Nippon Steel (Shelbyville, IN)

We are thrilled to announce that Mike Shanks, Director of Health, Safety & Environmental at Force Construction, has been honored with the Indiana Constructors, Inc. (ICI) Paragon of Safety Award. This prestigious recognition celebrates a safety professional who exemplifies excellence and serves as a model for others—a true "paragon" in the industry. With an incredible 38-year career at Force Construction, Mike has been a leader, innovator, and tireless advocate for safety. For over 20 years, he has been an integral part of the Indiana Constructors, Inc. (ICI) safety program, contributing his expertise and vision to advance safety standards across the industry. Since the inception of the safety partnership between the Indiana Department of Labor, Indiana OSHA, Indiana Constructors, and the AGC of Indiana, Mike and Force Construction have been inaugural participants, driving collaboration and innovation to create safer worksites statewide. Mike’s peers, who nominated him for this award, recognize the profound influence he has had not only on our company but on the construction safety community at large. His leadership and dedication have set a high standard, inspiring others and shaping the collective efforts of safety professionals across Indiana. We are deeply grateful for Mike’s exceptional contributions, which have made a lasting impact on our industry and our team. This well-deserved award highlights his passion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to protecting workers and elevating safety in construction. Thank you, Mike, for being the embodiment of excellence in safety and for inspiring us all to aim higher every day. Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!

At Force Construction, fostering a culture of inclusion and equal opportunity is central to who we are. Our commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and non-discrimination is woven into every aspect of our business, ensuring that we create an environment where all individuals, regardless of background, have the chance to succeed. Through initiatives like our Opportunity+ Committee and Opportunity+ Week, we are continually working to strengthen this commitment and expand opportunities for our employees and partners. The Opportunity+ Committee, established over 25 years ago, serves as a driving force behind our efforts to uphold EEO standards and promote a diverse, inclusive workforce. It is tasked with ensuring that our policies and practices align with our values, and that we are actively creating pathways for minorities, women, and disadvantaged groups to grow within the construction industry. From quarterly meetings to ongoing program evaluations, the Committee ensures that our dedication to equal opportunity is more than just a statement—it's an ongoing practice. One of the key outcomes of the Committee's work is the annual Opportunity+ Week, which we’ve been celebrating since 2015. This week-long event is designed to raise awareness of EEO principles and highlight the ways in which diversity strengthens our workforce and contributes to better outcomes for our clients. During this week, we host discussions and activities across all job sites and offices, reinforcing our commitment to fair treatment, respect, and opportunity for all employees. It’s an event we look forward to each year, as it reminds us of the responsibility we have to uphold these values in everything we do. How We Measure Success To ensure we are meeting our EEO goals, we use several methods to track and measure progress. These include monitoring our percentage of minority and female hires, participating in the INDOT OJT program to support the training and development of disadvantaged individuals, and utilizing programs like E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. Additionally, we promote the use of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), and other diverse suppliers, ensuring that inclusion extends beyond our workforce and into our business partnerships. We believe that by building a diverse and inclusive workforce, we are not only doing the right thing, but we are also strengthening our ability to deliver exceptional results for our clients. A diverse team brings new perspectives, fresh ideas, and innovative solutions—qualities that are critical to the success of any project. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to these principles, and we invite our clients, partners, and the broader community to join us in this journey. At Force Construction, equality and inclusion are not just policies—they are pillars of how we build a better future.