The NPCA 48th Annual Convention drew 346 members to the Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Va., for several days of committee meetings, the Annual Business meeting, NPCA awards, educational sessions and a host of other activities. Here are the highlights from this year’s convention.
Brent Dezember Elected Chairman of the Board
Brent Dezember, president of StructureCast in Bakersfield, Calif., has been elected chairman of the Board of Directors of NPCA. In his acceptance speech, Dezember cited five “action statements” that he wants NPCA leadership to focus on during the coming year: certification leadership; specifier outreach; member service and value; improving industry marketing; and aligning industry associations. Other officers elected by a voice of vote of members at the Annual Business Meeting were: Michael Tidwell, Bartow Precast Inc., chairman-elect; and Andy Wieser, Wieser Concrete Products Inc., secretary/treasurer. Joining the Board of Directors for three-year terms are: Jennifer Burkhart, Arrow Concrete Products Inc.; Leo Feuerstein, Western Precast Concrete Inc.; Brian Leary, Reading Rock Inc.; Greg Roache, Gainey’s Concrete Products Inc.; and Keith Womack, J-K Polysource Inc.
Bylaws Change Approved
The Associate Member on the Executive Committee will now be a voting member of that group after a bylaws amendment was adopted by a two-thirds vote of members present at the Annual Business Meeting Oct. 12 in Hot Springs, Va. The Associate Member will also be nominated by the Nominating Committee rather than appointed by the chairman of the Board.
Mike Vaughn Presented with Yoakum Award
Mike Vaughn, president of Vaughn Concrete Products, based in Henderson, Colo., was presented with the Robert E. Yoakum Award Saturday, Oct. 12 during the Chairman’s Banquet Gala at the NPCA 48th Annual Convention. Vaughn becomes the 45th winner of the Yoakum Award, one of the longest-running and most prestigious honors in the precast concrete industry. Congratulations Mike!
New Marketing Initiative Launched
“Take a New Look at Precast.” That’s a phrase that specifiers across North America should be hearing a lot over the next few years as the new NPCA marketing initiative gets underway. NPCA’s marketing task force announced the new initiative during the NPCA 48th Annual Convention in Hot Springs, Va. The task force spent more than a year working with a national marketing firm to develop the program, which features a Marketing Toolkit that includes a promotional video and a variety of advertisements and other promotional materials that can be adapted and personalized by individual companies. The Marketing Toolkits will be mailed to each company that attended the kickoff session. Training webinars are now being set up and will be announced soon. Additional training will be available at The Precast Show 2014 in Houston. The Marketing Toolkits are free to all Producer Members who attend either a webinar or a training session. For more information and to preview the toolkit, visit precast.org/newlook.
Top Gun Class of 2013
Mimi Rainero Coles of Permatile Concrete Products Co. heads the Top Gun class of 2013. Rainero Coles, the immediate past chairman of the Board, was presented with the Douglas G. Hoskin Award for membership development at the NPCA 48th Annual Convention, Oct. 12 in Hot Springs, Va. Rainero Coles is credited for sponsoring the most new members during the past 12 months. Also earning accolades for advancing to higher categories of membership recruitment were: Dominic Girotti, Hy-Grade Precast Concrete, Hall of Fame Level; Andy Wieser, Wieser Concrete Products Inc., Second Merit Level; Bruce Hottle, Eagle Concrete Products Co., First Merit Level; and Ray Rees, Oldcastle Precast Inc., Top Gun Level.
Foundation Fundraisers Top $34,000
Two NPCA Educational Foundation fundraisers held during the NPCA 48th Annual Convention raised more than $34,000 for the Foundation’s scholarship program. A Silent Auction pulled in $20,467, while the Sporting Clays Tournament raised more than $14,000 in donations. Andrew Hayward of Panhandle Concrete Products Inc. was the top marksman at the Sporting Clays event, with a score of 86. A list of Silent Auction donors and prizes is available on the Foundation website. Thanks to all who donated and participated!
Registration Now Open for The Precast Show 2014
The Precast Show 2014 catalog is headed your way. The booklet describes everything you need to know about The Precast Show, Feb. 13-15, 2014, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. But if you don’t want to wait to find out more about the biggest trade show in precast, you can find everything online at The Precast Show website. Registration is now open!
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