Wednesday, October 8, 2025
A black-tie gala with industry leaders and a tour of a popular toolmaker’s headquarters were among highlights for students in Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Construction Management Association when they were invited guests at a series of activities hosted by Associated Builders and Contractors in the Washington, D.C., area. ABC is a construction industry trade association.
The experience was among the benefits the Construction Management Association garnered as winners of ABC’s 2025 Student Chapter of the Year Award. It’s the second consecutive year the student organization earned the title.
Construction Management Association members (from left) James C. Fretz, Aaron A. Almony, Jason Wiedl, and Emilio Stipe attend an ABC event in Washington, D.C. (Photo courtesy of Associated Builders and Contractors)
Four students – Aaron A. Almony, of Bel Air, Maryland; James C. Fretz, of Collegeville; Emilio H. Stipe, of Pottstown; and Jason Wiedl, of West Pittston – attended ABC’s conference and its sold-out 75th Anniversary Gala, where guests included former President George W. Bush.
"During the ABC event, I enjoyed networking with ABC members from across the country that work in many different roles within the construction industry,” Almony said. “This opportunity allowed me to build my professional network and has opened the door to even more job opportunities, spanning from local companies to nationwide firms.”
On the final day of their Washington, D.C., experience, DeWalt hosted eight Penn College Construction Management Association members at its headquarters in Towson, Md.
"Touring the DeWalt facilities was an awesome opportunity our group was afforded after being awarded the ABC Student Chapter of the Year. I am very thankful for the folks at ABC, and the DeWalt team for putting the visit together and thoughtfully answering all of our questions during our visit," Fretz said.
The students toured DeWalt’s research and development labs, spent time in its Customer Experience and Innovation Center, participated in hands-on demonstrations, networked with DeWalt leaders, engineers, product managers and trade specialists, and gained valuable insights into the tools, technologies and resources shaping the future of the construction industry.
"I enjoyed getting to experience the technology and innovation that happens at Stanley Black & Decker and DeWalt,” Hernandez said. “From the R&D that goes into creating new tools, to the testing of components and systems that are a part of each tool, I was blown away. I can say that DeWalt has a strong commitment to innovation and getting new technology out on the market in an effort to make a difference in the construction industry.”
To learn more about Penn College’s bachelor’s degree in construction management, visit www.pct.edu/construction.
At DeWalt’s headquarters (from left): Wayne R. Sheppard, assistant professor of construction management and Construction Management Association adviser; Penn College construction management students Brandon M. Vaughn, of Chambersburg, Sheldan G. Price, of Selinsgrove, Aaron A. Almony, of Bel Air, Md., Emilio H. Stipe, of Pottstown, Alex N. Hernandez, of Pittsburgh, Joshua A. Gutenson, of Oakton, Va., James C. Fretz, of Collegeville, and Jason Wiedl, of West Pittston; and ABC’s Haley Moyers, director of workforce programs and initiatives, and Charlie Asmar, director of strategic partnerships, business partnerships and sponsorships. (Photo courtesy of DeWalt)
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