2014 2nd Quarter (1.4 mb )

2nd Quarter 2014
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The Fron
A quarterly publication for Employees of Reeves
Construction and Subsidiaries.
R e e v e s C o n s t ru c t i o n C o m pa n y C e l e b r at e s
Nat i o na l M I L I TA RY A P P R E C I AT I O N M O N T H
In May, Reeves celebrated National Military
Appreciation Month! Congress designated May
as National Military Appreciation Month in
1999 to ensure the nation was given the
opportunity to publically demonstrate their
appreciation for the sacrifices and successes
made by our service members; both past and
present. Each year the president makes a
proclamation, reminding Americans of the
important role the U.S. Armed Forces have
played in the history and development of our
country. Memorial Day, is the only federal
holiday in May and is celebrated on the last
Monday of the month. The day, dating from
the Civil War era, traditionally has marked
recognition of those who have died in service
to the nation. Each year on Memorial Day, the
White House Commission on Remembrance
promotes one minute of silence at 3 p.m. local
time to honor the military's fallen comrades
and to pay tribute to the sacrifices by the
nation's service members and veterans.
National Military Appreciation Month started
as a simple idea; to gather America around its
military family to honor, remember, recognize
and appreciate those who have served and
those now serving and to know the history
behind it all.
Reeves would like to honor all employee’s
who have bravely served our country.
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Thank you for your MILITARY service!
North Region:
Marvin Blanton—Mechanic. Served in the US Army for 5 years
Rick Bowman—Road Foreman. Served in the US Navy for 6 years
Danny Caulder—Roller Operator. Served in the US Army for 8 years
Robert Dailey—Dump Truck Driver. Served in US Army Reserves for 12 years - (active duty)
Randy England— HR Manager. Served in the US Navy for 4 years
James Hutto—Plant Operator . Served in the US Army for 3 years
David Luoma—QC Technician. Served in the US Air Force for 21 years
Wayne Marshall—QC Manager. Served in the US Amy National Guard for 6 years
David Marsland—Dispatch Manager . Served in the US Army for 6 years
Avery Mobley—Plant Foreman. Served in the US Army for 22 years
David Phipps—Dump Truck Driver. Served in the US Army for 17 years
Wendell Powell—Operations Manager. Served in the US Air Force for 5 years
Michael Robinson—Tack Truck Driver. Served in the US Army for 5 years
Benita Shiffer—Accounting/CDL Administrator. Served in the US Army for 6 years
Roger Skoczek—Traffic Control Supervisor. Served in the US Marines for 4 years
Mike Snelgrove— QC Lab Tech. Served in the US Army National Guard for 10 years
Charlie Stewart— Training Specialist. Served in the US Army National Guard for 7 years
Randy Walker—Assistant Superintendent. Served n the US Army for 20 years
Donald Yonkie—Service Truck Driver. Served in the US Army for 6 years
R.B. Baker Region:
Redolfo Chavarria—Mechanic. Served in the US Navy for 4 years
Bobby Douglas—Roller Operator. Served in the US Army for 15 years
Herman Edwards– Loader Operator. Served in the US Army for 20 years
Cleve Foskey— Equipment Manager. Served in the US Army for 5 years
Jonathan Hornick—Project Manager. Served in the US Army for 3 years
Michael Muller—Technician. Served in the US Navy for 6 years
Claude Pruitt—Dozer Operator. Served in the US Army for 20 years
Christian Sotello— Laborer. Served in the US Marines for 4 years
Alan Tholl—Dozer Operator. Served in the US Army for 21 years
West Region:
Doug Campbell—Mechanic. Served in the US Army for 8 years
Tim Clay—Project Manager. Served in the US Army for 11 years
Glen Hoskins—Truck Driver. Served in the US Army for 10 years
Tina Huddleston—HR Administrator. Served in the US Air Force for 4 years
John McLeroy—Truck Driver. Served in the US Marines for 12 years
Ronnie Mills—Truck Driver. Served in the US National Guard for 14 years
Gene Mock—Project Manager. Served in the US Marines for 21 years
Derrick Odom—Crew Member. Served in the US Army for 3 years
Nico Savage—Mechanic. Served in the US Navy for 2 years
D’Angelo Spencer—Paving Crew. Served in the US Navy for 2 years
Bob Williford—Foreman. Served in the US Air Force for 4 years
Eddie Wright—Sales Manager. Served in the US Marines for 8 years
National Military Appreciation Month
SGT John "J.D." David Meador, II,
36, the son of John Meador, shop
superintendent of Sloan Columbia
office was killed on June 20, 2012
along with 2 others in his unit by a
suicide bomber. SGT Meador
served with the Army National
Guard 132nd and the 133rd MP
Company, where he was stationed overseas in Afghanistan on his
first deployment. He was a member of Lexington County Sheriff's
Dept. and coached football. He was a loved son, husband and
father of 3 children.
Road dedication for fallen trooper
A road dedication ceremony for fallen trooper W.G.
“Andy” Andrews (Brother of RB Baker Construction
Manager, Neal Andrews) #738 was held Thursday,
May 29, 2014. The ceremony was hosted by
Georgia State Patrol Post 26 in Thomaston and GSP
Troop D. Andrews was killed in the line of duty on
May 7, 1977 when he was involved in a pursuit of a
speeding vehicle while traveling northbound on
State Route 41 in Talbot County.
Andrews lost control of his patrol car and collided
with a tree. The next day, he passed away as a
result of injuries sustained in the crash. He was a
graduate of the 45 GSP Trooper School and was
assigned to Post 34 in Manchester, GA.
Neal Andrews (RB Baker Construction Manager)
pictured above telling stories of his
older brother Andy Andrews
The dedication included a sign unveiling, a ceremony
at the Thomaston-Upson Fine Arts Center and a
wreath laying ceremony at Upson Memorial Garden.
The sign is located in Talbot County at the North
city limits of Talbotton, GA. on Hwy 41.
R eeves c el ebrates nati onal Sa fety
Mon th in Jun e
Each year, more than 80,000 workers suffer
an injury on construction job sites across the
nation per the National Safety Council.
National Safety Council celebrates National
Safety Month in June. Reeves, Sloan and RB
Baker consider the safety of its employees
and the general public to be their #1 priority.
Our “Goal Zero” is to provide a healthy and
safe work environment free of accidents and
injuries. Safety responsibility extends from
top management to the trade workers
including everyone in between.
In honor of National Safety Day, join us in
some fun with our safety contest. Each week
in June, we will post clues and a quiz relating
to safety topics on Facebook. The first
employee to post all answers correctly on
Facebook will win a $10 gift card.
Good Luck and Be Safe!
Week 1: Preventing Drug Abuse
Week 2: Stop Slips, Trips and Falls
Week 3: Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Week 4: End Distracted Driving
Vanguard Safety Award
On March 27th, the annual Regional’s Managers meeting was held in Denver, CO.
During this event, Reeves Construction and Sloan Construction received the
Vanguard Awards. The Vanguard Award is given to regional operations and
front line business units with outstanding performance measured by our
injury/illness recordkeeping system.
Congratulations !!!
Reeves Corp. and Region Mgmt.
Pictured left to right: Jean Vidal—COO
of Colas USA; Robert Ponton—President
of Reeves; Louis Gabanna—Managing
Director of Colas North America
Pictured above: Rob Loar—North Region;
Dean Hayman—West Region
We have social media!!! What? Since when?
Most of you probably
already know we have
company websites for
Reeves, RB Baker, Sloan
and SouthEast Emulsions,
but did you know we also
have social media sites? All of our social media
sites are where you can find the latest company
news, industry news and community
events. Social media sites are the quickest
way to get information out to employees and
customers. All you have to do is like, follow and
link-in our company Facebook, Twitter and
Linked-In accounts connecting with your social
networks. By liking, following and linking-in it
keeps you connected real-time with company
news. As you share our sites with others we
can gain web traffic and electronic word of
mouth about events, products, services and our
company brand.
Our vision of our social media sites is to create
highly interactive platforms to communicate
between our organizations, communities and
individuals to share, co-create, and provide
company news internal and external to the
company. There is no other better way to
stay informed and connected with the
company! Connect with us today!
Reeves Facebook Page
Sloan Facebook Page
RB Baker Facebook Page
South East Emulsions Facebook Page
Reeves On Twitter
Sloan On Twitter
RB Baker On Twitter
Southeast Emulsions On Twitter
Check out LinkedIn for Reeves, Sloan, RB Baker
and SouthEast Emulsions.
CPI—Think inside the box! - what?
We are regularly told to think
outside the box. Try telling
that to Jack. The problem with
giving that advice to Jack is
that he can’t get out of the box.
Neither can I nor can anyone
else for that matter. All of our
thinking is imprisoned inside the
“box” formed by our beliefs, preconceptions,
values, biases, knowledge and perceptions. Even
when we try to get outside the box our efforts
to do so must take place inside the box. We’re
stuck with it and, like Jack, we’re stuck in it.
Why do you want to get outside the box anyway? Are you looking for new ideas, new
insights, creative or innovative approaches to
old problems or maybe to new ones? What’s
wrong with what’s inside the box? How would
you know if you did get outside the box? My
answer is that you wouldn’t. You couldn’t. All
you can recognize is what your box will let you
recognize. Getting outside the box is a doomed
endeavor. What are we talking about? We’re
A B L A S T F RO M T H E PA S T
talking about learning, growing, improving,
changing and being open to new ideas and ways
of thinking. But we can’t get outside our minds.
However, we can do something about what goes
on in there. The best thing you can do is open
the box. A closed box can do only what it
already can do. But, if you open the box, you
can let new stuff in that will interact with the
old stuff and create some more new stuff
inside the box. You can, then, change what the
box has in it and what it can do but you don’t
need to get out of the box to do that; you just
need to let more stuff in. Another thing we
can do is bring together a bunch of different
boxes and let their interactions generate stuff
that’s not to be found inside any one of the
boxes. Guess what? Once that’s done, this
new stuff is now inside the box. Anyway,
there’s no escaping the box. Me? I’m going to
focus on keeping my box open and on letting
more good stuff in there and ignoring all that
advice to think outside. (Fred Nickols 2011,
www.nicklos.us)
- Victoria Taffett
LOCKED UP!!!
The North Region in Duncan participated in
the local MDA Fundraiser. Shannon Cameron
and Bennita Shiffer agreed to be “arrested”
to raise money. We appreciate the
teamwork these two ladies displayed to help
a worthy cause. Way to go!
Gomaco Trimmer School (1995) in Iowa.
From left to right: James Nutt—Reeves
West; Charlie Stewart—Reeves Corporate;
Lee Smith—Southeast Pavement; Donny
Spires— Reeves West
“A Customer IS forever”
Over the last quarter, we have had some great stories/occurrences shared throughout the
company on exceeding our Customer’s Expectations. To those of you who were recognized, THANK
YOU for going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure our customers were well taken care of.
These type of actions (exceeding a customer’s expectations) are what will set us apart from our
competitors and move us to the top of the list as professionals in our field. One key point to
remember is that your first impression is a lasting impression. Neatly dressed, courteous, polite,
organized, clean, etc…. are all examples of how we should present ourselves on a daily basis. This
not only catches the eye of our customers but also sets the tone for the quality of work we
produce. As we progress through the summer, practice professionalism in all you do and it will be
contagious to your co-workers. Earning a customer’s loyalty is not easy but is very rewarding. It
takes constant work to keep their loyalty but can be lost forever in one negative action. If you
have any suggestions or ideas for Customer Service, please share them with your manager.
- Joey Tanner
R. B. BAKER REGION
Baker would like to recognize
employees working out of town
between landfill jobs and
Florida jobs. Some of these
crews have been working out of
town for several years and
should be recognized. These
crews are led by Timmy Lee,
James Lynn, Jay Davis, Andy
Wilson, Jimmy Edenfield and
Jonathan Hornick. We have had
such positive responses from
our customers! Thank you!
NORTH REGION AUGUSTA
Recently while paving a
residential street the mail
carrier was trying to deliver
mail to some of the houses on
the road we were paving. Jay
was able to catch a photo of
Freeman Brown assisting the
carrier by placing the mail in
the mail boxes for her so she
would not have to walk across
the mat and the homeowners
would still able to get their
mail! Thank you Freeman!
D o nat i o n f o r M a x t h e K - 9
The North Region donated money to the Duncan
police dept. for K-9 bullet proof vests. Axel just
turned 19 months old which is the age needed for
getting a vest. Pictured to the left is Officer Dodd
and K-9 Max with his vest.
The police department was very appreciative of our
generosity for giving Max and Axel the protection
they need to fight crime in the local community.
Announcing the 2014 leap selections
The 2014 year for LEAP (Leadership Education
Advancement Program) started at our safety
meetings with the announcement of the program.
We had several qualified applicants to apply for
the 2014 program and after numerous interviews,
3 were selected. We had a great group of applicants
and it was a tough decision. We want to encourage
all eligible employees to continue to submit their
applications for next year’s selection process.
Pictured above is the new LEAP class
along with the existing participants.
Our new newest participants pictured left to right:
David Luoma— North Columbia, QC Technician
Christopher Higginbottom—North Augusta, Foreman
Christian Sotello— R.B. Baker, General Laborer
- Randy England
Condolences
JOHNNY LAMKIN
We are saddened of the passing of
Johnny Lamkin in April of this year.
Johnny was a part of the Reeves family
for 20+ years as an Asphalt Plant Foreman
in the North Augusta Region. Johnny was
a hard worker and a friend to many.
Johnny will be greatly missed!!!
North Region
John Boyd— North Augusta
Anthony Eady— North Duncan
Christian Edwards— North Augusta
Mark Newsome— North Augusta
David Waters— North Duncan
Neal White— North Duncan
West Region
R.B. Baker Region
Matthew Allen
Julian Deloach
Dylan Logue
Kevin Durrence
Derrick Odom
James Moore
Steven Shipes
Stephen Powell
Nicholas Simmons
William Warnell
Michael Sutton
WELCOME TO THE REEVES FAMILY
Eddie Reeps:
Chief Estimator for
North Duncan
Brad Terry:
Sales Manager for
North Duncan
Carl (Alex) Bumgarner:
Project Engineer for
North Columbia
Henry Claussen:
Materials/Field Engineer
for R.B. Baker
Amy Wade-Killion:
Accounts Payable
Clerk for R.B. Baker
Justin Coggins:
Trucking Coordinator
for North Augusta
John Butt:
Project Engineer for
Reeves West
Charles “Pitch” Powers:
Project Manager for
R. B. Baker
William Blackstock III:
Carson Coleman:
Jason Lamson:
QC Intern for
Project Engineer for
Project Engineer for
North Duncan
R. B. Baker
R.B. Baker
Training and recruitment
Over the last several weeks machine specific operator
training has taken place at Reeves and its subsidiaries.
The equipment department in conjunction with safety and
HR has identified the need for training in the operation
and maintenance of Articulated Trucks (6 wheel off road
dump trucks capable of 25 to 40 ton). Working hand in
hand with professional trainers from the manufacturers,
Volvo and Komatsu, these individuals held walk around
machine inspections with each operator to show them the
different locations of all of the machines critical
maintenance points. Upon completion, each operator had
the trainer ride along to ensure proper handling and
operation of these machines. This was done on a one on one basis, allowing the operator to ask
questions about the machines “bells and whistles” and allowed time for the trainer to critique the
operator’s level of confidence. Further training will continue on all aspects of the machines that
we use in our business. If you have any suggestions please feel to contact me directly to assess
and schedule the proper training needed to ensure your safety and productivity. Kyle Johnson,
Corporate Equipment Manager
Georgia Southern University:
Neal Andrews, Construction Manager for R.B. Baker gave an
Asphalt Plant Tour of the Statesboro plant to the students of
the University’s Construction Management Program.
Candace Adams (HR-North
Columbia) and Crystal Terrell
(HR-Reeves Corporate) attended
a job fair at Aiken Technical
College on 4/16/2014
A note from Robert
This week is designated as Safety Week 2014
for Colas affiliated companies around the
world including Reeves, Sloan, and RB Baker. In
total, over 61,000 employees will participate in
some activity to raise safety awareness. As
this newsletter is distributed, your managers
will be visiting projects and locations throughout the company to discuss safety and I will
personally join the effort, selecting worksites within each region
during a three day tour specifically for safety visits.
The purpose of the initiative is to highlight the importance of
safety and share this message with all of our employees; a
reminder for all of us that safety is important every day of the
year. As I travel to work sites, I will bring the following message:
1. Safety is a guiding principle of how we do business and it
applies to all of us.
2. As an employee, it is imperative that you speak up if you see
a safety issue.
3. Never compromise your safety or that of another employee’s
for any reason.
You have heard these messages before during our annual safety
day training, in newsletter articles, and during individual project
visits. They are messages that can’t be shared enough. It is part
of our ongoing effort to improve safety and work towards our
ultimate goal of zero injuries. The company is making safety a
priority; I ask that you do the same by working safely every day.
Our families are counting on it.
I’ll close with a thought from a previous newsletter that highlights
safety as a priority: I can’t think of anything more important than
watching out for your fellow employees and making every effort to
ensure that our people and the Public are in safe hands when they
enter and exit our worksites or encounter our operations in any
way.
Work safely,
Robert N. Ponton
Congratulations graduates of 2014
Congratulations to Tiffany
Rowe, daughter of Darrell (R.B.
Baker) & Liesl Rowe. Tiffany
graduated in May from Georgia
Southern with a degree in HR
Management and a minor in
Sociology.
Congratulations Caroline,
daughter of Lee Smith
(Project Manager at SPS
Reeves West) who graduated
from High School in May.
Meredith Fant Wilson,
daughter of Scott (Reeves
Corporate) and Ginger Fant
graduated with a Ph.D in
Educational Leadership from
Clemson University!
Congratulations!!
Congratulations to Ryan
Matthews, grandson of Carolyn
(R.B. Baker) and Ronnie Devore.
Ryan graduated from Effingham
County High School and
plans to pursue a career in
underwater welding.
Zaterrion McElhaney graduated from
Hutchings Career Center in Macon
Georgia. Zaterrion is the son of
Freddie McElhaney, Reeves West
Shop Mechanic and the grandson of
Freddie Flagg, Paving Foreman, Reeves
West. Zaterrion is currently
studying Engineering at Central
Georgia Technical College.
Congratulations!
Gary Cameron, Jr.
(son of Shannon
Cameron—North
Duncan) graduated
from Easley High
School in May.
Barbara Grant’s (North Augusta) granddaughter Ciera Nicole Few graduated from
Thomson High School AND Augusta Technical
College with her GED diplomas. She also
received her CNA and Dental Assistant
Certificates. Congratulations!!
DOUBLE CONGRATULATIONS BARBARA!
Barbara Grant’s daughter, Vanessa Garrett,
graduated from Georgia Regents University
of Augusta and Armstrong State College with
her Medical Assistant Master’s Degree
and was also on the Dean’s List.
What an accomplishment!!!!
Mike Epting’s (North
Columbia Estimator)
daughter Mallory Epting
graduated from USC.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Crandall Poore, son of Eddie (Reeves
West Superintendent) and Rhonda Poore,
graduated in May from Jones County
High School and plans to attend college
in the fall to play baseball and continue
his education. Congratulations!
Chris Capell’s (North Duncan Shop
Manager) daughter, Hannah Capell
graduated from Pendleton High
School in May and will be attending
Anderson University in the Fall.
Congratulations!
Jarrod Crum’s (Reeves Corporate Safety
Manager) son, Jarrod Crum Jr., graduated
from Warner Robins High School and will
be attending GA Southwestern State in
the fall on a baseball scholarship.
Congratulations!
John Meador’s (North
Columbia Shop
Superintendent) granddaughter, Olivia Diane
Frost graduated from
high school in May.
Congratulations!
Brag corner
Crystal Terrell’s (Reeves
Corporate) son, Ryan
Kincaid graduated from
Spartanburg Christian
Academy and will be
attending Anderson
University in the fall on
a golf scholarship.
Congratulations!!!
David Gales JR (Southeast
Emulsions Foreman) and his
wife Michelle are the proud
parents of David Michael
Gales III (Trey). He was
born on 4/16/2014.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Madeline Kattner (pictured 2nd in from right)
daughter of April Hobbs (R..B. Baker Accounting
Clerk), won 2nd place statewide out of 100 posters
entered statewide in the local Lion’s Club World
Candy Epstein,
(Contract Admin. for R.B.
Baker) and her Fiancé,
Cory Cardarelli have
announced their
engagement. The
wedding is set for
10/18/2014.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Michael Peavy (R.B Baker Estimator) and
his wife, Ashlyn would like to announce
the homecoming of their daughter,
Naleigh Ke Fen Peavy! She was adopted
on 4/4/14 and they are so blessed to be
her parents. Congratulations!
Aaron Hollar
(Project Engineer—
North Columbia) and
his beautiful wife,
Lauren were married
in Savannah in April.
Congratulations to
the happy couple!
Peace Poster Contest. Madeline’s poster was a map
of the world with a Blossom Tree on top with a
peace symbol in the middle representing that each
branch is a person and they all come together as one
at the trunk of the tree. She was presented with
her certificate, a $10.00 gift card, and a $75.00
check at West Chatham Middle School by the
Pooler Lion’s Club. Great Job Madeline!
Do you have a story idea for the
Newsletter? If so, we would like to hear
from you!! Please send your story ideas
and newsletter suggestions to Human
Resources in your region or e-mail
Crystal Terrell at [email protected]