The Utility & Transportation Contractors Association of New Jersey (UTCA) held its 53nd annual convention and trade show Sept. 27 through 30 at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J.

On Sept. 28, equipment dealers and construction services companies met with Garden State contractors (and contractors from neighboring states) during the trade show portion of the convention.

The Annual Awards Luncheon began at noon, where the Larry Gardner Memorial Award was presented to Construction Risk Partners of Branchburg, N.J. This award is given annually to a UTCA member that has demonstrated outstanding service to the association.

Judge Andrew Napolitano, a well-known Fox News contributor, delivered the Keynote speech during the UTCA luncheon.

The annual reception/gala was held Sept. 29 where the late Robert Binder was inducted into the NJ Construction Industry Hall of Fame and Joseph Walsh was installed as the association's new president. Also, Scott Lattimer was presented with the Robert A. Briant Sr. Memorial Award.

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The Foley Cat family, including Ryan Foley, president (second from R), Jamie Foley CEO (third from R) and Susan Connolly, COO (C), poses beneath their banner.  

(L-R): Bill McCrudden, Ronald Powell and Mo Loveland man the Toys for Tots table just outside the exhibit area.  

(L-R): At the Modern Group Ltd. booth, Ron D’Ortone, construction sales representative, Brianna Hughes, customer development specialist, and Robert Schumody, municipal sales specialist, pose in front of a Hyundai R35Z-9A compact excavator.  

JESCO representatives chat with customers beneath their banner as an equipment video plays in the background.  

Alonzo Bess, ITIC coordinator and outreach specialist of One Call Concepts, is here to remind attendees to “call before you dig.”  

(L-R): Chris Najpauer, outside sales representative; Travis Chamberland, branch manager; and Sal Carafo, shoring specialist, represent United Rentals.  

(L-R): Frank Kimberling, inside sales, Mark Dombrowski, sales specialist, and Ed Zoranski, sales representative, all of Norris Sales Company Inc.  

UTCA President Bob Briant Jr. presents the Larry Gardner Memorial Award to Jay Sciortino of Construction Risk Partners.  

Judge Andrew Napolitano delivers the keynote speech during lunch.  

Sean Kunkel, Bobcat specialist, Bobcat of North Jersey, stops for a picture during a rare quiet moment at the UTCA Convention.  

(L-R): Dave Eister, director of training; Scott Maxwell, account manager; Jared Nutter, account manager, and Kyle Floyd, technology solutions expert, all of Komatsu Northeast.  

(L-R): Harry Rice, sales representative; Kim Bruno, marketing communications specialist, and Steve Izzi, New Jersey crane manager, all of Hoffman Equipment, pose for a photo.  

(L-R): Harter Equipment is well represented by Victor Riga, vice president of sales; Dan Wagner, equipment sales representative; Dick Clark, equipment sales representative; and Matthew Sams, equipment sales representative.  

It’s a busy day at the BrenCo booth as representatives talk with customers about equipment offerings.  

At the Ritchie Bros. booth, Fred Vilsmeier, auctioneer (second from L), Adam Byrne, territory manager (second from R) and Gary King, territory sales manager (far R) pose with JESCO colleagues Steve Mazzarella (far L), C&F sales representative, and Rick England, territory manager.  

A caricature artist adds to the fun at the UTCA convention.  

Gary Aulffo, director of water treatment at Zack Painting Company Inc., tries his hardest to grab as much cash as he can in the fun machine. He stepped out of the booth with $96.  

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