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NUCA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Are You Operating in a Vacuum
When I first started out in underground utility construction
with my father, I was 17 years old. I think it is
accurate to say that I was totally focused on the daily
work and virtually oblivious to outside events that
might affect that work. That kind of thinking and behavior pretty
much epitomizes the expression “operating in a vacuum.” As I grew
older and the company expanded, I realized that I needed additional
skills and knowledge to operate more effectively. At the same time,
I realized that what I was doing represented only a small part of the
utility construction industry and that I could enhance my company’s
standing by actively participating in the industry as a whole. When I
joined NUCA, I also learned that my issues were shared by contractors in other segments of
the industry.
Gaining exposure to the big picture, I began to see not only how government laws and
regulations and policies directly affected my company, but also how contractors working together
could influence the thinking of politicians. Regardless of political persuasion, anyone
who earns a paycheck from our industry can reap the benefits of having a collective “contractor
position” advanced by NUCA. The association not only lobbies individual lawmakers,
but also presents the underground utility’s position in testimony before critical congressional
committees. Whatever the issue — infrastructure investment, stimulus disbursements,
card check legislation, affordable small business health care, withholding tax on government
contracts, federal estate tax, etc. — NUCA is on Capitol Hill every day advancing legislation
favorable to the industry and fighting legislation that is not. And don’t forget about federal
agencies, where regulations absolutely impact your operations and ultimately your bottom
line. Whether it’s EPA, OSHA or the Department of Transportation (to name a few), NUCA is
constantly monitoring regulations proposed by federal agencies and weighing in to make sure
our voice is heard.
I have focused here on what NUCA does for its members in the legislative and regulatory
arena; there are of course many other tangible benefits the association provides in terms of
safety programs and initiatives, professional education, resources, etc. Read the introduction
to the enclosed Membership Directory for all the details (p. 26).
The overall point I want to make is that there’s more to being in business than just cranking
out the jobs in your little corner of the world. Once I joined NUCA, I ceased operating in that
kind of vacuum. I now consider myself to be an informed contractor, armed with the information
and support I need not only to stay competitive in tough economic times, but also to play
an active role in shaping the future of the utility construction industry.
Feeling lonely out there on your own Then it’s time to join NUCA.
Regards,
BENJAMIN MEDIA
Publishing Team
Publisher
Bernard P. Krzys — bkrzys@benjaminmedia.com
Associate Publisher
Robert D. Krzys — robk@benjaminmedia.com
Editor
James W. Rush — jrush@benjaminmedia.com
Managing Editor
Keith Gribbins — kgribbins@benjaminmedia.com
Associate Editor
Jason Morgan — jmorgan@benjaminmedia.com
Contributing Editors
Sharon M. Bueno — sbueno@benjaminmedia.com
Bradley Kramer — bkramer@benjaminmedia.com
Pam Stask — pstask@benjaminmedia.com
Greg Thompson — gthompson@benjaminmedia.com
Creative Director
W.M. Conley — mconley@benjaminmedia.com
Graphic Designer
Elizabeth C. Stull — estull@benjaminmedia.com
Marketing Manager
Pete McNeil — pmcneil@benjaminmedia.com
Regional Sales Representative
Ryan Sneltzer — rsneltzer@benjaminmedia.com
Circulation Manager
Alexis R. Tarbet — atarbet@benjaminmedia.com
NUCA
Officers
President
Lyle Schellenberg — Salem, Ore.
President-Elect
Dan East — Albuquerque, N.M.
Senior Vice President
Ryan Schmitt — Jacksonville, Fla.
Treasurer
Alex Paris — Atlasburg, Penn.
Secretary
James Barron — Joppa, Md.
NUCA
Vice Presidents
Bill Bocchino
Jacksonville, Fla.
Virginia DiCristofaro
Warwick, R.I.
Chuck Dimick
Las Vegas, Nev.
Glenn Ely
Newtown, Pa.
Alan Gravel
Powder Springs, Ga.
Florentino Gregorio
Washington, D.C.
Ricky Harp
Fayetteville, Ga.
John Letourneau
Duluth, Minn.
Ron Nunes
West Warwick, R.I.
NUCA
Staff
Chad Reed
Dover, Del.
Dave Rice
Henderson, Nev.
Mark Scoccolo
Pacific, Wash.
Mike Smith
Albuquerque, N.M.
Keith Steen
West Point, Ga.
Bruce Wendorf
Punta Gorda, Fla.
Andy Wolf
Davenport, Iowa
Kirk Woodward
Phoenix, Ariz.
Chief Executive Officer
Bill Hillman — bhillman@nuca.com
Chief Operating Officer
Linda Holtz — linda@nuca.com
Director of Communications
Susan Williams — susan@nuca.com
6 Utility Contractor | May 2009
Lyle Schellenberg
May 2009 Volume 33, Number 5 Utility
Contractor (ISSN 1098-0342) is published
monthly for the National Utility Contractors Association
by Benjamin Media Inc., 1770 Main
Street, PO Box 190, Peninsula, OH 44264.
Periodicals postage paid at Peninsula, OH and
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per year. Subscription rate for members
is $15, which is included in the dues. ©2009
NUCA. All rights reserved by the National Utility
Contractors Association for articles contained
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