In late October, INTREN’s CEO & Founder, Loretta Rosenmayer, was invited to the White House by utility provider Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) to discuss global climate initiatives with President Obama, senior administration officials and a handful of CEOs from major corporations. Rosenmayer, PG&E CEO and Chairman, Tony Earley, along with CEO’s from Johnson & Johnson, Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co., Intel Corp., and Hershey Co., and their key suppliers participated in a roundtable discussion about the necessity of taking steps to reduce greenhouse gases and address the impact of global warming.  

President Obama sought the support from private and public companies alike as he prepared to participate in the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in November, 2015. 

In 2011, INTREN began participating in the Electric Utility Industry Sustainable Supply Chain Alliance (EUISSCA) that was formed to improve environmental performance in the electric utility industry supply chain. In support of the White House Initiative for Climate Change, INTREN has made further commitments to reduce its carbon footprint.  INTREN pledges to continue to work on reducing greenhouse gases throughout the company, to support using a percentage of clean renewable electric energy in our offices, to make changes to reduce commuting miles for employees and to continue to report our improvements to the EUISSCA.

For more information on INTREN’s involvement in the global climate change initiative or EUISSCA, please email Executive Vice President, Matthew Turk.

INTREN is proud to announce that our CEO, Loretta Rosenmayer, is featured on the cover of the November/December issue of FW: Chicago Magazine.

In the accompanying article, the publication delves into “the mind and heart of founder and CEO of INTREN” and her passion to make a difference in the lives of others. Also featured are apprentice linemen, Samantha Randby, as well as an informative overview of CONSTRUCT, ComEd’s successful job training program. 

FW: Chicago is headquartered in the trendy South Loop area of the city and delivers a fresh new perspective featuring profiles of prominent women and women-led initiatives making an impact in Chicago.  It includes reviews of the incredible food Chicago is known for, lifestyle features, fashion, and social news.  

2015 may have gone out with a mighty roar across the Midwest, leaving 70,000 Ameren Illinois customers without power in the Peoria, Illinois area on December 29th, but that didn’t stop INTREN from mobilizing over 30 crew members to assist Ameren in restoring the power. On New Year’s Eve, INTREN mobilized additional crews on the request of Ameren Illinois and sent 66 crew members from Illinois and 9 crew members from Wisconsin to aid in the restoration in the Peoria area. All crews successfully completed the work without any safety or quality issues and were released on January 1st, 2016. Thank you to all of the men and women who dedicated their holiday weekend to help restore power to Ameren customers in Central Illinois.

In late October 2015, INTREN received the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation’s Business Champion Award for private companies who employ 300 workers or more. Earlier this week, INTREN was the focal point of an article written by the Northwest Herald, a local McHenry County newspaper, titled, “INTREN in Union works to outperform with utilities.” The article highlighted INTREN’s financial and employee growth through troubled economic times, the company’s 2015 McHenry County Economic Development Corporation’s Business Champion Award, work with the nation’s largest utilities and culture of stewardship. For more on INTREN’s article, follow this link: http://www.nwherald.com/2016/01/07/intren-in-union-works-to-outperform-with-utilities/a3ejkiw/?page=2

Mike McArthy, INTREN Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (CFO), has accepted an invitation to join the Specialty Contractor CFO Forum. The forum consists of CFOs from the country's largest specialty contractor firms. This invitation only group allows CFOs to share extensive experience and knowledge, and foster an invaluable exchange of ideas. McArthy will use this forum to share best practices developed at INTREN and as a sounding board for cutting-edge financial ideas that can be implemented at INTREN.

In November 2015, McArthy was also awarded the 2015 Chicago CFO of the Year® Award in the Mid-Size Private Company Category, by the Financial Executives International (FEI) Chicago Chapter.

INTREN has joined the Electrical Transmission & Distribution (ET&D) Partnership which works to reduce the number of fatalities, injuries and illnesses in the electrical line construction industry. The ET&D Partnership is a formal collaboration of 13 industry stakeholders and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Last month, INTREN entered into the ET&D Partnership at the partnership’s first steering committee meeting of 2016 in Coral Gables, Florida. Present for INTREN’s first meeting was Executive Vice President, Matthew Turk, and Director of Safety & Quality, Tim Ayers.

“Becoming a part of this partnership is a big step for our company,” said Turk. “Joining the ET&D Partnership provides INTREN with valuable regulatory and industry information being passed down by OSHA. We look forward to developing and implementing best practices for the betterment of the industry.”

The ET&D Partnership began in 2004 with six founding members. Since 2004, the partnership has increased to 13 members, covering an estimated 80 percent of total line workers in the construction industry. The goal of the partnership between OSHA and ET&D include: 1) data analysis to establish causes of fatalities, injuries and illnesses; 2) development and implementation of best practices; 3) development and delivery of training; and 4) communication to promote the importance and value of occupational safety and health.

For more information on the ET&D Partnership, partnering organizations and best practices, visit http://www.neca-neis.org/powerlinesafety or download the mobile app available on iTunes and Google Play App Stores.

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) has awarded INTREN a four year contract to replace deteriorated transmission and distribution poles in Sacramento and Placer County, California. The specialty utility contractor will replace approximately 750 transmission and distribution poles per year during the four year contract.

SMUD has serviced the Sacramento, and small adjoining portions of Placer and Yolo Counties in California, for more than 65 years. SMUD is the sixth largest community-owned electric service provider in the United States, servicing 624,770 residents and businesses.

“This project is a perfect fit for INTREN as we have been assisting SMUD’s neighboring utility with pole replacement work for the past three years,” said INTREN’s Regional Vice President of Operations, California, Jason Combs. “Over the past three years we have replaced upwards of 5,000 deteriorated poles in this area. Our office and crews are familiar with the geographic needs and regulations in California and was crucial to securing our first contract with SMUD.”

The SMUD project is an integral part of INTREN’s Strategic Initiatives. Securing this project was the first step in the company’s plan to diversify its customer base and regional business development.

The specialty contractor will service SMUD out of its Concord, California, office. INTREN has deployed field crews supported by an experienced back office team led by Jason Combs, Regional Vice President of Operations, California, Janice Vanerwegen, Regional Finance Supervisor, and John Olson, Regional Superintendent.  This team will oversee the account and continue to support our growth. 

INTREN's own Bryce Summers' custom Capone motorcycle was featured in the January 5th issue of American Bagger magazine. 

Bryce's lifetime love for two wheels comes through when talking about his transition from riding dirt bikes at the age of four to realizing his dream of owning a fully customized Electra Glide Harley-Davidson. With the help of 124 Customs in Rockford Bryce was able to transform his 2005 Bagger by adding a larger 95" twin cam motor, upgrading the sound system, customizing the paint and making the jump to a 30" mad wheel.

Bryce couldn't be happier with the results of his new ride and is looking forward to Sturgis 2016.

On Monday, April 4th, ComEd held it’s first-ever Supplier Diversity Awards Luncheon at the Bridgeport Art Center in Chicago.  Nearly 40 companies were nominated in 6 categories with 16 entrepreneurs selected as award finalists. The event showcased successful minority, veteran and women-owned suppliers that are helping to drive community and economic development across Northern Illinois.

ComEd’s Supplier Diversity Awards recognized high-quality suppliers for their performance in areas ranging from job creation to storm support and diversity supplier mentoring, training and development. Award categories included Overall Performance for Construction Services, Overall Performance for Materials/Professional Services, Rising Star Award, Advocacy Award, Community Partnership Award, and the President’s Award.

INTREN was selected as one of three finalists for the ComEd Diverse Supplier Award Overall Performance for Construction Services along with Nash Brothers and Trice Construction Company. On hand to accept our award was Loretta Rosenmayer, INTREN CEO and Founder, Matthew Turk, Executive Vice President, Mike McArthy, Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, and Sean Hughes, Account Manager, Midwest Region-Central.

The inaugural award ceremony played out like a big Hollywood award show.  The presenters – Anne Pramaggiore, ComEd President and CEO, Terrence Donnelly, Executive Vice President and COO, Fidel Marquez, Senior VP, Governmental and External Affairs, or Michelle Blaise, Senior Vice President, Technical Services – read the list of finalists for each category and then were handed a sealed red envelope with the name of the winner. 

“We are very proud to accept ComEd’s award at their first annual Diverse Supplier Awards presentation,” said Loretta Rosenmayer.  She went on to tell the audience that she has been the recipient of ComEd’s commitment to Inclusion and Diversity since the day that she was born.  Her father arrived in the United States from Italy when he was 15 years old.  Alone and with no command of English he struggled to make his way.  By the time he was 22 years old he had arrived in Chicago.  Looking desperately for work he was devastated to find signs in the windows of most businesses that said “Italians and Irish need not apply”, however, there was no sign at Commonwealth Edison because even then they practiced Inclusion.  He applied and was hired and as a result Loretta’s family had a good and comfortable life.  Her father worked his entire career of 40 years at Commonwealth Edison Chicago North Division.

ComEd, an Exelon company is one of the largest electric utility companies in the nation, responsible for delivering safe and reliable power to 3.8 million homes and businesses across northern Illinois. In the electric utility industry, Exelon delivers economic benefits to the communities it serves having spent more than $4 billion with diverse suppliers over the past six years.

At the Underground Contractors Associations (UCA) of Illinois Annual Spring Showcase on Tuesday, April 12th Lance Rosenmayer, President INTREN, Inc. was presented with the UCA's Contractor of the Year Award and Kiwanda Evans, Executive Assistant, Safety & Qaulity was given a $1,500 scholarship.

UCA's Executive Director, Michael Wiedmaier, presented the awards at the dinner which was held at Venuti's Restaurant in Addison, Illinois.

Mike said of the Contractor of the Year and Lance Rosenmayer –

"This member has been associated or working in the underground contracting business for more than 25 years. An UCA member company since 2000 and on the board since 2013, he regularly attends and sponsors conventions, attends or has company representation at all events, and he actively recruits new members. In addition to the Board of Directors, is involved in or has representation on legislative, Safety /RM/ and Utility committees. His company represents UCA on the Board of JULIE. His philanthropic (stewardship) efforts are a great reflection on himself, his family and the company. They contribute in some way to over 75 different causes throughout the state, country and internationally. They participate in women and minority mentorship programs to encourage employment in the industry. This stewardship is ingrained in the company's culture and sets an example to the Underground contracting industry. Please join me in congratulating Lance Rosenmayer of INTREN as UCA's Contractor of the Year".

Underground Contractors Association (UCA) of Illinois announced INTREN as the 2016 ‘Contractor of the Year’ at their annual Underground Spring Showcase. On April 12^th at Venuti's Restaurant in Addison, Illinois, UCA's Executive Director, Michael Wiedmaier, presented the award to INTREN President, Lance Rosenmayer, for his long-time support, dedication and commitment to UCA.

“All of us at INTREN are extremely proud to be recognized as a leading contractor in the underground construction industry,” Rosenmayer said. “INTREN has been a long time member of UCA and I have been fortunate enough to serve on the Board of Directors for the past three years. We cannot begin to explain what a unique and influential organization UCA is and what this award means for INTREN as we continue to grow in this industry.”

UCA presented this award to Lance Rosenmayer for his steadfast commitment to the association, the industry and the communities the specialty contractor serves. “[INTREN] contributes in some way to over 75 different causes throughout the state, nationally and internationally,” UCA's Executive Director, Michael Wiedmaier said. “[INTREN] participate[s] in women and minority mentorship programs to encourage employment in the industry. This stewardship is ingrained in the company's culture and sets an example to the underground contracting industry.”

UCA is a not-for-profit trade association of contractors and suppliers in the sewer, water, utility and underground industry throughout Illinois. It is active in market development, information, education, labor and the promotion of safety. UCA represents over 200 contractors and associate member companies.

Meet our first INTREN team that headed east to make our company a truly coast-to-coast utility construction company. Beginning in February, and lead by Doug Anderson, Account Manager Gas Division, our team consists of two field crews that are replacing bare steel services for a major east coast gas utility, along with our subcontractor Miller Pipeline.  New to the Gas Division as of this week are Jeff Nauman and Andrew Belinsky.

Jeff Nauman joins the Gas Division as the new Vice President of Gas Operations, heading up our efforts to secure work in the growing field of gas work across the country.  Andrew Belinsky joins our Gas Division as a new Project Manager from the Pennsylvania area who will be eventually heading up the team there as Adam returns to his Project Manager duties in the Midwest in the near future.

Pictured outside are our East Coast team members (L to R): Adam Vos, Project Manager; Andrew Belinsky, Project Manager; RJ Borley; Anthony Cooper; Ryan Schlacter; Daoud Shikir; Dave Smith; Noel Fries; Damien Fries; Jeff Nauman, Vice President Gas Operations; and Doug Anderson, Account Manager Gas Operations.  In the office, (L to R):  Doug Anderson; Jeff Nauman; Andrew Belinsky; Adam Vos; and Tracy Klapperich, Project Coordinator.

INTREN, Inc., a leading specialty contractor working with the nation's largest utility providers, private contractors and developers, municipalities and cooperatives, has announced the execution of its strategic growth initiatives by presenting the company's 2016 reorganization plan.

In a statement issued at a company-wide meeting last week, President, Lance Rosenmayer, stated, "The new structure will improve our competitive position, increase operational efficiency, and capture team synergies, while we continue to focus on our core values of safety, integrity, customer service and employee empowerment."   

"We are grateful to all our clients for contributing to our success," Loretta Rosenmayer, Founder & CEO, said. "This reorganization is an important milestone as we continue to grow and build a bright future for INTREN."

In an effort to continue its strategic growth of the company's services and accounts, the following positions have been announced:

• Jeff Nauman (Pictured), former Director of Account Performance for INTREN, has become Vice President of Gas Operations. Nauman, an 11-year INTREN employee, was the account manager for the ComEd account prior to moving to Business Development in 2012. Prior to coming to INTREN, Nauman worked as an Alliance Manager for ComEd (5 Years), and has also worked in Project Controls for Raytheon Engineers & Constructors in the nuclear power industry (12 Years).
• Executive Vice President of Business Development, Matthew Turk, has been named Executive Vice President of Operations and Business Development, assuming operational responsibilities. Turk, a 25-year veteran of INTREN, has been instrumental in the expansion of the company's utility services within the Midwest and East Coast markets.
• Mike McArthy, Senior Vice President of Support Services & Chief Financial Officer, has expanded his leadership responsibilities to oversee the company's project controls group and contracts, in addition to Finance and Administration, Human Resources, IT. Most recently, McArthy was awarded the prestigious 2015 Chicago CFO of the Year® for Mid-Size Private Companies.
• James Althoff was promoted from Business Development Manager to Director of Business Development. Althoff's leadership and industry experience has demonstrated a deep commitment to meeting the needs of clients. He has been with the company for three years with previous experience in account management with Althoff Industries.

Additional organizational changes announced by the company include:  Tim Ayers, currently the Director of Safety and Quality, to assume responsibilities for the Company's Environmental Compliance and Sustainability Programs.  His Executive Assistant, Kiwanda Evans, was promoted to Environmental and Program Administrator to assist Ayers.  

As part of its corporate reorganization, INTREN, a nationwide utility contractor, has promoted Brenda Gunnink, Senior Project Manager, to Account Manager, Midwest Region North/West. Gunnink will now oversee all major INTREN utility and municipal accounts in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.

Being the primary point of contact for select INTREN customers, Gunnink is responsible for maintaining customer relationships, customer satisfaction, operational execution of contracts, ensuring safety and quality, and driving INTREN’s core values and mission. Based out of INTREN’s New Berlin, Wisconsin office, Gunnink will manage all overhead, underground residential distribution (URD) and engineering design work for INTREN’s Midwest-based clients.

“At INTREN, we see a tremendous value in promoting experienced leaders from within our company,” INTREN President, Lance Rosenmayer, said. “Brenda has proven herself time and time again, persevering through challenges in this male-dominated industry. We have full trust in Brenda as she will bring a new perspective while leading and growing INTREN’s accounts in the Midwest Region.”   

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2014, there were a reported 9,813,000 people working in the construction industry. Of these, only 872,000 of them, or 8.9 percent, were women.

In the current issue of The American Locator Magazine published by Underground Focus is an article written by Matt Streets who spent the day in early March with some of INTREN's crews.  Read the full story here: My First Dig: A Day Spent With INTREN Crews

In May, the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce awarded INTREN with the 2016 Robert O. Covey Business of the Year Award. Recipients of this prestigious award must exhibit business success in the McHenry County area, be actively involved in professional business organizations and demonstrate a steadfast culture of service and philanthropy.

This annual Robert O. Covey Business of the Year Award is presented in memory of community and business leader Robert Covey, a respected attorney, elected official and bank executive.  Additionally, Mr. Covey held positions on the District School Board, was Vice-Chair of the McHenry County Board, and former President and CEO of a local financial institution – all this while performing countless hours of service as a volunteer for numerous organizations.

INTREN was awarded for its commitment to earning trust as a steward of its customers’ priorities, its community’s interests and company’s success. Beyond the company’s success, INTREN was honored for its far-reaching community involvement, supporting organizations such as: CASA, Lakeside Legacy Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Girls on the Run, Raue Center for the Arts, and Athena International, to just mention a few.

“All of us at INTREN are honored to receive this recognition named after this exceptional individual who strongly believed – as we do – that stewardship is not just a way of doing business; it is a way of life,” said Loretta Rosenmayer, INTREN Founder & CEO.

One of INTREN’s core values is safety. Safety of employees, jobsites and communities the contractor works in. Last year, INTREN made a significant step forward when its Safety Department revised the company’s safety briefs to involve more conversation and hazard analysis. Moving into 2016, INTREN has taken on the task of helping its clients identify hazards and communicate risk more effectively by working to pilot a site-specific safety program on its West Coast work.

“The California Public Utilities Commission has challenged utilities to work to improve contractor safety,” INTREN’s Regional Vice President, Jason Combs, said. “Part of this challenge is revisiting how we, as contractors, identify and communicate risk with our clients and to our employees. Right now, our Safety Department and field crews are working to develop documents through this pilot program that will help identify, evaluate, and agree upon all hazards before the job begins.”

INTREN’s Concord, California office was chosen as one of two contractors to pilot this safety program. INTREN will use five high risk jobsites as test sites. Hazard analysis and site-specific safety plans will be drafted for overhead reconductor and underground cable replacement projects INTREN is currently working on in Central California through October. Once the pilot program is complete, it is expected that this new program, documents, and procedures will go into effect for all contractors. 

Since January, INTREN has expanded its gas division from the Midwest to new territories on the East Coast. With teams and a project management office in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, INTREN has expanded its footprint to the Baltimore, Maryland area to assist another East Coast utility on their distribution system modernization projects.

INTREN’s gas division growth is largely driven by the need for upgrades to utilities’ natural gas infrastructure across the country. With modernization efforts underway throughout the East Coast and Midwest regions, INTREN is in a good position to accept the challenge of taking on natural gas system modernization projects. With East Coast resources strained, INTREN has trained two teams through in-house courses, and has mobilized its fleet earlier this month to begin work in Baltimore.

“This is a great time to be in the contracting industry,” INTREN Account Manager, Doug Anderson, said. “We really have to focus on being strategic about our growth and approach to the work. “The rapid modernization efforts we are seeing from the Midwest to the East Coast have created a fantastic opportunity for INTREN to expand its footprint,” said INTREN Vice President of Gas Operations, Jeff Nauman. “We look forward to continued success with our new partners on the East Coast while striving to maintain good relations with our existing ones.”

Currently, INTREN has 12 crews stationed on the East Coast, tasked with upgrading residential services in the Baltimore and Philadelphia area. This Baltimore area work is projected to extend through the end of 2016 with potential plans for project expansion beginning in 2017. With project expansion in 2017, INTREN will begin increasing its footprint to incorporate the training of a local workforce to help further satisfy workload needs. 

New in 2016, INTREN is proud to announce the launch of our new interactive safety game. We unveiled it at this year’s Midwest Mutual Assistance Group’s (MMA) Conference in Chicago, Illinois, and then showcased it at the May Midwest Energy Association’s (MEA) Electric Operations and Technical Leader Summit in Springfield, Illinois, and again at Edison Electric Institute’s (EEI) Annual Convention in June in Chicago, Illinois.  At each of these conferences, INTREN invited attendees to test their utility safety skills and to share their safety knowledge.

In a time limit of 60 seconds, the game asks the attendees to identify only the photos that depict unsafe procedures. Procedures may include: incorrect PPE, misplaced safety cones, tripping hazards, etc.  Accompanied by photos of safe procedures, attendees select the unsafe photos as they fall from the top of an interactive touch screen. The game provides an interactive way to showcase unsafe behavior that could occur in the field, and how to identify and correct them.

As an industry leader in safety, INTREN is continuously seeking to improve safety on job sites as well as to be part of the safety dialogue in the construction industry. For more information on INTREN’s safety team, visit: INTREN.com/Safety. To play INTREN’s safety game, stop by our exhibit at the August MEA Gas Operations Technical & Leadership Summit Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.