ASA Celebrates Growth, Leadership, and Excellence at SUBExcel 2025

In Always Something Awesome, SUBCONTRACTORS
October 28, 2025
472 Views

The American Subcontractors Association’s annual SUBExcel conference in Oklahoma City delivered more than education and networking—it was a celebration of growth, innovation, and the people driving ASA’s mission forward.

Recognizing New Chapter Executive Directors

The award celebration began with a warm welcome to ASA’s newest Chapter Executive Directors. Members stood in applause as Brandi (Arizona), Carolyn (Iowa), Sherry (Washington), Andrea (Tennessee), Gwyn (Metro DC), and Erin (Western Pennsylvania) were recognized for joining the leadership ranks and carrying ASA’s mission into the future.

Celebrating National Growth

ASA National proudly announced a 10% membership growth across the country for 2024–2025—an achievement credited to the tireless efforts of members and leaders nationwide.

Chapters with exceptional growth were celebrated:

ASA of Colorado earned recognition for the largest percentage and overall growth among chapters under 100 members.
ASA of Arizona brought in the most new members nationwide.
Among large chapters (over 100 members), ASA of San Antonio achieved top honors for both percentage and total membership growth.

National Recognition Awards

The evening then shifted to spotlight this year’s outstanding achievements:

Social Event of the Year: ASA San Antonio Chapter – SUBfest and BBQ Cook-Off
Subfest is more than just a cook-off—it’s a full-scale community celebration that brings together the entire construction industry. This year’s event was the biggest yet, drawing over 1,500 attendees
Recruiter of the Year: Jeremy Pearce, ASA of Oklahoma
Jeremy leads with passion, purpose, and a deep belief in the power of this organization. He sees the value ASA brings to the industry, and he wants others to benefit from it too. Whether in a meeting, on a jobsite, or at a networking event, Jeremy is always connecting, always representing, and always advocating.
Above & Beyond Award: Travis Mayor, ASA of Austin
Beyond planning and logistics, Travis is a true connector. He’s constantly engaging with members, welcoming newcomers, and making sure everyone feels valued and heard. His passion for the industry and belief in the value of ASA are evident in the number of new members he has personally recruited.
Extraordinary Young Leader: Mariana Morales, ASA Houston Chapter
As a minority woman and business owner of Adminport, LLC, Mariana brings firsthand insights into the challenges and victories faced by mothers and underrepresented entrepreneurs in the industry. Her commitment to empowering others is evident in her collaborations with small contractor associations, where she leads workshops on topics like business formation, bid proposals, job safety, and the practical use of tools (both hardware and software). These efforts provide small business owners with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive.
ASA in the Community: ASA of Oklahoma – Construction Industry Internship Program
Construction Industry Internship Program, ASA of Oklahoma

Oklahoma member, Whitney Hill, with her company Central Staffing Solution were the driving force behind this transformative work in workforce development. Whitney’s passion for introducing high school students to the trades has made a lasting impact on our community and the future of our industry, partnering with two high schools and offering 37 students paid internships on active job sites.

Educational Event of the Year: ASA Houston Chapter – A.I. in the Construction Industry
The “Artificial Intelligence in the Construction Industry” program redefines AI integration in construction. Unlike traditional events led by technology companies, this initiative was spearheaded by an attorney and a construction company, ensuring a balanced approach grounded in both legal and practical industry knowledge. The program was so well received by a sold-out audience at the March 2025 luncheon that it has since been modified for different audiences and presented to various owners’ groups and industry associations.
Chapter Leader/Mentor Award: Jeff Broadway, ASA Houston Chapter
Jeff’s role at AFS involves extensive outreach to school districts across the state, where he actively collaborates with educators, administrators, and community leaders to introduce students to rewarding careers in the fire systems trades. Leveraging his knowledge and passion for the field, Jeff has not only fostered relationships that benefit the industry but has also inspired countless young individuals to pursue careers in skilled trades.

New “CEO Appreciation Awards”

ASA CEO Richard Bright introduced a brand-new honor this year—the CEO Appreciation Awards, recognizing individuals who give selflessly of their time and talent to support ASA’s national mission.

The inaugural recipients were John Reynal, Martin Press, and Libby Hardy, whose dedication and leadership exemplify ASA’s spirit of service. Libby was also celebrated for her exceptional work in organizing this year’s SUBExcel.

Ethics and Safety Excellence

The Task Force on Ethics in the Construction Industry presented the prestigious Certificate of Excellence in Ethics to subcontractors exemplifying integrity and professionalism. Congratulations to:

ACE Glass Construction Corporation, Little Rock, Arkansas

Bazan Painting Company, St. Louis, Missouri

Blauch Brothers, Harrisonburg, Virginia

Haley-Greer, Inc., Dallas, Texas

Holes Incorporated, Houston, Texas

Kent Companies, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Markham Contracting Company, Inc., Phoenix, Arizona

Platinum Drywall, Maumelle, Arkansas

Shapiro & Duncan, Inc., Rockville, Maryland

South Valley Drywall, Inc., Littleton, Colorado

Western Engineering Contractors, Inc., Loomis, California

In the ASA Safety Recognition Program, chapters honored members who make safety a daily priority:

Arizona – Canyon State Electric
San Antonio – T&D Moravits
New Mexico – Yearout Mechanical
Houston – Hays Electrical Services
Southwest Florida – Lee Drywall

Innovation and Outstanding Service

Innovation took center stage as ASA San Antonio won the Innovation Award for its creative Gun Raffle fundraiser.
The ASA Gun Raffle Calendar Fundraiser is a Texas-sized twist on traditional fundraising. By tapping into local enthusiasm for firearms, we turned a simple idea—linking weekly gun giveaways to the Texas Lotto Pick 3—into a year-round, high-energy experience. Members purchase calendars, each containing two unique three-digit numbers, and every Wednesday at 10 a.m., we announce the winning number, based on the Texas Lottery Pick 3 draw. That person wins the gun of the week—and yes, multiple wins can happen, adding to the buzz!

The Outstanding Service Awards recognized individuals for exceptional contributions: Dick Roberts, Dale Payne, Al Slattery, and Nate Firnstahl.

Advocacy and Leadership Awards

Subcontractor Federal Advocate Award: Courtney Little, ACE Glass (AR)
Subcontractor State Advocate Award: Jennifer Gough, Markham Contracting (AZ)
Attorneys’ Council Award: Chip Bachara, Bachara Law Group (FL) and Scott Holbrook, Crawford & Bangs (CA)

Leadership Excellence: Presidents and Executive Directors

2023–2024 Chapter President of the Year: Cindy Athey, ASA Metro Washington
2024–2025 Chapter President of the Year: Lee Aitken, ASA Houston
2023–2024 Executive Director of the Year: Jennifer Swinney, ASA San Antonio
2024–2025 Executive Director of the Year: Tamara Hancock, ASA Houston

Chapter of the Year Awards

Under 50 Members: ASA of Washington
50–100 Members: ASA of Austin
Over 100 Members: ASA Midwest Council

Closing Celebration

The ceremony concluded with enthusiastic applause and a reminder that every chapter has a story worth celebrating. As ASA continues to grow, innovate, and advocate for subcontractors nationwide, these recognitions reflect a community united by purpose—and powered by people who build with integrity.

Congratulations to all the ASA award nominees and recipients!

All of the photos can be viewed here.