ARGO News - Issue 1

VOL. 1
JULY 2018

The latest ARGO News, Views, and Announcements

The ARGO Vision: Maryland Associated General Contractors of America

The Ultimate Provider Safety Excellence Award
of Innovative
ARGO was awarded the Maryland Associated General Contractors(AGC) 2017 Safety
Construction Solutions. Excellence Award, in recognition of our extraordinary 2017 Safety Performance in achieving
zero lost time and a combined incident rate 65% below the Bureau of Labor Statistics
The ARGO Mission: average rate for its industry sector.

To Enhance and Protect Maryland AGC is a trade association whose members include general contractors,
Our Customers construction managers, specialty contractors, and service and supplier companies supporting
Mission Through Maryland’s commercial construction industry.  Since 1927, Maryland AGC has brought a
strong, influential, voice to the industry. They are one of 95 chartered chapters affiliated with
Innovative Solutions. AGC of America, representing over 26,500 members nationwide. This affiliation affords
Maryland AGC members an even stronger industry voice and broad access to services,
ARGO Core Values: resources, and activities available on a national level.

Safety - TARGET ZERO At ARGO Systems, safety is our most important deliverable. It has been a long-standing
Ethics Leading to Trust corporate policy of the ARGO team to develop and implement industry leading safety plans.
Our plans and procedures are comprehensive and thorough, in order to protect our
Drive Innovation employees, subcontractors, visitors and the general public on our construction sites and in
Embrace Challenges our offices. ARGO is dedicated to supporting the mission of our clients while providing our
extensive knowledge to deliver successful and consistent results. We are committed to the
Foster Leadership safety of our workforce and team in all aspects of our operation.

Josh Rigdon - ARGO Director of Corporate Safety - Applied for and accepted the award on
behalf of ARGO in June 2018. Josh has been an integral part of improving and sustaining the
ARGO Safety Mission. Congratulations to the entire ARGO Team! 

If you have any questions or
suggestions for content please

contact:

Emily DeSack 
Marketing Manager 
[email protected]
Desk: (443) 270-6814 

Josh Rigdon - Director of Corporate Safety - Pictured Middle

Welcome Steve Lamar to the ARGO Team

Please join us in welcoming Steve Lamar who joined the ARGO team as
President, May 16th 2018. Steve will be responsible for building and
sustaining the continually successfully relationships that have become
the cornerstone of the ARGO business model. He will work closely with 
Jeff Johnson, Mark Powell and the ARGO Board of Directors. Steve’s
knowledge and experience will help to accelerate the ARGO brand
onto the forefront of the Construction and Engineering Services
industry.

Get to know Steve:

"I believe to be successful, you need to Who is your greatest role model and why?
be able to stand on the shoulders of I Draw inspiration from many different people and experiences that
genius" - Steve Lamar have had direct impact on my life. All of these people are fighters and
have the unwillingness to allow obstacles to deter them from their
dreams. The most important influence being my Father.  He was a man
of few words but when he spoke, it was profound and you listened
closely to every word.  My father always gave of himself and that is a
lesson I carry with me throughout my life, and I aim to instill in my
children.

The second would be my Grandfathers brother. He was a soldier in the
Korean war and used the GI bill to start Spencer Electric, a multi-
million-dollar company. He was a tremendous self-starter and created a
fortune for himself when there were little opportunities otherwise.

Along with family members, I draw inspiration from people throughout my community. One of which is
Robert F. Smith. Mr. Smith is regarded as one of the richest African Americans in the United States. He is
the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners. Vista currently manages equity capital
commitments of over $31 billion and oversees a portfolio of over 50 software companies that employ over
55,000 people worldwide.  Reginald Louis is another major influence in my life. Mr. Louis, a Baltimore
native, was one of the richest African American men during the 1980s and the first African American to
build a billion-dollar company – Beatrice Foods. 

Where would you like to see ARGO go in the next 5 years?

I would like to see ARGO have a strong position in more than 3 markets and be performing successfully in
as many of the 50 states as possible, along with the ability to weather any recession that may come in the
economy.

One question I always ask myself is, “Why can’t ARGO be a billion-dollar company?" To reach this goal we,
as a company, need to be sustainably positioned for the future. We need to be able to withstand and
adapt to the constant change in the industry and spearhead innovation to move us forward into the
future of Construction.  

What is one important skill every person should have?

Belief in themselves - If you believe in yourself you can conquer whatever obstacle is before you. If you
project confidence, it will allow you to gain the knowledge that you need to be successful.

How will your past positions help you be successful at ARGO?
I have held various positions throughout my working career, each one offering me different insights and
experiences and each one teaching me a different lesson. I have experienced and managed organizations
at all levels, from my first job as an art salesman to developing proposals, developing and executing the
mission of a billion-dollar company.  I have worked diligently to develop a successful network of peers
and colleagues that allows me to be successful in many different areas. I believe to be successful, you
need to be able to stand on the shoulders of genius, to learn as much as you can from the people around
you and to be open to those lessons.

“You cannot be held accountable for another person’s craziness - When you see crazy you cross the street.”

“No matter what decision you make during the course of the day, make sure it allows you to get a good night’s sleep.”

ARGO Off-Site Strategy Meeting

On June 6th and 7th 2018, members of the ARGO team gathered at The United States Naval Academy -
Navy - Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for the 2018 ARGO Off-Site Strategy Meeting. 
During the meeting key corporate strategies were discussed between employees and leadership.
Activities were facilitated to  foster discussion, communication and interaction surrounding topics
relating to each division of ARGO.  The outcome of these successful discussions will help propel ARGO
into the next generation of Construction and Engineering and accelerate the growth of the company. 
The entire leadership team is looking forward to continued growth and success utilizing the skills and
knowledge of each and everyone of our employees.

Featured (L-R) Brad Stevens, Rickey Haskett, Phil Caplan, David Johnson, Sue Mules, Susan Harris, Alison Hines, Cindy Turnage, Chris Johnson, Jeff Johnson, Mike Zaleski, Mark
Powell, Dean Parker, Mike Jarvis, Rick Lemieux, Bob Soller, Kerry O'Shanick, Kyle Schuler, Rick China, Scott McGregor, Bill Robey, Brett Wolter, Steve Lamar, Chuck Kuzma,
Emily DeSack, Rich Karabin, Kit Vllhonrat

Ringing The Bell!

ARGO has incorporated the tradition of "Ringing the Bell" to
acknowledged the award of a large project or accomplishment. The
bell is located in the Lobby of the Hanover office and will be rung with
every Big Win! 

The bell ringing tradition was introduced at the United States Naval
Academy and was started to celebrate the Naval Academy victories
over Army in athletic events. 

Once a victory over Army in football is accomplished, the Midshipmen
ring the ENTERPRISE Bell the number of points Navy scored during
the game, every hour on the hour until the Sunday following the
game.  

In addition to the Navy Football Tradition, the Semi-Annual Bell
Ringing Ceremony takes place to recognize the Varsity Sports that
have defeated Army during the semester. A representative from each
team rings the bell along with the Superintendent, Commandant of
Midshipmen and the Athletic Director. 

BGE Projects | Rick Haskett, Mark Powell  
Wilkens to Westport
Steel Side Substation Demolition 
Finishing Mill Substation Demolition 
Stepney 33-1 Faild Transformer Replacement 
 
Electrical Projects | Rick China 
NRL - Chiller Replacements Building 210C & 210D
MD State Police Barracks – Underground Tank Replacement
BG&E Spring Garden Guardhouse
Concord Street Substation Fire Protection System
BG&E – Westport to Wilkens – 115KV Cable Project
Pepco Metering
Plantation Lakes Clubhouse

Shaina Wedington - Billing Specialist NAVFAC Projects | Chuck Kuzma
from the Maryland Office, rang the MUSE 2 900kW Generator Tier 4 Retrofit
bell in recognition of her Short Circuit Coordination Study | Djibouti 
instrumental role in collecting over MUSE 250KVA Substation Overhaul  
$200,000 in outstanding billing Procure and Install UPSs at NCTAMS DET |  Souda Bay, Crete Greece 
during the month of June. Replace Switchgear and Generator Control System |  Wahiawa,  Hawaii 
Procure and Install 160 kVA Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) | San Diego 

Employee Announcements

Welcome to ARGO!

John Shupe - Electrician Jose " Joe" De Hitta - QC Manager BGE
Jesse Williams - Superintendent Jean Pierre Portugal - Electrical Apprentice 
Aaron James - Electrician Jaqueline Hudson - Contracts Manager 
Jay Johnson - Superintendent Nan Kham - Project Engineer 
Pamela Moses - Marketing Coordinator Julian Butler - Electrical Apprentice 
Michael Charney - Eastern Shore Branch Manager Mark Regis - Sr. Project Manager 
Jonathan Holman - Electrical Foreman Michael Crotty - Superintendent
John Cutler - Electrical Intern Guillermo Pineda - Carpenter 
Sam Stewart - Electrical Foreman Duane Harper - Laborer  
Josephine Tierney - Finance Director Douglas Phillips - Sr. Project Manager 
Shawn Nolan - Electrical Foreman Brandon Henley - Electrician 
Christopher Okonkwo - QC Manager Payton Behe - Electrical Apprentice 
Ronald Stribling - Superintendent Richard Spinner - Superintendent 
Kenneth Jones - Service Mechanic
Christian Smith - Electrical Apprentice

ARGO  SUBMIT YOUR HIGH RESOLUTION
PHOTO PHOTOS OF AN ARGO PROJECT OR
CONTEST ARGO EMPLOYEES

HIGHLIGHTING THE PEOPLE IF YOUR PHOTO IS USED IN OUR
AND PROJECTS THAT MAKE MARKETING MATERIAL OR ON THE
ARGO GREAT!  ARGO WEBSITE YOU HAVE THE
CHANCE TO WIN A GIFT CARD!  

SUBMIT ALL PHOTOS TO EMILY DESACK:
[email protected]

PLEASE BE SURE TO SUBMIT HIGH RESOLUTION
IMAGES ALONG WITH A DESCRIPTION, LOCATION
AND YOUR NAME 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SAME Small Business Conference | October 31st - November 2nd 2018 | New Orleans, LA
ARGO Systems Town Hall Meeting | Friday, August 17th | Details to Follow