FULLY ENGAGED with leadership

In less than 25 days from announcing the meeting to welcoming members to the coast, our team partnered with the Cloister at the Sea Island Resort to host the Fall Leadership Conference with safety protocols front and center. Mornings were devoted to leadership development seminars designed to provide valuable insights and practical tools to enhance leadership effectiveness. Afternoons were reserved for enjoying fellow members or time alone on the golf course, tennis courts or the beach. The event sold out.

from industry professionals looking for ways to connect, YLP modified it from shotgun starts on two courses to five shotgun starts on three courses. They raised more than $71,000 and had the largest participation ever … that is, until they set out to host the May 2021 event. After accommodating 306 golfers just eight months earlier, the May 2021 Golf Classic sold out with over 360 golfers and required 45 holes. The recent Golf Classic raised over $125,000. These proceeds will go directly to the build-out costs for the Community Assistance Center’s food pantry in Sandy Springs. This ambitious project, which is expected to cost over $400,000, will begin in the fall of 2021.

YLP organized virtual events and in-person training on topics like inherent biases and smart practices for personal finance, and hosted panel discussions with seasoned industry leaders who shared lessons learned. They continued networking events, including a friendly game of Whirly Ball and an after hours online trivia happy hour.

YLP continued another of its charitable events with Sporting Clays Fundraiser. The competition is another opportunity for YLP members to network with industry professionals as they provide a treat for clients and employees. This fundraiser, combined with the Golf Classic and other fundraising efforts, has netted almost $1 million for YLP’s charitable outreach over two decades.

The Young Leadership Program Council, led by Chair Brian Cunningham, Vice-Chair Adam Bateman, and Ex-Officio Member Jonathan Barden, decided not to lose a year to pandemic restrictions. The group easily pivoted from previously made plans to adhere to guidance from authorities as they reinvented learning opportunities and social gatherings. They also spent time planning fundraisers to help them support many charitable causes. Together with the social events, professional development program and planning the fundraisers, YLP members were given a chance to put their leadership skills to the test. Everyone was given ample opportunities to get to know each other in both formal and informal settings.

YLP began its 2020-21 year at Skyline Park in Atlanta instead of their traditional Braves game due to the MLB not allowing fans during the 2020 session.

During the height of the pandemic in the spring of 2020, the group reorganized the Golf Classic, their primary fundraiser, postponing it from May 2020 to September 2020. To accommodate the demand

This dynamic group of C-suite professionals and those on the fast track to hold executive positions enjoyed the benefits of having a peer group to navigate through an unprecedented year.

Just like YLP, this group worked hard to overcome obstacles and hosted all three of their coveted leadership retreats. Their overnight programs were at the Omni at the Battery, Chateau Elan and Sea Island. Participants dove into facilitated, open discussions on topics such as financial stewardship, business development and communication best practices.

Enrollment in this program increased nearly 25% from program year 2020 to 2021. While still in its infancy, EA is proving to be a dynamic tool for today’s construction executives with many presidents of member companies enrolled.

EA’s executive team was led this past year by Matt Lee, Sean Moxley, Gretchen Orrin, Calvin Pate, and Casey Pollard. These professionals shared their expertise and passion to help set the program’s course for the next five years through the development of a comprehensive strategic plan.