KOVACH INK
Our 2024 Story
Internal OperationsA Message from Brad Wright
As we close out 2024, I want to take a moment to achievements this year. Our team has shown incredi responding to a full plate of projects with the pressur budget. This year, we made significant strides towar each project, setting the stage for a strong emphasis on standardization in 2025.
Significant Achievements
One of our most notable accomplishments was completing the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). This involved in-depth analysis and performance reviews, highlighting our financial performance and organizational standards. The ESOP is a testament to our commitment to transparency and excellence.
Company Highlights
Increased transparency between departments, fostering a productive and highperforming team.
Daily examples of our core values - Positivity, Expertise, Own It, and Grit - being lived out by team members.
A strong sense of responsibility and ownership among the team, with many stepping up to lead by example.
Leadership and Vision
This year I am proud of the initiatives we led, particularly the ESOP. The feedback from our 1% Better Weekly Exercises has been encouraging, with 5-10 responses each week, showing that our team is engaged and thoughtful.
Our company culture has evolved positively, with a continued effort towards helping those in need. Giving back to our community remains a priority and is a byproduct of our success.
Looking Ahead
As we move into 2025, our top priorities include:
Standardization in the project lifecycle
Continued financial stability and performance
Expanding our backlog to exceed expectations
Safety
Quality Control
Quality control is an everyday commitment, and we must remain vigilant. Remember, you’re an owner let’s act like every dollar earned is a dollar saved.
Closing Thoughts
comes to mind is "Grit" We have shown he face of challenges As we look ahead, let's nd strive for excellence
d dedication. Here’s to a successful 2025!
CONGRATULATIONS OWNERS
ESOP2024
Culture
Sleep in Heavenly Peace - Bed Build for Kids
GivingBack
Wrapping Up 2024: Reflections and Insights
As we conclude 2024, it’s a perfect opportunity to reflect on the incredible milestones, lessons, and stories that have defined our year at Kovach. Together, we’ve celebrated achievements, grown through challenges, and strengthened our connections as a team and as an organization.
This year has been full of accomplishments, but none more significant than our transformation into an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) company This marks a historic milestone for Kovach and a proud moment for every member of our team. Congratulations to all of you for officially becoming owners of Kovach! This achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment of everyone in the organization, and it sets the stage for an even brighter future
From individual successes to collective wins, we’ve made remarkable strides. The creativity and dedication of our teams have driven us forward, even when facing obstacles. Along the way, we’ve found innovative solutions, embraced new approaches, and supported one another, building a culture that values growth, collaboration, and camaraderie.
Team spirit has been at the heart of our success. Whether through memorable moments, team events, or everyday interactions, we’ve fostered a supportive environment that inspires and uplifts. These shared experiences are what make Kovach not just a workplace, but a community.
Wrapping Up 2024:
The “1% Better” initiative has played a significant role in driving our commitment to continuous improvement. These weekly exercises have encouraged us to focus on growth, both individually and as teams, helping us strive toward our best selves.
The HR/Payroll department has grown significantly this year, with the addition of Jeanette Haro as Senior Payroll Specialist and Jennifer Thompson as Human Resources Generalist. As we look to 2025, the department is dedicated to becoming the best team possible and is committed to prioritizing initiatives that promote both physical and mental well-being for all Kovach employees.
As we prepare for 2025, let’s take a moment to celebrate all we’ve achieved this year. The progress we’ve made, especially becoming an ESOP company, is a foundation for even greater things to come.
Thank you for your dedication, hard work, and contributions to making Kovach an exceptional place to work.
Here’s to an even brighter 2025, and congratulations again on being owners of Kovach!
Precon Central
2024: A Year of Cohesion and Growth
As we close out 2024, it’s the perfect time to highlight the incredible achievements and moments that defined this year. Together, we’ve accomplished more than ever before, making this a recordbreaking year for Kovach. I’m happy to share these special moments and achievements with you.
Celebrating Achievements
Highest Revenue in History
Our cohesive approach as a team has propelled us to the highest revenue year in Kovach’s history a testament to the dedication and expertise of everyone involved.
Key Growth Milestones
The special project division has flourished, driving innovation and adaptability The team exceeded its booking's goal by a Million!
2025 is shaping up to be a strong economic year for Kovach. Thank you for your amazing execution across our organization!
Overcoming Challenges
Managing Rapid Growth
This year wasn’t without its challenges. Managing our rapid expansion while ensuring timely and budget-conscious project delivery tested our limits.
Innovative Solutions
To overcome these hurdles, we introduced streamlined processes and efficiency improvements, which played a pivotal role in keeping us on track.
Precon Central
Team Spirit & Community 2024: A Year of Cohesion and Growth...
Building Camaraderie
From memorable office events to collaborative successes, our team spirit has never been stronger These moments have created a supportive and enjoyable workplace environment
Giving Back
Our community service initiatives remain a cornerstone of our mission. Thank you for your efforts in making a meaningful impact beyond the office walls
The 1% Better Mindset
Continuous Improvement
We’ve embraced tools and strategies focused on small, consistent improvements, leading to noticeable growth across the board.
Brad’s Weekly Exercises
Many of you have found Brad’s “1% Better” exercises to be impactful, fostering both personal and professional development.
Looking Ahead to 2025
FutureGoals
We’regearingupforanotherambitiousyear,focusingon: Expandingourdivisions
Emphasizinginnovationandexcellence
Strengtheningourcommitmenttosafetyandquality
Foundation for Success
Reflecting on 2024, the word that resonates most is Cohesion. Unified efforts and shared vision have been our foundation for success, and I’m confident we’ll build on that momentum in the year to come.
Thank You Team!
Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to our shared values have made this an exceptional year. Here’s to an even more successful 2025!
James Hatch - Chief Strategy Officer
ProjectManagement
2024 - A Year of Triumph
As we reflect on 2024, it’s impossible not to celebrate the incredible strides made by our Project Management team. With determination, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to our core values, this year has truly been one of Triumph a word that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of overcoming challenges and exceeding goals.
Top Accomplishments
This year, our project management team has focused on continuous improvement by regularly updating and creating new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) This practice has not only streamlined our processes but also ensured greater consistency across our workflows, allowing us to more effectively identify areas where we can increase efficiency. Additionally, we adopted the use of our "Project Status Report" form, which helps to clearly outline tasks and deadlines for the team. This tool has been instrumental in keeping our projects on track, enabling better coordination and timely progress These small, consistent efforts have led to noticeable growth and success in managing our projects more effectively.
Overcoming Challenges with Grit
2024 brought its share of obstacles, including periods of intense workload and resource constraints. A major challenge was ensuring we delivered on all projects with the current project management staff With the increased workload, it took a tremendous amount of dedication, collaboration, and grit from everyone involved We embraced a "divide and conquer" approach. By redistributing tasks and responsibilities, we were able to alleviate the burden on key team members and ensure that no one was stretched too thin.
Despite the pressure, our team maintained a positive mindset and a strong sense of commitment, ensuring that we stayed on track and delivered high-quality results. This experience not only showcased the resilience of our PM staff but also reinforced the importance of teamwork and adaptability in the face of challenges Creative solutions, such as rotating team members into focused work sessions, played a vital role in sustaining productivity without sacrificing quality
Giving Back
A memorable moment that truly strengthened camaraderie within our team was one of the many team-building events we held this year. These events allowed us to step away from the day-to-day work and focus on building trust, deepening relationships, and strengthening our bonds as a team Through fun and collaborative activities, we connected on a personal level, fostering a sense of unity and support This experience has been instrumental in creating a positive team dynamic, which has translated into even better collaboration and problem-solving in our daily work.
ProjectManagement
2024 - A Year of Triumph...
Living Our Core Values
This year, the project management team has effectively incorporated our core values Positivity, Own It, Expertise, and Grit into our daily operations and challenges
Positivity - When faced with the difficult schedule for the Aligned PHX 06 project, the team maintained a positive outlook, focusing on strong planning with vendors, coordinating closely with the shop, and fostering collaboration in the field. This led to the successful installation of the unitized IMP system on schedule, even when the task initially seemed insurmountable.
Own It - A prime example of ownership was Chris Khas took charge of the Samsung project. Despite its challenges, he quickly immersed himself in the task, owned it completely, and managed both field issues and interactions with the general contractor, leading to the project's successful completion.
Expertise - Our team also demonstrated their expertise by conducting field preinstallation meetings, which set the field team up for success by ensuring everyone was aligned on expectations, timelines, and potential obstacles. This resulted in smoother installations and improved overall project outcomes
Grit - Finally, our team's grit was evident in our commitment to developing our assistant project managers. We invested time in mentoring and training them, helping them grow into future project managers. This dedication to long-term success showcases our perseverance and focus on building a stronger, more capable team
Looking Ahead and Final Thoughts
As we turn our focus to the future, the team is excited to support the professional development of every team member, with a shared goal of achieving new certifications and skills. These aspirations will not only strengthen individual capabilities but also elevate the team as a whole. As Rudy Hernandez, a team leader, reflects: “The one thing I want everyone to know about our team is how adaptable and cohesive we are. Together, we turn challenges into opportunities” With this momentum, we look forward to celebrating even greater accomplishments in 2025!
Rudy Hernandez -Director of Project Management
Project Management Team Building
four Peaks SXS
2024 Manufacturingand LogisticsRetrospective
As the company wraps up 2024, we are excited to share the achievements and milestones the Manufacturing & Logistics team has accomplished. This year has shown the team and Kovach the benefits of their dedication, hard work, and commitment to getting the job done as efficiently as possible.
EXPERTISE!
One of the most significant achievements this year was the Shop and Transportation teams sending out the 100th truckload of material to the Hangar One Project! This milestone highlights how well we can effectively handle massive projects Managing the logistics for the project was a considerable challenge However, our team's innovative approach and nonstop attitude ensured that goals set, achieved, and high-quality standards were not compromised
OWN IT!
The team maintained a positive outlook even during challenging situations The Aligned Data Unitized IMP project is a great example Crucial to the success of the client relationship, the size of the panels in addition to the overall design proved to be a new test to work through The team members took ownership of the tasks and responsibilities with open minds and brought ideas to ensure successful outcomes
GRIT!
TSMC is one of the largest KCP composite projects we have contracted The staff’s expertise gained through determination and perseverance was a driving force that enabled them to achieve established goals with efficient project delivery at such a massive and high-profile project
POSITIVITY!
Throughout the year, several moments strengthened the team spirit These experiences have helped create a supportive and enjoyable work environment The team also contributed to the community, along with other company employees, reinforcing their commitment to giving back and making a positive impact
Reflecting on 2024, “dedication" is a word the describes the team This had led us to significant achievements that we know will help us move successfully to 2025 We will continue to learn, improve, revise, and strive for even greater success
Here's to another productive and educational year!
Manufacturing and Logistics Team
Kovach Transportation & Logistics
From the Ground UpConstruction
in Review
Aswereflectonanextraordinaryyear,it’sclearthat2024hasbeenoneforthe recordbooks.Amongthetopaccomplishmentswasthemilestoneofbecominga 100%employee-ownedcompany(ESOP),achangethathasdrivenincredible growthandteamworkacrossKovachThiscollectivespiritwasalsoevidentinour mostambitiousprojectyetHangarOneThismassiveundertakingshowcased notonlyourcapabilitiesbutalsoourdeterminationtorisetonewchallenges
Ofcourse,successdoesn’tcomewithouthurdles.Thisyear,capacitywasoneof thebiggestchallengeswefacedHowever,ourteamrosetotheoccasionby grindingthroughobstaclesandsupportingoneanotherAkeytoovercoming thesechallengeswasourcommitmenttodelegatingeffectivelyandfosteringan environmentwhereeveryonefeltempoweredtoaskforandofferhelp.
Oneoftheyear’shighlightswasourunwaveringcommitmenttoourcorevalues, whichguidedusthrougheverychallengeandtriumph
Positivity:Whenproblemsarose,ourteamfocusedonbuildingeachotherup andfindingsolutionsratherthandwellingonsetbacks.Thismindsetnotonly strengthenedourbondbutalsohelpedusovercomeobstacleswithresilience andoptimism
OwnIt:Atruehallmarkofourcultureiswatchingteammembersstepupand confidentlysay,“Igotthis.”Timeandagain,ownershipoftasksandchallenges ledtostrongfinishesandsuccessfuloutcomes,reinforcingthetrustwehave inoneanother.
Expertise:Everytimewesolvedaproblemordeliveredasolution,we demonstratedourdeepexpertiseBydoingthingsrightthefirsttime,we showcasedacommitmenttoexcellenceandefficiencythatsetsusapart.
Grit:Perhapsnothingexemplifiesourgritmorethanourabilitytofinishwhat westart.Whethertacklingmassiveprojectsorsmallerinitiatives,we’veproven thatwealwaysdowhatwesaywe’regoingtodo,nomatterhowtoughthe task
Lookingaheadto2025,ourgoalisclear:tobecomethebestversionofKovach we’veeverbeen.Bycontinuingtoembracetrust,teamwork,andasharedvision, we’repoisedforanotherremarkableyearAsleaders,wearecommittedto exemplifyingourcorevaluesineverythingwedo,ensuringthatourlegacyof excellencecontinuestogrow.Wewillalsoreinforceourcommitmentto continuousimprovement,focusingonfixingwhatbugsusandrefiningour processesbothpersonallyandasateambyadoptingaLeanmindset.Through relyingononeanother,fosteringtrust,andholdingourselvesaccountable,wewill continuetoenhanceoureffortsanddrivelastingsuccessforthecompany
Here’stocelebrating2024andbuildinganevenbrighterfuturein2025!
Expert
Craftmanship
Hangar Project
P r o j e c t K a n s a s P r o j e c t K a n s a s P r o j e c t K a n s a s
Driving Innovation and Excellence Through Our
Partnerships
Project Samsung TSMC
CultureCommittee Kovach
2024 marked the triumphant rebirth of the Kovac and what a comeback it was! With a fresh wave o camaraderie, we've been on a mission to create a workplace where every team member feels valued, supported, and inspired to bring their A-game.
The Kovach Culture Committee is all about promoting a positive work environment through fun events and initiatives that align with our core values. We're here to boost team spirit, encourage collaboration, and make sure our workplace culture is as awesome as our teams.
We’ve hosted events that brought laughter, camaraderie, and a touch of friendly competition to our workplace. From the delicious heat of our Chili Cook-Off and the creative fun of the Costume Contest to rolling up our sleeves for the Build-A-Bed project, we’ve shared moments that reflect who we are as a team Looking forward, we’re even more inspired to raise the bar The upcoming year will be packed with exciting opportunities to grow, give back, and make memories together
The Kovach Culture Committee is more than just event planners we are a reflection of what makes our company great. Our core values guide every decision we make. Positivity fuels our enthusiasm for connecting people. Expertise ensures that each event is thoughtfully planned and executed. Grit keeps us pushing for new, meaningful ways to engage with one another. And owning it means taking pride in creating an environment where everyone feels valued and excited to come to work.
Stay tuned for more events, more ways to get involved, and more reasons to celebrate being part of the Kovach family. Let’s make this year the most memorable yet!
Safety & Risk Management
In 2024, the Safety Department achieved several key milestones, including team growth, training enhancements, and industry recognition. Our team expanded to a record number of nine employees, which demonstrated our proactive approach to safety and commitment to providing exceptional support across all projects. We introduced new training cards for employees, which allowed them to showcase proof of completed training, and uploaded all documented training to the HCM system for easy access. Kovach also received multiple Safety Subcontractor of the Month awards, reflecting our dedication to maintaining the highest safety standards.
We take great pride in the success of every project we contributed to this year. Given the high-risk nature of our work, the success of each project was a direct result of our employees’ commitment to safety and their proactive approach to mitigating risks. The biggest challenge we faced was managing the safety complexities of high-risk projects while adapting to an expanding workforce. To address this, we strengthened communication, enhanced training programs, and optimized recordkeeping, ensuring consistent safety standards across multiple sites.
In terms of innovation, we implemented a certification system by introducing personalized training cards linked to a centralized database in our HCM system. This solution improved on-site verification, made records more accessible, and ensured adaptability across diverse projects We also fostered camaraderie within the team, maintaining a positive and approachable environment by balancing professionalism with moments of humor Volunteering at the Sleep in Heavenly Peace event allowed our team to contribute to the community and further strengthened our bond
Safety & Risk Management
Throughout the year, we adopted the LEAN methodology, focusing on reducing waste and increasing efficiency, while also emphasizing small but consistent efforts to improve. Brad's weekly 1% better exercises were valuable in fostering continuous improvement within the team, and we encouraged everyone to celebrate incremental progress. One of our proudest moments was maintaining a positive outlook when faced with a safety challenge involving new equipment. By staying proactive and working together, we turned this challenge into an opportunity for growth.
We also saw team members take ownership, such as when Kevin Flores addressed gaps in our jobsite safety audits and streamlined the process. Our team demonstrated expertise by improving fall protection protocols on a high-risk project, and our grit was evident when we persevered through demanding projects with tight deadlines and multiple obstacles
As a leader, I’ve focused on embodying the company’s core values by leading with integrity, collaboration, and a commitment to safety. In 2025, we’re excited to continue pursuing safety excellence, with a focus on continuous improvement in safety equipment and fleet safety.
The one thing I want everyone to know about our team in 2024 is that we are committed to growth, collaboration, and safety excellence, and we look forward to continuing to build on our success in the coming year.
If I had to sum up 2024 for our team, it would be "Growth."
Ryan Martin - Director of Safety
Masters of Safety!
Kovach MVP’s
Celebrating Excellence: The Kovach MVP Awards honor those who go above and beyond to embody our core values and make a lasting impact.
Team
Carlos Fausto - Metal
Omar Yanez - Glass Team
Wilmore Darce - Metal
Leoncio Balan - Glass Team
Kovach MVP’
Nathan Darnell
BusbySenior Superintendent
Karen Krauter - Treasury Manager Luis Villegas - PM JT Hangar - APM
Ryan Martin - Director of Safety
Matt
Alvaro VillalpandoMetal Foreman
Wall of Fame
We were honored to celebrate and induct three new members into the Wall of Fame this year, recognizing their 20 or more years of dedication and exceptional service to Kovach. Congratulations on reaching this remarkable milestone!
We also extend a warm welcome and heartfelt congratulations to our former legacy leaders. Your dedication and commitment have been and continue to be instrumental in building a lasting legacy!
New Inductees
Chip Carr - 20 Years
Curt Godsey - 20 Years
Karen Krauter - 20 Years
Legacy Leaders
Dan Giguere - 32 Years
Mark McGowan - 23 Years
Deborah Carr - 21 Years
Sanford Guthrie “Pops” - 23 Years
In 2024, the Kovach Book Club explored themes of trust, ambition, practicality, and emotional connection. We began the year with The Speed of Trust by Stephen Covey, learning how trust can transform relationships and drive success. Spring introduced us to Grant Cardone’s The 10X Rule, which encouraged bold goals and relentless action. Summer brought Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life, offering practical wisdom for purposeful living. We ended the year with Kevin Behan’s Your Dog is Your Mirror, a fascinating look at the bond between humans and their dogs.
As we step into 2025, we’re focusing on small daily improvements with a series of books aimed at becoming 1% better every day. In Q1, we’ll tackle Dopamine Detox: A Short Guide to Remove Distractions and Get Your Brain to Do Hard Things and Immediate Action: A 7-Day Plan to Overcome Procrastination and Regain Your Motivation, both by Thibaut Meurisse. This new series promises practical strategies for building discipline and staying motivated, setting the tone for a year of growth and productivity.
A reminder that all 2024 Book Club books are available to borrow in the Kovach library on the 3rd floor of HQ1. If you purchase books for the Book Club, you can be reimbursed just bring your receipt to the next Book Club meeting for reimbursement!
Reach out to Kerry Ellingwood kellingwood@kovach.net for any questions or to reserve a book!
W MEN IN CONSTRUCTION
It has become evident that there is a strong demand for a supportive and engaging community for the women in our company Thank you leadership team for the support in this mission! We are thrilled to share that Kovach Women in Construction (KWIC) group is being revitalized!
KWIC is dedicated to shedding light on the growing number of women in the construction industry, specifically within our company. Our mission is to celebrate these women through fun events, encourage growth through seminars and classes, and serve our surrounding communities.
KWIC reflects our company's core values in every aspect:
• POSITIVITY: We create a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued Our events foster connections, teamwork, and open communication, while our community service spreads positivity beyond the company
• OWN IT: KWIC encourages members to take initiative and lead events, including community service projects. We ensure each event is thoughtfully organized, reflecting our dedication and reliability.
• EXPERTISE: We support members' growth through seminars and learning opportunities, empowering each other to excel and apply our skills in community service.
• GRIT: KWIC members are resilient, tackling challenges with a strong work ethic and determination, whether organizing events, supporting each other, or giving back to the community.
Our journey to revive KWIC began in early October with a fun Game Night, providing an opportunity for new team members to connect and share their excitement about the group’s future. The positive energy set the tone for what’s to come.
In late October, we hosted a Welcome Lunch to celebrate our new team members and strengthen bonds within the group.
To wrap up the year, we enjoyed a successful KWIC Christmas Dinner in mid-December, filled with laughter, camaraderie, and festive cheer It was a great way to celebrate our achievements and look ahead to the exciting initiatives planned for the year ahead.
If you have any suggestions for events or have questions about KWIC contact Priscilla Olmsteadpriscillao@kovach.net
KOVACH TRAVEL REDUCTION PROGRAM
2024 Survey Overview
Each year Maricopa County sends out a survey to staff to gauge the travel habits in Maricopa County and use this data to further improve ways to reduce emissions. Here are some interesting takeaways from Kovach’s survey results:
We had an incredible 91% response rate for completing the survey. This was based on 113 surveys complete out of 124 requested. Way to go team!
106 of the 124 responses are single occupancy vehicles averaging 481 trips per week and cover approximately 10,315 miles per week this accounts for 8596% of travel
113 people who completed the Annual Survey were entered into a prize drawing equaling $600 and 8 winners were chosen!.
12 $50 winners for the Alternative Method Program (i.e. carpool, public transportation, etc )
12 $50 winners were chosen for the Fuel After Dark Program (fuel between 6pm and 6am and bring your receipt to the front desk to be entered)
KOVACH INK
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