NAWIC Guam Chapter #381 Joins Annual Women in Construction Week Celebrations

On the eve of the Proclamation signing of 2017 Women in Construction Week in Guam by the Office of the Governor of Guam, GET, LLC wanted to take this opportunity with all the members of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Guam Chapter #381 to get out the word on this annual celebration of the success of women in the construction industry.

“The National Association of Women in Construction is committed to enhancing the success of all women in construction - not just those who are NAWIC members,” said Immediate Past-President of NAWIC Sandy Field. “We accomplish this through educational opportunities, networking, and community/industry service projects.  If you are a woman employed in any area of the construction industry, we welcome you to join us!" 

It is important to note that the focus of WIC Week is to highlight women as a visible component of the construction industry. It is also a time for local chapters, including the Guam Chapter, to give back to their respective communities. WIC Week provides an occasion for NAWIC’s thousands of members across the country to raise awareness of the opportunities available for women in the construction industry and to emphasize the growing role of women in the industry.

“'Women in Construction Week' is simply a time set aside to thank those women for all their efforts toward successful construction projects.  WIC Week will also bring attention to the industry and encourage others to realize that construction is a viable, profitable career field,” said NAWIC Guam President Shierly Caceres. 

Among the NAWIC Guam Chapter Activities this week: a Foundations for Safety Leadership Education Program hosted at the Guam Contractors Association and the annual NAWIC Builds Event at the GCA Trades Academy in Barrigada. 

WIC Week comes as we enter the 35th annual National Women's History Month.  The 2017 theme for National Women’s History Month honors women who have successfully challenged the role of women in both business and the paid labor force.  We can all agree that women have always worked, but often their work has been undervalued and unpaid. GET, LLC thanks all women for their role in building Guam and America and their role in maintaining our great society.

GET, LLC is proud to be a member of NAWIC and the Guam Chapter-one of 150 chapters with a network of 4,500 members nationwide.  We hold NAWIC's core values close to our business- Believe.  Persevere.  Dare. 

Check out the NAWIC Guam Chapter page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nawicguam381 for more details about this year's WIC Week Guam activities. Also check out our website at www.get-guam.com or drop us a line to help us do our part to grow this important industry. 

GPA ROLLS OUT NEW MY ENERGY STATEMENT

This past week, the Guam Power Authority (GPA) rolled out its new My Energy Statement as an effort to improve the sharing of vital energy information with its customers.  For our small business, this new product is not just another social media campaign we helped roll out with GPA on Monday via the agency's Facebook page. As a home based business, the new GPA statement has features that really jump out at us. It is a product that all 50,000 GPA customers should take notice of. 

At first glance of the GPA My Energy Statement, the Read Date shown on the statement is key to knowing when GPA was in your neighborhood and monitored your meter for proper billing.  I think this issue puts to bed many concerns that questioned whether GPA actually did their job at our respective homes and home-based businesses each and every month.  Also, the outlining of the monthly customer charge is prominently displayed-even if you opted out of this by turning away the use of the Smart Meter. Effectively highlighted are the assortment of Energy Charges-well it better be prominent as Guam Public Law 21-142 mandates the GPA complete this important task for all  its rate-payers.  Not too far below this particular nugget of information is the infamous Fuel Recovery Charge. The Charge reference is the most well publicized of costs on this Statement and is followed closely by many on fixed incomes from Yigo to Merizo. While this blogger is not so crazy about the Emergency Water-Well and Wastewater Charge being shown on this product-the GWA Bill would be a better place for this-I am happy about the Average Daily Amount of Power Used Section. This bit of data is helpful for decision making for our homes and home-offices. This is the type of information that can drive the local sales of energy efficiency products like smart controls, Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lighting, solar thermal and even solar photovoltaic systems.

The GPA My Energy Statement is a great tool for all GPA customers. If you have yet to see it, we encourage you (yes-as a social media advisor to GPA) to visit myenergyguam.com to take that first step towards managing your household power use.

For more information on how GET, LLC can assist you with your social media and energy efficient product needs, please call us at 671-483-0789 or check out our website at www.get-guam.com. 

IRIDIUM TO GROW SERVICE WITH THE LAUNCH OF NEW SATELLITES

Last month, SpaceX launched 10 communications satellites into low-Earth orbit for the Virginia-based company Iridium. In the lead up of a week filled  with heavy rain and strong winds, just a few clouds dotted the skies in Southern California when the rocket climbed skyward. The first batch in a $3 billion 72-satellite network that will replace the company’s current fleet of aging low-Earth-orbit mobile voice and data relay stations.

The stakes are high for both companies.

For SpaceX, which has now lost two of 29 Falcon 9 rockets -- one in flight and one on the ground -- a successful mission will help restore confidence in the low-cost boosters and clear the way for a resumption of commercial and government launches that have been on hold since a September mishap.

For Iridium, the launch was the first step in a complex satellite-by-satellite swap out, part of a long-range effort to retire satellites that have operated long past their design life, replace them with upgraded, more capable spacecraft and expand the company’s capabilities in an increasingly competitive commercial space operations environment.

“Frankly, it means our future, because we have to replace this network anyway,” Iridium CEO Matthew Desch said in an interview with CBS News.

Going into the long replacement operation, Desch said the first order of business is “to do no harm to our 800-and-some-thousand current subscribers. So the new satellites do everything the old satellites did, but they do a whole lot more. It really gets us seriously into sort of broadband connections.”

Range Global Service General Manager Terry Daniels tells this blogger that the Iridium launch will help initially with overall coverage and service which could mean less dropped calls and improved signal quality.

"In the big picture, the new constellation - which will take about two years to get launched and fully operational - will offer higher speed data solutions," wrote Daniels in an email. " Of course, higher data speeds come at a higher price.  All pricing is still yet to be determined, and higher speed service won't be available until late this year."

Daniels is excited about the short term prospects in which there will be due to couple of satellites that are not working at 100%.

Down the road, the software upgrades implemented after launch, the first-generation satellites can relay voice and data at ISDN-class speeds, but the Iridium NEXT spacecraft will work at up to 1.4 megabits per second or "a whole lot more performance".

To find out more about how GET, LLC, through our Iridium satellite phone partner at Range Global Services, LLC-can help your satellite phone needs, give us a call at 671-483-0789 or our website at www.get-guam.com for more information.

NAWIC Guam Hosts 2017 Block Kids Event

It was not a typical Saturday on Guam. While many were just stirring their way to start yet another weekend in Paradise, a handful of our Island's young people made their way to the Guam Community College (GCC) to participate the in the third annual Block Kids Lego Competition hosted by the National Association of Women In Construction (NAWIC) Guam Chapter #381.

It was event that showcased originality.

It stirred creativity.

The event brought out imagination.

This Blogger was taken aback by the interest showed by the many kids and teachers in attendance. These school children, representing the villages of Yigo south to Merizo and all areas in-between, were eager to show off their skills with a Lego and their imaginative thinking using the iconic plastic construction toy. 

I talked to a number of parents at the event and all were very proud of the prep work each of their respective youngsters put into the NAWIC event.  No question that there were many in the 2017 edition that had participated in the two previous events. Additionally, many of the volunteers were excited to be a part of this signature event too.  I was impressed by the organization and energy-it was not hard to smile at the enthusiasm. 

NAWIC Guam works hard during the year to share the Block Kids Program with many island schools that culminates in the annual event at GCC. The work of the NAWIC Guam sisters paid off. Prizes were awarded for the top designs across the different grade levels-including a Lego version of the United States Capitol Building.  

Attitude and insight were rewarded today. I understand that the judges were impressed with the range of final products which they said gets better each and every year.  

At a time when we are wondering if our kids are losing their interest in such activities with the amount of mass media and technology getting the best of many their age, this event reminds us that the creation of the structures today are creations of Guam's future engineer or construction professional. 

One final note, a good portion of the participants in the Block Kids event were girls-including the youngest of my four daughters. 

GET, LLC is proud to be a member of NAWIC and the Guam Chapter-one of 150 chapters with a network of 4,500 members nationwide.  We hold NAWIC's core values close to our business- Believe.  Persevere.  Dare. Check out our website at www.get-guam.com or drop us a line to help us do our part to grow this important industry.

The Internet of Things-Keeping Your Data Safe

Recently our friends at American Family Life Insurance Company of Columbus (AFLAC) rolled out a new service to support the fraud and identity protection needs of its voluntary insurance customers. 

Over the last year, AFLAC had been working with its customers with a cost-effective service to help protect business owners and their respective employees personal and financial information complete with internet monitoring and identity restoration services to keep at bay a growing threat in the US consumer marketplace.  

In 2014, Americans lost $16 billion due to fraud and identity theft victims spent hours trying to recover from this emerging white collar crime. 

This is an important issue to this Blogger and it should be front and center to your current business processes if it isn't already.  

As the Internet of Things or IoT continues to evolve, the focus of much of this emerging technological crime, we thought we could share some advice to protect you and your devices from compromise.  Keep in mind, this has been a growing issue since 1985 and many would have never thought that such crime would be proliferated while the technologies or "smart devices" have brought the world closer to our fingertips.  

First, consider setting up a separate network for your IoT devices in your home or office. By keeping IoT devices and other information separate, those unscrupulous hackers will have a harder time gaining access to your personal information.  Second, never connect your IoT devices to unsecured networks. Sure it is convenient when you are on the road or when you need to quickly respond for fear of losing that business lead. Be sure to create strong passwords for your Wi-Fi networks-the easiest way for hackers to gain entry into your home or business device that will further compromise your respective Wi-Fi network.  Finally, look into any available security measures offered for your smart devices. It helps that once you get it, to constantly update your IoT software since these devices are especially susceptible to cyber attacks. 

Do not be discouraged by such news or the threats of the hacks of IoT devices worldwide.  

Just take the necessary precautions to avoid having your information compromised and keep yourself aware of other threats to your identity. 

Our hats off to AFLAC and Independent Insurance Agents like ours, Jenny D. Sarmiento, for their advocacy on this important issue.  For more information on the AFLAC suite of fraud protection services via EZ Shield, please contact Jenny at 671-488-3669 or jenny_duenas@us.aflac.com.  For all of your network security needs in the Western Pacific, please contact GET, LLC for information on our solutions that can be of assistance to you and your respective businesses including access to the Panduit and Cisco line of network security products-of which we are proud Business Partners of both.  Give us a call at 671-483-0789 or find out more at our website at www.get-guam.com.

  

GET, LLC AWARDED ISLAND ROAD MAINTENANCE CONTRACT

GET, LLC AWARDED ISLAND ROAD MAINTENANCE CONTRACT

Talofofo, Guam-based Small Business Executing GVB Services Along Guam's Roadways

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 12, 2017

GET,LLC has been awarded an Independent and Professional Services Contract for the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) Island Road Maintenance Program.  The award is for the duration of the Government of Guam's Fiscal Year 2017 with two available option years. A Notice to Award was issued to the Talofofo-based business by GVB on November 22, 2016 and the Notice to Proceed followed on November 28, 2016. The scope of work includes grass cutting/mowing, trash collection, edging of medians and planting strips, scraping of curbs and sidewalks and post-disaster cleanup.

"We understand the Guam Visitors Bureau has made it a priority to promote Guam as a favorable visitor destination by maintaining the basic tourism plant and infrastructure," said GET, LLC Managing Partner Tricia J.S. Gumataotao. "Our experience in managing policies, processes and procedures, our expertise and familiarity required to manage and support GVB Projects, setting up and managing staff requirements and implementing procurement and buying processes make GET, LLC uniquely positioned to assist you in achieving your overall goal of industry leadership and enhancing the visitor experience."

GET, LLC has worked in cooperation with GVB and the Guam Department of Public Works to ensure this important GVB contract is executed from Yigo to Merizo and has cut nearly 100 miles of roadway along Route 1, Route 2, Route 4 and Route 34 (Two Lovers Point) since their work began on the program on December 2, 2016.

"Our team is excited to be a partner with GVB on this important program," said Gumataotao. "By helping keep our island beautiful, our work we hope gives that lasting impression to our tourists to come back to Guam and our residents proud of the responsible use of such valuable resources to support an industry that is the lifeblood of our economy ".

GET, LLC is a HUBZone Certified Women-Owned and Minority-Owned Small Business serving Federal and local government agencies and commercial businesses of Guam and the Western Pacific in the areas of business-to-business services, construction materials, supplies, and equipment.

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Teaming Partner/Project Manager Dominick San Gil, left, and GET, LLC Managing Partner Tricia J.S. Gumataotao, right, pose with one of a number of recently manufactured traffic signs in support of the Guam Visitors Bureau Island Road Maintenance Program on Friday, January 13, 2017 in Harmon, Guam. (GET, LLC)

Terex Completes the Sale of Its Material Handling and Port Solutions Business

Some news from our friends at Terex.  The Terex Corporation has announced that it has completed the sale of its Material Handling and Port Solutions business to Finland-based Konecranes Plc for $595 million, €200 million in cash and 19.6 million newly issued class B shares representing a 25% interest in Konecranes.

“We believe that the Konecranes-MHPS combination represents compelling industrial logic that will deliver significant value to Konecranes customers, team members and shareholders, including Terex” said John L. Garrison, Terex President and CEO. “The sale of our MHPS business is a major milestone on our journey to become a more focused, high performance enterprise. We are committed to delivering improved profitability and return on capital across Terex as we implement our strategy of focus, simplify, and execute to win. Also, we will move forward over the coming weeks with our planned debt reduction, significantly reducing our interest expense and leverage as we enter 2017.”

The final transaction consideration is subject to post-closing adjustments for cash, debt, working capital, MHPS actual 2016 EBITDA and the closing of the sale of the Stahl CraneSystems business.

A great step for Terex-we do believe 2017 will be good for business for the entire Terex family. 

If you have any aerial lift needs and would like to discuss potential solutions, please drop GET, LLC a line via our website at www.get-guam.com or give us a call at 671-797-0789-your authorized Terex/Genie Representative for Guam and Micronesia.