Irby Construction Company has launched the first of their “People of Irby” series, which contains video snippets featuring members of the Irby family. Watch this video short for a glimpse at life on the line.

Colt Lindsey is an apprentice lineman. He shares his story about how he made his way to Irby and why, the role safety plays in his day, and what he likes most about working with Irby. As Colt points out in the piece, by working at Irby he works with the “best of the best.” The truth is, Colt is one of the best. That’s why we’re proud to put him in the spotlight and call him part of our Irby family.

Film crews visited Irby job sites from Texas to Florida, and a couple spots in between, to interview team members and gather footage of crews at work. Watch for more spotlight videos coming soon. Follow Irby on Facebook for updates.

Irby has had a busy couple of months making exhibit appearances and sponsoring several industry related conferences.

The kick-off event was Georgia Transmission Corporation’s 14^th Annual Safety Awareness Program Conference where Irby attended and exhibited on January 29 and 30 at the Macon Marriott City Center in Macon, Georgia. This particular conference focused on Conscious Leadership, Safety Technology Advances, and Industrial Hygiene Hot Topics.

That same week, Irby was a premier sponsor of the Mississippi Economic Development Council’s Annual Legislative Conference on January 31 and February 1 at The Hilton Hotel in Jackson. Mary Swoope, MEDC’s Executive Director, spoke to the focus of this year’s conference, “The conference was centered around coaching a growth mindset through leadership and advocacy skills.,” she said. “Ron Kitchens, CEO, Southwest Michigan First and Ted Abernathy, Managing Partner, Economic Leadership shared their leadership skills and trends in the economic development profession.”

Lastly, Irby team members attended TechAdvantage in Nashville on February 25-28 to experience the forefront of innovation and critical technologies that are transforming the world of engineering, information technology, energy services, operations, and supply management. This conference is attended by co-op decision makers and provides networking opportunities including dedicated expo which the Irby team used to get to know new contacts and their construction needs.

As Irby Crews were wrapping up work in Texas following Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma made landfall as the first Category 5 hurricane of the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season. On September 10 Irma’s winds reached 185 mph in Cuba. It was the most intense Atlantic hurricane to strike the United States since Katrina in 2005.

Less than one month after Harvey, but after that same amount of time on the job restoring power, Irby crews packed their bags and headed for Florida rather than home.

“We had several crews working on a lot of different types of jobs before Hurricane Irma hit, but once we knew that she would hit Florida, they all sprang into action,” Brent Croft, General Superintendent said. “We had crews down in Southern Florida before the hurricane even made landfall so that they could be ready to work immediately after it passed over them.”

Well over 300 of Irby Linemen performed storm work this hurricane season. Many of which worked the two major storms, back to back. With more than 114,000 collectively under their tool belts, Irby crews in conjunction with other restorations crews from across the country including those from our Quanta sister companies restored power in the midst of two national disasters.

Hurricane Harvey and Irma caused mass destruction to numerous regions in and surrounding the U.S. Together. According to estimates from Moody’s Analytic, damage and lost productivity has the potential to cost between $150 billion and $200 billion.

On August 25, Hurricane Harvey made landfall near Rockport, Texas as a Category 4 hurricane.

Harvey was the first major hurricane of the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season. It was devastating. Winds as strong as 130 mph left extensive damage to power infrastructure in their wake along the Gulf Coast from Rockport to Southeast Texas and into Louisiana.

Irby Construction crews were prepared before the storm hit. As Harvey made landfall, caravans of bucket trucks drove toward Texas, so the power restoration process could begin as soon as rain and winds subsided.

“Emergency restoration is both the most grueling and the most gratifying work Irby linemen address,” said Chris Swindoll, Superintendent. “Restoring power is often restoring some sense of normalcy for communities hit by these storms. It’s a process we’re proud to be a part of.”

More than 300 Irby men performed work this hurricane season, many of which worked Hurricane and Hurricane Irma, a storm that followed just days later, back to back. In total, Irby teams logged 114,000 restoration man-hour this hurricane season. They worked alongside many Quanta sister companies.

Hurricane Harvey and Irma caused mass destruction to numerous regions in and surrounding the U.S. Together. According to estimates from Moody’s Analytic, damage and lost productivity has the potential to cost between $150 billion and $200 billion.

Irby had the honor of sponsoring Mississippi Economic Council’s (MEC) Capital Day, which took place on Thursday, January 4 at the Jackson Marriott.

Over 1,000 business and community leaders from across Mississippi joined state officials and legislators for the event. At MEC Capital Day, attendees have an opportunity to meet one-on-one with legislators. Governor Phil Bryant and Lt. Governor Tate Reeves were among the attendees. Discussions took place at the State Capitol and centered around topics of regionalism and workforce development.

“MEC’s Capital Day was a great opportunity for us to network and share ideas on how to increase Irby’s workforce development,” said Amanda Lott, Director of Human Resources and Employee Development.

For more information and MEC Day and to see photos, click here.

Amanda Lott, Irby’s Director of Human Resources and Employee Development has been selected to participate in the 2018 class of Leadership Mississippi.

Leadership Mississippi is the second oldest statewide leadership program. The M.B. Swayze Foundation supports the program, which is highly sought after. Program alumni select participants by way of a competitive application process gives special consideration to community involvement.

Amanda will work together with her fellow class members in a training program that includes group sessions, project experience, and individual study.

Since its inception in 1974, Leadership Mississippi has graduated more than 1,300 alumni active in Mississippi business and politics. Many elected leaders, including a former governor, are graduates and recognize the value of the Leadership Mississippi experience.