BIA Appoints Board Chairman, Officers

Words: John Smith Jr.BIA Appoints Board Chairman, Officers

The Brick Industry Association (BIA) has elected new leaders including a new chairman, board members and officers. Longtime officer Brett Packer, president, Packer Brick Inc., Garland, Texas, starts a two-year term as BIA chairman after serving as vice chairman. Robert F. Belden, president and CEO, The Belden Brick Co., Canton, Ohio, returns as vice chairman. Sam Strang, president, Alley-Cassetty Companies Inc., Nashville, Tenn., will serve a second term as treasurer. Charles Ward, senior VP and general manager, Hanson Brick, Charlotte, N.C., was named secretary. Immediate past chairman is Dennis Knautz, president and CEO, Acme Brick Co., Fort Worth, Texas.

“We’re indebted to our board and council members’ commitment to BIA’s mission and our shared belief that genuine clay brick delivers the greatest value for sustainable building,” says Gregg Borchelt, BIA’s president and CEO.

BIA’s Distributor Council elected Joe Rice, CEO, Belden Tri-State Building Materials as chairman for two, additional years. Jerry Vinci, executive VP, Illinois Brick Co., returns as vice chairman. Former Vice Chairman Mike Ludden, president of L. Thorn Co. Inc. was appointed treasurer.

BIA’s Manufacturer Council promoted Butch McAvoy, president, McAvoy Brick Co. as chairman, from vice chairman. Davis Henry, vice president at Henry Brick Co. Inc. was named vice chairman. Hebron Brick Co. CEO Rodney Paseka was elected treasurer. All officers support BIA’s mission to increase wall share and to safeguard the clay brick industry.

Contractor Tip of the Month: The Tough Calls That Define a Leader
April 2025

In construction, every project balances a delicate trio: coordination, precision, and timing. However, beyond blueprints and schedules, leadership demands something far greater—the ability to lead and make difficult decisions that shape the future of a co

Fechino Files: Cell Phones
April 2025

Twenty years ago, I would have never thought cell phones would be such a crazy, over-the-top item that everyone has, but I guess I should have known better. When I was a kid, the Citizen Band Radio was a crazy fad. "Breaker-breaker 19," I bet you could he

Marvelous Masonry: Neuschwanstein Castle
April 2025

Neuschwanstein Castle, with its fairy-tale silhouette and dramatic perch atop the Bavarian Alps, stands as one of the most iconic structures in the world. Built in the late 19th century under the vision of King Ludwig II of Bavaria, this architectural mas

Business Building: 5 Steps To Develop Accountability & Responsibility!
April 2025

I bet scheduling crews and dealing with people drives you crazy and keeps you up at night. When I speak at conventions, I often ask construction business owners and managers to tell me what their perfect business would be like. The common answer is a comp