A publication of the Concrete Foundations Association
Concrete Facts Magazine Online
Feature
Building Back Better: Reinforcement for Concrete Homes
By Joe Nasvik People who love concrete tend to believe that it’s magic because it performs well under a wide variety of conditions: fires, earthquakes, high winds, hurricanes and tornados. It can do all this and more, but it requires a special ingredient: reinforcement. Reinforcement added to concrete, designed by structural engineers, provides concrete structures […]
CFA Celebrates Excellence with the 2025 Professional Awards
The most compelling evidence of an individual’s influence lies in their dedication and service to advancing the industry. This sentiment strongly resonates with the Concrete Foundations Association as it reflects on this year’s nominations and professional awards. Set against the historic backdrop of Deadwood, S.D., CFACON25 provided a one-of-a-kind setting for attendees to connect, learn […]
2025 Projects of the Year: The Category Winners
The 26th annual Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) competition invited members to showcase their most outstanding projects, competing for recognition as some of the most celebrated achievements in the industry’s history. The entries, a collection of 24 unique and intricate submissions, spanned 11 categories, ultimately resulting in 14 projects being honored this year. While the projects […]
A Human Writer versus ChatGPT: A Live Debate
By Danny Judge, Tier 3 Technology Solutions A guy can only write so many articles about how fast AI is improving and why organizations should take precautions, so I decided to show you instead. I staged a live debate—a content writer versus ChatGPT, duking it out over who is the better writer. The Preparation: I […]
How to Rewire Your Brain for Success
The human brain is incredibly adaptable. It holds the potential to change, learn and grow throughout our lives. However, many people unknowingly sabotage this by operating with a fixed mindset, the belief that abilities and intelligence are static. Research shows that this mindset limits personal and professional success, as well as discourages positive change. On […]
I Did It My Way!
As the Olympic closing ceremony draws to a close, one of the most iconic songs of all time, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” resonated through the air. It was a poignant moment that evoked emotion, bringing tears to athletes and viewers worldwide—perhaps even to you (but don’t worry, your secret is safe with me!). Every leader […]
Magazine Issues
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 […]
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 […]
An Issue to Sink Your Teeth Into
James Baty jbaty@cfaconcretepros.org As a reader of Concrete Facts, whether this is your first issue or you have been appreciating its content for a while, I hope you can sense the diligence that goes in to making each of these quarterly issues impactful to your business. They are designed to inspire, designed to challenge, designed […]
Foundation Contractors Night: Enthusiastic Participation at The Strat
I am thrilled to reach out to you following the recent Foundation Contractors Night hosted at The Strat in Las Vegas. Once again, our Concrete Foundation Association staff has demonstrated their exceptional talent in pulling off another fantastic event. With over 320 attendees gracing the occasion, the night was filled with lively conversation, networking opportunities, […]
Build my Future: Collaboration Engages Youth, How did it come about? What are its Goals
Perma-Structo of Sturtevant, Wisconsin, a Certified Contractor member of the Concrete Foundations Association, has a long history of participation in efforts aimed at awareness and trades education for youth to bring about a stronger future for the construction industry. The most recent event, Build My Future, continued to demonstrate the value for all involved. Build […]
Why Membership Matters
“PRECISION FOCUS!!” I have had the privilege in the last two years of being introduced to the field of concrete construction in an incredibly dynamic way. While it started with photographing job sites for my brother-in-law, Russ Talpey of Talpey Construction, I have been inspired to continue telling the story I find so compelling. Not […]
Concrete Reasons to set BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) for your Concrete Business
By Bill Humbert, recruiterguy.com There is a difference between properly setting a goal and making a resolution for your business. I know. I have been in business for 34 years. Why not make a “resolution”? The answer is easy. Are many New Year’s resolutions kept? Over my past 34 years, maybe two New Year’s resolutions […]
Ensuring Worker Safety: The Vital Role of Alternative Fall Protection Plans
By Tim Neubauer, MS, CSP For construction, safeguarding the lives of workers is not just a regulatory mandate but is also a moral obligation. As the construction industry grapples with the persistent challenge of fall-related fatalities, the importance of proper fall protection measures becomes increasingly evident. Data from 2020 reveals a stark reality: out of […]
Navigating Generational Shifts in Family Construction Businesses While Keeping the Construction Legacy Alive
Prepared by: Jerry Aliberti, Owner of Pro-Accel Surviving and thriving in the construction business is no walk in the park! Passing the family business on to the next generation should be a moment of pride. But let’s be real: it is a challenge loaded with all sorts of fears. Fear of letting go, fear of […]
The “Oops” Factor: How Human Error is Powering a Multibillion-Dollar Cybercrime Empire
By Jeff Robinson, President & CEO of Tier 3 Technology Solutions You may have heard this statistic before: According to an Accenture study, 43% of all cyberattacks target small businesses. The explanation is simple enough—small businesses have valuable data and resources worth targeting but often don’t prioritize cybersecurity. Even more daunting for small business owners? […]
Spring into action with MAX USA Corp.’s Exciting Tool Promo
Plainview, NY (March 7, 2024) – As the season blooms, MAX USA Corp. is thrilled to unveil an exclusive promotion crafted to supercharge your toolkit. From March 1, 2024, to April 30, 2024, gear up with MAX’s acclaimed SuperFramer®, SuperRoofer®, and SuperLocator® —all at discounted rates, topped with a FREE Tumbler with every purchase. Discover […]
Fall Board Meeting Highlights
I trust this letter finds you well and thriving. As we approach the end of another successful year, I am delighted to share some highlights from our recent Fall Board Meeting, which was held in beautiful Oklahoma City. The gathering served as a powerful reminder of the strength and camaraderie that defines the Concrete Foundations […]
