BUILT on Trust
SUMMER 2020 NEWSLETTER
The Lake House After a grueling few months which included a significant schedule delay due to the pandemic, The Lake House at Sylvan Beach opened on Monday, July 27.
CELEBRATING 13 YEARS IN A ROW AS A BEST COMPANY!
OUR CORE VALUES Customer satisfaction is the core of our success and existence. We inspire our employees by supporting their development through loyalty, respect, and sharing in the company’s success. We provide a safe work place so everyone returns home safely. Honesty and integrity above all! Living and conducting our business lives by these core values will sustain our growth, profit, and success.
In the words of Oneida Nation Enterprises CEO, Ray Halbritter, “What we’ve done together in the last 7 years alone has been historic. It started with the development of Exit 33 at Turning Stone, the total renovation of our gaming floor at Turning Stone, the construction of YBR Casino and Sports Book and its later expansion, Point Place Casino, Three Maple Leaf Markets, The Commons at Turning Stone and now the opening of The Lake House at Sylvan Beach – all without a break. That is an incredible track record.” We are so proud of our long standing relationship with the Oneida Nation. With each project, our team consistently proves they are the very best in the business, going above and beyond to achieve success for our customer. The Lake House was made possible by: Bob Mastro, Andy Stoffle, Bob Young, Conor Utter, Kelly Smith, Justin Bailey, Bill Barker, Jack Barni, Ben Blackwelder, Chris Chism, Keith Clark, Mike Clemens, Jim Condon, Nate Faherty, Dave Galavotti, Steve Gordon, Peter Heacox, Andrew Henderson, Cory Hilts, Gordon Hilts, Nate Hopkins, Jim Huxford, Tom Kaulback, Tom Kiselica, Bob Labarre, Kevin McLaughlin, Albert Merithew, Eric Metzger, Charles Monnell, Kody Parkhurst, John Robinson, Kim Rossignol, Randy Shantel, Forrest Todd, Brenden Whalen, and Ben Winstead.
A Note from Jeremy In my last President’s letter, I discussed how 2020 could be one of the busiest years we’ve ever had; it is unsettling how rapidly things changed. Soon after the publication, a pandemic swept through the world hitting New York State particularly hard and grinding things to a hault. Looking back, when COVID first appeared in China and started popping up in our media, I realize how naïve I was when I thought that our business and community would not be affected and things would be business as usual. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I would like to thank all of our team members who continued to work on the front lines of essential projects through some very uncertain times. When we were first hit, people were nervous and afraid. Despite that, many continued to work and keep our doors open. Their efforts allowed us to move forward on several key projects which allowed the companies to continue to earn revenue, so we could continue to pay salaries and benefits to all of our team members. The effects of COVID are going to continue for quite some time. Besides the loss of so many people to this awful disease, the economic impacts may continue to affect our business for many months, possibly years to come. We have seen numerous projects slated to start construction
be placed on an indefinite hold. We have not seen nearly as many project opportunities as we normally do by this time of year. These drivers are going to inevitably result in a decrease in revenues for the foreseeable future. It will be more important than ever that we minimize waste and increase efficiencies to maximize the opportunities that we have. Our leadership team will continue to work very hard to keep everyone busy and support our teams in the field. I also look forward to continuing our company-wide virtual meetings. We started using them to keep everyone updated on what was happening during the NYS shut-down. I have received a lot of positive feedback that the meetings were informative and beneficial, so we will continue to hold them periodically to provide updates on our business. I would encourage anyone that has topics they would like to hear about to reach out and let me know. I will do my best to accommodate those requests. Thank you all for making us successful and I look forward to seeing you soon. Stay safe!
Jeremy Thurston President
St. Joseph’s Primary Care Center Parking Garage Who knew a parking garage could be glamorous? Working with King + King Architects in a design-build capacity, we recently completed a new parking garage for St. Joseph’s Health Primary Care Center. The finished structure is 4.5 stories tall and provides almost 400 parking spaces offering a prime view of the Syracuse skyline. It is replacing the existing physicians’ office building parking garage, another project that is currently in pre-construction.
Despite challenging winter conditions and the pandemic onslaught, the project was finished on schedule and over 10% under budget thanks to project team Sam Doss, Ken Crossway, Alex McGill, Bill Barker, Jimmy Dimitrievski, Andrew Henderson, Bob Labarre, Kevin McLaughlin, Eric Metzger, James Stokes, Craig Agostini, Chris Burke, Mark Burkey, Jim Cziesler, Lucas Floyd, Jake Franklin, Greg Frigon, Doug Hammond, Dan Jamerson, Alex Sheperd, and Ken Turturo.
Safety First! with Stu Cavuto Director of Safety
Pat yourselves on the back! Hayner Hoyt recently noted a year without a lost time injury, Doyner 700 days(!) and Lemoyne over 2.5 years(!). It’s an amazing safety streak only made possible by great crews committed to our safety efforts. Numbers like these are more proof that we are one of the best companies around. Most importantly, it means everyone went home at the end of their shift. It has been a strange year. 365 days ago, we were working at a record pace. New customers, new projects, new hires and our biggest project ever were all ongoing. Optimism rang throughout the company. Then in February the COVID-19 virus began to spread. First overseas, then downstate and finally in our own neighborhoods. Most businesses along with quite a few of our projects shutdown, many of you worked from home, a few “essential” workers came to a nearly empty office building and all of us worried about the future. Jeremy worked to keep the company alive through difficult times. Nearly every other day, your management team met to review information and work to ensure everyone stayed safe. Thankfully, a few jobs kept moving forward as we all sacrificed together. Then one by one jobs came back online. In those first few weeks, many of you expressed concerns about your safety. Your team worried too. How do we protect our folks as we continue to build became a daily question. Reviewing Health Department, NYS and CDC guidelines became an obsession and sourcing hand washing stations, sanitizers and face masks an ongoing task. At one point there were 8 people sewing face masks in an effort to make them available to anyone who needed them. In short, our response was incredible. I cannot express how impressed I am with our field personnel. Continuing our tradition of construction excellence and customer satisfaction in spite of the “never before” COVID-19 challenge. Respecting the effects of the illness by respecting each other. Wellness checks, working with face masks, disinfecting tools, social distancing and multiple hand washings each day are just a part of their efforts. In many instances new procedures were created to limit close contact. Thankfully, all of this has proven to be a COVID deterrent. While the war is not over, we are putting up an impressive fight. And like before COVID, our pledge is to do everything possible to keep all of our workers as safe as we can. Your Safety Team is working for you. Because we all want the same thing… Everyone goes home safe, every day.
Oswego BHS
Fage
Compass FCU, Fulton
Sysco food docks repair
Dome Restrooms
Addis interior slab pour
Masonry Mention with Kevin Agostini and Jim Cziesler
Spring and early summer has been busy for Doyner. Despite Covid-19, Doyner continued work throughout the entire spring completing projects at Anaren, Sysco, several Charter Spectrum projects, and Compass FCU. We currently have quite a few projects at the Syracuse University Dome including renovations to the visitor’s locker room, restroom, and concessions stands. We’re also out at Fage working on the water tank facility and Oswego Behavioral Health Services.
We will be starting work at Ultra Dairy and at Community Memorial Hospital, working into the autumn of this year. The whole Doyner crew hasn’t missed a beat working through health concerns and getting the job done. We are fast approaching 2 years without a lost time injury! Your hard work and attention to detail on safety is really starting to make an impact. Great job!
Project Snapshots
Despite an unprecedented few months, we were able to finish several projects, welcome a few new clients to our roster, and press forward on projects already underway. We are grateful to our team for pulling together and staying committed to offering excellent service in the face of adversity.
Yellow Brick Road Casino Exterior Bio365 Warehouse
Oswego Health Med Surge Phase 1
Syracuse University Stadium Cable Lift
Our Future is Bright//Team Spotlight – Project Engineers and Assista
In a time when fewer and fewer people are interested in entering the construction industry, we’re lucky to have suc veterans who are mentoring them every step of the way.
Aaron Devereaux
Conor Utter
Justin Hayward
Kyle Robinson
Nick Kier
Meier’s Creek Brewing
Compass FCU in Fulton
Oswego Behavioral Health
Fage Water Tank
SRC Building 5
ant Project Managers ch talented young professionals on our team. We appreciate what they bring to the table, and our industry
Alex McGill
Charlie Clark
Jake Bratek
Jon Livesay
Mike Speach
Prison City Brewery
Interior insights with kevin parkhurst vice president
Addis Building
We hope all Lemoyne employees and their families are doing well. We have done a great job maintaining health and safety standards and we’re getting through these challenging times together. Over the last few months we’ve completed work at the State Tower and Thruway Building for Pioneer, SRC Building #5, Compass Credit Union, and Lockheed Martin for Hayner Hoyt, Dixon Condos and Women’s Health for Dixon as well as Bank of America, Hunt Realty, and Nexus in Rome. Currently we have projects going at MVCC, Liatro, Addis, Prison City Brewery, the State Tower, A. Stan, along with several jobs tied into the Dome roof replacement. We’re looking forward to starting work at Syracuse Academy, Utica Academy, SU Physics Lab, Community Memorial Hospital, Dollar Tree, and Soldiers and Sailors. With all of this work going on, we’re excited to welcome Mike Landry, John Savo, and Darryl Smith to our team. Congratulations to Calvin Froelick and Alexandra Young on the birth of their daughter Everliegh Skye, and Nick and Erica Lalone on the birth of their daughter Emery May.
HR Updates
with Joyce Dennington Director of Human Resources Together is better. This or some similar mantra has helped us ride the waves of change since March. Even if the speed and degree of change has up-ended our world, I find comfort in working together as a team and focusing on helping others. The following includes reminders about the support available to employees. To assist you and your family with managing stressful times, please remember that we partner with HelpPeople – an employee assistance service – available to all employees free of charge. This benefit provides professional assistance when personal problems affect your job, your life, or the lives of your loved ones. Counselors are available to listen, understand and provide support. Services are confidential and the company does not receive information about who uses the services. Employees can access the service at www.helppeople-eap.org or by calling (315)-470-7447 or (800) 777-6110. We have already begun working on the 2021 benefit plans. Keep your eye out for an announcement in November-ish about the open enrollment period. Open Enrollment is a time when you may
enroll in a benefit plan for the first time or make changes to your current medical, dental, and vision plans as well as the flexible spending plan. Also available are two voluntary AFLAC plans (cancer and accident coverage). All plans will renew on January 1. If you have questions prior to Open Enrollment, do not hesitate to contact me. Company holidays this year include Thanksgiving and the day after (11/26 and 11/27), Friday, 12/25 and Friday, 1/01/2021. Every employee will receive paid holiday hours in the pay date following the holiday. Revisions to the Clothing Allowance Policy allow eligible employees to be reimbursed for work-related clothing and footwear at any store. Eligible employees will receive discounts at Carhartt and at Homer Men & Boys Store; however, if you prefer to shop elsewhere please submit your itemized receipt for reimbursement of up to $125 per year. Change is difficult for all of us to varying degrees, but the speed and volume of change since March has been unprecedented. When things appear overwhelming or out of control, please know that Together is Better and your human resources team – Joyce and Julie – are available to answer your questions and provide support. We look forward to hearing from you!
Dairy Famers of America foundation work
In My Estimate with Tim Dunn VP of Pre-Construction
Despite the economic uncertainty over the last few months, we have remained busy, pursuing all opportunities we can. We’ve found ourselves capitalizing on the markets we serve, and even expanding them a little. One such example is, in large part due to our exceptional history with architect MSKTD & Associates, the two new dairy clients we’ve welcomed to our roster; Kelly Smith has been busy estimating jobs for Dairy Farmers of America in Vermont and ByHeart in Pennsylvania. Alex McGill is currently doing his project engineer rotation in estimating. He has played a key role in several projects with state grants and handling the arduous record keeping requirements. He also recently led the charge bidding a medical treatment center renovation in Utica. Jeff Uryniak has spent a good share of his year working on the next Ultra Dairy expansion as well as the Gordon Science Center at Utica College. Both projects have recently started construction. Jeff Beckwith has been instrumental in estimating projects for several existing customers including IAD in Ithaca with their many laboratory and office renovations, everything at Lockheed Martin, and anything new that Syracuse University can come up with. Jeff Wrobleski has been pivotal in a number of different projects, including the new Crouse Health medical office building that will be getting underway on Erie Boulevard. Jack Barni has been doing the upfront legwork developing projects for existing customers such as ConnextCare and Finger Lakes Health, as well as providing estimating support, and bidding the elevator projects at Syracuse University and Cazenovia College. We may not know what the future will bring, but we will continue to do everything in our power to keep everyone too busy!
Go Virtual –
The best Sanitizer with Vadim Potorac Network administrator
2020 has changed us, both personally and professionally, across all market sectors. A global pandemic that impacts everyone is rare, but how we react and respond to it is what matters most. In a time when large group meetings are no longer an acceptable means of communication, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the team. Like so many other companies, we have found it necessary to adapt and pivot to meet the changing demands of our world. Because so much of our value is derived from our team and how we communicate, the company identified that a change was in order to maintain our value proposition. To protect ourselves and our clients, we shifted toward a more tech-centric approach, taking our meetings online, thus eliminating barriers for people to collaborate in real-time. Among other platforms, our company started to implement Microsoft Teams. Many project teams immediately saw the value and fully adopted it. Some, however, are still wondering how Microsoft Teams is different than other meeting software like GoToMeeting or Zoom. The answer is very simple: Microsoft Teams is more than a meeting solution – it’s a collaboration platform fully integrated with Microsoft Office 365. Employees don’t need additional usernames or passwords – just use your Office 365 credentials. This platform gives us increased functionality with features like: • Online meetings, as well as audio and video calls, with internal and external people directly from your computer • Document sharing with full OneDrive integration and applications that get used every day like Word, Excel and Outlook • Accessibility across all devices like iPhones, iPads, Android, etc. • Reduced email – quick questions get resolved over Teams chat rather than a long wait for an email reply Besides these features, Microsoft Teams is included with the Office 365 license at no extra cost to our company. If you haven’t experienced Microsoft Teams, I encourage you to give it a try. It can be downloaded from the Apple App or the Google Play stores. Go ahead—test, build, experience and send me your feedback. And if you need assistance, just let me know.
Baby Boom!
Our extended family is growing with lots of new additions to celebrate from the last few months.
625 Erie Boulevard West Syracuse, NY 13204
Sam Doss welcomes grandkids Bryson and Reagan
Carmen Pontello welcomes grandson Joseph Diego
Nick & Erica Lalone welcome daughter Emery May
Bob & Shannon Mastro welcome daughter Anna Rose
company anniversaries May Rod Hilton (7), Adam Froelick (3), Brenden Whalen (2), Calvin Froelick (5), Corey Hilts (6), Jake Bratek (1), Gary Thurston (42), James Stokes (5), Kody Parkhurst (8), Gus Hernandez (15), Jeremy Thurston (22), Jacek Bartczak (5), Nathan Hopkins (11), Alex McGill (1), Jacob Wise (1), Ken Turturo (1), Sheila Nelson (6), Michael Speach (3), Conor Utter (4), Brian Alguire (10), Bob Mastro (8), Dan Phinney (14) June Keith Clark (1), Douglas Hammond (18), Brian Kiddle (10), James Senke (1), Traci Rio (17), Jonathan Livesay (2), Dan Lostumbo (2), Tim Moran (4), Nick Lalone (8), Eric Metzger (7), Kyle Shepard (1), Craig Agostini (2)
Tim & Meg Moran welcome daughter Holly Eva
July Kevin Parkhurst (22), David Galavotti (9), Robert Young (3), Joseph Sgarlata (22), Mike Whalen (22), Kyle Robinson (3), Gregory Frigon (5), Steven Scofield (5), Alexander Shepard (1), John Robinson (1), Justin Bailey (1), Kevin McLaughlin (1), Nick Kier (2), Forrest Todd (12), Rodger Parkhurst (22)
Ben & Lindsay Winstead welcome daughter Cora Belle
August Jake Franklin (1), Kevin Agostini (2), John Murabito (23), Robert Labarre (47), Jim Lostracco (5), Jason Wheeler (3), Steve Benedict (40)
Social shoutout
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