Issuu

AUGUST 2026 ISSUE / VOLUME 232

UNITEDCONTRACTORS.ORG

...everyone has the

ability to stop work. Everyone. The challenge

for us as leaders is making sure people actually believe that.

Alan Guy, Anvil Builders, UCON 2026 President

UP FRONT Safety Culture Starts at the Top p.6

FEATURE UCON’s R.E.A.L. Safety Award Winners p.10

FACES SoCal PAC Fundraiser p.48 Scholarship Throw Down p.56 UCONnect p. 62

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IN THIS ISSUE AUGUST 2026 VOLUME 232 2026 UNITED CONTRACTORS BOARD OFFICERS President................................................ Alan Guy, Anvil Builders VP/President-Elect........... Greg Goebel, Jr., Goebel Construction, Inc. Secretary/Treasurer.........Michael Gates, DeSilva Gates Construction, LLC Secretary/Treasurer-Elect...............Sean Castillo, Toro Enterprises, Inc. Past President................. Kurt Eddy, Pavement Recycling Systems, Inc. Associate Director....................................... Elizabeth Torrez, Tenna Associate Director-Elect........................... Matt Hennagin, Baker Tilly

UNITED CONTRACTORS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BILL BOYD, SULLY-MILLER CONTRACTING COMPANY; BRYN BURKE, DEES BURKE ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTORS, LLC; KATIE CONDON, CONDONJOHNSON & ASSOCIATES, INC.; LISA DE FREITAS SUNDBERG, PLATINUM PIPELINE, INC.; DERMOT FALLON, BULK EXCHANGE; BRENT FOGG, GRANITE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY; THIEL HARRYMAN, UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION CO., INC.; MATT LOVINGIER, JMH ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION, INC.; DANIEL RODRIGUEZ, BAY CITIES PAVING & GRADING, INC.

6 UP FRONT

Safety Culture Starts at the Top—and Goes Both Ways by Alan Guy | Anvil Builders | UCON 2026 President

SAFETY FEATURE UCON’S R.E.A.L. SAFETY AWARD WINNERS

LABOR •

UCON LEADERS | UNITED CONTRACTORS COMMITTEE CHAIRS

ASSOCIATES: ELIZABETH TORREZ (ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR), TENNA | MATT HENNAGIN (ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR-ELECT), BAKER TILLY | CALTRANS: MICHAEL GHILOTTI (CHAIR), GHILOTTI BROS., INC. | LEGISLATIVE: ROB LAYNE, (CHAIR), O.C. JONES & SONS, INC. | POLITICAL ACTION (PAC): GEORGE FURNANZ (CHAIR), STACY WITBECK; STEVE CONCANNON (VICE-CHAIR) PAVEMENT RECYCLING SYSTEMS, INC. | SAFETY & INSURANCE: KEITH OXFORD, (CHAIR), MONTEREY MECHANICAL COMPANY | SF CITY CONTRACTOR LIAISON: MIKE GHILOTTI (CHAIR), GHILOTTI BROS., INC., MIGUEL GALARZA (CHAIR), YERBA BUENA ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION, INC. | SCHOLARSHIP: KARISSA FOX, (CO-CHAIR), AMERICAN CIVIL CONSTRUCTORS WEST COAST LLC; SCOTT SALANDI, (CO-CHAIR) ALKEME INSURANCE SERVICES, INC. | REGIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL: MICHAEL PRLICH (CHAIR), MIKE PRLICH & SONS, INC.; GARRETT FRANCIS (CHAIR), PAVEMENT RECYCLING SYSTEMS, INC.

UNITED CONTRACTORS STAFF

EMILY COHEN, CEO; CLAY O’NEAL, COO; MELISSA GUTWALD, CFO; VICTOR SELLA, VICE PRESIDENT OF CONTRACTOR ENGAGEMENT; DEREK BORGHI, DIRECTOR OF LABOR RELATIONS; GUS FLORES, DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS; RAY BACA, DIRECTOR OF AGENCY RELATIONS; ANGELICA GOUIG, DIRECTOR OF MEMBER EXPERIENCE; JENN GALENTI, DIRECTOR OF EXECUTIVE AFFAIRS; DENISE RAMIREZ, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS; ROBERT MURRAY, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT; RUBY VARNADORE, SENIOR LABOR CONTRACTS MANAGER; LIZ CASTRO, LABOR CONTRACTS MANAGER; LUCIA MIXON, SENIOR MEMBER RELATIONS MANAGER; TERESA OSSO, LABOR RELATIONS MANAGER; SANDRA KAYA, ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST TO LABOR & MEMBER SERVICES; EMMY MCCONNELL, ACCOUNTING MANAGER; MICHELLE HANNIGAN, BOOKKEEPER; GABRIELLE GONZALEZ, OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA; CHRISTINE TRAINA, EVENTS MANAGER; RACHEL ORAA, EVENTS COORDINATOR; LUKE HARDY, EVENTS COORDINATOR; KIMBERELY AUGUSTIN, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER; MICHELLE VEJBY, MARKETING MANAGER; EDDIE BERNACCHI, UCON CHIEF LOBBYIST; MIKE DONLON, CHIEF SAFETY CONSULTANT; DREW DELANEY, MIKE BUCKANTZ, REGULATORY CONSULTANTS; DAMIAN BREEN, REGULATORY CONSULTANT United Contractors Magazine (ISSN: 2166-3777) is published bimonthly, 6x a year, by United Contractors, 17 Crow Canyon Court, Suite 100, San Ramon, CA 94583; 2401 East Katella Ave., Suite 500, Anaheim, CA 92806. Editorial comments, letters, and article submissions are welcomed and encouraged. Correspondence should be directed to the United Contractors office at the above address, by phone at (925) 855-7900, or by e-mail at info@unitedcontractors. org. Reproduction of editorial material in this issue is permitted if accompanied by proper source credit. Periodicals postage paid at San Ramon, CA and other offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to: United Contractors Magazine, 17 Crow Canyon Court, Suite 100, San Ramon, CA 94583. © 2026 Published in the U.S.A.

•

Labor Relations: Built Around Contractor Priorities Team Spotlight: Ruby Varnadore

by UCON Labor & Member Services

FACES UCON’s Southern California PAC Fundraiser

FACES UCON’s Throw Down for Education Cornhole Tournament – Fundraiser for UCON’s Scholarship Awards Program

FACES UCON’s UCONnect Beach Bash at Seal Beach

more inside

FACES - UCONnect - San Jose; UCONnect Riverside 80 MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES 84 MEMBER NEWS - In Memory: Ron Bianchini, Preston 72

Companies

LAST CALL - Next Up: UCON’s Advocacy Auction This month’s cover image courtesy of Royal Electric Company, UCON Member since 2014, www.royalelect.com

U N I T E D C O N T R AC TO R S . O R G

AUGUST 2026

UP FRONT By Alan Guy Anvil Builders UCON 2026 President

SAFETY CULTURE STARTS AT THE TOP— AND GOES BOTH WAYS “ALAN, PUT ON YOUR SAFETY GLASSES, OR I AM GOING TO ASK YOU TO LEAVE.”

forgot my safety glasses at an early morning tailgate. No work was going on. Easy to rationalize. But our superintendent running that job called me out—in front of everyone. It caught me off guard. Then I smiled. That moment told me everything I needed to know about the safety culture we had built at Anvil. Not because of a policy, not because of a poster on a jobsite trailer wall—but because a superintendent felt empowered to hold the CEO accountable in front of the crew. That is a safety culture. It doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when leadership sets the tone from the top—and means it. I start almost every safety tailgate the same way. I ask everyone to raise their hand if they have the ability to stop work. Every time, the same thing happens. The foreman’s hand goes up first. Then the supers. Then, one by one, everyone follows. But here is what I want every person on our jobsites to know: it doesn’t matter if you have 30 years of experience or if it’s your first week. If something doesn’t look right, speak up. Stop the work. No project schedule, no budget, no deadline is worth someone going home hurt. Everyone has the ability to stop work. Everyone. The challenge for us as leaders is making sure people actually believe that—not just nod along at a tailgate and forget it by the time they pick up a tool.

W W W.U N I T E D C O N T R AC T O R S . O R G

One of the ways we have tried to reinforce this belief is by being honest about what actually drives project success. For years, we operated under an assumption that most contractors share: safety is a by-product of a well-run job. Get the schedule right, manage the budget, keep the crew productive—and safety will follow.

WE HAD IT BACKWARDS.

When we look at our best projects—the ones that came in on time, on budget, with strong margins—they also have our best safety records. And when we look at our troubled projects, the ones that hurt us financially, the safety culture on those jobs was different too. You could feel it the moment you walked on site.

OUR SAFEST PROJECTS ARE OUR MOST SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS. NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

When safety is the priority, everything else falls into place. The crews are more disciplined. The planning is tighter. The communication is better. A superintendent who will stop the CEO at the gate for missing safety glasses is the same superintendent who catches the thing that could have hurt someone—or cost the project two weeks. That connection is not a coincidence. It is culture. Building that culture is not complicated, but it is not passive either. It requires leaders who show up in the right PPE. It requires superintendents who feel

U P FRO N T

...it doesn’t matter if you have 30 years of experience or if it’s your first week. If something doesn’t look right, speak up. Stop the work. No project schedule, no budget, no deadline is worth someone going home hurt. Everyone has the ability to stop work. Everyone.

empowered to enforce the standard—on anyone, including the person who signs the checks. And it requires every person on the jobsite to believe that raising their hand will be respected, not resented. The safety glasses moment stuck with me not because it was embarrassing—though it was—but because it showed me that the standard belonged to everyone. Not just to me to set, but to everyone to hold. That is the culture we are all trying to build. And it is worth every awkward moment it takes to get there. As UCON members, we represent the best contractors in California. We build the roads, bridges, tunnels, and water systems — the infrastructure this state depends on. The people doing that work deserve leaders who take safety as seriously as they take a project schedule or a bid number. The industry has come a long way. But we still have work to do. Best-in-class safety performance does not happen by going through the motions—it happens when a company decides that safety is not a line item to manage, but a culture to build. Every one of us in this room has the ability to move that needle, in our own companies and across this industry. In this issue you will find UCON’s Safety Award Winners, recognized for their outstanding safety performance on 2025 projects. Take the time to read their stories. These

SFPUC’s Channel Force Main Intertie, Cesar Chavez Street, San Francisco, Anvil Builders

are the companies setting the standard—and proving every day that the safest jobsites are also the best run ones. So the next time you walk a jobsite, ask yourself—would your superintendent stop you at the gate? Would your newest laborer feel confident raising their hand? If the answer is yes, keep doing what you are doing. If the answer is no, that is where the work starts.

Alan Guy, Anvil Builders UCON 2026 President AUGUST 2026

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W W W.U N I T E D C O N T R AC T O R S . O R G

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AUGUST 2026

CONGRATULATIONS TO UCON’S 2025 SAFETY AWARD WINNERS

nited Contractors is proud to celebrate the recipients of the 2025 R.E.A.L. Safety Awards—the companies and individuals whose commitment to protecting their people continues to raise the standard for safety across California’s union construction industry.

This year, UCON received one of the largest applicant pools in the program’s history, with outstanding submissions across every category. Applications were reviewed anonymously, recognizing excellence in safety performance, leadership, innovation, and continuous improvement. On the following pages, we celebrate this year’s award winners and honorees—from exceptional safety performance and Team Zero achievements to innovative projects and the Safety Heroes who lead by example every day. About the R.E.A.L. Safety Awards

“The R.E.A.L. Safety Awards are about more than recognition— they’re about reinforcing a shared commitment to safety every single day. Our winners represent what’s possible when safety is embedded into a company’s DNA.” — Emily Cohen, UCON CEO

W W W.U N I T E D C O N T R AC T O R S . O R G

Established in 2005, UCON’s R.E.A.L. Safety Awards recognize Excellence, Awareness, and Leadership in Safety among UCON contractor members. Guided by UCON’s Safety & Insurance Committee, the annual program celebrates the companies, individuals, and practices helping build a safer industry. For more information: • Jennifer Galenti, Director of Executive Affairs, and UCON Staff Liaison for the Safety & Insurance Committee (925) 362-7307 • Michael Donlon, UCON Chief Safety Consultant • Keith Oxford, Monterey Mechanical Co., UCON Safety & Insurance Committee Chairperson

TEAM ZERO ACHIEVEMENT UCON recognizes the following contractor members, who achieved “Team Zero”—having a zero incident rate in 2025:

CIVIL

CONSTRUCTION

ROBT. BURNS General Engineering Contractor, Inc. 2501 N. Wigwam Drive Stockton, CA 95205

Phone (209) 943-6969

Fax (209) 943-1718 E-mail: request@robertburnsconstruction.com www.robertburnsconstruction.com Robert Burns President Mark Burns Vice President

AUGUST 2026

CATEGORY: 1,000,000+ MAN-HOURS GRANITE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY “At Granite, safety is a core value and a shared responsibility. We believe every employee deserves an injuryfree career and to return home safely each day. Through employee engagement, leadership accountability, and our STCKY (Stuff That Can Kill You) serious injury and fatality prevention program, we focus on identifying and controlling high-risk hazards before work begins. Our safety culture is built on caring for one another, speaking up, and continuously improving how we work.” — Doug Donegan, Safety Director, Granite Construction Company 12

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CATEGORY: 1,000,000+ MAN-HOURS KIEWIT INFRASTRUCTURE WEST CO. “At Kiewit, nothing is more important than safety. Our Nobody Gets Hurt mindset means everyone does their part to eliminate every injury or incident, no matter how seemingly minor. On every project, we’re committed to Nobody Gets Hurt and most importantly, zero fatalities. We owe it to ourselves, our Kiewit family, and to every family waiting at home to always put safety first. No exceptions.” — Michael Flowers, Southern California District Safety Manager, Kiewit

AUGUST 2026

CATEGORY: 1,000,000+ MAN-HOURS SUKUT CONSTRUCTION LLC Safety is a core value at Sukut Construction and drives every decision we make in the field and throughout our organization. Our culture is built on proactive planning, employee engagement, continuous training, and the belief that every employee has both the authority and responsibility to stop work when something isn’t safe. Sukut’s safety program is led by Corporate Safety Executive Gade Mobley, with the full support of President Eddie Juarez and the company’s leadership team. Together, they foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement that helps ensure every employee returns home safely each day.

W W W.U N I T E D C O N T R AC T O R S . O R G

CATEGORY: 1,000,000+ MAN-HOURS SULLY-MILLER CONTRACTING COMPANY “At Sully Miller Contracting Company, safety is the uncompromising foundation of everything we do. It is not simply a priority it is a core value that drives every action, every decision, and every level of our organization. We believe that every employee has the right to return home safely each day, and we uphold that belief through a disciplined culture of accountability, rigorous standards, and proactive risk prevention. Our teams are equipped and empowered with continuous training, hands on engagement, and strong leadership support to identify hazards early, address them immediately, and prevent incidents before they occur. Safety is fully integrated into our operational planning and long term strategy because we recognize that true operational excellence is impossible without safety excellence. We hold ourselves, our partners, and everyone on our jobsites to the highest safety expectations, reinforcing that safety is a shared responsibility across all levels of the company. This unwavering commitment to protecting people is the cornerstone of our success and a source of pride for every member of the Sully Miller team.” — Brian G. DeTinne Sr. Director of Safety and Risk Management

AUGUST 2026

CATEGORY: 500,001-1,000,000 MAN-HOURS ANVIL BUILDERS At Anvil Builders, safety is more than a priority, it is a core value that guides every decision we make and every project we deliver. Under the leadership of CEO Alan Guy and Safety Director Tony Burnham, we are committed to creating a culture built on planning, accountability, continuous training, and open communication. Every employee is empowered with the authority and responsibility to stop work when conditions are unsafe, reinforcing our belief that everyone is responsible for protecting themselves and those around them. By emphasizing proactive hazard identification, employee engagement, and continuous improvement, we strive to ensure that every employee returns home safely at the end of each day. 16

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CATEGORY: 500,001-1,000,000 MAN-HOURS CITY RISE SAFETY “At CITY RISE, our philosophy is simple: We are Your Partners In SafetyTM. This means Safety is the foundation of our business and guides every decision we make. Our Safety Culture is built through strong partnerships, open communication, and continuous improvement. Every day, our teams work to earn the trust of our customers while creating safer job sites and stronger communities. It is an honor to receive this UCON Safety Award, reflecting CITY RISE’s unwavering commitment to protecting employees, customers and the communities we serve.” — Mariano Pacheco, President / Scott Gibson, Director of Safety & Training AUGUST 2026

CATEGORY: 500,001–1,000,000 MAN-HOURS CONDON-JOHNSON & ASSOCIATES, INC. “Condon-Johnson & Associates is honored to be awarded the 2025 UCON R.E.A.L. Safety Award in the 500,001 – 1,000,000 Man Hours Category. We continue to maintain a strong safety culture grounded in our Injury & Illness Prevention Program, supported by training, new technologies, employee recognition, and corrective actions that turn violations into learning opportunities. Condon–Johnson & Associates ensures clear, accessible communication and encourages employees to report hazards without fear through meetings, postings, written materials, and anonymous reporting systems. We challenge our employees with taking responsibility for their personal safety, as well as the safety of their co-workers and responsibly using the Stop Work Authority given to them.” — James Johnson, President and Manuel Ojeda, Corporate Safety Director, Condon-Johnson & Associates, Inc. 18

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CATEGORY: 500,001–1,000,000 MAN-HOUR: MOUNTAIN CASCADE, INC. “At Mountain Cascade, Inc., safety is the foundation of everything we do, and every task will be planned and executed with the health and well-being of our employees, clients, subcontractors, and the public as our highest priority. We believe all incidents are preventable through proper planning, hazard recognition, continuous training, and personal accountability at every level of the organization. Our commitment is that every employee has both the responsibility and the authority to work safely, stop unsafe work, and ensure everyone returns home safely at the end of each day.” — Duke Fuller, Owner, and Devin Britt, Safety Director AUGUST 2026

CATEGORY: 250,001-500,000 MAN-HOURS GHILOTTI BROS, INC.

TEAM ZERO*

At GBI, safety is not defined by policies, inspections, or numbers on a report. It is defined by our people. The choices they make, the standards they uphold, and the commitment they demonstrate every day when no one is watching. It’s found in the quiet hours before dawn when crews gather for the safety meeting and prepare for the day ahead. It’s found during multi-lane freeway closures at night, alongside unforgiving live traffic, around massive pieces of moving equipment, inside complex excavations, and in the ever-changing conditions that come with building the infrastructure our communities depend on. Every safe hour achieved represents a promise kept. A promise to our coworkers that we will watch out for one another. A promise to our families that we will return home at the end of the day. And a promise to ourselves that no task, schedule, or deadline is worth risking a life. Behind every safe hour are countless moments when employees chose to slow down, reassess the situation, ask a difficult question, or intervene on behalf of a coworker. Those decisions are rarely celebrated in the moment, but they are the reason people go home safely. They are the reason safety milestones are achieved. Those moments are the true measure of GBI’s safety culture. Built on trust, accountability, and genuine care for the ones working in the trench next to you. Mike Ghilotti, President & CEO, and Clifton Evans, Safety Director, Ghilotti Bros., Inc. 20

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CATEGORY: 250,001-500,000 MAN-HOURS MONTEREY MECHANICAL CO.

TEAM ZERO*

Monterey strives to create a psychosocial environment and encourages input from all levels. Every person has value, and they are entitled to a safe working environment, with each employee knowing they have the right to speak up and take control if something does not look or feel right. Monterey has implemented the STKY (Stuff That Kills You) and the Energy Wheel in all planning tools. Using this tool in the daily pre-task plan opens another source for the workers to plan their work safely. Increased awareness of high-energy injuries engages all workers in planning the work. Along with the STKY pre-task plan, we have developed an SIF (Serious Injury or Fatality) observation that uses a decision tree to determine our potential exposures and provide a forward view of PSIF (Potential Serious Injury or Fatality), exposures, injury causation, and successes. This information is shared with all frontline supervisors, who use it to inform and protect their workers. Keith M. Oxford, Safety Director, Monterey Mechanical Co. *“TEAM ZERO” recognizes those having a zero incident rate for the 2025 year.

AUGUST 2026

CATEGORY: 250,001-500,000 MAN-HOURS MOZINGO CONSTRUCTION, INC. “At Mozingo Construction, Safety is the most vital element of our operational success. Our primary objective is to send our people home to their families safely every single day without compromise. Safe work practices, a culture of actively caring for one another and an industry leading training program keep our people healthy and our projects moving efficiently.” Kurt Mozingo/Jake Creger, Owner/Principal, and Dan West, Safety Officer

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R.E.A.L. SafetY award WINNERS

RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE, AWARENESS & LEADERSHIP IN SAFETY

CATEGORY: 250,001-500,000 MAN-HOURS RANGER PIPELINES, INC. “At Ranger Pipelines, safety is fundamental to how we plan, manage, and execute every project. Our commitment extends beyond our employees and subcontractors to protecting clients, project partners, and members of the public who may be affected by our construction activities. Through strong leadership, continuous improvement, and active field engagement, we remain committed to delivering high-quality infrastructure projects while ensuring safety remains at the forefront of every operation.” Tom Hunt, Owner, Ranger Pipelines, Inc.

AUGUST 2026

CATEGORY: 100,001-250,000 MAN-HOURS CALIFORNIA ENGINEERING CONTRACTORS, INC.

“California Engineering Contractors, Inc. (CEC) employs a team of like-minded individuals that make up the heart and soul of the company. CEC endeavors to provide safe, challenging, and rewarding work for its employees. ‘Teamwork’ provides the framework from which CEC approaches safety. This belief is espoused by the owner and is promoted and supported at all levels from senior management to the newest apprentice.

TEAM ZERO*

CEC is committed to maintaining safety at work and supporting successful projects by providing necessary planning, supervision, knowledge, training, equipment, tools, and rewarding work experiences. CEC employees at all levels share responsibility for safety for themselves and their fellow workers. Each is tasked with anticipating, recognizing and reporting hazards, performing their work safely in accordance with company policies, procedures, and expectations.” — Wahid Tadros, President; Michael McKinney, Safety Director, California Engineering Contractors, Inc.

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TEAM ZERO* CATEGORY: 100,001-250,000 MAN-HOURS: MIKE BUBALO CONSTRUCTION CO., INC.

At Mike Bubalo Construction Company we strive for safety in all aspects of our work. With most of our crews having been working together for many years, some more than a decade, fellow employees have become close friends. The last thing anybody wants is to see a friend get hurt, which is the base we have built our safety practices on under the leadership of President Dave Sorem. At the end of the day, it is the people around us who matter, and that is worth the effort of having strong safety practices. *“TEAM ZERO” recognizes those having a zero incident rate for the 2025 year.

AUGUST 2026

CATEGORY: 100,001-250,000 MAN-HOURS SIERRA MOUNTAIN CONSTRUCTION, INC.

TEAM ZERO* At Sierra Mountain Construction, safety is not a program—it is a condition of employment and a responsibility owned in the field, not managed from the office. Our crews perform work in some of California’s most demanding environments, including in-river and marine operations, confined-space entry within active water transmission systems, energized high-voltage facilities, and critical dam and levee infrastructure that must remain in service during construction. We place authority at the point of risk: every employee has stop-work authority; our Good Catch program reinforces proactive hazard recognition, and our superintendents lead with comprehensive job hazard analyses before any work begins. This approach delivers measurable results, including a consistently improving EMR of 0.69 and United Contractors Team Zero recognition. “Out here, safety isn’t paperwork—it’s decision-making in real time. If something doesn’t look right, we stop, fix it, and move forward the right way. No schedule is worth a life.” — Travis Archer, Operations Manager

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*“TEAM ZERO” recognizes those having a zero incident rate for the 2025 year.

CATEGORY: 100,001-250,000 MAN-HOURS TRADEMARK CONCRETE SYSTEMS, INC.

“We at Trademark Concrete Systems pride ourselves in being an exceptionally safe company and hold ourselves to the understanding that we have a moral obligation to take care of the well-being of everyone that steps foot on a Trademark project, from our own workers, to the general public. Safety is not something that we view as a requirement, but as an opportunity to educate the workforce, and create a work environment that ensures our employees feel safe and cared for. Through our strong sense of teamwork, consistent training regime, daily supervisor involvement in the field, and relentless efforts to be an innovative force in safety, we will continue to foster a safety culture unlike any other.” — Michael Campbell, CEO; William Cowsill CHST, Safety, Health, and Environmental Oversight, Trademark Concrete Systems, Inc.

AUGUST 2026

CATEGORY: UP TO 100,000 MAN-HOURS E.E. GILBERT CONSTRUCTION, INC. “Safety is integrated into every phase of our process, From the bidding and planning stages to the final touches, we ensure that every step is evaluated for potential risks through thoughtful design and stringent protocols.” John Fagundes, President, E.E. Gilbert Construction, Inc.

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R.E.A.L. SafetY award WINNERS

RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE, AWARENESS & LEADERSHIP IN SAFETY

CATEGORY: UP TO 100,000 MAN-HOURS GSW CONSTRUCTION INC. GSW Construction is proud to announce that our team has earned a Safety Award in the category of up to 100,000 man-hours without a lost-time incident—a milestone earned through the daily discipline and care of every crew member on every jobsite. This achievement belongs to our field teams and trade partners who show up each day and look out for one another, because real safety culture is built on the ground, not from an office. Under the guidance of Jeffrey Ward and Cody Gunning, GSW has worked to create an environment where anyone can stop work the moment something looks unsafe, no exceptions. But it’s our people who make that culture real, and we’re proud of every single person who helped us get here.

*“TEAM ZERO” recognizes those having a zero incident rate for the 2025 year.

AUGUST 2026

R.E.A.L. SafetY award WINNERS

RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE, AWARENESS & LEADERSHIP IN SAFETY

CATEGORY: UP TO 100,000 MAN-HOURS PACIFIC BORING, INC. Our philosophy is to train the crew members then empower them to do the “right thing”. A simple, repeatable philosophy/statement of doing the “right thing” sticks. It’s a standard that spills over into all areas of work and their lives, not just safety.

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CATEGORY: UP TO 100,000 MAN-HOURS R E MASON ENGINEERING, INC. At R E Mason Engineering, Inc., safety is the foundation of everything we do and is integrated into every phase of our operations. We believe every employee has the right to return home safely each day, and we achieve this through continuous training, open communication, proactive hazard identification, and accountability at every level of our organization. Under the leadership of Ron Mason, Owner, our team is committed to fostering a culture where safety is a shared responsibility and never compromised for production. This commitment to excellence has helped us maintain high safety standards while delivering quality work for our clients throughout California.

*“TEAM ZERO” recognizes those having a zero incident rate for the 2025 year.

AUGUST 2026

CATEGORY: MOST UNIQUE PROJECT

FlatironDragados’ safety philosophy is built on a proactive approach that focuses on preventing incidents before they occur through the use of leading indicators and continuous risk assessment. We believe that strong safety performance is achieved by partnering closely with our operations teams to integrate safe work practices into every phase of project execution. By fostering open communication, accountability, and collaboration, we empower every employee to identify hazards and take action to protect themselves and others. This commitment reflects our core value and guiding principle: Safety Above All. The Upper San Leandro Water Treatment Plant Project presented a uniquely complex safety challenge due to construction occurring within an active, nearly 100-year-old facility that was required to remain fully operational throughout execution. FlatironDragados performed extensive demolition, structural, mechanical, and electrical upgrades while working around live water, chemical, and electrical systems, requiring continuous coordination with the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) to prevent service disruptions and ensure worker safety.

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CATEGORY: MOST UNIQUE PROJECT The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art project required the installation of a large-scale, elevated landscape system atop a complex structural roof deck. The scope included pumping, hoisting, and placing over 6,000 cubic yards of engineered soil, as well as installing over 100 specimen trees—some in 84-inch box sizes— along with thousands of shrubs and various landscape materials such as mulch, gravel, and decomposed granite. All work was performed within a highly constrained, active construction environment requiring precise coordination with multiple trades. This project exemplifies how safety must be proactively engineered when standard approaches are insufficient. Despite the complexity and elevated risk profile, the project was completed with over 11,000 labor hours and zero recordable incidents or injuries. At Marina Landscape, Inc., safety is a core value that guides every aspect of our operations. Under the leadership of Gerardo Flores, President, and our Regional Safety Managers—Kevin Blaz, Greg Vela, and Fernando Camarillo—we foster a culture where every employee is empowered to identify hazards, communicate concerns, and take ownership of workplace safety. Through leadership engagement, training, and proactive planning, we continuously strengthen our safety culture with one goal in mind: ensuring every employee returns home safely each day. AUGUST 2026

CATEGORY: MOST UNIQUE PROJECT

The Highway 1 Rocky Creek Seawall project asked our team to build safety solutions that didn’t exist in any playbook. Perched at the base of a coastal cliff in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the work zone had no road access, no cell service, and no natural fall-arrest points. Crews descended a 170-foot scaffolding stairway engineered into the bluff face, worked beneath tidal cycles that could flood the platform in minutes, and operated directly under active crane pick paths. What set this project apart was the sheer range of hazards converging in one place, and the creative engineering required to control them. Structural steel, up to 2,500 pounds per bundle, was flown in by helicopter on a 124-foot long line, a solution that required FAA, CHP, CALFIRE, NOAA, and California State Parks coordination just to close a public highway for each lift. A slickline concrete pumping system anchored into the cliff let crews pour without repeated crane mobilizations, cutting overhead load exposure dramatically. Starlink terminals kept the isolated site connected for real-time incident notification. Every element, from the tsunami evacuation plan to the helicopter Critical Lift Plan reviewed line by line with the pilot, was built specifically for a jobsite unlike any other in the state highway system. 34

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CATEGORY: MOST UNIQUE PROJECT

The Palisades Fire Debris Removal & Recovery Operation exemplified Shimmick’s belief that nothing is more important than protecting people, communities, and the environment. Mobilizing within 48 hours of the wildfire emergency, Shimmick entered a highly dynamic and hazardous environment containing unstable structures, fire debris, hazardous materials, steep terrain, and sensitive environmental resources. Through proactive planning, comprehensive training, daily hazard assessments, and workforce empowerment, Shimmick successfully created a culture where safety ownership existed at every level of the project team. Leadership from Chief Executive Officer Ural Ya and Director of Safety Operations Al Kelly, reinforced a safety-first mindset that guided every decision and ensured that no schedule, production goal, or operational objective took precedence over the health and safety of workers and the public. Through continuous improvement initiatives—including advanced site-monitoring technologies, digital tracking systems, and ongoing field evaluations—Shimmick safely mobilized and trained 119 union craft personnel, including local apprentices, while supporting HAZWOPER certification and hazardous-material removal efforts. By combining visible leadership, employee engagement, environmental stewardship, and innovative safety practices, Shimmick successfully delivered a complex disaster-recovery effort that helped restore a devastated community while demonstrating safety excellence and operational excellence are inseparable.

AUGUST 2026

CATEGORY: MOST UNIQUE PROJECT HONORABLE MENTION

Anvil Builders’ disaster response team was activated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers following last year’s deadly wildfires in Los Angeles County. Cleanup after massive urban wildfires presents a unique set of challenges. Fire debris exposes residents and the environment to an assortment of contaminants that must be removed as quickly as possible while ensuring workers are protected with respirators and Tyvek suits. Despite these hazardous conditions, Anvil’s workforce logged more than 250,000 work hours while working extended shifts, seven days a week, without a single OSHA-recordable injury. This achievement reflects the company’s unwavering commitment to safety, operational excellence, and protecting both its employees and the communities they serve during one of California’s largest disaster recovery efforts.

CATEGORY: MOST UNIQUE PROJECT HONORABLE MENTION This Confined Space Simulator project was completed at our heavy equipment yard and simulates confined space entries we perform in the field. Referred to by the field as “Sim Town,” our confined space simulator is a permanent structure made of various diameters of welded steel pipe ranging from 96 inch down to 24 inch. It includes simulated underground vaults and manhole structures and even has a section of 48 inch pipe on a 30 degree slope to mimic cut and cover pipeline on hillsides. Additionally, a 40 foot container has been converted into an insulated and climate-controlled classroom located directly on site.

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Along with training our team at Sim Town, the local fire department and urban search and rescue unit will be using it to train their staff as well! It’s a fantastic resource and one we hope can be utilized by many to improve worker safety in confined spaces.

CATEGORY: MOST UNIQUE PROJECT HONORABLE MENTION

O’Shaughnessy Reservoir, Yosemite National Park—Sierra Mountain Construction replaced the 100-year-old instream flow release system below O’Shaughnessy Dam under conditions where failure was not an option. The work included installation of 48-inch axial flow and 36-inch knife gate valves, roughly 300 feet of large-diameter welded pipe, thrust blocks, steel platforms, and a gantry crane on the face of a steep canyon above the Tuolumne River. The gantry was used to lower sections of pipe down into the tunnel, and every component installed inside was staged the same way—all tunnel material was fed through a single 6-inch access hole by a crane operating from outside the tunnel. Crews operated from suspended swing stages, rigging multi-ton components through a tightly sequenced Canyon Tunnel outage and a fixed 60-day release window, where isolation of a live, pressurized system carried life-critical consequences. Winter access, ice, and elevation compounded every hazard, leaving no margin for error. Every step was governed by engineered rigging, verified isolation, and disciplined confined-space control. “Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast. That’s how we lead our people home every night” — David Lomeli, Project Manager

AUGUST 2026

SAFETY HERO OF THE YEAR: ADOLFO CERVANTES KIEWIT INFRASTRUCTURE WEST CO.

Adolfo Cervantes builds safety directly into how the work is planned, organized, and executed every day. Before major operations began, he developed detailed site logistics and journey management plans for two complex sites operating simultaneously—crane setup locations, swing radius controls, laydown areas, pedestrian walkways, and more. By deliberately structuring the work environment in advance, he reduced exposure to struck-by, caughtbetween, lifting, and line-of-fire hazards before crews were ever placed in those conditions. His performance is evident in how the work was led, and what it achieved. In 2025, 45,752 manhours were completed injury free under his leadership. Job to date, the project has surpassed 120,000 manhours without a recordable injury. These outcomes were not the result of easy work or favorable conditions. They reflect disciplined execution, strong hazard recognition, and exceptional leadership in a high-risk environment.

SAFETY HERO OF THE YEAR: DR. AVERY FOX, ED.D., M.S., CSP, EPSE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH & SAFETY, SOUTHERN CA UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION CO., INC. At Underground Construction Company, Inc. (UCCO), safety is our core value and the foundation of everything we do. We believe that no task is so urgent that it cannot be performed safely, and we are committed to providing a workplace where every employee returns home safely each day. Our safety philosophy is built on proactive hazard recognition, employee involvement, continuous improvement, and individual accountability at every level of the organization. In the utility construction industry, the phrase “safety culture” is often used lightly. For Avery, safety is not a program, a slogan, or a poster, it is a deeply personal mission to ensure that every worker goes home to their family at the end of each shift. As Director of Safety and Health for two affiliated utility construction companies operating across gas distribution, electric power, airport fueling, and renewable energy sectors, this leader has built something rare: a culture in which frontline workers genuinely believe leadership cares about their lives, and where that belief is reinforced every day through visible action, transparent communication, and an unwavering commitment to improvement. 38

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SAFETY HERO OF THE YEAR: JAMES DE ALBA II, GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT TEICHERT CONSTRUCTION Ownership has replaced obligation at Teichert Construction, where safety has moved from being a rule to becoming a reflex. Every employee is empowered to take a proactive approach to reducing risk through our Stop Work Authority. Our Operational Excellence model, built on the pillars of safety, quality, and production, has become a competitive advantage as we continue our shift from reactive to proactive performance through employee engagement in Safety Observations, Good Catches, and OnThe-Job training. —Chris Barkley, VP Field Operations and Mary Harper, Director of Safety James de Alba II leads with a simple but powerful belief: every employee deserves to go home in better shape than when they arrived—physically and mentally. He leads from the front, ensuring that every operation is proactively planned with hazard recognition and mitigation built in from the start. He understands that safety isn’t the Safety Professional’s job—it belongs to every operational leader and champions one core message: safety and productivity are inseparable. You cannot have one without the other.

SAFETY HERO OF THE YEAR: RYAN TURNER SUPERINTENDENT SIERRA MOUNTAIN CONSTRUCTION, INC. At Sierra Mountain Construction, safety is not a program—it is a condition of employment and a responsibility owned in the field, not managed from the office. We place authority at the point of risk: every employee has stop-work authority; our Good Catch program reinforces proactive hazard recognition, and our superintendents lead with comprehensive job hazard analyses before any work begins. This approach delivers measurable results, including a consistently improving EMR of 0.69 and United Contractors Team Zero recognition. “Out here, safety isn’t paperwork—it’s decision-making in real time. If something doesn’t look right, we stop, fix it, and move forward the right way. No schedule is worth a life.” — Travis Archer, Operations Manager “Leadership is the standard you set, and the standard you refuse to lower. When a crew understands the ‘why’ behind the plan, they don’t just follow it—they own it, they protect each other, and they build something they’re proud of. That’s how you turn a jobsite into a team, and a team into a legacy.” — Ryan Turner, Superintendent AUGUST 2026

R.E.A.L. SafetY award WINNERS

RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE, AWARENESS & LEADERSHIP IN SAFETY

CATEGORY: MOST IMPROVED SAFETY RATING AMERICAN CIVIL CONSTRUCTORS WEST COAST

“Safety at ACCWC is treated as a core value, not just a compliance requirement—it’s woven into every phase of planning and fieldwork rather than bolted on afterward. We believe every incident is preventable, and we invest in proactive hazard identification, rigorous training, and open communication so that every worker goes home safely each day. Every employee, from site laborer to project sponsor, shares equal responsibility and authority to stop work if conditions become unsafe. Ultimately, we see safety as inseparable from quality and productivity—a well-run, safe jobsite is simply how we define success. Cliff Barber, Senior Vice President, and Tyler Greenman, Safety Director

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CATEGORY: MOST IMPROVED SAFETY RATING GHILOTTI BROS., INC.

AUGUST 2026

R.E.A.L. SafetY award WINNERS

RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE, AWARENESS & LEADERSHIP IN SAFETY

CATEGORY: MOST IMPROVED SAFETY RATING J&J ACOUSTICS, INC.

At J&J Acoustics, safety is more than a requirement, it is a core value that guides every project and every decision we make. We believe every employee has the responsibility and authority to work safely, identify hazards, and look out for one another so that everyone returns home safely each day. Through ongoing training, open communication, and continuous improvement, we strive to build a proactive safety culture that exceeds industry standards. This commitment is led by Owner Joe Jean, Vice President of Field Operations Rick Wood, and Safety Coordinator Fabio Correia, who work alongside our field teams to reinforce safe work practices every day.

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CATEGORY: MOST IMPROVED SAFETY RATING MR. CRANE, INC.

“Mr. Crane is committed to conducting every operation with safety as our highest priority, recognizing that protecting our employees, customers, and the public is the foundation of our success. We foster a culture of employee involvement and ownership by empowering every team member to take responsibility, speak up, and actively contribute to safe and efficient operations. Guided by integrity, we deliver exceptional customer service through honest communication, reliable performance, and professional execution on every project. As a recipient of a recognized safety award, we remain dedicated to continuous improvement, constantly evaluating our processes, embracing innovation, and striving to exceed industry standards.” — Andy Steinberg, CEO

AUGUST 2026

A LLIAN T I S THE NATI ON’ S LEAD IN G S PECI ALTY BROKER OUR APPROACH IS SIMPLE: hire the best people and invest extensively in the industries and clients we serve.

Redi-Mix Concrete

Hydro-Vac Services

Line & Boom Pumps Aggregates & Topsoil

Slinger Services

Concrete Recycling

Family Owned & Operated - Servicing the Bay Area Since ‘77 info@baumanland.com (415)447-4800

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Building the Foundation of Tomorrow, Today We build the complex, end-to-end infrastructure that keeps our communities connected.

Building. Trust. Tradition. Since 1887.

www.teichert.com

LABOR By Derek Borghi, Director of Labor Relations

LABOR RELATIONS: BUILT AROUND CONTRACTOR PRIORITIES 2026 MID-YEAR REVIEW From major labor negotiations to workforce challenges and contractor education, UCON’s Labor Relations work in 2026 has remained focused on one goal: helping union contractors compete, operate effectively, and grow.

A STRONGER CONTRACTOR VOICE AT THE TABLE With a heavy bargaining calendar in 2026, UCON began preparing well before negotiations started. Labor Executive Committees in Northern and Southern California aligned bargaining strategies and longterm priorities, while Craft Committees brought contractors together to identify the issues that matter most in the field and at the bargaining table. UCON also launched the Negotiations Tracker (scan QR Code to access), giving contractors 24/7 access to the current status of agreements being negotiated across California. WHY IT MATTERS: Better preparation. Greater transparency. A stronger contractor voice throughout the bargaining process. 48

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RELATIONSHIPS THAT GET THINGS DONE That philosophy is at the heart of UCON’s Industry Partner Meetings (IPMs). These meetings bring contractors and union leaders together to address challenges early, strengthen relationships, and develop solutions.

“They say construction is all about building relationships… and they’re right. Sometimes the most productive thing we can do is sit down over a steak and a drink with competitors, Dean with UCON’s Lucia Mixon, Senior Member Relations Manager at our union leaders, and UCONnect in Pleasanton industry partners, talk openly, solve problems before they become problems, and remind ourselves we’re all trying to build the same future. The meetings the next morning are important… but the conversations the night before are where the real foundation gets poured.” — Dean Salinas, Operations Manager DeSilva Gates Construction, LLC A March IPM with the Southern California District Council of Laborers focused on trust fund compliance, apprenticeship

LABOR RE LAT ION S & ME MBE R SE RV IC E S

training, and legislative strategy. In May, UCON met with Operating Engineers Local 3 to tackle workforce shortages and recruitment—leading to the creation of a new Workforce Development Subcommittee. WHY IT MATTERS: More communication. Stronger partnerships. More opportunities to solve problems before they reach the bargaining table.

MORE LABOR KNOWLEDGE. MORE CONTRACTOR CONFIDENCE. Knowing the agreement is one thing. Knowing how to apply it in the real world is another. UCON continued expanding labor education in 2026, including an exclusive partnership with LCPtracker for hands-on member training and Labor Essentials webinars covering topics such as Project Labor

Agreements, pre-job planning, and CBA payroll requirements. Members can also access recordings through UCON’s Professional Development Library or request customized training for their teams. WHY IT MATTERS: Better-informed teams. Fewer costly mistakes. Stronger compliance and a more competitive business.

GET INVOLVED Want a stronger voice in UCON’s labor strategy? Join a Craft Committee, participate in an Industry Partner Meeting, or talk with the Labor & Member Services team about customized training. LaborTeam@unitedcontractors.org | (925) 855-7900

UCON LABOR TEAM SPOTLIGHT

RUBY VARNADORE SENIOR LABOR CONTRACTS MANAGER

YEARS IN LABOR RELATIONS : 22 YEARS AT UCON AND INDUSTRY : 22 AREAS OF EXPERTISE : Labor and employment

law, trust fund audits, prevailing wage regulations, and contract administration and interpretation. Ruby helps contractors navigate the complex, ever-shifting landscape of compliance both through one-on-one guidance and written reference materials and bulletins. FUN FACT : I was a tour director and guide for 5

years earlier in my career, covering the Bay Area and the Southwest U.S.

“What still drives me after all these years at UCON is knowing that behind every question or problem is a contractor trying to do the right thing for their workers and their business. Union contracts and prevailing wage law aren’t light reading, and our members need clear explanations and answers they can count on. That’s what I’ve always tried to deliver.” AUGUST 2026

FACES

CTIN

F UR

UTURE

TE O R

TECTING

STRENGTHENING OUR POLITICAL IMPACT:

UCON’s SoCal PAC Fundraiser July 9th, Nixon Library, Yorba Linda

Gus Flores, UCON Director of Government Relations; Assemblymember Leticia Castillo, AD 58; Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, SD 19

On July 9, the UCON PAC hosted its Southern California PAC Fundraiser at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, bringing together contractors, industry leaders, and elected officials from across the region. The UCON PAC is critical to electing candidates who prioritize infrastructure investment and support the union contractors building California’s future. Supporting the PAC is one of the most effective ways to protect and strengthen our industry where it matters most.

Greg Ferguson and Rita Vigil Ferguson, G & F Concrete Cutting, Inc.

To learn more about UCON’s PAC, contact Gus Flores, Director of Government Relations at gflores@unitedcontractors.org. Brandon Sjulin, Zefiro Corporation (Right) Anna Carno, Carno Law Group, and UCON Senior Advisor, Agency Relations; Wahid Tadros, California Engineering Contractors, Inc.; Rachel Lupo, Underground Construction Co., Inc. 50

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UCON CEO Emily Cohen and Bryn Burke, Dees Burke Engineering Constructors, LLC

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O UR FUTURE

PR Alan Guy, Anvil Builders, and UCON 2026 President; Eddie Juarez, Sukut Construction LLC; Matt Scott, Kiewit Infrastructure West Co.

Kurt Kniffin, Stacy Witbeck; Lucia Mixon, UCON Senior Member Relations Manager, George Furnanz, Stacy Witbeck, and UCON PAC Co-Chairman

Trace Porter, Shimmick Construction Company, Inc.

Robert Chrisp, Chrisp Company

Assemblymember Juan Carrillo, AD 39; Assemblymember Laurie Davies, AD 74; Jason Groom, Mladen Buntich Constructionr

Andrew McCauley, Vulcan Materials Co., Western Division; Jim Nelson, Western Paving Contractors, Inc.; Sean Castillo, Toro Enterprises, Inc.

(Above) Erwin Jr., and Erwin Mendoza, High Light Electric; Kurt Eddy, Pavement Recycling Systems, Inc. (Lower Left) Rich Cincotta, Stan Driver, and Eric Patterson, Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. (Right) Bradley Bentley, Ferreira Construction Co. Inc. dba Ferreira Coastal Construction Co.

AUGUST 2026

FACES

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TECTIN

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F R U

Roslynn Hernandez and Madison Rossetti, Rebuild SoCal Partnership

(Above) Gus Flores, UCON Director of Government Relations addresses the attendees at the event; (Right) Christine Philips, American Global; Elizabeth Torrez, Tenna and UCON Associate Director; Mik Destiche, American Global

Mike Buntich, Zefiro Corporation

Dan Ngo, and Eddie Somoza, Silverado Contractors, Inc.

Maizer Ouijdani, and Vince Montelongo, The Conco Companies; Derek Borghi, UCON Director of Labor Relations

Brian Berry, Michelle McGrath, and Jim Pieri, J.F. Shea Construction

FACES

Michael Rider, Ferreira Construction Co. Inc. dba Ferreira Coastal Construction Co.

Clay O’Neal, UCON COO; Garret Francis, Pavement Recycling Systems, Inc.; Victor Sella, UCON VP of Contractor Engagement

Steve Concannon, UCON PAC Committee Vice-Chair, and Kurt Eddy, Pavement Recycling Systems, Inc.

Jenn Galenti, UCON Director of Executive Affairs; Tiffany Stuart, Dynamic Office & Accounting Solutions/ Dynamic Technical Partners; Brandon Pensick, Ferreira Construction Co. Inc. dba Ferreira Coastal Construction Co.; Teresa Osso, UCON Labor Relations Manager

Kurt Kniffin, Stacy Witbeck

Will Golubics, and Mike Tung, Stacy Witbeck

Saif Lodhi, California Engineering Contractors, Inc.

Jennifer Bubalo, and Nathan Simmons, Mike Bubalo Construction Company

Trace Porter, Shimmick Construction Company, Inc.; Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, SD 19

Rachel Lupo, and Mark Pracanica, Underground Construction Co., Inc.

FUTURE

Joseph Antonio, J N A Builders Inc.

Lee Roesner, Mladen Buntich Construction

James Black, Ferreira Construction Co. Inc. dba Ferreira Coastal Construction Co

Lucia Mixon, UCON Senior Member Relations Manager; Mike Buntich, Zefiro Corporation; Jenn Galenti, UCON Director of Executive Affairs

Emily Cohen, UCON CEO, Mark Padien, Guy F. Atkinson Construction, LLC

Chad Coca, JMH Engineering and Construction; Matt Lovingier, JMH Engineering and Construction; Garrett Francis, Pavement Recycling Systems, Inc.

Assemblymember Juan Carrillo, AD 39; Gus Flores, UCON Director of Government Relations; Wahid Tadros, California Engineering Contractors, Inc.

Brendan Slagle, J.F. Shea Construction

Troy Spiker, Spiker’s Grading & Excavating, LLC; (Right) Bryn Burke, Dees Burke Engineering Constructors, LLC

Assemblymember Juan Carrillo, AD 39; Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh, SD 19; Steve Concannon, Pavement Recycling Systems, Inc. and UCON PAC Committee Vice-Chair; Gus Flores, UCON Director of Government Relations; George Furnanz, Stacty Witbeck, and UCON PAC Committee Chair; Rita Vigil Ferguson, and UCON PAC Committee member; Emily Cohen, UCON CEO, Alan Guy, Anvil Builders, and UCON 2026 President; Assemblymember Laurie Davies, AD 74; Matt Scott, Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. 54

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TRAILBLAZER

E BUBAL IK

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UCT

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CHAMPION CELEBRATING

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LEADER

ORANGE Color PMS 158C / M61 Y97 Process

GRAY Color PMS 445Coated

3 color left chest ABOVE POCKET -chrome yellow -white underbase -black 4.23" wide

446Uncoated

ADVOCATE

C21 M0 Y23 K75 Process

Still Growing landscape construction landscape maintenance landscape architecture erosion control design build

ABOVE POCKET

IO N C

US & CANADA CONTRACTOR THE LEADING CELLULAR CONCRETE PROVIDER OF CHOICE IN NORTH AMERICA

Purple Line Extension, Los Angeles CA

Four Seasons Residences, Henderson NV

Sketchers Headquarters, Manhattan Beach CA

VISIT CELL-CRETE Contact us for a presentation (in person or virtually) to learn how cellular concrete can help you achieve your project goals. WWW.CELL-CRETE.COM Phone: 800-660-8062 Email: info@cell-crete.com

(209) 399-2022

CN C&N REINFORCING, INC. BUILDING CALIFORNIA FROM THE INSIDE OUT

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THANK YOU TO UCON’S 2026 ANNUAL SPONSORS 3 color left chest ABOVE POCKET -chrome yellow -white underbase -black 4" wide

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INFRASTRUCTURE

INCORPORATED

people. principles. progress. CELEBRATING

YEARS

CN C&N REINFORCING, INC. BUILDING CALIFORNIA FROM THE INSIDE OUT

DM Z

3 color left chest ABOVE POCKET -chrome yellow -white underbase -black 4.23" wide

BAUMAN REDI-MIX CONCRETE

AUGUST 2026

THROWING DOWN FOR THE NEXT GENERATION

UCON’S FINAL CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT RAISES $50,000 FOR EDUCATION $100,000 in scholarships. 25 recipients. $50,000 raised. One final Throw Down to remember. UCON members, scholarship recipients, families, and friends gathered at Wente Vineyards in Livermore or June 18 for the final Throw Down for Education Cornhole Tournament—bringing together friendly competition, industry connections, and support for the next generation. This year, UCON awarded a record-breaking $100,000 in scholarships to 25 recipients. Since 1994, the Scholarship Awards Program has awarded more than $800,000 to outstanding students pursuing their educational and career goals. Every scholarship is an investment in the people who will help build, lead, and shape the future of our industry.

ONE FINAL THROW DOWN...CLAY SHOOTS NEXT YEAR! The tournament went out strong with a sold-out field of 196 players, more than 100 spectators, and $50,000 raised for UCON scholarships. The cornhole boards may be retiring, but UCON’s Scholarship Fundraiser continues! In 2027, UCON will launch two Clay Shoots—one in Northern California and one in Southern California—creating more opportunities to connect, compete, and support the next generation. Different competition. Same purpose. Thank you to our Event Chair Matt Lockie, Liberty Company Insurance Brokers, sponsors, volunteers, Scholarship Committee members, players, and partners who made the final Throw Down one to remember. 58

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CORN-GRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS

1st Place: Vanguard Construction #7 — Evan Green + Rocky Trujilo 2nd Place: M&H Mother Huckers — Austin Eberle + Jeff Hoebel 3rd Place: CornStars — Brad Sparrer + Kurt Roessler 4th Place: Room for Improvement — Jake Hove + Kade Finegold Long Toss: Adam Wade, D.P. Nicoli, Inc.

Congratulations to all of our UCON Scholarship Award recipients (several shown here with their award checks) AUGUST 2026

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AUGUST 2026

Thank You Event Sponsors!

3 color left chest ABOVE POCKET -chrome yellow -white underbase -black 4" wide

DM Z

3 color left chest ABOVE POCKET -chrome yellow -white underbase -black 4.23" wide

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Total HDPE Piping Solutions

THANK YOU EVENT CHAIR: MATT LOCKIE, LIBERTY COMPANY INSURANCE BROKERS

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS: Rachael Brown, Sweeney Mason LLP Parker Cobb, Construction Testing Services Lindsey Eppler, Logoboss LLC Rob Flores, Tenna David Greco, Citizens Business Bank

SPECIAL THANK YOU: Brad Kinney Productions Breslow Imaging Construct Your Image, LLC

Matt Hennagin, Baker Tilly Jason Herrera, BFBA, LLP Andrew Holloway, Gallagher Rosa Isais, Graniterock

IMA Financial

Isaac Johnston, Travelers Bond

Verace Gelato

Christina Manville, Lockton Insurance Brokers, LLC

Wente Vineyard

Donnie Mayjoffo, Trucordia

Winslow & Associates

Susana Medellin, Farwest Corrosion Control Company McKenzie Meyn, Logoboss LLC Jose Neidermeier, R.C. Fischer & Co. Garett Oxley, Allen A. Waggoner Construction, Inc. A.J. Raynolds, Acrisure Melani Rickett, Allen A. Waggoner Construction, Inc. Kelli Schneider, Enterprise Fleet Management Kevin Sewell, R.C. Fischer & Co. Stephanie Smith, Graniterock

Look for our spotlight of all of our UCON Scholarship Award Winners in our next magazine!

AUGUST 2026

3 color left chest ABOVE POCKET -chrome yellow -white underbase -black 4" wide

San Francisco Bay Area | Central Valley | Southern CA Inland Empire T: (510) 656-2840 | www.Chrispco.com

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Thank you to all of our employees for their efforts in continuing to plan and build our projects safely! We are so proud of our team and grateful for their hard work and dedication including our subcontractors, vendors, and suppliers.

IMPROVING INFRASTRUCTURE W W W. D M Z B U I L D E R S . C O M (925) 826-5387

CA Lic #303609

100% Employee Owned A PRS Holdings Company

(800) 966-7774 www.pavementrecycling.com AUGUST 2026

FACES UCONnect

CONNECTING THE CONTRACTOR COMMUNITY! JUNE 11TH, THE BEACH HOUSE • SEAL BEACH

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FACES FACES

Check out UCON’s full 2026 calendar of events & opportunities: unitedcontractors.org/calendar

AUGUST 2026

FACES

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©2026 CliftonLarsonAllen LLP. CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) is an independent network member of CLA Global. See CLAglobal.com/disclaimer. Securities and investment advisory services are offered through CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor, member FINRA/SIPC.

AUGUST 2026

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W W W.U N I T E D C O N T R AC T O R S . O R G

Supporting Our Community for Over 30 Years We are a proud supporter of:

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CONNECTING THE CONTRACTOR COMMUNITY! JULY 30TH, DAPPER DINE & LOUNGE • RIVERSIDE

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CA Lic #569352

100% Employee Owned A PRS Holdings Company

(800) 966-7774 www.pavementrecycling.com AUGUST 2026

MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES: JULY & AUGUST

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 July and August: Photo courtesy of Silverado Contractors, Inc.

52 YEARS - 1974 Contractor Member: Silva’s Pipeline, Inc. Jim Silva

33 YEARS - 1993

Contractor Members: C.F. Archibald Paving, Inc. Curtis Archibald Esquivel Grading & Paving, Inc. Audrey Kaili Evans Brothers, Inc. Wil Evans

Associate Member: County Asphalt, L.L.C. Kathy Ferro

27 YEARS - 1999 Contractor Member: Golden Bay Construction, Inc. Johnny Luigi Zanette

26 YEARS - 2000

Contractor Member: Silverado Contractors, Inc. Joe Capriola

Gallagher & Burk, Inc. David DeSilva

Associate Member: Storm Water Inspection & Maint. Svcs. (S.W.I.M.S.) Ric Campos

Ghilotti Construction Co. Richard Ghilotti

25 YEARS - 2001

20 YEARS - 2006

16 YEARS - 2010

Robert Burns Construction Inc. Gary Purcell

Suarez and Munoz Construction, Inc. John Suarez

Wayne E. Swisher Cement Contractor, Inc. Brian Swisher

15 YEARS - 2011

Contractor Members: Precision Engineering, Inc. Finbar Brody

19 YEARS - 2007

Contractor Members: Florez Paving Lissette Agramonte Pacific Coast General Engineering Sam Baugh

Stevens Creek Quarry, Inc. Mark Mallin

Contractor Member: Dixon Marine Services, Inc. Mark Sutton

Associate Member: Eighteen Trucking, Inc. Martha DeLeon

32 YEARS - 1994

24 YEARS - 2002

18 YEARS - 2008

30 YEARS - 1996

23 YEARS - 2003

Contractor Member: Navajo Pipelines, Inc. Karen Silva Contractor Members: Appian Engineering, Inc. Bob Alvey Stacy Witbeck Kurt Kniffin

29 YEARS - 1997 Contractor Member: Bay Cities Paving & Grading, Inc. Ben Rodriguez, Jr.

Contractor Member: TerraCon Constructors, Inc. Steve Lydon

Contractor Members: Pavement Recycling Systems, Inc. Kurt Eddy

Associate Member: Trench & Traffic Supply, Inc. Michelle Townsend

W. Bradley Electric, LLC Liz Hartmann

22 YEARS - 2004

Contractor Member: Smith Denison Construction Co. Douglas Burkhart

Contractor Members: M. Hernandez Const. dba Hernandez Engineering Mariano Hernandez Martin General Engineering, Inc. Adrian Martin

W W W.U N I T E D C O N T R AC T O R S . O R G

17 YEARS - 2009

Associate Member: EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants Jeff Parkhurst

Contractor Members: MK Pipelines, Inc. Sean Brennan

Contractor Member: Veteran Pipeline Construction Michael Robirds Associate Member: Stevenson Supply & Tractor Co. Kent Stevenson

14 YEARS - 2012

Contractor Members: Compass Engineering Contractors, Inc. Mike Moore Marques General Engineering, Inc. Brandon Bell Vulcan Construction & Maintenance, Inc. Robert Flores, Jr. Associate Members: Chubb Surety Dev Bariana McSherry & Hudson Chuck Griswold

ME MBE R AN N IV E RSA RIE S

13 YEARS - 2013

Contractor Members: De Haro Ramirez Group Marco Ramirez RC Underground Inc. Ryan Caulfield

10 YEARS - 2016

Contractor Members: JDB & Sons Construction, Inc. James Burke

Teichert Construction Mary Teichert

Sinclair General Engineering Construction, Inc. Sean Sinclair

Underground Construction Co., Inc. Thiel Harryman

Walsh Construction Company II, LLC Sarah Williams

Valverde Construction, Inc. Ahron A. Valverde

Associate Member: Security Shoring & Steel Plate Kimberly Liston-Rivera

Associate Members: National Casting Corporation Gautam Kedia The Hartford Bryce Blanchard

12 YEARS - 2014 Contractor Member: Ferma Corporation Marc Ferrari

Associate Members: Dynamic Office & Accounting Solutions/ Dynamic Technical Partners Tiffany Stuart RGW Equipment Sales Dane Lowry West Coast Sand & Gravel James Slater

11 YEARS - 2015

Contractor Members: Azul Works Inc. Sandra Rocio Hernandez

9 YEARS - 2017

Contractor Members: Duran Construction Group Ray Duran, Jr. Industrial Plant Reclamation, Inc. dba Plant Reclamation Brett Moitoza Minerva Construction, Inc. Noel Kearney Associate Member: Construct Your Image, LLC Cole Adams

8 YEARS - 2018

Contractor Members: A.M. Stephens Construction Co., Inc. Greg Stephens

Photo courtesy of Duran Construction Group

5 YEARS - 2021

Contractor Members: American Landscape Inc. Gary Peterson Diverscape, Inc. dba Diversified Landscape Co. Paul Moralez Don H. Mahaffey Drilling Co. Ashley Mahaffey-Tullius Engelke Construction Jerry Engelke Kato Landscaping Randy Kato Pac Bay Environmental Services, Inc. Matt Certa Pacific Restoration Group, Inc. Danny Richards Pierre Landscape Monty Khouri Preferred Landscape, Inc. Landon Massey

Sierra Landscape Development, Inc. Kevin Watchler Sully-Miller Contracting Company Bill Boyd The Traffic Guys LLC Carlos Moreno Wahlund Construction Inc. Ryan Wahlund Associate Members: Carno Law Group Anna Carno CBIZ Warren Hennagin Construction Genius Eric Anderton Global Leadership Alliance (GLA) Corp. Mery Santos Underground Republic Water Works Kurt Vincelette

Tracy Grading & Paving Inc. Robert Rocha

7 YEARS - 2019

Underwater Resources, Inc. Tom Belcher

Associate Member: SMTD Law LLP Chris Morrow

Associate Member: JAM Services, Inc. Jeff Momaney

6 YEARS - 2020

Contractor Member: KRC Safety Co., Inc. Gary Castro

Photo courtesy of Underwater Resources, Inc. AUGUST 2026

MEMBER ANNIVERSARIES: JULY & AUGUST (cont.) 4 YEARS - 2022

Contractor Members: Bay Engineering LLC Matt Cox Jacobsson Engineering Construction, Inc. Dan Jacobsson Michels Pacific Energy, Inc. Benjamin Nelson Michels Trenchless, Inc. Christopher Fleming Scapes, Inc. Lane L. Poms Urban Habitat Brett Brennan Associate Members: BKF Engineers Devon Bacon

Coats Surety Insurance Services, Inc. Matthew Coats Isco Industries, Inc. Doug Moe LD Innovations, LLC Loren Johnson Littler Mendelson, PC Richard Hill Monzon & Son Enterprises Inc. Hugo Villanueva

3 YEARS - 2023

Contractor Members: Bragg Investment Company, Inc. dba Bragg Crane and Rigging Companies Kelan Bragg

Photo courtesy of Urban Habitat

Danny C. Hubbs Construction, Inc. / DBA D.C. Hubbs Construction Danny C. Hubbs DR Traffic Control LLC Derek Doan Frontline General Engineering Construction Inc Jesus Pedroza Graniterock-Myers JV Rob Snyder

Associate Members: Bar None Auction Marciano Vasquez Los Angeles Angels Eddie Gomez MB Professional Services, Inc. Brian Platt Pre-Con Products Shannon Garcia

2 YEARS - 2024

High-Light Electric Inc. Erwin Mendoza

Contractor Members: All Steel Fence, Inc. Tom Cornell

RJS & Associates, Inc. Scott Shepherd

A-C Electric Company Daren Alexander

Studebaker Electric, Inc Lauren Bird

Ace Sweepers & Water Trucks, Inc Randy Brown C2R Engineering, Inc. Trevor Connolly Chapco Construction LLC Brooke Chappell Covenant Technical Solutions, Inc. Bill Williams DRS Marine, Inc. Richard Williams United Pavement Maintenance, Inc. Mabel Ruvalcaba Web Concrete Engineering LLC Chris Wolf WestRock Engineering Keith Sammon

W W W.U N I T E D C O N T R AC T O R S . O R G

ME MBE R AN N IV E RSA RIE S

Associate Members: Alkeme Insurance Services, Inc Scott Salandi Corpay Jason Krankota Cujo Construction Inc Sarai Raygoza Datumate Chaz Ross Munro Purple Wave Auction Bridget Hess Zanker Road Resource Management Jerame Renteria

1 YEARS - 2025

Contractor Members: Joseph J. Albanese Nevada, LLC, dba Starch Concrete, Inc. Daniel Dryden

Platinum General Engineering LLC Justin Martinez Spiker’s Grading & Excavating, LLC Troy Spiker Associate Members: Bizpower360 Michelle Thomas Dependable Junk Removal Company Luis Roman Dublin/Chevrolet/GMC/ Cadillac/Buick/Kia Carlos Prado Savala Equipment Company Inc. dba Savala Equipment Rentals Erin Oskorus Wallace & Associates Insurance & Financial Services Rondell Patrick

SERVING YOUR CONSTRUCTION NEEDS THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA

707-953-8010 www.vulcanmaterials.com

AUGUST 2026

MEMBER NEWS IN MEMORY RON BIANCHINI, PRESTON COMPANIES It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of our friend and colleague, Ron Bianchini, COO of Preston Companies, and 2023 President of United Contractors. Ron passed away unexpectedly on July 11, 2026. Ron was an active and dedicated member of UCON for decades. His leadership and genuine commitment to this association and our industry left a lasting mark. In addition to his leadership on the Board of Directors, and as 2023 President of the Board, Ron was also a long-serving member of UCON’s Laborers Craft Committee, and a Governor’s appointee to the CA Underground Safety Board on behalf of UCON. “Many of us had the privilege of knowing Ron not only as a respected industry leader, but as a trusted friend. He built lasting relationships throughout UCON and was always generous with his time, perspective, and support. Even more, he was a bright light; authentic, fun and genuine. He will be truly missed within the UCON family.” Emily Cohen, CEO, United Contractors (UCON)

Ron was deeply devoted to his family. His wife, Lois, was a familiar and welcome presence at United Contractors, by his side at UCON events. We extend our deepest condolences to Lois and the entire Bianchini family, as well as everyone within the Preston team. “There are a lot of wonderful people in our industry, but few make the difference Ron did. His experience, intellect, competitive nature, passion, and beautiful heart will be sorely missed by us all. He was a loyal friend and a dedicated teammate. Carry on, my friend.” Mike Preston, CEO of Preston Companies, UCON Past President

We are grateful for Ron’s extraordinary leadership, friendship, and service to UCON and to California’s union construction industry. He will be deeply missed.

(Lois and Ron)

As I write this, I’m reminiscing about my 65-year relationship with my younger brother, Ron. He was one of a kind.

(Dave and Ron Bianchini)

Ron and I had a unique bond. We lived like twins, doing everything together. We were only a year apart in age, making us constant competitors and always striving to outdo each other. We were introduced to tractors at the young age of 10, and they became our passion. We were destined to become entrepreneurs, and some of you may remember us as partners in Underground from the late 1970s to the 1980s. As Ron embarked on his business journey, he wore many hats. He worked as an operator, laborer, lowbed driver, foreman, and estimator, all while owning a company. He had a loyal following of clients and employee’s. Some of Ron’s employees spent their entire career following him. Over the past 16 years, he continued to thrive, working with Preston Pipelines and Mike Preston. He found fulfillment in his relationship with Preston Pipelines, which allowed him to focus on his favorite aspects of the industry and get more involved with UCON. Ron was passionate and stubborn and rarely deviated from his original plans. He was always on the lookout for more cost-effective and efficient ways to build projects...or ride dirt bikes, which we loved to do whenever we could. Ron met the love of his life, Lois, his senior year of high school. They were happily married for 42 years. They raised two beautiful daughters, which brought them immense joy and a new love with grandchildren. Ron will be deeply missed by many, too many to count.

W W W.U N I T E D C O N T R AC T O R S . O R G

— Dave Bianchini, Brother, UCON Past President, 1999

Counsel to the

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY 1999 HARRISON STREET, SUITE 1025 OAKLAND, CA 94612

510.903.2001 SMITHCURRIE.COM

CALIFORNIA’S LARGEST CALIFORNIA’S LARGEST UNION UNION DEMOLITION DEMOLITION CONTRACTOR CONTRACTOR

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA | SILICON VALLEY | SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA www.silveradocontractors.com License #782547

AUGUST 2026

Saturday, November 7, 2026 5:00-10:00pm

The Claremont Club & Spa, Berkeley, CA Join fellow contractors and industry partners for an evening of connection, celebration, and fundraising in support of UCON’s Government Advocacy Program, which advances the legislative, funding, and regulatory priorities that help California’s union contractors compete and succeed. 86 W W W . U N I T E D C O N T R A C T O R S . O R G 86 W W W . U N I T E D C O N T R A C T O R S . O R G

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