The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) held the 2021 Young Leaders Annual Meeting on April 28-29 in a digital format. The meeting took place over two half-days with education and professional development sessions.
Originally planned as an in-person event in Denver, NSSGA officials shifted to a virtual meeting for the health and safety of its members. The meeting was designed to provide maximum learning time while still making sure attendees had the bandwidth for job responsibilities.
Some key announcements made during the virtual event included the recipient of the 2021 Mark S. Walsh Leadership Award. Karen Hubacz-Kiley, vice president of Bond Construction Corp. and NSSGA first vice-chair of the board of directors, was selected for her continued commitment to the industry and Young Leaders group.
The annual award was created in memory of Mark S. Walsh, comptroller of Rein, Shultz and Dahl and active member of the Young Leaders Steering Committee, who passed away of leukemia in 1999 at the age of 37. The award is given to an individual that “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.”
Additionally, Nick Schack, vice president general manager Gulf Coast – CRH Materials Americas, was announced as the 2021-2022 Young Leaders chair.
NSSGA Young Leaders is a group of industry professionals 40 years old and younger who come together to develop leadership and management skills, address industry positions, build a national network of industry professionals, and exchange ideas and discuss areas of mutual interest to help them and their companies become more successful in the aggregates industry. Young Leaders offers opportunities to make new relationships and strengthen existing relationships within the industry and NSSGA.
A series of regional, in-person Young Leaders meetups are tentatively scheduled for fall and winter 2021.