Page 13 - PCCA Journal 2nd Quarter 2012

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PCCA Journal|2
nd
Quarter 2012
13
I
n March, 260 power and communications profession-
als and their families headed for the hills outside of
San Antonio for the 67
th
annual PCCA Convention.
At the fabulous Hyatt Regency Hill Country, PCCA
members exchanged valuable information, attended
topical education sessions, enjoyed captivating speakers,
learned about the latest products and services, caught up
with old friends, made some new ones, and enjoyed a wide
variety of fun-filled events.
This year’s convention was dedicated to the memory of
PCCA President Larry Libla, our friend and colleague who
passed away suddenly last November. Everyone was delight-
ed that Larry’s wife of 39 years, Pam, and his three daughters
joined the group in San Antonio to share in the remem-
brances and to enjoy the convention that Larry and Pam had
planned so well.
The Construction Industry Roundtable, always the center-
piece of PCCA meetings, focused on a number of topics that
are vital to power and communications construction, most
notably the Federal Communication Commission’s proposed
changes to the Connect America Fund, Universal Service
Fund, and Inter-carrier Compensation. These programs have
been crucial in bringing broadband and all its benefits to
rural communities across the country, and their uncertain
future is slowing down this very important work. (Turn to
page 7 for more information on this topic.)
Other significant topics discussed at the roundtable includ-
ed the future of RUS infrastructure programs after stimulus
funding dries up, Department of Labor prevailing wage clas-
sifications, the ongoing worldwide fiber shortage, increased
commodity prices, federal emissions requirements, natural
gas-powered construction equipment, and the E-Verify pro-
gram.
PCCA kicked off the convention with its Young Construc-
tion Professionals Program, which aims to help association
members become more effective construction executives and
provide up-and-coming company executives with tools they
need to succeed. The YCP session in San Antonio, led by
FMI’s Andy Patron, focused on market analysis and strategic
planning and featured business-building tips from ElectriCom
President and PCCA Past President Kevin Mason.
In a general education session, FMI’s Chris Daum pre-
sented a utility construction overview that touched on all of
PCCA members’ major markets and provided a very positive
outlook for all. “These should be very good times for every-
body,” Daum said. The convention’s final education session
covered topics important to all business people: reducing risk
and increasing profitability.
The general sessions at the convention were very memo-
rable, as well. Opening Session keynote speaker Richard Pic-
ciotto, a former FDNY battalion commander, vividly recount-
ed his experiences on September 11, 2001, when he was the
last fireman to escape the rubble at Ground Zero. He was in
the North Tower evacuating civilians when it collapsed and
more than 100 floors came crashing down on them. Miracu-
lously, the group walked out a few hours later, and his story,
as well as the bravery and selflessness of Picciotto and his
fellow firefighters, is something that the PCCA audience will
remember for a long, long time.
This year’s PCCA Prayer Breakfast was a memorial to Larry
Libla, and his daughters—Anna Whitlow, Christina Miller,
and Alicia Libla—delivered lovely Bible readings. The morn-
ing’s speaker, author River Jordan, told the story of how she
became inspired to say a prayer for a total stranger every day
for a year (and beyond) and then wrote a book about it. Her
tale is spiritual, funny, and very uplifting.
The convention’s final event, a big Country Western Party,
was moving as well, but in a totally different way—in a get up
off your seat and get moving on the dance floor kind of way!
Backed by the rocking country jams of the Chris Story Band,
the PCCA crew line danced like pros, swayed with their sweet-
hearts, and even raced live armadillos—an unforgettable way
to close out another fantastic PCCA convention.
PCCA 2012:
High Times in the Texas Hill Country