6 minute read
Giving back
from CCR Issue 5 - 2022
ALSO COVERING LOCAL, STATE & REGIONAL PROJECTS AND FACILITIES
Giving back
By Ted Winters
Harkins’ history with the USO dates back over 30 years when late President J.P. Blase Cooke joined the USO
Board of Directors. He had previously served our country in the Army and met his wife at the 1968 USO ball. Since Blase started at Harkins, the company has built a strong relationship with the organization through philanthropic contributions and aiding in the construction of various USO lounges and centers across the
East Coast.
Harkins recently completed a USO lounge at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and an All-Star Depot in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. So, when Harkins was approached by USO Metro in early 2021 to construct a design-build project on the Quantico Marine Corps Base, it was thrilled to continue the partnership. Located within walking distance of the Barracks and Garrison Headquarters, the 5,200 square foot building previously was used by the Quantico Environmental Department for storage and as an office space. Once the building was cleared, the real work began. The building was transformed from a vacant lot to a premier gaming center that will be utilized by service members on base for years to come. Today, the building features office spaces, a conference room, family room, multiple lounge areas with TVs, an arcade, café, support space and ADA-compliant restrooms. The exterior of the building was pressure washed and touched up with a fresh coat of paint. The design objective was to create an open and inviting atmosphere in appreciation of the service members. The existing floor plan was modernized with the removal of closed and crowded spaces, along with doorways, to allow for ease of movement from one space to the other while keeping the utilitarian areas separate. The design concept utilized less material during construction to capture the beauty of the two-story space and incorporated the existing clerestory windows to allow for natural light filtering into the space below. In conjunction with the openness of the main gaming space, existing brick and gypsum walls were painted white, main circulation areas featured LVT flooring, quiet areas utilized carpet tile, and restrooms were tiled. Existing hard ceilings were maintained in open areas while acoustical ceiling tiles were implemented in the family and conference rooms.
Keeping costs down
With the help of Harkins employee-owners, Colimore Architects and trade partners, the group collectively cut down construction
costs to allow the USO to continue doing what they do best—provide support for our service members and their families across the country. H&M Construction was a key partner in the project. It increased manpower to accelerate the schedule to ensure the project remained ahead of schedule and worked with the Harkins team to coordinate seamlessly with other trades. H&M performed the demolition, drywall, painting, DFH install, landscaping, masonry, caulking and assisted with other miscellaneous scopes of work. The company was extremely honored to be involved in this project and to support our men and women in uniform. Throughout the project they donated change order work that came up to help USO stay on budget. Harkins leveraged its relationship with several other trade partners to assist with change orders for USO. Tuner VA served as the electrician on the project and proved to be a great strategic partner in this effort, spending many man hours troubleshooting the fire alarm system at its own expense.
A premier gaming center
The mental and emotional strain that military service members face is why so many USO locations around the world are now supporting the addition of video game software and technology. USO Metro recognizes that by offering gaming to service members, it gives them an opportunity to connect with family members and other service members virtually and have a place to relax and unwind. USO Quantico – Main already has several events planned throughout the remaining months of the year, including an arcade night, March Madness watch party and monthly CHOW lunches. The need for USO centers is ever-increasing. There are more than 250 USO locations that provide programs, entertainment,and services worldwide, and they were visited more than 8.1 million times by service members and their families. Centers establish a place of warmth and comfort where service members can connect while off duty. Troops can call their loved ones, access the internet, play video games, and kick back as they relax to watch a movie and enjoy a snack. Along with giving service members a space to unwind, the programs give loved ones peace of mind knowing that their military member is in good hands with the USO.
Ted Winters is a Project Manager at Harkins Builders, a construction manager specializing in multifamily, commercial and government building projects.
GREAT OPPORTUNITY – IMMEDIATE HIRE
We are seeking to hire 3 Landscape Foremen Managers to join our team
Employment location is based: Huntington, NY, North/Central NJ, Fairfield County, Conn.
You MUST specify which employment opportunity location you are applying for. ALL Applicants must demonstrate having not less than 7 years prior green industry experience.
Salary range $65-75000, includes a paid company vehicle, paid holidays, paid vacation.
Job includes generous benefits and perks. Applicant MUST be highly motivated self starters, well organized, detail oriented capable of working unsupervised running a profitable business. Must be skilled at running a crew and time and record keeping.
We are a 50 year young company specializing in the safe, chemical free, (organic) removal of poison ivy, bamboo along with other invasive weeds. We service the metro tri state NY/NJ/Conn region.
This is a full time year round leadership, middle management position. We are looking for responsible team players. Our employees have remained working with us average 15 years plus. Job sometimes will require out of town overnight travel. In that instance we provide your housing, transportation and food costs.
Responsibilities:
Must possess the necessary skill set to profitably operate a branch location. Coordinate daily scope of work activities for production personnel, submit written reports, payroll record time keeping. Delegate production tools and labor assignments to appropriate work personnel. Act as company liason with customers Adhere to all safety policies and procedures Oversee machinery and equipment is properly maintained and well cared for
Qualifications:
Must have clean driver’s license Must speak fluent English Must have command of Spanish language Must be highly motivated and able to work unsupervised Have general landscape knowledge - vegetation control, weed removal, knowledge of plant names Have strong leadership capabilities Have excellent written and oral communication skills Must be able to proficiently operate: mini excavator and skid steer loader and drive truck/trailer CDL drivers license is an added plus+
