Remembering Lawrence Larry Rhodes

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Larry Rhodes. Larry was a respected leader in our industry and a strong supporter of AGC Houston’s scholarship initiatives. Along with Stan Marek of Marek Brothers Systems, LLC, Bob Richardson of Durotech, Inc., and Graham Moore of TDIndustries, Inc., he played a key role in helping grow the scholarship into what it is today. Larry’s dedication and lasting impact will be remembered with great appreciation.

Larry was born on June 23, 1946, in Houston, Texas, and lived a life defined by love, kindness, humor, dedication and service. He grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico and Houston. He graduated from South Houston High School in Pasadena, Texas before graduating from the University of Houston in 1970. He worked as a commercial insurance agent specializing in construction and surety bonds, owning several companies and proudly served his trusted clients and friends for almost fifty years.

Larry loved the outdoors and traveling, was always ready to cheer on his beloved UH Cougars, and above all, he treasured spending time with his family and friends. One of his greatest joys in his later years was his seven grandchildren. He followed their growth, academic and personal interests with unconditional love and support, and his presence will continue to be strong in their lives.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the AGC Houston Patrick J. Kiley Excellence in Leadership Scholarship to support the next generation of construction leaders. Please contact Charlene Anthony at [email protected] to learn more.

Click here for more information.

The Deadline to Submit AGC of America’s 2026 Construction Safety Excellence Awards Applications Has Been Extended!

Extended Application Deadline: January 13, 2026

The purpose of AGC of America's Construction Safety Excellence Awards (CSEA) is to recognize those construction companies who excel at safety performance. The CSEA closely examines each candidate's commitment to safety and occupational health management and risk control. Unlike other safety award programs that limit the criteria to frequency rates, the CSEA selection process is considerably more comprehensive.

Each application will be reviewed for evidence of:

Company management commitment
Active employee participation
Safety training
Work site hazard identification and control
Safety program innovation

Participants will be required to complete the application form and submit it directly to AGC of America. Members of the national AGC Safety & Health Committee will review and judge the submittals at the Construction Safety & Health Conference, held in January each year. The finalists in each divisional category will then be invited to compete in-person at the AGC Annual Convention for either a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place award. Finalists will give an oral presentation in front of five judges. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards will be determined after oral presentations. The grand award winner will be selected from among the 1st place winners. The winners will be announced at the Safety Awards Ceremony during the 2026 AGC National Convention.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Nazia Shah at [email protected] or (703) 837-5409.

Click here to apply today!

Jan 29 Webinar: Learn the Latest Uniform General Conditions Updates

For the first time since 2015, the Texas Facilities Commission has adopted a new set of Uniform General Conditions (UGCs) that will apply to state building contracts.

AGC-Texas Building Branch is partnering with ABC of Texas and Andrews Myers, PC to host a one-hour webinar explaining the changes.

Click the button below to register today!

Call for Nominations: 2025 AGC Houston Standard of Excellence Award

If you know someone who rocks at their job in the construction industry, we want to hear from you! The AGC Houston Standard of Excellence Award started in 1998 and honors a construction industry employee who shows the best qualities of: teamwork and professionalism, creativity and innovation, commitment and cooperation, customer service and quality, and community service.

Anyone who works in the construction industry can apply, whether you work for a general contractor, subcontractor, supplier, service company, architect, or engineer.

The deadline to submit a nomination is Jan. 31, 2026, and the winner will be announced at our 2026 Annual Meeting.

Nominate someone today!

Applications Are Now Open for the Patrick J. Kiley

Excellence in Leadership Scholarship

Application Deadline: January 30, 2026

AGC Houston will be awarding the Patrick J. Kiley Excellence in Leadership Scholarship in the spring of 2026 to college-bound and university students who are majoring in a construction-related discipline.

Since its inception in 1996, the AGC Houston Patrick J. Kiley Excellence in Leadership Scholarship program has awarded over 331 scholarships amounting to $833,500.

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicant must pursue a degree relating to a career in construction.
Applicant must be an employee, intern, or dependent of an employee of an AGC Houston member firm or an AGC Student Chapter member.
Applicant must be enrolled in a college, university, or accredited training program during fall semester 2026.
Current high school seniors and college students are eligible to apply.
The deadline to apply is January 30, 2026.

For questions about the AGC Houston Patrick J. Kiley Excellence in Leadership Scholarship, please contact Charlene Anthony at [email protected].

Click here to apply today!

Registration Is Now Open for AGC Houston’s Sporting Clays

Tournament on February 3rd!

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Greater Houston Sports Club

6700 McHard Road, Houston, TX 77053

It’s that time again! Registration is now open for our annual Advocacy Sporting Clays Tournament at the Greater Houston Sports Club on February 3rd. This event benefits the AGC Houston Advocacy Fund. For questions regarding sponsorship opportunities and registration, please contact Brenda Roman at [email protected].

AGC Houston Is Excited to Support ACE Mentor Houston's 13th Annual Build It Forward Event on February 7, 2026, at MGC, Inc.!

This incredible initiative will bring together more than 200 students, mentors, volunteers, and community partners to build 40 twin-size beds for families in need throughout the Houston area. The beds will be donated through our friends at the Houston Furniture Bank, helping make a real difference in our community.

Our Leadership AGC cohort will also be on-site to lend their support and join in the effort!

Want to get involved? Click below for details on how to sign-up, become a sponsor, donate in-kind items, and more.

Click here to learn more!

Calling All AGC Member Companies! Applications Are Now Open for the 36th Annual (NASA) National AGC Safety Awards!

The National AGC Safety Awards (NASA) program has been an ongoing effort since 1991 to offer AGC members an opportunity to evaluate their safety record. The NASA compares an AGC member’s safety record with other AGC members according to the member size and construction type. Additionally, the NASA provides a great opportunity for members who have excellent safety records to compete for nationally recognized awards.

Eligibility:

These awards are open to AGC member companies only. The 3-year participation requirement has been removed.

AGC Member Awards

Safety awards are given to members who have an incident rate 25% below each division's average and members who have a zero incident rate in the following divisions: Building, Highway, Heavy/Industrial, Municipal/Utilities and Associate/Specialty.

AGC provides awards to members who have participated in the awards program for three consecutive years and who have an incident rate below 25% of their division rate - Certificates of Commendation
AGC provides awards to members who have participated in the awards program for three consecutive years and have a zero incident rate - Certificate of Commendation

Applications must be submitted by February 16, 2026

Click here to apply today!

Registration is now open for AGC Houston's

Love at First Site Member Mixer!

Thursday, February 19, 2026

4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Kirby Icehouse - Heights

1421 North Loop West, Houston, TX 77008

Kick off 2026 with AGC Houston's Love at First Site Member Mixer on February 19th at Kirby Icehouse - Heights, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm! This exclusive networking opportunity is the perfect chance for you to reconnect with familiar faces, make new connections, and engage with others in the commercial construction industry.

Attendee registration is free for General Contractor level members. Pre-registration is required; walk-ins will not be allowed if the event is sold out. GCs should contact Brenda Roman at [email protected] to register.

Registration Is Now Open for AGC Houston’s 2026 Annual Chapter Meeting Featuring Keynote Speaker Anthony Huey!

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

7:00 AM to 10:00 AM

Junior League of Houston

1811 Briar Oaks Ln, Houston, TX 77027

Join us on February 25th for our Annual Chapter Meeting featuring keynote speaker and communication expert Anthony Huey as he highlights the Power of Talk in an AI World. Anthony Huey, CSP®, is a highly rated international speaker who provides attendees with practical communication tools, tips, and techniques they can put to use immediately.

In a world where ChatGPT enables everyone to write like a Harvard graduate, the true power to stand out now lies in verbal communication. Unfortunately, many studies show that the fear of public speaking ranks higher than the fear of death, and those who struggle to talk in front of others will quickly find themselves and their organizations falling behind. Join Anthony Huey in this lively and thought-provoking keynote as he explores the power of verbal communication. Anthony helps his audiences understand the importance of perception and how first impressions are primarily formed when we speak, whether in person, virtually, or on the phone.

At this event, we will recognize the 2025 Standard of Excellence Award winner, the AGC Houston 2025 William H. Scott III Volunteer of the Year Award recipient, and the 2025 graduating class of Leadership AGC.

Click the highlighted text to nominate a deserving individual for the William H. Scott III Volunteer of the Year Award and the 2025 Standard of Excellence Award. Nominations are due on January 31, 2026.

For questions regarding sponsorship opportunities and registration, please reach out to Brenda Roman at [email protected].

Join AGC Houston's Vets in Construction for it's Sleeves Up Mixer on February 26th!

Join us for a relaxed, after-work mixer bringing together veterans in our industry and those who proudly support them. This event kicks off our first Vets in Construction gathering of 2026, so you won’t want to miss it!

Whether you’re a veteran, have veterans on your team, or simply have a heart for supporting those who’ve served, this is a great opportunity to connect with others in the construction industry who share that same passion. Come help us spark new ideas, build meaningful connections, and shape what’s next for this important initiative.

Enjoy great conversations, good company, and help reignite the momentum behind our Vets in Construction group. We hope to see you there!

It’s That Time Again! Registration Is Now Open for AGC Houston’s

34th Annual BBQ Cook-Off!

April 17-18, 2026

Fort Bend County Fairgrounds

4310 TX-36 S, Rosenberg, TX 77471

We’re excited to bring the fun to a brand-new venue this year: the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, a space well-known for hosting top-notch cook-offs. Make plans to join us for one of the most anticipated events of the year!

This is an incredible opportunity to get your company’s name in front of thousands of commercial construction industry professionals. Please note: this is not a ticketed event. Attendance is by invitation only through a cook team or sponsor. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the hottest event in Houston’s construction community!

For questions regarding sponsorship opportunities and registration, please reach out to Brenda Roman at [email protected].

HR HQ: WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED

Employer Resources and Best Practices for Handling Immigration Enforcement at the Jobsite

Immigration enforcement can create complex legal and operational challenges for employers, making it crucial to have clear procedures in place to handle such situations appropriately and lawfully.

We understand that these developments may cause concern within our industry, and we want you to know that we’re here to support you. To help, we’ve gathered resources and best practices on our website to address these issues and provide guidance for both employers and employees.

Click here to view resources.

Applications Are Now Open for the Patrick J. Kiley

Excellence in Leadership Scholarship

Eligibility:

AGC Member Awards

Applications must be submitted by February 16, 2026

Looking for New Training Opportunities?

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