Living on an Arizona ranch at the age of 16, Eric Peterson had his first experience with concrete.
"We made our own formwork, acquired the materials – sand from the washes, rock from an abandoned railroad right-of-way, and cement (at $1.00/100 lb. sack) -- mixed it on-site, poured the walls, baffles, and precast lids for a 2,000-gallon septic tank," Eric remembers. Everything was done by hand, pick, shovels, and mixed with a one-sack mixer, loaded by hand. We also built a concrete house using the same methods and labor (mostly me 😊).”
While the Webcor Concrete director built a diverse resume in construction after that, including carpentry and welding while working in the field, he continued to gravitate toward concrete.
“I liked working on structures. I started pursuing concrete projects instead of wood frames because I liked concrete as a material. The projects were more interesting and lasted longer.”
That affinity for concrete, and everything he has learned about it since, has culminated in the American Concrete Institute (ACI) awarding Eric the Roger H. Corbetta Concrete Constructor Award.
The ACI bestowed the honor on Eric "for his invaluable knowledge, dedication, and leadership in the development of ACI standards to improve concrete constructability by providing guidance on construction specifications, formwork design, construction tolerances, and sustainable concrete construction practices."
The award will be presented at the ACI Fall 2025 Concrete Convention's Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards and Gala in Baltimore on Monday, October 27."
The American Concrete Institute is a U.S. authority on concrete design, construction, and materials," says Webcor Craft EVP Chris Plue. "This code-writing body is comprised of engineers, academia, and contractors and is charged with ‘always advancing’ the concrete industry."
Along with codes developed by similar institutes worldwide, the ACI's codes are frequently adopted by code institutions, such as the International Code Council (ICC).
"The most well-known code is ACI 318," Eric says, "Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary. This is a widely used code in the U.S. and in other countries."
"Having Eric recognized with this award is a testament to his service and dedication on behalf of contractors everywhere," Chris says. "Over the last decade, he has spent countless hours working to improve the code through collaboration with other industry professionals. Eric is a true expert in the material science of concrete."
The award was established in 1972 to honor Roger H. Corbetta, a past president of ACI, in recognition of his creative leadership and contributions to the use of concrete in construction. Recipients are either individuals or firms who have introduced innovative methods, technologies, or solutions in concrete construction.
Eric had been a longtime ACI member when he transitioned into supervision and found himself needing to acquire more in-depth technical knowledge. At about 50 years old, he decided to get involved with ACI committees "to give something back, to help contribute to the industry based on industry experience." Since 2007, Eric has served on ACI committees, contributing to the development of standards and codes.
Eric remains active, serving on five ACI technical committees; he also serves on the Concrete Innovation Council and the Strategic Innovation and Research Committee of the American Concrete Institute Foundation.
The Washington Hospital project has established an exceptional safety culture that goes far beyond typical construction site protocols.
The Washington Hospital project has established an exceptional safety culture that goes far beyond typical construction site protocols. Working within an active healthcare facility while maintaining full hospital operations requires extraordinary measures to protect both patients and workers.
The project team has implemented comprehensive safety practices that have not only ensured zero incidents but have also built remarkable trust with Washington Hospital Health System (WHHS) staff.
Hospital construction presents unique challenges that standard construction sites never face, says Project Manager Saurabh Bisen. “The team must maintain hospital function while simultaneously demolishing and rebuilding critical infrastructure. This requires strategic coordination with scheduled shutdowns performed during late-night hours, extensive scheduling oversight, and daily coordination with hospital staff and security to ensure both efficiency and safety.”
Washington Hospital’s staff welcomed Webcor’s crew with open arms after witnessing their safety-conscious approach and commitment to maintaining the highest standards, says Saurabh, who credits Safety Manager Phil Nunez and Sr. Superintendents Karl Jeppesen and Maria Damas with coordination of the complex safety program. This mutual trust has become a cornerstone of the project's success.
Process ICRA protocols are essential for maintaining sterile environments within active healthcare facilities. The team maintains visible ICRA postings throughout the hospital in coordination with the hospital safety team as new workspaces are created and demolition areas are completed. Daily maintenance and monitoring of tack mats and negative air machines ensure adequate dust containment and air quality throughout each shift.
Interim Life Safety Measures ensure that fire safety and emergency protocols remain intact during construction activities. These measures require careful coordination with hospital systems and staff to maintain safety standards while construction activities are ongoing.
The team conducted innovative mock evacuation drills to test emergency response effectiveness. Since WHHS does not allow radio use inside the active hospital, the construction team developed a unique whistle system to alert craft teams during emergencies. The evacuation drill achieved remarkable results: complete evacuation and headcount of all subcontractors in just 7 minutes from start to finish.
Maintaining a dust-free environment is critical in healthcare settings. The team implemented baseline sound and air quality sampling to measure conditions and implement necessary controls. This comprehensive approach includes negative air machines, tack mats, and scheduled off-hours work to minimize impact on hospital staff while creating the safest possible environment for both patients and construction workers.
The primary challenge was maintaining full hospital functionality while performing demolition and reconstruction work. The team addressed this through strategic planning, including:
The safety-conscious approach has significantly impacted the overall team culture, fostering increased collaboration and trust between construction crews and hospital staff. The Washington Hospital team's confidence in the construction crew's safety practices has created an environment of mutual respect and cooperation.
A particularly proud moment occurred when the executive team happened to be on-site during the evacuation drill. “The positive feedback received that day reinforced the impact that prioritizing safety has had on the entire project,” Phil recalls.
Phil shared Special recognition of key team members who made this safety culture possible:
The team's commitment to safety culture extends to recognizing and celebrating the workers who make it possible. The upcoming Webcor BBQ Field Appreciation Day demonstrates the project's commitment to acknowledging the hard work and dedication of all team members who contribute to this exceptional safety record.
This summer, Webcor Concrete continued its commitment to workforce development through partnerships with the Construction Industry Education Foundation, engaging with high school students through summer camp experiences and design-build competitions
Riley Jones, Webcor Concrete project manager on the BDFP project, facilitated a jobsite tour for CIEF Summer Camp attendees, bringing construction education full circle to his alma mater, Buhach Colony High School (BCHS). The opportunity arose when Riley saw an internal memo about Webcor's previous sponsorship of the school and reached out to get involved, particularly motivated by his connection to a former teacher who was organizing the event.
"My AP Calculus teacher in high school was organizing the event, and he was pretty impactful during my education in high school, pushing us students to challenge ourselves and apply ourselves in the classroom," he explained.
The day included a comprehensive safety orientation and project overview presentation, followed by an on-site tour where students learned about the water treatment process. For Jones, the experience was particularly gratifying: "The most rewarding part is watching kids get excited about construction in the real world."
According to Ashley Slovak, youth programs manager for CIEF, the Summer Camp is "a week-long, hands-on program that introduces high school students to careers in the built environment." Hosted in partnership with local industry leaders, such as Webcor, the camp provides students with opportunities to explore construction through jobsite tours, interactive workshops, and mentorship from professionals in the field.
Students work in teams to complete real-world building challenges, gaining practical skills and insight into potential career paths. The program is designed to be accessible to all interested students, requiring no prior experience and serving as an impactful entry point into the construction industry.
Beyond the summer camp, Webcor once again supported BCHS students in the CIEF Design-Build Competition, where students constructed a small shed from scratch. The project encompassed multiple construction disciplines, including framing with lumber and plywood, sheathing, electrical work, installation of doors and windows, and roofing. Students were evaluated on the quality of their work, adherence to safety protocols, and compliance with other construction standards.
To prepare the student team, Riley and Finance VP Mark Lambert visited the school to discuss industry opportunities and various career paths available in the construction industry. Additional Webcor employees provided follow-up training on safety procedures, tool usage, and practical construction techniques.
