Taking It For Granted

It's amazing how easily we come to take things for granted.

I get up every morning and turn a switch which immediately illuminates the room. I head to the shower and turn the faucet which provides me clean, warm water. In the kitchen we turn the knob on the stove and are welcomed by a consistent flame for heating water or cooking breakfast. My entire day, whether for pleasure or business, is spent with data being transmitted over telecommunication lines. And all of this takes place in a comfortable controlled environment. With all of this going on and even after spending over 40 years in the industry, I rarely think of the hard work of the men and women who make this miracle happen.

I've even gotten this way about the Damage Prevention Councils across Texas. When I get an inquiry from anywhere in the State of Texas, it's ridiculously easy for me to refer that person to their local Damage Prevention Council. It wasn't that long ago when that couldn't happen, and I need to remember that.

When we first undertook this task I did some research to assess the challenges. I found out that we were talking about an area that is approximately 269,000 square miles with over 25 million people. It's an area that's 1 2/3 times the size of California, 3 1/2 times the size of Nebraska, 4 1/2 times the size of Georgia and over 50,000 square miles larger than France. You can leave Spearman, Texas early in the dark of a morning, drive for 856 miles and not arrive in McAllen, Texas until 15 hours later when it's dark again.

It's a beast!

Thanks to the yeoman like efforts of our Texas811 Damage Prevention Managers; Doug Meeks, JimBob Sims, Jaime Medina, and John Sparks this beast has been subdued. Twenty three Damage Prevention Councils have been established across Texas where anyone wanting to work on underground damage prevention with other stakeholders can find a council, within reasonable proximity. Our Damage Prevention Managers, working with our member companies, excavators, contract locators, municipalities, and other stakeholders keep these councils going as an integral part of the damage prevention efforts across Texas. I'm amazed that they continually come up with exciting, fresh new ideas to promote the damage prevention message.

So if I begin to take things for granted I hope that someone will remind me that this was a tremendous effort that should never be taken lightly.

You've done a hell of a job, guys!

David Wofford

Director of Damage Prevention
Texas811

 

 

Excuse me, but what exactly is Texas811?

Excuse me, but what exactly is Texas811?

“811” has taken on a meaning of its own. Similar to “911”, “811” is the nationwide “Call before you dig” number. Anywhere from within the United States “811” can be dialed and the caller will be routed to the Contact Center of the state from which they are calling. A Contact Center consists of agents who will take down worksite information and get the utility companies within the given area notified to go out and mark underground facilities before digging commences.

 

Texas811 is exactly that, Texas’ “Call before you dig” option. We prefer the term “contact” over call, however. Contact us before you dig. We have several different ways to be reached. There is a FastCustomer option. FastCustomer will allow an excavator (a person who removes earth) to contact Texas811 directly. “Texas811” can be texted to 936-CALL PLS or one can visit our website and enter their telephone number to receive a call back. FastCustomer will hold a spot without actually having to hold. Speaking of website, E-Locate is another option for submitting one-calls (a word used to describe the call before you dig process, make one call and almost all utility companies within a work area will be notified). E-Locates gives one the option to enter all information on the ticket form directly and once the information is received an agent will complete the process and email the confirmation. Go to www.texas811.org for more information. GeoRemote is another option. This program gives excavators full access to the program used in the contact center and allows the information to be entered automatically and the work area to be chosen.  For more information on GeoRemote email RemoteApps@Texas811.org and someone will be happy to assist.

 

Who all should contact Texas811 before digging? EVERYONE! If you’re installing a new flower bed, removing an old tree stump, getting a new fence built or simply replacing your old mailbox post, it is always smart to contact Texas811. There is a misconception that only construction companies should call, but this applies to home owners, business owners, and anyone else removing soil whether on their own property or not.

 

-Courtesy of Shakheana Fields, Texas811 Image Manager

When to Call In Your One Call

Calling Texas811 is still the most popular way to submit a locate request prior to excavation, though submitting requests online continues to gain popularity. The peak call times for the contact center are 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and then again from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Choosing to call Texas811 outside of these times will typically put a customer in contact with an agent with very little hold time.

What we are doing on our part: This year we have partnered with an innovative company to attend to our larger volume periods and save our customers time. With the help of a few really smart people, FastCustomer has figured out a way to make computers wait on hold with each other until the humans are ready to talk. Named Top Ten of Everything by Time Magazine, FastCustomer is compatible with iPhone, Android, and has a module on our home page at Texas811.com. FastCustomer uses cutting-edge technology to help Texas811 provide the best possible service to our customers: no hold time at all. Our customers will no longer have to wait on the line until an agent becomes available; technology does the waiting for them.

Texas811 continues to have a very low turnover rate, and this winter we broke industry records again! This means, year after year, the majority of our agents choose to stay with our organization rather than seek employment elsewhere. Keeping our team in place allows us to provide recurring training to our staff and communicate the focus of our organization. The result is a skilled and experienced agent serving our customers.

At Texas811 we strive to facilitate damage prevention and promote public safety with a focus on quality and service. Continuous improvement has become a big part of our company culture and we are excited to be a part of serving Texas. We hope that everyone has a safe and profitable season, and remember: Texas811 before you dig.

~Courtesy of Chris Stovall, Texas811 Director of Operations

Path to Success

Hello everyone and thank you for taking a minute to read about me. You probably have gathered by this point that I am Greg Tovar, and I am proud to say that I have been growing with Texas811 since June 1998.  It has been an incredible journey to see where we started and where we are today. We were such a small organization when I started, maybe thirty plus employees, which pales in comparison to the nearing two hundred employee status we are fast approaching.

When I started here, I was what we then called a CSR; it was stability while I tried to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. As time went on, I found myself enjoying the people who I worked with and seeing that not only was our little company doing a very big job but also learning to appreciate all the facets in which we helped in the damage prevention community. This encouraged me to give DigTESS, as we were known then, some of my time to see where it would all lead.

The potential that our company offers is amazing, for some it is something to do interim, for others it goes on to become a career, and a right good one if I do say so myself. You work for a company that does everything possible to give the employees the best that can be provided. To have been a part of this for as many years as I have, I haven’t only witnessed; I have gained and grown from all that has been designed to provide a positive and healthy work environment.

After spending a couple of years as a CSR, it was time for a change and I was moved to the Fax Department as it was then. Then came an elevation to the G.I.S. Department where I spent a couple of years learning about ESRI Software along with other sorts of software and means of which various sorts of mapping data could be utilized, manipulated and used, not only in the manner we do in house but in other avenues as well. Once again it was time for a change and I moved to the Technology Services Dept., where I learned a great deal about things that I enjoy and some not so much.

With the many opportunities I was able to see and appreciate the diversity of what our company holds behind the scenes. This is something that others outside of our world seldom get to see. Such encouragement is to be had here to shed light on yourself and let you see, whether it be here, or elsewhere, that there is so much to be had in the world, if you are willing to take the chance. I always played it safe, mostly from insecurity, but in the end I was the one who was holding myself back. So a year ago I decided to take a chance on myself and I enrolled in Kaplan University where I am currently studying for my Bachelors of Science in Information Technology and Business with my focus in New Media/Internet Marketing and Humanities to build my skills in several areas that I think will allow me to give back to the company that has given so much to me. That brings us to date, with my having finished my first year at University and with the powers that be having yet another path for me to walk here in the company.

Now I have transitioned from Technology Services to work with Mrs. Shakheana Fields as her Applications and Promotions Coordinator in the Remote Applications Dept., with Brandon Truly and Colton Charba. In addition to bringing my years of experience to the department, this is also an opportunity for me to be able to exploit and get practical experience from my education, providing me another opportunity to grow professionally and academically.

I am now into my second year at Kaplan University where I have been working very hard and I am honored to say have been extended an invitation to join The National Society of Collegiate Scholars. I carried and finished my first year with a 4.0 GPA, in honor of all those who believe in me as well as to myself and have maintained my GPA and plan on graduating with honors.

When I arrived at Texas811 I was a lost child and now I am grown, and have removed the obstacles that were once holding me back.

I am Greg and this is my story here at Texas811…

Cheryl's Story

This blog entry is not so much about me, myself, as it is about my appreciation of where we work. Just for the people who don't know me (which should be many, as I'm one of the Pittsburgh gals) I'll give a bit of a blurb. I'm a 30-year old ex-truckstop waitress biker chick who has traveled to 7 different countries, and is working on the 5th novel for a children's book series that I've been developing. I enjoy exploring nature with my godchildren, playing pool with friends, random road trips to nowhere in particular, and writing awful poetry on the beach. I'm blissfully single and childless, but very close the to the family that I do have. I think that's enough for a blurb, no?

For the past 3 months, I've been struggling with some health issues. There's been a lot of pain, stress, and fear. Lots of tests, doctor's visists, a biopsy that included getting poked in the neck with a big needle (several times!), and the first of 2 different surgeries. There were two seperate times in all this that I was sure that I was dying. The first time, I was sitting in my livingroom, after the first surgery, and I was hit by the most intense pain I have ever experienced. It felt like something in my brain had exploded. All I could do was look, through tears, at my mother and mouth "I love you".



That kind of fear can make you see things a little clearer, appreciate things a little deeper. These past months had me at my physical, emotional, and financial limit, holding on by a thread. But it's been a strong thread, mostly made up of my family, and the few friends that I told. They were wonderful. But the other part of the thread was the company we all work for. All the leads, Lance, Penny, Chris, everyone, was so supportive and understanding. I just wanted to share my experience so everyone can see one more reason how lucky we are. With all that I've been dealing with, all the time I've had to take off from work, it's been wonderful that I haven't had to worry about losing my job, on top of all this. And that is no small thing. In our economy, I am fully aware how replaceable I am, people are clamoring for jobs like ours. And, with all of my current baggage, most any other company would cut me loose as dead weight. But our company looks at its employees and sees "people", each with their own needs, not just walking productivity break-downs. They treat us with a respect, dignity, and patience, that goes above and beyond anything I've ever seen in my 15-year work history.



There's still a rough road ahead for me, at least one more surgery, radiation treatment, and recovery, but with my friends, family, and a job I really care about with people I appreciate, I'm not so scared.

So thank you, everyone that makes up this wonderful company, for making this company what it is, and for allowing me to be a part of it.

Cheryl Christophe

What Everybody Ought To Know...

As some of you might already know, my name is Oscar Ortega. Some people call me Oscar Ortega or Oscar. This is my very first time writing a blog so work with me. I will start this off by telling you something about myself. I have been working for Texas811 for about 8 years now. I started working here through a staff agency sometime around 2003. Before joining Texas811 as a part time employee, I worked at all kinds of jobs. I went from being a busboy to waiter, construction worker to working the cash register at a grocery store. I am 27 years old and on my days off I like spending time with family and friends. I have a 4 year old daughter named Arley. I also enjoy reading and a good workout at the Texas811 fitness center from time to time.

When I started working for Texas811 (Digtess), it never went through my mind how much this company would grow. I had been in different departments before becoming a team leader. I can't believe how fortunate I've been to be able to work with such amazing people. It's a great feeling to be able to say that my co-workers are not just people I work with, but are actually my friends. Its not common these days to find a good job, let alone a great company that actually cares for its employees and their close ones; hence the free onsite wellness clinic. Texas811 has proven to me that there is absolutely no limit to how much a company can expand. So what exactly is in store for Texas811 in the future? I don't know. Do I plan to stick around and find out? YOU BETCHA!!

-Oscar Ortega

An Old Dog learning new tricks, every day

I’m David Wofford, Director of Damage Prevention with Texas811. I’ve been meaning to write this blog since the Texas811 blog got started and finally had to set myself a deadline to get it done.

To give you a little background, I’ve been married for the past 35 years to the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. We’re blessed with two wonderful grown kids, who I generally talk way too much about, and a stunning daughter-in-law who is poised to present us with our first grandchild at the end of May. Mindy and I grew up in Fort Worth and raised our family there. We moved to Granbury in 1997 with the intent of putting down roots for a leisurely retirement. Life is full of surprises.

I retired from AT&T in 1999 after a 30 year career that started as a 19 year old lineman and ended with a three year stint on the North Texas Area Staff, where my partner Jeff Byers and I handled Damage Prevention.  I was fortunate to also spend those last three years representing AT&T on what was then the TESS Board of Directors. Those were exciting times at TESS, now Texas811, that saw the One-Call Legislation go into effect, and the leadership of Texas811 make the determination to go from a vendor run notification center to a standalone center. I never forgot the pleasure of working with a group of people, all pulling in the same direction and focusing on Damage Prevention.

Following my retirement from AT&T I found out that I wasn’t particularly suited for a golfing career and ended up teaching Outside Plant Engineering classes for AT&T on a consulting basis. MIndy and I traveled around Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri where we spent one week or three weeks, depending on the class, meeting new people and sharing 14 years of engineering experience with new engineers. It was an enjoyable three years, but when the economy slowed down so did the teaching gig.

In January of 2002, as I was contemplating my next career move, I received a call from my old friend Lee Marrs. Lee told me that Texas811 wanted to start a focus on Marketing and asked if I would consider handling that on a part time, consulting basis. As they say, the rest is history.

From 2002 to 2008 my primary area of responsibility was Marketing, but if you work for Texas811 your focus is always on Damage Prevention. In January of 2009 I gave up my part time, which was never really very part time, status and became a Texas811 employee handling Damage Prevention and Marketing. What a ride it’s been.

In January of 2002, when Lee called me, Texas811 had around 600 members. We currently have almost 1300. Where we had one employee handling Damage Prevention in 2002, I now have five, fine managers, working with me handling Damage Prevention and Membership Coordination. The Notification Center itself is probably five times the size it was in 2002 and ten times the size it was when I first stepped in the door of Texas811 back in 1997.

It’s been a remarkable challenge and tremendously rewarding experience to be part of such a robust and thriving enterprise as Texas811. The talent and energy level there has already outgrown the borders of the great State of Texas, and who knows where it will take us next? But as I look around at the extraordinarily bright faces that make up Texas811, there’s one thing I know for certain.

“You ain’t seen nothing yet!”

My Story...

First off, I want to thank you for taking the time out of your day to read my first blog post. I’ve actually never written a blog before so I hope you won’t  be too hard on me.  What I’m going to try to do is give you a quick history about me so that after reading this, you may have a better idea about who I am and where I’m coming from. 

My name is Jonathan Rollins.  I was born in the District of Columbia on June 21, 1989.  Having been born in D.C., you wouldn’t believe how difficult it was and continues to be to fill out forms that ask you for your birth city and state.  Shortly after I was born my father’s job relocated him and our family to Dallas.  We found a home in Rowlett and that is where we were rooted for 6 years. While in Texas I became an older brother to two siblings and couldn’t have been more excited.  Being an only child for most of my early life, I finally had brothers to play with and at times (when necessary) provide a wedgie or two.  What’s a wedgie you ask, well it’s something that older brothers are required to do to younger brothers.

After my 2^nd grade year of elementary school was over in TX, I found out that my dad’s job again had us moving.  This time we were headed to Colorado Springs, CO. We spent six years in Colorado, this time spanned from the 3^rd to 8^th grade. Living in Colorado introduced me to many different things that some may never get the luxury to experience and enjoy.  These experiences included ice hockey, snowboarding, skiing, mountain climbing, and best of all…snow days.

Well, I bet you can go ahead and guess what happened next.  After my 8^th grade year we again found ourselves on the move.  This time it was back to Rowlett, TX.  I attended Rowlett High School where I played trumpet in the marching band.  While in school I had the good fortune of  meeting the girl that what eventually be my future wife.  I finished my high school career in 2007 and right after graduation I found myself applying for a job at TESS. I had a close friend  there and it seemed like a great opportunity. Within three months of working at TESS I had been moved to the Fax Department. The Fax department would eventually be dissolved and I was relocated to the main contact center floor.  A year or so later I was promoted to my current position, Team Leader.

In June of 2011 I married my high school sweetheart, Mackenzie.  We currently reside in Royse City, TX, with our 1 year old Siberian Husky puppy, Nikita.  We are very excited about what lies ahead no matter where life may take us.  I am so fortunate to have everything that God has provided me with; a great house, a fantastic job, a loving family, and an amazing wife.

I’m going to leave y’all with a quote that I love and try to live by that says, “If ya ain’t first, ur last.”  … Just kidding!  I think Ricky Bobby uses that one.  The one I like read something like this, “Your time on earth is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”  - Steve Jobs

-Jon Rollins

Having That Dynamite Attitude Without Having To Blast

My name is Keidre Trammell and as most of you probably know I am a Team Leader for Texas 811.  I have enjoyed working here since July of 2003. My time here has been both exciting and rewarding. From the very first day of walking into the office and having the opportunity to speak to Lance Parker, I immediately knew that this was the company for me.  TESS was made up of wonderful people and I wanted in.  I  feel so at home and at ease working with my peers.  It is like being part of a family rather than just a drone at some, “Who are you?” type of company. I have worked at several Call Centers, but never felt that I would make a lifelong career with any of them until I started working at Texas811. When I think back to my earlier days and how different it was, I am excited and proud to have been part of all the changes and growth. I have been very fortunate to be surrounded by people who support and push me to excel within the company. Before I was employed here I  had never worked in a management position. Mike Losawyer and John Sparks saw something in me that I hadn’t realized on my own. I was a good employee and I had the potential to be a great leader. I will forever be grateful for the potential  those two recognized in me. This company is great at recognizing hard work and dedication to the common goals of excelling and achieving greatness. Being surrounded by people who share your passion and drive makes eight hours a day (and sometimes more)  an easy task. I look forward to getting up every morning and coming to work. I take pride in what I do and all of my accomplishments within our company. All fun aside, this company is about public safety and I take my job very serious. There is not a day that goes by that I am not striving to do the best job possible. I would not have grown mentally, emotionally, and physically if it had not been for the responsibilities bestowed upon me and the bonds that I created within our company. The friends and experiences here will only continue to grow at Texas 811.  Our company  is a great place and the changes we have made this year alone have been wonderful. The recent and ongoing changes have reignited the spirit and excitement from better days. We are building a culture and employees are excited about their job and they feel important. The atmosphere is great and employees are buzzing about our upward direction.  We are building a solid team and I am privileged to be a part of Texas811.  Go Team Dynamites!

Along for the Ride

I have heard when writing your first blog you should inform the reader a little bit about yourself.  So…

   My name is Penny Schutza and this is the sped-up version of how I came to be a member of the Texas811 management staff.

   The year was 1997.  I was thirty-(something), had been working at a company that repaired and installed new apartment mailboxes and rekeyed apartment complexes for about 8 years.  A pretty physical job in itself.  But, not only did I do these repairs, installations and rekeying projects, I also scheduled the work and ran the office, which included billing, shipping and receiving, merchandise ordering, accounts receivable/payable, staffing, payroll…everything that comes with being an office manager, less insurance or raises.  (Looking back I don’t know how I did all this and still could be of sound mind and body!)  The company had landed a very large contract with the USPS in Arlington installing curbside home mailboxes, which had to be added to our already busy schedule.  This ultimately led to contacting Texas Excavation Safety System for underground line locates.  We were faxing in so many locate requests Mike Losawyer himself, along with tech support, came to our office to set our company up as a remote contractor.  Between the busy calls coming in and scheduling crews for the different job sites somehow Mike and I were, briefly, able to discuss the company and what they were about.  Not long after this first meeting, on a Saturday afternoon, Mike and I met at the T.E.S.S. office.  He gave me a tour of the small office space (well, small compared to our office space now) and we discussed in further detail the company’s operations.  About three weeks later I nervously started my new adventure with T.E.S.S. (Texas811).  As with all new employees I started out as a CSR (or what is now known as a DPA), and slowly but surely made my way through the different departments from Projects, to Trainer, on to a Team Leader, advancing to Quality Assurance Manager, then accepting my current position as Assistant Contact Center Manager.  I believe working in these different positions throughout the company has given me a unique insight to how each department entwines with the other and with the company as a whole, which has helped lead me to where I am today. 

   I can not say enough wonderful things about Texas811 and how grateful I am for the opportunities I have been given.  To watch the company grow, not only going from working in a small business suite to owning an entire building, but also internally--the addition of the many different departments that, although are separate, work so well together as a team; the addition of the different states we now service; the benefits; the Wellness Center; and so much more--has been an experience I am so glad I was witness to.  As great as things are now at Texas811, I know there are bigger and better things in store for us all.  And I am very excited to be along for the ride.

~Penny Schutza

Morning Cup of Coffee...

As I sit here drinking my coffee and racking my brain as to what will be the first sentence in my blog post I realized something.  Every morning for the last 5 years my day starts with a cup of coffee.   The last 3 years have included waking up happy to start my work day.  Now, I’ve had lots of different coffees from different places.  I’ve had Starbucks, 7 Eleven, McDonalds, you name it.  Each cup has its own flavor just as each of us has our own personality.  Furthermore, each of us has even tried out different jobs.   Of course, I’m not saying we are each like a cup of coffee but we each bring something unique to the table.   A great culture and diversity within our company is what helps define who we are.   

 In October of 2009, after my 5 year tenure with Circuit City in the retail industry, I returned to work for Texas811. I should add this was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my lifetime.   I quickly learned that the company had made some remarkable changes since I first worked here in 2000. A fully equipped gym complete with two showers had been constructed, an office expansion that has just recently led to ownership of the entire building and a larger staff were a few of the things that stood out to me.  Since opening for business in the 80’s our company has continued to grow.  In the last three years we have near doubled in size.  With the addition of new states hopping on board we are the leader in what we do.

Starbucks started the coffee house boom in the U.S. in the late 80’s to early 90’s and has grown to 18,887 stores in 55 countries.  I don’t suspect we will have this many offices popping up all over the world, however, we will continue to dominate this industry.     

I’m Kyle Barnes, the Training Manager for Texas811.  I moved to the training department a year after being a floor agent.  I enjoy anything outdoors; wakeboarding, and mountain bike riding to name a few.  Just like I enjoy my cup of coffee every morning I enjoy being part of such an excellent company. 

Kyle Barnes 

Even in a down economy, there is still a lot of digging going on!

Accidents happen when risks aren’t managed by all parties during the process of requesting utility locates prior to excavation and then safely working around underground facilities after locate markings are placed. Job safety, reduced efficiency, chronic delays and even temporary down time can significantly affect an Excavators’ bottom line. Fortunately, there are opportunities for Excavators to improve job efficiency and significantly reduce risks associated with work involving excavation, simply by taking a seat at the table with other industry leaders.

Every month, or quarterly in some parts of Texas, regional Damage Prevention Council meetings take place where stakeholders discuss ways to improve the process associated with safe excavation and take on projects that help make that a reality. A Damage Prevention Council (DPC) is a member-driven association dedicated to the prevention of damage to underground utilities. Typically comprised of construction contractors, utility operators, One Call, utility locators, insurance providers, engineering firms, TxDOT, and other associated industry stakeholders, a DPC meeting provides an optimal forum where stakeholders can share information and perspectives, and then work together on all aspects of damage prevention.

The Damage Prevention Councils of Texas were established in 2000 to facilitate communication among the regional DPCs as well as Utility Coordination Councils (UCC) and Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) sub-committees that shared common damage prevention goals. As a result of this organizational effort, the existing entities began to coordinate their respective damage prevention efforts while new DPCs were established in previously unrepresented areas of the State. This same year, the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) was established to continue the damage prevention efforts envisioned by the Common Ground Study.  Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation and completed in 1999, this Study represents the collaborative work of 160 industry professionals who identified best practices relating to damage prevention. The state level Damage Prevention Councils of Texas and national level CGA are consistently working with industry stakeholders and regulators to produce stronger, more effective results through partnership, collaboration, and the pursuit of common goals in damage prevention.

There are currently 21 Damage Prevention Councils active across the State of Texas.  The areas covered by these councils include around 97% of the population of the state. In promoting a spirit of shared responsibility, regional DPCs welcome all stakeholders who would like to be a part of the damage prevention solution.  As a contractor and professional excavator working in Texas, you are invited to participate in any of the stakeholder roundtables which meet on a regular basis all across Texas.

Don’t be part of the problem when there’s an easy way to be part of the solution.

For access to individual DPC websites and meeting schedules or to find information on establishing a DPC in your area, visit the Texas811 website.

-Doug Meeks

Getting To Know Edward Salgado

Hello everyone!

For My first post I would like for you to get to know a bit more about me. I am 25 years old, my name is Edward Salgado and I work in Technology Services here at TEXAS811. I have been here for 5 great years and I must say I have learned a lot as far as technologies go. I am currently studying to get my Microsoft IT Professional certification for Windows Server 2003/08 R2. My goal is to be certified in many fields of Technology to better myself and the company. Some of my interests are football, basketball, astrophysics, astronomy,  Science/Discovery channel, gaming and of course building high performance PCs. I’d like to point out building/working on high performance PCs is my favorite!! I am very easy going and can get along with anyone. I am pretty simple when you get to the bottom of it.

I am proud to represent and work for TEXAS811. My goal here is to provide ideas, experience, and knowledge to help our company grow and exceed. Thank you all for any support you have given. I look forward to continuing to work for you and with you!

-Edward Salgado

Texas811 Today

There are a lot of good things about being at Texas811, but my favorite is that every day we are not only doing a good job, but we are actually doing good – by helping to protect Texas from the effects of excavation-related damage to our buried facilities: utilities, pipelines, and communications lines.

        As a team, we’re working to build a culture that values those we work with - inside and outside the company. Here are some of our initiatives:

·         Revamp work and compensation structure to closely relate reward to performance;

·         Sponsor events for employees and family members;

·         Open meetings to employees to increase transparency and understanding; and

·         Establish a company-specific social network, Yammer, to foster communication.

On September 2^nd, we opened the “We Care Wellness Center” to provide our full- and part-time employees - and their dependents - with quality family medical care, at no cost to them. We are managing our drug testing program through the clinic, as well as flu shots and other medical related tasks.

How can this make economic sense to a small company like ours? Two years ago, we were forced to change our employee health care plan from fully-insured to partially self-funded. This was made necessary by a proposed 75% hike in our insurance premiums. Financially this means that Texas811 is now responsible for most of the cost of medical care over the employee co-payment. As an example, if a plan participant goes to the doctor, they pay their $30 co-payment. Since the actual cost of that appointment may be $150-200, or even higher, Texas811 pays the balance.

If the clinic operates at half-to-two-thirds capacity, we will be able to offset the cost of routine outside doctor visits and save a possible $100,000 or more per year. As an added bonus, the clinic enables our part-time employees and their families to receive medical care, which was not possible before. We are now looking toward opening the clinic to outside companies and individuals, which will allow us to spread the cost over a wider base and hopefully offer more services.

There’s a lot going on and I’m glad I’m here to participate – I think you will be too.

-Lee Marrs

Expect the Unexpected....

I didn’t realize how hard it would be to write the first post for my company’s blog. I love to write. It is a natural occurrence for me, but this was definitely a challenge. I believe I wasted more time thinking about what the first post should be about than anything else, so eventually I just stopped thinking about it. Now, after a month, I’m still stuck in the same position. So, with that being said, I’m just going to freestyle, if you will.

I did a lot of research about what the first corporate blog post should be about. Most sites said the same thing: getting to know the writers, what to expect from the blog site, and a lot more things along those lines.

As far as what to expect from the Texas811 blog, DON’T! We plan to surprise you with each post we bring your way. We hope to be enlightening and to give you some insight on the diversity that makes up what our company is. We aren’t going to get on here and pretend to be the most grammatically correct people, or to be so professional that we don’t have a life outside of work. We want you to get a feel of our work environment and who we are as a company. What we stand for, what we hope to achieve, and many other things that may interest you, our readers.

My name is Shakheana Fields and I am the Remote Applications Manager at Texas811. I’ve been with the company for about 7 ½ years and I absolutely LOVE my job and the people I work with. I will be one of many employees of Texas811 to post on this site, so I figured the first post should include some things about who I am. Getting to know the person behind the writer is important, well to me at least. I am 26 years old and I have two amazing daughters. I love to read, write, and do pretty much anything that sounds fun to me. I am very social, but a lot of people do not know that about me until they actually get to know me.

I hope you have enjoyed our first corporate post. Stay tuned for exciting things to come!