Every month, the leadership team recognizes employees who have been nominated by co-workers for going the extra mile and embodying E&A’s core values: Our People, Our Customers, and Our Company. The award includes a prime parking spot for the month, along with a car detail service.
2022 Core Values Spotlight
DECEMBER: Jared Hemphill, EI, Civil Engineering Designer
Jared and I were discussing a project in Council Bluffs, and the subject of gas line information came up. During that conversation, we realized that the person we were trying to contact was retired. I had been trying to reach this utility for a different project and had no luck. Jared went around the office and found a new contact at the utility company. When he spoke with that person about his project, he also included my project (that he was not involved in). Thanks to Jared, I was contacted by the correct person to move my task ahead, and he got in touch with the person he needed. It was a small thing to do but really shows that taking a few extra keystrokes makes a huge difference.
*Submitted by Eric Schaben, RLS, Land Surveying Assistant Department Manager
What sets this example apart?
Jared is living our Core Values by being a true team player and helping not only himself by finding out the information he needed but eliminating an extra step for Eric.
Jared was thoughtful and intentional in his actions to go the extra mile for Our Company and provide help where needed. Great job, Jared!
NOVEMBER: Dustin Simmons, Civil Engineering Project Engineer
Dustin had left for the day on a Friday afternoon. A client called with questions on LOM-R application. Dustin not only took my call but then called the client and answered all questions. Then, the following Monday, he got the entire submittal package done. This was above and beyond, as he was already out the door for his weekend.
*Submitted by Dave Harnisch, Civil Engineering Project Manager
What sets this example apart?
What sets this apart is that Dustin called the client after leaving for the weekend. He put aside his personal plans and decided to be dedicated to Our Company by putting in some extra time to ensure Our Customers are taken care of. Thanks, Dustin, for Engineering Answers and going the extra mile to live our Core Values.
OCTOBER: John Von Dollen, RLS, Land Surveying Project Manager
I nominate Jon Von Dollen for his continued commitment to helping the next generation find value in engineering and surveying. Recently, I had the opportunity to help John during Vehicle Day for the Papillion school district. We were up against firetrucks, police cars, a semi-truck, and even a zoo mobile, and kids still wanted to come to learn about what E&A does. It’s no easy task to teach over 800 first graders about civil engineering and how to use different survey equipment, but John did it, and he has done it for nearly 20 years! The drone might have drawn the kids in, but John’s excitement and dad jokes kept them there!
*Submitted by Meghan Clay, Construction Administration Administrative Assistant
What sets this example apart?
By showing up to this event, John is living our Core Values and engaging in our community. Thank you, John, for being a role model for the rest of us.
SEPTEMBER: Joe Brakenhoff, Civil Engineering Project Manager
Joe has been a huge help with my transition to E&A. He is always willing to answer my questions and is very thoughtful. Prior to the spring E&A golf outing, he knew that I wanted to go but had a bit of anxiety about not knowing who I would play with. So Joe contacted Crystal and let her know, and in return, Crystal reached out to me saying that I could partner with someone that I know. This small gesture really meant a great deal to me! It also eased my anxiety and I signed up for the golf outing.
*Submitted by Tony Harris, Civil Engineering Technician
What sets this example apart?
Joe went above and beyond for Our People by recognizing how his fellow co-worker was feeling and decided to take it upon himself to see what he could do to help. Because Joe took the time to help Tony with a personal dilemma, he built a genuine relationship that improved their communication and will ultimately help them work together more effectively. Thank you for living our Core Values and being a helping hand, Joe!
AUGUST: Ron Dye, Civil Engineering Technician
Two days before a civil site submittal, I was completing a zoning application for a project. The architect emailed us saying they needed to remove a parking stall for a dog park entrance, and some of the building arrangements had changed with a difference of ten stalls from the original PUD plan that was completed a year ago. This meant that we needed to find room for ten more parking stalls, or this project would not meet the parking requirements per city code, which would be terrible news for our client. A few of us put our heads together and devised a solution to fit the remaining required parking stalls on the site by hand on tracing paper. Ron Dye only had 1.5 days left to see if our idea for the additional parking stalls would even work in CAD. Then, he would need to make the necessary revisions to the parking lot layout and revise the whole grading plan. (Because we all know one little change in the grading plan can affect the entire site). Ron was not particularly happy when we broke this news (can you blame him?), and he already had plans with his family for the next two evenings after work. But, he put aside everything from his personal life and did whatever it took to put in the extra time (outside of regular working hours) to complete this project within the original deadline.
*Submitted by Matt Tiarks, ASLA, CPSI, Planning Services Landscape Designer
What sets this example apart?
Ron lived our Core Values by going above and beyond for Our People, Our Customers, and Our Company. He put his own personal plans aside in order to help his team in a time of need and put E&A’s best foot forward. Thank you, Ron, for being a great example of what it means to be a team player at E&A!
JULY: Rich Skarin, SIT, Land Surveying Technician
Recently, a client called requesting to update an ALTA survey with new title information, which is not a simple task, and he needed this completed to close on time. Rich dropped what he was doing to help and worked hard to update this file so that it could be checked the morning before the client meeting. We could have told the client that the time frame was too short to turn around this level of effort, but Rich got the work done, which in turn helped the client look good to his board members overseeing this closing date.
*Submitted by Jeff LaMontagne, PE, Civil Engineering Project Manager
What sets this example apart?
Rich is living our Core Values by taking it upon himself to put in the extra effort that was needed to serve Our Customers. He proved how important this client is to E&A and did what was necessary to get the job done. Thank you, Rich, for going above and beyond for our company in a time crunch!
JUNE: Mike Rupp, Civil Engineering Technician
I nominate Mike Rupp for his continued efforts to advance our Civil 3D (C3D) grading surfaces. His work over the past several years has resulted in stabile C3D drawings that are quick and accurate to revise. For the Bluestem Meadows project, I gave Mike several iterations of floor elevations and profiles in an attempt to reduce the extra dirt onsite. Mike quickly produced each concept and provided a deliverable PDF that summarized the quantities. Mike went a step beyond and looked at a few other profile changes to further help the grading balance. In addition, Mike sent a proposal to Autodesk to present these grading techniques at the 2022 Autodesk University!
*Submitted by Kyle Vohl, Civil Engineering Project Manager
What sets this example apart?
Mike took it upon himself to see what else could be done to help our grading process when this wasn’t a required task from him. Each day we have the opportunity to help each other and Mike went above and beyond to help Our People and Our Company which will in return help Our Customers’ projects. Thank you, Mike, for living our Core Values by going the extra mile to enhance E&A, and good luck with Autodesk University 2022!
MAY: Joe Manning, Environmental Scientist
A member of the construction administration team noticed a new sign on the walking trail south of Anchor view that indicated there’s a pair of Bald Eagles that have moved in and built a nest about 400 feet away from one of our sanitary sewer projects and notified the environmental team. Joe, our avian nest survey expert, immediately looked up the regulations for working near an active Bald Eagle nest. He then offered to make a last-minute, late-in-the-day visit to the site to investigate. This allowed us to assess the site conditions, get accurate distance measurements, and take photos. Then he put together a detailed map with instructions for Brock and the contractor to help them stay in compliance with the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. This is the first time this situation has come up since I’ve worked here and Joe took the initiative to get it done quickly and correctly. (Read more about the Bald Eagle nest on our blog.)
*Submitted by Matt Vanicek, PWS, Environmental Scientist
What sets this example apart?
Joe could have just done the bare minimum, but instead, he took it upon himself to do what needed to be done in a timely manner and even created a map to visually show the regulations for those who needed to know. This is living our Core Values because Joe went above and beyond what was expected of him to help Our People, Our Customers, and Our Company.
APRIL: Kristin LaMantia, Construction Administration Coordinator
Kristin has continued to go above and beyond for our clients. The Street Reconstruction project we are working on needed streets marked out so the contractor could continue to work. All of the observer’s schedules were full, so Kristin took the time to go do the mark outs herself. I really appreciate her dedication to getting the job done! Kristin often goes above and beyond for our contractors to ensure they keep bidding on our projects to pursue a good working relationship with our company.
*Submitted by Meghan Clay, Construction Administration Administrative Assistant
What sets this example apart?
Kristin is living our Core Values by showing what it means to go above and beyond for our clients. This puts us closer to becoming the Preferred Provider by giving our clients Excellent Service and not letting anything fall through the cracks or get delayed. Thank you, Kristin, for recognizing what needed to be done and taking it upon yourself to get the job done!
MARCH: Dylan Schiltz, EI, Civil Engineering Designer
When I needed help recently on a very large project, Dylan volunteered to help out, even though this was not his team’s project. He worked several late nights, and even some weekends, to help get the project over the finish line, all while still maintaining the schedules on his own projects. It would have been extremely difficult to complete this project on time without Dylan’s assistance.
*Submitted by Caleb Beasley, PE, Civil Engineering Project Manager
What sets this example apart?
Dylan went out of his way to help another team while keeping up with his current workload. That willingness to take on more work and responsibility is a great example to all of us of not letting a ball drop and protecting our company’s brand of meeting deadlines. Great work Dylan!
FEBRUARY: Eric Schaben, RLS, Land Surveying Assistant Department Manager
Over the past few years, Eric has been refining the surveying services that he provides to me and the construction administration department, and it has gotten to the point that he is saving me a ton of time. For instance, instead of just providing me with the surveyors’ notes, he plots out the sanitary and sewer grades for me to review. If the grades are good, he summarizes them in a single sentence, minimizing my review of the work. If there are issues, Eric always presents me with solutions.
Additionally, in an effort to improve the communication between our departments, Eric scans the surveyors’ field notes, which makes them more available to our department (no more waiting for a book to come in from the field). These two examples have not only helped free up my time but have also improved the efficiency of the construction administration department. Eric has been a true example of what it means to live our Core Values.
*Submitted by Randy Pierce, PE, Construction Administration Department Manager
What sets this example apart?
Eric’s willingness to go above and beyond, repeatedly, is not only what sets this sighting apart, but it is what will continue to drive E&A forward. Not satisfied with just providing Randy with the data, Eric also plots the data out. Not satisfied with that, Eric also reviews the information and presents his findings to Randy. Not satisfied with that, Eric also brings forth solutions if there are problems. But wait, he slices, he dices, and does so much more! Eric has also taken it upon himself to increase the construction administration department’s access to the surveyors’ field notes. Great job, Eric!
