January 29, 2024

Wallace lines up 4 priorities for 2024

The DJC contacted incoming AGC of Washington President Phil Wallace for a look at his plans as he takes over the reins of the association this year.

Wallace is an area manager and senior operations manager for Kiewit Infrastructure West. He has over 32 years of construction industry experience, working on heavy-civil, marine and transit projects.

This interview was edited for clarity.

Wallace

Q: What are your priorities for the AGC this year?

A: I have several priorities this year. No. 1 is increasing our advocacy during an election year and getting candidates that support the construction industry elected, especially in the governor's seat. No. 2 is growing our membership by working with AGC district leadership throughout the state. No. 3 is working with the AGC Education Foundation to increase funding for their Core Plus Construction program and supporting programs that bring workers into our industry. No. 4 is to enjoy the experience and make new friends along the way. I want to work with our membership on how the AGC of Washington can best help them achieve their business goals.

Q: Tell us more about Core Plus Construction

A: The Core Plus Construction program was established in 2020 and already serves over 80 school districts in Washington state. It is an official Washington state program of study that allows high school students to explore careers in the construction industry. Students gain high school graduation credits and real-world skills that are supported by AGC members.

This program puts construction as a viable education path back in our high school programs and promotes careers for high school students that don't necessarily require attending a four-year university and the expensive student loans that come with that option. High school and skill center students can enroll in a Core Plus Construction program and develop knowledge, skills, and abilities that lead to direct employment in high-wage and high-demand fields, or they can enter two- and four-year college programs better informed about their career choices. We will need these future construction workers to support the industry demand for skilled craft and management professionals.

Photo from Kiewit Infrastructure West [enlarge]

Wallace says his favorite project involved a rebuild of the Hood Canal Bridge.

Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the industry?

A: I think the two biggest challenges we currently face are:

1. Getting our Legislature to provide WSDOT budgeting for maintenance and preservation of our state roads and bridges. There is little to no funding for 2024 and safety is WSDOT's top priority, which includes keeping our transportation hubs safe for the traveling public.

2. We currently have a construction boom in heavy-civil construction in the state and contractors are finding it very hard to find capable trained craft and construction management personnel to run the work.

Q: What keeps you up at night?

A: When I was running projects, I always worried about the safety of our workers and the traveling public. There is an ever-increasing amount of incidents in our construction work zones and this is a huge issue for our industry. AGC of Washington has worked closely with WSDOT to incorporate new legislation in Senate Bill 5273 that includes adding automated safety cameras that will ticket drivers speeding through construction work zones. This new law takes effect July 1.

Q: What was your path into construction?

A: I started with Legos when I was very young and branched up to building forts when I was old enough to use a hammer and a saw. I was always interested in building things from a very young age and that passion never left. I went to university to get my engineering degree and have been fortunate in my career to have been a part of many great teams that have built signature projects across the state that have won numerous industry awards.

My favorite project was the Hood Canal Bridge project because that is where my partnership with the WSDOT team really began. I still retain those friendships to this day more than a decade later. It has also been a pleasure to watch the people that have worked for me prosper and grow in their careers. We really are an industry that serves the public and I really appreciate that. We are essential.

Q: What is something that most people don't know about you?

A: I am a comic book collector — thank God that Disney purchased Marvel.

Other Stories:

• What's in store for Washington's construction industry in 2024
  
• Association honors Dully, Pizzey and Hill
  
• 2024 AGC officers, board members