News

ABC Greater TN Announces East Tennessee Education Regional Manager

ABC welcomes George Lokken as our new Education Manager located in Knoxville. George will not only be running our Construction Trades Academy in Knoxville, but also will be serving as a carpentry instructor.

ABC Greater Tennessee Announces New Director of Education

Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Tennessee (ABC GreaterTN) is pleased to announce the addition of Shanon Taylor as the new Director of Education & Workforce Development. Shanon will be tasked with raising the level of our Construction Trades Academy in Nashville, building on our newly built labs for hands-on-training, while also building new relationships with high schools in the area. Shanon has previous experience in the construction industry as a former co-owner of a commercial general contracting firm in Brentwood, as well as owning and running multiple childhood education academies across Tennessee and Mississippi. Over the past few weeks, Shanon has already begun to be build great relationships with our students and instructors, while working to improve the overall quality of our training. We look forward to the work she will do to start growing and enhance the training we provide to our members and nonmembers in Middle Tennessee. Shanon's email is [email protected] ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC Greater TN Names Middle and East TN Legislators of the Year

We had a very successful legislative year in 2023’s session. Between our Legislative Committee and members, we have the best team in the state in representing the interests of the industry in Tennessee. This year, two members of our legislature stood out in protecting and helping our industry thrive in this state. As a result, we wanted to honor their work and dedication for defending the free enterprise principles of hard work and open competition that we believe in at ABC. The “Legislator of the Year” award is given by ABC of Tennessee to those legislators who go above and beyond on behalf of the Association and the industry at-large.  More than simply getting our bills across the finish line, these individuals have demonstrated their shared belief in our policy initiatives, our core values, and in the important role that the Commercial Construction Industry plays in Tennessee.  They have done an outstanding job on behalf of our membership.  Thank you to Rep. ... Read the rest of entry »

64 Students graduate from ABC's Construction Trades Academy

Last week 64 students celebrated their successes and graduated ABC's Trades Academy program. Former ABC Board Chairman, Governor Bill Lee, addressed the students and personally congratulated them for their decision to skill up and start a great career. If you are interested in enrolling your employees in our Construction Trades Academy Program this year, contact Michele Correnti.

Event photos can be found online here.

ABC Greater Tennessee Names East TN Regional Director

Knoxville, Tenn, May 17th, 2023- Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Tennessee (ABC GreaterTN) is pleased to announce the addition of Madison White as regional director for East Tennessee. Madison will remain in Knoxville, focusing on development of the entire East TN region. “As the East TN regional director, Madison will help expand the association’s reach and expertise to serve the state’s construction industry across all of East TN,” said Clay Crownover, president and CEO of ABC Greater TN. “With the opening of our new trades school and other opportunities ABC offers, Madison will be a great addition in working to expand our reach within Knoxville and beyond, further develop our Emerging Leaders program, develop and plan our networking events, and market the association’s services to members and nonmembers. Madison will also help advocate for the merit shop construction industry at the local level" Madison brings to this role almost 10 years of co ... Read the rest of entry »

East TN Clay Shoot Recap

On Friday, April 28th, ABC Greater TN members and their clients gathered for the 2023 East TN BBQ, Birds & Brew Clay Shoot at Iron Mountain Sporting Clays in Kodak.

After some Cracker Barrell biscuits, participants enjoyed a mostly rain-free day on the beautifully landscaped sporting clay course. Congratulations to Stowers Machinery for bringin home first place, and Top Shooter Brandon White.

Click here to see all the photos from the event. 

4 Greater Tennessee Member Companies Earn National Construction Project Honors

NASHVILLE, TN, March 25, 2023- ABC Greater Tennesseeoday announced 4 member companies won 6 of 82 national Excellence in Construction® awards, presented during ABC Convention 2023 in Orlando, Florida, on March 16. The EIC awards are the construction industry’s leading national competition that honors general and specialty contractors for world-class, safe and innovative construction projects from across the country. The EIC awards honor every member of the construction team, including the contractor, owner, architect and engineer. The winning projects are judged on complexity, attractiveness, unique challenges overcome, completion time, innovation and safety. “The Excellence in Construction Awards are the cornerstone competition in our industry, honoring the project teams that exemplify the best of the best in merit shop construction,” said 2023 National Chair of the ABC Board of Directors Milton Graugnard, executive vice president, Cajun Industries LLC, Bato ... Read the rest of entry »

20 Greater Tennessee Member(s) Named National, Top-Performing US Construction Contractors

Nashville, TN, March 23, 2023— ABC Greater Tennessee today announced 20 member companies were named to Associated Builders and Contractors’ fifth annual Top Performers publication, which lists its contractor members that build the country’s most enduring, innovative, high-quality construction projects, ranked by work hours. Members named include: B.L. Harbart International, Brasfield & Gorrie, Brindley Construction, The Carden Company, CNC Foundations, F.L. Crane & Sons, Faith Technologies, Gaylor Electric, Hensel Phelps, Hoar Construction, Impetus, Ivey Mechanical, Lithko Contracting, M.C. Dean, M.J. Harris Construction, Rio Grande Fence, Co., Robins & Morton, Skanska, Tiny's Construction, and W.G. Yates & Sons.  "Year after year, our Greater Tennessee chapter members exemplify the best in Tennessee," said ABC Greater Tennessee President/CEO, Clay Crownover. "Our members truly build Tennessee and we couldn't be more proud to represent ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC Greater Tennessee honors over 50 member companies for Excellence in Construction

We are so thrilled to honor the following companies for Excellence in Construction in 2022.

 

  

 

 

ABC Greater Tennessee Board of Directors Elected for 2023

The ABC- Greater Tennessee Chapter is pleased to announce that Justin Marcus of Joseph Construction has been elected ABC Greater Tennessee's 2023 Chairman. In addition, ABC will be welcoming Roger White (Rackley Roofing) on to the board for 2023.

In the truest sense of the word, ABC - Greater Tennessee Chapter is a member-run association. Members identify issues critical to merit shop construction and work together to find solutions using the resources of one of the largest construction-related groups in the world. 

A full contact list of 2023 board members can be found here.

ABC Greater Tennessee opens up 11 partial scholarships for Knoxville Trades Academy applicants

Earn while you learn!! Applications are open for our Knoxville and Nashville Construction Trade Academies. Partial scholarships are available for Knoxville Trade Academy. Simply submit a 500 word essay on “Why you want to enter the trades, your goals after graduation, and what trade interests you” Visit abctennessee.com/cta for more information or submit your application or essay to [email protected] for Knoxville. Submit your application for Nashville to [email protected].

Highlighting the Trades through NASCAR

We are proud to announce that ABC Greater Tennessee will be a featured sponsor on the #20 Dewalt Toyota at the nationally televised NASCAR cup series Ally 400 on June 26th, 2022 in Nashville, TN. Set your DVRs and cheer on the #20 as Christopher Bell looks for his second career win in the NASCAR Cup series.

  

ABC Greater TN Names Rep. Pat Marsh as 2022 Legislator of the Year

We had a very successful state legislative year in 2022, marking an almost 100% sucessful pass rate of the legislation important to our industry. This success is largely due to the relationships with our members, advocates and legislators. While we do this work for our members, nonmembers of ABC also are greatly impacted by the work our team does in every General Assembly session.  This year, one members of our General Assembly stood out in protecting and helping our industry thrive in this state through his workforce development work. Because of this individuals work, we wanted to honor Rep. Pat Marsh for his workforce development work, as well as his continued support of the merit shop and free enterprise in Tennessee. The “Legislator of the Year” award is given by ABC of Tennessee to those legislators who go above and beyond on behalf of the Association and the industry at-large.  More than simply getting our bills across the finish line, these individuals have demonstrat ... Read the rest of entry »

$950K Grant signed by Governor Lee for ABC Greater Tennessee Construction Trade Academies

Nashville, June 1st - Today, Governor Lee signed the 2022-2023 Appropriations bill, which covers state funding for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022 and running through July 1, 2023. Included within that bill was a grant of $950K awarded to the Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Tennessee's Construction Trades Academies in Nashville and Knoxville.

The use of the appropriated $950K is awarded to be used to establish a pilot project that ensures the continued growth and enhancement of ABC Greater Tennessee's Construction Trades Academy for the training of skilled trades personnel.

We are excited to put this money to good use in Middle and East Tennessee and help spur new engagement of young people in the trades and build a bigger and better trained workforce in the State of Tennessee.

We have moved!

We have moved. Our new office address is 560 Royal Parkway, Nashville, TN 37214

ABC: Tennessee ranks 12th in nation for construction business climate

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21— Tennessee ranks 12th in state rankings for construction business climate, according to the 2021 Associated Builders and Contractors Merit Shop Scorecard. Tennessee returned to the top tier of the rankings this year based on the state’s continued encouragement of fair and open competition. Rounding out the top five, South Carolina ranked third, Georgia ranked fourth and Wisconsin ranked fifth. Other states to receive an A ranking in 2021 include Arkansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Indiana, Iowa, and West Virginia. “The resiliency of our outstanding industry has been on full display throughout the year,” said Ben Brubeck, ABC’s vice president of regulatory, labor and state affairs. “From economic and regulatory headwinds to talent shortages, supply chain bottlenecks, high inflation rates and a lingering pandemic, ABC member companies continue to invest in their people and deliver work safely, ethically and profitably. The top states in this year&rsq ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC Greater Tennessee 2021 Year in Review

We are so excited to share the accomplishments of our chapter this year in our annual Year in Review. You can view the 2021 Year in Review at this link. 

ABC Greater Tennessee and Knox County announce Construction Trades Academy

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.— Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs is one step closer to finalizing a major initiative – creating the Skilled Trades Academy and Regional Training Center (START), a training school designed to attract, train, and retain a quality workforce in the construction industry. The Knox County Commission will vote next week on a 5-year lease agreement with John H. Daniel to secure the company’s 16,200-square foot warehouse at 1801 N. Central Ave. Associated Builders and Contractors – Greater Tennessee (ABC – Greater Tennessee), which has a similar and successful academy in Nashville, will run the school. The association, founded in 1971, is a part of 69 state chapters across the country representing 21,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms. “Knox County is committed to creating opportunities for everyone to thrive,” Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs said. “This academy does that by adva ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC Greater Tennessee announces 2022 Board of Directors

The ABC- Greater Tennessee Chapter is pleased to announce the addition of three new members to the Board of Directors for 2022: Brandt Fye (Hensel Phelps), Brian Hay (SKANSKA), and Jamie Holmes (T.W. Frierson Contractors). In the truest sense of the word, ABC - Greater Tennessee Chapter is a member-run association. Members identify issues critical to merit shop construction and work together to find solutions using the resources of one of the largest construction-related groups in the world.  Eric Pyle (Bell Construction) will serve as Chairman of the 2022 Board of Directors. A full list of 2022 board members can be found here. 

 

Associated Builders & Contractors Announces Excellence in Construction Award Winners

Nashville, Tennessee -  Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Greater Tennessee Chapter yesterday announced the winners of 37 Excellence in Construction Awards during the annual Excellence in Construction Awards celebration held on November 4 in Nashville, TN. Governor Bill Lee, former 1999 ABC Chairman of the Board, was the keynote speaker for the event, and congratulated the hard work of merit shop contractors in Tennessee while emphasizing his dedication towards workforce development in the state. Hensel Phelps received the grand prize of General Contractor Award, Pavement Restorations recieved Subcontractor of the Year, with ECS Limited recieving the Associate Member of the Year Award. John Stallworth, former Chairman, recieved the coveted Rodgers-Bell award for this lifetime of service to the chapter. Hensel Phelps' Brandt Frye took home the 2021 Volunteer of the Year award for his commitment to the chapter in 2021 of growing the Emerging Leaders group, devotion to our Politi ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC Greater Tennessee Announces 2021 Excellence in Construction Awards

Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Tennessee Chapter is pleased to announce our 2021 Excellence in Construction® Awards Winners. 37 projects were awarded, as well as 5 individual awards. 

Annually, the Excellence in Construction® award program honors innovative, top quality construction projects and safety programs. Entries are judged by an independent panel of industry experts who score each project in areas such as complexity, attractiveness, unique challenges overcome, completion time, workmanship, innovation, and safety. Excellence in Construction® awards recognize project contractors, primary architects and engineers, and owners.

We are proud to continue the ABC legacy of leadership, professionalism, safety, and excellence through this competition and beyond. Congratulations to this year’s award recipients!

Project Winners

Pictures of the Night

Individual Awards

   

 

ABC Greater Tennessee announces its 2021 Safety Leaders

On September 23, 2021 the Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Tennessee recognized ABC members for their best safety practices and participation in our world-class safety management system. Participating ABC member companies measured their safety processes and policies on 24 key components through a detailed questionnaire with the goal of implementing or enhancing safety programs that reduce jobsite incidents. 

See all leaders on our Flickr page at the link below

 

ABC Responds to Senate Passage of Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10—Associated Builders and Contractors today released the following statement on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which passed the U.S. Senate today by a vote of 69 to 30. The bill would provide $550 billion in new infrastructure investments. “This infrastructure package contains the most significant investment in our nation’s infrastructure in a generation and could yield crucial wins for the American people and construction industry,” said Michael Bellaman, ABC president and CEO. “It is promising to see progress made toward modernizing our nation’s roads, bridges, water infrastructure, transit, railways, ports and other critical infrastructure This bipartisan accomplishment is something that has eluded Congress for decades and is proof of the possibilities when lawmakers choose compromise over conflict. “Commonsense provisions in this bill will cut down on unnecessary delays in federal construction projects and help addres ... Read the rest of entry »

Applications for the 21/22 Apprenticeship School Year are open

Applications for the 21/22 School year are now open. If you have interest in applying, please visit http://www.abctennessee.com/Workforce-Development/Apprenticeship-Training-Program for more details. 

ABC Greater Tennessee Names Legislators of the Year

We had a very successful legislative year in 2020’s session. We hired Nathan Ridley to our lobbying team and continued our history of protecting and enhancing the industry. That success is largely due to the relationships with our advocates and legislators.  This year, two members of our legislature stood out in protecting and helping our industry thrive in this state. As a result, we wanted to honor their work and dedication for defending the free enterprise principles of hard work and open competition that we believe in at ABC. The “Legislator of the Year” award is given by ABC of Tennessee to those legislators who go above and beyond on behalf of the Association and the industry at-large.  More than simply getting our bills across the finish line, these individuals have demonstrated their shared belief in our policy initiatives, our core values, and in the important role that the Commercial Construction Industry plays in Tennessee.  They have done an outstanding job ... Read the rest of entry »