by Jessica Gillette | Jul 1, 2026
From Bid to Buyout: Negotiating Smarter Subcontracts with Industry-Leading General Contractors on Large-Scale Construction Projects
Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 8:00AM – 10:00AM
In this session, the presenters offer practical, real-world strategies for negotiating subcontracts on large-scale construction projects, drawing on both legal and purchasing perspectives and industry experience working with leading general contractors and subcontractors.
The program focuses on negotiating subcontracts to manage risk, align expectations, collaborate with stakeholders, preserve working relationships, and avoid disputes in the field. Attendees will gain practical guidance on key issues from the bid phase through contract execution, including bid-phase strategy, post-award contract review, high-risk contract clauses, contract modification approaches, and efficient negotiation techniques.
Attendees will leave with actionable takeaways they can immediately apply in real-world subcontract negotiations.
SPEAKERS –
Jimmy Jones, MBA, DSL, Director of Purchasing, Allan Myers — Jimmy is a procurement and supply-chain leader with extensive experience in construction purchasing, strategic sourcing, and subcontract negotiation. Jimmy leads the company’s Purchasing Department, overseeing large-scale supplier, subcontractor, and professional services procurements for public, private, and design-build projects. His responsibilities include bid package management, vendor selection, subcontract and purchase order negotiations, and inclusion planning for DBE/SWaM and small business participation. In addition to his construction purchasing experience, Jimmy brings substantial logistics and supply-chain leadership from his service in the United States Marine Corps, as well as prior experience with Virginia Commonwealth University. He holds an MBA from The Citadel and a B.S. from Old Dominion University.
Rodolfo R. “Rudy” Remigio, Esq., Attorney, Reaves GovCon Law Group — In Rudy’s role, he is focused on representing construction contractors and government contractors. Before entering private practice, he served as in-house Corporate Counsel for one of the largest heavy civil contractors in the Mid-Atlantic. There, he negotiated high-dollar subcontract agreements with top ENR-ranked general contractors on major infrastructure and site development projects. Rudy also supported the company’s Purchasing Department, helping negotiate agreements with lower-tier subcontractors, suppliers, and professional service providers to execute large-scale construction projects. Rudy is a former Assistant Attorney General with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office, where he served in multiple roles, including representing VDOT in the Construction Litigation Section. He is also a frequent speaker and published author on construction law topics.
Rudy and Jimmy’s Joint Experience
Rudy and Jimmy previously worked together negotiating agreements with lower-tier subcontractors, suppliers, and professional service providers on major construction projects.
LOCATION
ABC-VA Hampton Roads Training Facility
530 Independence Parkway, Suite 500, Chesapeake, VA 23320
COST
Members — $37
Non-members — $67
Continental breakfast provided
CANCELLATION POLICY
Please note that a reservation constitutes a financial commitment unless cancellations are made 48 hours in advance. Substitutions are welcome at any time if the originally registered individual(s) are no longer available.
COURSE CONTACT
Contact Meredith Strahan
by Jessica Gillette | Jun 25, 2026
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Workshop
November 17 & 18, 2026 | 8:30AM – 4:30PM
Transform the Way You Lead, Work, and Live
Our habits shape every aspect of our lives — influencing how effective, productive, and fulfilled we become. Based on the groundbreaking work of Stephen R. Covey, this powerful program provides a principle-centered approach to achieving lasting personal and professional effectiveness.
Through this engaging two-day workshop, participants will gain practical tools and strategies to lead with greater purpose, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful results both at work and in life.
WHY THIS PROGRAM MATTERS
The 7 Habits provide a proven framework for personal and interpersonal growth — helping individuals become more focused, collaborative, and impactful leaders.
Participants will leave with:
✔ A personalized action plan for growth
✔ Practical leadership and communication tools
✔ Strategies to improve productivity and accountability
✔ A renewed sense of motivation and purpose
WHY ATTEND?
Stephen R. Covey was a world-renowned leadership expert whose influential book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, has sold millions of copies worldwide and continues to transform leaders across every industry. Recognized by Forbes as one of the most influential management books ever written, its principles remain timeless, practical, and highly relevant in today’s workplace.
IN THIS DYNAMIC TWO-DAY WORKSHOP, YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO:
✅ Prioritize and execute your most important tasks with clarity and discipline
✅ Break free from ineffective habits and behaviors
✅ Build stronger, trust-based relationships
✅ Navigate difficult situations with confidence and effectiveness
✅ Increase engagement, morale, and team collaboration
✅ Create a high-performance culture grounded in shared values
✅ Develop future leaders with both character and competence
WHAT TO EXPECT
This highly interactive experience includes:
• Engaging group discussions
• Hands-on activities and exercises
• Real-world leadership applications
• Personal reflection and action planning
Participants will explore how to apply the 7 Habits principles to both professional and personal challenges — leaving inspired, energized, and equipped with a fresh perspective for success.
Register today and start building habits that lead to lasting success.
INSTRUCTOR
Patrick Dean, ABC-VA President
LOCATION
ABC-VA Central Virginia Training Facility
1600 E Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228
COST
Members: $695
Non-Member: $895
Lunch provided
SUBSTITUTION/CANCELLATION POLICY
Substitutions are welcome at any time if the originally registered individual(s) can no longer attend. A reservation constitutes a financial commitment unless cancellations are made by 5PM on November 10, 2026.
QUESTIONS?
Kristen Altermatt
by Jessica Gillette | Jun 17, 2026
MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE: ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS FOR A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE • LUNCH & LEARN
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 | 11:30AM – 1:30PM
In construction, we’re taught to measure twice and cut once. The same principle applies to business development.
Too often, sales professionals rush to present solutions, proposals, or pricing before fully understanding the client’s real challenges, goals, and needs. The result? Missed opportunities, weak relationships, and conversations that fail to create value. This interactive workshop will show participants how asking better questions leads to stronger client relationships, better-qualified opportunities, and more successful outcomes.
What you’ll learn:
• Ask strategic questions that uncover real client needs
• Diagnose problems before offering solutions
• Build trust and credibility through meaningful conversations
• Better qualify opportunities and avoid wasted effort
• Position their expertise more effectively with owners, contractors, and project partners
• Lead more productive and confident sales discussions
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Business Development Professionals, Project Managers, Estimators, anyone looking to enhance their customer relationship building skills
INSTRUCTOR
Robin Green, Owner/President, Ascend Performance, Inc., powered by Sandler
Robin works with companies in a variety of industries develop proven and reliable methodologies to grow revenue. Serving clients from across the United States, the United Kingdom, and India, he is a frequent speaker at industry events and trade organizations on the topics of sales, communication, and leadership topics.
LOCATION
ABC-VA Central Virginia Training Facility
1600 E Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228
COST
Members — $67
Non-members — $97
Lunch provided
CANCELLATION POLICY
Please note that a reservation constitutes a financial commitment unless cancellations are made in writing by 5PM on August 3, 2026. Substitutions are welcome at any time if the originally registered individual(s) are no longer available.
COURSE CONTACT
Contact Kristen Altermatt
by Jessica Gillette | Jun 17, 2026
COMMUNICATING WITH IMPACT • LUNCH & LEARN
**COURSE IS FULL! Please email Kristen Altermatt to be put on waitilist.**
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 | 11:00AM – 1:00PM
What does it take to present key messages, capabilities, and more to gain credibility? Whether you are representing your company during a proposal presentation, a pre-bid meeting, or a site visit, how you plan and present impacts the entire company. Even our communications internally on our teams or in other meetings can impact perceptions of us as leaders and managers. In this workshop we will focus on how we communicate, save time and confusion, and present key messages for different audiences.
Our objectives will be to:
1. Understand how communications styles and behaviors impact how well we present.
2. Evaluate and learn how to communicate key messages and prepare for speaking.
3. Become more audience focused.
4. Plan for meetings, reporting, and engaging effectively.
This workshop will be very interactive with role plays and small group activities.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Project Engineers, Superintendents, PMs, Administrative Professionals, Finance & Accounting Staff, anyone looking to enhance their communication/presentation skills
INSTRUCTOR
Susan Long-Molnar, President, Managing Communications – Susan Long-Molnar is a regional consultant specializing in communications, marketing, and leadership strategy. With 11 years in corporate communications management roles at Sentara, Cox Communications, and USAA, she launched her firm in 2002. Utilizing her interactive and outcomes-oriented training approach, Susan helps businesses, non-profits, and government organizations grow through talent development and effective communication practices. A former teacher, she remains passionate about education and workforce development and serves on the Virginia Department of Education CTE Advisory Council. She also founded and hosts the Hampton Roads Regional Workforce CTE Forum and is the founder of the Southeast Virginia Women in Leadership Roundtable.
LOCATION
ABC-VA Central Virginia Training Facility
1600 E Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228
COST
Members — $95
Non-members — $125
Lunch provided
CANCELLATION POLICY
Please note that a reservation constitutes a financial commitment unless cancellations are made in writing by 5PM on August 12, 2026. Substitutions are welcome at any time if the originally registered individual(s) are no longer available.
COURSE CONTACT
Contact Kristen Altermatt
![Employment Law for Construction Leaders: What Every Manager, Supervisor and HR Professional Needs to Know [Virtual Series]](https://www.abcva.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Employment-Law-Series-July28-Session1-1080x675.jpg)
by Jessica Gillette | Jun 16, 2026
EMPLOYMENT LAW FOR CONSTRUCTION LEADERS: WHAT EVERY MANAGER, SUPERVISOR AND HR PROFESSIONAL NEEDS TO KNOW
Begins Tuesday, July 28, 2026 | 11:00AM – 12:30PM | Virtual | Detailed schedule below
Federal and state laws provide employees with important workplace rights and protections, making it essential for managers to understand, uphold, and champion those rights every day.
This comprehensive course offers a clear and practical overview of the legal principles that guide managers in supporting employees while maintaining compliance with organizational and regulatory requirements. Brought to you by Woods Rogers, one of the largest, dedicated employment practices in Virginia, this course will incorporate real-world scenarios and cases that apply directly to the construction industry. Intended for human resource professionals, managers, supervisors, and team leads, this course emphasizes real-world application rather than legal theory.
Our 5-session virtual series begins 7/28 and will cover the topics below. Bundle pricing is available, as well as individual pricing per session.
Session 1 (7/28): HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION AND RETALIATION
• The basis of state and federal anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws
• Addresses harassment beyond sexual harassment, including harassment or discrimination on the basis of disability, race, national origin, etc.
• Covers a supervisor’s legal obligation to engage in prompt and effective remedial action to address offensive conduct in the workplace
• Why a supervisor’s actions can create liability for the company
Session 2 (8/13): ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEDICAL LEAVE
• Navigating employees with disabilities, pregnancies, and serious health conditions
• Process for accommodations (the interactive process)
• FMLA and appropriate documentation/certifications
• Navigating intermittent FMLA
• Disciplining employees with medical leave and accommodations
Click here to register for Session 2 only
Session 3 (8/26): DOCUMENTATION AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT TO DEFEND EMPLOYMENT LAWSUITS
• How an employment lawsuit works
• What is legally sufficient documentation for performance related issues to defend lawsuits
• What to document, when, and how
• How to do PIPs and reviews accurately
• Why following company policies and applying them fairly matters
Click here to register for Session 3 only
Session 4 (9/17): WORKPLACE VIOLENCE, SAFETY, NEGLIGENCE
• Dos and Don’ts of safety
• OSHA’s general duty clause for employers to respond to recognized workplace hazards in the form of workplace violence
• Negligent retention, hiring, and premises liability
• A supervisor’s legal obligation to address employee threatening and/or violent behavior
• A supervisor’s legal obligation to address third party threats of violence, including handling employees with protective orders against third parties
• Red flags for violence
Click here to register for Session 4 only
Session 5 (9/23): WAGE AND HOUR LAWS
• The basics of the state and federal laws covering overtime, minimum wage, and child labor
• Working off-the-clock
• Breaks time laws
• Employees’ rights to complain about wages
• Class actions and wage lawsuits
Click here to register for Session 5 only
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
• Human resource professionals
• Managers, supervisors, and team leaders
• Business owners
• General managers and operations professionals
• Anyone looking to enhance their knowledge of employment law
Equip your team with the knowledge to reduce risk and create a culture of compliance – register today!
SPEAKERS
Leah Stiegler, Principal, Woods Rogers — Leah can walk employers through any workplace situation. From complex personnel matters, to implementing client-specific performance management practices, Leah advises employers to navigate these issues to keep them out of court. Her counseling covers the entire employment spectrum: recruitment, onboarding, workplace culture, pay equity audits, RIFs, terminations and severance packages. View Leah’s full biography and professional credentials here
Fred Schutt, Principal, Woods Rogers — Focused on helping employers avoid costly litigation and regulatory violation, Fred routinely defends employers before federal and state agencies, including the EEOC, DOL, and OSHA. Fred also has extensive experience defending employers in state and federal court in a variety of employment related cases alleging violation of the ADA, ADEA, Title VII, Title IX, Equal Pay Act, FMLA, and the FLSA, breach of contract, and violation of restrictive covenants. View Fred’s full biography and professional credentials here
LOCATION
Virtual
Link to be sent to attendees within 12 hours of webinar
COST
Members — Bundle (all five sessions) — $425
Members — Individual (per session) — $95
Non-Members — Bundle (all five sessions) — $675
Non-Members — Individual (per session) — $145
To register for sessions individually, please visit each event page to register using the links above.
Questions?
Contact Kristen Altermatt
