WebEd: How the Construction Industry Will Perform in 2018

All WebEd times are in EST

Member Price: FREE
Non Member Price: $49

Description:

The Associated General Contractors of America and Sage will release their national and state* construction hiring and business forecasts for 2018.  The forecasts, which are based on a comprehensive survey of construction firms nationwide, will include predictions of the scope of construction hiring, layoffs and possible worker shortages during the year.

During the WebEd, the association’s CEO Stephen Sandherr and chief economist Kenneth Simonson will release the forecasts and explain their significance for broader economic and employment growth for this year. The will also discuss how recent tax law changes, possible new infrastructure measures and changes in trade policy will impact contractors in 2018.  Sage General Manager Jon Witty will discuss the information technology-related findings. 

Speakers:

Stephen Sandherr
CEO
Associated General Contractors of America

Stephen Sandherr joined the AGC of America staff in 1984 as Assistant Director of Collective Bargaining Services. From 1986 to 1989 he served as AGC’s Director of Congressional Relations. He practiced law with the firm of Thompson, Mann and Hutson in Washington, D.C., from 1989 to 1990, and served as Labor and Small Business Counsel for the National Association of Home Builders from 1990 to 1991. He rejoined AGC as Executive Director of Congressional Relations in 1991 and was promoted to Chief Executive Officer in 1997.

Currently, as Chief Executive Officer, Steve’s role is to maintain relations with AGC’s 92 chapters nationwide, coordinate government relations activities and enhance AGC’s involvement with business coalitions. In 2006, the American Society of Association Executives cited AGC as one of nine “remarkable” associations in its landmark study, “7 Measures of Success: What Remarkable Associations Do That Others Don’t.” CEO Update, which tracks people in association and non-profit executive careers, listed Steve as a top CEO in 2009, and a Capitol Hill newspaper, The Hill, listed Steve as a top lobbyist for the last seven years, representing the only commercial construction industry association on the Top Lobbyists of 2009 - 2016 lists.

Steve is a 1980 graduate of the University of Scranton with a B.S. in Political Science. He earned his law degree from the Catholic University of America in 1983, and is a member of the Bar of the District of Columbia. He is a trustee of the National Building Museum in Washington.

He resides with his wife, Cynthia, in Alexandria, Virginia.

Kenneth Simonson
Chief Economist
Associated General Contractors of America

Kenneth D. Simonson has been Chief Economist for the Associated General Contractors of America since September 10th, 2001. Beginning the next day, he has provided insight into the economy and what it implies for construction and related industries. He is interviewed and quoted almost daily by local and national media, including The Wall Street Journal, CNBC and National Journal magazine, which recently made Ken part of its inaugural panel of 25 “economic insiders.”

Ken has 35 years of experience analyzing, advocating and communicating about economic and tax issues. Before joining AGC, he was senior economic advisor in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy. Earlier, he was vice president and chief economist for the American Trucking Associations. He also worked with the President’s Commission on Industrial Competitiveness and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Jon Witty
Vice President and General Manager
Sage Construction and Real Estate

Jon Witty is VP and General Manager for Sage Construction and Real Estate. With more than 25 years of experience in the technology and ERP markets, including construction and project management, Jon is responsible for driving Sage’s business strategy and initiatives in the construction and real estate market.