By Mitch Bloomquist

After decades of service to the Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) and the broader concrete industry, James Baty, FACI, FTCA, officially retired from the TCA on January 1, 2025. His career has been defined by technical excellence, industry leadership, and a deep commitment to education, leaving an undeniable impact on the profession and those he mentored along the way.

A Career Shaped by Innovation

With a bachelor of architecture from Iowa State University, Baty’s early work focused on thermal efficiency and energy performance in building systems. His tenure at Composite Technologies Corporation (Thermomass) as technical services manager laid the foundation for many of the innovations he would go on to champion. While there, he developed thermal design and engineering tools, including isothermal planes analysis programs, demonstrating the advantages of mass construction in meeting ASHRAE 90.1 energy standards.

His groundbreaking thermal research, including collaborations with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), led to full-scale thermal testing of insulated concrete sandwich panels. His work further examined cold-weather curing behaviors, blast resistance of concrete panels, and the performance of insulated wall systems. Through extensive modeling and field testing, Baty helped shape modern energy-efficient concrete design methodologies.

Leadership in Codes, Standards, and Technical Committees

Baty’s commitment to advancing industry standards led to 20+ years of service with the American Concrete Institute (ACI) as secretary for ACI 551 – Tilt-Up Concrete Construction and ACI C-650 – Tilt-Up Certification. His contributions helped shape code compliance, certification programs, and best practices for tilt-up professionals worldwide. His leadership extended beyond ACI to organizations such as:

• The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
• Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)
• Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI)
• Georgia/Carolina Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (GCPCI)
• Alliance for Concrete Codes & Standards (ACCS) (where he served as president and treasurer)
• Concrete and Masonry Related Associations Executive Council (CAMRA) (where he served on the executive council and as chair for one term)

An Unwavering Commitment to Education

Beyond his research and leadership in codes and standards, Baty’s greatest impact may be in his role as an educator. Whether through conference presentations, certification programs, or hands-on industry guidance, he spent decades shaping the next generation of tilt-up professionals.

As technical director for the TCA, he was instrumental in developing and delivering certification programs, leading educational seminars, and guiding discussions through the TCA Cyber Roundtable. His ability to translate complex technical principles into practical applications made him one of the most sought-after voices in the industry.

Over the years, his presentations on best construction practices, energy performance, architectural creativity, and cold-weather concrete performance reached international audiences at

• World of Concrete;
• a myriad of state, national, and international association conventions; and
• architectural, engineering, and code official regional events.

Baty’s coauthorship of The Construction of Tilt-Up, a comprehensive resource for professionals at every stage of their careers, further solidified his role as a knowledge leader. His impact as an educator was formally recognized in 2019 when he was elevated to the TCA College of Fellows, one of the highest honors the Association can bestow.

A Lasting Legacy and a New Chapter

Throughout his career, Jim Baty has embodied the best of the tilt-up industry—a relentless pursuit of technical advancement, a passion for education, and a commitment to community. His leadership at the TCA, his decades of service to ACI and other technical committees, and his work on energy-efficient construction methods have left a permanent impact on the industry.

In addition to his work with the TCA, Baty also served as technical director, and later transitioned to executive director, for the Concrete Foundations Association (CFA). As part of his path to ordained ministry, he is currently assisting the CFA’s transition to new leadership, ensuring continuity for an organization he has helped guide for many years.

His skills—and his dedication to service, ability to teach and inspire, and enduring leadership—will undoubtedly continue to shape lives in new ways.

The Tilt-Up Concrete Association, the College of Fellows, and the entire industry thank Jim for his decades of leadership and wish him well in this next chapter. His legacy will remain woven into the fabric of tilt-up construction, ensuring that the principles he championed continue to guide the industry forward. As James Baty steps into the next chapter of his life, his impact on the tilt-up industry and the TCA community is undeniable. In recognition of his decades of leadership, innovation, and mentorship, members of the TCA College of Fellows have shared their reflections on his contributions, influence, and the lasting legacy he leaves behind.

“Jim Baty joined the staff of the Tilt-Up Concrete Association in 2001. The timing was fortunate for both parties. The TCA was growing, gaining membership, financial stability, and credibility in the concrete industry. Jim became a key member of the executive team that, along with board members, solidified the association’s culture and goals. The course they fostered has driven the remarkable successes we enjoy today. Early on, Jim took charge of the TCA certification [program], a critical program in establishing and strengthening tilt-up industry credibility. Jim is a great friend, always available to answer questions and always with an infectious ‘can-do’ attitude. He will be missed! All the best to Jim as he focuses his many talents on a new, challenging career.” 

—Bob Foley, FTCA

“Jim and I grew up together in the industry, beginning our careers at Composite Technologies (Thermomass). We both learned tremendously from each other, Bob Long and Ed Sauter, and, of course, our customers. One specific customer that comes to mind is Dan Nyce, who was the head of Oldcastle Modular Group then. Jim and I flew to Pennsylvania to present him and his team. We launched into our presentation citing the benefits of mass effect and the labor savings. . . . After we were done, Dan Nyce stood and said that was very informative, but you forgot one thing. Jim and I both looked at him perplexed. Dan further elaborated [by saying] you should always start a meeting/presentation by thanking your customers/your audience. For me, that was a lifelong lesson. So, before I go any further, Jim Baty—THANK YOU. Thank you for being a voice of the industry. Thank you for your numerous contributions, analytics, certification, and awards ceremony expansion. Most importantly, thank you for leading by example and having empathy and perspective. Jim was/is a team player. Always willing to educate and guide others. It seems only fitting that this next step is to continue that calling through faith. Godspeed Jim Baty.” —Kimberly J. Corwin, FTCA

“Jim has done so much for our industry. Education classes and ACI certification have been one of Jim’s passions over the years. Everybody who is reading this has sat through an educational piece that has helped them do what they do better. He has always been there to assist a fellow member with a new solution or to help dig them out of a problem. Jim is always on the forefront of innovation and taking tilt-up to a higher place. Thanks for being there for me and the entire industry for so many years. Please don’t change phone numbers because we will always have the need to call you. Thank you, Jim!” —Tim Manherz, FTCA

“Jim has devoted much of his life to serving our industry, from his role as a technical sales representative for Thermomass to his time as the technical director for both the TCA and CFA. Now, he feels the calling to extend his service to everyone. Over the decades, I’ve watched Jim command the room, challenge us to think more deeply, and always engage with kindness in even the most spirited debates. His infectious grin, firm handshakes, and warm chuckle have touched the lives of many, offering a sense of calmness and honesty that makes others feel welcome. Jim’s presence continues to embrace new friends while providing steady reassurance to those he’s known for years. I am grateful and blessed to have such a dear and caring friend.” —Shawn Hickey, FTCA

“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Jim for over 30 years, beginning back when he was with Composite Technologies. He has always been a friend and a great resource for technical information on designing and building with concrete. His long-standing commitment to the tilt-up industry through the TCA and ACI has been instrumental in helping advance the industry to where it is today. Jim’s knowledge and expertise will be missed by all. I would like to personally recognize and thank Jim for his many years of service to the concrete industry and wish him all the best as he begins the transition into the ordained ministry.” —Joe Steinbicker, FTCA

“I have known and considered Jim a friend for almost 30 years. Seretta was a member of the TCA for a very short time, within a few years of the TCA coming into existence, but at that time the TCA was struggling for membership and was trying to find its footing and we didn’t really see it as anything beneficial for Seretta. Jim was the one who reached out to me in the ’90s and encouraged us to get reinvolved in the TCA. Jim assured me that if we got reinvolved, it would benefit us both. While we didn’t immediately buy his pitch, he was persistent, and we rejoined. He could not have been more accurate. He was such a vocal believer in what the TCA could potentially become that it was hard not to believe it too.

Jim has always been the consummate professional whether it is greeting people at the TCA conventions, working the TCA booth at the World of Concrete, teaching and testing the ACI Tiltwall Supervisor Certification courses, giving a presentation, introducing speakers, or moderating panel discussions. I have been a part of numerous panels in which Jim was the moderator, and he has an innate ability to keep the panel discussion moving forward and constantly shifting to a wide array of topics so the audience remains engaged. All of this is much harder than it sounds, but Jim makes it all look seamless.

I just completed a six year term as the chairman of ACI 551 Tilt-Up Construction and Design Committee. Jim was secretary for my entire two terms and, to be honest, he made it so much easier. He took on so many things that I never asked him to do (though I am so thankful he did). Jim is is just an ‘old school’ doer. All of the young professionals in the TILT group should take note of this type of work ethic. I will miss Jim at our ACI meetings and TCA meetings (not to mention his soothing CBS Sunday Morning ringtone on his phone, which was always a relaxing feel in our early Sunday morning ACI meetings). Thanks for everything you have done, and you will be missed, my friend. Good luck with your future endeavors.” 

—Andrew McPherson, FTCA