July 19–22, 2012 at The Ritz–Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes in Orlando was the site of this year’s Underground Utility Contractors of Florida (UUCF) Convention. The weather was great, and the hotel was beautiful. This year’s UUCF Convention had everything you could ask for and more. There was our first ever Contractor’s Day which featured round table discussions on issues affecting your business and a vendor table top. There was also social networking, Wiffle Ball Tournament, Premier Jewelry and Thirty One Party and games for the theme night where our “teams” participated in games requiring unique skills. There was fierce competition between the teams. Kudos to Paula Lieser and her Convention Committee for putting together a very memorable convention at the beautiful Ritz–Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes.

Saturday night’s games proved to be quite entertaining. Convention attendees were split in to teams (based on the they were assigned to) at the start of the event. Teams were then given the opportunity to choose unique names for their team. During the course of the games, members of the team competed as teams or individually in challenges. Challenges consisted of games of endurance, agility, teamwork and dexterity.

We are grateful for the overwhelming support of our sponsors and the enthusiastic participation of our members and guests in this year’s convention.

There are many people to recognize and thank for this year’s convention. First and foremost – the contractor’s “partners” who are needed not just at convention, but year round – our associate members. Contractors need their equipment, materials and services so they can do the job of building Florida’s infrastructure. This time of year, the same companies the contractors rely on every day in their business step forward to support the association’s goal of improving our industry . . . and for that, we are greatly appreciative.

Throughout this article, we will recognize all of our great sponsors. A special thanks to our Platinum Sponsors, Nortrax and Sunshine 811, whose early commitment helped make this year’s convention a success.

UUCF would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Gold Sponsors. They are: Glenn
Rasmussen, P.A.; HD Supply Waterworks; Linder Industrial Machinery Company; Pensacola Concrete Construction Company, Inc.; Professional Shoring & Supply; and Utility Service Company, Inc. and Honorary Gold Sponsor: Ring Power Corporation.

Finally, this grand convention would not have been possible without the hard work of this year’s Convention Committee: Paula Lieser, Chairperson; Lauren Atwell; Kim Bryan, Bill Davis; Larry Falls; and Chris Stewart. We also would like to thank the Chapter Executive Directors and UUCF staff for their hard work: Kathy Blackman; Sharon Fugatt; and Misty McKendree; and UUCF staff Bruce Kershner, Julie Kershner and Tresa Crocker. Each one is to be commended for the many hours worked, creativity and team work. We couldn’t have done it without them.

Special thanks to Valenti, Trobec & Woody, Inc. for Co–sponsoring the Hospitality Room on Thursday, July 19; and Glenn Rasmussen, P.A. for Co–sponsoring the Hospitality Room on Saturday, July 21, 2012. The Hospitality Room gave the attendees a place to relax, socialize, bid on the Silent Auction items, purchase tickets for the Chinese Raffle and the 3 – 0 in the Ninth Inning drawing.

Thursday, July 19, marked the start of the convention with the UUCF Executive Committee and Board of Director’s Meetings. Many issues were discussed.

Thursday evening, the Welcome Cocktail Reception was held. During the Welcome Cocktail Reception, Paula Lieser welcomed everybody to the 2012 Convention.

First thing Friday morning, attendees had their choice of going to the Round Table Discussion or attending the Optional Event.

At the Optional Event, attendees were presented with a show from Premier Jewelry and samples of Thirty One items with a chance to purchase the items.

Others attended Contractor’s Day which was co–sponsored by Forsberg Construction, Inc. and Utility Service Company, Inc. The day was full of roundtable discussions, presentations and guest speakers geared specifically for contractors. Vendors also set up displays and were on hand to discuss their latest products and promotions, as well as reinforce relationships with our members.

Sunshine 811 provided information about their new “Safety Matters” program available for free on–line (www.Sunshine811.com). “The program’s six chapters offer detailed information on locate tickets, an intense review of the tolerance zone, white lining and some common–sense safety recommendations to make the call–before–you–dig process go smoothly. This program is recommended for professional excavators, locators and employees or contractors of companies/utilities that own underground facilities. Sunshine 811 is currently attempting to qualify the program with the CILB so that state certified contractors can earn continuing education by taking the course. It’s an easy course that you can introduce to the person in your office responsible for calling in tickets, with your foremen, superintendents or operators.

We were also fortunate to have several representatives from FDOT attend and invited open discussion on many areas of interest for the group. Many found this incredibly

informative and was also nice to meet the people behind the names we hear and see so often. FDOT representatives included: David Sadler, Director, Office of Construction, and Thomas Bane, State Utilities Engineer, Utilities Section, Office of Design. He is responsible for developing the rules for utility accommodation, policies and procedures. Also in attendance were Larry Ritchie, Environmental Specialist, concentrating in pipe inspection/rehab and construction related environmental issues, and Stephanie Maxwell, Specialty Engineer, State Construction office. Her main responsibilities are ADA issues, crash cushions, guardrail, ITS, lighting, MOT, pavement marking, Rumble Strips, signalization, signing and utilities.

The discussion began with introduction of some of the new specs coming out, particularly on TV/Laser Profiling of storm pipe. The floor was basically open to any discussion topic after that. Contractors and representatives discussed pay items, utility work, compaction/densities and the use of alternate storm pipe types, to name a few. The session was so successful, it actually ran over the allotted time well into the afternoon. It was certainly a privilege to have so many top officials at our convention engaging with our members on a wide array of topics.

Everyone felt that this session alone was worth the whole convention. In the past, FTBA has enjoyed a close working relationship with FDOT, while ‘utility work’ tended to take a backseat. UUCF is forging a new relationship with FDOT, and this was certainly a very successful first step! There has already been discussion about next year’s FDOT presentation!

UUCF thanks the following companies for being a Vendor at Contractor’s Day during the UUCF 2012 Convention: Florida Concrete Pipe Institute; GrayRobinson, P.A.; HD Supply Waterworks; Nortrax, Inc.; Professional Shoring & Supply; Sunshine 811; Thomspson Pump & Manufacturing Co., Inc.; Underground Imaging Technologies, LLC; URETEK; and Xylem, Inc.

Friday evening began with the Dinner Party Reception, co–sponsored in part by Ring Power Corporation.

The Friday Dinner Party, co–sponsored in part by Glenn Rasmussen, P.A.; Petticoat–Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc.; and Utility Service Company, Inc., was a business affair.

Bruce Wendorf presented the 2012 UUCF Construction Performance Awards for the Mitch Ellington, Gary D. Sawyer and Andrew J. Mayts Awards. The winners were: Mitch Ellington Award – Flo Woodall of John Woody, Inc. Gary D. Sawyer Award – Wayne Jensen of Safety for Stahl & Associates. Andrew J. Mayts Award – Paula Lieser of Pensacola Concrete Construction Company, Inc.

After the awards presentation, Bruce Kershner installed the UUCF 2012/2013 Officers and Directors. UUCF is proud to have the following Officers for 2012/2013: President – Bruce Wendorf, Forsberg Construction, Inc.; President Elect – Lauren Atwell, Reynolds, Inc.; Vice President Convention – Kim Bryan, Petticoat–Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc.; Treasurer – Tom Woodward, David Nelson Construction Co.; Secretary – Paula Lieser, Pensacola Concrete Construction Co., Inc.; Immediate Past President – Bill Lee, Utility Service Company.

The following is a list of the 2012/2013 Directors: NUCA of North Florida: Ryan Schmitt, Petticoat–Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc.; and Alternate Mike Woodall, John Woody, Inc. NUCA of Northwest Florida: Lee Brown, Brown Construction of Northwest Florida; and Alternate Bill Davis, HD Supply Waterworks. NUCA of Southwest Florida: Scott Horn, Kelly Tractor Company; Chris Stewart, Xylem, Inc.; and Tim Wise, Gulf Coast Underground, Inc. SUCA: Tom Butler, Ripa & Associates; Larry Falls, Associated Construction Products, Inc.; and Alternate David Runyan, Florida Gas & Electric Corp. District 3: Scott Johnson, Johnson–Davis, Inc. (Ex Officio). Sunshine 811 Representative: Mark Sweet.

Ryan Schmitt, NUCA President, addressed the members with issues that NUCA is working on.

Bruce Kershner, UUCF Executive Vice President, announced the recipient of the UUCF/Andrew Scott Johnson Memorial Scholarship. The $6,000 scholarship to an individual currently enrolled in high school was presented to Lauren “L. T.” Atwell. L. T. is the son of Lauren Atwell who is employed by Layne Heavy Civil, Inc. and Melanie Atwell.

On Saturday afternoon, attendees played in the first ever Wiffle Ball Tournament which was sponsored in part by the Suncoast Utility Contractors Association. The weather was hot, but UUCF kept the beverages flowing.

Saturday evening began with the Theme Party Reception. The Saturday Theme Party Dinner, sponsored in part by Glenn Rasmussen, P.A.; Petticoat–Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc.; Utility Service Company, Inc.; and Xylem, Inc., was a fun–filled affair.

Prior to the dinner starting, each table was asked to name their team. After dinner, the games began. Individuals earned points for the following games: Tea Party, Tilt–a–Cup, Am I a Walrus, String Ball, Ball Toss, Junk in the Truck, Twister and Baseball Bingo. The winning table consisted of: Linda Shutt, Tom Woodward, Rosemarie Woodward, Kathi Moore, John Moore, Maxx Moore, Chris Stewart and Susan Stewart.

Again, UUCF would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Platinum, Gold and Silver Sponsors. We would also like to thank the following sponsors and contributors:

BRONZE SPONSORS

• LGM Contracting Inc./Merucci Equipment Co.
• NUCA of Northwest Florida

SILENT AUCTION CONTRIBUTORS

• Caribe Royal All–Suite Hotel & Convention Center
• Coconut Creek Family Fun Park
• Creative Sports Enterprises, Inc.
• LGM Contracting Inc./Merucci Equipment Co.
• Lion Country Safari
• Mission Inn Resort and Club
• Nortrax, Inc.
• Pensacola Concrete Construction Company, Inc.
• PRP Wine International
• R. Bruce Kershner Company
• Sawgrass Marriot Golf Resort & Spa
• Snowflake Bay Santa & Friends

Mark your calendar now for next year’s Convention which will be held on July 25–28 at the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Boca Raton, Florida. The 2013 Convention Chairperson is Kim Bryan with Petticoat–Schmitt Civil Constructors, Inc. Hope to see you all next year.

For pictures of the 2012 Convention, please click here.