Georgia Utility Contractors Association President Brent Scarbrough of Brent Scarbrough & Company Inc. presented his Committee Chairman of the Year Award to Ricky Harp of Richard R. Harp Excavation Inc.

Harp has been a member of GUCA since 1996, and since that time, has been extremely active in the association. Through his leadership, committee participation and attendance at GUCA events, Harp has shown the importance of getting involved with GUCA and the benefits the industry receives from the association’s dedicated members.

Harp worked for his dad all of his life, starting out as an estimator, superintendent and dispatcher. By 1990, Ricky decided to leave his dad’s company and go out on his own. He began Richard R. Harp Excavation with only himself and one piece of equipment. Eventually, he made enough money to buy another piece of equipment and able to hire other employees. Richard R. Harp Excavation, Inc. has grown into a large company of more than 160 employees and 170 pieces of equipment, a remarkable accomplishment in such a challenging industry.

Since joining the association, Harp has been involved on the GUCA Golf Committee as a member and as a chairman this past year.

Harp sold tee sponsorships, tent sponsors and secured donations. He arrived early to help staff with give-aways and gave up playing golf during the tournament to ride around and visit each tent sponsor, personally thanking them for their contribution to the association. The first one to arrive and the last one to leave, he truly exemplifies leadership qualities. With a 30 percent increase of the money collected, he met and exceeded the budget goals set by Scarbrough that helped fund the GUCA Scholarships to juniors and seniors attending Southern Polytechnic University and Georgia Southern University.

Harp said being a member of GUCA has been beneficial to his company in many ways. One particular way is the representation GUCA has in the damage prevention area.

He has always held safety meetings but his company started holding a Safety Recognition Day once a year. He hosts big barbecues for his crews and gives out accolades for safe behavior to those who have been safe throughout the year. With door prizes, give-aways and special safety professional speakers, the event has grown over the years.

This is yet another example of his commitment to raising the bar for the industry. Harp is well on his way up the leadership ladder, as he has recently been elected secretary of the GUCA Board.

For more information, visit www.guca.com.

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