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ABC Delaware Happenings

ABC Delaware hosts a variety of meetings and events every month. Check here on a regular basis to see who's attending and what's coming up next!  

ABC 2012 Board sworn-in at January dinner

The 2012 ABC Delaware members were sworn-in during the January dinner meeting at the Christiana Hilton. Taking over as chairman, John Gooden of M. Davis. During his speech, Gooden outlined his agenda for the year, and encouraged all members to become more involved in their trade organization.

 
ABC National Region 5 Vice Chair Pamela Volm (left)
presides over the Oath of Office during
the Board Induction ceremony January 12.

"It has been a tough time to be in construction for a long time. The economy is ugly, capital budgets are shrinking and the regulatory environment is brutal," said Gooden. "It’s been hard out there for so long that some people have given up. We are not giving up. ABC needs to lead the charge in getting its members back to work.  Our members need to be working, growing and building a backlog."

During his speech, Gooden shared how is involvement in ABC came to be and what it means to be an active member of ABC Delaware.


ABC Delaware 2012 Chairman John Gooden

“For a long time, I was just a body that could go to ABC meetings when needed. My real involvement with ABC started through the vo-tech schools,” said Gooden. “M Davis has been a big supporter of our local vo-techs for many years and I got active in working with some of their programs in the mid 90’s. My involvement in the vo-tech schools led to me joining the Careers in Construction committee at ABC. I’m still active to this day with the schools and it is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. Our workforce is made up of numerous success stories from the vo-tech system."

Goodens goals for 2012 include business development by targareting users so ABC members get the first call about upcoming jobs; helping students and their parents realize that work in the construction industry is viable and you can have a construction career; becoming politically active during this extremely important election year; and retaining current members and recruiting new members to keep the organization strong and lively.

“Last year, we had the best attended Legislative Reception in our history and we had a record number of legislators at our awards dinner in November,” said Gooden. “We are going to build on this momentum by getting our members to be at their legislator’s events, meetings and active with their campaigns. The people who are running for office need to know who we are and that we are there to support them. Our legislators will know that we are ABC and that they can count on us. Please encourage your friends and employees to get engaged in the political system as well. Time spent supporting our candidates is critical but equally important is coming with a check in hand. We all need to budget now both personally and professionally to be able to write those checks.

"I’d like to close with a quote from Albert Einstein," said Gooden." ‘…When a group of individuals becomes a ‘we’, a harmonious whole, they have reached as high as humans can reach’. ABC is that we and we can do anything that we put our minds to.”


Outgoing Chairman and Board members honored

 
ABC Delaware 2012 Chairman John Gooden thanks 2011 Chairman Joe Swarter (left picture) and outgoing board members Dan Delcollo and Rick Rettig (right picture) for their service. Swarter will serve one more year on the board as Immediate Past Chairman. Delcollo served in 2011 as the Past Chairman delegate to the board and Rettig leaves the board after 6 years of service, including Chairman in 2010.


New members introduced during January dinner

ABC Delaware members were introduced to five new members during the January dinner meeting. Chairman John Gooden presented each member with a wall plaque and ABC lapel pin.


Chairman Gooden with Ronald Lewis
of Global Contracting & Labor Service. Lewis was
referred by Mike Wallace of Wallace Insurance.


Chairman Gooden with Republic Services’ John DePinto.
DePinto was referred by Bruce Henderson of HazTek, Inc. 


 Chairman Gooden with Ryan Warner of
Anchor Communications. Warner was referred
by Kevin Thomas Insurance & Financial Services.


 Chairman Gooden with Clay Greer of Ten Bears
Environmental. Greer was referred by Larry DiSabatino
of DiSabatino Construction.


Chairman Gooden with Dave Decker of Becket
Training and Consulting. Decker was
referred by Todd Moran of M. Davis. 



Charter Cup Criteria revamped for 2012

The Board of Directors recently asked the Public Relations Committee to evaluate and revamp the criteria for the annual Charter Cup which is presented each fall to a contractor member.


ABC Delaware Board Member Paul Langan
reviewing the new Charter Cup criteria.

During the January dinner meeting, 2011 PR Committee Chair Paul Langan explained the new formula which replaces the old nomination process.

"“The ABC Charter Cup is presented to an ABC contractor member who exemplifies the true meaning of the Merit Shop Philosophy and has contributed greatly to the success of this association in five different areas,” said Langan. “The old nomination process really did not fit the bill any more and the PR Committee considered a variety of factors when developing the new criteria. Those criteria will be on display every month during our different events and will include a list each month of the members who are in the running. So the new challenge for 2012 is will YOU be the CONTRACTOR member who wins this year?”

Here are the new criteria:

1 - Membership & Recruitment…how many have you helped recruit?

2 - Legislative Participation…do you attend the annual Legislative Day and invite legislators to major ABC events?

3 - Committee Participation…do you actively participate on one or more ABC Delaware standing or special event committees?

4 - Event Attendance…do you participate regularly by  attending ABC monthly meetings and yearly special events?

5 - PAC Contributions…do you contribute both locally and nationally to help the Merit Shop Voice be heard?

If you have any questions, please contact Ed Capodanno at the ABC office (302) 328-1111 or e-mail, ecapodanno@abcdelaware.com


ABC members share thoughts with Governor


Governor Jack Markell during breakfast
with ABC members December 15

ABC Delaware members spent breakfast with Governor Jack Markell on December 15 discussing a variety of topics about the construction industry as well as the State of Delaware's future.

Topics included consistency of enforcement for out-of-state contractors, similar to in-state contractors; regular reviews of regulations to make sure they are still relevant and also ensure they are not hindering business from creating jobs or getting work; Workplace Fraud Act; prevailing wage; and future cabinet appointments and how those selections impact Delaware's construction industry.

Members also questioned the Governor about healthcare, noting that premiums are higher here than in New Jersey. Governor Markell said that he recently had discussions with White House officials and asked how health care reform will reduce costs, but said he's never gotten and answer.


 
OSHA officer shares safety mishaps and consequences with vo-tech students

As part of the alliance agreement/partnership between ABC Delaware and OSHA, Compliance Assistant Specialist from the Wilmington Area Office Vince Soss made two presentations this week to students in the vo-tech schools. Titled "Hazard Recognition" the purse of the presentation is to bring home the safety procedures taught in class and how failure to follow those procedures on a job site can cost someone a large fine, or more importantly, their life.

"I urge you to look closely at this real life pictures," said Soss. "You sit here now and say 'I would never do that.' But someday on the job, you may be faced with the prospect taking short cuts over thinking of safety. Remember, you are not promised tomorrow. A huge precentage of what you see here could have been avoided and injuries prevented."

Soss made his presentation to classes at Howard Technical High School and Delcastle Vocational-Technical High School. He will be visiting the other schools following the holiday break.

Scenes from OSHA school presentations


Above: OSHA's Vince Soss during and after
his presentation at Howard in Wilmington.


Above: OSHA's Vince Soss during and after
his presentation at Delcastle near Marshallton. 



ABC Celebrates 30th Anniversary




Group picture of Founding & Former
Leaders of Association during celebration
at Delaware Children's Museum
September 23, 2011 


 



Click here for more photos of the evening 

ABC Delaware hosts "The Pwer of Green" Conference

ABC  Delaware  hosted “The Power of Green Conference” October 24 & 25 at the University of Delaware’s Clayton Hall.


The Green Conference Planning Committee (left to right):Bobbie Brooks, SSD TechnologiesJohn J. Barone, Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Marlene O'Reilly, Clear Channel Radio, Jon Lavin, ABC Delaware, Bob Opila, Professor, University of Delaware, Sterling Minter, PTM Manufacturing 

“The two-day seminar provided members, users, educators and green proponents the opportunity to discover the economic opportunities available in green building and design as well as the educational and economic programs available” said ABC Delaware President Ed Capodanno. “Over the past 5 years, our industry has seen a shift in mindset towards more green efficient construction. Some of our ABC contractors as well as others in the industry are now performing solar installations, green roofs, solar thermal systems and weatherization. That shift in mindset has not been limited just to construction but also the design community and more importantly the user community. We are now seeing many projects showcasing green initiatives.”

A few of these projects include:  The Girls Scouts of Delaware receiving the first Platnuim Award in Delaware for the Lynn Williams Sceince and Technology Lodge in Hockessin, a project was built by ABC member SC&A Construction. The Brandywine School District is completing the new Hanby Elementary School, the first LEED School in the State of Delaware, and it, too, is being built by ABC member, Bancroft Construction. 

“Besides projects that are moving towards green, ABC both locally and nationally are taking the lead in preparing the construction and design community for these changes,” said Capodanno.  “Locally, we are credentialing contractors through our Green Advantage classes and also offering LEED certification for individuals. Our national office has developed an ABC Green Contractor Certification program that is designed to document the merit shop construction community’s efforts to develop a sustainable workplace environment—both on and off the jobsite—as well as recognize ABC member firms that are green industry leaders. The first contractor certified in Delaware is ABC member EDiS Company.”

The program included speakers, break out sessions and trade show exhibits.

Thanks to the planning committee for this event:

Jon Lavin, Director Education, ABC Delaware
Sterling Minter, PTM Manufacturing
Bobbie Brooks, SSD Technolgy
John Barone, Delaware Manufacturing Extension Program
Carolyn Synder, Director of Climate and Energy, DNREC
Robert Opila, University of Delaware, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Jonathan Lake, Green Delaware
Marlene O’Reilly, Clear Channel Delaware

"And a special thanks to all those companies who were sponsors and exhibitors of this event.,” said Capodanno. “Their commitment helped make this event possible.”

CLEAR CHANNEL - Media Sponsor
EDIS (Tote Bags)
DuPont (Corporate Sponsor)
DiSabatino Construction - (Corporate Sponsor) 

Siemens Industry, Inc. Building Technology Division
PTM Manufacturing  •  United Rentals
Advanced Power Control  •  Tri-M Group, LLC
Dorset Connects  •  George & Lynch, Inc.
Kerins and Associates  •  SSD Technolgy Partners
Santora CPA Group  •  Graybar
Herman Miller & Premier Office Solutions
GE Appliances and Lighting  •  Delaware Skills Center
Drexel University  •  Tenmat, Inc.  •  Northend Barriers
Delaware Technical and Community College
Tremco  •  Cadapult, Ltd.  •  Advanced Power
Lutron Electronic  •  Kerrins and Associates
NRB USA  •  Motech - americas  •  Energy Reconsidered  

    
     2012 calendar of events Flyer
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    Check our facebook
   for more breaking news
             and events.
         
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/ABC-Delaware/174065869320234
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   Come See ABC for 2012

Hear John Gooden outline his 2012  
Goals for YOUR association!

Date: January 12, 2012

Time: 5:30p.m Cash Bar
and Networking
6:30 Dinner

Place: Christiana Hilton
100 Continential Drive
Newark, DE

Cost: $35.00 Member
        $45.00 Non-Member

To register email
dsetting@abcdelaware.com

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February Networking Night

Need to have some fun while
making that new business contact?
Join us on February 9 at Iron
Hill Brewery on Wilmington's
Riverfront for our next
Networking Night.
Enjoy an evening of
good food and conversation
as you make business
contacts and shake off the
winter blues

February 9th

Iron Hill Brewery
Wilmington Riverfront
Justinson Street
Wilmington, DE

$35.00 Member
$45.00 NonMember

To register email
dsetting@abcdelaware.com

_________________________

   Breakfast with
US Senator Chris Coons
What questions do you have
for Senator Coons?
What issues do you  think
he needs to be watching
for the First State.

February 13

Christina Hilton
in Newark DE

7:30 - 9 a.m

$25.00 Members
$35 Non-members 

To register email
dsetting@abcdelaware.com 
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