On January 30^th, the entire Sanford Contractors team came together for Leadership Summit 2026. This year’s theme, Focusing on the Fundamentals, was inspired by a simple but powerful lesson often shared by legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden: before anything else, get the basics right. As Sanford Contractors continues to grow and deliver increasingly complex work, the Summit served as a reminder that consistent success is built by doing ordinary things the right way, every day.

Throughout the day, team members stepped away from their day-to-day responsibilities to connect in person and reflect on the principles that guide our work. Planning and preparation, clear communication, accountability, and living out our values remain foundational to delivering safe, consistent, high-quality work and Building with Trust.

Teams participated in interactive table discussions centered on getting back to basics. Live polling encouraged honest conversation around our non-negotiables, what doing work the right way truly means at Sanford Contractors, and why partners continue to choose us. Across divisions, shared priorities emerged, including safety, integrity, accountability, quality, professionalism, and pride in workmanship. The discussions also reinforced the importance of maintaining focus in areas where consistent execution makes the greatest impact, including clear communication, planning and follow-through, and jobsite organization.

Building on the table discussions, division-wide breakout sessions gave teams the opportunity to translate shared values into action. Each division focused on what “back to basics” looks like in their specific work and identified practical steps to strengthen execution moving forward. Teams left with clear direction to carry these fundamentals back to their jobsites and daily responsibilities. After reconvening from the breakout sessions, company leadership offered reflections on 2025 and shared their goals for 2026.

The Summit also provided time to recognize and celebrate our people. Team members celebrating years of service milestones, ranging from one year to more than 40 years, were honored for their dedication and commitment. Safety remained a central focus, highlighted by the introduction of Sanford Contractors’ new safety training video.

One of the most meaningful moments of the day was the presentation of the Brent Sloan Safety Award to Ricky Womack. This award recognizes an individual who consistently demonstrates leadership, accountability, and a strong commitment to safety. Congratulations are also extended to Brent Sloan Safety Award finalists Jason Manning, David Marlowe, Felipe Vitela, and Guillermo Solorzano for modeling exceptional safety commitment each day.

Leadership Summit 2026 concluded with the Second Annual SCI Equipment Rodeo, where teams from across the company came together in friendly competition. The Rodeo highlighted skill, preparation, teamwork, and pride in our work. Congratulations to the winning team, The Groundbreakers from the Site Division: Richard Hendricks, Ryan Garner, and DJ Bryant.

As we move through 2026, Sanford Contractors team members will continue to focus on the fundamentals that matter most, strengthening our culture, our work, and the relationships that drive our success.