AGC recently launched a new video message that is designed to make it even easier for members to learn about how the association is working for you. This is the first in a series of brief videos the association will distribute each month providing you with the latest information about important initiatives, successes in advocating on the industry's behalf and how you can take advantage of the many benefits of membership. In this first video, AGC of America CEO Stephen Sandherr shares how AGC has become so successful in pushing back against new regulatory burdens. He also details a new voter information website, www.constructionvotes.com, which was launched by the association to help members learn about pro-construction candidates up for election this November 4. Learn More...

 

Join us in San Juan, Puerto Rico March 18-20, 2015, for AGC of America's 96th Annual Convention, featuring opening session speaker Ken Adelman, ambassador and former arms control director for Pres. Ronald Reagan. Learn More...

 

Construction employers added 16,000 jobs and the sector’s unemployment rate fell to seven percent, the lowest rate for September in years, according to an analysis released by AGC. Association officials said the construction employment gains come as more firms report having a hard time finding enough qualified workers to fill available positions, citing the lack of local vocational training programs, especially at the secondary level. "While we are eager to see even more construction employment gains, there is no denying the fact that the industry has been in recovery mode for much of the past three years," said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. "But the industry won’t be able to keep filling positions if there aren’t enough qualified workers available to fill them." Learn More...

 

Construction employment expanded in 220 metro areas, declined in 73 and was stagnant in 46 between August 2013 and August 2014, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released earlier this month by AGC of America. Association officials added that construction spending climbed to $961 billion from $915.3 billion between August 2013 and August 2014, a 5 percent increase, according to federal data also released in October. "Even as construction employment continues to rebound in many parts of the country, other areas continue to lose ground, or like Phoenix, backslide," said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. "Similarly, while construction spending has been increasing overall in the past year, the gains remain uneven. The industry appears likely to experience very mixed results by segment and region for the rest of 2014 and into next year." Learn More...

 

BY MARTIN WONG
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, SMARTT
Are you among the 42 percent of small and medium businesses in construction who don’t have a mobile-friendly website, who don’t think it’s relevant to your business, or who just aren’t sure? Construction is a big user of mobile technology, but could do a better job of supporting mobile users from a website perspective. Learn More...

 

In September, Texas Construction Careers, a statewide coalition of AGC building chapters, launched www.texasconstructioncareers.com, the online human resources tool for the Texas construction industry. The site is designed to be the "go to" online destination for information about training, education, and job placement as well as career opportunities for students and military veterans. Learn More...

 

BOND, a leading 107-year-old construction management firm and AGC member in Connecticut and Massachusetts, recently announced the promotion of Kevin Aylwin to project executive. Kevin has more than 19 years of experience in the construction industry, with six of those years spent at BOND. He has focused his career on projects in the BOND Select Projects Group, specializing in renovations. Kevin’s management style is client-focused and service-driven, reflecting a commitment to fostering client relationships and team-building. He brings excellent technical competencies and leadership to fast-track complex projects. Learn More...

 

Brasfield & Gorrie, an AGC of Georgia member, recently broke ground on the new $18.5 million Ronald McDonald House in Sandy Springs, Georgia. A groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 30 marked the start of construction on the new three-story, 55,000 sq-ft facility, which will replace the existing Peachtree Dunwoody Road House. With 31 rooms, the new House will nearly triple Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities’ capacity to serve families with children being treated at Chidren’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. In addition to rooms for patients and their families, the facility will feature an interior treehouse suspended above the lobby. Learn More...

 

Brayman Construction Corporation, a heavy civil and geotechnical contractor and a member of multiple AGC chapters, ranked as number 11 in the Pittsburgh Business Times Contractors list, has promoted Frank A. Piedimonte, P.E. to president and chief operating officer. Learn More...

 

C.W. Driver, an AGC of California member, recently completed construction on the 120,000-sq-ft Bloomingdale’s in the Stanford Shopping Center. Located directly off El Camino Real in Palo Alto, California, the new three-story retail space replaces the original Bloomingdale’s store that had opened in 1996. Construction on the $18 million project began on December 2013 and completed on September 2014. Learn More...

 

Ryan Companies US, Inc., an Austin Chapter-AGC member, recently announced Lynn Treat’s relocation to the SouthCentral Region – Austin, Texas. Lynn, director of field operations, began his career at Ryan in the Great Lakes Region in 1997, where he worked with such clients as Deere & Company, Northern Illinois Food Bank, and Delta Dental of Illinois. Learn More...

 

Sundt Construction, Inc., a member of multiple AGC chapters, recently hired Ron Stuff as general counsel, replacing Sundt executive Randy Nye, who retired after serving 10 years with the general contractor. Stuff will immediately assume the roles of chief legal officer and chief compliance officer. Additionally, he will serve on the Sundt executive team and the Sundt Companies' board of directors. Learn More...

 

Tarlton Corp., a St. Louis-based general contracting and construction management firm and a member of multiple AGC chapters, has named Blake Kreutzberg project superintendent for the Tarlton team managing construction of repairs to Parking Garage D at Missouri Baptist Medical Center for BJC HealthCare. Learn More...

 

 

Webinars
Oct 16, 2014 
1 - 2 p.m. 
Effective Hiring Initiatives - Building a Strong Veteran Hiring Program and Employer Checklist 

Oct 29, 2014
1 - 2 p.m. 
Military 101 - A Recruiter/HR Manager's Guide to Navigating the Military Infrastructure

Nov 6, 2014 
1 - 2 p.m. ET
Employer Best Practices - Insight from Experienced Trainers on Recruiting, Hiring and Retaining Veterans 

Nov 13, 2014
1 - 2 p.m.
The Military HIre - Why Veterans and Military Service Members?

Nov 20, 2014
1 - 2 p.m. ET
Wounded Veteran Employment - A Comprehensive Guide to Hiring Veterans with Disabilities

Hiring Fairs