CEO MESSAGE
IN 2020
many things have transpired within our company and certainly outside the company. I can’t tell you enough how proud I am of our leadership, our field and plant crews, our drivers, and all of the QC and office staff that worked so hard, committed themselves to the task at hand and kept our company alive and well. It is hard enough to focus on our personal lives, family, and much more to avoid COVID-19 on a daily basis, digest the racial turmoil, listen to the politics from both sides, the rise and fall of our pocketbooks, and yet get up and gather our thoughts and refocus for a safe and fun filled day at work. Fortunately, we have survived it all and have come out of 2020 intact, solvent, with fresh ideas, and employees dedicated to the company’s success. How good is that? Pretty Special I think. Are we where we want to be? No, but we are headed in the right solid direction. In the spring of 2020 a small group of Ajax leadership set about a process of meetings and “think tank” discussions to develop a short and long term Strategic Plan. From that came a long term VISION called THE CHOICE, a revised corporate MISSION STATEMENT, and a review of our CORE BELIEFS & VALUES adding an additional important value. An action plan was developed and small groups were organized to work on the Team Assignments. Behind the scenes teams of people are working on the following topics: Talent Recruitment and Development, Government and Community Outreach, Innovation, Growth, Processes and Operations, and Risk Management. All of these topics are important to the GOAL of making our VISION a reality. In addition, we began work on an overall QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (QMS) used to attain Performance Excellence. It is designed to assure the continued reputation of Ajax as a top tier Highway Contractor. We know to be the best, we must work at it each and every day. It has always been said that our reputation is important. It will be determined by the standards and behaviors of all of our people. As we continue to mature as a company we will always rely on our people to drive us forward.
A topic important to me personally is racial inequality and unfairness. It’s one that leaders and employers hate to discuss and are afraid to bring to the surface and have an open discussion. Nationally it has not been addressed or handled properly by those in charge. My promise is that our company will do our part to insure the opportunity to be trained, advanced, and promoted will be equal to everyone of any ethnic background or race. Talent Development is a topic we are working hard on to have a clear route to advancement and avail the chance to do so based on a person’s motivation, work ethic, attitude, and training regardless of ethnic origin. The expectation that all of our people in a management position will treat our workers with respect and dignity that every human being deserves is of primary importance to this company. I expect our leaders will ensure this philosophy and work to improve where needed. Again our company is strong, both in the quality of our people and our financial stability. But to stay on top we must continue to work together, and strive to be the best. We have the team to do it. Let’s aggressively move forward and ensure our success. As always be safe out there, and Keep the Faith!
Stay Safe out there! Keep the Faith! Mike Horan, CEO
w w w.AjaxPaving.com/Florida
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