July 26 – 29 at the Boca Raton Resort & Club in Boca Raton was the site of this year’s Underground Utility Contractors of Florida (UUCF) Convention. This year’s convention attendees were "Strengthening Our Bond in 007" at the Casino Royale. We are grateful for the overwhelming support of our sponsors and the enthusiastic participation of our members and guests in this year’s successful convention.
There are many people to recognize and thank for this year’s successful 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: CNA Insurance; Hanson Pipe & Precast; Linder Industrial Machinery Co.; Nortrax; Oldcastle Precast, Inc.; and Sunshine State One Call of Florida, Inc., whose early commitment helped make this year’s convention so successful.
UUCF would also like to take this opportunity thank the Gold Sponsors. They are: A. J. Johns, Inc.; Briggs Construction Equipment; Evans Oil Company; Ferguson Waterworks, Inc.; Flagler Construction Equipment; HD Supply Waterworks; ITT Flygt, LLC; Mainline Supply Company; Ring Power Corporation; Rinker Materials, Concrete Pipe Division; and United Rentals Trench Safety Division.
Finally, this grand convention would not have been possible without the hard work of this year’s Convention Committee: Brian Hunsicker, Convention Chairperson; Jeff Blake, Convention Co–Chairman; Chris Stewart, Fishing Tournament Chairman; Scott Johnson, Fishing Tournament Chairman; Ed Foss, Golf Tournament Chairman; Greg Wolf, Golf Tournament Co–Chairman; Robin Blake; Kim Bryan; Don Churchwell; Sam Etheridge; Larry Falls; Laura Hinson; Judy Kroeger; Bill Lee; Jessica Opfer; Joe Weber; Flo Woodall; Kathy Blackman; Karen DeWitt; Sharon Fugatt; Michele Kelson; Jennifer Mancini; Misty Tjader; and UUCF staff Bruce Kershner and Julie Kershner. Each one is to be commended for the many hours worked, creativity and team work. We couldn’t have done it without them!
We were honored to have representation from NUCA in attendance at the UUCF Convention this year, which included James King, NUCA President, and Heather Caldwell, NUCA Vice President of Member & Chapter Relations. As always, UUCF appreciates the support we get from NUCA at our convention each year. It gives the members an opportunity to hear what issues our national association is working on to help better our industry.
Special thanks to Ring Power Corporation for sponsoring the Hospitality Room on July 26–28. The Hospitality Room gave the attendees a place to relax, socialize, bid on the Silent Auction items and purchase tickets for items in the Chinese Raffle.
Thursday, July 26 marked the start of the convention with the UUCF Convention Committee, Executive Committee and Board of Director’s Meetings. Many issues were discussed including legislative issues that will be addressed during the 2008 Legislative Session which starts next March.
On Thursday evening, the Welcome Cocktail Reception, sponsored exclusively by ABC Cutting Contractors of Jacksonville, Inc., was held. During the Welcome Cocktail Reception, Brian Hunsicker welcomed everybody to the 2007 Convention. This event also marked the beginning of the UUCF Drawing. This year, thousands of dollars in prize money was given out randomly during the convention.
On Friday, July 27, a breakfast, sponsored in part by East Coast Underground, Inc. and J.D. Weber Construction Co., preceded the Fishing Tournament and continuing education seminars.
The morning portion of the seminar, sponsored in part by East Coast Underground, Inc. and J.D. Weber Construction Co., was presented by Barry Kalmanson from the Law Offices of Barry Kalmanson, P.A. Mr. Kalmanson received both his Bachelor of Science degree in Building Construction and his law degree from the University of Florida. Mr. Kalmanson is a State of Florida certified building contractor, Florida Real Estate Commission licensed real estate broker and a building inspector licensed by the Southern Building Code Congress. He is currently serving on the State of Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) pursuant to an appointment by former Governor Jeb Bush.
Mr. Kalmanson has successfully represented litigants in construction lien and payment bond claim actions before Federal Trial Courts, State Trial Courts, the State District Courts of Appeal and the Florida Supreme Court. Mr. Kalmanson concentrates his legal practice in the construction industry. His emphasis is on the representation of contractors, subcontractors and materialmen. He represents all previously mentioned parties in claims resulting from breaches of construction contracts. Mr. Kalmanson handles construction lien and payment bond actions, payment disputes delay and construction defect claims.
Mr. Kalmanson taught the seminar entitled Overview of Florida’s Construction Lien Law. The course was approved by the CILB for four hours of continuing education.
Some of the attendees were also up early to head over to the marina for a Fishing Tournament, sponsored in part by Centerline Utilities, Inc.; Johnson–Davis, Inc.; Pensacola Concrete Construction Company, Inc.; and Utility Service Company, Inc. This year, the Convention Committee elected to hold the fishing tournament on charter boats. Each boat held up to six people. Fishing was good and everyone had a really great time.
On Friday afternoon, the continuing education seminars continued. Individuals could also attend any of the three one–hour afternoon sessions to receive their continuing education. The afternoon seminars, sponsored in part by East Coast Underground, Inc. and J.D. Weber Construction Co., were presented by Patrick M. Muldowney, Partner of Baker & Hostetler LLC. Mr. Muldowney advises and represents private– and public–sector management clients in connection with both traditional labor law and employment law issues. He has litigated issues related to discrimination, sexual harassment, labor–management relations, family and medical leave, public employee rights, minimum wage/overtime compensation and covenants not to compete.
Mr. Muldowney has represented employers in matters involving the National Labor Relations Board (relating to both unfair labor practice charges and representation elections), the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Florida Commission of Human Relations, the Florida Division of Administration Hearings, the Orlando Human Relations Department, the New York State Division of Human Rights and the New York City Commission on Human Rights. Additionally, he is an adjunct professor at Rollins College, where he teaches a course on labor and employment law in the Master of Human Resources Program.
Mr. Muldowney taught the seminars entitled Labor Law – Wage–Hour, Labor Law – Business Immigration and Labor Law – Military Leaves. Each of these seminars have been approved by the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) for one hour of continuing education of which one hour satisfies the business practices requirement one hour Workplace Safety; Workers’ Compensation; and Contractor Business Practices required by the CILB. UUCF also offered the one hour advance building code module.
Friday evening began with the Dinner Party Reception, sponsored in part by Arrow Directional Boring, Inc.; Florida Roads; and Southwest Florida Utility Contractors Association.
During the Dinner Party and Reception, the children were having a good time at the Children’s Program, sponsored in part by John Woody, Inc. and Mid Florida Utilities & Transportation Contractors Association. There was food, a live animal show, various crafts and lots of games and videos to keep them entertained.
The Friday Dinner Party, sponsored in part by Associated Construction Products, Inc.; Derrico Construction Company; Glenn Rasmussen Fogarty Hooker, P.A.; Northwest Florida Utility Contractors Association; Pensacola Concrete Construction Company, Inc.; Underground Contractors Association of South Florida, was a business casual affair.
NUCA President James King and NUCA Vice President of Member & Chapter Relations Heather Caldwell addressed the members with issues that NUCA is working on.
On Saturday morning, attendees headed to The Resort Course for a fun–filled day of golf at the Annual Golf Tournament, sponsored in party by Arlington Heavy Hauling, Inc. The Beverage Cart was sponsored in part by Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Inc. and Valenti, Trobec & Woody, Inc. UUCF would also like to thank the following companies for their donations to the Golf Tournament Goodie Bag: CNA Insurance Companies – towels and tee packs; Linder Industrial Machinery Co. – koozies and hats and the following Tee/Hole and Tee Sponsors of the Golf tournament: Arrow Directional Boring, Inc.; C. E. James, Inc.; Consolidated Pipe & Supply Co., Inc.; Forsberg Construction, Inc.; Gator Boring and Trenching, Inc. (one tee and one hole); Gigliotti Contracting, Inc.; HD Supply Waterworks; Johnson–Davis, Inc. (one tee and one hole); Rockline Vac Systems, Inc.; Rockliner, Inc.; Video Scan, Inc.; and Wayne Automatic Fire Sprinklers, Inc. The following companies donated prizes for the Golf Tournament: Wayne Automatic Fire Sprinklers, Inc.
What a beautiful day for a Golf Tournament. Congratulations to the following winners:
First Place Mike Woodall, Ted Turnbeaugh and Alan Payne; Second Place
Paul and Janice Lancaster, Matt Braunstein and Dennis Vial; Closest to the Pin
Charlie Humphries; Longest Drive Laura Stutts; Putting Contest Ed Foss.
Also on Saturday morning, some of the attendees participated in the Optional Event, sponsored in part by John Woody, Inc., which was a tour and lunch at The Morikami Gardens.
Saturday evening began with the UUCF Casino Royale Reception. The reception was sponsored in part by David Nelson Construction Co.; Larkin Contracting, Inc.; and United Rentals Heavy Machinery. Attendees were dressed for the occasion as it was a Black–Tie optional night.
The dinner was sponsored in part by Atlantic Concrete Products, Inc.; Glenn Rasmussen Fogarty Hooker, P.A.; Pensacola Concrete Construction Company, Inc.; Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Inc.; Suncoast Utility Contractors Association; Utility Contractors Association of North Florida; and Utility Service Company, Inc.
During the Theme Party and Reception, the children were having a good time at the Children’s Program, sponsored exclusively by Dallas 1 Construction & Development, Inc. There was food, a clown, various crafts and lots of games and videos to keep them entertained.
The evening included a presentation of various awards, installation of the UUCF 2007/2008 Officers and Directors and drawing the winning tickets for half of the Chinese Raffle baskets.
After Brian Hunsicker thanked the various sponsors and gave welcoming remarks, he thanked the individuals of the Convention Committee. Bruce Kershner presented Brian Hunsicker with a plaque for his services as 2007 Convention Chairperson.
Bruce Wendorf announced the names of the individuals and their company and presented a 14kt gold UUCF PAC pin as a first time member of the UUCF PAC Founder’s Club. They are: 1) Amick Construction, Inc. – Cheryl Gotsis; 2) GWP Construction, Inc. – Cheryl Riggs; 3) Slaughter Construction Co., Inc. – Robert Slaughter; and Westra Construction Corp. – Bill Haan.
Ryan Schmitt presented a plaque to the following individuals who were leaving the UUCF Board of Directors: Bill Bocchino, STT Construction Group; Don Churchwell, G.A.C. Contractors, Inc.; and Dave Shuman, Hubbard Construction Company, Inc. UUCF appreciates all of the time and work that these individuals have given to the association.
Ryan Schmitt presented the 2007 UUCF Performance Awards for the Mitch Ellington, Gary D. Sawyer and Andrew J. Mayts Awards. The Winners are:
Mitch Ellington Award – Bruce Wendorf, Forsberg Construction, Inc.
Gary D. Sawyer Award – Steven Kennedy, Ferguson Waterworks, Inc.
Andrew J. Mayts Award – Mike Woodall, John Woody, Inc.
At this time, Ryan Schmitt gave his outgoing President's Speech. He spoke about the challenges UUCF faced during his tenure as well as all the people he met as UUCF President.
In a special ceremony, Heather Caldwell installed UUCF’s 2007/2008 Officers and Directors. UUCF is proud to have the following Officers for 2007/2008:
President – Tom Opfer, East Coast Underground, Inc.
President Elect – Bill Lee, Utility Service Company, Inc.
Vice President – Mike Woodall, John Woody, Inc.
Vice President – Bruce Wendorf, Forsberg Construction Inc.
Vice President – Joe Weber, J.D. Construction Co.
Vice President Convention – Chris Stewart, ITT Flygt, LLC
Treasurer – Jeff Blake, Arrow Directional Boring, Inc.
Secretary – Kirk Richmond, Armadillo Underground
Immediate Past President – Ryan Schmitt, A. J. Johns, Inc.
The following is a list of 2007/2008 Directors:
Central Florida U&TCA: Tom Mehegan, Orion Construction Co., Inc.; John Robertson, Derrico Construction Company; and Alternate Billy Joe Brewer, Brewer Paving & Development, Inc.
Mid Florida U&TCA: Sam Etheridge, HD Supply Waterworks; Charlie Humphries, Johnson Bros. Corporation; Chuck Worischeck, The Lane Construction Corporation; and Alternative Cheryl Ritter, Sunshine State One Call of Florida, Inc.
Northwest Florida UCA: Joe Cook, Pensacola Concrete Construction Co., Inc.; Paul Lieser, Pensacola Concrete Construction Co., Inc.; and Alternate Bill Davis, National Waterworks, Inc.;
Southwest Florida UCA: Alternate Mark Nottingham, Christo, Inc.
SUCA: Larry Falls, Associated Construction Products, Inc.; Bill Haan, Westra Construction Corporation; Ken Wachman, Larkin Contracting, Inc.; and Alternate Nick Freeman, Southeastern Silt & Erosion, Inc.
UCA of South Florida: Brian Hunsicker, U.S. Concrete Pipe Co.; Glen Tupler, Austin Tupler Trucking; and Alternate Lane Berg, W. Jackson & Sons, Inc.
UCA of North Florida: Laura Hinson, Florida Roads; and Alternate Kim Bryan, A. J. Johns, Inc.
Ex Officio: Scott Johnson, Johnson–Davis, Inc.; and Cheryl Yoder, A. J. Johns, Inc. Life Director: Mike Blankenship, Blankenship Contracting, Inc.
After the installation, Tom Opfer gave his incoming President's remarks.
Bruce Kershner, UUCF Executive Vice President, announced the recipient of the UUCF/Andrew Scott Johnson Memorial Scholarship Foundation. The $7,500.00 scholarship was presented to Mark "Tommy" Thomas McCabe, Jr. Tommy is the son of Mark and Susan McCabe who are employed by C & M Roadbuilders, Inc. In Sarasota.
Please see details of Tommy McCabe and other winners of Meritorious Scholarships from the UUCF/ASJMSF under Scholarship Recipients on the UUCF website.
Bruce Kershner announced that in 2005, the UUCF President's Cup trophy was retired. Through the efforts of the Executive Director's a new award has been created for future conventions, which will be called the Chapter Award. The award is based on points for convention attendees, attendance at UUCF Board Meetings and the Tallahassee trip and participation in the UUCF PAC various membership categories. The winner of this year's Chapter Award is presented to the Suncoast Utility Contractors Association.
Once all the awards were presented, the gaming tables opened. Each attendee was given a voucher for $50.00 in gaming chips in their registration packages.
Throughout the convention, UUCF held a Drawing. Any individual who fully registered for the UUCF convention was placed in the Drawing. Congratulations to the following individuals who each won $250.00: Kevin Chandler, Gary Davis, Mike Eller, Nancy Lampert, Paul Lancaster, Bill McGough and Rick Rearden. The following individual won $500.00: Larry Falls.
When all was said and done, everyone had a good time and was thinking about next year’s Convention which will be held at the Naples Grande Resort & Club in Naples on July 25–27. Chris Stewart from ITT Flygt, LLC will be the Convention Chairperson. Hope to see you all next year.
Again, UUCF would like to take this opportunity to thank the following sponsors and contributors:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
• CNA Insurance
• Hanson Pipe & Precast
• Linder Industrial Machinery Company
• Nortrax
• Oldcastle Precast, Inc.
• Sunshine State One Call of Florida, Inc.
GOLD SPONSORS
• A. J. Johns, Inc.
• Briggs Construction Equipment
• Evans Oil Company
• Ferguson Waterworks, Inc.
• Flagler Construction Equipment
• HD Supply Waterworks
• ITT Flygt, LLC
• Mainline Supply Company
• Ring Power Corporation
• Rinker Materials, Concrete Pipe Division
• United Rentals Trench Safety Division
SILVER SPONSORS
• ABC Cutting Contractors of Jacksonville, Inc.
• Arlington Heavy Hauling, Inc.
• Arrow Directional Boring, Inc.
• Associated Construction Products, Inc.
• Atlantic Concrete Products, Inc.
• Centerline Utilities, Inc.
• Dallas 1 Construction & Development, Inc.
• David Nelson Construction Co.
• Derrico Construction Company
• East Coast Underground, Inc.
• Florida Roads
• Glenn Rasmussen Fogarty & Hooker, P.A.
• J.D. Weber Construction Co.
• John Woody, Inc.
• Johnson–Davis, Inc.
• Larkin Contracting, Inc.
• Mid Florida Utilities & Transportation Contractors Association
• Northwest Florida Utility Contractors Association
• Pensacola Concrete Construction Company, Inc.
• Ring Power Corporation
• Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Inc.
• Southwest Florida Utility Contractors Association
• Suncoast Utility Contractors Association
• Underground Contractors Association of South Florida
• United Rentals Heavy Machinery
• Utility Contractors Association of North Florida
• Utility Service Company, Inc.
• Valenti, Trobec & Woody, Inc.
BRONZE SPONSORS
• Armadillo Underground
• Earthwave Technologies, Inc.
• Northpoint Services, Inc.
• The Blue Book of Building & Construction
• White Rock Quarries
TEE/HOLE SPONSORS
• Arrow Directional Boring, Inc.
• C. E. James, Inc.
• Consolidated Pipe & Supply Co., Inc.
• Forsberg Construction, Inc.
• Gator Boring and Trenching, Inc. (one tee and one hole)
• Gigliotti Contracting, Inc.
• HD Supply Waterworks
• Johnson–Davis, Inc. (one tee and one hole)
• Rockline Vac Systems, Inc.
• Rockliner, Inc.
• Video Scan, Inc.
• Wayne Automatic Fire Sprinklers, Inc.
SILENT AUCTION CONTRIBUTORS
• Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.
• Central Florida Utility & Transportation Contractors Association
• Coconut Creek Family Fun Park
• Dixie Contractor Magazine
• Environmental Composites, Inc.
• Forsberg Construction, Inc.
• Hanson Pipe & Precast
• HD Supply Waterworks
• ITT Flygt, LLC
• Jacksonville Jaguars, LTD
• Larkin Contracting, Inc.
• Lengemann of Florida
• Linder Industrial Machinery Co.
• Museum of Fine Arts
• Northwest Florida Utility Contractors Association
• Pensacola Concrete Construction Company, Inc.
• PGA National Resort & Spa
• R. Bruce Kershner Company
• Ring Power Corporation
• Rockline Vac Systems, Inc.
• Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort
• Sawgrass Resort & Spa
• T-Quip of Florida, Inc.
• The Renaissance Resort At the World Golf Village
• Utility Service Company, Inc. |
