More than 280 Georgia Utility Contractors Association (GUCA) members, family members, and guests gathered at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, for the 2005 GUCA Annual Conference.

The event marked the end of one era and the beginning of another.

During the conference, GUCA President Brent Scarbrough, Brent Scarbrough & Company Inc., welcomed incoming president Jeff Steele, Steele & Associates Inc. to his new office and remarked on his leadership year.

The first morning conference session opened with an industry breakfast. Following breakfast the business session included election of the 2005-2006 GUCA officers and directors and the Star Partner and In-Kind Service recognition awards. The recipients of the Star Partner Awards for the 2004-2005 year were contractor member Strack Inc. and associate member Kesco Dynamics Inc. GUCA presented the In-Kind Service Donation Award to METRAC and Yancey Bros. Co.

Attendees were honored with a keynote presentation by former U.S. Sen. Zell Miller.

Following Miller’s presentation, GUCA members had a chance to attend several educational sessions which included presentations by: Mike Davis, Shapiro Fussell, “Wage And Hour Law For Contractors”; Gary Mason, Georgia Public Service Commission, “Everything You Didn’t Know About The PSC”; and, Charles Surasky, Smith, Currie & Hancock LLP, “Practical Construction Documentation.”

Outside industry business, GUCA members enjoyed several activities, including the deep sea fishing tournament, while other members fought the heat to show off their strokes at the GUCA tennis tournament. Other activities included golf, croquet and a sand castle competition.

Members also gathered for an auction to help GUCA raise money for its PAC and STRAF funds. Members enjoyed a live and silent auction and had a chance to test their vocal cords at karaoke.

At the closing conference session, Ricky Harp of Richard R. Harp Excavation Inc. was presented with the Committee Chairman of the Year Award and Sen. Mitch Seabaugh received the GUCA Golden Shovel Legislative Service Award.

Other awards were presented to the Hard Hat Safety Award winners and Membership Contest winners. The awards breakfast speakers included NUCA President Cheryl Yoder and NUCA Chief Executive Officer Bill Hillman.

One morning, members and families gathered on Ponte Vedra’s shore for the first Fun Run/Walk, an event held to raise money for the GUCA Scholarship Foundation.

During the conference, awards also were presented to Ronny Jones, of Ronny D. Jones Enterprises Inc., for Contractor Member of the Year, and to Ryan Padgett, of MSP Rents Atlanta, for Associate Member of the Year.

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