Denver, Colo. (December 10, 2024) – 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.”
ABOUT THE CONCRETE MASONRY CHECKOFF
The Concrete Masonry Checkoff (CMC) is an industry funded initiative to support education, research and
promotion of manufactured concrete masonry units in the United States. The Concrete Checkoff Program is
the first-ever Checkoff Program at the Department of Commerce. For more information, visit
