Mike Jenkins, chairman of the Brick Industry Association (BIA), has announced that the BIA 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award has been given to John “Russ” Butler, Elgin Butler Co.

Butler’s career spans more than 40 years. He began working for Elgin Butler (the company founded by his great grandfather in 1873) during the summers while attending high school. After earning a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at the University of Texas, he started his full-time career at the company in 1965. He served as president of the company for 20 years, until it was sold in 2005. During his years of service, Elgin Butler rolled out many innovative product offerings, including the “Craftwork Series,” as well as high-impact business processes at a time when other brick companies were closing their doors. In fact, Elgin Butler is reportedly now the sole manufacturer of structural glazed tile in the U.S.

Butler worked to promote the industry as past president and co-founder of the Texas Mining and Reclamation Association, a charter member of the Clay Products of the Southwest (now the BIA-SW Region), a member of ASTM International, past co-founder and president of the Ceramic Glazed Masonry Institute, and a board member of the BIA.

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