The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) unveiled the winners of its Safety Excellence Awards, the Louis Griesemer Sterling Safety Awards and the James M. Christie Safety & Health Professional of the Year award during its Legislative & Policy Forum in Washington.
Safety Excellence Awards
NSSGA’s Safety Excellence Awards recognize aggregate operations maintaining a safe workplace, as evidenced by their safety performance over a consecutive period without a Mine Safety & Health Administration-reportable injury.
Among the Gold Award winners in the Safety Excellence Awards track are Martin Marietta’s Augusta Quarry (Large Operations), Rogers Group’s Tuscumbia Quarry (Medium Operations) and Conn-Agg Companies’ Norris Quarries – Stanberry Plant (Small Operations).
Silver Awards in the Safety Excellence Awards track went to Martin Marietta’s Lemon Springs Quarry (Large Operations), Martin Marietta’s Onslow Quarry (Medium Operations) and IMI Aggregates’ Carroll County Sand & Gravel (Small Operations).
NSSGA’s Bronze Awards in the Safety Excellence Awards track, meanwhile, were bestowed on Martin Marietta’s Noblesville Stone (Large Operations), Summit Materials’ NR Hamm Quarry (Medium Operations) and Martin Marietta’s Bennett Alluvial.
Louis Griesemer Sterling Safety Awards
The Louis Griesemer Sterling Safety Awards recognize NSSGA member companies with the lowest total accident incidence rate for the previous year in their size category.
This year’s Gold Award recipients were Teichert Materials (Large Operations), Keyesport Sand & Gravel (Medium Operations) and Iddings Quarry (Small Operations).
Silver Awards went to Granite Construction (Large Operations), Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel (Medium Operations) and Tresca Brothers Concrete, Sand & Gravel (Small Operations). Brad Estes, senior vice president of construction materials at Granite, characterized the award as a valued achievement.
“It is with great honor that Granite accepts the Louis Griesemer Sterling Safety Award, which is a testament to the steadfast commitment of NSSGA member companies who prioritize the safety and well-being of their employees,” Estes says. “These awards acknowledge member companies with the lowest total accident incidence rate for the previous year within their respective size categories.”
Kyle Larkin, president and CEO of Granite, says safety is emphasized across the company.
“We prioritize safety at every level of our organization and recognize the importance of collaborating with our stakeholders to drive safety performance and meet the goals of sustainable development,” Larkin says.
The Bronze Awards in the Louis Griesemer Sterling Safety Awards track went to Luck Companies (Large Operations), Cornejo & Sons (Medium Operations) and Renner Quarries (Small Operations).
James M. Christie Safety & Health Professional of the Year
Additionally, the 2025 James M. Christie Safety & Health Professional of the Year was awarded to Troy Austin, a safety professional with more than 21 years at Luck Companies.
According to the association, Austin currently serves as chair of the NSSGA Safety & Health Committee, working with industry leaders to strengthen safety performance and shape the future of safety in the industry.
At Luck Companies, Austin leads the execution of the company’s Value Safety strategy, focusing on coaching, associate engagement and behavior-based practices that go beyond regulatory requirements. He holds certifications from the National Association of Safety Professionals, Virginia Energy and is a graduate of the University of Richmond’s Mini-MBA Business Acumen program.
Michele Stanley, interim CEO of NSSGA, offered a congratulatory remark to every award recipient.
“The aggregates industry has always identified safety as a core value, and our members are committed to promoting the health and safety of their most precious resource: their workers,” Stanley says. “We are thankful for our members who go above and beyond current regulations and laws to provide safe work environments, and I congratulate all the winners today.”
