Speakers Bureau
The American Concrete Institute is pleased to provide a roster of speakers who have experience and expertise in specific areas of the concrete industry. The initial roster was created by the ACI Sustaining Members Council. Subsequently, additional speakers not affiliated with a sustaining member company were added.
The purpose of this list is to provide a resource for ACI chapters and other entities to obtain speakers for presentations. ACI is not responsible for the content of the presentations or any financial arrangements associated with the use of this roster.
When using this list, it is important to remember a few simple suggestions:
- Make contact with a potential speaker far enough in advance for the speaker to prepare the presentation and make any necessary travel arrangements. Speakers on this roster have daily obligations to their employers and clients. Scheduling presentations generally must be coordinated with those obligations.
- There may be fees and expenses associated with a speaker's participation such as travel expenses and honoraria. Many chapters present speakers with commemorative gifts.
- Discuss your interests in detail with your potential speaker. The topics portion of the roster gives only a general indication of the speaker's area of expertise. A detailed discussion of your interests will help ensure that the presentation you are expecting will be the presentation given. Be sure to include the speaker's need for special audio/visual and other equipment in your discussion. Also, do not forget to be specific about the length of the presentation.
- Make sure that the invited speaker is escorted properly. Meet the speaker at the airport if he/she is flying in. If the speaker is driving in, consider meeting them and guiding them to the location of the presentation. Secure hotel reservations at an appropriate facility if required. If the speaker is flying out, be sure to get him/her to the airport at least 90 minutes before the flight departs. (Driving a speaker to and from a presentation is a great opportunity to spend time one-on-one with an industry expert.)
- If you are not familiar with a speaker, ask for recent references. By checking references, you can determine if the speaker's style will fit your event.
- Use the reputation of your speaker to generate attendance. Many of these speakers are widely known and will draw attendance with a good event marketing plan. On the day of the event, be sure to get photographs for post-event publicity.
- Solicit evaluations from your attendees. A brief evaluation will help planning for future meetings. Forward a summary of your evaluation to ACI to assist with the reference process. Click here for a sample of an evaluation form.
Should you have questions or comments regarding the Speakers Bureau, please contact Thomas Adams, ACI Manager, Chapter and Student Activities at thomas.adams@concrete.org or (248) 848-3742.
Individuals wishing to be added to the roster should complete the attached form.
Topics and Speakers 
The ACI Speakers Bureau is comprised of experts in specific areas of concrete construction. The following is a listing of the broad areas of expertise. There is more specific information on each speaker's area of knowledge in their Roster contact information.
Codes and Specifications - Speakers in this category will discuss issues ranging from model building codes, code development, current issues in codes, specification development and improvement, and performance specifications.
- Darrell F. Elliot
- Ross Martin
- Kenneth B. Rear
- Stephen V. Skalko
- Stephen S. Szoke
Concrete Materials/Mix Designs - Selecting the proper materials for the intended use, proper proportioning, mix optimization, and proper use of cement, cementitious materials, and admixtures are discussed by this group.
- Keith Bargaheiser
- Darrell F. Elliot
- Thomas H. Fox
- Thomas M. Greene
- Ross Martin
- Kenneth B. Rear
- Peter Taylor
Contracting Issues - What are some of the challenges faced by concrete contractors? How do successful contractors resolve conflicts between drawings and specifications? Are there processes used by contractors to minimize constructability problems while meeting aggressive schedules? These speakers will discuss their experiences and suggestions for approaching challenging projects and conflict resolution.
- Daniel L. Baker
- Ross Martin
Durability - How is "durability" defined? Permeability, freeze/thaw resistance, abrasion resistance, corrosion, and alkali silica reactivity are just some of the challenges discussed by these speakers.
- Peter Taylor
- Jerzy Zemajtis
Pavements - Concrete pavements present a unique set of challenges. The speaker in this field will discuss the delicate balance between aggressive schedules, concrete durability, and sustainability.
Repair and Rehabilitation - There are a wide variety of techniques for repairing and rehabilitating concrete. Speakers in this category will discuss the variety of products and processes for extending the service life of a concrete structure.
- Peter Emmons
- Kevin Michols
- Jerzy Zemajtis
Shotcrete - This method of installing concrete has been used for 100 years yet is still unknown in some regions. This group of experts will discuss the advantages of using this method for projects ranging from tunneling and mining to refractory installations to waterparks and zoos for both new construction and rehabilitation.
- Daniel Journeaux
- Dudley R. Morgan
Slabs and Flooring Systems - Slabs on grade and supported slabs require special consideration. Designs, specifications, and constructability issues will be covered by these speakers.
- Howard Kanare
- Scott M. Tarr
Special Applications - Concrete and cement-based products can be used for more than just slabs and walls. These speakers will discuss special applications such as aerated and autoclaved concretes, concrete pipe construction and lining, controlled low strength materials (CLSM), insulating concrete forms, interlocking concrete pavements, mass concrete, and roller compacted concrete (RCC).
- Wayne Adaska
- Robert J. Burak
- Adrian Ciolko
- John Gajda
- David R. Smith
- David Shepherd
Structural Design - Challenges faced by structural engineers will be discussed by these speakers. ACI 318, 301, and other codes and specifications plus tools to assist with structural design are the focus of this group.
- Attila Beres
- Armin Mehrabi
- Michael C. Mota
- Basile G. Rabbat
- Amy M.R. Trygestad
Sustainability - What is the LEED process? How does concrete fit into the LEED process? What is the definition of "sustainability"? Why is this topic so important in today's construction industry? The expert speakers listed will answer these and other important questions.
- Thomas H. Fox
- David Shepherd
- Martha VanGeem
Testing and Evaluation - Hardened and plastic concrete properties are identified by a wide variety of tests. Which tests are the most accurate? What new tests are being developed? What does the test result really mean? After selecting the appropriate method to determine concrete properties, how are these properties evaluated? Speakers in this category will address these questions and suggest methods for selecting and performing the most appropriate tests to obtain the desired information.
- Ronald G. Burg
- Jeff Garrett
- John Roller
- Ronald Sturm
- Tom Weinmann
- Jerzy Zemajtis
Troubleshooting - When is a problem really a problem? These experts will discuss the troubleshooting process from identifying the scope of the problem to identifying the method(s) of investigation to options for correcting the problem.
- Kevin Michols
- George Seegebrecht
Speakers Bureau Roster
| Wayne Adaska |
| Affiliation: |
PCA |
| Telephone: |
847.972.9056 |
| Fax: |
847.972.9057 |
| E-mail: |
wadaska@cement.org |
| Geographic availability: |
call |
| Topics: |
RCC, CLSM |
| Daniel L. Baker |
| Affiliation: |
Baker Concrete Construction |
| Telephone: |
513.539.4001 |
| Fax: |
513.539.4253 |
| E-mail: |
bakerd@bakerconcrete.com |
| Geographic availability: |
North America |
| Topics: |
contractor/ACI relations; commercial and industrial concrete construction |
| Keith Bargaheiser |
| Affiliation: |
ISG Resources, Inc. |
| Telephone: |
419.842.8084 |
| Fax: |
419.841.8094 |
| E-mail: |
kbargaheiser@isgresources.com |
| Geographic availability: |
Midwest U.S. |
| Topics: |
fly ash utilization |
| Attila Beres |
| Affiliation: |
PCA |
| Telephone: |
310.476.9941 |
| Fax: |
310.476.9972 |
| E-mail: |
attila.beres@verizon.net |
| Geographic availability: |
Western U.S. |
| Topics: |
structural design |
| Robert J. Burak |
| Affiliation: |
Interlocking Conc. Pavt. Institute |
| Telephone: |
905.639.7682 |
| Fax: |
905.639.8955 |
| E-mail: |
rburak@icpi.org |
| Geographic availability: |
U.S. and Canada |
| Topics: |
design and construction of interlocking concrete pavements |
| Ronald G. Burg |
| Affiliation: |
CTL |
| Telephone: |
847.972.3050 |
| Fax: |
847.965.6541 |
| E-mail: |
rburg@ctlgroup.com |
| Geographic availability: |
call |
| Topics: |
measuring strength in cores and in high-strength concrete |
| Adrain Ciolko |
| Affiliation: |
CTL |
| Telephone: |
847.972.3054 |
| Fax: |
847.965.6542 |
| E-mail: |
aciolko@ctlgroup.com |
| Geographic availability: |
call |
| Topics: |
concrete pipeline construction and repair |
| Darrell F. Elliot |
| Affiliation: |
Lone Star Industries |
| Telephone: |
504.613.6427 |
| Fax: |
985.652.1340 |
| E-mail: |
delliot@lonestarind.com |
| Geographic availability: |
Southeast and Midwest U.S. |
| Topics: |
specifications and optimization of mix designs |
| Peter Emmons |
| Affiliation: |
Structural Group |
| Telephone: |
410.850.7000 |
| Fax: |
410.850.4111 |
| E-mail: |
pemmons@structural.net |
| Geographic availability: |
call |
| Topics: |
repair and rehabilitation, post-tensioning |
| Thomas A. Fox |
| Affiliation: |
ISG Resources, Inc. |
| Telephone: |
206.575.2046 |
| Fax: |
206.575.1029 |
| E-mail: |
fox@isgresources.com |
| Geographic availability: |
Western U.S. |
| Topics: |
fly ash utilization, LEED process |
| John Gajda |
| Affiliation: |
CTL |
| Telephone: |
847.972.3140 |
| Fax: |
847.965.6541 |
| E-mail: |
jgajda@ctlgroup.com |
| Geographic availability: |
U.S. and Canada |
| Topics: |
mass concrete in dams, bridges, and foundations |
| Jeff Garrett |
| Affiliation: |
CTL |
| Telephone: |
847.972.3210 |
| Fax: |
847.965.6545 |
| E-mail: |
jgarrett@ctlgroup.com |
| Geographic availability: |
call |
| Topics: |
forensic investigation of structures |
| Thomas M. Greene |
| Affiliation: |
Lone Star Industries |
| Telephone: |
901.309.2172 |
| Fax: |
901.309.1925 |
| E-mail: |
TGREENE@lonestarind.com |
| Geographic availability: |
Southeast and Midwest U.S. |
| Topics: |
portland cement and slag cement technology |
| Daniel Journeaux |
| Affiliation: |
Janod Inc. |
| Telephone: |
450.455.1223 |
| Fax: |
450.424.2614 |
| E-mail: |
daniel@janod.biz |
| Geographic availability: |
U.S. and Canada |
| Topics: |
shotcrete applications in slope stabilization |
| Howard Kanare |
| Affiliation: |
CTL |
| Telephone: |
847.972.3316 |
| Fax: |
847.965.6547 |
| E-mail: |
hkanare@ctlgroup.com |
| Geographic availability: |
call |
| Topics: |
moisture in concrete slabs |
| Ross Martin |
| Affiliation: |
Ross Martin Consultants |
| Telephone: |
239.594.8150 |
| Fax: |
239.594.8569 |
| E-mail: |
MARTINR379@aol.com |
| Geographic availability: |
call |
| Topics: |
concrete materials and specifications |
| Armin Mehrabi |
| Affiliation: |
CTL |
| Telephone: |
847.972.3184 |
| Fax: |
847.965.6549 |
| E-mail: |
amehrabi@ctlgroup.com |
| Geographic availability: |
call |
| Topics: |
FRP reinforcement |
| Kevin Michols |
| Affiliation: |
CTL |
| Telephone: |
847.972.3062 |
| Fax: |
847.965.6550 |
| E-mail: |
kmichols@ctlgroup.com |
| Geographic availability: |
call |
| Topics: |
evaluation and restoration of concrete structures |
| Dudley R (Rusty) Morgan |
| Affiliation: |
AMEC Earth & Environmental |
| Telephone: |
604.294.3811 |
| Fax: |
604.294.4664 |
| E-mail: |
rusty.morgan@amec.com |
| Geographic availability: |
North America |
| Topics: |
shotcrete applications, design, testing, and evaluation |
| Michael C. Mota |
| Affiliation: |
PCA |
| Telephone: |
856.629.9673 |
| Fax: |
856.629.8236 |
| E-mail: |
mmota@cement.org |
| Geographic availability: |
Eastern U.S. |
| Topics: |
concrete framing systems, design techniques |
| Basile G. Rabbat |
| Affiliation: |
PCA |
| Telephone: |
847.972.9092 |
| Fax: |
847.972.9063 |
| E-mail: |
brabbat@cement.org |
| Geographic availability: |
U.S. and Canada |
| Topics: |
ACI 318, concrete bridge design |
| Kenneth B. Rear |
| Affiliation: |
Heidelberg Technology Center |
| Telephone: |
770.840.9855 |
| Fax: |
253.498.2560 |
| E-mail: |
krear@htcnam.com |
| Geographic availability: |
U.S. |
| Topics: |
concrete specifications, P2P |
| John Roller |
| Affiliation: |
CTL |
| Telephone: |
847.972.3178 |
| Fax: |
847.965.6551 |
| E-mail: |
jroller@ctlgroup.com |
| Geographic availability: |
call |
| Topics: |
structural testing of bridge components |
| George Seegebrecht |
| Affiliation: |
CTL |
| Telephone: |
847.972.3320 |
| Fax: |
847.965.6552 |
| E-mail: |
gseegebrecht@ctlgroup.com |
| Geographic availability: |
U.S. and Canada |
| Topics: |
troubleshooting concrete and shotcrete construction |
| David Shepherd |
| Affiliation: |
PCA |
| Telephone: |
847.972.9070 |
| Fax: |
847.972.9071 |
| E-mail: |
dshepherd@cement.org |
| Geographic availability: |
U.S.and Canada |
| Topics: |
sustainability; insulating concrete form technology |
| Stephen V. Skalko |
| Affiliation: |
PCA |
| Telephone: |
478.477.5028 |
| Fax: |
478.474.3520 |
| E-mail: |
ssakalko@cement.org |
| Geographic availability: |
Southeast U.S. |
| Topics: |
building codes |
| David R. Smith |
| Affiliation: |
Interlocking Conc. Pavt. Institute |
| Telephone: |
202.712.9036 |
| Fax: |
202.408.0285 |
| E-mail: |
dsmith@icpi.org |
| Geographic availability: |
North America |
| Topics: |
design and construction of interlocking concrete pavements |
| Ronald Sturm |
| Affiliation: |
CTL |
| Telephone: |
847.972.3124 |
| Fax: |
847.965.6553 |
| E-mail: |
rsturm@ctlgroup.com |
| Geographic availability: |
call |
| Topics: |
petrography |
| Stephen S. Szoke |
| Affiliation: |
PCA |
| Telephone: |
847.972.9078 |
| Fax: |
847.972.9079 |
| E-mail: |
sszoke@cement.org |
| Geographic availability: |
U.S. |
| Topics: |
building codes and state and local advocacy programs |
| Peter Taylor |
| Affiliation: |
CTL |
| Telephone: |
847.972.3170 |
| Fax: |
847.965.6541 |
| E-mail: |
ptaylor@ctlgroup.com |
| Geographic availability: |
call |
| Topics: |
concrete durability; supplementary cementing materials |
| Scott M. Tarr |
| Affiliation: |
CTL |
| Telephone: |
847.972.3230 |
| Fax: |
847.965.6541 |
| E-mail: |
starr@ctlgroup.com |
| Geographic availability: |
call |
| Topics: |
design, construction, and troubleshooting of concrete slabs |
| Shiraz D. Tayabji |
| Affiliation: |
CTL |
| Telephone: |
410.997.0400 |
| Fax: |
410.997.8480 |
| E-mail: |
stayabji@ctlgroup.com |
| Geographic availability: |
call |
| Topics: |
concrete pavement technologies-best practices/new developments |
| Amy M.R. Trygestad |
| Affiliation: |
PCA |
| Telephone: |
952.758.1958 |
| Fax: |
952.758.1957 |
| E-mail: |
atrygestad@cement.org |
| Geographic availability: |
Midwest and Central U.S. |
| Topics: |
structural design |
| Martha VanGeem |
| Affiliation: |
CTL |
| Telephone: |
847.972.3156 |
| Fax: |
847.965.6541 |
| E-mail: |
mvangeem@ctlgroup.com |
| Geographic availability: |
call |
| Topics: |
LEED and sustainability |
| Tom Weinmann |
| Affiliation: |
CTL |
| Telephone: |
847.972.3280 |
| Fax: |
847.965.6541 |
| E-mail: |
tweinmann@ctlgroup.com |
| Geographic availability: |
call |
| Topics: |
instrumenting concrete structures |
| Jerzy Zemajtis |
| Affiliation: |
CTL |
| Telephone: |
847.972.3150 |
| Fax: |
847.965.6541 |
| E-mail: |
jzemajtis@ctlgroup.com |
| Geographic availability: |
call |
| Topics: |
corrosion of steel in concrete |
Topics and Speakers