Membership

Don Beers Receives NCMA Lifetime Achievement Award

March 17, 2020

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Don Beers, staff engineer for the Masonry Association of Florida, was presented with NCMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award on February 24, 2020 at the association’s Annual Convention held at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Lifetime Achievement 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.

“A review of Don Beers accomplishments over the past 40+ years is overwhelming by any comparison”, said Rocky Jenkins, CEMEX Director – Commercial Development, who presented Don with the award. “More significant however, is that no one individual has influenced a market like Don Beers has done for concrete masonry in Florida.”

Don spent 29 years at Rinker Materials using his structural engineering degree, PE license and general contractor license. For the past 10 years Don has worked as a structural engineer with Adrian Engineering and staff engineer for the Masonry Association of Florida. His accomplishments while in these roles has had a substantial and lasting impact to the Florida masonry market and the masonry industry as a whole.

Don’s contributions are notable and significant in a number of different areas.

- Manufacturing and Plant Design – Don was a key figure in the growth and prosperity of the concrete masonry industry in Florida from the perspective of supporting the introduction of concrete block production capacity to lead and to meet increasing demand. As an employee of Rinker Materials, he led the efforts to construct more than 40 concrete block and ready-mix plants.
- Educator – Following his manufacturing roles with Rinker, Don evolved as a technical support resource for the industry. He has personally performed hundreds of presentations to thousands of architects, engineers, industry personnel, contractors and students. He was instrumental in developing a concrete masonry designer certification program. He is known and respected for his passion and ability to communicate as a speaker. He has also been a prolific writer and has been published in various national and regional industry publications and in trade journals – mostly about concrete masonry solutions.
- Technical Resource and Advocate – Don has been a key player for the concrete masonry industry to identify challenges and provide technical solutions. He has been an advocate of appropriate code provisions at the regional and national level; he has advocated and supported research and development projects to document concrete masonry’s attributes; he has provided technical support for designers and contractors on a regular and ongoing basis.
- NCMA Advocate – Don has always been complimentary of the support and resources that NCMA provides towards the growth of concrete masonry in Florida. He has advocated strongly for collaborative efforts between NCMA and state associations and has encouraged companies in Florida to join and support NCMA.

Don has been supported through his career by his wife, Angela. In his personal life, has had made four mission trips to Haiti, been committee chair for his Parish outreach program, performed prison outreach for the past 13 years, and with his wife hold a Catholic Eucharist Service at three local nursing homes each week.

For a PDF of this story, click here.

Membership Press Releases

Dale Puskas Inducted Into NCMA Hall of Fame

March 11, 2020

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Dale Puskas, special projects advisor and former vice president of Basalite Concrete Products, Dixon, California, was presented with NCMA’s Hall of Fame award February 24 at the association’s Annual Convention held at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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.

“Basalite is very proud that one of our own is being honored by the NCMA with the Hall of Fame award. Dale Puskas has committed his career to the concrete industry and with his leadership Basalite and the NCMA have benefited greatly” said Scott Weber, who was CEO of Basalite for twenty years and now member of the Basalite Board of directors. Scott presented Dale with this award. “We thank Dale and his family for the years of dedication that have helped build Basalite into the company it is today.”

Dale is credited with initiating the effort culminating in approval of changes to the NCMA bylaws in 2017 and a new structure beginning in 2018. He identified the need for a smaller and more efficient Board and actively worked with task groups, the Board and the membership initiatives to enact changes.

He has made multiple trips to Washington, DC to lobby for the CMU Checkoff program and was instrumental in securing bill co-sponsorships from western members of the House and Senate. He has also been active in developing governance structures and models for the Checkoff and been an advocate of the program within the Western states.

Dale has been a leader in our industry’s pursuit of developing digital modeling tools for concrete masonry with a particular emphasis on how such tools can change the nature of how business is done and how we can better present concrete masonry solutions.

Between 2002 and 2018, he chaired and served on numerous NCMA and Foundation committees including Chairman of the Board from 2014 to 2015.

Other accomplishments-

Actively involved in the development of NCMA’s Plant Certification program and Basalite became the first company with plants to achieve that certification.
Provided a valuable role as a liaison to the Concrete Masonry Association of California and Nevada
Instrumental in the integration of the Masonry Veneer Manufacturers Association into NCMA, beginning in 2013.
Played a leadership role in the recognition of 25 years of NCMA representation of the SRW Industry
Invested significant energy in improving collaboration with the Mason Contractors Association of America and the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute.

Dale has been supported through his career by his wife, René and two sons, Matt and Trent.

For a PDF of this story, click here.

Membership

ICPI Recognizes Tony Iacocca With Honorary Membership

March 11, 2020

Under Tony Iacocca’s leadership, Oaks Concrete Products expanded into the USA by selling products in Michigan, Ohio and Western New York. He managed and executed the start-up of a state-of-the-art paver manufacturing facility in Wixom, Michigan near Detroit in 1991. Oaks quickly became a leading manufacturer of pavers and walls in Canadian and US markets due to quality products and service. Oaks Pavers and Walls became the standard for other producers in their market to meet.

Tony was instrumental in pioneering acceptance of pavers by municipal engineers. The legendary example is supplying the North Bay Streetscape project in 1983. With 37 years enduring harsh winter conditions, over 150,000 sf of street and sidewalk pavers will be refreshed in North Bay next year.

Other project examples include pavers around Toronto’s Skydome in 1989, Tiger Stadium, Cleveland Brown Stadium, CN Tower, and the Air Canada Centre. Besides possessing a high standard for product quality, Tony ran plants that were spotless and had great safety records.

His contribution to the Canadian industry was participating on the CSA Technical Committee for concrete pavers and paving slabs over the past 25 years. He continues to serve on the Committee today.

Tony was an ICPI Charter Member in 1993 representing Oaks Concrete. In the formative years of ICPI, he and Gerry Colquhoun obtained commitments from several paver manufacturers across Canada to join ICPI in exchange for representation on the Board of Directors. This deal led to ICPI expanding dues income, broadening the membership experience base, and becoming an international association.

Because of this leadership skills, he was viewed as a leader by our Canadian members during our formative years and later by the entire membership. His service to our organization includes chairing the first ICPI Dues, Bylaws and Membership Committee from 1996 to 1999 and serving on the Executive Committee as well as on our Board of Directors from 1993 to 2003.

At all times, Tony displayed wisdom, guidance and sensibility with many of the key decisions we made. I ask that our members please join me in recognizing the great contributions Tony made to our association by bestowing him Honorary Membership.

DATE March 11th, 2020

Membership Press Releases

ICPI Recognizes Richard Morin With Honorary Membership

November 20, 2019

At the 2019 Canadian Activities Meeting, the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute recognized Richard Morin, ing, M, Sc. A. for his efforts to support the use of segmental pavements in the City of Montreal by presenting him with an Honorary Membership in the association. Mr. Morin, who is a Technical Advisor for the City of Montreal’s Infrastructure, Roads and Transport Department, Infrastructure Directorate, Division of Expertise and Technical Support, will be retiring from that role in January 2020. Lincoln Paiva, ing., Director – Technical Services, Techo-Bloc briefly introduced Mr. Morin and thanked him for his efforts to help institutionalize segmental pavement systems in the City of Montreal and Canada. Mr. Morin was presented a plaque by ICPI Board Chair Kendall Anderegg and Yvan Bolduc, Bolduc Concrete Products and Charles Ciccarello, Techo-Bloc, who had both submitted letters of support to the ICPI Board of Directors.

At the Canadian Activities Meeting, Mr. Morin presented on the challenges the City has faced related to the use of segmental pavements. He shared project photos installed by the City that had performed poorly and discussed when the City of Montreal was considering banning pavers in the 1990’s due to poor performance of installations completed in the 1980’s. During that time, Mr. Morin researched best installation practices and looked for sound material specifications and designs instead of rejecting the use of pavers in the City. Thanks to Mr. Morin’s research and dedication, the City of Montreal support the use of segmental concrete pavement systems to this day. Additionally, he shared details of the City’s requirements for the use of segmental pavements that he helped developed. Many of these requirements are currently mirrored in ICPI’s best practices.

Mr. Morin was also an active participant in the CSA A231 Technical Committee, responsible for the creation and updating of the National Standard for Concrete Slabs and Pavers, which is now in its third edition. Mr. Morin concluded his presentation with a series of project images around the City of Montreal that are performing well.

Richard, thank you for your sharing your knowledge, your courage, and your dedication with the industry!

Date November 20th, 2019

Membership Press Releases

Richard Bennett Honored With NCMA’s Industry Champion Award

September 5, 2019

SEATTLE, WA – Richard M. Bennett, P.E., PhD, professor and director at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, was presented with NCMA’s Industry Champion Award August 8, 2019, at the association’s annual Midyear Meeting in Seattle, Washington.

The NCMA Industry Champion Award recognizes individuals that make significant contributions in roles beyond what can be accomplished by the association alone, and honors these meritorious contributions that support the advancement of the use of concrete products.

An award recipient already many times over – including the The Masonry Society’s (TMS) President’s Award in 2016 — Bennett was nominated by ten different individuals who had affiliations with not just NCMA, but other associations, organizations, companies and groups within the industry that collectively demonstrated the highest admiration for both the career and work he’s put forward. In doing so, as peers they have also recognized his legacy for the vision, leadership and passion that have contributed to advancing concrete masonry design and construction.

Bennett’s lauded engineering career started in Ohio in the late 1970s. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Cleveland State University with a civil engineering focus in 1979, he continued to study within the discipline and obtaining both a masters and doctorate from the University of Illinois in Urbana in 1981 and 1983.

Since then, he has been a professor at UT, and while maintaining that growingly prestigious day job, he’s managed to tally many a milestone within the masonry industry.

Bennett has chaired multiple TMS subcommittees throughout the years and served as chair during some of the most important cycles. He is recognized by many as the most prolific developer and reviewer of code change proposals, integrating some of the latest and greatest practices into TMS 402/602. He is also an active member of ASTM Committees C12 and C15; bringing these practical and material-based procedures back to his classroom.

He was instrumental in organizing and participating in a recent veneer summit that managed to bear the fruit of new engineered design methods for both anchored and adhered veneers installed over thick layers of insulation. He was also part of the group of five people that met and developed the latest version of the Direct Design Software, helping to refine functionalities through his insightful input.

“There are those that are highly competent technically and professionally, those that radiate effective leadership and responsibility, and those that have the ability to skillfully communicate delicate and complex topics with seamless ease,” said Jason Thompson, NCMA’s Vice President of Engineering. “Richard encompasses all of these facets in both tangible and intangible ways to help advance the masonry industry. His contributions to the researching, analyzing, and teaching the art of masonry design are immeasurable.”

“He’s been involved with a bunch of things that we as an industry not only need to advance, but he’s also recognized for us some of the drivers out there in the marketplace,” Thompson continued. “He brings all of this back to his classroom and transforms it into practical communication and education for his students while also working with us as an industry and framing his expertise in a very similar practical manner.”

“In and around our industry you simply can’t find someone more dedicated, more knowledgeable than Richard Bennett,” said Robert Thomas, NCMA president. “To be a truly effective educator you have to have a deep, keen understanding of the material you’ve attempting to imbue. And it’s more than just teaching — it’s igniting curiosity and elucidating the big picture. In addition to his many students, we are just thankful that Richard has taken all this time to help inspire us, too. We’re so proud to extend this honor to him.”

Bennett has been supported throughout his career by his wife Linda and his daughters.

Membership Press Releases

David Biggs Honored With NCMA’s Industry Champion Award

September 4, 2019

SEATTLE, WA – David Biggs, the principal of Biggs Consulting Engineering based out of Saratoga Springs, NY, was presented with NCMA’s Champions Award August 8, 2019, at the association’s annual Midyear Meeting in Seattle, Washington.

The first individual not employed by a member company to be appointed to the NCMA Education and Research Foundation Board of Trustees, Biggs was recognized for his vision, leadership and passion for advancing concrete masonry design and construction.

Raised in Troy, NY, a tight-knit community surrounding the many manufacturing plants that dominated the region at the time, Biggs began studying engineering and playing soccer at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), in the very same town. Upon graduation, in 1972, he participated in masonry and welding apprentice programs, to better understand the materials he would spend his career designing with, and improving. In 1977, he joined forces with a fellow RPI graduate Tom Ryan to form their own firm, a partnership that would last until 2010, when Biggs sold his interests to pursue his innovative ideas and traveling the world and lecturing.

Since then, he has worked helping developing building codes and preserving historic structures in places like Egypt, the Czech Republic, Iraq, Turkey, Italy and New Zealand.

Following September 11, 2001, Biggs was a member of the Building Assessment Team assigned to investigate the World Trade Center disaster for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) where he helped assess and investigate the performance of the structures in and around Ground Zero.

A “mason’s engineer” he’s been instrumental in a number of turning points for the industry. He was instrumental in developing an industry coalition including NCMA, MCAA, the International Masonry Institute, and others. Most recently, he created another coalition of the industry to launch the Building Information Modeling for Masonry Initiative. This group has developed many new tools for integrating masonry into BIM platforms, and Biggs served as the program coordinator (as well as primary advocate) from the beginning.

Biggs has a great ability to evaluate complex failures and suggest practical solutions that often save masons from being solely and unfairly blamed.

“While David Biggs is a design practitioner that works with all building materials, he has consistently had a passion for masonry,” said Rick Roach of Barnes & Cone, Inc. in Syracuse, NY. “Fortunately for our industry, he has channeled that passion for helping the masonry industry to grow and advance. He has challenged the different segments to work together on issues that cross boundaries and has served so many important roles.”

An adjunct professor and educator over the course of his accomplished career, Biggs helped develop the Hybrid Masonry Structural Building Concept, a precursor to a project funded by the National Science Foundation to research seismic response of such structures.

“There is only one David Biggs in this world,” said Robert Thomas, NCMA president. “We should be thankful that he is working to support us. To say that he is a worthy recipient of this honor is an understatement. We’re extremely proud as association to extend such laurels.”

Biggs has been supported throughout his career by his wife Monica, his sons Daniel and Mark, and the rest of his family.