Berry Jenkins, the Carolinas Associated General Contractors (CAGC) North Carolina Highway-Heavy/Government Relations Director for 22 years, will retire on May 6, the association says.
CAGC says his accomplishments included helping secure billions of dollars in infrastructure funding as well as improving and maintaining the interactive relationships with the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) on multiple levels with policies and processes that impact the industry.
His nationally recognized work over the years with the NCDOT has helped secure the state’s reputation as one having one of the best markets and business climates for construction in the country. Berry’s leadership earned him the 2016 CAGC Build with the Best Pinnacle Award, CAGC says.
“After coming to CAGC in July 1997 from NCDOT, Berry has done incredible work to help the industry as well as the state of North Carolina. While we’ll miss Berry and his outstanding NCDOT and legislative work, we’re delighted to announce that Victor Barbour, also formerly of NCDOT, will succeed him. Victor will no doubt hit the ground running and be a great successor,” said CAGC president and CEO Dave Simpson.
Barbour retired from NCDOT in 2014 with 30 years’ experience in the design and construction of transportation projects as the department’s Transportation Program Management Unit Head. He was instrumental in the development of North Carolina’s Design-Build program from its inception in the 1990’s in North Carolina until the time of his retirement which included the development of Design-Build Policy and Procedures, scopes, identification of Design-Build projects, Alternative Technical Concepts, and variations of Design-Build such as Design-Build-Finance and Public Private Partnerships. He then served as office manager/pursuits manager for Vaughn & Melton Consulting Engineers.
“I have had the privilege to work with Berry both while we were with NCDOT and in his role with Carolinas AGC. I consider Berry a great friend and mentor who helped me tremendously me during my career. I have tremendous shoes to fill!” said Barbour.
His relationship with Jenkins will surely bring a smooth transition for members and staff, the CAGC statement says.
“I was very pleased when I found out Victor Barbour had agreed to come with Carolinas AGC as my successor,” Jenkins said in the statement. “Having worked with Victor both as a NC DOT leader and in the private sector, I have seen Victor demonstrate the attributes that I believe our members desire. He knows the value of personal relationships in our industry, is a good listener and problem solver, and will interact well with public officials, industry partners and members.”