ABC Florida Gulf Coast

09/07/2026

"It's literally the biggest, smallest world."

Ciarra Wilson, Project Engineer at Gaylor Electric, on why relationships in construction follow you for the rest of your career — and why building them the right way matters more than most people realize.

Pick up the phone, call anyone in the network, and 25 minutes later the question is answered. Plus a full catch-up in between, separation anxiety and all.

Catch the full episode on our YouTube channel or stream it on Libsyn.

▶️ https://youtu.be/0iG4cj4R1gE

🎙️https://sites.libsyn.com/509958/building-the-next-generation-of-construction-leaders-nexgen-class-of-2027-blueprints-banter

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day! Today, we celebrate the hardworking men and women whose skill, dedication, and craftsmanship continue to build and strengthen our communities.

09/04/2026

Our team will be out of the office for Labor Day weekend and will return on September 8th.

Please feel free to email us if you need anything, and we’ll respond as soon as we return. We hope you have a safe and enjoyable weekend!

09/03/2026

🍷 Turns out the w**e was easier to remember than what day of the week it was…

Wine’d Up Wednesday… on a Thursday! 🤷‍♀️

David and Laura may be a day late, but we’ve got plenty to catch you up on. This episode is all about what’s coming up at ABC — upcoming events, important dates, and a few things you’ll want to have on your radar.

So pretend it’s Wednesday, pour yourself a glass, and get Wine’d Up with us! 🍷

Better late than never, right?

09/02/2026

"We are building our replacements."

Arin Lowery, Operations Manager at ACCI, puts it plainly. The construction industry is facing a skilled workforce shortage, and the leaders in the room today are responsible for developing the ones who will carry it forward.

That means adapting. Teaching differently. Meeting this generation where they are, with the technology and approaches that resonate with them.

Catch the full episode on our YouTube channel or stream it on Libsyn.

▶️ https://youtu.be/0iG4cj4R1gE

🎙️ https://sites.libsyn.com/509958/building-the-next-generation-of-construction-leaders-nexgen-class-of-2027-blueprints-banter

09/01/2026

We had so much fun kicking off our NEXGEN Class of 2027 at Common Dialect Beerworks! It was great meeting our new class members and catching up with NEXGEN alumni. Our first official class is next Wednesday, and we can’t wait to get started!

09/01/2026

We love seeing ABC leadership recognized across Florida! 👏

Congratulations to the ABC members named among 25 Essential Construction Leaders in Florida, including our own Richard Backa!

Richard is a past Chair of the ABC Florida Gulf Coast Chapter Board of Directors and currently serves as Chairman of ABC of Florida. We’re proud to see his leadership—and the leadership of so many ABC members—recognized for the impact they continue to make on Florida’s construction industry.

Congratulations to all those recognized! 🏗️

Check out the full list: https://www.consultclarity.org/post/construction-leaders-florida

A fact-checked list of 25 construction leaders shaping Florida in 2026, from family firms in succession to statewide platforms and trade associations today.

08/31/2026

Growing a business in construction comes down to one thing — being in the right room.

David Halter, Account Manager at Service Works Commercial Roofing, on what the ABC Florida Contractors Tabletop Expo at Caloosa Sound Convention Center brings together: general contractors, pre-construction coordinators, project managers, and estimators, everyone who makes decisions and can send work, all at once.

▶️ Watch to hear more.

🔗 Learn more: abcflgulf.org

08/30/2026

Proud to see ABC Florida Gulf Coast Chapter recognized as a “WINNER” in the Tampa Bay Rays stadium deal.

But the real win is what comes next.

For months, ABC and our members have made the case that this project is about much more than baseball. It is about construction jobs, apprenticeship and workforce development, opportunities for local contractors and small businesses, and a transformational investment in the future of Tampa Bay.

We were proud to get involved early, engage our elected officials, encourage our members to make their voices heard, and consistently advocate for the thousands of men and women who will ultimately BUILD this project.

Now it’s time to get to work.

Thank you to our ABC members who stepped up throughout this process and to the elected officials, public staff, Rays leadership and community partners who worked to get this across the finish line.

The next chapter is the one we’re most excited about: BUILDING IT.

Read the Florida Politics Winners & Losers:

I have been following St. Petersburg's Stadium Saga for more than 40 years. Depending on how you count, my start in politics came either in fifth grade at

08/28/2026

THANK YOU! 🏗️⚾

On behalf of ABC Florida Gulf Coast and our more than 650 member companies, we want to sincerely thank the Hillsborough County Commissioners and Tampa City Council Members who voted to approve this transformational project.

Commissioners Christine Miller, Ken Hagan, Chris Boles, Gwen Myers Harry Cohen, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Council Members Luis Viera, Bill Carlson, Alan Clendenin and Naya Young.

We also want to recognize the incredible work of the Hillsborough County and City of Tampa staffs.

Deals of this magnitude don't happen overnight. They require countless hours of negotiations, analysis, planning, problem-solving and hard work behind the scenes. Many people have worked for years to get our community to this moment.

This is more than a stadium. It is a generational economic development and workforce opportunity that will create construction careers, grow local businesses and provide opportunities for the next generation of skilled workers.

Thank you for your leadership, your persistence and your commitment to the future of Tampa Bay.