Over the past month, our industry has come together across Southern California and beyond to spotlight what truly drives safety forward.
From empowering conversations all the way to moments of remembrance, each event carried a shared theme—building stronger teams and safer job sites.
Leadership in Action: Women Shaping the Industry
At the start of April, NAWIC Orange County hosted an impactful evening at Hope Builders in Santa Ana centered on Leadership Perspectives from Diverse-Owned Businesses.
The panel brought together Robin Thorne (CTI Environmental, Inc.), Carolina Alvarez (J&S Building Maintenance, Inc.), and Christie Bravo (Bravo Building Concepts / Bravo Roofing, Inc.), who shared firsthand experiences navigating growth, leadership, and the realities of running successful construction businesses.
Moderated by our very own Marjorie Del Toro, the conversation created space for candid dialogue that moved beyond theory and into real-world experience. Attendees left with practical insights and a stronger sense of community within the industry.
National Work Zone Awareness Week: A Shared Responsibility
As National Work Zone Awareness Week came to a close, the message remained clear: safety in work zones is not optional, it’s shared responsibility.
Each year, thousands of crashes occur in active construction zones across the country, many of them preventable.
Behind every cone and barrier are crews working in close proximity to live traffic, building and maintaining the infrastructure communities rely on daily.
This year’s theme, “Safe Actions, Save Lives,” reinforces a simple truth: every decision behind the wheel has consequences for those on the ground.
Workers’ Memorial Day: Remembering the Lives Lost
April 28 served as Workers’ Memorial Day, a solemn reminder of the lives lost to workplace incidents—and the families forever impacted.
The week leading up to the observance included national gatherings and safety-focused events, including training summits, memorial ceremonies, and vigils honoring fallen workers.
Across these moments, one message stood out: Remember the dead, Fight for the living.
Industry Connection on and off the Jobsite
The 50th Annual ABC San Diego Golf Tournament brought professionals together in a lighter environment, where relationships were built beyond the jobsite!
The tropical theme set the tone and the the purpose behind the event remained strong—supporting scholarships, workforce training, and the next generation of builders entering the industry.
Construction Safety Week: Strengthening the Culture
More recently, Construction Safety Week (May 4–8, 2026) brought teams together across job sites and industry events, including the LAWA ADG/Contractor’s Safety Week Kickoff.
The kickoff provided an opportunity to connect with industry partners, share safety insights, and reinforce the importance of continuous training and compliance. Special thanks to Larry Turner at Hensel Phelps for the invitation and leadership in organizing the event, and to all who contributed to meaningful conversations around safety culture.
The week concluded with field engagement at the HERZOG Larison JV Berth 302–305 project at the Port of Los Angeles.This year’s theme, “All In Together,” highlighted three core pillars: Recognize, Respond, and Respect—reinforcing that strong safety culture depends on participation at every level of the industry.
Closing Thoughts
Across every panel, memorial, tournament, and kickoff event, one thread remains consistent: this industry is built on people.
And when people lead with awareness, responsibility, and collaboration, the entire industry moves forward—safely and intentionally.
