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coast tocoastThe Employee Magazine for <strong>Skanska</strong> in the U.S. 2007 / Issue 04HOW THE U.N.WAS WONpage 12Standing StrongWith <strong>Skanska</strong>page 6McNally Steps tothe Platepage 8


OUR PEOPLEOUR PEOPLESTANDING STRONGWITH SKANSKAAs 2007 draws to a close, COAST TO COAST would like to paytribute to those <strong>Skanska</strong> employees who are celebrating their25th, 30th, 35th and 40th (+!) anniversaries. Your hard workand dedication over the years has not gone unnoticed. Asthis is Coast to Coast’s first year in publication, we are alsoprinting the names of those who have previously celebratedanniversaries. If you know some of the individuals mentioned,be sure to congratulate them!40 +Joe Goncalves – 48 yrsJackie Bailey – 46 yrsRichard Redmon – 44 yrsPatrick L. Gallagher – 44 yrsRonnie Carlucci – 41 yrsDowayne Bockmann – 41 yrsIrene Bedell – 40 yrsStanley Katz – 40 yrsTom Collins – 40 yrs35 + Kenneth Dahlke – 37 yrsSalvatore Mancini – 39 yrsJohn Williams – 39 yrsPaul Wayda – 39 yrsWyatt Andrews – 39 yrsLarry I. Waldrip – 39 yrsGeorge Timothy Anderson – 39 yrsSamuel Clax – 39 yrsZollie Privette – 39 yrsLarry McAllen – 38 yrsThomas Maxwell – 38 yrsMichel Carricaburu – 38 yrsJohn Tudor – 38 yrsBob Walker – 38 yrsGeorge Travostino – 38 yrsNorman Bailey – 37 yrsJohn Withers – 37 yrsByron Bean – 37 yrsNorman Kay Johnson – 37 yrsJames E. Grizzard – 37 yrsJohn H. Halpin Jr. – 36 yrsJeffrey S. Barber – 36 yrsCecil Loftland – 36 yrsGary Clayton – 36 yrsMichael Tracy – 36 yrsFrank Spore – 36 yrsFrancis Mahady – 36 yrsLeon Collins – 35 yrsRobert Sirico – 35 yrsMichael Kowalski – 35 yrsDennis Cox – 35 yrsSteven Koch – 35 yrsSammie Lee Robinson – 35 yrsAlex Gary Byrd – 35 yrsSnoie “Jay” Carroll – 35 yrsThomas Stephens – 35 yrsBruce Lamarte – 35 yrsJohn Saunders – 34 yrsJack Daly Jr. – 34 yrsCharlie Ware – 34 yrsJohn L. Griggs – 34 yrsDonald Raymond Monroe – 34 yrsJames Sid Holcombe – 33 yrsRobert C. Watkins – 33 yrsMichael J. Donovan – 33 yrsHerbert Johnson – 33 yrsAlfred Treherne – 33 yrsBill McGuinness – 33 yrsDanny Davis – 33 yrsDebbie Outten – 33 yrsWayne Bell – 33 yrsEd Tabor – 33 yrsJack Carter – 33 yrsStephen Rex Olin – 33 yrsBob Koch – 33 yrsJohn B. Hargrove – 33 yrsBarry Ross – 32 yrsJohn Czarnick – 32 yrsTerrance Daly – 32 yrsHenry Lee Gilbert – 32 yrsRalph Easterwood – 32 yrsTj Hightower – 32 yrsMichael H. Gaston – 31 yrsRobert J. Thygesen – 31 yrsDan M. Strickling – 31 yrsJohn H. Young – 31 yrsWilliam Dahlke – 31 yrsJames Tewell – 31 yrsGary Allen – 30 yrsClarence Kellam – 30 yrsFloyd Ruffin – 30 yrsPeter Franco – 30 yrsAli Catik – 30 yrsAllamonte Ybarra – 30 yrsRandy Lee Rush – 30 yrsRonald Warren – 30 yrsJeffrey Buckmaster – 30 yrsCharles Blosfield – 30 yrsRaymond Macias – 30 yrsTom Lane – 30 yrsMark Apaliski – 30 yrsHerschel Hampson – 30 yrsJames J. Cole Jr. – 30 yrsSandy Hunter – 30 yrs25 + Pat proudly posing beside his <strong>Skanska</strong>-branded truck.Stephen W. Best – 29 yrsGary Winsper – 29 yrsRobert Sellers – 29 yrsDave Eseltine – 29 yrsCharles Askins – 29 yrsChris Eastin III – 29 yrsRichard Shipley – 29 yrsRicky Leroy Stewart – 29 yrsJo-Ann Puskas – 29 yrsKevin Lyons – 29 yrsTodd Donoho Collier – 29 yrsRobert W. Babitsky – 29 yrsMatt D. Edwards – 29 yrsMark E. Mcquater – 29 yrsMarino A. Micheli – 29 yrsRicky Clayton – 29 yrsRobert J. Moore – 29 yrsJames K. Bradford – 29 yrsFrank J. Young Jr. – 29 yrsDonald H. Bullock – 29 yrsWillie James Childs – 29 yrsBeth C. Carchi – 28 yrsClinton S. Jellison – 28 yrsLarry G. Hepper – 28 yrsAndrea E. Atherton – 28 yrsCharles K. Deans – 28 yrsLinda Essick White – 28 yrsNancy D. Macey – 28 yrsBarry Steele – 28 yrsRonald Everson – 28 yrsPaul Magagna – 28 yrsDudley Eisser – 28 yrsJerry Collins – 28 yrs30 + Lewis Holk Jacobs – 29 yrsFrizzel Burton – 28 yrsNathaniel Fitchett – 28 yrsLarry M. Smith – 28 yrsJames Toy – 28 yrsBurley Johnson – 28 yrsWade Watson – 28 yrsBill Eskins Jr. – 28 yrsCurley Collier – 28 yrsWalt Roberts – 28 yrsNancy Ferguson – 27 yrsBill Spence – 27 yrsJack Liles Jr. – 27 yrsFrederick Baker – 27 yrsLeo Kellam – 27 yrsMichael Dixon – 27 yrsMcKinley Joynes – 27 yrsMichael Toy – 27 yrsAlbert Sinclair – 27 yrsJoe, with his granddaughter, Christina, at Family Safety Day in Whitestone, New York.Joe Goncalves, General Labor Superintendent,New York, New York, Employed 48 yearsWhat have you learned working for <strong>Skanska</strong>?This is a very good company to work for. I’m still glad to get up in themorning at 4 a.m. to go to work and I enjoy what I do. I especiallylike the chance to show the younger generation how the companyworks and how construction works.How do you see <strong>Skanska</strong> in the future?This company has a very good future, especially for people that startnow. The company offers people lots of benefits and opportunitiesparticularly for the younger generation.Paul Brown – 27 yrsMike Attardo – 27 yrsVincent Santangelo – 27 yrsJames Mullervy – 27 yrsBarry Nosowitz – 27 yrsLarry Vanderpool – 27 yrsMarty Massey - 27 yrsScott McAllister – 27 yrsBob Walent – 27 yrsDaniel Koch Jr. – 27 yrsJames Becker – 27 yrsJames E. Hamm – 27 yrsMark D. Johnson – 27 yrsDuane Perry – 27 yrsLaurie Clifford – 27 yrsFrank Varisco – 26 yrsDale Robinson – 26 yrsCharles Trower – 26 yrsEdward Joynes – 26 yrsGlenn Burton – 26 yrsChris Nofsinger – 26 yrsMichael Cortez – 26 yrsPatricia Macias – 25 yrsJesse Ruiz – 25 yrsKevin Dockham – 25 yrsKenneth Diamond – 25 yrsAnte Validzic – 25 yrsCurtiss M. Lindler – 25 yrsLinda L. Wheeler – 25 yrsDue to different HR systems,some names may be missing.If you or someone you know is missingfrom the list, please email us at:coasttocoast@skanska.comPatrick “Pat” Gallagher, Superintendent,Southfield, Michigan, Employed 44 yearsWhat have you learned working for <strong>Skanska</strong>?I’ve learned to push myself to do a job that I can hang my hat onwhen it’s complete. I always want to be proud to say that I did thejob correctly, the owners are pleased, <strong>Skanska</strong> is satisfied and the jobis profitable.How do you see <strong>Skanska</strong> in the future?I expect <strong>Skanska</strong> to be the number one construction groupworldwide of course!6 coast to coast coast to coast7


OUR PEOPLEMcNALLY STEPSTO THE PLATEOn October 1, <strong>Skanska</strong> USA Building welcomedMike McNally as the new business unit president.COAST TO COAST spent some time speaking withMike during his first busy weeks, to find outmore about him and his goals for <strong>Skanska</strong>.What are your priorities as BUP?People. People. People. Those are my top three. With greatpeople, everything else happens automatically (satisfiedcustomers, profits, etc.). Someone wrote a book recentlyabout the employee being first, not the customer, and Ifirmly believe that. Train, Retain, Recruit. I also believe thatgreat employees have positive attitudes.How have you spent your first month as BUP?I’ve spent the first three weeks on the road, getting toknow our business, starting with the Connect the DotsRoadshow in Boston, San Antonio, Detroit and Nashville.This week I’m in Oregon.GREAT BOSS INITIATIVEWhat potential do you see in the future for the businessunits to work together?There is a huge untapped potential here. But the first step is tobetter understand one another’s businesses. An example of howgood it can be is the Meadowlands Stadium. <strong>Skanska</strong> Koch isdoing an amazing job out there.What possibilities do you see for leveraging <strong>Skanska</strong>’scombined expertise?Together we can do lump sum work for the benefit of both.The Meadowlands is a great case-in-point: We would not havethe job without USA Civil; USA Civil would not have the jobwithout USA Building.What has been the toughest part of your new positionso far?So many meetings and not enough time.JIM WINCHELL Project ManagerNorfolk International Terminal (NIT) Project“I began working with Jim Winchell when I was transferredto the NIT Wharf Extension Project in Virginia Beach, VA. Jim hasprovided me with multiple opportunities to challenge my leadershipand technical skills and has also demonstrated his vast knowledgeof concrete as well as his project planning capabilities. He’s alsobeen very willing to teach me all he knows not only about workingin the field, but also about how to strengthen and develop myrelationship with owners, subcontractors and fellow employees. Jim’scontributions to this project and to his employees have proven tobe invaluable in making the NIT Project so successful. Under Jim’stutelage, I am continuously learning about the construction industry.His willingness to answer my questions and help me develop myskills has given me confidence for the future.— DOUG NAUMANN ”Where are you from and where do you live now?I grew up in Newport, Rhode Island. I attended the University ofNotre Dame where I studied civil engineering. My first job was asan offshore field engineer in Egypt. I then came back to the statesand got an MBA from the University of Rhode Island (where Imet my wife). After that I took a job as a project engineer withMobil Oil in Brooklyn, New York, and then in Philadelphia. I didthat for about five years and then moved back to Rhode Islandwith my wife and took a job with a company called MarshallContractors, where I ran construction operations. They werepurchased by Fluor Daniel. I spent about 14 years there and thengot the opportunity to run a company called Beacon <strong>Skanska</strong> inBoston. That started my career at <strong>Skanska</strong> 10 years ago. My wifeMichele is a speech therapist. I have one daughter in college,Kirsten, and one daughter in high school, Caroline. We havelived in Rhode Island since 1985, but we will now be moving toNew York so that I can be closer to company headquarters.“People, people, people. Theseare my top three priorities. Withgreat people, everything elsehappens automatically...”What was your role at skanska before becoming BUP?I was Co-Chief Operating Officer responsible for the Boston, New York andNew Jersey offices. I have had the good fortune to be involved in many excitingprojects such as Gillette Stadium and now the United Nations and the NewMeadowlands Stadium.Was there anything you weren’t prepared for?The importance of the Swedish press and the affect of the U.S.business on <strong>Skanska</strong>’s share price. <strong>Skanska</strong> AB had to train meon what I can and can’t say. That was new for me.What has been the best part?Meeting great people from all around the country.And what are you most looking forward to?The Sox sweeping Colorado. (Since Mike answered thisquestion on October 22, prior to the World Series, we can onlyguess that he’s looking forward to next year!)Is there any one thing you would want to be rememberedas doing/changing after you’ve left this position?Helping make <strong>Skanska</strong> a great place to work, a place whereeveryone in our industry wants to be and at the same timemake our outperform goals—every year.Do you have a good boss? Tell us what makes your boss great!Email: coast2coast@skanska.com8 coast to coast coast to coast9


OUR PEOPLEHELPING HANDSWhat our People are Doing for the Communities in Which we Live and Work.OUR PEOPLESouthfield, MI: Riding for MSFive employees and an owner’s representativerode in two Bicycle Tours to benefit the NationalMultiple Sclerosis Society. Over the years, Team<strong>Skanska</strong> has raised more than $80,000 for theorganization. Participants: James Harris, MikeParker, Mark Oetting, Arthur Robinson, JessicaBarber and Bruce Singley.Slidell, LA: Rebuilding for a causeSupporting the reconstruction effort after the devastation left by HurricaneKatrina, <strong>Skanska</strong> sponsored Superintendents Darrel Bolden and Stan Keagleand Project Manager John Clark who traveled to Slidell, Louisiana for six weeksto work for the East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity to reconstructa number of ravaged homes in the area.Cortez, CO: Elks Lodge gets a faceliftThe office provided manpower, equipment and a financialcontribution to renovate the parking lot and clean the insideof the nearby Elk’s Lodge. The lodge is also a communitycenter, and residents were delighted with the improvements.Durham, NC: Students get books and a better schoolA dedicated team of employees spent the summer renovatingthe Communities in Schools learning center. Lisa Florack, BobbyWaller, Jennifer Suitt, Keith Dean, Russ Florack and Philip Henry,staff, family members and 12 subcontractors replaced carpets,built storage units and revamped bathrooms. <strong>Skanska</strong> alsodonated a book to every student.Virginia Beach, VA: Sponsoring brighter smilesTraining Manager Patrick Query won two tickets toattend Operation Smile’s 25th Anniversary Event.The tickets were raffled off by the Virginia office tosponsor four children’s reconstructive pallet surgery.Whitestone, NY: Promoting a healthylifestyle for kidsEstimator Michelle Blattner ran in theNew York Marathon to support Teamfor Kids, a group of adult runnerswho run to raise money for the NYC’sRoadrunner Foundation. <strong>Skanska</strong> alsodonated $500 to the cause.JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBERWhitestone, NY: Safety becomes a family affairMore than 400 people attended Family SafetyDay. Safety personnel designed special stations,and kids were given a card to have stamped ateach one. NYPD and FDNY took fingerprints andtalked about fire safety, and kids dressed theirparents in safety gear.Blue Bell, PA: Rowing for cancer treatmentThe <strong>Skanska</strong> Hammerheads competed for thefirst time in the International Dragon BoatFestival. This energetic group of paddlers,steersperson and drummer practiced for monthsbefore the race. Fellow employees and familiescheered on the Hammerheads during their racealong Philadelphia’s famed Boathouse Row.Proceeds from the event were donated to theFox Chase Cancer Center.San Antonio, TX: Fundraising to boostcommunity CPR skillsThe project team at Methodist Stone Oak Hospitalhosted a charity golf tournament to benefitHarper’s Embrace.Riverside, CA: Serving up gratitudeHosting the 1st annual Gratitude Barbecue, staff showed appreciationfor local heroes at the Fire Dept., Police Dept., SWAT and Highway Patrolfor keeping <strong>Skanska</strong>’s personnel safe.Uganda, Africa: Building unity abroadSponsored by his fellow employees, Project Engineer Adam Neil spent twoweeks in Uganda working alongside locals to construct a building thatwill serve as a cafeteria, school, church and general assembly. His teamalso worked with a neighboring orphanage, to which he contributed bysponsoring two homeless Ugandan children. Adam reflects on his trip saying,“It was a wonderful growing experience both emotionally and spiritually.”Rockville, MD: Earning mileage at Habifest 2007Five members of the super fast <strong>Skanska</strong> Speedster running/walking team participated in the Habitat for Humanity ofHoward County 5K walk/run.10 coast to coast coast to coast11


A UNanimous AchievementWhat does it take to win a $1-billion renovation project for the UnitedNations? Besides some of the best brains at <strong>Skanska</strong> and a lot ofcoffee, the final decision came down to one critical ingredient: values.From the very start, <strong>Skanska</strong>’s New York team saw theopportunity to renovate the United Nations Headquarters inManhattan as a “must-win” project. After all, <strong>Skanska</strong> has along history of working with the U.N. Slattery-<strong>Skanska</strong> waspart of the original joint venture that built the iconic complex,and <strong>Skanska</strong> has continued to work with the organizationaround the world.But there is another, more important reason why the<strong>Skanska</strong> team wanted this project so badly. As EVP JohanKarlström puts it, “We want to work for clients who share ourvalues.” “It was vital to the U.N. that the chosen firm have adedication to the Global Compact, a strong ethical culture and,as a natural extension, an enormous commitment to safety,”says Steve Pressler, VP and Area General Manager for USABuilding’s New York operations and Principal-in-Charge ofthe U.N. work.MORE THAN VALUES ON THE LINEThe pursuit of the U.N. renovation project also requiredstamina. <strong>Skanska</strong> submitted its first letter of interest inFebruary 2006. The Request for Proposal arrived in July.Then came the Request for Information period, which culminated in a formalinterview in October 2006. In February 2007, one year after the process began,Steve Pressler got word: <strong>Skanska</strong> had been selected and the U.N. was ready tonegotiate. Officially called the United Nations Capital Master Plan,the massive assignment involves a complete rebuild and renovation of theU.N. headquarters—the organization’s largest investment ever.Due to the high degree of security surrounding the organization and itsheadquarters, the U.N. kept the only set of project drawings—and no copieswere allowed. So the <strong>Skanska</strong> team made numerous trips to U.N. to scrutinizethe documents in order to plan their logistical and technical approach to theproject. Steve Pressler, Dan Kolakowski, Jack Raff, Steve Aspden, Richie Christ,Jennifer Buermann and Elizabeth Heider all racked up many hours in thosehallowed halls. Back at the main office, Aaron Guzman and Jason Reynoldslent tireless support with proposal and graphics production. And the legal team,consisting of Lynn Shavelson and Richard Kennedy, in cooperation with RussJohnson, VP of Risk Management, spent long nights going over the proposal,the Request for Information and the negotiations. In the end, more than twodozen of <strong>Skanska</strong>’s top people provided input throughout the process.“It took hundreds of hours over several months before we really understoodthe project and the client’s concerns so we could devise the best approach,”says Steve Pressler.Members of the project team, left to right: Richard Christ, Susan Jenkins, Steven Pressler, Daniel Kolakowski, Susanna Catalano and Jack Raff


SAFETY OUR PROJECTSFor a safe and healthy workplace.OUR PROJECTSAs an industry leader in Green Building, <strong>Skanska</strong>eagerly took up this challenge. <strong>Skanska</strong> is the onlyconstruction firm that is consistently included in theGlobal 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in theworld announced each year at the economic forumin Davos, Switzerland.<strong>Skanska</strong> is also one of the founding members ofthe Sustainable Building and Construction Initiative,a Green Building initiative launched by the UnitedNations Environment Programme earlier this year.“The most exciting thingfor me is that this is ahigh-profile building thateveryone has seen or heardabout.” – Peter Wieslander,<strong>Skanska</strong> InternationalThe team that won the project. Standing, left to right: Jason Reynolds, Susanna Catalano, Susan Jenkins, Danielle Siringo, Steve Pressler, Richard Christ, Amy Chase, Steve Allen and Donna Licciardi. Sitting, left to right: DeborahIppolito, Nancy Etherson, Jack Raff, Jennifer Buermann, and Dan Kolakowski“I was very proud to be selected since theUnited Nations represents the internationalcommunity. This will be the most importantproject in my career.” - Ted JadermarkMIRROR IMAGEIf it was important to the U.N. that they chose a partner whose organizationmirrored their values, the <strong>Skanska</strong> team took for granted that the U.N. wouldalso want to work with a team that mirrored their own in diversity.Since the project will employ more than 70 <strong>Skanska</strong> professionals atits peak, Mike McNally, Steve Pressler and Dan Kolakowski worked withHuman Resources to review resumes of <strong>Skanska</strong> personnel from around theworld. Johan Karlström also located Steve Aspden, Peter Weislander andTed Jadermark, who had experience managing large, complex projects for<strong>Skanska</strong> International.All three have spent the last few years working on the Mater Dei Hospitalin Malta – a 2.6-million-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility with a 480construction value.GLOBAL ABILITYFrom the very beginning, Stuart Graham, CEO and Chairmanof <strong>Skanska</strong> AB and Johann Karlström, committed the firm’sworldwide resources to the project. And throughout theprocess, the <strong>Skanska</strong> team highlighted its strengths as “one<strong>Skanska</strong>.” In addition to having access to <strong>Skanska</strong>’s worldwidehuman resources capabilities, the team appealed to <strong>Skanska</strong>’sfinancial strength and proven commitment to the U.N. GlobalCompact since 2001.<strong>Skanska</strong>’s good corporate credit allowed the company toprovide the United Nations with a corporate guarantee from<strong>Skanska</strong> AB, in lieu of a conventional bonding mechanism.“Given our international capabilities, we also identifiedglobal procurement opportunities,” adds Steve Pressler.“This was especially key to an organization comprised of192 nations.” When it came to purchasing, Bill Flemming,Co-Chief Operating Officer at USA Building, sits on <strong>Skanska</strong>’sInternational Procurement Committee and providedinvaluable support.THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING GREENThe United Nations emphasized its commitment to beingsensitive to the environment throughout the project and thatthe building will be designed to meet new energy standards.COMPLEXITIES OF THE JOBCurrently in pre-construction, the constructionmanagement assignment will be performed on aphased basis through 2014. For each phase of theproject <strong>Skanska</strong> will negotiate separate GuaranteedMaximum Price contracts with the U.N. Throughoutthe entire construction period, the U.N. will carryon its daily operations.In one of the first phases, <strong>Skanska</strong> will manage theconstruction of a 102,000-square-foot temporary on-sitefacility to house the General Assembly and ConferenceBuilding. Seventeen floors of swing space will also beoutfitted at a separate location for office staff.Solutions discussed in <strong>Skanska</strong>’s proposal includedhow to efficiently handle equipment and materialdeliveries in a densely populated urban area and movetradespeople through security checkpoints for the job’sduration, especially during construction peak, when1,200 tradespeople are expected to be on site.These are just a few of the deciding factors that wentinto turning this “must-win” proposal into a win-winfor <strong>Skanska</strong> and the U.N. “It is an honor for our entireteam to have been chosen to represent an organizationthat works for peace among nations,” Steve Presslerconcludes. “The fact that we were selected from a groupof national competitors through a rigorous process isextremely validating.” ◆ABOUT THE PROJECTThe U.N. Headquarters includes• Six buildings: The Secretariat Building: 41-stories, The ConferenceBuilding, General Assembly Building, The Dag HammarskjoldLibrary, North Lawn Building, and South Annex Building• Total floor space of 2.6 million square feet.• 17-acre campus• Location: Along Manhattan’s East River, extending from 41stto 46th Streets• Pre-construction contract amount: 1 billion14 coast to coast coast to coast15


OUR PROJECTSOUR PROJECTSbeen good for the Navajo Nation,” says Cary. “When I first started, the payrollwas 6 million per year. Now it’s 15 million.”The company within a contractBased in Shiprock, New Mexico, NECA is a major employer on the reservation,which is 27,000 square miles (larger than West Virginia) and encompasses partsUtah, Arizona and New Mexico. The Navajo population is more than 250,000,making it the biggest Native American nation.NECA works mainly through the federal government’s Bureau of IndianAffairs (BIA) and Indian Health Service to build infrastructure as part of aconcerted effort to better the lives of the Navajo people. NECA performsearthwork, paving, and bridge construction under negotiated highwayconstruction contracts with the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs. For the IndianHealth Service, NECA builds projects to deliver safe drinking waterand modern sewer systems to communities throughout the reservation.Pictured, from left: Ron Everson, Frank Smith, Cary Patterson, and Brett GrubbsRESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS ON NATIVE LANDIn the southwestern U.S., a small team of <strong>Skanska</strong>employees plays a big role in the Native Americancommunity. USA Civil’s Cary Patterson doesn’t justmanage one project – he manages all of the projectson behalf of the Navajo Engineering and ConstructionAuthority (NECA). According to Cary, doing thissuccessfully requires a light touch and a firm hand.In 1991 USA Civil West’s Rocky Mountain District signed a contractwith NECA to manage the company’s construction activities on thereservation for the Navajo Nation. Having begun his work there asOperations Manager in 1993, Cary has seen NECA evolve first-hand.Today he is General Manager, a position previously held by bothChris Eastin and Curtis Broughton, who still work for USA Civil inthe Rocky Mountain District.Cary’s team also includes Operations Managers Frank Smithand Brett Grubbs. Ron Everson is Manager of Engineering withresponsibility for estimating and project support. Their small teamsupervises about 580 NECA employees – 99 percent of whom areNavajo and other Native Americans. “NECA’s significant growth has“Through NECA, we give local workersmarketable job skills so that they areemployable when their project is completed.It instills a feeling of pride amongNECA employees to know that they’recontributing to a better life for their peopleand they are able to support their family atthe same time.”Giving local work to local peopleThe sovereign status of the Navajo Nation as a government hasa major impact on NECA’s operations. Although NECA is a for-profit business,it is ultimately accountable to the Nation’s government. With an unemploymentrate on the reservation of more than 45 percent, there is a serious need forNECA to employ Navajo people.Some core NECA employees have worked there a long time. They go wherethe work is, traveling around the reservation to different NECA projects.However, since jobs are scarce, local communities often want NECA to hiretheir own people. “We’re there to help the Navajo develop NECA and help thembe profitable,” says Cary. To do this, Cary’s team works as a partnership with theNavajo Nation. “We don’t just employ people,” he explains. “Through NECA, wegive local workers marketable job skills so that they are employable when theirproject is completed. It instills a feeling of pride among NECA employees toknow that they’re contributing to a better life for their people and they are ableto support their family at the same time.”<strong>Skanska</strong>’s management also works closely with NECA’s directors,superintendents, engineers, and administrative personnel to train employees inthe latest construction and management methods.Cary talking with a NECA employee.Respectful on foreign soilFor all intents and purposes, Cary and his team are foreignerson the reservation. If they want to maintain their contract withNECA, they must abide by Navajo traditions and respect theNavajo way of life. For example, a NECA project often startswith a groundbreaking ceremony in which Navajo spiritualleaders perform traditional blessings.Cary and his team also do what they can to contributeto the local Navajo communities. They often take on minorprojects as pro-bono work, such as grading a road or parkinglot or clearing debris from a flood. This work is often inremote locales with limited access to equipment and skilledpersonnel. “Anything reasonable that can be done as an in kindcontribution to help the Nation we do,” says Cary. ThroughNECA, Cary and his team have also contributed over 14million for scholarship funding. All of these things go a longway toward the Authority being viewed as a valuable memberof the community and of the Navajo Nation.After nearly 15 years on the reservation in the Four Cornersregion, Cary and his team have proven that they have whatit takes to make this contract a success. “It all comes downto respect,” Cary concludes. “They respect us and we respectthem. They know that at the end of the day, we will always dowhat’s in the best interest of the Navajo Nation.” ◆For more information about <strong>Skanska</strong>’s work with NECA,contact Cary Patterson at: cary.patterson@skanska.com16 coast to coast coast to coast17


FOCUSFOCUSGOING FOR GOLD IN TEXASHarlingenOver the past few years, operations in Texas have grown atsuch an incredible pace that establishing an additional officein south Texas was necessary. Like Houston and San Antonio,education is surfacing as a major industry in Harlingen andthe team is reaping the benefits. Project Manager Josué Reyesis working on La Joya High School, a 58-million job thatincludes the construction of four buildings. Like the majorityof the projects here, the school is being used as a benchmark toshowcase the quality that clients can expect from <strong>Skanska</strong>.As the new kid on the block, Josué acknowledges the meritin adhering to a new corporate philosophy, pointing out thatthe Harlingen staff can already be defined by its desire toembrace the <strong>Skanska</strong> way of working.He is also prepared for the growing pains that come withachieving a streamlined version of the Houston and SanAntonio offices. “We differ from the others in that we are asmaller, scaled back operation,” he adds. “We’re pretty farremoved on Texas’ southern tip and it hasn’t been very easyto facilitate communication.” The tides are already changingthough as Josué indicates that an open dialogue is developingamong the offices – and this is facilitated by events like theConnect the Dots Roadshow. In fact, Josué has no reservations,just high expectations when it comes to expanding the brandand becoming a dominant force in a new region. ◆<strong>Skanska</strong> ID:North American UpdateThe new business plan for <strong>Skanska</strong> Infrastructure Development NorthAmerica concentrates on bidding and winning green field toll roadprojects in the home <strong>Skanska</strong> USA Civil markets of the Mid-Atlanticand Southeast U.S. regions. <strong>Skanska</strong> ID is also active in Canada, wherethere is steady, predictable deal flow.As of fourth quarter 2007, <strong>Skanska</strong> has earned shortlist bidderstatus on U.S. Route 460 in Virginia, SH 161 in Texas, and PortMann/Highway 1 in Vancouver. We are preparing to pre-qualify forthe Midtown Tunnel project in Norfolk, Virginia. By year’s end wewill know if <strong>Skanska</strong> is selected as a short-listed bidder for the I-595managed lanes project in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.US PPP road projects are hotly competitive, highly complex andrange from 1-3 billion in value. A typical bid process lasts two yearsfrom prequalification to financial close.“We’re focused in markets where <strong>Skanska</strong> has a competitive edge,where the procurements are fair and predictable, and on projectsthat can deliver long-term value,” says Karl Reichelt, Executive VicePresident for <strong>Skanska</strong> ID North America. “Expectations are high, and2008 is shaping up to be a big year for <strong>Skanska</strong>.”The oil industry is not the only boomingbusiness in the Lone Star state these days.Home to the second largest economy inthe United States, Texas is transforminginto a mecca of opportunity.With this comes a crucial need for expansion and <strong>Skanska</strong>dove right in with a collection of healthcare and educationprojects. As the growth will only continue, the ability toprogress in this new market is limitless.Central TexasThe new San Antonio office will open in mid-November andwith five projects underway, <strong>Skanska</strong> is primed to become amajor player in this thriving city.With higher education making up one-third of thecompany’s Texas portfolio, it comes as no surprise that GeneralSuperintendent Russ McLeod, who has more than 20 years ofexperience under his belt, is overseeing a 56-million project atAlamo Community College on the St. Phillips College in SanAntonio. The job includes construction of two blocks of parkinglots, a three-story educational facility and a diesel lab. “Theuniversity system in Texas will be spending a lot of money toaccommodate the rising number of students, so there will be aconstant growth in higher education work,” he states confidently.As for healthcare projects, the surge can be attributed to a number of factorsincluding antiquated resources and an aging population. Russ points out that “mostbaby boomers are at the point of retirement or, at least, thinking about retirement.”So, the healthcare industry is preparing for the demands of this mountingdemographic by expanding and enhancing facilities.While the opportunities seem never-ending, there is a downside to workingin an emergent market – there are more jobs than there are workers. Then again,<strong>Skanska</strong> has the chance to earn a reputation for enticing qualified personnel,training them and retaining them.HoustonWorking in Texas’ largest city makes it pretty easy to get lost in the shuffle. Asa result, Project Manager J.P. Chandler and his team are focused on a certaindistinguishing trend in construction. “Ninety percent of potential clients askif we have LEED® accredited professionals on our team,” he remarks. “So we’reconcentrating on attaining accreditation for our employees in Texas.”J.P. looks forward to starting up jobs at the Houston Community College andthe University of Houston. Much like Russ, he is confident that higher educationwill remain one of the largest sectors for <strong>Skanska</strong> in the state. He says, “Rightnow, most universities are turning away applicants because of the lack of space.As the schools expand, we’ll be there to help them.” Getting in on the groundfloor of the higher education movement will help the Houston team’s strongholdon construction in the area.Drawing on the city’s unrivaled concentration of healthcare facilities, J.P.anticipates tapping into the industry by gradually building <strong>Skanska</strong>’s presencebefore taking on larger jobs.For more information, contact Joey Hatch at:joey.hatch@skanskausa.com, or at: 615-238-6710STAT SHOT: TEXAS OFFICELocationContactPersonnelLocationContactPersonnelLocationContactPersonnelCentral TexasTel: 254-778-894112 in the office / 46 in the FieldHoustonTel: 713-401-52008 in the office / 20 in the FieldHarlingenTel: 956-412-38662 in the office / 24 in the FieldFlorida I-595 FocusIn November, <strong>Skanska</strong> ID North America, with partners JohnLaing plc, Fluor Corp, and USA Civil, submitted a Statement ofQualifications (SOQ) to the Florida Department of Transportation.The opportunity? To design, build, finance, operate and maintain theInterstate 595 Roadway Corridor Improvements Project. The contractterm is expected to be between 35-50 years.Containing more than 1,500 pages, the SOQ provides informationabout the team’s technical and financial capabilities to deliverthe 10.5-mile east-west roadway project that includes toll lanes,interchange ramps, bypasses and accommodations for future transit.The availability payment/shadow toll concession project is expectedto improve travel for commuters and trucks, and will be constructedat-grade in the median of an existing, heavily congested highwaythrough Central Broward County in Florida.The <strong>Skanska</strong>-Laing-Fluor partnership—joined under the teamname of “Direct Connect Partners”—expects to know more about theselection by December 3, 2007. A formal, detailed proposal follows, withpreferred bidder selection scheduled for mid-2008. Visit www.i-595.comfor project info.18 coast to coast coast to coast19


“When building schoolsyou have to beable to face yourtoughest critics.”Todd Predmore, <strong>Skanska</strong> Project ManagerOur educational clients demand grade “A” work. That’s why detailed constructability reviews were usedto streamline construction at Witch Hazel Elementary School in Hillsboro, Oregon. According to ToddPredmore, tactical solutions such as creative steel engineering and erection sequencing were also criticalto the project’s success. “It’s rewarding when the schools we build exceed our client’s expectations,” saysPredmore, “but it’s even more rewarding when I see how happy it makes the kids.”www.skanska.comcoast tocoastThe Employee Magazine for <strong>Skanska</strong> in the U.S.

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