About Spirit of Construction

Our History

Founded in 1994, the Spirit of Construction is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to fostering awareness of the importance of our region’s construction industry and creating opportunities for young people and young adults to thrive through careers in the space.

We take a holistic approach to supporting the construction industry, focusing on workforce development, community outreach grants, and scholarships.

People gathered together reading over information
0 %

of funding goes toward programs designed for grade-school to college students.

Woman confidentially smiling with her clipboard
0 %

of 18- to 25-year-olds
lack life and job skills.

From our initial conversations to elevate and celebrate the construction industry to our first gala celebration in 1996, the construction industry remains one of the best industries as it continues to grow. Spirit of Construction is poised to continue building it forward to bridge the skilled trade gap through workforce educational opportunities.

Purpose. Mission. Core Values.

Purpose

Inspiring tomorrow’s construction industry.

Mission

Celebrating the impact of the construction industry and creating career opportunities through charitable giving, education programs, advocacy, and professional guidance.

Values

Integrity. Mentorship. Grit. Community. Inclusivity.
Children learning about the construction industry

Leadership Team

Board of Directors

Bill Riddle

Bill
Riddle

SOC President,
TP Mechanical

Michelle O'Rourke

Michele
O'Rourke

SOC Past President,
O'Rourke Wrecking

Lambert

Mark
Lambert

Vice President, cHc Manufacturing

Kerri Richardson

Kerri
Richardson

SOC Treasurer,
VonLehman

Dale White

DALE
WHITE

SOC Outreach Ambassador

Executive Committee

Bill Riddle

Bill
Riddle

President

Michelle O'Rourke

Michele
O'Rourke

Past President

Lambert

Mark
Lambert

Vice President, Trustee

Kerri Richardson

Kerri
Richardson

Treasurer

John Higgins

John
Higgins Esq.,

Trustee

Dennis Phillips

Dennis
Phillips

Trustee

Mary Ann Straley

Mary Ann
Straley

Trustee

Tony Brunsman

Tony
Brunsman

Executive Director

John Strawser

John
Strawser

Trustee

Jack Scott

Jack
Scott

Emeritus

Tim Beischel

Tim
Beischel

Emeritus

Board of Trustees

Our trustees look forward to your thoughts and ideas about the Spirit of Construction Foundation.

Jackie Alf

Jackie
Alf

Trustee, John R. Jurgensen Company

Chris Ayers

Chris
Ayers

Trustee, Thomas J. Dyer Co.

Joe Bayer

Joe
Bayer

Trustee, Fedders Construction

Tonya Beesley

Tonya
Beesley

Trustee, Baker Concrete Construction

Bray Construction

Brandon
Bray

Trustee, Bray Construction

Eric Browne

Eric
Browne

Trustee, Browne Engineering

Tom Chatham

Tom
Chatham

Trustee, USI

Fleet Fangman

Fleet
Fangman

Trustee,
Megen Construction

Sean Foley

Sean
Foley

Trustee, Northern Kentucky University

Bob Gigax

Bob
Gigax

Trustee, Gallagher

Lee Groh

Lee
Groh

Trustee, Turner Construction

Regina Hartfiel

Regina
Hartfiel

Trustee, Richard Goettle Company

Paul Hemmer

Paul
Hemmer

Trustee, Paul Hemmer Company

John Higgins

John
Higgins

Trustee, Frost Brown Todd

Bo Hubbard

Bo
Hubbard

Trustee, JS Held

Laura Hunter

Laura
Hunter

Trustee, Messer Construction / NAWIC

Mike Kane

Mike
Kane

Trustee, Denier Electric

Steve Klinker

Steve
Klinker

Trustee, Dugan & Meyers

Lambert

Mark
Lambert

Trustee, cHc Manufacturing

Mike Mattis

Mike
Mattis

Trustee, Jostin Construction

John Morris

John
Morris

Trustee, Ohio Valley ABC

Mark Nelson

Mark
Nelson

Trustee, AssuredPartners

Michelle O'Rourke

Michele
O'Rourke

Past President,
O'Rourke Wrecking

Dennis Phillips

Dennis
Phillips

Trustee,
Danis Construction

Nick Rosian

Nick
Rosian

Trustee, Messer Construction

Scott Sloan

Scott
Sloan

Trustee, 700 WLW, iHeartMedia Cincinnati

Mary Ann Straley

Mary Ann
Straley

Trustee, Perfection Group

John Strawser

John
Strawser

Trustee, Valley Interiors

Jordan Vogel

Jordan
Vogel

Trustee, ACI

James Watkins

Jim
Watkins

Trustee, TriVersity Construction

John Weidner

John
Weidner

Trustee,
University of Cincinnati

Tim Beischel

Tim
Beischel

Emeritus

Bob Dorsey

Bob
Dorsey

Emeritus

Jack Scott

Jack
Scott

Emeritus,
Terracon Co.

Tony Brunsman

Tony
Brunsman

Executive Director

2024 Big Impact Circle Sponsors

Big Impact Donors Circle — $25,000

These Big Impact donors each pledge a $25,000 donation to advance tomorrow’s construction industry by creating career opportunities for talented young people from diverse backgrounds, including underserved communities. Big Impact donors are helping us bridge the trade gap in our area.

Consider joining the 2024 Big Impact Donors Circle today with a $25,000 donation!

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Thanks to Our 2024 Big Impact Circle Sponsors!

Over the past 5 years, we have contributed over $1.2 million to the programs we support. Last year alone, we raised over $500,000. This year, our goal is $1.3 million.

Why Spirit of Construction?

We focus on encouraging growth, education, and community enhancement projects. Because of this, The Spirit of Construction Foundation is a friend to many local organizations.

Over the past 5 years (in addition to scholarship funding), the SOC Foundation has contributed over $760,000 towards outreach and $1.2 Million since its founding.