January 2026
STEVEN KEARNS 2026 CHAIR OF THE BOARD
ABC KEYSTONE LEADERSHIP 2026 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair of the Board
Steven Kearns James Craft & Son, Inc.
Chair-Elect
Ed Engle Smucker Company
1st Vice Chair
Jeff Witmer Pathway Business Advisors
2nd Vice Chair
Robb Beiler Wohlsen Construction Company
Secretary
Aimée Deraco Brubaker
5 From the President-CEO
Treasurer
Timothy A. Kershner, CPA Walz Group
6 2026 Leadership Team
Immediate Past Chair
Guy Kingree, III Benchmark Construction Co., Inc.
PROUDLY PUBLISHED BY ABC KEYSTONE 3
2026 Chair of the Board Steven Kearns
8 Hiring Fair 9 New Employee: A.J. Cobian
2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jeff Albright
High Construction Company
11 Workforce Development Update
Corbin Beittel
Warfel Construction Company
Jeff Bright
Offit Kurman
12 Ask an Attorney
Kevin Eshleman
SLC Excavating, LLC
Michael L. Fiore
Leonard S. Fiore, Inc.
14 Membership Renewal 2026
Brian Floyd
MPB Insurance & Risk Management
Ken Funk
Arthur Funk & Sons, Inc.
John H. Hykes, II
B&B Integrations
Anthony Leer
Leer Electric, Inc.
Michael Metz-Topodas
Saul Ewing LLP
Patrick Snyder
Peoples Security Bank & Trust
Lee L. Summers, Jr.
C Mechanical Services
Stephanie Titus
Keystruct Construction, A Vicocity Company
Kevin VanPelt
S&T Bank
Jan L. Wagner
Wagman Construction, Inc.
22 Calendar of Events 24 New Members 25 Merit Shop Proud 26 Anniversaries
G. David Sload, President-CEO
Manheim Office 135 Shellyland Rd. Manheim, PA 17545
Howard Office 898 N. Eagle Valley Rd. Howard, PA 16841 Harrisburg Office 800 North Third St., Suite 407 Harrisburg, PA 17102
The Merit Shop Spokesman is published 12 times a year by Associated Builders and Contractors, Keystone Chapter. Articles of interest, member news, press releases, and advertising placement requests may be submitted to the editor: Rebecca Wolf Director of Communications & Marketing rebecca@abckeystone.org | (717) 653-8106
that strengthen the merit shop philosophy, advance workforce development and support the long-term success of the construction industry.
"The Merit Shop Philosophy was deeply ingrained in me." Q: What made you decide to run for board leadership?
STEVEN KEARNS 2026 CHAIR OF THE BOARD Advancing Workforce and Merit Shop Values
Construction has been a constant in Kearns’ life. Raised in a family-owned mechanical contracting business, he spent his high school and college summers working in sheet metal and prefabrication shops and assisting on jobsites. He joined the company full time in 2008. Kearns has worked across nearly every phase of a construction project. He began in field roles as a helper before moving into positions as a purchasing agent and estimator, where he gained experience in preconstruction planning and coordination. He currently serves as Vice President of Technology and is a member of his company’s management group. In that role, Kearns focuses on implementing new technologies and training teams to improve efficiency and performance across commercial, industrial and health care projects. With experience spanning the field and the front office, Kearns brings a broad perspective to the role. As 2026 chair, he is committed to supporting initiatives
As someone who quite literally grew up in the industry, the Merit Shop Philosophy was deeply ingrained in me. Growing up, I had the opportunity to see many of our amazing past leaders in action, and their passion for our organization truly inspired me. Once I graduated and joined James Craft & Son as a full-time employee, I jumped in by serving on a committee, which further deepened my connection to the organization. After more than a decade of involvement, I felt it was time to step up and make a real difference.
Q: What are your top priorities for the upcoming year as Chair of the Board?
First and foremost, I want to keep our chapter’s momentum going. We finished 2025 with 680 members, which kept us as the third-largest chapter nationally and marked our highest membership count in over a decade. Getting here took a lot of hard work and dedication from both our members and our staff, and I’m really proud of that. Now, we’re in a position where getting back to 700+ members is within reach—and from there, the sky’s the limit. Our ABC Keystone staff does an outstanding job providing services that meet the diverse needs of our members, and we’re committed to making that member experience even better. We’ll do that by ramping up communication and truly listening to understand what our members need at their core. Second, Pennsylvania is at a legislative crossroads right now. We have a governor who has made it clear he is targeting the merit shop and actively - Continued
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working to give labor unions an advantage. I can’t stress enough how important it is for our members to get involved in the political process: educate yourself, educate others, and make your voice heard. One great way to do that is to join me in contributing to the PAC (ask Jim Willshier how you can get involved). We’re going to keep fighting legislation that tilts the playing field while pushing for common-sense laws that focus on what really matters—quality, safety, and ensuring we can staff projects with a well-trained workforce. Finally, workforce growth is critical. There is still a real need for qualified tradespeople. ABC Keystone has been leading the way in training and education for our industry, but we can’t rest on our laurels. We need to keep innovating and find new ways to bring the next generation into the trades.
Q: What lasting changes or achievements would you like to see as a result of your time as Chair?
Real, lasting change doesn’t happen because of one person in one year. This organization is bigger than any one individual, and meaningful progress
happens because one person picks up what the last started, and then the next, and the next. What I can do is build on what came before me and leave things in a better place than I found them. So, my focus isn’t on building a personal legacy. My focus is on making ABC Keystone better right now: stronger membership, better engagement, and winning the fights we need to win today. I can be someone who means what he says and works his tail off while I’m here. If my time as chair contributes to something bigger down the road, that’s for the future to decide. That’s really all I can control, and that’s what I’m focused on. On behalf of the ABC Keystone team, we extend our best wishes to Steven Kearns as he steps into his role as Chair of the Board. We look forward to his leadership and continued commitment to strengthening our membership, advancing workforce development, and supporting the merit shop philosophy.
ADVANCE YOUR PROJECT MANAGEMENT SKILLS Effective project management drives successful jobs, strong teams, and profitable outcomes. ABC Keystone’s 6-week Project Management course is designed for construction professionals ready to elevate their leadership skills and deliver better results at every phase of a project. • Increase efficiency and communication across all project phases • Sharpen planning, scheduling and documentation skills • Manage teams and resources with confidence and accountability Project Management 6-week Course at ABC Keystone Manheim February 4, 11, 18 & 25 & March 11 & 18, 2026 8:00 am – 11:00 am (each session) 4
FROM THE PRESIDENT-CEO WELCOME TO 2026! BY: G. DAVID SLOAD
Welcome to the 67th anniversary of the ABC Keystone Chapter. In 2025, our association continued to expand, grow and meet the evolving needs of our members. In last month’s issue of The Spokesman, Chair Guy Kingree highlighted several key accomplishments. Taken together, those successes clearly reflect the commitment and engagement of our members, who made 2025 a strong year for the chapter. As I welcome each incoming board, I often ask a simple question: What’s next? The answer begins with staying focused on our mission and value proposition. Our mission: ABC Keystone leads, champions and serves the construction industry. Our value proposition: We are passionate about free enterprise advocacy, career pathway development, and building a culture of safety and total human health across all sectors of the construction industry. Guided by these principles, our vision includes: • Championing free enterprise and the merit shop philosophy. • Leading the conversation in political advocacy. • Educating and developing the construction workforce. • Equipping members to prioritize safety and total human health for their employees. Our committees are already hard at work shaping what comes next. In addition, 2026 Chair of the Board Steven Kearns is outlining his agenda for the year ahead. There is still time to get involved by joining a committee and contributing to the chapter’s continued success. Committee participation not only strengthens the association but also offers valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth. Looking ahead, 2026 will bring new educational offerings, more than 24 networking events, continued promotion of effective legislation, and strong advocacy to protect our members from harmful policies. For 66 years, ABC Keystone has remained a member-driven chapter. Many past board members and chairs refer to this as the Keystone “IT” factor. You can be part of the “IT” factor. Get involved. Get engaged. Be part of a successful 2026.
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2026 LEADERSHIP TEAM Leadership at ABC is grounded in Integrity, Strength, Quality, and Principle—values that reflect the foundation of ABC Keystone and continue to guide our mission today. With more than 65 years of tradition and success, ABC Keystone has grown from advocating for free enterprise to being recognized nationwide as one of ABC’s leading chapters. We are proud to introduce our 2026 Leadership Team and look forward to another year of strong leadership, innovation, and impact.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chair of the Board Steven Kearns
Chair-Elect Ed Engle
James Craft & Son, Inc.
Smucker Company
Secretary Aimée Deraco Brubaker
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1st Vice Chair Jeff Witmer
Pathway Business Advisors
Treasurer Timothy Kershner, CPA Walz Group
2nd Vice Chair Robb Beiler
Wohlsen Construction Company
Immediate Past Chair Guy Kingree, III
Benchmark Construction Co., Inc.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jeff Albright
Corbin Beittel
High Construction Company
Warfel Construction Company
Michael Fiore
Brian Floyd
Leonard S. Fiore, Inc.
MPB Insurance & Risk Management
Anthony Leer
Michael Metz-Topodas
Leer Electric, Inc.
Saul Ewing LLP
Lee Summers
C. Mechanical Services
Jeff Bright
Kevin Eshleman
Ken Funk
John Hykes, II
Offit Kurman
SLC Excavating, LLC
B&B Integrations
Arthur Funk & Sons, Inc.
Patrick Snyder
Peoples Security Bank & Trust
Kevin VanPelt S&T Bank
Stephanie Titus
Keystruct Construction, A Vicocity Company
Jan Wagner
Wagman Construction, Inc.
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Connect with job seekers ready to start their careers in construction! TWO TARGETED SESSIONS: Morning: 9 AM – 12 PM High School Seniors Afternoon: 2 PM – 6 PM Open to All Job Seekers! ABC Keystone Manheim Office
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For more information, contact: Randy Doxzon, Vice President of Workforce & Apprenticeship randy@abckeystone.org
$25 per person –
includes booth space, lunch, and access to interview areas. Don’t miss your chance to recruit motivated candidates and grow your team.
New Employee
WELCOME TO ABC KEYSTONE
A.J. COBIAN
DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER What part of your role are you most excited about? I’m excited to highlight the incredible work happening every day at ABC Keystone, and to share the stories that showcase the impact our members make across the chapter. What is a skill or strength you bring to the team? I bring a strong background in content creation, focusing on storytelling that helps connect audiences to the people, programs, and impact behind the work. What do you hope to contribute to ABC’s mission? I hope to support ABC Keystone’s mission by sharing its story in a way that reaches more people who are thinking about a career in the construction industry. My goal is to support efforts that strengthen workforce development, member engagement, and industry visibility.
Please join us in welcoming A.J. Cobian to the ABC Keystone team as Digital Communications Manager. Before joining ABC Keystone, A.J. spent more than 15 years in the radio broadcasting industry, where he developed a strong background in storytelling, audience engagement, and digital content creation. His career included time as an evening host with iHeartMedia, followed by his role as the popular “A.J. in the Afternoon” on I105 WIOV, where he became a familiar and trusted voice throughout the region.
What drew you to work in the construction industry? I was drawn to the construction industry by the deep pride and camaraderie shared by the people who work in it. There’s something inspiring about being part of an industry where you can look at the world around you and say, “We built that.” What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, volunteering at a nonprofit makerspace, reading, tabletop gaming, and exploring new places.
In his new role at ABC Keystone, A.J. brings that same passion for communication and connection to the construction industry. He will focus on enhancing ABC Keystone’s digital presence and sharing the stories, impact, and opportunities that strengthen our membership, workforce development initiatives, and the merit shop mission. We are excited to welcome A.J. to the team and look forward to the energy and expertise he brings to the organization. 9
BUILD YOUR TEAM WITH ABC Strength Starts With Your Workforce ABC Keystone helps contractors build skilled, compliant workforces through registered apprenticeship. We provide the guidance and support you need to succeed—now and into the future.
Grow and Develop Your Workforce with ABC Keystone.
Create your own workforce through formalized training.
Increase productivity, safety & profits.
Expand your workers' knowledge base.
To learn more about how ABC Keystone can help build your workforce for today and tomorrow contact Randy Doxzon at randy@abckeystone.org.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CHANGES TO ARTICULATION AGREEMENT WITH THADDEUS STEVENS BY: RANDY DOXZON, VP OF WORKFORCE & APPRENTICESHIP
ABC Keystone recently made changes to the articulation agreements we share with educational institutions, and those changes may affect you, as a hiring employer. Keystone offers registered apprenticeships in ten trades. Those who enroll with us come from a variety of educational backgrounds, from no experience to years of field experience. Some bring with them an associate’s degree or certificate in a specific trade. Students who apply to the program who have previous education in the trades are often able to benefit from an articulation agreement. Our articulation agreements are documents that outline the amount of credit provided towards registered apprenticeship for a student who has already taken equivalent education and training. It is important to note that the apprenticeship consists of two key parts: on-thejob learning (OJL) and classroom instruction. These components should be closely aligned throughout the program. Most articulation agreements are reviewed and, if necessary, revamped on an annual basis. In 2025, our agreements with Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology were revamped to include a provision related to on-the-job learning hours. According to the new agreement, “Any student requesting to articulate must be within 2,000 onthe-job learning hours of the level applying for.” This means that, for example, if a student wishes to enroll directly as a year 3 student, they must have accumulated at least 2,000 OJT hours. Typically, most students will have around 4,000 OJL hours at the start of year 3. It is important to note that this requirement does not prevent a student from attempting to test out of a level. However, meeting the OJL hour threshold is necessary for automatic placement in to a higher level.
ABC Keystone Articulation Agreements Adams County Technical Institute Berks County CTC Chambersburg Area High School Chester County IU Commonwealth Charter Academy Connections Work Central PA Institute of Science and Technology Cumberland Perry Area CTC Daniel Boone Area High School Dauphin County Technical School Donegal High School Elizabethtown Area High School Erie High School Greater Altoona CTC Hamburg Area High School Home Builders Institute (HBI) Insight PA Cyber Charter The Janus School Keystone Central CTC Lancaster County CTC Lebanon County CTC Mifflin Co. Academy of Science & Technology North Penn-Mansfield High School Penn College of Technology PA Dept. Corrections/SCIs Pequea Valley High School Reading-Muhlenberg CTC Reach Cyber Charter School School District of Lancaster Spring Grove Area High School Thaddeus Stevens College Warwick School District York County School of Technology
For questions related to this change or any articulation agreements, please contact Randy Doxzon, VP of Workforce and Apprenticeship at randy@abckeystone.org. 11
Professional Perspectives
ASK AN ATTORNEY BY: JEFFREY C. BRIGHT, OFFIT KURMAN
PRACTICAL STEPS TO TAKE WHEN A SCHEDULE OR TIME IMPACT DISPUTE ARISES Construction projects are frequently delayed and take longer than originally anticipated. When a project is delayed, claims often arise for liquidated damages, delays, disruptions, and cost overages. A few practical considerations for where to start, when organizing your time impact dispute. Start with the Schedule Often, litigants immediately send threatening letters about costs, claims, losses, blame, etc.; but, first, it is best to start with a clear understanding of the delay as shown on the schedule. To do so, your project manager, attorney, and any expert consultant should start by reviewing key, fundamental information: 1. Was there a written contract with a completion date or milestone deadlines? 2. Were those deadlines extended by already approved change orders or extensions of time? 3. Did the contract have a baseline schedule? 4. Was the project schedule updated throughout the project? Were there updated as-built schedules (showing the work durations, as actually performed), as well as updated projected schedules for the work yet to be completed? 5. Are the schedules available in the native software format? 6. Are there accompanying schedule narratives? An initial analysis should start with a clear understanding of the schedule itself. Establish why the Project was Delayed Alongside the schedule for as-built and projected work, it is necessary to understand what events, incidents, acts, or omissions are the supposed causes of the delay. Frequently, claimants will identify a list of issues or problems on the project and assert that these caused the delays. That’s a good start. But even better: You should be able to identify a list of time impact events (incidents, acts, or omissions) that are the cause of the delay. And for each event identify how and to what duration/extent it impacted the critical path of the work. Additionally, for each event there should be proof. Text messages and emails are typically very burdensome, inefficient, and sometimes inadequate to show the event. For example, if your work is delayed because a separate trade’s predecessor work is incomplete (or incorrect), it is best to have more documentation than an email. There should be documentation showing the origin, investigation, remedial action, and conclusion of the incident. There should be photographs, daily logs, meeting minutes, RFIs, redesign, and/or change order proposals. For each event you should be able to present a narrative and supporting proof that concisely explains what the event was, and how it impacted the critical path for the work. Establish that Notice of the Event was Issued, and Progress it to a Formal Claim if Necessary Typically, the contract documents differentiate notice of the event as different than a formal claim. Notice of the event is for purposes of addressing the issue. This serves both a legal purpose, as well as a construction purpose—to keep the project moving forward. Most contract documents will require notice to be given with 12
reasonable promptness. This should be a documented written notice, which might accompany an RFI or other documentation, such as a change order proposal. Recognize that notice of the issue should clarify what the issue is and if you believe it will cause additional costs or time. If you only ask for additional costs, or additional time, but not both, you might be waiving your right to full relief. Generally, after the notice of the event has been issued, if the matter has not been resolved through some other means, it is best practice to issue a formal request for equitable adjustment, change order, or invoice, seeking the remedy of additional time, money, or both. It is important to track the costs or delays with precision so that your requested relief is specific, reasonable, and supported by the evidence. If you fail to submit the REA/CO, then, it may be more difficult to obtain relief. Most contracts have deadlines for submitting such requests, and, further, most project players are unimpressed with end-of-project REA/CO, because it is preferred to address these issues while the item is pending and immediate. Most contract documents will then have a “claims process” for transitioning the proposed or rejected
REA/CO to a formal claim. When consulting with your attorney or expert, the quantifications (and supporting proof) for the requested time or compensation should be organized for the most efficient approach to claims handling. To summarize: 1. Start with a clear, organized documentation of the project schedule and deadlines. 2. Prepare organized explanations and proof of the time impact events. 3. Accurately quantify the impact with supporting proof so that the requested time and compensation are based on credible data/evidence. 4. Promptly notice the time impact issue, the request for relief, and, if the request is rejected, the claim. When handling time impact issues on a project, whether that be delays, disruptions, liquidated damages, or related cost overages, it is best to consult with your attorney and experts. By properly organizing, supporting, and noticing requests/claims, the preference is to reach amicable resolutions without the need for lengthy claims processes or litigation.
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11400 LLC
A APR Supply Co. Abacus Sports Installations Ltd. Acrisure Activate Your Influence Acuity Advisors and CPAs, LLP Aero Energy Aerotek, Inc. Alera Group, Formerly Zinn Insurance LLC All Set Tile & Marble Co. Inc. Alleghany Industrial Insulation Co. Allied Mechanical & Electrical American Construction & Concrete, LLC American Insurance Administrators, LLC, an Alera Group Company American Testing Laboratories, Inc. Ameron Construction Co., Inc. Ames Construction, Inc. Arch Insurance Group Associated Products Services, Inc. Atlantic Caisson Corp. Austin Electric B B&B Integrations BCF Group, Inc. B.N. Excavating, Inc. Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP B.J. Baldwin Electrical/Mechanical, Inc. Barley Snyder Beaver Concrete Construction Belfry Builders, LLC Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. Benchmark Site Development, LLC Berg Construction, LLC E.E. Biss Heating & Cooling, Inc. Blank Rome LLP Boger Concrete Company Bortner Bros., Inc. Boyer & Ritter LLC George D. Boyer & Sons, Inc. Martin J. Braun Company, A Fidelity Company Brechbill & Helman Constr. Co., Inc. Brecknock Builders, LLC Broderick's Landscape Contracting, LLC Brooklawn Paving, LLC Jason R. Brown Electric, LLC Brown's Glass 14
B Brubaker L.H. Brubaker Appliances Rufus Brubaker Refrigeration, LLC Builder's Best, LLC Burgard Business Information Group, Inc. Butler Restoration Services C CB Construction Services, Inc. CCS Building Group CMC, Inc. CV Services, Inc. Louis P. Canuso Capital Coating, Inc. Capital Electric Cargas Systems, Inc. Cassel Cedar Electric, Inc. Central Penn Propane, LLC Centre Concrete Company Centurion Construction Group, LLC Cheran, Inc. Clapp Associates, Inc. CLARK, Inc. Clark Contractors, Inc. Clelan Financial Advisors Clelan's Custom Welding, LLC Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall & Furman PC Colonial Electric Supply Commonwealth Fire Protection Co. Conewago Enterprises, Inc. Conewago Manufacturing, LLC Conexus, Inc. Consolidated Medical Services, Inc. Construction Specialties Contractor Benefits Group, LLC COR Construction Services, Inc. CORL Communications, Inc. Crane Rentals, LLC Creative Financial Group Custom Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Cyprium Solutions, Inc. D D&H Electrical Construction, LLC DM Industries, Inc. DMS Safety Consultants D&T Electric, LLC DABMAR Company, Inc.
D Dale Carnegie Mid-Atlantic DanCo Construction, LLC David Miller/Associates, Inc. DeGol Carpet DenTech Industrial DeRock Electric Company Design Data Technology Partners Detwiler Roofing Dolan Construction, Inc. Douple Agency, Inc. Durex Coverings, Inc. E ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC E&G Concrete, Inc. EHD E.K. Services, Inc. ELA Group, Inc. Eagle Rental, Inc. Eagle Wireless Eastern Alliance Insurance Group Easy Does It Drywall, Inc. Ebersole Builders, LLC J.D. Eckman, Inc. Edwards Electric & Telecom, Inc. ElecTech Contracting, Inc. Elite Plumbing Heating & AC, LLC Elkwood Installation Services EMC Insurance Enders Insurance Energy Transfer Solutions, LLC Engles & Fahs, Inc. Ephrata National Bank EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants W.C. Eshenaur and Son, Inc. Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories Everound, LLC F R.F. Fager Co. Fania Roofing The Farfield Company Fidelity Contracting, LLC Leonard S. Fiore, Inc. First Capital Insulation, Inc. First National Bank Flagger Force Flow Mechanical, LLC Forbes & Buchanan, LLC Fraser Advanced Information Systems Frey Lutz Corp., LLC S.M. Fridy Mechanical Contracting, LLC Fritz Fire Protection Company John E. Fullerton, Inc. Fulton Bank Arthur Funk & Sons, Inc. D.H. Funk & Sons LLC
G GDC IT Solutions GM Equipment Corp. Galbraith Commercial & Industrial Construction Garden Spot Electric, Inc. Garden Spot Mechanical, Inc. Garrety Glass, Inc. Garvey Roark, LLC Gas Field Specialists, Inc. Gassert Mechanical & Industrial Insulation, Inc. Glass Mender Mirror & Plate John W. Gleim, Jr., Inc. Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc. Moses B. Glick, LLC D.C. Gohn Associates, Inc. Gooding Group, LLC Goodyear's, LLC Gorski Engineering, Inc Groff's Heating, A/C & Plbg., Inc. John E. Groninger, Inc. Gunn-Mowery, LLC H H2, LLC HC Quality Doors H&H Sales Associates, Inc. HVAC Distributors, Inc. P.C. Haines, Inc. Haller Enterprises Harding-Yost Insurance Harnish Electrical Service, Inc. Hayden Power Group K.S. Heagy Contractor/Property Maintenance, Inc. Hershey Advisors, P.C. Hershey Financial Advisers, LLC Hertzler Electric, Inc. The Hess Agency Hess Auctioneers, LLC C.M. High, Inc. High Mountain Hardware, Inc. Hondru Fleet Horst Construction Co. Hosler Enterprise Houck Services, Inc. Houseal Plumbing J. Hubler Landscaping, Inc. Hummer Turfgrass Systems, Inc.
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H Hursh Painting Co., Inc. Hutchinson Excavating, Inc. I
IDP Consulting, LLC Iddings Electric, Inc. Independent Refrigeration Services, Inc. Indoor City Industrial Caulk & Seal, Inc. IntegrityWorks Coaching Interstate Fleets, Inc. Iron Eagle Excavating, LLC
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J&J Heating & Cooling, Inc. JK Mechanical, Inc. JVI Group, Inc. Jack Frost Construction, Inc. Jackson's Window Shoppe JEM Group, LLC Jericho Group, LLC Jerry's Kitchen Johnston Construction Company Jud Firestone Plumbing, LLC Just Grind it, LLC
K KC Caulking, LLC KH Electric K.L. Tyndale, Inc. Kauffman Kitchens Kautz Construction Co. Keller Equipment Sales, Inc. Kessel Construction, Inc. Keystone Fire and Security Keystone Gun-Krete, LLC Keystone Steel Structures Kilgore Electric, LLC Kinsley Construction, LLC Leo Kob Co., Inc. B.R. Kreider & Son, Inc. Krislee Electric, LLC L
LEW Site Construction, LLC Lancaster County Timber Frames, Inc. Lancaster Electric, Inc. Lancaster Gift Box Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity Lancaster Plumbing and Heating Co., Inc. Landworks Civil Design, LLC LaPorte Painting Inc. Lebanon Valley Electric, Inc. L.S. Lee, Inc. Leer Electric, Inc. Level Edge Construction Lift, Inc. Lincoln Pavement Services, Inc.
M M2 Construction, LLC 16
M MKT Metal Manufacturing MVE Group M&T Bank David M. Maines Assoc. Inc. William S. Malany & Sons, Inc. MARC-Service, Inc. RS Martin / Varner Systems, Inc. Martins Flooring Masonic Villages Matchline Mechanical, LLC McCarty & Son, Inc. H.B. McClure McConkey Insurance & Benefits McCoy Brothers, Inc. McNees Wallace & Nurick, LLC Melendez Contracting, LLC Mervac Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Midline Mechanical, LLC MidState Mechanical & Electrical, LLC Mid-State Paving, LLC Miller Bros. Construction, Inc. Miller Builders' Supply Co. Mister Sparky Electric GR Mitchell, Inc. Modern Art & Plate Glass Co., Inc. Monarch Products Co., Inc. Morgan-Keller Concrete The Motter Agency Murry Management Co. My Safety Lady, LLC MYCO Mechanical, Inc. N Navarro Brothers, LLC B&P Neal Enterprises, Inc. New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc. Nittany Building Specialties, Inc. Nolt Electric, Inc. North Bay Mechanical, LLC North Central Mechanical, Inc. Northeastern Casework Installations Northwest Bank NuTec Design Associates, Inc. O Optimum Controls Corp. P PBCI-Allen Mechanical & Electrical PDQ Industries PSQ, Inc. PA Aggregates and Concrete Association Paradise Energy Solutions Paradise Masonry, LLC Paragon Engineering Services, Inc. Paramount Contracting, Inc. PaulB Hardware Penn State Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
P Penn Stone Pennsy Supply, Inc. Pennsylvania College of Technology Pennsylvania Construction Associates, Inc. Peoples Security Bank & Trust Personal Wealth Advisory, LLC Philips Brothers Electrical Contractors, Inc. PhiVTech Solutions, LLC Pickering Valley Landscape, Inc. Pierson Computing Connection, Inc. Pincus Elevator Company, Inc. M. Potteiger, Inc. Precise Concrete Walls, Inc. Precision Fire Protection Inc. Print-O-Stat, Inc. Pro Max Fence Systems, LLC PROAC Corporation Professional Flooring Systems Proodos Consulting, LLC Protech Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Providence Engineering Provident Financial Services, Ltd. Q Quality Buildings, LLC Quandel Enterprises, LLC R RGS Associates, Inc. RKL R.L. Insulation Co., Inc. Raintree Services, Inc. Real Services, Inc. Ream Roofing Associates, Inc. Recruiting Caddies, LLC Red Rose Cabinetry, Inc. Remco, Inc. Residential Media Systems Ltd. (RMS) Ressler & Mateer, Inc. Restoration Relief, Inc. RETTEW Associates, Inc. Reynolds Restoration Services, Inc. Riley, Inc. Paul Risk Construction RiverLogic Solutions, LLC Rogers Electric, Inc. Rohrer's Quarry, Inc. S
SAA Architects, Inc. SACA/Tec Centro SMR Mechanical, LLC SafetyWorks, Inc. Sahd Metal Recycling Saxton & Stump Lawyers and Consultants Scenic Ridge Company Schaedler Yesco T. Schiefer Contractors, Inc.
S Schlouch Incorporated Scott Electric Richard L. Sensenig Co. Sentry Fire Protection, Inc. Shank Door, LLC Sheet Metal Specialists, LLC Sheetz, Inc. Sidium Solutions, Inc. Silvertip, Inc. Simon Lever Skyworks, LLC Slaymaker Rentals & Supply Co. Donald B. Smith, Inc. Keith D. Smith Concrete Contractor, Inc. Smucker's Energy J.C. Snavely & Sons, Inc. Spangler & Boyer Mechanical, Inc. Speedwell Construction, Inc. Squared Solutions SteelSafe Storage Solutions, LLC Stephenson Equipment, Inc. (SEI) Stief Concrete Work, Inc. Stoltzfus Drywall, LLC EG Stoltzfus Construction, LLC Stonebridge Financial Group Zebby Sulecki, Inc. Summit Service Solutions, Inc. Surface Preparation Technologies, LLC Susquehanna Valley Construction Corp. T T&J Giftland Trophies T2B Commercial Interiors Tabora Painting, LLC Tekrins, Inc. TempChek Mechanical Thermolite, Inc. Ben Thomas Associates, Inc. Top Notch View, LLC Town & Country Electrical, LLC Traditions Bank, A Division of ACNB Bank Transworld Business Advisors Travelers Bond & Specialty Insurance Triad Engineering, Inc. Tri-Boro Materials, Inc. The Tri-M Group, LLC
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Triple Crown Corporation Trout CPA The Tuckey Companies Two Dudes Painting Company
U Univest Bank and Trust Co. Utility Services Group, Inc. V Versatile Crane Rentals, LLC Greg A. Vietri, Inc. Ville Painters, Inc. Vision Mechanical, Inc. Voganville Masonry, LLC W WNC CPAs & Consultants, LLC Wagman Construction, Inc. R.A. Walton & Company, Inc. Walz Group Warfel Construction Company Weaver Superior Walls Weidner Construction Services, LLC Wenrich Painting, Inc. White Rose Interiors, LLC Wickersham Construction and Engineering, Inc. Wile Plumbing, Inc. Wilkinson & Associates, Inc. WILLSCOT Wiring By Wall, Inc./EVO Integration The Witmer Co. The Witmer Group Wohlsen Construction Company Woolford Myer Law, P.C. Wouch, Maloney & Co., LLP Y Yale Electric Supply Co. York P-B Truss, Inc. Yorkaire, Inc. dba The Yorkaire Group J.M. Young & Sons, Inc. Z
Zartman Construction, Inc. Zephyr Aluminum, LLC Zimmerman Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Zook Interiors, LLC
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Committee Update
TECHNOLOGY Building the Future: ABC Keystone’s Technology Committee in Action BY: BEN HOFFERMAN, CPA, CITP, CHIEF CONSTRUCTION OFFICER- RKL eSOLUTIONS
ABC Keystone proactively established a Technology Committee to address emerging needs and opportunities across the construction industry. While the committee recently marked its one-year anniversary, it has already made significant progress and achieved notable milestones. With broad member engagement and guidance from the Keystone Chapter—along with support from the national office through the efforts of leaders such as Randy Doxzon, ABC Keystone's VP of of Workforce & Apprenticeship and Patrick Scarpati, ABC National's Director of Construction Technology and Innovation— the committee successfully launched its annual 2025 Technology Day event. Technology Day delivered an engaging and informative experience for attendees, featuring presentations from industry-leading speakers who shared insights on current technology trends and real-world applications. The event also included a vendor exhibition hall, giving members the opportunity to connect directly with technology providers, discuss specific challenges, and receive tailored solutions. Unlike traditional lecture-style formats, exhibitors focused on meaningful, one-on-one interactions that encouraged deeper discussion and practical takeaways. Looking ahead, the ABC Keystone Technology Committee remains committed to advancing its initiatives. Plans are underway to offer a series of online product knowledge seminars throughout the coming year, ensuring members stay informed on evolving technology. The committee is also preparing for Technology Day 2026, which is expected to deliver expanded opportunities for education and engagement.
Questions for the Technology Committee? Scan the QR code to connect directly with a committee member and get the answers you need.
Getting Involved: Join an ABC Keystone Committee ABC Keystone committees are member-driven and open to individuals who want to get more involved in the association. Members can join a committee by completing the committee interest form on the ABC Keystone website or by contacting ABC Keystone staff. Those interested are also encouraged to attend the 2026 All-Committee Kickoff on Jan. 23, where members can meet committee leaders, learn about opportunities for involvement, and connect with peers.
FREE PUBLIC EVENT
2026 MOCK CRAFT COMPETITION Watch local craft competition winners take on their final timed, hands-on practical exam before advancing to the National Craft Competition in Salt Lake City on March 19. This is an excellent opportunity for members, students, and the community to experience registered apprenticeship trades firsthand. We're excited to gather a large crowd at this FREE public event, matching the impressive turnout seen at the national event!
FEBRUARY 27 February 27 8:00 am - 3:00 pm ABC Keystone 135 Shellyland Road Manheim, PA 17545
ABCKEYSTONE.ORG
Verified STEP Participants As verified by ABC National as of December 2025
Allan Myers Allied Mechanical & Electrical Arthur Funk & Sons, Inc. Assurance Media, LLC B&B Integrations Beaver Concrete Construction Belfry Builders, LLC Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. Berg Construction, LLC Brechbill & Helman Constr. Co., Inc. Brubaker C Mechanical Services C.M. High, Inc. Capital Coating, Inc. CB Construction Services, Inc. CCS Building Group CH+N Site Construction, Inc. Clark Contractors, Inc. Clark Contractors, Inc. CLARK, Inc. CMC, Inc. Commonwealth Fire Protection Co. Conewago Enterprises, Inc. Conewago Manufacturing, LLC D.E. Gemmill, Inc. DeRock Electric Company Detwiler Roofing Dolan Construction, Inc. E.R. Stuebner, Inc. EA Roofing Co.
EA Roofing Co. Easy Does It Drywall, Inc. EG Stoltzfus Construction, LLC Flow Mechanical, LLC Flyway Excavating, Inc. Garrety Glass, Inc. Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc. Gorski Engineering, Inc. Hayden Power Group High Construction Company Hursh Painting Co., Inc. James Craft & Son, Inc. John E. Fullerton, Inc. Johnston Construction Company Kessel Construction, Inc. Keystruct Construction, A Viocity Company Krislee Electric, LLC Lancaster County Timber Frames, Inc. Lebanon Valley Electric, Inc. Leer Electric, Inc. Leo Kob Co., Inc. Leonard S. Fiore, Inc. LEW Site Construction, LLC Martins Flooring MVE Group MYCO Mechanical, Inc. Paramount Contracting, Inc. Pincus Elevator Company, Inc. Poole Anderson Construction, LLC
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Quality Buildings, LLC Quandel Enterprises, LLC Quarry View Building Group RSR Electric, A Viocity Company S&S Structures, Inc. Scenic Ridge Company Schlouch Incorporated Smucker Company Speedwell Construction, Inc. Susquehanna Valley Construction Corp. Tabora Painting, LLC The Tri-M Group, LLC The Tuckey Companies The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company The Witmer Group Town & Country Electrical, LLC Vision Mechanical, Inc. Wagman Construction, Inc. Warfel Construction Company Wenrich Painting, Inc. White Rose Interiors, LLC Wickersham Construction and Engineering, Inc. Wohlsen Construction Company Yoe Construction, Inc. Zartman Construction, Inc. Zebby Sulecki, Inc.
JANUARY
SOUTHEAST REGION EVENTS
1/7
Preconstruction & Estimating Part of the Construction 101 Series
Starts 1/7 Basic Blueprint Reading 1/9
Rough-Terrain Forklift Training
1/9
Inaugural Gala & Annual Meeting 2026 Presented by James Craft & Son, Inc. Yorktowne Hotel, York, PA
SOUTHEAST REGION EVENTS
1/21
HRMA 11: Pay, Benefits, and Other Rewards Part of the Human Resources Management Academy
1/22
Executive Leader Contractor Peer Group
1/22
VitalCog: Suicide Prevention in the Workplace
1/23
All-Committee Kick-off
MEMBER SESSION MEMBER SESSION
Starts 1/12 Dynamic Crew Leadership
Starts 1/27 OSHA 10-Hour Construction
1/13
Discovering Your DiSC Style Part of the Leadership Development Series
Starts 1/27 OSHA 30-Hour Construction
1/13
Construction Estimating Principles and Application
Starts1/27 Medical Gas and Vacuum Piping Systems: Installers Certification Course ASSE 6010
Starts 1/14 Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) Starts 1/14 Reading Construction Documents Starts 1/15 STP: Planning & Scheduling Part of the Superintendent Training Program 1/15
The Power of Emotional Intelligence Part of The Power of People Series
1/20
Leading a Multigenerational Workforce Part of the Leadership 2.0 Series
Starts 1/20 ASHE Healthcare Construction Certificate Workshop
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JANUARY
1/27
Bluebeam® Baseline Basics Part of the Bluebeam Series
1/28
Stop Marketing. Start Communicreating. Part of the Marketing Boot Camp Series
1/29
Bluebeam® Material Takeoffs & Estimates - Basics Part of the Bluebeam Series
1/30
Bluebeam® Materials Takeoffs & Estimates – Advanced Part of the Bluebeam Series
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
FEBRUARY
SOUTHEAST REGION EVENTS
2/3
Bluebeam® Revu for Administrative Professionals Part of the Bluebeam Series
2/4
Economic Outlook Breakfast Presented by Northwest Bank Spooky Nook Sports, Manheim, PA
2/4
Virtual Design & Construction Technology Part of the Construction 101 Series
Starts 2/4 Project Management 2/5
Excavation & Trench Safety for Competent Persons
2/10
Communication is Everything Part of the Leadership Development Series
2/11
Human Resources Contractor Peer Group
2/12
The Power of Motivation Part of The Power of People Series
2/17
Overcoming Incivility in the Workplace Part of the Leadership 2.0 Series
2/18
HRMA 12: Safety, Security, Health & Leaves of Absence Part of the Human Resources Management Academy
2/19
VitalCog: Suicide Prevention in the Workplace
2/20
Fall Protection for Competent Persons
2/25
Social Media Sucks, But It Works: How to Make It Work for You Marketing Boot Camp Series
2/26
Confined Space Entry Operations
2/27
Mock Craft Competition Manheim, PA
MEMBER SESSION
PUBLIC EVENT
23
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Semmel Excavating Inc. Grant Grim, Director of Safety
Hubric Resources Tom Hubric, President
5000 Springside Court Allentown, PA 18104
625 North Park Road Reading, PA 19610
(610) 481-9300
(610) 670-7878
www.semmelexcavating.com
www.hubricresources.com
ggrim@semmelexcavating.com
tom@hubricresources.com Sponsored by: Matt Hartman Wickersham Construction and Engineering, Inc.
Burkhart Excavating Michael Burkhart, Owner | President
Highlander Energy Products, Inc. Cory J. Darr, Safety / Personnel Director
3899 Old Harrisburg Pike Mount Joy, PA 17552
98 South Fraley Street Kane, PA 16735
(717) 898-7805
www.highlanderenergy.com
michael@burkhartexcavating.com
(814) 837-7743
Sponsored by: Rob Beiler Wohlsen Construction Company
cdarr@highlanderenergy.com
Jeremy Nafziger B.N. Excavating, Inc.
Lumber Carli McCulloch Director of Partner Events and Associations
Construction Leadership Network John Lehman, Co-Founder & President
515 Brandywine Drive 526 Bryant Street State College, PA 16801 Palo Alto, CA 94301 (717) 713-7321 (224) 545-2548
www.lumberfi.com carli@lumberfi.com Sponsored by: Aimée Deraco, Brubaker
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www.constructionleaders.org jlehmann@constructionleaders.org
MERIT SHOP PROUD FUNK CONSTRUCTION ANNOUNCES TWO NEW OWNERS, CONTINUING LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP Funk Construction is proud to announce the addition of two new owners: Jessica Kosoff, EIT, Vice President of Construction, and Nathan Fry, Vice President of Preconstruction and Planning. Kosoff and Fry join existing owners Ken Funk, PE, President, and Dave Funk, PE, Vice President, as part of the company’s ongoing succession planning and commitment to leadership excellence. “This is a milestone for Funk Construction,” said Ken Funk, President. “Jess and Nathan have been integral to our success for more than two decades, shaping our company and culture. As we approach a generational transition in leadership, we are confident that Funk Construction’s legacy is in trusted hands with these two dedicated leaders.” Dave Funk, Vice President, added, “At Funk Construction, we have always prioritized mentorship and developing future leaders. Welcoming Jess and Nathan as owners ensures we’ll carry that tradition forward and continue building for generations to come.”
Left to right: David Funk, Nathan Fry, Jessica Kosoff and Ken Funk
Jessica Kosoff, EIT, Vice President of Construction began her career as a project engineer at CRSS, a Jacobs Engineering Company, contributing to the construction of the NOAA Laboratory and Office Facility in Boulder, Colorado. She continued her professional journey in estimating at Alexander Constructors and as a Project Engineer at Barclay White Skanska before joining Funk Construction in 2004. Kosoff holds a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Nathan Fry, Vice President of Preconstruction and Planning has more than 30 years of experience in design and project planning. He started his career in kitchen, bath, and home design before studying Architectural Design at the Thompson Institute, where he also taught for three years. Nathan gained further experience with Crabtree Rohrbaugh Architects and Kaylor Architects and joined Funk Construction in 2005 as a project planner and estimator.
#ABCMeritShopProud
For inclusion in future issues of the Merit Shop Spokesman, please send your press releases to: Rebecca Wolf | rebecca@abckeystone.org (717) 653-8106 25
MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES Congratulations to these members celebrating milestone anniversaries in January 2026! 55 YEARS C Mechanical Services 45 YEARS Monarch Products Co., Inc. 20 YEARS Woolford Myer Law, P.C. 15 YEARS PBCI-Allen Mechanical & Electrical Contractor Benefits Group, LLC 5 YEARS Jones Masonry Restoration Corporation Paragon Engineering Services, Inc. P.C. Haines, Inc. Ressler & Mateer, Inc. 1 YEAR Miller Bros. Construction, Inc. Versatile Crane Rentals, LLC Top Notch View, LLC. Restoration Relief, Inc. Krislee Electric, LLC GDC IT Solutions PA Aggregates and Concrete Association Blank Rome LLP 26 7
2026 C.O.R.E. SPONSORS DIAMOND SPONSOR
SAPPHIRE SPONSOR
PREMIER SPONSORS
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS
Aerotek Assurance Media, LLC Barley Snyder Cargas Systems, Inc. Commonwealth Fire Protection Co.
SILVER SPONSORS Associated Products Services, Inc. Brown Plus D.E. Gemmill, Inc. Fulton Bank Leer Electric, Inc.
EHD Garrety Glass, Inc. Horst Construction Co. Hursh Painting Co., Inc. M. Potteiger, Inc.
Martin's Flooring, Inc. McNees Wallace & Nurick, LLC Poole Anderson Construction, LLC Providence Engineering RKL
S&T Bank Saul Ewing LLP Smucker Company Trout CPA
Paramount Contracting, Inc. Remco Inc. Vision Mechanical, Inc. The Witmer Group
BRONZE SPONSORS David Miller/Associates, Inc. ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC
Want to learn more about C.O.R.E? Visit ABCKEYSTONE.ORG or contact Laura Chanoski at laura@abckeystone.org.
135 Shellyland Road Manheim, PA 17545
2026 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK BREAKFAST Presented by
FEBRUARY 4 | 7 AM - 10 AM KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Anirban Basu
ABC Chief Economist Spooky Nook Sports Manheim, PA
SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE