Jack Austhof, Sobie Company Inc., Dutton, Mich., to Serve as 2013-14 President of the American Subcontractors Association

LAS VEGAS, NEV. –  The American Subcontractors Association announced the results of its 2013 national election on March 22, 2013, and Jack Austhof, Sobie Company Inc., Dutton, Mich., will take office on July 1, 2013, as 2013-14 president of ASA.

“In every way that ASA works on behalf of subcontractors, ASA seeks to reach a higher standard,” Austhof said. “As your president, I will work to ensure that ASA continues not just to meet your expectations — but also to exceed them.”

Austhof is president and owner of Sobie Company, an interior finishing company. He joined the firm as a carpenter in 1979 and purchased the firm in 1994. The company works on projects ranging from large residential to multi-million dollar commercial projects. Prior to joining the construction industry, Austhof served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1970.

Austhof has long been active in the construction industry in west Michigan. As an officer and director of the Builders Exchange of Grand Rapids and Western Michigan, he focused on membership development, building that association to the third-largest Builders Exchange in the nation. Recognizing the need for subcontractor education and advocacy, Austhof helped establish ASA of West Michigan. He served as president of ASA of Michigan from 2008 to 2010.

As ASA president, Austhof will preside at meetings of ASA’s board of directors, Executive Committee, and the membership of the association. He also will serve as the principal spokesperson for the association and appoint the chairs, vice chairs and members of ASA committees and task forces.

Austhof succeeds 2012-13 ASA President Walter Bazan Jr., Bazan Painting Company, St. Louis, Mo.

Mike Jones, M.L. Jones Acoustics Inc., Tulsa, Okla., will serve as 2013-14 ASA vice president; M. Brian Johnson, Soil Consultants Inc., Charleston, S.C., will serve as 2013-14 ASA treasurer; and Letitia Haley Barker, Haley Greer Inc., Dallas, Texas, will serve as 2013-14 ASA secretary.

ASA members elected five national directors for three-year terms beginning on July 1, 2013: Anthony Brooks, Platinum Drywall, Maumelle, Ark.; Jason File, Les File Drywall Inc., Albuquerque, N.M.; Vince Migliazzo, Mark One Electric Co., Kansas City, Mo.; Russell O’Rourke, O’Rourke & Associates L.P.A., Cleveland, Ohio; and Jeff VanderLaan, Kent Companies Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich.

Founded in 1966, ASA amplifies the voice of, and leads, trade contractors to improve the business environment for the construction industry and to serve as a steward for the community. ASA’s vision is to be the united voice dedicated to improving the business environment in the construction industry. The ideals and beliefs of ASA are ethical and equitable business practices, quality construction, a safe and healthy work environment, and integrity and membership diversity.