Annual Manager Meeting
Our management staff recently gathered together for our 2015 annual Eldeco training meeting. This consisted of three, jam-packed days of seminars, networking with our vendors, award recognition, and a little bit of offsite fun. There were 170 attendees, an exciting testament to our company’s growth!
Thursday’s sessions began with Gardner Associates President Martha Ann Marley. With over 20 years experience in commercial insurance and construction surety bonds, she shared with us her extensive knowledge on industry trends, the importance of cash flow, and the need for bridging the generational gaps in the workplace.
Friday presenters from Ogleetree Deakins spoke on employment law and positive employee relations. Mike Shetterly joined us again for a session that was as entertaining as it was informative. Using interactive group work and practical scenarios, Mike helped clarify the processes involved with employment decisions.
Our next session focused on our employees’ financial well-being. Denise Leddy from NFP gave a great presentation on retirement planning. At last year’s meeting, she discussed the benefits of taking advantage of the 401k. This year she delved a little deeper into the topic, detailing the different types of funds available.
Shenequa Fludd from Fidelity then rounded things out by going over the updates that Fidelity has made to their website. One great addition is the online, multi-media educational tool designed to help answer specific financial questions.
After the morning seminars, we were given the opportunity to have a little fun. The Eldeco team offered us the choice of handgun shooting at Palmetto State Armory, clay shooting at the Clinton House, or go karting at LeMans. Needless to say, a great time was had by all.
Eldeco also held its 2nd annual Apprenticeship Contest co-sponsored by CECA. Twenty-one apprentices competed at varying levels of experience based on the Levels 1-4 identified by the National Center for Construction Education and Research. The contest consisted of a written test as well as a timed installation of electrical components based on the competitor’s status level in the program. We congratulate all the apprentices on their commitment to furthering their knowledge and skill.
The Top 5 Apprentices from the competition were recognized:
- 1st Place: Chad Herring, Level 1 Apprentice, Charleston, SC, with the program less than a month.
- 2nd Place: Mike Busby, Level 3 Apprentice, Birmingham, AL, with the program 2 1/2 years.
- 3rd Place: Spuddiray Richardson, Level 2 Apprentice, Greenville, SC, with the program for 2 1/2 years.
- 4th Place: Adam Gravelin, Level 1 Apprentice, Charleston, SC, with the program 3 years.
- 5th Place: Bryan Kluttz, Level 1 Apprentice, Charlotte, NC, with the program for 2 years.
We also had the honor of recognizing four safety STSC certifications, two safety CHST certifications, seven Master Electrician licenses, four Journeyman, four New Contractor licenses, and our corporate recruiter who received her SHRM-SCP (SHRM Senior Certified Professional) certification.
And the coveted McKinney Cup went back to Charleston for a second year. Congratulations to you all!
The event wrapped up with a few words on workplace safety from our Executive Safety Director, Corey Arledge, as well as safety professionals David Lynn and Regina McMichael.
David Lynn, CSP, is the owner and founder of Peak Safety Performance, LLC, an organization specializing in developing strategic safety plans that address everyday challenges. Through safety transformation initiatives and leadership training, David helps clients solve problems and achieve their goals. He was able to share with us a few expert tips on workplace safety as well as strategic business planning.
Regina McMichael, CSP, CET, is the President of the Learning Factory, Inc. With over 25 years of experience in safety and health education, training, and leadership, she has traveled the world teaching and mentoring other safety professionals, recently even contributing to the 2015 edition of Training and Development for Dummies.
Regina has a true passion for workplace safety. Widowed at the age of 20 by a construction-related death, her heartbreaking story was a poignant reminder of why safety matters. As our president stated in his closing remarks, “Safety matters, because you matter.”
All in all, this year’s training was a great success! We look forward to seeing everyone again next year, but more importantly, to another great year of growth for Eldeco.
Special thanks to our vendor sponsors that helped make this year’s training possible: Shealy Electrical, Mayer Electric, Gexpro, Graybar and United Rentals.