The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) held its 2025 Young Leaders Annual Meeting this week in Savannah, Georgia.
The meeting attracted more than 370 participants from across the U.S. Attendees heard from industry leaders. They also participated in community service activities and welcomed new committee leadership.
During the first general session, keynote speakers Lisa Ryan, founder of Grategy, and Marvin Woodie, president of Conn-Weld Industries, shared insights and tips on becoming industry leaders. Tuesday’s general session featured keynotes from retired Army Colonel Jimmy Blackmon and NSSGA board chair Ted Baker, CEO of Blue Water Industries. Multiple breakout sessions were also offered on topics such as advocacy, professional development and efficiency in the workplace.
“The Young Leaders program is one of the many ways for younger members to get involved with NSSGA,” says Michele Stanley, interim CEO of NSSGA. “The annual meeting provides a unique environment for our younger industry professionals to meet and learn from each other while developing their career skills. They can take home the lessons learned to ultimately become more effective advocates for the aggregates industry.”
Meeting attendees also toured the Port of Savannah, networked with fellow participants during dine-arounds, volunteered in a selection of community service projects and competed in the annual golf tournament.
The Mark S. Walsh Award was presented to Franz Peters of Martin Marietta. The award is presented annually to an individual who exemplifies the ideals by which Walsh led his life: quality, honesty and integrity.
On the last evening of the meeting, outgoing Young Leaders chair Brendan Devereaux, vice president of aggregates and equipment at Summit Materials, passed the gavel to Chad Weems, central division vice president of operational excellence at Martin Marietta. It was also announced that the 2026 NSSGA Young Leaders Annual Meeting will be held April 12-15, 2026, in Destin, Florida.
