Unitedcontractors january2014 by Denise Ramirez

JA N U A RY 2 0 1 4 | I S S U E 1 / V O L U M E 2 2 0 W W W. U N I T E D C O N T R A C T O R S . O R G

This is Your Brain

This is Your Brain on UCON Training

High Performance Training to Increase Productivity Make the Better Investment Choice: Training & Development p.6

Next-Gen Leadership: UCONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2014 Board of Directors p.26

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magazine

UNITED contents CONTRACTORS

JANUARY 2014 ISSUE 1, VOLUME 220

2014 UNITED CONTRACTORS BOARD OFFICERS Vice President/President-Elect...............Bruce Daseking Secretary/Treasurer...............................Bruce Daseking Secretary/Treasurer-Elect...................Donna Rehrmann

UNITED CONTRACTORS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kevin Albanese, Joseph J. Albanese, Inc.; Jim Alvey, Appian Engineering, Inc.; Sue Capriola, Silverado Contractors, Inc.; Bruce Daseking, McGuire and Hester; Rich Gates, DeSilva Gates Construction; Michael Ghilotti, Ghilotti Bros., Inc.; Brett Kincaid, O’Grady Paving, Inc.; Tom Lum, Peterson CAT; Christi Plum, P C & N Construction, Inc. Jeff Prevost, Lockton Companies, LLC; Bob Rahebi, Redgwick Construction Company; Donna Rehrmann, Stomper Company, Inc.; Kim Scruggs, Columbia Electric, Inc.; Hal Stober, Gordon N. Ball, Inc.

UNITED CONTRACTORS COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Associates: Jeff Prevost (Associate Director), Lockton Companies, LLC; Thomas Lum (Associate Director-Elect), Peterson CAT | Caltrans: Michael Ghilotti (Chairman), Ghilotti Bros., Inc. | Government Relations: Chris Young (Chairman), D.W. Young Construction Co., Inc. | Safety & Insurance | Scholarship: Paul Cianciarulo (Co-Chair), Granite Rock Company; Christi Plum (Co-Chair), P C & N Construction, Inc.

UNITED CONTRACTORS STAFF

Mark Breslin, Chief Executive Officer; Leslie Lord, Deputy Director; Kelly Montes, Executive Assistant; Randy Ruby, Director of Labor Relations; Ruby Varnadore, Labor Contracts Manager; Lucia Sbarro, Labor Relations & Member Services Assistant; Steve Geney, Labor Negotiations Consultant; Shelbie Tieman, Director of Finance & Administration; Terese Pollock, Finance Assistant; Stacy Anderson, Director Communications, Events & Education; Denise Ramirez, Online Services Manager; Joan O’Brien, Education Manager; Jenn Rogers, Senior Manager of Events; Marlo Fregulia, Event Assistant; Michelle Vejby, Publications Manager; Emily Cohen, Director of Government Relations; Kristina Knecht, Regulatory Affairs Manager; Kevin Pedrotti, Legislative Advocate; Tony Dorsa, CARB Consultant

6 UP Front

What is a Better Investment? One New Pickup Truck, or All Your Employees? By Mark Breslin, UCON CEO

8 LABOR

Union Training and Apprenticeship

By Ruby Varnadore, Labor Contracts Manager

12 INSIDE the Capitol Putting Transportation Measures Before Voters By Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski

EDUCATION &TRAINING

special feature

President................................................Kevin Albanese

14 FACES

UCONs 25th Annual Government Relations Dinner & Auction

J A N U A RY 2 0 14 | I S S U E 1 / V O L U M E 2 2 0 W W W. U N I T E D C O N T R A C T O R S . O R G

This is Your Brain

This is Your Brain on UCON Training

More Inside: 22 NEXT UP

High Performance Training to Increase Productivity Make the Better Investment Choice: Training & Development p.6

Next-Gen Leadership: UCON’s 2014 Board of Directors p.26

United Contractors Magazine (ISSN: 2166-3777) is published monthly, except December, by United Contractors, 17 Crow Canyon Court, Suite 100, San Ramon, CA 94583. Editorial comments, letters, and article submissions are welcomed and encouraged. Correspondence should be directed to the United Contractors office at the above address, by phone at (925) 855-7900, by e-mail at info@unitedcontractors.org or by fax at (925) 855-7909. Reproduction of editorial material in this issue is permitted if accompanied by proper source credit. Periodicals postage paid at San Ramon, CA and other offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to: United Contractors Magazine, 17 Crow Canyon Court, Suite 100, San Ramon, CA 94583. © 2013 Published in the U.S.A.

26 WE ARE UNITED CONTRACTORS 32 MEMBER NEWS 34 LAST CALL CONNECT WITH UNITED CONTRACTORS:

www.unitedcontractors.org JANUARY 2014

front

By Mark Breslin, United Contractors CEO

What is a Better Investment? One New Pickup Truck, or All Your Employees? The cost of a really nice 2014 Ford or Chevy pickup truck is around $30-35,000, an ordinary and basic expense for a company in our industry. Consider this: did you spend at least $35,000 on non-safety related training for your employees last year? Or did you spend more on one pickup truck than you invested in all of your employee training and development? There is a quote that simplifies this concept for any progressive business leader. What’s worse than training your workers and losing them? Not training them and keeping them. — Zig Ziglar As the new year begins, how about committing to a “buy the new pickup” approach to investing in your employees for 2014? Don’t take my word for it—read on to see what cutting edge experts and companies are saying about the benefits of training and development.

5 REASONS TO INVEST IN TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT IN 2014 • ASPHALT & CONCRETE SAW CUTTING UP TO 24” DEPTH • CHIPPING • GRINDING • CORE DRILLING • FLAT SAWING (Gas/Electric) • WALL SAWING • HAND SAWING • CONCRETE BREAKING/ REMOVAL • WIRE SAWING • ROUND LOOPS • CHAIN SAWING License #809660 1635 4th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710

Ph: 510/527-1000 • Fax: 510/527-0500 6345 3rd Street, San Francisco, CA 94124-3501

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6 W W W. U N I T E D C O N T R A C T O R S . O R G

Higher Profits

Increased Productivity

Firms that invest $1,500 per employee in training experience an average of 24 percent higher gross profit margins and 218 percent higher revenue per employee (source: Laurie J. Bassi et al., “Profiting From Learning: Do Firms’ Investments in Education and Training Pay Off?” American Society for Training and Development).

Motorola calculates that every dollar spent on training yields an approximate 30 percent gain in productivity within a three-year period. Training increases worker productivity. Just a 2 percent increase in productivity has been shown to net a 100 percent return on investment in training (source: “The 2001 Global Training and Certification Study,” CompTIA and Prometric).

High Performance Culture

A commitment to embed training and development into the corporate culture is a common thread among the 100 Best Companies in America, as 61 of the top 100 offer 40 or more hours of training per year per employee.

Return on Leadership Development

Retention of Top Talent

Leadership Coaching produced a 529% return on investment and significant intangible benefits (AIIA, 2008).

Career development is the No. 1 factor in employee retention, according to a survey of 6,400 employees conducted by consultants Sharon Jordan-Evans and Beverly Kaye. In an AON survey, respondents ranked “opportunities for personal growth” as the main reason they took their current job and stayed in that job. Significantly, they ranked it ahead of salary.

What are you waiting for? The payoff in employee training is well documented. And UCON University offers many courses for your employees. How about UCON’s Project Manager Career Advancement (PMCA) program, our Fearless Foreman class or Construction Administrative Professional Seminars (CAPS)? Heck, you know you are going to buy that pickup. So now do the same and invest in your employees—the results might just surprise you. u

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Member FDIC JANUARY 2014

LABOR Have A Question?

Call us. If we don’t have the answer, we will find it. A sampling of the topics we can help you with are: • Payroll and trust fund contributions • Contract interpretation of union agreements (shift work, subcontracting, holidays, etc.) • Prevailing wage compliance • Apprentice manning and public works apprentice requirements • Hiring, discipline and termination • Substance abuse policies For Help Desk related questions, call us at (925) 855-7900, or email us at memberinfo@unitedcontractors.org.

By Ruby Varnadore, Labor Contracts Manager

Union Training & Apprenticeship

Supporting Industry Education & Development All union contractors pay hourly training fund contributions to support training and development within that craft, both for growing apprentices and providing ongoing skill training for journeymen. Here are some quick updates from the major crafts used by UCON members.

Carpenters Training Committee for Northern California Submitted by Paula Resa, Director of Training

In the past year the CTCNC has invested resources towards the expansion and improvement of its welding program. One of the ways this has been accomplished is working with signatory contractors to develop certified welding procedures required on their projects. This is done at no cost to the contractor. Three virtual Lincoln welders have been purchased by the Pile Driver Trust and are available to members at the Fresno, Hayward and Pleasanton training centers. These state-of-the-art machines allow members greater ability to improve their skills as welders which in turn makes the employers they work for more competitive.

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8 W W W. U N I T E D C O N T R A C T O R S . O R G

Recently CTCNC has hired a welding coordinator to oversee the program, assist members with obtaining and maintaining their welding certifications, as well as updating the current facilities. In 2014 CTCNC will begin construction on a new state-of-the-art welding facility in Fairfield. Just another example of the program’s commitment to promoting the best training for the industry.

Carpenters Training by the Numbers (over the last 12 months): • • • • •

Total Journeyman Advancement Training Hours: 117,438 Total Number of Active Apprentices: 2,587 Total Number of Instructors for CTCNC: 22 Full-time Instructors and 11 Part-time Instructors Number of Apprenticeship Graduates: 357 Number of Apprenticeship Classes offered: 494

Northern California Cement Masons Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee Submitted by Mark Gonzalez, Director

In helping signatory contractors, we strive to provide the most effective training and upgrade the skills of our current Cement Masons. The apprenticeship program trains the Cement Masons to understand this is a partnership. We are responsible all the time for our part and make sure we perform our job to the best of our ability. In 2013 there have been approximately 500 Cement Masons who have taken advantage of our training program. We have five training locations throughout Northern California with an instructional staff of twelve.

Northern California Laborers Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee

Submitted by Jeff Armstrong, Director of Apprenticeship Henry Ford once said â&#x20AC;&#x153;If everyone is moving forward together then success takes care of itself.â&#x20AC;? Those of us tasked with training Laborers could not agree more. Over the past year the Laborers Training Center in San Ramon has offered a variety of new classes designed to meet the needs of contractors working in an ever changing industry. In 2013 two of our most successful (and sought after) courses include our two-day pipe fusion course that incorporates PG&E specifications and the qualification training for pipeline coating, sandblasting, pipe fusion and skidding. The feedback we received from the trainees was overwhelmingly positive so look for these courses to be offered repeatedly in 2014. We have also added a six-week mechanical maintenance course designed for Laborers looking to increase their marketability. For Laborers looking to improve their management skills, we have begun offering a course tailored to foreman who would like to become superintendents. This is a course that is taught on nine weekends over an 18-month period. For those Laborers with at least two years of work experience in

All of the Cement Mason Apprentices are required to attend a minimum of 144 hours of related training classes per year.

Photo (above) from the Northern California Cement Masons

lead abatement we now offer a five-day course (plus one day for a state exam) to learn how to become a lead supervisor. In addition to these courses, we have expanded our photovoltaic training offered to both journey-level Laborers as well as apprentices. As for apprenticeship, we have redesigned our required courses for 2014. We will still focus on safety and the fundamentals, but we are also giving our apprentices greater exposure to training in green technology and energy efficiency to meet the needs of our partner contractors.

Photo: Laborers Training Center L-R Jeff Armstrong (Director of Apprenticeship), Leonard Gonzales (Executive Director), Ollie Hurd (Instructor Supervisor) JANUARY 2014

LABOR

Union Training & Apprenticeship (cont.) Operating Engineers Local No. 3 Submitted by Tammy Castillo, Director of Apprenticeship

Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3’s Apprenticeship Program helps signatory contractors with their bottom line by providing skilled training and job-related theory tailored to your company’s and the industry’s needs. Through combined hands-on training and classroom instruction, apprentices and journeymen gain knowledge and skills that enable your company to more efficiently and cost-effectively provide high quality craftsmanship to the client, building client loyalty and your professional reputation.

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www.CassidyTurley.com 10 W W W . U N I T E D C O N T R A C T O R S . O R G

Photos: (top photo) the March 18, 2013 5-week Forklift Class; (lower photo) Crane apprentice Melvin Thompson, “Apprenticeship training is a blessing and a great opportunity.”

OE3 Training by the Numbers (For 2013, through September 2013): • • •

Number of Operating Engineers: 1247 Number of instructors at RMTC: 9 Total Training Hours Offered: 47,849

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The Capitol

INSIDE

By Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski, 25th District

New Law Allows Alameda, Contra Costa Counties to put Transportation Measures Before Voters A limit on local sales taxes will no longer prohibit Alameda and Contra Costa counties from seeking voter approval to upgrade their transportation infrastructure. Governor Jerry Brown signed my bill, AB 210, authorizing both counties to put transportation measures on the ballot by December 31, 2020. If voters give the green light, the result would be billions of dollars invested in repairing and improving our roads, highways, transit, and bicycle and pedestrian safety over the span of a few decades. This would create thousands of jobs in the construction industry, aid the Bay Area economy, and help commuters get to their destinations more quickly.

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Improving the transportation network of Alameda and Contra Costa counties is vital to the Bay Area economy, the movement of goods from the Port of Oakland, travel into the Central Valley and commutes to San Francisco, the South Bay and the Peninsula. Without the improvements that will be in these local transportation ballot measures, Bay Area traffic congestion will worsen, weakening the East Bayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to attract and retain jobs. We all know how difficult it is to stitch together the necessary funding to effectively plan and implement longterm infrastructure improvements. For these two counties, the 2 percent local sales tax cap would have prevented them from going to the ballot because both counties have hit their limits. In the 2011-2012 session, Governor Brown signed my bill AB 1086, allowing Alameda County to exceed the limit if a measure was approved by 2013. After an extensive county-wide community engagement process, the Alameda County Transportation Commission put Measure B1 on the November 2012 ballot. Voters in the county registered their strong support with 350,899 voters voting yes and 176,504 voting no. Unfortunately, the measure fell just 721 votes short of the high two-thirds threshold needed for approval.

SF Partnering Summit—Register Now! Knowing it had a solid majority of voters in its corner, Alameda County approached me again to reintroduce another bill, and Contra Costa, facing the same limitations, sought the same authorization. By the time AB 210 reached the Governor’s desk, a strong coalition of labor, cities, regional transportation agencies and business organizations were united in support. The Alameda County Transportation Commission has formed an ad hoc committee to explore strategy and determine the most appropriate time for moving forward. Contra Costa County is developing a 2014 update of its Countywide Comprehensive Transportation Plan. This process, which involves public outreach, polling and strategic planning, may well lead to the development of a transportation expenditure plan for the county. Without the ability to seek these critical self-help dollars, transportation funding will dry up in the San Francisco East Bay and other communities with devastating consequences. In California, 81 percent of the population lives in counties that have passed local voter-approved transportation sales tax measures. The funds derived from these measures equate to $3-4 billion per year in transportation investments around the state. When these funds are leveraged with federal assistance, the numbers can increase substantially. And it’s a substantial amount of funding that will be needed to repair and upgrade California’s transportation infrastructure in the next decade. According to one report by the American Society of Civil Engineers, California needs another $10 billion per year just to maintain existing facilities. That’s because much of the state’s infrastructure system was constructed between the 1950s and 1970s. For Alameda and Contra Costa counties, upgrading their transportation systems to meet the needs of the region is crucial in a growing economy. The Port of Oakland, the fifth-largest container port in the nation, generates more than 73,000 jobs throughout the region. Alameda County alone has two-thirds of truck trips and freight rail in Northern California. Efficient shipment of goods from the port is crucial to maintaining the competitiveness of the Port of Oakland. Sustaining goods movement requires consistent investment in our roads, highways and bridges to reduce congestion and provide a climate that can attract jobs.

When: Thursday, February 27, 2014, 8am-12:30pm Where: Yoshi’s San Francisco, 1330 Fillmore Street Please join UCON, Mayor Ed Lee, the directors of San Francisco Public Works, Municipal Transportation Agency, Public Utilities Commission, San Francisco International Airport, Recreation and Parks Department and the Port of San Francisco; contractor associations; the International Partnering Institute; and the top contractors in the industry at the upcoming SF Partnering Summit. Seating is limited and we ask that your organization be represented by a maximum of two of your top leaders. To reserve your space, contact Mindy Linetzky at SFDPW, (415) 554-4829, mlinetzky@sfdpw.org.

California’s self-help counties know that extensive public engagement is a necessary component of a winning campaign to overcome the two-thirds voter approval threshold on transportation sales tax measures. Voters are often willing to support sales tax increases if they know how the money will be spent. However, the 2012 Measure B1 campaign in Alameda County shows that engaging the public doesn’t guarantee victory. Proponents had frequent community meetings in all parts of the county and built a broad array of supporters, including businesses, labor, educators, seniors, people with disabilities, environmental organizations and faith-based groups. Every city council in the county supported the measure. Still, it came up short by about a tenth of a percentage point. We all know the need for a first-rate transportation system is not going away. With the state’s economy slowly emerging from the economic meltdown, and more people going back to work, the need to reduce congestion and invest in improvements continues. Counties know they can’t rely solely on the state or the federal government to fund these projects. Advocates for increased infrastructure spending have to learn from our mistakes, put the best projects forward and continually educate the public on the benefits of a modernized transportation network. AB 210 provides that opportunity in the East Bay region. u Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski represents the 25th District in the California State Assembly. JANUARY 2014

FACES Investing in Industry’s Future— Hawaiian Style UCON’s 25th Annual Government Relations Dinner & Auction raised over $100,000 the night of November 3, 2013. Nearly 350 construction industry & legislative guests were in attendance for the Hawaiian Luau themed event held at the Craneway Pavilion, Richmond Marina District. The evening included Mai Tai’s upon arrival, Tahitian entertainment and Hula instruction featuring CEO Mark Breslin, and 2013 UCON President Michael Ghilotti. The funds raised at this event go towards our aggressive government advocacy efforts which our members and our industry need now, more than ever.

“The Government Relations Dinner and Auction is an event I look forward to each year. It allows you an opportunity to meet your peers in a relaxed fun venue and the money raised is invaluable for moving our business forward in Sacramento and Washington.” — Paul Cianciarulo, Granite Rock Company “It was great to see our Association step up and donate to such an important cause. It is so important to be politically active when it comes to the future of our industry.” — Mike Bauman, Bauman Landscape and Construction, Inc. 14 W W W . U N I T E D C O N T R A C T O R S . O R G

JANUARY 2014

FACES

UCON wishes to thank all the sponsors, donors and volunteers that generously contributed to the Government Relations Dinner & Auction

Platinum Sponsors

Dinner Wine Sponsors Chrisp Company Condon-Johnson & Associates, Inc. RDO-Vermeer Top Grade Construction, A Goodfellow Bros. Company Walsh Group Bar Sponsors Operating Engineers Local No. 3 Viking Drillers, Inc. Bronze Sponsors Appian Engineering, Inc. Cement Masons Local 400 D.W. Young Construction Co., Inc. Enterprise Fleet Management Granite Rock Company Laborers Local No. 304 McInerney & Dillon PC P C & N Construction, Inc. Simpson, Garrity, Innes & Jacuzzi, P.C. Woodruff-Sawyer & Co. SPECIAL THANK YOU Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (America) Inc. for donating their services to our event.

United Contractors thanks our Auction Sub-Committee for all their efforts: Rob Layne, O.C. Jones & Sons, Inc. (Chairman) Bruce Daseking, McGuire and Hester (Co-Chair) Andrew Vasconi, A.J. Vasconi General Engineering Kevin Dern, Ghilotti Bros., Inc. Debbie Ferrari, MAG Trucking Catherine Delorey, Oles Morrison Rinker & Baker LLP Chris Thorsen, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (America) Inc. Roger Mason, Sweeney, Mason, Wilson & Bosomworth Rob Pitts, TBC Safety Trony Fuller, West Coast Aggregates, Inc. Bret Lawrence, Woodruff-Sawyer & Co. 16 W W W . U N I T E D C O N T R A C T O R S . O R G

Volunteers: Catherine Delorey, Oles Morrison Rinker & Baker LLP Bret Lawrence, Woodruff-Sawyer & Co. Jeff Prevost, Lockton Companies, LLC

Friends of UCON Sponsors Assemblymember Rob Bonta Duran & Venables, Inc. KDW Construction, LLC Pacific Boring, Inc. Stevens Creek Quarry, Inc.

Auction Item Donors A. J. Vasconi General Engineering Michels Corporation All American Rentals Mission Clay Products LLC Andreini Brothers, Inc. RDO Integrated Controls Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo Redgwick Construction Company Bauman Landscape and Construction, Inc. Republic Services Breslow Imaging RGW Construction, Inc. Cal-Vista Erosion Control Products Simpson, Garrity, Innes & Jacuzzi, P.C. Chrisp Company Southern California Contractors Association Condon-Johnson & Associates, Inc. St. Francis Electric Ghilotti Bros., Inc. Stevenson Supply Granite Rock Company Stomper Company, Inc. Harris Blade Rental Sweeney, Mason, Wilson & Bosomworth Johnston, Gremaux & Rossi, LLP TBC Safety Joseph J. Albanese, Inc. The Meritage Resort & Spa L.H. Voss Materials Top Grade Construction, A Goodfellow Bros. Company Las Positas Vineyards Walsh Group Lehigh Hanson West Coast Aggregates, Inc. Leonidou & Rosin Professional Corporation West Valley Construction Co., Inc. Mabey Inc. Government Relations MAG Trucking Dinner & Auction Martin Brothers Construction Inc. McGuire and Hester RATED out4.4 of 5.00 MCK Services, Inc.

Auction Highlights Highest Bid: $9,600 Caribbean Cruise Donated by Ghilotti Bros., Inc.; Purchased by Gordon N. Ball, Inc. and a second package purchased by Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (America) Inc. Most Entertaining: $1,900 19 members collectively raised their bidder card at $100/ea to send Mark Breslin and Michael Ghilotti on stage to dance with Tahitian Dancers. Cutest & Cuddliest: $4,000 Female Black Labrador Puppy Donated by McGuire and Hester; Purchased by Joseph J. Albanese, Inc.

Since 1914

JANUARY 2014

special feature

EDUCATION &TRAINING

By Joan O’Brien, Education Manager

Surfing Through Education Ditch the Paddle and Ride the Personal Development Wave

LEA

halfpg7x4.75_4c_01.pdf

11/28/07

This year I had the excitement and sadness of sending my daughter off to college in Santa Barbara. This new chapter in her life opens up a world of possibilities and experiences. Sun, surf, the beach, and boys—what’s not to like? Reading through the course catalog, I saw classes in Philosophy, Psychology, English and Surfing. Wait—Surfing? Since when did that fulfill a PE requirement? The education system has come a long way since I went to school and it caused me to reflect upon my own experience years ago.

12:05:28 AM

At the time, I didn’t look at my education as an opportunity or adventure, I knew that I just needed to get through it so that I could one day have a career. College can be an exhilarating time in one’s life, but I don’t think you truly appreciate it until it’s over.

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18 W W W . U N I T E D C O N T R A C T O R S . O R G

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All the work, term papers, tests, parties, independence— it’s a mix between responsibility and mayhem. I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, “if I knew then what I know now, I would have done things differently.” I would have embraced my learning opportunities like surfing. Riding the waves while navigating through the challenges with balance and timing instead of just paddling through. What I have come to learn over the years is that paddling through was what helped me to grow, gain strength and experience to further develop myself and my skills. Personal development helps improve awareness and identity, cultivate talent and potential. By continuing to stimulate your mind and creativity you become more valuable and competitive in today’s market. Supporting employee training and development in your organization will improve productivity, teamwork, retention, and company growth. Keeping your workforce updated with the latest technologies and industry trends is a smart business strategy that gives your organization the competitive advantage. If you create a culture of continuous learning by investing in your workforce, you not only help elevate their potential, but you will increase your profit as well. UCON University offers a variety of continuing education classes to help your organization meet their training needs. Choose from first rate OSHA Compliance Training, Project Management Career Advancement, Foreman Training or Construction Administrative Professional Seminars. Convenient online safety training classes are also available to members at a discounted rate. Give your employees that competitive edge. No matter where you are in life, you still have the opportunity to gain knowledge, wisdom and further develop your strengths and talents. Continuing education is all around us. It’s the life lessons we learn from our grandparents and children; it’s the creativity and ideas that come from our staff meetings and peers. The best part of continuing education is you avoid dorm drama and term papers. Sharpen your skills, while maneuvering the challenging conditions, and ride the wave. u

Upcoming UCON University Classes COMPETENT PERSON TRENCHING & EXCAVATION

Saturday, January 18, 2013, 8:00am-4:00pm $90 Member/$115 Non-member OSHA Training Center, Dublin

JAN

RATED out4.8 of 5.00

EMPLOYMENT LAW UPDATES/ HARASSMENT PREVENTION TRAINING Thursday, January 23, 2013 8:00am-10:00am - Law Updates 10:00am-12:00pm - Harassment Prevention $35 per class, $60 both - Members; $60 per class, $85 both - Non-Members UCON Office, San Ramon

JAN

RATED out5.0 of 5.00

OSHA 10-HOUR SAFETY TRAINING

FEB

6-7

Thursday, February 6, 2013, 8:00am-3:00pm, and Friday, February 7, 8:00am - 1:00pm FREE to UCON Members NEW: FREE Class for UCON Members OSHA Training Center, Dublin

PROJECT MANAGEMENT CAREER ADVANCEMENT (PMCA) March 18 - May 20, Tuesdays, 3:30pm-7:30pm Cost: $990 member; $1,500 non-member Location: Residence Inn, Marriott, Pleasanton

MAR

RATED out4.64 of 5.00 “I’m glad that I participated in the PMCA program.The classes have been very beneficial to me in the work place. I highly recommend it to anyone starting out as a project manager, or anyone interested in building up their skill set.” – Dan Duncan, O.C. Jones & Son’s, Inc.

Joan O’Brien, Education Manager, carefully develops the UCON University Program each year. Contact her at (925) 362-7303, or at jobrien@unitedcontractors.org for more information or to register for upcoming classes. JANUARY 2014

special feature

EDUCATION &TRAINING

By George Hedley, Hardhat Presentations

Too Busy to Train?

45 Minutes Per Week = Productivity Do you wish your field crews and management people were as good as you? Do they often struggle and fail to do things the way you want them done? How long does it take them to master a new task or idea? Would a regular training program make a difference? I recently surveyed more than 2000 contractors and business owners. Over 98% stated if they offer more training their people would do a better job. But, this awareness doesn’t lead to action! For field personnel, 51 percent offer only 0-8 hours of training per year. Only 12 percent offer 40 hours or more per year per field employee. For management personnel, 32 percent of companies offer less than 8 hours per year, and only 24 percent train 40 hours or more. Contrast this with the top 500 major companies in America which average more than 40 hours of training per year, per employee! Why do companies offer more training to management than field people? This doesn’t make sense. Construction companies make or lose most of their money out on the jobsite, not back in the office. Quality, service, productivity—all of it happens out in the field. When firms spend more on training in the office, field employees and their contributions to the bottom-line are not properly valued.

No training is draining

Most smaller contracting and design-build firms don’t have formal training programs. Stop and consider the old method of distributing information and blueprints versus today’s laptop computers, tablets, e-mail, and project websites. In today’s high-tech, high-speed business environment, people need to learn and improve 50 percent every four years just to stay even. Maybe your firm is “too busy to train” because you expect people to learn by doing—or the trial and error method! People want to make meaningful contributions on the job. They want to be recognized for their efforts. They need 20 W W W . U N I T E D C O N T R A C T O R S . O R G

training just to keep up, and additional training to excel. If they don’t get the training and tools they need, they won’t accept responsibility for the quality and productivity of the work they do.

The two percent investment

Your company goal should be to provide 40 hours of training per year, per every employee. The total cost will be less than two percent of your payroll cost. And your return will be a five to ten percent improvement in bottom-line productivity. Getting started is simple. Call a team meeting to select and prioritize 52 training topics. In our company, we cover the same 52 topics each year, plus new topics and innovative ideas. Allocate 45 minutes per week for training. Conduct training sessions in an interactive setting, on the jobsite or in the office.

Working together to learn and improve each week fosters team spirit and enthusiasm. Give your people weekly opportunities to perform, opportunities to learn, and chances to train others. The return to your company in productivity, quality work, motivation, and staff loyalty will be exponential. u George Hedley owns a $75 million construction and development company and Hardhat Presentations. Visit his website at www. hardhatpresentations.com.

BUILDING ’

it s what we do.

Training involves doing

Tell people how to do it, show them how to do it, and then let them do it. Watch the results, coach the participants until they get it right, and recognize those who do a good job. Bosses, step back! Share training duties among your crew, so everyone gets a chance to teach. Assign topics to individuals based on experience and skill. Use outside instructors when introducing new or technical tasks.

Work together to learn together

Offsite seminars and workshops can be excellent training opportunities as well, but make sure the programs offer more than listening to an instructor. Training that works involves interaction, doing and coaching. A problem I’ve notice as a speaker and presenter is that most companies hold one big annual meeting for their entire staff. Often the agenda includes informational sessions, but no training really occurs at these meetings. The audience is not participating in the activity or implementing the skill as it is explained. They just listen and try to look awake. And then, back at their job the next day, they continue to do their work exactly as they did before.

Building Strong Relationships. Building Trust and Confidence. Building Protection and Value. Insurance, Risk Management and Employee Benefits Consulting Beyond the Ordinary. Please contact us today to learn more. Let’s build something great together. David Alvarado San Francisco 415.356.3990

Brian Quinn San Ramon 925.244.7702

Tim Rabbitt Irvine 949.293.4122

Patrick McCaleb Fresno 559.259.4550

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JANUARY 2014

By Jenn Rogers, Senior Manager of Events

UCON 2014 EVENTS MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Over 3,000 industry members, leaders, and affiliates participated in UCON events last year, with an average rating of 4.4. Registration is available on our website— don’t miss out on these industry networking opportunities.

2014 EVENT CALENDAR MEMBERSHIP L.I.V.E.

Leadership, Innovation, Vision & Excellence Installation of the Board of Directors Saturday, February 8th Casa Real at Ruby Hill Winery, Pleasanton New Location

ANNUAL CRAB FEED

Thursday, February 27th San Ramon Marriott, San Ramon New Location

SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER: TEXAS HOLD’EM POKER TOURNAMENT Thursday, April 10th Bridges Golf Club, San Ramon

NAPA R.E.D.

Recharge / Engage / Develop May 29-30th Villagio Inn & Spa, Yountville

ANNUAL BBQ & CHILI COOK-OFF

Thursday, August 7th Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton

SAL RUBINO GOLF CLASSIC Friday, September 12th Black Horse Golf Club, Seaside

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS DINNER & AUCTION

Saturday, November 8th Craneway Pavilion on the Richmond Marina

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MEMBER RATING (2013) RATED out4.6 of 5.00 You will love the new larger location that is still intimate and inviting. Come and help us celebrate Leadership, Innovation, Vision & Excellence as we install the 2014 Board of Directors.

RATED out4.0 of 5.00 One of our largest industry events that was sold out with over 400 last year. Bigger, better with first rate service. Need we say more?

RATED out4.7 of 5.00 Why aren’t you attending? This was the highest-rated event in 2013. You don’t have to be a poker player. Come out for the business connections, fun, and support industry education!

RATED out4.6 of 5.00 UnWINEd with UCON. This was a new event in 2013 and proved to be just the right vintage. Start with a relaxed and refined atmosphere to network with members. Finish with the strategic planning meeting to learn from the past, and focus on the future of the organization and your business.

RATED out4.4 of 5.00 Over 1,000 registered—a record-breaker! You know you will be there so save the date and get working on your Chili recipes!

RATED out4.2 of 5.00 It’s a UCON Tradition named for an Associate Member who gave his all to the association. For the serious golfer, the not-so-serious, and the UCON Beer Bong. You won’t want to miss this one.

RATED out4.4 of 5.00 This waterfront location is still a hit and we are going back in 2014! Raise the bid to maintain UCON’s presence, voice and agenda in Sacramento and D.C.

Earn money on your idle equipment. Rent to trusted member contractors.

Call us for membership information. 415.300.5436 info@yardclub.com | www.yardclub.com “Yard Club is an easy way for us to generate income on our idle equipment. Other Club Members are all high quality and treat our equipment with care.” -Kevin Albanese, Joseph J. Albanese Ilnc.

JANUARY 2014

up Get Crackin’— UCON’s Annual Crab Feed • Thursday, February 27th • Marriott, San Ramon (New Location) Over 400 guests attended last year. This year we have a better location with more room to network and enjoy the fun. Register now online. Sponsorships available. For more information, contact Marlo Fregulia, Event Coordinator, at (925) 362-7313, mfregulia@unitedcontractors.org.

20 Years of Giving Back to Education: UCON’s Scholarship Awards Program

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, United Contractors is proud to announce the 2014 Scholarship Awards Program. A total of $23,000 in awards will be distributed on behalf of the Association and its memorial scholarship donors, who pledge $3,000 each per year: • Bruce W. Woolpert Memorial Scholarship; Granite Rock Company • David W. Young Memorial Scholarship; D.W. Young Construction Co., Inc. • Mario Ghilotti Family Foundation Memorial Scholarship; Ghilotti Bros., Inc. The Scholarship Program is open to the following: • All UCON member affiliates (employees, spouses, domestic partner, and dependents) enrolled part time/full time at any accredited trade school, junior college or 4 year college, studying in ANY major OR • California college students majoring in civil engineering or construction management

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By Denise Ramirez, Online Manager

20 20

AWARDS PROGRAM

20-for-20 Campaign

SCHOLARSHIP

Applications will be accepted online starting Monday, January 20th and are due by Friday, April 25, 2014 at 11:59 pm PST.

In honor of the program’s 20th Anniversary, we are asking members to donate just $20 to help fund our scholarship awards. All donor company logos will be featured in the scholarship section of UCON’s website. Help us reach our goal this year of raising $17,000 for education!

Visit www.unitedcontractors.org/scholarship2014 for more details regarding eligibility, application requirements, and to donate to the fund. For questions, contact Denise Ramirez at (925) 362-7308, or email dramirez@unitedcontractors.org. u

Protect your crew and a whole lot more. From training your crew on safety regulations to helping you choose the right equipment for the job, our innovative Trench Safety Solutions help increase productivity and lower costs. Next time you’re underground, count on us to help keep your crew, and your project, safe.

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13-URI-0838 Napa RED QuarterPage.indd 1

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JANUARY 2014

United Contractors

Welcome UCON’s New 2014 Board of Directors Thank you to GALLINA LLP for providing their services to tabulate the contractor and associate ballots for the 2014 Board of Director Elections.

KEVIN ALBANESE 2014 President Joseph J. Albanese, Inc. UCON Member - 11 Years

BRUCE DASEKING

Vice-President/President-Elect Secretary/Treasurer McGuire and Hester UCON Member - 24 Years

DONNA REHRMANN Secretary/Treasurer-Elect Stomper Company, Inc. UCON Member - 5 Years

MICHAEL GHILOTTI Past President 2013 Ghilotti Bros., Inc. UCON Member - 19 Years

RICH GATES Director-at-Large DeSilva Gates Construction UCON Member - 20 Years

JIM ALVEY Appian Engineering, Inc. UCON Member - 18 Years

SUE CAPRIOLA Silverado Contractors, Inc. UCON Member - 14 Years

BRETT KINCAID O’Grady Paving, Inc. UCON Member - 18 Years

THOMAS LUM Associate Director-Elect Peterson CAT UCON Member - 42 Years

CHRISTI PLUM P C & N Construction, Inc. UCON Member - 15 Years

JEFF PREVOST Associate Director Lockton Companies, LLC UCON Member - 6 Years

BOB RAHEBI Redgwick Construction Company UCON Member - 20 Years

KIM SCRUGGS Columbia Electric, Inc. UCON Member - 15 Years

HAL STOBER Gordon N. Ball, Inc. UCON Member - 15 Years

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Get to Know UCONs 2014 President, Kevin Albanese, Joseph J. Albanese, Inc. How do you see your role as President for the Association? I view my role as UCON President as its Next-Gen Leader, embracing and carrying forward the tradition and foundation upon which UCON was built while engaging and inspiring the future leaders of our industry. What is one of your primary goals for the year ahead? I have two primary goals for my term as President: 1) Increase meaningful member engagement. 2) Develop a “best in class” industry approach to apprenticeship and training paradigms. Technology Gadget that you can’t live without? I can’t live without my iPhone—I’m a LinkedIn junkie and love following various sports writers on Twitter. What are the industry’s biggest challenges? Immigration reform, competing with the non-union, and infrastructure funding.

Most influential books: Start with Why and The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. I’m passionate about: My family, construction, the San Francisco Giants, and the law. Favorite escape: Too many to mention, all except for Napa include a large body of water! First wheels: 1980 Oldsmobile Hoopty Station Wagon. First job: Pulling nails from old forming stakes in our yard. Favorite restaurant: Original Joes, San Jose. Proudest moment: Wedding, birth of my kids, graduating in top 5% of my law class.

Your perfect day? My perfect day includes a long drive on a two lane road, spending time with my wife watching my son’s soccer and football games, firing up my Big Green Egg and barbequing for my family and friends, enjoying a cold beer, listening to loud country music, and singing and dancing the night away!

2014 Membership L.I.V.E.

Leadership, Innovation, Vision & Excellence Kick off the year with UCON’s premier event to recognize our new 2014 President, Kevin Albanese of Joseph J. Albanese, Inc. and the newly elected Officers and Board of Directors, February 8, 2014 at Casa Real in Pleasanton. 4.6

RATED out of 5.00 This event was sold-out last year (2013), so reserve your spot early!

Tyler Vu Photography JANUARY 2014

United Contractors JANUARY MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

14 YEARS – 2000

United Contractors would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank the following companies who are celebrating their anniversary of membership with our organization in January:

Contractor Members: A. J. Vasconi General Engineering Andrew Vasconi

39 YEARS – 1975

Ray’s Electric Greg Gruendl

Associate Member: R.C. Fischer & Co. Dennis Sewell

33 YEARS – 1981 Associate Member: Papé Machinery Steve Gross

31 YEARS – 1983

Associate Member: Trench Plate Rental Co. Jodie White

20 YEARS – 1994

Contractor Members: RGW Construction, Inc. Bob Purdy Talus Construction, Inc. Sharon Alberts Associate Member: Jones, Henle & Schunck, CPAs Karl Schunck

17 YEARS – 1997

Associate Members: Northwest Pipe Company Mike Dumitrache

Contractor Members: Pacific States Environmental Contractors, Inc. Bob McCarrick

Road Machinery LLC Rick Dennis

Viking Drillers, Inc. Sherry Montoya

27 YEARS – 1987

Associate Members: KriStar Enterprises, Inc. Michelle Dunlop

28 YEARS – 1986

Associate Member: Compaction Rentals Craig Hobday

24 YEARS – 1990 Associate Members: Bay Area Barricade Service, Inc. Craig Songster

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (America) Inc. Mike Brenner

16 YEARS – 1998

11 YEARS – 2003 Contractor Member: Cleary Brothers Landscape, Inc. Mike Cleary

10 YEARS – 2004

Contractor Member: Western Traffic Supply, Inc. Ed Ibanez

8 YEARS – 2006

Contractor Members: Midstate Barrier, Inc. Clark Ebinger Robert A. Bothman, Inc. Brian Bothman

7 YEARS – 2007 Associate Member: RMA Group, Inc. Jim Bishop

6 YEARS – 2008

Contractor Members: Fermin Sierra Construction, Inc. Francisco Sierra

Union Sanitary District Rollie Arbolante

Contractor Member: Viking Construction Company Randy Jenco

21 YEARS – 1993

15 YEARS – 1999

Associate Members: Old Republic Construction Program Group Dave Conway

Performance Equipment, Inc. Chris Young

5 YEARS – 2009

Associate Member: Jifco, Inc. Jay Forni

Contractor Members: Farwest Safety, Inc. John Ashe

28 W W W . U N I T E D C O N T R A C T O R S . O R G

SpenCon Construction, Inc. Steve Stahl

Contractor Member: Granite Rock Company Paul Cianciarulo

Associate Member: Helix Industrial, LLC Doug Griffith

4 YEARS – 2010 Contractor Member: ABSL Construction Luis Allende

Associate Member: National Trench Safety, LLC Tom Hartman

3 YEAR – 2011

Contractor Member: Synergy Project Management Javad Mirsaidi

2 YEAR – 2012

Contractor Members: Anvil Builders Hien “HT” Tran Mozingo Construction, Inc. Doni Mozingo Associate Member: Sunbelt Rentals John Benetti

1 YEAR – 2013

Contractor Member: D-Line Constructors, Inc. Matt Certa TYS, LLP Tobin Moon

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United Contractors WELCOME NEW MEMBERS — 2013 United Contractors would like to welcome all of our new members who have joined our association in 2013.

NEW CONTRACTOR MEMBERS: BALFOUR BEATTY/ GALLAGHER & BURK JV William Kuchulis (510) 261-0466 344 High Street Oakland, CA 94601 BAY AREA CONCRETES, INC. Jonathan Vasquez (925) 245-8900 5637 LaRibera Street, Suite B Livermore, CA 94550 www.bayareaconcretes.com BAYSIDE STRIPE & SEAL, INC. Ramy Mughannam (707) 765-2871 1731 Lakeville Highway Petaluma, CA 94954 BEEBE DIVERSIFIED LP Elizabeth Beebe (916) 287-9390 P.O. Box 276125 Sacramento, CA 95827 BROSAMER & WALL, INC. Charles Wall (925) 932-7900 1777 Oakland Blvd., Suite 110 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 CALIFORNIA ENGINEERING CONTRACTORS, INC / SILVERADO CONTRACTORS, INC, A JOINT VENTURE Wahid Tadros (925) 461-1500 20 Happy Valley Road Pleasanton, CA 94566

D-LINE CONSTRUCTORS, INC. Matt Certa (510) 251-6400 499 Embarcadero, Post 3, Box 6, Suite Q Oakland, CA 94606 www.dlineconstructors.com DEHARO RAMIREZ CORP. DBA DEHARO RAMIREZ GROUP CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION Marco Ramirez (415) 552-3504 1250 Missouri Street, Suite 202 San Francisco, CA 94107 DMZ BUILDERS Todd Majors (925) 826-5387 1717 Solano Way Concord, CA 94520 www.dmzbuilders.com JCC, INC. Craig Johnson (925) 370-6067 P.O. Box 6481 Concord, CA 94524 KDW CONSTRUCTION, LLC D.J. Woods (707) 685-9157 595 Buck Avenue, Suite A Vacaville, CA 95688

30 W W W . U N I T E D C O N T R A C T O R S . O R G

Photo courtesy Condon-Johnson & Associates, Inc.

ODYSSEY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC. Mike Moore (209) 369-6197 5400 W. Highway 12 Lodi, CA 95242 www.odysseylandscape.com

SIERRA TRAFFIC MARKINGS, INC. Ron Johnson (916) 774-9080 9725 Del Road, Suite B Roseville, CA 95747

RC UNDERGROUND, INC. Ryan Caulfield (925) 705-7499 1280 Pine Street, Suite B Walnut Creek, CA 94596

TEICHERT CONSTRUCTION Byron Loney (916) 484-3269 3500 American River Drive Sacramento, CA 95864 www.teichert.com UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION CO., INC. Chris Ronco (707) 746-8800 5145 Industrial Way Benicia, CA 94510 www.undergrnd.com

ROADWAY CONSTRUCTION INC. Reza Yazdi (415) 293-8490 One Market Plaza Spear Tower, Suite 3600 San Francisco, CA 94105

VALVERDE CONSTRUCTION, INC. Marcus Gomez (562) 906-1826 10918 Shoemaker Avenue Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 www.valverdeconst.us

SHIMMICK/ NICHOLSON JV Paul Cocotis (510) 777-5000 8201 Edgewater Drive, Suite 202 Oakland , CA 94621

WAVE EXCAVATION LLC Michael Clark (940) 626-2174 2804 South FM 51 Decatur, TX 76234 www.h2xinc.com

PIXLEY CONSTRUCTION INC. Chuck Pixley (510) 783-3020 P.O. Box 185 Hayward, CA 94557

NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBERS: ACE USA - SURETY Eric Altman (415) 547-4513 455 Market Street, Suite 500 San Francisco, CA 94105 www.acegroup.com

THE HARTFORD Ben Holicky (415) 836-4837 595 Market Street, Suite 500 San Francisco, CA 94105 www.thehartford.com

ARGENT MATERIALS INC. Bill Crotinger (510) 638-7188 8300 Baldwin Street Oakland, CA 94612 www.argentmaterials.com

INTRALINE, INC. Pete Varma (510) 780-9800 25005 Viking Street Hayward, CA 94545 www.intralineinc.com

BARNEY & BARNEY, LLC Craig McCullum (510) 466-6025 1999 Harrison Street, Suite 1230 Oakland, CA 94612 www.barneyandbarney.com

ISIDORE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC Andrew Chavez (510) 449-8083 1067 Silver Maple Lane Hayward, CA 94544 www.isidoretech.com

CORPORATE TAX INCENTIVES Taz Singh (916) 366-0144 10860 Gold Center Drive, Suite 225 Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 www.ctillc.com

LOJACK Kierston Abraham (209) 923-7119 40 Pequot Way Canton, MA 02021 www.lojack.com

DOWNEY BRAND LLP Sean Filippini (916) 444-1000 621 Capitol Mall, 18th Floor Sacramento, CA 95814 www.downeybrand.com FILICE INSURANCE AGENCY Cindy Smith (408) 350-5718 738 N. 1st Street San Jose, CA 95112 www.filice.com GLOBAL LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE Holly Parrish (916) 374-0455 13405 Folsom Blvd., Suite 750 Folsom, CA 95630 www.glapartnering.com

PISENTI & BRINKER LLP Rene Cameron (707) 762-9900 201 1st Street, Suite 208 Petaluma, CA 94952

STORMWATER SPECIALISTS, INC. Mary Larsen (916) 230-0370 8698 Elk Grove Blvd, Suite 224 Elk Grove, CA 95624 PRESTIGE PRINTING AND www.stormwaterspecialists.com GRAPHICS Bruce Sorenson TYS, LLP (925) 866-1514 Tobin Moon 12925 Alcosta Blvd, Suite 6 (925) 498-6200 San Ramon, CA 94583 3150 Crow Canyon Place, www.prestigeprinting.com Suite 170 San Ramon, CA 94583 RAMOS OIL CO., INC. www.tysllp.com Robert Feder (916) 825-2873 YARD CLUB 1515 S. River Road Colin Evran West Sacramento, CA 95691 (415) 300-5436 www.ramosoil.com 625 2nd St., Suite 280 ROSS VENABLES PHOTOGRAPHY Ross Venables (831) 345-8805 185 Celeste Way Santa Cruz, CA 95065 www.rossvenables.com

San Francisco, CA 94107 www.yardclub.com

NATIONAL CASTING CORPORATION Gautam Kedia (916) 770-4460 3013 Douglas Blvd., Suite 240 Roseville, CA 95661 www.natlcasting.com NORCAL SAFETY TRAINING & CONSULTING Dan Herndon (510) 402-9076 38277 Hamlin Street Fremont, CA 94536 OLES MORRISON RINKER & BAKER LLP Robert Leslie (510) 903-2001 1901 Harrison Street, Suite 1650 Oakland CA 94612 www.oles.com PARTON, SELL, RHOADES, PC James Sell (415) 258-9700 750 Lindaro Street, Suite 140 San Rafael, CA 94901 www.partonsell.com N JA ONVU/ D AE RC Y 2013 4

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member

NEWS

Central Concrete Supply Co., Inc. Receives American Concrete Institute Award Central Concrete Supply Co., Inc., a leader in delivering lowCO2 concrete to the San Francisco Bay Area, announced that it received the Northern California & Western Nevada Chapter American Concrete Institute (ACI) Award for Outstanding Construction, Structural Category. This award recognized the work performed by Central Concrete and concrete contractor Joseph J. Albanese, Inc., along with general contractor Turner Construction Company and various design team members, for Stanford University’s Bing Concert Hall. Team members for the Stanford University Bing Concert Hall included: Ready Mix Supplier: Central Concrete Supply Co., Inc. Concrete Contractor: Joseph J. Albanese, Inc. General Contractor: Turner Construction Company Structural Engineer: Degenkolb Engineers Civil Engineer: Wilsey Ham Architect: Ennead Architects

Central Concrete supplied 7,500 cubic yards of concrete for the project, and the low-CO2 mixes selected reduced the overall carbon footprint for the construction project by just over one million pounds. Creative concrete strategies were employed by all construction team members to address the unique elliptical shape. For more information, visit www.centralconcrete.com (a UCON member since 2004). u

W. Bradley Electric, Inc. (WBE) Boasts "Best Places" and the #3 Spot–Largest Women Owned Company in Silicon Valley WBE thanks its employees for graciously voting them one of the North Bay Business Journal’s Best Places to Work! This acknowledgment continues to be treasured by WBE CEO Leslie Murphy. “I look at this as a Street light installation, 19th Ave., San Francisco testament that shows our employees really do recognize how much we care for and value them,” said Ms. Murphy. WBE feels one of the reasons behind the employee’s satisfaction and loyalty to the firm is because everyone knows their contributions to the company, no matter how big or small, play a great part in WBE’s continued growth and success. Along with their Best Places to Work recognition, WBE would like to thank all of their customers and employees for helping them climb up two spots to #3 on this year’s Silicon Valley Business Journal’s Largest Women Owned Companies.

Inside the Bing Concert Hall; photo courtesy Aislinn Weidele/Ennead Architects 32 W W W . U N I T E D C O N T R A C T O R S . O R G

For more information, visit their website at www. wbeinc.com (a UCON member since 2008). u

Yard Club Promotes Early Adoption of Technology with Streamlining Equipment Ordering New technology like online platforms, GPS software, and equipment telematics are making their way into the construction industry. Contractors who adopt technology early are reaping rewards in the two ways that matter: increasing revenues and decreasing costs. Yard Club enables contractors to rent high quality equipment from trusted members at discounted prices. Specifically, the technology helps match one contractor’s rental needs with another contractor’s idle equipment. Behind a private Member portal, dispatchers can browse pictures of available equipment, submit orders online, and confirm rentals via the web or text messaging. The technology has benefits on both sides. By streamlining the process and gaining access to many suppliers, renters save significantly on outside rentals.

Furthermore, it helps generate additional income on idle equipment—money that falls directly to the bottom line. The transition from traditional phone ordering has been interesting. Dispatchers are embracing the technology, as they can simultaneously gain access to more rental suppliers in real-time and early adopters, including UCON members, have been using the technology to significantly decrease their overall equipment costs. As technology becomes further integrated into every aspect of life, clients come to expect that contractors will use technology to get the job done more efficiently. There are already terrific technologies that contractors can utilize to increase revenue and decrease costs. For more information on Yard Club, visit their website at www.yardclub.com (a UCON member since 2013). u

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