Nominations are currently being sought for the twelfth annual New Hampshire Construction Industry Ethics Award. The award is presented to "the individual, business or organization that, through its words and deeds, best demonstrates a commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards in construction." The award includes a plaque and $1,000 contribution to the recipient's charity of choice.
Nominations will be accepted through January 7, 2008, with the recipient to be named in April. Guidelines for nominating deserving individuals and/or companies may be obtained by contacting the award's sponsor, David Wood, at woody@wordsfromwoody.com.
Wood, a nationally known writer and newsletter publisher and past president of the Construction Writers Association, has championed the issue of ethics in construction. "The award is not limited to contractors," he says. "The recipient can just as well be an architect, owner, subcontractor or private individual. What's important is that this entity has taken an action or pattern of actions that exemplify the highest level of integrity and adherence to ethical behavior involving construction."
"Construction people aren't always perceived in the most stellar manner by the general public," says Wood. "However, the vast majority are good guys who play by the rules and treat their clients and building team partners with the utmost respect and honesty. I think we need to recognize and promote those people, and hopefully raise the standards for the entire industry," he adds.
Judging for the award is done by a distinguished panel of New Hampshire industry-related individuals, people whose own integrity and judgment is universally respected, and includes past award recipients.
Prior recipients of the award include Tom Palazzi of The Palazzi Corporation; Rich Lambert of Pro Con, Inc.; Leighton A. White of Leighton A. White, Inc., Milford, N.H.; Mark & Rick Charbonneau of Continental Paving, Londonderry, N.H.; Jim Morrill of Morrill Construction, North Haverhill, N.H.; Tom Avallone of Cobb Hill Construction, Concord, N.H.; Jack McDevitt Jr. of McDevitt Trucks, Manchester, N.H.; Levi Ladd of L.K. Ladd, Concord, N.H.; Samuel Audley of R.S. Audley, Inc., Bow, N.H.; William Walker of The MacMillin Company, Keene, N.H.; and Bill Clark of Clark Masonry, Milford, N.H.