Page 6 - Graypvine October 2019

Remembering years with Tom, mostly working
with ATI, a customer that loved
Tom Ollinger Tom and had happily worked
with him for decades.”
“I worked with Tom for
Longtime Gray team member Tom Ollinger passed away on nearly 30 years, and first of
Tuesday, July 16. For more than 31 years, Tom lent his expertise all, Tom was the smartest guy
as an architect to his fellow team members within the A/E in the room – any room,” said
Department, and his indispensable knowledge and attention to Jim Crupper, a director in the
detail will be greatly missed. So many team members valued the A/E department. “No matter
time they spent with Tom, both personally and professionally. how busy Tom was, as a true
Brian Fain, Vice President of A/E Operations, worked closely gentleman and professional,
with Tom for the past 19 years. Tom was an invaluable resource he would stop what he was
to him, and Brian is sure he asked Tom more than his share doing and spend time with you
of questions. solving your problem. Tom was
“Tom had a way about him that always made you feel and is a truly great guy; I say
important,” recalled Brian. “He never judged and always used that with
great care in selecting his words. On more than one occasion great respect.”
I watched Tom stop mid-sentence, rethink his explanation and Tom was even responsible for influencing at least one person
6 deliver the most appropriate response when it could have been to come work for Gray.
delivered in a much less considerate way. His goal was for you “Probably the first individual I came into contact with from
to understand and get to the right answer. There was no shame Gray was Tom Ollinger,” recalled Site Manager Mike Pflederer.
in asking questions in Tom’s book.” “Tom is one of the reasons I wanted to work for Gray, because of
“My greatest memories of Tom will be getting to know him his character, his work ethic, and his professionalism. I enjoyed
in his last six months at a much deeper level than I had in the working with Tom from an owners perspective as well as a fellow
previous 19 years of working together,” said Brian. “We would Gray team member on the Sofidel projects.”
share stories about our lives and how we found ourselves Mike remembered a humorous experience he shared
pursuing architecture. Men like Tom aren’t made, they truly with Tom. “While at Caterpillar, Tom and I were walking a punch
are born. He had a patient and nonjudgmental approach to list and we got locked in a FEMA shelter women’s restroom. It
everyone no matter their title, experience level or role. He was so seemed that the door locking mechanism malfunctioned, locking
willing to share advice and offer mentoring in any situation.” us inside. I joked that the longer we were locked inside, the
Design Manager Michelle Clark worked closely with Tom as longer the punch list would be,” said Mike.
well, and describes Tom as both a gracious and patient mentor. Scott Simmons, Senior Design Manager, remembers Tom
“I first got to know Tom in 2012, working on a facility for for setting a great example both professionally and personally.
Michelin tires,” said Michelle. “It was a challenging project, “Tom always had an answer or knew how to find the answer to
one of the largest Gray had ever undertaken at that time. This any technical question. He occasionally had people across the
was only my second project at Gray, and through it I learned, building lined up at his desk for advice. He always took the time
sometimes painfully, the proper why and how of the way we for them. He was patient and accepting of everyone that crossed
do things. Since then I was lucky enough to spend many more his path, and he will be truly missed.”

Field and many projects, one that
“Thinking back over my career
comes to mind was a 150-
Focus foot pedestrian bridge over
Green River in Casey County,
Kentucky,” said Charles. “During
this job I worked very closely with
Growing up as a “good ole farm boy,” Charles Bowman the mayor and city officials. The
enjoyed learning how things work and loved the feel of the earth. relationship quickly developed
“Although my heart was on the farm, I wanted more,” said into a friendship with family
Charles. “I wanted to explore and build the world.” values. It was nothing for us to Charlie Bowman
He found that as a concrete laborer with the Ohio Valley Office sit down at 6am and have coffee,
– known at the time as WS Construction – back in 2000. After socialize, and discuss the job ‘hand in hand’.”
a few months, Charles moved into an operator position where Charles has a few items of advice to his fellow team
he asked tons of questions and absorbed as much advice as he members: “Always remember, the dumbest question is the one
could, leading him to a site foreman position. Today he’s proud not asked; keep your head down and work hard, and put safety
to hold a position as a lead site excavation foreman. first: take it home with you!”