March 10, 2015 – The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association is accepting nominations for the Mark S. Walsh Leadership Award, sponsored by Rock Products.
The late Mark S. Walsh was comptroller of Rein, Shultz and Dahl of Illinois and an active member of the Young Leaders (YL) Steering Committee. He was an energetic and enthusiastic supporter of the mission, purpose and activities of the YL. In the two years that Mark served on the Steering Committee he offered sage advice and unique insights on exactly what the focus and purpose of the YL should be for new young executives in the aggregates industry, like himself. Mark passed away of leukemia in 1999. He was 37 years old.
In memory of Mark’s leadership and commitment to the Young Leaders, the YL initiated the Mark S. Walsh Annual Leadership Award to be given to the one individual that, according to the award, “exemplifies the leadership traits of professionalism, enthusiasm and commitment and whose efforts in improving and developing the image and programs of the Young Leaders are in keeping with the example set forth by the honoree of this award.”
In 2000, this first award went to Tom Vierheller, formerly of Maryland Materials Inc. Tom was chairman of the Young Leaders from 1999-2000 and was the catalyst behind several key YL initiatives. Tom challenged the current members of the YL to increase their membership by the end of 2000 by initiating an aggressive membership campaign called “200 X 2000!”; he designed the attractive YL lapel pin to increase recognition of the group; he helped develop the program for the 2000 YL Annual Meeting which brought in world-class speaker Dr. Terry Lyles of LGE Performance Systems; he oversaw the amendments to the YL bylaws to include another M & S member; he developed a time-line and description of duties for the officers of the YL. Most importantly he challenged the larger producer members of NSA to become more active in the Young Leaders.
In our industry we make our mark through the quality of our work, the honesty of our actions, and the integrity of our word. Mark S. Walsh led his personal and professional life by these ideals. His leadership and vision on the Young Leaders will certainly be missed. Tom Vierheller, the 2000 winner of the (first) Mark S. Walsh Leadership Award, embodied the spirit of enthusiasm and professionalism of Mark and was a qualified individual to receive this award and represent the young leaders of the aggregates industry.