Category: Events

Industry ambassadors enter Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame

PQ-HOF-inductees_2017Four inductees were enshrined March 6 into the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame as members of the 2017 class.

The induction of Robert G. Bartlett (National Stone Association), Paul Detwiler Jr. (New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co.), Kim Snyder (Eastern Industries) and Mark Towe (Oldcastle Inc.) took place at the Encore Las Vegas ahead of ConExpo-Con/Agg 2017.

The members of the 2017 class join 20 other industry leaders who were previously enshrined in the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame.

Representing Bartlett at the ceremony were his son, Wes Bartlett, daughter-in-law Tricia Bartlett and grandson Jonathan Bartlett. Wes and Jonathan delivered acceptance remarks on behalf of the beloved former president of the National Stone Association (NSA), who died early last year. Bartlett served NSA from 1986 to 1997.

“I’m honored on behalf of my dad,” Wes says. “[Robert Bartlett] was very passionate about this industry. He would love to see all of you take it to the next level and continue on with his legacy.”

Detwiler joined his son, Paul Detwiler III, in the Hall of Fame, making the two the first father-and-son duo represented within it. Considered the ultimate quarry operator by his peers, Paul Jr. was instrumental in expanding his company into one of the top aggregate producers in the United States.

Snyder, who spent several years at New Enterprise following New Enterprise’s acquisition of Eastern Industries, enters the Hall of Fame following a 40-year career in the aggregate industry. Appreciated for a management style that created well-grounded and highly committed teams, Snyder was vital to the efforts that led to the successful merger of NSA and the National Aggregates Association (NAA) in 2000.

Towe, who also played a role in bringing NSA and NAA together, enters the Hall of Fame nearly two decades after he helped bring to life The Rocks Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. The gallery features an interactive exhibit that illustrates how rocks are vital to the everyday lives of the general public, emerging at a time when the public knew very little about the aggregate industry.

Feltes, James and Zelnak enshrined into Hall of Fame

pq-hof-2016-inductees-finalAggregates industry leaders gathered March 20, 2016, for the fourth annual Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Dinner in Nashville, Tenn., where Rick Feltes (Feltes Sand & Gravel), Don James (Vulcan Materials) and Steve Zelnak (Martin Marietta) were enshrined as the 2016 class. More than 100 people were in attendance at the black-tie event.

Feltes, James and Zelnak all attended the ceremony at the Omni Nashville Hotel and reflected on their storied careers upon being inducted. The new inductees will be represented in the National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum in Leadville, Colo., along with other Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame members.

Feltes, who grew up in the aggregates industry, was a key figure in the development of the AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo, which launched in 2009 alongside World of Asphalt. Well regarded for his dedication to National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) initiatives, Feltes has served the association in various capacities and as a chairman.

Yet, his investment in NSSGA continued at a high level in the years following his chairmanship because of a drive to help others in the industry succeed. Feltes made sure AGG1 incorporated a mix of educational seminars, site visits and equipment exhibits to attract a wide audience of people from the aggregates industry. AGG1 has grown significantly since its inception, achieving records in 2015 for attendance, exhibitors, exhibit space and education tickets sold.

“This industry has been very kind to me over the years, and I’m honored to be associated with it,” Feltes said.

James, who joined Vulcan Materials in 1992, led one of the largest aggregate producers in the United States for 18 years, significantly expanding the company’s operations throughout the country. He guided Vulcan through periods of strong growth and difficult market downturns, positioning the company in recent years to increase operational efficiencies and maintain disciplined growth.

Under James’ leadership, first as president and then as CEO, Vulcan’s enterprise value grew from $2 billion to about $10 billion; its permitted reserves base doubled from 7.5 billion tons to more than 15 billion tons; and the aggregates facilities it operates increased from 122 to more than 325.

James served as Vulcan’s president from 1996 to 1997 and as CEO from 1997 to 2014.

“One of the wonderful things about this industry is the wonderful people,” James said. “Collectively, we have great affection for and commitment to our employees, communities and environments in which we operate.”

Zelnak, whose career in the aggregates industry began in 1974, grew Martin Marietta revenues from $450 million to more than $2.2 billion during his tenure as the company’s CEO. He joined Martin Marietta Corp. in 1981 as vice president of planning and business development for its aggregates company. And he was quickly promoted, taking on a role as president in 1982.

Zelnak was elected an officer of the parent corporation in 1989, and he was promoted to president of the company’s Materials Group in 1991. In 1994, as president and CEO, Zelnak led a transition for Martin Marietta as a publicly traded corporation on the New York Stock Exchange. He was elected chairman of the company’s board of directors in 1997 and was responsible for more than 70 acquisitions, broadening the company’s geographic footprint.

Zelnak also devised and implemented a unique long-haul distribution strategy, making Martin Marietta a leader in rail- and water-distributed aggregates products.

“As I spent more time in the business it became clear this is a very special industry and one I’ve been blessed to be in,” Zelnak said. “It’s an industry of people who are the backbone of America. I couldn’t have crafted a better script for my life and career.”

In addition to Feltes, James and Zelnak, the induction ceremony brought two other members of the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame to Nashville. In attendance were Paul Mellott, Mellott Co.; and Paul Detwiler III, New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co. Mark Deister, grandson of Hall of Famer Emil Deister, also attended the ceremony.

The induction ceremony was supported by a number of sponsor companies. Gold Sponsors of the 2016 Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame are Haver & Boecker, Kleemann/Wirtgen Group, Terex Minerals Processing Systems and Weir Minerals. Silver sponsors are Am Cast, CDE Global and Philippi-Hagenbuch. NSSGA also played a supporting role in the Hall of Fame.

The additions of Feltes, James and Zelnak take the total number of Hall of Fame inductees to 20. Pit & Quarry established its Hall of Fame in 2012 as a way to pay tribute to the pioneers of the past and the present-day industry leaders. Nominations are currently being accepted for future inductees here.

Aggregate producers, manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, association and allied trade representatives are all eligible for induction to the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame. A neutral board comprised of various industry segments reviews all nominations and determines which individuals earn induction.

Pit & Quarry inducts four into hall of fame

pq-hof-2015-inducteesAggregates industry leaders and their families gathered for the third annual Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame Ceremony & Dinner Sunday, March 15 in Baltimore. The ceremony followed the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association‘s Chairman’s Reception at the Hilton Baltimore.

Several companies sponsored the event, including Terex Minerals Processing Systems, Kleemann/Wirtgen Group, Telsmith, W.S. Tyler and Weir Minerals.

Pit & Quarry enshrined these four men as the 2015 class:

Both Detwiler III and Schmidgall attended the event and reflected on their respective inductions in their speeches. Pit & Quarry accepted on behalf of Blake, a 19th century inventor, and Cat’s Mike Hinrichsen accepted on behalf of Barton, who was unable to attend the event.

Bernie Grove, a member of the hall’s 2014 class, also attended this year’s event and was honored during the ceremony. Weather kept him from attending last year’s event prior to ConExpo-Con/Agg in Las Vegas.

The four 2015 inductees were selected by a group of peers from a pool of nominees submitted by industry experts and readers. This group joins the 13 current members in the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame.

P&Q partners with National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum

frank-mcallister-pq-hofAt its annual Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame ceremony, Pit & Quarry announced a partnership with the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum. Through the partnership, the inductees in the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame will be featured in the National Mining Hall of Fame in Leadville, Colo.

“It gives residence for the inductees and for their bios and for their life stories,” says Frank McAllister, chairman of the Mining Hall of Fame board. “So people can physically come and look at them and see them amongst their peers in the industry.”

The Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame inductee plaques will be hung near the entrance of the museum. McAllister also hopes to eventually incorporate a digital element to the museum.

“[By digitizing the museum,] we’d have the opportunity to not just show the fellow’s plaque, but we could also show a little bit about his life and where he worked and things like that,” he says.

P&Q and the Mining Hall of Fame plan to move forward with the partnership in 2015.

6 Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame inductees honored at reception

pq-hall-of-fame-2014-inducteesThe Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held March 3 in Las Vegas immediately following NSSGA’s Chairman’s Reception.

The black-tie event began with a cocktail reception, which was followed by dinner and the award ceremony. Six industry leaders were inducted into Pit & Quarry‘s second Hall of Fame event.

Publisher Rob Fulop started off the festivities as he welcomed guests, many of whom had close personal and professional ties to the honorees.

Editor-in-Chief Darren Constantino introduced each inductees as well as a short video that illustrated their illustrious careers.

Astec Industries Inc.’s J. Don Brock was on hand to graciously accept his award.

Bernie Grove, known for his work with the National Stone Association, was unable to attend due to travel delays caused by snowstorms on the East Coast. Accepting on his behalf was Kim Snyder, whom Grove mentored.

Collecting the award for Chuck Lien was son Pete Lien, president of Pete Lien & Sons, who related a humorous his speech his father gave in the past and most likely would give again.

Bruno Nordberg was represented by Tommie Lehtonen, president, crushing and screening equipment, Metso, the modern-day precursor to the company he launched in the 1880s.

The honor for the Rogers Group’s Ralph was accepted by company Chairman Ben Rechter.

Also on hand were honorees from Pit & Quarry’s inaugural class of inductees, LeRoy Hagenbuch, Philippi-Hagenbuch and Paul Mellott, Mellott Company.

Pit & Quarry inducts inaugural class into Hall of Fame

pq-hof-inaugural-class-2013Seven men whose work and dedication made them pioneering leaders within the aggregates industry were honored March 17 as the inaugural class of the Pit & Quarry Hall of Fame. The seven were honored at a black-tie recognition dinner and induction ceremony at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio before the AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo. The inaugural class includes:

The staff of Pit & Quarry launched the Hall of Fame in September 2012 with the intention of making the induction ceremony an annual tradition that recognizes the pioneers, icons and leaders – past and present – and creates a permanent legacy for their contributions to the industry.