As the year winds down and the holiday season approaches, it gives us a natural moment to pause, breathe, and reflect. In the rush of production schedules, customer deadlines, innovation projects, and the everyday challenges that come with building high-quality precast concrete products, it’s easy to move from one task to the next without stopping to appreciate what—and who—makes it all possible. At EZ-CRETE, gratitude isn’t just a seasonal theme; it’s woven into the culture we’ve worked hard to build.
Taking a moment to slow down reminds us of why we do what we do, who we do it for, and the incredible people who make each day meaningful.
This season, we asked our team to share what they’re grateful for. Their answers, honest and heartfelt, reflect the strong values and tight-knit community that define EZ-CRETE. From family and friendship to professional growth and new adventures, their reflections speak to the depth of character behind the products we create.
Below, hear directly from the people who pour their skill, dedication, and heart into everything we make.
What the EZ-CRETE Team Is Grateful For
Quality Lead, Vinny Cormier
“I am grateful for a 3-day work week this week. I am really looking forward to some time off!”
Production Manager, Lucas Burkhartdt
“I am grateful for my incredible family and friends and the overall positive relationship I have with my EZ-CRETE team.”
Apprentice Precaster, Neil Martin
“I am very grateful for my family—especially my kids and how well they’ve grown up, and the incredible people they’ve all become.”
Production Supervisor & Master Precaster, Kevin Ranta
“I am grateful for my loving and supportive family. I am also grateful for my new snowmobile and can’t wait to go on some fun adventures.”
Custom Production Manager & Purchasing, Amy Kenyon
“I’m grateful for how the team embraced and welcomed me, and for all the hard work and culture change everyone embraced to help make purchasing a smoother process.”
Customer Success, Mikayla Murphy
“I’m grateful for my health and health of my family”
CEO, Oliver Strube
“I’m grateful for the EZ-CRETE team—our team is everything to me. I love how we’re always looking for ways to improve our process and be a leader in the industry. I’m so grateful for our customers and their loyalty—time after time they continue to choose EZ-CRETE. I’m also grateful for all the small acts of kindness I experience from complete strangers as I move through the world.”
Logistics Lead, Kiara Gardner
“I’m grateful for the unwavering love and support of my family and friends—they’re my foundation and my inspiration. I’m also thankful for the joy and sense of adventure I find at Disneyworld, where I’m reminded to laugh, explore, and embrace the magic of life!”
VP of Sales & Business Development, Al Lunn
“I am grateful for the opportunities to work with an awesome team of professionals, distributors, and sales companies to bring really great products to market and help make our customers’ jobs a little easier and less stressful.”
Manufacturers Rep, Northeast, Aston Morris
“I am grateful for my amazing family. I love spending time with them. I’m also grateful to be part of a great team with all of you—everyone has been super helpful and has made this such a good experience.”
Manufacturers Rep, Midwest, Seth Bull
“I’m grateful for a happy, healthy 1-year-old son and such a supportive team at EZ-CRETE.”
Director of Brand Management, Kate Hart
“I’m grateful for my family’s health and wellbeing. I’m also grateful to be part of a leadership team that embraces growth, pushes one another to be better, and evolves together with purpose and intention.”
Structural Engineer, Iris Tosku
“I am truly grateful for the family I come from, because they’ve shaped me into the person I am today. I always say I am independent, but every time I’m really in need, the first people I call are my mom or dad, lol. I’m also thankful for the work environment I’m in. It’s a place where I feel myself growing and learning every single day, and I feel lucky to be surrounded by people who inspire me. Every success feels shared.”
E-Commerce Specialist, Gabriela Ugarte
“I’m grateful for my fiancé—he’s truly the sweetest, kindest, and funniest man I know. I’m grateful for the way life keeps surprising me and giving me the chance to discover new cultures and meet new people. I’m grateful for a job that pushes me outside my comfort zone and for the incredible people I get to work with every day.”
Accountant, Jaho Bilibashi
“I’m grateful for my sister, Daniela, for being an indispensable part of my life—from teaching me core principles to shaping pathways for success, sharing happiness, and supporting me through challenges. I am grateful to God for a beautiful life, good health, and a home to create unforgettable moments in.”
CFO, Scott Meyer
“I am extremely grateful for my loving wife, kids, and their spouses, and I am very grateful to be working for EZ-CRETE—a company with high morals, standards, and ethics.”
Owner & Founder, Brice Raynor
“Personally, I’m grateful for my family’s health and our growing understanding of the world and our place in it. Professionally, I’m thankful to work with people who help fill the many gaps in my knowledge base, and for the continual learning that comes with that.
A Team Worth Celebrating
As we reflect on these messages of appreciation, one thing becomes clear: EZ-CRETE is more than a workplace—it’s a community built on trust, support, growth, and shared purpose. Every product we make, every improvement we pursue, and every customer we serve is a direct result of the dedication and heart of our team.
Our gratitude extends to every person who shows up each day ready to work hard, problem-solve, innovate, and lift each other up. Whether on the production floor, in the office, on the road, or out in the field, our people are EZ-CRETE. Their pride, passion, and resilience are the foundation of our success.
We’re proud of the work we do, but even more proud of the people who make it possible. This season, and all year long, we are deeply grateful to be part of such an incredible team—one that inspires us, challenges us, supports us, and reminds us every day why gratitude matters.
