PILLAR AWARDS 2025 RECAP
The Pillar Awards 2025 was an unforgettable event that brought together the brightest minds, the most influential leaders, and the most groundbreaking projects in the construction industry
This year, we made history by setting a new attendance record, reaffirming the strength and unity of our construction community. From the dynamic Construction Expo, where professionals forged meaningful connections, to the insightful breakout sessions that equipped attendees with valuable knowledge, every moment was a testament to the growth and innovation in our industry.
Networking That Builds the Future
The Construction Expo proved once again to be a powerful platform for meaningful connections. We are incredibly proud of the relationships that were formed partnerships that will drive innovation and growth in the industry for years to come Whether through exhibitor booths, networking lounges, or informal conversations, professionals at every level found opportunities to exchange ideas, discover new solutions, and create lasting business relationships
Breakout Sessions: Knowledge to Empower the Industry
We had the privilege of hosting some of the most insightful breakout sessions to date, featuring industry experts and influential leaders who provided valuable perspectives on the challenges and opportunities ahead. From immigration updates and workforce development to upcoming project opportunities and the rise of AI in construction, these sessions equipped attendees with the knowledge and strategies to navigate the evolving landscape of the industry. The discussions were not only informative but actionable, offering real-world solutions that will have a lasting impact on businesses and professionals alike.
Honoring Excellence: Special Recognitions & Award Recipients
Finally, the highlight of the evening the Pillar Awards 2025 Ceremony recognized the best of the best in construction There is no greater honor than celebrating those who exemplify perseverance, vision, and an unwavering commitment to progress:
Petrina Bonnick-Higgins - City of Grand Prairie
Yessenia Garcia - NTD Mechanical
Juan Carlos “J.C” Gonzalez - Wells Fargo Picasso Contractors, LLC.
Texas Instrument (TI) SM1 Manufacturing Facility
Parking Garage - Texas Instruments, Azteca Omega, and Austin Commercial
These individuals are not just leaders in their fields; they are architects of the future, shaping the industry through their dedication, expertise, and groundbreaking achievements
Thank You for Being Part of This Historic Event!
We extend our deepest gratitude to all who attended, supported, and contributed to making this event a resounding success. The connections made, the knowledge shared, and the achievements celebrated at Pillar Awards 2025 are a testament to the strength and unity of our construction community.
Stay connected with the RHCA to continue being part of transformational events that inspire growth, innovation, and leadership in the construction industry.
Relive the Moments!
We invite you to revisit the highlights and celebrate the success of Pillar Awards 2025 by exploring our full event gallery on our website. See the moments that made this event truly special and relive the connections, insights, and celebrations that define the future of our industry
Houston HoustonLuncheon Luncheon
AGENDA
10:30AM
ExhibitorSetup seeexhibitorsbelow 10:45AM Registration & ExpoOpens 11:45AM Luncheon MayorPresents HoustonEconomicOutlook
JessicaDelGreco FosteringanInclusive& CompetitiveEconomy
JohnHMartínez-D StateoftheRHCA 1:30PM
Phase10:PreliminaryFinalStages
As we approach the final stages of our project, the RHCA Headquarters has made significant advancements toward total completion. The exterior of the building has seen considerable progress, including the major completion of the Fire LIne tie-in, Hydrostatic Pressure test, irrigation system, paint touch-ups and a final punch list walk-through. The RHCA commends MPO Solutions, Alliance Architects, and Total Team Construction for helping bring the RHCA’s vision to life in this building, and we appreciate the quality of their work as we see the project come together
Exterior Site Developments
During the month of February, the installation of the irrigation system for the new northern front gardens and the trees and shrubs in the eastern parking lot commenced This installation includes six distinct zones, newly implemented double-check valves, and Wi-Fi adjustable controls for enhanced oversight. Furthermore, RHCA has integrated a newly installed cedar wood fence along the southern perimeter of the parking lot to enhance separation from the adjacent neighborhood alley. The connection of the new gas line to the building has been successfully completed by ATMOS
Interior Punch List
On February 25th, a collaborative team comprising RHCA, MPO Solutions, Alliance Architects, and Total Team
Construction executed a final punch list walkthrough. This crucial process ensures that every detail conforms to established quality standards prior to the project's completion. During this assessment, our team, in conjunction with key stakeholders, systematically reviewed all areas to confirm that finishes, fixtures, and systems are fully operational and compliant with project specifications specifications
Building Together: Diversity and Growth in our Project Team
A total of 265 subcontractors have successfully completed Fall Protection training through the RHCA to safely work on our project to date. We take great pride in striving for a safer work environment, prioritizing our contractors' safety above all else. Additionally, 29 RHCA members participated in the project, emphasizing that equal opportunity is crucial to the RHCA. This project has involved representation from 12 minority-owned businesses, including 4 women-owned businesses, fostering collaboration with underrepresented groups within the construction industry.
Collectively, we are dedicated to constructing buildings and a community that not only enhances our workforce but also improves the projects we undertake
EndsMarch 10,2025
RHCA GOLF CLASSIC
RHCAWORKFORCE TRAININGPROGRAM CONSTRUCTION
IntroductiontoBasicConstructionSkills, preparingindividualswithreal-world constructionhands-ontraining.
ThisNationalcertificationisthe fundamentalbuildingblocktoboostyour careerwithintheconstructionindustry.
Cohort1-English
Fridays
8:00a.m.to4:30p.m.
Startdate:March28th
Enddate:June6th
Cohort2-Spanish
Fridays
8:00a.m.to4:30p.m.
Startdate:March28th
Enddate:June6th
Thiscertificationprogramhasbeencraftedtodeliverthe
forConstructionEducationandResearch),pavingthewayforparticipantstoacquireanationally recognizedcertification.
Safetyfirst...Everythingfollows
THE RHCA SAFETY COUNCIL OFFERS
FREE TRAINING ACROSS TEXAS.
This program, sponsored by the Susan Harwood Grant and conducted with local safety experts, covers essential aspects such as identifying fall hazards, prevention strategies, and rescue procedures
APPLYTODAY
BENEFITS
Reduced severity of injuries, even in the event of a fall Cost Savings by avoiding lost productivity, medical expenses in case of accidents, and potential legal fees
March 14 March 14
DALLAS
RHCATrainingCenter 2210WIllinoisAveDallas, TX75224
English: 8:00am–10:00am
Check-in:7:30am RegistrationHere
Spanish: 1:00pm–3:00pm
Check-in12:30pm RegistrationHere
HOUSTON
7047HarrisburgBlvd, Houston,TX77011
English: 8:00am–10:00am
Check-in:7:30am RegistrationHere
Spanish: 1:00pm–3:00pm Check-in12:30pm RegistrationHere
March 28
FORTWORTH
1150SouthFreeway,Fort Worth,TX76104
English: 8:00am–10:00am
Check-in:7:30am RegistrationHere
Spanish: 1:00pm–3:00pm Check-in12:30pm RegistrationHere
Constructing a Legacy RHCA AND TMAMT UNITE TO BUILD A HOME FOR MEXICAN AMERICAN HISTORY IN TEXAS
Be part of history: Join RHCA in supporting the Mexican American Museum of Texas (TMAMT) to honor the essential role of Mexican Americans in building Texas. Your donation helps to preserve this legacy and shape the future
THE MEXICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM OF TEXAS
BUILDING TEXAS TOGETHER
TheMexicanAmericanMuseumofTexas (TMAMT)isthefirstofitskindinthestateand isdedicatedsolelytotheMexicanAmerican experiencewithinthestate'suniquecultural regions.
Thank You
Yourgenerousdonationwillgodirectlytofundthe constructionofthenewmuseumandpreserveTexas’ richMexicanAmericanhistoryandculture.
MAKEA DONATIONHERE
Meet the TMAMT
TMAMT Founding Board Members
John H Martinez, Juanita H Nañez, Gustavo N Hinojosa
Two $20,000 Scholarships Are Awarded to one Hispanic Male and one Hispanic Female!
CRITERIA
Latino or Hispanic heritage as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau required.
Must graduate from a high school in Dallas/Fort Worth/Houston/Austin/San Antonio/Corpus Christi/El Paso areas.
Intend to major in construction or a related field. Eligible candidates include high school seniors or community college transfers.
Texas residency is required for tuition purposes. Must demonstrate financial need.
High school students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
College students need a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Plan to enroll full-time at a not-for-profit four-year university in the fall.
Declare a major in Building Construction, Project Management, or related field.
Must be a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Legal Resident, DACA, or an eligible non-citizen as per FAFSA.
Complete the FAFSA or a state-based financial aid application, if relevant.
Immediate family members of the National RHCA Training and Safety Foundation, RHCA, or NHCA staff are not eligible. If selected, the student must be willing to travel to the scholarship presentation. Travel expenses will be paid by the RHCA Foundation.
For more information, please visit:
ECONOMICINDICATORS
CONSTRUCTION&HOUSING
The U S Census Bureau’s economic indicator surveys provide monthly and quarterly data that are timely, reliable, and offer comprehensive measures of the U S economy These surveys provide a variety of statistics covering construction, housing, international trade, retail trade, wholesale trade, services and manufacturing The survey data provide measures of the economic activity that allows analysis of economic performance and inform business investment and policy decisions
Construction Spending
Construction spending during January 2025 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,174 0 billion, 0 4 percent (±1 2 percent)* above the revised September estimate of $2,164.7 billion. The October figure is 5.0 percent (±1.5 percent) above the October 2023 estimate of $2,071.1 billion. During the first ten months of this year, construction spending amounted to $1,814.8 billion, 7.2 percent (±1.2 percent) above the $1,693.2 billion for the same period in 2023.
New Residential Sales
Sales of new single-family houses in January 2025 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 657,000, according to estimates released jointly today by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This is 10.5 percent (±19.9 percent)* below the revised December rate of 734,000 and is 1.1 percent (±15.3 percent)* below the January 2024 estimate of 664,000.
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Effective fleet management is crucial for businesses looking to streamline operations, reduce costs and enhance productivity.
6 REASONS WHY CONTRACTORS SHOULD LEASE WORK TRUCKS
Are you thinking about upgrading your work truck this year? Before you head to the dealership with a checkbook in hand, you might want to consider leasing instead of buying I know, I knowconventional wisdom says owning is always better But the game has changed, especially for hardworking folks like you who rely on your truck to get the job done This year, leasing could actually be the smarter move for your business
Here are six solid reasons why it might be the smart move for your business this year
1. Lower Upfront Costs
Let's face it: buying a new truck can put a serious dent in your wallet With leasing, you're looking at much lower initial costs This means you can keep more cash in your pocket for other business expenses or that well-deserved vacation
2. Stay Up-to-Date with Technology
The world of work trucks is constantly evolving Leasing allows you to upgrade to newer models more frequently, keeping you on the cutting edge of fuel efficiency and safety features You'll always have the latest and greatest tools at your disposal
3. Predictable Monthly Expenses
Budgeting becomes a breeze with leasing You'll have fixed monthly payments, making it easier to plan your finances No more surprise repair bills or unexpected maintenance costs throwing your budget out of whack
4. Tax Benefits
Here's a little-known secret: leased vehicles often come with some sweet tax advantages You might be able to deduct your lease payments as a business expense Always check with your accountant, though – they'll know the ins and outs of your specific situation
5. Flexibility for Your Growing Business
As your business expands, your vehicle needs might change Leasing gives you the flexibility to adjust your fleet size or switch to different types of trucks as needed It's like having a customizable wardrobe for your business
6. Less Hassle with Maintenance
Say goodbye to time-consuming maintenance schedules Many leases include regular maintenance, which means less downtime for your vehicles and more time focused on what really matters – growing your business
