ACPA Honors the 2024 Safe Operator of the Year

Safety is one of ACPA’s highest priorities. Recognizing operators who exhibit exemplary practices is one way to foster a culture of safety at every level in the industry. Nominations for ACPA’s Safe Operator of the Year were submitted by member companies and included at least one recommendation from a supervisor, coworker or customer. As a condition of award consideration, all nominees held valid ACPA operator certifications. An independent safety consultant selected the winner according to the criteria of safety record, workforce development and a spirit of furthering the industry.

This year, Pat Gagnon of Cemstone Products Company in Mendota Heights, Minnesota received ACPA’s Safe Operator of the Year Award.

Operating concrete pumps is a never-ending adventure, says Pat. “The job brings you to new places and people, and provides a constant challenge to those who do it.”

With more than 35 years of concrete pumping experience under his belt, Pat would know! He began his adventure as a pumper in 1988 while working for E-Con-Placer in Minnesota, starting on trailer pumps and advancing to boom pumps ranging from 23 to 39 meters.

In 1995, Pat joined Cemstone Products Company, and has since expanded his skillset to operate every pump owned by the company — from line pumps and placing booms to small and large boom trucks spanning 17 to 61 meters. He also can expertly triage, diagnose and repair every pump in the Cemstone fleet, which includes the S.P.T.O 1000 and 1250 Spider Booms and the 70-foot Krete Placer.

“We keep a top-quality, late-model fleet of equipment,” says Pat, who consults with Cemstone management on capital investments when updating the fleet. “We also work closely with manufacturers to help develop and employ best practices in the industry.”

Jerry Anderson, VP and general manager of remarketing at Schwing America, calls Pat an asset to his employer, fellow operators and Schwing. According to Jerry, “In our interactions with Pat, he has shown extreme commitment and focus, and I deeply respect his work.”

Steve Halgren, general manager of Cemstone Placing Services, says Pat has been an integral part of Cemstone’s growth over the past 30 years. “He is highly respected by his peers, vendors and customers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul market, and his experience and contributions are unmatched in the Upper Midwest.”

Pat’s reliability and expertise have made him the go-to person for contractors across the commercial, civil and residential sectors. Whether it’s resolving job site challenges or troubleshooting mix design and pour issues, Pat is trusted to deliver the right solutions.

Erik Peterson, VP and project manager at Hollenback & Nelson Inc., a commercial construction company in Coon Rapids, notes, “Pat provides solid recommendations on the best options for concrete placement. He saves us time and money, and he always ensures we are set up for success on our projects.” 

Pat also has an outstanding safety record. He brings his safety-first mindset to every task — from maintaining equipment to pre-pour meetings to mentoring the next generation of operators. As Pat explains, “We keep everyone up to date on all safety training protocols, including ACPA certification, and we immediately respond to and remedy all operator and customer concerns regarding safety.”

Pat’s work has been instrumental in many high-profile projects in and around the Twin Cities, including the Minnesota Twins and Vikings stadiums, the St. Croix River Crossing, the Wakota Bridge and several high-rise developments. But perhaps the toughest job he ever tackled came with the rebuild of the I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis. The project required a 24/7 schedule, often in extreme weather conditions, to help meet a record-breaking completion time. Other challenges included working with multiple placing boom applications and brand-new customized mix designs that had never been tried before.

Mike Anderson, owner of Anderson Concrete Forming Inc. in St. Paul, praises Pat’s knowledge and devotion to the job. “We get involved with a lot of tricky jobs that require extra attention to access, power lines and small areas,” says Mike. “Pat is always willing to look at the job sites with me, and we work through them together. His knowledge of concrete pumps and their capabilities have helped his company, contractors and a whole bunch of pump operators through the years, including me.”

Beyond his technical skills, Pat has served as a foreman for over a decade, mentoring new operators with wisdom and a willingness to share the tips and tricks that have been passed down to him. When not working, Pat enjoys fishing and relaxing at his cabin in northern Minnesota.

“I’m happy and honored to accept the Safe Operator of the Year award, and I’m grateful that Cemstone nominated me and believes I deserve it. I work for a company that strives to be a leader in the industry,” says Pat.

Congratulations to Pat Gagnon, this year’s ACPA Safe Operator of the Year! 

Safe Operator of the Year Nominees

The ACPA would like to thank every company that nominated a pumper for Safe Operator of the Year.  Many exceptional candidates were nominated, including:

RICHARD ALLEN
Brundage-Bone Concrete Pumping in Thornton, Colorado

Richard has had an outstanding career with Capital Pumping, contributing significantly to the Austin branch over the last 13-plus years. His extensive experience with various equipment like Schwing and Putzmeister pumps, as well as his leadership in overseeing placing boom crews, has been key in the successful completion of high rise buildings in Austin’s skyline.

His hard work and dedication are tremendously valued by his Austin team and the company as a whole.  Richard shows a vast knowledge and always operates with safety as the highest priority. He has a good attitude through every placement, paying attention and staying engaged and focused. When training others, he does an excellent job showing and explaining the processes. 

JOSHUA JOE BOYNTON
AVR, LLC in Apple Valley, Minnesota

It is a given that every great pump operator shares the same traits. They arrive early for work; ensure all maintenance is completed on their pump; are respected by their peers and customers; and understand what to do without losing their cool when things go sideways. Josh is no exception, and his spotless pump and customer feedback certainly supports that.  He is an articulate leader with a wide range of excellent communication and listening skills who stimulates effective change and inspires a shared vision of safety.  

After working 18 years as a pump operator, Josh is qualified to run everything from a trailer pump to a 61-meter pump. He has long been known for being an innovative can-do and open-minded thinker, not just for the mechanics of pump operations, but for providing safe and creative approaches to finding solutions for di icult job sites and situations.  His willingness to go above and beyond to assist contractors and other pump operators is appreciated by all of those who have the advantage of collaborating with him.

JAVIER ZAMUDIO
McClure Concrete Inc. in Aurora, Colorado

Javier understands that safety begins long before setting up his pump. He is always the first to step out, assess the job site, communicate with the crew and ensure that everything is secure before work begins. Having started concrete pumping three-and-a-half years ago, he quickly mastered the job while making safety his top priority.  Proud of his career, Javier speaks highly of the benefits of being a concrete pump operator. He has trained numerous new operators and is frequently requested by crews who trust him to complete every job efficiently and safely.

Known for his strong communication skills, he never hesitates to address job site concerns or crew issues. With his big smile and calm attitude, he offers guidance and keeps morale high, even when challenges arise.  Javier takes exceptional care of his brand-new 2025 Putzmeister 42-5RZ, keeping it in pristine condition. Beyond pumping, he is a versatile operator, running all equipment in the McClure fleet, including the crane, pump, semi, low deck, rebar semi and rebar delivery. Whatever the task, Javier is always ready to get the job done.