Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from 2016

Working Around Ongoing Operations

It’s late September and school is back in full swing. You can hear kids in the hallways, smell lunch cooking in the cafeteria and see the line of school buses stacking up for afternoon pickup but there is something else taking place on campus – construction. How do you keep the project on schedule, the kids focused on their education and everyone safe around all the construction activities? Having built schools for 25 years, we have learned a thing or two about working around ongoing operations. Whenever possible, separate school activities from construction zones. This extends to vehicular traffic as well. As contractors, we know how to manage what happens within the limits of the construction site, but it is the comprehensive attention to all details around the project that really ensures safety on active campuses. Share your school testing schedule and school event schedules with your design and construction team so they can plan around them. Communicate the construction pr

Dr. John Zauner - Executive Director for the Georgia School Superintendents Association

We recently spent some time with Dr. Zauner to learn more about his current role, as well as to hear stories about his days on the Secret Service detail for former President George H.W. Bush. Q: Let’s begin with you sharing a little about your background and your interests. A: I was involved in my early days in athletics in high school and college and enjoyed that experience. It taught me a lot about teamwork and working with others. I moved into the education realm after graduating college and started out as a teacher of special needs students. I worked my way through the education system to three different school systems and ultimately became superintendent of the Carroll County School System in 2003. As far as my passions, I love to bird hunt and raise bird dogs, as well as love anything with a motor and wheels; which includes motorcycles and cars. I also enjoy the beach and boats, so I have a wide variety of interests. Q:   What was your role prior to your current posit

Cliff Cole, Paulding County School District Superintendent

As the Superintendent of Paulding County School District, Cliff Cole is a man wearing many hats. Through the years, Cliff taught physical education for six years in Cobb County, as well as coached high school baseball, football and wrestling. He spent six years as an assistant principal and then as principal at Shelton Elementary, prior joining the Paulding County district office in 2003. Since then, he has served as the middle school operations director, county athletic director and a variety of operations positions – from assistant superintendent to deputy superintendent. In April of 2010, Cliff was named to his current role as superintendent. We met with Cliff for a short Q&A on his role, accomplishments and future goals. Current job and responsibilities. As Superintendent, it’s like I am the acting Chief Operating Officer. I’m responsible for every decision that’s made within the school district. Basically every aspect of the district from the day-to-day operations, budge

It’s Hot Out There! Be Safe!

All around Georgia, friends and family are enjoying their summers. Whether it is spending a day at the water park, exploring the city, or a nice relaxed day at home, everyone is taking advantage of the warmer weather and remembering why we are affectionately known as “Hotlanta.” As we plan our summer workweeks, we must be cognizant of the dangers that come along with the longer and hotter days. According to a report conducted by the Atlanta headquartered Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extreme heat is the leading cause of weather related deaths in the United States. The U.S. Environment Protection Agency defines extreme heat as “periods of summertime weather that are substantially hotter and/or more humid than typical for a given location at that time of year.” These events can also cause other health problems such as cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, which can become potentially fatal. Fortunately for us, heat-related illnesses are preventable. As an activ

West Georgia Habitat Changes Lives

Habitat for Humanity builds more than homes, it provides a new beginning to deserving people. Since 1976, Habitat has helped 6.8 million people find strength, stability and independence through safe, decent and affordable shelter. R. K. Redding Construction organized the West Georgia Habitat for Humanity home build in Bremen last fall. Twenty companies that work in the West Georgia area came together as one to build a new home for a deserving family in Haralson County. This “community” of volunteers not only made a significant difference for the area, according to recent studies, employees are more satisfied with their jobs when they are allowed to take a day for community service. In addition, 59% of Americans are more likely to buy a product associated with a corporate-nonprofit partnership. Beyond the obvious of doing good deeds in the communities in which you serve, it has been proven that companies which practice corporate social responsibility will significantly outperfor

Giving Back to Students, Gaining a Better Prepared Workforce

Casey Pollard, VP of Strategic Planning and Development of R.K. Redding Construction, had the honor of delivering a $1,200 donation from the AGC YLP to the the Construction Technology Program taught by Chad Pruitt at Spalding High School. The donation went towards purchasing materials for Pruitt’s 3rd level coursework. “I can’t thank AGC of Georgia enough for not only the donation, but for what they do for my students and the classroom,” stated Mr. Pruitt. “There is an obvious skills gap in the construction industry and the AGCGA are forming partnerships throughout the state with its member companies and local school systems to get the word out that they want our students.” The AGC considers “workforce development” as a broad umbrella that encompasses both those activities that encourage students in elementary, middle or high school to consider the potential of a career in construction and those that help prepare young people for their first jobs in the industry, either through c