Welcome to 2008.  In recent years, the commercial construction industry has been fortunate enough to enjoy strong and continued growth from one year to the next.

While it is predicted that 2008 will bring continued growth to the commercial construction industry, the growth will be much more selective than in years past.  It is likely that power, energy, communication, hospital and higher education will continue to expand and grow.  However, retail, warehouse, office, pre-kindergarten through high school, highway, hotel, water and sewer segments are expected to less strong. 

 We, as contractors, are fortunate to be able to rely on the Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee to provide us with the tools that we need to grow our businesses in both good and bad economic times.  Even in times of uncertainty, membership in the AGC of Greater Milwaukee provides us with both the strength and the resources that come from being a part of a larger collective; an advantage that is not enjoyed by those who attempt to provide these tools and resources on their own. 

 In the past year, we saw AGC of Greater Milwaukee expand and grow their safety services department through the offering of industrial hygiene services to members.  This new program was launched in direct response to OSHA's increasing focus on areas pertaining to industrial hygiene.  These services, in addition to the already excellent safety programming, allows AGC members to continue to operate safe and profitable job sites that comply with or exceed OSHA requirements.  AGC also continues to provide excellent educational opportunities to its members.  In 2007, more than 85 courses were offered throughout the year allowing well over one thousand individuals access to quality educational opportunities.  2008 will bring even more of these opportunities as AGC expands its education program to include AGC of America programming in areas such as LEED and Building Information Modeling. 

 AGC also continues to further workforce development initiatives through their continued involvement with the BIG STEP program.  This critical initiative has served to allow literally hundreds of women and minorities access to a successful career in the construction industry.  AGC also continues to promote minority business development with the expansion of the highly successful Mentor/Protege program through a partnership with MMSD. These initiatives are only a small sampling of AGC's accomplishments in the past year.

 As we look ahead, one of the biggest challenges that we as contractors will face in 2008 will be in the area of labor bargaining.  This year, the contracts for the carpenters, laborers and cement finishers will all be negotiated.  While these negotiations will always prove to be challenging, we can rest assured that the AGC of Greater Milwaukee will provide us with and strong and highly experienced representation at the bargaining table. 

 Finally, AGC has developed a new strategic plan which will guide them as they continue to respond to the ever-changing needs of their membership.  Of particular interest is their commitment to grow and promote the AGC brand and its members to owners and the general public.   This branding initiative will focus on promoting the skill, integrity and responsibility exhibited by AGC members and on letting people know what it means to do business with any of the honorable members of the AGC of Greater Milwaukee.

 In closing, many thanks to Past President, Dave Jones for his dedication and commitment to the AGC of Greater Milwaukee and to the construction industry as a whole. 

Yours very truly,

Craig Jorgensen
2008 AGC President