TAGLINE FIFTH EDITION 2023: LOOKING BACK ON THE YEAR
TLC Christmas Celebration
2023 was a great year! Featuring: 2023 Retirees CROWDER Crowder Wins 2023 Outstanding Philanthropic Organzation
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
Living Our Mission Crowder’s goal is to live our mission statement, even when no one is watching. But as we all know, someone is almost always watching. We serve our communities because it is the right thing to do, not to be recognized. But over the years Crowder and its employees have served so many different organizations in communities where our employees work and live, and that does not go unnoticed. Crowder was honored to be nominated by 4 different organizations in the Charlotte area as the 2023 Outstanding Philanthropic Organization. Crowder was awarded the 2023 Outstanding Philanthropic large business of the year award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, NC Chapter. Otis and Bill Crowder accepted the award at an event on November 16th, celebrating National Philanthropy Day. Otis and Bill have continued the legacy of their fathers of giving back and we should all be proud of the Legacy they have continued and that we, together, continue on. Thank you for all you do to make Crowder and our communities a better place to live and work. Happy Holidays!
Lynn Hansen,
INSIDE MISSION STATEMENT We are dedicated to superior performance and committed to making a positive difference for our clients, our communities and in the lives of our employees.
Crowder is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. It is the policy of Crowder to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, marital status, age, genetic information, national origin, veteran status, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation and gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. A list of our current open positions can befound here: https://www.crowderusa.com/join-our-team/jobs-listing
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FIFTH EDITION 2023
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CORPORATE SAFETY EMPLOYEE SERVICES UPDATES CO-OPS & PHILANTHROPY AWARD RETIREES TLC CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS AROUND CROWDER HOW EMPLOYEES CELEBRATE
WE’RE LISTENING If something is bothering you, if you have a question, if you feel you or another employee are being harassed, or if you believe that you have not been treated fairly, WE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT. Please go to your bulletin board and use our Employee Concern and Complaint Procedure (or call 1-800-849-2966 and ask for Employee Services) to get your question answered, your concern addressed, or your problem resolved.
by Scott Allen, Corporate Safety Director
This past year has been successful regarding our safety performance. Personally, I am extremely proud to be associated with a company that completes complex projects in a safe manner. Our craft team members are absolutely the best; they’re true professionals! As the holiday season passes, we will find ourselves in the New Year very soon. For many of us, the start of each New Year is often associated with resolutions. Making these resolutions in the moment can feel empowering due to “taking the leap” and attempting to accomplish something that you have been pushing off. Now for the deflating news, a recent study at Ohio State University showed that < 10% of individuals that make resolutions complete them. In fact, research goes on to show that ~25% of people quit their resolution by the end of the first week, and ~45% quit by the end of January.
CORPORATE SAFETY
RESOLUTION <versus> COMMITMENT
Now that you’ve been provided a few statistics on the failure of resolutions, let me pose a question: Do we sometimes treat our safety program as a resolution? If you really ponder that question, we may realize that we often have intentions on following all pertinent safety processes/procedures, but at times may not because it’s not convenient, presents a time constraint, etc. In other words, the mind-set that can prevent individuals from following through on their New Year resolutions can also have the same impact on our outlook towards our safety program. To complete a resolution or following all aspects of our safety program have one thing in common: COMMITMENT. Webster dictionary defines a resolution as a statement of decision or intention and a commitment is a pledge or promise to do something. Are you truly committed to our safety program? At Crowder, we have a World-Class safety program with a rich culture focused on the health and well-being of our employees. There are many recommendations to help people stay on track to achieve their resolutions. The main ones being writing down a plan to achieve goals and checking them frequently (PTP’s), having an accountability partner (Behavior Based Observations, brothers/sister’s keeper mentality), and being creative to make the process fun (Dynamic Learning Activities/safety celebrations). Make no mistake, we recognize that for our program to be successful, resources must be readily available, and we must be open to feedback. We’re asking for your continued commitment to our safety program and please reach out to the safety department if you have any improvement suggestions.
CROWDER
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EMPLOYEE SERVICES
Your Financial Wellness Matters! At Crowder we are always looking for ways to make a positive impact in the lives of our employees, and we believe that providing tools to create a solid financial foundation for their families is one of the most important ways we can deliver on our mission. For that reason, we’re very pleased to announce an integrated education partnership with Creative Planning, a division of Lockton Retirement Services as well as our longstanding 401k Plan Advisor. We have arranged for Creative Planning to offer our 401k Plan participants a wealth of FREE tools and resources to help manage debt, save for college or retirement, understand investing and stock market volatility, and many more relevant topics. Plus, they offer free one-on-one financial consulting to help employees meet their financial goals, as well as options for employee-paid wealth management services providing more direct plan guidance. Just click on the featured articles and available podcasts below to learn more about what Creative Planning can do for you. All of the training or participation in meetings is at your discretion, and your information will remain confidential. If you want to better understand the benefit or schedule a one-on-one meeting with your dedicated financial wellness consultant, you can contact Kymona Thomas with Creative Planning directly at the email below or you can click on the schedule a meeting button to schedule a 30 minute meeting. Kymona.Thomas@CreativePlanning.com. Schedule a Meeting Don’t hesitate to reach out to anyone in Employee Services if you have any questions or concerns at: 1-800-849-2966 or employeeservices@crowderusa.com
Featured Articles: Getting Started With Estate Planning Six Reasons Why You Need an Estate Plan Is Your Estate Plan in Order? How to Discuss Your Estate Plan With Family Members Read more (link to Insights page)
Would You Rather Listen? Click here to find podcast episodes to help you with Estate Planning!
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FIFTH EDITION 2023
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. To log in: Username: crowder Password: guest
EMPLOYE SERVICES
Helping Families at Crowder
Help When You Need It Most At Crowder, you and your mental health and well-being are important to us! Did you know that the Construction Industry has the second highest suicide rate in the United States? With 123 suicides per day, which represents 1 death every 11 minutes, we want to share the resources we have available to each employee and their families including the EAP, 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and our Cigna mental health support services. If you or anyone on your jobsite or in your office need help or someone to talk to, please contact your supervisor, Safety, your Employee Assistance Program (EAP), or the new national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.You can also reach out to anyone in Employee Services (by phone at 1.800.849.2966 or email at employeeservices@crowderusa.com) and we will help you find the right person to talk to for you or your family member.
RISK FACTORS
WARNING SIGNS
Stress
Spending tine away from family & friends
Poor Sleep
Isolation
Relationship Issues
Extreme Mood Swings
Depression
Increased anger or rage
Substance Abuse
Sleeping more or less
Economy
Decreased productivity
Chronic Pain
Increased tardiness or absenteeism Cigna Mental Health Support Services
CROWDER
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CO-OPS & PHILANTHROPY AWARD
Hello Winter 2023 Co-Ops
Ellis Rogers
Purdue University Working at: Byrd Park Project
Will Nusbaum
University of Cincinnati Working at: Stowe Project
Josh Kinyo
University of Akron Working at: Graham Project
Crowder Named 2023 Outsanding Philanthropic Organization Crowder was honored to be nominated by 4 different organizations in the Charlotte area (Charlotte Rescue Mission, Wingate University, Alexander Youth Network, and Habitat For Humanity CLT)as the 2023 Outstanding Philanthropic Organization through the Association of Fundraising Professionals, NC Chapter. Crowder was chosen as the recipient for this award for all of the projects we embarked on during our “75 Acts of Kindess” while celebrating Crowder’s 75th Anniversary. Otis and Bill Crowder accepted the award at an event on November 16th, celebrating National Philanthropy Day. You can follow the link below to view the nomination video and learn more about how Crowder serves our community: Video (password: KBM)
Remember to follow Crowder on Social Media Today! Facebook and LinkedIn: @Crowder Instagram and Twitter @Crowder_USA [6]
Tommy Hogan
University of Cincinnati Working at: Graham Project
FIFTH EDITION 2023
Thank you all for the years that you have dedicated to working at Crowder and for the difference that each of you has made while working here.You will be missed, but we hope retirement brings you many more happy memories and experiences. Thank you again!
Fred Hall 10 Years of Service
Douglas Todd 12 Years of Service
Gary Bain 22 Years of Service
CROWDER RETIREES
Congratulations Retirees!
Carlos Martinez Vazquez 11 Years of Service
Thomas Wilson 16 Years of Service “I could literally write books about the things you have taught me over the last 18 years. I have personally witnessed you inspire our craft teams and leaders to not only do the right thing but also feel truly empowered to try to inspire others to do the same. In a split second, I have witnessed you transform from the nicest, most easy-going guy on a project to the most rigid and demanding professional if you found someone had placed themselves or others at risk. Thank you for taking care of “our people” Bain, see you on the water!” - Steve Fortson Crowder Industrial Division Safety Director
A Note from a Retiree: “I have lots of memories of people and places, trials and successes, gobs of laughs and few disappointments. I want to thank everyone for the kind words and well wishes. The Crowder experience for me has been very rewarding in many ways. Never stop supporting each other; for many of us, the term “Crowder Family” is much more than just the turn of a phrase. I am deeply grateful to all for the support I have received over the past 22 years. Thank you” -Gary Bain “Francena Warner was a pillar of the Corporate office and an extremely consistent, hardworking team member. She was willing to do whatever was necessary to help the Accounts Payable team succeed and ensure payments were processed accurately and timely. Her legacy and the impact she made molding the Accounts Payable team will be felt for years to come.” -Jon Geis
Francena Warner 23 Years of Service
Crowder Constructors VP of Finance
CROWDER
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TLC CHRISTMAS [8]
The Learning Collaborative Christmas Angel Tree Program On December 12th, Crowder Corporate and Heavy Civil brought a little Christmas to the children and staff at The Learning Collaborative (TLC). TLC is a preschool that works with underserved children and their families by providing a good education without having to pay any tuition. Parent participation and community involvement is a strong part of what makes their program so successful. Crowder has been supporting TLC since way back in the days when they were located across the street from our 10th Street offices in Charlotte, well over 30 years! Back then, the school was located on Siegel Avenue, which was its former name, Siegel Avenue Preschool. (According to Bill Crowder, they originally started in a church nearby.) Thanks to the generosity and commitment of Crowder’s employees, every child receives a toy and clothing for Christmas. This year we had over 75 kids! We also donate to the preschool and staff for supplies, school equipment and educational activities.
FIFTH EDITION 2023
Thank you to everyone involved for allowing Crowder to keep this legacy going! This year Chad Payne was Santa and the Elves were Mary Lou Cartagena, Nancy Krug, Jennifer Robedee, Ashley Tucker, and Carol Byassee.
CROWDER
TLC CHRISTMAS
The most fun for the children is when we have some of our employees come dressed as Santa and his Elves to sit with the kids, sing Christmas songs and hand out gifts. All the staff is present for this program that Crowder puts on and always express how extremely grateful they are for Crowder’s generosity. The students are left with quite an impression too. The Executive Director, Lizzie Carson, recently shared a story about how one of their former students who is in middle school came back to visit her younger sibling and said how much she enjoyed this event when she was younger. She even still had the Barbie doll that she was given at one of our visits.
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CELEBRATING AROUND CROWDER
HC Jobsite Thanksgiving Lowcountry Boil
HC Jobsite Thanksgiving Lowcountry Boil
Corporate and HC Thanksgiving Lunch
Mike Reisinger and Steve Fortson
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FIFTH EDITION 2023
Industrial Christmas Party
CELEBRATING AROUND CROWDER
Industrial Office Traveling Sweater
Cosgrove Project Team Toy Drive
Christmas Sweater Day at Corporate
CROWDER
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FIFTH EDITION 2023
HOW EMPLOYEES CELEBRATE