Our heart to give back to the community near and far is strong! 19 K2 teammates, along with the Arizona Builders Alliance’s, Stephen Nichols, had a successful trip down to Puerto Penasco to build another home for a 1Mission family.

The family receiving this house was very deserving. Paz (60) and Rosario (65) have lived in Puerto Penasco for the past 18 years and have been married for 45. They have 4 adult children and 10 grandchildren who they help care for at times. Rosario works in construction, and when work is steady he earns roughly $125 a week. They had always rented a home in Penasco until recently when they were able to purchase a land lot. Rosario built a couple of rooms on their lot so that they could live there and not have the burden of monthly rent. The rooms he was able to build were in poor condition, offering little security or protection from different elements. The house that we were able to help build will provide Rosario and Paz a home where they can live comfortably and help create better security for their retirement.

The team’s favorite night was the Fiesta night at basecamp when they brought all the families that have a house being built that weekend to celebrate together. Here, we get to hear their stories of how grateful and appreciative they are and how they continue to work with 1Mission to help build a better community for everyone in Penasco. It was an impactful night.

Matt Kuiper, the Chair of K2 Community Service Committee, said, “I am always blown away by the genuine love K2 employees have for each other. Everyone got along so well and had a great time. It is awesome to see and experience firsthand.”

K2 has the next 1Mission trip planned for Spring 2023. If you are interested in attending or supporting please reach out to us for info on how to get involved!

K2 Electric was featured as a finalist in Best Places to Work for the second year in a row! Stay tuned to hear where we are placed!

See the list here: https://bizj.us/1qgw2x

K2 Electric is honored to be a “Best Place to Work” Finalist for the second year in a row! Our wonderful employees responded to a lengthy survey about the K2 Culture, Benefits, Compensation etc. We were humbled to see that:

• 97% of those that responded to the survey feel engaged in their work.
• 85% of our employees see professional growth and career development opportunities for themselves within our organization
• We scored 8 points higher than the same size average company finalist in the benefits portion

One Anonymous quote from the survey was as follows:

“It is hard to explain to someone who hasn’t been here for it. After all the different companies I’ve worked for, all the different industries… food service, customer service, sales, manufacturing, to now electrical construction… there is nothing like it. Most companies have respect for their employees, its pretty much a minimum expectation right? Few companies show the love and dedication that K2 does to their employee’s well-being, growth, and personal lives without needing to be prompted. This family is exceptional!”

K2’s focus this year was TEAMWORK – the senior leaders of the organization value people as their most important resource. We know that when employees feel valued and empowered they are more productive and happy. Here are some of the initiatives K2 did this year in response to last years input from employees:

1. The Employee Resource Care Program (175 care giving sessions YTD)
2. Started Field Leadership Development Program (FLDP) – aimed to identify leaders within the organization and train them up as quickly as possible. We are starting our second cohort this October.
3. The Cultural Strength Committee – this committee has outlined how as a corporation we live out our values and looks for ways to build the feeling of a strong team within, keep that family-like feeling even though we are now quite large. For example: Quarterly Field Days, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Apprentice Appreciation and Graduations, etc.
4. We wanted our employees to thrive at the workplace and at home. We have offered the “Smart Dollar” program, started this past March, to every employee and currently have 35 employees engaged. This is a program that teaches, tracks and rewards those working to pay off debt, save etc.
5. Our company values our community – We plan two yearly trips to Mexico for all employees who want to participate in “1 Mission” service trip to build houses for families are planned. Our community service committee has a quarterly offerings for employees to engage in various activities as well.
6. Lastly, we have completed training and are looking for a software solution to deliver on performance feedback on a quarterly basis for all field team members.

Thank you to all of the K2 Employees for responding authentically to this extensive survey. We have read every comment and are already planning on ways to improve and invest into Team K2 in 2023!

Careers in Construction Month is a nationwide campaign observed in October to spread awareness around construction careers and to inspire the next generation of craft professionals.

We chose to celebrate CICM this year by spotlighting a few of our teammates who have entered the workforce and continue to successfully build upon their career paths within our industry.

 

Tony Carpino

Kicking us off was Foreman, Tony Carpino who is no stranger to construction. Tony was introduced to the industry from a friend, and through the consistency and challenging nature of the work, he landed on the electrical field for his path. His advice to someone starting out in construction is to be open to new opportunities and to not hesitate to learn from those who have gone before you.

Tony confidently shares, “I can be an electrician anywhere, but at K2 Electric you’re treated like family”. We are proud to have Tony as part of our organization and for the positive impact he makes in our industry.

 

Jeremy Keehn

Jeremy Keehn, Service Technician, has been with K2 Electric for four years and in the industry for fourteen. Jeremy initially worked in the restaurant industry as a kitchen manager but grew tired of the schedule and time away from his family.

His father-in-law introduced him to the electrical industry and offered to show him the ropes. Through his guidance, and Jeremy’s natural love for working with his hands, it was just the change he was seeking. At the time, being so new to construction he was impressed with the accessibility to training and schooling offered through apprenticeship programs and dove right in.

Today, some of Jeremy’s favorite moments come when navigating what the customer needs and ultimately providing quality results. There is a sense of gratification for him as things come together, work properly, and solve a problem.

 

 

 

Isaiah Kennedy

Entering his 2nd year as an Apprentice, Isaiah Kennedy has taken every opportunity to learn all he can to succeed in the field. Due to the unique nature of his schedule of hopping around to a number of job sites weekly, Isaiah said this adaptability has been the best way to gain a better understanding of processes from the variety of people he works alongside.

“The balance between working with your brain and your hands is perfect as an electrician. There is always a complication you come across that you have to work through, and in my past working with cars I found it all can just become muscle memory. Here, the troubleshooting is different and I really like that,” he explains. He also goes on to add that the crossover of the skills he learns in the classroom of his apprenticeship program with @WECA_inc and the field have helped him feel confident in tackling these solvable problems.

We are proud Isaiah chose to get his start in the industry with us, and are excited to see all of the things he will accomplish as he works his way to reach his goal of becoming a Journeyman.

 

 

JT Dolinich

Meet Foreman, JT Dolinich from our Tucson division. His advocacy for K2 Electric was inspired by his father and uncle who also work with us, explaining that they both would come home raving about how much they love what they do and the culture they are a part of at work. Excited for his own career with us, JT joined our team 5 years ago and has watched his role within the company progress quickly as he has gone from Apprentice to Journeyman, and has now taken on the duty of Foreman.

Apart from work he loves playing basketball with his friends, doing anything outdoorsy, and jokes that one day he’ll make it to Philadelphia for an Eagles game (he’s a huge fan but has yet to see them play in person).

Although the close of October 2022 brought our journey of highlighting these different careers in construction to an end, we are forever grateful and proud to feature every member of K2 that has joined our team as they grow in the industry.

If you are interested in joining our team, please check out our careers page!

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT – JARED KREDIT

Posted by: Arizona Builders Alliance

Name: Jared Kredit

Company/Position: K2 Electric – President & CEO 

As the President and CEO of K2 Electric, I am responsible for leading the team, managing the operations and direction of the company, and spending time developing new and existing client relationships. My favorite part of my role is supporting my K2 team members in personal and career growth opportunities and developing new and existing client relationships.

I joined the ABA in 2016, mostly to participate in LDF. While that program was great for myself and our company, the benefits go well beyond that program. For example, the ABA offers the opportunity for top-notch leadership training, networking and political advocacy. This variety allows a lot of our team to engage with the ABA’s offerings. I think the training and networking are very visible and that is where many people participate. But what the ABA and their National partners do for political advocacy is invaluable to our industry.

I’m engaged in a few other organizations outside of my company and the ABA. I serve on the School Board at Grace Christian Academy, and I am an active member in the Camelback Society & Young Presidents’ Organization.

Within the industry I’m an active member of the Arizona Builders Alliance (Past YBC Chairman, 2017 LDF Alumni, current Workforce Outreach Committee Chair, current LDF Alumni Committee member and current Board Member), Associated Builders & Contractors – National (Current member of the Legislative Committee), the Independent Electrical Contractors Association (Former Board of Directors & Apprenticeship Committee member).

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my wife Natalie and our three children. We’re staying busy with sports, where I help with coaching for soccer and baseball. As a family we enjoy hitting the slopes in the winter for skiing and snowboarding. I also really enjoy CrossFit style workouts with K2 Employees and friends in our gym – Superior Fitness at K2 Electric corporate offices in Phoenix!

My philosophy that I try to live/work by is that life is all about relationships. Approaching those around me with compassion, generosity, and investing in their growth and well-being is the most rewarding return on my time.

I am thankful that my career is in the construction industry – truly the best people! I look forward to serving on the ABA board!

K2 Electric recently took part in the 35^th annual Greater Phoenix Chamber 2022 IMPACT Awards program, and was recognized as one of three finalists in the Mid-size business category. K2 Electric was joined by Dircks Moving & Logistics and Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, PLC as the Mid-size category finalists.

The IMPACT Awards luncheon occurred on May 13 at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown. At the event, Jennings, Strouss & Salmon was named the Mid-size Business of the Year, with Concord General Contracting, Inc. winning Small Business of the Year and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona taking home Large Business of the Year honors.

For K2 Electric, taking part in the IMPACT Awards process was a valuable lesson. To develop a successful submission, the K2 team had to examine its efforts both in the industry and in the community and evaluate the impact those efforts can have. Then, after being selected as a finalist, K2 leadership took part in interviews with the IMPACT team and were able to share their story with the committee.

“Throughout the entire process, we had to evaluate what is it that we do that has an impact that really matters and that other people recognize,” said K2 Electric President Jared Kredit. “It was humbling and fulfilling to be among the nine finalist companies across the Arizona business community. We came away with strong connections in the community and better insight into how we as a company can continue to make an impact.”

The Greater Phoenix Chamber’s IMPACT Awards began in 1987 and have grown into one of the most sought-after awards programs in the Arizona business world. The goal of the IMPACT Awards is to honor the accomplishments of businesses and the impact they’ve made on the Greater Phoenix business community. The Chamber highlights companies with a strong footprint in the Valley that are deserving of special recognition.

“This award wasn’t just within our industry, which is different for us,” added Kredit. “We’re being recognized across all industries. I think sometimes we set our sights on what other people are doing and how we can do things better than the next competitor. This is just how we compare to all types of companies, so it is unique and humbling to have that element to it.

“The value for us isn’t just limited to external marketing messaging or messaging to potential employees or even our current team. The value is really knowing what people outside of our organization see as having an impact and bringing value to our company and the community.”

Southern Arizona is a unique marketplace for the commercial construction industry. In Tucson, Arizona, K2 Electric’s branch manager, Sean Salveson, has quickly understood the challenges and opportunities in this market after moving here from California in 2020.

In 2021, southern Arizona maintained a strong non-residential market and anticipates to continue to see this success throughout 2022 and 2023. However, according to Salveson, this success does not come without obstacles. In this area of Arizona, there is a labor shortage of workers at all experience levels. Although Arizona is on track to reach the anticipated population growth goals, Salveson says Tucson isn’t on par with other areas of the state. “A less dynamic economy makes it more difficult to find quality help in a booming construction market.” Salveson believes the best way to overcome the labor shortage challenges is to continue the longstanding K2 Electric value of putting people first. “No company accomplishes greatness without a great team,” according to Salveson. “The goal is to build the company from within, help our employees grow, and put them first because clients will reap the benefits of strong company culture.”

A shortage of workers comes with a lack of supplies. Like many industries, the commercial construction industry is still seeing the repercussions of the Covid pandemic and faces a problematic supply chain shortage that has continued to worsen from 2020 to 2021. Although, Salveson is hopeful for the anticipated reprieve that local experts believe will come in the fourth quarter of 2022. Until then, K2 Electric continues to overcome the hurdles of supply chain shortages by building solid relationships with other industry leaders. K2’s reputation has allowed it to service its customers timely and efficiently.

Despite these challenges, Salveson is excited about the years ahead and anticipates seeing the growth of the K2 Electric team in southern Arizona. He is not only looking forward to the development of the company, but also hopes to continue to foster a relationship with the community and industry leaders in southern Arizona. “Tucson is a great community; it welcomed my family with open arms, and we will continue to give back through community involvement, both personally and professionally.”

2021 was a very busy and rewarding year thanks in large part to graduating from the Leadership Development Forum (LDF) program hosted annually by the Arizona Builders Alliance (ABA).   

As described on ABA’s website, “ABA’s Leadership Development Forum (LDF) is a year-long intensive management education program that requires significant commitment on behalf of each candidate and employer. The program is limited to 30 students. It has sold out annually since being introduced in 1993. The annual, in-depth course focuses on management skills, leadership, and public speaking. The program has received both state and national awards and has graduated more than 800 constructors over the past 25 years.” 

The program covers a range of topics from “Finance in Construction” and “Work/Life Balance” to “Public Speaking.” One of the best parts of this program is the incredible instructors that are brought in to teach the classes. An example of one we’ve had was Dr. Tom Schleifer, ASU professor and author of “Construction Contractors’ Survival Guide,” who taught what he learned from failed contractors. Other speakers included John Murdough, CPA with Henry Horne, who is one of the original founders of this class, and they taught us about construction in finance in a way that is easy to understand. Danielle Feroleto, Owner and President of Small Giants as well as a case study judge for the program, showed us the art of how to tell a story while presenting. 

To qualify for this prestigious program, the following criteria must be met: 

• Must have a minimum of eight years of construction experience or have participated in the Emerging Leaders Forum program with at least six years of construction experience   
• Submit the application 

• Produce a two-minute video explaining why you should be selected for the program   
• Be nominated by your company’s C-level management (with the time commitment, it is imperative that your company understands and supports you during this program. I am very thankful that K2 and my fellow coworkers gave me the opportunity to take the time needed). 
• Be willing to attend 100% of the LDF meetings once a month 
• Actively participate in the group’s community service project  

By having this stringent application process, the Arizona Builders Alliance is ensuring a strong group of leaders from the Arizona job market and the same level of dedication among peers, which facilitates a successful and unified experience.  

One rewarding aspect of the commitment to the program is the community service project built together over the course of the year. Our class selected Advocacy, Support & Assistance (ASA) Now, which is an organization located in East Mesa, AZ that helps foster kids and families. Our group was able to build a horse arena with a tack shed, so they can bring in horses for equine therapy; construct a raised garden bed, run power and lighting to the basketball courts; and we will soon be constructing a new pergola shade structure with outdoor seating.   

There were many parts of this class that helped me grow tremendously, but the most impactful part was presenting our LDF case study portion. We were split into teams of six and given a case study to roleplay as employees seeking to buy out the original owner.  

The presentation needed to include: 

• A financial plan 
• Explanation of our culture  
• What we believed to be the best solution for the owner 

The comradery of my teammates and the class in general made this program successful and rewarding. We stepped out of our comfort zones and were able to grow professionally. I am thankful for my hours spent in the LDF program. My relationships with others in the industry have been strengthened, my leadership skills have been sharpened, and I have learned a tremendous amount from my peers and all the wonderful experts that shared their knowledge with us. I highly recommend anyone starting in their career to join the association and become involved!