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THE
OMEGA REPORT wrapping up a CHALLENGING year Despite a year full of unexpected twists and turns, the Omega family has much to be grateful for this holiday season. From hiring new employees, to continued business operations and successes, we plan to continue the upward trend in 2021, with new projects and business goals!
THIS PUBLICATION Find up-to-date news on our portfolio of projects, staff announcements, and messages from our leadership.
the omega report
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volume one, issue four
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2020
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A MESSAGE FROM LEADERSHIP the company that coulD
BARRY HENNINGS President
2020 is quickly drawing to a close and it’s hard to believe we have now been dealing with Covid for over ten months. I am sure we all will be glad when the news and conversations are no longer dominated by Covid, but unfortunately Covid will continue to impact the way we all do business and conduct our personal lives in the near future. The vaccine will help, but it will take months before the general population can be sufficiently vaccinated. We have witnessed a medical miracle in the development of the vaccine and let’s hope for another in the roll out of the vaccine. The bottom line is: have confidence in the American people and don’t count us out. When our backs are against the wall, we figure out a way to come out on top. I have the very same feeling about our company and employees with the way we have been able to not only survive this difficult year, but actually thrive. I recognize the drive and passion our employees have for Omega and the ability to overcome challenges. I thought it fitting in wrapping up this difficult year to highlight some of the many things we have accomplished this year, to better position Omega for the future. •
Omega Trust Academy – In May of this year, we began what will be a game changer for Omega in the establishment and roll out of our Trust Academy. The Trust Academy was initiated on May 1st, during the initial stages of the pandemic, while we were under stay-at-home orders. We did not waiver in the roll out as we held the first class virtually and continue to do so. A trained workforce is a necessity for any successful company, and this will be a big differentiator that sets Omega apart from our competition. Too often in construction, we train by the sink-or-swim method, just like a lot of us were trained. With the Trust Academy, we now have a path to train employees how to swim before we throw them into the deep end.
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Organizational Structure – In 2020, we created four operating divisions within the company: the Triad Division, Industrial Division, Retail Division, and the Georgia Division. We promoted four senior managers to lead those divisions (Matthew Cave, Kirk Matthews, Dustin Hunter and Todd Mayo). The creation of these divisions gives each division manager bottom line responsibility for their respective division, as well as the ability to grow their division, while maintaining Omega’s values and culture. This operating structure will be a catalyst for the future growth of Omega Construction.
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Intern Program – In 2020, we continued to develop our intern program. Even though some projects were put on hold due to Covid, and we were not able to offer office internships this year, we continued with the field intern program to include eight interns assigned on projects. The program was again a success and we are pleased to report that one of this year’s interns, David Howell, will be joining Omega full-time upon his graduation in May 2021.
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Communication – Throughout 2020, we sought ways to better communicate with our employees and customers. We issued the inaugural Omega
Report newsletter in the first quarter of 2020 to keep employees and customers apprised of company happenings and to spotlight employees and projects. During the pandemic and stay-athome orders, we provided periodic video updates to all employees from myself, Greg, and Patrick to keep everyone informed about our company health and how we were adjusting operations for the changing environment. To keep our customers better informed about their projects in 2020, the Policies and Procedures Committee implemented the Project Weekly Report. This report is being sent to customers every week on all projects to summarize the week’s progress and any issues that arise. We have received many positive comments from customers telling us how valuable the weekly report is in keeping customers apprised on their projects and how this type communication is what sets Omega apart from the competition. •
Added Employees - This year we continued with strategic hires and added employees across all work descriptions: Project Manager, Superintendent, Estimator, Asst. Project Manager, Field Engineer, Controller and Marketing Coordinator. During 2020, we have added eleven new employees, a 13.5% increase in our total number of employees.
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Community - We continued the support of many civic and charitable organizations during the year with donations, volunteer time and in-kind gifts including 2nd Harvest Food Bank, United Funds of Surry and Yadkin County, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Mt. Airy Museum of Regional History, Children’s Center of Surry County, National Kidney Foundation, Matthew Reardon Center for Autism, and many other school and youth sports organizations.
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Benevolence Fund –As part of our culture of caring for our fellow coworkers, many employees have contributed to the newly established benevolence fund. This year, the fund was able to help three employees and their families who encountered difficulties and unfortunate circumstances during the year. Thank you to all who contribute to this fund and make it possible to provide assistance to our co-workers during difficult times. If you are not contributing, please consider giving to assist fellow co-workers.
2020 has challenged us in ways we could not have imagined going into the year, but as is true to our nature and determination, we are still standing at year end, and not only standing, but surviving and thriving. As we wrap up this holiday season, we have been blessed this year in many ways and have a lot to be thankful for. Omega Construction is fortunate to have such a wonderful group of dedicated employees and outstanding customers. May the new year bring success, good health and prosperity to you and your family. Best wishes for a prosperous New Year!
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A Blessing in Disquise Like I am sure most of you do during the holiday’s each year, I tend reflect a little more on the blessings in my life. Very high on the list of my blessings - after God’s grace and provision, my wonderful family, and my health, is the opportunity to be part of the Omega Construction team. I have realized what a blessing it is more this year, than ever.
Greg marshall Chief Financial Officer
Because Omega is full of hardworking high-achievers, and we have been blessed as a company; in a normal year it would be easy to take for granted our continued success. However, the challenges of 2020 have made Omega’s continued success even more impressive to me and highlighted how it is the result of the efforts and attitude of our entire team. After hearing how other companies struggled to operate through the effects of the pandemic, I am amazed at how our team adjusted to keep delivering top-quality service, operating our business, seemingly, without missing a beat. From my vantage point, I saw how time after time during the pandemic, Omega employees provided a stabilizing influence for our projects, customers, subcontractors, and vendors. Owners could count on us to keep them fully informed and quickly implement the necessary health guidelines on our projects so they could keep moving forward. Our subcontractors and vendors counted on Omega to be one general contractor that kept processing and paying invoices on time.
of Omega’s employees go from top to bottom and are too numerous to list. To be honest, I have not seen any truly negative effects to Omega from the pandemic. In fact, as Barry detailed in his message, we have not stood still in 2020, but made many positive changes that will impact Omega’s future. As we end 2020, our team, customer base, and balance sheet are all stronger than ever. More importantly, I sense, in addition to building trust with outside parties, we have built more trust within our company as we came together to deliver excellent results, despite a challenging year. Many thanks to everyone for their hard work, resiliency, and great attitudes; you make Omega such a blessing to be a part of.
Omega’s slogan is, “We Build Trust,” and I think we may find out that we built more trust during 2020 than any year before. As 2020 illustrates, “We Build Trust” is something the entire Omega team strives to do. The over and above efforts and great attitudes
BUILDING TRUST, NOW MORE THAN EVER
HUMAN RESOURCES HR Update Our new employee benefit period is now in effect. Please contact Patrick or Lisa if you have questions or need assistance. Our 401(k) matching provision will go into effect on 1/1/2021. Just a reminder with the holiday season approaching, the Employee Benevolence Fund needs more donations. Donate one-time or on a recurring-basis by submitting a request on the intranet, or by emailing Patrick Casstevens or Lisa Singleton. As COVID-19 is still impacting our world, we ask that our employees continue to take precautions. Safety items (face masks/hand sanitizer) and cleaning items are available at both offices. Thank you and please be safe!
2020 team promotions connor grant Field Engineer
dana stunkel Senior Project Manager
Jason nearen Assistant Project Manager
dustin caudle Project Manager
lewis furr Project Manager
will robertson Superintendent
WELCOME TO THE TEAM WE ARE PROUD TO WELCOME THE FOLLOWING TEAM MEMBERS TO THE OMEGA FAMILY:
ken bell Senior Project Manager and Estimator (WS)
larry davis Superintendent (WS)
ben marshall Carpenter (WS)
AMBER LUFFMAN Marketing Coordinator (WS)
ADELLE RODENBERG Administrative Assistant (GA)
omega TRUST academy Our TRUST Academy has been working through the construction divisions set out under the Master Format by CSI (Construction Specifications Institute). Participation has been steady, ranging between 21 and 26 participants for each module. Participants have rhapsodized about the quality of the content and the efforts made by our instructors (Matthew Cave, Josh Robbins, and Matt Pardue). Our next scheduled (virtual) module is set for January 8th, 2020. An in-person plan-reading and construction math class will be conducted at our Richmond Hill office; the date has yet to be determined. Thank you for your continued support! “Leaders are more powerful role models when they learn than when they teach.” – Rosabeth Moss Kanter
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HUMAN RESOURCES EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTs Why did you join Omega? To pursue the larger projects initially, but what pushed me over the fence was the professionalism and passion of the entire Omega staff. What do you love most about Omega? I love the family culture at Omega. Everyone works great as a team and we all pull from the same side of the rope. How do you define success? Lifting yourself up along with your family and peers. That feeling of doing your absolute best in all facets of life fills my tank. Who inspires you? My Wife. Running construction projects seem easy when she has to go out of town for work and I realize just how much Mothers, especially working Mothers, manage.
Scott Fournier
What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know? I was born in Alaska; I would love to go back there and see it some day!
Senior Estimator and Project Manager
Why did you join Omega? I joined Omega because I thought it was an incredible opportunity to grow as a superintendent, and a place I could see myself long-term. What do you love most about Omega? The feeling of being appreciated for the job we do. How do you define success? Watching a job being completed from start to finish, and knowing that I played a part in the outcome. What’s one thing - either industry-related or not - you learned in the last month? I’ve learned, throughout the majority of this year, the importance of enjoying the time I get with my family. Also, to fully put my trust in the Lord.
Billy Allen
Senior Superintendent
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ALWAYS PUTTING SAFETY FIRST Trench Safety
The four most common hazards associated with trenching and excavation are 1) lack of protective systems, 2) failure to inspect trench and protective systems, 3) unsafe spoil-pile placement, and 4) unsafe access/egress. The following concerns must be addressed by a competent person before trenching and excavation operations begin: • Evaluate soil conditions and select appropriate protective systems. • Construct protective systems in accordance with the standard requirements. • Preplan; contact utilities (gas, water/sewer, telephone, cable, electric) to locate underground lines, plan for traffic control if necessary, determine proximity to structures that could effect choice of protective system. • Test for low oxygen, hazardous fumes and toxic gases, especially when gasoline engine-driven equipment is running, or the dirt has been contaminated by leaking lines or storage tanks. Insure adequate ventilation or respiratory protection if necessary. • Provide safe access into and out of the excavation. • Provide appropriate protections if water accumulation is a problem. • Inspect the site daily at the start of each shift, following a rainstorm, or after any other hazard-increasing event. • Keep excavations open the minimum amount of time needed to complete operations. Competent person(s) must have the following training, knowledge, and authority: • Training in soil analysis. • Training in the use of protective systems. • Knowledgeable about the OSHA requirements. • Authority to immediately eliminate hazards. Inspections should be conducted at the following times: • Before construction begins. • Daily before each shift. • As needed throughout the shift. • Following rainstorms or other hazard-increasing events (such as a vehicle or other equipment approaching the edge of an excavation). Use/perform one or more of the following to address spoil piles: • Set spoils and equipment at least 2 feet back from the excavation. • Use retaining devices, such as a trench box, that will extend above the top of the trench to prevent equipment and spoils from falling back into the excavation. • Where the site does not permit a 2-foot set back, spoils may need to be temporarily hauled to another location. Please follow one or more of the following items regarding access and egress: • Provide stairways, ladders, ramps, or other safe means of egress in all trenches that are 4 feet deep or more. • Position means of egress within 25 lateral feet of workers. • Structural ramps that are used solely for access or egress from excavations must be designed by a competent person. • When two or more components form a ramp or runway, they must be connected to prevent displacement, and be of uniform thickness. • Cleats or other means of connecting runway components must be attached in a way that would not cause tripping (e.g., to the bottom of the structure). • Structural ramps used in place of steps must have a non-slip surface. • Use earthen ramps as a means of egress only if a worker can walk them in an upright position, and only if they have been evaluated by a competent person.
tips of the trade HEAR FROM A FEW OF OUR EMPLOYEES ON THEIR ‘TIPS OF THE TRADE’: Write things down, don’t trust your memory. Always follow up with people about their assignments. Look people in the eyes and speak clearly. Construction projects require people to make good connections with people. Remember names, be helpful, and encourage teamwork. - Doug Cosby, Superintendent Construction is filled with ups and downs. It is easy to get discouraged. Sometimes it is hard to sleep because we are worried about this or that on the job site. I am at my best when I don’t let myself get too high or too low when dealing with job site issues. If I can remain level-headed and focus on solving problems rather than worrying about them, the solution is much easier to find… and there is always a solution. It is also important to remain cool on the job site because people are looking to you to come up with a solution. If they see that you as the leader are bent out of shape and acting out, what is to stop them from doing the same? We have to lead by example. - Leigh Smith, Superintendent
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PROJECT SPOTLIGHTS
GRAY STONE DAY SCHOOL MISENHEIMER, NC STEM EXPANSION
This project is our fifth design/build project with Gray Stone Day School, starting in 2010, when we developed requirements and budgets during the preconstruction phases. Gray Stone has allowed many of our new customers to tour their building to get ideas for projects. We treasure our relationship with Gray Stone; they’re like family. The STEM project name was revised to “Gray Stone Day School Innovation Laboratory Wing” during the construction phase and is an expansion of the Middle School Classroom Building, which was constructed by Omega in 2017. Multiple options were considered for building locations on the Gray Stone campus, as well as building types. We were very thankful Gray Stone selected the Omega-recommended type and location! If there was a positive aspect in the Covid-19 scenario, it’d be that Buddy Staton, Omega Project Superintendent, became available for this project expansion only due to a construction pause on the AAA Car Wash project in Winston Salem. Buddy was the original superintendent for the 2017 Middle School building! His AAA Car Wash project restarted in December 2020, as well. It also worked out well having the school vacated during our tight, three-month building schedule. These were two positives that Covid-19 brought to this particular project. We’re grateful to the Gray Stone administration for allowing Omega Construction to complete another successful project on their campus. Project Team: Lee Cook, Project Manager, Buddy Staton, Superintendent
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PROJECT SPOTLIGHTS
SUMMIT CHURCH OAK RIDGE, NC The Summit Church is a stunning and modern 32,000 sq. ft. building of worship in Oak Ridge, NC. The facility includes adult and youth worship areas, guest services, fellowship areas, youth classrooms, youth gaming and hangout areas, administrative offices, conference rooms, and audio/video tech areas. This worship center is a top-notch gathering place. Exterior building includes a mixture of exterior finishes such as brick and stone veneer, wood and hardi-board siding, EIFS bands, TPO and metal roofing. The project included exterior fenced in youth areas and basketball court. Interior building includes a combination of finishes and features such as clear story open ceiling corridor w/steel scissor trusses and T&G wood soffits, clear story windows, exposed roof structure in both adult and youth worship areas, in-stage recessed baptistry in main auditorium, industrial themed youth area and game room, barn doors, fireplace built-ins in guest service areas and classrooms Project Team: Jeff White, Project Manager, Dale “Tootie” Fearington, Superintendent, Justin Brinkley, Superintendent
2020 q3 completed projects Job well done to the Omega staff who worked diligently to complete the following projects in the third quarter of 2020.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS 10 MINUTE OIL CHANGE WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA Jeff White, Project Manager Doug Cosby, Superintendent
LOWES FOODS #167
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA Matthew Cave, Project Manager Billy Allen, Superintendent Marty Murray, Asst. Superintendent
BRIDGES ACADEMY EXPANSION LEXINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA Lee Cook, Project Manager Josh Robbins, Assistant Project Manager Brandon Parsley, Superintendent
DOBY’S BRIDGE RETAIL
FORT MILL, SOUTH CAROLINA Jeff White, Project Manager Randy Kilts, Superintendent
DAVIDSON WATER BUILDING LEXINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA Brock Hennings, Project Manager Mac McMillian, Superintendent
HARRIS TEETER #212 REMODEL
CARTHAGE, NORTH CAROLINA Jimmy Poore, Project Manager Chris Crigger and Doyle Watson, Superintendents
HARBOR FREIGHT SHELL
GALAX, VIRGINIA Dustin Hunter, Project Manager Tim Hagwood, Assistant Superintendent
FORBUSH VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT YADKINVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA Matt Pardue, Project Manager Steve Doub, Superintendent
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EMPLOYEE UPDATES scott and diane craver became grandparents to kellin on october 1st
GA DIVISION SUPPORTS jac ‘clay for kids’ to raise funds for local after school and summer programs for local children
lewis and kara furr welcomed harper mae into the world on september 8th
lindsey and eric cook (son of lee and cecilia cook) were married october 3rd
omega Q3 work anniversaries Happy work anniversary to the following individuals! We appreciate your hard work and dedication to Omega Construction.
LEE COOK
RANDY WILSON
DANNY GOBBLE
ALAN BARBOUR
KEVIN HENNINGS
DAVID SIMMONS
KIRK MATTHEWS
PAUL BASSETT
GUY MCMILLIAN
MARK NATALE
LARRY MCMORROW
DENNIS FREEMAN
JEFF WHITE
VINCE GUTIERREZ
FERNANDO MEDELLIN
JOHN KARFIT
ROGER NEUGENT
ERIC MARSHALL
BRANDON PARSLEY
WRIGHT SMITH
Executive Vice President, Eight years Assistant Superintendent, Eight years Executive Vice President, Eight years Vice President, Eight years Superintendent, Eight years Superintendent, Eight years
Senior Project Manager, Eight years Carpenter, Six years
Superintendent Seven years Superintendent, Six year
Assistant Superintendent, Six years Superintendent, Five years Project Manager, Five years Superintendent, Four years Superintendent, Four years Superintendent, One year Assistant Superintendent, One year Superintendent, One year Fleet/Safety Manager, One year Superintendent, One year
Seasons Greetings and
Happy New Year!
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