Joel Thames, an experienced industrial construction and business leader, will be the new vice president of health, safety, environment, and workforce development for Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). As a key member of ABC’s executive leadership team, Thames will lead health and safety, environment, and workforce development initiatives.
Thames brings to ABC 20 years of construction experience and a strong passion for workforce development. He has been an involved member of the association both nationally and locally, holding numerous leadership positions, including past chair of the Trimmer Construction Education Fund Board of Trustees, past board chair of the New Orleans Bayou chapter, and past chair of the chapter’s education and training committees.
Prior to joining ABC, he was the corporate director of human resources, workforce development, risk management and security for ABC member Performance Contractors Inc., headquartered in Baton Rouge, La. At Performance, Thames designed and led programs for thousands of construction professionals that enhanced employee skills, promoted career advancement, and built sustainable pipelines of talent for the construction industry.
“For decades, Joel has been deeply involved in expanding industry education, workforce readiness, and the total human health of our workforce as a key ABC contractor member leader,” said ABC President and CEO Michael Bellaman. “His proven, visionary leadership will advance ABC’s purpose of developing a safe, skilled, and sustainable workforce while fostering industry excellence and innovation across all ABC’s programs and initiatives.
“Joel is a valued addition to the leadership team, and we welcome his experience-based contributions, which will further help members offer a robust employee value proposition, develop people and win work.”
In this key leadership role at ABC, Thames will:
- Help the association deliver on its long-term strategic priorities in health, safety, environment, and workforce development.
- Provide subject-matter expertise and operational leadership in these critical areas to support program delivery, member services, and industry advancement.
- Lead design, development, and implementation of innovative education, training, and professional development programs in collaboration with internal teams and industry stakeholders and oversee the planning, production, and dissemination of educational and programmatic materials.
- Be a technical resource and industry expert to ABC’s 67 chapters and 24,000 members, providing guidance, tools, and best practices in health, safety, and workforce development.
“After nearly 20 years working as a contractor in the industry, I am grateful to take what I’ve learned and contribute on a national scale to an association that has played an important role throughout my career,” Thames said. “I look forward to working alongside many of the people who have helped shape me professionally over the years. My goals are to strengthen workforce development programs and continue advancing safety and human health initiatives to ensure our members have a strong, skilled, and dependable workforce for the future.”
Thames is an active community leader. He serves on the Louisiana Industry Based Certification Council, ensuring that high school students gain the skills needed to succeed in high-demand fields, and is also a board member of The Boot, a military service organization that helps transitioning service members obtain employment in Louisiana. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southeastern Louisiana University and a master’s in leadership and human resource development from Louisiana State University.
About Associated Builders and Contractors
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national construction industry trade association established in 1950 with 67 chapters and 24,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC helps members offer a robust employee value proposition, develop people, win work, and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work.
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