Cianbro: 75 Years

PEOPLE. PRIDE. PROGRESS.

Cianchette Brothers, Inc. equipment lined up in Pittsfield, Maine (April 1, 1950).

CIANBRO PE OPL E . PR ID E . PR OG R E S S .

ISBN: 979-8-218-50721-3 CIANBRO - 75 Years © 2024 The Cianbro Companies, Pittsfield, Maine All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher and copyright holder.

Fox Island Wind project, Vinalhaven, Maine, at sunset (circa 2009).

TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION........................................................................................................................................................................... 4 FOREWORD............................................................................................................................................................................. 5 CHAPTER ONE (1906 - 1949): A Family Philosophy........................................................................................ 7 CHAPTER TWO (1950 - 1959): Building a Foundation for the Future ............................................. 17 CHAPTER THREE (1960 - 1969): Overcoming Challenges........................................................................ 27 CHAPTER FOUR (1970 - 1979): Embarking on Employee Ownership.............................................. 39 CHAPTER FIVE (1980 - 1989): A Time to Grow, and a Time to Endure............................................. 55 CHAPTER SIX (1990 - 1999): New Era of Safety and Market Diversification............................... 77 CHAPTER SEVEN (2000 - 2009): Passion and Perseverance Prevail...............................................101 CHAPTER EIGHT (2010 - 2019): Energy Projects and Acquisitions Fuel Expansion...............135 CHAPTER NINE (2020 - 2024): One Team, Infinite Possibilities .......................................................169 LOOKING AHEAD.......................................................................................................................................................... 213 APPENDIX........................................................................................................................................................................... 215

DEDICATION

This 75-year anniversary book is dedicated to the past and present team members of The Cianbro Companies. The story of our company is the story of our team members. It is a story of humble beginnings and hard-won achievements. We love a challenge.

• Our team members have a POSITIVE outlook on life, a CAN-DO ATTITUDE, and a PASSION for construction.

• Our team members cherish relationships founded on TRUST, HONESTY, FAIRNESS, DIGNITY, and RESPECT. • Our team members value SAFETY, QUALITY, PRODUCTIVITY, TEAMWORK, LEADERSHIP, and HUMILITY. May everyone who reads about our history know the secret to our success: IT’S ALL ABOUT PEOPLE.

4

FOREWORD From Pete Vigue, Chair Emeritus

2024 marks our 75th year in business — a remarkable milestone that few companies ever achieve and one that fills us with great pride. We have grown from humble beginnings to be one of the largest, open-shop, 100 percent employeeowned construction companies in America. This milestone anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on our past and consider our future.

Throughout our first 75 years, the growth and achievements have been remarkable. People within the industry, from our communities, and political leaders have asked: “How do you do it?” They see the results on our projects and our long-term success, and they believe that there’s some secret behind our company. The secret is our people who have made us the company we are today.

Cianbro’s journey began with an 11-year-old boy seeking opportunities in America, evolving into four brothers united by passion, persistence, grit, and a commitment to overcoming challenges. Their culture of teamwork, self-confidence, honesty, and leadership, honed during challenging times, guided the company to what it is today. Over the years there have been ventures with mixed results. Those experiences resulted in today’s culture of flexibility and led to the freedom to try new things and explore new possibilities, to become more adaptable. We will continue to be tested by difficult circumstances, tough situations, uphill battles, and by opportunities disguised as challenges. How we respond will determine the future success of our company. We have recounted many of these defining moments in this book. By working together safely, innovating, adapting, never quitting, never saying can’t, we will continue to celebrate more growth and success.

In recent years, we have welcomed new organizations to the Cianbro family of companies. Strategic acquisitions have accelerated growth, expanded our geographical footprint, and increased the diversity of markets and team members. This has strengthened the resilience of the organization. Our success is grounded in prioritizing relationship-based business and fostering a culture of innovation where no one in this room is smarter than all of us.

One thing that will always remain true: It’s all about people. In a world that always needs more mentors, role-models, and leaders, it is our goal that all team members be an inspiration to everyone in their personal and professional lives. People emulate the behaviors of those they respect.

Thank you to all who have made this milestone achievable. By focusing on our people and continuing to work together, anything is achievable.

Everything is possible.

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The five oldest Cianchette brothers in the back, Bud, Ken, Clair, Norris, and Carl pictured with their younger siblings, Chuck and Marilyn, and their parents, Ralph and Edna (circa 1942).

CHAPTER ONE (1906 - 1949)

A Family Philosophy It was 1906 when 11-year-old Raphael Cianchette, an Italian immigrant, followed his father, Dominick, to Maine for work.

Jobs were scarce in Raphael’s homeland, and Dominick wanted to provide a better life for his family. He found there was plenty of work to go around in northern Maine. The jobs were hard work in Ashland and then Millinocket, offering long hours for very little pay. But it was enough.

In the years after his arrival to the United States, Raphael, more commonly referred to as Ralph, worked with his father and uncle on the family farm and took on various railroad jobs in northern Maine. Ultimately, Ralph and Dominick landed in Pittsfield, Maine, earning enough money to reunite the family and buy a home.

At the age of 23, Ralph married Edna Steen, who was neither Italian nor Catholic, on September 14, 1918. Just under a year later, on August 27, 1919, Ralph and Edna welcomed their first child, Carl. They would have six more children – Norris, Clair, Kenneth (Ken), Ival (Bud), Marilyn, and Alton (Chuck).

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7

Passing down core values The Cianchettes’ old-world roots helped shape their humble beginnings in Maine. Before emigrating from Italy, the family survived on determination and ingenuity, with multiple generations living under one roof where everyone contributed to make the most of what little they had. During the Great Depression, the family was not only frugal, they also continued to work together and work hard.

Edna added to the family income by operating a small grocery store out of the family’s woodshed. She also made chocolate-sugared doughnuts that the children would sell around the neighborhood.

As a young man, Ralph had his hands in several Ralph Cianchette Edna Steen enterprises, from cutting wood to selling automobiles and oil-burning furnaces. It was around 1930 when he first ventured into the construction industry, building bridges. Ralph entered into a business partnership that went south, ending with him paying off his partner’s debts. After that, he took a

8

CHAPTER ONE SEVEN

position as a foreman on a Works Progress Administration (WPA) job, which was part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal program. The project was to turn an old horse racing track in Pittsfield into an airport.

However, the staffing and tools were insufficient for the project, and when Ralph brought his concerns to the project supervisor, he was told there would be no changes. Maintaining his integrity, he left the job.

This mentality — ensuring that if you are going to do a job, you do it the right way — is something that the Cianchette brothers inherited and would eventually pass down to generations of team members.

The family went without a paycheck coming in for months, and ultimately Ralph headed back out on his own, building small bridges throughout Maine. As his sons grew up, they began to join him on his projects.

Through Ralph and Edna, the Cianchette children learned the value of hard work, keeping your word, and earning money honestly. Edna was up at 4 a.m. every day, and when the boys went to bed, she was still awake ironing shirts. Carl once said of his mother, “She taught us to always deal honestly and aboveboard with people and to always face what we came to without backing off.”

She also taught them lessons in fiscal responsibility. For example, when the brothers took on newspaper delivery routes, Edna ensured that part of their profit went into savings. She worked hard and was an expert in handing it down and using it up as a means to be sensible with money.

1905

1906

1908

Raphael (Ralph) Cianchette’s father, Dominick, leaves Italy for America to work as a construction laborer in northern Maine.

May 14, 1906: Ralph Cianchette arrives in Boston at age 11. A water-boy job in northern Maine awaits him.

Dominick Cianchette born in Pettorano, Italy, on May 10, 1863. Died October 11, 1937, in Pittsfield, Maine.

Ralph Cianchette born in Pettorano, Italy, on March 25, 1895. Died December 30, 1972, in Pittsfield, Maine.

Edna Steen, Ralph’s future wife, leaves school at age 13 to help support her family and finds work in a woolen mill in Clinton, Maine.

Edna Steen born in Levant, Maine, on July 19, 1895. Died September 9, 1991, in Pittsfield, Maine.

(From left) Clair and Norris are pictured behind their siblings sitting in front of them: Ken, Marilyn seated on Carl’s lap, and Bud (circa 1930).

1918

1919

1919 - 1930

1929

September 14, 1918: Ralph Cianchette forgoes an old-world custom of an arranged Catholic marriage to a cousin and weds conservative Baptist Edna Steen.

September 22, 1919: Ralph becomes a U.S. Citizen at a naturalization ceremony in Skowhegan, Maine.

Ralph and Edna’s children: Carl, born August 27, 1919; Norris, born August 6, 1921; Clair, born February 26, 1923; Kenneth (Ken), born September 28, 1924; Ival (Bud), born July 19, 1926; Marilyn, born September 3, 1928; and Alton (Chuck), born May 18, 1930.

October 1929: The stock market crash occurs and America descends into the Great Depression, which would last through the 1930s.

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Quality, innovation, and integrity were at the core of the Cianchette brothers’ upbringing, and those standards would remain with them throughout their careers, becoming the foundation of their businesses.

Enduring through tragedy

Chuck delivering papers on Mintoes, the family donkey (circa 1937).

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CHAPTER ONE

In 1937, the family suffered a tragedy when Ralph’s father, Dominick, was struck by a car and killed. After his father’s death, Ralph bought his parent’s farm behind Maine Central Institute (MCI) in Pittsfield. Access to the farm sparked the Cianchette brothers’ entrepreneurial spirit. Ken and Bud started raising chicken broilers and buying and selling baby chicks.

“We raised them and then we sold them. We didn’t make much,” said Ken. “I think we probably got enough money to pay for the feed.”

They also grew corn, becoming one of several farmers who sold to Baxter Canning Company. Unfortunately, this also generated little profit.

Though some of their endeavors were less profitable than others, the brothers had a knack for working hard, using ingenuity, and ultimately, making some extra cash. They stocked shelves, ran hot dog stands, and sold candy bars.

As the decade turned, America was making its way out of the Great Depression, and Ralph’s construction business had seen some success.

However, the war in Europe was escalating, and uncertainty still loomed.

That uncertainty changed on December 7, 1941, when Japanese

1938

1939

Ralph attends a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Oxford Bridge in Oxford, Maine.

Ralph retrofits a crane with a wooden boom, an example of the can-do mindset he instilled in his children.

Calculated Risks forces attacked the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Norris was the first of the Cianchette brothers to enlist in the Army in October 1942, with Clair and Ken being drafted shortly after. Carl joined the Merchant Marines in early 1943, and Bud was drafted in September 1944.

Chuck with twin baby goats in front of the 1934 Chevrolet pickup that originally belonged to Bud but was later passed down to Chuck.

Unlike a lot of parents at that time, Ralph and Edna gave their children a great deal of freedom, allowing them to take risks.

“She let us do things other kids couldn’t do,” said Chuck. “We used to climb out the upstairs window, get on the roof, and chase each other around the ledge that went all the way around the edge of the roof. We never heard, ‘Don’t do that, you might get hurt.’ Other kids were afraid of everything.”

Just as Edna put trust into her The Cianchette family home on South children to do Main Street in Pittsfield, Maine. what was right, the children put that same trust into each other and themselves.

They also developed a sense of courage and self-confidence that their peers would lack. The traits they gained from their parents allowing them to take risks and explore would serve them well years later when they were forming what is now Cianbro.

1942

1942

1943

Ralph works on the Wesserunsett Bridge in Skowhegan, Maine. His next project, the Kittery Point Bridge in Maine, would be his last project due to World War II.

October 1942: Norris enlists in the Army and serves in Italy.

January 1943: Clair is drafted into the Army and serves in France and Germany.

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Working Smarter Ingenuity was one of the keys to helping the Cianchette brothers succeed in the construction industry. Once the construction season ended in Maine on Christmas day in 1946, Ken and Bud bought a 1936 Ford Phaeton convertible and headed for the warmer weather in Florida.

Ken was looking for a relaxing break, but Bud wanted to find some work. They reluctantly took on low-paying jobs as laborers building the MacArthur Causeway in Miami. Their work primarily involved lugging 94-pound bags of cement and steel reinforcing bars. The bags were located in a warehouse. They were tasked to carry those bags through the warehouse to a barge outside.

However, Ken and Bud knew this was not the most efficient way to get the job done.

They saw a window and an opportunity. They set up a chute out the window where they could slide the bags out, cutting their workload significantly. Here, the brothers learned to improvise, adapt, and overcome.

The brothers served in various parts of Europe. Norris rose to the rank of corporal, and Clair and Bud finished their service as sergeants. By the end of 1946, all the brothers had returned home safely. As the boys returned from war, they were eager to get to work.

‘Us and Company’ In 1946, Carl began brainstorming ways to start his own construction operation, borrowing money from Ken and Bud while commandeering a 12-year-old pickup truck that had been passed down from Bud to Chuck. Using his father’s advice as guidance, and with the support of his brothers, Carl was able to get the Carl E. Cianchette Contractor company off the ground. Ken was able to loan Carl $5,000, which included the numerous money orders he sent home to his mother while in the service in Europe.

Their first job was, as Ken and Norris said, “a miserable one,” loading hardwood pulp onto boxcars in Burnham, Maine. The wood had frozen over the winter and thawed, becoming wet and slippery.

“We learned very soon that loading pulp by hand was not the way to make a living,” recalled Norris. Clair quit after a couple of days. “He was smarter than the rest of us. It didn’t take him long to figure that we couldn’t make any money at that stuff.” All of the brothers quickly learned that loading pulp was not the project for them. When evaluating opportunities, this job taught them to get to yes (or no) quickly.

1943

1943

1943

March 1943: Carl joins the Merchant Marines, where he carries war supplies across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe.

March 1943: Ken is drafted into the Army and serves in England and France under General George S. Patton.

Ralph completes his last construction project and becomes a deputy sheriff for Somerset County.

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CHAPTER ONE

March 15, 1946: Bud, Ken, Clair, Norris, and Carl are home safe at last.

Their second job, adding an expansion onto a local mill, was better, but Norris and Carl butted heads. Norris didn’t see a future for himself in construction, and after a few weeks, he left the job. However, Bud and Chuck stepped in and filled those roles. The brothers, along with a dozen team members they had hired on, finished the Hodgkins Mill job on time and under budget.

Carl continued to find work, albeit smaller jobs than Hodgkins Mill, and gross sales for the end of 1946 totaled $46,000. Then, in 1947, the brothers were awarded their first state contract building a small bridge in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine.

“My father used to refer to the family as ‘Us and Company,’” said Ken. “He always said if we worked together, we would do all right.”

By the end of 1949, Carl had welcomed Ken and Bud as business partners. Chuck would join his brothers later. Two days before the new year, the brothers officially changed the company’s name to Cianchette Bros., Inc. In those early years of the business, the brothers also learned the value of putting others first — a value that is ultimately at the core of the company’s success. Though the brothers never openly stated it, their priority was always ensuring that the workers were the first to receive payment, followed by the creditors. Only after fulfilling these obligations did they consider their own needs.

This same philosophy of putting people first is carried on throughout the company today. You can find it in the company’s motto: It’s all about people.

1944

1946

1946

September 1944: Only months after graduating from MCI, Bud is drafted into the Army and serves in Germany.

Five brothers return home safely after their war and occupation duties are complete. Chuck gifts his mother a plaque with five stars that represent each of her sons serving in the war.

Carl begins his construction business known as Carl E. Cianchette Contractor with loans from brothers Ken and Bud, plus advice from his father, Ralph.

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“ My father used to refer to the family as ‘Us and Company.’ He always said if we worked together, we would do all right.”

– Ken Cianchette

Though at the time, the name change to Cianchette Bros., Inc. seemed like a small step for a family-run startup in central Maine, it was much more than that. This was the beginning of a business venture that would go on to exceed even the brothers’ wildest expectations.

But first, just as the decade turned, the brothers would set their sights on a major project in the northern Maine town of Limestone.

The office of Carl E. Cianchette Contractor (circa 1946).

1946

1947

1948

1949

December 1946: At the end of Carl E. Cianchette Contractor’s first year, the company hits $46,000 in revenue.

Carl E. Cianchette Contractor wins its first state contract – a bridge in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine. The team purchases three dump trucks for the project.

Throughout its third year of business, Carl E. Cianchette Contractor stays busy working on house foundations, excavations, sewer work, and also building a large garage for Rowell’s Automobile Dealership in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine.

December 30, 1949: Carl welcomes Bud and Ken as partners, and Cianchette Bros., Inc. is officially founded.

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CHAPTER ONE

When Carl landed his first state contract in 1947, a bridge in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, he purchased three dump trucks to add to his fleet.

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In 1951, the brothers landed a subcontract for Limestone Air Force Base, later renamed Loring Air Force Base, in Limestone, Maine. This bulldozer and low-bed truck were part of the equipment on hand. However, because of the size of the job, it was necessary to purchase 13 Ford trucks, a power shovel, and two more bulldozers.

CHAPTER TWO (1950-1959)

Building a Foundation for the Future In June 1950, North Korea’s invasion of South Korea ignited the Korean War. With the United States backing South Korea’s military efforts, the country once again began investing in military installations. The government saw the Limestone Air Force Base, which would later be renamed the Loring Air Force Base, in Limestone, Maine, as a strategic and vital location due to its proximity to Europe.

Given its importance, the government invested in the base, building underground ammunition storage igloos and barracks.

The ammunition storage project was awarded to Perini Corporation of Framingham, Massachusetts. The barracks job went to the Farina Brothers and Volpe joint venture, two other Massachusetts-based firms.

The Cianchette brothers also found their way into the action. They rented out their Lorain crane to Farina and Volpe, with Chuck as the operator. The brothers were also major subcontractors on the ammunition storage job, working around the clock to haul fill. Additionally, they purchased 13 new trucks, two bulldozers, and a power shovel. Bud credited the Loring expansion for setting the brothers on a new trajectory toward heavy equipment and earth moving.

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After three months of operating the crane, Chuck reunited with his brothers, Carl and Bud, on the Perini job. Here, he got back into the Cianchette mindset of working on anything and everything, getting his hands and his clothes filthy by the end of a long shift. Bud had a bunk in one of the barracks, but he didn’t use it much, putting in extremely long hours, seven days a week.

After the work in Limestone was finished, the brothers needed to get the equipment they had invested in back to work. Fortunately, funding had increased for the Maine highway systems, and they quickly transitioned to constructing bridges for the Maine Turnpike extension from Portland to Augusta.

While the brothers were hard at work in Limestone, back in central Maine, Ken was working on foundations for a shoe factory in Gardiner, an Internal Revenue Service building in Augusta, and a warehouse in Hartland.

Ken flies solo The market for highway building was crowded. Although the brothers were doing well at the time, they were still relatively small fish in a big pond when compared to others in the state. Recognizing this, Ken set his sights on a market that was a little less saturated — municipal sewerage and water systems.

“It might have been more complicated and less glamourous, but I

The company’s new headquarters was built in the late 1950s, providing much needed space. Lynwood Cookson confers with Opal Emery.

Glenys Sprague works behind them. Norma Rogers types in the foreground.

1951

1951 - 1952

1953

1954

Cianchette Bros., Inc. wins subcontracts at what becomes Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Maine.

Ken works on foundations in Maine for a shoe factory in Gardiner, an IRS building in Augusta, and a warehouse in Hartland.

Ken leaves Cianchette Bros., Inc. and starts Ken Cianchette, Inc.

The U.S. Army honorably discharges Chuck and he has a choice to make: go to college or work for either Cianchette Bros., Inc. or Ken Cianchette, Inc. He chooses to work for Cianchette Bros., Inc.

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CHAPTER TWO

thought it was something we could make money on. As it was, we were struggling. We were beating our heads against the wall. I felt we were going behind,” said Ken. He pitched the idea to Carl and the brothers, but they wanted to stay the course. If that indifference toward his idea wasn’t enough for Ken to begin his own endeavors, then a stubborn state road job surely would be.

The pre-bid information for the 3-mile stretch of Route 9 in Clifton, Maine, didn’t raise any red flags — some rocks and boulders to contend with, but not anything that would give the team trouble excavating.

However, they quickly discovered that was not the case.

“We got the same price for moving rocks as we did for moving dirt,” said Ken. “And what we found out after we got there was that the rocks weren’t just on top of the ground. They were everywhere.”

Not only did they lose money on the job, their equipment was getting beat up daily. They were working six, 12-hour days a week, and equipment was breaking down just as fast as they could repair it.

Ken amicably departed from the Cianchette Bros., Inc. in the spring of 1953 and began his own business, Ken Cianchette, Inc. “I said, I’ll let you do what you want to do, and I’ll go do what I want to do.” Though he went his own way, Ken still shared space in the office on Hunnewell Avenue in Pittsfield. Ken’s first contract was building a new retaining wall in downtown Skowhegan, Maine.

Billy Norton, who joined Ken on his first project and would go on to work 32 years alongside the Cianchettes, learned the value of versatility.

He learned how to mix concrete and, over the years, would learn any number of trades, from welding and carpentry to operating a crane, backhoe, or bulldozer. “That was one of the jobs he gave to me,” said Billy. “Of course, I had never done it before, but he showed me how.”

Though the brothers valued a multiskilled team, they also valued teaching and lifelong learning to ensure they could develop an array of skills.

Ken took on small jobs with a small crew, and despite a few struggles, he made a small profit in his first year. When the Skowhegan job was finished, he moved to another retaining wall in Pittsfield. Then Ken moved on to the sewer and water main contracts he was initially seeking, along with some bridge and building work. The company was doing well, growing to a few dozen team members.

Mid-1950s

1955

1955 - 1956

After the Loring jobs, the brothers put their growing equipment fleet to work on the Maine Turnpike extension with five overpasses between New Gloucester and Gray, and numerous other bridge jobs in central Maine.

Looking to stay busy in the winter months, the Cianchette brothers take on work hauling logs for Atlas Plywood Company in northern Maine (photo left).

Carl Cianchette serves as Maine State Representative.

“ The three great essentials to achieve anything are: hard work, stick-to-itiveness, and common sense.”

– Thomas A. Edison

Chinbro Beam Clamp and Pipe Grab are invented by Ken (see story on page 22).

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Enough work to go around

Work underway on one of three new bridges in York, Maine (circa 1957).

Throughout the 1950s, the economy was trending upward, and both Cianchette Bros., Inc. and Ken Cianchette, Inc. were getting consistent work. They worked separately but in harmony, even sharing bookkeeper Lynwood Cookson.

However, one of the assets they couldn’t share was their younger brother Chuck, who was honorably discharged from the United States Army in 1954. “The army didn’t hurt me,” he said. “It helped me with self-discipline and self-confidence.”

Chuck had always known that his career path would be in construction, but now he had to determine whether he would join Carl and Bud, or Ken, or go to college. Ultimately, the 24-year-old, eager to return to work, chose Carl and Bud’s company just in time to work on five overpasses between New Gloucester and Gray on the Maine Turnpike.

Chuck quickly worked his way from running errands on the job to operating a crane, erecting steel, and placing concrete. Before he knew it, he became the job superintendent. Within the year, Chuck became a partner and was acquiring stock.

As they finished the decade, the brothers’ focus shifted increasingly toward repairing bridges in the state of Maine.

1956

1956

1957

President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs the Federal-Aid Highway Act into law providing $30 billion for the construction of 41,000 miles of interstate highways in the U.S.

Cianchette Bros., Inc. works on numerous Maine projects: the bridges over the Sandy River in New Sharon and the Androscoggin River in Livermore Falls, and roadwork in Clifton.

Cianchette Bros., Inc. works on I-95 overpasses north of Augusta, I-395 Main Street overpass in Bangor, and three new bridges over York River in York Harbor, Maine. The York Bridge consisted of a 483-foot main channel span (photo left).

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CHAPTER TWO

Cianchette Bros., Inc. is low bidder at $316,025 for three new bridges and approximately a mile of approaches for a project in York, Maine.

Work starts on January 16, 1967. Chuck, at right, studies plans for the project with (from left) Phil Woods, state highway engineer, and his assistants, Ivan Morrison and Jerry Allen.

1957

1958

1958

Cianchette Bros., Inc. is awarded a contract for over $1 million to construct the Main Street interchange including ramps and a 315-foot overpass in Bangor, Maine.

Cianchette Bros., Inc. works at Agway fertilizer plant in Detroit, Maine, and other jobs in central Maine.

The company purchases Guy Huff Machine Shop and establishes Cianbro Manufacturing Corp.

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Necessity is the Mother of Invention Innovation and ingenuity have been key to the success of Cianbro throughout its 75-year history. While Ken and Bud developed a chute to more efficiently transport cement when they were in Miami, Florida, the first major invention came in the form of the Chinbro Beam Clamp and the Chinbro Pipe Grab. They chose to spell the name phonetically, likely to ensure the proper pronunciation of their surname.

Ken was the mastermind behind solving problems through innovations, always asking questions and searching to find an easier way to accomplish tasks. He would say it was because he didn’t want to work any harder than he already was.

One thing Ken noted was how much effort it took to erect steel. To him, the cable choker used to lift the steel beams into place seemed less productive than it could be.

“I thought there should be a way that would work better,” said Ken. “I put something down on paper. But then I got busy with something else, and I didn’t have any more steel to erect.”

Ken had, in fact, developed the concept for a device that would afford more agility when clamping onto a steel beam. He pitched the idea to Chuck, and it didn’t go anywhere until Chuck later found himself frustrated with setting steel while building a bridge in Winthrop, Maine. Though Ken had thrown away his original drawing, he went back and drew a second plan, this time to scale, creating cardboard patterns of each piece of the proposed clamp.

Chuck took the pattern to the company’s machine shop and by the end of the day, had a functioning

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CHAPTER TWO

prototype of the first-ever Chinbro Beam Clamp. He used it on the project, and sure enough, it worked like a charm.

Then, Ken turned his attention to something that could handle a pipe because they were putting in a water main in Old Town, Maine. Soon enough, he had developed the Chinbro Pipe Grab. The brothers placed a patent on both designs. They sold well, though the brothers would later sell the rights to manufacturing and sales to focus solely on construction.

Laying pipe became much simpler with Ken’s invention of the Chinbro Pipe Grab. Patsy Almonte uses one to guide this section into a trench while Frank Cianchette, the brothers’ uncle who was nicknamed “Kid Hannigan,” looks on.

Carl Ervin Cianchette Born August 27, 1919.

Died April 14, 1997.

Son of Ralph and Edna Steen Cianchette.

FAMILY

• Married Maureen Davis of Newport, Maine, October 15, 1939.

• Three daughters – Janice Harkins, Carleen Carlson, and Jill Lambert.

• Three sons – Brian, Malcolm (Mac), and Steven.

EDUCATION

• Attended Maine Central Institute (MCI), Pittsfield.

MILITARY SERVICE

• In 1943, at the height of World War II, Carl joined the Merchant Marines, stationed in Sheepshead Bay, New York, and was assigned to a transport ship carrying troops and supplies to the European Theater of Operations. He was honorably discharged as a commander.

WORK

• His first construction job was with his father’s company.

• Joined J.R. Cianchette firm in 1940; at age 20 was made assistant superintendent for a large military contract in Bangor.

• Started Carl E. Cianchette Contractor company in 1946.

• In 1949, two brothers, Ken and Bud, became partners and the business was incorporated.

The company name was changed to Cianchette Bros., Inc. and Carl was president.

• Carl went on his own in 1962 and formed Cianchette Concrete.

• Cianbro purchased other concrete companies in the early 1970s and Cianchette Concrete was also merged with Cianbro. Carl managed the entire concrete operation until his retirement in 1985.

FORMER POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS

• State Representative, 1955-1956.

• State Senator, 1969-1970.

• Governor’s Executive Council: for Gov. John Reed in 1965-1966 and for Gov. James Longley in 1975-1976. Carl chaired Maine’s last executive council.

• State Chairman of Maine Democratic Party.

• Key organizer of Edmund S. Muskie’s 1954 gubernatorial campaign and following elections.

• Pittsfield Town Councilman.

• Moderator for Pittsfield town meetings.

FORMER PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS • F irst vice president of Associated General Contractors of Maine.

•O ne of the founders of Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield, Maine.

• T rustee, Maine Maritime Academy.

FORMER PUBLIC SERVICE AND HONORS • F irst president of Pittsfield Jaycees.

•M ember: Pittsfield Kiwanis Club, Pittsfield Masonic Lodge, St. Omer Commanderie, and Anah Temple Shrine.

• Organized Florida reunions for MCI alumni.

•N ovember 2023, posthumously recognized with the prestigious Dirigo Award along with his brothers by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce for their outstanding business leadership and positive impact on Maine’s economy.

CIANBRO 75 YEARS

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TEAM MEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS 1950 -1959 It’s All About People

Harris (Hap) Mathews, Jr.

Over the decades, many hard working, committed team members dedicated all or a portion of their working careers to the company’s success.

At the end of each decade, we have included the photos and a few words about a handful of individuals who may or may not be mentioned elsewhere in the book. These names are a small percentage of the total roster of the company’s workforce. For the many team members not mentioned, please understand that your contributions and efforts are still appreciated, remembered, and are reflected in the overall success of Cianbro.

“He can do things that nobody else can do. He is a perfectionist,” said Ken Cianchette.

Hap did everything from driving trucks to painting them, from welding to electrical work, and from being a mechanic to operating a crane. When Ken came up with a solution to a challenge faced that day at work, he would sketch a plan on his garage floor. Hap would build from that plan. Hap’s legacy with the company, however, is for his specialized skills in crafting and restoring airplanes.

Carlton (Newt) Newton Newt began working for Cianbro in the summer of 1954 as an assistant grade superintendent. Considered one of the most successful superintendents for the company, Newt completed numerous bridge jobs throughout Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Newt was a take-charge guy, remembered Chuck Cianchette. “He had a great deal of stamina and energy. He set the standards and demanded that the workers be efficient and productive. He worked mostly on bridges. We worked together a lot.”

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CHAPTER TWO

Roderick (Rod) Newton Rod worked at many projects including Lincoln Pulp & Paper, the Bangor-Brewer Bridge, Maine Yankee Low Level Waste Storage Building, and Port Leyden Hydro.

“Rod was a good leader,” related Chuck Cianchette. “And another good cheerleader.

Everybody liked him. He started out as a carpenter, then he was a foreman, then superintendent.” Rod retired in 1986 after 28 years of service.

Annual Revenue 1950 - 1959 1,500 1,400 1,300 1,200 1,100

Lester (Les) Williams Les began his career with the company in 1958 as a laborer on the wood pile bridges in York, Maine. In addition, he worked as a diver, crane operator, and eventually became superintendent, project manager, district manager, and area operations manager. He held a master plumber’s license, hard hat and scuba diver certifications, and worked on bridges, sewer treatment plants, and various other types of construction projects. Les’ favorite job was a hydro contract for Central Maine Power because the people on the job pulled together as a team. He was the first project manager to advocate for a full-time safety professional assigned to a project.

IN THOUSANDS

1,000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0

1950

1951

1952

1953

1954

1955

1956

1957

1958

1959

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Two heads are better than one.

Chuck and his father, Ralph, work together on the best solution for the day’s challenge.

CHAPTER THREE (1960-1969)

Overcoming Challenges The 1960s kicked off with what appeared to be a dream project. The Messalonskee Bridge project in Waterville, Maine, was the company’s first million-dollar contract at $1.3 million and was just 20 miles from its headquarters in Pittsfield, Maine.

The brothers quickly found out this dream job would be their worst nightmare.

“The information that we had was not complete,” said Bud. “The bridge design was inadequate for the soil conditions.”

The project required 20 piers to be built, and while 16 of those went smoothly, the construction of the other four was a significant source of anxiety for the brothers. Each pier was identified on the plans from A to H and J to U. Pier N was one of those four problematic piers and continues to live in infamy at the company to this day.

“It was the hardest job I’ve ever done,” said Chuck years after it was completed.

Pier N was one of the tallest supports carrying the northbound bridge of Interstate 95 over the Messalonskee Stream. The team planned to build Pier N first, adjacent to the stream. After weeks of preparation, excavation, pile driving, and placing the concrete foundation, the cofferdam was finally filled with water to allow the concrete to cure.

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The Messalonskee Bridge on I-95 in Waterville, Maine, was open to traffic in the early 1960s. The job was one of the toughest that the Cianchette brothers ever tackled.

The curing process took seven days, during which time the team hauled gravel for backfill, collecting it next to the new pier foundation.

When the seven days had elapsed, the team pumped water out of the cofferdam, and it collapsed, shifting the pier foundation.

The error was due to a combination of the earth’s soft, blue marine clay over a layer of silt and sand and the weight of the gravel. This

was not only a costly problem, but one that would significantly set the project behind schedule.

However, in true Cianchette brothers’ fashion, they removed the debris, rebuilt the cofferdam and pier foundation, and took precautions to avoid making the same mistake twice. As the owner’s design engineers pondered, the crew was determined to complete Pier N. To

1960

1960

1961

Cianchette Bros., Inc. lands its first million-dollar contract with a low lump sum bid of $1.3 million for the Messalonskee Bridge project in Waterville, Maine.

The company moves into a new office on Hunnewell Avenue in Pittsfield, Maine.

October 1961: Cianchette Bros., Inc. and Ken Cianchette, Inc. submit the winning bid for the Kenduskeag Stream project in Bangor, Maine.

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CHAPTER THREE

Maine’s Mother of the Year do so, the brothers received assistance from David Stevens, chairman of the Maine State Highway Commission, who put pressure on the design engineers to help the project continue to move forward.

Seeing a similar situation develop on the next pier foundation, the state recognized the seriousness, halted the project, and redesigned the remaining three pier foundations. The project was completed without another serious incident.

In the case of the Messalonskee Bridge project, hindsight was 20/20, and the brothers learned some valuable lessons.

Changes abound With the Messalonskee Bridge project behind them, an opportunity in downtown Bangor, Maine, presented a different set of challenges.

City officials were looking to narrow the Kenduskeag Stream’s channel between Washington and State Street bridges, filling in the voids to increase parking on both sides of the stream. On paper, it didn’t seem all that challenging. However, the tidal movement from the Atlantic Ocean through the Penobscot River and into the stream created some risk.

“The Kenduskeag Stream project was a big job,” said Bud. “But we said if we’re going to grow, we’ve got to stick our necks out. We’ve got to go for it.”

The Kenduskeag Stream project presented an ideal opportunity for

By 1962, the Cianchette family had seen significant growth, and Ralph and Edna had 31 grandchildren who lovingly referred to Edna as Marmie. In total there would be 32 grandchildren.

On April 24, Edna was surprised with the news that she had been named Maine’s Mother of the Year. Her humble character wasn’t accustomed to being in the spotlight, but she handled it like a pro.

When asked what her biggest thrill had been, her answer wouldn’t surprise anyone. “One of the most thrilling moments of my life was the day when my last boy came home from the war and I knew that all of my sons were safe.”

On May 7, Edna attended the national Mother of the Year event at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Clara Glenn, mother of astronaut John Glenn, was chosen as the American Mother of the Year. The Cianchette family couldn’t have been prouder of Marmie.

1962

1962

1963

1963

Ken Cianchette, Inc. merges with Cianchette Bros., Inc.

February 1962: Carl Cianchette goes out on his own, forming Cianchette Concrete.

March 1963: Cianchette Bros., Inc. is awarded major sewer interceptor work and clarifier work along with underground pumping stations and associated piping in Augusta, Maine.

Cianchette Bros., Inc. performs foundation work on AT&T’s Telstar project in Andover, Maine.

Bud Cianchette becomes president of Cianchette Bros., Inc.

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The Kenduskeag Stream project in Bangor, Maine, was challenging and very risky because of the tide action. It called for a 1,000-foot canal to be built between Washington and State streets to narrow up the stream, sewer systems to be installed on both sides of the stream, and 330 parking spots to be created. Ken’s innovative flood and tidal structures helped control the water (circa 1962).

1964

1965

1965

The Cianchette brothers begin a profit-sharing program.

Cianchette Bros., Inc. wins first out-of-state job with the General Sullivan Bridge project in Dover, New Hampshire.

The company’s annual volume reaches $3 million and the payroll roster surpasses 100 team members.

January 1964: Cianchette Bros., Inc. is awarded an additional contract including a sewer interceptor and clarifier for the sewer system in Augusta, Maine.

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Bud and Chuck to reunite with Ken. After all, it was his kind of project, and both companies had shown an interest in taking a chance and pursuing it. So, after eight years on his own, Ken rejoined Cianchette Bros., Inc. In October 1961, the brothers were awarded the Kenduskeag Stream project.

Shortly after they landed the project, Carl, who had some reservations about the job, found a new niche in the ready-mix and asphalt business. Yet again, one brother was venturing out on his own.

This time it was the oldest, Carl. On February 28, 1962, the company evolved into Cianchette Bros., Inc. and Cianchette Concrete. It was a safe bet for Carl and would offer him a little more spare time in his life to enjoy weekends and fishing.

Meanwhile, Bud credits Ken for the early success of the Kenduskeag Stream project. “He did all kinds of smart things that made a difference,” said Bud. “The way he controlled the stream for one thing. He built a flood dam and a flood tide-gate type structure so he was able to work in the dry 24 hours a day. He kept the [Penobscot River] out of the stream and allowed the job to go forward fast.”

Though common practice today, back then it was yet another innovation from Ken. It was not the only innovation he contributed to the project. To enable work to continue through the winter months, Ken convinced the engineer to insulate the forms, eliminating the need for additional heat to cure the concrete.

While the project in Bangor was becoming a pivotal project in the

“ ...we said if we’re going to grow, we’ve got to stick our necks out. We’ve got to go for it.” – Bud Cianchette company’s history, there was another intriguing project in western Maine with a lot of eyes on it: the earth station for the Telstar project.

The project in Andover, Maine, was on a strict timeline. AT&T was launching a satellite and needed the station to monitor it. The structure was a bubble of fabric that measured 300 feet in diameter and 210 feet tall, with a moving antenna on a 360-degree track. Even though Cianchette Bros., Inc. was the highest bidder on the project, they were ultimately awarded the contract.

Being familiar with Maine glacial soils, Chuck raised constructability concerns right away. “I felt I had nothing to lose. I told them that the design was wrong. I said there was no way it would work. I said they couldn’t do what they thought they could and that they didn’t understand the soil conditions in Andover, Maine.”

AT&T brought the brothers in on a time-and-material basis to allow for flexibility with scope revisions.

Mid-1960s

1967

1967

Cianbro Manufacturing Corp. makes equipment for wastewater treatment plants with orders headed as far away as Bolivia and Puerto Rico.

Cianchette Bros., Inc. acquires the Ellis C. Snodgrass company located in Portland, Maine. Along with the acquisition came marine equipment, like the Fanny J tugboat, and many partially completed projects.

Maine chapter of Associated General Contractors (AGC) appoints Bud Cianchette as president.

Cianchette Bros., Inc. works on four box culverts near Howland and 11 bridges from Lincoln to Houlton on Maine’s I-95.

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After weeks of failing to drive the pilings down to the bedrock, Chuck suggested excavating to see what the issue was. They found the original borings had gone through the boulders and that the ground was full of boulders. The new plan was to eliminate the pilings, excavate to the bedrock, and place the concrete footing on the bedrock. The foundation was placed, and the project was back on schedule.

After 13 years in business, Cianchette Bros., Inc. found a natural allocation of responsibilities. Bud assumed the role of negotiator, brand ambassador, and financial leader. Ken emerged as the problem solver, visionary, and creative force behind the projects. Chuck was the motivator and charismatic people person. Carl was happy overseeing Cianchette Concrete. Meanwhile, their father, Ralph, was in and out of the office regularly, keeping an eye on the success of his sons.

Masters of Northeast climates

The company constructed an earth station for the Telstar project in Andover, Maine, which included erecting a huge bubble of fabric to house a giant rotating antenna to monitor the satellite.

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By the mid-1960s, Cianchette Bros., Inc. had become recognized for its expertise in working in the elements of the Northeast. The General Sullivan Bridge project in Dover, New Hampshire, however, posed a tidal challenge that caused one contractor to go broke.

The project involved the bridge being built at the entrance to Great Bay over the Piscataqua River on New Hampshire’s Route 4.

“The big [challenge] about that job was the fast-moving tide,” said Chuck. “All the tidewater in and out of the bay goes through this narrow

1967

1967

Cianchette Bros., Inc. begins its long history of pulp and paper work at S. D. Warren in Westbrook, Maine.

This leads to work in many other pulp and paper mills throughout the state.

Cianchette Bros., Inc. earns its first project in Vermont, four bridges on I-89.

inlet and the tides are some of the fastest you’ll ever deal with. It was an extremely difficult foundation project, and Ken devised a surefire scheme to allow us to build it on schedule and within budget.”

The brothers landed the project because Ken was able to convince those overseeing it that it was possible to build a temporary trestle, bracing it off the existing bridge instead of working from barges.

“I simply figured out that we could brace it off the existing bridge with 70-foot-long braces,” said Ken. “We did it. It worked, and it made the job a lot easier.”

In 1967, Cianchette Bros., Inc. expanded into Vermont as part of the company’s ongoing geographic diversity strategy.

The four bridges on Interstate 89 included two 1,299-foot twin spans in West Hartford, Vermont, Ken prepares to go diving on the and two 830-foot twin spans in General Sullivan Bridge.

Sharon, Vermont.

A year later, the company embarked on its largest bridge project to date, the Piscataqua River Bridge connecting Kittery, Maine, to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The bridge would be 4,500 feet long, with a

The General Sullivan Bridge over the Piscataqua River in Dover, New Hampshire, showing Ken’s temporary trestle braces off the existing bridge (circa 1965).

1968

Late 1960s

The company begins the Piscataqua River Bridge project, its first largescale bridge project spanning from Kittery, Maine, to Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Cianchette Bros., Inc. becomes a state leader in cleaning up Maine’s rivers and streams with numerous construction projects for pumping stations, treatment plants, and sewer jobs in the towns of Augusta, Bath, Bingham, Corinna, Long Island, Perry, Princeton, Waterville, and Winthrop.

With offices in Pittsfield, Portland, and Presque Isle, the company was positioned to serve clients throughout the state of Maine.

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1,344-foot center, continuous truss span, six lanes wide with full shoulders for disabled vehicles. The project would take over four years to complete.

Continued growth By the late 1960s, Cianchette Bros., Inc. was already diversified as a company when an opportunity to acquire one of its primary competitors presented itself. Ellis C. Snodgrass died unexpectedly, and as he had no management succession plan, the brothers decided to purchase his company. The Ellis C. Snodgrass company was a key player in bridge construction, paper mill jobs, and marine work. Lincoln Adam was the accountant for both companies and was named co-executor of the Snodgrass estate along with attorney Vincent McKusick. They were most concerned about the incomplete Snodgrass projects. A call was made, paperwork was drawn up, and the sale was quickly completed.

Cianchette Bros., Inc. took over immediately, opening up partnerships and opportunities that would be pivotal in the years to come.

Two years after the Snodgrass acquisition, another company in Madawaska, Maine, became available. Harold Hornbrook, who specialized in roadbuilding and earthmoving, was interested in selling.

With the government looking to invest in highway and bridge projects, it was a good time to buy. They moved the operation’s headquarters south to Presque Isle, Maine, and kept Harold on to assist in supervising some projects.

“ The name Cianchette is almost impossible for anyone to read and to pronounce. We thought that a shorter name would be easier for people.”

– Ken Cianchette

Though most everyone in central Maine knew how to pronounce Cianchette, the company was entering into new locations and reaching new markets. Despite knowing that a full rebrand would be a tumultuous task with signage now all over the state, renaming the company made sense to the brothers.

“The name Cianchette is almost impossible for anyone to read and to pronounce,” said Ken. “We thought that a shorter name would be easier for people.” The brothers took the first four letters of Cianchette and the first three letters of brothers and reduced Cianchette Bros., Inc. to Cianbro. As the company entered a new decade, the 1970s, the brothers did so with a new name: Cianbro Corporation.

1969

1969

1969

Cianchette Bros., Inc. acquires Harold Hornbrook’s roadbuilding and earthmoving company out of Madawaska, Maine.

Carl Cianchette wins race for Maine State Senator for the term 1969 through 1970.

At the end of 1969, the brothers announce that as of January 1, 1970, Cianchette Bros., Inc. would become Cianbro Corporation.

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CHAPTER THREE

Kenneth (Ken) • Ken, Carl, and Bud incorporated in 1949 to form Cianchette Bros., Inc. Ken was the Lyle Cianchette company clerk.

FORMER PUBLIC SERVICE AND HONORS

•U nity College: On original board and served 24 years; awarded an honorary doctorate.

•M CI: Made improvements at the school with Born September 28, 1924. the track and football fields, golf course, and Died February 7, 2023. tree plantings and was cited for his efforts Son of Ralph and Edna during a 1998 ceremony; Hall of Fame Award Steen Cianchette.

(1989).

•1 984, selected as Chairman of the Year by AGC of America for his push for America to FAMILY pay attention to its infrastructure.

• Married Evelene (Evie) Lancaster of Pittsfield, •R ecipient of Maine Meritorious Achievement Maine, August 24, 1949. in Construction (MAC) award.

• Three daughters – Jane Linscott, Ann • T rustee: Owls Head Transportation Museum.

Cianchette, and Jean Bradshaw.

•M ember of several aviation associations.

• Two sons – Eric and Jon. •P resident and volunteer for the nonprofit FORMER POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS Pinnacle Ski Club in Pittsfield, Maine.

• S

electman, councilman, school board member, EDUCATION •N ovember 2023, posthumously recognized and planning board member in Pittsfield, • 1942, graduated from Maine Central Institute with the prestigious Dirigo Award along with Maine.

(MCI), Pittsfield. his brothers by the Maine State Chamber of • Appointed by Gov. Kenneth Curtis: Commerce for their outstanding business MILITARY SERVICE • To serve on the Land Use Regulation leadership and positive impact on Maine’s Commission and formulate a comprehensive • Drafted into the U.S. Army in March 1943 economy. plan for Maine’s unorganized territories. during WWII. Ken arrived in Scotland on June 6, as part of the replacement pool to fill in • To chair an advisory council for Maine INVENTIONS AND INNOVATIONS for D-Day casualties. He served two years in Department of Commerce and Industry.

• I nvented the Chinbro Beam Clamp, designed Europe under General Patton with duty in • To chair Mark Maine, a committee charged to lift certain shapes of structural steel.

England, France, and Germany. In March 1946, with encouraging economic development • I nvented the Chinbro Pipe Grab, designed he was honorably discharged. in Maine. to lift various sizes and types of water and • In 1953, Ken ventured out on his own, forming Ken Cianchette, Inc., which concentrated on sewer and water projects plus bridges and industrial buildings.

• In 1961, he returned to Cianchette Bros., Inc. His first job was the challenging Kenduskeag canal project in Bangor, Maine.

• When the company bought Ellis C. Snodgrass in Portland, Maine, Ken managed the transition.

• After spearheading the construction of Cianbro’s new office building in 1980, Ken eased up on his workload. By 1985, he retired.

He and Evie spent winters in Florida.

WORK

• In 1942, a few days after he graduated, Ken went to work for his father building bridges.

• When Carl E. Cianchette Contractor landed its first job in March 1946, Ken was on the roster.

FORMER PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• President: Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Maine in 1978.

sewer pipes.

• I nvented a giant vacuum machine to harvest peat moss.

CIANBRO 75 YEARS

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TEAM MEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS 1960-1969 It’s All About People

John Ricker, Sr.

Over the decades, many hard working, committed team members dedicated all or a portion of their working careers to the company’s success.

At the end of each decade, we have included the photos and a few words about a handful of individuals who may or may not be mentioned elsewhere in the book. These names are a small percentage of the total roster of the company’s workforce. For the many team members not mentioned, please understand that your contributions and efforts are still appreciated, remembered, and are reflected in the overall success of Cianbro.

John’s sense of humor often provided levity in stressful situations throughout his 38-year career. He had a great relationship with the then Vice President George H. W. Bush. They were on a first-name basis, which stemmed from John rebuilding George’s seawall at his Walker’s Point oceanside home in Kennebunkport, Maine.

John was known for his skills and abilities in rigging. “He was one great craftsman,” explained Chuck Cianchette. “To be a rigger, you have to have a high degree of mechanical aptitude. Johnny Ricker has an abundance of it. It is almost uncanny. He’s able to visualize things in three dimensions and he’s mechanically inclined enough to assemble what he needs to assemble with speed and accuracy.” John was also viewed by many as the founder of the company’s marine group who successfully managed countless marine projects out of Portland, Maine.

Robert (Bob) Desjardins When the Cianchette brothers acquired Ellis C. Snodgrass company in 1967, Bob took over the administration and management of the Portland, Maine, office. In this capacity, he oversaw a great variety of projects including marine, bridge construction, and pipeline work. He became vice president of engineering in 1974 and then executive vice president and treasurer of Cianbro. He also served as the president of Associated General Contractors (AGC) Maine chapter and was elected as the 2001-2002 president of AGC of America.

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CHAPTER THREE

Guy Susi Par excellence — those two words describe Guy Susi. He was a registered professional engineer who worked for the Cianchette brothers on a consultant basis almost from Day One and then joined the firm as chief engineer in 1967. His office was likened to a citadel of information and knowledge that could be tapped at a moment’s notice, according to the Cianchette brothers. Bud used to say, “That guy could estimate a project by the weight of the blueprints. He was probably the smartest engineer I ever knew.”

George (Jock) Foster

Ralph Knowlton

Jock had 20 years of truck driving experience under his belt when he started with the company in 1961. His outstanding safety record, driving skills, and judgment gained him the reputation as one of the most capable truck drivers in the business. Jock was well known and often seen on many of the job sites delivering materials and equipment when needed. After 17 years with the company, he retired in 1978 as a tractor-trailer driver. For the next few years, he worked part time as a truck escort on oversized loads.

“Ralph Knowlton was a people person and was very influential with public relations, personnel, and development. He had some great ideas as far as team building,” Bud Cianchette said. He also pointed out that Ralph was responsible for the slogan that remains posted in many of the company’s meeting areas. It reads: No one in this room is smarter than all of us.

Annual Revenue 1960 - 1969 Harold Hornbrook

12 10 IN MILLIONS

In 1946, Harold established Hornbrook Incorporated in Madawaska, Maine. His first major construction project was the Fort Kent airport in 1950. His first highway project was in 1952 when he constructed 3 miles of state highway in Macwahoc, Maine. The Cianchette brothers purchased Hornbrook, Inc. in 1969. Harold was named vice president with responsibility for the northern Maine operations. He remained in that position until his retirement in 1986. Under Harold’s supervision, the brothers constructed many major projects in northern Maine including: several sections of U.S. Route 1 north of Houlton, approximately 25 miles of Interstate 95 between Howland and Houlton, the Frenchville airport, the Caribou golf course, and many others.

14

8 6 4 2 0

1960

1961

1962

1963

1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

1969

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Cianbro’s work on the Piscataqua River Bridge was completed in 1972. It was the first large-scale bridge project for the company and spanned from Kittery, Maine, to Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

CHAPTER FOUR (1970-1979)

Embarking on Employee Ownership In 1970, Cianbro was halfway through one of the company’s largest bridge projects to date. The crew on the Piscataqua River Bridge project connecting Kittery, Maine, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire, came in primed and ready, having just wrapped up four bridges in Vermont.

The brothers were fortunate to have an exceptional team on board, accomplishing numerous unprecedented tasks during the project. These included the installation of 21 girders within a single day, placing 5,000 cubic yards of concrete within a week, and one continuous placement of 3,500 cubic yards of concrete.

The team utilized an innovative method for managing the columns destined for the piers. The project involved building more than 100 columns. The first four took four weeks. The team needed to speed up the process, and in true Cianbro style, ideas began to flow. Hadley Moores, project superintendent, and Chuck designed a movable sawhorse standing 90 feet tall and 100 feet long. The sawhorse straddled a set of four columns at a time and allowed for easier and faster rebar cage assembly, formwork installation, and concrete placement. The process enabled the crew to ultimately complete a set of columns in just four days.

“The method proved to be extremely safe and efficient, which made our price appropriate. It justified our bid,” recalled Chuck.

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When the team completed the Piscataqua River Bridge project in 1972 – an impressive structure that would have been a feather in the cap for any company – Cianbro had been in business for 23 years and had developed a solid reputation throughout the Northeast building more than 140 bridges.

Hadley Moores

Reunited in business

Carl had been on his own for nearly a decade when a ready-mix concrete company named C.M. Page in Orono, Maine, came up for sale. The opportunity was the perfect time to bring Carl back into the fold, to not only leverage his professional expertise, but also expand both companies and markets.

The brothers exceeded their own expectations in 1973, becoming major players in the pavement business in Maine acquiring R.K. Brown of North Waterford and Mitchell Ready Mix in Ellsworth and Bucksport.

They completed another acquisition in 1974, picking up Foster Sand and Gravel located in Canton and Farmington. With setting times of concrete being roughly an hour, these new additions were strategically positioned so that they could service any community in western, eastern, and central Maine.

Cianbro would later acquire Lime Products Company in Union PROJECT SUPERINTENDENT PISCATAQUA RIVER BRIDGE

A mammoth movable sawhorse was designed to speed up rebar, formwork, and concrete placement on the Piscataqua River Bridge connecting Maine and New Hampshire (circa 1969).

1970

1970

1971

Awarded multiple projects in Maine: Fore River bridge, Kennebec River bridge, Waterville-Winslow bridge, two rest areas along Maine’s I-95 in Medway, and a pumping station and sewers in Bingham.

February 2, 1970: Pete Vigue starts work as a laborer on the working waterfront in Portland, Maine, after graduating from Maine Maritime Academy in Castine.

Prior to joining Cianbro, he shipped on an oil tanker as a third assistant engineer.

Awarded the Factory Island sewage treatment plant bid in Saco, Maine.

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Acquires Bernstein & Jacobson property in Portland, Maine. The purchase provides additional waterfront property, which would become Ricker’s Wharf.

and Warren, as well as Lewiston Crushed Stone Company, adding to their hot-mix asphalt and ready-mix concrete production. Cianbro became the largest consumer of portland cement (a type of cement) in the entire state of Maine.

However, in the midst of this economic boom, the family suffered a loss with the passing of the family patriarch, Ralph Leroy Cianchette, in 1972 at the age of 77. At the age of 11, Ralph had come to the United States seeking a better life and had the opportunity to see his sons soar to heights he likely never imagined. Needless to say, they made him proud.

Janice Foster

MANAGER CONCRETE PLANTS

Forging a successful family partnership As Cianbro reached the mid-1970s, the brothers were in full stride.

“We would not permit ourselves to fail,” said Ken. “In order to get bonded for work, we had to sign our personal assets over to the bonding company. We never thought that the bonding company would have to finish the job. It really wasn’t a worry.”

“I don’t ever remember being discouraged and feeling that we were in the wrong business,” said Chuck. “Yes, we all did have to mortgage our homes and everything else we owned, and we had to sign on the dotted line. We never gave it a second thought. We just did what we had to.”

Carl merges his asphalt and ready-mix concrete business with Cianbro.

The plant in Fairfield, Maine, (above) was one of eight concrete plants the company owned and operated (circa 1973).

1971

1971

1972

Awarded multiple projects in Maine: the Woodland sewer job, Fort Kent highway project, Frenchville airport, St. Leonard International Bridge in Van Buren, Weston highway project, Kennebunk sewage treatment plant, Van Buren water district, and contract No. 6 on the Piscataqua River Bridge.

Chuck’s crews place more than 5,000 cubic yards of concrete in one week on the Piscataqua River Bridge project between Kittery, Maine, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Successful bidder on several projects throughout Maine: Van Buren dam, Butler’s Bridge in Sanford, West Gardiner overpass, Meduxnekeag River bridge in Monticello, and the North Berwick bridges.

Ken’s crews average nearly a mile of pipe laying per day on a job in Lewiston, Maine.

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“ In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein

Excavation of the forebay in conjunction with the installation of two 9-foot diameter by 700-foot-long cooling water pipes for the Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company in Wiscasset, Maine (circa 1974).

1972

1972

1973

Assembles a 400-foot crane at Bath Iron Works. It was considered the largest crane in the Western Hemisphere (photo left).

Successfully wins more than 50 major projects totaling over $13 million. The largest of the projects was the Manchester Bridge in New Hampshire at $1.7 million.

Acquires paving company R.K. Brown of North Waterford, Maine, and Mitchell Ready Mix out of Bucksport and Ellsworth, Maine.

Reaquires Cianchette Concrete Corporation.

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CHAPTER FOUR

Did the brothers make mistakes? Sure, but they learned from them.

They had enough knowledge and ambition to recover and also had more than enough enthusiasm to inspire the team and each other.

There were disagreements, as Bud, who was president of the company throughout the majority of the 1970s noted, but they would ultimately support the brother who voiced the strongest opinion. If that brother was wrong, they’d adapt and move on to the next project.

By 1975, it became commonplace in Maine to find Cianbro’s blue and gray equipment in towns and job sites. There were more than 1,000 people on payroll, and sales were up to $30 million. The team was busy with jobs in Maine including roadwork in Smyrna, Ludlow, New Limerick, and Houlton; moving a bridge in Old Town 90 feet downstream; and two Island Falls bridges on Interstate 95.

Two of the many projects Cianbro constructed for Lincoln Pulp & Paper in the mid-1970s were the truck dumper (foreground, right) and the sawdust gallery (left).

1973

1973

1974

Successful bidder on several Maine projects: Brewer water treatment facility and pumping station, Portland railroad overpass, South Paris sewage treatment plant and sewers, Waterville’s Eagle Lake Bridge, as well as the Manchester-Hooksett bridge in New Hampshire.

Becomes the largest transit-mix concrete business in Maine with multiple plants around western, central, and eastern Maine, earning over $2 million in paving and concrete sales that year.

Cianbro adds a helicopter to its air fleet.

Ken, Chuck, and Carl take lessons.

Incumbent Maine State Senator Chuck Cianchette retains his District 23 senate seat and is re-elected for two more years.

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One of Cianbro’s many ventures was a peat business in Downeast Maine. Ken invented a massive vacuum machine for harvesting peat moss nicknamed “Martian Bigfoot” and the “Bog Hog.”

Cianbro had even expanded its pulp and paper market with industrial work at Lincoln Pulp & Paper in Lincoln, Maine.

The brothers also took on a side project in the mid-1970s – a peat business in Maine’s Washington County. Ken had invented a massive vacuum machine for harvesting peat moss that could sweep a 60-footwide area and pick up 500 cubic yards at a time. After three years of breaking even, the brothers moved on to new ventures.

In 1978, Cianbro crews took on a project that, on the surface, seemed impossible. The city of Holyoke, Massachusetts, was building an interceptor sewer system. Part of the project involved laying pipe in nine areas across the canals. The team would have to drive two walls of steel sheeting (a cofferdam) across each crossing, dewater it, excavate, lay pipe, backfill, and then pull the sheeting. They would have to do this nine times.

The original schedule indicated this would take two years. Cianbro would do it in less than a week.

The week of the Fourth of July presented an opportunity, as the canals were drained every year for that week. Initially, they were discussing completing the most difficult crossing that week, but then Chuck thought, “If we can do one, why can’t we do all nine?”

The company shut down all sewer and pipe projects, transferring the team members and equipment to Holyoke. Completing this project when the canal was drained eliminated the expense of cofferdams, barges, and any other necessary water-work equipment. By completing

1974

1974

1974

1974

Acquires Foster Sand and Gravel, a western Maine company with concrete plants in Canton and Farmington.

Adds an equipment repair shop to the Pittsfield, Maine, facility to perform major overhauls, modifications, and routine maintenance.

Cianbro introduces a personnel department, which was rare for construction companies at the time.

At year end, the company’s work is comprised of: 54% pollution abatement, 16% highways and bridges, 15% concrete and paving, 10% heavy industrial, and 5% marine.

Listed on Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 400 list for the first time in the company’s history, ranked at 323.

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CHAPTER FOUR

Hands out the first company watches to recognize team members with 25 years of service.

the project in less than a week, the team defied the impossible.

It was a moment for celebration. Chuck said, “When we got it done, we rented a local restaurant and we had a huge party.”

Embracing new projects beyond the Northeast

Cianbro crews work to complete one of nine canal crossings in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The work (originally scheduled to take two years) was completed in less than a week.

As the decade closed, Cianbro established itself as the largest construction company in the state of Maine. Additionally, the brothers had extended their footprint into Virginia with a bridge span project in Great Bridge, establishing its first presence in the mid-Atlantic. The 2-year project presented some difficult work. The 3,000-foot-long span had a curved design as well as a rise in elevation. In addition, the crew had to take special precautions to preserve the wetlands on the site. The team prevailed and the project was ultimately a success.

Shortly thereafter, Cianbro was the successful bidder on a raw water pumping station job for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Pete Fournier (WSSC) in Potomac, Maryland. Pete Vigue, who PROJECT SUPERINTENDENT had been hired just nine years earlier, was chosen GREAT BRIDGE to lead the project.

The project involved working on a site that was part of the National Park System. The team had to be mindful of the environmental

1975

Mid-1970s

1976

Mid-Late 1970s

Implements a numbering system for all operated equipment.

Explores business diversification in central Maine. The company purchases Pittsfield Publishing, becomes the fixedbased operator at the Pittsfield airport, and invests in Eaton Mountain Ski area, Speedway 95, and peat harvesting in Downeast Maine.

Embarks on major industrial work at Lincoln Pulp & Paper in Maine.

Acquires Lime Products Company with hot-mix asphalt and agricultural lime product plants in Union and Warren, Maine. Cianbro also acquires Lewiston Crushed Stone Company, a cement trucking business based in Belfast, Maine.

Successful bidder on the Lincoln Water Line project for $805,000 and the Winslow Pump Station project for $802,000, both in Maine.

The design team starts when Guy Susi recruits ex-nuclear submarine engineer and University of Maine structural professor, Roger Gagnon, to join Cianbro and grow the team.

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One of Cianbro’s first major contracts outside of the Northeast was the 3,000-foot-long span in Great Bridge, Virginia, that crossed the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.

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CHAPTER FOUR

1977

1977

1978

Crews successfully move an existing bridge in Old Town, Maine, 90 feet downstream on the Penobscot River before constructing a replacement bridge.

With an estimated $25 million in construction equipment, Cianbro is recognized by Construction Equipment Magazine as No. 68 out of 189 construction companies that own and use more than $10 million in construction equipment.

Team members defy the impossible, completing two years of work on a sewer system in Holyoke, Massachusetts, in less than a week over the Fourth of July.

sensitivities, ensuring vegetation remained undisturbed and the environment remained intact. Pete noted that it was not an easy task, but the bigger challenge was assembling a crew in a new region for the company. It wasn’t long before blue and gray equipment began popping up throughout the mid-Atlantic states.

Numerous team members from both projects would go on to have decades-long careers with the company. These team members became the foundation of what would become the company’s mid-Atlantic region. Floyd Crider, Mike Crider, Bill Crider, Ricky Michael, Jerry Dove, Pat Buchanan, Wayne Hindle, Paul Day, Carl Morgan, Wade Simons, Don Keresztenyi, Tom Miller, Art Chagnon, Kathy Chagnon, Michael Mauro, Michael Haley, Jr., and Frederic (Gator) Wilmarth were a few of the team members who established the region. Newly formed vendor and subcontractor relationships also accelerated the growth of the company in this area.

Shared success Back in Pittsfield, the Cianchette brothers were weighing the company’s future. With the death of their father still in their thoughts, the idea of mortality became a reality for them. They weren’t going to live forever and they needed a succession plan for the company they had built. They could have sold it as a business – and there was plenty of interest from major contractors. They also could have sold off their assets and equipment and retired comfortably. However, the brothers had a different idea.

The team constructed an 800-foot-long diversion weir in the Potomac River on the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) project in Potomac, Maryland. During periods of low river flow, the weir caused the water level to remain high enough to cover the intake pipes that were being installed in the new pumping station.

1978

1979

1979

1979

Crews install 3,400 linear feet of 36inch concrete sewer pipe on the ocean floor and 600 linear feet of ductile iron pipe on land for the nearly $2 million sewage treatment plant outfall in Marshfield, Massachusetts.

Earns American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) U Stamp certification to work on high pressure boilers and pressure vessels. Authorization is broadened to include new construction by the mid-1980s.

Wins a $9.8 million contract to build a 3,000-foot bridge in Great Bridge, Virginia. This is one of Cianbro’s first major projects outside of the Northeast.

Earns the National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) R (Repair) Stamp #280 authorizing boiler and pressure vessel repair.

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Managing the rapidly growing company in the late 1970s and 1980s required a lot of skilled team members on the management team.

Some of the key players who provided the leadership and expertise included: (alphabetical) Dana Brown, Bud Cianchette, Carl Cianchette, Chuck Cianchette, Ken Cianchette, Jack Demer, Bob Desjardins, Mark Gartley, Dave Holt, Joe Koch, Carl Monroe, Lou Neron, Bill Paul, Allyn Taylor, Dave Twomey, Pete Vigue, Tim Vigue, Les Williams, and Pete Williams.

Since its beginning, Cianbro was focused on more than just projects and profits. It was always about the people. The brothers wanted to move to an employee-owned structure, where team members could share in the value of the company. They put a plan in place to transition to employee ownership through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) by selling their shares to an ESOP trust.

At the company meeting on April 12, 1979, nearly 400 team members listened as Ken unfolded a visionary plan that would shape the destiny of the company for years to come. Stock ownership of the company would gradually transition into the capable hands of its own dedicated team. Ken asserted that selling the company to external entities or opting for the easier path of liquidating its assets would not align with their overarching objective — to ensure the company’s enduring legacy. Since the brothers would not be around forever, they agreed that the best solution lay in the company’s adoption of employee stock ownership.

This would prove to have a significant impact on the success and growth of the organization, as well as the retirement readiness for many generations of team members to come.

1979

1979

1979

January 22, 1979: Bud, Cianbro’s president, steps into the newly created position of chairman and chief executive officer (CEO). Chuck takes over as president and chief operating officer (COO).

The Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) begins. At the annual company meeting, Ken announces that Cianbro will begin transferring ownership of the company to its team members.

First full-time safety professional is assigned at Brunswick-Topsham Hydroelectric project in Maine (photo left).

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Team constructs the 56,000-square-foot Somerset Plaza shopping center on a designbuild basis in Pittsfield, Maine.

Ival (Bud) Ralph Cianchette Born July 19, 1926.

Died November 5, 2009.

Son of Ralph and Edna Steen Cianchette.

FAMILY

• Married Priscilla Winslow of Stockton Springs, Maine, September 27, 1952.

• One daughter - Susan Koch.

• Four sons - Thomas, Earle, Mark, and Peter.

EDUCATION

• 1944, graduated from Maine Central Institute (MCI), Pittsfield.

MILITARY SERVICE

• Drafted into the U.S. Army in September 1944 during WWII, three months after MCI graduation. Sent to European Theater in winter of 1945 as an infantry replacement assigned to a field artillery unit. After the war, he remained in Europe as part of the occupation forces until being honorably discharged in October 1946.

WORK

• In October 1946, after his Army discharge, Bud signed on with Carl E. Cianchette Contractor.

• Bud, Carl, and Ken incorporated in 1949 to form Cianchette Bros., Inc.

• From 1962-1979, Bud was president of Cianchette Bros., Inc. and Cianbro; from 19791991, he was chairman of Cianbro, and in 1991, he became chairman emeritus.

• In 1984, he was named president of Dragon Products Company.

• In 1987, Bud cut back on his responsibilities at Cianbro and he and Priscilla moved from Pittsfield to a new home in Cumberland, Maine.

FORMER PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• President: Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Maine in 1967.

• President: AGC of America in 1980.

• Vice president: Confederation of International Contractors Associations.

• Director: The Road Information Program; AGC Education and Research Foundation; Portland Cement Association; Phoenix Cement Company; Maine Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Maine National Bank; Fleet Bank of Maine; LaVerdiere’s Super Drug Stores.

• Member: American Institute of Constructors; The Moles – an elite national group of heavy construction and design industry leaders.

• Chairman: Maine Chapter Newcomen Society of U.S. • Trustee: Newcomen Society of U.S.

FORMER PUBLIC SERVICE AND HONORS

• Recipient of Maine Meritorious Achievement in Construction (MAC) Award in 1976 and Maine Better Transportation Association Award in 1987.

•M aine’s Distinguished Citizen Award, 1980, from Pine Tree Council, Boy Scouts of America.

•M aine Chamber of Commerce and Industry: Distinguished Service Award in 1989 and Business Leader of the Year Award in 1990.

•M CI Hall of Fame Award (1983).

• Chairman: Sebasticook Valley Hospital’s executive committee.

•D irector: School Administrative District 53.

•M ember: advisory committee of Pine Tree Council, Boy Scouts of America; Maine’s Judicial Compensation Commission; Masonic orders, including Anah Temple Shrine of Bangor.

•N ovember 2023, posthumously recognized with the prestigious Dirigo Award along with his brothers by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce for their outstanding business leadership and positive impact on Maine’s economy.

HARNESS RACING

• From 1960 on, owned and raced horses.

•A ppointed by Gov. Kenneth Curtis to Maine Harness Racing Commission. As chairman, he was successful in a move to develop the Maine Standardbred Breeders Stake Program.

• F ormer member and past president of Maine Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association.

• F ormer director of U.S. Trotting Association, Lewiston Raceways, and Standardbred Owners Association of Massachusetts, Inc. • Former president of Bangor Historic Track.

•D istinguished Citizen’s Award, Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association, 1990.

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TEAM MEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS 1970-1979 It’s All About People

Paul Bertrand

Over the decades, many hard working, committed team members dedicated all or a portion of their working careers to the company’s success.

At the end of each decade, we have included the photos and a few words about a handful of individuals who may or may not be mentioned elsewhere in the book. These names are a small percentage of the total roster of the company’s workforce. For the many team members not mentioned, please understand that your contributions and efforts are still appreciated, remembered, and are reflected in the overall success of Cianbro.

In 1963, Paul joined the company as a laborer at the Augusta Sewer project in Maine. Over his 46-year career, Paul held a variety of jobs including: being a runner for several projects in New Hampshire and Vermont, blowing up ice jams on the Kennebec River, operating a concrete batch plant, van driver, front-end loader operator, helping to set up the parts room, and facilities manager in Pittsfield, Maine. Paul became known for catering countless safety banquets and celebrations around the company. He used to cater three to four banquets per month, ranging in size from 10 to 1,200 people at job sites near and far. In his personal time and well into retirement, Paul volunteers his services to the local community on projects for the schools and parks of Pittsfield. He has always been known for his keen wit and dry sense of humor.

Janice Foster When Janice joined Cianbro in 1974, she had 12 years of experience with Red-E-Mix, Inc., which was purchased by Cianbro at that time. She was no newcomer to the concrete industry. Janice’s experience, combined with her leadership skills, made her a natural to oversee two concrete plants.

“Managing two plants is made easier by having very good key people in both plants,” said Janice. In 1975, under her leadership, the Fairfield, Maine, plant was able to triple its volume by supplying concrete to a local paper mill expansion during the daytime and continuing with its house foundation work in the early mornings and late evenings. She was a trailblazer in the industry.

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Arnold (Bick) Bickford Bick started with Cianbro in 1970 and spent most of his time working with the transportation department. He was an over-theroad truck driver based in Pittsfield, Maine.

Bick dedicated himself to the role. Throughout his career, he worked more than 63,000 hours, logged more than 1.5 million miles, and hauled 80 million pounds of equipment and material up and down the East Coast. Referred to as “Short Haul,” he was well known in truck stops spanning from Tampa, Florida, to Caribou, Maine.

Manley Bragdon

Gary Chisholm

Manley joined Cianbro in 1975. He quickly established himself as a methodical puzzle solver and became known for his mechanical and piping expertise. He pioneered many early industrial projects including the following: Lincoln Pulp & Paper, Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant, S.D. Warren, Central Maine Power Company, William F. Wyman Station, Great Northern Paper, and Georgia-Pacific Woodland. After 38 years with Cianbro, Manley retired in 2013.

When Gary said, “I don’t think we should do that,” you needed to listen. Gary was a highly skilled leader who had seen it all and could inspire a crew to do things only he thought possible. As one of John Ricker, Sr.’s, key team members doing many of the most challenging projects in Cianbro’s early marine construction days, Gary had tackled tough assignments like the Marshfield Outfall project in the open Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Massachusetts. He was a hard hat diver, expert rigger, and he held everyone to one standard of effort — his. He was resourceful using available tools, committed, and knew how to keep his sense of humor and have fun in the toughest of assignments. Gary was in his element running projects like the Swans Island Bass Harbor Ferry Terminal on the coast of Maine. Because these facilities were remote, every team member was expected to fulfill many roles, working around the tides and in all weather, while building lasting relationships with customers.

Frank Carll Frank had worked for Ellis C. Snodgrass of Portland, Maine, for 17 years when Cianbro purchased the company in 1967.

Frank continued working for an additional 28 years before retiring in 1996. When he retired with 44 total years of service, he held the distinction of having the most years of service for any hourly team member at that time. Frank worked as a foreman all over New England on many projects. His knowledge of marine work, cofferdams, pile driving, and many other aspects of the business made him invaluable to Cianbro.

In all his years of service, Frank mentored hundreds of young team members. At his retirement party, Cianchette brothers, Ken, Bud, and Chuck, along with Pete Vigue and dozens of others, celebrated Frank’s contributions to the company.

Leonard Newton Leonard started at the company as a laborer on a job in Kingfield, Maine, and eventually became a crane operator on numerous bridge jobs throughout Maine and New Hampshire.

He was willing to travel, follow the work, and was a dedicated team member. Leonard and his brothers, Carlton and Rod, personified the can-do attitude. Leonard and his son Wilber were one of many father-and-son pairs who worked with the company.

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TEAM MEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS 1970-1979 John Dunnell

Beverly (Bev) Rollins

John began his career at Cianbro working summers during college in the late 1960s. He joined the company full time in 1970 as a draftsman and surveyor in the Portland, Maine, area. John progressed to project engineer and eventually served as superintendent on the BrunswickTopsham Hydroelectric project. Later, he defined what it meant to be a project manager for countless projects including the Pejepscot and Worumbo Hydro projects. John played a pivotal role in estimating numerous major projects that contributed to Cianbro’s success. Known for his dedication, attention to detail, knowledge of the profession, and hard work, John was always willing to travel and collaborate as a valuable team member throughout his 42-year career.

Bev Rollins began her career at Cianbro in 1977 with the corporate accounting team in Pittsfield, Maine. In 1990, after seven years of hard work, Bev earned her associate degree in accounting with a 3.8 grade point average. At Cianbro, she participated on several committees and was active in the community. She was a longstanding member of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). Bev was the first woman in the history of Cianbro to reach 25 years of service. When presenting her gold watch, Pete Vigue described Bev as, “A woman who emulates everything we stand for, Bev reflects the best of everything. She is a hard worker. She is spirited, committed, positive, and a real leader.”

Bev retired after 34 years of service. In retirement, she gets together with other retired Cianbro women, like Carol Ouellette, for lunch and civic projects. Bev takes enormous pride in knowing she was part of the company’s early history.

Gary Robbins Gary started his 39-year career with Cianbro in 1969 as an equipment operator. He was among a well-known core of future mechanical leaders who found their roots at Lincoln Pulp & Paper for Cianbro. Those leaders included team members like Ed LePage, George LePage, Dale Gray, Manley Bragdon, Doug Smith, and Rodney Leach, to name just a few. He quickly became a mechanical supervisor for the company at numerous pulp and paper mills, nuclear power plants, and boiler projects. Gary was a knowledgeable, well-respected, willing-to-goanywhere, tackle-any-challenge, natural leader.

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Roger Gagnon When recruited to work for Cianbro, Roger was a former nuclear submarine engineer and a University of Maine professor of structural engineering. He began the company’s design team that would later become the construction structures group. Roger consistently offered common-sense solutions to complicated engineering challenges. From cofferdams and trestles to bridge demolition plans and everything in between, Roger’s innovative ideas provided Cianbro with cost-effective, engineered solutions.

Richard (Dick) Lorenz

Edward (Ed) LePage

When Dick joined Cianbro in 1976, he brought with him 30 years of prior experience having worked 23 of those years as a resident boiler and machinery inspector. Prior to that, he served in the United States Navy. He was instrumental in the company’s expansion into boiler repair and installation work. Through his efforts as a boiler and pressure piping quality control manager, Cianbro acquired all the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) stamps and certifications necessary to design, construct, repair and alter pressure vessels, as well as power boilers, and high energy code pipe.

This opened the door to a wide variety of projects for the company at power plants and pulp and paper mills. When not working in the boiler profession, Dick could often be heard broadcasting high school basketball games in the Augusta, Maine, area.

Ed began his career with Cianbro in 1971 on the Kerramerican Mine project in Blue Hill, Maine. He worked in a variety of positions including: laborer, rodbuster, ironworker, pipefitter, pipe foreman, mechanical superintendent, and workforce development instructor. Starting in 1974 at Lincoln Pulp & Paper, Ed became a well-known presence at numerous mills for paper machine rebuilds and boiler work. His expertise was recognized and requested by many clients. One of his greatest contributions stemmed from his efforts in advancing the company’s workforce development programs. He developed and presented some of the company’s earliest pipefitter education programs and proficiency tests.

Annual Revenue 1970 - 1979

Lloyd (Lobo) Porter

40 IN MILLIONS

During his 26-year career at Cianbro, Lloyd worked on a variety of jobs both in the field and in the equipment shop. He did everything from shipping and receiving to small tool repair and minor electrical work. He also managed the tool crib on countless projects.

He was the go-to team member for any needed materials, big or small. Lloyd prided himself on keeping the craftspeople well provisioned with both tools and consumables.

He also participated in and won his fair share of company horseshoe pitching contests.

50

30 20 10 0

1970

1971

1972

1973

1974

1975

1976

1977

1978

1979

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On the Brunswick-Topsham Hydroelectric project, team members proceed with formwork without a hitch through the winter months thanks to their dedication, perseverance, and hard work.

CHAPTER FIVE (1980-1989)

A Time to Grow, and a Time to Endure As the early years of the decade unfolded, Cianbro experienced significant growth and activity, spanning from the Northeast to the mid-Atlantic states and beyond. This expansion was supported by major projects and strong relationships.

It was an era defined by significant financial investments, including multiple strategic acquisitions and the expansion of the company’s geographical presence. Yet, as the 1980s progressed, the company found itself on a path that would test its resilience like never before.

In Maine, Cianbro thrived with ongoing work, including the $21.2 million Brunswick-Topsham Hydroelectric project along the Androscoggin River for Central Maine Power (CMP). In addition to working throughout the bitter cold, the job involved a lot of excavation to prepare for the construction of a powerhouse, fishway, spillways, and dam. Lester Williams, project manager, noted, “The job went well. It was a cooperation you don’t see very often between the client, CMP with its own people on the site, and the engineering firm, Chas. T. Main, out of Boston. We all worked together toward the same end — to have a nice powerhouse and dam.” The project also marked the first time Cianbro tracked safe hours.

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Around the same time, Cianbro took on a massive joint venture in Madison, Maine, with E.C. Jordan’s engineering firm out of Portland, Maine. The $185 million Madison No. 3 Paper Machine project was the largest job ever awarded to a Maine construction company, with Cianbro’s portion being $46 million.

The mill had just been acquired by Finnish paper manufacturing giant Myllykoski Oy and The New York Times (NYT). With the expansion of the new Madison paper machine, the mill was set to become North America’s largest producer of supercalendered magazine paper, which NYT used for its Sunday magazine section.

The Madison paper mill was just 30 miles Lester Williams from Cianbro’s home base in Pittsfield. Though it PROJECT MANAGER was a massive project, the team was prepared, BRUNSWICKTOPSHAM having developed expertise working with HYDROELECTRIC paper companies over the years. After multiple conversations with both companies, Cianbro convinced the project owners they were the right fit for this job. The project was awarded on merit.

Once work was in full swing, the team led by Project Manager Bill Paul, consisted of over 800 team members. The project site was buzzing with carpenters, concrete crews, ironworkers, welders, pipe welders, riggers, millwrights, operators, electricians, and painters. Virtually all

Elevated slab formwork on the operating floor of the machine hall for the No. 3 Paper Machine project, Madison, Maine. crafts were well represented as well as the equipment fleet with over 15 cranes. Cianbro was responsible for a groundwood facility and the main mill to house the paper machine. The team finished the project in record time, ahead of schedule, and under budget.

1980

1980

1981

1981

Begins a design-build contract at Madison Paper in Madison, Maine, in a joint venture with E.C. Jordan. Cianbro performs $46 million of the $185 million project, its largest project to date.

Engineering News-Record (ENR) recognizes Bud Cianchette with the Men Who Made Marks award in 1980 for creating innovative development programs for construction workers.

June 1981: Moves into its recently constructed 3-level office building with a total of 33,750 square feet of floor space to house its growing staff in Pittsfield, Maine.

Demolition is done and pile driving is underway for Scott Paper’s new Secondary Fiber System project in Winslow, Maine.

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CHAPTER FIVE

Awarded $25 million contract for work at the McMillan Water Treatment Plant in Washington, D.C.

Crane booms fill the sky as construction and demolition proceed in unison on the No. 3 Paper Machine project in Madison, Maine.

1981

1981

1981

1982

Begins work on a $25 million contract for a new waferboard plant in New Limerick, Maine, for Louisiana Pacific.

Cianbro Equipment implements the construction equipment oil sampling program that identifies trace metals and chemicals in engines and drive trains to help extend the life of construction equipment.

October 23, 1981: Successful startup of the No. 3 Paper Machine in Madison, Maine, 53 days ahead of schedule and just over a year and a half after groundbreaking on March 12, 1980.

Acquires the Florida construction firm of Moore & Muncy, Inc. in the Tampa area, a $2 million-a-year site and utility contractor, expanding its footprint into Florida.

Continues work on a $16.2 million biomass boiler project for S.D. Warren in Westbrook, Maine.

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Steel erection on the biomass boiler at the S.D. Warren plant in Westbrook, Maine, for Scott Paper Company.

Cianbro also landed a $16.2 million biomass boiler project at the S.D. Warren division of Scott Paper Company in Westbrook, Maine. The project was part of Scott Paper’s conservation efforts, with the company anticipating saving 30 million gallons of oil annually with the new boiler.

The 220-foot-tall boiler building steel was erected in the dead of winter.

Project Manager Dave Holt praised his crews for a production rate of less than nine work hours per ton despite the frigid temperatures.

As business thrived in the Northeast, the nation’s gaze turned to a project along a segment of Interstate 95 in Washington, D.C. While the company’s earlier endeavors in the region had been significant, it was the Woodrow Wilson Bridge project that captured national attention.

The bridge, which recorded the second-highest traffic count for any bridge on the East Coast, was crumbling with some massive holes and concrete falling into the Potomac River. “You could look right down into the river,” said Ken. The 6,000-foot span was in desperate need of repair, and also essential to the people working and living around D.C. The team faced a dilemma. Knowing just how busy and vital the bridge was, they had to replace the Woodrow Wilson Bridge without any daytime work while keeping it operational to prevent significant traffic jams.

The team had a plan. At 8:30 every night, 150 team members converged on site with trucks, cranes, and other heavy equipment and materials. The crew closed one side of the bridge to all vehicles, reducing traffic to just one side. They began and completed a large portion of the

1982

1982

1982

1982

At a June 3, 1982, dedication ceremony, crews are honored for successfully completing the Shawmut Hydroelectric Expansion project in central Maine.

Tom Luckern leads Cianbro to work at Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant as a facilitator to the repairs of the circulating water pump house.

Acquires N.C. Monroe in Greensboro, North Carolina, a building contractor specializing in constructing commercial and mid-rise buildings with projects in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas.

Cianbro establishes its first mid-Atlantic office in Landover, Maryland.

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November 1982: Cianbro submits the successful bid for the Fairfield-Clinton bridge in Maine for just over $2 million.

December 1982: Work is underway on road replacement over the top of the Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna River in Maryland.

Bud Named AGC National President

Woodrow Wilson Bridge over the Potomac River between Alexandria, Virginia, and Oxon Hill, Maryland, carrying I-95 and the Capital Beltway (I-495). bridge every night by sawing the old deck concrete into slabs, lifting the slabs onto a barge below in the Potomac, sandblasting and painting the exposed steel, and lifting the new precast concrete slabs from another barge into the open space. They were cleaned up and gone by 5:30 a.m. each day, just in time for the morning traffic to pick up.

In 1980, Ival (Bud) Cianchette, earned the highest position within the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). Previously, Bud had served as president of AGC’s Maine chapter, but this appointment was a whirlwind unlike any he had anticipated.

Everyone within AGC was familiar with Bud’s work ethic, industry expertise, and commitment to Cianbro. He had spent decades growing the family business with his brothers, serving as the company’s president for 17 years. When he was sworn in as AGC’s president, Bud had ideas.

“Too many arms of the government are imposing unrealistic regulations on construction in an attempt to solve all of the country’s social and economic problems,” said Bud. His goal was to work with Congress and AGC officers across the country to strengthen the regulations that would help the construction industry thrive and eliminate extraneous ones.

In his role as AGC president, Bud and his wife, Priscilla, traveled across the country speaking with AGC leaders. Not only did Bud have the opportunity to introduce Ronald Reagan at the annual AGC convention in Washington, D.C., but he and Priscilla also led a delegation to China where the government was looking to develop business contracts with United States firms for joint ventures.

“It was very educational,” Bud recalled. “I made lifetime friends and business associates.”

1982

1983

1983

1983

Construction is progressing on Cianbro’s new 16,000-square-foot welding and fabrication shop in Pittsfield, Maine.

January 1, 1983: Purchases Lime Products Corporation of Warren and Union, Maine. The plant produces agricultural lime, crushed stone, and aggregates. The plant becomes part of Cianbro’s concrete and paving group.

Successful bidder on five segmental bridges in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The project is Cianbro’s first using 565 precast segments (concrete boxes) to construct the bridges totaling 5,900 feet in length.

March 7, 1983: Purchases Martin Marietta’s (Dragon) cement plant in Thomaston, Maine, New England’s only cement manufacturing plant.

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The next evening, they’d do it all over again. There was very little room for error with this process, and yet the team completed the project seven months ahead of schedule with minimal interruption to traffic.

There was an incentive attached to the contract, paying Cianbro for each day they came in under deadline. On the Woodrow Wilson Bridge project, they earned an additional $1.42 million bonus for completing seven months ahead of schedule.

On the floor of the House of Representatives, Dan Mica, a Democrat from Florida, lauded the team’s work, “We should take notice here in Congress that someone, somewhere in this great bureaucracy, has found a corporation that allows the construction of a bridge to be completed not only on schedule, but ahead of schedule. I commend whoever it is who owns that corporation.”

While the Woodrow Wilson Bridge project was underway, the company was awarded a $25 million contract from the Army Corp of Engineers to construct a new water treatment facility. The McMillan Water Treatment Plant, in Washington, D.C., was the main source of the area’s daily water supply of 200 million gallons. This was yet another major project for Cianbro in the mid-Atlantic region.

Heading into 1982, the company was a well-oiled machine, expanding its footprint, diversifying its services, and hiring more team members than ever before. The previous year, the company had built a new 3-level office building on Main Street in Pittsfield, Maine, to house its growing staff. Additionally, with work increasing in the mid-Atlantic area, the company established its first office in the region just outside of Washington, D.C., in Landover, Maryland. The United States economy, however, was going to test the mettle of the company.

1983

1983

1983

1984

Completes a 5,700-cubic-yard concrete tremie seal placement in 12 hours on the Lakeworth Flood Control project in Florida.

December 1983: Completes work on the $6 million Merrill Marine Terminal in Portland, Maine. Work began on June 29, 1981, at Merrill Pier. Mac Cianchette was the project superintendent.

Receives Build America Award from Associated General Contractors (AGC) for the professionalism, innovation, and safety achievements throughout the redecking of the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge in Washington, D.C., over the Potomac River.

March 1984: Awarded the $13.9 million steel bridge connecting Bangor and Brewer in Maine.

“ We should take notice here in Congress that someone, somewhere in this great bureaucracy, has found a corporation that allows the construction of a bridge to be completed not only on schedule, but ahead of schedule. I commend whoever it is who owns that corporation.”

– Congressman Dan Mica from Florida

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Rolls out individual safety award program distributing hard hat decals to team members in recognition of their safe work hours.

Exceptional Craftsmanship Receives Recognition In 1982, Cianbro’s work on the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) project in Potomac, Maryland, was recognized by a construction industry standards and practices organization based in Washington, D.C. Chuck Cianchette, Cianbro president, sent a letter of congratulations to Floyd Crider, who led the formwork construction for the raw water pumping station job. Floyd and his family cherished that letter through the decades.

The WSSC project was followed by a $25 million contract from the Army Corps of Engineers to construct the McMillan Water Treatment Plant in Washington, D.C. Many of the team members who built these projects went on to have decades-long careers at Cianbro. They were instrumental in establishing the company’s mid-Atlantic region.

(Top photo): Floyd Crider and Tom Miller work on formwork for WSSC project. In relief, the custom formwork’s raised design depicted the Potomac River, its tributaries, and drainage area.

(Bottom photo): Jerry Dove in front of formwork for intake structure.

“ Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence.” – Vince Lombardi

1984

1984

1984

1985

Successfully completes refueling outage project for Maine Yankee with over 430 team members at Maine’s only nuclear power plant in Wiscasset.

Awarded a $5.9 million contract to construct a hydroelectric project in Hinckley, New York.

June 26, 1984: Port Leyden Hydroelectric project is dedicated in New York. The 2.1-megawatt plant is one of four New York hydro projects Cianbro had been constructing since May 1983.

Awarded a low-head hydro project

by Long Lake Energy Corporation in Philadelphia, New York, for $4 million.

Constructs the company’s first movable bridge in Boca Raton, Florida.

Redecking and structural modifications are underway on the Harry Nice Bridge in Newburg, Maryland.

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Enduring through economic hardships The economic recession hit the construction industry hard.

“Work became almost nonexistent,” said Chuck. “We bid a whole lot of jobs and it seems like we were always coming up second or third.

The whole industry was starving for work. Some of the companies were taking jobs at less than cost just to keep the cash flow going. Many of those companies are no longer in business.”

Cianbro had seen tremendous growth in the late 1970s and early 1980s, unlike many other companies. However, there were now many team members, as well as new equipment, sitting idle. In 1983, the company saw a slight loss. In 1984, they saw a more significant loss. As the brothers looked at the budget for 1985, they faced some difficult decisions.

In addition to the economic downturn, Cianbro had expended capital pursuing the development of an ethanol plant that was not economically viable. Cianbro had also acquired three companies, one of them being the Martin Marietta (Dragon) cement manufacturing facility in Thomaston, Maine, that all needed capital to develop. The timing was not right to take on those opportunities.

The initial optimism of weathering the growing financial storm without cuts ultimately faded. The reality of back-to-back poor financial years could no longer be ignored.

“We faced the problem by downsizing the overhead substantially,”

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said Chuck. “It was a struggle. We eliminated several vice president positions. We sat down with each one of them and explained exactly what we were doing and why. We had generous severance packages for each of them. Most of them understood. It was an unpleasant time for all of us, but it had to be done to save the company.”

“The Cianchettes don’t take pleasure in hurting people. They’ve always liked to help people. Cutbacks meant people would be hurt,” reflected Pete Vigue years later.

The company decided to put its three recent acquisitions up for sale. Cianbro consolidated its ready-mix operations with its lime and aggregate plants into the cement manufacturing operation, selling it to the Passamaquoddy Tribe in Maine. Cianbro also sold its two other acquisitions, Moore and Muncy in Tampa Bay, Florida, and the N.C. Monroe Construction Company in Greensboro, North Carolina, back to the original owners.

By August 1985, Cianbro cut overhead by 30 percent. When paired with the sale of Dragon, the company saw a profitable year in 1985.

“We have bitten many bullets,” said Chuck in the company’s September newsletter. “Our future is bright and our opportunities have never been greater. With the largest backlog of construction in the history of the company, the challenge is to complete that work with the same efficiency and quality that we are famous for.”

1985

1985

1986

Embarks on first joint venture bridge project, the Danziger Bridge, in New Orleans, Louisiana, with Williams Brothers for $33.1 million.

The lift span was the largest vertical lift span in the world at the time.

Awarded the $20 million Rouses Point Bridge between Alburg, Vermont, and Rouses Point, New York, as well as the $17 million Pejepscot Hydro project in Maine.

Successfully completes the Craggy Dam project in Woodfin, North Carolina.

Back to basics With the company restructured and a little leaner, Cianbro focused on working in the markets and geographic regions where it excelled. The team took on a number of hydro dam projects in Maine. These included a $19 million job on the Penobscot River in West Enfield, overseen by Project Manager Ernie Kilbride, the $17 million hydro project at the Pejepscot Paper mill on the Androscoggin River in Topsham, and the Worumbo Hydro project also on the Androscoggin River in Lisbon Falls, both managed by John Dunnell.

Additionally, the team was working on the Benton Falls Hydro Dam on the Sebasticook River, in Benton, Maine.

In 1987, the federal government was once again spending money on rehabilitating bridges Ernie Kilbride due to a tragic bridge collapse in Connecticut in PROJECT MANAGER 1983. Nationally and regionally, Cianbro was still WEST ENFIELD HYDRO recognized as an expert in bridge building and rehabilitation. This move opened the door for the company to return to the forefront of the construction industry.

One of the first bridges on the list was the Braga Bridge in Fall River, Massachusetts. The $40 million project involved building a new deck and rehabilitating the steelwork. Carl’s son Mac was the area manager during

The first project that Cianbro undertook with the Massachusetts Highway Department was the Braga Bridge in Fall River.

1987

1987

1987

1987

Develops the full body construction harness and adopts a 100% tie-off policy.

Successfully completes the rebuild of the No. 9 Paper Machine for James River Corporation at their Otis Mill in Jay, Maine.

Brassua Dam project work is underway on the Moose River between Moosehead Lake and Brassua Lake in Rockwood, Maine.

Cianbro’s quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) team begins certifying and tracking all welders.

Fort Fairfield Power Plant project successfully starts in Maine.

Work starts on the Braga Bridge project in Fall River, Massachusetts.

Installs the second largest pit turbine in the U.S. at the West Enfield Hydro project in Maine.

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The Tappan Zee Bridge over the Hudson River in Tarrytown, New York, had as many as 16 crews working simultaneously over its 3-mile length.

the project and shared work coordination with Tom Weaver, project engineer. “It was one of the most successful jobs we have ever done,” Mac recalled years later.

From there, the number of bridge projects continued to increase. While they were working on the Braga Bridge project, the company was also overseeing the rehabilitation of the Merritt Parkway Bridge over the Housatonic River in Connecticut. The scope of work increased on the job after the team discovered the bridge required further repair than was initially known.

The Tappan Zee Bridge over the Hudson River Tom Weaver in Tarrytown, New York, was a bit more challenging PROJECT ENGINEER for Cianbro. During the rehabilitation project, as BRAGA BRIDGE many as 16 crews were working simultaneously on the bridge, which spanned roughly 3 miles. The company also took on the South Grand Island Bridge and the North Grand Island Bridge, both in upstate New York.

The mid-Atlantic crews were also kept busy, still having an excellent reputation in the region after the work on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. The team, led by Dick Dooley, was working on the Harry Nice Bridge in Maryland and the Southeast / Southwest Freeway Bridges in Washington, D.C. The team even returned to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge for some additional steel work not in the original project scope.

1988

1988

1988

Successfully completes the $22 million central heating plant modifications in Quantico, Virginia.

February 1988: Submits the successful bid of $8 million to win the Ledyard Bridge project in Ledyard, Connecticut.

Constructs the first peat-powered power plant in the country in Deblois, Maine.

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Team Member Development: A Grassroots Beginning The foundation for what eventually evolved into the Cianbro Institute was first created in 1980 to support the massive Madison No. 3 Paper Machine project in Madison, Maine. These early efforts to provide a safe and effective workforce chartered the company’s approach to team member development. This innovative concept helped team members reach their potential while strategically designing skills education to meet operational needs.

Night classes were set up on site and at the company’s headquarters in Pittsfield, Maine, to teach math, pipefitting, and millwright skills. A full-time welding instructor was also hired to support quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) welder certification to meet both Cianbro and industry standards.

By mid-decade, safety and supervisory classes were offered along with formal courses in subjects such as pipefitters math, blueprint reading, and rigging. Courses combined elements of the Wheels of Learning program from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) with Cianbro-developed material. However, due to financial hardships in the mid-1980s, all programs except for safety and welding were either put on hold or severely cut. Cianbro’s welding facility remained staffed and was considered necessary for companywide operations as was the company’s growing safety program.

During the late 1980s, safety became a major focus with Pete Vigue leading the charge. Safety education included the 30-hour OSHA

Penny Cates (right) receives her certificate for basic millwright skills from Pete Williams, vice president of personnel, upon successful completion.

Superintendent Dale Gray (right) congratulates Randy Stedman upon completion of Cianbro’s pipefitting course.

(Occupational Safety and Health Administration) outreach program offered to frontline supervisors by in-house OSHA certified safety managers. A formal certification process for all equipment operators was instituted by the equipment group and was required for any team member who operated equipment.

Developing in-house skills education fit Cianbro’s culture. Adhering to the old proverb, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another,” team members gained leadership skills and found mutual benefit in helping others learn and grow.

1988

1988

1989

Successfully completes the Merritt Parkway Bridge project in Stratford, Connecticut.

Crews successfully complete the No. 3 Recovery Boiler Installation and Low Energy Pulping System (LEPS) project at a major pulp mill expansion for S.D. Warren in Westbrook, Maine.

Successfully constructs a 40-megawatt wood-fired power plant in Stratton, Maine – a $55 million project.

Awarded the South Grand Island Bridge project in upstate New York.

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The double-bascule span of the Niantic Bridge connecting East Lyme and Waterford, Connecticut.

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At the same time, Cianbro was tapping into a new niche. Earlier in the decade, the company had taken on a new bascule bridge in Boca Raton, Florida. It was the company’s first movable bridge project adding a new skill set that would come in handy going forward. Throughout the decade, Cianbro took on multiple movable bridge projects.

In the mid-1980s, Cianbro landed its first joint venture bridge project with Williams Brothers, the Danziger Bridge project in New Orleans, Louisiana, adding to the company’s movable bridge experience. This $33 million project involved a 320-foot-long by 100-foot-wide movable lift span, which at the time, was the largest vertical lift span in the world.

In the late 1980s, Cianbro constructed the Niantic Bridge project connecting East Lyme and Waterford, Connecticut, a complex project with a double-bascule span that challenged the engineers and millwrights. It was yet another expertise the company gained that set it apart in the movable bridge market. This was a strategy that served the company well.

“We found a good niche there,” said Bob Desjardins, who would go on to serve as Cianbro’s executive vice president in the 1990s. “We have found that we have to look for projects that are more complex, more difficult. That’s how we can be successful.”

Danziger Bridge in New Orleans, Louisiana, was reported to be the largest vertical lift span bridge in the world.

1989

1989

1989

1989

Awarded a $6 million project by the New York State Bridge Authority to reconstruct part of the Mid-Hudson Bridge in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Awarded an $18 million contract for the powerhouse construction and dam reconstruction work for Adirondack Hydro Development Corporation in Waterford and Cohoes, New York.

Cianbro Charitable Foundation is established with donations to deserving nonprofit organizations.

Implements preemployment physicals and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Worumbo Hydroelectric project begins producing power in Lisbon Falls, Maine.

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A new era in safety For decades, Cianbro had a solid safety record, but the industry was not without risk. Cianbro had its fair share of tragedies and injuries.

“We reluctantly accepted that we were in a very dangerous and hazardous business and the environment was such that it was inevitable people were going to get hurt,” said Pete Vigue, who at the time was Cianbro’s operations manager. “As much as we anguished and as frustrated as we became, life went on.”

In 1987, the words of one 9-year-old girl changed that mindset for Cianbro, and ultimately, the construction industry. Pete was attending the funeral of an ironworker who had died as a result of a fall while repairing a bridge in Connecticut. While talking with the family, the ironworker’s 9-year-old daughter tugged on Pete’s coat sleeve and asked: “Why did you kill my daddy?”

“I thought I had been through tragedy and bad experiences, but I had never had anyone tell me that I had taken someone else’s life,” Pete said.

“That broke my heart.”

When Pete returned to Pittsfield, he shut down all jobs companywide. “No, I didn’t ask permission from anyone. I gathered the team and I asked the question: What are we going to do to see that this doesn’t happen again?”

1989 A time to build up, and a time to break down.

Awarded an $11.7 million contract for the Notre Dame Bridge project over the Merrimack River in Manchester, New Hampshire. To demolish the old bridge, the design team identifies the key truss members to cripple, then the project team topples the bridge into the river.

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It was not an issue of being in compliance when the accident occurred. At the time, the standard required a single lanyard tie off.

But being in mere compliance was not enough. The first step involved introducing a new policy that anyone who went in the air 10 feet or more was tied off 100 percent of the time using the double-lanyard system. The safety team, led by Paul Falconer, began collaborating with the safety belt manufacturers to develop a more secure full-body harness. In 1987, this was unheard of in the construction industry.

The company pushed safety to the forefront of its education and development, embedding safety processes and discussions into all planning activities and meetings. Not only did Cianbro encourage team members to report hazards and unsafe practices, the company required it. This wasn’t implemented to hand out punishments, but to better understand how accidents or near misses happened and, more importantly, how they could be avoided moving forward.

The vision behind this was that every team member goes home in better condition than when they arrived at work. “The frustrating thing for me is that it took a 9-year-old girl to teach me what my role and responsibilities are as a leader,” said Pete. “That is pretty painful.”

Alton (Chuck) Edgar Cianchette Born May 18, 1930.

Died January 18, 2000.

Son of Ralph and Edna Steen Cianchette.

FAMILY

• Married Helen Esty of Harmony, Maine, July 23, 1950.

• Three daughters – Tamara (Tam) Cianchette, Lynn Cianchette, and Andrea Cianchette Maker.

• One son – Charles (Charlie).

EDUCATION

• 1948, graduated from Maine Central Institute (MCI), Pittsfield.

MILITARY SERVICE

• In 1952, Chuck was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He served in the infantry and was trained as a radio operator.

He was stationed for 18 months in Germany and was honorably discharged in 1954.

WORK

• On June 10, 1946, at age 16, Chuck reported to work for Carl E. Cianchette Contractor as a laborer on the Perley Wright mill job.

• In 1954, after his Army discharge, he went on the Cianchette Bros., Inc. payroll as a timekeeper for some Maine Turnpike bridge jobs.

• By the end of 1954, he started acquiring stock in his brothers’ company and became a partner.

• Between 1979 and 1990, he served as president of Cianbro.

• In 1991, Chuck became chairman of the Cianbro board.

FORMER POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS

• Selectman for the town of Pittsfield.

• Maine State Senator for four terms: two from 1973-1977 and two more from 1993-1997.

• Attended the Democratic National Convention as a Maine delegate.

• Appointed by Gov. Angus King to the Maine Ambassadors program.

• Appointed chairman of Maine Indian Tribal State Commission.

FORMER PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• President: Maine Good Roads Association.

• Served on Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) committees: manpower and training, AASHTO-AGC joint committee, and industrial process contractors.

• Director: Key Bankshares of Maine, Inc.; Bangor Hydro Electric Company.

• Member: Executive board of The Maine Alliance.

FORMER PUBLIC SERVICE AND HONORS

• President: MCI Board of Trustees.

• Boy Scouts of America: President of Pine Tree Council and Northeast Region; member of the national executive board of directors and

national advisory board.

•R ecipient of the 1990 Distinguished Citizen award by Pine Tree Council, Boy Scouts of America.

• T rustee for Susan L. Curtis Foundation, which sponsors a camp for underprivileged children in memory of the daughter of Maine’s former governor, Kenneth Curtis.

• 1981 Distinguished Maine Citizen by Susan L. Curtis Foundation.

•C o-recipient, with his brother Bud, for the 1990 Business Leaders of Maine Award by the Maine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

•R ecipient of 1993 Humanitarian Award from Spurwink Foundation.

•M ember: Masonic orders, including Anah Temple Shrine of Bangor.

•N ovember 2023, posthumously recognized with the prestigious Dirigo Award along with his brothers by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce for their outstanding business leadership and positive impact on Maine’s economy.

FLYING ASSOCIATIONS

•P resident: Maine Pilots Association in 1976 and was recipient of the association’s Gaddis Cup Award in 1981.

•M ember: Board of Trustees of the Staggerwing Museum Foundation in Tullahoma, Tennessee.

•P resident’s Council of Experimental Aircraft Association in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

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TEAM MEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS 1980-1989 It’s All About People

Paul Day

Over the decades, many hard working, committed team members dedicated all or a portion of their working careers to the company’s success.

At the end of each decade, we have included the photos and a few words about a handful of individuals who may or may not be mentioned elsewhere in the book. These names are a small percentage of the total roster of the company’s workforce. For the many team members not mentioned, please understand that your contributions and efforts are still appreciated, remembered, and are reflected in the overall success of Cianbro.

Paul joined Cianbro in the late 1970s on the company’s first job in the mid-Atlantic area as a multiskilled craftsperson. Paul was initially best known as a skilled formwork carpenter and part-time scuba diver on the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission project in Potomac, Maryland. The architectural formwork on the Potomac project was some of the most meticulous work the company had ever done. From a form carpenter, Paul progressed into a safety role and ultimately advanced to become the regional safety specialist. His advice and counsel were sought out by many team members. A people person who was always willing to help and offer support, Paul was a highly respected team member whose 34 years of contributions to the company will not be forgotten.

Ernest (Ernie) Kilbride Over his 37 years of service, Ernie worked on a variety of Cianbro projects between Maine and Florida, as well as corporate management.

Joining in 1981, Ernie’s career began as a senior engineering manager at the Brunswick-Topsham Hydroelectric project in Maine. This was followed with the construction of eight segmental bridges in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, before returning to New England as project manager for the West Enfield, Maine, hydroelectric facility. His deep operational experience led to management positions in purchasing and estimating. He then served as vice president of engineering, and subsequently became vice president for Cianbro Development Corporation, where he was instrumental in the development of many successful projects. These included the Tomlinson Bridge, Amethyst deep water semi-submersible drill rigs, Destiny mall expansion, Hornbeck offshore supply vessel conversion, Motiva project, acquisition and development of the Brewer deepwater module facility, and the development of the Pittsfield Solar project. Ernie was a strategic, critical thinker and an expert at creating opportunities while effectively managing risk.

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John Green John worked on many Cianbro projects in the mid-Atlantic area, starting in the summer of 1982. Like many team members, he was a jack-of-all trades and well skilled at formwork, placing and finishing concrete, excavation and backfill, demolition work, pipe laying, painting, and dewatering, among other tasks. Regardless of the assignment, John consistently gave 110 percent. He was well known for his good natured character, can-do spirit, positive attitude, and enthusiastic dedication to his work. In his 13 years with the company, John was willing to take on any challenge, anywhere, anytime — this earned him the respect of all his fellow workers. He had a humble and modest personality and was a significant contributor to the success of all the projects he worked on.

Cindy Clark

Edward (Ed) Kloeber

Cindy began her 42-year career at Cianbro as a drafter with the estimating team in 1982. Transitioning to a project engineering role, she worked on diverse projects including the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant, and a variety of paper mill projects. Her passion for project controls led her to work with the information technology team managing the business system analysts group. Cindy collaborated with many projects assisting with scope, schedule, and budget. She took a leadership role preparing and updating countless project schedules that helped the project management teams know exactly where they were on any given day. She spent a large portion of her career working on refining the company’s cost systems to ensure the leadership team understood the budgeted, actual, committed, and forecasted costs on all elements of projects. Many consider Cindy the matriarch of the project controls systems.

Ed started with Cianbro in 1979. His first project was at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, and from there he went to the Brunswick-Topsham Hydroelectric project. In 1982, he joined the mid-Atlantic team to work on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.

He then worked on projects in Maine and Florida. Ed’s many assignments were as geographically diverse as they were worktype diverse. Ed was one of the leaders in preparing the work plan and concept that won the Conowingo Hydroelectric Dam project on the Susquehanna River in Maryland. He was a great builder, engineer, and estimator. Ed was a leader, mentor, teammate, and friend to many.

Dale Gray Dale is recognized as a key developer of the company’s mechanical and piping group. He started with the company in 1975 in Lincoln, Maine. He brought with him a wealth of mechanical, piping, and plumbing skills that instantly made him a soughtafter resource and mentor. Dale was well known for leading the piping teams at the Madison Paper project in the early 1980s. He was willing to travel and worked on multiple projects in Maine, upstate New York, Virginia, and Maryland. He mentored and provided invaluable advice to hundreds in the piping and mechanical group and engineering department.

Dale’s keen insight and dry wit on all issues, from the construction profession to life experiences, were cherished and valued.

Thomas (Tom) Luckern Tom began work with Cianbro in 1981. He quickly progressed to mechanical foreman, general foreman, mechanical superintendent, and project manager. He also served as one of the company’s earliest safety directors, bringing a wealth of safety knowledge and field experience to the position. In 1982, Tom was the first Cianbro team member at the Maine Yankee Nuclear Plant. He served as facilitator of repairs on the circulating water pumphouse.

This first project opened the door to work in multiple nuclear plants in the Northeast for Cianbro. Tom was a familiar face on numerous paper machine, hydro, and nuclear power plant projects. He was a hands-on leader who was loved by all crews.

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TEAM MEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS 1980-1989 Thomas (Tom) Weaver

Ruth Morris

Tom joined the company in 1981. He was a project engineer on many heavy civil projects including the Smokey Park Bridge and Craggy Dam in North Carolina, Braga Bridge in Massachusetts, and Niantic Bridge in Connecticut. He was a superintendent on the Southeast / Southwest Freeway project in Washington, D.C. Tom’s engineering skills, combined with his people skills and deep knowledge of the construction industry, made him a valuable resource. He transitioned to serve in a leadership position within the corporate estimating department.

Tom always made himself available to team members seeking his advice. Married to Vickie Weaver, a dedicated team member and an accomplished office manager and field clerk, they traveled together to work on numerous Cianbro projects.

Ruth joined Cianbro in 1981. She first became interested in welding while taking metal trades classes in high school. She worked at Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant and on numerous paper mill projects and shutdowns.

Ruth traveled as far south as Virginia as both a welder and welding supervisor. Ruth was an early pioneer for women in construction. When asked how her crew handled the fact that she was a woman supervisor, she responded, “They pay attention to what I say and don’t give me much of a hard time. I don’t feel they really think of me as a woman. I told them not to think of me as their boss; I’m working with them, and we are all working together for the same purpose — to get the job done.”

Samuel (Sam) Soule

Pete first caught the company’s attention as the owner of Coastal Electric, an electrical subcontractor at the Madison paper mill project in the early 1980s. Pete was asked to join the company at the conclusion of that project. Under his leadership, Cianbro’s electrical capability and team grew to well over 100 licensed electricians working from Maine to the mid-Atlantic area on movable bridges, industrial facilities, and power generation. Pete covered all aspects of the electrical business from pursuing work, estimating costs, and managing the execution. He had an uncanny knack for showing up on a project and being able to quickly identify where we could improve performance. His lasting legacy is the passion and drive he brought to initiate formal craft development at Cianbro.

Sam joined the company in February 1981. He managed numerous mechanical projects and was well known for his proficiency, leadership, and technical know-how in turbine rebuilds. Sam also assisted with the startup and system acceptance of the boilers at the central heating plant on the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia. He was a project manager for many years in the nuclear industry.

Sam mentored many team members. He was a people person who was well respected by clients and team members alike.

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Peter (Pete) Schein

John McDonald

George Arsenault

John began working at Cianbro in 1981. One of his earliest projects was assisting with the pipe installation at the waferboard plant in New Limerick, Maine. John’s in-depth piping and mechanical skills were quickly recognized, as were his abilities to teach, mentor, and lead. He advanced to the position of piping superintendent at the Airco project in Kittery, Maine. In the late 1980s, John transitioned to the estimating department in Pittsfield, Maine.

He was viewed as a pleasure to work with by his fellow estimators. John always took the time to teach others the engineering and estimating professions and share his experiences. He contributed to the success of numerous projects and he mentored many new team members.

George was a man of great character and courage. With more than two decades of dedication to Cianbro, he earned respect because people knew he worked for it. George was an educator and mentor on so many levels. He viewed everyone as equal. He had a unique ability to teach others his craft and more through experience, knowledge, and the many craft manuals that he authored.

An ironworker and rigger by trade, he never backed away from a challenge. George left an indelible mark on not only Cianbro, but also the construction industry. His wife, Jacqueline (Jacky), retired from Cianbro with 31 years of dedicated service.

Douglas (Doug) Smith Doug was a key member of Cianbro’s core mechanical crew that traces its roots back to the company’s work at the Lincoln Pulp & Paper mill in the mid-1970s. He began his career with the company in 1976 as a pipefitter and quickly progressed to a foreman, general foreman, craft superintendent, and project superintendent. Doug worked on many pulp and paper mill projects over his 31-year career with the company. He was widely respected by clients and his peers on every project. Doug was willing to travel, work any shift, do a double shift, and do any task to complete the job. Once that meant jumping into a stream that flowed through a job site to retrieve company tools. He was a dedicated and true professional who mentored many younger team members.

Paul (Woggy) Belanger During his early career as a formwork carpenter, Paul worked for notable mentors like Rick Gamache and John Dunnell on hydroelectric projects in the 1980s. He soon progressed to foreman, general foreman, and superintendent leading crews in all types of projects in northern New England. Paul was quick to adopt efforts to improve safety in the work environment. He has been a champion of these efforts throughout his career. He also has a curious mind and always works towards continuous improvements in the company’s workflows. The best example of this is his creation of the Woggy Brace that Cianbro adopted and went on to manufacture. The reusable edge-form steel brace replaced the wasteful two-by-four-inch lumber predecessor.

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TEAM MEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS 1980-1989 Paul Falconer

Nancy Sidelinger

Paul joined Cianbro in the summer of 1981 after a distinguished career with the Maine State Police. He filled vital roles on both the safety and education teams. Paul was a strong advocate of continuous improvement. He was an agent of change. Under his leadership, the company underwent great cultural changes in the dual areas of team member safety and education. He leveraged his personal persuasion and relentless enthusiasm to help everyone he mentored become more effective. Often taking team members outside their comfort zones, Paul led the company to try new ideas and approaches that yielded significant advancement for key metrics. Paul propelled Cianbro forward on its journey of continuous improvement.

Nancy started with the company in 1978, and for the next 36 years, she worked in the corporate office in Pittsfield, Maine, as office supervisor, office manager, and the head of the payroll and accounting department.

She was responsible for successfully tracking hundreds then thousands of team members moving around dozens of states and hundreds of different projects, ensuring each received a weekly paycheck that was accurate to the penny. Over the years, she progressed to accounting manager.

While maintaining a full-time job at Cianbro, Nancy was able to obtain an Associate of Science degree from Thomas College in four years, graduating magna cum laude. Nancy’s husband, Douglas (Doug), also retired from Cianbro with 25 years of service. Doug held a pivotal leadership role with the equipment team.

Floyd Crider Floyd joined the company in September 1980 on a raw water treatment pumping station project in Potomac, Maryland, for the Washington Suburban Sanitation Commission.

He was the lead foreman on the meticulous formwork for the intake structure. In its threedimensional (3D) finished state, the custom formwork depicted the Potomac River, its tributaries, and drainage area. Floyd went on to work on multiple projects in the company’s mid-Atlantic area and progressed to carpenter foreman. Floyd recruited and mentored many craftspeople. One of his notable recruits was his son Mike who left a legacy of his own. At the end of Floyd’s career, he returned to doing what he loved most, carpentry while working for his son Mike. Floyd retired in 2000.

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Douglas (Doug) Ranks “Take care of the people,” are the words Doug used most throughout his 41-year career at Cianbro. Doug was talented in his craft, but his care for the crew was his biggest gift. He lived the phrase that became part of the company’s culture: It’s all about people. The team members who worked with Doug knew that he cared genuinely about their wellbeing.

He was not bashful when circumstances caused him to advocate for his team in a wider circle.

In the late 1980s, his passion for taking care of people landed Doug in a role to staff projects throughout New England. The trust the team had in him enabled the company to staff projects outside of its traditional operating areas. He was an important part of the company’s geographic expansion.

Francis Violette and Henry Violette

Ronald (Ron) Wing

If there were ever two people who could get the most from a cable machine, it was Violette brothers Francis and Henry. The brothers came to Maine in the early 1960s and settled in Auburn. They first went to work for Hinman Construction, a major Maine road contractor at the time. In those days, cable machines were the main form of earthmoving equipment and were very labor intensive. The machines had one house with many attachments. Before hydraulics, it was all cables and clutches.

A shovel front was installed to remove Francis overburden and blasted ledge. Then it was replaced with a backhoe for ditching and pipe laying, followed by a boom and clamshell for feeding stock to the hoppers of the plant for asphalt or concrete. Joining Cianbro in the early 1970s, Francis and Henry soon became recognized for their impressive skill set and work ethic. They were the go-to guys for crane operations in a marine Henry environment. This was at a time when the company’s largest barge-mounted cranes were Manitowoc 65-ton. Francis and Henry were great teachers and played a significant role for decades in Cianbro’s growth.

Ron began his career with Cianbro in 1976. In the early years, Ron was part of the pioneering, design-build team for the Bog Hog with Ken Cianchette. They developed the largest peat moss harvesting machine in the world.

Ron is best known for his leadership while managing the company’s fabrication shop in Pittsfield, Maine. Under Ron’s guidance, the shop specialized in a wide variety of fabrication work including cofferdam frames, trestles, airplane parts, vessels, and more. One of Ron’s most inventive successes was the custom modification of five mag drills for the Harry Nice Bridge project in Maryland during the mid-1980s. His innovative alterations were a huge boost to productivity and efficiency. Ron was among the first of the highly skilled and gifted fabricators to work at Cianbro’s fabrication facility. Ron’s son, Greg, and daughter, Susan (Wing) Bagley, continue the tradition of excellent service to the company with 43 years and nine years of service (respectively).

Annual Revenue 1980 - 1989

IN MILLIONS

200 150 100 50 0

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

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In 1982, Cianbro performed its first job at Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant in Wiscasset, Maine, and maintained a presence at the plant until it was closed for decommissioning in 1998.

CHAPTER SIX (1990 - 1999)

New Era of Safety and Market Diversification In 1990, Cianbro teams were busy up and down the East Coast. The company’s backlog of complex infrastructure work included bridges, dams, fishways, marine projects, and wastewater treatment plants. Heavy industrial projects included a vast amount of work in the pulp and paper industry along with nuclear and other energy projects.

With a renewed focus on safety, the company celebrated the first project to achieve 500,000 work hours without a lost-time injury: the team at the Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant in Wiscasset. The team also received one of the largest contributions to their profit-sharing plan to date. The future was bright.

The Cianchette brothers had succeeded in creating an organization that would thrive and grow beyond their individual lifetimes. By sharing profits and ownership with the men and women who worked along beside them, the brothers empowered the team to take control of their own destiny. They built a living legacy.

Ken, Bud, and Chuck decided it was time to entrust the company they had worked so hard to build to the next generation, along with their founding philosophy — treat people with dignity and respect, your word is your bond, and to give back. It was time to make way for a new era of leadership.

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The next generation, a new era for Cianbro On January 19, 1991, at Cianbro’s annual shareholders meeting, Pete Vigue was elected president and chief operating officer. Chuck would serve as board chair and chief executive officer.

Growing up the middle child of a family with three boys and extremely modest means in Pittsfield, Maine, Pete learned very early the value of a positive, can-do attitude and the rewards of an honest day’s work. Pete’s work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit were evident by the age of 7 when he launched his first business enterprise: Pete’s Rolling KoolAid Stand, pulling a wagon and selling cold drinks to truck drivers.

At 9, he was shoveling driveways Pete (center) and his younger and delivering newspapers to homes brother, Tim (second from including those of Cianbro’s founders, left), sell drinks to the Carl, Ken, Bud, and Chuck Cianchette. neighborhood kids. Pete’s Pete looked up to the Cianchette first business enterprise was brothers. He liked how they lived their pulling a wagon and selling lives and he admired them. cold drinks to truck drivers.

Knowing that the only way to survive was to stay in school and work hard, Pete put himself through high school — Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield — and Maine Maritime Academy in Castine. In 1969, Pete graduated with a degree in marine engineering, married Carole Daily, and went to work at sea. Realizing his commitment to his family could not be honored while only being home on a part-time basis, he went back to Pittsfield and asked the Cianchette brothers for a job. Bud conducted the interview and said, “Yes,” as he recalled Pete as that kid who shoveled driveways and always looked for odd jobs.

On February 2, 1970, at one-quarter of his sea-going wages, Pete joined Cianbro as a laborer on Portland’s working waterfront in Maine.

Understanding what it takes to succeed, Pete embraced every job as an opportunity to learn. He never refused to do anything asked of him, which included uprooting his family nine years later and moving them to Maryland. Pete was picked to be project superintendent for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) project, a raw-water pumping station in Potomac, Maryland. He would become instrumental in the development of the company’s mid-Atlantic base of operations.

In 1991, when the time came for the Cianchette brothers to turn over the company’s leadership reins to the next generation, it was no surprise that Pete Vigue was the pick. His eternal optimism, willingness to work hard, and the fact that he didn’t like to hear or use the word can’t, had earned Pete the respect of the Cianchette brothers and the entire team.

1990

1990

1990

1990

August 15, 1990: Hosts ribbon-cutting ceremony for new 9,000-square-foot coating facility in Pittsfield, Maine.

October 1990: Cianbro crews mobilize to Millinocket, Maine, for GeorgiaPacific Digester Rehabilitation project.

Completes 6-week Paper Mill Boiler Rebuild project in Madison, Maine, 4 1/2 days ahead of schedule.

July 1990: Completes shutdown at Lincoln Pulp & Paper in Lincoln, Maine.

September 1990: Completes Winooski River Bridge in Vermont.

November 1990: North Grand Island Bridge project opens to traffic in upstate New York.

Completes 31-day shutdown at the mill modernization project for Boise Cascade in Rumford, Maine. First large-scale shutdown with 698 team members.

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Wins the contract to rehabilitate Lock 4 on the Erie Canal in Waterford, New York.

Lasting Life Lessons: Instilling a Can-Do Attitude Hazel Monteith Earle taught Latin at Maine Central Institute (MCI) in Pittsfield, Maine. More important to Cianbro, she taught Pete Vigue to NEVER say, “I can’t.”

In 1964, Pete was finishing his junior year at MCI with dreams of going to Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) when he graduated the following year. He soon learned that he needed two years of a foreign language to be accepted at MMA. Since Pete knew Mrs. Earle from his newspaper route, he asked her to approve him taking two years of Latin simultaneously. She initially denied his request, but Pete’s negotiating skills won her over.

Finally, she let him know it was not Mrs. Hazel Earle (1901 – 1970) going to be easy and put him in the front row next to the smartest student, a young girl from Canada. Mrs. Earle set high expectations for Pete.

In Latin 2, they studied Cicero. Students had to recite parts by memory. One day, Mrs. Earle asked the young girl from Canada to recite

a harder section. She struggled and said, “I can’t.” The room became completely quiet as Mrs. Earle scratched the word “NEVER” in large letters across the blackboard.

Pete recalls, “Mrs. Earle turned around on her heels and said, ‘NEVER say I can’t.’ She then proceeded to give us a pep talk that would have put Vince Lombardi to shame about believing in yourself and never quitting.

That was a major turning point in my life, and it had a significant impact on my behavior from then on. It had nothing to do with Latin and everything to do with life.”

Pete keeps a photograph of Mrs. Earle in his office to this day, along with a note that reads, “Remember, there is NO such word as ‘Can’t!’”

Pete adds, “That lesson has been the foundation of who I am, and it’s taken me through some of the most difficult and challenging times.”

The same can be said for Susanna Jacob — that young girl from Canada. At a MCI graduation, Pete told the story again and mentioned Susanna by name. The speech was publicized and shortly after, Dr. Susanna Jacob Kirsh, MD, from Toronto, Canada, showed up in Pete’s office. She embraced him at length while she reflected on the biggest and most important lesson of her life (and Pete’s). A lesson that she credited to her many successes.

Many people who have had the good fortune of being a part of Pete’s life have heard and benefited from Mrs. Hazel Earle’s life lesson.

1990

1990

1990

1991

Completes Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant shutdown with over 300 team members working more than 500,000 hours without a lost-time injury.

First project team to reach this safety milestone.

Begins rehabilitation work on three movable railroad bridges in Connecticut: the Devon Railroad Bridge over the Housatonic River connecting Stratford and Milford, and the Walk and Saga Railroad Bridges in South Norwalk and Westport.

Completes two Maine hydroelectric projects on time and under budget: Miller Hydro in Augusta and Wiliams Station in Solon.

January 19, 1991: Peter G. Vigue is elected president and chief operating officer of Cianbro Corporation.

October 1, 1990: Makes the use of personal restraining devices in all motor vehicles and equipment mandatory.

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Increases in industrial work keeps team rolling

The Rumford Mill Modernization project at Boise Cascade in Maine was one of Cianbro’s first large shutdowns.

Snodgrass team and equipment provided additional opportunities for Cianbro in heavy industrial construction with the completion of several projects Snodgrass had under contract in local paper mills. Building on that nucleus, Cianbro added fabrication, coatings, mechanical, piping, and electrical expertise. The company’s ability to self-perform difficult industrial and maintenance service work grew throughout the Northeast.

In Maine, continuous shutdowns and rebuilds for paper mills kept the industrial teams busy. Then, in 1990, the bar was raised when a team of nearly 500 undertook the Rumford Mill Modernization project for Boise Cascade, leading to more work for the mill’s new owner, Mead Paper.

The work at Mead was followed in 1992 by a new recycled fiber facility for Bowater / Great Tom Luckern PROJECT MANAGER Northern Paper in East Millinocket, Maine. In 1996, RUMFORD MILL the company landed its largest industrial project in a decade. The Phoenix project would rebuild a paper machine at International Paper’s mill in Jay, Maine. During the 46-day shutdown, more than 1,200 team members worked 1.2 million hours to complete the Phoenix project without a single lost-time injury.

The company worked on power, heating, and recovery boilers for numerous clients in northern New England and earned a reputation as a premier contractor for such specialty work.

1991

1991

1991

1991

Cianbro opens a new regional office in Enfield, Connecticut.

Completes Southeast / Southwest Freeway project through downtown Washington, D.C. Project wins a Build America Award from Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America the following year. The project was recognized with an early-completion bonus of $1 million.

Mobilizes for work at Central Maine Power Company’s Wyman Station on Cousins Island in Yarmouth, Maine.

June 7, 1991: Completes Notre Dame Bridge project in Manchester, New Hampshire, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

By the early 1990s, industrial projects comprised over 40 percent of Cianbro’s volume by revenue.

The company’s industrial experience had started in 1967 with the acquisition of the Ellis C. Snodgrass company in Portland, Maine. The

May 1991: Opens Niantic River Bridge in Waterford, Connecticut, to traffic.

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Crews working on the Hanover Street Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, reach 40,000 safe work hours without a losttime injury.

Begins Pratt & Whitney’s 27-megawatt cogeneration project in East Hartford, Connecticut.

Safety Success Opens Doors In 1991, Cianbro introduced a stretching program that focused on warming up muscles before working to reduce the risk of injury.

Stretch time also provided a great opportunity for communicating safety items and other messages of the day.

Always keeping a constant safety vigil, the Cianbro team had reduced the previous year’s lost-time injuries by 73 percent. Clients responded with high praise and increased project awards. Cianbro’s safety record opened more doors to industrial and energy projects and attracted significant attention in other market sectors as well.

In February 1991, when the team at the Rumford Mill Modernization project for Boise Cascade in Maine, reached 200,000 safe work hours, the mill’s construction manager noticed. He announced, “As a result of your dedication to maintaining a safe workplace, and because the Cianbro team made safety number one in the daily list of priorities, followed by quality and production, Boise is awarding Cianbro the first phase of the new CL02 building.”

Safety also opened doors in the nuclear power industry.

Cianbro’s stunning safety record at Maine Yankee in Wiscasset was noticed by other nuclear plants. It did not appear to be a coincidence that Yankee Rowe in Rowe, Massachusetts, Connecticut Yankee in Haddam, and Vermont Yankee in Vernon, were looking for Cianbro’s support with upcoming projects at the very same time the team demonstrated their continuous dedication to safety.

In 1991, Cianbro introduced stretching (see sidebar).

Cianbro’s industrial work was booming inside and outside of Maine.

For Northeast Utilities in Massachusetts and Connecticut, teams provided outage work, a fish passageway, maintenance, and mechanical repairs.

At International Paper in Ticonderoga, New York, projects included an effluent pipeline as well as inspections and repairs to boilers. Other work included projects in Massachusetts for Ogden Martin in Haverhill and Yankee Atomic Electric Company in Rowe. In Connecticut, teams were on site at Cellu Tissue in East Harford, and Pfizer Inc. in Groton. In Vermont, crews worked for Yankee Nuclear Power in Brattleboro. In Maryland, clients included Baltimore Gas and Electric, Potomac Electric Power Company, Baltimore Refuse Energy Systems Company (RESCO), W.R. Grace (a specialty chemical company), and more.

1991

1991

1991

1992

Cianbro introduces a stretching program to focus on physical wellbeing.

Completes George Washington Memorial Parkway Bridge over Sprout Run in Arlington, Virginia, ahead of schedule and under budget.

November 1991: Cianbro teams at the mill modernization project in Rumford, Maine, reach 500,000 work hours without a lost-time injury.

Cianbro and joint venture partner Energy Systems from Niles, Illinois, completes engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract for the Lyonsdale Energy Cogeneration project in New York.

Completes Calvert Street Bridge (now known as the Duke Ellington Memorial Bridge) over Rock Creek Parkway Northwest in Washington, D.C.

December 1991: Completes Catskill Creek Bridge in Catskill, New York.

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Bridge business booms throughout the decade At the turn of the decade, Cianbro was constructing several complex and high-profile bridge and highway projects up and down the East Coast including the Winooski River Bridge in Richmond, Vermont. The North Grand Island Bridge connecting Grand Island and Niagara Falls, New York, opened to traffic in November 1990.

Meanwhile, crews began rehabilitation work on three movable railroad bridges in Connecticut: the Devon Railroad Bridge over the Housatonic River connecting Stratford and Milford, the Walk Railroad Bridge in South Norwalk, and the Saga Railroad Bridge in Westport.

In 1991, Cianbro completed the rehabilitation of the Southeast / Southwest Freeway (Interstate John Dunnell 695 Expressway) project in the highly visible PROJECT MANAGER and congested area of downtown Washington, SOUTHEAST/SOUTHWEST D.C., in 16 months. The project was over 80 days ahead of schedule and 150 days ahead of the second bidder’s schedule.

The following year, the project earned a Build America Award from Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America.

Cianbro continued to win bridge projects along the Eastern Seaboard including the 11th Street Bridge, another major project in our nation’s capital. Other bridge projects included the Severn River Bridge in

The Southeast / Southwest Freeway project in Washington, D.C., involved replacing 103 pin and link assemblies and 500 fixed bearings.

The project required the team to work under a continuous live load (full traffic), marking a first in the nation.

Annapolis, Maryland, Beverly-Salem Bridge over the Danvers River in Massachusetts, and the Casco Bay Bridge connecting South Portland and Portland, Maine.

1992

1992

1992

1992

January 1992: Completes emergency repairs to Bangor and Aroostook Railroad’s bridge in Grindstone, Maine.

Begins work on the Castleton Bridge Rehabilitation project in New York.

Pile driving is in full swing for Lower Bank Bridge project in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey.

Performs boiler work for International Paper’s annual outage at its mill in Ticonderoga, New York.

Cianbro crews kick off Bowater’s Recycled Fiber Facility project in East Millinocket, Maine, by erecting 1,300 tons of steel in two months.

Awarded construction management contract for warehouse and returns center at L.L. Bean in Freeport, Maine.

Cianbro crews complete phase III of the Rip Van Winkle Bridge project in Hudson, New York.

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Begins 80-day reconstruction of Bridge 151 over the Nanticoke River in Seaford, Delaware.

Unique challenges and opportunities In 1992, crews began work on the 3-year, high-profile Severn River Bridge project in Annapolis, Maryland. They encountered and overcame the challenges of difficult foundations by tapping into companywide resources. The project team erected pier columns using forms designed and fabricated by support teams in Pittsfield, Maine. The new bridge had structural steel box girders. The vertical concrete pier columns had to be deflected (moved from their original positions) to set the box girders in place. When the girders were set, the piers returned to their final plumb position.

In 1996, the project received the Excellence in Highway Design award from the Federal Highway Administration. In addition, the project received a Prize Bridge Award from the American Institute of Steel Construction and was nominated for an Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers.

During construction, the project team also received an unexpected visit from President George H. W. Bush. The president was sailing on the Severn River one day and spotted Cianbro equipment near the United States Naval Academy. He headed over to the bridge project site and wanted to know if his friend John Ricker, Sr., was there. John was not there that day. Years earlier, John first met President Bush while Cianbro was working on the seawall at the president’s home in Kennebunkport, Maine. The two remained friends until the president’s death in 2018.

The Severn River Bridge in Annapolis, Maryland, was Cianbro’s first formal partnering effort with the Maryland State Highway Administration (MSHA). The partnering concept was developed to bring teams from different organizations together to build trust and respect for one another’s respective roles while reaching common objectives.

1992

1993

1993

December 2, 1992: The Maine 116th Legislature swears in Senator Alton E. (Chuck) Cianchette accompanied by his wife, Helen.

Crews log over 100,000 safe hours as the Tappan Zee Bridge in Tarrytown, New York, is completed. Teams replace over 50,000 rivets and drill over 50,000 holes to erect 715,000 pounds of rehabilitation steel.

January 1993: Fabrication and coating team in Pittsfield, Maine, receives the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Category III certification.

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Teamwork Helps Railroad Get Back on Track

Team works around the clock during sub-zero temperatures and high winds to put railroad bridges back into service in five days.

On Monday, January 13, 1992, a southbound Bangor & Aroostook (B&A) Railroad train derailed as it crossed the bridge spanning the East Branch of the Penobscot River in Grindstone, Maine. On Tuesday morning, the railroad asked Cianbro to provide a proposal for repairing the structural damage. An agreement was quickly reached, and a team sprang into action.

By mid-afternoon Wednesday, structural steel was delivered to Cianbro’s fabrication and coating facility in Pittsfield, Maine. Project design and planning began. By Friday night, the railroad had removed the derailed cars from the bridge and Cianbro crews started working around the clock.

Wayne Ray Team leaders included: Wayne (Razor) PROJECT SUPERINTENDENT Ray, superintendent, Scott Clements, night GRINDSTONE superintendent, Tom Gilbert, fabrication engineer, Kaven Philbrook, concrete superintendent, Pete Fournier, replacement bridge superintendent, Dan Duperry, cost engineer, and Alan Fisher, chief design engineer.

On Friday night, in below zero temperatures and howling winds, modification of the concrete abutment began. On Saturday, work continued at the abutment and preparation for the truss repairs started.

Another crew traveled north 107 miles to Washburn, Maine, removed an

overpass bridge from a section of an abandoned B & A right-of-way, loaded it on a Cianbro truck, and delivered it south to Grindstone for reuse. The Washburn bridge would span Route 11 which runs parallel to the river.

On Sunday, despite the continued low temperatures and biting winds, the day crew completed the formwork and hand mixed and placed the high-strength concrete for the replacement span bearing pedestals. The structural steel arrived from Pittsfield and the new steel bent for the replacement girder span was promptly set in place.

On Wednesday, January 22, 1992, hundreds of high-strength bolts were installed, and the final bolt up was completed. At 5:30 p.m., with horns blaring, a 4-engine, 60-car train crossed the repaired bridge heading north. The B & A was back in business!

1993

1993

1993

1993

Work accelerates on the Gold Star Memorial Bridges in Groton, Connecticut.

Completes East Wing of the Sebasticook Valley Hospital in PIttsfield, Maine. The wing was later dedicated in honor of the Ralph and Edna Cianchette family.

Private citizens establish a committee to raise funds for renovations to the Cianchette family home in Pittsfield, Maine. The house would become the Ralph & Edna Cianchette Family Alumni and Development Center at Maine Central Institute (MCI).

Fabrication and coating team in Pittsfield, Maine, begins first American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Category III project with the fabrication of almost 300,000 pounds of steel for the Peaks Island Ferry Terminal project in Maine.

Crews work on Lock 0-6 on the Oswego River in Oswego, New York.

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The Presumpscot Falls River Bridge in Falmouth, Maine, was constructed utilizing cast-in-place concrete arches without the use of falsework. Project wins a Build America Award from Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America in 1995.

1993

1993

1994

1994

Work is in full swing on the Deerfield Sunderland Bridge Rehabilitation project in the Pioneer Valley of northwestern Massachusetts.

Quality planning and execution by the experienced project team catapults the $18 million Case Memorial Bridge project in Washington, D.C., ahead of schedule.

August 1994: Cianbro crews open the Severn River Bridge in Annapolis, Maryland, to traffic, logging over 235,000 safe work hours. Demolition of the old bridge is scheduled for the following year.

Team members working on Portland / South Portland Bridge (Casco Bay Bridge) project place 4,257 cubic yards of concrete in 29 hours.

Crews respond to repair No. 1 Recovery Boiler at International Paper in Jay, Maine.

Cianbro relocates mid-Atlantic area office to 711 Pittman Road in the heart of industrial Baltimore, Maryland.

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New markets set the stage for growth and expansion With a solid foundation as one of the largest civil and heavy industrial construction companies on the East Coast, the team was breaking into new markets such as food and beverage, and technology. In 1992, widely recognized retailer L.L. Bean in Freeport, Maine, selected Cianbro to be the construction manager for its new 126,000-square-foot returns center and a 205,000-square-foot reserve storage building. By 1995, Cianbro was managing the construction of the iconic Maine retailer’s new 532,000-square-foot, 2-story distribution center.

Before the end of the decade, Cianbro was construction manager

Cianbro was the construction manager providing design-build services for the Harold & Bibby Alfond Youth and Community Center in Waterville, Maine.

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providing design-build services for the Harold & Bibby Alfond Youth and Community Center in Waterville, Maine. Other construction management work included a new baking facility for J.J. Nissen in Biddeford, Maine, a potato processing plant for McCain Foods in Easton, Maine, and a project for Electric Boat, a division of General Dynamics, in Groton, Connecticut. Construction management became a core competency.

Cianbro was also self-performing work for large building complexes.

Projects included call centers and other facilities in midcoast Maine for MBNA, a credit card company based out of Delaware, airport and hospital parking garages in New Hampshire and Maine, and water processing facilities for another historic Maine company, Poland Spring.

In this decade, Cianbro’s move into new markets also included an unexpected opportunity in the high-tech world of clean rooms and highly sophisticated microchip equipment. In 1995, the company won contracts for civil and heavy industrial work on National Semiconductor’s expansion project at their facility in South Portland, Maine. However, setting the multi-million-dollar tools used in microchip manufacturing was not in the original construction package. It wasn’t until another contractor moved the first tool, dropping and damaging it, that Cianbro had the opportunity to move the next tool. Tools had to be rigged into place with absolutely no room for error. The team set the remainder of the tools for the project.

1994

1994

1995

November 1994: Cianbro is front-and-center as the cover story for Engineering News-Record (ENR) magazine. The feature focuses on Cianbro’s open-shop values and offers a glimpse into the company’s culture centered on people and Pete Vigue’s passion about safety.

Puts power on the grid 40 days ahead of schedule on a 3-megawatt turbine generator with ancillary equipment for Madison Paper in Madison, Maine.

Fabrication facility in Pittsfield, Maine, celebrates 10 years without a lost-time injury.

Completes multiple projects at GeorgiaPacific’s mill in Woodland, Maine.

One of Cianbro’s first construction management projects was for L.L. Bean in Freeport, Maine. The famous Maine company needed more room and Cianbro managed an expansion that included a returns facility, warehouse, and distribution center.

1995

1995

1995

1996

Substructure and superstructure work is in full swing on massive Beverly-Salem Bridge project in Massachusetts.

Awarded initial packages for site work, concrete, building demolition, and air structure for National Semiconductor’s expansion project at microchip fabrication facility in South Portland, Maine.

Undertakes the challenging and specialized cable wrapping repair procedure on portions of the main suspension cable on the Mount Hope Bridge in Rhode Island.

Begins removal and replacement work on Weems Creek Bridge project in Annapolis, Maryland.

Awarded the construction management contract for L.L. Bean’s new distribution center in Freeport, Maine.

Completes Phase I and II of the East Bridge project in Schuylerville, New York.

Working on piers for the 2,020-foot-long Donald Carter Memorial Bridge between Waterville and Winslow, Maine.

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Fishways and floods, challenges along the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania By the end of 1995, Cianbro teams at two fishway projects on the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania were full steam ahead. The team was constructing migratory fish passageways for their clients’ efforts to assist the American shad in making their way to ancestral spawning grounds in the headwaters of the river.

The Holtwood Fish Lift project for Pennsylvania Power and Light (PP&L) was built below the ungated spillway of the Holtwood Hydroelectric Dam on the lower Susquehanna River.

The Safe Harbor Fish Passage Facility project for the Safe Harbor Water Power Corporation was another fish lift built at the Safe Harbor Hydroelectric Station near Conestoga, Pennsylvania, 7 miles upstream from the Holtwood project.

Andi Vigue In 1996, the record snowfall in the PROJECT ENGINEER early Pennsylvania winter, along with frigid SAFE HARBOR temperatures, significantly impacted the Susquehanna River watershed. When tropical air moved in from the south in mid-January, the snow began to melt throughout the watershed. This, combined with 2 1/2 inches of rain, resulted in the river

rising to flood stage from New York to the Chesapeake Bay. As a result of the January flood, Cianbro’s Holtwood and Safe Harbor project sites were underwater and sustained significant damage, but were not lost to the elements. At Safe Harbor, just hours before the flood, crews led by Wade Simons, assistant superintendent, and Don Keresztenyi, general foreman, worked in the pouring rain to make the new trash sluice extension operational. Without Safe Harbor project site after the trash sluice extension, the January 1996 flood. power plant would have had to dump tons of debris from the forebay into the work area.

The city of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, did not fare as well. Flood waters combined with massive ice floes caused two spans of Harrisburg’s historic Walnut Street Bridge to be lifted off their bearings and carried about 500 feet downstream where they impacted and wrapped around concrete piers of the Market Street Bridge. The Safe Harbor team learned of Harrisburg’s predicament and called the Pennsylvania

1996

1996

1997

Cianbro moves into its new southern New England regional office on a 17-acre lot in Bloomfield, Connecticut.

More than 1,200 team members complete the Paper Machine Rebuild (Phoenix) project for International Paper in Jay, Maine. The project culminates in a 46-day shutdown and more than 1.2 million work hours without a lost-time injury.

Completes New London State Pier deck repairs on the Thames River in New London, Connecticut.

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1997 April 14, 1997: Carl Cianchette, 77, passes away.

Awarded multiple contracts at MBNA’s facilities in Belfast and Camden, Maine.

Work is underway at John J. Nissen Baking Company’s new baking facility in Biddeford, Maine.

Bridge spans from the historic Walnut Street Bridge wrap around the piers of the Market Street Bridge in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, during flood.

Department of Transportation (PennDOT) offering to help. Assisted by Cianbro resources from Baltimore to Maine — estimating, equipment, and transportation — a team was mobilized and on site within days.

Mike Hart, superintendent at Safe Harbor, led two crews that worked in sub-zero temperatures. One crew worked from the Market Street Bridge deck and another from the water. They rigged, cut, and removed the wrecked steel members from the pier and moved them out of the water to the bridge deck for processing into salvageable pieces. When completed, PennDOT contracted with Cianbro to remove the remaining

span of the Walnut Street Bridge as well as demolish the stone piers which were rocked off their foundations. Cianbro’s project in the capital city certainly made a lasting impression.

Once the flood waters receded and damages mitigated, teams at both the Holtwood and Safe Harbor fishway projects were back on track to finish construction on time. In 1998, the team led by Chet Muckenhirn, project manager at the Holtwood project, won a Build America Award from Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America.

The judges were particularly impressed that Cianbro completed the fish lift on time despite the winter flood that left the project completely submerged under 20 feet of turbulent ice-choked water, destroyed five cofferdam cells, and swept equipment downstream. The flood also covered the lower section of the site with up to 16 feet of mud.

In 1999, Cianbro constructed the York Haven Fish Ladder project at York Haven Dam, located 12 miles south of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

This fishway removed the final hurdle to provide American shad passage to their spawning grounds.

Chuck, Bud, and Ken talk about the company.

1997

1997

1997

Establishes a formal development program for electricians based upon National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Wheels of Learning program.

Recognized by the Maine State Electricians Examining Board for licensing.

Cianbro adopts CAPP (Cianbro’s Accident Prevention Process).

Successfully completes relining 5,680 linear feet of 96-inch prestressed concrete cylinder pipe water line with 79-inch steel pipe for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission in Greenbelt, Maryland. A second contract, relining 17,000 linear feet of underground pipe, begins the following year.

Team members from Mexico, Bolivia, and Ecuador work alongside other mid-Atlantic team members on the 11th Street Bridge project along the Anacostia Freeway in Washington, D.C.

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History made at Yankee Rowe In 1992, after 32 years of generating electrical power, Yankee Rowe Atomic Electric Company in Rowe, Massachusetts, stopped operations.

Two years later, a team from Cianbro arrived to start the environmentally sensitive job of decommissioning and dismantling the facility.

Many large components were removed and shipped from the Yankee Rowe plant as part of decommissioning, the largest being the reactor pressure vessel (RPV).

On Sunday, April 29, 1997, team members had the plant’s RPV ready for transport. The 365-ton transport package was being shipped to a disposal Gary Robbins facility in Barnwell, South Carolina. This was the PROJECT MANAGER first commercial reactor to be dismantled and YANKEE ROWE RPV shipped in the United States.

Five months earlier, the 165-ton RPV had been safely removed from the plant’s containment building and placed inside a 3-inch thick, 100ton steel container. It was then injected with 80 tons of concrete and the lid was welded onto the container. An elaborate tie-down system including 20 tons of wire rope was installed.

Removal and preparation of the RPV for shipment was the culmination of a year-long endeavor that represented one of the most

On April 29, 1997, the 365-ton reactor pressure vessel (RPV) transport package leaves Yankee Rowe plant in Rowe, Massachusetts. It is the first commercial reactor to be dismantled and shipped in the U.S.

1998

1998

1998

1998

Continues decommissioning work at Yankee Rowe nuclear power plant in Rowe, Massachusetts. More than 1.5 million safe hours worked since 1994.

Receives a Build America Award for Fish Passage Facility in Holtwood, Pennsylvania, from Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America.

Cianbro names Jon Sacks as the first skills education coordinator and starts certified millwright, instrumentation, and pipefitter programs that lead to journey level for each craft.

Wins construction management contract providing design-build services for the Harold & Bibby Alfond Youth and Community Center in Waterville, Maine.

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Work begins on rehabilitation of the East Haddam Swing Bridge from Haddam to East Haddam, Connecticut.

difficult challenges the Cianbro team had faced since arriving on site in 1994. Team members would continue to successfully complete many more projects before physical decommissioning of the former Yankee Rowe plant was completed in 2007.

Since 1982, Cianbro’s projects at Maine Yankee and other nuclear power plants prepared the way for the company’s decommissioning work at Yankee Rowe. Over the years, many team members are credited with opening doors in the nuclear market including Tom Luckern and Sam Soule.

Work underway at Poland Spring Bottling plant in Hollis, Maine.

Wins construction management contract for potato processing plant at McCain Foods in Easton, Maine.

Regional Approach Drives Development Cianbro’s commitment to skills education In 1996, the company began allocating budget to develop team members and created regional funds that encouraged more operationsbased education. With that investment came Cianbro’s commitment to provide for the delivery of long-term craft educational programs.

In 1997, using the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Wheels of Learning curriculum, Cianbro began offering accredited skills education programs.

Electrical was the first course. Students came on their own time to full-day classes every other Friday. Instructor wages, books, and materials were paid for from the regional budget.

Cianbro instructor Marty By 1998, Cianbro’s northern New Roach observes students England region was first to identify Darrin Champagne (front) and a regional craft skills education Mike Stevens as they ground coordinator. Eight supervisors an electrical system in their representing millwrighting, level two electrical Wheels of instrumentation, pipefitting, electrical, Learning program. and civil were developed in-house as

In the early 1990s, Cianbro was strengthening its mid-Atlantic team and establishing its presence as a local contractor, with a regional office in Landover, Maryland, soon to move to Pittman Road in Baltimore. In 1991, Cianbro also opened a new regional office for the southern New England area in Enfield, Connecticut, which later moved to Bloomfield, Connecticut, in 1996. Cianbro’s northern New England clients were served out of the company’s regional office in Pittsfield, Maine, as well as Cianbro’s marine facility in Portland, Maine.

All regional offices were supported by Cianbro teams at the corporate headquarters in Pittsfield, Maine, along with the Pittsfield-based fabrication and coating, equipment, and transportation teams. Each regional team’s focus was to build a local management team supported by a local workforce to establish relationships with and meet the needs of clients. Skills education was delivered as needed for projects, such as International Paper in Jay, Maine, one of the largest mechanical projects for the company. A project-based craft development program included welding, pipefitting, and millwrighting.

1999

1999

1999

Work is underway for two parking garages. One for Manchester Airport in New Hampshire and another for Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine.

Fabrication and coating team receives American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Fracture Critical Endorsement opening new markets.

For the first time, the company website at www.cianbro.com is released. Tim Flewelling, web designer, plays a key role in its development.

Work begins on the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Belfast, Maine.

Work continues at the Piscataway Wastewater Treatment plant in Accokeek, Maryland.

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accredited NCCER craft instructors. Programs leading to journey level for each craft were developed. Classes were held every Friday whenever space was available, in conference rooms, offices, job site trailers, and rented community college rooms.

Relationships with construction industry groups including Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) were vital. Partnerships with local educational institutions, including technical colleges and universities, also proved critical.

In 1999, Cianbro sent its first student to compete in the ABC National Craft Championships. Since that time, many apprentices in multiple crafts have won more medals than any other company.

At the turn of the decade, Cianbro’s southern New England and mid-Atlantic regions also identified regional craft skills education coordinators. Workforce development was embedded in Cianbro’s culture.

Finding opportunities amidst change Over the decades, Cianbro’s presence as a leading heavy industrial contractor supporting the papermaking industry in the Northeast grew steadily. Work on pulp and paper projects required the highly skilled craft professionals who were the very core of Cianbro’s team: pipefitters, welders, electricians, millwrights, equipment operators, and more.

“ The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” – Vince Lombardi As the new century approached, paper became cheaper to produce in other parts of the world. Old infrastructure, high energy costs, competition, and a decreased need for newsprint caused pulp and paper mills to begin to close. The nuclear energy sector also suffered a dramatic decline in the 1990s. Projects transitioned from maintenance to decommissioning work.

Although the 1990s proved to be the peak of Cianbro’s work in papermaking and nuclear energy markets, the signs of change were there and Cianbro leaders would not ignore them. Their responsibility was placed solidly in keeping team members working and the company moving forward. Seeing challenges as disguised opportunities, the next decade would be a unique era of big ideas, true grit, teamwork, passion, perseverance, and forward momentum.

1999 Publishes Cianbro, the First 50 Years, written

by Ann McGowan, a former newspaper editor and Cianchette family friend.

Cianbro, the First 50 Years.

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Ann McGowan

AUTHOR Cianbro, the First 50 Years

Lynn Cianchette

PROJECT MANAGER Cianbro, the First 50 Years

Peter (Pete) George Vigue Born September 27, 1947.

Son of Frederic and Bernadette Ouellette Vigue.

FAMILY

• Married Carole Daily of Pittsfield, Maine, June 21, 1969.

• One daughter – Michelle Vigue Hodgins.

• One son – Peter Andre (Andi).

EDUCATION

• 1965, graduated from Maine Central Institute (MCI), in Pittsfield.

• 1969, Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering, Maine Maritime Academy, Castine.

WORK

• Summers of 1963-1968, worked for Thomas DiCenzo, Inc. construction company.

• During vacations and weekends from military school, sold cars on a part-time basis for Pittsfield Motor Sales.

• From 1969-1970, worked at sea on an oil tanker working as a third assistant engineer.

• On February 2, 1970, he was hired by Ival (Bud) Cianchette to work with Cianbro’s Portland, Maine, group as a laborer on the waterfront.

• From 1970 through 1990, he worked his way up the company ladder, progressing from laborer to foreman, field engineer, project manager, area superintendent, assistant to the president, vice president of operations, to senior vice president.

• January 1991, appointed president and chief operating officer of Cianbro Corporation.

• January 2000, appointed chief executive officer of Cianbro Corporation.

• January 2008, remained chief executive officer and was appointed chairman of the board of The Cianbro Companies.

• January 2018, remained chairman of the board of The Cianbro Companies and started to devote more time to Cianbro Development Corporation.

• April 2024, named chair emeritus of the board of The Cianbro Companies.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS • Former executive board member of the University of Maine Pulp and Paper Foundation.

• Former member of the TDBank Board of Directors.

• Former director of Key Bank of Maine.

• Former vice chairman of the Maine Chamber and Business Alliance.

• Member: Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).

• Member: executive board of Construction Industry Round Table (CIRT) comprised of top national and international contractors and designers.

• Member: The Moles – an elite national group of construction and design industry leaders.

PUBLIC SERVICE AND HONORS

• Former Pittsfield mayor and councilman.

• Former member of the Pine Tree Council of Boy Scouts of America.

• F ormer board member and president of the Maine Central Institute Trustees.

• F ormer advisory committee member of Kennebec Valley Technical College.

• F ormer chairman of Maine Aspirations Foundation.

• F ormer member of the Maine Coalition for Excellence in Education.

•P resident of Pittsfield Development Corporation.

•M CI: Hall of Fame Award.

•A lton E. Cianchette Business Hall of Fame Award.

•B angor Chamber of Commerce Norbert Dowd Award.

• E ngineering News-Record Top 25 Newsmaker Award.

•B angor Chamber Chairman’s Community Service Award.

• S purwink Humanitarian Award.

•B oy Scout of America Silver Beaver Award.

•M aine Maritime Wall of Honor.

• J unior Achievement Maine Business Hall of Fame Award.

•C atholic Charities of Maine Legacy of Love Award.

•A merican Heart Association Gold Heart Award.

•P ropeller Club of America Maritime Person of the Year.

• NEDA

Business Person of the Year.

• F AME Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

•K atahdin Area Council Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award.

•M aine Development Foundation Economic Growth Leadership Award.

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TEAM MEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS 1990-1999 It’s All About People

Alan Burton

Over the decades, many hard working, committed team members dedicated all or a portion of their working careers to the company’s success.

At the end of each decade, we have included the photos and a few words about a handful of individuals who may or may not be mentioned elsewhere in the book. These names are a small percentage of the total roster of the company’s workforce. For the many team members not mentioned, please understand that your contributions and efforts are still appreciated, remembered, and are reflected in the overall success of Cianbro.

For many tenured team members, when you think about human resources, you think about Alan. He joined Cianbro in 1976 and was based out of the Portland, Maine, area.

In the 1980s, Alan became a force at the corporate office in Pittsfield, Maine, leading the company’s health, safety, and human resources teams. In 1997, he was promoted to vice president and held that position until his retirement in 2015, after a 39-year career.

Known for his passion and work ethic, Alan was both influential inside and outside of the organization. He was an active member and leader of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) both at the state and national levels. Alan touched the lives of many and remains well respected in the industry.

Rita Bubar Innovative problem solvers have always been a highly attractive competency for the company. If a picture was needed to demonstrate who possesses those attributes, Rita would be among them. Rita devoted 34 years to Cianbro.

Retiring as the corporate human resources department manager, she led a high-performing team of professionals. Through the years, she authored many benefit programs and was the driving force behind their implementation. Rita, along with many others, took on the challenge to convert the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to the platform used for decades.

Once Pete Vigue decided wellness needed to be woven into the fabric of the organization, it was Rita who made it happen. Moving to a smoke-free environment and eventually tobacco-free, creating healthy food and beverage options for our team members, and establishing and advancing our occupational health focus, she was instrumental in moving Cianbro ahead of its time in caring for others.

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Richard (Rick) Fish Throughout his 34-year career with the company, Rick has worked behind-the-scenes at Cianbro Fabrication & Coating Corporation (CFCC).

Starting as a welder and fabricator, Rick developed into an assistant superintendent. He is known throughout Cianbro for his knowledge in all aspects of the fabrication process and his ability to operate equipment. His capacity to understand mechanics and to reverse engineer and improve upon operations is among the best. Rick’s true strength lies in his compassion and dedication to his team. Always putting others first, he supports those in need, whether it’s clearing driveways, providing firewood, or donating groceries. He quietly supports Cianbro initiatives, shying away from the spotlight but always extending a helping hand. Rick’s selflessness and leadership make him a cornerstone of CFCC, embodying the company’s values of teamwork and community support.

Roderick (Rod) MacKay, Jr.

Henry (Hank) Cook

Rod’s experience in Vietnam as a very young man undoubtedly influenced his leadership style on projects at Cianbro. For Rod, no task was too daunting, no night too dark, no winter weather too cold or wet. He exemplified understanding the mission and plotting a course to achieve it regardless of circumstances. Adapt and overcome was his mantra at Cianbro just as it was in the Marines. One of Rod’s lasting legacies is in safety, a role he took on when it was neither popular nor universally supported in the early years of implementing many protocols that are taken for granted today. The respect he commanded led many to adopt procedures with steadfast reliability that made Cianbro a national leader in safety, and undoubtedly saved lives.

“Uncommon common sense,” is how Hank is described by managers and customers who relied on him to plan and execute some of the company’s most daunting rigging challenges. Hank was a student of retired team member John Ricker, Sr., and emulated his precise planning, cool-headed thinking, and clear communication in the most demanding situations. Hank’s expertise in marine rigging included bascule bridge span picks at the Casco Bay Bridge and lift span float-in installations at the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge. Both Maine projects are examples of large-scale, high-precision operations combined with strong ocean currents and significant public attention. Hank’s collaborative relationship with crane operators like Francis Violette and Tom Caldwell, and design engineers like Joe Foley and Joe Orlando, made what looked impossible to many become repeatable success stories across the company.

Michael (Mike) Foster Joining Cianbro in 1983, Mike worked as an estimator and project engineer on a variety of projects for paper mills and power plants.

In 1993, Mike transitioned into the role of industrial estimating manager at the Pittsfield, Maine, office. As Cianbro expanded, Mike moved into new market sectors over the years.

He and his team were often tasked with getting up to speed on diverse markets and working with the operations teams to acquire new work for the company. Expansion into diverse markets included: drill rig construction, ship conversions, module construction, transmission lines, substations, and construction management projects such as civic centers and office buildings. Mike’s thoughtful and unassuming approach made him a favorite of everyone who worked with him.

Leonard (Lenny) Jackson Lenny played an integral role at the start of Cianbro’s expansion into the power transmission and distribution market in 2003. He was site leader on all the company’s early substation projects and served as a mentor to new team members assigned to these projects. Lenny had great depth in the industry and was very well respected by clients. This helped open doors to bid on new work. He was a key contributor to the development of the substation safety procedures. He retired from Cianbro in 2017.

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TEAM MEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS 1990-1999 Richard (Gramps) Moulton

Douglas (Doug) LaCroix

Gramps joined Cianbro at the Brunswick-Topsham Hydroelectric project in Maine during June 1980. He was described as a mentor and wore many hats throughout his career including master carpenter, innovator, and educator. Gramps had a reputation for telling it like it is. His standards were high, and his leadership skills were strong.

In 1999, Gramps accepted an opportunity to join the regional team member development group.

He leveraged his extensive knowledge of the company and the industry, along with his passion for professional craft careers, to mentor others. For seven years, Gramps led the company’s new team member orientation program until his retirement in 2006. He stayed engaged with the company and attended the Associated Builders and Constructors (ABC) Craft Championships in his retirement.

Doug began his career with Cianbro in 1998 as a fabricator/burn table operator. He transitioned to purchasing specialist where his negotiation skills and business acumen began to shine. He progressed into supervisory and management roles that positioned him for the leadership role at Cianbro Equipment, LLC. in 2016. Doug leads the equipment team across the country ensuring project teams have the tools and equipment they need to meet customer expectations. Doug’s passion and leadership skills are inspiring. He is trusted to follow through and always looks to the future and how the company can improve. Doug and his team have embraced technology and understand the importance of utilizing analytical data to continuously improve.

Daniel (Dan) Duperry Dan began his career with Cianbro as a project engineer during the summer of 1981. Throughout the 1980s, he worked on several Maine industrial projects, finishing the decade as project engineer on the Stratton Power Plant project. Dan served as superintendent on a hydro project in upstate New York. Because of his excellent work ethic and ability, he was promoted to area engineering manager. Working closely with regional managers Mac Cianchette and Frank Susi on multiple projects for the next 30 years, Dan managed the project engineering and financial responsibilities. When asked for help, he never refused, and always worked with a smile.

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Scott Clements Scott started his career with Cianbro as a rigger and pile driver in 1979. He quickly moved up to foreman, general foreman, superintendent, project manager, and senior project manager. Scott’s great people skills made him an effective leader and a favorite of many clients. Over his 40-plus years with Cianbro, he worked on a wide variety of heavy industrial projects. His favorite project was rebuilding the 19th-century digester building at the paper mill in Rumford, Maine. By working closely with the client and engineer, the team was able to complete the project ahead of schedule and under budget by more than $4 million. A true Cianbro leader in every sense of the word.

Laurette Laverdiere

Lee Aylward

Compassion, empathy, enthusiasm, and drive are words to describe Laurette. In the early 2000s, Laurette led the development and implementation of the Team Member Profile process. This companywide initiative that highlights the strengths of team members and identifies areas of growth and education was one of her many accomplishments. During her career, Laurette led human resources teams and worked behind the scenes assisting them in almost every business unit and geographical location where the company worked. She understood the complexity of human behavior and motivation and leveraged these skills in her many roles. Laurette’s sense of humor and welcoming smile are always present. Her strong work ethic and determination are not easily matched and are always obvious when given an assignment.

During his 33-year career with Cianbro, Lee demonstrated many diverse and valued skills. Lee came from the Navy, where he served as a nuclear welder. At Cianbro, he progressed to become superintendent on a variety of projects.

Early jobs included pulling thousands of feet of underground, large-bore, carbon-steel pipe and welding hundreds of joints for a client in Baltimore, Maryland. One of his most memorable projects was the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, a logistically challenging project with a tight schedule and very limited access. Lee set up the 4100-ringer crane for that project and was also instrumental in the welding process for the heavy wall stainless steel plate. Lee was a great mentor and teacher. He served six years as the company’s mid-Atlantic equipment manager and completed the last decade of his career as an instructor for the Cianbro Institute.

Thomas (Tom) Clarke

Gary Parker

Tom joined Cianbro in 1999 as a senior manager in the company’s southern New England region. He played a key role in establishing Cianbro as a major force in the area’s industrial market. When asked about favorite moments, Tom spoke about first meeting Chuck Cianchette at a company picnic in 1999 when he was considering joining the company.

Tom said, “What I remember most was his undivided attention.” He shared with Chuck the importance of his family and the effect a change in employment might have on them. Chuck listened intently. When they parted, Chuck shook his hand and said, “Tom, you have a difficult decision to make.”

Without hesitation, he tightened his grip and added, “But I know you will make the right one.” Tom was with Cianbro for 18 years before retiring in 2017.

Gary, long-time mechanical supervisor with 37 years of dedicated service with Cianbro, has most likely worked in every industrial facility within the company’s northern New England region and beyond. With a sense of humor as dry as the desert sand and as clever as a fox, Gary was never much for excuses. He always planned his work and worked the plan. A skillful pipe supervisor, Gary leveraged the strengths of his team. When asked about something related to his job, he always told the truth. He knew every piece of the puzzle. Gary enjoyed his work and it showed. He took pride in everything he did. First-time quality was the standard he expected of himself and those who worked with him.

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TEAM MEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS 1990-1999 Louis (Lou) Campbell

Chet Muckenhirn

Lou joined Cianbro in the 1970s as a project engineer. He was a true professional who taught many of the next generation the intricacies of his chosen profession during his 34-year career. Lou anchored the company’s Ricker’s Wharf office in Portland, Maine, covering hundreds of projects. He was also a key on-site leader for several challenging projects in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire such as parking garages, bridges, hydroelectric and paper mill projects, and Cianbro’s first clean room manufacturing facility at National Semiconductor in South Portland. Lou was also a project manager on Cianbro’s first design-build highway project, the Casco Bay Connector in Portland. Lou’s trademarks were detail, accuracy, and a calmness that helped everyone on the team keep their composure in tough times. He had a sense of humor that would disarm the most ardent critic.

Chet joined Cianbro in 1981 as a project engineer. During his 40-year career, he rose to senior project manager leading teams on many projects. These included Safe Harbor and Holtwood Fish Passages in Pennsylvania, Tappan Zee Bridge in New York, and the Tomlinson and Norwalk Bridges in Connecticut. He even came out of retirement to lend a hand during the roll-in phase of the Veranda Street Bridge project in Maine. Chet is known for his thoughtful approach to the work and is one of Cianbro’s legendary movable bridge experts. Chet has always been a bootson-the-ground manager and understands the work implicitly. His contributions have had far-reaching effects and his impact on many of the company’s engineers will benefit Cianbro for years to come.

Brian Hartness Brian began his career with Cianbro in 1985 as a laborer at the Little Falls, New York, hydro project. He was always ready to travel wherever the job required, working on projects across New England, New York, Maryland, Texas, and even Washington State. He has been a part of some of the company’s most challenging projects. Brian continuously sought out more responsibility to become a project superintendent, a role he enjoys as it combines safety, planning, and operations.

Over the years, his mentors included Lynne McGibney, Linc Denison, Sr., and Mac Cianchette.

They all instilled in Brian the importance of Cianbro’s core values as well as developing your replacement. Brian continues to mentor team members and support project startups.

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Clive (Mini Mac) McKay Clive started his career in construction in the mid-1960s. When he joined Cianbro in 1982, he brought with him almost two decades of heavy construction experience working in the Washington, D.C., area. Clive was a concrete finisher on multiple mid-Atlantic job sites including Quantico, McMillan, Woodrow Wilson Bridge, Back River Bridge, and Southeast / Southwest Freeway. He was well known for his high standard of workmanship, attention to detail, and safe work practices.

He was an inspiration to the people he worked with. Regardless of the weather or any challenge, Clive forged ahead, putting his best foot forward and ensuring the job was completed to the highest standard of quality. A multiskilled person, he was a construction professional.

Elwin (Jonesy) Jones

Chester (Chet) Doloff

During his 31 years with Cianbro, Jonesy made the most difficult situations look easy. He had the uncanny ability to size up a problem, apply his knowledge, experience, and work ethic, to get the job done. Jonesy knew how important it was for equipment to work safely and efficiently. He did big things like assembling cranes on large barges. He also did little things for anyone who asked. Jonesy was on the road for most of his career as an equipment mechanic, working on projects from Maine to Maryland. The most familiar radio call sign was 59 Jonesy. Whenever called, he answered, “Don’t touch anything. You guys mess up more in five minutes than I can fix in a week!”

Cianbro was built on the ingenuity and work ethic of the farmers, lumbermen, millworkers, and others who came out of the river valleys that were being industrialized during the 20th century. Chet was just that kind of man. He was competent in many crafts but excelled in rigging and mechanical work. His big smile and affable self-deprecating nature disguised his many talents. When the going got tough, Chet was a person you wanted on your team. He was a sought-after team member who traveled for the company up and down the East Coast. During Chet’s 28-year career with Cianbro, there were many team members who were thankful for his calm demeanor and had great confidence in his ability to manage difficult situations.

Kimble (Kim) Chapman

Annual Revenue 1990 - 1999 250 200 IN MILLIONS

Kim joined Cianbro in the mid-1980s and excelled in the nuances of embedded piping in each intricate concrete placement on hydroelectric projects along the Androscoggin River in Maine. The skills that made him successful in this arena speak volumes about Kim and why he was a successful supervisor at Cianbro for 32 years. His career took him around New England to diverse projects such as paper machine rebuilds, power plant work, the construction of two semi-submersible drill rigs, and many other job sites. Kim’s trademark was his quiet, unassuming style while listening to others and drawing out their best efforts. He had a knack for understanding how to effortlessly navigate obstacles. His dry sense of humor never let the stress of any situation get the best of the team.

150 100 50 0

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

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The 5,500-ton deck box for an exploratory drill rig turns the corner at Portland Head Light on its 2,000-mile journey from the Gulf of Mexico to Portland, Maine. Completed in 2004, the Amethyst project encompassed the construction of two offshore, semi-submersible drill rigs.

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CHAPTER SEVEN (2000 - 2009)

Passion and Perseverance Prevail In mid-January 2000, team leaders came together from locations up and down the East Coast to highlight project progress, share best practices, energize strategic plans, and review the company’s financials. Cianbro’s solid 50-year foundation and the team’s dedication to health and safety were the underlying themes of the company’s annual shareholders meeting held in Portland, Maine.

The 1999 revenue numbers were the company’s best ever. At $211 million, the team beat its budget for the year and exceeded 1998 by over 20 percent. The backlog of work for the first year of the new decade looked even better. However, the glow of mutual fellowship from that meeting immediately turned to shared sorrow as news quickly spread of the tragic and untimely death of Cianbro’s youngest founder and board chair, Alton (Chuck) Cianchette. On January 18, 2000, Chuck, 69, flew into an unexpected ice storm, ending in a fatal accident while flying his vintage Cessna 195 aircraft from the annual shareholders meeting in Maine back to his winter home in Florida.

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The team’s collective grief was redirected as boots hit the ground overseeing every detail to ensure funeral arrangements were in place.

Thousands of mourners would soon gather with Chuck’s family in Pittsfield, Maine, to honor the beloved industry leader, former state senator, great friend, and mentor. What would have taken event professionals weeks to plan, Cianbro accomplished in 72 hours. Chuck would have been honored.

“ We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

– Winston Churchill

It’s all about people!

In true Cianbro style, Bud Cianchette came out of retirement to resume the responsibilities of chairman of the board, and Pete Vigue, president since 1991, took on the additional duties of chief executive officer.

The Cianchette brothers had planned well for the future. Company leadership did not miss a beat, but everyone deeply missed Chuck.

Pete, like the Cianchette brothers before him, puts Cianbro’s people first. “This business — any business — is all about people,” said Pete in a 2000 message to his team.

This philosophy about teamwork and values made the company an industry leader in safety more than a decade before. With the 21st century set to unfold, the team was already embracing a new wellness mindset that would end up transforming the organization.

Health and safety were at the forefront of the company’s long-term investment in the personal growth of its team. Professional and career development programs and skills education were also paying dividends as the employee owners embraced the growing opportunities. Their ability to plan, manage, and staff complex and difficult projects with skilled team members allowed the company to do some extraordinary things in the construction industry.

2000

2000

Succession planning and transition

2000 Chuck’s last time addressing the team during the annual stockholders meeting.

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Peter G. Vigue is named chief executive officer in addition to being president.

2000 January 18, 2000: Alton (Chuck) Cianchette, 69, passes away.

Wins companywide national Construction Safety Excellence Award from Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America.

Adopts 100% physical barrier requirement to protect team members in highway work zones.

Cianchette Brothers Scholarships

Teamwork, finesse, ingenuity set stage for future business strategies

In 2000, the Cianbro Charitable Foundation awarded its first-ever Cianchette Brothers Scholarships to outstanding college students of Cianbro team members. Created in 1999, the scholarship program was named after the company’s founders.

The Cianbro Charitable Foundation was established in the late-1980s to continue the Cianchette philosophy of giving back to worthy educational and charitable organizations.

As the first year of the new decade unfolded, companywide teams were already fully engaged in a variety of unique, challenging, and rewarding projects. Several projects led to new business strategies for the company’s future including joint venture opportunities.

The Westbrook Power Plant project in Maine for Calpine Energy and General Electric provided Cianbro with a highly successful joint venture.

Partnering with Metric Constructors of Charlotte, North Carolina, the team was able to safely complete the 540-megawatt, gas-fired power plant on budget. This established the company as a major construction force in the energy market, a Parker Hadlock vital driver of our economy.

PROJECT MANAGER WESTBROOK POWER The 400-person project team put safety first, PLANT logging 800,000 work hours with zero lost-time injuries and setting a new company record with 440,000 work hours without a recordable injury.

(From left) Alycia Kerr, Mark Wheaton, Cianbro President and CEO Pete Vigue, Megan Tozier, Deborah Ross, Cianbro Chair Bud Cianchette, Christie O’Neal, Cianbro Founder Ken Cianchette, Kelli Moore, and Cianbro’s Alan Burton, human resources vice president and trustee of the Cianbro Charitable Foundation.

Absent from the photo were Kate Scott, Nichole Leavitt, Travis Floyd, Rebecca Dupont, and Danny Dove.

The team was experiencing tremendous growth and a historic volume of work. Their dedication to customer service often required them to not only think on their feet but think outside the box.

2000

2000

2000

Graduates the first class of electricians from the company’s certified, in-house program.

Water Conveyance project in Schaghticoke, New York, wins Build America Award from Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America.

Cianbro Charitable Foundation awards first-ever Cianchette Brothers Scholarships to students of team members.

Construction underway on the Cannonsville Bridge project in New York.

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Tomlinson Bridge carries Route 1 and Amtrak over the Quinnipiac River in New Haven, Connecticut.

On October 15, 2001, the team harnessed the tide to erect the 3,000-ton lift span.

2000

2000

2001

Fabrication facility in Pittsfield, Maine, celebrates 15 years without a single lost-time injury. The coating facility celebrates 10 years for the same achievement.

Work begins on L.L. Bean project at Columbia Mall, Maryland.

Completes construction on the rebuild of the No. 11 Paper Machine at the Great Northern Paper Modernization project in Millinocket, Maine.

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Starts project to convert the Bath, Maine, railroad and vehicle bridge to exclusively a railroad bridge.

Groundbreaking for the new parking garage at the Portland Jetport in Maine.

Team Member Development The team brought the project in on schedule, earning an early completion bonus and client praise, but the project’s legacy for Cianbro’s future was found in its successful joint venture partnership.

Turning challenges into opportunities: Teamwork is critical Meanwhile, the team based out of Connecticut was chosen to take over the Tomlinson Bridge project in New Haven, Connecticut. The original contractor had demolished the old bridge, installed a temporary bridge, and started construction of the new substructure when they ran into challenges they could not overcome. The project was years behind schedule when Cianbro was selected to take over the project and construct the new bridge within the originally scheduled time.

Teamwork was essential. Through excellent communication, contractual diplomacy, a formal partnering process between all entities — along with the company’s expertise in complex, movable Chet Muckenhirn PROJECT MANAGER bridge projects — Cianbro worked with everyone TOMLINSON BRIDGE involved to make the project a success.

The Tomlinson Bridge project was a case study for all the world to see that no one in this room is smarter than all of us.

2001 The Cianbro Companies is established and includes Cianbro Corporation, Fabrication & Coating, Data Services, and Development Corporation.

Cianbro team members donate $100,000 to the American Red Cross for victims of 9/11.

2001 Team marks years at YankeeTomlinson Wins seven contract to construct Rowe Nuclear Bridge Decommissioning project in New Haven, Project,Connecticut.

Rowe, Massachusetts; Once complete, project is Project awarded completed in 2007. in Construction an Excellence Award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

By 2000, the company’s long-term investment in the personal growth of its team members through professional and career development programs and skills education was paying dividends. In 2001, the corporate human resources team introduced organizational development initiatives including the Team Member Profile, a new performance review tool to identify individual team member development, education, and skill needs more clearly. Soon, Cianbro made a companywide investment in leadership development.

Throughout the decade, life-long Alan Burton learning was promoted through college HUMAN RESOURCES tuition reimbursement while regional VICE PRESIDENT teams developed and delivered robust skills education programs tailored to meet operational needs.

In 2007, the Cianbro Institute was established. The Institute coordinated regional human resources and corporate organizational development teams to provide seamless companywide recruiting, education, and career development.

2001 Develops Team Member Profile, a performance review tool to assist with team member development.

Laurette Laverdiere

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

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Cianbro Engineer Assists in 9/11 Response Alan Fisher led Cianbro’s construction structures group, a team of engineers known as the design team who do hands-on, problemsolving work at project sites across the company’s vast operations.

On September 11, 2001, Alan was deployed to Ground Zero as a member of a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Urban Search & Rescue Task Force based out of Beverly, Massachusetts. Alan served as planning team manager for the Beverly FEMA team, the first FEMA team on site at the former World Trade Center in New York City. They stayed a week helping the NYC Fire Alan Fisher Department.

CHIEF DESIGN ENGINEER

“Of all the time I was down there [Ground Zero], the people who I remembered the most were the people like Chuck Cianchette and John Ricker, Sr. The people I have worked with who taught me how to deal with human beings in extreme situations.

The tough cases, the people with anxiety problems, and more.”

– Alan Fisher

“ A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity. An optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

– Winston Churchill It was the company’s largest movable bridge project to date, and another showcase for Cianbro’s ability to navigate complex negotiations for the good of all. The team demonstrated its ability to bring everyone to the table and work together for the success of the project. This Connecticut achievement was not the last time the company was selected to save a challenging project.

Modular Construction: Opportunity to the south spurs innovation for team in Maine The Lehigh Portland Cement Plant Expansion project in Union Bridge, Maryland, significantly influenced a new venture, modular construction.

In 2000, a team was already on site in northern Maryland as one of several contractors tasked with individual scopes of work. As the massive, fast-tracked project progressed, many contractors jockeyed for the same space with little regard for sequence of work, schedule, or budget. Communication — or lack thereof — became an obvious challenge. Tempers flared; the project suffered.

2001

2001

2001

Launches Healthy LifeStyle Program, a major step in wellness that transforms the organization.

Signs subcontract for Pentagon Renovations project to complete ongoing work at the headquarters for the U.S. Department of Defense in the Washington, D.C., area.

Wins Build America Award for Mount Hope Bridge project in Bristol, Rhode Island, from Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America.

Work begins on Calvin Coolidge Bridge project in Northampton, Massachusetts.

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Aerial view of the Lehigh Portland Cement Plant Expansion project in Union Bridge, Maryland (circa 2001). Once complete, project wins a Build America Award from Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America.

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Lehigh Portland Cement project team lifts ram’s horn ductwork module for installation.

However, the team’s attitude, performance, and ability to work together through conditions other contractors balked at soon drew the owner’s attention. They liked what they saw. Cianbro was chosen to run the entire project. The situation changed from multiple lump sum packages and every person for themselves to a single vision.

The company drew upon the strength and resources of its entire team to complete the construction of North America’s most modern cement plant just 14 months after taking the lead. One method the team used to meet the schedule was to utilize a modularization concept.

Next to the plant, the team built a mini modularization facility where a crew of over 100 team members worked, turning small pieces into big pieces. Modularization changed the game.

By sub-assembling pieces on site, at ground level, modules too big to transport on public roads could be moved under the cranes’ hooks before lifting them 400 to 500 feet in the air for Dave Leavitt PROJECT MANAGER installation. This concept not only had a huge LEHIGH PORTLAND impact in terms of efficiency, it also improved CEMENT PLANT safety because fewer team members worked at height. When the Lehigh Portland Cement project was completed and the first fire was put in the kiln on October 15, 2001, not one team member had suffered a lost-time injury in 2 million work hours.

2001

2001

2001

The company purchases 21 acres of waterfront land on Curtis Bay in Baltimore, Maryland, to relocate the mid-Atlantic office and build a fabrication facility and dock at 605 Pittman Road.

October 15, 2001: First fire in the kiln at Lehigh Portland Cement project in Union Bridge, Maryland.

Over 2 million work hours with zero lost-time injuries.

Cianbro / Metric joint venture team completes 540-megawatt, gas-fired, combined-cycle power plant project in Westbrook, Maine. Over 800,000 work hours with zero lost-time injuries.

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Waldo-Hancock Bridge Project The 2003 Waldo-Hancock Bridge Supplemental Cable Installation project was one of many examples in this decade where the construction structures group, known as the design team, proved pivotal. It was not only another first for Cianbro, but it was also an engineering first.

Cianbro’s project to fabricate and install a supplemental cabling support system for the Waldo-Hancock Bridge, a 72-year-old suspension span carrying U.S. Route 1 over the Penobscot River between Prospect and Verona, Maine, drew worldwide engineering attention.

In July 2003, the historic span’s main cables were determined to be beyond repair and its load limit had been reduced to 12 tons after tests revealed brittle, corroded, broken wires.

Archie Wheaton With commercial traffic forced to take a 40-mile PROJECT MANAGER WALDO-HANCOCK detour, Cianbro was contracted in mid-August BRIDGE to perform an emergency, complex load transfer involving the installation of supplemental main suspension cables.

The design team was up to bat, working lock step with the project team. They had just three weeks to plan the project, assemble the team, and procure materials, arriving on site the first week of September with less than nine weeks to provide safe access to the work and execute a unique engineering plan by the first day of November.

Cianbro, Maine Department of Transportation and its engineering

(From left) Archie Wheaton, Jeremy Bragg, Joe Orlando, Alan Fisher, Hank Cook, and Kaven Philbrook meet to revise plans. firm, Parsons Transportation Group, locked arms right out of the gate to manage the daily challenges of this one-of-a-kind project and restore the integrity of the span so critical to the region’s economy. As many engineers watched and the local community eyed the fate of their crossing, the project team not only made history, but they also safely brought the project in ahead of schedule restoring commercial traffic to Downeast Maine.

Cianbro soon won the contract in joint venture with Reed & Reed, from Woolwich, Maine, to construct the majestic Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory replacing the historic, but aged, Waldo-Hancock span. The new bridge opened to traffic in December 2006.

2002

2002

2002

2002

April 26, 2002: Pontoons for first of two exploratory drill rigs arrive on the Portland, Maine, waterfront.

Dover and Boonville Gas Compressor Station projects underway for Iroquois Gas in New York.

Wins contract for Dundalk Marine Terminal Berths 5 & 6 Reconstruction project in Baltimore, Maryland.

Awarded the Route 52 and Route 31 bridges in Syracuse, New York.

Participants in the Healthy LifeStyle Program earn a10% credit towards insurance premiums.

Wraps up first winter season on Chesapeake Bay Bridge Deck Rehabilitation project, connecting the Baltimore area with Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

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Unique challenges in need of creative solutions At the turn of the 21st century, the company’s regions to the south saw abundant opportunities across multiple markets. Meanwhile, Maine’s manufacturing industry — namely its papermaking sector — was shrinking at an astonishing rate. In years past, constructing and maintaining the state’s pulp and paper mills represented as much as 30 percent of the team’s workload in Maine.

The challenge was how to transfer the talents of those highly skilled craft and professional team members to different markets. The solution was to bring the work home to Maine.

Through hard work, a commitment to safety, wellness, efficiency, and customer service, the team numbered over 2,000 team members with more than half of that number based in Maine. Sending team members south to work was one answer, but bringing the work home was a better solution for the company’s families. Making that happen kept the team constantly searching for unique challenges in need of creative solutions.

In October 2001, while at a Construction Industry Round Table meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, Pete learned of an oil rig project in need of help at shipyards in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and Orange, Texas.

Cianbro’s bid to take over the Amethyst project, the construction of two offshore, semi-submersible drill rigs, was a bold move. After long, intense months of negotiations with first the owner’s surety and then the owner, Brazilian-based Petrodrill, an arrangement was reached to transport the project over 2,000 miles by sea to Maine.

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While others may have looked on and thought Cianbro was taking a huge undue risk, essentially leaping into a new market and onto the world stage, Pete and a team of negotiators went after the project with vision, strength, and determination. They had complete confidence in the team’s ability to get the job done. They also had their eye on the perfect Maine shipyard.

Local Portland restaurateur airs radio ad, “Best view of the oil rigs in town!”

In April 2002, Cianbro moored the first set of seagoing drill rig pontoons at the historic Maine State Pier on Portland’s waterfront.

Together, the 87,000-square-foot pier, dry dock, and 140,000-squarefoot warehouse were indeed once again a working shipyard.

Although it had long been mothballed and in need of repair, the facility’s location on Casco Bay was uniquely suitable for the Amethyst project due to a deep hole dredged in the harbor years before to accommodate earlier shipbuilding. The deep hole aided in the innovative mating of the deck box and pontoons in a float-over method.

“The strategy eliminated costly large cranes,” said Parker Hadlock, a project manager whose knowledge of the deep hole in Casco Bay was key to estimating and securing the job. Hadlock also led initial phases of the project. This included mobilizing and transporting the oil rig components up the East Coast, developing the Maine State Pier property, and mating the deck boxes and pontoons.

2002

2003

Rebuilds double berth tanker unloading facility at Portland Pipe Line’s Pier 2 in South Portland, Maine. Maintains operations with a unique temporary fendering system that allows vessels to unload multiple times per week throughout the construction schedule. Portland Pipe Line is one of Cianbro’s longest ongoing clients, introducing global petrochemical safety standards to the team.

Work begins on a design-build office complex for Eastern Maine Healthcare in Brewer, Maine, The Cianchette Building.

The Amethyst project included the mating and construction of two offshore, semi-submersible drill rigs on the working waterfront in Portland, Maine.

2003

2003

2003

2003

January 1, 2003: Becomes a 100% tobacco-free workplace.

Army Corps of Engineers celebrates Cianbro’s success on Cape Cod Canal Bridge in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, after completing the 90-day project safely and one week ahead of schedule.

Worldwide attention is on the repair of Waldo-Hancock Bridge in Prospect, Maine. Project wins Excellence in Construction Award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and a Build America Award from Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America.

Cianbro expands into the power transmission and distribution market.

Lockwood Green and Cianbro form joint venture to construct seven gas-fired turbine generator units in Mississippi.

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The Maine State Pier belonged to the City of Portland, a community passionate about its working waterfront. They were quick to lease the facility to Cianbro. The team’s long presence at its Ricker’s Wharf location, just 2 miles west along the same city shore, meant the construction company now created bookends for Portland’s marinebased enterprises on Commercial Street.

Any apprehension that drill rigs may not be received well, were soon put to rest by “WELCOME CIANBRO” signs displayed by local businesses and residents throughout the surrounding neighborhoods. The Amethyst project was embraced as positive for economic development and Portlanders’ genuine enthusiasm for the project was contagious.

Local media was curious and kind. Nearby Peter Foster restaurant owners boasted about their view of the ENGINEERING MANAGER rigs. The team was humbled and awed by not only AMETHYST Portland’s reception but the entire region. The whole team and state were beaming with pride and enthusiasm for yet another Cianbro first.

The second rig’s pontoons, the two 5,500-ton deck boxes, and multiple containers of parts and components, soon arrived by barge. The first phase of the project involved mating the deck box and pontoons for each rig, followed by the outfitting and commissioning of both drill rigs.

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At a handover ceremony held for Pride Portland, the first oil rig to set sail on June 26, 2004, Petrodrill’s project director said, “It is noteworthy that Cianbro’s first oil rig construction project was anything but easy.

However, their team managed to rise to the challenge and helped bring this complex project to conclusion while achieving a high standard of safety and quality. These two rigs are every bit as good as those built in Korea, by one of the premier shipyards in the world.”

Undersea cable project provides solutions for East Coast energy challenges Cianbro’s long-time focus on energy needs as a primary driver of our economy played a major role in many projects the company pursued.

The Neptune Regional Transmission project was a unique example of an energy project that took vision, determination, commitment, and total faith in its team to bring to fruition. Led by Cianbro, the project focused on the East Coast’s most densely populated metropolitan area, Long Island and New York City, where the system was experiencing a growing number of brownouts.

The owner of the electrical system, Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), needed a solution to improve reliability and lower customer costs.

A major component of the solution focused on a transmission project to connect Long Island and New York City to more abundant and less expensive sources of energy being produced in mid-Atlantic markets.

2003

2003

Cianbro / Reed & Reed joint venture team is awarded the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory project, replacing Waldo-Hancock Bridge in Prospect, Maine.

Cianbro Fabrication’s Chet Guilford (right) receives Certified Welding Inspector of the Year Award from American Welding Society’s Russ Norris, district director.

Wharf Dedicated to Carl Morgan, Sr. On a beautiful June morning in 2004, friends and family gathered at Cianbro’s marine facility in Baltimore, Maryland, for a heartfelt dedication ceremony of Morgan’s Wharf. The 21-acre property on Curtis Bay is home to the company’s mid-Atlantic base of operations.

Embracing Carl Morgan, Sr., his friend and co-worker of more than 20 years, Pete Vigue read the stainless-steel plaque as it was unveiled: “MORGAN’S WHARF — Dedicated 2004 to Carl Morgan, Sr. — For His Loyal Service to CIANBRO.” Regretfully, Carl Morgan, Sr., passed away on June 23, 2004, after a brave, 3-year battle with lung cancer.

While delivering the eulogy at Carl’s memorial service, Pete said, “We’ve heard about the great coaches — Lombardi, Landry, Gibbs, and Holtz — and then there was Carl Morgan!

“Carl was a mentor, teacher, and advisor. He was a strong-willed, determined man of few words who led by example. He understood that actions speak louder than words, but when Carl did speak, you had better listen.

“Carl was a hard worker who was tough on himself and others. He made us all better and made Cianbro a better company. He was creative, innovative, and intelligent, and no matter how difficult the task, Carl was always up to it.

“One of the best ways to honor Carl is to remember and reflect in our behavior all that he taught us. Carl made a difference, and he touched us all. For that, we are all grateful.”

Carl Morgan, Sr., (seated center) surrounded by family, friends, and Cianbro team members.

2004

2004

2004

June 26, 2004: Pride Portland sails, the first of two drill rigs completed in Portland, Maine.

Cianbro recognized by Wellness Council of America as one of the country’s healthiest companies.

Also recognized for Best Corporate Health Program in America by American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

ConocoPhillips awards Cianbro contract to complete 85,387-ton oil tanker, Polar Adventure, in Portland, Maine.

The team mobilizes for the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, waste to energy project.

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Wharf Dedicated to John Ricker, Sr. In October 2004, the company hosted a reception at its marine facility on Casco Bay in Portland, Maine, to celebrate the dedication of Ricker’s Wharf.

Named after John Ricker, Sr., to honor his many years of loyal service, Cianbro acquired the property at 366 West Commercial Street in three phases.

First, a dock and marine salvage yard from Bernstein & Jacobson in 1971, then the lower end from the railroad, followed by the warehouse from F.W. Webb. This historic section of working waterfront John Ricker, Sr. (standing left, elbow supports the company’s on stone) surrounded by family, southern Maine operations. friends, and Cianbro team members.

With direct access to the Atlantic Ocean, the facility created new opportunities for international projects.

John had been a key person for Ellis C. Snodgrass company since 1953. In 1967, when Cianbro purchased the company and Ken Cianchette arrived to lead the team, John worked by Ken’s side to help make the transition successful.

Pete Vigue said, “Celebrating the countless contributions John Ricker, Sr., made to Cianbro is important. He was a mentor to many team members and remains a friend and positive role model.”

The team’s concept evolved into a proposal to build a 67-mile, 660-megawatt undersea transmission line to transport DC power between Long Island, New York, and New Jersey. A consortium of five entities managed by Cianbro hammered out the details. The team called itself Neptune, and included Cianbro, two law firms, an energy analyst, and a design engineering firm.

Originally, Neptune was one of 15 development teams looking to solve the power supply challenges for LIPA. The effort to produce a successful project was so grueling that 12 of the competitors fell by the wayside as the 1990s transitioned into the 2000s.

Cianbro remained committed to the project because the company had full confidence in the solution Neptune developed. Finally, in the spring of 2004, Neptune was awarded the contract to construct the undersea transmission project opening an energy corridor between Long Island and New Jersey.

By summer 2007, the undersea cable was operational, and would continue to provide a significant percentage of the electricity used on Long Island. Cianbro and the other four partners on the Neptune team recouped their investment to develop the concept and received a development fee. When the line went into service in June, the partners began receiving quarterly payments for the use of the line.

The project showcased Cianbro’s perseverance, can-do spirit, and

2004

2004

2004

2004

Dedicates wharf to Carl Morgan, Sr., in Baltimore, Maryland.

Long Island Power Authority awards Neptune project contract to build a 67-mile, 660-megawatt undersea transmission line to transport direct current (DC) power between Long Island, New York, and New Jersey.

Wins contract for Missisquoi Bay Bridge project over Lake Champlain, between Alburg and Swanton, Vermont.

Celebrates 100% employee ownership.

Purchases last remaining shares of Cianbro stock from founders.

Dedicates wharf to John Ricker, Sr., in Portland Maine.

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The company successfully completes the Berlin Cluster Rules project in Berlin, New Hampshire.

Cianbro dismantles a boiler in Athens, Maine, and successfully relocates and reerects it 65 miles north in Old Town.

Employee Ownership Fits Company Culture Newark

New Jersey

Queens

Newbridge Road

New York Brooklyn

Staten Island

Atlantic Ocean Raritan Bay

Sayreville

Proposed Transmission Line Map Converter Station

Utility Substation

Off-Island Cable Route

ability to take on significant challenges every day while seeing the job through to completion — safely, efficiently, and productively. The project also confirmed there are several ways the company can benefit long term by using innovation and creativity to help customers solve unique challenges on a regional, national, and global scale.

An important initiative rooted in previous decades celebrated a major milestone in 2004.

In 1964, Cianbro’s Profit Sharing Plan was created. In 1979, the company’s ownership transition began with the creation of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). An ESOP is an employee benefit plan, which makes employees of a company the stock owners of that company.

On December 31, 2004, Cianbro celebrated 100 percent employee (From left) Bud Cianchette, ownership with Pete Vigue, and Ken Cianchette the purchase of all remaining shares of Cianbro stock held by Founders Ken and Bud Cianchette. “Long before the ESOP was a legal entity in this country, we wanted to share the profits with the people who made it happen,” said Bud Cianchette.

As the company continues to grow its net worth, every member of the team benefits by the increased value of Cianbro stock in their retirement accounts.

2005

2005

2005

Portland I-295 Commercial Street Connector project opens to traffic, Maine’s first design-build highway project.

Cianbro develops ISO-9001 (International Organization for Standardization) quality program that is formally implemented in 2009.

Forms strategic alliance with Korte on the 429,000-square-foot, designbuild U.S. Postal Service facility in Scarborough, Maine.

(From left) MaineDOT and Cianbro project team managers: Shawn Smith, Brad Foley, Parker Hadlock, and Lou Campbell.

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Construction in reverse at Yankee Rowe Cianbro had been supporting the decommissioning of the Yankee Rowe Atomic Electric Company’s plant in Rowe, Massachusetts, since 1994. Under the watchful eyes of multiple levels of federal, state, and local authorities, the process was in its final stages.

Physical decommissioning of the former Yankee Rowe plant was completed in 2007.

Decommissioning, often called construction in reverse, required the plant to be methodically removed piece by piece. For over a decade, the team had safely managed multiple milestones at the Yankee Rowe plant including the removal of the 165-ton reactor pressure vessel (RPV) in 1997.

The RPV was the largest component to be removed Brian Hartness PROJECT and shipped from the plant. Once containerized, SUPERINTENDENT the RPV transport package weighed 365-ton. It was YANKEE ROWE RSS the first commercial reactor to be dismantled and shipped in the United States.

In 2005, one of the six major scopes of work the team was completing included the demolition and disposal of the reactor support structure (RSS). Demolition of the RSS began on February 3, 2005. Crews had the structure down on the ground by May 9, just three short months later. The team’s innovative approach to demolish the structure from

Crews work 24-hours a day with temperatures falling to 15 degrees below zero during the day and dipping to 30 below at night. the top down, along with record cold temperatures and a fast-track schedule, created multiple daily (and nightly) challenges.

“The team came forward with the concept of employing an excavator at heights, an approach Cianbro had used successfully in the past to demolish a different type of structure,” said Brian Hartness, project superintendent. “Initially, we looked at using an engineered platform, but decided to go with steel crane mats to give us the flexibility of placing the excavator where we needed to successfully complete the demolition. This [approach] allowed us to beat the project schedule, as well as eliminate risk.”

2005

2005

2006

Team at Newark America facility in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, celebrates over 400,000 work hours without a lost-time injury.

Penn National awards Cianbro fasttrack project to transform a 50-yearold iconic Bangor, Maine, eatery, Miller’s Restaurant, into a racino.

ASI / Cianbro joint venture team wins multiple awards for Lock Raven Dam project in Baltimore, Maryland, including Build America Award from Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America and an Excellence in Construction Award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

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Ross Wilder was one of the excavator operators. When asked how many times the team had to move the excavator, Ross said, “Stan [Gilbert, crane operator] flew it up initially and then picked it a couple of times. Otherwise, we were able to drive the excavator from one level to another. It was a 9-foot-8-inch, straight-down drive to the next level.”

When it was pointed out these structures had never been demolished from the top down before, Ross was asked what gave him and the other operators confidence it could be done. Ross spoke about Joe Foley, a design engineer with the construction structures group. “If Joe said we Ross Wilder EXCAVATOR OPERATOR were safe the way we had the crane mats and the YANKEE ROWE RSS excavator set up there, then that was good enough for us,” said Ross. “Many of us have worked with Joe many times and we trust him. We also had confidence in our entire team, both the day and night shifts. We talked and figured things out together as we moved along.”

(Photo right) Stan Gilbert operates a 300-ton crane with 190 feet of main boom and 60 feet of fixed jib to fly the 50-plus-ton body of the 365B Caterpillar excavator up to the 90-foot-elevation, operating-floor level of the reactor support structure (RSS). The excavator components followed.

2006

2006

2006

Hornbeck Offshore Services awards Cianbro contract for the conversion and retrofit of the world’s largest offshore supply vessels in Portland, Maine.

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) recognizes the company as the U.S. Contractor of the Year for advancing the principles of merit-shop construction.

Cianbro’s work on the U.S. Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, receives award from Washington Building Congress.

Completes Schiller Station North Wood Power project in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

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Work on Air Force Memorial wins award On May 13, 2006, the Washington Building Congress (WBC) recognized Cianbro’s work on the foundations for the United States Air Force Memorial with a craftsmanship award. The cast-in-place foundation’s technical complexity was a major reason why Centex Construction, the primary contractor, nominated Cianbro for the award.

“Unless you’ve seen the amount of reinforcing steel that is in this foundation, you don’t appreciate it,” said Pete McCormick PROJECT MANAGER Centrex’s Bevan Mace. “It is AIR FORCE MEMORIAL not your average pile cap.

It is a pile cap for a 270-foot cantilever made of Joe Orlando stainless steel. You don’t see that every day.”

RIGGING ENGINEER Equally challenging, Cianbro erected the three AIR FORCE MEMORIAL stainless steel spires that soar skyward up to 270 feet above the 3-acre elevated site overlooking the Pentagon. A total of fifteen 40-to-70-footlong sections were field welded to construct the three spires. Limited access required the use of a 4100-ringer crane and skilled rigging techniques to erect the impressive spires that evoke an image of the

Cianbro erects three stainless steel spires to construct the U.S. Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.

Air Force Thunderbirds’ bomb burst maneuver.

The memorial was dedicated on October 14, 2006, with approximately 30,000 people in attendance. The keynote address was delivered by President George W. Bush.

2006

2006

2006

Peterson Companies awards Cianbro an early phase of the multi-year National Harbor project in Maryland along the Potomac River south of Washington, D.C.

Cianbro returns to work on the Mount Hope Bridge in Bristol, Rhode Island, for painting and steel repairs.

Cianbro’s equipment fleet exceeds $100 million in replacement value.

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Health and Safety: It’s All About People!

In 1987, Pete led the charge as Cianbro committed to becoming the safest company in the construction industry. At the turn of this century, history finds Cianbro once again putting its team members first. This time with wellness, and like safety, it was personal.

In 2001, when Pete learned the news of his teammate, friend, and mentor Carl Morgan, Sr.’s, lung cancer diagnosis, he was stricken with grief and concern. Why hadn’t he said or done something about his friend’s health? Why hadn’t he helped Carl quit smoking? While he couldn’t reverse Carl’s cancer diagnosis, he could lead the team to make a bold move and put the health of Cianbro’s team first.

Rita Bubar (center), human Mirroring the successful approach resources manager, Dr. Larry to safety, the team launched its Catlett (left), medical director, Healthy LifeStyle Program with a and Pete Vigue accept a 2004 commitment to become one of the Wellness Council of America healthiest companies in America. award on behalf of the team.

Cianbro’s Healthy LifeStyle Program was an innovative wellness initiative tied to the company’s medical plan offering hands-on help to improve the health of team

members and combat the rising cost of healthcare. The program provided comprehensive behavioral intervention to identify and change team members’ at-risk behaviors to improve health and reduce healthcare usage. Emphasis was placed on using healthcare wisely and partnering with team members’ providers.

On January 1, 2003, the company became a 100 percent tobaccofree workplace. By 2004, the team’s approach to wellness won national recognition. By the end of the decade, the program saw a dramatic positive influence on both team member health and reduced claims.

Savings were redirected into the employee owners’ profit-sharing plan.

This new wellness mindset transformed the organization contributing positively to good health and healthy retirements.

Total Health Costs - Cianbro vs. National

Cianbro Trend National Trend

Introduction of the Healthy Lifestyle Program

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

Cianbro’s trend of total health costs in comparison to the national trend.

Healthy LifeStyle Program makes a significant difference not only in team member health but also redirects savings into profit-sharing plan.

2007

2007

2007

Cianbro / Harriman team break ground on fast-track, design-build project at Procter & Gamble’s Tambrands facility in Auburn, Maine.

Completes Tennessee Gas Pipeline Compressor Station projects in Carlisle, West Winfield, and LaFayette, New York. The three greenfield gas compressor stations were completed from the ground up in eight months.

Awarded the Humpback Bridge Replacement project, spanning the Boundary Channel in Washington, D.C. Once complete, the project wins an Excellence in Construction Award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

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Carrying on a Legacy On January 1, 2008, Peter G. Vigue, Cianbro’s president and chief executive officer, was appointed board chair for The Cianbro Companies. On the same date, Peter A. (Andi) Vigue was appointed president and chief operating officer of Cianbro Corporation.

Ival R. (Bud) Cianchette, Cianbro’s outgoing board chair, served as chair emeritus until his death on November 5, 2009. His brother Ken remained an active member of Cianbro’s board for many years before his death on February 7, 2023. Older brother Carl had passed away in 1997 and younger brother Chuck died in 2000.

(From left) Bud Cianchette (seated), Andi Vigue, and Pete Vigue

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Bud hands reins to Pete as a lifelong passion helps shape Bangor’s future On New Year’s Day, 2008, Bud Cianchette, 81, stepped down as chair of The Cianbro Companies Board of Directors. He confidently passed the board’s leadership reins into the proven hands of Pete Vigue. On the same date, Andi Vigue was appointed president and chief operating officer of Cianbro Corporation.

Bud spoke for all the Cianchette brothers with pride when he said, “Pete’s and Andi’s commitment and dedication to the Cianbro team and its philosophy is outstanding.” Bud knew Cianbro’s future was bright with Pete and Andi at the helm.

Bud was also taking great pride in the fact that his passion for the sport of harness racing was also helping to shape the future of Bangor, Maine. Bud’s lifelong interest in racehorses and his passion to keep harness racing alive in Maine, put Cianbro front and center in Penn National’s 2005 fast-track project to transform a 50-year-old iconic Bangor eatery, Miller’s Restaurant, into a racino.

Construction of the newly renovated Main Street casino, known as the Hollywood Slots project, was adjacent to the Bangor Raceway at Bass Park.

2007

2007

Pete Vigue named one of Top 25 Newsmakers by Engineering News-Record (ENR).

The 1 million-square-foot mall expansion project for Destiny USA is in full swing in Syracuse, New York.

In tandem, a larger vision for a permanent gaming facility was in the planning stages. By 2007, the team was preparing the landscape along the Penobscot River on the other side of Main Street for construction of Hollywood Casino Hotel and Raceway, a new 200,000-square-foot casino, high-rise hotel, and parking garage complex. In 2008, Cianbro completed what would become a major regional attraction for Bangor, under budget and ahead of schedule. The team employed numerous local subcontractors to meet the accelerated Red Webster schedule making the project a major construction PROJECT MANAGER HOLLYWOOD SLOTS management job.

Back to the future, modular construction: Jobs for Maine!

While team members in regions to the south were engaged in some amazing projects, work in Maine was not as plentiful. From the prestigious United States Air Force Memorial project in our nation’s capital to green technology-led construction techniques for a unique mall expansion project called Destiny USA in Syracuse, New York, business was booming. So was demand for Cianbro’s signature talent for complex, movable bridge projects up and down the East Coast.

Cianbro built Hollywood Casino Hotel and Raceway in Bangor, Maine, finishing the project in 2008.

2007

2007

2007

Cianbro / Middlesex joint venture begins work on Brightman Street Bridge project in Fall River, Massachusetts. Once complete, project wins an Excellence in Construction Award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

Work begins on Hollywood Casino Hotel and Raceway in Bangor, Maine, a 200,000-square-foot casino, high-rise hotel, and parking garage complex.

Cianbro Equipment, LLC. and Cianbro Constructors, LLC. are established as part of The Cianbro Companies.

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Skills Education is Serious Business In 2006, Cianbro craftsman Jason White was named the country’s best instrumentation fitter by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

The ABC Craft Championship drew craft professionals from across the country to participate in a 2-day competition including a written test and a practical exercise.

Jason, 27, joined Cianbro when he was 19 years old working as a painter before taking advantage of the company’s instrumentation skills education program.

When asked about being named Best in the Country, Jason said, “I felt fortunate to be in that situation; to be able to show what we can do.” He also thanked his instructor, Mike Raven.

At the turn of the century, Cianbro Jason White was making major advancements in skills education. By the end of the decade, skills education was being tailored to meet project needs. This better identified team member capabilities and provided educational curriculum to help people best reach their potential.

In 2024, Jason White celebrated 25 years of service with Cianbro.

Jason is an industrial technician and mechanical foreman.

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Working on these projects meant long periods of time far from home for Maine team members. So, with a commitment to creating quality jobs for local people, the team had an idea — and it was all about people!

The Lehigh Portland Cement project in Union Bridge, Maryland, was not the first time the company utilized modular construction, but it was possibly the largest example at the time. It set creative wheels in motion.

The team already had the concept: modular construction. Cianbro even had a world-renowned potential customer calling. They just needed the Joe Cote right location. Something on water deep enough GENERAL MANAGER EASTERN to handle barges as well as access to the interstate MANUFACTURING and railroad systems. It also needed to be near a population base of highly skilled team members, present and future.

After an exhaustive search, team leaders found the perfect location on the Penobscot River in Brewer, Maine. The former Eastern Fine Paper mill site fit the bill perfectly. It was a place with a noble history within Maine’s once commanding pulp and paper industry.

A familiar dance began again. It was reminiscent of the Amethyst project in Portland when company leaders finessed the delicate balance of negotiating the drill rig contract in tandem with securing their shipyard location. This time, success meant totally redeveloping a 120-year-old

2007

2007

Cianbro and the City of Brewer, Maine, announce revitalization of historic mill site into Eastern Manufacturing Facility.

Motiva Enterprises of Port Arthur, Texas, awards Cianbro first module assembly contract for Eastern Manufacturing Facility in Brewer, Maine.

Cianbro Institute is Up for the Challenge brownfield site while negotiating a modular construction contract to help create the largest oil refinery in the United States, ranking among the top 10 in the world. This pushed Cianbro into yet another global arena where failure was not an option.

In June 2007, Cianbro and the City of Brewer announced their commitment to work together on a purchase and sale agreement for the historic mill site. Their shared vision married the revitalization of the site’s manufacturing roots to the global demand for highly skilled craft professionals. The underlying strategy was to create a state-of-the-art modular construction facility and bring in large, industrial projects, allowing Maine team members to live in their home state while exporting their knowledge and skills. The modular work would be done as Cianbro Constructors, LLC. an entity created under The Cianbro Companies.

Once the team had a location, they hit Dann Hayden the ground running. A collective effort of epic TECHNICAL SERVICES MANAGER proportions followed, involving several state and MOTIVA PROJECT local agencies, and dozens of stakeholders who assisted Cianbro in making its concept for the redevelopment of the site a reality in record time.

In October 2007, Cianbro was awarded its first module assembly contract for the Motiva Enterprises, LLC. refinery expansion project in

As the Motiva project ramped up in 2007, Cianbro had announced the development of the Cianbro Institute to enhance the consistent delivery of programs across the company by bringing all team member development efforts under a common leadership approach.

The Institute’s first major task was to support the Motiva project. To be successful and meet the steep workforce demands, the company would need to develop much of the required talent. A coordinated effort was put forth to engage the company’s top welders as fulltime instructors to develop more than 250 pipe welders and pipefitters in addition to crane operators, iron workers, and riggers — in 12 weeks! Prevailing wisdom said it could not be done, but in true Cianbro fashion, the team worked together to overcome the perceived barriers to success.

2007

2008

2008

Cianbro launches the development of the Cianbro Institute.

Completes Amtrak Thames River Bridge Rehabilitation project between New London and Groton, Connecticut.

Project wins a Build America Award from Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America.

January 1, 2008: Peter A. (Andi) Vigue is appointed president and chief operating officer of Cianbro Corporation. On the same date, Peter G. Vigue is appointed chair of the board for The Cianbro Companies.

Mike Bennett

DIRECTOR OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

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As part of the Motiva project, 51 completed modules were barged to Port Arthur, Texas. The construction of the 325,000-barrel-per-day capacity expansion project made it the largest crude oil processing plant in North America.

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Port Arthur, Texas. The contract called for the construction of 51 large modules, each weighing more than 650 tons. The work meant over 500 quality jobs.

The team started assembling modules in March 2008 at their new Eastern Manufacturing Facility. One year later on March 26, 2009, they launched the first shipment of modules on its 2,500-mile voyage by barge to the Gulf Coast. Crowds of spectators holding “THANK YOU, CIANBRO” signs gathered on both shores along the 30-mile trip down the Penobscot River to the open ocean.

The Motiva project alone created 1.8 million work hours of opportunity and infused millions of dollars into the local economy. It also had a significant and positive impact on the company’s approach to team member development and skills education. The project helped Cianbro better identify team member capabilities and provide the educational curriculum that would help people best reach their potential. It revolutionized the company’s welding programs, tailoring instruction to uniquely fit operational needs.

Cianbro navigates recession, energy fuels growth With the 2008 recession came some of our country’s worst economic conditions in generations. It was a challenging time that tested the resolve of many. However, Cianbro stayed true to its course, confident

Modules for the Motiva project being barged down the Penobscot River in Maine.

2008

2008

2009

2009

Cianbro develops and implements an in-house, non-destructive testing (NDT) program, led by Jeffrey Lerch, a quality assurance manager, who holds multiple NDT Level III certifications.

Cianbro Fabrication & Coating Corporation awarded 3,000 +/- tons of structural steel and duct work for ESSROC Capitol Cement for their facility in Martinsburg, West Virginia.

Cianbro completes an 811-space parking garage addition to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine.

November 16, 2009: Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Fox Island Wind project in Vinalhaven, Maine.

Begins work on Vermont Electric Power Company’s (VELCO) 53-mile Southern Loop project.

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Pete Vigue, Please Run for Governor People took to the streets — literally — in support of Cianbro’s successful efforts to revitalize a former Brewer paper mill site and bring manufacturing jobs to Maine. More specifically, they wanted Cianbro’s leader to become Maine’s leader.

It all started with a little homemade bright yellow bumper sticker created by Amanda Bost, a Brewer school board member and wife of Brewer’s city manager, Steve Bost.

The homemade bumper sticker simply stated, Pete Vigue, Please Run for Governor.

So many people asked Amanda how to get a bumper sticker, she had a local print shop make some to give out.

Pete was humbled, but he kept his Pete Vigue commitment to the Cianchette brothers and the Cianbro team, continuing to make Maine, and every state Cianbro does business in, a better place for all.

“ It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.” – Babe Ruth

but not complacent, realizing downturns in our economy are temporary.

So often finding opportunity in the face of adversity, the team stayed focused and engaged during this formidable time of rapid change.

Cianbro’s ability to communicate with clients, work as a team, and complete projects safely and efficiently helped them not only weather the recession, but learn from it and flourish.

The company’s longtime strategy to stay at the leading edge of regional, national, and global energy solutions also played a major role in the team’s ability to succeed during the economic downturn.

From transmission and distribution to petrochemical, natural gas, wind, and solar, many energy projects with roots in the current decade resulted in huge successes for the team and their clients.

Energy also played a decisive role in Cianbro’s upcoming expansion.

The growth of its team and operations footprint were on course to take another giant step forward.

2009

2009

2009

November 5, 2009: Ival (Bud) Cianchette, 83, passes away.

Completes work on Capitol Cement Expansion project in Martinsburg, West Virginia.

Work progresses on Kibby Wind Power project along Boundary Mountains in western Maine.

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Algonquin Gas Transmission (AGT) awards contract to install launchers and receivers at several locations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Peter (Andi) Andre Vigue Born October 29, 1970.

Son of Peter and Carole Daily Vigue.

FAMILY

• Married Emily Melvin of Detroit, Maine, June 22, 1996.

• One daughter – Caroline Vigue Lapointe.

• One son – Gregory (Greg).

EDUCATION

• 1989, graduated from Maine Central Institute (MCI), Pittsfield.

• 1993, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, University of Maine, Orono.

• 1997, Master of Science in Business Administration, University of Maine, Orono.

WORK

• Summers during high school worked for Somerset Properties, Cianchette Stables, and Steego Auto Parts.

• During college, worked for Kelley Engineering, Acheron Engineering, and Cianbro Corporation.

• After graduation in 1993, worked full time for Cianbro as a field engineer at the Bowater Mill in East Millinocket, Maine.

• Served as project engineer on several important construction projects within Cianbro’s mid-Atlantic region, including Case Memorial Bridge, which carries eight lanes of traffic over the Potomac River in the heart of our nation’s capital.

• December 1998, Appointed general manager, Cianbro Fabrication & Coating Corporation.

• January 2005, Appointed strategic planning manager, Cianbro Corporation.

• January 2007, Appointed senior vice president of operations, Cianbro Corporation.

• January 2008, Appointed president and chief operating officer, Cianbro Corporation.

• January 2018, Appointed president and chief executive officer, The Cianbro Companies, and a member of the board.

• April 2024, Appointed chair of The Cianbro Companies.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• M ember: Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).

• M ember: Construction Industry Round Table (CIRT) comprised of top national and international contractors and designers.

• M ember: Construction Industry Safety Institution (CISI).

• M ember: The Moles – an elite national group of heavy construction and design industry leaders.

• M ember: Francis Crowe Society, University of Maine, Orono.

• Former Board Director: Emera Maine.

PUBLIC SERVICE AND HONORS

• T own of Pittsfield: Mayor 2004-2005, Council 2000-2005.

• B oy Scouts of America: Eagle Scout, Scoutmaster, Troop Executive.

• M CI: board member and treasurer (nine years), Hall of Fame Award (2021).

• J unior Achievement of Maine Business Hall of Fame Award. One of only three times that a father and son each achieved this honor.

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TEAM MEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS 2000-2009 It’s All About People

Patricia (Patti) Dickinson

Over the decades, many hard working, committed team members dedicated all or a portion of their working careers to the company’s success.

At the end of each decade, we have included the photos and a few words about a handful of individuals who may or may not be mentioned elsewhere in the book. These names are a small percentage of the total roster of the company’s workforce. For the many team members not mentioned, please understand that your contributions and efforts are still appreciated, remembered, and are reflected in the overall success of Cianbro.

Patti joined Cianbro as a general laborer and mechanical helper in 1993. She was a second-generation team member. Her father was Tom Luckern, a Cianbro project manager.

Patti never refused to do what was asked of her. She traveled all over the country for the company as a safety specialist. Patti would work any shift that was needed and became a must-have team member on many of Cianbro’s largest projects. She often served as safety manager leading a team of safety professionals. Patti was organized, direct, caring, and respected. After 25 years of service, she retired and is remembered most by the way she always looked out for people.

Ernest (Ernie) Selberg Ernie joined the company as a field engineer in 1984. He progressed quickly to take on more responsibility, rising steadily until being promoted to senior project manager. He embodies the Cianbro culture and is regarded as a selfless leader committed to the success of his fellow team members and the company.

Since 2005, Ernie has successfully led Cianbro’s work and relationship at Procter & Gamble’s Tambrands facility in Auburn, Maine. With extraordinary results in safety performance and project execution, the ensuing years at Tambrands have resulted in a high level of client satisfaction which serves as a model within Cianbro. Ernie has built a reputation as a well-respected and trusted business partner.

Ernie willingly donates his time with his church on humanitarian projects in the Dominican Republic.

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Steven (Steve) Perrault Steve began his career with Cianbro in 1977. He spent many of his 45 years of service as one of the company’s best crane operators. Steve was very focused on safety and was always conscientious about suspended loads around the crew. He took great pride in keeping his equipment in top operating condition and looking great. He was always willing to help with proper rigging advice or anything the team needed to get the job done. Steve was exceptionally proud of being a long-term Cianbro team member and was very dedicated to the company. He was always willing to travel and had a positive perspective with a can-do attitude. Steve always had good things to say about his fellow team members, clients, and the company.

Aubrey Moore

Michael (Mike) Potter

Aubrey joined Cianbro as an ironworker in 1981. He was quickly recognized as a natural leader, taking on the roles of foreman and general foreman. Always sought out for his honesty, teamwork, positive, can-do approach, Aubrey’s assistance was in demand on jobs up and down the East Coast. He avoided personal recognition and focused on recognizing others and the team. By the early 2000s, Aubrey had advanced from craft superintendent to project superintendent and project manager. He loved to mentor new team members and got great personal satisfaction in the success of others.

Looking back on his 39 years of service, Aubrey said his time at Cianbro was so much more than just a job, it was family.

Mike enjoyed a 40-year career with Cianbro. He started in 1982 working with civil crews on numerous projects in the mid-Atlantic area. He progressed quickly to civil foreman and transitioned to become a crane operator approximately eight years after he started with the company. Mike was well known for his willingness to do anything that was asked of him to get the job done. He was greatly respected for his safety leadership and work ethic, always leading by example. Mike was a skilled and trusted team member. He was one of the most sought-after crane operators in the company. Mike operated some of Cianbro’s ringer cranes on several challenging projects such as the United States Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.

Michael (Mike) Crider Mike began his career with Cianbro in October 1980 on a project for the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) in Potomac, Maryland. His dad, Floyd, who started with the company only a month prior, gave him the following advice, “Always stay busy and ask questions if you don’t know what to do.”

Mike followed his dad’s advice, and it served him well over the decades as he progressed to superintendent. Mike and his dad also shared the unique experience of leading work that was recognized by the Washington Building Congress.

First, Floyd was honored in 1982 for formwork on the WSSC project; then, Mike in 2006 for foundations on the Air Force Memorial project. As he neared retirement in 2024, Mike focused his time on recruiting and mentoring new team members, his ultimate contribution to the company.

Ronald (Ron) Nickerson Ron has been key to Cianbro’s success with electrical work. He joined the company as an electrician in 1988. Ron was known for his hard work, knowledge, and passion for quality. Over the years, he took on more and more challenging roles and was recognized as a go-to electrical team leader, client favorite, and resource within the company. Ron could always be counted on to go wherever needed.

He was always willing to share his insight and knowledge to establish common goals. Ron was a driving force in the electrical team’s development. He is a mentor who instills high standards to ensure the success of the next generation.

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TEAM MEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS 2000-2009 Forester (Fod) Sprague

Robert (Rob) Bagley

During Fod’s 44-year years of service with Cianbro Fabrication & Coating Corporation (CCFC), he worked his way from welder and fabricator to shop foreman and everything in between. His depth of knowledge served him well as he completed his career as an estimator. Fod was known as the go-to guy at CFCC both inside and outside the company.

His memory and expertise made him one of the most successful estimators. He could recall details of projects from over 30 years ago with precision. Fod’s generosity extended beyond work. He and his wife shared produce from their large garden with the community. Additionally, he passionately shared his expertise in shooting, hunting, camping, and gardening, eager to educate anyone interested in his vast knowledge.

With 19 years of service, Rob continues to be a key team member at Cianbro Fabrication & Coating Corporation (CFCC).

He serves as steel detailing manager. Rob’s work product is so well known, customers come to CFCC just to have him work on their fabrication projects. His can-do spirit is a signature trait in his everyday performance and work product. Rob’s ability to remain optimistic and keep a smile on his face are qualities all should strive to possess. Those close to Rob think of him as dedicated, confident, kind, determined, and strong.

When away from work, he enjoys spending time and having adventures with family and friends. An avid skier, Rob can be found in the mountains of western Maine for much of the winter.

Thomas (Tom) Meunier

Jurgen Bell

Tom began his career with Cianbro as a laborer in 1988.

With a commitment to hard work and excellence, he gained experience and skills to become a journey level carpenter and a pipefitter. He was also a member of the original boiler team. Tom has worked in every market sector within Cianbro. He has also worked on projects for Starcon and R. C. Stevens. Tom was a major part of the Puritan projects constructed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although a jokester, Tom is a great mentor and truly cares about his team. In return, team members always enjoy working with and for him.

Jurgen dedicated 31 years to Cianbro Fabrication & Coating Corporation (CFCC), progressing from welder and fabricator to superintendent. Known for his can-do attitude, planning skills, and camaraderie, Jurgen embodied resilience and compassion.

A Navy man to the core, he balanced toughness with kindness. Jurgen thrived on teamwork, pushing himself and others to excel while enjoying a good joke. He exemplified professionalism in challenging situations, addressing safety and personnel matters in a way that united the team. Even in retirement, Jurgen maintains strong bonds with his Cianbro family, staying in touch with many. He serves as a shining example of dedication and connection within the company.

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Richard Brescia

Archie (Sparky) Wheaton

Richard joined Cianbro in 1999 as a senior project engineering manager. He was soon promoted to project manager overseeing operations in Maine and Maryland. He was selected for the very first Cianbro Leadership Initiative which spanned two years. In 2008, Richard took on the lead role with the corporate contracts team before being promoted to vice president in 2011. Always answering the call, in 2016 Richard’s talents were needed in Texas to support Starcon in leading a significant energy project. Upon his return to Maine, Richard served as vice president/general manager of the building market and the industrial and manufacturing market until being promoted to executive vice president in 2020. Richard has played an integral role in leading the acquisition, transition, and integration of A/Z and R. C. Stevens into the Cianbro family of companies. In 2024, his responsibilities spanned each of the affiliated companies as he celebrated 25 years of service.

Very well respected by the people who worked with him and for him, Archie was a long-time, accomplished civil superintendent and project manager with 41 years of service. He was widely known for his dedication to safety, quality, and productivity. Archie once said, “To get the best out of your crew, you just need to say, thank you!” He always did. When he spoke, Archie provided clear directions.

Team members knew what to do and were expected to do their best. Archie understood the civil trades as well as anyone. He was a vast resource of knowledge and advice.

Levelheaded and always willing to step in to assist, Archie left his mark through honesty and a strong belief in doing the right thing.

Craig Chambers Craig has been a leader at Cianbro Fabrication & Coating Corporation (CFCC) since 1998, working his way from shop foreman to superintendent. Known for his ability to get things done, Craig ensures projects are completed safely, on time, and within budget. He often works long hours without complaint. Craig prioritizes supporting his family and team, offering a listening ear and a sense of humor when needed. As a prankster, Craig keeps work fun. His playful antics leave a lasting impression, adding humor to the workplace.

Craig’s dedication, humor, and work ethic make him a valued member of the CFCC team.

Kevin Curry Kevin is an ironworker, rigger, and crane operator, who has 36 years of service with Cianbro in 2024. He is one of the most capable crane operators in the company.

Kevin consistently demonstrates experience and skill. He not only operates a crane like an extension of his arm, but also knows the proper rigging apparatus and method of use to execute a safe lift of any kind. He takes pride in the maintenance and appearance of his equipment, treating it as his own. Kevin is an excellent mentor to those who are willing to learn the art of rigging or equipment operation. Honest and direct with the courage to stand up for what he believes in, Kevin exemplifies the core values of the company.

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TEAM MEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS 2000-2009 David (Dave) Rines When Dave joined Cianbro in 1981, he already had 12 years of experience as a carpenter and millwright. He also had turbine install and rebuild work with Westinghouse on his resume. Dave built a 28-year career with Cianbro as a millwright foreman on a wide variety of mechanical accounts. Projects included the No. 9 and No. 10 turbine generator repairs and the No. 16 coater rebuild at the S.D. Warren mill in Westbrook, Maine. Dave also worked as a millwright foreman at the Procter & Gamble Tambrands facility in Auburn, Maine. His low-key, can-do, positive attitude and extensive experience made him one of the company’s most in-demand mechanical supervisors on a wide variety of mechanical projects.

William (Bill) Dusty Bill always loved and wanted to work in construction. He got his first construction job in 1976 in his hometown of Waterville, Maine, by riding his bicycle to a local construction job, applying, and getting hired on the spot.

Bill came to Cianbro in 1981 as an ironworker helper. His rigging skills propelled him from ironworker to rigger, foreman, and general foreman in eight years. Bill says that he always loved the variety of work, challenges, and people, with his Cianbro family being the best part of the job. He worked on many projects from Maine to New York in his 42 years at Cianbro. He retired as a valued project superintendent for the company.

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Franck Brothers: Robert (Bob), Carl, and Michael (Mike) On a Saturday morning in the early winter of 2003, Bob Franck, Carl Franck, and Mike Franck of Millinocket, Maine, met with Mike Bennett, a Cianbro recruiter who was in town offering potential opportunities with Cianbro. The Franck brothers were residents of the Millinocket area and had worked locally in the paper mill until its unfortunate closure. One after the other, these men, who seemed larger than life, entered the room. Each gave the last name Franck. It did not take long to identify that not only were Bob they brothers, but they were also very talented. Clearly, the older brothers took advantage of the youngest by sending him ahead as the scout because Mike was the first brother to join Cianbro in February 2003. He must have felt Carl the effort was worthwhile because Bob joined in May and Carl joined in June. All three Franck brothers moved their families to central and southern Maine, where they enjoyed long careers with the company.

Bob retired as an equipment maintenance superintendent after 16 years of service. Carl retired as an equipment operator with 19 years of service. Mike retired as a safety manager after 21 years of service. They were all known for their tremendous work ethic, frankness, integrity, and for simply being good guys. Their story is inspiring and aligns with the Cianbro culture of never giving Mike up and finding opportunities in what everyone else may perceive as a problem. At Cianbro, everyone is grateful that the Franck brothers were willing to take a chance on the company and for their combined 56 years of service.

Leavitt Brothers: Robert (Bob), David (Dave), James (Jim)

The Carr family has deep roots within Cianbro. Jeff’s dad, Roger, was a crane operator and a millwright. Jeff’s son, Jeff, Jr., is a valued long-term Cianbro supervisor. Jeff, Sr., started with the company performing concrete and masonry work at the Madison paper mill project in 1981. Jeff’s interest in coatings led him to specialize in that area of work and in the 1980s he was promoted to foreman. For decades, he worked as a key coating specialist on jobs up and down the East Coast. What he likes best about Cianbro are the people he calls his Cianbro family. His work family sponsored or attended many of the major events in Jeff’s life. The Carr family legacy includes generations of dedicated, skilled, and hardworking construction professionals.

Annual Revenue 2000 - 2009 500 400 IN MILLIONS

The three Leavitt brothers are counted among the best of Cianbro’s crane operators. Jim, the youngest, worked 27 years for the company as a lattice boom crane operator, trucker, and superintendent. He was a great mentor to anyone with a desire and willingness to learn. Jim loved a challenge and was always willing to step up.

Brother Bob worked for Cianbro for 39 years as a heavy equipment operator, primarily in large cranes. He worked on projects throughout New England. His skills included Jim pile driving, cofferdams, bridge steel erection, dredging, structural steel erection, and heavy lifts. Bob ran the first Manitowoc 4100 Series-3 crane in Maine at Bath Iron Works (BIW) Bob erecting a large shipyard crane. Always ready at the break of dawn, he was respected by all. When he engaged in earnest conversation, he usually began with, “Mista.” Whatever came next was always worth hearing. Bob maintained the equipment he operated in the best possible condition. A photo of him operating the ringer crane at BIW is still used

by Manitowoc Engineering in their advertising brochure. Finally, brother Dave was a man of few words, but when he spoke, it paid to listen. Like his siblings, Dave worked on a wide variety of projects in many locations. Over his 40-year career with Cianbro, he was also renowned for his meticulous care of equipment, and excellent skills. In the early 1970s, he was offered a job by Link-Belt Dave Construction Equipment. He gracefully declined by saying, “I have the best job there is.” These three team members helped build Cianbro into what it is today.

Jeffery (Jeff) Carr, Sr.

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Cianbro / Irby joint venture team sets new structures and installs 244 miles of new transmission lines across rugged terrain for the Maine Power Reliability Program.

CHAPTER EIGHT (2010 - 2019)

Energy Projects and Acquisitions Fuel Expansion Many projects and initiatives with deep roots in prior decades helped propel Cianbro into an extraordinary period of growth and opportunity following its sixtieth anniversary.

In 2010, the company was successfully navigating the aftermath of the 2008 recession. By managing the company wisely, embracing change, taking nothing for granted, and focusing on client success, the team overcame the many challenging forces of the sharpest economic decline since the 1930s.

Putting health and safety first was the keystone of their success. On October 6, 2011, The Cianbro Companies celebrated two years without a lost-time injury, a significant achievement important to both the team and their clients. Although Cianbro’s focus was on the moral and ethical obligation to provide a safe workplace for team members, it was evident that working safely and efficiently to meet and exceed client expectations helped win projects.

The team’s dedication to personal wellness was equally important as working safely. Healthy living not only improved team members’ lives, being well also improved the financial health of the company and consistently kept health care costs below the national average.

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Soon, the team embraced Beyond Zero, a commitment to send team members home in better condition than when they arrived at work: healthier, more educated, and able to influence people around them. This approach was vital to the advancement of team member development. It enhanced the team’s ability to understand and adapt to the marketplace, which was critical. Their willingness to embrace both change and technology, while remaining nimble, creative, and optimistic when identifying opportunities for growth was key. Staying true to the company’s core values proved essential: treat people with dignity and respect, your word is your bond, and give back from which you take.

Major expansion strategies in this decade included emphasizing energy-related markets. Building on its strategy to stay at the leading edge of regional, national, and global energy solutions, while excelling in customer satisfaction, played a major role in the growth of the team and geographical presence throughout this decade.

“ Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” – Henry Ford

With more than 30 years of experience in the power generation and energy markets, Cianbro was constructing projects for the petrochemical and refining industry; natural gas pipelines and compressor stations; electric transmission, distribution, and substations; liquefied natural gas facilities; nuclear; and the renewable energy sector such as bioenergy, hydropower, wind, wave, and solar.

Cianbro at heart of Maine’s largest electric transmission project The team’s ability to listen to clients’ needs, coupled with a willingness to roll up their sleeves and get the job done, was — and continues to be — a hallmark in their wheelhouse for success. This was exactly what Central Maine Power (CMP) was looking for when they invited Cianbro to participate in what became the largest electric transmission project in the state’s history at $1.5 billion, the Maine Power Reliability Program (MPRP).

In 2010, Cianbro and Mississippi-based joint venture partner Irby Construction began the 4-year construction phase to complete the Central Loop Paul Franceschi portion of the MPRP project. Work included access PROJECT MANAGER design and construction; the design, installation, CENTRAL LOOP

2010

2010

2010

Completes emergency repairs on Amtrak’s Niantic River Bridge connecting East Lyme and Waterford, Connecticut.

January 2010: Work begins at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Dry Dock #2 project in Kittery, Maine.

Completes Roth Rock Wind Farm project on Maryland and West Virginia border.

Completes state-of-the-art oyster pier facility for the University of Maryland in Cambridge.

Wins company’s largest engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract to design and build five substations for Central Maine Power’s Maine Power Reliability Program (MPRP) project.

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and maintenance of environmental controls; new transmission line construction; and full site restoration. At completion, the project resulted in 244 miles of new transmission lines across rugged terrain.

Due to the size and visibility of the project, environmental requirements were exceedingly strict. Protection of rare plants and monitoring of eagle and osprey nesting sites were required.

There was zero tolerance for any discharge of turbidity to wetlands, streams, or off the project site. The team fulfilled all environmental obligations and willingly worked with the client and regulatory agencies to further reduce environmental LAUREN WALSH impacts.

ENVIRONMENTAL In addition to transmission MANAGER lines, Cianbro self-performed CENTRAL LOOP work for CMP to design and build five substations in Benton, Monmouth, Cumberland, Lewiston, and Windsor, Maine.

The team undertook the largest engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract in the company’s history. This major milestone was not the Phil Dube PROJECT MANAGER only role that Cianbro played in the MPRP project.

MPRP SUBSTATIONS The rest of the story started back in the middle

Shawna McKenney (right) records and documents environmental conditions on the right-of-way of the Maine Power Reliability Program project in western Maine. of the previous decade when CMP approached Cianbro to manage the study, estimation, and regulatory approval phases of the MPRP project. The extensive scope of work also included public outreach and procurement initiatives: meeting with stakeholders across the state as well as making significant real estate transactions to secure a pathway for the project without the use of eminent domain. An incredible accomplishment considering the project included over 440 miles of transmission lines across 75 Maine communities. These initial phases prepared the way for Maine’s largest electric transmission project to ensure long-term reliability for CMP customers by increasing the capacity and efficiency of Maine’s transmission grid.

2010

2010

2010

Replaces concrete deck at Portland Pipe Line’s Pier 2 in South Portland, Maine, originally built during the World War II era as part of South Portland yards where the Liberty Ships were assembled. A safe business route through the work zone was established to maintain uninterrupted operations for the pipeline.

Cianbro Institute rolls out custom curriculum for electric transmission and distribution projects in company’s fast-growing energy markets.

Cianbro’s Ed LePage wins the first National Craft Instructor of the Year award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

Sets 600 of 900 poles on VELCO’s 53-mile Southern Loop project from Vernon to Ludlow, Vermont.

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Starcon team members hold continuous nested maintenance contracts across the U.S.

2010

2011

2011

2011

November 5, 2010: Starcon International, Inc. joins The Cianbro Companies.

April 2011: Graduates first class of 18 team members from Cianbro Institute’s new Management Development Program.

Cianbro / Middlesex joint venture team completes Pearl Harbor Memorial “Q” Bridge over the Quinnipiac River in New Haven, Connecticut.

October 6, 2011: The Cianbro Companies achieves safety milestone of two years without a lost-time injury.

May 2011: Awarded Oxford Resort Casino project in Oxford, Maine.

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The team erects steel on Little Bay Bridge between Dover and Newington, New Hampshire. When complete, the bridge adds lanes to the original bridge built by Cianbro in the 1960s.

Starcon acquisition ignites momentum On November 5, 2010, Starcon International, Inc. joined The Cianbro Companies as a full-service mechanical contractor offering comprehensive industrial services to a wide variety of process industry clients in the refining, chemical, natural gas processing, and food and beverage industries.

Founded in Illinois with operations based in LaPorte, Texas, the 27-year-old company kept its name, identity, customer base, and business model as a wholly-owned subsidiary.

The acquisition was a significant strategic move on many fronts. Blending the two companies provided greater opportunities in the refining and petrochemical industry and expanded operations Peter Cianchette to 40 states creating both geographic and market STARCON PRESIDENT diversity. The acquisition also nearly doubled the 2014 - 2023 number of team members in the company.

Cianbro and Starcon leaders shared industry values. The former owner of Starcon served with Alan Burton, Cianbro’s vice president of human resources, on the national board of directors for Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). It soon became clear the two organizations were very compatible with similar cultures, award-winning craft skills, and a common emphasis on health and safety. Before

Starcon team pulls a heat exchanger using a truck mount bundle extractor invented by the company. Starcon provides comprehensive exchanger services to a wide variety of process industry clients. long, leaders from both companies began to imagine the increased opportunities that would arise from joining forces.

“The acquisition not only allowed Cianbro to expand and grow, but it also allowed Starcon to become stronger backed by Cianbro’s financial position, educational programs, and management systems,” said Peter Cianchette, a Cianbro vice president and son of Cianbro Founder Bud Cianchette. Peter served as president of Starcon for nearly a decade following the acquisition.

Although fueling the company’s vision to grow as a leader in diversified heavy construction and energy project solutions, the greater legacy of the Starcon acquisition was the very process itself.

Gaining confidence in successful acquisition opportunities and the dramatic, positive impact they can have on the future success of both organizations was important.

2011

2012

2012

Awarded project by the New York State Bridge Authority to reconstruct part of the Mid-Hudson Bridge in Poughkeepsie, New York.

February 2012: Cianbro / Brasfield & Gorrie joint venture team successfully float in the new 1,500-ton vertical lift span on the Galveston Causeway Railroad Bridge in Galveston, Texas.

Project goes on to win an Excellence in Construction Award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

Completes 115 kV Transmission Line Saco Bay Reinforcement project in Saco, Maine.

Completes Algonquin Boiler Roll-In project in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.

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Cianbro / Middlesex joint venture team constructs the Brightman Street Bridge between Fall River and Somerset, Massachusetts.

2012

2012

2012

2012

Cianbro places number 88 on the Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) list of the Top 400 Contractors in the U.S.

Begins work on Dominion Sardis Compressor Station project in Clarksburg, West Virginia.

August 6, 2012: Notice to proceed for biomass retrofit work at ReEnergy Black River Generation Facility on the Fort Drum Army Base in Jefferson County, New York. Once complete, project wins an Excellence in Construction Award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

Starcon completes first large-scale expansion project for Gulf Coast Fractionators in Mont Belvieu, Texas.

Completes hydro turbine rebuild work for Pennsylvania Power & Light in Holtwood, Pennsylvania.

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Embraces Beyond Zero, a commitment to send team members home in better condition than when they arrived at work.

Complex movable bridge projects, a mainstay for growth Cianbro’s reputation for excellence and innovation in complex movable bridge projects up and down the East Coast also played a role in the company’s growth and expansion. Among the many examples of the team’s proven competency in challenging infrastructure work, two bridge projects stood out. These were the two joint venture projects with Middlesex out of Littleton, Massachusetts — Brightman Street Bridge between Fall River and Somerset, Massachusetts, and Amtrak’s project to replace the century-old Niantic River Bridge between East Lyme and Waterford, Connecticut.

Joint venture partnerships frequently delivered more resources to the project helping exceed client expectations. This was demonstrated in November of 2010 when the Brightman Street Bridge team was asked by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to stay on for two additional years beyond the scheduled construction completion date. The team would assist the department in the development of an operations and maintenance program that would be used for all the state’s new movable bridges.

Cianbro also strategically expanded its geographic reach by pursuing and winning traditional heavy industrial, transportation, and movable bridge projects outside of its core geography. An example of this success was in Galveston, Texas. With Alabama-based joint venture partner

Crews safely work around active railroad tracks to construct the Galveston Causeway Railroad Bridge in Galveston, Texas.

2012

2012

2012

Completes historic Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath project for the National Park Service near Williamsport, Maryland.

Cianbro Constructors, LLC. in Brewer, Maine, assembles 22 electric room modules for a nickel refinery in Newfoundland, Canada.

Meets tight deadline to finish Georgia Mountain Wind project in Milton, Vermont.

Brasfield & Gorrie, the team constructed a new railroad bridge over the Intracoastal waterway used by Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad. The 400-foot-long, 158-ton lift span was fabricated off site and floated into place over a 72-hour rail outage.

Other notable movable bridge projects included the Bates Bridge Replacement over the Merrimack River connecting Haverhill and Groveland, Massachusetts, and replacement of the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge over the Piscataqua River between Kittery, Maine, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Opens new design-build bridge over Piscataquis River to traffic in Howland, Maine.

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Cianbro / Middlesex joint venture team’s construction of Amtrak’s Niantic River Bridge Replacement project, connecting East Lyme and Waterford, Connecticut, is another example of the team’s proven competency in challenging infrastructure work.

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2013

2013

January 2013: National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) recognizes Cianbro’s commitment to crane safety by developing team members to earn NCCCO credentials.

(From left) Roy Bolton II, Garth Miller, and Michael Goucher (Not pictured, Doug Sidelinger and Lee Aylward).

Cianbro Equipment team earns SHARP (Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) status from OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration).

July 2013: Completes Bates Bridge connecting Groveland and Haverhill, Massachusetts. Project wins an Excellence in Construction Award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

November 2013: Little Bay Bridge between Dover and Newington, New Hampshire, opens to traffic.

Named one of the top 100 construction companies in the United States In May of 2012, The Cianbro Companies received news of a major milestone. Based on 2011 revenue, the company placed number 88 on the Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) list of the Top 400 Contractors in the United States. The company consistently placed among the top half of the nation’s 400 largest contractors most years since first being ranked in 1974.

ENR is recognized worldwide for compiling engineering and construction industry data.

The timing of being named one of the top 100 construction companies was a testament to the team’s perseverance through the economic recession. The results were a reflection of their Andi Vigue latest safety and health achievements.

PRESIDENT & COO Congratulating the team for growing their company into one of the top 100 construction firms in the country, Andi Vigue, Cianbro president and chief operating officer at the time, said in a companywide newsletter message, “Our largest volume year [2011] was also the safest year in our history. This success can only be attributed to our team members, who are also owners of the company. This is a tremendous accomplishment.”

“ Our largest volume year [2011] was also the safest year in our history. This success can only be attributed to our team members, who are also owners of the company. This is a tremendous accomplishment.” – Andi Vigue

Making a mark in our nation’s capital The Cianbro team had constructed several high-profile projects in our nation’s capital dating back to a notable time more than three decades ago when their innovative approach to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge project on the Capital Beltway in Washington, D.C., brought them official recognition in Congress. Many landmark projects would follow.

2013

2013

2013

Wins contract to construct natural gas compressor station for Dominion East Ohio in Switzerland, Ohio.

Begins work on second phase of Bentonville LNG Plant Upgrades and Modifications project in Four Oaks, North Carolina.

July 2013: Begins work on the Capital Wheel project at National Harbor, Maryland.

Completes 202,257-square-foot Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine, months ahead of schedule.

Tony Ayotte wins National Craft Instructor of the Year award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

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Cianbro constructs landmark Capital Wheel project in National Harbor, Maryland.

Cianbro’s work on the Capital Wheel project — an observation wheel at National Harbor, Maryland, soaring 180 feet above the Potomac River waterfront providing spectacular views of the Washington area — would once again draw national attention for the company. This unique, fasttracked project was constructed for the Peterson Companies, the wellknown East Coast developer who had hired Cianbro a few years earlier

to build piers at the same modern waterfront residential and commercial development in National Harbor. The Capital Wheel project was another signature Cianbro accomplishment. Team members from across the company worked to complete the iconic, world-class observation wheel attraction on time for a 2014 Memorial Day celebration.

Meanwhile, team members were also preparing to tackle work on yet another landmark project in the nation’s capital that had been on their radar for seven years: The Wharf, a $2.5 billion development project to revitalize approximately 1 mile of southwest waterfront along the Washington Channel in Washington, D.C. The 23-acre site would be transformed into a dynamic combination of mixed-use real estate and a working waterfront with attractions to bring Aric Dreher PROJECT MANAGER people to the area.

THE WHARF Cianbro’s work on The Wharf spanned most of the remainder of the decade and included the construction of eight new piers. The project was also an example of younger leaders stepping into important roles. Whether it was professionals in their early careers growing into management positions or new team members starting as interns and growing their careers, The Wharf was one example of many that helped to shape the company’s next generation of leaders.

2013

2013

2013

2013

Completes outage work at Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in St. Paul, Virginia.

November 2013: Cianbro / Middlesex joint venture team completes Amtrak’s Niantic River Bridge Replacement project connecting East Lyme and Waterford, Connecticut.

Project wins an Excellence in Construction Award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

Ed LePage named Construction Education Champion of 2013 by National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).

Cianbro named the Best Place to Work in Maine among large companies with 250 or more employees.

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Awarded four gas compressor station projects for DTE Energy in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.

The Wharf, a $2.5 billion development project to revitalize approximately 1 mile of southwest waterfront along the Washington Channel, is located in Washington, D.C.

2013

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2014

2014

Completes 3-year Mystic River Bridge Rehabilitation project in Mystic, Connecticut. Project goes on to win an Excellence in Construction Award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

Cianbro Constructors, LLC. in Brewer, Maine, receives 2013 Construction Industry Safety Excellence Award from Construction Users Round Table (CURT).

January 2014: First group of team members complete 3-year formal lineworker apprenticeship program.

Assists in preservation of the historic USS Constellation, Baltimore, Maryland’s flagship, the last all-sail warship commissioned by the U.S. Navy.

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Focused on delivering value to clients, Cianbro implements a market-based approach

With change came evolution, continuous improvement, and strategic alliances

By mid-decade, company leaders had assessed and made improvements in the company’s operating and business development structure. They transitioned from a geographical-based to a marketfocused approach.

Cianbro’s expanding footprint and rapid growth in a variety of construction markets required company leaders to take a new look at how to deliver service to valued customers in the most effective and efficient way possible. There was once a time when clients were best served by regional offices and facilities along the Eastern Seaboard where team members were responsible for customer service within a geographical boundary. However, to best support client needs, as well as position the company for future growth, restructuring efforts focused on a market-based approach bringing together core competencies within the different market sectors. The goal was to provide identical, recognizable, seamless, high-quality service for each market. It made no difference whether the team providing the service was from Maine, Connecticut, Maryland, Texas, or anywhere else in the nation.

The transition was well accepted by team members and clients, thanks to the team’s support and willingness to implement the changes that led to increased efficiencies.

As sectors evolved, adjustments were made to continuously improve companywide services. This meant streamlining efficiencies within and among markets, as well as strategically aligning business units. Over time, market coordination was fine-tuned to provide the best customer service possible.

Transparent communication was a top priority. For clients, the new structure would simplify their search for the appropriate company contact. The goal was to put the customer directly in touch with the team that specialized in their line of work. Safely and efficiently getting the job done for clients was at the core of the company’s move to a market-based approach.

2014

2014

2014

2014

Work begins on North Grand Island Bridge project over the Niagara River in Grand Island, New York.

Cianbro Equipment and information technology teams combine forces to modernize tracking system.

February 2014: Completes Cumberland County Civic Center Renovations project in Portland, Maine.

September 2014: Wins Bridge #1 Structural Repairs project at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine.

Constructs state-of-the-art sailboat for Hodgdon Yachts in East Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

National Center for Employee Ownership ranks Cianbro 13 among largest 100% employee-owned firms in the U.S.

April 2014: Completes Piping Removal and Replacement project at Dominion Millstone Nuclear Power Station in Waterford, Connecticut.

December 2014: Awarded Northeast Kingdom Connector project in Vermont, the company’s largest power distribution line project to date.

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“ The goal as a company is to have customer service that is not just the best, but legendary.” – Sam Walton

Restructuring Focused on Market Sectors By mid-decade, company leaders transitioned from a geographicalbased to a market-focused approach to better serve the company’s expanding footprint and growth in diverse construction markets.

Restructuring efforts aimed to ensure consistent, high-quality service nationwide, regardless of the team’s location.

Building Market: Focused on providing construction management services for the vertical construction of various facilities including healthcare, higher education, entertainment, government, warehouse and distribution buildings.

Industrial and Manufacturing Market: Catered to the paper industry and many other diverse manufacturing facilities. Leveraging Cianbro’s module manufacturing facility, the team utilized internal capabilities to manufacture components for delivery to remote clients.

Infrastructure Market: Handled a wide array of transportation projects, encompassing highways, railways, bridges, marine infrastructure, and related civil work like wastewater projects and large fixed structures.

Oil, Gas, and Chemical Market: Focused on servicing clients engaged in running facilities that produce, refine, and process/transport chemicals, gas, and oil. Managed interactions with wholly-owned subsidiary Starcon in the maintenance of petrochemical refineries and associated facilities.

Power and Energy Market: Specialized in power transmission and distribution including projects involving power plant construction, substation installation, and the development of wind farms.

2015

2015

2015

Cianbro transitions from a geographicalbased to a market-focused approach to enhance delivery of services to clients.

May 2015: Starcon signs its largest contract to date with Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding (MES) and its construction management group, Engineers and Constructors Inc. (ECI), for the erection of eight olefin furnaces as a suite of projects for facilities in Baytown, Texas.

Awarded Black Bear Tissue Machine project for Saint Croix Tissue in Woodland, Maine (photo left).

Williams White Compressor Station project in Springville, Pennsylvania, wins Excellence in Construction Award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

Completes outage work at Dominion’s Millstone Nuclear Facility in Waterford, Connecticut.

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The Cianbro Institute, located in Pittsfield, Maine, is dedicated to enhancing the skills and development of team members through innovative educational programs and hands-on learning opportunities.

2015

2015

2015

2016

Jon Sacks named National Craft Instructor of the Year by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

Completes Hosensack-Quarry and Honeybrook-Twin Valley projects for Pennsylvania Power & Light’s transmission system.

October 15, 2015: Cianbro Institute celebrates first Crane Operator’s Rodeo in Pittsfield, Maine.

Cianbro’s quality management system (QMS) revised to incorporate the 2015 revisions to ISO-9001 from International Organization for Standardization.

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Completes the Alfond W2 Ocean Engineering Lab for the University of Maine campus in Orono, Maine.

The Cianbro Institute: Turning challenges into opportunities On August 17, 2017, Cianbro celebrated the opening of its new workforce development center located at 129 Hunnewell Avenue in Pittsfield, Maine. It was also a day to mark the 10-year anniversary since the inception of the Cianbro Institute.

“We believe that the challenges we face with the workforce in our country and state are disguised opportunities,” said Pete Vigue at the opening ceremony attended by Cianbro team members, Maine’s governor, and other dignitaries.

“It is our responsibility within this organization and within our industry to invest in the development of our future workforce while Pete Vigue CHAIRMAN & CEO providing them an opportunity for personal growth.”

Cianbro Institute Instructor Moe Gould (left) works with new team members during a hands-on construction bootcamp demonstrating how to use a tension control gun to torque bolts.

“ What we’ve learned when we support and believe in people is that the opportunities are endless, not only for individuals but also for our company.” – Pete Vigue

2016

2016

2016

Completes two major milestones on the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Dry Dock #3 project in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

May 2016: Opens Gut Bridge to traffic in South Bristol, Maine. Project wins Prize Bridge Award from the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) and the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA).

May 31, 2016: Cianbro / Brasfield & Gorrie joint venture team celebrate ribbon cutting for Eastern Maine Medical Center’s 350,000-square-foot Modernization and Expansion project in Bangor, Maine.

Completes Passadumkeag Wind Park project in Penobscot County, Maine.

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Milestones in the Development of the Cianbro Institute For many decades, skills education has been a part of the company’s efforts to provide an effective and safe workforce. Much of the company’s success with team member development grew from meeting client and operational needs as the company expanded geographically and diversified into new markets.

The early years Strategic educational initiatives were first put in place to support massive mill projects for Maine’s pulp and papermaking industry in Madison during the 1980s and in Jay during the 1990s. In response to the need for increasingly sophisticated skills, project-based, craftdevelopment courses included math, blueprint reading, and work packaging, along with millwright, rigging, pipefitting, welding, and electrical techniques. Safety and management classes were also established. In addition, a full-time welding instructor supported quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) welder certification.

Partnerships External partnerships began to be formed. Supervisors had the To support the Motiva Project, opportunity to participate in an Cianbro’s top welders became Associated General Contractors full-time instructors to develop (AGC) program. In the 1990s, more than 250 pipe welders and many educational partnerships pipefitters in addition to crane were also formed with local operators, iron workers, and technical colleges and universities. riggers — in 12 weeks.

Through Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Cianbro first started working with the newly formed National Center for Construction Education and Research’s (NCCER) Wheels of Learning program to develop in-house accredited programs — electrical being the first. Soon, structured programs based on NCCER modules were offered with the goal of providing team members with a career path within the company and industry.

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Cianbro culture and values In 2001, Cianbro established an organizational development team to help ensure the company’s culture and founding values — treat people with dignity and respect, your word is your bond, and give back from which you take — were instilled in the next generation. The team helped identify and track individual team member development needs. Soon came the leadership program, a highly interactive program where team members enhanced leadership skills through the design, development, and implementation of a team-oriented stretch project. A structured orientation for new team members and a college intern program followed in 2002.

Big ideas with positive impacts At the turn of the century, Maine’s papermaking industry was shrinking. Cianbro’s challenge to keep its Maine team members working locally turned into an opportunity of epic proportions. Two innovative projects for the petrochemical and refining industry would have a significant and far-reaching impact on Cianbro’s approach to team member development. In 2002, the Amethyst project to construct two offshore, semi-submersible drill rigs on Portland, Maine’s, working waterfront, imported work to Maine. In 2007, the Motiva Project to assemble and barge 51 modules weighing more than 650 tons each from Cianbro’s newly developed modular-construction facility on the Penobscot River in Brewer, Maine, to the nation’s largest oil refinery expansion project in Port Arthur, Texas, did the same. Both projects enabled team members to export their knowledge and skills as the demand for skilled talent was high and immediate.

To boost in-house educational efforts on the Amethyst Project, the company collaborated with local colleges and universities to deliver night classes on site. Educational partnerships grew.

Consistent programming, local delivery In 2007, as the Motiva Project gained momentum, the company rolled-out plans for the establishment of the Cianbro Institute. This initiative aimed to streamline the delivery of programs companywide by consolidating team member development efforts under a cohesive strategy. The goal was consistent programming with local delivery. The ability to tap into the existing talent of instructors quickly and to deploy them across the company to meet the needs of the operating business units proved successful.

multi-level program covering distribution, transmission, and substation construction and maintenance.

By January of 2014, the first group of Cianbro team members (pictured left) celebrated the completion of the 3-year formal lineworker apprenticeship program.

First class of the lineworker apprenticeship program: (from left) Jon Sacks, Tim Washburn, Mark Hutchins, Bruce Chesley, Robbie Ferguson, Matt Sullivan, Tyler Jacobs, and Dave Croteau.

Ready to meet the next challenge The Cianbro Institute was well suited in supporting the development needs of a dynamic and expanding company. One of the next major challenges was to support Cianbro’s growing presence in the electric transmission and distribution market. The Institute placed its first program graduates on the Vermont Electric Power Company’s 53-mile Southern Loop project in 2009. Demand would grow for lineworkers on multiple power projects including the extensive Maine Power Reliability Program.

In the summer of 2010, NCCER held a meeting hosted by Cianbro at the company’s modular facility in Brewer, Maine. The goal was to kick off the development of what would become the credentialed NCCER curriculum for lineworkers. Subject matter experts from multiple companies, schools, and utilities hammered out the outline for a

Leadership Initiative project leads on In March of 2010, the Management Development Program was launched. This was an initiative inspired by a leadership program project

by Cianbro’s Bill Richardson for college interns and recent college graduates with construction-related degrees. An inaugural group of 18 team members with less than two years of service participated in the pilot program providing exposure to three challenging assignments: field engineering, estimating, and field supervision. The participants learned how to track their own learning and benefited from in-depth discussions with company leaders about Cianbro’s culture, philosophy, and values. Not only did the participants create relationships among themselves, their mentors, and supervisors, but the networking from their educational sessions empowered them to create relationships throughout the entire organization.

By 2014, the company recognized the value of expanding the program to encompass other disciplines within the organization. In addition to engineers, a later group included general foremen, financial professionals, and an assistant project superintendent.

“ Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.”

– Thomas Henry Huxley

A model crane, built to scale, allows team members to practice rigging and lifting techniques.

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Hats Off to the Cianbro Institute’s Award-Winning Instructors Instructor is a title given to professionals in their field who want to share their knowledge. Each instructor at the Cianbro Institute was selected because of their craftsmanship, attitude, passion, willingness to mentor others, and a love for what they do. It brings honor to the entire team when these instructors are recognized nationally for being the best of the best.

Cianbro Institute’s Ed LePage (2010), Tony Ayotte (2013), and Jon Sacks (2015), were all recognized nationally as Craft Instructor of the Year by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) recognized Cianbro Institute’s Ed LePage as the Construction Education Champion of 2013. This is not an annual award.

The Center only selects recipients when it finds a worthy candidate.

Ed LePage Tony Ayotte

Jon Sacks (right) receives congratulations from Vice President Mike Bennett.

“ At the end of the day, it turns out that excellent workforce development programs are not miracles, they are simply a commitment to people.”

– Jon Sacks, craft instructor, Cianbro Institute

2016

2016

2016

2016

May 2016: Completes HosensackWescosville 230 kV project for PPL Electric Utilities in Lehigh, Pennsylvania.

Embraces Lean Principles, creating value with fewer resources and less waste. Do your job and improve your job is the ongoing effort. Like health and safety, the Lean initiative becomes a never-ending journey.

Completes LNG Vaporizer Replacement Peak Shaving Plant project in Massachusetts.

Wins contract to construct two compressor station expansion projects for Eastern Shore Natural Gas in Delaware.

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Pisgah Mountain Wind project starts generating power in Clifton, Maine.

Installs innovative wetlaid nonwoven tissue machine for Suominen in Bethune, South Carolina.

Cianbro and Starcon champions take the field at Nationals Park Since 1999, Cianbro has sent its top craft contenders to compete in the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) National Craft Championships. Over the years, the company has sent many apprentices in multiple crafts and has won more medals than any other company.

In 2017, gold medals went to Cianbro’s Brandyn Kendall (pipe welding) and Starcon’s Jose Chavez (mechanical insulation). Each earned a trip for themselves and a guest to a Washington Nationals Major League Baseball game in Washington, D.C. Jose was also the public address announcer for the traditional call: “Let’s play ball!”

In 2018, Starcon’s Javier Garcia, winner of the ABC National Safety award as well as a gold medal in his craft (mechanical insulation), also won the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at a major league game between the Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox. With temperatures nearing 100 degrees on the field, and the pressure of thousands of baseball fans watching, Javier impressively threw a pitch right over home plate. “I was a little nervous about going out to throw the pitch,” he said. “But I just tried to relax and aim.” Javier showed the same poise, dedication to his work, and ability to perform, to win the gold medal in his craft at the national level too.

Starcon’s Jose Chavez (left) delivered, “Let’s play ball,” and Javier Garcia (right) threw out the opening pitch at Major League Baseball games for the Washington Nationals.

2016

2017

2017

Completes fabrication and installation of a new fish passage and hydro station exclusion rack system at the Hadley Falls dam in Holyoke, Massachusetts.

Project wins Excellence in Construction Award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

Part of the North American Growth Project, the Starcon and Cianbro team completes the olefins furnaces mechanical upgrade in Baytown, Texas.

April 2017: Mobilizes project for Georgia Power to replace 19 spillway flood gates at Bartletts Ferry Hydroelectric Plant in Salem, Alabama.

January 2017: Completes Madison, Maine, solar array for Madison Electric Works.

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(From left) 2018 Board Members for The Cianbro Companies: Elias (Eli) Karter, Malcolm (Mac) Cianchette, James (Jim) Vamvakias, Peter (Pete) Vigue, Peter (Andi) Vigue, Jane Chmielinski, Norbert (Norb) Young, Jr.

Passing the torch, leaders light the way for the next generation Effective January 1, 2018, The Cianbro Companies Board of Directors appointed Andi Vigue as chief executive officer and elected him to the board of directors. Peter Vigue, longtime board chair and chief executive officer, continued to serve as chair of The Cianbro Companies while also devoting time to the Cianbro Development Corporation.

Board Member Eli Karter said, “We knew we had our work cut out for us trying to find someone who could be the successor to Pete. As we got to know Andi and watched him perform in his role, we quickly came to realize that Andi is a very competent young man.”

“Cianbro is in a very strong position,” said Pete. “Now it is time for me to step to the side and let the next generation of leaders take this company forward. Andi thrives in this highly dynamic environment.

He has great vision, embraces technology, and is constantly educating himself on the changing environment around us. He has demonstrated the ability to identify quickly what needs to improve and has a unique ability to translate his vision into action.”

Andi confirmed, “Pete’s stepping to the side won’t be a step into retirement. If anything, Pete Vigue is energized with even more large-scale plans than ever. Now, as a key leader within Cianbro’s development team, he’ll have more freedom to turn big ideas into big accomplishments.”

2017

2017

2017

The Cianbro Institute creates simulated work environment at the yard on Peltoma Avenue in Pittsfield, Maine, to facilitate field experience for crane operators and lineworkers.

Cianbro commissions Imerys Talc Genesis project in Ludlow, Vermont.

August 17, 2017: Cianbro Institute celebrates the opening of a new workforce development and wellness center located at 129 Hunnewell Avenue in Pittsfield, Maine.

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Celebrates 10 years without a recordable injury at Procter & Gamble’s Tambrands facility in Auburn, Maine (photo left).

In 2017, the team completed an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract to build a new 9.9-megawatt solar array located on 57 acres owned by Cianbro in Pittsfield, Maine.

2017

2018

2018

Starcon opens a new fabrication facility in Clute, Texas (photo left).

January 1, 2018: Peter A. (Andi) Vigue appointed chief executive officer and elected to the board of directors of The Cianbro Companies. Peter G. Vigue continues to serve as board chair.

Work begins on the Curtis Creek Drawbridge project for the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) in Baltimore.

Commissions Maine’s first utility scale solar array to date on 57 acres in Pittsfield, Maine. The 9.9-megawatt facility includes 40,300 solar panels.

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A company of diverse resources and solutions

Cianbro team makes history using Manitowoc MLC650 crane with 600 feet of boom and a 32-foot jib to erect a 450-foot electrical tower in Virginia’s James River, a record-breaking waterborne crane operation.

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The team’s ability to work together safely and efficiently to construct projects that meet and exceed client expectations is more than a mission, it is a philosophy. Over the years, the number and diversity of projects had grown exponentially with many being unique in scope, yet similar in terms of aggressive schedules and challenging conditions.

Working across business units, projects often required the cooperation and expertise of teams that were responsible for equipment, transportation, estimating, engineering, rigging, and more.

One example of innovative collaboration from this decade was a 2018 project for the United States Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) to remove and replace three existing ice shields protecting sensitive telecommunications components at the Navy’s communications hub in the coastal Maine town of Cutler. The facility provides navigational signals and maintains communication with ships, planes, and submarines in the North Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea. The project team joined forces with companywide resources, including the equipment team and the construction structures group, to develop a creative solution to a uniquely challenging situation. The work included the design of temporary cages to protect the critical and irreplaceable components during the ice shield replacement.

In collaboration with design team engineers, the project team came

2018

2018

March 2018: Sarah Mildred Long Bridge opens to traffic connecting Kittery, Maine, and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The project wins multiple national awards including the Best of the Best from Engineering News-Record (ENR).

The Sarah Mildred Long Bridge Replacement project wins numerous industry awards including the Award of Excellence from the Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI).

Cianbro Project Manager Kaven Philbrook (left) and PTI President Todd Stevens.

up with an on-site construction solution only to have time delays send them back to the drawing board. The team developed innovative options to accelerate the work. This included constructing the ice shield canopies off site and using heavy-haul trailers, provided by the equipment group, to transport each 100-ton shield to the work site.

As it turned out, the heavy-haul trailers were used for more than transportation. The team fully extended the trailers utilizing them to install the remaining trusses for the shield canopy that arrived on the trailer. The alternative was to build an entire ice shield assembly pad with stands for the canopy, which would have cost time the project team did not have.

Bill Moulton Removal and installation of the ice shields PROJECT SUPERINTENDENT required the use of a 440-ton-class crane with ICE SHIELDS the working capacity reduced for the special configuration needed to perform the work. It was used at 90 percent of that capacity for the most critical lifts. Using lifting appliances, combined with the highest caliber of rigging craft and supervision, the work was carried out safely and seamlessly. An achievement built on the collaboration of Cianbro’s diverse resources.

Implementation of Lean work practices, numerous continuous improvement ideas, and the team’s belief that no one in this room is

The Ice Shields Replacement project for the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) in Cutler, Maine. smarter than all of us, resulted in safely and efficiently delivering the project on time to a valued client.

As the company’s geographic footprint and diversity of work grew, teams continued to develop specialized knowledge and innovative solutions for a broad spectrum of clients across the United States.

2018

2018

Completes Brighton Dam project in Brookville, Maryland (photo left).

U.S. Senator Susan Collins and U.S. Labor Secretary Alex Acosta visit the Cianbro Institute to tour the facility and learn how the company is investing in the team through workforce development opportunities.

Completes a boiler retube project for Huber Engineered Woods in Easton, Maine.

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Cianbro welcomes A/Z Corporation On March 29, 2019, Cianbro acquired A/Z Corporation (A/Z), a recognized leader in design, construction, and maintenance services with a focus on technology-oriented markets. Headquartered in North Stonington, Connecticut, the 51-year-old, family-owned company would maintain its identity, mission, and leadership as a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Cianbro Companies.

A/Z was founded in 1968 by Ed Lorenz.

One of his first jobs was changing light bulbs in the parking lot at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut.

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A/Z was founded by Ed Lorenz. Ed had a decade of honorable service in both the United States Army and Navy, including a deployment to Korea, prior to working at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut. After obtaining his Unlimited Electrical Contractor license from the state of Connecticut, Ed retained Electric Boat as one of A/Z’s first clients when the company started in 1968. A/Z continues to perform work for the world-class submarine shipbuilding company, a testament to the value A/Z places on client relationships.

In time, ownership of the family business was passed down to Ed’s son, Perry Lorenz. Perry first recalls meeting members of the Cianbro Kevin Chronley PRESIDENT team while working on a project in southeastern A/Z CORPORATION Connecticut in 1986. They learned quickly that they had a lot in common in terms of how they valued their people and clients. They also had very similar philosophies towards operating culture and workplace safety.

A/Z enhanced the company’s services, portfolio, geographical reach, and capacity while adding 500 team members to The Cianbro Companies. A/Z’s client list spanned a wide breadth of technically and logistically complex sectors including life sciences, healthcare, manufacturing, education, hospitality, and utilities. Included among their

2018

2018

Completes Georges River Energy project for Robbins Lumber in Searsmont, Maine, an 8.5-megawatt combined heat and power (CHP) biomass plant.

Breaks ground on Sorenson-Deer Creek BOLD® (Breakthrough Overhead Line Design) 138 kV Transmission Line project for American Electric Power in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Completed in 2016, A/Z Corporation managed the development of the Earth Tower for the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, one of the largest entertainment, gaming, dining, and shopping destinations in the U.S.

2019

2019

2019

March 29, 2019: A/Z Corporation, a Connecticut-based design, construction, and maintenance services company, joins The Cianbro Companies.

Completes new Bangor Savings Bank headquarters and parking garage in Bangor, Maine.

Completes 115 kV transmission project on Dominion Energy’s Line 130 in southern Virginia.

Receives certificate of occupancy for the WEX Global Headquarters building on the Portland, Maine, waterfront.

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In Memory of Mac Cianchette clients were several Fortune 500 and 1000 companies such as Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, General Dynamics, Pfizer, and Pratt & Whitney, as well as private institutions including Yale, Brown, and Wesleyan universities.

The acquisition came at a time when Cianbro’s building market team was growing both in size and stature, having recently completed signature Maine headquarter facilities for Bangor Savings Bank and WEX, Inc., as well as ongoing high-tech work at Abiomed in Danvers, Massachusetts. The company had also begun work on the Maine Veterans’ Homes facility in Augusta, Maine, and the renovation and expansion project at the Maine Correctional Center in Windham, Maine.

Welcoming A/Z to The Cianbro Companies was another successful acquisition that combined the expertise and knowledge of both organizations to further enhance the service provided to clients.

Relationships help team rise to the challenge The Cianbro Companies strive to build people and relationships first — within the team, with clients, communities, and with fellow engineering firms and construction organizations. These relationships are built upon trust and respect and are critical to the successful completion of the complex, challenging projects the company’s solid reputation is built upon. As the team rounds the corner to a new decade, relationships will help them rise to the challenge.

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Malcom (Mac) Carl Cianchette made his career with Cianbro, the company founded by his father, Carl, in 1946, formerly Carl E. Cianchette Contractor. Mac joined the company ranks in 1973, working his way up to various senior management roles throughout his 44 dedicated years of service.

Mac also served on The Cianbro Companies Board of Directors for 18 years, until the time of his death. He served on numerous other professional organizations over the course of his career.

Mac, 68, lost his battle with cancer at his Maine home on Great Moose Lake with his family by his side.

He was born May 25, 1951, in Waterville, the son of Carl and Maureen (Davis) November Cianchette.

21, 2019: Malcom (Mac) Cianchette, 68, passes away.

2019

2019

Starcon receives National Safety Excellence award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

Construction Users Roundtable (CURT) also awards Starcon a Construction Industry Safety Excellence award.

Chris Scott (left) and Peter Cianchette.

570 Cianbro and Starcon team members complete the $125 million, 18-month assembly of 60 ethane cracker furnace modules at Cianbro Constructors’ facility in Brewer, Maine.

Modules travel via barge from Brewer to Monaca, Pennsylvania.

The Starcon team’s scope of work on the Dow Chemical / Wood Group Mosaic project in Clute, Texas, included installation of three ethylene dryers and a CO2 absorber.

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TEAM MEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS 2010-2019 It’s All About People

Thomas (Tom) Ruksznis

Over the decades, many hard working, committed team members dedicated all or a portion of their working careers to the company’s success.

At the end of each decade, we have included the photos and a few words about a handful of individuals who may or may not be mentioned elsewhere in the book. These names are a small percentage of the total roster of the company’s workforce. For the many team members not mentioned, please understand that your contributions and efforts are still appreciated, remembered, and are reflected in the overall success of Cianbro.

Tom excelled in both engineering and operations. He began his career at Cianbro in 1978. After pursuing other interests in 1993, he returned in 2004 as a superintendent with the equipment group. During Tom’s career, he developed a reputation for figuring things out and getting things done. As a licensed professional engineer, he would often find himself helping others. Typically, calls went to him when things were challenging.

Along with his knowledge, experience, and quick wit, Tom also possessed a genuine personality which came in handy any time the going got tough and difficult decisions needed to be made.

His word was his bond. He retired in 2021 after 32 years of service.

Rick Leonard Rick joined Cianbro as a member of the financial team in 1993.

Throughout his career, Rick has had the opportunity to work closely with the company’s chief financial officers. His knowledge and experience have benefited the company in his position as director of finance and assistant treasurer. Rick’s experience with the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) has added tremendous value to the organization for decades. His commitment to see that team members have adequate retirement savings is contagious. Rick’s humble demeanor and patience has also served him well as he enjoys mentoring, teaching, and passing his knowledge on to others. Rick’s passion for personal wellness carries over to supporting others with their wellness goals.

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Terrance (Terry) Hayes Terry began his 29-year career at Cianbro as a pipe welder with the company’s accomplished boiler team. Industrial outage season always meant long hours and hard work. From responding to client emergencies at a moment’s notice to mentoring and growing the team, his commitment to Cianbro was strong. Known for his dedication and reliability, when he was needed to help Starcon on a large job in Baytown Texas, it was no surprise that Terry canceled the material delivery he had planned to use to work on his camp (for the third time) and packed up to hit the road. Terry retired as a mechanical superintendent and will forever be known for his colorful personality and sense of humor. His son Zach carries on the Hayes-Cianbro bond.

Tina Adams

Rae Randlett, Sr., and Rae Randlett, Jr.

Tina embodies the company’s culture of valuing people. Processing payroll accurately was not just an accounting function for her, it was about prioritizing the team and their well-being by ensuring timely, accurate payment. Tina joined Cianbro in 1995, leaving an indelible mark on many projects like her favorites, Presumpscot Falls River Bridge in Maine and the Destiny Mall Expansion project in New York. She cultivated strong relationships with subcontractors and vendors, demonstrating the importance of collaboration for project success. Like her siblings Will and Joy, who also made lasting contributions to the company, Tina’s outgoing personality, people skills, and mastery of the profession made her a favorite of her teammates. In retirement, she cherishes lifelong friendships forged during her tenure, maintaining meaningful connections with former teammates.

Rae, Sr., joined Cianbro as a member of a paving team in 1989.

He went on to gain skills in pipefitting and the mechanical trades which led to a role as general foreman on an industrial project in Woodland, Maine.

Rae, Sr.’s, get-it-done attitude and smiling personality, made him a great leader. He made the job site a fun place to work, and he had an infectious laugh that was unique to him.

Towards the end of his career, Rae, Sr., was a mechanical superintendent at the SAPPI paper mill project in Hinckley, Maine. He retired in 2018 after 32 years of Rae, Sr. service. In 1999, Rae, Jr., followed in his father’s footsteps at Cianbro after serving our country in the United States Navy. He began his career as a laborer and quickly grew to be a mechanical helper on multiple industrial projects. He was endorsed to participate in the company’s pipefitter apprentice program. With a strong work ethic, commitment to excel, quality work Rae, Jr. product, and a no-nonsense approach, Rae, Jr., was promoted to a leadership position as a project superintendent for the company’s industrial market. The Randletts are typical of the many families that have multiple individuals making significant contributions to the company.

Leonard (Lenny) Brooks Lenny began his career with Cianbro in 1992. He quickly established a reputation for doing things the right way. Commanding in appearance, Lenny had an even bigger heart. He was good natured and treated everyone with respect.

His craft was driving pile, and he did it well. He enjoyed his job and the team members he worked with. Throughout his career, Lenny insisted that everything he was involved with or observed must be done safely and correctly. Lenny led by example, listened to his teammates when they offered advice, and was always willing to speak up and reinforce safe work habits. We honor Lenny’s too-short life, and his 31-year career by continuing his legacy of doing things right.

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TEAM MEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS 2010-2019 Frank Susi

James (Jim) Peakes

Frank joined Cianbro in the late 1970s. He worked in many capacities throughout his 46 years with the company, completing his career as vice president of estimating, engineering, purchasing, and quality. Frank built a strong team and led the effort to get work for The Cianbro Companies. Areas in which he excelled included fostering relationships, problem solving, providing technical direction for complex projects, and leading teams to be successful. Those relationships, both internal and external, were key to securing many large complex projects including those at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard where the company has had continuous successful projects. Team members loved working with Frank. He was instrumental in continuing Cianbro’s culture of: It’s all about people.

Jim began his career with Cianbro in 1995 providing field purchasing support for multiple projects in southern Maine. After three years, he joined the corporate purchasing team and was mentored by some of the company’s notable purchasing leaders, Stan Martin and George Staples. From the outset, Jim was recognized as an upbeat, people-oriented, relationship-building team member. Retired Vice President Frank Susi referred to Jim as, “The Energizer Bunny, full of energy.” Always collaborative and a consensus builder, he worked closely with procurement specialists such as Bryan Libold, Bill Holmes, Brian Rogers, and Pat Slawek. Jim also supported Kellie Duplisea with an initiative to streamline and improve processes within the department.

He was the natural choice to join the procurement team when the need arose. With over 28 years of service, Jim continues to make significant contributions within one of the company’s key support services.

Brian Mace Brian joined Cianbro as a pipe welder in Maine during the 1980s.

He quickly established himself as a top-notch pipe welder and his leadership skills translated into an assignment as a foreman in short order. Having a mechanical aptitude and a willingness to travel, Brian accepted an assignment on the central heating plant project in Quantico, Virginia, in the mid-1980s. With his mechanical and welding expertise, Brian became a general foreman on numerous projects throughout New England.

He worked up and down the East Coast on many major projects. A natural leader and mentor, Brian retired in 2012 with 28 years of service as one of the company’s most successful project superintendents.

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William (Bill) Merrill Bill started his 37-year career with Cianbro as a pipe welder in 1981. He quickly progressed to become a mechanical superintendent specializing in boilers. Bill was a big part of Cianbro’s first-ever boiler development program and supported the effort for years. He standardized a boiler outage list so the team always had the materials needed to get the job done. Bill was so well respected by clients and subcontractors that they went to him for outage coordination and scheduling. He responded to many emergencies for clients at all hours. Bill was mechanically gifted. He also had a comical side, coming up with clever songs in the moment. Bill contributed greatly to the company’s success.

Mark Cochrane

Charles (Charlie) and George Tapley, Jr.

At Cianbro, there are few, if any, professions that require one to literally hold the lives of others in their hands each day. Mark is one who bears that responsibility. Over his 35 years of service at Cianbro, Mark has served as chief pilot, mechanic, and manager of flight operations. As a commercial pilot, he accumulated thousands of hours of flight time in command of single-engine, multi-engine, turboprop, and float plane aircraft, all to accommodate the diverse and varied travel needs of Cianbro team members. Mark is always professional, serving his passengers with courtesy and friendship while delivering everyone safely to destinations around the country and back home again. Cianbro is thankful to have a pilot of Mark’s capabilities and compassion at the controls.

Brothers Charlie and George began their careers as pipe welders with Cianbro in 1988. They were both members of the esteemed and legendary boiler team.

Charlie progressed to be a project manager overseeing numerous projects. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, people listened. Charlie became well known for his safety standards and willingness to follow the work. He was asked to be part of the team assigned to a large Starcon project in Baytown, Texas, and Charlie willingly accepted.

Charlie retired on the day of his 55th birthday with 31 years of service. George is one of the best and most talented individuals the company has in the mechanical trades. Few surpass his pipefitting skills. When people talk about George, they say he does the work of George three people, putting his head down and very rarely taking a break. With 32 years of service, George remains a key member of the industrial team using his experience to mentor the next generation.

David (Dave) Shorey Dave joined Cianbro in 1980 as a member of the survey crew at the paper mill project in Madison, Maine. Survey work took him to projects from New York to northern Maine, where his cartooning career began. When something memorable happened on a job site, Dave doodled it out on paper. It became a badge of honor to be the subject of his artwork. Working through the ranks to become a senior project engineer, Dave credits others for his success, as he worked to become a senior project engineer. Mentors such as George Bell and Archie Wheaton are on his list. Dave’s positive attitude and dedication made him a valued team member. Looking back on his 42-year career, Dave said, “I can’t imagine where else I could have ever worked and been given the opportunities I received at Cianbro.”

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TEAM MEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS 2010-2019 Richard (Richie) Padham

Troy Martin

Richie began his career with Cianbro in the late 1960s. Outside of construction, he had many related hands-on interests including logging, raising pulling horses, and farming. At Cianbro, Richie performed a variety of jobs, but he was best known as a skilled, observant, and insightful heavy equipment operator and mechanic. He operated everything from backhoes to barge-mounted ringer cranes. From his operator’s seat, Richie had the uncanny ability to know where to position every truck, piece of equipment, section of steel, pipe pile or spoil pile to minimize handling and maximize efficiency of the workflow. Many supervisors looked to Richie for well-considered logistical advice, insights, and honest feedback. Always valued for his experience and common-sense approach, Richie’s services were in constant demand. Richie retired in 2015 with 46-years of service.

Troy was one of the most well respected and in-demand engineers at Cianbro. He possessed a unique combination of people skills and technical skills that resulted in a wide spectrum of successful outcomes. Whether the need was a detailed drawing of a fuel train, a complicated two-crane-rigging plan, cost study, business plan, or safety plan, he was the go-to Cianbro point person. Later in his career, Troy expanded his leadership role and became the driving force behind developing and expanding the company’s substation work from Maine to Florida, and west to Ohio. A brilliant person and gentleman, Troy retired at the age of 59, after 38 years of service.

Mark Nordgren

Kaven was well known as an excellent builder of bridges and people. He championed the philosophy, stick to the basics. With an eye on quality, innovation and creativity, Kaven took a complicated design and made it simple. Roadblock was not a word in Kaven’s vocabulary. He viewed problems as opportunities, enjoyed challenges, exercised good judgment, and always treated people fairly with dignity and respect. He led the construction of some of the most prestigious projects Cianbro built over the years. He often talked about something he saw that was clever. Although many of his ideas were indeed clever, he never said it about himself. Kaven’s contributions throughout his 41-year career with the company are woven into the fabric of Cianbro.

Mark joined Cianbro in 1977 working in the civil trades. He gained a great deal of experience working on a wide variety of civil projects while advancing to become a project superintendent.

If there was a large concrete job or a bridge deck job requiring a Bid-Well (concrete roller paver machine), the project team wanted Mark and his team there. Mark excelled as a mentor. He would often develop a group of green, unskilled team members into talented trades people by using his knack for coaching and mentoring. Mark had a creative mind when it came to problem solving.

His commitment and dedication to quality was second to none. Mark retired in 2020 with 43 years of service.

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Kaven Philbrook

Lincoln (Linc) Denison, Sr.

Bruce Chesley

Linc, Sr., began his career at Cianbro in 1974 as a laborer on a project for Portland Pipe Line in South Portland, Maine. He spent years learning the trades. He worked up to superintendent and senior manager, never forgetting where he started. He was mentored

by Cianbro legends such as John Ricker, Sr., and Mac Cianchette. He led Cianbro’s team at Ricker’s Wharf and was later chosen to serve as vice president of operations for the company’s southern New England region in 2003. Linc had great respect for craftspeople.

Their hard work and sacrifices were never lost on him. In turn, he was admired by all who had the opportunity to work with him.

His level of concern and commitment to the team will always be remembered. Linc was quoted in a Chatter article saying, “Teamwork is the backbone of Cianbro’s culture. We draw on one another’s strengths and allow others to help us with our challenges. It’s how we build our projects, and it is how we build our team.” Linc’s son, Linc, Jr., continues in his father’s footsteps with 28 years of service at Cianbro.

Bruce joined the company in 2003 when Cianbro expanded into the power transmission and distribution market. He was the key supervisor on all early transmission and distribution projects. Bruce was part of the team that developed the first equipotential grounding program and lineworker apprenticeship program. He became an instructor at the Cianbro Institute where he was a major contributor to the development of the outdoor education facility for lineworkers and substation technicians. He often transitioned back into the role of field supervisor as the team grew.

With 21 years of service, Bruce supports the development of the transmission and distribution team. He continues to be a mentor to new team members.

Linc Denison, Sr., passed away on May 14, 2012. He had been diagnosed with cancer 20 years before, but he never let his illness slow him down. The inspirational message linked to the QR code is a piece Linc wrote while enduring one of his many treatments. He was always thinking of others and how to make things better throughout his 38-year career with Cianbro.

1,000 800 IN MILLIONS

Appearing in a 1976 issue of the Chatter, Linc, Jr., wears his father’s hard hat at a family gathering.

Annual Revenue 2010 - 2019

600 400 200 0

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

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The bascule span of the Casco Bay Bridge is raised on June 20, 2021, to allow clearance for the 5,338-ton concrete entrance structure to pass beneath. Cast at Cianbro’s Ricker’s Wharf facility in Portland, Maine, the entrance structure, barge, and tug are headed to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard’s Super Flood Basin project in Kittery, Maine. The Casco Bay Bridge’s 285-foot bascule span, one of the largest in North America, was also built by Cianbro and opened to traffic 24 years earlier in 1997.

CHAPTER NINE (2020 - 2024)

One Team, Infinite Possibilities When The Cianbro Companies entered 2020, the team was intently focused on fulfilling its 5-year, strategic business plan.

However, before the first quarter ended, their focus was stretched to include an unexpected and unknown virus rapidly spreading around the world.

As the country’s economy slowed down and government-ordered restrictions were put in place, the team was faced with many new challenges brought on by the global pandemic. Fortunately, the construction industry was deemed essential by the federal government. Many relationships forged over the years proved essential as well. Team members, business partners, and clients worked collaboratively to turn challenges into opportunities and quickly adapted to ensure the successful execution of work.

“Across the country, team members from A/Z Corporation, Starcon, and Cianbro, worked in unison, more so than ever before in our history — diligently and creatively — to deliver on our commitments to our clients,” said Andi Vigue, president and chief executive officer of The Cianbro Companies. “Many team members traveled farther from home to support critical projects and took on assignments outside of their normal scope of work.”

The company would also be selected by a major medical products manufacturer to come up with creative solutions in order to meet pandemic-level needs for medical testing supplies.

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Teamwork key to expanding critical production during global pandemic Puritan Medical Products was one of the major manufacturers in the world that produced swabs for medical diagnostic purposes on the frontline in the battle against COVID-19. The medical-grade swabs were also used to test for other infectious diseases including the flu. The medical products company was in dire need of expanding its current production. Puritan’s plant in Guilford, Maine, was working nonstop. On April 19, 2020, Puritan reached out for help.

Paul Dube, Cianbro’s facilities manager, was a former, longtime Puritan employee. That relationship started the conversation about how The Cianbro Companies could facilitate Puritan’s Pete Malikowski PROJECT MANAGER expansion. As discussions progressed, two options PURITAN PLANTS were considered: build a new facility, or retrofit a vacant manufacturing facility Cianbro already owned at 129 North Main Street in Pittsfield, Maine.

In partnership with Puritan, Cianbro and A/Z developed a proposal to retrofit the 129 North Main Street property. The team would serve as the design-build general contractor. They utilized the entire depth of the organization to complete the 48,500-square-foot renovation project.

Cianbro and A/Z served as the design-build general contractor for the Puritan Medical Products’ expansion at 129 North Main Street, Pittsfield, Maine.

Achievements included the accelerated delivery of 35,000 square feet of cleanroom production space — two months from start of design to turnover. The new plant would produce 20 million swabs per month.

Construction teams worked around the clock, seven days a week, to execute the delivery of the fast-track project. Craft team members frequently worked outside their core trades. The fabrication and coating team delivered structural steel to meet immediate construction needs.

Teamwork was critical. In all, more than 650 individuals, including Cianbro, A/Z, Starcon, subcontractors, engineers, and architects, worked collaboratively to meet the July 1 production startup date for Puritan.

In October 2020, Puritan Medical Products announced a second major expansion in Pittsfield, Maine, in partnership with Cianbro.

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The Cianbro Companies welcome Starcon and A/Z Corporation to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

Eligible team members receive their first contributions and stock shares attributable to 2019 successes.

Work begins on the Bay Bridge 5 kV Electrical Improvements project for the Maryland Department of Transportation.

The project creates a dependable electrical system for the eastbound and westbound bridges spanning the Chesapeake Bay connecting Baltimore, Maryland, with the Eastern Shore.

Starcon celebrates 1 million work hours without a recordable injury at Marathon Petroleum’s refinery in Canton, Ohio.

The team is also recognized with a National Excellence in Construction Eagle Award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

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Relationships built upon trust and respect are critical The company has a long history of collaborative relationships. These relationships take time and energy to develop. They are deeply rooted in the company’s philosophy about people, teamwork, and values.

Collaborative relationships often become productive partnerships that lead to client success and ultimately to the team’s success.

Aerial view of Puritan Medical Products’ expansion at 206 SAS Drive, Pittsfield, Maine.

The second manufacturing facility, located at the former San Antonio Shoemakers™ (SAS) manufacturing site at 206 SAS Drive, required a 78,840-square-foot building renovation. The project was another intense design-build, schedule-driven accomplishment. Crews worked around the clock throughout the fall and winter of 2020 into 2021 to get the plant online. The 206 SAS Drive facility complemented Puritan’s 129 North Main Street manufacturing plant and was projected to increase production by an additional 50 million swabs per month.

In 2021, as the SAS Drive project team pushed through the startup of the second new Puritan facility in Pittsfield, Puritan reached out with yet another opportunity in Orlinda, Tennessee. The 341,000-squarefoot expansion into Tennessee would give Puritan the ability to produce another 200 million swabs per month.

Cianbro meets challenges for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Although Cianbro performed work at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, in previous decades, it was a 2014 bridge project that solidified a strong contractor-client relationship. Cianbro had been contracted by the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Public Works Department (NAVFAC-PWD) of Maine to demolish, rehabilitate, and replace aspects of Bridge #1, a 300-foot-long, through-girder structure. The bridge serviced heavy, daily commuter traffic.

Upon completion in 2016, the team’s performance on Bridge #1 led the owner to award a subsequent project to address additional pedestrian safety improvements on the bridge. That same year, Cianbro was also awarded the first in a series of high-profile dry dock and other infrastructure projects of increasing complexity. These modernization

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Integrates Cianbro Equipment and Starcon Logistics to leverage best practices and enhance seamless customer service across both companies.

April 19, 2020: Receives call from Puritan Medical Products to help provide a facility to double production of medical-grade swabs by July 1, 2020. For the first time, teams from Cianbro, A/Z, and Starcon work together to renovate a vacant manufacturing facility in Pittsfield, Maine.

Cianbro Fabrication & Coating Corporation (CFCC) team works 24/7 to supply structural steel for Puritan Medical Products’ renovation project in Pittsfield, Maine.

Completes work on the replacement of the ventilation fans at the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel for Maryland Transportation Authority. The team replaces 16 supply fans and 16 exhaust fans that will help improve air flow in the tunnel.

CFCC team furnishes steel for Squibb Park Bridge in Brooklyn, New York.

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Completed in 2020, the Dry Dock #3 Caisson Replacement & Seat Repairs project was one of a series of dry dock and other infrastructure projects for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. In the background are two bridges also constructed by Cianbro. The Sarah Mildred Long Bridge (center of photo) opened to traffic in 2018. The Piscataqua River Bridge was completed in 1972. Both bridges connect Kittery, Maine, with Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

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projects were necessary to lessen the shipyard’s dependence on the tide when servicing the United States Navy’s existing and future fleet of submarines.

Established by the federal government in 1800, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard — today, one of the Navy’s four public shipyards — was strategically established on Seavey Island where the Piscataqua River meets the Atlantic Ocean. The shipyard’s footprint is finite, with limited shore-side space to accommodate equipment, personnel, and materials. Challenges included schedule and logistics. Success required a partnering relationship between contractor and client with a focus on meeting the mission of the shipyard: the safe overhaul, repair, and modernization of the Navy’s nuclear-powered attack submarine fleet, specifically the Los Angeles and Virginia classes of submarines.

Kim Sieber SENIOR ENGINEERING In December 2019, the company was awarded MANAGER construction of the Dry Dock #1 Super Flood SUPER FLOOD BASIN Basin project. The Super Flood Basin — like a navigational lock constructed at the entrance of the dry dock — enables submarines to dock without buoyancy assist and independent of the Piscataqua River tides.

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Completes work on the construction of a 115/34.5/12.47 kV greenfield substation in central Maine. Work includes site civil and above-and-below-grade construction and 7 miles of updated transmission line.

A/Z responds to urgent request from South County Health, a long-term healthcare client located in Rhode Island, to convert 10 patient rooms into negatively pressured spaces to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Cianbro helps reshape waterfront district in Portland, Maine, with the 100 Fore Street project which includes 84,000 square feet of office space and three levels of parking.

Sarah Malikowski Breaks New Ground The Super Flood Basin is a key project within the Navy’s Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP). SIOP is a holistic, once-in-acentury effort to completely update and modernize the Navy’s four public shipyards. SIOP works to ensure the shipyards can deliver submarines and aircraft carriers out of availabilities, on time, to support national security.

Recognizing challenges with the original plans to cast the concrete structure in a dry setting, the team worked with the engineer of record, the owner, and an industry professional in floating precast construction to assist with a proposed design change.

Cianbro’s final proposal included casting the 5,338-ton concrete dry dock entrance structure aboard a barge at the company’s Ricker’s Wharf marine facility in Portland, Maine. Just 18 months later in June 2021, the massive structure was barged down Fore River and into Casco Bay to its permanent location at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

Jim Richards Crews used a strand jacking system to set it into SENIOR PROJECT place.

MANAGER “The opening of the Super Flood Basin is a major SUPER FLOOD BASIN & DRY DOCK #1 milestone for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard ensuring we have the right capabilities to successfully execute our mission in support of the submarine fleet,” said the shipyard commander, Captain Michael Oberdorf, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 5, 2022.

In January 2021, Sarah Malikowski was named vice president of engineering and estimating for Cianbro Corporation. Sarah’s promotion was a historic milestone for the company, making her the first woman to serve as a vice president.

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Sarah graduated from the University of Missouri in Columbia with a degree in civil engineering.

She started her career in Chicago, Illinois, before relocating to Maine where she eventually joined Cianbro as a project estimator in 2014.

Sarah Malikowski Sarah’s first work with the engineering VICE PRESIDENT and estimating team was for infrastructure ENGINEERING & ESTIMATING projects. She worked on and began leading several proposals for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. Before taking on the role of vice president, Sarah managed the estimate for the Super Flood Basin project.

Sarah gives credit to Frank Susi and George Bell, two Cianbro vice presidents who retired with 46 and 49 years of service respectively.

“Frank was the best mentor, the best boss,” said Sarah. “I had the benefit of working with him and George Bell. The mentorship of the entire team helped me really understand the company.”

When Sarah’s promotion was announced, she was humbled by the number of phone calls and support she received from team members across the company.

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Completes two more piers at The Wharf project located on the Washington Channel along the Potomac River in Washington, D.C.

Awarded 3-year master service agreement (MSA) with Avangrid for distribution maintenance work within Central Maine Power’s service territories in Maine.

Completes a large tube bundle replacement for two heat exchangers at the Dominion Energy’s nuclear facility in Waterford, Connecticut.

Completes first 138 kV BOLD® (Breakthrough Overhead Line Design) transmission line for American Electric Power (AEP), covering 35 miles from Huntington to Marion, Indiana.

After the successful completion of a shredder project at Convanta Semass in West Wareham, Massachusetts, a second shredder project is awarded.

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In August 2021, 381 Constructors — a joint venture between Cianbro, The Industrial Company, and The Middlesex Corporation — was awarded the Multi-Mission Dry Dock #1 project (P381). The $1.7 billion project is part of the Navy’s SIOP and will expand and reconfigure the shipyard’s Dry Dock #1 area with a 2-bay addition.

A portion of the 7-year project included the construction of twenty-seven, 3,700-ton concrete monoliths at the company’s modular facility in Brewer, Maine. Due to the limited amount of space around the shipyard in Kittery, the 41-acre facility in Brewer provided an expansive and ideal construction area. In addition, the facility included deep-water access which was needed to load the structures onto barges and move them to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

Andrew Hallett “Cianbro has utilized resources from across SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER The Cianbro Companies on this project, with team DRY DOCK #1 members from multiple markets and subsidiary companies represented,” said Andrew Hallett, senior project manager.

“By drawing from our resources, the company has been able to access a diverse range of skill sets and expertise which is invaluable when tackling large, complex projects such as this.”

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(Photo courtesy Portsmouth Naval Shipyard) May 5, 2022: Super Flood Basin ribbon-cutting ceremony. (From left) Honored guests, Pete Vigue, chair, The Cianbro Companies, David Bernier, senior vice president, Stantec. From the shipyard, Captain Frank Carroll, officer in charge of construction, Captain Brian McLain, acting shipyard commander, and Stephen Fahey, SES, nuclear engineering and planning manager.

2020

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Chevron Phillips names Starcon winner of its annual President’s Safety Award for performance at the Cedar Bayou site in Baytown, Texas.

(From left) Chris Scott, Brian Walker, Carlos Saldana, and David Folmar.

A/Z works with McInnis Cement on a multi-phased upgrade that expands port operations at its Port of Providence terminal in Rhode Island.

To help meet increased demand for testing supplies during the pandemic, work begins on second expansion for Puritan Medical Products in Pittsfield, Maine. Crews renovate former San Antonio Shoe factory.

Twenty-seven concrete monoliths are being constructed at Cianbro’s modular facility in Brewer, Maine. Once assembled, the monoliths will be barged to the Multi-Mission Dry Dock #1 project at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine.

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Starcon forges successful relationship with Dow Chemical Starcon International, Inc. created a relationship with valued client Dow Texas Operations in 2014. A successful partnership was forged to provide turnaround services at their Freeport, Texas, site: the largest integrated chemical manufacturing complex in the Western Hemisphere.

Over time, Starcon’s success led to more and more work beyond turnarounds extending into capital, measure and sketch, construction, and other groups within the Dow Chemical Complex.

After the successful completion of several projects, Starcon had the opportunity to assemble and grow a core team of local professionals and Starcon team members at Dow’s Freeport facility.

In 2019, Starcon’s largest project to date at the Freeport-area site was taking part in the Dow Chemical Mosaic project located in Clute, Texas.

The Mosaic project was part of Dow’s worldwide effort to double its ethylene production capacity. Starcon was selected as the construction contractor to partner with the Wood Group, an international energy services company. Major scopes of work included the installation of three ethylene dryers and a CO2 absorber. The year-long expansion project was completed in early 2020, on time and on budget, with a total of 139,398 work hours and zero recordable injuries.

By 2022, the relationship with Dow Chemical had marked nearly eight years of successful projects for the Starcon team as they surpassed over 1 million work hours with zero recordable injuries.

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The Starcon team’s scope of work on the Dow Chemical / Wood Group Mosaic project in Clute, Texas, included installation of three ethylene dryers and a CO2 absorber.

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The P310 Super Flood Basin project team in Kittery, Maine, works with the Cianbro Equipment team to overcome site logistical challenges with an innovative concrete processing barge containing a mobile concrete batch plant, concrete remixer, a support conveyor, a Telebelt conveyor, a water tank, and a large excavator.

For the second year in a row, American Electric Power (AEP) honors Cianbro as one of three contractors to earn their Contractor Safety Award.

In 2023, Starcon was awarded multiple construction contracts for a chip manufacturing megaproject outside of Austin, Texas.

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A/Z oversees the design, planning, and implementation of a 14,000-squarefoot clinical cGMP manufacturing facility to support vaccine production.

The fast-track project includes multiple drug production areas and laboratories up to biosafety level 2.

Team at Puritan’s 129 North Main Street Expansion project in Pittsfield, Maine, wins National Excellence in Construction Award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

Completes expansion and reenergization of a 115/34.5 kV substation in central Maine.

Completes two substation security upgrade projects in Florida (photo left).

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No One in This Room is Smarter Than All of Us The construction structures group, also known as the design team, are engineers who do hands-on, problem-solving work across companywide operations. The team’s roots go back to the very beginnings of the company and the innovative, can-do approach its founders — brothers Carl, Ken, Bud, and Chuck Cianchette — applied to business and life.

The team got its start with Guy Susi, a registered professional engineer who worked for the brothers as a consultant before joining the company as chief engineer in 1967. Guy was also family. He was the brothers’ cousin. Their mothers were sisters. Like the brothers’ father, Ralph Cianchette, Guy’s parents left Italy early in the 1900s in search of a better life. Guy worked alongside the brothers, and they gave him credit Guy Susi for helping put the company on firm footing. “He was probably the smartest engineer I ever knew,” said Bud Cianchette.

In 1976, Roger Gagnon, a former nuclear submarine engineer and University of Maine structural engineering professor, moved back to Maine. He had his sights set on working in construction, preferably with Cianbro. About a year later, the opportunity presented itself in a meeting with Guy Susi. Roger and Guy were reviewing building plans for a project at S.D. Warren’s mill in Westbrook, Maine. The plans were designed and drafted by John Dunnell, a Cianbro project engineer at the time. Roger described, “Out of the blue, Guy says, ‘Do you want to work for Cianbro?’ So, I guess Guy concluded that I thought like a contractor.”

Roger credits John Dunnell, who retired from Cianbro after 42 years of service, with being his mentor and, a “man of many talents.”

In 1982, Alan Fisher joined the design team because he “wanted to know what a contractor knew.” Roger’s first memory of Alan was that he showed up an hour late for the interview, after rescheduling twice.

Roger stopped waiting. Later, it took Lan Mosher, a member of Cianbro’s human resources team, to convince Roger to come back and meet Alan.

Although it may be true Alan was a bit late for the interview, “Luckily,” Roger said, “He sold himself in short order.” Roger recalled

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meeting Alan, “He shows up in an older Volvo station wagon packed to the ceiling, front to back, with his office/museum memorabilia.” Alan led the construction structures group for almost 40 years.

In 2021, Brenda Nichols became manager of the construction structures group. Alan remained a mentor and member of the team.

They credit the scores of project team members who worked alongside them for providing solutions and successful outcomes for clients across the country.

From the past, Alan recalls superintendents who generously shared their ideas and experiences with the design team. He listed, “Bud Fournier, Rod Newton, John Ricker, Sr., Les Williams, Chuck Cianchette, Linc Denison, Sr., and Chuck Rounds, to name but a few.”

Over the years, there are countless examples where the seamless integration of design team members at the project level was critical for client success. Mutual respect shared among the design Alan Fisher engineers and project team members produced unparalleled teamwork and innovative solutions. Two key examples in this book from the past two decades include the Tomlinson Bridge (Chapter 7) in New Haven, Connecticut, and the entrance structure for the Super Flood Basin at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine (Chapter 9).

For the Tomlinson Bridge project, the design team worked with Chet Muckenhirn, project manager, and the team to create a steel erection plan in record time. This helped build trust among all stakeholders. There were many firsts for the design team: marrying three-dimensional (3D) computer analysis with 3D computer-aided design (CAD), 3D CAD assembly drawings, and steel erection drawings with detailed sequences Brenda Nichols combining crane capacities with the construction sequence. The team also used tidal forces to float in and erect the lift span. The project was the first (almost) all-hands design team effort: Joe Foley, Joe Orlando, Jim Haut, Tom Gilbert, Bob Courtney, Jeremy Bragg,

and Alan Fisher. Alan adds, “Dave Saucier was up to his eyeballs keeping up with the myriad of tasks at the Lehigh Portland Cement project in Union Bridge, Maryland.”

In 2019, the design team played a critical role in the planning and construction phases of the 5,338-ton entrance structure of the Super Flood Basin project for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Joe Orlando worked with Brendan Scully, project manager, and Craig Holmquist, project superintendent, to develop a mooring sequence to safely moor and position the support barge. The sequence allowed the entrance structure to be jacked down into place over the drilled shafts. The plan included the design of temporary mooring dolphins, fenders, and floating camels, along with a step-by-step sequence of operations.

Other design team members who contributed to the entrance structure operation included John Merrill and Ron On October 15, 2001, at the Kief. John designed access for Tomlinson Bridge project in New the jacking operation. Ron Haven, Connecticut, Engineer Joe designed the drilled shaft Foley spots the guide roller as template for installation of the Superintendent Pete Fournier pilots foundations. Formwork team the 4,500-ton lift span and barge members led by Andrew Bisol, into position during the final inches worked closely with the form of the float-in phase. supplier and Mark Nordgren, project superintendent, to ensure the formwork for the massive structure was detailed correctly.

After 16 years with Cianbro, Brenda Nichols said, “It never gets boring. Working in construction presents unique challenges with every project. Within our internal design group, we rely on past experiences to guide us or invent new ways to build things.”

(From left) April 2012: Al Fluellen, steel erection superintendent, Hank Cook, project superintendent, and Brenda Nichols, engineer, working on strand jacking operation at the Little Bay Bridge project in Newington and Dover, New Hampshire. Seeing themselves as seamless with the project team, members of the design group enjoy the fact that people cannot instantly pick out the engineers on a project.

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The Sorenson-Deer Creek 138 kV BOLD® Transmission Line Rebuild project included 215 steel BOLD® transmission structures. The new lines minimize the height of transmission structures while providing increased power delivery capacity.

Power and energy team’s commitment to safety energizes relationship with AEP The company’s first project for American Electric Power (AEP) was in Salem, Virginia, in 2015. Since then, Cianbro’s power and energy team has worked on multiple projects for AEP across Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. In 2020, AEP honored the team with a Contractor Safety Award for being one of its top contractors.

In March 2020, the team completed its first 138 kV BOLD® (Breakthrough Overhead Line Design) double circuit transmission line in Indiana for AEP. BOLD® is an AEP patented, high-capacity, high-efficiency transmission line design with a low-profile, compact configuration.

The Sorenson-Deer Creek 138 kV BOLD® Transmission Line Rebuild project covered 35 miles from Huntington to Marion, Indiana. The team installed 215 steel BOLD® transmission structures on drilled concrete foundations and 35 miles of double circuit single conductor including shield and optical ground wire. They removed the existing steel lattice towers, conductor, and shield wire.

Project safety was a collaborative effort between client, contractor, consultants, and subcontractors.

The team shared safety information with all project Josh Gale ASSISTANT GENERAL stakeholders. Effective communication helped the MANAGER OF POWER team implement positive changes to work practices. & ENERGY To help deliver the project safely ahead of schedule and under budget, the team overcame multiple challenges with creative solutions. One example was to decrease work hours and costs associated with conductor installation. The team prepared the conductor installation plan with pull force calculations. They developed an approach to utilize a hard line and pull two conductors simultaneously.

To control the angle of the hard line traveling off the puller/tensioner,

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2021

Starcon achieves seven years without a recordable injury at Dow Chemical’s Freeport, Texas, facility. The team provides welding, pipefitting, and general mechanical work at the facility.

A/Z begins $24 million in upgrades to Palmer Auditorium at Connecticut College in New London.

Cianbro Fabrication & Coating Corporation (CFCC) installs new blast pit in an adjacent structure, freeing up 2,500 square feet of additional fabrication space at the facility in Pittsfield, Maine.

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A/Z works on the development of a combined cooling, heat, and power (CCHP) facility, also known as a trigeneration plant, for a client in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Distribution team supports clients from maintenance to storm response

(From left) Ray Robson, Tyler Curtis, Grant Benson, Ben Vaillancourt, Aidan Louder, Matt Nelson, Joseph Buckley, Barry Monteiro, Alex Tompkins, Shane Ennis, Luke Kostenbader, Guy Berthiaume, and Matt Sullivan were part of the storm response team mobilized to Nova Scotia in 2022. the team worked with internal engineering resources and designed a roller fairlead that would function as a guide for the hard line both vertically and horizontally. This strategy proved effective and resulted in significantly less work hours.

The success of this project led to additional partnering opportunities with American Electric Power.

The distribution team supports clients in multiple areas including routine maintenance work through master services agreements, critical capital projects, and storm response. The team travels near and far to assist communities in restoring power after a storm, often for days at a time.

In 2022, the team traveled across the border for the first time to help our neighbors in Canada. On September 24, Hurricane Fiona made landfall in Nova Scotia, Canada, as a post-tropical storm. The storm caused significant damage and extensive flooding, leaving approximately 80 percent of the province’s 1 million residents without power.

Shortly after the storm subsided, Cianbro’s distribution team mobilized. Thirty-two team members departed Maine on September 26 to assist with power restoration in Nova Scotia. Lineworkers, digger operators, and support staff worked 15 days clearing trees, setting poles, and installing wire.

Residents of Nova Scotia were welcoming and understanding, even though hundreds of thousands of people had been without power for several days. Nova Scotians demonstrated their gratefulness through encouraging social media posts, comments, and occasional deliveries of homemade treats and meals.

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June 20, 2021: Barge tows 5,338-ton concrete entrance structure for the Super Flood Basin project from Cianbro’s marine facility in Portland, Maine, to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine.

June 30, 2021: Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Canopy Hotel located in Portland, Maine’s historic waterfront. The 6-story hotel features the first outdoor rooftop bar and lounge overlooking Casco Bay.

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Cianbro specializes in turnkey, value-added fabrication and coating services to clients throughout North America. Cianbro Fabrication & Coating Corporation, located in Pittsfield, Maine, is situated on a 15-acre parcel with 48,000 square feet of fabrication and coating space. The Pittsfield facility is known for its experienced workforce and is strategically equipped to handle a wide range of fabrication types, including fracture critical welding.

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2021

The information technology team works with Cianbro Equipment to deploy the first phase of the Marketplace. This mobile solution allows project teams to search for tools, forms, shoring, scaffolds, and safety items, build their shopping carts, and order what they need.

Awarded multi-year electrical upgrade project for the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB).

August 2021: 381 Constructors — a joint venture between Cianbro, The Industrial Company, and The Middlesex Corporation — is awarded the $1.7 billion Multi-Mission Dry Dock #1 project (P381) with a completion date of June 1, 2028.

Completes two 20-acre solar farms in Pittsfield and Hermon, Maine.

Mona Evy and the Mona: Strong and Reliable Vessels are often named for people who have made a mark on life; people who are near and dear to the owners’ hearts. Being named after someone of significance is the reason Cianbro named its Baltimore, Maryland-based push boat Mona.

Mona Evy, the vessel’s namesake, has been a force of nature for the company’s mid-Atlantic base of operations for over 40 years. Mona joined Cianbro in 1982 on the McMillan Water Treatment Plant project in Washington, D.C. She went on Mona was office manager at Back to serve as office manager for River Bridge project in Baltimore, projects throughout the region.

Maryland, in 1986.

“Whether it was a schedule, deadline, budget, client or home office request, we all knew that if Mona was on it, it would be done right and done on time,” said Pete Vigue, chair of The Cianbro Companies. “There was never any doubt.”

Mona has always made sure budgets were met, schedules were kept, payrolls were made, clients were satisfied, and projects were successful.

She has a reputation for consistently giving more than required. Many a project manager and superintendent have been quoted to say that they

Team member Mona Evy stands next to the push boat named after her at the company’s Morgan’s Wharf facility in Baltimore, Maryland. owe a debt of gratitude to Mona Evy. She continues to touch the lives of countless team members.

Mona has been a resource for many team members. She was quick to help when someone was new or struggling, and was often the first person on a job site in the morning and the last one to leave in the evening. Mona Evy is based out of the company’s Morgan’s Wharf marine facility in Baltimore. Her namesake, the Mona, is also based out of Baltimore.

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2021

Team installs five foundations at the Silver Maple Wind Farm project in Clifton, Maine. The foundations are the largest the company has built for a wind turbine.

Completes Deer Creek to Wes Del 138 kV BOLD® Transmission Rebuild project for American Electric Power (AEP) in Muncie, Indiana.

Cianbro / VJS Construction Services joint venture completes new $73.5 million, 179,475-square-foot, 130-resident Maine Veterans’ Homes facility in Augusta, Maine.

AEP honors team with the Zero Harm Safety Club Award at the 138 kV level for working 138,000 injury-free hours.

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The R. C. Stevens team gathers on the stairs for a photo shortly after the announcement that the company would become part of The Cianbro Companies.

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2022

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Cianbro / Northland Associates joint venture team completes second phase of the U.S. Land Port of Entry facility at Alexandria Bay in upstate New York.

Completes replacement of eight bridges and rehabilitates ninth bridge along a 4-mile stretch of I-95 in Hampden, Maine.

April 2022: R. C. Stevens Construction Company of Winter Garden, Florida, joins The Cianbro Companies.

The Cianbro Companies welcome R. C. Stevens In April 2022, The Cianbro Companies grew with the acquisition and integration of R. C. Stevens Construction Company based out of Winter Garden, Florida. This was the company’s third acquisition in recent history, following Starcon International, Inc. in 2010 and A/Z Corporation in 2019.

Collectively, these entities gave The Cianbro Companies broad reach in many diverse business markets across the United States. Geographic and market diversity were critical factors in the company’s growth and success. It remained a strategic objective. To fulfill this strategy, philosophical and cultural alignment between the Tim Keating PRESIDENT companies was paramount. Successful connections R. C. STEVENS between companies centered around shared beliefs about people, teamwork, and values.

Founded in 1926 by builder and architect Raymond C. Stevens, R. C. Stevens has been widely regarded as one of the Southeast’s leading contractors. The company pioneered and has specialized in designbuild projects for the healthcare, process/industrial, and commercial industries, with extensive food and beverage knowledge. Some notable

repeat clients of the firm include Orlando Health, Coca-Cola Beverages, and Kraft Foods.

The acquisition added approximately 50 new employee owners to The Cianbro Companies and officially expanded the company’s offerings in the Southeast.

“I am elated for our team members here at R. C. Stevens and what the future holds,” said Tim Keating, third-generation president of R. C. Stevens. “Cianbro is a well-respected and well-run organization. There is no doubt they care about their team members. Having their ongoing support for our growth strategy will enhance the offerings to our clients as well as create career growth opportunities for team members.”

Growing the company strategically went far Allyn Brice PROJECT EXECUTIVE beyond new markets, regions, and opportunities.

GRANDSON OF “Growth is about becoming a more dynamic FOUNDER company,” said Andi Vigue, president and chief executive officer of The Cianbro Companies. “We don’t just measure growth as an increase in our volume. We focus on creating opportunities for our team members to personally grow so that we can provide a broadening line of services to our customers.”

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April 25, 2022: Successfully reopens the Veranda Street Bridge on I-295 in Portland, Maine. By leveraging selfpropelled modular transporters, the team rolled the bridge into place during a 60-hour closure.

A/Z team works towards substantial completion of a 1.5-megawatt combined cooling, heat, and power (CCHP) facility at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville, New Jersey.

May 5, 2022: Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Super Flood Basin project at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine.

May 2022: Rebuilds recovery boiler at Woodland Pulp in Baileyville, Maine, during 30-day shutdown.

Work begins on the 114,000-square-foot Horizon Center expansion for IDEXX in Scarborough, Maine.

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Quality: More Critical Today Than Ever Quality is ingrained in the way The Cianbro Companies do business.

It is a cornerstone equal to the company’s founding philosophies about teamwork and values. The Cianchette brothers’ parents, Ralph and Edna, taught their children, “If you are going to do a job, you do it the right way.” This approach to work continues to be passed down to generations of team members.

As the company grew and diversified, so did its implementation of formal quality assurance (QA) — guidelines, policies, and procedures — and quality control (QC) — review practices. In the late 1960s, expansion into the pulp and paper market created the need for expanded welding expertise. In 1976, Dick Lorenz oversaw the first formal welding program to meet both Cianbro and industry standards. In 1979, Cianbro became Charles Hall DIRECTOR authorized to repair boilers and pressure vessels.

QUALITY ASSURANCE By the mid-1980s, the team broadened that authority to include new construction.

In the 1980s, QA/QC programs expanded to support the company’s long-term maintenance contract at Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant in Wiscasset. Many qualified welding procedures were put into place.

By 1987, a process was established to certify and track all welders to maintain continuity of records in accordance with welding codes.

Mike Moulton performs welding work on the Veranda Street Bridge project in Portland, Maine, which was completed in 2023. Although welding is a common industry practice, it is a complex activity that must be performed by skilled, qualified professionals.

In the mid-1990s, formal quality management systems were established based on industry standards. By 2005, Cianbro developed an ISO-9001 (International Organization for Standardization) quality program which was formally implemented in 2009. ISO-9001 is the standard for codification of sound principles that help promote an effective quality management system and provide uniformity and consistency across industries.

In 2008, the company developed and implemented a formal nondestructive testing (NDT) program under the leadership of Jeffrey Lerch, a Cianbro QA manager who held multiple NDT Level 3 certifications.

The program met Cianbro and industry standards for the welding examination and significantly advanced the company’s QA capabilities.

Over the years, the development of the company’s QA/QC team has grown to support the needs of market diversification as well as its fabrication and coating facility.

Charles Hall, corporate director of quality assurance, said, “Since starting with Cianbro in 1997, the QA team has grown substantially. At

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R. C. Stevens completes 30,000-square-foot Heart of West Lakes Health and Wellness Center in Orlando, Florida.

Cianbro Equipment expands mobile offerings through the Marketplace to include rental options for all inventory, including equipment.

Team breaks new ground with its first-ever 500 kV transmission line project outside of Greensboro, North Carolina.

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Emily Emery, a welder at Cianbro Fabrication & Coating Corporation, has built upon her structural and pipe welding skills since joining the team in 2018. Drawing upon her knowledge to produce a quality weld, she has collaborated with the estimating team to expand her understanding of the overall operations. times, a single project can be staffed with several dozen QA/QC team members.”

The company holds multiple industry certifications. Each certification requires a formal QC plan. Qualified personnel are expected to carry out specified construction activities and inspections. Robust documentation of activities and direct oversight from assigned industry representatives (inspections or auditors) are requirements for each certification.

To hold any industry certification, the company makes a commitment to meet all requirements. It must also submit to oversight and audits from the appropriate industry group on a regular basis. “Without a dedicated and competent team, maintenance of company and team member qualifications would not be possible,” Charles explained. “All construction activities are performed in accordance with standards and specifications regardless of whether certification is required or not. The entire team is committed to the principle that planning, communication, and leadership are the linchpins of success.”

Concrete is a fundamental material in the construction industry due to its versatility, strength, durability, and cost effectiveness. Planning and implementation of a concrete placement becomes a crucial aspect of the overall quality. In a joint venture partnership, the team began the construction of 27 concrete monoliths in 2022 for the Multi-Mission Dry Dock #1 project (P381).

“Quality is not an act; it is a habit.” – Aristotle

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Starcon renovates its New Lenox, Illinois, facility to include a larger fabrication footprint offset by a smaller office and warehouse.

Completes 2-year project to renovate and upgrade Founders Hall on Maine Central Institute’s (MCI) 23-acre campus in Pittsfield, Maine. Built in 1868, the building is the oldest on campus and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Awarded multiple contracts to perform repairs and upgrades at the Tugalo hydroelectric facility on the Tallulah River in northeast Georgia.

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The Veranda Street Bridge Replacement project was unique in that the team leveraged self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) to roll the bridge into place on I-295 in Portland, Maine.

Replacing a bridge in 60 hours The Veranda Street Bridge Replacement project was a 3-phase accelerated project on one of Maine’s busiest stretches of highway. The bridge carried Interstate 295 over Veranda Street in Portland, Maine.

One of the primary project considerations was minimizing impact on travelers. With that in mind, most bridge replacements of this size would take years to complete. The Veranda Street endeavor was completed in just over 19 months. Much of that time was spent planning and preparing for a 60-hour window in April 2022 when the highway would shut down as the team rolled the preconstructed bridge into place.

Cianbro was part of an early contractor involvement process to discuss various methods regarding the movement of a bridge using alternative delivery methods. When the project was awarded, the team opted for a novel approach using self-propelled modular transporters to roll the bridge into place. This allowed construction to occur closer to the ground and farther from active traffic, enhancing safety for team members and motorists.

Precision and planning ensured the team hit its marks. A daily on site quality control (QC) management team planned specific QC hold points for all major activities. The precast concrete materials were ready and staged before closure weekend to ensure timely and accurate Tom Senior installation.

SENIOR PROJECT From day one on the job, the team worked ENGINEER side-by-side with all stakeholders including Shaw VERANDA STREET BRIDGE Brothers Construction and Mammoet. They also brought in veteran team members such as Bill Dusty and Chet Muckenhirn to support the 60-hour closure.

Communication was crucial. The Maine Department of Transportation created The Veranda Plan, a comprehensive guide on what commuters needed to know. Project stakeholders shared the plan and encouraged local media outlets to do the same.

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Team works on constructing a 250,000-gallon fire water tank and pump house building to complete a fire water system upgrade for a client in southeast Massachusetts.

Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) team rolls out the FACTS app, an acronym for Field Application for Certifications, Training, and Safety that allows supervisors to quickly check and verify the certification level of team members.

September 28, 2022: Ken Cianchette rides in an early Cianbro dump truck on his 98th birthday.

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Technology is a Team Sport As more new companies joined the Cianbro family, a common set of software tools were needed to simplify the team’s ability to manage, collaborate, and communicate across all companies.

In January 2023, the company launched a multi-year initiative to identify and implement a shared set of financial, accounting, and human resource systems. This set of software tools would meet the needs of all companies while allowing for future growth.

The significance of the project made it a companywide, business-owned effort. The initiative was built upon the foundation of teamwork. The project brought together leaders and specialists from across the company to envision the toolset of the future.

Minutes before 7 a.m. on Monday, April 25, 2022, the Veranda Street bridge opened to traffic after a 60-hour closure.

By the time the road closure came on April 22, 2022, no stone had been left unturned. The details were ironed out, from demolition and cleanup to bridge placement and putting the finishing touches on the project. Sure enough, just minutes before 7 a.m. on Monday, April 25, traffic was back up and running on the Veranda Street Bridge.

With more than 300 individuals entering and exiting the work site during the closure weekend, making sure each one understood the expectations was key. There was not a single incident during the closure, nor a single injury over the course of the entire project.

Members of the steering committee and business teams meet to evaluate proposed enterprise resource planning/human resource management (ERP/HRM) software that will support the companies’ work in the future.

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R. C. Stevens completes The Exchange building. The 52,000-square-foot, design-build project is home to restaurants, boutiques, and office spaces in Winter Garden, Florida.

Starcon welcomes Mark Parsons as the company’s new president. Mark brings over 30 years of experience in the construction and maintenance industry.

2023 February 7, 2023: Kenneth (Ken) Cianchette, 98, passes away.

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A/Z constructed the Maritime Center of Excellence for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy on the Thames River in New London, Connecticut.

The building is LEED certified to the Gold level. The unique design of the roof, which emulates the shape of a boat hull, is a feature that challenged the team with hundreds of coordinates to ensure the roof line was properly constructed.

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R. C. Stevens is awarded $22.4 million contract for phased renovation to Danone North America plant in Jacksonville, Florida.

Andrew Hallett, Cianbro senior project manager, is named one of Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) Top 25 Newsmakers for 2023.

A/Z committed to General Dynamics Electric Boat since 1968 A/Z’s long relationship with General Dynamics Electric Boat goes all the way back to A/Z Founder Ed Lorenz. First, Ed worked as an employee at the submarine manufacturer in Groton, Connecticut. Later, he became one of its contractors after he founded A/Z Electric, Inc. in 1968.

Established in 1899, General Dynamics Electric Boat designs, builds, repairs, and modernizes nuclear submarines for the United States Navy. A/Z regularly collaborates with Electric Boat on highprofile projects.

In 2023, A/Z completed the construction of the Command-and-Control Off-Hull Assembly and Test Site / Pre-Commissioning Unit (COATS / PCU) George Carpenter Building 605 at Electric Boat’s Groton, Connecticut, PROJECT MANAGER shipyard. The purpose for constructing this facility COATS/PCU BUILDING was twofold: to increase capacity for assembling and testing submarines and to provide an enhanced training space for the next generation of Navy crew members.

A/Z was awarded a construction management contract to oversee the construction of the 6-story, 125,000-square-foot building, which houses many vital facilities that support the needs of Electric Boat

A/Z was the construction manager for the COATS / PCU Building 605 project at Electric Boat’s Groton, Connecticut, shipyard. and the United States Navy. A separate contract was awarded to A/Z’s telecom team to self-perform the installation of low-voltage wiring and network cabling for classified and unclassified services.

Due to the site’s proximity to residential areas, the exterior proved equally as important as the interior. Main concerns included making the design of the facility fit its surroundings as well as having minimal impact on the neighborhood during construction. Coordinating construction activities with active shipyard operations was also a top priority and one of the team’s core competencies. A/Z’s ongoing relationship with Electric Boat underscores the team’s commitment to customer service — to go above and beyond client expectations to earn their continued trust and partnership.

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Awarded contract to construct a synchronous condenser in Ellsworth, Maine, along with a substation expansion. The project will aid in the stability of the power grid in Downeast Maine.

March 22, 2023: Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the 52,000-square-foot Portland Homeless Services Center. The 208-bed facility is designed with sustainability in mind. The building is LEED certified to the Gold level from the U.S. Green Building Council.

May 31, 2023: Ribbon-cutting ceremony for project to modernize and expand the Maine Correctional Center in Windham, Maine.

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R. C. Stevens’ deep roots in the citrus industry bears fruit Partnerships are worth their weight in gold (or, in this case, oranges) for the team at R. C. Stevens. One of the first markets R. C. Stevens worked in goes back to the 1930s and 1940s during the rise of frozen orange juice concentrate production in Florida.

Raymond C. Stevens, the company’s founder, had excellent relationships with citrus owners, which resulted in major industrial design-build work in the citrus canning, processing, and bulk storage industry. That work included the first commercially operating citrus concentrate plant for Vacuum Foods (later Minute Maid, now Coca-Cola North America) and Kraft Foods.

R. C. Stevens continued to work with many of these companies, creating strong partnerships over several decades. At the turn of this decade, what started out as Project Eagle included two long-time clients, Peace River Citrus and Coca-Cola North America. R. C. Stevens was their ideal choice for design-build contractor as the team knew the processes and management of both companies as well as their long project history.

Peace River’s world-class citrus operations at the Bartow, Florida, plant had the capacity to produce up to 8 million boxes of grapefruit, mandarin, and orange varieties annually, for concentrate and pasteurized juice products. Along with Coca-Cola’s market strategy and capabilities, they continued their partnership with the construction of a

Aerial view of Peace River and Coca-Cola’s juice beverage production facility (circa 2021). new facility that manufactured select juice beverages, including Minute Maid, for food service customers.

R. C. Stevens provided preconstruction, design-build, construction, and project management services for Peace River and Coca-Cola’s new 360,000-square-foot juice beverage production facility. Construction turnaround was 24 months, with completion in December 2021.

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Starcon marks 40 years of successful operations. The company began in 1983 with just five team members in Hobart, Indiana.

A/Z is awarded construction management contract for a 6-story, 125,000-square-foot enhanced training and submarine assembly and testing building for General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut.

Team at Procter & Gamble’s (P&G) Tambrands facility in Auburn, Maine, celebrates 16 years and 1 million work hours with zero recordable injuries.

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R. C. Stevens constructed The Exchange building in historic downtown Winter Garden, Florida.

Reminiscent of other nearby structures from the early 1900s, The Exchange building is home to many new restaurants, retail boutiques, and office spaces.

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A/Z team is engaged by Nitto Avecia to support expansion of its facility in Milford, Massachusetts.

The contract includes extensive site work, a 98,000-square-foot building expansion, and a 72,800-square-foot manufacturing space.

Cianbro Institute partners with Jobs for Maine Grads (JMG) to introduce a group of area high school students to a variety of craft career opportunities.

Through this career exploratory program, students receive hands-on work experience in a different craft or career path each week for eight weeks.

Team completes three major upgrades at the WIN Waste Wheelabrator Baltimore facility in Maryland, to reduce the net air emissions produced by the waste-toenergy incinerator.

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Cleaner air for Baltimore Cianbro’s industrial and manufacturing team was proud to participate in the WIN Waste Wheelabrator project to retrofit its facility in Baltimore, Maryland. The project resulted in a reduction of net air emissions, upgrading the facility to one of the cleanest waste-to-energy plants in the world.

The facility is a familiar landmark on Baltimore’s skyline. Its massive exhaust stack features bold, capital letters B-A-L-T-I-M-O-R-E down its side.

It marks the heart of Baltimore and serves as a point-of-reference for residents, commuters, and travelers on Interstate-95.

The WIN Waste Baltimore waste-to-energy facility diverts residential and commercial waste from landfills and converts it into renewable Gary Smith REGIONAL MANAGER energy that powers local homes and businesses.

WIN WASTE Each year WIN Waste Baltimore converts about 700,000 tons of post-recycled waste into renewable energy through a highly efficient combustion process that meets strict federal and state standards.

The project involved demolishing the old electrostatic precipitators on each of three incinerator boilers and retrofitting them with innovative fabric filter baghouses. Each unit required the erection of more than

In the heart of Baltimore, Maryland, the team worked to upgrade the WIN Waste Wheelabrator facility.

2,000 tons of structural steel. Construction of the fabric filter baghouse was modularized to streamline construction. Associated ductwork, mechanical piping, electrical, instrumentation, and monitoring/control systems were installed for each unit.

The scope of work also included construction and retrofitting a new automatic selective noncatalytic reduction system. This post combustion emissions control technology reduces nitrogen oxides by injecting an ammonia type reactant into the furnace at a properly determined location.

A partnering relationship between the team and client allowed the project to be completed in phases while maintaining facility operations during demolition and construction.

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As part of a joint venture contract, Cianbro and A/Z continue work on a new 105,000-square-foot facility for the Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Massachusetts. Once complete, the building will help service the entire C-5M Super Galaxy fleet of jets.

Completes construction on the Senator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center plus a permanent berth for the Providence — a replica of the first ship authorized to serve in the Continental Navy — for Tall Ship Providence Foundation. The majority of the center was built at Cianbro’s Morgan’s Wharf facility in Baltimore, Maryland, and floated by barge to its new home in Alexandria, Virginia.

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New endeavor brings work to familiar location The company’s history in Madison, Maine, runs deep. In the early 1980s, Cianbro, in joint venture with E.C. Jordan’s engineering firm out of Portland, Maine, built a modern paper machine at the mill in Madison. It was the largest industrial and manufacturing project ever awarded to a Maine construction company. With the expansion of the new paper machine, the mill was one of North America’s largest producers of supercalendered magazine paper. Operations at the mill came to a halt in 2016, as the demand for paper took a downturn.

In the fall of 2021, TimberHP awarded Cianbro the project to retrofit the former paper mill into the first wood fiber insulation manufacturing facility in North America. The new plant was designed to supply carbon neutral wood fiber Kyle Jensen PROJECT MANAGER loose fill, batt, and board insulation to residential TIMBERHP and commercial markets. Already proven in Europe, these products compete in performance and price with traditional insulation products.

After mobilizing the site, the team began to rework the existing underground utilities. Preparation of the building started with demolishing the structural steel and concrete foundations. Equipment

More than 40 years ago, Cianbro helped put Madison, Maine, on the map with the expansion of a new paper machine for Madison Paper.

Once again, the team helps bring significance to the mill with the first wood fiber insulation facility in North America owned by TimberHP. foundations were placed followed by the installation of a natural gasfired boiler, steam, condensate, and gas piping systems. New chip handling equipment, chip digesters, refiners, gas dryers, loose-fill packaging equipment, and batt and board insulation manufacturing lines were installed. With the project expanding to nearly double the originally anticipated scope, the team did a great job adjusting to the frequent changes.

In 2023, TimberHP began commissioning and manufacturing TimberFill and TimberBatt. Production of TimberBoard followed. The new, high-value composite wood fiber insulation made use of the same fiber stream that went into papermaking in the past.

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The team assembles and puts to work a new ledge boring digger derrick to assist on distribution work for power companies in New England. The new truck allows the team to respond to unexpected ledge encountered when assisting with emergency transfers, storm work, and cut and kick poles.

Completes upgrade on Berth 3 at the Dundalk Marine Terminal for Maryland Port Administration in Baltimore.

The Cianbro / Middlesex joint venture team continues work with the Walk Bridge Program in Norwalk, Connecticut.

The team prepares the site for the construction of a 240-foot, 4-track railroad bridge to replace the existing swing bridge over the Norwalk River.

R. C. Stevens completes $12 million renovation project at Coca-Cola North America plant in Auburndale, Florida.

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Cianbro Equipment When the first Cianchette family construction business was launched, there was a truck, a car, a jeep, a pump, a concrete mixer, and some hand tools. Over the years, that equipment fleet has grown in variety and size as the company diversified into new markets and expanded geographically.

Having the right equipment for the job and keeping that equipment in top operating condition was critical to the company’s growth and success.

Over the years, many talented team members have dedicated their careers to acquiring, maintaining, and meeting the company’s equipment needs. This team supports companywide business units.

George Bell, a Cianbro vice president who retired with 49 years of service, served as general George Bell manager of Cianbro Equipment for decades.

George is first to say, “The foundation of the equipment group has been, and always will be, the people involved in running it. It takes a dedicated team of professionals to deliver equipment on time, in good working order, and at competitive prices.”

(Photo left) The 2015 Manitowoc MLC-300 crane with a variable position counterweight system (VPC-Max) and 386-ton capacity, was one of the largest capacity cranes the company had ever owned when it was purchased for the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge project in Kittery, Maine.

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Norfolk Naval Shipyard awards Cianbro $109 million Dry Dock 4 Refueling Complex project in Portsmouth, Virginia. The project is part of an effort to modernize the U.S. Navy’s four public shipyards in Hawaii, Washington, Virginia, and Maine.

Team completes the North Hero-Grand Isle Bridge project in Vermont. The new double-leaf bascule bridge is the only vehicular movable bridge in the state.

October 2023: The Cianbro Companies proudly participates in the nationally recognized Construction Inclusion Week.

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The team marks 20 years of running landfill operations at the Mt. Carberry Landfill in Berlin, New Hampshire.

The purchase and maintenance of its equipment fleet remained a cornerstone of the company. From the beginning, the founders instilled pride in the company’s equipment. They felt equipment in top form was one of their best advertisements.

In 2024, the company had a significant presence all over the country. It was more important than ever that its equipment maintain a consistently professional and well-maintained appearance. “Cianbro Equipment developed standard branding across The Cianbro Companies for the entire equipment fleet,” said Doug LaCroix, equipment manager. “We enjoy a reputation of excellence and professionalism dating back to our founders, and it is our job to protect our image into the future.”

Doug LaCroix MANAGER Be it maintenance, cost analysis, purchasing CIANBRO EQUIPMENT and selling, or workforce leadership, the equipment team’s goal has always been to be the best in its field.

Technology has played a big role in the team’s ability to support companywide operations as well. Tracking equipment and providing mobile technology to help teams improve efficiency has been key to customer success.

(Photo right) Cianbro’s 2024 Manitowoc MLC-250 crawler crane aligns with the equipment branding policy. This standard ensures a consistent image across the company, building the visibility and reputation of the brand for the future.

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Work continues at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

The project to repair and upgrade the seawall at Farragut Field and a portion of the southeast side of the Santee Basin will protect the campus from rising sea levels.

Work begins on three separate engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) projects in eastern Massachusetts to modernize the liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities for safe and reliable operations for years to come.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard awards team with the $10 million Bridge #2 Structural Repairs project in Kittery, Maine. Cianbro completed the Bridge #1 project in 2016.

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In it Together Founders Carl, Ken, Bud, and Chuck Cianchette were first-generation Americans. They initiated the teamwork the company thrives on today.

They believed that the people who worked beside them should be the future owners of the company.

In 1964, the brothers created Cianbro’s Profit Sharing Plan and the company’s ownership transition began in 1979 with the creation of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). On December 31, 2004, team members celebrated 100 percent employee ownership with the year-end purchase of all remaining shares of Cianbro stock held by the company’s surviving founders, Ken and Bud Cianchette.

What it means to be an employee owner By 2024, Kim Sieber, Cianbro senior engineering manager, had dedicated 32 years of her working life to the company she loved. Over the years, Kim saw the power of employee ownership in action. “It’s not just about the profit sharing at the end of the year,” Kim said. “It is more about what it takes to make sure there IS profit sharing at the end of the year.

“Each of us makes conscious decisions every day about how much the company will be able to allot to profit sharing. Whether it is an estimator’s bid, a project manager’s negotiations with our clients, a carpenter using a lift of two-by-fours most efficiently, or a team member securely putting our tools away at night, we all contribute to the bottom line every day. How much we contribute is up to Kim Sieber SENIOR ENGINEERING each of us.”

MANAGER Throughout her career, Kim Sieber has been a leader. In 1995, she took on the role of regional engineering manager for the company’s southern New England region. She travels across the company wherever needed. She excels as a teacher and mentor for other engineers, both new and seasoned. Kim’s hard work, knowledge, dedication, and all-around great personality has gained her the respect and admiration of team members, owners, suppliers, and subcontractors throughout the industry.

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By doing what is best to help the entire team succeed, she is quick to give credit to her most important mentors along the way: Tom Stone, Linc Denison, Sr., Scott Tierney, and her dad. “But my hero is Cindy Clark,” Kim said. “Cindy began as a project engineer in the 1980s and really understood the role. From job costing, scheduling, productivity, to work planning, Cindy did it all and shared her knowledge.”

Through the ESOP, team members take responsibility and look out for their colleagues, as well as their company. Together, ownership, leadership, and mentorship are a powerful combination.

Perpetuating the culture Charlie Cianchette has spent his entire life with Cianbro. First as a boy, watching and learning from his dad, Chuck Cianchette, and his uncles, Carl, Ken, and Bud. As a teenager, he worked summers. As an adult, he dedicated his career to the company his family started and the team he loved.

In 2024, with 45 years of service, Charlie naturally assumed a new leadership role in perpetuating the company culture. Like his dad, Charlie is a people person. “Both of them cared deeply about the company and the people of the company,” said Andi Vigue, president and chief executive officer of The Cianbro Companies. “Charlie leads by doing and people follow. His role right now Charlie Cianchette is to help us perpetuate our culture.”

VICE PRESIDENT Your word is your bond. Treat people with dignity and respect. Give back from which you take. No one in this room is smarter than all of us. Everyone has a voice. We’re all one team. We look out for one another. These statements are beliefs Charlie’s father and uncles lived by and wanted to pass on to generations of team members.

“Life isn’t always easy,” said Charlie. “There is a lot going on out there, but in this company there is going to be someone beside them [team members] or someone in the company to be there for them. The joy in this work is watching people grow and develop. The joy is helping people succeed.”

Going Above and Beyond Throughout the decades, Cianbro has been dedicated to innovation, always looking to build a better mousetrap. As a company, team members persevered through tough times and found resolve in their determination to learn from their mistakes, knowing they could always do better. Going above and beyond became part of the culture. It was the right thing to do.

In 1987, the law required a single lanyard tie off utilizing a body belt. The company felt this was the minimum standard and needed to do better for its team. In 1988, Cianbro developed a full body harness and required its use by all team members working at heights. Not until 10 In 1987, Paul years later did OSHA prohibit Falconer served the use of body belts. Cianbro as safety director did not wait for laws to change; and led the team the company did what was right into a new era of to protect its team members. safety.

In 2001, due to the rising cost of health insurance, the company could have reduced benefits to offset the increase. In keeping with its values, the company chose to maintain benefits and managed the cost through the introduction of the Healthy LifeStyle Program. In 2003, Cianbro became a tobacco-free workplace, another example of doing the right thing. The team embraced every challenge with true grit with the wellbeing of team members always at the center of decisions.

In 2013, the philosophy of Beyond Zero was introduced in recognition of the opportunity to provide team members with the education and resources to improve their health and safety at home as well as work.

Recognizing that team members carry many parts of their lives in their personal “backpacks,” the company expanded its focus to make mental health and its impact a priority.

(From left) Pat Sughrue, director of health, safety, and environmental (HSE), and Scott Knowlen, former director of HSE, wearing the Studson, type II, safety helmets issued to team members in 2024. “The selection of our safety helmet came from the voices of the men and women who will wear them every day,” said Pat. “This is a great example of our culture, empowering team members to be engaged and have a positive impact on the safety and health of each other.”

In 2024, Cianbro raised the safety bar again. The team was concerned about the potential risk of traumatic brain injuries. Multiple engineering and administrative controls were already in place to reduce the risk of head injuries. Once again, Cianbro focused on continuous improvement and adopted a more technologically advanced safety helmet.

Looking to the future, the team will continue to leverage its experience in going above and beyond.

“ Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.”

– Potter Stewart, retired, Supreme Court Justice

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Recognition for Exemplary Work In January 2024, team member Chloe Downs received a letter of recognition from the Department of the Navy for her exemplary work as an environmental inspector for the Multi-Mission Dry Dock #1 project in Kittery, Maine.

Chloe began her career at Cianbro as a summer intern during her senior year at the University Chloe Downs Chris Downs of Maine at Orono, where she pursued a degree in the Ecology and Environmental Sciences program. After graduation, Chloe joined the company in 2022. She worked at the Kittery job site where her primary responsibility involved working with crews to efficiently get the job done while staying in compliance with environmental permits.

Chloe Downs is the daughter of Chris Downs, an ironworker foreman at Cianbro with over 25 years of dedicated service.

Chloe and Chris are one example of the many generations of family members who develop their careers at Cianbro.

Total Specialty Services joins The Cianbro Companies On December 6, 2023, The Cianbro Companies reached an agreement to acquire the assets of Total Specialty Services (TSS) located in Pasadena, Texas. This marked a significant milestone in the company’s growth and strategic development. TSS is a full-service, direct-hire industrial company offering turnkey scaffolding, insulating, fireproofing, coatings, and heat tracing services.

This acquisition represented a strategic decision to strengthen the company’s position in the market, expand capabilities, and enhance the value delivered to clients. TSS has a proven track record of innovation, exceptional talent, and a strong commitment to excellence — aligning seamlessly with the values and vision of The Cianbro Companies.

75 Years: One team, infinite possibilities In 2024, as The Cianbro Companies observed 75 years of history, the team reflected on its founding philosophy: honesty, treating people with dignity and respect, and giving back. Integrity, resourcefulness, innovation, and the belief of working together and taking care of one another defined the Cianchette brothers’ approach to building a business. Staying rooted in those humble beginnings, the company had grown to become an organization of over 3,000 team members, operating under the same principles established many years ago.

2023

2024

2024

2024

December 2023: Total Specialty Services (TSS) of Pasadena, Texas, joins The Cianbro Companies.

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) National awards the Pinnacle safety award to Cianbro for the 9th year in a row.

Cianbro’s vertical construction management group and A/Z combine forces and integrate into one focused team. This collaboration ensures that clients have best-in-class expertise and services available in vertical construction.

Veranda Street Bridge Replacement project wins Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) National’s Excellence in Construction Eagle Award and the Associated General Contractors (AGC) Build America Award in New Highway & Transportation.

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The four founding brothers — Carl, Ken, Bud, and Chuck — possessed distinct expertise and unique skill sets that set them apart from one another. Leveraging their differences became the cornerstone of the company’s success. When faced with obstacles, they never quit; instead, they embraced challenges with a can-do spirit. By listening to each other’s individual ideas, they would foster the ingenuity to overcome whatever obstacles they encountered. This philosophy that founded the company continued to stand the test of time.

As one of the largest 100 percent employee-owned construction companies in the country, all team members had a mutual interest in the company’s success. Shared ownership meant that members of the team not only had a stake in the business, but a powerful incentive to help the company thrive — no matter their position or tenure. It was this spirit of ownership that united the team’s efforts every day and drove them to make decisions for the long term.

“When other companies are hesitant, we are eager to put our heads together and find creative solutions,” said Andi Vigue, president and chief executive officer of The Cianbro Companies. “Simply put, we believe every challenge is an opportunity. Everyone does their part to make the team better and then benefits from our combined success.”

Together, The Cianbro Companies has evolved into a powerhouse of diversified services spanning the United States. While navigating the ever-changing landscape, the company remains steadfast in its commitment to providing exceptional services and building a future

“ The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t play together, the club won’t be worth a dime.” – Babe Ruth

defined by success, integrity, and unwavering dedication.

As of 2024, the Cianbro family of companies holds registrations to do business in Washington, D.C., and 49 out of the 50 states across the United States. Additionally, in its first 75 years, the company had completed projects in Washington, D.C., and in 45 states.

2024

2024

2024

Work continues on the demolition and reconstruction of the Ticonic Bridge between Waterville and Winslow, Maine.

In a partnership with Our Katahdin, the team continues to work on redeveloping the 1,400acre mixed-use industrial site formerly known as Great Northern Paper in Millinocket, Maine.

Team completes the replacement of the Blue Hill Falls Bridge in Blue Hill, Maine.

A clear span concrete bridge replaces the 97-year-old concrete arch bridge.

Renovations start at the former Lockwood Mill in Waterville, Maine.

The 182,000-square-foot building next to the Ticonic Bridge will offer housing apartments and commercial space.

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The Peter G, a Legacy Workboat Push boats are special workboats that assist other watercraft. The primary purpose of push boats is to help move barges and other vessels calculated distances or to steer and guide them to meet project needs.

In 2024, it was with love and respect that the Cianbro team named its newest workboat the Peter G. The vessel’s namesake, Peter G. Vigue, dedicated his career to building, leading, and guiding The Cianbro Companies.

The Peter G would go on to serve as a working example of Cianbro’s approach to leadership through personal power: guiding, supporting, being a catalyst for success.

The company’s most successful leaders rely on their personal power, not positional power. Positional power comes from a title. Personal power is earned by respect. It is earned by setting an example. It is earned by how you treat others. Personal power is won by listening, showing that you care, developing perspective, building relationships, and gaining insight.

Successful leaders often practice a style called management by walking around (MBWA). Simply asking questions: How can I help? How are you doing? Is everything OK? What can we do better? Successful leaders are like workboats. They lend a guiding hand while supporting the organization as it moves in a strategic direction with shared goals.

Pete talks about the secret to the company’s success: Its people!

The newest workboat to join the Cianbro fleet in 2024 was named the Peter G. Andi Vigue (right) stands with the vessel’s namesake, Peter G. Vigue, during the dedication of the boat on June 17, 2024, at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.

2024

2024

2024

Team finalizes a renewable energy project in Moscow, Maine. The joint venture project with Patriot Renewables, LLC. consists of 14 wind turbines and is unique because it is not situated on a prominent ridge line.

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) announces their 2024 Top Performers list recognizing achievements in safety, quality, inclusion, and project excellence.

Cianbro is ranked 19 in the Top 150 General Contractors list and 31 in the Top 250 Performers list.

The first of 27 precast concrete monoliths built at Cianbro’s modular facility in Brewer, Maine, are barged to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, for the Multi-Mission Dry Dock #1 project for the U.S. Navy.

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Succession Planning and Transition On April 3, 2024, Peter A. (Andi) Vigue, was appointed chair of the board of directors for The Cianbro Companies. He continues to serve as president and chief executive officer. Peter G. Vigue was appointed honorary director and chair emeritus of The Cianbro Companies.

Pete said, “On February 2, 2024, I marked 54 years of service with The Cianbro Companies and for me this is a significant life achievement which I am proud to have accomplished. Since my first day of work with Cianbro in 1970, working as a laborer on the Portland, Maine, waterfront, I have been blessed with opportunities and adventures far greater than I would ever have imagined. The men and women of The Cianbro Companies made all this possible and I am indebted to each for their dedication, commitment, hard work and for sharing this experience with me through the years.

“Now in its 75th year, The Cianbro Companies has never been stronger. Driven by its geographic and market diversity, safety, client relationships, record backlog, and hard work by the team, the company is in great shape. Our 100 percent employee-ownership foundation is rock-solid and well established to provide meaningful careers and retirements. I could not be more pleased or proud to know that our house is in order in all regards. The future is very bright, and I have complete confidence in the team to continue the growth and success of the company. The founders of our company would be very proud.”

2024

2024

For the first time, the team is awarded a 5-year substation security master service agreement (MSA) in the Carolinas, Florida, and Midwest region and a 3-year substation MSA in the Carolinas and Midwest region.

Work continues on a multiphase project for TimberHP to convert former paper mill in Madison, Maine, into the first wood fiber insulation facility in North America.

On April 3, 2024, Andi Vigue became chair of the board of directors while retaining his position as president and chief executive officer.

Pete Vigue was appointed honorary director and chair emeritus.

“ A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” – Lao Tzu

2024 In celebration of the company’s 75-year anniversary, Andi Vigue expresses his appreciation to the team at numerous celebrations across the company.

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TEAM MEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS 2020-2024 It’s All About People

Andrew Hallett

Over the decades, many hard working, committed team members dedicated all or a portion of their working careers to the company’s success.

At the end of each decade, we have included the photos and a few words about a handful of individuals who may or may not be mentioned elsewhere in the book. These names are a small percentage of the total roster of the company’s workforce. For the many team members not mentioned, please understand that your contributions and efforts are still appreciated, remembered, and are reflected in the overall success of Cianbro.

Andrew started with Cianbro as an engineering intern during his college years, joining full time as an estimator in 2009. He worked up from field engineer and project engineer to superintendent and project management. He has worked across markets on infrastructure, industrial, and power projects. Andrew has spent a considerable amount of his career at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and is highly respected by the Navy. Andrew was promoted to construction manager on the P381 MultiMission Dry Dock #1 joint venture project in Kittery, Maine. His keen attention to detail, planning, and can-do spirit shines on every project he works on.

Andrew was named one of Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) Top 25 Newsmakers for 2023 for his leadership on the Super Flood Basin project for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

Lauren Walsh Lauren joined Cianbro in 2010 as an environmental manager when the Maine Power Reliability Program project was getting underway.

She quickly earned respect from all stakeholders by setting the standard for environmental stewardship on the largest transmission project in Maine’s history. Lauren’s educational approach to helping team members clearly understand the requirements led to the installation of over 150 miles of electric transmission line through sensitive environmental resources with zero permit violations on a project with a zero-turbidity policy. Throughout her career, Lauren has thoughtfully navigated a range of local, state, and federal environmental permit requirements all while building relationships and trust with these regulatory agencies. She has provided invaluable guidance to the team’s renewable energy projects, and initiated Cianbro’s sustainability program. Lauren’s depth of knowledge and positive attitude add great value to the continued success of the company.

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Jennifer (Jen) Turcotte Jen’s career with Cianbro began with the human resources team in 1996. Eventually Jen found her place at Cianbro Fabrication & Coating Corporation (CFCC). Her dedication to the craft team is unwavering, always prioritizing their needs and ensuring smooth operations behind the scenes. Jen’s story reflects resilience, hard work, and genuinely caring for others, both professionally and personally.

Her commitment to her family and colleagues makes her an invaluable member of the Cianbro community, embodying the company’s values of dedication, compassion, and reliability in every aspect of her life.

Donna Jacques

William (Parker) Hadlock

Beginning her career as a college intern in 1999, Donna joined the company full time in 2000 as a member of the executive support team. Early in her career, the team was comprised of several members. Today, Donna single-handedly manages the executive team including providing support to the board of directors. She is diligent, calm, levelheaded, and very efficient. Throughout her 24-year career, Donna has always worn a smile and makes people feel like the most important person in the room. Her work ethic is commendable given that while working full time, Donna obtained her bachelor’s degree in business management. She is a pleasure to work with. Her commitment, drive, and the pride she takes in the company is apparent to all.

Parker joined Cianbro as an engineer in 1980. One of his earliest assignments was at the Pejepscot Hydro project in Brunswick, Maine.

Parker’s attention to detail, creativity, positive attitude, extensive planning and execution skills, and knowledge of construction, have led to many successful endeavors with Cianbro. One of his favorite projects was the Amethyst drill rig project, where he was responsible for managing the logistics of transporting the partially assembled rigs and components from the Gulf of Mexico to Portland, Maine. Over the years, his versatility, and willingness to take on any assignment have led to positive outcomes in engineering, estimating, and project management. Parker leads Cianbro Development Corporation with special attention to renewable energy.

Aric Dreher

Benjamin (Ben) Blodgett

Aric embodies Cianbro’s values of integrity and lifelong learning. From starting as a field engineer in 2005 to his role as vice president of the infrastructure group, Aric embraces new challenges. His career reflects a commitment to growth and the pursuit of excellence, inspiring colleagues with his infectious enthusiasm and dedication to every project he undertakes.

He made significant contributions to projects from his first at the South Locust Point Grain Silo project in Baltimore, Maryland, to his favorite, the Capital Wheel at National Harbor, Maryland. People love to work with Aric. He thrives on leading people with honesty, fairness, dignity, and respect.

Ben is a second-generation Cianbro team member following in the footsteps of his father, Wayne Blodgett. Ben started his career with Cianbro as a carpenter helper in 1999. Over the years, through hard work and perseverance, Ben gained extensive knowledge and experience in the civil trades.

His ability to effectively lead people, solve problems, and make sound judgments while under pressure, led to several promotions.

Ben is an excellent planner. He is honest and appreciates the efforts of those who put work in place and take pride in their company.

His common-sense approach and ability to simplify complex construction challenges are just a few of the assets in his personal toolbox.

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TEAM MEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS 2020-2024 Michael (Mike) Hilton

Eve Parent

Mike’s contributions to Cianbro span over three decades with the company, a career that would certainly make the Cianchette brothers proud. He started as a laborer and millwright helper in 1989. He developed his trade skills in ironworking and welding, accepting more responsibility and growing into one of the company’s best craft leaders as a general foreman.

Mike’s ability to listen effectively, understand the work, and honest approach make him a valued resource for many clients. With 35 years of service, Mike is a regional manager overseeing the industrial manufacturing work in Cianbro’s northern New England region. His calm demeanor, problem-solving skills, and being a true team player, make him a great leader.

Eve joined Cianbro as a field engineer at the Sappi paper mill project in Skowhegan, Maine, in 2012. While working, Eve advanced her education acquiring a Master of Business Administration degree. She worked from engineer to superintendent and project manager, quickly earning the respect of her peers and management.

Her work ethic and ability to understand the needs of the team and client expectations make her a treasured team member. Eve later joined Cianbro’s contracts group honing her skills in contract language, negotiation, and risk mitigation. Whether leading a project at Dominion Energy, responsible for project controls on the Shell Franklin project, or managing risk and opportunities with the contracts team, Eve’s keen awareness for detail and understanding has positioned her for future success.

James (Jim) Richards Jim started his journey with Cianbro in 1987. Early in his career, Jim worked on industrial projects and paper mills throughout Maine.

His mechanical interest and natural aptitude propelled his career towards successfully managing a wide variety of construction projects.

Jim’s knowledge of the work and team members’ skills ensures repeated successful outcomes.

He has an exceptional ability to identify critical tasks on a construction site. His honest, low-key, never-rattled personality make him a favorite of both clients and team members. If you ask Jim what he likes most, the answer would be, “the people.” With 37 years of service, Jim is a construction manager on one of the largest projects in the company’s 75-year history, the P381 Multi-Mission Dry Dock #1 project at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine.

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Thomas (Tom) Stone Tom began his career with Cianbro in 1977 as a field engineer on the Millinocket Interceptor Sewer project, where he worked with the surveying crew. Tom rapidly developed into a project engineering role before advancing to the corporate office. Following his time in operations, Tom pursued his Master of Business Administration degree which he obtained in 1994 from the University of Maine. He has held several key positions during his career, including chief financial officer. With 45 years of service, Tom is the vice president of contracts and risk management and supports project teams working through contractual challenges. Tom also serves as the corporate secretary for The Cianbro Companies as well as board member. His pleasant demeanor, integrity, and versatility, along with his unique command of the English language, has earned him the trust and respect of the team, clients, and the community.

Gage Lake

Maxwell (Max) Reiser

After a tour in Afghanistan, Gage continued to serve his country in the Army National Guard from 2009-2020. In 2013, he attended Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor, Maine, where he learned pipe welding. Gage joined Cianbro in 2015 and within six weeks had earned the company’s pipe welding certifications.

He went on to be certified in boiler tube welding and took the downhill welding program before working on gas pipeline projects in Pennsylvania.

He continued to learn more about the piping trade through the support of field leaders and mentors like George Tapley. The company looks to professionals like Gage to show the next generation of team members the level of excellence shared by the team before him.

Max started with Cianbro as a college intern in 2014. Graduating from the University of Buffalo, New York, Max accepted a full-time role as a field engineer. He quickly progressed to project manager and assumed a key role on many challenging projects. Max’s career successes stemmed from his willingness to do anything asked of him, wherever and whenever needed. He earned the respect of the team early on through his willingness to help anyone on the project. Because of his natural leadership ability, he often leads discussions in a room of seasoned veterans. Max is responsible for multiple projects and teams in Massachusetts as a senior project manager.

Mark McLean

Patrick (Pat) Sughrue

Mark began his career with Cianbro in 2000. He quickly built a reputation as a problem solver on multiple projects. In 2003, Mark accepted an assignment in the Baltimore, Maryland, fabrication facility where he sharpened his understanding of the steel fabrication process. When the company’s module yard in Brewer, Maine, started operations, Mark’s abilities and background made him an ideal choice to manage the structural steel components for several projects.

His understanding of the industry and knack to quickly interpret and simplify design for fabrication and field installation are only a few of his attributes. As a natural transition, Mark was selected as director of operations for Cianbro Fabrication & Coating Corporation (CFCC). His experience, industry knowledge, and construction background are key to the company’s ongoing success.

Pat began his career with Cianbro as a safety professional on the Amethyst drill rig project on the Portland, Maine, waterfront in 2002. He worked across multiple market sectors providing safety leadership on projects from transmission and distribution to industrial projects, bridges and infrastructure, commercial buildings, wind, and more. By 2009, Pat was gaining operational experience as superintendent, project manager, and assistant general manager across a wide variety of projects. With 21 years of service, Pat is the corporate director of health, safety, and environment (HSE). His extensive operational and safety experience allows him to connect with the team in developing effective and practical solutions. Pat is great with people and remains calm in any situation. He is an excellent communicator and is well respected across the company.

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TEAM MEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS 2020-2024 Vinal (George) Bell

Hannah Bass

George started work with Cianbro at the ground level in the trenches laying pipe. A natural leader with a can-do spirit and nononsense attitude, he quickly advanced to take on key roles at many of Cianbro’s most challenging projects. For decades, George led the Cianbro Equipment team, supplying the right equipment on time and custom fit for each project. Throughout his career, George developed those who worked with him, encouraging and coaching to the great benefit of the team. Some of the later years of George’s 49-year career were spent with Frank Susi managing the estimating team and assisting in succession planning. George personifies a team member you want alongside you when the going gets tough. He was always willing to help when the call came. From Maine to Maryland, and Tennessee to Texas, George was able to get the best out of everyone on the team.

Before starting her career with Cianbro in 2010, Hannah had already worked as a deck hand for Casco Bay Island Transit, held a United States Coast Guard Captain’s license for vessels up to 100 tons, and was a member of the Maine State Bar Association working as an attorney for a Portland-area firm. Joining Cianbro’s contracts management team in 2010, she quickly chose a role in operations and gained valuable experience, respect, and many friends on the Maine Power Reliability Program project.

After a brief departure, Hannah rejoined the company as senior risk manager responsible for the design and management of the corporate and operational insurance programs as well as claims management. Known for her outgoing personality, perseverance, and creative thinking, Hannah is an invaluable Cianbro team member.

Scott Knowlen Scott had over 12 years of experience in the pulp and paper industry as a process engineer and in management before joining Cianbro as a safety specialist on projects in Portland, Maine, in 1995. Scott transitioned to the corporate office in 1997, to serve as manager of health and environmental hazards, working his way to become director of health, safety, and environment (HSE). With 28 years of service, Scott is the assistant director of HSE to support and mentor the team as he prepares for retirement.

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Shawn Reid Shawn began his career with Cianbro as a pipefitter helper in 1999. While honing his skills in the trade, Shawn worked his way to journey level and mechanical foreman, leading teams on industrial manufacturing projects. In 2012, he accepted a role at the Cianbro Institute where he became the lead instructor for the company’s pipefitter apprentice program. Even after transitioning to his new position, Shawn was always willing to go back into the field when needed to get critical projects over the finish line.

This level of dedication exemplifies his passion and loyalty to the company. With 24 years of service, Shawn plays an important and key role in new team member orientation. He consistently receives glowing compliments from everyone who attends his classes.

Joshua (Josh) Gale

Robert (Bob) Seegmiller

Josh joined Cianbro in 2005. After several years of experience on industrial projects, his first project with the company’s power and energy team was in Saco, Maine, for Central Maine Power. Building on that experience, he traveled to Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, and Indiana to help build transmission projects. Josh assisted in the development of Cianbro’s apprenticeship program, refined estimating strategies to win jobs, and worked with the equipment group to upgrade the fleet. He has been an asset to core customers at Dominion Energy, American Electric Power (AEP), and Duke Energy. He has served on the AEP Contractor Safety Committee and became a trusted resource for them when they needed help with constructability on projects in development.

Josh has led business development efforts and continues to develop customer relationships from Maine to Florida. With 19 years of service, Josh is the general manager for Cianbro’s power and energy team.

In 1992, Bob’s first job at Cianbro was in East Millinocket, Maine, as a mason. On his first day, his supervisor, Jerry Rogers, took the entire day to introduce Bob to the crew, one person at a time. From that first experience, Bob believes that people and relationships are key at Cianbro.

Throughout his career, Bob has done whatever was needed and gone wherever it was necessary to get a job done. He was a supervisor on a vast array of projects from cement plants, bridges, marine vessels, gas compressor stations, and commercial buildings. His travels for the company took him from Maine to Texas and many states in between. He is a renaissance man. With 31 years of service, Bob excels wherever he goes while always remembering his first lesson.

Paul Franceschi Paul began his career with Cianbro after graduating from the University of Maine in 1995. He worked through engineering roles to become a superintendent and project manager. In the mid-teens, the company asked Paul to take a leadership role in what would grow to become the power and energy market. It was his leadership during this time that helped the company establish itself as a premier heavy electric transmission contractor. With 29 years of service, Paul leads the team to build transmission lines, substations, and perform distribution work across New England, the Midwest, and Southeast for some of the largest utilities in the United States.

Dann Hayden Dann began his career with Cianbro in 1987 as a quality control engineer at the Maine Yankee Nuclear Power Plant project. His technical skills in calibration and control integration were crucial as the company expanded into biomass power plants and paper mills during the 1980s and 1990s. He excelled in various roles, including field operations, estimating and project management, consistently driving projects to successful completions. One of his favorite assignments in the late 1990s was a design-build project at Madison paper mill integrating steam turbines to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. In 2020, Dann was named vice president and general manager of the industrial market team. With 33 years of service, he focuses on leadership and mentoring the next generation. Dann’s dedication, expertise and leadership skills have made him a key figure in the company’s ongoing success.

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TEAM MEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS 2020-2024 Jared Cox

Michele Toothaker

Jared began his career at Cianbro as an intern working in the field while attending the University of Maine. Following graduation in 2017, he was hired as a field engineer and progressed to project engineer supporting piping and mechanical crews. Teammates and leaders noticed Jared’s willingness and desire for additional duties. He quickly took on more supervisory responsibilities and was promoted to senior project engineer traveling to projects throughout the company’s industrial market accounts. Jared is well known as a go-to team member who can be counted on to roll up his sleeves and provide an environment of trust, problem-solving, and honest feedback. It’s these qualities and others that have prepared him for future roles in leadership.

Michele joined the company in 1999 as a field clerk on the Westbrook Power Plant project in Maine. She quickly showed that she was a fast learner. As a rookie, she took on the administration of a 500-person project. Her high performance became evident early when a veteran field clerk was asked to take Michele’s place while she was away. The veteran shared in no uncertain terms that another person was needed and what was expected out of Michele was completely unreasonable! When Michele returned, she calmly took over the controls again and finished the project making it look easy, with no more staff added. She was regularly asked to participate in setting up and process problem solving for complex projects. With 25 years of service, Michele serves as a project finance administration leader with an endlessly patient demeanor, good humor, and unflappable willingness to always help get the job done!

Tara Coffin Tara came on board with the company in 1995. She quickly established herself as a caring, productive, and fun-loving team player that everyone wanted on their project. She understood the quality of her work directly affected the paychecks of frontline team members and took that responsibility seriously. If a team member suffered a personal setback, Tara was always the first to figure out how the team could be helpful. She set the example of how to run office operations and was a role model for new team members. With 29 years of service, Tara leads by example on how to deal with many personalities, taking care of everyone, all while being a steady, calming influence full of fun with a big smile.

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Richard (Rich) Toothaker Rich is a graduate of Maine Maritime Academy in Castine and shipped out for many years before coming landside to join Cianbro as a millwright helper in 2003. With his education and background, Rich quickly transitioned to a project engineer. Throughout his career, he has been a true Cianbro ranger, often dropping everything when asked to travel to projects that need help, regardless of location. He has been to Connecticut, Tennessee, the Carolinas, and California to help the company. He is a resilient, resourceful team member with a strength in problem resolution. With a can-do spirit, Rich serves the company as technical services manager and senior project manager with 20 years of service.

Destiny Demo

Kyle Jensen

Destiny began her career with Cianbro in 2000 working as the switchboard operator and receptionist at the corporate office in Pittsfield, Maine. She later found her passion with the human resources team as a recruiter.

Destiny excelled and moved through various roles to become the director of operational human resources. Although she has accomplished much in her career, Destiny’s proudest achievement was implementation of the online employment application process that she completed as part of a leadership initiative. This was no easy task as Cianbro relied on paper applications for decades.

Destiny’s calm demeanor, generous smile, positive attitude, and honest approach make her a perfect fit for her career choice, caring for the company’s greatest asset, its team members.

Kyle is a second-generation Cianbro team member. In 2024, Kyle marked 15 years of service with the company. He knows the meaning of hard work. Kyle started with Cianbro in the college internship program where he obtained his welding certifications and had a job operating a jackhammer. Following school, he was hired as a full-time field engineer at the Motiva project in Brewer, Maine. Kyle’s work ethic and quiet demeanor have gained him the respect of his peers and Cianbro veterans alike. He quickly progressed through operations to senior project manager overseeing central Maine industrial projects. Kyle is a key member of the industrial market’s leadership team.

Gabriel (Gabe) Sloane

Annual Revenue 2020 - 2023 1,250 IN MILLIONS

Gabe started his career at Cianbro as a project engineer in the mid-Atlantic area in 2009. He progressed into a senior manager position for the company. Gabe is a big picture planner and a great builder. He gets the entire team involved in finding the safest and most productive way to work by getting team members to share ideas from their previous work history. He’s been a key contributor to the success of many projects. Gabe is passionate about people and their growth and development within the company. He is heavily involved in the company’s college internship program and spends time working with colleges to educate students about construction in pursuit of the next generation of Cianbro team members. Gabe also serves as a mentor for the company’s leadership development programs.

1,000 500 250 0

2020

2021

2022

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LOOKING AHEAD From Andi Vigue, Chairman & CEO

As we celebrate 75 years of unwavering commitment, dedication, and excellence, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the countless people who have been vital to the achievements of The Cianbro Companies. Our journey has been marked by many accomplishments, shared challenges, and the spirit that defines us — a spirit of resilience and innovation.

In celebrating our history, let us not forget to be humble. We must always remember our roots as the foundation on which our success stands. It is this humility that keeps us grounded and connected to our core beliefs. We take pride in our history, yet it’s the present and the future that truly excite us. The foundation we’ve built together is not just a testament to our past, it’s a launchpad for the extraordinary things we will accomplish in the years ahead.

As we look forward, let us continue to embrace change, seek new opportunities, and pioneer the path to even greater success. Change is not just a constant in life but also in the world around us, in technology, customer relationships, and the very nature of our business. Change is not a challenge to overcome, but instead an opportunity to innovate and grow. As we embrace change, let us be intentional about maintaining and enhancing our culture, one that thrives on continuous improvement, entrepreneurial spirit, employee ownership, resilience, and a commitment to excellence. Anticipating the future is a strategic must. We won’t just meet the future. We will actively shape it through foresight, innovation, risk management, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

None of this can be accomplished without our team members who are the heartbeat of our organization. Their growth and development are critical to our success. By investing in our teams, we not only secure our present but also pave the way for a stronger future. Let us seek team members and clients who share our values of safety, quality, and productivity. Values that lead us to treat others with dignity and respect and balance our enthusiasm with humility.

Together, let’s write the next chapter of innovation, growth, and shared success — one of infinite possibilities. Thank you to our past and present team members and their families, our clients and customers, and to all our stakeholders for being an integral part of our remarkable journey!

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APPENDIX

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25 YEARS Recognition of our active team members with 25 years of service or more 54 Years

41 Years

Craig Holmquist

John Gamage

Peter G. Vigue

Mona Evy

James Richards

Michael Hilton

Alan Fisher

Kevin Violette

Howard Lynds

45 Years

Ronald Oliver 36 Years

Charles Cianchette Thomas Stone 43 Years

Darin Merrifield Elbridge Watson

40 Years

Shawn Bickford

Scott Clements

Kevin Curry

34 Years

Ernest Selberg, Jr.

Joseph Friant

Philip Dube

Jean Gantnier

Richard Fish

Jeffery Carr, Sr. Michael Crider

39 Years

Patricia Lass

Brian Hartness

Parker Hadlock

Tim Keating

Ernest Long

Daniel Wyman

Steve Hesson

Thomas Meunier

Brent Kirby

38 Years

Ronald Nickerson

33 Years

Gregory Wing

Paul Belanger

Dale Smith

Kellie Duplisea

Jerome Humphrey 42 Years

Dann Hayden 35 Years

James Heist

Alan Goepner

37 Years

Richard Beliveau

Brian Ohlendorf

Robert Lynch, Jr.

William Annibalini

O’Neil Boivin

Shawn Ramsay

Dennis Beisaw

Trent Clukey

Mark Zagrobelny

Neal Dawes

Mark Cochrane

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APPENDIX

25 YEARS Recognition of our active team members with 25 years of service or more 32 Years

Kevin Crowell

Amy Webber

27 Years

Thomas Hamel

Greg Frantz

Von Weese

Michael Berry

Bentley Hatteberg

Eric George

Michael Zemla

Andrew Bowden

James Rossi

Jack Guarnaccia

Kimberly Sieber

Jeffrey Hinchman

George Tapley, Jr.

Rick Leonard

Matthew Velte

Michael Stevens

William Woodward

Cory Thompson Andrew Tower

31 Years

James Zimmerman

Duane Boissoneault Charles Brower

29 Years

Jonathan Sacks

Tara Coffin

Robert Seegmiller

Jon Collins

Peter A. Vigue

Milton Cruikshank, II

Max Wahl

Dawn Erb Paul Franceschi

30 Years

Kevin Grass

Mark Blanchard

Todd Hoffa

Thomas Carraanza

Timothy Pushor

28 Years Michael Bennett Jason Butler Jason Curry Lincoln Denison, Jr. Thomas Dewey Todd Folsom Scott Knowlen Kevin Kokotovich Thomas Mahar Joseph Orlando James Peakes Sandra Perreault Raymond Therrien Troy Twitchell Daniel Williams

Patti-Lynn Brann Ralph Clukey Robert Costine Wayne Enman John Farnham Timothy Flewelling Charles Hall David Hibbard Steven Lusi Donald Ross Keith Ryder Christopher Scott Larry Snowman, Jr. Jennifer Turcotte Bradley Vanadestine Brian Wheeler

Kenneth Woodcock CIANBRO 75 YEARS

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25 YEARS Recognition of our active team members with 25 years of service or more 26 Years

Thomas Noble

Thomas Levandowski

Michele Toothaker

Craig Alexander

Robert Peters

Jeffrey Parrish

Jason White

David Bousquet

Kelly Shank

Shawn Super

Allyn Brice

Jeremy Sherman

Michael Brodeur

Aaron Walsh

Barry Brooks Joshua Brown

25 Years

Craig Chambers

Scott Alexander

John Coon, Jr.

Christopher Bagley

Christopher Downs

Esteban Bernal

Chaderick French

Shawn Bickford

Maurice Gould

Benjamin Blodgett

Jeffrey Hetzer

Richard Brescia

Dale Kolashuk

Anthony Carr

Douglas LaCroix

John Clark

Todd Lambert

Bobbi Collins

Laurette Laverdiere

Troy Dziecinny

Keith Mazzarese

Alexander Ferguson

Randy Morin

Jeffrey Gillespie

Mark Nelson

Gary Guindon

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APPENDIX

Mark Nelson (left) and Wayne Enman receive a watch as part of a tradition since 1974 to celebrate team members who reach 25 years of service with the company.

25 YEARS Recognition of our retired team members with 25 years of service or more 71 Years

Paul Magoon

43 Years

41 Years

Kenneth Cianchette

Richard Padham

Edward LePage

Dominick Arena

Steven Perrault

Mark Nordgren

Howard Briggs

Frank Susi

Dale Wilson

Eric Brown

64 Years Ival Cianchette

Daniel Duperry 45 Years

42 Years

Kaven Philbrook

Robert Desjardins

James Bonney

Douglas Ranks

Cindy Clark

Allen Rollins

44 Years

John Dunnell

Nathan Weston

Frank Carll

William Dusty

Archie Wheaton

53 Years

Gary Chisholm

James Ellis

Jerome Wood

Henry Cone

Malcolm Cianchette

David W. Leavitt

Thomas Floyd

David Lewis

40 Years

49 Years

Peter Fournier

Perry Lorenz

Henry Cook

Carl Cianchette

Franklin Leclair

James Murch

Douglas Dow

Vinal Bell

Thomas Mucci

Richard Newton

Maurice Gordon

John Purinton

David Shorey

Roger Leach, Jr.

46 Years

Forester Sprague, Jr.

David Sutcliffe

David Leavitt

Paul Bertrand

Gary Taylor

54 Years Thomas Caldwell Alton Cianchette

Rodney Leach

Bryan Libold Frederick Marshall

CIANBRO 75 YEARS

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25 YEARS Recognition of our retired team members with 25 years of service or more Richard Moors

Aubrey Moore

37 Years

Stanton Martin

Chet Muckenhirn

William Moulton

Arthur Bell

Douglas Moore

Michael Potter

Daniel Perkins

Robert Drzeniecki

Wayne Quint

Clarence Page

Gary Robbins, Sr.

James Haut

Herschel Rackliff

David Saucier

William Van Voorhis

Laura Henry

Sherman Roberts

Ernest Kilbride

Charles Tibbetts

Shelby Sawyer Larry Scott

38 Years

William Merrill

Stuart Twitchell

David Webster

Roy Bolton, II

Leslie Nadeau

Brian Watson

John Clifford

Robert Owens

Stanley Webster

39 Years

Lincoln Dension, Sr.

Gary Parker

Lester Williams

Thomas Belanger

Franklin Dunton

Vernon Partridge

Raynor Brown

Michael Hayden

Michael L. Raven

Richard Brown, Jr.

Troy Martin

Benjamin Wagg

Lynwood Cookson

Alan Burton

Wayne Ray

Gary Gagnon

John Ricker, Sr.

36 Years

Lionel Lavoie

Donald Keresztenyi

Everett Rogers

Anthony Ayotte

Robert Leavitt

Michael Scott

Dana Bragdon

Roderick MacKay, Jr.

Brian Whitney

Coleman Butler

John McAfee

Stanley Gilbert

Bruce Mitchell

Alfred Littlefield

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APPENDIX

35 Years Robert Jamison Terence Lemieux Glen Moody Lawrence Moores Allan Pressey Thomas Wozniak Scott Young

25 YEARS Recognition of our retired team members with 25 years of service or more 34 Years

Alan Smith

William Thomas

Ronald Taylor

Penny-Lynn Abbott

Lawrence Thomason

Leslie Vigneault

Terry Vanadestine

Manley Bragdon

Timothy Vigue

George Ward

Roger Brooks

Thomas Weaver

Rita Bubar

Alan Whitney

Louis Campbell

31 Years 32 Years

Jacqueline Arsenault

Rex Allen

Donald Bailey

Paul Day

33 Years

Garry Billings

Theodore Baxter

Nelson Estes

Lee Aylward

Kimble Chapman

Jurgen Bell

Joseph Foley, Jr.

Wayne Blodgett

Harold Foster

Leonard Brooks

Douglas Foster

Bonnie Brown

Michael Foster

Wayne Denny

Thomas Gilbert

Lynn Cianchette

Roger Hutchins

Harry Chapman, Jr.

Harold Hornbrook

Wayne Cray

Elwin Jones, Jr.

Glen Dickinson

Armand Lacasse

Jack Dodge

Scott Ludden

James Garland

Bradley Marquis

Richard Gamache

Lawrence McAllister

Richard Godin

William Reid

Barry Gordon

William Norton

William Holmes

Beverly Rollins

George LePage

Roderick Pease

Keith Magoon

Charles Rounds

Dan Orcutt

Ervine Richardson

Glenn Masse

Leslie Sanborn

Paul Raye

Rae Randlett, Sr.

William McLeod

Nancy Sidelinger

Scott Remillard

Michael A. Raven

Douglas McPheters

Wade Simons

George Staples

Thomas Ruksznis

Lloyd Moore

CIANBRO 75 YEARS

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25 YEARS Recognition of our retired team members with 25 years of service or more William Mucci

John Ricker, Jr.

Lawrence McAlpine

Lynn Hyde

Norman Scribner

Mark Stone

Brian Michaud

Edward Kloeber

Douglas Smith

James Towle

Scott Mitchell

Brian Mace

Charles Tapley

Douglas Wyman

Carlton Newton

Bernard Marriner

George Pease

Lee McCoubrey

29 Years

Ronald Peterson

Wesley McGibney

30 Years

Kris Ballard

James Rusconi

Jeffrey McPherson

Leo Baril

Roland Bell

Albert Smith

Daniel McPheters

Bruce Beane

Kathryn Courtright

William Stetson, III

Leland Page, Jr.

Vera Bryant

Robert Currier

Richard Donovan, Sr.

Gerard Daigle

28 Years

James Pond

Armand Dufour

Yves Gagnon

Tina Adams

William Ring

Edmund Hamlin

Greg Ginnelly

Chris Alexander

Gary Rogers

Kenneth Hawkes

Tim Gorham

Wallace Brown

Patrick Slawek

Eusebio Heredia Soto

Michael Goucher

Harry Curry, III

Brady Stalbaum

Jeffrey Libby

Keith Havey

James Davis

Donald Theriault

Craig McConaughey

Terrance Hayes

Chester Dolloff

Victor Ugalde

Roderic Newton

Timothy Jackson

Luc Gauthier

Michael Uremovich

Charles Nutter

Margaret Lagasse

Edward Grignon

Carol Ouellette

Harris Mathews, Jr.

Joseph Hyde

John Thomas

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APPENDIX

David G. Parsons

25 YEARS Recognition of our retired team members with 25 years of service or more 27 Years

David Rines

25 Years

Thomas Popick

Michael Bishop

Joseph Sonia

Kyle Chapman

Frank Raye

Clifford Briggs, Jr.

Ernest Stein

Leonard Cooley

Douglas Sidelinger

William Davis

Vaughn Sinclair

Patricia Dickinson

James Sowders, Jr.

Donald Dostie

Ronald Stazick

Emil Dunnell

Maurice Swett, Jr.

Joseph Guite

Kim Tozier

Brian Hjort

Francis Violette

Richard Brown, Sr. Edward Bubar Clarence Crosby, Sr. Jerrold Cross Roland Emery Roy Fitzmaurice Leo Fournier Gary Gorman Allan Harriman Mitchell Hayden James Leavitt Michael Lilley Kirk Maenhout David Magoon Henry May Timothy Murphy Barry Perkins

26 Years Joseph Bernard, Jr. Norman Blakely Robert Bouchard Kenneth Brooker William Brulotte Robert Doiron Jeffry Dunham Chester Guilford, III Harold Kaler John Keszler Wayne McNally Leo Morin Lloyd Porter Christopher Stevens Glen Thornton Stanley Worthley

Paul Jones Milton Kirk Dan McNally Robert Miville Carl Morgan, Sr. Michael Osburn David E. Parsons John Pelland Scott Penney Dwight Perry Joseph Plourde

CIANBRO 75 YEARS

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2024 Board Members of The Cianbro Companies

Back row, left to right: Elias (Eli) Karter, Michael (Mike) Bennett, Douglas (Doug) Herling, Andrew (Drew) Sigfridson, Thomas (Tom) Stone Front row, left to right: Joseph (Joe) Henry, James (Jim) Vamvakias, Peter (Andi) Vigue, Deanna Sherman

224

APPENDIX

Annual Revenue in Millions 600

400

160 120 80 40

200

0 1950 1960 1970

800

1980

CPI INFLATION CALCULATOR From the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov), the Consumer Price Index (CPI) Inflation Calculator estimates that $100 in January 1950 is equal to $1,312.41 in January 2024.

1990 2000 2010

1,400

2020

2023 Revenue Exceeds $1,100,000,000

2019 Revenue Exceeds $900,000,000 2020 Revenue Exceeds $1,000,000,000

2016 Revenue Exceeds $700,000,000

2011 Revenue Exceeds $500,000,000

2001 Revenue Exceeds $300,000,000

1996 Revenue Exceeds $200,000,000

1980 Revenue Exceeds $70,000,000 1981 Revenue Exceeds $100,000,000

1975 Revenue Exceeds $30,000,000

1967 Revenue Exceeds $5,000,000 1970 Revenue Exceeds $17,000,000

1,000

1961 Revenue Exceeds $2,000,000

1,200

1955 Revenue Exceeds $900,000

1950 Revenue Exceeds $100,000

ANNUAL REVENUE 1950 - 2023

2030

CIANBRO 75 YEARS 225

Company Rankings in the ENR TOP 400 1 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400

1974 1976 1979 1980 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

Engineering News-Record (ENR) began ranking the Top 400 Contractors in the United States in 1964. For 30 years (through 1994), the Top 400 list was compiled based on the dollar value of new contracts from the previous year. Beginning in 1995, the Top 400 list was based on a contractor’s gross sales revenue from the prior year. Cianbro first made the 400 Largest Construction Contractors in the USA list in 1974, with $32.1 million in contract awards, which ranked the company at 323.

ENR logo reprinted courtesy of Engineering News-Record, copyright BNP Media, all rights reserved.

226

APPENDIX

THE CIANBRO COMPANIES IS COMPRISED OF

Working with our clients as: General Contractors Construction Managers Designers & Engineers Service Providers Developers Fabricators

One team, working together, to provide the best services and talent for the successful completion of your project in any market.

For more information about Cianbro, including locations, contact information, and career opportunities, visit Cianbro.com or scan the QR code with the camera on your smartphone.

CIANBRO 75 YEARS

227

75-Year Book Team

Many team members contributed to the company’s 75-year history. A portion of the stories that have formed the company are documented here by the book team (shown above from left to right): Dave Leavitt, Dottie Hutchins, Tracey Brown, Andrea Pelletier, Joel Crabtree, and Jean Cousins. Not shown (behind the camera) is Ben Getchell, our photographer/videographer.

The 75-year book team would like to thank the authors of our 50-year book which was relied heavily upon for supporting documentation up through the year 1999. We also want to thank the many proofreaders, contributors, and fact checkers who took time to review and share edits for this book. Additionally, we want to thank everyone who passed along stories and photos about the company.

For updates and corrections, please email info@cianbro.com.

228

APPENDIX

Web Addresses for QR Codes Page 22

The Chinbro Report highlights the Chinbro Beam Clamp and the Chinbro Pipe Grab.

https://tcc.work/75_ChinbroBeamClamp

Page 88

April 14, 1997: Carl Cianchette, 77, passes away.

https://tcc.work/75_RememberCarl

Page 89

Chuck, Bud, and Ken talk about the company.

https://tcc.work/75_CianchetteBrothers

Page 92

View book commemorating Cianbro, the First 50 Years.

https://tcc.work/75_50YearBook

Page 102

Chuck’s last meeting addressing the team during the annual stockholders meeting.

https://tcc.work/75_ChuckStockholdersMeeting

Page 102

January 18, 2000: Alton (Chuck) Cianchette, 69, passes away.

https://tcc.work/75_RememberChuck

Page 126

November 5, 2009: Ival (Bud) Cianchette, 83, passes away.

https://tcc.work/75_RememberBud

Page 160

November 21, 2019: Malcom (Mac) Cianchette, 68, passes away.

https://tcc.work/75_RememberMac

Page 167

Message that Linc Denison, Sr., wrote while enduring one of his many cancer treatments.

https://tcc.work/75_LincDenison

Page 189

February 7, 2023: Kenneth (Ken) Cianchette, 98, passes away.

https://tcc.work/75_RememberKen

Page 202

Pete Vigue talks about the secret to the company’s success: Its people!

https://tcc.work/75_PeteTalksPeople

Page 203

Andi Vigue expresses his appreciation to the team at numerous 75-year celebrations across the company.

https://tcc.work/75_CelebrationSpeech

Page 230

View book commemorating 75 years of history: It’s all about people!

https://tcc.work/75YearBook

CIANBRO 75 YEARS

229

Thank you to the families of our team members This book is about our team members, their accomplishments, achievements, and successes. It is also about the challenges, hardships, and sacrifices they make every day at work. Our team would not be able to realize the former or overcome the latter without the strong support and commitment from their families, friends, partners, and those they leave behind every day when they go to work. We recognize you as a key part of our ability to field such a strong team — day after day, night after night, from coast to coast!

Our company is truly a family. Ralph Cianchette’s words from almost a century ago ring as true now as they did then, “If we work together, we will do all right.”

Thank you all so very much!

“ You cannot paddle the boat alone. Find someone to share your life with. Make as many friends as possible and never forget that your success depends on others.”

– Admiral William H. McRaven, Former Commander, U.S. Special Operations

View book commemorating 75 years of history: It’s all about people!

230

APPENDIX

Thanks to the unwavering support of families, friends, and partners, our team comes to work every day to build significant projects that contribute to the accomplishments of the company. After 43 years of service, Mike Crider celebrates his retirement with the support of his family.

In 2024, work began for the National Park Service in Washington, D.C., to rehabilitate the seawalls and shoreline in the areas of the Tidal Basin and West Potomac Park. Team members gather to recognize and celebrate contributions made by the team in the mid-Atlantic region.