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MAY 2019 csengineermag.com 17 The number of capable resources required to deliver the wide range of services we provide has become the limiting resource to our growth and expansion. As we combat this constraint, we take a multi-faceted approach, including competitive salaries, enhanced benefits, and em- ployee perks, designed to promote a desirable workplace for all levels. More important is the combined investment in technology to improve our delivery efficiency, as it also promotes a competitive and vibrant workplace environment. It is recognized that salaries are increasing to continue to attract and reward those in the industry, but the technology is also a factor in our delivery process. Engineers love being engineers, but what are you doing to instill a business culture in your firm? This question is at the heart of SCE. We have always preached the fact that we are a for-profit business, and it so happens our business is primarily centered on engineering. At every level within the company, we train and empower employees to make decisions with the business success in mind. Our business management software is at the core of all aspects of the operation, including business development, finance, operations, and project management. Employees can understand the impact of their decisions based on the information and reporting avail- able from our business management systems. The business culture is alive and well and makes setting and reaching goals that much more meaningful. Diversity and inclusion is lacking. What steps are you taking to address the issue? The AEC industry is notorious for a shortage of diversity and inclusion. Remarkably, we have a large number of women in leadership positions, and we expect that trend to continue based on the demographics of our current employee roster. As a firm based in a less diverse hiring area, we are continually pursuing the recruiting of a diverse employee base, simply because of the benefits the variety of experiences and cultures present in delivering results to our clients. While diversity and inclusion have become a priority in many of our clients' procurement processes, we have explored the possibility of restructuring the company as a woman-owned disadvantaged business. To-date, this major corporate restructuring has not been determined to provide a great benefit, but it remains a topic of discussion as we consider future transition planning. A firm's longevity is valuable. What are you doing to encourage your staff to stick around? Longevity of the firm is an absolute necessity. We are continually in- trigued by the success of firms that have existed for decades, recogniz- ing that clients place an exceptional value on the reputation and less importance on the skill set or delivery capability of the current staff. I myself have worked for three firms in my career. From my experience, the most valued staff stick around simply because of the environment for opportunity and professional advancement offered. Employees that recognize this will stay the course and build SCE's reputation in ex- ceeding client expectations, rather than jump to other firms to advance. Don't get me wrong, we lose our share of capable employee resources for a variety of reasons, but in every case, the choice to depart is in SCE at a Glance Year founded: 1986 Headquarters: Flanders, NJ Office locations: 3, Flanders, central New Jersey, and Georgia No. of employees: 105 Services: Engineering, geospatial, land surveying, landscape architecture, utility infrastructure, site development, municipal, regulatory compliance, construction observation, funding and grant programs, and forensic analysis Mission: Excellence. Economy. Environment. Life at SCE: The company searches for elite candidates who think, who push their boundaries beyond mediocrity, who are modest enough to let their work speak for them, who take ownership of their performance and display passion and motivation to excel and grow. Andrew Holt's Personal Mission Statement: "As a leader, I Andrew Holt, behave ethically, honorably and honestly in my personal and professional lives. I continually improve through education and experience and apply that enhanced knowledge in my mission to help to improve the lives of those around me. I will succeed by using my critical thinking and communication skills, along with my sense of humor in a continuous process that will surround me with people who are more capable than I will ever be." SCE Company Mission Statement: Creating SOLUTIONS for client SUCCESS by delivering INNOVATIVE and practical professional services. SCE Core Values: WE WILL…. Anticipate our Clients' needs and deliver results that EXCEED EXPECTATIONS. Provide superior CLIENT SERVICE and thoughtful COMMUNICATION. Exercise the highest PROFESSIONAL and ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY supporting our positive reputation in the industry. Advance the PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT of our employees to enable them to achieve greater capabilities and rewards. Deliver exceptional CLIENT CARE through exceptional EMPLOYEE CARE.

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