During the 2023 Carolinas AGC Annual Convention in Aruba, I noted that “AGC is the perfect choice to support and give back to an industry that’s meant so much to my way of life” and that “belonging to and participating with the Carolinas AGC is a dream come true.” Flash forward a year, and my 2023 words haven’t changed but I can say that as your 2023 Chair, I was “livin’ the dream.” What a remarkable and rewarding experience it has been to serve this wonderful organization. Thank you!
In 2023, CAGC accomplished a lot. To summarize Dave Simpson’s most recent “What Has CAGC Done Lately” report, here is just a small sample of what CAGC did in 2023:
Safety:
- CAGC Safety Committee created a subcommittee focused on Work Zone Safety.
- CAGC started work on a new program, named after the former NC Highway-Heavy Division Director Berry Jenkins, to accept tax-free contributions for financial assistance for survivors of work zone safety fatalities, as well as other construction-related accidents, in NC and SC.
Government Relations:
- CAGC lobbyists in Columbia and Raleigh were successful in leading efforts to secure billions of infrastructure dollars for highway-heavy, building and utility construction work.
- Through our AGCA & ARTBA partnerships, we provided legislative alerts on critical issues such as opposition to proposed diversion of highway-funding and other construction funding for non-construction purposes.
Membership:
- Quarter 3 of 2023 saw membership grow to 803 members with 27,000+ employees – our highest count since 2017!
- Member events (such as Convention, Summer Summit, District Member Connects, luncheons, Donuts with Contractors, golf tournaments, and the Annual Sporting Clays), continued to reach maximum capacity—a trend we expect to continue into 2024.
Workforce Development:
- CAGC’s Construction Business Academy experienced three graduating cohorts in Charlotte, Greensboro, and Raleigh.
- The CAGC Construction Boot Camp program grew to over 100 graduates from 15 NC community colleges. CAGC will continue its efforts in SC. We are also working hard at locating resources to provide the same opportunities in SC.
New Association Health Plan: CAGC introduced a new cost-saving Association Health Care Plan for members in both Carolinas.
Young Leaders: The CAGC Young Leader program grew to a record of nearly 300 members, and experienced record-breaking attendance at the many YL events throughout the year.
Certainly, a huge “thank you” is in order for the 2023 Board of Directors. I could not have been more fortunate to be part of such a hardworking, thoughtful, and focused Board. Additionally, to the CAGC staff - there are no words that can adequately express how fortunate CAGC is to have such a hardworking, dedicated group of people led by Dave Simpson.
Finally, I will close with where I started in January of 2023 by expressing my sincerest thanks to our members. Thank you for being members and thank you for all that you do for CAGC and for our industry as a whole, and as invoked by Fleetwood Mac, please “Don’t Stop” doing the great things you do for our industry.
Here’s to a successful 2024!