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.