David Pugh for ABC National Secretary

I’m David Pugh, and I’m running for ABC National Secretary. Many of you already know me well. For those who don’t, here’s a bit of my story.

I am a civil engineer (the son and grandson of engineers). My whole life, all I heard at the dinner table were stories about how things were designed and how they got built. That’s what I wanted to do when I grew up.

In high school, I worked for a commercial property management maintenance crew. Our job was to fix everything we could, and if we couldn’t, then find the contractor who could. That was excellent training for a career in construction.

In college, I worked for Chicago Bridge & Iron (now part of McDermott International, Inc.) and then for Georgia Power Construction at Plant Vogtle when Units 1 & 2 were being built. They are now constructing Units 3 & 4 at Vogtle – one of only two active nuclear power plant construction sites in the U.S.

After college, I went to work for Harbert International, Inc. – the predecessor of B.L. Harbert International. I worked for Harbert for almost two years at what was then the largest commercial construction project in the country. During those two years, I was involved in just about every project management function: subcontracting, scheduling, change order management, crew management, equipment rental, Owner/Architect meetings, and so on. But my first love was, and is, working with those who do the real work – the workers in the field. One of the worst reprimands I ever got happened one day when my boss could not find me. I had turned off my radio (a big “no no”), put on rubber boots, and joined a concrete placement crew on big concrete slab pour. While he appreciated my “helpfulness,” he reminded me that wasn’t why I was hired!

Hosting V.P. Mike Pence for breakfast at LegCon

When I told Harbert I was going to law school, they made me a very attractive offer to stay along with a big raise and the opportunity to project manage a multi-million dollar, multi-story commercial office building. It was a tough decision, but I was young, debt-free, and had been offered a partial scholarship to Vanderbilt Law School. If I were ever going to go, then was the time.

When I graduated from Vandy Law School, I joined Bradley Arant. When I started, we had about 85 lawyers in two offices. Now, we have 600 lawyers in 10 offices (in 6 states and Washington, D.C.).

Our firm has long had a construction law practice group which focuses on advising construction clients. We have been recognized 3 of the last 5 years as the “Best Construction Law Firm” in the country by U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Law Firms” rankings. We are currently ranked #3 on ABC’s “Construction Executive” annual listing of construction law firms.

Many of our clients are ABC members. Our firm has been a member of ABC since 1990, so “being involved” with ABC came naturally. Our firm either has been, or is presently, a member of the following chapters: Alabama, Carolinas, Florida Gulf Coast, Greater Tennessee, Houston, Metro D.C., Mississippi, North Alabama, and TEXO. In addition to my personal involvement, my firm has sponsored the FEA Reception at LegCon and the User’s Summit for several years.

At the Chapter level, I’ve served on just about every committee. I’ve been on the Board of Directors every year since 2007. I served as Chairman of the Board in 2017, and I continue to serve on the Board today. At the statehouse, I’ve championed legislation favorable to our members and led the opposition to legislation our members did not want. I’m also a regular presenter for our “Future Leaders in Construction” program, helping to equip tomorrow’s ABC leaders.

(Pictured: Meeting with Russell Hamley after joining the Houston Chapter)

At the National level, I was a member of the National Board for six years. I served three terms as Parliamentarian. I am presently the Southeast Region Vice Chair and a member of the National Executive Committee. I served as a committee member, vice chair, and chair of the ABC BizCon program. I’ve attended every single User’s Summit and serve as the Steering Committee Chair for the Hospital/Health Care Construction track. I have served on six different national ABC Committees, including vice chair of Business Development and chair of Bylaws & Policies. Most importantly, I’ve been at the annual Strategic Planning meetings every April for ten years in a row!

I put my money where my mouth is. I give every year to PAC and to FEA. I’m a firm believer in the statement in our Bylaws, Article 1, that says: “[ABC] believes business leaders can best preserve the tenets [of ABC] by becoming active in politics and civic affairs.”

In my law practice, I work exclusively on construction matters. Most of the time, I represent general contractors. But, I also have several subcontractor clients. I’ve also represented some owners, architects, engineers, insurers, and sureties. After 34 years, there is no “side of the table” at which I haven’t sat! I have looked at construction issues from the perspective of every participant in the construction process. Very few, if any members, have had that opportunity. That’s the knowledge and experience that I will use to serve the members of ABC.

I humbly and sincerely ask that you give me the opportunity to go to work for you, your companies, and for ABC. May I have your vote for ABC National Secretary on November 15^th in San Diego?

Preparing to introduce Sen. Rick Scott at LegCon with Brandon Mabile and Tim Keating

Introducing Sen. Tom Cotton at FEA Reception at LegCon