PCCA Journal 3rd Quarter 2014

PCCA’s Beautiful Mountain Mid-Year The Official Publication of the Power & Communication Contractors Association 3rd Quarter 2013 Also Inside • PCCA Launches Project Manager Academy • Speak Like a Pro! • When Contractors Become Engineers: The Risk of Design Delegation to Contractors

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3rd Quarter 2013 Officer Directors Official Publication of the Power & Communication Contractors Association Board of Directors Publication Staff 1908 Mt. Vernon Avenue, 2nd Floor Alexandria, Virginia 22301 (800) 542-PCCA • www.pccaweb.org ©2013 Power & Communication Contractors Association Craig Amerine Amerine Utilities Construction, Inc. David Aubrey Okay Construction Robert Breeden ElectriCom, Inc. Tony Briggs Vermeer Manufacturing Ed Campbell Henkels & McCoy, Inc. Marty Ferguson FS3, Inc. John Fluharty Mears Group, Inc. Mark Frosaker MasTec North America, Inc. Matthew Gabrielse Gabe’s Construction Co., Inc. John Hale John Deere Jerrod Henschel Michels Corporation Chase Lapcinski Push, Inc. Kevin Mason ElectriCom, Inc. Tommy Muse Aubrey Silvey Enterprises, Inc. Rob Pribyl MP Nexlevel, LLC Jameson Ringger NESCO, LLC Heath Sellenriek Sellenriek Construction Don Stephens Tjader & Highstrom Lindsley Thulin Michels Corporation Publisher Timothy Wagner Editor Michael Ancell Membership & Marketing Stacy Bowdring Membership & Marketing Dana Gilbertson Photography Steven Purcell Information Technology Greg Smela President Glen Amerine Amerine Utilities Construction, Inc. President-Elect Steve Sellenriek Sellenriek Construction 1st Vice President Timothy D. Killoren CCI Systems, Inc. 2nd Vice President Todd Myers Kenneth G. Myers Construction Treasurer James Dillahunty Henkels & McCoy, Inc. Secretary Larry Pribyl MP Nexlevel, LLC PCCA Launches Project Manager Academy 9 Looking to help its members build strong project leaders, PCCA is launching a new educational program in January 2014—the PCCA Project Manager Academy. The PCCA Academy is four days of tough, no-nonsense, total immersion into the business of construction that will fast-forward your people’s knowledge, decision-making skills, and leadership abilities. But mostly, they will learn to think and act as if they have a personal stake in every project. Speak Like a Pro! 19 By Dr. Shirley Garrett As leaders, you are the voice of your company and your industry. Whether you are attempting to lead a meeting, win the contract, or negotiate with utility providers, your ability to present your message in a clear, concise, and compelling way can make the difference between gaining support or walking away empty handed. PCCA’s Beautiful Mountain Mid-Year 26 Hosted and planned by PCCA President Glen Amerine and his wife, Pat, at the renowned Broadmoor resort, the 2013 PCCA Mid-Year Meeting offered top-flight education, tackled serious industry issues, and provided the fun, easy-going networking events that PCCA is famous for. In Memoriam: Aubrey Silvey 7 PCCA’s New Take on Leadership 13 Legal Watch | By Matthew Straub 15 PCCA Plans Caribbean Convention 22 RDUP News 39 Industry Calendar 41 News Briefs 42 Labor News 48 PCCA Member News 50 Advertiser Index 52 Final Word | By Jerrod Henschel 54

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PCCA Journal|3rd Quarter 2013 7 Mr. T. Aubrey Silvey, founder and former CEO of Aubrey Silvey Enterprises, Inc., and a longtime PCCA board member, passed peacefully Sunday August 4 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was 75. Mr. Silvey, a native of Carroll County, Ga., was born October 20, 1937, the son of the late Thomas Grady Silvey and Ethel McLead Silvey. He graduated from Bremen High School, received his degree in engineering from Southern Poly Institute, and completed a three-year executive management program at Harvard Business School. Silvey Enterprises was started in Mr. Silvey’s dining room in 1971. The company started building electrical power substations. In the past 42 years, Silvey Enterprises has grown doing work around the country and expanding its divisions. Mr. Silvey and Silvey Enterprises were named the Georgia Small Business Person of the Year by the Small Business Council of America, Georgia Chapter in 1993. Silvey Enterprises was one of 18 founding partners that provided necessary funding and support to start Drugs Don’t Work, a project of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. Silvey Enterprises was the first firm certified as a drug-free workplace. Mr. Silvey was very involved in his community. He was a past member of the Kiwanis Club, served as chairman of the board of directors for Carrollton Federal Bank, Community First Bank, and what is now BB&T Bank for 30 years, Board of Advisors Berry College, founding member of the Community Foundation, and faithful member and servant to Carrollton First Baptist Church as a deacon and chairman of the finance committee. He served on the PCCA board of directors from 1992 to 2002. Survivors include his wife, Judy M. Silvey; son and daughter-in-law, David and Melisa Silvey; daughter, Julie Silvey Russell; grandchildren, Thomas John Silvey, Lauren Michell Silvey, Carolina Wren Russell, Dixie Crawford Russell, and Ellie Claire Russell; sister, Sara Josephine Moore and Rose Marie LaCount. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, JoAnn Wagner and Bessie Carolyn Simpson. The funeral service was held August 6 at the First Baptist Church. Pallbearers included Jimmy Kirbow, Tommy Muse Jr., Steve Bonner, Tommy Muse, Steven Broome, and Charlie Bolton. In Memoriam: Aubrey Silvey 5Aubrey Silvey, founder and former CEO of Aubrey Silvey Enterprises, Inc., and a longtime PCCA board member, with his wife, Judy, at PCCA’s 60th anniversary celebration in Hollywood, Fla., in 2005. 4Mr. Silvey, shown here with friend and colleague Tommy Muse, started his company in his dining room in 1971, and over the years it has worked all across the country, expanded into new markets, and now employs nearly 400 people.

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PCCA Journal|3rd Quarter 2013 9 Looking to help its members build strong project leaders, PCCA is launching a new educational program in January 2014—the PCCA Project Manager Academy. The PCCA Academy is four days of tough, no-nonsense, total immersion into the business of construction that will fast-forward your people’s knowledge, decision-making skills, and leadership abilities. But mostly, they will learn to think and act as if they have a personal stake in every project. The first PCCA Project Manager Academy is January 13-16 in Atlanta, Ga. The PCCA Academy is based on FMI’s highly successful PMA, and FMI worked with a group of PCCA contractor and associate members to tailor the program specifically to our industry. The course materials include PCCA-specific case studies and samples of checklists, best practices, plans, specs, contracts, change orders, etc. Your people won’t be discussing homebuilding, general construction, or road building; they’ll be discussing plowing, drilling, fiber to the home, transmission & distribution lines, and substations. FMI has many years of experience teaching this program and admits that the techniques of managing projects are wellknown. Training in scheduling, budgeting, and cost tracking is available from many sources. But to graduate to the next level, your project staff must learn to think and act like business owners. When projects break down, they have to feel like they are bleeding their own money. When customers are dissatisfied, your managers and staff must take it personally. When jobs are running smoothly, they must remain vigilant. The PCCA Project Manager Academy is built around four core themes: • Profitable customer relationship development • Powerful, integrated project teams • Financial control of projects • Planning projects for profits and customer satisfaction During this high-level, immersion experience, your project delivery people will examine themselves, their organizations, and their processes. Our goal is to transform talented builders into true construction entrepreneurs. An entrepreneur is a self-directed person who corrals and coordinates diverse talents and resources to service customers and return profits. While this description may fit many “managers,” there is a key difference between an entrepreneur and a manager. While most managers are capable and dedicated to their jobs, entrepreneurs will always act as if they have a personal stake in the success or failure of the project. The Journey Begins Now The goal of this program is fundamental behavioral change. Stop your PMs from seeing themselves as just another employee or a witness to project outcomes. Turn them into virtual owners who have a personal stake in project outcomes and the tools necessary to succeed. The PCCA Project Manager Academy begins weeks before attendees arrive with an in-depth 360° feedback survey and a personality and behavioral diagnostic. At the program, a variety of hands-on experiences, one-on-one coaching, and small team sessions continue the development process through: • A highly personalized feedback process, • Analyzing and interpreting behavior preferences and communication styles, and • Developing a personal action plan to capitalize on assets and compensate for weaknesses. Who Should Attend • Project Executives • Project Managers • Estimators There is benefit in having several team members experience the PCCA Project Manager Academy. The principles will multiply throughout your organization. Companies send their team members in groups to foster greater cohesion and PCCA Launches Continued on page 10

PCCA Journal|3rd Quarter 2013 10 accountability. Details of PCCA Project Manager Academy, January 13-16 in Atlanta, are being finalized and will be mailed to all PCCA members shortly and will be posted at www.pccaweb.org. PCCA Project Manager Academy Agenda Day 1 - January 13, 8 am - 6 pm Safety Focus Welcome & Introduction • Introduce individuals and articulate objectives • Link project management outcomes with corporate performance • Identify communication behaviors in a team-building exercise Management AND Leadership • Define a “good” project manager • Differentiate between leadership and management • Relate the importance of motivating and energizing your team to their performance Project Planning/Project Introduction • Have the ability to develop a complete end-to-end project delivery plan • Organize and structure project plan information for communicating with the project team • Effectively document the project plan • Identify, address, manage, and understand project plan attributes, qualitatively and quantitatively Project Start-Up • Generate and gain positive project momentum • Identify and share key project issues, strategies, methods and milestones • Make use of checklists • Initiate effective communication with the project team • Create and maintain a cooperative team environment Personal Feedback: ProScan & 360° Feedback • Understand the importance of feedback in personal and professional development • Understand the impact of organizational culture on honest feedback • Understand how PDP and 360° feedback are used at the PMA • Adjust working and communication strategies based on personal strengths and weaknesses Team Debriefing • Focus on completing PDP/360 feedback questions and preparation Day 2 - January 14, 8 am - 7:30 pm Safety Focus Customer-Focused Construction • Understand the value of the customer • Use tools to develop an appropriate, client-centered response to issues • Implement a customer-focused strategy for your project and firm Time Management • Understand that it’s about self-management more than time management • Discover the keys to delegation and prioritization • Understand the importance of life balance and its contribution to our overall productivity • Gain insight into personal strengths and weaknesses regarding your mastery of time Sample Project Preparation Build Sample Project and Owner Presentations Billings, Cash Flow, and Closeout • Continually monitor and act on the current cash situation • Billing accurately and promptly • Learn to drive everything on a project to closure Build Sample Project Team Debriefing • Focus on delivering plus/delta feedback to each other (participants) based on their performance on sample project and their PDP/360 feedback sessions Day 3 - January 15, 8 am - 7:30 pm Safety Focus Change Order Management PCCA Project Manager Academy Continued from page 9

PCCA Journal|3rd Quarter 2013 11 • Identify and evaluate all changes • Identify cost and schedule implications of changes • Use changes as an opportunity to sell increased value • Maintain an appropriate balance between capturing all changes and maintaining positive client relationships Build Sample Project Job Set-Up, Safety, and Logistics for Power and Communications Industry • Discuss the unique challenges of working in the power and communications industry; remote location and residential • Special equipment, tools, and materials • Plan for safety • Technical consideration Build Sample Project Standards and Best Practices • Explain the benefits of identifying and using standard procedures derived from best practices • Use flow-charting to understand, develop, and improve standard procedures on the project or in your company • Communicate standard procedures to project teams • Establish a team culture in which best practices are embraced and leveraged • Identify situations in which it is appropriate to use nonstandard procedures Build Sample Project Team Debriefing Day 4 - January 16, 8 am - 3 pm Safety Focus Ethics and Integrity in Project Management • Leverage the project management role into a key client relationship anchor • Build relationships with existing clients leading to repeat work opportunities Sample Project Closeout • Discuss lessons learned that can be applied back in the real world • Test the projects Stand and Deliver • As communicators, all project managers need to have exemplary presentation skills • Presentation skills are a life skill—you need them in your life, not just at work Develop Your Personal Action Plan • Write specific action items that will be tracked and monitored over a specified period of time • Differentiate between personal action items and items that will be addressed organizationally as suggestions for your firm • Require each participant to share one action item with the table Be a Project Leader, Not a Project Witness • Improve the use of your own personal style to lead others to make changes back on the job • Use the participant manual by adding to it and referring to it • Refer to the PCCA Handbook for articles that will guide you as you try out your toolbox • Understand and believe that each participant now has the tools and potential to not only lead projects, but to be recognized as a leader in his or her firm Program Evaluations About FMI FMI is a leading provider of management consulting, investment banking, and research to the engineering and construction industry. The firm works in all segments of the industry providing clients with value-added business solutions. FMI’s provides instructors to the PCCA Project Manager Academy who are committed to bringing their talents, energy, and passion together to develop world-class project delivery experts in the construction industry. The faculty includes senior-level FMI staff who possess both project management knowledge and direct construction experience. In addition to coaching at the Project Manager Academy, the instructors are highly respected consultants, authors, and thought leaders in the construction industry around the world.

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PCCA Journal|3rd Quarter 2013 13 To further advance the leadership skills of its members, PCCA kicks off its new Leadership Development Program (LDP) with a full-day session on March 14, prior to the start of the of the 2014 PCCA Convention, March 14-19 on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. FMI and a group of PCCA-member contractors and associates are developing course material that is not only construction-industry specific, but is also customized using PCCA’s subject matter experts and examples specific to power and communication construction. The PCCA/FMI team is creating a course curriculum that includes six one-day modules to be delivered each year at the convention. Session one in St. Thomas will be a Leadership Overview. (See details in box below.) The next five sessions will be Executive Communication, Financial Management, Negotiating Skills, Client Relationships, and Strategic Thinking and Organizational Change. The program will be an ongoing learning experience with action planning and follow-up for each session to reinforce the concepts presented and to encourage the practical implementation of the techniques and skills when participants get back on the job. Each session will include Personal Action Plans with accountability, a Performance Tool sent three months after the session, a touchpoint at the Mid-Year Meeting, and a conference call nine months after the session. Every LDP session will feature interaction with an experienced industry executive, usually a PCCA Past President. Each session will also include an industry trends overview, which will include a section from FMI on the general economy, the overall construction industry, and PCCA-specific trends as seen from the perspective of contractor and associate members. The primary audience for the Leadership Development Program is the younger professional, but the program will benefit anyone interested in growing his or her leadership capabilities, regardless of age. There will be a $500 registration fee for the program to help PCCA recoup some of its costs. Registration will include all course materials, lunch, and an invitation to the PCCA VIP Reception on the first night of the convention to maximize participants’ exposure to industry leaders. PCCA will be contacting all members shortly to discuss the program and help them take advantage of this unique opportunity. PCCA’s New Take on Leadership Trends in Construction • Find out where the construction industry is heading, now and in the future. • What does the economy have to do with your business? • How can your company profit in good times and in bad? Knowing When to Lead vs. Manage • What’s the difference? Learn to distinguish between leadership and management skills. • Some days require you to focus on the Planning, Organizing, and Controlling skills of an efficient manager. • But don’t forget to plan for the future by Setting Direction, Aligning People, and Motivating and Inspiring. • Understand your company’s culture and its impact on leadership. Workshop for Improving Your Leadership Skills • Regardless of where you are in your career, dynamic leaders never stop learning. Effective leaders must constantly challenge and improve their skills as leaders in order to stay ahead of the organizational needs. • Chart your own leadership profile to determine how you can build on your current skill set. • Compare your individual profile to that of your organization. • Foster an environment of continuous learning • Integrate mentoring and coaching skills into your everyday leadership routine. • Create your own personal leadership skills improvement plan. Why We Do What We Do • Evaluate your own management and life styles using the Personal Profile System. • Gain direct feedback on your self-perception, your response as expected by others, and your inherent response under pressure. • Learn how individual styles affect your communications with others. • Utilize these tools to build more productive teams. Making the Personal Commitment: Your Action Plan Leadership Overview – LDP Session, March 14, 2014 LDP PCCA Leadership Development Program

PCCA Journal|3rd Quarter 2013 15 Unwary contractors may unknowingly accept design responsibility on projects. Contractors who contribute to or make design decisions vastly increase their exposure on projects. Understanding how the law treats contractors and engineers and identifying the consequences to contractors who perform design services allows contractors to allocate or minimize design risk for projects. The law has historically held contractors and engineers to different standards. Contractors must perform their work in a good and workmanlike manner. Professional engineers must exercise that degree of care that a professional engineer of ordinary skill and prudence would exercise under the same or similar circumstances. This separation between contractor and engineer is underscored in the implied warranty of adequacy of design documents. That warranty provides that an owner warrants the adequacy and sufficiency of the plans and specifications it tenders to a contractor. This warranty was articulated in a 1918 Supreme Court case, United States v. Spearin, 248 U.S. 132 (1918). In that case, a contractor agreed to build a dry dock that required relocation of a sewer. Relying on the plans and specifications provided by the government, the contractor relocated the sewer that failed because a dam was not identified on the government’s plans and specifications. The contractor sued the government for costs and lost profits. The Spearin Warranty On appeal, the United States Supreme Court held that a contractor is not liable for the consequences of defects in specifications provided by the owner. The Court explained that by prescribing the character, dimensions, and location of the work to be done, the owner “imported a warranty that, if the specifications were complied with, the [work] would be adequate.” This implied warranty, the Court noted, is not overcome by general clauses requiring the contractor to visit the site, review plans, or to assume responsibility for the work until completion and acceptance. Commonly known as the Spearin warranty, most jurisdictions in the U.S. have adopted the Spearin warranty in whole or in part. The Spearin warranty favors the contractor, shielding it from liability for design errors. If the owner’s engineer improperly surveys a project and the contractor relies on staking based on the erroneous survey, the Spearin warranty should absolve the contractor from liability for the survey. But the Spearin warranty is not absolute. As alternative delivery methods evolve and construction techniques, equipment, and materials become more complex, the line between design and construction is becoming more blurred. Owners and engineers are delegating more design responsibility to contractors on projects. Design delegation can be explicitly set forth in a contract. For instance, design-build contracts specifically delegate all When Contractors Become Engineers: The Risk of Design Delegation to Contractors By Matthew Straub Legal Watch Continued on page 16 Any contractor that proposes changes to the Construction Sheets and then initials the approved changes is likely going to share responsibility with the engineer for that design change despite that lack of any explicit design delegation. Contractors should strongly consider whether a change to the Construction Sheets is necessary, rather than “desirable.”

PCCA Journal|3rd Quarter 2013 16 design to the design-builder. But often design delegation is more subtle. Performance specifications (which set forth an objective standard for the contractor to achieve requiring its ingenuity and means) effectively delegate design to a contractor. Contractors may also be performing design in the preparation and submission of shop drawings or submittals for a project. Some design responsibility may be transferred without explicit delegation. An example of subtle design transfer or design sharing is found in RUS Form 515. Article V(A)(1.2) of the Construction Agreement provides as follows: “1.2 The Construction Sheets showing the proposed plant shall be joint reviewed in the field by the Contractor and the Engineer prior to construction. The Contractor shall at that time propose any changes or clarifications he feels desirable. These changes, if approved by the Engineer, will be made at that time and so recorded on the Construction Sheets and initialed by the Engineer and Contractor.” Any contractor that proposes changes to the Construction Sheets and then initials the approved changes is likely going to share responsibility with the engineer for that design change despite that lack of any explicit design delegation. Contractors should strongly consider whether a change to the Construction Sheets is necessary, rather than “desirable.” To the extent that a contractor does make any changes to the Construction Sheets, it should be prepared to accept or share design responsibility for that change. The consequences of contractors unknowingly performing design services are substantial. Design errors and omissions can result in costly time delays, budget overruns, rework, and third-party bodily injury and/or property damage. Thus, insurance coverage is critical. However, most, if not all, commercial general liability (CGL) policies contain endorsements or language explicitly excluding coverage for liability arising out of design errors. In addition, contractors performing design services may run afoul of the project state’s professional licensing statute or regulations. Contractors can mitigate design liability risks by: • Carefully examining the contract documents to determine where design risk might arise and taking steps to eliminate or mitigate such risks; • Considering the purchase of a contractor’s professional liability policy or other insurance product, especially for those contractors routinely engaging in ancillary design services; • Ensuring that subcontracts identify design to be performed by subcontractors and have protections in place to protect a contractor in the event of subcontractor’s faulty design; and • Educating field staff and personnel about contract provisions implicating design responsibility, the consequences of design responsibility, and design avoidance procedures and practices. Design delegation and transfer is a pitfall for the unwary contractor. Contractors who alertly recognize design risk and properly allocate or mitigate such risks will minimize their exposure and increase the likelihood of profitable projects. Matthew Straub is an attorney in the Construction Industry Group of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak and Stewart P.C., a PCCA member. He counsels construction clients on private and public projects across the country. He emphasizes risk management at the earliest phases of a project and the prevention and avoidance of disputes. He develops, negotiates, and drafts contracts, subcontracts, and other construction documents necessary for successful construction projects. When litigation cannot be avoided, he prosecutes and defends construction claims. He can be reached at (312) 558-1424 or at matthew.straub@ogletreedeakins.com. Legal Watch Continued from page 15 • Buy a single kit that repairs one hole - less waste • Hardens just like wood - gaffable • Expanding foam integrates with wood - superior adhesion • No special deployment tools needed - less expensive REPAIRS WOODPECKER DAMAGE 800-328-9384 www.polywater.com/UPR.asp Before After

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PCCA Journal|3rd Quarter 2013 19 “But I’m not a speaker—I don’t need speaking skills!” are words I hear from many PCCA members. Not to be a contrarian, but I beg to differ. As leaders, you are the voice of your company and your industry. Whether you are attempting to lead a meeting, win the contract, or negotiate with utility providers, your ability to present your message in a clear, concise, and compelling way can make the difference between gaining support or walking away empty handed. And what about your employees? Do you inspire them to be salespeople for your company? Because, let’s face it, we’re all in sales. Do your strategy sessions bring a fresh approach to old issues? Do your meetings get the job done and make the best use of your employees’ time? If your company is successful, it is because you are a presenter, speaker, facilitator, and salesperson—whether you like the title or not. Now more than ever, audiences are easily distracted, less engaged, and bored to death with what I like to call a “power pointless presentation.” The good news is that when you have the skills to hold your audience’s attention, you have the perfect platform to share ideas, generate buy-in, promote teamwork, and close more sales. This article aims to give you some food for thought, skills to practice, and guidelines to incorporate in your next presentation—whether it is behind closed doors or at the podium before a large audience. The following ideas apply to meetings, training, and formal or informal presentations, including sales presentations. 1. Begin with the end in mind. Before making any kind of presentation, answer the following questions: a. What do I want this group to know that they did not know or may have forgotten? b. How do I want the audience to feel after this presentation? c. What do I want the group to do differently because they have heard this information? d. What would happen if everyone who hears this message took action and implemented the ideas? Answering these questions can significantly impact the longterm outcomes of a presentation. By spending time on these four questions prior to conducting the presentation or facilitating a meeting, you will increase the likelihood of a succinct and clear message that is designed for a specific group. 2. Identify your core message. This is the most important step you can take in preparing any kind of presentation. The core message is the central theme of your presentation. It is more than a slogan and can be a call to action, a guarantee, or a new direction. Your core message should complete this sentence, “If you leave here today with only one thing, this is it....” Then follow this statement with a bold statement like: “To stay competitive, we must reduce costs.” “Safety is our first priority.” “We guarantee on-time completion.” “You have a solid future with our company.” The importance of a core message cannot be emphasized enough. It is the foundation of any presentation. 3. Create three key points to support your core message. You might be asking yourself, “Why three?” Three points are memorable, repeatable, and help organize your listener’s thinking. 4. Craft your content for each point. There are several ways to do this, and the following is an easy model: a. L - what is the learning (or supporting) point? “In order to achieve our goals we need to....” b. O - what is your observation supporting this point? “I realized that this is critical because....” c. V - what is the value of this point to the listener? “This is important to you because....” d. E - engage and enthuse the audience. Share anecdotes, Speak Like a Pro! Your best strategy for influencing people, leading teams, and promoting your ideas, products, and services By Dr. Shirley Garrett Continued on page 20

PCCA Journal|3rd Quarter 2013 20 questions, or statistics that make the learning come to life for the audience. “Do you remember what it was like when...?” “How do you think we can accomplish...?” 5. Incorporate transitional statements. This helps the listener stay with you in an organized way. Use words like, “The first point I’d like to make is....” “Now that you understand what we will deliver, let me share with you how we will work with you.” 6. You had me at “hello.” Now that you have the body of your presentation outlined, it is time to create an opening. A strong opening is crucial for immediately grabbing the attention of your listeners. Consider memorizing or learning the opening so that you can deliver it in a compelling and thought-provoking way. Just to show you important this is and how cool I am, I have created some APPS for that! a. A - Attention: There are many ways to get audiences to stop looking down at their smart phones and look up and listen. These include a powerful statistic, a humorous story or anecdote, a compelling slide or other visual, an appropriate quote, or a profound question. b. P - Purpose: Why should people care about your message? It must be positioned in terms of benefits to the listeners. You can accomplish this in one easy segue, “This is important to you because....” Or, you can let the group know what is expected, “By the end of this meeting, we need to come up with....” Or, “It is your responsibility to get this safety message out.” c. P - Plan: Provide the group with a road map on where you are headed during the meeting. People learn in different ways, and for some having a broad picture up front of where you are going will help them organize their thinking. Keep it simple: “Today we are going to discuss three new strategies for our company.” “I want to update you on last quarter’s financial by showing trends in employee retention, project delays, and equipment repair.” “The most compelling reasons you will want to partner with our company are....” d. S - Signature message: This is your core message. It needs to be introduced in the opening of your presentation and repeated like the chorus of a song. 7. Put your message in a to-go box! You want the listeners to take your message with them. Help them do this by recapping your core message and supporting points. Most importantly, make sure to include what you want the group to do! This is a call to action such as, “Put these new safety procedures into practice today.” “Make us your partner in this next venture. You won’t be disappointed.” Speaking is a skill everyone can learn. Sure, some people seem to be more comfortable and more natural than others, but the reality is that as leaders you are presenting whether you like it or not. It pays to pay attention to the opportunities given to you to speak up. The following tips can help you put your best foot—or voice—forward at every opportunity. 1. Practice, practice, practice. Not many people like to practice, but it is your best strategy for becoming more comfortable in front of groups. Use each meeting as an opportunity to polish your skills. Look for occasions to present, whether it is at a civic gathering, church event, or PCCA meeting. 2. Slow down. For some reason, we feel that we must hurry through our presentation and get on to the next meeting or project. When you rush, the message is lost. Has anyone ever left you their phone number in a message and you had to play it back several times to understand? That is the way the audience feels if you rush through Speak Like a Pro! Continued from page 19 50 TRADITION + INNOVATION 1963 - 2013 years HOT WEATHER WORK SHELTER The “Black Out” fabric provides more shade and less solar gain. Workers can roll the side panels up to provide total ventilation or down to provide added shade and protection from the elements. Ventilation flaps in the roof allows hotter air to escape, while fresher cooler air enters through the lower portions of the tent. Sets up in seconds with no loose parts. Meets requirements for California code of regulations title 8 section 3395 Made in the U.S.A. Model Nominal Size 6506S 6’ W x 6’ L x 6’ H 6508S 8’ W x 8’ L x 6’ H 6510S 10’ W x 10’ L x 6’ H www.pelsue.com 800- 525- 8460 or 303- 936- 7432 sales@pelsue.com

PCCA Journal|3rd Quarter 2013 21 your presentation. 3. Incorporate pauses. The audience needs time to savor what you have said. You can talk much more quickly than the listener can digest. Add some breathing space. 4. Enjoy yourself. I don’t know why a lot of leaders don’t smile more often. That is puzzling to me. By smiling, using appropriate humor, and generally enjoying yourself, you engage the audience in a much more effective way. 5. Manage glossophobia! That is the ten-dollar word for the fear of public speaking. If you are like a lot of people, you become anxious about standing and presenting. Remember: a. Preparation and practice are your best offense. b. The purpose of your presentation—why you are presenting. You are simply sharing a message with people who need to know what you know. c. To focus on the audience and their needs and concerns. d. Perfection is not the goal. e. You are delivering a message to a group of people, one person at a time. f. Breathe! 6. Stickability matters. Make your message memorable. No matter how important your message, if it doesn’t stick the listener would have been better off working on their “to-do” list or playing golf! Personal stories make the message stick like duct tape! They draw people into the moment and start the movies in their heads. Sharing your message in a positive manner can do more for getting buy-in than any other tool you have. I do understand that public speaking is difficult for many people and also know that with the right tools you can use speaking as an opportunity to increase your effectiveness and influence in your organization and industry. Because you have “stuck it out” to the end of this article, I have a gift for you. If you are interested in a special report on meeting skills, tips to avoid being power-pointless, or a worksheet for designing a presentation, just send an e-mail to drshirl@shirleygarrett.com. In the meantime, utilize the skills of public speaking to rally your teams, to bring a vision to life, and to close more sales! Shirley Garrett is a presentations skills coach and works with individuals and groups who want to create and deliver more compelling messages and close more sales. She can be reached at (770) 823-8668 or drshirl@shirleygarrett.com.

PCCA Journal|3rd Quarter 2013 22 PCCA will hold its 69th Annual Convention, March 14-19 at the Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort on St. Thomas. After a five-month, $48 million renovation in 2011, the hotel reopened as the premier luxury resort in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Occupying a peninsula on St. Thomas’s southern tip between Charlotte Amalie harbor and the open Caribbean Sea, the resort offers two ways to experience an unforgettable Caribbean vacation. The Frenchman’s Reef Tower rests on a dramatic cliff overlooking the Caribbean’s most majestic yacht harbor and is always humming with activity. The Morning Star Beach Resort, a more intimate enclave, sits on the sea’s edge, which guests can relish from private, open-air verandas. The Reef Tower, which will house all PCCA meetings, has been completely renovated, including all new luxurious guest rooms featuring LCD flat screen TVs, supple and soft new bedding and beds, and fresh clean Caribbean decor. Guests in the tower can take a short walk to the beach or ride the free shuttle. Beachfront rooms in the exclusive Morning Star Beach Resort, with amazing views of the Caribbean, will also be available to PCCA members. Guests at Marriott Frenchman’s Reef and Morning Star Beach Resort relax beside pools, soak in spa tubs, and rejuvenate in a health spa. The infinity pools feature stunning St. Thomas views, while the kid’s splash zone gives plenty of space for family time. Ferries make five-minute runs across the harbor to the lively downtown area. PCCA Plans Caribbean Convention March 14 - 19, 2014 | Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort | St. Thomas, USVI

PCCA Journal|3rd Quarter 2013 23 Resort Highlights • Half-Mile of Natural Beach • Clean & Fresh New Guest Rooms • State of the Art Fitness Center • Luxury Lazule Sea Spa • Private Spa Pool • New Aqua Terra Restaurant • Infinity Resort Pools • Adult Infinity Pool • New Azur Pool Bar • Children’s Splash Zone Onsite Sports/Activities • Kayaking • Snorkeling • Jet Skiing • Tennis • Fitness Center • Volleyball • Yoga More details on the 2014 PCCA Convention will be released shortly. Please look for them in the 4th quarter issue of the PCCA Journal, at www.pccaweb.org, and in your mailbox. If you have any questions, give us a call at (703) 212-7734. St. Thomas is known as an idyllic vacation spot today, but its history is not so peaceful. In the 18th century, the island was at the center of a bustling pirate culture, as swashbuckling pirates such as Blackbeard and Drake traded stolen wares in the port of Charlotte Amalie. This world-renowned Caribbean island is home to amazing beaches, gorgeous sea and landscapes, and unbelievable duty-free shopping. In Charlotte Amalie, just a short ferry ride from PCCA’s hotel, visitors stroll along cobble stone alleyways, admire antique West Indian furnishings in historic homes, explore 17th century Danish fortifications, and enjoy an array of distinctive restaurants and bars. Founded in 1681 by Danish settlers, the town is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. Many bargain-hunting tourists head straight for the famous shopping district where renovated merchant warehouses contain shops selling everything from cut-rate diamonds, perfume, and fine textiles to monstrous Cuban cigars. Local Attractions • Coral World Ocean Park • Paradise Point Aerial Tram • Bluebeard’s Castle/99 Steps • Dronningens Gade (Main Street) • The Butterfly Garden • Magen’s Bay Beach St. Thomas is also an ideal home base for island hopping around the Caribbean before or after the convention. Ferries out of Charlotte Amalie go to St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island as well as the British Virgin Islands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, and Anegada. (Note: to visit the British Virgin Islands, you will need a passport.) A wealth of information about the islands is available at www.vinow.com. Charlotte Amalie: A Great Place to Plunder

PCCA Journal|3rd Quarter 2013 24 PCCA is excited to announce that it has booked former NFL star, current ESPN analyst, and cancer survivor Merril Hoge as the keynote speaker at its 69th Annual Convention, March 14-19, 2014, at the Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. As a graduate of Idaho State University with a degree in Education and a minor in Health and Fitness, Merril Hoge was a four-year football starter and left college with 44 school and conference records and two NCAA records. Hoge was drafted in 1987 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he played until 1993 and led the team in rushing and receiving in four of his first five years, setting a record in his third year for receptions by a running back. In 1993, Hoge went to the Chicago Bears as a free agent, where he played for one year, until he was forced to retire early due to post-concussion syndrome. At the time of his retirement, he had played in 122 consecutive games, the longest streak in the NFL at that time. In 1995, Hoge joined ESPN as a football analyst, where he currently works with Ron Jaworski on the highly acclaimed NFL Match Up show. He has distinguished himself through his in-depth knowledge of both offense and defense and his strong relationships with the coaches and players in the league. Hoge is also an analyst for the ESPN shows NFL Live, Sports Center, Primetime, and NFL Countdown. In 2010, Hoge published his first book, Find A Way. “Find A Way” has been his philosophy since he was twelve years old. This philosophy has helped him to attain his goals, such as playing in the NFL, as well as overcoming challenges and setbacks, from death of his mother when he was young to having to end his football career due to head trauma and being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2003. He has long been a sought-after speaker, sharing his story with audiences and helping them find ways to achieve their goals and overcome their setbacks and challenges. Since his playing days, Hoge has been on the board of the Highmark Caring Foundation and is currently chairman of the board. The Caring Foundation has created four centers for grieving children, adolescents, and their families, called the Highmark Caring Place, located in downtown and suburban Pittsburgh as well as in Erie and Harrisburg, Pa. They are of particular meaning to Hoge, having lost his own mother when he was 21 and seeing the effect it had on his then-16year-old brother. PCCA Books NFL Analyst Merril Hoge for 2014 Convention 2014 PCCA Mid-Year Meeting Camden on the Lake Lake Ozark, Missouri July 23 - 26, 2014

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PCCA Journal|3rd Quarter 2013 26 When Katharine Lee Bates originally conjured the words “America! America! God shed His grace on thee” for her poem Pikes Peak, she was at the pinnacle of that glorious mountain. Bates, an English professor from back east, was inspired by her train trip across our beautiful nation to Colorado Springs, and her poem, of course, became the lyrics to “America the Beautiful.” Now, 120 years later, PCCA members traveled from all across our great nation to Colorado Springs for the 2013 Mid-Year Meeting and were welcomed, and perhaps inspired, by the grandeur of those very same mountains. Hosted and planned by PCCA President Glen Amerine and his wife, Pat, at the renowned Broadmoor resort, the MidYear offered top-flight education, tackled serious industry issues, and provided the fun, easy-going networking events that PCCA is famous for. The numbers were special as well, as 177 people attended (the most since 2001) and 20 committed companies sponsored the meeting (the most ever; see the full list on page 38). The education component of the year’s Mid-Year covered the association’s past, present, and future. In the here and now, attendees were treated to a fascinating keynote from Skip Yowell, the founder of JanSport, an avid outdoorsman, and a high school classmate of Glen Amerine back in Great Bend, Kansas. Yowell sprinkled in practical and creative business advice throughout his account of JanSport’s rise to the top of the outdoor industry and his many trips to exotic locales. He discussed keeping a proper perspective (“I don’t take myself seriously, but I take the business seriously”), the value of mentoring, why you must follow through on your commitments, and the importance of teamwork in business building, mountain climbing, construction, and trade associations. Following Yowell to the microphone, though certainly not limiting herself to the podium or to the typical speaker-audience dynamic, was Dr. Shirley Garrett for a return engagement with PCCA, this time discussing how to stay positive and how to keep those around you positive in today’s world. Dr. Shirl, as we all call her now, had everyone out of their chairs, meeting and collaborating with others, and learning and laughing a lot. Among the many valuable lessons, we learned how self-doubt undercuts productivity and how to foster a higher level of belief in those around us. “Focus on the reasons you’ll succeed,” she said, “not on past problems.” And for every negative comment you make to an employee, try to work in three positive comments. PCCA education past and future were the primary topics for the Leadership Development Program (LDP) Committee on the Mid-Year’s final day, as we further planned the transition from the Young Construction Professionals program to the more-inclusive LDP and discussed the new project manager training program. PCCA will launch the Leadership Development Program with a full-day session at next year’s convention, March 14-19, in St. Thomas. The project manager training, based on FMI’s highly successful Project Manager Academy but customized for power and communication construction, will launch in January 2014. Please see the articles starting on page 9 to learn more about both programs. PCCA meetings are where members address issues that impact their businesses—raise concerns, discuss them from many angles, and plan a course of action. The primary venue for these discussions is the Construction Industry Roundtable, and this year in Colorado Springs we had a very full agenda. Leading off the roundtable was Ken Kuchno from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utility Service, which funds much work in the power and PCCA’s Beautiful Mountain Mid-Year Cooper Sellenriek goes for the perfect char on his marshmallow while making s’mores along with, from left, Marlee Caldwell, Joy and Alex Oden, and Shirley Garrett.

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