Connect Offers Development Opportunities

Garver recently launched its newest corporate initiative, Connect, which is an employee-led group of women and men dedicated to supporting and strengthening Garver's unified vision by maximizing the value of employees through recruitment, retention, and development of the company’s women.

The program has two primary areas of purpose:  to aid in recruitment and retention of talented women through networking and mentoring amongst employees; and to encourage women by offering well-rounded personal and professional development.

“Connect will offer women the opportunities they need to overcome the challenges they face in career development and will benefit the woman, her team, and ultimately the company,” said Suzanne Peyton, the 18-year veteran of Garver who will lead Connect. “Teams with all members operating at their highest level will perform better and be more profitable.”

To discover more about Garver’s employee programs and benefits, visit GarverUSA.com/JoinUs.

Garver, Employees Invest in WTS

Several Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) chapters have spotlighted Garver as its featured platinum sponsor—chapters in Austin and Dallas, Texas, as well as the chapter in Kansas City.

In the Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter newsletter, WTS recently highlighted the contribution of Garver Project Manager Kathy Kleinschmidt, who embodies the spirit of WTS in that she has benefitted from and is committed to giving back to the organization.

In 2005, Kathy Kleinschmidt was the intelligent single mom of a six-year-old. She was trying to balance a full-time job while earning her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. With one year remaining in Kathy’s education the WTS awarded her the Sharon D. Banks scholarship, which helped ease the financial burden of completing her degree. Kathy has since become a talented project manager at Garver, and a fantastic role model for her daughter. In fact, Kathy’s daughter plans to embark on her own pursuit of an engineering degree this fall.

WTS’s generosity and support inspired Kathy to do what she can to empower women through WTS. Garver takes pride in employees like Kathy, who aren’t just good at what they do, but also see what good they can do others.

Visit wtsinternational.org to learn more about WTS.

Employees Pass Professional Exams

Garver congratulates employees who have recently passed professional exams.

Wellness Coordinator Sarah Eanes serves in our North Little Rock, Arkansas office and recently fulfilled her requirements to be recognized as a certified personal trainer.

Ben Perea, PE, is a civil engineer on Garver’s Aviation Team. He serves in our Fayetteville, Arkansas office and recently passed his professional engineering exam.

Aviation Team Named to Top 25 in Nation

The Engineering News-Record publishes an annual ranking of the top 500 design firms nationwide, based on revenue for design services performed at home and abroad. They also provide a more detailed level of market analysis by ranking industry leaders in particular market sectors.

This year ENR named Garver a top 25 firm for airport work, the company’s first such recognition in a particular sector.

“I’ve never worked with a more talented and dedicated staff than our current Aviation Team,” said Director of Aviation Mike Griffin. “They’re committed to the quality of their work and they’re committed to the vision of our clients. That’s never going to change with this crew and I think the industry is starting to recognize that.”

Overall, Garver ranks at #174 on ENR’s Top 500 list, up 18 spots from last year and the firm’s highest ranking to date.

To learn more about the Garver Aviation Team, visit GarverUSA.com.

Burchard-Juarez Urges Industry Introspection

The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) recently featured an article written by Garver Project Manager Keri Burchard-Juarez in its national publication, PE Magazine. The article, entitled “In Flint’s Aftermath, a Time for Introspection,” addresses the obligation engineers have to ensure public safety as it relates to infrastructure, even under substantial financial strain.

In the wake of the recent water crisis in Flint, Michigan, in which the city’s financial strain led to compromised decision-making—and ultimately a water supply contaminated with lead—Keri urges engineers to “examine our own practice of the engineering profession and sharpen our focus on the responsibilities that come with the title of professional engineer.”

“Many local and state governments are operating under the acute financial strain of maintaining aging infrastructure,” Keri said. “We can use the lessons of Flint to strengthen our resolve to provide complete, competent, and honest engineering recommendations even in the face of financial and political pressures.”

At Garver, we’re committed to our clients, but we're also committed to our clients’ constituency, and the integrity of the infrastructure we design. Public health and safety is paramount in our work, as it should be across our industry, and we’re proud to have professionals like Keri championing that message.

NSPE members can click here to read Keri’s article in its entirety.