Hawaii Construction Career Day Guide

J. Gerry MajkutAge: 49Position: PresidentCompany: General Contractors Association of Hawai‘iGeneral contractors from the four major islands formed theGeneral Contractors Association of Hawai‘i in 1932. Seventy-six years later, theassociation has 540 corporate members. The majority of them are contractors,who perform all types of construction, but the membership also includesmaterial and equipment dealers, financial institutions, surveyors, attorneys,engineers, consultants, and insurance and bonding companies.Affiliated with the national Associated General Contractors of America, GCAHawai‘i offers services to its members while also promoting and improvingthe industry. The association is a voice for the construction industry at thestate capitol. Its Build Hawai‘i Awards recognizes the best of the best in theconstruction industry. The GCA also manages a medical plan and offerseducational seminars and training programs. And, in a business where safety isparamount, the GCA holds safety workshops and certification training as wellas an annual construction safety awards program.J. Gerry Majkut was elected president of the GCA in January this year.“If you enjoy working withpeople, like day-to-daychallenges, enjoy workingoutside at times and beingpart of a team; this is agreat business to be in.”Q: What is your role as president?A: As president of the GCA, I serve as one of the representatives for Hawai‘i at thenational Association of General Contractors of America annual meeting. I am alsoresponsible for conducting our monthly meetings, representing the GCA at activitiesand functions, and working with the GCA executive vice president, Johnny Higa, andthe GCA board members as we address the concerns and issues in our industry.Q: What do you enjoy about your job?A: As president of the GCA, I am fortunate to be able to meet and interact with a lotof people in our industry. I am able to learn more about the overall industry and theissues we face.Q: What do you do when you’re not taking careof association business?A: Membership participation in the GCA is voluntary soevery GCA member also has full-time responsibilities at theirown place of work. I am a senior vice president at Dick PacificConstruction, where I am responsible for Hawai‘i and Guamoperations.Q: What is your background and training?A: You could say I grew up in the construction industry,starting with my summer jobs in college. I am originally from theMainland and relocated to Hawai‘i in 1999. My undergraduate8degree is from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and I receivedmy Masters from Jacksonville University in Florida. Initially, Iwas involved in the mechanical aspects of our industry (steamfitters, plumbers, boilermakers) and steel erection, followed bywork in the civil and building industry. Most of my career andtraining after college has been on the project site. There is atremendous amount of knowledge that is gained from working atthe project sites.Q: Are you seeing any new trends in thebusiness?A: The use of technology is growing rapidly, especially in areasof computer modeling, GPS and building materials.