In the Mix - FICAP eNews

In The Mix September 2011- Vol 3, Issue 6

In This Issue

Annual Golf Tournament

Quick Links

Officers & Directors

President
Preston Sparkman

Quality Precast Co
813-685-5615 ext 2228

email

Vice President

Steve Bishop
Maschmeyer Concrete

561-848-9112

Secretary
Wade Mullins
Quality Precast Co
813-685-5615
email

Treasurer

Adam Freeman

A-1 Block

407-422-3768

Board of Directors

Jeff Bishop
Maschmeyer Concrete
561-848-9112

Bobbi Griswold

Griswold Ready Mix

904-751-3796

Freddie Jahna
Jahna Concrete
863-453-5155

Mark Smith

Bell Concrete

352-463-6103

Gary Clements, Past President
Cement Products &

Supply Company
863-686-5141

Executive Director
Michele Stropoli
407-333-4694
email

Associate of the Month

Suwannee American Cement

Thank you for your support!

Greetings!

Preston Well it's Sunday and the Grill is going with some all American hamburgers and hot dogs. The kids are settled back in school, which around here is a welcomed event. It is hard to believe our daughter has started high school and my son began his journey through middle school, such milestones in their young lives. There are so many things that we need to be thankful for and as I sit here this afternoon thinking of just that, after God and my family, I am truly blessed to be born an American.

Most of my life I just took it for granted that our government was there, and I had no say or input as to what laws were passed or what government officials were elected to serve us in Washington and Tallahassee. Not until recently have I finally realized that we do have an input and our votes do count. Furthermore, I believe for the most part, our elected officials do want to hear from us.

The FICAP PAC and my legislative mentor, Wade Mullins, have taught me that on those issues that do matter to us, we do need to get involved and make our voices heard. Your PAC along with others from among our general membership have fought and won battles for our industry. The defeat of Amendment 4 was a great triumph. Now the future brings issues such as, the Masonry Check off, the rights of our business to protect ourselves through credit legislation to name a few. I strongly encourage each of you to support our efforts by joining the FICAP PAC. I strongly encourage each of you to get involved with your local legislators on those things that may affect each of you in your community, as well as your business. It does make a difference.

Our August meeting was for the Future Leaders of our Industry. Those semi-annual events are always open to all in our industry. If you were not able to attend, please plan to attend our next one in March 2012. The Future Leaders program is geared for the new faces that we are training to step into management roles within their respective companies.

Also, this past month our goal groups were recharged with new members, new goals and a clear direction. I look forward to working with each of the goal group chairmen, as we tackle the upcoming year together. The Goals Groups are the foundation of what FICAP is all about. They are the horsepower that moves our organization. If you are not involved in one of the five goal groups, please give Michele or myself a call. We will be more than happy to help get you placed with one of these groups.

In closing remember this great nation, which we are so fortunate to live in, is a collection of individuals with a common foundation. We cannot sit back on our laurels or hope for change. We have to be involved, we have to be heard, and we have to understand the issues. I encourage each of you to contact your local representative and make your voice heard.

Sincerely,

Preston Sparkman

President, FICAP

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Check out the new link on the FICAP home page.

It's a great interactive tool to promote concrete.

15th Annual Golf Tournament

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

We've set the date and hope you will join us!

Tuesday, October 4th is the 15th Annual FICAP golf tournament, and we would hate for you to miss it. We plan to take Celebration Golf Club by storm with a four player, best ball scramble and wrap things up with a prime rib dinner.

Tee Time: 12:30 pm

Registration Fee: $ 135.00

Location: Celebration Golf Club

Register Now

Registration Form

We need sponsors!

Hole Sponsor $ 125.00

Dinner Sponsor $ 400.00 each

Beverage Cart Sponsor $ 800.00

If you are interested, please register online...or with our registration form.

FICAP Monthly Meeting - September 27, 2011

Please join us for an update regarding the Florida Port Authority. Dr. Dale Brill of the Florida Chamber Foundation will join us and provide an update to the recent activity and what the future holds.

education

Agenda

2 to 3 pm - Goal Group 1 Meeting, Sharing of Ideas

3 to 4 pm - Goal Group 2 Meeting, Education

4 to 5:30 pm - Producer Board Meeting

5:30 to 6:30 pm - Reception

6:30 to 8 pm - Dinner

Cost: $ 40.00 (Dinner Fee)

Walk In's: $ 55.00

Registration Deadline: September 22nd

(Monthly FICAP meetings are for members and invited guests only)

Have You Heard?

Advertising in the FICAP Newsletter is a convenient, affordable way to bring your message to the concrete community and its supporters.

In the Mix goes out to nearly a 1,000 opt-in subscribers each month. By advertising in the eNewsletter, you have the unique opportunity to deliver information about your products and services straight to the e-mail in-boxes of the decision makers within the Florida concrete industry.

Your ad could be right here. Ask us how!

Crazy Jack Director's Corner

I was blessed with two dads, and both are still a big part of my life. My mother married a Navy man...twice. My childhood was tough and many times I cried, "that's not fair," but my childhood prepared me for life. I was raised in a home that required my full participation. It didn't matter if it was finals time, with the State Championship looming, there were chores to be done and an attitude to maintain. If I did a job, I better give 100%. If I borrowed a tool, I better return it to the spot where I got it and it better be in as good a shape or better than when I borrowed it. Absolutely no exceptions allowed. I did not appreciate the toughness then, but I do now.

Ironically, or maybe not, since I grew up in a military town, my first "real" job was under the management of an ex-military man. Crazy Jack was the nickname we gave him. He was completely insane about work ethic, at least from a teenagers' viewpoint. He gave everyone one warning and if he caught you slacking off a second time, you were gone. Jack believed in having fun, but only after all tasks were completed and you were ready for the next "pop" (boom in business). Heaven help you, if you were goofing off when there was work to be done (that's where the crazy part of his name came into play).

It might seem like I'm putting Jack down, but in reality, I now understand just how great he was. The lessons I learned under Crazy Jack have served me well. When there's work to be done, there's no goofing off allowed. Do all you can to be prepared and then play.

What, as an industry, have we done to prepare for the boom in business? (Except pray for it to hurry and get here.) It should be no news to you that we were not the only ones hit hard. Our competitors were devastated as well. Everyone is out looking for a larger slice of the pie, or any pie. How do we prevent those desperate for business from taking the little we have left? What motions are in play to secure the pie for concrete?

Our competitors would have the public believe that concrete is not green. (Sounds funny to see that statement in print) We're so used to dull gray that some of us view it as that way. If we want to affect the work around us, then we must change the way we look at our own product. Concrete is full of color...and possibilities.

It's time to get excited about concrete. Seriously! Let's look at the possibilities together and come up with a plan. We can't afford not to! We must perceive the value of our product, so we can effectively convey that perspective to the consumers.

Crazy Jack Jr. signing off until next month...

Thank you,

Around the Industry

Why banks show optimism about the economy

BankAtlantic CEO and Chairman Alan Levan summed up the economy in light of his bank's improved performance: "There seems to be a stabilization of the market and the appraisals are demonstrating the strength in values. It's a compounding effect. When the market is getting better and the banks have been realistic in writing the loans down, then the results are improved.

Snaith: Economy should steadily improve

University of Central Florida University of Central Florida Latest from The Business Journals Barnie's Coffee signs agreement with UCF Florida consumer confidence nears record low in August Florida consumer confidence tumbles in August Follow this companyeconomist Sean Snaith released his latest Florida metro forecast today, offering a steadily improving economic outlook for the state through at least 2014. Read More

Complete Florida forecast...

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Do not argue with an idiot.

He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

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Regulatory Relief?

In poll after poll the majority of businesses assert that one of the major inhibitions to growth is the web of regulation they get caught up in. Some sectors are more sensitive to these rules and regulations than others but even the smallest service business is affected in some way by the bureaucracy. Given the sheer volume of regulatory law it is possible to find some absurd incident almost anywhere one looks. Read More

Leadership & Learning, Eight Unusual Things Leaders Should Measure

Measurement. It's something that we all know is important for anyone who is managing a team or business. And while we have all heard, and likely repeated "What gets measured gets done," sometimes, when we get past the basic things we must measure like the financials, and perhaps some safety numbers, we fall short in this area. Read More

Be Active in Deciding Where Control Joints Will Be Placed Technical Corner

Control joints are planned for cracks which allow for movements caused by temperature changes and drying shrinkage. In other words, if the concrete does crack-you want to have an active role in deciding where it will crack and that it will crack in a straight line instead of randomly.

Space joints properly. Space joints (in feet) no more than 2-3 times the slab thickness (in inches). A 4" slab should have joints 8-12 feet apart. Read More

MIT Weighs the Lifecycle Impacts of Concrete

Concrete is literally the backbone of our infrastructure, but it often takes a bad rap for the carbon intensity of its key ingredient: cement. Research just out of MIT's Concrete Sustainability Hub finds that concrete has some good properties that can be overlooked if assessments of the building material do not truly look at the entire lifecycle. Read More

Port of Palm Beach to Develop Inland Port on Former Sugar Cane Land

The Port of Palm Beach is reviving efforts to expand beyond the crowded coast and create a spin-off cargo hub in what used to be the Everglades. Port officials and sugar producer Florida Crystals on Thursday announced a new deal to develop an "inland port" on 850 acres of sugar cane land south of Lake Okeechobee. Read More

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Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit;

Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

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Coley again files septic tanks bill but springs protection remains an issue

State Rep. Marti Coley has filed legislation again that seeks to repeal a statewide requirement for septic tank inspections. But even some supporters of the repeal are suggesting a different approach may be needed on the issue in the coming year. Read More

Wells Fargo Weekly Economic & Financial Commentary

While it was a fairly light week for economic data, speeches by President Barack Obama and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke dominated headlines. The President outlined a plan that calls for payroll tax cuts and spending initiatives. Although the proposal could boost growth somewhat, we do not

believe it fully addresses the core issues of weak consumer demand and structural unemployment. Read More

Back to Top

Florida economic forecast the best in five years, but still dark

Florida lawmakers Wednesday received their brightest economic forecast since the recession hit, with projected tax collections and spending in harmony and no budget shortfalls seen through 2015. But lawmakers also were cautioned to keep the champagne on ice. Read More

Treasury Announces Largest SBLF Disbursement Yet, Following Weak Jobs Data

The U.S. Treasury announced last week that an additional 50 community banks received the largest single batch of Small Business Lending Fund (SBLF) capital yet. The Treasury has provided $767 million under the SBLF, bringing the program total to 130 community banks having received more than $1.8 billion under the fund. Read More

NCMA recommending ASTM C90 changes
NCMA's committees continue to review and update the provisions for loadbearing concrete masonry units contained within ASTM C90 to meet evolving market needs. In addition to ongoing maintenance, substantive revisions currently being pursued include the following: Read More

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A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs.

It's jolted by every pebble on the road. Henry Ward Beecher

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LEED 2012 Second Public Comment Period Opens

Responding to thousands of comments on the first draft, USGBC made major changes to LEED 2012, especially in materials. Read More

Achieving Sustainable Success with Whole Building Design

The process of Whole Building Design takes building green to a whole new level. Rather than switching out conventional building components with "green" alternatives, Whole Building Design looks at the building as a system. This holistic approach tears down the limits of green building and opens the door to innovative and integrated sustainable strategies. Read More