Annual Business Meeting held Monday, April 4th

As things finally seem to be moving in a positive direction, the Alabama Concrete Industries Association was happy to host its 2022 Annual Business Meeting on Monday, April 4th at Wynlakes Golf & Country Club.

The meeting began at 10am with presentations of the ACIA Foundation scholarships, the Sam Reed Memorial Scholarship, the 2022 Chairman’s Award and two awards that were first given in 2019; Plant Safety and Lifetime Achievement Award.

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

Twenty-six 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, Drew Haley Smith and Ryan Holtzscher.

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 many outstanding applications, and the recipient was Cole Moore. Congratulations, Cole!

Employee Scholarships

The ACIA employee scholarship program was established to assist the children of members who will be continuing their studies at a 2-year or 4-year school. This year we presented one $1,500 scholarship to Jackson Wade, son of Chris Wade (Georgia Masonry Supply, and Old Castle Company). Jackson attends Thompson High School in Birmingham where he carries a 4.1 GPA. Outside of the classroom, he is a pitcher on the Thompson baseball team and is an active member of Westwood Baptist Church. He is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, the National Honor Society and Beta Club and will graduate with honors in May. He plans to pursue a degree in civil engineering.

2022 Chairman’s Award- Gene Hightower

In 2009, the ACIA created the Chairman’s Award to honor outstanding leaders in the concrete industry. This year’s winner, Gene Hightower, could not have been more deserving of this recognition. Gene retired from the industry in December with over 50 years of concrete and construction experience. Gene’s life has been consumed with concrete, designing more than 50M yards over his time in the industry.

Plant Safety and Lifetime Achievement Awards

Bayou Concrete was selected for the safety award, and the company leaves no stone unturned. The leadership of the company take the safety of the employees to heart. They look at safety as an investment and empower each employee to make a difference. 

Lastly, Louis Saporetti with Kirkpatrick Concrete was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award/Driver of the Year Award. Louis has been driving a concrete truck for more than 30 years, and enjoys how each day brings a new adventure.

Keynote Speaker-Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth

Will Ainsworth was elected Lt. Governor in 2018, with the most votes of any candidate for constitutional office on the general election ballot. As Lt. Governor, he has focused on improving workforce development so that Alabamians may fill and retain long-lasting, well-paying, 21st Century jobs. Will is also committed to providing quality public education to Alabama’s schoolchildren.

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
Argos
Bayou Concrete               
Cemex                
Couch Aggregates                          
Fiberforce                         
Kirkpatrick Concrete                     
Lehigh Cement                 
Martin Marietta                             
McPherson Oil
National Cement
Nextran Truck Center
Perdido Trucking                            
Ready Mix USA                
Sika                      
Southern Concrete Machinery                   
Thompson Tractor                         
Tractor & Equipment Company                 
Wallace Jordan                

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 80 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.