By Bob Nablo, Director of Industry Services

The 2008 NECSA College & University (C&U) Program Representative of the Year has been awarded to Robert Marek of Roanoke Cement. Robert has been in the cement and concrete industry for 30 years, and with Roanoke Cement for 16 years. Robert is a stellar performer in the NECSA C&U Program, as well as in other NECSA promotional programs such as the NECSA USGBC Chapter Program and with the Virginia Ready Mixed Concrete Advisory Council (VRMCAC).

Robert is the NECSA C&U Representative to the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), where he promotes concrete construction to students by presenting the “Concrete in Construction” program to structural engineering students at the Annual Dinner, and participating in the VMI Career Fair.

Robert is also the NECSA C&U Representative to Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He incorporates NECSA Promotion Partners in his promotion efforts, teaming with Bob Nablo of VRMCAC to attend the Construction Builders Fair at Virginia Tech. Robert handed out PCA College Literature CDs to the faculty and students. Robert Marek and Bob Nablo also attended the grand opening of Bishop-Faverao Hall, which is the new Building Construction Department of Virginia Tech.

Robert’s promotion efforts don’t stop at the C&U program—he is also a star in the NECSA USGBC Chapter Program. Robert was the first rep to host a plant tour for the Southwest Chapter of the USGBC, which was incorporated into the Chapter’s June Meeting. The event had over 60 attendees, and included a reception, several short presentations and the cement plant tour. Its success can be summarized by the remarks from Nell Boyle, Chair of the Southwest Virginia Chapter of the USGBC: “A tour like this allows our members to be exposed to and educated about how plants can modernize and become more green.”

Always going the extra mile, Robert volunteers for many other promotional activities. He is a member of the Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition, and gives pervious concrete presentations to organizations such as the VA Council of Trout Unlimited. NECSA wishes to thank Robert for all his hard work.