Carole L. Bionda, ABC 2004 national chair and vice president of Nova Group (Napa, Calif.), gave the opening address. Bionda discussed her belief that the association has changed the face of the construction industry over the past five decades, rising from a small group of contractors in Baltimore in the 1950s to a national organization by the 1970s.

The Construction Leaders Symposium, a three-day series of breakout sessions, featured presentations from construction industry experts including Roger Liska, professor and chair of the Department of Construction Science and Management at Clemson University. Benchmarking practices, best practices in construction safety management, and recruiting and retaining employees were a few of the topics discussed.

More than 100 professionals took part in the 2004 ABC National Craft Championship skills competition. ABC named Cris Coy, masonry foreman at Thomas & Marker Construction Co. (Bellefontaine, Ohio), as its 2004 Craft Professional of the Year.

ABC also recognized a number of other members, and presented numerous Excellence in Construction and National Safety Excellence awards. Dennis Weller, president and CEO of Structural Associates Inc. (East Syracuse, N.Y.), was named ABC's Contractor of the Year.

Publication date: 04/19/2004