Gaines and Company’s New Safety Manager is Not New to the Organization
Tommy Trent joined Gaines and Company as the organization’s Safety Manager in its North Carolina location in July. But his safety experience with Gaines and Company started long before that – six years to be exact!
Tommy started in the construction industry in 1993 building pharmaceutical plants.
“I started seeing a strong need for safety in the construction industry as a whole. It really enticed me,” said Tommy.
Tommy transitioned into the safety industry and has never looked back.
“Working in safety, I’m able to make the difference that I couldn’t make before,” he added. “When I was on the construction side as a superintendent, I was measured by production. But now I can focus on enhancing the culture within an organization through its safety performance.”
In 2017, Tommy started performing company safety audits as a consultant. One of the companies he worked with was Gaines and Company.
“I would give my recommendations then leave. I never got to be part of putting my recommendations into action and seeing the results,” he said.
Tommy Trent is not new to Gaines and Company job sites. However, he now wears the Gaines and Company name.
Gaines and Company Safety Director Dominic Pope said, “When an opportunity presented itself on our team, Tommy was the natural fit. He already understood our safety program and culture. I’m based in Maryland and he’s in North Carolina, but we’re working with the same goals and messages.”
“It’s awesome to be part of the process now,” said Tommy. “Dominic and I are with the crews every day, actively growing and improving the Gaines and Company safety program.”
Tommy’s experience as a construction superintendent further enhances his performance as a safety manager. Knowing what superintendents are dealing with – including goals, timelines, crews, and budgets – helps him craft and deliver his messages.
“I know what it’s like to be on a crew. I understand their struggles and what it takes to work safely,” he said. “I can predict problems so that issues are handled before they even arise.”
“Tommy has been a great addition to our safety team,” said Vice President David Gaines. “He understands that optimal production is only achievable with good safety practices. After all, safety improves the flow of production and job site processes.”
“I look forward to taking the Gaines and Company safety culture to the next level now that Tommy is part of the team,” added Dominic.
Gaines and Company is a full-service grading and excavation company with offices in Maryland and North Carolina. The organization has nearly 70 years of experience in underground utilities, grading and excavating, sediment and erosion controls, and road work. Gaines and Company delivers safe, reliable, turnkey site development services in Maryland, North Carolina, Washington D.C., and Delaware on time and within budget.
