Garney Construction

We finish our first week of intern spotlights with Brandon Borghol, a Project Engineer Intern on a plant project in Sumterville, Florida. Brandon, a senior at the University of Central Florida, feels the exposure to the office and fieldwork is the most valuable experience he's had so far in his early career. "While I am mainly learning the Project Engineer role, I am still in the field nearly every day learning how to actually build things and build them safely. When my internship with Garney is over, I'm sure I will be amply prepared to succeed in any role I find myself in. As an engineer, you pride yourself on problem-solving and thinking outside the box to get projects done. Working with the Garney team has given me a rich experience in doing just that, motivating me to become a well-rounded, capable problem solver."

Wishing everyone a safe and joyful 4th of July! As we come together to enjoy time with loved ones, let's celebrate the spirit of craftsmanship, independence, and dedication that built our great country.

Greetings from our interns at the Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility in Sarasota, Florida! They have been on site this summer learning about new water treatment methods, safety, and building relationships. "Learning about the membrane basin on our job has been interesting since it is fairly new, and Bee Ridge has the largest in Florida." – Luke Natali, The University of Kansas "Take things slow and remember safety first. Whether it's proper PPE or shoring for a trench, taking time to slow down and think about what you are doing is critical for a safe jobsite." – Chris Atkins, University of Central Florida "The most valuable thing I've learned is the importance of asking questions because that is the best way to learn." – Ezichiel Yao, North Carolina State University

Garney is a proud sponsor of the Water Collaborative Delivery Association's Fundamentals of Collaborative Delivery on July 17 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This full-day session will follow the chapters of the Water & Wastewater Collaborative Delivery Handbook. Admission is free to owners and $75 for industry practitioners. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Save your spot today: https://loom.ly/qGmLnhY

Our next intern spotlight is on Jennifer Fernandez, a Project Engineer Intern on a wastewater treatment plant project in Tracy, California. Jessica will be a senior at California State University, Fresno and has found fulfillment in observing progress on the jobsite and seeing how her contributions make an impact. "My internship at Garney has allowed me to apply the knowledge gained in school to real-world projects. One of my favorite tasks so far has been visiting the project sites and observing firsthand what is happening, and then completing daily reports in CMiC. I am excited about continuing to learn and seeing progress of the projects I am contributing to before my internship ends. Garney has provided me with valuable opportunities to grow professionally, and I look forward to applying these experiences in my future career endeavors."

Work is underway at the Water Treatment Plant Improvements CMAR project in De Soto, Kansas! Garney is working to upgrade the existing facility to supply potable water to the City of De Soto and the expanding industry in the area. #GarneyJobShot

Every year in July, we like to recognize our hardworking interns! Today we spotlight Matt Fries, a Project Engineer Intern from Oklahoma State University working on a plant project in Grand Junction, Colorado. He's enjoyed hands-on learning through real-world tasks. "Working with Garney this summer has been an awesome experience. Starting with almost no construction experience, I've learned to write RFIs, create submittals, navigate and read specs and contract drawings, and am now familiar with concrete testing, formwork, and pours. Everyone on site, especially my mentor, has been a great resource for me and helps me learn more every day. I love this internship and look forward to doing this full-time!"

Our featured employee-owner this quarter is Zachary Myall, a diver with Garney's marine group. Zachary joined us two years ago and has been all-in from day one, traveling around the country with his family to work on a variety of marine projects for Garney. Zachary has a great work ethic, always prioritizes safety, and promotes high quality work. He sets a good example for fellow employee-owners, is always eager to learn, and never hesitates to help out with any task. Watch Zachary's full video for an inside look at the life of a Commercial Diver: https://loom.ly/cLWaqbg

The Summer 2024 issue of GarnEnews is out! Read more about PFAS mitigation solutions, a world-record breaking achievement, retirements of longtime employee-owners, project updates from around the country, and more. Access the full issue: https://loom.ly/az7ei3Q

Congratulations to Greg Harris, Vice President–Pipe South, on his retirement! Greg began his journey with Garney in June 1986. He earned his degree in Construction Management from the University of Central Missouri (formerly CMSU) and then spent time traveling around the Midwest and Southeast building work. Greg spent much of his time at Garney overseeing our pipe operations in the South, including water and sewer work for municipal clients throughout Georgia as well as projects in the industrial, power, pulp & paper, and commercial markets. He managed some of Garney’s largest industrial projects, like the International Paper Effluent Pipeline, TVA Blue Ridge Dam Penstock, Georgia Power Plant Vogtle River Water Intake Structure, and most recently the Rio Grande LNG project in Brownsville, Texas. Over the years, he led Garney’s risk management team and business development efforts, served as an ESOP Trustee, and was a member of Garney’s Board of Directors. Greg was instrumental in the acquisition of Warren Environmental and A&W Coatings in 2018 and served as their CEO / President for several years. Greg is known as a strong supporter of his people, vocal in his beliefs, and always working to build loyalty and camaraderie. His outgoing personality fills any room he walks into and his passion for life is contagious. Greg was relentless in his forward-thinking vision, always pioneering continuous improvement for the betterment of Garney and our people. Greg lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife, Judy. In retirement, he looks forward to traveling the world, watching Formula 1 races, having more time for high-performance driving and instructing, and spending time with his three grown children. We wish him all the best in this next phase of life!