Masonry Magazine February 2004 Page. 16
Contractor
MCAA member contractors respond to the industry issues of the day.
Everett T. Greenstreet Jr. - Senate Masonry, Inc.
Senate Masonry, Inc.
Bethesda, Md.
Looking over the Senate Masonry timeline available on their web site, it's almost like walking through the last century of masonry in Anywhere, America. Pictures through the decades from 1917 to present sport images of Temple Greenstreet who started as a bricklayer in 1900-with trowel in hand, Everett Greenstreet Sr. at a MCAA function in the '50s, Everett Jr. at a dedication, and the fourth generation, Everett III and Shane, carrying on the tradition. We had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Everett Greenstreet Jr. about this journey through the years and the lessons they've learned together.
Masonry: The Greenstreet family, through four generations, has over 100 years in the masonry industry. Do you think that having those years of family involvement has made your company stronger than others?
Greenstreet: I think the fact that four generations of our family have been involved in the industry gives us a wealth of knowledge, to which a first- or second-generation company may not have access. When a conflict arises, it is not uncommon that we draw solutions from how our father or grandfather handled a similar situation.
Masonry: Senate Masonry has evolved quite a bit over the generations, first opening as TB Greenstreet & Sons in 1917, Congress Masonry in the '50s, and Senate Masonry in 1979. What do you think has been the key to your company's growth and success over the years?
Greenstreet: I think the key to our success stems from the relationships we have with our customers, vendors and employees. Our company is a family business and we like to consider the people we employ and clients we serve as part of our extended family. Senate Masonry has remained a small business because we do not want to sacrifice the personal attention we give to each client. As organizations grow larger, too often the personal touch of the business is lost in the bureaucracy.
Masonry: Quality work and on-time performance are often the goals that mason contractors strive to achieve. Senate takes this a step further by also listing "principle-centered values and ethics" as one of its goal. What values and ethics are you striving to achieve and how have these qualities helped your organization?
Greenstreet: Honesty, accountability and excellence are goals we are striving to achieve. When customers and suppliers know you are accountable and honest in your business, they enjoy working with you. Excellence is something we put forth each day. Quite simply, we try to be the best we can be. I think all of these goals have helped us grow closer as a company and pulled us through the ups and downs of the economy.
Masonry: For the Hecht's Warehouse project which was featured on the front page of the Washington Times Metro section Senate Masonry repaired and installed glass block for the art deco crown that adorns the top of the warehouse, and installed and braced the glazed brick bands on the building. What unique obstacles did this magnificent project present?
Greenstreet: This project was unique in one aspect in that I had worked on it when I was 19 years old, when my father received a contract to repair parts of the warehouse in the 1960's. Three generations of Greenstreets have left their mark on this building, with my son Shane being the third. One of the challenges we faced was the layout of the radius. Drawing back from the good old days, we stretched out piano wire and our bricklayers followed it around.
www.masoncontractors.org