Welcome to the fall edition of Breaking Ground. Normally I use this space to talk about some of the latest developments in our industry or at Reno Contracting. Today, I want to focus on a different aspect of our company, our people, and the role we serve in the community. As a business, Reno Contracting has the opportunity, and obligation, in my opinion, to be a good corporate citizen. It’s reflected in how we do business and how we treat our people (our no. 1 asset), our clients, our consultants and subcontractors, and in what we choose to do beyond our business. Simply put, companies are able to have an impact on the community beyond their day-to-day operations.

We are fortunate to be able to freely exercise our belief in doing the right thing – being honest, ethical and supporting the community and our country – in our business and in our charitable endeavors. East County Family YMCA, HomeAid San Diego, Scripps Foundation, Arc of San Diego, and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation are just some of the community organizations that Reno Contracting supports. Most recently, the 9th anniversary of 9/11 compels me to write about two examples of Reno’s charitable activities that also have been great experiences for me as President.

Patriotism and Peace

In mid-August, Reno Contracting was presented with the opportunity to participate in an interactive art exhibition memorializing the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks. The Peace Pod, the signature sculpture in a multi-media exhibit called Instructions for Peace, was created by local artist and businessman Allen Guilmette. He is one of ten artists commissioned for the exhibition, which is traveling across the U.S. over the next year, ending in New York City in September 2011, the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Having a business relationship with Mr. Guilmette, and believing in his faith and vision for this project, Reno Contracting chose to sponsor his creation, the Peace Pod.

We also wanted to share the spirit of this project with the people of San Diego, and together with Mr. Guilmette and aided by Councilman Carl DeMaio, hosted the unveiling of the Peace Pod in late August. Part of the exhibit’s attraction is that people can express their views on peace by blogging or writing on the exterior of the Peace Pod sculpture. Launching the Peace Pod here enabled our community to participate with their wishes, hopes and prayers for the future before its year long journey to Ground Zero began. The event seemed to instill a significant mood of remembrance of the tragic events among the attendees, but at the same time there was a feeling of hope for peace to come.

Helping Those Who Serve

Along the same lines as the Peace Pod but certainly different, the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) was created to “honor and empower wounded warriors” of the U.S. Armed Forces. Reno’s support of the organization reflects a deep commitment to the men and women who serve our country—a belief that began with CEO Matt Reno and has continued to be a part of the values of this organization. In fact the “core values” of WWP—fun, integrity, loyalty, innovation and service—are right on target with what Reno Contracting wants to see in everything it does.

It’s not always easy to be charitable in challenging economic times. Still, the construction industry, one of those hardest hit economically, has continued to demonstrate generosity through support of programs such as the Wounded Warrior Project. Reno Contracting and contractors nationwide have participated with the Associated General Contractors of America’s Rescue Task Force, which provides wounded troops with a backpack when they arrive stateside. It contains all of the essentials to make their first few weeks of treatment more comfortable, including items like a cell phone and phone card, shaving equipment, soap and a toothbrush, t-shirts, a wrist watch, CD player and music, stationery and magazines. Many of our wounded arrive with little more than what they left the battlefield with – these are courageous men and women.

Time and again, I have seen the construction industry support our country and the men and women who serve with a commitment and generosity that is inspiring. I am proud to have the opportunity to be part of this great industry and continue to support our people at work, the communities we live in, our country and those that serve us all. Sometimes it seems a luxury to be able to do the right thing; certainly it’s a responsibility.

I invite you to visit the Wounded Warrior Project website for more information: www.woundedwarriorproject.org. Thank you to all the very generous people who make the Reno Contracting Wounded Warrior Golf tournament a resounding success.

I feel privileged to be in a position where I am able to put belief into action on behalf of Reno Contracting, and appreciate the opportunity to share some of what motivates us as people and as a company.

Best wishes,

Walt Fegley
President, LEED AP