Annual Business Meeting held Monday, April 17th

On Monday, April 17th, the Alabama Concrete Industries Association held its 2023 Annual Business Meeting at Wynlakes Golf & Country Club.

The meeting began at 10:30am with presentations of the ACIA Foundation scholarships, the Sam Reed Memorial Scholarship, the 2023 Chairman’s Award, Ronald Davis Memorial Scholarships, Safety Award, Environmental Award, Lifetime Achievement Award and Associate of the Year Award. Following the awards, lunch was served and Rusty Baynes, NFL referee, gave an entertaining presentation. To conclude the meeting, Bobby Coffey, 2022 Board Chairman, passed the gavel to Spencer Glassco with Kirkpatrick Concrete who will serve as the 2023 Board Chairman.

ACIA Foundation Scholarships

For the past 29 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 54 scholarships totaling over $300,000. Since 2006, the foundation has given away two $8,000 scholarships annually. The scholarship recipients are both outstanding students.

Thirty-four 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, Nic Coffey and Jacob Hudson.

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 59 outstanding applications, and the recipient was Phoebe Judkins. Congratulations, Phoebe!

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 four $1,250 scholarships to Blair Glassco, Weldon Sorrell, Trey Cox and Nate Taylor. All of these recipients are outstanding students, and we look forward to seeing what their future holds.

2023 Chairman’s Award- Huston Hollister

In 2009, the ACIA created the Chairman’s Award to honor outstanding leaders in the concrete industry. This year’s winner, Huston Hollister, could not have been more deserving of this recognition. Huston’s grandfather started Concrete and Supply in 1954, and he has been a part of the business nearly his entire life. His immense success comes from extremely hard work, passion for the industry and living by the motto ‘get to work early and stay late.’ Huston has been a success in every aspect of his business life and has given back his time through service to the industry and service on industry boards. Today, he is supporting the industry through his strong financial support of the Association.

Safety, Environmental, Lifetime Achievement & Associate of the Year Awards

Bayou Concrete was selected for the safety award, and the Alabama Division has gone over 10 years without a Lost Time Accident. They look at safety as an investment and empower each employee to make a difference. 

Mike Darby with Kirkpatrick Concrete was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award/Driver of the Year Award. Mike has been driving a concrete truck for 36 years and has never had an accident.

The Environmental Award was established to recognize an ACIA member company or plant that goes above and beyond to be good stewards of the environment but equally importantly, good neighbors to the residences and business that are in close proximity to its plants.

Bayou Concrete’s Schillinger Road plant is located in a part of Mobile that has seen tremendous growth the past several years. The plant has numerous businesses directly beside their property and included a car lot at the property entrance. To minimize dust production from truck traffic, the plant frequently waters the road entering and exiting the property. To minimize cement dust, the plant employs bag houses, and has regularly scheduled filter cleaning.

Lastly, Thompson Tractor Company received the Associate of the Year Award. Their commitment to the association is unmeasured, and the ACIA would not be successful without members like Thompson Tractor. Not only does Thomspon host and sponsor our annual Truck Driving Championship, but they have also supported every foundation event since its establishment and annually support the Annual Business meeting and our annual convention at the highest level. Thank you!

Keynote Speaker-Rusty Baynes, NFL Referee

Rusty Baynes, NFL referee, was the keynote speaker. Rusty shared entertaining stories about various games and what his experience was like officiating two Super Bowls. By the sound of laughter, the attendees enjoyed hearing about things that some football lovers might not ever know!

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
Truckworx

Lunch Sponsors
Arcosa Lightweight
Argos Cement
Birmingham Freightliner
Couch Aggregates
Heidelberg Materials
Holcim
Martin Marietta
McPherson Oil Products
National Cement
Nextran Truck Centers
Perdido Trucking
Sika Corporation
Terracon
Thompson Tractor
Tractor & Equipment Company
Vulcan Materials

Golf Tournament

After the meeting adjourned, our members and their guests enjoyed a perfect day of golf on Wynlakes’ beautiful course. With a high of 75 degrees and a light breeze, it couldn’t have been a more perfect way to end the day. We are already planning for next year and look forward to seeing everyone at the Convention coming up in Destin this summer.