Author: Brad

National Engineers Week is a great time to acknowledge the vital role our engineers play in maintaining and improving our operations at Boxley, a company of Summit Materials. This year’s theme is Creating the Future, and that’s exactly what our team does. Their work enhances safety, makes our mining operations more efficient and sustainable, and supports productivity to help us better serve our customers now and into the future.

With this year’s theme in mind, we talked to Cody Flint, Mine Superintendent, about his experience as an engineer and how he’s helping create the future at Boxley.

Cody discovered Boxley at a career fair while finishing his Mining Engineering degree at Virginia Tech. Realizing the opportunities associated with working for us, he started an internship, then moved on to our Management Trainee Program, then progressed to Project Manager before landing in his current position at Piney River.

“Boxley’s Management Trainee program was a great experience and exposed me to the many different sides of Boxley in and out of the mine and prepared me to take on positions of increasing responsibility.” – Cody

With his education and training history guiding him, Cody looks at the big picture of the operations and brainstorms ways to improve its safety, sustainability, and productivity for the long run. The team at Piney works together to mitigate safety risks daily and takes care of the surrounding area to protect local waterways and natural habitats, leading to more uptime for product production.

“It’s an awesome feeling knowing the improvements made today will have a positive impact on the employees, customers, and the communities for many years to come.” – Cody

If you have interest or questions about pursuing a career within the Summit Materials family, please contact Manisha Hall at (540) 777-7613. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Linked In, and Instagram to stay up to date on what’s happening throughout the company.

Being an engineer in today’s modern construction materials operation affords the exciting opportunity to apply the spectrum of engineering skills from structural design and fabrication, installation of high-tech operating equipment, and environmental design to assure a responsible, well-run operation. None may know this better than our very own George Honeycutt, an engineering technician who has been a dedicated employee for the past 43 years.

George spent hours as a kid building machines and structures at home before pursuing his natural knack with mechanics by attending North Carolina State for two years, majoring in Math and Engineering. However, life had other plans, which didn’t include graduating. After getting married, George worked at a big steel fabricator engineering office before moving on to Wise County, VA, where he installed a system to make mine safety dust. His work, driven by his enthusiasm, led to the project owner putting George in charge of his three quarry operations.

In 1978, George found his home at Boxley. First, as the Superintendent at our Martinsville Plant, then transferring to Blue Ridge in 1981. When the prospect of joining the engineering department popped up in 1992, George jumped at the opportunity and has been there ever since.

“If you’re doing something you love, you won’t feel like it’s work. Instead, you will find yourself immersed in your work and have fun doing it! Follow whatever occupation you gravitate to, be the best at what you do, and go to the best company you can find to start your career,” advises George.

George’s passion for his work and dedication to the Boxley way has made him a well-known, beloved face and personality around our locations. He’s played an integral role in countless projects’ success, from structural design and fabrication through project management to assuring specifications are followed regarding the strength and safety of the materials. Once construction is complete, the start-up begins. An engineer’s job is done when all the goals are achieved and the operators are familiar with the process and maintenance required.

At Boxley, closing one project just means ‘on to the next.’ Engineers like George stay busy year-round orchestrating projects across the different business lines to ensure our employees, customers, and vendors are safe when on our property.

“It is very gratifying to be involved in all the phases and see everything come to fruition,” he added.

As George heads toward the next phase of his life, there’s no doubt the impact he’s had on this company will remind the future of what can get accomplished when you follow your heart. We are grateful for the positive impact he has made, not only as an outstanding engineer but as an effective leader and teammate.

“Nearing retirement, I have found this to be the best job, and the best company one could ever expect. No regrets!”

If you have interest or questions about pursuing a career within the Summit Materials family or would like to learn more about the Management Trainee Program, please reach out to Manisha Hall at (540) 777-7613.