George Barney Retires from PCA

Words: George Barney, Brian McCarthy, Jay Gleason, Ron DeLeenheerGeorge Barney, senior vice president for market development and technical services for the Portland Cement Association (PCA), retired May 1, 2008.

Barney, who has been with PCA since 1970, oversaw PCA’s six market promotion programs, as well as its research and development, education and training, market research, and building codes activities.

"When I started at PCA last November, it quickly became apparent that George had a positive influence on many issues stretching way beyond his job description," said Brian McCarthy, PCA’s CEO and president. "His leadership was instrumental in several industry and association initiatives during the past two decades."

Barney started as a research engineer in PCA’s R&D laboratory. He transferred to the Market Development Group in 1978 where he held a number of positions leading to his final role as senior vice president. During his tenure, under the leadership of President Jay Gleason, PCA’s membership increased from 57 percent of eligible cement companies to its current 98 percent.

"PCA has always been the guide for the industry in large part due to the leadership of its members," Barney said. "We are blessed with dedicated members committed to doing the right thing. I am proud that I had the opportunity to be part of the industry and the association."

"A person of integrity, George has always had the cement and concrete industry interests at heart and we have truly been the beneficiaries," said Ron DeLeenheer, member of the PCA Board of Directors and vice president of marketing for the midwest division of Ash Grove Cement Company. "George Barney strove for the best for every individual, cement firm, trade association, and industry stakeholder. Those who have had the opportunity to work alongside George are much better for the experience."

Barney has received numerous accolades for his activities and service. He was awarded the T.Y. Lin Award of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Martin P. Korn Award of the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, both for his paper titled Behavior and Design of Prestressed Concrete Beams with Large Web Openings. He is also a recipient of the American Concrete Institute’s Henry L. Kennedy Award.

He is a member of several professional organizations including the American Concrete Institute, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Society for Testing and Materials, the Construction Specifications Institute, and the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute.

Barney is a graduate of Tufts University with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering, and of Northwestern University with Master of Science and Ph.D degrees. As an engineer officer in the United States Marine Corp he served in Vietnam, attaining the rank of captain and earning the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V."

George Barney Retires from PCA

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