ABC recognizes LSU students as 2008 Student Essay Competition winners

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) educational affiliate, the Trimmer Education Foundation, March 8 named four teams from colleges and universities nationwide as 2008 Student Essay Competition Winners. The award-winning teams were recognized at a ceremony held during the 2008 ABC National Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Among the winners were Louisiana State University students Michael P. Holms and Nathan T. Hunter for their essay, “Addressing the Labor Shortage in the Construction Industry.”

“This is the fourth year we have held this competition and we are very proud of the unique benefits it offers our student members,” said Kirk Pickerel, ABC president and CEO. “The Trimmer Education Foundation recognizes the increasing importance of written communications for the construction professional. This competition gives students the opportunity to have a paper ‘blind-reviewed’ and judged by industry members. The topic is of their choosing and is one that is pertinent to today’s construction industry.”

Each team in the contest was responsible for independently researching, writing and editing its essay. The award-winning teams received cash prizes.

Durr breaks ground on corporate headquarters

Durr Heavy Construction LLC held its official ground breaking ceremony recently for its new multi-million-dollar corporate headquarters, located at 817 Hickory Ave. in Harahan.

Participants in the ceremony included: The Stumpf Family (Stephen, Donna, Dana, Stephen Jr. and Shana), Owners; Stephen Stumpf, CEO; Freddy Yoder, president; Richard Mire, VP-South Shore Division; Jason Manson, VP-North Shore Division; Jay Greiner, CFO and other key members of the Durr team.

This new complex will include increased office space for more than 35 employees, a chapel, a workout room complete with showers, a training room and two conference rooms.

“We have simply outgrown our existing building,” said Yoder, “and knew it was time to make the changes we had been talking about for years.”

In addition to increasing office space, the new complex will serve as a regional training facility for all four Durr offices.

“With a dedicated area for training, we will be able to better serve our staff by providing outstanding training in a modern arena,” said Durr’s Human Resources and Safety Director Don Bonewitz.

Members of all Durr offices were on hand to celebrate the milestone. The celebration concluded with a crawfish boil for the employees.

The structure, designed by SCNZ Architects LLC, is being built by Landis Construction Co. and slated to be completed in December.

SC&RA presents longevity award to Turner Industries

In recognition and appreciation of loyal membership, the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA) presented 25 Longevity Awards for continuous membership ranging from 25 to 60 years during its Annual Conference in Bonita Springs, Fla., April 15-19.

Among those honored was Turner Industries Group LLC, Baton Rouge, La,. for 35 Years of membership.

The Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association (SC&RA) is an international trade association of nearly 1,300 members from 43 nations. Members are involved in specialized transportation, machinery moving and erecting, industrial maintenance, millwrighting and crane and rigging operations, manufacturing and rental.