Economy/Cash Flow
Trimble, a project management software company, studied approximately 1,000 of its customers including specialty contractors on new project starts, contract values, hiring and cash flow during Q3/Q4 of 2024 and determined the following:
- Cash flow increased 60% for specialty contractors in the fourth quarter of last year
- Net hiring increased 18%
- Contract values decreased 40%
- New projects decreased 40%
They concluded that “specialty contractors should experience growth potential for new work and profitability of that work, provided they have the capital and capacity to perform.”
Great Team Winner
Why did HITT and the Bridge District project win the Great Team Award at this year’s Subbys? This article in ENR explains the unique aspects of the project. (We can email the article if you have trouble downloading it.) The Great Team is awarded to the group of stakeholders who come together as a high performing team to produce extraordinary results. Members who voted for Bridge District felt it exemplified this description more than the other six projects that were nominated. We will hold a jobsite tour of this project next month. If you were part of this team, please email us directly. Stay tuned for the event announcement.
GCs and Flow Down Clauses
This Construction Dive article offers a good reminder of why carefully worded flow down clauses are so important to GCs, and therefore, why subcontractors should pay close attention to them. Both GCs and Subs should make sure flow-downs agree in both prime and subcontracts. Also, federal contracts have certain provisions that flow-down, even if they do not apply to the job being bid.
We Need Better Communication on Job Sites
Communication, communication, communication – over and over – we hear the word “communication” as the key to success on a project. ASAMW will hold a communication workshop on April 29th in Upper Marlboro for anyone who needs to brush up on their communication skills. We hope to have both GCs and Subcontractors enhance their interaction at this workshop. Register for this important event!
The Mid-Atlantic Construction Safety Conference
Registerfor the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Construction Safety Conference on April 8, 2025, at Martins Crosswinds in Greenbelt. Elizabeth McCormick, CSP, a decorated US Army Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot, is the MACSC-2025 keynote speaker. This year’s program will include talks on Ethics, Heat Stress, Opioids, Electrical Safety, Motor Vehicle Safety and more. Cost is $150 for attendees. Click here for details. There are a few sponsorship opportunities remaining.
Blue Collar AI — Real AI Tools You Can Actually Use - Part 2
Start Talking to Your Computer — No, Really
One of the first things we show contractors when introducing AI into their workflows is this simple tip: start talking to your computer. It may feel a little strange at first, but here’s the deal, you can speak three times faster than you can type. And when you’re talking, your tone, intent, and message come through more naturally. AI tools can pick that up and turn your rough thoughts into clean, professional communication — in your voice or your company’s.
This isn’t just a time-saver in the office. For crews in the field — especially when they’re wearing gloves, English isn’t their first language, or they just need to relay a lot of information quickly — voice input can be a game changer. Instead of struggling to type out a long message, they can speak it once, and let the AI shape it into something clear and cohesive.
And yes — you really can just talk. Use built-in dictation tools on your laptop, speak into your phone or iPad, or use AI-powered apps with voice features. Whether you’re behind a desk or standing in the mud, it’s fast, easy, and effective.
This is just one of the practical tips Chad Gill, from Laminin Coaching, will be sharing at our upcoming Blue Collar AI session on June 13th. Register here. We’re not here to talk about robots replacing workers — we’re talking about tools that make your team faster, clearer, and more effective.
SubExcel
Our national organization of ASA is having its annual conference in Oklahoma City from September 16-18, 2025 this year. I have never been…it looks interesting to me. I think we will have a good group from our Metro Washington Chapter; I highly recommend that you attend. Click here for more information. See you in Oklahoma!
MEMBER UPDATES
Tatiana Ahlborn with Absolute Builders has been appointed Commissioner to the Washington, D.C. Mayor's Office on Women's Policy Initiatives by Mayor Muriel Bowser for her demonstrated leadership and contributions to women in construction.
Marijuana - Ryan Hogan with Preferred Insurance offersspecific information on your rights as an employer as it applies to marijuana use in the workplace.
Lerch Early turns 75 – ASAMW member Lerch Early turns 75 this year. Congratulations. It also offers a helpful newsletter on its website by clicking here.
Women’s Her Story - M&T Bank is sponsoring a program on Channel 4 that features our Chapter President, Kimberlee Driggs (with D2 Sitework) and Lynn Bennett (with GC Partner Coakley Williams Construction), called “Her Story”.
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 10, 2025 – ASAMW Spring Golf Tournament (Sold Out, Reception Tickets Available)
April 15, 2025 – Virtual SIE (Members Only)
April 29, 2025 – Communications Workshop
May 6, 2025 – Yoga & Wine with NAWIC
May 13, 2025 – Virtual SIE (Members Only)
May 29, 2025 – Annual Membership Meeting & Legislative Panel
June 13, 2025 – Blue Collar AI Workshop
Sept 4, 2025 - Save The Date - Fall Golf Tournament
Sept. 9, 2025 - SAVE THE DATE - ASAMW/CFMA Joint Event
March 7, 2026 - SAVE THE DATE - 62nd Annual Subby Awards Gala
