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From left: Walton Construction Co. project engineer Kurk Alexander, assistant project manager Steven Stewart, working foreman Brandy Knight and human resources/operations administrative assistant
Crystal Hellbach show off drawings at Andrew H. Wilson Elementary School, which Walton has been renovating for more than a year.
Photo by Frank Aymami
T H R E E - T I M E H O N O R E E
Walton Construction Co.
The bustling theater and in-house library at
Walton Construction’s Harahan office serve
as proof of the company’s commitment to
developing its employees, said office manager
Adele Cantavespri.
It’s in these two facilities where employees
can find the resources to hone skills that will
help them do their jobs better and potentially
lead to promotions with the Kansas City, Mo.-
based company that expanded to the New
Orleans area in 2003.
“This company is very aggressive with
wanting you to learn, to take courses,” said
Cantavespri, who started at Walton as a receptionist
in 2005.
One reason Walton embraces continued
training of its employees is so it can stay ahead
of the curve in an industry that is evolving,
especially technologically, said Donald
Thurlow, senior vice president of operations
and preconstruction services.
“The construction industry has changed and
Walton has changed with it, always for the better,”
Thurlow said. “I like the ability to make
that change happen and be a part of it. I’ve
worked for other companies that didn’t necessarily
give me that opportunity. It was just,
‘This is the way we’ve done it forever.’”
Employees say they find working at Walton
rewarding because of the types of community
projects the company pursues.
Walton is restoring Andrew H. Wilson
Elementary School in Broadmoor, rebuilding 16
barracks at Fort Polk and constructing the 19th
Judicial Courthouse in Baton Rouge. The company
also has built housing in eastern New
Orleans and on the campus of Southern
University at New Orleans.
“There’s never a dull moment with the type
of work we’re doing,” Thurlow said.
Steven Stewart, assistant manager of the
Wilson Elementary project, said he appreciates
knowing that he’s rebuilding a venerable piece
of the city that was devastated by Hurricane
Katrina.
“We got to put this school back together as it
Nature of business: general contractors
Where based locally: Harahan
Employees: 145 locally, 400 companywide
Average starting salary: $52,171
Median salary: $36,286 for labor employees, carpenters and
operators; $68,658 for field employees
Average employment time: four years
Benefits: health care with 90 percent coverage, dental, vision
and prescription plans, 401(k) with up to 9 percent match, continuing
education program, employee recognition program
Wait time for benefits: six weeks
Paid days off: 24-34
Web site: www.waltonbuilt.com
would have looked brand new 100 years ago
when they put it in,” Stewart said.
The school, which is also being expanded, is
slated for completion by January.
The strongest aspect of working for Walton,
Stewart said, is how the company puts its project
managers in a position to succeed.
“They’ll give you all the tools in your toolbox
to allow you to stand out, to give you a certain
amount of autonomy, to make decisions and
move things forward and let you be creative
while working on your job,” he said. “It’s up to
you as an employee to take those tools that
they’ve given you and move forward and make
your job successful and your career path successful.”•
— Ryan Chatelain
50 2009 Best Places to Work