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People in Construction Corporate News
Auch Construction, Pontiac, has announced the election of Shawn Verlinden, Senior Project Manager, to its Board of Directors. According to the
Verlinden company, Verlinden is active in corporate strategic planning and committed to Auch’s long-term success through his leadership of the Auch intern program. Verlinden joined Auch in 2013. He holds a BS in Civil Engineering and Masters of Engineering in Construction Engineering and Management from the University of Michigan. Behler-Young’s Jake Holst has been named to the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration News Top 40 Under 40 list for 2022. Holst started in Behler-Young’s Comstock Park branch, working in a hybrid counter sales and warehouse position. Behler-Young provides HVAC/R solutions for licensed mechanical contractors. The company has two distribution centers and 18 branch facilities. Caterpillar's Board of Directors has waived the policy requiring Cater-pillar’s chairman and CEO, Jim Umpleby, to retire at age 65. Umpleby has agreed to remain in his position beyond February 2023, when he turns 65. “Waiving the mandatory retirement policy for Jim provides the Board greater flexibility with its CEO succession process,” said Debra Reed-Klages, Presiding Director, speaking on behalf of Caterpillar’s Board of Directors. “Jim has provided strong strategic and operating leadership for the company, and we look forward to his continued leadership of the Caterpillar team.” Umpleby joined Solar Turbines, a Caterpillar subsidiary, in 1980 as an associate engineer and has been with the company for more than 40 years. He was appointed President of Solar Turbines and Vice President of Caterpillar in 2010 and has served as Caterpillar’s CEO since 2017.
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Holst
Umpleby Samuel J. Ruegsegger, III, LEED AP BD+C has been named Vice President, Southeast Michigan, of The Christman Company. Ruegsegger has worked in the construction industry for more than 29 years. He has a wide variety of projects in his portfolio, including Chelsea Community Hospital, Eastern Michigan University Mark Jefferson Science Building, Flint Capitol Theater Restoration, and the Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center and Center for Athletic Medicine. Ruegsegger joined Christman in 2004 as Senior Project Manager of Planning and was promoted to Project Executive in 2014. He recently served as Chairman of the Board for the Construction Association of Michigan. Christman Constructors, Inc. (CCI) has announced that Fred Alt has been promoted to Senior Project Manager. Alt joined CCI in 2014 with 15 years’ experience in commercial construction and is a key partner in the general trades and carpentry division. Alt is currently managing CCI’s work at the Pistons Performance Center, Farm Bureau, Child and Family Charities and Kalamazoo County Courthouse, among others. Andrew Hoeffner, MBA has been promoted to Project Manager at Christman Constructors. Hoeffner joined CCI in 2019 with seven years’ experience in commercial construction and engineering. He is a key partner in CCI’s demolition division. Hoeffner is currently managing CCI’s work at Book Tower, Waverly Community Schools, Tyson Foods, Michigan State University Duffy Daugherty, and Jackson Public Schools. Buddy Scott, P.E. has been promoted to Senior Project Manager. Scott joined CCI in 2014 as an intern and has developed into a key partner in the company’s general trades
and carpentry division. A registered Professional Engineer in Michigan, he is currently managing CCI’s work at Book Tower, Michigan Central Station, Wayne State University, and is integral to CCI’s service division. Ruegsegger Terry Stewart has been promoted to Senior Project Manager. Stewart joined CCI in 2015 with many years of experience in residential construction and is a key partner in the company’s general trades and carpentry division. Stewart is currently managing CCI’s work at 985 Michigan, the Michigan Capitol, McLaren Greater Lansing, Consumers Energy Hardy Dam, Spectrum Health Pediatric Clinic, and the Michigan DHHS State Laboratory projects. DeMaria Building Company, Novi, recently named three new Principals. Promoted to Principal, Executive Vice President, Darren Murray has been with the company for more than 27 years. He manages Operations and DSP, DeMaria's self-perform division, while holding the position of Executive Vice President for the past four years. Mike Joseph, Principal, Vice President of Estimating & PreConstruction Services, joined DeMaria nearly 30 years ago and has led the Estimating department for more than half of that time. Prior to becoming Vice President of Estimating & PreConstruction Services, Joseph held the roles of cost engineer, estimator, senior estimator, and chief estimator. Rick Flynn, Principal, CFO, has been with DeMaria for 26 years. Bringing seven plus years of previous corporate accounting experience, Flynn started at DeMaria as a controller and has served as Chief Financial Officer for the last eight years.
Alt Hoeffner Scott Stewart
Murray Joseph Flynn
West Michigan construction management firm EV Construction recently hired construction veteran C.J. MacKenzie to lead the firm’s preconstruction MacKenzie department. In his new role, MacKenzie will lead the preconstruction and project planning efforts, including management of preconstruction staff. His leadership responsibilities include overall department resources management, process improvement, and cross-departmental coordination with construction operations.
Granger Construction Company has recently announced the promotion of Dennis Carignan to President. Carignan has been a member of Carignan Granger’s team for 24 years, serving the company in multiple capacities, including project management, estimating, preconstruction, and most recently as Executive Vice President. Granger Construction has also announced the promotion of Rhet Schrauben to Project Manager. Schrauben joined Granger as an intern in
Schrauben 2018, before being hired full time as a Project Engineer in 2020. Since that time, he has worked exclusively in the Construction Services group and has been involved in many self-perform projects. Granger Construction Company has recently promoted John Bort to Director of Estimating. Bort has worked at Granger for 10 years, first as a Project Bort Engineer, and joining the company’s Pre-Construction team in 2016.
OHM Advisors, Livonia, has announced the promotion of veteran team member, Board of Directors member, and shareholder, Vicki Putala, PE to Vice President. Putala is a
Putala licensed Professional Engineer in Michigan who joined OHM Advisors in 1993 and within six years created its Environmental & Water Resources Group (EWRG). The division focuses on water, stormwater, and wastewater issues. Since EWRG's inception, Putala grew a group of four engineers to a team of 50-plus experts who work in service areas including drinking water supply, sewer overflow control, smart water and sewer technology, infrastructure asset management, and surface water quality.
Putala works closely with Human Resources and other leaders across the firm to develop and implement initiatives to continuously improve employee recruitment and retention and build integrated teams of talent.
The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) has announced that President of Ventcon, Todd Hill, has been elected Hill by the Board of Directors to serve as Vice President. Hill began his career in 1990 as a sheet metal apprentice with Ventcon, an HVAC sheet metal mechanical contractor based in Allen Park. While there, he received his associate’s degree in applied science in computer-aided and mechanical design from Schoolcraft College. At Ventcon, Hill became a CAD operator and advanced through several management positions, becoming President in 2005. In 2010, Hill and his two partners acquired the business.
Broussard Signal Restoration Services, Troy, recently announced that Carrie Broussard has joined the company as Vice President of National Accounts. With more than a decade in the disaster
recovery and restoration industry, Broussard will leverage her passion for building strategic relationships to enhance Signal’s national sales organization. She will report directly to Chief Relationship Officer Barry Zollman.
Civil engineering, planning, and surveying firm Spalding DeDecker has hired Craig Gengler, PE, as West Michigan land development lead. Gengler has more than 10 years of experience in the areas of site evaluations, soil borings and analysis, and engineering design work. He has worked closely with large teams of architects, engineers, planners, and contractors and has specialized training in wall design. Gengler’s background encompasses commercial, institutional, residential, and industrial projects ranging from small mixeduse buildings to multiphase sprawling industrial sites. His land development expertise will complement the municipal, traffic, and construction engineering services that Spalding DeDecker’s Grand Rapids office currently offers. David L. Richter, PMP, FCMAA, FCIOB, has joined Atwell, LLC – a national consulting, engineering, and construction services firm –as Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer. In this newly created role, Richter will work with Atwell’s senior management team to drive the strategic growth of the firm by leading its merger and acquisition efforts and strategic planning. Prior to joining Atwell, Richter worked for more than 22 years at global construction management firm Hill International, Inc., rising from General Counsel to Group President to Chief Operating Officer and eventually to Chief Executive Officer.
Gengler Richter
McGinn Michigan Safety Conference's Executive Director, Denise McGinn, CAE, was inducted into the Michigan Society of Association Executives Hall of Fame in September of this year. This is the association industry’s highest recognition in the state of Michigan. McGinn has been a member of MSAE for more than 30 years. She has served on their Board of Directors, as well as serving as Board Chair.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Detroit District recently hired LeighAnn Ryckeghem to the newly named Operations Manager position at the Soo Locks.
Ryckeghem The Operations Manager, formerly known as the Area Engineer, is responsible for overseeing all Corps of Engineers operations and maintenance activities as well as stakeholder outreach from the Menominee River Watershed in Wisconsin, east across northern Lake Michigan and Huron to the St. Marys River, then west along Lake Superior to Munising. Ryckeghem has over 20 years of experience in engineering, construction, and management.
In Memorium
Frederick John Auch Jr. July 30, 1928 September 13, 2022
Former President of Pontiac’s Auch Construction, Frederick John Auch Jr., has passed away. Born in 1928 and raised in Grosse Pointe, Auch attended Grosse Pointe High School and excelled in many sports, especially softball. In 1946, he attended University of Michigan’s Engineering School and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity with his brother Bill. After graduating in 1950, Auch joined the U.S. Navy.
Soon after military service, he joined the George W. Auch Construction Company and quickly became a key executive of the company, ascending to Co-President. Fred’s tenure at Auch was marked by significant growth. A few of the company’s
major projects during this time included the expansion of Harper and Providence Hospitals, Blue Cross Michigan headquarters, many K-12 schools, theaters, restaurants, and the expansion of Detroit Metro Airport. Under his leadership, George W. Auch Construction Company became a leading builder and was consistently named one of the top firms to work for in Detroit. According to his obituary, Fred worked tireless hours, and engendered extraordinary relationships with clients, colleagues, subcontractors and suppliers.
Charles A. Forbes November 5, 1929 September 29, 2022
Charles Alexander Forbes (Chuck) has died at the age of 92. Born in Highland Park in 1929, Chuck attended Detroit Public Schools and the Henry Ford Trade School. After two years of military service with the Army Corps of Engineers, he attended Wayne State University, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Business while working at Ford Motor Company. Employed for over 31 years by the Ford Motor Company in a variety of marketing and real estate management positions, Forbes' responsibilities involved directing the planning of dealership locations nationally in addition to directing acquisition of real estate, construction of facilities, and ultimately the leasing of these facilities to Ford Motor Company dealers.
After retiring from Ford at the age of 51, Forbes launch a new career in his personal and passionate effort to preserve Detroit's historic Theatre District, assembling over 40 properties for renovation and placement of seven facilities on the National Register of Historic Places. The saving of these irreplaceable architectural treasures, such as the Fox, State, and Gem Theatres, were important priorities to Forbes in restoring and rebuilding Detroit’s Theatre District.
In 1997, Forbes was selected by the Detroit News as a Michiganian of the Year. In 1998, Central Michigan University conferred upon him the honorary degree "Doctor of Public Service" for his vision and accomplishments to rebuild Detroit's Theatre District as a vital step in the rebirth of downtown Detroit.
November ‘22 Issue – Corporate News
Alta Equipment Group Inc., Livonia, has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Ecoverse Industries, a full line distributor of environmental processing equipment headquartered in Avon, Ohio, with 15 sub dealers throughout North America. The deal grants Alta exclusive distribution rights to North America for European equipment OEMs, including Doppstadt, Backus, Backers, and Tiger Depackaging products. It also increases the size of the equipment field population in North America and will provide for future parts and service growth opportunities. Including Ecoverse, since Alta’s initial public offering in 2020, it has completed 13 acquisitions which have contributed $440.3 million in revenue, and $52.5 million in adjusted EBITDA.
Vehya, a Detroit-based electric vehicle industry digital platform, has partnered with Center Line Electric and Siwek Construction in Flint to create a streamlined EV installation solution for large infrastructure projects. Vehya works with cities, automotive companies, and other businesses to supply, install, and service the infrastructure needed for the full adoption of electric vehicles. The partnership will work together to deliver a full spectrum of services including fullscale electrical infrastructure services and installation, asset maintenance and monitoring, and local workforce and community engagement.
Center Line Electric, with more than six decades of experience in delivering electrical services and projects, will provide electrical expertise and leadership needed for electrical projects. “With this strategic partnership, we will deliver a turn-key solution to the market, driving economic return and high-performing EV infrastructure for our clients along with the markets and communities they serve,” said Kelvin Squires, owner and CEO of Center Line Electric.
Clark Construction Company is expanding its regional footprint with a new office in Grand Rapids, located at 146 Monroe Center Street in the historic McKay Tower. The Grand Rapids office will be led by Clark Vice President and west Michigan native, Dan Korte, and staffed by nearly 30 current employees, all from the west Michigan area. The decision to add the new office location was prompted by Clark’s success in west Michigan over the past 10 years and a project portfolio that covers retail, health care, K-12 and higher education,
manufacturing, hospitality, and more. The new McKay Tower office is located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, and offers Clark employees an opportunity to strengthen connections and relationships within the community, AEC industry partners, and valued clients. Headquartered in Lansing, Clark Construction Company also has offices in Alpena and Auburn Hills.
Reliance Building Company (RBC) recently won a CAMComp Diamond Safety Award for achieving 40 years of service in the construction industry and no injuries. President of Reliance Building Company, Lynn Natzic, was presented the award at the annual CAMComp meeting in August at Comerica Park. By using its background in engineering, the RBC team strives to make the building process simple and professional for both design professionals and the clients they serve, according to the company. Reliance specializes in water and wastewater treatment projects, and government projects at the municipal, state, and federal levels.
SmithGroup, one of the nation’s leading integrated design firms, has opened its latest office in Sacramento. This location adds to the firm’s strong presence in northern California, deepening its connections in the growing metropolitan area and Central Valley region. Located in the Ice Blocks, a three-block mixed-use project in midtown Sacramento, the office specializes in architecture, interiors, landscape architecture, and MEP engineering for the civic, health, higher education, life science, mixed-use, and workplace markets.
The opening of the Sacramento office is the latest milestone in a pattern of steady growth for SmithGroup, which recently opened locations in Atlanta, Houston, and Portland. SmithGroup employs some 1,300 people, working across a network
of 19 offices in the United States and China. Its Michigan offices are located in Ann Arbor and Detroit.
Engineering NewsRecord has recognized Turner Construction Company as the top green contractor. This is the 15th consecutive year that Turner has been ranked number one. In addition to the top spot overall, Turner was ranked as a leading green builder in the Commercial Offices, Healthcare, and the Sports, Entertainment & Civic sectors.
According to Turner, the company has been meeting aggressive targets to reduce the use of carbon-intensive building materials and fossil fuel dependence during the construction and operations of buildings. They are facilitating early and open collaboration between clients, design partners, and their suppliers to meet the sustainability goals of their projects, the surrounding communities, and the planet. This cooperative approach has catalyzed project teams to pilot the use of lowcarbon equipment and incorporate leading-edge clean technology into their projects. These efforts are designed to help decarbonize construction activity and deliver green, sustainable, and resilient buildings.
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