14 Cornerstone Summer 2025 agchouston.org DRILL DOWN Redefining Safety Standards “feel empowered to drive safety.” Polk Mechanical Company, LLC emphasized the importance of reinforcing processes over rules. “Helping each person under- stand their ‘why’ helps them work with purpose,” said Tackett. For RO, it all comes back to leadership and high-risk activity awareness. “Focus on building capacity for safe work rather than just avoiding accidents,” said Daly. Grace Fox recommended that companies concentrate their efforts on promoting the safety, health, and wellbeing of their team members. Help employees find work and life balance. Take care of our work family. Another great strategy to winning a CSEA is learning how AGC members all over the nation are creating new best practices in our industry. The Satterfield & Pontikes Construc- tion, Inc. team focused on planning and people. “Plan your work and work your plan,” said Whatley. “It’s our responsibil- ity to make sure the plan keeps everyone safe. That starts with caring for people and making sure every person on the project is treated like part of the team.” A Shared Standard The 2025 CSEAs highlighted a growing standard in the industry: that safety is not separate from operations but rather is essential to every aspect of construc- tion. These leading companies have shown that a safety culture built on leadership, innovation, communication and empowerment not only protects people, but it also elevates performance and strengthens teams. 3rd Place: Encore Concrete Construction - Specialty Division (450,000 - 1 Million Work Hours) 3rd Place: Satterfield & Pontikes Construction - Construction Management Division (450,000 - 1 Million Work Hours) and providing them with the latest in tool and equipment technology to reduce incidents toward a goal of zero.” “One of the best lessons we have learned is to reinforce processes, not rules,” he said. “The analogy we use is asking if anyone has ever driven faster than the speed limit. Of course they have, and adding another speed limit doesn’t make them drive any slower. So, adding a rule to follow the rule already implemented doesn’t make much sense either, does it? The caveat is explaining the why of the rule in the first place. In one case, the speed limit of a school zone is to protect children, just as the rules of the jobsite are to protect each other.” Communication and Connection Encore Concrete Construction, LLC, took a distinctly people-first approach to safety that resonated with judges. “Winning an AGC CSEA award meant a reaffirmation to the Encore team that working safely offers rewards beyond the protection of mind and body,” said Grace Fox, safety director at Encore Concrete Construction, LLC. “Competing as a finalist among top AGC members was a great honor. We learned new best prac- tices from other contractors in the indus- try. Most importantly, the AGC CSEA award offered renewed motivation for the Encore team’s commitment to continually improving our skills and dedication to our core values: Safety, Quality, Cus- tomer Satisfaction, Production, Integrity, Employee Growth and Wellbeing.” Encore’s internal portal allows employees to share daily goals, reminders and even life milestones, reinforcing a culture of communication and care. “Encore’s approach is based on build- ing a culture that values life above all considerations,” said Fox. “We recognize that a true safety and health culture is not about rules or regulations; it’s about peo- ple engaged in a personal and professional growth environment that prioritizes work and life balance. To that end, management dedicates the time and resources needed to protect the health and well-being of its most valued asset: the Encore family.” Through consistent messaging, educa- tion and an open platform for employee feedback, Encore creates an environment where everyone, regardless of role, is encouraged to take ownership of safety. “Our Encore Employee Portal provides a platform where employees share work and life experiences. It’s very empowering to our safety culture when employees, at all levels, share daily specific work practice reminders,” Fox said. “We believe there is convincing evidence of an effective safety culture when a laborer, patcher, mechanic, supervisor, office employee or finisher sends a reminder to the entire Encore family about a specific work practice promoting safety.” Lessons and Advice Each company shared advice for those striving toward CSEA-level excellence. For Millis Development, the key is creating a culture where employees
