(Las Vegas, Nev. – Jan. 31, 2008) – The Concrete Industry Management (CIM) program – a business intensive program that awards students with a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Concrete Industry Management – raised $540,000 at its third annual auction, held in conjunction with the World of Concrete on Thursday, Jan. 24.

According to Brian Gallagher, Chairman of the CIM Marketing Committee, the auction raised 13 percent more than the 2007 event.

"The support from the concrete industry was tremendous,” said Gallagher. “Thanks to the World of Concrete (WOC) Show Management, Hanley Wood Publications, McNeilus, International Truck, and Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, the money raised this year will greatly benefit the growing CIM program."

For the third consecutive year, the centerpiece of the auction was a concrete mixer truck donated by McNeilus Companies, Inc. and International Truck. In addition to the live auction, a silent auction was added this year. Auction items included concrete saws, drills, mixers, vibrators, scaffolding, safety equipment, screeds, fiber transport systems, dust collectors, NDT equipment, decorative concrete tools, water meters, pumps, generators, training sessions, reference books, advertisements, laptop computers, NASCAR Tickets, Indy 500 Tickets, Dallas Cowboy Tickets, autographed Tom Brady and Adrian Peterson memorabilia, sports travel packages, golf school packages, and vacation travel packages.

“We set a record again this year,” said Wally Johnson of US Concrete Products, the 2008 Auction Chairman. “The money raised from the both the live and silent auctions will benefit the CIM National Steering Committee and support the CIM Programs at Middle Tennessee State University, Arizona State University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, California State University - Chico, as well as help fund future program expansion.”