Pictured above: Jorienne (JoJo) Townsend
“She never sits still…she sees something to be done, she’s right in the middle of asking how to get it done….wants to learn all of it – the whole process,” said Rowdy (Johnny) Routon, Duininck Asphalt Superintendent for Texas, of his fellow teammate, Jorienne (JoJo) Townsend.
She demonstrates ‘Teach and Learn / Teamwork’ – one of the core values of the Texas team. “One of our roller operators didn’t show up one day – she said she could do it, so we gave her some basic training and she ran that roller for us that day…did a good job! She wants to learn how to operate the asphalt paver next – it all goes back to her wanting to learn,” said Rowdy. “It’s [like that] every day with her.”
Rosse VanderSande, Human Resources Business Partner, is a new to the Duininck team in 2024. “Values are integral to my line of work. This is the first company I have worked for in my 18 years of professional experience that actually strives to promote a safe (physically and emotionally) and supportive space,” shared Rosse.
Andrew Ryks, General Manager at Duininck, agrees that demonstrating their company values is so important but shared that company ‘core values’ didn’t have as much precedence until the last couple of years. “We had previously identified those values, but I can honestly say that we now use them as a guide in what we do…during the hiring process and more.”
To highlight the importance, the Texas team involves its employees in a Core Value Award process each year. “We let all employees vote for someone in each of the 5 core value categories, and then at our annual meeting, we announce the winner in each category, and honor them with a small gift, handwritten note, a trophy, and place their name on Core Value Award plaque that’s in our main office location.” Andrew. Rowdy knows the importance of a working environment that places priority on teamwork and being values-aligned, all pulling in the same direction. “I came here in ’97, left briefly in 2001 but returned in 2004. My dad started here in ’88 and still works here. Without sounding cheesy – feels like you’re part of something bigger….feels like family.”
