At Dickerson & Bowen, A Granite Company, every team member plays a vital role in keeping operations running smoothly, and Jeremy “Bud” Smith exemplifies that dedication every day at the Brookhaven Wash Plant. With a team of 11 under his guidance, Jeremy serves as the plant foreman, overseeing operations, maintenance, and safety with a steady hand and a people-first approach.
Jeremy’s journey with Dickerson & Bowen (D&B) began in 2010 as a welder. After four years honing his skills, he transitioned into the supervisory track and has spent the past 7-8 years leading the Brookhaven plant. His welding background and hands-on approach mean he often tackles maintenance tasks himself, ensuring the plant operates at peak efficiency.
A natural leader, Jeremy is passionate about safety. He has served on the company’s newly formed Safety Steering Team and Continuous Improvement Team #8, helping roll out initiatives on equipment and backing safety across D&B. His dedication doesn’t go unnoticed; every member of his team respects him for both his expertise and his approachability.
Reginald Pillers, who submitted Jeremy for this spotlight, shared, “There’s a lot I can say about him. He looks out for everyone’s safety and doesn’t mind helping during or after work.”
He joked, “He’s like the dad of the team. If someone comes into work facing a challenge, he’ll pull you aside and check on you. Almost every morning he hosts a meeting on safety and groundskeeping, basically ensuring we help one another. Jeremy goes above and beyond to host team cook-outs. He really keeps the team feeling like family.”
Jeremy’s co-workers echo these sentiments. Terrance Stanfield, a member of the Brookhaven team, remarked, “He’s just an unbelievable boss and so easy to get along with.” Director Chuck Plaisance remarked, “Jeremy is a good people person and has such great work ethic. He’s passionate about safety and acts with total respect for everyone around him.”
Reflecting on his career, Jeremy says, “My favorite thing is the team I work with. Everyone at this plant site has been here a while. My favorite part about this job is the people. It’s fun. No one stands around watching others; we all work together if the plant breaks down. We treat people the way we want to be treated. I’ve got the best team.”
Dickerson & Bowen is a wholly owned subsidiary of Granite Construction. Learn more at https://www.graniteconstruction.com/company/our-brands.