Ohio Contractors Association (OCA), a heavy highway charter of the Associated General Contractors of America and the America Road & Transportation Builders Association, was founded in 1918 to form a common voice for the heavy highway construction industry throughout the state of Ohio. The association has not only accomplished this but has also become a staunch advocate for federal and local policy interests that affect the industry in the entire state.

Headquartered in Columbus, the association has 10 regional chapters in the state and, under their heavy highway umbrella, represents the interests of the construction of roads, bridges, transport, water, waste water, utilities, and site development. The association today has approximately 200 active members, contractors who expend labor on projects. Associate members, which number about 320, provide goods, services, and materials to the industry which can include anything from concrete to insurance and legal services. “The hard stuff and the soft services,” explained president Chris Runyan.

Chris graduated from the University of Dayton and began working for a highway engineering firm. Chris then worked for the federal highway administration for the following five years. He then moved on to the Ohio Department of Transportation where he stayed for nine years, five of which he served as assistant director of transportation policy. His experience in both the private and public sectors gave him varying perspectives on the transportation industry and prepared him for his current position as president, a position he has held for the last two years. With no day the same as the one before, Chris enjoys the diversity of this current position. “Everyday is unique, every meeting on an unrelated topic. That’s what makes it so challenging and fantastic,” said Chris.

For Their Members

OCA continually provides networking opportunities, training services, plan reading classes, and union negotiations on behalf of members to mediate labor/management disputes and establish wage rates for the state. Tackling one of the most important and timely issues in the industry, the need for new labor, the association put their creativity to work and created the Ohio Highway Guy Career Van in concert with the Laborer’s and Operator’s labor unions. Honored most recently at AGC’s national conference in San Diego, this impossible-to-miss van travels to high schools and technical schools to promote careers in highway construction.

In Ohio, the transportation industry is highly unionized requiring OCA to keep an eye on the issues that impact the labor force. The association often negotiates and addresses employee agreements and benefits. OCA also has a staff safety advocate who works toward beneficial safety procedures for both site safety and motorist safety.

Perhaps most well known for their advocacy efforts, OCA presents issues to the local legislature and the current administration that are favorable for members. In today’s falling economy, OCA sees hope on the horizon, thanks to president Obama’s stimulus package: “we are hopeful and grateful for the stimulus package given the market conditions in the state. It will mean the difference between many firms remaining in business or going out of business because of the economy. If [the stimulus] doesn’t happen, our membership will be smaller a year from now because businesses will shut down. We are hoping the infrastructure investment portion will increase and stimulate jobs to improve the states’ infrastructure,” said Chris.

OCA is also monitoring the pending expiration of the federal transportation bill, due to terminate at the end of September in 2009. The association, through its affiliation with ARTBA and AGC, is hoping the federal government will authorize the bill in a timely manner; “if not, the traditional funding that is in place will terminate,” said Chris.

On the state level, OCA is planning to review and comment on how both the Ohio Department of Transportation and the state general revenue budgets will impact transportation, utilities, infrastructure, membership, and job opportunities.

Since its incorporation, OCA has lobbied on countless legislative initiatives to positively affect the industry. One such example involved urging the state legislature that a two cent per year gas tax increase, totaling six cents, was necessary to maintain highways and bridges in the state. Partnering with other interest groups and associations, the coalition successfully convinced the legislature that a motor fuel tax increase was beneficial and the action was passed in 2003. “We continue to look for innovative ways to generate revenue,” said Chris.

Assisting members in highlighting environmentally sound practices, Ohio Constructors Information Association is an entity of the association, financed completely by members, that informs the public on developments in the industry. Most recently, they published a brochure that highlights green aspects of the highway industry. From recycling materials to maintaining cleaner diesel equipment to prevent pollution, the association advocates for these changes and informs members about incentives associated with making these changes in their business. “We advocate for incentive programs and make them known to our membership…it’s one thing to say you are going to clean your emissions from equipment and another thing to give incentives to accomplish it,” said Chris.

Representing this important sector of the construction industry, OCA’s advocacy efforts and strong voice allow the interests of this intrinsic part of the Ohio landscape to be heard. With their members’ interests at heart, the association will continue to lead the way with innovative thinking and creative solutions.