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Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Greater Tennessee Chapter News & Updates

ABC Greater Tennessee Craft Training Program graduates 54

Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Tennessee Craft Training program graduates 54 NASHVILLE, TENN., June 10, 2019 – The Associated Builders and Contractors of Tennessee (ABC-Greater Tennessee) is pleased to announce that its Craft Training Program has successfully graduated 54 students for the 2018-2019 school year. “Thursday was one of the most important events that we at ABC- Greater Tennessee hold each year,” said ABC- Greater Tennessee President/CEO Clay Crownover. “It’s important because it highlights the accomplishments of our school and our students and the extra effort they have made to furthering themselves and our industry.” ABC- Greater Tennessee is a leader in continuing education for the construction industry, as well as apprenticeship and craft training for merit shop contractors in the state. ABC- Greater Tennessee delivers programs that equip craft professionals with the knowledge and the skills they need to improve their productivity and sa ... Read the rest of entry »

Tennessee Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt highlights May Membership Meeting in East Tennessee

ABC Greater TN's Knoxville office hosted Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt at the Cherokee Country Club. ABC members and guests enjoyed lunch sponsored by Mobile Mini Storage Solutions. 

Honoring Don Smith

Don L. Smith, born in 1931 and a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is a founding partner of Smith Cashion & Orr, PLC where he devotes his practice to construction law and litigation. For the past 30 years Don Smith has worked with ABC- Greater Tennessee and provided legal consultation and seminars to the members and staff. In honor of Mr. Smith's dedication, a reception was held on May 6 at the Sheraton Music City. Past ABC Chairs gathered to present Don with a plaque recognizing his contributions. ABC is grateful to have the presence and experience of Mr. Smith and is thankful for his many contributions to the chapter and the overall construction industry. 

Former ABC Chairman & current Governor Bill Lee Speaks to ABC Membership

On May 8, 2019, past ABC Chairman and current Tennessee Governor, Bill Lee, spoke to ABC members at our May Membership Meeting. Over 125 members attended to enjoy networking, lunch, and Q&A with the Governor. 

Governor Lee shared how building his own company from the ground up has aided in preparing him for the responsibilities he now holds. We are thankful to have someone from prior ABC leadership in this role and look forward to Governor Lee's future contributions to our state and industry. 

ABC Membership Meeting w/ Gov. Bill Lee

Middle TN Golf Tournament a huge success

On April 15, 2019 ABC hosted our annual Middle TN Golf Tournament at the very sought after Governor's Club in Brentwood. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. Over 140 members and guests played in the tournament and enjoyed networking with other industry professionals. As with every tournament, players are awarded for their golfing skills.  Congratulations to Graybar Electric for taking home 1st place for the third year in a row!  1st Place - Graybar Electric 2nd Place - Rio Grande Fence Co.  Many thanks to the sponsors and volunteers for helping us make this event possible. ABC is looking forward to hosting this event for many more years to come. If you are interested in participating in this tournament next year, remember, it sells out FAST! Additional event photos can be found on our Facebook page @ABCGreaterTN.  Thank you to Aerial Innovations Southeast for all of the Team photos, which can be found on our Fl ... Read the rest of entry »

2020 ABC National Convention coming to Nashville

Next.Stop.Nashville

ABC- Greater TN Members win National Excellence in Construction Awards

Congratulations to our National Excellence in Construction Award Winners in Tennessee

CATEGORY: Commercial - $25 to $100 Million
AWARD: Eagle Award
CONTRACTOR: Skanska USA
PROJECT NAME: Lifeway Christian Resources New Headquarters
PROJECT LOCATION: Nashville, Tenn.

CATEGORY: Electrical Commercial - $2 to $10 Million
AWARD: Eagle Award
CONTRACTOR: Gaylor Electric
PROJECT NAME: The Scott Hamilton Center for Proton Therapy
PROJECT LOCATION: Franklin, Tenn.

CATEGORY: PRE-ENGINEERED BUILDING
AWARD: Eagle Award
CONTRACTOR: T.W. Frierson Contractor Inc.
PROJECT NAME: American Wonder Porcelain 
PROJECT LOCATION: Lebanon, Tenn.

CATEGORY: Historical Restoration/Renovation $25M to $100 Million
AWARD: Pyramid Award
CONTRACTOR: Skanska USA
PROJECT NAME: Cordell Hull State Office Building Renovation and Parking Garage
PROJECT LOCATION: Nashville, Tenn.



Message from the President on HB271

Dear ABC Members, As you may know, today we fully expect the House Commerce Committee to take up HB271, legislation that will significantly change procedure on construction contracts and allow for more work stoppages on Tennessee construction projects. ABC's position, at this time, remains that this bill needs to be moved to legislative summer study and rolled until next year so that ABC can foster input from West, East, and Middle Tennessee industry members. It is imperative that the entire state have input on this legislation. ABC has been working with other industry associations to foster a conversation on this legislation and allow for additional consideration from all interested parties across the state. This remains a top priority for our organization to bring the differing points of view on this legislation together and ensure that any legislation that is passed works for both general contractors and subcontractors. We have worked over the course of the last six weeks on this legislatio ... Read the rest of entry »

Tennessee construction unemployment hits record mark for January 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Estimated January not seasonally adjusted construction unemployment rates dropped in 48 states -- including Tennessee -- on a year-over-year basis, according to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today by Associated Builders and Contractors. As the January 2019 national NSA construction unemployment rate fell 0.9 percent from a year ago to 6.4 percent, the construction industry employed 343,000 more workers nationally compared to January 2018, according to BLS numbers. In Tennessee, the NSA construction unemployment rate for January was 4.8 percent, a decrease of 1.6 percent from January 2018’s rate of 6.4 percent. Tennessee's 4.8 percent 3.7 percent lower than the 8.7 percent mark in January 2017 and the lowest state rate on record for January. Tennessee also compares favorably to neighboring states, such as Alabama (5.8), Georgia (6.0), Kentucky (10.1), Mississippi (9.6), South Carolina (4.7) and North Carolina (5.4).  The lowest state rate i ... Read the rest of entry »

Position Statement: ASA's HB271/SB324 needs to move to Summer Study

The House Commerce Committee is slated to take up the American Subcontractor Association's (ASA) HB 271(SB 324) in the Tennessee General Assembly House Commerce Committee as early as this week. As you may know, this legislation will significantly change procedure on construction contracts and lien rights on Tennessee construction projects.  While fairness in contracts is important to the industry as a whole, this bill has far reaching consequences if not drafted correctly. ABC- Greater Tennessee’s Legislative Committee, which represents General Contractors as well as Subcontractors, does not believe that ill-drafted, unworkable legislation that affects one of the state's biggest industries should be ramrodded through the state legislature without proper involvement and feedback from the industry itself. This legislation, if not redrafted, could be detrimental to the industry due to its ambiguous wording and method of employing the principals in the bill. ABC has been working w ... Read the rest of entry »

Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Tennessee Chapter Announces New President/CEO

NASHVILLE, TENN., Dec. 17th. – The Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Tennessee (ABC-Greater Tennessee) is pleased to announce Clayton Crownover, current East Tennessee Regional Director, as its new President and CEO effective January 7th, 2018. Mr. Crownover has served as East Tennessee Regional Director for the Chapter since July 2016. Mr. Crownover will split time between Middle and East Tennessee offices to strengthen the organization across all regions of the state.  “Clayton (Clay) joined the Greater Tennessee Chapter in July of 2016 as the East Tennessee Regional Director.  Under his leadership, that region has excelled in many areas and we are thrilled that he has accepted this new challenge,” said John Stallworth, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Clay will continue to develop and lead a vibrant staff and looks forward to being a pillar of strength to all of the committees of the chapter.” Mr. Crownover has extensive knowledge in non-profit ... Read the rest of entry »

2018 STEP Award Winners

We are so thankful to congratulate all of our STEP Award winners for 2018. Way to step up to improve the safety of your company and represent the Merit Shop Philosophy!

Tennessee faces worker shortage

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (NEXSTAR) - There's a troubling flip side to Tennessee's record low unemployment - a worker shortage. State lawmakers are hearing about it from companies and businesses in their districts.

"We desperately need workers in Tennessee, not just in manufacturing and construction, but across the board in hospitality," said Toby Compton with Associated Builders and Contractors.

Read more...

ABC Calls for Expanding Apprenticeship Opportunities in Congressional Testimony

On behalf of Associated Builders and Contractors, Mike Holland, chief operating officer, MAREK Companies, testified today before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions about the need to modernize and expand apprenticeship opportunities in the United States. Read the press release...

Persuader Rule rescinded

In 2014, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) began a campaign to hold McDonald’s USA, LLC liable for alleged unfair labor practices committed at restaurant locations owned by McDonald’s franchisees. The NLRB took the position that corporate McDonald’s controlled employment relations at franchise locations enough to qualify as a joint employer with the franchisee. Read our Press Release...