KOVACH INK
KOVACH INK
Core Values
POSITIVITY
Easy to work with, trusting, a team player, and a good communicator.
OWN IT
Reliable, responsible, follows through, trustworthy, thorough.
EXPERTISE
Intelligent, innovative, and coachable.
GRIT
Tough, strong work ethic, and finds a way to get it done.
Mission Statement
Building a healthy and profitable company where people can thrive.
Quarterly MVP Awards
Congratulations to these exceptional team members for winning th Quarterly MVP Award by embodying the Kovach Core Values. Your contributions are invaluable and we are proud to have you as part of the Kovach team! Keep shining bright and leading by example!
Winners by Category
Manufacturing:
Johnny Paiz - Glass Fabrication
Jonathon Bermudez - Metal Brake
Operator
Field:
Nicholas Arttus - Glazing
Hugo Hernandez & Ruben Hernandez -
Metal
HQ1:
Brian Reising - Drafting
Jessi Barajas - APM
DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN TEXT WITH HR?!
Jeanette Haro Meet the New Faces in HR
Payroll Specialist
Jennifer Thompson
HR Generalist
Jeanette is originally from California and moved to Arizona when she was young She brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to our team.
In her free time, Jeanette enjoys black and white photography, hiking, listening to Taylor Swift, and watching anime with her family She began her college journey at Northern Arizona University but quickly realized that snow wasn't for her and returned to the warmth of Phoenix
Jennifer grew up in San Diego and made the move to Arizona in 2005 to give her kids a better education Jennifer is a proud mother of six amazing kids and has two sweet grandbabies who live in beautiful Alaska.
Her youngest plays club softball, so a lot of her time is spent helping her chase her dream of playing at the D1 level. Outside of work and family, she is deeply involved as a victim advocate for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, where she has had the opportunity to speak at victim impact panels
Jennifer is looking forward to contributing to the team and getting to know each of you better. She is located on the third floor in between Deseray and Deborah’s office.
Precon Central
Kovach & Phoenix Mercury!
We’re thrilled to announce the grand opening of the Phoenix Mercury’s cutting-edge practice facility, unveiled during the 2024 WNBA All-Star Weekend.
This impressive 58,000-square-foot, $100 million facility includes two full-sized basketball courts, each dedicated to the legendary Diana Taurasi. The courts feature a custom Taurasiinspired logo, celebrating her incredible impact on the team. With top-tier, player-focused amenities, this facility sets a new benchmark for excellence in sports training.
Travel Reduction Program: Commuting Sustainably
Kovach Enclosure Systems is proud to partner with the Valley Metro Travel Reduction Program to promote sustainable commuting practices among our employees. We’re excited to participate in several key initiatives aimed at reducing our environmental impact:
Travel Reduction Program
This initiative is focused on reducing traffic congestion, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and improving air quality in the Phoenix metropolitan area. You can get involved and be entered into a monthly drawing to win a $50 Gift Card by:
Carpooling to work
Biking to work
Walking to work
Working from home
Fuel After Dark Program
Help reduce emissions by refueling your vehicle between the hours of 6 PM and 6 AM. Simply bring your receipt to Angela, and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a $50 Gift Card.
Reduced Public Transportation Pass Program
If you commute using public transportation, you’re eligible for a reduced fare pass. Contact Human Resources if you’re interested in purchasing a pass.
Annual Travel Reduction Survey
The Maricopa County/Valley Metro Travel Reduction Program Annual Survey will be available to employees from September 1st to October 1st Kovach is aiming for a 60% completion rate by the deadline By participating in the survey, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win one of six $50 Gift Cards!
Your feedback is important to us, and we appreciate your participation. Be on the lookout for an email with further details on how to complete the survey.Let’s continue to work together to make a positive impact on our community and environment through these sustainable initiatives!
Safety Insights
Achievements & Milestones
We’re proud to share recent advancements in our safety department. Brandi has completed competent person training for Fall Protection, enhancing our fall safety protocols. Additionally, Ryan Martin has earned the Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) certification, further strengthening our ability to manage safety effectively Our commitment to safety is reflected in our ongoing comprehensive training programs, which include equipment operations, rigging, swing stage work, and OSHA 10 & 30 hours training These programs are designed to boost safety awareness and improve practices across our team
New Safety Enhancements
The Safety Department has implemented iAuditor for our safety inspections. This powerful tool allows us to collect and analyze data from each inspection, helping to identify trending safety issues and ensure compliance. By documenting our safety practices in detail, iAuditor provides valuable insights into our crews' adherence to safety protocols, and offers a clear record that can be presented to the General Contractor when necessary.
Keeping Kovach Staff Safe
We remain proactive in our efforts to prevent heat illness. Kovach is actively providing hard hat sun shades, umbrellas, canopy tents, electrolytes, and fans to help manage the heat. Our employees' health and well-being are our top priorities, and we emphasize the importance of reporting any symptoms of heat illness immediately to ensure prompt intervention and prevention.
Employee Hightlights
Congratulations to Kevin Flores for 3 years at Kovach! You are an incredible asset! Welcome to James Horner who joined Kovach on August 12th as the Site Safety Rep in California.
Updated Safety Procedures
The Safety Department is diligently working on refining our Methods of Procedures (MOPs) and updating our Training Matrix to ensure comprehensive OSHA compliance and facilitate smooth submissions to the General Contractor To streamline our training process, we have introduced training cards that will be issued to employees upon the completion or renewal of their training Additionally, we are committed to maintaining the highest safety standards by regularly inspecting all safety equipment on each project, promptly identifying and replacing any old or worn items that need to be removed from service
OPERATIONS AND FIELD NEWS
Embracing LEAN: Optimizing our Path Forward
Project Updates
Our field teams are making great strides by successfully integrating LEAN into both ongoing and upcoming projects.
The recent completion of the Aligned 06 IMP panel installation showcased the power of teamwork and the impact of LEAN principles. By empowering every team member with the ability to 'Stop the Line,' we successfully aligned our shop and field teams, driving the project to a successful outcome pun intended
Employee Highlights
A big shoutout to all team members who have embraced the LEAN philosophy, recognized waste and striving for continuous improvement every day! Special recognition goes to Randy Fabian in TX and Fino Gonzalez in AZ for their outstanding efforts, striving to become #1% Better Every Day!
Upcoming Projects
We’re excited about several major upcoming projects and remain committed to implementing LEAN strategies. The next big focus is on Herberger, where SOPs and storyboards are in progress. Also, mark your calendars our Field Leaders meeting is scheduled for October."
Project North is an exciting upcoming initiative that will put our LEAN principles to the test, offering plenty of opportunities for continuous improvement.
Industry Insights
LEAN practices are becoming a major force in all areas of construction, especially with general contractors and 'just in time' deliveries. Kovach is definitely moving in the right direction
Our success is driven by the hard work and dedication of our field teams. The true testament to their efforts is a job well done completed on time and profitably.
Exemplifying Kovach Core Value
Despite many challenges, our teams have remained positive and focused in all areas We’re building strong relationships that allow us to adapt and progress, while challenging traditional methods to embrace the growth ahead
A shout out to everyone in the field working in the heat. Having the grit to show up every day, remain positive, take ownership in their work and stive be improve their skill sets.
Let’s Talk Shop!
Hangar One
We are thrilled to announce that our shop has successfully completed 3,000 unitized curtainwall assemblies for the Hangar One project. This significant milestone marks a major advancement in our efforts, as work continues on other key elements including metal panels, ACM panels, gutters, and additional components. Our team remains dedicated to delivering excellence and is making excellent progress as we move forward with the project.
ITQuarterlyRoundup
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Kovach’s Culture Committee
A Fresh Start: The Culture Committee is Back!
At Kovach, we know that a vibrant and inclusive workplace culture is the secret sauce to our success. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce the return of the Culture Committee! This enthusiastic team is here to sprinkle a little extra joy into our workdays by planning exciting company events, organizing volunteer opportunities, and finding meaningful ways to give back to our peers and our communities.
But that’s not all! The Culture Committee will also be your go-to source for our quarterly book club picks, promoting the idea of getting "1% Better Each Day." Whether you're a bookworm or just love a good chat, this is a fantastic way to learn, grow, and connect with your colleagues.
Our mission? To spread positivity, foster camaraderie, and make sure that everyone at Kovach is not just working hard but also having fun doing so! From team-building activities to creative office events, we’re all about creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, motivated, and yes, has a ton of fun!
Meet the Committee
Karen Krauter
Kerry Ellingwood
Angela Holliger
Jaime Hale
Josh Simpson
Joshua Hainsworth
Cory Hempstead
Priscilla Olmstead
Curtis Jackson
Heidi Sharman
Upcoming Events
9/11 - Book Club
9/13 - Kovach Bowling - Invite
Forthcoming
11/1 - Day of the Dead - Chilli Cookoff
Holiday Food Drive - TBD
Quarterly Book Club
A new book is chosen each quarter by the Culture Committee. Join us for a lively book discussion over lunch and share your thoughts and takeaways! Please only respond YES if you plan to attend, it will help with ordering the correct amount of food. Need a copy of the book? Kovach is providing hard copies just reach out to Kerry Ellingwood. Prefer Audible? Buy it, participate, and bring your receipt to the review meeting for reimbursement. Participation is voluntary, but everyone is welcome!
Mark your calendars: September 11th, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM for this month’s book:
If you have any suggestions on future books for the book club, please reach out to Kerry Ellingwood
Giving Back:Volunteer Opportunity
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
On September 28th Kovach is teaming up with ICON Builders and Fleming West to co-sponsor a special event for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an organization dedicated to building beds for children in need.
Last year we had a fantastic turnout with families friends and volunteers o it again! his worthy cause. ing events, so stay
Please reach out to any of the committee members with suggestions, comments, or questions about any of the events.
Let’s continue to build a workplace culture that’s not only supportive and engaging but also overflowing with positivity and fun!
Employee Advisory Committee
Kovach Leadership has established an Employee Advisory Committee as a platform for employees to voice their thoughts and ideas. This committee meets every six weeks to discuss key opportunities, including:
Enhancing our employee culture
Shaping the future and current state of our mission and vision
Fostering growth and development for our team
Brainstorming innovative ideas
Providing constructive feedback to leadership across all departments
Encouraging open discussions that challenge each department to strive for continuous improvement
This committee is dedicated to ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard as we work together to make our company even better.
Employee Advisory Committee – Members
Bradley Wright
Kerry Ellingwood
Levi Hunting
Nathan Mower
Clayton Walker
Josh Simpson
Richard Welsh
Sam Pacheco
John Williamson
Kavon Rivers
Jaime “Fino” Gonzalez
Thanks for Reading KOVACH INK
*Submit your ideas for the next newsletter to Angela Holliger