Brian Jurgens, ABC Mass. Chapter

It’s amazing how quickly a year can go by.  As we approach the end of my tenure as ABC Massachusetts chairman, I’ve been reflecting on how much I have enjoyed working closely with the ABC staff and board members on several important issues that directly impact the merit shop construction industry and our chapter.

On the political front, hosting Gov. Baker for a lengthy visit at the ABC office and having Attorney General Maura Healey at our installation of officers were among the highlights.  We also met with Stan Rosenberg in his State House office.  Even a decade ago, it would have been hard to imagine a progressive Senate president making time for an in-person meeting with ABC.

On the organizational front, I’m thrilled that the Building our Future Scholarship was launched on my watch.  It was an honor to watch as the first class of “ABC Legends” was inducted at the Excellence in Construction Awards last month.  Thanks to the good work of my successor, Jim Rudolph, fundraising for the scholarship is off to a great start.

Ultimately, the success of our organization comes down to membership.  I’m happy to say that thanks to the good work of membership director Ken Ledwak, we had a very successful membership drive and are among the nation’s fastest-growing ABC chapters.

I believe our chapter is also well-positioned for long-term success, thanks in part to the excellent work of Laura Cataldo, who we hired to develop a three-to-five-year strategic plan.   

One of my most enjoyable experiences has been getting to know staff and board members on a more personal basis.  We held monthly lunches where conversations flowed from ABC to business and family life. We also had board meetings at off-site locations which kept the monthly meetings new and exciting.  It was important for me to get to know the board and staff members better since we worked so closely throughout the year.

I also enjoyed getting to know new and existing members through the variety of successful events and programs that the ABC staff delivered.  I was very lucky to have been surrounded by so many smart, hard-working ABC members, staff and board members this year; I learned a lot from all of them.  

Those same people will serve Jim Rudolph well in the coming year.  And given his long history of service to our association, I know Jim will do the same for us.

I want to thank the ABC MA board and members for allowing me this opportunity this year. Happy Holidays and I’ll see you at the next event.

Brian Jurgens is chairman of the Associated Builders & Contractors - Mass. Chapter, Woburn and is a senior vice president at W.T. Kenney Co., Inc., Arlington, Mass.