American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) President & CEO Pete Ruane issued the following statement about the death of Dr. J. Don Brock:
“Don Brock was one of the greatest innovators in the history of modern road building.
“He founded Astec Industries in 1972 and transformed it into a leading global manufacturer of equipment for asphalt road building, aggregate processing, pipeline and utility trenching, oil, gas and water well drilling.
“A man of incredible intellect, Don’s vision for Astec was to apply creative thinking and state-of-the-art technology to traditionally low-tech industries and bolster them with a corporate culture that would become renowned for putting its customers first. He succeeded.
“As the holder of more 90 U.S. and foreign patents, Don touched virtually every phase of road building and related construction activity. In the process, he has made the nation’s roads and equipment safer and more efficient, durable, environmentally friendly and profitable.
“In 2011, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) Foundation created its TransOvation™ program for the specific purposes of fostering innovative thinking within the transportation design and construction industry and publicly recognizing its proven innovators. The name played off the meanings of three words—transportation, innovation and ovation. The program is aimed at educating elected officials and the public about the outstanding return on investment the public receives from key transportation infrastructure improvements.
“At a 2012 dinner in Memphis, friends of Don Brock, led by then Heritage Construction & Materials CEO Charlie Potts, hosted the largest one night fundraising dinner in the history of the ARTBA Foundation and re-named the program the Dr. J. Don Brock TransOvation™ Workshop & Exhibit in honor of his lifetime achievements.
“Don may have passed from this earth, but his legacy and pioneering spirit live on, and he will inspire a new generation of innovators who seek to build a better world for all through transportation infrastructure.
“ARTBA extends its deepest sympathies to his wife, Sam, and the entire Brock family.”