Author: Jeanie Clapp

Contractor publishes illustrated children’s book to spur interest in construction BY NICK FORTUNA Something happens between the toddler years, when kids push dump trucks and stack building blocks on the living-room floor, and the teenage years, when ambitious high-school students worry about their class rank, convinced that an expensive college degree is their only path to success. Whether it’s through parents, teachers, media or other influencers, kids get the message that construction is an “alternative path,” a backup option in case they can’t hack it in college, said Chris Eccleston, owner of Salisbury, Md.-based Delmarva Veteran Builders. Over time, that…

San Antonio AGC is celebrating its centennial year, and the chapter is excited to introduce its all- woman team: President Lauren Mandel, Education and Membership Manager Jennifer Munoz and Events and Marketing Communications Coordinator Alexandria Ballew. According to AGC of America, women make up only 11% of the overall construction workforce, with only 4% in professional craft positions, so the chapter is incredibly proud to be boosting those numbers! As an all-female staff, San Antonio AGC hopes to offer a platform for women in construction and honor their contributions, additionally, with an incoming chair. Despite Lauren and Alexandria both joining…

It’s got a long name that belies its intent to streamline the process of getting things done. Constructor sat down with one of its architects to get some details on its content and the AGC collaboration that’s helping move its ideas forward. BY A.D. THOMPSON Limited delays. Efficient reviews. Reforms that the members of AGC of America have long recommended. They’re the core principles of The Building U.S. Infrastructure through Limited Delays & Efficient Reviews (BUILDER) Act, legislation championed by Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA). The bill was included as part of H.R. 1 – the Lower Energy Costs Act –…

BY A/E/C STRATEGIESA Carolinas AGC Member The competition is fierce.  More specifically, the competition for talent in the construction industry is getting ever fiercer.  The talent arms race is no longer a problem for just small- and mid-size firms.  All companies, from the largest general contractor to the smallest specialty sub, are battling for the elusive talent that will allow them to meet current contract obligations, future projects and support growth.  Employees are the lifeblood of any organization.  A central question might be: Why are companies going to battle for talent in the 21st century with 20th century approaches? At…

BY SHANNEN TALBOTMarketing & Communications Director, Inland Northwest AGC It’s no secret that workforce development is a hot topic in the construction industry. Workforce challenges are regularly discussed in meetings and media, and the subject seems to hover at the edges of all other conversations. Therefore, it’s important that workforce success strategies, like the ones driven by the Inland Northwest AGC (NWAGC) in its multi-faceted workforce development initiative, Trade Up 2 Construction, are shared. After listening to member feedback and analyzing their workforce needs, NWAGC asked the question: How could disparate solutions be joined together to resolve multiple challenges at…

Collectively employers are asking questions throughout the state in an effort to fill workforce gaps. These questions include, “How can I fill positions?” and “How do we access workers?” On April 20, however, different questions were being asked. “Did you bring your resumes? Did you practice your interview questions?” In the Champlain Valley Expo Center’s Bissonette Room, Reid Wobby, a volunteer with the Associated General Contractors of Vermont (AGC-VT), asked these two questions to his audience of high school and college students, there to meet prospective employers at the Vermont Career Fair’s second annual event. While it’s not new news…

ACG and Procore Technologies have partnered to create a program to help inspiring students at historically Black colleges and universities. They’ve raised lots of money – and lots of hope – as they help the next generation of constructors bloom, grow and achieve. BY A.D. THOMPSON Deyana Thomas didn’t come from the best neighborhood, but the Philadelphia native’s drive and dedication — not to mention her interest in carpentry — came from her dad. Thomas spent a lot of time helping her father on jobsites when she was a kid. Like most single-digit apprentices, her first tool was a broom,…

Maintaining Singular Focus Contributes to Mid-Coast Corridor Project Securing the 2023 Build America Grand Award BY NICOLE NEEDLES The Mid-Coast Corridor Project was actually eight projects in one. Not only did it involve facets completely different from one another – an interstate expansion, light rail construction, bridge improvement, parking garages and more – this project took place during a global pandemic. Despite these extraordinary conditions, it was completed on time and within budget, securing the 2023 Construction Risk Partners Build America Grand Award for the joint venture team of Mid-Coast Transit Constructors. Multiple projects rolled into one created a unique…

BY KEN GARCIA Safety is key for any business. Whether it is from the tools, heavy equipment, the weather or even mental health, companies value the safety of their employees. This is especially true in the construction industry, where many hazards exist. AGC of America recognizes those safety programs and their work through the Construction Safety Excellence Awards (CSEA), sponsored by Willis Towers Watson. This year’s grand award winner is Hensel Phelps, a general contractor with offices nationwide. Their work is primarily commercial and can touch industries ranging from aviation, the U.S. Defense Department, hospitality, theme parks and manufacturing. With…

Nebraska recently hosted the 5th AGC Equipment Days in conjunction with the Cornhusker State Trap Shoot in Doniphan, Nebraska. This trap shooting competition hosts over 5,000 students in grades 6-12 in Nebraska and surrounding states. The trap complex turns into a town of its own during the three days of the shoot, as many families choose to bring a camper and stay on the property. Steve Peck (SIMON, a COLAS Company) proposed a construction-related promotion at the Cornhusker State Trap Shoot to AGC Nebraska Workforce Development Committee in 2018. An avid shooter, he had a relationship with the Nebraska Games…