Message from the CEO - Kenny Hill

How “Great News” can come when you least expect it! I had just sat down to write a section for the newsletter, when my desk phone rang and I was excitedly informed that Hill Brothers was low bidder in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. “Congratulations” and my personal “Thanks” to all those who were involved in putting this bid together. The process of “Construction Bidding” is a crucial part of the business we’re in, and I am thankful for the dedication of the exceptional team we have.  All of this equals backlog which is a must in this business.

Now, for a quick update on what’s been going on the last couple of months on some of our projects. Our work is progressing very well in New Orleans. We have the Estelle Project moving right along with the concrete foundation and wall work. Dewatering the structure is close to completion. This will give us an opportunity to start foundation work at -20’ elevations. Moving on to Dwyer Road in Orleans Parish, I‘ve seen that everyone has gotten into a rhythm and has a full understanding of the complexity of this project.  It’s tough, but I’m confident we have the right people overseeing this project. From New Orleans we’ll move upward to our two levee jobs--the Reid Bedford-King Levee project is nearing completion with the exception of working in the pits, grassing slopes and placing stones atop the levee. Work on the Tallulah Magna-Vista project has started back since the river has receded and most of the embankment should be completed this year. We will need low to moderate river stage for this work to continue. We also have some rail yard work progressing in Baton Rouge which consists of clearing grubbing, excavation and embankment. This work should also be completed before year end.

With the temperatures and humidity being at extreme levels our safety personnel and job supervision have their jobs cut out for them to make sure our work force keeps hydrated and no one overheats. As all of you know, it’s extremely important to HBCC corporate management and job site management to keep SAFETY as PRIORITY in all that we do. Be Safe!

Workplace Values

5 Steps for Successfully Managing Diversity
Try these five steps to help you manage diversity effectively:

1.  Emphasize communication. Ensure that all employees understand your policies, procedures, safety rules, and other important information. Work to overcome language and cultural barriers. Have key materials, such as safety information, translated when possible. Use pictures and symbols on warning signs so that everybody can understand.

2.  View employees as individuals. Avoid both positive and negative stereotypes. Don't make assumptions about employees from different groups. Judge successes and failures individually. Respond promptly and firmly when employees express prejudices or stereotypes. Remind them of your policies that prohibit discrimination. Encourage employees to view co-workers as individuals and judge them on their work, not on personal factors.

3.  Encourage employees to work in diverse groups. Assure that work teams reflect the diversity of your workplace. Diverse work teams let employees get to know and value one another as individuals. Diverse teams also expand the experiences and views of all the workers on the team and help them recognize the strength of their combined talents and perspectives.

4.  Base decisions on objective criteria. Expect all employees of all backgrounds to meet required standards and perform to the best of their ability. Don't set different criteria for different groups. Don't make excuses or allow employees to make excuses for shortcomings. Base all employment actions, including discipline, on specific, performance-related criteria. Always focus on job-related issues, not personal issues, when dealing with employees.  

5.  Be open-minded. Recognize, and encourage employees to recognize, that one's own experience, background, and culture are not the only ones with value to the organization. Set an example of encouraging diversity by developing relationships with colleagues whose backgrounds differ from yours. Look for ways to incorporate diverse perspectives and talents into efforts to achieve organizational goals. 

Safety Update

As we all know, this summer has been extremely hot! When working in the levels of heat we have experienced, it definitely takes a toll on your body. Recently I have seen several different approaches to tackling the heat on our jobsites. This includes the use of fans, tents, sports drinks, and adjusted work schedules just to name a few.

It is important that we remember the other factor of complacency that creeps in when working in harsh weather conditions. It is easy to become so focused on the weather, that we forget our safety practices and fall victim to accidents during this time. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, take extra breaks if needed, watch your fellow co-worker, pay attention and be safe!