MCA honors two industry veterans

By Metal Construction Association.

At a recent awards dinner, Tom Seitz and Dick Bus were celebrated for their contributions to the industry.

Metal Construction Association (MCA) honored two longtime members of the industry during the Awards Dinner on January 20 at the MCA Winter Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona. Tom Seitz, the MCM Alliance Executive Director, was honored as the 2024 recipient of the Larry A. Swaney Award and the first MCA Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon Dick Bus of ATAS International.

MCA's 2024 Larry A. Swaney Award

This service award honors an individual who has worked unselfishly for the success of the association and the betterment of the metal construction industry. Tom is a long-time industry professional. He has served extensively within our association, including as a board member starting in 2016. He also co-chaired the Metal Composite Material Council and the Metal Composite Material Alliance. After 45 years in the industry and 20 years with 3A Composite Materials, Tom retired from his position as director of strategic accounts in 2020 and became the executive director of MCA's Metal Composite Material Alliance.

As Tom describes it, he “leads the acceleration of MCM panel system market demand, education and awareness, as well as partners with and supports MCM members as they accomplish their goals, make an impact, and drive this industry forward, faster.” His advocacy has supported many MCA initiatives and helped to grow membership. Tom inspires members to get involved with committees and programs while setting a good example of the benefits of engagement.

See past Larry A. Swaney award recipients!

The first MCA Lifetime Achievement award

Dick is a longtime MCA and MRA supporter and leader inspired many individuals to come forward to talk about Dick's amazing record of service in the industry, association and alliance.

Renee Ramey, executive director of MRA, emceed the award presentation with MCA Chair Brian Partyka; MRA was also honoring Dick at this event. Also speaking or sending their thoughts in honor of Dick were:

• Former MCA Chair Jim Bush of ATAS International
• Rob Haddock, founder and CEO of S-5!
• Jerry Iselin, president and CEO of Metal Roof Specialties
• Tom Black, former executive director of MRA
• Retired industry veteran Harold Schroths
• Mark Engle, former executive director of MCA
• Tina and Mark Bus, two of Dick's children

Under Dick, ATAS International has been a longtime member, supporter, and sponsor of MCA. ATAS was founded in 1963 by Dick’s father, Jack Bus, in the family’s basement in Rochester, New York. By the time the company moved into a 12,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in 1972, Dick was working sales and accounting for the family business. In 1984, the company moved to Allentown, Pennsylvania, to take advantage of a more central location. Dick took charge of hiring and running the new plant. The next year, in 1985, Dick was invited to attend his first MCA meeting.The next year, in 1986, Dick was promoted to vice president of ATAS, and ATAS joined MCA—kicking off nearly 40 years of engagement and advocacy. In the 1990s, Dick became ATAS's president. As ATAS grew, Dick stepped up his involvement with the association. He served on MCA’s board for 18 years, including as vice chair from 2000 to 2006 and chair from 2007 to 2009.

Dick was the main catalyst in the creation of the Metal Roofing Alliance. It started as part of MCA before becoming its own entity. Dick became MRA’s first president and held that position for 25 years. As MRA president, he also held a seat on MCA’s executive council. During his decades-long tenure at MRA and as one of its founding members, Dick has played a major role in the growth of the U.S. and Canadian residential metal roofing industry, working to increase awareness, education, and demand among homeowners.

In 2008, ATAS purchased Brightsmith Coil Coaters, where Dick is vice president in addition to being president of ATAS, which is now an industry leader with more than 100 employees at three plants. Bus has served on the boards of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), the Manufacturers Resource Center in Allentown, and the Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown. Dick received the Swaney Award in 2011. He was inducted into the Metal Roofing Hall of Fame in 2013 and received the MCA Triumph Award for Industry Champion of the Year in 2017.

After 25 years and so many accomplishments, Dick opted to step down as MRA president last summer. But he is not stepping down from his role at ATAS and remains actively involved with MCA and MRA, and squeezing in time to travel with his family and time with his grandchildren.