A VPP Star for Safety

DPR received the highest honor from Oregon OSHA when the Ronler Acres semiconductor facility team in Hillsboro, OR was presented with the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star for commitment to workplace safety and health. DPR recorded some 297,000 work hours without a reportable injury over the past three years. “When you qualify for VPP, you have proved yourself to be among the best of the best when it comes to safety and health,” said Peter De Luca, administrator of the DCBS Occupational Safety and Health Division. “VPP sites have made a commitment to improving worker safety by management and employees collaborating to ensure safety is not just a priority, but a core value. DPR is among a select group of workplace safety leaders throughout the state, and the nation.” To achieve VPP status, a work site must have a three-year average injury and illness rate that is at or below those of other employers within their industry.

A “SWEL” Place to Work

DPR’s Sacramento office recently captured top honors during the 2004 Sacramento Workplace Excellence Leader (SWEL) awards in the mid-size company category. The award, sponsored by the Sacramento Area Human Resource Association and the Sacramento Bee, recognizes “truly extraordinary employers within the greater Sacramento area that provide exceptional benefits, programs, training and workplaces that promote employee health, safety, advancement, diversity and security.” Following an extensive nomination process, the judges acknowledged DPR for its emphasis on integrity, innovation and enjoyment. In the greater Bay Area, DPR was also recognized by local business journals in the first annual “Best Places to Work.” From among 180 companies participating, DPR ranked number 12 in the large company category. The process included an online employee survey, as well as an evaluation of company benefits.

Ross Stores Expands Corporate Headquarters

Crews are fast at work on a 150,000-sq.-ft. corporate headquarters consolidation and expansion for Ross Stores, Inc. at CarrAmerica Corporate Center in Pleasanton, CA. Working closely with construction manager, The Edward Pike Company; building owner, CarrAmerica; and architect, Interior Architects, the three-month project includes minor demolition, structural upgrades and interior improvements to four floors of an existing five-floor office building, as well as build out of laboratory and server equipment space for the nation’s second-largest, off-price apparel retailer. Tenant improvement projects of this size and scope is a sign of growing activity,” said Mike Humphrey, project manager for DPR. “We’re experiencing increased movement on a number of projects throughout the Bay Area, especially in the East Bay where we have some 20 active projects in various stages of development.”

DNC Headquarters

DPR’s Joseph Khoury joins Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle, along with many others, for the ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the grand opening of the new Democratic National Headquarters. DPR served as the general contractor for the 60,000-sq.-ft. expansion project that included a three-story, 3,800-sq.-ft. connecting bridge with glass curtain wall.