MKJ Holiday 2021

As I do my annual wind-down of 2021, a year unlike any other, that has challenged my staff (and customers, end-users, vendors, and colleagues) in extraordinary ways; requiring the highest levels of collaboration, expediency, patience, grace, and good ol’ out-of-the-box problem-solving – I ask that you join me in a collective sigh of relief and as we close this year. 

All together – inhale 2-3-4 exhale 4-3-2… and repeat.

Because of, or quite frankly, thanks to this challenge-filled year, MKJ was forced to push our own limits – finding unique, smart, and creative solutions to solve problems to get the essential stuff done. As the world shut down our industry and my team showed up, and as the world slowly began to return to work using the vital transit systems of our great city – our great industry and my amazing staff were the brain trust that made that happen. 

HUZZAH! 

MKJ was there for it all – front row bearing witness to the amazing contractors, vendors, end-users weaving and bobbing around delayed materials, and all-important equipment sitting on freight containers for days on end. I will be forever proud of and grateful to those who deemed MKJ Communications essential, and prouder still of what my incredible staff has been able to complete in these 22 months.    

The appreciation I have for my staff, customers, and all who participate in the uber-sexy niche sector of construction in the transportation market is immeasurable. Thank you to all who met us during the sprint and helped us to cross the finish line. We see you, we thank you, and are excited to move forward with and because of you.  

As we close the books on 2021 the words remarkable and incredible float to the top, but above all, grateful. Because while most companies are still slowly finding their way back to the office,  MKJ Communications somehow managed to make our 15th year our most successful yet.

As we prepare for our Sweet 16 year – with an onslaught of new projects, new staff, and an estimating room that is barricaded with plans and specifications from floor to ceiling, we are preparing for what will be an explosion in the transportation market.  We will also be introducing our newest venture, MKJ Projects, to the market (details to follow in January), and are beginning construction on an additional 10,000 square feet of state-of-the-art warehouse and fabrications center to accommodate our growing company.  By the way – we are hiring, so if you know anyone who would be a great fit, please let us know – 2022 truly will be a year of growth!

Finally, as this year comes to a close,  I need to pause and salute the man, who without his help, none of this could have ever been accomplished – the great Joseph Petrucelli. Joe was integral to MKJ’s existence, and I’m delighted to highlight this gentle, sweet man who is our MKJ Rockstar of the month. 
 

IN REMEMBRANCE:
JOSEPH “JOE” PETRUCELLI

My heart was heavy – actually broken, with the news of the passing of our friend and colleague Joseph Petrucelli. Joe came out of retirement to help sow the seeds, shape the mission, and use the skills, relationships, and knowledge he had collected over his long and illustrious career to support MKJ from the start.  

Joe had an impressive resume of engineering and sound engineering and was for the entirety of his career at the cutting edge of new technology. I can go on and on about his knowledge, but anyone reading this who knew him, knows all of his impressive credentials.  

Joe never lost focus of our destination, and bid by bid he helped us light the MKJ spark that has grown into a flame.  We’ve grown over the last 15 years into the company we are today because of his grace and willingness, at the end of his great career, to get back in the game and give us just a little more.

Joe loved this industry and he was a mentor to many – always taking great care to explain and teach what’s he had learned over the years. To Joe, accuracy was credibility and we shared the belief that we were never in pursuit of a job, but rather a long-term relationship with a customer.  Joe loved his interaction with us, but he also loved the strategy, the customers, and the win!

Joe had a kindness that I, no matter how hard I try, cannot find the words for. He was the sort of gentleman that knew your mom’s name, your kids’ favorite candy, and celebrated your birthday.  He had the kind of embrace that you looked forward to – it would always make me think, “I make this person happy.” But as I think on it – it was he who took the time in this crazy, fast-paced life to imprint his happiness on you… on me… on all of us. 

Joe’s birthday is coming up, and it would have been his 93rd – I fervently believe it was not enough time, yet I know that his time with us kept him younger, longer.

The entire team will remember everything he’s done to pave the way for our present and future success. I share pride with those who worked with Joe for years in saying he was incredibly proud of what he helped us create.  We move forward with him ever-present in our minds and we shall continue to use his best practices, knowing that we work in the house that Joe built. 

Joe is our ultimate MKJ Rockstar.

We love you, Joe.

I look forward to what the New Year will bring for all of us.  
Wishing you and yours, health, joy, peace, and L O V E.

X
Jennifer