The virtual NPCA 55th Annual Convention was held Oct. 13-15, 2020. The meeting, which had more than 450 registrants and 53 sponsors, opened with a keynote address by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao. Secretary Chao’s address was followed by an economic address by Ken Simonson, chief economist with the Associated General Contractors of America.
During the Annual Business Meeting, NPCA members elected Ron Sparks, vice president/general manager of Columbia Precast Products in Woodland, Wash., as 2020-21 Chairman of the Board of Directors for a one-year term. Sparks also was presented with the NPCA Douglas G. Hoskin award, which is named for one of NPCA’s founders and honors a dedication to recruiting new members to the association.
NPCA file photo
NPCA 2020-21 Chairman Ron Sparks is presented the Douglas G. Hoskin award.
In his acceptance speech, Sparks spoke about his passion for the precast concrete industry, the importance of the association and its recent accomplishments, as well as his goals moving forward.
“The association has allowed me to push toward ideals I hold in the highest regard, including giving back to the industry and the people who have given so much to me,” Sparks said. “My two predecessors have implemented key initiatives, including research and pushing our association forward on marketing. Along with sales training, these will form the fundamental groundwork of our efforts well into our future.”
Rounding out the leadership are 2020-21 Chairman-elect Mark Wieser, vice president of Wieser Concrete Products in Portage, Wis.; and 2020-21 Secretary/Treasurer Joel Sheets, vice president and general manager of Tindall Corporation in Spartanburg, S.C. Asher Kazmann with Locke Solutions in Houston, Texas; Charles Piwowarski with Forterra Pipe & Precast in DeLand, Fla.; and Sam Lines with Concrete Sealants in Tipp City, Ohio, were elected to the Board for three-year terms.
The Annual Convention also included committee meetings, education courses, a live virtual plant tour of Columbia Precast Products presented by Sparks, and it concluded with industry awards and a closing address by Ron Insana, CNBC analyst and financial industry expert.
NPCA file photo
NPCA 2020-21 Chairman Ron Sparks conducted a live virtual plant tour during the NPCA 55th Annual Convention.
In addition, the NPCA Foundation elected Aaron Ausen as Chairman of its Board of Directors for a two-year term. Ausen, with Rosetta Hardscapes, has nearly 25 years of experience in the precast concrete industry and has served on numerous NPCA committees and task forces including the education committee and various product committees.
“I am truly honored to serve as Chair of this great organization, and I hope to make as large of an impact as those who have served before me as we lead the Foundation into the future,” Ausen said. “Those who have been involved with the Foundation are genuine people who believe in something greater than themselves – things like integrity, service and collaboration. Those values, among others, have molded the Foundation and continue to shape it as it grows daily.”
The NPCA 56th Annual Convention will be held Oct. 28-30, 2021, at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo.
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