I’m right now in Dallas attending the American Concrete Institute’s annual national
convention and am immersed in everything concrete.  It’s amazing – everywhere you go people are
talking our language – concrete.  1,600
professionals from all over the world are gathered here with the purpose of
sharing and/or improving their knowledge of this age old building
material.  One of the things I hope to
accomplish while here is learning what it takes to host a national
convention.  There’s a strong desire by
many in our Chapter to take on this daunting task.  I’ll gather up as much information as I can
and report back to you in the near future.

Ten months ago your Board laid out objectives that we wanted to accomplish during
this term.  One of them was to earn the
distinction of being selected as an “Excellent Chapter” as defined by ACI
National.  This is the highest rating a
Chapter can attain and it’s only bestowed on those Chapters that have truly
distinguished themselves over the past year.
This year only 15 Chapters WORLDWIDE were selected and guess what – we
were one of them!!  During the Opening
Ceremony, in front of all the movers and shakers in the International ACI
community, our Chapter was recognized as one of the few groups to attain the
“Excellent Chapter” designation.
Congratulations to all of you that worked so hard to make this vision a
reality.

Our Programs group has been working overtime the past couple of months to bring our
members several unique and informative seminars and field trips.  Earlier this month our Chapter co-hosted a
seminar/field trip to the UCSD Shake Table along with the local Chapter of the
Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC).  Over 60 professionals from the local concrete
and structural engineering community received a 45 minute lecture from three
renowned structural engineers and then went on a behind the scenes tour of the
largest outdoor shake table in the world.
Next up is another field trip to a local construction project that has
been making headlines in engineering circles.
On April 10th we will be conducting a tour of the San Vicente Dam Raise project.  Due to Homeland Security
issues, space will be limited for this dynamic tour so get your reservations in
early.

Finally, we’ll finish off the year with a fun night of socializing mixed with a bit of
drinking and gambling.  While it may not
be Las Vegas our Chapter will do it’s best to party the night away during this
year’s Poker Night.  The event will be
held in early June.  As soon as we get
the date finalized we’ll let you know so you can lock in the date and get ready
to come out for a fun time!

Respectfully,

Mike Archibald

2011-2012
President

Download March Newsletter

March 5, 2012 (San Diego) The American Concrete Institute
(ACI) San Diego Chapter is holding a series of events to highlight the
versatility of concrete as a building material, an architectural component, and
an artistic medium.

ACI San Diego will host tours of the Shake-table at UCSD on
March 8, 2012, and the San Vicente Dam on April 10, 2012 as illustrations of
how concrete is informing the architectural, structural and artistic landscape
of Southern California. The March 8^th event will feature
presentations on current earthquake testing research by
Tara Hutchinson, Robert Englekirk and Mahmoud Faghihi, as well as a tour
of the shake-table earthquake testing facility.  For
details and/or to make reservations, contact Heather at 619.579.1940; Email – concreteaci@cox.net.

The American Concrete Institute
(ACI) is a nonprofit technical and educational society whose mission is to
“provide knowledge and information for the best use of concrete.” It is one of
the world’s leading authorities on concrete techniques and technology. The San
Diego chapter of ACI offers a local forum for professional networking and
discussion of matters related to concrete. The ACI San Diego advances concrete
knowledge by conducting tours and seminars, administering certification
programs and disseminating information about concrete.

Concrete plays an important role in many innovative artistic
and architectural designs throughout San Diego, including the gravity arch of
the new San Diego Central Library and Fletcher Park Cove at the entrance to
Solana Beach Park, an intricate decorative concrete
work made with beach glass aggregates, Lithocrete glass® and Lithocrete
Mosaics®.

“People think of concrete as an old-fashioned material, but it has many excellent qualities and attributes that make it
a very responsible choice for 21^st Century construction. In
addition to its well-known characteristics of strength and durability, new
techniques and new technologies enable architects, designers and builders to
use concrete to meld creativity, sustainability and beauty in contemporary artwork
and structures,” says Chris Klemaske, senior project developer in the
Innovative Concrete Division at T.B. Penick & Sons, Inc.

“Through these sponsored events, we want to introduce the
AEC community (architects, engineers, construction people) and others of San
Diego to some of

concrete’s lesser-known qualities such as sustainability,
energy efficiency, recyclability, versatility and beauty,” notes Mike
Archibald, president of the ACI San Diego. “New
advancements in concrete and cement-based products are completely changing the
design and construction worlds.”

For more information about ACI San Diego or to sign up to
attend an upcoming event, go to http://www.aci-sandiego.org.
ACI San Diego is a regional chapter of the American
Concrete Institute, an organization dedicated to advancing concrete knowledge
through events, scholarships, seminars, publications, and other learning
opportunities. The American Concrete Institute currently has 98 chapters and
20,000 members spanning 108 countries. It offers 18 certification
programs, including recertification and Spanish-language certification
programs.

PRESIDENT MESSAGE

A big “Happy New Year” to all of you in the concrete industry.  I know these are tough times but it appears that we may have turned a corner and
brighter days are ahead!

We kicked off the year with an extremely well attended lunch seminar (almost 70 individuals attended!) where
the topic of “cracking and curling of concrete” was discussed.  Dave Flax, an industry leader on this subject
enlightened our Chapter on both the causes of cracking/curling and corrective
actions that can be taken to minimize one of the most troublesome aspects of concrete.

As we look ahead to the New Year there are lots of exciting things going on in our Chapter.  The new website is close to being rolled
out.  It will provide you with a quick and easy way to access tons of information about our Chapter and its
members.  In addition it will have quick links to our programs and other resources to better assist you in your
day-to-day business.

As far as upcoming seminar programs, on Thursday, February 23rd we will have a lunch seminar where the
topic will be “More Bang for the Buck with Concrete Parking Lots”.  Our educational programs will then move
outdoors and the Chapter will host two instructional Field Trips.  The first will be to the UCSD Shake Table off
of Interstate 15 where a 6 story cast in place structure has been erected for
seismic testing.  The date for this event is March 8^th. The following month on April 10^th we’ll
head out to the San Vicente Dam for a first-hand look at one of the largest raised
dam projects in the United States.

I look forward to seeing you at
one (or all) of these exciting events!

Respectfully,

Mike Archibald

2011-2012
President

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We would like to hear from you on what we can do to better our golf tournament.  Please send your comments to Heather Caya at concreteaci@cox.net

I’m very encouraged with the energy and enthusiasm I see in both the hard working individuals on the Board of Trustee and the membership in general.  There seems to be a real “buzz” in the air about wanting to take our Chapter to the next level.  There are several new initiatives that are in their infancy right now but expect to see change in many aspects of our program.  By the end of the year we hope to roll out a new Membership Program, an updated and more hip Website and a retooled Monthly Newsletter to name a few. 

Paramounton our list of initiatives is a desire to provide to you the best programs relating to our industry that we can.  In order to do this I ask your help in coming up with an agenda of programs for us to sponsor this next year.  If there are topics you think either you or others in your circle would benefit from please contact me, Heather or one of the other board members and we’ll see what we can do to accommodate your request.  We are here to assist in promoting our industry any way we can…

Speaking of programs, a big shout out to Superior Ready Mix.  They hosted last month’s plant tour of their facilities inMissionValley.  Everyone I spoke with came away from the tour with a new appreciation for both the ready mix and quarry operations.  Thanks so much for putting this on guys.

Coming up we have two cool events that I’m sure all of you will want to be part of.  First off, the Annual ACIGolf Tournament is Monday October the 17^th at Twin Oaks Golf Course.  Everyone hates to go to work on Monday so come on out, get some fresh air and chase those little white balls with us.

Lastly, if you’re interested in getting a “behind-the-scenes” look at one of the largest architectural concrete projects in San Diego’s history join us on Thursday, November 3^rd  for a tour of the San Diego New Central Library project.  World renowned architect, Rob Quigley, will give a presentation on “concrete in architecture” followed by a discussion by the contractor on form systems and challenges encountered with mass concrete and unique architectural elements.  A tour of the job will follow the presentations.  I’ve been down to the project site and I guarantee this is one program you don’t want to miss!”

Respectfully,

Mike Archibald

2011-2012 President

Download Complete Newsletter

“How many of you guys actually read these “President’s Messages”?  Bet it’s less than a hand full!  Well for those dedicated souls I’ll keep this short and sweet…..

 If you were fortune enough to attend the ACI Awards Night in May you were treated to probably one of the best awards presentation in San Diego.  Thanks go out to Heather Caya, Jeff Ferris and Paul Brouwer who put on a night that has been talked about by many of the other organizations around town.  They want to know how it is that a small organization like ours is able to pull off a well choreographed event, complete with a state of the art video, featuring the awardees and their stellar projects.  One answer – people who are dedicated to making our group stand out. 

 Speaking of standing out, one of my goals as incoming President is to try to take this organization to the next level.  In our last Board meeting it was agreed that we want to provide the very best in informative seminars, industry interaction and community service that we can.  Who knows, maybe someday we will be anointed the designation of being an “Excellent Chapter” by National.  I feel we already are one!

Congratulations to our 2011 Scholarship winner Luis Mendoza of UCSD, who was honored on August 9, 2011 with a Scholarship of $1,000.

Big Thank you to Ken Nunley with Utelite Corporation who gave an outstanding presentation on “Curing from the inside out, Internal Curing the way to sustainable Concrete,” on August 9, 2011 at the Butcher Shop.   Thank you to everyone that attended this event.

Coming up we have some outstanding programs in store.  Next month you will get a “behind the scenes” look at fully functioning concrete batch plant.  On September 13^th Superior Ready Mix will be hosting a tour of their Mission George facility.  This sort of opportunity doesn’t happen often and space will be limited so get your reservations in early. 

Lastly ….. who wants to put in a full day of work on your average Monday???  Not many of us.   So on October 17^th let’s take the afternoon off and play golf in the Annual ACI Golf Tournament. Hope to see you all there!!! 

Respectfully,

 Mike Archibald

2011-2012 President

Download full newsletter

If you didn’t make it to our April event at TB Penick & Sons you missed out on an amazing display of what you can do with concrete.  Special thanks to TB Penick & Sons, Morley Construction, United Rentals, and the vendor partners who made this event a home run.

This will be my final message as President of our great chapter.  I remember when I first got involved in this group as a very green twenty year old working for Superior Ready Mix. Quinn McGuire, Mike Serra, and Jeff Ferris were all instrumental in getting me involved with ACI.  I can’t thank them enough for exposing me to an organization that helped me grow both personally and professionally.

I am proud to say that I leave the chapter in the very capable hands of your new Chapter President Mike Archibald of Morley Construction.  Mike is an extremely passionate “concrete guy” who will continue to promote and grow our local chapter.  

In closing I want to thank Heather Caya and our board members who give you everything they have to keep spreading the concrete gospel in San Diego.  

I look forward to seeing you real soon at a future ACI San Diego event!

Respectfully,

Charlie Gregg

2010-2011 President

Download April-May Newsletter

On Tuesday March 8^th we had quest speakers Brian and Ryan Quinn from Atlas Construction Supply that discussed the developing winning game plan for your next vertical architectural concrete project. This was a great seminar.  Thank you again to the Quinn’s.

Join us on April 12 as we take you inside T.B. Penick’s new office.  T.B. Penick tour will include BBQ and you can also earn 1CEU credit.  April 12, 2011 Flyer.

Everyone who attends our annual awards dinner knows that Jeff Ferris with Propex puts together a first class video presentation of the winning projects.  Those videos are now posted on our website www.aci-sandiego.org.  I encourage everyone to visit our website and view these videos.  They showcase the amazing concrete work being installed in San Diego.  Also, take the time and tell your owners and contractors about the videos, I’m sure they would love to see their projects highlighted in these amazing clips.

Thank you to everyone that submitted awards.  We had over thirty award entries. 

Our Annual Awards Dinner will be May 6, 2011 at the Catamaran Hotel and Resort. Please see the attached flyer for reservations.

Respectfully,

 Charlie Gregg

2010-2011 President

Download Feb-Mar Newsletter

Thank you again to all of our sponsors and players! 

Last years event was a great success and we plan on this years tournament to be the same.
Plans for this years tournament are in the works so please check our website. 

Everyone who attends our annual awards dinner knows that Jeff Ferris with Propex puts together a first class video presentation of the winning projects.  Those videos are now posted on our website www.aci-sandiego.org.  I encourage everyone to visit our website and view these videos.  They showcase the amazing concrete work being installed in San Diego.  Also, take the time and tell your owners and contractors about the videos, I’m sure they would love to see their projects highlighted in these amazing clips.

Our Annual Awards Dinner will be May 6, 2011 at the Catamaran Hotel and Resort. Please see the attached flyer for award submittals.

Just a few reminders:
February 1, 2011 all project entries must be in to be nominated for this year’s Annual Awards.

February 8, 2011 Join us for another great seminar on Floor Flatness with guest speakers David Fudala and Andrew Baugh with ALLFLAT.

Respectfully,

Charlie Gregg

2010-2011 President

SAN DIEGO CHAPTER 2011

PROGRAMS

February 8, 2011                   Floor Flatness who is Responsible
March 8, 2011                         Architectural Concrete / Formwork  
April 12, 2011                         T.B. Penick Tour & BBQ
May 6, 2011                            Annual Awards Dinner at the Catamaran Resort
June                                           TBD
July                                            Seau’s FREE Networking Event
August                                      Dark