The American Heart Association (The Association) is dedicated to creating a world where people live longer, healthier lives – and we’re here to support their mission.

Hard Hats with Heart

In the center of Scenic City (Chattanooga, Tenn.), we recently partnered with our friends at The Association on Hard Hats with Heart. This annual event offers “real talk” about cardiovascular health and provides free resources to educate and protect the people in our construction industry. By promoting healthier lifestyle choices, we’re actively contributing to changes in our community.

Matt Stoddard, Operations Manager at our Chattanooga office, shared a personal testament:

“Seeing people on our team affected by heart disease, and even losing some of them, has been a wake-up call. I’ve made changes for my own health as a result, so I can live a longer, happier life with my family.”

This year, we joined forces with 16 companies and 27 community leaders at the event, making a true difference in health awareness and safety.

One particularly impactful story that underscores the critical need for these programs, is that of Damar Hamlin, a safety for the NFL Buffalo Bills. Hamlin suffered a heart attack during a 2023 game on live TV. His experience has emphasized the importance for Hands Only CPR training – a key focus of The Association for athletes and coaches. Thanks to their advocacy, along with the support of our amazing Chattanooga community, thousands have learned these techniques!

Our Ongoing Commitment to Safety

Building on this foundation, our commitment to safety has become one of our core values. It’s not a priority, because priorities often change. Core values guide our company’s actions and permeate every level of our operations. As our people are our greatest resource, each year we provide:

• 24+ hours of safety training
• Weekly safety meetings to reinforce safe jobsite practices
• Monthly first aid/CPR classes

This dedication means our teams perform their jobs safely while understanding the health impacts associated with their roles. Our people are well-trained to mitigate safety risks effectively, and this training could not come at a better time.

“Cardiovascular disease has become alarmingly prevalent in the construction industry. This event unites Chattanooga’s leaders to tackle this issue head-on, offering free toolbox talks to cultivate healthier workplaces. We’re committed to making a meaningful, heartfelt difference in our community.”

– Mary Pike, Director of Development, American Heart Association

As The Association launches additional life-saving initiatives, our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our community deepens. While we celebrate our progress, we recognize the ongoing challenges. Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, often without knowing it. By supporting efforts that focus on heart health, we continue to strive toward our shared goal of longer, healthier lives. Join us by clicking here and learn how you and your loved ones can stay heart healthy too.