2024 NUCA Chairman Tony Privitera

Tony Privitera

Tony Privitera has spent a lifetime in the construction industry, and now he is using his experience to help guide the National Utility Contractors Association as its 2024 Chairman. Privitera took over the association’s top position at the 2024 NUCA Annual Convention and Exhibit March 20-23 in Palm Springs, California.

Privitera took the reins from 2023 Chairman Tom Butler at the event, with Kevin Cripps (Vice Chair), David Howell (Treasurer) and Jason Clark (Secretary) rounding out the executive council with Butler serving as Immediate Past Chairman.

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Privitera’s experience in the construction industry began at a young age as part of the family business – Mark One Electric based in Kansas City, Missouri. Mark One was founded in 1974 by Tony’s parents – Carl and Josephine Privitera. The company originally serviced small business, commercial and industrial accounts, but quickly developed a reputation for completing difficult jobs for demanding clients. This soon led to large projects working in automotive manufacturing plants and industrial facilities across the country.

In 1994, Carl and Josephine retired from the company’s day-to-day operations and passed Mark One on to their four children: Rosana, Joseph, Carl and Tony. Rosana Privitera Biondo was appointed company President at this time, with each brother taking Vice President positions in their respective areas of expertise.

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Privitera (left) at a recent NUCA Convention.
Privitera (left) at a recent NUCA Convention.

Under their leadership, the company has evolved and diversified, providing an array of electrical construction services from design/build and pre-construction to underground, data/comm and specialty systems. During their tenure, Mark One has grown to about 400 employees and is the specialty contractor of choice for the Kansas City construction community. With nine grandchildren, the next generation is beginning to become a part of the business.

“I grew up in the family business – I didn’t have a choice,” Tony jokes. “I started working in the company when I was 14 years old – working in the warehouse and working in the yard, and working in the office. There you learn everything about the business: you know how to operate equipment, load equipment, paint equipment and fix equipment. Beyond that I worked in estimating, project management and service. Being involved in all aspects as a young man, you are able to understand everything about the business, which has helped me tremendously as a I have continued to advance in my career.”

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Privitera with past chairmen
Privitera (second from left) with past chairmen (l-r) Tom Butler, Ryan Kinning and Lauren Atwell.

Interestingly, with more than four decades of industry experience, Privitera has worked for just one company – Mark One. Yet Privitera’s passion for the company or the construction industry has never wavered. One of the things that keeps him motivated is the impact that construction has on the community. Driving around Kansas City, Privitera sees reminders of his work everywhere he goes. “Mark One has been involved in so many high-profile construction projects that you can’t go down the street without seeing something that we haven’t been involved with, whether it is an office building, civic facility, school, hospital or sports stadium. In fact, we just got finished with a project at the Kansas City International Airport. It is amazing to see the impact your work has within the community,” he says.

While the company originally operated as a building electrical contractor, it formed a utilities division in the 1990s and began doing a substantial amount of work on manholes and duct banks for Evergy, the company formed as the merger Kansas City Power and Light and Westar Energy, which led to even more excavation projects for Mark One. And, the diverse client base provides even more opportunity for the company across all sectors of its business.

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As a result of the company’s growing underground utility work, Privitera gladly accepted an offer to join a group of contractors forming the new National Utility Contractors Association Greater Kansas City Region chapter that launched in 2017.Privitera and Mark One were founding members, with Privitera serving a stint as chapter president beginning in 2018. He is still involved as part of the chapter’s Board of Directors to this day.

Tony Privitera has spent a lifetime in the construction industry, and now he is using his experience to help guide the National Utility Contractors Association as its 2024 Chairman. Privitera took over the association’s top position at the 2024 NUCA Annual Convention and Exhibit March 20-23 in Palm Springs, California.
Privitera took the reins from 2023 Chairman Tom Butler at the event, with Kevin Cripps (Vice Chair), David Howell (Treasurer) and Jason Clark (Secretary) rounding out the executive council with Butler serving as Immediate Past Chairman.
Privitera’s experience in the construction industry began at a young age as part of the family business – Mark One Electric based in Kansas City, Missouri. Mark One was founded in 1974 by Tony’s parents – Carl and Josephine Privitera. The company originally serviced small business, commercial and industrial accounts, but quickly developed a reputation for completing difficult jobs for demanding clients. This soon led to large projects working in automotive manufacturing plants and industrial facilities across the country. 
In 1994, Carl and Josephine retired from the company's day-to-day operations and passed Mark One on to their four children: Rosana, Joseph, Carl and Tony. Rosana Privitera Biondo was appointed company President at this time, with each brother taking Vice President positions in their respective areas of expertise.
Under their leadership, the company has evolved and diversified, providing an array of electrical construction services from design/build and pre-construction to underground, data/comm and specialty systems. During their tenure, Mark One has grown to about 400 employees and is the specialty contractor of choice for the Kansas City construction community. With nine grandchildren, the next generation is beginning to become a part of the business.
“I grew up in the family business – I didn’t have a choice,” Tony jokes. “I started working in the company when I was 14 years old – working in the warehouse and working in the yard, and working in the office. There you learn everything about the business: you know how to operate equipment, load equipment, paint equipment and fix equipment. Beyond that I worked in estimating, project management and service. Being involved in all aspects as a young man, you are able to understand everything about the business, which has helped me tremendously as a I have continued to advance in my career.”
Interestingly, with more than four decades of industry experience, Privitera has worked for just one company – Mark One. Yet Privitera’s passion for the company or the construction industry has never wavered. One of the things that keeps him motivated is the impact that construction has on the community. Driving around Kansas City, Privitera sees reminders of his work everywhere he goes. “Mark One has been involved in so many high-profile construction projects that you can’t go down the street without seeing something that we haven’t been involved with, whether it is an office building, civic facility, school, hospital or sports stadium. In fact, we just got finished with a project at the Kansas City International Airport. It is amazing to see the impact your work has within the community,” he says.
While the company originally operated as a building electrical contractor, it formed a utilities division in the 1990s and began doing a substantial amount of work on manholes and duct banks for Evergy, the company formed as the merger Kansas City Power and Light and Westar Energy, which led to even more excavation projects for Mark One. And, the diverse client base provides even more opportunity for the company across all sectors of its business. 
As a result of the company’s growing underground utility work, Privitera gladly accepted an offer to join a group of contractors forming the new National Utility Contractors Association Greater Kansas City Region chapter that launched in 2017.Privitera and Mark One were founding members, with Privitera serving a stint as chapter president beginning in 2018. He is still involved as part of the chapter’s Board of Directors to this day.
As his involvement with the KC chapter grew, so did his involvement at the national level. Privitera has been active in the Government Relations Committee and Political Action Committee, and was soon asked to be part of the executive committee. 
“My experience at the national level has been rewarding,” he says. “It has been eye-opening to know that contractors across the country are experiencing the same problems that you are, and it is so beneficial to be able to share your experiences and learn from others who are going through the same thing. And along the way, you are able to meet so many great people and develop a camaraderie with contractors everywhere.”
As far as his vision for the upcoming year, Privitera eyes the association from a business perspective. “The best customers are the ones that you already have,” he says. “Along those lines, I think it is important for the association to make sure that we are staying connected with the current members and meeting their needs. The same is true for the chapters. Of course, growth is important, but increasing retention is one way to grow.”




As outlined in his inaugural Chairman’s Message in this issue of Utility Contractor, Privitera also sees workforce development and advocacy as priorities for the upcoming year.
“Workforce issues affect many industries, with construction being particularly impacted,” Privitera says. “We need to communicate to the younger generation that construction is an industry with a bright future, and one of the ways we can do that is through Dozer Days events. These events spark an interest in not only young people, but it is also a great way to communicate to parents the benefits of a career in construction. 
Privitera concludes: “Our work is not just about digging trenches; it’s about building relationships that allow people to work with people.”
Jim Rush is editor of UC.

As his involvement with the KC chapter grew, so did his involvement at the national level. Privitera has been active in the Government Relations Committee and Political Action Committee, and was soon asked to be part of the executive committee.

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“My experience at the national level has been rewarding,” he says. “It has been eye-opening to know that contractors across the country are experiencing the same problems that you are, and it is so beneficial to be able to share your experiences and learn from others who are going through the same thing. And along the way, you are able to meet so many great people and develop a camaraderie with contractors everywhere.”

As far as his vision for the upcoming year, Privitera eyes the association from a business perspective. “The best customers are the ones that you already have,” he says. “Along those lines, I think it is important for the association to make sure that we are staying connected with the current members and meeting their needs. The same is true for the chapters. Of course, growth is important, but increasing retention is one way to grow.”

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NUCA chairs

As outlined in his inaugural Chairman’s Message in this issue of Utility Contractor, Privitera also sees workforce development and advocacy as priorities for the upcoming year.

“Workforce issues affect many industries, with construction being particularly impacted,” Privitera says. “We need to communicate to the younger generation that construction is an industry with a bright future, and one of the ways we can do that is through Dozer Days events. These events spark an interest in not only young people, but it is also a great way to communicate to parents the benefits of a career in construction.

Privitera concludes: “Our work is not just about digging trenches; it’s about building relationships that allow people to work with people.”

Jim Rush is editor of UC.

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