Mount Vernon, Iowa (September 18, 2009) — The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) – an international association dedicated to improving the quality and acceptance of cast-in-place concrete foundations and creating better businesses that construct those foundations – recently presented its highest honor, the Robert D. Sawyer Distinguished Service Award to Barry Herbert at the CFA Annual Summer Convention held July 30-August 1.  Barry was introduced by Jim Bartley of Bartley Corporation, and described as a significant example of great leadership; innovation; spirit and faith in our industry and both a person and businessman that he has tried to model his career after.

Herbert has been member of the CFA since 1992.  While serving on the board from 1993 to 2002 he attended every meeting and served on multiple committees.  He became a member of the ACI-332 Residential Concrete committee in 1995 when the decision was made to create the ACI Residential Standard.  This standard is now incorporated into the International Residential Code.  He continues to represent the CFA and the concrete foundation industry to the present on that committee.   He also developed the present Nominations and Awards Committee for the CFA and served as its chair until 2007.

In 1998 he was elected to a two-year term as CFA president.  During his tenure as president, he helped organize the current committee makeup and reorganized the board term schedule changing from a confusing schedule of one, two and three year terms to all three year terms.

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.

Herbert has always been at the forefront of technology.  In the early 1990’s, he became the first poured wall contractor in the nation to utilize a robotic total station in footing and wall layout.  Herbert shared this idea with fellow CFA members and it has now become a standard piece of layout equipment for many CFA members.

“Barry is one of those outstanding examples of the fortitude and commitment to family and industry that is evidenced throughout this association,” said Ed Sauter, Executive Director of the CFA. “Since taking over the reigns of this Association, Barry has provided energy and leadership when it was needed most and his innovative spirit and confidence has long been an example to his peers.”

Herbert and his wife, Linda, founded Herbert Construction Company in 1978 and he remains president of the company run by the two of them, their two sons Mike and Doug and their daughter Amanda Morris and son-in-law Josh Morris.  Their company is located in Marietta, Georgia.

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

About the CFA 
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 meetings for members in 26 states and Canada.  Efforts include the creation of a self-governed CFA Standard now in its third edition and the industry-changing research for cold weather effects on poured foundations. 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” adopted as a major reference option for foundation walls by the 2006 IRC. 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 about CFA, please visit www.cfawalls.org.