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’m continually amazed at the resources AGC provides its members. Membership furnishes the best Capitol Hill advocacy on the issues that matter to the construction industry and an extensive tool kit that enables us to build better businesses and succeed in today’s economy.
Over the years, I’ve learned more about how the industry works and more importantly, how to work smarter. AGC’s resources have been a large part of this process. I have many personal examples of how AGC resources and staff members have saved my company money and man hours, and so do many other AGC members from across the country. I encourage you to get involved, use the many tools available to you and learn for yourself how to profit through participation.
Profit through Participation:
Work-Force Development
Bob Carlson
General Manager, Construction Division
AOI Construction Services
Omaha, Neb.
ob Carlson is a long-time supporter of Nebraska workforce development efforts, in particular the Omaha Construction Career Academy. Carlson attributes the success of these ongoing projects to the hard work of the Nebraska Chapter-AGC, the academy staff and AGC’s vast work-force development resources.
“Our industry is in need of highly skilled, intelligent professionals,” says Carlson. “AGC’s workforce-development resources, especially the Dept. of Labor Grant funds, are helping the Omaha Construction Career Academy provide these students with a pathway to the construction trades. The students, the industry and our business benefit greatly from these programs.”
AGC’s DOL Grant funds have financed the up-to-date technological training of academy staff, purchased essential program materials and provided resources to help the chapter and school continue improving the image of the industry among students.
Profit through Participation: Advocacy
Kit Carson
President
Carson-Mitchell Inc.
Springfield, Mo.
hile serving on the AGC Tax and Fiscal Affairs Committee, Kit Carson has been able to meet with and educate influential national policy makers and legislators about the impact of their decisions on important issues, such as the 3% withholding tax on small contractors, something that would not have been possible without AGC.
“There is no doubt that AGC needs to be involved in advocacy work on Capitol Hill and throughout Washington, D.C.,” says Carson. “AGC not only educates the decision-makers on the impact of their decisions on construction-related issues, but educates its members so they can prepare for new regulations before they are put in place.”
Carson also has benefited from the networking possibilities provided through AGC. “Other members have shared their experiences and advice, helping me avoid some potentially costly situations,” he says. “I would have learned those lessons the hard way if I wasn’t active in AGC.”
Profit through Participation: Supervisory Training
Mike Clowser
Contractors Association of West Virginia
Executive Director
Charleston, W.V.
he Contractors Association of West Virginia partners with the West Virginia University Community and Technical Colleges to offer top-notch supervisory training program courses. These courses not only provide members with the opportunity to grow their employees but also offer those employees the option of turning the coursework into college credits.
“The STP materials offer well-rounded training tailored to the employees,” says Clowser. “AGC’s STP materials provide a strong basis for our classes. Participants are supplied tools that enhance the many aspects of professionalism, including essential problem-solving skills.”
Profit through Participation: Risk Management
Dan O’Brien
President
Current Electrical Construction Co.
Portland, Ore.
GC provides the training and information open-shop contractors are often missing,” says Dan O’Brien. “Our company has benefited from the gamut of AGC resources.”
When Current Electrical Construction Co. reorganized several years ago, they used AGC resources to learn how to better work with employees, guide them through the collective bargaining process and better understand how to implement fair employee and employer rights.
More recently at the Surety Bonding and Risk Management Meeting in Longboat Key, Fla., O’Brien learned that his company was not taking full advantage of his insurance coverage. After learning more about their opportunities, the company was able to extend full insurance coverage on each of their projects at no extra cost.
Profit through Participation: Professional Development
Miranda Fox
Project Manager
Taylor Brothers Construction Co. Inc.
Columbus, Ind.
iranda Fox already knew a thing or two about leadership, having earned an associate’s degree in leadership. But attending the Leadership in Construction Workshop provided her with more than the refresher course she had expected.
“AGC’s Leadership in Construction Workshop exceeded my expectations,” says Fox. “I cultivated a greater ability to identify leadership skills in other people, enabling me to adapt and improve the way I interact with people on the job.”
Since the course, Fox has improved her day-to-day operations by applying the many course principles, qualities she believes will breed a culture of leadership within Taylor Brothers.
Profit through Participation: HR Professionals Forum
Diane Scott
Vice President, Human Resources
LPCiminelli Inc.
Buffalo, N.Y.
iane Scott gained three things from participating in the recent HR Professionals Forum in St. Louis, Mo.: an increased knowledge of AGC’s many resources, a wealth of information on affirmative action and priceless shared information and advice from the roundtable meetings.
“I expect that the affirmative action guidelines will save us time and money. Because of what I learned at the forum, I’ll be able to put together a plan without hiring an outside consultant,” says Scott.
The savings could translate to $5,000 to $10,000 for LPCiminelli. “In the future, I will use more AGC resources. This was by far the most valuable conference I’ve been to in years,” she says.
Profit through Participation: Environmental Services
Lennie Boteilho
Senior Manager
Ames Construction
West Valley City, Utah
mes Construction uses AGC’s environmental resources to refine its environmental management program, assure compliance with regulatory and owner conditions and reduce the risks of noncompliance or violations.
“We believe that our proactive approach establishes credibility with clients, regulators, our employees and the communities in which we work,” says Lennie Boteilho. “With an AGC affiliation, our company also benefits from the reputation of AGC when dealing with regulatory agencies. AGC advocacy and partnering efforts are gaining both recognition and respect within the regulated communities, creating a positive impact on our construction quality and our ability to provide attainable value to all of our stakeholders.
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President's Message 
