The Construction Financial Management Association is a national organization dedicated to serving and educating the financial leaders who work in and support the construction industry. The Association’s largest chapter, Valley of the Sun, includes over 300 members from around the Valley and across Arizona. Having experienced an eventful first half of 2015, the Chapter has several exciting accomplishments to share.
In 2015 sweeping changes to the Transaction Privilege Tax codes affected Arizona’s construction companies. CFMA partnered with the Arizona Builders Alliance to lobby on behalf of the construction industry to reform or repeal portions of that legislation. While not all of these efforts were successful, CFMA member David James, CFO of FNF Construction, Inc. lead the effort to educate the industry on the changes, determine how they would impact their estimating and accounting processes, and recommend steps needed to comply with the updated laws. The Valley of the Sun Chapter hosted multiple education forums to inform and answer questions for member and non-member companies alike.
In April, the chapter hosted its 15th Annual Construction Executive of the Year awards banquet, held at the Talking Stick Resort. This event celebrates the best of Arizona construction companies and their leaders who do so much for their company, community and state. This year’s winner was Robert “Bo” Calbert, President of McCarthy Building Companies Southwest Region. The other finalists for this year’s award were Scott Bourdo, President of Kovach Building Enclosures; John Krecek, President of JFK Electrical Contracting Enterprises; and Sissie Roberts-Shank, President/CEO of Chas-Roberts Air Conditioning & Plumbing. Each finalist’s story was inspiring, as all of their companies have long legacies of positive impacts on our local construction community. The admiration and respect they have for each other was apparent.
The 2015 Pioneer Award Recipient was Jed Billings, Executive Chairman and past CEO of FNF Construction, Inc. Valley of the Sun members recognized for their contributions included Dave Miller, CFO of Jokake Construction, who was named Best Under the Sun General Member and Jared Asay, CPA at Morrison, Clark & Conover, named Best Under the Sun Associate Member; and David James, CFO of FNF Construction, Inc., who received the inaugural President’s Award for his efforts in working on the TPT reform.
In June, 40 chapter members travelled to Chicago to attend the annual CFMA National Conference. Four chapter members were presenters at this year’s conference, which was attended by over 800 people from across the US and Canada. At the conference, the Valley of the Sun chapter was named Chapter of the Year, for scoring highest on a comprehensive ranking evaluating member participation, community involvement and industry impact. Two prestigious awards were also presented to Valley of the Sun members: Marj Weber, CFO of Irontree Construction received the Debra Hahn Memorial Award in recognition of her promotion of CFMA, support of other members and involvement in education at both the local and national level; and David James received the Joe Quigley Memorial Award for his commitment to the industry in working on the TPT reform, as well his support of education and young professionals within the chapter. Both Marj and Dave are past chapter presidents who have remained very active leaders while supporting new leadership with their experience and knowledge.
As the Valley of the Sun chapter heads into the second half of 2015, its momentum continues to grow! The Community Service Committee hosted a successful back to school drive benefitting UMOM New Day Centers, as well as worked at UMOM’s back to school night, entertaining the school age residents. The Chapter plans to participate as a team for the third year at UMOM’s Walk for Homeless Families in September. October will bring the Chapter’s 25th annual golf tournament, which raises funds for scholarship programs for students in the construction and accounting fields, and funds endowments at ASU and NAU.
It is an exciting time to be involved in the construction industry, and there is no better way to be a part of it than as a member of the Valley of the Sun Chapter of the Construction Financial Management Association. Visit the chapter website to learn more about all that is going on and membership opportunities! http://vos.cfma.org/
