ABC-SEMI Issue 1 2020

6 Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. better person for having known them and believe everyone who had the pleasure to work with them gained value in that experience.” ABC SEMI undertook an ambitious growth plan this year for the Southeast Michigan Construction Academy (SEMCA) with goals to both grow their student body and expand the number of trades offered. Certainly, SEMCA Vice President Mickey Mortimer admits he wants to see the school expand its students, but it must be tempered with adding the “right” mix of trade opportunities to meet the industry demand. “We are aware that our school is growing almost at an alarming rate,” said Mortimer. “I am proud we had over 450 students and that the school side is a success, but I want to make sure we are not just growing in numbers, but in our curriculum as well. We continue to seek out opportunities to expand our carpentry, HVAC and even plumbing programs. And I feel with the addition of our new Education Director we have created the foundation we needed to proceed with stability and sustainability. I don’t just want us to have a good year this year…but for years to come as well.” SEMCA Education Director Deanna Morley felt it was important to get their house in order and make sure that they were fiscally and academically sound in moving forward. She is proud that they have not only passed all their audits but have even managed to make needed improvements to their facility while paying off the building. “I wanted to make sure that we had done our due diligence in ensuring that we continued to stay compliant and accredited for the foreseeable future,” stated Morley. “That required a team effort to guarantee that all of our documentation was done properly and up-to-date. And that we had an ironclad process in place moving forward to ensure that our program was orderly and seamless as possible.” SEMCA runs campuses in Madison Heights, Monroe, Adrian, and Lapeer to meet the growing need for education in the trades while making it convenient for students to drive to throughout southeast Michigan. Morley give high marks to Education Services Coordinator Grace Bonventre for keep track of all the various students and making sure any needs they may have regarding their education at SEMCA are met. “I have to credit Grace and our instructors for the excellent year we are having,” said Morley. “Her day-to-day efforts to make sure our instructors have the tools they need to give our students a world-class education is a crucial piece in our puzzle of success. No one person can make this work—it really does take a team of dedicated individuals to make this happen and I am proud to play my part in our continued achievement.” Ledbetter points to several accomplishments that validated the success of ABC SEMI on a national level as well: Membership growth, STEP Safety Program growth, Membership Retention and 3-Year Chapter Level Accreditation. In addition, ABC sent the local winning SEMCA student to compete in the National Craft Championship in Long Beach, CA. In addition, this year, Ledbetter was challenged by the Board with improving ABCs safety of its members and with that in mind hired Kim Gamet to be their on staff Safety Director providing safety training and evaluation to the list of impressive services they offer their members. “Safety is the key to our Chapter’s growth—it is and has to be priority one for us in addressing concerns our membership has about the future of their companies,” said Ledbetter. “By bringing Kim on board we have made a firm commitment that we take our members and the safety of their DAVE SHEFFIELD DALE BELSLEY 1954–2019 1954–2019 A YEAR IN REVIEW