PCCA Hits Sunny Hollywood, Florida for Successful Convention

The Power and Communication Contractors Association (PCCA) headed to Hollywood, Florida, in March for its 81st Annual Convention. The event brought together more than 440 attendees from across the country for a week of education, advocacy, and industry connections.    

To kick off an exciting week, members attended the Excavation Safety Summit, led by DPAC Chair Jerrod Henschel, Quanta Telecom. He was joined by leaders from CGA, DPAC, NULCA, USIC, and the IPC to discuss topics ranging from recent CGA DIRT Report findings to Infrastructure Protection Coalition initiatives. This marked another year of improvements and identified room for growth.

Attendees were officially welcomed on Saturday by PCCA Chairman Rob Pribyl, MP Nexlevel. He reflected on the association’s history: “For 81 years, PCCA has been a unified voice for power and communication contractors, focusing on safety, workforce development, industry advocacy, and strong partnerships that keep America connected and powered. That longevity is a testament to you, our dedicated members, who continually invest in strengthening our industry.”

Opening session speaker Mark Breslin set the tone for the week with a forward-looking presentation on workforce development. During “People First: The Next Evolution of Construction for Culture, Performance, and Profit,” Breslin emphasized the importance of clearly defined company values in attracting and retaining the next generation of workers. “They want to know what you stand for. They want to know what you’re all about.”

In a truly important session, crisis management expert Anthony Huey provided practical, actionable advice on how to prepare for a crisis situation at your company. He also explained how to respond during and immediately after a crisis. He said a crisis is something “worthy of pressing the button and getting your team up at two in the morning. That’s what I’m defining as a crisis. It’s all hands on deck.”

Taking a broader view of industry trends, Continuum Capital’s Mark Bridgers led a cheekily named session, “Catch the Wave: How PCCA Members Can ‘Hang Ten’ for Data Center Development.” He later joined FMI’s Dan Shumate for the Economic Issues Panel. Together, they examined market conditions, owner concerns, and strategies for navigating economic volatility. “I want you to view volatility as opportunity,” Bridgers said. “I want you to be thinking about ‘How do I lean in?'”

The Government & Industry Issues Panel, moderated by John Fluharty, Troy Construction, and featuring NTIA’s Matthew Plaster, FBA’s Gary Bolton, and Ben Brubeck and Jaime Steve from PCCA, explored key policy priorities. These included damage-prevention legislation, permitting reform, and the slow rollout of BEAD funding. The session included a recap of PCCA’s Washington, D.C. Fly-in, where members advocated for legislation beneficial to the industry.

Networking opportunities throughout the week were abundant. The Annual Associate Exhibit gave attendees the chance to browse supplier booths and connect with potential clients. Outside the hotel, excursions like the golf tournament, catamaran tour, and half-day sportfishing trip brought people together to socialize and experience everything coastal Florida has to offer.

Once again, Auction night demonstrated the generosity of PCCA members as they bid on jewelry, equipment, experiences, and more. It raised funds for building programs and services for members, including the PCCA Education & Research Foundation.

To close out the convention, attendees gathered in the hotel’s waterfront ballroom to dine and dance. They also welcomed the rising officers: Chairman Craig Amerine, Chairman-Elect Heath Sellenriek, 1st Vice Chairman Chase Lapcinski, 2nd Vice Chairman John Audi, Treasurer Garrett Akin, and Secretary Nick Anderson. And they welcomed Bob Sellenriek and john Hale into the PCCA Hall of Fame.

---

Latest Posts