Merit Shop The
Spokesman A Monthly Publication of ABC Keystone
ABC National's Response to Federal Mandates
3
Times Will Be A'Changin'
20
February • 2022
ABC Keystone Leadership 2022 Executive Committee:
CHAIR of the BOARD – Keith Eldredge, CPA, RKL
CHAIR-ELECT – Steve Conway, Pyramid Construction Services, Inc., a Quandel Enterprises Company
1st VICE CHAIR – John Lehmann, Poole Anderson Construction, LLC 2nd VICE CHAIR – Guy Kingree, Warfel Construction Company SECRETARY – Steven Kearns, James Craft & Son, Inc
TREASURER – Timothy A. Kershner, CPA, Walz Group
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR – Cleo Weaver, Delainco Realty, LLC
2022 Board of Directors:
Robb Beiler, Quality Buildings LLC Jeff Bright, Saxton & Stump Lawyers and Consultants Roger S. Brubaker, Meadow Valley Electric, Inc. Douglas M. Dvorchak, Murray Ed Engle, Smucker Company Joe Finkey, Martin’s Flooring, Inc. 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 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, Wagman 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: Kristi Pronovost Director of Marketing & Communications ABC Keystone kristi@abckeystone.org (717) 653-8106
Connect with ABC on Social Media! @ABCKeystonePA LinkedIn.com/company/abckeystone/ @ABCKeystone @ABCKeystone
Merit Shop The
Spokesman Contents
3 Message from the Chair 5 Message from the President-CEO 6 Celebrate CTE Month! 7 New Members & Anniversaries 8 Young Professionals Spotlight 9 Ask an Attorney 11 Chapter Calendar 14 Apprenticeship at ABC 15 2022 Inaugural Photos 17 All Committee Kick-off Photos 20 Advocacy Update 21 Chapter Member News
ABC Keystone’s Regional Construction Wake-up Calls Winter 2022 Topic:
“Get In the Game!” Why Civic Engagement Matters to Your Business Speaker: David Greineder, Director of Government Affairs, ABC PA
• NE Region, February 16, 7:30 am - Reading • SW Region, February 23, 7:30 am - York
• Lancaster Region, March 1, 7:30 am - Manheim • Capitol Region, March 16, 7:30 am - Camp Hill
For more details and to register, please visit abckeystone.org
STEP
Associated Builders and Contractors
Make
SAFETY a part of your company's
DNA
Start your safety journey today. Visit abc.org/step.
what ABC National is doing about
the Federal Mandates
O
ne of the things I hear from ABC Keystone members is, "What is ABC National doing about the Federal mandates?" I'd like to share a timeline and updates from our National organization. Back in September 2021, ABC National, a steering committee member of the Construction Industry Safety Coalition, sent a letter to the Acting Secretary of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) expressing its concern over the forthcoming COVID-19 vaccination and testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) that would apply to employers with 100 or more employees as a requirement of President Biden’s Path Out of the Pandemic COVID-19 Action Plan. In the letter, ABC pointed out that despite the efforts of a range of stakeholders, vaccine hesitancy remains an ongoing, complicated reality in countless industries. How the ETS was crafted would have significant, lasting impacts by driving workers away from larger firms and disrupting construction projects without raising the vaccination rate. In fact, we heard similar comments from ABC Keystone members when this was discussed with their employees. Several mentioned employees threatening to move to smaller construction firms to avoid the vaccine mandate. ABC National’s key concerns are workforce shortages, employer and employee obligations for vaccinations and testing, paperwork burdens, recordability of adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines, cost of paid-time-off for vaccinations and adverse reactions, and availability of testing kits. As ABC National stated in its letter, “The COVID-19 pandemic has already created and accelerated a host of
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A Message from the Chair
challenges for the construction industry, including a skilled workforce shortage, rising material costs, supply chain disruptions, jobsite shut-downs, additional health and safety protocols and new government regulations. The forthcoming ETS only adds to this long list of concerns.” ABC National's Timeline: November 4, 2021: OSHA issued the ETF. November 9: ABC National and the Alabama Chapter filed a petition against the ETF in the 11th Circuit. The 11th Circuit was chosen based on its make-up and the belief that would lead to a favorable outcome. November 12: The 5th Circuit issued a stay of enforcement, and OSHA suspended activities until further development in the litigation. November 16: Via a lottery system, all challenges to the ETS were consolidated to be heard by the 6th Circuit. November 18: ABC National also filed petitions in support of multiple state suits challenging President Biden’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate for federal contractors in Georgia and Texas. At issue was a concern that federal contractors would not be able to meet the contract terms because of the hesitation of workers to the vaccine mandates. There is no COVID testing option for unvaccinated workers, and it is worrying that these unvaccinated workers might quit, which would unduly burden these employers that already have to deal with workforce shortages. December 7: The U.S District Court for the Southern District of Georgia issued a nationwide preliminary injunction order against the federal contractor vaccine mandate.
As of the writing of this article, the 6th Circuit lifted the stay – meaning they can move forward – on the OSHA COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing ETS. December 20: ABC National appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court for the lifting of the stay. If you are interested in receiving these types of updates from ABC National, you can subscribe to the “ABC Beltway Blueprint” e-mail blast by visiting abc.org/News-Media/ Subscribe. ABC National and the Keystone Chapter monitor many different pieces of legislation and regulations and provide input to help our members, and we both file challenges to ensure members and the construction industry as a whole benefit from the legislation and regulations. Don’t forget, we have a Governor’s race this year, and we need to make sure an individual is elected that will help to promote the merit shop and free enterprise philosophy.
“
ABC National and the Keystone Chapter follow many different legislation and regulations and provide input to help our members.
Keith Eldredge, CPA 2022 Chair of the Board RKL keldredge@rklcpa.com (717) 843-3804
Please consider getting involved.
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For more information: abckeystone.org CindyD@abckeystone.org cindyd@abckeystone.org
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Hear from the President-CEO
Initiative………... Workforce Development! O
ne of the main focuses of ABC Keystone’s new three-year strategic plan is the continued expansion of our workforce development efforts. But first, we first to understand what 'Workforce Development' means. When I ask members for a definition, most say “getting people interested in our industry and then getting them employed." Correct! However, that is just the first half of the concept. The second half is taking those that are already in the industry and continuing to develop them and grow their careers so we can retain them. Let’s look at the first half of the issue - getting people into the industry. ABC Keystone will continue to work with middle and high schools to introduce young people to the many options our industry provides. As part of our new plan, the Keystone Chapter will continue to expand our pre-apprenticeship programs that serve both to introduce our industry and to provide some valuable certifications that can be used as an entry-level employee in our industry. Additionally, we will expand our efforts to work with citizens returning to society following their incarceration. This will take support on the legislative side to remove and reduce barriers to employment, such as obtaining one's driver's license. The legislature appears ripe for these initiatives, as they are looking for ways to make sure one does not end up back in prison. With both pre-apprenticeship and re-entry, we need you, the members, to take advantage of upcoming re-entry education seminars and be open to hiring these employees. While we know you are all looking for people with experience, they don’t exist in the unemployed world. The individuals that we are talking about will make good entry-level employees that are looking to make a career out of construction. If we do not succeed in placing this talent, these programs will fall flat and cease to exist.
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“
The second half of workforce development is the need to continue to develop your existing team. I get calls all of the time from members telling me they have trouble retaining employees. In today’s world, it is not all about wages. While that is important, so are benefits and the mapping out of one’s career path. Remember, we are not selling jobs, we are selling careers. If you are only concerned with filling jobs, I can almost guarantee you will have retention problems down the road. ABC Keystone is here to assist you in all aspects of Workforce Development. Jump on board and create a culture of Careers in Construction where each and every one of your employees can experience the American Dream.
Jump on board and create a culture of Careers in Construction where each and every one of your employees can experience the American Dream.
G. David Sload President-CEO dave@abckeystone.org (717) 653-8106
Celebrating
February 2022
C
areer and Technical Education Month®, or CTE Month®, is "a public awareness campaign that takes place each February to celebrate the value of CTE and the achievements and accomplishments of CTE programs across the country."
What is CTE?1
"Career and technical education, or CTE, is education that directly prepares students for high-wage, high-demand careers. CTE covers many different fields, including health care, information technology, advanced manufacturing, architecture, construction, hospitality, management, and many more. CTE encompasses many different types of education, from classroom learning to certification programs to work-based learning opportunities outside the classroom." The Keystone Chapter celebrates our CTE partners and students pursuing these high-demand careers, including our pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship classes. For more information on ABC Keystone's educational pathways, please reach out to stephanie@abckeystone.org.
1
What is CTE? ACTE. (2021, February 17). Retrieved January 01, 2022, from https://www.acteonline.org/why-cte/what-is-cte/
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Welcome to ABC's Newest Members! Thank you for your support of the merit shop mission!
Best Line Equipment Company Dalton Johnson, Full Line Sales Representative 6700 Allentown Boulevard Harrisburg, PA 17112 ph. (717) 540-7867 djohnson@bestline.com
Brock Associates
Allan Brock, President 180 Bilmar Drive, Suite 2 Pittsburgh, PA 15205 ph. (412) 919-0690 abrock@brock-assoc.com Sponsor: David A. Bieber, M. Potteiger, Inc.
Graphtech
Amy Mehl, Sales Manager/Business Development 1310 Crooked Hill Road, Suite 800 Harrisburg, PA 17110 ph. (717) 238-5751 amy@thinkgraphtech.com
Nexgen Automation, Inc.
Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity
Tim Winters, VP/Principal 4501 Chambers Hill Road Harrisburg, PA 17111 ph. (717) 216-0000 tim.winters@nexgenpa.com Sponsor: Brian Tribbitt, Stonebridge Financial Group
Amy Balestier, Director of Communications 443 Fairview Avenue Lancaster, PA 17603 ph. (717) 392-8836 amyb@llhfh.org
Nexen Construction, LLC
Talent-Corps
Eli Ace, Chief Visionary Offficer/ Senior Sales Executive 4729 S. Eagle Valley Road Julian, PA 16844 ph. (814) 414-3616 eli@nexenconstruction.com Sponsor: John Lehmann, Poole Anderson Construction, LLC
Chris Bair, Market Manager 630 Freedom Business Center Drive King of Prussia, PA 19406 ph. (267) 446-8707 cbair@talent-corps.com Sponsor: Joe Finkey, Martin's Flooring, Inc.
View a searchable membership directory at abckeystone.org!
Download the mobile app at the App Store or Google Play!
Happy Anniversary! 25 Years:
Congratulations to these members celebrating milestone anniversaries in February 2022!
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Myers Building Product Specialists
15 Years:
CCS Building Group 1 Year:
Alternate Construction Concepts Burgard Dewberry Engineers, Inc. Energy Transfer Solutions, LLC Four Walls Construction Co. Lancaster County Timber Frames, Inc. Reynolds Iron Works, Inc.
Young Professionals
Spotlight Meet Katy!
Tell us about the role you play in your organization: I am an associate attorney at Saxton & Stump Lawyers and Consultants, where my practice is (almost) exclusively dedicated to the construction industry. I routinely advise contractors and subcontractors on risk mitigation and general matters related to their operations, including reviewing and revising construction contracts. On occasion, risk mitigation turns into litigation, which I also handle for our clients. Although I started my legal career as an Assistant Public Defender in York County, and I’m no stranger to the courtroom, I strive to reach practical, real-world solutions— even in litigation. At the end of the day, the project must go on!
As a young professional, how has your involvement with ABC Keystone helped you? For more than two years, I participated in networking events and presented educational seminars which have all played a key part in my professional growth. As a member of the Education Committee, I get the opportunity to sit down with a group of industry-focused individuals - all with varying backgrounds and job titles - and hear what is important to them. This gives me new perspectives on the industry and helps me better serve my clients.
What are you looking forward to in the New Year?
As we enter a new year, I am excited to focus more of my practice on helping women and minority entrepreneurs enter the construction industry and connect with contractors. Many public projects require bidders to show how they are supporting women- or minority-owned businesses through contracts or other evidence. Failure to include this information can result in outright rejection of the bid. Moreover, the certification process for women- or minorityowned business status can be cumbersome and confusing.
Katy Landis
“
Attorney Saxton & Stump Lawyers and Consultants ksl@saxtonstump.com ABC Education Committee Member
At the end of the day, the project must go on!
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By: Tom Davies Esq., Harmon & Davies, P.C. | TDavies@h-dlaw.com
Ask an Attorney
With or Without the PRO Act
I
f you are reading this article, which indicates you have some interest in labor law, then you are probably relatively upto-date on legislative developments in Washington D.C. regarding the bill known as the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. Since its fate on a straight up and down vote in Congress was uncertain, President Biden and his Democrat allies put many of the PRO Act provisions in the Build Back Better Act. As of this writing, it does not appear that Build Back Better will win Congressional approval in its present form (thanks to Senators Manchin and Sinema!) Unfortunately, this does not mean that merit shop employers don’t have to worry about dramatic changes in labor law that will be designed to make it easier for unions to organize and harder (and potentially far more costly) for employers to oppose any such efforts. The Democrats now have a 3-2 majority of the members of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and Democrat Jennifer Abruzzo was confirmed as the General Counsel of the NLRB on July 22, 2021. The General Counsel is in a position to control what cases are presented to the fivemember Board for decisions. This gives her the ability to decide whether the Board will have the opportunity to reverse existing case law and to expand remedies for
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violations of the National Labor Relations Act. For much of the past forty years, following the NLRB decision-making process was like watching a tennis match, with decisions on certain major issues often being reversed every eight years or so once a President from one political party had the opportunity to replace Board members from the other party with those of his own choosing. Labor law attorneys have gotten so used to this process that we often have to provide advice to clients contingent upon which political party will control the White House and the Senate (which confirms both the General Counsel and Board members) a year or two later. General Counsel Abruzzo has outlined her agenda in a series of official GC Memoranda as well as through press interviews and even on Twitter. A lengthy GC Memoranda issued on August 12, 2021, identified more than 40 decisions from the last four years that she wants the Board
to “reconsider.” Almost all of these fall in to the “tennis match” category of cases, but she has also expressed a desire to have the Board “reconsider” some precedent which has been considered settled for at least fifty years.
of unemployment and an offer of reinstatement. She has now expressed an intent to seek compensatory damages and front pay (pay for some period into the future.) This could result in a dramatic increase in the costs associated with prosecution of a company by the NLRB.
Since at least 1970, employers have generally been allowed to refuse to recognize a labor union upon demand unless the company knew that the union did, in fact, represent a majority of the employees in an appropriate bargaining unit. In a formal memo and then a series of tweets on September 24, 2021, General Counsel Abruzzo indicated that she was considering urging the Board to resurrect a doctrine first established in the 1949 Joy Silk Mills case which held that it was an unfair labor practice for an employer to decline to recognize a union upon demand unless the company could prove that it had a good faith doubt as to the union’s majority status. This is a standard that might be very difficult for many employers to meet.
These potential actions of the NLRB make it critical that employers understand that there could be dramatic changes in labor law enforcement designed to make union organizing easier even if there are no actual changes to the law made by Congress. As always, ABC Keystone will keep members up to date on any such developments.
Another area where General Counsel Abruzzo is seeking to effectively change existing law is in the area of economic remedies for unlawful terminations, which have traditionally been limited to backpay for the period
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Chapter Calendar - Register Today!
February
2/2 - ABC Human Resources Contractor Peer Group 2/7 - Competent Person for Supported Scaffold Training Starts 2/7 - Dynamic Crew Leadership 2/8 - Communication is Everything! - Part of the Leadership Development Series 2/9 - ABC Keystone’s Economic Outlook Breakfast with Anirban Basu 2/10 - Virtual Design & Construction Technology - Part of the Understanding the Construction Process Series 2/11 - HSI Adult First Aid/CPR/AED 2/15 - Overcoming Incivility in the Workplace Part of the Leadership 2.0 Series 2/16 - ABC Keystone’s Regional Construction Wake-up Call - Northeast Region, RKL, Reading Starts 2/16 - ASHE - Managing Infection Prevention in Health Care Facilities 2/16 - Safety, Security, Health, and Leaves of Absence Management - Part of the Human Resources Management Academy 2/17 - Choose to Be Resilient - A No-Cost Hot Topic Seminar for ABC Keystone Members! 2/18 - Competent Person for Jobsite Safety Inspections 2/21 - HSI Adult First Aid/CPR/AED 2/22 - Mobile Elevating Work Platform (Aerial Lift) Training 2/23 - ABC Keystone’s Regional Construction Wake-up Call - Southwest Region, OSS Health, York 2/24 - Qualified Crane Signal Person and Rigging
Don't Miss ABC Keystone’s Regional Construction Wake-up Calls! Winter 2022 Topic: “Get in the Game!” Why Civic Engagement Matters to Your Business 2/16 – Northeast Region 2/23 – Southwest Region
3/1 – Lancaster Region 3/16 – Capital Region
We Can CUSTOMIZE TRAINING for You! We Strive to Meet Your Unique Training Needs
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March
3/1 - ABC Keystone’s Regional Construction Wake-up Call - Lancaster Region, ABC Keystone 3/2 - Delegating for Results - Part of the Professional Development Series Starts 3/2 - Material Takeoffs from Blueprints Starts 3/3 - Superintendent Training Program (STP) – Leadership and Motivation 3/4 - ABC Keystone’s Apprenticeship Mock Craft Competition - Final Practice Before the 2022 ABC National Craft Competition! 3/7 - OSHA 10-Hour Construction Starts 3/7 - Inspirational Leadership Workshop 3/8 - Attitude Adjustments – Part of the Leadership Development Series Starts 3/8 - Basic Construction Spanish Starts 3/9 - Construction Site Layout 3/10 - C onstruction Risk Management – Part of the Understanding the Construction Process Series 3/10 - ABC Keystone’s Meet the Generals 3/11 - Competent Person for Fall Protection 3/15 - M otivating Fellow Employees - Part of the Leadership 2.0 Series 3/16 - ABC Keystone’s Regional Construction Wake-up Call - Capital Region, Penn Harris Hotel, Camp Hill 3/16 - H R’s Strategic, Operational & Administrative Roles – Part of the Human Resources Management Academy Starts 3/16 - Construction Estimating 3/18 - H SI Adult First Aid/CPR/AED 3/22 - OSHA Recordkeeping Starts 3/22 - Productive Conflict: Communication, Conflict Resolution and Negotiation Skills 3/24 - E lectrical Safety: Protection Requirements from OSHA & NFPA 70E 3/25 - Rough Terrain Forklift Training Starts 3/28 - Productive Conflict: Communication, Conflict Resolution and Negotiation Skills Starts 3/29 - ABC Keystone’s Construction Wars – A Middle School Hands-on Career Exploration Event
Register Online: abckeystone.org CONTACT US TODAY! (717) 653-8106
Barbara Holtzapple (Career Development) Kevin Keith (Safety)
TOP 10
Top Ten Reasons to Train Your Employees 1. 2. 3.
Attract and retain quality people
Develop safer employees
Increase job satisfaction and employee morale
4. Reduce employee turnover 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Decrease the need for supervision
Increase productivity = grow profits Gain a competitive advantage
Prepare for future company leadership
Enhance skills, expand company capabilities and marketability
10. Increase capacity to adopt new technologies and methods
Start Planning Now for ABC Keystone’s 2022 Excellence in Construction Awards! Mark Your Calendars: February 17, 2022: Insider’s Guide to EIC Entries Seminar April 15, 2022: Intent to Submit form due
May 2, 2022: 2022 STEP Applications due*
*STEP membership is a scoring factor in ABC Chapter and National EIC Awards
June 10, 2022: All entry materials due
October 14, 2022: Submit award acceptors
November 10, 2022: Attend the 2022 EIC Awards Gala! For more information, please contact:
Emily Winslow, Director of Events & Sponsorships, ABC Keystone (717) 653-8106 | emily@abckeystone.org
Visit the Awards & Recognition page of abckeystone.org for a complete submission timeline, entry instructional webinar and additional details.
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Exclusively for Specialty Contractors, Architects, Engineers and Site-Designers:
ABC Keystone’s Meet the Generals
Don’t Miss this Chance to Meet Face-to-Face with ABC’s GCs! Thursday, March 10, 2022
2:30 pm - 6:00 pm (2 Rounds)
Register online: abckeystone.org
at ABC Keystone
• Meet one-on-one with multiple general contractors in one afternoon! • Strengthen relationships with 12 industry-leading General Contractors • Gain first-hand information on upcoming projects and bid qualifications
Presenting Sponsor Available!
Sign Up to Sponsor: emily@abckeystone.org
Mock Craft Competition March 4, 2022, at ABC Keystone
ABC Keystone’s Apprenticeship Mock Craft Competition Final Practice Before the 2022 ABC National Craft Competition!
Friday, March 4, 2022 12 noon – 2:00 pm
ABC Keystone 135 Shellyland Road Manheim PA, 17545 Watch ABC Keystone’s National Team showcase their skills as they prepare for the ABC National Craft Competition! Open to the public! Bring your friends & family!
Cheer on the competitors!
Drop in when you can. | No cost to attend.
ABC Keystone’s 2022 National Craft Competition Team:
Michael Harker - Carpentry Wohlsen Construction Company
Jeremy Landis - Electrical Meadow Valley Electric, Inc.
Joe Mazzur - Plumbing Brubaker, Inc.
Andrew Speicher - HVAC W.C. Eshenaur and Son, Inc.
2022 Inaugural Gala for Keith Eldredge, CPA & ABC Keystone's Annual Meeting Friday, January 7, 2022
Congratulations to ABC Keystone's 2022 Leadership! Thank you to our generous sponsors for making this event possible, including our Presenting Sponsor:
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Congratulations! 2021 Chair Award: Guy Kingree
Director of Business Development
Warfel Construction Company
View more photos on Facebook! 16
All Committee
KICKOFF
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Thank you to all committee members!
Safety Committee
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Apprenticeship & Craft Training Committee
Timothy A. Kershner, CPA, Walz Group; Keith Eldredge, CPA, RKL; Steve Conway, Pyramid Construction Services, Inc., a Quandel Enterprises Company; Steven Kearns, James Craft & Son, Inc.
Membership Committee
Young Professionals Committee
Education Committee
Events Committee
Workforce Development Committee
Government Affairs Committee
View more photos on Facebook!
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Learn More Today! Find theLet’s ABC chapter your area. TalkinABC!
Online: www.abc.org/join — Email: members@abc.org Mike Bachman | Director of Membership | mike@abckeystone.org
Advocacy Update By: David G. Greineder, IOM ABC Pennsylvania Director of Government Affairs
The Times Will Be
A-Changin’
T
he new year began with the continued debate and drama of re-districting plans. The legislature has been moving legislation establishing new boundaries of the 17 congressional districts. Not surprisingly, the governor and Democrats have opposed the plan. On the other hand, state House and Senate district boundaries are decided by a fivemember Legislative Reapportionment Commission, which is controlled by Democrats. The maps released by the commission, particularly the House map, are opposed by Republicans. There is still a long way to go, and legal challenges will likely be filed by both sides, which will cause delays. Adding to the confusion, according to the current timeline, candidates seeking office are to circulate petitions starting on February 15 and ending on March 8, unless the legislature moves the primary timeline – which would be a political challenge in and of itself. The open governor’s office and U.S. Senate seat are popular among candidates, and the list grows on a weekly basis. As of mid-January, 15 Republicans are seeking the governor’s office. Attorney General Josh Shapiro is the lone Democrat vying for that seat. For Lt. Governor, there are two Republicans and two Democrats who have officially entered the race. For U.S. Senate, there are 13 Republicans and 14 Democrats running. ABC of Pennsylvania will keep members aware of who’s in and who’s out as we draw closer to the May 17 primary. Along with re-districting and the race to fill open seats, as is typical at the start of an election year, legislators have started to announce their intentions not to seek reelection. Other lawmakers have announced their interest in seeking other offices. At the time of this writing, there are a total of seven legislators not seeking re-election, six Republicans and one Democrat, and 11 that are seeking other offices, five Republicans and six Democrats.
legislative agenda will continue. We will also focus a lot of our attention on political fundraisers to support candidates that align with free enterprise and the merit shop philosophy. In addition, chapter leaders and the ABC of Pennsylvania board will begin to prepare a game plan for 2023 and beyond. No matter what happens, majorities are likely to shrink, which makes our current agenda more difficult. In that regard, I will be asking chapter legislative committees and the state board to think about what issues ABC can engage in that are impactful AND have the votes to pass the legislature. If you have ideas, please pass them along to your chapter’s legislative committee chair or representative on the ABC of Pennsylvania board. I am excited for another fun-filled year and look forward to adding to our list of accomplishments and progress.
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.
What does this mean? Well, for the rest of this year, ABC of Pennsylvania advocacy programming in support of our 16
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#ABCMeritShopProud ABC Keystone Member Acuity Advisors and CPAs Announces Promotions within the Firm
Shane Bennett, CPA has been promoted to Manager within the Firm’s Construction Group. Shane continues the development of Acuity’s construction team, providing Crystal Gibble with strong management support for traditional and compliance solutions both from a team leadership and client service delivery perspective. Kaitlin Fiske has been promoted to Contract Accounting Lead within the Firm. Kaitlin will provide organization and oversight to the firm’s accounting and bookkeeping support services.
Barley Snyder Announces Managing Partner & New Hire
The partnership at law firm Barley Snyder has elected Jeff Lobach to serve another term as Barley Snyder’s managing partner. The managing partner is the firm’s CEO, overseeing operations as well as the long-term planning for the firm. With the latest reelection, Lobach will be Barley Snyder’s longest-serving managing partner. Barley Snyder is also pleased to announce that it has hired Zachary J. Daly as an attorney in its Intellectual Property Practice Group.
Hursh Painting Company, Inc. Announces Retirement of Two Key Employees
Lenny Prange retired in July 2021 after a lifelong career in the painting industry. He spent over 37 of those years at Hursh Painting where he was an integral member of the team, most recently working as Operations Manager and Safety Director. After spending his entire professional career in the residential and commercial painting field, Bob Bachman retired in December 2021. Hursh Painting was honored to have him lead the estimating department for more than 19 years.
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News
Poole Anderson Construction, LLC President Honored As 2021 Outstanding Woman in Construction Finalist
Poole Anderson announced President Stephanie Schmidt has been named as one of nine exceptional female construction leaders nationwide in Construction Business Owner’s Outstanding Women in Construction. Schmidt is the 2022 chair of the board of directors of ABC National. She has been involved in ABC at the local and national levels for more than 20 years.
Saxton & Stump Lawyers and Consultants Annouces Equity Shareholders, Creates Environmental, Workplace Safety Group Saxton & Stump announced that attorneys have been named equity shareholders effective January 1, 2022. Attorney and Pennsylvania lobbyist Kathy Pape, attorney Jeffrey Bright, and attorney Lou Fiorilla have been promoted, recognizing their exceptional work, client service and professional contributions. Attorney Stephen J. Matzura has joined Saxton & Stump as an equity shareholder and will serve as co-chair of the firm’s Environmental, Workplace Safety and Utilities group alongside former senior executive at American Water and Aqua America, Kathy L. Pape. Pape is a practicing attorney, a registered lobbyist and was recently elected equity shareholder of Saxton & Stump. Leveraging their combined 55 years of experience, the team will help businesses and governmental entities navigate the complexities of environmental, health and safety (EHS) issues while pursuing outcomes that are sustainable for their organization, the environment, and their industry at large.
Wagman Construction Announces New President
Wagman Construction, Inc. announces Jan Wagner has joined the general contracting firm as President. He is based out of the company’s corporate headquarters in York, Pa. Wagner has over 25 years of management and leadership experience on diverse types of building construction throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Jan holds degrees in civil engineering and architectural engineering from Drexel
#ABCMeritShopProud University and is very engaged within the community as a member in Rotary Club of York, York College Civil Engineering Advisory Board, the Engineering Society of York, Boy Scouts, and Associated Builders & Contractors.
Whitley East, LLC Delivers a 12,600 sf Permanent Modular Two-Story Private Girls' School
Whitley East, combined with one of their valued NY customers, has provided an 18 pc. modular two-story school building. The building is a permanent school and much anticipated, as this was to have been up and operational in the Fall of 2020 until COVID-19 impacted the timeline. The students had been in a temporary space and will be excited to be in their new home for high-quality learning. Features include a site erected Modular Elevator, two stair towers, multi fixture bathrooms, school staff offices, lunchroom and 10 classrooms.
The Witmer Group Welcomes New Team Members
Jody Valenzo joins The Witmer Group as the Director of Administration. She brings over 27 years of experience in the legal and banking industries. The Witmer Group has also welcomed Brad Nielson as a Project Manager for New Masonry. He brings over six years of experience in the construction industry. Scott Duke joins the team as Director of Business Development. He brings over 31 years of experience in sales and client relationship management. In addition, The Witmer Group welcomed Scott Wiest as the Estimator for New Masonry who brings over 20 years of experience managing commercial construction projects.
H.L. Wiker Adds Two Employees to Ownership Team
H.L. Wiker has added two long-standing employees to its ownership team as part of the 34-year-old company’s succession plan. Kevin Eshleman, vice president of operations, and Blake Murphy, project manager, will be joining President Donna Shoff and Vice President Jeffrey Wiker as owners. Eshleman joined Wiker in 2002 and was recently promoted to vice president of operations where he provides leadership and oversight to field operations and the project management team. Murphy has worked at Wiker since 1997, serving as laborer, survey crew member and estimator before being promoted to project manager in 2018. “The success of our team has always been a direct result of our dedicated team and strong leaders like Kevin and Blake. As we look to the future of our company, expanding our ownership team is an essential and deliberate step in securing the vision and mission set forth by our father, Harold L. Wiker,” said Donna Shoff, president of H.L. Wiker.
Did You Know? You can receive ABC Member logo stickers (hard hat & vehicle) at no cost! Reach out to the Chapter office: (717) 653-8106 or email: kristi@abckeystone.org
For inclusion in future issues of the Merit Shop Spokesman, please send your press releases to: kristi@abckeystone.org
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