Ritner Steel CEO elected to AISC Board

The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) announced the appointment of Babette Freund to its Board of Directors. Freund is the CEO and Co-Owner of Ritner Steel, Inc. in Carlisle, Pa., and has been an active member of the NASCC: The Steel Conference Planning Committee since 2007. She is also a member of the AISC Code of Standard Practice Committee.

Confirmed during AISC's Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Freund will begin serving on the AISC board of directors, assisting with the organization's planning and leadership in the steel construction industry.

"Babette Freund has been a supporter of AISC for many years, both with her volunteering of time and expertise on the NASCC Committee," commented AISC Chair William B. Bourne of Universal Steel, Inc., Lithonia, Ga. "I am very happy to have her business experience and volunteering energy on our AISC board. I know she will be an asset in many ways and I thank her for her commitment."

Freund initially served as chief financial officer for Ritner Steel when she joined the company in 2004 and was also responsible for overseeing operations and project management. She has more than 30 years of experience in accounting, finance and management, with areas of emphasis in construction, not-for-profit entities, human service and insurance.

Freund received a 2011 YWCA Women of Excellence Award in recognition of her contributions to the workplace and community. She serves as a Capital Campaign Cabinet Member for the Humane Society of Harrisburg, Pa., and has held volunteer leadership roles at several other local area organizations.

Freund joins 35 AISC board members who contribute a significant amount of time and outstanding service to the success of AISC and the structural steel industry. View a list of all of the officers and directors on AISC's website, here. BD+C

Boyd R. Zoccola is Chair and Chief Elected Officer of BOMA International. A BOMA member since 1994, he has served on the Executive, Finance, Investment, and Medical/Healthcare Facilities Committees. An Indiana Real Estate Principal Broker and a board member of the Real Estate Round Table, he is Executive Vice President of Hokanson Companies, Inc., of Indianapolis, and has been involved in the development of $600 million worth of real estate. On a volunteer basis, Zoccola was president of Horizon House and a board member of Girls, Inc. He holds a BA in biology from Indiana University.