Membership

AWCI continues to lead the industry, ending the 2024-2025 membership year (June 30) with 2,455 across nine countries.
Our growth is driven by a diverse community of contractors, manufacturers and suppliers. Key initiatives include the Emerging Leaders Class of 2026, the launch of the AWCI Ambassador Program at BUILD25, and expanded educational outreach to construction and trade schools

Emerging Leaders

The Emerging Leaders Class of 2026, consisting of 16 high-potential industry professionals, launched in January 2025 in Tampa, Florida. The program debuted the Stagen Foundational Leadership Course alongside expert-led sessions by FMI’s Scott Kimpland, focusing on the specific traits of successful specialty contractors and navigating personal leadership challenges.

In August 2025, the group traveled to Buffalo for immersive field experiences. This included an inside look at the National Gypsum Testing Services center and a firsthand visit to the new Buffalo Bills Stadium jobsite while under construction.

Complemented by DiSC personality profiling and recently featured in Construction Dimensions, the program continues to bridge the gap between technical expertise and the self-awareness vital for the next generation of industry leaders.

Contractors

Manufacturers

Suppliers

General Interest

AWCI Membership Remains Solid

AWCI closed its membership year on June 30 with 2,455 members, reflecting continued engagement and support from the industry. Our membership spans nine countries, six Canadian provinces and every U.S. state.

Learn More About Member Benefits

AWCI Ambassador Program

The AWCI Ambassador Program pairs industry leaders with emerging professionals, leveraging their deep expertise to bridge the association’s heritage with its future growth.

At BUILD25, seven volunteer ambassadors mentored the Emerging Leaders Class of 2026 and students during a guided tradeshow tour. This initiative underscores AWCI’s commitment to industry leadership and community, bridging the gap between seasoned professionals and the next generation.

Thank you to the 2025 Ambassadors:

Don Archuleta
Shawn Burnum
Kim Galie
George Kutcher
Scott Maki
Chip McAlpin
Mike Taylor

AWCI Committees

AWCI features numerous standing and board-established committees that help determine the association’s strategic objectives.

Each committee is comprised of volunteer leaders from within AWCI member companies whose efforts are critical to the success of the association, and an AWCI staff liaison who provides guidance and support.

Construction Technology Council

Ceilings and Specialty Products Committee – Chair: AJ Lowrey, Performance Contracting Group, Inc., Madison, WI; Vice Chair: Michael O’Donnell, USG, Stockton, CA
EIFS and Related Products Committee – Chair: Megan Washnieski, South Valley, Rochester, MN; Vice Chair: Katie Cvelbar, Sika, Shakopee, MN
Firestopping and Fireproofing Committee – Chair: Eric Bergman, Chaparral Insulation, Arlington, TX; Vice Chair: David Mistler, CEMCO, Fort Worth, TX
Gypsum Board Committee – Chair: Michael Mazzone, Statewide General Contracting & Construction, Inc., Honolulu, HI; Vice Chair: Darin Coats, Technical Services Information Bureau, Orange, CA
Lath and Plaster Committee – Chair: Richard Riley, Simpson Plastering, LLC, Birmingham, AL; Vice Chair: Christopher Little, ClarkDietrich Building Systems, Inc., West Chester, OH
Steel Framing Committee – Chair: Daniel Schnippert, MAREK, Houston, TX; Vice Chair: Bryce Koleszar, CEMCO, City of Industry, CA

Chapter Executives Committee

Chair: Albert Carrillo, Western Wall and Ceiling Contractors Association, Inc., Orange, CA

Emerging Leaders Committee

Co-Chair: Mike Garcia, Trim-Tex, Lincolnwood, IL
Co-Chair: Travis Vap, South Valley, LIttleton, CO
Co-Chair: Dan Wies, Wies Drywall & Construction Corp., St. Louis, MO

Nominating Committee

Chair: Scott Casabona, Sloan & Company, Mountain Lakes, NJ

Pinnacle Award Committee

Chair: Mike Taylor, Liddle Bros. Contractors, Inc., Nashville, TN

Supplier and Manufacturer Committee

Chair: Robert Widmer, Flex-Ability Concepts, Oklahoma City, OK

Union Contractor Council

Chair: Union Contractor Council – Shawn Burnum, Performance Contracting Group, Inc., Lenexa, KS
Chair: Carpenters Craft Committee – Scott Casabona, Sloan & Company, Inc., Mountain Lakes, NJ
Chair: Finishers Craft Committee – Jeff Dreisewerd, T.J. Wies Contracting, Inc., St. Louis, MO
Chair: Plasterers Craft Committee – Vacant

Continuing Study Committee

Chair: Mike Taylor, Liddle Bros. Contractors, Inc, Nashville, TN

Education Committee

Chair: Scott Bleich, HRTLND, Cedar Rapids, IA

Finance Committee

Chair: Adam Navratil, J&B Acoustical, Inc., Mansfield, OH

Industry Awards Committee.

Chair: Jerry Reicks, Tri-State Drywall, LLC, Sioux City, IA

Past Presidents Committee

Chair: Johnny Barnes, TriCoast Building Group, LLC, Gainesville, FL

Safety and Health Committee

Co-Chair: Adam Linhardt, E&K, Omaha, NE
Co-Chair: Chris Sanders, Valley Interior Systems, Columbus, OH
Co-Chair: Jorge Vazquez, MAREK, Houston, TX
Co-Chair: Rick Wood, J&J Acoustics, Inc., Santa Clara, CA

AWCI Member Savings Program

AWCI members have access to valuable opportunities to maximize their membership investment through AWCI’s Member Savings Program.

AWCI has refined these relationships to ensure definable member benefits and clear guidelines for utilization. Members have saved more than enough through AWCI’s Member Savings Program to pay for their annual membership investment—and then some.

Learn More

Learning and Growing Our Industry

AWCI embraced the opportunity to extend invitations to college students about BUILD25: AWCI’s Convention + Expo in Charlotte, North Carolina

BUILD25: AWCI’s Convention + Expo

At BUILD25: AWCI’s Convention + Expo, AWCI and the Emerging Leaders Committee debuted the Ambassador Program, pairing experienced AWCI members with emerging leaders and student guests for guided networking on the tradeshow floor.

About 31 students and three faculty members took part. We extend our appreciation to Matt DaCosta, Troy Jensen, Olivia Roberson, and Georgia Rothschild from Precision Walls, Inc. for connecting us with participating construction and trades schools (UNC Charlotte, Western Carolina University, Wake Technical Community College and Appalachian State University).