Fourth Annual Cotter Stand Down

We gathered for our fourth annual Cotter Safety Stand Down, a moment of reflection, connection, and unwavering commitment to safety.

This tradition honors Brian Cotter, a respected craftsman and cousin to our Senior Superintendent, Tom Thies, who tragically lost his life in a construction-related incident in 2021. Though it didn’t happen on one of our sites, his story fuels our dedication to ensuring every person goes home safely.

As Tom led Friday’s stand-downs, he shared the meaning behind the cotter pin:

“I want the cotter pin to resonate with everyone—for me, it’s about improving my life and the lives of those around me. To make myself and those people safe.”

From jobsites across Chicago, crews paused to reflect and take part, each receiving a cotter pin hard hat sticker, a daily reminder of our shared responsibility and connection.