PACA wishes to thank our 2025 Platinum Sponsors for their generous support and commitment this year!

• ASGCO Complete Conveyor Solutions
• Babst Calland
• Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co., Inc.
• Commonwealth Equipment Corporation
• Continental Placer, Inc.
• Conviber, Inc.
• East Rock Solutions
• Groff Tractor & Equipment
• Kemper Equipment, Inc.
• Maurer & Scott Sales, Inc.
• Mellott Company
• SIKA Corporation

Leadership Transition Update - From Chairman of the Board, Jamie Stilley

PA Politics Registration

Registration for our upcoming PA Politics Event being held on Monday, August 11th at the Pennsylvania Capitol Building in Harrisburg will be closing mid next week, so hurry and register TODAY!

Hosted by Representative Seth Grove and PACA Lobbyist, Hank Butler, PACA's PA Politics Event is your opportunity to connect directly with the policymakers who are shaping the future of your business, community, and family. This event offers valuable insights into the legislative process, political updates, and how to engage directly on the issues that impact your work and family. 

This is your chance to ask questions, share perspectives, and to speak up on the issues that matter most to you.

The day's agenda includes various speakers involved in Pennsylvania Government and concludes with a tour of our beautiful Capitol Building.  This is a must-see-don't-miss event!

More information on the agenda, the event itself and the registration link is available HERE.

Join us in Harrisburg!

Honors Program Submissions

Deadline to Submit: September 26, 2025

It’s Time to Think AWARDS!
The PACA Annual Meeting and Honors Program is quickly approaching — and with it comes the opportunity to recognize the best in our industry.

EXCELLENCE IN CONCRETE AWARDS

Each year during the Honors Program, PACA proudly presents its Excellence in Concrete Recognition Awards, honoring outstanding projects that exemplify the best our industry has to offer. These awards celebrate excellence in:

• Commercial Projects
• Residential Projects
• Decorative Concrete
• Other notable projects, companies, or individuals across Pennsylvania

To be considered, please submit all required materials to Ken Crank no later than September 26.

AMBASSADORS OF THE INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME

Established in 2000, the PACA Hall of Fame honors individuals in the aggregates, concrete, and cement industries whose achievements and service have made a lasting impact. Honorees may be recognized for (just to identify a few ideas):

• Long-term company loyalty
• Leadership and innovation
• Commitment to safety
• Community or military service
• Environmental stewardship

Nominate a deserving individual by submitting the completed nomination form to Kallie Kline by September 26.

HONORS PROGRAM RECOGNITION

Since its expansion in 2018, the PACA Honors Program has become a cherished part of the Annual Meeting in Hershey. In addition to the Hall of Fame and Concrete Awards, we want to highlight any special recognitions your company or employees have received — whether national honors or unique company achievements.

Let us celebrate your successes!  If you or your company would like to be included in the 2025 Honors Program, please contact Kallie Kline by September 26.

NOMINATION INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE HERE.

Board of Directors/Associate Board of Directors Nominations

Nominations will close on August 15th.

If you are interested in being considered for PACA’s Board of Directors or Associate Board of Directors, nominations are now open.

• To express interest in serving on the PACA Board, please contact Peter Vlahos.
• To express interest in serving on the Associate Board, please contact Kallie Kline.

Case Study Presentations - Annual Meeting

Deadline to Submit: August 31, 2025

REMINDER:

We will be holding a breakout session at this year’s Annual Meeting—specifically designed for our Associate Business Partner Members to showcase real-world solutions through case study presentations. This is your chance to share your expertise, demonstrate innovative thinking, and highlight the strategies your team has used to overcome challenges and deliver value to customers.

Presentation Guidelines:

• Each presentation will be limited to 15 minutes—timing will be strictly enforced.
• Content must be informative and educational, not promotional or sales-oriented.
• Presentations should focus on a genuine problem and a practical solution applying to a case either within or outside of Pennsylvania, however, there must be relevance to companies operating in Pennsylvania.
• PowerPoint slides and/or video elements may be included, but must fit within the 15-minute window.
• All presenters must be PACA members and registered attendees of the Annual Meeting.

How to Submit:
Submit the following materials to Kallie Kline at [email protected] no later than August 31, 2025:

1. A completed submission form (FOUND HERE)
2. A copy of your PowerPoint presentation and/or video
   If files are too large to email, we recommend using a free WeTransfer account.

All proposals will be reviewed by PACA’s Operations Community, and selected presenters will be notified by mid-September. Please note that presentation slots are limited, and not all proposals will be accepted.

PACA's Annual Meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 17 and Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at the Hotel Hershey, Hershey, PA.

PACA Leads NRMCA Exterior Flatwork Finisher Course at Paul J. Rach, Inc.

The Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association (PACA) recently partnered with Paul J. Rach, Inc. to host the NRMCA Exterior Flatwork Finisher Certification Course, a nationally recognized training and certification program designed to elevate the quality and professionalism of concrete placement in exterior applications.

Led by PACA’s Ken Crank and Susan Armstrong, the course provided a full day of hands-on learning and technical instruction. Attendees received expert guidance on placement techniques, curing practices, finishing standards, and troubleshooting tips—key skills for producing long-lasting, high-performance flatwork.

The course included the NRMCA written exam, offering participants the opportunity to earn the Exterior Flatwork Finisher Certification, a valuable credential recognized across the industry.

PACA extends sincere thanks to Paul J. Rach, Inc. for hosting the training at their facility and supporting workforce development in the concrete industry. Opportunities like this are critical to ensuring that concrete placed across the Commonwealth meets today’s durability and performance expectations.

Stay tuned for future certification opportunities and training sessions hosted by PACA throughout Pennsylvania.

PACA Technical Community Visits Penn State Engineering Research Center

This week, PACA’s Technical Community gathered at the Penn State Engineering Research Center for a productive meeting, featuring a special presentation by PACA's own Jim Casilio on the status of the ongoing ASR (Alkali-Silica Reactivity) Block Study.

The ASR Block Study is a national research project for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) focused on better understanding of furthering next generation test methods for predicting and mitigation of Alkali-Silica Reactivity in concrete. As key collaborators, PACA, Penn State University, and NSSGA are working together to support this effort. PACA members are providing the materials and critical logistical support, while Penn State oversees testing and data collection at its Engineering Research Center. NSSGA continues to offer national advocacy and technical engagement. This partnership ensures the research is grounded in practical field conditions and advances durable concrete solutions for airport infrastructure nationwide.

Following the presentation, the attendees had the opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art research lab, led by Dr. Farshad Rajabipour and postgraduate researcher Dr. Arslan Akbar. The tour showcased the ASR exposure blocks, testing setups, and analytical methods used to evaluate aggregate reactivity and mitigation strategies. The hands-on visit highlighted the cutting-edge research supporting more durable and resilient concrete in Pennsylvania.

Special thanks to Dr. Rajabipour and the Penn State team for their hospitality—and a big shoutout to Hadi Rashidi of NSSGA for his continued support and active involvement in the ASR Block Study. Your commitment to advancing aggregate research is helping to shape a more durable future for our industry!

GTA Opens Philadelphia Office

Geo-Technology Associates, Inc. recently announced the opening of a new facility located in Philadelphia.

Strategically located between our Quakertown, PA and Newark, DE offices, the new Philadelphia location enhances our ability to deliver responsive, high-quality services across the region, including Construction Observation and Material Testing (COT), Special Inspections, Geotechnical Engineering, and Environmental Consulting. Our multidisciplinary team supports a broad range of mixed-use residential, commercial, industrial, energy, and institutional projects, providing practical, value-driven solutions to complex site, environmental, and construction challenges.

The Philadelphia office is led by Robert Howard, P.E., GTA Vice President and Principal-In-Charge. With over 36 years of experience in the engineering and construction and materials testing industry, Rob oversees COT and Special Inspection services throughout eastern Pennsylvania and the City of Philadelphia. His leadership supports rigorous quality assurance and control across a wide range of construction projects. Rob continues to serve as Vice President at our Quakertown office, helping maintain seamless coordination across locations.

Read more:

https://www.gtaeng.com/gta-enhances-client-service-capabilities-with-new-philadelphia-pa-office/

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