Blue Ops - The Lewis Operations Newsletter - 2023 Issue #2

Superintendent’s Corner

One thing I hear echoed at internal meetings is the wealth of knowledge and years of experience we have at this company. Someone will have the answer if you need feedback on a product, subs, or costs. Bottom line: don’t be afraid to ask for help. Early on in my career, I struggled to ask questions because of pride or fear of embarrassment. Now I understand why asking questions is so important to our work. If we don’t use our knowledge and experience, we’ll lose it.

Projects have changing needs at various stages of construction. To meet these needs, I often ask Superintendents, PM’s and PE’s how subs perform, or the pros and cons of products used on past projects. When I regularly coordinate field needs with other Superintendents and Foremen, I’m better equipped to tackle the project.

You’re likely asking, “How can I get to know the people I work with?” Lewis provides countless community outreach opportunities that are available to all employees. Take your pick of DEI activities, ride at Obliteride, compete in the Playworks kickball tournament, or join a harvest picnic event! Sign up for a golf tournament, annual holiday parties, quarterly events, and take part in trainings to expand your network at Lewis. Take it from me: step outside of your comfort zone and introduce yourself to someone new. Who knows when you may need to give them a call.

BLUE OPS The Lewis Operations Newsletter

Zeke Holder Superintendent, Portland

By Elsa Manning, Senior Marketing Specialist

LEWIS’ SAFETY MOTTO: WORKING SAFE FOR LIFE

Working safe for life is living safe for life. Now say that three times fast. Jokes aside, the safety of our people is the most crucial aspect of our business. We all have personal lives filled with loved ones, pets, hobbies and futures. Each one of us has a reason to return home safely every day.

The term every day is rooted in our company culture—every decision, every detail, every day. Our safety involves daily decisions and details that impact our people’s lives inside, and more importantly, outside of work. We want our team to leave work safely and return the same way. “Working Safe for Life (WSFL)” is just that—regardless of being on or off the clock, we are mentally alert and aware of potential hazards. Guided by genuine concern for our co-workers’ health and well-being, we believe we are all personally accountable for protecting ourselves, our co-workers, and our families from harm.

We cannot cut corners with safety. Leading by example, we are mutually committed to zero injuries and believe every injury and accident is preventable. Our commitment to WSFL is not just for today or tomorrow, it is lifelong.

The question now is, how do we WSFL? The easiest way to remember it is to use the acronym PEAT. PEAT stands for Planning, Environment, Assessment and Training. Here is what we mean:

Planning P Environment E

We plan our work. When conditions change, we STOP! then plan again.

We create an environment of trust and respect that promotes safe execution of our work through smart logistics, clear pathways, and impeccable housekeeping.

Assessment A Training T

We continuously monitor and assess our activities for safety and address concerns promptly.

We educate ourselves on safety best practices and relevant regulations.

As we continue to unpack WSFL, safety-related stories and our employees’ reasons to work safe for life will be shared on various platforms including Blue Ops, our social media platforms, etc. Read the first installment of these stories on the following pages.

By Ben McLean, Communication Specialist

Top Priorities for our Safety Professionals

We contacted our Safety Coordinators and asked them, “when you walk onto a jobsite, what are the top three things you are looking for; What are your primary concerns from the outset?”

We received an outpouring of detailed and informative responses that give a glimpse into the minds of our safety professionals. Their feedback highlights the features of a jobsite that pose significant safety risks. Below are a few insightful responses:

Good Housekeeping

“Housekeeping is a constant priority on all projects—poor housekeeping leads to multiple safety hazards and can be the root cause of incidents that occur on projects,” Lori Wiese said.

Respect Each Other

“I look at how people treat each other. If they respect each other, they will take care of each other and have the freedom to talk about the hard and important things,” Bill Holden said. “If they respect each other, they will watch each other’s backs and cover each other’s weaknesses.”

I Spy

“I always do an initial scan for moving equipment and look to see how people, myself included, are positioning themselves around the equipment,” Darren Rommel said.

Fall For It

“I look for fall hazards. Falls are one of OSHAs focus four hazards and are the most likely way someone gets seriously hurt on a jobsite,” Adriana Mendoza commented. “I ensure all openings and holes are identified and protected properly. As the jobsite progresses, new fall hazards arise, so it’s always changing.”

Dig It

“I look at the ground conditions for excavation activities. Are there open and unprotected holes and trenches? Are the workers being protected as they work in and around the excavations?” asked Jay Johnson

Keep an eye out for these safety hazards on your jobsite!

By Teagan Wood, Marketing Specialist

Safety Moment: Heat Stress

The weather has officially changed, and Lewis field teams’ summer has started early. To keep safe on the jobsite, there are a few practices we can do to stay safe and prevent heat stroke.

‚ Drink plenty of water. Lewis provides lots of water onsite for our crews. It is recommended that the average worker drink water at regular intervals throughout the day to stay hydrated and prevent heat stroke.

‚ Remember to replenish your electrolytes. Teams should always have electrolyte replenishment supplements on hand such as the flavored packets to add to water. If sugar free options are not immediately available for those with diabetes or dietary restrictions, ask and they will be provided.

‚ Utilize cool down stations. If you are getting too hot, take a moment to utilize the water misters and cooling stations for workers to cool down under.

‚ Protect against sunburn. When sunburned, your body struggles to cool itself, putting you at higher risk for heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Use a broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30 and apply generously and regularly.

‚ Can your task be performed inside? It takes the body time to acclimate to the increased heat and weather conditions. If a task can be completed inside, do so to limit exposure to the heat.

Most importantly, please keep an eye on each other in hot weather. If someone is becoming sick due to the heat, get them to a cooling station, offer them water with added electrolytes and a place to sit away from the heat or direct sun. Always report a heat related incident immediately. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are dangerous, even deadly, but preventable with the right steps made daily.

The Lewis yard has options for cooling stations, electrolyte supplements, and more. Ask your Site Safety Coordinator for more info.

WORK GROUP & COMMITTEE BULLETIN

Information Technology

By Brenda Cooper, Director of Information Technology and Christine Zinkgraf, Senior Project Executive

Lewis Celebrates Innovation!

We are an innovative construction company with a rich history of testing new tools and integrating the useful items into our toolkit. This year, for the first time, Lewis is sponsoring an Innovation Accelerator project (think “Shark Tank”).

The Lewis Universe is excited to see all your innovative ideas, and the Innovation Committee will support you and/or your team in the presentation of these ideas. Finalists will receive a $1,000 prize; semi-finalists will receive a $500 prize, and all participants will get custom swag. All viable ideas will be vetted and supported by the innovation committee.

Lewis seeks to empower our people to improve our communities, turning passion for our craft into buildings that matter. No idea is too small or too outlandish if it makes a component of our business more productive, efficient, or impactful. The ideas that surface through the Innovation Accelerator will help us to maintain our reputation as a forward-thinking builder.

Innovations can be new to the industry or just to Lewis, and they do not need to focus on technology or building. An improvement in accounting or safety is just as valuable as an improvement in our self-perform processes.

How Do I Sign Up?

To submit an innovative idea, use this QR code. The application window will be open until Friday, September 1st.

When and Where is the Event?

There will be one opportunity to present ideas in Seattle and one in Portland; both are scheduled for mid-October. We encourage you to participate and motivate the innovators around you to participate so your talents can be showcased and recognized!

By Teagan Wood, Marketing Specialist

Why is Celebrating Pride Important at Lewis?

At Lewis, we believe in empowering our people to improve our communities. When we say this, we can often mean building buildings that matter, but another way that I interpret this is: Lewis empowers our people to hold a spotlight on the communities and topics that make us who we are and say, ‘this matters to us too’.

As a Queer professional in an industry that is sometimes difficult to find representation in, I’ve found myself taking inspiration from the idea of being a builder, socially and professionally. Building anything takes time along with thousands of people and thousands more small components. Every screw used moves a project closer to its final product. Building a future that I want to see in this industry is no different. While I am sometimes the only person with my identity in the spaces I occupy, to occupy this space at all is a similarly small but essential component in constructing the future I envision; a future where LGBTQ+ professionals occupy more spaces in construction, architecture and engineering to support each other and shape the industry.

Though the construction industry is just beginning to make steps towards visibility and acceptance for LGBTQ+ individuals—and still has a very long way to go—one crucial aspect of this progress is the celebration of Pride. In June, we can take time to both celebrate and educate on the topics and challenges facing LGBTQ+ people within and beyond our industry. Leading up to Pride month, I took a moment to ask our people at Lewis why celebrating Pride as a company matters for them... To read the rest of this article on our blog, scan the QR code above.

Community outreach

By Ben McLean, Communication Specialist

Ride with Lewis

Calling all riders, runners and walkers! Lewis has again joined Fred Hutch’s Obliteride summer bike ride and 5K to raise funds for Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Cancer touches all of us - half of all men and one-third of all women in the U.S. will get cancer in their lifetime. These figures are shocking, but we believe we can be part of a change. Every dollar raised through this event will advance cancer prevention, detection, treatment and cures.

Saturday, August 12, is the day of the bike rides and 5K walk/run in Seattle. Show up early, head to the starting line, and feel the thrill as you complete your 25-, 50-, or 100-mile bike ride or 5K walk/run with your fellow participants. Virtual participation options exist for those who can’t make the trip in-person.

Lewis invites you to check out our team page (see QR code to the left) to join our team and/or donate to our fundraising goal. If you have any questions about the event, please contact Melinda Roll at Melinda.Roll@lewisbuilds.com

By Ben McLean, Communication Specialist

Continued Education Through Pacific Northwest Carpenters Institute

Prioritizing your continued education is one of the most effective ways to grow your opportunities in the industry. It sends a signal that you take your work and personal development seriously.

“We are always looking for talent and commitment to the craft, and we go out of our way to engage and retain those who invest in themselves and do the extra work to become the best at what they do.” – Josh Aguilar, Superintendent School is out for the summer, but these long days might be the perfect setting for evening coursework. The Pacific Northwest Carpenters Institute (PNCI) offers summer courses, including in-person classes you attend with colleagues or online from the comfort of your own home.

Unsure where to start or what classes to take? Are you excited about upcoming projects? Do you want to specialize in a type of construction? The Cleanroom Ceiling Systems course is a great way to learn more about a scope prevalent in Data Center construction, for example.

“Best Practices in Healthcare was not mandatory for my apprenticeship, but I took the course because my next job was at a hospital. I wanted to be prepared for this new space and the unique challenges of healthcare construction.” – Elisha Jones, Foreman

An easy first step is to look through the summer course catalog using the QR code above. See if any available courses interest you. If you have any questions about PNCI and how to utilize this resource, please connect with your Lewis Superintendent or Foreman. They understand the value of continued education and know the impact it has on the quality of work. For those outside of SW Washington and Oregon, visit www.nwci.org to get connected to education opportunities through the Northwest Carpenter’s Institute of Washington.

By Teagan Wood, Marketing Specialist and Elizabeth Naai, Copywriter

Van

Lehto:

STEM4 Apprentice

A sense of family is a strong motivator in Van Lehto’s personal and professional life. Already well-versed in the industry, becoming a Carpenter Apprentice was an act of conviction for him. Since 2022, Van has been expanding his knowledge and skillset as an apprentice at the STEM4 project in Bothell.

The jobsite is an endless learning curve; however, Van is eager to soak up every little detail along this journey. He leapt at the opportunity to try his hand at commercial projects. While the commercial aspect pulls him out of his comfort zone, he’s always been a fan of solving puzzles. In fact, it’s tempting to say that the exceptionally challenging moments during a project are what keep him coming back.

Van’s greatest sense of accomplishment on the job has been his contribution to—and the completion of— the final core at STEM4.

This apprenticeship is a night and day experience. During past work, Van often felt that he was just another body or number at the jobsite. In this current role, he feels valued and respected by his colleagues. Completing a challenging project makes him to beam with pride, and that pride is multiplied by the camaraderie he experiences at Lewis.

For Van, it was critical that he feel grounded in his professional life after years as a non-union laborer and carpenter helper. Coming home to play with his children is the highlight of his day, but working alongside the journeymen and foremen at Lewis is a close second. Van knew he’d found a home away from home when he joined his colleagues for the STEM4 topping out party.

“When I’m at home, I belong with my kids. And when I’m at work, I feel like I belong with everyone [at Lewis].” Van has certainly found a place to root.

By Allie Mahan, Creative Specialist

Sun’s Out, (BBQ) Buns Out!

Living in the PNW usually means long winters and cloudy days, so it comes as no surprise that as temperatures climb and the sun emerges from a long hibernation, grilling season is on. Grilling is in Lewis’ DNA. We often mark topping out milestones, subcontractor appreciation events and office employee gatherings with a BBQ. In hopes of inspiring your next BBQ – whether at home with friends and family or out on the jobsite this summer – several Lewis employees have shared their top tips and strategies for big crew cooking.

What’s your best advice for grilling for large groups of people?

Vince Kennedy: Make sure to pull the meat off the grill early - it will continue to cook in the warming trays.

Tina Sealey: Only use grills outside, unless you are using an approved indoor smokeless grill and keep your grill clean. Greases can build up and can cause a fire, so be sure to have a fire extinguisher on hand.

Nate Buddress: Don’t try to time things perfectly. Finish the cook earlier than needed and keep the meat warm in a cooler. It will stay hot for a long time.

Matt Hockett: Keep it low maintenance. Wings and brats are always a good choice.

Daryl Shepard: Get a Blackstone. Very versatile and has a ton of room to cook for multiple people.

What’s your (not so) secret ingredient/grilling hack?

Nate Buddress: Unwaxed butcher paper is a great thing to have to wrap meats in during long cooks. It helps to push through the dreaded “stall” and keeps in moisture without steaming the meat.

Matt Hockett: Add a little root beer to your favorite BBQ Sauce.

Mike Reynolds: Marinating and brining are sure ways to add flavor, moisture, and tenderize whatever you’re grilling.

Tanner Perrine: I recommend buying a set of bearclaws to prepare pulled pork. They really save your arms and TIME when cooking large batches.

Daryl Shepard: If you’re grilling chicken, mix some baking powder with your seasoning and let sit overnight in the refrigerator. You’ll get a good crispy skin on the outside to lock in all the flavor.

Top: Daryl Shepard’s Blackstone breakfast spread. Middle: The UO Huestis Hall team preps for a topping out BBQ. Bottom Left: Tina Sealey’s Bone-in Ribeye. Bottom Right: Nate Buddress mans the grill at a PDX office BBQ

PROJECT BACKLOG + HIGHLIGHTS

including

will include internal and external building upgrades to meet the needs of the Counseling and Psychological Services department.

This project will involve a refresh of the Knight Pavilion public areas, the West Café and exterior entry canopy areas. The project is approximately 11,346 square feet.

remodel of two adjoining buildings for the City of Eugene. The combined project size is roughly 100,000 square feet.

The project will build a new 8,000-square-foot rural health clinic in a vacant retail space. Additionally, the project team will remodel an existing 2,850-squarefoot clinic into a cardiac rehab space at the Providence Basecamp facility.

Lewis’ South Valley team is in full swing out at Withycombe Hall on the Oregon State University (OSU) campus in Corvallis, Oregon. This project is the first large CM/CG-negotiated project back at the OSU campus in over 20 years. The 81,000-square-foot educational facility is a contributing resource in the OSU Historic District. Built in 1952, it’s an Agricultural research and teaching building complete with a working dairy. The structure consists of three building segments: a 3-story west wing with administrative, classroom and laboratory functions, a central single-story structure with a lecture hall and an east wing with the dairy processing plant above a full basement.

The scope of work includes both the east and west sides of the building. Our team will upgrade the building to meet current codes and OSU Design and Construction Standards. The project aims to improve the entire building in one construction phase, with scheduled milestones for the east and west sides. Major elements include a new Dairy Processing Lab complete with a retail space to sell products produced by OSU’s Food Sciences, renovation of existing labs for Animal Rangeland Sciences and a reconfiguration of the vacated lower-level space to support both Food Science and Animal Rangeland Sciences.

Lewis is currently finishing demo and preparing to start self-performed concrete. The project is on track to finish in Fall of 2024.

The table below is updated quarterly to show major backlog in each market sector. This is not a comprehensive list and data shown is projected. Please see Preconstruction or a market sector leader for more information about these projects.

PROJECT BACKLOG + HIGHLIGHTS

The table below is updated quarterly to show major backlog in each market sector. This is not a comprehensive list and data shown is projected. Please see Preconstruction or a market sector leader for more information about these projects.

design-build renovations to modernize two elementary schools. Work includes adding 23 new classrooms and constructing a new gym, commons and an inclusive playground across both campuses.

tenant improvement to buildout the headquarters offices for this growing technology company.

Progress continues on this 80,000-square-foot STEM academic facility that will serve the University of Washington and Cascadia College in Bothell, Washington. This $64 million progressive-design-build with Mithun architects will feature classrooms, class labs, collaborative faculty offices and student collaboration space, including specialized facilities for biology, chemistry and physics. The project has had to overcome various challenges associated with being amidst an active campus, steep topography and a very tight schedule.

Recently the team celebrated the completion of their most challenging piece of site concrete — a 50-foot-long architectural facing wall, 27 feet tall at its tallest point with vertical control joints every 4 feet, all on the steeply sloped site. The project team ended up using shotcrete rather than pouring into one-sided formwork. The team worked with trade partner Conco to shoot the wall in a single day while also providing the smooth, troweled finish that this high visibility wall required. STEM4 is on track to finish for classes this fall.

2200 Western Avenue Suite 500 Seattle, WA 98121

www.lewisbuilds.com

For inquiries, or to opt out from receiving this newsletter, please email: lewisinfo@lewisbuilds.com

RECOGNITION & PERSONAL MILESTONES

Congratulations to Celina Yee for earning her Living Future Accreditation!

The LFA is a credential recognizing proficiency in the world’s most ambitious, advanced and holistic sustainable design standards. Celina completed the 60-hour curriculum over the course of a year. This accreditation is another step our employees take to build a better future.

Duncan Howard and his wife Julia brought their wonderful daughter Emelie Elise Howard into the world on March 11th, 2023! The family is healthy and happy, if a little tired. Congratulations to them both!

Introducing baby Kaio Chan! He was born November 10th, 2022 to Celina Yee and her wonderful family. Congratulations, Celina and Kaio!

Please welcome Ellie Nielsen to the Lewis family! Ellie was born on January 30th, weighing in at 9lbs 5 oz, the biggest by far of Chris Nielsens’ five children. She is a joy, and her siblings love having a baby around.

The Bapst family is excited to introduce baby Joseph Bapst. He was born on 4/21/2023, and already he is trying to keep up with his older brother. Congratulations to Dan Bapst and his wife!

ACCORDING TO ADRIANA MENDOZA, WHAT IS ONE OF THE MOST LIKELY WAYS SOMEONE IS INJURED