GUAM’S
CONSTRUCTION
LANDSCAPE
LEGACY
TRANSFORMING OF
ENGAGEMENT
YOUTH
CHAMPION OF EXCELLENCE
hawthornecat.com
“When I complained about the sunlight fading the wood on our steps through our large picture window, Kin suggested I call Island Tinting to see what they could do. Tom and his crew came out to the house and in just over an hour, they applied this clear film. He made me stand on the side where they had applied the film and then on the side with no film. The heat difference was amazing. The best part about it is that our power bill has gone down $70 a month because of this film!”
Kin and Jayne Flores with Tom Roberto
THEDIRECTORS THEEDITORIALS
INTERIM PRESIDENT
Desiree Lizama
Guam Contractors’ Association
PAST CHAIRMAN
Joe Roberto East Island Tinting
CHAIRMAN
Matthew Hunter
Dylan Mechanical Construction Services
VICE CHAIRMAN
Kathleen David Pacific Rim Constructors
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Soraya Vongjalorn Vertex Guam
CONTRACTOR DIRECTORS:
Dean Bates
Black Construction Corporation
Alan Bell
SmithBridge Guam
AJ Perez
Hawaiian Rock Products
Brian Holm
Hensel Phelps
Randolf Salas Proferre
ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS:
Mark Cruz
Mid Pac Far East
Jose Garcia
First Hawaiian Bank
Camilo Lorenzo Matson Navigation
Geri Leon Guerrero
Adztech Advertising and PR
Guam Contractor’s Association (GCA) in conjunction with Adztech and Public Relations, Inc. publishes the Construction News Bulletin (CNB) monthly. Reproduction of materials appearing in this publication is strictly forbidden without written permission by GCA.
While we always strive for accuracy, we will from time to time overlook mistakes. In order to help us improve the quality and accuracy of this publication, we ask that you take the time to look at the information provided and notify GCA or Adztech of any corrections as needed. Opinions and editorial content of this publication may not necessarily be those of the publisher, production team, staff, GCA members, GCA Board of Directors and advertisers.
For more information about advertising in the GCA Construction News Bulletin contact the advertising department at (671) 477-1239/2239 or email at adztech@teleguam.net.
Distributed to GCA members or can be obtained by stopping by the Guam Contractors’ Association office located at 506 Mariner Ave., Barrigada, Guam 96913
To find out more about how you can become a GCA member contact Guam Contractors’ Association at Tel: (671) 647-4840/41 Fax: (671) 647-4866 or Email: gca@teleguam.net. www.guamcontractors.org
Postmaster. Send address changes to Guam Contractors’ Association, located at 506 Mariner Ave., Barrigada, Guam 96913
TRADES ACADEMY
THETEAM
PUBLISHER:
Desiree Lizama
PRODUCTION TEAM LEAD: Geri Leon Guerrero
AD SALES:
Alyssa Roces
Sierra Tenorio
PRODUCTION:
Jason Davis
Alyssa Roces
Christopher “Taco” Rowland
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Alyssa Roces
Sierra Tenorio
Christopher “Taco” Rowland
EDITOR: Adztech
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:
Francine Taitague
Rodney “RJ” Ricarte
Patricia “Patti” L. Diego
GCA STAFF:
Francine Taitague
Trevor Cruz
Rosielyn Holgado
Peter Finona
COVER: Under James’s over 20 years guidance, GCA has grown and flourished.
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Members, Join a Guam Contractors Association Committee
Being a member of the Guam Contractors Association provides you the opportunity to participate in association committees to help advance the mission of the construction industry in Guam.
By actively participating, you'll build valuable relationships with industry leaders and peers while gaining knowledge of industry information, trends and developments.
Committees provide a platform to influence industry policies and standards. You'll enhance your and your company’s visibility within the industry, potentially leading to new business opportunities and partnerships. You'll be part of a collaborative effort to solve industry challenges and contribute to the broader construction industry community.
This hands-on involvement offers far more value than passive membership alone.
Here are the standing committees of the Guam Contractors Association. Take a look at this list and consider joining.
Activities, Professional and Community Affairs. Plans and coordinates the association social and professional activities. Includes subcommittees for the annual golf tournament, annual picnic and awards banquet.
Education and Training. Sponsors construction industry apprenticeship program with the GCA Trades Academy and Guam Community College. Develops training partnerships to fulfill the educational needs of member firms and their employees.
Health and Safety. Develops community partnerships to promote safe working conditions in the construction industry. Sponsors training sessions and seminars, such as the “Samoan Joe” Safety Conference in association with concerned regulatory agencies, to promote safety in the work place.
Government, Military and Labor Relations. Informs and educates members on current and proposed legislation affecting the construction industry. Represents the membership in legislative and other hearings to advance the construction industry. Monitors alien labor practices while encouraging the development of a skilled local labor force.
Membership. Monitors and contacts prospective members for GCA on a monthly basis. Provides analysis of member programs, such as the employee health benefit program, and makes its recommendation to the Board.
Small Business. Conducts outreach to small business members of the association to ensure their voice is heard and needs are met within GCA capabilities.
Emerging Leaders. Performs community and school outreach to encourage youth and young professionals to engage with the GCA.
Start 2025 by joining a committee and participating in the success of the Guam Contractors Association. For more information, please contact the GCA office at 647-4840 or fill out the form at this link: https://guamcontractors.org/committee-form.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Desiree Lizama Interim President Guam Contractors Association
APPRENTICESHIP CORNER
By Francine Taitague Education Director, Guam Contractors Association
THE GIFTS YOUR COMPANY'S APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM CAN BRING YOUR WORKFORCE
This holiday season is the perfect time to consider one of the most valuable gifts your company can give itself: an apprenticeship program. Like a carefully chosen present, an apprenticeship program keeps on giving, delivering benefits that extend far beyond the initial investment.
The construction industry faces a significant challenge with an aging workforce. By establishing an apprenticeship program now, your company unwraps the gift of future-proofing your workforce. This strategic approach creates a reliable pipeline of skilled workers while providing natural succession planning opportunities as experienced professionals prepare for retirement.
Speaking of gifts that keep giving … let's talk about cost savings. Companies with established apprenticeship programs report significant reductions in recruitment costs. Businesses with apprenticeship programs experience a lower turnover rate compared to those without. Add in available tax incentives and training grants, and the return on investment becomes even more attractive.
Perhaps one of the most unexpected gifts of an apprenticeship program is its positive impact on company culture. When experienced workers become mentors, they can find a renewed enthusiasm for their work and increased job satisfaction. This mentorship creates a learning environment where knowledge transfer becomes a two-way street, strengthening team bonds and building a more cohesive workforce.
Innovation emerges as another valuable gift from apprenticeship programs. Today's apprentices bring fresh perspectives and natural comfort with new technologies. This helps companies stay current with industry developments. This blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern approaches creates a powerful combination that can drive your company forward in an increasingly competitive market.
The ripple effects of an apprenticeship program extend into your community like holiday cheer spreading through a neighborhood. By creating career opportunities for Guam residents, your company becomes an engine for local economic growth. The Guam Contractors Association and I have seen numerous success stories where apprenticeship programs have transformed lives.
Consider making an apprenticeship program your company's resolution for 2025. The process doesn't have to be overwhelming – the GCA is ready to help you unwrap this gift of opportunity. We keep track of hours worked and the education progress of the apprentices in your program. We can guide your company through the whole process.
Make this holiday season the time you invest in your company's future through the lasting gift of apprenticeship. Your workforce – present and future –will thank you for years to come.
Join the list of companies that have, or are in the process of, creating an apprenticeship program to enhance the skills of its workforce.
contact me at (671)
In 2025 Pay Yourself to be Healthy!
By Rodney “RJ” Ricarte
Getting screened and being healthy pays cash! I strongly encourage you and your family to take advantage of the wellness incentive programs offered with your TakeCare GCA Employee Health Insurance Benefit.
The Wellness, Disease Management, and Preventative Incentive Program offers cash incentives up to $250 per eligible individual or $500 per eligible family per benefit period to complete an online health risk assessment, biometric screening, annual physical exam, colorectal cancer screening, breast cancer screening, mammogram, cervical cancer screening and pap smear, flu vaccines, dental exam, and other screenings.
The Outcome Based Incentive Program provides fitness and outcome based incentives up to $350 per eligible individual and $700 per eligible family per benefit period, provided they meet the program’s criteria and complete a health screening to determine blood pressure, cholesterol, HBA1C.
The Fitness/Gym Incentive Program rewards members and their family with cash to be active. TakeCare members have a choice of accessing 21 fitness partners on Guam and 2 in Saipan. When the member visits any of TakeCare’s participating gym/fitness partners, that member receives $10 per month for every month that member had ten visits or more. Members can also earn TakeCare’s fitness incentive by self-reporting at least 30 minutes of an approved activity such as walking, jogging, running; rowing; swimming; and or biking. Track your activity using an approved fitness app and upload information about the activity to earn the incentive.
Ernest Aquino, TakeCare’s wellness team lead, and the health and wellness coaches, can provide educational and coaching services to help you get started.
The TakeCare Wellness Team offers group programs and individual consultations to improve your blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure to optimize your health. Looking to start a program or lose weight? Get baseline body composition measurements using the Evolt 360 and work with a coach to stay on track.
To learn more about TakeCare wellness programs and services, visit https://wellnesscenter.takecareasia.com, or call (671) 646-6956.
The above is just a general description of the programs. For more details about the incentive programs, please refer to your Member Handbook. Your TakeCare GCA Employee Health Benefit empowers you to take control of your health and receive the assistance you need to live the life you want to live.
2025 can be the year you and your family get healthy — and earn some cash doing it.
Rodney “RJ” Ricarte, the TakeCare account executive for GCA, can be contacted at (671) 487-7121 or rodney.ricarte@takecareasia.com.
LEADER’S JOURNEY: JAMES A. MARTINEZ
By Patricia “Patti”
L. Diego
In August 2024, James Martinez resigned his long-standing position as President of the GCA. This marked the end of a significant 22-year era for the Guam construction industry. His leadership within the GCA was characterized by advocacy for policies that supported both the local workforce and the broader construction industry.
Transforming Guam’s Construction Landscape
A visionary leader and tireless advocate for Guam's construction industry, James has left an indelible mark on our island. His tenure as President of the Guam Contractors Association (GCA) left an enduring legacy dedicated to raising standards, innovation, workforce development, and community engagement which defined years of unparalleled growth and excellence for the industry.
Born on June 15, 1960, the eldest child of Jaime and Cecilia, James grew up in the villages of MongMong and Santa Rita, Guam alongside his two sisters, Leonora, and Yvonne. After graduating from Father Duenas Memorial School in 1978, he attended Colorado State University, where he cultivated his passion for leadership and business. Upon returning to Guam in 1987, his entrepreneurial journey began by introducing the first Wendy’s Restaurant to the island, a venture that laid the foundation for his extensive professional achievements.
James’s work history spans 40 years of proven experience as a business professional, with extensive expertise in the private sector and the construction industry, both on the U.S. Mainland and in Guam. Significant achievements and key milestones of his career include:
• 2001-2024 - President of the Guam Contractors Association (GCA), an affiliate chapter of the National Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. (ABC).
• Certified Master Trainer - National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER)
• 2006 - Founding leader, established the Guam Contractors Association (GCA) Trades Academy
• Trained and certified the initial cohort of trades instructors for GCA Trades Academy.
• Board Member - Guam Community College Foundation Board of Governors
• Council Member – Guam State Apprenticeship Council
• Board Member - Guam Workforce Development Board (GWDB)
• Past Professional Member - SkillsUSA, representing over 413,000 career and technical education students and teachers, empowering students to become skilled professionals.
• Responsible for delivery of numerous presentations
on workforce development at various conferences on Guam and internationally.
Under James' leadership, the GCA membership reached a milestone, surpassing 500 member companies, a testament to his ability to foster unity and collaboration. His efforts in launching initiatives and delivering exceptional programs significantly enhanced the association's growth and strengthened its positive influence on the industry in Guam. His legacy reflects an enduring commitment to addressing critical workforce challenges and nurturing the development of future construction professionals, leaving a lasting impact on the community and the industry.
Commitment to Safety and Excellence
James served a pivotal role in establishing the GCA Trades Academy, a Guam modular craft training program designed to enhance the skills of construction professionals. The Trades Academy launched in October 2006, with Martinez serving as its inaugural Master Trainer. Recently Bert Johnston, GCA Trades Academy Education Director recalled, that at the 2006 GCA Annual Picnic, James worked with then Governor Felix P. Camacho to proclaim Guam’s first Careers in Construction Week. It was in that same week that the Trades Academy piloted its first cohort of six students. “Throughout the years, James has been one of the GCA Trades Academy’s biggest supporters, offering ideas, advice, and resources in our efforts toward building skills for a lifetime,” Johnston added.
James was instrumental in encouraging local youth to consider construction trades as viable career paths. He spearheaded programs in partnership with the Guam Community College to provide hands-on experience and vocational training for aspiring young professionals. Former GCA Chairman and current GCA board member Joe Roberto recollected the numerous groundbreaking initiatives that reshaped the landscape of construction on Guam, citing the following:
• GCA Trades Academy
• Employee Benefits Programs including Health and Life Insurance and 401k retirement plans, particularly for employees of smaller GCA member companies
• Diversity and Youth Engagement programs including Pizza, Pop and Power Tools and Construction Warriors
• Safety and Professional Development including the Joseph Leasiolagi “Samoan Joe” Annual Safety Conference
• Industry Advancement Programs including the Construction Industry Trade Fair & Expo, Meet The Generals Networking and the GCA Construction and Truck Rodeo events
Pioneering Leadership and Advocacy
Championing Youth and Workforce Development
• Growing and advancing the U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program
• Recognizing Excellence in the Excellence in Construction and Contractor of the Year Awards to elevate standards and celebrate outstanding achievements across Guam’s construction industry”
Legacy of Innovation and Community Engagement
“His legacy contributions will continue to benefit Guam’s construction industry for future generations,” remarked Roberto.
James relentlessly worked to address labor shortages by promoting local workforce development and reducing reliance on foreign labor. By collaborating with policymakers, he ensured Guam’s construction sector remained resilient amid challenges brought on by the military buildup and H-2B visa limitations.
Through his efforts, the GCA not only grew in size but also in remarkable advancements, solidifying its reputation as a vital force in Guam’s economy. Signature GCA events became platforms for networking and innovation, further uniting industry stakeholder, including:
• Educational Outreach: Programs such as Pizza, Pop, and Power Tools and Construction Warriors introduced middle and high school students to rewarding careers in construction, fostering interest and engagement among Guam’s youth.
• Signature Industry Events: Annual gatherings like the Joseph Leasiolagi "Samoan Joe" Safety Conference, GCA Construction & Truck Rodeo, GCA Industry Trade Fair & Expo, and Meet the Generals networking events brought together industry professionals to promote collaboration, safety, and innovation.
• Workforce Development: The expansion of GCA Apprenticeship Programs under Martinez’s leadership provided aspiring construction professionals with essential training and skill-building opportunities to meet industry demands.
• Excellence Awards: Creating the Excellence in Construction and Contractor of the Year Awards highlighted outstanding achievements and elevated industry standards, inspiring continuous improvement within the construction community.
Martinez’s enduring impact reflects a commitment to excellence, innovation, collaboration, and professional development, setting a strong foundation for the future of Guam’s construction sector.
Matson Account Executive Camilo Lorenzo reflected on the leader’s contributions and shared that, “it was my
privilege to work alongside James on the GCA Board of Directors since 2015. His leadership and achievements have consistently exceeded expectations, and the current success of the GCA stands in testament to his enduring influence.”
Through his dedication, James ensured that construction industry remained a vibrant, thriving part of Guam’s future. His efforts laid the groundwork for upcoming leaders to build upon his vision, creating opportunities for professional growth and advancing the industry’s potential.
Inspiring the Next Generation
A strong dedication to promoting youth development recognized the importance of building up future generations of construction professionals. Educational programs he designed and implement, helped introduce young people to the industry, highlighting the diverse career paths available within the field. He engaged youth to ensure a sustainable pipeline of talent for the construction sector.
Outside of the GCA, James championed broader community engagement, raising awareness of construction issues, and seeking to strengthen the understanding of industry opportunities. He promoted a sense of ownership and pride in the island's infrastructure development for all residents.
Reflecting on his legacy, GCA Interim President Desiree Lizama shared, “He is an instrumental figure who helped shape the landscape of Guam’s construction industry. His dedication elevated the industry and created countless opportunities for professional growth and development within the construction community.”
As the GCA continues to navigate Guam’s construction boom, the principles and programs established during James Martinez’s tenure serve as a beacon, guiding the industry toward greater heights. His unwavering commitment to innovation, collaboration, and community will forever remain a cornerstone of the island’s construction history.
CHAMPION
CHAMPION
The GCA will greatly miss James Martinez and in his honor GCA will move forward meeting the demands of Guam’s ongoing construction boom and continuing to improve the quality of life for all of us who call Guam home.
GCA November Luncheon
November 21, 2024
Westin Resort Guam
30th Annual
GCA Family Day Picnic
October 13, 2024
Ypao Beach Park
MEET THE GENERALS MIXER
October 25th, 2024
GCA Trades Academy
GENERAC WATER BLASTERS
119 WET GALLONS LPG TANK
QUIETER! SMARTER! BEATS HONDA!
DIAMOND SPONSORS
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
Black Construction Corporation • First Hawaiian Bank
BRONZE SPONSORS
Isla Coatings and Roofing Supply
Island Equipment Company G4S Security Systems (Guam), Inc. • Phoenix Pacific (Guam), Inc.
