Mount Vernon, IA (date) – The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) Board of Directors has announced a management change for the organization, which coincides with its 50th anniversary.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, CFA will be managed by the AOE Team – an association management and marketing consulting firm with headquarters in Farmington Hills, Mich.,  after more than three decades of leadership by Sauter and Baty of Mount Vernon, Iowa.

“A lot of work has gone into this moment,” states Sean Smith, current CFA Board President. “The leadership of Ed Sauter, James Baty, and many fine staff members during the last 30-plus years has seen this Association through unprecedented times. We celebrate the many achievements and the richness of culture that has evolved over the years and thank SB2 for their management and the resulting success of our organization.”

After an intense search this fall, the Board of Directors selected the AOE Team as the right organization to help CFA celebrate the significant benchmark of 50 years of operation, laying the foundation for growth in membership and the market for the next 50 years. With roots dating back to the early 1990s, the AOE team pulls from a team of more than 70 professionals with expertise in association management, marketing, public relations, strategic planning, membership, certification, administrative and other functions for those in the design and construction industry. James Baty, current Executive Director of CFA, will stay with the Association and join the AOE team.

“I am excited to continue to serve the poured wall basement industry as a member of the AOE Team,” said Baty. “Their expertise in the concrete industry and linkage to many of our fellow associations will only strengthen what we can provide the CFA membership.”

Smith noted that the current membership benefits will be maintained throughout this transition.

“Our transition team has solidified a great start to our 50th anniversary milestone beginning with Foundation Contractors’ Night during World of Concrete 2025,” said Smith.

Other major events this year include CFA’s Executive Retreat in Salt Lake City, Utah April 14-16, 2025, and CFACON25 – Concrete Foundations Convention in Deadwood, South Dakota, July 17-19, 2025.

A 48-year co-sponsor of the World of Concrete, CFA will again be positioned prominently in the Central exhibit hall at #C4605 where members can stop by, order their selection of 50th-anniversary apparel and catch up with Association leadership. CFA will offer both the ACI/CFA Residential Foundation Technician Certification and the comprehensive Wall Foreman Qualification track for education. The “big party” — Foundation Contractors’ Night – will be held at The Strat on Tuesday, Jan. 21 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm.

“Networking continues to be the main focus of the Association in today’s context,” states Baty. “What begins at Foundation Contractors Night will continue for the few dozen executives that decide to join the next Executive Retreat in Salt Lake City in April, getting a chance to see the record-holding, award-winning contractor, SCW Footings & Foundations, as well as new member, Jeff Dumas Construction.  We then will turn fully toward the Convention in South Dakota where the biggest celebration is planned.”

For more information on the Association, the events planned for this 50th anniversary, and general inquiries toward membership or the transition, interested persons are encouraged to reach out to CFA Executive Director, James Baty, at jbaty@cfaconcretepros.org or learn more about the Concrete Foundations Association and the various education platforms and member resources such as the Wall Foreman Qualification Certificate Program by visiting www.cfaconcretepros.org or by phone at 319-895-6940. For more information on attending the World of Concrete and the education delivered each year, visit https://bit.ly/WOC2025A30.