Summer 2020 ASAM Newsletter

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PRESIDENT’S CORNER

Relationship Driven and Focused

It is my absolute privilege to become the newly elected president! Serving ASAM alongside so many dedicated and talented individuals and organizations is a true honor. I am very grateful for everyone who continues to make this organization a leader within the con-struction industry, serving more than 80 member companies.

2019 National Chapter of the Year

ASAM’s commitment to its member-ship, passion for elevating trade contractors, and commitment to CM/GC rela-tionships were on center stage this past March at the ASA National Conference. ASAM was honored with the National Chapter of the Year for 2019! The award exemplifies outstanding member service and chapter accomplishments during the 2019 fiscal year. We look forward to carrying this accomplishment into 2020-2021, while improving on the key characteristics that make our Michigan chapter one of the very best. Great work…and congratulations!

Facing the challenges ahead

Looking at many of the accomplish-ments in 2019-2020 has us now transitioned into a year that has been challenging to say the least. We as individuals, families, teams, organizations, and industries will continue to be challenged. Our commitment to our membership and trade partners remains steadfast! We will be a resource for our industry, continuing to build and foster the relationships that we need more now than ever as we continue to focus our leadership-philosophy on serving others. Many of the health, economic, and social effects of the last several months can be seen across the globe. Those impacts are also felt within ASAM and specifically on the year’s premier event, the Michigan Contractor of the Year (MCOY). After many discussions, the decision was made to cancel the 2020 event to preserve the health and wellbeing of our membership, trade partners, and families. We look forward to reengaging the MCOY awards event in 2021. Please keep an eye out for additional updates and details.

First-annual board retreat planned

The ASAM Board of Directors will be setting goals and objectives to foster our core philosophy during a board “retreat” this year. The first-annual retreat will focus on team (relationship) building, the ASAM “mission statement,” in-line collaboration, leadership development, goals/objectives, and creating a leader-ship environment. We are excited to grow these relationships and discussions through a unique format.

I am excited and enthusiastic to serve ASAM this year!

James Bockheim
ASAM Incoming President
Alternative Mechanical, Director of Business Development

ASAM 2020-2021 Officers Announced

James Bockheim, President
Alternative Mechanical LLC

John Turner, Vice President
Vos Glass

Jon Lunderberg, Secretary
Buiten & Associates LLC

Ann Plummer, Treasurer
Beene Garter LLP

Steven Coats, Past President
Welch Tile & Marble

ASAM Safety Committee Update

Over the past three months, as our member companies worked through the ever-changing landscape of COVID-19, our ASAM Safety Committee found itself in a unique position to offer value in new and exciting ways. During this time, we offered our first-ever virtual, quarterly safety meeting and MISOHA jobsite walkthrough! Both events focused on COVID-19 and were joined by Phu Nguyen from MIOSHA—the response was extremely positive.

In addition to these events, we also worked diligently to provide resources to members on our safety email list such as MIOSHA updates and a COVID-19 preparedness plan template.

Moving forward, we will be sending out weekly safety videos and/or information to anyone interested.

Don’t miss out! Sign up to receive future safety updates and informational videos (aimed at helping you in your day-to-day operations and professional development) by emailing info@asamichigan.net.

John Turner
ASAM Safety Committee Chair
asamichigan.net/safety

Membership Committee Update

The subcontracting community knows all too well about assessing risk—we do it every day, on every bid and every project. Safety risks, financial risks, manpower risks, and the list goes on. We have to balance risk in a competitive marketplace that has little room for error.

In dealing with the unprecedented disruption to our industry, we have had new risks to assess and respond to. Yet assessing, reacting, and adapting to challenges is built into our DNA. We do it on projects with changing schedules, weather, scope, and manpower requirements; we’re experts when it comes to solving problems, making modifications, and moving forward.

As a member of ASAM, you are part of a group of like-minded companies that are dealing with the same challenges you are. That is why it’s important to take full advantage of your ASAM membership by exploring all the resources that are available. CARES Act updates and a virtual jobsite safety walk-through are a couple of recent examples of what’s available to you, along with a host of other ASA National resources.

Please know that your membership strengthens this association and helps us to continue advancing the positive working culture our chapter has created over the past 10 years…and into the future!

Brian Strick
ASAM Membership Committee Chair
D&D Building

Outgoing President’s Corner: Beyond Thankful for Board Members, ASAM Culture

First of all, I want to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to serve as ASAM’s President this past year. I’m beyond thankful for each one of our board members as well as our association’s collaborative culture.

What else is an outgoing president supposed to say regarding his tenure? Especially given that the COVID pandemic hit our world like a ton of bricks. Safety concerns consumed all of us, inside and outside our industry. And now, subsequent political agendas are electrifying the airwaves as we move closer to fall elections.

While many things have seemed to take a back seat to COVID-19, some key reflections stand out to me as I look back on the last 12 months, including:

I. Celebrating our 10th anniversary

We should be proud of ASAM’s long-standing heritage, so appropriately celebrated last October at our 10th annual MCOY event!

• In the last 10 years, ASAM has stayed true to our foundational mission: Promoting the rights and interests of subcontractors, specialty contractors, and suppliers by building strength in community through education, advocacy, networking, and professional growth.
• During this time, we also stayed true to our values: Adhering to and promoting quality construction, ethical and equitable business practices, safety in the work environment, and best-industry practices.

II. Focusing on safety

ASAM’s Safety Committee and dedicated leadership team provided members valuable COVID-19 information and compliance plans for the continuance of work and safety procedures to meet Michigan’s re-opening requirements.

Members were also privy to up-to-the-minute information from leading industry experts, locally and nationally, including our new ASAM Safety Video Series. If you haven’t signed up for ASAM safety updates, including informational videos, you can do so by emailing info@asamichigan.net.

Steven Coates
ASAM Past President
Welch Tile & Marble Company, COO

2020 MCOY Awards Postponed Due to COVID Pandemic

After careful consideration of the continued uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, we have come to the difficult decision to postpone the 11th annual Michigan Contractor of the Year (MCOY) awards event that was scheduled for Thursday, September 10, 2020.

MCOY was founded more than 10 years ago on a vision to positively impact the West Michigan construction industry…and indeed it has! Since inception, MCOY has recognized, celebrated and fostered true partnerships that have elevated our industry by creating an environment that encourages professional and personal development.

We are proud of our decade-long history and accomplishments; likewise, we are honored to have been awarded Chapter of the Year by ASA National in March—an accolade that exemplifies our collective outstanding achievements.

Our decision to postpone the 11th annual MCOY awards event to 2021 was made with the health and safety of our member companies, volunteers and community as our top priority. We look forward to hosting this event next year, and will announce the new date, as well as details, as soon as they are finalized.

As beneficiaries of ASAM’s decade-long groundwork, it is our hope that you will renew your membership to continue advancing the positive working culture our chapter has created through member meetings, educational opportunities, Business Practice Interchange (BPI) sessions and legislative advocacy. Thank you in advance for your continued support.