AGC of Milwaukee Leads the Way

Effective Leadership and Education Keep Contractors’ Group Out In Front

By Kathy Bergstrom

Figuring out what people want, whether it’s to set legislative strategy or educational programming, is a big part of the job for both Mike Fabishak and Heather Stair.

CEO Mike Fabishak and Member-Services & Education Director Heather Stair provide skilled leadership and effective educational programs for AGC of Greater Milwaukee members. (Photos courtesy of AGC of Greater Milwaukee.)

Fabishak, 55, is chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee, a position he’s held for 11 years. Stair, 33, has been the association’s membership services and education director for three years.

Fabishak “always has the pulse of the industry at his fingertips,” says Craig Jorgensen, president of VJS Construction Services Inc. in Pewaukee.

Jorgensen, past president of the AGC, keeps in close contact with Fabishak, who is a sounding board for ideas.

Fabishak joined AGC in 1998 after serving as executive vice president of the Metropolitan Builders Association, a Milwaukee home builders group, for 10 years.

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Prior to working for the home builders, he was a senior administrative aide to Democratic congressman Jim Moody for about six years focusing on issues related to transportation and housing.

Fabishak can draw on that political experience in his job at AGC. The group has a lobbyist on staff, so Fabishak’s role in government relations is developing legislative strategy and making contacts when appropriate.

AGC members say he is particularly adept at forming coalitions on issues the group is concerned about.

“I think everyone who’s been around political and government relationships in general understands that there’s not an all or nothing approach to this,” Fabishak says. Lobbying requires patience, discipline and focus and a willingness to find common denominators, he adds.

Over the last year, AGC Milwaukee has played a leadership role in forming a position on discussions in Wisconsin to change the state’s single prime contractor system for state government construction projects.

AGC worked with some collateral associations to come up with a proposal that would be acceptable to multiple groups. “We would rather be the architects of change or at least be at the architectural table of this change than having it arbitrarily thrown at us,” Fabishak says.

The state’s building commission has not yet made a decision on the issue. The proposal AGC supports generally would allow the use of alternative methods such as design build or construction manager at risk for more expensive projects.

“He can build consensus and support,” says David Cullen, president of J.P. Cullen & Sons in Janesville. At the same time, Fabishak makes sure AGC has a leading role in the coalition, Cullen adds.

He understands our industry, he knows the people in the industry. He can make things happen,” says Doug Carlson, chief financial officer of KBS Construction, Inc., in Milwaukee and an AGC board member. “He knows the contacts not only in the construction industry but the local community.”

Work force is another crucial issue for contractors, and Fabishak is active on work force groups outside of AGC.

He is on the Milwaukee Area Work Force Investment Board, which distributes money to training organizations in construction and manufacturing.

He also is the treasurer of the board for the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership and is chairman of Big Step, a construction job training program operated by the partnership.

The economy is a big issue for construction now, but another important one is the application of technology, Fabishak says.

Building-information modeling and virtual plan rooms are tools that allow general contractors and subcontractors to become more efficient and accountable, he says. Because of the slowdown in the economy, he believes it’s a good time for contractors to invest in those tools and examine how to achieve higher levels of productivity.

Training of employees is already a high priority for general contractors and has continued during the recession, Stair says. Stair joined AGC after working for sixyears as a multi-family property manager.

In addition to new member recruiting, she also oversees development of the association’s Web site and educational programming.

AGC has more than 400 general contractor and subcontractor members and was recognized this year by the Associated General Contractors of America for having the largest growth in membership over the last year.

In a given year, AGC offers more than 70 safety and management courses. The courses are all voluntary, so Stair must choose programming contractors will find valuable.

She scours news publications and watches industry trends to make sure programming is relevant.

Building information modeling and sustainable building are popular topics. The association also recently began offering a project management development course.

“There are a lot of contractors that place a high value on education,” Stair says. They understand that it helps to motivate employees because it’s a sign that they are investing in them, she adds. “You’re investing in your employees, and you’re therefore investing in the future of your company.”

Sustainable building will continue to be popular, and Stair also sees an increased demand in soft skills training, like management or leadership, for construction professionals.

Even though the current economy has led to a slowdown in business for contractors, they’re still willing to invest in education and membership in the association, Stair says.

“I believe there is more of a demand now for relationship building than there ever was before” she says. “People feel the need to combine and work together as a team.”

Education programming has taken off under Stair, Jorgensen says. “There are more options and opportunities for all levels of contractors from senior management down to the trades people.”