Dan Forget, a member of the ABC National Young Professionals Program, is a senior project manager for Sieve Contractors, an ABC member company specializing in pre-engineered building erection, standing seam roofs, plant maintenance, crane services, and general contracting in Washington, Mo. Forget has been with Sieve for seven years and currently works on project development with owners, estimating, and managing the field crews. Forget is involved with the ABC Heart of America Chapter and is the National Grassroots committee’s 2015 national chairman. He graduated from Missouri State in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in Construction Management and is on the board of Gateway Trout Unlimited. 
 
Q1: Why did you decide to join the National YP group?
A1: I joined after I attended ABC’s Legislative Conference for the first time and realizing I had the opportunity to network with my peers from around the country that are experiencing the same problems and successes at work.

Q2: What has been the best part of participating? 
A2: Discounts to national events and networking. I’ve had the chance to meet some great people. I’m especially looking forward to the Legislative Week Lobbying 101 event coming up.

Q3: What value and potential value do you see in the group? 
A3: The participants in YP are ABC’s next leaders and chairs. ABC needs the next generation to bring in new ideas. By getting the YP’s involved, ABC is creating value and ensuring membership in the future. I personally would like to see at least one YP on every national committee.  

Q4: Why is it important to you to be involved in an association early on in your career? 
A4: Life is busy and hectic, but it’s important to set aside time to promote your beliefs. Also the friends you make and the opportunities it presents will benefit you in the future. 

Q5: Why should other young professionals join the program and focus on professional/leadership development?
A5: Working in your office or job trailer all day will pay the bills, but this group allows you to get outside of your bubble. ABC and YP have some great programs to hone our leadership skills. We train and send our field employees to classes, so why not better your own skillset? 

Q6: What is your favorite aspect of the construction industry?
A6: At the end of a project I can stand back and say “we built that.” The problems and stresses of everyday on the job are forgotten or at least put in perspective.  

Q7: What is one piece of advice you would offer other young professionals in the construction industry?
A7: Listen to others. You may think your problems on the job are unique but others have had the same problems and there is a solution.