ABC Dedicates WNY Classrooms in Memory of Charles “Chip” Jones, Jr.
Classrooms dedicated in memory of beloved member who passed away this summer.
Last week, The Empire State Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors held a dedication ceremony at its Western New York Regional Office, in Buffalo, in honor of Charles G. “Chip” Jones, Jr. who passed away this summer. Chip, a beloved member of ABC and a pillar of his Western New York community, was the president of Wittburn Enterprises, Inc.
“Chip dedicated his life to training the future of the construction industry,” said ABC Empire State Chapter President, Brian Sampson.” “It is only fitting that we dedicate our training classrooms in his memory. If a person had an interest in construction, Chip would train them and find them work. He was a very selfless man and he loved our industry. It cannot be overstated how much Chip meant to Associated Builders and Contractors and to Western New York.”
At the dedication ceremony, at which ABC installed a three-foot by two-foot sign with a dedication plaque to honor Chip; his wife Mary Lou Jones, ABC’s Board of Directors, ABC’s Western New York Regional Leadership Committee, friends, and Wittburn Enterprises employees were present. One of those employees, Juan Flores, spoke about Chip and the impact he had on him. Flores spoke about how Chip always saw the potential in people. After Flores was released from prison, Chip trained him and got him into the construction industry without a second thought.
“Chip was very active with ABC and so passionate about what we do. Throughout his years with ABC, he served in many roles including Chairman of the Board and Chairman of Western New York's Regional Leadership Committee,” said Tanner Schmidt, ABC’s Government Affairs Manager and a Western New Yorker. “Chip worked hard to develop the next generation of construction workers, being involved in many workforce development initiatives. He was also one of the region's strongest advocates for merit shop contractors. This is a tough loss for our region, and for all of ABC.”
Aside from Chip’s dedication to Wittburn Enterprises and ABC, he was a dedicated family man and a philanthropist concerned with supporting his community and all who live in it.