June 2015 Executive Director’s Blog
Todd Ohlheiser (r) with Senator Cory Gardner (l) at the 2015 Transportation Construction Coalition Fly-In in Washington D.C.
Welcome to the June update for CSSGA. With Memorial Day behind us, summer and warm weather are here. Hopefully everyone is off to a safe start!
On June 16, CSSGA will be holding our annual Summer Golf Tournament at the Redlands Mesa Golf Course in Grand Junction. The following morning our board will meet in Grand Junction, as we continue our efforts in being a truly statewide and effective organization. This gives many to opportunity to see and visit others in the state, while limiting the driving required from the dedicated members on the West Slope. Another action we have taken is to hold board meetings via webinar. This will allow board members to easily follow the agenda items while remaining in remote locations, as we know travel and traffic can be difficult. In the future we plan to do more and more business using this technology where applicable.
Or summer months ahead will remain busy with several exciting activities have developed in our Land Use & Environment Committee. First, on June 19 we will hold our first Industry Roundtable, which includes leadership from Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) Water and Air departments, Division of Reclamation Mining & Safety (DRMS), and the State Engineers Office (SEO). The objective of this roundtable is to engage in proactive and open conversations with these groups and not be on the receiving end after changes occur.
Additionally, we are holding our first Industry Outreach site tour on August 21. This Lunch and Learn program and mine site tour will include federal and state elected officials, along with members of CDPHE, DRMS and SEO leadership. This is our opportunity to educate and explain the importance of our business to these officials, so they take this into consideration with their decisions. While CSSGA is the host, it is in cooperation with the Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association, and the Colorado Ready Mixed Concrete Association, who will both have members on hand. Truly an Industry Outreach.
Lastly, but certainly not least, I need to again mention the unfortunate passing of Gayle Lyman. Gayle was Board President when I first started as the Executive Director for CSSGA. Coming from the business side of the industry, this was my first experience in association work and Gayle was very helpful to me personally. His attention to detail, openness to new ideas, and willingness to try new things were especially helpful to me, and I believe the entire association. I know we will all appreciated and will miss Gayle. Thank you.
Todd R. Ohlheiser
Executive Director
Colorado Stone, Sand & Gravel Association