AGC Members Have an Exciting Week!!!
By Jim Ryan AGCSD Executive Vice President 

AGC members Mike and Sandy Caples, Contractor News and Views; Steve Spellane ABD Insurance Services; Doug Barnhart, Barnhart, Inc., and AGC President Tom Anderson, Bergelectric are all having an exciting week.

Mike and Sandy are “recovering” from sponsoring and organizing another successful Construction Trade Show and EXPO2007, which was held this past weekend at Qualcomm Stadium.  For the past several years, the Caples have organized this event that showcases our industry and gives young persons interested in construction careers an opportunity to explore the possibilities that our industry offers.  108 firms and associations had displays during the event, which drew over 5,000 attendees again this year.  AGC’s Apprenticeship and Training Trust built a large display that allowed the attendees to see our apprentices “in action” putting up drywall, building forms, and walls, etc.  Sohil Karimy, the Trust’s Director of Operations and Education indicated that this was the “best event” our Trust has ever participated in….and the Trust is constantly attending job fairs, etc., in an effort to encourage attendees to try a career in our industry….so they have a number of events to compare to this event!!!  The Caples are truly generous with the profits the event generates….last year they gave $50,000 to Construction Tech Academy.

Mike and Sandy…..you are truly making a difference….congratulations!!!...now get some rest!!!

Now…..how about Steve Spellane, the Vice President of the Construction Practice Group of AGC Member, ABD Insurance Services.  A few months ago I received a call from a reporter for the AGC of America’s Constructor Magazine….which is published for the AGCA by McGraw Hill.  The reporter asked about our Rookie of the Year…..Steve Spellane.  Steve was presented the award from the AGCSD and our Affiliate Council during the Installation Dinner in January for his hard work for the AGC during his initial year of AGC involvement. 

Now….I expected a short article…..maybe a paragraph or two recognizing Steve in this national publication, which has a huge circulation throughout the United States.  Well….we received the March /April issue recently and guess what…under a column entitled “The Punchlist” there was an entire one page article featuring Steve….and the article was  on the “back page”…for those of you that took a little journalism in school …this is a featured area.

Steve was attending the Construction Expo Friday night where ABD Insurance Services sponsored the Expo’s Mixer….and was seen autographing copies of the article!!!!! (not really…but he should have been)

Anyway…it is quite an honor….congratulations Steve!!!!

Doug Barnhart and Tom Anderson are attending the AGC of America’s Annual Conference for Chapter Leaders in Washington D.C.  The Conference began yesterday and concludes Wednesday. As the AGC of America’s Senior Vice President, Doug is attending the conference representing the AGC of America.  Tom, as President of the San Diego Chapter, is representing our members.  

On Friday morning, I received an e-mail from the AGC asking me to contact Tom to make sure that he was aware that on Wednesday morning, the last day of the conference, a one hour session with President Bush will be held for those attending the conference and their spouses.

Pretty impressive……we will ask them to give you a report on the meeting next week….

 

AGCSD Board Signs Three Year Contract with Junior Achievement’s Enterprise Village
By Jim Ryan AGCSD Executive Vice President

Free Enterprise has a new home in San Diego and AGC will be part of it.  As we indicated last week, your Board agreed during their April meeting to sign a three year $25,000 per year contract to become part of Enterprise Village….a fantastic new program to teach elementary age students about business and the free enterprise system.

I suspect most of us are familiar with Junior Achievement….JA has for decades organized the business community to go into classrooms and teach students first-hand about business and free enterprise.  Students were given the opportunity, as I remember it, to start a “business” and create and sell a product in addition to meeting and hearing from business leaders.  I know that many AGC members have volunteered on a regular basis for JA.

Evidently, during the past few years, JA Chapters around the country came up with a unique new way to bring the JA message to students.  They started Enterprise Villages…..which are learning labs teaching business, careers and free enterprise.  San Diego’s JA is the first JA in California to adopt this outstanding idea.  The San Diego JA Enterprise Village is located in a building that is undergoing significant renovation located at 4756 Mission Gorge Place.     

AGC will become the “construction company” in Enterprise Village.  AGC will join Cox Cable, SDG&E, Washington Mutual, EDCO, SeaWorld, State Farm Insurance, Jack in the Box, San Diego National Bank, Kaiser Permanente, the San Diego Daily Transcript, and other leading businesses in the Village.  5^th grade students from throughout San Diego will take a few weeks of classroom work leading up to a day at Enterprise Village in which they will run the firms including the AGC Construction Firm and experience a day of “economic” activity.  Over 12,000 5^th graders will experience Enterprise Village each year.

AGC’s Education and Training Committee Chair Byron Klemaske II, T.B. Penick & Sons,  and Enterprise Village subcommittee Chair Greg Barnes, Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch, LLP pointed out to the AGC Board that Enterprise Village gives AGC the opportunity to complete AGC’s effort to interest students of all ages in careers in the construction industry.

In recent years, AGC has been involved in starting Construction Tech at Kearny High School for high school age students, the SDSU’s J.R. Filanc Construction Engineering and Management Program for college bound students, dramatically expanding the AGC Apprenticeship and Training Trust for students interested in craft careers, and has expanded our Chapter’s continuing education programs to include several thousand individuals employed by AGC member firms.

Enterprise Village gives the AGC the opportunity to reach out to elementary students to expose them and their teachers to the benefit of careers in our industry.  The Board agreed with the Education Committee, and voted to give our full support to Enterprise Village. While JA will provide volunteers to run the “AGC Construction Company “ on a day-to-day basis, it is our intent to utilize Construction Tech Students, SDSU’s CEM Students, Young Constructor Forum members, and others to supplement.

It should be noted that the  industry is helping enterprise in other ways too….Barnhart, Inc., and several other AGC member firms are currently building Enterprise Village through a series of contributions…..we will recognize the construction team in future MMQB’s.

As you might imagine ….JA needs donations for this effort.  Please contact me anytime if you are interested at jryan@agcsd.org.

 

New AGC of America Program

Several AGC San Diego members are taking advantage of the new partnership between Enterprise Fleet Management and AGC of America.  Please review the following press release.  For local information contact    Don Glover at (858) 450-2822 or email Donald.L.Glover@erac.com.

AGC Partners with Enterprise to Cut Contractor Fleet Costs

The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the voice of the construction industry is thrilled to announce a new benefit for its members. In partnership with Enterprise Fleet Management, AGC members may now see up to 15 percent savings or more in their fleet operational expenses.

Enterprise Fleet Management, a division of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, manages commercial fleets for businesses across the country. With 53 fully staffed fleet offices nationwide, Enterprise will analyze AGC members’ current fleet program and customize the right program specific to the needs of the each members business.

As part of this program, AGC members will receive discounted fleet pricing on all makes and models of cars, trucks and vans.  On top of all the savings they will bring to you as an AGC member, Enterprise has also helped negotiate a confidential incentive program with GM specifically for AGC members and, as the administrator of the program, will ensure that you receive the best pricing available on vehicle acquisition. 

“Vehicle costs are one of the largest operational expenses in contracting businesses,” said Steve Sandherr, CEO of AGC. “We're pleased to partner with Enterprise Fleet Management and enable our members to receive a very personalized plan that will make their operations more lean and eventually make them more efficient and competitive in the bid process.”

Enterprise’s fleet management services are aimed at reducing your overall fleet holding costs. Their services include vehicle acquisition, funding, aftermarket equipment, maintenance programs, fuel management, risk management and driver safety, corporate rental, registration, disposal and reporting.  As the nation's largest single purchaser of new vehicles – buying nearly five percent of all new models made in the U.S. each year – they have more than 850,000 vehicles currently under their management.   

You must be an active AGC member to participate in this exciting new program. For more information, visit the company’s web site at www.enterprise.com/fleets or call 858-450-2822 at Enterprise Fleet Management in the San Diego.

 

Mayor Proposes $454. 6 million for Capital Improvements for Fiscal Year 2008 

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders’ proposed city budget of $2.89 billion for Fiscal Year 2008 includes a budget of $454.6 million for the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP).  That is good news for the construction industry, as it is an increase of $160.9 million (or 55%) from the Fiscal Year 2007 budget of $293.7 million.  Most of the increase can be attributed to the recently approved water and sewer rate increases and the addition of $10 million to meet the requirements for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Some of the allocations include:

• $145.6 million for Water Department (water main replacement; Alvarado Water Treatment Plant Expansion; Miramar Water Treatment Plant; Rancho Peñasquitos Pump Station; Otay Water Treatment Plant; security upgrades).
   

• $129 million for Engineering and Capital Projects (utilities undergrounding and street lighting and road resurfacing associated with the undergrounding; improvements to the Palm Avenue/805 Interchange; extension of Carroll Canyon Road from Sorrento Valley Road to Scranton Road; Division Street from I-5 to 43^rd Street).
   

• $100.7 million for Metropolitan Wastewater (pipeline repair, replacement, and rehabilitation; replacement of trunk sewers; repair and upgrade of pump stations and treatment plants)
   

• $32 million for Parks and Recreation (play area upgrades; joint use fields; roof reconstruction; accessibility improvements; comfort stations; picnic shelters, Balboa Park and Mission Bay Park improvements, sports field and security lighting; new park development).
   

• $19.3 for General Services (ADA improvements; facility roof replacements, air conditioning, and heating upgrades and replacements).
   

• $8.2 million for the San Diego Main Library.
   

• $4.5 million for San Diego Fire Rescue (Fire Station 47, which serves the Pacific Highlands Ranch community); new fire station that will serve Otay Mesa and Otay Mesa/Nestor communities).

The San Diego City Council is scheduled to review the Mayor’s CIP budget proposal on Thursday.  The Budget and Finance Committee will consider final modifications to the Mayor’s budget on June 6, and the City Council is expected to vote on the entire budget on June 11.

It should be noted that AGC’s City Liaison Committee will be meeting on Tuesday at 1:00 PM, and members will be briefed on the proposed CIP budget.  AGC members are invited to attend…please RSVP to Brad Barnum at bbarnum@agcsd.org. 

 

AGC Mentor-Protégé Team to Speak at Outreach Conference on May 15

AGC Board Member and past protégé, Christina Gomez Holben (St. Thomas Enterprises), and her mentor, Ken Riha (Riha Construction), are scheduled to participate in a May 15 workshop sponsored by the San Diego Supplier Development Council

The workshop is part of an all day conference, “Operation Opportunity 2007”, which is designed to enhance the economic development of the small business community in the San Diego region by providing marketing opportunities and educational development to women-owned, veterans, disabled veterans, minority businesses, and disadvantaged business enterprises.  Christina and Ken will team up in a workshop, “Partnerships and Mentor Protégé Programs”, and they will talk about their successful three year partnership in AGC’s Mentor-Protégé Program.

The conference, which will provide opportunities for small businesses to meet with representatives from government agencies and local prime contractors, will be held at the Handlery Hotel (950 Hotel Circle North) beginning at 7:30 (registration).  Attendees will also have an opportunity to participate in a trade fair, a second workshop titled “Government Agencies & Prime Contractor Opportunities”, and a luncheon featuring Mark & Wendy Mazzarella.  Mark is co-author of “Put Your Best Foot Forward” and “Reading People.”  Wendy is a San Diego Deputy District Attorney.

If you are interested in hearing about Christina and Ken’s successful partnership or would like to participate in the conference, please register at www.sdsdc.org.  The cost is $40 (includes parking and a continental breakfast), and the deadline to register is May 10^th.  If you have questions or need additional information please e-mail Lorise Maynard at  LMaynard@sdcwa.org.

 

AGC’s Baseball Bash – June 19^th

The 2007 AGC’s Baseball Bash is scheduled for Tuesday, June 19^th at 5:00 PM and will be held again at “DICK’S LAST RESORT.”  The baseball bash/mixer will include beer, soda, wine, food & our huge raffle.  We have secured a block of tickets to the game, but space is limited, so reserve yours early! FYI – Half are already sold!  Tickets have to be pre-purchased even if you decide to attend the mixer only.  No walk-ins allowed! Due to the popularity of this even and the limited space, this event is open to AGC members and their guests only!

ARISE WACO SCAFFOLDING & EQUIPMENT and
AMERICAN TECHNOLOGIES, INC. / AMERICAN RESTORATION
ARE ONCE AGAIN OUR MAJOR SPONSORS!

Please see the attached flyer with more information.  You can also contact Rae Krushensky with any questions at phone 858.731-8157, or
e-mail:raek@agcsd.org.

 

“AGC Education & Training….Building a Solid Foundation”

UPCOMING AGC CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION & SAFETY CLASSES

MAY
Construction Education Classes
Project Engineering – starts May 8
NAVFAC CQM – May 8 & 9
Construction Estimating Bootcamp – May 9
Microsoft Project 2000/2003- May 15 & 16^th (class size limited to 12 students)
Preventing Sexual Harassment- May 16
Business Succession Planning - May 23
Microsoft Excel Formulas and Functions– May 29^th
EM 385-1-1 - May 31, June 1

Safety Training Classes
CPR/First Aid- May 30
 

JUNE

Construction Education Classes
Design a LEED Certified Building & LEED Commissioning- June 7 – July 5
Web CM - June 19

Safety Training Classes
Scaffolding & Hazard Awareness- June 8
Trenching & Excavating- June 13
Crane Awareness – June 16
OSHA 10 Hour – June 18
CPR/First Aid- June 27 

 

MAY
May 1- City Liaison – 1 PM
May 2- Water Authority Meeting – 11:30 AM
May 10 – Specialty Contractors’ Council- 12 PM
May 11- Safety Committee- 7 AM
May 15- HR Resources Practices Committee- 11 AM
May 16- Foundation for Success Meeting -12 PM
May 18- Builders’ Exchange- 7 AM
May 22- Construction Education & Training at CTA – 11:30 AM
May 23- Government Relations Meeting – 10 AM
May 24- Affiliate Members Council- 12 PM

 

UPCOMING AGC EVENTS
May 31- June 3- Spring Conference in Napa
June 19 – Baseball Bash and Padres Game
July 20 – Day at the Races
August 6 – Affiliate Day Golf Tournament – Singing Hills
November 1 - Build San Diego Awards