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Crew feature: Building more than bridges
Great construction crews operate with excellence and safety at top of mind. The long hours spent together build a shared rhythm, trust, and teamwork. This is especially true for an Emery Sapp & Sons (ESS) bridge crew in Northwest Arkansas who are redefining what success looks like, with a commitment that runs deep.
From Six to Twenty-Four
When this bridge crew started on the Highway 612 Springdale Bypass last year, they were just six strong. Tasked with building four bridges and six Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) structures, they were ready for the challenge. They had never built structures of this type, nevertheless they reviewed the plans, collected their resources and built the walls safely, quickly, and exceeded the standards set forth by the Arkansas Department of Transportation. The schedule was aggressive and the expectations were high, but their ambition was even higher.
“Growth was necessary,” said Superintendent Seth Cramer. “We needed tradesmen who focus on safety, quality, and efficiency. We needed new leaders to step up and be great representatives of our culture and core values. And that’s exactly what happened.”
Today, the crew has grown to a team of 24 employee-owners. What sets them apart isn’t the accomplishments in what they build, though that is impressive. Instead, It’s the attitude they each bring to the jobsite.
When Culture Drives Performance
The team has taken the ESS culture to heart. Rooted in the 5Ps core values (people, purpose, partnership, passion, and performance), they have deeply embraced accountability and respect in all they do.
“One of the biggest reasons we’ve seen the success we have is because of the culture we’ve built — a culture of extreme accountability and mutual respect,” said Foreman Logan Brice. “We don’t pass blame. If something goes wrong, we own it. That level of accountability has helped us earn the trust of our guys.”
The heart of this team’s success is their mutual support. “They have put in long hours, stayed focused, and showed up day after day ready to get after it,” Logan added.
As Project Engineer Ethan Dubois put it: “They are the 5Ps of this company. They invest in their people, they partner together, they pursue their purpose with passion, and they put on one hell of a performance in doing so.”
Inspiration Beyond the Bridge
The work this team is producing is inspiring in itself. They have adapted to each obstacle and are making ESS history. However, what’s really special is to see the crew have impact beyond the work they do.
“Getting to work with the bridge crews in Northwest Arkansas has been one of the most inspiring experiences of my HR career,” said Kristaleen Gulledge, Human Resources Business Partner. “Seth and Sam build morale, foster loyalty, and create an environment where their crews want to keep coming back.”
Kristaleen visited the jobsite to watch the teamwork. “While most of the world was still asleep, their crews were already boots on the ground. It was an incredible experience to witness.”
When this level of morale is created on a jobsite, people notice. “Inspectors are complementing our field staff for their cooperation and attention to detail,” said Project Manager Caleb Biancarelli.
Delivering Results
From building MSE walls for the first time to completing twin bridges $150,000 under budget, these employee-owners have proven that teamwork, safety, and efficiency deliver real results.
“Seth and Sam lead the best teams I’ve observed in my 10 years of construction experience,” Senior Project Manager Rick Arnold said. “They only know success and lead with a ‘can do’ attitude that permeates each of the team members.”
This crew is setting the bar high on each project they tackle. “Their determination and mindset to get things done faster than the schedule, cheaper than the budget, but still deliver a great overall product are exactly what you want,” said Caleb Biancarelli.
And they aren’t slowing down any time soon. Next up, they’re preparing to take on the largest bridge in ESS history — an 1,822-foot structure on the I-49 extension project. They’re building a legacy, and it’s just getting started.
