Introduction
Summit has grown tremendously in the past twenty-five years. From a small, private firm to one of the Triangle’s Fast Fifty several years running, our firm has come a long way from its humble beginnings. As we roll into 2023, our team would like to take a moment to step back and look at the journey that has led us to where we are today. That’s why, this year, we’re introducing our latest video blog series: “The Summit Story.”
Our team has been taking the time to interview many of the critical players in Summit’s growth as they share their memories of the pivotal moments that define our firm’s history. In our first entry, “Through The Eyes of our Staff,” we look at the stories and memories of our Regional Construction Services Manager Kevin O’Dell, Admin Manager Sherry Jones, Vice President Zack Weddle, and Senior Vice President Philip Becht. Each one tells us how they were introduced to Summit, when they started, what their first office experience was like, and what keeps them working for us.
How did you get introduced to Summit?
For many of our interviewees, their path to Summit came through Jim Parker himself. Whether they met him at the NCDOT or through teaming operations, all were won over by his passion and charisma, allowing Jim to bring them into the Summit family.
When did you start?
Each of our interviewees came in at different times in Summit’s life. You can see how our firm has grown as the years have gone by, from a humble 6 employees to the over 400 we have today.
Was was orientation like?
Orientation for new employees has evolved significantly over the years! Some things never change, though– Timesheets and expense reports have always been a staple of the new employee experience.
What was your first office like?
The move from the original office in Downtown Hillsborough to the current office in Corporate Drive was a big change for the staff. Hear what our employees have to say about this milestone in Summit’s history!
Who were some of the first people you met?
The people we meet in our first days at a company can tell us a lot about the company culture and shape our expectations about the job. Here’s what our staff has to say about their earliest days at Summit!
What are some defining moments in your career with Summit?
We’ve experienced a lot of wins over the years, but here are some of the biggest turning points for our firm– The moments that shaped Summit into what it is today.
What has kept you working at Summit?
There are many reasons why people may stay on with a company or firm, but when it comes to the Summit family, there’s one universal factor: The people we work alongside every day.
The Summit Story continues…
Stay tuned for our follow-up to this series with Part Two of the Summit Story later this month, where we hear from other critical voices within our firm!