Mark Bussen Honored for Heroism, Leadership

Mark Bussen, president, Bussen Quarries, has received the SITE Improvement Association’s President’s Award for his contributions to the association and the construction industry. Bussen is also noted for civic contributions, including a recent act of notable personal heroism. The award was presented by SITE’s past president, Joe Hoette, president, Hoette Concrete Construction, at the organization’s Jan. 14 membership meeting.

Bussen is just the sixth recipient of the President’s Award and the first associate member receiving such an award since the inception of the President’s Award in 1991. Commenting on the honor, Jay Schultehenrich, SITE’s executive director, said, “Mark has provided outstanding guidance and foresight in helping our organization grow. He has selflessly given of his time and energy to help SITE Improvement Association reach and maintain its role as a leader within the construction industry.”
 
Bussen Quarries was a charter member of SITE, and Mark Bussen served on the board from 1985 to 1995. He also served as chairman of the program committee for 28 years. Through his efforts, SITE’s board initiated a scholarship program in 2001, which has awarded $111,500 to 67 students since its inception. Bussen has served on the scholarships committee since then and is co-chair of SITE’s Barge Party committee. He also has served on the board of directors of the Associated General Contractors-St. Louis, AGC of Missouri, the St. Louis Concrete Council and the St. Louis Coal Club. This past fall he was inducted into the Concrete Council Hall of Fame for his significant involvement with St. Louis’ concrete industry.          

 The president of Bussen Quarries is perhaps just as well known for his good deeds as he is for his work in the industry. In November, Bussen was awarded the Grand Jury Association’s Good Citizen of the Year Award for stopping a violent crime in downtown St. Louis and saving the lives of a woman and her daughter. He also has been affiliated with the Special Olympics since 1999, coaching 40 boys and girls ages 14-24, and won the 2005 Special Olympics Coach of the Year Award. In 2002, the South County Chamber of Commerce named him Citizen of the Year.

SITE represents contractors involved in jobsite preparation work, including concrete, earthmoving, landscaping, asphalt paving, highway/bridge, sewer/utility and various specialty trades.

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