Page 84 - 2022 Sustainability Report

EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING

Stressing that ERGs are open to all employees regardless of for new ideas to arise and thrive,” he said. Those
their background, Bennett said each group will determine interested in joining the MVC can do so by reaching out to
its own professional development, networking and vets@martinmarietta.com for more information.
community engagement activities. Bennett emphasized
that a considerable part of these ERGs relies on each Julia Larson, West Division director of transportation and
group’s efforts to decide which resources are relevant to logistics and an executive sponsor of WWB, said she and
people who identify within and are allies of the group. the other WWB members were thrilled to debut their ERG
“You don’t have to be a woman to join WWB. You don’t during Women’s History Month. She said a chief priority of
have to be a veteran to join MVC. But by joining, you’re the ERG will be to make sure members “feel valued and
saying, ‘I care about the challenges and opportunities heard” when it comes to matters affecting them and their
facing the people represented by this ERG,’” she said. work.

Above all, Bennett said Martin Marietta’s ERGs are about “ERGs enhance our ONE culture by nurturing a sense of
being heard, connecting people with similar interests, and belonging for all employees, and ensuring a feeling of
learning about the diverse perspectives of others within the confidence and trust to speak up as well as listen. The
organization. “Each ERG will be a forum for voicing ideas, ideas being generated within the group are exceptional,”
opinions and challenges impacting the workplace and the she said.
Company. If there are opportunities in a given situation
Larson said she is motivated to continue meeting
that upper management may not be aware of, these
colleagues from across the Company to discuss significant
groups will shine a light on that,” she said. “This will
issues and ideas. “Meeting teammates throughout the
impact our population and will help the Company and our
country, assisting with recruiting women, providing
people improve.”
educational opportunities that enhance the knowledge of
Bennett’s statement was clear during the first meeting of our current employees and tackling challenges that are
the MVC in February. At the start of the virtual gathering, unique to women are just a few of the exciting things to
executive sponsors greeted MVC members with an come,” she said.
overview of the group and its first initiative, an effort with
When MERGE kicks off later this year, the ERG will begin
American Corporate Partners (ACP). A nonprofit
providing similar support and development opportunities
organization which is discussed later in this report.
to teammates who value the importance of diverse cultural
Sean Foley, regional vice president-general manager of the backgrounds in the workplace. Derek Gordon, regional
North Texas and Oklahoma District and an executive vice president- general manager for ready mix and an
sponsor of the MVC, said members are already engaged executive sponsor of MERGE, said he and his team are
and eager to participate in opportunities like the ACP excited to discuss, understand and bring forth ideas that
program. “Everyone is universally excited for these could lead to a more inclusive, productive and collaborative
opportunities, with each of us having a special connection Martin Marietta.
with certain projects,” he said. “Some of us are excited to
“Our hope is that MERGE will serve as a mechanism to
get new members involved, some are excited for
foster awareness and understanding about the value of
community partnerships, recruiting events and ACP
our different cultures, demographics and experiences, and
mentoring, and some are passionate about the
that we can then leverage that new perspective in a way
opportunities we will have in later plans like Toys for Tots
that enhances our Company for generations to come,” he
or 5K charity races. There are just so many people who are
said.
ready to jump into getting involved.”
Foley added that the MVC would help continue Martin
Marietta’s journey to world-class excellence, especially
since it is led entirely by employees. “This is a great place

82 2022 SUSTAINABILITY REPORT