Intel Executive Outlines Billion-dollar Construction Plan at AGC Conference

Top leadership of the AGC of California elected for 2004, from left, Treasurer Steve Blois, Blois Construction Inc., Oxnard; Vice President Mark Lindquist, M. A. Lindquist Co. Inc., Oakland; Immediate Past President Doug Duplisea, Kiewit Pacific Co., Santa Fe Springs and Phoenix, Az; 2004 President John Messner, Harbison-Mahony-Higgins Builders Inc., Sacramento; Senior. Vice President John Franich, Graniterock, Watsonville; and AGC of California Executive Vice President/CEO Tom Holsman.

LA JOLLA -- Judy Mason, eBusiness Manager for Intel Corp., told attendees of the AGC Fall Conference recently held in this seaside San Diego County city that her company plans to use reverse auction bidding to contract all of its work within the next five years.

Intel does approximately $1.6 billion in construction each year worldwide, Mason added.

In attendance at the 2003 Annual Meeting was AGC of America President Jack Kelley, who reported on AGC affairs at the national level including top legislative priorities. AGC of California President Doug Duplisea and AGC of California Executive Vice President/CEO Tom Holsman provided reports on ongoing association activities in California.

AGC legislative advocate Dave Ackerman reported that the AGC Legislative Program for 2003 contributed to the passage and signing into law of three AGC sponsored or cosponsored bills: SB 966 (Alarcon), AB 453 (Yee) and AB 1396 (S. Horton). In addition, efforts to defeat such legislation as AB 1723 (Koretz), which would have increased employers obligation to guarantee employees rest and meal periods at required times, were successful.

AGC, labor unions and the construction industry were also successful in stopping efforts to remove more than $2 billion of Proposition 42 funds and succeeded in reinstating nearly $900 million in highway funding.

California Construction Education and Research Foundation Executive Director Sam Hassoun and board member Bob Hall of J.R. Roberts Corp., provided an update on the Foundation's efforts. Duplisea presented the annual president's scholarship to California State Polytechnic University students Rebekah Baro and Andrew Thompson.

In addition to the election of the 2004 officers by the State Board of Directors, AGC's major occupational divisions -- the Building Division and the Joint Engineering Divisions, which include the Highway/Heavy Engineering, Municipal Utilities and Marine Contractors Divisions - also elected their 2004 leadership during the Division Board Meetings. David Colon of N K David Constructors will chair the Building Division for 2004, while David Morris of Beacom Construction Co. will serve as vice chair. Stephen Matich of Matich Corp. will chair the Joint Engineering Divisions and Bruno Dietl, of Valley Engineers, will serve as vice chair.

More than 200 people gathered in La Jolla on Oct. 23-25 for the Associated General Contractors of California's 2003 Fall Conference and combined Annual Business Meeting and State and Division Boards of Directors meetings. Building on the success of years past, the conference drew some of the state's top construction industry leaders, who elected the association's leadership for 2004 and focused on the future goals and direction of AGC, California's only statewide construction association.

EUCA Raises $125,000 at Annual Fundraiser

SAN RAMON - The Engineering & Utility Contractors Association raised $125,000 in support of the political interests of California's construction industry.

More than 450 industry leaders attended the 15th Annual Government Relations Dinner and Auction at the San Ramon Marriott Hotel. Guests included union leaders, members of the Southern California Contractors Association and Mark Acceturo, the president of the National Utility Contractors Association.

In an auction to raise money, bidders battled over everything from a week in Mazatlan to a ride in a Russian fighter jet. Bids ranged up to $5,750 on a variety of over 100 items. The evening ended with three raffle drawings for cash, a plasma television and a trip of the winners' choice.