On our website, on social media and wherever else we get a chance, we like to tout the benefits of being a member of ABC Maine. And when we gather together, we not only highlight everything good about our organization, but we connect with our members, showcase their work and talk about ways to improve the construction industry in Maine.
Our spring membership reception held on May 5 at Bruno’s in Portland was no different.
The evening included mingling, eating, drinking and a presentation from Membership Director Tami Staples. Tami spoke about the Cent for CTE Program, the ABC Action app, our growing apprenticeship program, and welcomed several new members in attendance, including Triumph Modular, a Massachusetts-based ABC member trying to increase its footprint in Maine.
Nicole Griffin-Perron, a Triumph Modular branch manager, says ABC is a great advocate for growing businesses.
“Our company benefits from ABC’s legislative advocacy, training and networking, and we’re excited to join the Maine chapter,” she says. “There are a lot of companies doing great work in Maine, and we’re happy to be a part of their organization.”
Cent for CTE
The Cent for CTE Program helps support the 27 CTE high schools across the state. Participating ABC Maine member firms have pledged to pay one cent per work hour to provide textbooks for the construction curriculum.
Companies will track their work hours normally—the hours can be tallied and paid quarterly. Simply email your total work hours to Shari Johnston, our Workforce Development Coordinator, and we’ll send you an invoice. Or you may donate any amount to the Cent for CTE Program by contacting Shari as well.
ABC Action App
The ABC Action mobile advocacy app was also discussed. The app features one-click messaging to elected officials, priority issue information, the latest industry news and federal voting records on construction-related matters. The tool provides our members the opportunity to become a vital part of the national organization’s grassroots advocacy efforts and allows members a chance to make their voices heard locally and nationally.
For more information about the app, click here.
Apprenticeship Program
We also talked about our apprenticeship program, an earn-while-you-learn model for member company employees that offers on-the-job training and classroom sessions.
Kevin Culbert, Milwaukee Tool’s New England training center representative, presented Shari with a portable speaker to be used at our upcoming golf tournament at Spring Meadows Golf Course in Gray on June 10.
“Our company is proud to support the ABC Maine apprenticeship program by donating tools and providing safety training,” Culbert says.
For more information on our apprenticeship program, click here.
Giving Thanks
First, kudos are deserved to CIANBRO and Shaw Brothers for completing the rapid Veranda Street bridge project in Portland with a few hours to spare. The companies had roughly 64 hours to finish work that began on Friday night, April 22 and needed to be completed before the morning commute on Monday, April 25. The project shut down all four lanes of Interstate 295 for a five-mile stretch between Exit 9 in Portland and Exit 10 in Falmouth. Great job to all!
We’d like to thank members of our board in attendance, including David Jean of Albin Randall & Bennett; Deb Plowman of PDQ Door; and Adam St. Michel of Shaw Brothers. We were also joined by young professionals including Conrad Gilman of Industrial Roofing Co.; Patrick DeBlois of DeBlois Electric; and Joe Gagne of United Rentals. New members in attendance included Ron Petrone and Ben Vickery of Hardypond Construction; Clay Maker and Derek Albert of Penobscot General Contractors; Margo Walsh of Maineworks; and Griffin-Perron and Phil Hovasse of Triumph Modular.
“As general contractors, it’s nice to stay connected with other GCs and the people we work with every day,” Maker says. “ABC Maine makes it easy to maintain and make new relationships that drive our business and support our industry.” Also, we want to thank our sponsors that make the events we host throughout the year possible. Thanks to premier sponsors CIANBRO, DeBlois Electric, NS Giles Foundations, The Rowley Agency and Travelers. Gold sponsors include Cross Insurance and Metro Walls, and supporting sponsors include Clark Insurance, Machias Savings Bank and Resource Options.
To see more photos from the 2022 ABC Maine Spring Membership Reception, click here!