First and foremost, let me welcome you to our brand new quarterly newsletter! This will be the first of its kind in a strategic campaign to enhance not only member communications, but industry communications and the growth of ABC’s profile in Central Texas. In addition to this expanded, memberfocused piece, we will be sending bimonthly update emails with information on upcoming events, training and general chapter activity as well as a quarterly ABC advocacy piece with information on state, local and national political updates. With all of the great things happening around our chapter, we are excited to be able to share them with our members and our city in much improved way.

1. 1
2015 PARTNERS
Platinum
SILVER
ABC REPORTER
SUMMER 2015
President’s Corner with Josh Tompkins
First and foremost, let me welcome you to our brand new quarterly newsletter! This
will be the first of its kind in a strategic campaign to enhance not only member
communications, but industry communications and the growth of ABC’s profile in
Central Texas. In addition to this expanded, member­focused piece, we will be
sending bi­monthly update emails with information on upcoming events, training
and general chapter activity as well as a quarterly ABC advocacy piece with
information on state, local and national political updates. With all of the great things
happening around our chapter, we are excited to be able to share them with our
members and our city in much improved way.
Discussing the increased focus on marketing and communications provides me with
a perfect segue to introduce the newest member of the ABC family! On June 2​nd​
,
the chapter welcomed its new Marketing and Education Coordinator, Amy Grace
Torres, to our team. Amy Grace comes to us from a large marketing firm in San
Antonio where she gained experience in event planning and effective marketing
strategies. I’m excited to say she has embraced the ABC culture and has already
begun to create tremendous value for our members. Please join me in welcoming
Amy Grace to the team – she can be reached at ​amy@abccentraltexas.org​.
I would also like to take the opportunity to welcome two new members of the
chapter Board of Directors – Jeff Eubank of SpawGlass and Flintco’s Ryan Baker.
Jeff and Ryan will both bring years of project management experience to the table
from two of ABC’s most committed contractor members. Welcome, gentlemen.
We’re glad to have you on board.
Finally, instead of listing off recent chapter achievements and initiatives, I’d like to
let this newsletter speak for itself. We hope you find the content compelling and
take something valuable away with you – even if it’s just a reminder for our
upcoming clay shoot. I have high hopes for this new communication campaign, but
it will only get better with your feedback. If you have any input on how we can
improve or what else you’d like to see, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We’re
very much looking forward to providing our 2​nd
edition in the Fall. Enjoy your
Summer to the fullest, and be safe out there.
For the Merit Shop,
Josh
Issue 1 ∙ Summer 2015 ∙ Central Texas Chapter ∙ Austin, Texas

2. 2
Share Your Best GET
INVOLVED Moment
ABC member Slater Painting
Company recently partnered with
Sherwin Williams to donate a
complete exterior repaint for local
VFW 8787.
Send in your Best Get Involved
Moment ­ ​Click here​.
Slater Painting Company VFW
painting team
Mark Butzberger, Henna Chevrolet
Member Spotlight
Rick Slater owner of Slater Painting Company shaking hands with VFW representative
ABC member Slater Painting Company recently partnered with Sherwin Williams to
donate a complete exterior repaint for local VFW 8787, located off of the I­35 North
frontage road between Braker Lane and Parmer Lane. The VFW has been
struggling recently with limited income and deteriorating facilities that must be in
compliance with City of Austin building codes in order to keep the doors open.
“When we became aware of the VFW’s needs to repaint their aging building, we
decided that donating an exterior paint job would be a great way to pay back some
of our veterans for their contributions to our country,“ said Rick Slater, owner of
Slater Painting Company. “I am sure other ABC members would be willing to help
the VFW with their building needs and maybe hearing about this will encourage
them to get involved.”
On June 8, Slater received a plaque with a letter of appreciation. “I am proud that
Slater Painting stepped up to help out our veterans. ABC members are always
willing to support community projects and we are fortunate to have members like
Slater Painting,” said Josh Tompkins, ABC President.
If you are interested in donating any of your services to the VFW please contact
Colonel Justin Buyers, VFW Quartermaster, at (512) 663­4174. The VFW currently
needs flooring, doors and door frame replacements and has several electrical and
lighting issues.
Testimonial
“ABC events have provided me with outstanding networking and business
development opportunities over the last year here in Austin. It’s great to see such
increased attendance and chapter leadership is committed to excellence. It’s an
exciting time to be involved with ABC.”
­ Mark Butzberger, Henna Chevrolet
Issue 1 ∙ Summer 2015 ∙ Central Texas Chapter ∙ Austin, Texas

3. 3
ABC’s Upcoming Events
7/15 ­ ​EIC Presentation Training
8/12 ­ ​Program Series: Davis­Bacon
and Affordable Care Acts
8/21 ­ ​Fall Clayshoot
8/21 ­ ​EIC Project Entry and
Requirements Form Deadline
10/1 ­ ​EIC Awards Banquet and
Ceremony
10/30 ­ ​Fall Golf Tournament
11/5 ­ OSHA Safety Rodeo (OSHA
Partnership)
11/18 ­ Program Series: Industry
Symposium
12/3 ­ Christmas Party and Auction
Event Information
The Associated Builders and Contractors Central Texas Chapter invites your
company to enter the 2015 ABC Excellence in Construction Awards competition
­ recognizing the outstanding merit shop projects of the year. Use this ​application to
enter your company’s best project(s). All award winners will be recognized at an
annual Excellence in Construction Awards Banquet scheduled for Thursday,
October 1, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The ceremony will feature a
multi­media presentation highlighting the Eagle and Merit winners.
There will be an EIC Presentation Training on Wednesday, July 15​th​
from
2 – 3 PM at the ABC office. This training will be conducted to demonstrate
how to properly create a Project Binder.
To be eligible for award consideration, the project must be completed by August 21,
2015.
Entry Requirements
Each entry must follow the entry requirements outlined in this ​award application​.
You may email questions to amy@abccentraltexas.org or call 512­719­5263.
EIC Judges Needed!
ABC is looking for 6 volunteers to serve as judges for the Excellence in
Construction Awards this October. The time commitment will be 2 ­ 4 hours after
the submission deadline of August 21​st​
. The best candidates will be individuals not
directly affiliated with the submitted projects – architects, engineers and industry
associates, we’re looking at you!
If you or someone you know would like to participate, please contact Amy Grace
Torres at ​amy@abccentraltexas.org​.
Issue 1 ∙ Summer 2015 ∙ Central Texas Chapter ∙ Austin, Texas

4. 4
2015 ABC Training Schedule
NCCER Safety Director
Certification Course
Topics Covered Include
● Developing a Safety Culture
● Employee Motivation
● Training Techniques
● Accident Investigation
● Incentive Programs
● JSAs
● Risk Analysis
● ES & H Data Tracking
● Hazard Control
● Tool Box Safety
● OSHA Inspections
September 1, 2015
Tuesday’s and Thursday’s
at ABC 5 ­ 8 PM
Call chapter for pricing.
ABC Central OSHA Partnership
ABC Central OSHA Partnership more than doubled in size in the first six months
of 2015
Associated Builders and Contractors, Central Texas Chapter entered a Strategic
Partnership with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Austin
Area Office. The overall goal of the partnership is to create a relationship that
focuses on preventing fatalities, controlling or eliminating serious hazards and
improving the safety management system. To learn more, ​visit​.
The ABC Central Texas OSHA Partnership program is a voluntary agreement
between OSHA and Central Texas companies. These companies are interested in
establishing a relationship with OSHA where they are required to 1) participate in a
non­enforcement annual jobsite inspection 2) submit monthly self­inspection reports
and active jobsite lists 3) attend at least 75% of monthly meetings and apply for the
4) Central Texas and 5) National ABC STEP Awards.
The benefits of joining the OSHA partnership are:
Safer Job Sites, Monthly Safety Related Lunch and Learn Presentations, Lower
Workers Comp Modifier, Lower TRIR and Safety Professional Networking
“We are very proud of the growth of the OSHA Partnership. Chairman Todd Smith
has energized the committee this year by recruiting 11 new members, organizing
professional presenters for our monthly OSHA Partnership Lunch and Learn Safety
Series, revived the Chili BBQ Cook Off and is the driving force behind the OSHA
Safety Rodeo. Many ABC members have told me that being in the OSHA
Partnership is one of the primary reasons they joined ABC,” said Josh Tompkins,
ABC President.
Associated Builders and Contractors Central Texas Chapter OSHA Partners
Austin Sales and Scaffold JE Dunn Construction
Baird­Williams Construction Kiewit Building Group
BCS Concrete Lasco Acoustical
Beckett Electrical Lee Lewis Construction
Cadence McShane Construction Matous Construction
DCA Construction Rogers­O’ Brien Construction
EBCO General Contractor Seretta Construction
Harvey­Cleary Builders Slater Painting Company
Intertech Flooring TDIndustries
White Construction
“OSHA Partners are committed to establishing a safety culture in their company
and enforcing their safety program above and beyond the OSHA minimum
standards. Safety has become an essential component of the construction process
and joining with other companies to mentor and assist each other is the reason I
became involved in Safety and ultimately the Chairman of the ABC OSHA
Partnership Committee,” Smith added. “We are looking for more companies to join.
Any Subcontractor or General Contractor who is an ABC Member, committed to
safety best practices, has no problems with OSHA violations and is willing to meet
our five requirements is welcomed to join. I hope to have 25 companies by the end
of the year”, Smith said.
If you are interested in finding out more about joining the ABC Central Texas OSHA
Partnership, please contact the ABC Central Texas OSHA Partnership Committee
Chairman Todd Smith, ​todd@slaterpainting.com​, (512) 294­9678 cell.
Issue 1 ∙ Summer 2015 ∙ Central Texas Chapter ∙ Austin, Texas

5. 5
Take a look at ABC’s first quarterly
Political Advocacy update ​here
Don’t forget to take the Advocacy
survey​ as well – your feedback helps
us craft our message
ABC News
Construction Economic Update
Nonresidential Construction Spending Continues Growth With Stellar May
"The U.S. economy has now entered the mid­cycle portion of its recovery, which
often represents a period of sustained progress for the average nonresidential
construction firm." — ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu.
Through the first five months of 2015, nonresidential construction spending is
having its second best year since the Census Bureau began tracking the metric in
2002. According to the July 1 release, nonresidential construction spending
increased 1.1 percent on a month­over­month basis and 8.1 percent on a
year­over­year basis, and totals $669.6 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized
basis. From January to May, nonresidential spending expanded by 7.1 percent; the
only year in which the segment saw faster growth was 2007. Since then, growth
over each year’s initial five months has averaged only 1.8 percent.
Perhaps the most notable aspect of May’s release was the extensive upward
revisions to three of the previous four months’ data. January, February and April
saw their nonresidential construction spending estimates revised upward by 2
percent, 1.4 percent and 2.4 percent, respectively. The Census Bureau also
increased the estimate for May 2014 by 1.4 percent.
“Though there continues to be discontent regarding performance of the U.S.
economy, the current situation should be viewed positively,” said Associated
Builders and Contractors Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “The U.S. economy has
now entered the mid­cycle portion of its recovery, which often represents a period
of sustained progress for the average nonresidential construction firm. As with prior
months, the industry progress continues to be led by the private sector. Among
private segments, manufacturing­related construction was at the frontline of
construction spending growth in May.
“Moderate economic growth will allow interest rates to rise gradually, helping extend
this mid­cycle,” said Basu. “Although it took several years to get to this point of the
recovery, contractors will find themselves steadily becoming busier, with margins
gradually expanding. The principle obstacle to progress will be skilled labor
shortages, which eventually will translate into faster inflation, rising interest rates
and the move into the final stage of the current economic expansion.”
To continue reading, click​ ​here​.
Issue 1 ∙ Summer 2015 ∙ Central Texas Chapter ∙ Austin, Texas

6. 6
Member Discounts
SAVE MONEY WITH EXCLUSIVE
DISCOUNTS FROM ABC'S BUSINESS
PARTNERS
ABC members can take advantage of
Business Discounts with ABC's Business
Partners. Click ​here to learn more about
a specific program. Employees of
member companies can also take
advantage of discounts for personal use
under the Employee Discounts section.
WEBINARS
Click ​here​ to learn more about upcoming
ABC Webinars.
Social Media
Issue 1 ∙ Summer 2015 ∙ Central Texas Chapter ∙ Austin, Texas