construction education foundation of georgia

CEFGA 2011 Magazine:CEFGA Magazine 2/17/11 7:35 PM

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The Official Publication of the 2011 CareerExpo & SkillsUSA Championships 3

2010 - 2011 Governing Board John Doherty, Pyramid Masonry – President Gary Bishop, PCL Industrial Construction Company –

President-elect Jeffrey Diamond, Goodman – Immediate Past PresidentBrian Burleigh, Turner Construction Company Allen Calhoun, Lusk & Company Lisa Capicik, Brasfield & Gorrie Sonny Cannon, Georgia Department of Education Wanda Dunaway, Juneau Construction Co. Randy Hall, Batson-Cook Debra Howell, Georgia Power John Kelly, Hardin Construction Company J.R. Maxam, Holder Construction Company Gretchen Orrin, Athena Construction Group Welton Pruitt, Sales Solutions Regina Shelnutt, Robert M. Anderson, Inc. Rilo Stephens, Eckardt Electric Ricky Vickery, Rogers Construction Company

2010 - 2011 Advisory BoardJay Cunningham, Superior Plumbing Doug Davidson, New South Construction Company Pete Frey, The Georgia Contractor Phil Greeves, JAMCO Mark Hornbuckle, HB Training & Consulting Mike Kenig, Holder Construction Company Brent Reid, Winter Construction Company

2011 CareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championships Planning CommitteeE.V. Bennett, Holder Construction CompanyGary Bishop, PCL Industrial Construction CompanyJamie Buck, Masonry Association of Georgia

Jody Brookshire, Applied SoftwareKenneth Cook, Pyramid MasonryJohn Doherty, Pyramid MasonryBridgette Dye, MBA Waste ServicesJenny Houlroyd, Georgia Tech Research InstitutePat Dunwoody, ABC of GeorgiaMichael Edwards, JAMCoPete Frey, The Georgia ContractorTim Grimes, Dollar ConcreteTasha Hardegree, Georgia PowerJulie Harris, JAMCoTrey Harrison, Georgia System OperationsMichael Hasamoh, Holder Construction CompanyTodd Hawkins, Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC)Annslee Hillyer, Brasfield & GorrieCaleb Jakushev, Turner Construction CompanyWill Jones, PCL Industrial Construction CompanyChuck Little, Atlanta Electrical Contractors AssociationBrenda Morris, Georgia TechRod Owen, C.C. Owen Tile CompanyTheresa Schroeder, Turner Construction CompanyRegina Shelnutt, Robert M. AndersonLisa Shumate, Shumate MechanicalRick Smith, Georgia Department of TransportationCherri Watson, Georgia Branch, AGCJonathan Worrell, OSHA

CEFGA StaffScott Shelar, Executive DirectorKevin Ward, Director of OperationsTangie Judy, Office ManagerStephanie Dilorio, Marketing and Communications

iBuild is CEFFGA’s official publication for the 2011 CareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championships. Thismagazine is designed to provide additional information about career opportunities in the building indus-try: descriptions of careers, testimonials, success stories, training opportunities, contact information topursue a career in the building industry and more!

A special thanks to the individuals and companies who make this magazine possible, and who makethe CareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championships such a great event.

CEFGA is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to promoting careers in the construction industry. Established by industry leaders in 1993, CEFGAconnects the construction industry and the education system in Georgia. For more information about CEFGA, please visit our website atwww.cefga.org or call (678) 889-4445.

Welcome to i Build

CEFGA • 3585 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road • Suite 301 • Suwanee, Georgia 30024 • Phone: 678-889-4445 • Fax: 678-889-4446

Published by TGC Publishing, LLC • 1154 Lower Birmingham Road • Canton, Georgia 30115 • 770-521-8877 • www.TGCPublishing.com


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t is awesome to bepart of the CareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championshipsevery year! And it is so rewarding to watch it grow, too.

We introduced this event for the first time in April 2005at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. That year, we had about1,000 attendees. This year, we will host nearly 7,000 atten-dees at the Georgia International Convention Center inCollege Park on March 17-18.

What strikes me most about the CareerExpo andSkillsUSA State Championship is its universal appeal to edu-cators, students and industry. Each group loves the event.And, they love it for different reasons.

Educators love it because it helps to motivate their stu-dents. It demonstrates tools, equipment and materials theydon’t have in their classrooms or labs. It provides access toindustry experts, who can reinforce basic concepts and intro-duce new information. It answers the age-old question thatevery generation of student asks: “How am I ever going touse math or science or English in the real world?” And theanswer is coming from a 2nd or 3rd voice. It’s not “just” theteacher saying it.

Students love the event because it is a different approachto education. Sure, it’s a day out of school. But, it’s a day ina very different learning environment. It is purposefullyhands-on and fun. And our approach this year of using aschool (Arabia Mountain High School) as our focus projector teaching tool throughout the event, is a great addition.Our hope is that by re-creating elements of Arabia MountainHigh School at the CareerExpo, we will cause students tolook at their own school—the sidewalks, walls, bathrooms,gymnasiums, etc.—differently.

StateChampionships: From 1,000 to 7,000Attendees in Seven Short YearsBy Scott Shelar, Executive Director of CEFGA

Scott Shelar is in his 13th year as executive director of CEFGA. Scott and his wife Kara are the proud parents of two futureCareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championship attendees - Martin (3 years) and Sophie (3 months).

So, that brings us to industry. What is it about theCareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championships that keepsindustry coming back year after year? What is it that causesindustry to continue to invest time and resources in this event,especially in this current economic climate?

From a business standpoint, construction and energyleaders recognize that 49-percent of our current workforceare Baby Boomers. This means the construction and ener-gy industries will lose nearly half of their existing work-force to retirement in the coming years. I read recentlythat, starting in January 2011, 10,000 Baby Boomers areretiring every day!

So, the construction and energy industries are investingtoday in programs like the CareerExpo and SkillsUSA toplant seeds with the next generation workforce.

The other reason industry loves the CareerExpo andSkillsUSA event is that they enjoy connecting with youngpeople. It’s why many adults go into teaching. There issomething special about connecting with young people;seeing that light come on; knowing they’ve made a differ-ence in the life of a student. Formany of our industry volunteers,this is their one shot each year ofconnecting with students.

We hope you enjoy thisyear’s new format! Thanks againto all of the educators, studentsand industry professionals formaking the CareerExpo andSkillsUSA State Championshipssuch a great event! �

CareerExpo and SkillsUSA

I



An Official Welcome fromthe Honorary Chair of the 2011 CareerExpoand SkillsUSA State Championships.From Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle

Honorary Chair


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ABOUT CEFGACEFGA partners with construction com-panies, trade associations, theTechnical College System of Georgia,and the Georgia Department ofEducation to support training programsand encourage students to pursuecareers in construction.

Our MissionWe are committed to building a talentpipeline for Georgia's constructionindustry.

Our VisionWe seek to raise the profile of the con-struction industry and position careersin construction as a top choice for anystudent pursuing a well-paid, excitingand rewarding professional life.

What We Do

• We advocate for construction edu-

cation in the state of Georgia.

• We organize Careers in

Construction Week in the fall and

CareerExpo and SkillsUSA

Georgia State Championships in

the spring.

• We accredit construction programs

at Georgia schools to industry-

developed standards.

• We issue the construction industry’s

most recognized credentials,

NCCER certificates, to Georgia

teachers and students

Interested in learning more aboutCEFGA?Contact Executive Director Scott Shelarat 678-889-4445.

What is CEFGA?

Our key partners include:


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Sponsors and participating companies of the 2011 CareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championships (as of February 16, 2011):

A&B Sheet MetalAffinity Service Group/CompTrustAGCAGC Young Leadership ProgramAllison Smith CompanyAlterna CorporationAMEC - Kamtech, Inc.AMEC Power and Process AmericasAmerican Institute of Architects

Atlanta Chapter (AIA)American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)Applied SoftwareAshford Gardeners ASSE Georgia ChapterAssociated Builders and

Contractors of Georgia (ABC)Atlanta Commercial MillworksAtlanta Electrical Contractors

Association (AECA)Atlanta Ironworkers JAC Local 387 Atlantic Coast Construction

Management ServicesB&G SupplyBalfour Beatty ConstructionBartow County SchoolsBatson CookBeatty ConstructionBenning Construction CompanyBlock USABlue Collar ClubBoral BrickBrasfield & GorrieBrick Industry Association Southeast RegionC & A Johnson PlumbingC. C. Owen Tile Company, Inc.Cabinets by DesignCalculated IndustriesCaroma USA Inc.CC Owen Tile CompanyChampion Construction Systems, Inc.Choate Construction CompanyCity of AtlantaCNA SuretyConditioned Air SystemsConstruction Clean-Up Specialists, Inc.Corporate EnvironmentsDixie ConstructionDoster Construction CompanyDuPont TyvekEckardt Electric CompanyElectric Cities of GeorgiaEnvironmental StoneworksFayette Custom MillworkFitzgerald PlumbingFlorida Masonry Apprenticeship &

Education FoundationFly & FormGalloway’s Masonry, Inc.Gardner Sheet MetalGay Construction CompanyGeneral Motors

Georgia Branch, Associated General Contractors (AGC)

Georgia Concrete and Products AssociationGeorgia Department of TransportationGeorgia Electric Membership CorporationGeorgia Energy and Industrial

Construction ConsortiumGeorgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgia Local Section AIHAGeorgia Masonry Supply, Inc. (GMS)Georgia PowerGeorgia Southern UniversityGeorgia System Operations CorporationGeorgia TechGeorgia Tech Research InstituteGeorgia Tech School of Building ConstructionGeorgia Transmission CorporationGeorgia Utility Contractors AssociationGet Into Energy GeorgiaGoodman Governor’s Office of Workforce DevelopmentGreater Atlanta Economic AllianceHardin Construction Company LLCHB NEXTHB Training & ConsultingHD Supply White CapHertz Equipment RentalHJ-DP/ GAEA - International

Aviation ConsultantsHobart BrothersHolder Construction CompanyIndependent Electrical Contractors (IEC)

Atlanta and Georgia ChaptersInglett & Stubbs Electrical ConstructionIvey MechanicalJAMCoJeffreys Manufacturing SolutionsJohnson ConcreteJuneau Construction Company LLCKeep Smiling PlumbingKONE, Inc.LAFARGE North AmericaLeco MechanicalLincoln ElectricLogan Masonry, Inc.Lowe’sLusk & CompanyManhattan Construction CompanyMarek Interior Systems, Inc.Masonry Association of Georgia, Inc.Mayberry ElectricMBA Waste Enterprises, LLCMetromont CorporationMetroPower IncMiller Electric CompanyMobile Communications of GwinnettMSAMSIMulkey EnterprisesNCCER/Pearson

New South Construction Co.North Georgia Brick Co., Inc.Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA)Oglethorpe Power Corporation (OPC)Oldcastle Architectural Inc.Pace Drywall CompanyParrish Construction GroupPCL Industrial Construction CompanyPearson/NCCERPerkins+WillPlumbing & Mechanical Association

of Georgia (PMA)PlumbWorksPotts ConstructionPPC FoundationPrecision Concrete Construction, Inc.Premier Contract CarpetPyramid Masonry Contractors Inc.Republic Demolition Inc.RichliteRobert M. Anderson Inc.Sales Solutions, Inc.Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD)School of Building Construction/Georgia TechSECO Architectural SystemsSDC ConcreteSherwin WilliamsShumate MechanicalSmart BoardSoutheast LinkSouthern Polytechnic State UniversitySouthface Energy InstituteSunbelt RentalsSuperior Plumbing ServiceTebarco MechanicalTechnical College System of GeorgiaTGC Publishing LLCThe Quikrete CompaniesTraffic TechnologiesTraneTri-County EMCTurner Construction CompanyU.S. Green Building Council Georgia ChapterUnited ElectricUnited FormingUnited RentalsUP ScaffoldingUSA Ready MixUSDOL- Wage and HourUSDOL-OSHAWayne J. Griffin Electric Inc.Winter ConstructionWiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.Yates Insurance Agency

A special thanks


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2011 CareerExpo & SkillsUSAState Championships Presenting Sponsors



2011 CareerExpo & SkillsUSAState Championships Presenting Sponsors


From your school to the 50-story officebuilding downtown, every single

building you see represents thework of hundreds, even thou-sands of construction profes-sionals. Construction is oneof the top ten growth indus-tries in United States andone of the most diversifiedand complex. “In construc-

tion it’s possible to do somany things,” says

Turner ConstructionCompany’s Caleb

Jakushev. “You could,for example, build a golf

course, go in business for your-self, work on an oil rig, estimatetake-off, become a BIM expert,or work for a horizontal GC con-structing roads & bridges. It’s

really up to you.” According to the Bureau of Labor

Statistics, opportunities to own your ownbusiness are better in construction thanany other industry. Hogan ConstructionCompany Vice President Beth Gabbettsays, “there is a strong history of entre-preneurship in construction and muchevidence of people who master a tradegoing on to develop management skillsand start their own company.”Opportunities in construction are increas-ing, but the workforce is shrinking.

For young people, this is goodnews. The business is rapidly changingwith the emergence of new technology,such as building information modeling,and sustainable (green) building prac-tices. Construction professionals aredeveloping new models for collaborat-ing across disciplines within the industry

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Talented Young People, Choose Construction!

Hard hats?Backhoes?

Concrete trucks?Cranes? Skyscrapers?

Commercial construction is all

of this and much, much more.

What comes to mind when

you hear the word

construction?



Construction is…Planning; working outside; workinginside; digging; designing; testing;hammering; inspecting; installing;communicating; operating heavyequipment; purchasing; laying brick;reviewing quality; troubleshooting;painting; managing; wiring; selling;estimating costs; tracking budgets;hiring people; establishing contracts;assessing risk

• Think about your interests andskills and make a list to consultwhen exploring careers

• Talk to construction profession-als in your family and commu-nity and at the CareerExpo andCareers in Construction Week.Find out what they do. Askthem what they like about theirjobs and what type of educationand training they needed to getstarted in their career.

• Seek advice from your teacheror guidance counselor

• Participate in skill building pro-grams like SkillsUSA

• Volunteer to develop skills andmeet people

• Find an internship or summerjob

• Research education and train-ing programs such as appren-ticeship programs, technicalcollege degrees, and universitydegrees

• Set goals for yourself• Plan your education and train-

ing according to your goals• Let your passion and ambition

guide you!

Find the career for you!

to respond to these changes as well asshifts in the market. Companies areplanning for the future labor shortageand eager to recruit qualified, motivat-ed young people.

There are three main routes fordeveloping a career in the constructionindustry: enroll in an apprenticeshipprogram to learn a trade; obtain trades-specific certificates and degrees at atechnical college; pursue a universitydegree in construction management,engineering, or architecture. Now is thetime for middle and high school students

to explore their interests and think aboutthe future. Because the constructionindustry is so large and so complex, itcan be helpful to think about jobs as theyrelate to phases of a building project.

What sounds most exciting to you?Designing a building? Building a build-ing? Energizing a building? This list ofcareers provides a starting point forinvestigating the exciting, rewarding,and well-paid opportunities in con-struction. Where and how far you go isup to you! �

Design It!ArchitectCommercial Interiors DesignerBuilding Information Modeling (BIM)SpecialistEngineer

Built It!EstimatorField engineerForemanSuperintendentProject EngineerProject ManagerMasonElectrician

Energize It!LineworkerTechnicianPower plant operatorPipefitterEngineer


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Green YOUR Schools, Georgia!

You may remember when greenwas just a color. Today it has anentirely new meaning. Greenequals sustainability, the conceptof meeting present needs with-out compromising the ability offuture generations to meet theirneeds. In reality, what it actuallymeans to “be green” is a ques-tion that many communities andcompanies are trying to answer.

The construction industry is embrac-ing the question and rapidly developingnew technologies and practices toreduce building-related environmentalimpacts while creating spaces that arehealthier for people and cost less tooperate. This effort is called “greenbuilding,” and it’s transforming design,construction, and operations.

Green building also has the poten-tial to transform schools in Georgia.Green schools have demonstrated directbenefits to student health and perform-ance. They are less expensive to oper-ate and more suited to learning withgood indoor air quality, improvedacoustics, and comfortable indoor tem-

peratures. In 2008, Arabia MountainHigh School in Lithonia becameGeorgia’s first LEED-silver certified pub-lic high school. LEED is the leadinggreen building certification program,operated by the United States GreenBuilding Council (USGBC).

When a new school is constructedmore counties are considering greenbuilding practices and materialsbecause they make financial sense aswell as environmental sense. USGBCGeorgia Chapter (USGBC-GA)Executive Director Leesa Carter says,“green schools do not cost more to buildthan a conventional school. In fact, atypical green school saves $100,000per year in direct costs.”

What about existing schools,though? Can green building be appliedto 30-year old schools? The answer isyes. The USGBC-GA is challengingGeorgia to make all schools, new andexisting, green within a generation.This may sound like a rather ambitiousgoal, but USGBC-GA director LeesaCarter will convince you otherwise.

Surprisingly, behavioral changesand facility operations, such as turningoff lights and using energy-efficient light

bulbs can deliver tremendous savings tothe school. “Schools can quickly andsignificantly reduce energy bills withvery simple measures,” Ms. Carter says.“We have created tools to help retrofitschools and implement operation prac-tices without any additional costs.” TheUSGBC-GA provides free consulting ongreening schools, affordable programsfor financing upgrades, and trainingprograms for facilities staff.

The USGBC also wants students totake a leadership role in greening theirschool, and is partnering with CEFGAand SkillsUSA on a new sustainabilitycontest called Green YOUR School.Working with an advisor, students willform sustainability teams and develop aplan to green their school. They willcompete at the 2012 SkillsUSAChampionship by submitting their planto reduce energy costs for their school.

“This program,” says CEFGAExecutive Director Scott Shelar, “givestudents an incredible opportunity tolearn first hand about green buildingand develop valuable skills for a careerin the building industry.” �

Arabia MountainHigh School wasGeorgia’s firstLEED-silver certified public highschool.



Why Green Schools?

• Green Schools are healthier.

• A typical green school shows a25% reduction in asthma and15% reduction in cols and flu.

• Healthier students perform bet-ter on tests and show greaterachievements in learning.

Greening an Existing SchoolBuilding renewal, or retrofitting, projects would include:

• High-efficiency Lighting retrofits• High-efficiency HVAC systems• Water-saving plumbing fixtures• Solid Waste Reduction & Recycling Programs• Operations & maintenance re-training • Window glazing & Weatherization

For more information on USGBC-GA’s services, Contact Leesa [email protected] www.usgbcga.org

How much money could your school save if it used less energy?

You can answer this question!

Develop a plan to reduce energy.Take action.Share your results.

To win the 2012 SkillsUSA Green YOUR School! Contest…

Form a team for this brand new competition in 2012. Make an impact onyour school, meet LEED certified industry professionals, and learn mar-ketable skills for an exciting career in the building industry.

The Green YOUR School! Contest is sponsored by SkillsUSA in partnershipwith United States Green Building Council Georgia Chapter and CEFGA.

GreenYOUR School

For more information, contactGayle SilveyState Director, SkillsUSA Georgia

[email protected] (770) 914-6288


If you’re 18… You may perform any job at any place for unlimited hours.

If you’re 16 or 17… You can work any job not declared hazardous by the Secretary of Labor, for unlimited hours.Hazardous jobs include roofing, excavation, demolition, working with saws, driving cars, and operating forklifts or power-driven machines.

If you are an apprentice or bona-fide student learner you may work in these hazardous job areas. Being a bona-fidelearner means that you are a student who is learning a trade in a career and technical training program.

You must have a written agreement with your employer and principal about the type of work and the duration of thework. You must also complete safety training.

If you’re 14 or 15…You can work in an office or retail environment. There are opportunities in construction managementoffices, with architects or designers, and with vendors in showrooms or retail centers. Students in this age group have limita-tions on their work hours of 18 hours per week for school weeks and 40 hours per week during non-school weeks.

These regulations are in place to ensure the safety of young workers, while keeping learning—not performing jobtasks—at the forefront.

Safety matters. Safety is important not just for you, but for your entire workplace.

CEFGA Safety PartnersTogether, these organizations work to enhance the safety of the thousands of construc-tion students in Georgia through the Georgia Youth Alliance:

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Construction Safety Facts for Teens

OSHA Atlanta-EastOSHA Atlanta-WestOSHA SavannahAmerican Industrial Hygiene AssociationAmerican Society of Safety EngineersFoundation

Brasfield & GorrieCork-HowardGeorgia Branch, AGCGeorgia PowerGeorgia Tech Research Institute,Occupational Safety & Health Division

Georgia Department of EducationRogers Construction Company

We always want to protect ouryouth and guide them into the

future with real career possibilities.Proper training and safety are

always priority.

Whether you are a young worker just starting your career, an educator training tomorrow’s work-force, or an employer concerned about keeping young employees safe, the Center for Young WorkerSafety and Health at Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is ready to provide you with the resourcesyou need. Created in October 2010, the Center is dedicated to equipping young workers, theirteachers, employers and parents with the training, educational resources, technical expertise, andonline resources they need to promote safe and healthy work practices and to prevent occupationalinjuries and illnesses.

In addition to the resources provided on the Center’s website, at www.startsafeonline.org, theprogram also offers three distinct training programs. The “Young Worker Safety and Health GeneralAwareness Training” is a one to two hour training module that focuses on the importance of youngworker safety and health. The “Young Worker Safety and Health Training for Instructors andEmployers” is a four hour workshop that provides employers and teachers with all the resources theyneed to train young workers. And finally, the “Start Safe: A Safety and Health Primer for YoungWorkers” training is a 6-8 hour workshop class designed for young workers, ages 15-24, as theyenter the workforce. These classes are designed to be delivered in either a classroom setting or at aplace of employment. For more information or to schedule a training session, contact us at [email protected]. �

GA Tech Research Institute Opens Center for Young Worker Safety and Health


Plan now to participate in this exciting weekof activities bringing industry professionalstogether with schools.


Contact CEFGA at 678.889.4445 or [email protected] to register your company or school.

Companies & Schools!Save the Date for

Careers in ConstructionWeek 2011

October17-21


As a young girl, Beniquez Palmer knewshe would pursue a career in the con-struction industry. Growing up inHuntsville, Alabama, she listened to herfather, Jesse L. Johnson, and her grand-father, Ollie Johnson, talk about theirbusiness, Johnson Brothers ConstructionCompany, and spent summers as ateenager working on the company’s res-idential concrete projects. Building wasa way of life.

It still is. Beniquez, now a projectmanager at New South ConstructionCompany in Atlanta, has taken her ownpath. Inspired by two summers of EPAwork as part of NASA’s Summer HighSchool Apprenticeship Program(SHARP) for high school students,Beniquez decided to study civil engi-neering at Tennessee State University inNashville. After earning her bachelor’sdegree in civil engineering in 1999 shemoved to Atlanta to work in the watermanagement department at Arcadis, acivil engineering consultancy.

She enjoyed the work of designingplans, and found herself, over time,drawn to work in the field. “I wanted toknow,” Beniquez says “what happenswhen the soil isn’t the same as expect-ed? Or if the products you chose aren’tavailable?” The challenges of solvingimmediate problems on a job site whenfaced with a ticking clock and tightbudget appealed to Beniquez, motivat-ing her to shift her career from civil engi-neering to construction management.

After taking night classes atSouthern Polytechnic State Universitywhile working full time, she graduatedin 2003 with a master’s degree in con-struction management, and was hiredas a project engineer for New SouthConstruction. Seven years later,Beniquez is full of stories about over-coming challenges in the field and veryknowledgeable on the inner workings ofthe Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport,where the majority of her projects havebeen located.

Among her favorite projects is therenovation of Delta’s South Terminal.Because the terminal remains open dur-ing construction projects, the project hadto be completed under the radar. “Wehad to put up temporary walls so pas-sengers wouldn’t be disturbed andschedule most of our work at night,”remembers Beniquez. “Running a proj-ect at the airport that couldn’t be seen,heard, or smelled is a real challenge.

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A Family Business for New South Project Manager

Education requirements: Bachelor’sdegree in ConstructionManagement, Civil Engineering orrelated field

Typical Career Path:Project EngineerProject ManagerSenior Project Manager

Salary Range:$45,000 – $100,000 +

Beniquez

Palmer

ConstructionManagement

Project Managementat a Glance



We had to get very creative!”When talking about her work,

Beniquez constantly uses the word “we.”Good teamwork is on her list of successfactors for a project. As a manager,Beniquez sets clear expectations andcoaches her people to meet those expec-tations. “You have to respect your teammembers and thank them,” she says.“It’s a great feeling to see a finishedproduct. You have to remember thatyou didn’t get there by yourself.”

Beniquez enjoys working for a gen-eral contractor because she works withevery trade and discipline across theindustry. She describes New SouthConstruction as a family, saying “peoplelook out for each other here.” Next,Beniquez hopes to become a seniorproject manager for the company andperhaps go into business development.“Who is better to sell projects thansomeone who knows how the processworks,” she comments.

Tom Troutman, Executive VicePresident at New South Constructionsays, “We are proud to consider Beni asa part of our family. We look forward tomany more years of her passion andleadership in the construction industry.”When asked if she’ll take over JohnsonBrothers Construction Company oneday, Beniquez answers with a smile“maybe one day I’ll run my own busi-ness. We’ll see.” In any case, she’ll bein a family business. �

Why choose general contracting:

• Gain experience with every trade,

discipline

• Work with people

• Solve problems

Keys to success:

• Build relationships with people

• Always try to learn

• Thank people on your team

• Show respect and help people do

good work

Advice for students:

Go with your gut, your heart

Beniquez on Careers


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Hogan Executive Builds on Solid FoundationIn her early twenties, Beth Gabbett wasworking in an art gallery in Chicago.She knew she wasn’t in the right careerand picked up Studs Terkel’s book“Working: People Talk About WhatThey Do All Day and How They FeelAbout What They Do” to learn moreabout different career paths. The per-son, Beth remembers, who seemed themost satisfied with his job was amason. She took note.

Around the same time, Beth learnedabout the Chicago Women in Tradesprogram, a 12-week union entranceexam preparation course, and decidedto enroll. This decision put her on pathto become a seasoned constructionindustry professional with experience inthe trades, project operations, and busi-ness development. After becoming afull-fledged journeyman carpenter andenrolling in a construction managementprogram at an Illinois university, Bethwas offered a job at Archer Western asan office engineer and later, as a safe-

ty engineer. Her Spanish languageskills, which she sharpened while work-ing with largely Spanish-speakingcrews in Chicago, set her apart fromother candidates.

As a safety engineer Beth drew onher experience as a tradesperson andproject staff person to create jobsitebased safety programs; she led safetyorientations for the subcontractors, con-ducted project audits and provided safe-ty training. “Working in safety manage-ment is challenging and rewarding,”says Beth. “I enjoyed helping peoplelearn about how their actions are rele-vant to the bigger picture.” When Bethlater went to work at Hartsfield-JacksonConstruction Management on the fifthrunway project, she took on moreresponsibility as a safety manager.

Among other work, as part of aprogram management team at the air-port, she oversaw contractors’ imple-mentation of field safety programs formultiple simultaneous projects. One of

Education Routes intoSafety Careers:Technical college degree in Safety

and HealthBachelor’s degree in Safety and

HealthField or management experience

plus on-the-job safety trainingand industry safety certificationssuch as OSHA 30 training andCertified Safety Professional cre-dential

Typical Career Path:Safety CoordinatorSafety EngineerSafety ManagerSafety DirectoryCorporate Safety Director

Salary Range:$30,000 – $75,000 +

Beth

Gabbett

SafetyDirector

Phot

o cr

edits

: Hea

ther

Fri

tz

Careers in Construction Safetyat a Glance



Beth’s most challenging experiences onthe project was overseeing the safetyplan for the dynamiting of below groundrock, which was adjacent to the airplanegates. “To do the work, we only had 53seconds between flights taking off,” sherecalls. “It had to be just right.” Herteam also oversaw the implosion of theold FAA tower, a project that wentextremely well due to the cooperationand talent of many professionals.

Beth’s progressive experience insafety operations led her to accept therole of Corporate Director of Safety atHogan Construction Company, whereshe now works. She joined Hogan in anexciting period of growth, and took onthe challenge to re-structure andenhance the company’s safety programto ensure safety remained a top priorityas the company expanded. Bethapproached this project with vigor anddiscipline. She developed an internaltraining program that integrated safetytraining as part of professional develop-ment courses and implemented industry

safety initiatives such as Latino WorkerSafety.

In her role as Corporate SafetyDirector, Beth represented Hogan atindustry events and began to take on agreater role in marketing. At the end of2009, she was promoted to Vice

President of Business Development and

passed the corporate safety reigns to

Richard Terrell, a 35-year industry veter-

an. Beth’s work in establishing the inter-

nal safety program and Mr. Terrell cur-

rent leadership were recently honored

when Hogan was named the winner of

the BB&T Insurance 2010 Lighthouse

Beam Safety Award.

Beth’s career development illus-

trates both her talent and the wealth of

opportunity in the construction industry.

She sees her development from trades-

person to field management to business

development as a “natural progres-

sion,” often seen among business own-

ers in the industry. At Hogan, Beth

appreciates the entrepreneurial spirit of

the company and its participation in

municipal projects. “There’s opportuni-

ty to go as far as your ambition will

take you,” she says. It’s safe, it seems,

to say that Beth will go far. �

Why choose construction safety

• Rewarding and important work

• Requires problem solving

• Demands good communication

Keys to success:

• Strong character

• Dependability

• Hard work


• In construction, you have potential to

become an entrepreneur.

• Find mentors

• Be positive

Beth on Careers

North Georgia Technical College is a public, two-year technical college. In addition to the mainClarkesville Campus, there are campuses located in Blairsville and Toccoa. Students receive invalu-able training in employability skills and hands-on experience with high-tech equipment. The collegeoffers traditional, distance learning, and online courses that lead to a certificate, a diploma, or anassociate’s degree.

NGTC has recently signed agreements with several local colleges that pave the way for stu-dents to get a jump start on an academic history. Certificates in programs such as HVAC to electri-cal maintenance to welding can be completed in a year or less. Visit www.northgatech.edu formore information.

Hogan Construction was awardedBB&T 2010 Lighthouse Beam

Safety Award


When Jon Tuck was in the tenth grade,he decided to pursue a career in theconstruction industry and enrolled in atechnical education program for his jun-ior and senior years. He had alwaysloved working with his hands and fouryears of college didn’t appeal to him; hewanted to jump into work.

Inspired by a family friend, Jonchose plumbing as his concentration. Itbecame immediately clear that he hadchosen well: Jon made straight As in theprogram and won the plumbing compe-tition at the regional VICA SkillsOlympics, a precursor of the SkillsUSAChampionships.

Now, nearly twenty-five years later,Jon is a plumbing industry veteran. InJanuary 2011, he went back to highschool. Only this time, he is the teacher.Jon, with the support of SuperiorPlumbing owner Jay Cunningham, ishelping to establish a brand new con-struction training program at North

Cobb High School. Jon and Jay havemade a good team for many years.They first met in the classroom when Jonwas one of Jay’s second year students inthe Pluming Heating Cooling andContractor’s four-year apprenticeshipprogram.

After sitting for his plumbing statelicense, Jon moved up from plumber toforeman at Tebarco MechanicalCorporation and Eastern MechanicalContractors. Along the way Jon begangiving back to the construction industryas a plumbing instructor for CEFGA’straining program. His experience infield and management led Jon to plumb-ing detail and drawing design atMallory & Evans, an engineering firm.

In 2002, he joined SuperiorPlumbing as service manager, a role inwhich he combined his background asa technician, foreman, designer, andinstructor. Jon wears many hats as aservice manager, supervising hiring,

orientation, and training of newemployees; inspecting workmanship;resolving conflicts with suppliers or cus-tomers. “The best tool I use in my workis my mind,” Jon reflects. “In plumbingyou have to be creative and analytical.You have to overcome obstacles. Solveproblems.”

Jon’s work can be seen all aroundthe metro Atlanta area. Among his

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Superior Plumbing Manager Turns High School Teacher

Education requirements: completionof accredited apprenticeship train-ing; passing state license exam

Typical Career Path:ApprenticePlumberForemanService ManagerProject ManagerBusiness Owner

Salary Range:$45,000 – $100,000

Jon Tuck

Plumber &Teacher

Plumbingat a Glance



favorite projects are expansion of theWorld Congress Center, an enormousundertaking; installing the piping for AllAmerican Gourmet’s food processingplant, an interesting twist on commercialplumbing; and work at some of Atlanta’sbest hospitals such as Northside andGrady.

North Cobb High School studentshave a first-rate teacher to introducethem to the fundamentals of constructionmanagement. Learning from the

National Center for ConstructionEducation and Research’s curriculum,students have the opportunity to earnindustry-recognized credentials.

North Cobb High School PrincipalDr. Phillip Page and Superior Plumbingshare the same vision for students todevelop marketable skills for their future.“The trades are ‘graying’,” says Jon. “Iwant to teach students skills that will bein very high demand when nearly halfof the construction workforce retires in

the next five to ten years.” Jon’s careeroffers a compelling example of how acareer in plumbing is interesting,rewarding, and lucrative. “Studentsneed to pay attention to their gradesand graduate,” Jon says. Life is muchbrighter with education and passion foryour work. �

Why choose plumbing:

• Make a good living

• Work with your hands

• Solve problems

Keys to success:

• Think creatively about

problems and obstacles

• Communicate well

• Be punctual

Advice for students on careers:

• Pay attention to your grades;

graduate from high school

• Learn good communication

skills

• Be passionate about working

with your hands

Jon on Careers

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When Maeruf Hassenimmigrated from

Ethiopia, hedreamed of pro-viding a good lifefor his family.

Although he held auniversity degree in chemical engineer-ing from his home country, Maeruf wasnot able to find a job in his field. Hebegan working in retail at Your DekalbFarmers Market and exploring long-termcareer opportunities. After a friend toldhim about an apprenticeship program atthe Electrical Training Center (ETC),Maeruf knew he was onto something.

Five years later, Maeruf is a jour-neyman electrician and one of AllisonSmith Company’s high potential employ-ees. The ETC apprenticeship program,run by the Atlanta Electrical ContractorsAssociation (AECA) and theInternational Brotherhood of Electrical

Workers (IBEW), prepares future electri-cians through classroom and on-the-jobtraining. Over the course of five years,ETC apprentices attend one day of classevery two weeks and work full-time withan AECA member company. The AECAhas recently invested $5 million to builda state of the art training facility for itsapprentices.

Maeruf was attracted to the pro-gram because he would earn moneywhile learning a trade. “The apprenticeprogram gave me a future,” he says. “Iwas motivated to make money rightaway and find a professional career.”Maeruf built a good reputation in theprogram based on hard work, depend-ability and commitment to learning. Infive years, Maeruf never missed one dayof class, and as a fourth year apprenticehe even managed a small crew.

At his graduation ceremony inDecember 2010, Maeruf was honored

as the Electrical Training Center’sApprentice of the Year. This award rec-ognizing Maeruf’s top performancecomes as no surprise to Kevin Hill,Maeruf’s first foreman at Allison Smith.

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Allison Smith Electrician Achieves the American Dream

Education requirements:Completion of accredited electricalapprenticeship program such asAECA and IBEW’s Electrical TrainingCenter

Typical Career Path:ApprenticeJourneyman WiremanLead JourneymanForemanLead ForemanGeneral ForemanArea Foreman

Salary Range:$22,000 - $72,000 +

MaerufHassen

JourneymanWireman

Journeyman Wiremanat a Glance

Maeruf Hassen; Electrical Contracting; Journeyman Wireman



“Maeruf is one of the most productiveapprentices I’ve had in a long time,”says Mr. Hill. “He’s dependable andhard working. When he doesn’t knowsomething, he asks questions and doeshis research.”

Maeruf credits his success in theprogram to his strong work ethic andMr. Hill’s mentorship. “I believe in hav-ing a commitment to the company. Mywork should make the company moreproductive,” he says. “I wouldn’t behere without Mr. Hill. He helped me tobelieve in myself and taught me what Ineed to know.” Now working as a jour-neyman wireman, Maeruf describes hisbrain as his best tool. “This job,” he says“is never boring. If you like your job, 8hours go by very fast.” From complexinstallations to troubleshooting, Maeruflikes all aspects of his job. At the end ofthe day, he sees the results of his work.

Maeruf Hassen’s life in the UnitedStates is turning out as he had hoped.With a journeyman ticket in hand, a full-time job at Allison Smith Company, anda defined career path, he has created afuture for himself and his family. As hegains more experience, Maeruf hopes tobecome a foreman one day. Hisemployer has plans to invest in hisdevelopment. On the horizon is man-agement training in the AECA CertifiedLeadership Program. In the meantime,he is applying himself and seeking tolearn more on a new project with hisfirst foreman and mentor, Mr. Hill. �

Allison Smith Company’s Kevin Hill and Mike Peters Congratulate Maeruf Hassen, 2010Apprentice of the Year Award Winner

Why choose an electrical apprenticeship

program:

• Earn money while learning a trade

• Receive a recognized qualification

• Find a career with good earning potential

Keys to success:

• Work hard

• Be patient

• Show commitment to company

Advice for students on choosing a career:

• Find a job you like

Maeruf on Careers


After high school, twenty-two year oldGreg Pellerito took an opportunity tolearn masonry alongside his brother-in-law, Bronson Nielson. A year later,Greg took a friend’s suggestion to callPyramid Masonry. He was hired for aproject in Rome, and shortly thereafterhis foreman, Don Nesbit, signed Gregup for the Masonry Association ofGeorgia’s three-year apprenticeshipprogram. Greg stood out in the pro-gram and won MAG’s Apprentice ofthe Year award before turning out as ajourneyman in 2009.

“The apprenticeship program wasa good experience,” Greg says. “Youget to practice and receive critique onyour work. My instructor gave verygood critiques.” As an apprentice,Greg attended class on Tuesday nights,which made working full-time possible.In masonry, it is possible to make agood living, Greg confirms. A journey-

man can move up to foreman and thenproject supervisor and manager.“Pyramid is a big company. Youreceive benefits and can often take onextra work if you’re willing to put inovertime,” Greg remarks.

For Greg, the best way to learnhow to be a good mason has been toobserve the most skilled veterans.Finding a good teacher is important,he feels, as is learning to take criticism.Greg believes working in the field isgood for character development. “Youlearn life-long skills that will help you inthe real world,” he comments. “Thefield pushes you to produce good qual-ity work. If your work is bad, you haveto tear it down.”

Greg enjoys working outside,especially in the fall and spring,instead of being cooped up in anoffice. “At the end of the day,” Gregsays, “I can go home knowing that I

built something that will last. That I hada hand in it.” Greg has also used hismasonry skills on his home. He recentlybuilt a retaining wall in his backyard. Inthe apprenticeship program, studentsalso practice their skills on projects suchas mailboxes or fireplaces. “The train-ing was practical for me,” Greg says. “I

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Pyramid Masonry Journeyman Lays Foundation for a Career

Education requirements:Completion of accredited appren-ticeship program such as MasonryAssociation of Georgia’s program

Typical Career Path:ApprenticeJourneyman MasonForemanProject SupervisorProject ManagerContractor / Owner

Salary Range:$15,000 – 90,000+

Greg

Pellerito

MasonryJourneyman

Masonry at a Glance


Why choose Masonry:

• Make a good living

• Work with your hands

• Be outside

• See the results of your hard work

Keys to success:

• Observe more experienced people

• Take criticism well

• Have fun


• Find something you like

• If you’re not sure what you want to do,

work first

Greg on Careers


was able to find a job and develop skillsthat I can use at home.”

In the fall of 2010, Greg enrolledin Southern Polytechnic StateUniversity’s five-year architecture pro-gram. When he graduated from highschool, he knew that he wasn’t certainof what he wanted to do. “Being out inthe real world is a good experience,”

he says. “Many of my friends went tocollege right after school and droppedout after a year or two.”

Greg knows what he wants to donow. He has chosen to stay in construc-tion because he finds working on aproject from start to finish rewarding.He also enjoys moving on to the nextproject. “To be able to drive around

town and say ‘I helped build that’—that’s a neat feeling.” As a mason,Greg understands construction from afield point of view, and he feels that asan architect he will be able to designmore functional buildings. As a mason,Greg will also be able to support him-self as he earns his degree and entersthe next phase of his career. �

Greg uses his masonry skills on his own home


Caleb Jakushev is six years into hiscareer in construction. In this relativelyshort period of time, he has alreadyexperienced one of the constructionindustry’s strengths: breadth of oppor-tunity. “Building is an always evolvingindustry,” Caleb says. “There arealways new methods and practicesbeing used to adapt to the ever-chang-ing environment.” “Much expertise isrequired dealing with diverse clientsand market segments. There are multi-ple directions someone can takethroughout the course of their career.”

Caleb knew this about the con-struction industry before he even start-ed his own career. His father WalterJakushev, who runs his own residentialconstruction business near Asheville,North Carolina, started out in commer-cial concrete work in New York, work-ing on large-scale projects such asTower II of the World Trade Center.When Caleb decided to go into con-struction, his dad advised him to focuson his education after high school.

Caleb chose to study constructionmanagement and enrolled at WesternCarolina University’s newly establishedCM degree program. In 2005, hegraduated with a Bachelor of Sciencein Construction Management and tooka job with Centex DestinationProperties, a resort community devel-oper. Working on Bear Lake Reserve, a2,200-acre golf course resort nearCashiers, North Carolina, Caleb devel-oped strong supervisory skills and valu-able knowledge for new propertydevelopment.

After three years with Centex,Caleb moved to Atlanta to work asengineer with Turner ConstructionCompany. His first project in 2008 wasa significant one for both the firm andthe state: Arabia Mountain HighSchool, Georgia’s first public LEED-sil-ver certified high school. Caleb joinedthe project in its final stage as a super-intendent. He was responsible for coor-dinating and managing multiple sub-contractor field activities; and conduct-

ing project close out meetings andtraining with facility owner DeKalbCounty School System.

On his next job at the AtlantaPublic Safety Project, Caleb sharpenedhis skills and experience in closing outa project, including ensuring safety andquality compliance and managingcommunications with the project archi-tect, subcontractors, and owner. In2009 Caleb took on a new role as arisk manager working with Turner’sContractor Controlled InsuranceProgram (CCIP). As a risk manager,Caleb is learning the business side of

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Turner Superintendent Sees Opportunity

Career PathField EngineerAssistant EngineerAssistant SuperintendantProject Superintendent

Salary Range:$40,000 – $100,000 +

CalebJakushev

FieldManagement

Field Management in GeneralContracting at a Glance



general contracting, including develop-ing project insurance rates, establish-ing insurance limits within contracts,and educating project staff and sub-contractors on CCIP programs.

“Turner,” Caleb says, “does anexcellent job in developing its people. Ihave great access to valuable resourcesalong with senior management andhave the opportunity to rotate jobswithin the company to learn both thefield and office side of construction.”

Caleb expects his next rotation will takehim back to the field as an engineer orsuperintendent.

The diversity of opportunities in theconstruction industry appeals to Caleb.“In construction it’s possible to do somany things,” he remarks. “You could,for example, build a golf course, go inbusiness for yourself, work on an oilrig, estimate take-off, BIM modeling, orwork for a horizontal GC constructingroads & bridges. It’s really up to you.”

With his experience in new proper-ty development, commercial construc-tion field management, and risk man-agement, Caleb has had a diversifiedcareer in just six years. Long term, heimagines developing his career in aregional management position. In anycase, Caleb knows he is in the rightindustry. “I couldn’t see myself doinganything else. Another career justwouldn’t be me.” �

Reasons to choose field management

• Daily challenge to think on your feet

• Diversity of people – subcontractors,

owners, architects, engineers

• Opportunity to work outside

Keys to success:

• Learn to communicate well

• Be proactive, not reactive

• Put safety first on the agenda

• Show respect for others; learn from others

• Build friendships


• Do what you really enjoy

• Understand the opportunities a career

actually offers

Caleb on Careers


Shawn Hamlin has loved drawing andart since childhood. In high school, hefocused on art and art history and knewhe wanted art to be a part of his career.He also knew he wanted to make apractical living. Because he was good inmath and science, architecture was aclear choice. Shawn enrolled in thearchitecture program at Georgia Techand graduated with a Bachelor ofArchitecture in 1995.

After working for a few years atarchitectural firm Cunningham,Forehand, Matthews & Moore, where hehad interned during college, Shawndecided to complete his Master ofArchitecture and pursue a Bachelor ofConstruction Management. He feltlearning more about construction man-agement, in particular, would make hima better architect and give him a “leg upin solving problems.”

In 2005, Shawn joined Perkins +Will’s K-12 practice. He has developedpassion and expertise in sustainable

design, and was the architect for ArabiaMountain High School, the first LEED-sil-ver certified high school in the state ofGeorgia. Arabia Mountain projectsuperintendent, Turner Construction’sCaleb Jakushev, says that working withShawn was one of the best parts aboutthe project. “I learned so much fromhim,” says Caleb. “He truly understandshow to design functional buildings andwas a great help during construction ofthe school.”

Shawn likens his role as Sr. ProjectArchitect to that of a symphony director.“The director may not know how to playthe flute himself,” Shawn remarks, “buthe knows when it should come in andhow it should sound.” Throughout theproject, owners, engineers, general con-tractors, subcontractors must all work inconcert. Teamwork, Shawn believes, iscritical for success, and it is preciselywhat he enjoys about his job. “EverydayI work with creative people who think sodifferently,” Shawn says. “I learn so

much from my exchange with col-leagues.”

Openness to learning is one of thefactors Shawn cites as important for suc-cess. “My first boss told me,” he recalls,“the day you think you know everythingis the day your career is over.” Whenasked which project is his favorite,Shawn answers “my current project—whichever one I am working on at themoment.” Each project offers a newchance to learn and create something

i Build 201130

Perkins + Will Sr. Architect Directs Design

Education requirements: Bachelor of Architecture

Typical Career Path:InternArchitect / DesignerSr. ArchitectPartner

Salary Range:$45,000 – 100,000+

Shawn

Hamlin

Architect

Architectat a Glance



tangible and substantial. “It’s satisfying

to say ‘I helped build that’,” says Shawn.

At Perkins + Will, Shawn appreci-

ates the ownership he is able to take on

a project. He takes a holistic view of

design, focusing not just on the look and

functionality of the building, but also the

users for whom health, safety, and wel-

fare are critical as well as the environ-

ment and larger community.

“Architecture,” Shawn says, “encom-

passes so much. Math. Art. Science -

Chemistry. Physics.” This combination of

disciplines drew Shawn to the profession

and keeps him engaged today. With the

many aspects and moving parts on a

project, Shawn says a sense of humor is

critical. “Not everything is as serious as

it might seem at first. Problems can be

solved. Humor injects a little levity into

a situation.” �

Why choose architecture:

• Encompasses art, math, and science

• Makes an impact on communities

• Offers constant challenges and opportuni-

ties to learn

Keys to success:

• Passion

• Desire to investigate and learn

• Put safety first on the agenda

• Sense of humor


• Don’t limit yourself.

Shawn on Careers


When TylerS immonsgraduatedf r o m

Southland Academy in 2001, he wentstraight into the world of work. Heenjoyed being outside and workingwith his hands, so he found a job as aheavy equipment operator. After fouryears, though, he was ready for achange. A number of Tyler’s friendsworked for Georgia Power as linemenand talked often about how much theyliked their jobs. He was interested, andhe pursued the opportunity at just theright time.

Georgia Power and South GeorgiaTechnical College had collaborated todevelop a seven-week ElectricalLineworker Apprentice Certification(ELAC) course. The course, which isalso now offered at North GeorgiaTechnical College, DeKalb Technical

College, and Okefenokee TechnicalCollege, covers fundamentals of thetrade. Students receive training onclimbing, commercial driver’s licenserequirements, lineworker equipment,and real-world lineworker simulations.They come out of the course preparedfor Georgia Power’s LinemenDevelopment Program (LDP), a rigor-ous five-year apprenticeship program.

After successfully completing thefirst ELAC course offered at SouthGeorgia Technical College, Tyler start-ed as an LDP apprentice. In 2010, heturned out as a journeyman lineman.His investment of time and hard workhas been worth it. “I like everythingabout the job,” Tyler says. “The pay.Being in the bucket. A new challengeeveryday.” Linemen weather thestorms, literally, for the community.Regardless of the type of day, they dothe work to keep the community pow-ered and operating. Their work israrely in the same place, something

Tyler enjoys. “I like getting to know thecommunity. We go somewhere differ-ent everyday,” he says. “When youbring the lights back on, it’s nice to seethe look on people’s faces.”

Tyler has made good friends withhis fellow linemen. “We are like onebig family,” he describes. “It makes iteasy to go through the day when youare with people you like.” The lineman

i Build 201132

Education requirements: Education requirements: ElectricalLineworker Apprentice Certificationcourse at local technical college;Linemen Development Program

Typical Career Path:ApprenticeJourneyman LinemanSupervisor

Salary Range:$33,000 - $60,000 +

TylerSimmons

Lineman

Georgia Power Linemanat a Glance

Georgia Power Lineman Takes it to the Top



trade requires problem-solving abili-ties, keen awareness of safety issues,and patience. It’s demanding andrewarding. Completing the apprentice-ship program is a significant accom-plishment and stepping-stone to a chal-lenging, exciting, and well-paid job.With good performance, lineman can

typically expect a long career with autility company.

Tyler has observed senior teammembers to learn the job. “A success-ful lineman,” he says, “works hard,pays attention to what’s going on, andlistens to people. In terms of careerdevelopment, Tyler is confident that

there are good opportunities at

Georgia Power to do different jobs and

work his way up. “Right now, I like

being where I am,” he says. “Maybe

one day, I might want to go into light-

ing sales. I’ll see.” �

Why choose Lineman Work:

• Good pay

• Challenging

• Something different everyday

• Get to know the community

Keys to success:

• Pay attention

• Learn by observing

• Listen

• Work hard


• Do something you like.

Tyler on Careers


At 18-years-old, Brandon Tolbert wasworking at Publix when he saw a teamof electricians troubleshooting a prob-lem in the store. A young guy in hisearly 20s was leading the team. “That’swhat I want to do,” Brandon thought.“Those guys, to me, were the coolestguys in the world.” This experiencepushed Brandon to make a change.

He picked up a phone book andstarted calling electrical companies toask about work. After three months with-out any progress, Brandon calledIndependent Electrical Contractors (IEC).Within half an hour, he had signed upfor the apprenticeship program andfound a job with Rogers Electric, one ofAtlanta’s largest electrical contractors.Now, ten years later, Brandon runs hisown electrical contracting company, ACElectrical Contractors.

“At the beginning, I set a goal formyself to own my own company,”Brandon says. “When I was an appren-tice, people would often laugh when I

said I wanted to own my own business.Give it twenty years, one guy said.” ForBrandon, it took just seven. At IEC,Brandon flourished, winning an aca-demic achievement award and theApprentice of the Year award. Afterturning out as a journeyman wireman,Brandon began teaching in the IECapprenticeship program.

At Rogers Electric he proved himselfquickly and became the go-to-guy forsolving problems. He continued to focuson his goal to start his own company,and took a job as a foreman at EliteLighting to develop his supervisoryskills. After a year, he felt he was readyto go out on his own. He talked with amentor at IEC for advice. “He told me Iwasn’t ready. He said I needed to workas a project manager. I didn’t want tohear that, but I did what he said.” Afterworking for Pepco as a project manag-er for a year, Brandon opened his ownbusiness.

He applied for his contractor’s

license with the state of Georgia andstarted AC Electrical Contractors. In justthree years Brandon has grown his com-pany to twelve employees, five of whichare apprentices. In his first year of busi-ness, Brandon was in the field with histeam. As he won more projects in his

i Build 201134

Fast Track to the Top

Education requirements:Completion of accredited electricalapprenticeship program such asIndependent Electrical Contractorsprogram; contractor’s license

Typical Career Path:ApprenticeElectricianForemanProject ManagerContractor / Owner

Salary Range:$20,000 – unlimited

BrandonTolbert

ElectricalContractor

Electrical Contractorat a Glance



second year, it became clear to Brandonthat he needed to move out of the fieldto manage the business. Now in histhird year, Brandon is hiring an account-ant and office manager so he can focuson growing the business.

Brandon continues to set aggressivegoals for himself. In 2011 he wants todouble his revenue and win bigger jobs.His ultimate goal is to become the

largest electrical contractor in the metroAtlanta area. At the rate he is going, thisdoes not sound like a stretch. In reflect-ing on the rapid pace of his careerdevelopment, Brandon says he hasachieved his personal goals through hisambition. “I asked for opportunities. Iproved myself. Then I asked for more.”

When hiring new employees,Brandon looks for personal drive and

willingness to work hard, the very qual-

ities that account for his success.

Brandon strives for success by pushing

himself out of his comfort zone.

“Someone once told me that nothing

great was ever accomplished inside the

comfort zone. When I start to feel com-

fortable. I get a little nervous and know

it’s time to set a new goal.” �

Why own an electrical contracting business:

• Be your own boss

• Make your own money

• See the results of your hard work

• Go as far as your ambition takes you

Keys to success:

• Personal drive

• Willingness to work hard

• Setting goals for yourself


• Find something that gives you motivation

• Do something you enjoy;

something that fits you

Brandon on Careers


i Build 201136


i Build 201138

Adairsville High School (Bartow County)519 Old Highway 41Adairsville, GA 30103(770) 606-5841Instructor: Ron [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Apalachee High School (Barrow County)940 Haymon Morris RoadWinder, GA 30680(770) 586-5111Instructor: Samuel [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Appling County High School (Appling County)482 Blackshear HwyBaxley, GA 31513-9200(912) 367-8610Instructor: Charles [email protected]: Sheet Metal, Welding

Baldwin Area Vocational School (Baldwin County)155 Highway 49 WestMilledgeville, GA 31061(478) 453-6429Instructor: Cedric [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Brunswick High School (Glynn County)3920 Habersham StreetBrunswick, GA 31520(912) 267-4100Instructor: Todd [email protected]: Sheet Metal, Welding

Burke County High School (Burke County) 789 Burke Veterans Parkway Waynesboro GA 30830 706-554-5101

Instructor: Jeff [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Cairo High School (Grady County) 455 Fifth Street, NECairo, GA 39828(229) 377-2044Instructor: Todd [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Camden County High School (Camden County) 1585 Laural Island ParkwayKingsland, GA 31548(912) 729-7318Instructor: Carlos Jones [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Camden County High School (Camden County) 1585 Laural Island ParkwayKingsland, GA 31548(912) 729-7318Instructor: Carl Jones [email protected]: Sheet Metal, Welding

Carver High School (Muscogee County)3100 8th StreetColumbus, GA 31906(706) 748-2499Instructor: James [email protected]: Sheet Metal, Welding

Cass High School (Bartow County)738 Grassdale RoadCartersville, GA 30120(770) 606-5845Instructor: Daryl [email protected]: Sheet Metal, Welding

There are more than 300 high school and technical college construction-related training programs in the state of Georgia.Sixty-seven (67) of those programs have achieved the designation of CEFGA/NCCER-Accredited Training Program, placingthem in the top 20-percent of all programs in Georgia. On behalf of the construction industry, we applaud those teachersand programs who have worked so hard to become industry accredited. Thank you!



Central Education Center (Coweta County) 160 Martin Luther King DrNewnan, GA 30263(678) 423-2000Instructor: Tom [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry,Plumbing

Chestatee High School (Hall County) 3005 Sardis RoadGainesville, GA 30506(770) 532-1162Instructor: Baker [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry,Plumbing

Dekalb High School of TechnologyNorth (Dekalb County) 1995 Womack RoadDunwoody, GA 30338(678) 874-8402Instructor: Calvin [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry,Plumbing

East Hall High School (Hall County)3534 E Hall RdGainesville, GA 30507(770) 536-9921Instructor: Jeff [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry,Plumbing

East Laurens High School (Lauren County)930 Highway 80 EastEast Dublin, Georgia 31027(478) 272 – 1201Instructor: Dean [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry,Plumbing

Effingham County High School(Effingham County)1220 Noel Conway Road

Guyton, GA 31312(912) 754-6404Instructor: Les [email protected] Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry,Plumbing

Etowah High School(Cherokee County) 6565 Putnam Ford DriveWoodstock, GA 30189(770) 926-4411Instructor: David [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry,Plumbing

Evans High School (Columbia County)4550 Cox RoadEvans, Ga 30809(706) 863-1198Instructor: Thomas [email protected]: Sheet Metal, Welding

Floyd County Vocational High School(Floyd County) 100 Vocational DriveRome, GA 30165-9785(706) 236-1860Instructor: Joe [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry,Plumbing

Floyd County Vocational High School(Floyd County) 100 Vocational DriveRome, GA 30165-9785(706) 236-1860Instructor: Chesley [email protected]: Sheet Metal, Welding

Forest Park High School(Clayton County)5452 Phillips DriveForest Park, GA 30297 (404) 362-3890Instructor: Gerald [email protected]

Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry,Plumbing

Frankiln County High School (Franklin County) 6570 Hwy 145Carnesville, GA 30521(706) 384-4525Instructor: Tim [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry,Plumbing

Franklin County High School (Franklin County)6570 Hwy 145Carnesville, GA 30521(706) 384-4525Instructor: Wayne [email protected]: Sheet Metal, Welding

Gainesville High School(Gainesville City)830 Century PlaceGainesville, GA 30501(770) 536-4441Instructor: Darrell Lucas/Keith [email protected] Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry,Plumbing

Greene County High School (Greene County)1002 South Main StreetGreensboro, GA 30642(706) 453-2271

Hardaway High School (Muscogee County)2901 College DriveColumbus, GA 31906(706) 748-2766Instructor: Ben [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry,Plumbing


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Harlem High School (Columbia County)1070 Harlem Appling HighwayHarlem, GA 30814(706) 556-5980Instructor: Carroll [email protected] Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Hepzibah High School (Richmond County)4558 Brothersville RoadHepzibah, GA 30815(706) 592-2089Instructor: Trey [email protected]: Sheet Metal, Welding

Jackson High School (Butts County)717 South Harkness StreetJackson, Ga 30233(770) 504-2340Instructor: Sonny [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Jones County High School (Jones County)210 Stewart AveGray, GA 31032(478) 986-5444Instructor: Nick [email protected] Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Jordan Vocational High School (Muscogee County) 3200 Howard AveColumbus, GA 31904(706) 748-2829Instructor: Steve Potts/Michael [email protected] / [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Jordan Vocational High School (Muscogee County)3200 Howard AvenueColumbus, GA 31904(706) 748-2819Instructor: Joe [email protected]: Sheet Metal, Welding

Lee County High School (Lee County) 370 Leslie HighwayLeesburg, GA 31763

(229) 903—3590Instructor: Jim [email protected] Trades: CORE and Introduction to Construction

Lee County High School (Lee County) 1 Trojan WayLeesburg, GA 31763(229) 903—2260Instructor: David [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Lee County High School (Lee County)One Trojan WayLeesburg, GA 31763(229) 903-2275Instructor: Ray [email protected]: Sheet Metal, Welding

Lovejoy High School (Clayton County) 1587 McDonough RoadLovejoy, GA 30250(770) 473-2920Instructor: Price [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Maxwell High School of Tech. (Gwinnett County) 990 McElvaney LaneLawrenceville, GA 30044(770) 943-6838Instructors: Tony [email protected] Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Maxwell High School (Gwinnett County)990 McElvaney LaneLawrenceville, GA 30044(770) 943-6838Instructor: John [email protected]: Sheet Metal, Welding

McEachern High School (Cobb County) 2400 New MacLand RoadPowder Springs, GA 30127(770) 222-3710Instructor: Kelly [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing


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Monroe High School (Dougherty County)900 Lippit DriveAlbany, GA 31701(229) 431-3316Instructors: Donald Wright Trades: Sheet Metal, Welding

Monroe High School (Dougherty County)900 Lippit DriveAlbany, GA 31701(229) 431-3316Instructor: Jim [email protected]: HVACR

Moultrie Technical College (Colquitt County)361 Industrial DriveMoultrie, GA 31768(229) 891-7000Instructor: Jason [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing

Mount Zion High School (Clayton County) 2535 Mt. Zion Road Blvd.Jonesboro, GA 30236(770) 473-5092Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

North Hall High School (Hall County) 4885 Mt. Vernon RoadGainesville, GA 30506( 770) 983-7331Instructor: Daniel [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Osborne High School (Cobb County) 2451 Favor RoadMarietta, GA 30060( 770) 437-5900Instructor: Ron [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Paulding County High School (Paulding County) 1297 Villa Rica HwyDallas, GA 30132(770) 473-5092Instructor: Denver [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Pickens County High School (Pickens County) 500 Dragon DriveJasper, GA 30143(706) 253-1800Instructor: John [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Pickens County High School (Pickens County) 500 Dragon DriveJasper, GA 30143(706) 253-1800Instructor: Tommy [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Shaw High School (Muscogee County) 7579 Raider WayColumbus, GA 31909(706) 569-3638Instructor: Bob [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

South Cobb High School (Cobb County) 1920 Clay RoadAustell, GA 30106(770) 819-2611Instructor: Ike [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

South Effingham High School (Effingham County) 1220 Noel C. Conaway RoadGuyton, GA 31312(912) 728-7511Instructor: Kevin [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Statesboro High School (Bulloch County) 10 Lester RoadStatesboro, GA 30458(912) 764-3351Instructor: Charles [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing


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Technical Education Center (Carroll County) 1075 Newnan RoadCarrollton, GA 30117(770) 832-8380Instructor: Johnny [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Technical Education Center (Carroll County) 1075 Newnan RoadCarrollton, GA 30177(770) 832-8380Instructor: Tom [email protected]: HVACR

Thomas County Central High School (Thomas County) 4686 US 84 BypassThomasville, GA 31792(229) 255-5050Instructor: Chuck [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Tift County High School (Tift County) One Blue Devil WayTifton, GA 31794(912) 387-9700Instructor: Roy [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Tift County High School (Tift County) One Blue Devil WayTifton, GA 31794(912) 387-9700Instructors: John [email protected]: Sheet Metal, Welding

Upson-Lee High School (Upson County) 268 Knight Trl Thomaston, GA 30286(706) 647-8171Instructor: John [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Valdosta High School101 North Forrest StreetValdosta, GA 31602-7099(229) 333-8500

Washington County High School (Washington County)420 Riddleville RdSandersville, GA(478) 552-2324Instructor: Antonio [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Wayne County High School (Wayne County) One Jacket DriveJesup, GA 31545(912) 427-1096Instructor: Chad [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Wayne County High School (Wayne County) One Jacket DriveJeup, GA 31545(912) 387-9700Instructors: Bruce [email protected]: Sheet Metal, Welding

West Hall High School (Hall County) 5506 McEver RdOakwood, GA 30566(770) 967-9826Instructor: Mike [email protected]: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing

Westside High School (Bibb County) 2581 Heath RdMacon, GA 31206(478) 779-3826Instructor: Glen [email protected] Trades: Carpentry, Electrical, Masonry, Plumbing


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construction education foundation of georgia

Documents

construction industry

juneau construction

hardin construction

georgia branch

cefga magazine

georgia techrod owen

georgia powerjulie harris

georgia contractortim