American Subcontractors Association of Michigan

08/13/2026

It’s Tony’s magnetic energy that you might first notice when you meet him. As president and CEO of Sobie Company and Architectural Glass & Metals 2.0, Tony Vermaas is a positive force (and friendly presence) in West Michigan construction.

Now, Tony has been named National President of the American Subcontractors Association, Inc..

It’s a role he’s particularly suited for, and we’re so glad he can represent all of us on a national scale. Tony has been involved with ASA for more than a decade, serving as Michigan’s board president from 2018 to 2019 and on the board of directors from 2016 to 2021.

Tony believes strongly in trade partners and the value they bring.

“Trade partners perform a large portion of the work on every project. It’s important that their voices are heard both locally and nationally,” he says.

While serving as President for the next year, he plans to:
• Advocate for fair and equitable contracts and payment
• Address workforce challenges
• Create more opportunities for trade contractors to connect, share ideas, and solve challenges together
• Represent trade contractors in Washington, D.C., on change order reform, immigration, and other federal policies affecting the industry

“West Michigan is a unique and tight-knit construction community,” Tony says, and he’s excited to bring that collaborative mindset to trade contractors across the country.

Tony, we’re proud of you and cheering you on. Congratulations!

08/07/2026

We’re excited to announce a new member to the ASAM community: Gold Star Mechanical!

Gold Star Mechanical was founded in 2020 and has grown to take on everything from high-end residential replacements to full commercial builds.

The team provides HVAC service, repair, maintenance, commercial heating and cooling, refrigeration, ductwork, piping, and emergency HVAC support for both homes and businesses.

For founder Andrew Klampferer, the company’s work comes back to one simple idea: comfort.

“Our motto is, ‘Committed to Mechanical Solutions and Comfort,’” Klampferer said. “We get to make people comfortable, help them with their buildings, and support new construction projects.”

The Gold Star team has helped with many projects across the region, including:
* Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore DreamLab
* Dollar Tree in Kentwood
* Grant Christian Reformed Church’s Discipleship Center
* Ex Works Brewery in Saugatuck
* Barry County Airport new build
* Tommy’s Car Wash in Ludington

As a new ASAM member, Gold Star Mechanical is looking forward to building relationships with fellow subcontractors, networking with other contractors, and continuing to grow within Michigan’s construction community.

👏 Please help us give Gold Star Mechanical a warm welcome!

07/29/2026

We’re very excited to welcome Lyza Simmons to the ASAM Board as our Marketing Chair!

As the sole marketer for CS Erickson, Lyza is a go-to resource for everything: brand identity, social media, market expansion, sales enablement, RFP support, and business development across Michigan and Texas.

Lyza loves helping the right people and the right causes tell their story — and at CS Erickson, that comes naturally.

“It’s easy to market a brand you genuinely love,” she says.

Lyza has spent the last six years in West Michigan commercial construction, starting on the GC side before joining CS Erickson two and a half years ago. Today, she keeps the company connected, growing, and plugged into the communities it serves.

When we asked why she wanted to join the ASAM Board, she said, “ASAM is such a valuable resource for CS Erickson and for trade partners across West Michigan. It’s so important to have an organization that keeps trade contractors at the center.”

Beyond work and ASAM, Lyza is also a leader through the inFORUM AEC Affinity Group and Habitat for Humanity of Kent County. When she's not supporting the community, you'll find her on a pickleball court, at the gym, or enjoying her favorite “grandma hobbies”: knitting, crocheting, and reading (she finished 120 books last year!).

Please join us in welcoming Lyza to the ASAM Board!

07/24/2026

Thank you, American Subcontractors Association of Michigan, for putting on a fun afternoon with Hard Hats & Hot Dogs!🌭👷🏼

We had a great time catching up with familiar faces, meeting new people, and spending time with the people we work alongside across the industry.

Shoutout to the crews building the Amway Stadium behind us— we loved getting to share lunch and celebrate your hard work!👏🏻

07/24/2026

There’s one thing you can always count on in the West Michigan construction industry:

A friendly face, a warm welcome.

We definitely felt that yesterday at Hard Hats & Hot Dogs, where we celebrated our work crews with views of the new Amway Soccer Stadium.

Thank you to everyone who came out! And thank you for all the hard work you do in our community.

We are proud to partner with Associated Builders and Contractors, Western Michigan Chapter on this event — you all are amazing!

A shout-out to Marco Pavano and MadDogz for the really delicious hot dogs. Which one was your favorite?

07/21/2026

We’re thrilled to welcome Kyle Pung to the ASAM Board!

In his business development and account management role at Pleune Service Company, Kyle focuses on building long-term client relationships and helping grow the company’s service team across manufacturing, aerospace, education, and larger commercial markets.

With Pleune as a long-time supporter of ASAM, Kyle felt joining the board was a natural next step.

“I’m excited to deepen Pleune’s engagement and help advance ASAM’s work for trade partners,” he says.

Kyle also brings a strong commitment to community. He is involved with several local nonprofit and industry efforts, including Paws with a Cause, West Michigan Construction Institute, AYA Youth Collective, Habitat for Humanity, and In the Image, from which he recently left the board.

Outside of work, Kyle is happiest outdoors — camping, fishing, duck hunting, deer hunting, and putting his Eagle Scout roots to good use. He also has a massive dahlia garden with more than 200 plants.

He and his wife stay busy with their two young daughters and are always looking forward to the next adventure, including recent trips to Sweden and Spain.

Please join us in welcoming Kyle to the ASAM Board!

07/15/2026

Congrats to Tony Vermaas for being elected as the National American Subcontractors Association, Inc.'s new president!

This is not only a testament to his personal leadership at Sobie Company, but also proof of how our local chapter is making an impact advancing the interests of subcontractors across the nation!

Please join us in welcoming Tony Vermaas as the new President of the American Subcontractors Association.

As ASA celebrates its 60th anniversary, Tony is looking forward to increasing the level of support ASA National provides while continuing to strengthen the trade contractor community across the country.

In his words: "Trade contractors are the backbone of this industry, and it's something to be proud of."

Tony’s priorities include advocating for fair and equitable treatment in contracts and payment, addressing workforce challenges, and creating more opportunities for trade contractors to come together, share ideas, and solve the challenges they face every day.

Congratulations, Tony!

We look forward to your leadership in the year ahead and to welcoming you at SubExcel as you connect with ASA members from across the country.

07/15/2026

Do you have 3 minutes?

ASAM is planning education, safety programming, networking, and events for the year ahead — and we want to build them around what Michigan trade partners actually need.

Your feedback helps us create programming that brings real value to you, your team, and your business.

Complete the survey by July 31, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a $100 gift card or four Whitecaps box seats with VIP parking.

Take the 3-minute survey: https://us10.list-manage.com/survey?u=13c12411b1e2aaaba5aa2a35f&id=60ca33832e

07/09/2026

Thoughtful, steady, trusted.

For the past 8 years, Travis Koetje of Burgess Concrete Construction has brought this kind of leadership to ASAM.

Since joining the Board in 2018, Travis has served our members in many ways, including as Vice President from 2022–2023 and President from 2023–2024. Throughout his time, he has generously shared his practical insight, industry knowledge, and willingness to tackle any challenge.

During a time of significant transition for ASAM, Travis helped provide steady direction and strategic decision-making. Many of us have benefited from his willingness to share his knowledge, experience, and perspective as a trusted sounding board.

Travis, thank you for your years of service to ASAM and for the time and wisdom you’ve shared with this organization. Your impact will continue to be felt for years to come.

👏 Please join us in thanking Travis for his dedication to ASAM and Michigan’s trade contractors!

06/30/2026

We had 61 meetings on Capitol Hill with one clear purpose: making sure trade partners are heard in the rooms where policy is shaped.

In June, the American Subcontractors Association, Inc. was in Washington, D.C., advocating for subcontractors across the country — including ASAM members here in Michigan.

ASA met with lawmakers and House and Senate offices to advocate for priorities that directly affect trade partners, including:

* Prompt payment for change orders
* Fair bonding requirements
* Apprenticeship and workforce development pathways
* Worker classification concerns
* Construction procurement reform
* Immigration reform tied to the industry’s labor needs

This national representation ensures the challenges trade partners face every day are brought into conversations where change happens.

Thank you to James Bockheim and Tony Vermaas for representing ASA of Michigan in Washington, D.C.!