People of Construction

“Positions are temporary.  Ranks and titles are limited.  But the way you treat people will always be remembered.”  Linkedin quote “Beauty is a measure of our inner state.  It is more about what we carry inside rather than how we look.  Compassion, humility, and authentic living make us appear beautiful.  Beauty is also about how we handle the fluctuations of life with maturity and patience.  Beauty is about living with dignity and self respect.”  Rabb Jyot “A man asked his gardener why his…

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“Establishing and maintaining a positive jobsite culture means that everyone gets to experience a workplace that is inclusive and respectful.  We know what a good jobsite culture feels like–it’s the job that everyone wants to be on because it looks and feels welcoming.  We also know that a good culture leads to a safer and more productive job, one that provides higher value to our client and allows each and every worker to perform their best work.”   “Jobsites are our work homes, they…

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Welcome to the Design & Construction Industry….by Ron Unterreiner, PEOPLE/WBEDC Does our industry welcome new business owners/emerging firms and do we present these business owners with opportunities to grow and succeed–or are we content with the status quo and the businesses solidly in place? Is there a place in our industry for new trade contractors and if so, how do they get established? I feel these are questions worthy of active discussion by industry leaders, City of St. Louis, County…

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Are we living in tough times?  Are the challenges we face today above and beyond what they were in our parent’s time?  In our grandparent’s time?  Have the changes, the creations, the inventions of the past fifty years advanced us or are we sliding backwards?  Is it a plus that we can whisper something into our watch and send a message across the globe and get an answer back in seconds?  How did we ever live without being able to…

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On my Friday afternoon country road rides with my mother-in-law, there is a stretch of road that we encounter that is dead straight and seems to run off into the future as far as the eye can see; connecting to a powerful sky of restless clouds.  I always stop and ponder this site.  You lose sight of the road due to some small dips but eventually the hills that follow the valleys bring the road back into sight.  I relate this to…

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On our Friday afternoon country roads drive, my mother-in-law (Laura) and I spotted several lone corn stalks growing amongst acres and acres of beans.  I have written about this scene before but the sight struck another chord within me as I continue to ponder the state of affairs of our participation program for minority and women-owned firms on our commercial construction sites in our marketplace. The challenge to thrive and survive was heavy for these few corn stalks.  It was pretty…

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Jobsite Culture “Establishing and maintaining a positive job-site culture means that everyone gets to experience a workplace that is inclusive and respectful.  We know what a good jobsite culture feels like–it’s the job that everyone wants to be on because it looks and feels welcoming.  We also know that good culture leads to a safer and more productive job, one that provides higher value to our clients and allows each and every worker to perform their best work. Everyone must actively…

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“There are times in life where the awesome majesty of God’s world rises up to greet you.  When reality seems of no meaning; when your mind reaches beyond; when simple words, no matter how poetic or flowing, fail to capture the feelings within.  When you realize with total absence of fear, that there is just so much to life…and your hopes, and your dreams come alive…and you feel no bounds…and you can fly…and you can fly…  RJU I woke up Wednesday…

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A As it says in the book of Ecclesiastes, there is an appointed time for everything under the heavens, a time to live and a time to die; a time to love; a time to laugh; a time to listen to political ads; and a time to vote.  Our time to vote across all states is less than a week away.  Yes, it is finally time to vote—I know what you are thinking–it seems like yesterday when the various campaigns…

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Tomorrow, I will wake up in a king size bread with clean sheets, fluffy pillows and a pocket full of fresh dreams.  The city of Kirkwood where I live is not at war or in need of financial assistance of any kind; my neighbors have food and drink on their table; playsets for the kids; and my friends and my family are free to approach the day as we see fit. Freedom.  A privilege we so often take for granted. …

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