RockTalk the Podcast

Welcome to the journey of making math fun as we explore the impact of the Bruce W. Woolpert Algebra Academy since it started in 2010. 
Rose Ann Woolpert, Graniterock's family owner and Academy treasurer, shares the original mission of this unique program that has taught more than 1,100 students the joy of math over the past decade. 
Rose Ann is joined by Christy Sessions, who serves as the Academy's Executive Director.

Christy and Rose Ann discuss the program's good work in providing students with the opportunity to take their math skills to the next level and make lasting connections with teachers and peers. 

We take you through the experiences shared by the high schoolers and college professors at the Academy. We learn about the Academy's field trips to Cal State Monterey Bay, and how the professors are introducing innovative elements to the program.  
We discuss the Woolpert Family Scholarship, aimed at students majoring in math at CSUMB. 

Join us for this episode to understand how the Bruce W. Woolpert Algebra Academy is transforming the lives of students, making math not just accessible, but an exciting adventure.

Ever wondered what it’s like to be an intern at Graniterock? We've got two of the best to tell you all about it! Meet Jacquie Borges and Ryan Becker, two-time returning interns at Graniterock, who share their personal experiences working in soil distribution and construction management. As they lead us through a day in the life, memorable projects, and the support they've received from their colleagues, you'll get a real sense of the culture and camaraderie here at Graniterock.  Hear them discuss the mentors who've shaped their career paths, their plans for the future, and why they can't get enough of Graniterock. Jackie and Ryan aren't just all about work, though. They also clue us in on their personal passions, from Jackie's love for horse riding and marathon training to Ryan's enthusiasm for snowboarding and fishing.

If you're considering an internship opportunity at Graniterock, you won't want to miss this!

Here's a link to apply: Graniterock Construction and Construction Materials

July 27, 2023, marks Charlie 'Overtime' Corwell's final day at the Rock, a momentous occasion celebrated by his colleagues and friends.

In this heartfelt episode, Charlie and Shanna share a candid conversation, reminiscing about his incredible 44-year career, during which he skillfully operated every piece of equipment owned by the company, amassing an astounding two million miles behind the wheel.

His dedication and commitment have earned him the affectionate moniker 'Overtime,' a testament to his tireless work ethic and unwavering loyalty to the company.

As the conversation draws to a close, emotions run high as Charlie prepares to bid farewell to the Rock and embark on a new chapter of his life.

The legacy of his contributions and the impact of his unwavering dedication will forever be cherished by the company and everyone whose lives he touched during his illustrious career.

Doug Tolbert headed to retirement after a 46-year run at Graniterock.

His last day was May 12, 2023.

The Gilroy resident started his long career in 1977 at the Berryessa asphalt plant, which has been closed for many years.

He’s also served as a loader operator unloading rail cars at Berryessa and Capitol and has been responsible for the Company’s recycling operations.

Since 2015, Doug has served as project manager at the Aromas hot plant.

In addition to these roles, Doug was asked by Bruce Woolpert in 1992 to restore the Company’s 1942 steam locomotive, engine number 10, which was originally used to haul rock at the A.R. Wilson Quarry.

Doug spent five years rebuilding the historic locomotive to running condition. The train is now housed at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento.

Doug has also spent his Graniterock career overseeing maintenance and decoration of the Company’s antique vehicle fleet, which includes a 1950 Ford mixer truck, 1928 AA dump truck, 1948 International Harvester tanker and 1920s Austen motor grader.

He has taken the vehicles to many community events and parades on weekends during his Graniterock tenure.

“Doug was one of the kindest people you would ever meet.  He sincerely enjoyed coming to work every day to help make our operations more efficient and productive,” Stuart Mager said. “He willingly passed his vast knowledge of materials plants to other team members he worked with.  He had such a long history at Graniterock that he knew where all the bones were buried, so to speak.  If we ran into a challenge with the plant that we could not solve, Doug usually knew how to solve it and knew where we could find replacement parts somewhere at one of Graniterock’s other sites, which kept plant downtime to a minimum.”

Doug is passionate about fixing old cars and trucks and fishing.

He plans to spend retirement between his homes in Shasta and Gilroy.

Best wishes, Doug!

In this episode, we will be discussing the 2023 construction industry forecast in the Bay Area/Monterey/Santa Cruz market with Graniterock's business leaders. Our host Keith Severson kicks off the conversation by breaking the ice with a chat about the team's kids and sports.

Moving on to the main topic, we have three industry experts joining us today. Stuart Mager, who heads the Road Material and Asphalt business, will be sharing his insights on the forecast for this sector. John Torres, who leads the construction division's private work, will be discussing the projections for his area of expertise. Finally, Mike McGrath, who oversees the Concrete Division, will be sharing his thoughts on how his division will fare in the coming year.

We are thrilled to have such experienced professionals on the show who will provide us with valuable insights on the 2023 construction industry forecast in the Bay Area. So, sit back, relax, and let's dive into the conversation.

In this episode, we sit down with Jamie Agnello and Casey Messersmith, two members of the Graniterock Human Resource department, to get an inside look at their recruiting program and to learn some tips for landing a job at Graniterock.

Jamie and Casey share their experiences in HR and talk about the challenges and rewards of recruiting for a leading construction materials company. They also discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion in their hiring process and share their strategies for attracting top talent to Graniterock.

The conversation then turns to their recent trip to Reno, where they attended the ASC competition/job fair. They talk about the impressive skills they witnessed from the students and how they evaluate candidates at job fairs. They also offer tips for students and job seekers on how to make the most out of attending these types of events.

Throughout the episode, Jamie and Casey share stories about their experiences in HR, including some of the most memorable interviews they've conducted and the challenges they've faced when recruiting for specific positions. They also give listeners an inside look at what it's like to work in HR at a leading construction materials company like Graniterock.

Whether you're a student looking to break into the construction industry or a seasoned professional interested in HR, this episode offers valuable insights and advice from two experts in the field. Tune in to learn more about Graniterock's HR department and how they're building a talented and diverse team.

In this episode, we speak with Galen Keen and James Higgs, the team leads at Graniterock,  about their recent implementation of a new phone system utilizing Microsoft Teams cloud-based software. They share the details of how this new system will work for the company, including how it will affect certain positions such as weighmasters and dispatchers.

 Galen and James explain how Microsoft Teams will allow Graniterock to streamline communication across their various locations, enabling employees to connect with each other and with customers more easily and efficiently. They describe the benefits of the cloud-based software, which includes a range of features like video and voice calls, instant messaging, and file sharing.

The conversation also delves into the specific ways in which this new phone system will impact different roles within the company. For example, the team explains how weighmasters will be able to use Teams to communicate with truck drivers and schedule deliveries in real-time, improving efficiency and accuracy. Dispatchers will also benefit from the new system, as they can more easily coordinate with drivers and ensure that materials and services are delivered on schedule.

 Overall, Galen and James provide valuable insights into the ways in which technology is transforming the construction industry, and how companies like Graniterock are leveraging these tools to improve their operations and better serve their customers. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and construction. Onsite training to follow.

Welcome to Rock Talk Shorts. This podcast offers a quick listen into the stories of Graniterock's people. Get ready to be inspired and entertained!

One of Graniterock's lead laborers ready to retire

Abraham Tirado, a Graniterock laborer of 25 years, will retire Feb. 17.

Abraham has been a key team member on several high-profile Construction Division projects during his time at the Company.

The Watsonville resident said some his favorite memories include working nights on Highway 17 in 2008 and 2012 because the work was challenging with complex traffic controls and long hours, but the camaraderie with his crew and field supervisors made the projects rewarding.

Abraham credits his successful construction career to the great instruction and support he received from Graniterock leaders, including Todd Wilson, John Garcia, Ricky Smith, Marc Burrell and Gary Hartranft.

The father of two and soccer coach for Pajaro Valley United plans to take a break for a couple of months before deciding what to do in retirement as he’s only 45!

“Graniterock is a very good Company as far as their focus on safety and how they treat you,” Abraham said. “The money was good and they treated me good. Next thing I know 25 years went by.”

 
Thank you for tuning in to Rock Talk Shorts. Join us next time as we continue to celebrate the remarkable people and projects of Graniterock. Until then, keep on rockin'!

We catch up with Chief Human Resources Officer Bill Miller on a wide range of team member issues, including questions team members wanted answered at the Feb. 2 Leadership Conference. While we ran out of time at the Leadership Conference to thoughtfully answer these questions, we invited Bill into the Graniterock podcast studio to give us the scoop.
Hosted by Marketing Manager Keith Severson, topics discussed in this show include succession planning, recruiting new team members as the talent pool has never been shallower, the hiring process, Role Descriptions and Personal Effectiveness Reviews.
Hear how Bill answers questions about feedback for managers from team members, the idea of four-day work weeks, sick time and vacation, leadership training, 
It's a great conversation that covers a lot of ground!

In this episode, we are excited to share some valuable insights from our 2023 Sales Summit. Joining us today are two of our top business leaders, Jeff Lindsey and Mike McGrath, who will be sharing some tips and tricks for successful customer sales calls.

Throughout this episode, Jeff and Mike will be discussing some of the key strategies that have helped them build strong relationships with customers, close more sales, and grow their business. Whether you are a seasoned sales professional or just starting out in the industry, you won't want to miss this engaging and informative conversation.