A Word from AGCVA Chair, Anthony Smith

I’ve just returned from the cold snowy mountains surrounding The Greenbrier Resort and am warmed by the residual glow of having been able to spend the weekend with some of my dear friends and most respected colleagues. Finally, we were back in person for the 2022 AGCVA Annual Convention and what a wonderful time we had together! Our 2021 Chairman, Trip Smith, along with the members of his 2021 Convention Committee knocked it out of the park in planning this year’s event. AGCVA CEO, Brandon Robinson and the amazing AGCVA staff worked hard to deliver this plan and once again showed us how lucky we are as members to have a group of such dedicated and talented individuals - they are the best in the business.

As a longtime attendee of this conference, I can say the value of attending this event is tremendous. This year’s headline speakers Scott Wayne, Ace Callwood, and Elizabeth Byland, of Richmond-based Envoy not only provided us great insight at our Kick-off Breakfast but continued to share their knowledge in additional breakout sessions that took deeper dives into strategies of communication and inclusivity. Fellow members stepped up to present their own topics ranging from contract law, tax insights, recruiting strategies, and cybersecurity practices. We had peer sessions for large GCs, small GCs, subcontractors, women in construction, young leaders, and Associate members, where they could openly discuss issues pertinent to their specific industry needs and concerns. As if all of this wasn’t enough, the opportunities to spend hours networking with clients, subs, and vendors to discover new relationships and solidify the bonds of existing ones makes attendance a “no-brainer” decision for you and your company.

During my induction speech as your 2022 AGCVA Chairman I issued a call to action for our membership as it relates to our new strategic plan and the pillars identified in our new mission. We are members advocating, growing, and connecting Virginia's construction industry with a vision to build a stronger community as the leading partner in this industry.

The men and women of our industry are doers. We start with hopes and visions and with pure force of will and effort, we move the earth, we bend the steel, we break the stone, we defy the powers of gravity itself and turn the dreams of our communities and fellow citizens into a reality. We are people of action and I want us to embrace that mentality this coming year as we are implementing our new strategic plan, which is itself, a plan of action. Advocate, Grow, Connect - these are pillars to our mission.

Advocate. We are the voice of the construction industry in the public space and among legislators and regulators. With the stroke of a pen politicians in Richmond and Washington can immediately impact our abilities to serve our communities, our industry, and our families. I am asking you to advocate for your future. This can be as easy as making a phone call, sending an email, or simply making a few clicks of your mouse when you see an action alert. We have a major voice in these decisions, but only if we are willing to act.

Grow. We will focus on programs and services that grow member businesses and advance the industry. Our biggest asset is quite simply our people, and asset growth requires investment. We must continue to focus on developing our workforce and bringing back the standards and tradition of training in our industry. We do this to preserve the futures of ourselves, our companies, and all our future partners. Let’s actively pursue our next generation of leaders that will change the face and look of our industry.

Connect. We will create connections that add value for our members and expand our community. Our industry and its people are amazing, we need that to be understood throughout our communities. Let’s take the initiative to reach out, tell our story, celebrate our successes, teach from our missteps, and find new partners. Be an ambassador not only for your company, but for our organization, and for our industry.

Let’s all take this upcoming year, focus on these pillars, and make great things happen. This is who we are, people of action. I am both humbled by the honor and excited to take on this opportunity to assist you in this effort.

All the best,