SKOKIE, Ill.—Portland Cement Association (PCA) recognized Kirk McDonald as a finalist for the 2013 John P. Gleason Jr., Leadership Award.  

Presented at PCA’s annual fall committee meeting, August 27, 2013, 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.  McDonald was honored in Business Continuity category.
                                    
McDonald, vice president of cement technical services for CalPortland Company in Glendora, Calif., coordinated the activities of the communications teams that are working locally to promote the acceptance and use of portland-limestone cements in all 50 states. Educating users and specifiers about the additional environmental benefits of using portland-limestone cements promoted the sustainability advantages of concrete.

McDonald’s efforts lead to acceptance of this new cement type by more than 25 percent of state departments of transportation since it was adopted in 2012, a significant accomplishment for the state communications teams under McDonald’s leadership.

Chair of PCA’s Limestone/Harmonization Task Group, McDonald also has served on PCA’s Product Standards and Technology and Manufacturing Technical Committees as well as being a member of the MIT CSHub Concrete Science Industry Task Group.

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, Ill., 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.