25 Years...and Counting!

This July, Commonwealth celebrated 25 years of being an employee-owned engineering firm providing world-class consulting expertise to the electric power industry and our utility, municipal, institutional, and industrial clients.  You can read more about this particularly meaningful milestone on p. 28 (p. 30 of the .pdf) of Jackson Magazine's August issue. 

The festivities included monthly fun activities, the official unveiling of new glass panels in our hallway of history; a Friday evening gala at the newly renovated Robert Snyder Hall in Jackson College's impressive Potter Center, where we recognized our founding shareholders and employees; and a spectacular day full of food, frolicking, and fun at our employee family picnic on the grounds of our headquarters in Jackson, Michigan. 

We feel truly honored to work with such accomplished colleagues, many of whom serve on the committees setting tomorrow's industry standards, and even more honored to be given the trust and loyalty of our outstanding clients -- among them major utilities, industrial leaders, and some of the world's most prestigious educational and healthcare institutions. 

Here is a look back at some of the best memories from this past week...we hope you enjoy them!

On Thursday, President Dennis DeCosta proudly revealed
 two new commemorative panels representing the past 25 years.
 

 



Friday evening's gala attendees enjoyed the culinary delights of
Continental Services before the program.







 

 

Guests raved about the humorous delivery of keynote speaker, author,
and former professional comedian, Garrison Wynn.

 

 

 

 Saturday's family picnic included: two bands, one dessert contest, a pinewood

derby championship, inflatables for kids, and the Great Anniversary Giveaway.

 

 

 

25 years meant 25 lucky employees took home 25 very cool prizes.

 

The other winner was the fight against cancer, as President DeCosta
and the VPs took to the dunk tank to raise money for Relay for Life.

 

-----

The fun starts here!

CONNECT is Commonwealth's social involvement committee.  Its mission is to organize and manage a range of voluntary activities and events for Commonwealth employees, to foster camaraderie, personal and professional growth, and goodwill/corporate citizenship beyond our walls.  

Any interested employee is welcome to join the committee and participate in any of its 3 focus areas: Culture, Compassion, and Community.  

Commonwealth is committed to being an employer of choice.  

In her blog, HR guru Susan Heathfield offers the following 12 Characteristics of an "Employer of Choice":

 1)   Job security

 2)   Empowerment and authority

 3)   Respect

 4)   Opportunity for growth

 5)   Access to information

 6)   Commitment

 7)   Involvement

 8)   Positive relationships with co-workers

 9)   Work/life balance

10)  Performance culture

11)  Fairness

12)  Recognition

-----

A Midweek Chuckle

You're probably here because you either have or want a career in engineering, so you'll probably really appreciate this man's enthusiasm for the profession! :)

Can you watch it without laughing out loud?  Find out here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiJczH3cr48