January 31, 2011

Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Manson's Pete Paup

The AGC of Washington presented Pete Paup, chairman and former president of Manson Construction Co., with its Lifetime Achievement Award during the association's annual convention.

Paup

The award was presented by Pat McGarry, 2011 AGC of Washington president and Manson Construction vice president.

“This award recognizes Pete's decades of leadership in the construction industry and AGC,” said McGarry. “As chairman, Pete has helped Manson thrive through his ability to get very knowledgeable and successful people into the company.”

Pete joined the Marine Corps Reserve at age 17, ultimately retiring as lieutenant colonel in 1980. He started college at the University of Washington and later earned his degree at Stanford, where he served as coxswain for the crew.

Pete also was coxswain for a pairs' crew that very nearly went to the 1956 Olympics, finishing second in the Olympic trials in Syracuse, N.Y.

Pete married Andrea Haug in 1955. Pete's first construction industry endeavor was as owner, with his brother-in-law Irving Haug, of Larsen Construction. Even as owner, Pete didn't hesitate to help out the crews, displaying an easy rapport with individuals throughout a company's chain of command. Later Pete also owned Seaborn Pile Driving Co. before joining Manson as executive vice president.

“Pete treats everyone the same no matter their position,” McGarry added. “His positive demeanor is a big advantage for Manson.”

In 2008, Manson launched the barge E.P. Paup for a 1,000-ton-capacity derrick. The barge was built by Gunderson Marine and is working for Manson along the Louisiana coast.

Pete's involvement with AGC includes service on a wide variety of committees, such as the labor and AGC/Navy joint liaison committees.

“Pete bleeds AGC red,” said Paup's longtime friend and former AGC president Terry Deeny of Deeny Construction Co. “He's a true believer in AGC and he promotes it every chance he gets.”

In 1990, Pete was elected president of the AGC of Washington. That year, the AGC of Washington was named Chapter of the Year by the national association, and Pete was named Chapter President of the Year.

Among the many accomplishments in 1990 was the successful uphill battle AGC led to defeat Initiative 547, a sweeping anti-development statewide ballot initiative.

Pete has always been active in AGC, particularly with regard to legislative and political matters. Pete is a former chair of AGC's government affairs council and he's represented AGC on policy committees such as the state's High Speed Ground Transportation Steering Committee.

Gene Colin, Ferguson Construction CEO and current chairman, appreciates the insight Pete brings to AGC's advocacy efforts.

“Pete always gets to the bottom line,” Colin said. “He lets everyone philosophize, he'll then say, ‘This is how I see it.' He's always right on the mark and makes his point with humor and grace.”

Helping determine and advocate AGC's policy positions has been a major undertaking of Pete's over the years, and so has been electing business-friendly candidates.

“Pete has always been a stalwart supporter of Build PAC,” said Brett Ferullo, president of Northwest Construction and senior council chairman for AGC's political action committee. “More than just about anyone, Pete understands the nuances of electoral politics. He has great instincts when evaluating candidates.”

In addition to serving on Build PAC's senior council, Pete has been a member of the “535 Club” in recognition of his strong support of AGC of America's political action committee.

For several years Pete was a member of AGC's labor committee and served on the carpenters and operating engineers negotiation teams.

“Pete established excellent credibility with the unions because he's worked with jobsite crews as well as management,” said AGC's director of labor relations Doug Peterson. “Plus, he brings a certain levity that helps both sides proceed through sometimes difficult negotiations.”

Pete has held leadership positions in other industry groups, serving as a member of the boards of the Dredging Contractors Association and The Beavers, a national heavy-engineering construction organization.

Pete and Andrea Paup are long-time benefactors of the area's civic and philanthropic enterprises. Among the organizations they support are the Seattle Art Museum, Swedish Medical Center Foundation, Port Madison Lutheran Church on Bainbridge Island and the University of Washington Tyee Club.

Pete served as president of the Wing Point Community Club on Bainbridge Island, and was on the Stanford Athletic and Volunteers of America boards. He is currently a board member for the Nordic Heritage Museum.

Deeny sums up Pete as “low-key and someone who is very serious when needed but who can keep you smiling when the occasion is right. He's a work-hard, play-hard kind of person, and there aren't enough words to describe how great a guy he is.”

Jerry VanderWood is director of communications for the AGC of Washington.

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