Construction Person of the Year
TRICON Construction Person of the Year 11-19-09
by Chris M. Stevens of The Labor Paper
WASHINGTON, IL-An all points bulletin brought together a gathering of union construction people Friday November 6, who understand the successful philosophy of communication and collaboration. TRICON (Tri-County Construction Labor Management Council, Inc.) held its 23rd Annual Awards Dinner. The festive event provided a place to celebrate the past, enjoy the present and anticipate the future.
And the dinner provides the opportunity to recognize individuals and contractors who have contributed to the industry, in the area of Safety, Craftsmanship and one outstanding individual-Construction Person of the Year-who exemplifies the spirit of communication, collaboration and camaraderie that serves as the benchmark of TRICON success.
Executive Director Ginger Johnson of TRICON had welcomed everyone to the Five Points facility in Washington and after dinner asked Director of Business Development for signatory River City Construction, Inc., Kevin Carter, the 2008 Construction Person of the Year, to introduce the 2009 recipient.
Carter, who as a member of the Laborers ‘worked in the tools' and earned his way to superintendent, began his short introduction address with tales of how he learned to work hard, "My dad gave me advice," he pushed me forward with his foot, "and I thought it was a tool."
As the laughter started to subside, Carter, continued, "Together we build central Illinois." The award recognizes a person for outstanding contributions to the union construction industry, especially in improving labor-management relations.
An excellent entertainer, Carter had the room guessing whose name he soon would announce. "This person is a great person to know," he continued. "This person is very good-looking, this person is very intelligent, this person has a great sense of humor, oh wait this is me from last year's award."
Carter then turned just a bit serious when he began, "The TRICON 2009 Construction Person of the Year was born in central Illinois, and our recipient attended St. Marks Grade School and Spalding High School."
And then the light bulb lit among the crowd as Carter said, "Our honoree is a former owner of a prominent company started by his grandfather in 1921... sold his shares in 2003 and became an active member of Plumbers Local 63 and learned what it was like to really work... and now he serves on the Executive Board.
"He has long served his community," and then Carter mentioned a few of his activities, such as Habitat for Humanity, Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, and more. "Married for over 30 years to his lovely wife Laurie, three great children... involved in politics... he has held the office of mayor of West Peoria, since 1995... I know there are three cemeteries in West Peoria, one Jewish and two Catholic and if it were the other way around the vote from the people in the cemeteries might have a different outcome... the mayor might be Jim Diamond instead or our honoree tonight... it is truly my pleasure to present to you the 2009 Construction Person of the Year, Jim Dillon."
As the room stood to honor Dillon he was visibly moved. "I'm humbled," he said as he stood on the podium amid applause. And certainly surprised.
"I still can't believe it," Dillon says a few days later. "They caught me totally by surprise."
Business Manager Tim Strubhar of Local 63 adds, "We're very happy for him. He started out on the management side and now he works with us on the labor side, so he brings a great perspective on labor-management relations," adding, "he's a first class guy especially on the job sites."
* * *
Dillon's, who says, "I always wanted to be a plumber and applied for the apprenticeship program in August of 1974 right after I graduated from high school," experienced a journey in the union building trades that began before he was born.
His grandfather had started J.C. Dillon Plumbing back in February of 1921. "My dad then followed him into the trade and ran the business." After his dad passed away, "My brother John ran the business for my mom."
In 2003 Jim sold his shares in the company to his brother John, "So he could start a legacy with his kids."
As a contractor, "I wasn't allowed to attend union meetings," Dillon says.
But soon after he sold his interest and as his son Jimmy, who after high school had earned a degree at Marquette, was an apprentice plumber, "they have to attend the meetings and I thought I can go now."
Dillon soon started participating, and when a vacancy on the Local 63 Executive Board appeared, Jim filled the slot. "I'm the kind of guy who if I go I get involved." He then ran for and won election to a full term.
Within a few meetings Dillon also suggested the local plumbing shops take turns cooking before the union meetings. As it has turned out, the plumbers and apprentices from J.C. Dillon cook before every meeting. "These are all my friends," Dillon says, "And it's part of the camaraderie."
At the age of 54, Dillon who says, "From the very beginning I always worked in the tools and I never did work in the office," and as he plans to add a few more years to his career, he adds, "I'm still working."
With his family's lifelong commitment to the community, his son Jimmy serves on the Peoria County Board, "he's the 4th generation of our family who is both a plumber and a politician," Dillon says, the two collaborated to steer the apprentice classes to perform the plumbing work for Habitat for Humanity.
"It's a good way for them to learn," Dillon says, "outside of the classroom environment."
And when Extreme Makeover came to Pekin, "A bunch of us did the plumbing on the house," Dillon says. Jim and his son both volunteered their skills and "we were both there every time they had a crew working." One time the father and son worked all night and most of the next day, "so we could keep everything on schedule."
The volunteer effort demonstrates the commitment to labor-management collaboration when he mentions, "We had 25 plumbers together out there and it included apprentices, contractors and journeymen." He says at one point the crew of volunteers appeared apprehensive about making the deadline. "I told the guys, ‘No way are we going to not get done.' I asked them, ‘Do you want to be the first to not make it in a week?' No way, we had to get it done."
As to the current climate of Local 63, Dillon says, "We're in a good position. We've always had good older journeymen and we have apprentices to fill our footsteps. They are our future," adding, "the caliber of the young men and women applying to the apprenticeship program are amazing. Years ago they were all fresh out of high school. Now we get college grads."
As Dillon reflects on his years as a plumber he says, "I always tell the apprentices, ‘If you do a good job and are honest, you will always have work.'"
Dillon finished the short conversation with the humbleness and selfless attitude which has guided him through a successful career. And to the prestige of TRICON 2009 Construction Person of the Year. "I was proud to even be thought about for the award. This is something I feel lucky to have received. I do what I do because I love it, not for the reward."