SKOKIE, Ill. – As part of its ongoing commitment to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of cement and concrete as a sustainable, cost-effective and economical choice for infrastructure development, the Portland Cement Association (PCA) honors five public officials from across the nation with the Sustainable Leadership Award (SLA).
Now in their third year, the SLA honors those who enact innovative policies and initiate projects in their communities that exemplify creativity, best practices and responsible stewardship of public funds using concrete and cement-based products.
 “PCA and its member companies are committed to sustainable development and environmental stewardship. For us, sustainability is a key element in the way we do business,” said Brian McCarthy, President and CEO, PCA. “We are pleased to recognize leaders who choose concrete or cement-based products and use them in a sustainable fashion to provide environmental and cost-saving benefits for their communities. As demand for paving and other infrastructure increases, our government leaders have important roles to play as we determine how to best meet the development needs while protecting and sustaining the environment for future generations.”
A key ingredient of concrete, portland cement is integral to the construction of sustainable building efforts. Commercial and residential buildings, highways, bridges, airports, dams and other critical elements of our nation’s infrastructure depend on its durability, strength and energy efficient performance.
The 2010 Winners
Leadership in Sustainability Policy
The Sustainable Policy category honors those who initiate or implement policies that reflect an ongoing commitment to sustainability in the communities they serve.
Winner: Ariel Soriano, P.E., engineering manager, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Policy: City of Chattanooga Engineering Design and Construction Group—Soriano implemented policies that utilize a multitude of methods that employ concrete and cement products for sustainable development including roller compacted concrete, full?depth reclamation with cement and pervious concrete.
Winner: Henry C. Hawkins III, county engineer, Chambers County, Alabama            Â
Policy: Full Depth Reclamation with Portland Cement—Hawkins spearheaded policies that advance the use of FDR with portland cement for the purposes of sustainable rehabilitation of roadways and responsible use of public funds in Chambers County.
Infrastructure Projects
The infrastructure category honors those who demonstrate initiative by utilizing cement or cement-based products for sustainable development in infrastructure projects.
Winner: Water Supply and Resources Division, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Edison, N.J.
Project: Porous Pavement Green Infrastructure Research Program—The group oversaw the construction of 110-car porous pavements parking lot at the U.S. EPA National Risk Management Laboratory in Edison, N.J.
Winner: Jeff Hackbart, director of public works/city engineer, Frankfort, Ky.
Project: Pervious Concrete Project—Hackbart and his department utilized pervious concrete to construct 10,000 sq. ft. parking lot as a solution to drainage issues and to prevent waterway pollution.
Winner: Jim McQueen, chief construction manager, Port of Houston Authority, Texas
Project:RCC Pavement Project—Roller compacted concrete (RCC) was used to construct sustainable, durable and lasting pavements at the Port of Houston.
About PCA
Based in Skokie, Ill., the Portland Cement Association represents cement companies in the United States and Canada. It conducts market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs. More information on PCA programs is available at www.cement.org.
