ABC Keystone - The Merit Shop Spokesman - June 2021

Merit Shop The

June • 2021

Spokesman A Monthly Publication of ABC Keystone

Preparing for the Future FREEDOM is 2 Under Attack!

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Congratulations to ABC Keystone’s Apprenticeship Graduates!

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ABC Keystone Leadership 2021 Executive Committee: CHAIR of the BOARD – Cleo Weaver, Triangle Refrigeration Co. CHAIR-ELECT – Keith L. Eldredge, CPA, RKL LLP

1st VICE CHAIR – Steve Conway, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc.

2nd VICE CHAIR – John Lehmann, Poole Anderson Construction, LLC SECRETARY – Guy Kingree, Warfel Construction Company TREASURER – Timothy A. Kershner, CPA, Walz Group

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR – Roger S. Brubaker, Meadow Valley Electric, Inc.

2021 Board of Directors: Doug Detwiler, DeRock Electric Company Douglas M. Dvorchak, Murray Ed Engle, Smucker Company Brian Floyd, Gunn-Mowery, LLC Wayne Fuhrman, The Witmer Group Michael B. Funck, Wohlsen Construction Company Ken Funk, Arthur Funk & Sons, Inc. John H. Hykes II, B & B Integrations Steven Kearns, James Craft & Son, Inc. Michael D. Monaco, Mowery David H. Oblender, Engle-Hambright & Davies, Inc. Jon Sensenig, Speedwell Construction, Inc. James Stephens, CFSP, Clark Associates, Inc. Bethany Tesché, Houck Services, Inc. Jan L. Wagner, Kinsley Construction, Inc. Thomas O. Williams, Esq., Reager & Adler, P.C.

G. David Sload, President-CEO ABC Keystone | 135 Shellyland Road, Manheim, PA 17545 (717) 653-8106 | abckeystone.org

The Merit Shop Spokesman is published 12 times a year by Associated Builders & Contractors, Keystone Chapter.

Articles of interest, member news, press releases, and advertising placement requests may be submitted to the Editor/Designer: Kristi Pronovost Director of Marketing & Communications ABC Keystone kristi@abckeystone.org (717) 653-8106

Connect with ABC on Social Media! facebook.com/ABCKeystonePA LinkedIn.com/company/abckeystone @ABCKeystone @ABCKeystone

Merit Shop The

Spokesman Contents

2 Message from the Chair 3 Message from the President-CEO 5 Congratulations, Class of 2021 11 Graduation Photos 13 Advocacy Update 15 Chapter Calendar 16 New Members & Anniversaries 17 Safety Update 18 Member Spotlight 19 Member News 21 Young Professionals Spotlight 22 Recognizing Your Growth Potential

A Message from the Chair

Preparing for the Future J

une has arrived. It is our mid-way point for 2021, and I want to begin the month by recognizing and congratulating our dedicated Apprenticeship leaders and training staff for a championship year! Cindy DeWire (Director of Apprenticeship), her assistant Erin Hiles, and our instructors have done a great job making this an incredibly successful year – we thank you all for your hard work and dedication! Your outstanding efforts have allowed ABC Keystone to graduate the largest class in over 15 years!

108 apprentices from seven trades walked the stage on May 20, at the Clipper Magazine Stadium (home of the Lancaster Barnstormers)!

Graduates, you probably know that good trades people are in high demand, as our area and industry are rapidly growing, and our seasoned tradesman are retiring. We need skilled, safe workers from our outstanding apprenticeship program to meet the rising demand, and you fill the bill! As you continue to grow in your trade and develop leadership skills, I look forward to seeing you as department heads, vice presidents and even presidents. You have the education, now apply hard work and integrity, and the sky will be your limit. To all 108 graduates, the entire ABC Board and I wish you well!

George Caldwell, Wohlsen Construction Company

Thursday, May 20, was also a celebration of longevity and dedication as ABC honored its 2021 Craft Professional of the Year. This year’s award goes to George Caldwell, Wohlsen Construction Company. Please join me in honoring his 41+ years in his chosen field of carpentry!

What a fine example of leadership and integrity for our next generation of craft professionals! Congratulations, George!

Now, let’s change topics. I know ABC works for all of us, and on my wish list is a Government that could work for all of us as well! I know the U.S. representative government system was set up by the constitution to have our elected officials be representatives of the people. So, how did we get so many

representatives that support the will of the few, rather than the will of the majority, if they were elected by the majority of the people? This year, more than most in recent memory, has been challenging on this front.

And speaking of elections, a big “Thank You” to all who voted in our Primary election on Tuesday, May 18! All elections are important, as many of the behind-the-scenes policies are formulated and decided by these officials. Did you know that in a typical primary, less than 20% of the people will vote? That means 80% of our citizens choose to have no say in electing the policymakers that will make rules for all of us to follow in the years to come. If we choose to not exercise our privilege to vote, we allow a very small percentage of Pennsylvanians to make a choice for us! Going forward, let’s all commit to being part of the solution instead of the problem – be educated and vote in every election.

As we move into the last half of 2021, let’s all pick up the mantles of training the next generation, becoming more involved in our community, and continuing to search for and elect politicians of integrity.

Have a wonderful and safe month of June!

Cleo Weaver 2021 Chair of the Board Triangle Refrigeration Co. cweaver@trianglerefrigeration.com (717) 656-2711

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Hear from the President-CEO

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is Under Attack!

s you receive this month’s Merit Shop Spokesman, we will have recently celebrated Memorial Day. Memorial Day was established to commemorate and honor those that lost their lives fighting to keep this country (as well as other countries) free. We must never forget the brave men and women that served, and in many cases died, to protect the Constitution and freedoms of this great country.

You only need to turn on the news to see that our freedoms and rights are under attack. Free speech, gun rights, and freedom to worship are just some of the rights that are being targeted. At the same time, there are those who want to censor what we say and read, and in some cases even erase history. We, as an association, are under attack when we have opinions that do not fit the narrative or policy direction of the left.

Let’s boil it down to basics for ABC. America is supposed to have a government “for the people and by the people.” However, the current administration and legislators (like our own Senator Casey) believe they know what is best for our industry, despite a vast majority of business owners and their employees telling them otherwise. To quote both the President and the Senator: “We are going to create great union jobs because the unions built the middle class.” This is a nice slap in the face for all those who built businesses and provided good paying jobs for hard working Americans and who choose not to be affiliated with a union.

ABC has no issues if a business wants to be signatory to the unions. That is the business model they chose.

Conversely, no one should have an issue if a business chooses not to be signatory. It’s called freedom. Why then does this administration and other politicians continue to push legislation that benefits only unions, which in some respects is designed to destroy the merit shop (can you say “PRO Act”)? After all, 87% of the

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private sector employees in this country choose not to be in a union. The current administration is legislating for the minority of workers and not “for the people, by the people.”

To answer the question of why some believe there is a need for Project Labor Agreement (PLA) legislation, PRO Act legislation, or funding for union-only programs, one just needs to follow the money. Big labor, on the funds provided by their rank-and-file workers, donates millions of dollars to these legislators’ campaigns. Organizations like ABC cannot financially compete. It is illegal for nonunion employers to take funds from their employees to fund political campaigns. For their help in keeping them in office, the legislators become beholden to the unions.

At a time when union membership has dropped, funding into union-controlled PACs and pensions has gone down.

Legislators who rely on those PAC dollars can’t kill the golden goose, so they need to help the unions grow and replenish their coffers. One recent example: did you know $86 billion came out of the latest COVID-19 relief package and went into Big Labor pension plans? Why? Because they are underfunded and are struggling to cover their workers and retirees.

So, what can we ABC, you, and I - do?

We can and must be engaged in the political process. We must be on the phone to our legislators. We

G. David Sload President-CEO dave@abckeystone.org (717) 653-8106

must participate in and financially support the election of common sense-minded, constitutionalist legislators.

We must be louder than the minority in our industry.

We need to make Washington understand that they, the legislature, do not create a single job, nor do they earn any money. If they put us out of business, they kill the true golden goose - the one that employs 87% of the workforce that supports all those employees who provide money for the government to spend.

In 1950, ABC was founded to fight against the government’s treatment of non-union employers and for our employees’ right to work. We are right back where we started.

If you are engaged, stay engaged.

If you have not engaged, get engaged.

Your business depends on it.

Interested in running for a seat on the ABC Keystone Board of Directors?

#ABCMeritShopProud

Contact dave@abckeystone.org by June 20!

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Keystone APPRENTICESHIP & TRAINING TRUST

This issue of the Merit Shop Spokesman is dedicated to the Chapter's 2021 graduating apprentices in celebration of their many achievements.

Congratulations!

Dear 2021 ABC Keystone Graduates, One of the greatest aspects of my job is celebrating our Graduates each year! I truly consider it an honor to be part of the Graduation ceremony and see each of you recognized for all your accomplishments and hard work during your apprenticeship years. You, the ABC Keystone Apprenticeship Class of 2021, are the future leaders of the construction industry, and I know you all will do us proud.

Cynthia (Cindy) S. DeWire, ABC Keystone Director of Apprenticeship

Thank you to our ABC Keystone Apprenticeship Program Strategic Partners: James Craft & Son, Inc. donates use of their facility and all metal for the ABC Keystone Apprenticeship program. Their donation of materials allows the Chapter to provide valuable hands-on training exercises for the apprentices.

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation has donated a gift to each graduating apprentice and provides a tool set to the top graduate in each of this year's seven graduating trades. Throughout the year, Milwaukee Tool has donated a variety of tools for the betterment of the apprenticeship program.

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Special Recognition of 2021 Graduates High Achiever Awards: Christopher W. Chant Carpentry High Construction Company

Justin D. Culp

Electrical The Farfield Company

Matthew Gomez

Construction Craft Laborer The Earle Companies

Phillip C. Gregg

Sheet Metal James Craft & Son, Inc.

Austin L. Shaffer HVAC Walton & Company

Matthew D. Tressler Plumbing James Craft & Son, Inc.

Chad D. Weitzel

Heavy Equipment Operator Flyway Excavating, Inc.

Graduates with the highest overall grade point average in each trade (minimum GPA of 93%) earn the High Achiever Award.

Straight A's Throughout Entire Apprenticeship: Christopher W. Chant, Carpentry, High Construction Company Justin D. Culp, Electrical, The Farfield Company Matthew Gomez, Construction Craft Laborer, The Earle Companies Theodore L. Jacobs, Electrical, R.S.Martin, Inc./Varner Systems, Inc. Jeremy D. Ressler, Carpentry, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Andrew D. Waksmunski, Electrical, The Farfield Company Chad D. Weitzel, Heavy Equipment Operator, Flyway Excavating, Inc.

A & B Average Throughout Entire Apprenticeship: Wesley E. Baker, Heavy Equipment Operator, Schlouch Incorporated Ryan C. Baum, Electrical, Cyprium Solutions, Inc. Andrew V. Belisario, Carpentry, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. Ira P. Berman, II, Carpentry, Arthur Funk & Sons, Inc. Jason J. Bryant, Plumbing, Leo Kob Co., Inc. Jonathan L. Conley, HVAC, Walton & Company Sky R. DeLaughter, Electrical, Cedar Electric, Inc. Matthew J. Edgell, Heavy Equipment Operator, Flyway Excavating, Inc. Israel I. Galarza Lozano, Construction Craft Laborer, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Brendan L. Good, Electrical, Meadow Valley Electric, Inc. Carlos M. Goyco Jr., Electrical, The Farfield Company John L. Green, Carpentry, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. Philip C. Gregg, Sheet Metal, James Craft & Son, Inc. Jackson H. Griffith, II, Sheet Metal, The Farfield Company Travis J. Healy, Carpentry, Paul Risk Construction Patrick J. Kline, Sheet Metal, Walton & Company Kale B. Landis, Electrical, Gettle Incorporated Albert S. Long, Electrical, Cyprium Solutions, Inc. Ivan A. Maletin, Plumbing, James Craft & Son, Inc. Kyle D. Metz, Carpentry, Paul Risk Construction Travis E. Miller, Electrical, Stevens Feed Mill, Inc. Guy J. Nitchman, Carpentry, Conewego Enterprises, Inc. Arkadiy A. Novokreshchenov, Electrical, Weist Electric, Inc. Michael C. Palermo, Electrical Aaron M. Plymire, HVAC, Walton & Company Diego Rivera, Construction Craft Laborer, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Daxton J. Schatz, Electrical, Legacy Electrical Services, Inc. Austin L. Shaffer, HVAC, Walton & Company Dylan R. Stone, Carpentry, Wohlsen Construction Company Alex L. Stringer, Heavy Equipment Operator, Schlouch Incorporated Matthew D. Tressler, Plumbing, James Craft & Son, Inc. Jose A. Vazquez, Carpentry, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Eric W. Warfel, Electrical, Meadow Valley Electric, Inc.

2021

Class of

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Thank You to Our Staff & Instructors!

Staff:

G. David Sload, President-CEO Stephanie Larkin, Vice President of Education, Safety & Workforce Development Cynthia S. DeWire, Director of Apprenticeship Erin Hiles, Apprenticeship Administrative Assistant

Instructors: Gervasius “Junior” Brown, III, Sheet Metal 2 & 4, James Craft & Son, Inc. Randy Doxzon, Jr., Director of HVAC & Plumbing, ABC Keystone Tom Fasnacht, Director of Carpentry & Construction Craft Labor, ABC Keystone Chad Foor, Director of Electrical, ABC Keystone Philip Gregg, Sheet Metal 1, James Craft & Son, Inc. Jeffrey T. Morris, HVAC 1, CLARK, Inc. Craig Turnbaugh, Heavy Equipment Operator, Retired/D.H. Funk & Sons, Inc.

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Congratulations, Class of 2021!

Carpentry Andrew V. Belisario, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. Ira P. Berman, II, Arthur Funk & Sons, Inc. Avery A. Brown, Waggoner Construction, Inc. Adam C. Burdge, Wohlsen Construction Company Frederico Cardenas, Waggoner Construction, Inc. Christopher W. Chant, High Construction Company Dalton L. Fearnbaugh, Easy Does It Drywall, Inc. Justin D. Flanagan, Easy Does It Drywall, Inc. John L. Green, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. John R. Gregson, Paul Risk Construction Travis J. Healy, Paul Risk Construction Matthew D. Hull, Wagman Construction, Inc. Dakota D. Leibensperger, Arthur Funk & Sons, Inc. Kyle D. Metz, Paul Risk Construction Guy J. Nitchman, Conewego Enterprises, Inc. Daulton G. Pierre, Eastern Environmental Contractors, Inc. David S. Pomraning, Wohlsen Construction Company Jeremy D. Ressler, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Jacob R. Silfies, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Otis E. Smothers, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Dylan R. Stone, Wohlsen Construction Company Jose A. Vazquez, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Daniel S. Whitehaus, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc.

Construction Craft Laborer Skyler R. Blough, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Rafael Cortes-Zavala, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Jared M. Dawson, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Marod M. Dobrzyn, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Israel I. Galarza Lozano, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Matthew Gomez, The Earle Companies Jordan L. Kerstetter, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Jose D. Leon, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Nicholas Miletic, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Devin M. Owens, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Luis M. Pagan, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Rebecca E. Reichert, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Diego Rivera, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Misael Santata Pena, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Charles W. Scott, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Juan Zavala, J.D. Eckman, Inc.

Hear from a Graduate: “I would advise future apprentices to ask questions and don’t be afraid to speak up; the dumbest question is the question never asked.

Opening up to people and communicating was my biggest struggle while working, so I would tell others to be willing to communicate.”

- Marod M. Dobrzyn, J.D. Eckman, Inc.

Hear from a Graduate: “My advice to future apprentices is to keep learning, keep pushing forward, and challenge yourself daily.

Perseverance is a key element to success.”

- Ira P. Berman, II, Arthur Funk & Sons, Inc.

Electrical Emerson J. Atkins, III, Cyprium Solutions, Inc. Ryan C. Baum, Cyprium Solutions, Inc. Class of Codie J. Behrens, CV Services, Inc. Trey D. Ciccone, MCarty & Son, Inc. Justin D. Culp, The Farfield Company Sky R. DeLaughter, Cedar Electric, Inc. Asley D. Drummond, Hayden Power Group Gary E. Dupler, III, Leo Kob Co., Inc. Xavier E. Gonzalez-Thorpe, The Farfield Company Brendan L. Good, Meadow Valley Electric, Inc. Carlos M. Goyco, Jr., The Farfield Company Eric J. Hershberger, Boro Construction Joshua Richard Himmelreich, Hayden Power Group Theodore L. Jacobs, R.S. Martin, Inc./Varner Systems, Inc. Kale B. Landis, Gettle, Inc. Trent S. Lilley, Garden Spot Electric, Inc. Albert S. Long, Cyprium Solutions, Inc. Travis E. Miller, Stevens Feed Mill, Inc. Caleb S. Nolt, Garden Spot Electric, Inc. Arkadiy A. Novokreshchenov, Weist Electric, Inc. Michael C. Palermo Courtney T. Ritchey, MJD Systems LLC Michael James Sanfilippo, Hayden Power Group Daxton J. Schatz, Legacy Electrical Services, Inc. Cody James Siegel, Hayden Power Group Austin M. Sowa, The Farfield Company Geoffrey E. Townsend, Cheran, Inc. Andrew D. Waksmunski, The Farfield Company Eric W. Warfel, Meadow Valley Electric, Inc. Katie Wilkinson, Meadow Valley Electric, Inc.

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Hear from a Graduate: “Electrical, like any trade, is art - training your wires neatly,

running a rack of conduit, neat terminations in transformers,

panels, etc. Someday, someone will see the work you did and think, ‘Wow, that person knew what they were doing and did a nice, clean install.’ Also, there is a lot of variety, which makes you think and plan.”

- Eric W. Warfel, Meadow Valley Electric, Inc. 8

Attention

Apprenticeship can help you!

Contractors!

• Create your own

workforce

through formalized training

• Increase

productivity, safety, and profits

• Expand your workers’

knowledge base

• Bid work more

competitively

Forabckeystone.org more information: CindyD@abckeystone.org cindyd@abckeystone.org 2019 Apprenticeship Postcard - Contractors.indd 1

7/9/2019 10:42:06 AM

HVAC Jonathan L. Conley, Walton & Company Adam D. Gottshall, B.J. Baldwin Electrical/Mechanical, Inc. Raymond A. Mattei-Torres, James Craft & Son, Inc. Jimmy Morales, Ames Construction, Inc. Aaron M. Plymire, Walton & Company Austin L. Shaffer, Walton & Company Charles T. Smith, James Craft & Son, Inc. Andrew M. Sneeringer, Aero Energy

Hear from a Graduate: “What led me to my craft today was exploring for a career that matched with who I am and that was able to sustain me in the future due to the great demand for skilled craftspeople.”

- Raymond A. Mattei-Torres, James Craft & Son, Inc.

2021

Class of

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Heavy Equipment Operator Wesley E. Baker, Schlouch, Inc. Matthew J. Edgell, Flyway Excavating, Inc. Conner J. Martin, Flyway Excavating, Inc. Nicholas R. Shurtz, The H&K Group/Reading Site..

Alex L. Stringer, Schlouch Incorporated Michael J. Trauger, Nyce Construction Services Chad D. Weitzel, Flyway Excavating, Inc. Andrew M. Wieder, Lehigh Valley Site Contractors, Inc. Alexander J. Zukowski, PKF Mark III, Inc.

Hear from a Graduate:

“Being more hands-on and listening throughout your career in heavy equipment will bring you a long way and increase your knowledge.”

- Alex L. Stringer, Schlouch Incorporated

Congratulations, Class of 2021!

Plumbing

Sheet Metal

Daniel L. Bradley, Kline’s Services, Inc. Jason J. Bryant, Leo Kob Co., Inc. Colin M. Chamberlain, Bortner Bros., Inc. Davonn M. Gramby, Frey Lutz Corp.

Seth M. Heidlebaugh, James Craft & Son, Inc. Karl R. Laursen, Frey Lutz Corp.

Jarod D. Lusk, Frey Lutz Corp.

Ivan A. Maletin, James Craft & Son, Inc. Lukas C. Mease, CMC, Inc. Tyler R. Owsiany, Kline’s Services, Inc. Keven J. Rios, Garden Spot Mechanical, Inc. Mason L. Sauder, Custom Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Colt N. Stein, Waggoner Construction, Inc. Matthew D. Tressler, James Craft & Son, Inc. Christopher P. Trimble, Wile Plumbing, Inc.

Philip C. Gregg, James Craft & Son, Inc. Jackson H. Griffith, II, The Farfield Company Patrick J. Kline , Walton & Company Matthew D. Price, James Craft & Son, Inc. Hunter R. Rehrer, Walton & Company Earl R. Urey, Matchline Mechanical, LLC Jacob A. Vincent, North Bay Mechanical, LLC

2021

Class of

Hear from a Graduate:

“I really enjoy the environment and culture. Most people on site are hard-working, good people. The teamwork that must occur for the completion of a job is a challenge, but it makes the job very rewarding.”

- Philip C. Gregg, James Craft & Son, Inc.

Hear from a Graduate:

“I appreciate being able to learn something that I can pass down for generations.”

- Davonn M. Gramby, Frey Lutz Corp.

Apprenticeship & Craft Training Committee Bill Lastinger (Chair), Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. Jessica Craft-Schlosberg, James Craft & Son, Inc. Traves Gift, Warfel Construction Company Craig Hartz, Warfel Construction Company Derek Herr, Wohlsen Construction Company

Jeff Laney, Wickersham Construction and Engineering, Inc. Chris Livelsberger, Conewago Enterprises, Inc. Keegan Reed, John E. Fullerton, Inc. Michael Snyder, H.B. McClure Company Ryan Thomas, Meadow Valley Electric, Inc.

Apprenticeship & Training Trust Trustees Edward P. Nescot (Chair), The Farfield Company James P. Craft, James Craft & Son, Inc. John Hykes, II, B&B Integrations Duane Moyer, RKL LLP (Lancaster) Kenneth Schwebel, The Witmer Group Christopher S. Smith, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc.

Thank you to all our committee members!

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Join ABC at the next event! abckeystone.org

Thank you for attending!

View more photos on Facebook!

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George Caldwell, Wohlsen Construction Company Craft Professional of the Year

Bill Lastinger, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. Chair - Apprenticeship & Craft Training Committee

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Advocacy Update By: David G. Greineder, IOM ABC Pennsylvania Director of Government Affairs

A Time of Action

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new session is well underway, and ABC is making a difference. Along with COVID-19 issues, the top priority of elected leaders in Harrisburg is preparing a 2021-22 state budget and passing legislation that gets Pennsylvanians back to work. Despite the ongoing pandemic, ABC of Pennsylvania’s government affairs program has been highly active. Though we are only six months into the new session, we have made progress on the following issues:

STATE LEGISLATIVE ISSUES Reforming State Apprenticeship Ratio Rules (House Bill 536): ABC’s top priority is supporting legislation that would establish consistent journeyperson-to-apprentice ratios for joint and non-joint programs. In working with

the bill sponsor, ABC is seeing more progress on this issue than ever before. In fact, we testified before a House subcommittee on how the legislation would end discrimination in the rules and safely create jobs.

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative: The governor unilaterally initiated a regulatory process that would establish a carbon tax program. Many stakeholder groups, ABC included, expressed serious concerns about the impact such a program would have on Pennsylvania’s economy. State lawmakers have been trying to prevent enactment of the regulations through various legislative efforts. Senate Bill 119, introduced by Sen. Joe Pittman (R-Indiana), would require legislative approval before the administration could implement a carbon tax program.

The bill passed the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee along a party-line vote and is pending future action on the Senate Floor.

Indemnity Clauses in Construction Contracts (House Bill 424): ABC is supportive of legislation that would limit indemnity clauses in construction contracts.

At the time of this writing, the House Commerce Committee is planning to hold a voting meeting to advance the bill. ABC of Pennsylvania was proactive in providing input and secured changes to the legislative language suggested by ABC members.

COVID-19 Liability Protections (House Bill 605): ABC is supportive of legislation that would protect employers from frivolous COVID-19 lawsuits. Unfortunately, the governor vetoed a bill last session. The House passed a liability protection bill again this session, where it awaits action in the Senate.

Work Zone Safety Bill: Sen. Elder Vogel (R-Beaver) will be introducing legislation that would improve construction worker safety in work zones. The bill would stiffen

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penalties for motorists who disregard flaggers and speed through work zones.

FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE ISSUES PRO Act: Our top priority at the federal level is soundly defeating legislation that would re-write established labor laws. Over the last two sessions, the U.S. House passed, largely along party-lines, legislation that would make massive changes to laws pertaining to union organizing and employer rights. Our ABC National staff is working hard with partner organizations to voice our concerns.

ABC of Pennsylvania sent a letter to our congressional delegation, and ABC members participated in calls with our U.S. Senators. Please keep up the noise and let your voice be heard!

Infrastructure Bills: President Biden has been promoting a multi-trillion dollar infrastructure package in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, less than half of the bill has to do with building roads and bridges and includes pro-union provisions like mandated project labor agreements. ABC of Pennsylvania and our regional chapters have signed onto letters to the White House and U.S. Congress expressing our concerns.

condition of bidding on public works. While ABC strongly supports apprenticeship programs, these conditions could disqualify experienced contractors from the bidding process – contractors that are seasoned businesses made up of skilled journeypersons that do not have apprentices but are just as safe and just as qualified as those that do. In fact, we are seeing RCO-like language appearing in federal bills. For example, a proposed federal clean energy bill would require all contractors and subcontractors receiving tax credits to have at least 15% of workers participate in government-registered apprenticeship programs. ABC will continue to weigh-in with our concerns on this legislative language when we see it.

If you have any questions about legislation or ABC’s position on an issue, please contact David Greineder, IOM (davidg@abcpa.org) or Austin Cawley (austin@abckeystone.org).

If you are not signed-up to receive email alerts, please download the “ABC Action App” from the app store on your mobile device, or at abc.org/abcaction.

LOCAL LEGISLATIVE ISSUES Responsible Contractors Ordinances: ABC has been monitoring local ordinances that would require a contractor to participate in apprenticeship programs as a

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Chapter Calendar - Register Today!

Discover Events, Education & Training at ABC! Register Online: abckeystone.org

SUMMER ‘21 6/8 - ABC Keystone’s Golf Outing Presented by United Rentals 6/8 - Choose VIRTUAL or IN-PERSON: Laws of Leadership Part of the Leadership Development Series Starts 6/10 - OSHA 30-Hour Construction Starts 6/14 - ABC Keystone’s All ’bout Construction (ABC) Girls Camp 6/15 - Growing with Traction Workshop 6/16 - Choose VIRTUAL or IN-PERSON: Effective Recruiting & Hiring Part of the Human Resources Management Academy 6/22 - Adult AED, CPR & Basic Medic First Aid 6/24 - Mobile Elevating Work Platform (Aerial Lift) Training 6/28 - Rough Terrain Forklift Training 7/7 - Managing Change – Part of the Professional Development Series Starts 7/14 - OSHA 10-Hour Construction 7/15 - Executive Leader Contractor Peer Group (CEO/Owners/Executive Leadership) 7/21 - VIRTUAL: Executive Leader Contractor Peer Group (CEO/Owners/Executive Leadership) 7/21 - Choose VIRTUAL or IN-PERSON: Behavioral-based Interviewing Part of the Human Resources Management Academy 8/3 - ABC Keystone’s Summer Outdoor Mixer Presented by Saxton & Stump Lawyers and Consultants 8/4 - Time Management Part of the Professional Development Series 8/11 - ABC Human Resources Contractor Peer Group 8/17 - ABC Keystone’s Safety Awards Presenting Sponsorship Available!

8/18 - Choose VIRTUAL or IN-PERSON: Employment Assessments Part of the Human Resources Management Academy 15

We Can Customize Training for You! We Strive to Meet Your Unique Training Needs

Contact Us Today!

(717) 653-8106 Barbara Holtzapple (Career Development)

& Kevin Keith (Safety)

Welcome to ABC's Newest Members!

Thank you for your support of the merit shop mission!

No Quarter Consulting Jason Long Founding Partner 158 Sara Lane Hanover, PA 17331 ph. (717) 798-3459 jason@takenoquarter.com

PeopleReady Skilled Trades

Chris Bair Sales Representative 905 W Sproul Road, Ste. 200 Springfield, PA 19064 ph. (267) 446-8707 cbair@peopleready.com

Tenna LLC

Nicole Mathew Enterprise Account Executive 2045 Lincoln Highway Edison, NJ 08817 ph. (732) 236-1690 nmathew@tenna.com

Sponsor: Michael Metz-Topodas, Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall & Furman P.C.

Martin’s Flooring, Inc. “We appreciate having ABC as the Voice of the Merit Shop, which is absolutely critical considering the direction of the new administration. We have written sales with new and existing clients with the relationships created through ABC networking. For example, our attendance at Meet the Generals has created new business for us, and committee engagement has really helped our firm grow.”

View a searchable membership directory at abckeystone.org Download the mobile app at the App Store or Google Play!

Happy Anniversary!

Congratulations to these members celebrating milestone anniversaries in June 2021:

45 Years:

N R Weaver Masonry, LLC

35 Years:

Industrial Piping Systems, Inc.

5 Years:

Tekrins, Inc.

1 Year:

L.W. Bishop & Son Electric MidState Mechanical & Electrical, LLC Philips Brothers Electrical Contractors, Inc. 16

Company Safety Policies and the Importance of Adherence BY: KEVIN KEITH, DIRECTOR OF SAFETY SERVICES

S

afety professionals understand the importance of having effective written safety plans. An effective written plan helps alleviate any misunderstandings regarding the expectations necessary to protect employees performing work tasks.

written policies and still want to maintain relationships with their co-workers. All too often, safety falls prey to this kind of thinking and enforcement. The ripple effects of the non-compliance can have a significant impact on the company in many areas other than safety.

Unfortunately, all too often, a written plan is created, but adherence to the plan falters. There is nothing more damaging to a company than non-compliance with company policies. Non-compliance quickly creates an environment that devolves into a “us against them” way of thinking. Cliques begin to form. Morale can erode, and inconsistencies form that open companies up to liability issues.

Policies, if they are going to be effective, must be well thought out and planned. Involving the entire workforce seems to help in breaking the non-compliance circle. If workers fully understand the purpose behind the policy, adherence will improve. That still does not mean that it will be perfect.

In my career, I have seen it all too often. Policies are written, and the lack of adherence and accountability quickly lead to a poor company culture. Many employers seem to think that if a policy is written, workers will adhere to it on their own.

This is not the case. Workers will resist many policies based on personal experiences, past work experiences or how they work at home. The thinking, “it must be safe the way that I do it because it has never been a problem before,” becomes the toughest part of overcoming non-compliance issues.

People, in general, seek out others that agree with their way of thinking because it supports their beliefs and provides validation to their thoughts. This creates the development of cliques. These individuals start to support each other and resist management. They start to look out for each other and develop a plan that they will only adhere to policies when management is around. “Only perform when you have to” becomes the way of thinking.

Direct supervisors can propagate these kinds of actions in that they were once a part of the group.

The supervisor finds it hard to enforce company policy, because they, too, had issues with many of the of the

The direct supervisor must address non-compliance. Often, I have seen that the findings of an incident investigation indicate that the injured worker did not adhere to an existing company policy. Is this the fault of the injured worker? Many times, in digging deeper, one will find that there is a non-compliance issue across the board. The problem stems more from supervision, in that supervisors allow the behaviors to continue without addressing the compliance issues quickly and consistently. Policies should be consistently enforced and without prejudice. If policies are not adhered to, then there is no policy. The policy is just words on paper that will have no impact on safety in the workplace.

Effective safety requires a lot of work that includes communication and supervision. Safety in the workplace must be tended to and nurtured to improve the overall safety performance. Educating supervisors and having them understand the importance of adherence in company policies will go a long way to improving your company’s overall performance.

Visit abckeystone.org to review our upcoming education and safety training classes. If you have additional questions regarding your safety policies, please feel free to contact Kevin Keith, Director of Safety Services, to discuss your concerns or issues.

ABC is Your Solution for Safety Needs!

Let ABC help you with safety training, consulting and navigating OSHA requirements.

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Contact kevin@abckeystone.org to learn more.

Member Spotlight

TOUCH OF COLOR FLOORING

Meet the Team!

T

ouch of Color Flooring was founded in Harrisburg in 2002, and the company has grown into one of the Top 20 Flooring Companies in the country. With offices in Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Richmond, Touch of Color Flooring continues to grow year after year in the Multifamily, Builder, Commercial, and Senior Living markets. Their 156 employees provide the highest level of service to customers and take pride in their product and performance every day.

Did You Know? Touch of Color Flooring manufactures their own line of Waterproof SPC products under the CoreLogic Flooring brand and Carpet under our Smart Soft label.

Tell us about you! Keith Varner, Director of Sales, joined Touch of Color Flooring seven years ago. With a career spanning across a full range of sales and marketing roles, he transitioned into the flooring industry and has not looked back since.

He has had the pleasure of helping the Touch of Color Flooring brand grow to the powerhouse it is today. Throughout his years, Keith feels the Touch of Color Flooring teams, various divisions and branches are the best in the business.

L-R: Chris Knox; Kelli Lewis; Erica Lawrence; Ed Bell; Melanie Tirado; Stefano Santiago

Primary Contact: Keith Varner, Director of Sales keith.varner@tocflooring.com | (717) 919-4673 Touch of Color Flooring 6305 Allentown Blvd | Harrisburg, PA 17112 touchofcolorflooring.com| tocbusiness.com

How does ABC help your business, Keith? “We love having the opportunity to connect with other members and feel like we receive tremendous value from being a part of a great community like ABC Keystone.”

We want to tell your story!

For Member Spotlight information, please contact: kristi@abckeystone.org 18

#ABCMeritShopProud

ABC Keystone Member News Eleven Barley Snyder Attorneys Named Super Lawyers

ELA Group, Inc. Welcomes Jason Little as Project Engineer

Barley Snyder is pleased to announce 11 of its attorneys have been named to the lists of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Pennsylvania Rising Stars for 2021. The prestigious, annual list highlights attorneys who have distinguished themselves in their legal practices.

ELA Group, Inc., Engineers and Landscape Architects, of Lititz, State College and Butler, PA, welcomes Jason Little as a Project Engineer in their Central PA office. Jason brings several years of experience in land development, stormwater, utility and environmental design. Additionally, he has spent over nine years working as a construction manager/administrator.

Jason graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Civil & Environmental Engineering and an Environmental Engineering Minor.

Attorneys named to the 2021 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list (their main office location in parentheses): • Salvatore Anastasi (Malvern) • Jennifer Craighead Carey (Lancaster) • Thomas A. French (Harrisburg) • Jill Sebest Welch (Lancaster) • Sarah C. Yerger (Harrisburg) Attorneys named to the Pennsylvania Rising Stars List: • Derek P. Dissinger (Lancaster) • Peter J. Faben (Lancaster) • Kevin S. Koscil (Harrisburg) • Elizabeth L. Melamed (Lancaster) • Justin A. Tomevi (York) • Luke T. Weber (Lancaster)

DenTech Industrial Expands With Second Location DenTech Industrial, an industrial and mechanical systems integrator, is now fully up and running in its second location at 25 Kurtz Road in Denver, PA. The newly renovated building is 25,000 square feet and houses DenTech’s electrical control panel shop, automation, and robotics departments, as well as administrative offices. About 35 employees work at this location, with room to add 10-15 employees in the future.

The Kurtz Road location is a half-mile away from DenTech’s headquarters at 1975 N. Reading Road. The main facility includes design, project management, fabrication, welding, machining, and industrial piping departments, as well as administrative offices. Combined, the two facilities have about 133 employees.

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McConkey Insurance & Benefits Hires Risk Solutions Consultant McConkey Insurance & Benefits hired Steve McCarty who joined the team in May 2021 as the new Risk Solutions Consultant. In this role with McConkey, he will partner with the Claims & Risk Solutions team and will proactively help clients further develop their safety and risk management programs. McCarty will also aid in the implementation of loss control recommendations, as well as be a resource for incident investigations. He will work in tandem with the Director of Claims by advocating for clients during insurance company assessments and keeping them informed during claims handling procedures.

Poole Anderson Construction, LLC Announces Hiring of Zak Wolpert as Vice President of Business Development Poole Anderson Construction, LLC, a leading commercial contractor in the Mid-Atlantic region, is pleased to announce the expansion of their executive leadership team. Poole Anderson welcomes Zak Wolpert to the position of Vice President of Business Development. Zak joins Poole Anderson with 14 years of experience in the construction industry, most recently as Vice President of Market Development at Providence Engineering Corporation. He holds a B.S. degree from Shippensburg University. Zak is a dedicated and seasoned business development professional who plans to use his experience and relationships in the industry to play a leading role in Poole Anderson’s continuing efforts for growth in the mid-Atlantic region.

#ABCMeritShopProud

Quandel Enterprises, Inc. Rolls Out New Energy Solutions Business Unit Quandel Construction Group, Inc., a Quandel Enterprises Company, recognizes that building owners and operators are expected to deliver safe, efficient, and reliably functional facilities to their occupants. Expanding out from their core construction services, Quandel Construction Group recently announced a new service offering – Quandel Energy Solutions – to help clients upgrade their facilities to be more energy efficient and to improve their indoor environments.

RKL LLP Grows M&A Expertise with Senior Consultant Hire RKL LLP recently announced an expansion of its mergers and acquisitions (M&A) expertise with the hire of Bryan Redding, PMP, as a Senior Consultant. Redding’s focus will be conducting due diligence, quality of earnings reports and other transaction advisory services for lower middle market companies. Previously, Redding worked in the M&A practice for a Big 4 accounting firm, where he advised clients through all aspects of the M&A lifecycle, including pre-transaction due diligence, separation planning and execution and post-close integration.

Robertson Insurance & Risk Management Earns Inner Circle Honor for Seventh Time Robertson Insurance & Risk Management is one of just six independent insurance agencies that has made Mutual Benefit Group’s Inner Circle, based on 2020 business results. This is the seventh time Robertson Insurance & Risk Management has qualified for the honor. Mutual Benefit Group is a multiline property/casualty insurance company based in Huntingdon.

It is represented by 300 independent agents in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Each year, the company presents its Inner Circle award to those agents who provide superior customer satisfaction while establishing a consistent record of profitable growth.

Amy L. Earnest joins the team as a Business Development Strategist. Led by Jenna R. Wagner, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, the team now has 19 dedicated business development, marketing, technology and concierge services professionals across the firm’s three locations to support their growing client base and team of attorneys.

Schaedler Yesco Hosts Penn State Students for Learning Opportunity Schaedler Yesco’s central distribution center expansion project continues to progress as scheduled. Once complete, the facility will measure nearly 200,000 square feet and include 3000 new pallet storage locations, eight new dock doors, 6000 square feet for additional receiving. While this expansion project will benefit the company and its customers, it’s also helping the community. On May 6, 2021, JEM Group, Schaedler Yesco’s construction partner, invited Construction Engineering students from Penn State Harrisburg to the site.

H.L. Wiker, Inc. Names Dan Hickel Director of Special Projects H.L. Wiker, Inc. recently named Dan Hickel Director of Special Projects. Hickel, of Ephrata, is a graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology and joined the company in 2013. He most recently served as Special Projects Manager. In this role, Dan will be responsible for all aspects of the Special Projects Team, including customer relations, estimating, quality control, and resource management.

Saxton & Stump Lawyers and Consultants Continues to Build Team with Addition of Carol Verish Houck and Amy Earnest Attorney Carol Verish Houck has joined Saxton & Stump, bringing nearly 20 years of experience supporting clients with matters involving real estate, corporate and business law, and banking and financial services. Houck expands the firm’s real estate team to 13 attorneys and two paralegals, including four licensed title agents with experience handling both commercial and residential closings.

For inclusion in future issues of the Merit Shop Spokesman, please send your press releases to: kristi@abckeystone.org 20

Young Professionals

Spotlight Meet Ben!

What role do you play in your organization?

Within Victaulic, I handle all of the Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning (PHA) business within the Central PA region.

My role includes assisting in any capacity with mechanical contractors and mechanical engineers. With my contractors, I work to get them packages pre-bid to better assist them with their estimating. We also can take on project engineering and coordination with Thermal Expansion calculations, spool drawings, and fabrication packages. Ultimately, being a resource/advisor within the piping of the project is a general overview of my position.

When focusing on mechanical engineers, my main goal is to work towards product education and to achieve specification inclusion for our products. I conduct many educational lunches, so we do not take away from their work or billable hours.

As a Young Professional, how has your involvement with ABC Keystone helped you?

My involvement in the Young Professional Committee has been great during my time with ABC. I feel that anything that brings people together and discusses issues or experiences as a group is a very helpful experience, especially throughout this pandemic, where we’ve all been thrown into similar difficult situations. It is the feeling of community and comradery that I enjoy most about the Young Professionals Committee.

What was the best concert you’ve attended?

My favorite concert I’ve ever been to was, coincidentally, my first. It was a Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan concert in Allentown, PA. What made it my favorite was that I attended with my wife-to-be, who is now, my wife. It was awesome to share that experience with her for my first concert. Hopefully, the pandemic will be over soon, and in 2022, we will see Elton John for his “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” farewell tour!

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Ben Weaber Territory Sales Manager Victaulic Company of America ABC Keystone YP Committee Member benjamin.weaber@victaulic.com

Recognizing Your Growth Potential By: Ben Weaber Victaulic Company of America

P

otential.

Despite being a relatively simple word, the word ‘Potential’ has many meanings. By definition, potential can refer to having or showing the capacity to become or develop into something in the future. It can also be described as latent qualities or abilities that may be developed and lead to future success or usefulness. Something I found interesting when working on this article were all the similar words associated with potential: Possibilities. Prospects. Promise.

Capability. Talent. Power.

All these words, when I think of them, immediately are a positive in my mind. They are almost like a sign of hope. I wondered if everyone had the same association with those words or when thinking of potential. Then I thought again… do we all recognize our own potential?

I truly believe that we all have the potential to do exactly what we want to do in this life. Sure, there will be speed bumps and obstacles along the way. If anything has taught us that life isn’t all smooth sailing, I think this pandemic and past year is evidence of that. Potential isn’t something that can be earned or given to someone. I’m sure many would

say that being privileged or born into a certain class, gender, or even race gives someone more potential than another. While this may be an unfortunate truth to a degree, I’m sure we can all, immediately, think of people who have overcome tremendous adversities on their way to success.

Our ability to recognize our potential may be our biggest attributor to our success. I believe that a fatal flaw of most people is the tendency to recognize our biggest faults or insecurities. These things hold us back and stifle our growth as people - both personally and professionally.

A tip: find and surround yourself with those who recognize your potential. There is strength in numbers, and you should have numbers in those who believe in you as much as you SHOULD believe in yourself. They can help you recognize your own potential.

So, is recognizing your potential enough?

Potential without a catalyst effectively accomplishes nothing at all. Determination is the catalyst. Despite many failures that we all undoubtedly encounter in many aspects of our lives, it is the determination that we have within us that allows us to grow. For those of you, like me, who are in sales roles, it can be overcoming hearing “no” all day long and not letting it affect you negatively. Negatives that are thrown our way should be looked at as an opportunity to grow and reach another level within ourselves.

Ultimately, with enough determination, you can unlock more and more of your potential.

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