From the Chairman’s View
As I have moved my way up the NUCA National leadership, I have found that the benefits of NUCA National are just as important as those of my local chapter. I am a strong supporter of my chapter, NUCA of Washington, and I get a lot from my chapter membership. Both NUCA and my chapter have the same goal—to represent, protect, and improve contractors and associates in the utility and excavation construction industry. So, in this message, I have the privilege to brag about NUCA’s key 2018 accomplishments. Next month, I will share the success and value of NUCA chapters.
ADVOCACY: Bryce Mongeon, a former Senior Legislative Assistant for a Congressman from Pennsylvania, joined NUCA as its new Government Relations Director in May. He is enthusiastic, strategic, knowledgeable, and a great addition to the NUCA team.
NUCA scored significant wins this year as Congress reauthorized critical NUCA priorities, including the Drinking Water SRF and WIFIA loan programs. Additionally, Congress provided an over $1 billion increase to infrastructure programs, like the SRF loan programs and rural water and waste programs. Legislators also heard our message from the Washington Summit about workforce development by reauthorizing the Perkins Act, which allocates significant funding to local vo-tech programs.
SAFETY: NUCA, partnering with NAXSA, held a record-breaking Trench Safety Stand Down. We doubled the number of employees reached from 11,000 in 2017 to nearly 23,000 this year, re-affirming to OSHA that NUCA effectively promotes jobsite safety.
NUCA also trained 19 new competent person and confined space instructors this year who joined the ranks of our training faculty, making jobsites safer nationwide. And, NUCA was recognized by ASAE’s Center of Association Leadership with the Power of A Award for the construction of the Regional Confined Space and Trench Rescue Facility for the Virginia Department of Fire Programs.
EDUCATION/KNOWLEDGE: To provide a wide breadth of instructive resources for members, NUCA is launching its new education portal, NUCA University, in December. This portal will feature everything from important white papers all the way through heavy equipment training. Much of the curriculum will be free to members.
NUCA provided timely Webinar Wednesdays on a host of subjects throughout the year. These Webinar Wednesdays were recorded and available to members 24/7 as part of NUCA University. Additionally, NUCA ramped up the use of social media to actively increase our presence through LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. Using these platforms, our reach has extended to not just members, but those that have an interest in our industry. If you are not following NUCA on social media, please do:
Twitter: NUCA_National Linked in: NUCA National facebook: NUCA1964
I am proud of the accomplishments made at the national level this year. And my year as Chairman has helped me recognize how hard NUCA works to help us, the individual members, as well as our chapters.
As the year winds down, we all know how important the employees who demonstrated commitment and hard work were to our companies this summer. Make it a priority to show your appreciation, especially around the holidays. Employees who feel valued and appreciated are almost always happy, loyal employees.
As we move into the holiday season, I hope you can take time to pause and be thankful for the things that bring you joy and satisfaction—family, friends, employees and coworkers. Whatever your joys are, I hope you pause, embrace them, and feel grateful that they are part of your life.
From my family to yours, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a profitable New Year.
Tags: Chairman's Message, November December 2018 Print IssueMark Fuglevand, NUCA Chairman of the Board/KBA Inc.
