SKOKIE, Illinois — Portland Cement Association (PCA) recognized Bruce Blair as a finalist for the 2014 John P. Gleason Jr., Leadership Award.

Presented at PCA’s annual fall committee meeting, August 26, 2014, 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 as well as Young Leaders. Blair was honored in the Business Continuity category.

Blair, vice president of product performance and innovation for Lafarge North America, in Chicago, Illinois, is a leader in industry standards development, industry sustainability initiatives, research, and addressing technical issues to improve business continuity. He served as chair of the PCA Durability Subcommittee, leading PCA efforts to address alkali-silica reactivity, sulfate attack, and join deterioration in pavements.

Blair is currently co-chair of the Product Standards and Technology Committee, providing key guidance in the development and use of portland-limestone blended cements and their acceptance by DOTs and specifiers.

He is actively engaged in the MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub program, working to steer the program to better address industry needs and opportunities. Blair works tirelessly with standards organizations, industry allies, and specifiers to advance PCA technical initiatives.

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.