Go the Extra Mile: Asphalt Crew Feature

Ready for Any Job

Hutchens Construction (Hutchens), an Emery Sapp & Sons (ESS) company, was awarded the pavement rehabilitation contract for the 5.4-mile Will Rogers Turnpike Project in Ottawa County, Oklahoma. This was one of Hutchens’ largest and highest priority projects in their 2021 backlog. To produce big results, it made sense to put together a full-stack team. Enter, one of the hardest working groups of employee-owners consisting of 1 ESS paving crew and 1 Hutchens milling crew, ready to get the job done right.

This crew duo is definitely getting their miles in on the turnpike! And they’re moving fast. This team has been able to stay ahead of schedule, despite the frequent rain delays in the area. These employee-owners have been extremely organized and efficient throughout the project, working together to mill and fill the bordering lanes in just one night’s work.

One of the most respectable aspects about this expanded crew is their dedication to the project and keeping safety at the forefront of their minds. Even before they hop in the machines, employee-owners are setting up signs and barricades on an active busy highway to block off the work zones. It might sound simple…but it’s more dangerous than you think. Our crews have to safely navigate through ongoing traffic to set up the site and execute lane drops each night before they even begin milling and paving.

Safety Manager, Kevin Smith, was on site with us and spoke to this notion. “Some may not realize this, but our guys are putting their lives in danger everyday to make the road safe for others. They wear extra specialized PPE on their legs to stay visible in the dark and are especially careful when crossing the lanes. I’ve been working with these guys for a long time now and appreciate them so much. I’ll take the time to come out here and help where I can to make sure not only is the public safe, but that our crews are as well.”

Leading the way is Paving Superintendent, Douglas Frossard, an employee-owner for almost 29 years. “We’re not just fellow employee-owners, many of us have been working together for about 10-15 years now. We spend so much time together, sometimes more than we get to be with our own families. Everyone on this crew is a good sport and is always positive about the work. We are basically family and working is more enjoyable with this crew of guys.”

This group certainly deserves the recognition. “Led by Paving Superintendent, Douglas Frossard and Foreman, Keith Burleson, this crew has kicked off the season with very high profile projects for our branch. Last year the project was a mill and fill on I-49 in Bentonville, Arkansas and this year the project is a 5.1-mile mill and fill on a segment of the Will Rogers Turnpike near Afton, Oklahoma. This crew continuously performs at a high level and really exemplifies what it means to ride for the brand. They are a major piece in the success of our branch,” proudly stated Brandon Finn, Vice President of Hutchens Construction.

Meet the Crew

Douglass Frossard
Paving Superintendent
28 Years of Service
Q: What three words would you use to describe your crew?
A: Dedicated, hard working, and enjoyable to work around.

Keith Burleson
Foreman
17 Years of Service
Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
A: I hate single topping pizza (it’s an inside joke).
“I’d also like to give a KUDOS to all the guys on the crew. This is a dangerous highway and they all do their best to make sure everyone goes home safe every night.”

Dennis Browning
Foreman
24 Years of Service
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: Spending time with family and raising my 2 kids.

Robert Mayhall
Operator Class 3
1 Year of Service
Q: What’s at the top of your bucket list?
A: Watch my grandkids get married – that would mean I get to live to be 100 years old.

➡️
Chris Plew
Dump Truck Driver
1 Year of Service
Q: What’s your crew nickname?
A: Farva. The crew says I look like the main guy from Super Troopers.

Jake Blades
Skilled Laborer
2 Months of Service
Q: If you could live anywhere, where would it be?
A: Definitely Montana.

Teddy Thomas
Field Mechanic
1 Year of Service
Q: What’s a fun fact about you?
A: I like to build and repair old cars. I actually have 3 kids, 2 girls and 1 boy. They’ve been racing cars in USRA since they were 13 and 16 years old.

Cody Myott-McLean
General Laborer
11 Months of Service
Q: What’s at the top of your bucket list?
A: I would love to go Skydiving.

Ryan Long
General Laborer
2 Years of Service
Q: Do you have a crew nickname?
A: Barn burner.

Tristan Hilton
Skilled Laborer
4 Years of Service
Q: What’s your go-to song?
A: I’m a big fan of “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way” by Waylon Jennings.

Tyler Franzen
General Laborer
3 Months of Service
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: Working on cars and farming.

Steve Hawkins
Lowboy Driver
4 Years of Service
Q: What is your favorite memory?
A: My favorite memory is August 8, 2016 when I started working with the best company and that I could drive for ESS!