News Detail

So Many Memories and So Many Friends

7/1/2010

I would like to thank President Dick Stehly for offering me this opportunity to reminisce and also extend my thanks and gratitude to so many of you for your support and friendship throughout these many years.

Thirty-five years...where did the time go? Looking back, it seems like it was only yesterday that I joined ACI—but there have been many changes since then. Back at that time, ACI's reputation for publishing high-quality technical documents was solidly established and a limited education program was in place to help disseminate knowledge about good concrete practice. But we didn't yet publish Concrete International, the ACI Materials Journal, or the ACI Structural Journal. The ACI certification program did not exist. Our network of ACI chapters was developing, but there was no international outreach and we had no international chapters. We also didn't have any international partners or an international research and informational portal. Creative Association Management, the ACI Foundation, and the Strategic Development Council hadn't been established. There were no student competitions or fellowships. Thirty-five years ago, we couldn't have imagined the possibility of the Internet and e-learning, and sustainability wasn't an issue.

So much has changed and so much progress has been made, but what hasn't changed is the loyalty, support, and friendship of the ACI members, who really are like no other group. ACI is a family and I am grateful to have been a small part of that family.

In ACI's 106-year history, I've been only the fifth person to serve as EVP and it has been an honor and privilege to work with so many outstanding individuals. I have traveled with almost all of the ACI Presidents since 1978. I know you will not find a more dedicated group of individuals than the Presidents of ACI.

I've had the privilege of representing ACI for 35 years and I am truly thankful to have friends all over the globe. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your support, but, more importantly, for your friendship. I still recall my first ACI convention in Vancouver, BC, Canada, in 1975. I was impressed not only with the knowledge of our members, but more so with the way they made me feel so welcome. There has never been a time since that I did not feel that ACI was my home.

As my retirement from ACI got closer, I thought a great deal about how much we have accomplished working together these past 35 years. My thoughts have focused particularly on the many friendships and the wonderful memories—too many for the amount of space I have here. However, it wouldn't be difficult to fill an SP with my ACI memories.

Some of you have been kind to say that you could not imagine ACI without me, as I've always been around. I'm afraid they have it backwards: I cannot imagine what my life would have been like without ACI.

ACI has a long and rich history, and it is viewed as one of the world's leading authorities on concrete. Now, with our international outreach, the revitalization of our education program, and other new products and services under development, including the reorganized ACI 318 code, I truly believe the best is yet to come. I would like to thank the ACI staff for their help and the extra effort they have given to support our goals and objectives. There is no doubt that ACI has a truly outstanding staff and that they will give Ronald Burg, the new EVP, the same support and loyalty that they have shown me.

As Karen and I begin a new adventure, we want you to know that we will always cherish your friendship and will think often of the great times we have had together. If you are ever in Knoxville, give us a call.

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