Jeffrey J. Zogg, a leader of New York state general contractors for more than two decades and an activist in the national Associated General Contractors group, died on Oct. 24 in Delmar, N.Y. The cause of death was sarcoma, a form of cancer, says the Associated General Contractors of New York State LLC. He was 61.

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Zogg served as the group’s president and CEO since 2008, when it was formed in the merger of the General Building Contractors of New York State (GBC) and AGC’s New York State chapter, which represented heavy and highway construction firms. The combined chapter is now AGC’s sixth largest in the U.S.

Zogg was executive director of GBC since 1987 and served in other capacities since 1971. A native of Syracuse, N.Y., and son of a construction superintendent, he was a former chairman of national AGC’s Executive Leadership Council and also served on several key committees.

Zogg was a frequent spokesman for New York contractors on state legal and political issues, such as application of project labor agreements, and on AGC’s national management. “Jeff’s extensive knowledge of construction issues made him an influential voice within AGC,” says Stephen E. Sandherr, CEO of the national group. “His opinion was respected and sought after, and he was an effective advocate who respected differing points of view.”