4 Cornerstone Fall 2025 agchouston.org F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T / C E O Jeremy Stovall Brookstone Construction Chairman, Board of Directors, AGC Houston H OW IS AGC HOUSTON INVEST- ing in the future leaders of our industry? One way is through Leadership AGC (LAGC), a one-of-a-kind program devel- oped to prepare the next generation of industry leaders. Each January, a new LAGC class begins its journey of learning, profes- sional growth and camaraderie. Par- ticipants are nominated by their AGC member employers and selected through a rigorous application process. This spe- cial group participates in civic and pro- fessional networking through educational sessions and experiential learning. By year’s end, class graduates have gained fresh perspectives on the diversity of our industry and practical tools they can use to become influencers in the marketplace and community. The bonds formed often extend beyond the class year, leading to new peer roundtables and collaborations on future projects. In my opinion, LAGC is one of AGC Houston’s most impactful programs. On August 12, I was honored to join a panel of industry leaders for a dis- cussion with the current LAGC class. Fellow panelists included James Bryant (Anslow Bryant Construction), Terry Hargus (Tellepsen), Preston Hodges (McCarthy Building Companies), Mike Holland (Marek), Nikki Morgan (TD Industries) and Marc Perilloux (O’Don- nell/Snider Construction). This session was part of LAGC’s regular curriculum and offered the participants the ability to hear from current industry leaders about relevant topics. It was my first year to participate in the panel, and little did I know this event would be a “give a little and get a lot” experience. The session, part of LAGC’s curricu- lum, gave participants the chance to hear from current industry leaders on topics including everything from leadership competencies, how to handle mistakes, career developments and transitions to technology, market challenges, personal development and stress management. The dialogue encouraged humility and openness, allowing panelists and par- ticipants to share hard-earned lessons while also learning from each other. It was encouraging to see the quality of our industry’s future leaders as well as to see how all of them are positioning themselves to learn and develop. The experience left me with two key reflections. Firstly, I considered how AGC has invested in me and my career. Over the past three decades, its educational programs, networking and service opportunities have provided the tools I needed to make an impact in our industry. That revelation inspired the next, as secondly, I was reminded that we all play a role in developing the future of our industry. Leadership development is a corner- stone of our chapter’s strategic plan, and Leadership AGC is a vital part of that effort to prepare for the future. If you’re an AGC member company, I encourage you to consider who on your team might benefit from being a part of the program. If you’re a mid-career industry professional seeking ways to develop your leadership impact, talk to your team about applying for LAGC and/or considering other educational offerings at our chapter. I’ll close with the most significant takeaway from the August 12 panel. When participants asked questions — How do I discuss my career path with my manager? How do I build strong rela- tionships with trade partners? How do I manage stress or time effectively? What do I do when I make a mistake? — the answers consistently came back to this: Engage and communicate with those who have walked the path before you. Too often, we look to devices or social media for answers, when the real wisdom lies in the relationships around us and with those who are willing to invest in our future. AGC provides the place to build those connections — and that is where the future of our industry truly grows! Shaping Our Future With Leadership AGC It was encouraging to see the quality of our industry’s future leaders.
