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ABC Carolinas Celebrates Construction Excellence and Industry Leadership at 2026 Awards Gala

by GroundBreak Carolinas on

57 Eagle and Merit Awards, six Honorable Mentions and six Chapter Award honorees recognize outstanding projects, companies and leaders across the construction industry.

ABC Carolinas celebrated the outstanding work, leadership and contributions of its members during its 2026 Excellence in Construction (EIC) Gala, recognizing exceptional construction projects and the individuals helping shape the future of the industry.

Award-Winning Projects: Eagle, Merit and Honorable Mentions

This year’s awards included 25 Eagle Awards and 32 Merit Awards across 13 project categories, representing 57 projects from 29 companies. Projects spanned North Carolina (38), South Carolina (17), Illinois (one) and Tennessee (one). Six additional projects across the Carolinas received Honorable Mentions. 2026 ABC Carolinas Excellence in Construction Winners

Project of the Year Winners

Among this year’s top honors, two companies were named Project of the Year winners.

CarolinaPower received the Specialty Contractor Project of the Year award for the Clemson University Tillman Hall Auditorium Renovation in Clemson, S.C. The project also earned an Eagle Award in the Electrical – Under $1 Million category. The renovation brought together historic preservation, innovative construction methods and modern technologies to transform the 130-year-old building while preserving its connection to the past. The team navigated both anticipated restoration challenges and unforeseen obstacles through creative problem-solving and thoughtful construction solutions.

CarolinaPower’s superintendent and senior project manager
Clemson University’s Tillman Hall Auditorium

Thomas Construction Group received the General Contractor Project of the Year award for the MedNorth Health Center in Wilmington, N.C. The project also earned an Eagle Award in the Healthcare – $10 Million to $25 Million category. Faced with a constrained urban site, active healthcare operations and complex existing infrastructure, the team used design-build collaboration and innovative construction planning to overcome challenges, including relocating stormwater storage underground and coordinating tilt-up concrete construction around limited staging space and unforeseen utilities. Throughout construction, MedNorth continued serving patients without a construction-related shutdown.

Thomas Construction’s project team
MedNorth Health Center, Wilmington, NC

In addition to recognizing outstanding projects, ABC Carolinas presented six Chapter Awards honoring individuals whose leadership, service and commitment continue to strengthen the association and the construction industry.

The 2026 Chapter Award recipients include:

  • Young Professional Champion – Chris Cookingham, SPC Mechanical: Since joining SPC Mechanical in 2021, Cookingham has advanced through several leadership roles while helping strengthen ABC Carolinas’ FLEX programs through his service on the FLEX Steering Committee and commitment to developing the next generation of industry leaders.
  • Workforce Development Champion – Jon Spargo, Watson Electrical Construction: A graduate of ABC Carolinas’ apprenticeship program, Spargo has spent more than two decades advancing in the electrical industry. As Chair of ABC Carolinas’ Workforce & Talent Committee, he helps connect industry professionals with opportunities to teach, mentor and inspire future craft professionals.
  • Safety Champion – Brooke Hathaway, Paragon Safety: With more than 25 years of experience in construction safety, Hathaway leads safety programs, mentors safety professionals and supports continuous improvement across the industry. She also serves on ABC Carolinas’ Safety Champion Steering Group, facilitates the Safety Peer Group and contributes to planning the 2027 Safety & Health Summit.
  • Volunteer of the Year – Kelly Wyatt, M. B. Kahn Construction: A dedicated ABC Carolinas volunteer for nearly seven years, Wyatt has consistently demonstrated leadership and a willingness to step forward and serve. Her involvement extends to NAWIC and her local community, and she will serve as Chair of the Midlands Regional Leadership Council in 2027.
  • Merit Shop Champion – Ron Hinson, Hinson Electric, Inc.: Hinson has demonstrated a strong commitment to the merit shop philosophy through his support of ABC Carolinas’ government affairs and workforce development initiatives. As Chair of the ABC Carolinas Foundation in 2026, he has helped advance efforts to expand construction career pathways while also supporting the industry’s talent pipeline through the employment of ABC apprenticeship participants.
  • Regional Leadership Council Chair of the Year – Jonathan Thrasher, S&ME: As Chair of ABC Carolinas’ Upstate Regional Leadership Council, Thrasher has brought energy and leadership to council programs, member engagement and industry advocacy. A Professional Engineer and Senior Project Manager and Senior Client Developer, he is recognized for his commitment to workforce development, government affairs and growing involvement throughout the association.

Together, the project and chapter awards reflect the many ways ABC Carolinas members are making an impact, from delivering exceptional construction projects to developing skilled professionals, advancing safety and advocating for the merit shop philosophy.

“Behind every outstanding project and every strong industry initiative are people who take pride in their work and are willing to invest in something bigger than themselves” said Christi Powell, President and CEO of ABC Carolinas. “We are proud to recognize this year’s companies, project teams and individual honorees for the difference they are making across our industry.”

ABC Carolinas’ Excellence in Construction program celebrates the achievements of its contractor members and the skilled professionals, trade partners and leaders whose dedication continues to raise the bar for construction throughout the Carolinas and beyond.

Congratulations to all 2026 Eagle Award, Merit Award, Honorable Mention and Chapter Award recipients!

About ABC Carolinas

ABC Carolinas is a construction trade association representing nearly 500 members across North and South Carolina. As part of Associated Builders and Contractors, the association champions the merit shop philosophy and supports its members through workforce development, safety, advocacy, education and business resources.