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Members of the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association’s (NSSGA) Young Leaders (YL) gathered at the Riviera Palm Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, Calif., in April for their annual meeting. Once again, I had the pleasure of attending such a great networking and informative event.
Things kicked off with the Chairman’s Welcome and Mark S. Walsh Reception on Wednesday, April 23. Mike Johnson, NSSGA president and CEO, gave a compelling speech about his journey to the CEO position at NSSGA, and gave advice on life after YL. Following Johnson’s speech, YL Chairman Zach Green of Colas Inc. announced the 2014 Mark S. Walsh Leadership Award recipient: Matt Stoneburner, vice president – sales and marketing, Diamond Chain Co. (previously director of marketing for Emerson Industrial Automation).
The next day members toured Granite Construction Co.’s Indio facility, which is home to a solar farm that uses Amonix concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar power systems. Each of the six pedestals (49 ft. high, 72 ft. wide) has dual-axis tracking to maximize the sun’s rays and generate clean energy to operate the facility. The solar farm yields a total power capacity of 324 kW, reducing energy costs by 25 percent. Later in the day, members packed care boxes for deployed Marines.
Friday and Saturday were general session days that included presentations by Tom Hill, CEO of Summit Materials; Adele L. Abrams, Esq. CMSP; Joel Galassini, VP of Capitol Aggregates; and Don James, Chairman & CEO of Vulcan Materials.
The YL annual meeting is for industry professionals 40 years of age and younger to develop leadership and management skills, address industry positions, build a national network of industry professionals, exchange ideas, and discuss areas of mutual interest that will help them and their companies become more successful in the aggregates industry.