Utah contractors can expect another year of strong growth in 2016, said Ken Simonson, chief economist at Associated General Contractors of America. Simonson delivered the keynote address at AGC of Utah’s 94th annual convention on Jan. 21-23 at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City.

“We should continue to see strong growth in almost all sectors of construction in the coming year,” Simonson told the group. The convention also included the chapter’s annual leadership transition. In the above photo, Jeff Clyde (right), 2015 chairman of the board, passes the gavel to Dave Hogan, president of Ogden-based Wadman Corp., who will lead the state’s AGC chapter in 2016.

Associated Builders and Contractors Rocky Mountain Chapter presented its annual chapter awards to individuals and firms on Jan. 21 in Denver. Awards were presented to ABC member leaders who have demonstrated their “commitment and dedication to the chapter, the industry and the merit-shop philosophy,” ABC says. Hensel Phelps was named General Contractor of the Year for the second year in a row, and Spacecon Specialty Contractors LLC was honored as the Subcontractor of the Year. The ABCer of the Year was Rachael Koch with Power Management Systems and Sales Inc.

Darren Hinton (second inset photo, above right), ABC Rocky Mountain board chair, Milender White Construction Co., is shown at the event with his uncle, Bill Hinton, 1991 chapter president, and wife, Kathy.