ChastainSkillman | DCCM Partners with Local Institutions and Sets Standard for Building A Strong Culture
World Engineering Day- March 4- is a special day meant to highlight hard-working engineering firms like ChastainSkillman | DCCM. The work they do is invaluable, shaping the future of engineering and contributing to the sustainability of the community for decades to come.
About ChastainSkillman | DCCM
ChastainSkillman | DCCM initially served the phosphate industry, then added surveying, land development and public works engineering to help develop Polk County. It was purchased by DCCM in 2024. Pam Rodriguez is Senior Marketing Coordinator.
From Pam Rodriguez:
QUESTION 1: Could you highlight any particular partnerships with local institutions? Share how these collaborations contribute to advancing engineering practices, finding qualified talent or fostering innovative workforce solutions?
ChastainSkillman | DCCM is actively engaged with several academic institutions locally and nationally.
Jim Chastain is Principal and Senior Consultant of ChastainSkillman | DCCM. He has been a member of the University of South Florida Civil/Environmental Advisory Board for 12-15 years. In this role, he has contributed to the department’s accreditation review and provided industry perspectives on student outcomes. The Advisory Board reviews the department’s performance. It interviews students regarding their senior projects, and offers valuable insights from an industry standpoint. He also has served on the Advisory Board of the USF/College of Public Health for approximately 20 years with similar duties.
Jim Chastain has also served on several Florida Polytechnic University’s Technical Advisory Committees for various research projects. These committees provide external reviews of Florida Poly’s research initiatives, ensuring they align with industry standards and expectations.
Other ChastainSkillman Partnerships
Beyond these contributions, ChastainSkillman | DCCM’s surveying department regularly partners with the University of Florida’s IFAS Geomatics Program in Plant City. Through networking events, the department collaborates with the program to enhance educational and professional opportunities for students. Jeff Ammermann is our Regional Survey Director in Florida and a former graduate of the program. Ammermann maintains frequent communication with faculty and staff at the university to facilitate these events.
Some team members have been actively engaged with the ASCE Ridge Branch for several years. They have served on its leadership team, holding positions ranging from secretary to president. Also, they have coordinated educational, networking and community outreach/volunteer events. They share and participate in volunteer opportunities related to Science and Engineering in Polk County.
These partnerships and engagements not only help advance engineering practices but also play a crucial role in identifying and nurturing qualified talent. By engaging with academic institutions and professional organizations, ChastainSkillman | DCCM fosters innovative workforce solutions that benefit both the industry and the community.
Building Culture
QUESTION 2: Building a strong corporate culture is key to attracting and retaining top talent in engineering. What initiatives or strategies is your company using to foster a positive work environment? How do these efforts support your long-term growth?
We believe that a positive work environment is the cornerstone of attracting and retaining top talent in the engineering field. Our President/CEO, Jay Chastain, often reminds us that “Appreciation is Appreciated.” This philosophy is embedded in our corporate culture and drives our initiatives to foster a supportive and engaging workplace.
One of our key strategies is to show appreciation through both peer-to-peer in-person recognition and our internal online recognition program. This program allows team members across all our offices to give kudos to one another, celebrating achievements and contributions in real-time. This not only boosts morale but also strengthens the sense of community and collaboration within our organization.
These efforts also contribute to our long-term growth. By investing in our employees’ happiness and development, we cultivate a dedicated and inspired team that propels our engineering achievements.
