The Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) announced the creation of the CRSI Distinguished Service Award and the Institute’s first recipient, Bob Brack.
The CRSI Distinguished Service Award was prompted by Bob Brack’s career-long dedication to both the reinforced concrete industry and the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute. Brack is a business owner and philanthropist who spent nearly 50 years working in rebar with family-owned Barker Steel in Massachusetts. He has also been a past treasurer, executive board member, and president of the CRSI Education & Research Foundation.
Robert Barker Brack graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst in 1960 with a degree in civil engineering. He started working at Barker Steel the next year and assumed leadership of the company in 1976. Under Brack’s leadership, the company grew to 17 locations in 11 states and nearly 600 employees. He sold the business to Harris Rebar in 2007. He retired in 2012.
From the beginning, Brack was heavily involved with the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute, of which Barker Steel is a founding member. His expertise and knowledge of the field has helped CRSI become one of the leading technical resources in the concrete industry. During his tenure as director, the CRSI Education & Research Foundation has handed out thousands of dollars in scholarships and research projects, funding research that advances the use of steel-reinforced concrete in construction.
Award requirements
Adopted by the Board of Directors this year, the award honors individuals or organizations for outstanding dedication, long-term commitment, participation and leadership in CRSI and the concrete reinforcing steel community. Bob Brack was also named by the Board of Directors as an Honorary Member of CRSI.
Starting in the spring of 2013, nominations for the Distinguished Service Award can be submitted to CRSI by any active member. Nominations will be considered each summer by the CRSI Executive Committee and recipients will be acknowledged at the Fall Business and Technical Meeting.
