The Merit Shop Spokesman Blog

The Latest Chapter News from ABC Keystone
ABC Keystone Merit Shop Advocacy Blog

Advocacy Update: Get In the Game

It’s another big election year in Pennsylvania and candidates are lining up. The open governor’s office and U.S. Senate seat are popular choices. Currently, there are over a dozen Republicans seeking the governor’s office. Josh Shapiro, the Attorney General, is the lone Democrat vying for the seat. For U.S. Senate, there are 13 Republicans and 14 Democrats running. It’s still too early for “drop-outs,” so ABC will keep members aware of who’s in and who’s out as we draw closer to the May 17 primary. In addition, 17 congressional seats, 203 state House seats, and 25 state Senate seats are up for grabs.

Let’s start with what we affectionately call “re-districting.” Every decade, states go through a process of their own choosing to re-draw state and federal legislative districts. Because Pennsylvania is losing population, the Commonwealth’s congressional delegation will shrink from 18 to 17 congresspersons. This means legislative leaders will have to merge two seats. No easy task. A few weeks ago, preliminary maps were released by the House. The maps must go through the entire legislative process, and the governor must sign-off unless there are votes for an override. There could be legal challenges depending on the outcome of the legislative process and how contentious the talks will be. Regardless, the timeline is extremely tight, as session days are short, and candidates begin circulating petitions in mid-February. If you are interested in reviewing or commenting on the congressional maps, you can go to www.paredistricting.com.

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ABC Keystone President Message 12.27.22

Message from the President-CEO: Welcome to 2022!

It’s hard to believe that another year has passed, and we are already embarking on a new year. Every new year brings changes, challenges, and opportunities. The way we as a Chapter and our members respond to these issues has made ABC Keystone a high-performing and well-respected chapter.

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News Releases ABC Keystone

Guy Kingree Receives 2021 Chair Award from ABC Keystone for Outstanding Service to ABC’s Mission and Membership

(MANHEIM, Pa) The Keystone Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) is pleased to announce Guy Kingree (Lancaster), Warfel Construction Company (East Petersburg), as the recipient of the Chapter’s 2021 Chair Award. Kingree is 2nd Vice Chair of the ABC Keystone Board and Director of Business Development at Warfel Construction Company. Kingree received this distinguished award for his volunteer service and impactful membership development efforts supporting ABC’s merit shop mission. The award was presented on January 7, 2022, at ABC Keystone’s Inaugural Dinner & Annual Meeting (Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square) and presented by the Chapter’s Immediate Past Chair, Cleo Weaver.

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HVAC-Brazing-and-Soldering

Classes Continue Full Speed Ahead!

Here at ABC, apprenticeship training is in full swing! Classes started last September, and the Shop/Training Lab at the Chapter facility has been busy with hands-on training during all our trade classes. While it is important that apprentices learn the theory of their trade and the “how’s and why’s,” it has been our main goal–while expanding our building and hiring full-time instructors–to increase hands-on education opportunities in every apprenticeship class. I would encourage you to check out our training facility if you are in the building and see first-hand what our classes have been learning.

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A Message from the ABC Keystone Chair of the Board

Message from the Chair: 2022 GOALS & INITIATIVES

With the start of a new year, there is always excitement over the goals and initiatives we set out to accomplish. Likewise, there are many exciting initiatives that we are working on at ABC Keystone for the upcoming year.

First, we look to establish the Inclusion, Diversity and Unity committee. Unfortunately, the construction industry has an image problem. For too long, it has been considered a white male profession. While attending the 2021 ABC Leadership Institute, we saw how other chapters are making significant inroads with the minority, women, Veterans and LGBT communities. As we look at an aging workforce, the answer must be attracting new talent to this industry. ABC Keystone and all ABC chapters should tell the story that construction is a great industry in which to work, you can make a good living, and it is an industry for all.

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ABC Keystone Merit Shop Advocacy Blog

Advocacy Update: Buckle Up for a Whopper of a New Year

Get ready for a jam-packed 2022. If you’ve been paying attention to what’s been going on in Harrisburg this past month, you know the drama has already begun.

Let’s start with what we affectionately call “re-districting.” Every decade, states go through a process of their own choosing to re-draw state and federal legislative districts. Because Pennsylvania is losing population, the Commonwealth’s congressional delegation will shrink from 18 to 17 congresspersons. This means legislative leaders will have to merge two seats. No easy task. A few weeks ago, preliminary maps were released by the House. The maps must go through the entire legislative process, and the governor must sign-off unless there are votes for an override. There could be legal challenges depending on the outcome of the legislative process and how contentious the talks will be. Regardless, the timeline is extremely tight, as session days are short, and candidates begin circulating petitions in mid-February. If you are interested in reviewing or commenting on the congressional maps, you can go to www.paredistricting.com.

Read More »
ABC Keystone President Message 12.27.22

Message from the President-CEO: On the Home Stretch and Into the Future!

As we entered 2021, we at ABC Keystone had no idea what to expect. Would we be able to have in-person education and training? Would we be able to host in-person events so our members could network and share information? Would our members be able to run their businesses as they saw fit? 2021 had to be the most uncertain year we would encounter.

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YP Spotlight ABC Keystone

Young Professionals Spotlight

Meet Paul Fiorelli! | ABC Keystone Young Professionals Committee Member and Murray Account Executive | Why do you wake up and go to work every day? Professionally, I enjoy meeting new people and listening and understanding my clients’ needs. I am able to sleep well at night knowing I offer them peace of mind through a state-of-the-art insurance program. Personally, my wife, Gabrielle, and son, Lincoln, drive me to give it my all every day.

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Ask an Attorney - ABC Keystone Blog

Ask an Attorney: Can I Use a Price Escalation Clause In My Construction Contract?

With the impact of COVID-19 wreaking havoc in the supply and demand chain, construction materials have skyrocketed in price, and in some cases, have caused painfully long lead-times for materials. Contractors skilled and experienced in quoting a fixed fee or a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) are leery giving such quotes without some cushion to absorb the risk in these steep price increases. As a result, many contractors have been scrambling to put price escalation clauses in their standard construction contracts. These price escalation clauses give the contractors the cushion they need to move forward with a project.

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News Releases ABC Keystone

ABC Keystone Adds First-in-Pennsylvania ‘Assembler, Pre-Engineered Buildings’ PA-Registered Apprenticeship Program

Manheim, Pa, December 13, 2021—The Keystone Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) is pleased to announce the addition of Assembler, Pre-Engineered Buildings to the PA-Registered apprenticeship programs available through the Chapter. ABC Keystone worked with the Metal Building Institute to construct the program which was approved by the PA Department of Labor & Industry and accepted by the State Apprenticeship Council in September 2021.

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News Releases ABC Keystone

ABC Keystone Promotes Ross Deihm, CPA, to VP of Finance & Business Administration

Manheim, Pa, December 7, 2021— The Associated Builders & Contractors, Keystone Chapter is pleased to announce the promotion of Ross Deihm, CPA, to VP of Finance and Business Administration. Ross has served as the Keystone Chapter’s Controller for the past three and a half years providing accounting and finance services. In his new position, Ross will continue to oversee the accounting and finance functions of the Chapter and related entities with an increased role in guiding the Chapter into the future. This will include expanded responsibilities in insurance, human resources, IT and database, supervision of administrative staff, and building managemen

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YP Spotlight ABC Keystone

Young Professionals Spotlight

Meet Lindsey Holby, E.K. McConkey & Co., Inc. | As a Young Professional, how has your involvement with ABC Keystone helped you? ABC Keystone’s Young Professionals Committee offers the opportunity to understand the construction industry from all perspectives. The knowledge that I gain enables me to be a stronger asset to my clients and to my team members as well.

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Member Spotlight: Brooke Piechocki, Actalent

Tell Us About Your Company!
Actalent is a talent solutions company specializing in engineering and sciences. Formerly a part of Aerotek, Actalent has been in the Engineering and Sciences space since our founding in 1983. Our Central PA team focuses in this area for skill sets in Construction Management, Engineering, and Architecture.

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A Message from the ABC Keystone Chair of the Board

Message from the Chair: Leading & Serving

As my year as Chair of the ABC Keystone Board draws to a close, I am filled with gratitude for our President-CEO Dave Sload, the entire ABC Keystone staff, and of course, our tremendous volunteers that give so selflessly to make our various events a reality. Likewise, I wish to extend a heartfelt thanks to my fellow Board members and the many Committees and Chairs whom I’ve had the pleasure of leading and serving this past year. Most of all, it was my honor and delight to serve the entire membership of over 530 companies in 2021.

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