Author: Jeanie Clapp

Sierra Pacific West founder Thomas L. Brown has been an athlete and a soldier and an enthusiastic member of AGC. But “never in his wildest imagination” did he think he’d be its next incoming president. BY AMY DREW THOMPSON The more things change, the more they stay the same. It was the better part of 20 years ago when incoming AGC President Thomas L. Brown attended his first board meeting as a wild card, serving at the pleasure of then-President Doug Barnhart. “I was at a table with a lot of gentlemen who were significantly more experienced than I was,”…

5 steps for success BY KEYAN ZANDY, CEO, SKILES GROUP, A TEXO MEMBER Throughout my career, I’ve  learned from several con- struction superintendents,  each imparting unique lessons. One earned respect with  his team by ensuring the trailer’s coffee pot was ready before he arrived each morning, while another valued the site’s security. And there was one whose trust I gradually gained by simply asking to join him during his early morning rounds — albeit under the condition that I remain silent, run safety meetings, handle daily reports and capture progress photos. Over time, he warmed up to me, sharing invaluable…

Where the skilled trades are for everyone BY NICOLE NEEDLES What started as a mission to find a career for her teenage son Dhillon turned into Naina Narayana Chernoff creating opportunities for a whole population of people. Chernoff considered helping Dhillon, who has autism, open a coffee kiosk after he graduated from school. She rethought those plans when the retail and hospitality industries laid off so many workers during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. After researching other sustainable options, one field continued to catch Chernoff’s eye: the skilled trades. Many don’t realize what lucrative careers can come from…

BY KEN GARCIA In the intricate tapestry of environmental concerns, per- and poly- fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have emerged as focal points, sparking heightened attention and regulatory scrutiny. Some PFAS, a group of human-made chemicals known for their persistent nature and widespread use in various industrial and consumer products, have raised environmental and health concerns. Because of this, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed new regulations in 2022 that would clas- sify two PFAS – perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) – as hazardous substances. This would fall under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) or Superfund.…

ConsensusDocs contracts revised to reflect latest industry best practices BY NICK FORTUNA When ConsensusDocs was established in 2007, it marked a major step forward for the construction industry. Twenty organizations in the architecture, engineering and construction industries had come together to transform the business of construction through standardized contracts. Founding members of ConsensusDocs included AGC of America, Associated Builders and Contractors, Construction Owners Association of America, American Subcontractors Association and Mechanical Contractors Association of America. Since then, the list of industry coalition members has doubled to more than 40, a clear indication that ConsensusDocs has achieved success. The platform now…

Building a brand to help recruit and retain life-long employees The construction industry is the backbone of infrastructure development and economic growth. As populations grow and cities expand, the demand for construction projects continues to rise. However, hiring the right talent in this dynamic and demanding sector is often a challenging task. Just ask Kelly Smith, CEO of All Tech, a TEXO member and second-generation firm that performs project and maintenance electrical work on commercial, industrial and healthcare construction. Smith’s father started All Tech – headquartered in Dallas with an office in Cleveland – when she was young and contemplating…

What’s the outlook in the coming election year? Positive? Negative? AGC’s chief economist and a host of other industry professionals are choosing from both columns of the menu. BY AMY DREW THOMPSON Overall, says Ken Simonson, chief economist for AGC of America, the industry forecast in the coming year is positive. This is the industry temperature, as results of the association’s annual business outlook survey are being examined. But industry pros we spoke with feel similarly, even if their optimism is tempered by a bit of cautiousness. Maintenance of the numbers, says Krysta Van Ranst, is what most of her…

By Jason Hannold, Head of Construction, Senior Account ManagerPivot Onsite Innovations, a member of General Building Contractors Association Safety has long been a bedrock of the construction industry, but it still remains a dangerous one with deaths only decreasing by 2.2% from 2020 to 2021, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The reality is: a construction worker’s health has a direct impact on their performance, and poor health can lead to deadly mistakes. In recent years, the definition of safety in construction has evolved to encompass more than personal protective equipment and signage. Today, it includes the health and…

… but it’s also quite reliable. unCommon Construction’s apprentice program has helped more than 300 students build 15 houses (and earn a collective $350k for their efforts) while building myriad hard and soft skills – and the confidence to bring them straight to the jobsite. BY A.D. THOMPSON Workforce development and retention woes are a hot topic these days. In fact – and we can pause here for what are likely the collective eye rolls of innumerable AGC members – workforce development and retention woes have been relevant for at least a decade. Programs by the scads, we’ve reported on…

According to a report released in September by Procore Technologies, Inc. and AGC of America, 78% of civil and infrastructure construction firms expect their project backlog to increase or remain the same over the next year as new federal infrastructure funding ramps up. The report, Top Civil & Infrastructure Trends: Today’s Industry Challenges and Opportunities, found that many firms are worried that labor shortages and productivity challenges could undermine their success with these projects. “With increased backlogs prompted by once-in-a-generation government investment in the U.S. and Canada, civil and infrastructure organizations are on the precipice of historic projects across North…