Robert D. Sawyer Award

The Robert D. Sawyer Award, named on behalf of Bob Sawyer, the first Executive Director of the CFA, is the most prestigious recognition offered to a member of the concrete foundation industry whose contributions to the industry merit recognition. The award recognizes individuals who give tirelessly of their time and resources to serve the industry. "Bob Sawyer took the helm of the Association when it was first chartered in 1974 and served for nearly thirty years ensuring a sound platform for contractors to come together for learning, strategy and the understanding that in a challenging industry they are never alone," states former Executive Director and past recipient, Ed Sauter.

The award is presented on occasions when the industry identifies an individual that characterizes or embodies the spirit of both the Association and the rich legacy offered by the individuals who have followed the precedent set by Sawyer. This characterization is considered generally by two criteria; 1) depth of involvement as a leader in the Association, and 2) contributions to the CFA cause.

Previous winners of the Robert D. Sawyer Award include:

2023
Bruce Neale, Modern Foundations

2019
Arie Van Wyk, Van Wyks, Inc. (Waldo, WI)

2018
Bill Esker, J.B. Esker & Sons (Teutopolis, IL) - Awarded Posthumously

2014
Doug Staebler, Chief Financial Officer at Custom Concrete (Westfield, IN)

2012
J. Edward Sauter, Executive Director of the Concrete Foundations Association (Mount Vernon, IA)

2011
Terry Lavy, Lavy Concrete (Piqua, OH)

2010
Scott Smith, MPW Construction Services (Wellington, OH)

2009
Barry Herbert, Herbert Construction Company (Marietta, Georgia)

2006
John Skotzke, John Skotzke Concrete Construction Inc. (Neenah, Wisconsin)

2005
Gary Bromley, Action Basement, Inc. (Lee's Summit, Missouri)

2004
Joe Carr, Custom Concrete Company. Inc. (Westfield, Indiana)

2003
Dennis "Hap” Anderson, Anderson Construction Inc. (Rogersville, Missouri)

2002
Robert “Buck” Bartley, The Bartley Corporation (Ashton, Maryland)
Read Press Release here

2001
Jack Easton, Durand Forms, Inc. (Durand, Michigan)

2000
J. B. Esker, J.B. Esker and Sons, Inc. (Teutopolis, Illinois)

1999
Larry Swearingin , Swearingin Construction, Inc. (Lawton, Missouri)

1996
Brent Anderson, Brent Anderson Associates, Inc. (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

1994
Bill Norton, Norton & Schmidt Consulting Engineers, Inc. (Kansas City, Missouri)

1993
Larry Clark, Clark Foundation Company (Lansing, Michigan)

1992
Bill Ward, Western Forms (Kansas City, Missouri)