Springfield Contractors Association celebrates 50th

The Springfield Contractors Association, founded in 1953, is celebrating half a century of supporting the local construction industry. About 350 members, former members, and guests attended SCA's June 3 anniversary banquet.

"It was certainly a celebration of the past 50 years. Several long-time members got up and told stories. We laughed a lot and talked and, I think, appreciated how far we have come as an association and as an industry, and how our working together in the association has benefited our community," said Elise Crain, sales associate at Wonders of Wildlife Zooquarium, and SCA board member.

The years have passed, but from the first president, Ray Aton, through the current president, Richard Quint, the basic issues faced by the construction industry haven't changed much. Those include labor issues, building codes, zoning regulations and inspections, said Quint, vice president and division manager of Walton Construction.

"We're lucky. The city of Springfield, the school district, universities, City Utilities, architectural and engineering communities we all work closely together. If there is a problem, it doesn't last very long. We roll our sleeves up, get in there and solve it. That's one of the reasons, in my opinion, this community has grown as it has," Quint said.

Over the years, SCA's purpose has held steady. According to the Association's Website, SCA's purpose is "improving relationships and conditions and promoting quality throughout our industry."

Wayne D. Towe of South Barnes Development Company, a member for about 20 years and two-time president, said, "The goals and objectives, for as long as I can remember, for Springfield Contractors Association have been to do all that we can to help the industry locally. We're more interested in the local construction industry than state and nation. Our whole objective is to make the industry better for our members."

But it hasn't always been easy for SCA. The organization's existence was threatened by division within its membership in the 1960s. Gene Gold, former president, held SCA together and got it incorporated, said Sheryl Letterman, SCA executive director.

George Innes, another former president, brought Letterman on board as part-time secretary in 1986. He also promoted the membership and made sure the newsletter got out on time, Letterman said.

Four-time president Tom Wirt served on the board over 30 years, Letterman said. He figured out how to start and develop SCA's employee referral service, led the effort in the development of standardized bidding procedures, organized the effort to make a four-color brochure showcasing local firms' capabilities, spearheaded the effort to develop a standardized bid form, and led the group that created a bid date calendar, Letterman said.

The major change Towe has seen is "we get better at it. We form better committees, meet regularly with a number of entities, and we're always doing things to try to do better than we did last year."

Quint has seen more liaison committees develop over the nine years he has been a member of SCA. "There are a lot of organizations such as (Southwest Missouri State University, Ozarks Technical Community College) and the R-12 School District that we have developed liaison committees with that work directly with their organizations in trying to solve their problems as they relate to construction, and they assist us in implementing procedures and policies that help our members."

Another change Quint has seen is more young people in SCA. "I think that starts with our scholarships and our involvement with SMS and their construction technology program and Project CREW at OTC," Quint said.

Crain has belonged to SCA for about 10 years. She said SCA continues to evolve as a professional organization and as a representative of the industry within the community.

"In 1972, SCA invited me to their summer party. That was the year I was president of the Women in Construction chapter. It was within SCA's minutes that I was to be invited. It was a first step that I'm aware of that they had made toward women in the industry. That speaks very well for them," Crain said.

Letterman said SCA is on a membership drive. The organization has grown to 399 members. Dues are $250 a year. Letterman said members are usually in the construction industry or provide support services or products to the industry. The process of joining includes completing an application, obtaining sponsorships from two current SCA members and receiving board approval.

"If you're going to be a part of your industry, you ought to be involved in things that support your industry. SCA definitely does that. You get to have a different relationship with a lot of your competitors. During the workday, you are in competition. In SCA meetings, you're communicating with them in a different atmosphere and realize you have a lot in common," Towe said.

Besides a number of liaison committees such as a governmental liaison committee, which includes members of the city, City Utilities and Greene County, SCA holds monthly meetings, and has a newsletter and Web site. Special events include golf outings, pig roast, participation in Salute to Construction during which volunteers visit schools to speak about going into the construction industry.