In 2018, TCA took a deliberate step to invest in the future of the organization by bringing young leaders into the group to support its continued growth. As the tilt-up industry continues to expand in scale and complexity, its long-term performance depends not only on project execution but on a deliberate approach to developing future leaders. By involving emerging professionals early in their careers, TCA is helping establish a structure for engagement that supports long-term participation and leadership development across the industry.
Emerging professionals gather during the inaugural Tilt-Up Industry Leaders of Tomorrow (TILT) meetings at the Bellagio in Las Vegas in January 2019. The session, facilitated by Emmy Award-winning journalist Beth Malicki, marked the beginning of what would become a long-term leadership development initiative within TCA.
In January 2019, more than 30 young professionals met at World of Concrete to get to know each other and begin forming the Tilt-Up Industry Leaders of Tomorrow (TILT). (For more on the origin of the group, see the original article in Tilt-Up Today.)
In the early years, TCA member companies were asked to identify talented young professionals who could contribute to this initiative and support their participation at TCA Conventions and World of Concrete—thereby establishing an initial pathway for engagement. As with any new group, it took time to organize and establish goals. While the TCA’s Board of Directors remained engaged, they were intentional in allowing the group to develop independently, recognizing that an authentic, self-driven effort would create stronger ownership among participants. By giving TILT the space to define its own direction, the group developed a sense of authorship that has contributed to its enthusiasm and long-term commitment.
Members of the Tilt-Up Industry Leaders of Tomorrow (TILT) Board of Directors gather during a meeting led by TILT President Katt Price at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas on January 21, 2026, during World of Concrete. The meeting reflects the continued growth and organizational development of the group since its formation in 2019.
Today, TILT has evolved into an organized group with its own board, officers, and programs that are led by dedicated champions. One of its most significant accomplishments has been the establishment of a mentorship program. Participation continues to grow, with approximately 40 people attending the TILT meeting at the TCA Convention in Nashville and more than 180 attending the associated social event. At World of Concrete, approximately 75 people attended the Monday night social, including sponsors and mentors, with about 20 professionals participating in the Wednesday afternoon meeting.
Attendees participate in the TILT Expo Eve event held September 31, 2025, in the rotunda of the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee, during the TCA Convention & Expo. The networking activity encouraged participants to connect across companies and experience levels through an interactive bingo-style engagement exercise.
From Participation to Progression
Participation in TILT is centered around consistent engagement at key industry events, including the TCA Convention and World of Concrete, where members connect through meetings, social events, and ongoing dialogue. The addition of a mentorship program has further strengthened this structure, creating opportunities for emerging professionals to engage with more experienced leaders while expanding their exposure to different perspectives across the industry.
TILT’s mission reflects the purpose it has developed over time:
The mission of the TCA’s Tilt-Up Industry Leaders of Tomorrow (TILT) is to cultivate relationships among emerging talent, encourage collaboration to solve industry-related problems, and empower future leaders to better serve the tilt-up industry through social engagement, knowledge-sharing, and mentorship.
This mission aligns with the group’s focus on connection, collaboration, and service, reinforcing its role in strengthening both its members and the industry as a whole.
TILT has faced challenges along the way. Participation requires a time commitment, which can be more difficult for those who are earlier in their careers. Family responsibilities and career transitions, such as changes in employers, can also impact availability. Ultimately, participation is highly dependent on the support of employers.
The impact of this approach is becoming visible. Participation continues to grow across events, and TILT members are increasingly represented within broader industry recognition. Currently, seven participants are identified among the industry’s Top 50 Most Influential Professionals, including one who is in the Top 20. In addition, participants have progressed into leadership roles within their companies and the Association, including being elected to the TCA’s Board of Directors as well as enjoying career advancement and the formation of new businesses—all of which are early indicators of how sustained engagement can contribute to long-term leadership development.
Those in leadership positions are encouraged to support involvement in TILT. There are time commitments beyond attending the TCA Convention and World of Concrete, as well as financial considerations. However, the value gained by both the individual and the company is significant. The relationships that are built and the exposure to a wide range of industry knowledge contribute meaningfully to professional development, which in turn benefits both the company and the tilt-up industry as a whole.
In closing, TCA appreciates all who have participated in TILT, as well as those who have encouraged young professionals to get involved and provided the support needed to make that participation possible. The future of the tilt-up industry is well positioned through the continued development of TILT. As the industry continues to evolve in scale, delivery, and complexity, its ability to innovate will depend not only on systems and methods but also on the people prepared to lead within them.
By Don Greive, PE
CEO, Pinnacle Structural Engineers
Vice President, Tilt-Up Concrete Association
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