April 2009

EXPO ‘09 Mood Upbeat Despite Economy

Get Involved — Make a Difference

NUCA of Iowa Welcomes New ED Amanda Jorth

GUCA Presents Golden Shovel Legislative Service Award Winner

New Members

EXPO ‘09 Mood Upbeat Despite Economy

While the economic thunderstorm continued to pour down outside, spirits inside the Phoenix Convention Center at the Utility Construction EXPO ‘09 were decidedly upbeat and hopeful, thanks to the exciting exhibit hall, education sessions and networking events.

“The companies that signed up to lead not only put a lot of effort into choosing interesting and timely topics [of the education sessions], but also the best people they could find to present,” said NUCA CEO Bill Hillman. “As a result, all of the sessions were well-attended and have already received a lot of positive feedback.”

While there were fewer attendees in the exhibit hall than usual, most exhibitors were pleased with the quality of those attendees and the beautiful venue (the new wing of the Phoenix Convention Center), as well as appreciative of the opportunity to work with existing customers.

Roger Mohr of John Deere said he spent a significant amount of time talking with clients about selling excess equipment and restructuring loans. “That’s what long-term partnerships are about,” said Mohr, “listening to problems and finding solutions.”

No one was dwelling on the negative at any of the networking and social events. People showed up in force at the Welcome Reception in the Arizona Science Center, the lively “Paint the Town Red” NUCA Auction (where everyone was sporting red fedoras, feather boas and beads) and the classy Presidents’ “Starry Night” Banquet.

Next up is Utility Construction EXPO ‘10 scheduled for Jan. 10-13, 2010, at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort in Orlando — another popular destination for EXPO attendees. Companies interested in exhibiting at EXPO ‘10 should contact Cheryl Stratos via e-mail at cstratos@ias-online.net or by phone at (703) 212-4968.

View photos from Utility Construction EXPO ‘09 (PDF) >>

Get Involved — Make a Difference
Make your industry’s legislative agenda a priority in the halls of Congress at the 2009 Washington Summit

An important part of the utility construction industry’s “Big Picture” is the body of laws and regulations governing it. As numerous NUCA members discover year after year, you can have an impact on that legislation at the federal level simply by attending NUCA’s Washington Summit and visiting your state’s lawmakers on Capitol Hill armed with a thorough briefing by experts and a comprehensive handbook of talking points. While the final list of the key issues on NUCA’s 2009 Washington Summit agenda has not been finalized, the association will be building on the progress already made in expanding underground infrastructure markets, fighting over-burdensome legislation such as the card check bill and ominous new OSHA measures and lobbying for legislation to help employers provide quality health care for their workers at a more affordable cost.

Ed Wright (center) receives a Home Depot gift certificate from Joel Powell, Product Specialist Group Manager, Compact Volvo Construction Equipment, Asheville, N.C.

This year’s Washington Summit/Spring Board and Committee Meetings are scheduled for May 18-20 at the Hotel Monaco in “Old Town” Alexandria, Virginia. Register for this exciting annual fly-in event by May 1 (see next page). To secure the discounted group room rate of $249 single/double at the Hotel Monaco, call (800) 368-5047 no later than April 17 and identify yourself as attending the National Utility Contractors Association Washington Summit. Please note that NUCA will be charging a nominal registration fee ($125 for members, $225 for nonmembers) to help defray the costs associated with four networking events. This year, NUCA’s annual national awards will be presented at a National Awards Breakfast included in the registration fee. See below for the schedule of events and committee meetings. Visit www.nuca.com for more details.

EXPO ’09 Sponsor Volvo Awards $500 Home Depot Gift Certificate

During Utility Construction EXPO ’09 in Phoenix last month, sponsor and exhibitor Volvo Construction Equipment Inc. conducted a drawing at its booth for a $500 Home Depot gift certificate. Walter Reeves, Volvo Attachment Specialist NA (Goshen, Conn.), indicated that the purpose of the award was to “give back to contractors who were struggling through these tough economic times — not only by supporting the industry and exhibiting at EXPO, but also by giving away the gift certificate.” The winner was A. Edward Wright, Vice President of NUCA, member Fay & Wright Excavating of Goshen, Conn., and past president of the Utility Contractors Association of Connecticut.

NUCA 2009 Washington Summit
Hotel Monaco Alexandria
Alexandria, VA

NUCA Washington Summit Registration Form >>

NUCA of Iowa Welcomes New ED Amanda Jorth

On March 1, NUCA of Iowa welcomed its new Executive Director, Amanda Jorth, who brings a wealth of marketing experience to the position. After graduating from college, she worked as a newspaper reporter in Aberdeen, S.D., before transitioning to the field of marketing.

Most recently she worked as a consultant with a focus on corporate and employee communications. Her immediate goal is to learn as much as she can about the NUCA organization so that she can begin to grow the Iowa chapter’s membership. Jorth lives in central Iowa with her husband Brent and 17-month-old daughter Lillian.

For more information about NUCA of Iowa, please visit www.nucaiowa.com.

GUCA Presents Golden Shovel Legislative Service Award Winner

(L to R): GUCA Lobbyist Mo Thrash, Senator Chip Pearson and GUCA President Ricky Harp.

During its 2009 Annual Lobby Day on February 10 in Atlanta, the Georgia Utility Contractors Association Inc. (GUCA) presented the 2008 Golden Shovel Legislative Service Award to Senator Chip Pearson (R). Elected to the Georgia State Senate in 2004, he represents District 51, which covers Dawson, Fannin, parts of Forsyth, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Pickens, Union and parts of White counties. He currently serves as Chairman of the Economic Development Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Transportation Committee and sits on the Appropriations, Assignments, Insurance and Labor and Rules committees. He is also the founder, president and CEO of GUCA member company Paramont Grading Co.

Noting the 102 pieces of legislation sponsored by Pearson in 2008, several of them favorable to the utility construction industry, GUCA Executive Director Vikki McReynolds said: “Senator Pearson has worked hard and conscientiously for his community and the industry this year. He always had an ear for our concerns and worked closely with GUCA on several issues.”

For more information about GUCA, please visit www.guca.com.

New Members

Andale Construction Inc.
Luis De La Cruz
P.O. Box 5636
Goodyear, AZ 85338
Work: (623) 322-4731
Fax: (623) 322-4775
Email: ldelacruz@andaleci.com
Web: www.andaleci.com

Collective Contracting Inc.
David Nelson
11385 FM 1346
Adkins, TX 78101
Work: (210) 648-4000
Fax: (210) 648-4002
Email: collective@hughes.net

Corman Construction Inc.
Ryan Gorman
12001 Guilford Rd.
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701-1201
Work: (301) 953-0900
Fax: (301) 953-0384
Email: rgorman@cormanconstruction.com
Web: www.cormanconstruction.com

Dupuy Construction and Development
Justin Dupuy
1817 S Horne St., Ste. 4
Mesa, AZ 85204
Work: (480) 814-1302
Fax: (480) 216-0580
Email: justin@dupuyconstruction.com
Web: www.dupuyconstruction.com

Golden Triangle Construction Co. Inc.
Jeff Johnson
40 Pattridge Ln.
Imperial, PA 15126-9414
Work: (724) 695-1600
Fax: (724) 695-1611
Email: jeff@gtcpgh.com
Web: www.gtcpgh.com

H.R. Bookstrom Construction
Derek Bookstrom
6401 N 60th St.
Lincoln, NE 68507
Work: (402) 464-4342
Fax: (402) 464-4846
Email: dsh_bookie@yahoo.com

Pesado Construction Co.
William Hunter
7054 Pipestone Dr.
Schertz, TX 78154
Work: (210) 651-4452
Fax: (210) 651-4492
Email: billhunter2@msn.com

Power Constructors
Jim Easterly
4545 E University Dr.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Work: (480) 966-2583
Fax: (480) 966-2591
Email: jim.easterly@powereng.com

So. Cal Construction & Consulting Services
Rocky Harpur
1030 Knoll Park Ln.
Fallbrook, CA 92028
Work: (760) 723-8907
Fax: (760) 723-2736
Email: shari@socalcontractorccs.com
Web: www.socalcontractorccs.com

Baker Utility Supply Corp.
Bill Baker
2351 Aztec Rd., NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107
Work: (505) 884-0990
Fax: (505) 881-4615
Email: bbaker@bakerutility.com

Benchmark Insurance
Chuck Craycraft
111 Hoff Rd.
P.O. Box 2700
Westerville, OH 43086
Work: (614) 891-7791
Fax: (614) 891-5801
Email: chuck@benchmarkinsurance.com
Web: www.benchmarkinsurance.net

Cate Equipment Co. of Nevada LLC
Mike Bellino
4530 E Carey Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89115
Work: (702) 644-2425
Fax: (702) 644-1860
Email: mbellino@cateequipment.com
Web: www.cateequipment.com

Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore LLP
K. Brett Marston
10 Franklin Rd.
Roanoke, VA 24012
Work: (540) 983-9300
Fax: (540) 983-9400
Email: brett.marston@gentrylocke.com
Web: www.gentrylocke.com

Jack Doheny Supplies Inc.
Mike Renner
7720 Records St.
Lawrence, IN 46226
Work: (317) 545-3331
Fax: (317) 545-3334
Email: mike.renner@dohenysupply.com
Web: www.doheny-supplies.com

K and S Insurance Agency
Robert Kanuth
2255 Ridge Rd.
P.O. Box 333
Rockwall, TX 75087
Work: (972) 772-7238
Fax: (972) 771-4695
Email: rkanuth@kandsins.com
Web: www.kandsgroup.com

Petty Livingston Dawson & Richards PC
Herschel V. Keller
P.O. Box 1080
Lynchburg, VA 24505-1080
Work: (434) 846-2768
Fax: (434) 847-8195
Email: hkeller@pldrlaw.com
Web: www.pldrlaw.com

Taurman Distributing & Manufacturing Inc.
Juanita Taurman
2208 Sandra Ave.
Centralia, WA 98531
Work: (360) 870-3813
Fax: (360) 330-9930
Email: taurmantdm@msn.com
Web: www.hydrantsetter.com

WPM Southern LLC
Chris Leoni
12220 Towne Lake Dr., Ste. 01
Fort Myers, FL 33913
Work: (239) 561-8533
Fax: (239) 561-2474
Email: jmoodywpm@yahoo.com