To my fellow ABC Mississippi members:
I am extremely honored to serve as your incoming 2023 chairman, especially this year, which represents ABC Mississippi’s 50th anniversary! I was just a sophomore in high school when this association was formed in 1973 by a small group of men who believed in the Merit Shop Philosophy and the Right to Work and needed a national association to support their efforts. Associated Builders and Contractors was just that! I have been amazed at the story of how it began, the challenges it faced along the way, and the many things that were accomplished during its first 50 years! As I look back at all the past chairmen, I see a long list of Mississippi’s top construction professionals that have worked tirelessly to not only grow their own companies into some of our nation's very best but also given freely of their time and resources to better the construction industry. Many of the past chairmen have been influential in my own career over the past 40 years and I’m thankful for the opportunity I’ve had to learn from them.
When I joined the executive committee in 2020, I knew it was going to be a time commitment but didn’t realize how much fun it would be. These past few years of traveling with Lee, the Executive Committee, and their spouses attending the national board, legislative, and leadership meetings around the country have opened my eyes to what ABC truly does for our industry.
This year we will celebrate our chapter’s 50-year milestone and honor those that have led us to become one of the top chapters in the nation. We plan on creating a video to tell that 50-year story through the pictures and voices of those who lived it. We will use the video to promote membership through all channels, including personal visits to our member companies and other potential new member companies. 50 years is quite an accomplishment for any business or marriage, and most certainly for ABC Mississippi.
Thank you to Jason McNeel for leading our association through another successful year in 2022, and to the Executive Committee, Board, and the ABC Mississippi staff for their hard work and dedication. I look forward to seeing and working with each of you this coming year and invite you to join me as we celebrate this milestone!
Robert Smith 2023 Chairman