AGC’s “Summer 2007 Jobs Program” to Kick Off Next Week

By Brad Barnum, Vice President Government Relations

One of AGC’s 2007 President Tom Anderson’s (Bergelectric) goals as he took charge of the AGC earlier this year was a commitment to get students more involved in the construction industry.  The goal has been reached with the June 25^th kick-off of the 2007 Summer Jobs Program! 

Tom created a “Foundation for Success Committee”, whose charge it was to create more opportunities to get into the construction industry and help the industry better reflect San Diego’s diverse population.  The first project for the committee was to make sure the students at Construction Tech Academy are focused on entering the construction industry….and what could be a better way to focus these students?  A summer job learning the day-to-day operations of a construction company!

The Committee agreed to start the “Inaugural” Summer Jobs Program by teaming 11 students with 11 AGC-member firms for a total of eight weeks.  The students, who are juniors or seniors, were selected by CTA staff based on academic performance, interest in the construction industry, and commitment to taking a summer job.  Five of the seniors will be attending San Diego State’s Construction and Engineering Management Program this fall, one senior may enter AGC’s Apprenticeship Program, and five of the juniors will return to CTA. 

The students will work Monday through Friday for 6-8 hours each day and will be paid a minimum of $12 an hour.  They will become familiar with their assigned construction companies by working in the office and at various job sites, learning about estimating, project management, project engineering, accounting, office administration, safety, and job site operations.

Transportation for the students without cars will be provided by Cloud 9 Shuttle with the help of AGC-member contributions.  A special “Thank You” to those contributors (a list will be provided at a later date), Cloud 9’s John Hawkins for providing discounted services, and to Angela Stacy and Bob Leger for implementing the “gameplan” to pick-up/drop-off the students in the morning and afternoon.

AGC Members Step Up to the Plate

The commitment to give students a learning experience in a construction firm was fast and furious, as the following companies and individuals stepped up to the plate, and went to bat for the industry:

Bergelectric - Tom Anderson and Carl Zirkus
Clark Construction – Carlos Gonzalez and Chip Hastie
Daley Corporation - John Daley, Jr. and Gary Kaland
Douglas E. Barnhart - Tex Barnhart and Justin Taylor
Hensel Phelps - Wayne Lindholm and Alex Begg
Pacific Rim Mechanical - Terry Broyles and Rick Amison
Reno Contracting - Walt Fegley
Sundt Construction - Dan Meler
Swinerton - Don Adair and Paul Vujica
T.B. Penick & Sons - Tim Penick and Michelle Matricardi
Turner Construction - Carmen Vann

An Unforgetable Orientation! 

A student/parent/contractor orientation meeting was held last Thursday at CTA in order for the students and their parents to meet the new employers and preview the summer program.  I must admit, I was taken back by the enthusiasm of all involved…energized contractors, nervous students (it was like a job interview, even though they were already hired), proud parents, thrilled CTA staff (thank you Glenn Hillegas and Kathy Thompson!), and a pleased Tom Anderson.  Dr. Ken Walsh, Associate Professor from SDSU’s College of Engineering, who watched the students and contractors interact, stated “nowhere in the country does this type of program exist.”

Next Monday will be the first day on the job for these 11 students.  On behalf of AGC, I wish Vermina Chao, Juan Loredo, Jesus Ortega, Luis Ortega, Edgar Melendrez, Raymond Mitchell, Ignacio Perez, Abraham, Ramirez, Julian Roque, Rosie Vergara, and Juan Zavala the best on their new endeavors.  I also want to thank the AGC members who “talked the talk” and committed to making this program a reality.  The Summer Jobs Program will be a success, so rest assured, we will be looking for more volunteers next year!

 

AGC Legislative Day……What is Really Happening in Sacramento?
By Jim Ryan Executive Vice President 

About 70 AGC members and staff throughout California attended the AGC of California / AGC San Diego Chapters’ Annual Legislative Day in Sacramento on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week.  San Diego members attending included Jeff Scheidel (Scheidel Contracting and Engineering), Nigel Cary (Cox Construction), Paul Roberts (FCI Constructors), and Ron Hicks (Soltek Pacific).  AGC San Diego Staff attending included Jim Ryan, Executive Vice President, Brad Barnum, Vice President Government Relations, and Pete Saucedo, Executive Director of AGC’s Apprenticeship Program. 

AGC’s Legislative Day is organized by the AGC Advocate Team in Sacramento….Dave Ackerman, Jaime Khan, and Paul Gladfelty.  Legislative Day gives the AGC the opportunity to bring members to Sacramento to meet with agencies, legislators, and Executive Branch officials.  Over the years, we have found that the AGC membership is able to deliver our message in a very effective manner.  There is no question that government officials, legislators, and those in the Executive Branch are impressed when AGC members take the time to visit Sacramento and discuss the issues that are important to the construction industry.

Brad Barnum has summarized Legislative Day in the following MMQB article.  I would like to focus on the changes in Sacramento now that Governor Schwarzenegger has been in office for over three years.

Lobbyists usually agree that government works best when the Assembly, the Senate, and the Executive Branch are not all controlled by one party…..and it does not matter which party is in control.  We suspect those that created our system of government were assuming it would be unusual for one party to keep power in the Assembly, Senate, and the Executive Branch for any length of time.  It is much more difficult for legislation and regulations to be pushed through the system when they must be approved by one body that is in the opposite party.  Obviously, the fact that the legislation or the regulation must be compromised to the point that it is acceptable to the other party creates less and better balanced legislation and regulations.

During Legislative Days when Governor Davis was in the Governor’s office we noticed a completely different tone when we visited Legislators and when they addressed our group.  The Republicans seemed to exclusively focus on the excesses of the Democrats and the Democrats seemed to focus on what they were going to push through next…knowing that there was no way the opposition could stop their efforts.

With the Governor firmly in power, there is a different tone.  The Republicans and the Democrats jointly address our group and other groups.  They understand that they must move toward the middle to actually get legislation passed and signed into law.  The Governor’s veto power has resulted in the two groups coming much closer together.

The Republicans understand they actually have the opportunity to accomplish something if they move towards the middle.  During the Davis Administration, the Republicans seemed to move way to the right and spent their time in attack mode…usually accomplishing little. 

At the same time, the Democrats understand they have lost the ability to push anything into law.  They have also moved to the middle and actually seem to be working with the Republicans to craft legislation that the governor will sign.

The bottom line….better government.  Look at your workers compensation bill….look at the reduced deficit….look at the recently passed initiatives…..look at the slow down in the passing of regulations like Wage order #16…..crazy interpretations of the prevailing wage law, etc…….

Now let’s take a quick look into the future…..the Governor will be out of office in 3 ½ years.  The deal that the Republicans and the Democrats struck in the early days of the Davis administration reapportioned the State creating a long term majority for the Democrats in both the Assembly and the Senate (the Republicans traded this for “safe” districts throughout the State).  So….it is vitally important to elect a Republican Governor.  During the next 3 ½ years, the Republicans are going to need to put forward a candidate that will be acceptable to the majority of Californians…..no small task when the voter registration for Democrats is significantly higher than for Republicans.

Stay tuned…it should be interesting….and important!!!!!

 

A Busy Day in the State’s Capitol!
By Brad Barnum, Vice President Government Relations 

Once again, AGC’s Legislative Day participants received a lesson in “Politics 101”, which included a legislative reception, a Town Hall Forum, presentations by state agencies and regulatory bodies, and grassroots lobbying.  Needless to say, it was a busy but productive day!

The evening before Legislative Day is always an interesting one, as we normally have a chance to visit informally with state legislators at a reception.  This year was no different…we were honored to visit with Senate Republican Leader Dick Ackerman (Orange County), who was instrumental in getting the $37 billion infrastructure bond package on the November ballot. 

A full day awaited Legislative Day participants.  The morning session included a Town Hall Forum with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee, who discussed the importance of improving the state’s transportation infrastructure.  Although one is a Democrat and the other a Republican, both agreed that more needs to be done….could we see another transportation bond in the future? 

Comments from the head of a State Agency and the Executive Officer of a regulatory body rounded out the morning session.  Victoria Bradshaw, the Secretary for the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency, stressed the need for a skilled workforce and the importance of career technical education and apprenticeship, while Catherine Witherspoon, Executive Officer of the California Air Resources Board, reviewed the current diesel emissions proposal.  It will be interesting to see how much of a skilled workforce there will need to be if the diesel emissions proposal is implemented and there are no companies to work for!!

Attendees were briefed by AGC’s Legislative Advocates on a number of issues before trekking over to the Capitol for some one-on-on lobbying.  AGC members told legislators that the construction industry needs more time, money, and flexibility to comply with the California Air Resources Board proposal to adopt sweeping regulations on off-road diesel equipment.  Legislators also were encouraged to support legislation dealing with career technical education and construction management programs. 

 

AGC 68^th Affiliate Day Golf Tournament – GOLFERS SOLD OUT!

The first notification on the Affiliate Day Golf Tournament was mailed to the membership on May 14, 2007.  After only 5 weeks, we are now sold out for golfers and we have started a waiting list.  What a great response!!

Exhibitor Sponsors, Beverage Sponsors and Contest Sponsors are sold out as well, although there are still openings for Hole (Tee) Sponsors.  See the attached form or contact Rae Krushensky at 858-731-8157 with any questions.

Many thanks to Alliant Insurance, Moss Adams and Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch.  As our Major Sponsors and Tee Prize Sponsor, they should be very pleased with the turnout.  With Marks Golia & Finch, LLP hosting the lunch and Polycomp Administrative Services hosting the cool treat stations, this is sure to be another great tournament!

 

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

UPCOMING AGC CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION & SAFETY CLASSES

JUNE
Construction Education Classes
Web CM - June 19
CPM Scheduling – June 20 

Safety Training Classes
OSHA 10 Hour – June 18
CPR/First Aid- June 27   

Upcoming in July
Sure Trak – July 12
Blueprint 102- July 10
CQM- July 17-18 (Contractor Quality Management)
Fall Protection – July 18

 

JUNE          
June 18- Sub Committee Electronic Age- 12 PM
June 20 – Public Building Liaison Meeting – 7 AM
June 21- Specialty Contractors’ Council Meeting – 11 AM
June 22- Electronic Age- 7 AM
June 25 – Airport Liaison Committee Meeting 11 AM at Airport
June 27 – County Liaison Meeting – 1:00 PM

 

UPCOMING AGC EVENTS
June 19 – Baseball Bash and Padres Game – SOLD OUT!
July 20 – Day at the Races
August 6 – Affiliate Day Golf Tournament – Singing Hills- SOLD OUT!
August 16- AGC Mixer – AGC outdoor patio
October 12- Midway Mixer
November 1 - Build San Diego Awards