Raymond D. Caruso
Vice President of Business Development
C.E. Floyd Company, Inc.
Bedford, Massachusetts
I have enjoyed my ABC participation for more than 40 years, and my passion for recruiting new members has helped our business and me personally. I learned long ago the importance of strength in numbers and that building the association’s resources with quality subcontractors, suppliers and associate member firms would be beneficial to help ABC meet our clients’ evolving needs.
ABC members make a sincere effort to work together, collaborating on a broad range of projects throughout the region and beyond.
Relationships and teamwork are key ABC values that promote excellence in our industry under the umbrella of the merit shop philosophy. I have developed many long-term relationships through ABC that I value to this day.
Taking an active role in ABC, in particular with membership recruitment, has given me an opportunity to not only grow our association, but also to understand the expertise and value our fellow members can offer our firm.
Sam Craig
President
Craig & Heidt, Inc.
Houston
In my many years in the construction industry and as an ABC member, I have found that ABC members are quality-driven, service-oriented and place a high value on safety. ABC members are highly professional and ethical in their business dealings.
For these reasons, we prefer to use ABC members’ services whenever possible.
At Craig & Heidt, we are constantly seeking improvement in all facets of our business. This includes our subcontractors, vendors, suppliers and professional service providers. We look first to ABC members for these services.
ABC provides numerous opportunities in which I can establish personal and professional relationships, such as breakfast meetings, serving on committees and member mixers.
Recruiting new members helps strengthen the merit shop industry in general. As they gain knowledge about the merit shop way, many new members become strong advocates and help ABC expand its reach into the community.
John Noble
Vice President
Washington Commercial Painters
Kirkland, Washington
New members have added to the value and quality of ABC’s programs and bring new ideas and perspectives.
One example: I recruited a contractor consultant who was working with us and our new estimators and project managers. He has made a large impact with our members and board of directors in the areas of leadership and personal development.
Another example: I recently teamed up with one of our newer members to do a large renovation in downtown Seattle that consisted of hazardous blasting, containment and safety awareness that were highly visible to other trades. This turned out to be a great partnership for us because we were able to provide the client with another service needed to complete the project.
I rely on my relationships with ABC members and staff for education, safety and information needed to help me continue to grow my business. Strength in numbers is needed just to defend and protect the merit shop philosophy and free enterprise in Washington state.
