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.
of funding goes toward programs designed for grade-school to college students.
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.
Leadership Team
Board of Directors
Bill
Riddle
SOC President,
TP Mechanical
Michele
O'Rourke
SOC Past President,
O'Rourke Wrecking
Mark
Lambert
Vice President, cHc Manufacturing
Kerri
Richardson
SOC Treasurer,
VonLehman
DALE
WHITE
SOC Outreach Ambassador
Executive Committee
Bill
Riddle
President
Michele
O'Rourke
Past President
Mark
Lambert
Vice President, Trustee
Kerri
Richardson
Treasurer
John
Higgins Esq.,
Trustee
Dennis
Phillips
Trustee
Mary Ann
Straley
Trustee
Tony
Brunsman
Executive Director
John
Strawser
Trustee
Jack
Scott
Emeritus
Tim
Beischel
Emeritus
Board of Trustees
Our trustees look forward to your thoughts and ideas about the Spirit of Construction Foundation.
Jackie
Alf
Trustee, John R. Jurgensen Company
Chris
Ayers
Trustee, Thomas J. Dyer Co.
Joe
Bayer
Trustee, Fedders Construction
Tonya
Beesley
Trustee, Baker Concrete Construction
Brandon
Bray
Trustee, Bray Construction
Eric
Browne
Trustee, Browne Engineering
Tom
Chatham
Trustee, USI
Fleet
Fangman
Trustee,
Megen Construction
Sean
Foley
Trustee, Northern Kentucky University
Bob
Gigax
Trustee, Gallagher
Lee
Groh
Trustee, Turner Construction
Regina
Hartfiel
Trustee, Richard Goettle Company
Paul
Hemmer
Trustee, Paul Hemmer Company
John
Higgins
Trustee, Frost Brown Todd
Bo
Hubbard
Trustee, JS Held
Laura
Hunter
Trustee, Messer Construction / NAWIC
Mike
Kane
Trustee, Denier Electric
Steve
Klinker
Trustee, Dugan & Meyers
Mark
Lambert
Trustee, cHc Manufacturing
Mike
Mattis
Trustee, Jostin Construction
John
Morris
Trustee, Ohio Valley ABC
Mark
Nelson
Trustee, AssuredPartners
Michele
O'Rourke
Past President,
O'Rourke Wrecking
Dennis
Phillips
Trustee,
Danis Construction
Nick
Rosian
Trustee, Messer Construction
Scott
Sloan
Trustee, 700 WLW, iHeartMedia Cincinnati
Mary Ann
Straley
Trustee, Perfection Group
John
Strawser
Trustee, Valley Interiors
Jordan
Vogel
Trustee, ACI
Jim
Watkins
Trustee, TriVersity Construction
John
Weidner
Trustee,
University of Cincinnati
Tim
Beischel
Emeritus
Bob
Dorsey
Emeritus
Jack
Scott
Emeritus,
Terracon Co.
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!
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.