Helping Families at Crowder
Crowder’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a FREE mental health benefit for you and any immediate family member living in your household. This benefit gives you and your family members FREE access to a counselor for up to 6 sessions (per issue) per calendar year. The EAP can help with financial planning, mental health, anxiety, grief and loss, legal aid, home buying and more!
You can call 24/7 to talk to a clinician at 800.633.3353. You can also click on the Employee tile on the MYgroup homepage (https://www.mygroup.com/) to read about the many ways you can get help. Finally, click on the Work-Life tile to access the login page for helpful information for you and your family.
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CROWDER
[3] EMPLOYEE SERVICES UPDATES
Crowder Tapped to Expand Rocky River Wastewater Treatment Plant
Anticipating future growth in its service area, the Water and Sewer Authority of Cabarrus County (WSACC) has elected to expand the Rocky River Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant (RRRWWTP) and transition it from its current capacity of 26.5 MGD to enable a future capacity of 34.0 MGD. However, the Water and Sewer Authority has also found themselves on a tight schedule and turned to Crowder Construction for assistance.
On site in Concord, NC, a team from Crowder, directed by Senior Project Manager, Daniel Passione and Project Manager, Kevin Pietrick, will be leading Phase 3 and Phase 4 of this expansion project. The two phases have contract values of $110M and $138M, respectively.
Phase 3 is presently underway and will focus on expanding Rocky River’s capacity to 30.0 MGD, while Phase 4 will seek to reach the targeted capacity of 34.0 MGD. Ultimately, an evaluation concluded that the biological process at Rocky River should be converted from an outdated and difficult to maintain high purity oxygen (HPO) generation system to a more mainstream and modernized ambient diffused air aeration system.
WSACC contracted Crowder as the Design-Builder in partnership with Brown & Caldwell, the Design Engineer. The orgininal goal was to advance the project design to 60% completion and provide the final guaranteed maximum price (GMP) at that level. The project team is working hard to meet WSACC’s time-restricted deadlines.
Committed to Overcoming Challenges
The schedule itself is high priority and ensuring proper manpower and coverage is very important. Crowder was able to address early release packages while also always maintaining appropriate staff levels. Plus, the team was able to rely upon some turnkey subcontractors for needed concrete work.
Furthermore, current market and supply chain conditions presented an issue with material lead times. As such, Crowder worked with the owner on early release and GMP packages.
The team continued to track and coordinate with all vendors and conducted in-person and video Teams meetings with the engineer to review submittals with vendors and expedite reviews.
Finally, the earth around the project held some unknowns for the team. These challenges had the ability to impact safety and plant operations during construction. Crowder’s team engaged in considerable preplanning in support of excavation, and value engineering as the design-build team.
SECOND EDITION 2023 ROCKY RIVER WWTP
[4]
Site Aerial Looking SE
Setting New Generators Blower Building Subgrade Box 101 Excavation
A Major Project that Requires High-Quality Expertise
“This is a major project for a client that is in urgent need of water capacity for development within their service area,” comments Pietrick. “They came to Crowder for delivery under a tight time crunch.”
And that is what Crowder has placed emphasis on.
There has been smooth integration between all the teams — Crowder and Brown & Caldwell as the designer. The team expedited preconstruction for Phase 3 and started construction early. This has helped with the overall job morale because everyone is focused on the end goal and willing to do whatever it takes to meet WSACC’s deadlines.
Ultimately, the Crowder team has taken its traditional open book approach to this project, which has allowed for the building of high trust relationships with the owner and design team and enabled best-in-class collaboration when delivering upon goals and objectives.
Thank you to the entire Crowder team working on this project!
Senior Project Manager
Daniel Passione
Project Manager
Kevin Pietrick
Electrical Project Manager
Keith Steed
Site Superintendent
Timothy Cuthbertson
Electrical Superintendent
Hairo Galeas
Superintendent
Robert Calhoun
Civil Superintendent
Cheyenne Lowery
General Electrical Superintendent
James White
General Superintendent
Marc Bradley
Superintendent in Training
Rene Briones Soto
Foremen
Daniel Parker
Humberto Angeles Ocampo
Rafael Mendoza
Vince Rudolph
Antolin Arellanes Clemente
The Team
Elecrical Foremen
Cesar Galeas Salgado
Roberto Martinez Pastrana
Regional Safety Coordinator
Marc Powers
Project Engineers
Peyton Mowery
Madeleine Bolding
Lauren Vick
Tyler Darwin Strait
Co-op
Mitchell Frazier
Electricians
Alexander Avila Reyes
Manuel Amaya Castillo
Yasmin Trejo
Alberto Cabrera Valdez
Erasmo Estrella
Concrete Finishers
Neftali Hernandez
Alberto Perez Gonzalez
Carpenters
Tarcisio Garcia
Douglas Pugh
Jose Lachino-Tapia
Jose Carlos Sanchez
Francisco Javier Merida
Daniel Lira
Crane Operators
Christopher Harris
Barney Sutton Jr.
Pipe Fitters
Abraham Maldonado
Juan Soto Duran
Sergio Carrillo Galdino
Ignacio Vega
Skilled Craft
Mauricio Arredondo Jaramillo
Administrative Assistants
Melissa Broughton
Sherri Crittenden
CROWDER
[5] CROWDER
CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL
Site Aerial Looking N
Crowder Leads to Improve Recycling & Sustainability Efforts in Virginia
On location in Chesapeake, VA, the Crowder Industrial team is presently in the process of engaging in a total fiber recovery project at a paper and OCC (old corrugated containers) recycling center. The work focuses on taking raw bales of paper and cardboard and recycling these materials to make bales of pulp. The project, led by Senior Project Manager Forest Woodward, is a $55M design-build contract. Crowder is tasked with partnering with Jedson Engineering for design and engineering work and Bulk Handling Systems will serve as the process equipment supplier.
The work itself centers on new equipment foundations and structural steel platforms, ensuring support for the process equipment, installation of process piping, and subsequent electrical work to enable the recycling and pulping process. The project will involve approximately 60 Crowder employees.
A High Profile Project
Communities all over the country are looking for ways to improve recycling and sustainability efforts, and Chesapeake, VA, is no different. However, there are some anticipated challenges.
Firstly, the new process must be fitted within an existing building, and therefore, requires some vertical spacing of the equipment. Additionally, part of the inside equipment also requires piles and there are building height limitations. Crowder needs low headroom pile driving equipment and must perform multiple splices to the h-piles. Crowder is also working close to the James River in the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area on this project, which requires some additional site permitting to make the necessary building additions.
SECOND EDITION 2023 TOTAL FIBER RECOVERYCHESAPEAKE [8]
Process Area Model View 1 Process Area Model View 2
Early Work in Progress
Presently, work engaged in has largely focused on civil engineering processes as well as concrete work. Woodward comments, “John Birtson Jr. and James Lowery have been doing a great job getting the piles and foundations installed.”Crowder Industrial is pleased to have the opportunity to rise to the occasion and play an important role in ensuring the success and overall quality of this project.
The Team
Project Manager
Forest Woodward
Electrical Project Manager
Mike Stewart
Site Superintendent
Newt King
Civil Superintendent
John Birston Jr.
Electrical Superintendent
Perry McCathern
Civil Foreman
James Lowery
Project Engineer
Stanley Cheng
Safety Coordinator
Billy McGaughey
Project Controls
Nancy Clevenger
Administrative Assistant
Barbara Lester
CROWDER CROWDER
[9]
INDUSTRIAL
Tank Area Pile Installation
Pulper Area Pile Installation
Pulper piles cut-off
Pulper Foundation
Civil and Environmental Featured Crew: Rocky River WWTP Electrical Crew
Onsite, our team likes to say we are running laps around the site with our duct bank installation. We laid an impressive 10,200 linear feet of various sized concrete encased duct banks over the span of 8,865 total manhours. We had to give the Rocky River WWTP roads’ names to describe the next area we would be working on and how to quickly re-route traffic with our expedient field and project team working to get enough material out here to continue to keep our guys busy. With a unique case in the electrical buyout, rather than having 90% bought out in 90 days, most of our heavy ticketed and long timeline items were bought out and under contract before we stepped foot onsite.
We have set-in-place: (2) 3000 KW CAT Generators; (13) Pad Mounted Switches; and (31) Medium Voltage Termination Cabinets. We have completed pulling 80% of Medium Voltage Cable with 50% terminated. For the Phase 3 Project, the Blower Building and Maintenance Canopy in-slab conduit installation was additionally completed.
We are working towards the goal of bringing the Medium Voltage cable pulling to completion with termination and testing late July. Additionally, we plan to have the Phase 3 Electrical Service brought to completion by the end of August. This comprises the service to the new Aeration Basin No.6, EQ/NEF Tank, and Contact Chlorine Basin with new feed to existing Administration Building. Finally, by the first week of October 2023, we will set the new Medium Voltage Switchgear. WSACC, along with Southeastern Consulting and Brown and Caldwell, have been an absolute pleasure to work with. We have had effective communication identifying any roadblocks and working to have solutions in hand within an expedited time frame.
The electrical crews headed by our Superintendent, Hairo Galeas, continue to do a fantastic job of outperforming production goals while keeping Crowder’s safety culture at the forefront. The attitude and can-do spirit of the entire electrical crew have served as a huge building block in client relations as well as keeping Crowder’s risk minimal.
Keeping the “train your replacement” mantra in mind, the Superintendents and Foremen onsite have done an excellent job of recognizing and mentoring promising electrical crew members.
The
SECOND EDITION 2023 FEATURED CREWS [10]
Crew: Front Row (Left to Right): Keith Steed, Hairo Galeas, Dionicio Cozar, Alberto Cabera, Cesar Galeas, Erasmo Estrella, Roberto Martinez, Tony Kline, David Suarez
Back row (Left to Right):Manuel Amaya, Heriberto Hernandez,Yasmin Trejo, Saul Gonzaleas, John Alzate, Arturo Cozar, Eder Rodriquiez, Alexander Avila
Heavy Civil Featured Crew: Allison Creek Access Project
Ken Johnson and crew have been working hard on the 45-acre Allison Creek Access site for the last 18 months. The team was tasked with taking an existing boat access and turning it into a full recreation area. Ken and crew installed 34 RV sites, rural tent camping area, picnic area and playground, 4 bath houses, Ranger station, and 18,000 lf of walking trails. We would like to thank Ken and his team for their hard work and determination in overcoming the many obstacles encountered on this project.
Thank you Ken and crew!
CROWDER FEATURED CREWS [11]
The Crew: Michael Leggett, Ken Johnson, Lori Johnson, Gary Locklear, William Lusk, Brandon Mowder, Dennis Blair, Jesus Mejia, Mario Cortez, and Mauricio Uribe
Industrial Featured Crew: Eastman Chemical
A brief introduction to Eastman Chemical
When World War 1 made it hard to get raw materials, Eastman Kodak founder George Eastman wanted an independent supply of chemicals for his photographic processes. After the war, he turned his attention to the forests of the southern United States. In 1920, Tennessee Eastman was born in Kingsport. In the coming decades, the company that was created to deliver just a handful of chemicals quickly became a creative force in the materials industry. Fast forward 103 years, Eastman Chemical is a global specialty materials company providing various products such as innovative films for electric vehicles and resins that make high performance medical devices more durable.
Over the years Crowder Industrial has attempted to acquire work here at the Kingsport Eastman plant to no avail. Well, that changed. A few big names in the industrial scene were awarded contracts for Eastmans’ new chemical recycling process and they struggled to maintain progress. Eastman invited our team onsite and from an initial staff of 30, we now have approximately 170 personnel onsite.
On day shift we have 28 people on staff that are in the office planning, writing requisitions, and documenting every aspect of our participation in the project. We, have 76 craft in the field installing pipe. On night shift, we have 16 employees on staff working along with 50 craft in the field installing pipe. It’s safe to say we have made a lasting impression and we will continue to grow and produce quality craftsmanship while providing a safe work environment for all our valued employees.
SECOND EDITION 2023 FEATURED CREWS [12]
Day Shift
Night Shift
New Faces
Industrial
Patti Broomfield joined the Crowder Industrial team in June 2023 as a Project Engineer. Patti graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. She is originally from Atlanta, GA and her hobbies include playing tennis, music, wakeboarding, and doing arts and crafts.
In February 2023, Rick Boswell joined Industrial as a Project Director. Rick has 18 years construction and 3 years engineering experience.
Rick earned his Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from SC, a Masters in Business from Georgia State Univ., and is a Licensed Professional Engineer. Jason and his wife, Kelly, have 3 children, 4 year old Jace, 2 year old Wyatt, 4 month old Gwyn, and the biggest baby is a 10 year old German Shorthaired Pointer, Duke. Jason enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, cooking, exercising, water sports, and camping.
Perry McCathern, who is currently working at the MAS SPSA Landfill RNG Facility in Virginia, is from Salt Lake City, Utah. Perry is an Electrical Superintendent who joined us in March 2023. Perry and his wife, Elizabeth, have four children, Carlos, Luis, Emma, and Addy. Perry enjoys spending time with his family and anything outdoors including hunting, fishing, and nature walks.
James Wilson started CSA Estimating in 1985 and has been doing it ever since, joining Industrial in March of 2023. James is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin. He has been married to wife, Debbie, for 42 years coming up in June and has a son, James, and daughter, Ava. James’ hobby used to be golf but now he enjoys reading Christian books and American History.
In March 2023, Jason Heath joined Industrial as a Site Superintendent and is currently working at the WesTech Plant Scherer Ash Pond Dewatering Project. Jason has been working in construction for 27 years and has a SGTC – Industrial Electrical degree.
Jason has 3 children - Tyler, who works at MUSC; Laura, who works at Trident Medical; and Landon, who is in the Marine Corp. Jason and his wife, Wendy, have been married for 11 years. They have Bexley, a 3 year old 85 pound lap puppy.
Jonah Sanford is a new Project Engineer with Crowder Industrial. He was born in Tampa, FL, but lived most of his life in Lake Wylie, SC. He recently graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in construction management and a minor in business administration. He enjoys seeing a team of people come together to build something meaningful and important like what Crowder builds and is happy to be a part of this team. His other hobbies include camping, kayaking, off-roading, and playing guitar and piano.
Civil & Environmental
Lauren Kearney joined Crowder Civil & Environmental Division Apex office as the Cooperative Education Program Manager in February 2023. She is originally from New York and came to North Carolina after spending some time in Colorado in human resources. Those who have met Lauren knows she enjoys meeting new people, going to concerts, and spending time with her dog Rugger. She is a welcome addition to the team.
Robert Torrance joined Crowder as a Project Engineer in June 2023. He worked for a utility company installing gas lines and telecommunications since high school and throughout college. He joins the Crowder team after graduating from the Eastern Carolina University construction management program.
Austin Talbert was born and raised in Charlotte, NC and considered to be a true Charlottean! He graduated from UNCC in 2019 and has been working in the Water/ Wastewater Industry ever since. Austin loves to hike, camp, play guitar, golf, disc golf, snowboard, hunt, mountain bike, and any outdoor activity. His oldest brother (Parker) and wife (Emily) are expecting to bring home a baby girl here in the next month! He can’t wait to be considered the fun Uncle!
CROWDER
PEOPLE NEWS [13]
New Faces Cont.
McKayla Hairston is the new Office Manager at the Apex Office for Crowder. She joined the team in February 2023. Born and raised in Maine, she has enjoyed living in the Carolinas for the past 9 years. Her background is in Medical Administration, and she has explored many areas of Medical Management. She is currently in college part time chipping away at her Master’s in business. McKayla has 6 dogs, a 9-year-old son and they enjoy many special adventures together. She loves the culture here at Crowder and feels blessed to be a part of the team.
Kirk Nicholas joined Crowder in February 2023 as an Electrical Foreman. Kirk has been working in the industry as an electrician for over 40 years.
Caroline Ripple joined Crowder as an Estimating Coordinator in April of 2023. She has a background as a project manager in construction and is a graduate of N.C. State University. She has 2 boys, Ryan and Isaac, 13 and 10, husband, Jeremy, and dog, Annie. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and cooking.
Jacob Routh joined Crowder in February 2022 as a Project Manager. He is the proud father of two boys ages 7 and 9. He worked in the water and wastewater industry in the Atlanta area for over 17 years.
Darren Roesch joined Crowder as an Electrical Superintendent in April of 2023. He has worked as an Electrician in the Water, Wastewater, and Advanced Water purification Industry for 25 years. He loves being on his ranch in Alabama with his wife and Great Danes. His hobbies involve anything outdoors, including hunting and fishing.
Dawson Dupree started as a Project Engineer with Crowder in May 2023. He has always loved being outdoors, hunting and fishing. The opportunity to work on projects and be in the field is why he chose to work in construction.
Dustin Moffitt joined Crowder in March 2023 as a Superintendent in Training. He has been working in the wastewater and water treatment plant construction industry for over a decade. He’s a father of 4 wonderful kids and enjoys traveling and racing dirt bikes along the east coast.
Nathan Brinker joined Crowder in April 2023 as a project Manager. He is a Missouri native but has worked in 9 different states building and improving treatment plants over the last 12 years. He enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, his great dane (Pete), and lab/dane mix (Izzy), smoking meats from the family farm and predator hunting.
Dalton Smith joins the Crowder team after his May 2023 graduation from Georgia Southern University, with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Much of his experience comes from research at GSU, and from his time serving as an Aircraft Mechanic in the Georgia National Guard. In his free time, Dalton enjoys hiking, fishing, and building model cars.
Margo Waisanen brings over 15 years of experience in the architecture, engineering and construction (A/E/C) industry to her role as Business Development Manager for Crowder. Margo has an adventurous spirit and determination to face new challenges. She relocated from Denver, Colorado to the Raleigh area to become part of the Crowder team in January 2023. She and her family created cherished memories raising their son in the picturesque surroundings of the Rocky Mountains and now look forward to making new memories exploring the outdoors, taking advantage of the area’s diverse beauty and tasting the variety of cuisines NC offers.
SECOND EDITION 2023 PEOPLE NEWS [14]
Heavy Civil
Thomas Jones brings 50 years of Heavy/Civil experience, joining the Heavy Civil team in March 2023 as a Structural Superintendent. He previously worked for Skanska and is originally from Lumberton but is currently living in South Point, NC. He has 2 grown children and 3 grandchildren. He enjoys, hunting, camping, and racing drag boats in his free time.
Butch Marcellus joined Crowder
Heavy Civil in January 2023 as a Superintendent. He previously worked for Faulkner Construction and brings over 40 years experience in Heavy Highway work. He has been in the Carolinas for a few years now –originally coming from Upstate New York. Butch is married with two adult children and likes to spend his free time hunting, fishing, and spending time with this family.
Mike Leigh joined Crowder in May 2023 as a Structural Superintendent. He previously worked for Fred Smith Company and brings over 15 years experience in Heavy Highway work. Mike enjoys spending time with his family and fishing.
Corporate
Aalysa Velazquez joined Corporate Services in December 2022 as our People Development Coordinator. Born and raised in Charlotte, she is a graduate from North Carolina Central University where she earned a degree in Psychology. Aalysa enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her fur baby. She also enjoys traveling.
Please join us in welcoming Shannon Lane to Crowder. Shannon took on the role of Employee Services Director reporting to Claudia Dodgen, VP of Employee Services and People Development in April 2023. Prior to joining Crowder, Shannon served as Human Resources Director for other industry-leading organizations including Metrolina Greenhouses and SREE Hotels. Shannon graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Russian Language and Literature from UNC-Chapel Hill and went on to pursue a career in Human Resources, during which she has earned a master’s degree in human resource management from Western Carolina University as well as both SPHR and SHRM-SCP certifications. In her spare time, Shannon enjoys playing the flute in a local community band, performing as a background actor in locally produced films and music videos and riding roller coasters at Carowinds, her favorite place on Earth.
Brittney Bliss recently joined Crowder April 2023 as the People Development Coordinator. Brittney is from Charlotte, NC while the rest of her family is from Portland, Oregon. She graduated from UNC Charlotte in May 2022 with degrees in Communications, Sociology, and Psychology. She is currently getting her Master’s degree in Human Resources through an online program at Western Carolina University where she will graduate in 2025. She has an orange cat named Jack Jack and is a huge animal lover. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading, weightlifting, skiing, and traveling with her boyfriend.
New Addition
Congratulations to new parents, Lauren Vick and her husband Purnell!
Zora Marlo Vick was Born on December 22nd, 2022 at 9 pounds 5.6 ounces and 21.5 inches long of pure perfection! Lauren is a Project Engineer in the C&E division.
CROWDER
PEOPLE NEWS [15]
New Faces Cont.
WELCOME TO THE CROWDER FAMILY!
Marriages
On March 11, 2023, Morgan and Tyler Smith were married at the Venue at Turkey Ridge in Kings Mountain, NC. Tyler is a Project Manager for Industrial.
Intern News
Tripp Gautreaux is a Summer Crowder Industrial intern. He grew up in Louisiana and is currently a senior at LSU pursuing a degree in industrial engineering. He’s thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the amazing team at Crowder. GEAUX Tigers!
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR MARRIAGES!
Speacial News
Weslee Barnes recently started as an intern for Crowder Industrial. He just finished his Junior year at Clemson studying industrial engineering. He is originally from outside of Phoenix, Arizona. He enjoys anything in the outdoors such as golf and bass fishing. He is excited to spend the Summer with Crowder!
On May 11th, at Bank of America Stadium, Bill Crowder was celebrated and honored for over 50 years of commitment to the children of the Alexander Youth Network. Bill’s parents introduced him to Alexander and “instilled in him as sense of service and generosity unmatched by others.” Bill has served this organization in a variety of roles, including a board member, board chair, donor, and volunteer. Bill and his wife Pam have given generously to Alexander over the years. They have been selfless in letting Alexander use their gifts where the agency most needed them. Therefore, Alexander honored Bill by establishing a fund in Bill’s name that is for unrestricted dollars to help the agency continue to treat children for the right amount of time, in the right way, and with the right service depending on the child’s needs. Bill’s care and devotion to the children of the Alexander Youth Network sets an example for all Crowder employees to follow. Congratulations to Bill Crowder!
SECOND EDITION 2023
Madeleine Bolding married her husband, Chris Estridge, on January 6th, 2023.
Joe Purvis married his wife, Samantha Lee Purvis on April 18th, 2023.
NEWS [16]
Will Robinson and his wife Katie were married June 5th, 2023, at The Club at Keowee in Salem, SC. Will is a Project Manager for Industrial.
PEOPLE
Rocky River WWTP Civil Mechanical Crew
