In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, Steve Cona III, President & CEO of ABC Florida Gulf Coast, sits down with Jason Hall, Chief Revenue Officer at GMF Steel and ABC's 2025 Member of the Year, to talk about what real industry engagement looks like - and why it matters more than ever.

Jason shares how his company leaned into ABC from day one, how involvement across leadership, workforce programs, and committees created measurable value, and why collective action is essential for solving the construction industry's biggest challenges - from workforce shortages to policy advocacy. Together, Steve and Jason discuss what happens behind the scenes at ABC, how industry leaders shape advocacy efforts, and why participation at every level of a company helps build stronger teams and stronger businesses.

This conversation also dives into:

Why networking is only the starting point of ABC membership

How advocacy efforts help shape policy and protect the industry

The importance of leadership buy-in when engaging your team

What Jason sees coming next for construction on the Gulf Coast Whether you're already involved in ABC or considering membership, this episode offers a clear look at how engagement, leadership, and collaboration move the construction industry forward.

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In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, Steve Cona III, President & CEO of ABC Florida Gulf Coast, sits down with Jason Spears, the newly appointed 2026 Chairman, to discuss leadership, advocacy, and the future of the construction industry.

Jason shares his 20+ year journey with ABC - from his early days in the University of Florida student chapter to serving on the executive board - and how programs like NEXGEN Leadership became a national model for developing industry leaders. Together, Steve and Jason unpack what really happens behind the scenes at ABC, from boardroom conversations to legislative advocacy that protects merit shop contractors.

This conversation also dives into:

- Why leadership development matters more than ever in construction
- How ABC supports contractors through safety, workforce, and policy challenges
- Jason's vision for strengthening advocacy, permitting reform, and member engagement in 2026
- Why involvement—not observation—is the key to getting real value from ABC

Whether you're a longtime member or considering getting involved, this episode offers an inside look at how ABC works to move the industry forward -and why strong leadership is critical to what comes next.

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In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, ABC Florida Gulf Coast President & CEO Steve Cona sits down with Adam Handfinger - construction attorney and co-founder of Document Crunch - to unpack the real risks contractors are facing right now, and how technology can help keep projects on track. With 25 years practicing construction law and a front-row seat to jobsite realities, Adam explains how AI is changing the way contractors understand contracts, manage risk, and avoid costly mistakes—especially in today's volatile environment.

Here's what we cover:

✔️ How AI tools like Document Crunch support project teams-not just legal teams

✔️ Why undocumented fear, not just enforcement, is driving labor shortages

✔️ What contractors should do if ICE or Homeland Security shows up on a jobsite

✔️ How to track labor shortages before they derail your schedule

✔️ The return of material price chaos - from tariffs to steel, aluminum, and lumber spikes

✔️ Common contract mistakes that leave GCs and trades exposed to escalation risk

✔️ Why trade contractors must understand the prime contract - even if they can't negotiate it

✔️ How better documentation and real-time tracking prevent disputes before they start

Key insight from Adam Handfinger: "Most project teams don't fail because they don't care. They fail because they don't know what their contracts actually require - until it's too late."

This conversation is a practical, no-nonsense look at how contractors can protect themselves, their teams, and their margins - by combining legal insight, better process, and smart use of AI.

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