Concrete Briefs . . .

NFL legend Terry Bradshaw kicks off the 2005 IBS
as keynote speaker for Grand Opening Ceremonies on Thursday, Jan. 13 at 10:30 am in the South Hall of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. You may know him as the quarterback who led the Pittsburgh Steelers to an incredible four Super Bowl titles (earning MVP honors twice), but he's also an incredibly talented and entertaining speaker. REGISTER NOW to attend the building industry's biggest event of the year, and expect to be inspired!

Insulating Concrete Form Association Elects New Directors
The Insulating Concrete Form Association (ICFA) recently elected six members to its Board of Directors. They include: James "Jim" Dorr of Eco-Block, LLC; Patrick Murphy of American Polysteel; Henry "Hank" Pfeiffer of Reward Wall Systems; Jim Niehoff of Portland Cement Association; Joe Casassa of Huntsman Expandable Polymers Company; Ann Crocker of Energy Smart Solutions, LLC. The Directors also appointed a Vice-Chairman, Jim Dorr of Eco-Block, LLC and Paul Camozzi of Amvic, Inc. officially assumed his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

ACPA Releases DVD on Safety
The American Concrete Pumping Association (ACPA) has released a new safety DVD entitled CO-WORKER SAFETY RULES - Concrete Pump Safety for Laborers, Oilers, and the Placing Crew. Also available in Spanish, this instructional DVD includes chapters on set-up, electrocution, crushing, pumping and clean-out, rules for the placing crew as well as the new ACPA hand signals.

The new DVD can be ordered by calling the ACPA National office at 614.431.5618. Cost for either the English or Spanish version is only $10 plus shipping and handling.

A $4.3 million grant should help expand the pool of skilled workers
for the building trades through NAHB-affiliated programs. The money was personally awarded to NAHB's workforce development arm, the Home Builders Institute (HBI), by Department of Labor Secretary Elaine Chao during the Fall Board of Directors Meeting in Columbus. In a radical departure from the standard residential construction programs, the grant will pilot an industry-led continuum — from entry-level training, through apprenticeship, to an associate in applied science degree. HBI will partner with the American Association of Community Colleges, local HBAs and educational institutions at 10 sites yet to be selected. Contact Maria McIntyre at 800-368-5242 x8912 for details.

Florida Ready-Mix Producer Responds to Series of Hurricanes
Florida-based, Rinker Materials, joined many other construction companies throughout the battered state in helping residents affected by the recent series of powerful hurricanes. When the first hurricane struck the state, Rinker created a "Hurricane Charley Relief Fund" through its credit union. In addition, a team of Rinker employees took a tractor-trailer of ice and a second of water and coolers to Punta Gorda, meeting employees from its Ft. Myers quarry who provided a cookout for hurricane victims. Water and ice were distributed at the cookout and were also delivered "door to door" in the impacted neighborhoods. Teams of Rinker employees also helped to clear trees and debris from employee homes; distribute gift certificates for hot meals at locally operating restaurants and provide alternate automobiles.

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