Two companies on opposite sides of the country are driving the future of the construction industry – one from the heart of Seattle, the other from the plains of Kansas – through bold leadership and innovation, as recognized by the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) at its 2025 awards.
Seattle’s B.J. Giri Named Contractor of the Year
B.J. Giri, Principal at Seattle-based Holaday-Parks, was named the 2025 SMACNA Contractor of the Year, an honor reserved for those who far surpass expectations in advancing the industry. Giri’s thirty-year career is marked by mentorship, innovation, and a fierce commitment to building an inclusive workforce.
Known as much for his leadership as for his empathy, Giri has shaped Holaday-Parks – one of Seattle’s industry pillars since 1889 – into a launchpad for the next generation of construction professionals. “It’s always critical to partner with labor to provide a competitive edge through talent development and building a diverse and inclusive industry,” Giri said, reflecting his ongoing advocacy within SMACNA Western Washington.
Colleagues describe Giri as a mentor with a talent for inspiring both young professionals and seasoned peers, building careers as steadfastly as he builds large-scale projects. The award cements his reputation as a driving force for change in the Pacific Northwest’s construction landscape.
P1 Construction Named Safety Innovator of the Year
In Lenexa, Kansas, P1 Construction, LLC took home the 2025 SMACNA Safety Innovator of the Year Award, a recognition for forward-thinking strategies that improve employee safety and wellbeing. Presented at SMACNA’s Annual Business Meeting – an industry highlight event – the award underscores P1’s proactive approach during one of construction’s most vulnerable periods: the first few months of employment.
“We found that nearly half of all working accidents happened in that crucial first year,” explained Greg Sweeney, P1’s safety director. P1’s answer: the Second Orientation Program, a unique “refresher” safety training delivered 60 days after hire. The structured, evidence-based approach reinforces vigilance and drastically cuts early-stage incidents.
But P1 hasn’t stopped at physical safety. The company’s Peer Connector Mental Health Program, inspired by a veteran on staff, matches at-risk employees with trained coworkers for confidential support, aiming to tackle high suicide rates haunting both construction and veteran communities. Branded stickers identify Peer Connectors ready to help at a moment’s notice, moving mental health to the forefront of jobsite culture.
The impact is measurable, said P1 vice president Don Campbell: “Our most important resources are the human ones. From rigorous daily checklists to mentorship and mental health resources, leadership is committed to our people finishing every day strong – physically and mentally.”
Recognizing the broader impact of these initiatives, SMACNA’s Safety Innovator Award includes a charitable donation. P1 selected The Battle Within, a nonprofit for veterans and first responders with PTSD, as this year’s beneficiary – a gesture welcomed by the organization’s director of development, Michele Orpin. “We could not offer our programs without the kindness and compassion of community partners. Our entire team thanks you for this opportunity,” Orpin said.
As 2025’s award winners, both Holaday-Parks and P1 Construction embody SMACNA’s call for a safer, more inclusive industry – proving that progress isn’t just about building structures, but strengthening the communities and people who build them.
Learn more about Holaday-Parks at holadayparks.com and P1 Construction’s ongoing safety initiatives at p1group.com.
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