by Jessica Gillette | May 15, 2025
SUPERINTENDENTS ACADEMY 2025 – CENTRAL VIRGINIA LOCATION
November 19 – 21, 2025 | 7:30AM – 5:00PM
Calling all future construction leaders! 📢 Superintendents Academy hits Central Virginia!
Join us for ABC-VA’s annual Superintendents Academy to learn firsthand from industry professionals. This training features interactive sessions on the following topics with all subjects geared toward the modern Superintendent:
- Project Administration and Processes
- Safety and Risk Management
- Quality and Quality Control
- Contracts and Jobsite Documentation
- Budgeting and Estimating
- Construction Practices on the Jobsite
- Construction Planning and Productivity
- Jobsite Technology
- Personal Skills and Habits
- Goal Setting
- Time Management
- Communication
- Jobsite Leadership
**Limited to 25 participants. We anticipate the Academy to sell out – register early!**
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
The academy is designed for superintendents of all experience levels.
SPEAKERS
Frank Bliley, WM Jordan Company
Thomas Hearn, Retired (DAVIS Construction)
Jeremy Crumley, Balfour Beatty
Brad Mohler, ColonialWebb Contractors
Keith Klammer, Atlantic Constructors, Inc
Michael Bellaman, ABC-National President & CEO
SCHEDULE
November 19 7:30AM-5:00PM Breakfast & Lunch included
November 20 8:30AM-5:30PM Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Networking included
November 21 7:30AM-12:00PM Breakfast & Certificate Ceremony included
COST
Members — $825
Non-Members — $1,175
SUBSTITUTION/CANCELLATION POLICY
Substitutions are welcome at any time if the originally registered individual(s) can no longer attend. Please note that a reservation constitutes a financial commitment unless cancellations are made by 5PM on November 12, 2025.
Questions?
Contact Kristen Altermatt
by Jessica Gillette | Apr 10, 2025
FACILITATING MEANINGFUL STRATEGIC MEETINGS with JAMIE VANEK
Wednesday, June 18, 2025 | 11:30AM – 1:00PM
What exactly are strategic meetings and why do they matter? If you’ve ever left a meeting feeling frustrated, bored, or like it was a waste of time, you’re not alone. Facilitating meetings isn’t just a dull requirement of managers, it’s a necessity to move the organization, team or project forward. The problem is that many people don’t know how to make these meetings more meaningful, engaging, and results driven.
In this session we’ll cover the definition and benefits of strategic meetings as well as the playbook for leading effective meetings.
In this session you will learn:
• What is strategy and why does it matter?
• Keys to successful meetings
• Facilitation techniques
• The three most important questions to ask before having a meeting
This session is for anyone who has to lead meetings for organizations, teams or projects, Supervisors, Project Managers, Office Managers, Executives
SPEAKER
Jamie Vanek, President, Etolin Strait Development Group – Jamie Vanek made the unexpected career leap from teaching to construction in 2007 and discovered a passion for project management and team leadership. After diving deep into the federal contracting industry through construction, Jamie has led projects and teams across the country in support of many federal agencies including NAVFAC, USACE, FBI, NIWC, Coast Guard. Department of Veteran Affairs, and Air Force. Jamie is currently President of Etolin Strait Development Group, an Alaska Native 8(a) Company, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, and executing contracts from Washington DC to Georgia.
As a female leader in the construction industry, author, TEDx speaker, and facilitator, Jamie has been featured in Construction Business Owner, Construction Executive, ThriveGlobal, and other digital publications about leading in the construction industry. Visit Jamie’s website to learn more | Watch Jamie’s TEDx Talk!
LOCATION
ABC-VA Hampton Roads Training Facility
530 Independence Parkway, Suite 500, Chesapeake, VA 23320
COST
Members – $67
Non-Members – $97
Lunch provided
Questions?
Contact Jamie Carrow
by Jessica Gillette | Mar 18, 2025
EARNING AND OWNING YOUR SEAT AT THE TABLE WITH JAMIE VANEK
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 | 10:00AM – 11:00AM | Virtual
Pull up a chair and get ready to confidently claim your seat at the table! In this interactive session, you’ll explore strategies to elevate your presence and advocate for your expertise. With relatable examples and simple strategies, you’ll leave this session ready to build influence, take on new opportunities, and own your role.
In this session you will learn:
• How to conquer limiting beliefs
• Tips for advocating for yourself
• How to increase value by aligning your role with the company’s vision
This session is for anyone ranging from entry-level positions to mid-level managers looking to have a greater impact within their organization, both in the office and in the field.
SPEAKER
Jamie Vanek, President, Etolin Strait Development Group – Jamie Vanek made the unexpected career leap from teaching to construction in 2007 and discovered a passion for project management and team leadership. After diving deep into the federal contracting industry through construction, Jamie has led projects and teams across the country in support of many federal agencies including NAVFAC, USACE, FBI, NIWC, Coast Guard. Department of Veteran Affairs, and Air Force. Jamie is currently President of Etolin Strait Development Group, an Alaska Native 8(a) Company, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, and executing contracts from Washington DC to Georgia.
As a female leader in the construction industry, author, TEDx speaker, and facilitator, Jamie has been featured in Construction Business Owner, Construction Executive, ThriveGlobal, and other digital publications about leading in the construction industry. Visit Jamie’s website to learn more | Watch Jamie’s TEDx Talk!
LOCATION
Virtual
Link to be sent to attendees within 24 hours of webinar
COST
Members – $35
Non-Members – $65
Questions?
Contact Jamie Carrow
by Jessica Gillette | Mar 11, 2025
BUILDING BETTER BOSSES
Thursday, April 24, 2025 | 8:30AM – 10:00AM
Do you promote your top performers into management roles? Learn why it’s important to teach your key contributors what great managers do and turn management potential into a tangible skill set that will nurture motivated and high-performing teams.
What we’ll be discussing:
• Key components of leadership and the benefits of investing in management training for your key contributors
• The importance of coaching and its impact on team performance
• Fostering a sense of ownership and accountability among your teams
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Senior Leaders, Owners, HR Managers, anyone that is responsible for developing/coaching future managers and leaders in an organization
SPEAKER
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 $30
Non-members $60
SUBSTITUTION/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) can no longer attend.
Questions?
Contact Kristen Altermatt
by Jessica Gillette | Feb 18, 2025
RISK VS. REWARD: IS GROUP CAPTIVE INSURANCE RIGHT FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
**RESCHEDULED. New date TBA soon.**
Thursday, March 27, 2025 | 7:30AM – 9:00AM | Virtual
A Group Captive Insurance Program is an arrangement where multiple businesses pool their resources to create a shared insurance program, potentially reducing premiums and increasing control. Members share risks and rewards, including potential dividends, but also face potential shared losses and complexity. Is your business ready for a group captive insurance program?
PLEASE NOTE: this webinar is designed for CEOs, presidents, owners, CFOs, safety directors, and other senior leadership roles
Key Topics
– What is a group captive program
– How to determine if a group captive is right for your company (feasibility study)
– The different types of group captives and how to determine which one is right for your business
– Program advantages
– The considerations before entering a group captive (risk vs. reward)
– Group captive acceptance procedure
– What to expect with claims and safety and loss control
PLUS! Hear firsthand from Randy Funk with S.W. Funk, a group captive insurance participant, and ask him any questions to determine if the program is a good fit for you.
SPEAKERS
Janice Graziosi, Vice President, Property & Casualty, USI Insurance Services – Janice has been in the insurance industry for over 25 years, with experience on both the broker and carrier side of the industry. She brings technical expertise to the middle and upper middle market construction industry through a strategic approach to protect her client’s financial health and long term viability while mitigating risk and protecting the client’s balance sheet.
Justin Weis, Practice Leader, VIRGINIA P&C, USI Insurance Services – Justin Weis is Senior Vice President and Property & Casualty Practice Leader of USI’s Richmond and Norfolk offices. Justin stepped into the Practice Leader role in 2023 after 9 years as a successful middle market broker and is now responsible for the development and growth of USI’s Virginia P&C Practice. Justin consults with C-suite executives to understand their businesses and develops solutions to various hazards, financial, operational and strategic risk issues.
LOCATION
Virtual
Link to be sent to attendees within 24 hours of webinar
COST
Members – $30
Non-Members – $60
Questions?
Contact Kristen Altermatt
