SKOKIE, Ill.—Portland Cement Association (PCA) recognized Spencer Weitman as a finalist for the 2012 John P. Gleason, Jr., Leadership Award.  

Presented at PCA’s annual fall committee meeting, August 28, 2012, in Chicago, the awards honor employees of member companies who have exhibited industry leadership by taking the Association in new directions.  Awards are presented in each of PCA’s two categories of key strategic initiatives: Business Continuity and Market Development.  Weitman was honored in the Business Continuity category.

Weitman, president of National Cement Company—Alabama, Birmingham, has been an integral part of the PCA-SE Region from its founding day and a long-time advocate for the cement industry and its products, working tirelessly to further the industry.  Most recently, he testified before the U.S. Congress in support of the industry’s efforts to amend emission standards for the cement industry.

When National Cement Company announced suspension of its plans to build a $350 million new kiln in Alabama, it became a U.S. House Republican case study in how environmental rules kill jobs.  National estimated it would take about 1,500 construction workers to build the kiln and 20 to operate it on a permanent basis.  Weitman said his company, which had been asking the EPA for clarification, “agreed that we need to protect the environment and we need regulations in place to make sure that we all do it right.  We need regulations that are achievable and that make sense.”  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.

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
The Portland Cement Association, based in Washington, DC, with offices in Skokie, Ill.,  represents cement companies in the United States. It conducts market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs. For additional information, visit http://www.cement.org.