Celebrating Koch Modular’s 25th Anniversary: A Q&A with Lisa Dlugo

Join Lisa Dlugo, Human Resources Manager at Koch Modular, as she reflects on the company’s rich history and its recent 25th Anniversary Celebration.

In this session, Lisa Dlugo, who has been a vital part of Koch Modular for almost 15 years, shares her experiences in organizing company-wide events and her extensive background in Human Resources. She emphasizes the company’s dedication to encouraging community among employees and highlights their efforts in building connections and enhancing company culture. Lisa also discusses HR goals and offers advice for potential employees, showcasing Koch Modular's supportive and growth-oriented environment.

Q: Can you tell us about your role and history with Koch Modular and what it's like to organize company-wide events?

Lisa: As the Human Resources Manager at Koch Modular, I handle all aspects of the Human Resources function, including recruitment, benefits administration, employee relations, performance management, health & safety, ethics & compliance, as well as assisting with facility management of our Headquarters in Paramus, NJ. One of the responsibilities I enjoy is coordinating company events. I have over 30 years of experience in organizing employee events for the various companies I have worked for in the past.  At Koch Modular, I lead the employee activities committee that plans company events ranging from individual regional outings, such as golf or fishing trips, to larger annual all-employee events with team-building activities, typically followed by a cocktail hour and dinner.

Q: Koch Modular hosts company-wide events yearly. What made this one special? What activities took place?

Lisa: We typically host two major events each year to bring together all of our employees who work both on a remote basis and/or onsite at our Paramus, NJ, and Houston, TX locations.  Given our mostly remote work environment, we feel that bringing all of our employees together for in-person events on a regular basis is critical in helping to build relationships, as well as enabling friendships to form. This year is very special because it’s the celebration of Koch Modular’s 25th anniversary, so we flew everyone in to celebrate.  The celebration kicked off with departmental gatherings, training, seminars, and team-building activities. After a nice, casual lunch at the hotel, we enjoyed a cruise on the Hudson River with magnificent views of New York City (including Lady Liberty) and a wonderful dinner. Each attendee received a Koch Modular anniversary gift to commemorate this milestone occasion: a backpack and a mini inspection flashlight.

Q: What was your favorite memory from the 2024 Spring Gathering?

Lisa:  That’s a hard question to answer.  There were so many great memories!  Seeing my coworkers in person is always fantastic, especially newer employees who have joined us on a remote basis. Meeting newcomers face-to-face, as well as reconnecting with old friends and colleagues, is always so much fun. I was pleasantly surprised by the weather; rain was forecasted, but the sun came out just as we boarded the yacht, making for a beautiful afternoon on the river. We had a great turnout, with about 88 people in attendance. It was so enjoyable to have everyone together for this special celebration.

Q: How have Koch Modular company-wide events evolved since you first joined the company?

Lisa: When I first joined the company, our events were quite structured, with the same four outings every year. After a few years, employees expressed a desire for more variety, so we formed an employee activities committee. This committee has enabled us to come up with new ideas and plan diverse events, including family trips to the zoo, bowling, baseball games, golf, participation in corporate 5k fun runs, and ski trips.  Our family event in Houston this summer is a trip to NASA, which I think will be so cool!  We now offer a wide range of activities in both New Jersey and Houston–something for everyone.

Q: Why does Koch Modular invest in company events, and why are these events important to you?

Lisa: Our Executive Committee has always valued bringing people together for non-work-related events to cultivate relationships and help employees get to know each other on a personal basis. These events are crucial because they help build connections and a sense of community, especially among remote employees.  The feedback I have received from employees is that they genuinely appreciate and enjoy these events/gatherings.  We always have a great turnout!  I enjoy meeting and spending time with my coworkers, particularly newcomers who have never physically worked in the office.

Q: From a company culture perspective, can you share some of your goals for the HR department at Koch Modular?

Lisa: My goals for the HR department evolve yearly, but my primary focus is always on providing the best possible service to our employees. I enjoy talking to people and assisting them with various aspects of their work life, whether it be answering questions, offering advice, or resolving issues. I strive to always be accessible to all employees and to implement quality programs, such as new benefit & wellness plans and informative training initiatives. This year, one of my key goals is to update the employee handbook, which will look a bit different from previous handbooks and contain a great deal of new information, as we now have employees in about 18 different states!

Q:   Why would you consider Koch Modular a great place to work?  What advice would you give someone considering a career at Koch Modular?

Lisa:   Koch Modular is a unique company not just in the type of work we do, but in how we interact with each other.  It is a comfortable environment with comradery among coworkers. One of the things that stands out to me is that the Executive Committee and Management Team truly care about their employees. They are all hands-on engineers and managers who value employees' opinions and contributions. Koch Modular provides opportunities for learning and growth, not only for experienced individuals but also for recent college graduates and professionals early in their careers.  Here, you'll gain valuable experience as our engineers see a project evolve from conception to delivery, being involved in every aspect of the process. Colleagues often highlight this comprehensive exposure as one of the most rewarding aspects of working at Koch Modular. The Company also provides employees an opportunity to get involved in areas outside of their disciplines. Getting involved in activities outside of one’s specialty area (e.g. participating in a Work Group, Employee Activities Committee, etc.) provides the chance for professional and personal development.  We encourage all employees to get involved and take advantage of all offered opportunities both in and out of their respective disciplines.

Chat with Lisa

Lisa is a Human Resources Generalist with over 35 years of experience in all disciplines, including recruitment and staffing, benefits administration, employee relations, performance management, and compliance.  She holds a degree in Business Administration, as well as professional HR and Ethics & Compliance certifications.   Former employers include Lummus Technology, Ebasco Services, and ADP.  Lisa has been married for 36 years to husband Phil; proud mom of son Michael, daughter Cara, and the newest addition to the Dlugo Clan, grandson Vincent Gabriel.
Email: lisa.dlugo@kochmodular.com