CHICAGO — The Metal Construction Association (MCA) honored two of its members — Randy Ridenour of Atlas Bolt & Screw and Dale Nelson of Roof Hugger — with volunteer service awards. The Larry A. Swaney Award and the Patrick R. Bush Service Award, respectively, were presented at MCA’s Annual Meeting on Jan. 27 in Clearwater Beach, Fla.

The Larry A. Swaney Award honors one of the MCA’s founders and its first president, who was committed to fostering growth and enhancing the betterment of metal construction. “This year we present this award to someone who has brought significant business acumen to the MCA Board, and has been involved in MCA's long-term success in growing the markets we serve and making sure MCA has always been fiscally responsible: Randy Ridenour of Atlas Bolt & Screw,” said MCA Chair Karl Hielscher during the presentation on Jan. 27.  

Since 2003, this award has been presented to a person who has worked unselfishly for the success of the association and the betterment of the metal construction industry. Past Swaney Award recipients include:

2013: Ted S. Miller

2012: Sid Peterson

2011: Dick Bus 

2010: Patrick R. Bush 

2008: Delbert F. Boring 

2006: Harold Schroth 

2005: Bill Croucher

2004: Sam W. Milnark 

2003: John Mattingly 

Colleagues praised Ridenour for serving as a longtime active member of the MCA Board of Directors and providing ongoing support for all MCA activities throughout the years. He was noted for being a proponent of continuous recruitment of more professionals involved in the association.

One colleague said, “His judgment and recommendations where always taken into consideration, and he made a difference on important issues.”

The Patrick R. Bush Service Award was established to honor Pat Bush, a longtime MCA Board member and past Larry A. Swaney Award winner who passed away suddenly in 2010.  The award recognizes one individual from a member company who has recently made significant volunteer contributions to the Metal Construction Association. “This year we honor a volunteer who has been involved with the METALCON conference for many years and was the longtime chair of the METALCON Liaison Committee for MCA: Dale Nelson of Roof Hugger Inc.,” MCA Chair Hielscher said. Past Bush Award recipients include:

2012: Robert Anderson

2011: Jim Bush

Colleagues commended Nelson for his willingness to volunteer for the METALCON Demo area. “He always puts the association position ahead of personal and organizational gains,” said one nominator. “Dale has excellent organizational skills and is always looking for ways to enhance the METALCON brand among a broader audience.”

The awards presentation took place during the Awards Dinner on Jan. 27 at the MCA 2014 Annual Meeting in Clearwater, Fla. The meeting was attended by more than 125 current members, interested parties and guests. In addition to the presentation of service awards, the meeting focused on elections of officers and board of directors, vital industry discussions within council and committee agendas — especially technical and codes and standards initiatives and market development activities —  a state of the association report, and various networking opportunities.

The Metal Construction Association brings together a diverse industry for the purpose of expanding the use of metal in construction through marketing, research and technology and education. MCA's next national meeting is the 2014 Semi-Annual Meeting, scheduled for June 23-25 at the Westin O'Hare in Rosemont, Ill.

 For more information, visit www.metalconstruction.org.