CAREER STORY
“Helping promote the growth and
careers of our younger generation
coming up in the industry – that’s
without a doubt the most rewarding
aspect of my job.”
– Jay Boyd
• Pile Hammers - new / refurbished
• Custom Leads - all tubular, pinned style, boom point, fair
leads, fixed / swinging, onshore / offshore
• Accessories - drive caps, cushion material, air line oilers,
air hose, replacement parts
• Sales and rentals of pile driving equipment
• Repair and service of pile driving equipment
Phone: 706-398-1178
Fax: 706-398-1188
www.vulcanhammer.com
Bergerson Construction, Inc.
Marine & Heavy Civil Construction
55 Portway • Astoria, OR 97103
(503) 325-7130 • CCB# 63328
www.bergerson-const.com
According to Boyd, the industry is
experiencing shortages, in part due to
losing a lot of its workforce over the last
several years. But also, fewer young people
are entering the industry, which explains
why Boyd gets so much satisfaction from
one of his job responsibilities.
“Helping promote the growth and
careers of our younger generation coming
up in the industry – that’s without a doubt
the most rewarding aspect of my job,”
said Boyd.
Besides his administrative duties, Boyd
spends time visiting job sites where he
gives each project team support related to
the safe delivery, cost tracking, scheduling
and contract management of every project.
Paying it forward
Boyd has seen numerous industry
changes throughout his career. And he’s
anticipating even more.
“One of the biggest changes has
been the approach to safety,” said Boyd.
“The industry must continue charging
ahead and not accept anything less than
sending our employees home safely every
single day.”
Boyd’s concern over safety is reasonable
given how the engineering continues
to increase the size of piles and the
foundations, which, in turn, requires much
larger hammers and equipment to handle
the installation.
“One thing I am most proud of is our
outstanding safety record,” said Boyd, “We
recently achieved over 4 million manhours
without a lost-time injury.”
For the newcomers entering the
pile driving industry, Boyd had a
simple message.
“Take pride in what we produce,”
said Boyd. “Very few individuals really
understand how complicated our work can
be. And we are literally building America.”
Boyd is also a former PDCA committee
chair and board member. He says serving
on the board of directors gave him the
ability to give a little back to an industry
that has been so great to him and his
family. He also credits Balfour Beatty for
many of those glad tidings.
“I have been lucky enough to have
worked for a company and supervisors
who give you all the opportunities you
could ever want to advance your career,”
said Boyd. “I want to help the next
generation of pile drivers the way others
have helped me.” t
68 | ISSUE 6 2020 www.piledrivers.org
/www.vulcanhammer.com
/www.bergerson-const.com
