Sundt is committed to hiring a diverse workforce and we are continually looking for chances to employ the industry’s best people and introduce others to exciting opportunities in construction. We are proud to feature a series on our blog that provides insights into accomplishments made by our company’s veterans, women and minorities while highlighting successful careers and opportunities. We’re proud of our diverse culture and thankful for each employee-owner’s contributions. Please follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter as we celebrate the things that make Sundt an employer of choice where people thrive in a culture of diversity.
Randy Nordquist is a Startup Manager in the Mining Division and a US Army veteran who was injured in combat in Vietnam. After serving in the military and attending college, Randy worked as an electrician in Arizona and started taking electrical license exams to improve his knowledge. He and his family moved to North Platte, Nebraska, where he took journeyman and electrical contractor license exams. He has a master license and journeyman licenses in several states and has been with Sundt for 20 years.
What made you decide to join the military?
My sense of duty. I’ve always believed that if I was going to live in this country I needed to pay my dues. I understood that raising my hand and swearing allegiance meant that I was giving the country a blank check and they could cash that check up to and including my life.
How does your service help you in your everyday activities at work?
In combat, the choices I made could have cost me or one of my team members a terrible tragedy or life-changing event. Although the stakes aren’t as high in everyday activities at Sundt, my teammates are still expecting me to do my part to make Sundt Construction successful for years to come.
What do veterans bring to the job that makes them such valuable employee-owners?
We bring a commitment to duty, honor and country as well as our desire to adapt and successfully overcome the day-to-day opportunities. Our can-do attitude makes us complete the required tasks ahead.
Why is it important for companies like Sundt to hire veterans?
It’s a very easy thing to do, once you’ve served your country and come home, to be put aside and forgotten. Combat veterans have proven their ethics and desire to get the job done. It’s hard today to find men and woman who believe in an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay. We don’t expect any special treatment, just a chance to prove how important and productive we can be. Vets are generally more mature, can work independently, manage personnel and can work as part of or lead a team.
How did you decide Sundt was a good workplace for you?
The integrity of the management staff and in their decisions that ultimately affect me and my family’s future. It’s of utmost importance that we continue to understand that our employees are our most important asset. As with the military, it’s not the organization, but the people from top to bottom working together that keep us strong and profitable for years to come.