DCA’s Board of Directors, Past Presidents and Government Relations Committee members spent last Thursday in Legislative Hall with Delaware’s public policy leaders. We had a good turnout from our members as well as our state’s legislators. Despite an ever-expanding number of meetings for members of the General Assembly, the luncheon was attended by even more legislators this year than last year. We continued our easy-going social approach allowing DCA’s members the chance to spend time with a cross-section of the General Assembly’s members.

I was particularly pleased that our event had leadership from both the House and Senate Majority and Minority caucuses who made a point of speaking with all our members. The purpose of an event like this is to strengthen the communication between DCA as the voice of the construction industry with those public policy makers writing laws impacting this critical portion of the state’s economy. We work to build relationships with the many new members of the legislature and to strengthen our relationship with those who have longer tenures - but the work is never done!

Following the luncheon, President John Everhart, Merit Construction Engineers, Senior Vice President Steve Dennis, Schlosser & Associates Mechanical, Director Joelle Fitzsimmons, Superior Electric, and Government Relations Committee member Mark Grunza, Wohlsen Construction, joined me in a meeting with Governor Carney. The conversation ranged from the state’s capital improvement investments to the Governor’s renewed push for a budget smoothing constitutional amendment to workforce challenges. Speaking of workforce, I was very pleased that Steve Dennis’ son, Zach, participated in the luncheon and the meeting with Governor Carney. Zach and so many other DCA members are working to build upon their company’s legacy as the industry’s next generation of leaders.

This aspect of DCA’s work is a constant effort at all levels of government. The vast majority of those serving in public office do not have a background in the construction industry so it is incumbent upon us to be a resource when public policy impacting the industry is being considered. Whether it’s legislation in Dover or D.C., an ordinance at the county or municipal levels, DCA is in every conversation that is important to the construction industry.