Boys & Girls Clubs “Kids Night Out”
Mar 2014
MARCH 2014 — In support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City, Garney employee-owners recently attended the 2014 Kids Night Out featuring Academy Award Winning Actor, Al Pacino. This annual event, presented by GEHA the second-largest provider of national health and dental plans serving federal employees, retirees and their families, is pivotal in covering annual operating expenses for the Clubs.
Garney’s employee-owners enjoyed a keynote from Pacino, in addition to a live and silent auction, cocktails and dinner. The event, held on March 28 in parallel with National Boys & Girls Club Week, raised funds to support the annual operating budget of five Kansas City Club locations serving nearly 1,000 youth each day.
“I came away from the event knowing there are still a lot of kids out there that need our help and this is a great organization to support.” – Angela Kearney, Employee-Owner Since 2007
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kanas City strives to support kids, ages 5-18, develop the skills, values and self-esteem they need to reach their greatest dreams. Explore more about how you can get involved with a Club in your area here.
WIFIA paves way for aging water infrastructure
Mar 2014
Industrial zone valves, factory equipment.
MARCH 2014 — Aging water infrastructure and associated building systems are on the rise; and as a result, have longstanding impacts on the treatment of water imperative to our quality of life. The American Water Works Association (AWWA), in conjunction with likeminded organizations are eager to advance repairs and rehabilitations by lowering the cost of investments for infrastructure projects. The Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Authority (WIFIA) concept would aim to do just that.
While ensuring a streamlined approach to financing, WIFIA would grant funds from the US Treasury at long-term Treasury rates. Assistance would be offered in the form of low interest loans. The WIFIA concept would be modeled after the success from the transportation industry with TIFIA and would strive to increase the level of investment in water and wastewater infrastructure.
Currently, the success of WIFIA remains in the hands of those at Capitol Hill with major support from AWWA and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) and the Water Environment Federation (WEF).
As many projects often lack aid from State Revolving Funds, WIFIA would offer a drastic change in water infrastructure for communities around the nation. Learn more details about AWWA’s stance on WIFIA and the capability of its tremendous impact here.
Garney wins NUCA safety award
Mar 2014
MARCH 2014 — On March 3, Garney received the award as the overall winner for the prestigious 2013 National Utility Contractor Association (NUCA) William H. Feather Safety Award. Of the six different categories broken down by man hours and presented with awards, Garney received the Overall Winner category defined as exceeding one million man hours. This honor recognizes Garney for making the commitment to safety their number one priority.
The award was established in 1978, in honor of William H. Feather, one of the founding chairmen of NUCA’s Safety Committee. The award is separated into six categories based upon the total man hours worked for each construction firm. NUCA also takes into consideration the construction firm’s Experience Modification Rate (EMR), incidence rates, safety statements, and safety program implementation. Garney has consistently been far below the industry average for EMR – a remarkable safety achievement in the utility construction industry.
Safety is a core value and an integral part of Garney’s culture. Garney’s Health & Safety Program provides their employee-owners with the tools, knowledge and resources needed to safely accomplish their work as well as protect clients, subcontractors and the general public.
Prior to the start of all projects, a Job Specific Safety Analysis is prepared to address the hazards and risks of each individual project. A Pre-Job Safety Conference is held with management and key crew leaders to plan an approach to addressing these risks. Every Garney employee-owner is required to adhere to the company’s safety guidelines. From the early planning stages of a project through completion, Garney is committed to being a safety leader in the construction industry.
David Lustig named President of NUCA Colorado
Feb 2014
FEBRUARY 2014 — David Lustig, General Superintendent at Garney Construction, has been sworn in as the 2014 President to the Colorado Chapter of the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA). He has been an employee-owner at Garney for the past 23 years. David’s goals include, “building on the strong foundation of the past three presidents, growing membership by taking advantage of the growing economy, increasing participation by encouraging members to attend regularly scheduled NUCA events, making NUCA a first choice for safety training, and demonstrating to non-members the value of networking at NUCA.”
David began his career at Garney as a Project Administrator and worked his way through the ranks to the position of Assistant Project Manager and then General Superintendent. David is responsible for directing all daily activities of employees and subcontractors. He monitors the work performed on projects and controls the quality of all portions of the work. He is currently working as General Superintendent on the Northern Treatment Plant for the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District in Brighton, Colo. David has a good reputation in the industry as being a safety conscious professional, hardworking and demanding, for which he will be a successful and strong leader of the Colorado Chapter of NUCA.