Awards Archives - The Dutra Group

The Dutra Group Promotes Hank Schukler

christine — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 20:47:00 +0000

Hank’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of making a difference. With 16 years of hands-on experience, he intimately understands the challenges and risks faced by field personnel. Hank’s journey to becoming the Safety Manager at The Dutra Group wasn’t just a career transition; it was a calling driven by his desire to create a safe working environment for his colleagues.

In the field, Hank honed his skills as a welder, boat operator, plant mechanic and SSHO. This diverse background provided him with a profound understanding of the vital role that safety plays in every aspect of the job. Having experienced the reality of field work firsthand, he recognized that safety isn’t just a set of rules but a way of life that directly impacts the well-being of each employee.

Within The Dutra Group, there was a figure who profoundly influenced Hank’s perspective on safety—Howard Cooper, known as “H.” H was not just an ordinary safety employee; he was a mentor who imparted invaluable wisdom. Through H’s mentorship, Hank learned to approach safety from a high-level management standpoint, bringing a comprehensive understanding to the table.

H bridged the gap between management and field personnel, equipping Hank with the necessary tools to analyze safety comprehensively. We are confident that Hank will follow that path and also bring new ideas not seen before.

Congratulations, Hank, on your well-deserved promotion to Safety Manager at The Dutra Group! We are thrilled to see you take on this new role, knowing that you will carry on the important work of ensuring a culture of excellence in safety.

Hank continues to earn the trust and acceptance of his colleagues in the field. This trust enables open communication, fostering an environment where every individual’s perspective and experiences are valued. It is through this collaborative effort that potential risks are identified and addressed, ensuring a safer working environment for all.

As The Dutra Group continues to prioritize safety as a core value. With Hank at the helm, The Dutra Group is well-positioned for a future where safety remains the cornerstone of our achievements. Remember, safety isn’t just a responsibility—it’s a mindset. We empower everyone to reach their fullest potential and create a workplace where success and well-being go hand in hand.

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The Dutra Group Supports Construction Safety Week

christine — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 21:24:33 +0000

Construction Safety Week is an annual event that is observed in the United States during the first week of May. This event is aimed at increasing awareness and promoting safety measures in the construction industry. Construction is an essential sector that contributes significantly to the economy of any nation, but it also poses serious risks to workers’ safety and health. Therefore, this event is crucial as it aims to reduce injuries, fatalities, and accidents in the industry.

As a dredging and marine construction company, The Dutra Group is deeply committed to promoting safety and ensuring the well-being of its employees. This year, we are actively involved in Construction Safety Week to help raise awareness and promote safety in the construction industry. To further support this effort, The Dutra Group has adopted the daily themes and tailored them to fit our company’s values and language. We also distributed customized banners and ball caps with our Safety logo to team members. By prioritizing safety, we can ensure the success of our projects and the well-being of our team.

The Dutra Group is deeply committed to promoting safety in the construction industry and has implemented several safety programs and initiatives to ensure the safety of its employees.

The Dutra Group has implemented several safety programs and initiatives to ensure the safety of its employees. The company’s safety programs include a behavior-based safety program, an accident prevention program, and a drug-free workplace program. The company also provides its employees with comprehensive safety training and encourages them to report any safety hazards they encounter while on the job.

The Dutra Group has received several awards and recognition for its commitment to safety, including the CDMCS Corporate Safety Award in 2018 and the Individual Safety Award in 2022. The Corporate Safety Award is given to companies that have made significant strides in improving safety culture and reducing incidents, while the Individual Safety Award is given to individuals who have gone above and beyond in promoting safety and demonstrating safety leadership.

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The Dutra Group Celebrates Howard “H” Cooper As He Retires

christine — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 15:05:49 +0000

The Dutra Group Celebrates Howard “H” Cooper as he retires from his position as Safety Manager. “H” dedicated his career to safety in the construction industry, with more than 36 years of experience and a Certified Safety Management Specialist designation.

Prior to coming to Dutra, “H” was an Operating Engineer Crane Operator with over 30 years of experience. He is affiliated with the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators and has trained Crane Operators, Riggers, and Signaling Persons.

Other areas of expertise include being a Competent Person in Fall Protection, and a Fork Lift / Aerial Truck, Confined Space, and OSHA 10/30 hour Outreach trainer. He provided a wide range of services for The Dutra Group, including reviewing Health and Safety Plans for projects and overseeing Site Safety Health Officers and Designated Safety Representatives. Along with the Risk Manager, “H” also administered the Drug and Alcohol Program and Accident and Injury Investigations.

As H begins this new chapter in his life, The Dutra Group wishes him all the best in his retirement. His contributions will be missed, but his legacy will continue to shape the company’s commitment to safety.

Throughout his time at The Dutra Group, “H” made significant contributions to the company’s success and growth. His expertise and attention to detail ensured that the company’s projects were completed safely and efficiently.

Apart from his impressive professional career, H is a family man who adores his two adult children and two grandchildren. His retirement marks the end of an era at The Dutra Group, as he leaves behind a legacy of dedication and expertise in the field of safety.

As H begins this new chapter in his life, The Dutra Group wishes him all the best in his retirement. His contributions will be missed, but his legacy will continue to shape the company’s commitment to safety.

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Harry Stewart Honored with the 2023 Golden Beaver Award

christine — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 10:49:06 +0000

Bill Dutra and the entire Dutra organization congratulate Harry K. Stewart, President and CEO
of The Dutra Group, as he is honored with the 2023 Golden Beaver Award in Management. Mr. Stewart was presented with the prestigious award at The Beavers’ annual black-tie ceremony in Los Angeles, California on January 13, 2023.

In addition to being publicly recognized before many hundreds of industry peers, the ceremony was also attended by a large and boisterous gathering of personal well-wishers including Mr. Stewart’s wife Kim, daughters Kaitlyn, Ellyn, and Maddy, Dutra’s Board of Directors, and many of his lifelong friends.

The Beavers’ Management award is given annually to a person who has made significant contributions to the engineering and construction industry, specifically in the field of management. This award recognizes Mr. Stewart’s demonstrated leadership, innovation, and excellence in managing major infrastructure projects in the public and private sectors.

Mr. Stewart has been with The Dutra Group for nearly 40 years, most recently as the company’s COO, before his recent ascension to CEO. During his career, Mr. Stewart has overseen the company’s expansion into new markets, including Alaska, Hawaii, the Gulf of Mexico and the East coast, and has been instrumental in the development of the company’s successful safety initiatives.

In its simplest form, succeeding in construction is about managing risk – How to identify it, how to quantify it, how to see the good from the bad, how to avoid the bad risk, and how to capitalize on the good risk.

“My most noteworthy and memorable project has been working to develop a highly talented and capable management team in The Dutra Group,” said Stewart. “In its simplest form, succeeding in construction is about managing risk – how to identify it, how to quantify it, how to see the good from the bad, how to avoid the bad risk, and how to capitalize on the good risk. Our group has excelled at these disciplines and has enabled The Dutra Group to emerge as one of the leading marine construction companies across the nation.”

The Dutra Group is one of the largest dredging and marine construction companies in the United States, offering a wide range of capabilities in marine construction, dredging, environmental remediation, and related services.

The Dutra Group has received the prestigious Golden Beaver Award in Management twice – Bill T. Dutra, founder of The Dutra Group was the recipient of this same award in 2011.

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The Dutra Group Elevates Harry K. Stewart to CEO

christine — Tue, 10 Jan 2023 19:12:00 +0000

San Rafael, Calif., January 10, 2023 — The Dutra Group, one of the country’s leading heavy civil marine contractors, has named Harry K. Stewart as its Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Stewart, who previously held the position of Chief Operating Officer at Dutra, assumes his new role as the company celebrates its 50th anniversary. Bill T. Dutra, who led the company since its founding, will move into the role of Executive Chairman.

Mr. Dutra, who founded the company at age 26, is immediately recognizable by the trademark Borsalino and Stetson hats he wears in tribute to his grandfather, Antone Dutra. Over five decades of expansion, Mr. Dutra has taken the company long associated with the construction and maintenance of the extensive California Delta levee system essential to flood protection for towns and farms, as well as water projects that serve the entire state, into a diverse nation-wide dredging and marine construction company.

“I am proud of Harry Stewart, who is taking my place after 50 years leading this company as we built The Dutra Group into a fine organization committed to supporting our nation’s infrastructure and focused on our customers’ needs,” said Dutra. “I feel very confident that, with the leadership of Harry and his executive team, and all the employees at Dutra, the company will have great success for years to come.”

Stewart joined Dutra in 1983 and held various roles over the next 40 years. He assumes his new role at a time when the company’s markets are strong, with particularly strong demand for marine infrastructure work of all types and record levels of federal funding available to support that work. The company is extremely well positioned to take advantage of the marketplace because of the foundation built by Bill Dutra’s life-long dedication and vision.

“Bill’s unfettered leadership, vision, and passion have inspired all of us at The Dutra Group, and we are all fortunate to have mentored under him,” Stewart said. “I am honored and excited to work alongside our management team and everyone throughout the organization to guide this company into its next chapter and heightened prosperity into the future.”

I am honored and excited to work alongside our management team and everyone throughout the organization to guide this company into its next chapter and heightened prosperity into the future.

Stewart ascends to the CEO role at the same time as he was recognized with the prestigious 2023 “Golden Beaver” Award for Management by The Beavers, the leading association of heavy engineering contractors. The awards will be presented at a dinner in Los Angeles on January 13, featuring an address by Oakland Athletics executive vice president Billy Beane.

“I’m honored for this award, as it is given by my peers, and there is not likely a more honorable award in our industry,” Stewart said. “I’m grateful to The Beavers for this recognition, as they truly recognize what The Dutra Group has accomplished with the hard work and dedication of our entire team.”

As Executive Chairman, Bill Dutra will remain involved in building the vision for the company, including strategic planning and building the capital resources necessary for its long-term growth. That growth will enable the company to continue to play a key role in the repair and replacement of the nation’s neglected and decaying infrastructure, a top priority of the federal government.

“The Executive Chairman has a solemn responsibility to help The Dutra Group navigate for future prosperity and the highest quality of life for all of us,” Dutra said. “I am looking forward to continuing to carry on the legacy of my father and grandfather by focusing on strategic actions that, along with the leadership of Harry Stewart, will let The Dutra Group advance our leadership in this industry.”

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Harry Stewart wins the 2023 Golden Beaver Award for Management

christine — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 21:59:06 +0000

It is with great pride that Bill T. Dutra CEO of The Duta Group recently announces that Harry
Stewart, Chief Operating Officer at Dutra will be awarded the 2023 Golden Beaver Award for
Management by the Beavers organization. The Beavers is a nationwide social, honorary
organization formed, organized, and managed by the construction companies and individuals
who are or have engaged in heavy engineering construction. The Management Award is
bestowed for outstanding management in the construction industry and demonstrates that Mr.
Stewart is recognized for his accomplishments by his peers and colleagues in the Beaver
organization.

This is a prestigious award and an important recognition of Harry’s entire career

“This is a prestigious award and an important recognition of Harry’s entire career, as well as a tribute to all the support that he has received from all of us here at The Dutra Group. Let us all join in congratulating Harry for this prestigious award.” Bill T. Dutra

Mr. Stewart will be honored publicly at the Beavers at their annual black-tie event in January.

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Howard “H” Cooper Wins Prestigious 2022 CDMCS Award

christine — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 14:18:00 +0000

It was with great ceremony that The Council for Dredging and Marine Construction Safety
honored Mr. Howard “H” Cooper with their annual Meritorious Service Award during the 2022
CDMCS Leadership in Safety Awards event in Washington DC on September 29th , 2022.

“This award is granted to an individual who has given unselfishly of their time and talent in
furthering the development of safety and USACE standards. Mr. Cooper’s dedication and
commitment to safety has been steadfast. It has been an honor and privilege to work with “H”
on safety and policy issues for the past 7 years.” Devon Carlock, President CDMCS.

This award is granted to an individual who has given unselfishly of their time and talent in furthering the development of safety and USACE standards.

In recognition of this achievement, Bill Dutra CEO of The Dutra Group, and Harry Stewart COO
presented “H” with the following letter of commendation:

“H”,

It is with great pride and admiration that Harry and I, along with the entire Dutra organization join The Council for Dredging and Marine Construction Safety in honoring you for both your career at The Dutra Group and your steadfast commitment to Safety and the Culture of Safety so well embodied by this great organization.

The most important work any of us can undertake is ensuring the Safety and Wellbeing of the
people around us. Safety is a calling. The men and women who heed this call rise every day
with a deep devotion to protecting others. They must stay steadfast at their post against any
challenge, seen and unseen, known and unknown. We all know that the battle is never won.
The risks are ever-present and unpredictable, and the price of failure is high.

“H”, you represent the best of the best. Your experience, knowledge, and expertise, and your
willingness to share, teach, coach, and hold the hard line against complacency and inattention,
have set you apart, and define your character. You should be proud of the great work you’ve
done at The Dutra Group. As proud of yourself as we are proud to have known you and worked
with you.

Your efforts to date are a legacy. That legacy is a safer workplace and a safer workforce, and we are profoundly in your debt.

With much respect,
Bill T. Dutra, Harry Stewart, and the entire Dutra Organization.

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