SKOKIE, Ill.—Portland Cement Association (PCA) awarded four allied industries with Distinguished Partner Awards at its annual spring committee meeting, April 29, 2008, in Chicago. 

The awards recognize industry professionals outside of cement companies who demonstrate a commitment of time and energy beyond regular responsibilities to promote concrete and other cement-based materials for a variety of applications.

Receiving the honor are:

• American Red Cross of Greater Chicago, for its work, through Safe Home Illinois, in educating the building industry and consumers on how to construct homes that are more capable of withstanding natural disasters.
  
  
• Patrick Murphy, president, American PolySteel LLC, in recognition of his efforts to gain PolySteel Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Certification, the first insulating concrete form (ICF) system to earn this distinction.
  
  
• Brad Reed, senior building inspector, City of Lubbock, Texas, for his role in building ICF homes for low-income residents who qualify through the city's Affordable Housing Reconstruction program.
  
  
• Institute for Business & Home Safety, for its efforts to inform builders, code officials, architects, the general public, and most notably the insurance industry on the disaster-resistant benefits of concrete walls, roof tiles and cementitious claddings.

“These professionals and associations, through their tireless commitment and inspiring dedication, show our products in action.  They are vital to the effective promotion of concrete and other cement products,” Charlie Sunderland, PCA chairman, said. 

The Distinguished Partner Award program, in its first year, honors the achievements of national and regional allied industries and promotion partners in promoting cement and concrete in construction markets plus activities in standards development, education, and public affairs.

More information on individual award winners is available at http://www.cement.org.    

The 2008 Distinguished Partner Awards are co-sponsored by PCA and the Cement Association of Canada.  The related associations represent cement companies in the U. S. and Canada and conduct market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs.