Dear ASA Members,
Wow, what a year! I believe it goes without saying that this past year has been unlike any we have ever experienced. Having this opportunity to serve as your ASA President was a bit frightening for me at first. I have never been a public speaker and I think so highly of the presidents who have come before me that I never thought I could effectively fill their shoes. Joining the National Board was a game changer for me. Little did I know just how amazing that time would be and how much support is out there in this incredible organization.
As I look back on this past year that I have been blessed to serve as your ASA President, my overwhelming emotion is gratitude.
First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord Jesus Christ for providing me the opportunities I have had in my life and for guiding my steps down every path. I also want to thank the past presidents for their time, flights, food, hotels, and endless support, as well as the National Board for your guidance, mentorship and gentle nudges when I needed them. This job wouldn’t have been possible without the industry leaders who give their time to ASA as well as the ED’s who are the backbone of their chapters. It has been my honor and privilege to work with each and every one of you. The current Executive Committee has always been there for me, as well as Richard Bright and his incredible team. Thank you all so much. I personally want to thank Beverly Reynal and her family for supporting me by accepting a second term to work by my side. It was an incredibly selfless act and I truly appreciate it.
I would not have been able to have had such an incredible year without the love and support of my lovely wife, Amber. She is truly an amazing human being. When my role has required my time and especially travel, she has taken over the role of mom and dad to our three beautiful children, and I love all of you dearly. Amber’s support of my joining the National Board is something I will forever appreciate. I will always be grateful that our paths crossed and we get to spend our lives together.
There have been so many people whom I have had the joy to meet, especially industry leaders nationwide who have come together with me to discuss opportunities, challenges, safety, production, scheduling, and software with subcontractors without the fear and worry of being a competitor. This has proved by far to be one of the most valuable experiences this past year.
It is not an understatement that 2020 was a tough year for many, and to anyone who lost a loved one during this time my sympathies go out to you. While the construction industry was rightly deemed essential, many of our members continued to work while navigating the challenges of constantly changing regulations and updated CDC guidelines, scheduling changes due to job site closures, and managing the entire health and well-being of your workforces because of the COVID chaos we all found ourselves in. As always, ASA rose to the challenge and kept its members informed, never stopped educating, and made sure that every ASA member knew that its local chapter was there for them through the good and the bad. I am immensely grateful to be a part of such an incredible force within the subcontracting industry.
Our work doesn’t stop. ASA chapters are busy meeting the needs of their members. ASA educational webinars are continuing to happen and events are beginning across the country as we begin to open back up. I hope you are as excited about this as I am! SUBExcel is happening again in 2022, and registration for that has just opened. I look forward to spending time with all of you on the sandy beaches of Florida! As the renewal invoices are coming out I want to encourage you to continue to stay engaged with ASA National and your local chapter. I know that together this organization gets stronger every day.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to serve this great association. I know that ASA will continue to excel under the leadership of Mr. Carroll, Mr. Plowman and Mr. Miller. I will humbly join the past presidents that you can always count on. They were always there for me, and I will always be there for you.
Once more, thank you all.
God Bless,
Brian Cooper
ASA President 2020-2021