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Rich Szecsy Profile Photo

CEO

Rich Szecsy is a seasoned expert in the concrete industry with over 25 years of experience in management, operations, safety, environmental, quality control, and engineering roles. As the CEO of Big Town Concrete, he leads a dynamic team dedicated to innovation and excellence in concrete production.

Rich holds a B.S. and M.S. in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois. He is a registered professional engineer in multiple states, including Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. Throughout his career, Rich has been actively involved in numerous industry organizations, including the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, American Concrete Institute, ASTM International, and the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Recognized as a national authority on concrete technologies, recycled materials, and sustainability, Rich has contributed significantly to advancing the field. His leadership and expertise have earned him accolades, including being named one of the most influential people in the concrete industry by Concrete Producer magazine.

At Big Town Concrete, Rich continues to drive innovation and sustainability, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of the industry.

159
June 2, 2026

EP #159: Low-Carbon Concrete? Kiss My Grits. Type I/II Is Back!

THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: GPRS Before you cut, core, drill, trench, or start guessing what is inside the slab, call GPRS. GPRS helps contractors locate what is hidden below the surface with ground penetrating radar, utility locating, concrete scanning, video pipe inspection, leak detection, and mapping services. They help keep your jobsite safer, reduce costly hits, and give your team better information before the work starts. Learn more here: https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/gpr...
Guest: Rich Szecsy
144
Jan. 8, 2026

EP #144: Concrete Isn’t Too Expensive — The System Around It Is

Concrete Is Losing on Cost. Here’s How to Take It Back. Concrete keeps getting priced out of jobs, not because it can’t compete, but because we keep doing the same things the same way. In this episode, Seth Tandett sits down with Rich Szecsy to talk about where concrete costs actually come from and why material price increases are only part of the story. They walk through how specs, local codes, labor assumptions, and risk avoidance quietly stack the deck against concrete, even when it’s the b...
Guest: Rich Szecsy
127
July 15, 2025

EP #127: Why Type 1L Cement Is Causing Concrete Headaches

When concrete fails, who’s really at fault—the material or the people using it? In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, host Seth Tandett is joined by Dr. Jon and Rich to tackle the growing frustrations with Type 1L cement. They ask the hard questions: Is cement the problem? Are the specs off? Or is the industry just cutting corners? The conversation hits on the real-world consequences of poorly defined problems, regional quirks, and the disconnect between American and European concrete ...
Guest: Rich Szecsy
109
Jan. 7, 2025

EP #109: ACI 323, The Fast-Approaching Code and Its Impact on Concrete

In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, host Seth Tandett is joined by Rich Szecsy and Dr. Jon Belkowitz to discuss the recently released ACI 323 code on low carbon concrete. The trio dig into the significance of the code, the confusion surrounding its implementation, and the challenges it poses for ready-mix producers and construction practices. The hosts explore the implications of the new code on concrete pumping, the role of authorities in code adoption, and the need for future update...
98
Sept. 12, 2024

EP #098: Concrete Challenges: Mastering Water-to-Cement Ratios

In this Concrete Logic Podcast episode, Seth, Rich, and Dr. Jon discuss the potential issues with water-to-cement ratios in concrete production. They highlight the challenges of using new cement and fly ash materials, as well as the variability in water content and cement quantities. The conversation emphasizes the importance of managing risk and the need for accurate calculations to ensure the desired concrete properties. The episode revolves around the need to re-educate construction industry...
91
July 9, 2024

EP #091: Rethinking Time Limits on Concrete

In this episode, Seth interviews Rich Szecsy, an executive in the concrete supply industry. They discuss the recent change in the batch time for concrete from 90 minutes to 120 minutes. Rich explains the history behind the 90-minute time limit and the lack of scientific justification for it. He emphasizes the importance of considering the practicality and sustainability of construction methods. They also touch on the topic of temperature specifications for concrete and the need for a more nua...
Guest: Rich Szecsy
44
April 13, 2023

EP #044 - Concrete & Type IL Cement: No Turning Back

💥 The Concrete Logic Podcast 💥 🛠️ Hosted by: Seth Tandett Thinking about using Type I/II cement? You might want to think again! Rich S. Szecsy, PhD, PE, FACI from Big Town Concrete returns to break down how Type IL cement has rapidly taken over the industry. Is this the fastest shift in concrete history? What does it mean for your next project? We’ve got the answers! 🔎 What’s Inside: ✔️ Why Type I/II cement is disappearing from the market ✔️ The surprising reasons behind the Type IL cement tak...
Guest: Rich Szecsy
20
Sept. 8, 2022

EP #020 - Ain't Nothin' More Sustainable than Concrete

What (or who) is preventing concrete from being more sustainable (i.e. environmentally friendly)? On this week's episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, I sat down with Rich Szecsy from Alamo Concrete Products Company and he shared what he believes are the roadblocks standing in concrete's way from being more green. Listen to Rich and learn how we as an industry can promote more sustainable concrete construction practices to show the world that there is not a building material out there that i...
Guest: Rich Szecsy