Shown are governor Charlie Baker, Jim Rudolph and lieutenant governor Karyn Polito

The installation of officers and directors marks the beginning of each year for ABC and the Gould Construction Institute.  But the 2016 event was extra special as ABC and Gould board members were sworn in by governor Charlie Baker.

Both Baker and lieutenant governor Karyn Polito spoke at the installation, which was held February 2 at the Westin Hotel in Waltham, and their remarks went a long way toward explaining why Baker is the nation’s most popular governor, according to recent polling.

Polioto whose family has a development business in central Massachusetts, started by talking about how the administration’s comprehensive effort to cut unnecessary regulations is making it easier to do business in Massachusetts. As she spoke, she addressed several members by name.

Baker described his recent economic development proposal, which includes funding to upgrade and expand the commonwealth’s vocational-technical programs.  He clearly understands that a workforce that can compete in the 21st century economy requires not just engineers and scientists, but also investments in skilled tradespeople.

The governor noted that elections are obviously important, but governing requires a different set of skills.  He talked about how an approach that focuses on the nuts and bolts of governing – “blocking and tackling” as he calls it – may not make headlines, but it produces accomplishments that residents care about, such as being able to get in and out of the Registry of Motor Vehicles quickly.

He also spoke eloquently about governing in a democracy, in which no one person or branch of government yields all the power.  By developing a strong relationship with the Legislature and listening to their concerns, he was able to close a large budget gap upon entering office and pass MBTA reform legislation that few would have believed was possible just a couple of months before he signed it.

The good news is that Baker and Polito are doing a great job of making Massachusetts a place where ABC members and the entire construction industry can thrive.  What’s even better is that he solicits our input and really listens to our concerns.  Judging from his poll numbers, we may not be the only ones who feel that way.

James Rudolph, Esq. is the managing partner of Rudolph Friedmann LLP, Boston and is the 2016 ABC-Mass. chairman, Woburn, Mass.