Four Reasons to Attend the AGC Annual Business Meeting (ABM)

The AGC Oregon-Columbia Chapter’s 2019 Annual Business Meeting (ABM) is just around the corner. Next week, to be exact, on January 25 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Portland Hotel. As the year begins and business is back in full swing, now is the best time to re-evaluate your company’s direction, chart a path toward renewed growth, and make those business connections that will propel you and your company ahead of your competition. If you haven’t registered for the ABM yet, now’s your chance!

1. Save Money
   Not only could you save your company money with the knowledge you will glean by attending this year’s ABM, but you will also save money on the registration fee, which goes up after today. Don’t delay! Register for the ABM today!
2. Make Connections
   The ABM is the perfect way to connect with your peers and the leaders of the industry. From the Industry Showcase, to meeting up with the movers and shakers of the construction industry, the ABM is where you will build those vital business connections. There is power in being connected to other people who are active in your line of work.
3. Be Informed
   No matter how experienced you are at your business, everyone can learn. Working in a small business (and even in large companies) can often be isolating, and without exposure to a variety of points of view, you miss the opportunity to hear new ideas and trends that can impact future results. Learn about what is happening in Salem, hear the State of the Chapter, and engage with the leaders in the industry. The ABM is the perfect way to start your year and be “in the know” of all that might impact your business.
4. Celebrate!
   Being in business should be rewarding and fun. All work and no play can get old fast. While you are making those connections, you will recognize several incredible individuals and great companies who have made significant contributions to this chapter, the industry, and their own safety programs. Throughout the day we will celebrate many companies with the ROSE and PRIDE Safety Awards, recognize members for their contributions to the chapter, and honor several companies who have been members for over 25 and 50 years with the Heritage Award. In the evening, we will also install our officers for 2019 along with our second female president in our chapter’s history! Join us. There is will much to celebrate!

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Industry Showcase
7 am–2:30 pm

Everyone knows that most business is conducted through well-established relationships. Leverage your next business connection by building stronger partnerships within AGC. Spend the morning networking with members and buy AGC!

KEYNOTES

Opening Keynote
8:30–9:30 am

Oregon’s New Political Landscape: What Does it Mean for Our Industry in the 2019 Legislative Session and Beyond?

Jodi Hack, Trade Association CEO, Oregon Home Builders Association
As CEO of the Oregon Home Builders Association, Jodi Hack represents the residential construction industry with Oregon’s elected leadership. Jodi served two terms in the Oregon House of Representatives, representing South Salem, and on the House Republican Caucus Leadership team.

Additionally, Jodi leads a grant writing and development company, and has written competitive grants for more than 20 years, notably contracting with school districts, universities, and non-profits. Jodi holds a B.A. in Business Management from Marylhurst University. She is active on several boards in the broader Salem community, including the Salem Keizer Education Foundation Board.

John Horvick, Pollster, DHM Research
John Horvick is vice president and political director at DHM Research. In his decade with the firm, John has wedded his passion for community-based politics with his expertise in opinion research. He manages complex projects for the firm, is an experienced focus group moderator, and serves as DHM’s political commentator. He feels that public opinion work is a powerful tool for answering the question at the center of any democracy: “What kind of community do you want to live in?”

While he is particularly dedicated to Oregon’s political life, John has worked on projects across the country. He holds a degree in sociology from University of Minnesota. He recently served as president of the City Club of Portland and remains an active member in the organization.

John Rakowitz, Construction Industry Lobbyist, AGC Oregon-Columbia Chapter
John Rakowitz joined AGC’s government affairs team in June 2008 and was appointed public affairs director later in the year. In this role, he manages a number of critical relationships with state agencies, the legislature, and the Governor’s office. His prior professional experience includes working as a Portland Business Alliance lobbyist, serving on the staff of an Oregon governor, and as chief of staff for a Multnomah County Chair. John has spent many years as a state and local economic development official recruiting and retaining private investment in Oregon.

Drew Hagedorn, Business Lobbyist, Tonkon Torp LLP
Drew Hagedorn is a partner at Tonkon Torp and serves as chair of the Tonkon Torp Government Relations Practice Group. Drew is a long-time public affairs professional offering comprehensive government affairs services to Tonkon Torp’s clients at the state, local, and regulatory levels. He has represented multiple Fortune 500 companies and key industry sectors ranging from commercial construction, to hospitals, Oregon’s public universities, broadcast and telecommunications companies, automakers, and various nonprofit industry associations. Drew received his undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California and his law degree from Lewis & Clark. He has been a member of the Oregon State Bar since 1999.

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Safety Awards Lunch Keynote
12:15–2pm

The Leader in Your Chair: Causing Safe Behaviors

Andy Erickson, Co-Creator/Owner, Humanus Solutions
Andy Erickson is the co-founder of Humanus Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in leadership, worker safety, and project team alignment.

Andy has worked as a management consultant since 2006. Prior to becoming a consultant, he spent seventeen years as a manager at Boeing Commercial Airplanes. He led teams of machinists, planners, and engineers on the 777 and 787 programs, and was also heavily involved in Boeing’s lean manufacturing and continuous improvement efforts.

Andy holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in Organization Systems. Andy lives with his wife Cecilia in Seattle, Washington.

Breakout Sessions

ADVOCACY
9:45–10:45 am

Previewing the 2019 Session: Latest Business Tax Options and Full Range of Proposed New Laws Impacting the Construction Industry

Jeremy Rogers, vice president at Oregon Business Council, and Justin Delaney, vice president at Standard Insurance Company, will preview options for new business taxes and compare current tax increase options coming in the 2019 Oregon Legislative Session. AGC Legislative Forum Co-Chairs Dee Burch and Tom Gerding will then preview the top challenges our industry faces in the 2019 Session.

Speakers:

• Jeremy Rogers, Vice President, Oregon Business Council
• Justin Delaney, Vice President, Standard Insurance Company

GROW
9:45–10:45 am

How AGC is Combating Industry Workforce Challenges

AGC is active across the state in leading and supporting initiatives that seek to address current and future construction workforce challenges. Learn about AGC’s initiatives, why it is important for you and your company to get involved, and how to do so without impacting day-to-day operations.

Panel:

• Yohn Baldwin, President, Project Executive, Baldwin General Contracting
• Brandon Flint, Vice President of Operations, INLINE Commercial Construction, Inc.
• Frosti Adams, Workforce and Professional Development Manager – Education Outreach, AGC Oregon-Columbia Chapter
• Aaron Bouchane, Workforce and Professional Development Manager – Industry Outreach, AGC Oregon-Columbia Chapter

ENGAGE
9:45–10:45 am

Engage: We Want You!

Is your company new to AGC? Or has your company been a member for a long time, but never engaged within the chapter? Are you looking for opportunities to build stronger business relationships, expand your professional network, and get the biggest return on your membership investment?

There are numerous involvement opportunities throughout the chapter for members to take advantage. Join us for a panel discussion with the current chairs of each of the following councils to find your interests and get plugged in!

• Construction Leadership Council: join the movement of the next generation of leaders in the construction industry. This group focuses on networking and education events, philanthropy and community service efforts, and helping grow the future construction workforce.
• Specialty Contractors Council: are you a subcontractor who has questions for general contractors but no access to the decision-makers? These monthly panel discussions with general contractor members address various topics of interest that subs face in their working relationships. General contractors are also welcome and encouraged to participate.
• Professional and Industry Associates Council: open to any member who is not a contractor, the Associates Council hosts numerous networking events with contractor members
• Area Councils: not located in the Portland metro area? AGC has several area councils throughout the state that allow members in those regions to host events and meetings and network with local contractors and elected officials.

Panel:

• Bryna Gibson, President and Majority Owner, Gibson Door and Millwork, Inc.
• Bill Schmeck, President, Winema Electric, Inc.
• Brad Wagner, Project Executive, E C Company
• Katie Fairhart, Account Executive, Brown & Brown Northwest

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SAFETY
9:45–10:45 am

Serious Injury & Fatality (SIF) Prevention

For 80 plus years we have been following the theory of Heinrich’s Triangle. Data in the last 20 years has shown that this theory is flawed. While we have made great strides in frequency of injury reduction, we have made much less progress in the reduction of serious and fatal injuries. This presentation will show the statistical data that supports this claim, define the concept of SIF (serious injury and fatality prevention) and help attendees better understand how they can begin to better address the serious exposure precursors within their organization.

Speaker:

• Rob Berryman, CSP, ARM, CRIS, ALICE Active Shooter Response Strategy

Highway/Heavy/Utility Contractors Council Meeting
11 am–12 pm

Join us for a Q&A with Rick Baker of Eastern Research Group, the project manager for Oregon’s off-road diesel inventory. Larry Gescher of HP Civil Inc. will join Rick to discuss the role your company can play to ensure an accurate understanding of our industry’s diesel emissions and how we can help to shape any future off-road diesel equipment regulations.  

The Highway Council will also hear two reports (1) how a proposal to expand Oregon State Police’s presence could improve highway work zone safety and (2) ODOT’s outlook for the 2019 list of projects.

Speaker:

• Rick Baker, Vice President, Eastern Research Group

Specialty Contractors Council
11 am–12 pm

Three Amigos + 1: What We Learned Along the Way!

We have so much to learn from them and so much fun to hear what they have to say! Some of the questions they will openly and honestly address might surprise you:

• Best job ever? Percent of profit made?
• Worst job ever? Percent of profit lost?
• What was the best advice ever taken? Not taken?
• What are you still learning? What do you wish you had learned?
• Warnings as we move forward?
• How changes in our business are affecting us?
• Knowing what you know now, what would you change?

Panel:

• David Andersen, Owner, Andersen Construction
• Russ Batzer, President, JB Steel, Inc.
• Todd Hess, President, Todd Hess Building Company
• Steve Malany, President, P & C Construction Company

Construction Leadership Council
11 am–12 pm

Mastering the Art of Tough Conversations

There are more generations actively at work today than any other time in history, and stark differences in values, communication styles, and work habits of each generation is becoming increasingly pronounced. Whether in the office or out in the field, every person comes to work with different life experiences, perspectives, and views valuable to the company. In reality, generational differences get in the way of team work and managing projects, deliverables, and timelines. A disproportionate amount of time is spent jockeying for position, politicking to be heard, and managing conflict between colleagues who should be sitting on the same team bench, not pitted against each other, firmly holding their stake in the ground.

The conversation is the relationship. Join us for a panel discussion on how communication among the generations is impacting our industry and walk away with practical ideas on how to address it in your own organization.

Speaker:
Karla Thommen, MS: MOL, Vice President, Organizational Development, The Partners Group; Executive Director, North American Healthcare Forum

Panel:

• Jeff Nakashima, Fortis Construction, Inc.
• Lainee Perala, Perlo Construction
• Kaci Cullen, E C Company
• Mel Jones, JE Dunn Construction Company

SCHEDULE

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Thank you to our sponsors

Event App Sponsor

Premier Sponsor

Event Sponsor

Event Sponsor

Safety Awards Lunch Sponsor

2019 Annual Business Meeting Sponsors
AGC Health Benefit Trust
Ball Janik LLP
CNA Surety
Convergence Networks
Dick’s Auto Group
Durham & Bates Agencies, Inc.
Hoffman, Stewart & Schmidt, P.C.
J E Dunn Construction Company
James E John Construction Co., Inc.
k.p.d. insurance and RISK SOLUTIONS
Miller Nash Graham & Dunn, LLP
Moss Adams, LLP
Northside Ford Truck Sales
Pamplin Media Group
SAIF
Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt
Smith Monroe Gray Engineers, Inc.
Stewart Sokol & Larkin, LLC
Sunstate Equipment Co., LLC
Talbot, Korvola & Warwick, LLP
TerraFirma Foundation Systems, Inc.
Travelers Bond
TS & S Ford

Hotel Information

The deadline for the AGC room block has passed, but there are still several rooms available. Make a hotel reservation and stay the night on January 25 to avoid traffic, and take the elevator home!

DoubleTree by Hilton Portland
1000 NE Multnomah Street
Portland, Oregon 97232

Guest Room Rates:

• Queen: $159 per night, plus tax
• Queen with a balcony: $179 per night, plus tax
• King 2 room suite: $407 per night, plus tax

Room Block Deadline: January 7, 2019

Reservations: Calling the hotel directly at 503-281-6111 and asking for in-house reservations. The reservations department is open Monday–Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.

Early Departure Fee
In the event a guest checks out prior to the guest’s reserved checkout date, the hotel will add an early checkout fee of $50 to that guest’s individual account. Guests wishing to avoid an early checkout fee should advise the hotel at or before check-in of any change in the planned length of stay.

Parking
Complimentary day parking vouchers are at registration. The hotel parking garage has a 7′ height restriction.

Overnight parking fees is discounted to $15 for self-park. Valet parking is $35 for the day.

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