The Saint Louis Construction Cooperative (SLCC) saluted leadership in the local construction industry at its 10th annual awards luncheon. Honorees included:
- Anna Leavey, Gateway Arch Park Foundation (formerly CityArchRiver Foundation), receiving the Joe Rinke Impact Award. Leavey carefully and thoughtfully managed the transformation of the Gateway Arch grounds to make it more accessible. As director of construction for Gateway Arch Park Foundation, Leavey leveraged all of her skills for the $380 million project, including Masters degrees in architecture and construction management from Washington University, LEED AP certification, even her certification as a Master Gardener.
When the project is completed in 2018, downtown St. Louis will be more firmly connected with a beautifully landscaped Arch grounds featuring more than 4,000 trees and greater ease of accessibility between the riverfront, the Arch grounds, the Old Courthouse and Kiener Plaza. Leavey united numerous design teams, contractors, subcontractors and trade workers in a stewardship that optimized the public and private funds supporting the project.
- Doug Martin, executive vice president, Louis Chapter, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), receiving the Al Fleischer Management Award. Martin has served SLCC for 34 years and St. Louis NECA for 40 years which represents more than 200 electrical and communication contractors located in eastern Missouri. For the Saint Louis Construction Cooperative, Martin has been a valuable voice for the electrical contracting industry. He has been a strong advocate for continuously improving skills and safety in the industry and strengthening business and civic relationships.
Martin leverages a partnership with Frank Jacobs, business manager, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1, to strengthen labor-management cooperation through the Electrical Connection. The Electrical Connection unites IBEW/NECA to market skills and safety, invest in workforce development, develop strategic business and education partnerships, fortify STEM education and develop IBEW/NECA as a valuable resource to meet Missouri’s future energy and technology needs.
- David C. Zimmermann, president and business manager, Sheet Metal Workers, Local 36, receiving the Dick Mantia Labor Award. Zimmermann began his career as an apprentice with Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 in 1973 and ascended to become president and business manager in 1999, where he guides all negotiations and business matters. During his tenure, more than 40 shops have been organized by Local 36, increasing its membership to a record high of more than 2000 members in the St. Louis area. As general vice president of the SMART International Union, he has helped Local 36 expand its geographical reach to include three-quarters of Missouri and all of Arkansas. Zimmermann is also a managing trustee of all Local 36 trust funds.
For two decades, Zimmermann has advanced the Saint Louis Construction Cooperative’s mission of “Building Better Together,” serving numerous leadership roles. Always a strong advocate of fortifying skills and safety in the construction industry, he directed the vision that created the LEED Platinum Certified Sheet Metal Workers Local 36 Union Office and Benefits Office and Joint Apprenticeship Training School that opened in 2011. He also serves numerous leadership roles that unite labor with higher education, business and civic organizations.
The awards were presented at a luncheon on Feb. 22, 2018 at the Cedars at St. Raymond’s at 939 Lebanon Dr. in St. Louis. .
For 46 years, the Saint Louis Construction Cooperative has been a “Model for America,” advancing the skills of the region’s construction industry. It’s the nation’s first voluntary construction labor/management/consumer cooperative, uniting 19 building trades, 12 contractor associations and construction consumers to propel a mission of “Building Better Together.”
For more information, visit www.stlouisconstructioncooperative.org.