Arizona Builders Alliance (ABA), a statewide commercial construction trade association, recently elected a new board president and added four new directors to its board.
Mike Epstein, owner and managing member of Tucson-based Epstein Construction, has been tapped as ABA’s new board president. Four new directors were also elected: Steve Grauer, vice president and district manager of the Western District at Hensel Phelps Construction Co. in Phoenix; Todd Klimas, vice president of Tempe-based Wilson Electric; Brad Lloyd, vice president and project executive of Tucson-based Lloyd Construction; and Dan Puente, president and founder of Tempe-based D.P. Electric.
Now in its 22nd year, ABA is an alliance of the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) and the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). The ABA serves Arizona’s construction industry through advocacy, education, and networking opportunities.
Epstein is one of ABA’s original members and he is proud to have maintained his membership for 22 years. A former chairman of ABA’s southern Arizona chapter, he is excited about the year ahead, especially since ABA’s membership is beginning to grow after several years of flat growth.
“Our industry is facing severe shortages of qualified trade skilled workers, and one of my priorities will be to improve our outreach to high school students who are looking for an exciting and rewarding career,” Epstein said.
He is also looking forward to helping ABA with two new groups, the Young Builders Council and the Leadership Development Forum (LDF) Alumni group. The LDF Alumni group was launched in March and the Young Builders Council will launch in August.
“These groups are going to be instrumental in developing future leaders of the ABA,” he said. “We encourage industry professionals 40 and under to learn how our Young Builders Council can support ongoing education and networking. And, our LDF Alumni group is working to keep graduates of our year-long intensive leadership training class active within our association and connected with opportunities.”
Increasing ABA membership statewide is also a priority for Epstein, who has been involved in the commercial construction industry since 1983.
“I have gained a profound appreciation for the passion and desire our membership has to make our industry better,” he said. “The ABA has been instrumental in my own professional growth, and it is a model organization that provides multi-faceted opportunities for small business and large businesses to work together. All of us are busy with our businesses, but our members can attest that being involved on some level with ABA helps to advance our industry.”
Returning officers to ABA’s board include 1st Vice President Ken Kortman of Kortman Electric, 2nd Vice President Martin Hedlund, of Sundt Construction, Treasurer Ken Kellaney, of National Bank of Arizona, and Legal Advisor Mike Holden, of Holden, Willits, PLC. Newly elected Steve Grauer, Todd Klimas, Brad Lloyd and Dan Puente join a roster of 12 other industry professionals who serve as ABA’s directors. Rob Lafferty of RML Electric, Wes McClure of Wilson Electric and Rob Caylor of Caylor Construction were also designated as Life Directors.
