ABC OF INDIANA/KENTUCKY Hosts Annual Merit Shop Construction Awards Gala

[Indianapolis, Indiana]  Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana/Kentucky (ABC) hosted their annual Merit Shop Construction Awards Gala at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.

The purpose of the Merit Shop Construction Awards Gala is to recognize Excellence in Merit Shop Construction. Members from across the chapter submit a variety of projects to compete for the esteemed “Award of Excellence” and “Award of Merit.” Those given the “Award of Excellence” are eligible to compete in the ABC National Excellence in Construction competition. This national competition is a great way to give recognition to the incredible work conducted by Indiana/Kentucky members.  The event also features the “James W. Rabold Award of Safety Excellence,” given to exemplary safety leaders in the chapter and the “S. Douglas Trolson Image Award,” presented to members for their involvement in ABC and in the construction industry as a whole.

This year’s event featured Ben Davis High School J-ROTC for the presentation of the colors and Joanna Reinhardt who sang the national anthem. The ceremony recognized 31 winning projects- presenting over 79 Awards of Excellence and 20 Awards of Merit to those involved on those projects.  For the first time ever, ABC had a winner from every council in the chapter! This is a big milestone for us and we are very grateful for everyone’s participation and interest. The Presidential Sponsor, BKD, LLP awarded Holladay Construction with the prestigious Presidential Award, given to an Award of Excellence recipient for the positive community impact of a project. James (Jim) Rabold presented his award to four outstanding members, and J.R. Gaylor presented two members with the S. Douglas Trolson award.

Details on the winning projects can be found in the Indianapolis Business Journal, coming the week of October 12, 2016. For those winning projects outside of the Indianapolis area, ABC is working with news outlets local to those winners to ensure your achievements are celebrated.  ABC is very proud of chapter’s performance in this year’s event.

To learn more about the Merit Shop Construction Awards Gala, contact Catrona Lanctot at cat@abcindianakentucky.org

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Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national construction industry trade association representing nearly 21,000 chapter members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 70 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically, profitably and for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work.  Visit us at www.abcindianakentucky.org.

 

ABC OF INDIANA/KENTUCKY KICKS OFF 2016-2017 School Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The ABC Construction Prep Academy has kicked off the 2016 – 2017 school year. Featuring a variety of juniors and seniors from local high schools, the Prep Academy prepares students for careers as Craft Professionals by providing an overview of the many construction trades available through Associated Builders and Contractors. Our students combine technical education with hands-on learning and gain first-hand experience in construction. The ABC Construction Prep Academy was founded by J.R. Gaylor as way for students interested in craft training to begin their careers as craft professionals while completing their high school requirements.

The Academy features two programs: Prep Academy I and Prep Academy II. Prep I students are given an overview of the trades offered at ABC, with each area supplemented with necessary safety certifications, such as OSHA 10, and relevant field trips to active job sites. Prep Academy II (for high school seniors only) allows for students to enroll in the adult apprenticeship program at ABC (Level I in the trade of their choice), so that they can get head start among their peers on a career in the skilled trades.

ABC members have been great supporters of the students in our academy, offering tours of job sites, sending skilled tradesmen to our lab to assist with hands-on learning, and by working with ABC to arrange summer internships for students to gain relevant work experience.

“The ABC Prep Academy offers our students real-word, hands-on experiences not found anywhere else.  Students who stay in the program have the opportunity to begin their apprenticeships in the trades their senior year.  How great is that?” – Mark Wilkinson, Internship Coordinator, Noblesville High School

If you think your student body could benefit from joining the ABC Construction Prep Academy, please contact Claude Street (information above) or call (317) 596-4950 for more information.

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Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national construction industry trade association representing nearly 21,000 chapter members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 70 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically, profitably and for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work.  Visit us at www.abcindianakentucky.org.

If you would like more information on our Prep Academy, please contact our Community Liaison:
Claude Street
claude@abcindianakentucky.org

Associated Builders and Contractors Endorses Eric Holcomb for Governor

Indianapolis, IN, 9/21/16– Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana/Kentucky (ABC) announced today that it has endorsed Eric Holcomb’s candidacy for Governor of Indiana.

John Roop, the 2016 ABC Board Chairman stated, “Indiana is moving in the right direction economically due to our strong Republican leadership in the Governor’s office. Eric Holcomb and Suzanne Crouch will continue this great leadership for the continued betterment of our state.”

“The goals and the values set forth by the Holcomb-Crouch ticket align perfectly with those of ABC, “ said J.R. Gaylor, President of ABC Indiana/Kentucky, “We share a belief in the freedoms that allow economic development and job growth, which, in Indiana, have far exceeded most other states during the last 16 years of Republican leadership. At ABC, we see no reason to change this positive trajectory.”

ABC Indiana/Kentucky is the leading voice of promoting free enterprise within the construction industry. ABC’s merit shop philosophy drives member services, political advocacy, and the need for all types of industry training and education.

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Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Indiana/Kentucky represents commercial and industrial contractors, who believe in the merit shop philosophy. ABC Indiana/Kentucky and 69 other chapters around the country help members develop people, win work, and deliver that work safely, ethically, and profitably for the better of the communities in which ABC and its members work. Visit us at www.abcindianakentucky.org and www.abc.org

Contacts: Catrona Lanctot: (317) 596-4950

cat@abcindianakentucky.org

Associated Builders and Contractors Endorses Todd Young for U.S. Senate

Indianapolis, IN, 9/6/16– Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana/Kentucky (ABC) today announced that it has endorsed Todd Young’s candidacy for U.S. Senate of Indiana.

“What Todd Young has done to try and curtail government over-reach and out of control spending and even sunset such spending that seems to never end, appeals to ABC members,” says John Roop, ABC Chairman of the Board and President of Capitol City Fence.

ABC Indiana/Kentucky is the leading voice of promoting free enterprise within the construction industry. ABC’s merit shop philosophy drives member services, political advocacy, and the need for all types of industry training and education.

ABC Indiana/Kentucky President, J.R. Gaylor, notes, “Evan Bayh’s time has come and gone. We appreciate his past service to the state of Indiana but these times demand new ideas and new energy. It appears Evan Bayh’s late entry into this race is for the wrong political reasons. Todd Young is running for the right reason: to serve the people of Indiana and no one else.”

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Indiana/Kentucky represents commercial and industrial contractors, who believe in the merit shop philosophy. ABC Indiana/Kentucky and 69 other chapters around the country help members develop people, win work, and deliver that work safely, ethically, and profitably for the better of the communities in which ABC and its members work.

Contacts: Catrona Lanctot: (317) 596-4950 cat@abcindianakentucky.org

Associated Builders and Contractors Endorses Trey Hollingsworth for Congress

Indianapolis, IN, 8/22/16– Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana/Kentucky (ABC) today announced that it has endorsed Trey Hollingsworth candidacy for Indiana’s 9th District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Trey Hollingsworth has shown the commitment to free enterprise that the members of Associated Builders and Contractors in the 9th District know will best grow the economy, which means more work and more jobs.” John Roop, President of Capitol City Fence and Chairman of the ABC Board of Directors.
“Trey Hollingsworth has earned the endorsement of Associated Builders and Contractors based on his track record of creating jobs in the private sector and signing checks on the front side. Since he understands job creation first hand, he can lead in Congress for the good of all people in Indiana’s 9th District.” J.R. Gaylor, President, ABC Indiana/Kentucky.
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Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Indiana/Kentucky represents commercial and industrial contractors, who believe in the merit shop philosophy. ABC Indiana/Kentucky and 69 other chapters around the country help members develop people, win work, and deliver that work safely, ethically, and profitably for the better of the communities in which ABC and its members work. Visit us at www.abcindianakentucky.org and www.abc.org

Contacts:
Catrona Lanctot: (317) 596-4950 cat@abcindianakentucky.org

FCCI Insurance Program to Benefit Associated Builders & Contractors Indiana/Kentucky Chapter Members

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – June 1, 2016 – FCCI Insurance Group (FCCI), a group of financially sound, middle-market commercial property and casualty insurance companies with a Midwest regional office in Indianapolis, Ind., and a strong field presence in Indiana & Kentucky, has partnered with the Indiana/Kentucky chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Inc. to provide commercial package, auto and umbrella insurance coverage and surety bonds to eligible contractor members.

FCCI Contractors Select is a comprehensive approach to commercial insurance and risk management. Eligible ABC contractor members will have access to: insurance coverage tailored for contractors; a local designated insurance service team providing professional risk control and claim expertise; construction-focused education seminars; online risk management resources; and the FCCI HR & Employment HELPLINE – an online resource providing HR management, risk control and employment law information.

FCCI Contractors Select also features a group dividend plan based on the combined loss experience of participating members.

FCCI Surety writes contract surety bonds for a variety of contractors’ and subcontractors’ needs. With a Treasury listing of more than $50 million and a 24/7 online bond system, FCCI has the financial strength and the quick response time contractors need.

FCCI is excited to partner with the ABC Indiana/Kentucky chapter and the following independent agents: Assured Partners of Indiana LLC; Assured Partners NL; BB&T Insurance; Brown & Brown; Energy Insurance; E M Ford; Gibson Insurance Agency, Inc.; Lawton Insurance; MJ Insurance, Inc.; Old National Insurance; Sterling Thompson; Stewart Brimner Peters & Co. Inc.; The Underwriters Group; USI; and Van Meter Insurance.

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About FCCI – Working through independent agents in 18 states, FCCI provides commercial property and casualty insurance to more than 18,000 policyholders and commercial and contract surety to more than 17,000 bonded principals. Established in 1959 and rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company, FCCI is headquartered in Sarasota, Fla., and has regional offices in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Mississippi and Texas. For more information, please call 800-226-3224 or visit www.fcci-group.com.

About Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) – Associated Builders & Contractors is a national association representing nearly 22,000 chapter members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and it’s 70 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically, profitably and for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. ABC is the merit shop construction industry’s voice with the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the federal government and with state and local governments, as well as with the news media. ABC’s mission is the advancement of the merit shop philosophy, which encourages open competition and a free enterprise approach that awards contracts based solely on merit, regardless of labor affiliation.

2016 Merit Shop Construction Awards Competition

We are now accepting applications for the 2016 Merit Shop Construction Awards competition! I encourage you all to consider participating. It is our goal to recognize and publicize the outstanding work of our members. Such recognition builds a greater awareness within our industry of the quality of projects performed and completed by Merit Shop companies.

2016 APPRENTICESHIP GRADUATION

Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana (ABC) hosted its 2016 Graduation Event for Indiana apprentices on Friday, May 20. The event recognized 77 graduates across ABC’s Indiana training sites

Governor Pence’s “Start Your Engines” tour

ABC Indiana/Kentucky was excited to be invited to participate in Governor Pence’s “Start Your Engines” tour of Indiana.