The Importance of Team in Achieving Technical Excellence

Believe it or not, the ability to work collaboratively as a team is a learned skill. The longer your project team has worked together, the more skilled they are at problem-solving. Through their shared experiences, team members become proficient in applying their intuition and offer creative problem-solving solutions. A few characteristics of an integrated project team are:

  • Team members knowing their role in the project’s success – Each professional understands how their role impacts the project and focuses on the subtle details of their position, confirming they are done accurately and thoroughly.
  • Hold each other to high standards – While the team makes an agreement with their owner, they make a promise to each other. As an owner, you may not see the accountability they hold to each other, but the effect is seen in the quality of your project.
  • Confidence in solutions – They all know how each other operate, how they break down issues and analyze the best path forward, and they know how to work together to develop creative solutions.
  • Connecting to people, not just your project – All team members are informed of the status of the project at all times. They maintain appreciation and comradery as you work together as partners, leading you to success.

Collaborative problem solving refers to an open process for generating multiple alternatives, fostering the exchange of ideas and producing a validated solution.” (Garvin & Roberto, 2001)

Miles-McClellan Construction Named Accredited Quality Contractor by ABC

“Associated Builders and Contractors is pleased to honor Miles-McClellan Construction with Accredited Quality Contractor status for its commitment to excellence in construction, its workforce and the communities it helps build,” said 2017 ABC National Chair Chuck Goodrich, president of Gaylor Electric, Indianapolis. “Miles-McClellan Constructionearned this recognition for world-class safety performance, a strong record of investment in a talented and well-trained workforce, diversity leadership and community service.”

Launched in 1993, ABC’s AQC program provides recognition to world-class construction firms that have documented their commitment in five areas of corporate responsibility:

•    Quality
•    Safety (ABC Safety Training Evaluation Process (STEP) Gold, Platinum or Diamond level required)
•    Employee benefits
•    Training
•    Community relations and diversity

In achieving AQC status, each member company takes the following pledge:

As an Accredited Quality Contractor, our company is committed to providing our clients with the highest quality construction services and we care deeply about our employees and the communities in which we build. We are proud to be part of the construction industry and are dedicated to the principle of free enterprise. We commit ourselves to serve our communities and to provide our employees with the skills they need to work safely and productively in order to meet the needs of our clients.

AQC is recognized by Construction Users Roundtable (CURT®), an organization founded by leading construction project owners.

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Founded in 1950, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national construction industry trade association representing more than 21,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 70 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. Visit us at abc.org.

Derek Lanning Named to the ABC Carolinas Board of Directors

O’Neal’s Brian Gallagher Leads ABC in 2017
ABC Announces 2017 Board of Directors

Contact:    Doug Carlson (704) 367-1331

Charlotte, NC — Brian Gallagher, vice president of marketing for Greenville-based O’Neal, Inc. has been elected 2017 Chairman of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of the Carolinas, representing more than 1,800 member firms in North and South Carolina.

“2017 has the potential to be a great year for the construction industry in the Carolinas,” said Gallagher.  “ABC will continue to support member companies through education, workforce development and training opportunities, and networking events.  We are committed to being a positive voice for the construction industry in our schools and community — providing students with exposure to construction career opportunities, leading community service initiatives, and working with state and national elected officials on critical issues for the construction industry.”

Gallagher will lead a diverse team volunteer members on the Board of Directors:
Brian Gallagher    O’Neal Inc. – Upstate    Chairman
Casie Sears Kerr   Sears Contract – Raleigh    Vice-Chair
Tom Headlee        Watson Electrical Construction – Wilson    Treasurer , National Board
Eric Perkinson       Brasfield & Gorrie – Raleigh    Past-Chairman
Doug Carlson        ABC of the Carolinas – Charlotte    President
Scott Colter           Colter Electric Company    CECA Liaison
Ken Peeples          BB&T Insurance – Durham
Art Odom              David Allen Company – Raleigh    National Board
Jeff Whitten           Starr Electric – Charlotte
Dave Knudson      Choate Construction Company – Raleigh
Kurt Eyring            Miller-Valentine Group – Columbia
Ryan Wathen        Rodgers – Charlotte    National Board
Chris Moore          Carolina Power – Upstate
Robert Beale         W.M. Jordan Company
Derek Lanning      Miles-McClellan Construction
Steve Smith           Smith Terry & Johnson Construction Law

Gallagher went on to say, “Most importantly, ABC will continue to promote the merit-shop construction philosophy – which encourages open competition and a free enterprise approach that awards contracts based solely on merit, regardless of labor affiliation.”
According to ABC of the Carolinas President and CEO Doug Carlson, ABC is the only construction industry association that represents the entire construction team — general contractors, specialty contractors, suppliers, industry professionals — with an equal voice.

Editors Note:  Associated Builders and Contractors of the Carolinas represent the merit construction contractors and related firms in the Carolinas as a chapter of ABC, a national association representing more than 23,000 members.  For more news and information visit www.abccarolinas.org.

We’re Growing and So Are Our People

While our firm has grown – so have the people in it. Aubrey Harless, Dave McIntosh, Mike Rodriguez and Ted Tinkler all received promotions to Vice President. The Vice President title describes their dedication to our firm and clients, their leadership and mentoring of their teams, and their knowledge and experience within the A/E/C industry.

Aubrey Harless is a leader in North Carolina. His IMMPact team focuses on Industrial and Multi-Unit. They work in both the public (multi-unit) and private (industrial) sectors.

“Throughout our 10 year history in the Carolinas, Aubrey has been a rock since the beginning. His skill set, attitude and dedication are admired and appreciated. His impact on our company and clients has helped to shape our office into what it is today.” – Timothy McClellan, Executive Vice President – General Manager, North Carolina

Dave McIntosh’s IMMPact team focuses primarily on private work with an emphasis on fast renovations — 92% of the team’s work comes from repeat clients.

Mike Rodriguez runs Miles-McClellan’s subsidiary, M-M Masonry, LLC. Mike has grown M-M Masonry into one of Central Ohio’s largest masonry firms. His crew is known for exceptional craftsmanship, and they take great pride in their work.

Ted Tinkler’s IMMPact team services both the private and public sectors. While his team performs small, complex projects for their repeat clients, they are also set up to run large volume projects.

“Dave, Ted and Mike, and their respective teams have done an outstanding job of focusing on relationships over the last three years. Relationships with their subcontract teams and their field teams produce the quality projects, and the high results in the field keep the clients satisfied – strengthening the relationship with both the client and the architect. It is a cycle that continues to result in more work keeping all three teams as busy as they have ever been.

Watching the success of all four teams tells me we have set the right goals, and we have the right people. I hope we are not too busy to have some fun along the way!” – Matthew Q. McClellan, President