Jim Mirgliotta - Guardian Award 2016
Executive Vice President - Forest City Erectors
The ability to look ahead with clarity seems to have been a part of Jim Mirgliotta’s DNA since at least the beginning of his career. Deciding that further formal education was not for him, Jim went to the Union Hall the day after his high school graduation in 1951, got a work permit, and began his career in construction the next day. Characteristically, he worked double-time that very first day. So began an ironworking career that soon had Jim doing everything from erecting structural steel to bridge repair to ornamental work.
A choice point in that career came when Jim found himself and a partner in extreme peril, pre-OSHA, while working on the Route 8 Akron High-Level Bridge. That night, after he had gone home and shared with his beloved wife Bette that he had almost been killed that day, the two decided to accelerate plans to go into business. Shortly thereafter, Park Iron Erectors was born.
Two years later Jim and Bette bought into Forest City Erectors, eventually becoming principal owners. Jim has been a member of the Construction Employers Association since 1971, and a director since 1989, in addition to serving as President from 1995-1998.
Characteristically, Jim threw himself into CEA work from the beginning of his affiliation, becoming involved in wage negotiations as well as safety and working conditions. Unsurprisingly, given his own experiences, Jim has become a real advocate of OSHA and a champion of CEA’s safety program, calling it “the best there is”.
Jim has also been generous with his time and talent in service to other industry organizations, most notably with The Association of Union Contractors [TAUC], formerly known as the National Erectors Association. He has been both president and vice president of TAUC, which recognized him in 2009 with its "Spirit of Union Construction" Award.
Jim was the long-term president of the Steel and Iron Contractors Association [1989-2003]. In this latter role, he regularly participated with the CEA Bargaining Committee for negotiations with Iron Workers Local 17.
With almost sixty-five years in the industry, Jim still maintains a positive attitude, along with a keen understanding that doing things the right way is doing things the best way.
Transparent before that became a professional buzzword, Jim was in the forefront of understanding that the road to success was smoother when you understood that tradespeople were your partners and acted accordingly. He also understood that he could learn from his competitors as well as work with them to advance the industry.
With almost sixty-five years in the industry, Jim still maintains a positive attitude, along with a keen understanding that doing things the right way is doing things the best way.