The Weitz Company of Minneapolis, Minn., a member of ABC’s Minnesota/North Dakota chapter, has been awarded Accredited Quality Contractor (AQC) status by ABC. The AQC program recognizes and honors construction firms that document their commitment to excellence in five key areas of corporate responsibility: quality, safety, employee benefits, training and community relations. A company that meets the criteria set forth in the program, and has earned Safety Training Evaluation Process (STEP) Gold, Platinum or Diamond status, is formally designated an “Accredited Quality Contractor.”      

ABC’s 2016 National Craft Championships gold medalists were honored before an audience of more than 40,000 at a July 1 baseball game at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. Before the game, the champions and their families were given all-access passes to the field and were able to watch batting practice, followed by a picnic hosted by ABC in the fairgrounds just outside the stadium.

ABC has added Iowa Chapter member Mike O’Day of Hometown Plumbing & Heating to the Beam Club Presidential level. The Beam Club was established in 1966 to recognize ABC’s top membership recruiters for their commitment to growing the association. By recruiting five new members, ABC members are automatically enrolled in the Beam Club by their chapter. Members receive one point for each new member recruited. Beam Club activity is ongoing from year to year, with members’ point totals continually accruing and advancing members to the next Beam Club award level.

The University of Washington Department of Construction Management inducted Kathleen Garrity, retired president of the ABC Western Washington chapter, into the Construction Hall of Fame for her substantial contributions to the industry on May 24. She is the second woman to be inducted.

A brand-new 2016 Ram Tradesman Crew Cab truck was presented to ABC Craft Professional of the Year Scott Walters at an event in Grand Rapids, Mich. Scott, a carpentry superintendent at Dan Vos Construction Co., was awarded the truck courtesy of the award sponsor, Tradesmen International, with custom upgrades donated by FCA US. 

ABC Workforce Week ’16 attracted well over 500 attendees, with 55 educational sessions, 50+ exhibitors and plenty of excitement. Surveyed shortly after the conference, 91 percent said they planned on returning next year. Highlights included the ABC Innovation Theater, where attendees got a chance to see into future of the construction industry with the latest in software technology, a live exoskeleton demonstration and drone display. ABC Workforce Week '16 was a remarkable demonstration of what makes our association great.

ABC recognized the country’s top construction projects as well as leading company-wide safety and diversity programs at the 26th annual Excellence in Construction® Awards gala March 2 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

ABC congratulated the winners of its 2016 National Craft Championships competition during the March 4 Careers in Constructions awards held during the association’s Workforce Development Conference, March 1-4, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 

The 2015 National Safety Award Pinnacle, Excellence and Merit Winners are:

The FaverGray Company of Jacksonville Beach, Fla., a member of ABC’s Florida First Coast chapter, has been awarded Accredited Quality Contractor (AQC) status by ABC. The AQC program recognizes and honors construction firms that document their commitment to excellence in five key areas of corporate responsibility: quality, safety, employee benefits, training and community relations.