Recognizing members that stand out, go above and beyond normal volunteer activities to enhance the reputation of ABC.
CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR THE NEXT ABC IDOL!
Do you know a fellow member who goes above and beyond normal volunteer duties? Maybe a member who has done something particularly notable to advance the message and mission of ABC/CMEF? Or, a member who has a well-rounded knowledge of ABC/CMEF and its benefits and shares that knowledge with members and non-members alike? Maybe you know of a member who seems to be at every event or training opportunity ABC/CMEF offers? Then, nominate that member for ABC Idol!
Members with the highest level of nominations will be named ABC Idol for the month and be presented with the ABC Golden Hammer until a new ABC Idol is named!
Members who win ABC Idol receive special perks such as:
- Recognition opportunities on the ABC website, e-news, and at the ABC Office
- Special reserved VIP parking at the ABC office
- Recognition at an ABC event
Alicia Kyle
Tell us about your involvement with ABC/CMEF?
We are fairly new members of the ABC Greater Houston Chapter and I must say, I am very proud to be a part of this wonderful organization. Since the start of our membership with ABC, I joined a few committees in order to get more involved and get acquainted with other members of the organization and it’s staff. I am currently an active member of the Commercial Committee, Political Action Committee and most recently joined the Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
Why did you decide to become involved with ABC/CMEF?
I am always looking for ways to help others and like to get more involved with our community and the industry. I enjoy working with people and am willing and able to help out when and where I can. My Mentor and Leader, Craig La Grappe, saw a great opportunity for me to do this with the ABC organization, so, he encouraged me to join and get involved. Everyone that we have met at ABC has been very helpful, cordial and very welcoming…it feels good to be a part of such a great organization.
I am also very fortunate to be able to work with a company like ABGi, a company that understands the value of providing sponsorship, helping the community and the industry alike, and who affords me the opportunity to get more involved with this organization.
My new role as Business Development Manager for ABGi USA, along with the many years experience as a Director of Human Resources and Safety, and Consulting, in the Construction, Fabrication, and Oil & Gas industries will be very helpful in my personal goals to grow with this organization and be able to mentor others and those young adults coming into the industry.
What’s your greatest achievement (personal or professional) and how has it shaped the person you are today?
I feel that my greatest achievement thus far, both personal and professional, is where I am in life today. I have a great new Sales career in the Finance industry, I am a proud member of the ABC organization, and my husband, Mike, and I have a big beautiful family to boast about. I have faced head-on many adversities and hurdles along the way in my career path and in life, in general, that have made me the person I am today. Growing up in the industry, a Latina, I worked very hard…put in many late nights, weekends, and holidays to grow professionally…and successfully balanced that with my family and home life as well.
What’s the best piece of advice you have to offer for someone new to the industry?
Get involved as much as possible…whether it be by joining committees, attending events and providing sponsorship whenever and for whomever you can, etc.!
Shannon Walla
Tell us about your involvement with ABC/CMEF?
By and through Legacy Contractors, LLC, I have been involved in ABC/CMEF for approximately one year, becoming active in both the EIC and LOGIC committees. We also recently sponsored a hole at the 2020 ABC Annual Golf Tournament, which was fantastic, as we were able to meet so many members and affiliates.
Why did you decide to become involved with ABC/CMEF?
As a commercial general contractor, ABC/CMEF involvement is not only critical to industry recognition, it is also invaluable to our success in that it affords us the opportunity to liaison with the high-quality trades that ABC/CMEF attracts.
What’s your greatest achievement (personal or professional) and how has it shaped the person you are today?
My greatest professional achievement, to date, was becoming an attorney in both Washington and Texas. My defense litigation experience honed my contract and risk management skills, while transitioning into my current role taught me the immeasurable value of building relationships. As for personally, my husband and children, of course, are my greatest achievement.
What’s the best piece of advice you have to offer for someone new to the industry?
Be voraciously curious! Do not just be content to do the minimum. Strive to learn all you can, even if it is outside of your job scope. Listen, listen, listen to those who have achieved success in this industry. Never stop learning. As you learn more, you will gain a greater understanding of the “big picture” (i.e., from development and financing to hands-on construction). And with that, there is no limit to what you can achieve.
Daniel Dupuy
Tell us about your involvement with ABC/CMEF?
I am new to the ABC Houston Chapter and have jumped right in. I am on the PAC Committee, The EIC Committee and I have been a part of the special committee for selection of an ABC Associate Heath Plan.
Why did you decide to become involved with ABC/CMEF?
I have always supported the cause that ABC represents for the construction industry. The networking and connection opportunities are important to us as an expanding manufacturer.
What’s your greatest achievement (personal or professional) and how has it shaped the person you are today?
The Marine Corps shaped the man I am today. The greatest achievement professionally is being recruited to lead the North as South American Division for a major Global Company (Phenix Construction Technologies).
What’s the best piece of advice you have to offer for someone new to the industry?
Attitude is everything. Stay positive, work hard and make sure the people you keep in your life encourage and influence you to be a better person. And Join ABC.
Angela Strong
Tell us about your involvement with ABC/CMEF?
I have been a member on the LOGIC committee since the first meeting in February of 2019. I was the “How To” chair and have planned two “How To” clay shoots. I have enjoyed meeting new people and networking with a variety of individuals.
Why did you decide to become involved with ABC/CMEF?
A colleague of mine let me know that ABC was creating a new committee for women and thought it would be a great way for me to be involved. I was newer to the construction industry and felt it would be a good way to learn about the industry, meet new people and grow.
What’s your greatest achievement (personal or professional) and how has it shaped the person you are today?
Personally my greatest achievement is my family. I am nothing without them and grateful to have them. Professionally, I would say jumping over to the construction industry after being in energy industry for over 8 years. I have pushed myself, learned an incredible amount, and I have grown much more than I would have imagined.
What’s the best piece of advice you have to offer for someone new to the industry?
Jump in. There is so much to learn and so many people who want you there and want to teach you.
Jason Lee
Tell us about your involvement with ABC/CMEF?
I’m currently involved on the membership committee and will be joining the PAC.
Why did you decide to become involved with ABC/CMEF?
I had the pleasure of interviewing Russell Hamley on the Economic Alliances Podcast and in that conversation helped me decide that being a member of ABC was critical for our organization. We need as many leaders as possible investing back into the construction industry to help create jobs as well as working behind the scenes to help with workforce development. I think both organizations make that a top priority.
What’s your greatest achievement (personal or professional) and how has it shaped the person you are today?
The opportunity to become the Vice President at Exponent Advisors. Being new to the industry I was brought in to help grow our business and after my first year I was given the role. Moving from the health industry and leading teams to the wealth industry and working directly with business owners and CEO’s has stretched me as I have had to learn what matters to them. At the end of the day, its all about growing your people, growing your profits and leaving your legacy.
What’s the best piece of advice you have to offer for someone new to the industry?
Chase relationships over money and ensure that you are actively involved. People don’t care how much you know, they want know how much you care.
Taylor Messinger
Tell us about your involvement with ABC/CMEF?
I have been a member on the LOGIC committee since its foundation in early 2019, and acted as co-chair of the college outreach sub-committee. My colleague and I planned an event on the University of Houston campus which brought together over 70 students and industry professionals for a night of bowling and networking. Our goals were to provide encouragement and connections to younger women while giving them the opportunity to become familiar with how the industry looks from the perspective of women working at over a dozen different companies. It was a truly fun and exciting night to see so many people come together, and for some of the students to even find employment opportunities from the night. I look forward to organizing and participating in future LOGIC and ABC events!
Why did you decide to become involved with ABC/CMEF?
In January of 2019 a colleague reached out to me about a new ABC committee for women (now known as LOGIC), and I jumped at the opportunity. As a woman in a primarily male-dominated industry, I have always been interested in getting more women included and involved in the amazing work we do. From the first meeting I attended I found myself among other women who are strong leaders, excited to share their opinions, eager to raise their voice, and it’s exactly the group I wanted to be a part of. I have been thrilled since then to actively participate in achieving the committee’s goals, including outreach to younger women.
What’s your greatest achievement (personal or professional) and how has it shaped the person you are today?
A profound achievement in my personal life was when I made it to the All-State Choir senior year of high-school, indicating after seven months of dedicated practicing and auditions that I was in the top 2% of singers in the state of Texas. The reason this achievement is significant to me is because, as a young women, it taught me that my success and achievements rely more on my dedication and hard work than anything else. I worked harder to achieve this accomplishment than I had for anything else in my life up to that point, and I had to experience failure in the years prior before I was able to reach my goal. While making all-state is not a life-altering accomplishment, the lessons I learned have been profound in working towards my other goals.
What’s the best piece of advice you have to offer for someone new to the industry?
I recommend for those new to this industry to embrace what makes them uncomfortable in their job. The things that challenge you as an individual in a working atmosphere are usually what we need to work on the most. One key thing I have personally realized since working in construction is that my strengths from college are not necessarily my strengths in a working environment. It can be uncomfortable to work on your own traits that you’ve never needed to work on before, but that’s what makes us all stronger.
July 2020 – Michelle Allison, Marsh & McLennan Agency
June 2020 – Shannon Gatlin, Cokinos | Young
May 2020 – Ross Winkler, Winkler Public Relations
April 2020 – Elaine Howard, Andrews Myers, P.C.
March 2020 – Melanie Sharp, Craig & Heidt, Inc
February 2020 – Rachel Smith, Griffin Dewatering
January 2020 – Robert Burelsmith, E.E. Reed Construction, L.P.