For about eight years, the AltusGroup has been introducing the benefits of carbon reinforcement to the architectural design community. What began as a solution to concrete failure due to steel corrosion in critical anchorages has led to a new approach to structural concrete design. They launched a patented technology platform, seven new products, and a national branded marketing campaign with 800 help lines, technical collateral, a Web site, and structured sales presentations. The AltusGroup is led by chairman Chris Pastorius, Harold Messenger, John Carson, Gary Graziano, and Harry Gleich.

During Patrick Murphy's eight years as president of American PolySteel, he led the insulating concrete form (ICF) manufacturer and the industry, into a new era of green building. PolySteel, Albuquerque, N.M., was the first ICF Energy Star partner and the first ICF system to achieve Cradle to Cradle (C2C) certification—a designation that identifies products that can be completely reused or recycled to reduce waste and maximize the value of materials. PolySteel's Silver C2C certification proved that plastic foam can be used in ICFs without creating an environmental hazard.

Twenty years ago Frank Kozeliski, former owner and president of Gallup Sand & Gravel in Gallup, N.M., concocted a simple concrete mix that didn't require an admixture or fine aggregate to be shipped 150 miles. “Open-grated, no-fines concrete” is what he called it. This discovery is one of concrete's greatest contributions to sustainability. Since then he has spearheaded innovation in other ways: active with the New Mexico Ready Mix Concrete Association, is an ACI fellow, and has been involved with ACI's New Mexico chapter. Last year, he was appointed chairman of NRMCA's Pervious Concrete Promotion subcommittee.

In 1998, Steve Parker became chairman of the ASTM C09.40 subcommittee —the body in charge of ASTM C 94 Standard Specification for Ready-Mixed Concrete. During his tenure, Parker led the committee through several technical challenges, including adopting specification language that enables producers to increase the use of recycled water in batching; including an approach to properly use returned fresh concrete; and provisions that will help producers encourage design engineers to adopt project specifications that are performance-based and ensure quality.

John Chrysler's continuing efforts ensure that masonry construction, especially as it relates to concrete block, remains a preferred building material. For more than 15 years, Chrysler has been leading the effort as the executive director of the Masonry Institute of America (MIA) in Torrance, Calif. Chrysler has provided a persuasive voice in the California building code development effort, supporting masonry by updating the 2007 Masonry Codes and Specifications for California. He promoted the nationalization of the masonry special inspection program, developed by the Masonry Society to help inspectors, engineers, and building officials identify and check key quality assurance masonry construction on the jobsite.