Lehigh Northwest Captures Two PCA Promotion Progress Awards for Sustainability

PHOTO CAPTION: From left to right: Jay Gleason, PCA President; Linda McKinley accepting on behalf of Larry Baloun, Lehigh Northwest; David Baker, Ash Grove Cement; Allan Kramer, Lehigh Cement Company; Francois Marleau, Ciment Quebec; Brad Belt, Salt River Materials; Mark Scripnick, St. Marys Cement; Peter Deem accepting on behalf of Dan Brown, Holcim (US) Inc.; Lori Peterson, Lafarge North America Inc.; and Jim Repman, PCA chairman.

Larry Baloun (Delta, BC, Canada) and Allan Kramer (Seattle, WA) with Lehigh Cement Company are among top promoters in the U.S. and Canadian cement industries honored at the fourth annual Promotion Progress Awards, March 1, 2005, in Chicago. The award program acknowledges outstanding efforts in promoting cement and concrete products. Each of the winners exemplifies a commitment of time and energy beyond regular responsibilities in order to achieve important promotional goals. This year, judges selected eight winners. Four of the winners, two from Canada and two from the United States, received the sustainable development award. Larry Baloun (Delta, BC, Canada) and Allan Kramer (Seattle, WA) each were awarded a sustainability award. Also from Lehigh Northwest, Anthony McCauley (Portland, OR) was a nominee.

Mr. Jim Brown, Lehigh Northwest Cement's President & COO, congratulated the efforts of our two winners, and nominee, for their exemplary response to the predominant foothold sustainability has taken in the Northwest. The leadership of Larry Baloun, persistence of Allan Kramer, and team-building abilities of Tony McCauley - each in their own right have contributed to an elevated profile for Lehigh, and progress for the industry.

The sponsoring organizations-Portland Cement Association and Cement Association of Canada-rely on their members to participate in promotion, development of product standards, and public affairs work. Congratulations to Larry, Allan and Tony for their outstanding work. Larry Baloun Vice President Sales & Marketing - BC, Lehigh Northwest Cement Limited, Delta, BC, Canada A visionary steward for sustainability, Larry Baloun has moved the industry forward through his leadership and hands-on work. Believing that sustainability is a philosophy which must be embedded in business fundamentals, he mentors others, encourages economic sustainability through products and services, and promotes the business priority of preserving and protecting the environment. As Chair of the Technical Subcommittee of the CAC National Sustainable Development Committee, he initiated leading edge research that demonstrated a relationship between mass effect and energy savings in concrete buildings. He also spearheaded efforts to develop a "Guide to Sustainable Design with Concrete v.1.0," focusing on how to integrate cement-based products into sustainable design and obtain LEED points in 10 categories. The guide currently is being introduced to architects, engineers, and other stakeholders in the design community in Canada through a series of nationwide accredited educational seminars. Larry led the letter writing campaign that influenced the Canadian Green Building Council to modify LEED scoring criteria last year to be more favorable toward concrete products, leveling unbalanced market competition. For the past several years, as Chair of the Environmental Committee of the British Columbia Ready-Mixed Concrete Association (BCRMCA), he worked with Environment Canada and the British Columbia Ministry of Environment to create several guides and codes of practice for the ready-mixed concrete industry. In addition, Larry was instrumental in saving the exposed aggregate concrete market when the BC Ministry of Environment threatened to shut it down in 1997. He helped obtain government funding for the development of wash-off water best management practices (BMPs). By 1999, an exposed aggregate compliance audit found that 90% of placers and finishers had changed their practices to incorporate BMPs.

Allan Kramer Manager Technical Services, Lehigh Northwest Cement Company, Tacoma, WA Working in the Northwest, the hotbed of sustainability in the United States, Allan has energetically helped lead efforts to raise awareness of the value of cement and concrete in sustainable design.

He served as the 2004 Chair of the Washington Aggregate and Concrete Association (WACA) Sustainable Development/LEED Technical Committee which was instrumental in developing an interactive on-line program, slated for national release this year, to assist design and construction professionals in using concrete in LEED-based construction.

The committee also produced an educational presentation to help concrete and cement professionals address sustainability and the LEED rating system. Allan delivered well-received sustainability/LEED presentations at the NRMCA National Convention and the PCA Promotion Plus Meeting, organized a two-day sustainable development program in Seattle, and co-organized a booth for the nation's primary green building event, USGBC International Greenbuild, that featured a unique interactive pervious concrete demonstration which attracted numerous prospects. In addition, he led a successful industry effort in Washington State for approval of the new ASTM C-150-04 specification in state DOT work, another avenue which enhanced sustainability.

While Allan's initial focus was simply to build awareness within the industry regarding the importance and future impact of the sustainable development movement, he has taken his efforts to the next level by working to educate people within the industry and key decision-makers outside it. His promotional efforts have encouraged the cement and concrete industry to undertake proactive initiatives, motivated individuals to participate in the sustainability movement, and consistently reinforced the message that sustainability affects the triple bottom line of social progress, economic growth, and environmental protection in today's world.

Anthony McCauley - Nominee Sales Representative, Lehigh Northwest Cement Company, Portland, OR Tony was one of the early leaders in creating awareness within the industry that sustainable development would be a major influence in construction decisions for years to come. Association and committee work is an important part of Tony's job as a Sales Representative in Oregon, however he is also an active "on the street" promoter that takes every opportunity to be involved in specific presentations that promote concrete as a sustainable product. His unique ability to bring people together and build relationships is proven in the significant progress made in the Northwest recently. A leader and team player, Tony's activities keep sustainable development on everyone's mind in the State of Oregon and beyond.

Archives

-2006
-2005
-2004