The Utility and Transportation Contractors Association (UTCA) announced the selection of Dave Rible to assume the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) upon the retirement of the current CEO, Robert Briant, Jr.
UTCA President Glenn Ely made the announcement at the UTCA General Membership meeting on January 12.
“I am pleased to announce the UTCA Board of Directors has unanimously selected Dave Rible to lead our organization as we tackle the many challenges facing the construction industry,” said Ely, who is the president of PKF Mark III, an engineering, construction and management company. “The Board felt strongly that Dave’s unique skill set and knowledge of our industry make him ideally suited to serve as our next CEO. I look forward to working with Dave and my colleagues to ensure UTCA and the industry continue to grow and prosper.”
UTCA is a non-profit trade association headquartered in Wall, that represents approximately 1,000 member firms in the public and private sectors, active in all phases of heavy, highway, utility, and marine construction, as well as site work, including remediation of brownfields and contaminated sites.
A resident of Wall, Rible currently serves as the association’s Executive Director and has been with UTCA since 2019. Prior to joining UTCA, he was the Director of the New Jersey Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABC) and served in the New Jersey Assembly from 2008 until 2017. He is also a former Wall Township police officer and detective.
While in the Legislature, Rible was the prime sponsor of legislation that reauthorized the state’s Transportation Trust Fund, which pays for critical transportation infrastructure projects.
“I am humbled to be chosen to lead this organization that, for years, has been such a forceful and effective advocate on issues affecting the construction industry,” said Rible. “As a legislator, I worked closely with UTCA and saw firsthand their commitment to helping their members and supporting the entire construction industry.”
Briant Jr., of Brielle, has worked for UTCA since 1982, becoming CEO in 2006. The elder Briant started at the association in 1967 and continued to be involved with UTCA until his passing in 2013.
“During my time at UTCA, I have been fortunate to serve with my father and with an incredible staff that helped us build an outstanding association that continues to be a leader in the construction field,” said Briant. “As I begin to wind down my time at the UTCA, I am confident that Dave is the right person to lead the association going forward.”
UTCA’s most recent president, Rolando “Roly” Acosta, echoed Ely’s sentiments about the Board’s selection of Rible.
“As President of the UTCA, I was able to witness the tremendous value that Dave brings to the Board of Directors and the entire membership,” said Acosta, who is the president of Northeast Remsco Construction, a utility, treatment plant, and trenchless contractor. “Our board recognized the need for a succession plan for the organization and we are confident that implementing this transition to a new CEO will allow UTCA to continue to be a leader in advancing the construction industry.”