Chris Shriver is a former rodeo cowboy. He battled a Category 5 hurricane – twice! He’s a sturdy guy. But he was caught off-guard when his supervisor arrived on-site at Project Campari in Jamaica and called him in for a meeting.
Richard Moore, a Haskell Director of Construction and Shriver’s supervisor, gave no indication of the topic or tone for this impromptu meeting. Shriver, the Manager of Field Operations, didn’t know what to expect.
“I had to step out to talk with a subcontractor and was urgently told to return to the meeting immediately,” Shriver said. “It sounded serious, and I couldn’t think anything but the worst. Then, I saw all these people joining the meeting on the TV screen and thought, ‘They're going to publicize everything to everybody about something I had done wrong.’
“Then Richard said they wanted to honor me and my wife, Cheryl, who works with me in administration and safety. I just broke down and cried when I heard that.”
Moore and Vice President of Construction Matt Gulden nominated Shriver for Haskell’s Living the Values Award, which each quarter recognizes team members who demonstrate Haskell’s core values of Team, Excellence, Service and Trust.
“Chris exemplifies trust,” read Moore and Gulden’s nomination. “He’s someone who really cares about others in the workplace.
“Before Category 5 Hurricane Beryl hit, he and his wife stayed on the island to ensure the project site was prepared, even though their home in Texas was also at risk. He showed dedication by protecting the project and team. His commitment and strong sense of perseverance make him an incredibly dependable teammate.”
Beryl’s impact on the job site was less severe than expected, and work resumed relatively quickly. However, the Shrivers’ home in Texas, at Lake Jackson, took a hit after the storm barreled through the Gulf of Mexico. Immediately after Jamaica cleared, the Shrivers flew home to attend to the damages at their home and community south of Houston.
Shriver became accustomed to the back and forth. When he started his journey with Haskell in December 2022, he worked during a cold winter in Idaho before moving to the much warmer climate of Jamaica to oversee the construction of a large evaporator for Project Campari. Adaptability and determination are qualities he had long before his time with Haskell.
Back in Texas, Shriver rode bulls, bareback horses and saddled horses for more than seven years as a rodeo cowboy. In 1985, he was named All-Around Cowboy for excelling in all three disciplines and demonstrating how a cowboy can tame and work with bucking bulls and horses. The tenacity and confidence he developed during his rodeo days have equipped Shriver with the soft skills that set him apart as a Haskell team member.
“Haskell makes a big company feel like a hometown business,” Shriver said. “I love the people. It’s rare to see a company of this size prioritize its people and culture the way Haskell does. Everyone respects one another, and if I need something, I know the team will jump on it.
“This is what keeps my motivation going. I know I bring things to the table – and others beside me also – to help the company grow. This is a family company. I don’t just look at the money I earn but the relationships I have developed.”
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