EDUCATION • GOVERNMENT • HEALTHCARE/MEDICAL HOSPITALITY • MULTI FAMILY • PROFESSIONAL SPACES RELIGIOUS FACILITIES • RETAIL • TRANSPORTATION • AND MORE! Trusted Partner for Flooring Solutions in Texas Since 1974 Over 50 Years of Excellence (281) 598-6001 | 5510 Brittmoore Rd., Houston, TX 77041 | www.mekfloors.com agchouston.org Spring2026Cornerstone3 F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T / C E O Kyle Holland President/CEO, AGC Houston When this industry comes together as peers committed to something larger than ourselves, we have the ability to shape our own future. I F YOU’VE BEEN AROUND AGC Houston for any length of time, you’ve likely noticed something that sets our Chapter apart. Yes, we host great events. Yes, we advocate hard for our industry. And yes, we have a little fun along the way. But what truly makes AGC Houston special is less obvious: our members — many of whom are competitors who face each other in the marketplace every day — come together to sit at the same table and focus on what’s best for the industry as a whole. That kind of collaboration is rare, and it is something we should never take for granted. As Chairman Jeremy Stovall men- tioned, our Board and staff will gather in the coming months for a strategic planning retreat to chart the course for the next three to five years and beyond. Strategic planning may not make head- lines, but it’s one of the most important responsibilities we have as a Chapter. It is where we step back, take a breath, and ask ourselves some pretty hard questions about where we’re headed and how we intend to get there. What amazes me during these con- versations is the mindset in the room. CEOs, executives and industry leaders who compete fiercely for work shift their focus when it comes to AGC Houston. The discussion isn’t about winning the next job or gaining an edge; it’s about strengthening the environment in which we all operate. There’s a shared understanding that what strengthens the industry ultimately strengthens individ- ual businesses. That kind of collective thinking is uncommon, it’s one of our greatest strengths, and it’s something I never take for granted. One of the issues that keeps coming up in my own mind, and occasionally keeps me up at night, is the challenge of workforce development. For years, we have supported training programs, partnered with outstanding organiza- tions, advocated for funding and worked hard to shine a spotlight on careers in construction. We’ve spent a lot of time figuring out how to make a real impact and yet, as an industry, we’re still wres- tling with how to move the needle in a truly meaningful way. The truth is, there isn’t a single solution. No one program, bill, event or initiative will suddenly solve the workforce shortage problem. If it were that simple, we would have solved it already, and you know I’d be here telling you we finally figured it out! What there is, however, is the power of a unified industry that’s willing to collaborate on big-picture issues rather than compete over them. That’s where strategic planning becomes more than just a retreat on a calendar. It gives us the opportunity to step back and ask, where do we want AGC Houston to be five years from now? Ten years from now? What role should we play in tackling workforce development? How do we leverage our collective voice to create impact beyond what any one company could accomplish alone? I’ve seen competi- tors share best practices, mentor each other’s future leaders, and work side by side on advocacy efforts at both the state and national levels. That culture of collaboration isn’t accidental; it’s been built over time and it continues to be one of the defining characteristics of this Chapter. As we enter this next phase of plan- ning, I encourage each of you to consider the future you want for this industry. Not just for your company in the next quar- ter, but for the next generation of craft professionals, project managers and lead- ers who will follow us. The challenges are real and the workforce conversation isn’t going away. But if there’s one thing I’m confident in, it’s when this industry comes together — not as competitors, but as peers committed to something larger than ourselves — we have the abil- ity to shape our own future. And that is exactly what we intend to do. Planning the Future, Protecting Our Industry
