Aggregates Manager Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/777939
OPERATIONS ILLUSTRATED OUR EXPERTS Developing Neighbor Relations February 2017 Tony Halloran is op- erations manager for StoneCo, an Oldcastle company. He has been with the 100th Street operation for 24 years. Derek Roberts is vice president of aggregates for the South Central Division of Rogers Group. He serves on the membership com- mittee for the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) and is a past chairman of NSSGA's Young Leaders group. Alan Burnette is director of resource development for Le- high Hanson's South Region with his offi ce in Atlanta, Ga. He has held this position for fi ve years and started in the industry with a Hanson predecessor company in 1989. Burnette holds a bachelor of science degree in natural re- sources/environmen- tal management from Ball State University and a law degree from Indiana Univer- sity-Indianapolis. Taking every opportunity to educate the public about the aggregates industry is invaluable. When hosting school tours, consider having an outline that each operation can follow to provide consistency in the message. The tours should cover safety, equipment used, blasting, uses of stone, how concrete is made, and rock types such as sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic. This will both teach children and give proper information to any parents or other chaperones in attendance. It also provides an introduction should a negative concern arise that needs to be addressed. Lehigh Hanson received an award for its twice-year- ly "Big Sweep Pickup," where employees and their families from multiple local quarries teamed up with Wake County, N.C., to clean up the Crabtree Creek which fl ows through its Crabtree Quarry operation. More than 6,000 pounds of trash were removed from the creek. Employees spent the day with their fam- ilies while helping the local community improve the environment. Inviting employees to suggest a cause to support pro- vides opportunity for their personal fulfi llment while strengthening ties to the community. Incorporating personal interests also boosts employee participation. Promoting a culture that works together and welcomes input from employees from the plant level on up can be an important recruiting tool and method of employee retention. Lehigh Hanson's Princeton, N.C., operation sponsored a Habitat for Humanity House, with more than 800 hours put into its construction. One employee, who didn't live in the area, even took vacation to assist with the project. Get to know and work with local politicians, such as the county commissioner and city council members, and let them know your operation would like to become active in the community. They are familiar with the needs of a community and are able to put operations in touch with the proper people to help address those needs. This acquaints operational personnel with local deci- sion-makers. Get employees involved in the process. If help is needed from the politician, the message will then be from several individuals, not just the company as a whole. Solicit employee input on causes Get to know local politicians Educate the public Team up with the city or county 2 3 6 5