Larry Fickel, Texas A&M University, 2025 Outstanding Educator
The Outstanding Educator award is based on a nominee’s academic contribution as well as his/her work with students outside of the classroom and involvement with colleagues in the industry. Candidates for the award must be full-time, teaching faculty members with four years minimum teaching experience in an ACCE or ABET-accredited university construction program or construction-related engineering program.
Larry Fickel is a Senior Lecturer at Texas A&M University in the Department of Construction Science. He is in his tenth year of teaching where he brings 34 years of field experience into the classroom. His teaching focus is on Construction Project Controls and Leadership in the Design and Construction fields. Larry is the faculty advisor for the TAMU Student Chapter of the Associated General Contractors which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. In 1981 he was president of this student chapter. He also serves on the TAMU Honor Council and Faculty Senate at the university level and numerous department level committees. Prior to becoming a professor Larry served in roles from carpenter to operation manager and director on building projects from airplane factories to prisons and mountain condominiums, water and wastewater treatment plants and road and bridge projects. His extensive experience in self-perform work remains an area of focus in education with specific interest in craft leadership and training and creating better work environments for craft employees.
Chloe Kildea, East Carolina University, 2025 James L. Allhands Essay Competition
Chloe Kildea is a dedicated and accomplished professional pursuing a promising career in the construction industry. As a senior at East Carolina University, she exemplifies academic excellence and leadership through her active involvement in prestigious organizations.
As Vice President of ECU’s Associated General Contractors (AGC) chapter, Chloe actively connects students with industry professionals, fostering collaboration and career development. She is also a member of Sigma Lambda Chi, an international honor society recognizing outstanding students in construction management, and Phi Theta Kappa, an honor society for academic excellence among two-year college students. These affiliations reflect her strong commitment to scholarship and professional growth.
Chloe’s hands-on industry experience includes internships on the I-74 Beltway Project around Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she contributed to critical infrastructure development. These opportunities provided valuable exposure to large-scale construction projects, sharpening her technical expertise and problem-solving skills.
James L. Allhands 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Winning Essays, 2025:
First - Chloe Kildea, East Carolina University
Second – John Conron, University of Arizona
Third – Daniel Fontana, Roger Williams University
Ronald L. Chance, Allhands Essay Faculty Sponsor
Ronald Chance holds a Master’s in Business Administration, a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management, and has over 25 years of experience in the industrial fabrication and construction sector. Specializing in fully functional, turnkey EPC projects, his industry experience focused on the comprehensive construction of power generation plants, chemical production plants, and pharmaceutical manufacturing hubs, from start to finish.
Mr. Chance is enthusiastic about education and sharing his extensive industry knowledge with future construction leaders in the classroom. The basis of his metallurgy research is directed at alloy materials, gases, heat treatment processes, and exploring their effects on complex molecular grain structure to advance welding procedures for industrial fabrication.