DIVERSITY & INCLUSION


Diversity & Inclusion Continued from page 11


Henry Nutt III: Definitely one focus is bringing awareness, really helping people understand the options in choosing construction as a career path, and then just giving them the tools to be successful. And also, again, addressing inequality and how we can level that playing field and empower people from day one.


Sean Anderson: My hope is we don’t shy away from addressing the real issues in order to be politically correct or safe. And that we come up with real actions that change the course for the better. Diversity and inclusion together are really good for business; it’s been proven that your jobsites are safer, your production is improved, the level of teamwork is improved. All of which translates to improved revenue and profits to keep your company growing.


Kayla Montgomery: I think our industry as a whole has really been working on being more intentional in this space. I think AGC has an incredible opportunity to gather us together, gather all these best practices and really put some meat and bones to being able to resource all of their members and the industry as a whole in our state.


California Constructor: How do you think the construction industry is doing overall today in fostering/ achieving diversity and inclusion both on jobsites and in the office – and is it ready to change?


Henry Nutt III: You don’t go a day now without hearing in the news something about diversity and inclusion. Companies are embracing it for different reasons. For some it is just a business case – they don’t want to be financially hit because they choose not to commit to some type of program that is going to create fairness. Tere


12 November/December 2020


Diversity and inclusion together are really good for business;


it’s been proven that your jobsites are safer, your production is improved, the level of teamwork is improved. All of which translates to improved revenue and profits to keep your company growing. – Sean Anderson, Stoer Construction


are other companies that fully embrace it and go well beyond just checking a box. Tey know we’ve got to do better. And those that really get it connect with the idea that diversity actually is better in regards to how it affects their bottom line.


Sean Anderson: Te mindset has to change from the top. We need women on our leadership teams. We need women of color, men of color. Tat needs to be a consideration in every decision, to build your C-level groups or leadership teams. I really think


something changing there at the top will certainly affect how we are inclu- sionary on the bottom.


Kayla Montgomery: What I’ve always really appreciated about our industry is how much we are about our people. At PCL we have made a practice of taking inventory of where we’re at to continue looking to the future to become the best version of ourself we can be. As we continue to pave the road forward, we are assessing where have we been, what have we done well, what are our lessons learned for what could be done better. And we’re going to commit to continuing to evolve.


California Constructor: How can this group truly make a real impact and be a change leader?


Henry Nutt III: We have to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. Because what we are dealing with is already somewhat radical, its already somewhat contentious, and it can rub people the wrong way. It’s easier to just be quiet and not do anything. But if we’re not somehow disrupting and creating tension, we’re probably not doing the right thing. We have to be focused on our intentions, so that we know it is not my objective just to make you feel uncomfortable; it is my objective to expose the wrongdoing and try to find a better way. I think we’re ready, but I just think there is a lot of work to do to accomplish this. 


If we’re not somehow disrupting and creating tension, we’re probably not doing the right thing. We have to be focused on our intentions, so that we know it is not my objective just to make you feel uncomfortable; it is my objective to expose the wrongdoing and try to find a better way. – Henry Nutt III, Southland Industries


California Constructor


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20