Full Issue (17 MB) - Pile Driving Contractors Association

meeting in Orlando, FL. The meeting was co-sponsored by
the ASCE Central Florida Branch and had an impressive
105 people from across Florida attending the meeting – congratulations!
More information on the Florida chapter can be
obtained from chapter President Van Hogan (Ed Waters and
Sons Contracting Inc.) at 904-823-8817.
I also want to welcome the newest chapter to the PDCA
family – The PDCA of the Northeast. On Sept. 22, 2009,
Linde-Griffith Construction Company hosted an organizational
meeting to determine if there was any interest in forming
a Northeast chapter. The answer was an overwhelming
“Yes!” by the more than 40 PDCA members and guests who
attended the meeting. At the conclusion of the meeting, the
group elected officers. The new leadership of the chapter
consists of President Kevin Shannon (Linde-Griffith), Vice
President Chris Shannon (Linde-Griffith), Secretary Pat
Lanni (Skyline Steel) and Treasurer Randy Kelly (Atlantic
Wood Industries). The chapter’s geographical area includes
New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode
Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. The chapter is
currently working on incorporating with the State, establishing
their Bylaws, dues structure and soliciting volunteers for
the Board of Directors. Anyone interested in participating on
the Board or volunteering in another capacity should contact
Chris Shannon, Linde-Griffith at 973-481-1106.
PDCA is currently talking to members in the Upper
Midwest, who are also interested in starting a new chapter.
“All politics is local” is a quote often attributed to the late
Thomas P. (Tip) O’Neill, Jr., but Tip didn’t coin the phrase; it
was passed down to him. Tip revealed the true attribution of
the quote in his 1987 autobiography, Man of the House. Tip’s
father, Thomas O’Neill, Sr., shared this wisdom on the occasion
of the only election loss in his son’s lifetime--a run for
the Cambridge City Council. “This was the only race I ever
lost in my life, but in the process, I learned two extremely
valuable lessons. During the campaign, my father had left me
to my own devices, but when it was over, he pointed out that
I had taken my own neighborhood for granted. He was right.
I had received a tremendous vote in the other sections of the
city, but I hadn’t worked hard enough in my own backyard.
‘Let me tell you something I learned years ago,’ he said. ‘All
politics is local.’”
This is an overwhelming reason to establishing a local
chapter. I had the pleasure to speak to those attending the
organizational meeting in New Jersey when the pile drivers
in that area were discussing their chapter. I told them that on
bid day we are all competitors, but every other day of the week
we have the opportunity to work together to build stronger
relationships, represent our industry, and affect change at the
local level. There is no better way to secure your future than
to have a united voice that speaks loud and clear to those who
have the ability to impact your business.
Coeur d’Alene Golf and Spa Resort. Sound familiar?
It should because we have been talking about the PDCA’s
14 th Annual International Conference and Expo at Coeur
d’Alene, Idaho for about seven months. On May 6, 7, and
8, 2010, the PDCA will be at one of the most spectacular
resorts in the Northwestern U.S. – the Coeur d’Alene Golf
and Spa Resort.
Executive Director’s Message
• PDCA is currently identifying our speakers for the
program, but much of the other activities have
been completed. They include the PDCA’s Award
Luncheon; 3 rd Annual PDCA Golf Tournament
(Coeur d’Alene – ranked #1 in “Beauty and
Esthetics” and #2 “Best Resort Golf Course in the
Nation” (GolfDigest); an Opening Reception with
our exhibitors, including music by Robert Vaughn;
the Companion’s Program, including off-site shopping,
Culinary Cooking with the Chef’s at Beverly’s,
and our traditional Spa Treatments to pamper the
ladies before the annual dinner; a dinner cruise on
Lake Coeur d’Alene and our Annual Dinner / Dance
with a Northwest theme – Early Frontier! Mark your
calendars now for this upcoming PDCA event – You
won’t want to miss this one.
Finally, I want to personally thank all of the PDCA
members who continue to support and participate in the
PDCA. I want to thank the PDCA Board of Directors, whose
leadership and wisdom kept us moving forward in a tough
economy. I want to thank all the Committee Chairs and
Committee Members who are the real backbone of this organization
– your work is significantly important to the PDCA.
And I want to thank all of you for giving me the tremendous
honor of serving as your executive director. We accomplished
a lot together and together in 2010 we can continue to do
great things for our businesses, industry and association.
Happy Holidays and may 2010 bring you hope, peace and
prosperity. t
• Q4 • 2009
11