Merit Shop The
June • 2022
Spokesman A Monthly Publication of ABC Keystone
Keystone Chapter Educates the Next Generation
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STEP UP!
June is National Safety Month!
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Special Recognition of 2022 Graduates
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ABC Keystone Leadership 2022 Executive Committee:
CHAIR of the BOARD – Keith Eldredge, CPA, RKL
CHAIR-ELECT – Steve Conway, Pyramid Construction Services, Inc., a Quandel Enterprises Company
1st VICE CHAIR – John Lehmann, Poole Anderson Construction, LLC 2nd VICE CHAIR – Guy Kingree
SECRETARY – Steven Kearns, James Craft & Son, Inc
TREASURER – Timothy A. Kershner, CPA, Walz Group
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR – Cleo Weaver, Delainco Realty, LLC
2022 Board of Directors:
Robb Beiler, Quality Buildings LLC Jeff Bright, Saxton & Stump Lawyers and Consultants Roger S. Brubaker, Meadow Valley Electric, Inc. Douglas M. Dvorchak, Murray Ed Engle, Smucker Company Joe Finkey, Martin’s Flooring, Inc. Brian Floyd, Gunn-Mowery, LLC Wayne Fuhrman, The Witmer Group Michael B. Funck, Wohlsen Construction Company Ken Funk, Arthur Funk & Sons, Inc. John H. Hykes II, B&B Integrations David H. Oblender, Engle-Hambright & Davies, Inc. Jon Sensenig, Speedwell Construction, Inc. James Stephens, CFSP, 11400 Inc. Bethany Tesché, Houck Services, Inc. Jan L. Wagner, Wagman Construction, Inc. Thomas O. Williams, Esq., Reager & Adler, P.C.
G. David Sload, President-CEO
ABC Keystone | 135 Shellyland Road, Manheim, PA 17545 (717) 653-8106 | abckeystone.org The Merit Shop Spokesman is published 12 times a year by Associated Builders & Contractors, Keystone Chapter. Articles of interest, member news, press releases, and advertising placement requests may be submitted to the Editor: Kristi Pronovost Director of Marketing & Communications ABC Keystone kristi@abckeystone.org (717) 653-8106
Connect with ABC on Social Media! @ABCKeystonePA LinkedIn.com/company/abckeystone/ @ABCKeystone @ABCKeystone
Merit Shop The
Spokesman Contents
2 Message from the Chair 3 Message from the President-CEO 5 Chapter Calendar 6 Graduate & Sponsor Recognition 13 Congratulations to Our STEP Members 16 Safety Update 18 Advocacy Update 19 New Members & Anniversaries 20 Member Spotlight 22 Spring Mixer Photos 24 Member News 25 Young Professionals Spotlight 26 Young Professionals Perspective
A Message from the Chair
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2022GRADUATION
t's time to celebrate! How great it is to see individuals work hard, complete their training, and move on to the next stage of their lives. High school students are trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives after school. College grads are looking for their first job and dealing with the student debt they have amassed. And, craft professionals have completed their education and are moving into their careers fully trained. ABC Keystone received its apprenticeship accreditation in 1968 and has celebrated 52 graduating classes since that time. On May 18, the Keystone Chapter celebrated its 2022 graduating apprenticeship class. Eighty-four individuals graduated and are now moving into careers in construction. The 2022 graduating class has been trained by our fulltime instructors (some of the best in their fields), gained hands-on experience, and earned an income while learning. They graduate with the knowledge and the skills needed to be successful in their field. Apprenticeship is one of the only types of training that truly prepares students for their careers. These individuals spend time both in classrooms and in the field to get their training, and they did all this while graduating with no debt. During the ceremony, we also celebrated our Craft Professionals of the Year. This award recognizes the craft professionals who set a high standard for specialists in their craft by exhibiting outstanding skills and leadership. Congratulations to Ed Espenshade from Wohlsen Construction Company as the Carpentry winner and Bryan Williams from C Mechanical Services as the Electrical winner. It was a pleasure to be a part of our graduation. It was
exciting to see the graduates' families and friends there to support them. Looking at the graduates, you realize their careers are just starting and wonder where their careers will take them. Some will be supervisors, project managers and even might own their own companies one day. It’s exciting to see that hope and realize that next generation of construction workers will shape the construction industry in the merit shop way with the skills they learned at ABC Keystone. We want to congratulate all those who graduated and wish them the best of luck. Know that ABC Keystone will always be here to help, train, and advocate for you, the construction professional. Don’t forget, it is STEP time as well! We need your data to help advocate for the merit shop contractors. Your data is essential to ABC to help provide the data we need to fight for your rights and to fight against the misinformation the unions have been spreading about merit shop contractors. Please help by completing your applications today.
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Know that ABC Keystone will always be here to help, train, and advocate for you, the construction professional.
Keith Eldredge, CPA 2022 Chair of the Board RKL keldredge@rklcpa.com (717) 843-3804
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Hear from the President-CEO
Safety First...
Why STEP? W
e hear all the time from those outside our industry that we are not safe, yet we hear our members say they take "Safety First" seriously. Which is it? It's probably a little bit of both. Statistically, over the last several decades our industry has continued to get safer. However, we can do better to reduce jobsite injuries and fatalities. Our industry and our members should always take a Safety-First mentality. After all, aren’t our employees our greatest assets? If that indeed is the case, then we should want every employee going home at the end of the day in the same or even better shape than they arrived. Safety should be an integral part of every day on every jobsite.
That is where ABC can help. It all begins with the STEP program. This self-evaluation program can help you understand from where you are beginning and give you a roadmap to build that culture. ABC Keystone will be happy to help companies fill out their STEP forms. In addition, the Keystone Chapter will help evaluate the results of what is submitted and help members build a roadmap to an improved safety culture and better safety results.
Let’s look at how we build a safety culture. Safety needs to start at the top with company owners and senior managers. This may mean resources in the form of time, personnel, and money. Safety is not luck on the jobsite but a well laid out program to make sure the jobsite and all of it participants are safe.
The data shows that companies that participate in STEP are much safer than the BLS industry average. This is not by accident, but because these companies have focused the spotlight on safety. For any ABC Keystone member that participates in STEP we provide discounts on select safety training. The 30 minutes it takes you to fill out the paperwork will save you money and put you on the road to improved safety.
For the small and midsized firm, it may be difficult to be able to provide time, personnel, and financial resources.
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If the savings in training cost and the roadmap to a better safety culture is not enough for you to participate in STEP, then think of your greatest assets, your employees. Do it for them so that you can send them home to their loved ones in better shape than when they arrived on the job. STEP into a program that can lead to “World Class Safety.”
The 30 minutes it takes you to fill out the STEP paperwork will save you money and put you on the road to improved safety.
G. David Sload President-CEO dave@abckeystone.org (717) 653-8106
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Safety First
Chapter Calendar Career Development Education, Safety Training & Networking
June 6/7 - ABC Keystone’s Golf Outing Presented by United Rentals Iron Valley Golf Club, Lebanon - Sold Out! Networking meal tickets still available. 6/9 - Project Compliance & Outside Organizations - Part of the Understanding the Construction Process Series 6/13 - Competent Person for Excavation and Trenching Starts 6/13 - A BC Keystone’s All ’bout Construction (ABC) Girls Camp – 2022 6/14 - Understanding Financials for Non-Accountants - Part of the Leadership Development Series 6/15 - Effective Recruiting & Hiring - Part of the Human Resources Management Academy 6/17 - Competent Person for Confined Space Entry 6/23 - Rough Terrain Forklift Training - Sold Out! 6/23 - ABC Keystone’s Golf Outing (Nittany Valley Region) DuBois Country Club, DuBois
Register Today!
July 7/6 - Conflict Management - Part of the Professional Development Series 7/7 - Adult First Aid/CPR/AED 7/14 - ABC Keystone’s Casino Night & Silent Auction - ABC National PAC & ABC Keystone PAC Fundraising Event 7/20 - Behavioral-based Interviewing – Part of the Human Resources Management Academy 7/21 - Executive Leader Contractor Peer Group (CEO/Owners/Executive Leadership)
Save the Date! 8/2 - ABC Keystone’s Summer Outdoor Mixer Presented by Saxton & Stump Lawyers and Consultants
Register Online: abckeystone.org We Can CUSTOMIZE TRAINING for Your Team's Unique Needs! 5
8/16 - ABC Keystone’s Safety Recognition Breakfast Presented by Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall & Furman PC 9/22 - ABC Keystone’s Clay Shoot Presenting Sponsor Available!
CONTACT US TODAY! (717) 653-8106
Barbara Holtzapple (Career Development) Kevin Keith (Safety)
Keystone APPRENTICESHIP & TRAINING TRUST Dear 2022 ABC Keystone Graduates,
This issue of the Merit Shop Spokesman is dedicated to the Chapter's 2022 graduating apprentices in celebration of their many achievements.
Congratulations!
One of the greatest aspects of my job is celebrating our Graduates each year! I truly consider it an honor to be part of the Graduation ceremony and see each of you recognized for all your accomplishments and hard work during your apprenticeship years. You, the ABC Keystone Apprenticeship Class of 2022, are the future leaders of the construction industry, and I know you all will do us proud. Cynthia (Cindy) S. DeWire, ABC Keystone Director of Apprenticeship
Thank you to our ABC Keystone Apprenticeship Program Strategic Partners: James Craft & Son, Inc. donates use of their facility and all metal for the ABC Keystone Apprenticeship program. Their donation of materials allows the Chapter to provide valuable hands-on training exercises for the apprentices. JLG has been an integral part in the ABC Keystone Apprenticeship program equipment training. Their support of equipment and resources has provided value to our apprentices as well as having resulted in a financial savings. Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation has donated a gift to each graduating apprentice and provides a tool set to the top graduate in each of this year's graduating trades. Throughout the year, Milwaukee Tool has donated a variety of tools for the betterment of the apprenticeship program.
Trade Sponsors:
Carpentry Sponsor:
Gold Sponsors: Electrical Sponsor:
Capital Electric
Colonial Electric Supply Hayden Power Group
Heavy Equipment Operator Sponsor:
Plumbing Sponsor:
H.B. McClure Company
Masonry Sponsor:
Speedwell Construction, Inc.
R.A. Walton & Company, Inc.
Wohlsen Construction Company Silver Sponsors: Tekrins, Inc. Hajoca Corp.
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Special Recognition of 2022 Graduates High Achiever Awards: Robert R. Cooper Carpentry Stuebner, Inc.
Jason C. Green
Electrical Lancaster Plumbing and Heating Co., Inc.
Brady M. Romberger Masonry The Witmer Group
Benjamin D. Riley
HVAC COPT Property Management Services
Joshua L. Topper
Heavy Equipment Operator J.D. Eckman, Inc.
Melissa L. Turano
Plumbing Protech Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Graduates with the highest overall grade point average in each trade (minimum GPA of 93%) earn the High Achiever Award.
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Straight A's Throughout Entire Apprenticeship: Robert R. Cooper, Carpentry, Stuebner, Inc. Hunter J. Finnegan, Masonry, The Witmer Group Jason C. Green, Electrical, Lancaster Plumbing and Heating Co., Inc. Logan C. Herrick, Masonry, The Witmer Group Jackson P. Hofmann, Electrical, RSR Electric, A Viocity Company Joshua M. Huneke, Masonry, The Witmer Group Jeremy Landis, Electrical, Meadow Valley Electric, Inc. Ryan C. Leach, Masonry, The Witmer Group Stanislav Levchuk, Masonry, The Witmer Group Zane M. Richards, Carpentry, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. Benjamin D. Riley, HVAC, COPT Property Management Services Brady M. Romberger, Masonry, The Witmer Group Haley R. Shuman, Carpentry, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. Andrew E. Speicher, HVAC, W.C. Eshenaur and Son, Inc. Kaliek D. Thomas, Electrical, Advance Industrial Services Cameron J. Workman, Carpentry, Duff Builders
A & B Average Throughout Entire Apprenticeship: Jordan M. Axe, Heavy Equipment Operator, Flyway Excavating, Inc. Nathan P. Crespo, Carpentry, Arthur Funk & Sons, Inc. Jeffrey E. Deimler, Jr., Plumbing, George D. Boyer & Sons, Inc. Alan Firlein, Heavy Equipment Operator, J.D. Eckman, Inc. John A. Friel, Electrical, CV Services, Inc. Corey M. Frymyer, Plumbing, Ames Construction, Inc. Rodney V. Godinez, Carpentry, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. Nathan J. Haines, Electrical, Cheran, Inc. Michael E. Harker, Carpentry, Wohlsen Construction Company Devin A. Hart, Heavy Equipment Operator, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Justin T. Jordan, Masonry, The Witmer Group Benjamin D. Martinke, Plumbing, Zimmerman Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Joe S. Mazzur, Plumbing, Brubaker, Inc. Jonathan T. Nycum, Electrical, The Farfield Company Eric A. Olena, Carpentry, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. Michael A. Reichart, Carpentry, Conewago Enterprises, Inc. Rafael Rodriguez, Carpentry, Whitley East, LLC Zachary C. Stevens, Electrical, The Farfield Company Zachary T. Stork, Heavy Equipment Operator, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Joshua M. Stoudt, Carpentry, Masonic Village Matthew L. Thomas, Electrical, Lancaster Plumbing and Heating Co., Inc. Joshua L. Topper, Heavy Equipment Operator, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Melissa L. Turano, Plumbing, Protech Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Cory W. Zimmerman, Electrical, Tekrins, Inc. Benjamin S. Zook, Electrical, Belmont Solar
2022
Class of
Thank You to Our Staff & Instructors! Staff:
G. David Sload, President-CEO Stephanie Larkin, Vice President of Education, Safety & Workforce Development Cynthia S. DeWire, Director of Apprenticeship Erin Hiles, Administrative Assistant - Education, Safety & Workforce Development
Instructors: Gervasius “Junior” Brown, III, Sheet Metal 3, James Craft & Son, Inc. Randy Doxzon, Jr., Director of HVAC & Plumbing, ABC Keystone Tom Fasnacht, Director of Carpentry & Construction Craft Labor, ABC Keystone Chad Foor, Director of Electrical, ABC Keystone Derek Robbins, HVAC & Sheet Metal 1 Instructor, ABC Keystone Craig Turnbaugh, Heavy Equipment Operator, Retired
Attention
Contractors!
Build Your Apprenticeship Team! can help you! • Create your own
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For more information: abckeystone.org cindyd@abckeystone.org
CindyD@abckeystone.org5
2019 Apprenticeship Postcard - Contractors.indd 1
7/9/2019 10:42:06 AM
Congratulations, Class of 2022! Carpentry
Andrew Bernhardt, Speedwell Construction, Inc. Ron Bosley, Paul Risk Construction Robert R. Cooper, Stuebner, Inc. Nathan P. Crespo, Arthur Funk & Sons, Inc. Christopher M. Eckert, Horst Construction Co. Rodney V. Godinez, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. Jordan A. Good, Wickersham Construction and Engineering, Inc. Alexander M. Guyn, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Michael E. Harker, Wohlsen Construction Company Jessup S. Jones Martin A. Myers, J.D. Eckman, Inc. Eric A. Olena, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. Michael A. Reichart, Conewago Enterprises, Inc. Zane M. Richards, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. Rafael Rodriguez, Whitley East, LLC Haley R. Shuman, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. Joshua M. Stoudt, Masonic Village Oscar F. Velazquez, All Renovation & Design LLC Roman Villasenor, Jr., J.D. Eckman, Inc. Cameron J. Workman, Duff Builders
Construction Craft Laborer Dylan M. Ceglowski, J.D. Eckman, Inc.
Hear from a Graduate: “Show up on time and always be willing to work. Prove to supervisors you're willing to go the extra mile and don't always go for the lowest-hanging fruit.” - Joe Mazzur, Brubaker, Inc.
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Electrical
Kole R. Bauer, The Farfield Company David E. Culton, Meadow Valley Electric, Inc. Aaron Cummings, Greg A. Vietri, Inc. Lisandro R. Deschamps, Hayden Power Group Joshua A. Diaz-DelRio, Eagle River Homes Terry Finan, Hayden Power Group John A. Friel, CV Services, Inc. Brandon A. Glick, John E. Fullerton, Inc. Jason C. Green, Lancaster Plumbing and Heating Co., Inc. Nathan J. Haines, Cheran, Inc. Dwight D. Henrie, Hayden Power Group Jackson P. Hofmann, RSR Electric, A Viocity Company Zander J. Kearns, Hayden Power Group Adam M. Kurtz, The Farfield Company Jeremy Landis, Meadow Valley Electric, Inc. Antonio G. Magnanti, Hayden Power Group Mechak M. Mavanga, Meadow Valley Electric, Inc. Christopher S. Murray, Cyprium Solutions, Inc. Dakota H. Nixdorf, The Farfield Company Jonathan T. Nycum, The Farfield Company Brad M. Painter, McCarty & Son, Inc. Jacob M. Pecorelli, Hayden Power Group Douglas Quinn, Meadow Valley Electric, Inc. Christian A. Rios, Hayden Power Group Gavin H. Sangrey, Meadow Valley Electric, Inc. Colin W. Schutter, Cyprium Solutions, Inc. Zachary C. Stevens, The Farfield Company Kaliek D. Thomas, Advance Industrial Services Matthew L. Thomas, Lancaster Plumbing and Heating Co., Inc. Corbin L. Weaver, Meadow Valley Electric, Inc. Riley J. Wilkinson, McCarty & Son, Inc. Tanner C. Wolfe, Meadow Valley Electric, Inc. Cory W. Zimmerman, Tekrins, Inc. Benjamin S. Zook, Belmont Solar
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717.397.9600 | 800.533.5271 For more information: murrayins.com cindyd@abckeystone.org
Call our Construction Services Division
Heavy Equipment Operator
HVAC
Alan Firlein, J.D. Eckman, Inc.
Nicolas R. Barrett, Spangler & Boyer Mechanical, Inc.
Devin A. Hart, J.D. Eckman, Inc.
Jordon W. Gipe, The Farfield Company
Zachary T. Stork, J.D. Eckman, Inc.
Ian M. Hawkins, R.A. Walton & Company, Inc.
Joshua L. Topper, J.D. Eckman, Inc.
Peyton M. Kauffman, Brubaker, Inc.
Jordan M. Axe, Flyway Excavating, Inc.
Steven P. Bach, James Craft & Son, Inc.
Daniel J. McCorkel, W.C. Eshenaur and Son, Inc.
Hear from a Graduate: “It’s always good to learn a trade like running equipment, but don’t be afraid to start as a laborer and work your way up to an operator or boss in a company. People notice and respect hard work, and you learn things from ground work you’d never know just jumping into equipment right away. The best operators start out as the best laborers, and you can better respect the machine and what it can do to make your life and your laborers' life easier.”
- Joshua Topper, J.D. Eckman, Inc.
Benjamin D. Riley, COPT Property Management Services Andrew E. Speicher, W.C. Eshenaur and Son, Inc. Josh J. Wolford, E.H. Gochnauer & Sons, Inc.
Masonry
Hunter J. Finnegan, The Witmer Group Logan C. Herrick, The Witmer Group Joshua M. Huneke, The Witmer Group Justin T. Jordan, The Witmer Group Ryan C. Leach, The Witmer Group Stanislav Levchuk, The Witmer Group Brady M. Romberger, The Witmer Group
2022 Class of
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Congratulations, Class of 2022! Plumbing
Jeffrey E. Deimler, Jr., George D. Boyer & Sons, Inc. Corey M. Frymyer, Ames Construction, Inc. Benjamin D. Martinke, Zimmerman Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Joe S. Mazzur, Brubaker, Inc. Raphael Montosa, Montosa Heating & Air Conditioning
Hear from a Graduate:
“I enjoy being able to use my hands to create something that will stand for generations to come. I also enjoy being able to look back on what our team has accomplished and see the finished product.” - Joshua Huneke, The Witmer Group
Brandon R. Nikolaus, Bortner Bros., Inc. Dilan L. Stuck, MidState Mechanical & Electrical, LLC Melissa L. Turano, Protech Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
2022
Class of
Apprenticeship & Craft Training Committee Bill Lastinger (Chair), Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. Jessica Craft-Schlosberg, James Craft & Son, Inc. Traves Gift, Warfel Construction Company Craig Hartz, Warfel Construction Company Derek Herr, Wohlsen Construction Company
Jeff Laney, Wickersham Construction and Engineering, Inc. Chris Livelsberger, Conewago Enterprises, Inc. Keegan Reed, John E. Fullerton, Inc. Mike Snyder, H.B. McClure Company Ryan Thomas, Meadow Valley Electric, Inc.
Apprenticeship & Training Trust Trustees Edward P. Nescot (Chair), The Farfield Company James P. Craft, James Craft & Son, Inc. John Hykes, II, B&B Integrations Duane Moyer, RKL Christopher S. Smith, Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. Brandon Wimer, The Witmer Group
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Thank you to all our committee members!
Congratulations to our Graduates! View more photos on Facebook!
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Congrats to ABC Keystone's 2022 STEP Recipients! Diamond:
11400 Inc. Commonwealth Fire Protection Co. Allan Myers Quandel Enterprises, Inc. Platinum:
Benchmark Construction Co., Inc. CB Construction Services, Inc. CLARK, Inc. James Craft & Son, Inc. Arthur Funk & Sons, Inc. Garrety Glass, Inc. Hursh Painting Co., Inc. Leo Kob Co., Inc. Legacy Electrical Services, Inc. Smucker Company The Tri-M Group, LLC
Gold:
Poole Anderson Construction, LLC Warfel Construction Company Zartman Construction, Inc.
Silver:
As verified by ABC National as of May 2022 Watch future Merit Shop Spokesman issues for updates!
Leonard S. Fiore, Inc. John E. Fullerton, Inc. Hayden Power Group C.M. High, Inc. Johnston Construction Company Mowery Paramount Contracting, Inc. M. Potteiger, Inc. Talent Corporation, LLC Wohlsen Construction Company
Bronze:
B&B Integrations C Mechanical Services ESCO Security Galbraith/Pre-Design, Inc. D.E. Gemmill, Inc. Kauffman Kitchens Meadow Valley Electric, Inc. The Tuckey Companies White Rose Interiors, LLC H.L. Wiker, Inc.
Is Your Company on this List? Get started with your application today!
abcstep.org
Enroll by July 1 for recognition at the August 16 Safety Recognition Breakfast presented by Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall & Furman PC!
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ABC Keystone’s Safety Breakfast Presented by: Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Network with ABC Safety Leaders!
7:30 am: Breakfast 8:00 – 9:30 am: Program & Safety Forum at ABC Keystone Headquarters, Manheim
Celebrate Commitment to Safety! Includes Safety Forum!
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• Ninto o monthly fee, safety no annual fee, no Founded in 1989 as a safety benchmarking and improvement tool, STEP has evolved a world-class card regardless fee management system that dramatically improves safety performance among participants of company size or type of work. Participating ABC member firms measure their safety processes and •policies on 25 key components through 15% Jiffy Lube discount on the a detailed questionnaire with the goal of implementing or enhancing safety programs that reduce jobsite incidents. posted retail price of oil changes and
IMMEDIATE SAVINGS*
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This is another tremendous benefit of your membership with Associated Builders and Contractors! Visit abckeystone.org/abc-keystone-step-members/ To learn more, visit abckeystone.org/member-benefits for a current listing of the Chapter’s STEP members. or contact: Mike Bachman, Director of Membership, Is your company on the list? STEP up today! mike@abckeystone.org
Your ABC Keystone Membership Can Pay for Itself!
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National Safety Month Take the First STEP on Your Safety Journey
A
BC and its member companies work daily to build a construction workforce that is diverse, safe, skilled and productive. A foundational pillar of ABC’s very existence is safety. A culture of both physical and mental health and safety cannot exist without leadership taking a stand that includes an unwillingness to compromise safety and modeling this belief in their every action. Challenging and transforming the status quo to create a belief that all incidents are preventable creates a culture where safety is considered a moral obligation not just for leadership, but for all employees. ABC strives to provide all members with the knowledge and tools to achieve world-class health, safety, and wellness. One of these tools is the STEP Safety Management System. What is STEP? Founded in 1989 as a safety benchmarking and improvement tool, STEP has evolved into a world-class safety management system that dramatically improves safety performance among participants, regardless of company size or type of work. The top-performing STEP members are more than six times safer than the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics construction industry average. Participating ABC member firms measure their safety processes and policies on key components through a detailed questionnaire, with the goal of implementing or
Safety Update By: Kevin Keith Director of Safety Services
enhancing safety programs that reduce jobsite incident rates. Companies receive a rating of Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze or Participant based on their safety performance. STEP members prove that world-class safety is achievable with a companywide commitment to safety as a core value. How do you apply for STEP? Applying is quick and easy. Go to abcstep.org and click on Contractor Fillable PDF Application. You’ll need to have ready your company-specific information listed in the application and your 2021 OSHA Form 300A. Then press the start button. It takes approximately 15 minutes to complete the application online when you have the information in front of you. Why apply for STEP? Every ABC member wants to send its workers home safely every night. Take the first step toward achieving world-class safety by participating in the STEP Safety Management System, whether you are beginning your safety journey or continuing to strengthen your performance. Participating in STEP at any performance level is free. When you implement the key components, your safety performance improves. As an added benefit, driving down your injury rate can help lower your workers’ compensation insurance rates. Recognized by the industry, specifically CURT, and used as a prequalification tool by general contractors, STEP can streamline the bidding process. You did the work; now get the recognition your team deserves. How does the STEP Safety Management System help smaller contractors? When your safety director is really an HR coordinator with safety as a collateral duty, the key components of the STEP Safety Management System provide the framework for a proven, effective safety program that you can implement right away. Use the key components to engage top leadership in identifying gaps and developing a plan to improve performance. Then apply for STEP and see how you perform when compared to the best of the best. Do this annually and you’ll see year-over-year improvement in your safety performance. Learn more at abc.org/step.
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Fax or email your invoice to the Chapter office and you won’t be obligated to pay the PA One Call System invoice! Fax: (717) 653-6431 or email to lori@abckeystone.org
Pennsylvania One Call System
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Self-Evaluate Your Workforce Development Program Using 11 Key Components of World-Class Workforce Development Programs Apply online: www.abcwdms.org
Advocacy Update K F T C Election A ER SHO By: David G. Greineder, IOM ABC Pennsylvania Director of Government Affairs
A
s Van Halen said in 1995, we are, “livin' with the aftershock.” The Pennsylvania primary election has come and gone. As with any election, there were some surprising and some not-so surprising results. Starting with federal offices, John Fetterman easily won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate with nearly 60% of the vote. On the Republican side, Dr. Mehmet Oz has about a 1,000 vote lead over David McCormick. Because the results were under 0.5%, an automatic recount is underway. At the time of this writing, David McCormick’s campaign has filed a lawsuit arguing that ballots lacking a handwritten date, but delivered on time, should be counted. Dr. Oz’s attorneys are arguing the undated ballots should not be counted based on the clear reading of the state election law. History has shown that the results are unlikely to change, no matter what the courts rule, and Dr. Oz has already declared himself the “presumptive winner.” For U.S. House seats, there was no drama or upsets. All Republican and Democratic incumbents won. There were a handful of notable primary races: • In the Sixth Congressional District (southeast PA), Guy Ciarrocchi won the Republican primary to face-off against incumbent Democrat Chrissy Houlahan. Guy was running for governor before he withdrew to focus on a congressional run. • In the Seventh Congressional District (Lehigh Valley), Lisa Scheller won the Republican primary to run against incumbent Democrat Susan Wild. • In the open Twelfth Congressional District (Pittsburgh), state representative Summer Lee bucked party establishment and won the Democratic nomination. She will face Republican Michael Doyle in the general election. • In the open Seventeenth Congressional District (southwest PA), Republican Jeremy Shaffer will face Democrat Chris Deluzio in the general election. All the hype this election cycle centered around the Republican nomination for governor. As the polls indicated,
Doug Mastriano handily won the Republican nomination with 588,000 votes, or 44%. Of the eight other candidates, the next closest was Lou Barletta at 272,000 votes, or 20%. Mr. Mastriano will face-off against Josh Shapiro, who was unopposed for the Democratic nomination and received over 1.1 million votes. For Lt. Governor, Austin Davis won the Democratic nomination and was endorsed by Josh Shapiro. On the Republican side, Carrie Lewis DelRosso was the winner of the Republican primary. She is a one-term state representative that was caught up in the re-districting process and chose to run for Lt. Governor instead of her House seat. There were seven incumbents who lost their primary elections to challengers. Notably, the Republican House and Senate Appropriations Committee chairmen lost their elections to candidates running farther to the right. On the Democratic side, there were two incumbents in the Philadelphia region that lost their election to candidates that were more progressive. Counting retirements, losses, and those that were running for higher office, there will be a minimum of 54 freshman legislators entering office in December. Now that the election is over, ABC Pennsylvania leadership will meet to discuss the election results and map out where we want to focus our political resources. There is no doubt this election will have an impact on our advocacy work next year. We need EVERYONE to be an active participant and voter. Continuing with Van Halen’s Aftershock lyrics, “…and it ain’t going to change, it ain’t going away…”
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Welcome to ABC's Newest Members! Thank you for your support of the merit shop mission!
ACi Construction
Conexus, Inc.
Blair Roofing, Inc.
PowerPro Equipment Company
Dan Buch President 10 Parkview Heights Road Ephrata, PA 17522 ph. (717) 721-3535 danb@acibuildings.com Sponsor: Bethany Tesché Houck Services, Inc. Jody Creamer Owner 316 Chimney Rocks Road Hollidaysburg, PA 16648 ph. (814) 693-9000 jcreamer@blairroofinginc.com
Kurt Twiford President/CEO 2700 Turnpike Industrial Park Middletown, PA 17057 ph. (717) 914-4344 ktwiford@conexus.biz Sponsor: Mike Funck Wohlsen Construction Company
R.E. Sanders, Inc.
Thomas Sanders President/Owner 1111 North George Street York, PA 17404 (717) 843-7894 tomplumbing@comcast.net
Colleen Leid Store Manager 780 East Main Street New Holland, PA 17557-1599 Ph. (717) 354-4241 colleen@powerproequipment.com Sponsor: Wayne Fuhrman The Witmer Group
Our Members Say It Best!
"ABC Keystone offers such immense value to folks in the building industry because they nurture connections—meaningful connections that lead to new business, better jobs, and growth for everyone involved. These strong values of altruism and servant leadership come across in everything they do. In contrast to other "networking" organizations that exist to enrich themselves, ABC Keystone seeks to enrich its members." - Todd Burgard, Burgard Agency
View a searchable membership directory at abckeystone.org! Download the mobile app at the App Store or Google Play!
Happy Anniversary! Congratulations
to these members celebrating milestone anniversaries in June 2022!
55 Years: EHD Mowery
30 Years:
Republic Services (York)
20 Years:
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Aerotek, Inc.
15 Years:
Pathway Business Advisors
5 Years:
Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories North Bay Mechanical, LLC
1 Year:
Clear Vision Window Films H&S Industrial, A Viocity Company PSI Pumping Solutions, Inc. PSQ, Inc. Triad Engineering, Inc. Zimmerman Plumbing & Heating, Inc.
Member Spotlight
Quarry View Building Group
Tell us about your company! In 2008, Quarry View Building Group came about as a result of Ben, Levi, and Chris King following their dreams. The brothers desired to build projects utilizing old-world building techniques. Their foundation of a rich Amish heritage in craftsmanship led the way for Quarry View to become a builder of custom timber frame, commercial, residential, and equestrian buildings. Like the first artisan builders of America, our focus goes beyond functionality and durability to timeless design.
We work with customers to bring the ideas they have into fruition to be a truly custom build - which means a lot of creativity and ingenuity is utilized every day. We love helping people craft their legacy with a building to be appreciated for generations to come!
Did You Know?
Something that really stands out about our team at Quarry View is that we really enjoy being around each other. We work hard when it’s time to work and play hard in our spare time. We go on vacations, celebrate holidays, share meals, enjoy hobbies, and sometimes play sports together! Our team is welcoming and growing too! Another little-known fact is that we have an airplane which helps us be more efficient in traveling so we can spend more time on the job site and less time with transportation.
Quarry View Building Group Timber Frame & Custom Builders 717-656-3018 Info@quarryview.net QuarryViewBuildingGroup.com
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Join ABC Keystone Members & Guests at Our Most Well-attended Mixer of the Year!
Live Music! Great Food! Networking! Tuesday, August 2, 2022
4:00 pm: YP hour | 5:00 – 7:30 pm: Everyone at John Wright Restaurant, Wrightsville
Register: abckeystone.org
April 27, 2022 View more photos on Facebook!
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The Tech Marketplace partners provide construction technology and innovative digital solutions for ABC contractor members to advance and grow their technology strategies, offerings, and abilities. These companies cover the areas of focus identified for our contractor’s needs, and provide exclusive discounts for our members. Take advantage of member-exclusive discounts!
#ABCMeritShopProud Barley Snyder Partner Named to Trust Company Board
Counsel Trust Company has named Barley Snyder Partner Michael L. Mixell to its Board of Directors. Mixell is a member of Barley Snyder's Business, Trusts & Estates, and Finance & Creditors' Rights practice groups as well as the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Service Team. He has extensive experience in estate and trust administration as well as mediating complex trust and estates matters, both as counsel for a beneficiary and as counsel for a fiduciary involved in disputes between beneficiaries.
McConkey Insurance & Benefits Announces President and CEO
McConkey Insurance & Benefits, a leading provider of financial security and risk management solutions to businesses around the globe, named Michael C. Harter as President & CEO/Principal effective January 1, 2022. With more than 15 years at McConkey and nearly 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, Harter previously served as Executive Vice President/Principal.
RKL on Accounting Today’s Top 100 List
CPA and advisory firm RKL retained the top spot among Central and Eastern Pennsylvania firms on Accounting Today’s 2022 Top 100 list. The industry publication uses prior year revenue to rank firms. RKL’s 2021 revenue of $96.51 million also placed it 15th in the Mid-Atlantic region and 62nd nationwide.
Saxton & Stump Lawyers and Consultants Attorney Named Chair
Saxton & Stump is pleased to announce that shareholder Michael T. Traxler has been named the chair of the firm’s Insurance Law Group. With insurance regulations continually changing and becoming increasingly complex, Traxler brings experience handling matters for both insurers
and insureds in a variety of industries including trucking and commercial transportation, construction, and others.
Trout CPA Welcomes New Hire
Trout CPA announced recently that Robert (Bob) Pozesky has joined the firm as Director of Advisory Services. Prior to joining Trout CPA, Bob was a Practice Leader, Strategy and Operations Consulting with another regional accounting firm. In his new role, Bob will work with clients to turn business strategies into high performing operations, identify and solve operational challenges, deliver significant performance improvement, and develop sustainable growth through workforce leadership. He has over 30 years of business consulting experience. Bob will be working in Trout CPA’s Oregon Pike office.
H. L. Wiker, Inc. Announces Promotion
H. L. Wiker, Inc. named Debbie Ocker as HR Coordinator. Ocker, of Lancaster, is a graduate of Delaware County Community College and joined the company in 2018. She most recently served as Administrative Assistant. In her new position, Debbie will assume a lead role in HR and Recruiting and will continue to provide support to the Safety Department.
Share with your Clients & Colleagues You’re #ABCMeritShopProud to be a Keystone Chapter Member! Add the ABC logo in your marketing & communications! Download logo files at: https://bit.ly/ABCKeystoneLogo
Thank you for your support of ABC!
For inclusion in future issues of the Merit Shop Spokesman, please send your press releases to: kristi@abckeystone.org
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Young Professionals
Spotlight
Meet Donald! Tell us about the role you play in your organization:
Donald Stahlnecker Project Manager
Warfel Construction Company dstahlnecker@warfelcc.com
My role is Project Manager at Warfel Construction Company in our Operations Department. Internally, I manage our construction teams on the individual projects on which I’m working, and externally, I coordinate with our clients and design teams on project schedules, costs, and constructability.
Why do you wake up and go to work every day?
Our industry is exciting and very rewarding; every day is a new challenge, so every day is different. That is what keeps me going.
How has your involvement in ABC Keystone provided you value in your professional life?
ABC Keystone provides me with connections to other industry members who I may not encounter on a regular basis. It also keeps me current with updates in the industry at both a local and national level related to politics and industry trends.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy spending time with my family, visiting breweries, hunting, and generally anything to do with the outdoors.
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What is your favorite inspirational quote?
“The will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital.” – Joe Paterno
Share with us a recent, favorite book:
Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
Young Professionals
Perspective
USING YOUR RETIREMENT PLAN
TO MAKE YOUR BIDS
by: Jeremy Rivers, CFP® Stonebridge Financial Group
MORE COMPETITIVE
I
n today’s world, retirement plans such as a 401(k) are not only commonplace, but are almost a requirement. Whether you are talking about attracting new talent or retaining your current employees, giving people the opportunity to save for their retirement is something most employers need to consider. Defined benefit plans are far less common these days. As such, most employees are realizing the need to plan for their own retirement. Sure, employers will reap the benefits of their company contributions being tax deductible, but what if there was another way a contractor could leverage their retirement plan to help make bids more competitive? The Davis Bacon Act can allow employers to do just that. The Davis Bacon Act, which is a federal prevailing wage law, involves contractors who work on federal contracts. In general, projects subject to prevailing wage must provide wages and benefits that would be provided to a union contractor. This total prevailing wage compensation has two parts: the prevailing wage and the prevailing wage fringe. Contactors have the option of paying both pieces in cash or electing to pay part in cash and part as a retirement plan contribution. Some of the benefits of using this strategy are: 1. Cost savings. Payments made into the retirement plan save the company in payroll taxes. 2. More competitive bids. The cost savings can help translate to a lower and more attractive bid. 3. Discrimination testing. These payments can help
business owners pass the required discrimination testing for their retirement plans. 4. Increasing contributions for owners. Because of the nature of these payments, owners who were previously restricted in their own contributions will have more flexibility. Prevailing wage retirement plans can be established easily, and in the event a contractor stops performing prevailing wage work, can also be closed down.
Securities offered through Triad Advisors, LLC, Member FINRA/ SIPC. Advisory services offered through Triad Hybrid Solutions, LLC, a registered investment advisor. Stonebridge Financial Group, LLC and Triad Advisors, LLC are not affiliated.
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135 Shellyland Road Manheim, PA 17545
PRESORTED STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID LANCASTER, PA PERMIT #23
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