NSSGA holds Convention, Plant Operators Forum

Pit & Quarry, April, 2004

Nearly 800 registrants converged in Phoenix for the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association's (NSSGA) 2004 Annual Convention. Presenters included former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich.

Themed "Managing Your Resources in Today's Economy," the five-day meeting featured sessions with Gingrich, U.S. Federal Highway Administration chief Mary Peters, U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration head David Lauriski and Harvard Business School professor, author and macroeconomist Richard Vietor. They and other speakers focused on strategies and techniques for aggregates producers to thrive during a period of national economic uncertainty.

The board of directors elected and installed new association officers and executive committee members during the convention. The 2004 chairman of the board of directors is Stephen P. Zelnak Jr., of Martin Marietta Materials. Serving with him as officers for the year are First Vice Chairman Richard J. Feltes, Feltes Sand & Gravel; Second Vice Chairman Donald M. James, Vulcan Materials Co.; Secretary William E. Schneider, Knife River Corp.; Treasurer John D. Baker II, Florida Rock Industries; Immediate Past Chairman John E. Cramer, Casper Stolle Quarry and Contracting Co.; and NSSGA President and CEO Joy Wilson.

The NSSGA Plant Operators Conference & Expo, held in Orlando, drew more than 370 people who participated in educational seminars, plant tours, committee meetings and expo activities.

Zelnak, NSSGA chairman of the board, keynoted the conference, and the expo featured the products of 43 manufacturers and service providers.

Seminars included "Producer Strategies for Improving Safety," "Crushing 101," "Proper Tire Selection and Maintenance" and more. The plant tours drew more than 120 people.