PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

MEIBURG CONGRATULATES SWISHER AS HE ASSUMES 2007-2008 ASAC PRESIDENT'S ROLE

Gunter Meiburg of DYNAMIC PRECAST COMPANY INC. in Santa Rosa, ASAC President for the last three years, passed the mantle to Brian Swisher of WAYNE E. SWISHER CEMENT CONTRACTORS with these words:

The past years have brought many successes, a few failures, and have reinforced within me the importance of having ASA represented at the California State Capitol.  I do not believe there is another single venue as important to the well being of the subcontractor as state government.  In addition to making laws that affect us in the state legislature, it is the administrator of many boards and agencies that affect contractors on an almost daily basis; boards such as pollution control, industrial relations, insurance commissioner's office, Cal OSHA, education and, of course, the Contractors State License Board.

Items we have supported or bills we have introduced in recent years and worked hard to pass include the following areas: Workers comp reform, notice of completion notification, reduced retention, elimination of "pay if paid", risk transfer, and many education bills to bring young people into our industry.

Besides the sponsorship or support of bills, we watch and take vigorous oppose positions on those issues which we consider detrimental to our industry.  Skip Daum always has his ear to the ground and never hesitates to fire off a letter or make an appearance on our behalf.

I believe we have come a long way in all areas, but that there is still a lot to be done, especially in the risk transfer arena.  I see continuously more onerous indemnity requirements in contracts almost daily.

As you can see from these previous statements, it is essential that all members of ASA chapters in California continue to support ASA California and ASA National as well as their local chapters in the work that is being done on their behalf by hard working, dedicated people such as this Board of Directors.

I would like to thank Jordi Grant and Skip Daum for their support during my three years as ASAC president.  They are a great, hard working, capable, and professional team that is easy and enjoyable to work with.

As we look to the future, I urge your support of Brian Swisher as your incoming president. There is much yet to be done, and I believe he is the man to lead the team forward to greater achievements.

ASAC = Advocacy
It’s who we are,
It’s what we do.