This year has been a testament to the power of putting people first in everything we do! 2024 brought big ideas to life and delivered meaningful achievements that improve lives, foster connections, and lay the foundation for a better future. I’m deeply humbled by the growth Clayco has achieved and the lasting impact our work has had across the country. With every project, we’re reminded that when we prioritize people, we don’t just build structures—we build stronger communities.
Clayco Growth + Projects
Creativity and collaboration drive our work at Clayco, and we strive to create opportunities for underserved demographics and regions. As leaders in the Art & Science of Building, our team recognizes how we have the chance to support an industry that improves lives by creating spaces that make a difference – and that’s a responsibility we take seriously. We are closing the year with the topping out of several community-focused projects, including the iconic Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park on Chicago’s South Side, 220 N. Ada in the city’s vibrant Fulton Market, and Market at Olive in the St. Louis region in University City. We are also building the future of travel with significant airport expansions and upgrades for Chicago O’Hare and Idaho Falls. These developments are designed to incite progress and foster meaningful connections for years to come!
Nothing is more important to me than the safety of the 30,000+ superstars working on our jobs across North America. Clayco always supports and safeguards our people – whether it’s via programs like our groundbreaking Student Loan Repayment Plan designed to provide supplemental relief to those in our Clayco family with student loans or developing Hard Hats of the Future that are ushering in a new era of construction safety, we never stop trying to make our communities a better place for everyone. Earning the 2024 Safety Excellence Award from CyrusOne, along with our team achieving ONE MILLION HOURS without a recordable injury on our giant Data Center project in Indiana, is another symbol of how Clayco is leading the charge on safety and improving our everyday lives with best-in-class experiences.
Community Commitments
Since founding Clayco, I’ve remained focused on uplifting people and communities by designing spaces where everyone feels welcome, empowered, and safe. This year, I had the chance to travel with Penny Pritzker, Special Representative and Former Commerce Secretary, to Kyiv, Ukraine, alongside Patrick Fragman, CEO of Westinghouse Electric Corporation, and John Heller, CEO of Amentum, where we met with high-level government officials and heard what more we can all do to build our partnership between the United States, NATO countries, and the G7, who are united against Russia's illegal border grab. As leaders, we must do all we can to improve lives and relations within our borders and beyond them.
On the homefront, I have aimed to instill this same drive in others however I can. Libraries were my favorite place in every school, and the opening of the Clark Family Branch in my hometown of St. Louis was an amazing milestone and step forward for education and access. As the largest library branch in the district, it will offer patrons, young and old, the chance to connect and enrich their minds with the adventures and knowledge in the pages of countless books.
Our team incorporates inclusivity into every project and partnership. We inspire the next generation of builders and drive meaningful change through programs like the Construction Career Development Initiative and our Juneteenth Fund that provide resources to people who otherwise may not have access. We also do this through fun and informative events and fundraisers like the Clayco Kid’s Dig, which raises hope and funds for the 239,000+ children who receive treatments at Lurie Children’s Hospital each year. 2024 was also a great year for the advancement of RVCL research, with over $1.3 million raised from the annual Illumination gala to fund Penn Medicine’s RVCL Research Center, led by Jonathan Miner, MD, Ph.D. It is fantastic to witness all we can accomplish when we put our minds and hearts together.
Developing projects like the Siteman Cancer Center and HonorHealth Scottsdale are making the lives of patients, staff, and visitors easier. They are perfect examples of how, when healthcare systems and institutions in the United States collaborate, they can teach and learn from each other about best practices to improve everyone's experiences. Clayco is also heavily invested in improving the quality of lives of students across the country with a multitude of university student housing projects, such as The Dean and The Standard at Columbia.
Sustainability Initiatives:
Our mission never stops with the brick and mortar. We at Clayco are deeply invested in the environments we touch. I’m proud that our 2023 Governance, Social, and Environmental (GSE) Report highlights our unwavering commitment to sustainability and accountable corporate citizenship. I’m also thrilled that Clayco was recognized in the Top 5 data center construction firms in BD+C Network's Top 50 Data Center Construction Firms for 2024, as this showcases our mission-critical team's dedication and expertise as we continue to evolve data infrastructure. The choices we make today shape the legacy we leave for future generations.
Electric vehicle manufacturing is a pivotal step toward pioneering newer, greener frontiers, and we are excited to be a part of various projects across the nation that are making this goal possible. Clayco’s projects with Rivian, AESC, ENTEK, and Group14 are massive investments in sustainable electric battery manufacturing and clean energy solutions. Collaborating with NorSun, a leading independent producer of monocrystalline solar wafers, we are also creating its new 5GW solar wafer manufacturing plant. Clayco supports the expansion of our partner’s operations while strengthening domestic battery supply chains. Developments at the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park, including PsiQuantum setting up a base to build and operate quantum computers in Chicago, will play a key role in ensuring the city’s future as a global hub for Quantum Computing – and Clayco is humbled to have a hand in it.
A Bright Future
There are still SO many extraordinary projects to look forward to, and I cannot wait to see what the next year brings. Let’s continue to stay safe and push the boundaries of what is possible. Our collective efforts drive lasting progress, and we can achieve incredible things when we are united. Wishing everyone a very happy holiday season.
Here’s to another year of building a brighter future TOGETHER!
