Spring 2019 ASAM Newsletter
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Construction Forum Aims to Promote Success of those with whom we Share the Industry
A key component to improving the business of subcontractors is developing an understanding of how we can help in the success of those we share the industry with. In order to accomplish this, ASAM will periodically invite Construction Managers, General Contractors, Developers, Architectural/Engineering firms, and others who share our vision of an improved industry to join our members in participating in a Construction Advancement Forum.
In April, the Construction Advancement Forum welcomed a team from The Christman Company that included Brian Crissman, VP – West Michigan; Jacob Kulhanek, VP – Regional Operations, Lansing; and Rob Leutheuser, Director of Virtual Design and Construction.
The May 8, 2019 GMM will pick up the theme of risk management from our March BPI. This month, Mark Rysberg, Partner at Hilger Hammond, will lead an interactive discussion centered on risk management strategies for hedging against changes in the economy along with risks associated with contractor and owner non-payment.
June’s GMM will conclude the programming season until after the summer break. Monthly meetings are typically held on the second Wednesday of the month. To find out more about upcoming events and to register, please visit our website at www.asamichigan.net.
Travis Koetje, ASAM Director
Programming Chair
Legislative Update
Repeal of Prevailing Wage Constitutional Challenges Rejected
By Mark A. Rysberg, Hilger Hammond
To read the full article, please click here.
ASAM Program and Meeting Schedule — plus important dates
• May 8 — General Membership Meeting and Board of Directors voting
• May 13 — MCOY sponsorships available
• May 14 — ASAM Safety Committee quarterly officers meeting
• May 15 — ASAM Board Meeting
• May 23 — Job Site Safety Walkthrough with MIOSHA & CopperRock Construction
• May 23 — MCOY nominations begin
For additional information on any of these events, please visit our website: https://asamichigan.net/
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
‘Busy’ Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Success, Satisfaction
We’re slowly wandering into warmer weather, into what people both inside and outside our industry refer to as the busy season. It can be a conflicting time, especially for those who’ve been busy for years. The paychecks and profits are great, don’t get me wrong, but busy season can also leave us wondering whether all the work, stress, angst, and coordination challenges are worth it. In fact, just a few months ago, a trade contractor mentioned to me that it’s much harder now than it was a few years ago—and I’m sure he’s not the only one feeling this way. Why? Because busy doesn’t necessarily have a direct correlation to success; and success doesn’t always equate to satisfaction.
Professionally, I’ve always thought there’s value in taking time to reflect on what really matters to us as an organization. As a guy who has never really been hyper-focused on the verbiage surrounding “mission statements” and “core values,” I try my best to stay focused on what personally matters to me when reflecting on what’s important as an organization.
I propose three questions to consider as we work our way into the busy season:
- Are people happy—the ones we work with and the ones we work for?
- Are we giving 110% and building projects we’re proud of and successful at?
- Most important, are we partnering with organizations that help us achieve these ends?
At ASAM, one of our core reasons for being is working to bring positive change to the construction industry by empowering and supporting our trade contractors. To that end, you’ll be seeing events sponsored by ASAM in the coming months that address creating safer jobsites; another BPI (Business Practice Interchange) where we can come together as trade contractors to share what we’ve learned and how we can become better; a general membership meeting on Risk Management and creating environments for successful projects; all leading to our capstone event on October 17, our tenth annual MCOY Awards, which recognizes the general contractors and construction managers we value most as partners.
As you can see, we at ASAM are passionate about helping good trade contractors become great trade contractors and great trade contractors even better. So, take advantage of all that ASAM offers…and seize what’s really important this busy season.
Tony Vermaas, ASAM President
Sobie Company, President & CEO
5th Annual CWDA Rally Celebration inspires, attracts the next generation
March 6, 2019 kicked off the 5th annual Construction Workforce Development Alliance Rally. The CWDA is compiled of members from American Subcontractors Association of Michigan, ABC West Michigan and Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids. These groups and individuals participate in raising funds for construction awareness, career education, trades training and special construction related projects.
Each year the CWDA assists the construction industry to interact with more than 10,000 middle school, high school and college students as well as young adults interested in learning more about the skilled trades.
We would like to extend a special thank you to all who made this year’s event successful, including our volunteers and judges! We hope to see you at the rally next year in March 2020 to continue to help inspire and attract the next generation of construction industry professionals.
