October 
2014

ISSUE
No. 10

ABA October 
e-newsletter
Hello ABA Members,

As you're aware the ABA has been in transition over the past year.
Lange Headshot
Erica Lange Assistant Executive Director
You've probably seen a lot of changes.  Some things you may have noticed over the last month include the following:
  • Addition of a joint member mix in conjunction with the American Institute of Architects of Metro Phoenix (AIA)
  • Introduction of a federally approved online apprenticeship program
  • Implementation of a slew of safety training course in the Phoenix market.
  • Two new ABA board members, including Marty Hedlund of Sundt Construction and Mike Specht of Minard-Ames Insurance Services 
  • More expansive educational opportunities at this year's convention
  • Debut of the "Meet the Board Lunch" for new members of the ABA
Our goal is to serve your needs.  I hope you're enjoying the many changes!  If you're not already scheduled to attend this year's convention Oct. 16-18, please click here to learn more and to register.  Our valuable sponsors are recognized at the bottom of this e-mail. 

Please let me know if you have any feedback or ideas on ways we can continue to improve our offerings and services.  

Erica Lange

Legislative Update
by Mark Minter

While all political focus is currently direct to the November general election, ABA is

Minter
Mark Minter
Executive Director

preparing for the 2015 legislative session beginning the second Monday in January.  Arizona will have 100% turnover for all major statewide offices; Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General and Superintendent of Public Instruction.  The Legislature will typically have about 33% turnover.  But, don't expect any major shifts in power.  Republicans appear to be poised to retain significant majorities in both the House and the Senate.  A conservative majority in the Republican Party will hold power and set the agenda for the next session.

The ABA is working with other partners in the industry to prepare for the next session.  In recent months we have discussed legislative issues and begun to formulate an agenda for next year.  Read More
Government Relations
by Tom Dunn

 

Tom Dunn
Tom Dunn
Director for Southern Arizona

ABA State Board President Rob Caylor and Director for Southern Arizona Tom Dunn presented Congressional Candidate Martha McSally with ABC PAC funds to support her efforts.  ABC has determined that McSally will be a strong backer of merit shop principles, if elected to Congress.  AGC PAC and ABC PAC had financially supported McSally in the Republican Primary.  Arizona's 2nd Congressional District has been rated as a "toss up" by the Rothenberg Report and is one of the nation's most highly contested races.  

ABA Elects New Board Member

Mike Specht
Owner/Surety Professional
Minard-Ames Insurance Services

The ABA welcomes Mike Specht as a newly elected Board of Director.  Mike has been long-time ABA member.  He is a 2002 graduate of the ABA's Leadership Development Forum (LDF), has participated on the Education Committee for years and has served on the judging panel for the LDF program's final case study presentation for 10 years.  The ABA feels fortunate to have a such a tremendous new addition to the board. 


 

Mike Specht joined Minard-Ames Insurance Services LLC in 1999. He is a Vice President in charge of the Fidelity & Surety Bond Department.


Mike earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration and then obtained his MBA. He has been active in the surety industry since 1984. Mike's focus is on bid, performance and payment bonds for contractors.


 

Read more about Mike Specht here

ABA Endorses a "YES" Vote on Prop 480


The Board of Directors of the Arizona Builders' Alliance voted unanimously last week to endorse the passage of Prop. 480 to provide funding for expansion of the Maricopa Integrated Health System (MIHS).

This proposal would provide funding for nearly $1 billion of new construction and would support and expand activities at the Maricopa Medical Center, the Arizona Burn Center and facilities in Avondale, Chandler, El Mirage, Glendale, Guadalupe and Maryvale. The MIHS is the county's only teaching hospital and Arizona Burn Center is the major facility in the state for treating burn victims.

The ABA encourages your "yes" vote on this issue and any support you can lend. Of course, contributions can be accepted and we hope ABA member firms can put up signs, forward this information to others and encourage employees to vote with paycheck envelope stuffers.
 

For more details, visit the campaigns website at www.YESon480.com
LDF Applications Being Accepted for Class of 2015
Class of 2014
by Jenn Swanson

Details below:
  • The program is limited to 36 students.
  • It has been sold out annually since being introduced in 1993.
  • The one-year, in-depth course focuses on management skills, leadership and public speaking.
  • Participants are executive level personnel and senior project managers.
  • The program has received both state and national awards and has graduated over 700 constructors over the past 20 years.
  • Qualified candidates should have a minimum of eight years in construction management, in positions of increasing responsibility.
  • The LDF program is a year-long intensive program that requires significant commitment on behalf of the candidate and the employer.
  • Selected participants are asked to sign an agreement stating a commitment to attend EVERY class.
  • If classes are missed due to unforeseen circumstances, two excuses are allowed, but the student is dismissed from class after the third absence.
  • The deadline for applications is October 31. Acceptance letters will be sent in November.

AGC of America's Lean Construction Program Comes to Phoenix

Everyone related to the construction process has incentive to get the project done faster and at a lower cost - from the project owners who want to see tangible results for their investment to the contractors and designers who want to do their job well and move on to the next project. Lean Construction is based on the holistic pursuit of continuous improvements aimed at minimizing costs and maximizing value on a construction project: planning, design, construction, activation, operations, maintenance, salvaging, and recycling.

To help contractors develop the knowledge needed to build lean, the Associated General Contractors of America developed the Lean Construction Education Program. Construction professionals at all experience levels, will learn the building blocks necessary to transform their projects and companies into a lean operating system.

The ABA has adopted the AGC of America's Lean Construction program and is offering all 7 units.  Units 6 and 7 will be offered October 29 and December 3, respectively.  It is not necessary to take the units in order.  

ABC Offers Discounts on General Motors Vehicles
abc national
As an ABC member, your company can combine this offer with most current consumer GM incentives, including the National Fleet Purchase Program and the GM Business Choice program. The GM Business Choice program allows business owners to take advantage of valuable options when you purchase or lease an eligible Chevrolet or GMC vehicle, such as: 
  • Eligible buyers receive a two year / 30K mile maintenance plan, PLUS
  • Up to $1200 on cargo and cutaway vans
  • Up to $1000 of upfit cash or GM accessory cash on pick-ups
GM offers a broad selection of cars, trucks, vans and SUVs under the ABC program to suit your business needs. Vehicles include:
  • Chevrolet Silverado HD truck
  • GMC Sierra HD truck
  • Chevrolet Express CNG-powered cargo van
  • GMC Savana CNG-powered cargo van
To take advantage of these offers, contact the ABA's newest member, General Motors Fleet & Commercial.  You can reach Nicholas Hill with GM by phone at (602) 329-8137.
News from the Tucson ABA Branch
Jamie Olding of Building Excellence helps at Faith Lutheran School
Volunteer Day

Volunteer Day recipient, Faith Lutheran School, suffered damage from the record rainfall in September. A few of their basement classrooms had minor flooding. The flooding did add to the scope of the ABA Volunteer Day project. Plans now include drainage improvements that should help future flooding from occurring.

The co-chairs of the committee, Jamie Olding, Building Excellence and Susan Mulholland, MADCI are managing the efforts. Demo work on the kitchen and the administrative offices began on Friday, September 26. With students on fall break, our team is hoping to complete these major projects. Contact the Tucson ABA office and volunteer today.  We still will have plenty of volunteer day efforts throughout the rest of the year.

Advisory Board

Our September Advisory Board meeting continued to have enthusiastic participation with forty attendees! Southern Arizona Chairman Brad Lloyd of Lloyd Construction, led the hour-long meeting that included reports from industry leading affiliates highlighting market trends: legal, accounting, health care, banking, bonding, etc. ABA continues to ask our affiliate members to provide market/industry updates that may help inform the entire membership. This meeting is open to all members, so mark it on your calendar!

Many of our members are community leaders and serve on boards. John Kofron, Dave Iaconis and Tad Jewell are presenting on board member service basics. The Lunch n learn is scheduled for November 19 at the ABA office in Tucson.
ABA/Sunstate Equipment tailgating continues in October! Saturday, October 11 the University of Arizona takes on the University of Southern California. Kickoff time is set for 7:30pm, so we'll begin tailgating at 5pm. Sign up online, email Tom Dunn, or call Tom Dunn's cell phone 520-481-7919 the day of the event. If you haven't RSVP'd, no worries, just drop by! The USC-UA game is family weekend, so if you're visiting from out of town, our tailgate is your tailgate! Bring the entire family. [suggested $10 per person charge to offset food & beverage costs].

October Membership Dinner

The October 21 membership dinner features Snell & Wilmer's Chuck Keller. Keller has been a defender of the commercial construction industry, fighting for our industry. Keller is a leading expert in Fed-OSHA and ADOSH issues and will update the membership on recent developments. The dinner will be at Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson. Sign up here!
Thank You to the 2014 ABA Convention Sponsors!
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The Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa's tilt began during construction, caused by an inadequate foundation on ground too soft on one side to properly support the structure's weight. The tilt increased in the decades before the structure was completed, and gradually increased until the structure was stabilized (and the tilt partially corrected) by efforts in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

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