Our company
Providing O&M expertise to First Nations communities
Through First Canadian Water and Infrastructure Ltd., CH2M HILL OMI has been selected to provide management oversight, mentoring and guidance for water treatment system operators who serve 18 First Nations communities located throughout British Columbia.
This technical assistance and operations support is being delivered as part of Canada's national Safe Water Operations Program, which the Canadian government created as part of a multimillion-dollar effort to invest in infrastructure renewal and training projects for First Nations people. The 17-month contract, signed in early November, can be renewed for multiple terms.
Ave Maria, Fla., facilities secure DBIA award
 Water and wastewater systems that CH2M HILL designed and built for the community of Ave Maria, Fla., have earned the Environmental Project of the Year Award from the New York metro chapter of the Design-Build Institute of America. The design-build-operate project began in 2003, and CH2M HILL OMI employees started up the water system including the raw water wells, membrane softening units, and several kinds of pumps. The Ave Maria facilities were also selected as the "Finished Water" feature for December's issue of Opflow magazine.
CH2M HILL shows support for veteran-owned businesses
The Department of Defense has recognized CH2M HILL with a Prime Contractor Subcontracting Award for excellence in working with service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. In 2007, CH2M HILL awarded 5.4 percent of its total DOD federal subcontract dollars to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, exceeding its goal of 1 percent. The company understands these businesses "provide innovative and creative solutions at a competitive price," says Willy T. Franklin II, manager of supplier diversity and small business programs.
Our communities
Denver employees ring in the holiday season
 Helping to do their part to make the season merrier for others, employees at the company's headquarters in Denver held a series of events to benefit local communities.
Among their activities, they supplied gifts, food and other holiday trimmings to Colorado families and seniors through the Inter-Faith Community Services' Holiday Adopt-a-Family program. They also collected 223 coats for Coats for Colorado and celebrated Thanksgiving with a potluck lunch that required donations of food or money to enter. Employees collected nearly 50 cans of food and $200 for a local food bank.
Walla Walla’s efforts go to the dogs
 Employees in Walla Walla, Wash., donated more than 24 hours of volunteer time at a new dog park that the city launched earlier this year for all of its canine citizens to enjoy. Employees installed fencing around the park, donated a bench, and secured donations of flying discs and gift certificates from local pet stores. CH2M HILL OMI has provided complete operations and maintenance of the city's wastewater facility for more than 10 years.
Our partners
EPA honors Prescott Valley sewer expansion
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded the Town of Prescott Valley and Yavapai County, Ariz., for expanding the capacity of the town's wastewater plant. The EPA's Region 9 office presented its 2008 Pisces Award to the town and county for the $17.6 million expansion, which saved the town money and improved the quality of its effluent to the highest grade for reclaimed water. Granted each year, the Pisces Award recognizes the most innovative projects that effectively use state funds to improve water quality and to comply with the Clean Water Act. CH2M HILL OMI has operated and maintained the Town's water and wastewater systems for more than 15 years.
Happy birthday to Chattahoochee Hills
 The City of Chattahoochee Hills, Ga., honored its first birthday on Dec. 1. Among its many accomplishments since the city was founded in December 2008: establishing a city hall, buying a fire station and equipment from the county, and developing dozens of processes to help build the city such as planning and zoning programs. "It has been a great year with tremendous support from our citizens," said Mayor Don Hayes in a letter to citizens. "Once again we have seen what can happen when a community pulls together to make this special place succeed." CH2M HILL OMI provides a range of municipal services to the city.
Cities named among ‘best performing’ metro areas
Wondering which areas are best at creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth? A recent report from the Milken Institute/Greenstreet Real Estate Partners details the Best Performing Cities Index, which includes several of CH2M HILL OMI's municipal partners. Among the leaders in the large metro area category: Temple-Killeen-Fort Hood, Texas; Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Ark., and Miss.; Atlanta- Sandy Springs-Marietta, Ga.; and Augusta-Richmond County, Ga. In the small cities category are Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, Fla.; and Albany, Ga. The index weighs several factors including job, wage and salary and technology growth. CH2M HILL OMI delivers a range of operations and maintenance services in these cities.
Our industry
NCPPP promotes partnerships in letter to President-elect
Earlier this month, the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships submitted a letter to President-elect Barack Obama, the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. governors regarding the nation's growing infrastructure crisis. The letter, signed by 35 organizations including CH2M HILL OMI, encourages the use of public-private partnerships for the benefit of the nation's economy and infrastructure. It emphasizes NCPPP's willingness to work closely with the new administration and government officials to create jobs and reduce costs while providing high-quality projects.
WEF earns 2008 Green Leadership Award
The Water Environment Federation recently was honored with a 2008 Green Leadership Award, recognizing WEF for promoting sustainability and energy efficiency. It was presented by publication Bisnow on Business, the U.S. Green Building Council, George Washington University and the Sustainable Business Network of Washington. Among other actions, WEF has worked to reduce its carbon footprint, cut its electricity use, publish its educational materials either digitally or on recycled paper, and incent employees to commute by bike or public transit.
Our people
Meet Courtney Dressler, top recruiter for talent
 Talent recruiter Courtney Dressler knows CH2M HILL OMI is a great place to work – in fact, she joined the company twice. After working two years on the company's human resources team, Courtney broadened her staffing and recruiting skills by working six years in the telecommunications industry. She rejoined CH2M HILL OMI in June 2006 as the company's principal recruiter, always on the lookout for the right operators, business analysts, community planners, project managers and dozens of other people to fill a range of operations, maintenance and management jobs. Whether she's at a career fair or sorting through data received through the company's Careers site, "my No. 1 goal is to bring the best people to CH2M HILL OMI who can best serve our clients," she says.
2 employees recognized by Georgia Association of Code Enforcement
 Speaking of top talent, the Georgia Association of Code Enforcement recently recognized two CH2M HILL OMI employees. Marcus Kellum, assistant director of code enforcement in Sandy Springs, received the President's Legendary Member Award, recognizing his service as second vice president and chairman of the certification committee. Marcus continues to help train all code enforcement officers who pass through this state certification program.
 And Reggie Miller, code enforcement officer in neighboring Johns Creek, has completed all requirements for the Level 1 certificate program. Code enforcement officers typically perform housing inspections and enforce city codes pertaining to zoning and housing. It is one of the many municipal services that CH2M HILL OMI has been providing to Sandy Springs since 2005 and Johns Creek since 2006. |
