Gregg Borchelt should be recognized for his important accomplishments and dedication to the masonry industry over his highly respected 40 year career.
Having received both his B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering and his M.S. Degree in Structures from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, Gregg became a registered Professional Engineer in Colorado and Texas. During his varied career, he has provided technical support for Dow Chemical, served as Director of Engineering at Masonry Systems International, and as Executive Director of the Masonry Institute of Texas in Houston. In addition, he was an affiliated consultant with Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates.
Throughout his career, Gregg has been involved in just about every major issue that the masonry industry, and specifically the brick industry, has had to address. From seismic design provisions which had the potential to limit brick’s use to the environmental, health and safety issues that threaten the industry today, Gregg’s technical prowess has helped keep the brick industry from being regulated out of business and has had an impact on the entire masonry industry.
Gregg’s presence at BIA as Director, and then Vice-President, of Engineering and Research, and finally as President and CEO has allowed BIA to maximize their impact on the design and construction community through research, articles, publications, speaking, and advocacy. His oversight of research has significantly benefited the brick industry by demonstrating that brick and brick construction provide the performance and durability required in the marketplace – especially research programs on low IRA brick, high IRA brick, and pavers. Gregg has written, critiqued, and championed many articles, publications, and presentations on brick used and referenced by architects and engineers to set the standard of practice for brick masonry. Some of his papers have been accepted by and presented at national and international masonry conferences. His long tenure in the industry has allowed him to mentor many in the masonry industry in their professional development.
Gregg has served in a variety of leadership roles within ASTM, the Construction Specification Institute (CSI), The Masonry Society (TMS), and the Masonry Standard Joint Committee (MSJC). As a voting ASTM member for 39 years of both C12 on Mortars and Grout for Masonry and C15 on Manufactured Masonry Units, he has served with distinction as Chairman of C15 and Chairman of Subcommittee C15.02 on clay brick and tile and worked tirelessly on a multitude of task groups. He has served on the Board of Directors, as Vice-President, and as Treasurer of CSI. Gregg is a founding member of TMS where he has served as Board member, Secretary, Treasurer and President. As a member of MSJC, he has participated in the development of the TMS 402 Building Code for Masonry Structures – the code accepted by engineers and architects across the country.
Gregg has received many notable awards over the years, including:
- Fellow, Construction Specifications Institute (1990)
- Fellow, ASTM International (1997)
- Honorary Member, ASTM Committees C12 and C15 (2005 and 2006)
- ASTM Alan Yorkdale Memorial Award (1996 and 1999)
- Fellow, The Masonry Society (2005)
- ASTM Gilbert C. Robinson Memorial Award (2009)
- Honorary Member, The Masonry Society (2011)
Masonry career spanned over 40 years. President and CEO of Brick Industry Association (BIA). Served in leadership roles within ASTM, the Construction Specification Institute (CSI), The Masonry Society (TMS), and the Masonry Standard Joint Committee (MSJC). Received many notable awards including Fellow, Construction Specifications Institute (1990); ASTM Alan Yorkdale Memorial Award (1996 and 1999); Fellow, ASTM International (1997); Fellow, The Masonry Society (2005); Honorary Member, ASTM Committees C12 and C15 (2005 and 2006); ASTM Gilbert C. Robinson Memorial Award (2009); Honorary Member, The Masonry Society (2011); C. DeWitt Brown Leadman Award (2014).