2025 OCA Winter Conference

Breakout Session Topics are a Sign that the Future is Here Now More Than 500 Attendees Makes Columbus Easton the Place to Be

As proven by the lineup of sessions at the 2025 OCA Winter Conference, the future has technically already arrived.

With educational, interactive and current topics such as New Developments & Technology, Digital Foundations, Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), OCA members were quick to realize: “The future is happening, right here, right now.” More than 500 association members and transportation leaders were in attendance for the 43rd Annual OCA Winter Conference, December 8 & 9, at the Hilton Columbus at Easton. The yearly day-and-a-half event is the largest in-state OCA event, as members took part in Monday’s breakout and general sessions, meetings and receptions and Tuesday’s annual business meeting and awards program.

Day 1

ODOT’s Newest Developments in Technology & Alternative Contracting

Who else to learn from in how digital platforms can be used to improve safety, simplify inspections and streamline construction oversight than ODOT Project AASHTOWare Business Administrator and Electronic Project Delivery Management’s Janet Treadway? The nearly 25-year ODOT veteran, who helped lead the state DOT’s and Ohio heavy/highway industry’s transition to the digital construction management software system, spoke on how putting the latest technology in the hands of inspectors and project teams can expedite workflows through “real-time visibility” on jobsites.

Building Digital Foundations: A Construction Industry Guide to Establishing Robust Information Security Programs

In about the time that it takes to read aloud what ReynCon Founder/CEO Connie Matthews Reynolds discussed in her cybersecurity session, one’s voice can be copied and manipulated through artificial intelligence (AI). Along with how 10 seconds of audio can lead to the makings of a cybercrime, Matthews Reynolds shared how contractors can go from crawling to running when it comes to assessing cyber security threats; why employees using personal communication devices at work can be harmful to the company; what security assessments organizations should have for subcontractors; establishing incident response strategies; and more.

OH811 Updated & Committees

2025 was a busy year when it comes to utility marking requirements. Ohio811 Public Awareness & Services Supervisor Jason Broyles discussed the recent, current and future changes as they relate to the heavy/highway construction industry. Because of the contracting industry’s close relationship working in and around utilities, Broyles and OCA Labor Relations & Safety Director Dave Coniglio stressed the importance of industry involvement in subcommittees and participating in the Ohio Underground Damage Prevention Coalition.

When ICE Comes to Call

With Construction being among the top industries for most undocumented workers, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if ICE comes knocking at your company’s doors. Do you know what to do when U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers come to call? Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) Employment Policy & Practices Director Claiborne Guy discussed the three types of ICE Enforcement Actions – raids, warrants and I-9 audits – and things companies can do to prepare. Claiborne provided insight on who should be involved on your company’s crisis management team – which includes legal counsel – as well as a checklist of the dos and don’ts when ICE stops by.

How Peer Support Can Enhance Your Mental Health Program

When it comes to mental health, there is one thing Paul Lawson wants people to remember: We’re all in this together. Utilizing his ministry and construction experiences to develop his mental health training and advocacy message, the Founder/CEO of Paul Lawson Helps LLC shared insight with OCA members from his VitalCog Suicide Prevention in the Construction Workplace Program. Attendees learned the steps in creating approachable, trustable workplace support networks so employees feel encouraged to utilize mental health resources available to them.

Labor Relations Division Meeting

As part of the Labor Relations Division (LRD) Meeting at the OCA Winter Conference, Taft Law’s Bob Dunlevey provided his Legal Update that included discussions on Night Shift Unfair Labor Practices (ULP), McNally Grievances, Building Agreement Issues, the Teamsters Health & Welfare Fund, National Labor Relations Board, Affirmative Action, changes to the Overtime Tax that are included in the One Big Beautiful Bill and more. The LRD Meeting, led by OCA Labor Relations & Safety Director Dave Coniglio and Laborer Employee Committee (LEC) Chair Andy Leffler, also included trades updates; the new Assignment of Bargaining Rights approved by the OCA Board – and what they mean; and the appointments of OCA LEC members. The LEC Members appointed to serve terms for 2026-2028 included Gerken Companies’ Mandy Gerken, Shelly & Sands’ Leffler, The Great Lakes Construction’s Chris Stutz and Trucco Construction’s Mitch Trucco.

Following lunch and time to visit with one another, conference attendees had the opportunity to check out the more than 40 booths in and adjacent the Exhibit Hall (see a list of exhibitors on page 29) before the afternoon schedule resumed.

Monday afternoon’s General Session featured a keynote address on how AI can save construction companies time and money, and updates from leaders at JobsOhio and ODOT.

Keynote: From Disruption to Daily Work: Practical AI for Contractors

Business management can’t argue with these statistics: When it comes to utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, companies can see 30% more tasks completed up to 33% quicker with an up to 40% improvement in quality of work.

Zach Giglio is the Founder/CEO of GCM, an agency based in Charleston, S.C., that demonstrates to organizations on how to leverage AI technology for efficiency and profitability. His keynote provided insight to OCA members on how “off the shelf” tools can streamline everyday business tasks, improve project delivery and strengthen decision making. Not only showing that AI can improve the work quality of average and below-average workers by 17% and 43%, respectively, Giglio talked about what is driving AI’s use in construction. Those “Key Drivers of Adoption” for AI to be used by the industry includes rising project costs, safety pressures, labor shortages, productivity stagnation, construction’s competitive bidding environment and more. The fast-paced session featured simple tips and advice on how company leaders can get started with AI. In closing, Giglio said contractors utilizing AI have “a huge competitive advantage,” and the ones that aren’t are similar to those now out-of-business companies that never designed a company website.

Also shared in the session was how OCA members can find out more about AI through the Associated General Contractors of America’s (AGC) “2025 AI Resource Guide for Construction.”

JobsOhio Economic Development

Referring to Ohio’s heavy/highway construction industry as “ground zero,” JobsOhio President/CEO J.P. Nauseef provided a pride-inducing update on the state’s outlook for economic development and job creation. “It’s exciting times to be in the industry that you are in and the state of Ohio,” he said, adding, “… You are at ground zero of when we win, you lay the tracks so companies can be successful and perform.” Telling contractors that that they are in midst of “Ohio’s generational opportunity,” Nauseef explained how the state receives $15 for every $1 invested by JobsOhio into companies it partners with to attract investments, expand operations and create jobs in the state.

ODOT Session

The traditional Winter Conference ODOT Session provided not only a look at the past year but a glance of what’s next, as the state DOT was represented by Director Pamela Boratyn, Chief Financial Officer Sara Downs, Deputy Director for the Division of Construction Management Josh Bowman and Chief Engineer/Assistant Director of Engineering Policy Dave Slatzer.

In her first in-person Winter Conference message since being appointed to lead ODOT in October 2024, Director Boratyn reinforced the importance of making Ohio’s transportation system safe for all users; the state’s two-year project to add 1,400 designated truck parking spots in 2026 and 2027; and the importance of road and bridge maintenance – as proven by ODOT committing 90% of its budget to that area. On a dour note, Director Boratyn informed the contracting audience of a looming $4-billion transportation funding shortfall for Ohio over the next 10 years, as she instructed industry members to educate themselves and others about the pending funding issues.

With charts and graphs in hand, Downs talked about the revenue sources that help fund ODOT’s Highway Program; the challenges impacting the levels of funding; and where Ohio is looking to secure funding. Heading into her seventh year as CFO, Downs also discussed ODOT’s $4.75 billion budget in FY2026 and the expected $4.2 billion in FY2027.

In his portion of the session, Bowman provided one-year updates on two ODOT initiatives from 2024 – the introduction of AASHTOWare Project (AWP) Cloud-based software and Progressive Design-Build (PDB). Both initiatives were utilized on projects in 2025 in the completion of a roundabout that utilized Building Information Modeling and digital designs and plans. Along with spotlighting ODOT’s improvements in prompt payment of contractors, Bowman gave a preview of what contractors can expect for the 2026 construction season as well as spoke about several personnel changes.

Slatzer concluded the ODOT presentation and General Session by talking about how the Department is “getting back to the basics” when it comes to program delivery. He said that means getting back to the basics and making sure projects have the right scope, schedule and funding. To help ensure those basics, ODOT created a Major Project Review Team for projects costing more than $20 million – which he mentioned would be used on about 40 projects in 2026. Slatzer also provided updates on the Disadvantaged and Small Business Enterprise (DBE and SBE) programs, and what changes to keep an eye on for 2026.

Following the General Session, Winter Conference activities turned to fun and camaraderie with the evening’s Casino Night and New Member receptions.

Casino Night Reception

The traditional Casino Night provided various cards, dice and roulette tables, as attendees had the opportunity to enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drinks and friendship along with visiting the many companies’ displays in the Exhibit Hall (see page 29 for a list of exhibitors).

New Member Reception

With nearly 40 companies joining OCA in 2025, the New Member Reception provided a chance for new and veteran association member organizations to meet, reacquaint and perhaps foster new working partnerships. You can see a listing of OCA’s new members on page 32.

Day 2

Day 2 of the 2025 OCA Winter Conference also included a busy itinerary, as Tuesday’s events featured national reports, business meetings and award presentations.

Annual Breakfast Meeting

While Monday’s breakout sessions highlighted how the heavy/highway construction industry is currently benefiting from technology once thought to be years into the future, Tuesday’s guest speaker talked about how the industry is well-positioned for the immediate future.

With the backdrop being OCA’s 107th Annual Business Meeting, Jeff Shoaf, who serves as CEO of the 107-year-old Association General Contractors of America (AGC), provided OCA members with the confidence that their national chapter is well prepared for the coming year.

One of the biggest topics for the nation’s transportation construction industry in 2026 will be the next federal transportation funding bill. Shoaf discussed AGC’s work toward that endeavor. In helping U.S. Congress hammer out the next surface transportation program – as the current five-year Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) expires September 30 – AGC has conducted polling and focus groups; established a website dedicated to the funding bill’s reauthorization; developed narratives for states, such as Ohio, about the importance of funding to complete key projects; and has developed advertising campaigns to reach out to Congressional members and constituents.

“We’re not sure what reauthorization is going to look like,” Shoaf admitted. While the more than 30-year AGC veteran said infrastructure is one topic having bipartisan support, political dividedness will ultimately determine reauthorization, as he said, “It depends on whether the Democrats feel like they can give Republicans a win before the election and whether the Republicans can agree with each other before the elections about whether this gets done.”

Shoaf’s Federal Report also included discussion on preserving the Highway Trust Fund; environmental delays; work zone safety; an update on what the American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO)-AGC-American Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) Joint Committee is partnering on in 2026; polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), aka “forever chemicals”; tariffs; artificial intelligence; the One Big Beautiful Bill; and mental health & suicide prevention.

Following Shoaf’s presentation, the Annual Business Meeting continued with 2025 OCA Chair Mary Fantozzi, of J.D. Williamson Construction Co., introducing Tom Frantz, of Eagle Bridge Co., to provide the Treasurer’s Report.

Treasurer’s Report

Frantz’s brevity provided a good sign of OCA’s financials, as he reported: “Our income is up; our annual dues are up this year; and our expenses are under budget. You can’t have a better situation than that.” He added that the association’s recent audit was clean and the organization’s investments were doing well, Frantz summarized: “For the most part, financially we’re doing well.” The Eagle Bridge Vice President also recognized and thanked OCA President Chris Runyan and OCA Finance Director Sharon Stanfield for their assistance in the past year.

The Memorial Resolution followed the Treasurer’s Report, as the association took time to remember those who died in the past year.

Memorial Resolution

The following individuals, who passed away in 2025, were recognized for their service to the construction industry and OCA:

Trenton Galloway, Richland County Engineer’s Office
Those unnamed who died at their work

New Business

The following were announced as 2026 OCA Executive Committee members and the newest existing and appointed members to the Board of Directors:

Executive Committee

Chair of the Board: William Luttmer, A&A Safety Inc.

Vice-Chair: Thomas Frantz, Eagle Bridge Co.

Treasurer: Colby (Cole) Graham, Shelly & Sands Inc.

Immediate Past Chair: Mary Fantozzi, J.D. Williamson Construction Co.

Executive Committee Member: Matt Malone, Kurtz Bros. Inc.

Board of Directors (Approved to three-year terms, 2026-2029)

Mandy Gerken, Gerken Companies

Colby Graham, Shelly & Sands Inc.

Peter Guzzo, Complete General Construction Co.

Aaron Peterson, Paul Peterson Co.

Geoff Rinehart, Kokosing Construction Co. Inc.

Mary Sharrett, CAP-STONE & Associates Inc.

Mitch Trucco, Trucco Construction Co. Inc.

Jason Tucker, The Great Lakes Construction Co.

Tim Wilson, The Shelly Co.

The Annual Business Meeting concluded with remarks from the outgoing and incoming chairs and the ceremonial gavel exchange.

Outgoing Chair Remarks

In her final address to members as OCA’s 2025 Chair, Fantozzi thanked the audience for not only their Winter Conference attendance but also their ongoing support of the association. Describing her year as the association’s 90th chairperson as flying by, the J.D. Williamson Company President also described the past year as “exciting, sometimes chaotic, always interesting and full of big wins.”

Among OCA’s 2025 big wins that Fantozzi mentioned were the Ohio Legislature’s passage of ODOT’s new two-year budget; the Ohio voters’ passage of the Ohio Public Works Commission’s bond renewal; and OCA members’ support of the Transportation Construction Coalition’s Fly-in in Washington, D.C., and the association’s Political Action Committee (PAC). Speaking of the importance of donating to the PAC, Fantozzi said to “think about (PAC) as adding oil to your equipment. Without it, nothing moves, everything squeaks and eventually someone gets very angry.”

In talking about each of the achievements made possible by OCA’s directors and staff, Fantozzi said, “Serving as chairperson has been truly a honor. I’m grateful for the support, teamwork, laughter and honestly just the kindness all that you bring to the association. OCA is strong because its people are strong, and you own that every day.”

Fantozzi concluded her remarks and her year chairing the association by conducting the ceremonial gavel exchange with 2026 OCA Chair William Luttmer, of A&A Safety Inc.

Incoming Chair Address

Following his wife’s advice to jot down his remarks so he can “land the plane” and avoid a rambling message to fellow OCA members, Luttmer came prepared for his initial duty as OCA Chair.

The A&A Safety President said he not only looks forward to meeting and getting to better know his fellow OCA members in the coming year, but also utilize his company’s business relationships in leading the association. With Amelia-based A&A Safety working throughout the state, Luttmer sees value in that for OCA. “We have the opportunity to see and work with the different personalities, different agencies, different entities … Hopefully there is some value in those relationships and resources that I can share, or our organization can share.” He also hopes members with similar relationships “can share with us to make us a better organization.”

On the topic of building professional connections, Luttmer noted the strong working partnership that OCA and ODOT leadership have developed, adding, “One of my goals is to follow along in that history.”

Looking to 2026, Luttmer emphasized to members to get involved in not only PAC support for the year’s gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races, but also in OCA’s workforce development efforts as well as participation on ODOT’s specification committees.

Following adjournment of the 107th OCA Annual Business Meeting the Winter Conference’s final scheduled event was the Annual Awards Program.

Annual Awards

Calling it an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of individuals that have been truly engaged and champions of the association, OCA President Chris Runyan welcomed attendees to the 2025 Annual Awards Program.

The first of nearly 30 companies and individuals to be honored and celebrated were the member companies marking milestone anniversaries with OCA. Runyan acknowledged 10 companies celebrating 75, 50 and 25 years of OCA membership in 2025.

OCA Local Chapters Recognition

The next group to be celebrated were the active members of OCA’s nine local chapters. OCA Director of Chapter Development & Workforce Awareness Melanie Kitchen said, “Showing up and getting involved is really the key to having a successful chapter.”

The 109 members who served on OCA’s nine Chapter Executive Committees demonstrated to fellow chapter members how to show up and get involved as they collectively organized and held 75 meetings and events in 2025.

Kitchen, who has overseen OCA’s local chapter programs since 2013, highlighted several of the chapters’ events, which included forecast nights, golf and clay shooting events, workforce programs, fund-raising benefits, hands-on community service events and more. “There are so many examples of things that the chapters do at the local level that benefits their communities in so many ways,” said Kitchen. “We couldn’t reach out in these ways without the leadership within our chapters …”

Here are the nine individuals who served as 2025 OCA Local Chapter Chairs:

Akron-Canton: Marvilla Miller, Barbicas Construction Co. Inc.

Cleveland: Jackie Cooper, The Ruhlin Co.

Columbus: Nate Smith, Shelly & Sands Inc.

Dayton: Dennis Goecke, Ernst Concrete

Eastern Ohio: Megan Temple, Shelly & Sands Inc.

North Central Ohio: Dave Catanese, Hub International Heartland

Southwest Ohio: Brian Ralph, Barrett Paving Materials Inc.

Toledo: Chris Carry, Mosser Construction

Youngstown: Brandon Hamrick, Shelly & Sands Inc.

The recognition of OCA’s local chapters continued with the announcement of the Chapter of the Year.

Chapter of the Year

The announcement of the OCA Chapter of the Year is the continuation of a tradition that incorporates friendly competition among the association’s nine local chapters. The selection of the top chapter is determined by member participation, recruiting of new members, PAC contributions and hands-on community service.

The 2025 Chapter of the Year honor went to the Dayton Chapter, which was chaired by Dennis Goecke of Ernst Concrete.

Annual Safety Awards

As proven by the high number of applications submitted this year for Jerry Keller Memorial Safety Awards, it looks like OCA companies are “getting it” when it comes to the importance of having strong safety programs.

Talking about what sets the 2025 safety award winners apart, OCA Director of Labor Relations & Safety Dave Coniglio stressed that it is much more than just having a written safety program to show and holding safety toolbox meetings. He said that strong company safety programs must also include support from management and ownership and enforcement to ensure things are done safely. “Most importantly is the creation of a safety culture that the entire organization believes in – and the organization winners this year did just that.”

2025 Jerry Keller Safety Award Winners

ABPN Inc.

Capitol Tunneling

Cleveland Barricading Systems

Miller Bros. Construction Inc.

Rietschlin Construction

Trucco Construction Co. Inc.

Union Industrial Contractors

An added sign of quality among the seven winning companies is that each one recorded zero lost-time accidents in 2025.

The Annual Awards Program’s final honors were the recognitions of the Past Presidents, Distinguished Service and Hall of Fame Induction recipients.

Individual Awards

Past Presidents Award

Established in 1998, the OCA Past Presidents Award honors individuals having contributed to the association throughout their career. The award’s 29th recipient, Mary Logan So, has achieved just that.

Logan So is the vice president of Safety & Employee Development for George J. Igel & Co., where she oversees and manages safety compliance, commercial business lines of insurance and trains and develops more than 800 employees. In addition, the Otterbein University graduate manages her company’s MSHA, OSHA and EPA compliance efforts and authorized commercial drivers.

Along with her service to the company, Logan So has done much for the construction industry. The 2021 recipient of the Builders Exchange of Central Ohio’s Industry Impact Safety Award, Logan So co-founded the Safety Council of Greater Columbus and is an authorized instructor for the OSHA Outreach Program and Emergency Care & Safety Institute. She also has held positions on state review committees to re-write and revise Ohio Administrative Codes and has spoken at conferences on safety in excavation, earth retention, silica exposure, carbon monoxide in concrete work and more.

An OCA Safety Committee member, Logan So has also served on the Ohio Safety Congress’ Construction Committee.

In addition to her industry service, Logan So is a Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor and active in her church and community – where she founded Corner Closet in Circleville, which provides free clothing to the needy.

Distinguished Service Award

For more than two decades, EJ USA Inc.’s Floyd Crooks has demonstrated dedication, service and leadership to both the association and the industry, which makes him worthy of being the 12th recipient of the OCA Distinguished Service Award. This award was established in 2005.

A 23-year company veteran, Crooks’ OCA involvement spans 22 years. The Youngstown State University alumnus has provided integral service to OCA’s Youngstown, Akron/Canton and Cleveland chapters.

A former Youngstown Chapter chair, Crooks continues to be an active member as he coordinates the chapter’s annual Toys for Tots Drive as well as helps plan the chapter’s annual golf outings. He also encourages the area’s next generation of industry professionals through his support of YSU’s estimating teams.

A husband and father of three sons, Crooks, as a member of OCA’s Associate Member Executive Committee, has also helped make the Winter Conference’s Exhibit Hall and Casino Night activities into the signature events they are.

Hall of Fame Induction

Hard work and dedication are not only what it takes to operate and expand a family company, but they are also what it takes to receive OCA’s highest individual honor. As OCA’s 145th Hall of Fame inductee, Joe Griffin has done both.

Working in his family’s company since the age of 12 and working full-time in the pavement striping industry for 35 years, Griffin Pavement Striping President Emeritus Joe Griffin has expanded the company’s physical size, workforce and service offerings. In addition to expanding the company’s facilities, number of employees and truck and supporting equipment fleets – as well as adding a company branch, Griffin has overseen the business’ growth in thermoplastic, epoxy, grooving and wet reflective pavement markings, hydro-blasting and high-speed marking removal services.

The Ohio State University alumnus’ work with OCA has also been impressive. Griffin became an OCA member in 1996 and was soon active in the association as a member of the Columbus Chapter’s Executive Committee. In the succeeding years, he helped champion the Rich DiGeronimo Constructor For a Day event in central Ohio. Joining the OCA Board of Directors in 2011 and still serving, Griffin went on to lead the association as the 2022 OCA Chair.

The husband and father of two daughters is active in his church and remains a trusted and respected leader in OCA.

Saying he was “humbled and honored” to be inducted into the OCA Hall of Fame, Griffin said, “Being involved in OCA has been a highlight of my business career. I have been blessed to learn from industry experts and other construction leaders who have become friends. There are not many industries where you are competing for a project on Thursday at 10 a.m. and on Friday working together with that competitor on a committee to improve our industry.”