GCA Construction News Bulletin December 2022

THETEAM THEDIRECTORS THEEDITORIALS

PRESIDENT James Martinez

Guam Contractors’ Association

CHAIRMAN & PAST CHAIRMAN

Bill Beery Tutujan Hill Group

VICE CHAIRMAN Joe Roberto East Island Tinting

SECRETARY/TREASURER

Matthew Hunter Dylan Mechanical Construction Services

Guam Contractor’s Association (GCA) in conjunction with Adztech and Public Relations, Inc. publishes the Construction News Bulletin (CNB) monthly. Reproduction of materials appearing in this publication is strictly forbidden without written permission by GCA.

PUBLISHER: James Martinez

PRODUCTION TEAM

LEAD: Geri Leon Guerrero

AD SALES: Jaceth Duenas Alyssa Roces

PRODUCTION: Alyssa Roces Jason Davis Christopher “Taco” Rowland

CONTRACTOR

DIRECTORS: Don McCann Black Construction Corporation

Kathleen David Pacific Rim Constructors

Brian Holm Hensel Phelps

Albert Smith SmithBridge Guam Soraya Vongjalorn Vertex Guam

AJ Perez Hawaiian Rock Products

While we always strive for accuracy, we will from time to time overlook mistakes. In order to help us improve the quality and accuracy of this publication, we ask that you take the time to look at the information provided and notify GCA or Adztech of any corrections as needed. Opinions and editorial content of this publication may not necessarily be those of the publisher, production team, staff, GCA members, GCA Board of Directors and advertisers.

For more information about advertising in the GCA Construction News Bulletin contact the advertising department at (671) 477-1239/2239 or email at adztech@teleguam.net.

Distributed to GCA members or can be obtained by stopping by the Guam Contractors’ Association office located at 506 Mariner Ave., Barrigada, Guam 96913

PHOTOGRAPHY: Jaceth Duenas

EDITOR: Adztech

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Joanna Rupley Sablan R.D. Gibson Crystal Cruz-Herrera Rodney “RJ” Ricarte

ASSOCIATE

DIRECTORS: Mark Cruz

MidPac Far East

Jose Garcia

First Hawaiian Bank

Camilo Lorenzo Matson Navigation

Geri Leon Guerrero

To find out more about how you can become a GCA member contact Guam Contractors’ Association at Tel: (671) 647-4840/41 Fax: (671) 647-4866 or Email: gca@teleguam.net. www.guamcontractors.org

Postmaster. Send address changes to Guam Contractors’ Association, located at 506 Mariner Ave., Barrigada, Guam 96913

Adztech Advertising and PR Guam Contractors Association

GCA STAFF: Desiree Lizama Elaine Gogue Francine Taitague Trevor Cruz

COVER: 50 years is a long time. It’s even longer for a business to not only survive but thrive. Congratulations to East West Rental for their 50th Anniversary!

“When I complained about the sunlight fading the wood on our steps through our large picture window, Kin suggested I call Island Tinting to see what they could do. Tom and his crew came out to the house and in just over an hour, they applied this clear film. He made me stand on the side where they had applied the film and then on the side with no film. The heat difference was amazing. The best part about it is that our power bill has gone down $70 a month because of this film!”

Kin and Jayne Flores with Tom Roberto East Hagåtña 477-TINT (8468) / 472-TINT eastislandtinting@guam.net

SAME GUAM

*NOTE* No General Membership Meeting in December

NEW CORPORATE MEMBER Perfuturo Insurance Int’l Inc.

SAME NATIONAL

17 JANUARY 2023

Career Transition Workshop Planning your transition from the uniformed services or if you are a professional looking for a new career path, sign up at shorturl.at/loGU2

27-29 MARCH 2023

SAME Capital Week Featuring the DOD & Federal Agency Program Briefings

02-04 MAY 2023

Joint Engineer Training Conference & Expo San Antonio, TX

STEM CAMPS

World-class camps that feature a very impressive record of producing thousands of engineers and STEM leaders for almost 20 years. https://classic.same.org/stemcamps

AMAZON SMILE

Visit smile.amazon.com, search Society of American Military Engineers Foundation. These small donations through purchases you make on Amazon do add up.

To all our sponsors, attendees, presenters, organizers, and volunteers, thank you for making the 2022 Guam Industry Forum a success. The event brought together construction contractors, architects, engineers, suppliers, and service providers from the U.S. and Guam. Private companies to met with high level officials from both the U.S. military and Government of Guam. The opportunities and challenges of the program and ways to make the strategic defense initiatives a success were highlighted.

GUAM INDUSTRY FORUM 2022

BECOME A MEMBER

classic.same.org/guam sameguampost@gmail.com Find us at our social media accounts @sameguampost

CELEBRATES

years

By:R.D.Gibson

The holidays are always a tricky time. On the one hand, this time can be filled with magic, joy, carols, and get-togethers. They can be busy - filled with parties, gift exchanges, the lights and decor, the bells and whistles to end one year and ring in another - especially as our lives transition to pre-pandemic normalcy. It can also be a stressful, difficult time for others.

But, this is also a time of the year when inspiration can come when we least expect it. It sounds Hallmark Movie Special-esque, but as the year comes to a close, sometimes there can be a sense of something good happening, or about to happen. And, sometimes, we find this inspiration in stories we hear catching up with old friends we haven’t seen in a long time, or we learn about how things just worked out for the better - written in the stars or not.

The last feature of 2022 culminates 50 years of hard work, taking risks, perseverance, time, patience, inspiration, and family. It isn’t a fairy tale set in a mountain town ski resort; it took hardwork, a supertyphoon, and heart; believing in something and making it a reality.

This month, we celebrate East West Rental Center for their 50 years of service and inspiration to our slice of paradise. Like all great stories, it started with one singular object. In the case of the EWRC, according to their website, it started with the purchase of a drill in 1970.

a riding lawnmower, and some small generators,” it stated on their website.

The website continues to share the sacrifices needed in the company’s infancy as the money coming in was going toward building its fleet of equipment. But, the story takes a turn with Supertyphoon Pamelawith winds in the 140-150 mph range - leaving Guam completely devastated in its wake in May 1976.

The morning after Pamela’s desolation, Adkins would contact Gordon Loui of Hawaiian Rent-All. The two had never met, but Adkins had ordered from him previously. In not so many words, Adkins asked Loui for some post-typhoon essential equipment, like generators, water pumps, and chainsaws. “I don’t know when I can pay you, but I will,” Adkins is quoted as saying in the

eventually buying out their investors, with Adkins’ wife, Rosita, joining the ranks.

“After every typhoon equipment has helped people cut down trees, haul away debris, string up power lines, demolish broken down structures and help to build new ones,” said James W.S. Adkins, Adkins’ son and President of East-West Rental Center who returned to Guam in the 1990s and began working in the family business. Adkins

He talked about the challenges the company has faced over the years, including their maintenance shop burning down, typhoons ripping through their facilities’ roofs, and economic downturns, and he said, “We still opened the doors and got to work.” He continued with pride, “We get up every day, put our shoes on, and do whatever it takes to

EWRC’s website lists their extensive rental equipment, which includes electric- and gas-powered saw rentals, air compressors, scaffolding, forklift, truck and van, pressure washers, welding, pumps, law and garden, compactor rentals, among others. Additionally, they have a fleet of equipment for events, like tents, table and chairs, and air-cooler rentals. Adkins shared, “We are in the business of

flexible and fair. He credited perseverance and fairness to the company’s longevity. Additionally, he shared “Our legacy is helping our customers build Guam. ”He continued, “Almost every commercial building and home built on the island has used our equipment to construct or maintain it.”

EWRC started with only one full-time employeeAntonio Sinzi - at the very beginning. Their workforce has expanded, and includes those general helpers who started three to four decades ago who now help manage the company and everyone in between. “The institutional knowledge and experience they have is invaluable,” stated Adkins. He points to taking care of the employees who have worked for and taken care of the business that EWRC is today. “Our success is driven from the bottom up,” Adkins shared.

The story of EWRC is one of hard work, perseverance, and family. EWRC prides itself in being part of most people’s projects on the island - blending their family with others. “This business touches almost every single industry in Guam,” shared Adkins. Adkins stated, “Our legacy is helping our customers build Guam.”

At the heart of this family business is making things happen. But, just as important is just that - family. From hiring employees who have grown with the company, to lending equipment used to construct commercial buildings for jobs and development throughout the years, to renting equipment for parties for organizations and families to create lasting memories, EWRC has not only left a lasting mark on the community it helped build, in essence, they are part of a family that calls Guam ‘home’.

On behalf of the Guam Contractors Association and its membership, congratulations to the East-West Rental Center Family on 50 years of service to our island

years

Be Healthier In 2023

By Rodney “RJ” Ricarte

By now your company should have enrolled or re-enrolled you and your colleagues in the TakeCare GCA Employee Health Benefit. Thank you for your confidence in TakeCare for allowing us to provide your health insurance.

2022 is rapidly coming to an end and 2023 quickly approaches. Now is the time to evaluate your health, determine what you want to do better to improve your health, and find programs and people to help you achieve your goals.

TakeCare can help you. Your TakeCare GCA Health Benefit is based on the principles of what we call the Balanced Lifestyle. TakeCare’s offers many programs that can help you be active, eat right, relax and unwind, and be socially connected. Consistently practicing all four helps you to live a balanced lifestyle and a healthier life.

Be purposeful in your planning. Here are some suggestions to maximize your TakeCare GCA health insurance benefit in 2023.

Be Active And Take Advantage Of Incentives

TakeCare provides wellness and disease management incentives up to $250 per eligible individual or $500 per eligible family per benefit period. Members must participate in the plan for at least three (3) months of continuous coverage within the benefit period and are an active member by the end of the benefit period and must have paid all premiums due for the benefit period.

The cash incentives can be earned by completing annual physical, vision, or dental exams, various health screenings, TakeCare’s online health check, meeting selected health measurement goals, or achieving healthy outcomes.

TakeCare also offers fitness incentives up to $600 per eligible individual or $1,200 per eligible family per benefit period provided they meet the program’s incentive qualifying criteria.

TakeCare members have access to discounts at 20 fitness partners on Guam. Members can also earn TakeCare’s fitness incentive by self-reporting at least 30 minutes of an approved activity such as walking, jogging, running; rowing; swimming; and or biking. Track your activity using one of the approved fitness apps and upload information about the activity to earn the incentive.

Be Healthier With Health Education Classes

TakeCare employee members can access no-cost health education classes to learn about better nutrition, prevent heart disease, quit smoking, and control diabetes. TakeCare’s diabetes prevention program - T2 - is the only program fully recognized in the region by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). TakeCare members can improve health through health education classes, cancer prevention campaigns, and fitness programs. Ernest Aquino, TakeCare’s wellness team lead, and other health and wellness coaches, can provide educational and coaching services to help you get started. Members can register and schedule one-on-one and group classes, workshops and consultations online.

To contact Ernest and learn more about the TakeCare Wellness Center and the programs and services it offers, visit wellnesscenter.takecareasia.com.

Four more details about the above incentive programs, please refer to your Member Handbook. Your TakeCare GCA Employee Health Benefit empowers you to take control of your health and receive the assistance you need to live the life you want to live.

TakeCare is here to help you! If you have not yet renewed your insurance, please contact your Account Executive immediately.

Rodney “RJ” Ricarte is the TakeCare account executive for GCA. He can be contacted at (671) 487-7121 or rodney.ricarte@takecareasia.com.

Quality Providers for Your Health Care Needs

TakeCare members have access to an extensive list of participating providers, both on and off island. TakeCare’s growing network of contracted providers in Guam includes Guam Regional Medical City, Guam Seventh-day Adventist Clinic, and Guam Radiology Consultants, Saipan, and in countries like the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and New Zealand. Plus an excellent network of medical specialist, practitioners and facilities in the Continental US & Hawaii through the MultiPlan network 1 , which has over 1.2 million providers to choose from

and Women’s He alth), Occupational Health, Home Health and Hospice , a Cancer Cen ter (Hematology/Oncology), as well as Dental and Vision centers In a ddition, FHP offer s a convenient in-house full-service pharmacy, owned a nd operated by MegaDrug, and full service laboratory owned and operated by Diagnostic Laboratory Services (DLS).

Technology to Help You Live a Healthier Life

Preferred Access to the FHP Health Center

TakeCare members have preferential access to the FHP Heal th Center. FHP features a roster of highly traine d, credential ed, well-known and respected community-based physicians and professional staff. In addition, the center’s modern technology and equipment supports medical services and expertise provided to its patients at its exceptional Centers of Care. These centers include Urgent Care, Full Service Radiology (MRI*, CT Scan*, Digital Mammography*, Ultrasound, and X-Ray) -Certified by the *American College of Radiology, Primary Care (Pediatrics, Adult Medicine,

TakeCare’s wellness programs and MyTakeCare, our online member portal, are conveniently available. Members have access to valuable health and wellness resources, can complete a Health Check by Virgin Pulse, view claims activity, print a member card, review benefits and eligibility information, as well as manage personal health within MyTakeCare health calendar. In addition, TakeCare offers a mobile app to display your ID card, our network of providers, TakeCare wellness programs, fitness schedule, Affinity Rewards, and wellness partners. It also helps you manage your wellness and fitness incentives while tracking your fitness progress through biometrics!

Count on TakeCare to deliver comprehensive, Accredited insurance coverage and quality health care when and where you need it. Choose TakeCare. Our Island, Your Health Plan.

MEMBE R SPOTLIGHT

Dr. Sam Mabini-Young is perhaps one of our island’s most remarkable talents. Leading her life guided by “Never live your life in vain”, her achievements are astounding, ranging from the academic to the artistic to the political. Although her accomplishments are too long to be listed in this brief article, suffice it to say her most important quality is her inimitable enthusiasm, leadership, and devotion to improving the lives of others through education and leadership in the community. In addition to her heady education and accomplishments, she values relationships above all things and finds time to enjoy time riding a Harley with her husband and friends, along with scuba diving, snorkeling, and gardening.

JOINING NAWIC GUAM

With her combined passion for workforce development and career/ technical education, she chartered the Guam Chapter of the Association of Career & Technical Education (GuACTE) in 2015. When she was invited to join NAWIC Guam, she immediately recognized the shared mission of both organizations, especially to develop a construction workforce, and believed in the strength of joining forces. Dr. Mabini - Young was exposed to the wonder of construction from a young age through her dad, uncles, cousins, and older brothers, all of whom were skilled craftsmen. She was thrilled by power tools and gadgets and how all things could be made to fit together with the right tools and skills. Although not a certified craftswoman herself, she is the venerable “weekend warrior” for her own residential renovations, as well as DIY furnishings. She loves the construction industry because it allows her to marry her artistic inclinations with the rigor of engineering.

GUAM LIFE

Dr. Mabini-Young was born and raised in Guam. Upon graduating from the University of Minnesota with a Ph.D. in Work and Human Resource Education, she returned to Guam to seek a career that allowed for civic involvement, as she has always believed in the importance of “giving back”. To expand her horizons, she chose to explore different aspects of her community by serving in leadership roles in a variety of organizations including the Guam Senate, Micronesian Conservation Coalition, NAWIC Guam, GuACTE and the Guam Symphony Society, among others. The collegiality in these organizations deepens her understanding of issues and often sheds light on potential solutions to pressing social or environmental challenges. Throughout her professional years, Dr. Mabini-Young has always adopted the motto to always “Believe in a better way “and this tenant has always served as a foundation and compass in her educational, career, and personal endeavors. But perhaps the quintessential “Sam” is captured in “Come to the edge,” he said.

“We can’t, we’re afraid!” they responded. “Come to the edge,” he said.

“We can’t, We will fall!” they responded. “Come to the edge,” he said. And so they came. And he pushed them. And they flew.

-By Guillaume Apollinaire

JOIN NAWIC GUAM CHAPTER 381 TODAY!

Want to know more about NAWIC Guam or join our organization?

Contact us at nawicguam@gmail.com or DM us on Facebook (Nawic Guam) or Instagram (@nawicguam). www.nawic.org

FAR Council Proposes Rule Requiring Emissions Disclosures and Reductions for Federal Contractors

On Nov. 14, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council issued a  proposed rule to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation to require certain federal contractors to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and set GHG emission reduction targets.

Under the proposed rule, federal contractors who qualify as significant contractors, (those receiving between $7.5 million and

$50 million in federal contracting obligations in the prior fiscal year) would be required to inventory their annual GHG emissions and disclose this information to the federal government.

Major contractors (receiving over $50 million in contracting obligations) would also be required to make publicly available CDP climate disclosures and set targets for reducing GHG emissions.

Contractors that fail to comply with these requirements would be deemed nonresponsible and ineligible for federal awards.

Comments on the proposed rule are due by Jan. 13, 2023, and may be submitted via regulations.gov. Please reach out to Michael Altman at  altman@abc.org with any questions or comments on the potential impact of this proposal.

Celebrating three decades on Guam