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AGC of Minnesota Selects Abbey Bryduck as New CEO
I am very excited to inform the membership that the next CEO of AGC of Minnesota has been identified. Beginning August 3, Abbey Bryduck will join the AGC family as its next CEO. Abbey will succeed Tim Worke, who will retire at the end of this year.
Abbey is a highly accomplished and experienced industry leader. Most recently, she served as the executive leader of the Minnesota Asphalt Pavement Association and has deep roots in the construction industry. Abbey is also familiar with AGC, having served as the association’s Highway Division and Government Relations Director from 2016 to 2018.
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The selection of Abbey to fill this important role involved a structured and thoughtful process that began more than six months ago. The selection committee included a small group of past AGC board chairs and members of the current AGC Executive Committee. The committee invested many hours reviewing more than 90 applications and conducting multiple rounds of interviews before reaching its decision. While the candidate pool was exceptionally strong, Abbey distinguished herself through her leadership experience, understanding of the construction industry, and clear vision for the future of our association. We are confident she is well-positioned to build upon the remarkable accomplishments achieved during Tim’s decade at the helm and lead AGC of Minnesota into its next chapter.
“AGC members and the Minnesota construction industry are truly fortunate to have found such an accomplished leader in Abbey,” said Tim Worke. “She will elevate the AGC experience and position the industry for much success going forward.”
Over the next six months, Abbey will transition into her leadership role while working alongside Tim and the AGC staff. As this transition unfolds, there will be many opportunities for members to meet and interact with her. I encourage every AGC member to take the opportunity to meet Abbey and offer your congratulations and support as she begins this exciting new chapter with AGC.
Kirk Ilenda
2026 AGC of Minnesota Board Chair
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2026 Legislative Summary
The 2026 Minnesota Legislative Session officially concluded last month, and we are pleased to share the 2026 AGC of Minnesota Legislative Session Summary, outlining the key legislative outcomes impacting Minnesota's commercial construction industry.
Despite a challenging political environment, the Legislature delivered several important wins for the construction industry, including:
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Passage of a $1.24 billion capital investment and bonding bill, providing significant investments in transportation, water infrastructure, higher education, and public facilities.
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Enactment of AGC-led legislation requiring Electronic Positive Response (EPR) and updated utility contact information to improve excavation safety and underground utility coordination.
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Preservation of transportation funding despite a temporary reduction in motor vehicle registration taxes.
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More than $205 million in stabilization funding for Hennepin Healthcare (HCMC) and additional support for hospitals across Minnesota.
The summary also highlights several proposals that did not become law, including prevailing wage payroll portal requirements, electronic invoicing restrictions, data center limitations, and efforts to revoke voter-approved funding for the Rochester Regional Sports Complex.
These outcomes are a direct result of AGC members' engagement throughout the legislative process. Whether attending Day at the Capitol, testifying in legislative hearings, serving on internal committees, contributing to AGC's advocacy efforts, or responding to staff requests, your involvement and our solid relationships with industry partners helped ensure the commercial construction industry's voice was heard at the Capitol.
We encourage you to review the summary for a comprehensive overview of the legislation, policy changes, and funding investments that will impact our industry in the years ahead.
| | AGC Members Celebrating Milestone Anniversaries! | | AGC staff celebrated with members at two events yesterday!
Congratulations to Bituminous Roadways, Inc. on celebrating
80 years in the industry! | |
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AGC Members Celebrate Milestone Years of Continuous Membership
Several AGC members are celebrating milestone decades of continuous AGC membership this year! AGC CEO Tim Worke and Director of Member Services & Engagement Heidi Sedlacek have been visiting with members to thank them for their many years of membership and commitment to the industry.
Thank you, members!
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Wheeler Lumber
80 Years of Membership
Pictured L-R: Heidi Sedlacek, David Clemens, Dale Draves, Tim Worke
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JE Dunn CHASE Level 3 Project Concludes
Congratulations to JE Dunn Construction on the closeout of their CHASE Level 3 Carlson School of Management Revitalization project! CHASE participants Bolander and Grazzini Brothers & Company were subcontractors on the project.
Construction began on December 16, 2024, and was successfully completed on April 23, 2026. The project engaged 26 subcontractors and involved a total of 584 personnel throughout its duration. Collectively, the workforce logged 89,434 hours on site, including 100 hours dedicated to safety and health training. More than 584 safety orientations were conducted to ensure all workers understood project safety expectations. The project achieved an outstanding safety record, with zero injuries, zero DART (Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred) cases, and zero OSHA recordable incidents.
MNOSHA reported that JE Dunn and their subcontractors did an excellent job on project housekeeping/material storage, the site was clean/organized, and all employees were wearing the proper PPE.
JE Dunn Safety Manager Jake Leoni commented, “Through the cooperative partnership, along with a strong operations team and planning efforts, we were able to achieve zero injuries. The expertise, guidance, and support provided by both Lisa and Stacy were instrumental in this achievement.”
Learn more about the CHASE Partnership
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Fall Protection Training Available to Members
AGC members: take advantage of safety training for your teams!
Stacy Arnold, AGC's Director of Safety & CHASE, is available to provide 3M's Authorized Person Comprehensive Fall Protection Training to groups of up to 20 people, geared specifically to contractors' equipment.
Contact Stacy for more information.
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Digital Risk and the Construction Contract: A Gap the Industry Has Not Fully Addressed
Construction today runs on shared digital platforms, but most construction contracts still assume a paper world. This article flags three common cyber risks—data theft, payment fraud, and weak security practices—and offers practical contract updates to help protect your projects. Click here to read more.
Kyle Willems, Bassford Remele, Attorneys
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AGC 2026 Health & Safety Conference
In Minnesota!
Join your safety peers from around the nation in Minnesota this summer for the premier national conference for construction safety and health professionals! AGC's Construction Safety & Health Conference provides a forum for professionals to learn, network, and innovate. Through engaging presentations, workshops, and peer-to-peer discussions, attendees explore industry challenges, best practices, and emerging trends.
Take part with industry experts, practitioners, and thought leaders from across the nation to build a safer and healthier future for the construction industry and the communities we serve.
| | ORGANIZATIONAL WELLBEING & CULTURE NEWS | | |
Culture of CARE Presentation
Yolanda presented the Culture of CARE and Mental Wellbeing Awareness Overview at Niemela Design and Construction in Cokato, MN. HR Manager Meghan Johnson had this to say:
Yolanda delivered one of the most impactful presentations our team has experienced. Her presentation on mental health and suicide awareness was authentic, emotional, and incredibly engaging from start to finish. The passion she has for helping others was evident in every part of her message, and her sincerity created an immediate connection with our employees.
Yolanda has a unique ability to connect with people on a human level. Through her storytelling, vulnerability, and genuine compassion, she created an environment where employees felt engaged, reflective, and comfortable discussing topics that are often difficult to address. You could feel the emotion behind her words, and it was clear that this is more than just a presentation for her, it is a mission.
She brought awareness, hope, and encouragement while reminding all of us of the importance of supporting one another and prioritizing mental health.
We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have Yolanda speak with our company and would highly recommend her to any organization looking to make a meaningful impact on the well-being of their employees. Her passion, delivery, and ability to inspire others are truly exceptional.
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LIUNA Members Certified as VitalCog Gatekeepers
Recently, Yolanda certified 25 LIUNA members as VitalCog Gatekeepers at their training center in Lino Lakes, MN. Attendees included leadership, management, professionals, and journey laborers. Council Representative Ben Weideman said:
VitalCog training is going to help me address mental health issues not only in the workplace but in my family and friends’ group as well. It gives folks the tools to better understand risk factors and waring signs of someone who might be thinking of suicide and how I can play a role in suicide prevention. It has given me some tools to help have conversations with someone who might be in crisis and how to get them some resources for professional help. Yolanda gave a very powerful heartfelt presentation that really hit home for someone like me who has been in the construction industry for 25 years!!
| | If you would like a presentation for your team on Culture of CARE or training on mental health and suicide prevention in construction, please contact Yolanda. | | |
Juneteenth Brunch
Since 2022, the Minnesota Humanities Center has hosted a series of Juneteenth events to examine African American narratives, history, and experience in fulfilling the ideals articulated within the Declaration of Independence.
This year's Juneteenth Brunch featured award-winning author and poet Clint Smith.
| | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT NEWS | | |
2026–2027 Leadership Development Schedules Now Live!
We're excited to announce that the 2026–2027 Leadership Development Program schedules are now available. Session dates, topics, and program details have been thoughtfully developed in response to feedback from construction industry leaders, AGC alumni, and employer partners, resulting in a robust, high-quality leadership development experience for participants at every stage of their leadership journey.
Applications and nominations are now open, and all program information can be found on our website. Click the logos below to view schedules and apply or nominate someone! The application deadline is August 21, 2026. Please reach out to Jenny Moore with any questions.
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Calling Emerging
Construction Leaders:
AGC CLC Leadership Development Conference in August
Today is the last day to take advantage of early bird pricing for the Construction Leadership Committee (CLC) Leadership Development Conference - AGC of America’s primary leadership development experience for current and future leaders.
Held this year in Minneapolis, the conference is a great opportunity for developing leaders to participate with industry experts, practitioners, and thought leaders from across the nation to build a safer and healthier future for the construction industry and the communities we serve.
Among the robust slate of sessions on the agenda is a breakout on "What Does Your Digital Body Language Say About You?" by AGC Director of Professional Development Jenny Moore! Participants will also be treated to a tour of Mortenson's BLUlabs Construction Innovation Hub.
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Joint Alternative Procurement Committee Meeting
The joint MnDOT/AGC Alternative Procurement Committee will meet on July 14. If you would like to participate, please contact Laura Ziegler.
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AGC Technology Conference in Minneapolis this June
Registration is now open for Associated General Contractors of America’s Technology Conference, August 4–6, 2026 in Minneapolis.
Stay ahead of what's reshaping construction. At AGC TechCon 2026, construction IT professionals will dig into the topics that matter most to your work right now: AI readiness, cybersecurity, field and safety technology, IT leadership, digital strategy, and real-world lessons from contractors like you. Want to go deeper? Add a pre-conference bootcamp for a more hands-on, focused learning experience.
Plan ahead to have the best experience at TechCon:
Don't miss these three days of practical learning and peer-driven insights. Join us to be part of the community driving construction technology forward.
| | SUMMER & FALL NETWORKING EVENTS | | Whether you're a long-time member or new to AGC, there are many great events on the horizon to keep you connected to your industry peers! | | |
Summer Member Networking
July 8
Come throw axes and throw back a beer with your industry peers in Duluth!
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Saints Game
July 22
Join us in the Star Tribune Skybox to watch the Saints take on the Columbus Clippers!
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Golf Tournament
August 7
Foursomes are sold out, but there are still lots of great ways to be involved at the 2026 AGC Golf Tournament!
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Sporting Clays Fundraiser
September 16
Register to shoot or sponsor at the 2026 Sporting Clays Fundraiser! Win fabulous prizes and raise money for AGC Foundation scholarships.
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Fall Member Networking
October 8
Join the AGC Board of Directors and your industry peers in Brainerd for networking and refreshments!
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Holiday Reception
December 1
Toast the end of another great year together in the construction industry!
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Don't Miss These Events!
Register now or save the date for these upcoming AGC events:
| | Thank You to our 2026 Annual Partners! | |
Your Trusted Resource
Associated General Contractors of Minnesota
525 Park Street, Suite 110 | St. Paul, MN 55103
651-632-8929
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