Hello SLC3 Members and Friends,
I hope this finds you well and ready to enjoy a stretch of beautiful weather — finally! Hallelujah, indeed.
Coming off the high of our Awards Gala, we jumped right back into golf mode (because of course we did) and continued dialing in the details for upcoming events. We're constantly tweaking and fine-tuning what we offer to better align with what you need and want. That’s not just lip service — it's how we ensure SLC3 continues to deliver value and make a real impact in our region.
New Event Just Added: AI in Action
We've added a new event focused on Artificial Intelligence — a follow-up to two well-received sessions we hosted earlier this year. This one’s a free member-exclusive webinar where we’ll walk you through step-by-step prompting: how to use AI to generate blog content, draft articles (or whatever you want to call them), and even automate daily tasks. This isn’t fluff. These are real, time-saving techniques that can help you work smarter — not harder.
Why are we so excited about AI? Because it’s already helping us do more for you — without hiring more staff. And we want you to benefit the same way.
What’s Keeping You Up at Night?
I’ve been reflecting on the biggest issues facing our industry, and I’ve put together my personal Top 10 list — a no-nonsense snapshot of the most pressing concerns. You can read the full breakdown in this week’s article, but I’d love to know: what did I miss? What nuance, trend, or frustration didn’t make the list but should have? Especially if you're a small contractor or an owner dealing with new challenges — we want to hear from you. 📧 Drop us a line at info@slc3.org. Your insights drive what we do next.
A Quick Note on Events
Our event calendar is full — but things shift (because life happens). Our project tour, for example, has moved to May. So please, please pay attention to our Monday emails. If you only read one thing a week, let it be this letter and the calendar. We recently had non-members who didn’t even know they were nominated for an award. (Yes, really.)
Even if you're not a member yet, we hope you’ll keep tabs on what SLC3 is doing. We’re a hub — gathering, distilling, and delivering the information and events that matter to your business. And let’s be honest, St. Louis is lucky. We’ve got a number of excellent organizations in our corner. I’ll be sharing more on that soon — a kind of “who’s who” of the regional support network so you can be sure you’re connected to the right mix of resources.
Now for the important part — upcoming events. Don’t wait until it’s too late and then call me hoping I have a spare golf team hiding somewhere. I warned you!
🗓️ Upcoming SLC3 Events
- April 15 – Winning More Business - Exclusive Training!
Calling all C-Suite, Marketing, & Sales Professionals! This is for you!
- April 24 – University Bootcamp - AI in Action: Free Member Webinar
Step-by-step prompting workshop — write faster, work smarter.
- April 25 – Free Friday Coffee & Networking
Come network and build new connections with us at our office!
- May 5 – 39th Annual Golf Tournament
Almost sold out! Sponsorships still available — great visibility + great day on the course.
Enjoy the sunshine and the amazing weekend ahead. I’ll be celebrating my birthday this week (and for once, it looks like I’ll get a weather gift!). Here’s to good days, good people, and smart progress.
With appreciation,
Kelly Jackson
Executive Director, SLC3
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Mark Your Calendars – Exciting Events Ahead!
📅 April 15: Winning More Business with Ann Carden (HINT: Wouldn't be wise to miss this one!) Winning More Business: Innovative Marketing & Sales Strategies for C-Suite, Marketing, and Sales
📅 April 24: SLC3 University Bootcamp: AI Prompting 101 Webinar REGISTER FOR EXCLUSIVE TRAINING
📅 April 25: FREE Friday Coffee Networking @ SLC3 HQ REGISTRATION REQUIRED
📅 May 5: Annual Golf Tournament - Just a few teams left! EVENT PAGE
| | Want to sponsor our newsletters? Contact us! 50-60% Open Rates! Great opportunity for visibility and showing support! | | NEW EVENTS! DON'T MISS OUT ON EXCLUSIVE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES! | |
AI is changing the game -
but most people are playing it wrong.
SLC3 University Bootcamp: AI Prompting 101 Webinar
4.24.25 | 12 - 1:30 pm via Zoom
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Fuel Your Fridays: Brew Connections, Build Opportunities!
Come for the coffee, stay for the connections, and leave inspired
to build a better future together. Registration Required (Free).
4.25.25 @ SLC3 | 7:30 - 9:00 am
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The Marketing & Sales Playbook
You Can’t Afford to Miss!
Winning More Business: Innovative Marketing & Sales Strategies for
C-Suite, Marketing, and Sales
4.15.25 @ Sunset 44 Bistro
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What You Will Learn:
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Positioning is Everything: Become the First Choice (Not Just an Option) & Stop Competing On Price
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Selling Without ‘Selling’: Equip Your Team to Win More Business
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High-Impact Marketing: Attract Ideal Clients Without Chasing Business
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Authority & Influence: How to Build Credibility and Stay Top-of-Mind
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LIMITED TEAMS REMAINING!
SNOOZE, YOU LOSE ...OUT!
SLC3 39th Annual Golf Tournament // May 5 @ Whitmoor Country Club
| | LARGEST GOLF NETWORKING EVENT OF THE YEAR! |
Note, this event is first come, first served. We don't make exceptions and are always fair with registrations. So please remember favors don't happen for this one. We love you all, but we purposely do not make exceptions to be fair to everyone else. Two tournaments, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Both are the same, but we will not be doubled up on holes in the morning to make the event faster.
All morning teams are welcome to lunch and to stay the day, enjoying networking, fun with Cornhole Tournament, and even more food/drink!
Please read our information carefully to understand the events and agenda. Questions should go to Rebecca Hale.
| | SERIOUSLY, WE HAVE AN APP! EASY TO DOWNLOAD! LET'S GO! | | | 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! | | Contact Lydia Meyer to join a committee! | |
Do you know the SLC3's four key pillars?
We are driven by innovation, continuing education, equity empowerment, and collaboration.
These aspects are what push us to bring our members as many benefits to the table as possible. For our region and for the AEC industry as a whole, it is essential to stay connected, continue learning, and focus on what we can do to better one another.
If you're not a member, do any of those aspects align with your organization? If so, please reach out to learn more.
We want to provide as many benefits to as many individuals and organizations as possible. If you are a member, we greatly appreciate you and your continued support! If you have questions, ask us. We want to hear from you and we want you involved. Join us in bettering the STL AEC Industry!
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Horner & Shifrin, Inc. Expands Footprint in Northeast Arkansas
Horner & Shifrin, Inc., a full-service engineering and professional services firm, is expanding its presence with a new office in Paragould, Arkansas. This strategic move enhances the company’s ability to serve clients in the region, providing localized engineering solutions across transportation, water, wastewater, structural design, and GIS/surveying.
The expansion builds on Horner & Shifrin’s ongoing work in Arkansas, including its role in the Statewide Lead Service Line Inventory Program, which supports over 220 community water systems in ensuring clean and healthy water. With key team members already engaged in the region, the new office strengthens client relationships and allows for deeper community involvement.
“We are thrilled to expand our expertise and high-quality services in Northeast Arkansas,” said Jim McCleish, Senior Vice President. “This expansion aligns with our mission to provide forward-thinking engineering solutions that improve communities and enhance quality of life.”
Horner & Shifrin looks forward to fostering local partnerships, creating job opportunities, and contributing to the region’s economic and infrastructural development...
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Alberici Completes $165 Million Vertical Expansion at Washington University School of Medicine
Alberici has successfully completed a six-story, 160,000-square-foot vertical expansion of the Steven & Susan Lipstein BJC Institute of Health at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Designed by Lawrence Group, the $165 million project enhances the university’s research capabilities with cutting-edge laboratory space.
Key features of the expansion include a 7,400-square-foot Biologic Therapy Core Facility (BTCF) for manufacturing cellular therapies under FDA-enforced cGMP regulations, 100,000 square feet of laboratory space, and 43,000 square feet dedicated to mechanical building support.
Completed in December 2024, the project involved adding six floors to the building’s north tower and constructing a new elevator shaft. Alberici worked closely with Lawrence Group and the university’s critical facilities engineers to ensure the expansion met industry standards and research needs.
This project reinforces Washington University’s role as a leader in medical research and innovation...
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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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Where Are We Now? Top 10 Construction Industry Concerns
By: Kelly Jackson, Executive Director, SLC3
Labor shortages. Supply chain chaos. Rising costs. Cyber threats. If it feels like déjà vu, you’re not wrong — these aren’t brand-new issues. But with fresh uncertainty swirling around global tariffs and the looming shadow of a potential recession, it’s time to ask: Where does the construction industry stand right now?
Here’s a closer look at 10 of the biggest challenges we’re tracking — and a call to you: are we missing one that’s keeping you up at night?
1. Labor Shortages
The skilled workforce is shrinking fast. With an aging labor pool and not enough new talent stepping in, firms are struggling to recruit and retain employees. The gap is growing, and so is the competition.
2. Supply Chain Disruption
While the pandemic may be in the rearview mirror, its supply chain whiplash still lingers. Material shortages and unpredictable delivery timelines are pushing project schedules — and patience — to the limit.
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3. Rising Material Costs
From steel to concrete, prices continue to climb. Construction input costs are squeezing profit margins and complicating bids in a market already on edge.
4. Cybersecurity Threats
As more construction operations go digital, the industry becomes a bigger target for cyberattacks. A breach can halt operations, compromise data, and lead to serious financial fallout.
5. Health & Safety Risks
The physical dangers of construction are nothing new — but mental health and substance use are becoming crisis points. Construction workers face the highest rates of both, and the industry's culture must evolve to address it.
6. Cost Overruns
Projects exceeding budgets is almost expected — but it shouldn’t be. Inaccurate estimates, unexpected delays, and price surges are turning budgeting into a guessing game.
7. Slow Tech Adoption
While other industries embrace automation and digital tools, construction is still playing catch-up. The lag in adopting productivity-enhancing tech is a missed opportunity...
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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 #15: Fuel
We need fuel to function, and good fuel to thrive.
We are what we eat. The food we eat will impact our...
- mind's ability to think clearly
- body's ability to repair itself
- perception of your circumstances
- energy level
What's in your diet? Is it time for a change?
Remember:
The food you eat will either strengthen you or slow you down.
Performance Tips:
- Intentionally eat foods to propel, sustain, and nourish your mind and body.
- Track your eating habits for a set period of time to get clarity on how you are fueling your body, control of your diet, and deliberately support your body. Make adjustments as needed.
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Spotlight on Safety: Innovative Tech Transforming the Jobsite
Construction Dive’s latest Trendline special report examines how emerging technologies are reshaping safety practices across the construction industry. From drones and wearable sensors to artificial intelligence and automated equipment, these tools are helping companies reduce risks, prevent injuries, and enhance on-site awareness like never before.
Industry leaders share how they’re implementing these tools—not as futuristic experiments, but as essential solutions to stay ahead of the safety curve in one of the most hazardous industries. For example, firms like Skanska and Coutts Bros. highlight how AI is improving hazard detection and how safety tech is worth the investment if it prevents even a single incident.
The report also features insights into vetting new safety tools, overcoming implementation challenges, and how a culture of innovation can strengthen overall project success...
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How Feedback Fuels Self-Awareness
(And How to Actually Use It)
By: SLC3
Feedback is one of the most powerful tools for personal and professional growth. It serves as a mirror, reflecting both our strengths and the areas where we can improve. Yet, many people struggle with receiving and applying feedback effectively. Developing self-awareness through feedback isn’t just about hearing what others say—it’s about actively seeking, processing, and using that information to grow.
The Role of Feedback in Cultivating Self-Awareness
Feedback acts as a reality check, helping us align our self-perception with how others experience us. Without it, we may either underestimate our abilities or remain blind to behaviors that hold us back. By embracing feedback, we gain a clearer picture of our performance, communication style, and decision-making approach. This self-awareness not only improves individual effectiveness but also strengthens relationships and teamwork.
Practical Strategies for Leveraging Feedback
To make the most of feedback, consider these key strategies:
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Seek Out Diverse Perspectives: Don’t just rely on input from managers or supervisors—ask colleagues, clients, and even direct reports. A well-rounded perspective provides more balanced insights.
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Embrace Constructive Criticism: It’s natural to feel defensive, but growth happens when we focus on the message rather than the discomfort. Approach feedback with curiosity rather than resistance.
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Create a System for Reflection: After receiving feedback, take time to process it. Ask yourself: What patterns am I noticing? What actions can I take to improve? Writing down key takeaways helps turn insights into action.
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Close the Loop: Show appreciation for feedback and demonstrate progress. This not only builds trust but also encourages others to continue providing valuable insights.
Overcoming the Challenges of Feedback
Applying feedback isn’t always easy. It requires emotional intelligence, humility, and a willingness to change. One of the biggest challenges is overcoming defensiveness—our natural instinct to justify or dismiss criticism. Instead of reacting immediately, take a step back and ask: What can I learn from this? Another challenge is vague or poorly delivered feedback. If you receive unclear input, ask follow-up questions to clarify expectations and actionable next steps.
The Ripple Effect: How Self-Awareness Transforms Growth
When feedback fuels self-awareness, it creates a ripple effect of growth. Individuals become more intentional about their actions, communication improves, and workplaces become more collaborative and productive...
| | | | If you are considering joining us, contact Lydia Meyer about Membership. Don't miss our member-only activities and perks! | 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! | | |
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
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TARLTON PROMOTES ELSPERMAN TO PROPOSAL COORDINATOR
Nina Elsperman was recently promoted from Marketing Coordinator to Proposal Coordinator and Philanthropy Chair at Tarlton Corporation.
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COLE & ASSOCIATES ADDS ARMSTRONG AS SENIOR PM
Aubrey Armstrong, P.E., was recently hired as Senior Project Manager at Cole & Associates.
| SEND US YOUR PROMOTIONS & NEW HIRES! info@slc3.org | | |
Sara Hannah joins Guarantee Electrical Leadership as Inaugural Chief People Officer, will Lead Strategic Talent and Culture Initiatives
Guarantee Electrical Company (GECO) recently announced the appointment of Sara Hannah as it's first-ever Chief People Officer.
In this senior leadership role, Hannah will spearhead GECO's comprehensive people strategy and talent development initiatives while strengthening the company's distinctive employee-ownership culture.
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Poettker Construction Announces Six New Employee Promotions
Poettker Construction, a family-owned firm known for building strong relationships and quality projects, recently promoted six team members in recognition of their growth and contributions. The promotions reflect the company’s ongoing investment in employee development and leadership.
Highlights include Ryan Fuhler’s advancement to Project Director after 14 years with the company, and Ben Evelsizer’s new role as Senior Preconstruction Manager. Additional promotions include Kris Groves to Project Manager, Nic Perkins to Senior Project Engineer, Samantha Atkins to Project Engineer – Operations, and Johnny Leigh, a former intern, to Project Management Support.
These advancements reflect Poettker’s commitment to growing careers from within and building a strong, experienced team for the future.
| | SHARE WITH US AND WE WILL SHARE YOUR EVENTS! | |
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SAME Sporting Clays Event
Tuesday, April 15th
10:30 am @
St. Louis Skeet & Trap Club
18854 Franklin Rd,
Pacific, Mo 63069
Download Flyer
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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
Lydia Meyer // Marketing & Membership Coordinator
| | CONNECT, INTERACT & SHARE WITH US! | | Please note unsubscribing from this communication will unsubscribe you from ALL communications from the SLC3. | | | | |