The 2024 Annual Progress Meeting, held on August 28-29, 2024, at the Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District, was a significant event aimed at fostering collaboration, sharing insights, and recognizing achievements within Commonwealth.

The meeting kicked off on Wednesday, August 28, with a Branch Manager and Executive Leadership Team meeting and an Office Manager meeting, where attendees shared ideas and conversation.

On Wednesday afternoon, employees gathered for a team building event. For this year’s team building, attendees worked together to build a miniature city. The fun activity emphasized strong dynamics and collaboration. Each team was assigned a different zone, such as industrial, residential, leisure, and business districts, plus infrastructure features. Its members planned, strategized, and communicated to ensure smooth interconnection and flow while putting the city together. The goal was to make each section both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

Once completed, all the city’s sections were connected for a big reveal, showcasing the collective accomplishment. The results may not have been perfect, but the experience offered valuable lessons and laughs from both successes and failures, much like real life.
On Wednesday evening, employees gathered for an Employee Recognition Reception, at which leaders from each of Commonwealth’s locations, as well as the Executive Leadership Team, awarded challenge coins to those who have excelled in their roles. It was a great time to celebrate the past year and look forward to the next.

Thursday, August 29, began with a buffet breakfast and meeting check-in, setting the stage for a day filled with informative sessions and discussions. President/Chief Executive Officer T Michael Price welcomed the attendees and introduced the day’s agenda, followed by a financial review presented by Chief Financial Officer Billy Friesen. Lastly, a panel discussion was held with Commonwealth’s Branch managers. Moderated by Chief Operating Officer Neil Davidson, it provided valuable insights and led to an engaging Q&A session.

The morning continued with a series of breakout sessions, offering attendees the opportunity to choose between topics such as the new ERP vendor CMiC, managing risks in
construction contracts, insights from the Employee Ownership Committee, and prefabrication information for project managers. These sessions were designed to provide practical knowledge and foster discussions on key issues facing Commonwealth.

After lunch, the afternoon featured roundtable discussions on CMiC, employee culture, and various challenges faced by the company. These sessions allowed for deeper dives into specific topics and facilitated meaningful exchanges of ideas and experiences.

The meeting concluded with closing remarks from T Michael Price, who summarized the key takeaways and encouraged attendees to apply the insights gained during the event to their respective roles. The IT department was available throughout the day to assist with any technical questions, and the Marketing Department offered professional headshots, adding a personal touch to the event.

Overall, the 2024 Progress Meeting was a resounding success, providing a platform for collaboration, learning, and recognition. The event not only highlighted Commonwealth’s commitment to excellence but also reinforced the importance of teamwork and continuous improvement in achieving long-term goals.

Des Moines, IA:
Ashley Huinker
Lisa Steenhoek

Greater Nebraska:
MaLinda Christiansen

Lincoln, NE:
Matt Briggs
Melissa Brown

Omaha, NE:
Edgar Tello
Rochelle Barth

Safety:
Ron Castro
Michael Lovelace

Tucson, AZ:
Seneca Chaboya
Steve Sertich