Restore T.R.U.S.T.

 NSSGA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2009

 OKLAHOMA STATE'S RODRIGUEZ IS NSSGA'S 2008 STATE AGGREGATES ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 9—Jim Rodriguez, executive director of the Oklahoma Aggregates Association in Oklahoma City, Okla., has been named NSSGA's 2008 State Aggregates Association Executive of the Year.

 Each year, NSSGA recognizes one of its state counterparts for exemplary partnership service to the aggregates industry. The award is bestowed to recognize the work of the state association that has had a significant beneficial impact on the aggregates industry as an ally at the national level.

 "NSSGA was most impressed with Jim as an unfailing partner in grassroots activism by his energetic support of NSSGA's Government Affairs division in helping to advocate the industry's positions and by his active participation during national fly-ins and division meetings," said NSSGA President  CEO Joy Wilson in making the announcement. "We value all he is doing in the State of Oklahoma and nationally by contributing to the development of industry positions on federal regulations with valuable  insights from Oklahoma aggregates producers."

 Rodriguez has led OKAA since 2004 and is its first and only executive director. He has been actively involved with NSSGA and in serving industry interests at the state and local level with regard to environmental, safety and health issues. Additionally, he has taken a strong interest in the advantages of research applications to the aggregates industry and is collaborating with neighboring state associations on a platform to advance aggregate base use as an optional and cost-effective design.
 
 Wilson also pointed to Rodriguez's leadership on state highway issues in Oklahoma, noting that he works successfully with the Association of Oklahoma General Contractors, the Oklahoma Asphalt Paving Association and the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce in supporting highway funding. In addition, he represents OKAA on the board of T.R.U.S.T., a transportation funding advocacy group.

 "This recognition is NSSGA's way of displaying how highly we value and respect the work of our state counterparts, and of reaffirming that we can achieve much more for the aggregates industry and the American public by working together than by working alone," said Wilson.

   The award is being presented today at NSSGA's 2009 Annual Convention Honor Awards ceremony in Orlando.

 Based near the nation's capital, NSSGA is the world's largest mining association by product volume. Its member companies represent more than 90 percent of the crushed stone and 70 percent of the sand and gravel produced annually in the U.S. and approximately 118,000 working men and women in the aggregates industry. During 2007, a total of about 2.56 billion metric tons of crushed stone, sand and gravel, valued at $21 billion, were produced and sold in the United States
 

National Stone, Sand  Gravel Association
1605 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314