ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS - NEBRASKA CHAPTER

Leaders in Construction

Nebraska Chapter History & Mission

Moving into the Future

The beginning of the twentieth century witnessed a trend in the United States--a tendency of business leaders with common interests to organize into trade associations to more effectively cope with their common problems. In November 1918 the Associated General Contractors of America was organized in Chicago with 97 charter members. Among the "special purposes" defining the need for the associated included: "to maintain the standards of the contracting business at the level established by its professional character and to establish members of the association in the public mind as contractors who fulfill their obligations in full faith." In short, AGC is the management voice of the construction industry serving to develop, present and implant unified positions and policies in the interest of the industry.

Nebraska Chapter

The Midwest Grading Contractors Association, with headquarters in Omaha and with members residing in both Iowa and Nebraska, held a charter with the Associated General Contractors of America. This charter had probably been in existence two or three years prior to February 26, 1923, when the Associated General contractors of America, Central Branch was organized.

Harry Hopper was secretary of the Midwest Grading Contractors Association. The Midwest Grading Contractors Association voted to disband and their members agreed to affiliate with the Associated General Contractors of America, Central Branch at the February organization meeting. Harry Hopper was continued on the payroll for several months as assistant secretary. Part of the furniture and a very few records were shipped to Des Moines when Hopper resigned.

George Abel, Arthur Dobson, C.W. Roberts, R.C. Yant and several others took an active lead in organizing the Nebraska Chapter. Several meetings were held over a two or three year period prior to the organization of the Nebraska Chapter on June 11, 1927 at the Hotel Paxton in Omaha.

Lincoln was selected as the association location with an estimated yearly budget of $10,000 and 23 charter members. The first elected officers included E.T. Kolterman as President and R.O. Green as secretary (now the executive director position). The first annual state convention was held in early January 1928 in Omaha. By 1937 the chapter had 35 members, and by 1952 there were 57 members and 32 associates.

Currently, the chapter consists of 81 contractor members and 132 associate members and operates on an annual budget of about $500,000. This dynamic chapter is rapidly meeting the many challenges and opportunities of the future.

Our Mission

The mission of the Nebraska Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America is to provide value to the membership and owners by maintaining and improving working relationships in all phases of the industry.

Our Goals

The goals of the Nebraska Chapter of the Associated General Contractors include but are not limited to:
  • Promotion of bridge, earthwork, highway, and associated construction
  • Education and training
  • Contractual relations
  • Customer relations
  • Intra-industry relations
  • Governmental relations
  • Public relations
  • Safety
  • Internal management of the association, its budget, finances, staffing, and housing

Title Sponsors

Executive Sponsors