Retirement Archives - The Dutra Group

Cliff Hunt Retires After 25 Years of Dedication and Service

christine — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 18:54:58 +0000

After 25 years of dedicated service, Cliff Hunt, Vice President of Risk for The Dutra Group, is retiring. During his long career at Dutra, Cliff was instrumental in overseeing IT, corporate risk management, and safety programs for the company.

Prior to joining Dutra, Cliff attended San Jose State University as a jazz performance major, playing the trumpet. At 35, he pursued and completed a degree in computer science from the University of San Francisco while working for Chevron. Over the course of 18 years he held various positions, ending his time with Chevron in the corporate IT group in San Francisco.

Upon joining The Dutra Group in 1999, Cliff established the company’s first IT department, focusing on integrating new technology to improve operational efficiency. In 2001, when the company Safety Director retired, Cliff’s extensive experience with health and safety at Chevron made him a natural fit for the position.

In 2007, Cliff was encouraged by Bill Dutra, Executive Chairman, and Harry Stewart, President and CEO, to pursue an MBA in Risk Management. Completing his MBA in 2009, Cliff was promoted to Risk Manager and led the IT, Risk and Safety Departments. As Risk Manager, Cliff increased risk communication and integrated risk strategies into the company’s operations. He built a strong Safety Team and with the help of the hardworking hands in the field, significantly reduced the incident rate at The Dutra Group to well below the industry average. He partially credits Bill and Harry for giving him the freedom to lead, but also points to his team, stating, “It’s not really me, but all of us working together who have been able to reach these numbers.”

Cliff’s academic credentials include a B.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of San Francisco, an MBA in Risk Management from Walden University, and an Associate’s certification in Risk Management from the Insurance Institute of America.

Cliff is quick to acknowledge the contributions of the talented individuals he has hired, like Patty Dutra Bruce, VP of Human Resources at Dutra, Hank Schukler, Safety Manager, and John Wyma-Hughes, the new Risk Manager. He notes they are smart, talented, and productive. Cliff has every confidence that Patty, Hank, John, and the rest of the team will continue to lead the company forward.

“Cliff’s leadership and expertise have been a critical component of The Dutra Group’s success over the last 25 years,” said Executive Chairman Bill Dutra. “His dedication to safety and risk communication has made a significant impact on our operations and culture.”

While under Cliff’s supervision, Dutra’s Safety Department introduced the “Harvey Freeman Safety Award.” First introduced in 2010, the award formally recognizes individuals who continuously work to ensure the well-being of their coworkers. Named in remembrance for the much beloved member of the extended Dutra family Harvey Freeman, the award is presented annually to a member of the company who, like Harvey, exhibits integrity, honesty, mutual respect, and above all else, prioritizes the safety of their co-workers. For the 2024 selection, the Harvey Freeman Award was presented to Cliff for his enduring commitment to the company’s safety culture.

Cliff and his wife Rose share six adult children and eight grandchildren, underscoring his role as a family man. His decision to retire was not made lightly, but he decided it was time to spend more time with his family, and to pursue volunteering and hobbies. “I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had at The Dutra Group and the relationships I’ve built over the last 25 years,” Cliff said. “I’m proud to have helped develop the IT, Safety, and Risk departments, and to have had the ability to hire wonderful people who have carried out the initiatives and groundwork for our success.” Cliff also looks forward to playing the trumpet and guitar again, returning to one of his earliest passions. Additionally, he recently adopted two special needs dogs that he is excited to provide the extra care and attention needed now that he is retired. He is also interested in volunteering to help improve the lives and raise awareness for those living with autism, a cause close to his heart.

The Dutra Group recently celebrated Cliff’s retirement with a special event where family, colleagues, and industry peers shared their appreciation for his contributions to the company. Also among those attending was a special surprise guest from Cliff’s earliest days with the company: Amjad Shaikh, Cliff’s first team member at Dutra, who made a special trip from his home in Toronto, Canada to help send Cliff off in style. Cliff and Amjad worked together in the company’s IT Department. Together, Cliff as IT Director and Amjad as System’s Administrator, they built the company’s first IT infrastructure. They had not seen each other for 19 years!

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Mike Cole Retires After 43 Years of Dedication and Leadership

christine — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 20:42:41 +0000

Mike Cole, Purchasing Manager for The Dutra Group, is stepping into retirement. During his long tenure, Mike played a pivotal role in the company’s operations, expansion, and prosperity. As manager of all procurement activities, Mike is well known for his strong work ethic, his decades long personal ties with vendors, and his unparalleled industry knowledge. His signature look, a Ticonderoga pencil at the ready behind his ear, sharp wit, and booming laugh will be missed.

The Dutra Group recently honored Mike’s retirement with a special gathering at the Dutra Museum of Dredging in Rio Vista, CA, where colleagues, friends and family, including Mike’s personal guests Jenna Cole, Connie Bruns, and Pam Aikman, gathered to celebrate his career.

Bill Dutra Executive Chairman, and Harry Stewart CEO, reflected on their long and entwined careers with Mike, while coworkers Mike McFarland, Nancy LaRue and others spoke to the decades-long friendships they forged with him while working at The Dutra Group. Mike’s loyalty and deep care for his coworkers were reflected in several heartfelt and sometimes comical speeches, although numerous people cited being sworn to silence on the best stories.

“Mike’s dedication and expertise have been fundamental to The Dutra Group’s success,” said Bill Dutra. “When I think back on the years you’ve been with us, each year we grow a little bit older, and we grow a little bit wiser. It’s been quite the journey. I watched you grow the purchasing department during all the good times and bad, and no matter how to tough it got, no matter how many 911 emergencies came our way, from flood fights to Friday afternoon breakdowns, you always came through. Nature is unforgiving and so is the work we do. It’s a twenty-four hour a day job and takes selfless commitment. All too often the praise goes to the guys out in the field. You always understood that their success was your success. When they succeed, you succeed, and we all succeed.”

“Mike’s impact on The Dutra Group cannot be overstated,” said Harry Stewart. “His expertise and strong vendor relationships have significantly shaped our operations and culture. His dedication will leave an enduring legacy on our company.”

The purchasing team is often first in and last out on projects. Projects are won and lost based on the costs used to build bids. Securing those quotes, days, weeks, months in advance is multifaceted. Are the necessary materials available? Do they meet the contract specifications? Can they be delivered to the project site on time, by what means, and at what cost? Are we meeting our SBA commitments? Add the constant need to keep our equipment running and our employees safe with the proper tools and personal protection gear, and you start to get an understanding of the critical role Mike filled.

Mike expressed his gratitude to Bill and Harry in particular. “I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had at The Dutra Group and the relationships I’ve built over the last 43 years,” Mike said. “My years here have been instrumental in shaping the course of my life and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together. I am confident that the company will continue to thrive.”

As Mike embarks on his new chapter, he imparts advice to current employees; “Build strong relationships with your colleagues and vendors, and always be willing to learn and grow. Take advantage of the opportunities available to you. Always make sure you have a plan in place, and most of all…no sniveling.”

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John Wyma-Hughes Appointed Risk Manager

christine — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 18:01:49 +0000

The Dutra Group has named John Wyma-Hughes as the new Risk Manager, following the upcoming retirement of Cliff Hunt. This strategic appointment leverages Wyma-Hughes’ legal expertise and diverse experience to lead the company’s risk management, safety, and marine compliance departments.

Since joining The Dutra Group in 2021 as Associate General Counsel of Operations, Wyma-Hughes has played a key role in contract negotiations, claims management, and ensuring corporate compliance. His background in working for both the federal government and small-business private tech sector brings with it a valuable perspective on government contracting, emerging technologies, and legal interpretations.

Wyma-Hughes’ qualifications include a B.Sc. in Experimental Psychology from Saint Mary’s College of California, a J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law, with a focus on maritime and federal law, and an Associate in Risk Management certification from the Insurance Institute of America. Wyma-Hughes is an active member of the State Bar of California and has published over a dozen peer-reviewed studies in the field of neuropsychology.

In his new position, Wyma-Hughes will oversee all corporate risk management and safety programs. He takes the helm from Cliff Hunt, whose tenure significantly enhanced the company’s safety performance. Hunt brought a disciplined safety approach from his eighteen years with Chevron USA. Under his direction, recordable and lost time rates have dropped consistently over the last twenty years. As Risk Manager, he increased risk communication and inserted risk strategies into the company’s operations.

Hunt joined The Dutra Group after 18 years at Chevron USA. His academic credentials include a B.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of San Francisco, an MBA in Risk Management from Walden University, and the Associate in Risk Management certification from the Insurance Institute of America. Hunt devoted this last year to mentoring Wyma-Hughes in preparation for his role as Risk Manager, and has passed on a career’s worth of invaluable information and knowledge.

The transition to Wyma-Hughes’ leadership signals The Dutra Group’s continued commitment to industry-leading risk management practices and a rigorous safety culture. His legal background combined with Hunt’s legacy provides a solid foundation to guide the company’s risk strategies while delivering on critical projects.

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