Bill Cornell Named 2019 TAUC Spirit of Union Construction Award Winner

May 6 2019

NEW ORLEANS, LA – The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC) on May 2 posthumously honored William G. "Bill" Cornell (1953 – 2019) with its prestigious Spirit of Union Construction Award, reserved for individuals who have dedicated their entire careers to the advancement of the industry.

Bill, who passed away January 20, was a dear friend and colleague to TAUC and the entire union construction and maintenance industry. He began his career in 1983 with McCarl's as a project manager. He progressed through various positions as manager of construction, general manager of industrial operations and vice president of operations. He was also involved as a governing member of TAUC for 30 years, eventually serving as Chairman of the Labor Committee and as a member of the Board of Directors from 2012 through 2014.

In March 2016 Bill started a consulting and advising company called CorCon Solutions, LLC. He focused on leadership training for superintendent-level craftspersons for unions or contractors; labor relations education for contractors; and mentoring services for future leaders within construction companies.

However, Bill's legacy extends far beyond his many professional accomplishments. In August 2014 he was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which led to a life-saving double lung transplant on December 26 of that same year. Recovery was a long and arduous process, but throughout it all, Bill became an eloquent and tireless advocate for organ donation, and began a second career as a public speaker, telling audiences about his experience and how they could help the transplant community. In fact, Bill gave a memorable speech at the TAUC Leadership Conference in 2016 which prompted many attendees to become organ donors.

You can read more about Bill's remarkable life here.

The TAUC Spirit of Union Construction Award was created in 2007 to recognize individuals who have made a significant impact on the union construction industry throughout their illustrious careers. It recognizes and celebrates a lifetime of achievements. But it's about more than just their career and the titles they've held, as you will learn by watching the video above. Bill's award was accepted on his behalf by his sons, Bill Jr. and Eric (see below).