For Dave Simpson, president and CEO of the award-winning Carolinas AGC (CAGC) chapter, tackling the workforce shortage, safety reform and advocacy remain top of his mind as the organization marks its 105th year in business.
Established in 1920, CAGC is a pivotal trade association for commercial contractors and construction-related businesses in North and South Carolina.
“Carolinas AGC was founded to serve as a single voice to advocate for, and help to grow and connect the Carolinas construction industry,” said Simpson. “We bring value to our members through safety and workforce development efforts, networking, government relations, increased profit, education and training, community development, and settings with owners and decision makers.”
As the first regional branch of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the organization has been a cornerstone of the local construction industry for more than a century. AGC itself was founded in 1918 at the request of President Woodrow Wilson to help unify and promote the construction industry across the nation, making CAGC a proud extension of this national effort.
Carolinas AGC has approximately 815 member companies representing more than 30,000 employees. As one of the largest AGC chapters across 88 AGCs nationwide, Carolinas AGC is currently the only chapter covering two states.
“Simply put, we want to be the best in the commercial construction business in the Carolinas,” Simpson said.
Simpson, who has served CAGC since 1989, has been the chapter’s CEO for the last decade. He is currently on the AGC of America Board of Directors and is Chair Elect of AGC’s Executive Leadership Council.
CAGC legislative highlights include in 2024 leading efforts to pass legislation in North Carolina and South Carolina to make highway work zones safer, and in recent years, also leading efforts in enacting laws in the Carolinas that will save lives concerning underground construction safety and damage prevention. Infrastructure funding for highway-heavy, building and utility construction in both Carolinas – including Western North Carolina in the wake of devastating Hurricane Helene – will be top 2025 priorities along with helping ease the workforce shortage in the Carolinas. In SC, CAGC in 2025 is leading efforts in enacting tort reform legislation to ease unfair business liabilities. In NC, CAGC is also trying to keep existing public bidding laws in place.
CAGC focuses heavily on member safety, providing training and resources that improve safety standards across the industry. It also supports its members by helping them navigate human resources challenges and boosting workforce development through education, apprenticeships, and certification programs. “We historically have made safety our Number One priority,” Simpson said. “There’s nothing more important in the construction industry than people leaving in the morning and coming back home just like they left.”
“Our members take a lot of pride in their safety, and not only is it the right thing to do, but it’s the smart thing to do,” Simpson continued.” It’s also something that is becoming more and more ingrained in the culture of businesses.”
At the heart of CAGC’s mission is providing valuable services and resources to its members. The association plays a key role in offering consulting and advice on best practices, helping contractors refine their business operations.
It also recognizes the achievements of its members through various awards programs, celebrating excellence in the industry. CAGC has received numerous awards, including the 2022 Diversity and Inclusion Award, the 2021 PR and Workforce Development Awards, and the 2019 Chapter of the Year (for large chapters).
Additionally, CAGC fosters the growth of the next generation of construction professionals by offering scholarships and specialized training programs, further contributing to the development of a skilled workforce.
One of the newest programs is CAGC’s Association Health Plan that offers competitive rates for health, dental and vision policies for members. A second program coming in 2025 is a mental health program called You-Turn that provides members with a discounted rate towards mental health counseling for employees and their families.
Another successful program is CAGC’s Young Leaders program, available to members aged 45 years and younger. Currently, more than 300 members use the Young Leaders program to network and receive educational training. “We expect 250 attendees at our 2025 Young Leaders Conference this November, to be held in Wilmington, North Carolina,” Simpson said.
An additional incentive in place is CAGC’s Construction Business Academy, which is a three-month education and training program offered to minority-owned firms. It offers everything from how to read blueprints to understanding good business practices and legal issues. “The Construction Business Academy has now helped grow over 100 minority and women-owned businesses to help ease the construction shortage,” Simpson said. “We’re seeing a lot more women and minorities in the construction business; we still have a long way to go, but it’s very encouraging.”
Construction bootcamps, which typically run for eight weeks, are also offered in conjunction with the community colleges. After receiving hands-on training, attendees can help to fill the immediate need for supporting newbuild projects in the Carolinas. “We have graduated nearly 300 students from our construction boot camps that we are doing in construction with the community college,” Simpson said. “Additionally, Carolinas AGC has a new “Lane the Loader” program that involves the distribution of construction-themed books to younger audiences, to help them get into the construction industry, and show them its potential, as well as extensive construction education and training.” In 2024, the foundation awarded $20,000 in scholarships to students pursuing careers and education.
“We have graduated nearly 300 students from our construction boot camps that we are doing in construction with the community college.”
Currently, CAGC members perform work in all of the major commercial construction divisions, which include highway heavy, civil (including industrial and rail work), building construction and utility construction. “We want to get as big a share of the commercial construction industry in North and South Carolina as we can,” Simpson said. “Our primary markets for our members are highway-heavy, building and utility construction, involving contractors as well as subcontractors/suppliers who do commercial construction work and provide related materials.”
Each year, CAGC hosts more than 100 networking events, including two annual conventions. In January 2025, CAGC held its winter convention which drew more than 630 attendees, with 900 attendees expected in July for the 2025 Summer Summit & Expo. Other big meetings this year will include golf tournaments and clay shoots, and an HR and safety conference.
One of CAGC’s most vital roles is its advocacy work. The association is a powerful voice in both state and federal legislative efforts, championing policies that support the construction industry. Through dedicated government relations and grassroots actions, CAGC ensures that the interests of contractors are represented in policy decisions that affect their businesses. The group’s advocacy also includes supporting candidates and initiatives that align with the goals of the construction sector, reinforcing CAGC’s position as a strong advocate for the industry at every level of government.
“We have really good relationships with the departments of labor in North Carolina and South Carolina,” Simpson said. ‘We’re heavily involved in the successful election of our new North Carolina Commissioner of Labor Luke Farley and we have joint written agreements from both labor departments to do everything we can to make jobs safer.”
“Some of our top government relations goals for 2025 in South Carolina include tort reform legislation to lessen liability for businesses,” Simpson continued, emphasizing the need to replace some of the more archaic laws currently in place that can dramatically harm construction businesses due to liability concerns. “In North Carolina, one of our top goals this year will be keeping the public bidding laws intact and seeking additional funding for construction education and training.”
Through its mix of services and advocacy, Carolinas AGC has become more than just a trade association; it’s a pillar of support, growth, and leadership for the construction community in the Carolinas.
“The future is going to be extremely exciting; these are good times and the economy is in really good shape,” Simpson said. “Carolinas AGC will be recognized as a trusted voice for the construction industry in the Carolinas. Our mission is building our members’ success.”
