ABC Pelican 2024 Spring Newsletter

MERIT SHOP MESSAGE

Chapter,

Builders & Contractors

ABC Pelican is one of 68 chapters of a national construction industry trade association representing more than 22,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy in 1980, the Pelican Chapter helps our members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically, profitably, and for the betterment of the communities in which we work.

Merit Shop is a way of doing business in which companies reward employees based on performance and encourage them to reach their highest level of achievement, and in which contracts are awarded based on safety, quality and value, regardless of labor affiliation.

MERIT SHOP MESSAGE

Spring 2024

Editorial/Design

Macie Morgan

Writers & Contributors

LWCC

Brenna LeMaire KPLCTV

Table of Contents

Letter from the Chair 04

National Convention 07

2024 Board of Directors 12 BRTC Graduation 14 Spring Event Pictures 17

SW Build Your Future 24 New Members 27

Chair Scott Callaway Cajun Industries

Chair-Elect

John Cassagne MMR Constructors

Secretary Michelle Hardy Turner Industries

Treasurer Ben Brown Turner Industries

Vice Chair Education

Seth Lemoine LEMOINE

Vice Chair Membership Growth Wes Mincin Performance Contractors

Vice Chair Member Services

Lance Arvel EXCEL

Vice Chair Governmental Relations

Shane Kirkpatrick Group Contractors

Vice Chair Outlying Area

John Freeman Brown & Root

DIRECTORS

Adam Landry PALA - Interstate

Scott McKnight Gallagher

Ben Fromenthal Fabricated Pipe

Jeremiah Johnson Louisiana CAT

Andrew Thompson ISC Constructors

Josh Zumo Cajun Industries

Lance Glaser Performance Contractors

Danny Campbell Triad Electric & Controls

Alternate Board Members: Matthew Allen MMR Constructors

Daniel Williams MAPP

Legal Counsel:

Murphy J. Foster, III

Breazeale, Sachse & Wilson, LLP

Editorial/Subscription/Advertising mmorgan@abcpelican.com

Cajun’s unique GC/ EPC service offering provides multi-discipline engineering and directhire construction under one roof. This construction-driven approach delivers engineering packages which ultimately result in measurable cost

enhanced safety performance, and the quality and productivity you have come to expect from Cajun.

A LETTER FROM THE CHAIR

A LETTER FROM THE CHAIR

By: Scott Callaway, Cajun Industries 2024 ABC Pelican Chairman of the Board

The first half of the year is nearly complete and so are many of the goals the Pelican Chapter established in December of 2023. Several of the Workforce Training goals have been completed with the addition of new pipefitting courses, boilermaker courses, heavy equipment courses and JLG courses at the Baton Rouge Training Center. The Southwest Training Center has focused on welcoming back Blaise Theard, Southwest Education Director, and re-implementing courses, such as instrumentation. The Pelican Chapter has focused on its efforts of breaking ground on the new Southwest Training Center in 2024 with the help of the Pelican Education Foundation. The contractor shortlist selection process has begun with the hope of having a contractor selected by mid-summer. We hope to continue reaching our goals as the year progresses, and one of those is more involvement in STEP.

In the second quarter of this year, I want to encourage all members to start their safety journey by participating in the National STEP (ABC’s Safety Management System) Program. If you do not know, ABC’s STEP Safety Management System provides contractors and suppliers with a robust, no-cost framework for measuring safety data and benchmarking with peers in the industry. ABC’s STEP Program measures your performance on key components, helps you strengthen and expand best practices and build the safety culture within your company.

Ensure employees are returning home safe to families and loved ones every day by starting your safety journey. Visit www.abc.org/abcstep or contact the ABC Pelican office for more information. If you plan to apply for EIC, STEP applications are due Friday, August 9, 2024.

Thank you to every member for your continued support of the Pelican Chapter. I look forward to continue working with every one of you.

Get to Know ABC’s STEP Safety Management System MEASURE. STRENGTHEN.

Q1

Submit your STEP data

Q2

Take charge of your safety performance.

Receive your STEP results and prepare your AQC application

Q3

Q4

Submit your AQC application by Oct. 23

Final STEP data submissions are due Dec. 15 (if not applying for AQC)

ABC’s STEP Safety Management System provides contractors and suppliers with a robust, no-cost framework for measuring safety data and benchmarking with peers in the industry. Through a checklist comprised of key components proven to be effective at improving health and safety performance, the self-assessment tool helps participants identify real opportunities for scalable growth in their safety programs to lower their Total Recordable Incident Rates. Ensure employees are returning home safe to families and loved ones every day.

MEASURE YOUR PERFORMANCE ON KEY COMPONENTS.

Submit your STEP safety data in as little as 30 minutes! With your OSHA 300A in hand, the STEP data submission process is quick and convenient. Fill in safety performance data from your OSHA 300A form and answer a few questions regarding your safety training and practices. Then, self-rank your company’s performance in key components by reviewing the criteria provided.

BUILD YOUR SAFETY CULTURE.

STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND BEST PRACTICES.

Once identified, growth opportunities spur deeper conversations between leaders and team members to develop a plan of action to implement best practices tailored to company needs. In the ever-expanding world of construction safety technology, continuously improve your program to ensure employees are set up for success now and in the future.

Safety requires innovation, skill and talent in addition to a proven strategy to create industry-leading programs. Top performing ABC members actively build health and safety into their culture, fueling the power and purpose in their people to deliver for their clients. Leaders and employees commit to holistic safety programs ensuring the total human health of their team.

Did you know? STEP Diamond, Platinum and Gold members are eligible to earn the Accredited Quality Contractor credential. View details on back.

We’re loyal to Louisiana businesses.

At LWCC, we’re relentlessly focused on helping policyholders achieve safer workplaces. Through our comprehensive suite of services and resources, we empower businesses to prioritize safety at every level, from risk assessment to employee training. Because it’s more than our job to help Louisiana thrive, it’s our purpose.

“Creating a safety program should start with a self-evaluation, helping to identify areas for improvement and ways to be proactive in ensuring the safety of all.”

– Jason Hazelton, CSP

LWCC Safety Services Consultant

ABC NATIONAL CONVENTION 2024

ABC PELICAN MEMBERS, STUDENTS AND PARTNERS COMPETE IN 2024 NATIONAL COMPETITIONS

By: Macie Morgan, ABC Pelican Director of Communications

34th Annual National Excellence in Construction Awards

In March, 18 ABC Pelican Chapter members were recognized at the 2024 National Excellence in Construction Awards. Much like our local EIC Awards Program this competition is the construction industry’s leading national competition that honors general and specialty contractors for industry-leading, safe and innovative construction projects from across the country.

The EIC awards honors every member of the construction team, including the contractor, owner, architect and engineer. The winning projects are judged on complexity, attractiveness, unique challenges overcome, completion time, innovation and safety. Congratulations to the following ABC Pelican members for bringing home a 2024 National EIC Award.

Eagle Winners:

Triad Electric & Controls

Category: Electrical: Industrial > Up to $2 Million

Project: Vertellus Project Delta Expansion

MMR Constructors

Category: Electrical: Industrial > $2 to $10 Million

Project: River Birch C12 Expansion Project

ISC Constructors

Category: Electrical > More than $10 Million

Project: ExxonMobil Baytown Chemical Expansion Project

Performance Contractors

Category: Mechanical > More than $10 Million

Project: Diamond Green Diesel 3 Ecofiner

Mechanical

Moore Industries

Category: Specialty Construction: Commercial > $2 to $10 Million

Project: Hurricane Laura Building and Site Repairs, Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge

Cajun Industries

Category: Specialty Construction: Industrial > Up to $10 Million

Project: Entergy Caminada Substation

Apache Industrial

Category: Specialty Construction: Industrial > More than $10 Million

Project: LyondellBasell PO/TBA Project

Starcon, A Cianbro Company

Category: Industrial > Up to $5 Million

Project: 1795 Turnaround

Performance Contractors

Category: Industrial > $5 to $15 Million

Project: Baton Rouge Advantaged Crude Expansion

Cajun Industries

Category: Industrial > $15 to $25 Million

Project: Plaquemines LNG Early Works Piling

Moore Industries

Category: Special Projects > Up to $10 Million

Project: ExxonMobil Quality Assurance Laboratory Roof Replacement

Pyramid Winners:

Performance Contractors

Category: Industrial > Up to $5 Million

Project: SC-1 Flare Recovery Project

Turner Industries

Category: Industrial > $15 to $25 Million

Project: Vineyard Wind 1-Haliade-X Blade Rack Fabrication

Triad Electric & Controls

Category: Electrical: Industrial > Up to $2 Million

Project: Petro 2 Flare Gas Recovery Unit Project

Moore Industries

Category: Exteriors > Exterior Finishes

Project: ExxonMobil Refinery Main Office Exterior Painting and Upgrades

Aggregate Technologies

Category: Specialty Construction: Commercial > $2 to $10 Million

Project: Sam Houston Tollway Ship Channel Bridge Replacement

Baker Gulf Coast Industrial

Category: Specialty Construction: Industrial > More than $10 Million

Project: Chevron REG GTB Piling Project

35th Annual National Craft Competition

The ABC Pelican Training Center had the honor of sending seven craft training students to the 2024 ABC National Craft Competition. Nearly 190 of the nation’s best craft professionals in trades such as, electrical, millwright, welding and more were all vying for top honors in 16 competitions with skills on display in 12 crafts. Established in 1987, the National Craft Competition celebrates and recognizes upskilling in construction, drawing some of the country’s most talented craft professionals and highlighting the important role that craft skills training plays in the construction industry. This year’s competitors were:

Instrumentation Fitter – Kaden Darbonne, Triad Electric & Controls

Instrumentation Fitter – Cole Granier, Triad Electric & Controls

Electrical – John Slocum, MMR

Millwright – Hunter Knoblock, Turner Industries

Pipefitting – Zachary Fuller, Performance Contractors

Welding, Pipe – Gilber Coto, Turner Industries/ABC Pelican

Welding, TIG – Chandler Diaz, Performance Contractors

Congratulations to Hunter Knoblock for winning the Millwright Safety Award and Cole Granier for winning the Instrumentation Fitting Safety Award.

ABC NATIONAL CONVENTION 2024 CONTINUED

Construction Management Competition

The 2024 Construction Management Competition featured 26 4-person teams of students from colleges and universities nationwide. CMC is ABC’s hallmark competition for promoting careers in construction management, featuring teams of undergraduates who test their skills in project management, estimating, safety, quality control and presentation skills.

ABC Pelican partnered with the Louisiana State University Construction Department to send this year’s Construction Management Team. The LSU CM Team worked on the renovation and new construction of the Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center, priced at $44M+. The CM Team was required to develop a proposal that included the project’s estimate, schedule, site utilization, safety plan, quality assurance plan and more. This team worked long, hard hours through January to March and we are proud to have these men and women represent ABC Pelican, the Louisiana Construction Industry and LSU! Geaux Tigers!

Since our beginnings as a merit shop general industrial contractor, safety has always been the most important thing to us. From programs and initiatives to infusing it into our everyday work at every level, we have worked tirelessly to make safety a truly integral and integrated part of the way we do business. We are humbled to be awarded ABC’s 2023 National Safety Pinnacle Award and thankful to our employees, partners and customers who made it possible. Receiving this incredible honor is the culmination of all our hard work coming to fruition, but it doesn’t stop there. This award isn’t the end, but merely the next step in continuing to build a legacy as a truly safe contractor.

MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MEET

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2024 Chair: Scott Callaway, Cajun Industries

Chair Elect: John Cassagne, MMR Constructors

Secretary: Michelle Hardy, Turner Industries

Treasurer: Ben Brown, Turner Industries

Wes Mincin, Performance Contractors

Seth Lemoine, LEMOINE

Shane Kirkpatrick, GROUP Contractors

Lance Arvel, EXCEL Group

John Freeman, Brown & Root Industrial Services

Byan Knost, PALA - Interstate

Donn Peterson, Turner Industries

Ben Fromenthal, Fabricated Pipe

Adam Landry, PALA - Interstate

Scott McKnight, Cadence Insurance

Jeremiah Johnson, Louisiana CAT

Josh Zumo, Cajun Industries

Andrew Thompson, ISC Constructors

Lance Glaser, Performance Contractors

Danny Campbell, Triad Electric & Controls

Matthew Allen, MMR Constructors

Daniel Williams, MAPP

HTB

Audit

Mergers

Outsourced

BRTC FALL GRADUATION

BATON ROUGE TRAINING CENTER 2023 FALL GRADUATION

On January 18, ABC Pelican and its members had the pleasure of watching 108 students walk across the graduation stage to a very bright future in the construction industry. Congratulations to all of the graduates!

Welding Graduates (Level 1)

Landy Arciniega

Rafael Arenivas

Joe Baluch

Michael R. Besselman

Rickie A. Celestine

Gervon Collins

Zachary Crayton

Amedeo A. Dickey

Ke’Anu D. Harris

Keidrick Haynes

Dylan B. Landry

Jade A. McInnis

Mason P. Michel

Parker W. Mills

Draymond D. Morris

Tyman E. Myers

Vernon L. Nicholas

Brian Nunez

Mothyjohn Joseph T. Palencia

Raul A. Pinel

Yordi T. Guinones Corde

Cade Rives

Humberto Santiago, Jr.

Chase B. Smith

Wyatt M. Spillman

Dereck W. Thomas

Jalen J. Turner

Cylan S. Verdun

Welding Graduates (Level 2)

Jesse Aparicio-Torres

Kolby N. Boone

Jason Buckley

Gilber Coto

Landon Dubee

Dane C. Evans

Frederick D. Gray

Tristan B. Herald

Canaan Hebert

Braden Herty

Kanyun Hoffpauir

Jaqurn M. Jackson

Adan Juarez

Adan Melendez

Gavin Mitchell

Grason D. Nevels

Mothyjohn Joseph T. Palencia

Carson D. Pickett

Caleb L. Yantis

Welding Graduates (Level 3)

Charles J. Boles

Jean Domingue

Zachary Fuller

Charles E. Martin

Electrical

Christopher M. Austin

Damion J. Hunter

Kendrick Jackson

Austin P. Joseph

Kamren P. Rome

Corey J. Sazama

Dexter L. Sellers

Cade C. Shelby

John J. Slocum

Instrumentation

Jose M. Cruz

Kaden Darbonne

Colin J. Duke

Matthew J. Martrain

Millwright

Triston J. Blackstock

Hunter C. Knoblock

Pipefitting

Hyram G. Ferchaud

Zachary Fuller

John-Aaron Guillory

Pierre Haydel, Jr.

Joshua C. Watson

Heavy Equipment

Aaron R. Chambliss

Dannie Hayward

Jordan J. Mitchell

Connor Picou

Michael K. Robertson

Donald Williams

Mobile Crane

James Bassett

Zachary M. Bigner

Lambert Breaux

Michael Hamilton

Chad Lajaunie

James McGee

Elrick Murray

Eric M. Mutrie

Ramon Odds

Malcolm Pines

Bernard D. Strange

Beau J. Tranchina

Construction Site Safety Technician

Kim L. Carrington

William A. Dukes

Wendy C. Gremillion

Brittany N. Guillot

Derrick M. Jackson

Jasmine M. Pourciau

Jacob Sapp

2023 FALL GRADUATES CONTINUED

Project Coordinator

Seth Q. Aillet

Tiler P. Blanchard

Grant N. Durbin

Ross M. Edwards

Paul B. Edwards

Hunter D. Heinrich

Trevor A. Hyde

Travis R. Johnson

Megan A. Kinder

Bryan P. Phenix, Jr.

Krystal M. Stein

Nicholas J. Varnado

SPRING SEASON EVENTS

SPRING SEASON EVENTS

SPRING SEASON EVENTS

SPRING SEASON EVENTS

SPRING SEASON EVENTS

SOUTHWEST BUILD YOUR FUTURE DAY

BUILD

YOUR FUTURE DAY HOSTED TO COMBAT CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SHORTAGE

By: Morgan Babineaux, KPLCTV

The construction industry is facing nationwide worker shortages.ABC Pelican, is hoping to change that with their ‘Build your Future Day.’Students from 35 different Southwest Louisiana High Schools were in attendance. They were able to not only speak with local industry professionals, but also get up close and personal with all sorts of equipment. “I love it. Definitely a great opportunity,” said Nathan Bowen. Bowen’s experience with ABC began when he was in high school. A native of Kinder-- he began taking welding classes at the ag center there--and he says that decision has changed his life. “So I started welding there, at nights and then went to a couple of welding competitions, won a lifetime scholarship to ABC. So after I graduated I attended ABC for welding and now I’m in the plants doing rope access for Turner,” said Bowen. He continues by telling me knowledge about welding isn’t all he gained from his time at ABC. “Taught me a lot about not just welding but the work industry itself, you know actually preparing you for the industry not just welding. they taught me so much about real-life work and so, it was just a really good program,” said Bowen.

Bowen hopes by sharing his experience, he can encourage other young students to take the path less traveled. “Pursue your dreams. Don’t be afraid to take opportunities that are given to you. You have to kind of step out and take some new opportunities even if they don’t seem okay at the time. Just go for it because it’ll all work out in the end,” Bowen said. Blaise Theard, the Director of Education over at ABC Pelican, says the construction industry is facing nationwide shortages-and the goal of events like this one is to try to fill those gaps. From Jeff Davis to Vernon to Cameron parishes-students were informed of opportunities just like the ones Nathan Bowen took advantage of. “These high school students? They’re the future of our workforce. And these employers understand that, so they’re ready to invest in these students, get them some training and hire them on,” said Theard.

SOUTHWEST BUILD YOUR FUTURE DAY

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

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T3 Industrial Solutions Baton Rouge, LA Supplier

Axis Portable Air Baton Rouge, LA Supplier

Craft and Technical Solutions

Spanish Fort, AL Supplier

Sunstate Equipment St. Gabriel, LA Supplier

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Southern Integration Solutions & Consulting Broussard, LA Contractor

RedCap Staffing Baton Rouge, LA Supplier

Southern Underground of LA Zachary, LA Contractor

Fire Tech Systems Shreveport, LA Contractor

Taylor Construction Equipment Gonzales, LA Contractor

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General Equipment & Supply Lake Charles, LA Supplier