In the construction industry, excellence does not begin with steel, concrete, schedules or budgets.
It begins with a mindset.
That mentality starts with a commitment that creates a culture of safety that comes first. That means for every person, every project, every day.
That message was evident once again recently as more than 600 construction professionals gathered for the annual awards banquet hosted by the Northwest Indiana Business RoundTable (NWIBRT) and the Construction Advancement Foundation (CAF). The event celebrated craftsmanship, achievement and leadership. Moreover, the event carried a resonating theme that the construction industry is built on a foundation of safety.
For many outside of the industry, safety can appear as simply complying with requirements and or a series of regulations. Those in the room for the awards ceremony know it is much more than that. Just ask the gentleman in attendance who was recognized for stopping on his way to work to save another man’s life. Ingrained in a culture, safety is most important, on the job site and off the job site. Within construction’s highest-performing, most notable organizations, safety has evolved beyond checklists and hard hats.
This has become evident in the statistics shared regarding workplace safety. According to the 2023 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) released in late 2024 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), construction was one of 13 industries in the state of Indiana that experienced a nonfatal injury or illness rate lower than that of the state rate of 2.6 injuries or illnesses per 100 full-time workers. By the end of 2025, construction accounted for $28 billion of Indiana’s gross domestic product and employed over 167,000 people, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.
What this means is that safety and business success go hand in hand.
The annual NWIBRT and CAF awards banquet showcased exactly how interconnected those ideas have become. NWIBRT’s portion of the program honored organizations and individuals for excellence in safety performance, recognizing owners, contractors, subcontractors, apprentices and site leaders who continue to raise standards.
Rick Foor of Cargill, Chair of NWIBRT’s Safety Committee, said the banquet plays an important role in bringing the industry together.
“This evening is a chance for the entire construction community to come together and recognize the work happening across the region,” he said. “It’s not just about the awards. It’s about connecting with peers, reflecting on what has been accomplished over the last year, and reinforcing the shared commitment to doing the job the right way.”
Starting with safety and doing the job the right way has ripple effects.
When safety becomes part of the organization’s identity, projects are often delivered with greater consistency and fewer costly setbacks. Communication improves, planning becomes more intentional, workforces feel valued and clients gain confidence in their choice. What results from a safety-first culture is almost a competitive advantage.
CAF’s awards presentation reinforced that connection between safety and performance by highlighting the projects and teams shaping the region’s built environment. Honors were presented across commercial, industrial, public works, heavy civil and maintenance categories.
Dewey Pearman, CAF’s executive director, said the event offers a rare opportunity to connect projects with the people behind them.
“These are the projects people see coming together all year, but the banquet brings attention to the talented individual and teams responsible for delivering them,” he said. “There is so much expertise and persistence behind each project, and we are honored to stand among these professionals during this celebration and applaud the amazing work they have completed.”
The annual banquet celebrated award winners, outstanding projects and industry leadership. Beyond the trophies and applause, the evening recognized that safety is where excellence begins.
2026 NWIBRT SAFETY AWARD WINNERS
Contractor of the Year Finalists (Over 500,000 Hours Worked)
Contractor of the Year Finalists (Under 500,000 Hours Worked)
Company of the Year Finalists
NWIBRT Safety Award Tiers
Recognition Awards
Achievement Awards
Excellence Awards
Owner Excellence in Leadership Awards
Site Safety Leader of the Year, Roger Walters Memorial Awards
Lifesaver Awards
Innovation Awards
Outstanding Craft Person Safety Leader Awards
Outstanding Apprentice Safety Leader Awards
2026 CONSTRUCTION ADVANCEMENT FOUNDATION AWARD WINNERS
Excellence in Professional Development
Commercial Project of the Year
Industrial Project of the Year
Public Works Project of the Year
Heavy Civil/Highway Project of the Year
Maintenance/Service Project of the Year
Commercial Contractor of the Year
Industrial Contractor of the Year
Heavy Civil/Highway Contractor of the Year
Professional And Engineering Services Firm of the Year
Specialty Contractor of the Year
