Robert D. Sawyer Distinguished Service Award: Bruce Neale, Modern Foundations
The Robert D. Sawyer Award, named on behalf of Bob Sawyer, the first executive director of the CFA, is the most prestigious recognition that can be offered to a member of the concrete foundation industry. The award recognizes individuals who give tirelessly of their time and resources to serve the industry. “Bob Sawyer took the helm of the association when it was first chartered in 1974 and served for nearly thirty years, ensuring a sound platform for contractors to come together for learning, strategy, and the understanding that in a challenging industry they are never alone,” said former executive director and past recipient, Ed Sauter. The award is presented on occasions when the industry identifies an individual who characterizes or embodies the spirit of both the association and the rich legacy offered by those who have followed the precedent set by Sawyer. This characterization is generally determined by two criteria: (1) depth of involvement as a leader in the association and (2) contributions to the CFA cause.
When considering the contributions and qualities of each person on the prestigious list of deserving professionals (considerred by past recipients of this award), there was unanimous agreement that the very next recipient needed to be Bruce Neale, president of Modern Foundations in Woodbine, Maryland. When he was president of the association, Neale helped manage through a time of rapid growth and significant industry influence for the CFA. At the same time, he had the vision of how his company might grow and provide a stronger future for the family business. This vision led him to be a thought leader for ready mix, stone shooting, mobile ready mix, GPS data logging, precast concrete, retaining blocks, and much more.
“The list up there is so hard to imagine that I was even nominated for this,” Neale said. “When notified that I was going to get this award, first thing I think I said was, ‘no, I don’t deserve this award.’ The people that have been up there that helped to form this association have been great leaders for me. I’ve taken a lot back from this association. And I want to say that this current association and your [Baty’s] direction of it has taken this association to a different level. We are now getting to be recognized as the authority in the industry. I think that’s what we strived for many years ago. How do we become the authority that everybody looks to? And even in my local jurisdictions, they know who the CFA is.”
When asked to give his thoughts on what contractors should be doing today and how to leverage the association benefits, Neale said, “Promote this organization to your local agencies around you, the inspectors, because you’ll gain a lot of respect and you’ll be able to do your job a little bit easier.”
Contractor of the Year: Doggett Concrete Construction
The most frequently awarded recognition from the CFA historically has been the Contractor of the Year award. This recognizes the industry contributions of a poured wall contractor and often shows the great efforts the contractor makes to benefit more than just their company’s location and position—how they work toward the greater goals of the association and the industry. This award recognizes the service, technology, and knowledge needed to advance the use of poured wall construction. The recipient is acknowledged for unselfish commitment to peers, to the association, and to the industry both at their market level and on a national scale.
Doggett Concrete Construction of Charlotte, North Carolina, is this year’s 2023 CFA Contractor of the Year. They are all in when it comes to the CFA, supporting the association and leveraging the network in such areas as board meetings, committee and task force participation, Best Practice Groups, and consistent participation at numerous events. One of the newest resources developed for members is the availability of the “Private Classroom,” where a member can host a day of education topics for crews and customers, including certifications. Beginning with company founder, Doug Doggett, the company has looked into participation for multiple management levels, involving departments like Human Resources and encouraging participation in CFA’s Emerging Leaders group. To further leverage their passion, they have become an ambassador for growth, referring companies to membership.
Mike Kana, the newly named President for Doggett Concrete, received the award recognition and said, “We have taken so much away from the CFA. It’s taken me a little while to kind of figure all that out and bring it back to our teams with even training all our folks and plugging them in as best we could. I attended this event a couple of years ago for the first time with Doug [Doggett]. We went to the board meeting and at the end he said, ‘Here you go, boy.’ I was just encouraged to run with it from there, and it has worked out so well.”
Innovative Contractor of the Year: Bulletproof Walls Inc., dba TCB Walls Inc.
An industry with as much history as cast-in-place concrete may appear as if practices and systems are no longer evolving. While new technologies using computers and advanced mechanics or logic are often brought to light, many times the most innovative solutions are initiated by the contractors themselves, tapping their experience and creativity to find a better way without necessitating significant capital investment or expense. The Spirit of Innovation for the Innovative Contractor of the Year Award recognizes an individual or company for developing, creating, or instituting new concepts across a broad spectrum of business categories including construction, management, and marketing.
The Board of Directors recognizes this year’s recipient, Tim Ball and TCB Walls of Melbourne, Florida, for an innovative aspect of supplier management. Since exploring Ball’s business model during a post-COVID event, many companies have been influenced by his engagement of suppliers, how he treats them as he treats his best customers. “This was a revolutionary way of making sure your company is a ‘preferred customer’—by making your supplier realize they are a ‘preferred vendor,’” offered Baty during the presentation.
In addition to innovation in customer relations, Baty noted the innovative spirit with which Ball’s company continues to lead in above-grade concrete housing. “While this has yet to grab a hold on volume-based construction decisions outside of his market, it has quickly become the standard for a market where storm risk is a regular reality,” Baty said.
When asked what his main advice for this customer relations tactic might be, Ball said that his goal was to make his supplier feel like his best customer, and whenever he does this, they are always there for him.
National Associate of the Year: Owens Corning Infrastructure Solutions
National Associate members are the primary supplier and manufacturing members of the association, which can be found in the CFA’s active Products and Services Directory. The Associate of the Year award honors one of the many National Associate members (a company or an individual) for their commitment to supporting and growing the association. Their efforts are to be recognized in relation to the mission and purpose of the CFA as well as in relation to their presence in the industry. As long as the CFA has been around, there have been numerous manufacturing companies and distributors of high-quality products that have supported association contractors. Beginning in 2015, the CFA Board of Directors has recognized this membership category, honoring such efforts beyond traditional involvement..
The recipient of the 2023 Associate of the Year is Owens Corning Infrastructure Solutions of Toledo, Ohio. Owens Corning has participated thoroughly over the past two years to build the value of Convention and Foundation Contractors’ Night @ The Strat. Their goal has been to make moments with the CFA memorable for all, from the Pink Panther in attendance to the specialty cocktails. Owens Corning has also contributed mightily to major technical efforts the CFA has long advocated for and maintained, such as ACI 332 Residential Code. Through volunteer participation of some of their key staff engineers, Owens Corning has begun to lead the advancing efforts for these codes, thereby advancing the entire industry and not simply focusing on advancement interests of their primary reinforcement product.
“With this award, the Board recognizes the many sponsors and exhibitors that are here,” Baty said. “This association would not be sustainable without our National Associates who continue to do great things behind the scenes as well as bringing a public face to your network. We are proud to therefore recognize the team from Owens Corning for their specific contributions.” Cheryl Whitten represented the Owens Corning in receiving the award, along with Paula Kuntz-Long, Casey Ingle, Jared Honsvick, Jimmy Wear, Savanah Wear, and Jay Pease. “I think the one thing that excites us about this organization is that you guys are excited about innovation,” stated Whitten. “Therefore, we want to invest in you as well as to invest in the CFA.”
Kick-Start Member of the Year: Curtis Cowgill, Nies Foundations
The most valuable part of joining an organization is diving in and finding the networking, interaction, support, and resources beneficial to your company’s goals. In honor of the value of jumping in, the CFA Board of Directors developed a new award in 2015 that honors the intentional exploration of the professional network found in the Concrete Foundations Association. This award goes to a member within the first three years of their participation.
With just a year and a half of membership experience, Curtis Cowgill of Nies Foundations has made a strong commitment to the pursuit of learning the industry and leveraging relationships. Cowgill, who took up company ownership from an older CFA member, has consistently attended the monthly Best Practice Group sessions, has made regular use of the CFA Hotline, and has had consistent communication with CFA staff for a variety of technical solutions and networking interests. Despite CFACON23 in San Antonio being his first CFA conference, he showed his committed to professional development and credentialing by achieving ACI/CFA Certified Residential Foundation Technician status and the Wall Foreman Qualification certificate during World of Concrete. The numerous strategic relationships he has already made with experienced members have helped him see the potential this membership network has to advance his company.
In recognition of Cowgill’s activity as a member, Baty said, “I’ve had a great privilege of supporting [him] over the last couple of years. The best way that I can say to describe him is that he hungers [for] knowledge. He’s here because he thirsts to know what you know. He has a deep desire for his company to grow and to be as successful as each of yours, to continue to drive to tomorrow and to build legacy.”
Golden Tie Membership Development Award: Western Forms
The award luncheon began with a new award recognition as Jason Ells, who is the CFA president and the executive vice president for Custom Concrete of Westfield, Indiana, stepped up to the microphone. “The Golden Tie Award is something we’ve been developing for a while within the Board of Directors,” he said. “We recognize that national associates bring a lot to the table regarding memberships, and contractors want a lot more members so that we can have more peer-to-peer interaction. As much as a rising tide raises all ships, this award recognizes any member that brings membership to the table.”
Western Forms of Kansas City, Missouri, was this year’s, and the very first ever, recipient. Working with CFA staff member Skye Kelley, Western Forms helped put together a membership awareness and growth campaign that netted five new members in early 2023. This effort has helped shape what we see as possible and has helped identify the potential for more companies to engage in their best relationships. Chis Ward, vice president of National Sales, received the award on behalf of the entire team along with Jim Aylward, Evan Resatar, and Tyler Resatar.
In acceptance, Ward recognized both the energy and purpose of the association, and he issued a challenge for the future. “I encourage associates, encourage other contractors to get here. Let’s get more people here, because the education that you get, the stories that you get, the people you meet…it’s amazing. It’s priceless stuff. We need to get more people here and get them involved, because overall, that’s going to be what’s best for the industry and best for all of you. I’m going to challenge all of us. Let’s keep making this thing better.”
Press Release: Coello & Associates Welcomes Youth Apprentice Jonathan Ray to their Team
WAUKESHA, Wisc. (June 3rd, 2024) Coello & Associates Welcomes Youth Apprentice Jonathan Ray to their Team
Coello and Associates is excited to welcome Jonathan Ray to their team after his successful participation in the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development’s Youth Apprenticeship program. Ray, a 2024 graduate of St. Francis High School, is the first apprentice from the program to sign on full-time with Coello and Associates and the company hopes to grow their participation with the program in the future.
“Our involvement with the Wisconsin DWD Youth Apprenticeship program is rather new, but so encouraging”, said Kristin Lee, the Hiring and Training Manager at Coello and Associates. “Last summer was the first for us with students from local high schools. After a year of learning on the job, we are happy to have Jonathan joining us for a full-time career in concrete.”
On Thursday, Kristin Lee and Scott Blaskowski of Coello and Associates held a signing ceremony at St. Francis High School with staff and Jonathan’s family to commemorate the day and officially welcome him.
For more information on Coello and Associates, visit www.pouredfoundations.com. For more information about the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development’s Youth Apprenticeship Program, visit https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/apprenticeship/ya/.
Coello and Associates is a third-generation premium foundation and flatwork contractor located in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
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Anna Baird-Luedke
Senior Estimator/Marketing Director
Coello & Associates, Inc.
262-650-1300×1
Direct: 262-290-4893
Hot Summer Deals with MAX USA Corp.’s Exciting Tool Promo
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For Sale: Used 8-foot Aluminum Forms
A CFA member is offering the a set of 8′-0″ aluminum forms as featured in the attached images and inventory list. The forms have a 6-12 hole pattern with a smooth form surface. The grade quality of the forms are rated B+.
The forms are located in Belleville, PA.
Interested buyers should contact Rufus Peachey at lisa@aqmasonry.net or call (717)935-5111.
Lighthouse After School
Stephens and Smith Concrete Construction participates with a Trades/Industry Program
Attracting tomorrow’s workforce to the concrete industry involves fostering early engagement and understanding of the field. Introducing high school students to construction trades through a structured workshop approach holds immense potential in shaping their perception of and interest in concrete careers.
“Our TIP program is designed to provide hands-on training and education to youth in the community, specifically in the trades industry,” said Jeremy Trujillo, the director of the Trades/Industry Program at Lighthouse After School. The Lighthouse After School Trades/Industry Program is designed to expose youth to the trades, particularly those from low-income families, in order to better equip them to pursue a well-paying career in construction, manufacturing, automotive repair, trucking, welding, and electrical work. “Our program teaches students the skills they need to be successful in the industry, while also providing them with real-world experience through on-the-job training, internships and apprenticeships. This is a great way to break the poverty cycle in our community and give youth from low-income families an opportunity to achieve a better standard of living. We are dedicated to providing the youth of our community with the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. With the support of local businesses and trade organizations, we are confident that our program will make a real difference in the lives of the youth in our community.”
One of the program’s current students, Sandra, shared from her experience. “For a couple years now, I helped my dad work for his and my uncle’s concrete company,” she said. “I barely had any background knowledge on concrete and cement. I just went straight into hands-on. Going to this class has given me so much knowledge on the concrete industry and how it’s portrayed. Jereme [Montgomery] really helped me understand that concrete isn’t just a job, but something that is crucial in our everyday lives. I never realized that there are different parts to concrete then just cement and water—there’s technique that goes into it. Learning more in depth about concrete has given me more of an opportunity to pursue something in the concrete industry. This class has given me a chance to think more about being a concrete contractor, and not thinking it’s just something that’s going to put food on the table.”
Jereme Montgomery, Business Development Manager for Stephens and Smith Construction of Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska, is passionate for these efforts and spearheaded a recent six-week curriculum with Trujillo. “I believe the program with Stephens and Smith Construction was a successful first exposure to the industry,” Trujillo said. “We had an excellent and very knowledgeable professional in Jereme, who was able to teach and demonstrate the concrete industry to our teens, some of whom have never thought of this industry as an option after high school. I believe this program is a great way to introduce teens to this career path.”
Montgomery and Trujillo are both aware that many students “know” about jobs in the industry, whether through a career fair at school or from a relative who works in the industry. “Wherever they obtain information on the industry, they don’t truly understand the depth of the career path,” Trujillo said. “Students have been talked to about all the benefits and challenges, but until you actually work with the material, see the ready-mix plant, learn about the science behind the process, and put it into action—then they start to get a true understanding of the industry.”
The approach with the curriculum developed by Stephens and Smith Construction helped the students get excited to learn about a potential career pathway. Designed for this purpose, the Lighthouse After School Program is a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. The introductory week sets the stage by acquainting students with the vast scope of and various career avenues within concrete construction. Exploring the diverse roles, from concrete masonry to structural engineering, illuminates the breadth of opportunities available.
“This class taught me that there is more to know about this industry even after you uncover a lot,” reflected Tyler, another student from this recent six-week program. “That if you put in time and effort there is no telling what you can do in this industry; you can go places and make it far. It doesn’t take much but a little bit of effort and you can succeed.”
Subsequent weeks of the program are dedicated to immersive experiences. Tours to a ready-mix plant and local projects offered a firsthand view of the industry’s operations and real-world applications. Witnessing the machinery, observing the processes, and engaging with professionals sparks curiosity and showcases the concrete industry’s dynamism. Students get a glimpse of how theory is put into practice, making the concepts tangible and relatable.
The focus on concrete’s properties and testing is pivotal. Understanding the material’s characteristics, its durability, and the quality control measures involved instills a sense of the science behind the construction. This knowledge serves as a foundation for appreciating precision and quality in the field.
“One thing I can confidently say I learned from doing concrete with Jereme [Montgomery] is that cement and concrete aren’t the same thing,” Sajad, another of the students taking this recent course, said. “Cement is the powder and concrete is cement mixed with water and aggregate. That piece of information may not be the best type of knowledge to know, but you know what they say, ‘knowledge is power!’”
The hands-on placing and finishing architectural concrete demo in week five was, for some students, a transformative experience. Allowing students to engage physically with concrete, maneuver tools, and witness the transformation of a raw material into a finished structure fostered a deeper connection. It ignited a sense of accomplishment and demystified the process, and it had the potential to kindle a passion for the craftsmanship involved. “It was very fun, and my favorite part was making a concrete slab,” reflected Eh Di, another participating student who was impacted by the experience.
“One of my favorite classes of this program was the hands-on placing and finishing architectural concrete,” Trujillo said. “They all enjoyed seeing the process that they learned about come to life then be able to see something tangible that they built. Most of the students decided to keep their 2-by-2-foot concrete samples they created. It was great seeing how proud they were of these, carrying them to their vehicles to take home. These teens were excited to carry a 50-to-60-pound piece of concrete! They came back the following day to tell me how they took them to show their loved ones. It was the same pride you hear from professionals in the trades industry when they pass a project they worked on.” Trujillo recalls the number of times he has heard construction workers share the pride they had in helping pour a parking garage, install the roof on a building, or build that home on the corner. Likewise, Trujillo said, “I am proud of every residential home I worked on and will point it out if my family and I pass them. I saw that same pride out of our teens on the 2-by-2 concrete sample!”
In the final week, students were introduced to different pathways they could take to get in to the industry. This included just diving in to the industry after high school, apprenticeships, adding certifications, and obtaining diplomas, like a two-year associate degree in concrete construction or even getting a four-year degree. Jennifer Manatt, a representative for the Concrete Industry Management (CIM) program, joined the event on the last week to show students opportunities at San Diego State University, one of several post-secondary institutions with dedicated construction curricula.
This workshop approach is instrumental in increasing awareness of concrete industry careers among high school students. It bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, providing a comprehensive understanding of the field. Moreover, this exposure can dispel misconceptions and stereotypes about manual labor by showcasing the innovation, technology, and skill involved in concrete construction.
By engaging students at this impressionable age, the workshop aims to ignite interest and plant the seeds for future career exploration. It offers a unique opportunity for students to explore their potential interests and consider a path they might not have previously imagined. Furthermore, the program’s duration allows for continuous engagement, enabling students to absorb information gradually and fostering a sustained interest.
In conclusion, the workshop approach—which integrates theory, practical experiences, and industry exposure over a six-week period—is a proactive strategy to attract high school students to the concrete industry. By offering a comprehensive overview, dispelling myths, and providing hands-on experiences, this program aims to inspire the next generation of skilled tradespeople, contributing to the sustainability and growth of the concrete industry.
