IN THIS ISSUE:
Halifax Emerges as GIS Leader
Focus on ESOP: Mary Ann Bonadeo
Call Center Slated for Quick Completion
Racing Past Ordinary
Welcome
Congrats!
We're
Working For
Community
... and more!
AMPERSAND is published monthly to inform employees, clients, and friends of events and
issues which affect the company.
Print Circulation: 2,500
Online Circulation: 400
Questions,comments, suggestions, or
ideas?
Contact Editor
Heather Porterfield
(540) 552-5592
(800) 763-5596
fax: (540) 552-5729
editor@andassoc.com
Copyright © 2003
All Rights Reserved
Permission to copy any article if source is
cited.
A&A
Homepage |
September
2004, Volume 16, Number IX |
| Don
Vernon: A Quality Minded Client |
by Su
Clauson-Wicker
Prillaman & Pace’s Don Vernon has been in the
utility business for over 30 years, long enough to remember clay pipeline and cable-rigged
earthmovers. In his years at Prillaman & Pace, Vernon has worked his way up to vice
president and seen the company grow to 110 employees. Among the hardest working of these
are Vernon’s own two sons – Keith, a field superintendent who worked with Anderson & Associates on the Prices Fork water
system, and Mark, an estimator.
"We have a long history with A&A," Vernon said.
"Over the years, we’ve done 25-30 projects with them. We like working with
A&A because they communicate so well. No matter who I work with, they all seem to
operate the A&A way."
Prillaman & Pace, Martinsville-based utility and mechanical
contractors, do about 75 percent of their work in Virginia and 25 percent in North Carolina and are licensed in
Tennessee.
Current major projects include water and sewer work on Henry
County’s Patriot Center business park, a $3-million Smyth County sewer project, and installation of
water and sewer systems at Harrisonburg, Va.,
Burlington, NC, and Stoneville, NC.
One of the biggest changes Vernon has seen over 33 years is the
emphasis on safety. "There’s greater risk now, but our company has done all we
can to lessen that risk. We’re leaders in that area," he said.
 P&P employs a full-time safety trainer and has used
trench cave-in prevention equipment since the days when they had to build it themselves. A
safety incentive program rewards employees for meeting safety goals. "We do safe,
quality work even if it costs us a few more dollars," Vernon said. "It’s
what we believe in."
What does Don Vernon do after work? "I keep on working," he answered. Still,
he manages to find time for Carol, his wife of almost 39 years, his three children, and
nine grandchildren ranging from a few months old to 17. There’s a good chance you can
also find Vernon restoring JI Case tractors. Since he sold his cows, he has filled his
barn with 14 tractors from the 1950’s era. He also has a collection of Case replicas
in his home. & |
