United Contractors Magazine January/February 2024

The Leadership Launch

BAKERSFIELD

3340 Allen Rd. Bakersfield, CA 93314 (661)631-5777

Lake City, UT 84104 (801)886-0586

SAN

FRESNO

93275 (559)442-8989

HAYWARD

4125 Breakwater Avenue Hayward, CA 94545 (510)786-9506

RENO

12905 Old Virginia Road Reno, NV 89521 (775)348-0140

SACRAMENTO

8565 Elder Creek

Sacramento, CA 95828 (916)383-7475

SAN LUIS OBISPO

635 Tank Farm Road

San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805)543-0113

TURLOCK

2800 N. Golden State Blvd. Turlock, CA 95382 (209)632-5084

SANTA ROSA

3963 Santa Rosa Ave. Santa Rosa, CA 95407 (707)523-2350

SAN

251 Shaw Road South San Francisco, CA 94080 (415)642-2350

WE BUILD

INFRASTRUCTURE

Goebel Jr., Goebel Construction, Inc.

UNITED CONTRACTORS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

KELLY ATTEBERY, F & M BANK; TOM BARR, GHILOTTI BROS., INC.;

DALE R. BREEN, MIDSTATE BARRIER, INC.; BRYN BURKE, DEES BURKE ENGINEERING; SEAN CASTILLO, TORO ENTERPRISES, INC.; RITA VIGILFERGUSON, G & F CONCRETE CUTTING, INC.; GARRETT FRANCIS, NOR-CAL PIPELINE SERVICES; MICHAEL GATES, DESILVA GATES CONSTRUCTION, LLC; ALAN GUY, ANVIL BUILDERS; MATT LOVINGIER, JMH ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION, INC.; MICHAEL PRLICH, MIKE PRLICH & SONS, INC.; KEVIN REIMERS, WOODRUFF-SAWYER & CO.

UCON LEADERS | UNITED CONTRACTORS COMMITTEE CHAIRS

ASSOCIATES: KELLY ATTEBERY (ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR), F & M BANK. | KEVIN REIMERS (ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR-ELECT), WOODRUFF-SAWYER & CO. CALTRANS: MICHAEL GHILOTTI (CHAIR), GHILOTTI BROS., INC. |

LEGISLATIVE: ROB LAYNE, (CHAIR), O.C. JONES & SONS, INC. | POLITICAL ACTION (PAC): GEORGE FURNANZ (CHAIR), STACY AND WITBECK, INC.; STEVE CONCANNON (VICE-CHAIR) PAVEMENT RECYCLING SYSTEMS, INC. | SAFETY & INSURANCE: ROBERT SABIN, (CHAIR), HARBOR LINX, INC. | SF CITY CONTRACTOR LIAISON: MIKE GHILOTTI (CHAIR), GHILOTTI BROS., INC., MIGUEL GALARZA (CHAIR), YERBA BUENA ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION, INC. | SCHOLARSHIP: TRONY FULLER, (CHAIR), WEST COAST SAND & GRAVEL | REGIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL: MICHAEL PRLICH (CHAIR), MIKE PRLICH & SONS, INC.; GARRETT FRANCIS (CHAIR), NOR-CAL PIPELINE SERVICES

UNITED CONTRACTORS STAFF

MARK BRESLIN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER; EMILY COHEN, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT; TEJEL PATEL, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO CEO; URSULA BECKER, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO EVP; VICTOR SELLA, VICE PRESIDENT OF LABOR RELATIONS; CLAY O’NEAL, REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT, SOUTHERN CA OPERATIONS; RAY BACA, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA; RUBY VARNADORE, SENIOR LABOR CONTRACTS MANAGER; DILPREET MAYALL, LABOR CONTRACTS MANAGER; LUCIA MIXON, CONTRACTOR MEMBER SERVICES, SOUTHERN CA; SANDRA KAYA, ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST; MELISSA GUTWALD, VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE & OPERATIONS; DENISE RAMIREZ, ONLINE SERVICES MANAGER; EMMY MCCONNELL, SENIOR ACCOUNTANT; MICHELLE HANNIGAN, BOOKKEEPER; GABRIELLE GONZALEZ, OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA; ANGELICA GOUIG, DIRECTOR OF EVENTS & EDUCATION; CHRISTINE TRAINA, EVENT MANAGER; RACHEL ORAA, EVENT ASSISTANT; AVANTI MEHTA, EDUCATION ASSISTANT; MICHELLE VEJBY, MARCOM MANAGER; EDDIE BERNACCHI, UCON CHIEF LOBBYIST; CHRISTOPHER LEE, SAFETY CONSULTANT; DREW DELANEY, MIKE BUCKANTZ, REGULATORY CONSULTANTS

Spit-Up and Strategy: Leadership Lessons from New Motherhood

by Emily Cohen | UCON EVP

LABOR

UCON’s Labor and Member Services Team

UCON Industry Partner Meetings

What UCON Labor and Member Services Can Do for You

Contract Corner INSIDE THE

Support & Engage with UCON’s Government Relations Programs This Year—Save the Dates!

by Emily Cohen

Welcome UCON’s 2024 Board of Directors

Leader Profile: Q&A with 2024 President Kevin Hester

Avoiding Mickey Mouse Succession by Eric Anderton | Construction Genius

February & March Courses

By Angelica Gouig | Director of Events and Education

By Emily Cohen UCON EVP

SPIT-UP AND STRATEGY: LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM NEW MOTHERHOOD

I was seven months pregnant at our Southern CA PAC fundraiser last year. During that event, one of our members said to me, “It’s the funniest thing, but I can’t tell you how many people I’ve seen become better leaders and managers once they have a kid.” I was surprised to hear it.

“On multiple occasions,” he said, “I’ve been on the verge of firing a manager. Then they have a kid and become one of my best people leaders.” Genuinely curious, I asked, “Why do you think that is?” With complete clarity, he responded, “Because they learn you can’t control people.”

Brilliant.

On August 19th, my daughter, Eleanor “Ellie” Grace, was born, and the last 20+ weeks as a new mom have been nothing short of transformational. Between the

sleep deprivation, the spit-up, and the (occasional) screaming (mostly hers), I’ve reflected a lot on that conversation. We can’t control people. So, as leaders, how do we ensure we create the right environment, opportunities, and outcomes to tap into the best of someone and deliver long-term success?

Whether it’s at home, in the office, or out in the field, here are eight evidence-based practices to help us all to meet the moment:

A leader’s best tool is a mirror. One of the things my husband and I talk frequently about is the kind of parents and spouses we want to be. What’s our strategy? Are we aligned? The real question, though, is whether we are self-aware enough to see ourselves as we really are so that we can get to where we want and need to be. The same is true for leading in business. Self-reflection is a leader’s most important tool, yet many won’t pick up the mirror, and there’s no one willing to tell them the truth. Do you know where you really stand with your people? Do you know how others see you versus how you think (or hope) they see you? What systems are in place to ensure you are aware of your weaknesses and understand your blind spots as much as your strengths?

Inspire with Authenticity. Ellie is starting to babble. A lot. And many people have joked, “I wonder where she gets it from?” My response is always the same. “She’s going to be a talker, like her mama. There are no quiet women in this family!” In this era of leadership, we hear a lot about belonging. That is, creating a space for people to bring their authentic selves to work. One of the best ways to do this is to lead with authenticity yourself. Own your mistakes and your weaknesses. Tell the truth. Self-reflect. Be genuine in how you show up with people. When you are the leader, being who you are gives others permission to be who they are. And when people show up authentically, they do their best work.

Appeal to values & purpose. A few years ago, my 6-year-old niece went through a hitting phase. My sister would say, “In this family, we don’t hit.” She made it about shared values.

At home and at work, we are all different people but part of the same team. It’s about more than just ourselves. A leader sets the values, lives them, and inspires others to live them, too.

(Happy to share that my niece has grown out of her hitting phase.)

Understand before you act. A mentor and business executive once told me that the most important thing a leader can do is to “get curious.” When you’re frustrated with something someone has done, seek to understand why they did what they did before you make your next move. Explore their reasoning with genuine curiosity, not judgment. (I remind myself this is applicable to marriage, too.)

Practice a growth mindset. I want Ellie to know that it’s not just natural abilities and talents that make a person successful. How we approach our goals and tackle challenges is essential to success. In 2016, my best friend told me she had signed up for a 6-day bike race across California. 550 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles. She asked if I would join. Notwithstanding a decade of spin classes, I had never been on a road bike… and the ride was just 12 weeks away. I was terrified. But I signed up. Bought a bike. Bought the gear. And started riding. I fell (more than once), succumbed to injuries, and suffered many a brutal hill climb. But 12 weeks later, I was at the start line. And six days after that, I completed the 550-mile ride right in the middle of the pack. Eight years later, being a cyclist is part of my identity. A growth mindset understands that every person carries infinite and untapped potential. Embrace challenges and learn from failures. Get back up. Stay determined to meet the goal. Instilling a growth mindset in those we lead (and those we love) is a powerful gift.

Become a Master Reactor. If I’ve learned anything as a new mom, it’s that no matter how brilliant your plans or strategy may be, unexpected or unanticipated challenges or events are going to break in. Articulating and executing a vision is only part of leadership; Reacting to unfolding or unanticipated events is equally important. Knowing what distractions matter and determining if, when, and how to respond to them makes the difference. Effective leaders are intentional and thoughtful in how they react to unforeseen challenges and disruptions.

Affirm their strengths. At some point in your life, someone saw the very best in you, even when you couldn’t. A teacher. Parent. Boss. Or mentor. That person, most likely, changed your life by giving you the confidence to take on an important challenge or meet a critical moment. Praise is a superpower. The best leaders see a person’s core strengths and inspire you to tap into them. See the best in people, and they will, too.

By the time you read this, I’ll be a little over five months into this parenting journey. (Ask me how it’s going!) There are good days and great moments. There are bad days and brutally difficult moments. It’s scary and exhausting. Exhilarating and fun. But most importantly, it’s deeply meaningful. And although I can’t control her or anyone else, I can turn inward and focus on becoming the person I want to be for her. And that makes me think about leadership as its own unique skill. Commit to self-reflection, understand before I act, appeal to our values, practice and instill a growth mindset, master my reaction, affirm the strengths of each team member, and lead with authenticity. That’s a good place to start. And if I can keep the spit-up off my blouse before a meeting, well, then that’s even better.

Sincerely,

United Contractors (UCON) EVP

UCON’S LABOR & MEMBER SERVICES TEAM

Helping You Navigate Labor, Operations, HR & Payroll Minefields Across California

United Contractors Labor & Member Services team is a valuable resource for contractors statewide, assisting key management, administrative and field staff on a daily basis.

With over 100 years of combined construction labor relations experience, UCON’s Labor & Member Services team will help you navigate Labor, HR, Payroll, and much more. We handle thousands of member calls every year, and are committed to doing our best to respond the same day. If we don’t have the answer, we will find it. Meet our team and learn our areas of expertise:

Victor Sella

Vice President of Labor Relations

vsella@unitedcontractors.org (510)362-6959

Victor oversees labor relations advocacy, contract negotiations, and support services to UCON’s 480+ contractor members across the state. By providing labor, operations, and human resources consulting to our members, Victor gets the satisfaction of resolving people’s problems and improving contractors’ abilities to get work done and stay competitive.

Clay O’Neal

Regional VP - Southern CA coneal@unitedcontractors.org (657)439-4545

Clay is the Regional Vice President for Southern CA, leading member relations across the region, including labor, agency, and legislative matters. He is dedicated to cultivating genuine relationships and improving the business environment for UCON’s members across Southern California.

rvarnadore@unitedcontractors.org (925)362-7310

Ruby oversees association labor contracts and supports UCON’s contractor member companies and their teams. Her main focus is researching and answering questions and inquiries related to contract interpretation, payroll, prevailing wages, employment law, and more.

Contractor Member Services, Southern CA lmixon@unitedcontractors.org (925)362-7306

Lucia provides operational support and assistance to UCON’s contractor members. She assists in resolving issues and answering questions involving labor relations, collective bargaining agreements, grievances, labor disputes, payroll, and pre-jobs.

“RJS & Associates made the decision to change our construction trade association relationship in 2023. It quickly became evident that UCON’s outstanding reputation was due to the skill and depth of their leadership team. Right out of the gate, the UCON team has provided us with a wealth of information ranging from union contracts, payroll processing, HR, legal and many other valuable topics. They consistently respond with fast, accurate and insightful answers to our difficult questions.”

— Scott Shepherd, RJS & Associates

Ruby Varnadore, PHR Labor Contracts Manager

Lucia Mixon

How We Can Help You

Our team is available to help all key members of your team – executive managers, payroll, HR, project managers, estimators, superintendents, etc. Areas that we regularly assist our member with include:

• Labor disputes and grievances

• Trust Fund audits, delinquencies and questions

• Prevailing wage compliance, including apprenticeship

• Contract interpretation for payroll and job manning/ bidding – shift work, subcontracting, etc.

• Hiring, discipline and termination

• Pre-job conferences and other union discussions

• Union substance abuse policies

Dilpreet Mayall

Labor Contracts Manager

dmayall@unitedcontractors.org

(925) 303-4388

Dilpreet provides key guidance in contract interpretation and other consultation services to UCON’s contractor member companies and their labor relations, operations and human resources departments.

Sandra Kaya

Labor & Member Services Administrative Specialist

skaya@unitedcontractors.org (925) 725-6695

Providing administrative and project support to the Labor & Member Services team, Sandra assists in ensuring high-quality member service, and the best member experience possible.

“I’m very grateful and thankful that I have UCON as my number one resource. In our office we say this a lot: ‘Let’s check with UCON.’ Over the last 20 years, I don’t recall a time they couldn’t help our team navigate through a situation.”

— Audrey E. Kaili, Esquivel Grading & Paving, Inc.

By Victor Sella, UCON Vice President of Labor Relations

UCON INDUSTRY PARTNER MEETINGS

Transforming the Industry through Partnership

At UCON, it is our contractor members that develop the labor relations policies and strategies we implement, and decisions are made through transparent and democratic processes. Contractor members select the issues and lead the discussions on what needs to happen. This leadership, as well as our relationships with our union partners, is the foundation for us to successfully navigate the challenges facing our industry.

UCON began approaching our union partners many years ago to create opportunities for discussion between labor and management outside of actual bargaining sessions. These Industry Partner Meetings (IPMs) provide a way for contractors to develop and foster relationships with their union counterparts while talking about common ground issues facing union contractors from a partnership perspective. The discussions can also lead to the formation of subcommittees to tackle specific areas of concern, such as non-union competition.

IPMs have generated many successful initiatives, such as labor-management job fairs, joint legislative initiatives supporting industry funding, safety policy

initiatives, and other programs to generate union market share growth. A recent meeting with OE12 included robust discussions on training and some action items for increasing the utilization of apprentices. More importantly, previous participants will likely tell you that the real value is spending time face-to-face getting to know industry leaders. In other words, the opportunity to develop relationships with industry influencers is what pays dividends, and that’s the opportunity UCON creates through IPMs.

UCON is planning on more IPMs in 2024. A meeting with SCDCL is scheduled for February 5-6, and we are working on scheduling with other crafts. We will be reaching out to our Craft Committees and other interested members as details are finalized. We’re actively recruiting and developing the next generation of construction talent and industry influencers, and IPMs are a great way to gain experience quickly, accelerate into leadership, and develop relationships with both union partners and industry peers.

If you are interested in getting involved with UCON labor relations, please contact me at (510) 362-6959 or vsella@unitedcontractors.org.

Do You Know….?

WHAT UCON LABOR & MEMBER SERVICES CAN DO FOR YOU

UCON’s “help desk” is always here to assist you. Our members’ needs come first, and a rapid response is one of our core values. Did you know that there are service areas that you and your staff may not be utilizing fully? These are ways that the Labor & Member Services Team can assist you that may not immediately spring to mind.

Strategic Planning

Pacific Boring, Inc.

Think of UCON as one of your professional advisors, and use us as a partner in incorporating labor relations in your overall business structure. We can assist you with leadership development, succession planning, workforce development, and other facets of strategic planning to make your business more successful and prepared for the future.

Contact Victor Sella

Payroll Training

vsella@unitedcontractors.org | (510) 362-6959

“Do I pay for the entire shift when the crew worked only two hours?” “What if our job is cancelled due to rain or bad weather?” “Is work on a Saturday overtime or double time?” Do these questions sound familiar? We can provide individualized payroll training to familiarize your payroll team with the resources that can answer these questions and more. We will meet with your payroll team to walk through specific questions and review our resources. Here’s a list of what you are your team can take advantage of today:

• CBA Subcontracting Rules (N. CA & S. CA)

• Overtime & Special Shifts (N. CA & S. CA)

• Skilled & Trained Workforce

• Mastering PLAs, Pre-Jobs and Jurisdictional Disputes

• Mastering Apprenticeship Compliance

• Prevailing Wage: CPRs to 3rd Party Compliance

• Best Practices: Dispatching, Hiring, Lay-offs, & Terminations

Contact The UCON Labor & Member Services Team laborteam@unitedcontractors.org | (925) 855-7900

Preston Pipelines Infrastructure LLC

Trust Fund Audit/Delinquency Assistance

Is your trust fund audit costing you more than it should? United Contractors provides union contractors with tools, language, best practices, and more to reduce liability and effectively respond during the trust fund audit process. Call us if you have any concerns, or need assistance getting an audit settled or dealing with any other trust fund issues—the sooner you call us, the sooner we can help you.

Contact Ruby Varnadore

Bulletins and Website

rvarnadore@unitedcontractors.org | (925) 362-7310

Are you and other personnel on the list to receive critical e-mail updates on human resources, labor, payroll and legal developments that impact your business? Contact us if you are not signed up, and if you are signed up make sure that you adjust spam filters so that you don’t miss out. Furthermore, our website has over 250 valuable resources available 24/7, between our members-only Contractor Resources Library and our public COVID-19 Resources page. All member employees can sign up for a member log-in—make sure your team is all on board.

Contact Sandra Kaya skaya@unitedcontractors.org | (925) 725-6695

Pre-Job Conferences

Pre-job conferences are required by most of the construction trade unions, based on the dollar amount or other criteria. They help GCs and the unions involved to understand the project, the scope of work, and how the job will be manned, as well as to communicate and resolve any issues that may arise before the project starts. We can help set these up, and facilitate if needed.

Contact Lucia Mixon

Legal Referrals

lmixon@unitedcontractors.org | (925) 362-7306

United Contractors offers a wealth of information on many industry issues, however, there are some legal matters in which an attorney’s advice is needed. One of the many benefits of UCON membership is a legal referral for a phone call, up to 30 minutes, with an attorney. A member may use this benefit once or twice a year. Simply contact Labor and Member Services and we will have an attorney reach out to you, usually within 48 hours.

Contact The UCON Labor & Member Services Team laborteam@unitedcontractors.org | (925) 855-7900

Contributed by UCON’s Labor and Member Services Team

CONTRACT CORNER

Union Increase Amounts for Bidding Purposes Only

The following wage and fringe benefit increases will be effective in June or July of 2024 for the Master Agreements for the crafts listed below. These total amounts are for bidding purposes only. UCON will notify our members on how the increases are to be allocated as soon as that information is confirmed.

*San Diego increases vary according to Group. See agreement for details.

Note on Iron Workers: Increases are January 1 of each year. Increases for 2024 were $2.80 for Zones 1 & 2, $2.45 for Zone 3 and $1.85 for Zone 4. Increases for 2025 have not been negotiated yet.

By Emily Cohen UCON EVP

THE CAPITOL

SUPPORT & ENGAGE WITH UCON’S GOVERNMENT RELATIONS PROGRAMS THIS YEAR—SAVE THE DATES!

UCON Public Works Summit

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

The Hilton Anaheim

UCON’s Public Works Summit is an outstanding opportunity for contractors and associates to engage with and hear from a range of public works leaders on upcoming projects and opportunities for contractors while networking with peers from across the state (see pages 4041 for more information).

United for Impact: UCON 2024

Legislative &

Elections Briefing and Legislative Reception

Monday, May 20, 2024

The Kimpton Sawyer Hotel, Sacramento

Legislative & Elections Briefing 1:00pm-4:00pm

Legislative Reception 5:00pm-8:00pm

Join us for a day of impact at UCON’s Legislative & Elections Briefing, followed by our Legislative Reception in Sacramento. Gain insights into key legislation and critical upcoming elections, then network with industry leaders and elected officials from across California. Mark your calendars and join us for this day of united industry impact (see page 20).

United Contractors’ Political Action Committee (PAC) Fundraisers:

Southern CA

Thursday, April 4, 2024

Orange Hill Restaurant, Orange, CA

Northern CA

Thursday, May 30, 2024

At the home of UCON CEO, Mark Breslin, in Alamo

UCON will once again host two separate PAC fundraisers in 2024, both of which are outstanding opportunities for owners and principals to network with other industry leaders. The UCON PAC supports elected officials and candidates across the state who fight for our industry. With a tsunami of open seats and elections in the coming year, a strong PAC matters more than ever. Your support of the UCON PAC is one of the most crucial ways you can help make an impact for our industry at the political level. Join us as a sponsor for one or both events (see page 21).

For sponsorship opportunities for this event, contact Ursula Becker at UBecker@UnitedContractors.org.

Building Excellence in People and Projects

UCON’S 2024 LEGISLATIVE AND ELECTIONS BRIEFING AND LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION

Gain insights into key legislation and critical upcoming elections. After, network with industry leaders and elected officials from across California.

Legislative and Elections Briefing 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

UCON’s Legislative Reception 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm

The Kimpton Sawyer

500 J Street, Sacramento

Register for this day of united industry impact. SCAN

PROTECTING OUR FUTURE

please join us for two special evenings to benefit the ucon pac

southern california:

april 4, 2024

Thursday, 5:00 - 8:00pm

Location: Orange Hill Restaurant, Orange, CA

northern california: may 30, 2024

Thursday, 5:00 - 8:00pm

Location: Alamo, CA, home of Mark Breslin, UCON CEO

Support of UCON’s Political Action Committee. Attend one or both special evenings. Enjoy premium wines, food, specialty cocktails & networking with industry leaders.

The UCON Political Action Committee (PAC) exists to improve your business environment by strengthening the political voice of union contractors. Learn more at: unitedcontractors.org/PAC2024

UCON BOARD OF DIRECTORS: A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP

UCON represents nearly 750 union contractors and vendor firms across California. Every day, UCON works to empower, educate, and advocate for our members and the greater union construction industry.

While UCON and its influence have grown over the years, its democratically elected Board of Directors remains the organization’s foundation. These dedicated professionals guide our work and mission. The UCON Board, like the association itself, is unique: made up of contractors, large and small, each with an equal voice and a unique and valued perspective. The Board makes decisions based on strong governance and sound policy. The staff works for them and their vision to exceed member expectations in everything that we do. UCON Board Members are outstanding and leaders. Their collective business energy, experience, risk-taking, and dedication to the organization and industry create a powerful positive impact. Decades of exceptional board leadership have made UCON what it is today and what it will be in the future.

KEVIN HESTER

2024 President McGuire and Hester

UCON Member Since 1990

RON BIANCHINI

Past President Preston Companies

UCON Member Since 1970

DALE R. BREEN

Past Secretary/Treasurer Midstate Barrier, Inc.

UCON Member Since 2006

TOM BARR

Ghilotti Bros., Inc.

UCON Member Since 1993

KURT EDDY

Vice-President/President-Elect

Pavement Recycling Systems, Inc.

UCON Member Since 2008

JUAN C. ARREQUIN

Secretary/Treasurer

Bay Line Cutting & Coring, Inc.

UCON Member Since 1993

KELLY ATTEBERY

Associate Director

F & M Bank

UCON Member Since 2006

BRYN BURKE

Dees Burke Engineering Constructors, LLC

UCON Member Since 2016

RITA VIGIL-FERGUSON

G & F Concrete Cutting, Inc.

UCON Member Since 2019

MICHAEL GATES

DeSilva Gates Construction, LLC

UCON Member Since 1994

SEAN CASTILLO

Toro Enterprises, Inc.

Member Since 2020

MATT LOVINGIER

JMH Engineering and Construction, Inc.

Member Since 2020

GARRETT FRANCIS

Nor-Cal Pipeline Services

UCON Member Since 2014

GREG GOEBEL JR.

Goebel Construction, Inc.

UCON Member Since 2014

ALAN GUY

Anvil Builders

UCON Member Since 2012

MICHAEL PRLICH

Mike Prlich & Sons, Inc.

UCON Member Since 2000

KEVIN REIMERS

Associate Director-Elect

Woodruff-Sawyer & Co.

UCON Member Since 1994

Wet Utilities, Dry Utilities, and Soil Management

PrestonPipelines, PrestonElectric, and DirtMarket provide expertise in underground and electrical utility services and soil sampling and import/export solutions across Northern California.

LEADER PROFILE:

KEVIN HESTER MCGUIRE AND HESTER

UCON’S 2024 PRESIDENT

2024 President Q&A

What is one of your primary goals this year as President?

One of my primary goals this year is to ensure our organization is actively listening to the needs of its members and to help facilitate the organization in responding to these needs effectively. With the association’s incredible momentum coming into 2024, I will do my best to live by the words of a past UCON president and not “F**ck it Up.” I feel it is important to remember these simple words of wisdom as we hone our focus on staying in tune with our members and not being distracted by the “shiny objects” that might tempt us.

What do you feel are the most significant issues facing the industry?

In my mind, one of the most pressing issues impacting our industry in California are Unions fighting over the same “union dollar”. We need the Unions to collaborate and concentrate on expanding the overall Union market share in California’s construction market. We would rather see them concentrate on organizing nonunion contractors that are taking work away from their Union Members and Union Contractors (UCON Members) rather than compete or engage in conflict over smaller segments of overlapping work. There is more opportunity for everyone to be had across the overall market than within our existing union market share.

Also, although I love living in California, some of the rules and regulations passed by our State, Cities, and Counties can be overreaching, cumbersome to comply with and very litigious. There seems to be a lack of understanding of the real impacts on business, growth and employment. These legislative hurdles can become major stumbling blocks for companies to overcome, especially smaller contractors.

What is your favorite thing about being a member of UCON?

How does your company utilize UCON’s services?

My favorite part about being a UCON member and serving on the board is getting to know other contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and union leaders. I am immensely grateful for the connections and, more importantly, the friendships I have built as a member of UCON. It is through these connections that I have been able to learn from and grow alongside others in the industry who share their expertise and experience. I find myself inspired by the contractors and associates involved in UCON who strive to improve their companies while sharing their knowledge with others (including their competitors) in order to make our industry and association stronger.

Throughout my tenure at McGuire and Hester, our company has grown in similar ways to UCON. We joined EUCA (UCON) 34 years ago, and we continue to use many of UCON’s services to this day, especially if we are faced with labor issues. Victor and the entire UCON Labor Relations Department are incredibly knowledgeable and more than willing to walk you and/or others within your company through the proper steps to respond to a labor issue. If you have an issue, I highly recommend giving them a call.

What are some leadership principles that you have discovered and executed that have contributed to your success?

One of the main principles that my Dad and other leaders I admire have engraved in me is to not ask of another what you would not be willing to do yourself and, maybe just as important, to not compromise your decisionmaking processes for short-term success. McGuire and Hester has been in business for almost 100 years. If our current and future employees adhere to these principles, I am confident that McGuire and Hester will be around for another 100 years.

What questions are you asking yourself lately? What is/are your favorite question(s) to ask those you lead?

Right now, we have a lot of moving parts at McGuire and Hester as well as in our industry. I am always asking myself what I can do differently to get more individuals interested in construction, especially on the heavy civil side of construction. We have a shortage of individuals thinking that construction is their best career option. We need to rewrite this narrative and show them and others all the possibilities that a career in construction offers.

Currently, at McGuire and Hester, I am trying to ask less questions and listen to my coworkers (in all positions) to see what they need and want. I am confident that by concentrating on listening to their feedback and making some changes, we can create a stronger company that leads to more opportunities for everyone.

Other volunteer or charitable organizations that you are involved in other than UCON?

I have a soft spot for Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland. Many of my family members have graduated from Bishop O’Dowd; including my wife, both of my daughters, seven of my siblings, and both my brother-inlaw and sister-in-law. I served on the Board of Regents at O’Dowd and recently we were able to build a longoverdue activity center, which includes a new gym and gathering space that will host many events (masses, class reunions, spirit week rallies, volleyball & basketball games, etc.) for generations to come. It means a great deal to me to be able to give time and energy back to a place that has given so much to me and my family.

Who was your most impactful mentor, and/or who are you inspired by? Why?

I have had many mentors throughout my professional career; however, my #1 mentor would have to be my dad, Joe Hester. My dad not only showed me what it means to work in our industry, he showed me what it means to have passion for your work. My dad loved the people that work for McGuire and Hester and the projects we built (especially the difficult ones). He was equally proud to watch our teams succeed on projects as he was to watch us learn and grow from our mistakes. He always reminded us that if we take care of our people, the rest will take care of itself.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

About three years ago, my wife (Amy) and I became “empty nesters” when our youngest daughter, Ella, left for college. We are enjoying our new status as “free birds,” and love traveling to visit our daughters in their respective towns. This summer both of them were in NYC and it was awesome to “vacation” in their new hometown, while both of them were at work (we loved the role reversal).

When we are not at work or spending time with our daughters, Amy and I like to explore new places in California. In the last year we have spent a couple of extended weekends in the Mendocino area. We love hiking in the redwoods and exploring new restaurants, dive bars included.

Supposedly, I also like to “run”……so much so that my eldest daughter, Claudia, has signed me up for a ½ marathon in Brooklyn at the end of April (quite the Christmas present). So, for the next couple of months, I need to get some miles under my old running shoes.

What are you passionate about?

I am passionate about my family. I love watching my daughters, as well as my nieces and nephews, grow from young kids to young adults. Most importantly, I am grateful for my incredible wife. Amy is my ROCK who is always supporting me at work, at home, or in whatever I am doing. She consistently challenges me while also being my #1 fan. I would not be who or where I am without her.

LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP WORDS OF WISDOM FROM UCON PAST PRESIDENTS

’’

Every year UCON Past Presidents gather to help welcome the new president and share their thoughts, which are great reminders for leaders everywhere. UCON’s Past Presidents continue to help prepare and empower the incoming President, Kevin Hester, McGuire and Hester, for the job ahead by sharing their lessons and wisdom:

MIKE HESTER

McGuire and Hester (ret.)

UCON President 1996

“Kevin, I am proud of you for wanting to help lead this organization. Your time will pass quickly, so take the time to think things through carefully, execute with integrity, and enjoy the experience. We know you will do well.”

ROBERT DOUD

Harbor Linx

UCON President 2001

“Kevin, congratulations on becoming UCON’s next leader. UCON already does an outstanding job for its contractor members with labor relations, political advocacy, professional development and industry networking. Take the time now if you have already done so, and think about how you will leave the association better than you found it. One challenge that we can continuously improve on is coming up with creative ways to make our industry a more attractive industry to recruit the next generation. This year will be over before you know it, so utilize the professionals at UCON to help you improve our industry. Best of luck, and my door is always open should you need any help.”

JOE SOSTARIC

The Conco Companies

UCON President 2022

“First of all, congratulations on your new role as President of United Contractors. It is welldeserving! My advice to make your time as President as productive as possible is to be prepared before all the meetings and utilize the resources around you to the best of your abilities. There are some great people on the staff of UCON who are willing to help you and terrific and smart people on the board. Whenever possible, work to facilitate the discussions, and all of those people around you will help you achieve the goals that you have for the organization. Good luck my friend!”

DAVE BIANCHINI

DE Bianchini, Inc.

McGuire and Hester (ret) UCON President 1999

“Kevin, your dedication to your career, family and UCON has brought you to this point of leadership. Listening to your board, and delegation of tasks, to the best association staff there is, will be a winning legacy. Have fun in 24’. As an Alumnus of McGuire and Hester, I am another brother you can call on anytime.”

BRUCE DASEKING

McGuire and Hester

UCON President 2015

“We are very proud of you Kevin for stepping up and being the next UCON President. Step back and observe such a well-run organization and learn. The heart and soul of UCON, the staff, will prop you up and help guide you along the way. Most of all, enjoy!”

KEVIN ALBANESE

KJA Consulting (formerly with Joseph J. Albanese, Inc.)

UCON President 2014

“Kevin, congratulations on earning the respect of your peers and being elected as UCON’s next President. It’s been 10 years since I had the great honor of holding the UCON Gavel; the relationships I built, and lessons I learned at UCON continue to guide my leadership to this day Cherish and listen to the people you are working with and the members you are working for, and lead with conviction. UCON is special because we focus on doing right for the greater good of our industry and membership; keep that higher purpose as your and the Board’s guiding principle, and you will flourish. Enjoy the ride, it goes fast!”

ANDREW VASCONI

McGuire and Hester (formerly with AJ Vasconi Construction, Inc.)

UCON President 2009

“Back in the early 2000s while serving on the UCON Board and then as Board President, I came to know I was surrounded by excellence. These past 10 years, while working side by side with you at M&H, have been, in many ways, like my experience at UCON. I know at any time, I could turn to UCON board members and staff for support, just as I have come to know of you.

Without a doubt, your contributions this year as President will make for an even better UCON and will help to improve our industry. Enjoy your year as President and especially the enduring relationships you will create with those serving with you, along with the strong UCON membership and the industry partners you will come to meet.”

By Eric Anderton, Construction Genius

AVOIDING MICKEY MOUSE SUCCESSION:

A Blueprint for Securing Your Construction Legacy

You cannot run your construction company forever. Your role as business owner will eventually come to an end. That’s why succession planning is essential.

When the time comes to retire, will you have a plan in place for your construction business? Chances are, you’re tremendously busy, making good money, and not focused on succession planning. You’re not alone in this though; 70%-80% of companies don’t have a succession plan in place.

Securing the future of your company should not be left on the back burner any longer! If you haven’t started the process of succession planning yet, it’s time to get moving. In fact, the best companies start succession planning 10-20 years in advance because they understand how difficult it is to identify, develop and retain talent.

Disney: A Cautionary Tale

Just as we can learn from companies who execute succession planning well, we can also learn from others’ failures. Disney in particular is a great example of what happens when you fall asleep at the wheel with succession planning.

In 2005, Bob Iger stepped into the CEO role at Disney. During his time in that position, he became known for his creativity and the relationships he built. His successor was Bob Chapek, who had experience as the Chairman of Parks and Resorts. He was known at Disney as a successful operator.

Despite having a different background and skill set than Iger, Chapek was handpicked as Disney’s successor in 2020. Bob Iger picked Bob Chapek because he was instrumental in helping Iger overcome challenges with the construction of Disney Shanghai.

When Chapek came on as CEO, Iger stepped into an executive chairman role and the head of creative. This was the beginning of a strange power-sharing dynamic that later resulted in Iger returning to the role of CEO in 2022.

There are quite a few lessons we can take from this. As we walk through the different phases of succession planning, let’s take a closer look at Disney’s missteps.

THE 4 PHASES OF SUCCESSION PLANNING:

1. Reflection

2. Identifying Candidates

3. Training

4. Transition

Reflection

Before you dive into logistics, it’s important to reflect on and answer some key questions.

“Do I need my business to continue on after I leave?”

The answer might be “no.” Shutting down your business is a perfectly acceptable choice. You started it. It can be whatever you want it to be. You have the option to sell the equipment, take your money, and move on to the next phase of life. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that!

For many of you reading this though, that’s not what you’d like to do. After all, you’ve put in the blood, sweat, and tears to build your construction company! If that’s you, succession planning should be a priority.

“Am I going to move on or stick around?”

Look in the mirror and ask yourself, “How much longer do I have in the business? How much juice do I have left? Do I want to continue carrying the responsibilities and risks that come with my position?” The choice is completely yours. No one is making you stay; no one is forcing you to retire either.

Bob Iger was not completely honest with himself about his desire to stick around. If he had taken the time to carefully consider this question, things may have turned out differently.

“What would be a great outcome of a succession plan for me?”

Envision your end goal. On your last day of work, as you’re walking out the door, how is the company structured? Who are the people in positions of responsibility? How much money do you have set aside for retirement?

“What do I want my organizational chart to look like 3 years from now? 5 years from now?”

Think through the structure of your organizational chart, which roles you need to fill, and what talent you need to fill those roles. It doesn’t mean things have to unfold exactly the way you plan, but it helps to go through the conceptual exercise.

Identifying Candidates

Once you have a clear vision of the outcome you want, it’s time to identify successor candidates. You have two main options here: selling your company externally or internally.

continued on next page ➜

AVOIDING MICKEY MOUSE SUCCESSION: A Blueprint for Securing Your Construction Legacy (Cont’d)

Selling your company externally is exactly what it sounds like. There are a number of large companies out there running their businesses by buying out other successful contractors. It’s a legitimate succession strategy that should not be overlooked.

However, if you have a strong desire to pass on the legacy of your business to the next generation, selling internally is the best path to take. The catch? You need to identify individuals who have both the skills and desire to run your construction company. This is no easy feat, especially if you’re appointing a new CEO in addition to ownership successors.

If you plan to appoint one (or more) of your children as your successor, it’s imperative to ask yourself, “Are they truly qualified for this role? Do they want to run the business?”

At first glance, it can be difficult to determine who is ready to take on the challenge. Your employees see the truck you drive and speculate about the money you’re taking home. They might think they want your position, until they take a closer look at the responsibilities. Once they begin to understand the risks and weight you’ve taken on as an owner, they may shy away from ownership responsibility.

You also have to consider talents and skills. This is particularly true for someone who has built their own business. They typically have a unique package of talents and skills. Ask yourself, “What makes me unique? Am I able to identify people who can fill those areas of uniqueness sufficiently to continue the business?”

Learn from Bob Iger’s mistake; don’t bring someone into a role they’re not suited for. Just because they’ve been an asset in the past, doesn’t mean they’re a good fit to lead your company. Take the time to weed out candidates who lack the skill or desire to run your company.

Training

After you’ve identified a successor and fleshed out any initial objections, you’ve entered the third phase. Now you can start training and plotting out a course for this individual to come into ownership.

Note: If you have decided to pass your business on to your children, training them is not enough. They need to experience what it’s like to work at other companies–not just yours. By spending time away from the business, they’ll gain perspective and have an opportunity to earn their stripes.

You’ll want to put together a strong foundation of metrics to use throughout the training process.

Make it clear what a good, bad, and unacceptable performance looks like.

As you go through this process, it may become evident your trainee is not fit for the position. Don’t be surprised when that happens. This is exactly why you have those metrics in place. Measuring their performance helps you objectively determine whether or not they are able to fill the role. It’s much better to find out before, rather than after you appoint this person to lead your company.

Training your successors is the main piece to the puzzle. Once you feel confident about who you’ve appointed as the new CEO and ownership successors, you’re headed in a good direction. But you may need to hire and train for other key positions in your company. Remember the organizational chart you made in the reflection phase? Here’s where it comes in handy. Compare the future chart with the internal talent base you have right now. Where are the gaps and how can you fill them?

continued on next page ➜

AVOIDING MICKEY MOUSE SUCCESSION: A Blueprint for Securing Your Construction Legacy (Cont’d)

At this point, you’ll want to focus on your recruiting process. Find, attract, and filter through candidates to get the right people in the right seats of your organization. Succession planning is not only working with internal talent; it’s also about identifying external talent to bring into the business.

Whenever you bring in external talent (or even if you don’t), it’s essential to have your processes well mapped out. There’s stuff in your head that needs to get out and onto paper. You have distinct ways you interact with people and plan out work. It’s the secret sauce you bring to the table, and it’s an important ingredient to your success! Make sure it’s written down. When others can see it, you ensure those processes will be implemented after you move on.

Transition

One of the most challenging parts of a succession plan is the transition phase. Why? The power dynamic is tricky to navigate here. At some point, you’re going to have to give up some power. You’ve built a successful business in part because you can effectively utilize power. But now, your success depends upon how effectively you yield power to others.

Some people really struggle with letting go. In Disney’s case, their leader had decided to move on, but ended up sticking around. Instead of Iger yielding power, he and Chapek operated with a power-sharing dynamic. Ultimately, it was this power-sharing dynamic that led to a succession failure. The lesson here is clear: in order to successfully pass off your business, you must actually leave.

Another thing to consider is the announcement of the succession plan. This is one of the ways Disney stumbled a bit. Bob Iger played the decision of succession close to his chest. It was a surprise for many people when he announced Bob Chapek was going to be his successor. If you catch people by surprise with your succession planning announcement, it’s very unlikely you’ll get the buy-in and commitment you’re looking for.

As you go through the succession planning process, remember you know your business best. There is no one way of doing things. There is no magic pill when it comes to rolling out your succession plan. It’s a tremendously difficult thing to do.

The most important thing is to start the process. I urge you to go through each phase. Reflect on the end goal, identify capable successors, train them well, and then let go. Don’t skip any steps.

When you come to the end of your time as a business owner, you’ll be glad you had a plan in place.

Article contributed by Eric Anderton, Construction Genius. Eric Anderton teaches construction executives how to tackle the biggest challenge they face when they get promoted into leadership roles: shifting from project management to leading teams of people. Eric began working with construction companies in 2004 and founded his own company—Construction Genius—in 2013.

His background includes over 25 years of public speaking, small group facilitation, and one-on-one mentoring experience.

Joseph

Roger

Kurt

Stuart

Christoper

Romin

Scott

David

Bill

Rachael Brown reb@smwb.com

Jon Robb jrobb@smwb.com

Liudmyla

Laura-Lahela Ginn llginn@smwb.com

Nathaniel Lucey

Caitlin

By Angelica Gouig, Director of Events and Education

ENGAGE, DEVELOP, RETAIN Make 2024 the Year of Development for Success

UCON’s Professional Development programs are available for you and everyone in your company! From the field to the CEO, UCON has a program for you. All members access free or discounted classes as a member benefit—and your employees are our members, too! Share this valuable content with everyone on your team and make sure they take advantage of this opportunity.

UCON’s virtual classes are available on the UCON app—on your mobile device or desktop–giving you access to personal and professional growth while on the go. 40+ classes are available in 2024—Leadership, Labor, Safety, and more! Take a look at what is coming up in February and March.

For any questions regarding UCON’s programs, contact Angelica Gouig, Director of Events & Education, at: agouig@unitedcontractors.org or (925) 362-7309

UCON has a library of pre-recorded courses available on our website. While non-members can attend UCON courses, live—the recorded versions are available for members only. If there was a class you missed, check with your manager and take it on-demand; or if you are the manager, design a class tract using our available courses.

Tel: (650) 691-2888 Fax (650) 691-2889

www.lrconstructionlaw.com

Contact: A. Robert Rosin

Janette G. Leonidou

Michael M. Lum

Leonidou & Rosin

777 Cuesta Drive | Suite 200

Mountain View, California 94040

FEBRUARY

& MARCH COURSES

FEBRUARY 8

CBA Subcontracting Rules (N. CA and S. CA)

Thursday, February 8; 12:00pm-1:00pm

Instructor: Victor Sella, United Contractors

Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited

Cost – Member: FREE | Non-member: $100

FEBRUARY 13

Cheese Free Rapport: Networking Success with the Construction Industry

Tuesday, February 13, 2024; 2:30pm-4:30pm

Instructor: Eric Anderton, Construction Genius

Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited

Cost – Member: FREE | Non-member: $100

FEBRUARY 27

Legal Armor: How to Harness Your Union Agreement against PAGA and Legal Claims

Tuesday, February 27, 2024; 12:00pm-1:00pm

Instructors: Victor Sella, Dilpreet Mayall, United Contractors and Paul Simpson, Simpson, Garrity, Innes & Jacuzzi, P.C. and Brent Garrett, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo

Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited

Cost – Member: FREE | Non-member: $100

MARCH 7

MARCH 5

Foundations of Leadership: Core Values for Team Success

Tuesday, March 5, 2024; 2:30pm-4:30pm

Instructor: John Peterson, Threshold Rising

Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited

Cost – Member: FREE | Non-member: $100

Skilled & Trained Workforce

Thursday, March 7, 2024; 12:00pm-1:00pm

Instructor: Victor Sella, United Contractors

Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited

Cost – Member: FREE | Non-member: $100

UP

FEBRUARY & MARCH COURSES (CONT’D)

MARCH 7

Getting Unstuck: 10 Tips for Fighting Depression and Anxiety

Thursday, March 7, 2024; 2:30pm-4:30pm

Instructor: Sally Spencer-Thomas, United

Suicide Survivors International

Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited

Cost – Member: FREE | Non-member: $100

MARCH 12

How to Create an Empowered Culture

Tuesday, March 12, 2024; 12:00pm-1:00pm

Instructor: Cody Miller, MPWR

Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited

Cost – Member: FREE | Non-member: $100

MARCH 19

Blueprint for Continuity: How to Craft Your Succession Strategy

Tuesday, March 19, 2024; 2:30pm-4:30pm

Instructor: Eric Anderton, Construction Genius

Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited

Cost – Member: FREE | Non-member: $100

MARCH 28

A Day in the Life of a Construction Supervisor/Foreman

Thursday, March 28, 2024; 2:30pm-4:30pm

Instructor: Paul Stout, Power Summit

Class Style: Virtual | Class Limit: Unlimited

Cost – Member: FREE | Non-member: $100

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By Ray Baca, Regional Director, Southern California

UCON’S 3RD ANNUAL PUBLIC WORKS SUMMIT

The buzz surrounding the 3rd annual UCON Public Works Summit on April 10, 2024, at the Hilton Anaheim has already begun! After two highly successful and well-attended Summits, the 2024 event promises to be even bigger and better than ever.

The Summit began as a contractor-driven idea to bring together the public works community from the immediate region to discuss various issues and challenges. The event has now blossomed into a forum where construction industry leaders from throughout California share innovation and best practices and, most importantly, create dialogue and enhance relationships with public works agencies, the contractor community, our union partners, and suppliers of goods and services.

The agenda for the 2024 Summit includes several presentations on how best to do business with the various agencies, keeping within their program requirements and executing as part of the stakeholder team, along with features on workforce development and next-generation workforce.

Additionally, the 2024 UCON Public Works Summit offers attendees a chance to gain greater insight into the vast construction market potential of the Southern California region by getting an inside look at billions of dollars of projects coming down the pipeline and information on how to bid on and win these opportunities.

Spend time at the event building connections with those you work with, both directly and indirectly, including prime contractors, subcontractors, union leaders, agency leaders and managers, associated firms, United Contractors staff, and more.

The 2024 UCON Public Works Summit would not be possible without the support of the public works leadership community, our labor union partners, the many contractors from throughout Southern California, and, of course, the generosity of our event sponsors. This event demonstrates a unity of purpose that makes for a better industry and a stronger future for us all. Registration is now open for this much-anticipated event (see opposite page), so please join us. You won’t be disappointed!

April 10, 2024

Anaheim Hilton

PUBLIC WORKS SUMMIT

Connecting California Contractors and Public Works Agencies

APRIL 10, 2024 | ANAHEIM HILTON, 777 W. CONVENTION WAY

7:00AM - 3:30PM - Breakfast and Lunch Provided

Early Bird Ticket (until Mar. 8) $125/member; $225/non-member Standard Ticket (until Mar. 29) $140/member; $240/non-member

• BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH AGENCIES

• ENGAGE WITH YOUR PEERS

• LEARN ABOUT INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES

SCAN QR CODE TO REGISTER | SPONSORSHIPS

SCAN TO REGISTER

AGENCIES PARTICIPATING:

By Christopher Lee, UCON Safety Consultant

Engaged members monitor and advocate for the industry on Cal/ OSHA issues through UCON’s Safety & Insurance Committee, which meets approximately every six weeks via Zoom. The committee is comprised of safety directors, vice presidents of safety, and senior safety personnel from member companies, with an average of 25- 35 participating companies.

Joining a committee is a great way to get involved and make a difference. If you are interested in getting involved, or have questions, contact Ursula Becker at (925) 362-7307, ubecker@unitedcontractors. org. Register to attend: www.unitedcontractors.org/calendar

The committee is open to all UCON members. Share the information below with your safety professional.

Meeting Dates in 2024:

UCON Safety & Insurance Committee meets (mainly) virtually from 1:30pm-3:00pm. Register and view meeting topics (and also sign up for UCON events) at: www.unitedcontractors.org/calendar

Register and view

Joining a UCON Committee is a great way to get involved and make a difference.

topics (and sign up for UCON events) at:

Photo courtesy of DMZ Builders

Gather your safety information from last year’s 2023 projects and apply for UCON’s Statewide R.E.A.L. Safety Awards , honoring the safest companies in our industry by R ecognizing E xcellence, A wareness, and L eadership in safety.

All contractors are eligible to apply. Applications are available online through April 5, 2024 at unitedcontractors.org.

For more information, contact Ursula Becker (925) 362-7307, ubecker@unitedcontractors.org

APPLY NOW DEADLINE

April 5, 2024

In 2021, LIUNA’s commitment to training and apprenticeship in California included:

635,709 HOURS OF TRAINING

4,782 CLASSES PERFORMED

1,881 APPRENTICESHIP GRADUATES

26,957 STUDENTS TAUGHT

CARB

By Drew Delaney + Mike Buckantz, Associates Environmental

STAY COMPLIANT!

CURRENT REGULATORY CARB REQUIREMENTS

The regulatory burden for contractors provides incredible challenges and often feels overwhelming. United Contractors remains committed not only to advocating on behalf of the union construction industry but to assisting members on a 1-to-1 company level.

UCON’s Regulatory Consultants, Associates Environmental, will assist contractor members on all CARB and Stormwater regulatory matters. Founded in 2008, Associates Environmental is a client-focused environmental consulting firm specializing in air quality, water quality and waste management regulatory compliance assistance and services.

For any UCON member having questions regarding CARB, fleet compliance, or stormwater regulatory matters, please contact Associates Environmental at (949) 352-4941, www.associatesenvironmental.com.

Below are the latest requirements for UCON contractors:

FOR DETAILED INFORMATION, REFER TO THE CARB FACT SHEET, BY SCANNING THE QR CODE.

Attention Contractors: Off-Road Fleets Renewable Diesel Requirements

Stay compliant and ensure your fleet meets the new standards. Effective January 1, 2024, all California Off-Road fleets must exclusively use R99 or R100 renewable diesel fuel in vehicles subject to the Off-Road Regulation. Biodiesel is not permissible under this rule.

Fleet owners must adhere to reporting requirements, including exemptions, and affirm annual compliance with renewable diesel mandates. Annual reports are due by March 1. Exemptions may apply for fleets unable to procure R99 or R100, requiring documented proof of attempts to obtain renewable diesel. Specific vehicle categories, including Tier 4 final engines and zero-emission vehicles, are exempt.

Temperature exemptions exist for winter and intermittent low temperatures, each requiring additional reporting (details in the attached fact sheet).

Rental vehicles in California must comply with these requirements, and rental contracts should reflect this. Contractors are advised to update contracts and bids with fuel suppliers, specifying the need for R99 or R100 and requesting documentation if unavailable.

Photo courtesy of Doyle’s Work Company, Inc.

Attention Contractors: New Prime Contractor Requirements under CARB Off-Road Regulation

Stay informed and compliant with the latest regulations. Effective January 1, 2024, Prime Contractors will bear additional responsibilities under the CARB Off-Road regulation. Defined as the entity holding the project contract, Prime Contractors must ensure compliance with the following:

• Obtain a valid Certificate of Reported Compliance for fleets and subcontractors listed in the contract before awarding or renewing a contract.

• Noncompliant fleets (without a valid Certificate) are prohibited from contracting.

• Retain copies of Certificates for three years post-project completion.

• Provide records to CARB within five business days upon request.

• Emergency operations are exempt.

Prime Contractors must collect new valid Certificates for ongoing contracts as of March 1 annually.

ONLY FLEETS WITH VALID CERTIFICATES ALLOWED ON JOB SITES.

In case of non-compliance, Prime Contractors must report within five business days, providing specific fleet information. Additional signage is required at job sites; details are in the attached fact sheet (scan QR Code).

Attention Construction Truck Fleet Owners: URGENT CARB Enforcement Notice:

CARB announced on December 28th that it will not enforce actions against fleet owners failing to report by the January 1, 2024, deadline under the Advanced Clean Fleets regulation. This regulation applies to fleets with 50+ trucks or companies with $50 million in revenue and one truck.

Enforcement discretion is temporary, pending EPA’s federal waiver decision. If granted, enforcement could be retroactive, affecting fleet reporting and prohibiting new internal combustion engines (ICE) after January 1, 2024. ICE addition may lead to removal or force the fleet into the MILESTONE OPTION.

FOR DETAILED

INFORMATION, REFER TO THE CARB FACT SHEET, BY SCANNING THE QR CODE.

CARB Notice for High Priority Fleets (Construction Industry):

Reporting optional until EPA waiver; report fleet status by January 1, 2024, post-waiver.

Adding ICE after December 31, 2023, may result in restrictions post-waiver; fleets may need to comply with Zero-Emission Vehicle Milestone Option.

Advisable: Report fleet as required and carefully consider adding new ICE trucks post-January 2024. Scan the QR Code for the CARB Enforcement Announcement.

MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES

JANUARY and FEBRUARY

52 YEARS – 1972

Associate Member:

Peterson Cat

Thomas Lum

51 YEARS – 1973

Associate Member:

Gladding, McBean & Co.

Mike Blumenstein

49 YEARS – 1975

Associate Member:

R.C. Fischer & Co.

Dennis Sewell

48 YEARS – 1976

Contractor Members:

Mountain Cascade, Inc.

Duke Fuller

Walter C. Smith Co., Inc.

Michael DeBenedetto

43 YEARS – 1981

Associate Member:

Papé Machinery

Benjamin Harrison

40 YEARS – 1984

Associate Member:

Sullivan Curtis Monroe Ins Services

Eugene Zondlo

United Rentals

Trench Safety

Esperanza Mota

39 YEARS – 1985

Contractor Member:

D.W. Young Construction Co., Inc.

Christian Young

37 YEARS – 1987

Associate Member:

McInerney & Dillon PC

William McInerney, Jr.

36 YEARS – 1988

Contractor Member:

Bali Construction, Inc.

Ted Polich

United Contractors would like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank the following companies who are celebrating their anniversary of membership with our organization in January and February:

35 YEARS – 1989

Contractor Member:

Mike Hixson Backhoe Service Inc

David B. Carver

31 YEARS – 1993

Associate Member: Jifco, Inc.

Jay Forni Jr.

Coastline Equipment

Ladd Blakely

30 YEARS – 1994

Contractor Members: Goodfellow Bros. California LLC

Brian Gates

RGW Construction, Inc.

Bill Stewart

Talus Construction, Inc. Sharon Alberts

Associate Member: JHS CPAs, LLP

Jim Kepke

Myers & Sons Hi Way Safety

Mike Rodgers

29 YEARS – 1995

Contractor Member:

Ghilotti Bros., Inc.

Michael Ghilotti

Associate Member:

Moss Adams LLP

Dave Heier

Dan J. Peterson Company

Dan J. Peterson

28 YEARS – 1996

Contractor Member:

Beliveau Engineering

Contractors, Inc.

Lawrence Beliveau

27 YEARS – 1997

Contractor Members:

Pacific States Environmental Contractors, Inc.

Bob McCarrick

Alcorn Fence Company Gustavo Madrigal

Griffin Contract Dewatering, LLC

Jim Hausladen

Viking Drillers, Inc.

Sherry Montoya

Associate Member: Ritchie Bros., Together with IronPlanet

Wayne Settle

26 YEARS – 1998

Contractor Members:

Doyle’s Work Company, Inc.

Billy Holler

Metro Builders & Engineers Group Ltd. Fouad Houalia

Viking Construction Company

Randy Jenco

25 YEARS – 1999

Contractor Members: Farwest Safety, Inc.

John Ashe

Performance Equipment, Inc.

Chris Young

Clarke Contracting Corp.

Brian A. Clarke

Associate Member: Commercial Surety

Bond Agency

Daniel Huckabay

Photo courtesy of Kiewit Infrastructure West Co.

24 YEARS – 2000

Contractor Member:

Ray’s Electric

Greg Gruendl

Murray Company

Danny Martin

Associate Member:

Leonidou & Rosin Professional Corporation

Bob Rosin

21 YEARS – 2003

Associate Members:

Quinn Company (formerly Quinn Shepherd Machinery)

Jason Garcia

20 YEARS – 2004

Contractor Members:

Striping Graphics

Tony Lane

Western Traffic Supply, Inc.

Ed Ibanez

19 YEARS – 2005

Contractor Member:

Rosendin Electric, Inc.

Rick Guzman

Associate Member:

Contractors and Developers Bonding and Insurance

Phil Vega

18 YEARS – 2006

Contractor Members:

Disney Construction, Inc.

Rick Disney

Midstate Barrier, Inc.

Dale Breen

Robert A. Bothman Construction

Brian Bothman

17 YEARS – 2007

Contractor Member:

California Trenchless, Inc.

Michael Jardin

Associate Member:

Granite ConstructionMaterials Division

Ross Kashiwagi

16 YEARS – 2008

Contractor Members: Con-Quest Contractors, Inc.

Paul Loukianoff

GSL Construction

Michael Walker

M N R Construction, Inc.

Scott Barnett

Pacific Coast Drilling Company, Inc.

Aaron Sykes

Valentine Corp.

Robert Valentine

SpenCon Construction, Inc.

Steve Stahl

Associate Member: PACE Supply

Scott Groves

15 YEARS – 2009

Contractor Member:

Graniterock

Paul Cianciarulo

Associate Member:

Mission Rubber Co. Evelia Centeno-Aguilar

14 YEARS – 2010

Contractor Member: ABSL Construction Luis Allende

Palp Inc. dba Excel Paving Company

Curt Brown, Jr.

Associate Member:

National Trench Safety, LLC

Nick Manzi

13 YEARS – 2011

Contractor Members:

Manhole Construction Specialist

Nate Atchinson

Associate Members:

Advanced Stormwater Protection, Inc.

Jason Griffin

Equip Appraisers LLC

Rob Nowacek

Hunt Ortmann Palffy

Nieves Darling & Mah, Inc.

Kathlynn Smith

12 YEARS – 2012

Contractor Members:

Anvil Builders

Alan Guy

Moran Manhole Builders, Inc.

Carey Moran

Lee Construction Co.

Debbie Reilly

Hooker Creek, Inc.

Scott Shongood

Mountain F. Enterprises, Inc. Marcos Gomez

Mozingo Construction, Inc. Phil Gianfortone

Pacific Excavation, Inc. Jim Paxin

Continued on next page

Associate Member:

Butier Engineering, Inc.

Mark Butier

Sunbelt Rentals

Tiffanie Mendez

11 YEARS – 2013

Contractor Members:

D-Line Constructors, Inc.

Matt Certa

California Auger Boring

Michael Reardon

California Boring Inc.

Michael Reardon

Odyssey Environmental Services, Inc.

Mike Moore

Associate Member:

Ramos Oil Co., Inc.

Robert Feder

TYS, LLP

Tobin Moon

10 YEARS – 2014

Contractor Members:

Golden Gate Constructors

Rich Gates

Marina Landscape, Inc.

Robert Cowan

Associate Members:

Cal Safety, Inc.

Kevin Karrick

Newfront

Bryan Martin

9 YEARS – 2015

Contractor Member:

Cratus, Inc.

Liam Finnegan

Hoseley Corporation

Rusty Hoseley

8 YEARS – 2016

Contractor Members:

Blue Iron Foundations & Shoring, LLC

Melissa Baker

BrightView Landscape Development, Inc.

Tom Donnelly

Gonsalves & Santucci, Inc.

dba The Conco Companies

Joe Sostaric

Associate Members:

Carpenter Rigging Group

Bruce Yoder

Eide Bailly LLP

Nic Waldenmayer

Philadelphia Insurance Companies

Erin Sullivan

Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation

Luis Lester

Fisher Phillips

Jason Geller

Heritage Bank of Commerce

Wendy Talamantes

6 YEARS – 2018

Contractor Members:

Concrete Demo Works, Inc.

Ed Flores

Cheryl’s Underground Construction

Cheryl Hamilton

S.E. Pipe Line Construction Company

Shannon Hearn

Mladen Buntich Construction

Mladen Buntich, Jr.

Fryman Management Inc.

Ross Fryman

Underground Manholes

Robert Williams

Innovate Concrete, Inc.

dba Innovate Engineering

J. Ramon Ramirez

Power One LLC

Jason Cline

R&S Construction Management Inc.

Teera Nuntaworanuch

Associate Member:

Troutman Sanders LLP

James Diwik

Smith-Emery Company, Inc.

James Partridge

Aldrich CPAs + Advisors LLP

Nick Balaity

5 YEARS – 2019

Contractor Members:

C&N Reinforcing, Inc.

Juan Perez

Independent Structures, Inc.

John Langum

Nor-Cal Concrete, Inc.

Joe Ardave

Associate Members:

Bubba’s Lowbed Service LLC

David Nisich

Rendon & Associates

Lou Rendon

4 YEARS – 2020

Contractor Members:

Kiewit Infrastructure

West Co.

Tim Gleaves

Live Oak Utility

Infrastructure, LLC

Peter Worhunsky

Landscape, Inc.

R & M Paving Contractors, Inc.

Anthony Selway

Sequoia Civil, LLC

Michael D. Betti

Toro Enterprises, Inc.

Sean Castillo

Associate Members:

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance

Lindsay Machacek

First Vanguard Rentals & Sales Inc.

Robert Merwin

Hilti

Simone Zatti

Hoge Fenton Alay Yajnik

Primax Shoring, Inc. Max Kadiu

U-Rock Utility Equipment Inc.

Mark Paduveris

3 YEARS – 2021

Contractor Members: Action Sweeping Services, Inc.

Dianna Paris

Capitol Barricade

Dave Sherman

Capitol Traffic Services, Inc.

Jorge Torres

Ground Control Inc. Ameet Patel

Kiewit Foundations Co.

Mike Meduna

Photo courtesy of Marina

Statewide Safety Systems

Don Nicholas

Steelhead Constructors, JV

Kevin Ramstrom

Western Water Constructors, Inc.

Ken Kreischer

Associate Members:

Allen Construction Group LLP

Hiromi Young

Tenstreet Construction

Jim Hall

Davillier-Sloan, Inc.

Jake Sloan

2 YEARS – 2022

Contractor Members:

Cal Stripe Inc.

Steve Fleener

3

DPI Inc.

Brittany DeFreitas

G. Bortolotto & Company, Inc.

Robert Bortolotto

GSW Construction Inc.

Gary Silveria

Tom Mayo

Construction, Inc.

Tom D Mayo

Van Diest Bros., Inc.

Scott Van Diest

Associate Members:

The Family Business Institute

Kevin Albanese

1 YEAR – 2023

Contractor Members:

Peterson Pipeline, Inc.

Greg Peterson

D W General Engineering Contractor Corp.

David Wilson

OBS Engineering, Inc. Wilmoth Lewis

QA Constructors, Inc.

Luis Quinto Allende

Kiewit Shea Traylor, A Joint Venture

Matt Scott

Van Diest Bros., Inc.

Scott Van Diest

Associate Members:

G3 Quality, Inc.

Chris Gerber

Western States Oil

Robin Jackson

Tully Consulting Group

Robin Tully

Bulk Exchange

Dustin Liebman

Photo courtesy of Toro Enterprises, Inc.

2023 CONTRACTOR MEMBER SATISFACTION SURVEY RESULTS

RATED

4.8

OUT OF 5 UCON STAFF OVERALL SERVICE & RESPONSIVENESS

100+

2,500 +

99% 99% of contractor members would absolutely recommend UCON to a peer or colleague.

98% A 98% retention rate reflects the level of return on investment UCON contractors receive.

LABOR ADVOCACY/ CONTRACTOR SERVICES/ EXPERT HELP:

Assisted with over 2,500 calls/ emails this year:

• Labor disputes and grievances

• Public works/prevailing wage compliance

• Payroll advisory

• Employment law

• Trust fund issues

• Pre-job conferences and more

LEADERSHIP & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY:

4.7 4.6

4.7 OVERALL SATISFACTION LEVEL WITH

4.5

Fighting to protect your marketshare, improve the business environment, and increase infrastructure funding across the state, by working to support bills and elect legislators that elevate the union construction industry.

4.7

2,800+ individuals from over 260 companies participated in UCON’s in-person and virtual 50+ professional development courses this year, including UCON’s sold-out programs: Fearless Field Leader, and Project Management Career Advancement (PMCA).