Annual Business Meeting held in Birmingham

On Monday, March 25th, the Alabama Concrete Industries Association held its 2024 Annual Business Meeting at Greystone Country Club in Birmingham. The meeting began at 10:30am with presentations of the ACIA Foundation scholarships, the Sam Reed Memorial Scholarship, the 2024 Chairman’s Award, Ronald Davis Memorial Scholarships, Safety Award, Environmental Award, and Driver Lifetime Achievement Award. Following the awards, lunch was served and Attorney General Steve Marshall was the guest speaker. To conclude the meeting, Spencer Glassco, 2023 Board Chairman, passed the gavel to Frank Conn with Conn-Crete who will serve as the 2024 Board Chairman.

ACIA Foundation Scholarships

For the past 30 years, the Alabama Concrete Industries Foundation has awarded scholarships to students enrolled in building science, engineering or architecture at our state’s universities. Since 1993, we have awarded 60 scholarships totaling over $300,000. Since 2006, the foundation has given away two $8,000 scholarships annually. The scholarship recipients are both outstanding students.

Fifty-five students applied for the scholarships this year, and the decision was once again a difficult one. However, the two winners selected were both able to attend the meeting and accept their checks, Isaac Hayes and Nate Taylor.

Sam Reed Memorial Scholarship

In 2017, the Sam Reed Memorial Scholarship was created to honor and remember Sam Reed, a great leader and past board chairman. Following his untimely death in 2016, the board of directors established the scholarship for students enrolled at Auburn University majoring in building science, architecture or engineering. This year, we received 34 outstanding applications, and the recipient was Elizabeth Jenkins. Congratulations, Elizabeth!

Ronald Davis Memorial Scholarships

The Ronald Davis Memorial scholarship program was established to assist the children of members who will be continuing their studies at a 2-year or 4-year school or who are currently enrolled at an Alabama college. This year we presented three $3,000 scholarships one $3,500 scholarship. The recipients were Allison Nelson, Amber Powell, Caleigh Carpenter and William Moore. All of these recipients are outstanding students, and we look forward to seeing what their future holds.

2024 Chairman’s Award- Brad Christopher

In 2009, the ACIA created the Chairman’s Award to honor outstanding leaders in the concrete industry. This year’s winner, Brad Christopher, could not have been more deserving of this recognition. Brad is no stranger to the concrete industry. His father, Jim, who was able to attend the meeting, was well-known throughout the concrete industry and was the owner of Metro Concrete, a ready mix plant in Montgomery.

Brad has plenty of notable projects under his belt, but two that stick out as favorites are the McWayne Center in Birmingham, and the Jordan Hare South End Zone video board. He loves working with people, and credits everyone who works hand in hand on these projects saying that ‘the satisfaction of seeing a vision come to life, and how everything that was designed is now connected is truly fulfilling.’

But one of his greatest attributes is to his father’s work ethic and what a mentor he was to Brad. He observed the way Jim treated people, and how he exposed him to such high-character folks who make the concrete industry better. Congratulations, Brad!

Safety, Environmental & Driver Lifetime Achievement

Bayou Concrete was selected for the Safety Award and the Environmental Award. They look at safety as an investment and empower each employee to make a difference.

Tony Peoples with Heidelberg received the 2024 Driver Lifetime Achievement Award. Tony has played a big role in the concrete industry for the last 20 years. Heidelberg is dependent on Tony as a leader among his peers, and his knowledge of jobsite problems, truck issues and company policy issues.

Keynote Speaker-Attorney General Steve Marshall

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall was the keynote speaker. AG Marshall touched on some of the hot-button topics happening with the 2024 Legislative Session and how it could impact the industry. It was informative and guests engaged in a Q&A session afterwards.

Thank you to our Sponsors

As always, this annual event wouldn’t be possible without our generous sponsors. Thank you to all who helped make this year’s meeting a true success.

Beverage Cart Sponsor
Ready Mix USA
Truckworx

Speaker Sponsor
Nextran Truck Centers

Lunch Sponsors
Argos Cement
Bama Concrete
Bayou Concrete
Beck Industrial
Heidelberg Materials Ready Mix Division
Jamieson Equipment
Kerr Ready Mix
Martin Marietta
Sika Corporation
Southern Concrete Machinery
Vulcan Material

Golf Tournament

After the meeting adjourned, our members and their guests enjoyed a nice yet windy day of golf on Greystone’s beautiful course. We are already planning for next year and look forward to seeing everyone at the Convention coming up in Destin this summer.