The Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA) proudly welcomed three distinguished industry leaders into the CMHA Hall of Fame during the 2026 Midyear Meeting, recognizing decades of leadership, innovation, service and lasting contributions to the concrete masonry and hardscapes industry.
Celebrating a Legacy of Leadership
Every industry is shaped by individuals whose leadership extends far beyond their own organizations. Through innovation, mentorship, technical expertise and service, they help strengthen the profession for everyone who follows.
During the 2026 CMHA Midyear Meeting in Grand Rapids, we proudly inducted Steve Doty, Rick Roach and Jeff Speck, P.E. into the CMHA Hall of Fame, recognizing three careers that have left a lasting mark on both the association and the industry.
Jeff Speck, P.E.: Advancing the Industry Through Engineering
“Will Rogers said a man only learns by two things. One is reading, and the other is associating with smarter people. That’s what NCMA was for me. It allowed me to surround myself with smarter people that knew more than I did and helped me grow because of it.”
— Jeff Speck, P.E., at the 2026 CMHA Awards Luncheon
For more than four decades, Jeff Speck has combined engineering expertise with a passion for education and service to the association. His work advanced fire-rated concrete masonry, lightweight concrete research and engineering education, while helping educate and mentor generations of industry professionals.
His leadership extended well beyond technical committees, encouraging engineers to actively contribute their expertise and helping strengthen the industry’s technical foundation for future generations.
Career highlights:
- Chaired numerous NCMA technical committees
- Led national lightweight concrete masonry initiatives
- Advanced fire-rated concrete masonry research
- Technical educator throughout North America
- More than 40 years serving the industry
Steve Doty: A Career Focused on What’s Next
“With good leadership, a good product, a good team and a good plan — and now with AI and robotics coming into our industry — I think we’re in a great business. I think we really have a great future.”
— Steve Doty, at the 2026 CMHA Awards Luncheon
Steve Doty spent decades helping shape the future of concrete masonry, not only by growing Peerless into a multi-location manufacturer, but by helping guide the industry’s strategic direction through long-range planning, sustainability initiatives and workforce development.
Throughout his career, Doty championed innovation, expanded educational opportunities, and encouraged the industry to think beyond today’s challenges, toward tomorrow’s opportunities. His leadership helped position concrete masonry for long-term growth while strengthening the national association.
Career highlights:
- Chairman, National Concrete Masonry Association (2007)
- Led national strategic planning initiatives
- Third-generation owner, carrying on the Peerless legacy as America’s Oldest Block Producer
- Helped establish opportunities for young masons
- Early advocate for sustainability and workforce development
Rick Roach: Bringing the Industry Together
“We’ve got all the masonry organizations in our area working together. We’ve put the slight differences we’ve had over the years aside, and we’re working for the common good.”
— Rick Roach, at the 2026 CMHA Awards Luncheon
Throughout more than two decades of association leadership, Rick Roach earned a reputation as someone who could bring people together around a common goal. His ability to build consensus helped move technical initiatives forward, strengthen member engagement, and ultimately support the collaboration that helped shape what CMHA is today.
Whether leading committees, serving as NCMA chairman or helping producers apply technical knowledge to real-world projects, Roach consistently emphasized listening first, finding common ground, and putting the industry’s future ahead of individual interests.
Career highlights:
- Chairman, National Concrete Masonry Association (2001)
- Chairman, NCMA Foundation (2016)
- Advanced technical standards and strategic planning
- Helped strengthen collaboration leading to today’s CMHA
- Longtime leader at Barnes & Cone
A Lasting Legacy
Although their careers followed different paths, Steve Doty, Rick Roach and Jeff Speck, P.E. share a common commitment to advancing the concrete masonry industry and strengthening the community that supports it. Their collective impact continues to shape the work of producers, engineers, contractors and industry leaders across North America, inspiring future generations to build on the foundation they helped create.
Congratulations to all three of our new CMHA Hall of Fame inductees on this well-deserved recognition and thank you for your extraordinary service to the concrete masonry and hardscapes industry.