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Dear Members and Friends of SLC3,
In an industry that builds the physical world around us, it’s easy to forget just how much success still hinges on how we communicate—not just what we build. This week, we’ve taken a deeper dive into that very topic, with a blog and fresh insights on the challenges many leaders face when direct, technical communication misses the human mark.
If you haven’t read it yet, it’s worth the scroll—especially for those of us who’ve spent our careers working with brilliant minds in engineering, project management, and field operations. (Spoiler: being great with specs doesn’t always mean being great with people—and that’s okay, because we can build that skill, too.)
We’ve also featured one of our members’ incredible contributions to regional growth: the newly opened Health Sciences and Technology Center at STLCC–Wildwood. A whopping $85M project! Projects like these don’t just transform skylines—they shape futures. Congrats to Christner Architects, BSI Constructors, IMEG and KWAME Building Group. I can't wait to see this new center! Future tour perhaps?
And speaking of futures—continuing education remains a vital (and too often overlooked) piece of professional development in our industry. That’s why SLC3 continues to expand its educational offerings, ensuring that both current and emerging leaders have access to the knowledge they need to thrive, no matter what the next trend or tool might be.
👷♂️ Calling All Owners: We’re Listening.
We know project owners are under pressure right now. Labor constraints, supply chain unpredictability, capital planning headaches—you’re balancing a lot. That’s why we’re inviting you to step into the conversation.
Join us for the upcoming Owner’s Chat, where you’ll have the chance to speak openly, share experiences, and hear what others in your shoes are facing. It's candid. It's constructive. It's exactly what we need right now.
And mark your calendars:
📅 Owner’s 180° Plan Meeting (Consumers ONLY)
🕢 July 30 | 7:30–9:30 a.m. | In-Person
We’re carving out time and space for strategic discussion among owners—because no one understands the owner’s perspective better than, well… other owners.
As always, thank you for the role you play in making this industry smarter, stronger, and more collaborative. From jobsite to boardroom, what we build together will always be stronger than what we build alone.
Keep learning. Keep showing up. And hey—keep communicating.
We’re here for it.
Warm regards,
Kelly Jackson
Executive Director
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Mark Your Calendars – Exciting Events Ahead!
📅 JUNE 13: 2nd Friday Coffee & Networking @ SLC3 HQ
REGISTER NOW
📅 JUNE 26: Women's Leadership Lunch - Memorable Connections
REGISTER NOW
📅 JULY 17: Technology Panel - What's NEW
COMING SOON
📅 JULY 24: SLC3 Board Meeting Virtual 7:30-9:30 am
RSVP rhale@slc3.org
📅 JULY 30: Owner’s 180° Plan Meeting (Consumer's Only)
RSVP rhale@slc3.org
| | Want to sponsor our newsletters? Contact us! 40-50% Open Rates! Great opportunity for visibility and showing support! | | | | |
LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER!
2ND Friday Coffee & Networking - Open to Members and Guests
June 13 @ SLC3 HQ
7:30 - 9:00 am
Kickstart your morning with great coffee and even better conversations!
Designed for anyone wanting to connect in the AEC industry, this monthly gathering is your chance to connect, collaborate, and cultivate opportunities in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
Note: This is a free event but registration is required.
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Our APP lets you access our membership directory, information, events, billing, and more.
DOWNLOAD ALREADY!
| | | | Just go to your app store and search for MemberPlus. Then enter your username and password for InfoHub. This will gain your entry to our app which looks like the image! Please let us know if you have difficulty as we want all our members to have access! | |
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The new building supports several high-demand academic programs, including:
· Remote Aircraft Piloting
· MRI Technology
· Clinical Laboratory Science
· Paramedic Technology
· Physical Therapist Assistant Training
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Member Project Feature: STLCC-Wildwood Health Sciences and Technology Center
St. Louis Community College has officially opened its new Health Sciences and Technology Center at the Wildwood campus. The $84.5 million facility broke ground in May 2023 and is now fully operational, offering state-of-the-art learning environments for the next generation of healthcare and technology professionals.
Designed to reflect the future of healthcare and technical education, the center features cutting-edge equipment and hands-on training spaces that will serve students for years to come.
Several SLC3 members played a key role in bringing this project to life, including IMEG, BSI Constructors, and Kwame Building Group. Civil was performed by Civil Design Inc.
The ribbon cutting was attended by community leaders, including Wildwood Mayor Joe Garritano, highlighting the strong local support behind this impactful investment in workforce development.
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Donsbach Joins Utilitra as Executive VP Engineering and CAO
Andrea Donsbach, PE, PMP, has joined Utilitra after a seven year run at the Federal Reserve Missouri as Asst. Vice President, Facility Management. At Ameren, she spent six years as Sr. Project Manager.
Andrea has over 20 years of experience in facilities, engineering, and construction project management. Her expertise includes overseeing the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of facilities and related systems, ensuring compliance, safety, and efficiency.
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Continua Interiors Adds new VP Business Development, Julie Drummond-Alderman
Julie Drummond-Alderman recently joined Continua Interiors as VP of Business Development, coming full circle to her roots in furniture and audio visual. She was recently at Ben Hur Construction as Sr. Director of Business Development. She spent almost 20 years with Color Art and two years with Working Spaces.
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Construction Updates (STL Region) | | | | |
ATTENTION HERE!
Above are example searches for the report we can provide to our members for project opportunities. From concept to bid. The top image shows the most recent search for concept or current bid. The second is a snapshot of 18,680 projects we found. Want to see more? Watch for your email with the membership code.
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What Really Measures Success in Design & Construction?
In the built environment, success isn’t just about pouring concrete on time. It’s about delivering value—for clients, for teams, and for the communities we build. Whether you're an engineer, project manager, or executive leading a multidisciplinary firm, you need more than instincts and spreadsheets to measure how you're doing.
You need the right metrics, the right tools, and the right mindset.
| | | Critical Business Success Measures in Design & Construction | | |
1.Client Satisfaction & Owner Expectations
Why it matters: If the owner isn’t happy, the job isn’t done—no matter how solid the work.
Key Metrics:
- On-time delivery (Schedule Adherence)
- Budget performance (Cost Variance)
- Owner satisfaction surveys / feedback loops
- Punch list completion rate
2.Project Profitability
Why it matters: You can be busy and still be broke. Profit = sustainability.
Key Metrics:
- Gross profit margin per project
- Change order ratio and approval time
- Overhead recovery
3. Field Productivity & Operational Efficiency
Why it matters: Time is money on every jobsite.
Key Metrics:
- Labor productivity (output per labor hour)
- Rework rate (a silent budget killer)
- Equipment uptime / usage rates
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Written by:
Kelly Jackson, Executive Director SLC3
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4.Team & Trade Partner Performance
Why it matters: Subcontractors and internal crews make or break a project.
Key Metrics:
- Schedule reliability (percent plan complete)
- Safety incidents / near misses
- Communication effectiveness (meetings, RFIs, response time)
5.Workforce Development & Retention
Why it matters: Turnover, burnout, and talent shortages are real threats.
Key Metrics:
- Training hours per employee
- Staff turnover rate
- Engagement and development benchmarks
6.Continuing Education & Learning Culture
- Why it matters: Codes change. Tech evolves. So should your team.
- Yet, continuing education in this industry is often overlooked or under-resourced.
- SLC3 offers: Targeted, industry-aligned programs that fill the education gap for both technical and leadership growth.
Key Metrics:
- CE hours completed per year
- Certifications earned
- Internal promotions from training impact\
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Jeff Koziatek
Keynote Speaker and Executive Coach
Do what matters. Love the outcome.
“Free Download: 4 Ridiculously Fun Ways to 10x Performance.”
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Everyday Excellence, One Habit at a Time with Jeff Koziatek
Habit #24: FREE YOUR MIND, with ROUTINE!
When an action is committed to muscle memory (routine), your brain has "extra" time and increased brain power to think on other things AND has time to rest. Because the brain has finite “space”, routines and systems are great tools to free the mind for improved performance and productivity.
Commit common tasks to routine so you can spend precious time and energy planning, thinking critically, and navigating unplanned circumstances.
Remember:
Routine and consistency can build confidence and effectiveness.
Performance Tip:
Free up brain power by switching repetitive tasks to "automated" routines. Find a routine that works for you and start today.
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COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN: WHEN LEADERSHIP DOESN'T LEAD THE CONVERSATION | |
Author: Kelly Jackson, Executive Director
In the design and construction industry, we pride ourselves on being efficient, direct, and solution-focused. And rightfully so—when you’re managing million-dollar projects and high-stakes timelines, there’s no time for fluff. But in the push to get things done, there’s a blind spot that quietly undermines productivity, morale, and even project outcomes: the way leaders communicate with their teams.
Let’s be real—most engineers and project managers didn’t get into this business because they love small talk. Communication tends to be transactional: timelines, specs, budgets, decisions. It’s all about data, not dialogue. But when you move into a leadership role, the game changes. You’re no longer just solving technical problems—you’re leading people. And people problems don’t come with blueprints.
When Managers Manage, but Don’t Lead
The problem many teams face isn’t that communication doesn’t happen. It’s that the style and intent behind it don’t align with leadership best practices. A common dynamic:
- The manager issues a directive.
- The employee executes—or doesn’t—and confusion brews.
- Frustration builds on both sides.
It’s not about authority. It’s about alignment. Leaders who don’t adapt their communication style often default to “tell mode,” especially under pressure. But “telling” isn’t the same as leading. Leadership communication is intentional. It includes listening, clarifying expectations, asking questions, showing empathy, and creating psychological safety. Yes, even on a jobsite.
And no, it’s not about getting soft. It’s about getting smart.
Engineers Are Trained to Solve Problems—Just Not People Problems
Here’s the kicker: many of our industry’s professionals are trained in hard skills—math, systems, mechanics, scheduling. Communication? That’s usually a footnote in the curriculum. So it’s no surprise that interpersonal skills are often the Achilles’ heel of even the most technically brilliant team leads.
This gap shows up in subtle ways:
- A supervisor who delivers feedback like a punch list—with no explanation or encouragement.
- A project manager who assumes silence equals agreement.
- A team lead who thinks “I told them” ....
| | | | If you are considering joining us, contact Kelly Jackson about Membership. Don't miss our member-only activities and perks! | | | |
SLC3 2025 Officers:
Michael Hargrave, BJC HealthCare - President
Bill Dyer, Avison Young/Pace Properties - 1st Vice President
Vince Nutt, BJC HealthCare - 2nd Vice President
Anna Leavey, Anna Leavey Consulting, LLC - Secretary
Danielle Thomas, Hazelwood SD, Treasurer
Frank Niemerg, Ameren - Immediate Past President
Kelly Jackson, Executive Director
| DON'T FORGET: If you are a member of the SLC3 you can access all our members in the InfoHub. Make sure to login and regularly check it out! | | SHARE WITH US AND WE WILL SHARE YOUR EVENTS! | | |
St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers
301 Sovereign Ct, Suite 101, Ballwin, MO 63011
636.394.6200 | f 636.394.9641 | info@slccc.net | slccc.net
Staff:
Kelly Jackson // Executive Director
Rebecca Hale // Event & Office Manager
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