Recognizing Experience, Commitment, and Perseverance

Associations are networks of organizations and individuals with common goals, themes, and interests. Each year, associations spend billions of dollars on conventions, conferences, convenient networking systems, resources, and programs designed, often, to support the idealistic purpose of bettering their industries. However, perhaps the more realistic or actual impact is the betterment of those involved.

Since the early 1990s, the Concrete Foundations Association, established in 1974, has been recognizing leadership and industry contributions. The pinnacle recognitions are the Robert D. Sawyer Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award, which deliver the combination of appreciation and honor to individuals persevering and leading through decades of industry and association involvement. In the late 1990s, the annual recognition of a leading contractor voice was set in motion with the Contractor of the Year award. Then, in 2015, a new series of awards was developed to further recognize the breadth of the association as we experienced growth and increasing participation. In this issue, we introduce you to some of the latest leaders who are impacting our industry. What do they all have in common? They do not think of themselves as leaders, but rather as just doing their part to contribute, finding new ways to evolve their companies by leveraging their association platform.

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It Only Takes a Spark to Start a Flame

KICK-STARTER MEMBER OF THE YEAR

CHAPIN CONCRETE CONTRACTORS INC.

180 Murray Lindler Rd. | Chapin, SC 29036 | www.chapinconcrete.com

The Kick-Starter Member Award recognizes a member of the association who is maximizing their networking presence within the first three years of joining the CFA. While there are many ways of participating  and experiencing the benefits of the CFA, companies who vigorously use the benefit of networking are nominated to the Board of Directors for recognition. This year’s Kick-Starter company burst onto the scene with the association in 2019. Chapin Concrete became a new brand to the southeast region of the U.S. when the leadership of Ashmore Concrete Contractors made the decision to cease general concrete operations and to specialize in concrete pumping. The father and son duo, Charlie and Chris Marra, then stepped away to form their new company, and they immediately began growing, quickly expanding throughout the entire state of South Carolina.

As growth continued, Chris began seeking out resources that could aid them, principally looking for a network of colleagues who would challenge them to be the best company possible. In 2019, company leaders were introduced to the Concrete Foundations Association at the World of Concrete, and they made the decision to join. Immediately upon establishing connection with the CFA network, Chris and the staff at Chapin went to work on identifying the steps to becoming a CFA Certified Foundation Company. These steps included attaining an ACI Certified Foundation Technician credential during the 2020 World of Concrete and (later) completing the conditional steps for the company. Chapin Concrete Contractors has since participated in both the virtual Concrete Foundations Convention and the virtual Foundations Academy, held online during the COVID pandemic. 

“Receiving the Kick-Starter of the year award is flattering and an honor,” Chris Marra said. “We have been working diligently over the last two years to get involved with our industry and have a presence not only in our area, but with our peers around the country. This award is validation of our hard work.”

With the change of venue for #CFACON finalized to Charleston, SC, this year, Chapin Concrete offered to serve as the event’s host contractor and to use their local experience to help maximize attendees’ enjoyment of the area. “CFACON 21 was our very first convention. We really enjoyed the camaraderie with everyone in attendance. Our biggest takeaway was being able to sit in and hear how other professionals operate their businesses. We do not have many poured-wall contractors in our area, so having the chance to listen to our peers from different areas was extremely beneficial.”

Doug Herbert, president of Herbert Construction (of Marietta, Georgia) and the president of the CFA board of directors said, “The aggressiveness of Chapin Concrete to leverage membership and company certification as they step into the marketplace to make a name for their standalone presence speaks volumes to the type of leadership they have.” He added, “I can only imagine the challenge faced by the climb to elevate a new brand from the shadows of an existing recognized leader. The fact that Chapin recognized the impact to their brand offered by affiliation with the CFA honors the integrity of our members. Their immediate engagement with our programs and resources evidences the intentional advancement we offer.”

When asked what this award brings about for the company, Marra responded, “I feel that we have set the bar high after receiving this award. The challenge I see for our company is to use this award as a steppingstone to be a voice in our industry, not only in our local markets, but also regionally and nationally. The CFA provides the perfect avenue for us to achieve this.”

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If You Build It…They Will Apply 

MOST INNOVATIVE CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR

HOTTMANN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY INC.

6156 Darlin Dr. | Dane, WI 53529 | www.hottmannconstruction.com

The Most Innovative Contractor Award seeks to recognize the well-known fact that innovation often takes place within contracting businesses themselves, sometimes ahead of manufacturing solutions. Innovation may be product- or system-related, as seen by innovations from numerous past recipients. Innovation may also come in the form of a fresh look at a strategic hurdle facing the company or industry.

Every company would agree that we currently face the largest workforce crisis in the history of the association and every business in the construction industry. In addition, there is an inordinate amount of challenges faced daily for running construction companies during a pandemic. The stresses of the market for material shortages and business volume are in direct opposition. Still, of top importance today may very well be how companies market themselves in the face of the largest pressure: the workforce crisis.

Hottmann Construction has stepped out as an example for all to consider, marketing themselves as a destination employer. While most companies continue to view their website as a primary resource for growing business, Hottmann has transformed their message to that of one meant for the employees they seek and of being a reputable employer. They organized their website to show information describing why their company is a great place to work, which signifies both to potential hires and to companies looking to engage their services that the teams at Hottmann Construction complete great work. The result has been a measured increase in attraction to both audiences, the marketplace and customers.  

“We are always talking about new ways to attract, train, and retain employees,” said Ken Kurszewski, president for Hottmann. “In many companies, there is typically a lot of pressure put on those who are interviewing and hiring. Here at Hottmann, we recognize it is the responsibility of the entire team, from owners to field laborers, that are responsible for retention and impressions on new and existing employees.”

Innovation happens at numerous levels. In a time when business is defined less by materials and technologies and more by sustaining power and energy, it seems right to recognize innovative ways to speak into and attract the potential workforce.

“I grew up in the environment of innovation within this association,” states the CFA board president, Doug Herbert. “Many of the services, tips, and strategies we now use within our company were learned from our peers and colleagues, discussed at numerous conventions. In turn, new technologies that we have found over the years have influenced other members time and time again. Innovation is critical to the success of the cast-in-place concrete foundation contractor, and Hottmann has given us new inspiration as to where we can find it.”

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The Best Road to Business Is Doing Your Part

NATIONAL ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF THE YEAR

CHRIS WARD | WESTERN FORMS

6200 Equitable Rd. | Kansas City, MO 64120 | www.westernforms.com

What is often overlooked, or perhaps misunderstood, within the resource and networking focus of the CFA is the contribution and support from companies marketing products, equipment, and services. With our primary focus most of the time on contractors, it is easy to fall into the belief that the presence of manufacturing and supply companies and their support is motivated solely by their needs or interests in sales. While this is, perhaps, an obvious statement, an association like the CFA thrives because we have strong leaders from these companies who altruistically give of themselves, placing industry, network, and association many times above the interests of their company. This award honors one of the many National Associate members (company or individual) for their commitment to supporting and growing the association. This award recognizes their efforts both in regard to the mission and purpose of the CFA and to their presence in the industry.

This year’s recipient of the National Associate Member of the Year is Chris Ward, VP of sales at Western Forms Inc. of Kansas City, Missouri. Considering the challenges to being “together” this past year, we recognize the exceptional presence and leadership that the company and Chris have contributed to the CFA. During #CFACON20, held virtually this past year, Western Forms participated fully as an exhibitor/sponsor and as a coordinator and content provider for the Concrete Housing Symposium held during that event. Western Forms brought many of their resources and connections to offer meaningful content. “It was great to be back in person this year and reconnecting with many of the associates and contractors after a long year,” Ward said. “We were glad to do our part, due to the reach of our company in numerous market segments, to help bring content to the members of the CFA when being together wasn’t possible.”

However, it is perhaps Chris Ward and Western Form’s openness and leadership evidenced during the onset of the steel form-tie shortage that most elevates them. Upon identifying the severity of this concern and seeing the CFA’s attempts at marshaling the stakeholders, Chris Ward repeatedly came to the table, offering the work his company had been doing to invent solutions while conveying as much information as possible, not simply wanting to listen to what was going on. “This award is a great honor for our team at Western Forms,” Ward said.  “I am very appreciative of all of the hard work, dedication, and perseverance in working to help as many foundation contractors as possible during these difficult supply chain times.”

As a thought leader, a financial supporter of the CFA during one of the most trying times in association history, and as one prepared to set aside competition in order to be part of an industry coalition looking for solutions, Chris Ward and Western Forms are together recognized and honored this year as a true embodiment of the spirit of this award.

“The Association is able to leverage considerable influence on the marketplace in no small part to the generosity and energy given by our National Associates,” states James Baty, executive director for the Concrete Foundations Association. “We are appreciative of the openness and intentional teamwork that Chris has displayed through this compelling time evidencing association value.”

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Third Generation and Still Going Strong

CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR

PERMA-STRUCTO INC.

9420 Charles St. | Sturtevant, WI 53177 | www.permastructo.com

Among the longest standing recognitions maintained by the Concrete Foundations Association is the Contractor of the Year, which recognizes someone who has been attentive to the mission and vision of the association in regards to the membership class for which the CFA (originally the Poured Concrete Wall Contractors Association of America) was formed. Contractors are evaluated for their various commitments to networking, resources, leadership, industry development, and other facets to identify the spirit of the association at work.

Perma-Structo Inc. of Sturtevant, Wisconsin, was recognized during this year’s Concrete Foundations Convention, #CFACON21. Like their peers, the company endured one of the most challenging years in industry history. Owners, Mark and Patti Beaudin, showed a renewed commitment to leveraging their membership and honoring the legacy as a founding member through Patti’s father, Buck Sweet. Prior to the start of the pandemic, Perma-Structo invested in their workforce by contracting for construction education through the CFA. An entire morning, complete with a concluding lunch, was committed to foundation education and certification training conducted by Executive Director Baty. This education was part of a state-wide effort to increase awareness of the ACI 332 code document adopted by the State of Wisconsin as the prescriptive residential concrete code.  

“Receiving the Contractor of the Year award is quite special. It’s really humbling to be recognized by the association and reassuring that the legacy and commitment of our company is now generational,” said Mark and Patti Beaudin, owners of Perma-Structo. “We are proud to be a founding member of the association and we look forward to continuing the legacy of our founder, Erwin (Buck) Sweet. Buck had the vision for our company years ago, and we hope to be as inspirational to future generations as he was to ours. We are thankful for the vision, time, and efforts put forth by the founding members in establishing the association. Receiving this award, which is the epitome of the founders’ objectives, is extremely rewarding.”

Perma-Structo demonstrated further influence in and care for the association network through consistent participation in the CFA Hotline. They used it as a way of getting at strategic areas of interest or challenge and found sources for available inventory of outdated and proven technologies. Third-generation leader, Cole Beaudin, challenged the company even further, sitting for and passing the ACI Certified Foundation Technician exam during Foundations Academy. During a year when participation in association networking was considerably challenging, Perma-Structo advanced their company while supporting the association and their colleagues.

With two generations of Beaudins now in leadership, the family was asked what the future holds. “We peaked and hit our best, but now we must decide how to continue that growth and progress,” the Beaudins said. “Winning a prestigious award like this is incredible, but it can also be dangerous. When you win, it can create this culture of complacency and stagnation. No one wants to mess with the status quo because it still works. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. Our focus for the future remains on continuing the education of our employees and our participation in local and national building associations. Striving to be great is not a part-time adventure.”  

“One of the overlooked aspects of the association network is the multi-generational companies and the sustained leadership they evidence,” sad Jim Baty, the CFA executive director. “The Perma-Structo example this year challenges the association to maintain a wealth of resources and a variety of ways companies can grow, no matter the environment.”

Want to know more about the ways these companies benefitted the association over the past year? Do you have a story to tell or someone to nominate? Reach out to the staff at the Concrete Foundations Association by contacting our head of member engagement, Skye Kelley, at 319-895-6940 or skelley@cfaconcretepros.org.