Metis Construction Newsletter: August 2024

15 Years of Wisdom, Planning, Good Counsel and a little bit of Tomfoolery

They say time flies when you are having fun, and indeed it does! It feels like just yesterday when we came up with this wild idea of starting our own construction company in the middle of a recession. As we talked one day about what we wanted to name our new business, Steve Brandle said “how about you look to Greek mythology.”  I started searching online…obviously Aphrodite and Hercules were unacceptable options but….now Metis, the Greek goddess of wisdom, planning, good counsel…oh and a little bit of tomfoolery…sounded perfect. The team agreed!

We decided on a logo, chose Metis green (IYKYK), how that could have been different if we had gone with the designer’s blue or orange options…Metis orange? Just doesn’t have the same ring to it 😉 and got to work! First on minor facility maintenance projects for a regional retail banking outlet, then onto to building a whole downtown city block (think Kent!), and beyond! Our commercial projects have run the gamut from installing a new exterior door, renovating office space, constructing an addition to building a ground-up new building for a bank or restaurant. As I type we are in the final stages of completing a new fire station for the city of Akron in collaboration with Kenmore Construction.

Reflecting on the past 15 years, what truly makes Metis special is not only the outstanding construction projects we complete but also our deep commitment to community engagement and the development of our team.

From the beginning, being involved in the communities where we live, work, and build has been important to our team and their families. Whether it be supporting a subcontractor partner’s little league team, a Metis team member child’s 4-H program or a larger community organization like building a house for Habitat for Humanity (we’ve built 3 ground-up and contributed countless hours to multiple others), it is a foundational belief to give back. Looking back over the last 15 years there are so many community organizations that we have had the benefit of serving. Having  a hole sponsorship at the annual YMCA golf outing fundraiser or an Akron Civic Theatre seasonal program advertising subscription, are ways we engage through what we call community marketing. A way to support worthwhile organizations making a difference in our communities, while still getting our name out there.

We have had the good fortune to have resources in this industry to bring along young talent, especially in the field, whether it be formal or informal. Experienced team members are eager to share their skills with our newer team members through teaching and mentorship on a more informal basis, while ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) has been a great resource for us in more formal education and training programs. Over the last couple of years I’ve also had the good fortune to be invited to serve on its governing board of directors.  On the administrative side of the construction business, training for specific software programs has been crucial, such as our Foundation accounting software. Leadership programs likes Leadership Akron and Leadership Portage County have also been fundamental in building leadership skills and community development in our team.

As we celebrate this 15-year milestone, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for the journey we have shared. Here’s to continuing to build a legacy of excellence and service to our clients, community, and each other here at Metis.

Let’s build together,

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