Cody McCullough
codym@djc-or.com
Daily Journal of Commerce

The Oregon-Columbia Chapter of the Associated General Contractors recently received the Large Chapter of the Year Award at AGC’s national convention.

The award was announced at the Aon Build America Awards Dinner, which was part of the organization’s national convention held in Honolulu, Hawaii.

“The Chapter of the Year Awards are given to the chapters that exemplify excellence in chapter management, membership recruitment and member services,” said national AGC President Larry Gaskins.

“We are pleased the AGC of America has recognized that the Oregon-Columbia Chapter, under the toughest conditions we’ve experienced in several years, was still able to develop new programs for members, grow the size and stature of our two political action committees, and maintain our level of membership in a tough economy,” said 2002 Oregon-Columbia Chapter President Jim Hirte.

As part of the criteria for both awards, the winning chapter needed to demonstrate excellence in chapter services, state legislative issues, insurance, safety and training programs, education, and sponsorship of student chapter activities.

“It was an honor that we actively decided we were qualified for,” said Craig Honeyman, executive director of the Oregon-Columbia Chapter of the AGC. “We pursued it and we won.”

Awards abounded for the local AGC chapter.

Honeyman was honored as Chapter Executive of the Year, and Hirte was honored as Chapter President of the Year.

“I am very honored to receive that award,” Honeyman said, “but this truly was a group effort.”

“A piece of the trophy, which now sits in AGC’s office, really belongs to all 1,200 of our members,” Honeyman added.

The chapter submitted a 50-page report on its activities in 2002 in order to be qualified for the award.

“The bottom line was that despite an economic downturn in the state, we were able to withstand the economic challenges and still offer members a full service trade association,” Honeyman said.

According to Honeyman, even while facing challenging times, the chapter was still able to increase its services for members.

“While businesses were struggling in the tough economy,” Hirte noted, “member involvement was stronger than ever.”

Additional Member Awards

Vancouver, Wash.-based JH Kelly and Portland-based W.G. Moe & Sons each won first place in the 2003 Construction Safety Excellence Awards Competition. This program examines each contractor’s commitment and approach to safety and health as well as their statistical results for the year. Special attention is given to the contractor’s safety training program, active employee involvement, evidence of management commitment, and innovation.

“One of the highlights of my presidency has been furthering the goal of improving safety across the construction industry,” said AGC President Larry Gaskins. “We want to use those accomplishments as a springboard to find innovative ways to improve safety in our industry.”

In order to be a finalist, contractors had to achieve zero worksite fatalities and zero multi-catastrophic injuries. They presented their safety programs to an independent panel of judges consisting of owner representatives, federal/state OSHA Administrators and insurance brokers. Awards were presented only to those contractors that exceeded the program criteria.

JH Kelly won first place for the Specialty Contractors Division, 500,000+ Work Hours, and W.G. Moe & Sons were awarded first place for Municipal Utility Contractors Division, <100,000 Work Hours.

Advanced American Diving Service Brings Home Two National Awards

Local general contractor, Advanced American Diving Service, Inc. (AADS), recently received the Associated General Contractors of America’s (AGCA) highest accolades for its work on the Army Corps of Engineers’ Miter Gate Repair project, Lower Granite Dam, Wash. Each year AGCA searches out contractors for two major awards, Aon Build America and Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering, to highlight outstanding performances by AGC members and showcase the “best of the best” projects in the industry.

Aon Build America Merit Awards recognize complicated projects that demonstrate innovation, state-of-the-art advancement, environmental sensitivity, community contribution, and excellence in project management client service and safety. Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering Awards are presented annually to construction projects best epitomizing the principles of partnering. Partners who win this coveted prize stand out for their ability to achieve a common goal, resolve conflicts, improve communication, celebrate joint successes, and most importantly, incorporate team-building activities.

AADS’ President Dee Burch and Project Manager Art Harding knew that their Miter Gate Repair project met all the criteria of both awards, but they were uncertain if it would compete against larger projects at the national level for 2002. As for the principles of partnering, Burch firmly believes that this project could not have succeeded any other way. Burch explains, “The partnering process delivered increased productivity, creativity, pride in the work, and overall enjoyment of the job. We created a safe, trusting, synergistic environment that supported open, honest communication.”

Project Manager Art Harding confirms the need for such a team attitude on a complex, demanding project, “This was a demanding 24-hour/7-day-a-week project, requiring all participants to be available at all times. The instant cooperation of all parties on weekends, at night, and holidays, made the project a fun and prideful job.”

The Army Corps of Engineers discovered that the Miter Gate was in dire need of repair in March 1998, during a routine inspection. The Corps discovered serious cracks in the Lower Granite Navigation Lock Miter Gate, which were considered to be a serious threat to the future integrity and operation of the navigation lock. A major portion of the economy of Clarkston, Wash., Lewiston, Idaho, and the surrounding areas is dependant upon commercial shippers being able to use the Lower Granite Lock and Dam. The Corps needed a contractor that could deliver a solution to this complex, challenging and time and quality sensitive project.

AADS met – and surpassed – the Corps’ goals on all fronts. This project received an Outstanding Performance Rating from the Corps, and Advanced American Diving Service was awarded the Department of the Army Certificate of Appreciation, and received a $200,000 bonus for early completion.

Advanced American Diving Service is an Oregon City-based heavy general contractor with a stellar track record of excellent performance through its solid 19-year history. AADS has worked in most western states and specializes in marine construction and consulting work in the Columbia and Snake Rivers system. AADS also won the Aon Build America Award in 2000 for its Eastbank Esplanade project in Portland. For more information about the award-winning Miter Gate Repair project, and AADS, please visit www.aadiving.com.