INSIDE THIS INSIDE THIS INSIDE THIS INSIDE THIS ISSUE ISSUE ISSUE ISSUE IN EVERY IN EVERY IN EVERY IN EVERY ISSUE ISSUE ISSUE ISSUE SPECIAL POINTS OF SPECIAL POINTS OF SPECIAL POINTS OF SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST INTEREST INTEREST INTEREST Leading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and Efficiency Leading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and Efficiency Leading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and Efficiency Leading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and Efficiency Safety Safety Safety Safety Service Anniversaries Service Anniversaries Service Anniversaries Service Anniversaries Employee News Employee News Employee News Employee News January 2014 VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4 GCC Recipient of HIRE Award GCC Recipient of HIRE Award GCC Recipient of HIRE Award GCC Recipient of HIRE Award GCC Receives National Recog- GCC Receives National Recog- GCC Receives National Recog- GCC Receives National Recog- nition nition nition nition Construction Awareness Celebrated Construction Awareness Month Construction Awareness Month Construction Awareness Month Construction Awareness Month Celebrating the Positives Celebrating the Positives Celebrating the Positives Celebrating the Positives Health and Wellness Health and Wellness Health and Wellness Health and Wellness Gilchrist Construction Company joined with Bolton High School and Buckeye High School to celebrate Construction Awareness Month in October 2013. On October 4, Gilchrist employees Marc Dinnat, Estimating Manager, and Chris- tina Goodrich, People Representative presented information about careers in the construction industry to students at Bolton High School while Clint Smith, Project Engineer, presented the same at Buckeye High School. Discussions were centered around the Construction Technology Class, Work- Keys and good work ethic. The following is an excerpt from a letter Christina Goodrich received from Char- melle Joffrion, Bolton High School CTE Teacher. “Thank you for giving your valuable time and knowledge about the construction industry. It was an excellent presenta- tion. Although we strive to provide the best instructional experiences we can for our students, we cannot replicate the world of work experiences you presented to the students. Your participation pro- vided students an awareness of ‘non-traditional’ construction jobs and Gilchrist Construction Company. We also appreciated Marc Dinnat’s technical knowledge regarding equipment specifications and industry procedures. There were many positive comments about the quality of your presentation. Based on the students’ feedback: • 92% are ‘more’ or ‘just as’ motivated to actively pursue careers in your industry. • 100% recommended that I request this speaker for students next year. I am sure they will remember your presentation and that it will be a source of inspiration as they pursue their occupational interests. Once again, thanks for helping make Construction Awareness Month a success!” A huge thank you to Marc, Christina, and Clint for helping to fulfill our core purpose: “working together to improve ourselves, our industry and our communities.”
Transcript
INSIDE THIS INSIDE THIS INSIDE THIS INSIDE THIS ISSUEISSUEISSUEISSUE
IN EVERY IN EVERY IN EVERY IN EVERY ISSUEISSUEISSUEISSUE
SPECIAL POINTS OF SPECIAL POINTS OF SPECIAL POINTS OF SPECIAL POINTS OF INTERESTINTERESTINTERESTINTEREST
Leading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and Efficiency
SafetySafetySafetySafety Service Anniversaries Service Anniversaries Service Anniversaries Service Anniversaries Employee NewsEmployee NewsEmployee NewsEmployee News
January 2014 VOLUME 7, ISSUE 4
GCC Recipient of HIRE AwardGCC Recipient of HIRE AwardGCC Recipient of HIRE AwardGCC Recipient of HIRE Award GCC Receives National Recog-GCC Receives National Recog-GCC Receives National Recog-GCC Receives National Recog-nitionnitionnitionnition
Construction Awareness Celebrated
Construction Awareness MonthConstruction Awareness MonthConstruction Awareness MonthConstruction Awareness Month Celebrating the PositivesCelebrating the PositivesCelebrating the PositivesCelebrating the Positives Health and WellnessHealth and WellnessHealth and WellnessHealth and Wellness
Gilchrist Construction Company joined with Bolton High School and Buckeye High School to celebrate Construction Awareness Month in October 2013. On October 4, Gilchrist employees Marc Dinnat, Estimating Manager, and Chris-tina Goodrich, People Representative presented information about careers in the construction industry to students at Bolton High School while Clint Smith, Project Engineer, presented the same at Buckeye High School. Discussions were centered around the Construction Technology Class, Work-Keys and good work ethic. The following is an excerpt from a letter Christina Goodrich received from Char-melle Joffrion, Bolton High School CTE Teacher. “Thank you for giving your valuable time and knowledge about the construction industry. It was an excellent presenta-tion. Although we strive to provide the best instructional experiences we can for our students, we cannot replicate the world of work experiences you presented to the students. Your participation pro-
vided students an awareness of ‘non-traditional’ construction jobs and Gilchrist Construction Company. We also appreciated Marc Dinnat’s technical knowledge regarding equipment specifications and industry procedures. There were many positive comments about the quality of your presentation. Based on the students’ feedback: • 92% are ‘more’ or ‘just as’ motivated to actively pursue careers in your industry. • 100% recommended that I request this speaker for students next year. I am sure they will remember your presentation and that it will be a source of inspiration as they pursue their occupational interests. Once again, thanks for helping make Construction Awareness Month a success!”
A huge thank you to Marc, Christina, and Clint for helping to fulfill our core purpose: “working together to improve ourselves, our industr y and our communities.”
GCC GCC GCC GCC ACCEPTS HIRE AWARDACCEPTS HIRE AWARDACCEPTS HIRE AWARDACCEPTS HIRE AWARD
Congratulations to our workforce! Gilchrist Construction Company is very honored to be named as a recipient of the HIRE Award for our efforts in the field of workforce development. GCC was nominated for this prestigious award based upon the implementa-tion of the WorkKeys assessment and National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) in our organization. Our nomination was based upon the case study below published by the ACT organization. The article (pg 3) ap-peared in the U.S. News & World Report; in December we accepted the award at the Close-It Summit held in Washington , DC. This award and recognition is truly a testament to the quality work that our craftsmen and women put in place each day. Again, congratulations to all GCC employees and thanks for all you do. Valerie Aymond, Chief Resource Officer
Leading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and Efficiency
Brian Kelly, Editor at U.S. News and World Report presents award to Valerie Aymond, Chief Resource Officer, GCC
Valerie Aymond (center picture) accepts the award on behalf of GCC. Pictured below are Valerie Aymond and Jamai Blivin CEO, Innovate+Education.
GCC GCC GCC GCC RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITIONRECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITIONRECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITIONRECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION
reprinted from U.S. News and World Report
Innovate+Educate honors five companies for bridging the skills gap and promoting workforce development. By Lylah Alphonse Innovate+Educate, a company dedicated to aligning STEM education and workforce development, has announced the recipients of their first-ever HIRE Awards. AmeriHealth Caritas, Bank of America, Boeing, Gilchrist Construction Company and Southwire were lauded for their innovative approaches to hiring and training employees and promoting "a diverse and work-ready pipeline of talent," Innovate+Educate CEO and Founder Jamai Bliven said in a press re-lease. Lexington, Ky.-based Big Ass Fans and The city of Albuquerque, N.M., earned honorable mentions. "Many of the companies that applied are doing great work in seeking new ways to hire, and our goal for this award is to continue to challenge companies to 'rise to a new level' in employing talent in unique and innovative ways," Bliven said. She also thanked this year's judges - representatives from Jobs for the Future, the National Association of Workforce Boards, Society for Human Resources Management, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and U.S. News & World Report.
"I am pleased to join with Innovate+Educate in presenting this award," said Brian Kelly, editor and chief content offi-cer of U.S. News & World Report. "As U.S. News & World report continues to focus on STEM solutions, we know that hiring strategies are critical in building the workforce for the future." Bliven, who founded Innovate+Educate in 2009, said in an interview that the pathway from education to employment is evolving - and that companies need to adapt to hire the best and the brightest candidates. "Not everyone has the opportunity or the time or the financial ability for four years of school right after high school," she pointed out. "I think it's critical that all students and job seekers get STEM skills and education," she added. "But not everyone will get them from a traditional education-first path. You can get them on the job. The employer's role could be to create a foundation for STEM." The companies will receive their awards during Innovate+Educate's Close-It Summit, to be held in Washington, D.C., Nov. 5-7.
Leading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and Efficiency
HIRE Award Recipients from left are Southwire, Gilchrist Construction Company, AmeriHealth Caritas, Bank of America, Boeing, and an honorable mention was awarded to Big Ass Fans.
Leading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and Efficiency
Continuing with our goal to integrate Leadership Training with our Safety Education Training, we had our good friend and part-ner, Ken Schnexnayder from Travelers, facilitate Crisis Manage-ment for Construction. Topics included such items as: crisis types, team member assignments and responsibilities, internal communication and notification protocols, and media relations. The session was facilitated in an interactive environment where we actually set up a video camera and made/watched a media interview.
We completed two sessions of Crisis Management, with 46 total participants. Great participation! This was one of the best safety leadership training programs we have sponsored. To the left is a list of the attendees who completed the program. Thanks to everyone for their passion-ate participation, and to Ken who did a great job facilitating. Valerie Aymond, CRO
John Paul Justin Gaspard Wayne Stalsby Jarred Williams
Matt Laborde Todd Desselle Billy Harris Don Mercer
Jerry Burnaman Kodie Brouillette Ryan Hazelton Tommy Dauzat
Daymond Brister Donovan Armand Kelly Knight Curnest Guillot
Greg Branch Jimmy Lachney Kevin Grage Davis Bordelon
Brian Hattaway Randy Tyler Matt Castille Tip Whiddon
Roger Dunlap Valerie Aymond J.J. Hickey Alsey Lachney
Ronnie Ardoin Clint Smith Farron Gourdon Shane Carter
Phillip Bordelon Kent Burnaman Dirk Fontenot Mark Gardner
Tommy Lachney Aaron Weismann Kenny Emrick Anthony Jordan
Mark Ponthier Matt Armand
Leading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and Efficiency
Shop Safety
Safety Lunch Jobs 1156 & 1170
GCC Safety GCC Safety GCC Safety GCC Safety Celebrating the PositivesCelebrating the PositivesCelebrating the PositivesCelebrating the Positives
An early morning safety training breakfast was held for the Equipment Division. Thanks to Butch and Kevin for a great breakfast (and safety training session)!
Ronnie Ardoin treated GCC employees from jobs 1156 and 1170, along with DOTD inspectors to lunch in apprecia-tion of their safety efforts . He cooked a wildlife gumbo with ducks, rabbits, squirrels, geese, chicken and sausage. Thanks to 1156 DOTD inspector Kevin and Kodie Brouillette for donating the wildlife. After lunch a safety meeting was held in order to deliver and share the good news regarding GCC’s safety trends and accomplishments.
Leading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and Efficiency
Fidelity NetBenefits — smartphone app
Are you making the most of your benefits? The new NetBenefits® smartphone app gives you ac-cess to view your Fidelity workplace (401(k) plan, anytime, anywhere, right on your smartphone. Download the app today from the App Store SM or Google Play TM Store —or you can browse netbenefits.com on the mobile Web. Using the new app, you can monitor your: - Account balances - Investment selections - Personal rate of return - And more Our new NetBenefits smartphone app is a great tool to help you stay on track to meet your finan-cial goals. Download the app now:
Want to check your 401k balance at any time? Now available! New Fidelity NetBenefits ® smartphone app
A Future in ConstructionA Future in ConstructionA Future in ConstructionA Future in Construction ????
Dane Mulea, 8 year old son of Jason Mulea, GCC, IT Support Technician, was given an assignment in school to construct a reproduction of one of the local Central Louisiana businesses. He chose Gilchrist Construction Company. Great job Dane!
Leading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and Efficiency
Introducing Dr. Brian Elkins We are pleased to announce that Dr. Brian Elkins has joined the Central Louisiana Family Health and Wellness Center as attending physician. Dr. Elkins is a graduate of LSU (Baton Rouge) and the LSU School of Medicine in Shreve-port. He attended residency at the In His Image Family Medicine Residency in Tulsa, Oklahoma, from 1996-1999. Before joining our wellness center, Dr. Elkins directed the LSU Family Medicine Residency based at Rapides Regional Medical Center, where he taught and supervised residents working on board certification in family medicine, in addi-
tion to caring for his own patients. Dr. Elkins brings 15 years of experience in a wide range of healthcare settings and a deep and broad knowl-edge of human health and illness. In addition to operating his family-medicine practice and supervising the resi-dent program, he is active in statewide academics. He was appointed an Associate Professor — Adjunct with the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge and was a Clinical Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine with Tulane University School of Medicine. Dr. Elkins was awarded the Magnolia Award for excellence in teaching five times and was selected as Louisiana Family Physician of the Year in 2008. His personal interests include running, cycling, camping, and computers and technology. He and his wife re-cently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary and have four children who attend Grace Christian School. “I can’t tell you how excited I am to be joining the team of Central Louisiana Family Health and Wellness Cen-ter. RoyOMartin and Gilchrist’s commitment to the health and wellness of their employees and families is sec-ond to none. I look forward to meeting you and helping to keep you and your family well.” Dr. Elkins
3516 North Blvd, Suite A Alexandria, LA 71301 Phone: 318.441.2220
The flu is in full-swing so make sure you protect yourself and your family. Take this Flu I.Q. test from the CDC to see how well you “know the flu.”
Think You Know the Flu? Test Your Flu I.Q.
1. True or False: The flu vaccine can’t give you the flu. 2. True or False: The “stomach flu” and influenza are the same thing. 3. True or False: Getting a flu vaccine in December or later is not too late. 4. True or False: People should be vaccinated against the flu each and every year. 5. True or False: Washing your hands is the best thing you can do to protect against the flu. 6. True or False: The flu is not a serious illness. 7. True or False: You can spread the flu to others before you have symptoms. 8. True of False: There is no treatment for the flu.
The Clinic is providing flu vaccines to all GCC employees regardless of health insur-ance coverage. GCC is picking up the cost of the vaccine; it will be provided at no cost to employees.
Answers on last page.
Leading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and Efficiency
Susan G. KomenSusan G. KomenSusan G. KomenSusan G. Komen RRRRACEACEACEACE FORFORFORFOR THETHETHETHE CCCCUREUREUREURE
The 2013 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure was held in downtown Alexandria on October 19th. Our Gilchrist team consisted of 32 employees, family members, and friends. Each participating employee earned 40 Health Track points and an additional 10 points per family member or friend that registered. Also, all team members re-ceived a free Gilchrist Health Trackers team t-shirt. The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Series, the largest series of 5K runs/fitness walks in the world, raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivorship and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease. Up to 75 percent of the funds raised at the Race remain here in Central Louisiana
to provide breast health diagnostics, screening and treatment, as well as services and education for uninsured or underinsured women. The remaining 25 percent is earmarked for national research. Thanks to everyone who participated!
American Heart Association American Heart Association American Heart Association American Heart Association HHHHEARTEARTEARTEART WWWWALKALKALKALK
Join the Gilchrist Team for the AHA Heart Walk on S aturday, March 8th This is a 5K walk that brings people together to help fight the #1 killer of Americans—Heart Disease, a cele-bration of heart-healthy living in a fun, family environment, and motivation to get fit and stay fit. For the second year in a row, Gilchrist Constructio n Company will be recog-nized at the event as a “Fit Friendly” company. Th e Fit-Friendly program recognizes employers who champion the health of the ir employees and work to create a culture of physical activity and h ealth in the workplace. Health Tracks Points will be awarded to participating employees.
5555 Y E A R SY E A R SY E A R SY E A R S
October November
Phyllis Fontenot Harold Henderson
Scott Sterritt
Clement Hillian Lorenzo Mejia
Robert Ransome
December
Gary Johnson Jose Sanchez
1 51 51 51 5 Y E A R SY E A R SY E A R SY E A R S
November
Donald Tipton
FLU I.Q. TEST Answers
Service Anniversary Milestones
Leading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and EfficiencyLeading the way in Safety, Quality, Innovation, and Efficiency
Answers: 1. True – The flu vaccine can’t cause flu illness. The viruses in the vaccine are either killed
(flu shot) or weakened (nasal spray vaccine), which means they cannot cause infection. 2. False – “Stomach flu” is a popular term for stomach or intestinal disease, but the flu is a
respiratory (lung) disease. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symp-toms: fever, headache, tiredness, dry cough, sore throat and muscle aches. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can also occur with flu, but are more common in children than adults.
3. True – CDC recommends that people get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available and that vaccination continues into December, January and beyond. Influenza activity usually peaks in February most years, but dis-ease can occur as late as May.
4. True – CDC recommends yearly vaccinations for two reasons. First, new flu vaccines are made each year and often updated to fight against the three influenza viruses research suggests will be most common. Secondly, immunity declines over time, so a yearly vaccination is required for optimal protection.
5. False – Preventative actions like covering your cough and washing your hands often are important everyday steps that can help stop the spread of germs.
6. False – Flu is a serious contagious disease that causes illness and related hospitalizations and deaths every year in the United States.
7. True – Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5-7 days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone before you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
8. False – There are prescription medicines that can be used to treat the flu. These medicines fight against the flu in your body, but are not a substitute for getting a flu vaccine.
