember you breaking a sweat during intense negotiations with my dad, on new plant equipment. Our family truly appreciates and is grateful for the support you gave in establishing the Deborah Hunt scholarship fund at Alpena Community College. And on a personal note, I really appreciate your friendship and support for me and my annual birthday card I look forward to getting every year.” – Steve Hunt, BlockUp.

NCMA thanks Kevin Curtis for everything you have done for the concrete products industry and congratulations on earning this Hall of Fame award.

Membership Press Releases

Daniel Zechmeister Inducted Into NCMA’s Hall of Fame

September 1, 2021

Daniel Zechmeister, retired Executive Director of the Masonry Institute of Michigan, Southfield, MI, was presented with NCMA’s Hall of Fame award on August 5 at the association’s Midyear meeting held at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, WI.

Dan Zechmeister is a natural promoter and educator. His induction into NCMA’s Hall of Fame is based on his skills and passion throughout a tremendously productive career promoting masonry as a superior building material. His 1978 civil engineering degree from Wayne State University provided him with a technical understanding of materials and construction systems that he would ultimately rely upon to craft his messaging. The city of Detroit has a rich history of masonry structures built to their full potential. Shortly after college, he took a job as a structural engineer with a firm founded by Albert Kahn, one of the city’s notable architectural pioneers. He recalls an early assignment to design an addition to a manufacturing plant using 12-inch concrete masonry units. Having no previous experience with masonry, he asked his chief structural engineer for help. His supervisor tossed him copies of the NCMA TEK binder and the BIA technical notes calling them bibles for concrete and brick masonry. In 1986, Zechmeister joined the Masonry Institute of Michigan as a structural engineer. He quickly developed a working relationship with the engineering staff at NCMA. He also had the added benefit of a connection with NCMA’s then president John Heslip. “In the very beginning, I was awestruck by John Heslip and everything he accomplished at MIM.” By 1990, Zechmeister himself would be promoted to executive director of MIM. “I thought I would never measure up to John.”

After that 34 years in the position at MIM, Zechmeister can feel comfortable in his own legacy. He worked hard to develop relationships with architects, engineers, and Mason contractors. He was just as comfortable interacting with building officials and inspectors as he was with masonry suppliers, bricklayers, and block layers. And he didn’t just show up with an educational message. Zechmeister actively participated in their professional organizations. The level of respect and appreciation he garnered is evident by recognition from those organizations. He has been recognized as a life member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. In 2002, was presented with the award of merit, recognizing him for his committee work on masonry units and mortars and grouts. To dispel the impression Zechmeister was simply a buttoned-up engineer, it’s appropriate to highlight the impressive range of creativity and zaniness he brought to his passionate promotion of masonry. He was the driving force in transforming MIM’s black and white newsletter into a full-color magazine and putting the masonry solutions in front of designers and contractors. Zechmeister was regularly in the field, visiting job sites and solving problems. But he focused more on providing solutions to prevent problems and bridging the disconnect between masonry design and masonry installation. He especially enjoyed the grouting workshop that he created for masonry contractors at the request of design professionals.

He builds relationships with various agencies in Michigan associated with construction inspection and safety, such as an Alliance between MIM and the Michigan Occupation and Health Administration, which included an advisory committee on masonry wall bracing. While most of his efforts to gain market share were focused in Michigan, he also traveled throughout the country to support the efforts of his compatriots managing masonry promotion associations in other states.

Zechmeister is certainly drawn to noble causes. His relentless energy and passion for service is rooted in his Christian faith. He and his wife are active members of their local church and are personally involved every week in the preparation and distribution to those in need throughout the Detroit area.

And he is certainly blessed with a wonderful family that has supported him throughout his career. He gives special credit to his wife Deb who he met at age 5. They have been married for 43 years and raised two daughters, Jenna and Michelle. Zechmeister’s family and his peers definitely consider Zechmeister to be a trouble starter, but they might also say that he has been the kind of trouble starter that we need. It is appropriate that we celebrate all he has done for the masonry industry. No one will be surprised by this quote from him: “No other building system can provide enclosure, aesthetics, structure, sustainability, and resiliency. It’s America’s building block.”

Many of those who worked with Zechmeister over his career provided congratulations to him, and this collection was provided to him with his award. Below are just a few.

“Congratulations on your NCMA Hall of Fame award. You’ve been a mentor to me. I learned valuable attributes from you from the way that you did your job. You always acted with integrity and you taught me the value of teamwork. Now you’re retiring, but Dan, I feel this one and I’m going to miss you.” – Todd Dailey, Dailey Engineering, Inc.

“Dan Zechmeister is a man with conviction, passion, loyalty, and compassion.” – Jim Gendron, Fendt Builder’s Supply, Inc.

NCMA congratulates Dan Zechmeister on his induction into the NCMA Hall of Fame.

Membership Press Releases

Pat Sauter Receives Emerging Leadership Award

September 1, 2021

Patrick J. Sauter, Vice President of King’s Materials, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA, was presented with NCMA’s Emerging Leadership Award on August 3 at the association’s Midyear meetings held at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee, WI.

The Emerging Leadership Award recognizes professionals within the industry that have demonstrated excellence and great promise through their companies, through regional industry efforts, or through NCMA service.

Pat is a founding member of NCMA’s Young Professionals Group (YPG). His contributions helped to ensure the success of the YPG, and he also quickly became engaged in many NCMA activities and served on numerous committees, notably with the Government Affairs Committee. Pat was elected to the NCMA Board of Directors in 2012, and also began service on the Executive Committee in 2014. He was elected as NCMA’s Chair of the Board in 2016, becoming the first Chair who was also a YPG member and the second youngest Board Chair in NCMA’s history.

He has also been instrumental in efforts to develop the Concrete Masonry Checkoff program, being involved in discussions from the beginning and being a part of the Checkoff Governance Team. He made countless visits to Washington DC to meet with elected representatives throughout the Checkoff process.

In addition to his service to the concrete masonry industry, Pat is also active in his local area, such as serving on the board for the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation.

“I’ve always considered myself to be an old soul, but you are an ancient soul. While perhaps not the best delivery, it was a genuine compliment. You are a role model for people like me who work in a family business – you are someone who has the job not because you have the right last name, but because you’re really, really good at what you do,” said Starling Johnson, Johnson Concrete Products and Chair of NCMA’s Young Professionals Group, who presented Pat with the award.

For Pat’s outstanding service to NCMA and the industry and providing leadership and motivation to other young professionals, it is fitting that he was presented with the first ever Emerging Leadership Award.

Membership Press Releases

Thomas Young Inducted Into NCMA’s Hall of Fame

January 21, 2021

Thomas Young, executive director of the Northwest Concrete Masonry Association, Mill Creek, Washington, was presented with NCMA’s Hall of Fame award on February 4 at the association’s Annual Convention which was held virtually.

Tom is credited with spending nearly the last half a century promoting concrete masonry as a premier building material. Tom’s masonry roots started as a child. Tom had the opportunity to see how masonry could provide practical solutions directly from his father, who was a bricklayer and later a masonry salesman, working for the U.S. Lime Company. Tom grew up in Colorado and then Utah, graduating from Skyline High School in Salt Lake City. Tom attended the University of Utah, studying engineering principles such as Young’s Modulus and graduating with a bachelor’s degree of civil engineering in 1971.

Right after college, he started his own concrete sawing business while working for the Utah State Department of Transportation in Salt Lake City, but he soon began his career in masonry promotion, relocating to Arizona and joining the program staff of the Arizona Masonry Guild as their Technical Director. While at the Guild in Phoenix, he was introduced to and married the boss’ daughter Val, the beginning of a partnership that is 48 years and counting.

By 1975, Tom was working for one of the most innovative concrete block manufacturers in the country, Superlite Builders Supply. He contributed to their strong residential construction market, addressing technical issues such as the development of a wind resistance standard for CMU houses, and working directly with NCMA’s Paul Lenchuck and Kevin Callahan on Arizona energy code requirements.

In 1978, Tom and Val moved to the Northwest to raise their family. Tom accepted the position of Executive Director of the Masonry and Ceramic Tile Institute of Oregon. Among other accomplishments here, he established a new technical support service for designers using masonry.

By 1984, Tom was working as a Sales Manager for Jim Anderegg of the Mutual Materials Company. There he helped integrate concrete block production operations and sales into a business that was focused on brick manufacturing.

In 1990, Tom became the Executive Director of the Northwest Concrete Masonry Association, a position he has held for the past 30 plus years. He has played a significant role in the growth of concrete masonry as a structural building material throughout the Northwest supporting state-of-the-art, and state of practice design and building code requirements that are most applicable to the climate and environment of the area. Tom has developed relationships and the respect of area engineers, architects, educators, building officials, contractors and industry partners. He has lectured and consulted extensively; supported the creation of masonry education curriculums in universities as well as design competitions, scholarships and masonry research fellowships in these schools.

Tom has also been an active supporter of the National Concrete Masonry Association, contributing to the development of technical knowledge, industry resources such as TEK, and recently as a member of the NCMA Board of Directors representing other regional masonry associations. Between 1997 and 2021, he served on numerous NCMA committees. He was recognized along with several other leading executive directors of these regional associations by the 2016 NCMA Chairman of the Board, Joe Bowen of Mutual Materials.

Tom has invested significant energy in supporting coalitions and partnerships to better accomplish common missions. He has served as chair or co-chair of the Masonry Alliance of Codes and Standards’ Structural Task Group. He has been very active in The Masonry Society, earning a recognition of Fellow in 2012. Examples of more recent collaborations include working with the Pacific Northwest Building Resistance Coalition to help frame concrete and masonry performance relative to claims from the wood industry and working with the US Resiliency Council to bestow Silver Ratings for their designed resistance to threats posed by possible earthquakes.

“I first met Tom in Seattle, when I attended one of his many engineering presentations, in a hotel conference room filled with engineers. Tom’s knowledge and experience of masonry, and his energy and enthusiasm in presenting, captivated this audience and the many audiences he has presented to. Tom is a great communicator and is amazing at engaging people. His leadership skills have been a role model to so many people in the masonry industry.” – Blair Harter, Basalite Concrete Products, LLC.

Tom has been supported through his career by his wife Valerie, daughter Corinne, son Chris and granddaughter Kaylee.

For a PDF copy of this press release, click here.

Membership Press Releases

In Memoriam: John Heslip

December 8, 2020

John A. Heslip, NCMA’s fourth chief executive, is being remembered for his unwavering passion in promoting the benefits of masonry to any architect that would listen. Mr. Heslip, who served as NCMA’s president from 1985-1995, died on November 21, 2020 surrounded by family in Chapel Hill, NC.

“John demonstrated throughout his career that it was possible to advance an aggressive agenda needed to proactively compete for market position while developing deep and lasting relationships,” recalls Robert D. Thomas, current president of NCMA. “He was known for his caring ways and an unassailable presence based on integrity and commitment. He had a penchant for identifying and mentoring young talent, leading by example. And others have often remarked how welcome he made people feel.”

While marking NCMA’s 100^th anniversary in 2018, Thomas visited with Heslip to reflect on his long career and tenure with the association. “Early on I knew we had to talk turkey to the engineers who designed buildings and also the architects,” said Heslip. “We had to make better contacts. I spent plenty of evenings and weekends inviting the president of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) over for a beer and we’d have talks about what our industry could do for them.”

While head of the Masonry Institute of Michigan, those informal talks paid off. In 1980, Heslip was recognized by the Detroit chapter of the AIA as a “credible, impartial source of information and counsel to the architectural profession”, a role he cherished and carried over into his tenure at the NCMA.

Leading NCMA

In 1985 Heslip became President of the National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) after serving one year as Executive Vice President. During his tenure at NCMA, Heslip spearheaded efforts to improve marketing in the industry; strengthened ties on Capitol Hill; improved communication of the industry’s fire safety message and invested in important research efforts.

He implemented an industry technical education program: the Certified Consultants of Concrete Masonry (CCCM) with the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI); expanded the industry’s convention and tradeshow to partner with a number of masonry-related organizations and worked closely with the AIA to establish a nationally recognized design awards program.

“It worked out well,” Heslip said. “The awards program was a real winner. What it really did was help focus on the importance of each component to the whole. It helped the brick industry and the block industry and the concrete industry to see that you could work together, satisfying the needs of the architect and his design with his design efforts. It was a big program.”

He personally lectured extensively on masonry subjects at universities throughout the United States, initiated the University Professors Masonry Workshop to advance architectural and engineering education among university professors and authored a number of papers on masonry construction.

Changing Times

Heslip also noted in his 2018 interview that the masonry industry was undergoing dramatic changes in the 1980s. “In the earlier part of the 20^th century, empirical design was a way of life, so that whenever an architect or an engineer would get a building commissioned and they wished to build it in masonry, they were using empirical designs. It was an out-of-date system,” Heslip said.

“The competitive industries, the steel industry and the reinforced concrete industries were not empirically designing buildings. They were all rationally designed buildings and proved to be very competitive in terms of cost. A rationally designed building of masonry fit a whole lot of different building types, and we were able to do more for less because we were stretching the fibers of the masonry system to utilize its full characteristics.”

Coming Together

Heslip is also being remembered for his efforts to bring the entire industry together. “I spent a lot of time with the mason contractors. I knew them. I had had experience with them because I was one. I knew how they thought so that came natural to me. We had to get everybody talking on the same merits of the same systems. The brick industry, the reinforced concrete people, the metal building people, the structural steel people. When I hit NCMA, each segment was doing their own thing and trying to outdo each other, and I don’t operate that way. I said, let’s bring it all in. Let’s sort it out and see what kind of a better end result we can come up with.”

Heslip said that, eventually, NCMA was able to get the major players in the masonry industry to sit down and plan programs together. “They had to forget about the competition and start going after their customer. It took a while because the industry traditionally was splintered.”

John’s wife, Marlene, was also part of that inclusiveness, actively participating in NCMA conventions and building a culture within the organization to form personal relationships to better support professional collaboration.

“Many of the leaders of today’s family-owned concrete masonry block producing companies developed their understanding of a broader industry and their eventual professional network by attending NCMA conventions with their family while in their youth,” notes Thomas.

Scholarship Programs

In 1988, Heslip led the effort to establish the Paul and Helen Lenchuk Engineering Student Scholarship Program to support students pursuing a graduate degree in the engineering field.

Recognizing the Heslips’ passion for masonry and supporting the personal growth of those within the industry, the NCMA Education and Research Foundation later established the John and Marlene Heslip Scholarship Program for full-time students engaged in the pursuit of an architecture undergraduate or graduate degree.

The purpose of both scholarship programs is to support students pursuing degrees in their respective fields while encouraging innovative design, application, or utilization of manufactured concrete masonry and hardscape products in the built environment.

Storied Career

Heslip was a native of River Rouge, Michigan and studied Engineering at Michigan State University. He served two years in the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. After returning home, he worked evenings with a friend who was a mason contractor, and in 1957 started his own masonry business in Saginaw, Michigan. From 1963 to 1969 Heslip was a masonry product manager for the Huron Cement Division of the National Gypsum Co., in Detroit.

In 1969 Heslip was hired as the first Executive Director of the Masonry Institute of Michigan (MIM) and opened its own office on West Eight Mile Road in Livonia as a branch of the DMCA. He expanded the MIM from a Detroit area operation, to all of Michigan.

Daniel Zechmeister, retiring Executive Director of the Masonry Institute of Michigan, thinks of Heslip as a legend and recalls his move to the NCMA in 1984. “I was intimidated and awestruck by everything the Institute accomplished under the direction of John,” says Zechmeister. “He made my job easier. He laid a foundation that we could build on and was a true pioneer who blazed a path for others to follow.”

During his 15 years with the Institute, John established a solid reputation as an administrator, innovator and authority on masonry construction. In 1998 the MIM inducted Heslip as an Honorary Member recognized for his outstanding contributions to the masonry industry.

Heslip was active in the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) beginning in 1965. He served as the Chair of ASTM Committee C-12 on Mortar and Grout for Unit Masonry from 1976-1982. He was also active on Committees C-1 on Cement, C-15 on Manufactured Masonry Units, and E-6 on Performance of Buildings and served on the ASTM Board of Directors.

Industry News Membership Press Releases

Larry Medley Inducted Into NCMA Hall of Fame

August 6, 2020

Larry Medley, former vice president of finance & administration at the National Concrete Masonry Association, Herndon, Virginia, was presented with NCMA’s Hall of Fame award August 6 at the association’s Midyear Event held virtually.

Larry’s journey began on the Kansas plains where he was born and raised. In 1959, he enrolled at Kansas State University and graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance. During his time at Kansas State, participation in ROTC was mandatory for all students. Larry honed his leadership skills and later found a calling to join the military. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the US Army and stationed at Colorado’s Fort Carson.

It was here Larry met Martha Nan McKinney on a 1964 blind date. Nan was vacationing from her home in Dallas. A long-distance relationship blossomed and the two were married a year later. Since that time, the couple have managed multiple deployments, assignments and careers together. They have two grown daughters, Megan and Melissa, that live in the Washington DC area and August 2020 marks their 55th wedding anniversary. In thanks for their many blessings, they serve as volunteer marriage counselors to other young couples.

Larry went on to serve a full 30-year career in the Army with deployments to Vietnam, Korea and Germany. He also continued his education while in the service, completing a master’s degree in Systems Management through the Florida Institute of Technology and attending the National War College to study National Security and Strategy Policy. His military service concluded with an assignment in the White House Military Office, serving under President H W George Bush. He retired in 1993 as a full Colonel.

After his first retirement, Larry leveraged his financial background in private practice. In 2005 he was hired by Mark Hogan at the National Concrete Masonry Association, and by 2007, the NCMA Board of Directors approved him as Vice President of Finance and Administration. During his time at NCMA, he served as an officer of the organization and as its Secretary/Treasurer. Larry anchored a talented NCMA staff known for their technical competence and customer service mentality. Larry recognized the value of relationships and networking and he was just as comfortable in a Political Action Committee reception or on the golf course as he was in the Boardroom.

When he retired in 2017, he was recognized formally by the entire membership following presentations by past NCMA Chair of the Board, Pete Hoyt and his mentee and successor Richard Gemelaris.

Since his second retirement, he has had more time to travel with Nan and his family, fine tune his golf game, and volunteer his management skills as Finance Director and Treasurer for Christ Church Vienna in Vienna, Virginia.

For a PDF copy of this press release, click here.

Membership Press Releases

ICPI – NCMA Collaboration Exploration Committee Meets

June 17, 2020

The ICPI – NCMA Collaboration Exploration Committee had their first conference call meeting on June 10, 2020. The charge of the committee is to explore additional collaboration to better position members to increase market share and review possible areas of consolidation. The committee was updated on the process and project timeline. The facilitator/consultant Paul Meyer, Tecker International, has extensive experience with these type projects and reviewed the process with the committee. The next step will be for Tecker International to make over 30 telephone interviews of members representing many stakeholder groups.

The Collaboration Exploration Project Plan

The ICPI Co-Chair of the committee is Dave Carter from Oaks Concrete Products. If you have any questions about the process please contact Charles McGrath, ICPI Executive Director 703-657-6885.

Membership Press Releases

NCMA/ICPI 2019 Safety Awards Program Winners Announced

June 8, 2020

132 plants were honored for their commitment to keeping safe manufacturing environments.

The National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) and the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI), two of the premiere trade associations within the concrete products industry, are pleased to announce the winners of the 2019 NCMA/ICPI Safety Awards.

The prestigious honor is bestowed annually upon plants that demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of their employees and their work environment. An impressive 132 awards were given out to manufacturing locations throughout North America that boast exemplary records.

To view the list of winners, click here.

“We are proud of these award winners, members of both ICPI and NCMA, who consistently exemplify safe manufacturing processes,” said NCMA President Bob Thomas. “Practicing safe manufacturing processes are more than fundamental, they’re paramount. It’s encouraging to see this program effectively highlighting such commitment.”

“The NCMA/ICPI program recognizes the positive safety-conscious work culture of our members,” said ICPI Executive Director Charles McGrath. “We are very pleased with the example that the Safety Award winners set. We are not only honoring members with good safety records, we are also honoring responsible business practices.”

Participants were eligible for awards through their OSHA 300A logs or equivalent Canadian injury reports from January 1 to December 31, 2019. Milestone Awards are given to facilities with more than five consecutive years of Safety Award Program entries with zero OSHA/Canadian injury report injuries. Platinum (highest level of single year achievement), Gold and Silver awards are given based on two formulas, one for Incident Rate (IR) and Days Away for Restrictions and Transfer Rate (DART).

For more on the awards, click here.

About NCMA: The National Concrete Masonry Association unites, supports, and represents our members who are producers and suppliers of concrete masonry systems – including concrete masonry, manufactured stone veneer, segmental retaining walls, and other hardscape systems. From small family-owned businesses to large corporations, our membership reflects the full spectrum of companies that provide the foundation for resilient building construction.

About ICPI: The Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI), founded in 1993, is the trade association representing the segmental concrete pavement industry in the United States and Canada. ICPI is considered by peer associations around the world as the leader in development and dissemination of technical information for design professionals and contractors. ICPI engages in a broad range of technical, marketing, educational, government relations and communications activities.

Membership Press Releases

ICPI and NCMA Form Collaboration Committee

April 20, 2020

The ICPI and NCMA have formed a Collaboration Exploration Committee. The charge of the committee is to explore additional collaboration to better position members to increase market share and review possible areas of consolidation.

The Committee Members are as follows:

Members selected by ICPI:

Dave Carter, Oaks Concrete Products, Co-Chair

Fred Adams, Fred Adams Paving

Kendall Anderegg, Mutual Materials

Charles Gamarekian, Cambridge Pavers

Dean Jurik, ACM Chemistries

Paul Pignatelli, Best Way Stone

Steve Berry, Oldcastle APG

Members selected by NCMA:

Steve Berry, Oldcastle APG, Co-Chair

Eric Absalon, Basalite

Rocky Fizzano, Fizzano Brothers

Terri Grulke, Besser Company

Sam Hoehner, Lee Building
Products

Pat Sauter, Kings Materials

David Pitre, Keystone Hardscapes

Jeff Speck, Arcosa Lightweight

Charles McGrath and Bob Thomas will also participate in all meetings of the committee.

The ICPI and NCMA officers have selected a consulting firm to help facilitate the process of making a decision. Tecker International, was selected based on their experience with similar engagements. Paul Meyer, President, will be the principal on our engagement and will facilitate the process.

Between now and the 2021 Annual Meeting the consultant has proposed the following plan of work:

Step 1: Review of Background Material

Step 2: Design/Planning Session with Co-chairs and staff

Step 2b: Committee Update Calls (May – June – September)

Step 3: Qualitative Telephone Interviews (26-31) May/June

Step 4: Data/Information Analysis – May/June

Step 5: Facilitated Session with Committee – July (hopefully in person)

Step 6: Interim Board Reports – August

Step 7: Development of Dues Structure Analysis & Recommendations – July – September

Step 8: Second Meeting of Committee – December/January

Step 9: Final Report – January

Step 10: Presentation to Association Boards – February

The Board of Directors would like to continue to provide the following messages regarding the work of the committee:

Initial exploratory efforts only
No decisions made and no foregone conclusions
Typical unifications (once agreed) take approximately 2 years
Dues structures and impacts not yet considered
No current staffing changes under consideration

Members selected by ICPI:

Members selected by NCMA:

Date April 20th, 2020