Looking back, Payroll Manager Ronda Dunlap and her team agree their eight-month relocation to the ICG Building wasn’t a hardship. “The ICG building was good. The staff treated us very nicely,” Dunlap said. “Matt Dawson was a big supporter of the payroll team being in his area and he liked having us there. Matt has come over to our new offices and said how much he missed us in the ICG building.”
Still, there’s no place like home. After extensive renovations, MPW’s Corporate Office building has officially reopened, and employees are excited to return to their new and improved workspace. While employees adapted well to their temporary homes in the ICG and Tech Center buildings, they’re happy to settle back into a space that reflects the future of MPW.
“As we welcome everyone back to the newly renovated Corporate Offices, we thank everyone in the ICG and Tech Center buildings for making the Corporate Office employees feel at home during the renovation process,” said President Jared Black, who hopes the revitalized open spaces will inspire Corporate Office employees to further collaborate and innovate between departments and each other.
The Corporate Office building reflected the state of the industry when it opened in 2000. But 24 years later, it was time for the building to change with the times and be as sharp and modern as the as the new Tech Center. “We wanted the Corporate Office to create a sense of pride and enthusiasm in our employees, visitors, and customers,” Monte said.
The goal of the renovation design was to represent MPW as a company on the cutting-edge of equipment and facilities, and a leader in industrial services.
The transformation of the corporate building was no small feat. Originally planned as a phased project starting with the executive floor in mid-February, the renovation evolved into a full-scale overhaul. Employees were relocated across campus to allow contractors uninterrupted access to the entire building. But like any large-scale project, it came with its challenges.
“Supply chain delays, especially with lighting, slowed us down,” said Real Estate Analyst Spencer Barker. “At one point, we had workers ready but no materials. We even switched electrical contractors mid-project to keep things moving.”
Despite obstacles, the result is a beautifully modernized facility. Monte, Jared and Executive Business Manager and Senior Counsel Mike Ponzani worked closely with a designer to blend the aesthetic of the Tech Center with a more conservative touch for the corporate building. The renovations included six additional offices, upgraded meeting rooms with Teams capabilities, and improved breakrooms featuring a fresh market stocked with healthier options.
The success of the renovation is a testament to teamwork. Facilities & Grounds Manager Scott Hiles and his team coordinated furniture placement, infrastructure updates, and countless moves to stay ahead of contractors. “We moved everything three or four times,” Hiles said. “It was like a giant shell game, but we got it done.”
Systems Engineer Anthony Judd and the IT team played a critical role in ensuring the technology matched MPW’s high standards. “From wiring for rising desks to upgrading outdated video conference systems, it was all about doing things the best way,” Judd said. “It’s great to see how everything came together, especially with the new lighting and shared spaces.”
Fabrication Project Manager Brandon Hale, VP Operations Dave Brown, and their teams also stepped up to ensure a seamless transition.
Employees returning to the corporate building have been vocal about their favorite features. The brighter lighting, stand-up desks, and modernized restrooms top the list. The Ohio Room received a major facelift, with a state-of-the-art IT upgrade that eliminates the need for whiteboards. The new design emphasizes openness, with glass-walled offices and collaborative spaces replacing the old cubicle setup.
“It’s a huge upgrade,” Judd said. “The space feels more open and connected. It’s a great investment in MPW’s future.”
“It was an all-hands-on-deck effort,” Barker said. “From moving furniture to cleaning windows, everyone pitched in to get us to the finish line.”