The Portland Cement Association (PCA) recently announced the winners of the 2020 John P. Gleason, Jr., Leadership Awards, honoring PCA members who have exhibited leadership in advancing both industry programs and initiatives. The awards are named after John “Jay” Gleason who served as PCA president from 1986 until his retirement in 2007. The awards are held as a distinguished honor by the cement industry. The PCA announces the PCA leadership award winners annually.
“The Gleason Awards are a way to recognize individuals that go the extra mile, helping to positively impact our industry now and into the future,” says PCA President and CEO Mike Ireland.
“Everyone involved, both winners and finalists, has shown leadership and commitment toward the advancement of cement and concrete as the sustainable, resilient and preferred building material of choice in America,” said Alex Car, President, Northeast Region, Lehigh Hanson and Gleason Award Selection Committee Chair.
These awards were given at the PCA Virtual Board Meeting on December 8, 2020. The awards recognize exemplary efforts by individuals in the following categories: business continuity, market development and young leaders. The following are the 2020 Gleason Award winners and finalists in each of the respective categories.
The 2020 PCA Leadership Award Winners are as follows:
Business Continuity – recognizing positive contributions to support business operations, such as advocacy, research and standard setting and safety and health.
Winner: Kirk McDonald, Vice President Technical Services, CalPortland
Kirk has been the Chair of PCA’s Product Standard and Technology Committee’s Limestone/Harmonization Task Group (LSHTG) for more than a decade. The group leads guidance to state communication teams for all Departments of Transportation. Additionally, they provide background on changes in both ASTM and AASHTO specifications. These teams succeeded in speeding the acceptance of the change to permit portland cements to contain up to 5% limestone.
Finalists: Erika Guerra, Director, Environmental and Land Resource Management, Lehigh Hanson and Robert Sullivan, Vice President of Government Affairs, CEMEX USA.
Market Development – honors leadership in shaping a favorable competitive marketplace through activities. These activities include a national and regional marketing and promotion, imaging and branding, federal and local advocacy, codes and standards, and work with academia.
Winner: Steve Wilcox, Cement Technical Director, Argos USA
Steve has been the Chair of PCA’s Product Standards and Technology for the past four years. He is also very active at ASTM, Chairing Subcommittees ASTM C01.10 on Hydraulic Cements and C09.27 on Slag Cement. All these activities have been important in ensuring that revisions of specifications happen as a response to the practicalities of the marketplace. Steve is influential in assuring that the market prepares itself to accept changes in cement processes that continue to occur lead the acceptance of portland-limestone cement by the Florida Department of Transportation (among other states).
Finalist: Nick Popoff, Vice President Product Performance and Technical Services North America, Votarantim Cimentos.
Young Leaders – recognizing member company employees who demonstrate a high potential for success in leadership roles and also a strong commitment to PCA and the cement industry.
Winner (tie): Allyson Tombesi, Environmental Engineer, Titan America
Allyson lead Titan America’s Zero Waste campaign in 2020 to be the first LEED Platinum certified cement and aggregates company in the United States. Allyson’s True Advisor credentials, representation in the US Green Building Council (USGBC), and many local outreach programs demonstrate her leadership not only in the workplace, but within her community.
Winner (tie): Eric Koehler, Director of Quality, Titan America
Eric is the current Chair of PCA’s Product Standards and Technology Committee Task Group on Cement Specifications ASTM C150/ASTM C595. Eric’s industry contributions include his activities in ACI Task Group 211-N. As an active chair, Eric oversaw the creation of a completely new ACI document in a remarkably short timeframe. “Guide for Proportioning Concrete Mixtures with Ground Limestone and Other Mineral Fillers” is the name of the document.
Finalist: Ed Griffith, Vice President, U.S. Cement Sales, VCNA/ St Marys Cement.
About The Portland Cement Association (PCA)
The Portland Cement Association (PCA) was founded in 1916. It is the premier policy research, education, and market intelligence organization serving America’s cement manufacturers. PCA members represent over 90 percent of U.S. cement production capacity and also have facilities in all 50 states. The association promotes safety, sustainability, and innovation in all aspects of construction. Additionally, it fosters continuous improvement in cement manufacturing and distribution and generally promotes economic growth and sound infrastructure investment also.
