Author: Jeanie Clapp

PLOT platform automates procurement of materials for jobsites By Nick Fortuna There are many rewarding aspects of supervising high-profile construction projects for a leading general contractor, but maintaining the procurement log spreadsheet typically isn’t one of them. Frequently updating the procurement log is an essential duty on large construction jobsites, ensuring that all required materials are ordered on time, get delivered as scheduled and meet the project’s specifications and budget. Properly maintaining that Excel spreadsheet may be tedious and time-consuming, but it’s vital to avoid delays and manage costs. Until recently, maintaining the procurement log took up a large portion…

Construction podcast provides platform for veterans to share their stories BY KATIE KUEHNER-HEBERT Military veterans can bring a host of valuable skills to the construction industry – just ask Adam Stark. After serving in Israel’s Airborne Special Forces, Stark, born and raised in Los Angeles, obtained a bachelor’s degree in business followed by an MBA. Armed with this and his budding real estate experience, Stark then co-founded project management software company Jet.Build. This year Stark began hosting the podcast, The Veterans Who Build Show, featuring military veterans who have successfully transitioned into the development, design and construction sector by leveraging…

What’s Waiting for You in Columbus BY JEANIE J. CLAPP Every year at its annual convention, AGC of America delivers a top-notch program – impactful education sessions, valuable economic, legislative and political insights, and tried-and-true business solutions — along with irreplaceable connections made at the many networking events. No matter the geographic location of the convention, attendees are guaranteed to leave with more tools than they had upon arrival. In April 2025, the AGC magic will take place in Columbus, Ohio, and while the days will be loaded with learning, the nights will be yours to explore. Several local AGC…

BY KEYAN ZANDY, CEO, SKILES GROUP Early in my career, I managed the punch list for an office building our firm had just completed. As I was leaving the conference room, I tried to turn off the lights by flipping the switch, but nothing happened. I flipped the toggle up and down several times, but the lights stayed on. Spotting an electrician in the hallway, I asked him why the switch wasn’t working. “It was installed per the drawings,” he said matter-of-factly. I paused, a bit confused. “Wait—did you know it wouldn’t work when you installed it?” “Yes,” he replied.…

In pursuit of the next generation of constructors, AGC members and other organizations are moving up – and down – the educational spectrum to engage tomorrow’s talent today. BY A.D. THOMPSON Every kid in the world loves LEGOs. But only some LEGO kids have the passion that carries them forward to a place in life where they’re really building the hospital, the school, and maybe if they’re lucky, the pirate ship (assuming it’s part of a resort complex). In an industry where workforce development has topped the wish list for more than a decade – a recent survey by AGC…

Blueprints for a Safety Mentor Program BY KYLE LANG, CSP, DIRECTOR OF SAFETY, FAITH TECHNOLOGIES, INC., A MEMBER OF MULTIPLE AGC CHAPTERS Safety is a critical issue in the construction industry. To prevent accidents, construction companies need to foster a culture of safety that empowers workers to identify and mitigate hazards, report incidents, and learn from mistakes. One way to achieve this is by implementing a safety mentor program. Benefits of a Safety Mentor Program A safety mentor program can bring many benefits to mentors, mentees, and the company as a whole. Some of these benefits include: Improved Safety Performance…

Workforce development has been an issue for two decades and counting, and a new AGC of America survey reflects the continuing struggle and, along with industry pros like the ones assembled here, offers insight into what members can and are doing to combat it. BY A.D. THOMPSON Workforce issues. As far back as the mid-aughts, it’s been at or near the top of the list of construction industry concerns. Project delays. Scale-backs. Postponements. Cancellations. Insufficient labor has impacted all of these things according to a recent survey conducted by AGC of America and the human resources experts at Arcoro. Ninety-four…

AGC of America’s annual convention is the don’t-miss event of the year. It provides contractors of all sizes and markets the opportunity to gain a competitive edge, protect crucial business interests, build valuable industry connections, and prepare for future industry changes. Members hear from top-notch keynote speakers, attend highly informative educational sessions, and participate in critical networking opportunities. Next year, beyond the convention program and outside the convention center, attendees will find more to explore – a city that is celebrated for its creativity, innovation, and dynamic atmosphere. With its remarkable arts, entertainment, fashion, and culinary scenes, exciting collegiate and…

Jordan Foster Construction’s commitment to safety — employing both traditional and nontraditional principles — earned the company top recognition at AGC of America’s Construction Safety Excellence Awards, sponsored by WTW and Starr Insurance, naming it the nation’s top construction safety and health program in 2023 BY KATIE KUEHNER-HEBERT Each year at its annual convention, AGC recognizes and honors those construction companies that excel at safety performance. Earlier this year in San Diego, Jordan Foster Construction, a leading Texas general contractor performing both civil and building group work, received first place in CSEA’s Highway and Civil work category with more than…

BY KEYAN ZANDYCEO, SKILES GROUP The construction industry’s competitive landscape forces us into price wars to win projects. We have grown accustomed to perpetuating a self-defeating cycle, where we willingly reduce our fee until there’s hardly anything left: A competitor’s fee is 3%? Tell the client we’ll do it for 2.5%!They’re down to 2.5%? OK, we’ll do it for 2%! This cycle is destructive for us — as individual businesses and as a collective industry — for several reasons, including: This is why the construction industry suffers when we compete solely on price. Commoditization diminishes the unique strengths and expertise…