Conversation with Alan Anderson

East County resident Alan Anderson has been involved with the Manatee Sarasota Building Industry Association since moving in 1997 to Florida, and he has been involved with the national organization even longer. 

An Army veteran, Anderson served as a board member in the local chapter beginning in 1998 and became the organization’s executive vice president in 2008. 

Anderson retires from his post April 30, just more than a week after his 66th birthday.

We have really two challenges I see for the future of our organization. We have to regrow our membership. We lost so many during the housing downturn. Many, many of our subcontractor base moved on to other locations, where work was more prevalent. They still have those jobs. … The more members we have, the better our voice is heard. A longer-term problem is not enough skilled labor throughout the industry. It’s basically an aging workforce. How are we as an industry going to solve that problem of who’s going to build our buildings two years from now, five years from now?

Attracting the right workers is a little more difficult than it was in the past. It’s the mindset of younger people — they want to work in a more controlled environment. It’s a great skill to have, but there are certain skill sets and training you need to go on a job site and excel to get the job done. I believe the solution to that problem is sitting in our classrooms today. That’s where we have been working hard over the last 13 to 14 years with our Future Builders of America group. I think that’s a perfect organization to help us carry the message to our young people that a career in construction is an honorable career. 

All of us in the industry have to do a better job ensuring we are delivering a positive message to our young folks about a career in construction. We also have to educate the parents, the teachers and the administration to provide these career and technical education programs in our schools so they can go to the job market with skills or continue. 

I believe there are all types of education. I think you’re more successful when the program and the subject matter better fits your interest of study. 

I keep telling our Future Builders of America students, “If you and your parents really think you’re going to swing a hammer your entire career in construction, you aren’t seeing the opportunity. You won’t be doing that forever unless you want to.” There are so many opportunities to grow within the industry.

Back in the old days, when I was in junior high, you had shop class. You learned about tools. You had to work with metals and other materials. That’s not available in middle school to our kids today.

If you’re not willing to give back to your community, to your industry and the things that matter in life, I think you’re missing some of the reason you’re here. 

I’ve had good mentors throughout my career and a lot of things I’ve done I think that’s helped me in how I’ve worked. I try to be a mentor to others, as well...(You’re) not necessarily telling them what to do or how to do it, but when they might be struggling about a career option, help them weigh their options. 

I have been dreaming of playing a lot more golf than I’ve ever played. In my time in New York, I played a lot more than in the last 15 years. That’s my plan (in retirement) — to do those things when I want to. 

I like to build little projects for friends and family. There are a lot of things on Pinterest. My wife and my daughter can find lots of projects they want me to do. I work with my son a lot. He has a nice little workshop.