Each year GS&P hosts Celebration, which honors the achievements of our employees, projects and practice over the past year. There are three featured awards each year:
- The Edgar Powers, Jr., Memorial Award is given to one or more employees who show leadership in incorporating tools and technology to advance our practice areas.
- The Sustainability Leadership Award recognizes one or more employees who push forward the firm’s commitment to a clean, safe and healthy environment.
- Our Community Impact Award is given to one or more employees who has positively impacted his or her community through exemplary leadership and passion.
Brian Hubbard, AIA, an architect in our Corporate + Urban Design studio, was presented the Edgar Powers, Jr., Memorial Award for his leadership in immersive technology such as virtual reality (VR) and how it is used to benefit our clients and design teams. Our accounting and IT departments were honored with the Sustainability Leadership Award. Newell Lawson, CPA, CCIFP, senior manager of finance and accounting, and Fred Bartrom, client technology manager, accepted the award on behalf of the departments for a variety of paperless initiatives. Krystal Reid, AIA, was honored with the Community Impact Award for revitalizing the City of Richmond’s CANstruction program, which provides food to those in need.
While the recipients have done things to set themselves apart in their award categories, we know across the firm we have staff that are focused on the importance of technical leadership, sustainability and community service. This year, we asked our recipients to interview one another about these different areas of excellence.
Brian Hubbard: What does technical excellence mean to you?
Fred Bartrom: As an IT guy, technical excellence is leveraging our technology in creative and exciting ways so that we get more out of it than anticipated. Take VR for example. In the past year we purchased an Oculus Rift and an Alienware video game computer. Yes, IT put together the hardware and software. But the magic happened when empowered, very creative and motivated people across our company like yourself got their hands on the technology and began doing incredible things. I think we are just seeing the beginnings of what is possible.
Learn more about how Brian Hubbard and GS&P are driving technical excellence.
Newell Lawson: How do you practice sustainability every day and what would you suggest others do to promote sustainability day-to-day?
Krystal Reid: Recycling is a way I contribute every day to sustainability. I encourage everyone to recycle, as every item we throw in the trash is another item littering our planet. Plus, it’s easy! I try to keep our Earth in mind and the future of the planet. It keeps me mindful and it is a small thing that absolutely everyone can do.
Fred Bartrom: What would you say to others to try and encourage them to be more sustainable?
Brian Hubbard: Find something you are mildly interested in and research it. Whether it is sustainable design, materials or as simple as recycling. Start small and do that well. Then move into taking on something more substantial in terms of sustainability. Something as small as recycling your cardboard boxes could evolve into a task force that gathers them up for your entire neighborhood. In terms of sustainable design, I incorporate programs that aid in the analysis of our designs to create efficient and desirable spaces to inhabit. Analyzing things like solar exposure, heat gain and shadows really affect how successful and comfortable a space will be. Having this knowledges helps inform the design team of the changes needed to create a better built environment.
Accounting and IT have helped GS&P cut the use of paper. The accounting team alone has decreased paper consumption by 38 percent! Hear more from Newell and Fred.
Krystal Reid: How do you give back to your community?
Newell Lawson: I am very passionate about causes that benefit children and their families, whether in times of need or simply trying to serve as a role model through church programs or on the little league field. My wife and I are heavily involved in leading our church’s Christmas Hope Tree project each year. Similar to the well-known Angel Tree, we coordinate with local schools and their administration to identify families in need to be sure the household children have presents to open. I also spend, and have spent, a significant time at the local baseball fields coaching youth baseball. My goal is not just to teach the game, but to invest in the kids to help them become hard working, respectful young adults.
CANstruction uses engineering design to help fight hunger. Learn more about how Krystal brought this important program back to life in her community in Richmond to benefit FeedMore.
Our people – with their diverse passions, interests and talents – are G&SP’s greatest asset. We are excited to share this year’s The Edgar Powers, Jr., Memorial Award, Sustainability Leadership Award and Community Impact Award recipients. Now tell us…how do you define technical excellence? Leave a comment about how you live sustainability out in your day-to-day life. Or tell us how you are making a positive impact on your community.