Spirit of Construction Foundation

Our first posthumous honoree is Mark Stark of The Nelson Stark Company. Mark was a lifelong entrepreneur and, by all accounts, a man of his word who loved to have fun in all he did in business and life. Founded in 1931 by Frank Stark, Stark Plumbing started with residential services. As the company grew, Ben Stark, Frank’s son, took over and joined the Local 59 Plumbers Union to expand into commercial markets. In 1980, the company moved to a larger facility on Kemper Road, and Ben passed leadership to his son Mark, who was 30 years old. Mark expanded the company’s focus from residential plumbing to large-scale projects, including hospitals and educational institutions, maintaining a presence at Children’s Hospital since 1984. In the late 1980s, Mark Stark began collaborating with Charlie Nelson. At the suggestion of Bernie Suer from Messer Construction Co., they merged with Nelson Excavating in 1993 to form Nelson Stark, capitalizing on on-site utilities and plumbing. Mark owned various businesses, including three gas stations in Cincinnati, Stardust Marina on Norris Lake, and Manhattan Harbor on the Ohio River. From 2014 to 2024, he developed a mile-long mixed-use property at Manhattan Harbor with homes, apartments, storage units, and small businesses. Mark also acquired 14 acres on Fields Ertel Road, where Nelson Stark’s headquarters remain. Under his leadership, the company grew from 14 employees to more than 250 with an expansion to a second office in Dayton, Ohio, in 2019. Unfortunately, Mark passed away in 2023. His dedication to his employees was felt by all who worked at Nelson Stark, and the loyal workforce and company culture remain extraordinarily strong. Today, Nelson Stark employs 300 people and owns over 250 pieces of excavation equipment.

We’re excited to share a follow-up from the NaviGo/Learning Grove and Enzweiler Building Institute’s recent Skilled Trades camps. Ensuring every student had the opportunity to participate, NaviGo/Learning Grove held the camp in two different locations, with basic PPE, tools, lunch, and snacks provided each day and transportation assistance provided (to and from the camps) where necessary. Over three weeks, 60 students received instruction in carpentry, drywall, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and masonry from four qualified instructors. They met with employers to learn about job opportunities, and NaviGo provided soft skills training and daily icebreakers. The program was a success with engaged students and instructors. Look for the NaviGo Skilled Trades Scholars Group, which will launch this September. This popular program offers hands-on construction training, site visits, and soft skills development with a dedicated NaviGo coach. At Spirit of Construction Foundation, we’re thrilled to support initiatives like this that encourage young people to pursue careers in the skilled trades. Let’s continue building a brighter future through workforce development and educational opportunities.

Join us in congratulating Spirit of Construction Foundation's board member Marcus L. Thompson for being selected for Cincinnati Open's 513 Serves program. Well done, Marcus — way to build it forward in our community!

Thank you, Kash Shaikh, for the inspiring conversation with the Spirit of Construction Foundation Emerging Leaders! Your career journey and leadership philosophy deeply resonated with us, leaving us with valuable insights. Key takeaways include: ➡ 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮 𝗯𝗼𝘀𝘀, 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 — it's about more than just telling people what to do; it’s about helping them excel and inspiring them to be their best. ➡ 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 — the team around you and the company culture can significantly influence your success. Surround yourself with a culture that aligns with your values and principles. ➡ 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 — build an emotional connection, embrace vulnerability, and use constructive criticism as an opportunity for personal and professional growth. ➡ 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 — teamwork, clear expectations, and accountability are crucial for success. Those who stick with you during tough times are the right people on your team and will be there to also celebrate your success. ➡ 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝘁𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲. Sacrifice, struggle, and suffering are all part of the path to success, which requires both self-awareness and situational awareness. These are essential lessons to keep in mind daily. Thank you, Kash, for sharing your story, from your time at Procter & Gamble and GoPro to launching Baseball United, the first professional baseball league in the Middle East. We look forward to watching your continued success!

Steve Ortner, a Cincinnati native, attended St. Xavier High School and Miami University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. He later applied his degree as Director of Marketing and Sales for Garfield Electric Company, eventually becoming Executive VP of Operations and then President. He also co-founded Integrated Protection Services (IPS) and founded Ohio Valley Electrical Services, Inc., where he served as CEO. Steve is active in the construction industry and trade associations, serving on the boards of the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) and Allied Construction Industries (ACI), among other roles. His notable business achievements include: • Ascent at Roebling’s Bridge: IEC Award of Excellence • Lytle Park Hotel: IEC Award of Excellence • The Banks: ABC and IEC Award of Excellence • Xavier University Health United Building: ABC and IEC Award of Excellence Some of Steve's favorite accomplishments are selling Garfield Electric and Indecon to Encompass Services, founding Ohio Valley Electrical Services and transitioning it to an ESOP, and completing decorative lighting on bridges, including the Roebling Bridge in Cincinnati and others in Memphis, New Orleans, and Baton Rouge. Join us to celebrate Steve and learn more about him at the Spirit of Construction Foundation Gala on October 19, 2024, at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center.

We also honor Dr. George Suckarieh as a 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Dr. Suckarieh, an emeritus professor at the University of Cincinnati - College of Engineering and Applied Science, has dedicated his career to inspiring and educating future leaders in the construction industry. Known for his innovative teaching methods and strong connections with industry professionals, he has brought real-world insights into the classroom, motivating students to excel. Dr. Suckarieh has mentored numerous award-winning construction competition teams and has been a guiding force for many students, many of whom now hold leadership positions in significant construction firms nationwide. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Dr. Suckarieh has received numerous accolades, including UC’s Distinguished Teaching Professor Award and the John Trimmer Award for exceptional teaching. He has also participated actively in the University Honors Program since its inception in 2003. Despite retiring in 2013, Dr. Suckarieh has remained a vital part of the academic and philanthropic communities – he works with student researchers as an emeriti faculty, volunteers with some of Spirit’s grant recipients, and serves on Spirit’s Board of Directors and the Outreach Committee. We invite you to join us on October 19th for the 28th Annual Gala, where we will celebrate Dr. Suckarieh and our other distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award honorees!

We're excited to introduce our 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award honoree, Steve Eder. Steve, a 1979 UC construction management graduate, retired from Messer Construction Co. in 2020 after a 42-year career. He led projects that transformed the area, including UC Mainstreet, the UC Medical Center Critical Care Pavilion, and the Xavier University Hoff Academic Quad, all of which earned Messer the prestigious Build Ohio Award. Other notable projects include The Christ Hospital Joint & Spine Center, UC West Chester Hospital, and Xavier University Bishop Fenwick Place. Steve's career focused on people and collaboration. He has been involved with various industry organizations and educational initiatives. His professional affiliations include: • Executive Board Member, Allied Construction Industries • Member, Industry/Advisory Board, UC Civil/Architecture/Construction Management Programs • Chair, Curriculum Committee for UC Civil/Architecture/Construction Management Programs • Regional Executive Board Member, Junior Achievement of OKI Partners, Inc. • Board Member & Past Chairman, Junior Achievement of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky We hope you'll join us at the upcoming Gala in October to celebrate Steve's contributions to the Greater Cincinnati area.

Save the date for the biggest event of the year — Spirit of Construction Foundation's 28th annual Gala! This year's venue is a new location, so please keep the postcard mailer for ongoing reference. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻: October 19, 2024 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: Northern Kentucky Convention Center 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁: Let's Go All In to celebrate the construction industry, honor our 4-lifetime achievement and 2-posthumous award recipients, and raise funds supporting Spirit's mission to bring young people into the construction industry through workforce development and educational opportunities. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗿? Black tie optional, and your favorite sneakers, of course! We look forward to seeing everyone there and celebrating the construction industry together! If you have any questions, visit spiritofconstruction.org.

We love this! 😃 And we couldn't agree more. It's all about educating young people about opportunities in the trades, giving them access to those opportunities, and supporting their success. Well done to the interns, and a special thank you to the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Allied Construction Industries, and Fifth Third Bank. Together, we are building it forward for the construction industry.

We're excited to feature the Campbell County Area Technology Center (ATC), a state-run organization with 6 feeder schools offering 8 programs, including 4 in construction. ATC serves high school students, enhancing career options and leading to further education and successful employment in the skilled trades. Their programs offer hands-on training in carpentry, electrical, masonry, and welding, along with student placement, cooperative education, and practical experiences. Advisor committees help students build soft skills and gain industry certifications for their careers. This program is closing the skilled trade gap in our area. We look forward to seeing more from ATC and its students during the upcoming school year.