Wright-Ryan honors Barto with Tom Frederick Golden Hammer Award

Portland, ME Wright-Ryan, one of the largest and most respected employee-owned construction firms in northern New England, has named Nick Barto, project manager, commercial project management, the “Tom Frederick Golden Hammer Award” winner during the company’s 2024 annual meeting. In addition, the company recognized longstanding team members for their dedication and tenure through Wright-Ryan’s Service Awards.

Sharing its name with the firm’s late vice president, the Tom Frederick Golden Hammer Award nominees are chosen by their co-workers with the winner selected by a committee comprised of previous award winners.

“Nick is constantly raising the bar and setting an excellent example of what it takes to be a great employee-owner, all while representing Wright-Ryan’s core values,” said Erick Aitken, project superintendent, during the award presentation. “I have had the opportunity of watching him develop in his career over the last seven years, and he is truly an all-around great person and teammate with a remarkable work ethic and a positive attitude.”

To be selected, the nominee must exemplify Wright-Ryan’s core values:

• Safe working conditions – always;

• Unrivaled customer service;

• Reliability regardless of the challenges;

• Respectful and fair treatment of all parties; and

• Unsurpassed attention to detail.

“It’s exciting to watch our employees advance in their careers and expand their responsibilities in the company,” said incoming president and current chief operating officer, Alan Sparn. “I have watched Nick expand his management skills and take on more complex assignments. He embodies the collaborative Wright-Ryan culture and exhibits a strong commitment to both his team and to our clients. The sense of respect and commitment Nick demonstrates is why we are proud he is our 2024 Golden Hammer awardee.”

Held each spring, Wright-Ryan’s annual meeting brings together the company’s 100+ employee-owners for an afternoon of presentations that highlight the previous year’s success including projects, financial performance, and company strategy. It is also a time to honor the people of Wright-Ryan through the Service Award and employee event presentations and concluding the event with an all employee photo and opportunity to socialize and connect. This year, the 16 employee-owners recognized for their significant career milestones collectively represent nearly 250 years of tenure at Wright-Ryan.

“Since Wright-Ryan was founded 40 years ago, our commitment to our people has been our highest priority,” said Wright-Ryan’s current president, John Ryan. “As we celebrate our 40^th anniversary this year, I feel especially proud and lucky to be able to call people like today’s winner, Nick Barto, as well as our 40-year Service Award winner, Scott Lewis, my colleagues, and friends. Wright-Ryan has been a relationship-based company from the beginning, and that will continue to endure for generations to come.”

Wright-Ryan’s 2024 Service Award winners include:

5 Years of Service

• Jon Nichols, lead carpenter, field operations management;

• Rothana Chap, integrated PM/superintendent, homes & residential services; and

• Jonathan Sellers, millwork designer/drafter, homes & residential services.

10 Years of Service

• Steve Murphy, superintendent ii, homes & residential services;

• Sean Keay, pre-construction manager/senior estimator, commercial pre-construction;

• Michael Mooney, general manager, field operations division;

• Dave Dumont, warranty & safety supervisor, operations;

• Chris Stevens, foreman, field operations division; and

• Alyssa Parker, VP of project management, commercial project management.

15 Years of Service

Jim Demers, superintendent, homes & residential services; and

Cordelia Pitman, VP of project development, commercial pre-construction.

20 Years of Service:

Marc Bourgeois, VP of commercial select projects group;

• Ryan Knowles, director of IT, information technology; and

• Tom Carey, senior project manager, commercial project management.

40 Years of Service:

• Scott Lewis, senior superintendent, homes & residential services; and

• John Ryan, co-founder & president.

Founded in 1984 by John Ryan and Tom Wright, the firm has since grown to become a 100% employee-owned company of over 100 team members.