Covering the Industry’s News
P.O. Box 791290 San Antonio, Texas 78279-1290
Texas Style
PRSRT. STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT #1451
Change Service Requested
San Antonio Dallas/Fort Worth Austin Houston South Texas
Austin
CONSTRUCTION
™
The Industry’s Newspaper www.constructionnews.net
H
(210) 308-5800
H
Volume 15
H
Number 1
H
JANUARY 2015
Smooth transition
Paving the way
L-R: Randy Wymore, Craig Carpenter, Theo McHenry, Isaac Edwards and Angelo Navarro
Baldomar Hernandez is happy to work with his family.
T
he family of John Krog Sr. and his wife, Joan, along with their youngest son, Karl, began the business adventure of owning a contractor supply store in Orange, TX. In 2001, John and Joan moved to Liberty Hill, TX. Karl remained in Orange, and Marty Belt, who was working as the sheriff’s administrative assistant, began helping Karl with the business as needed. Belt said the Krogs were approached about buying a 10-year-old contractor tool store, Applied Tool and Supply, serving the Austin area. “In Nov. 2004, they completed the acquisition of Applied Tool and Supply, Belt said. “Karl and I moved to Austin in Jan. 2006 and I began working in the business full time.”
After Applied Tool and Supply outgrew its facility, the Krog family purchased a larger building on Saint Elmo Road and moved there in 2006. In Jan. 2010, Applied Tool and Supply was changed from a limited partnership to a limited liability company, and became Circle K Texas Enterprises, LLC, operating under the dba of Applied Tool & Fastener. The company changed its name to Mar-teK Contractor Supply LLC in 2014 and occupies the same building today. “John and Joan wanted to remaining active in the business, but desired the freedom to spend more time with their grandchildren, great-grandchildren and continued on Page 17
B
aldomar Hernandez has learned all he knows about the paving business from his father, Jesus, owner of A & J Paving LLC. “The most important thing my father has taught me is how to work hard,” Hernandez said. “My father works alongside the crews all the time. I look up to him.” Hernandez says his father established A & J Paving three years ago after working at a local paving and concrete company for 20 years. Jesus Hernandez always wanted to start his own company one day and eventually decided to go for it. “I have worked with my father the entire time,” Hernandez said. “I get out to jobsites on a daily basis and also han-
dle the paper work and estimating. I do anything I can to help the company grow.” Over the past three years, A & J Paving has had more commercial jobs and added more employees. “Most of our crew are family members,” he said. “I am grateful I have the opportunity to work with my father, brothers and uncles. It is nice to be around my family every day. We help each other out. “Whenever we complete a large job, we celebrate by having a cookout at one of our houses.” When Hernandez has free time on continued on Page 17
Welcome home
E
very structure has a story to tell and so it is with the historic Rabb House on Brushy Creek. Donated to the City of Round Rock in the late 1980s by Virgil and Nancy Rabb, the walls gave audience to weddings, receptions, family reunions, birthday parties, seminars, corporate and social gatherings and community events. After more than 30 years of celebrations and happenings, and after enduring extensive damage from an overwhelming flood in 2010, John King Construction Ltd. and KAH Architecture teamed with the City of Round Rock to give new life to the beloved house. Nestled in a heavily wooded tract along Brushy Creek at 2109 E. Palm Valley Blvd., this redevelopment project included a complete rebuild of the original facility and outdoor areas directly adjacent to the home.
Giving homage to the scale, aesthetics and character of the original Rabb House, the new 3,700-sf facility provides an updated layout and design that marries history with modern convenience. The project manager and project superintendent was J.D. King, John King Construction. “The new split-level design keeps the main floor of the facility above flood plain and creates usable, inviting outside space,” King said. “A large entry vestibule greets guests upon entering providing ample space to meet and greet. Folding doors opening the entire back of the facility to views of Brushy Creek provide flexible entertainment options and connect directly to the outdoor amphitheater. Patios and balcony areas surround the remainder of the building.
The Rabb House
continued on Page 17