What Have We Done for You Lately

Quarter 4 | October 2024
By: Dave Simpson, Carolinas AGC President & CEO  
Dave Simpson, CAGC President & CEO

Closing in on the last leg of 2024, here is what’s happening:

Get Out & Vote on Nov. 5th

This quarter features an historic election, from the President on down, with one of the most important races in the Carolinas involving the NC Labor Commissioner. CLICK HERE for a short video from nominee Luke Farley on why this race is so important to construction safety and our open shop way of life. Also, please support our CAGC PACs, AGC’s and ARTBA’s.

Elsewhere:

CAGC Leaders Converge on Capitol Hill:

Look for details in today’s NewsBreak about our recent AGC National and Chapter Leadership Conference with CAGC Officers Dean Wilson, Ty Edmondson, Lynn Hansen, Marty Moser and Mark Johnnie, along with CAGC President & CEO Dave Simpson. They met with NC/SC congressional representatives to discuss immigration reform, workforce development, more CTE funding, impractical proposed heat standards and continuing important tax relief.

Meetings/Networking/Young Leaders:

  • Our 2025 Annual Winter Convention is open for registrations and we are expecting over 500 attendees. Highlights will include 4 receptions, Pinnacle Awards, Casino Night and exceptional speakers.
  • CAGC has 335+ Young Leader Members, a record, and we expect over 225 attendees at our YL Conference in November.
  • We’re working on the 2025 calendar with more Donuts with Contractors events at a time when our CAGC Connect events are drawing big crowds throughout the Carolinas.

Safety/HR:

  • Upcoming HR & Safety Conference will be March 26-28 in Myrtle Beach.
  • In SC, our members and staff, along with SCDOT Secretary Justin Powell and Sen. Ross Turner, held a bill signing ceremony with Gov. Henry McMaster on the construction work zone driver’s license training legislation enacted earlier this year. This one-hour training, which CAGC has developed for the SCDMV and the driver training schools across the state, will be required before an initial driver’s license in SC can be obtained.
  • CAGC’s Work Zone Safety Subcommittee continues its work in NC and SC, compiling data on near-misses and accidents in work zones to push for additional legislation including automated traffic citations for speeding in work zones.

Membership:

  • In August, we launched a new webpage and digital marketing campaign to showcase membership value and “Saving You Money.”
  • We continue to see steady growth, welcoming more than 125 new members YTD and have seen an increase in our membership renewals.
  • About a third of our members are using our EZ Renew option and saving money and time. Contact the membership team if you have questions on how to take advantage of this program.

Workforce Development & Education:

  • Q3 class registration numbers totaled 311 and Construction Bootcamps sponsored the Hispanic Contractors Association awards program and continued expansion of the bootcamp program by establishing pre-apprenticeships for all participants.
  • Our 5th Construction Business Academy cohort and 2nd one in Charlotte recently graduated 28 leaders, representing 20 businesses. The first Statewide CBA cohort kicked off in Durham on Sept. 7th with plans to graduate 19 leaders representing 13 businesses.
  • Lane the Loader recently was introduced at a CAGC Board of Directors meeting at a time when related books have been delivered to middle & elementary schools, a children’s hospital and other construction companies.

Other Government Relations Efforts: 

  • Staff participated in a Be Pro Be Proud SC Steering Committee meeting as we plan changes to the truck in SC, including updates to several simulators and the implementation of new stations.
  • For utility contractors in both states, CAGC continued to meet with the NC 811 Legislative Task Force to work out proposed consensus amendments to the NC 811 law.  The SC Court of Appeals agreed to hear oral arguments in the Chandler vs AT&T lawsuit.  CAGC submitted an Amicus Brief in support of Chandler Construction earlier to provide for more fairness to utility contractors. 

Tech Talk:

  • The CAGC Construction Technology Series continues to be a valuable platform for learning, collaboration and networking. Related zoom calls have featured valuable insights, covering Subsurface Information Modeling in Q1, Safety Wearables for Construction in Q2, and AI Usage and Adoption in Q3. In Q4, we’re focusing on the latest advancements in strength and temperature monitoring methods for concrete materials.
  • The CAGC Construction Technology Workshop recently took place at the Clancy and Theys office in Raleigh, offering to a well-attended turnout info on Subsurface Information Models, AI Building Innovations and Design Automation, Reality Capture in Construction and How to Start a Drone Program.
  • BuildingPoint SE also displayed the impressive HP SitePrint Robot.

Foundation/CAGC PR:

  • For our Foundation, Kelly Jasaitis recently was hired as new Marketing Manager to bolster programs funded by North Carolina State Grants and Federal pass-through grants.
  • CAGC published its Fall 2024 edition of the printed Carolinas AGC Magazine, which goes out to member firms each Fall and Spring. The magazine features CAGC member awards programs, government relations updates and photos from member events.
  • CAGC also recently published 5 press releases promoting members (Hall of Fame, Hall of Fame Legacy, Top Young Leaders) and the association (Workforce issues, Scholarship winners). These press releases bring positive attention to CAGC members and CAGC programs and continue to keep CAGC in the spotlight as the industry leader within the Carolinas.

Awards/Key Benefits:


Dave Simpson, CAE, CAGC President & CEO, who has been with the association since 1989, can be reached at dsimpson@carolinasagc.org.