Chapter: Eastern Ohio
Name: Megan Temple
Company: Shelly & Sands Inc.
Position: Estimator
Megan Temple has worked the land throughout her life—from farming and mining it to now building upon it.
“I enjoy being outside,” said the Eastern Ohio Chapter chairperson, who grew up on a dairy farm in Belmont. That early introduction to farm life led Temple, who has been an estimator with Shelly & Sands Inc. for three years, to attend Ohio State University and graduate with a degree in agricultural communications, with a minor in agribusiness and applied economics.
Following graduation, Temple worked in the oil and gas industry for nine years before joining the heavy/highway construction industry. “I was ready for something new, and the opportunity presented itself,” she said. “I was excited to get into a new industry and profession. I learn something every day and enjoy the fast-paced environment (of construction).”
Upon joining Shelly & Sands, Temple became involved with the Ohio Contractors Association (OCA). “I started to become active in the Eastern Ohio Chapter … Many of my coworkers were involved in OCA, and that is what got me started,” said Temple, who has been a member of the chapter’s Executive Committee for the past three years. “It has been a great learning and networking experience for me. I have met some wonderful friends along the way.”
The networking aspect and meeting people are among Temple’s highlights of being involved at the local chapter level. “We are able to come together to promote, share ideas, raise money for worthy causes, and help our communities,” she said.
As the 2024 Eastern Ohio Chapter chair, Temple has helped organize its work forecast meeting, cornhole, golf, and clay shooting tournaments, as well as its holiday luncheon.
Through these and other efforts this year, the Eastern Ohio Chapter has raised money on behalf of several community organizations and awarded two scholarships. “It has been very fulfilling to see contractors come together to raise money for worthy causes and make an impact in the communities that we work in,” she said.
Temple has extended her networking ability beyond OCA by also serving as the chairperson of the Women of Asphalt – West Virginia. Along with Ohio’s chapter, this group was formed in 2023. “Women of Asphalt is a national organization,” she said, “… and has been a great way for me to network, share ideas, and meet other women working in the asphalt industry.”
Chapter: North Central Ohio
Name: Scott Parson
Company: The National Lime & Stone Co.
Position: Marketing Representative
“The Psychology of Selling” isn’t just a title of a well-known book; it is also the career path North Central Ohio Chapter Chair Scott Parson has followed.
“I became interested in sales from an early age; both my parents worked in sales,” the marketing representative for The National Lime & Stone Company said. “I thought their jobs sounded interesting, because they were always talking to different people and making presentations …
“There are a lot of things to sell, but I wanted to sell something that was of quality and useful to other people,” adds Parson, who studied psychology at Ohio Northern University. “I have always enjoyed construction projects, and when I found a product to sell in the construction industry, it was a good fit.”
Parson’s mindset of wanting to promote something of quality and that is useful to others stems from his experiences growing up in Lima and participating in Boy Scouts of America. “In school, I took a few public speaking courses and realized I liked giving presentations. In college, I began to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and became interested in the construction industry,” he said.
Initially having a career in non-profits and education, Parson joined National Lime & Stone in 2022. “… My love of talking to people and construction worked together to bring me to this industry,” he said.
Soon after joining the Findlay company, Parson became involved in the OCA North Central Ohio Chapter. He said he was drawn to the group as a way to get to know others in the industry. “There are a lot of people in our region that I don’t interact with as part of my job, so it has been nice to meet them.” He is also active in the Ohio Aggregate & Industrial Mineral Association and AgLime Council, as well as the Rotary Club, Freemasons, and chamber of commerce.
This year, the North Central Ohio Chapter has held work forecast and sporting clay and pheasant hunt events. “It is a great way to spend time with other members of OCA outside of the office,” he said.
Chapter: Southwest Ohio
Name: Brian Ralph
Company: Barrett Paving Materials Inc.
Position: Construction Manager
Whether it is in his role as construction manager or as OCA Southwest Ohio Chapter chair, Brian Ralph enjoys seeing “a plan come together.”
A 25-year veteran of the heavy/highway construction industry, Ralph, who has been with Barrett Paving Materials Inc. for the past six years, has seen a common theme throughout his career—whether it is working on interstate, major airport, tollway, state, county, or municipal projects. It is a theme he remembers seeing when he became interested in pursuing a construction career: “I liked watching the large equipment work and the people in the field when I was younger,” he said. “The initial startup of a construction project can look quite chaotic and random, but as the work progresses you could see a plan come together …”
An Illinois native, Ralph earned a construction management degree from Illinois State University. He said growing up on a farm prepared him not only for a career in construction but also for the people he would be working with in the future. “People working long hours outdoors in the elements seem to translate well to the construction industry. Similar type of people too; problem solvers who are smart, handy, and have a lot of common sense.” After working initially as a project manager in Chicago and being part of several major projects in his home state, Ralph joined Barrett Paving Materials in 2018.
Shortly after joining Barrett Paving Materials, Ralph became active in the Southwest Ohio Chapter and began assisting in the group’s selection of scholarship winners, recruiting new committee members, and helping with its Monte Carlo Casino night—all activities he continues today. “Networking with people in the construction industry is beneficial. Especially when it is outside of the typical work relationship,” he said. “… The chapters try and make a difference in their area through fundraising, scholarships, community service, outreach to local colleges and high schools about the construction industry, and informational meetings with DOTs and the private sector.”
Entering the final months of the year, the Southwest Ohio Chapter was preparing to donate material and labor to assist a community charity and organize its holiday social. This will conclude a year of social activities that have included a golf fundraiser, a Cincinnati Reds ballgame, and a sporting clay shoot.
Chapter: Toledo
Name: Morgan Montgomery
Company: Vernon Nagel Inc.
Position: Vice President
For this former heavy-highway/high-voltage industry subcontractor, there are a lot of positives and not many negatives when it comes to participating in organizations, associations, and more.
Toledo Chapter Chair Morgan Montgomery, a more than 10-year veteran of Vernon Nagel Inc., who learned about the Napoleon-based company when he worked as a subcontractor, said, “Getting involved in the local chapter level has not had one negative, all positives for both Vernon Nagel Inc. and myself.”
The company vice president said the common theme of networking and forming friendships is the reason he has been a part of OCA and other groups. A member of the Bowling Green State University (BGSU) Construction Management Industry Advisory Board, the Sandusky Bay Coast Hunt Club, and a former church trustee, Montgomery said, “The networking and ability to connect with great leaders in our industry is a huge benefit … Our OCA chapter’s networking, time and again, delivers as a team, through suppliers, subcontractors and general contractors to build and deliver successful projects of all sizes.”
A native of Clyde, where community involvement was ingrained in him, Montgomery graduated from BGSU with a construction management degree. “I always enjoyed construction growing up and had family friends in the industry. I felt that construction is a great cross from the desire to enter the business industry and have a career where the results of our work are rewarding and visible.”
He added, smilingly, that the mix of accounting, estimating, scheduling, project management, and more “makes no two days the same.”
The repeating themes of Montgomery’s community involvement and trying to not make two days the same are carrying over to his role as chapter chair. Toledo Chapter members have enjoyed an array of activities this year, such as forecast nights, Walleye minor league hockey, fishing and sporting shoot events, high school and college workforce activities, golf outings, community projects, holiday events, and more. “Our Executive Committee is made up of great professionals and leaders who keep our mission effective,” he said.
“The networking and ability to connect with great leaders in our industry is a huge benefit,” said Montgomery, who adds that, as a result, many of those leaders form great friendships. “Our OCA chapter’s networking—time and again—delivers as a team, through suppliers, subcontractors, and general contractors to build and deliver successful projects of all sizes.”
Chapter: Youngstown
Name: Brandon Hamrick
Company: Shelly & Sands Inc.
Position: Project Engineer
While building restoration may be in his past, it doesn’t mean OCA Youngstown Chapter Chair Brandon Hamrick is finished with trying to restore and build the industry’s workforce numbers.
A project engineer with Shelly & Sands Inc., Hamrick takes pride in not only the local chapter’s efforts to improve their communities but also in working to attract tomorrow’s industry workforce. “It’s important to bring young men and women into the industry,” said the Northfield native. “Connecting with the local high schools and colleges promotes a healthy future.
“It also gives many young men and women great opportunities to provide for their families and to keep improving Ohio’s infrastructure,” added Hamrick, who has been involved in the Youngstown Chapter’s leadership for the past three years.
Hamrick, who attended the University of Akron, became interested in the construction industry through a neighbor who was a professional engineer. His interest grew at UA through internships with several companies. His initial job in the industry was in building restoration. “I never wanted to sit at a desk all day, and I enjoyed being around heavy equipment.” He has been with Shelly & Sands Inc. since 2019.
A high school athlete himself, Hamrick is especially proud of the chapter’s community project efforts this year, saying, “For the Youngstown OCA Chapter community project, our members installed a new basketball court and pickleball court at Leonard Kirtz School in Austintown.
“My favorite part of being involved with the local chapter is being able to share how interesting and rewarding the construction industry can be,” he said. “I really enjoy being able to provide opportunities I was lucky enough to have had myself.”