New Ipswich, NH Gary Bertram, retired executive of Hutter Construction has been named as the recipient of the twenty-second annual New Hampshire Construction Industry Ethics Award. The award honors the “individual, business or organization that, through its words and deeds, best demonstrates a commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards in construction.” Bertram will receive the award on June 21st at the AGC Safety Awards Dinner at The Derryfield Country Club.

A Chicago native who grew up in Michigan, Bertram earned an associate’s degree in Technology from Gogebic Community College in Ironwood, Michigan. Following graduation, he moved to New Hampshire in 1972, spending six years doing structural steel detailing and estimating for Seppala and Aho Construction.

In 1978, Bertram joined Hutter Construction, signing on as a laborer and quickly moving up to assistant project manager. He was named vice president in 1985, and continued his rise over the next 30 years, serving as executive vice president (1990), president (2000) and executive vice president (2008), retiring in 2015 after 36 years with the company. During the vast majority of that time he oversaw the project management and estimating staff, and handled preconstruction services for all of Hutter’s projects.

Praise for Bertram is universal throughout the construction industry.

“He is the epitome of honesty, integrity and professional standards,” said Bill Norton, president of Norton Asset Management, who has known Bertram since Gary’s Seppala and Aho days. “In hundreds of meetings, I have never seen him lose his temper or his professionalism. He has a quiet, calm, stick-to-the-issues approach in the construction world, where things tend to escalate much too quickly. He had been a mentor to many and an excellent role model for anyone who has had the opportunity to work with him and see him in action.”

Bob Iafolla, president of Myriad Management Group, has known Bertram for more than 20 years and worked with him on a number of projects as an owner’s representative. “Gary has set a level of honesty and truthfulness that is unrivalled in our industry, and his calm demeanor produces cooperation rather than confrontation. I would happily start any project with Gary with a handshake, knowing that any issues that may arise would be dealt with fairly and professionally.”

Bertram also earned the respect of his fellow contractors during his long career. “Whenever I bested Gary in a hard bid where we finished 1-2, I was not only thrilled at having the low number, but I knew that I had the right number if he finished a close second,” said Eric Hastings of Engelberth Construction, who has competed against Bertram for 25 years. “If the company that I was employed by was facing Gary’s company in an interview for a construction management project, I knew it would be extremely difficult to win because of Gary’s presence. The architects who had previously worked with Gary already knew that he brought integrity and fairness to the projects from start to finish. The owners who met Gary at the interview for the first time would quickly sense what Gary would bring to their project.”

Bertram was also held in the highest regard by his colleagues at Hutter. “Gary’s integrity and fairness, along with a fierce defense of the truth, helped build the strong reputation that Hutter enjoys today,” said Lars Traffie, now president of the firm. “My father and I trusted him to help bridge the successful transition of leadership from the first generation to the second in our family business. Gary was a tremendous help in mentoring me through the process.”

Bertram’s impact on the community has also been significant. Among his many activities, he has served on the New Ipswich Board of Adjustment and the town’s Building Committee for several school projects. Throughout his career, he was often recruited as an independent expert witness on construction matters.

All who know him are aware of the prominent role faith plays in his life. “Gary has never lost sight of his first priorities, faithfulness to God and to his family,” said Lars Traffie. “This was evident in his service to the church as a lay preacher, board member and Sunday school teacher, along with countless hours of commitment and service.” One of several ministers at the Apostolic Lutheran Church of America, he has also served as national chairman of Apostolic Lutheran Church of America. In addition, he was a member of a mission team to the Philippines.

In addition to a plaque, the award carries with it a $1,000 donation to the recipient’s charity of choice. Bertram has requested that the donation be split between Teen Challenge New England, which brings life-changing hope to addicts and their families, and the American Heart Association.

The New Hampshire Construction Industry Ethics Award was established and is underwritten by David Wood, a former nationally recognized writer, publisher and marketing consultant specializing in the construction industry. His newsletter, Words from Woody, won 25 awards, including being a three-time recipient of the Construction Writers Association’s prestigious T. Randolph Russell Award. In 2005, Wood was presented with the Silver Hard Hat, that organization’s highest honor.

Previous recipients of the award have been William Clark of Clark Masonry Construction; William Walker of The MacMillin Company; Samuel Audley of R.S. Audley, Inc.; Levi Ladd of L.K. Ladd, Inc.; Jack McDevitt Jr. of McDevitt Trucks, Inc.; Tom Avallone of Cobb Hill Construction; Jim Morrill of Morrill Construction; Mark and Rick Charbonneau of Continental Paving; Leighton White of Leighton A. White Inc.; Rich Lambert of PROCON; Tom Palazzi of The Palazzi Corp.; Ron Severino of Severino Trucking; Paul Morin of Tarkka Homes; Bruss Construction; John Zahr of Harvey Construction Corp.; Mark Bates of Weaver Brothers Construction; Tom Morin of Morin’s Landscaping; Dan Hazelton of Anderson Equipment Co.; Richard Uchida of Hinckley Allen; Frank Lemay of Milestone Engineering and Construction; and Dan Church of The Rowley Agency.