RockTalk the Podcast: Recent Episodes
Graniterock
RockTalk is a place for information and stories about Graniterock People. The podcast shines the light on Graniterock's great products, great projects and great team members who make this a standout construction company in the industry.
Hosted by Graniterock's accounts payable manager Abbie Gordon, we get the scoop on plans for the Company's 125-year birthday party taking place Feb. 22, 2025.
Donita Granado from the materials sales team and HR's Manny Garcia join the show for a look into what to expect for our 125th celebration at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Donita sheds light on hotel rooms secured, including room blocks at the Marriott Monterey and Monterey Plaza Hotel.
Plus, with shuttle services from other hotels, team members can arrive stress-free.
Manny ramps up the excitement by revealing the fun elements in store, including photo booths, a 360 video booth with playful props and a roving photographer to capture the party's candid moments.
Got questions?
Email the celebration team at 125team@graniterock.com and stay tuned for our final podcast in December.
A huge thanks to Donita and Manny for their willingness to jump on the microphone!
Curious about what it's like to work at an active quarry? Tune into this episode of Rock Talk! Join host Ciera Puente, a marketing intern at Graniterock and business major at San Diego State, as she chats with fellow interns Rayven Bedolla and Jose Meza Munoz about their unique roles and experiences. Rayven, an environmental services specialist and environmental science major at UH Manoa, dives into the world of environmental permits and inspections, while Jose, a construction management major at CSU East Bay, shares his hands-on work translating classroom knowledge into real-world engineering solutions. From daily routines to the challenges faced and invaluable lessons learned, this episode provides a glimpse into the future aspirations of three dedicated interns.
Experience the thrill of working amidst colossal machinery and the supportive environment at Graniterock's quarry. Discover the practical aspects of concrete and road grinding projects, and how they significantly benefit local infrastructure, including ADA ramps. Plus, get a fun coffee tip from Casey on how to make a mocha-like drink with chocolate milk, and hear about our collective fascination with the impressive Cat 992 loader. We wrap up by expressing our gratitude and wishing all our guests a fantastic summer with hopes of seeing them return next year.
Being the new guy or gal at Graniterock isn’t easy.
When it comes to landing a job as a project engineer or project manager in the Construction Group, there is a lot of information and processes to master.
Sometimes it would be nice to have a cheat sheet!
Thanks to Construction Manager Matt Christie and Business Manager Angie Melnikoff there is a new PM/PE playbook that helps team members learn how everything works around here.
This podcast explains how the playbook helps project engineers and project managers do their jobs and how you can get your hands on one.
Plus, Angie shares how she started as a receptionist at a small construction company and grew to her current role as the Construction Group's business manager, while Matt takes us through his evolution from a summer intern from Chico State in 2007 to becoming one of Graniterock's construction managers in public works.
Thanks for listening!
What if you could step into history while celebrating a monumental milestone? Join us as host Abby Gordon chats with committee members Jeff Williams, Chandra Palacios, and Casey Messersmith about Graniterock's 125th anniversary celebration at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. From the unique strolling dinner to the exciting casino games, dancing, and 360 camera experiences, Chandra dishes on all the event's highlights. Plus, don't miss the special 125th-anniversary movie screening and tips on the semi-formal attire expected for the evening. This episode promises a night to remember, blending fun activities with a touch of elegance.
Our dedicated 15-member planning committee has been hard at work, and Casey shares insider details on the behind-the-scenes efforts, including regular bi-weekly meetings and coordinated logistics. We discuss convenient lodging options, with room blocks at nearby hotels and potential shuttle services to make your visit seamless. Whether you're excited about the historic venue or looking forward to reconnecting with team members, this episode covers everything you need to know to prepare for an unforgettable celebration. Bring your dancing shoes and a plus one – we can't wait to celebrate with you!
There were several questions we couldn’t get to during the recent 2024 Leadership Conference town hall, so we saved them for the podcast.
This episode is hosted by Keith Severson with Vice President and Chief People Officer Bill Miller and Human Resources Director Jamie Agnello fielding questions.
There’s something for every team member in this show!
Show notes:
Jacob Young Financial: jacob.young@jacobyoungfinancial.com
Graniterock Ethics Hotline: 888-948-4472
Jamie Agnello: jagnello@graniterock.com
Bill Miller: bmiller@graniterock.com
Peter Lemon: plemon@graniterock.com
In this episode, members of the Graniterock safety team – Vice President Paul Cianciarulo, Daisy Kwan and David Leffel give us a rundown on how the Company performed in 2023 when it comes to keeping team members safe at work.
We talk briefly about their individual personal journeys into safety and how they've helped build a culture of safety at Graniterock.
Our conversation focuses on the positive safety trends at Graniterock in 2023.
We also discuss some of the hot-button safety topics at Graniterock: Safety helmets and telematics.
Despite initial resistance, these initiatives have improved overall safety and driving behavior at Graniterock.
We welcome your feedback.
Send us a note at rocktalk@graniterock.com.
Thanks for listening!
One of the ways Graniterock supports philanthropy is through the Graniterock Cares Committee.
Graniterock Cares is a dedicated team overseeing the Company's philanthropic endeavors, managing the many donation requests that pour in – an average of one each day!
From supporting local charities, schools, sports teams, Scouts and various community events, Graniterock Cares ensures that our giving spirit makes a meaningful impact.
We invited Amy Nama, Keith Severson and Abbie Gordon to join the podcast to pull back the curtain on the inner workings of the Cares team.
They talk about how donation requests get prioritized, managing budget constraints and the hard part...saying "no" to worthy causes.
In all, Granniterock Cares has made 60 contributions in 2023.
Graniterock's director of geology and sustainability Jon Erskine had the summer adventure most people never dream about, running 55 miles in South Africa!
This conversation takes us near Cape Town for the Comrades Marathon with Jon, a dedicated long-distance runner outside of work.
Get immersed in the rich history of the world's oldest ultramarathon that pays homage to South Africa's fallen World War I soldiers, and discover the challenges that come with it, such as running on dirt roads and digesting curry chicken mid-race.
Further into the conversation, we uncover Nelson Mandela's influence on the Comrades Race. We'll paint a vibrant picture of the race's captivating energy, from the stirring South African National Anthem to the symbolic rooster crow signaling the start of the race.
Hang on tight as we recount Jon's arduous travel from San Francisco to Cape Town, the buzzing energy at the race hotel. Extra leg room, of course, for the journey!
You'll be intrigued by Jon's encounter with the local Cub Scouts at the medical tent after his triumphant, yet painful, journey to the finish line.
Join us for an adventure that is sure to inspire, as we celebrate Jon's achievement and the powerful human spirit that pushes us beyond our limits.
Welcome aboard a fascinating journey of mathematics with us as we explore the inspiring impact of the Bruce W. Woolpert Algebra Academy. Rose Ann Woolpert, Graniterock's family owner, and treasurer for the Academy, shares the original mission of this unique program that has enlightened over 1100 students with the joy of math. Adding to the excitement, we have Christy Sessions, who discuss their inspiring efforts to provide students with the opportunity to explore math and make lasting connections.
We take you through the amazing experiences shared by the high schoolers and college professors at the Academy. Feel the intensity and excitement as we talk about the Academy's field trips to Cal State Monterey Bay, and how the professors are introducing innovative elements to the program. But wait, there's more! We discuss the Woolpert Scholars program, a unique scholarship for math majors at CSURMB – a great opportunity for the graduates of the Academy and for those from high schools in the Pajaro Valley.
Our conversation with Rose Ann brings up the heartfelt success stories of the program since it's inception. We celebrate the achievements of the Woolpert Scholars program, providing scholarships for math majors at local universities. Hear about the enriching experiences created through field trips and lab rotations, and how the program director Christy has continued her amazing work amidst the pandemic. Join us for this enlightening episode to understand how the Bruce W. Woolpert Algebra Academy is transforming the lives of students, making math not just accessible, but an exciting adventure.
Ever wondered what it’s like to be an intern at Graniterock? We've got two of the best to tell you all about it! Meet Jackie Borges and Ryan Becker, two-time returning interns at Graniterock, who share their personal experiences working in soil distribution and construction management. As they lead us through a day in the life, memorable projects, and the support they've received from their colleagues, you'll get a real sense of the culture and camaraderie here at Graniterock. Hear them discuss the mentors who've shaped their career paths, their plans for the future, and why they can't get enough of Graniterock. Jackie and Ryan aren't just all about work, though. They also clue us in on their personal passions, from Jackie's love for horse riding and marathon training to Ryan's enthusiasm for snowboarding and fishing.
If you're considering an internship opportunity at Graniterock, you won't want to miss this!
Here's a link to apply: Graniterock Construction and Construction Materials
July 27, 2023, marks Charlie 'Overtime' Corwell's final day at the Rock, a momentous occasion celebrated by his colleagues and friends.
In this heartfelt episode, Charlie and Shanna share a candid conversation, reminiscing about his incredible 44-year career, during which he skillfully operated every piece of equipment owned by the company, amassing an astounding two million miles behind the wheel.
His dedication and commitment have earned him the affectionate moniker 'Overtime,' a testament to his tireless work ethic and unwavering loyalty to the company.
As the conversation draws to a close, emotions run high as Charlie prepares to bid farewell to the Rock and embark on a new chapter of his life.
The legacy of his contributions and the impact of his unwavering dedication will forever be cherished by the company and everyone whose lives he touched during his illustrious career.
Doug Tolbert headed to retirement after a 46-year run at Graniterock.
His last day was May 12, 2023.
The Gilroy resident started his long career in 1977 at the Berryessa asphalt plant, which has been closed for many years.
He’s also served as a loader operator unloading rail cars at Berryessa and Capitol and has been responsible for the Company’s recycling operations.
Since 2015, Doug has served as project manager at the Aromas hot plant.
In addition to these roles, Doug was asked by Bruce Woolpert in 1992 to restore the Company’s 1942 steam locomotive, engine number 10, which was originally used to haul rock at the A.R. Wilson Quarry.
Doug spent five years rebuilding the historic locomotive to running condition. The train is now housed at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento.
Doug has also spent his Graniterock career overseeing maintenance and decoration of the Company’s antique vehicle fleet, which includes a 1950 Ford mixer truck, 1928 AA dump truck, 1948 International Harvester tanker and 1920s Austen motor grader.
He has taken the vehicles to many community events and parades on weekends during his Graniterock tenure.
“Doug was one of the kindest people you would ever meet. He sincerely enjoyed coming to work every day to help make our operations more efficient and productive,” Stuart Mager said. “He willingly passed his vast knowledge of materials plants to other team members he worked with. He had such a long history at Graniterock that he knew where all the bones were buried, so to speak. If we ran into a challenge with the plant that we could not solve, Doug usually knew how to solve it and knew where we could find replacement parts somewhere at one of Graniterock’s other sites, which kept plant downtime to a minimum.”
Doug is passionate about fixing old cars and trucks and fishing.
He plans to spend retirement between his homes in Shasta and Gilroy.
Best wishes, Doug!
In this episode, we will be discussing the 2023 construction industry forecast in the Bay Area/Monterey/Santa Cruz market with Graniterock's business leaders. Our host Keith Severson kicks off the conversation by breaking the ice with a chat about the team's kids and sports.
Moving on to the main topic, we have three industry experts joining us today. Stuart Mager, who heads the Road Material and Asphalt business, will be sharing his insights on the forecast for this sector. John Torres, who leads the construction division's private work, will be discussing the projections for his area of expertise. Finally, Mike McGrath, who oversees the Concrete Division, will be sharing his thoughts on how his division will fare in the coming year.
We are thrilled to have such experienced professionals on the show who will provide us with valuable insights on the 2023 construction industry forecast in the Bay Area. So, sit back, relax, and let's dive into the conversation.
In this episode, we sit down with Jamie Agnello and Casey Messersmith, two members of the Graniterock Human Resource department, to get an inside look at their recruiting program and to learn some tips for landing a job at Graniterock.
Jamie and Casey share their experiences in HR and talk about the challenges and rewards of recruiting for a leading construction materials company. They also discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion in their hiring process and share their strategies for attracting top talent to Graniterock.
The conversation then turns to their recent trip to Reno, where they attended the ASC competition/job fair. They talk about the impressive skills they witnessed from the students and how they evaluate candidates at job fairs. They also offer tips for students and job seekers on how to make the most out of attending these types of events.
Throughout the episode, Jamie and Casey share stories about their experiences in HR, including some of the most memorable interviews they've conducted and the challenges they've faced when recruiting for specific positions. They also give listeners an inside look at what it's like to work in HR at a leading construction materials company like Graniterock.
Whether you're a student looking to break into the construction industry or a seasoned professional interested in HR, this episode offers valuable insights and advice from two experts in the field. Tune in to learn more about Graniterock's HR department and how they're building a talented and diverse team.
In this episode, we speak with Galen Keen and James Higgs, the team leads at Graniterock, about their recent implementation of a new phone system utilizing Microsoft Teams cloud-based software. They share the details of how this new system will work for the company, including how it will affect certain positions such as weighmasters and dispatchers.
Galen and James explain how Microsoft Teams will allow Graniterock to streamline communication across their various locations, enabling employees to connect with each other and with customers more easily and efficiently. They describe the benefits of the cloud-based software, which includes a range of features like video and voice calls, instant messaging, and file sharing.
The conversation also delves into the specific ways in which this new phone system will impact different roles within the company. For example, the team explains how weighmasters will be able to use Teams to communicate with truck drivers and schedule deliveries in real-time, improving efficiency and accuracy. Dispatchers will also benefit from the new system, as they can more easily coordinate with drivers and ensure that materials and services are delivered on schedule.
Overall, Galen and James provide valuable insights into the ways in which technology is transforming the construction industry, and how companies like Graniterock are leveraging these tools to improve their operations and better serve their customers. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and construction. Onsite training to follow.
Welcome to Rock Talk Shorts. This podcast offers a quick listen into the stories of Graniterock's people. Get ready to be inspired and entertained!
One of Graniterock's lead laborers ready to retire
Abraham Tirado, a Graniterock laborer of 25 years, will retire Feb. 17.
Abraham has been a key team member on several high-profile Construction Division projects during his time at the Company.
The Watsonville resident said some his favorite memories include working nights on Highway 17 in 2008 and 2012 because the work was challenging with complex traffic controls and long hours, but the camaraderie with his crew and field supervisors made the projects rewarding.
Abraham credits his successful construction career to the great instruction and support he received from Graniterock leaders, including Todd Wilson, John Garcia, Ricky Smith, Marc Burrell and Gary Hartranft.
The father of two and soccer coach for Pajaro Valley United plans to take a break for a couple of months before deciding what to do in retirement as he’s only 45!
“Graniterock is a very good Company as far as their focus on safety and how they treat you,” Abraham said. “The money was good and they treated me good. Next thing I know 25 years went by.”
Thank you for tuning in to Rock Talk Shorts. Join us next time as we continue to celebrate the remarkable people and projects of Graniterock. Until then, keep on rockin'!
We catch up with Chief Human Resources Officer Bill Miller on a wide range of team member issues, including questions team members wanted answered at the Feb. 2 Leadership Conference. While we ran out of time at the Leadership Conference to thoughtfully answer these questions, we invited Bill into the Graniterock podcast studio to give us the scoop.
Hosted by Marketing Manager Keith Severson, topics discussed in this show include succession planning, recruiting new team members as the talent pool has never been shallower, the hiring process, Role Descriptions and Personal Effectiveness Reviews.
Hear how Bill answers questions about feedback for managers from team members, the idea of four-day work weeks, sick time and vacation, leadership training,
It's a great conversation that covers a lot of ground!
In this episode, we are excited to share some valuable insights from our 2023 Sales Summit. Joining us today are two of our top business leaders, Jeff Lindsey and Mike McGrath, who will be sharing some tips and tricks for successful customer sales calls.
Throughout this episode, Jeff and Mike will be discussing some of the key strategies that have helped them build strong relationships with customers, close more sales, and grow their business. Whether you are a seasoned sales professional or just starting out in the industry, you won't want to miss this engaging and informative conversation.
How to save for buying a home!
Financial planning town hall Feb. 22
Jacob will cover creative strategies for purchasing a home.
First steps to buying a home:
· Budgeting tips
· Tax benefits to home ownership
· Benefits of a 401K when buying a home
To schedule you appointment with Jacob Young Financial team, please reach out to christina.harper@jacobyoungfinancial.com
All things Building Materials and the team's three-year run of big successes are shared in this episode of RockTalk the Podcast.
Mark Treanor, Daniel Garcia and Jeff Lindsay give us an overview of the division, including the number of branches, locations and employees.
They also give a recap of the division's performance during 2020-2022, and delve into the changes in purchasing that have helped lead the team to strong sales and profits.
Additionally, they will share their insights on industry trends and forecasting.
They also discuss strategies and preparations of customers in anticipation of a potential recession, as well as emerging trends and developments within the industry.
The team shares new products available, and provides updates on use of new technology within the division.
They also touch on the strong impact social media is making on Building Materials' connections with contrators and customers.
Introduction:
Welcome to the podcast where we explore the innovative work being done in the tech industry. In today's episode, we're excited to have James Higgs and Ramero Garcia, security leaders in the IT department at Graniterock, join us to discuss the efforts they've made to keep their employees safe at work and at home.
Segment 1: Introduction to Graniterock and the IT department
- Graniterock is a leading construction and building materials company with a focus on sustainability and innovation.
- The IT department plays a crucial role in supporting the various business operations and ensuring the smooth functioning of technology systems.
- James and Ramero discuss their roles at Graniterock and the challenges and opportunities they face in their work.
Segment 2: Protecting employees at work
- Graniterock has implemented several measures to keep their employees safe at work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- These measures include providing personal protective equipment, implementing social distancing guidelines, and regularly sanitizing workspaces.
- James and Ramero discuss the challenges of implementing these measures and the importance of prioritizing employee safety.
Segment 3: Protecting employees at home
- In addition to keeping employees safe at work, the IT department has also taken steps to ensure the security and well-being of employees while they work from home.
- These measures include providing virtual training sessions, setting up secure remote access to company systems, and offering technical support to employees as needed.
- James and Ramero discuss the importance of supporting employees while they work remotely and the challenges of maintaining security in a remote work environment.
Conclusion:
We'd like to thank James and Ramero for joining us today and sharing their insights on the work the IT department at Graniterock is doing to keep their employees safe at work and at home. Their dedication to employee safety is a testament to the company's commitment to innovation and sustainability. We hope you've enjoyed this episode and stay tuned for more exciting discussions with industry leaders in the tech field.
Starting Jan. 1, Peter Lemon will take the helm as CEO at Graniterock.
Tom Squeri has held the CEO role since 2012, leading the company through some of its best performing years.
The two join the podcast again for a great conversation that takes us inside the leadership transition and some of the things on Peter's mind as he takes this new position.
Peter started his Graniterock career as a summer intern in 1998. After three summer internships and a B.S. in civil engineering from UC Davis, Peter was hired by the Construction Division as an estimator/project engineer.
Go Aggies!
His path at Graniterock kept moving forward, including time as the Construction Division's private works area manager.
In 2012, he was asked to manage the A. R. Wilson Quarry until earlier this year Peter was named Vice President of Logistics.
Listen in as Peter shares his passion for Graniterock and how the Boy Scouts have helped shape his leadership skills.
Plus, Tom offers Peter some words of advice.
Enjoy!
Graniterock Cares!
On average, the Company receives one request every day - money or resources - from a community group or nonprofit.
While we love to support all of the good work happening in our communities, we have to pick and choose where we spend our resources.
The Graniterock Cares committee meets once a month to review community requests and decide how to best support the various needs.
Members of Graniterock Cares include Keith Severson, Don Barrett, Karl Philipovitch, Stephanie Kniffin and Amy Nama.
Enjoy this show as they give us a behind the scenes look at what goes into community donations at Graniterock!
Abbie Gordon and Julianne Silva (Mother and daughter) join us to chat about their journey to Graniterock and what a daily snapshot looks like for an Accounts Payable Manager and a A.R. Wilson Quarry Administration Support Representative.
Bonus story on how to make "Filhos" (Portuguese Doughnuts)
INGREDIENTS
UNITS: US
- 6 cups flour
- 3(1 ounce) packages yeast
- 1⁄2cup sugar
- 8 eggs, beaten room temperature
- 2 cups milk, warmed
- 1⁄4lb butter, melted (1 stick butter)
- 1⁄2teaspoon salt
DIRECTIONS
- Mix all ingredients together with hands for 5 minutes until dough is smooth.
- Let rise 1 hour.
- Pull off various size pieces and fry in hot oil.
- Drain on towels and sprinkle with sugar.
Graniterock craft workers pay close attention when Jorge Sanchez, who worked many years as a lead laborer, shares details of the water valve replacement project in 2018 that went horribly wrong and nearly killed him when a steel pipe struck him in the head while working for another construction company.
Jorge joins the podcast along with Construction Division safety manager Randall Jacobsen for a conversation that brings home the importance of strong communications for working in a high risk industry.
As safety engineer, Jorge leads orientation training for new craft members joining Graniterock. He uses his experience to give back to others and drive home the principles of SafeStart and Safety Before All Else.
The conversation is wide-ranging, focused on keeping Graniterock People working and going home each night.
Stay to the end when we hear about Randall's former career as a restaurant owner in Santa Cruz!
Monitor. Measure. Manage.
Measuring concrete slump with a metal cone is officially old-fashioned. Ready mix concrete producers can now shave off priceless minutes from the process of measuring and testing concrete on site. Instead, they can constantly measure and adjust the slump, and monitor the water content of concrete as it travels from the plant to the job site.
In this Episode, the team from Verifi help us understand how this management tool is helping with sustainability and the bottom line.
More and more project owners want their buildings and infrastructure to align with their environmental values.
So that means they want construction materials made with sustainable, low-carbon ingredients.
On its face, traditional concrete with Portland cement is not the earth-friendliest material around as cement is very energy-intensive to produce, but much work and innovation have gone into changing that.
We brought in some of the Graniterock concrete team to talk about low-carbon mix designs and the evolution of sustainable building.
Marketing Director Keith Severson hosts this show.
Guests:
Mike McGrath (Concrete Business Manager)
Zack Booth (Concrete Sales Manager)
Max Morgan (Concrete Sales Representative)
What we are chatting about?
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
EPD (Environmental Product Declaration)
Cement replacement (Fly Ash, Slag, Pozzolan)
Locally sourced aggregates (A.R. Wilson Quarry)
Pervious concrete (Beyond the mix, Recharging the underground aquifer)
Verifi (Quality control on mixers, making Graniterock more consistent)
Video cameras inside Company-owned vehicles?
No, it's not Big Brother, we promise.
Telematics technology is used to help tackle a wide array of important tasks that help keep fleets running smoothly and safely. The system contains data to indicate areas for improvement, from increasing fuel efficiency and pinpointing vehicle locations, to reducing collisions and saving lives.
It is quickly becoming an industry standard with many construction companies already using the technology.
With 400 vehicles to manage, Graniterock is jumping on board.
A small group of team members is currently testing two systems (Samsara & Lytx) to experience the technology and determine which will best benefit the Company.
This technology is designed to help Graniterock team members be safer drivers and protect a team member's side of the story when involved in an incident.
Paul Cianciarulo, Matt Reade, John Wilshere and Anthony Lewis joined the podcast to share how the program is going to work and the timeline for rollout to all parts of the Company.
Installation is set to begin in January 2023.
More details will be shared at September's Zero in on Safety meetings.
We are happy to introduce Graniterock’s new Vice President and CFO Dan Lindsey.
Dan joined the Company February 2022, after five years at Flatiron Construction as Vice President of finance and corporate controller.
He was based at Flatiron’s corporate headquarters near Denver, Colo.
Dan is a CPA and has 12 years of experience in the construction industry and nine years in public accounting.
He earned a degree in finance from Florida State University, an accounting degree from University of Central Florida and an MBA at University of Florida.
Dan is also a serious long-distance triathlete and competes in Ironman 70.3 races, also known as the half Ironman. He also competes in off-road triathlons and raced the 2019 Xterra world championships in Maui.
Dan replaced long-time Vice President and CFO Steve Snodgrass, who retired April 1 after 28 years at Graniterock.
Dan and his wife Angela have two grown children Kinley and Kyle.
This is the third and final Tech Talk webinars provided by Graniterock in April of 2022. The annual in-depth event continues Graniterock's efforts to educate agencies, specifiers, architects and contractors with the latest information to help develop and broaden the industries understanding of available high quality product, best practices and value engineering.
Brandon Milar, Director of Technical Services for the California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA). - Brandon shares with the audience the importance of pavement sustainability and how we can better manage our efforts to protect our dwindling aggregate sources.
Graniterock is known for producing high quality construction materials for contractors throughout Northern California. Every shipment of aggregate, concrete and asphalt, and every project with cold in-place recycling, is backed by careful analysis and data that ensures specifications are met for each job.
Graniterock has five testing laboratories across the San Francisco Bay Area that serve a vital role in the company’s quality control.
In this Episode, Graniterock's Research and Technical Service leaders share what the RTS department is all about, including the many services and capabilities the team has to offer.
00;00 Intro
00;11 - Greg Wilkinson, RTS Aggregates Manager
03;59 - Katha Redmon, RTS Director of Concrete Products
08;45 - Kevin McNeil, RTS Hot Mix Asphalt Manager
12;36 - Anthony Silva, RTS Quality Manager/Pavement Recycling Group
17;48 - Toni Carroll, RTS Director of Quality
Danial Fonda, Norther California Territory Manager at Pacific Clay Products Inc. takes us through the entire line of products including best practices and design for this great building material.
Pacific Clay material can be purchased from any of the Graniterock Building Material Branches.
www.graniterock.com
831-768-2100
This is the second of three Tech Talk webinars provided by Graniterock in April of 2022. The annual in-depth event continues Graniterock's efforts to educate agencies, specifiers, architects and contractors with the latest information to help develop and broaden the industries understanding of available high quality product, best practices and value engineering.
Katha Redmon is the Director of Concrete Products for Graniterockand has been with the company for 10yearsmanaging the concrete laboratory team. Shehas a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California,Irvine andhas been in the concrete industry for over thirtyyears.Katha holds multiple ACI and NRMCA certifications and enjoys interacting with concrete contractors and specifierson a regular basis. Sheis a voting member on six (6) ASTMcommittees,a pastChairpersonandcurrent memberof the California Construction and Industrial Materials Association (CalCIMA)Technical Committee andcurrently serves as an activemember of the Caltrans Pavement & Materials Partnering Committee(PMPC)Concrete Materials and Quality Assurance Sub-Task Group.
Max Morgan, Concrete Sales Representative, is a CSU Chico Alum with a B.S. from the college of engineering (Concrete Industry Management Program) with a minor in business. Interning with Graniterock for four years before coming on full time back in 2016. His current role includes customer sales support and other initiatives like concrete reclamation to help make Graniterock better. Max is excited to help Graniterock keep up with technologies related to the concrete industry.
In this Episode, we invite Christopher Cotton from Building Point Pacific and Tree Beer from Trimble Connect Construction to share all about how managing the construction site has changed with the use of Augmented and Mixed Reality technology.
Hear about how the use of HoloLens with Trimble has changed everything, giving the project team the ability to see into the future and troubleshoot job site issues before they happen.
This is an exciting time to be in the Construction Industry!
For more info on Trimble, please visit https://www.trimble.com/en/
To see the video, visit. https://youtu.be/MYuFHHb6FA4
In this Episode, we chat with members of Santa Cruz Land Trust, Caltrans and a 5th District Supervisor!
Enjoy the show!
00:00 Start
00:09 Sarah Newark, Executive Director, Land Trust of Santa Cruz
00:54 Kevin Drabinski, Public Information Officer, Caltrans District 5
02:24 Aaron Johnston, Graniterock's Vice President, Safety & Environmental Services
03:10 Bruce McPherson, 5th District Supervisor, Santa Cruz County
California’s first wildlife crossing began construction on Highway 17 at Laurel Curve in March – a public-private partnership between the Land Trust, Caltrans, Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission and Graniterock as the contractor.
Pioneering Wildlife Protection Together
The Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, Caltrans
Graniterock, and the Santa Cruz County Regional
Iransportation Commission are making the wildlife
crossing a reality. The unique partnership demonstrated
by these four agencies has created a new model for
conservation and wildlife protection projects in Califomia.
Why build an undercrossing
instead of an overcrossing!
The stretch of highway at Laurel Curve is
built over a large natural drainage, creating
the ideal place to install a large box culvert
beneath the highway. The roadway will
become a bridge, with the area underneath
becoming the wildlife crossing. The
undercrossing is wider and therefore more
welcoming for wildlife than a tunnel
What animals are we
hoping will use this
crossing?
Deer bobcats. foxes and mountain
lions have all been caught on camera
trying to cross Laurel Curve - or
dying in the process. Research by the
Santa Cruz Puma Project's biologist,
Chris Wilmers, shows both extensive
use of the area by mountain lions in
recent years. Wilmers called the Laurel
Curve area "the best opportunity for
maintaining puma connectivity across
Highway 17 in Santa Cruz County"
Who helped?
Over ten years in the making - the Land Trust took the first BIG step toward building a
wildlife crossing under Highway 17 in 2014, with the protection of a 10-acre property at
Laurel Curve. Seven years on, the LTSCC has now protected additional 700 acres around
Laurel Curve, creating the wildlife pathway needed for the linkage's success.
Special thanks to
UC Santa Cruz Puma Project | Pathways for Wildlife | Senator John Laird |
| Assembly Member Mark Stone
CA Department of Fish and Wildlife | Wildlife Conservation Board | Coastal Conservancy
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Members of the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County
This is the first of three Tech Talk webinars provided by Graniterock in April of 2022. The annual in-depth event continues Graniterock's efforts to educate agencies, specifiers, architects and contractors with the latest information to help develop and broaden the industries understanding of available high quality product, best practices and value engineering.
Brandon Milar, Director of Technical Services for the California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA). - Brandon shares with the audience the importance of pavement sustainability and how we can better manage our efforts to protect our dwindling aggregate sources.
Abel Covarrubias, Mine Planning Engineer at Graniterock’s A.R. Wilson Quarry. - Abel provides insight on Graniterock's investment for the new Premium Sand Plant in order to build custom blends of high quality materials, providing the end user with the exact specified fine aggregates needs.
We cover a lot of ground in this episode as Julie Giannotta, Bill Miller and Nicole Laurence join the podcast to talk about their new positions on Graniterock's executive team.
Julie, a team member since 1999, serves as Chief Accounting Officer.
Bill joined the Company's HR Department in 2015 and was recently named Chief Human Resources Officer.
Nicole, the Chief Information Officer, started her Graniterock career in 2017.
This conversation was a great rundown on their individual backgrounds as well as what's happening in their respective departments - accounting, IT and human resources.
Best of all, Julie, Bill and Nicole answer the question "What's your favorite core value at Graniterock?"
We promise to get the other new EC members on the podcast soon.
Peter Lemon and Paul Cianciarulo, that's you!
Did you know Graniterock uses 3 million gallons of fuel each day?
Relying on that much diesel and gas to run our business, how do we survive the sky high prices we're seeing at the pump?
In this episode, Graniterock Vice Presidents Rich Sacher and Peter Lemon discuss the impact record-setting oil and gas prices are having on business and how the Company has responded with implementing fuel surcharges for trucking and construction materials orders.
We also talked with CalCIMA CEO Robert Dugan about how the rising energy costs are impacting all aspects of California's construction materials market.
In this Episode we hear sisters, Linda and Ricki, share their stories about a family rich in Graniterock's history. Tales of climbing behind the wheel of their Dad's big rig and being taught the ropes of old school down-shifting! Ricki shares her story of driving onto a rail car and slowly dropping ballast along the tracks from above. Linda shares her story on the importance of a good team!
CFO Steve Snodgrass tells the story of answering a "CFO wanted ad" for Graniterock in the Wall Street Journal in 1995.
While he would be hired to serve as controller in 1995, Steve eventually made his way to CFO in 2005.
He also served as Graniterock's chief information officer for many years.
Now as Steve is set to retire on April 1, the avid runner and budding politician looks back on a career that had its share of ups and downs, including taking the Company through the Great Recession.
Thanks Steve, and best of luck in your Monterey County supervisor race in the June 7 primary!
Here's a review of Graniterock's successes and challenges in 2021 as we continued navigating the ups and downs of a global pandemic.
This podcast is taken from a video shown at the Company's Leadership Conference on Feb. 3, including interviews with Rich Sacher, Henry Ramirez, Rodney Jenny, Mike McGrath, Jeff Lindsey, Stuart Mager, Peter Lemon, Don Barrett and John Torres.
To all the team members who helped Graniterock rise above the headwinds of inflation, supply chain delays and other setbacks in 2021 to ensure our industry leadership holds strong, thank YOU!
We have Graniterock owner Rose Ann Woolpert on the podcast on this special date of 2/22/22 to talk a little about Graniterock's 122-year history and our state contractor's license No. 22.
There's a story here that involves dried coconut and weevils that you probably haven't heard before, but plays big role in our history.
John Torres has the classic story of someone who started their Graniterock career as a college intern, worked hard and moved up the ranks.
John moved from Chico State graduate to Graniterock intern, to project manager and estimator to eventually San Francisco Bay Area Private Area Manager for the Construction Division.
He joins the podcast to share some of his background and what's in store for the private construction market in 2022!
Here is the CCS team - Keith Severson, Shanna Crigger, Robert Ellenwood and Janae Thomas.
A fun conversation where they pull back the curtain on Graniterock communications, community and sales support.
This is the team that works to keep team members connected through strong Company communications and often works outside Graniterock to build our reputation in the community.
Plus, they're here to help you better serve your customer, whether that's through industry-related educational events or handing out Graniterock hats.
You'll get the skinny on what goes into Graniterock's great video productions, why community is so important to the Company and the work that goes into keeping loyal customers.
Mike Baker made his first in-person visit to Graniterock since early 2020, and we were able to snag him to join the podcast.
Mike, with his southern accent strong as ever, talks with Shanna Crigger on how the Working Together leadership training fits with Graniterock's culture and why this leadership model works on job sites and Company branches.
If you haven't attended a Working Together weekend training, this episode will give you a good baseline of what to expect when we can return to training together in person.
It truly sets the "context and purpose" for the importance of strong leadership.
Mike also shares some of his classic Working Together stories from his years as an executive in the world of aluminum manufacturing in Kentucky.
Welcome back, Mike! We hope to see you soon for a Working Together refresher.
In this episode, it's sister time!
Stephanie Kniffin, Jennifer Alvarez and Jessica Snow chat with host Robert Ellenwood about family and their careers at Graniterock.
They all started their careers, learning the Company and the industry, on the receptionist desk at the corporate office and worked their way up.
Stephanie, with 17 years at the Company, serves as Graniterock's wellness services and workers comp administrator.
Jessica, a photographer on the side, has held several positions, including her current role as contract administrator with the Construction Division's custom team.
Jessica has been with the Company for 15 years.
Jennifer, 11 years at Graniterock, is on the Accounting Department's accounts receivable deposit desk.
A great example of how a fantastic company can recruit three rising stars from the same family!
Also, as a bonus, they talk about celebrating the holidays as a big family, and share some of what's on their holiday menus!
In this episode, Reiner, Hans and Juergen talk about their journey in construction and how all three brothers ended up at Graniterock. The brothers also talk about their most challenging projects and the ones they really enjoyed.
Listen to the end for a surprise twist on a Thanksgiving meal!
In this episode, Mike shares with us how technology has vastly improved the Concrete Division efficiency and helps set up Graniterock as an industry leader in customer service.
The conversation includes:
Telematics
GPS
BCMI/Material Now
Environmental Product Declaration Generator (EPD = nutrition label for concrete)
Tableau - Real-time analytics and data
Verify Real-Time Batch - Product Quality Control (GCP)
Company input helps Technology Partners
Future technology will bridge the material resource gap
We end this episode with a fun chat about Mike's football career at UC Berkeley and the upcoming Big Game - Stanford v. Cal!
Who does Mike think will win this year?
Aaron Johnston, VP of Safety, Quality and Environment, only has on his environmental hat for this conversation on the role of habitat and endangered species stewardship in aggregate mining.
He talks about Graniterock's commitment to protecting and nurturing the endangered red-legged frog among other topics.
You'll also hear Aaron's personal story on how he came to Graniterock more than 25 years ago and convinced the late Bruce Woolpert he needed a dedicated environmental expert on the team.
Graniterock aggregates, concrete and trucking will play a major role on two historic water safety projects for Flatiron Construction in 2022.
Graniterock will supply the materials and trucking services for Flatiron's Anderson Dam Tunnel Project and second phase of the Upper Llagas Creek Flood Protection Project.
Both projects are under the ownership of Valley Water and located in Morgan Hill.
Don Barrett, aggregate sales manager, Zack Booth, concrete sales manager and Nick Barrett, transportation manager, join the podcast to talk about the scope of the work and how their teams plan to deliver the quantity and quality Valley Water and Flatiron expect for these historic projects.
From the latest incident rate trend to Covid-19 vaccine mandates, Graniterock Safety Director Paul Cianciarulo covers a lot of ground in this episode.
Paul opens up on the great work being done by members of the safety team, gets into the importance of why all Graniterock People need to embrace Courage and Grace and finishes with some great safety tips for the upcoming holidays.
Big thanks to Robert Ellenwood for hosting and editing this episode!
00;00 Intro
00;40 Paul talks about the challenges in the first half and the Key Drivers for the positive safety trend in the second half
03;23 Stop Make It Safe, Stop Work Authority
04;45 Safety Rock Star Program
07;16 Courage & Grace
08;36 Suicide Prevention and Mental Wellness
11;43 Introduction to the new Safety Team and some changes
14;33 Covid-19, Delta Variant Update
18;34 Wrapping up, Holiday Tips and Reminders!
22;20 Final Thoughts
Mental health issues, including suicide, aren’t easy to talk about.
Yet, construction workers are affected by mental health issues at a much higher rate than most other occupations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called the suicide rate for construction workers "alarmingly high."
In 2016, the suicide rate for men in construction and extraction occupations was 49.4/100,000 people, almost twice the total suicide rate for civilian working men.
It was five times greater than the rate for all fatal work-related injuries in the construction industry in 2018 (9.5/100,000), according to the CDC.
With this in mind, we want to bring attention to the issue and change the conversation in a way that bypasses the stigma.
Suicide hotlines: 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-273-TALK.
Graniterock’s Employee Assistance Program is a convenient and highly confidential program that allows team members to connect with friendly, licensed counselors to help resolve depression and other grievances.
Discussions with an EAP counselor are held in the strictest confidence in accordance with professional ethics and state law.
Names of team members who seek EAP services are never shared with Graniterock.
Contacting an EAP counselor starts with a phone call to 800-EAP-1711.
More resources available here: https://constructionsuicideprevention.com/.
In this episode...Graniterock President and CEO Tom Squeri answers hot button questions on the topic of Covid-19 vaccines and whether the Company will mandate the shot for employment.
Will Graniterock require unvaccinated team members to test weekly?
Why doesn't the Compay require all team members receive the vaccine?
Why would we get a vaccine that doesn't work?
How do we know the vaccine isn't part of the problem?
What can we do to respect people's rights and not create a culture of division among team members?
Plus many others!
Tom delivers information that impacts every team member across the Company.
Tom understands not everyone sees the vaccine subject in the same way and some people have real concern about receiving it.
Yet, the vaccine is critical to running a safe business, similar to the stand we take on hard hats and fall protection because they keep team members safe from hazards in the workplace.
Besides coronavirus and vaccines, Tom talks about the impact of climate change on Graniterock and what we're doing to build a greener future.
We also get a rundown of how the Company has performed in 2021 and what could be in store if the $1 trillion federal infrastructure bill finally gets passed.
We end this episode on a high note as Tom talks about Julie Giannotta's promotion to Chief Accounting Officer and the plan for replacing CFO Steve Snodgrass when he retires in early 2022.
San Francisco Bay Area levees, on average, need to be raised 7 feet over the next 80 years to protect cities and infrastructure from severe damage and flooding caused by expected sea level rise.
The only way levees can be built taller and stronger is with clean dirt excavated from construction sites in the region.
This levee restoration project under way at Eden Landing Ecological Preserve near Union City is one example of work necessary to restore the region's shoreline. It demonstrates the important relationship between the construction industry and the environement. We are on the same team!
Dave Halsing - Executive Project Manager, California State Coastal Conservancy
Pat Mapelli - Land Use Manager, Graniterock
Lisa Prasad - Soil Distribution Manager, Graniterock
Butch Paredes - Land Use Site Manager, Graniterock
Dave 00:20
Pat. 01:52
Lisa. 02:40
Butch 03:19
Pat. 04:35
Get an inside look at a pilot project where Caltrans is recyling an existing section of Highway 1 near Pescadero.
Reusing the existing pavement gives Caltrans and cities and counties the opportunity to stretch their budgets up to 30%.
Not to mention, this pavement rehabiliation process is an A+ for the environment in many ways.
Listen to the CIR Team as they explain the project and process it took to complete this job!
Watch the project video at: https://youtu.be/q3I0NDBOye4
Contact the Graniterock Pavement Recycling Group at :
Dennis McElroy,
dmcelroy@graniterock.com
408-639-8063
CIR Management Team
Dennis McElroy - Pavement Recycling Group, Manager
Anthony Silva - PRG Quality Control, Manager
Ed Schwartz - PRG CIR/FDR Operations Manager
Timeline
00;00 Intro
01;40 Audio from Video Begins
06;33 Audio from Video Ends
06;52 The Plan, Dennis
07;54 Why Caltrans Chose This Project to Test, Dennis
09;46 Logistics, Ed
12;17 One Company Effort, Anthony
14;40 Conditions, Ed, Anthony & Dennis
17;04 Next Project with Caltrans, Dennis & Ed
20;08 How Graniterock Connected the Dots with Caltrans, Anthony
26;14 Sustainability, Importance of Leading by Example, Dennis
28;07 Expanding the Opportunities, Ed
28;45 Smoothness Requirements, Anthony
31;11 End
In this episode, Scott Helf, from Silicon Valley Demolition (SVDI) shares with us how the demolition industry has changed in the world of Covid and what SVDI accomplished while pivoting its business during that time, priming SVDI for great growth.
Shanna sits down with John Torres, Graniterock Bay Area Private Works Area Manager and Helen M. O'Brien, CTE & Career Coordinator for Aragon High School in San Mateo.
Helen and John have teamed up on many presentations to high school students who might consider something besides college after high school.
Rather than attending college, there are many options to move into a vocation and kick-start a great career.
Take a listen to the update on the program and how well it is being received!
It is not always necessary to go to college to have a great career.
Many high school graduates head straight into construction as a viable and exciting way to kick start a career that can last a lifetime.
Listen to a few of our Graniterock Rock Stars share the stories of what led them to this industry and why they're here to stay.
00;00 Intro
00;46 Joseph Gernler - Laborer, Construction Division
01;24 Rosa Isais - Inside Sales, Northern Road Materials
01;54 Josh Congdon - Heavy Equipment Operator, Construction Division
03;17 Rachel Cosio - Estimating Administrator, Construction Division
04;23 Vinnie Ruigomez - Grade Setter, Construction Division
04;55 Joseph Gernler - Laborer, Construction Division
06;00 Rosa Isais - Inside Sales, Northern Road Materials
06;34 Josh Congdon - Heavy Equipment Operator, Construction Division
07;15 Rachel Cosio - Estimating Administrator, Construction Division
07;54 Vinnie Ruigomez - Grade Setter, Construction Division
08;56 End
In this episode, CEO Tom Squeri takes time to discuss the one year anniversary of the coronavirus pandemic and how Graniterock People have weathered the storm.
Tom explains why the company is taking a strong stance in support of Covid-19 vaccines and how resuming any kind of pre-pandemic normalcy in our lives depends on people getting inoculated.
No, the company won't be mandating vaccinations, but there could be incentives for team members to get the shot.
Please share this podcast with your team.
Reach out to rocktalk@graniterock.com to be a guest on RockTalk the Pocast!
Listen on Apple or Google.
In this episode you will hear from some of our leaders discussing what a challenging year 2020 was! Even with the hurdles of a pandemic and many other obstacles, Graniterock ended with fantastic results!
00:38 First up, Safety: Shanna chats with Paul Cianciarulo, Corporate Safety Director about how the world turn upside down during this pandemic and all of the adjustments Graniterock needed to achieve in order to keep our team safe.
06:34 Next, Aggregate and Transportation: Don Barrett, Aggregate Division Sales Manager talks about some of the upside to the pandemic. Peter Lemon, Aggregate and Transportation Division Operations Manager shares detail about the new Premium Sand Plant and the great opportunities ahead
11:54 Construction Materials Division: Mike McGrath, Business Manager for the Concrete Division talks beyond the pandemic with a curve ball thrown by a Cement Supplier shutting its business doors and the quick pivot the division needed to make in order to take care of our customers. Jeff Lindsay, Building Materials Business Manager, talks about the great start of 2020 and how the team pulled together to push though and finish strong. Stuart Mager, Road Materials Business Manager, shares the importance of really understanding our customers needs during this difficult time. Public Agencies had to pull projects already in the works with limited projections on when we would be back to normal. Stuarts and his team focus on the customer and what was needed to take care of them.
17:25 Construction Division: Chris Sveum, Construction Manager talks about rolling into 2020 with a very robust backlog but was uncertain about how the pandemic would change production, if any. The team overcame unbelievable obstacles to stay working to get the job done. Rob Snyder, Chief Estimator, shares the stalled bidding program in the second and third quarter, and the new way of business by remote workers.
20:55 Information Technology Department: Nicole Lawrence, CIO shares the amazing fortune of a timely migration to a new system, which was completed just prior to the pandemic, offering full support for remote workers and a proven success story.
Today's show is a heartfelt story from team member Cynthia Escobar, a weighmaster at Graniterock's sand plant in Felton.
Cynthia's story serves as a strong reminder on why it's important for all of us to get a wellness exam by your doctor.
Cynthia opens up about how the Company's "Let's Get Physical" health incentive led to finding skin cancer on her arm. The dermatologist was able to remove it before the cancer grew worse.
Cynthia, who had no idea anything was wrong, admits she was motivated by Graniterock's $100 incentive to check in with her doctor, who referred her to a dermatologist based on a history of skin cancer in her family.
Her story is relatable to anyone who has put off going to the doctor.
Graniterock's wellness manager Stephanie Kniffin also joins the podcast to explain how the health program works.
The good news is the $100 incentive has been extended through the end of 2020. So team members have a few more weeks to get a doctor appointment and receive Graniterock's incentive offer.
Team members can choose a $100 gift card from: Amazon, Target, Starbucks or the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
The form, to be returned to Stephanie, can be found in My RockTalk app.
You can reach Stephanie at skniffin@graniterock.com or call 831-768-2018.
CEO Tom Squeri returns to RockTalk the Podcast to answer questions from team members.
What is Graniterock’s outlook in the event an effective vaccine comes on the market? Would we go back to business as usual? Would team members be required to get the vaccine?
How has the Company fared overall financially through the pandemic? Did we see any significant losses in business? How does it compare with the Great Recession?
What’s the general forecast looking at 2021-2022?
Staying on the pandemic theme, what does Covid and social distancing mean for Company rituals such as the Leadership Conference, Working Together trainings and maintaining our overall high touch culture?
How does Teichert keep winning jobs in this region, particularly Highway 17?
In light of the fact we all fund community institutions and schools as taxpayers and the fact our Graniterock operations continue to need more capital investment, why does Graniterock invest so much in community support and why are team members always asked to contribute to the United Way?
In addition, we put Tom in the hot seat with five fun questions:
Last movie you watched?
Favorite vacation spot?
Dark or milk chocolate?
Set an alarm or wake up naturally?
If you weren’t CEO of Graniterock, what would your dream job be?
Got a question for Tom, put it here and listen for the answer on an upcoming episode
Don Barrett and Peter Lemon join the podcast to share the story on changes in management within the Aggregate Division.
Don, 28 years with Graniterock, is moving forward with a focus entirely on aggregate sales after helping nearly tripling the Transportation business in the past seven years.
Peter, 22 years with the Company, is now serving as Aggregate and Transportation Division Operations Manager after leading the Wilson Quarry since 2012.
Hosted by Keith Severson, this episode takes us behind the scenes of the Aggregate Division and what Peter and Don see as growth opportunities for Graniterock in the coming years.
Thanks, as always, to Janae Thomas for her masterful editing skills to make RockTalk the Podcast sound crisp and clean.
If you or your team has a story to share, please reach out to Shanna Crigger at scrigger@graniterock.com.
RockTalk the Podcast is available on Apple, Google, Spotify and My RockTalk.
Robin Steudler and Cathy Francini are two building materials experts who have served the Company more than 60 years combined.
That is a lot of time at the Rock, with experiences that range from meeting George H.W. Bush at the Company's 100th anniversary in San Francisco to planning Graniterock's 120th gala held in February before the coronavirus pandemic started crashing parties.
Cathy and Robin are true examples of Graniterock's core value Dedication to Customers.
Listen to this short episode, hosted by Director of Marketing Keith Severson, for some insight on who they think was the best Graniterock manager over the decades and how to save enough money to get to retirement.
Robin and Cathy, you will be so missed by all.
Best wishes on a fun and fulfilling retirement.
RockTalk the Podcast is available on Apple, Google, Spotify and Stitcher.
How does Graniterock maintain its historic high-touch culture in a world of remote working, face covers and social distancing?
In this episode hosted by Keith Severson, we talk with members of a new Graniterock team created to help guide the Company through what has become the "new normal" in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.
Executive Vice President of the Aggregate Division Henry Ramirez was chosen to lead the Pandemic Optimization Taskforce.
The taskforce includes team members from across the Company: Jamie Agnello from Human Resources, Rachel Reed from Environmental, Kyle Bencala of Construction, Spencer Wright of Construction and Jeff Lindsay of Building Materials.
Listen as they talk about tackling one of the biggest critical issues Graniterock has faced in years.
Hear what Tom looks forward to most when the pandemic is over.
In addition, Tom talks us through Graniterock's approach to addressing the Covid-19 pandemic on the job and how we've been able to prevent the virus from spreading at work.
We'll also hear what goes into the Company's robust contact tracing process when a team member has been exposed to a confirmed case of the virus.
Keeping Graniterock's 500-person Construction Division operating every day begins with the Company winning project bids put out by Caltrans and public works agencies, in addition to private general contractors.
Rob Snyder, the Construction Division's chief estimator, talks about the estimating process and what goes into a winning bid.
And in in this episode, you'll hear what his team has coming up on the bid schedule.
Stay listening to the end when we put Rob in the hot seat for five fun lightning round questions.
Big thanks goes to podcast producer Janae Thomas for her excellent work in getting this put together!
CEO Tom Squeri joins the podcast again to address questions from Graniterock People. In this episode, we have about six questions on topics that range from Covid-19 loans, reusable cups at Company offices, how Graniterock aims to promote diversity in our workforce and an update on the newly-created Pandemic Optimization Task Force headed by Executive Vice President Henry Ramirez.
Big thanks to Janae Thomas for her great work in editing this podcast!
Executive Vice President Rodney Jenny joins the podcast to explain how his team recently won a $200m joint venture at San Francisco International Airport that will get started in 2021. Graniterock will partner with DeSilva Gates on this Construction Manager General Contractor - CMGC - project, forming a partnership called Golden Gate Constructors.
What is CMGC and what does it mean for Graniterock People?
Rodney talks about how the CMGC process differs from the traditional bid-build and how this SFO job is only the first for Graniterock in what's likely to be a more efficient project delivery method for owners and contractors.
In addition, this project demonstrates how the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent drop in air travel motivated SFO to catch up on runway maintenance and other related airfield projects.
Stay listening to the end when Rodney answers five rapid-fire questions that are fun and personal.
As always, big thanks to podcast producer Janae Thomas for her great work in getting this show put together.
Graniterock offers college students great opportunities to work at the Company and learn the construction industry through our internship program. A Graniterock internship provides hands-on learning that gives young adults an edge in landing full-time positions after graduation.
A good number of team members started their careers at the Company through their college internship.
In this episode we hear from Max Morgan (Concrete sales), Ashlyn Wenger (Wilson Quarry mining engineer), Steven Davis (Construction Div. project engineer), Ian Melvin (Construction Div. project engineer) and Peter Lemon (Wilson Quarry manager).
President Tom Squeri answers questions submitted from Graniterock People. Topics covered in this RockTalk podcast episode include the future of working from home for team members, why we require face masks, the business outlook for public and private construction markets and what it takes to be a good leader during challenging times.
In this episode of RockTalk, we hear from Graniterock's event expert and top-notch party host Keith Severson on how we can celebrate Memorial Day while following the social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19. He's got some great advice on how to bring a small group of family and friends together to mark the holiday with good food and drink.