I wanted to take the time to communicate some things to you that you should know. The 2 carpenters you sent to work with my job foreman at the home improvement store in Gurnee, IL, were beyond fantastic.
The foreman that I sent to work at that job failed to do what was expected of him, and Glen Householder basically took control of the job in a time of desperation. Glen went way beyond what was expected of him and so did apprentice DeAndra Tatum.
I spoke with Glen on the phone last Friday afternoon to find out the details of that job, because I was informed by another one of my foreman working in another location that there were some serious problems with my foreman showing up. The end result is that Glen and DeAndra finished the job without my job foreman.
I am very grateful to these 2 Carpenters. I gave Glen foreman's wages for that job, because I felt that he was more of a foreman then the person I appointed. He also cared enough about preserving our relationship with a store that is very important to us.
I just want to thank your Regional Council for sending such great guys to our job. People often complain about things that go wrong and never bring it to light when people go the extra mile to make things right, so I wanted you to know.
Thank You,
Terri Surmons
First Choice Displays, Inc.
Thank you very much to the entire Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters for the use of your wonderful facility for the AEM Construction Challenge event January 15, 2011. The venue was a perfect fit to inspire and engage the bright young minds of local high school students. John, you and your team were extremely helpful. Assistant Coordinators John Grande and Dave Tumpach and staff member Mike Davis were hands-on with support before, during and after the event. John, you were truly my partner as the main liaison since August. Gene Tenner really helped with publicity.
I am truly thankful for the opportunity to work with you all. Know that your organization has made a significant, positive impact in our local youth. Enclosed is a $500 donation to the apprentice program on behalf of the AEM Construction Challenge. Also, enclosed are some photographs of the day. Enjoy the memories! Thanks again for everything! The next Regional Rallies will be in 2014. I hope to have children of your members participate then!
Our 4 advancing teams from Chicago Regional Rally did an outstanding job at the finals in Las Vegas last week. Highland Park came in 3rd and 7th overall. Bartlett came in 2nd in one Challenge and 3rd in the other.
Sincerely,
Diana Baldi
Chicago Rally Leader for AEM Construction Challenge
"We at CISCO would like to thank you for allowing us the use of the Training School in Chicago for our Chicago Public Schools Hands on Expo" wrote Johnetta Ryan, Director of Education to Careers of Cisco (Construction Industry Service Corporation). "These are high school sophomores who are on the fence of what they want to do with their life and thanks to you they have an avenue to see what is needed to be a successful construction worker. Thank you very much for your continued support of all of our CISCO Education to Careers Programs. I would also like to say that you have the best staff in the world!"
"Wow!" wrote Connections Volunteer and Events Manager Lisa Todd. "That is truly what I have to say after working with your team on the recent clothing and food pantry renovation for Connections for the Homeless (Connections). The mission of Connections is to provide housing, employment and supportive services to move individuals and families out of the shadow of homelessness. We prevent people from losing their homes and house those who have, while providing services to promote maximum self-sufficiency. Your team was so professional, friendly, efficient and accommodating. Rafael Barajas, Kina McAfee and Scott Nimsgern were exemplary ambassadors for the union and for the Apprentice Program. As a result of their work and the donated materials from the union we now have a secure cabinet to store donations, expanded shoe storage for our clothing room and defined walls separating our food, clothing and sorting rooms. Your donation of time and material will allow us to make better use of future donations from the community. I know that You already take great pride in your work. I hope you also understand how many people will be helped. On behalf of the hundreds of people who will benefit, I offer an enthusiastic 'thank you!'"
"On many projects I would show up at sites with my stomach already in knots, knowing what I would be facing," said Jim McClaren of McClaren, Wilson & Lawrie, Inc. "But here, it was amazing. I would show up and the carpenters and the other trades would either show me how they had solved the problem, or explain what they thought would be a reasonable solution. I cannot tell you how rare and what a joy that is. What a great working relationship."
"This facility is a tribute to the men and women who built it," said Mark Baum, Director of Development for R. C. Wegman on Aurora's new police facility. "Our company understands the importance of cooperation, teamwork and engaging ‘Local Teams' of ‘Local Trades,' who will painstakingly complete the project thoroughly and safely."
"With their innovativeness and skill as carpenters, they could do anything," said Warden Terry McCann of Stateville Prison in Joliet, IL, about his union carpenter shop. "There is not enough credit for what they do. I don't think there is anything I can't ask them to do that they won't be able to do."
"We would like to personally commend Local 195 for supplying our project this year with competent, dedicated, hardworking and safety conscious employees," said Jim Kubatzke, Field Superintendent at Civil Constructors about the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Bridge Major Rehab of I-39. "They have met or exceeded our expectations and we are proud to have worked with these individuals and look forward to working with them in the future."
"The support from Carpenters Local 174 and Millwrights Local 1693 was phenomenal," wrote Braidwood Illinois' Exelon Turbine Project Manager Tim Inskeep. "The commitment of the leadership and craftsmen is incredible. Consistently the most inspiring, dedicated, knowledgeable and safety-conscience people we have worked with. The results of their efforts attest to this. No one hurt, the turbine/generator started up without issue and is running great... again the work scope was completed in a world-record duration allowing the site to start up on time and meet their business obligations."
"We wholeheartedly thank INSTALL and the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters, which continue to provide a well-qualified, trained work force to accomplish our goals," wrote Chicago Housing Authority General Superintendent Plant Operations Dr. Ike Khan on the 6,100 family units redeveloped as new mixed-income housing.
"I have traveled to a lot of construction sites and industrial settings all around the country," said carpenter Troy Banta of the Port Washington Power Plant operation. "But, this has to be the cleanest jobsite ever. Even in Phase One there were times when a job was in need of housekeeping, and this company set aside production time for a clean and safe jobsite."
