PCCA Journal 2nd Quarter 2014 - page 26

PCCA Journal|2
nd
Quarter 2014
26
no exception, as the packed agenda and packed room will
both attest. PCCA President-Elect Steve Sellenriek, Sellenriek
Construction, welcomed attendees to the roundtable and then
kicked it to his brother, Heath, for a report on the associa-
tion’s education initiatives—the previously mentioned LDP
sessions and the wildly successful PCCA Project Manager
Academy (PMA) that was held in Atlanta in January. Several
contractors who sent employees to the PMA chimed in to
vouch for the program’s value and for the enthusiasm it im-
parted on their people. Heath Sellenriek reported that PCCA
will hold another PMA next January in Atlanta.
The roundtable also included an Association of Commu-
nications Engineers report from Tom Harter of Engineering
Associates, Inc., who discussed the lack of progress on the
RUS 515 contract, the difficult times at the understaffed RUS,
and the uncertainty created by changes to the Universal
Service Fund and the Connect America Fund. Economist
Mark Bridgers, Continuum Advisory Group, reported that
the big-picture economy looks positive for 2014 and that the
markets in which PCCA members work are the best perform-
ing. (See article on page 13.) FMI’s Chris Daum contributed
yet another fascinating industry discussion to the roundtable,
two days after his always-popular Utility Construction Indus-
try Overview session. Daum also had upbeat views of PCCA
markets, especially gas distribution and power.
The convention’s other educational session, What’s Up
with Obamacare?, also attracted a big crowd of business
owners/operators wondering about their responsibilities
under the new law. Maria Fabre Manuel, Onebane Law Firm,
led the session and began it by telling the audience what
most of them had already realized: “It’s just a fiasco. It’s the
most pathetic rollout of a major government program in our
lifetime.” She then patiently explained the employer obliga-
tions and where we stand on the multitude of unresolved
issues with the law.
Beyond the education, PCCA meetings also promote fellow-
ship, friendship, and fun. PCCA Past President Herb Fluharty
hosted Sunday morning’s Annual Prayer Breakfast, which
featured an enlightening talk from Pastor Rob Wood, of Unite
Church in Fayetteville, Ark. Wood spoke passionately of his
personal religious journey and his church’s missionary work
in India and Pakistan. (You can learn more about the church
and its mission at
.)
Another highlight of PCCA conventions is the Annual As-
sociates Exhibit & Breakfast, and this year a steady stream
of contractors met with manufacturer and supplier members
over cups of coffee and a nosh, talked about their businesses,
and learned a bit about new products and services that can
help them on the job.
This year’s Auction, expertly managed by Michael White-
bread and Charles Cook of J.J. Kane Auctioneers, was also
a huge success, raising nearly $200,000 for PCCA programs
and services. PCCA thanks all members who donated and
purchased auction items.
The PCCA program also allowed plenty of time for outdoor
activities, including the PCCA Golf Tournament, tours of St.
John and St. Thomas, and expeditions with sailing, snorkel-
ing, kayaking, deep sea fishing, and the BOSS Underwater
Adventure. Great times were had by all as evidenced by the
photos on the following pages.
The 2014 PCCA Convention closed in style with a Final
Banquet overlooking the Caribbean that included everything
from fire eaters and limbo dancing to roast pig and reggae
music. Outgoing President Glen Amerine thanked everyone
for a wonderful year, and incoming President Steve Sellenriek
talked about another excellent year to come and invited ev-
eryone to the 2014 Mid-Year Meeting, July 23-28 at Camden
on the Lake, Lake Ozark, Mo.
See you at the Lake!
PCCA 2014
Continued from page 25
5
Education Committee Chair Heath Sellenriek, Sellenriek Construction, updates members on
PCCA’s Leadership Development Program and Project Manager Academy.
4
The room is always crowded and the audience attentive
during Chris Daum’s Utility Construction Industry Overview.
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