The year 2000 is a proud year for the Concrete Foundations Association. It marks CFA's 25th anniversary. This summer's conference will highlight the history of the organization, including an exhibit and a presentation honoring founders and past presidents.

Dennis “Hap” Anderson, Jack Boarman, Larry Clark, Charlie Jones, Chilton “Stub” Hedrick, Owen Wright, Bob Sawyer, Ed Bates, Everette Case, John “Bucky” Weaver, Ervin “Buck” Sweet, and Robert “Buck” Bartley are credited as being the founders of the association since all were present at one of the first two meetings. Each of them contributed significantly of their time, talent, and finances to the association, and several are still involved as members and leaders of the organization.

The idea for an organization came to fruition in December, 1974 in Lansing, Michigan when Bob Sawyer, Larry Clark, and Charlie Jones were having dinner. As they discussed ways to help their industry, they talked about the idea of an association for poured wall contractors. They thought this idea had potential so they all agreed to meet again.

On January 16, 1975, Sawyer, Clark, and Jones met with Dennis Anderson, Jack Boarman, Chilton Hedrick, Earl Wildenberg, Owen Wright, and Attorney Samuel Goldman, in Chicago, Illinois at the O'Hare Inn for their first poured wall contractor conference. Each member paid his own way and shared the cost of the conference room. At the beginning of the first meeting, Bob Sawyer explained to the attending members how the idea for an association came about as well as the purpose of the meeting. There were many unanswered questions. They wondered how many poured wall contractors were in the United States at the time? Should they be an associated with the National Ready-Mix Association? What defines a poured wall contractor?

After defining a poured wall contractor as one who owned a set of residential or commercial forms, the members estimated that there were approximately 3000 wall contractors in the USA. This number brought them to the realization that even if only a small portion of that number shared similar interests, they would have a very promising beginning. The group agreed that they should contact the National Ready-Mix Association but not until they had at least 30 members and were legally organized.

The founders then outlined the reasons for having a poured wall association. They came up with at least 20 good reasons. It became apparent that one important reason was that members could exchange ideas through conversations at meetings and through newsletter articles. This activity has formed the backbone of the organization as those who attend the summer and winter meetings can attest. Later, the minutes, which included this outline of 20 reasons, were offered to prospective members in hopes that they would join the association.

The next item of business was to determine a name for their newly established organization. After several suggestions, the members agreed to call the organization the National Poured Wall Association. They established February 10, 1975 as the date for their next meeting at the same location. In an effort to become more geographically representative, each attending member was designated a region or city in which to contact a contractor.

At the second meeting the number of members grew to sixteen and included, John Weaver, Dennis Anderson, Ed Bates, Jack Boarman, Everett Case, Larry Clark, Chilton Hedrick, Richard Hutchins, Charlie Jones, Erwin Sweet, Richard Ritzema, Gene Rumpza, Bob Sawyer, Owen Wright, and Attorney Samuel Goldman.

The meeting began with an inspiring discussion of the 20 reasons for having an organization. After this discussion, attorney Sam Goldman, presented the proposed Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws to the group and explained that it was best for the association to be incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware because it would offer the association maximum flexibility to govern itself. The group unanimously accepted the agreement. In accordance with the Bylaws, the association then elected five officers, including a president, two vice-presidents, a secretary, and a treasurer. Larry Clark was the first president. Other officers included—Owen Wright, Jack Boarman, Bob Sawyer, and Everette Case.

At this meeting, the members decided the original name for the association, National Poured Wall Association, should be revised. Attendees gave several other suggestions finally agreeing upon Poured Concrete Wall Contractors of America, Inc. (PCWCA). The first PCWCA general membership meeting was held in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 24, 1975.

The core group was now established and within three years, PCWCA had grown to almost 50 members. That number has continued to grow and now includes nearly 300 members from the USA and Canada. The name of the association was changed in 1990 to the Concrete Foundations Association. In 1998 the name was expanded to include the words “of North America” to reflect the inclusion of Canadian members.

Thanks to the founders of this association, poured wall contractors have a successful and influential association that has helped to set standards of performance and provided a forum for exchanging ideas. The CFA has become a strong voice in the concrete industry. The poured wall industry is indebted to these founders for their efforts, foresight, and dedication.