AGC of America History
The construction industry was like a rudderless ship being tossed by an uncontrollable gale prior to the organization of the Associated General Contractors of America, Inc.
A small group of contractors, which met under the suggestion of President Woodrow Wilson in Atlantic City, NJ, on July 15, 1918, realized the dangers to this tempest tossed industry. They resolved to form a national organization of contractors that would be dedicated to the task of improving conditions within the industry and giving general contractors a voice compatible with their position in the industry. T. T. Flagler, a general contractor from Atlanta, spoke these sentiments from the floor of the July 15 meeting, and his suggestion resulted in an industry convention which was held on November 20 - 21, 1918, at the Hotel La Salle in Chicago.
Ninety-seven of the country's leading contractors met resulting in the formation of the Associated General Contractors of America, which was to serve the needs of the general contractor. The objectives and ideals of the new organization were set forth in the following Special Purposes of the Bylaws, formulated at that 1918 meeting. Following are the standards set forth by AGC's founders:
Reliability: To make membership in the Association a reasonable assurance to the public of the Skill, Integrity, and Responsibility of its members.
High Standard: To maintain the standards of the contracting business at the level necessitated by its professional character and to establish members of the Association in the public mind as contractors who fulfill obligations in good faith.
Honorable Dealings: To provide methods and means whereby members may avail themselves of the greater power of combined effort through the Association, acting as an authoritative body, in securing just and honorable dealings from the public whom they serve.
Fair Practices: To seek correction of injurious, discriminatory, or unfair business methods practiced by or against general contractors.
Construction by Contract: To promote the legitimate market for the services of general contractors and to discourage encroachment by governmental agencies or others.
The Association's Bylaws further addressed safety, parity of business risks, standard contracts, cost reductions, the protection of individual interest of all the sectors in the industry, and uniformity of action among the individuals forming the Association.
From its early beginning, AGC has grown to an organization of over 7,000 general contractor members performing over $100 billion of construction annually in the building, highway, municipal-utility, and heavy-industrial markets. Additionally, AGC's 95 chapters nationwide represent over 13,000 Specialty Contractors and 13,500 Suppliers and Service Providers. Together the AGC provides a strong united voice on industry concerns for these 33,500 companies.
AGC is a full service association that has attained the position of recognized spokesperson for the commercial construction industry.
GEORGIA BRANCH, AGC
The Georgia Branch, chartered by the Associated General Contractors of America, Inc., was organized in Atlanta on March 15, 1928. The following 18 Atlanta area general contracting firms were the charter members:
A. K. Adams Company
Allan Artley Construction Company
C. A. D. Bayley & Company, Inc.
George A. Clayton Company
Carr Construction Company
Jno. W. Cowper Company
The Flagler Company
W. P. Francis
Griffin Construction Company
Norwood Griffin Company
A. J. Krebs & Company
J. S. McCauley & Company
Padgett-Sutton Company
Pittman Construction Company
Shelverton Construction Company
Smith & Williams Company
Southern Ferro Concrete Company
C. H. Van Ormer
From this beginning, just prior to the depression of the early 1930's, the Georgia Branch moved forward through those dire days of economic downturn. Today, the Georgia Branch boasts a membership of over 600 members. Its members are located in numerous cities throughout Georgia and surrounding states, accounting for billions of dollars annually in construction activity. Through the years, members of the Georgia Branch, AGC have sought to maintain the high standards in the conduct of their businesses.
We are honored three of our members have served as national presidents of AGC: T. T. Flagler, Sr. in 1929, Ira H. Hardin in 1965 and Marvin M. Black in 1991. Gerald (Jerry) V. Anderson, Jr. served on the national association's executive committee as AGC of America Treasurer in 2006. In 2009, Doug Davidson and Mike Kenig began terms on the national executive board as well. Other members have given unselfishly of their time in AGC of America activities as well as Georgia Branch endeavors to improve the industry.
With its rich history, the Georgia Branch, AGC optimistically looks to the future, dedicated to promoting sound construction practices, consistent with our motto of Skill, Integrity, and Responsibility.
