Sunday, September 17, 2023

11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

NCLC Registration/Information Desk Open

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM

NCLC Welcome, Chapter Introductions and Opening Message from AGC President Les Snyder

Les Snyder

President, AGC of America

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

“State of the Association” featuring AGC CEO Steve Sandherr

Steve Sandherr

CEO, AGC of America

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Break

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Opening Keynote Session 

Human Centered Leadership: Turning Corporate Culture Into a Competitive Advantage

Ryan Estis

Ryan Estis is an expert on the topics of human centered leadership and sales growth and has been a game changer for some of the world’s leading brands, including Adobe, The Dallas Cowboys, Edward Jones, The Mayo Clinic, Mastercard, The NBA, Pfizer and Remax. He has been recognized as “one of the best keynote speakers ever seen or heard” by Meetings & Conventions Magazine. His new book, Prepare For Impact, will be available later this year.

His research emphasizes emerging trends influencing leadership effectiveness, sales performance and customer experience so we can all thrive in today’s ultra-competitive, hyper-connected business environment.

This keynote will explore how to cultivate a high-engagement, high-performance culture. As we prepare for the new world of work, leaders need to understand the needs and expectations of the modern workforce and their customers. Ryan pushes back on conventional thinking with new research and case studies from category-leading companies that succeed at maximizing human potential and elevating performance.

To win in today’s market, you need a healthy organization: tuned-in employees, authentic leadership, open communication and trust. Leaders are called to cultivate the kind of workplace where people come first and performance and profit follow.

Most organizations leave too many opportunities on the table and waste a huge amount of their people’s potential. This keynote offers practical advice to help you reverse that trend.

After this keynote, audiences and organizations will understands what it takes to elevate engagement, unleash human potential and compete to win in the new world of work.

Learning Objectives:

  • Embrace change in the new economy.
  • Learn from global workforce trends and forecasting from our research portfolio.
  • Build high-trust, high-value relationships.
  • Connect employees and community to a shared vision and set of values.
  • Effectively use emerging technology to improve communication, culture, community and work life.

4:00 PM – 4:15 PM

Break

4:15 PM – 5:15 PM

Breakout Sessions

Session 1: Mastering the Art of Resilient Growth: Embracing Failure

Join us for a discussion on the transformative potential of setbacks and hear how they can propel you forward. Learn how building a culture where failure is encouraged can cultivate innovation and resilience for your organization. This session offers a roadmap to turn challenges into opportunities, ultimately propelling you toward greater success.

Moderator: Meloni Raney, AIA, President & CEO, TEXO

Speakers:

Chad Kleppe, President & CEO, Master Builders of Iowa

Cheryl Stewart, Executive Director, Inland NW Chapter

Kyle Holland, President & CEO, Houston AGC

Session 2: Fostering the Volunteer Leadership Journey and Mastering Best Practices for Volunteer Recruitment and Recognition 

In the world of volunteer engagement, sustaining commitment and enthusiasm among volunteers is imperative. In this engaging panel discussion, you will hear from seasoned AGC volunteers who have not only nurtured their own growth by being an active AGC volunteer but have also successfully spearheaded impactful volunteer engagement initiatives. Their experience and ideas are guaranteed to help chapters gain insight on how to attract new talent, share strategies for creating meaningful opportunities, and help reinvigorate your approach to volunteer engagement. Furthermore, attendees will walk away with tips and inspiration on continuing their own leadership journey.

Moderator: Brynn Huneke, Director of Diversity and Inclusion and Volunteer Engagement, AGC of America

Panelists:

Benjamin Connors, President, General Building Contractors Association

Ashley Phelps, Director of Supply Chain, Gilbane Building Company, Rhode Island Chapter-AGC

Bryan Kelley, Vice President – Legal, Howard S. Wright – Balfour Beatty, AGC of Washington

Mike Salsgiver, Executive Director, Oregon-Columbia Chapter-AGC

Session 3: Transform Member Engagement with a Fresh Approach to Meetings & Events

Ready to shake up your chapter events and your member engagement game? Join Freeman’s Strategy, Research and Insights leader, Annie Malone, as she unveils the latest trends in event attendee and exhibitor research and shares innovative strategies for crafting unforgettable attendee experiences. Get ready to revolutionize how you engage your members!

Annie Malone, Vice President, Strategy, Freeman Company

Session 4: How to Make Data an Asset for Your Chapter

Members, government officials, and media all want timely and unbiased information about the state of construction. This session will cover some of the data tools and resources AGC puts out and the ways chapters use them.

Ken Simonson, Chief Economist, AGC of America

Kerrie Bennett, Executive Director, Rhode Island Chapter AGC

Peter Tateishi, CEO, AGC of California

5:15 PM – 6:00 PM

Break

5:40 PM – 6:00 PM

Shuttles depart for Welcome Reception

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Anderson House

Welcome Reception

The Anderson House is located a ½ mile (a short 10-minute walk) from The Ritz-Carlton, Washington D.C.

We will have a limited number of busses departing from The Ritz starting at 5:40 PM on Sunday, 9/17.

The Hotel is located on 22nd St NW. To get to the Anderson house you will proceed north on 22nd St NW for 0.5 miles. The Anderson house will be on the corner of Massachusetts, Q ST NW and 22nd St NW. Please use this LINK for detailed directions.

Monday, September 18, 2023

6:30 AM – 5:00 PM

NCLC Registration/Information Desk Open

7:00 AM – 8:15 AM

NCLC Breakfast with AGC’s Legislative Team

Rise and shine to drink coffee, eat eggs, and learn from the most effective and knowledgeable legislative team in town. AGC of America’s Jimmy Christianson will moderate our panel of in-house experts to provide the latest insights on Capitol Hill and federal regulatory agencies and how the association is advancing the construction industry’s priorities in our nation’s capital. Whether you are going to Capitol Hill or not to meet with your elected officials, this is a must attend session to understand how Washington, D.C., is working to further impact your construction business.

Moderator: Jimmy Christianson, Vice President, Government Relations

Panelists:

Leah Pilconis, General Counsel

Jim Young, Congressional Relations for Labor, HR and Safety

Kevin Cannon, Senior Director, Safety, Health and Risk Management

Alex Etchen, Senior Director for Infrastructure Advancement

8:15 AM – 8:30 AM

Break

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

NCLC General Session

Safety on the Inside: How to Effectively Support Employee Behavioral Health in the Construction Industry

Hamilton Baiden, CEO, YouTurn Health

Hamilton Baiden is the CEO of Youturn Health. He oversees the shaping of the company’s long-term strategy and leads the pursuit of strategic opportunities that will promote sales growth and customer satisfaction for the organization.

Prior to joining Youturn Health, Hamilton was Executive Vice President of Sales at Avella Specialty Pharmacy where he oversaw the growth of the business from a small regional pharmacy to the largest independent specialty pharmacy in the nation. His knowledge and understanding of the pharmacy industry was developed throughout his professional career, working in various roles for prominent pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, including MedImmune, Serono, Daiichi and Sanofi.

A graduate of The Citadel in Charleston, SC, with strong ties to his community, Hamilton serves on the Board of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and MASK. Hamilton is also in recovery and committed to helping others.

We’ve all seen the stats on the state of mental health in the construction industry. We need to do something now to effect change and support employees. But which programs actually work? Will your employees use them? Join Hamilton Baiden, CEO of Youturn Health, to get an overview of the trends in substance misuse and their impact on the workforce. Learn the gaps in treatment that prevent people from reaching out for the help they need and step through programs that effectively engage and support employee mental health before it reaches a crisis.

9:30 AM – 9:45 AM

Break

9:45 AM – 10:45 AM

Breakout Sessions

Session 1: How Future-focused Thinking Can Improve Board Performance

Today’s evolving world impacts your organization’s ability to deliver meaningful programs and services. When you look at trends that range from emerging technologies to shifts in expectations from younger workers, it is harder than ever to anticipate and respond to challenges and opportunities. How do you create a flexible organizational culture to overcome these changes and remain resilient? By developing the leadership competency of foresight (futures-thinking), you are better positioned to stay ahead of the curve, navigate uncertainty, and set up your organization for long-term success. This interactive session highlights the value of leading with a future-focused mindset and explores how foresight can inform decision-making and shape a positive future for your organization. 

Kristine Metter, MS, CAE, Crystal Lake Partners, LLC

Session 2: Unlocking the Power of Innovation and AI in Associations

Get ready to explore the exciting world of Innovation and AI in Associations! This session will show you how these game-changing technologies can shake things up and bring fresh ideas to the table. Come join us and learn how to make the most of Innovation and AI for your association’s success.

Reggie Henry, CAE, Chief Information and Performance Excellence Officer, American Society of Association Executives

Session 3: Fostering Engagement: Approaches to Cultivate Interest in Your Political Action Committee and AGC PAC

In the ever-changing realm of political engagement, fostering authentic interest and active participation within your chapter’s political action committee and AGC PAC is of utmost importance. This session caters to individuals in search of inventive approaches to ignite curiosity, drive engagement, and nurture sustained commitment to their chapter’s PAC and AGC PAC efforts. Explore the art of crafting narratives that not only captivate and inspire, but also empower individuals to actively champion political action.

Micaela Isler, Executive Director, National Association of Business Political Action Committees

Amie Adams, President, Dunn Associates,

David Ashinoff, Senior Director of Political Affairs, AGC of America

Session 4: Replicable Workforce Solutions that Shine a Light on Excellence

This panel conversation will highlight how three AGC chapters – the Inland NW AGC, the AGC of Massachusetts and the AGC of East Tennessee – have built successful workforce development programs that meet the needs of their members. Each chapter took a very different approach to addressing the chronic issue. East Tennessee partnered with state and local government agencies to build a new construction-focused high school program and host a summer construction camp for girls in Chattanooga. The Inland NW AGC launched a Trade Up 2 Construction program that features phone operator guides who help navigate potential new workers through the various pathways available into the profession. And the AGC of Massachusetts has focused on building strong working relationships with educators in the Bay State. The conversation will be moderated by AGC of America’s Vice President of Public Affairs and Strategic Initiatives, Brian Turmail. 

Moderator: Brian Turmail, Vice President of Public Affairs & Strategic Initiatives, AGC of America

Speakers:

Nic Cornelison, President, P&C Construction

Cheryl Stewart, Executive Director, Inland NW Chapter AGC

Lisa Frisbie, Vice President of Member Services, AGC of Massachusetts

10:45 AM – 11:00 AM

Break

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Breakout Sessions

Highway Division Breakout

Funding for Infrastructure: Identifying viable options for states and the federal government

The gas tax was last increased in 1993, and our transportation revenue shortfalls have gotten worse as advances in fuel efficiency and the adoption of electric vehicles have decreased revenues into the Highway Trust Fund.  As the federal government continues to avoid tackling the tough issue of identifying a sustainable user-fee, how are states choosing to fund their infrastructure? Come hear from the experts on what viable options are out there to fund the future needs of our transportation system.

Jim Tymon

Executive Director, AASHTO

Jim Tymon is the Executive Director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), a non-profit, non-partisan association that supports and represents the interests and missions of state departments of transportation, providing improved quality of life through leadership in transportation.

As AASHTO Executive Director, Tymon oversees a staff of 130 professionals who support their members in connecting America with the transportation system of today and tomorrow. AASHTO is now in its second century of service to state departments of transportation and their highly skilled employees.

Prior to his appointment, Tymon was AASHTO’s Chief Operating Officer and the Director of Policy and Management from 2013 to 2018, working closely with state DOTs in the development of AASHTO’s transportation policy positions and overseeing the monitoring of legislative, administrative, and regulatory activities relating to transportation.  As AASHTO’s COO, Jim also oversaw the management of the Association’s internal operations.

Tymon previously served as the staff director of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. As staff director, Tymon managed the subcommittee responsible for writing legislation for the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Jim was the Committee’s lead staffer for the development of MAP-21 — the surface transportation bill signed into law in 2012 and SAFETEA LU – the surface transportation bill signed into law in 2005. And, Tymon served in the Office of Management and Budget, where he worked as the program examiner responsible for overseeing the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Tymon graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Political Science, along with a Master of Arts degree in Public Policy. A native of New Jersey, Tymon and his family reside in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Jeff Davis

Senior Fellow, Eno Center for Transportation

Jeff Davis is a Senior Fellow with the Eno Center for Transportation and is also the Editor of the Eno Transportation Weekly.

Jeff came to Washington in 1988 to attend The American University and soon began working on Capitol Hill for the ranking minority member of the House Rules Committee. For six years he worked on a wide variety of legislative, budget process oversight and parliamentary procedure issues.

In January 1996 Jeff joined a transportation consulting firm and worked extensively on the FAA, Amtrak and surface transportation reauthorization laws in 1996-1998 as well as various appropriations bills.  He founded his own research and consulting business in June 1998 and published Transportation Weekly, a news service covering federal transportation and public works, from 1999-2014.

He joined the Eno Center in January 2015. His work focuses on analysis of the federal transportation budget and the long-term trends in transportation funding and policy.

Building Division Breakout

A.I. in Construction: A Roadmap for Business Leaders

With the release of OpenAI’s advanced language model, construction leaders are awakening to multiple applications across the industry. This session presents findings from Placer Solutions’ recent report which is aimed at the pressing questions and concerns of construction business leaders who are looking to understand A.I. tools. It will discuss the state of the technology, builder use cases, value chain analysis, and best practices for the industry.

Nate Fuller

Founder, Director at Placer Solutions

Nate Fuller is a passionate and accomplished construction technology leader with a diverse background in corporate innovation, construction technology, and entrepreneurship. He contributed to engineering design and project management for global construction projects before helping to create Bechtel’s Office of Innovation in 2016. He then ventured into entrepreneurship and later founded Placer Solutions, a management consultancy firm in 2020. Nate’s proven track record defining strategy and directing change management in construction has led to successful consulting engagements with North America’s largest construction contractors.

Kelly Benedict, Head of Innovation & Transformation, Gilbane Building Company

Zachary Noonan, Superintendent, Hourigan

Maura Hesdon, General Manager, Shoemaker Construction, A Butz Family Company

12:00 PM – 12:15 PM

Break

12:15 PM – 1:30 PM

NCLC Lunch Session

Making the Pitch: How to Make the Most of your Capitol Hill Meetings

Members of Congress and their staff are inundated with information on a daily basis from all sides—as these offices meet with constituents more than 25 times per day in addition to receiving tens of thousands of digital communications daily. As a construction industry leader heading to Capitol Hill, you have an opportunity to break through the noise to advance significant legislative objectives to better your career, business, and markets. But how?

During this session, the most knowledgeable expert on Congressional advocacy will help you make the most of your meetings with your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators with critical tips, while debunking common myths.

Bradford Fitch, President & CEO, Congressional Management Foundation

Bradford Fitch has spent 36 years in Washington as a journalist, congressional aide, consultant, college instructor, Internet entrepreneur, and writer/researcher.

Fitch began his career as a radio and television reporter in the 1980s. He began working on Capitol Hill in 1988 where he served for 13 years. He worked in a variety of positions for four Members of Congress, including: press secretary, campaign manager, legislative director, and chief of staff.

Fitch left Congress in 2001 to work for the Congressional Management Foundation. As Deputy Director of CMF, he served as a management consultant for Members of Congress, offering confidential guidance, conducting staff training programs, and writing publications on enhancing the performance of individual congressional offices and the institution. He served as editor of Setting Course: A Congressional Management Guide for the 108th Congress and 109th Congress editions. In 2005 Fitch managed CMF’s Communicating with Congress project, and co-authored the report, How Capitol Hill is Coping with the Surge in Citizen Advocacy. He left CMF in 2006 to form a new company, Knowlegis, in affiliation with Capitol Advantage. Knowlegis is now a part of CQ-Roll Call Group, where Fitch served as a Vice President until 2010 when he returned to CMF.

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM

Break

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Breakout Sessions

Session 1: How to Prepare for Changes to Prevailing Wage Rules

Hear how the new regulations from the US Department of Labor on Davis-Bacon and guidance from the US Treasury Department on implementing the prevailing wage requirements in the Inflation Reduction Act will impact contractors. The steps chapters and contractors can take to prepare and how AGC of America is responding through advocacy and member resources will be discussed.

Leslie Stout-Tabackman, Managing Director, Government Contractor Advisory Services, BDO USA, LLP

Claiborne Guy, Director of Employment Policy & Practices, AGC of America

Session 2: Nurturing Membership Growth and Sustaining Active Engagement

Join us for an insightful session that dives into the success stories of three AGC chapters that have achieved success in membership recruitment and retention. Membership growth and active engagement among members is pivotal to the future and success of AGC. Drawing from the expertise, experience (and hurdles) of these chapter executives, attendees are guaranteed to walk away with actionable insight that can be adapted to your unique chapter. 

Moderator: Michelle Ewing, CAE, Director of Member Engagement, AGC of America

Panelists:

Alicia Amberg, Executive Director, AGC of Alaska

Wayne Hammon, CEO, Idaho AGC

Brad Spradlin, Executive Vice President, AGC Arkansas

Session 3:Operational Preparedness: Paving the Way for Association Success

Now more than ever, it’s difficult to know what the future holds.  Change is part of our “new normal”.  So how do you make sure your association is as prepared as possible? In this session, you’ll discover how to lay a strong foundation for your association’s future.  You’ll learn the keys to ensuring operational efficiency and effectiveness. From big-picture strategies to practical tips and tools, this session will empower you and your leadership to navigate change and steer your association towards a solid and prosperous future.

Moderator: Len Toenjes, CAE, President, AGC of Missouri

Panelists:

Dave Daquelente, Executive Director, Master Builders Association of Western Pennsylvania

Don Greenwell, Executive Director, The Builders, a chapter of the AGC

Meloni Raney, AIA, President & CEO, TEXO

Session 4: How Future-focused Thinking Can Improve Board Performance 

Today’s evolving world impacts your organization’s ability to deliver meaningful programs and services. When you look at trends that range from emerging technologies to shifts in expectations from younger workers, it is harder than ever to anticipate and respond to challenges and opportunities. How do you create a flexible organizational culture to overcome these changes and remain resilient? By developing the leadership competency of foresight (futures-thinking), you are better positioned to stay ahead of the curve, navigate uncertainty, and set up your organization for long-term success. This interactive session highlights the value of leading with a future-focused mindset and explores how foresight can inform decision-making and shape a positive future for your organization.

Kristine Meters, MS,CAE, Crystal Lake Partners, LLC

3:00 PM – 3:15 PM

Break

3:15 PM – 4:15 PM

NCLC Keynote Session

Talk Like a Leader: Finding Your “It Factor”

Anthony Huey, Reputation Management, LLC

Anthony Huey, CSP®, is a highly-rated international speaker who offers session attendees pragmatic communications tools, tips and techniques they can use immediately. Anthony has presented more than 3,500 paid communications workshops, seminars and speeches in his career, and was named a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) by The National Speakers Association, an honor awarded to less than 12% of its speakers worldwide.

Anthony’s 25-year career includes tenures as a news reporter and senior editor, crisis management specialist, media relations consultant and executive speech coach.  He owns Reputation Management, LLC, one of the nation’s leading communications training and crisis consulting companies.

His past client work includes a wide variety of advertising, public relations and communications initiatives for hundreds of trade associations, municipalities and companies, including Nike, Victoria’s Secret, Eli Lilly, Nationwide Insurance, The Kroger Company, Procter & Gamble, and many more.

Anthony holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from The Ohio State University.

A graduate of The Citadel in Charleston, SC, with strong ties to his community, Hamilton serves on the Board of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and MASK. Hamilton is also in recovery and committed to helping others.

DESCRIPTION:  Ignite the “spark” inside you. We’ve all met someone with intangible qualities that draw others in and make them say, “Wow!” Some call it charisma, magnetism, or the “it factor,” but it’s nearly impossible to define. Until now. You can’t touch the “it factor,” but you can immediately feel when someone has it. This fast-paced, pragmatic and interactive keynote gives audience members practical and immediately implementable approaches to bringing the “it factor” to not only themselves, but their organization. 

 

Learning Objectives: 

  • Identify the 3 traits successful leaders have in common. 
  • Discover the power of perception and first impressions. 
  • Unlock the secrets to making a connection with anyone. 
  • Overcome the most common barriers to achieving your “It Factor.”  
  • Learn how to create the “It Factor” for your entire organization. 

4:15 PM – 6:00 PM

Break

6:00 PM

Ritz Carlton, Front Entrance

Shuttles Depart for National Portrait Gallery

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC

NCLC Chapter Awards Reception

7:30 PM – 9:30 PM

National Portrait Gallery, Washington, DC

NCLC Chapter Awards Dinner

Tuesday, September 19, 2023

6:30 AM – 11:00 AM

NCLC Registration/Information Desk Open

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM

NCLC Networking Breakfast – Navigating Today’s Construction Risk: The Essentials Beyond the Regulatory Agenda

Executive leadership faces a multitude of challenges that extend beyond the regulatory scope.  This session will delve into the complex web of construction risk management that reaches beyond regulatory compliance.  Our panel of in-house experts will share how AGC of America is leading the way for integrated company-wide risk management through workforce well-being and efficiency, contract issue spotting and administration, and sustainability and climate practices – uncovering a path to a more resilient and profitable construction business.  Join us as we explore how addressing today’s paramount “ESG” challenges demands a holistic risk management approach that transcends traditional boundaries (e.g., sub defaults, forever chemicals like PFAS, low-carbon materials, and violence on jobsites).  Discover the many AGC tools to help construction executives navigate construction risk.

Leah Pilconis, General Counsel, AGC of America

Kevin Cannon, Senior Director of Safety, Health & Risk Management, AGC of America

Nazia Shah, Director of Safety & Health Services, AGC of America

Melinda Tomaino, Senior Director of Environment and Sustainability, AGC of America

Brian Perlberg, Executive Director of the ConsensusDocs Coalition and Senior Counsel, AGC of America

8:00 AM – 8:15 AM

Break

8:15 AM – 9:15 AM

NCLC General Session – Congressional Panel: What Can Get Done? A Bipartisan View from Capitol Hill

Cable news focuses on Congressional gridlock, political gamesmanship, and the next election’s horse race for control of Congress and the White House. But the real legislative action that impacts the construction industry  happens in the halls of Congress, not in studio. This bipartisan panel of true legislators from the U.S. House of Representatives will provide insights into what’s really going on and what can make it to the president’s desk for his signature into law. From workforce development and immigration reform to infrastructure investment and permitting reform, our guests will address some of the top issues facing the construction industry.

The Honorable Rick Larsen, U.S. Representative, Democratic member from Washington State’s Second District

Rick represents Washington state’s Second Congressional District, which includes portions of Snohomish and all of Skagit, Whatcom, Island and San Juan counties.

As the top Democrat (or Ranking Member) on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, Rick is focused on making long-term investments in infrastructure to create more jobs, drive long-term economic growth, and build a cleaner, greener, safer and more accessible transportation network. Rick will continue to fight for robust investments in roads, bridges, highways, waterways, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and transit to build a foundation for future economic growth. Rail safety is another priority issue for Rick, and he has worked hard to push for better safety standards for crude oil traveling by rail.

The Pacific Northwest is the aerospace capital of the world. Rick is committed to ensuring aviation safety, fostering innovation in the U.S. airspace, improving U.S. competitiveness in the global market and enhancing the air travel experience for passengers.

The Second District is home to Naval Station Everett and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, which are vital to the regional economy and national security. Rick served on the Armed Services Committee for 22 years before taking a leave of absence to serve as the lead Democrat on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. He is pushing to ensure that women and men in uniform get the pay and benefits they have earned and the equipment they need to keep the U.S. safe. Rick also focuses on ensuring veterans can access the resources and health care they need to succeed in civilian life. Rick worked hard with local veterans to open a community-based outpatient clinic in Mount Vernon to make health care and services more accessible for veterans in the Second District.

Rick is committed to protecting natural resources for recreation and tourism, major economic drivers. He has led efforts to preserve public lands, restore critical salmon habitat, protect Southern Resident Killer Whales and combat climate change through investments in clean energy.

Rick is the co-chair of the bipartisan U.S.-China Working Group, which educates Members of Congress about U.S.-China issues through meetings and briefings with academic, business and political leaders from the U.S. and China. Rick has visited China eleven times and is the author of a white paper on developing a comprehensive China strategy and promoting U.S. global competitiveness.

Rick also co-founded the Congressional Arctic Working Group, a bipartisan working group to bring focus to U.S. policy issues related to the Arctic. Rick is committed to ensuring the U.S. lives up to its environmental, economic and strategic commitments as an Arctic nation. Rick is also a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), an organization made up of delegates from all 30 NATO member countris with a mission to engage parliamentarians in transatlantic security issues.

The Larsen family has been building a legacy in the Second Congressional District for more than a century. Rick was born in Arlington, Washington, and attended Arlington Public Schools (Arlington High School Class of 1983). Rick and his wife, Tiia, live in Everett and are the proud parents of two sons, Robert and Per.

The Honorable Kelly Armstrong, U.S. Representative, Republican member from North Dakota’s At Large District

Congressman Kelly Armstrong is a lifelong, devoted North Dakotan and a tireless advocate for making North Dakota a better place to live and work. With his background in business, his love for the outdoors and his volunteer and public service experience, Kelly is fighting for our North Dakota values in Washington and working to advance positive changes to benefit our state and country.

Early Years

Kelly’s childhood in Dickinson, North Dakota, inspired in him a passion for the outdoors. In the summers, he could be found on Lake Sakakawea and during the fall he was bow hunting in the badlands.

After graduating from Dickinson High School in 1995, Kelly attended the University of North Dakota but continued to grow his roots in Dickinson, returning home in the summers to coach the Dickinson Roughriders American Legion baseball team. Kelly earned a bachelor’s degree from UND in 2001 and a law degree from UND law school in 2003.

It was at UND law school where Kelly met the love of his life, Kjersti. She was part of a law school exchange program with her university in Norway. They married in 2004 and spent the early years of their marriage in Grand Forks, where Kelly began his law career while Kjersti finished her degree.

Kelly and Kjersti later moved back home to Dickinson, and Kelly opened a second office of the law firm. While practicing law, Kelly became known as someone who worked tirelessly for his clients and gained the respect of his counterparts, the judiciary and law enforcement.

Back home in Dickinson, Kelly and Kjersti started their family. Anna was born in 2007 and Eli in 2010.

In 2011, Kelly joined his family’s business, Armstrong Corporation, where he served as vice president. Founded in 1975, this small family business expanded over time to include oil and gas exploration, agricultural operations and investments in local businesses and striving entrepreneurs. The Armstrong family’s commitment to their community was officially recognized with the Roughrider Award (not the big one… there isn’t a painting of the Armstrongs hanging in the North Dakota Capitol) in 2013 for their initiative to employ and provide opportunities for veterans returning from deployment overseas.

Commitment to Community

Kelly’s commitment to family and community is evident in everything he does. A recipient of the North Dakota Bar Association’s Community Service Award, Kelly served as a volunteer fireman for the Dickinson Fire Department from 2005 through 2012, coached girls’ softball and boys’ baseball and is active in charitable works for many local organizations, including his local hospital, university, police association, volunteer fire department, best friends mentoring program, domestic violence rape crisis center, and the Teddy Roosevelt Bully Pulpit Board. He also served as President of the Dickinson Baseball club for ten years and was elected to the North Dakota Dickinson Baseball Hall of Fame in 2017.

Kelly grew his service to the community in 2012, when he was elected to the North Dakota State Senate for District 36. Chairing multiple committees during his service, Kelly spearheaded DUI reform legislation, a $2 billion statewide infrastructure investment and solving the lakebed mineral crisis.

Kelly was elected Chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party in 2015 after seeing firsthand the need for decisive and effective leadership of the party. Kelly led the state party in 2016 to landslide victories for President Donald Trump, Gov. Doug Burgum and North Dakota legislative majorities.

Congressional Service

Washington needs our North Dakota values now more than ever, and no one embodies them more than Kelly. The real changes in Washington are just beginning, and Kelly’s commitment, energy and drive will keep pushing those positive changes forward.

North Dakota’s agricultural and energy industries provide the country and the world with food, oil, gas and electricity. In Congress, Kelly works to protect the livelihood of farmers and ranchers, unleash North Dakota’s full energy potential and ensure North Dakota has a strong voice.

Kelly serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government for the 118th Congress. Kelly was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives representing the entire state of North Dakota in 2018.

Jimmy Christianson, Vice President of Government Relations, AGC of America

9:15 AM – 9:30 AM

Break

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Closing General Session – Elevating Chapter Excellence: Unleashing Potential Through Partnership and Collaboration

Get ready for an engaging chat with four award-winning AGC Chapters as they share their secrets to success and their big wins in workforce development, membership engagement, diversity and inclusion, and public relations. It’s all about how these organizations are nailed it through teamwork and partnerships!

Moderator: Steve Sandherr, CEO, AGC of America

Panelists: 

Richard Wobby, Executive Vice President, AGC of Vermont

Mike Dunham, CEO, AGC of Georgia

Tim Worke, CEO, AGC of Minnesota

Leslie Gower, CEO, AGC of East Tennessee

Afternoon

Capitol Hill Visits

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

8:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Government Relations Summit

(For chapter execs and staff – separate registration required)

9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Capitol Hill Visits