AUSTIN, Texas - The Union-Affiliated Contractors (UAC) recently learned how to take their companies to the next level, by going from "good" to "great," at Unity Conference 2004.

At the conference at the Lakeway Inn Resort in Austin, Texas, speaker Kirk Alter's presentation was called "Good to Great: Taking Your Company to the Next Level." Based on the book authored by Jim Collins, Alter's presentation provided insight into companies that made and sustained the transition to high-performing companies. Contractors, union leaders, and association executives discussed their ideas on how to apply these concepts to their organizations.

Speaker Bill Ecklund's "Fiduciary Responsibility" presentation covered current strategies and best practices for those who serve as trustees of multi-employer funds and benefit plans. For those familiar with the subject, the presentation provided a refresher; for those new to this area, it offered an eye-opening look at what can happen if trustees are not prepared or trained, noted the association.

Also at the meeting, UAC elected Robert J. "Bud" Riestenberg, Flo-Rite Inc., Riviera Beach, Fla., for a two-year term as chairman of the UAC trustees. Tom Gent, AMSCO Mechanical Inc., Granite City, Ill., was confirmed as vice chairman.

The following individuals were elected/re-elected to three-year terms as UAC trustees:

  • Ray Hefner, Plumbing Industry Council of St. Louis.

  • Herb Greenberg, WDF Inc./Greene Mechanical Corp., Mt. Vernon, N.Y.

  • Hugh Kelleher, Greater Boston PHCC, Boston.

  • Stewart O'Brien, City of New York ACP, New York.

  • Robert J. "Bud" Riestenberg, Flo-Rite Inc., Riviera Beach, Fla.

    UAC is an enhanced service group of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association (PHCC). For more information, call 800-533-7694 or visit the new UAC Web site at www.uac-contractors.org.

    Publication date: 05/10/2004