On September 12, 2025, nearly 350 companies gathered at Houston’s only Forbes Five-Star hotel, The Post Oak, for ABC Greater Houston’s 35th Annual Excellence in Construction Awards Gala. The evening honored the very best in Merit Shop construction and opened with remarks from John Golashesky, 2025 Chairman of the Board of Directors and Vice President with Turner Industries, who emphasized the power of the merit shop philosophy in advancing safety, innovation, and opportunity. Emcees Sarina Landers, Chair-Elect with Corvus Construction, and Joe Cotton, Past Chair with Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing, guided the evening as award-winning projects and teams were recognized, including Project of the Year recipient SpawGlass for the City of Houston Dr. Shannon Walker Neighborhood Library — a modern, sustainable community hub reflecting craftsmanship, innovation, and environmental stewardship.
This year’s Gala also underscored key trends shaping Greater Houston’s construction industry, including a strong focus on safety, inclusion, and innovation at scale, even amid supply chain and labor challenges. The event not only celebrated project excellence but also created a valuable space for contractors, suppliers, and partners to exchange ideas, strengthen relationships, and set new benchmarks for the year ahead. As the evening closed, Michael Richter, CEO and President of ABC and the Construction Maintenance Education Foundation, thanked attendees, sponsors, and award recipients for making the event a success — reaffirming ABC Greater Houston’s mission to build exceptional projects and a stronger construction community across the region.