February 2018 Vol. 73 No. 2
Features
PCCA Prepared for a Productive 2018
Following a busy 2017, the Power & Communications Contractors Association (PCCA) charges into 2018 with plans to expand its education initiatives, vigorously pursue advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., and hold fun and valuable meetings that provide opportunities for members to network with their colleagues from around the country and learn more about running successful construction businesses.
These efforts are being led by 2017-2018 PCCA President Jim Dillahunty, Henkels & McCoy; President-Elect Larry Pribyl, MP Nexlevel; 1st Vice President Dave Aubrey, Okay Construction; 2nd Vice President John Fluharty, Mears Group; Treasurer Bob Breeden, ElectriCom; and Secretary Jerrod Henschel, Michels Corporation. Education Committee efforts have been spearheaded by Heath Sellenriek, Sellenriek Construction, and Chase Lapcinski, Push, Inc. PCCA’s work in Washington, D.C., is a group effort by a very active Government & Industry Affairs Committee led by Eben Wyman of Wyman Associates.
Building up the workforce
A common refrain from PCCA’s contractor and associate members from all around the country is that they simply don’t have enough qualified workers to pursue all the work that is available. The PCCA Education & Research Foundation has been addressing the industry’s worker shortage with two initiatives. The first is a scholarship fund, created in 2016 to award financial assistance to the children and other dependents of PCCA members’ employees. PCCA Past Presidents oversee the scholarship program and meet every year at the annual convention to select the winners. In 2017, PCCA awarded scholarships to Adriana Berríos González, Caguas, P.R., (Bonneville Contracting & Technology Group, Inc.), Makayla Mattson, St. Charles, IL, (Digital Control, Inc.), and Marlee Caldwell, Jonesburg, MO (Sellenriek Construction).
PCCA has also been working to develop and endorse a utility construction curriculum for technical schools and community colleges that can be transported around the nation. Member Sellenriek
Construction, Jonesburg, MO, has been working on such a curriculum with the State Technical College of Missouri. The curriculum has been approved by the state, and the first class will start this fall. The PCCA Foundation also donated $30,000 to the school for the creation of a Construction Safety Village.
PCCA and Push Inc. helped develop a curriculum for a utility construction technician program for the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC) in Rice Lake, WI. WITC has approved the course outline and expects students in November 2018. PCCA has begun working on a program with Terra State Community College in Fremont, Ohio, and will announce other participating schools this year.
Raising the industry’s voice
PCCA’s always-busy Government & Industry Affairs Committee traveled to Washington, D.C., three times in 2017 to meet with lawmakers, congressional staff, federal agencies, owner groups and other industry associations. At these meetings, PCCA advocates on behalf of its members and educates legislators, regulators and others about power and communication construction and the many benefits it provides. Last year, PCCA worked with the Trump Administration and Congress to facilitate tax reform, regulatory relief and increased federal spending for power and broadband, particularly in underserved areas.
The committee’s work is truly a collaborative effort, and the entire PCCA membership greatly appreciates the contributions of: John Audi, MasTec North America; Carmine Battafarano, HMI Technical Solutions; John Fluharty, Mears Group; Robin Gilbertson, J&R Underground; John Hale, John Deere; Jerrod Henschel, Michels Corporation; Todd Myers, KG Myers Construction Co.; Rob Pribyl, MP Nexlevel; Rex Schick, K & W Underground; and Steve Sellenriek, Sellenriek Construction.
PCCA meetings: great information, great times
PCCA held its 73rd Annual Convention in March 2017, where nearly 350 industry professionals, family and friends met in sunny Carolina, Puerto Rico, for topical education, great speakers, relaxed networking, fascinating tours, and lots of rollicking good times. The meeting program was filled with educational opportunities, including sessions on Conflict Resolution, Microgrids, the Utility Construction Market Outlook, Project Owner Perspectives, and a powerful Opening Session with keynote speaker and Benghazi hero Kris “Tanto” Paronto. The association saluted outgoing President Todd Myers and welcomed new President Jim Dillahunty.
The undisputed highlight of the convention was the induction of Max Clark into the PCCA Hall of Fame. Clark was the founder and owner of C&B Associates, rock saw pioneer, 33-year PCCA member, longtime member of the board of directors, association president in 1990-’91, and role model, mentor and friend to countless people in the industry.
Six months after the PCCA Convention, Hurricane Maria slammed into Puerto Rico and devastated the island. Through the PCCA Foundation, PCCA members donated $36,000 to hurricane-relief efforts.
The 2017 PCCA Mid-Year Meeting drew more than 160 association members and their families to the fabulous Bacara Resort in Santa Barbara, CA, in September. The meeting featured three fascinating industry speakers: Jonathan Adelstein, president & CEO of the Wireless Infrastructure Association, former FCC Commissioner, and former Rural Utilities Service Administrator; Jonathan Claffey, Policy Adviser for the Rural Utility Service’s Electric Program; and Les Carter, a manager in Dominion Energy’s Strategic Underground Program. General Session speaker Dr. Dale Henry delivered powerful business advice with a healthy dose of down-home storytelling and humor. Members also visited some world-class vineyards, explored the historic downtown, sailed Santa Barbara’s majestic coastline, and toured the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
PCCA has two fantastic meetings slated for 2018: the 74th Annual Convention, March 2-7, at the Grand Hyatt Kauaiin Hawaii; and the Mid-Year Meeting, September 12-15, at the Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda.
For more information on the meetings and to learn more about PCCA, visit www.pccaweb.org.
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