|
The 2009 NUCA Washington Summit in Review
GUCA Sponsors Construction Career Expo
NUCA of Colorado Holds Chapter Kick-off Event
NUCA of Indiana Appoints New ED
New Members
The 2009 NUCA Washington Summit in Review
Armed with facts, figures and an intimate knowledge of utility contracting, more than 100 dedicated NUCA members attending the 2009 NUCA Washington Summit (May 18-20) charged Capitol Hill on a beautiful spring day to “talk turkey” with senators and representatives about SRF funding and reauthorization, “card check” legislation, highway reauthorization and other important issues impacting the utility construction industry. More than 150 congressional offices were visited.
If members needed further proof that grassroots advocacy is critically important to NUCA’s mission, they found it when they discovered that many lawmakers had already dug in their heels about Card Check legislation without really knowing and/or understanding the facts — including its potential negative impact on small businesses.
Capitol Hill events also included a breakfast to benefit NUCA’s Strategic Advocacy Fund (STRAF) program that featured Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), who spoke about Card Check legislation, this year’s health care debate, the need to repeal or seriously reform the federal estate tax (“death tax”), and the need for greater federal investment in American infrastructure. The day concluded with a Congressional Reception, where NUCA members enhanced their relationships with senators, representatives and congressional staffers in a more informal setting.
While meeting with members of Congress was the focus of this annual event, NUCA members also spent time conducting association business at the board and committee meetings. A highlight of the final board of directors meeting was the joint appearance of two federal officials tasked with administering the distribution of stimulus funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 — Ben Shuman, Senior Environmental Engineer, USDA’s Rural Development Utilities Programs, and Peter Shanahan, Environmental Protection Agency team leader on the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. NUCA has enlisted the help of both Shuman and Shanahan in planning webinars that will provide guidance to utility contractors bidding on stimulus projects. (Call NUCA’s Government Relations Department at 800-662-6822 for more information.)
The centerpiece of the Summit’s social events was the National Awards Breakfast, where the 2008 achievements of individuals, companies and chapters in the areas of legislative/regulatory advocacy, safety promotion, professional education and training and community service were recognized. NUCA/PAC Awards were presented at the Legislative Briefing and the We Dig America Award at an outdoor reception following the briefing. The winners of all these awards are pictured over the next four pages.
View photos from 2009 NUCA Washington Summit in PDF format >>>
GUCA Sponsors Construction Career Expo
 |
| GUCA member Billy Padgett, C.A. Murren & Sons Co. Inc., talks up a construction career with a student attendee. |
|
More than 6,100 students, instructors, parents and industry volunteers representing 191 different schools across the state of Georgia attended the 5th Annual Construction Career Expo, sponsored by the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia and the Georgia Utility Contractor’s Association (GUCA). Designed to promote careers in construction and give students the opportunity to meet potential employers, the state-wide event drew record crowds to the Georgia International Convention Center.
A student favorite and one of the biggest draws of the event was sponsored by GUCA member companies Robert M. Anderson Inc., METRAC and C. A. Murren & Sons Co. Inc. Students were allowed to operate and perform certain tasks using two large excavators, two mini excavators, a directional drill and remote controlled pipe lasers.
Additionally, John Deere provided their excavator simulator for the students to try out and Robert M. Anderson, Inc. a mock job site. In conjunction with the Career Expo, CEFGA and its partners sponsored the Skills USA state construction contests, in which more than 265 of the state’s top students competed in carpentry, electrical, masonry, plumbing, sheet metal, heating and air, architectural drafting and Team Works. For more information about GUCA, visit www.guca.com.
NUCA of Colorado Holds Chapter Kick-off Event
On April 23, utility construction professionals gathered in Greenwood Village, Colorado for NUCA of Colorado’s kickoff event. NUCA National Past President Jim Stutler of Reynolds-Tierdael presented a plaque proclaiming NUCA of Colorado an official NUCA chapter and officiated at the swearing-in ceremony of chapter officers and 11-member board of directors.
The officers present at the meeting were: President J.J. Brandstatter of Twin Peaks Utilities and Infrastructure; Vice President Dan Coder of Western Summit Constructors; and Secretary/Treasurer Lloyd Kuehn of Scott Contracting. Stutler will serve as chair of the Utility/Industry Relations Committee.
Attendees also participated in a unique Q&A dialogue with government officials from various state agencies, including: Colorado Rural Development; the Water Quality Control Division of the CO Dept. of Pubic Health and Environment; and the CO Dept. of Transportation. The guest panel shed light on where economic stimulus funds are flowing into utility construction projects in Colorado.
For more information about the new chapter, visit www.NUCAcolorado.com.
NUCA of Indiana
Appoints New ED
On April 30, Christopher J. Price assumed the role of NUCA of Indiana’s Executive Director. A graduate of Purdue University and a civil engineer, he brings with him 10 years of industry experience and leadership. He began his career providing consulting services to an established engineering firm and then moved into the sales of construction products in the residential, commercial, municipal, wastewater and highway markets. In the latter capacity, he provided oversight, management and technical assistance to a network of 18 sales representatives.
Throughout his career, Price has forged relationships with contractors, engineers, architects, developers, owners and governmental agencies. His intimate understanding of the construction industry is expected to have an immediate and thoughtful impact on the success of NUCA of Indiana’s programs and services.
New Members
East Coast Contracting Inc.
Mike Hobbs
4525 Technology Dr.
Wilmington, NC 28405
Work: (910) 343-6445
Fax: (910) 343-6449
Email: mhobbs@eccwilm.com
Web: www.eastcontractinginc.com
M of Tallahassee Inc.
Henry Mayfield
4223 Capital Circle NW
Tallahassee, FL 32303-7214
Work: (850) 562-1022
Fax: (850) 562-8151
Email: henrymayfield@comcast.com
Web: www.moftallahassee.net
McDade WoodCock Inc.
Rob Rives
P.O. Box 11592
Albuquerque, NM 87192
Work: (505) 884-0155
Fax: (505) 884-6073
Email: robr@mwieic.com
Web: www.mwieic.com
Michael James Developers Inc.
Ken Wachman
16028 Westerham Dr.
Tampa, FL 33647
Work: (813) 927-9085
Email: kwachman@msn.com
Quality Pipe Services
Scott Boyd
12656 E Jamison Pl., #10
Englewood, CO 80005
Work: (303) 662-8014
Fax: (303) 662-8016
Email: sboydqps@msn.com
Web: www.qualitypipeservices.com
Thomco
Shauna Rollins
13600 44th St., NE
Lake Stevens, WA 98258
Work: (425) 377-9130
Fax: (425) 377-9135
Email: shangrdlins@thomco.us
Hanson Pressure Pipe
Tim Kennedy
300 E John Carpenter Freeway,
11th Floor
Irving, TX 75062
Work: (937) 238-3508
Fax: (937) 653-3899
Email: tim.kennedy@hanson.com
Web: www.hanson.com
HD Supply Waterworks Denver
David Hovater
1910 38th St.
Denver, CO 80216
Work: (303) 292-1112
Fax: (303) 292-5008
Email: david.hovater@hdsupply.com
Web: www.hdsupply.com
Mabey Bridge & Shore Inc.
Jeff Dippel
326 Bay St.
Fairburn, GA 30213
Work: (770) 964-8280
Fax: (770) 964-8755
Email: j.dippel@mabey.com
Web: www.mabey.com
Moody Insurance Agency
Nick Broyles
3773 Cherry Creek North Dr., #800
Denver, CO 80209
Work: (303) 824-6600
Fax: (303) 370-0118
Email: nbroyles@moodyins.com
Web: www.moodyins.com
Safety Resources Inc.
Chris Holliday
P.O. Box 1208
Easley, SC 29641-1208
Work: (864) 414-2580
Email: cgholliday@charterinternet.com
Web: www.cseem.biz
Southeastern Pipe & Precast
Kyle Forehand
2900 N Highway 95A
Cantonment, FL 32533
Work: (850) 587-7473
Fax: (850) 587-3026
Email: kyle@southeasternpipe.com
Web: www.southeasternpipe.com
United Rentals Trench Safety
John Thompson
791 E 64th Ave.
Denver, CO 80229
Work: (303) 329-8648
Fax: (303) 329-6247
Email: jthompso@ur.com
Web: www.unitedrentals.com
|
