6 Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. The “ABC Guy” Makes His Legacy Perry Merlo Awarded ABC Legacy Award at 50th Gala Following in the footsteps of their father and grandfather, Perry and Ray Merlo founded Merlo Construction Company, Inc. in 1991. Over 30 years, the company evolved from a small concrete contractor into an enterprise with nearly 200 employees working on projects including demolition, earthwork, concrete foundations, and curb and gutter. Merlo Construction joined ABC in 2001 and Perry was designated the “ABC guy” for Merlo Construction. Little did he know the connections he would make, later joining the ABC board of directors in 2011. Perry served in nearly every executive committee role, including secretary, treasurer, and chairman, as well as serving on the ABC of Michigan Board and ABC National Board. During Michigan’s economic downturn of the late 2000s, Perry fought to save his business and a struggling ABC chapter. Faced with unpaid bills, dwindling membership, furloughs, and possible foreclosure, Perry’s unwavering vision and dedication to ABC laid the foundation for years of success to come. In 2016, as chairman of the chapter, Perry led the board to find a new president and ignite what would become a remarkable recovery for the organization—growing its membership for six consecutive years and paying off all debt. Without Perry, ABC Southeastern Michigan would not have survived to see its 50th anniversary. Perry now joins the ranks of Jim Struble and Robert Clancy as an ABC Southeastern Michigan Legacy Award winner. PerryMerlo (middle) accepts Legacy Award fromABC President Keith Ledbetter (left) andVP of Education at SEMCADeannaMorley (right) 50TH ANNI VERSARY GAL A “This room is filled tonight with people who understand hard work and believe in doing their very best,” Sessions said. We want to thank everyone who joined us for our 50th Gala. The staff at ABC is truly humbled by the support from our members. Thank you also to our sponsors: Butzel Long, Architectural Hardware & Supply, AIS Construction Equipment, AssuredPartners, Robert Clancy Contracting, HRPro, Merlo Construction, D.J. Maltese Construction Corporation, ABC Workers’ Comp, Independence Commercial Construction, Inc., Paul C. Scott & Sons Plumbing, Campbell Industrial Contractors, O’Donnell Electric, Patriot Group, ABC Insurance Trust, State Electric, KaltzCoulombe PLLC, VTC Insurance, Expert Heating & Cooling, Dinsmore & Shohl, Baker Tilly, LaFemina Trucking, and Altech Doors. Business DevelopmentManager at SpecializedRecruitingGroupAdam Klug raises a glass with friends TabithaTejero, MikeMiller, and FrankMamat sharing laughs at theVIP reception Cort Niemi from Lighthouse places a bid in the silent auction (left to right) Joseph Aragona, Rep. Andrew Beehler, Mike Harris, and Lisa McClain catching up in the VIP reception Joe and Karen Lietke from Campbell Shaw & Steel all smiles at Gala Presenting sponsor Butzel Long enjoying their private reception with Jeff Sessions and his wife Mary
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