Robert Paul Weatherton

Affectionately known as “Big Bob”, throughout his entire professional career one driving force remained constant – his passion for helping the pumping industry.

Bob began his concrete pumping career as a concrete pump operator but then later moved on to various positions with several leading concrete pumping manufacturers. As the vice-president and general manager of Thomson Division of Royal Industries, Bob developed one of the first concrete pump distributor programs throughout the United States and Canada.

In 1974, Bill Avery (founder of then-editor of Concrete Construction magazine) came to Bob with the idea of starting a national trade show exposition for the concrete industry. Together, they partnered to create the very first World of Concrete which was held in Houston, Texas in 1975. Although the WOC show has been sold at various times over the years, Bob always maintained a significant role on the WOC team as well as a somewhat goodwill ambassador for the overall World of Concrete Trade Show Expositions.

Bob served on the ACPA Board of Directors over 42 years and served on the Executive Board as Treasurer a collective 36 years. Bob also conducted many management and financial seminars in various regions throughout the United States and implemented operator training procedures that are still in place today.

In 1991, the ACPA presented Bob with its prestigious “Lifetime Achievement Award” for his outstanding contributions towards the advancement of the concrete pumping industry. He also received the first-ever “Presidential Award” honored by many of the ACPA Past Presidents at the 40th Anniversary Cocktail Reception in 2014. Also this same year, Bob was named the “most influential person in the concrete industry” by Concrete Construction magazine and received the first “Legacy Award” from the World of Concrete.

The ACPA and WOC have both established a “Bob Weatherton ” scholarship fund to keep his legacy alive.  The scholarship will be awarded each year to the person(s) chosen by a panel of industry experts on their presentation of a defined subject matter relating to the improvement and advancement of the concrete construction industry.

Big Bob was one of the most respected and well-loved statesmen of our industry. His legacy of service and dedication will never be forgotten.   

James (Jim) A. Duit

James A. Duit has over 54 years of experience in heavy highway construction through his company Duit Construction Co. Inc., located in Edmond, OK. Jim has been a tireless advocate for increased funding and for high-quality, smooth concrete pavements. In addition to his years of work to innovate and construct concrete pavements, he has served as American Concrete Pavement Association’s chairman of the Board as well as chairman of many technical advisory boards and technical committees, including service which helped in outlining approximately $250 million in needed concrete pavement research. He has led Duit Construction Co., Inc. to receive numerous honors and awards, including 79 National and several State ACPA. Awards for Excellence in Construction of Major Airports and Highways utilizing Portland Cement Concrete in multiple states. Jim was the Co-Winner of the 1996 NOVA Award for the Paradigm-In-Place-Concrete Recycling System. (The NOVA Award captures the spirit of international construction innovations and is the construction industry's Nobel Prize).  The industry is simply better because of Jim’s dedication. Jim was one of five transportation executives who testified before the T&I Committee's oversight hearing, which addressed implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and the importance of infrastructure funding.  Jim’s company motto is: “To be the industry leader in fast, innovative, and safe infrastructure contracting, bringing quality infrastructure to life.”

Richard Long – Lombardo Diamond Core Drilling

Established in 1965 in California by Richard Long, Lombardo Diamond Core Drilling was one of the founding members of the Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association (CSDA) in 1972. Mr. Long is a Past President of CSDA, serving as President in 1993, served as a Board member for many years and was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from CSDA.

Lombardo was a significant innovator in the diamond tooling industry, and developed and patented several specialty pieces of equipment. Long, working with Toolgal, developed the diamond chain saw in 1981. In 1987, Lombardo developed and built their own 30 HP 4-speed electric flat saw for interior cutting. Long also developed and patented a special blade collar for even water distribution for wall saws in 1989. Lombardo was one of the first companies, if not the first, to spin a 72” diamond blade in the industry.

During Mr. Long’s term as CSDA President, he helped to develop and introduce CSDA’s Cutting Edge Training Program that is still a staple for training in the concrete renovation industry.

Lombardo Diamond Core Drilling remains one of the largest concrete cutting businesses on the West Coast, is still family owned and is still an active member of CSDA.

Richard (Rick) Norland, P.E.

Since the late 1970’s, Rick Norland has been a significant influence and contributor to the concrete construction industry, compiling a resume that spans manufacturing, innovation, development and patenting of equipment, starting two successful consulting and engineering firms and serving as President, Board Member and Lead Instructor for the Concrete Sawing & Drilling Association (CSDA). Norland graduated from the University of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering then entered the concrete construction industry with General Electric and Diamond Boart, during which time he patented; Vibration Dampening System for Pavement Grinding Machines, Vacuum Pick Up System for Airport Grinders, Power Transmission Device for Concrete Saws and Torque Transfer System for Concrete Saws.

Norland served as the Lead Instructor for the CSDA Training program for over 30 years and helped to develop the CSDA 101 and 201 Sawing & Drilling Training courses, including Operator Certification, as well as helping to develop the association’s GPR Methods & Theory and GPR Certification courses. He served as President of CSDA in 1998 and was a long-time Board member. He received the CSDA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. Norland started Construction Solutions, an international engineering consulting firm, in 2001. Construction Solutions, now Echo GPR Services, transitioned into providing expert ground penetrating radar (GPR) services. Norland currently serves as a consultant for Echo GPR Services and continues to consult for the CSDA Training Program. 

Kevin & Kraig Baron – Western Saw

In 1930, Western Saw, Inc. started as a repair shop sharpening knives and scissors under the guidance of Waldemar Christian Nielsen. After World War II, Western Saw established themselves as a manufacturer of circular saw blades and band saws. In 1947, Western Saw manufactured their first diamond core. As the years passed, Western Saw created a reputation for itself as a leader in quality, service and performance.

In 1950, a new era began with Frank Baron, the 2nd generation. By 1951 Western Saw was known as the Dado King, with six different Dado designs and a patented Multi Cut Oscillating Dado. Soon after, chrome plating, circular saws and manufacturing square saws had joined the production line. In 1955, Western Saw started producing carbide tipped saws for the hardware and industrial industries. In 1968, Western Saw was once again expanding and patenting the first Hard Face Diamond Core. In the late 70’s and early 80’s, Western Saw started upgrading their machinery, becoming more and more automated. This was the start of the 3rd generation’s leadership, with Kevin and Kraig Baron beginning a new era of innovation and technology. Their first laser purchase came in 1984, which started the journey to becoming the leader in the Diamond Core industry. Today, Western Saw manufactures an extensive line of diamond tooling products including cores, tubes, carbide blanks and custom laser cutting. The company continues the family tradition of excellence, with the 4th generation taking new leadership positions within the company. Western Saw continues to be an active member of the Concrete Sawing & Drilling Association (CSDA) and an innovator in the concrete cutting industry.