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ON THE MOVE JQ ANNOUNCES ASSOCIATE PROMOTIONS IN FIRM’S DALLAS OFFICE JQ has announced the promotion of Josh Bronstad, PE, ENV SP and Jennifer Ridd, PE to associates with the firm in its Dallas office, according to JQ partner John J. Hoenig, PE, LEED AP. Says Hoenig, “We are very pleased to recognize these talented individuals and look forward to their continued contributions to our firm’s pursuit of excellence in serving our clients and the community. They are valued members of the JQ team and embody our firm’s culture and values.” Bronstad is an eight-year veteran with JQ and serves as a senior project manager in the Infrastructure group. Bronstad has expertise in structural engineering for water and wastewater facilities and extensive experience in the analysis and design of deep hydraulic

retaining structures, ranging from pump stations over 60-foot deep to cantilevered buttressed retaining walls over 40-foot tall. Bronstad holds a Master of Engineering in Structural Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a Structural Emphasis from Texas A&M University. Ridd joined JQ in 2014 and serves as a senior project manager in the Buildings group. With more than 14 years of experience, Ridd has considerable experience in providing structural engineering design, analysis, project management and feasibility studies for concrete, structural steel and masonry structures. Ridd has experience in serving clients spanning diverse markets from higher education academic buildings and athletic stadiums to commercial office buildings to healthcare facilities. Ridd holds a Masters of

Science in Architectural Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Purdue University. Ridd has held various positions on the DFW Chapter Board of ACE Mentoring and remains actively involved with the organization. Founded in 1984, JQ provides structural and civil engineering, geospatial and facility performance services throughout the United States. The firm is considered a leader in engineering design innovation and technology to support its complex, multi-state and multi-market projects. Nationally, JQ has been recognized as a Best Place to Work and as a Hot Firm by Zweig Group. Based in Texas, JQ has offices in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Lubbock, and San Antonio.

and overall management. Ensure you are making the right decisions for the right reasons that focus on financial success in all categories. Don’t fall prey to a “lifestyle” approach that benefits only a few. Accept above median performance only as a the “low bar” in bad years and strive for “upper quartile” profitability. And use prudent cash and balance sheet management that does not put undue risk, financial leverage or debt on the company. Live the reality that we are in a people business and that it’s crucial to recognize that company success is directly tied to people success. Take the time to hire the right people who will occupy the right seat on the bus. For those who don’t quite fit or perform, either put them in a new seat or get them off the bus. Empower the right people to excel and reward them. Move their careers along. Lastly, invest in your future. Spend profits in the right places. Investing in new markets, equipment, and tools, and training and leadership development are key to that future. Vigilantly retain some of that precious profit in the company to build a strong balance sheet to strengthen the company today and to ensure a smooth transition in the future. Hopefully the above will help you in your endeavor to achieve success in your company without falling prey to the race to be at the top of a list. And most importantly, remember that bigger is not better. Better is better. And if you focus on better, you will get bigger. GERRY SALONTAI is the founder of Salontai Consulting Group, LLC. Contact him at gerry@salontai.com. “Invest in your future. Spend profits in the right places. Investing in new markets, equipment and tools, and training and leadership development are key to that future.”

GERRY SALONTAI, from page 11

This starts with developing a strong vision and purpose for the company. A vision that is bold enough to look beyond the day-to-day to ultimately take the company over the horizon and seize new opportunities. This, combined with a meaningful purpose that defines why the company exists, inspires commitment and engagement from employees, centered around why they believe their work is significant while ultimately contributing to people’s lives. In combination, these create a rallying cry that drives companies to unstoppable success. Next, establish just a handful of clear and very focused strategies to reach the vision and live out the purpose. They can create a new paradigm of performance or strengthen the company from where it is today. “Live the reality that we are in a people business and that it’s crucial to recognize that company success is directly tied to people success. Take the time to hire the right people who will occupy the right seat on the bus. For those who don’t quite fit or perform, either put them in a new seat or get them off the bus.” Organizationally, it’s then crucial to keep the company client-centered. This can include the way you are structurally organized, but more importantly it’s about empowering your people to deliver what they do best rather than encumbering or bogging them down with needless complexity and process that frustrates both them and your clients. Those who work with clients should be at the top and should be the focal point of your organizational chart. Operationally, it’s important to run your business like a business. Be disciplined and consistent in your approach

THE ZWEIG LETTER March 12, 2018, ISSUE 1239

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