06/04/2026
Celebrating the Retirement of Mike Willman: Honoring a Career That Shaped Nebraska Concrete
After more than four decades of dedication to Nebraska’s concrete industry, Mike Willman officially retired from Chryso, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to influence the industry for generations.
Mike’s career began in 1977 with the Nebraska Department of Transportation, working on a survey crew in Norfolk. From those early days, it was clear he had a strong foundation in the field, one that would grow into a career defined by technical expertise, leadership, and a commitment to improving concrete practices across the state.
Following his time with NDOT, Mike joined Gerhold Concrete Company, where he spent decades contributing to the advancement of concrete materials and construction. In the early 1980s, he worked alongside NDOT leaders Claude Oie, former Construction Engineer, and George Woolstrum, former Concrete Engineer, to help develop pavement repair mixes PR1 and PR3, mixes that are still used across Nebraska today.
Mike has also been a cornerstone of education and workforce development. Since the early 1980s, he has been deeply involved in ACI training and certification, helping train and mentor countless professionals. As a Charter member of the ACI Nebraska Chapter since 1988, his influence has extended across generations of concrete professionals, many of whom carry forward knowledge that can be traced back to him.
In the early 2000s, Mike partnered with Moe Jamshidi to help establish the NDOT and NC&AA Annual Meeting. That effort created a critical platform for collaboration between industry and agency leaders, improving communication around research, specifications, and emerging challenges. It is still one of the most important forums in our state today.
His commitment to industry has been recognized time and again. Mike is a three-time recipient of the Nebraska Concrete and Aggregate Association Presidential Award and a recipient of the ACI Nebraska Tom Reading Award, one of the highest honors recognizing long term service, leadership, and advancement of concrete technology.
As he closes this chapter, Mike’s contributions were further recognized with two meaningful honors.
Mike was awarded the Nebraska Admiralship, one of the state’s highest honors, recognizing individuals for outstanding service and contributions. This marks the first time the distinction has been presented to an industry representative. The award reflects not only his professional achievements, but also the respect he has earned across the entire industry.
In addition, the Nebraska Department of Transportation Materials and Research Division recognized Mike with a special award honoring his outstanding contributions and dedicated service to the Nebraska concrete industry.
But if you ask those who have worked with Mike, the awards only tell part of the story.
He is known just as much for his willingness to help, to teach, and to show up. Whether it was answering a technical question, supporting certification programs, or helping move the industry forward, Mike consistently made himself available. That kind of presence leaves a mark that goes far beyond any single project or specification.
When asked what the most valuable tool throughout his career has been, Mike said, “The people. In the concrete industry, I believe relationships matter even more than day-to-day work. Every ready-mix producer offers a similar product, so success ultimately comes down to trust and the strength of the relationships you build.”
As Mike transitions into retirement, the industry he helped build is stronger because of him. His influence can be seen in the people he trained, the standards he helped develop, and the countless projects that benefited from his knowledge.
And while he may be stepping away from his official role, anyone who knows Mike understands that his passion for concrete will not be going anywhere. He will still serve as ACI Nebraska’s Treasurer and will continue to volunteer his time for the betterment of the industry.
Mike, thank you for your dedication, your leadership, and the lasting impact you have made on Nebraska’s concrete industry.
Nebraska Department of Transportation
Nebraska Concrete & Aggregates Association
