October 19, 2019, Bar Harbor, Maine-AGC Maine presented Jack Parker and Tom Reed with the industry’s top honors during their annual fall conference. The Major Achievement in Construction Award is designated for individuals who make significant contributions to Maine’s construction industry.
The annual fall conference with all divisions of the industry, including contractors, suppliers, service providers, and developers, was held at the Harborside Resort in Bar Harbor.
Jack Parker is the Chairman and CEO, and Tom Reed is the Treasurer and General Superintendent. Leading the firm for the last three decades, they have built on the history of Reed and Reed that started in 1928. Both Jack and Tom acknowledged at the award’s dinner that they were “privileged and honored to receive the recognition of their peers.”
The host of the awards, Denis Landry of Landry/French Construction, shared the criteria of the MAC Award, including the process of peer nominations that are reviewed by a Committee including Past Presidents. He mentioned some of the prior winners; Al Bancroft, Herbert E Sargent, William Langford, Eldon Morrison, Bud Cianchette, and Jack’s father Reggie Parker, who earned the award in 1992.
Reed & Reed tackled major projects throughout New England, including many that have received a coveted Build Maine Award for the outstanding work completed by their teams. Will Purington II, Regional Manager of Maine Drilling and Blasting, who spoke at the dinner noted, “Reed & Reed earned more than ten Build Maine Awards in the last decade. Some members work hard to earn one during their entire career. And they’ve earned each of them, to name a few, the Veteran’s Bridge in Portland, the Bath Viaduct, Mars Hill, Ocean Gateway and many others.”
Art Cavanagh, President and Chief Operating Officer of Reed & Reed, who has 38 years of construction experience, expressed the gratitude of the employees of the company who have worked under the pair’s leadership. That was echoed in comments by Rocky Copp, Transportation and Purchasing Manager, who said in a video prepared for the event, “they identify people’s strengths and they use those strengths to enable that person to progress but also strengthen the company.”
Construction firms in Maine often grow alongside their family, and Reed & Reed is no exception. Joining their family at the event were Jack’s wife Susan, his daughters Abbie, Katherine, and sons Gardiner and Jackson, along with three of his ten grandchildren. Tom’s wife Kathleen and his son Josh were present while his son Buddy was unable to attend. Abbie Parker Petz and Josh Reed, who recently completed his active duty service for the US Marine Corps, spoke at the conference. Josh recently joined the company, and Abbie, a former member of the AGC Maine Board of Directors, shared family experiences as they grew with the company.
In his speech, Tom said, “after looking at the list of prior winners, he was truly humbled to receive the award, and he wanted to thank the dedicated employees of Reed & Reed expressly.” Jack added similar sentiments and thanked his long-time business partner and reassured everyone that “he is not planning to retire anytime soon.”
An article about the award, photos from the event, and video is hosted at www.agcmaine.org/mac.
ABOUT ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF MAINE
The Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Maine, Chartered in 1951, is headquartered in Augusta and has members statewide. Member companies include contractors, service providers, suppliers, and developers. For more information visit www.agcmaine.org.