2020 AGC Annual Conference – Silver Linings to Hard Decisions

Excellence in Construction

AGC Honors Safety

Your 2020-2021 Executive Board and Board of Directors

Improving on Perfection

Employers Can Help Reduce Alaska’s Suicide Rates by Fostering Conversation by Rindi White

Anchorage Golf Course Receives Facelift Ahead of 2022 U.S. Golf Championships by Victoria Petersen

Associated General Contractors of Alaska 2021 Legislative Priorities by Meg Nordale, Regina Daniels, and Alicia Siira

Celebrations at a Distance

Southcentral Construction Inc. by Nancy Erickson

Signature Land Services by Kevin Klott

Alaska Railroad by Samantha Davenport

Advertising Strategies by Rachael Kvapil

AWAIC’s Safe Spaces Construction Nears Completion by Rachael Kvapil

Federal Defense Projects Key for Alaska Construction Industry by Nancy Erickson

Changing the Narrative by Samantha Davenport

Winning Bids and Construction Trends

President’s Message by Gary Klebs

Executive Director’s Message by Alicia Siira

Member News

Navigating Union Benefit Trust Reporting by Adam Keck

The New Norm in HR by Paula Bradison

The Importance of a Medical Review Officer in a Drug Testing Program by Brennen Portalski, C-SAPA

Anticipating Federal Contracting Policy Changes by Michael J. Schmidt and Wiley G. Cason

Supervisors, Safety, and Human Factors by Chris Ross, CSP, CPLP

New Members

Jenith Flynn
Davis Constructors & Engineers Inc.

David Haynes
First National Bank Alaska

Pearl-Grace Pantaleone
Cornerstone General Construction

April Reilly
Rain Proof Roofing

Chris Reilly
Rain Proof Roofing

Aspen Knight
Coldfoot Environmental

Alicia Siira
Associated General Contractors of Alaska

Christine A. White
R&M Consultants Inc.

Rindi White
Editor

Monica Sterchi-Lowman
Art Director

Linda Shogren
Art Production

BUSINESS STAFF
Charles Bell
VP Sales & Marketing
257-2909 cbell@akbizmag.com

Janis J. Plume
Senior Account Manager
257-2917 janis@akbizmag.com

Christine Merki
Advertising Account Manager
257-2911 cmerki@akbizmag.com

The Alaska Contractor is published by Alaska Business Publishing Co. Inc. for the Associated General Contractors of Alaska. Contents of the magazine are not necessarily endorsed by AGC of Alaska or Alaska Business Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Copyright 2020 by the Associated General Contractors of Alaska. For information about articles in this edition or for permission to reproduce any portion of it, contact Alaska Business Publishing Co.

efore I introduce myself, I’d like to thank Past President Chris Reilly for the role he played in guiding this organization through one of the most challenging years in recent memory. Rest assured, I’m committed to picking up exactly where Chris left off. I’d also like to welcome all new and existing board members who were recently elected to AGC’s Board of Directors; thank you all for volunteering your time to furthering the mission of AGC and advancing the interests of Alaska’s construction industry. A special thanks to AGC’s 2021 Executive Board of Directors:

hen the public health situation took a turn for the worse, we remained calm. Then we put our heads down and got to work. Although the city-wide lockdown and forced closure of countless local businesses was certainly concerning, AGC understands the critical importance of keeping Alaska’s construction industry building. Our members are responsible for key functions in the state’s response to COVID-19, from building critical infrastructure to maintaining and repairing our hospitals and clinics. And nobody understands better than our industry the necessity of working safely (let alone in the middle of a pandemic).

The award recognizes SAME sustaining member firms that “achieve outstanding results in support of the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Navy, as well as company support for the professional development of its employees through participation in SAME education and activities,” according to Ahtna.

his year has been an unprecedented time for the Associated General Contractors of Alaska and its members. While AGC has always relied on member input to guide its operations, the connection between members and leadership has never been more vital, as AGC repeatedly heard from members about what was and was not working, as it relates to business practices during a global pandemic, and helped see that those concerns were addressed through state-mandated operating procedures.

While networking has been more challenging than in past years, AGC and the creative members who volunteer their time to help coordinate events have brought virtual learning to workplaces across Alaska.

uicide: It’s a subject that once was taboo to talk about, and one that has not typically been part of job site safety meetings. But not talking about something doesn’t make it go away. Addressing suicide and shining a light on the underlying causes and signs that workers are at risk of suicide might mean saving lives.

Construction industry workers are at higher risk of suicide attempts and death by suicide than those in many other industries. A study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in July 2016—the first of its kind—shows that the construction industry in America had the highest number of suicides of any industry category, with 45.3 workers per 100,000 dying by suicide, as compared to a national average suicide rate of 14.21 per 100,000, data that was confirmed in 2018.

laska is the only state in the nation that hasn’t hosted a United States Golf Association (USGA) championship, but that’s set to change in 2022, when Anchorage hosts the 60th U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur championship.

The move was announced by the USGA on October 7. The event is planned late summer 2022, at the city-owned Anchorage Golf Course, which is currently undergoing a transformation to accommodate the gathering. In a press release from the USGA, Chief Executive Officer Mike Davis said bringing the championship to Alaska is a “monumental occasion,” and “something that has been a long time coming.”

earl-Grace Pantaleone learned about Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis (AWAIC) in the most heartbreaking way. In 2014, while working as a crime reporter for the local FOX station, she received news that her friend Brianna Moore was killed in a domestic violence dispute.

“That was such an impactful moment for me,” says Pantaleone, who is now the Business Development & Marketing Manager for Cornerstone General Contractors. “I started volunteering with the organization after that story.”

ederal defense projects continue to keep Alaska contractors on the job, but some of the major projects are beginning to wrap up.

Critical infrastructure construction in support of two squadrons of F-35A Lightning II Stealth fighter jets at Eielson Air Force Base is nearing completion. The first squadron arrived in April and the second is expected in December, involving 54 aircraft and approximately 1,500 airmen.

“The district is in the final phases of the F-35 Beddown Program, with three projects left to award: a combat arms and training maintenance facility, demolition of building 1303, and arms and military equipment storage facility,” says John Budnik, public affairs specialist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Alaska District, or USACE.

rguably the most important factor for the success of a business is a good employee. As an employer, you understand that in today’s economic environment the benefits package you offer can help attract and retain the best workers. These benefits also impact your financial success because the cost of benefits increases over time and is likely one of your largest financial expenditures.

AGC contractors who employ union workers purchase benefits through tax exempt trust funds with tremendous purchasing power. The purpose of this article is to encourage you to use your benefit plan administrator to help you understand and avoid common mistakes employers make when participating in union benefit trust funds.

TOP: The Construction Industry Progress Fund partnered with Brilliant Media Strategies on a social media campaign, featuring 60-second video spots from Alaskans working in construction trades and providing testimonials relating to their work.

LEFT: Testimonials from Alaskans in the construction trade are available on Build Alaska’s website—build907.com.
Brilliant Media Strategies

he Construction Industry Progress Fund has launched a social media campaign aimed at improving the overall image of Alaska’s construction industry—and encouraging young Alaskans to join the field.

Alicia Siira, executive director of Associated General Contractors of Alaska, says students often hear the message that after high school, college is the only path to success. She hopes that the campaign will showcase the rewarding career opportunities available within the industry for those of all levels of experience.

usiness continuity and risk mitigation have always been elements of a strong strategic plan. In 2020 they are more relevant than ever.

In just a matter of weeks, “back to work” became anything but back to normal. Organization leaders want answers to questions they would have previously garnered from a “subject matter expert.” Now more than ever, leadership is being challenged with questions for which the answers rely heavily on risk tolerance and critical thinking.

early everyone who has applied for a job has, at one time or another, taken a drug test. Most people are familiar with the drug testing collection process, but have you ever wondered what additional steps are taken if you are using a prescription medication? Who is notified, and what steps are taken to verify that a medication is being taken for legitimate medical reasons? Furthermore, what happens when someone tests positive for an illegal substance?

The medical review officer, or MRO, plays a critical role in the drug testing process; serving as the “gatekeeper” of all drug test results, it is imperative that any employer looking to maintain an effective, legally defensible drug testing program utilizes a medical review officer.

very year, the federal government allocates billions of dollars to government contracts in the state of Alaska. In almost every instance, federal funding comes with strings attached. Even state contractors may find themselves subject to federal contracting requirements if they perform work on a state project that has received federal grant funding, as most state projects do.

As we move into 2021, a change in the presidential administration—as well as the swearing in of a new Congress—will lead to shifts in federal contracting policy, which in turn could have significant implications for Alaska’s government contractors.

recently conducted a webinar attended by more than 900 people called “Safety and the Supervisor: Developing Frontline Leadership Skills to Improve Safety Outcomes.” During the Q&A session at the end of the presentation, participants asked more than 200 questions. I’ve addressed some of the most common questions received. The answers share insights for anyone interested in health and safety, employee engagement, and improving supervisors’ ability to influence safety outcomes.