Inclusive Culture
GHA: Inclusive Culture
At GHA, our inclusive culture is the foundation of who we are. It represents our commitment to fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. By combining our core values and initiatives, we aim to create an environment where individuals can thrive both personally and professionally.
WHAT DEFINES OUR CULTURE
Our culture is built on collaboration, mutual respect, and a shared vision for success. We believe in creating a workplace where people feel empowered to bring their authentic selves to work every day.
Through initiatives like team-building events, employee-led committees, and professional development programs, we encourage growth and connection at every level. Events such as the GHA Summer Picnic, Pancake Breakfast, and annual Wiffle Ball Tournament are just a few ways we celebrate our team and create lasting bonds. By fostering an environment that encourages open communication, innovation, and support, we aim to build a community where every individual feels a sense of belonging.
“Our employee handbook has been rewritten to incorporate more inclusive language that represents our current culture and creates a welcoming environment for new hires. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where every individual feels respected and included.”
-Anika Moore, MAIO, Chief People Officer
HOW WE FOSTER AN INCLUSIVE CULTURE
- Hosting diverse and inclusive events to celebrate our team’s unique perspectives and experiences.
- Offering mentorship programs, leadership workshops, and development resources to help employees achieve their goals.
- Supporting Employee Resource Groups like the Women’s ERG to build community and amplify voices.
- Engaging with local communities through outreach programs, volunteer efforts, and charitable initiatives.
- Prioritizing open communication, mutual respect, and transparency to create an environment of trust and support.
WOMEN’S EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUP (WERG)
The Women’s ERG is a vital part of GHA’s inclusive culture, focused on empowering women-identifying employees through networking, mentorship, and educational initiatives. This group creates a platform where women can share experiences, support one another, and foster leadership skills.
The ERG hosts events and workshops that promote professional development and personal growth, while also advocating for equitable opportunities across the company. By amplifying voices and providing meaningful resources, the Women’s ERG is helping to cultivate a workplace where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
GIVING BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY
At GHA, our commitment to inclusion extends beyond our workplace and into the communities we serve. Through philanthropic initiatives and volunteer efforts, we aim to make a positive impact and contribute to the well-being of those around us.
Each year, our team participates in programs like Toys for Tots, Adopt-A-Highway programs in Lake County and Kansas, and contributes to organizations like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Northern Illinois Food Bank. We also prioritize educational outreach by partnering with schools and organizations to inspire the next generation of engineers and leaders. Whether through career day programs, mentorship programs, or career fair participation, we aim to build a more diverse and inclusive future for our industry.
By actively engaging with our communities, we ensure that the values of inclusion and equity are reflected in all aspects of our work—not just within our walls.
“We strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone’s voices are heard and valued,” says Wadee Rafati, a key member of the ICC committee. “We are dedicated to driving meaningful change and building a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity.”
-Wadee Rafati, Civil Engineer
Scholarships and
Educational Guidance
From the beginning, GHA has considered it an honor to assist young people in moving forward with their educational goals by proving opportunities to ease the financial burden.
GHA Supports Students’ Future Success – City Colleges of Chicago Black Equity and Excellence Scholarships
GHA proudly supports the City Colleges of Chicago Foundation Black Equity and Excellence Scholarship Fund. GHA donated scholarship opportunities to STEM-focused, African American candidates in the technical and engineering field. https://foundation.ccc.edu/impact/
GHA Supports Students’ Future Success – College of Lake County Foundation Scholarships
GHA proudly supports the College of Lake County Foundation and has donated scholarship opportunities for engineering and CAD drafting students. https://www.clcillinois.edu/get-started/financial-aid/types-of-financial-aid/scholarships/clc-scholarships
What Makes Us GHA?
Our History
Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc. (GHA) is a Professional Engineering and Land Surveying firm that has provided civil engineering, surveying, transportation planning, water resources, and construction management services for more than 40 years. Founded in 1981 by Dave Gewalt and Bob Hamilton, GHA has grown to serve municipalities, schools, park districts, and private organizations with an expanded range of services, including GIS, traffic data collection, public works operations, landscape architecture, and environmental consulting. This multidisciplinary approach allows us to develop integrated solutions that enhance efficiency, manage costs, and reduce risk, delivering projects with expertise and foresight.
Today, GHA continues to serve as a trusted partner for communities and organizations, offering expertise across a broad range of services to help bring projects from concept to reality.
Our Mission Statement
Dedicated to personalized partnership, we deliver innovation solutions that positively impact people's lives and communities.
Our Vision - Now and Into the Future
GHA will be the premiere consultant partner in the Midwest, providing high-quality services and designs for our clients and community.
GHA will be forward looking, working toward a common vision that includes diversity and inclusion, a feeling of belonging, and built upon strong internal and external relationships.
GHA will be a world-class place to build a career, focused on staff development and training at all levels, creating challenging and rewarding opportunities for all staff.
GHA will build and maintain a strong culture, one built upon trust and growth, and our core values of Ownership, Integrity, Passion, Initiative, and Accountability.
Our Core Values:
Ownership
At GHA, ownership means taking personal responsibility for the firm’s success, aligning our goals and outcomes with a shared vision. This value inspires a culture where every team member feels invested and proud of the work we do together. We demonstrate ownership by approaching our work with urgency, focus, and a commitment to quality in every project we deliver.
Integrity
Integrity is at the core of everything we do at GHA. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Our DEI committee, which was established in 2020, cultivates partnerships to advance DEI within our firm and our community. Our DEI initiative is enriched through our long-standing partnership with Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep. By collaborating on their “Corporate Work Study Program,” we’ve been providing educational opportunities and career pathways for youth since 2004.
Passion
At GHA, our passion for community involvement is a vital part of our identity. We deeply value our role in positively impacting the places we inhabit and work. This commitment to making a difference is evident in our active engagement with environmental conservation efforts. Our longstanding partnerships, such as that with Friends of the Chicago River, enable us to participate directly in initiatives aimed at creating cleaner and more sustainable waterways for the enjoyment of future generations.
Initiative
Recognizing opportunities and anticipating challenges is central to how we work. Initiative means taking independent action to solve problems and improve outcomes. Empowered by ownership in the company, our team embraces creative thinking and actively seeks out better ways to deliver results. From identifying potential issues early to implementing innovative ideas, initiative drives meaningful progress in everything we do.
Accountability
Accountability means holding ourselves and each other to the highest standards. It’s about clear communication, honest feedback, and owning our actions—both successes and setbacks. This approach builds trust and dependability across our teams, fostering an environment where growth and collaboration thrive. It’s the foundation that supports everything we do. Whether setting clear goals, addressing challenges directly, or learning from mistakes, accountability ensures we’re always moving forward together.
ESOP Advisory Council
ESOP ADVISORY COUNCIL
The GHA Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Advisory Council is not just a committee, but a pivotal component in shaping a robust culture of ownership, engagement, and professional advancement among GHA’s employee-owners. Acting as a key element within GHA’s ownership structure, the council plays an essential role in both sustaining and evolving a shared vision for the future trajectory of the company.
COUNCIL COMPOSITION
Our council is made up of ten diverse representatives, each hailing from a different division within GHA. This structure ensures a broad spectrum of voices are heard, reflecting the company’s unified commitment to its employee-owners.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Liaison to Leadership: The council ensures the interests and perspectives of GHA’s employee-owners are effectively communicated to the Board of Directors.
Onboarding: The council works diligently to integrate new members swiftly, ensuring effective and efficient operations moving forward.
Conference Participation: Council members are expected to attend at least one ESOP Association conference during their term, ensuring a continuous influx of fresh perspectives and best practices.
Educational Programs: Continuously updating and providing ESOP-specific educational materials for new and existing employee-owners.
Event Coordination: Creating and managing a comprehensive annual calendar of events that align with GHA’s core values and ESOP objectives.
OBJECTIVES AND GOALS
Initially established with a focus on communication, culture, and employee engagement, the council has continually evolved its objectives to adapt to GHA’s changing needs.
Core Values and Mission: In alignment with GHA’s foundational beliefs and commitments, the council focuses on transparent communication, comprehensive education, and the coordination of special events.
Adaptive Strategies: Recognizing the dynamic nature of GHA’s operational landscape, the council is committed to evolving its strategies to meet changing organizational needs.
Ownership Mentality: One of the council’s primary objectives is to foster an ownership mindset among employees, aiming for active participation and long-term commitment.
Ongoing Communication: Improving communication and engagement throughout our offices.
FUTURE VISION
The ESOP Advisory Council plays a critical role in enhancing the integrity of GHA’s ownership model by faithfully representing the diverse interests of all employee-owners. This representation serves as a fundamental aspect of the council’s role, granting it the authority to voice the interests of each division within the company. The council’s goals for GHA’s future extend beyond short-term achievements but include a shared long-term vision. This vision is geared toward a workspace where new ideas are valued, and originality is encouraged.
Through these efforts, the council seeks to go beyond its function as a liaison between employee-owners and the leadership of GHA, aiming to be a proactive force in advancing the company’s journey toward innovation and shared success.
Employee Owned
GHA is an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Company
In 2018, GHA transitioned to an ESOP organization. This signifies that every member of GHA’s staff possesses an owner’s stake in enhancing our services and the value they deliver to our clients. Beyond the financial benefits for all GHA Co-Owners, we deeply believe in the contributions each one of us can make through our experience, insight, and dedication. This belief drives a variety of employee opportunities, always anchored in the understanding that we, the Co-Owners, possess a distinctive voice that demands recognition.
WHAT IS AN ESOP?
At Gewalt Hamilton Associates, our team members are more than just employees; they are vested stakeholders in the company through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). An ESOP is a specialized retirement plan that operates through a trust, a distinct legal entity that acquires, holds, and manages company stock for the benefit of its participants. This unique structure allows GHA co-owners to receive company shares as a portion of their compensation, providing them with a vested interest in the company.
HOW DOES AN ESOP WORK?
Much like a 401(k) plan, an ESOP provides a framework for long-term retirement savings. However, there are key differences. In our ESOP, employees are not required to contribute financially to acquire company shares. Instead, Gewalt Hamilton Associates takes on the responsibility of making all contributions. This reflects our dedication to investing in the people who make our success possible.
The value of each ESOP account is directly linked to the stock price of Gewalt Hamilton Associates, rather than external market securities. This ensures that as the company continues to grow and thrive, so does the financial well-being of our team members. To maintain transparency and integrity, the value of our company stock is assessed annually by an independent third-party appraiser. Any increase in the stock value is then equitably redistributed to the ESOP beneficiaries—our valued owners-employees.
By implementing an ESOP, our goal is to nurture a culture where excellence and innovation are the norm, as every team member has a direct stake in the company’s overall performance and success.
BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN AN ESOP
Participating in an ESOP offers numerous advantages that go beyond traditional retirement plans:
Alignment of Interests: With a stake in the company, team members are naturally motivated to contribute to its success, thereby creating a cohesive and focused work environment.
Financial Security: The ESOP provides an additional layer of financial stability for retirement, supplementing other retirement savings plans you may have.
Tax Benefits: ESOPs come with certain tax advantages, both for the company and for the employee beneficiaries, making it a financially prudent choice for long-term planning.
Shared Success: As the company grows, the value of the ESOP shares also increases, allowing co-owners to directly benefit from the company’s success.
ESOP ADVISORY COUNCIL
The GHA Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Advisory Council is not just a committee, but a pivotal component in shaping a robust culture of ownership, engagement, and professional advancement among GHA’s employee-owners. Acting as a key element within GHA’s ownership structure, the council plays an essential role in both sustaining and evolving a shared vision for the future trajectory of the company.
At GHA, each division is represented on the council, ensuring an approach where every opportunity is explored and every concern is addressed. We take pride in our inclusive culture, and as a testament to this, all GHA Co-Owners are invited to serve on the ESOP Advisory Council for a term. Those who have taken up this opportunity unanimously agree that it offers a unique platform to actively shape GHA’s future.
Our culture at GHA is deeply rooted in a shared journey toward the future, with each of us as Co-Owners playing a pivotal role. Throughout the year, we have numerous celebrations that underscore this collective spirit. The Annual Stock Reveal is a moment we all eagerly await each year. The dedicated members of the ESOP Advisory Council pour their energy into making this event memorable, ensuring not just insightful discussions but also great food and team-building fun.
COMPANY CULTURE
The ESOP model inherently encourages a culture of collective responsibility and mutual respect. Team members are not just employees but co-owners who have a vested interest in the quality of work and solutions we provide to our clients. This sense of ownership creates a work environment where integrity and excellence are not just expected but are a natural outcome of our company culture.
By integrating an ESOP into our benefits package, Gewalt Hamilton Associates aims to create a workplace where everyone’s contributions are recognized and rewarded, and where each team member benefits directly from our collective success.
Our People
Our People: Education, Experience, Proven Results.
It takes something special to be a GHA leader. That something is found in abundance throughout our leadership. With a collective belief that guiding clients’ projects to their best conclusions is a privilege, they help drive the entire GHA team towards consistently delivering at the high level our clients have come to trust.
Donald Matthews, P.E., CFM
BOARD MEMBER – VICE PRESIDENT
PRINCIPAL/ MARKET LEAD – HEALTHCARE
Julie Shiflett
BOARD MEMBER – INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR
Rinku Patel, PharmD, RPh
BOARD MEMBER – INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR
Community Involvement
Community Involvement: Creating a Positive Impact
Members of the GHA team serve as Board Members or Trustees for various local government agencies. We actively promote leadership within our team, encouraging them to contribute to the communities where we operate. Each year, our employees dedicate numerous hours to community service, exemplifying our commitment to civic responsibility and engagement.
Introduce a Girl to Engineering
GHA has supported and hosted ‘Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day’ events to local students. We hope to inspire girls’ future, so they learn they have a place in engineering. Students participated at GHA’s corporate headquarters in engineering-related activities, shared their knowledge, and were introduced to engineering mentors! For more information, visit discovere.org
Adopt-a-Highway Events
Twice a year, GHA team members and their families unite for our Adopt-A-Highway initiative, enhancing the cleanliness and safety of our local highways. We proudly partner with Lake County Division of Transportation and Kansas Department of Transportation. These efforts reflect our commitment to improving our local environments. Visit LakeCountyIL.gov or ksdot.gov for more.
Friends of the Chicago River
The GHA team collaborates with the Friends of the Chicago River at North Park in Lincolnshire. Our team members participate in preserving our rivers and deepening our connection with the natural environment. Our efforts aim to ensure this remarkable natural resource stays clean for future generations and the diverse wildlife that inhabits it. For more information, visit ChicagoRiver.org.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
GHA hosts an annual Grilling for St. Jude’s event. Our team members unite to grill a selection of delightful dishes, all with the purpose of supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This esteemed institution is pivotal in combating childhood diseases, and our ongoing efforts resonate with its mission. We take pride in contributing to such a significant cause. For more on the transformative work of St. Jude’s, visit stjude.org
Cancer Wellness Center Annual Walk
GHA consistently supports the Cancer Wellness Center’s Stepping up to Wellness Run/Walk. This event epitomizes our dedication to promoting health and wellness in the community. Our team actively participates, championing the cause and raising awareness for cancer wellness. Through our involvement, we aim to amplify the message of resilience, hope, and collective strength. For more information visit cancerwellness.org
Northern Illinois Food Bank
GHA proudly partners with the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Our dedicated team volunteers to pack and sort food, aiding families across Northern Illinois. This collaboration reflects our dedication to community engagement and our resolve to address food insecurity. We remain focused on contributing to meaningful community initiatives. For more information about the NIFB, visit their site: solvehungertoday.org