Alaska's top contractors win construction recognition: AGC honors many in annual conference.

• Position: AGC 2006 CONSTRUCTION AWARDS

The Associated General Contractors of Alaska (AGC), a 650-member association of companies in the commercial construction business, honored its top projects, safety programs and individuals during the group's annual conference in Anchorage in mid-November.

Bert Bell, of GHEMM Co. in Fairbanks, was named recipient of the Hard Hat Award, AGC's most prestigious award. Bell was AGC president in 2001.

Topping the list of Alaska USA Insurance Brokers-sponsored Excellence in Construction Awards is Neeser Construction Inc. of Anchorage, winner of the "Meeting the Challenge of a Job Over $15 Million Vertical" for the Afognak Native Corp.'s Alutiiq Center, located on Arctic Boulevard in Anchorage.

Other Winners Are:

* Vertical: Job Between $5 Million and $15 Million-Weldin Construction Inc., Palmer, for the C-17 Flight Simulator, Elmendorf Air Force Base

* Vertical: Job Under $5 Million-West Construction Co., Anchorage for Harbor Crown Seafood Processing Plant, Dutch Habor

* Transportation, Marine, Heavy, Earthmoving: Job Over $3 Million-Kiewit Pacific Co., Anchorage, for the Glenn-Parks Highway interchange

* Transportation, Marine, Heavy, Earthmoving: Job Under $3 Million-Rockford Corp., Anchorage, for the Chester Creek Pump Station upgrade

* Specialty Contractor: Transportation, Marine, Heavy, Earthmoving--American Marine Corp., Anchorage, for Sitka Blue Lake Hydroelectric Project

* Specialty Contractor: Vertical-Superior Plumbing and Heating, Anchorage, for the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center,

Winners of the Marsh-Sponsored Excellence in Safety Awards are:

* Contractor's Safety Program Excellence Award: Interior Alaska Roofing, Fairbanks

* Safety Leadership Award: Dave Thomas, Alaska Interstate Construction LLC, Anchorage

* Excellence in Safety Record for "Building Over 100,000 Hours:" Roger Hickel Contracting, Anchorage

* Excellence in Safety Record for "Building Under 100,000 Hours:" Ahtna Construction and Primary Products Corp., Glennallen

* Excellence in Safety Record for "Highway/Utility Under 100,000 Hours:" West Construction Co. Inc., Anchorage

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