Press Release - 13 December 1999

PRESS RELEASE 13 December 1999 For more information contact: Julie DeYoung, communications specialist Besser Company 801 Johnson Street Alpena, MI 49707 USA e-mail: jdeyoung@besser.com phone: (989) 354-1170 fax: (989) 354-3120
New Master Blockmakers™ The number of Master Blockmakers™ continues to increase as more Blockmaker Workshops® are completed at Alpena Community College in Alpena, Michigan.
Gregory Carpenter (pictured right) is the fourth employee of General Shale Products Corporation of Kingsport, Tennessee to become a Master Blockmaker™. In October, 1999 Greg completed the Products Handling course.
Pictured above: Jim Park, Besser Company; Larry Glen Kerr; Don Newport, Alpena Community College.	Larry Glen Kerr is the first employee of Lee Brick & Block of Owensboro, Kentucky to complete the requirements set forth by the Master Blockmaker™ program. He attended the Equipment Controls course in November, 1999.
Timothy Krot of Best Block in Warren, Michigan also attended the Equipment Controls course in November, 1999. Tim is the third employee from Best Block to become a Master Blockmaker™.	Pictured above: Jim Park, Besser Company; Timothy Krot; Don Newport, Alpena Community College.
Pictured above: Jim Park, Besser Company; Eric Allen Rheinbolt; Don Newport, Alpena Community College.	Eric Allen Rheinbolt is the first person from J. A. Kohlhepp Sons, Inc. to become a Master Blockmaker™. In November, 1999 he also completed the Equipment Controls course.
Terry Rowbotham (pictured right) of Atlas Block Company, Ltd. in Orillia, Ontario is the fourth employee to achieve Master Blockmaker™ status. Terry attended the Product Handling course in October, 1999.
Pictured above: Jim Park, Besser Company; John St. George; Don Newport, Alpena Community College.	John St. George of Santsar Industries in McGregor, Ontario also earned the title of Master Blockmaker™. John may be the trend setter for his company as he is the first person from Santsar Industries to earn this prestigious title. John completed the Equipment Controls course in November, 1999.
David White is the fourth employee of Peerless Block & Brick of St. Albans, West Virginia to earn Master Blockmaker™ certification. David also completed the November, 1999 Equipment Controls course.	Pictured above: Jim Park, Besser Company; David White; Don Newport, Alpena Community College.

Blockmakers Workshops® originated in 1954 to assist in developing qualified professionals in the concrete products industry. The workshops are a joint partnership between Alpena Community College and Besser Company of Alpena, Michigan. A Master Blockmaker™ is someone who has successfully completed five predetermined courses that prepare the individual in the efficient and effective production of quality concrete products. To learn more about Blockmakers Workshops® and how you can become a Master Blockmaker™ contact Vicki Cripps at Alpena Community College at (989) 356-9021 extension 238. XXXX