The Concrete Masonry Checkoff (CMC) Board reaffirmed its commitment to driving industry growth by conditionally approving a robust $5.7 million in funding across 27 programs, seven of which were renewals, signaling strong returns in the early stages and an eagerness from the Board to re-invest.   

“We know the importance of staying focused, and over time that probably means putting more dollars  behind fewer initiatives,” said Kim Spahn, CEO, CMC. “But there’s a lot to be said for exploring our options and letting the merits of each program speak for themselves.”  

Part of the vetting process also looks at each program’s potential to become self-funding in the future. “The beauty of the Checkoff is our ability to incubate good ideas that need help getting off the ground,” Spahn  said. “Once programs are established and operating largely independent of CMC, we have the flexibility  to focus on the next big thing.”       

Upon final review by the Department of Commerce (DOC), more than $3 million will be allocated across six national programs, which includes education on building codes, expanded marketing efforts and  growing the soon-to-launch Block Learning Hub. The other half of funding from November will go toward 20 regional programs, including design support and university education and research.   

Each program directly supports one of CMC’s six strategic pillars: marketing and promotion, codes and standards, education and research, concrete masonry outreach, design assistance and educating design professionals.  

Changing of the Guard  

Along with program funding, the Board also discussed the change in leadership coming for 2025. Upon approval from the DOC, January will bring a new Executive Committee for the CMC Board:  

• Chair – Kendall Anderegg   
• Vice Chair – Pat Sauter   
• Treasurer – Rich O’Connor   
• At-large – Erik Absalon, Brendan Quinn  

Major Ogilvie of Ready Mix USA, who helped lead the charge to adopt a national checkoff program and served as the First Chairman of the CMC Board, will remain a trusted voice within the committee as Ex– Officio.   

“I can’t imagine where we would be today as an industry without the foresight and guidance of Major. He truly remains a force,” said Spahn. “We look forward to his keen insight for many years to come.”