SITE Improvement Association History
Three specialty construction contractors come together.
The annual holiday Christmas party tradition begins.
The first of 48 annual Christmas parties was arranged by Joe Barbagallo (Barbagallo Grading & Excavating) and his wife Betty.
SITE membership was expanded.
Membership in SITE was expanded to include associate members, those who supply good and services to contractors.
A fourth association joins to form SITE.
A fourth specialty contractor association, Concrete Contractors Association of St. Louis & Vicinity, joined the other three and formed the master organization, SITE Improvement Association to handle the administrative responsibilities.
SITE News launched.
The first SITE publication titled “SITE News” was printed. This publication continues even today as a means of keeping the members informed of governmental, legislative, safety and industry changes that may affect member contractors and associates.
The SITE Advancement Fund was established.
SITE continued to involve itself in labor negotiations but began to expand its activities to other areas of mutual concerns. Through these expanded activities, SITE saw a need to establish an industry fund. Thus, in 1973 the SITE Advancement Fund, funded through a cents per work hour formula, was established.
Bylaws were updated to add associates to SITE’s Board of Directors
The bylaws were changed to add associates to SITE’s Board of Directors. Welcomed to the Board as the first associate directors were Dick Bussen (Bussen Quarries) and Rich Thompson (Silver Eagle Construction Products). The associate directors were given all the rights and privileges as a director except they could not vote on matters pertaining to labor negotiations/ relations, and they could not hold an officer position.
SITE’S first of many Management Seminars are held out of state.
Although SITE did not have any national association affiliation, SITE’s board authorized a SITE sponsored function out of town. The event, known as SITE’s Management Seminars, provided educational seminars and great opportunities to socialize. These seminars have been held at various resorts in the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, Hawaii, Florida, Las Vegas and other beautiful locations.
SITE takes up golfing!
SITE’s first golf tournament was held at Paddock Golf Club (18 hole course) in Florissant, Missouri. The tournament grew in participation and in 1996 SITE’s Golf Tournament was moved to Norwood Hills Country Club (36 hole course) where it remains today.
SITE hosted a barge party as a fun networking social event.
A unique networking social event took place in 1982 – a barge party headed up by Dave Bangert (Limited Leasing) and Mark Bussen. This popular networking event started at Bussen Quarry, proceeded up the Mississippi River, passed the Arch and through the Granite City Lock and Dam. Six more barge parties were held, always reaching a maximum attendance.
SITE’s Political Action Committee (SITEPAC) was formed
Continuing to expand its activities in the legislative arena, SITE’s Political Action Committee (SITEPAC) was formed in 1987. Mr. Dale Arn (Fabick Tractor) was elected its first chairman.
The first construction industry couples golf tournament was initiated.
The first construction industry couples golf tournament was initiated by SITE in 1990 and has been held annually for 25 years.
SITE celebrates 25 years!
SITE celebrated its 25th Anniversary in conjunction with its annual Christmas party. Bob Hampton, SITE’s first president returned to St. Louis to participate in the festivities. Charter members of SITE were recognized.
Joe Barbagallo (Barbagallo Excavating & Grading) was the initial recipient to be honored with the President’s Award, given to an individual for his/her outstanding guidance and leadership contributions to SITE.
Since the initial award, others who have received the President’s Award are:
- 1993 — Ron Schaefer (Schaefer-Meyer Grading)
- 1999 — Ken Karsten (Karsten Equipment Company)
- 2005 — Bob Morice (Nor-vel Construction Company)
- 2006 — Ray Daub (Kirkwood Excavating)
- 2009 — Mark Bussen (Bussen Quarries)
- 2012 — Joe Hoette (Hoette Concrete)
- 2013 — Mike Jerome (Bi-State Utilities Company)
- 2015 — Charlie Bollmeier (C.E. Bollmeier Co. Inc.)
- 2020 — Joe Leritz (Leritz Contracting, Inc./Busy Bee Paving, Inc.)
- 2021 — Frank Marchesi Sr. (Bi-State Utilities Company)
Toy collections begin at Christmas parties to support low-income families in the St. Louis area.
Starting in 1991, toys were collected at the Christmas parties. Through the generosity of SITE’s members, over 3,000 toys have been given to children of poor families in the St. Louis area.
Landscaping was added as a new division.
SITE’s Board of Directors, in 1993, expanded SITE’s contractor base by approving a new contractor division – Landscaping.
Accident Prevention Manual and Employee Safety handbook was published.
SITE published an accident prevention manual and an employee safety handbook; receiving the Business Roundtable Recognition Award. The manual and handbook have been updated and reprinted at various times and continues to be a valued benefit to contractor members.
SITE negotiated its first five-year collective bargaining agreement.
SITE negotiated its first five-year collective bargaining agreement, setting a trend into current times. On behalf of its members, SITE currently negotiates five SITE labor agreements, five asphalt paving labor agreements, a seed-sod/nursery landscaping agreement and a modular block wall labor agreement. In addition to negotiating labor agreements and providing contract booklets to its signatory members, SITE also assists in contract interpretation, arbitration, etc.
Board of Members approved Director of Government Affairs as a new position.
The passage or defeat of legislative bills in the Missouri legislature took on more and more importance. Thus in December 2001, SITE’s Board of Directors approved the addition of a new position – Director of Governmental Affairs – and named Terry Briggs to fill the position. SITE was the leader in establishing the Missouri One Call System. Other pieces of legislation that SITE was significantly involved in the passage of include Contractor’s worker compensation premium adjustment credit; prompt pay in the private sector, reducing and expediting release of retainage in the public sector, highway funding legislation, passage of water projects, modification of lien laws, work zone safety, etc.
SITE celebrates 40 years!
SITE’s 40th anniversary celebration was held on the Eads Bridge over the Mississippi River in downtown St. Louis. With a beautiful sunset and the illumination of a full moon, and dancing to the rhythms of the Bob Kuban band, over 400 attendees celebrated SITE’s milestone. Many friendships were formed through these social and somewhat unique networking activities.
Highway / Bridge and Specialty divisions were added.
SITE’s bylaws were changed to include two new contractor divisions – Highway/ Bridge and Specialty.
SITE celebrates its Golden Anniversary!
The year 2016 marked the Golden Anniversary of SITE Improvement Association. Membership and staff held a variety of events to commemorate the 50th anniversary. Perhaps none was bigger than the Party at the Ballpark, Busch Stadium. Nearly 400 SITE members, current and past, guests and other invited dignitaries, enjoyed cocktails on the infield, tours of the stadium, dinner and awards presentation honoring SITE members, including 14 companies who have maintained association membership for all 50 years.
The party at the ballpark was not the only “party” held that anniversary year. Nearly 300 guests cruised the Mississippi River for the ever popular “Barge Party.” The 2016 event was the seventh barge party hosted by SITE over the years.
SITE Elects First Woman President
Jennifer Bouquet, President of J & J Boring, Inc. was elected President of the association becoming the first woman to hold the office.
Y.E.S. Community Project – Short Park
The Young Executives of SITE, members of SITE, and labor union counterparts came together to donate money, time, labor, and resources to improve Short Park located in Berkeley, MO. SITE members excavated a parcel of the property in Berkeley and installed over $50,000 in new playground equipment and a new picnic Pavilion. New concrete sidewalks were installed, a new soccer/football goal was put in place and an existing basketball court was resurfaced and enhanced with new hoops. Private donations from St. Louis area contractors and suppliers and local labor groups; Missouri/Kansas Laborers District Council, Cement Masons Local 527 and Operating Engineers Local 513 were collected to make this project a reality.
SITE Celebrates 55 Years!
A special 55th anniversary celebration was held at the Sky Wars Fireworks Competition at Innsbrook on September 25, 2021. 250 guests were treated to dinner, caricature drawings, Ted Drews and lots and lots of fireworks!!