At the AGC Annual Convention in Grapevine, Texas, the Building Division by acclimation elected Shannon Sapp as Chairman for 2022-2023. Shannon first joined Merit Construction in 1996 after graduating from Auburn University in 1994 with a Building Construction degree. Shannon has been engaged in all facets of Merit projects including medical facilities, schools, historic renovations, churches, condominiums, and retail office buildings. As president of the firm, Shannon focuses his attention on the overall operations of the organization including finances, human resources, and administration..

Business Development within the construction industry presents multiple challenges as competition levels rise, continued supply obstacles occur, and labor shortages pressure companies to do more with less. On this episode, members of AGC’s Business Development Forum – Chris Martin, President at Atlas Marketing and Tonya Byrd (Jackson), Business Development Manager at Gilbane Building Company – discuss these challenges and share best practices and methods to help your construction company grow.

Allston Marble graduated from the University of Nebraska-Kearney with a BS in Construction Management in 2008. Allston joined Linbeck Group in 2007 as an intern and was hired full time in 2008. At Linbeck, Allston has worked as an Intern, Engineer, Project Manager, Client Executive and now Vice President. In his current role, Allston works on various private, K-12, non-profit, cultural and higher education portfolios in Houston. Allston has been involved with the AGC since his time at Nebraska-Kearney and his local Houston AGC chapter since moving to Houston in 2008. Allston has served the AGC in various leadership roles over the years including chairing the Construction Futures Committee, Houston CLC and Houston AGC Scholarship Committee. He has also has served the AGC of America in various capacities over the years including the CLC Steering Committee, Climate Change Task Force and the Project Innovation and Delivery Forum where he currently serves as the Vice Chairman and will be Chairman in Spring 2022. Allston and his wife have 4 children and live in Houston, TX.

Jeff Christianson is a graduate of Washington State University with a BS in Construction Management and holds a MS in Civil Engineering degree from University of Maryland. He joined Exxel Pacific, Inc. in 2003 and is currently a Senior Superintendent overseeing multiple projects in the greater Seattle area. Jeff is a LEED AP BD+C, a Certified Professional Constructor (CPC), and a PHIUS Certified Builder. He has served on the AGC of Washington CLC Steering Committee and is currently the incoming Vice-Chair of the AGC of America CLC. Additionally, Jeff was named the 2019 AGC of Washington Superintendent of the Year and was recognized by Engineering News-Record (ENR) as one of the Northwest’s 2019 Top Young Professionals. Jeff lives in Seattle with his wife and 3 children.

Michael currently serves as the Director of Strategic Markets at Tarlton Corp. and is the Chair of AGC of America’s Building Division and a member of the Board of Directors.  He is an experienced construction leader with past roles in project management, estimating, business development, and marketing.  He has developed and informed company strategy, led teams and projects across multiple locations, built strong relationships with clients and partners, and won new business across markets