News Detail

This Past Year Has Been Remarkable

3/1/2017

I want to thank all of you for the privilege and honor of serving as the 93rd President of ACI. It has truly been a humbling, but remarkable experience. As I traveled internationally, I was continually amazed at the respect given to ACI and our work products. Our consensus process for developing codes and documents is recognized worldwide for its quality and thoroughness. As most of you know, we have many international members who are involved in our committee process and help allow ACI to stay current on new technologies.

I attended the 50th anniversary of the Ontario and the Quebec and Eastern Ontario Chapters. Each of these chapters are rich in tradition and have been very valuable assets to ACI over the years. At each of these celebrations, I had the opportunity to speak with students and young professionals. I left each event feeling very optimistic about the future of our industry and ACI.

At the Second International Conference on Concrete Sustainability in Madrid, Spain, this past June, I met global thought leaders in this important initiative. Everyone in attendance was truly committed to reducing the global environmental footprint of concrete while continuing to use concrete to improve the lives of people worldwide.

In September, I attended Reunión del Concreto 2016 in Cartagena, Colombia. Delegates from more than 15 countries gathered for discussions, seminars, and special events, including a seminar on ACI 318-14: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary. At this event, ASOCRETO also organized the first meeting of ACI Latin American chapters.

The 2016 Asian Concrete Federation (ACF) Symposium was held in Hanoi, Vietnam, in November. I watched leaders from ACF, ACI, fib, and RILEM share updated concrete technologies, innovations, case studies, and research, as well as discuss the importance of producing and using concrete in a more sustainable way. While in Vietnam, ACI signed cooperation agreements with the National University of Civil Engineering, Ministry of Construction, and the Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology. Discussions centered around future educational opportunities, technical activities, document changes, and mutual learning through cooperation.

I was the guest of the Italy Chapter – ACI in December. While there, we visited the Palazzo Italia, which received the highest honor in the 2016 ACI Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards Program. We also visited three universities, where I interacted with engineering students and faculty, and two world-class research facilities. Once again, the enthusiasm and the professionalism of the students and faculty were infectious.

One of my Presidential objectives was to "strengthen the relationship between chapters, Institute members, and staff." By April 1st, I will have visited more than 26 chapters (domestic and international). Chapters are the foundation upon which ACI is built. The chapters are our partners in presenting our education programs, sponsoring project awards programs, hosting conventions, and helping to deliver our very successful certification programs. In 2016, ACI staff presented more than 30 technical talks to ACI Chapters. Staff hosted two well-attended Chapter Leadership events. If your chapter has not participated, I would encourage you to do so. Thanks to the chapter officers and staff who hosted me this past year. Your hospitality was much appreciated. Congratulations to all the chapters that attained Excellent or Outstanding chapter status in 2016.

An issue that confronts our industry is the workforce of the future. It is imperative that our industry attracts and retains more women. Concrete 2029 is addressing workforce development. We must find ways to convince young people that a career in construction can be rewarding. We must also continue to recruit new members to ACI from all sectors of the industry.

I would like to thank the ACI staff for their professionalism and support throughout the past year. The staff is truly an underappreciated asset of ACI. I would like to thank Past Presidents Anne Ellis, Bill Rushing, and Sharon Wood for their mentorship and willingness to offer advice and insights. Working with Vice Presidents Khaled Awad and David Lange has been very rewarding. I look forward to the leadership and vision that Khaled will provide as President this coming year.

Thanks again to each of you for the opportunity to serve as your President and this unique opportunity to serve the concrete industry.

Michael J. Schneider