ABC CT hosts 11th annual Excellence in Construction Award ceremony

Associated Builders and Contractors of Connecticut (CT ABC) hosted its 11th annual Excellence in Construction awards ceremony on January 31, at the Aquaturf in Southington, with over 650 of the industry in attendance. The event honored construction companies and subcontractors who performed work on outstanding construction projects completed as of October 2012. The Excellence in Construction award ceremony was held in conjunction with the association's annual dinner where the 2013 board of directors and officers were sworn in with Jeffrey Clement of Modern Mechanical Systems, Inc. as chair, James LaRosa of LaRosa Building Group, LLC as vice chair, Michael Sabol of Mahoney Sabol & Co., LLP as treasurer and Debra Sarazin of Sarazin General Contractors, Inc. as secretary. Of the 38 STEP safety program participants, 15 contractors entered to win one of four "Best of the Best" safety awards, and the winners were: * Small general contractor/construction manager, Babbidge Facilities Construction Co., Inc. * Large General Contractor/Construction Manager, KBE Building Corp. * Small Specialty Contractor, All-Brite Electric, Inc. * Large Specialty Contractor, Notch Mechanical Constructors CT ABC honored three firms for outstanding service to the industry: * Associate Member of the Year, Halloran & Sage Government Affairs, LLC * Specialty Contractor of the Year, Walker Crane and Rigging Corp. * Contractor of the Year (Merit Cup Winner), LaRosa Building Group, LLC CT ABC's nod to "American Idol," their People's Choice award, allows on-line and in-person voting! With 775 votes received, the winner was the Connecticut College Science Center project submitted by KBE Building Corp. The Excellence in Construction and Merit Award winners are projects submitted to this annual competition and judged by an independent panel of judges which include architects, engineers and university professionals. Project submittals must adhere to rigorous application requirements for consideration of the year's top honors. Contractors must not only demonstrate outstanding quality in construction and references from the project owner, but also rigorous safety performance! The year's Best in Show was awarded to Cianbro Corporation for the Algonquin Power Cogeneration Plant Reconfiguration Project. This top designation was chosen by the panel of judges as the year's best of the best as the winner overcame significant logistical challenges to complete the project with zero lost time incidents and no regulatory NOVs, under budget and ahead of schedule. They designed, planned, delivered, constructed and commissioned this fast-track project simultaneously! Another project of note, the judges awarded a Special Jury Award for Public Service for the: Jennifer L. Hawke-Petit Health Lodge WFSB Channel 3 Kids' Campo - KBE Building Corporation This year CT ABC recognized the following companies as Excellence in Construction Award recipients: * Specialty Mechanical: Algonquin Power Windsor Locks Repowering Plant, Notch Mechanical Constructors * Specialty Electric: United Illuminating Central Facility - Professional Electrical Contractors of CT, Inc. * Specialty Interiors: Kent School, Hoerle Hall - Network Interiors, Inc. * Community/Public Service: The First Tee Connecticut, The David and Geri Epstein Learning Center - Babbidge Facilities Construction Co., Inc. * Residential: Storrs Center/Phase 1A - Erland Construction, Inc. * Institutional: Kent School, Hoerle Hall - S/L/A/M Construction Services d/b/a Construction Services of Somerset, Inc. * Renovation: University of Connecticut McMahon Dining Hall - KBE Building Corporation * Specialty Other: WCSU Visual and Performing Arts Center - United Steel, Inc. This year CT ABC recognized the following companies as Merit Award recipients: * Institutional: Connecticut College Science Center - KBE Building Corporation * Renovation: Jewett City American Legion Homeless Veterans Housing Project - Viking Construction, Inc. * Residential: Chamberlain Heights, LaRosa Building Group, LLC