Service is Everything at Alabama AGC

As we at the Alabama AGC head to our Chapter-wide convention June 21-24 in Sandestin – with the largest crowd of members in several years and National AGC President Joe Jarboe on tap to visit with us — now is a good time to look back at the first half of 2012.

          The Birmingham Section has had outstanding speakers and participation at its meetings, beginning with Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Chuck Malone in February, ALDOT Director John Cooper in April and Attorney General Luther Strange in May. In other areas, we have hosted Alabama Building Commission Director Katherine Lynn and Director of the Alabama Development Office Greg Canfield.

          Networking opportunities abound chapter-wide with crawfish boils, low country boils and golf and fishing tournaments, as well as speakers from the major universities, construction owners and municipalities. And our BuildSouth Awards Banquet in January boasted the highest attendance in 10 years.

As always, we have offered safety and professional training on demand and at a low cost. We run the training gamut, from crane safety and rigging, to OSHA 10-Hour to MUTCD-Flagger training to EM 385 in our Pensacola office. Alabama AGC just offered a CQM class in Chicago for Webb Electric, who is working there. Call Tom Robinson at (205) 451-1400 to ask about training.

          “What makes the Alabama AGC unique is that three years ago we made the decision to offer uninterrupted services to our membership in all parts of Alabama and the Panhandle of Florida,” said Bill Caton, Alabama AGC director of special projects. “We maintain a strong financial position, so we made a commitment to hold down costs for these services to our members in this down economy. Registration for our chapter-wide convention in Sandestin is only $300 and tickets to the BuildSouth Awards Banquet are still a bargain at $85.”

          The Alabama AGC maintains offices – many with training facilities — in six locations, Florence, Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile and Pensacola. We also have continued to take on new projects and offer new services to our members.

          “A perfect example of that is our recent launch of AGCHelp,” Caton said. “This program allows contractors to hire common labor for their jobs on a short- or long- term basis while the AGC collects 50 cents an hour worked to be paid into a craft training program.

          “So, the Alabama AGC continues to innovate and think long-term to help solve the industry’s most pressing problems.”

          And we cannot forget our respected and successful workers’ compensation fund, CompTrustAGC. CompTrustAGC remains one of only two self-insured funds in the state (BCA being the other) to maintain an AM Best rating. Financial security is critical in selecting a self-insured fund.

          The Alabama AGC also keeps $1 million in our PAC and has Chris Williams – one of the most experienced and respected lobbyists in Alabama — working full time in Montgomery for our industry.