Message from Adam
We continue to move through a busy, strong 2022. We are fortunate to continue to have strong demand for all of our products and services. That demand comes with a lot of challenges and I want to thank our team for helping to meet those challenges.
One of the big challenges I have talked about in previous newsletters is the challenge of finding and keeping good people in all of our jobs as we continue to grow. Each newsletter, we highlight a few employees and it is always interesting to learn a little more about each member of the PDM team. In this newsletter, two of those are recent additions we have made to our management staff, Noah Brennecke and Mark Anthony. These two bring significant construction and leadership experience to PDM. I’m excited to have them on board and I’m sure you all will get to know them over time.
Another thing I mention pretty regularly in these articles is how proud I am of all that we accomplish as a team. This summer has been a big challenge as the precast plant operates a high volume level while at the same time dealing with the construction of our new production buildings. I am indeed proud of how well the team has worked to complete pours and projects on time while at the same time preparing the plant for a better operating environment in the future. Making PDM a great place for all of us to work (safely and happily) remains my top priority and these additions in the plant will help us take another step in that direction.
On the metal’s side, our facility has hit new highs for output as we have been working through Project Morgan. The teamwork exhibited so far as we plan, produce, ship, and erect this project is another thing I am very proud of.
New Precast Production Facility
Construction on our new precast production and shop buildings continues.
It will be great to get the project completed to provide more cover for our wall panel crews and to improve the employee space for everyone in the plant.
Support Your Community
The employee owners have been very busy supporting a number of charities last quarter. PDM has supported Variety, Make-A-Wish Iowa, Leukemia & Lymphoma – Blastin’ Cancer Shooting, and NAWIC to name a few. We have also made a donation to Des Moines Public Schools – One Run, which is an event coming up in September. This is the 3rd annual race to raise money for the DMPS to help support the science and fine arts. The donation has been made from PDM, so all registration costs are covered.
Saturday, September 24, 2022
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Check in: 8:00 – 8:45AM, Run/Walk: 9:00AM
PDM participated in the Des Moines Corporate Games again this year after taking a break since Covid. We had great participation and enjoyed the team building. PDM ended up finishing 6th overall, but medaled in bowling, dodgeball, and basketball!
PROJECT PROFILE
The Venue is a new live music establishment located in Waukee. Downing is the owner’s rep and Conlon is the GC. The design team is OPN and Raker Rhodes Engineering. This venue will be operated by Live Nation. PDM is providing precast, miscellaneous, and structural steel. Metals is providing a complex raker beam support system for their tiered seating, which is a first. Below is a snippet of the steel model showing the seating. The precast is architectural with both an integral mix and formliner. It is exciting to be a part of such a unique project.
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTS
Ashley Sims
Position: Stud WelderYear started at PDM: 2022
Q. What do you want to tell us about yourself?
A. I am 36, from a small town, but very outgoing.
Q. What is something about you that surprises people?
A. The biggest thing that surprises people is that I kickbox.
Q. What do you do for fun outside of work?
A. I do a variety of things that I love to do: read, spend time with family and my dogs, and of course Netflix!
Q. Favorite food?
A. Fajitas
Q. What are you most proud of?
A. Going Back to school to start this trade.
Q. What would you like to do in the future?
A. I want to be the first “left handed lady” instead of right hand man.
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTS
Mark Anthony
Position: Operational Excellence ManagerYear started at PDM: 2022
Q. What do you want to tell us about yourself?
A. I began working in concrete construction at the age of 16 and graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Construction Engineering. For the last 20 years, I worked for a heavy highway contractor building and supervising bridge projects throughout the midwest.
My wife (Maegen) and I have lived in Ankeny for the last 12 years and we have 3 children: Madelynn (16), Maddox (10), and McGuire (8).
Q. What is something about you that surprises people?
A. I restore vintage motorcycles and classic vehicles in my spare time.
Q. What do you do for fun outside of work?
A. I spend most of my free time enjoying my children’s activities, watching my daughter’s dance performances, and coaching both of my son’s baseball teams. I also enjoy spending time with family at Lake Okoboji and fishing.
Q. Favorite food?
A. Steak, baked potato and salad.
Q. What are you most proud of?
A. My family. My wife and I have worked hard to raise our children to be kind, hard-working and determined.
Q. What would you like to do in the future?
A. I hope to retire on an acreage with a large building for all of my projects and travel with my wife.
EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTS
Noah Brennecke
Position: Senior Project ManagerYear started at PDM: 2022
Q. What do you want to tell us about yourself?
A. My wife, Robyn, and I moved to the Des Moines area from Chicago 9 years ago this November. We have two daughters, Bo (9) and Piper (6). We live in Johnston and really enjoy being in the Des Moines area since it has a lot to offer and is a great place to raise our kids. I have been working in construction for the last 20 years, primarily project management for GC’s and CM’s both in Chicago and then in Des Moines. I love the culture of PDM, having been a regular customer, and really look forward to being a part of it myself!
Q. What is something about you that surprises people?
A. That I have been employed in and around construction since my 15th birthday but went to college with the intent of becoming a Literature/English professor. When it was time to move on to graduate school along that path, I couldn’t resist staying within the construction industry and, 20 years later, I have never once regretted that choice.
Q. What do you do for fun outside of work?
A. Typically, we are a kid Uber service for gymnastics, swimming, hockey, show choir, and drama classes. I enjoy playing hockey a couple of times a week, sailing on Saylorville lake depending on wind, and traveling. We are constantly back in Chicago for weekends to see family and friends and have a couple of ski trips in the near future. We are trying to get our kids to get used to and to want an active lifestyle for themselves. I hear that the teenage years will be the real test, but so far so good.
Q. Favorite food?
A. I love all food. My wife and I love trying new restaurants and are always on the lookout for the next place that is new to us. Recommendations are always welcome! We also enjoy cooking at home as well and will attempt complex recipes when there is time. Plenty of success stories as well as epic failures on that front.
Q. What are you most proud of?
A. Looking back on a long time in this industry, I am most proud to have not only worked with, but to have become friends with such a wide variety of personalities and under such different circumstances, and to have developed a lot of long-term friendships along the way. I do believe that one should have fun while they work.
Q. What would you like to do in the future?
A. My primary bucket list is a Trans-Atlantic passage via sail to Europe with the whole family, and then a second trip to round at least one of the great capes if we have the time and luxury to do so.