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From the Trenches
New Members
From the Trenches
The Utility Contractors Association of Rhode Island’s Rise as a Respected Organization
By Bob Lafleur
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The Utility Contractors Association of Rhode Island meets with U.S. Senator Jack Reed (center) at last year’s NUCA Washington Summit. |
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The summer of 1973 in North Smithfield, R.I., seemed just like all the other hot and humid Rhode Island summers, but something was blooming in a Providence, R.I., social club, where a group of six contractors met to deal with the ever growing issues of workers rights and how small businesses were trying to address it. This was the birth of the Utility Contractors Association of Rhode Island (UCARI).
The association’s goals were to form a common, unified voice for the underground utility industry. Along with the right to work issues, the fledgling association was also focusing their efforts on state regulatory matters and safety regulations such as what would become laws relating to excavations (Dig Safe laws). Not long after its formation, UCARI decided to join the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) in December 1973 to bolster not only statewide effectiveness but to access the national level.
Since that time, UCARI continued to grow into a well respected and relied upon association in Rhode Island. UCARI hired its first Executive Director in the 1980s and after having been served by four previous Executive Directors hired its current Executive Director Robert Lafleur in June 2000. Since his hiring, UCARI has grown in membership bolstering a membership of over 60 company members representing over 5000 employees. But of those original six contractors at the social club, only two remain as original charter members today — A.E. Bragger Construction Co. and Cardi Construction Co. both of Warwick, R.I.
In addition, UCARI hired its first lobbyist in 2005, Terrance Martiesian Esq., a highly-regarded lobbyist in Rhode Island. Like its founding members in the early 1970s, UCARI now has a significant lobby base of members and their families that have assisted changes in retainage language that benefits contractors, established the first meaningful changes in the Dig Safe Laws in Rhode Island in 25 years.
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UCARI often has guest speakers at its general meetings — here’s General Treasurer Frank Caprio who was also a candidate for Rhode Island Governor at the time. |
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“That alone was an extremely defining moment for UCARI,” said Lafleur, who also is a registered lobbyist for UCARI. During the presidency of Karen Capaldi and UCARI’s current president, Ron Nunes, UCARI established committees that have had an integral part in our current success and status throughout Rhode Island. “I am a firm believer in alliances with the many state and federal agencies that oversee our industry,” Lafleur said.
Throughout his years as Executive Director, Lafleur has created significant relationships with OSHA, the Public Utilities Commission, state government officials as well as Rhode Island’s federal delegation. UCARI members like Nunes participate regularly in many statewide commission meetings addressing legislative and regulatory issues. Nunes is currently involved with a proposed diesel emissions bill.
Not only are UCARI members active in Rhode Island, but UCARI has also stepped up on the national level and has been for some time. In 1994, UCARI charter member Albert “Ted” Bragger of A.E. Bragger Construction was elected NUCA President. Prior to Ted’s election, he and Bill Harley, former NUCA Executive Director and Harold Ruff, a NUCA member from the Midwest, spearheaded what NUCA now enjoys today — the alliance with CNA that generates thousands of dollars for the national organization.
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Another meeting with their elected representative. The UCARI delegation stands with U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy (third from the right). |
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UCARI also currently has Nunes and Virginia DiCristofaro, granddaughter of Ted Bragger and daughter of another NUCA and UCARI member Mark Bragger Sr,. serving as NUCA Vice Presidents. Prior to the new governing structure of NUCA, many UCARI members sat as national Directors and participated and attended regularly many NUCA events and meetings. “That’s what I find sets us apart from other chapters. That’s not to say other chapters are not involved, it says a lot for the “littlest state in the union” having a big part in Rhode Island and nationally.” Lafleur exclaimed.
As an aside, UCARI is represented every time NUCA picks up the acrylic en-cased pipe showing sediment buildup at Congressional hearings and other national events, as the piece of pipe was created and donated by UCARI’s Bragger Construction Co. to NUCA. The pipe is from a replacement project that was being performed by Bragger Construction in the City of Pawtucket, R.I. in early ‘90’s.
Despite the economic downturn and unemployment nearing 13 percent in Rhode Island, UCARI remains a vital and respected “go-to” association.
New Members
American Boring & Trenching Inc.
Brent Garland
6560 Pangola Rd.
Fort Myers, FL 33905
Work: (239) 693-9900
Fax: (239) 693-1667
Email: brent@american-boring.com
B. Frank Joy LLC
Michael R. Roche
5355 Kilmer Pl.
Hyattsville, MD 20781
Work: (301)699-6028
Fax: (301)699-6013
Email: mroche@bfjoy.com
B-Line Directional Drilling LLC
Kris Stadeli
P.O. Box 26267
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Work: (602) 437-5444
Fax: (602) 437-5717
Email: b-linestadeli@cox.net
Badger Daylighting Hydrovac Excavation
David Oberg
4733 Showdown Dr.
North Las Vegas, NV 89031
Work: (702) 395-7211
Fax: (702) 396-3176
Email: badgervegasnv@gmail.com
Web: www.badgerinc.com
Del Barber Excavation Inc.
Del Barber
P.O. Box 6554
Bend, OR 97708
Email: ritasdirt@yahoo.com
Dixie Roadbuilders Inc.
Alton C. Walker, Jr.
1107 M St.
Waycross, GA 31501-5717
Work: (912)283-6646
Fax: (912)283-1287
Email: dixierb@bellsouth.net
Donald A. Sommer Inc.
Andy Sommer
13167 State Rt. 274
Anna, OH 45302-9456
Work: (937)693-6411
Fax: (937)693-2067
Email: dsommer1@woh.rr.com
Hawaii Geophysical Services
Paul Vierling
949 Akepo Ln.
Honolulu, HI 96817
Work: (808)845-3900
Fax: (808)848-5589
Email: paul.vierling@hawaiigeophysicalservices
Humbert Asphalt Inc.
Jennifer Humbert
84899 Hwy. 11
Milton Freewater, OR 97862
Work: (541) 938-3174
Fax: (541) 938-5001
Email: humbertasphalt@hotmail.com
J.J. Westhoff Construction Co.
Jerry J. Westhoff
700 Calvert St.
Lincoln, NE 68502-4322
Work: (402)421-1225
Fax: (402)421-3638
Email: jwesthoff@neb.rr.com
JR Filanc Construction Co.
Dave Little
740 N Andreasen Dr.
Escondido, CA 92029-1414
Work: (760) 466-0519
Fax: (760) 466-0459
Email: dlittle@filanc.com
Kersten’s & Lee Inc.
Ervin W. Kersten
11050 S 204th St.
Gretna, NE 68028-7977
Work: (402)332-4141
Fax: (402)332-5822
Email: lorraine@kerstenslee.com
Merritt Contracting Inc.
Tom Merritt
900 S SR 39
Lebanon, IN 46052
Work: (765)483-0947
Fax: (708)575-6809
Email: tom@merrittcontracting.com
Pulliam Pipeline
Steve Pulliam
1020 Simonton Rd.
Lawrenceville, GA 30045
Work: (404) 403-5103
Fax: (404) 995-8150
Email: slpull@bellsouth.net
R & D Enterprise Contractors Inc.
Rose Stockslager
5436 Sunset Pike
Chambersburg, PA 17202
Work: (717) 257-1385
Fax: (717) 267-0491
Email: roserand@pa.net
Rod Anderson Construction Inc.
Rodney L. Anderson
4531 NW “A” Ave.
Pendleton, OR 97801
Work: (541) 276-4104
Fax: (541) 966-8860
Email: rod@rodandersonconstruction.com
Web: www.rodandersonconstruction.com
Subterrain Technologies Inc.
Trayci Wells
909 10th St. W.
Palmetto, FL 34421
Work: (941) 721-3446
Fax: (941) 722-3447
Email: trayci@subterrainfl.com
TAB Construction Co.
Bill Ringsdorf
4153 South 67th St.
Omaha, NE 68117
Work: (402)331-1244
Fax: (402)331-1286
Email: billr@tabholding.com
Tee Pee Contractors Inc.
Kermit Schagersman
P.O. Box 11168
Casa Grande, AZ 85130
Work: (520) 836-8513
Fax: (520) 836-6306
Email: kermit@teepeecontractors.com
Tetra Tech Construction Services Inc.
Jim Easterly
2832 South 46th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Work: (480) 921-4242
Fax: (480) 921-3004
Email: jim.easterly@tetratech.com
Thompson Bros. Excavating Inc.
Brad Thompson
18211 NE Fourth Plain Rd.
Vancouver, WA 98682
Work: (360)254-7056
Fax: (360)254-7195
Email: steve@thompsonbrosexcavating.com
Thompson Construction Inc.
Kelly Thompson
P.O. Box 640
Arlington, NE 68002
Work: (402)478-4751
Fax: (402)478-4744
Email: kelly@thompsonconstructioninc.com
Titan Utilities LLC
John Kalkhoven
11562 SW 175th
Beaverton, OR 97007
Work: (503) 706-8288
Fax: (503) 590-5113
Email: jfkccs@comcast.net
William Anthony Excavating
Anthony Raposo
3666 Quaker Ln.
North Kingstown, RI 02852
Work: (401) 294-2320
Fax: (401) 294-2391
Email: tony@waexcavating.com
Web: www.williamanthonyexcavating.com
1st Choice Training
Richard Ferreira
P.O. Box 424
Pooler, GA 31322
Work: (912) 341-4094
Fax: (888) 763-0481
Email: richard@1stintraining.com
Web: www.1stintraining.com
Acme Barricades LC
Christian Cummings
9800 Normandy Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32221
Work: (904)781-1950
Fax: (904)781-1921
Email: ccummings@acmebarricades.com
American AVK Co.
Alan Jurkonis
2155 Meridian Blvd.
Minden, NV 89423
Work: (775) 552-1401
Fax: (775) 552-9808
Email: jurkonis.aj@avkus.com
Web: www.americanavk.com
Bituminous Insurance
Steve Agey
1200 Valley West Dr. #600
West Des Moines, IA 50265
Work: (515) 223-1122
Fax: (515) 223-4315
Email: sagey@bituminousinsurance.com
Web: www.bituminousinsurance.com
Creative Lodging Solutions
Cindy Rudovich
3135 Golfe Links Dr.
Snellville, GA 30039
Work: (770) 982-9437
Fax: (770) 982-0224
Email: cindy.rudovich@yourcls.com
Concrete Systems Inc.
Joe Durkin
P.O. Box 1013
Northborough, MA 01532
Work: (603)305-6599
Fax: (603)889-0039
Email: jdurkin@csigroup.com
Downey Consulting Inc.
Michael Downey
17012 I St.
Omaha, NE 68135
Work: (402) 690-2337
Fax: (402) 895-0219
Email: michael@dc-safety.com
Web: www.dc-safety.com
Energy Executive Search International
Mary Weir
4501 Magnolia Cove Dr.
Ste. 201
Kingwood, TX 77345
Work: (281) 359-2106
Fax: (281) 359-4860
Email: mjw@energyexecutivesearch.com
Web: www.energyexecutivesearch.com
The Engineering Co.
Mark Remmers
2310 E Prospect
Fort Collins, CO 80525
Work: (970)484-7477
Email: mremmers@tec-engrs.com
Enterprise Fleet Management, A Div. of ERAC
Karole Fitzgerald
6800 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. #170
Tampa, FL 33614
Work: (813) 885-5636
Fax: (813) 884-3247
Email: karole.f.fitzgerald@erac.com
Gana Trucking & Excavating Inc.
Tyson Vogt
2200 W. Panama Rd.
Martell, NE 68404
Work: (402) 794-5000
Fax: (402) 794-5002
Email: tysonv@ganatrucking.com
Web: www.ganatrucking.com
Gene Lilly Surety Bonds Inc.
Jim King
3440 O St.
Lincoln, NE 68510
Work: (402)475-7700
Fax: (402)475-5043
Email: jim@glsbinc.com
Glenn, Fledmann, Darby & Goodlatte
Phillip Lingafelt
P.O. Box 2887
Roanoke, VA 24001
Work: (540) 224-8000
Email: plingafelt@gfdg.com
Great Plains One Call - Digger’s Hotline of Nebraska
Susan Lynch
11620 Arbor St.
Ste. 101
Omaha, NE 68144
Work: (402)334-3424
Fax: (402)330-5626
Email: susan.lynch@cusinc.com
Holmes Murphy
Phil Worley
2637 South 158th Plaza,
Ste. 200
Omeha, NE 68130
Work: (402) 697-4724
Fax: (402) 697-7206
Email: pworley@holmesmurphy.com
Web: www.holmesmurphy.com
Intergis LLC
Christopher M. Farmer
9891 Broken Land Pkwy.
Ste. 210
Columbia, MD 21046
Work: (410) 381-5707
Fax: (410) 381-2997
Email: cfarmer@intergis.com
Web: www.intergis.com
Iron Planet
Jeff Leonard
4328 Comanche Trail Blvd. St. Johns, FL 32259
Work: (904) 228-3346
Fax: (904) 230-2973
Email: jleonard@ironplanet.com
JEO Consulting Group Inc.
Tyler Hevlin
11717 Burt St., Suite 210
Omaha, NE 68154
Work: (402) 392-9901
Fax: (402) 934-3681
Email: thevlin@jeo.com
Web: www.jeo.com
M&M Pipeline Services
Mark Morris
274 Mount Moriah Rd.
Eupor, MS 39744
Work: (601) 258-7101
Fax: (601) 258-7104
Email: pawpawmorris@yahoo.com
Martin Marietta Materials
William A. DiRico
3019 Riverwatch Pkwy.
Augusta, GA 30907
Work: (706)854-6340
Fax: (706)868-6846
Email: tony.dirico@martinmarietta.com
Mission Clay Products
David Gill
9554 County Rd. 36
Blair, NE 68008
Work: (402) 426-3439
Email: dgill@huntel.net
Sentry Barricades Inc.
John Mabbitt
1620 George Jenkins Blvd.
Lakeland, FL 33815
Work: (863) 682-7098
Fax: (863) 680-9901
Email: jmabbitt.sentrybarricades@verizon.net
Streamline Environmental Inc.
Lee Ford
1821 Sahlman Dr.
Tampa, FL 33605
Work: (813) 258-5561
Fax: (813) 258-4257
Email: lee@streamlineenv.com
Web: www.streamlineenv.com
Star Pipe Products
Dan McCutcheon
4018 Westhollow Pkwy.
Houston, TX 77082
Work: (281) 558-3000
Fax: (281) 368-5380
Email: danm@starpipeproducts.com
Web: www.starpipeproducts.com
Pirtek Phillips Highway
Steve Goulettew
6000 Phillips Hwy.
Jacksonville, FL 32216
Work: (904)647-6533
Fax: (904)647-6539
Email: info@pirtekiax.com
Utility Equipment Co.
Dan Taylor
9100 S 96th St.
Omaha, NE 68128
Work: (402) 331-8270
Fax: (402) 331-4006
Email: dtaylor@utilityequipmentco.com
Web: www.utilityequipmentco.com
Utility Equipment Co.
Mike Coryn
3739 State St.
Bettendorf, IA 52722
Work: (563) 355-5376
Fax: (563) 355-7423
Email: mikecoryn@utilityequipmentco.com
Web: www.utilityequipmentco.com
VOCON Auctions
Sid Woody
4747 NE 14th St.
Des Moines, IA 50313
Work: (515) 299-6289
Fax: (515) 266-6830
Email: swoody@govocon.com
Web: www.govocon.com
Watt, Tieder, Hoffar & Fitzgerald LLP
Kevin McKeon
8405 Greensboro Dr.
Ste. 100
McLean, VA 22102-5104
Work: (703)749-1000
Fax: (703)893-8029
Email: kmckeon@wthf.com
Oswego County BOCES
Donna Dinabella
179 Rt. 64
Mexico, NY 13114
Work: (315) 963-4256
Fax: (315) 963-4436
Email: ddonabella@oswegoboces.org
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