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ABC Greater Michigan’s Emerging Leaders Raise $600 for two non-profit organizations

The Associated Builders and Contractors, Greater Michigan Chapter’s (ABC/GMC) Emerging Leaders recently donated $600, raised during golf outings, to two non-profit organizations: Junior Achievement of Mid-Michigan and the Bay Veterans Foundation.

The Emerging Leaders initiative at ABC aims to foster future leaders by building relationships and growing within their industry. Kaitlyn Muirhead, an account manager with ABC/GMC member Ieuter Insurance Group in Midland, emphasized the importance of giving back to the community as a fundamental part of these goals.

“I believe that giving back creates a sense of community and strength, but also keeps us humble. It’s not always about doing what is best for us; it’s about doing your best and sharing that with those around you and in your community. Surrounding yourself with kind, caring, and successful individuals is essential to success,” Muirhead said.

Junior Achievement was chosen for its significant impact on communities by teaching financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship to school-aged children and young adults. The Bay Veterans Foundation was selected for its ongoing efforts to support and honor veterans, providing a safe place for them to gather, meet fellow veterans, and engage in meaningful activities.

“The work done at Bay Veterans Foundation is truly amazing, and I hope their doors continue to stay open for many years to come. Choosing their nonprofit to donate to was really a no-brainer,” Muirhead added.

For more information about the ABC Greater Michigan Chapter and its Emerging Leaders, please visit www.abcgmc.org.

Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association established in 1950 that represents more than 21,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 68 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. Visit us at abc.org. ABC Greater Michigan Chapter serves a membership spanning 23 counties. ABC Greater Michigan Chapter is dedicated to advancing the principles of free enterprise and merit in the construction industry. Through training, advocacy, and community engagement, ABC/GMC supports its members in building a better future. For more information contact us at 989.374.4600 or www.abcgmc.org.

Rebecca & Jack Koltvedt Honorary Chairs for the 2024 Great Lakes Bay Regional Fundraiser to Benefit Make-A-Wish

ABC Greater Michigan Chapter will host its Great Lakes Bay Regional Fundraiser to Benefit Make-A-Wish set for Friday, April 19 at the Great Hall, Midland. Guests are welcome to join the community in honoring past and current Wish Kids who are bravely facing their health challenges.

Honorary chairs, Rebecca Koltvedt and her son Jack, will join attendees to experience the power of gifting hope and granting wishes. A wish granting helps kids look past their limitations, families overcome anxiety and entire communities experience more joy. Most importantly, wishes can improve a child’s quality of life.

As members of the Great Lakes Bay Region, Rebecca and Jack want to share their experience with Make-A-Wish and show their gratitude for everyone that is helping to raise awareness and funds for an organization that grants life-changing wishes to local children with critical illnesses.

At the age of 14, Jack Koltvedt received a diagnosis of B Cell ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) Philadelphia Chromosome positive. His wish to snorkel in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands with his family, was fulfilled in November 2023. However, the anticipation leading up to their vacation was filled with stress for the family. Uncertainty loomed over their ability to travel due to Jack’s illness. Upon receiving clearance from the doctor, the family, including his dad and mom, John Sr. and Rebecca; his sister, Lauren; and his brother, John Jr., hastily packed on a Saturday afternoon for their flight scheduled at 2:30 am on Sunday morning.

“What a blessing to have had five amazing days of freedom (that’s how it has felt). No sickness, no treatments, just JOY,” Becky said in a Facebook post.

This year the event will have a totally rad theme. Guests are encouraged to wear 80-sthemed attire to this year’s 80’s themed party.

Tickets are $65 and include dinner, entertainment by The Rock Show band, silent and live auctions and more! Purchase your ticket on ABC’s website, https://www.abcgmc.org/events/the-great-lakes-bay-regional-fundraiser-2/.  Sponsorships are available, and the committee is looking for silent and live auction items. Reach out to Cathy Geiger, cgeiger@abcgmc.org, for more information.

Build Like a Girl Highlights Women in Construction to kick-off WIC Week

Learning about opportunities in construction is a barrier to girls because statistically, boys are more prone to look to careers in construction.

An upcoming event, Build Like a Girl, wants to break this barrier and give girls the confidence required to join a male populated industry.

Build Like a Girl is set for 5:30-8:30 pm Tuesday, February 27 at the Great Hall, 5121 Bay City Road, Midland. Girls in grades five through twelve are invited to listen firsthand the experiences of four accomplished women in the construction industry, which will empower them to confidently explore this field.

“Getting more women in the skilled trades will create a diversified workforce for the construction industry. We want to show young women that they too, belong,” said Cathy Geiger, director of marketing and community affairs for the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) Greater Michigan.

Attendees will hear from a panel of successful women in the industry, moderated by Meg McLeod of WNEM TV-5 for the second year in a row.

“I am so thrilled to participate in Build Like a Girl again! The empowerment was contagious last year! These young girls’ faces lit up as they talked about their dreams of driving heavy machinery, becoming an architect, or training to be a carpenter. They were fearless in their goals, thoughtful in their questions and confident in what they will achieve. I cannot wait to be surrounded by all that girl power again,” McLeod said.

Panelists include:

  • Summer Weiss is the Project Manager at SPACE, Inc. She works with the team to ensure a positive customer experience while maintaining a budget and schedule. She received her Bachelor of Marketing from Michigan State University and her MBA from Northwood University. “Working in the construction industry is a very rewarding career. Every day is different and there are always new problems to solve. I enjoy the freedom to be able to be in the office and get computer work done or to suit up and visit a job site.  It is important for women to continue to be involved with the trades, whether in the office or the field. The knowledge and skills of these individuals can often bring different perspectives to the table. That can be a very powerful thing,” Weiss said.
  • Julie Monson is the Greater North America Construction Management Operations Leader at Dow. As the lead in Field Execution of Intermediate capital and expense projects, she improves reliability, addresses regulatory compliance, and provides business growth opportunities. In addition, Monson creates collaborative relationships with supplier in Greater North America regions (17 Dow sites), implement construction safety best practices, oversee our Michigan Operations Capital Marshalling Warehouse, engage with local Environmental, Health and Safety team members and engage with business partners to ensure execution priorities are net and owns overall project portfolio for all intermediate projects within the Greater North America region. 

“I love being in the construction industry because you leave an impact on individuals and your community by seeing the different buildings being built.  Buildings are a final product. For example, residential = homes, commercial = hospitals, stores, etc.; industrial = chemical plants, etc., but there are a lot of skill trades that go into having an impact on the final project.  Earthwork/heavy equipment operators to set the site up for foundations, concrete/masons for foundations; civil/arch for building the structures, electrical/instrumentation for wiring facility for lighting/power, insulation for warmth, carpentry for walls/woodwork, etc.; coatings for painting walls/facilities; HVAC for heating and cooling; just to name a few. Knowing you’ve had an impact on someone’s life and making a difference is very rewarding,” said Monson, who holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

  • Becky Manson is the Jobsite Foreman at Valley Electrical Contractors. In her role as foreman, she analyzes blueprints as they are produced, gaining a thorough understanding of the team’s responsibilities for the project. She assigns individuals to tasks according to their skills, ensures timely ordering of necessary components, and coordinates material procurement for the team to construct the required wire ways. Furthermore, she supports her supervisor in tracking job progress and communicates any issues to be addressed with the project manager. She received her Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Central Michigan University and is a graduate of the Greater Michigan Construction Academy.

“I love that the people I work with do not treat me any different than one of the guys. I’m taken seriously and can show other women that this is not just a man’s world anymore and that I can encourage other women to get into a trade. I believe others want to be a part of this because once you learn a trade no one can take it from you. With the construction industry always being busy, you’re always going to be needed, no matter what trade you get into. If you know you’re not cut-out to be a 9-5 office person, then absolutely join a trade…you get to work outside, be busy every day, meet people trying to achieve the same things you are,” Manson said.

  • Jessica Vance is the Environmental Health & Safety Director for Alloy Construction and a Construction Health & Safety Technician through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. She has been in construction safety full-time since 2008, supporting commercial HVAC & custom sheet metal fabricators, industrial mechanical contractors, heavy equipment with undergrounds, remediation, and structural steel. Jessica enjoys teaching as an OSHA Outreach trainer in Construction.

The panelists will share about their occupations, what a typical day is like, education, how and why they got into their respected fields and more.

Attendees will also hear from local employers and multiple training providers to gauge if a career in construction would be a great fit. This unique workforce development program is aimed to help empower young women to step into roles that will solve the construction industry’s labor shortage. Contractors and suppliers will offer hands-on activities, they will learn about the education needed, and how to gain confidence in the industry.

The event is nearly sold out. Register today here: http://bit.ly/3XUdLSw. If you would like to have a booth, reach out to cgeiger@abcgmc.org for more information.

Build Like a Girl coming to the Great Lakes Bay Region February 27

MIDLAND – Associated Builders & Contractors Greater Michigan (ABC-GM), the Greater Michigan Construction Academy (GMCA) and LOGIC (Ladies Operating for Growth in Construction) are bringing Build Like a Girl to the Great Lakes Bay Region 5:30 PM Tuesday, February 27, at the Great Hall, 5121 Bay City Road, Midland.

The purpose of this event is to introduce young women, in grades five through 12 to career opportunities in the construction industry. Participants will hear from local employers, influential women in construction, and multiple training providers to gauge if a career in construction would be a great fit. This unique workforce development program is aimed to help empower young women to step into unique roles they may not have previously considered. The objective is to educate young girls of lucrative STEM careers in the construction industry. Contractors and suppliers will offer hands-on activities, they will learn about the education needed, how to gain confidence in a male populated industry and will gain insight from women who are in the industry through a panel discussion.

“Build Like a Girl aims to educate and inspire young girls, allowing them to delve into the construction industry through hands-on activities and learn from accomplished women in the field. In our second year hosting this event, the Build Like a Girl committee is excited to introduce new features that we can’t wait to share,” said Cathy Geiger, director of marketing and community affairs at Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) Greater Michigan chapter.

One exciting addition is that all attendees will receive a Build Like a Girl t-shirt. To ensure organizers have your preferred size, register by January 26.

This event is made possible through sponsors including: Dow; Alloy Construction Service, Inc.; Niles Plant Services; Spence Brothers; Three Rivers Corporation; Valley Electrical Contractors, Inc.; Windemuller; Bierlein-Trombley Electric; Blasy Electric, Inc.; and Jolt Credit Union.

See ABC’s website (https://www.abcgmc.org/events/build-like-a-girl/) for details, more information and to register for this exciting event. If you would like to have a booth, reach out to cgeiger@abcgmc.org for more information or register on ABC’s website.

The Greater Michigan Construction Academy is a 501c3 non-profit organization, a nationally certified training program using the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) curriculum making the training portable nationwide for students completing modules.   The curriculum is recognized by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Apprenticeship Training. GMCA’s mission is to train and develop a highly skilled, safe workforce and promote construction trades as a career choice.   

Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) is a national trade association with 22,000 members representing more than 19,000 construction and industry-related firms. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 68 chapters help members win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work. You can learn about ABC National at www.abc.org.  ABC Greater Michigan Chapter serves a membership spanning 23 counties. ABC-GMC provides craft and professional education, up-to-date industry communication, and legislative representation. For more information contact us at 989.374.4600 or www.abcgmc.org.

LOGIC (Ladies Operating for Growth in Construction) is a peer group for women in construction lead by ABC Greater Michigan. LOGIC represents the interests of women within the construction industry and assists with increasing the quality and availability of resources to women that will promote a positive image to other women within and outside of the industry. Its vision is to assist women who are presently in the industry though education, community, and networking, and to provide a channel for women to enter the industry workforce.

ABC’s Great Lakes Bay Regional Fundraiser to Benefit Make-A-Wish Michigan Raises $30,000

ABC Greater Michigan Chapter hosted its Great Lakes Bay Regional Fundraiser to Benefit Make-A-Wish Friday, April 21 at the Great Hall Banquet & Convention Center, Midland. Approximately 240 guests joined the community in honoring children bravely facing their health challenges.

Craig Lang of Garber Chevrolet Midland served as the event’s honorary chair and enjoyed the power of gifting hope and granting wishes.

“My wife Lori and I have been supporting MAW for a very long time. We are thrilled ABC Greater Michigan make this organization one of their big efforts every year. It’s a great way to touch children with critical illnesses to make their wishes come true,” Lang said.

This year’s event raised $30,000 for Make-A-Wish Michigan. A wish granting helps kids look past their limitations, families overcome anxiety and entire communities experience more joy. Most importantly, wishes can improve a child’s quality of life.

ABC sponsored a Wish Family from Mt. Pleasant. Parker, 12, has a genetic disease called cystic fibrosis, which has no cure. Parker has had many surgeries and hospital stays in his young life. He is required to have daily treatments that include chest percussion therapy and he takes many medications every day to maintain his health. Despite his challenges, Parker is a very happy, caring and intelligent young man. He and his family will head to Hawaii in June as Parker’s wish was to go to the Mauna Kea Observatory.

Next year’s event is set for April 19, 2024, at the Great Hall.

Craig and Lori Lang Honorary Chairs for the Great Lakes Bay Regional Fundraiser to Benefit Make-A-Wish

ABC Greater Michigan Chapter will host its Great Lakes Bay Regional Fundraiser to Benefit Make-A-Wish set for Friday, April 21 at the Great Hall, Midland. Guests are welcome to join the community in honoring past and current Wish Kids who are bravely facing their health challenges.

Honorary chairs, Craig and Lori Lang, will join attendees to experience the power of gifting hope and granting wishes. A wish granting helps kids look past their limitations, families overcome anxiety and entire communities experience more joy. Most importantly, wishes can improve a child’s quality of life.

As members of the Midland community, Craig and Lori Lang have been steady supporters of many different aspects of community life and non-profit organizations in the region. Craig often uses his role in leadership as the General Manager of Garber Chevrolet Midland to point the community to nonprofits in need of support. The Lang’s and Garber Chevrolet have been proud supporters of this event for many years.

This year the event will have a Hawaiian theme. Guests are encouraged to wear Hawaiian shirts and floral dresses for the tropical themed event.

Tickets are $55 and include: dinner, entertainment by Jedi Mind Trip, silent and live auctions and more! Purchase your ticket online here: https://www.abcgmc.org/events/the-great-lakes-bay-regional-fundraiser/ Sponsorships are also available.

Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association established in 1950 that represents more than 21,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 68 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. Visit us at abc.org. ABC Greater Michigan Chapter serves a membership spanning 23 counties. ABC-GMC provides craft and professional education, up-to-date industry communication and legislative representation. For more information contact us at 989.374.4600 or www.abcgmc.org.

Moderator and Panelists Announced for Build Like a Girl event

The skilled trades has become a hot and important topic for career opportunities. When the discussion comes up among women, many wonder what their life would look like if they were exposed to the trades earlier in life since most were never encouraged to consider this field.

Meg McLeod, TV5 evening news anchor and journalist, thought the same thing when renovating her first home.

“My husband and I flipped our first home largely ourselves to pay off student loans. Even though I didn’t love every project (especially removing the seven kinds of wallpaper), I learned so much along the way and look back on those years with so much pride. Since then, we have helped a family member with two other flips and we are currently renovating a building with my husband’s business partner. 

“I’ve often wondered what life would look like if I had been exposed to the skilled trades earlier on in life. I am so glad these young girls get that chance,” McLeod said.

Girls in grades 5th through 12th will be introduced to career opportunities in the construction industry at the Build Like a Girl event set for 5:30 pm Tuesday, February 28th at the Great Hall, 5121 Bay City Road, Midland. Participants will hear from local employers, influential women in construction, and multiple training providers to gauge if a career in construction would be a great fit. This unique workforce development program is aimed to help empower young women to step into roles that will solve the construction industry’s labor shortage. Contractors and suppliers will offer hands-on activities, they will learn about the education needed, how to gain confidence in this male dominated industry and will gain insight from women who are in the industry through a panel discussion.

Attendees will hear from a panel of successful women in the industry, moderated by McLeod.

“There is so much power in exposing the next generation to new opportunities and ideas that could change the course of their lives. It is my hope that these young girls walk away feeling empowered and, perhaps for some of them, excited about a future in building (like a girl!),” McLeod said about this opportunity.

Panelists include the following:

  • Kristin Riddle, Architect & Vice President of Design at Three Rivers Corporation: Riddle, a licensed architect in the State of Michigan, leads a team of architects and designers on the design of many projects around the Great Lakes Bay Region – specializing in healthcare, commercial, industrial, institutional, and community-based types of projects.  She is a graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in architecture.
  • Ashley Laurencelle, Instrument Technician apprentice at Dow: Laurencelle has an associate degree in instrumentation from Delta College and has been in the trade for a little over two years. She will complete the apprenticeship program in the fall.
  • Julie Pinwar, Maintenance Field Planner at The Dow Chemical Company: Pinwar earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and first went into retail management. She did a career shift and spent 10 years working for an automotive supply company on various equipment such as lathes and CNC machines. Pinwar has spent the past 13 years employed by The Dow Chemical Company, working in plant process areas, the paint/sandblast shop, and her current role as a Maintenance Planner.
  • Sophia Hovey, a licensed electrician at Windemuller: Hovey is a graduate of the Greater Michigan Construction Academy and has worked for Windemuller for four years. “I look forward to sharing my experience in the construction industry with other women in hopes they will want to become more involved in the trades in the future,” she said.

All will share about their occupations, what a typical day is like, their education, how and why they got into their respected fields and more.

McLeod recommends girls to choose a career in the construction industry.

“For one, it provides more voices and perspectives in a male-dominated industry. Secondly, girls should feel they can succeed in any field. It’s events like this that are critical to sparking that dream,” she added.

Register for the event online here: http://bit.ly/3XUdLSw. If you would like to have a booth, reach out to cgeiger@abcgmc.org for more information.

Fashion Show Press Release

Associated Builders and Contractors, Greater Michigan Chapter Kicks off Women In Construction Week with a Fashion Show

Associated Builders & Contractors Greater Michigan Chapter (ABC-GMC) will host its second annual ABC Fashion Show Saturday, March 4, kicking off Women In Construction Week. This event shows appreciation to the women who have taken the bold step to enter the construction industry and also encourage those to consider a career in construction. 

The Fashion Show is set for 7-9 pm March 4 at the Pere Marquette Depot, downtown Bay City. Working in a male dominated industry, ABC Greater Michigan will highlight all of the great initiatives and work of women within the industry and those in the community who support it. The event also highlights the opportunities available to women in construction and the many career options available.

Attendees will receive appetizers, an open bar, networking opportunities with community leaders/women in construction, a fashion show presented by Ferne Boutique, and shopping.

This event, open to males and females, is more than a fashion show.

“It gives us a chance to honor the women who are in the industry, support the industry and have family in the industry. We are proud of the women who take a bold step to work in construction as it is predominantly filled with men,” said Cathy Geiger, director of marketing and community affairs at ABC Greater Michigan and event organizer.

Join us to support our female leaders in the industry. Here is our list of honorary women of the night, including ABC members and community leaders:

Leah Lindauer, SwiftWall

Pam Howson, Teledyne Brown Engineering

Megan Rastigue, Addvance Heating & Cooling

Carly Purdy, Tradesmen International

Jessica Novack, Windemuller

Stacy Ruppel, Alloy Construction Service, Inc.

Heather Murphy, MAG Insulation

Erin Shafer, Shafer Redi-Mix

Missie Frier, 1st State Bank

Krystal Carpenter, Koala Insulation

Stefanie McDaniels, ServiceMaster

Kathy Warren, Greater Michigan Construction Academy/Retired from Dow

Emilia Gutierrez, Do-All, Inc.

Jen Idalski, 989 Concierge

Teresa Quintana, Century 21

For more information on the event, visit ABC Greater Michigan’s website abcgmc.org, then click on the events tab to find the “ABC Fashion Show” event. You can also visit our Facebook page here.

Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) is a national trade association with 22,000 members representing more than 19,000 construction and industry-related firms. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 68 chapters help members win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work. You can learn about ABC National at www.abc.org.  ABC Greater Michigan Chapter serves a membership spanning 23 counties. ABC-GMC provides craft and professional education, up-to-date industry communication, legislative representation, as well as affinity programs and packages. For more information contact us at 989.374.4600 or www.abcgmc.org.

SLB Workshop press release

Self Love Beauty Kicking off Build Like a Girl event with a confidence workshop

MIDLAND – Lisa Thompson, founder and executive director of Self Love Beauty, will kick-off Build Like a Girl with a mini-workshop on confidence. Build Like a Girl, hosted by the Greater Michigan Construction Academy (GMCA) and LOGIC (Ladies Operating for Growth in Construction), is set for 5:30 PM on February 28 at the Great Hall, 5121 Bay City Road, Midland.

Learning about opportunities in construction is a barrier to girls because statistically, boys are more prone to look to careers in construction. Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) Greater Michigan, GMCA, LOGIC, and all participating booths want to break this barrier and give girls the confidence required to join a male dominated industry.

Confidence is one of the most vital skills for anyone to have. When we have more self-confidence, we have the ability to reach our full potential, Thompson said.

“This mini-workshop will help participants gain skills to help them with their confidence and positive self-talk. Participants will walk away with tools they can implement directly into their lives to help them gain more confidence,” Thompson added.

The purpose of Build Like a Girl is to introduce young women, in grades five through 12 to career opportunities in the construction industry. Participants will hear from local employers, influential women in construction, and multiple training providers to gauge if a career in construction would be a great fit. This unique workforce development program is aimed to help empower young women to step into roles that will solve the construction industry’s labor shortage. The objective is to educate young girls of lucrative STEM careers in the construction industry. Contractors and suppliers will offer hands-on activities, they will learn about the education needed, how to gain confidence in this male dominated industry and will gain insight from women who are in the industry through a panel discussion.

This event is made possible through a grant from ABC National’s Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Initiative Grant. The primary purpose of the grant is to increase the diversity of the chapter’s membership to reflect the diversity of the construction industry; provide education to minorities, women, veterans, members with disabilities and LGBTQ+ construction firms to increase their ability to be competitive in a free-enterprise environment; and/or attract more diverse groups into the construction workforce.

See website (https://www.abcgmc.org/events/build-like-a-girl/) for details, more information and to register for this exciting event. If you would like to have a booth, reach out to cgeiger@abcgmcm.org for more information.

LOGIC (Ladies Operating for Growth in Construction) is a peer group for women in construction lead by Associated Builders & Contractors Greater Michigan. LOGIC represents the interests of women within the construction industry and assists with increasing the quality and availability of resources to women that will promote a positive image to other women within and outside of the industry. Its vision is to assist women who are presently in the industry though education, community, and networking, and to provide a channel for women to enter the industry workforce.

The Greater Michigan Construction Academy is a 501c3 non-profit organization, a nationally certified training program using the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) curriculum making the training portable nationwide for students completing modules.   The curriculum is recognized by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Apprenticeship Training. GMCA’s mission is to train and develop a highly skilled, safe workforce and promote construction trades as a career choice.   

Self Love Beauty is a 501c3 non-profit organization with a mission to invest, impact and educate individuals on the importance of self-love and confidence in order to empower them to be the best version of themselves.

Build Like a Girl coming to the Great Lakes Bay Region February 28

MIDLAND – The Greater Michigan Construction Academy (GMCA) and LOGIC (Ladies Operating for Growth in Construction) are bringing Build Like a Girl to the Great Lakes Bay Region at 5:30 PM on February 28. The event will be held at the Great Hall, 5121 Bay City Road, Midland.

The purpose of this event is to introduce young women, in grades five through 12 to career opportunities in the construction industry. Participants will hear from local employers, influential women in construction, and multiple training providers to gauge if a career in construction would be a great fit. This unique workforce development program is aimed to help empower young women to step into roles that will solve the construction industry’s labor shortage. The objective is to educate young girls of lucrative STEM careers in the construction industry. Contractors and suppliers will offer hands-on activities, they will learn about the education needed, how to gain confidence in this male dominated industry and will gain insight from women who are in the industry through a panel discussion.

“The Build Like a Girl committee is excited to bring this type of event to young girls and their guardian. Build Like a Girl will educate and engage young girls so they can explore the construction industry through hands-on activities and learn from women in the construction industry,” said Cathy Geiger, director of marketing and community affairs at Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) Greater Michigan chapter.

This event is made possible through a grant from ABC National’s Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Initiative Grant. The primary purpose of the grant is to increase the diversity of the chapter’s membership to reflect the diversity of the construction industry; provide education to minorities, women, veterans, members with disabilities and LGBTQ+ construction firms to increase their ability to be competitive in a free-enterprise environment; and/or attract more diverse groups into the construction workforce.

See website (https://www.abcgmc.org/events/build-like-a-girl/) for details, more information and to register for this exciting event. If you would like to have a booth, reach out to cgeiger@abcgmcm.org for more information.

LOGIC (Ladies Operating for Growth in Construction) is a peer group for women in construction lead by Associated Builders & Contractors Greater Michigan. LOGIC represents the interests of women within the construction industry and assists with increasing the quality and availability of resources to women that will promote a positive image to other women within and outside of the industry. Its vision is to assist women who are presently in the industry though education, community, and networking, and to provide a channel for women to enter the industry workforce.

The Greater Michigan Construction Academy is a 501c3 non-profit organization, a nationally certified training program using the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) curriculum making the training portable nationwide for students completing modules.   The curriculum is recognized by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Apprenticeship Training. GMCA’s mission is to train and develop a highly skilled, safe workforce and promote construction trades as a career choice.