RockBlog
Veteran's Day: What this construction foreman learned from time as Green Beret
Posted by Shanna McCord Crigger on Fri, November 8th, 2019, 11:54 am
FREMONT – There was a moment on the grueling road to become a member of the U.S. Army’s Special Forces where Nick Garza almost caved, where the exercises designed to test pain, endurance and intelligence pushed him to the brink.It was the Army’s notorious overnight land navigation test near the end of the three-week assessment and selection course at Fort Bragg, N.C., which quickly weeds out soldiers who lack the fortitude of a Green Beret, the ... Read More
The sign of a solid mixer truck driver
Posted by Shanna McCord Crigger on Tue, October 15th, 2019, 12:45 pm
SEASIDE – Risa Lock is more apt to remember your zodiac sign than your name.She likes to find out, within minutes of meeting, when a colleague or customer was born.Risa believes the answer explains everything.The long-serving Graniterock mixer truck driver and trainer – a reliable and grounded Taurus – gives credence to how alignment of sun, moon and planet at the moment of birth defines your personality.She knows her perspective is unique, but Risa's astrology beliefs ... Read More
Prodigal Son returns to industry and company he knows best
Posted by Shanna McCord Crigger on Fri, September 20th, 2019, 11:55 am
SANTA CRUZ – Chances are good you have not had as many jobs as Jake Neu.Even if you’ve had a lot, Jake of Asphalt Surfacing Inc. has had more.The Oakley native has had 27, to be exact, all before turning 31.“I wanted to keep going and better myself with each position,” Jake said. “I learned something new at every job. I’ve had a lot of opportunity to work hands-on and become the lead person.”While the majority ... Read More
Graniterock construction team ready to move a mountain from Llagas Creek
Posted by Shanna McCord Crigger on Thu, September 5th, 2019, 1:23 pm
A $68 million project to protect southern Santa Clara County residents and businesses from Llagas Creek flooding requires removing a mountain of dirt from the creek – 650,000 yards to be exact.Graniterock’s construction team kicked off the historic project – led byJim Mitchell, Noemy Madrigal, Bryan Jones, Ricky Smith, Cory KellyandBart Wilkinswith estimating byRandy Bonino– with a celebration Aug. 28 that included leaders from various local, state and federal agencies who helped make it a reality.After ... Read More
How do you get to the top of the construction industry? Ask for more, do more
Posted by Shanna McCord Crigger on Wed, August 14th, 2019, 1:43 pm
SAN JOSE – This could be an American dream story you’ve heard before.There’s a guy who starts at the bottom on a paving crew, and through hard work, rises to the top of field management.John Garcia’s story is that, plus more.It’s about a solid guy with a heart for heavy civil construction, respected by his peers and project owners, who fosters dogs with his wife and enjoys the scenery of a train ride through the Rocky ... Read More
Construction haul truck driver says 'It's like putting a steering wheel on top of your house'
Posted by Shanna McCord Crigger on Fri, July 19th, 2019, 3:57 pm
AROMAS – Tracey Rego drives a mining haul truck – the size of a two-story condo – like other people drive a Prius.His comfort level and attention to safety at the wheel of Caterpillar’s 777G have been built over several decades, beginning with pulling horse trailers on his family’s property while growing up in Aromas.“I could back up a horse trailer before I could legally drive on the road,” said Tracey, Graniterock’s second most senior haul ... Read More
Construction Rock Star knows stone pavers better than almost anyone
Posted by Shanna McCord Crigger on Fri, July 12th, 2019, 9:45 am
SEASIDE – As soon as Y&T exits the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk stage Aug. 2, Walt Combs will be getting cranked up across the street at Coasters Bar and Grill with his heavy metal band Hammer Down.Like past summersHammer Downhas followed Y&T’sBoardwalkshow, the Coasters’ crowd will be standing-room only to hear Walt and two high school friends – Todd Townsend and Bryant Miller – play out their childhood fantasy.Walt was a kid born and raised in ... Read More
Swinerton project executive perfectly suited to building schools
Posted by Shanna McCord Crigger on Fri, May 10th, 2019, 10:21 am
SANTA CLARA – Take the girl out of Texas, put her in the country’s hottest construction market and she’ll shoot up the management chain to become one of the area’s go-to experts on building schools.Angie Woo never imagined a construction career, which is surprising considering she just celebrated 20 years withSwinerton Builders, and is one of the 131-year-old company’s few female project executives in the San Francisco Bay Area.“I take ownership of my projects, and I ... Read More
A road materials construction career started at the beauty counter
Posted by Shanna McCord Crigger on Fri, April 12th, 2019, 3:44 pm
AROMAS – Asphalt binders, gradation graphs and air voids seem a world away from her mother’s bathroom counter in Western Mexico, dotted with pretty jars of creams and perfumes that cast a spell on Elvira Paniagua at a young age and would inevitably define her future.“I always liked to mix stuff and see what it would do,” Elvira, 26, said of her attraction to science, particularly chemistry. “I played a lot with my mom’s shampoos and ... Read More
SF Bay Area masonry contractor hits the bull's eye with every project
Posted by Shanna McCord Crigger on Mon, April 8th, 2019, 1:16 pm
LOS ALTOS – Camped out in the backyard of a large corner lot in Los Altos, saw blades and mixing paddles in action, mason contractor Pat Knowles and his crew are working their magic.They will spend several months overhauling this otherwise ordinary property with a single-family home into a Silicon Valley masterpiece – a place you’d find on the pages of a glossy lifestyle magazine with drool-worthy custom features, including an outdoor kitchen, columns covered in ... Read More
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- Empowering veterans and communities: A day of service with CHEER and VFW
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