b'FROM OUR CHAIRCelebrating 25 Years Worth ofMemorable Nightsand Memorable LeadershipIt was great to see so many friends and colleagues at WCAs 25th Builders Night Gala! There were so many people in attendancea record sell out of 1,200that it was impossible to connect and catch up with everyone.As we reflect on the past 25 years of the galathe construction industrys most memorable nightits no coincidence that its also WCA president Ron Hambleys 25th anniversary with the association. Not only is the success of Builders Night connected to Rons leadership, so is the growth of WCA.Over the past quarter-century, Ron has been at the helm, guiding WCA from a primarily planroom service into a thriving and multifaceted organization that is respected throughout our industry.Rons achievements speak for themselves: Advocacy that Resonates: Under his leadership, WCA has become a respected voice, advocating for the industry at all threelevels of government. Ron has been active on many committees, communicating the needs of the membership and coming up with an approach that both builds businesses and is of benefit to the industry.Educational Excellence: Under Rons leadership, WCA has developed an unmatched construction education program,offering more than 80 sessions throughout the year led by world-class facilitators. Part of his vision was transforming the WCA warehouse at 1447 Waverley Street into a state-of-the-art construction education centre. Industry Initiatives: During Rons 25-year tenure, he and his team developed initiatives to support and grow the constructionindustry. The Young Construction Leaders of Manitoba (YCLM) and Manitoba Women in Construction (MWC) have established themselves as important industry groups that help build the future of Manitobas construction industry. Ron is also credited for kickstarting the Manitoba Construction Career Expo as a solution to the skilled trades shortage. Since its inception, the Expo has grown to introduce 1,500 Grades 9 to 12 students to more than 30 skilled trades in construction annually. Strategic Partnerships: Under his leadership, WCA continued its mandate to support students pursuing careers in construction with the creation of endowment funds with RRC Polytech and MITT. An Outstanding Team: Over the last 25 years, WCA has gone from a staff of seven to a group of 15. He has built and retainedan incredible team whose hard work and dedication are second to none.Ron, on behalf of the WCA Board of Directors, members and staff, thank you for your 25 years of leadership. We look forward to seeing what the next chapter brings.Roger TukIssue 4 | Winter Edition | 2024 / 2025 BUILD MANITOBA 5'