History of SUCA

The Suncoast Utility Contractors Association (SUCA) was officially incorporated and chartered by the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) in May of 1975 to represent the underground utility construction industry in the Tampa Bay area. SUCA was incorporated as a non-profit corporation with 52 charter members and has grown to a current membership of 130+. SUCA became a founding state chapter of the Underground Utility Contractors of Florida (UUCF) in March of 1980.

From 1975 - 1989, SUCA was administered by the staff of the Contractors and Builders Association of Pinellas County. Near the end of 1989, SUCA leadership decided the association was strong enough to become autonomous. A group of board members including Andy Mayts, Lou Merucci, Gary Sawyer, Don Burton, Bill Walton, Brock Locklier and Tom Woodward selected office space and hired staff to run SUCA on a day to day basis.

Since that time SUCA has worked on legislative issues and ordinances locally, throughout the state and even nationally through the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA). SUCA members have attended meetings and reviewed specifications. We have met with local agencies, county commissioners, mayors, senators and representatives, other business leaders and groups, all to speak on behalf of our members. We have held hundreds of events and meetings offering you opportunities to network with exactly the right people you need to see. Every member should take advantage of one of the most valuable membership benefits - access to other members and the networking opportunities available throughout the year.

All SUCA activities are coordinated through a professionally maintained office and staff. SUCA members are given access to information on governmental and business issues affecting the utility industry. SUCA is proud of its many local, state and national achievements over the past 32 years. Today, many of SUCA’s members and staff serve on various governmental committees affording members effective political clout at all levels of government.

We thank you for years of support and participation. It is your commitment to your industry that allows SUCA to represent you year after year.

What Has SUCA Done For You Lately?

• SUCA Chairman Bruce Akers oversees 30 committees to monitor issues and oversee events.
• SUCA contracts with a consultant who monitors ordinances and issues in the Tampa Bay Area.
• SUCA has awarded well over $80,000.00 since 1989 toward higher education to children of SUCA members through our Scholarship Program.
• SUCA has representation on the Pinellas County Pre-Qualification Committee.
• SUCA endorsed and worked with Pinellas County to promote the “Penny for Pinellas” local option tax campaign that passed in 1989 and 1997 providing much needed funds for road and drainage projects. SUCA promoted the ten-year extension of the Penny for Pinellas in 2007.
• SUCA supports the efforts of Floridians for Better Transportation.
• SUCA meets with cities and counties on issues such as OCIPs, Small Business Enterprise Programs and Competitive Bid.
• SUCA has members attending contractor roundtable meetings in Manatee County.
• SUCA hosted the first in the state Construction Career Days with FTBA, FDOT and local schools to educate high school students on the benefits of careers in the industry. SUCA has received NUCA grants to continue this program and Career Days won a national award for our educational efforts.
• SUCA has received several national awards including Chapter of the Year, Membership Award, Special Events Award, the William H. Clausen Award for Community Service and the Educational Programming Award.
• SUCA has had six members serve as UUCF President and two serve as NUCA President. SUCA has three members on the NUCA board of directors and three on the UUCF Board of directors.
• SUCA has members visit Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.
• SUCA has a strong Community Affairs Program, providing local charitable organizations with funding from our monthly charity raffles.
• SUCA provides Trench Safety and Competent Person Training classes quarterly.
• SUCA joined NUCA’s Safety Ambassadors Club to further their efforts at providing quality training and materials to members.
• SUCA trades memberships with the Pinellas and Hillsborough safety councils affording all our members the Council’s services at member rates.
• SUCA has representation on the Tampa Bay Coalition which monitors issues, ordinances and legislation in a multi-county area.
• SUCA PAC contributes thousands of dollars in campaign funding to local candidates and has input into funds from UUCF PAC in our area.
• SUCA holds many successful events and meetings including Spring and Fall Golf Tournaments (which fund SUCA’s scholarship program), Barbecue, Bowling Tournament, Raffles, Fish Fry, a Clay Shoot, monthly membership meetings, monthly board meetings and committee meetings. SUCA’s monthly meetings are usually held on the first Thursday of each month. If there is a holiday or a conflict with other major events, the board may elect to change the meeting date. (Check out our Calendar of Events page for more information on SUCA events.)
• SUCA distributes a quarterly newsletter to our membership with industry, association, legislative and member news.