2011 Home Depot Community Building Invitational

American Red Cross Since its founding in 1881 by visionary leader Clara Barton, the American Red Cross has been the nation's premier emergency response organization. As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the American Red Cross distinguishes itself by also aiding victims of devastating natural disasters. Over the years, the organization has expanded its services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering. Today, in addition to domestic disaster relief, the American Red Cross offers compassionate services in five other areas: community services that help the needy; support and comfort for military members and their families; the collection, processing and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products; educational programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs. The American Red Cross is where people mobilize to help their neighbors—across the street, across the country, and across the world—in emergencies. Each year, in communities large and small, victims of some 70,000 disasters turn to neighbors familiar and new—the more than half a million volunteers and 35,000 employees of the Red Cross. Through nearly 700 locally supported chapters, more than 15 million people gain the skills they need to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their homes, communities and world. Some four million people give blood—the gift of life (Click on the images below to enlarge)
Red Cross Ball 2007	Red Cross Ball 2009	Red Cross Ball 2010

Good for You, Martin County, June 27

• TCPalm
• Posted June 25, 2010 at 6:09 p.m.

Special thanks to heroes and champions, who raised at least $1,000 for the Martin County Chapter of the Red Cross: Ken Ringe, owner, Bayview Construction; John E. Sawyer, IV; Anthony Losh, Comerica; Jeanne Pidot, American Red Cross Board member; Mark Cocco, Martin County School District; Cathy Balzer, Red Cross Youth Clubs; Jocelyn Lane, Gulfstream Business Bank, Red Cross Board member; Mary Sawyer, executive director, American Red Cross Martin County Chapter; Jean Smith and Bill Cassaw, VFW Post 10132, Hobe Sound; Carol Summerville, American Red Cross Instructor; Mary Jones, director of disaster education, American Red Cross; Olivia and Nicholas Ranieri; Bill McIntyre, P.A.; Kelly McIntyre, director of volunteer services, American Red Cross Martin County Chapter; Art Davie, American Red Cross Board member; and Scott Eccleston, Stryker Electrical Company, Chapter Chair, American Red Cross Martin County Chapter.

American Red Cross announces board
The American Red Cross Martin County Chapter recently welcomed new and returning members of its board of directors. Members of the local Chapter’s Board of Directors elected to serve their first year of a three year term include:
Tom Campenni owner, Thomas F. Campenni Company;
Art Davie adjunct professor, Indian River State College;
Robert Kilbride attorney, Fox, Wackeen, Dungey, Beard, Sobel, Bush & McCluskey, L.L.P.;
Joe Serra financial advisor, Merrill Lynch;
Rev. Ed Skiba chaplain, Treasure Coast Hospice;
Jeff Weber retired senior vice president, Gulfstream Business Bank;
Shannon Johnson, youth representative, Martin County High School.
Board members reelected for their second year of a three year term include:
Loire Lucas representative, AFLAC;
Scott Eccleston executive vice president, Stryker Electrical Contracting.
include:Officers for this year’s Board of Directors include
Scott Eccleston, chapter chair;
Michael Koplas, vice chair;
Jeff Nichols, secretary;
Art Davie, treasurer.

Associated Builders and Contractors

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national association with 77 chapters representing 25,000 merit shop construction and construction-related firms with two million employees. ABC's membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors of the industry.

• ABC is the construction industry's voice with the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the federal government and with state and local governments, as well as with the news media.
• ABC's mission is the advancement of the merit shop construction philosophy, which encourages open competition and a free-enterprise approach that awards contracts based solely on merit, regardless of labor affiliation.
• Through its national office and chapters, ABC's objective is to provide its members with an organization to deal with issues on an industry-wide basis.
• ABC's activities include government representation, legal advocacy, education, workforce development, communications, technology, recognition through national and chapter awards programs, employee benefits, information on best practices and business development through an online contractor search directory.

ABC was founded in 1950 when seven contractors gathered in Baltimore, Md. to create an association based on the shared belief that construction projects should be awarded on merit to the most qualified and responsible low bidders. Their courage and dedication to the merit shop philosophy spread rapidly, and within time, ABC became the fastest-growing association in the United States. Today, ABC is recognized as one of the leading organizations representing America's business community and the merit shop construction industry.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BOARD OF MARTIN COUNTY The Business Development Board of Martin County (BDBMC) is a public-private partnership working to promote balanced and orderly economic growth in Martin County. As the official economic development organization for Martin County, the BDBMC is charged with the responsibility of supporting existing companies in their expansion and growth needs and attracting new companies to the community. BDBMC is the official partner of Enterprise Florida, Inc. (EFI), the state's official economic development organization. The Business Development Board is dedicated to bringing resources to existing and new companies, and maintaining a business climate that will help them grow locally, while achieving success on a global scale.

Martin County Chamber

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Changing perspectives. Changing lives.

For more than 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 6 through 18, in communities across the country. We develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters Mission is to help children reach their potential through one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a measurable impact on youth.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters Vision is successful mentoring relationships for all children who need and want them, contributing to brighter futures, better schools, and stronger communities for all.

Construction Association of South Florida

The organization was established in 1950 as the Broward Builders Exchange by a group of professionals who were concerned with the well-being of Broward's construction industry. From the beginning, members have met to increase their business contacts and discuss the various aspects of the building business.

Over time, the exchange grew to include a number of construction firms from neighboring South Florida counties. At the same time, the goals of the group broadened to encompass a wider range of membership activities, including professional development through education and active participation in government affairs.

By 1991, the founding name no longer accurately described the group's geographic representation, its activities or its accomplishments. Thus, a new name, the Construction Association of South Florida (CASF), was defined to communicate the scope and involvement of the organization.CASF is an organization concerned with the future well-being of the building industry throughout Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.

Mission:

To serve and develop the South Florida constrution industry and to improve the interests and welfare of its members within the public interest.

Objectives:

• To promote harmonious relations between members and their employees.
• To obtain and make available pertinent data and information relative to the construction industry.
• To cooperate with other industry associations.
• To provide opportunity for exchange of business information through discussion, study and publications.
• To conduct courses of study for the benefit of persons desiring to improve themselves in the construction industry.
• To operate in a sound fiscal manner and set examples.
• To promote and recognize quality craftsmanship.
• To promote safety in the workplace.

Florida Electrical Apprenticeship Association The purpose of Florida Electrical Apprenticeship Association is to provide quality education to apprentice electrical tradesworkers on behalf of their sponsoring licensed electrical contractors. Our program is a group non - joint registered apprenticeship program which includes work experience plus night class related instruction. The program is registered with the State of Florida, Department of Education. The current electrical workforce is aging and the need for skilled electricians is constant. Jobs for experienced electricians are always available. Prepare yourself for a successful career in the electrical field. Upon completion of the program, you will be a knowledgeable electrician ready to pass the journeyman's test and be a licensed electrical journeyworker. If you're seriously interested in becoming a skilled and licensed electrician, apprenticeship training is the proven method to reach your goal. Years of field experience enhances your practical knowledge but does not substitute for registered apprenticeship training. The Florida Electrical Apprenticeship Association provides you with the proper education to prepare you to step into this greatly needed profession. This apprenticeship program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, ethnic status or national origin. (Click on the images below to enlarge)
2002 Certificate	2003 Certificate	2004 Certificate

Welcome! To rebuild and repair the lives of abused and neglected children and to take them to a whole new place. A much brighter place filled with hope, laughter and smiles. That’s our mission at the Hibiscus Children’s Center. Together we can build a better life for the abused children in our community.

OurSuccess:

A mom trying to start over became a resident at the Homeless Family Center and needed to find childcare so she could get a job. No funding was available so her efforts to even find a job were severely limited. We were able to enroll her two preschool children in our Child Development Center while she searched for a job and continued care until she was able to find funding for it. Since then we have assisted with preschool care through the scholarship program by providing preschool for 11 children from the Homeless Family Center. We help change lives every day.

The Humane Society of the United States

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest and most effective animal protection organizationœôòôbacked by 11 million Americans, or one in every 28. Established in 1954, The HSUS seeks a humane and sustainable world for all animalsœôòôa world that will also benefit people. We are America's mainstream force against cruelty, exploitation and neglect, as well as the most trusted voice extolling the human-animal bond.

Our mission statement: Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelty.

We work to reduce suffering and to create meaningful social change for animals by advocating for sensible public policies, investigating cruelty and working to enforce existing laws, educating the public about animal issues, joining with corporations on behalf of animal-friendly policies, and conducting hands-on programs that make ours a more humane world. We are the lead disaster relief agency for animals, and we provide direct care for thousands of animals at our sanctuaries and rescue facilities, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and mobile veterinary clinics.

Palm Beach School Board

Palm City Business of the Year

The Palm City Chamber of Commerce is composed of businesses and area residents who are committed to preserving the Palm City image. By joining together, members pledge to support the businesses of chamber members and work with community interest groups to create plans for the development of the community. Invest in your community.

Scott Eccelston SBE past President

Stryker Electric juiced about industry award

• Posted September 21, 2007 at midnight

Palm City-based Stryker Electric is that company you hear about because it is both doing well financially and doing good for the community.

The electrical contractor is the Palm City Chamber of Commerce's representative for an Industry Appreciation Award to be given by the Martin County Business Development Board in mid-October. The company is being recognized for its long history of giving time, finances and expertise to a number of local organizations.

"Giving back to the community you serve is vital," said Scott B. Eccleston, who holds several titles at Stryker including chairman. He is one of five partners in the privately held company. "I say that to anyone getting into business."

The company donates to and Eccleston is personally involved in the American Red Cross, the Humane Society, the Treasure Coast Wildlife Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Caring Children, Clothing Children.

Eccleston credits the example set by company president and co-founder Michael G. Bryan.

"Our company has been rewarded because of his generosity to the community," Eccleston said.

The proof is in the financial numbers. Eccleston, 44, who directs the company's finances and administration, said that 2007 will be Stryker's best year ever despite the slowdown in the economy generally and the construction business specifically. The company is still operating on a backlog of multi-year contracts signed in previous years.

When Eccleston joined the company in 1993, Stryker had $4 million in revenues. From 2005 to 2006, service revenues increased 40 percent.

Today, annual revenues total $30 million, he said. Most of that comes from installing electrical wiring in buildings, primarily new construction.

More than half of revenues comes from institutional work, including schools, hospitals and correctional facilities. One of its major projects: construction of the new Palm Beach Gardens High School.

Another 35 percent of revenues comes from multi-family building construction, such as Jade Beach and Brickell on the River, high-rise condominiums in Miami-Dade County.

A small but growing portion of the business, which already accounts for the remaining 10 percent of revenues, is the service department. It does work for retailers such as Home Depot, WalMart and BJ's Wholesale Club.

Stryker serves customers from Indian River County to Miami-Dade County. The company once had an office in Charlotte, N.C. It closed, but the firm continues to serve existing clients in the Carolinas and Georgia.

At its current size, Stryker is geared for large projects, Eccleston said.

The company bids on projects worth $3 million and up. The ideal job is worth between $3 million and $14 million.

Projects of that size keeps busy the company's 285 employees, 246 of which are electricians. Another 23 people work in the service department and 16 in administration.

Eccleston also has an apprenticeship program, which pays the total cost of sending any interested employee to Indian River Community College's four-year program leading to journeyman status.

"We want young people to know these are good jobs," Eccleston said. "Electricians can earn up to $50,000 after about five years."

All employees are full time and their benefits include vacation time, medical, dental, life insurance and a company-matching 401(k) retirement program.

Stryker's has stayed busy in recent years with school construction projects from Martin County to Miami-Dade. With recent a downturn in school enrollment and cutbacks in funding, some school boards taking projects off the board, Eccleston said.

At the same time, capital for condo construction has begun to dry up.

Anticipating a slowdown, Stryker shrank its workforce over the past year or so. The company once had more than 400 workers and cut that to less than 300 through attrition. Company leaders also became more selective in choosing projects.

"We feel we shouldn't have to lay anybody off," Eccleston said. "We will continue to handle personnel levels through attrition if the market continues down."

Stryker has also trimmed back its office space. Eccleston opted to move all but administration personnel to the field.

"We need our guys on the job," Eccleston said. "I set up a compound for them at their sites. They take their vehicles home since they're on call 24 hours a day."

From 15,000 square feet at its old location in the Turnpike Industrial Park in Palm City, the company moved just last March to a new 4,800-square-foot facility in the Palm City Business Park on High Meadows Avenue. The company also maintains a small office in North Miami and three more at major job sites.

Stryker competes on the Treasure Coast primarily with Gerelco Electrical Contractors, a large company, and the smaller Fast Track and Arlington firms.

Brothers Joe and Michael Bryan founded Stryker in 1983 when they purchased the former Charter Electric. They changed the name to Stryker because they liked the popular fishing boat of the same name. The company was based in Jupiter until 2000, when it moved to Palm City where both Bryan and Eccleston live. They also wanted to make the company more focused on the Treasure Coast.

Joe has retired but Michael, 64, a licensed electrician, remains active not just as president, but also as a field worker.

"He just wants to be out there with the guys, working alongside them," Eccleston said. "He's their leader, their mentor."

Eccleston joined Stryker in 1993 after an earlier career as a bartender and then in country club food and beverage management. Unfortunately, he says, his product got the best of him. A recovering alcoholic, he has been sober since 1990.

"I was lucky that I realized I had a problem at the young age of 26 when I could do something about it," Eccleston said.

He went on to earn his degree in accounting from Florida Atlantic University and worked his way up to his present leadership role at Stryker.

STRYKER

STRYKER ELECTRIC
Headquarters: 4241 S.W. High Meadow Ave., Palm City
Telephone: (772) 219-3389
Employees: 285
Executives: Michael G. Bryan, president; William C. Bryan, executive vice president; Scott B. Eccleston, executive vice president, secretary and treasurer; Steven E. Dixon, senior vice president and chief estimator.

Red Cross Disaster relief

Teen Challenge International Teen Challenge International, USA, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, provides leadership and services to the entire network of Teen Challenge ministries throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The Executive Director of Teen Challenge USA serves as a national representative and spokesman for the constituency of Teen Challenge ministries. The role of the National Office is to provide leadership by way of accreditation standards, curriculum distribution, a referral source for people who need Teen ChallengeÂ’s services, training, and management assistance in order to enable each of the local Teen Challenge ministries to accomplish their mission. Mission Statement To provide youth, adults and families with an effective and comprehensive Christian faith-based solution to life-controlling drug and alcohol problems in order to become productive members of society. By applying biblical principles, Teen Challenge endeavors to help people become mentally-sound, emotionally-balanced, socially-adjusted, physically-well, and spiritually-alive.

Teen Challenge Plaque

Boys & Girls Clubs of America

Our Mission

To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

A Boys & Girls Club Provides:

• A safe place to learn and grow...
• Ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals...
• Life-enhancing programs and character development experiences...
• Hope and opportunity.

TREASURE COAST WILDLIFE FOUNDATION

In 2004, a group of community leaders came together to create a new organization dedicated to supporting the Treasure Coast Wildlife Hospital. Chartered as the Treasure Coast Wildlife Foundation, this 501(c)(3) charity has the long term purpose of serving as the fund-raising arm of the Wildlife Center and managing and investing donations received. In the shorter term, the Foundation will spearhead the capital campaign effort and other fund-raising activities to support the construction of the new Center and ensure the ongoing operations of the Hospital.

Serving as the organization’s founding board members were: Sue Hershey, President; Terrence McCarthy, Vice-President; Jeff Weber, Treasurer; Tobin Overdorf, Secretary; Glenn Hess; and Tom McNicholas. RuthAnn Vega has now replaced Jeff Weber as Treasurer and the Board has welcomed Scott Ecleston and James Haugk to membership.An anonymous donor has already gifted the Foundation with one million dollars. Set up as an endowment, earnings from this fund now help support the ongoing operational expenses of the Wildlife Hospital.