The aSa Scholarship
in memory of Glenn Joyce and Jim Leib
The aSa Scholarship, in memory of Jim Leib and Glenn Joyce, provides funding to worthy undergraduate students on a rotating basis between the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. The scholarship recipients should be pursuing degrees related to Computer Science, Information Science, Industrial Engineering, or Civil Engineering. The scholarship is named for two great men who helped to grow aSa into a world leading software provider in the reinforcing steel industry.
Jim Leib – 1941-2021
Jim Leib was a founder and owner of aSa – Applied Systems Associates, Inc.
Born in 1941, Jim earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Washington & Jefferson College, then continued to the University of Pittsburgh for his master’s in industrial engineering. In 1969, Jim founded aSa, along with Elliot Greenman and Alan Colker, when few people understood the significance that computers would play in our lives. He was truly a visionary, and his insight has done much to change the reinforcing steel (rebar) industry. Jim served as the company’s President for more than 25 years.
Jim wrote the company’s first software program, a shearing algorithm to efficiently cut steel and minimize scrap. Today, aSa is the world’s leading provider of specialized software for the rebar industry.
In the early days, aSa rented time on mainframe computers that used punch cards for data input. As technology evolved, Jim steered the company to developing rebar software for Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) PDP-11 series mini computers and later for PCs.
Jim helped to design and develop modules for: Shearing, Tagging, Bar Listing (Order Entry), Estimating, Commercial System (Rebar Financials), Accounts Payable, Payroll, and General Ledger.
aSa has always been a family business. Jim’s wife, Miriam, worked by his side as Office Manager for more than 25 years, and sons Scott and Mitch have leadership roles in the company today. Scott serves as aSa’s President and CEO, and Mitch is Vice President of Operations.
Jim valued relationships very much – with co-workers, customers, and machine manufacturers. He was very active in CRSI and felt it was an important part of the reinforcing industry. Jim was the first associate member to serve on the CRSI board and the first to create a named scholarship for the CRSI Foundation.
aSa was Jim’s passion. He never wanted to retire and literally worked until the last day of his life.
Glenn Joyce – 1934-1993
Glenn Joyce was a long-time Vice President of aSa – Applied Systems Associates, Inc., where he made countless contributions to the rebar industry and to aSa software.
Prior to joining the team at aSa in 1973, Glenn worked for Lind Steel & Supply Company in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, for 20 years. There, he served many functions, including General Manager. At aSa, his creativity led to many innovations that became standards in aSa products and in the reinforcing industry in general. Glenn helped to design aSa Estimating, Bar List (Order Entry), Interactive Detailing, and CAD/Detailing products. He was also actively involved in several CRSI committees, including Detailing and Engineering Practice.
Glenn and wife Pinkie (Marie) were very proud of their five children, all of whom graduated from Carnegie Mellon University.
Glenn died unexpectedly in 1993 while on business in Schererville, Indiana. He is remembered fondly by staff and customers for his teaching skill, patience, and wry humor.