Local Construction Firms take Wins in Regional Awards!

Thursday night, at the Fountain Head Country Club in Hagerstown, the Cumberland Valley Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) recognized the most innovative and high-quality construction projects and safety programs in the tri-state area.

This year's awards and Gala were highly anticipated, with ABC not having their awards in 2020 due to the Global Corona Virus Pandemic. However, ABC Cumberland Valley honored both 2019 and 2020 and had one of the most significant years ever for entries! 

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Annual Excellence in Construction Awards

Associated Builders and Contractors of Cumberland Valley celebrate the 2017 projects and Companies that competed in the Excellence in Construction competition! Delegate Brett Wilson addressed the crowd! Read the rest of entry »

Local Apprentice Students Compete

Hagerstown, Maryland, January 7, 2017:  The ABC of Cumberland Valley’s Barr Construction Institute has showcased the skills of top apprentices in Carpentry, Electrical, HVAC, and Plumbing with the ABC of Cumberland Valley’s Skill Competition. These apprentices participated in a two hour 100 question written exam and a four hour hands-on practical exam. Winners of this competition could go on to represent Cumberland Valley at the National Craft Championships in Florida in March. These students have worked full time and attended classes 2 nights per week 9 months out the year during there 4 years at the Barr Construction institute. As a requirement of their apprenticeship schooling they must compete in the skills competition to demonstrate that they have learned and retained the skills of their trade before graduation. These students will become the highest trained best in their trades! Winners for the events were: Electrical: 1.     First place&mdash ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC Cumberland Valley Christmas party and Retirement celebration for Will Seilhamer

The Cumberland Valley Chapter Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC CVC) recently recognized their committee members, 2017 Chairman, 2017 Board of Directors, and honored Will Seilhamer on his retirement at Fountainhead Country Club in Hagerstown, MD.  They also recognized one of their newest members Maurice Electrical Supply Company.   The Young Professionals Group ran a very successful Toys for Tots Drive.  A big thank you to the ABC CVC apprenticeship students who held a contest to see which class collected the most.  We were honored to have several Marines, SSgt Kristopher J Shelton; Retired Staff Sergeant Cole Barnhart and Toys for Tots coordinator Jim Mills, join us for the evening.  ABC recognized the numerous members who served on the Apprenticeship; Finance; Maryland legislative; Membership Retention; Pennsylvania legislative; Programs, Safety and Trust Committees.  Committees are the backbone of the organization.    ABC CVC was honor ... Read the rest of entry »

Brooke Wenger named National Young Professional of the Year!

The Cumberland Valley Chapter is excited and very happy that Brooke was honored for all of her hard work and dedication to the YP and the industry. Please join me in congratulating Brooke for her award!  John Wooden was once quoted as saying, "Don't mistake activity for achievement". There is no mistake in the fact that we have a great achievement here! Congratulations Brooke. Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) celebrated the achievements of one young professional at the Nov. 16. Future Leaders Awards Luncheon during ABC’s Leadership Week in Dallas. Brooke Wenger, director of business development at Triad Engineering Inc., a member of the ABC Cumberland Valley Chapter, won ABC’s second annual Young Professional of the Year Award!  ABC’s Young Professional program was founded in 2014 and aims to shape the future of the construction industry by supporting the growth of professionals under the age of 40 who are employed by ABC member companie ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC CVC welcomes our New President Amos McCoy

As the new President of the Cumberland Valley Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., I would like to tell you a little bit about myself and my career.   I would like to first say thank you to all of the staff and members that I have met so far for the warm welcome that I have received. I would also like to say thanks to Will for the tremendous job that he has done with the chapter and all of the help that he has given me at the beginning of this transition. I wish Will the best as he starts his retirement.   I have spent the past decade in the concrete block manufacturing industry, starting my career in Chambersburg at Nitterhouse. I then went to work for Oldcastle and moved to Chicago to manage a plant for a year and a half. I had the opportunity to return to the east coast for Oldcastle and manage a group of plants in the Eastern Pa and NJ area for several years. I then became operations manager for York Building Products managing all of their manufacturing pl ... Read the rest of entry »

Excellence in Construction - Safety Award Banquet

 The Cumberland Valley Chapter Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) recently recognized ABC members and their top Excellence in Construction projects at Fountainhead Country Club in Hagerstown, MD.  We also recognized one of our newest ABC CVC member Hoffman Automotive. ABC is proud to honor these innovative merit shop construction projects and industry-leading firms with our Excellence in Construction award.  These award winners are outstanding examples of the astounding craftsmanship and professionalism that exemplify merit shop construction.  The Excellence in Construction awards program is the industry’s leading competition, developed to honor innovative and high-quality merit shop construction projects and safety program. The award honors all construction team members, including the contractor, owner, architect and engineer.  Local winners will now have the opportunity to apply at the National Level. Awar ... Read the rest of entry »

Annual Golf outing

ABC CVC held it’s annual golf outing on  Friday, July 22, 2016 at the beautiful Black Rock Golf Course.  We surpassed last years  largest participation by one golfer this year and we would like to thank each and everyone that participated in the event and or sponsored.  We had twenty eight teams plus one signed up for the event.  This year’s  hole in one where participants had a chance to win a new Ford Fusion was again sponsored by ABC CVC member Hagerstown Ford.  We held a putting contest for a chance to split $5,000.  and again this year held a hole in the middle where all participants lined up around the green and the first one getting their ball in the hole won $100. Mike Shifler, Fox Sales won the hole in the middle. Winners of the golf tournament were 1st place; the team of Tokio Marine HCC & Minghini’s General Contractors; Beth Wancowicz; Del Carden; Morgan Collis and Jacob Collis.  2nd place;  the team of Morgan Ke ... Read the rest of entry »

Barr Construction Apprenticeship Graduation

The Barr Construction Institute, the education arm, of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Cumberland Valley Chapter, held its annual apprenticeship graduation on Thursday evening, May 26th.  Special Guest attending the evening festivities included Secretary Kelly Schulz, Maryland Dept. Labor Licensing & Regulations (DLLR), Bill Taylor; Chairman Maryland Apprenticeship & Training Council and Dan Belcher; Director of Workforce Development, National Center Construction Education & Research (NCCER) Alachua, FL. Graduating from the program were a total of twenty-one students in three occupations. ELECTRICAL Toby Brechbill            Antietam Electrical Robert Cannedy                      Frederick Electric Tyler Lewis              &n ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC CVC hold 2nd Western Md. legislative Pac Reception

We want to thank all those who attended our 2nd annual event on May5th. A special thank you to Senator Andrew Serafini; Delegate Brett Wilson; Delegate William Wivell; Commissioner John Barr; Commissioner Jeff Cline and Washington County School Board President Donna Brightman. We also want to thank our sponsors; Gruber Latimer Restoration; Miles & Stockbridge PC and Thompson Best Heating & AC.

Free Enterprise Day 2016 Highlights Policy, Bipartisanship

For the sixth consecutive year, members of Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) from across Pennsylvania came together in Harrisburg yesterday to meet with legislators and discuss major policy issues affecting the merit shop construction industry.  Known as Free Enterprise Day, the event incorporates members from all five ABC chapters throughout Pennsylvania for a truly statewide advocacy effort. ABC members spent the day meeting with members of the House and Senate in the Pennsylvania Capitol, focusing on crucial policies that would affect the construction industry and level the playing field in Pennsylvania.  The day kicked off with ABC joining a rally sponsored by Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) to introduce Right to Work legislation, where Keystone Chapter Chairman Dave Nace offered remarks. “The aged, stagnant days of the union stranglehold in Pennsylvania are long gone.  It’s time to move forward to ensure that ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC CVC to send Tyler Lewis to Ft. Lauderdale to compete

ABC Cumberland Valley is proud that we will have an electrical competitor this year
in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Tyler Lewis of Ellsworth Electric will most likely be the youngest of competitors.
At 19 years old, Tyler had taken two years of his training with ABC at Washington County Technical High School.
Upon graduation, he was hired by Ellsworth Electric and has made remarkable strides.
As a fourth year apprentice, Tyler had top scores in both written and performance at our local skills competition.

A little paint and laughter creates a home

It’s official, ABC CVC Young Professionals, participated in their first Habitat for Humanity of Franklin County project on September 25th, 2015. What could be more rewarding than donating time and skills into a project which falls within the realm of our Industry?  Anyone can write a check or make a phone call for donations, but to sacrifice time, life’s most valuable resource, now that’s the best way to make the biggest impact. CVC YPGer’s were honored when John Helman, Project Manager, gave us the green light to participate on the Chambersburg Pennsylvania project. It was a full day of putty, painting, hammering, laughing, joking and pranking. Despite all the fun…at the end of the day Mr. Helman shut the door on a couple of bedrooms deeming them officially punched out! The mentorship and direction by John was not only generous, but much appreciated. We were able to capture the following statement by John Helman. “You and yourgroup were great to w ... Read the rest of entry »

Timothy R. Campbell appointed to the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board

We want to congratulate Timothy R. Campbell, President of Callas Contractors Inc. and Past President of Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc., Cumberland Valley Chapter. Tim has been appointed toThe Governor's Workforce  Investment Board (GWIB).  The GWIB is a business-led board of approximately 45 members, a majority of whom represent the business community, as mandated by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA).   In Maryland, the scope of the Board was expanded beyond the Federal Workforce Investment Act by Executive Order to encompass all components of the workforce development system.   Other members include the governor and the lieutenant governor, cabinet secretaries, college presidents, the state superintendent of schools, elected officials, labor, and representatives of non-profit organizations.   The GWIB is responsible for developing policies and strategies to form a coordinated workforce system from a variety of education, and ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC CVC Young Professional article

Associated Buildersand Contractors (ABC), Cumberland Valley Chapter (CVC), Young Professionals Group, or YPG, is a group of next generation leaders under the age of 40 who work in the Architectural/Engineering/Construction industry with enormous ambitions. The YPG officiallylaunched in July of 2014 with a loose vision of what it thought it should represent for young leaders.  With the help of ABC National and Worx Graphic Design, the mission and strategic plan was formulated.  The YPG stands for education and elevation - we are forming tomorrow’s leaders in the industry by providing educational events, serving as a voice of the contracting world, advocacy and  equality. Three focus areas identified were: education, advocacy,and community involvement/outreach. Nominations and elections were held for leadership positions and the following individuals were voted into chair positions: Brooke Wenger, Triad Engineering, Inc., Chair Emily Beecher, Baxter ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC CVC Golf outing

ABC CVC held its annual golf outing on Friday, July 24, 2015 at the beautiful Black Rock Golf Course.  This was our largest participation in over twenty years and we would like to thank each and every one of you that participated in the event and or sponsored.  We had twenty eight teams signed up for the event.  This year we offered hole in one where participants had a chance to win a new for Fusion sponsored by Hagerstown Ford.  We had a putting contest for a chance to split $5,000.  New this year was a hole in the middle where all participants lined up around the green and the first one getting their ball in the hole won $100.  Winners for the event were : 1st place the team of Scott Electric; Ed Garafalo; Doug Chizmar; Rusty Potts and Rich Dorsey.  2nd place  the team of RW Warner Inc.; Ryan Daiger; J. McNeil; J. Spahr and J. Daiger.  3rd place team of Shepherd Electrical Suppliers; Tom Arnett; Carl Spessard; Dav ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC CVC Young Professional recognized in Construction Executive Magazine

We would like to recognize and congratulate Brooke Wenger, Chair of the ABC CVC Young Professionals Group and Business Development Leader with Triad Engineering. Brooke was recently featured in Construction Executive; ABC’s national magazine.The story Fresh Perspectives, Young Professionals Discuss Leadership and Career Advancement features Brooke along with two other Yp’s. For the complete store please click on:http://www.nxtbook.com/ygsreprints/ABC/abc_ce_aug2015/#/26

Jack E. Barr 4th of July Memorial Run For Freedom

Associated Builders and Contractors, Cumberland Valley Chapter  and the Barr Construction Institute hosted their annual 4th of July Run at the Williamsport American Legion on July 4th.  We had 99 runners including children and those for the 1 mile walk run and the 5k despite the rainy weather.   Clayton Smith of Hagerstown won the men’s race in a course-record time of 16:34. He was closely followed by Jack Conant (16:35) and Zachary Newman (16:39). Amy Blanco, also of Hagerstown, won the women’s race in 18:31, followed by Shannon Matthews (20:10) and Shelby Moleskie (21:05). The top veteran finishers were Mark Eissens of the Army, Joshua Grove for Navy, Gil Crumrine for the Air Force, and Bryan Roesch for the Marine Corps.  Eissens finished fourth overall in 16:45.  We want to thank each of you for your support. We also want to give a special thank you to our sponsors: ELLSWORTH ELECTRIC INc. HAGERSTOWN FORD quick lane M&M ELECTRIC MOTOR REPAIR HIGH PERFOR ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC CVC holds first PAC Western Md. legislative reception

The chapter held their very first Western Md. PAC legislative reception on Thursday, May 7, 2015.  Members attending from the Maryland General Assembly included: Delegate Jason Buckel, Delegate Brett Wilson, Senator Andrew Serafini, Senator Michael Hough  and Delegate Neil Parrott's assistant, Kari Snyder along with Washington County Commissioner Jeff Cline.  Senator Serafini was recognized for being instrumental in helping defeat the onerous prevailing wage bill that would have increased prevailing wage fines by 1000 percent. He successfully added an amendment to the bill which would have provided that only those contractors who “knowingly” violate the prevailing wage law would be exposed to the increased penalties.  Senator Serafini’s reasonable language was not intended to kill the bill but it created enough additional, necessary debate that the House Economic Matters Committee decided not to vote on the bill on the last day of the session.  E ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC CVC Young Professionals elect 2015 officers

The ABC CVC Young
Professionals Group stands for education and elevation - we are forming
tomorrow’s leaders in the industry by providing educational events,
serving as a voice of the contracting world, advocacy and equality.

 Our officers for 2015 are:

Chair:
 Brooke Wenger, Business Development Leader with Triad Engineering, Inc.

Vice Chair:
 Emily Beecher, Director of Business Development with Baxter Group, Inc.

Events Chair:
 Billy Griffith, Executive Manager with Tri-County Pump Service, Inc.

Membership Chair and Secretary:  
Tim Campbell, Director of Marketing & Business
Development with Callas Contractors, Inc.

Marketing and Communications Chair:
 Lindsay Hockenberry, Marketing & Estimating
Team Coordinator with RCD, Inc. Electrical Services

If you are interested in joining, please contact us at [email protected]!

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Parker Lumley, ABC CVC Student win at National Craft Competition

Several members of the Cumberland Valley Chapter Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) along with ABC CVC President Will Seilhamer and ABC CVC Education director Kathy Gress recently attended the Workforce Development Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, in March. The Workforce Conference consists of the ABC National craft competition; the Excellence in Construction banquet; educational seminars and professional development for ABC staff. ABC CVC was recognized at the conference and received the following awards; membership retention and membership growth.   ABC CVC also received an award for three years certification.  We are very proud of these awards and could not have received them without our members support. Parker Lumley, an HVAC/R student of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Barr Construction Institute in Hagerstown participated in the ABC National Craft .During the National Compeititon held March 3– 6, 2015 at the Greater Fort Laud ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC CVC members attend Maryland legislative reception

On Wednesday, February 25th the four Maryland Chapters of ABC held a legislative reception at Governor Calvert House. The night was a huge success with over 130 members in attendance. The event gives  members the opportunity to meet with key members of the General Assembly and  leaders to network and discuss any pressing issues. Newly elected Governor Larry Hogan was also in attendance and briefly addressed the crowd. Thanks to all who attended the event as well as our CVC sponsors; Ellsworth Electric, Inc.; Morgan Keller Inc.; RW Warner Inc. and Tri County Pump.

Callas Contractors, Inc.

Tim Campbell, Callas Contractors Inc. Callas Contractors, Inc. was formed in Hagerstown, Maryland in 1958 by Michael G. Callas as a general contractor for the construction, repairing, and remodeling of buildings and public works projects.  Callas is a charter member of the ABC Cumberland Valley Chapter, which also was formed in 1958.  Mike Callas was a faithful supporter of ABC and would later become ABC national president in 1973 and 1974.  His primary objective was to make a terror-free, harmonious and competitive construction workplace in America. Mike Callas was a civic leader, merit shop icon, an outstanding contractor and was the longest tenured member of ABC’s national board of directors.   Callas once stated, “America’s greatest resource is not material things like wood and coal and fertile farmlands but the magic of independent people working together in a free enterprise society.  We are the envy of the whole world.& ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC Christmas Party Installation of 2015 Officers

Installation of officers ABC Cumberland Valley Chapter The Cumberland Valley Chapter Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) recently hosted their Annual Christmas Party and Installation of Officers for 2015 at Fountainhead Country Club in Hagerstown, MD.   The evening began with the collection of Toys for Tots by the Young Professionals of the Cumberland Valley Chapter of ABC followed by social hour; dinner and entertainment by comedian Robert Mac.  YPG stands for education and elevation - we are forming tomorrow’s leaders in the construction industry. If interested in joining this group please call the local ABC CVC office in Hagerstown. We want to thank our many members who contributed toys to the drive.  We especially want to thank Jim Mills, who is instrumental in the local toys for tots drive along with Lance Corporal Kodi Bowers and Corporal Michael Fitzgerald for attending the event.    Following the entertainment ABC welcomed new members; Antietam Electr ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC Christmas party is coming soon

Make sure you plan on attending December 4th.

Entire ABC Leadership Statewide Meets with Gov. Corbett

Entire ABC Leadership Statewide Meets with Gov. Corbett Governor Tom Corbett made a personal visit to the Keystone Chapter on May 6 to specifically meet with the leadership of all five chapters in PA regarding his view of his first term and plans for his second term. “The Governor spent 90 minutes with 20+ leaders who attended. The Governor took off his suit coat and we engaged in a very open and forthright discussion of the challenges and issues he took on his first term, how he plans to run his re-election campaign and what he plans to accomplish in his next four years”, observed Allan Galbraith, Keystone Chairman of the Board. “The Governor certainly sees ABC as an ally and I guess you would say part of his inner circle. We was very frank and straight forward, which is quite refreshing to see from a politician”, Galbraith added. “This isn’t Corbett’s first time to visit ABC Keystone,” noted Jack Zimmer, ABC Keystone Chapter President. “As ... Read the rest of entry »