Summer/Fall 2022

AGC GEORGIA HITS THE TARGET

WITH NEW BUSINESS PLAN

PLUS:

• You’re Invited!

7-Part Skills Challenge Series

• Social Media Spotlights

• Construction Outlook: Recession or Resurgence?

• Important Dates for Remainder of 2022

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CONSTRUCTION TODAY EORGIA

Read the digital edition of this issue online – and view all past issues! www.gaconstructiontoday-digital.com

8 New Business Plan Sets Course through 2025 for AGC Georgia

Learn about the five pillars that will help guide our future.

10 You’re Invited! 7-Part Skills Challenge Series

An opportunity for your company to shine in front of hundreds of young people.

12 2022-2023

AGC Georgia Board Members

Meet all our innovative industry leaders around the Peach State.

14 Social Media Spotlights

See members and partners serving their communities and industry –and showcasing their involvement with AGC Georgia.

16 Construction Outlook: Recession or Resurgence?

The construction industry in Georgia, following a strong rebound from the initial setbacks caused by the pandemic, appears to be in transition.

17 Mark Your Calendar

There are many opportunities for members to get engaged, grow their professional expertise, learn, and give back to the community.

Account Manager: Heather Greyling

Content: Rachael Ryals

Project Manager: Carlos Santana

Publication Leader: Ryan Griffin

Marketing: Courtney Stec

Advertising Sales: Beverly Grimme, Ken Kepler, Jacqueline McIllwain, Beth Palmer, Marjorie Pedrick, Trevor Perrault, Debbie Phillips, Jason Ruppert, Jason Zawada

Project Administrator: Paige Durban

Layout & Design: Mahender Veer

Cover Design: Mahender Veer

©2022 Naylor, LLC. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the publisher.

PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 2022/GGC-B0222/9145

COVER IMAGE: ISTOCK.COM/WALRUSMAIL

ADDITIONAL PHOTO CREDITS:

TALAJ/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

RAWPIXEL.COM/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

ARTSEEN/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

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When I joined AGC Georgia, I never dreamed that a rural South Georgia contractor would be named as its president. I am incredibly honored and humbled by this opportunity. Following in the footsteps of our friend David Moody is certainly a challenge, but one that I am excited to take on.

Though Georgia’s construction industry has seen its ups and downs over the past few years, I am confident the team at AGC Georgia is the right group of advocates and allies to direct our industry as we continue to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing landscape. With the support of the other 34 Board members from all over the state (see page 12), we will continue to serve as the voice of Georgia’s construction industry and focus on top issues, including workforce development.

When my dad and I founded our company over 30 years ago, we knew how to build buildings and we knew bricks and mortar. However, we didn’t know how to build an organization. That’s what AGC Georgia has done for us, not only through the training they provide, but more so through the relationships and networking that come from being part of this association. When I look back at my company’s time in AGC Georgia, I can see the association’s positive impact at every critical turning point and major milestone. I specifically remember a time in 2008 when Mark Woodall invited me to the state capital to meet with some legislators. I watched as these leaders sought counsel from AGC Georgia on issues that affect our industry and was impressed by the respect that our legislators have for our association. In government affairs, AGC Georgia continues to be an invaluable resource to us all, tirelessly advocating for the betterment of our industry.

It’s no secret that the biggest challenge facing our industry is the lack of a skilled workforce. We will continue to promote and further develop education and safety training alongside our workforce development initiatives. I believe the AGC Georgia Skills Challenge series (see page 10) coupled with the support of Construction

Lyndy Jones President JCI Contractors 2022-2023 President AGC Georgia

Ready are the best paths to reach the next generation and inspire them to pursue careers in construction. I have seen firsthand the impact that our Skills Challenges have on young people and look forward to being a part of the continued momentum of AGC Georgia’s workforce development efforts. If you are not already involved, I challenge your firm to participate in one of our seven regional Skills Challenges.

So, what’s ahead for AGC Georgia? Mr. Moody and our predecessors have done an incredible job leading this organization. We are a financially sound chapter with strong programs in place. I look forward to continued growth as we execute AGC Georgia’s new business plan and welcome our new staff members who will enable our team to provide even better services to our members. You may have heard the saying “A Rising Tide Floats all Ships”. I believe that best describes AGC Georgia. Our association elevates the industry as a whole and makes each of us better contractors. We have a great staff, with Mike and his team consistently doing an excellent job. I look forward to working with them and serving you this upcoming year.

Here’s to a successful year for your firm and AGC Georgia!

It’s no secret that the biggest challenge facing our industry is the lack of a skilled workforce.

NEW BUSINESS PLAN SETS COURSE THROUGH 2025 FOR AGC GEORGIA

As the proud voice of Georgia’s commercial construction industry, earlier this year, AGC Georgia undertook a deliberate and collaborative process to solicit the feedback of the membership, envision the future and define business priorities. We surveyed more than 5,000 individuals, conducted a visioning session with past and present leaders, and hosted two “All Call” virtual Town Halls. We’ve been blown away by your outstanding responses.

value of innovation. Our core competencies are still with us, creating a strong foundation for our work while we examine our goals and actively pursue new ways to attain them. AGC Georgia is taking the time to ask questions, and we aren’t assuming that the “way we’ve always done it” is necessarily the best way forward. Sometimes it is, but sometimes we need to rethink our goals and process.

By Mike Dunham Chief Executive Officer

During the pandemic, we proved that we could adapt to new issues while still focusing on our core competencies. We are proud of how we were successful on so many fronts, which helped members and the industry as a whole.

Now that we’re on the other side of the crisis, we know AGC Georgia and our members have learned the

Following the diverse member input, AGC Georgia conducted an organizational analysis, spent time brainstorming future scenarios and, ultimately, established strategic business goals. The new 2022-2025 Strategic Business Plan was first introduced at our 2022 Annual Convention. It is the foundation that will guide AGC Georgia as we aim to exceed member expectations and increase industry collaboration.

Our plan details our innovative, intentional actions to review how we deliver our services to meet your needs, and expectations. We’re confident you will share our enthusiasm for this new look on the future, knowing that the long-term stability of the association is supporting our work as we support you.

Guided by our core principles of Skill, Integrity and Responsibility, our mission is to be the voice of Georgia’s construction industry, provide valuable member services and promote best construction industry practices. We have identified five pillars that will be woven in with outcomes and measurables specific to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Marketing and Communications, and Data and Metrics.

We’re confident you will share our enthusiasm for this new look on the future, knowing that the long-term stability of the association is supporting our work as we support you.

AGC Georgia 2022-2025 Strategic Business Priorities

Guided by our core principles of Skill, Integrity and Responsibility, our mission is to be the voice of Georgia's constructio n industry, provide valuable member services and promote best construction industry practices.

Throughout these five pillars will be woven outcomes and measurables specific to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Marketing a nd Communications, and Data and Metrics.

Leverage Government

•Navigate changing political landscape

•Increase collaborations to advance industry Engage regulatory bodies and agencies

•Champion state, local procurement & funding

•Prioritize advocacy related to workforce Position organization for greatest political impact

Advance Safety & Human Performance

•Advance training, education opportunities

•Develop best practices & knowledge sharing Increase awareness of mental health crisis

•Increase credibility of human performance measures and outcomes

Amplify Engagement to Maximize Value

•Increase retention and recruitment

•Introduce dedicated member onboarding Engage all members statewide

•Prioritize future leadership development

•Build culture of member input/feedback

As the voice of Georgia’s commercial construction industry, AGC Georgia undertook a deliberate and collaborative process to solicit the feedback of the membership, envision the future, define business priorities, and ensure a relevant future direction. With diverse member input, AGC Georgia conducted an organizational analysis, spent time brainstorming future scenarios and ultimately established strategic business goals and deadlines. With the new 2022-2025 Strategic Business Plan as a foundation, AGC Georgia is poised to exceed its members’ expectations and increase industry collaboration as they build Georgia for the future.

All Member Townhalls & Survey

Future Scenario Brainstorming

SWOT Analysis & Resource Alignment

Our first pillar is to champion and expand workforce development . We will achieve this by increasing awareness of career opportunities, continuing to grow a sustainable pipeline of talent, developing strategic partnerships, expanding training for existing workforce and working with the state’s construction programs, including those at high schools, technical colleges, along with those at universities.

In addition, AGC Georgia will further leverage government affairs throughout the state . This will be achieved through navigating the changing political landscape, increasing collaborations to advance our industry, engaging regulatory bodies and agencies, championing state, local procurement and funding, prioritizing advocacy related to the workforce, and positioning our organization for the greatest political impact. Georgia always has room for improvement that will allow the industry to thrive and grow with our outreach.

Our next pillar is devoted to advancing safety and human performance. Our plan to grow this initiative will be reached by optimizing training and education opportunities, developing best practices and knowledge sharing, increasing awareness of mental health crises, and increasing the credibility of human performance measures and outcomes. This has been improved throughout the years with our training opportunities. We will continue to lift our members as not only industry professionals, but also as individuals.

Strategic Tactics & Measurables

Next, our fourth pillar is to amplify engagement to maximize value . We will maximize value by increasing retention and recruitment, introducing dedicated member onboarding, engaging all members statewide, prioritizing future leadership development and building a culture of member input/feedback. Our members are extremely passionate about improving the state’s construction industry, which we want to instill in our engagement as well.

Finally, we are dedicated to pursuing organizational excellence. We will develop succession plans, provide professional development, implement process and workflow, and evaluate current offerings. This excellence will be reflected in all our efforts both internally and externally with our valued members. ■

LEARN MORE

Over the next few months, our team will continue to develop the action steps associated with each of the five pillars and set out to work toward enhancing our service level afforded to all members. We want your input and involvement. If you are open for a conversation on parts of this Business Plan that are of interest to you, I’d love to connect. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at 678-298-4120 or dunham@agcga.org.

YOU’RE

INVITED!

7-Part Skills Challenge Series begins October 25

The AGC Georgia Skills Challenge series has been an incredible asset for our member organizations with more than 1,900 student competitors and student observers from 80 schools attending the competitions just last year in Augusta, Cedartown, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Moultrie and Statesboro.

With the increase in participation and interest from member organizations, AGC Georgia is proud to share information about the series so even

Metro Atlanta Skills Challenge

more firms can benefit from this impressive showing of young talent! Both competitors and student observers want to learn more about careers with your firm! Use this incredible opportunity to make your company shine in front of hundreds of young people.

These annual events are held in the fourth quarter of each calendar year to prepare students for the regional SkillsUSA events that are held in January and February.

www.agcga.org/MetroATLSkills

Host Contractor: Brasfield & Gorrie

October 25, 2022, at 8:30 a.m.

Cobb County Civic Center in Marietta

Student Competitions:

• Blueprint Reading

• Carpentry

• Electrical

• Fine Furniture/ Woodworking

• HVACR

• Masonry

• Plumbing

• Welding

Contact: Nicole Long: nlong@brasfieldgorrie.com.

Sponsorships begin at $500 and include exhibit space.

Winners of the regional events move on to the state SkillsUSA competitions held each March at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

To learn more about how to donate materials, serve as a competition judge, contribute as a sponsor or many other ways to volunteer, please visit a region’s website shown below for details, reach out to host contractor regional points of contact or call AGC Georgia at 678-298-4100. ■

Northeast Georgia Skills Challenge

www.agcga.org/NESkills

Host Contractor: Carroll Daniel Construction Co.

October 26, 2022, at 8:30 a.m.

Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center in Gainesville

Student Competitions:

• Blueprint Reading

• Broadcast News Production

• Cabinet Making

• Carpentry

• Construction

Career Displays

• Electrical

• HVAC

• Masonry

• Plumbing

• Team Build

• Welding

Contact: Kara Tate: ktate@carrolldaniel.com.

Sponsorships begin at $1,000 and include exhibit space.

www.agcga.org/CGSkills

Host Contractor: Sheridan Construction

October 27, 2022, at 8:30 a.m.

State Farmers Market in Macon

Student Competitions:

• Blueprint Reading

• Carpentry

• Electrical

www.agcga.org/SESkills

Host Contractors: Ace Electric, Inc.; Choate Construction Co.; and West Construction Co.

November 2, 2022, at 8:30 a.m.

• Masonry

• Plumbing

• Roofing

• Welding

Contact: Steve Bell: sbell@sheridanconstruction.com.

Sponsorships begin at $1,000 and include exhibit space.

www.agcga.org/SSWSkills

Host Contractor: JCI Contractors

November 8, 2022, at 8:30 a.m.

Sunbelt AG Expo in Moultrie

Student Competitions:

• Blueprint Reading

• Carpentry

• Electrical

• Masonry

• Plumbing

• Team Build

• Welding

Contact: Ashby Autry: aautry@jcicontractors.com.

Sponsorships begin at $500 and include exhibit space.

www.agcga.org/EGSKills

Bulloch County Agricultural Complex in Statesboro

Student Competitions:

• Blueprint Reading

• Carpentry

• Electrical

• Masonry

• Plumbing

• Roofing

• Tile Setting

• Welding

Contact: Jada Taylor: jada.taylor@aceelectric.net.

Sponsorships begin at $250 and include exhibit space.

www.agcga.org/NWSkills

Host Contractor: Duffey Southeast, Inc.

November 10, 2022, at 8:30 a.m.

Coosa Valley Fairgrounds in Rome

Student Competitions:

• Blueprint Reading

• Carpentry

• Electrical

• Masonry

• Plumbing

• Team Build

• Welding

Contact: Marshall Jones: mjones@duffeyse.com.

Sponsorships begin at $500 and include exhibit space.

Host Contractors: R. W. Allen Construction and GoldMech

November 17, 2022, at 8:30 a.m.

Georgia Carolina State Fair in Augusta

Student Competitions:

• Carpentry

• Electrical

• Masonry

• Plumbing

• Sheet Metal

• Welding

Contact: Laura Bell: lbell@rwallen.com.

Sponsorships begin at $500 and include exhibit space.

Central Georgia Skills Challenge

Northwest Georgia Skills Challenge

South+Southwest Georgia Skills Challenge

East Georgia Skills Challenge

Southeast Georgia Skills Challenge

BOARD MEMBERS 2022-2023 AGC GEORGIA

The AGC Georgia Board of Directors is a direct reflection of the diverse construction markets and its innovative industry leaders around the Peach State. Our association’s officers and team members work hand-in-hand

Officers

with members serving as directors on our Board to navigate the current issues facing the construction industry. As we grow AGC Georgia’s voice through our advocacy efforts, we help our state’s legislative leaders and policy

makers understand our industry, its economic impact and our business owners’ key issues.

We are grateful for the expertise of the following industry leaders serving on the 2022-2023 Board of Directors. ■

Dan Baker Duffey Southeast, Inc. Cedartown

Scott Clark, RW Allen Construction, Augusta

Wes Cobb, Jerry L. Johnson & Associates, Inc. Morrow

Trey Anderson Anderson Construction Co. Fort Gaines

Dave Cyr Parrish Construction Group Inc., Perry

Ryce Elliott Benning Construction Co. Atlanta

Charlie Garbutt Garbutt Construction Co. Dublin

Tom Crymes Tomco Construction Newnan

If you have an interest in volunteering with AGC Georgia on a taskforce, a committee, a shared interest group or want to learn more about getting engaged at the Board level, please connect with our team at 678-298-4100.

Tom Hall, Dublin Construction Co., Inc., Dublin

Michael Heisey RA-LIN, Carrollton

Jennifer Horton Collins and Arnold Construction Co. LLC, Atlanta

Randy Hall, Batson-Cook Co. Atlanta

Jane Marie Kinsey, McKnight Construction Co. Inc., Augusta

Scott Lawrence, McCarthy Building

Beth Lowry, Holder Construction Co., Atlanta

Darrin Kines, Duffey Southeast Inc., Cedartown

Dave Moody, C. D. Moody Construction Co., Lithonia

Sean Moxley, Garbutt Yasmine Murray

John Martin, RW Allen Construction, Augusta

Keith Redding, R. K. Redding Construction, Inc., Bremen

Gretchen Orrin, Athena Construction Group, Inc., College Park

Jeff Stiner, Kajima Building & Doug Tabeling, Carroll Daniel Construction Co., Gainesville

Eddie West, A. West Enterprise, Albany

Kyle Wood, JE Dunn Construction, Atlanta Robert Yarbrough Surety South, LLC, Atlanta

Matt West West Construction Co., Savannah

SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHTS

We are extremely proud to have members tag us on their social outlets to brag about their employees’ accomplishments and participation in AGC Georgia! Keep the tags coming, and we’ll try to spotlight your posts in the future!

Twitter @AGCGA

Facebook @AGCofGeorgia

LinkedIn @Associated General Contractors of Georgia

Instagram @agcgeorgia

CONSTRUCTION OUTLOOK: RECESSION OR RESURGENCE?

By Ken Simonson Chief Economist AGC of America

The construction industry in Georgia, following a strong rebound from the initial setbacks caused by the pandemic, appears to be in transition. Nonresidential activity is picking up on several fronts, while residential construction and interest-rate sensitive segments face a slowdown that could turn into a slump.

The pandemic was not as devastating for construction employment in Georgia as it was in much of the nation. Seasonally adjusted construction employment in the Peach State decreased by less than 6% between February and April 2020, less than half as steep a decline as the national drop off. (Seasonal adjustment is a statistical technique to remove the influence of regularly occurring weather or holiday patterns.) And, Georgia had regained all of the lost jobs by late 2021, unlike many states. However, employment tailed off in early 2022. The industry fell back below the pre-pandemic high point between January and April, shedding 6,200 positions, with little net change since then.

The situation varies around the state. In the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell metro area, which accounts for about two-thirds of the state’s construction jobs, as well as Savannah, industry employment has consistently matched or topped year-earlier levels. In contrast, the state’s second-largest market for construction, the Augusta metro area, has experienced an 8% decline in construction employment in the past three years.

Although there is no public state-level data that tracks construction activity by project type, Georgia appears to be faring well. The state has snagged two major electric vehicle plants that will generate additional projects. The port of Savannah continues to expand and add related warehouse and transportation investments. Georgia’s population growth rate of 0.7% from July 2020 to July 2021 greatly outpaced the U.S. rate of 0.1%, promising more demand for housing, schools, and other structures.

As others do around the nation, Georgia contractors face multiple

challenges. The cost of materials and services used in construction rose much faster, until recently, than contractors’ bid prices, putting huge pressure on profit margins. While some materials, such as lumber, steel, and copper products, have recently declined in price, prices have continued to rise for other items, including gypsum, glass, and concrete products. Shortages and allocations remain troublesome.

Finding enough qualified workers has been an even bigger problem for many firms. In July, the U.S. unemployment rate for jobseekers with construction experience was 3.5%, close to an all-time low. The situation is even more acute in Georgia, where the all-industry unemployment rate hit a record low of 2.9% in July.

In short, the outlook for construction – in Georgia even more than nationally – remains positive overall. But not all types of construction or locations will thrive in the next year. And contractors with projects aplenty will have to price them carefully and work hard to find and keep the employees they’ll need.

The AGC Georgia team is excited to offer a variety of opportunities for members to get engaged, grow their professional expertise, learn and share best practices, and give back to the community.

While final details are still being planned for some of the below opportunities, thus they aren’t open for registration, a majority of these events and learning opportunities have more details available on our website under the Calendar at www.agcga.org.

If you need more details, please connect with a team member by calling 678-298-4100.

Note: V = virtual; H = hybrid.

October 3

*Represents AGC Georgia member firms