I am honored to be addressing all the members of the ABC Utah Chapter. It amazes me to see the support and level of commitment so many people have made over the years at ABC.

When my company first joined ABC, I feel that I was not engaged and missed so many opportunities to meet people, exchange ideas and build relationships. I am reminded that in life and in our chosen paths, you get out of something no more than you put into it. This is characterized by the basic tenets of the ABC Merit Shop Philosophy. We believe that all people, contractors and companies should be treated fairly and should be rewarded based on their own efforts. I can say that by getting more involved and serving on a committee or two, my eyes and heart were open to the wonderful membership opportunity that ABC Utah creates and fosters. I have made many friendships and relationships that I will value for the rest of my life. I encourage all of you to please get more involved, volunteer for a committee, come to an event, break out and shake the hand of someone you don’t know yet and make a lasting connection.

There are many opportunities to meet like-minded, intelligent people who care about the same issues that all of us must deal with in our industry. There are opportunities in safety, women in construction, government affairs, workforce development, emerging leaders and more. I implore you to go to a meeting and get involved in taking advantage of the networking opportunities. I am a firm believer that we are all a reflection of the people we surround ourselves with, and I am proud to be associated with the membership of ABC.

With the current attack on Merit Shop Values, we need the support of the membership as a whole now more than ever. We all believe in free and open competition, yet it is currently under attack by the Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) included in the infrastructure spending bill. It will take the unity of the ABC membership both locally and nationally in order to fight this attack on Merit Shops. I am proud to be a part of this organization that continues to fight for all of our rights to competitively bid and succeed at all work in a free and open market.

Please join me this year in getting involved and sharing our collective voice in ensuring ABC’s Merit Shop Philosophy continues to be at the forefront of free and open competition. I hope to, in some way, serve as chairman this year by honoring all of those before me and inspiring those of the future.