NDA founder member passes

National Demolition Association founder member William (Bill) A. Geppert, of Colmar, Pennsylvania based Geppert Brothers Inc sadly died on Friday 29 June 2012, aged 88. His activities in the demolition industry began with GPI upon its formation by his father for his four sons - Bill, Joseph, James and Richard - in the 1930s.

Typical of such family run businesses, Bill began his career on the bottom rung as a runner with responsibility with the company's tools, working his way up to become an estimator and finally holding the position of company secretary, from which he retired after celebrating 60 years in the industry. During this time, Bill and his brothers established GBI as one of the largest demolition contractors in the Pennsylvania area.

Bill was one of the individuals who came together in the early 1970s to establish the National Association of Demolition Contractors (NADC), which latterly became the NDA. He therefore was a Charter Member of the association, and served on the board of directors and the first safety committee that developed the Association's safety programme together with OSHA and its Demolition Safety Manual. He was awarded the NDA's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.