Russell Brown, LEED AP

In September, I’ll be retiring after serving out Nation after +20 years in the US Military. The one thing I’ve learned from great leaders in OUR NATION is to always focus on the “greater good”, take care of your team, and remember it’s not about you. In our society today, many have forgotten what being a leader means. It is a position of trust. Trust given by constituents, troops, or people at your place of employment. Your position is your job, and your leadership needs to be based upon the fact it’s the acceptance of those below you that you’re going to propose and do the right things, for the right reasons, for the “greater good”, and not for your own selfish reasons nor personal gains. It means working across party lines and internal office politics. It means being an ethical American. Ethical to the standards Our Forefathers used to build this great Nation. Ethical to the standards previous leaders of our Nation and organizations used to keep us moving forward. Remember. Without strong leadership and ethical values, organizations or nations devolve into chaos, become ripe for the picking, and get overthrown. So step up and let your legacy be the example of an ethical leader following and improving established fair and equitable rules.

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Stop Soldier Suicide is a vital organization dedicated to supporting veterans and service members who face mental health challenges. As we honor their sacrifices, let’s also recognize the struggles they endure after their military service. Did you know? - The suicide rate among veterans is 1.5 times higher than that of non-veterans, especially among young veterans aged 18-35. - Transitioning from the structured military environment to civilian life can be daunting, leading to unique challenges. How can you make a difference? - Donate: Your contribution can provide critical mental health and wellness care to veterans and service members. - Spread Awareness: Share this post to raise awareness about the importance of supporting our military community. - Advocate: Encourage others to join the cause and help prevent veteran suicides. Remember, $30 can provide one hour of free, trauma-informed mental health care. Let’s come together to support those who have served our nation. 🙏 Please make a donation at the link below: https://lnkd.in/g8_PBc2i 🌟 #StopSoldierSuicide #VeteransMentalHealth #SupportOurHeroes

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As we all learn more about PLAs and recently passed legislation affecting SMBE firms in the DMV area, it is essential that we all do our own #DUEDILIGENCE. Trust, but verify! Learn more at https://md4fairness.org/ 🇺🇸 (National) Executive Order 14063 (Biden) - Use of Project Labor Agreements for Federal Construction Projects Effective Jan. 22, 2024, the rule and a related White House Office of Management and Budget memo require federal agencies to “use project labor agreements in large-scale construction projects to promote economy and efficiency in the administration and completion of Federal construction projects.” The rule defines a large-scale construction project as a “federal construction project within the United States for which the total estimated cost of the construction contract to the Federal Government is $35 million or more.” Read more: https://lnkd.in/g52CRvcf 🏢 (DC) Bill 25-469 (March 4, 2024) - The District requires government construction projections that will cost $75 million or more to use a project labor agreement (PLA). A project labor agreement binds all contractors and subcontractors to the agreement’s provisions; contains guarantees against strikes, lockouts, and other job disruptions; provides labor dispute resolution parameters; and establishes cooperation on matters of productivity, work quality, and workplace safety and health. The bill reduces the project labor agreement requirement cost threshold from $75 million to $50 million. (PASSED) Read more: https://lnkd.in/gzkntfMh 🦀(MD - State) Executive Order 01.01.2023.19 (Moore) Authorizing Project Labor Agreements for Large-Scale Public Work Contracts and Promoting Apprenticeship Agreements and Community Hiring The order authorizes executive branch units under the control of the governor to consider the requirement for or voluntary use of project labor agreements and community benefits agreements for projects where the state commitment is $20 million or more. The order also authorizes both community hiring provisions for state construction projects over $5 million and executive branch units to require or consider the use of contractors participating in registered apprenticeship programs. (SIGNED) Read more: https://lnkd.in/giC2teDX 🏠 (MD - Prince George's County) CB-091-2023 (Alsobrooks) AN ACT CONCERNING PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT COORDINATING COMMITTEE for the purpose of revising thresholds for project labor agreements, making all County projects valued at over $35 million to have a mandatory project labor agreements approved by the Project Labor Agreement Coordinating Committee for submission to the County Executive for their approval and change the composition of the Coordinating Committee. (SIGNED) Read more: https://lnkd.in/gpa7TRpT

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Sharing an interesting article on an influential federal court opinion regarding the interpretation of the effect of change order release language on subsequent delay & cumulative impact claims. Thanks Jonathan DeMella. #construction #constructiondisputes

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Watch as #MudMixer makes setting a fence post so quick and easy! Video creds: @diygeektexas on YouTube #construction #homeimprovement #diy #concretework #fyp #homebuilding

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#onlinebuildingpermits Navigating the complexities of online building submittals can be quite challenging, especially with each city having its own unique requirements. From separate PDF uploads to specific naming conventions, the process varies significantly. Having worked with online submittals since 2017, I understand the intricacies involved. 1. Have you ever had to revise your submittals post-upload? Are you familiar with the key city contacts for quick processing and routing of your plans? Tracking each department's progress and ensuring timely routing are crucial aspects. 2. Establishing relationships with plan reviewers, building officials, and permit tech staff is essential to address any issues promptly. Monitoring progress and meeting due dates require dedicated time and attention. With expertise in city relationships and permit processes across various jurisdictions, JL Hare can facilitate the smooth advancement of your permits. Remember, it's more efficient to get it right the first time than to redo it. #MULIFAMILYPERMIT #RETAILPERMITS #HOSPITALITYPERMITS **SPECIALS ON TENANT IMPROVEMENTS** Reach out for a fixed fee quote!

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MEMORIAL DAY “Freedom Is Not Free” Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season. Memorial Day, as Decoration Day gradually came to be known, originally honored only those lost while fighting in the Civil War. But during World War I the United States found itself embroiled in another major conflict, and the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars, including World War II, The Vietnam War, The Korean War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. For decades, Memorial Day continued to be observed on May 30, the date Logan had selected for the first Decoration Day. But in 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for federal employees; the change went into effect in 1971. The same law also declared Memorial Day a federal holiday. Cities and towns across the United States host Memorial Day parades each year, often incorporating military personnel and members of veterans’ organizations. Some of the largest parades take place in Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C. Americans also observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries and memorials. Some people wear a red poppy in remembrance of those fallen in war—a tradition that began with a World War I poem. On a less somber note, many people take weekend trips or throw parties and barbecues on the holiday, perhaps because Memorial Day weekend—the long weekend comprising the Saturday and Sunday before Memorial Day and Memorial Day itself—unofficially marks the beginning of summer.

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Anyone who really knows me will tell you that I take care in everything that I do. I endeavor to succeed no matter what. While in the military I put myself in harms way to ensure that my family was safe and that my fellow unit members were protected. In my current role I do my best to make sure I give 100+% in an effort to make sure the project I am on, class that I am teaching or individual I am mentoring is successful. If things go wrong I take it personally. I am harder on myself that anyone else could ever be! Normally I would feel this is a characteristic that is viewed as detrimental, but then I read the following and realized that, by being hard on myself I am succeeding in my own way! So ask yourself! How great do you seem to become? Greatness is in different forms. We perceive greatness according to our own experiences and actions towards life. If you want to be great…. Then you have to create a chance for greatness to come in. Don’t sit with your arms folded and assume it will come to you as you want it to be. Be hard on yourself to achieve greatness. Remember; little minds talk about PEOPLE. Average minds discuss BUSINESS. And great minds discuss IDEAS. The choice is yours to make.

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This kind of power needs checks and balances on it ….

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BUSINESS AND POLITICS

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Just finished the course “Construction Management: Lean Strategies for Improvement” by Jim Rogers! Check it out: https://lnkd.in/g4uYDbE7 #constructionmanagement #productivityimprovement.

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