SKOKIE, Illinois — Portland Cement Association (PCA) named Spencer Weitman as a finalist for the 2014 John P. Gleason Jr. Leadership Award.

Presented at PCA’s annual fall committee meeting on August 26, 2014, in Chicago, the awards honor employees of member companies who have exhibited industry leadership by taking PCA in new directions. Awards are presented in each of PCA’s two categories of key strategic initiatives: Business Continuity and Market Development as well as Young Leaders. Weitman was honored in the Business Continuity category.

Weitman, president of National Cement Company of Alabama, Inc. (National Cement) – headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama – has been a long-time advocate for the cement industry and an integral part of the PCA-Southeast Region from its founding days. Weitman has worked tirelessly to further the industry.

When National Cement announced suspension of its plan to build a $350 million new kiln in Alabama, it became a case study for U.S. House of Representatives republicans in how environmental rules kill jobs. National Cement estimated it would take approximately 1,500 construction workers to build the kiln and approximately 20 additional employees to operate it on a permanent basis.

The Republican leadership in the House recruited Weitman and a dozen other private-sector job creators to demonstrate how American employers are being hampered by excessive Washington regulations.

In August 2011, then House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) named the red tape facing Weitman and National Cement to a list of “Top 10 Job-Destroying Regulations.”

The award is named after John P. “Jay” Gleason, Jr., who served as PCA president from 1986 until his retirement in 2007. Gleason was known for his consensus building among both members and allies and for his strong leadership skills.

About PCA
Based in Washington, D.C., with offices in Skokie, Illinois, the Portland Cement Association represents cement companies in the United States. It conducts market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs. More information on PCA programs is available at www.cement.org.