Thomson receives ASTM International Walter C. Voss Award

Words: Margaret ThomsonMargaret Thomson, Ph.D., new business development technical director at Lhoist North America in Fort Worth, Texas, has received the Walter C. Voss Award from ASTM International. The Voss Award is presented annually to an engineer or scientist who has made notable contributions in the field of building technology.

Thomson was honored by ASTM for her numerous contributions to the development of standards and specifications for the use of lime in construction applications, especially in the area of repair and maintenance of historic mortars.

A member of ASTM International since 1996, Thomson is vice chairman of Committee C07 on Lime and chairman of Subcommittee C07.06 on Physical Tests. She also serves as a member at large on the executive subcommittee of Committee C12 on Mortars and Grout for Unity Masonry and received the Award of Merit, ASTM’s highest organizational recognition for individual contributions to ASTM standards activities, from the committee in 2011. She is also a member of ASTM Committees C01 on Cement, C15 on Manufactured Masonry Units and E60 on Sustainability.


Thomson joined Lhoist North America (formerly Chemical Lime Co.) as technical manager of Chemstar Type S Hydrated Lime in 1996. She was promoted to technical director, Western Sales Division, in 2009, and received her current title in 2011. Before Lhoist, she was a research scientist focusing on performance of lime-based mortar for masonry at the National Research Council Canada’s Institute for Research in Construction.

A graduate of University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, where she received a B.Sc. with honors in geology and a Ph.D. in geology, Thomson is also a member of the Masonry Society.
About: Featured
What Is Biophilic Design?
April 2025

Biophilic design integrates natural elements into built spaces to fulfill our innate connection to nature. Rooted in the biophilia hypothesis, it goes beyond aesthetics, enhancing well-being, health and productivity. 5 Ways to Incorporate Biophilic Desig

One For The Ages - The 75th Midyear
April 2025

“One for the ages” this is how I would describe the upcoming midyear to anyone who has never attended or are undecided about attending MCAAs 75th Anniversary at The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island September 7-11 2025. In short “one for the ages” means so

A Greener Future Through Masonry
April 2025

When it comes to building a more sustainable future, the construction and building materials sector has a lot of room for growth. According to the most recent data, construction and building-related emissions are responsible for 40% of greenhouse gas emis

MASONRY STRONG Podcast Episode 19 Recap: Mike & Tom Finch
April 2025

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Mike and Tom Finch join the set in Indianapolis to crack jokes, talk about how they both got started in this industry, and the ways they've seen this trade advance and evolve over the years. The Roots of a F