Building up our communities is a priority at Crossland and for our employees. We’re dedicated to being partners, serving, and creating lasting relationships by giving back to the communities we live, work, and play. Recently, our team took part in two meaningful Crossland Cares initiatives: spending a day with local preschoolers at the Virginia Crossland Early Childhood Center and participating in a career day at Columbus High School.

Starting Young: Inspiring Future Builders at the Daycare

Construction sites can be mesmerizing, especially if you’re a 3-to-5-year-old who gets to see trucks rolling by all day long. So, when the wife of one of our employees, who works at at the Center, asked if we’d be interested in bringing some construction-themed activities to the kiddos, we jumped at the chance!

Fifteen curious young minds joined us for a morning of tower-building, color activity sheets, and “framing” a building using popsicle sticks. The activities were designed to be age-appropriate and engaging, allowing each child to explore the basics of construction while having tons of fun doing it. Who knows? We may have just met some Crossland Future Builders!

Laying the Foundation for the Next Generation at Columbus High School

Our team also got to stop by Columbus High School connecting with the next wave of students. During the school’s Career Day, we spoke to four different groups ranging from freshmen to seniors. Each student had the opportunity to sign up for career talks they were interested in, and we had the privilege of hosting 30-40 young people curious about the world of construction. We discussed the diverse career paths in our field, what a day on the job looks like, and the skills that are most in demand. We hope we sparked some interest and provided insight into the many opportunities available in construction.

Our marketing team also participated in the day, giving an inside look at what it takes to market a billion-dollar construction company.

Both experiences were reminders of the importance of connecting with our communities—from the youngest dreamers to the teens starting to think about their futures. Through these initiatives, Crossland Cares is laying the groundwork for a brighter future, one meaningful connection at a time.

Salvation Army Adopt an Angel Program:

As we proudly mark our 6^th year participating in the Salvation Army’s Adopt an Angel Program, we continue to hold this initiative close to our hearts. This program ensures that underprivileged individuals in our communities experience the warmth and joy of the holiday season. In this year alone, Crossland employees wholeheartedly adopted over 70 angels. This heartwarming endeavor reflects our dedication to bringing smiles to faces during special times of the year.

Christmas Elf Program with Liberty Utilities:

In collaboration with Liberty Utilities for the Christmas Elf Program, Crossland embraced the spirit of giving by sharing joy with those in need. This year, we proudly adopted 42 out of 109 senior citizens through this initiative. This collective endeavor embodies the impact local partnerships can have in making a difference within our communities.

Earth Day Cleanup with the Marketing Team:

For Earth Day, our Marketing Team rolled up their sleeves and got down and dirty to clean up yards around our home office. This cool initiative helped brighten a neighbor’s day and was a great team comradery activity.  

Tulsa Heart Walk:

Crossland’s Tulsa team took strides towards healthier communities by participating in the Tulsa Heart Walk. Crossland’s own Matthew Gleeson, was this year’s Tulsa Heart Walk Chair, led the charge in raising awareness about heart health while contributing to a charitable cause.

OZCX Event Supporting Arkansas Children’s Hospital:

Demonstrating our commitment to children’s health, Crossland sponsored the OZCX event, with proceeds benefiting the Arkansas Children’s Hospital. This partnership aimed to make a positive impact on the lives of young patients and their families.

Teacher Appreciation Week:

In recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week, Crossland delivered 35 teacher baskets to 25 different school districts. This gesture expressed our gratitude for the hard work and dedication of educators in shaping the future of our communities.

STEM Activities Donation to Rural School Districts:

Through the Pitsco/Crossland Partnership, we donated $2500 worth of STEM activities to four rural school districts in the 4-state area. This initiative aimed to enhance educational opportunities and inspire young minds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Volunteering for Make-A-Wish Foundation:

Crossland Construction Company (CCC) and Crossland Heavy Contractors (CHC) joined forces in volunteering for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, taking donations to fulfill the wishes of children facing critical illnesses.

Founders Tree Lighting Ceremony:

Our commitment to community celebrations was evident as we donated our time and manpower to the Founders Tree Lighting Ceremony, creating a festive atmosphere for all to enjoy.

Crossland is humbled and proud to support various initiatives, programs, and foundations throughout our communities. A few other ones included The Great Root Movement, a community supporting women through child loss and domestic abuse, Dan Bikes Kansas, a 790-mile bike ride promoting higher education for Pittsburg State University, and Touch a Truck at Northeast Oklahoma Elementary Career Day in Owasso.

As we reflect on a year filled with meaningful contributions, Crossland remains committed to community care. Through collaboration, compassion, and active participation, we strive to make a lasting impact on the lives of those around us. Looking ahead, we are excited to continue these initiatives and explore new opportunities to support and uplift our communities.

Whether through sponsorships, the unwavering community support of our dedicated employees, or the unmistakable presence of facilities we’ve lovingly crafted. This profound realization was truly humbling. It’s an honor to give back and be a part of a community that has also supported our growth over the past two decades. 

The Art of Restoration: The Format Festival

Last weekend, the Format Festival took center stage in NWA, and Crossland was right in the mix. This event saw the transformation of the old Quonset Hut at the Momentary, a contemporary arts venue, into a restored hub of creativity. Crossland’s renovation work earlier in the year set the stage for an unforgettable celebration of arts and culture. 

A Community Celebration: World Champion Squirrel Cookoff

Organized by Crossland Superintendent Joe Wilson, the World Champion Squirrel Cookoff drew over 6,000 people to the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center. This unique event is not just about culinary prowess but also about bringing the community together for a day of fun, food, and festivity.  

Building Community Infrastructure: Bikes Blues and BBQ

Bikes Blues and BBQ, a cherished NWA tradition, was in full swing. Crossland Construction constructed the Pig Trail Harley Davidson shop, a must-stop for motorcycle enthusiasts. Additionally, Crossland Heavy Contractors built the road and utility work improvements in downtown Rogers, where the event took place.  

Shaping the Skyline: LPGA Tour NWA Championship

The LPGA Tour NWA Championship graced the region’s annual calendar. As crowds and our employees attended the event, they could take pride in knowing that Crossland contributed significantly to the Pinnacle area’s skyline, serving as a backdrop for the championship. 

A Proud Community Member

Crossland takes great pride in being an active and dedicated member of the NWA community. We are honored to have thrived alongside NWA’s growth and recognize the significance of reciprocating that support. Our company and employees sincerely value the opportunity to contribute to the region’s development and achievements. However, our commitment transcends our construction projects; we wholeheartedly embrace our role as an integral part of the community’s vibrant spirit.

Pittsburg, KS – Pitsco Education, a leading hands-on education company for 50 years this year, was sold recently to the Crossland Family, ensuring that Pitsco will maintain its roots in Pittsburg, Kansas, according to a press release sent out Wednesday morning.

Founder and CEO Dr. Harvey Dean said in the release his decision to sell Pitsco hinged on the new owners’ commitment to grow the company around its long-standing mission to lead education that positively affects learners from its campus in southeast Kansas.

As a testament to that fact, Ivan Crossland Jr., CEO of Crossland Construction of Columbus, Kansas, said in the release he will keep Pitsco running as is with no changes to personnel, internal structure, or product development.

“Pitsco Education, LLC, will continue to develop and market K-12 STEM, robotics, coding, and drone solutions and curriculum across the US and the world,” Crossland said in the release.

Dean said he didn’t imagine when starting Pitsco that it would grow as it has during the past half century. What started as a small business in 1971 creating hands-on learning kits — most famously their C02 car kits — in Dean’s garage, has grown into a company with international reach creating new and exciting ways for kids to learn about STEM topics.

According to the release, more than 280 million students have used Pitsco products, and hundreds of employees have contributed to Pitsco’s educational offerings that are designed to reach and teach all students, regardless of their preferred learning styles.

“Our focus has always been on students and teachers, helping them to experience relevance in education through the kits, equipment, and materials we provide. The Crossland family will continue to take that same approach and lead Pitsco into the next 50 years,” Dean said in the release. “We appreciate our employees’ tireless efforts and will miss drawing from their strength and determination to offer the best STEM education materials anywhere.”

According to the release, Dean consulted with Crossland 17 years ago when the construction company was starting what has become an award-winning construction education program. Crossland said in the release that his experience with Dean spurred his interest in acquiring Pitsco.

“Crossland constructs the school buildings where Pitsco Education products and tools assist educators in providing effective and creative learning experiences,” Crossland said. “We have great respect for what the Dean family has built. The Pitsco leadership team and 100-plus employees have formed an innovative international education company poised to bring education to life for students over the next 50 years.”

According to the release, the sale was completed on June 30. Pitsco will continue to be directed by President Lisa Paterni, who has served in that role for more than 13 years. Paterni oversees the Pitsco Way Leadership Team that handles the company’s day-to-day operations.

Columbus, KS

Crossland Academy was formed around two critical missions: offering trade-specific training and certifications to Crossland employees and introducing students early on to opportunities within the construction industry. Both tasks would be crucial in creating an industry pipeline of qualified tradespeople.

Today, the Crossland Academy is a nationally accredited, award-winning education and training program. We provide a wide range of professional development courses and skills training to employees who are new to Crossland or the construction industry.

Educating our Youth 

It’s common for well-paying jobs to sit empty while high school graduates attend college. There are pros and cons to both paths, and either course can lead to a successful career in construction. Our goal was to introduce students to the construction industry and let them know they have options. To achieve this, many Crossland leaders serve on education advisory boards in their communities, and our employees are active in their local schools. 

Since the conception of Crossland Academy, we have conducted over 200 field trips, 1,000 career fairs, and sponsored 500+ high school and post-secondary trade programs. These crucial initiatives give students a two- to three-year jumpstart and help our communities build a stable industry workforce.

Crossland Apprenticeship Program

Some people don’t thrive in a classroom environment. Instead, they learn better through hands-on experiences. The Crossland Apprenticeship Program empowers people to learn the construction industry through on-the-job mentoring. The program is NCCER recognized and offers apprenticeships for carpentry, steel, and equipment operators. We pair apprentices with a Crossland mentor who provides guidance, one-on-one training, and support throughout the program. 

Like many other students, college was not the right path for Shae Reynolds. When weighing his options, Shae decided to jumpstart his career right out of high school and enter the Crossland Academy. He is now 20 and already working on a job site, with benefits, while also receiving on-the-job training in carpentry.

“If I go to college, I can end up working four years down the road, or I can start fresh out of high school and get a jumpstart on my career now.” – Shae Reynolds, Carpentry Apprentice

Stories like Shae’s are the reward for our investment in these programs. He and others like him receive the opportunity to learn while being paid to do it. “I love seeing people come straight out of high school, run through this program, gain knowledge and experience, become a mentor, and then go on to leadership roles as a Project Superintendent,” said Mark Robinson, Crossland Mentor.

Crossland Internship Program

In addition to offering an apprenticeship program, Crossland was also one of the first construction companies to embrace paid internships for students who extend their education through college. To date, we’ve provided work experience, training, transportation, and housing to over 1,000 college interns, and awarded over $1M in tuition assistance to returning interns. We currently average around 150 interns per year from more than 15 regional colleges and universities and go onto hire an average of 35 interns yearly after graduation.

Tomorrow’s Leaders

Innovation has always been at our core – if there isn’t a way, we’ll make one. Having a strategic focus on education leads to long-term success for our employees and communities. We believe that creating this pipeline for the construction community is worth the investment. It’s a collaborative effort that results in valuable knowledge transfer from current construction leaders to tomorrow’s workforce.

1) Drink plenty of water 

2) Wear protective clothing 

3) Plan strenuous work on cooler days, if possible. If this is not possible, make sure there is plenty of help to give everyone a break. 

4) Create some shade to work in and rest in 

5) Let new workers get acclimatized to the heat 

6) Know your sign – your body will tell you if you are low on water or getting too hot

• Headache
• Nausea
• Muscle cramps
• Cool moist skin with goosebumps when in heat
• Heavy sweating
• Faintness
• Dizziness
• Fatigue

Always remember: drink plenty of water, do not overexert yourself, take frequent short breaks. Go Safe everyone and take care of one another.