September 2009
EDiSSiDE
DE 302.421.5700 PA 610.918.8540 www.ediscompany.com
in
TALKING TO MYSELF
ONE COMPANY. A FULL SPECTRUM OF BUILDING SOLUTIONS It is with great pride that we unveil our “new look.” You probably noticed the change in appearance on our website and perhaps in a few ads. Now our quarterly newsletter has had its makeover. Although our look has changed, our message is still the same. We are one company offering a full range of building solutions. If you study each division’s icon below then look at the full image above you undoubtedly see how all of our divisions contribute to the whole. In our last issue we featured our Development Division and one of our latest ventures, the Wilmington Organic Recycling Center. We talked
EDiS Company
EDiS Building Systems
about how this project is the ultimate example of our GreenSense Program and provided in depth information about what EDiS is doing to champion the sustainability movement. Our GreenSense logo’s place of prominence in the image is deliberate. Our focus this quarter is on our Interior Construction Division. Specializing in renovation, fit-out work and smaller maintenance projects, our clients repeatedly recognize us as a partner that respects working in “their space.” A recent Interiors project, about which we are very proud not only because of its significance
EDiS Interior Construction
I lost my good friend and colleague Alan Redford on July 27, 2009. In 1978, together as twenty-somethings, we hopped aboard the work/life bus and we never looked back. I will miss Alan the operations man, I will miss Alan the team leader, I will miss Alan the owner’s advocate but mostly…I will miss Alan as my friend. I am proud to have known him. He touched my life and will forever be a part of EDiS’ history and lore. He enters the 101-yearold EDiS “Hall of E. Andrew DiSabatino, Jr. Fame Club” filled CEO with characters. Knowing Alan, he has already assumed a leadership role! I’ve been talking to myself lately…in the car, in the shower, in the elevator and sometimes even behind my back! What am I saying? I’m worried about some things that I need to get off my chest and on to yours. I am respectful of the Office of the President. I lived in the protest years of 1960s and 70s and I am witnessing the conflict that is currently being waged in every town hall meeting across America. Protests are in our DNA and are NOT un-American. What worries me is that the third highest ranking elected official in the United States thinks it is un-American. Here is a list of what else worries me:
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EDiS Development
Asset Management Alliance
National Health Care – England’s health care system (National Health Service or NHS) was passed into law in 1946 and went into effect in 1948. Today, the NHS, employing 1.4 million people, is the world’s largest health service and the world’s fourth-largest employer; only the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Indian Railways, and Wal-Mart continued page 9
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Company News
A COST CUTTING QUARTERLY MEETING Hard hats off to the Accounting Department for their novel and timely quarterly meeting theme! They held a paperless meeting...agenda, handouts – everything was presented via PowerPoint and they also saved a bundle in the food cost column. By clipping coupons, using non name brand products and making simple dishes at home, they
truly walked the talk! It must be noted that the quality of the homemade food was topnotch! There were lots of comments about how long it has been since we all had sloppy joes. Delicious and fun. Thank you for taking the extra time and for the TLC that went into the meal preparation.
COMPANY ANNIVERSARIES September
Hugh McBride Rick DiSabatino Mike Freda Paul Ignudo, Jr. Cyndi Slothour Mark Nordquist Jackie McKee Ron Skipski Chuck Aungst Vinnie Colonna
47 years 29 years 20 years 15 years 14 years 13 years 9 years 9 years 5 years 4 years
October
Ted Dwyer Larry Kiss Kim Tiger
30 years 14 years 3 years
November EDiS vs. Trane...We Won! With a big nine-run 4th inning, EDiS defeated Trane 12-9. Consensus is the game ball goes to Phil Hughes who dominated at shortstop and didn’t let anything get by. He also made fantastic throws to 1st base. Chris Dolbow pitched a gem as always, using knuckleballs and altitude to trip up Trane. Jackie McKee, Leslie Rensi, Mike Neal, Steve Hill and Andrew Hickey all hit well and covered the outfield beautifully. Rob Belfiore and Joe Facciolo were the double play tandem, getting us out of some dangerous innings in a hurry. Special thanks to BBQ Queen Martha White, Photographer Cyndi Slothour and Cheerleaders Tammy Reynolds and Nancy Hession for showering us with support. (And our thanks to Andrew DiSabatino for filing this report!) To view a slideshow of the game go to www.ediscompany.com/edisvstrane
Where In The World Is EDiS InSiDE? We thought it would be fun to start our own “Where In The World Is?” so we kickoff this new feature by asking readers to submit a favorite faraway photo that includes a copy of our very own EDiS InSiDE. Marketing Assistant Leslie Rensi is our first (and very cool) submission. Here she is perched high atop Machu Picchu in Peru! She certainly looks calm, cool and collected, doesn’t she?
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Marianne Skipski Christine Yung Phil Hughes Christian Losito Ceil DiNozzi
29 years 19 years 5 years 3 years 2 years
BIRTHS Congratulations to Steve and Maureen Hill on the birth of their second child, a son, Charles Dalton. Big brother Owen’s new baby brother was born on August 19, 2009, weighed 8 lbs., 13 oz. and was 22 inches long.
DEATHS Words cannot express our sorrow over the passing of our friend, colleague and leader, Alan Redford, on July 27, 2009. Please read the tribute to Alan on page 12.
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ANOTHER LEED ACCREDITATION
BIRTHDAYS September
Jerry Scolis Leslie Rensi Dawn Stewart Katie Mancini Chris Dolbow Michael Buck
9/6 9/8 9/17 9/24 9/25 9/27
October
Cyndi Slothour Joe Barba
10/20 10/26
November
Dave Breakiron Bruce Braughton Tammy Reynolds Mike Neal Mary King Bernie Bunch
11/5 11/8 11/14 11/16 11/25 11/29
DEATHS Continued Our deepest sympathy is extended to Diana and Frank Patille on the death of Diana’s stepmother, Marilyn F. Damaskos who passed away on July 21, 2009. Our sincere condolences are also sent to Joe and Maida Pedicone on the passing of Maida’s brother, MGySgt William Reynolds Davis on July 11, 2009.
Congratulations to Jerry Doherty, Chief Estimator/Operations Manager, for becoming a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP.) Jerry spent many personal hours participating in seminars, tutorial sessions and studying for this designation. He has demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles, the LEED rating system and can guide the LEED certification process. EDiS now has twenty-three employees who are either LEED accredited or Green Advantage certified. Jerry Doherty
Wadi Wadi Award Each year Mike Freda presents the EDiS Building Systems (EBS) Wadi Wadi Award to someone who goes out of his or her way for EBS. This year the winner was selected because he has supported EBS over a long period of time and in many intangible ways. Mike explained that while the Estimating Department always supports EBS, particularly in pursuit of work, Kurt Vandenbraak has been exceptional at finding opportunities, assisting in the bid process and providing EBS with good counsel over the years and on many proposals. Congratulations, Kurt! The award is named for the Wadi Wadi, an aboriginal tribe in Australia, to reflect the connection Butler’s parent company, Blue Scope Steel, has to the Australian culture.
Mike Freda (right) presents Wadi Wadi Award to Estimator Kurt Vandenbraak
Thermal Drying Techniques Training EDiS’ Interior Construction Division is often called upon when our clients experience flooding, leaks and other moisture-related problems. In an effort to best serve our clients, four members of our Interiors team successfully completed course study in thermal drying techniques. Thermal drying speeds
up drying time by as much as 60%. In most cases we can have a site dry in less than 35 hours. In addition to being quicker, it is less invasive and reduces replacement costs. Being able to dry projects this quickly ensures that there will be no mold growth from a leak or flood.
We also send our sympathy to the family of Bruce Cherry who passed away on July 5, 2009. Bruce was a Labor Foreman for EDiS for more than 20 years. Chris Dolbow
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Vinnie Colonna
Kim Tiger
Joe Pedicone
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Everett Theatre
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Curtain Call After all the renovations, it became obvious the Everett’s stage curtain was not in great shape and there was no money in the budget to replace it. At well over 40 years old, there had been significant fading and deterioration. Over the years, the lining had been removed so it was almost transparent. Cleaning
Everett Grand Re-Opening Gala Photo: Jay Greene Photography
On May 8, 2009, over 200 people attended the Everett Theatre’s Grand Re-Opening Gala to celebrate the project and get a close look at the renovations. Kim Tiger (center) and Bruce Braughton (left) were joined by Jay Greene, Chair, A.C.T. and Building Committee Chair (second from left); Larry Hirsh, A.C.T. Board Member and Building Committee Member (second from right) and Bob Hasson, Building Committee Member, prior to the show. In his welcoming speech, Jay Greene gave special thanks to Kim and Bruce for, “Going way beyond their EDiS duties to be sure we opened in good shape and on time.” Everett Theatre (above, right) after the ceiling collapse. (Right) after project completion looking as good as new!
ONE COMPANY - FULL SPECTRUM Continued from page 1
to the community but also because the project had a very tight timeframe and budget which we met, is the Everett Theatre in Middletown, DE. On March 15, 2008, the Everett Theatre’s plaster ceiling collapsed and landed on the seats below. Thankfully a performance had ended an hour earlier so the seats were vacant and no one was injured. Immediately after the collapse the Everett contacted EDiS. We quickly mobilized to remove debris and set up scaffolding so the engineers and design team could assess the damage. Once the project was designed and bid, EDiS was selected as the General Contractor and began work in January 2009 on the 12,500 sq. ft., $240,000 project that involved both structural repairs and renovations. Repairs included new metal ceiling joists and reinforcement of the support
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under the balcony projector booth. While the ceiling was open, the Everett decided to add sprinklers to the main house and balcony. Interior renovations included placing drywall and hat track over the original terra cotta brick, new drywall ceilings, painting – including decorative paint on the ceiling, new carpet, aisle lighting, refurbished seating, new lighting and repairs to existing lighting, and life safety upgrades to the emergency lighting and exit signage. EDiS was also able to help the Everett with all the details for the submission of their insurance claim. The Everett is run by the all-volunteer group, A.C.T., Inc. The community rallied behind their fundraising efforts. Although the budget was tight and the timeline short, A.C.T. Chairman Jay Greene, who led the reconstruction committee, had considerable praise for the EDiS team, “Project Manager
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contractor Dennis Hudson, who was on the job working for both the theatre and for EDiS, mentioned auditorium renovation work being done at East Side Charter School and suggested looking into the possibility of “recycling” the school’s stage curtain. Not only were the measurements close enough, the color matched the main floor seating in the Everett! So the curtain was retrofitted for the Everett instead of eventually ending up in a landfill. That made perfect GreenSense and helped to save the Everett considerable expense. Thanks to everyone involved…now take a bow.
EDiS’ Middletown Connection
Photo: Jay Greene Photography
Two doors down from the Everett on Main Street is Immediato’s Subs & Steaks. The EDiS team on the job at the Everett often had lunch there. One of the owners brought this image down from the wall to show Bruce Braughton. It is the Three Little Bakers (left to right Nick, Al & Hugo Immediato) balanced on a shovel being held by Rick DiSabatino’s grandfather Dominick, one of EDiS’ second-generation leaders! We were on the job building the Three Little Bakers’ building on Lancaster Avenue in Wilmington (now Tecot Electric.) The photo is circa 1945-1955. It IS a small, small world!
PENNSYLVANIA NEWS Carbon Nanoprobes Malvern, PA
In June, EDiS completed a Class 1000 clean room and office space for Carbon Nanoprobes (CNP), a start-up nano-technologies company. CNP’s nanoprobes microtechnology is used by the semiconductor, pharmaceutical and electronics industries to ensure high levels of quality control for their products. Nanoprobes allow these industries to utilize a radically different method for viewing the surfaces of their products at a molecular level with amazing accuracy via atomic force microscopy (AFM.)
Photo: Daily Local News
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Everett Theatre / Pennsylvania News
Kim Tiger and Senior Field Manager Bruce Braughton kept the contractors in line, helped me with all the decisions that needed to be made and documented the progress for us.” He added, “EDiS put their best people on the project and supported us as if we were their own community theatre.” He explained that just before their Grand Re-Opening Gala, the contractor the theatre hired to re-install the seats was unable to get the job done so Bruce Braughton called in a specialist and had the theatre ready to open on time. Greene said, “Calling in a favor like this is only possible when good relations have been maintained with one’s vendors.” EDiS congratulates the Project Team - Rick DiSabatino, Kim Tiger, Bruce Braughton, Kurt Vandenbraak, Dawn Stewart and Rhonda Burg for their hard work and exceptional customer relations!
Project Team
BioMed Realty Trust and CNP chose EDiS to design and build a Class 10000 clean room facility per the Federal Standard 209E. In the end, the clean room was certified even better – a Class 1000 clean room. Clean rooms control contamination by controlling the total environment via airflow rates and direction, pressurization, temperature, humidity and specialized
Operations Manager Project Manager Field Manager Estimating Accounting Administration Designer Clean Room Designer
Brian DiSabatino Ray Facciolo Jerry Scolis Rob Belfiore Rhonda Burg Jackie McKee Mitchell Associates Scheidell Engineering
filtration. A Class 1000 clean room is designed to never allow more than 1000 particles (0.5 microns or larger) per cubic foot of air (typical office air contains between 500,000 – 1,000,000 particles.) Contamination can lead to expensive downtime and increased production costs. Brian Ruby, CNP’s CEO said, “The construction process was on schedule, on budget, and has resulted in a state-of-the-art nanofabrication production facility. If and when we ever need to build a new clean room or expand the current one, EDiS will be the first call we make.” Thanks to the project team for a job well done!
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Summer Fun
George Cooper (with instructor) ventured out of his comfort zone this summer and went skydiving with his stepson, Captain John Hearn, after John’s return from Afghanistan.
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Diana & Frank Patille (3rd & 2nd from right) and their team, CCI Motorsports (ccimotorsports.com), won the Pro Mod Class at the IRHA New England Amalie Nationals. Mike Vanella’s son Nick (4th from right) is also part of the team. Marianne and Ron Skipski’s daughter, Danielle, graduated with a Masters Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing Management from Goldey Beacom College.
Kurt Vandenbraak’s family – Hunter, Pam and Zach – fishing on Newboro Lake in Ontario, Canada.
Ted Dwyer’s grandchildren Ashley and Brandon Dwyer in Ocean City, NJ.
Caitlin Skipski graduated with second honors from St. Marks High School and is attending UD this fall.
Jimmy DiGuglielmo children Nick, J.T., Luke and Dallas in Puerto Rico.
Jackie McKee’s daughter, Halie, on vacation at Sea Isle City, NJ.
Rhonda Burg swimming with “Salvador” in the Eastern Caribbean while on vacation.
To see EDiS employees hard at work over the summer visit www.ediscompany.com/edissummer
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Summer Fun Joe Barba’s daughter Melanie traveled to Europe for 3 weeks with People to People as a student ambassador.
Brad Cowen’s daughter, Corinne Cowen, and now sonin-law Jeff Powell got married this summer. Congrats!
Casey Barba, who graduated from Brandywine High School, spent a week in Omar, WV, doing emergency home repairs with her Dad.
Rick DiSabatino’s children all worked in Bethany Beach. Sons Adam (left) and Dominick (far right) were awarded the Bethany Beach Patrol’s Captain’s Award from Captain Joe Donnelly for their outstanding leadership and job performance. Dom and Adam also competed in the United States Lifeguard Association’s National Competition in Ft. Lauderdale in August and placed in the 2K and 4x100 relay. Sister Samantha was busy on the beach working for Steen’s beach rentals.
Mike Paulson (back row) coached his son Brandon’s (center row) Delaware Diamonds Travel Baseball U13 team this summer.
Tammy Reynolds’ crew - Andrew Reynolds, Ashley Reynolds, Erin McGinley and Ryan McGinley - at Ocean City, NJ.
Brian DiSabatino enjoys a day of golf with his children Jacqueline, Jacob and Dylan (front.)
Beth Press’ soccer playing son, Eamon, won his very first sports trophy and daughter, Annie, celebrated her 1st birthday.
Jerry Scolis’ son, Sante Giovanni, on vacation in Ocean City, NJ.
To see EDiS employees hard at work over the summer visit www.ediscompany.com/edissummer
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Generation III Scholarship
GENERATION III SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
Zachary E. Prettyman of Milford, son of Ralph and Andrea Prettyman, is this year’s Generation III Scholarship recipient. Zachary, a 2009 graduate of Milford High School, will attend the University of Delaware as a member of their Honors Program and intends to major in Accounting. He was inducted into the Academic Hall of Fame with a 4.36 GPA and received the Milford High School Alumni Award. Zachary was a member of the National Honor Society and a Voice of Democracy Youth Leader. He played trumpet in the marching, concert and jazz bands all four years. Additionally, he was a member of the AllState Senior Band and the Milford Community Band. Zachary was a varsity tennis player. An outstanding community servant, he received the President’s National Volunteer Service Gold Award in 2008 for 250+ hours of volunteer service. He was a member of the Delaware Community Foundation’s Youth Philanthropy Board, a volunteer for Read Aloud Delaware and traveled as a member of Avenue United Methodist Church’s Mission Volunteers Program to assist disadvantaged residents of Honduras in 2008 and Tennessee in 2007.
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Based on LEED v3 for New Construction LEED Design Project Item Points Implementation Example Heat Island 1 Effect - Roof
C B
Vegetative DOVER LIBRARY Roof
Construction 1 to 2 Jobsite LANCASHIRE Waste Recycling ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Management
Water Use 2 to 4 Reduction
Waterless Urinals and Low Flow Fixtures
DELAWARE WELCOME CENTER
On-site Up to 7 Renewable Energy
Geothermal System
CAPE HENLOPEN HIGH SCHOOL
Optimize 1 to 19 Energy Performance
Building Automation System
APPOQUINIMINK HIGH SCHOOL
EDiS is proud to support such a remarkable young man and we wish him continued success as he transitions to the University of Delaware. EDiS established the Generation III Scholarship in 1998 at the Delaware Community Foundation to pay tribute to the third generation of DiSabatinos for their years of hard work and dedication to the company. Awards are made to students studying business and construction related fields at the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Delaware Technical & Community College, Goldey Beacom College, Wesley College and Lincoln University.
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LEED Update TALKING TO MYSELF Continued from page 1
LEED Certified Building
Investment $ - $$$$
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3
Zero
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Benefits 1) Serves as an insulator saving money on heating and cooling the building. 2) Attractive appearance and in the case of the Dover Library can serve as a gathering place.
1) Jobsite disposal costs are significantly reduced by having materials such as wood, drywall and masonry removed by a recycling contractor vs. paying fees associated with “dumping” at a landfill. 2) Reduces waste on the jobsite and in our landfills. 1) Reduces water and sewer costs. 2) Many newer models of waterless urinals are easier to keep clean!
directly employ more people. 1.4 million people! 1.4 million votes to never change the failed system they have. What will happen to America if we enact a governmentrun healthcare system? Let’s fix what we already have and reduce the bill from 1,000 pages to 10 and include tort reform. Cap and Trade – First, let’s define it. It is the formation of an artificial marketplace designed to reduce pollution by paying people who reduce pollution with a load of money from polluters. The House of Representatives passed this 1,201page bill on June 26, 2009. Impressive. The Senate will now have their turn. Will the House look like clowns or visionaries? Employee Free Choice Act – My favorite. In this challenging economic environment, making it easier to unionize a company is like bayoneting the wounded. EFCA should not even be introduced or entertained. The union bosses will surely understand. What is a few hundred million in campaign contributions among friends? Federal Deficit - Let’s do a freeze on new spending and deficit growth until the economy turns around. Who knows, one may have something to do with the other! Now that is all off my chest. Whether you agree or disagree about my worries, lively debate is healthy and in America, it truly represents our freedom.
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1) Utilizing the constant temperature of the ground, geothermal systems do not have to work as hard to heat or cool a building, making it one of the most efficient systems available. While upfront costs may be higher, the reduction of operating costs in the long term offers a payback period of 2-10 years. 2) Because geothermal systems generally require smaller mechanical rooms than many other HVAC systems, they offer design flexibility and free up precious square footage on a project.
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1) Delivers an energy savings of 50% - 75% allowing more overall control. For example, using only the right amount of light when actually needed. While upfront costs may be higher, the energy savings recouped in the long term offers a payback period of 2-5 years. 2) Other benefits can include improved lighting quality and temperature control, enhanced worker productivity and improved workplace environment.
While I have been talking to myself, I have also come to realize that there are a lot of things I don’t worry about. Today is August 19, 2009. We have 6 school projects that must be completed in one week. By the time you read this, Silver Lake Elementary Renovations, Louis L. Redding Middle School Renovations and the new Bunker Hill Elementary School for the Appoquinimink School District, the Central Middle School Field House and the new South Dover Elementary School for the Capital School District and the new Cape Henlopen High School for the Cape Henlopen School District will all be complete. 6 projects with 3 different owners, 5 different architects, in 3 different counties but only one operations manager…Alan Redford. That’s why I’m not worried. Alan always delivers and his spirit will be there and be a part of the accolades, open houses, dedications and ribbon cuttings of all six projects. What a tribute to a great guy. Thank you Alan. Oh, one more thing that I’m not worried about…getting married on October 24, 2009!
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Back to School
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A quick look at a sampling of our ’09 schools completed. Many thanks to the project teams for ensuring the school bells would ring!
Cape Henlopen High School Cape Henlopen School District
Project Team
Operations Manager Alan Redford Kevin Lucas Project Manager Field Manager Mark Nordquist Assistant Field Managers Matt Hinton and Michael Buck Estimating Paul Ignudo Accounting Rita Sload Jackie McKee Administration Project Type New building & demolition of old building Size 220,000 square feet Architect BSA+A CM Delivery Method
Interesting Details/Design Features:
• 500-well geothermal heating system • White EPDM roofing system for energy control • Encelium energy management system
• Solar tint windows and recycled flooring products • Building oriented for the best solar utilization
Louis L. Redding Middle School Appoquinimink School District
Project Team
Operations Manager Project Manager Field Manager Estimating Accounting Administration Project Type Size Architect Delivery Method
Alan Redford Mike Neal Matt Artymenko Rob Belfiore Christina Loveland Jean Schwartz Building renovation and new parking lot Renovation - 4,200 square feet, New bus parking lot 45,000 square feet ABHA CM
Interesting Details/Design Features:
• Waterless urinals
• Green technology stormwater design
Bunker Hill Elementary School Appoquinimink School District
Project Team
Operations Manager Project Manager Field Manager Estimating Accounting Administration Project Type Size Architect Delivery Method
Alan Redford Mary King Joe Barba Rob Belfiore, Paul Ignudo, Andrew DiSabatino III Christina Loveland Jean Schwartz New 85,000 square feet Gilbert Architects CM
Interesting Details/Design Features:
• Indoor/Outdoor stages with state-of-the-art lighting system • Ratio of computers to students is 2:1
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• LCD Projectors/Interactive SMART Board and wireless amplification system technologies
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Back to School
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Central Middle School – Field House
Project Team
Capital School District Operations Manager Project Manager Field Manager Estimating Accounting Administration Project Type Size Architect Delivery Method
Alan Redford Pat Armstrong George Cooper Rob Belfiore Christina Loveland Cyndi Slothour New 27,000 square feet ABHA CM
Interesting Details/Design Features:
• Replaced the 1939 Central Field House with a state-of-the-art 500 seat facility • Brick & steel construction completed four months early for the start of school
• Full court gym, auxiliary gym, fitness room, home & away locker rooms • Construction took place on an occupied campus in a residential neighborhood
Silver Lake Elementary School
Photo: Eric Crossan
Project Team
Appoquinimink School District Operations Manager Project Manager Field Manager Estimating Accounting Administration Project Type Size Architect Delivery Method
Alan Redford Ray Facciolo Matt Artymenko Paul Ignudo Rhonda Burg Jackie McKee Renovation 9,000 square feet R.G. Architects CM
Interesting Details/Design Features: • • •
Transformed dated 1970 building with few windows and low sloped roof into space with greatly improved lighting and opened spaces New teachers’ work room, nurse’s suite, large conference room and new offices for Principal and Vice Principal Improved entrance location and incorporated full electronic security
South Dover Elementary School
Project Team
Capital School District Operations Manager Project Manager Field Manager Estimating Accounting Administration Project Type Size Architect Delivery Method
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Alan Redford Phil Hughes Dave Breakiron Paul Ignudo Christina Loveland Jackie McKee New 66,500 square feet Becker Morgan Group CM
Interesting Details/Design Features: • • •
New 600-student elementary school Large media center, computer room, music, art and reading educational spaces, two resource centers and a gymnasium Construction took place on an occupied campus, directly adjacent to old building which is to be demolished, making way for additional parking
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In Memory of Alan Redford By Diana Patille Senior Project Manager How do you pay tribute to someone who has touched the lives of so many people in so many ways and has had such an influence on EDiS Company, our employees, clients, contractors and the construction industry? We lost a great one on July 27th, when Alan Redford finally succumbed to a 10-year long battle with cancer. In the days that followed Alan’s passing there were meetings to implement plans to divide Alan’s work among the Operations Managers, to re-assign the responsibilities Alan enthusiastically tackled, to instill confidence within the company that we really will get through this. Some of us had e-mails and voicemails from Alan still on our computers and phones, unable to delete them because of the finality of that last act. Alan remained committed to the company he loved and the business he so enjoyed, right up to the very end, calling in to the office for that one last thing from the hospital. Alan came to EDiS Company in 1981. With his wild ties, flashy polyester suits and colorful vocabulary and personality, it was hard not to notice him. Hired as a Project Manager, Alan was responsible for constructing over $500 million in projects during his 28 years at EDiS. He became a vice president in the mid 1990’s. Some described Alan’s unique management style as demanding, while others appreciated the efficiency and decisiveness he demonstrated day in and day out. A natural leader, organized and the quintessential planner, Alan was well respected by his coworkers, peers and contemporaries.
10%
Cert no. SW-COC-002625
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GREENSENSE
One of Alan’s more endearing traits was his uncanny ability to give advice in the form of a cliché, only the cliché was never worded as you would expect. “When you take the plunge, you don’t worry about the temperature of the water.” “If the process goes sour, it’s your grape.” We called these “Alanisms” and after collecting his comments over the years, we have compiled a book of sayings with graphics in honor of Alan. If he could have seen the book he would have said, “That’s cool.”
Alan’s work ethic was exceptional. He approached each client and each project with a “can do” attitude – one that has helped many clients realize their dreams to build or expand, even when it appeared that dollars or schedule would limit those dreams. Alan’s work with the Appoquinimink and Cape Henlopen School Districts are just two examples of his fearless belief that “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” More than his love of construction, Alan loved his family. He was married to Linda for 40 years and had two sons, Frank and Nick. Nick and his wife Ryan blessed him with granddaughter Adele in May. Alan also loved traveling to exotic places. He had seen Africa, Thailand, Japan, China, Italy and Egypt. His next adventure would have taken him to Greece in September. An avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman, Alan went to faraway places to hunt for moose, caribou and bear and fished locally for rockfish, marlin and tuna. Trips to Mexico and Canada were annual events and would often include his closest personal friends. Whether hosting a summertime crab feast at Lums Pond, or a holiday customer appreciation dinner at the Chesapeake Inn, Alan was always in favor of taking time to break bread with family and friends. He would quietly watch with a pleased look as his friends enjoyed the opportunity to be together. Alan’s office is empty and dark. Gone is Wyle E. Coyote, the stuffed wild dog that stood guard in front of Alan’s desk. The wall-mounted caribou also has a new home. The whimsical whistling that announced Alan’s approach will no longer be heard in the halls of EDiS. Although we have lost a great leader, Alan has left behind a legacy of lessons learned and mantras each one of us uses every day to be the best we can be. As one of our clients asked me at Alan’s viewing, “What are we going to do now?” I smiled a reassuring smile, squeezed her hand and said, “What Alan would want us to do – carry on.” He would be pleased.
In addition to printing our newsletter on recycled 10% post-consumer waste fiber paper and practicing cutting edge green strategies as a company, EDiS is formally committed to helping our clients make sense of the sustainability movement through our GreenSense Program. We offer guidance, knowledge, experience and a flexible set of options that balance good business with environmental stewardship.
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