ARTICLE
Eastern Contractors Association, Inc.'s Annual Reception was held earlier this week at Franklin Plaza in Troy, New York. The cocktail and buffet reception gave us an excellent opportunity to renew old friendships and make new ones. Everyone seemed to enjoy the atmosphere. Our thanks to the staff of Franklin Plaza for their hospitality. A good time was had by all! During the Annual Meeting portion of the evening, ECA's President and CEO Todd Helfrich reported that the association is performing in a positive manner financially and meeting its income and budgeted expense goals. He went on to highlight the numerous programs and benefits that the membership enjoyed in 2022. Chairman Tom Carney also thanked out-going Board members Peter Maloy (J.H. Maloy, Inc.) and Michael Roman (C2 Design Group) for their years of service to the organization. The highlight of the evening featured the presentation of this year's Special Recognition Award honoring Richard “Dick” Oliver (A.O.W. Associates, Inc.). With more than 50 years of hands-on experience in the field of construction, Dick is a leading regional contractor in many segments of the industry. Dick’s decades of leadership positioned A.O.W. Associates as a premier provider of construction services for medical and senior care providers; experience that remains unsurpassed in the region. Dick has also helped to shape the industry throughout the Capital District as a central member of Eastern Contractors Association’s negotiating and labor-management teams. As a member of ECA’s Executive Committee for nearly a decade, including his two-year tenure as Chairman, Dick oversaw every aspect of the renovation of the Building Industry Center in 2020. Dick’s expertise and attention to detail were keys to making this project happen. After earning a degree in Construction Technology from Hudson Valley Community College, Dick started his career with Sano-Rubin Construction Company, Inc., where started as a Project Engineer and then rose through the ranks over 27 years with the firm, ending his tenure there as a Vice President and Project Executive. He and two of his colleagues then formed A.O.W. Associates, Inc., where he served as Vice President for seven years before becoming the sole owner and leading the firm for these past 20 years. In 2022, Dick formed R. Oliver Construction Services in Bonita Springs, FL, where he provides estimating and executive management consulting services. Dick and his wife, Debra, are long-time residents of the Capital District along with his two sons and their families.