Jim Gulde, ASSOC. ,AIA, CSI, CDT, CCCM, CCMI

Well known in the construction trades.  Jim holds a BS-Architecture Degree from the University of Notre Dame.  MBA from WTSU/Texas A&M. He is past Chairman of the Board of the National Concrete Masonry Association.  A past director of The Masonry Society, Active on various committees of ACI, ASTM, CSI, NCMA and other industry groups.  He is a Certified Consultant of Concrete Masonry (CCCM), and a Construction Document Technologist(CDT).  He is the director of the Florida Concrete and Products Association’s Masonry Certification Program.

            He responds to the Florida Concrete and Products Association Technical Hot Line and is in contact with masonry problems around the State of Florida – oftentimes assisting the Architect, the Engineer, the Contractor in resolving the issues.  Although he attempts to confine his work to Florida he is sought after and his work has taken him to California, Colorado, the Carolinas, Ohio, Mississippi, Georgia and Texas.  His primary studies include the field of Stucco, both Brick and Block Masonry and Concrete Issues. 

            He is a sought after industry speaker.  Engagements have included the annual conventions of the following groups:  World of Concrete, Masonry Expo., American Concrete Institute, The Masonry Society and many State Masonry Associations including Nevada, Colorado, California, Carolinas, Ohio. 

            His hidden talent is in conducting market research.  His research has included:  Cement, fly ash, clay, expanded shale, energy, wholesale florists, aerated concrete, brick markets, block homes Vs frame, newspaper articles Vs ads, concrete brick Vs clay brick and numerous other studies.    

            He is a sought after lecturer at the University level.  He routinely lectures in the Architecture and/or Civil Engineering departments of the University of Florida, University of South Florida, Miami University and other Colleges or Universities.  

While with the Florida Concrete and Products Association he developed the two (2) day Masonry Workshop which has achieved a cumulative attendance of over 8000 students over the past 17 years.  He continues to conduct ten (10) of these workshops annually with average attendance of 54 people.  Attendees are primarily Building Code officials and inspectors (26%), Architects and Engineers (24%), the remaining 50% are Contractors, Builders, Realtors, Masons, and Testing Laboratories.  

Additional workshops and seminars currently conducted are:  Wind load design, Energy efficiency, Stucco, Flexibility in Design, Residential Flatwork Concrete, ACI 530, Key Masonry Inspection Points.  These workshops/lectures/seminars are for duration of one hour to one day depending on the need of the audience.  His presentations are normally in power point usually with numerous video clips embedded into the presentation.

            CEO of  a multi-disciplined construction business which included manufacturing of concrete masonry with emphasis on Architectural Units, Operation of eight ready mix plants, Prestress and Precast Concrete operations including double T’s and single T’s, highway bridge beams, Architectural panels, Concrete construction and Masonry construction companies.  Sold these businesses in the late 80’s.

            Developer and owner of numerous patents and trademarks in the concrete and concrete masonry industry including:  Process Patents, Chemical Compounds, Additives, Packaging and Equipment Design.  Sold all patents in the ‘70’s 

            Numerous papers and articles in technical journals, including the following subjects: Brick, Block, Concrete, Color, Energy, Structural, Mortar, Grout, Reinforcing Steel, Stucco, Building Codes, Hurricane Resistant Construction.  

            Serves as expert witness on issues pertaining to Masonry, Stucco, and Concrete.