ABC-SEMI Issue 1, 2019

10 Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. REVIEW GOALS, AWARDS, AND CAMARADERIE  Someone once said in life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know. Knowing is not enough! You must take action. At the Associated Builders and Contractors of Southeastern Michigan (ABC SEMI) taking action is all part of a plan that started a year before and through determination and team work has allowed this chapter not only to grow but prosper. “Making the grade. Getting the job done. Going the extra mile,” said ABC SEMI President Keith Ledbetter. “Are terms that our staff here know and live by. We have not succeeded by accident—it was a careful plan of action, balanced with a healthy dose of customer service that has allow us to enjoy our second year in a row with growth across the board in revenue and membership. I am proud of our team and the goals we have achieved in 2018. But I truly believe we have a lot of untapped potential and are just scratching the surface.” ABC SEMI undertook an ambitious membership plan with goals to both grow and retain membership for 2018. Certainly, Ledbetter admits he wants to see the chapter expand its members, but it must be tempered with adding the “right” members while reaching out to current members in a consistent and meaningful way. “Meaningful growth was not just about adding 25 new members, it was about retaining the current members we have as well,” said Ledbetter. “I am proud we achieved 93% membership retention this year and that didn’t happen by accident. We charged our membership director to meet with all of our current existing members by the end of the year—and as of this article he is on track to do just that. We boast a strong 80% contractor ratio in our membership rolls and have balanced that with excellent associate member opportunities. The members who are joining are active and engaged in the merit shop philosophy giving our chapter a strong foundation for years to come.” If ABC SEMI membership growth takes the cake, then the student growth that Southeast Michigan Construction Academy (SEMCA), ABC SEMI trade academy, is experiencing put the icing on it. Mickey Mortimer, ABC SEMI and SEMCA Vice President, admits they had a calculated approach to growth for their students and programs offered, but word of mouth and demand have a way of changing plans. “We have had incredible growth with our academy—especially in our electrical program,” stated Mortimer. “Much of it is due to the increased demand in the trades and the requirement by the State of Michigan for certification. But what we have been pleased to see is the increased ‘word-of-mouth’ referrals that SEMCA is getting as well. It is gratifying when current and former students are recommending our program—shows me we are on the right track. That demand has forced us to expand our carpentry program and offer additional electrical programs this winter, but we are committed to making this opportunity a reality for our students.” The right track indeed—along with its Madison Heights Academy, SEMCA has been expanding its reach opening satellite campuses in: Monroe, Adrian, Lapeer and Livonia. With current student enrollment exceeding 400, Mortimer is excited about the potential that the academy will have on meeting the increasing demand for trained professionals in the trades. “I have to credit our excellent instructors with the continued success of our programs at SEMCA,” said Mortimer. “We have world-class master electricians teach our students, most of whom are still actively working in the trade. It is a very unique perspective for our students who can ask real-world questions about jobs that they are working on or best techniques used to accomplish the task at hand. The instructors are the real heart and soul of SEMCA and deserve much of the credit for our growth.” Ledbetter points to a number of accomplishments that validated the success of ABC SEMI on a national level as well: ABC National Mullan award for membership growth, STEP Safety Program growth, Membership Retention and 3-Year Chapter Level Accreditation. In addition, ABC SEMI sent the local ABC SEMI receives the National Mullan Award for growth; this is the highest honor a chapter can receive February SEMCA student, Joshua Smart, flies to Long Beach, CA to compete in National Craft Championships, with more than 200 other competitors from across the country March A new Emerging Professionals Board was implemented and the EP program grew its membership to over 20 members June Our online application and payment system launched; this allows our members and students to apply and pay online with ease January ABC SEMI MARKS MILESTONES MAKING