First Business Meeting held since Pandemic

After more than a year of mask wearing, elbow bumping, social distancing and stay-at-home orders, the Alabama Concrete Industries Association was thrilled to once again host its Annual Business Meeting held at Wynlakes Golf and Country Club in Montgomery. While still practicing Covid-19 safety protocols, ACIA welcomed 90 members and guests.

The meeting began at 10am with presentations of the ACIA Foundation scholarships, the Sam Reed Memorial Scholarship, the 2021 Chairman’s Award and three awards that were first given in 2019; Environmental Excellence, Plant Safety and Lifetime Achievement Award.

ACIA Foundation Scholarships

For the past 28 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 50 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-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, Isabella Harris and Steven Klepac.

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 29 outstanding applications, and the recipient was Marshall Heyda. Congratulations, Marshall!

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 two $1,500 scholarships to Madison Miller, daughter of Todd Miller and Emily Kamykowski, daughter of Jeff Kamykowski. Congratulations girls!

2021 Chairman’s Award- Joe Beckwith

In 2009, the ACIA created the Chairman’s Award to honor outstanding leaders in the concrete industry. This year’s winner, Joe Beckwith with Ready Mix USA, could not have been more deserving of this recognition.

Joe was a standout baseball star (pitcher) at Auburn University in the late 1970s, and went on to play in the major leagues for several years, winning two World Series with the Dodgers and the Royals. After his baseball career ended, he pursued a career in concrete sales, and never looked back.

“We have relied on Joe Beckwith to supply all of our ready mixed concrete needs in the Auburn-Columbus area for more than 30 years, and have trusted Joe to make sure we received a quality product at a competitive price,” said Ab Connor of Connor Brothers Construction. “He is a knowledgeable and consummate professional in his field and an exceptional person in his dealings with others. He is a strong Christian, dedicated family man, trustworthy, compassionate and the best friend you could have.”

Environmental Excellence, 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. 

Sherman Industries Tarrant plant was selected for the environmental award. The Tarrant location is a new ready mix plant that became operational after significant work on‐site and within the community over the last 2 years. The location is an ADEM Brownfield site. The plant raises the standard of ready mix plants across the state and sets a bar all new plants should hope to equal.

Lastly, Eddie Ray with Kerr Ready Mix was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award/Driver of the Year Award. Eddie has been driving a concrete truck for more than 40 years, and is looking forward to retirement so he can spend time with his wife and grandchildren.

Keynote Speaker-Chris Strickland

Chris “Elroy” Stricklin is an award-winning leadership author and a Combat-Proven Senior Military leader retiring after 23 years of service.

What does a bad day at the office look like?

For a Fighter Pilot, it means a split second decision to try to live.
For Chris R Stricklin it was an unsurvivable, out-of-the-envelope ejection, which he now discussed in detail during his motivational speech.

His story is the most documented and detailed ejection in the history of the Air Force.
He focused on his unique first-hand experience of this historic 25-second flight and how you can implement things in your life to improve its outcome; focus, motivation, leadership, teamwork and organization.

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
Bayou Concrete
Birmingham Freightliner
Boral Resources
Lehigh Cement
Martin Marietta
Perdido Trucking
Southern Concrete Machinery
Tractor & Equipment Co.
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 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 in July.

*Stay tuned for new blog posts featuring all of our scholarship winners, Chairman’s Award and member award recipients!

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