1969 – ABC Florida Gulf Coast Chapter (ABC-GC) was formed with President Jay DeLotto and Executive Director, Ron Woerner.
1972 – ABC National (ABC)’s efforts caused the Department of Labor to recognize non-union standards.
1973 – ABC-GC apprenticeship program became the first non-union training program with standards approved in Florida due to the efforts of the chapter’s attorney, Bill Sizemore of Thompson, Sizemore & Gonzalez, and Tommy Brown of Brown Automatic Sprinklers.
1976 – ABC of Florida (ABC-FL) established. “Right to Work” issues were brought to the forefront.
1979 – The Merit Shop movement led to a balance in union and non-union projects. The non-union workforce increased. The Mini Davis-Bacon Act was repealed in Florida.
1983 – ABC-GC Drew Park office was constructed and occupied.
1983 – ABC-GC Student Chapter formed.
1984 – Apprenticeship program grew to 510 students.
1985 – ABC National grew to 65 chapters.
1986 – Apprenticeship program expanded into four counties and the HVAC apprenticeship was added.
1987 – First ABC-GC Golf Tournament
1988 – Excellence in Construction Awards Program began.
Rick Watson was hired as a full-time lobbyist for ABC-FL.
1990 – The Gulf Coast chapter received its first ABC National Business Development Award.
1991 – Excellence in Construction Awards Program combined general and subcontractors for the first time.
1993 – Business Development meetings and events were offered in Fort Myers.
Carpentry, Electrical, and Sprinkler Fitter apprenticeship programs began at Lee Vo-tech.
1994 – Chapter Reserve fund established.
ABC-GC was awarded the National Chapter Legislative Excellence Award.
1995 – Gainesville area quarterly meetings, educational seminars, and apprenticeship training programs for carpentry and electrical established.
1997 – ABC-GC won national awards for Business Development, School-to-Work, Membership Growth, and PAC. Also recognized with Mullan Membership Award.
1998 – ABC-GC helped build a Habitat for Humanity home in a record-breaking 24 hours with the help of 60 member companies and 170 craft workers. All the materials were donated by ABC members.
1999 – ABC-GC’s Drew Park office sold and construction began on the new office.
2000 – In March, ABC National celebrated its 50th anniversary in Baltimore, MD.
On July 1st, ABC-GC moved into its new chapter office with the help of over 120 member companies who made monetary contributions along with donating labor and materials that equaled 87% of the construction costs.
2001 – The apprenticeship program moved from three Vo-Tech facilities to the Hillsborough Community College with its own construction lab. Students were able to “Earn While They Learn” and receive college credits.
2002 – ABC National changed the association structure into a corporate structure. Chapter Presidents became Chairmen of the Board and Executive Directors became Chapter Presidents/CEOs.
ABC-GC partnered with the NFL Players Alumni Association for the Helmets & Hardhats 5-10K run to benefit two youth organizations.
2003 – ABC-GC focused on the apprenticeship program by developing additional materials and providing more equipment to enhance the HCC training lab.
ABC-GC Fishing Tournament launched.
Workers Compensation Reform Bill was passed in Florida.
2004 – ABC-GC was awarded the National Excellence Award for Management Education.
ABC-GC hosted the “Soar with the Eagles” reception for the Owners/CEOs of our large contractor members.
2005 – ABC-GC received the National Excellence Award for Craft Training.
2006 – Safety Star Awards Program established to recognize member companies for their outstanding safety programs.
2007 – Jed Dean was awarded the ABC National Beam Club Member of the Year.
2008 – ABC-GC received the ABC National Education Achievements Award, One Hundred New Recruitment Award, Mullan Membership Award, and Jed Dean received the National Beam Club Member of the Year Award for the second year in a row.
2009 – ABC Celebrates 40th anniversary.
2010- 2013 – Chapter battles through recession maintaining the bulk of its membership.
2014 – ABC celebrates 45th anniversary and hires RSA Consulting as Local Lobbying Firm. ABC creates NeXGen Leadership Group.
2015 – ABC creates Build Tampa Bay Career Fair, hosting over 700 high school students to explore careers in the construction industry.
2016 – 2018 – ABC Chapter goes on a hot streak with 3 years of membership growth and service offerings.
2019 – ABC celebrates 50th anniversary with over 410 member companies.