AGC Houston Hosts 2nd Annual HR & Safety Professionals Day

On November 2nd, we held our 2nd annual HR & Safety Professionals Day at Dave & Buster's. At the event, many human resources and safety professionals came together to share best practices and resources for the greater good of the Houston commercial construction industry. Those who attended the event got to hear from keynote speaker David (Kawika) Lau about his personal story of resilience, adversity, and post-traumatic growth. Huge thanks to sponsors, speakers, exhibitors, and members for making the event a success.

Please click here to view event photos. 

Safety Award Winners

Robert Schindler - McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. - True North safety award 

Jonathon Montoya - McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. - Safety Professional of the Year

Fast Track Specialties, LP - Safety Excellence Specialty  Contractor of the Year - Small

Standard Constructors, Inc. - Safety Excellence Specialty Contractor of the Year - Large

Sponsors
AGC Southwest Chapters 401K Plan (Baird) - Conference Host Sponsor
Safety by Design, Inc. - Conference Host Sponsor
MAREK Brothers Systems, LLC - Keynote Sponsor
Adams Insurance Service, Inc. - Lunch Sponsor
Encore Concrete Construction, LLC - Lunch Sponsor
Peckar & Abramson, PC - Lunch Sponsor
Andrews Myers, PC - Coffee Bar Sponsor
Austin Commercial LP - Coffee Bar Sponsor
Cokinos | Young - Coffee Bar Sponsor
McDonough Engineering Corp - Coffee Bar Sponsor
TDIndustries, Inc. - Coffee Bar Sponsor
Hilb Group - Exhibitor
OSHA - Exhibitor
US Department of Labor Wage & Hour Divison - Exhibitor
Alliance Reprographics, LLC - Print Sponsor

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

You're not going to want to miss out on AGC Houston's professional development programs! These courses are intended for the following construction professionals: Superintendents, Project Engineers, Project Managers, Accounting Staff, Project Support Staff, Project Executives, Business Development, Technology Support Staff, and more! Please click here for more information. 

Looking for New Training Opportunities?

With AGC's live, instructor-led courses, it's never been easier to build your skill set and access the training you need. Group pricing available.

AGC members and non-members can save 5% off the virtual programs listed below. Don't miss your chance to save on construction training this summer! Use code Aug5Edge when signing up!

Upcoming Courses

11/28/2023 - 11/30/2023: AGC Edge Construction Supervision Fundamentals - Virtual Training

11/28/2023 - 12/7/2023: AGC Edge Building Information Modeling - Virtual Training

12/4/2023 - 12/20/2023: AGC Edge Project Manager Development Program - Virtual Training

12/5/2023: Fundamentals of Building Trades - MEP Systems

12/5/2023 - 12/14/2023: AGC Edge Building Information Modeling - Virtual Training

12/11/2023 - 12/20/2023: AGC Edge Construction Supervision Fundamentals - Virtual Training

Apply Now for the AGC Houston Patrick J. Kiley Excellence in Leadership Scholarship

AGC Houston will be awarding the Patrick J. Kiley Excellence in Leadership Scholarship in the spring of 2024 to college-bound and university students who are majoring in a construction-related discipline.

In its 27th year, the AGC Houston scholarship program has awarded over 200 scholarships totaling more than $700,000.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicant must pursue a degree relating to a career in construction.

• Applicant must be an employee or dependent of an employee of an AGC Houston member firm or an AGC Student Chapter member.

• Applicant must be enrolled in a college, university, or accredited training program during fall semester 2023.

• Current high school seniors and college students are eligible to apply.

The deadline to apply is January 31, 2024.
Click here to apply.

AGC of America Education & Research Foundation Scholarship Applications Now Open

Each year, the AGC Education and Research Foundation offer undergraduate and graduate-level scholarships to students enrolled in ABET or ACCE accredited construction management or construction-related engineering programs. The application closes Nov. 1, 2023.

Over $10 million in scholarships have been awarded to more than 4,000 students attending colleges and universities across the country. Through endowments made by AGC members and supporters, as well as AGC Chapters, the Education and Research Foundation awards over 100 scholarships each year to students dedicated to pursuing a career in the construction industry.

Students can click here to apply.

If you have any questions, please contact Paige Packard, Program Director, AGC Education and Research Foundation, paige.packard@agc.org.

Call for Nominations: 2024 AGC Houston Standard of Excellence Award

If you know someone who rocks at their job in the construction industry, we want to hear from you! Fill out the nomination form and send it to us by email. Click here to download the nomination form.  

The AGC Houston Standard of Excellence Award started in 1998 and honors a construction industry employee who shows the best qualities of: teamwork and professionalism, creativity and innovation, commitment and cooperation, customer service and quality and community service. Anyone who works in the construction industry can apply—whether you work for a general contractor, subcontractor, supplier, service company, architect or engineer.

The deadline to submit a nomination is Dec. 31, 2023, and the winner will be announced at our 2024 Annual Meeting.

Please click here to apply!

2024 Leadership AGC Applications Now Open

The continuing growth of Houston’s commercial construction industry signals a need for the development of trained, informed and responsible leadership to sustain our organization’s future. Developing young leaders will be a key piece of the future success and growth of the construction industry in Houston.

Developed by construction industry young leaders for young leaders.

Unlike the typical leadership development program, Leadership AGC will focus on the experience. A limited group of 20 participants will develop a civic and professional network and emerge with an increased knowledge of our industry’s diversities. In addition to enhancing their professional and civic networks, program participants will also learn what they can do to actively participate and ultimately become an influencer in the affairs of the industry and the community.

The Leadership AGC experience consists of educational sessions and experiential learning.
Beginning in January and ending in December, each session focuses on an integral aspect of the commercial construction industry specific to Houston and the surrounding region.

Past programs have included sessions pertaining to the following:

• Introduction to Leadership and AGC Houston
• Professional Development: Skills and Knowledge Development
• Community Service and Charitable Giving
• Texas Medical Center/Thermal Energy Corporation or TECO
• AGC Texas Building Branch and Legislative Issues Program
• Leadership and Teambuilding Development
• Roundtable Discussions
• Leadership Panel Discussions

The deadline to apply is Nov. 30, 2023.

Please click here to apply.

Join JD Fields for a FREE ½ Day Seminar on Permanent Sheet Pile Foundation Application

Upcoming Safety Classes

AGC Houston is proud to partner with the The Region VI OSHA Education Center at The University of Texas at Arlington. The OSHA Education Center at The University of Texas at Arlington is the top-ranked OSHA Training Institute Education Center in the country. AGC Houston is not an OSHA Training Institute Education Center, but serves as a Host-Training Organization for The University of Texas at Arlington OSHA Training Institute Education Center.

View the full list of OSHA UT-A courses here.

NOVEMBER

11/13/2023 - 11/16/2023: OSHA #501 TRAINER COURSE IN OSHA STANDARDS FOR GENERAL INDUSTRY

11/13/2023 - 11/16/2023: OSHA #521 OSHA GUIDE TO INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE

11/13/2023 - 12/4/2023: OSHA 30-HOUR 

11/15/2023 - 11/16/2023: OSHA 10-HOUR

11/27/2023 - 11/30/2023: OSHA #500 TRAINER COURSE IN OSHA STANDARDS FOR CONSTRUCTION

DECEMBER 

12/04/2023 - 12/06/2023: OSHA #502 UPDATE FOR CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY OUTREACH TRAINERS

12/04/2023 - 12/07/2023: OSHA #511 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS FOR GENERAL INDUSTRY

12/05/2023 - 12/07/2023: OSHA #3015 EXCAVATION, TRENCHING, AND SOIL MECHANICS

12/05/2023 - 12/07/2023: OSHA #3115 FALL PROTECTION

12/06/2023 - 12/08/2023: OSHA #503 UPDATE FOR GENERAL INDUSTRY OUTREACH TRAINERS

12/13/2023 - 12/14/2023: OSHA 10-HOUR COURSE IN CONSTRUCTION

12/11/2023 - 12/14/2023: OSHA #2045 MACHINERY AND MACHINE GUARDING STANDARDS

12/11/2023 - 12/14/2023: OSHA #510 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH STANDARDS FOR CONSTRUCTION

12/18/2023 - 12/21/2023: OSHA #510 NORMAS DE OSHA PARA LA INDUSTRIA DE LA CONSTRUCCIÓN

Guidelines for Creation of Inclement Weather Preparedness Plan

Don't wait for disaster to strike! Your business's resilience starts with preparedness! When it comes to severe weather, being ready can make all the difference. Check out our guide for employers on how to prep, plan, and stay safe during the hurricane season (June 1 - November 30) in the U.S. 

Please click here for more information!

DECEMBER 14: Bad Santa Holiday Happy Hour

FEBRUARY 1: AGC Houston Centennial Celebration & 2024 Annual Meeting

FEBRUARY 13: AGC Houston Sporting Clays Tournament 

FEBRUARY 22: Mardi Gras Member Mixer 

APRIL 5-6: AGC Houston 32nd Annual BBQ Cook-Off – SAVE THE DATE!

Kyle's Weekly Updates

Stay tuned on #HawaiianShirtFridays for updates from Kyle Holland on LinkedIn that focus on all the value that AGC Houston can offer members. If you've missed any of our insightful videos, fret not! Head over to our YouTube page for a catch-up session. Stay connected, stay informed!  

AGC Confidential Salary Survey – 2023 Results

Uptick in Department of Labor Audits of Construction Sites 
By Anthony G. Stergio, Andrews Myers, PC

The Houston region has seen a recent uptick in Department of Labor (“DOL”) audits focused on specific construction sites. In conducting these audits, the DOL typically chooses a particular construction site and targets both general contractors and subcontractors at the site. The DOL may either collect documentation from each construction contractor on site or conduct spot check interviews with employees of those various construction contractors. Recent DOL audit inquiries have concerned possible:

• Minimum wage violations.
• Underage worker violations.
• Overtime violations.
• Prevailing wage violations (on projects that receive federal funds).

The audit surge is a fulfillment of the Biden Administration’s promise to increase DOL oversight and compliance throughout the construction industry. Considering the escalation of audits, contractors should take preventive measures to evaluate whether their pay practices comply with federal law (and advise their subcontractors to do the same). Contractors should also conduct training for site managers on what to do if a DOL audit occurs on their construction site. Such training should, at a minimum, include:

• Who to immediately call if the DOL announces its presence.
• How to respond to documentation requests from the DOL.
• What to do if operation issues make a DOL audit difficult at the time of the DOL’s arrival.
• What to do with respect to interview requests for your (or a subcontractor’s) employees.
• Actions to take if the DOL wants to interview managerial/supervisory employees.

For more information, please contact Anthony Stergio.

Maximize Your Membership Benefits this May: Unlock Exclusive Opportunities with Our Member Benefits

AGC Houston is a full-service membership organization providing more than 500 member companies with access to advocacy, networking opportunities, safety services, and education and training programs.

An AGC Houston membership automatically enrolls your company in Associated General Contractors of America, providing additional valuable benefits and access to resources and training. Our membership includes general contractors, specialty contractors, associates (suppliers) and affiliates (professional services firms). AGC Houston’s membership territory reaches 24 counties, and our members represent a $2.3 billion market. 

AGC Members Saved Over 14.5 Million Dollars Last Year Using AGC Member Discount Programs 

The AGC Member Discount Programs offer a variety of benefits to our members, including access to high-quality services, state-of-the-art technologies, and premier products. Through our partnerships with leading companies, we are able to provide discounts on a wide range of products and services. These discounts are designed to help our members save money and improve their daily business operations.

Our value-added discounts provide a competitive advantage that can set your business apart from others in the industry. AGC Member Discount Programs are just one of the many benefits of being an AGC member that aim to help our members succeed and grow. Please reach out to Cindy Samons cindy.samons@agc.org to take advantage of these amazing discounts. 

Reliant Energy Discount Program

Setting up electrical service at a site is one of the tedious details you have to handle before you can start work on a project. Let Reliant's program for AGC Texas Building Branch (www.reliant.com/agc) make it a lot easier.

The program provides the following to AGC members throughout Texas:

• A dedicated representative
• Concierge service
• Industry support
• Special pricing

Newfront
P.O. Box 709
Mexia, TX 76667
Phone: (817) 822-6565
Website: https://www.newfront.com/

J.T.B. Services, Inc.
9026 Lambright Rd.
Houston, TX 77075-3208
Phone: (713) 474-7434
Website: http://www.jtbservices.com/

Select Concrete Services, LLC
5325 Hiltonview Rd.
Houston, TX 77086
Phone: (281) 617-0910
Website: https://selectconcreteservices.com/

Viking Rentals
10814 E. Hardy Rd.
Houston, TX 77093
Phone: (713) 474-7434
Website: http://www.rentviking.com/

Siemens SI
5980 W Sam Houston Pkwy N
Houston, TX 77041
Phone: (702) 409-0629
Website: http://www.siemens.com

Rain For Rent
2712 Independence Pkwy
La Porte, TX 77571
Phone: (281) 479-4500
Website: https://www.rainforrent.com/

Elmore Interest, Inc. dba Admiral Glass Company
6655 Polk St.
Houston, TX 77011
Phone: (281) 953-3300
Website: http://admiralglass.net

Roof Top innovations, LLC
311 N. Sycamore St.
Tomball, TX 77375
Phone: (281) 825-2696
Website: https://rooftopinnovations.com/