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PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST, from page 7
dedication to our clients. They are the heroes of our business. I’m a member of several local and national CEO and executive roundtables and admire many of those industry executives. Our collective thought leadership was a guiding force that helped me lead through the pandemic. Industry organizations such as ACEC, APWA, CMAA, and others are also beacons of the industry and we value being members. TZL: In just a fewwords, howwould you describe the “Psomas experience?” SM: As an employee, the “Psomas experience” is a reflection of our company culture, which is based on our core values: Respect, Collaboration, Recognition, and Service. We find that all employees, from interns to executive leaders, work hard and collaborate for a common purpose. Each team member brings unique ideas and contributions shaped by their own life story that strengthen the company. Each team also empowers, trusts, and develops every person. Psomas prioritizes the well-being of each employee and is committed to creating a welcoming, comfortable environment where employees feel valued and learn from each other. For our clients, the “Psomas experience” is based on trust. We build trust with our clients from the get go. Our clients know they can depend on us to get the job done from start to finish. We work tirelessly to ensure that what we’ve created, designed, and helped build stands the test of time – and that’s something we’ve lived by for our entire 75-year history. “Our culture fosters collaboration and teamwork at every level, and offers employees support, professional development opportunities with the ability to work on high-profile projects that make a real difference.” TZL: What type of leader do you consider yourself to be? SM: I aim to be a transformational leader who inspires others to grow, learn new skills, develop talents, be their best self, and contribute to the greater good. I want to ensure all employees are given the tools they need to feel successful. Investing in the personal and professional growth of our employees is at the heart of our culture. TZL: “Envisioning the bold” is part of your company culture. Can you give me an example of how this statement translates into something tangible? SM: “Envisioning the bold” guides our teams on every project to find innovative, creative solutions to challenges. We leverage expertise across our different groups, including engineering, construction management, environmental, and surveying and geospatial, to reimagine what’s possible and then deliver it. As an example, Psomas was selected by the city of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering to work on the widening and rehabilitation of the North Spring Street Viaduct Widening and Rehabilitation project, a historic bridge spanning the Los
North Spring Street Viaduct Widening and Rehabilitation project, a historic bridge spanning the Los Angeles River between Long Beach and the San Fernando Valley.
Angeles River between Long Beach and the San Fernando Valley. Built in 1928, this bridge is treasured in the community and needed a dynamic upgrade that would preserve its character. Once again, we “envisioned the bold” and our Los Angeles engineering team earned the 2022 Engineering Excellence Honor Award from ACEC for their work on that project. TZL: What benefits does your firm offer that your people get most excited about? SM: Employees see Psomas as a place where they can build their careers – from a first job through retirement, and all stages in between. Our culture fosters collaboration and teamwork at every level, and offers employees support, professional development opportunities with the ability to work on high-profile projects that make a real difference. As a 100 percent employee-owned company we offer an employee stock ownership plan, internally referred to as Psomas Pshares. When you build a career with Psomas, you’ll see bigger long-term financial gains and a healthier nest egg. Statistics show employee-owners have more than two times the average total retirement balance of Americans nationally. While we embrace and support hybrid and remote roles, our flexible workplaces are also a big draw – they are designed with collaboration in mind and meant to inspire creativity and fun, while offering sufficient space for each person. Depending on the office, you’ll find open seating, dry erase walls for brainstorming, big screen TVs, fully-stocked kitchens with healthy snack options, ping pong tables, and even a bowling alley. The Zweig Letter: In one word or phrase, what do you describe as your number one job responsibility? SM: Maintaining a “people-first” culture.
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THE ZWEIG LETTER APRIL 4, 2022, ISSUE 1435
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