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Volume 17
Number 12
DECEMBER 2014
An all-new Norton
Captured!
Starting Norton Company has been a “liberating and challenging” adventure for Bill Norton.
Norm Christensen, project director for Skyonic, takes board members and VIP guests on a tour of Capitol SkyMine at the Capitol Aggregates cement plant.
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fter 26 years in the construction industry, Bill Norton felt a need to start his own business, Norton Company, emphasizing quality over quantity as well as positivity. “What has kept me in the construction industry is I enjoy working with the people, the owners, the contractors and subcontractors, and the architects and engineers, helping to guide the project in a positive atmosphere,” says Norton. “Construction can be a pretty mean business, but it doesn’t have to be. If I can get into a project early enough, I can set the tone of the project team, and then it’s a better process.” Founded in May of last year, Norton Company does project concept and plan-
ning, design and construction management, and ongoing consulting and communication. Norton handles exclusively commercial work, currently working on two Class A office buildings on the 1604 corridor and a small retail center on the northwest side. “It’s liberating and challenging at the same time,” he says of building his own business. “It’s new for me. I’ve always been employed by someone else. And I’m having a blast with my company. It’s exciting.” After earning his bachelor’s degree in construction science from Texas State University (TSU) in 1987, Norton spent 11 years working for Guido Construction, continued on Page 22
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he Capitol Aggregates cement plant recently became the first commercial-scale facility to boast new carbon capture and utilization technology. Skyonic Corporation, whose founder and CEO, Joe Jones, invented the technology, officially opened Capitol SkyMine on Oct. 21. The $125 million SkyMine facility, which sits on property leased from Capitol, will directly capture 75,000 tons of CO2. The captured carbon will then be used to make products such as baking soda, bleach and hydrochloric acid. Jones had the initial idea about 10 years ago. He figured out a way to capture carbon to combat CO2 emissions
and treat the CO2 as an input to a green chemicals process, allowing them to run carbon capture at a profit. Skyonic pipes over post-combustion flue gas from Capitol’s cement plant to the separate SkyMine chemical plant. Capitol SkyMine will reduce greenhouse gas emissions for a total carbon impact of 300,000 tons every year and is expected to generate $48 million in revenue and $28 million in annual earnings for Skyonic. Zachry Corporation is one of Skyonic’s investors and the owner of Capitol Aggregates. “We started partnering with Zachry back in 2009 to write the grants that we continued on Page 22
A corner of mixed Sunshine
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multi-faceted business needs a multi-faceted building. And that’s what Tejas Premier Building Contractor built for Sunshine Distributors, Inc. The new facility includes 4,473sf of retail space, 2,334sf of office space and 1,027sf of residential space. The store for Sunshine Medical Uniforms, distribution offices upstairs, and a residential condo for the owners’ private use were built from the ground up at the intersection of Brooklyn and Camden in the new River North District. The new building replaced the old retail shop, which was demoed for this job, and was added to Sunshine’s existing 7,920-sf warehouse for its hotel and hospital products distribution company. Completed in early October, the design-build project took 13 months for both design and construction, and it came in at a project cost in the under $2 million range.
The mixed use made the new building unique and challenging. The owners wanted to include a space for possibly staying downtown overnight or for use by out-of-town guests. Julissa Carielo, owner and president of Tejas, notes that this required a tricky balance during the design stage. Oscar Carielo, Julissa’s husband and project manager on the job, explains, “We had to attend numerous hearings and get [the design] approved as far as all the requirements on those areas. We actually went through a couple of months with different reviews on it before we were able to finalize what they needed. The City of San Antonio has a committee involved that’s making these decisions as far as how much glass they need on the street side, how much square footage, how far the building has to be from the property line.” Tejas Premier Building Contractor built the mixed-use Sunshine facility, consisting of retail, office and residential space, in the River North District.
continued on Page 22
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San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
The great wrap party
Their hearts will go on
his year, Marek Bros. didn’t just participate in the American Heart Association (AHA) San Antonio Heart & Stroke 5K Walk; the company put its heart into the event – literally. Marek built a special structure for the AHA and its walk participants. “It was a very rewarding and emotional experience [with] over 12,000 [people] in attendance at Nelson Wolff Stadium,” comments Dennis Yanowski, Stacy Gunderson, workforce development coordinator for Marek Bros., and her husband, John, with the memorial structure Marek built. Marek’s division president. “Since our drywall trade in- Oct. 23, during the setup for the walk, cludes framing and board products, we Marek’s team, including James Hill, Joe were asked to fabricate ‘heart-shaped Ybarra and Mark Behrens, assembled arches’ and construct a ‘Memorial Vil- the structure onsite, taking more than lage’ where attendees could write a trib- three hours to put it together and then ute to lost love ones, or celebrate survi- spending time on Saturday taking it apart. vors. “The cause of the American Heart “The structure includes two giant Association is special to us at Marek. A hearts connected by frames,” Beverly dehandful of years ago, one of our co-work- scribes. “The frames had boards attached ers collapsed of cardiac arrest while at that allowed participants to walk through work. Fortunately, there were folks in the and write a note to their loved ones.” On Oct. 25, the day of the walk, hunoffice that had CPR training. While we can’t say for certain that we saved a life, dreds of people passed through the the EMS techs certainly seemed to think Memory Walk and signed the boards in so. That co-worker survived, is now re- an emotional tribute to those they love and some they have lost. tired and traveling the country.” Following the walk, the AHA had no In Marek’s two years of sponsorship and support of the walk, Cynthia Beverly, where to store the signed board with the AHA senior corporate market director for lasting memorials, but Beverly explains the Heart & Stroke Walk, estimates that that Marek generously offered to store Marek has raised more than $23,000 for them in their warehouse and they will bring it all back to the walk next year. the annual walk. For this year’s event, the AHA want- “This is an incredibly generous, cared to create a Memory Walk but did not ing and giving group of people,” states have the money to build it. Beverly ap- Beverly. “We would not have had this proached Yanowski with the idea, and he amazing tribute without them. We have been flooded with comments since the agreed that Marek would do it. Marek’s Jose Silva took on the proj- walk about how beautiful it was and how ect, designing and constructing it. On meaningful to so many.” –mh
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ASCO San Antonio presented A Soldier’s Child with a check from ASCO’s companywide annual fundraising efforts.
he San Antonio branch of ASCO Equipment hosted a “Wrap” Party Nov. 1 to shop and wrap birthday gifts for children of fallen soldiers. Every year, ASCO employees choose a charity to support as a company, and then each branch holds a fundraiser for that cause, and ASCO’s owners match those donations dollar for dollar. “This year we were able to raise $225,000 for A Soldier’s Child Foundation (ASC),” says Kim Wigley, ASCO administrative assistant. “The San Antonio Branch had the privilege of hosting the ‘Wrap’ party as well as the honor of presenting the check to ASC founder Daryl Mackin.” In the morning, 40 ASCO employees and their families stopped at a Wal-Mart
to shop for gifts for the 88 ASC children with December birthdays. Then, they returned to ASCO’s San Antonio facility to host a birthday party for two ASC children, Jace Ventez, who turned 7, and Raquel Castro, who turned 15, along with 18 other ASC recipient children and their families who attended the birthday party in support of ASC. As hosts, ASCO offered pizza and cake, and concluded the party by giving all 20 ASC kid guests new bikes. Then, employees wrapped all of the presents they bought that morning and prepared them for shipping, aided by active and veteran service members, as well as volunteers from Steele High School. –mh
ASCO employees and their families “invaded” a Wal-Mart to shop for the children of fallen service members.
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San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
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Construction, miniature-sized
Industry FOLKS Joshua Fosmire Customer & Public Relations Monterrey Iron & Metal
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Mary Sweet made this room box and its furniture for her parents’ 50th wedding anniversary in 1993. It’s a replica of their favorite place to stay in Rockport, and outside the window is the actual view from the condo across the canal.
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f you think constructing a building from the ground up is hard work, imagine having to build a home at 1/12 scale. Imagine a project where one inch is equal to one foot. In some cases, a 1/4inch equals a foot for a total “footprint” of about 11 square inches. That’s the world of building and restoring dollhouses, a lifelong hobby for Mary Sweet, administrative aide at Surmac. Growing up, Sweet was always fascinated by tiny things, such as dollhouse miniatures. When she was 16, she and her father built a dollhouse for her youngest sister, where he did the dollhouse and she made all the furniture for it. Today, building dollhouses along with the furniture and accessories is her favorite hobby, and she’s a “Jill-of-all-trades” when it comes to the craft. Initially, she checked books out of the library on dollhouse building, and then she found and joined the National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts (NAME) where she met other dollhouse
builders who offered workshops, classes, and what they call “house parties.” “Depending on if it’s from a kit – there’s a multitude of them on the market – or if I’m actually cutting the pieces myself, it can take anywhere from a month to six months to actually build the house, because you want everything to be as perfect as you can,” says Sweet. “From that point, furnishing it and everything can take, oh, the rest of your life [laughs].” Back in the late ‘80s, she renovated a dollhouse that was built in 1921 for a friend of her mother, and the project took almost a full year. The dollhouse had been built from apple crates. She electrified it, adding working lights, renovated it, and made furniture to match the existing pieces. Today, she takes commissions to renovate dollhouses, and she has built three of her own and many room boxes, which are often a presentation of a single room. –mh
oshua Fosmire recently came onboard at Monterrey Iron & Metal to do customer and public relations for the 98-year-old scrap metal recycling company. A native of upstate New York – that’s anything north of the New York City metropolitan area – Fosmire grew up near Binghamton, attending Vestal High School, and when he graduated in 1999, he went on to Tompkins Cortland Community College in Dryden. He’s currently finishing his degree in public relations with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). In 2002, he came to San Antonio for a change of scenery and started working at Schnabel’s True Value hardware store. Like Monterrey, Schnabel’s is another longstanding San Antonio business with Fosmire estimating it to be 74 years old this year. He was store manager for 11 of those years. When the opportunity arose to work at Monterrey, doing exactly what he loves, Fosmire seized it. He says that every day at Monterrey is different and that he enjoys working for owner Jack Vexler and the family-owned private company. Another thing he loves about his job is meeting new people and building client relationships. In his role at Monterrey, he also works with the San Antonio Manufacturing Association. Outside of work, Fosmire keeps busy finishing his degree and of course, spending time with his wife, who is a librarian for Katherine Stinson Middle School. The couple was married Jun.
15 of last year. He met his wife through Flexible Fitness, a personal training studio that Fosmire owned and operated from 2011 to 2014. Since getting married, Fosmire and his wife have been talking about starting a family. Between his work schedule running both the hardware store and the gym, he decided to close the gym. Fosmire comments that this was “not shutting the doors to the opportunity of opening another one sometime down the road, but for right now this is where I needed to go.” He believes closing the gym happened at the perfect time, because the position at Monterrey presented itself and made for an ideal transition. Having appeared in a fitness magazine in 2001, fitness continues to be a passion of his with its roots traceable to family. “My dad introduced me to fitness when I was 15, and it was just something I fell in love with,” he recalls. “I’m still a personal trainer, too. That’s something I’m always keeping active. It’s something I love. I get to vent when I’m working out. I feel like it’s something [that can] clear my head. I get my best ideas at the gym.” An only child, Fosmire remains close to his father, who lives in New Hampshire, and he recently traveled back to the northeast to visit him. –mh
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San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
Construction News JOB SIGHT
Construction News ON LOCATION
Re-tile and re-style
A jolt for morale
L-R: Terrell Pye and Johnny Vivian, J&R Tile, laid new tile at the entry way to the building that’s home to the Builders Exchange of Texas, Virtual Builders Exchange (VBX) and Construction News. –mh
At Central Electric, members of the office staff produce a quarterly company newsletter, “The Circuit,” so that employees and visitors can catch up on the status of its many projects and find out about new hires and who is having a birthday or work anniversary. L-R: (front) brothers and co-owners Chris and Ernie Martinez, (back) Trisha Wallace, Samantha and Elaine Walters, Flavio Vilches, Sam Lopez –mh
Breaking into BBQ
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L-R: Luis Castillo, Margil Lechuej, Raul Olvera, Ray Balandran
eam members of Baker Triangle San Antonio brought their families to the company’s North Brazos Street facility Nov. 8 for its inaugural barbecue cook-off event. The day was packed with fun for the kids, too, including a moon bounce, face painting, a petting zoo and pony rides. Michael Sireno, president of the San Antonio office, notes that the Houston office has been doing a barbecue for a few years now, and he says they are going to start one in every office, and the winners in each location will go on to compete for best overall. For this first-time event, eight barbecue teams cooked meat that Baker provided, making for a level playing field, explains Jon Randolph, vice president of the San Antonio office. The teams consisted of volunteer cooks who are workers and laborers at Baker. The cooks were able to come in and “tweak” the meat the night before, but it had to stay at the Baker facility overnight, and then the next day, they were able to prepare it to their liking. –mh
Winners: Brisket 1st: Hot & Spicy BBQ – Armando Paiz, Martin Morales, David Delgadillo, Jorge Arredondo, Taz Miera, Mario Moreno 2nd: Chato BBQ – Alvaro Longoria, Luis De La Garza, Giovanny Damian, Juan Carlos Martinez 3rd: Cowboys Without Horses – Doyle Dancer, Keith Dimmick, Tim Koba, Darnell Brown, Frederick Sanchez Chicken 1st: Cowboys Without Horses 2nd: The Texans – Cat Tellez, Jesus Villanueva, Argel Villarreal, Ricardo Martinez, Paul Mendoza, Luis Carreon 3rd: El’ America – Demetrio Ibarra, Raul Manzanares Ribs 1st: Cowboys Without Horses 2nd: El’ America 3rd: Hot & Spicy BBQ Beans 1st: Chato BBQ 2nd: The Texans 3rd: Hot & Spicy BBQ Showmanship: The Texans
L-R: Jon Randolph, Baker, and his son, Jonathan Randolph, Bartlett Cocke L-R: Argel Villarreal made cotton candy with 7-year-old son Xavier by his side, and Gary Hutchings, made popcorn.
At the petting zoo, Lauren Brown, 8, cuddled a bunny with Alyssa Fuentes, 6, and Samantha Rodriguez, 19, attending with her father, Baker employee Chris Rodriguez.
Braulio Minaya put his 3-year-old daughter, Sofia, into the saddle for a pony ride.
San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
Page 5
Getting into the brick of it
A swing and a prayer
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L-R: James, Kathy, Billy, and James (JD) Groesbeck
hough James Groesbeck is 62 years old, he jokes, “I’m 35 going on 62.� As president of Groesbeck Masonry, the company he founded in March 1985, he looks back on how he got to be where he is today. “We started with one employee – me,� says Groesbeck, noting that the company always grew except for the off years during the recession. He adds that, at one time, they had 125 employees, and now, they have about 65. Groesbeck does a wide variety of projects, ranging from schools – K-12 and higher ed – to industrial work and warehouse buildings. In the office, his wife Kathy Groesbeck does the bookkeeping, billing, payroll and countless other duties as the office manager, secretary and vice president of the company. His youngest son, Billy Groesbeck, does computer work and is a project manager on many of their jobs. Groesbeck’s older son, James Groesbeck Jr., works in Austin as a geologist with Weston Solutions.
Groesbeck states that his father, Tommy Frank Groesbeck, was a carpenter superintendent for general contractors and then for HEB Construction for about 20 years. When bricklayers Dan Mills and Kenneth Reus worked on his dad’s house at Canyon Lake, Groesbeck and his brother labored for them. That led to working for them in the summers during high school. Soon, Groesbeck applied for the union bricklayers school. He served his apprenticeship with KR Masonry, Reus’ company. He worked for Reus for 14 years with Mills as his superintendent. “When I went to go into business, Kenny tried to talk me out of it,� he recalls. “He said, ‘Now is a bad time to go into business.’ He was probably right, because construction had taken a downturn. But I told him I had already put it off two years before that, and if I didn’t go now, I wasn’t going to go at all probably. So, I went ahead and took off on my own.� –mh
A new power house
early 110 golfers participated in the second annual Beyer Boys Relay for Life Golf Tournament Oct. 23 at Canyon Springs. Along with several sponsors, Beyer Mechanical and Beyer Plumbing raised more than $25,000 for the American Cancer Society. Jeff, Perry and Patrick Beyer and their employees began raising money for the American Cancer Society more than eight years ago when Perry’s wife, Cindy, was diagnosed with breast cancer. The Beyer family and their employees raise money for the cause every year through company events and participation in the Comal County Relay for Life. Last year, the Beyer Boys Relay for Life team raised more than $35,000 from all their fundraising events. –mh Winners: Top Net: Ed Ebrom, Kopplow Construction; Tim Miner and Jared Beyer, Beyer Mechanical; Brad Bright, Trane Top Gross: Lennox Industries – Brian
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210-587-7634 www.GPSofTexas.com
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L-R: Les Moynahan, NECA; Rick Smith, Keller-Martin Construction; Daryl Klecka, Klecka Electric; Vincent Real, Big State Electric
he National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) South Texas Chapter has a new home at 8306 Perrin Beitel Rd. and welcomed members and guests to its open house Oct. 29. Vincent Real, NECA president and president of Big State Electric, explains that the open house served to invite the people that support NECA to see the new office and meet fellow contractors. He adds that some of their members have not yet seen the new facility. He notes that NECAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s former location of more than 40 years was downtown by
the Pearl Brewery, but they needed a larger facility for meetings and training. In late 2012, NECA purchased an old drive-thru bank on Perrin Beitel near Loop 410. Real says that the building was in terrible shape, vandalized and stripped of copper with damaged walls and busted glass. Turning it into NECAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new headquarters required a total interior demo and remodel. The construction took six months in 2013, and NECA moved in about three months prior to its debut mixer. â&#x20AC;&#x201C;mh
L-R: John Wright, Alterman; Robert Livar and Sarah Corona, CDI; Billy Chamberlin, NECA
Top Net Team
Top Gross Team
Leonard, Brent Warner, Aaron Crawford, John Richmond
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San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
Chris Martinez, President Central Electric
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t 36, Chris Martinez has been president of Central Electric since 2005. He co-owns the company his father, Fred Martinez, started in 1975 with his vice president and 37-year-old brother, Ernie. Martinez majored in accounting, but quickly realized he wanted to work with his dad. He credits his dad and his mother, Rosie, with helping to make him who he is today. When he started working with his father, they had seven people working in the field. Today, the company has nearly 100 employees and almost 30 trucks, and it has grown every year, even maintaining double-digit growth through the economic downturn. What was it like growing up with your father having his own electrical contracting business? When you have a family business, your summers are always accounted for – and weekends sometimes. I remember he would have us sweep the parking lot. I don’t think we ever got the parking lot clean, but that was one of our assignments. My mom reminded me of a story. When I was really young, I used to wake up before school, and I’d watch my dad leave for work. So, one day, I told him I had a school holiday, and so I went to work with him, and then shortly after breakfast, my mom called and said, “Where’s Chris?” He said, “He’s here with me.” [My mom said,] “He has school today.” My dad never pushed or influenced us to get into the business. My mom didn’t either. I remember we worked [here] through middle school and high school. When I was in college, my dad got a contract to demo the inside of part of an elementary school. So, my fraternity brothers and I went on a weekend and we knocked out this two-week job in a day-and-a-half. We’re very lucky that our parents provided us a very good education. I went to Central Catholic, and then I went to St. Mary’s University to be a lawyer. Freshman year, my dad had a lady in the office who helped him, and her husband got very sick, and she had to retire. So, he called and he said, “I need some help in the office.” I said, “Sure, I’ll help” and one thing led to another. By the end
Metal Studs Drywall
of my freshman year, it was like – this is what I’m going to do. What drew you from pursuing law to wanting to work in the electrical field? I would say the business aspect captured my attention. I’ve always been one when I get involved with an organization, I want to excel to the top, make a difference and have an impact. And I saw that with my dad. I thought being an electrician was “Let’s go wire something or fix this,” but when I saw the human resource side, the payroll side, the employees, working as a team, planning, projecting, forecasting – I thought, “That’s really neat, and I want to be part of that.” Learning the business side of electrical contracting is what intrigued me the most. The business is under my master license. When I was at St. Mary’s, I was working in the office – payroll entry, data entry, payables, receivables – and then I would help my dad write RFIs, prepare bids on the computer. I did a lot of the business side, but when I graduated, my dad didn’t necessarily want me to go in the field, because we’d always kind of been in the field. We’d go help with outages, help work on weekends, in the summer. I remember working at Alamo Heights Middle School, the Sunken Tea Garden. We were always the helpers going through the attic or digging the trench. But when I graduated, I told my dad, “I want to go out in the field. I don’t want to be the boss’ son that comes in with a degree, and tells others what to do.” So, when I finished my finals my senior year, I went to a job that I helped estimate and I got in the trenches. It was an outdoor site lighting project for the San Antonio Housing Authority. I got out there and I dug trenches all summer. There was an electrical inspector who’s still around and he calls me “ditch digger boy,” because he found out from another guy on the job that I was Fred’s son, and he said, “Why aren’t you in college?” I said, “I did go to college.” He said, “Are you going to graduate?” I said, “I graduate on Saturday.” He said, “You’re digging a ditch and you’re going to graduate from San Antonio College or St. Philip’s?” I said, “No, from St. Mary’s.” He said, “You’re digging and you’re going to graduate on Saturday?” I did that through the rest of the year, and my dad wanted me to learn more of the business side. So, I slowly came up from working in the field, digging and being more of an apprentice, a helper, to finally getting into being an electrician, from being an assistant project manager to an estimator. Cleaning and stocking the warehouse, changing oil on the trucks and washing the trucks – I’ve done all that. What is it like to work with your brother? He’s the ying; I’m the yang. We share all decisions together. The company is also under the engineering license of my brother, Ernie, which gives us an edge on design-build/design-assist projects. My oldest brother, Freddie, also worked in the business with us, but he passed away in 2006. Ernie and I still think of him daily.
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L-R: Chris Martinez and his brother Ernie Martinez own and run Central Electric with Chris as president holding the company’s electrical master license and Ernie as vice president and its licensed electrical engineer.
Tell me about your community involvement. I would say that Central Catholic and St. Mary’s really formed who I am when it comes to service, community, and family. I’m very proud to be on the St. Mary’s Board of Trustees now. I’m also on Central Catholic’s Board of Directors. I actually started a golf tournament at Central, got on their alumni board, and then they asked me to move up to the actual board of directors – and kind of the same thing at St. Mary’s. When I was at St. Mary’s, I started a student-employer networking golf tournament, and to this day, there’s a guy that got a job off that golf tournament. I started the young alumni chapter at St. Mary’s, and then I moved to the alumni board. I became Oyster Bake chair. I became alumni association president. Then, I moved to the board of trustees as a representative of the alumni association, and now I’m a full, serving trustee. I got to meet City Councilman Enrique Barrera, and I graduated from St, Mary’s in 2000, and in 2001, he put me on the Zoning Commission. So, I was the youngest zoning commissioner ever, and I’m actually still the youngest zoning commissioner, and the longest serving. I’ve enjoyed doing it for 12 or 13 years now. I’ve been president of my neighborhood association. There’s a local government corporation formed by the City of San Antonio, and it’s called the Westside Development Corporation, and I’ve been board chair of that organization since it’s founding. We’ve grown from a staff of one to right around six now. I’ve been on a SAWS committee. I was on the City’s Bond Advisory Board. I’ve been on the IEC [Independent Electrical Contractors] board. Right now, I’m on Hope for the Future Board, a fundraising arm of the Archdiocese. They raise scholarship funds for deserving children that seek a faith-filled Catholic education. Then, there’s an organization called the Consejos – Rey Feo for Fiesta. It’s run by LULAC [League of United Latin American Citizens], raising scholarship money. I would say my passions to be in-
volved in are inner city and education for the youth, giving young kids opportunities or advantages. I want them to experience what I had the opportunity to experience at Central Catholic and St. Mary’s, two places that formed and shaped who I am. I was part of CCA [Coastal Conservation Association] with my dad for a couple years, and one year, somebody donated a trip with a Greyhound bus and the food, and we were going to take a nonprofit, age group 8-15, and we were going to take them to Corpus to the hatchery to go fishing, and we were going to barbecue out there. The folks at CCA came to me and said, “Hey, would you want to head this up?” So, I did everything. I planned the bus. I selected the inner city nonprofit. Four of my buddies from St. Mary’s and Central – we got the kids, we picked them up on a Saturday, we were all the chauffeurs, and we hauled them all to Corpus and helped them fish. They had never been fishing in their lives. Some of them had never even been out of San Antonio. It was just so exciting to see their faces light up – when you fish at a hatchery, everybody catches something – and just to see them get so excited was really rewarding. Tell me more about your family. My wife, Veronica, and I started dating our freshman year at St. Mary’s. She’s a NICU [Neonatal Intensive-Care Unit] nurse. I would say she helped me get my master’s license, because when she was studying for her boards from the Health Science Center to become a nurse, that’s when I studied for my master’s license. We’ve been married for almost 12 years, and now we have three children: Alexa, 7, Andres is 5, and our youngest is 2-and-a-half, Ariana. I was really big into sports – the whole team working together, and you only win as a team – and to see them want to play sports is really exciting. So, I’ve coached soccer now, T-ball, and now we are starting basketball. When you get involved, you hope your kids do well, and to see them do well is just so exciting. –mh
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San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
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A taste of something new
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he Air Conditioning Contractors Association (ACCA) San Antonio Chapter hosted its first-ever membership mixer Oct. 28 at Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling on Whirlwind. Tim Bruce, General Air and ACCA Membership Committee chair, comments that they chose Ranger Creek as the location for their inaugural mixer to invite their members and prospective members to do something different and exciting. The event boasted four beers for the tasting: an oatmeal pale ale; a Bavarianstyle hefeweizen, a mesquite-smoked porter and a black IPA. Attendees were also treated to a tour of the facility. –mh
L-R: Gregg Zinsmeyer, A/C Technical Services, and Steve White, AmeriCRANE
L-R: Robert Freund, Comfort-Air Engineering/ Primo Plumbing; Charles Rios, Carrier Enterprises; Dion Krause, Building 36
L-R: Max Gutierrez, Karen Ball, and Phil Gamble, Pure-Air Filter; Patty Wilson, Mr. Wilson Heating and Air
L-R: Terence Carr, Adolfo Perez, Insco Distributing; Nathan Cernosek, Insurance One; Brad Allison, Carrier Enterprises; Matt Freund, Comfort-Air/Primo Plumbing
Industry jobs, just click
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statewide coalition of Associated General Contractors (AGC) building chapters has taken the effort to address statewide labor shortages and craft training needs to the Internet. Fittingly enough, the Texas Construction Careers website, texasconstruc tioncareers.com, launched soon after Labor Day. The virtual seeds were planted last summer when 10 “partners” agreed on a A screen shot of the front page of the new website. simple business plan: “The primary purpose of the website is to es- ers are using the site to advertise open tablish and maintain a ‘go to’ online des- positions.” tination in Texas for information about Owners are those who purchase contraining, education, and job placement struction services. He observes that many as well as career opportunities for stu- owners are willing to help address the dents and military veterans.” skilled labor shortage. He adds, “For ex Doug McMurry, executive vice pres- ample, in Houston, some owners are willident of AGC San Antonio, states, “The ing to pay more for construction services, plan grew out of some discussions if contractors are working ‘to positively among industry leaders at the AGC of address the issues facing the craft workAmerica Building Division. We knew Wis- er,’” citing Construction Career Collaboraconsin had a workforce development tive (C3). site, but we wanted to create one for a “By working together, owners and inTexas audience and make it bigger and dustry leaders can achieve greater rebetter.“ sults. We plan to continue our statewide McMurry also points out that before marketing efforts during the last quarter. this website, the industry didn’t have an In January, we’ll publish a progress report online job bank that focused solely on with financial data for the original 10 Texas and construction, forcing firms to partners. We may use the report to reach turn to paid space on Monster and similar out to other interested parties.” sites. He says, “We wanted to give them a While McMurry comments that Texas Texas option – an affordable, profession- Construction Careers is one small part of al, not-for-profit place to go.” the solution, he emphasizes that it pro This collaborative effort between 10 vides an online resource for anyone interAGC chapters, including TEXO, is still a ested in construction workforce developwork in progress. The industry’s recep- ment. He states that the partners may tion has been encouraging, McMurry also work to establish a statewide Connotes, adding, “Interestingly, public own- struction Careers Collaborative. –mh
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San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
Taking care of the team
An advisory ambassador
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MFR Erectors L-R: Raymond, Carlos, Daniel, Rolando, Martin, Sergio, Jaime
o thank everyone working on the SurePoint Self Storage project Select Building Systems, better known as SBS Construction, is doing in Schertz, the general contractor held a Subcontractor Appreciation Lunch Oct. 30 at the jobsite. When asked why SBS hosted the event, Dave Morgan, SBS executive vice president and COO, replied, “Because we’re nothing without subcontractors. In the world of general construction today, you’re a team, and the team is the GC and all the subs and the vendors and suppliers that go with it. You have to take care of the people who take care of you. That’s what construction is all about.” –mh
L-R: Bill “Tiny” Leonard, SBS; Tony Murphy, Titan Electric; Steve Schiffman, SBS
s Trey Dawson, project manager at Pape-Dawson Engineers, settles in at the firm’s new headquarters and gears up for the half-century milestone for the family business next year, he’s also helping high school students realize their career paths. Raised in San Antonio, Dawson attended San Antonio Christian School from kindergarten to graduation. He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and his master’s in transportation engineering from Texas Tech University. While attending Texas Tech in Lubbock, he met his wife, Meg, and in 2009, he started to work for the firm his grandfather began in 1965. “We’re loving the new building and we’re recently expanding into some of the other markets in Texas: Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and Houston,” says Dawson. “We’ve got probably about 100 people outside of San Antonio now. We’re a civil and environmental engineering company. We work for both the public and private sector, and we do commercial, residential and multi-family land development. “I think it’s important to know all of that to understand why I have a passion for being on the Career and Technical Education Advisory Board. I have passion for helping students realize what they want to do after school.” Having served on the district advisory board at MacArthur High School for four years now, he spent this last year as its chair. The advisory council aims to raise awareness of the importance of technical education in areas such as math, science, engineering and architecture. The council also provides insight and evaluations of the programs offered to the students in the eight high schools within the district. Every year, the adviso-
As chair of the Career and Technical Education advisory board, Trey Dawson helps high school students get on the path to their future careers.
ry council also plans the NEISD Career and Technical Education Career Fair and has awarded scholarships based on donations from that event. Dawson enjoys being able to help the students, whether that involves showing them actual projects in the works or just explaining the different types of engineering to them. He also thinks it’s important to provide real world insight for teachers to let them know if, for example, a computer program they’re using in the classroom is outdated technology and no longer used in the field. “For me, it was an easy decision, because I always wanted to be an engineer,” he comments, noting that he can’t imagine how hard it must be for some kids to not know what they want to do. He says it’s rewarding to help them figure it out, adding, “It’s such a big decision. Basically, when you’re 18 years old, you have to decide what you’re going to do for the rest of your life.” –mh
New development Johnson AC L-R: Enrique, Juan, Francisco, Richard, Abraham
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Mike Helmke, owner of Helmke + Associates, with his wife and two children
n January 1998, registered architect Mike Helmke, AIA, NCARB, started his own construction and architecture business, Helmke + Associates. He also has Helmke Development Company, which is an arm of the business. Though the last five years have been a rollercoaster, he notes things have gotten better. Helmke grew up in San Antonio and earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University in 1987. He moved to Florida where he worked as an architect for a large architecture firm for about six years. After that, he went into construction management with Lincoln Property Company. Then, in 1996, he moved to Richmond, VA and worked for W.R. Adams, a construction management company, on a new hospital building. At the end of 1997, he returned home to the Alamo City, believing this would be the best opportunity for him to open his own business. Today, Helmke, 50, has three employees at the firm, which does mostly commercial and select residential. He notes
that all of their work is word of mouth and repeat business. They’ve had some clients for 10 years now. They’ve done a number of jobs for the Baptist Health System, M&S Imaging and Gonzaba Medical Group, including two imaging centers and new executive offices, as well as multiple equipment replacements for M&S. They have also done several pharmacy jobs for Crawford Pharmacy, including their pharmacy on Pleasanton Road. The firm handles the construction and architecture for the development company’s properties, which have included the Arbor at Thousand Oaks, which is an 18,000-sf retail center, and Alamo Mini Storage, off 410 and Broadway. “I like the flexibility and the ability to do different things on any given day,” says Helmke. “It’s never the same.” At home, Helmke has his wife of 20 years, Sue, and their 15-year-old son and 10-year-old daughter. He enjoys playing volleyball with his daughter and baseball with his son, as well as hunting and fishing. –mh
San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
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What was your first paying job? My first paying job, I was on a cleanup crew at a restaurant in Rickmansworth, England. So, in the mornings, I would come in – I was about 9 or 10, and clean up from the night before. I’d vacuum, clean up and take out the trash, all that kind of stuff. Tony Battle, Byrne Construction Services I worked at Swensen’s Ice Cream in San Antonio. This is when I was a senior in high school. I thought I was going to be scooping ice cream and working with the public, but the guy that hired me showed me all the positions and then took me to the back and showed me where the dishwashing station was. So, my very first job, I was washing dishes, and it was like being in a steam bath back there. But in about a year, I was the assistant manager of the store. So, it worked out okay for me, and I worked there about three-and-a-half years. Robert “Rocky” Lopez, Lopez Salas Architects I was a mule [laughs], and I say that facetiously. I was hired by a construction crew to drag a fence to level out grading. So, I had to place a chain-link fence on my back and drag that across the ground. So, I was paid to do that for one summer. That was here in San Antonio. I was 16 maybe. John Mills, JA Mills Engineering My first paying job was as a stock boy at my uncle’s auto parts store during the summer. I was 13. The store still exists. It’s Winkley’s Hardware in Hudson Bend up by Lake Travis. Thomas McFarling, M&S Engineering It would have to be yard work. That’s what I started doing. At probably 12 or 13 years old, I was mowing lawns in the neighborhood for whoever was willing to hire me. Luke Zimmermann, Blue Frog Plumbing & Drain
My first paying job was at Hollywood Video, a movie rental place. I was 16, and I worked there part-time after school and weekends. Mark Kastner, Larson Design Group I was working for my dad at 14, stocking apartments and I’d drive the forklift. But the main job that I had for four years, all through high school, was at KFC as a cook every day after school. My aunt was a regional director for KFC, and she said, “You do a good job, because I’m recommending you.” Randy Sanchez, A-1 Total Interiors My first actual paycheck came from Lackland Air Force Base. I worked at the gym. I was kind of a trainer/gym staff. I was 18 years old. Danny Cornejo, O’Connell Robertson It was mowing lawns. I used to do the front yard for $1, the back yard for $2, and I’d charge $1 to edge. When I was 12 years old, my dad would go deer hunting and he leased the property. There were 10 hunters on this lease, and one of the hunters dropped off, and I asked him if I could get on, and he had a meeting and met with the guys, and they said yes, as long as I was supervised through my dad. My dad believed in us having to pay our way, and he told me I had to pay for everything. So, I had to buy a lawnmower and an edger, but I went out and mowed enough lawns to pay the $125 for the deer lease, the $15 that it cost to build the deer blind, and I paid for the deer corn – all this cutting lawns in the summer. James Groesbeck, Groesbeck Masonry I did a paper route. I was probably 12 years old. It was the Light. We used to have two newspapers here in San Antonio. We had the San Antonio Light, and we had the Express-News. Raul Benavides Jr., RCB Construction
A lot of live wires
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he 57th annual Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) National Convention & Electric Expo lit up Baltimore, MD, Oct. 22-25. The convention included the IEC Foundation (IECF) fundraisers the Tom Jones Memorial Golf Tournament and a fishing tournament. The events also included a first-time attendees reception, a leadership appreciation lunch, and the popular Platinum Partner Party. The President’s Reception and Awards Gala brought the convention to an electrifying conclusion. With apprenticeship numbers growing from 150 in 2010 to more than 250 in the last two years, IEC San Antonio received the IEC National Apprenticeship Chapter of the Year Award. IES Commercial, San Antonio, earned an IEC-CNA Safety Award. Central Electric, San Antonio, received a National Award of Excellence in Electrical Construction for Randolph Air Force Base Hangar 40 in the category for contract amounts up to $500,000. Twenty-five winners of their local and chapter wire-offs competed for Apprentice of the Year, but Adam Dever,
IEC San Antonio won the National Apprenticeship Chapter of the Year Award.
IEC Texas Gulf Coast in Houston, took home the honor. Bob Wilkinson, also IEC Texas Gulf Coast, was distinguished as Chapter Executive Director of the Year. Tutor Electric, IEC Fort Worth/Tarrant County, earned the Community Service Award. Steve Humphrey Sr., IEC Dallas, won the Legacy Award. –mh
Central Electric received the National Award of Excellence in Electrical Construction.
Cut from the same stone
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Benavides with his wife and office manager, Sylvia
amily is business-oriented at RCB Construction. Raul Benavides Jr. founded the stucco and stone company in 2002, and today, his wife, Sylvia, is the office manager and his 24-year-old son, Raul Benavides III, is sales and project manager. Benavides’ grandfather and uncles were lathers and plasterers. As he grew up, he went into lumber sales and then got into the stucco business for about 12 years. He observes that the most rewarding part of striking out on his own has been meeting a lot of different people, working with builders, and being able to work all over San Antonio, as well as New Braunfels and Boerne. Though it’s primarily residential, about 20 percent of RCB’s work is commercial, including a few hotels and about a dozen Golden Chick restaurants. Having his family so involved in his company, Benavides believes the most challenging part is separating family time
from business time. Sometimes, they’re working six or seven days a week, mostly doing custom homes, checking on jobs and doing a lot of cut-stone installation. So, they’re living the business day in and day out. That’s why they take some time away from work to have fun as a family. They enjoy hunting, fishing, taking their jet skis to the lake and working out at the gym together. His son, Carlos, whose name is Benavides’ middle name, attends UTSA and competes in physique contests. Benavides notes that they all get into it. Benavides has two other children, a 15-year-old son, Reid, who attends O’Connor and is into swimming, and a 7-year-old daughter, Ava, who has been in competitive swimming since she was 3. He also has a stepson, Ryan Mitchell, who works at the University of the Incarnate Word. –mh
We do custom rebar fabrication for all types of projects, including shop drawings.
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San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
GPS for your business: Identify your top three business growth and profit opportunities Byron Hebert, CPA, CTP, Director Entrepreneurial Advisory Services PKF Texas Houston, TX
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rowth and profits are key to the success of any business, but how do you get there? The Growth & Profit Solution (GPS) gives you direction in your business, much the same as a global positioning system (also GPS) does in your car. Below are ten factors that are key to the profit and growth of your business: 1. Vision – where do you see your company in the future? Most people’s vision is to do better than last year. In today’s global economy, that approach will not work. Have a vision with some stepchange in it. It is likely to include divestments, acquisitions and new products and services. 2. Profit – is essential for cash flow, dividends to shareholders, and funding your growth. Profit is also a direct reflection of your customer service. 3. Sales and marketing – generates growth and career opportunities. People generally do an average job of both. Sales are the life-blood of the organization. The sales process should be a machine that can be tweaked at will. Sales are not just about increasing the top line of the business. Sales that improve margin create more profit. 4. Technology – gives you leverage and efficiency, as well as reinforces your professionalism. Technology includes machines, new technical innovations, and social media initiatives. Technology changes quickly, so it is essential to stay on top of it. 5. Leadership – provides direction and inspiration to the people. Leadership is often overlooked, in part because there has been little innovation in leadership. How often do you brush up your leadership skills? 6. People and team dynamics – the key resource for making it all happen. A general rule is a third of your people are fantastic; a third, you wonder how they got there; and the remaining third are somewhere in-between. People are one of the biggest costs, but one we tend to do little to improve. 7. Strategy – making sure you are competitive and successful. Do you understand your competitive advantage? Is it sustainable? Do you use it to make decisions? Are you planning to make significant improvements to your business this year? 8. Growth – essential for survival in a global economy. Growth creates opportunities, but requires an investment of resources and careful management. The challenge is in making sure you keep the
level of risk under control during times of growth. 9. Innovation – the application of clever thinking and solutions to your business problems. Under-pinning most of the other factors is innovation. Keep in mind the Pareto Rule, 20% of what you do creates 80% of your results. Therefore, 80% of what you do has limited value. How can you apply innovation to make you a better leader, create more sales, recruit better people and make more profits? 10. Continuous improvement – the never-ending journey of continuously improving all your business processes. The Japanese word, Kaizen, means continuously improving all the processes in your organization, using all the people. Do you do this? Changing just a few things each day becomes a significant improvement in your business. Understanding the key factors facing your business at any specific time is essential for you. What are your current constraints? Businesses aren’t static. As you improve in one area, for example technology, the constraint moves to something else, say profit. Where are your three biggest opportunities for improvement? Why do I need to do better? The first thing you need to assume is you may need to exit the business on short notice. If you had to sell within the next three months, is the business in a condition to transition to someone else? Imagine if your annual sales growth was 15% and your profits were growing at 30% annually. What price would you get for the business? What if you had a management team not dependent on you and a great customer base with longterm contracts? Now what price could you get for the business? How would that make you feel each day? It might be a lot more fun! Based in Houston, PKF Texas CPAs and Advisors is dedicated to the growth of middle market construction companies and other service/product related businesses in the energy economy. Visit PKFTexas.com/ GPSDiagnostic for more information.
Let’s get profitable: Planning ahead for 2015 Jeff Norwood, Executive Vice President The Nitsche Group Giddings, TX
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or now, the good times are back. After a long and slow recovery, we are finally seeing trucks moving, cranes going up and help wanted signs everywhere. I know for my clients, this recovery has been a long time coming, and we hope it continues well into the future. But, none of us know how long this will last. What we do know is that we have to make hay while the sun is shining. With all the growth we are seeing, many contractors are venturing into new areas of construction. This is great; it can increase operations allowing the company to be available for more jobs. It can help spread out the income, so if one area starts to fall another may be able to help prop it up. Most of all, it should increase profits. Nobody knowingly wants to lose money or just break even, so increasing profits should be a top priority. With all this market growth comes opportunity, risk and reward. While we certainly cannot predict the future or protect against all risk, there are a few things we can do to be better prepared. Before you venture out into new areas of construction, make a call to your insurance agent. Discuss what new types of work you will be doing. It could be that you already have the correct class codes on your general liability and workers compensation, but more than likely you do not. Based on what you tell the agent, he/she will be able to find the correct codes and give you current rates. This will allow you to bid the work knowing the full cost of insurance up front. Rates vary greatly, and could easily cause a profitable venture to become unprofitable. By adding the class codes and knowing the rates now, you should be able to avoid a nasty surprise at audit. The next thing you should start looking at is your financials. In the past 18 months, we have seen many firms grow by 20% to 50%. These firms worked hard and were in the right place at the right time. In order to keep growing, you may need to either establish a bond line or move your current one up to the next level.
fore making end of year decisions, visit with your agent and discuss what type of bond program you are looking for and build a plan to get there. December 31 is looming close, and is the date many firms typically close out their books for the year. But before you close out the year, speak with your agent and discuss what changes you need to make. You may find that you’re sitting on more cash than you considered possible, so you consider paying off debt. Depending on the situation, that may or may not be a good idea. The problem is once you spend the cash, you may hit reverse and get the debt back, leaving you right back at square one. It can be easy to get caught up in your current business conditions and forget about the needs of the future. You may be busier now than you have been in the past five years, and that is a great place to be. But, you should always be looking toward tomorrow. Set yourself up for a profitable new year. Speak with your insurance agent and find out what you can do to set yourself and your company up for success in 2015. The Nitsche Group was created with the independent spirit of a small-town businessman in 1949. Then, known as the Hannes Insurance Agency, the company had only two employees at one location in Giddings, Texas. Today, we have more than 100 employees at nine locations across Texas to serve our ever-growing client base. Jeff Norwood is a graduate of Texas A&M, and Executive Vice President with The Nitsche Group where he has worked for the past 15 years. He specializes in construction insurance and bonding. Jeff can be reached at 254.493.4600 or JeffN@TheNitscheGroup.com
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San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
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Upcoming OSHA laws
Pay-if-paid clauses: Shifting risk vs. getting paid on time Courtney Willis, President Willis Law, PLLC Addison, TX
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e’ll pay you when we get paid”: it’s frequently heard in construction, and probably just as frequently the start of a payment dispute. Parties hope to be paid quickly after performing on projects, but if they’re not careful and haven’t read their contracts, they may discover that the upstream parties do not actually have to pay until they are paid first. Chapter 56 of the Texas Business and Commerce Code, titled “Agreements for Payment of Construction Subcontractor”, governs what are known as contingent payment clauses. Commonly referred to as “pay-if-paid” clauses, they are related to and often confused with “pay-whenpaid” clauses, though the two are very different. Pay-if-paid means that a “contingent payor,” usually the GC, is obligated to pay its “contingent payee,” the subcontractor, only if it first receives payment from the owner or upstream party. If it does not receive payment, it does not have to pay the subcontractor at any particular time. Put another way, the subcontractor assumes the risk of non-payment by the owner under a payif-paid clause. Pay-when-paid means that a GC is still obligated to pay its subcontractor regardless of what the owner does. Under Chapter 56, contingent payment clauses can apply to contracts for construction, construction management and for the supply of materials. It excludes contracts for design services, some types of projects relating to civil engineering construction, and most types of residential construction. Pay-if-paid clauses are enforceable in Texas, but there are limits on their effectiveness. For instance, a GC that has breached its contract with the owner cannot refuse to pay a subcontractor under a pay-if-paid clause unless the ultimate reason for non-payment is the subcontractor’s breach. Additionally, pay-ifpaid clauses are unenforceable in ‘sham contract’ scenarios where the owner controls the GC or is the GC. Contingent payment clauses are also unenforceable if they are “unconscionable.” The full meaning of “unconscionable” is beyond the scope of this article, but the term is typically used when one party takes advantage of the other to a grossly unfair extent. To protect itself against the claim of unconscionability, a GC using a contingent payment clause should get the owner’s financial informa-
tion on the project and disclose it to the subcontractor upfront. The GC should also make reasonable efforts to collect from its upstream parties or offer to assign the GC’s causes of action against the upstream party(ies) for nonpayment. Interestingly, parties to a pay-if-paid clause have some room to maneuver when it comes to enforcement. The subcontractor can deactivate the clause by applying for payment in accordance with the contract, and objecting to the clause to the GC in writing 45 days after applying for the payment. The notice effectively renders the clause unenforceable eight to 11 days later, depending on the type of project. Predictably, the notice sent by a subcontractor is ineffective when it hasn’t performed under its contract. As a general rule of thumb, all notices should be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by other means that allow the subcontractor to prove the GC received the notice. The GC can override the subcontractor’s notice by sending its own notice that the clause is enforceable, which must be received by the subcontractor at least five days before the effective date of the subcontractor’s notice, or the fifth day after the GC received the subcontractor’s notice, whichever is later. Got it? The subcontractor can invalidate the clause if the GC sleeps on its rights. The GC can enforce the clause if it responds to the subcontractor’s notice on time. As always, timing is crucial, and the parties must have read their contracts and understand their rights and obligations. Doing so just might enable a subcontractor to get paid on a project when they could otherwise be forced to wait indefinitely, or, conversely, allow a GC to minimize its exposure to liability when it hasn’t been paid either. Willis Law, PLLC offers litigation and consultation services on commercial and residential construction matters state-wide. Courtney Willis can be reached at (972) 481-1779, or at cwillis@willislawpllc.com.
Construction News ON LOCATION
Catching up on school work
The O’Connell Robertson architecture team has been doing a lot of school work lately, including Camelot Elementary School for Northeast ISD, Ogden Elementary for San Antonio ISD, renovation of the football stadium for Schertz-Cibolo ISD, and various Alamo College projects. They’re also doing Faith Community Hospital in Jacksboro. L-R: Danny Cornejo, Pete Pohorelsky, Gilbert Salinas, Randy Huggins, Walter Marks, Jorge Olivares, Erin Cushman, Kristin Jones, Jason Reed, David Villarreal. –mh
Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX
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number of OSHA regulations have effective dates in 2015 and beyond. This month’s article will outline these upcoming laws and their compliance dates. On January 1, 2015, several recordkeeping reporting requirements become effective. For all employers within OSHA’s jurisdiction who experience a work related amputation, loss of an eye or an in-patient hospitalization due to a workplace incident will be required to report the injury to OSHA. Employers can report the injury to OSHA within 24 hours in one of three ways: by phoning your closest OSHA office during business hours, by calling 1-800-321-OSHA, or by completing an online report at http://www.osha.gov/report_ online. OSHA maintains the requirement for employers to report on-the-job fatalities within 8 hours. OSHA also revised Subpart V for power transmission and generation in 2014, with several provisions becoming effective in 2015. On and after April 1, 2015, qualified workers must use fall protection when climbing or changing location on poles, towers, or similar structures unless climbing or changing location with fall protection is infeasible or creates a greater hazard than climbing or changing location without it. On and after April 1, 2015, work-positioning equipment must be rigged so that workers can free fall no more than 2 feet. No later than January 1, 2015, employers must estimate the incident heat energy of any electric-arc hazard to which a worker would be exposed. No later than April 1, 2015, employers generally must provide workers exposed to hazards from electric arcs with protective clothing and other protective equipment with an arc rating greater than or equal to the estimated heat energy. Revised minimum approach distances become effective on April 1, 2015. Informative appendices to Subpart V can be used to help comply with these implementation dates. The OSHA hazard communication standard has an implementation date in
Did you know?
2015 as well. Over the course of several years, chemical suppliers will be updating labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to comply with the new requirements. All new labels and SDSs must be finished by June 1, 2015; however, if employers order from a distributer they may still receive labels compliant with the prior hazard communication standard issued in 1994, until December 1, 2015. If an employer identifies new hazards after December 1, 2015 due to the reclassification of the hazardous chemicals, it has six months, until June 1, 2016, to ensure that those hazards are included in the hazard communication program, workplace labeling reflects those new hazards, and employees are trained on the new hazards. Finally, OSHA has extended the compliance date for crane operators to become certified by an independent testing organization accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting organization until November 10, 2017. Employers are still required to ensure crane operators are competent and safe in the interim. natarajan.joann@dol.gov 512-374-0271 x232
Past editions can be downloaded at www.ConstructionNews.net
Caulfield to lead NDA
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NDA President Jeff he National DemoliKroeker of Kroeker, Inc. in tion Association (NDA) Fresno, Calif., said, "Her recently announced proven abilities in advocathat Cheryl Caulfield, IOM, cy, membership developCAE has joined the associament and member education as executive director. tion will be incredible asCaulfield is replacing NDA sets to NDA.” Executive Director Michael Caulfield holds a bachR. Taylor, CAE, who is retirelor’s degree in political sciing from the association afence from Old Dominion ter 25 years of service. University, a Certified Asso Caulfield has more than ciation Executive designa20 years of association exCheryl Caulfield tion from American Society perience. “Among my goals moving forward is of Association Executives and a Certified to increase public awareness about the Institute Organization Management desmany ways the demolition industry is ignation from the United States Chamber making way for a more sustainable of Commerce. world,” Caulfied said. “I want communi- “My pledge to the members of the ties to understand how demolition helps NDA is to enhance the products and serthem re-invent their futures. And, I want vices we provide that enable them to keep governmental agencies to know that de- their businesses safe, profitable and promolition contractors have the equipment ductive.” She said. “We’ll renew our focus and skills necessary to effectively respond on education and safety training, profesto both natural and manmade disasters.” sional competency, membership develop Caulfield spent a number of years ment and government advocacy.” –cw working for building and real estate associations.
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San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
For fun and raffle tickets
Engineer of the Year: Terracon Consultants
General Contractor of the Year: Turner Construction
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he Associated General Contractors (AGC) San Antonio Chapter hosted its Casino Night and Construction Industry Awards Dinner Nov. 13 at Oak Hills Country Club. The speaker and master of ceremonies was State Rep. Jose Menendez. Guests enjoyed a dinner buffet, drinks, and a variety of casino games where the payoff was counted in tickets for raffle prizes. –mh (No photo, absentee winner) Bubba Moeller Award for Outstanding Service: Katherine Willis, T.H. Willis Company
Ace Tinch Service Provider of the Year: Pape-Dawson Engineers
L-R: Michael Guido, Kinetech; Sam Nunnelly and Kali Chatham, F.A. Nunnelly Co.; Cosmo Guido, Guido Construction
Specialty Contractor of the Year: Alterman
L-R: Kristin and Bobby Rios, Bartlett Cocke; Jon Marek, MEMCO; Michael Sireno, Baker
L-R: Mike Palacio, Valerie Gonzalez, Thomas Schorsch, Architectural Division 8; Jay Farwell, Cokinos Bosien & Young
Jacob Rodriguez, JCB of South Texas; Esther Brown, Architectural Division 8
L-R: Adam Lewis, Turner Construction; Rick Jeter, HCDT Insurance Agency; Greg Lyons and Megan Peterson, CNA Surety
L-R: Missy and TJ Rogers, Bartlett Cocke General Contractors; Kari Sireno, Baker Triangle; Pedro Ibanez, Luis Berumen, Leslie De La Cruz, Bartlett Cocke
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Green day de SA
he Hispanic Contractors Association (HCA) de San Antonio held its 15th annual golf tournament at the Republic Golf Club. –mh Winners 1st: A Ram & Moore Supply 2nd: Ridout Barrett & Co. 3rd: Trevino Group
Below: Amy and Dave Sanchez were the winning bidders on the live auction for this puppy donated by Big Foot Kennels.
1st Place Team
San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
Page 13
Sons of San Antonio
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San Antonio-based door manufacturer Steves & Sons was recently named 2014 Millwork Partner of the Year by Home Depot.
stablished in 1866 as Ed Steves & Sons Lumber Company, Steves & Sons has a rich history woven into the tapestry of San Antonio where it still has its headquarters today. Sam Bell Steves, president and COO, and his brother, Edward Steves, CEO, are the fifth generation to run the business, which they are proud to say is the oldest building materials company in the U.S. under the same family’s continuous ownership and management. They have members of the sixth generation already preparing to continue that legacy. Throughout the company’s history, its patriarchs have been stewards of its longevity and have remained heavily involved in the business, as well as the community of San Antonio. The past leaders’ civic participation includes various charitable boards, museums, and other ventures. In 1916, when the company was the largest millwork operation in the southwest, Albert Steves served as mayor of
San Antonio. Of today’s leadership, Sam Bell Steves served as a former chairman of the San Antonio Parks Foundation and kept a longtime involvement with the Nimitz Foundation that funds the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg. His brother was a longtime member and former chair of the Coliseum Advisory Board. Today, Steves & Sons has three interior door plant facilities located in San Antonio, Virginia and Tennessee. The company has more than 1,000 employees, about 800 of whom are in their San Antonio facilities, which include a commodity exterior steel and fiberglass plant and premium exterior entry door plant. They produce 24,000 doors per day, which are shipped all over the U.S. east of the Rockies. In 1999, Steves & Sons was proud to be the first recipient of Home Depot’s Environmental Vendor of the Year Award and won the retailer’s Millwork Partner of the Year Award in 2006 and this year. –mh
Rigging the market
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Submitted to Construction News
40 years of hard work and prosperity
All across Texas, Baker Triangle employees celebrated the 40th anniversary of the company founded in 1974 by Bob Baker. The family-owned business has since grown into a $120 million company with nearly 1,500 employees. Pictured above, the San Antonio crew. –cw
15 to 500 Ton Capacities Available for your Toughest Projects Setting tilt walls with 500-ton crane at a new strip center on Loop 410
MEI Rigging & Crating has grown its local presence since it arrived in the Alamo City just two-and-a-half years ago.
rowing strong in Texas, MEI Rigging & Crating opened its San Antonio branch in January 2012 because the company saw promise in the market. Since then, MEI has successfully grown by capitalizing on that potential. Starting out in a 5,000-sf building, local operations moved into a 22,000-sf building a year-and-a-half later. Though the growth has been incremental, from the perspective of staffing, the branch is growing very quickly, having hired two new sales people within the last year. Headquartered in Albany, OR, Bruce and Julie Marler founded the company that eventually became Marler Enterprises Inc. and is today operating under different ownership and its acronym, MEI. “We move heavy machinery for our clients from point A to point B,” says Todd Hovis, branch manager for the San Antonio division, who has been with the company since it opened its doors in town. “Any of your construction jobs that
are happening actually require rigging, whether it’s an air handling unit that goes up on the roof or it’s a cold water chiller that actually goes inside of the building. That requires the use of riggers, which is where we come in.” Hovis describes rigging as “the art of moving something, whether it’s just a chair or a big press or an injection mold machine.” The crating part of their business is for export packaging, which they do not do in San Antonio as of yet, though their regional main office in Plano and fellow satellite office in Houston do quite a bit of crating. MEI does complete turnkey removal and relocations, and sometimes that requires cranes, in which case, they work with local crane companies. Babet Motes, sales, explains that OSHA has made it mandatory that “anytime a crane hooks up to a load, you have to have a certified rigger doing that,” and that’s what MEI provides. –mh
from El Paso to Beaumont Amarillo to Brownsville
www.alamocrane.com 35 Years of Service to Texas San Antonio (210) 344-7370 Austin (512) 282-6866 Toll Free (800) 880-0134
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San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
On the grid
Submitted to Construction News
Offering some respite
L-R: Marek San Antonio’s Alfredo Martinez and Jaime Hernandez placed third in the final round.
SpawGlass presented a check for $22,500 to Respite Care of San Antonio Nov. 18 at the Davidson Respite House. The funds were raised at the general contractor’s inaugural golf tournament in October. Respite Care provides care for children with special needs, some of whom have suffered abuse or injury. –mh
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he race wasn’t on the track at Texas Motor Speedway – it was inside an infield garage where 19 teams from Texas, New Mexico, northwest Arkansas and Oklahoma raced against time to install ceiling components. “The 2014 Grid Games – The Armstrong Ceiling Construction Challenge” hosted Nov. 6 featured a first round for all teams to compete for best installation time, and a second round for the four fastest teams to compete for Marek in San Antonio teams sent two teams to the finals. cash prizes. The top four Winners: teams in the final round were all from Texas, with Integrated Interiors Inc. in Fort 1st Place: Integrated Interiors, Fort Worth 2nd Place: Double Drywall, Fort Worth Worth taking top prize. –mjm 3rd Place: Marek, San Antonio 4th Place: Trinity, Fort Worth
L-R: David Aguilar and Luis Montenegro of Marek in San Antonio placed 11th in the first round.
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San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
Page 15
Colder weather brings bigger fish by Capt. Steve Schultz Sponsored by: Premier Yamaha Boating Center, Majek Boats, E-Z Bel Construction, Power Pole Shallow Water Anchor, Aggregate Haulers, Interstate Batteries, Pure Fishing, Mirr-O-Lure and Columbia Sportswear.
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OW! Another year is just about gone. If you’re like me, you’re probably wondering where time went. I’m sitting here and still can’t believe that I’m writing my last column for the 2014 year. This has been a very tough year for me and my family because of my injury that occurred last spring. Gladly, I have almost made a full recovery and am looking forward to the 2015 fishing season. I know I have said this in some of my previous columns, but I would like to thank everyone again for the support and generosity on the benefit that help me make it through this year. Although the calendar may say it’s the end of the year, it doesn’t say it is the end of fishing for the year. Winter fishing is just as popular as any other of the sea-
Tres Agulair was flawless while fighting this 40-inch+ redfish to the boat. Fish was caught in Baffin Bay on live perch.
sons. Many anglers wait for the colder months to fish because, typically, you catch bigger fish during winter months. As we move into pre-winter fishing patterns, keep in mind that one must slow down his retrieve as temperatures continue to drop. As water temps fall, fish become lethargic and feed less frequently. Wade fishing is usually the norm during this time of the year, slow rolling soft plastics and suspending baits over soft mud and rocks in Baffin Bay. While top water baits land some of the largest specks during warmer months, they will still land some large trout throughout the winter. Don’t be afraid to give your favorite plug a few casts, especially amidst an abundance of mullet. If you catch one of these beauties make sure you handle
them with care. Their only protection against predators is their slimy coating. Try to keep them wet while taking photos and never use a towel to handle them, as you will remove their natural defense. Preparing for your wade fish trip is a must. Waders become a necessity until spring and should be checked for leaks. Winter conditions can be very harsh at times in South Texas, but are extremely harsh when on the water. Proper clothing and gear are a must for a comfortable day on the bay. I’ve seen many folks not be able to concentrate on what’s happening on the end of their line because they are having some sort of malfunction with their clothing or gear. Don’t be frugal when purchasing your wading gear!
Seasons Greetings STEVE SCHULTZ OUTDOORS, LLC BAFFIN BAY LAGUNA MADRE LAND CUT SPECKLED TROUT REDFISH FLOUNDER FISHING AND HUNTING TRIPS
(361) 813-3716 (361) 334-3105 www.baffinbaycharters.com steveschultzoutdoors@ gmail.com U.S. Coast Guard & Texas Parks and Wildlife Licensed
Flounder like these are starting to show up along drop-offs near deep water. This 22-inch flounder caught by Capt. Steve Schultz fell for a free lined mud minnow near the Humble Channel.
Simms waders are the top of the line and they stand behind their products. I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Looking forward to a great fishing season in 2015. To schedule your next bay fishing trip give Capt. Steve Schultz a call at 361-813-3716 or 361-334-3105, or email him at SteveSchultzOutdoors@ gmail.com. Already booking for the 2015-fishing season. Good luck and Good Fishing.
from Everyone at Construction News
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San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
Ken Milam’s Fishing Line Since 1981, Ken Milam has been guiding fishing trips for striped bass on Lake Buchanan in the Texas Hill Country,. You can hear Ken on radio on Saturday and Sunday mornings, 6-8 AM on AM 1300, The Zone – Austin, or http://www.am1300the zone.com
How do you know it’s fall in Texas?
and hybrids are just starting to get comfortable as the water cools down. Since stipers are native to cold water, they really thrive in the winter. They are very active, feeding hard to prepare to spawn in the spring. Trade in your shorts and flipflops for a nice jacket and a set of binoculars so you can spot birds working on top of feeding schools of stripers and hybrids and fish feeding on top water. If you do decide to concentrate on winter stuff like hunting and football and holidays, be sure you take time to put your boat up for the winter. Now is the time to take it to the shop to have any little glitches taken care of and get it winterized. You will be glad you did when nice spring weather gets here and all you have to do it hitch up your rig and go. It’s a lot easier to get your repairs done this time of year than in the spring when everybody else discovers their motor won’t start. The last thing you need is to have your first time out next year ruined by clogged fuel lines and such. I hope you and yours have joyous holidays! As always, if you want to entertain holiday guests with a fishing trip or just need a gift certificate for your favorite sportsman, give us a call at 325-3792051!
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e all know how weird the weather is here in Texas! We don’t seem to get definite seasons like some places do. Two weeks ago I was still waiting until late afternoon to mow so it wouldn’t be so hot and this morning I walked the dogs with frost sparkling on the grass, wickedly happy that the grass will stop growing now! I guess that means autumn is here! My father-in-law just got back from his annual “last Colorado hunting trip ever, ‘cos I’m getting too old”. He’s done this for the last dozen years or so. He and his brother bagged a couple of really nice mule deer and had a ball, so I figure they are already planning next year’s trip. Acorns are pinging off the tin rooftops and the deer are coming to eat them. Pecans are falling and any nice evening you see folks poking around in the leaves under the trees to collect them for holiday goodies. The first batch of fresh fried venison hits the dinner table! While some might fuss about Bambi’s passing, the rest of the family is appreciatively chowing down, thankful for the hunter’s success and the cook’s skill. Yep, it’s fall! Fall affects fishing too. The first thing you notice is that the lake is a lot quieter now. There’s not such a line at the launching ramp. Now you can catch fish without two other boats making a bee line for your fishing spot. It’s pretty much all yours now. Sure you have to keep your eye on the weather and choose your days wisely, but even as the native species of freshwater fish might be slowing down for winter, the stripers
Ken Milam Guide Service (325) 379-2051 www.striperfever.com
Bucking the world record
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t’s a story that’s bound to make Andrew Hunt, PE, PMP/RKPM, the envy of any seasoned hunter. Hunt, who works for Raba Kistner Program Management, was only on his second deer hunt when he landed himself the Safari Club International (SCI) world record for a free-range axis deer. Guided by Jesse Grace, the hunt was on a hunting lease of Hunt’s father-inlaw, Keith Strimple. The buck was taped at 176 inches. “Since it was only my second hunt, the guide would only let me shoot at a doe,” stated Hunt. “I guess my father-in-
law took pity on me, because he called the guide while we were out and told him to let me shoot a buck. A few bucks walked out suddenly, and the guide told me to aim for the big one. I did, and no one is more surprised than me at the record.” When avid hunter Gary Raba, Raba Kistner, Inc. chairman and CEO, learned of the new world record award being presented to Hunt, he commented, “Well, I’m happy for him and I’m glad he at least knew which end of the gun to hold!” – mh
MUSTANG COLT SERVICES Serving Customers Honestly Electrical Contracting • Commercial/Industrial Special Projects San Antonio, TX Weslaco, TX
210 494 7100 956 969 5703
Call Andrew Hunt’s award-winning buck beginner’s luck, but make sure you also call it the SCI world record.
San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
Page 17
Close call with a world record
A pleasant day of pheasant
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ichard Reed, a construction lawyer for Coats|Rose, has a lot of reasons to be proud of his son, Richard Reed Jr. The younger Reed, 30, is preparing to graduate as he finishes his last semester at St. Mary’s School of Law, and he recently made a splash by catching a spinner shark that came in just nine pounds shy of the world record. On Oct. 5, Reed Jr. and a friend headed out for a quick 8-hour offshore fishing trip. When the captain brought them up to the first shrimp boat in search of blackfin tuna, they found that the boat was throwing bycatch over the side and had attracted more than 100 spinner sharks, Reed estimates. At the front of the boat, he put a bonito head on a big shark hook and threw it over the side. After missing a big one and pulling it away from smaller ones, the giant spinner shark came up and grabbed the bait. After 25 minutes, Reed finally hauled in the shark. The spinner was a little bit over 8 feet long, and once they got it on the scale, it came in at just under 200 pounds. The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) lists the all-tackle world record at 208 pounds and 9 ounces, caught by Raymond F. Ireton off Port Aransas on Dec. 13, 2009. “It was a lot of fun,” Reed recalls. “I didn’t have any idea what the record was, or how much that shark weighed until we got it on the scale. Then, the deckhand ran up and told me, because he had been involved, I guess, in the previous records on that kind of shark, which is apparently pretty abundant off of Port Aransas, and they keep finding bigger ones every now and then. It was a pretty good time, and
Tom Quintero and Bruce Bejia
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Richard Reed Jr.’s spinner shark came close to the world record that was set five years ago.
we wound up with a lot of good meat. I mostly just love fishing. So, anytime I get a chance to do something like that, it’s always a really memorable time for me.” On his way to becoming a construction lawyer like his dad, Reed assists his father with grading student papers and exams for his construction law class at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He and his father are also in the process of co-authoring an article on some recent developments in construction law that will appear in St. Mary’s Law Journal. –mh
ike Hendrickson and Tom Quintero, of IBTX Risk Services, hosted their annual South Dakota Pheasant Hunt during the opening weekend Oct. 18-20. Clients attending the hunt included Bruce Bejia, Alamo City Medical; Dan McClendon, McClendon Construction; and Brad Baylis, Mark McIntosh, Steve Guyton and Doug Cook of City Wide Mechanical. Hunting over native grasses and through cornfields, the group harvested 44 ring neck pheasant. Temperatures during the hunt were warm and skies were blue. Some hunters even had to take a break from all the shooting! –cw
The warm weather caused some, including Don Hendrickson, to enjoy a little shut-eye.
Right: Dan McClendon, McClendon Construction
Plumbing buckaroos
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anny Pruitt and Mark Barsalou, Quarter Moon Plumbing, AC & Heating, each landed a buck on a recent hunting trip with Ferguson. –mh
Danny Pruitt
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San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
A real buck-aneer
A buck to kick off the season
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on Harrell, Harrell Commercial Plumbing, went on a hunt Nov. 3 at the 4 N Ranch in San Angelo. Going as the deer season got underway obviously paid off, because he shot two good-looking bucks. –mh
E
dgar R. Kleck III, also known as Kip Kleck, International Mechanical Services, took his 8-year-old son, Cole, hunting Nov. 1, and his son landed this 8-point buck. Cole had his eye on the buck, even though he was about 329 yards from the blind – way too long of a shot for Cole, but Kleck left the blind with his son and helped him track the buck. They weaved in and out of the sendera and crawled through mud to avoid the South Texas stickers for an hour and 10 minutes. Finally, they got within 125 yards and when the buck came out of the brush, Cole took the shot – and his second deer – with a rifle on bipod. –mh
White-tailed buck, 11 points, 27” main beam, 200 lbs., scored 164
Recreating at Random
Chocolate fallow buck, 32” main beam, 260 lbs.
Submitted to Construction News
A big buck for Big B
Danny Pruitt
Want to share your outdoor photos? Michael Stratis, owner of MPS Construction & Design, and his wife, Mary, really hop to it on the kangaroo bounce at their Boerne beer garden and family events center, Random. –mh Photo by Connie Moreno
Bert Mazac, Big B Construction, shot this 190+ class buck at Lone Star Whitetail Ranch, which is the ranch of South Texas Drywall & Construction’s Michael Traugott. Mazac won the hunt in the raffle to benefit Captain Steve Schultz at the 25th anniversary Fun Shoot Pre-Party and BBQ Cook-Off in August. –mh
Send to Mary at SAeditor@constructionnews.net or call her 210-308-5800
Location Location Location Location Location Dallas/Fort. Worth Austin San Antonio
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Publishing the Industry’s News . . .
TEXAS Style Home Office (210) 308-5800 www.constructionnews.net
San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
Page 19
Dressed for spooktacular success
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hey’re wacky and spooky, crazy and kooky, but they’re not who you might expect – they’re members of the San Antonio construction industry! Every year, many of you burn bright with the Halloween spirit like a well-carved jack-o-lantern, and every year, you astound us with your creepy creativity and mad genius. Here are some of this year’s costumed celebrants. –mh
Cram Roofing
Alpha Building Corporation
Mdn Architects
Timms Trucking and Excavating
Padgett Stratemann Virtual Builders Exchange (VBX)
Baker Triangle
Gasoline – On Road Diesel – Off Road Diesel On Site Fueling – Wet Hosing – Temporary Loaner Tanks We Loan City Approved UL-2085 Vaulted Tanks
210-666-6002 Brent & Mark Marshall
L&M Steel
continued on Page 30
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San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
Up, up and away
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long with a group of friends traveling in four Corvettes and a motorhome with a Jeep, Jon Randolph, Baker Triangle, and Cathy Martin, as well as Craig and Teresa Noto, Quality Fence & Welding, traveled to see the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. “It is hard to describe the scene when the balloons are taking off in the morning,” says Randolph. “You are surrounded by literally 700 to 800 balloons, and all you hear from everywhere is, ‘Look at that one!’ Truly a great bucket list trip!” The trip included visits to Petroglyph National Monument in Boca Negra Canyon, the historic old town plaza in Santa Fe, and the Caverns at Sonora on the way home. They also took a drive down Musical Road, where grooves in the pavement create a tune as the tires pass over them. –mh
Petroglyph National Monument L-R: Craig and Teresa Noto, Cathy Martin, Jon Randolph
The New Mexico sky filled with more balloons than onlookers could count.
www.constructionnews.net publishing the industry’s news
Balloons of all shapes and sizes, even Darth Vader!
Texas Style
San Antonio Austin Dallas/Fort Worth Houston South Texas
San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
Page 21
They don’t skimp on the shrimp
Ride, boldly ride
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ith an expected turnout of 400 guests, Martin Marietta Materials hosted its annual Customer Appreciation Shrimp Boil Oct. 23 at its Northwest Military Highway facility’s Beckman Park. The company’s cooks made 300 pounds of shrimp, 60 pounds of potatoes and 60 pounds of corn for the luncheon attendees. –mh L-R: Clint Haney, Haney Sitework; Shawn Forks, Martin Marietta; Joey Haney, Haney Sitework The HOLT bike ride team got to ride again to support the fight against MS
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L-R: David Coy and John Glidewell, Sunset Logistics; Wayne Skipper, Martin Marietta
L-R: Roland Gonzales, Martin Marietta, and Michael Muniz, Yantis Company
L-R: Mike Innis and Billy Osborne, Olmos Equipment; Mike Britt, Metzger Construction; Dale Storbeck, Olmos Equipment
rekking from the equipment dealer’s locations all over the state, 18 HOLT CAT employees came to San Antonio Oct. 11-12 for the annual multiple sclerosis (MS) 150-mile bike ride fundraiser Bike MS: Valero Ride to the River. Along with hundreds of other supporters, the team started the course in San Antonio, made checkpoints in Seguin, New Braunfels, and Canyon Lake, and then finished at the Comal County Fairgrounds. The HOLT MS Bike Ride Team participants represented its locations in San Antonio, Irving, Fort Worth, Pflugerville, and Corpus Christi. The riders included Guy Clumpner, Thomas Barry, Keith Solomon, Julie Kenfield, John Groweg, Preston Price, Tray Raye, Michael Sigmon, Guadalupe Rivera, Lucie Frost, Michael McNew, Cory Turman, Robert Marlar, Nicolas Olvera, Vic Huvelle, Paul Hensley and Richard Kuniansky. This year, the team raised approxi-
mately $42,000, and in the past decade of participating, HOLT and its employees have raised approximately half-a-million dollars for the National MS Society for research, education, and families in need. HOLT also earned the distinction of ranking among the top 10 fundraising teams at this year’s event. HOLT’s ride team members have known some people affected by MS, either directly or indirectly, but this year was particularly emotional and deeply personal. On Jun. 13, HOLT employees lost a dear friend to this disabling disease of the central nervous system. “She was a warrior in her battles against her physical challenges and affliction, and God has called her home,” Barry, team captain and HOLT power systems rental manager, said in a statement. “I started riding because of her and continue because of others like her, including my cousin, who was recently diagnosed with MS.” –mh
Specializing in Industrial Scrap Metal & Container Service
We buy Aluminum, Brass, Copper, Iron, Stainless Steel, Steel, Brass & Radiators L-R: Joshua Fosmire, Monterrey Iron & Metal; Ricardo Guajardo Jr., Josiah Construction; David Little and Amy Mikolajczak and Kris May, Martin Marietta
Submitted to Construction News
REAP-ing the rewards
On a cold drizzly Nov. 15, HJD Capital Electric, as well as other contractors from the area participated in CPS Energy’s first-ever GrillsGiving BBQ cook-off. Head cook Ronnie Villanueva, electrical project manager for Capital, manned the pit. The fundraiser at Mission County Park raised funds for the Residential Energy Assistance Partnership (REAP). –mh
2300 Frio City Rd.
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San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
Submitted to Construction News
Awareness of a different color
Team members at River City Waste wore purple in support of World Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day Nov. 13. L-R: (standing) Shauna Meuth, Cody Byrom, Cecily Byrom, Tiffany Herald, Terry McCarty, (seated) Randy Nelon, Ida Fernandez, Lynette Gray –mh
continued from Page 1 — An all-new Norton becoming a project manager. He spent the next 15 years with Project Control as a project manager and then as a senior project manager. His project portfolio includes the McNay Art Museum’s Leeper Auditorium and the St. Pius X Maneth Hall project with Keller-Martin Construction. On the public side, he did the original ice rink at Freeman Coliseum and the elephant house at the San Antonio Zoo. He has also done industrial and biomedical, as well as renovations, such as Incarnate Word Chapel and the original San Antonio City Hall. “I think what drew me to construction originally was that in high school and in college, I worked for framing con-
tractors, swinging a hammer, carrying boards,” he recalls. “I liked building things, working with my hands, and seeing the progress of something built from the ground up and turning into a home or a corporate headquarters. I was intrigued by that.” Outside of work, Norton serves on the Construction Advisory Board at his alma mater, TSU. He enjoys the outdoors, hiking, duck hunting, and working on projects at home. His primary focus, however, is his family. He and his wife have a daughter, who graduated from Texas A&M and is working on her master’s at TSU, and a son, who is a junior at A&M in the Corps of Cadets and will commission with the Marine Corps as a pilot. –mh
continued from Page 1 — Captured! ultimately got to build this plant,” says Stacy MacDiarmid, communications director for Skyonic. “We’re commissioning now, but once we start generating product, we’ll be operating at full capacity. I imagine we’ll show a profit in the first quarter.” San Antonio’s air pollution is reportedly on the rise due to heavy industrial output in the Eagle Ford Shale, and while MacDiarmid says they’re happy to help alleviate some of that, she explains that this project has been in the works for five years and such current news was not a factor in the decision to choose Capitol or San Antonio for the project. They had a thorough vetting process for their partners with a long list of people they considered. In the end, Austin-based Skyonic
had done a lot of development work at Southwest Research Institute, and San Antonio was also the convenient location of “a really willing, progressive partner.” Currently underway, the commissioning process for Capitol SkyMine entails turning over more than a hundred separate processes that make up the SkyMine plant, one by one. MacDiarmid says they expect full implementation by the end of the year. “We’re really excited to be at this stage as a company,” she says. “We think that profitable carbon capturing utilization is really something that could have a major impact. It’s a way to deal with a problem and also stimulate the economy.” –mh
continued from Page 1 — A corner of mixed Sunshine He points out that the committee aims to standardize those elements for the River North District, and it took time to get the reviews to agree on both the commercial and residential sides. He comments, “Helping the city in developing standards for a mix-use facility was a challenge worth the wait.” Offering an example of how this also affected the construction aspect of the build, he adds, “Being residential upstairs, we had to have a particular fireproofing material all around the residency like an envelope. So, that was a challenge on its own, being able to schedule everybody around that, because once
that is installed, nothing else could go into the steel after that – meaning that we had to hang out the hangers for the air conditioning and all the electrical conduits had to be on before they sprayed all of this insulation. Normally, that’s not how it’s done at the beginning, but in this instance, we had to schedule everybody upfront for the roofing before they could even get all the other trades behind them.” Julissa notes that they had a very positive working relationship with Sunshine’s owners, Walter and Siew Pang. “We really liked the service and attention that Tejas Premier had to offer,” comments Siew, noting that they will be using Tejas again on their next project. “Their employees had a very helpful attitude and listened to our needs.” The superintendent on the job was Ken Shellaby. The architect was Shawn Kaarlsen, Shawn Kaarlsen & Associates, and the landscape architect was Leticia Zavala, CFZ Group. Kevin Spraggins, PE, VEI Engineering, did the civil engineering. Robert Martinez, REM Engineering, did the structural, and Richard W. McHugh, MS2, did the MEP. Subcontractors on the job included Bexar Environmental doing demolition, Damco Utility, F.A. McComas, Intertech Flooring, Jerry’s Concrete, Texas Steel Welding & Erectors, Travis Millwork, Absolute Power Electrical, Pro-Line Pavement Maintenance, Bexar Air, W.P.V. Construction doing concrete, Enterprise Fire & Safety, All Stone Counters, R.S.&M Contractors doing masonry, J&M Ortiz Plumbing, Concrete Floor Finishes, Turner Roofing Company, Toms Glass Service, Alpha Insulation & Waterproofing, H3O Water Systems, and Growing Solutions doing landscaping. Tejas Premier Building Contractor specializes in design-build, new construction, and renovations. The general contractor has worked on medical, educational, institutional, retail, office, government and religious projects. –mh
San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
Page 23
Round-Up Amanda S. Barber joined Raba Kistner, Inc. as enterprise quality officer for the firm and its subsidiaries, including 14 offices across the state of Texas, Utah, Mexico and New York. With more than 15 years of experience in quality management programs, she will be responsible for the implementation and management of the firm’s Quality Management System (QMS). She earned her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Louisiana Tech University. She also holds a bachelor’s in chemistry and is an ASQ-certified quality auditor.
Miguel Elizardo, Assoc. AIA, has joined Mitchell Design Group LLC, as an intern architect. He will contribute to the design efforts, particularly working closely with the firm’s local and national retail chain clients. Originally from Brownsville, he is a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio College of Architecture.
Submissions
Round-Up
Erik Murray has been promoted to associate principal at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., (WJE). Specializing in the design of roof systems and building envelopes, building investigation and repair, he has a broad knowledge of building systems and construction processes. He currently serves as chair of the Building Enclosure Council - San Antonio, as well as chair of the Sustainable Environment Committee of the Texas Society of Architects. He earned his bachelor’s degrees in architecture and architectural engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.
Big Red Dog Engineering announced the following: Joe Mendoza has joined the firm as a designer and civil CAD drafter. His previous position was with Coursen Koehler Engineering. He earned his degree in computer-aided drafting and design from Texas State Technical College. Emma ObengBoampong has joined the firm as a graduate engineer. With more than six years in land development, her previous position was as an engineer at Urban Ltd. in Chantilly, VA. She earned her master’s degree in civil engineering from Virginia Polytechnic and State University (Virginia Tech).
Hot shots shoot cold
I
n the midst of a major cold front, the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) South Texas Chapter held its annual Sporting Clay Shoot Nov. 13 at the National Shooting Complex. –mh Winners: Yellow Course 1st Team: B.G. Metals 2nd Team: Hart Acoustical & Drywall 3rd Team: IBTX 1st Individual: Kasper Kotora, Hart Acoustical & Drywall 2nd Individual: Bill Ethridge, B.G. Metals 3rd Individual: Clay Swetman, B.G. Metals Red Course 1st Team: Tex-San Site Service 2nd Team: Wortham Insurance 3rd Team: Repcon 1st Individual: Trey Baring, Tex-San Site Service 2nd Individual: Ryan Baring, Tex-San Site Service 3rd Individual: Erek Stone, TDIndustries
1st Place Team – Yellow Course
1st Place Team – Red Course
DEA Specialties announce the following: Brandon Bjella has joined the company as an estimator/ project manager. With 20 years of construction experience, he will cover all of DEA’s territory, which includes 119 counties, and he will focus on Kalwall, Smoke Guard and Solatube. Dean Flann has joined the company as architectural specifier/business development for San Antonio and West Texas covering 71 counties. With 13 years of construction experience, he will work with architects and general contractors to promote the manufacturers with exclusive distributorship through DEA.
This is a monthly section for brief company announcements of new or recently promoted personnel, free of charge, as space allows. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Email (w/digital photo, if available) by the 15th of any month, for the next month’s issue (published 1st of each month). Email info to appropriate city issue, with “Round-Up” in the subject line: –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– San Antonio: saeditor@constructionnews.net Austin: austineditor@constructionnews.net Dallas/Ft. Worth: dfweditor@constructionnews.net Houston: houstoneditor@constructionnews.net South Texas: STeditor@constructionnews.net
1st Place Individual – Yellow
1st Place individual – Red
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San Antonio Construction News â&#x20AC;˘ Dec 2014
San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
Page 25
Construction Equipment Xtreme
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he XR4030 is the newest addition to Xtreme’s line of telehandlers. With a 40,000 lbs. lift capacity at 36” load center, Kessler L91 axles driving 23.5R25 foam filled tires, and a Perkins 173 hp 1204E twin turbo engine coupled to a Dana 32000 transmission, the XR4030 is a capable rough terrain telescopic handler. The foundation of the XR4030 begins with 2” thick steel plate chassis. Centermounting the engine and transmission creates an optimal weight distribution and increased stability. Three standard steer modes (front-wheel, four-wheel, and crab steer) allow for maneuverability. Rear-wheel steering is an available option. The two-section boom is fabricated from heavy steel plate, with a large cross section,
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Bobcat
he most popular frame size got a new upgrade. Operators already familiar with the 700 and 800 platform loaders tout the performance, comfort, visibility and machine protection of the machines. Now, the M-Series lineup is more complete, from the radius lift path and allaround versatility of the S510 to the extra power, vertical lift path, excellent reach and large, high-flotation tires of the S590. resulting in the strength and stiffness Premium M-Series needed to handle loads up to 40,000 lbs. cab has new positioning The XR4030’s boom rollers will outlast for better visibility, inslide pads several times over. A bulletproof creased cab space, presframe and chassis will withstand the surized interior and retoughest conditions for over a decade. duction in cab sound levels provide comfort. Heavy duty boom chains resist stretching Stronger hydraulics and more than 20 percent improved attachment perforand sagging. Standard safety feature mance; convenient, easy-to-use controls and many other features saves time and effort on the job. And simplified daily maintenance prevents damage to the machine. includes in-cab 360 degree visibility. The hallmarks of Bobcat performance remain in the new 500 platform: construcAll major components from the engine tion, smart cooling and a maintenance-free chaincase. and transmission, to the cooling system, Horsepower ranges from 49 in the s510 to 66 in the S590. Rated operating capacto the axles, to the cylinders, to the entire ity ranges from 1,650 lbs to 2,100 lbs. hydraulic system are easily accessible. Beyond accessibility, the use of common filters allows for easy maintenance and upkeep. The XR4030 doesn’t require specialized training or unique tools. he L213 features radiallift boom geometry, with the boom connected directly to the frame for outstanding pushing and excavating power. Maximum reach is achieved at roughly eye level during operation, making it ideal for loading and unloading flatbed trucks and trailers. New Holland knows a comfortable operator is more productive. That’s why New Holland designed a cab with superior comfort and convenience and incorporates it into every 200 Series skid steer and compact track loader model. No matter which model is chosen, the operator gets a cab that’s one of the widest in the industry, with more head room and shoulder room and joystick controls that come naturally to fingertips. The long 200 Series wheelbase, combined with a low center of gravity and the in positioning, and the communication of correct front to rear weight distribution results in a smooth, stable ride. service codes, engine status, fuel levels and other messages assists the operator and service provider with operation, diagnosis and troubleshooting. acker Neuson's 8003 The JLG 1850SJ further enhances track excavator offers productivity with a powerful turbo diesel one of the smoothest and engine that provides 99.8 horsepower to most powerful hydraulic optimize drive and lift performance. In systems available on the addition, standard four-wheel drive and market today in this class. four-wheel steer maximize jobsite maThis 8-ton excavator comes neuverability. with an air conditioned cab, and a choice of short or long dipperstick. Powered by the economical Yanmar 4-cylinder diesel engine, the 8003 track excavator offers rubber track, dozer blade and boom-mounted working light. Hydraulic system features oil cooler, pilot joystick controls and dipperstick-mounted auxiliary hydraulic Other features include: minimal tail connection for two directions of motion. projection over tracks for work in tight Other standard features include: auto- spaces; Large cab offers easy access and shift 2-speed travel drive, hydraulically operator comfort; Tiltable cabin for easy dampened drive pedals and levers, flat accessibility to all maintenance compofaced couplers and control pattern selec- nents. tor valve.
New Holland
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JLG
he 1850SJ Ultra boom® from JLG Industries is the world’s largest self-propelled boom lift, providing nearly three million cubic feet of reachable space. Delivering 19 stories of working height, the JLG® line of Ultra Series boom lifts reaches more applications at unprecedented heights, moving aerial work platforms into applications previously reserved for truck-mounted booms and allowing operators to work more effectively and productively on the jobsite. The JLG 1850SJ offers a maximum capacity of 1,000 pounds, allowing operators to move more tools and materials to the elevated worksite. Productivity is further enhanced with faster cycle speeds, enabling the boom to extend from ground to full height in less than five minutes. The machine’s telescopic jib extends and retracts to provide additional 25 feet of reach, up-and-over capability and the ability to telescope into and around structures. A graphic display of the operator’s position in the work envelope aids
NEXT month in Focus:
Construction Forecast 2015
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Wacker Neuson
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San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
Construction Equipment SkyTrak
Case
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ase skid steers and compact track loaders have always been known for power and productivity. Now with nine new skid steers and three new compact track loaders, the line is even more impressive. Improved visibility, operator comfort, climate management and operator controls define the new Case Alpha Series machines. To begin, the skid steer cabs are 25 percent larger—the widest in the industry. They feature a revolutionary ultranarrow wire side-screen design that improves operator visibility. Plus, the glass surface was increased to provide 360-degree visibility.
The Case SV300 skid steer is the result of combining industry-leading tractive force and industry-leading breakout and horsepower. This vertical-lift machine is engineered for lift-and-carry and truck loading. With the use of CEGR technology, the SV300 meets Tier 4 regulations while also increasing productivity, improving fuel efficiency, and increasing uptime through best-in-class serviceability. The new Alpha Series machines deliver best-in-class horsepower and bucket breakout force—up to 8,585 lbs (38.2 kN). By any measure, the new Case Alpha Series will boost performance and productivity.
kyTrak® all-wheel-steer telehandlers are hardworking machines for hard-working people. Nononsense design gives operators what they need, when they need it. They offer the maneuverability and stability to handle the toughest terrain with loadsensing hydraulics, a solid steel frame, joystick controls and a host of other p er formance - b oosting features. Three steering modes and up to 18 inches of ground clearance provide excellent maneuverability for virtually any jobsite. There are five models with capacities up to 10,000 pounds and up to 54 feet of lift height. The Skytrak cab features an uncluttered design that is both rugged and comfortable. It is designed to help keep operators comfortable so they are more productive.
There are also a host of accessories and attachments available for Skytrak telehandlers that can make these machines more flexible and productive on the jobsite. Power and reliability ensure that work gets done.
John Deere
Caterpillar
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erious productivity demands serious thinking. Many of the numerous advantages of the 844K-II came from the brightest minds in the industry — John Deer’s Customer Advocate Group. Armed with insights from loader owners and users, these productive material movers are equipped with larger, higher-capacity axles with standard axle cooling and filtration for heavy-duty maneuverability in
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he new Cat® 950M wheel loader powered by a Cat C7.1 ACERT™ engine meeting Tier 4 Final emissions standards - is significantly more powerful than its KSeries predecessors and delivers 10 percent better fuel efficiency. The new model features major drive-train refinement, extensively redesigned hydraulic systems, new cab amenities, electronic payload measurement, optimized Z-Bar linkage that combines optimized bucket performance with parallel lift, and a range of Cat Performance Series buckets and work tools. These innovative systems intelligently lower the average working engine speeds and reduce the overall system heat loads which result in significantly improved performance and fuel efficiency. With a net rating of 230 horsepower (171 kW), the new 950M produces 9 percent more power than its K-Series counterpart. Peak torque is up an average 18
percent for the new model, which means more useable power at the wheels. In addition, the new, productive Economy Mode automatically senses power-train load and adjusts engine speed and torque for optimum performance and fuel efficiency. The 950M use a new five-speed Cat power-shift transmission featuring a lockup clutch torque converter with lock-tolock shifting (transmission gear remains locked during gear shifts), as well as the Cat single clutch speed shift system (which keeps the forward/reverse clutch engaged during gear shifts). Auto-shift features control the automatic shifting of the transmission and engagement of the lock up clutch. These two features working together maintain more effective and efficient torque flow through the transmission during gear changes, especially valuable when accelerating up ramps.
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he new German-made LEO15GT from Teupen features an improved working height and lateral outreach. The LEO15GT is perfectly suitable for applications in tight spots – on the inside as well as outside. Due to its compact design, it passes thru standard doors and offers fast and efficient access to confined areas that regular access platforms can´t reach. All functions are available centrally from the basket. The easy handling makes the machine attractive to both – operators and rental companies.
the most demanding terrain. Self-adjusting wet-disc brakes for extended wear life and sure stops; advanced onboard diagnostics with pushbutton customization of machine operation and response. All to help increase productivity and uptime, while lowering daily operating costs. Owners, operators, and maintenance personnel will benefit from the big ideas found in the 844K-II loaders.
Teupen
San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
Page 27
Construction Equipment Leica
Link-Belt
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he Leica ICON Robotic Total Station ICR60 series perfects one-person construction layout and 3D Machine Control. With high performance tracking; an innovative prism lock & find mechanism, and job tailored software makes it the most powerful remote control robotic total station on the market. The new cube search builds a virtual 3-D cube around the prism’s position. The ICON robot dynamically searches within its dimensional cube for its targeted prism. The ICON CC66 controller or data collector is a construction tough Windows 7 handheld computer with no cables, long range bluetooth connections, WiFi, and fully loaded with desktop programs capabilities. The MEP module now includes
a set of four MEP routines. Whether one constructs buildings, roads, bridges or tunnels, the benefit from intelligent construction is obvious. Leica ICON is more than a new product line or software package, it enhances performance, and increases profitability through perfecting your construction workflow.
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n 2002, Link-Belt introduced the world to hydrostatic drive on a six-wheel carrier frame with the RTC-80100 Series II. Twelve years later, Link-Belt is adding reach and capacity to its rough terrain crane line with the new 150 ton (135 mt) RTC-80150 Series II, powered by a 345-hp Cummins Tier 4f diesel engine. Features include full power latching style boom with market leading capacity for its class; innovative 10 ft (3.0m) fly integral to one of the on-board fly options; over 25 tons (22.68mt) capacity and two load line lift procedures; and a counterweight that consists of modular-style counterweights for multiple transport and lift scenarios.
Coming together to make a difference in today’s political world
Brian P. McGuire, President and CEO Association Equipment Distributors (AED) Alexandria, VA
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s the trade association for North American construction equipment distributors, AED is playing a pivotal role in shaping public policy. And while the nation did not exactly elect a transportation-friendly Congress on Nov. 4, I am excited about the opportunities the lie ahead. I'm also deeply impressed by all the AED dealer executives across the country who rolled up their sleeves and demonstrated overwhelming grassroots commitment this fall! Dozens of members held events for candidates, including an Oct. 31 rally for new Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), hosted by AED member Brandeis Machinery in Louisville, as well as local Dallas/Ft. Worth-area distributors who hosted Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas) on Sept. 5. And those were just the beginning. In 2015, our new regional managers will coordinate another 60 visits by members of Congress to AED-member dealerships, giving lawmakers a first-hand look at the important role our industry plays in their
districts. Our members are keenly aware of the importance elected officials to hear and feel what is of concern to the construction equipment industry – I don't know of an organization whose members – both dealers, manufacturers, and service suppliers – are more effective in voicing their concerns and engaging their own members of Congress. Bottom line: there has never been a better time to be an AED member, and there's no time like the present to get active in this association. There's a lot of work to be done, and we are leading charge on numerous fronts. Our top legislative priorities for the lame duck Congress include: • Permanent extension of Bonus Depreciation and Sec. 179, which encourage contractors to buy new equipment • Passage of a multiyear federal highway bill – Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) will be the next Senate Environment & Public Works chairman. Inhofe has strong conservative credentials, a good working relationship with the committee’s top
Democrat. He formerly held the EPW gavel and has experience shepherding a highway bill to enactment. That should allow him to hit the ground running both to build support for a Highway Trust Fund revenue fix and to pass new multi-year road, bridge and transit legislation. • Immediate approval of the Keystone XL pipeline – When the dust settles, we expect the GOP will control 54 Senate seats. Add to that number the six returning Democrats who say they support Keystone and you have what looks like a filibuster-proof majority in favor of getting the project underway. • Creating a tax environment that encourages investment and allows businesses to grow and hire employees – New leadership on the tax committees on both sides of Capitol Hill means the tax reform debate is on hold in the shortterm. But both Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), respectively the presumptive incoming chairmen of the House Ways & Means and Senate Finance Committees, have considerable depth on tax and budget issues, which means the process could get underway quickly as soon as new committee staff is in place. AED made its voice heard loud and clear with our Legislative Action Week in mid-November. Our members took time every singe day during the week of Nov. 17 to call and e-mail their members of
Congress to urge swift action on all of these issues. The U.S. midterm election results hopefully send a strong message to both the president and the members of the House and Senate: Americans are looking for Congress and the president to get things done! AED stands ready to help Congress and the president move forward on these and the other important issues before the nation. I hope all the equipment manufacturers and distributors of Texas will join us in our work. I also invite you to attend our reinvigorated Summit annual meeting Feb 10-13 for a week of extensive executive and management-level education (6 tracks), unrivaled keynotes, Condex and Hospitality Suite meetings with the industry's suppliers, plus great golf, relaxed gatherings for networking, and a fantastic party with a live auction to benefit The AED Foundation's workforce development efforts. Please visit aedsummit.com for details, and I welcome your feedback directly to me anytime at bmcguire@aednet.org. AED is an international trade association representing companies involved in the distribution, rental, and support of equipment used in construction, mining, energy, forestry, power generation, agriculture, and industrial applications. More information is available at www.aednet.org.
NEXT MONTH January 2015
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Construction Forecast 2015 Schedule
Jan: Construction Forecast Feb: Construction Safety Mar: Construction Education
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Apr: Women in Construction May: Concrete Industry Jun: HVAC & Plumbing
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San Antonio Construction News â&#x20AC;˘ Dec 2014
Association Calendar
Content submitted by Associations to Construction News ABC Associated Builders & Contractors
All events are held at the ABC office unless otherwise stated. Dec. 4: Construct A Kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Gala, Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall Dec. 10: OSHA Record Keeping Rules/ Temporary Worker Program, 9-11am; Safety Committee meeting, noon Dec. 16-17: OSHA 10-Hour, 8am-2pm Dec. 17: Apprenticeship Committee meeting, 11:30am-1pm Dec. 25-26, Jan. 1: Office closed For more information on these events, call Dana Hickman at 210-342-1994
AGC Associated General Contractors
All events are held at the AGC office unless otherwise stated. Dec. 2: BIM Unit 2: Technology, 8am-5pm Dec. 5: New Member Orientation, noon1pm Dec. 11: Holiday Open House; 4-7pm; hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres and drinks will be served; Ericatures will be drawing caricature sketches; casual dress Dec. 15: Brown Bag Lunch: Practical ways
to maintain your Construction SWPPP as a GC, noon-1pm; Ethics Course, 2:304:30pm Dec. 16: Beginner Scheduling Workshop with Computer Applications, 8am-5pm; CLF Steering Council meeting, noon Dec. 18: Safety and Health Committee meeting, 11:30am Dec. 19: Board of Directors meeting, The Petroleum Club, 8am
AIA American Institute of Architects
Dec. 12: Procrastinatorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CE Day; 9am-4 pm; AIA Center for Architecture, 1344 S. Flores St.
ASA American Subcontractors Association
Dec. 17: Reasonable Suspicion-DOT Compliant Drug & Alcohol Training for Supervisors; identify indicators of probable drug use and alcohol misuse; Ridout Barrett, 10843 Gulfdale; 11:30am-2pm; members $40, non-members $60; for more information, call 210-349-2105 or email contact@asasanantonio.org
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737-2267
www.toucanrecycling.com
HCA de San Antonio
MCAâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;SMACNA
Hispanic Contractors Association
Mechanical Contractors Association Sheet Metal & A/C Natâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;l Assn.
Dec. 11: VIA Bus Hop; 8am; Crossroads Park & Ride; visit Turner Construction for breakfast and presentation, then visit SpawGlass for lunch and presentation; free for members, non-members $10; for more information or to RSVP, call 210444-1100, email questions to Patty at admin@hcadesa.org, or register online at www.hcadesa.org
IEC
Dec. 4: Construct A Kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Gala, Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall Dec. 17: Christmas Party, Oak Hills Country Club, 11:30am
NAWIC Natâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;l Assn. of Women in Construction
Dec. 4: Construct A Kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Gala, Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall
Independent Electrical Contractors
PHCC
All events are held at the IEC office unless otherwise stated. Dec. 2: Lunch & Learn, Healthcare Reform, TBD Dec. 4: Construct A Kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas, Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall, 5:30-11pm Dec. 5: Construct a Kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Toy Dropoff, Construction News, 10am-2pm Dec. 12: Member Appreciation Casino Night, 6-11pm Dec. 15: Continuing Education Class, 5-9pm Dec. 16: A&T Committee meeting, 11am Dec. 17: Board of Directors meeting, 11am Dec. 20: Electrical Maintenance Technician Class, 8am-5pm Dec. 25-Jan. 4: IEC office and school closed for Christmas and New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s holidays Jan. 12: Accelerated Class begins, 5:309:30pm For more information on these events, call 210-431-9861 or visit www.iecsanantonio.com
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors
Dec. 6, 13: Plumbers Continuing Ed classes Dec. 9: Planning meeting Dec. 11: Christmas Fiesta on the Riverwalk, Mexican Manhattan, 6:30pm For more information, visit www.phccsanantonio.org
SAMCA San Antonio Masonry Contractors Assn.
Dec. 4: Holiday Celebration & Banquet; Christopher Columbus Italian Society Hall, 201 Piazza Italia; 6-10:30pm; $60 per person includes casino games, prizes and dinner; for more information, call Debbie at 830-606-5556
USGBC U.S. Green Building Council
Dec. 3: Seventh Annual Austin â&#x20AC;&#x153;Greenâ&#x20AC;? Holiday Party; 6-10pm; Barr Mansion, 10463 Sprinkle Rd., Austin; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Farm-toPlateâ&#x20AC;? dinner, music
San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
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Having fun doing good
More than 400 guests turned out for Ramming Paving’s benefit barbecue and customer appreciation event.
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he Benefit & Customer Appreciation BBQ hosted by Ramming Paving Company Nov. 8 at Schertz City Park served two purposes: to show gratitude for their customers and vendors and to raise funds for an injured coworker. With more than 400 people in attendance, Ramming Paving was able to exceed its goal to help support an employee who was injured in an accident by raising money for that employee’s family in the aftermath. “Ramming Paving would like to thank all of its employees and customers for their generosity in making this a memorable occasion,” says Frank Gallagher, director of operations and barbecue cook for the event, or pit master, as he prefers to be called. “Ramming Paving raised over $14,000 dollars for the injured employee. We smoked and served 16 brisket and 60 lbs. of sausage. Not a single slice of meat was left. Great food and a great time was had by all.” The fundraising efforts included a bake sale, obstacle course and a balloon drop. Some of the employees arranged other donation-driven shenanigans, in-
cluding a surprise ice bucket dump on Gallagher while he was doing the balloon drop and challenging him and his boss to dress up in sumo suits and sumo wrestle. Raffle prizes donated by outside contractors included several Yeti coolers, four tickets to see the Spurs, barbecue pits and fishing trips. –mh
A few of the Ramming Paving guys gather around the pit. L-R: Frank Gallagher, director of operations; David Garcia, superintendent; and Ben Carroll, division manager
Toss in favor of the kids
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Quality Fastener employees participated in the annual washer tournament to benefit local children in crisis.
he Quality Fasteners sixth annual Washers for a Cause washer tournament at Olmos Basin Park raised almost $7,500 for the Children’s Shelter of San Antonio. In the past three years, Quality Fasteners has donated more than $10,000 to help feed and clothe the children of the shelter by raising funds with the washer tournament, as well as a raffle and silent auction. With 64 people participating in the tournament, the Republic of Texas BBQ team served more than 100 barbecue plates. –mh
L-R: Matt Prater, 2nd Place; Jimmy Smith, 1st Place; Trey Bailey, 3rd Place
L-R: Stephen Faulstich, Quality Fasteners, invited his nephew, Brayden, and his daughter, Kylah, to try their hands at a washer toss.
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San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
continued from Page 19 — Dressed for spooktacular success
Ridout Barrett – Audit Department Ridout Barrett – Small Business Services
Ridout Barrett – Partners
Mitchell Design Group Ridout Barrett – Tax Department
Quality Fence & Welding
IBTX – Bonds Department (The Bonderosa) IBTX – Claims Department IBTX Risk Services
Closner Equipment Company
Mitchell Design Group
Ferguson
Alpha Building Corporation Construction News
continued on Page 31
San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
Page 31
Drawing winners
T
he American Institute of Architects (AIA) San Antonio Chapter hosted its annual awards banquet Nov. 18 at Peacock Alley in St. Anthony Hotel, followed by a skyline after party on the rooftop. –mh
Unbuilt Honor Award: Fire Training Center at the First Responders Academy Architect: Alamo Architects
Honor Award: Dixon Water Foundation Josey Pavilion, Decatur, TX Architect: Lake|Flato Architects
Merit Award: Condon Residence Architect: Poteet Architects Contractor: Rubiola Construction
Unbuilt Merit Award: San Pedro Creek Feasibility Study Architect: Muñoz & Company Mayor’s Choice Award: Our Lady of the Lake University Main Building Restoration Architect: Muñoz & Company
Twenty-Five Year Award: Hilton Palacio del Rio Hotel Architect: Cerna & Garza Architects Contractor: H.B. Zachry Company
Merit Award: Phil Hardberger Urban Ecology Center Architect: Lake|Flato Architects Contractor: Guido Construction
Honor Award: The Gourd Architect: Overland Partners Contractor: Overland Workshop
continued from Page 30 — Dressed for spooktacular success
Construction News
IBTX Risk Services
Merit & Committee on the Environment (COTE) Awards: Hughes Warehouse Adaptive Reuse Architect: Overland Partners Contractor: Beck
Student Honor Award: 6 Prototype Motel Architect: Rodrigo Gorgazzi, Assoc. AIA
Merit Award: Alta House Architect: Tobin Smith Architect Contractor: Troy Jessee Construction
Page 32
San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2014
Engineered fun and games
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y p p ys a H ida l o H
C
onsulting engineer firm Terracon hosted its third annual Client Appreciation & Casino Night Nov. 13 at its Terracon Consultants location on Blanco Road with an estimated 250 guests attending. The event featured a 96-inch pizza by Dirt Road Cookers and food truck items from K-Hill BBQ. There were plenty of games and raffle prizes. Mi Young Squire, MS Engineering, took first place at the casino tables, while Mike Wilson, J-3, took second.
Terracon teamed with two charities for the event: the Children’s Museum, which Terracon helped with its new facility; and Kuvempu Kannada Sangha of San Antonio, to help educate people about Indian culture. Including $250 to each from Terracon, the Children’s Museum raised $345, and Kuvempu Kannada Sangha raised $375. Chuck Gregory, office manager, said, “Tonight is a celebration with our clients, vendors and influencers and the people we work with.”–mh
L-R: Todd Putnam, PE, Bexar County Public Works Department; Jason M. Nelson, PE, Bury; Melynne Wulff, Terracon
Engineers shouldn’t gamble with their work – at work on casino night, however, is a completely different story! On the right L-R: Mike Bratten, Beicker Martinez and Chuck Gregory, Terracon
Coming soon to Houston and Austin
These three ruled the casino game tables.
Construction News ON LOCATION
Over the moon
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Luna Architecture + Design, the firm hosted a ribbon cutting with the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Nov. 14 at its West Bitters location. –mh