10 — February 24 - March 15, 2012 — Owners, Developers & Managers — Mid Atlantic Real Estate Journal
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Associated Builders and Contractors www.abc.org
ABC Delaware Chapter
ABC Pennsylvania Chapter
The 2012ABC Delaware Board members were sworn-in during the January dinner meeting at the Christiana Hilton, with John Gooden of M. Davis taking the helm as chairman. During his speech, Gooden outlined his agenda for the year, and encour- aged all members to become more involved in their trade organization.
By Mark McMahon, Chairman, ABC Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter Chairman ABC Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter Turns 50 in ‘12 It’s an understatement to say that a lot has changed in the last 50 years. Since 1962 the following things have become an expected part of our culture: personal computers, GPS, digital music, electronic ignitions, ATMs, fiber optics, PV solar energy and many more acronyms than I can list. The one thing that hasn’t changed in the last 50 years is Associated Builders and Contractors Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter’s (ABC) commitment to protecting contractors’ rights to conduct business without intimidation or retaliation because of labor affiliation. In 1962, a small group of electrical contractors was harassed for trying to bid on public work in the Philadelphia area. Harassment wasn’t acceptable then and it’s not acceptable in 2012. ABC provides contractors the support and re- sources they need to protect their businesses, their employees and their customers from obstacles such as this. It is an honor to lead this chapter of ABC as we celebrate our golden anniversary. We are a strong, active chapter with more than 500 members and offices in East Norriton and Allentown as well as a state-of-the-art training center in Kulpsville. Our members are proud to have constructed churches, hospitals, offices, roadways, entertainment centers, retail outlets, schools and much more which have enhanced the American way of life. This current economy is challenging our nation and more specifically our industry. However ABC members, as has been our standard, remain committed to quality, safety, value and training. If you believe in our mission, I invite you to one of our upcoming networking or educational events to learn more about ABC and its benefits. Please contact Jeff Zeh at 610-279-6666 or visit abceastpa.org for more information.
ABC National Region 5 Vice Chair Pamela Volm (left) presides over the Oath of Office during the Board Induction ceremony January 12. “It has been a tough time to be in construction for a long time. The economy is ugly, capital budgets are shrinking and the regulatory environment is brutal,” said Gooden. “It’s been hard out there for so long that some people have given up. We are not giving up. ABC needs to lead the charge in getting its members back to work. Our members need to be working, growing and building a backlog.” During his speech, Gooden shared how is involvement in ABC came to be and what it means to be an active member of ABC Delaware.
ABC Delaware 2012 Chairman John Gooden “For a long time, I was just a body that could go to ABC meetings when needed. My real involvement withABC started through the vo-tech schools,” said Gooden. “M Davis has been a big supporter of our local vo-techs for many years and I got active in working with some of their programs in the mid 90’s. My involvement in the vo-tech schools led to me joining the Careers in Construction committee at ABC. I’m still active to this day with the schools and it is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. Our workforce is made up of numerous suc- cess stories from the vo-tech system.”
UPCOMING EVENTS Blueprint Reading 10 WEEK CLASS BEGINNING MARCH 7
430 W. Germantown Pike East Norriton, PA 19403
Gooden’s goals for 2012 include business development by targeting users so ABC members get the first call about upcoming jobs; helping students and their parents realize that work in the construction industry is viable and you can have a construction career; becoming politically active during this extremely important election year; and retaining current members and recruiting new members to keep the organization strong and lively. “Last year, we had the best attended Legislative Reception in our history and we had a record number of legislators at our awards dinner in November,” said Gooden. “We are going to build on this momentum by getting our members to be at their legislator’s events, meetings and active with their campaigns. The people who are running for office need to know who we are and that we are there to support them. Our legislators will know that we are ABC and that they can count on us. Please encourage your friends and employees to get engaged in the political system as well. Time spent supporting our candidates is critical but equally important is coming with a check in hand. We all need to budget now both personally and professionally to be able to write those checks. “I’d like to close with a quote from Albert Einstein,” said Gooden.” ‘…When a group of individuals becomes a ‘we’, a harmonious whole, they have reached as high as humans can reach’. ABC is that we and we can do anything that we put our minds to.” UPCOMING ABC DELAWARE EVENTS
Women in Construction: Presenting with Pizzazz 8 A.M. MARCH 9
430 W. Germantown Pike East Norriton, PA 19403
Transitioning a Journeyman to a Crew Leader 7 A.M. MARCH 16 1500 Gehman Road Harleysville, PA 19438
Networking Event 5 P.M. MARCH 21 Barnaby’s of America 15 S. High St. West Chester, PA
March 1
Networking Night at Cavaliers CC, Newark
50th Anniversary Gala 5 P.M., APRIL 18 Radisson Valley Forge 1160 First Avenue King of Prussia , PA 19406
March 23 Sporting Clay Shoot, Greenwood March 29 ABC Trade Show, Clarion Hotel, New Castle April 25 Legislative Reception, Dover May 3 Safety & Student Awards Dinner, Newark
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