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NEWSLETTER Issue No. 2:

INSIDE THIS EDITION: A Message from Dr. Williams, Ph. D CAO

January 2023

Happy New Year! Employee Spotlight:

Let’s Get Real About Resolutions: Get on top and stay on top of your resolutions! | pg 6-7 EJES Health: Stepping into better health this year | pg 8 Around the Office: Discover this month’s feauture | pg 10

EJES Gives Back: Holiday Donation Drive | pg 11

Bryan K. Joseph New Orleans, LA Pg 4

Project Highlight:

Meadowbrook Road Jackson, MS Pg 5

Giving Back:

Children’s Medical Center Dallas, TX Pg 11

TABLE OF CONTENTS

“And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.” - Rainer Maria Rilke

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A Message from Dr. Williams, Ph.D. , CAO

04

Employee Spotlight

05

Project Highlight

06-07

Let’s Get Real About Resolutions

08-09

EJES Health: Step Challenge

10

Around the Office

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EJES Gives Back: Holiday Donation Drive 2

A MESSAGE FROM DR. WILLIAMS We want to say to the Family Members of EJES Inc., each year we send out a motivational message: however, we want this one to be different. We call each of you “Family Members” because that’s what you are, that’s what we are, a “Family. We all set a journey into each new year with high hopes and a million dreams. We applaud the dreams that we fulfilled and for the ones that we did not fuilfill, the year 2023 is now here to make it happen. As you know, we talk about responsibilities. Strive to make this year the year that “excellent responsibilities” come to you with awesome opportunities and a wide range of conforts to make your life grand here Dr. Patrick Wiliiams, Ph.D Cheif Administrative Officer

at EJES and in your personal life. We all know that our CEO is always concerned about each of out personal lives with family and friends.

The year 202 has come and gone, but it has taught us lots of lessons, harsh and soft, but most importantly, we stuck together through thick and thin. In order that EJES continue to be successful, we pray that your “work” productivity, as well as your “happiness” reach a scale that is off the chart, and that you conquer all those goals that are on your bucket list. We hope that we can work together towards greatness in the year 2023. We at EJES know that you hva estuck by us as a team and yes, you hav edone it ever so well, but we wish that in the year 2023, you continue on and become stronger and take the whole Engineering and Architecture community by storm! Don’t be disappointed on the oppourtunities lost. We will focus on the new challenges that need your attention. We want to say thanks for facing all the challenges with courage. Your confidence turned them into success. In 2023, we ask that you work with greatwe enthusiasm! We encourage you to work with greater zeal and strength to make the impossible...possible. Our goal at EJES, Inc, is that this New Year be the best for your career with professional success earned through good work. Step up the ladder of success by overcoming the obstacles and challenges you will face in 2023. We will make every effort to make sure this New Year will bring new opportunities for you to grow in your career. To the “Family” here at EJES, let this year be the best for your corporate profile with laurels under your belt. We wish you a happy and prosperous 2023. Warmest Regards,

Patrick C. Williams, Ph. D., PMP, MBA CAO

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Employee Spotlight “Since I can remember, I liked taking stuff apart-” Bryan K. Joseph, an Opelousas, Louisiana native, joined the EJES team in 2022. He is a graduate of Southern University A & M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. With 20 years of professional experience under his belt, his current responsibilities include project management and supervision of various design and construction projects throughout Louisiana. A dedicated Christian, Bryan is also an enthusiats of all things country and even grew up with a Big Block Chevy 396 on a homemade engine dyno situated right in the outdoor kitchen

Bryan K. Joseph Senior Project Manager/ Office Manager New Orleans, LA

of his childhood home. This fueled an intrest for all things automotive and ingnited a keen fascination in racing anything from a GT 3 Porche to a good ol’ tractor pull. He states, “Since I can remember, I liked taking stuff apart, which would get me in trouble when I was little, especially with my older brother.” Luckily, his percieved mischief catapulted him into the fulfilling career that he knew he was destined for. EJES is proud to have Mr. Joseph overseeing operations in New Orleans, LA!

Did you know? Bryan collaborated on the publishing of a paper titled, “Evaluation of Sanitary Sewer System Vulnerability in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana”. The paper was presented at the 2008 Floodplain

Big Block Chevy 396

Management Association Annual Confrence in San Diego, California.

Let’s Celebrate!!

December Birthdays: • Larry Collins • Gregory Korb • Nicholas LaValla • Edwin Jones Jr. January Birthdays: • James Allen • Veasna Yim • Walter Calicut • Morgan Bruce • Valerie • Farzan Ahmad

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12/5 (Houston, TX) 12/11 (Jackson, MS) 12/15 (New Orleans, LA) 12/17 (Dallas, TX) 1/3 (Dallas, TX) 1/17 (Dallas, TX) 1/21 (Houton, TX) 1/24 (Dallas, TX) 1/27 (Dallas, TX) 1/31 (Houston, TX)

Project Highlight Meadowbrook Road Reconstruction Jackson,MS Client: City of Jackson Award Date: November 2021 Project Cost: $3.3 milion EJES, as prime consultant, is providing professional enginnering and design services to the City of Jackson for the Meadowbrook Road Rehabilitation Project from Northview Drive to Old Canton Road. Meadowbrork Road is a main route through Jackson from a residential area on the East end to a businees district on the West end. According to MDOT traffic data, Meadowbrook is traveled by up to 9,700 vehicles a day. Meadowbrook road will be converted from a four-lane road to a two-lane road with a center turn lane. The reconfiguration will also include sidewalks and a biking/walking lane for pedestrians. The project will also include ADA improvements at intersections and improvements to traffic signal controllers.

Hemphill Construction from Florence, MS is the general contractor on this project. Work is expected to be completed in 2023.

Upcoming:

Client: Jefferson Parish, Louisiana Won: January 4th, 2023 South New Orleans Subdivision Waterline Project As prime, EJES will perform design services for the installation of a waterline loop connection between 9th Street and 11th Street in South New Orleans Subdivision.

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Let’s Get Real About Resolutions

The new year feels like a new beginning in which millions of people worldwide decide to set goals in order to effect change in their lives. We refer to the outcomes of these changes as “New Year’s Resolutions”. Of the millons of people who participate in this practice, about 9% of that group report feeling that they have successfuly achieved their resolution. If you’re not in that 9%, don’t fret! Here are some tips to help you stick to your goals in the new year.

BE SPECIFIC

KEEP IT SHORT

We tend to generalize when it comes to setting goals. It’s easy to set broad goals because they sound easier to achieve. In reality, opening up such a large umbrella can cause us to take on too many things or get lost instead of focused. For example, instead of saying you want to “lose weight” try “I want to lose _ pounds”. Narrowing down your goals to something more precise makes the goal feel more attainable and gives you a since of direction.

While there’s nothing wrong with making a long list of things you want to change or improve, lists of these types can quickly become overwhelming. New Year’s resolutions require time and planning. You may find out that you have to revise them a bit. To make it easier, try keeping your list of resolutions short. Fewer resolutions are generally easier to keep. In fact, some people swear by choosing one goal and sticking to it!

ADAPT

PLAN

The thing about New Year’s resolutions is that we have to incorporate them into our day-to-day lives. To make it easier, come up with a realistic plan on how to do just that. Take a moment to sit down and plan how you can make this new resolution a part of your life. Maybe you can get a wall calendar or set reminders in your phone to help you stay on top of things. Make a plan and make your resolution work for you!

New Year’s resolutions are a great idea to incorporate positive change in your life. However, your current obligations still exist and take priority too. Let’s face it- there may be instances in which you won’t always have the time to actively work towards your resolution. Be willing to take a day or two off from working towards your resolutions. Or, do the opposite! Rearrage your daily schedule to be able to work towards your resolution.

FIND SUPPORT

Studies show that having a supportive network can reduce stress and feelings of isolation. These factors, and more, could improve your chances at staying the course to achieve your resolutions. You can phone a friend to have weekly check-ins with, join a social club, or even get connected with an online forum. Finding the right support for your lifestyle and goal can help keep you on track!

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Do you have any New Year’s Resolutions? Brainstorm here! Need ideas on where to start? Consider these catagories! - Career/ Education - Finances - Eating Habits - Fitness - Family - Spirituality - Hobbies

or Ask yourself these questions: How can you increase your productivity in your work or home life? What changes are you looking to implement in your daily routine in 2023?

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EJES Health: Stepping Into Better Health Inactivity is one of the biggest health challenges in the modern age, leading to a host of chronic ailments including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and musculoskeletal prolems. In an effort to improve the overall well being of the avearge working adult, the CDC recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity to 75 minutes of vigorous- intensity physical activity (or an equivalent combination) each week. Together, let’s take a step towards a healthier lifestyle by challenging ourselves to 15,000 steps per week for the next 4 weeks! Record your daily accomplishments in a mobile app fit for you, your personal journal, or in the chart provided below!

Weekly Step Challenge Record Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Steps Steps Steps Steps Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Total:

+

+

8

+

=

Step Challenge Tips, Tricks, and Advice: Take the stairs at work or a longer walking route to your office.

If your office or residence offers a gym, take advantage of the treadmill. You can even use that time to listen to your favorite music, podcast, or news outlet.

Set a reminder on your phone to get your daily steps in.

Out running errands at your local shops? Try parking further from the store’s entrance or going up and down each aisle.

Pace yourself! Spread your 15k steps out over the entire 7 days!

Need support? Talk to those around you who are either doing this challenge or have done one similar. Having someone to talk to can help you feel less alone and can be motivating.

Did you know? EJES’s very own, Dr. Patrick Williams has walked 226 miles four times! His event, “Walking the Walk for Childhood Obesity and Autisum” not only raised funds for his cause upon catching the attention of lawmakers, it also got him an invite to meet former First Lady Michelle Obama.

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Around the Office

Morgan Bruce Civil Designer, Dallas, TX “I am Morgan Bruce, a civil designer at EJES Inc. Something many people don’t know about me is that I am a HUGE bookworm, an aspiring interior designer and one who loves traveling. I spend most of my time outside of work reading and read ,on average, a book a week. Either I have a book in my hands or listen to Audible while driving, cooking, or cleaning. Currently, I am listening to “Foul Lady Fortune” by Chloe Gong, it’s about two spies posing as a married couple in the 1930s. Other than reading, I enjoy doing interior design for fun. I have done a few designs and have been happy with the results. As far as traveling, I’m saving as much as I can for two special projects. They are a work in progress, and I am truly looking forward to going on both adventures.”

Are you intrested in being our next feature? Write to us and share fun sentiments like your favorite thing about working for EJES or a fond memory you’ve had at the office. Or, tell us about your hobbies or intrests outside of the office. We’d like to get to know you! Write to us at: [email protected]

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EJES Gives Back

On Wednesdsay December 21st, EJES donated toys, books, games, and other necessities to Children’s Medical Center Dallas, through their Child Life Department in Dallas, Texas. This holiday donation drive was made possible by the efforts of Monique Wade, the marketing/ executive assistant in our corporate office, and various participants throughout the office.

EJES is grateful to have been able to give back this holiday season and spread some cheer to our community’s youngest citizens!We appreciate the opportunity to work with the Child Life Department at the children’s hospital to make this donation possible!

From left: Dr. Patrick Williams, Monique Wade, Jackie Johnson, Matthew Ford

EJES is looking forward to 2023!

Happy New Year! 11

“Providing Service With Excellence” EJES Corporate Dallas,TX 12801 N. Central Expy Ste. 700 Dallas, TX 75243 (214) 343-1210 EJES Houston, TX 6161 Savoy Dr.,Ste. 830 Houston, TX 77036 (281) 272-1612 EJES New Orleans, LA 2626 Canal St., Ste. 202 New Orleans, LA 70119 (504) 218-7103

EJES Shreveport, LA 201 Wilkinson St. Shreveport, LA 71104 (318) 670-7275 EJES Jackson, MS 405 Briarwood Dr. Ste. 110 Jackson, MS 39206 (601) 691-1060