James G. Toscas

The Precast/ Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) has named James G. Toscas its president. Toscas is taking over the position from retiring Thomas B. Battles, who has led the group for the past 16 years and has been named to the honorary post of president emeritus.

Toscas joins the institute after having served as executive vice president of the American Concrete Institute (ACI).

Michael E. Quinlan, PCI's chairman and president of Gate Precast Company in Jacksonville, Fla., said, "We're pleased with the combination of Jim's engineering and association management background."

Toscas indicated that he looks forward to continuing to serve the industry.

Philip J. Arena

Philip J. Arena, a native of Louisiana and long time resident of Baton Rouge, received the "Top Ten" Award for Engineering Excellence from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA.) in February.

Arena is the pavement and materials engineer for the Louisiana Division of the FHWA in Baton Rouge. In his 13-year career with the Federal Highway Administration, he has become recognized as a statewide and national expert in highway pavements and materials for FHWA.

His most notable professional achievement with FHWA is his work and leadership with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) in the implementation of the Superpave system in Louisiana.

James H. Gill Jr.

Contractors Educational Trust Fund Endowed Chair and (CETF) Endowed Professor James H. Gill Jr. was recently awarded the 2003 W.A. Klinger Construction Education Award by the American Institute of Constructors (AIC), the constructors professional organization, at its recent meeting.

According to AIC, the award honors "the construction educator/academician who has distinguished him/herself in teaching, research, and/or service in the advancement of the construction profession, the nominee's institution of learning, the construction industry and their country."

The AIC is composed of individuals who are committed to ethical actions and professionalism in their lives and chosen profession. The AIC is endorsed and supported in its efforts by all the major national trade associations in the United States construction industry.

The Klinger Award has been given annually for the past 27 years.