His first “official” day was June 3. But Matthew Szollosi has been preparing for his transition from being both the managing partner of a Toledo-based law firm and the Assistant Minority Leader in the Ohio House of Representatives to the first Executive Director of Affiliated Construction Trades (ACT) Ohio for months.

ACT Ohio is expanding its operations to better support the skilled construction trades industry in Ohio. To help readers learn more about ACT Ohio and its new leader, The Labor Citizen asked Szollosi to answer a few questions.

Here’s what he had to say:

Q: Why was ACT Ohio created?

A: ACT Ohio is a 501(c)(5) organization created to advance quality economic and industrial development opportunities, and to promote industry best practices for Ohio’s public and private construction projects.

Q: How was ACT Ohio created?

A: In 2010, OSBCTC Secretary-Treasurer Dennis Duffey and President John Kilbane worked day and night to establish the organization, and to get the information about the potential benefits to the affiliates across the state. Their hard work paid off last fall, when a change to the SBCTC Constitution was passed overwhelmingly to ensure that the funding would be in place for ACT Ohio to be impactful.

Q: What do you see as the primary duty of the executive director?

A: As Executive Director of ACT Ohio, I will oversee all legal and administrative affairs, I’ll coordinate our aggressive marketing and advertising campaign, and I’ll work closely with the ACT Ohio Executive Board with regard to political action.

Q: Who do you represent?

A: ACT Ohio, through its affiliate members, represents roughly 120,000 of Ohio’s most highly skilled construction workers. I plan to work closely with their leaders and partner with their employers to facilitate the growth of the construction industry in the State of Ohio.

Q: What’s the biggest challenge ACT Ohio faces for the rest of 2013?

A: Far too many of Ohio’s business and governmental leaders are simply unaware of the industry’s investment in apprenticeship training and its unyielding commitment to safety. My job is to change that. ACT Ohio also will seek enforcement of state and federal construction laws designed and implemented to prevent the undercutting of area standards for wages and benefits on taxpayer funded projects.

Q: What do you believe will be the greatest long-term battle for ACT Ohio?

A: The executive director position with ACT Ohio provides me the opportunity to utilize my public and private sector experience to help build a stronger future for Ohio’s next generation of skilled workers and their employers. We will work closely with the State of Ohio, regional economic development engines, and numerous other business organizations to market our skilled workforce, which is a major draw for economic development nationally. We will establish a strong brand image, but it will take time.

Q: Which will you miss more, and why: Work at your former law firm or work as a state representative?

A: While in private practice in Toledo, I had the privilege to serve as legal counsel at IBEW Local 8 for close to 15 years.  Many of the greatest moments in my professional life occurred there, and it was very difficult to leave. At my last membership meeting, the guys gave me a standing ovation. It’s something I shall never forget.

Leaving the state legislature was not easy, either. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to serve, and I made life lasting friendships there on both sides of the aisle.

Q: What will you miss most about living in the Toledo area?

A: Without question, our family. All of our parents, grandparents and siblings live in Toledo, but we won’t be too far!

Q: What are you looking forward to most living year round in Columbus?

A: Columbus is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. I look forward to building a new network of friends and colleagues, and actively participating in our new community. I truly believe our family will be quite happy in Columbus.

Q: Any closing thoughts you’d like to share with Labor Citizen readers?

A: The Affiliated Construction Trades of Ohio and their members produce the best possible work product for the lowest possible price. There’s simply no question that contractors with a highly skilled and properly trained workforce will yield the best, most cost-effective results for the customer, which is our goal.