By Ike Casey, ASAMW

I started my career in construction trade associations almost from birth. My Mother worked as secretary to my Father who was the executive director of NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association). I often went to association meetings and conventions and even helped from time to time. I remember helping my mother tie the association newsletter together in the 1960s for mailing before it was sent to the post office.

After a period teaching, I returned to the association world, first as Assistant Manager of the Carolinas Chapter of NECA, then stepping into my mother’s shoes as Executive Director of ASA of the Carolinas. My path then led me to a national role as Membership Director for ASA National, followed by tenures as Executive Director of the Independent Electrical Contractors and Executive Vice President of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association.

These years gave me a pretty good picture of what subcontractors face on a daily basis. Thirteen years ago, when Sheldon Shapiro of Shapiro & Duncan asked me to manage ASA of Metro Washington, it felt like a culmination of my life’s work.

Our Unwavering Mission: Fair Construction

Here in the DC area, we’ve been fortunate to have exceptional leadership during my tenure. Our mission, “better construction through fair construction,” has been a constant guiding principle. We’ve relentlessly pursued ways to achieve this, consistently identifying payment security and risk management as the paramount issues. The unfortunate reality is that the industry has evolved to a place where the lion’s share of risk is on subcontractors, who are often forced to finance projects by waiting for payment until all parties are satisfied. This unsustainable model puts subcontractors in a precarious financial position.

My daily motivation has been to work alongside dedicated individuals to rectify these imbalances. While there’s still much to accomplish, I believe we’ve made significant strides. A personal goal of mine has been to eliminate the burden of subcontractors financing construction projects. We’ve actively pursued legislative and regulatory solutions in DC to ensure timely, monthly payments for all subcontractors on a date certain. While we haven’t fully achieved this yet, I’m committed to continuing this vital work with ASA of Metro Washington, advocating for our members and all subcontractors to be paid promptly for their completed work.

Looking Ahead: A Legacy of Advocacy

I’m excited to collaborate with my successor to continue the work of creating a fair environment for subcontractors. My early experiences with subcontractors instilled in me a profound understanding of their needs, and anyone passionate about improving our industry will find immense satisfaction working with ASA. The impact we make is substantial, even if the pace of change can sometimes be slower than we want.

At 76, I believe it’s an opportune time for me to retire, particularly with the rapid technological advancements on the horizon. While I won’t miss the administrative minutiae that comes with the Executive Director role – believe me, the energy spent simply coordinating meeting times is staggering – I will deeply miss the people. There’s immense satisfaction in seeing members openly discuss issues and collaborate with owners and general contractors to find solutions. The future, with advancements like AI, will undoubtedly streamline many of these processes, and I’m confident my successor will embrace these changes.

At some point, every road must take a turn—and this feels like the right moment for mine to head in a new direction. Not a full stop, but a gentle shift that allows for a few more hours of golf, fishing, volunteering, and singing at my church. I’ll also be spending more time helping my partner grow her health spa—something I’m grateful for, as she’s the reason I’m moving forward pain-free.