A Recap of our "We Built Chicago" Program on June 5th

You may have read or heard about the recent 5th International Congress on Construction History. While not well-known until recently in our area, this consortium of construction and design experts gathers every three years and just held the 2015 Congress in the United States for the first time...and in Chicago no less. It convened at the Palmer House and achieved excellent attendance and accolades. In the past the Congress was held in Madrid in 2003, Cambridge in 2006, Cottbus in 2009 and Paris in 2012.

The Builders Association was honored to coordinate and sponsor an event on Friday June 5th as part of the Congress. The "We Built Chicago" program concentrated on construction in Chicago over the last 100 years. It was held in the elegant ballroom of the School of the Art Institute, where more than 200 people heard David Pepper of Pepper Construction give an overview of innovations in construction that were developed or created right here in Chicago. Marvin Levine, President of Levine Companies, presented his white paper on multigenerational construction companies in Chicago including member Bulley & Andrews.

These presentations were followed by a panel discussion centered on family-owned construction firms which was moderated by Mary Brush of Brush Architects.  Panelists included Fred Berglund, President of 104-year-old Berglund Construction; Marty Ozinga IV, President of 87-year-old Ozinga Brothers, Inc.; Bruce Lake, President of 118-year-old James McHugh Construction; and R. Philip Stupp Jr., President of 159-year-old Stupp Brothers. Inc. out of St. Louis. The panelists gave individual briefs of their multigenerational family businesses, citing many interesting anecdotes and personal stories about their companies that have been passed down through the generations.  Business survival through the Great Depression, many wars and changing demands and technology was a common thread among these long standing businesses, providing vivid insight to attendees on how tough it is to continue a family business from generation to generation.

After Dave Pepper provided a summary of evening’s program and a brief look to the future the participants enjoyed a wonderful networking reception hosted by the Builders Association and several other local organizations, including The Mechanical Contractors Association, Chicago Building Congress, Fox Valley AGC, Associated Steel Erectors of Chicago, and HACIA.