Nearly every business has a mission statement that is meant to reflect where it places its value and how it conducts business – but, without action, it rings hollow.
What does it look like when a company’s mission statement goes beyond words? For DRMP, it is putting commitment behind its mission to “continue excellence in delivering sustainable civil infrastructure services while enhancing opportunities for our employees and the communities we serve”.
The firm’s strategy behind its mission has always been focused on employee growth and improving the community it serves through its work and corporate philanthropy. And, as DRMP grows, so has the impact of its strategy.
Making key investments in a dedicated Learning & Development (L&D) program to improve employee skills; strengthening its mentoring program; and expanding its community involvement efforts have all played a part in the firm seeing a significant uptick in employees engaging in more professional development and community activities.
Enhancing Opportunities for Employees
DRMP’s formula for success and growth is simple: valuing its people and their contributions to the company through strategic investment. Learning has always been ingrained in the firm’s culture of encouraging professional and personal growth through training, obtaining professional certifications and licenses, and getting involved in impactful A/E/C industry organizations.
As DRMP has concentrated its efforts on developing an official L&D program and formalizing its mentorship program in the last couple of years, the firm has seen a reinvigoration in engagement among its staff. Companywide, at every level, employees – from senior project managers and survey technicians to business services and administrative staff – are taking advantage of new training and development offerings and seeking out their new opportunities.
Along with its learning and development initiatives, the firm’s renewed mentorship program is providing a closer connection for staff that matches mentors and mentees together to talk through goals and aspirations. The result? The firm is seeing a significant increase in employees obtaining professional licenses and technical and business certifications.
The firm is also seeing an uptick in leadership across all levels. There has been an increase in employees getting involved in professional organizations that impact the A/E/C industry and help foster better client relationships – beyond project managers, leaders, and business development. The firm’s business services and administrative staff are now taking on roles on boards and being honored for their work for professional organizations, such as the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE) and the American Public Works Association (APWA) on the local and national levels.
Arnesa Zunic, DRMP Tampa Office Manager and incoming APWA Florida West Coast Branch Secretary, has worked with APWA for 15 years as its state conference organizer before joining the firm in June. She also serves as the Marketing Chair for APWA’s State Executive Committee meeting. One of the things that excited Zunic about taking on the role at DRMP was her ability to still be involved with APWA.
“I’m passionate about APWA’s focus on caring for our community,” said Zunic who was recently honored by the APWA West Coast Branch. “Anyone can join APWA and make a difference if you’re passionate about its mission. I would not be able to do this without DRMP’s support.”
DRMP Roadway Engineer Reece Ruel, EI, recently received ASHE Tampa Bay Chapter’s 2023 Young Engineer of the Year Award for his professional accomplishments and service to the A/E/C industry.
“I’m grateful to be recognized for my hard work at DRMP, and with ASHE, that helps move the industry forward,” he said. “Being encouraged to work with ASHE has helped me develop professionally and supported my work at the firm.”
DRMP’s commitment and continued investment in its mission are yielding returns through its staff expanding its skill set and pursuing professional development, in turn supporting the firm’s success.
The firm has strategic plans in place to further build on its success in offering even more development in its field, technical, and business service departments.
Enhancing Opportunities for the Communities We Serve
DRMP has made community involvement and philanthropy a key priority for several years. In the beginning, DRMP’s leaders chose great organizations they personally supported, but their efforts didn’t resonate due to a lack of staff involvement.
In 2013, DRMP shifted gears to support organizations that spoke more to its mission to enhance the quality of life in its communities by supporting STEM education, health, and children. Still wanting to support its staff’s community involvement on a micro level, the firm developed the DRMP Philanthropy Support Initiative in which employees can request funds and/or time for causes and organizations they are dedicated to and passionate about. And in 2018, the firm kicked off its companywide community involvement week in which many of DRMP’s offices chose local charities to support.
With those changes, the firm has seen increased enthusiasm and participation among its companywide staff to grow its impact and its presence in its communities.
With a strong community and philanthropy program in place, the firm has a strategic plan that establishes various subcommittees focused on wider community involvement, philanthropy, and sustainability efforts. Plans are underway to expand the scope of its efforts by building ongoing relationships with area schools through STEM education and more.
Just as the firm’s work has gradually become a part of the community where it started in Central Florida, and expanded through the Southeastern United States and beyond, so has the firm’s connection to the community. DRMP has made an unwavering commitment to continue to provide opportunities for its staff and the community for future years to come. Its mission is reflected every day in DRMP’s culture to better serve its staff and the community.
