Elevations

Summer 2024

A national JE Dunn Construction employee publication

managing editor
Becky Storm
editors

Ben Hobbs

Sophia Allen

On The Level

by: Gordon Lansford

From the CEO

At JE Dunn, it’s no surprise that our employees are at the heart of everything we do. By hiring the right people and equipping them with the right tools, we set ourselves up for unmatched success. One of our most important tools is ensuring that different perspectives are shared throughout the company. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) extends from our employees to our trade partners and beyond.

In addition to celebrating industry observances like Women in Construction Week and Construction Inclusion Week, we strive to be inclusive in everything we do as a company. We have a resolute responsibility to do right by our clients, employees, partners, and the communities we serve, and by surrounding ourselves with varied perspectives, we can make our teams and projects even stronger.

Our DEI focus also extends outside of our own staff. One significant initiative we offer to this end is our Minority Contractor Development (MCD) Program — a series of classes and activities designed to set up minority and women contractors for success, grow their businesses, and form a partnership with JE Dunn. Since its launch in 2006, more than 500 contractors have graduated from the program. To date, JE Dunn has partnered with more than a third of our first-tier MCD alums — a percentage that we aim to grow.

Reflecting on the Juneteenth celebrations in our various offices, I am grateful for the work we have done as a company toward more equitable work in the construction industry. Thank you for your commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do.

DEI & Our ERG Leaders

Lynnsee Boyse
Senior Project Manager
National Co-Chair, BUiLD
"

From the beginning of its creation, BUiLD has provided a space where employees can show up and be their authentic selves. It has created a strong amount of energy in the room — a byproduct of people not having to play a role or fit into a mold that they think is what will allow them to feel a sense of belonging.

"
Tyler Bundy
Project Manager
National Co-Chair, VALOR
"

I value the diversity of the workforce for its ability to bring a variety of solutions to the same problem. This is a diversity of cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. All these things have the potential to influence how we work with others and how we solve problems. The greater this diversity, the greater the ability of the team to succeed.

"
James Robles
Vice President, National Safety Director
National Co-Chair, SOMOS
"

Since starting SOMOS, it has been great to celebrate the diverse and wonderful backgrounds that our Hispanic and Latino JE Dunn employees bring to the table. Because of ERGs, we can create a space where they are not only welcomed, but also recognized and acknowledged.

"
Susan Schaefer
General Construction Group Market Leader
National Chair, Moment Connection
"

ERGs are a crucial resource for our employees, offering a safe place where one can connect, share, listen, and be encouraged to bring their authentic, whole self to the workplace. Celebrating diversity and strengthening from connection with peers different than us makes us better as an organization.

"

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

By: Kori Shingles
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Manager

I have had the privilege of serving as JE Dunn’s DEI manager in the Minneapolis office for the last 2.5 years. Though I had worked in the DEI space previously, this is my first stint in the private sector and in the construction world. I’ve been enthralled by how buildings get built and have been involved in a couple of large projects on the client side, but to be on this side of it has been a treat.

I have learned a lot in my time here, including the following:

  • Construction has a lot of acronyms. (I finally understand 75% of them!)
  • It’s a complex business.
  • Weaving minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses into the fabric of that complex business is difficult.
  • Great things can happen when we think outside the box and try something a bit differently.

1+5 With Tim Ockinga

Group Manager
Midwest Region
What is something no one else knows about you?

I am the Clark Griswold of my neighborhood and have always enjoyed making my Christmas light display a little over the top. It all started in elementary school when my parents let me take over their nonexistent lighting display, and since then, each year’s display has topped the last.

If you could have lunch with anyone, living or deceased, who would it be and why?

I would love the opportunity to meet my Grandpa Alvin, who passed away when my dad was a young child. We would invite my dad, too, of course, and pick Grandpa’s brain about what it was like to raise a family of seven in the 1950s.

What was your favorite vacation and why?

We recently took our family on an Amtrak train adventure to Chicago. The train ride there and back was a highlight. We spent the trip playing games and building Legos with our kids in the observation car the entire way.

What are you currently doing that you really enjoy and why?

On the weekends and weeknights, you’ll most likely find me coaching various kids’ sports teams — basketball, baseball, and football. Even though my players are only 8 and we tell them the most important part is to have fun, I keep track of the wins and losses and take it personally.

What’s your claim to fame?

I like to stay busy, crossing to-do list items off my list as I go, and rarely have downtime — I’d rather be doing something productive: starting a project, playing with my kids, etc. Just when I get one project almost complete, a new one starts.

Articles

Regional Updates

Throughout our 26 JE Dunn offices, building, giving, and people are at the heart of what we do. Click below to see more of the great things happening throughout our regions.