With the second consecutive year of record turnout, the 2025 Annual Meeting recently concluded at The Greenbrier. The meeting kicked off with the increasingly popular “early bird” welcome reception. The CAWV Board of Directors met on Friday afternoon and received a sneak-preview of the new CAWV Connect Mobile App which will be available for all members beginning next week. Attendees were also able to download the app to improve their overall meeting experience. In keeping with tradition, golf, trap and fishing tournaments were held on Saturday with members taking advantage of the many other outdoor activities available at The Greenbrier. The addition of a pickleball and bowling tournaments this year sold-out quickly as well as an intimate Greenbrier-select wine-tasting event.
The various division meetings had robust participation this year. Highway/Heavy Division hosted Stephen “Todd” Rumbaugh, P.E., Secretary of the Department of Transportation, who provided members with an update on the agency’s construction and maintenance program for 2025-2026. Secretary Rumbaugh also discussed the implementation of AWP and other issues during a question/answer session with members. The Building Division hosted a discussion led by Andy Neptune, Executive Director of the School Building Authority (SBA). Mr. Neptune highlighted the new Construction Management at Risk (CMAR) legislation adopted by the Legislature as well as the recent Major Improvement Program projects funded by the agency. Finally, the Utilities Division gathered on Saturday morning and reviewed the latest updates on material prices, supply-chain issues, and commodity lead times.
This year’s General Business Session contained an impressive lineup of speakers. The session included a fireside chat with Marshall University President Brad Smith and Toney Stroud. Jessica Kearney, Vice President of Public Policy, Travelers Institute, provided an update on the latest consumer confidence and economic data and Dave Bauer, Chief Executive Officer, American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), gave attendees the latest on ARTBA priorities for the new five-year surface transportation bill. West Virginia University Institute of Technology President T. Ramon Stuart announced the first Associated General Contractors of America student chapter will be on his campus. The Saturday morning session concluded with a video greeting from United States Senator Shelley Moore Capito.
Governor Patrick Morrisey and First Lady Denise Morrisey joined CAWV at the President’s Banquet. President Dailey introduced the graduates of the Construction Leadership Program Class of 2025 and recognized Joe Camp, 84 Lumber, as the recipient of this year’s President’s Award. President Dailey introduced his successor, Mark Urso. Mr. Urso outlined his goals for the upcoming year for the various divisions, while challenging members to increase their participation in the association’s joint committees.
With the largest turnout since the mid-1990s, members and guests recently returned from the 2024 CAWV Annual Meeting held July 11-14 at The Greenbrier. The meeting began with a welcome reception on Thursday evening followed by a Board of Directors meeting on Friday afternoon that included discussion of various industry issues, including an ongoing emphasis on contractor mental health and overall workplace safety. Golf, trap and fishing tournaments were also held on Saturday with members taking advantage of the many other outdoor activities available at The Greenbrier. The addition of a pickleball tournament and Greenbrier-select bourbon tasting opportunity also proved to be popular with members and their families.
The Highway/Heavy Division hosted Jimmy Wriston, P.E., secretary of the West Virginia Department of Transportation, who provided members with an update on the agency’s construction and maintenance program for 2024-2025. Secretary Wriston also discussed the various discretionary awards that West Virginia received under the provisions of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), including the most recent announcement of a $87.5 million allocation to replace the Market Street bridge connecting WV 2 in Brooke County, between Weirton and Follansbee, West Virginia, and Steubenville, Ohio. The Building Division hosted a discussion led by Andy Neptune, Executive Director of the School Building Authority of West Virginia (SBA), and Dana Womack, the SBA Director of Architectural Services. The SBA leaders highlighted the recent $150 million approval of various school construction and renovation projects across the state and a brief review of those previously-funded projects that are likely to bid this fall. The Utilities Division also met on Saturday morning and hosted Marie Prezioso, Executive Director of the West Virginia Water Development Authority, and Brian Bracey, Executive Director of the City of Huntington Water Quality Board. Director Prezioso provided members with a list of water and wastewater projects that are fully funded and likely to bid this fall to help with planning schedules before the end of the calendar year. She also discussed the agency’s continued emphasis on getting projected funded by the Economic Enhancement Grant Fund program to construction just as soon as possible.
Aside from the election of new officers and the President’s Banquet, additional highlights of this year’s Annual Meeting was the all-star cast of speakers at the General Business Session. This session featured presentations from William “Bill” Moore, Stratview Wealth Management, Jeff Shoaf, Chief Executive Officer, Associated General Contractors of America, Cabinet Secretary Chelsea Ruby, West Virginia Department of Tourism, and Tim Duit, Chairman, American Road and Transportation Builders Association. Retiring United States Senator Joe Manchin, III, capped off the General Business Session by accepting a CAWV lifetime achievement award for his forty-plus years of commitment to the construction industry. Senator Manchin addressed a packed house where he recounted fun stories from his career in public service and provided unique insights into the passage of IIJA and other consequential acts passed by Congress that have impacted the state of West Virginia.
The President’s Banquet followed on Saturday evening with a “Starry Night” theme. After his introductory remarks, President Tim Spradling, Benchmark Construction Company, Inc. introduced the graduates for the Class of 2024 of the Construction Leadership Program. Mr. Spradling then presented retired CAWV President Gene Thompson with this year’s President’s Award for his decades of service to the construction industry. Mr. Spradling thanked members for their hard work and support throughout the year and then introduced his successor, James W. “Tripp” Dailey, III, president of W. Harley Miller Contractors, Inc.
A complete wrap-up of the 2024 Annual Meeting will appear in the July/August issue of West Virginia Construction News magazine.
For the past 100 years, the Contractors Association of West Virginia (CAWV) has successfully supported West Virginia’s construction industry. Through commitment and partnerships from organizations like you, CAWV has been able to identify and address issues affecting your business, making us one of the most effective and trusted associations in the state. The CAWV Annual Meeting was held July 6-9 at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs. The event featured many activities for members and guests, including a golf tournament, trap/fishing tournament, in addition to all the amenities offered at The Greenbrier. Also included at this year’s event was the CAWV Centennial Book unveiling, Construction Leadership Program Class of 2023 graduation, “Roaring 20’s” themed reception and banquet, and more. More information will be included in the July/August issue of West Virginia Construction News (WVCN). Visit wvcn.cawv.org to read issues of WVCN.