New Partnership to Aid ACE Pathway Program

SAN FRANCISCO -- A new partnership of the Associated General Contractors of California and San Francisco School Volunteers will provide both financial and instructional support for John O'Connell High School's ACE (Architecture, Construction & Engineering) Pathway Program.

The alliance between AGCC and SFSV will provide students in the ACE Pathway Program with hands-on learning opportunities with professionals in the building industry. Resources, tools and technology will be supplied for both class work and project-based learning activities. Books on the architecture, construction and engineering industries will also be provided to the students. Classroom instruction, mentoring programs, scholarship opportunities and a career advisory network will add to the program's value and depth. Job site visits to various San Francisco construction projects are already in the planning stage.

"It's all about applied learning," emphasized Joan Hepperly, principal of John O'Connell High School of Technology. "The human resources are the most valuable component."

At a recent board meeting, AGC and three member companies presented Principal Hepperly with checks totaling $18,500 as initial funding for the program. Michael Talia, manager of AGCC's San Francisco and Santa Clara Districts, contributed $10,000 from the AGCC Educational Foundation. Jim Gillette, president and CEO of Swinerton Inc. and Todd Gates, vice president of William P. Young Construction, a Swinerton subsidiary, donated $5,000. Bob Schwabb, project coordinator for Mitchell Engineering, contributed $2,500 and P. Kevin Hoy, general sales manager for RMC Pacific Materials, donated $1,000.

"The ACE Pathway Program enables us within the construction industry to give students the tools -- literally, financially and academically -- to learn all about the various aspects of the business," Gillette said. "It gives these San Francisco high school students the opportunity to learn the construction trades, architecture, engineering and management, further their education where appropriate and then bring those developed skills to work in building San Francisco for the next generation.

Laura Lhotsky, the new director of Allies for Education at San Francisco School Volunteers said, "We encourage the support and participation of everyone within the building industry. We're just beginning what we envision to be an extremely beneficial program for these students."

CEA: Recent Agreement Between Builders, Carpenters Spurs Positive Outlook for Skilled Labor

CONCORD -- The Construction Employers' Association's annual membership meeting earlier this month focused on two major issues: the future of public works projects affected by pending state and local budget cuts and a four-year agreement between builders and 32,000 carpenters from Fresno and Monterey counties north to the Oregon state line.

"Our partnership with the carpenters has to remain one of our top priorities in 2004," said Kip Trexel, the newly elected president of the Construction Employers' Association. "We need to work together to do a better job of promoting the building industry both to Sacramento, our new governor and the general public," he added.

Other key concerns raised at the meeting included rising workers' compensation rates and health care costs and the daunting prospect of having a $15 billion deficit-reduction bond and a $12 billion school construction bond on the March 2004 ballot.

"Labor is committed to working with management in order for both of us to survive these challenging economic times," said Robert Alvarado, executive director of the Northern California Carpenters Regional Council. "We realize that if the builders can't stay competitive and get the projects, then we won't have projects to build. This next year will be a tough one, but there are deals out there to be had and we want to land them together."

Alvarado also vowed to work with the CEA in solving the workers' compensation crisis facing California.

Demolition Convention to Be Held in March

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. -- The National Association of Demolition Contractors' 2004 Annual Convention will be held at The MGM Mirage in Las Vegas on March 28-31.

The NADC expects to exceed the number of last year's exhibitors at the 31st Annual Convention, according to Michael R. Taylor, NADC executive director. The association also expects an increase in the number of U.S., Canadian, and international attendees. Highlights of daily events include:

• NADC Cocktail Reception on Sunday.
• Keynote speaker Terry Savage, author of "The Savage Truth on Money," and regular television commentator on CNN, CNBC, PBS, and NBC at 9:15 a.m. on Monday.
  
• Dick Grote, specialist and consultant in performance management and building organization excellence, will address the topic "Authentic Leadership" at 10:30 a.m Monday.
• Breakout Sessions on Tuesday include Robert Elster, Jr., of Apollo General Insurance Agency, addressing the topic "An Insurance Primer for the Demolition Industry."
• Allyn E. Kilshheimer, P.E., principal of KCE Structural Engineers, whose company played a key role rebuilding the Pentagon following the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001, will give a talk entitled "Acts of Patriotism" at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

For exhibitor and delegate information, contact Laura Huestis or Pegi Boyne, executive assistants, at the NADC. Call (215) 348-4949 or (800) 541-2412; fax 215-348-8422; email: info@demolitionassociation.com.

AEM Elects 13 New Members

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers recently elected 13 companies to membership in the international trade group for companies that manufacture and market agriculture and construction-related equipment and services. The new AEM companies are:

• ABI Inc. of Benicia manufacturer of drilling equipment and augers.
• Diamond B Inc. of Sante Fe Springs manufacturer of saw blades and core bits.
• 4C Solutions of East Moline, Illinois, provider of warranty software services.
• Alex Lyon & Sons Sales Managers & Auctioneers of Bridgeport, N.Y., provider of auctioneering services for heavy construction equipment.
• CitiCapital Commercial Corp. of Irving, Texas, provider of wholesale and retail finance products.
• Construction Equipment Co. of Tualatin, Ore., manufacturer of rock crushing and screening equipment.
• De Lage Landen Financial Services of Wayne, Penn., provider of financial service - material handling and construction division.
• Dillman Equipment Inc. of Prairie du Chien, Wis., manufacturer of asphalt plants.
• Dynamic Solutions of Sherman, Tex., provider of freight and shipping services.
• Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited of Pune, Maharashtra, India, manufacturer of diesel engines, power generating sets and bearings.
• On-Trux Ltd. of Ayr, Ontario, Canada, manufacturer of roll-off systems for medium duty trucks.
• Pinguely-Haulotte Inc. of L'Horme, France, manufacturer of aerial work platforms.
• Thurston Manufacturing Co. of Thurston, New Zealand, manufacturer of conservation tillage equipment, liquid and NH3 fertilizer application equipment and construction side dump trailers.

AGC Opens Safety Awards Competition

SACRAMENTO -- AGC of California's Safety & Health Council has issued a call for entries to its 17th Annual Safety Awards of Excellence competition. The entry deadline is Feb. 27.

The awards recognize member firms that exemplify construction safety, including an award to recognize an outstanding safety professional. The competition is open to all members and covers work done in calendar year 2003.

This year's event will be held April 21 in Sacramento. Awards will be presented to contractor members in the following four worker hour categories: worker hours under 200,000; 200,000 to 500,000; 501,000 to 1 million; and more than 1 million.

Special awards will also be presented in these additional categories: Harry Eckstein Safety Professional of the Year Award; Harry Eckstein Scholarship Award; Safety Award of Excellence - High Hazard Job; Individual Safety Effort - Superintendent/Job Site Manager; Associate Member Contribution to Safety Excellence; Unique Safety Application for the Industry; and Specialty Contractors award.

Judging will be conducted by a panel of safety professionals and construction managers, which may include the Chair and Vice Chair of the AGC Safety & Health Council, representatives from first place winners of the prior year's Safety Awards competition, a Safety Professional of the Year and a Safety Council member-at-large.

Shimmick Construction Co. Inc. provides funds for the Harry Eckstein Scholarship and the Honorarium for Safety Professional of the Year, in honor of the late Harry Eckstein.

Applications are available online at www.agc-ca.org or by calling AGC Safety Manager Marti Stroup at (916) 371-2422, beginning today.

EUCA Accepting Scholarship Applications

SAN RAMON -- The Engineering & Utility Contractors Association is currently accepting applications for its annual scholarship program. This year, 10 scholarships (totaling $14,000) will be awarded to member affiliates and students enrolled in California colleges majoring in construction management or civil engineering. Member donations and EUCA's Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament funds the scholarship program.

Winners will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Need for financial assistance
• Answer to the scholarship essay question posted on the application in 750 words or less
• Academic record in good standing
• Additional activities, awards, letters of recommendation

The Scholarship Committee will convene in mid- March to select the 10 scholarship recipients. Winners will be invited to attend the EUCA Membership & Business Meeting on April 22 at the Sunol Valley Golf Course in Sunol.

Applications must be postmarked by March 5, 2004. Faxed copies will not be accepted. To obtain a copy of the scholarship application, visit www.euca.com or contact Denise Gutierrez at 925/362-7908 at the EUCA office.