EDUCATING FOR TOMORROW

When the novel coronavirus started spreading this spring, the deluge of events made our team feel as if we were drinking from a fire hose. We had an enormous amount of information rolling toward us, and all of it seemed to need immediate, in-depth action.

I am pleased to report that our staff and volunteers launched a first-class response. Working remotely, we handled the immediate crisis of our classification as an essential or non-essential industry, and then moved on to analyzing regulatory details that could make or break member businesses during the next few months.

We’ve called members to see how they’re coping and what they need from us. We used the time to update member data – a seemingly endless project that if left neglected has real impact on our ability to share vital information with all of you.

This report will give you information about everything we’re doing. The AGC Georgia team and our colleagues at AGC of America are hard at work on your behalf every day, especially during a crisis like this.

Michael T. Dunham Chief Executive Officer

None of this would have been possible if the AGC Georgia staff wasn’t handling their normal duties with skill. We were able to pivot quickly because we were already in great shape. Programs were humming along. We were actively planning for the future with great direction from our board.

The past few months have not overshadowed the entire year. This report will give you information about everything we’re doing. The AGC Georgia team and our colleagues at AGC of America are hard at work on your behalf every day, especially during a crisis like this.

If you need anything while our communities seek to find a sense of normalcy, please pick up the phone or send an email. Our staff is here to help you.

Best,

When board members took office last June, no one could have predicted how this term would end. In the past few months, our focus has shifted to meet a new threat to our industry and to our communities. However, fighting a virus is not the complete picture of our year. We’ve moved many of our primary initiatives forward significantly this year, and should celebrate all our successes, even those requiring more attention in the coming Board term.

The theme for this annual report is Educating for Tomorrow. AGC Georgia initiatives and programs are grounded in teaching our members how to be successful in their companies and careers. We also educate our many constituents about our industry and the work our member companies do – from workforce development to legislative action to safety initiatives, and all the others.

Our commitment to education is most apparent in the workforce programs we support for students of all ages. We’ve significantly increased participation in our Skills Challenges from students, teachers, counselors, and industry partners. Funding for these five events increased by 59 percent to a total of $205,000. Most importantly, however, we’ve increased interest in construction as a career for high school and college students.

I’m proud that Carroll Daniel Construction’s newly-launched apprenticeship program is one of several programs targeted at young people. As we see our partnership with Lanier Technical College expand in the coming years, I’m excited to help other contractors launch this program in their local technical colleges so more apprentices can contribute to the industry and build rewarding careers.

For those already working in our industry, AGC Georgia’s Young Leadership Program and Executive Alliance continue to educate employees moving into leadership and senior-management roles. We know that to retain the best employees, we must first provide effective education and then challenge our rising stars with new projects. AGC Georgia’s programs provide both, to the benefit of the entire industry.

At the Capitol this year, we championed bills that positively impacted our industry. During the pandemic, we were able to lean on recently passed legislation affecting how inspectors work on our sites. Our efforts this year and in past years helped keep construction working while much of the economy was forced to shut down.

I could continue, but instead, I’ll direct you to the rest of this report, especially the summary of our efforts during the pandemic. AGC Georgia is answering the call to educate at all levels of our industry from elementary school to retirement. I am proud of the work we do and the relationships we build. It has been an honor and privilege to serve you this year.

Best wishes,