Gary Fick, a project manager at the Transtec Group, is the recipient of the American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) Marlin J. Knutson Award for Technical Achievement. This award is presented annually to one individual or group for outstanding contributions to the development and implementation of technical innovations and best practices in the design and construction of concrete pavements.
Fick has been involved in the paving industry for over 31 years. He worked 15 years with a contractor on projects in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, and Arkansas, followed by 15 years as an independent consultant working with a multitude of construction companies to improve their pavement construction standards. Now at Transtec, his work focuses on all facets of pavement construction, including specification development, construction oversight, real-time smoothness, concrete overlays, recycled concrete aggregates, support of design-build projects, and performance engineered mixtures.
Fick’s hands-on approach coupled with his personal experience as a paving contractor have been invaluable for promoting real-time smoothness for improving concrete pavement ride quality. He has spent countless hours on concrete paving projects learning about and training contractors on real-time smoothness technology. Recently, Fick was the Principal Investigator for FHWA’s “Technical Support for Real-Time Smoothness Measuring Technologies” project.
“Gary brings a passion to all that he does,” said David Merritt, Project Director at The Transtec Group. “Even though he has perhaps the most knowledge and personal experience of almost anyone in the concrete paving industry, he maintains a humble attitude and is always eager to learn more. Gary is very personable and easy to work with and understands the importance of communication and personal relationships. He keeps a level head even in the most stressful situations and is patient with everyone. Gary exhibits the type of humble leadership that we should all aspire to.”
In addition to real-time smoothness technology, Fick has produced some of the best guidance on paving practices to improve concrete pavement smoothness.
Fick’s recent publications include:
- Implementation Support for Second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP2) Renewal R06E Real-Time Smoothness Measurements on Portland Cement Concrete Pavements During Construction, CP Tech Center, 2018
- Guide Specification for Concrete Overlays, CP Tech Center, 2015.
- Technical Brief: Performance History of Concrete Overlays in the United States, CP Tech Center, 2014.
- Guide to Concrete Overlays, 3rd Edition, CP Tech Center, 2014.
“Gary has a rare ability to relate and connect with stakeholders across the spectrum, including academia, engineers, contractors, and materials suppliers,” said Dr. Robert Rasmussen, Vice President and Chief Engineer at The Transtec Group. “He is just as natural and skilled at being up in front of a classroom teaching a workshop one day, and then on top of a slipform paver the next.”
The Marlin J. Knutson Award is named in honor of the second chief executive of ACPA, Marlin J. Knutson. He served in the role from 1988 to 1998 and was a staunch advocate for technical service and technology transfer during his tenure. The Knutson Award for Technical Achievement has been awarded annually since 1998.
For more information about ACPA, visit their website.
