PROVIDENCE, R.I., Jan. 16, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With a companywide focus on promoting and strengthening the role of diversity both within Gilbane and the construction industry, Gilbane will kick off its annual Diversity Week on January 16, 2012. This year's theme, People. Power. Potential. Empowering All of Us Through Teamwork, Diversity and Inclusion, encourages employees to share their unique skills and experiences to foster teamwork.
"Diversity is an important part of our strategic focus," notes William J. Gilbane, Jr., president and chief operating officer. "During Diversity Week, we have fun together celebrating the strength that comes from our different abilities, cultures and personalities. However, our commitment to diversity is a part of how we do business every day, year-round. Through our 'Gilbane Cares' philosophy, we work together to create an inclusive work culture, environment, and business model that leverages the capabilities of our diverse employee population and supplier community, delivering greater value for our employees, clients and the communities in which we work."
Employees in office locations around the world will be commemorating Diversity Week in various ways, ranging from community service efforts such as food drives, group volunteer efforts at local shelters, and fundraisers to fun "getting-to-know-you" exercises including Lunch with an Unfamiliar Friend, employee success stories, and trivia contests. Derek Sanderson, motivational speaker and former Bruins hockey star, is scheduled to speak at the company's world headquarters in Providence, RI.
Gilbane recently convened its first-ever National Partners Council Forum at its Providence office. The Forum, the first of its kind in the construction management industry, brought together presidents and chief executives from more than 15 minority and women-owned firms from around the U.S., along with 10 members of Gilbane's senior executive team. This extraordinary group of industry leaders discussed strategies to support the growth of minority firms to pursue, perform, and deliver client-focused opportunities.
Note to editors: High-resolution images from the recent Gilbane National Partners Council Forum are available upon request for editorial use.
About Gilbane, Inc.
Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services – from sustainable building to the latest in construction technology – for clients across various markets. Founded in 1873 and still a privately held, family-run company, Gilbane has more than 60 office locations around the world. For more information, visit www.gilbaneco.com.