Storm People: Responding to the New Orleans Disaster
10/10/2005
By Angelle Bergeron
Lives Turned Upside Down
After Katrina hit New Orleans, the lives of local construction workers and managers involved saving their hometown. Mechanic Jason Dobraska of B&K Construction became a long-distance commuter. Piledriver Walter Pfaff, another B&K employee, found himself involved in the effort to plug breached levees. B&K Superintendent Robbie Whitaker shelved personal concerns and pitched in with reconstruction. Fred Yoder, chief operating officer of Durr Heavy Construction, found the recovery effort "therapeutic." And Diamond Electrical Co.'s Randy Avara, a general superintendent, says contractors have made righting things upset by Katrina a personal challenge.
While floodwaters lapped at the eaves of Durr Heavy Construction COO Fred Yoder's
home, and the situation seemed hopeless, the atmosphere at his company was energized and upbeat.
 
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