January 29, 2014 South Portland, Maine – Since 1951, AGC Maine’s Annual Meeting has been the major construction industry event for contractors across the state. At this year’s meeting last month, Cianbro’s Northern New England Regional Vice President Charlie Cianchette was appointed AGC Maine President. The event at the DoubleTree Hotel in South Portland included the passing of the Board gavel from 2013 President Beth Sturtevant to Cianchette. This was the first year since 2006 that the industry was able to recognize a drop in the unemployment rate for construction in Maine. Construction industry unemployment had risen to a record high 26% since peak employment in 2006. Finally, last year we began to gain some ground with that percentage falling to 17% unemployment, but the stability of the marketplace remains a serious concern for the industry and the state economy.

“We had good gains last year in the construction industry and we remain optimistic, but it will take bold leadership in Washington DC and Maine to make sure those gains are not lost. This will require substantial investment in infrastructure and a business climate that encourages business growth,” Cianchette stated.

While AGC Maine often focuses on the economics of the industry, Cianchette’s primary message took a different tone, “We all aspire to be excellent constructors with even better safety records, well-trained workforces, stronger businesses and a robust pipeline of work. AGC Maine can help our members accomplish all of these goals,” he emphasized.

In 2013, AGC Maine tracked over 300 bills at the Maine Legislature and trained over 500 members of the industry in safety and management courses. “Last year was tough and without additional investment in Maine’s infrastructure this year we may slide back into the nearly decade-long trend of rising unemployment rates. Leadership on our Board is very important and we have been fortunate to have so many members who understand the value of AGC Maine,” said Matthew Marks, CEO of AGC Maine.

Volunteering on the Board is a commitment by the individual and the member firm. Charlie is the VP and General Manager of Northern New England Operations for Cianbro, a 65 year-old construction company with over 4,000 employees in a service area that spans the entire country. In addition to having its corporate headquarters in Pittsfield, Cianbro has a number of other offices in the North East, as well as in the Mid Atlantic, Mid West, South Central, and South West Regions. The employee-owned company performs Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Fabrication, and Coating work, and is also active in Deep Water Marine and Modular Manufacturing.

By becoming AGC Maine’s 2014 President, Charlie follows in the footsteps of many others from his family and the Cianbro family, including his uncle, Bud Cianchette, President of AGC Maine (1968) and President of AGC of America (1980); Ken Cianchette, President of AGC Maine (1978); and Cianbro’s Executive Vice President Bob Desjardins, President of AGC Maine (1991) and President of AGC of America (2001). Charlie also currently serves on AGC of America’s Board of Directors.

“Charlie continues a long tradition of service to AGC. In fact, our continued success as a Chapter is directly related to the members who have a strong sense of the tradition and know the impact we have in the marketplace,” Marks Stated.

Charlie will serve as President of the AGC Maine’s Board for a one-year term. Under Charlie, are Senior Vice President Tim Ouellete of CPM Constructors, Vice President Jon Shaw of Shaw Brothers Construction, and Treasurer Bob Chaput of S.W. Cole.

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About

Chartered in 1951, the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Maine is the state’s largest construction industry trade association. The Association maintains an office in Augusta and has more than 185 members statewide. Member companies include general contractors, sub-contractors, and service and supply providers. For more information visit www.agcmaine.org.