2020 Year In Review from Executive Director Niel Dawson
As we all reflect back on 2020, there are a multitude of adjectives that we could, and have used to describe this year. These range from challenging (my personal favorite), exhausting, stressful, taxing, gross, stifling, profitable, and so on.
However, here at the IEC, what comes to my mind is thankfulness! I am thankful for our steadfast members – 196 contractors (142 ATL/54 GA), which is up 2% from a year ago, and 102 partners (76 ATL/26 GA). And in spite of this challenging year, I am thankful that we held 15 luncheon meetings throughout Georgia with over 300 attendees.
Additionally, we hosted a fishing tournament, two golf tournaments (over 200 players), graduation with 200 guests, a clay shoot for 60 and Christmas party for 100 members. A highlight at our August luncheon was guest speaker Senator Kelly Loeffler who also toured our training center.
Earlier in the year we were able to get a bill passed that allows contractors to sue a customer for lack of payment when you miss the filling date for your lien rights. The courts had ruled earlier that if you missed filing for you lien rights you could not sue for lack of payment.
Supporting our members though COVID became a top priority, and we did the following:
- Provided 10 Zoom webinars on safety, PPP, PPE, HR, supply chain and OSHA
- Issued weekly COVID updates and advisories
- Sent free masks, hand sanitizers and gloves to members
- Provided a COVID resource page on the IEC website
- Offered online and live interview sessions
- Provided pre-recorded & live online CEU classes
- Distributed safety protocols for the membership to follow
In March all of our classes went online. Then our Georgia apprenticeship classes started back fully in person in July while our Atlanta apprentices started back using a hybrid approach. Then in November,
we added 3,500 square feet of classroom space in Atlanta and all classes returned to in person training.
Now with over 700 apprentices in training in four locations, as well as online, are adding a Program Quality Coordinator to assure that the quality of training in the apprenticeship program continues to
improve. If you know of someone who may be interested in this position, please contact todd.hawkins@iecatlantaga.org.
Finally, I am proud and thankful for the IEC staff and our 31 instructors who have continued to adapt, come to work for the membership and pursue excellence through this challenging year. It is also great to see this acknowledged by receiving the 2020 National IEC Chapter of the Year Award, as well as the Chapter Growth Award for both Atlanta and Georgia Chapters.
We look forward to a fantastic 2021 and wish all of our members a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Download our 2021CalendarEvents-Combined
