Ryan Suszek, Besser Company Vice President – Pipe & Precast, awarded Joe Pelica, the first $2500 Besser Pipe Industry Scholarship. Pelica is a second year Mechanical Engineering Technology student at Delta College in Bay City, Michigan. The presentation was made during the ACPA Annual Meeting in Hilton Head, SC.
A five-member committee, consisting of an ACPA staff member, two ACPA board members and two Besser representatives carefully considered the qualifications of all 32 scholarship applicants before selecting Pelica. In addition to being a motivated part-time student, Joe holds a full time position in production with ACPA member company, Northern Concrete Pipe. He is a doting father and active community volunteer.
In his application Joe stated, “I firmly believe education as well as a good work ethic are two of the most important things a person can bring to the table in this or any industry.” “This comment speaks directly to two of the fundamental tenants that have made, and will continue to make, our industry stronger in the future,” commented Kevin Curtis, Besser Company President & CEO.
“Besser Company’s commitment to education spans most of the 113 years that we have been in business. We are excited to continue our leadership role in addressing the ongoing need for securing talent for our industry by offering this scholarship,” shared Suszek in his comments during the presentation. He continued, “based upon the response and the obvious ongoing need for financial support for students, Besser will be offering the scholarship on an ongoing basis and encourages other companies to show their support as well.”
“The scholarship, established with the ACPA Foundation, was created by the employee-owners of Besser Company in recognition of the American Concrete Pipe Association’s (ACPA) annual National Concrete Pipe week in 2016,” explained Gary Ericson, Director of Sales – Pipe and Precast and an ACPA Board Member.
Matt Childs, former ACPA President remarked, “Besser has been a huge supporter of ACPA from the beginning and we are thrilled to partner with them in helping a worthy student further his education.”
ACPA’s new President, Russell Tripp says, “I am so proud to be part of an Association where member companies like Besser invest in the future of employees in our industry who want to pursue higher education.”
About Besser Company
Trusted since 1904, Besser Company is recognized as the leader for quality concrete products equipment and parts for the masonry, hardscape, pipe and precast markets of the industry. Besser products are designed, manufactured, and wholly supported by a team of talented employees whose passion for concrete is matched only by the customers we serve. Producers in over 130 countries have
selected Besser as their industry partner, confident in our legacy of engineering and manufacturing innovative, high-quality, durable production systems while providing continuous support and training for the concrete products industry. For more information: www.besser.com;
About National Concrete Pipe Week
Concrete Pipe Week recognizes the importance of the reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) and precast products industry to our nation’s infrastructure, the importance of the industry to our economic well-being, and the substantial contribution of the individuals in the concrete pipe and precast concrete products industry to the health, safety, welfare and quality of life of our citizens and states.
Concrete Pipe Week is a time to recognize the contributions of ACPA’s associate members; steel producers, form producers, casting producers, the trucking industry, sand and rock producers, cement producers, contractors, academia and everyone associated with the buried infrastructure industry and the products this industry requires. For more information: www.concretepipe.org; www.concretepipe.org/education/besser-scholarship/
Additional Information: Besser Company, Terri Grulke, Director of Corporate Advertising, +1.989.906.1448, tgrulke@besser.com
Ryan Suszek (left) proudly presents Joe Pelica (right) with the first Besser Pipe Scholarship. It is truly a privilege to provide funds for education to those that share our passion for concrete pipe!