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Weekly UpdatesConstruction is the 800-pound gorilla in the room. It is the third-largest industry in Alaska and contributes more that $7.2 billion to the state's economic base, pays the second-highest wages and employs more than 21,000 in the Great Land's work force.
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska (AGC) includes more than 650 companies and members who are involved in this dynamic industry and occupied in the construction of buildings, highways and bridges, utilities facilities, heavy industrial and specialty projects--to list but a few of the activities that make this vital industry the go.
Once each year, the AGC pauses briefly to mark its accomplishments, thank and congratulate its association members for the work that they do. Such recognition takes place during the association's annual conference that traditionally occurs in mid-November in Anchorage.
At this event, members are recognized for outstanding achievements in construction, overall safety at the workplace and for service to the community and the association.
Perhaps the most prestigious of all the honors bestowed by the AGC each year is its coveted Hard Hat Award. Given only to a select few, the first presentation was made in 1964 and only in those following years in which truly exemplary industry standouts are identified. Honorees may be a general contractor member, an associate member or materials supplier whose meritorious support goes beyond the normal practice for service to the construction industry in Alaska and to the association. The selectee is nominated and unanimously chosen by former recipients of the Hard Hat Award. This year the honor went to Albert E. (Bert) Bell, president of GHEMM Company Inc. of Fairbanks. He served the AGC as its president in 2001.
Awards for excellence in construction, safety and service also figured prominently in the ceremonies that took place at the AGC annual conference.
In the Alaska USA-sponsored Excellence in Construction awards, winners are selected by a panel of independent judges who evaluate submissions based on the technical, logistic, timeline or financial constraints involved of each project. Only projects completed or substantially completed between July 1, 2005, and August 15, 2006, were eligible to compete in the Excellence in Construction awards program. (See mainbar for a list of winners.)
Excellence in Safety is sponsored by Marsh USA and recognizes contractors who have excelled in achieving exemplary safety records during the period. Judges examine an overview of company safety programs; measure the high level of employee involvement in the safety activities; and note the programs, procedures and resource elements utilized to promote on- the-job-safety. Interior Alaska Roofing Inc. of Fairbanks was named.
In addition to company programs, Marsh USA recognizes an individual by its Safety Leadership award. This year Dave Thomas, president of Alaska Interstate Construction LLC, Anchorage, walked away with the top honors.
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