When Eugene “Babe” Chaney took a chance on bidding a contract in Prince George’s County, Md., in the 1950s, he had zero equipment and a newcomer’s knowledge of the industry. To his surprise, he won the job. He borrowed enough money to buy five pieces of equipment, with a goal to fulfill the contract and then become the best in the sand and gravel business in southern Maryland.
Through the next five decades, Charles County Concrete and Charles County Sand & Gravel, later renamed Chaney Enterprises, succeeded in growing its aggregate and ready-mix concrete services across the Delmarva region, with 23 ready-mix plants and nine mining operations sites.
A cornerstone of Chaney Enterprises’ operating principles has always been giving back to the community. This early commitment evolved into the creation of the Chaney Foundation, the firm’s philanthropic arm.
“We give 10 percent of our bottom line back to the community through the foundation, and we’ve never backed down from that commitment, even during the recession,” says Jan Holt, Chaney’s chief customer officer. That 10 percent goes to numerous charities, from the American Cancer Society and United Way, to Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Maryland and the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center.
Above and beyond the Chaney Foundation, Chaney Enterprises hosts two major annual events: a golf tournament and a bull roast. The 2018 tournament raised more than ,000 for the Babe & Dick Chaney Memorial Fund, which supports various organizations that focus on local health care and education, such as the American Cancer Society and Make-A-Wish Foundation. This year in particular, the emphasis is on supporting substance abuse and behavioral health organizations.
Proceeds from the bull roast also go to the American Cancer Society, as well as the Community Foundation of Southern Maryland, which aids challenged or underserved organizations.
Keep in mind, these are only the major events. Chaney supports countless other programs and initiatives throughout the year, and recently it has focused heavily on youth education and career path training. Kids as young as kindergarteners come to the Chaney plant for tours. Groups of employees also work with local high school students to assist with résumé writing and perform mock interviews. The goal is to encourage students to consider a career in the trades as a viable option.
“We really try to focus on asking students what their plans are rather than where they are going to school,” Holt says. “Then we offer the support to help them accomplish those goals.”
Chaney’s 600 employees are all in when it comes to the company’s community outreach. The annual bull roast draws more than 1,500 attendees and is completely run by employee volunteers. And “Chaney Rock Stars” are recognized every week as a way to celebrate employees who have gone above and beyond.
When it comes to choosing which organizations to support, the philosophy is simple: “Give when asked,” Holt says. “Our company is family-owned and privately held, and we’ve committed to staying that way for the next 100 years.”
