CalCIMA honors producers through awards programs

By Jack Kopanski| November 30, 2023

The California Construction & Industrial Materials Association (CalCIMA) unveiled its annual award winners at its 2023 Education Conference Banquet in Palm Springs, California.

The CalCIMA awards are presented to those who make an impact on the association and industry, are committed to membership, and value CalCIMA and promote its benefits to their peers to build a more successful organization.

Robert Dugan, president and CEO of CalCIMA, presented six awards alongside Jamie Polomsky, Vulcan Materials Co.’s Western Division president and CalCIMA chairman.

Receiving the Associate of the Year Award were Greg Odenthal of Pinnacle Consulting and Brad Critchfield of Superior Industries.

Meghan Neal of P.W. Gillibrand received the Spirit of the Industry Award, and Talia Flagan of Martin Marietta received the President’s Award.

Also recognized were Mike Herges of Graniterock and Stephanie Pridmore of CalCIMA – both of who received the Benjamin J. Licari Distingushed Person Award.

Additional recognition

Additionally, CalCIMA named its 2023 All Star Award winners during the Education Conference.

All Star Award winners are chosen based on their contributions to advancing and making positive impacts for the industry, according to CalCIMA. This year, All Star Award winners were selected based on their contributions to advance sustainability, safety, participation in the Concrete Testing Adherence Collaboration and advocacy with the department of transportation (DOT) and California Air Resources Board (CARB).

“Everyday members are working with the association’s staff and our policy committees to provide input, outreach and implementation of regulations and association programs,” Dugan says. “That engagement ensures that we craft solutions and advocacy that works for our industries’ producers. Their work is often behind the scenes, but really is the important work to continue the availability and supply of essential materials. We couldn’t do it without them. We are happy to honor these hardworking members. As ‘one CalCIMA,’ we are stronger together and that is always worth celebrating.”

CalCIMA named 17 sustainability All Star Award winners, with several companies having multiple employees recognized.

From CalPortland, Matt Hinck and Pat Imhoff received the sustainability award, which Dan Staebell of Cargill was also awarded. Cemex (Mark Hill and Ed Luce) and Central Concrete Supply Co. (Patrick Frawley and Juan Gonzalez) also had multiple award winners.

Also recognized for their sustainability efforts were Marc Robert (G3 Quality), Aaron Johnston (Graniterock) and Gary Johnson (Granite Construction Co.). Holliday Rock Co. had three winners: Marty Hansberger, Sam Rade and Ignacio Valdivia.

Other sustainability All Star Award winners were Mike Ruddy (Knife River Construction), James Little (National Ready Mixed Concrete Co.), John Lane (Teichert Materials) and Tim Reed (Vulcan Materials).

The three winners of the Concrete Testing Adherence Collaboration award were Armando Mena (Holliday Rock) and Jesse Heran and Jake Wierktma (National Ready Mixed Concrete).

Matt Smylie of Ford Construction Co. was the lone winner of the Safety All Star Award.

Thirteen CalCIMA members received the DOT Advocacy award. Both CalPortland (Imhoff and Gary Kirk) and Cemex (Hill and Greg Vinson) had multiple winners. Additional companies with more than one employee recognized were Graniterock (Frank Randacore and Katha Redmon) and Martin Marietta (Nathan Shwiyhat and Andrew Suarez).

Robert Hightower of Eco Material Technologies, Corina Wong of Granite Construction, Pete Conlin of Teichert Materials, Don Vivant of United Rock Products and Jeff Pollard of Vulcan Materials were recognized for their DOT advocacy, as well.

Four members were awarded for their CARB advocacy. Those were Matthew Meyer (CalPortland), Dennis Hunter (Knife River Construction), and Harmony Gates and Anne McQueen (York Engineering).

Safety award

Granite Construction’s Handley Ranch Quarry, meanwhile, received CalCIMA’s 2023 Excellence in Safety award in the Small Aggregate Mine category.

CalCIMA says its Excellence in Safety awards recognize outstanding achievements in promoting and maintaining a culture of safety within the mining industry. Granite has consistently demonstrated its commitment to safety through innovative practices and initiatives at its Handley Ranch Quarry, according to CalCIMA.

Granite’s key safety initiates at Handley Ranch Quarry include material fallout reduction, streamline documentation, and knowledge sharing and collaboration.

“As a leader in the industry, Granite is committed to fostering a workplace culture that prioritizes safety and innovation,” says Dave Hulverson, senior vice president of safety, health, environmental and quality at Granite. “The company encourages continuous improvement and collaboration across the industry to create safer working environments for all.”