Vancouver-based civil engineering firm MacKay and Sposito was founded with the mission of serving its communities, and its employees play a large part in carrying out that mission, said Business Development Manager and Associate Lisa Hunter Schauer.
In about the last year, six employees were appointed to leadership positions in several civic organizations, on top of the handful of employees who were already active civic leaders.
Engineer Ryan Jeynes was appointed to the Evergreen Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors, Landscape Architecture Manager Bryan Cole joined the Affordable Community Environments Board of Directors and Chief Operating Officer Eric Holmes was appointed to the Clark County Parks Foundation Board of Directors.
In addition, Planning Manager Christy Osborn joined the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District Foundation Board, Planner Lisa Garbett was appointed to the Portland-Metro Habitat for Humanity Land Acquisition Committee and Hunter Schauer joined the Children’s Center Board of Directors.
“Philanthropy becomes part of our career planning, our community involvement strategy and our sponsorships,” Hunter Schauer said. “It’s one of those cornerstones that needs to be involved in everything we do.”
The firm was founded in 1974, and commitment to serving the community has been key to the company’s mission since the beginning, she said.
In the last year, MacKay and Sposito has donated about $55,000 in professional services to the renovation of the Jemptegaard Middle School soccer fields in Washougal and a site plan modification for Grace Ministries in Vancouver.
And other employees are involved with Swift, Engineers Without Borders, the Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital Foundation Board, Leadership Clark County and various local chambers of commerce and committees.
Employee involvement in the community has benefited the company by boosting morale and creating a common goal, as well as aiding its recruiting efforts, Hunter Schauer said.
With last year’s recruitment push, philanthropy played a big, big part in the conversation about MacKay & Sposito, she said.
“There were a lot of young grads, and they’re looking for that community and corporate responsibility along with an emphasis on sustainability and being good stewards of the environment, which is all part of our mission,” she said.
But there are only 24 hours in a day, and with heavy community involvement comes challenges.
“There’s an impact to our ability to bill time if time is being spent and given away to nonprofits,” Hunter Schauer said. “There are so many looking for support that we have to really look for those who fit with our mission.”
But Hunter Schauer said she believes private companies have a responsibility to support nonprofits.
Cole joined the 16-member Affordable Community Environments board just more than a year ago. The organization works to provide accessible, affordable housing in innovative living environments for Southwest Washington residents.
“In so many cases, we get caught up with work and family, and it’s important to find outlets that can give back as well as finding something you’re excited and passionate about,” he said.
The board has served as a way for Cole to meet a broad group of professionals, he said, and he has since joined the organization’s recruitment committee.
“ACE’s mission is so important because a lot of people fall into that low-income bracket – a lot more than people remember,” Cole said. “Beginning school teachers, restaurant and hotel workers, some police officers and firefighters, they’re all living paycheck to paycheck.”
Hunter Schauer said employee satisfaction is high when philanthropy is a company-wide focus – and it makes good business sense.
“Those people you work with on boards are the people you want as clients,” she said.
Jeynes was appointed to the 12-member Evergreen Habitat for Humanity board in November.
“Life is a little bit about perspective,” he said. “Mine’s a little bit better than some peoples’ and worse than others. It’s about giving back, and if I can help somebody have a better life, why not?”
Jeynes is particularly interested in helping children.
“There’s something about helping out kids,” he said. “By doing some of the Habitat work, we’re giving them a better home. And with all of the statistics out there, having a good home environment can make or break a child.”
Jeynes said his appointment hasn’t impacted him much professionally outside of networking opportunities, but the personal satisfaction has been high.
“When the families were chosen, it hit home – what I have and don’t have – compared to them,” he said. “Being able to help out gives this weird sense of reward, but you don’t have to be called out for it. It’s a feeling inside.
“I can’t find the word for it, but you just feel good about it.”
