In 1973 I heard of an organization for contractors called ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) whose philosophy and mission seemed to be what I was interested in. Soon there was an area interest meeting in Fort Smith where a gentleman by the name of Frank Denton, who was a contractor from New Orleans, was to the guest speaker. After which I wanted to be involved, one that espouses free enterprise, fairness to all workers and freedom of choice for the individual worker.

I did get involved. Almost immediately I became a member of the steering committee for the purpose of starting a chapter in Arkansas. There I met some great people who were contractors and had the same beliefs that I did and were also willing to work hard and make sacrifices to get ABC started in Arkansas.

As a result of the steering committee’s efforts a chapter in formation began its work in 1974 and was on its way to becoming a chartered chapter in 1975. So, now we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of ABC of Arkansas in year 2000.

It seemed the more that I became involved the more I received in return. I hoped the reason for my involvement was always to give something back to the industry from which I gained a lively hood for me and my family. During these early years in ABC I was also getting SSI started and it was growing as a general contracting business.

I then became the second President of the chapter in 1976. That year was a very difficult year for ABC of Arkansas. It was a struggle to keep ABC of Arkansas alive because we relieved the Executive Director of the Chapter of his job and were without someone in that position for a four-month period. Due to lack of funds, we moved the chapter office, along with the secretary, into SSI’s office in Little Rock.

A few member contractors pulled together and assisted me in any way that I asked and ABC of Arkansas survived. What a testimonial to me that contractors who believed in ABC and what it stands for are made of real gold. Even though we were struggling, I felt privileged to have worked with those members that year.

As past chapter president the following year my interest turned to apprenticeship training. Even in those years we needed more trained craftspeople to man our project. During my tenure as chairman of the apprenticeship committee we worked to get the chapter approved by the Bureau of Apprenticeship Training as a training sponsor.

It was also during this time period that I served on the national board of directors and in 1980 became the chairman of the national education committee while continuing to serve on the Arkansas Chapter board (for fourteen consecutive years).

I soon discovered there were wonderful people serving at all levels of ABC, both state and national, all with the same philosophy, the same beliefs and interests. What a privilege to serve with people in a common cause.

During the two years that I served as chairman of the National Education committee, the birthing of merit shop contractors world class training curriculum, the “Wheels of Learning” took shape. I continued to serve on this committee for an additional ten years all while learning from others and developing friendships.

Then in 1985 I was privileged again to serve as the Arkansas chapter president. During this year as president I was fortunate to have a good executive director all year. He is well seasoned having served in ABC for 20 years. And he still serves the Arkansas Chapter.

In 1990 I became a member of the National Executive Committee serving as Vice President in Region 3 (Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana). In 1992 I was encouraged to run for 1993 National President Elect. We won the election. My family, my Arkansas friends, and my friends across the nation were very instrumental and worked hard to help me become President-elect. After that election I began to really realize that the following year, 1994, I would serve as National President of ABC. How overwhelming that was. Never in my wildest dreams in 1973 did I think that one day I would become a national leader in that organization for contractors called ABC.

1994 was without a doubt the most rewarding of all of my years of involvement in ABC. Just the opportunity to work with great leaders in ABC throughout the 80 plus chapters nationwide is something only a few have the opportunity to experience.

Some of my best friends today are people that I met in ABC more than 20 years ago. What more can a person expect or want from his labors. Through ABC I have gotten into the political process, something that I probably would not have happened was it not for ABC. Net working with other people of the same philosophy has helped my construction business to continue to operate and grow in spite of many regulations imposed by government. ABC has provided continuing education through its management education programs supporting my efforts as a manager in the industry. Seeing the great impact the ABC training of young people has on our industry keeps me motivated. Never have I seen ABC work for a cause that was self-serving. It has always taken positions that are good for the individual worker, good for business owners and good for the country. I am looking forward to celebrating the 25th anniversary of ABC of Arkansas and the 50th anniversary of ABC National in the first year of the new millennium.

SSi Incorporated