The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) convened its 2025 Annual Young Leaders Meeting in Savannah, Ga. The meeting, held April 27–30, attracted more than 370 participants from across the country. Attendees heard from industry leaders; participated in community service activities; and welcomed their new committee leadership.
At the event, the Mark S. Walsh Award, sponsored by Rock Products, was presented to Franz Peters, Martin Marietta Materials, by Managing Editor Josephine Patterson. Franz has been an integral part of the group for many years and is well deserving of this recognition.
This Mark S. Walsh Award is given to an aggregates industry member for their career and involvement with Young Leaders. It is named for the late Mark S. Walsh, who was comptroller of association producer member Rein, Shultz and Dahl of Illinois. He was an energetic and enthusiastic supporter of the mission, purpose and activities of Young Leaders and an active member of the Young Leaders Steering Committee.
In addition to the Mark S. Walsh Award, Rock Products also sponsors the Young Leaders Annual Luncheon, held in collaboration with AGG1.
We appreciate and support everything the Young Leaders represent. This group is the future of the aggregates industry.Look at what’s coming at us hard and fast right now: digitalization, AI, the Internet of Things, automation, machine learning, interconnected sensors, machine integration, autonomous trucking – the stunning growth of new technology and the speed with which it is evolving is generating a quantum leap for aggregates processing, equipment manufacturing and distribution efficiency. And the Young Leaders are on the cutting edge of it.
I am reminded of the saying, “Help or get out of the way.”
- Help: Contribute actively and positively to the task at hand.
- Get out of the way: Refrain from hindering the progress of others, whether through inaction, negativity or interference.
Rock Products is doing its part to help through our unique and innovative AggNexus conference, a landmark event for the aggregates, concrete and construction materials industries, the second incarnation of which is taking place this fall in Austin, Texas. It provides a platform for leading service providers to showcase innovative solutions that propel industry operations forward.
All of this new technology may be like drinking from a fire hose, but honestly, the aggregates industry is pretty parched and dry. We have the opportunity to quickly adapt and grow. Let’s do it.
Mark S. Kuhar, editor
[email protected]
(330) 722‐4081
X: @editormarkkuhar