MT. VERNON, IOWA (Aug. 12, 2002) The Concrete Foundation Association (CFA), an organization dedicated to improving the quality and acceptance of cast-in place concrete foundations, recently presented its Robert D. Sawyer Distinguished Service Award to Robert “Buck” Bartley at the CFA annual awards luncheon held Aug. 2.

Bartley, co-founder of The Bartley Corporation of Ashton, Maryland, is recognized for his devotion to the industry over several decades. An active member and supporter of the CFA since 1977, he has served on multiple committees for the organization.

The Robert D. Sawyer Award, named on behalf of Bob Sawyer, the first Executive Director of the CFA, is presented occasionally to a member of the concrete foundation industry whose contributions to the industry merit recognition. The award recognizes individuals who give tirelessly of their time and resources to serve the industry.

“Buck Bartley has always been an avid supporter of the foundations industry,” said Ed Sauter, Executive Director of the CFA. “He is always at the forefront in bringing new ideas and technology to the mainstream for foundation construction.”

Bartley, his late wife Marcia, and brother Tom formed The Bartley Corporation in 1970 and have been instrumental in introducing residential concrete foundation construction to the Mid-Atlantic region. Their industry efforts are mirrored by their business success and now have approximately 80 full-time employees and have grown to a multi-million dollar company. Sauter credits The Bartley Corporation with the dedication to implement new technologies that increase efficiency, as well as the willingness to share these innovations with others.

Serving as a voice for the foundation industry, Bartley was the only residential foundation concrete contractor on the ACI-332 (Residential Concrete) Committee until recent years. He has provided invaluable input from a contractor’s perspective to the group and their efforts to develop a residential concrete code. Furthermore, he is active on the CFA Codes and Standards committee where he shares his inventive ideas to help improve the industry.

“The Robert D. Sawyer Award is the highest honor given to any CFA member and Buck Bartley is very deserving of this award,” said Sauter.

The CFA was established in 1974 for the purpose of improving the quality and acceptance of cast-in place concrete foundations. CFA provides promotional materials, educational seminars, opportunities for networking, and technical meeting for members in 26 states and Canada. The CFA also represents the interests of its members and the industry on several code and regulatory bodies, such as the American Concrete Institute’s committee responsible for the creation of the “Residential Concrete Standard.” Once complete, this standard will likely be adopted by the UBC, CABO, and other building codes. The CFA has several of its members on the ACI committee responsible for this document and will endeavor to ensure that the interests of the foundation contractors are considered. For more information, visit www.cfawalls.org.

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