This past September, nearly 350 companies came together in Houston to honor the very best in merit shop construction, celebrating the projects, people and partnerships that continue to raise the industry standard.
ABC Greater Houston’s Excellence in Construction (EIC) Awards Gala served as the stage for these achievements.
The gala opened with welcoming remarks from John Golashesky, chairman of the board for ABC Greater Houston in 2025 and VP with Turner Industries, one of the nation’s leading industrial contractors. Golashesky highlighted the significance of the merit shop philosophy in advancing safety, innovation and opportunity in the Greater Houston region, reminding attendees that the evening’s awards were not only a celebration of excellence but also a showcase of the collective impact of Houston’s construction community.
Guiding the night’s program were emcees Sarina Landers, ABC chair-elect with Corvus Construction, and Joe Cotten, past chair with Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing. They kept the energy high and the program flowing as they recognized award-winning projects and teams.
Project of the Year SpawGlass — Dr. Shannon Walker Neighborhood Library
SpawGlass was honored for projects that are making a huge impact on the communities they serve, one of which is the Dr. Shannon Walker Neighborhood Library. This modern facility is brimming with educational resources, and SpawGlass brought unmatched expertise and craftsmanship to its artistic elements and dynamic angles. Sustainable practices drove every aspect of the project, from design and construction to material selection, waste recycling and air quality control. Thanks to SpawGlass, the Dr. Shannon Walker Neighborhood Library has become a haven for the community to gather, create and share ideas and stories.
Emerging trends
This year’s gala highlighted key trends shaping the future of construction in the Greater Houston region:
Safety and inclusion are non-negotiable. The most celebrated projects didn’t just impress with scale — they demonstrated exceptional safety records and inclusive workforces.
Innovation at scale. Winning projects highlighted creative problem solving and adaptive methods to meet client needs despite supply chain and labor challenges.
Merit shop philosophy at work. The projects honored were living proof of the merit shop philosophy’s power — showcasing how open competition and performance-based recognition produce high-quality, innovative and cost-effective outcomes.
Networking and recognition fuel momentum
The gala gave contractors, suppliers and partners a chance to exchange ideas, celebrate achievements and set goals for the year ahead. Safety, innovation and sustainability are now essential to staying competitive. Recognition of projects like the Dr. Shannon Walker Neighborhood Library highlights how investments in training and community impact strengthen both firms and the broader industry. The event also reinforced ABC Greater Houston’s role in promoting merit shop values and setting the bar for regional excellence.
The Excellence in Construction Awards Gala showed that building Houston’s future is more than work. It’s a calling. Each award winning project represents quality, ethics and innovation, proving the merit shop model builds a stronger, more resilient industry.
As the evening closed, Michael Richter, president and CEO of ABC and the Construction Maintenance Education Foundation, thanked attendees, sponsors and award recipients, noting their role in not only building exceptional projects but also a stronger construction community across Greater Houston.
For more information, visit abchouston.org.
