The Owners' Manual

issue 1. summer 2014

table of contents

BL Buzz

All Things Owners

FYI

Around BL ........................... 1 Get to Know Q&A ........... 2-3 Question of the Quarter .... 4 ESOP Year in Review Meetings / ESOP by the Numbers ............................. 5 Client Kudos ..................... 11

Leadership is Essential ...... 6 A Closer Look at our Core Values ....................... 6 Help Wanted ...................... 8 Committee Corner .......... 10

Safety Topic ........................ 7 Legal Brief ........................... 9 IT Tip .................................... 9 How to Contribute ............. 3 Say Cheese! ....................... 8 Happenings ...................... 11

Front & Back Covers: Storrs Center, Mansfield, CT

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BL BUZZ: WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING AROUND BL? 1) BL’s soccer team 2) The Ohio crew participating in the day of caring 3) LDEP class (see page 6) 4) BL’s kickball team “Check Out Our Kicks” 5) BL wins in the Overall Category of MetroHartford Alliances’s Business Champions 6) The Meriden office watches the US play the World Cup 7) Go USA! 8) BL’s client BBQ with Burns & McDonnell in Ohio 9) Brad & Mike during some LDEP downtime 10) What’s all the BUZZ about? 11 & 12) Scott Pellman & Kim Lesay: Who wore it best?

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GET TO KNOW EMPLOYEE OWNER:

Born on April 21, 1957 - Stan Novak grew up in Wallingford, CT with the nickname “Stash.” We aren’t sure how he got the nickname but maybe it’s from his “stash” of good answers to the Get to Know Q&A. IS THERE A TEACHER THAT YOU REMEMBER HAVING BEEN PARTICULARLY INFLUEN- TIAL? SN: Not one but a few. Mrs. Hancock and Mrs. Frant in elementary school. (They implied I did math pretty well). Mr. Costa in HS for mechan- ical and architectural drafting. WHAT SORT OF EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVI- TIES DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN AS A TEEN? SN: Sports. Baseball everyday in the summer for a few years. DID YOU OWN A CAR AS A TEEN? IF SO, WHAT WAS IT? SN: Yes. 1962 Chevy Bel Air, then a 1974 Mustang. DID YOU ATTEND COLLEGE? IF SO, WHICH ONE? SN: Yes. University of Connecticut WHAT DEGREE DID YOU OBTAIN? SN: B.S. Civil Engineering. WHAT ON-CAMPUS ACTIVITIES DID YOU PARTICIPATE IN? SN: Do I have to answer? Okay Here’s one: Spinorama WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE SPORT? SN: Present Tense. I’m not dead yet. Here’s three: Basketball, Baseball, Football WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? SN: Working on the grounds crew at Choate School. That was for minimum wage of $1.91 per hour.

Stan Novak

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tions that I get called. I don’t know who came up with these but some are on business cards made up for me such as principal, chief engineer, prin- cipal engineer, director of QA/QC etc. but whatever it is ,the role is like being on a clean-up crew since I clean up or help to clean up messes, whether its assisting on claims matters or redlin- ing plans and specs and other work products (bleeding),assisting on docu- ment retention (our storage facilities that few have seen or want to see) or getting involved with projects that have higher risk and doing engineering tasks. I also get asked design ques- tions by staff or queried as to whether we have a detail for –you name it- or if we ever designed a – you name it, or do we still have the plans for- you name the old project. Things like that. WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OR PROJECT YOU WORKED ON FOR BL COMPANIES? SN: The Woodridge Estates project in Woodbridge, Connecticut. You could make a movie about it. Hollywood would do it because it involved voo- doo spells, the town first selectwoman sinking in mud, (she was rescued), people (more than one) going insane (really -like in the hospital insane), and a dramatic public hearing on a steamy July night in a non-air con- ditioned and packed public hearing room in an old New England town hall with the police present and the ap- plicant arriving late on his motorcycle while the crowd goes silent, -and not a word was said by the public in this public hearing! You’ll have to wait for the movie to find out what happened next!

WHAT WAS YOUR WORST JOB? SN: I don’t think I’ve had a “worst” job but there is a memorable job: I worked one summer during college in a factory that made metal fireplace parts and equipment. Pay was good (better than $1.91 per hour). This place was one of those old brick factories built 100 years ago. Inside was dark with no windows to the outside and had large machines that stamped metal plates or drilled holes or welded parts or lowered metal parts into degreasing vats. This big room had all of that and the regular staff that worked there had been there a long time - 15, 20, 25 years in the same room! Most had lost one, two or three fingers working there. The guy that ran the snack counter had lost an arm. You realized clearly why it was a good idea you went to college. HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED AT BL COMPANIES? SN: 24 years and 9 months – and not in the same room. WHAT IS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE? SN: Here’s the oldest I can remember. There was one trip to McIndoe Falls, Vermont when I was 3 years and 3months old in July 1960. My dad and my uncle were on the front lawn of my aunt’s childhood home talking about the new road planned to go through that town. (Future I-91 as I figured out several years later). I guess I thought building a road was cool stuff then- so maybe that’s when the civil engineer- ing seed got planted – who knows? WHAT IS YOUR TITLE/POSITION/ ROLE AT BL COMPANIES? SN: There are a lot of titles and posi-

We want to hear from you! Have an idea for the newsletter? Want to be the next “Get to Know”? Please reach out to Heather Halotek or Jessica Osborne. Please send questions, comments, story ideas and photos to: hhalotek@blcompanies.com WHAT DOES EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP MEAN TO YOU? SN: Not a lot of difference for me since I’ve practiced the edict that you should always conduct yourself at your job as if you are an owner, even if you are not at an employee owned company. After all, you want to keep the busi- ness going. You want to make sure you have a job, and you want take pride in what you do. If you do that and do it well, you’ll get rewarded with satisfaction, monetary and benefit compensation and job security. Also for a lot of us we can point to some- thing that we helped get built after we retire and that will still be here after we’re gone since those works will survive us. That’s a type of reward too. It still surprises me (if this is true) that some people might still need (or needed) ESOP to do the aforemen- tioned. Shouldn’t we be doing these things anyway? ESOP is one more reward. IF YOU WERE TO WIN THE LOTTERY TOMORROW, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR FIRST PURCHASE? SN: Probably a time machine - you can make money but you can’t make time. When they invent it, it will prob- ably be expensive. ◌

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What Disney character would you be and why? Match the employee owner with the character!

Minnie Mouse, because I am classic both in personality and style; also I am short and love polka dots!

a) Paul Graebener

Pluto. Why? Well, I used to be a dog – – – but I’m all better nowwoooo…

QUESTION OF THE QUARTER

b) Manon Morande

Mary Poppins. Caring for the Hartford BL Family. Tend to their needs. Tidy our office. Assistance when needed. Word of encouragement when down. Help provide to their needs so they can succeed. Always lend a listening ear with confidence it will not be repeated. Willingness to scold when needed for the betterment of our group as a whole.

c) A. J. Pisana

Baloo from The Jungle Book. Because I am easygoing, fun-loving, and loyal.

d) Olivia Colangelo

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Answer key: 1 = d; 2 = a; 3 = b, 4 = c

NUMBER OF YEAR-IN-REVIEW MEETINGS

ESOP by the numbers

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Leadership is Essential No matter what your role, it is important to develop the next Leaders of BL Companies. The Leadership Program can be used in all facets of your life, whether professional or personal. 14 of your fellow colleagues from offices throughout BL (see sidebar) are currently participating in the Leadership Essentials Program. The LDEP curriculum is targeted for those employees who manage people in some capacity and the curriculum continues to evolve as each class goes through the programs.

LDEP Class of 2014 Kathy DeVito Mike Garon

Chad Perkoski Brad Parsons Michelle Carlson Kim Lesay Nick Giardina Robby Erwin Scott Pellman Justin Kababik Heather Halotek Jennifer Usher John Meyer Cindy Paschke David Beachy

INTEGRITY We behave ethically and respectfully while holding ourselves account- able for our actions and performance. EXCELLENCE We perform our work safely and take pride in achieving outstanding results in all aspects of what we do and the way we do it. EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP We encourage the imagination, enthusiasm and collaboration of employees as it creates unlimited potential resulting in sustainable financial performance and profitability. We assist, support and reward personal and professional growth. RELATIONSHIPS We build enduring relationships with our clients, business partners and communities by providing creative solutions and delivering exceptional service. AGILITY We embrace change by being flexible, proactive and decisive in a con- stantly changing environment.

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When cleaning up hazardous chemicals wear rubber gloves and follow safety directions on the packaging.

Make sure gasoline and cleaning fluids are well marked and stored in a cool dry place away from the house and out of the reach of pets and children. Use only approved contain- ers for gasoline storage. Never use gasoline to clean skin, clothes, auto parts or floors.

Household and pool chemicals, paints and poisons should be properly marked and stored under lock and key away from children’s reach. Dispose of any containers that are leaking, expired and/or look bad.

Never mix chemicals in the same container. If you do not know how to dispose of them seek outside advice. Never put them into the trash or pour down the drain.

Remove all fire hazards, including stacks of rags, newspa- pers and magazines. Pay special attention to the spaces around your furnace, hot water tank fireplace, space heater, dryer and under the stairs as well.

Clean up work areas. Put dangerous tools, adhesives, matches or other work items away from children’s reach.

Check your barbecue grill for leaks and cracks; be sure to store propane tanks away from your house and garage.

Safety Topic: Household Cleaning Tips

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BL Companies is hiring - help us to find some awesome people!

Engineering Mechanical Gas Engineer (MA) Civil Engineering – Staff/Project/Senior Engineers/Project Managers (H, M) Construction Inspector (Transp.) (M) Civil Senior Engineer and Energy/Utility Senior Engineer (NYC) Civil Project Engineer (KOP) Natural Gas & Oil Project Manager (OH) Civil Project Engineer (OH) Sr. Engineer and Project Manager (NJ) Sr. Project Manager (Land Dev.) (TX) Compression Engineer (PE) (TX) Bridge Engineer (H) Traffic Engineer (M)

Architecture Structural Project Engineer (M) Sr. Project Architect, Job Captain and CAD Operator (B) Sr. Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Engineer (H) Sr. Project Manager/Architect (TX) Environmental Sr. Project Scientist (M) Environmental Inspectors (CH, KOP) EnvironmentalWetland Scientist (CH, OH) Archaeologist (OH) Architectural Historian (CH)

Survey SUE Technician – Subsurface Utility Engineer (NY) Survey Lead (PLS) (TX)

Locations Key M = Meriden, CT H = Hartford, CT B = Bridgeport, CT MA = Norwood, MA NYC = NewYork City, NY NJ = Piscataway, NJ KOP = King of Prussia, PA

CH = Camp Hill, PA OH = Canton, OH TX = Houston,TX

Did you know BL has a finder’s fee program? Check out the intranet for more details

Say Cheese! Say, you don’t like having your picture taken? Let’s have some fun with it. The mysterious gray box on the intranet ( have you checked out "People & Groups" lately? ) can be replaced with your smiling face — just get in touch with Heather Halotek to have your photo taken!

Ana Suprenant - Engineering - Meriden

Jonathan Higgins - Survey - Canton Issue 1 // page 8

By Julia P. O’Brien

Practical advice based on BL’s policies and procedures as well as things that might be helpful in your life outside BL.

This issue’s tip is near and dear to the Legal Department’s heart –

be careful what you put in an e-mail message!

Contrary to what you may think, e-mail is NOT private and can easily be disclosed in a claim situation.

Would you want everyone on the project team to see this e-mail? If not, perhaps a phone call would be better.

Reread your e-mail before sending. Is the

Consider this setting: Outlook  File  Options  Mail  Click: Always check spelling before sending  OK

message spelled correctly? Does it make sense?

Some are familiar with Microsoft Windows 7 and some are not. There are a lot of navigation tools hardwired as shortcuts to “ hopefully ” (<- keyword) make your life easier while interacting with a computer running Micro- soft products to help in completing specific tasks. Ever wonder what this funny looking key on your keyboard was for or why it looks like the “Windows Start Button”? Keyboard Windows Start Button

Well, it’s called the “ Windows Logo ” key and it can do a great deal. Here is a tiny sample:

by Doug Campbell

Press the following Keys Windows logo key + Home

To do this

Minimize all but the active window.

OR “Grab the active window at the top and shake it!!” (really - try it!)

Similar functions: Press the following Keys Windows logo key + D Windows logo key + M

To do this

Display the desktop. Minimize all windows.

Want to access the “ Windows Start Button ” list of tools and applications, press this single key: Windows logo key Open or close the Start menu.

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401(k) Committee Mina Almengor – Chair / Human Resources Fernanda Alves / Architecture Karen Benoit / Accounting & Finance Geoff Fitzgerald / Engineering Kathy Rodo / Marketing Bob Roper / Survey Brad Wolf / Environmental Sam Haydock / Environmental BL Applications Software Team (BLAST) Erin Zelazny – Chair / Engineering Al Busher / Engineering Douglas Campbell / IT Mike Garon / Survey Steve Melingonis / Architecture Stan Novak / Engineering Document Retention Committee Julia O’Brien – Chair / Legal Mike Fisher / Engineering Mark Heeb / Engineering Todd Johnson / Architecture Jim Lampkin / Engineering Sharon Lucisano / Environmental Jane Maskell / Legal Stan Novak / Engineering Dave Parent / IT Gary Sarcione / Facilities Jim Schrager / Survey Deb St. James / Environmental Ken Yoder / Environmental ESOP Communications Committee Wayne Violette – Chair / Engineering Greg Holtzman / Engineering Stephanie Richie / Environmental Randy Shick / Environmental Manon Morande / Engineering Mina Almengor / Human Resources Brian Gaulzetti / Environmental Richard Holland / Architecture Alison LaBella / Corporate Jessica Osborne / Marketing Jared Yellen / Environmental Robert Zygmunt / MEP Bridget Kocot / Engineering Robert Davidson / Environmental Anthony Deane / Survey Project Management Committee Jim Lampkin – Chair / Engineering Barb Bamberg / Accounting & Finance David Beachy / Engineering Brad Parsons / Engineering Denis Rioux / Architecture Don Smith / Survey Mike Lozanoff (Advisor) / Engineering Julia O’Brien (Advisor) / Legal

QA/QC Committee Julia O’Brien – Chair / Legal Al Busher / Engineering Paul Curcio / Engineering Nick Giardina / Engineering Andy Graves / Architecture Tom Hamilton / Engineering Brendan Maurer / Engineering John Meyer / Environmental Anne Noel / Accounting & Finance Nona Rudd / MEP Jim Schrager / Survey John Thatcher / Environmental Safety Committee Julia O’Brien – Chair / Legal Curt Biondich / Environmental Al Busher / Engineering Zoraida Castro / Architecture Bob Celata / Architecture Dominick Celtruda / Engineering Rob Good / Environmental Ryan Grant / Graphics Gary Klare / MEP Bob Cappelli / Survey Ken Haulton / Environmental AJ Pisana / Engineering Carol Smith / Environmental Guy LaBella / Environmental Ryan Leech / Survey Shannon Powers / Human Resources Kathy Rodo / Marketing Bob Roper / Survey Gary Sarcione / Facilities John Schmitz / Engineering Ken Yoder / Environmental Justine Ziobron / Engineering Wellness Committee (sub-committee of Safety) Annette Hyland - Chair / Human Resources Technical Training Committee Bob Celata – Chair / Architecture Barb Bamberg / Accounting & Finance Jane Maskell / Legal David Parent / IT Shannon Powers / Human Resources Kathy Rodo / Marketing Al Busher / Engineering Mike Fisher / Engineering Stan Novak / Engineering Bob Roper / Survey Ken Yoder / Environmental Interested in joining a committee? Great! Just reach out to the Committe’s chair, or Mina Almengor. Enid Serrano-Faria / MEP Teodora Krastanska / MEP

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Client Kudos Received any free cookies lately? Or maybe a few kind words? Please forward them along to the marketing department so we can spread the word. Here’s what a few of our clients are saying...and some like to say it with sweets.

The signage looked fantastic! Our presenting sponsor, Liberty, thanked us a million and one times for including their logo on all of the signage so they were very pleased. Our Executive Director, Alice Forrester mentioned “who did the signs? they look great!” I mentioned your name and she was very happy. We thank you for taking the time to work with us on this project. We will be emailing you for more signs soon! The three signs that had the statis- tics on it were a big hit with our research manager, she LOVED them and wants to order more like it. So stay tuned for those.

1. Steve Iovanna (Architecture - Meriden) for Mrs. Fields . 2. Fred Dunn (Graphics - Meriden) for Clifford Beers Clinic in New Haven, CT. 3. John Thatcher (Environmental - Camp Hill) for James Wisotzkey of Maple Press in York, PA.

Thanks again for your professional and effective work on this project. BL Companies, under your direction , has again been successful in resolving the issue at a reasonable cost. Please feel free to use me as a reference for future business. I will gladly take the call .

August 8 Employee Owner Meeting 16 CT / MA / NY Summer Picnic 19 Board Meeting September 1 Labor Day (day off!) TBD PA Summer Picnic 9-10 ICSC PA/NJ/DE Show 22 CREC FallStaff Conference October ESOP Month! Stay tuned! 14 CPBJ Real Estate Symposium 23-24 SNEAPA Conference 28-29 OTEC Conference

Did you know... Birthdays and BL anniversaries can be found on the Intranet!

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Issue 1: Summer 2014

NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE

Director: Heather Halotek

Members: Colette Gregoire, Jessica Osborne, Kathy Rodo

Contributors: Stan Novak, Guy LaBella, Julia O’Brien, Douglas Campbell

EMPLOYEE OWNED. CLIENT DRIVEN.