10 minute read
CEO Message
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
CHANGE IS CONSTANT, GOOD OR BAD
One thing in life that remains constant, is change. Change can be good or bad. Change can have impact or lack impact.
I originally prepared this article back in August, then Ian blew into town, and Cassie sent it back to me for revisions/change. How ironic, since the theme of my original article was change.
Let me say that I could not be prouder of our employees and the communities in which we work and live for the willingness to reach out and help one another. Wouldn’t it be great if that was our world every day? Compassion and caring always seems to come through in difficult times.
I am also impressed with our employees, subcontractors and material suppliers for the emergency repair work that we have done throughout the Florida Department of Transportation’s Districts 1 and 7. This includes reopening the Sanibel Causeway in record time. Hats off to everyone for doing a great job!
Now back to my original topic - change. As a leader, I welcome change and see it as the mechanism that moves us forward. Mike’s vision of being an industry leader in the area of quality control in 2002 is why I landed at Ajax. His vision to “change” from what the company was to what the company would be in this arena was impactful and raised the bar in the State of Florida. This change had impact.
Being an organization that does not want to accept being just an okay organization is what defines Ajax. We are all about embracing change. So how can our employees, partners, and customers help us continue down that path? There are two things that you can do every day that will keep us moving forward. When you arrive at our
KEEP AN OPEN MIND.
jobsite, lab, office, asphalt plant, or wherever we may be, visit us as a tourist and ask questions as a child.
What does that mean? A tourist is someone that is traveling or visiting a place. They have both open eyes and an open mind. They see sights and hear sounds that the locals may look right past. They observe for joy and relaxation. They are actively looking at the world they are visiting.
A child asks questions with curiosity. Why is the sky blue? Why is the grass green? Why do rabbits hop and turtles crawl? Have I lost you at this point? Just think how much safer we would be if we showed up each day and behaved like a tourist and ask questions like a child?
A tourist would look at the area and say: “It sure looks like someone could hit that lip over there and have a bicycle crash. “Looks like there should be a sign-up alerting pedestrians that the sidewalk is closed.” “I wonder why they do not have machine guards on that conveyor?”
A child would be inquisitive and ask:
“Why are we doing whatever it is we are doing?”
“What if we did it another way?”
“Could someone be injured by doing it this way?”
“What if we did it another way?”
“Is it safe to drive with a cell phone in your hand?” WE ARE UP FOR THE CHALLENGE
Are you receiving the message? I once lived in neighborhood and a visitor ask me where a particular street was. I said I had no idea. Next time I left the house, I realized I had traveled down that street daily for thirteen years. I had closed eyes and was not observing my surroundings like a tourist.
It may not always appear that we at Ajax are looking for input because some may be quick to shoot down your idea. Sometimes that may be the correct action, but not always. Do not let a negative person take away your desire to promote change. Stay positive, and have a discussion with them and be that kid and ask why? Challenge them to explain and make them a better supervisor or leader.
I encourage all of our vendors, suppliers, engineers, whatever your relationship is with Ajax to challenge us to be open to change.
Be safe out there and make the family proud!
In closing, I say thank you for all of your efforts in 2022. I am told that over the summer, we had the three hottest months on record. We made it through with no reported heat related illnesses that I am aware of. My hat goes off to everyone for taking personal responsibility for your health and for team embers also looking out for one another.
In 2023, my ask is that we focus on reducing the number of vehicle accidents that we are having. Obey the laws including posted speeds, and remain hands free if on your cell phone. If you are in traffic and congestion or unaware of where you are headed, stay off of the phone and pull over if you need to make a call and ask for guidance. If in the work zone, follow the Internal Traffic Control Plan (ITCP).
In twelve months, let’s celebrate an improved year safety wise.
Vince Hafeli, President
VICEPRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
EXCITING TIMES IN ALTERNATIVE CONTRACTING
What do I mean by Alternative Contracting? In lieu of the traditional Design-Bid-Build method, multiple methods of Alternative Contracting are available to an owner for project delivery. The most common method today would be Design Build (DB). These type projects involve Ajax teaming with an Engineering firm to pursue a job which had started in design, but not been completed. Our team will then spend the next several months studying the goal of the project, how to best use the materials and resources available, then submit a proposal and price to the owner. The winning team is chosen based on a combination of score and price. We currently are building 11 of these Design Build projects totaling over $350 million and pursuing 17 others approaching $750 million in value.
A second method of Alternative Contracting that is gaining in popularity amongst owners is Progressive Design Build (PDB). In this case we select an Engineering partner (same as Design Build), the difference is it’s up to the owner to select a winning team based on understanding of the project, qualifications and past experience. The winning team then works closely with the Owner and Engineer to design and build the safest and most economical project. Once plans are far enough along in design a price is submitted and agreed upon with the owner. At this point work can often begin, before all design is complete which further expedites a project. We currently are working on two PDB projects, SR 31 widening at Babcock Ranch (Construction scheduled to start in late 2023) and Sanibel Causeway rebuild after Hurricane Ian.
There are other alternative contracting methods out there and our Team is well equipped to manage any method an owner so chooses. What is important to realize is the trend of our Industry, starting with our biggest customer FDOT and an ever-increasing number of Counties and municipalities, they are realizing the many added benefits to these types of project delivery. These jobs are delivered to the taxpayer much quicker than the traditional DesignBid-Build and are typically more cost effective, which is something Florida desperately needs to keep up with our rapidly growing population and traffic demands.
Leading the Alternative Contracting Team for Ajax is recently promoted Felipe Jaramillo (Engineering Director). Felipe has been living and breathing Alternative Contracting now for nearly a decade and his relentless work ethic, attention to detail and relationship building across the State has helped make Ajax one of the most respected Alternative Delivery Contractors in Florida. He isn’t alone though, with the demand growing so has the Engineering Department. Mike Morgan, just a couple years in now as Engineering Manager is the grizzled veteran along with Natalie Horan and recently added Nate Hassler. This team is loaded with engineering experience and knowledge and their potential is off the charts!
Who would of guessed 20, 10 or even 5 years ago Ajax would have a marketing team?
Well, welcome to the digital world! As our world continues to share and consume information at an exponential pace, it is essential for Ajax to keep up with the times. How we consume the information is also changing; 20-years ago we relied mostly on Newspapers and TV, 10-years ago it was TV and Computers and now it has become Phones and Computers. What will it be 10 years from now? Well, based on the recent trend one could guess Phones and Brain Computer Interface (BCI), with computers phasing out just as the newspaper did years ago.
Communication is the life-blood of our society, whether it be within a company, family, community, sports team, you name it and those that communicate best typically perform best.
To that end, our Marketing team has focused on the use of social media to reach as many people as possible and share the great stories of what our folks are doing every day to make Ajax who we are. This could be TPR events, project milestones, employee spotlights, anniversary’s the list goes on, but the focus is to keep as many people in touch with all that is happening within the Ajax family.
Social media is just one of the many tasks of our Marketing Team leads, well I say team, but in reality, it is just two people making this happen! Some other responsibilities include; • Organizing the Ajax Charity Golf Tournament which raised over $90,000 last year for charity • Creating annual Ajax magazine • Community Outreach Program • Digital Marketing Campaign • Creating video content for hiring ads and Industry Awareness • Managing our website • Creating proposals for Industry Awards • Coordinating quarterly office events • Volunteering opportunities • The point of contact with the over 30 local charities we support
Cassie Rubio (Marketing Manager) and Megan Jackson (Marketing Coordinator) are the dynamic duo making things happen. Cassie, since the day she arrived at Ajax (hired as an Assistant Contract Administrator) always had her eye on creating a marketing department for Ajax. She had some tough old timers to push past, but with her persistence, vision and passion she pursued and created all that we have today.
There is a ton of opportunity in 2023 for this team so get ready! Pictured, Felipe Jaramillo, Mike Morgan, Name Hassler and Natalie Woody. MARKETING, SAY WHAT?
Alongside Cassie and assisting at every level is Megan, who spent 6 months as an intern from University of Tampa, then came on board full time in January. Amongst her marketing skills, she also brings some impressive video editing skills to help grow our department. Most importantly, they both bring high energy and enthusiasm to work every day, which rubs off on those around them.
That’s right, marketing is here at Ajax and has come a long way in a short time!
Pictured, Cassie Rubio and Megan Jackson collabrating on their latest marketing efforts.
Shout out to the following A-Team members for joining Cassie and Megan on the Marketing Commitee. This group meets bi-monthly and helps facitilate and plan various events throughout the year. For more info or to join email Cassie crubio@ajaxpaving.com Danielle Bentivegna, Area 2 Taylor Shaner, Venice Office Adriana Rahe, Venice Shop Sandy Philipps, Venice Office Angela Wike, Area 3 Isabell Troxell, Area 3 Arielle Zazik, Area 3 Scott Pittman, Sponsor
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