BIA appoints new Board Chairman, Officers Words: Brickcraft N/A Last/Public/News/20120329140000-1.jpg" width="600" height="338" border="0" alt="The BIA has elected new leaders including a new chairman, board members and officers." />The BIA has elected new leaders including a new chairman, board members and officers.The Brick Industry Association (BIA) has elected new leaders including a new chairman, board members and officers. Longtime officer Brett Packer, president, Packer Brick Inc., Garland, Texas starts a two-year term as BIA chairman after serving as vice chairman. Robert F. Belden, president and CEO, The Belden Brick Co., Canton, Ohio, returns as vice chairman. Sam Strang, president, Alley-Cassetty Companies Inc., Nashville, Tenn., will serve a second term as treasurer. Charles Ward, senior vice president and general manager, Hanson Brick, Charlotte, N.C., was named secretary. Immediate past chairman is Dennis Knautz, president and CEO, Acme Brick Co., Fort Worth, Texas. "We're indebted to our board and council members' commitment to BIA's mission and our shared belief that genuine clay brick delivers the greatest value for sustainable building," said Gregg Borchelt, BIA's president and CEO. BIA's Distributor Council elected Joe Rice, chief executive officer, Belden Tri-State Building Materials as chairman for two, additional years. Jerry Vinci, executive vice president, Illinois Brick Co., returns as vice chairman. Former Vice Chairman Mike Ludden, president of L. Thorn Co. Inc. was appointed treasurer. BIA's Manufacturer Council promoted Butch McAvoy, president, McAvoy Brick Co. as chairman, from vice chairman. Davis Henry, vice president at Henry Brick Co. Inc. was named vice chairman. Hebron Brick Co. CEO Rodney Paseka was elected treasurer. All officers support BIA's mission to increase wall share and to safeguard the clay brick industry.