A Lift For Future Leaders
The recession's impact on both the construction industry and college students has been heavy, which is why the Builders Association is pleased to honor those who have made a commitment to fixing the problems of both.
The Builders Scholarship Foundation Golf Outing was held July 11 at Orchard Valley Golf Course. It was the 10th Anniversary of an event that has facilitated $200,000 in donations by construction industry professionals for scholarships for deserving Chicagoland students majoring in Construction Management or Construction Engineering.
It was more than just a day of lunch, golf, dinner and drinks for the over 100 golfers present, as a number of Foundation announcements were made. Jim Valenti of Valenti Builders - the Foundation's President since its inception - told the audience that scholarships will increase from $3,000 per year to $4,000 per year beginning with next year's winners.
In addition, the Foundation will designate one scholarship each year for a graduate of ACE Tech Charter High School, which focuses on providing a quality education to inner-city students with an interest in architecture, construction or engineering. ACE Tech Board President Louis Jones was among the golfers, and the Builders Association is excited to be co-chairing ACE Tech's Gala in October.
After helping to make education more affordable for close to 40 students, Valenti and J. David Pepper of Pepper Construction Company have fulfilled their terms on the Scholarship Foundation Board. Also serving on the Board are:
The winning foursome included Ben Johnston and Dave Riordan of James McHugh Construction Company, Todd Baraniak of Travelers Bond & Financial Services and David Banks of S.B. Surety Services. The second place team included Jim Hill (Hill Mechanical), Andy Kohler (Pepper Construction Company), Scott Carlos (Advocate Christ Medical Center) and Tim Ingolia (Huen Electric). Dave Peterson of McGladrey earned the prize for Closest to the Pin, P.J. McNamara of XL Insurance Group took Straightest Drive and the Longest Putt belonged to Brett Fleury of FDL Properties.
Johnston and Mike Boban of Warady & Davis tied for first in the Putting Contest. Johnston won a raffle for the $300 prize, which he donated back to the Scholarship Foundation. Boban also won a raffle, taking home the prize of a night for two at the Trump International Hotel & Tower. Mike Steele of Banner Properties won an IPad and McNamara won a raffle for a range finder.
John Schumacher of Assurance Agency raffled of boxes of golf balls, which were won by Ignolia, Mike Trombetta of AthletiCo, Bob Weismann of Warady & Davis and Ken Klint of Staalsen Construction Company.
The Builders Association thanks everyone who made yesterday's event such a success, including our generous sponsors for the event: