Business Briefs: Exploring construction careers; PFM gets safety award

Pizza, Pop and Power Tools event introduces Guam’s girls to trades careers

Fifty middle and high school girls from public and private schools across Guam got their hands on welding torches, plumbing pipe, carpentry tools, electrical equipment and heavy machinery during the annual Pizza, Pop and Power Tools event held March 28 at the GCA Trades Academy Training Facility in Tiyan.

The event, sponsored by the Guam Contractors Association and GCA Trades Academy, is designed to encourage young women to explore career and technical opportunities in the construction industry—a field that continues to offer strong employment prospects and competitive wages.

Participants engaged in hands-on activities in five trade areas: welding, plumbing, carpentry, electrical work, and heavy equipment operation. The immersive format gives students a realistic look at what a career in the trades looks like—and what it takes to build one.

“The GCA started this event with our partners at the GCA Trades Academy and NAWIC Guam to encourage more young girls to take a second look at a career in the construction industry,” said Desiree Lizama, GCA president. “We continue to sponsor this program because the construction industry needs talented, skilled workers—and young women deserve to see themselves in these roles.”

 PFM honored as National Health and Safety leader in construction

Pacific Federal Management has earned a National Health and Safety Excellence Award from Associated Builders and Contractors, which was presented at the 36th annual Excellence in Construction® Awards during ABC Convention 2026 in Salt Lake City on March 19.

Presented to just 59 contractors nationwide, Pacific Federal Management is honored to represent Guam on a national level.

“Receiving the ABC National Excellence Award is a tremendous honor and a reflection of what we value most as a company, which is safety,” said Joseph Cruz, PFM safety director.

“At every level of our organization, safety is not just a priority; it is a core part of our culture and how we operate each day. Through continued investment in our people, training and innovation since 2023, along with the strong support of our president, we’ve strengthened our culture and remain committed to ensuring every employee goes home safe.”

The 2025 National Health and Safety Excellence Award winners were selected from ABC member firms that achieved Diamond, Platinum or Gold status in ABC’s STEP Health and Safety Management System in 2025, reflective of their 2024 safety performance data. During the selection process, contractors were judged on self-evaluation scores, lost workday case rates, total recordable

incident rates, leading indicator use, process and program innovations and interviews conducted by members of ABC’s National Health and Safety Committee.

“The safety record of Pacific Federal Management speaks for itself, setting the standard for a culture of care for its people,” said Thomas Murphy, 2026 chair of the ABC National Board of Directors and vice president of Power & Construction Group, Scottsville, New York. “Safety values remain consistent for PFM, which are nearly seven times safer than the industry average."