Chicago Named Policy Sustainability Leader

Chicago was named a sustainable leader by the Portland Cement Association, which named local leaders in eight cities who have enacted policies or completed projects that promote sustainable development through the use of concrete and other cement-based products.

Chicago was recognized as a leader in sustainability policy for supporting and incentivizing green economic development by implementing a number of programs including Green Alley Program, Chicago Green Homes and the Green Roof Grant Program.

Mayor Richard Daley and Sadhu Aufochs Johnston, chief environmental officer, were named as the recipients.

The seven other winners were outside the Midwest.

Top Indiana Designs Go toGreen Universities, Historic House

Green design continues to gain momentum in Indiana, a trend that was apparent at the 2008 American Institute of Architects Indiana Design Awards.

Of the four award winners, three went to green buildings, all on Indiana college campuses: DePauw University’s Institute for Ethics, the first Gold LEED project in the state, designed by CSO Architects; Purdue University Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering, designed by Ratio Architects; and the Straw Bale Eco Center at Ball State University, designed by architecture students.

Also, J.W. McQuiston Architecture + Interior Design was awarded for its renovation of a house originally built in 1917 in Danville.

This year 39 projects were submitted. The judges—a panel of architects from Colorado—gave the nod to designs that included green design and energy efficiency.

Awards also went to individuals who have made significant contributions to the architecture profession and to the built environment:

• Juliet Peddle Award to Dean Illingworth, executive director of Habitat for Humanity.
• The Walter S. Blackburn Award went to Tamara Zahn, president of Indianapolis Downtown Inc.
• The Edward D. Pierre Award went to Don Altemeyer, executive director and founding principal of BSA LifeStructures.
• The President’s Award went to Ewing Miller II, formerly of Terre Haute.
• Distinguished Service Awards went to Wayne Schmidt, Tim Wall and State Sen. Brandt Hershman (R-Monticello).

Indy’s Potts to Lead Road Building Group

Charles Potts, a Midwesterner, was recently elected chairman of the American Road and Transportation Builders Association. Potts is CEO of Indianapolis-based Heritage Construction & Materials.

Four others from the Midwest were elected to positions in ARTBA

• Senior Vice Chairman, Larry Tate, product manager, Caterpillar Inc., Decatur, Ill.;
• Central Region Vice Chairman, Ken Aldridge, CEO of Aldridge Electric, Libertyville, Ill.
• Vice Chairman At-Large, Larry Lair, vice president of Traffic Safety Systems Division, 3M, St. Paul, Minn.
• Vice Chairman At-Large, Jim Connell, group president, Energy Absorption Systems, Inc., Chicago.

Eight other officers from outside the Midwest were also elected.

Tilt-Up Concrete Award Dedicated to Executive

The Mount Vernon, Iowa-based Tilt-Up Concrete Association recently announced the dedication of its Distinguished Engineer of the Year award.

It has been named the David L. Kelly Engineer Award in honor of his 50 years of service. A long-time TCA board member and industry veteran, Kelly recently retired as vice president and chief engineer.