FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University School of Concrete and Construction Management Director Heather Brown was supposed to be on a working trip to Nebraska.

But others in the know had other plans for her and resorted to very persuasive maneuvers to keep her from going to Nebraska and also teaching a concrete class at MTSU.

So Brown was totally surprised Thursday (Feb. 7) when she was inducted into the Tennessee Concrete Association Lifetime Hall of Fame. The hall of fame honor was part of the industry’s Concrete Excellence Awards luncheon at the annual two-day get-together for professionals in the organization at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs.

MTSU School of Concrete and Construction Management Director Heather Brown receives the Tennessee Concrete Association 2019 Lifetime Hall of Fame Award from Cole Dodds, the current president of the organization, Feb. 7 at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)

“I don’t build bridges or roads. I build people,” a humbled Brown told the audience after TCA official and emcee Alan Sparkman announced the final of three hall of fame inductees.

Later, Brown, who was joined by husband Chris Brown,three staff members and one student at the function, said the recognition “is validation MTSU is making a difference” in the concrete industry. “(What we’re doing) is critical to the industry’s success.”

Strong alumni presence

As Brown was being presented the award, Sparkman asked for MTSU concrete alumni to stand, then proceeded to call them to the stage for a photo.

The honoree, a native of Fort Campbell and Clarksville, Tennessee, hugged about 25 alums individually as they walked onto the stage.

“We’re still in this together,” Brown said of the alumni presence. “To know I have all these (former) students out there who care about MTSU makes it special. The alumni, faculty and staff are like a family, and the alumni keep me in the loop on what’s happening out there in the industry.”

Heather Brown, center, new Tennessee Concrete Association Lifetime Hall of Fame member and director of the MTSU School of Concrete and Construction Management, is shown with a portion of 25 alumni who attended the annual TCA meeting Feb. 7 at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)

Chris Davenport of Murfreesboro, the first CIM graduate and owner of Southern Concrete Machinery, told the Tennessee Concrete Association crowd that Brown “is a national treasure.”

“She’s one of the most renowned women in our industry,” Davenport said. “We’re very proud to have her in Tennessee. … (Former chair) Austin Chaney started the program, but we would not be where we are today without the steadfast leadership of Heather Brown.”

Sparkman said he had known Brown ever since she had been in the industry.

“She was a master’s student at Tennessee Tech when we first met,” Sparkman added. “When I got introduced to her, her hands were about as calloused as mine. I knew then she was a tireless worker.”

Brown’s other two degrees, bachelor’s and doctorate, also came from Tennessee Tech. She oversees five departments/programs at MTSU, where she has been since 2001.

The Tennessee Concrete Association also named Steve Lambert, owner of Bradley Concrete/Lambert Readymix in Cleveland, Tennessee, and Reese Thomas, owner of Sequatchie Concrete Services in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, as Lifetime Hall of Fame Inductees.

Sharing MTSU’s CIM message … and other awards

Earlier in the day, Brown brought her annual message about MTSU’s nationally known Concrete Industry Management program and also about the proposed $40 million building for the program.

“I informed the group about who’s hiring in the industry, salaries and the number of graduates we have,” she said. “As for the building (part of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission’s $434 million for 10 projects statewide), we’re waiting and hopeful.” Fingers were crossed on both hands as she made that statement.

Brown’s recent recognitions include:

• One of the most influential people in the industry in 2017 — by “Concrete Construction” magazine.
• “Outstanding Female Influences on Campus” in 2016 — by the MTSU National Women’s History Month committee.
• Top 10 Women in Business 2015 profile by Murfreesboro Magazine.

Brown, 43, a university professor in addition to being an administrator, also received the MTSU Outstanding Teaching Award in 2013-14, announced at the Fall Faculty Meeting in August 2014.

The Tennessee Concrete Association’s 2019 Lifetime Hall of Fame class included Steve Lambert, left, of Cleveland, Tenn., MTSU School of Concrete and Construction Management Director Heather Brown and Reese Thomas of South Pittsburg, Tenn. The awards were announced Feb. 7 at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs. (MTSU photo by Randy Weiler)

During her tenure, Brown has seen the Concrete Industry Management program merge with construction management to form the School of Concrete and Construction Management. CIM was developed at MTSU in 1996 and led to the expansion at four other college campuses nationally.

The concrete and construction programs have produced 1,350 graduates, who are spread across the country. One thousand of those are in concrete, and Brown said she has taught all but 17 of them through the years. There are 375 concrete students in the program now.

A mother of two sons, Mason and Wyatt Brown, her resume includes vast technical experience, testing, research and consultant. She has authored and co-written many papers for numerous industry publications and organizations.

MTSU senior concrete major Julia Hudson of Nashville attended the event as part of her internship with the Tennessee Concrete Association. She is scheduled to graduate in May.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)