Newsletter:  November 2006 a To Our Customers & Friends, As many of you already know, the time has come for Jim Kempers to take on a new adventure called retirement. Here at LeDuc and Dexter are excited for Jim and for the opportunity we have available for the next Residential Department Manager.  In our search for a qualified replacement we are asking for your help in sharing this opportunity with those you know. The candidate may be someone that comes from a different trade background or the plumbing industry. If you know someone that you feel has potential and the qualifications for such a position please tell him or her about our company and the job opportunity we have available. They can contact Dede Singleton in our HR Department @ (707) 575-1500 or by e-mail Dede@ldplumb.com if they have questions regarding this position. As always we thank you for your continued support and look forward to working with you in the future. Sincerely,       Tom LeDuc, President Art Dexter, Vice President     The models are open at Cobblestone Homes' Riverview Parkland subdivision in Petaluma. "It's attention to detail. You can't rely on 'rule of thumb'. You also have to have a good understanding of how things are put together in the construction process." – Steve Willis, LeDuc & Dexter Commercial Estimator, on what it takes to be a good estimator. "What I like best about my job is dealing with the employees," says DeDe Singleton, Human Resource Manager for LeDuc & Dexter, Inc.

Cobblestone Opens Riverview Models in Petaluma

Residential

Three models that represent the floor plans for The Parklands in Cobblestone Homes' Riverview community in Petaluma. (click image to enlarge)

Petaluma has a new community. Riverview, which is being built by Cobblestone Homes, has just opened their models of The Parklands, which is phase one of this luxury home community. Riverview is located off Petaluma Boulevard South with the entrance to The Parklands on McNear Avenue. Phase two, The Uplands, will have Rovina Lane as its entrance off Petaluma Boulevard South.

View from Mission Drive off McNear Avenue of construction on The Parklands, below, and The Uplands, above, at Riverview. (click image to enlarge)

Riverview will consist of 59 homes when it is entirely completed. Cobblestone Homes is in the process of laying out the foundations for phase one of the project that has 21 homes. The three model homes, which are now open to the public, represent the three floor plans for phase one. A total of 10 floor plans will be offered when the entire project is completed. The three models range in size from approximately 2,850 to 3,350 square feet.

LeDuc & Dexter is the plumbing contractor for the project and they are starting the trenching to install the under slab plumbing for the first group of foundations in phase one of Riverview. Andy Powers, Cobblestone Purchasing Agent, acknowledged his company's "long standing relationship with LeDuc & Dexter." The homes are single family two-story structures with options for lofts, guest suites, den and extra bedrooms. The homes have two and a half, three and a half and four and a half bathrooms as they increase in size. Phase one has Kohler plumbing products along with Delta faucets. Phase two, which is planned to start in December, has Kohler fixtures in the plans.

Steve Willis – Estimator

Commercial

Steve Willis is an estimator for the commercial department at LeDuc & Dexter, Inc. Previous to coming to LeDuc & Dexter he was an estimating manager for Custodis–Ecodyne, a cooling tower manufacturer. He spent six years with the company, three years as a purchasing agent. Willis has additional construction industry experience having worked for Cal-Wood Door Company in Rohnert Park and their international parent company, Timberland, where he worked in regional customer service. He also owned and ran a residential remodeling company.

Steve Willis, LeDuc & Dexter Commercial Estimator

Steve Willis at work on a project in his office at LeDuc & Dexter. (click image to enlarge)

"I've always liked the business side of the construction industry," says Willis, who gained degrees in business and economics at Sonoma State University before returning to SSU for his MBA. "I wasn't your typical student because I was always working during the day and going to school at night," says Willis.

When asked what it takes to be a good estimator Willis had this to say, "It's attention to detail. You can't rely on 'rule of thumb'. You also have to have a good understanding of how things are put together in the construction process." Willis works closely with Bill Zeeb, LeDuc & Dexter Commercial Manager. One of Willis' goals is to work with a well-respected company, "That's how I see LeDuc & Dexter", says Willis, "Because when you put your heart and soul into your work, at the end of the day you want it to mean something."

DeDe Singleton – Human Resource Manager

The Company

DeDe Singleton, LeDuc & Dexter Human Resource Manager, at the company picnic she organized this summer.

"What I like best about my job is dealing with the employees," says DeDe Singleton, Human Resource Manager for LeDuc & Dexter, Inc. DeDe has been with LeDuc & Dexter for 8 years and originally worked in accounting as well as human resources. Now she heads the HR department and also describes her biggest challenge as "dealing with the employees." As LeDuc & Dexter has grown in size to 80 employees at times, DeDe has a lot on her plate. She oversees employee benefits including health insurance and 401K plans and helps employees with necessary changes when they request them. DeDe is also involved in hiring employees, placing employment ads and working with employment agencies. She initially interviews prospective employees for the different company departments and confers with the department managers before they make their final employment decisions. DeDe also meets with employees when they have issues or concerns they wish to discuss with her about their benefits or other job related subjects. Currently, DeDe is working on projects like rewriting job descriptions for the employees in each department and creating a different vacation package for employees. "This is a brand new department," says DeDe, "there are a lot of things I want to do and it will just take some time to put things together."