by Michele Catahay

Guam - President of the Guam Contractors Association James Martinez announced the 500th member to join the organization at today's monthly membership meeting held at the Marriott Hotel. Dennis Suarez is the owner of R&R Landscaping Company, which specializes in residential and commercial contracting and maintenance.

Martinez said, "Our 500th member is actually a milestone for the GCA and a record for our assoc to have this many members all at one time. We saw this increase begin about two years ago and think this is in anticipation of the military buildup here on the island."

Martinez says GCA projects there will be about 530 members by December 2010. The GCA also presented a $17,000 check to Special Olympics Guam. The money was raised during its construction and truck rodeo event at the end of February.

Closing the meeting, Chairman Tom Perez of Perez Brothers delivered outgoing remarks prior to the introduction of the candidates running for six board member positions for the election taking place during the April membership meeting.