A Letter From our CEO on the the Meta-ABC Partnership Announcement
June 23, 2026
Graduation 2026 Set to Inspire Next Generation of Craft Professionals
June 25, 2026ABC Florida East Coast leaders, board members, staff, and student representatives joined more than 400 ABC members and chapter staff in Washington, D.C., on June 9-10 for ABC’s 2026 Legislative Conference. The delegation completed 14 meetings with federal policymakers and agency representatives to advocate for apprenticeship and workforce education, permitting reform, and immigration solutions.
The FEC delegation highlighted key workforce development initiatives, including the chapter’s Memorandum of Understanding with Space Florida, its partnership with Palm Beach County’s Department of Juvenile Justice, and the acquisition of the ABC Institute Hialeah campus. The team also raised concerns about the proposed Faster Labor Contracts Act and other regulations that could impact the construction industry.
Meetings included representatives from the U.S. Department of Labor, the Senate HELP Committee, the House Committee on Education and Workforce, U.S. Representative Mike Haridopolos, U.S. Representative Randy Fine, U.S. Representative Brian Mast, U.S. Representative Aaron Bean, U.S. Representative Burgess Owens, and U.S. Representative Byron Donalds. FIU ABC Student Chapter leaders also participated, helping bring the voice of the next generation of construction professionals to Capitol Hill.
We extend our sincere thanks to FEC President & CEO Peter Dyga, COO Sonny Maken, Government Relations team members T.J. Long and Jon Carter, Past Chapter President and Board and Legislative Committee member Annie Mecias-Murphy, Board and Legislative Committee member John Parker, Past ABCI Chair and Board Member Israel Silva, Young Professional Francisco Cruz, and FIU ABC Student Chapter President Daniel Gil-Sanchez and External Vice President Andre Chavarria for making the trip and advocating on behalf of the construction industry. Your time, effort, and dedication to representing our industry are greatly appreciated.
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- FIU ABC Student Chapter President, Daniel Gil-Sanchez, and External Chapter Vice President, Andre Chavarria, joined FEC for the meetings on the Hill. The future of the construction industry is bright with these rising stars who are studying Construction Management.
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- President & CEO, Peter Dyga, and Assistant Government Affairs Director, Jon Carter, sat with staff with the House Education and Workforce Committee.
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- Israel Silva, T.J. Long, Jon Carter, and John Parker had the opportunity to discuss apprenticeship education with U.S. Representative Aaron Bean (FL-R). The Representative is a dear friend as he served eight years in the state House and eight years in the state Senate.
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- FEC Board Member and Past ABC Institute Chair, Israel Silva, with U.S. Representative Brian Mast (FL-R).
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- The FEC team with U.S. Representative Randy Fine (FL-R)
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- U.S. Representative Mike Haridopolos (FL-R)
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- During LegCon, the five ABC of Florida chapters had the honor of hosting U.S. Representative Byron Donalds (FL-R) at a group dinner. ABC of Florida has endorsed Representative Donalds for his 2026 gubernatorial race. FEC leadership with U.S. Representative Byron Donalds.
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- FEC COO Sonny Maken with Israel Silva, Board Member and Past ABCI Chair
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- FEC met with Sean Smith, Legislative Assistant to U.S. Representative Maria Salazar, and welcomed Josh Leonard, Senator Manager of Government Affairs for ABC National, to join in the meeting. The focus of this important meeting was the Faster Labor Contracts Act (FLCA), which would replace the union contract negotiation process with binding interest arbitration (please see the attached article for the full story in this newsletter).
