Foreman Pat Dixon Retires From Gaines After a 33-Year Career
Pat installs force mains for Four Seasons at Kent Island’s sewer system.
Pat Dixon grew up on a farm, where his grandfather imparted to him a strong work ethic. When Pat came to Gaines and Company 33 years ago as a foreman, he brought that same drive to work.
Now known as the man who gets things done, Pat will move on to his next adventure. However, his drive, attitude, and knowledge will remain instilled in Gaines and Company’s culture through the numerous crews he led, employees he taught, and long list of successful projects he worked on.
Thrived on Tough Projects
Gaines is known for taking on tough site development jobs, which was one of Pat’s favorite parts of his career. For example, Four Seasons at Kent Island was a 10-year project that had water challenges due to its proximity to the Chesapeake Bay and the area’s high water table. Pat was involved in roughly 90% of the project, which was successfully completed last Spring.
Pat (right) awards Mainline Operator Steve Scott (left) with the Safety Excellence Achievement Award
“We did some serious jobs – jobs that other companies didn’t want to mess with,” said Pat. “Those were the jobs I liked best. The tougher the job, the better. I take pride in my work, and completing those tough jobs really made me happy.”
Gaines and Company Vice President Myrt Gaines said, “I can’t tell you how many times I’d go to a job with challenging, wet conditions. Pat would be there with his pipelayer getting them through the tough spots. He’s great at laying pipe and managing projects. But most of all, he was never afraid to get in there and help to get the job done safely and the right way.”
Committed to Employee Development
Pat was instrumental in developing the next generation of Gaines employees. In fact, Gaines currently has seven employees who started with little to no industry knowledge and have worked their way to foremen under Pat’s training.
“Pat was tough on crews, which is how so many of his guys became foremen,” say Myrt. “But when you get away from the job, he would do anything for you. He truly loved his guys.”
Advocated for Safety
Pat became a huge advocate of Gaines’s extensive safety program. The thought of one of his crew members getting hurt terrified him, so he never led his crews into work that he didn’t know could be done safely. He was a great example of how – when done right – safety and production go hand-in-hand.
“I’d go on Pat’s job site, and he’d list everything he needed from me. I learned early on to just give him what he asked for and get out of his way,” laughed Myrt. “That’s how he worked best, and I knew I could always count on him to keep the crew productive and safe.”
“As a pioneer with Gaines, Pat is a significant part of how we became known as a safe and successful production-focused company,” said Safety Director Dominic Pope. “He’s an all-around good guy who is really going to be missed!”
Pat is a great operator who was never shy to step in when help was needed.
Retirement-Bound
So what will Pat do in his retirement? Stay busy, of course! Pat plans to visit out-of-town family, travel on outdoor excursions with friends, farm, hunt, fish, workout at the gym, and continue leading youth duck and goose hunts.
“It’s been a good ride, and Gaines has been a wonderful company to work for,” said Pat. “I couldn’t ask for better bosses. When it came to retirement, they did a great job getting me set up and helping with all the paperwork. They really took care of me!”
When asked what advice he has for Gaines’s next generation of employees, he said, “Stay motivated, work hard, and don’t jump around too much. Find a company that treats you good, and stay to have a long career.”
Pat truly cares for his crew members. He always took time to ensure their safety and developed them in their careers.
Thank you for spending your career with us, Pat. You’ve made a huge impact on us, our organization, and our culture.
Enjoy your retirement!
Gaines and Company is a full-service grading and excavation company with offices in Maryland and North Carolina. The organization has over 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 Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C., on time and within budget.
