After a national search that involved the consideration of a multitude of quality candidates, Chapter officers are pleased to announce that David D’Hondt has been named Executive Director of the AGC of Washington.

David was 2007 President of the AGC and is currently the Director of Safety and Risk Management for Absher Construction in Puyallup. He will join the AGC staff in June. Dick Bristow, who returned to the AGC as Executive Director in 2006 on in interim basis, will work with David during a transition period.

“We looked at many fine candidates, but when David expressed his interest we knew we had someone who is uniquely qualified to serve as Executive Director,” said AGC President Steve Barger who chaired the Search Committee. “David is very familiar with the AGC as a long-time, dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer. He knows the commercial construction industry and has many years of business and managerial experience.”

The Search Committee, with representation from various elements of the AGC, has been working to find a permanent Executive Director since last Fall. “We did not constrict ourselves with a deadline as we wanted to keep looking until we found just the right candidate,” said Barger. “With Dick Bristow at the helm, we knew we had the luxury of time. We are grateful that he agreed to come back to the AGC and help us through this period after previously serving as Executive Director for 21 years. Dick has led the staff with a steady hand, and we are pleased that he will remain on board to ensure an orderly transition and to assist David in his preparation for long-term leadership of the association.”

David has been with Absher for 18 years. In addition to his service as President of the AGC of Washington, he served two terms as chair of the AGC Safety Committee. David also serves as an employer representative on the Washington State Apprenticeship and Training Council and the South Puget Sound Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee. He is a member of the Governor's Industrial Safety and Health Advisory Board.

In the next edition of AGC Works, Barger will discuss in more detail the work of the Search Committee and the upcoming transition process.