Construction Today - A Word from GBCA

A WORD FROM GBCA

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Benjamin J. Connors, Esq., CAE

President & CEO General Building Contractors Association

Smarts. Drive. Commitment. These shared qualities unite construction professionals throughout the industry, and they’re not going unnoticed.

At GBCA’s 2022 Annual Meeting, Philadelphia’s Mayor Jim Kenney recognized just how much the commercial construction industry has supported the city throughout the pandemic by forging ahead with projects in the city while putting health and safety first. I, along with our members, take this gratitude to heart as we continue to drive the industry and our region forward.

To do that, we must remain focused on building our workforce. The Carpenters’ Apprentice Ready Program (CARP) is opening the door to union carpentry careers for Philadelphians who have not previously had any connection to the industry. We were pleased to invite city and state elected officials to join us for our Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service project, when CARP participants built 15 little free libraries for Philadelphia’s communities. We are working to provide the exposure to and training in the trades that can lead to new opportunities and careers.

We also must support construction professionals: project managers, safety professionals, and estimators. Our Tuition Reimbursement Program, featured in this issue, helps construction professionals pursue higher education. Complementing GBCA’s efforts to attract more people to enter the field of construction, this program enables professionals to get the education that will enable them to maximize their own growth and help lead our industry into the future.

Workforce development remains one of GBCA’s most important priorities. With time and continued support from our members, the impact of our efforts will only continue to grow.

NOTES FROM THE PUBLISHER

Byron Lee, Ph.D.

Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications General Building Contractors Association

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s how to roll with the punches – and still come out on top.

Our Construction Excellence Awards (CEA) are a stellar example of how GBCA and our members are doing just that. While we needed to pivot from our signature in-person awards gala for the second year in a row, we leveraged the opportunity to take our celebration to the next level with a virtual event and a robust marketing program for winners.

Beyond the outstanding feedback that we received from members, I’m extremely proud to share that GBCA was honored with Association TRENDS’s Gold TRENDY Award for Best Commemoration/Tribute. This award recognizes CEA as one of the best marketing and communications programs in the association and nonprofit community.

Making lemonade out of lemons, however, is only a piece of the puzzle. We need to proactively position our association and our member companies for long-term success. While there are various strategies that support this overarching effort, there’s one fundamental thing that unites them: the importance of communication.

This issue of Construction Today digs into the topic of communication, including how it can be used to strengthen relationships among teams, manage and avoid default risks with project collaborators, and help you and your partners avoid litigious dispute resolution.

As the construction industry and COVID conditions continue to change, clear, consistent communication can have a bigger impact on your business – and your career – than ever. It is the foundation for better relationships, stronger collaboration, and mutually beneficial outcomes when you need them most.

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Michael K. Armento

Chairman of the Board, GBCA Senior Vice President, Torcon, Inc.

Over the last two years, one of the things that has struck me the most is how emerging leaders from so many GBCA member companies stepped up to help the industry adapt to change. Looking ahead, their leadership will continue to help all of us in important ways.

Even with hybrid work environments here to stay, I can’t stress enough how important it is to get out and connect with colleagues throughout the industry. Our Construction Leadership Council (CLC) has always done an incredible job of bringing our members together, and this year they’re making it even easier for pros of all ages to connect.

In early March, the CLC hosted a sold-out in-person workshop and networking happy hour, kicking off a full lineup of events and trainings planned for 2022. The CLC also recently hosted a virtual jobsite tour for Jefferson University construction management students. These types of events are building a stronger industry by helping us grow and connect the pipeline of talent that will carry our organizations well into the future.

Behind these events are the impressive young professionals in our CLC. We have featured many of them in Construction Today over the years. Today, these individuals are excelling in their careers, taking on new roles, and becoming experts in the industry. They are also the colleagues and friends who we look forward to seeing on projects and at industry events.

Contractors often talk about being remembered by our buildings, but we will also be remembered for our outstanding leaders who are taking the industry to new heights.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Bartkowski Life Safety Corp.

Fromkin Brothers, Inc.

AFFILIATE MEMBERS

Aggreko

Patrick DiCerbo – Northwestern Mutual Trimble, Inc.

WillScot