July 23–26, 2009 at The SandPearl Resort & Spa in Clearwater Beach was the site of this year's Underground Utility Contractors of Florida (UUCF) Convention. 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: CNA Insurance; Hanson Pipe & Precast; Nortrax; 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 to thank the Gold Sponsors. They are: Evans Oil Company; Flagler Construction Equipment; Glenn Rasmussen Fogarty & Hooker, P.A.; ITT Water & Wastewater Florida, LLC; Linder Industrial Machinery Company; Mainline Supply Company; Pensacola Concrete Construction Co., Inc.; Ring Power Corporation; Suncoast Utility Contractors Association; 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: Larry Falls, Chairperson; Linda Shutt, Co–Chairperson; Darren Campbell; Sam Etheridge; Laura Hinson; Brian Hunsicker; Bill Lee; Paula Lieser; Chris Stewart; Joe Weber; and Flo Woodall. We also would like to thank the Chapter Executive Directors and UUCF Staff for their hard work: Kathy Blackman; Karen DeWitt; Sharon Fugatt; Michele Kelson: Jennifer Mancini; Misty McKendree; 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 Lyle Schellenberg, NUCA President, and Bill Hillman, NUCA Executive Vice President. 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 J.D. Weber Construction Co. for sponsoring the Hospitality Room on Thursday, July 23 and Glenn Rasmussen Fogarty & Hooker, P.A. for sponsoring the Hospitality Room on Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25, 2009. 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. This year in the hospitality room, Nortrax provided a simulator where attendees had the chance to run an excavator. Attendees also had the chance to purchase keys to the treasure chest.

Thursday, July 23, marked the start of the convention with the UUCF Executive Committee and Board of Director's Meetings. Many issues were discussed. UUCF would like to thank the following individuals who gave presentations at the Board of Director's Meeting: Representative Will Weatherford, District 61, and Ted Garrison, Garrison Associates.

On Thursday evening, the Welcome Cocktail Reception, sponsored exclusively by ABC Cutting Contractors of Jacksonville, Inc., was held. During the Welcome Cocktail Reception, Larry Falls welcomed everybody to the 2009 Convention. NUCA President Lyle Schellenberg addressed the members with issues that NUCA is working on.

Lyle Schellenberg also installed the UUCF 2009/2010 Officers and Directors. UUCF is proud to have the following Officers for 2009/2010: President – Bill Lee, Utility Service Company; President Elect – Bruce Wendorf, Forsberg Construction, Inc.; Vice President – Mike Woodall, John Woody, Inc.; Vice President – Jeff Blake, Arrow Directional Boring, Inc.; Vice President – John Robertson, Derrico Construction Company; Vice President Convention – Flo Woodall, John Woody, Inc.; Treasurer – Kirk Richmond, Armadillo Underground; Secretary – Ken Wachman, Michael James Developers, Inc.; and Immediate Past President – Tom Opfer, East Coast Underground, Inc.

The following is a list of 2009/2010 Directors: Central Florida U&TCA: Joe Weber, J.D. Weber Construction Co.; and Alternate Billy Joe Brewer, Brewer Paving & Development, Inc. Mid Florida U&TCA: Jim Cunningham, C. E. James, Inc.; Sam Etheridge, HD Supply Waterworks; and Charlie Humphries, Johnson Bros. Northwest Florida UCA: Joe Cook, Pensacola Concrete Construction Co., Inc.; Paula Lieser, Pensacola Concrete Construction Co., Inc.; Bill McGough, Gulf Equipment Corp.; and Alternate Bill Davis, HD Supply Waterworks. Southwest Florida UCA: Chris Stewart, ITT Water & Wastewater, LLC; and Alternate Mark Nottingham, Christo, Inc. SUCA: Bill Haan, Westra Construction Corporation; Larry Falls, Associated Construction Products, 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 Jerry Rodgers, Centerline Utilities, Inc. UCA of North Florida: Laura Hinson, Florida Roads; Ryan Schmitt, Petticoat–Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc.; and Alternate Lauren Atwell, Reynolds, Inc. Ex Officios: Scott Johnson, Johnson–Davis, Inc; and Cheryl Yoder, STT Construction Group.

On Friday, July 24, a breakfast, sponsored in part by Tom Opfer, preceded the continuing education
seminars and fishing trip, sponsored in part by M. E. Wilson Co., Inc.; PRINCE Contracting, LLC; and Ripa & Associates.

The continuing education seminar on Friday morning was presented by Deborah Lawson. The three one hour continuing education seminars in the afternoon were sponsored in part by Central Florida Utility & Transportation Contractors Association.

For those who didn't attend the continuing education seminars, a free fishing trip was being offered. Individuals set sail at 8:00 a.m. for a four hour fishing trip aboard the 90 feet Super Queen.

After the fishing trip, individuals volunteered to help build pirate ships. The pirate ships were utilized as decorations for the Saturday night theme party.

Friday evening began with the Dinner Party Reception, sponsored in part by Johnson–Davis, Inc.; and Mid Florida Utilities & Transportation Contractors Association.

During the Dinner Party and Reception, the children were having a good time at the Children's Program. There was food, games and videos to keep them entertained.

The Friday Dinner Party, sponsored in part by Associated Construction Products, Inc.; Northwest Florida Utility Contractors Association; Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Inc.; and Zurich Safety, was a business casual affair.

Tom Opfer presented the 2009 UUCF Construction Performance Awards for the Mitch Ellington, Gary D. Sawyer and Andrew J. Mayts Awards. The Winners were:

Mitch Ellington Award – Kimberly Bryan, Petticoat–Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc.

Gary D. Sawyer Award – Bill Davis, HD Supply Waterworks

Andrew J. Mayts Award – Joe Weber, J.D. Weber Construction Co.

Bruce Kershner, UUCF Executive Vice President, announced the recipient of the UUCF/Andrew Scott Johnson Memorial Scholarship Foundation. The $7,500 scholarship to an individual currently enrolled in high school was presented to Sarah Maureen Cannon. Sarah is the daughter of Mike Cannon, who is employed by Reynolds Inliner, Inc. in Longwood, FL, and Mary Cannon. For additional details of Sarah Maureen Cannon and other recipients of Meritorious Scholarships from the UUCF/ASJMSF, please click here.

On behalf of UUCF, Tom Opfer was presented with his outgoing President's plaque and gift.

Ted Garrison gave the keynote address at Friday night's event. His message offered strategies for contractors and owners to not only survive in the future, but thrive.

On Saturday morning, attendees headed to the Belleview Biltmore Golf Club for a fun–filled day of golf at the Annual Golf Tournament, sponsored in part by Utility Service Company, Inc.; and Valenti, Trobec & Woody, Inc. The Beverage Cart was sponsored in part by Vac–Tron Equipment, LLC. UUCF would also like to thank the following Tee/Hole Sponsors of the Golf tournament: Arrow Directional Boring, Inc.; Johnson–Davis, Inc.; and LGM Contracting, Inc. & The Merucci Equipment Co.

Congratulation to the following Golf Winners: First Place – Skip McElhenny; Larry Gustafson; Barry Hatten; and Dave Wenmark with Hanson Pipe & Precast. Second Place – George Carr; John Bentley; and Mike Cason with Linder Industrial Machinery Co.; and Chris Joyce with Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. Closest to the Pin – Sam Etheridge with HD Supply Waterworks. Longest Drive – Dave Wenmark with Hanson Pipe & Precast. Putting Contest – tie between Jeff Blake with Arrow Directional Boring, Inc. and Chris Joyce with Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.

Beach activities started at 1:00 p.m. Individuals competed in games such as Sand Darts, Beach Ball Balancing Act, Beach Golf, Water Bucket Race, Bury a Yard Stick and Sand Castle Building.

Saturday evening began with the UUCF Theme Party Reception. The reception was sponsored in part David Nelson Construction Co.; John Woody, Inc.; and Southwest Florida Utility Contractors Association. The dinner was sponsored in part by Gator Boring & Trenching, Inc.; Ring Power Corporation; Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Inc.; Stuart Angelo & Company, P.A.; 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. There was food, games and videos to keep them entertained.

The evening also included a Trivia Contest. Each table selected a name for their table. There was five rounds with five questions. The questions were based on information pertaining to UUCF, the pirate theme and general questions. Each table wrote their answers on a piece of paper and were handed in. At the end of the five rounds, there was a tie between two tables. The winners were the UCANF
& Crew table with Mike, Flo and Brook Woodall and Ryan Schmitt.

Throughout the convention, UUCF held a Drawing. Individuals who were the first or additional registrants from a company were placed in the Drawing. Congratulations to the following individuals who each won $250.00: John Bentley, Lou Merucci, Chris Stewart and Jason Caneer. Congratulations to Tom Woodward who won $500.00.

Throughout the Convention, UUCF sold keys to the Treasure Chest. The following is a list of items included in the treasure chest: a Bottle McManis Petite Sirah; a Bottle Red Belly Black Chardonnay; Wine Stoppers; Wine Glasses; Canvas Wine Cooler Bag with Additional Compartment containing Wine Opener, Wine Glasses, Plates, Cloth Napkins, Forks and Knives; Captain Morgan’s Original Spiced Rum; 2 Liter Coca Cola; Tumbler Style Cups; 6 pack Fiji Water; Large Beach Towels; Banana Boat Sport Performance 30 SPF Sun Block; Vera Bradley Beach Hat; Sony 7” Portable DVD Player; DVD – Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl; DVD – Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest; DVD – Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End; and Pirates & Smugglers Book. As soon as the attendees were informed that they could try their keys, Chris Stewart was the first to try his luck. With the flick of his wrist, the key turned the pad lock and the treasure chest was opened. Congratulations Chris.

Get ready to mark your calendar for next year's Convention. UUCF will be celebrating its 30th Anniversary aboard Royal Caribbean. As soon as a contract is signed, we will publish the dates in the Ditchmen. The 2010 Convention Chairperson is Flo Woodall with John Woody, Inc. Hope to see you all next year.

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

BRONZE SPONSORS
• Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.
• Florida Gas & Electric Corp.
• Vanguard of Florida, LLC

SILENT AUCTION CONTRIBUTORS
• Armadillo Underground
• Coconut Creek Family Fun Park
• Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
• J.D. Weber Construction Co.
• Johnson–Davis, Inc.
• LGM Contracting, Inc.& Merucci Equipment Co.
• Lion Country Safari
• Lynch Oil
• Naples Grande Beach Resort
• National Utility Contractors Association
• Northwest Florida Utility Contractors Association
• Pensacola Concrete Construction Company, Inc.
• PGA National Resort & Spa
• R. Bruce Kershner Company
• Rockline Vac Systems, Inc.
• SandPearl Resort
• Smith, Currie & Hancock, LLP
• The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village
• Utility Service Company, Inc.

For pictures of the Treasure Aarrrh Time in 2009 Convention, please click here.