Randy Ridenour		Dale Nelson

Chicago, IL – The Metal Construction Association (MCA) honored two of its members - Randy Ridenour and Dale Nelson - with prestigious volunteer service awards, the Larry A. Swaney Award and the Patrick R. Bush Volunteer Service Award, respectively, at its Annual Meeting on January 27 in Clearwater Beach, Florida.

The Larry A. Swaney Award honors one of MCA 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 January 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, at left, 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.," said MCA Chair Hielscher.

Past Bush Award recipients include:

2012        Robert Anderson
2011        Jim Bush

Colleagues commended Nelson, at left, 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 January 27 at the MCA 2014 Annual Meeting in Clearwater, Florida. 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.