The tilt-up industry’s top professionals gathered at the St. Louis Gateway Arch to honor those organizations, people, and projects that have successfully illustrated the variety, beauty, and flexibility of tilt-up construction. The Tilt-Up Awards Gala, sponsored by Nox-Crete Inc. and Fenix Construction Company, occurred during the 2021 Tilt-Up Convention and Expo, which was held in person in St. Louis, Missouri, September 16–18, 2021, and was presented by Concrete Strategies, Leviat, and White Cap. 

“As a construction accessories manufacturer, I feel that the TCA’s Awards Gala is always a terrific opportunity for our company’s employees to see the extraordinary structures our products are being used in,” said Brad Nesset of Leviat. “The creativity and execution of all of the nominated projects, and especially the winners, is a testament to the innovation and dedication that has gone on in the industry over the past twenty years. It has been really exciting to witness.”

Awards presented during this event included the Alphonse Engelman Safety Awards, the Tilt-Up Achievement Awards, and the TCA Professional Awards. We also inducted new members to the TCA College of Fellows. Congratulations to John Hart of Peak Engineering, Tim Manherz of Encore Concrete, David Tomasula of LJB Inc., Andrew McPherson of Seretta Construction, and Frank Adames of Contratistas Civiles y Mecánicos. All of this year’s winners will be featured extensively in the big awards issue of Tilt-Up Today, which will be distributed this winter.

“I love that foreman to vice presidents and manufactures to engineers all gather to celebrate our accomplishments as a progressive industry,” said Cliff Saunders of GluDown. “I believe that the TCA Awards Gala is the pinnacle of the convention and is always a night to remember.”

Attendees dined and listened to live music from St. Louis’s very own Soulard Blues Band the industry’s most impressive applications of the tilt-up method were unveiled. The TCA’s manager for regulatory and technical affairs shared his passion for the TCA’s safety awards program and the extraordinary efforts of the St. Louis Host Committee were celebrated.

In addition to this year’s award-winning projects that were announced, there were very special moments throughout the evening, including the presentation of this year’s David L. Kelly Distinguished Engineer Award to James Williams, president of AE URBIA and J.M. Williams and Associates.

TCA presented Matt McFarland, Ibañez Shaw Architecture, Citadel Contractors, and Hughes General Contractors with prestigious professional honors, recognizing their impactful contributions to the industry.

The TCA said thank you to past president Scott Bunney for his leadership, passion, and dedication to this association. 

Finally, this year’s Peter Courtois Memorial Award (the TCA’s highest honor) was presented to Bob Clark of Clayco.

Next year’s Awards Gala will take place during the 2022 Tilt-Up Convention and Expo in Denver, Colorado.