The Portland Cement Association (PCA) announced the 2017 John P. Gleason, Jr., Leadership Awards winners. The awards, which are named for Gleason who served as PCA President from 1986 until his retirement in 2007, honor individuals who exhibit leadership in association activities supporting member company objectives and operations.
“Jay embodied the spirit of leadership. He was a strong manager and brought a true passion to the job,” says PCA Chairman and CalPortland President and CEO Allen Hamblen. “The awards given in his honor recognize individuals with that same spirit and who are important to our association and our industry.”
“The selection committee had a difficult but invigorating task of selecting from dozens of highly compelling nominees from across the industry,” says Tom Chizmadia, Gleason Award Selection Committee Chairman and Lehigh Hanson Inc. Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and Communications. “The winners and finalists are to be commended for their hard work and dedication to ensure America’s cement industry can produce the core ingredient we need for homes, highways, and hospitals — the essential building blocks of our society.”
The following individuals were named as the 2017 John P. Gleason Jr., Leadership Award winners and finalists in three different categories:
Business Continuity — Daniel Nugent, Senior Vice President, Technical Services and Government Affairs, Buzzi Unicem USA. Nugent has played a key role in industry regulatory and legislative initiatives, including greenhouse gas emissions and other issues that impact cement manufacturing operations. He serves on a variety of PCA committees, including the Energy and Environment Committee and Government Affairs Council.
Market Development — Matthew Wood, Sustainable Products and Promotion Manager, Ash Grove Cement Co. Wood has promoted cement-based products at the national and local level, such as roller-compacted concrete and full-depth reclamation paving solutions. A member of PCA’s Sustainable Development Committee and LEED Accredited Professional, Wood is a member of PCA’s Sustainable Development Committee and LEED Accredited Professional.
Young Leaders — Ruben Guerrero Jr., Director of Corporate Affairs, Salt River Materials Group. Guerrero is engaged in PCA’s network of public policy and communications committees, including the Government Affairs Council, Industry Communications Committee, and State Government Affairs Task Force. He has demonstrated leadership by helping the industry navigate important issues affecting the business of making cement — from legislative and regulatory policy affecting a single plant to managing public perception about the industry as a whole.