12/03/2025
Ohio Aggregates & Industrial Minerals Association Presents Individual Achievement Awards
OAIMA recognizes individual achievements and contributions each year at the annual meeting and trade show. These achievement awards are broken down into five categories,
The Hall of Fame Award, The Rocky Award, The Ed Hole Award, The Robert A. Wilkinson Award and the Distinguished Life Membership Award. Nominees are accepted throughout the year by the OAIMA Awards Committee and then submitted to the OAIMA Board of Directors for final acceptance.
The Hall of Fame Award:
The Hall of Fame award is presented to an active member of the association who has been a member for at least 10 years while being active on state and national boards and committees related to the advancement of the aggregates industry.
The First hall of Fame Award was presented in 1981 to Charles F. Alley. Notable past recipients include the likes of Richard Mill, John Steele Senior, Herk Wolfe and most recently Ken Holland, Steve Benson and Larry Shively.
This year’s recipient is Keith Best of Saul Seismic. Keith is being recognized for his long-time leadership on the OAIMA Public Relations Committee, his involvement in committee outreach events, his support of members in public testimony and his unwavering dedication to the OAIMA and its members.
OAIMA President Rob Rosell (Olen Corporation, lt.) presents the Hall of Fame Award to Keith Best (Sauls Seismic, center) along with Pat Jacomet, OAIMA Executive Director
The Rocky Award:
The Rocky Award was established in 1979 to recognize those members of the aggregates industry who have accomplished outstanding achievements in the realm of neighborhood policies, safety programs, plant operations and workforce development and outreach.
The first recipient of this prestigious award was Governor Jim Rhodes, who was an ardent supporter of building roadways and bridges to support economic progress for all Ohioans. Other notable Rocky award recipients include Dan Mapes, Brian Barger, John Schuler, and most recently Garry Getz and Steve Baughman.
This year’s recipient is Tim Rhodes, of The Olen Corporation. Tim was instrumental in the construction of the OAIMA Veterans Plaza in partnership with Ft. Hayes Career Center including the donation of time, trucks and materials.
Additionally, Tim led the initiative that resulted in the first ever Construction Materials Transportation Day which exposed career-minded students to the many career opportunities associated with the transportation of aggregates and construction materials.
OAIMA President Rob Rosell (Olen Corporation, lt.) presents the Rocky Award to Tim Rhodes (Olen Corp., center) along with Pat Jacomet, OAIMA Executive Director
The Robert A. Wilkinson Award:
The Robert A. (Bob) Wilkinson award was established by the OAIMA Board of Directors in 1996, to honor the retirement of the long-time Ohio Aggregates Association Executive Director. Bob was instrumental in establishing the OAA Quality Control Workshop among many other groundbreaking initiatives. His leadership of the OAA as well as his common-sense approach to working with regulatory agencies such as ODOT, the OEPA and the Ohio general assembly served to establish the Ohio aggregates Association as a unified and respected voice for the aggregates industry. This award is presented to a person that is not employed in the aggregates industry but has provided leadership on a national or state level in developing policies or regulations that advance the aggregates and industrial minerals industry.
Past recipients include long-time Ohio Contractors Association president Clark Street in 1997, Ohio Concrete President Roger Jones, Governor George Voinovich, and most recently United States congressman Troy Balderson.
This year’s recipient is Ohio State Senator Shane Wilkin. Senator Wilkin is the sponsor of Ohio Senate Bill 181 that serves to update, modernize and create a common-sense regulatory framework for both underground and surface mining.
Senator Shane Wilkin(left) with OAIMA Executive Director Pat Jacomet
The Ed Hole Award:
The Ed Hole award was established in 1985 in honor of Ohio Aggregate Association pioneer Ed Hole. William “Ed” Hole was president of the American Aggregates Company located in Greenville Ohio and was a prominent figure in the aggregates field at the national and state level. He was an early and vocal advocate for addressing the environmental impacts of mining and the need for the industry to be proactive in addressing these impacts while focusing on the societal benefits of reclaimed mine properties. In the early 1970’s prior to the passage of the Ohio Surface Mine Law, Mr. Hole published a paper, calling for state regulated aggregate mine reclamation. This was forward thinking and culminated in the passage of the Ohio Mine law of 1975 that served to protect not only the aggregate operations but also gave the public a level of confidence that operations would be rehabilitated and returned to an attractive and useful form.
Past recipients of this award include Paul Palmer, Geoff Harris, Ron Kruse, Bill Burgett, Jim Jurgensen, Ken Taylor and Jim Poeppelman.
This year we have two deserving recipients.
Our first recipient is Todd Pester with Vibra-Tech. Todd has been an unwavering supporter of many of OAIMA’s educational, outreach and Workforce retention initiatives including the very successful Emerging Leaders program. Todd can be counted on to support all these programs both financially and by allowing his employees to participate. Additionally, Todd’s knowledge and experience in the areas of dealing with noise and blasting complaints, using facts, has benefited many of our members.
OAIMA President Rob Rosell (Olen Corporation, lt.) presents the Ed Hole Award to Todd Pester (Vibra-Tech., center) along with Pat Jacomet, OAIMA Executive Director
Our second recipient of the Ed Hole Award is Shara Dine with Dine Comply. Shara has served the OAIMA in many capacities including Chairing and Co-Chairing the Environmental Committee. Shara also testified in the Ohio senate and House on the landmark “Common Sense Initiative” or Senate Bill 2, in the 129th General Assembly.
This legislation propels job and economic growth by given businesses an added layer of review and comments regarding rules that may impact our industry. This law has served to foster cooperation and collaboration between the OAIMA and our regulatory agencies. Most recently, Shara has led the initiative to develop a general permit that can streamline the NPDES permitting system for aggregate and industrial minerals producers.
OAIMA President Rob Rosell (Olen Corporation, lt.) presents the Ed Hole Award to Shara Dine (Dine Comply, center) along with Pat Jacomet, OAIMA Executive Director
Distinguished Life Membership Award:
The distinguished life membership was established in 2013 to recognize an individual who has retired but has demonstrated strong and active support through their years of involvement as members of the OAIMA. Distinguished life members are afforded the rights and privileges of active OAIMA members and are encouraged to continue to serve on committees and participate in OAIMA activities should they wish.
Notable past recipients of the Distinguished Life Membership Award include Craig Beam, John Patton, Larry Young, Bob Hunt, Gary Honchell and Ron Tipton.
This year’s recipient is Dennis Garrison formerly with Melvin Stone. Dennis’s service to OAIMA is unparallelled. Dennis has served on the Board of Directors including as President in 2005 and 2006. He is a long-term member of the Legislative Committee and has served as Chair of the Finance Committee. OAIMA is in the enviable financial position it is today, due in no small part to Dennis’s leadership. His advice and counsel are sought by many and his willingness to share his knowledge with others in the industry is highly regarded. On behalf of the OAIMA Board of Directors we are pleased to recognize Dennis Garrison as a Distinguished Life Member.
OAIMA President Rob Rosell (Olen Corporation, lt.) presents the Distinguished Life Member Award to Dennis Garrison (center) along with Pat Jacomet, OAIMA Executive Director