AGC recently held its annual Fall Conference and Division and State Boards of Directors Meetings in Indian Wells. The meetings and conference drew many of the state’s top construction industry leaders, who elected the association’s leadership for 2012 and focused on the future goals and direction of AGC.
AGC of California officers elected for 2012 include President John Nunan, Unger Construction Co., Sacramento; Senior Vice President Randy Douglas, Tierra Contracting, Inc., Goleta; Vice President Curt Weltz, Flatiron West, Inc., Benicia; Treasurer Jon Ball, Hensel Phelps Construction Co., San Jose; and Immediate Past President/2011 President Gerry DiIoli, Herzog Contracting Corp., Oceanside.
In addition to the election of the 2012 officers, AGC’s major occupational divisions also elected their 2012 leadership during the Division Board Meetings. Mike Mencarini of Unger Construction Co., Sacramento, will Chair the Building Division, while Erwin Villegas, Frank Schipper Construction, Santa Barbara, will serve as Vice Chair. Clint Larison, Reyes Construction, Inc., Pomona, will Chair the Jt. Engineering Division (which includes the Highway/Heavy Engineering, Municipal Utilities and Marine Contractors Divisions), while Jaimie Angus, Griffith Company, Brea, will serve as Vice Chair.
In attendance at the 2011 Annual Meeting was AGC of America President Kris Young, who promoted the AGC theme “Strength through Unity.” She discussed the critical importance of each member’s involvement in AGC and the connection between National AGC and the various chapters. AGC of America CEO Steve Sandherr spoke to the board of directors about AGC’s recent national legislative and regulatory efforts and achievements, including the repeal by the House of Representatives the day prior of the 3% national withholding requirements, which represented a major victory for the AGC and the construction industry. He applauded the continued push of infrastructure investment by the current administration while also discussing the need to combat the onerous new Storm Water Permit regulation from EPA. AGC of California President Gerry DiIoli and AGC of California CEO Tom Holsman additionally provided reports on ongoing association activities in California.
Keynote speaker, California Senator Bill Emmerson (R-Riverside County), gave a brief recap of the recent legislative session and noted the need for regulatory, education, tax and pension reform. Senator Emmerson reported on the upcoming budget, noting that more difficult times are ahead with California currently some $720 million below what was predicted in the budget put forth last year.
Prior to the State Board of Directors meeting, AGC of California’s two Divisions held their fall boards of directors meetings. On the Building side, attendees heard a presentation from attorney Tim Truax regarding SB 474, one of the more contentious legislation issues this year that is pitting general contractors against subcontractors over whether Type I Indemnity Clauses should be prohibited in construction contracts. The Division also heard a discussion from AGC CEO Tom Holsman and Bob Norling, Director, Industrial Relations South, regarding project labor agreements and the impact to the construction industry. AGC Advocates Dave Ackerman and Jamie Khan gave a recap of the recent legislative session.
The AGC of California Jt. Engineering Division heard from a variety of key leaders on transportation and infrastructure funding, including Ann Mayer, Executive Director of RCTC; Hector Davila, Caltrans Deputy Director District 8; Vince Mammano, the newly appointed California Administrator for the Federal Highway Administration; and Bert Sandman, Executive Director of Transportation California.
A lively panel discussion was held on Public Private Partnerships and the Presidio Parkway project with viewpoints offered from three individuals with varying interests on the project: Greg Henk with contractor Flatiron West; Kome Ajise, Caltrans P3 manager; and Bruce Blanning with the Professional Engineers in California Government (PECG).
