2016 Election Re-Cap

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Indiana:

Todd Young, U.S. Senate: in early September, ABC endorsed Todd Young for U.S. Senate. A strong supporter of ABC, we are confident Senator Young will support our issues in Washington. Not only familiar with our cause, Senator Young has spent significant time with our membership and association, whether at the ABC facility in Indianapolis or at our annual Legislative Dinner in Washington, D.C.

Eric Holcomb, Governor of Indiana: in late September, ABC hosted a fundraiser for Eric Holcomb for Governor. Familiar with ABC issues, Governor –elect Holcomb repeatedly voiced his support for the association, especially in workforce development. Along with his Lieutenant Governor, Suzanne Crouch, ABC is pleased to see progress continue in Indiana.

Congressional Elections: Trey Hollingsworth, District 9, Jackie Walorski, District 2, and Jim Banks, District 3. ABC endorsed and supported Hollingsworth throughout his campaign. A true believer, Hollingsworth will promote the principles of Free Enterprise throughout his district. Congresswoman Jackie Walorski was re-elected to continue serving Indiana’s 2nd District. Congresswoman Walorski has strong relationships with ABC members in her area and has also devoted time every year to attend our annual legislative dinner in Washington, D.C. The election of Congressman Jim Banks to Indiana’s 3rd district, a loyal friend of the association, secures the interest of ABC in Washington.

At the state level, ABC was pleased to see pro-Merit Shop candidates we had openly supported succeed in their races. To the Indiana State Senate, Aaron Freeman, District 32, and Jack Sandlin, District 36. To the Indiana House of Representatives: Jim Pressel, District 20, and Sally Siegrist, District 26.

Kentucky:

Most notably, the flip of the Kentucky House of Representatives to a Republican majority was an incredible victory. Pro-Merit Shop initiatives, brought forth by the Senate, such as PLA reform, Right to Work, and Prevailing Wage repeal were continually extinguished in House.  In the excitement that surrounds the upcoming session, ABC is working to secure strategies and plans to support any pro-Merit Shop legislation that may be brought forward. Watch for political updates issued by the Association in your inbox!

Congressional Appointments: re-election of Andy Barr, District 6, and election of Jamie Comer, District 1. Andy Barr has been a long-time supporter of ABC in Kentucky and a frequent attendee at our legislative events. Jason Nemes was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives (R-33). Jason had been involved in earlier Right to Work efforts as an attorney and will be a strong voice as an elected leader.

Takeaway:

All the time, PAC investments, free enterprise funds from ABC, and member’s direct involvement of their own resources, resulted in the successful election of all but one candidate who received our support. Our only loss was that of Representative Connie Eckert (IN). This is an incredible testament to the efforts of the association and its members to promote the Merit Shop agenda!

Young Professionals Program NOW Accepting Applications

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Associated Builders and Contractors of Indiana/Kentucky is excited to announce the return of our Young Professionals program in January 2017! ABC has implemented this year-long program with the goal of educating your Young Professionals with valuable information needed to successfully participate in leadership roles within ABC. Our program seeks to create a passion for the merit shop, to teach Young Professionals what it means to be a member of ABC, and to learn the political process so as to successfully complete issue advocacy. Furthermore, the program pursues the following objectives:

  • Promote open competition as a key value within the construction industry
  • Promote networking and relationship building among future leaders
  • Promote the role that ABC plays in the industry
  • Promote chapter volunteerism
  • Introduce the Young Professionals to the key programming efforts of our ABC Chapter and our National office.

This is a great opportunity to educate and inspire a new generation of leaders within Associated Builders and Contractors.

To APPLY Today, Visit the Young Professionals Page and download the appropriate application and/or Program Details.

 

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

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[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

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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

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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

Patriot Welcomes New Senior Project Geologist

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Patriot Engineering and Environmental, Inc. is pleased to welcome Mr. Steven P. Sittler, P.G. to its highly trained and efficient technical staff as a Senior Project Geologist.

Mr. Sittler brings over 31 years of diverse technical experience in applied hydrogeology, with specialized experience in remedial strategy development and implementation. He has managed and performed numerous site investigations, audits and assessments in more than 20 states and is familiar with all aspects of remedial strategy development and remedial system/injection design, installation and operation. Mr. Sittler has coordinated, designed and managed more than 1,000 hydrogeologic assessment/remediation programs involving both implementation of innovative closure strategies and unique applications of conventional technologies.

Mr. Sittler is a Registered Professional Geologist in Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, and Missouri.

Please feel free to contact Mr. Sittler regarding any of your Environmental needs at (c) 574876-9835.

Patriot Engineering and Environmental, Inc. (Patriot) is a full-service geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, and materials testing firm with eleven (11) offices located throughout the Midwest and Southeast.

News Release

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

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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