“Throughout 2020, our member companies gave us a lot to celebrate and be grateful for. As an industry, it is only right that we pause and reflect on the important work construction does every day. COVID-19 has had major impacts, but the resiliency of our state shined, and it started with construction,” said Peter Tateishi, CEO, AGC. “Congratulations to each of our award winners!”
At the virtual Gala, AGC also hosted an “Oscar-style” awards celebration, recognizing excellence in the industry with the prestigious Construction Education Friend Award, Safety Professional of the Year Award, Achievement Awards, and Constructor Awards.
Congratulations to the following 2021 award winners:
Construction Education Friend Award: John E. Harriel, Morrow Meadows
John E. Harriel, known as “Big John,” is the Diversity Manager/Superintendent for Morrow Meadows. With over 21 years of leadership experience and outstanding outreach efforts, he has made a significant impact on the lives of many in his community. Through his volunteer commitment at 2nd Call, a community-based non-profit that strives to provide second chances to the formerly incarcerated, at-risk, or proven-risk residents of South LA, Compton, Watts and Inglewood, John serves as a conduit to high-paying union jobs and sets a positive example by sharing his personal testimony on how he found redemption and built a successful life after his own incarceration.
Associate Achievement Award: Phil George, P.E.
Phil has worked in the construction industry for over 40 years as both a union and open shop contractor on federal, state, local and private projects, including a number of general engineering projects. Through his first-hand experience supporting construction disputes between partnering companies, he has built a reputation as a professional committed to resolving issues early to create strong partnerships, save money, and allow all parties to enjoy their work. Phil has been active in AGC since 1983, serving on multiple committees, participating in union negotiations, and more. He earned is contractor license in 1984 and has been a member of multiple AGC chapters since.
Contractor Achievement Award: George Bradshaw, Underground Construction Co., Inc.
George began his Underground Construction Co., Inc. career in 1983, and since that time has brought hard work and integrity to every decision. During his tenure, George has made a deep impact on the organization, most recently growing the company by over 1,200 employees while helping it navigate many legal, contractual, and labor challenges. Beyond his work at Underground Construction Co., Inc. he has committed decades of his free time to AGC to advance the industry, serving on numerous committees in leadership capacities and will serve as the North Bay District Vice Chair in 2021. George has also committed to advancing the next generation of construction leaders, from going out of his way to meet AGC Student Chapter members to developing programs within his company designed to foster the development of engineers and managers.
S.I.R. Achievement Award: Dan Langford, Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters
Dan is Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters (SWRCC), overseeing more than 55,000 union carpenters across six states. With his leadership, Dan has placed the SWRCC on a path to long-term sustainability. Throughout his tenure, he has helped develop and implement multiple programs, including the Steward Program designed to build a stronger bridge between the union and contractors, the BOOTS and Brothers’ Keeper pre-apprenticeship programs designed to recruit diverse talent to SWRCC, and the Carpenters Union Participation Program which was designed to provide carpenters community volunteering opportunities. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dan personally advocated at the state and local levels alongside AGC of California to secure construction’s essential status. His leadership during this time earned him an invitation to join the Los Angeles County Economic Resiliency Task Force.
Safety Professional of the Year Award: Art Mendoza, STS, CHST, Nova Group, Inc.
Art Mendoza, STS, CHST, Site Safety & Health Officer, has been a tremendous asset to Nova Group, Inc. and every project team that he’s had the opportunity to support. After suffering a serious injury as a concrete finisher and laborer ten years into his career, Art made the transition to becoming a safety professional. Since then, Art has spent the last 20 years as a safety professional, where he has been involved with frontline leadership for the success of numerous complicated projects. Leveraging his years of field experience, Art has helped bridge safety cultures from multiple companies on complex joint ventures, earning multiple NAVFAC Star Awards, including on the Defense Fuel Storage Facilities at Naval Base Point Loma, CA. He has decreased Nova Group,Inc.’s Total Recordable Case Rate during major increases in total man ours at the company, reported zero lost-time accidents on the last several projects he supported and has led projects that have earned multiple safety awards. In short, Art has become one of the most well-liked, highly respected, and trusted safety professionals in the industry.
Constructor Award Winners
- Specialty Under $10 Million Constructor Award: Granite Construction for the Union Pacific Railroad W. Colton Transfer Table
- Specialty Under $10 Million Constructor Award: Otto Construction for the Greer Elementary School
- Heavy Civil Under $35 Million Constructor Award: Granite Construction for the Sacramento International Airport Runway 16R-34L Rehabilitation.
- Specialty Over $10 Million Constructor Award: ACCO Engineered Systems for the Great Park Ice & Sports Complex
- Builder $40-200 Million Constructor Award: Hensel Phelps for the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry Phase-2
- Heavy Civil $35-100 Million Constructor Award: Teichert Construction for the Colfax 1-80 Truck Climbing Lane- 03-1 F4 004
- Builder Over $200 Million Constructor Award: Mortenson | Clark, A Joint Venture for the Chase Center Development
- Heavy Civil Over $100 Million Constructor Award: Flatiron West, Inc. for the Route 210 Roadway Rehabilitation
- Excellence in Partnering Constructor Award: Teichert Construction for the Colfax 1-80 Truck Climbing Lane- 03-1 F4 004
In addition to celebrating award winners, AGC was honored to commemorate the fortitude and dedication of its 2020 Officer Corp and Board of Directors. Due to the extraordinary events of 2020, AGC’s Nominating Committee recommended, and the membership voted, to extend the terms of the Officers who were willing to serve through 2021, including:
- Mike Blach, President – Blach Construction
- Dina Kimble, President-Elect – Royal Electric Co.
- Brad Jeanneret, Vice President, Building Division – Hensel Phelps
- Pat Kelly, Vice President, Highway & Transportation Division* – Granite Construction, Inc.
*AGC extends its gratitude to Clinton Myers, Myers & Sons Construction, AGC’s 2020 VP, Highway & Transportation Division, for his dedicated service.
- Jim Blois, Vice President, Utility & Infrastructure Division – Blois Construction, Inc.
- Greg Timmerman, Vice President, Specialty Contractors – ISEC, Inc.
- Steve Rule, Treasurer – Turner Construction Co.
“It was an honor to serve as President during AGC’s Centennial year and again in 2021. We moved mountains and our members showcased some of those successes the best,” said Mike Blach, President, AGC. “I am humbled to have the opportunity to support AGC and our members after an unprecedented year when California’s construction industry showcased its resilience. I am excited to capitalize on our accomplishments with more opportunities to build and strengthen our state.”
Since the early 1900s, AGC members have laid the foundation for how we live, work and play. Over the last century, these trailblazing organizations from across the state have banded together to create one unified voice, fighting for the betterment of the industry. They have rolled up their sleeves and created opportunities to build and strengthen the state of California by building groundbreaking projects, shaping policy, improving industry relationships, and developing our workforce. As we enter the next chapter in AGC’s history, the impact member contractors will have on society will only increase.
