The Merit Shop Spokesman Blog

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

December 7, 2021

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.

December 7, 2021

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.

December 3, 2021

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.

December 2, 2021

Young Professionals Spotlight

Meet Rick Cirilo, Aerotek | What role do you play in your organization? I’m an Account Manager for Aerotek’s Construction Trades division. My role consists of partnering with general contractors and sub-contractors throughout Central PA to develop manpower strategies to help fill vacant positions for current and future projects. In addition, I consult with companies and share top trends we’re seeing in the construction industry.

December 2, 2021

Giving Thanks in Difficult Times

Despite the turmoil and political strife around the world, it is refreshing that we can still take time to pause and give thanks for what we have as a nation. I continue to believe there is no better place to live, raise a family, and pursue happiness than the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the United States of America.

As we head back to work and carry on in that twilight period after Thanksgiving and before Christmas, I thought it appropriate to preview some of the accomplishments from this year. Through the hard work of our government affairs team, chapter leadership, and grassroots advocates, we:

November 30, 2021

Another Successful Start to Apprenticeship Classes

Fall is a great time of the year! Not only does the fall bring crisp, cool weather, but the season also begins a new school year. ABC Keystone is excited that another year of apprenticeship classes has begun, and this year, we are educating 350 apprentices. The addition of four full-time apprenticeship instructors allows us to continue to enhance the quality of training for our apprentices and for their companies.

November 19, 2021

Workforce Development Update:
ABC Keystone Celebrates Careers in Construction!

School is back in session, and that means workforce development opportunities are in full swing. September featured the start of a new pre-apprenticeship class and a new proprietary curriculum, Safety 360. This enhanced program is designed to increase a student’s exposure to applied math and provide additional context to construction safety, taking the total program hours from 60 to 84. Graduates will receive a completion certificate from ABC Keystone and an OSHA 30-Hour Construction credential. The fall class is also piloting a new schedule that divides training into two-hour segments, three days a week.

November 19, 2021

Message from the President-CEO:
A Time to Celebrate!

As we leave October and move into November, we have many things within our industry that we are celebrating. This past October was designated as Careers in Construction Month, and that was certainly something to celebrate. We continue to thank and honor you, the great individuals that make your career in construction. Without you, our country grinds to a halt. Without you, there is no need for trade associations like ABC.

November 17, 2021

Message from the Chair:
Be Grateful & Give Thanks

We are now in the month of November, and my mind is drawn to our traditional Thanksgiving holiday and the customs that surround this annual occasion. We all have memories of learning the history of the early Pilgrims and the indigenous people that lived here before the Pilgrims arrived. The history of America’s beginnings can bring a variety of opinions regarding how the history should be presented, but we can all agree we are thankful that history created early America, and we can be thankful for ABC.

November 6, 2021

ABC Keystone Awards Top Contractors
for Excellence in Construction & Safety

MANHEIM, Pa, November 4, 2021 – The Keystone Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) recognized local member contractor firms at the 32nd annual ABC Excellence in Construction (EIC) Awards Gala held November 3, 2021, at Spooky Nook Sports, Manheim. This event highlights the top regional projects built by ABC Keystone contractor members throughout the past year.

November 4, 2021

Member Spotlight:
Whitley East, LLC

Tell Us About Your Company!
Whitley East, LLC delivers quality custom modular buildings for residential (dormitories), industrial, commercial, retail and educational use. We back each building with an industry-leading warranty and provide superior customer service. We pride ourselves on manufacturing each building properly, accurately, and on time.

November 2, 2021

Advocacy Update: Advocacy In Action

On October 25, ABC members traveled to Harrisburg to take part in “Free Enterprise Day.” Industry leaders from our five regional chapters spoke to legislators serving on the Senate Labor & Industry Committee on the challenges they are facing and what role the legislature can play to improve workforce conditions.

October 25, 2021

Advocacy Update:
Be a Difference Maker by Getting Involved!

In mid-September, the legislature returned from their summer recess for a fall session that spans through the rest of 2021. During that time, the General Assembly will likely debate and vote on measures that directly and indirectly impact the construction industry. Per the decennial census, the Legislative Reapportionment Commission will re-draw congressional districts, considering Pennsylvania’s loss of one congressperson. In addition, the legislature will go through a process to re-draw all 253 House and Senate districts, taking into account where population was lost and gained throughout the commonwealth. Along with the re-districting process, the legislature will continue to explore COVID-19-related bills, especially pertaining to the Secretary of Health masking order for schools. Along with those hot-button issues, the ABC government affairs team is working on the following bills:

October 21, 2021

Workforce Development Update:
Happy Careers in Construction Month!

October 13, 2021

The Latest Chapter News from ABC Keystone