Stories with Gray: Richard Crumbie celebrates 36 years in the Gray Family
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average employee tenure with one company is four years. At Gray, we are grateful to have several long-time team members who have dedicated 10, 20, 30, and even a few who have devoted 40+ years of service to the organization. But what generates that level of commitment to one company?
Gray Family Interconnectedness
“My favorite part about being on the Gray team is that you can trust your co-worker,” says Richard Crumbie, senior estimator and 36-year Gray team member.
The relationship and bond between team members at Gray is much more than 9-5:00. Here, the culture is less about co-workers and more about family. Gray has worked hard to create and cultivate an atmosphere where team members form a connection that facilitates personal and company growth. In the words of President and CEO Stephen Gray, “At Gray, personal growth precedes Gray’s growth.”
“The people who work for Gray are a good bunch and are willing to join in and work together to get the job done. That is something you learn here, and that skill builds a bond within the company, knowing you can count on your team,” says Crumbie.
Unwavering Safety Standards
“Gray has grown tremendously over the years. The company has moved into new markets and expanded its capabilities, experience, and revenue, but the biggest move, and the most important one, was putting a major emphasis on safety and staying with it over the years,” explains Crumbie.
At Gray, safety is ingrained into the organization and is at the forefront of every decision. Gray’s No. 1 core value is: We put safety and quality of life first. And we mean it. In an industry where safety is paramount, we take very seriously the duty of protecting our people, our family. Incident rates and safety occurrences are not just numbers on a page, they are people. Gray has taken a proactive approach to safety; not just reacting to unsafe conditions, but actively working to prevent them, doing everything we can so our team members make it home safely at the end of the day.
“Most construction companies wanted to be safe but would expect things to happen. Gray’s move to really inspect and research what it would take to be safe was a huge positive for the company and has helped drive our growth,” says Crumbie. “In my time at Gray, working to make things safe for our team members every day is where I think the most positive growth has occurred.”
A Sense of Pride
“Over the years, there have been many times that I have felt great pride to be a part of the Gray Family,” says Crumbie.
It could be completing a project on a tight deadline, receiving praise from a customer for the successful completion of a project, or being a part of an award-winning facility. Our team members work long, hard hours and devote themselves totally to our customers and their projects, and the feeling of a job well done is something that we understand and value. No matter what the scenario, the Gray Family is proud of the work that we are doing. Our tenured team members who have dedicated decades to the organization have helped shape and mold us into the people and company that we are today. Their knowledge, loyalty, and experience are invaluable, and with these attributes, they are developing the future generations of Gray. To become a part of the Gray Family, visit gray.com/careers for more information.
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