ATAS International, Inc. announced ATAS President Dick Bus was granted the Larry A. Swaney Award and ATAS Vice President of Sales Jim Bush was bestowed the Patrick R. Bush Service Award. These awards were given by the Metal Construction Association, Glenview, Ill., during its Annual Meeting in San Diego from Jan. 23-25.

ATAS International, Inc. announced ATAS President Dick Bus was granted the Larry A. Swaney Award and ATAS Vice President of Sales Jim Bush was bestowed the Patrick R. Bush Service Award. These awards were given by the Metal Construction Association, Glenview, Ill., during its Annual Meeting in San Diego from Jan. 23-25.

“I have always believed in supporting the growth of the metal construction industry through the work of the MCA and its affiliated groups,” Bus said. “I am honored to have been recognized with Jim by our colleagues and friends within the industry.”

The eighth annual Larry A. Swaney Award originated in 2002 to honor a person who has worked unselfishly for the success of the MCA and the betterment of the metal construction industry. The award is named after Larry A. Swaney, an association founder and the founding president. Nominees were evaluated on: contributions to the metal construction industry, over and above simply achieving personal and/or business success in the industry; activities bettering the industry through involvement in a leadership capacity of the association; and demonstrated commitment and important contributions to the welfare of the metal construction community.

Bus has almost 20 years of service to the MCA. He first served as a board member in 1992, and his presidential term began in 2005. He was a founder of The Metal Initiative, as well as a founder and the first president of the Metal Roofing Alliance (both affiliate groups of the MCA). For his efforts in the metal construction industry, he won the American Iron and Steel Institute Market Development Industry Leadership Award in 2006.

A nominator said: “Dick has brought tremendous energy and enthusiasm to MCA and to the industry. His sacrificial leadership is a model for us all.” Another added: "It is hard to think of anyone in this industry who has done more to promote the increased use of metal in construction. Dick's hard work and innovative ideas have significantly increased the opportunities for everyone involved in the metal industry.”

The first Patrick R. Bush Service Award was established to honor Pat Bush, longtime MCA board member and past Larry A. Swaney Award winner, who passed away suddenly in 2010. This award recognizes an individual who has recently made significant volunteer contributions to the MCA. Nominees were evaluated on: contributions to the MCA; activities that better the metal construction industry through research, technical programs, market development or METALCON activities; and demonstrated commitment and important contributions to the metal construction industry.

Jim Bush has more than 25 years of experience in the metal roofing and wall panel industry. He is chairman of the MCA Roofing Council, Retrofit Council and Roofing Certification Committee; a member of the RICOWI Wind and Hail Investigation Teams and the Construction Specification Institute; and annual organizer and leader of the Demonstration Area at the MCA trade show, METALCON International. He also regularly speaks at seminars throughout the country.

“For years, Pat was a knowledgeable leader in the metal industry and the MCA,” Jim said. “Beyond that, Pat was a collaborator and friend, and I am touched to be the first recipient of this service award that bears his name.”

One nominator said: “Jim always volunteers when a committee has a project, and he always does it with a positive attitude. When a problem comes up that needs to be resolved, Jim has a unique way of solving it from a different perspective and oftentimes can offer a unique solution.”