May 2002 AGGMAN People

Paul Mellott, right, presented Jim Topper with the Barry K. Wendt award at the NSSGA General Session on March 21.

ARLINGTON, Va.—James G. Topper, president and chief executive officer of NOVA Materials in Gaithersburg, Md., was named recipient of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association’s (NSSGA) Barry K. Wendt Memorial Commitment Award for 2001 for his dedication to the construction aggregate industry, his family and his community.
The award, named for the late Barry K. Wendt, each year goes to an individual or individuals who exemplify leadership and commitment.
“Few people have served their industry and their country as devotedly as Jim Topper,” said Joy Wilson, president and chief executive officer of NSSGA. “Jim richly deserves this high honor and tribute from his colleagues.”
Topper began his career in the aggregate industry, initially with Martin Marietta Aggregates in 1967. From 1974-1990, he worked for Rockville Crushed Stone in Rockville, Md. In 1991, Topper founded NOVA Materials and has been its president since.
Topper began his active involvement in national association activities with the National Crushed Stone Association in 1970 and has continually been an active member of the association throughout his career. He has a rich history of service to the various associations, serving as long-time treasurer of NSSGA and its predecessor association, the National Stone Association.
Topper, who recently announced plans to retire, made his final treasurer’s report to the NSSGA Board of Directors at its March 20, 2002, meeting and received the Wendt Award at the Annual Convention General Session on March 21.

People on the move

AggMan Award Presentation
Bill Sandbrook, president and chief executive officer of Tilcon New York, received the award for the AggMan Professional of the Year for 2001. Therese Dunphy, AggMan’s executive editor, presented the award at the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association’s General Session on March 21 in Las Vegas.

The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA) board of directors elected its new officers at its annual convention in Las Vegas. New officers include the following: Chairman of the Board John B. Green, Standard Gravel Co., Inc.; First Vice Chairman John E. Cramer, Casper Stolle Quarry & Contracting Co.; Second Vice Chairman Stephen P. Zelnak, Jr., Martin Marietta Aggregates; Vice Chairman-at-Large Drew A. Meyer, Vulcan Materials Co.; Secretary William E. Schneider, Knife River Corp.; Treasurer David Wolfe, Wyandot Dolomite, Inc.; Immediate Past Chairman Gregory J. Bush, Linwood Mining & Minerals Corp.; and President and Chief Executive Officer Joy Wilson.
Mac Badgett, III, senior vice president of Vulcan Materials Co. won the Paul E. Phelan Memorial Award. The award is given to a member of the American Road & Transportation Builders Association’s (ARTBA) Materials & Services Division in recognition of outstanding contributions to the association, the M&S Division and the transportation construction industry. The award was presented at ARTBA’s annual meeting in Las Vegas.