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BX WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

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Invest in Your Company’s Rising Leader

2025 Rising Leaders Institute

 

Entering its 19th year, The Rising Leaders Institute has become one of most sought-after professional development programs in our community. Created in partnership with The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business, The Rising Leaders Institute is an intensive program that includes classroom time, case studies, projects and networking. Sessions are taught by faculty members from the Fisher College of Business, along with local industry experts.

Class size for this prestigious program is limited and there are very few seats remaining. Consider investing in your company’s future leaders – reserve a spot in the Rising Leaders Institute Class of 2025.

For more information about this program, contact Kelly Stover.

 

 

Rising Leaders Institute
Class of 2025
Jan. 29 - Nov. 2025

APPLICATION

$4,700 BX Members
$5,700 Non-members

This week's featured BX Safety Achievement Award Recipients

 

Twenty-nine companies are being honored with a BX Safety Achievement Award for outstanding safety statistics and jobsite performance this year.

For information about the BX Safety Awards, contact Ashton Chapman.

 

Congratulations to this week's featured recipients!

 

Buckner and Sons Masonry, LLC
Masonry Contractor

  • Senior Leadership: Jerome Buckner, president; Otis Buckner, CEO
  • Safety Staff: James Negrete, LMG safety manager; Greg Adams, EHS director
  • Average number of employees: 15
  • Year company was founded: 1989
  • BX Safety Accolades: This is the second BX safety achievement award that Buckner and Sons has received.  
2024 BX Safety Achievement Award Recipient (Buckner and Sons Masonry LLC)

From left: Nick Sexton, Jimmy Negrete, Christina Geter and Luisa Ramirez.
Buckner and Sons Masonry LLC logo

 


Pepper Construction Company of Ohio, LLC
General Contractor

  • Senior Leadership: Paul Francois, president; Scott Haddock, SVP; Jerry Noble, SVP; Amy McNevin, VP; Candace Klepacz, VP
  • Safety Staff: Aaron Boggs, director of safety; Chad Ross, safety manager; John Shea, safety engineer
  • Average number of employees: 146
  • Year company was founded: 2006
  • BX Safety Accolades: This is the ninth BX safety achievement award that Pepper Construction has received.
2024 BX Safety Achievement Award Recipient (Pepper Construction Company of Ohio, LLC)

From left: John Shea, Aaron Boggs, Devin Thornton, Wes Brown, Chad Ross, Warren Stevens and Joe Koussa.
Pepper Construction Company of Ohio, LLC logo

 

 


Speer Mechanical
Mechanical Contractor

  • Senior Leadership: John Harper, president; Gregg Stewart, executive vice president; Ron Mitchell, senior vice president of service
  • Safety Staff: Brad Bishop, safety director
  • Average number of employees: 171
  • Year company was founded: 1927
  • BX Safety Accolades: This is the 19th BX safety achievement award that Speer has received.

2024 BX Safety Achievement Award Recipient (Speer Mechanical)

Front row, from left: John Conklin, Jid Bouaphakeo, Ryan Hoffman and Mark Payton. Back: Adam Norman Jr., Brandon Roberts, Todd Babcock, Bobby Dixon and Brandon Shaw.
Speer Mechanical logo

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED CRAFTSMANSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS!

2024 BX Craftsmanship Award Winning crew from Environmental Management, Inc.

The Craftsmen:

Blake Kessler, Oscar Magan, Ivan Martinez, Enrique Martinez Morales and Bernardo Pablo of Environmental Management, Inc.

The Winning Work:

Hardscape and landscape installation at Preston Centre Sunken Garden

 


A high level of planning and expertise by the crew from Environmental Management, Inc. was necessary for the work completed at the urban garden park at Preston Centre. 

Located in the former basement of the PNC Bank Building in downtown Columbus, the 6,000 square foot greenspace is a first of its kind for the area. A seamless integration of hardscape elements can be seen throughout the existing buildings’ features. Installation of porcelain pavers on the stairs help create a seamless transition from street level to the garden. The crew developed a tray system to stabilize the pavers and provide material longevity. More than 1,100 linear feet of granite was installed for the planter and street curb, and more than 300 square feet of Bluestone paving was used in the garden. All materials were custom cut on site. To navigate around the narrow stairway, the crew used cranes for the larger trees and other materials. Design adjustments, drainage control, introduction of rare plant species and varying microclimates were a few of the challenges encountered by the team.

Kessler and Pablo are members of Laborers Local 423. This is the second crew award for Environmental Management, Inc. The craftsmen will receive their award at the 132nd BX Annual Meeting in November.

For information about the BX Craftsmanship Awards, contact Pam Austin.

BX Partner Spotlight: Best Courier

Best Courier logoBX Service Partner Best Courier understands that important documents and packages need to arrive on time - all the time. No matter what the job, their team will concentrate on providing you with exceptional service to see that your documents and goods arrive promptly to keep your organization running smoothly.

Since 1979, Best Courier has provided the people of Columbus with outstanding delivery and shipping services. From immediate courier service to out-of-town deliveries, Best Courier can meet the needs of your business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They offer two levels of local, same-day service: 2-Hour (Immediate) and 4-Hour (Delay)

BX members receive a 20% discount! Contact BX Representative Kathy McClurg for details at (614) 475-8900.

Looking for Construction Employees?

 

BX Job Board Infographic

 

 

The BX job board is not just for professional positions, if you have an open position you need to fill, this is the place to post it.

Positions on the BX job board during August were seen by nearly 6,000 visitors – was your open position there?

Posting your open positions on BXJOBS.COM is the solution you've been looking for to find your next great hire!

If you have questions or need assistance posting a position, contact Sanda Elkins.

 

BX Job Board link

BX JOB BOARD | SEARCH & POST


BX Job Board Rates:

  • 2-week posting:
    $110 BX members | $210 Non-members 
  • 4-week posting:
    $135 BX members | $235 Non-members 
  • 6-week posting:
    $160 BX members | $260 Non-members


BX Blueprints for Well-being Council: Q4 Meeting

 

Caring For Our Veterans

 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, veterans make up 6.5% of the construction industry. Not only do they make up an important portion of our workforce, but they also face unique well-being challenges.

One of the many ways we can help support  veterans in the industry is by learning to better understand them. This presentation will touch on the culture of the military, specific triggers, unique statistics and available resources that can help veterans in the event of an emergency. Discover a step-by-step process regarding how to utilize U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), what to do if step one doesn’t work, and other valuable resources such as Mission 22. The program will also include a panel from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

For more information about the BX Blueprints for Well-being Council or this presentation, contact Ashton Chapman.


BX Blueprints for Well-being Council Q4: Caring For Our Veterans
Oct. 3  |  8 - 9:30 AM
Builders Exchange

REGISTER NOW

FREE BX members  |  $35 Non-members
When registering online, be sure to log into the member portal to receive the member rate.


Q4 MEETING SPONSOR


Valley Interior Systems, Inc. logo

MEET THE PRESENTER:

Johel Woodliff (Walsh Construction Group, LLC) headshot
Johel Woodliff

(Walsh Construction Group, LLC)

 

Johel Woodliff is a Safety Director for the Healthcare Division within Walsh Construction. He has worked in the central Ohio Construction Industry for more than 15 years as both a Project Manager and a Safety Professional. He earned a bachelor's degree in Construction Systems Management from The Ohio State University. Prior to his post-secondary education, Johel served in the United States Marine Corps with a combat deployment to Iraq in 2005. He is passionate about the construction industry and the well-being of the industrial athletes that work in the industry. He is even more passionate about helping veterans, especially those working in the construction industry.

Become a Blueprint Reading Pro!

 

Construction Drawings 201 builds upon existing plan-reading and problem-solving skills to further develop knowledge of how projects come together.

Train your employees to go beyond just reading blueprints – prepare them to interpret plans and anticipate potential problems. Local industry professionals will guide attendees through interactive skills with site, structural, HVAC/plumbing and electrical drawings.

It is highly recommended that students complete the BX Construction Drawings 101 course prior to enrolling in this advanced option.

For more information about this course, contact Kelly Stover.


Construction Drawings 201
Oct. 8, 10, 15 & 17 | 4 - 6 PM
Builders Exchange

REGISTER NOW

$399 BX members  |  $499 Non-members
When registering online, be sure to log into the member portal to receive the member rate.

 

 

 

 


MEET THE INSTRUCTORS:

  • Ryan Brickner (Sauer Group, LLC)
  • Joel Cochran (Trucco Construction Co., Inc.)
  • Pat Halaiko (Custom Air Conditioning/Air Force One)
  • Anna Milligan (SMBH, Inc.)
  • Paul Poklinkowski (Mid-City Electric / Technologies)
  • Chase Susor (Trucco Construction Co., Inc.)

Service That Will Set You Apart

 

Make sure each of your employees can positively reflect the professional image of your company and avoid the risk associated with making a bad impression on a job.

In this course, attendees will learn from seasoned professionals how to build relationships with your customers, vendors and more. Course topics will include:

  • Establishing a professional image
  • Creating a good plan and schedule
  • Understanding the client’s expectations
  • Providing clear communication
  • Performing beyond industry standards
  • Closing out with a positive impression

In addition to formal class time, students will have the opportunity to interact with an owner panel who will provide insight into what they value in professional relationships with field force members.

For more information about this course, contact Kelly Stover.


Customer Relations for the Field Force
Nov. 5 & 7 |  4 - 6 PM
Builders Exchange

REGISTER NOW

$199 BX members  |  $299 Non-members
When registering online, be sure to log into the member portal to receive the member rate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


MEET THE INSTRUCTORS:

Andy Hoh (Messer Construction Co.) headshot

Andy Hoh
(Messer Construction Co.)

Kris Edwards (Valley Interior Systems, Inc.) headshot

Kris Edwards
(Valley Interior Systems, Inc.)

Brian Soller (Messer Construction Co.) headshot

Brian Soller
(Messer Construction Co.)

Learn to Recognize Signs & Symptoms of Substance Abuse

Every business has a responsibility to ensure a safe and secure work environment. Determining reasonable suspicion of an employee who may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be difficult for even the most seasoned coworkers or managers. 

Ensure your team is trained and aware of your expectations as a drug-free workplace. During their one-hour session, supervisors will learn observation techniques for common performance problems and how to properly document their observations. Employees will receive information on their company policy, their responsibilities, and the resources available to them. Both the employee and supervisor class meet the one-hour training component of the BWC Drug-Free Safety Program.

BX instructors are available to train your company at your facility (or ours) when it’s convenient for you. This is a great way to get your entire team trained!

For more information about BX DFSP training or to schedule a company-specific class, contact Sean Cooper.


students in classroom


Drug-Free Safety Program Training
Builders Exchange
When registering online, be sure to log into the member portal to receive the member rate.


Employee Training
All construction employees

Nov. 8 | 8 - 9 AM
$50 BX members  |  $70 Non-members

REGISTER NOW

 

 

Supervisor Training
Managers, supervisors, HR or anyone responsible for drug-free policy administration

Nov. 8 | 9 - 10 AM
$70 BX members  |  $90 Non-members

REGISTER NOW