FIREWOOD GIVEAWAY

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT FIREWOOD GIVEAWAY

MEMBERS EFFORTS KEEP COMMUNITY WARM

As the snow started to fall and turn into “snowmageddon” last month, BIAW and MBA of King and Snohomish Counties members Joseph and Melissa Irons of Irons Brothers Construction, realized they had plenty of seasoned and split firewood to share. Back in 2018, potential hazard issues with power lines forced them to have several trees cut, split, and prepared for use in the upcoming winter months.

Fast forward to February 2019 and the record-setting snow fall (and power outages), Joseph and Melissa felt it necessary to offer a free firewood giveaway—aptly named—Operation Kindle to the Shoreline community.

Irons Brothers’ staff moved into gear, getting the word out about the free giveaway by posting online to Nextdoor and Buy Nothing Project websites.

Boy, did the word get out! Volunteers consisting of Irons Brothers’ staff and community members helped load more than ten cords of wood to over two-dozen residents within a three-hour period.

As if they had foresight, that very night Shoreline and the surrounding areas lost power. Joseph, Melissa, and staff felt it was a blessing they could help take part in keeping their neighbors and community warm!

HEALTH CARE CORNER HEART HEALTH

We all know being active and eating well is important for staying healthy. But, did you know that just sitting too much may have a negative effect on your heart health?

According to study results published in The New York Times, sitting for at least 10 hours a day may be linked to high troponin levels, which may have a negative effect on your cardiac health. Troponin is found in cells in your heart muscle. When these cells are injured—most often because the heart isn’t getting enough oxygen and nutrients—they can release troponin and other substances into the blood.

So what can you do to stay heart healthy* even if your job requires you to be at a desk all day?

Walk during your lunch break—getting away from your desk in the middle of the day for a walk will not only elevate your heart rate, it will probably elevate your mood as well.

Take the stairs— walking up even one or two flights of stairs a day can make a difference in your cardiovascular health over time.

Stand at your desk—try getting a desk that converts from sitting to standing or simply stand while you are on the phone—over the course of the day, you’ll significantly decrease your time spent sitting. Change your commute—consider walking, running, or biking to work, even a few times a week, to increase your active time and for a nice change of scenery.

There are lots of great ways to integrate simple, healthy choices in to your work day. The team at CBS Benefits, BIAW’s Health Insurance program administrator, is available to help BIAW members access the best healthcare at the best possible price.

If you haven’t looked in to the benefits the BIAW Health Insurance program, now is the perfect time!

Contact CBS Benefits at (425) 641-8093 or online at BIAWHealthTrust.com. *This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your physician before starting an exercise program or if you have any questions regarding a medical condition.

//BUILDING INSIGHT | BIAW.COM CONTENTS //

// FIREWOOD GIVEAWAY 2

// THE COST OF REGULATION 5

// PURSUE EXCELLENCE 7

// WE TAKE THE HASSLE OUT 12

// HIRST FIX UPDATE 15

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

BECOME A MERLIN

Mentors’ guidance for startups: priceless 4

// WE’RE HIRING 16

EVP VIEWPOINT

CALL TO ACTION

BIAW members needed to help fight barrage of bad bills 6

On the Cover: BIAW President Rick Hjelm delivers a “red tag” to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The message? “STOP WORK” immediately on proposed legislation that will increase the cost of housing. WHO WE ARE

The Building Industry Association of Washington is the state’s largest trade association and represents nearly 8,000 member companies in the home building industry.

Known as the “Champions of Affordable Housing,” BIAW is dedicated to ensuring and enhancing the vitality of the building industry for the benefit of its members and the housing needs of citizens.

2019 SENIOR OFFICERS

President

Rick Hjelm, CGR MBA of Pierce County

First Vice President

Sherry Schwab MBA of King & Snohomish Counties

Second Vice President

Chris Lockhart MBA of Pierce County

Treasurer

Tracy Doriot BIA of Clark County

Secretary

LouAnne Neill HBA of Tri-Cities

Immediate Past President

Kevin Russell, CGP North Peninsula Building Association

BIAW STAFF Executive Vice President Greg Lane Government Affairs Director Jan Himebaugh General Counsel Jackson Maynard Administrative Services Director Jan Rohila

R.O.I.I.® Select Program Director Mark Shaffer

Communications & Public Relations Director Jennifer Spall

CONTACT THE EDITORIAL STAFF Want to submit an article for publication? Have a story tip or suggestion? For consideration, please email

communications@biaw.com

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE BECOME A MERLIN MENTOR’S GUIDANCE FOR START UPS: PRICELESS

Several years ago, I attended a conference where the main speaker said something that I’ve never forgotten. He related how his octogenarian friend told him, “Jim, everyone needs a Merlin.” I remember thinking, ‘what’s that supposed to mean?’ I recall learning about the mythical figure Merlin with King Arthur’s court in high school, but that was all I could remember. With my interest now piqued, I paid close attention to the rest of his presen// RICK HJELM tation. It wasn’t until he finished that I finally understood what his PRESIDENT elderly friend meant. He had an influential mentor like Merlin early on.

When I started my business in December of 1978, I was naive in what I really needed to know in how to run a construction company. Nonetheless, I forged ahead with what knowledge and skills I did have, along with the drive and attitude to succeed. Failure wasn’t in the cards. Thankfully, an elderly friend, my Merlin, took me under his wing and was my mentor through those critical years of make-it-or-break-it for startup companies. During one of those teaching moments he laid out a simple plan, little did I know, it would set the early foundation for what has been a successful 40 years. His lesson was this, “If you want to succeed at what you do best, hire the best to do what you don’t do best.”

He also told me I was going to need the following:

#1: A Good Banker

Not just any banker, but one who cares about you personally, your business and your success. They need to be a team player who understands your business and sees your financial needs before you do. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice and too proud to listen. For this to work, you’ll have to develop a relationship of trust on both sides. Once that trust is earned, guard it with your life and never do or say anything to compromise it.

#2: A Good Accountant

Not just any accountant, but one who understand the idiosyncrasies of the construction industry. They need to know your style of business and assist you as needed to create and maintain a good bookkeeping system. They also need to care about your success and mentor you through the ever-changing web of tax laws and reporting requirements. Do as they say and don’t be lazy and get behind. When the Tax Man calls, and he will call, having a good accountant is priceless!

#3: A Good Attorney

Regardless how hard you work and how honest you are in dealing with your staff, clients, subs, and suppliers, something will inevitably go wrong. Having a good relationship with someone who deals with legal issues on a daily basis will lift the heavy burdens you’ll encounter when you feel like the whole His lesson was this: “If you want to succeed world is about to collapse around you. “The final lesson is to go out there and find these people, and when you do, let them do at what you do best, hire their jobs. Do your homework and hire a team the best to do what you don’t do best.” that will allow you to spend your time doing what you do best knowing you can comfortably be rest assured they will have your back,” said my Merlin. Since that initial lesson, I quickly learned I

See MERLIN on page 14 //