IGGA Announces Operator of the Year

WEST COXSACKIE, NY - The International Grooving and Grinding Association (IGGA) - a non-profit organization dedicated to serving as the leading promotional and technical resource for acceptance and proper use of diamond grinding and grooving as well as pavement preservation and restoration - has selected Gregg Lyle of the Penhall Company as the winner of their annual Operator of the Year award.

Announced at the IGGA's annual meeting, held in Orlando, Fla. on Nov. 30-Dec. 1, the purpose of this award is to recognize the men and women who work in the field for their leadership with special emphasis on dedication to quality.

According to John Roberts, Executive Director of the IGGA, this award is significant in that it represents the commitment of the men and women in the field who toil in very dangerous conditions, often away from home for weeks at a time.

"Greg has spent the better part of his adult life serving this industry - working his way from the bottom up," said Roberts. "Whether it be overseeing construction operations across the U.S. or training the next generation of diamond grinding machine operators, he has answered the call. Without men and women like this, our industry would cease to exist. He exemplifies the characteristics necessary to be considered for this honor."

Lyle joined the Penhall Company in 1997 as a grinder and slot saw operator. He came to Penhall with more than 15 years of experience in the construction field. He worked his way up to working foreman on the dowel bar retrofit crew, and shortly thereafter became a superintendant. He has supervised all aspects of Penhall's concrete restoration division including the grinding, patching and dowel bar retrofit. According to Dan Iverson, Operations Manager for the Penhall Company, Lyle takes great pride in his work and makes sure everyone is satisfied before he leaves a job.

"Gregg is very deserving of this award and Penhall is proud to have him as a part of our team," said Iverson. "Not only does he work well with everyone on his jobs - from the field to the office to the state officials - those that work for him do so with enthusiasm. If there is a problem, he always handles everything in a fair and impartial manner."