by
Quinn McGuire
Last month I described some of the changes that are taking place within our chapter. Some of those changes are fueled by the ideas that came from those outside our chapter – such as other ACI chapters at a recent “chapter roundtable” meeting.
Several other changes are also fueled from new ideas spawned from within our chapter – such as your board members. For example, Charlie Gregg of Superior Ready Mix has championed a group that completely revamped our chapter brochure. It is designed to market our mission statement and chapter benefits to the industry in a more effective way. Mike Archibald of Morley Builders has brought focus, accountability and terrific results to the membership committee. Ed Trasoras of Southern CA Soils and Testing has brought zeal to the recruitment of new members and has been generous with his company’s lab and conference room for meetings.
Dave Wilson of MacTec has accepted the “ACI Reference Library” into his company’s conference room, which is in the process of being moved from the AGC Plan room. This reference library is available to all chapter members. Jeff Ferris of Propex Concrete Systems has brought experience, new ideas and drive to the awards committee that will help make this year’s program better than ever. The rest of the board, Larry Carlson and Rob Piceno of Vulcan Materials, Victor Klemaske of TB Penick and Sons, Bob Ashby of WR Grace, Greg Minga of Hanson Aggregates, Gordon Woodard of Southern CA Soils and Testing, and our student board member, Chad Closs of UCSD have all brought valuable ideas for improving the chapter for all members.
Change is also being fueled nationally at ACI. Historically, change in organizations like ACI and some others took place at the pace of glacier movement. Sorry, that might be a little strong. It actually occurred much slower than that. But now, there is a strong initiative locally and nationally to make that speed much faster – while still maintaining the integrity of ACI’s consensus process. This initiative has resulted in the creation of The Strategic Development Council (SDC), a wholly owned subsidiary of ACI. The SDC was developed to assist in the timely adoption of innovative technologies, problem resolution, and best practices. One of my colleagues, Bill Phelan, is an active member of the SDC and will deliver a presentation of current SDC activities to our attendees at the May Awards Banquet. This is one more reason that you do not want to miss this wonderful event!
In keeping with the mission of your local chapter, we are bringing new and exciting technical information and education to the local concrete design and construction industry. Recent dinner meeting topics have included Silica Fume in “crack-free” High Performance Concrete by Tony Kojundic of Elkem Materials and state of the art ideas of mitigating moisture
transmission through concrete slabs on ground by Ralph Godfrey.
Upcoming programs include, “Walking on Water” the latest on the design and construction of Pervious Pavements presented by one of our member engineers, David Akers of the CA Concrete and Cement Promotion Council – and believe me, there is a whole lot that is new on this subject! We’ll also host impressive programs on concrete restoration with epoxy injection by another of our engineer members, AB Bortolin of Sika. And, a “what’s new” in architectural concrete presented at TB Penick’s office by color guru, Galen Thurner of Davis Colors. All brought to you this spring through your ACI San Diego Chapter! See you there!
Kindest Regards,
Quinn McGuire
ACI San Diego – Chapter President