2 Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. Happy 50th Anniversary! I can confidently say that 2022 has been the best year in the history of ABC SEMI. In April, we completed a major renovation of our building in Madison Heights, making way for the beautiful Freedom Room Board Room/Conference Center. Themed in patriotic interior designs and anchored by an eight-foot metal fabricated American flag on the wall, the venue not only allows us to own a great facility for entertaining guests and holding board meetings, but it reflects the values of our organization. ABC loves this country and is passionate about promoting freedom and entrepreneurship. Little did we know when we started the construction of the new room how important the addition would be. We held a ribbon cutting event with special guest Tudor Dixon. A few months later, Tudor would go on to win a packed primary and secure the Republican nomination for governor. ABC was the first statewide organization to endorse Dixon when she was at a mere 5th place in the polls. It was that endorsement that helped trigger a chain of events and endorsements that ultimately propelled her to a come-from-behind victory. In addition to Dixon, within the first six months of opening, the Freedom Room also hosted 3-star Lt. General Keith Kellogg and Kevin McCarthy—the House Republican Leader in the United States Congress. If the GOP is successful in the November elections, he is expected to become the next Speaker of the House. We are hosting former United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions for our Gala Dinner on October 19. We are expecting over 200 in attendance to help us reflect on a wonderful moment in history for the organization and begin the process of ushering the final weeks of our year-long celebration. This summer, ABC SEMI and the Southeast Michigan Construction Academy secured a $3 million appropriation from the state legislature for a new skilled trades training center in Westland. With enrollment in our trade school exploding, we’ve run out of space at our current facility while we see huge growth opportunities in the Westland and downriver communities. ABC has hosted “Meet the Generals” events, we’ve re-launched our Emerging Professionals program, we’ve continued to make safety a priority by hiring a safety director, and we’ve provided a series of professional development learning opportunities throughout the year for our members. As you can see, ABC in Southeast Michigan has made the most of our 50th anniversary year. We’ve promoted the cause of free enterprise, freedom, and love of country that represents the enduring values at the very heart of our mission for the past half-century. While we continue to have much work to do, we’ve set a high bar for the future of this organization. Sincerely, Keith Ledbetter | President and CEO ABC Southeastern Michigan Chapter KEITH LEDBETTER ABC SEMI President President’s Letter
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