St. Thomas Virgin Islands Welcomes PCCA

The 69th annual convention of the Power & Communication Contractors Association (PCCA) was an amazing event. Held at the Frenchman’s Reef Marriott Resort on the island of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, turnout for the convention was excellent with close to 400 members and their families attending.

The convention served as the final event for last year’s president PCCA Glen Amerine of Amerine Utilities Construction. The new PCCA president is Steve Sellenriek of Sellenriek Construction.

Preceding the convention, PCCA held a Leadership Development Program. It is a new training program for PCCA and it was well received. Topics of the program included: Trends in Construction, Knowing When to Lead Vs. Manage, Making the Personal Commitment: Your Action Plan, etc.

The convention program included numerous business meetings. The opening session was presented by Merril Hoge a motivational speaker, who had an outstanding career in the National Football League. Chris Daum of FMI and Mark Bridgers of Continuum Group presented an overview of the utility construction industry and an economic forecast for the industry. Maria Fabre Manuel with Onebane Law Firm presented the topic “What’s up with Obamacare?”

A unique aspect of PCCA’s convention is its Annual Prayer Breakfast. Herb Fluharty, MGI Network Services, served as the host for Minister Rob Wood of United Church, based in Fayetteville, Ark. Another unique feature for PCCA is its annual Associates Exhibit & Breakfast. Many associate members were on hand to present their services or products in a tabletop fashion venue. This mini-exhibit idea works quite well for PCCA, as contractor members like this very casual setting to meet with associate members.

The convention included numerous social events, as well as an auction, which raised nearly $200,000. PCCA will hold its mid-year meeting July 23-26 at the Charleston Place in Charleston, S.C. The 70th annual convention returns to the Caribbean in 2015, with the event scheduled for March 6-11 at the Hyatt Regency Resort on Aruba.