South Texas Construction News April 2015

Covering the Industry’s News

Texas Style

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Volume 3

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APRIL 2015

It’s a Peacock thang

Up on a roof

Tre’ Peacock and his champion bird, Bo Randy.

Frank Puente Jr., third from left, and his roofing crew at work in Edcouch, TX.

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ell-known South Texas general contractor Tre’ Peacock has a new hobby that has brought him international fame and glory.

But the glory should probably go to the winner of the recent 2014 International Peacock Racing champion: Tre’s prize peacock, Bo Randy.

“It’s always been kind of a thought in the back of my mind,” Tre’ says. “I’ve always wanted to raise – and race – peacocks.”

Some might assume that the attraction is based on Tre’s last name, and he admits that’s where the idea first came from, but it’s more than that.

“Peacocks are beautiful and talented birds,” Tre’ says. “They are very loyal and will attack anything or anybody who

threatens me or my family. They are actually really ferocious.”

That’s why Tre’ has spent the last five years turning his backyard into a rainforest – the peacocks preferred habitat.

“You know, the neighbors kind of wondered what was going on,” Tre’ says, “but I think they like it now.”

Tre’ has spent his free time building and training his flock – consisting at this point of five males, 15 females and has even had several broods – or peachicks.

In October, all of his hard work and dedication paid off when he and his family traveled to Dambulla, Sri Lanka for the world’s definitive test of peacock racing. continued on Page 14

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rank Puente Jr., owner of Puente Roofing in Harlingen, hadn’t always planned on following in his dad’s footsteps.

Although he worked there in the summers during high school and college, he received his degree in psychology.

That wasn’t the plan either – he originally started college planning to get a degree in business.

“I took one course in psychology and fell in love with it,” he says.

It’s something he now says helps.

“It works hand in hand with everyday life and running a business,” he says.

After college, he signed up for graduate school, achieving a Masters degree in public administration.

“At one point I was working for the

State of Texas, for a state representative,” he says. “I got the itch for politics.”

He’s also served his community of Harlingen in an elected position as a city commissioner.

In the end, however, he decided he wanted to run his own business and took over Puente Roofing in 2001.

His desire to give back to his community is well known – every year the company tries to find a family that needs a new roof and makes that wish come true at Christmas. In 2014, that new roof was donated with time, labor and materials to Cameron County’s first Habitat for Humanity home. continued on Page 14

On the wings of a butterfly

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any people probably don’t know that the Rio Grande Valley is the only place in the United States where nearly 150 species of North American butterflies can be found.

Because of that, the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) is cultivating a 100-acre preserve in Mission, the National Butterfly Center, that is home to the greatest volume and variety of wild, free-flying butterflies in the nation.

According to the website, nationalbutterflycenter.org, more than 300 species of butterflies can be found in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, and more than 200 species have been seen at the Center, including a number of rarities.

The Center showcases live animals and plants, in wild and cultivated settings, with educational exhibits. In addition to the ever-growing gardens and trails, the Center now boasts an impressive new welcome center, built by Weslaco’s Olivi-

A retention pond forms part of the storm water management system.

Photo credit: Thorney Lieberman

er Van der Graaff, Van de Graaff Ilumina Designs and designed by Wendy Evans Joseph, FAIA, Studio Joseph, an architectural design firm that specializes in museum and exhibition design. Consultants included Vanguard Engineering and Thomas Balsley Associates.

Designing and building the $1 million, 4,400-sf welcome center was a unique project in different ways, requiring profound collaboration between owner, architect and builder.

The project was featured in Texas Architect’s January 2015 issue.

Building costs ran $130 per square foot, with a budget of $750,000 for the building and an additional $250,000 for site work and parking. A 4-by-16-in cement block, imported from just across the border in Mexico and finished bright white, thanks to the marble dust from a nearby quarry, covers the pavilion’s exterior. continued on Page 15

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South Texas Construction News • Apr 2015

Family atmosphere

50 electrifying years

L-R: Radu Popescu, Eddie Vela, Alejandra Mina, Rebecca Acuna, Ramiro Ramos, Gilbert Zuniga

Brian Cooper and Bruce Harrison maintain a family-friendly and customer-oriented service.

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fter graduating from Texas A&M University in College Station with a degree in environmental design, Eddie Vela did a couple of internships before launching his own firm, EGV Architects, in Hidalgo in 1994.

The firm specializes in projects that run the gamut from small to large and everything in between. Currently, schools, renovations and historical restorations are some of the projects they take on.

The firm is in the design stage of restoring the 1886 Hidalgo County Courthouse to its former glory, under the Texas Historical Commission’s Texas Historic Courthouse preservation program. The courthouse started out as two-story building, but lost its second story in a 1917 fire.

“We will restore it as closely as possible to its original state,” Vela says. “We are hoping to add the second floor.”

The next big project is restoring the old Yacht Club in Port Isabelle, which the

city recently purchased.

“We’ve done work all across the Rio Grande Valley,” Vela says.

Recently, the firm was named Associated General Contractors – Rio Grande Valley (AGC-RGV) Architectural Firm of the Year, the credit for which Vela gives to his staff.

“I give all the credit to my staff,” he says. “They are the firm.”

That staff consists of designers Alejandra Mina, Rebecca Ocuna and Gilbert Zunia, as well as employees Ramiro Ramos and Radu Popescu.

Vela was born in McAllen and grew up in Hildago. His father was a businessman who was handy with repairs. Vela says he learned a lot from hands-on work with his dad.

He likes Hildago because of its small town atmosphere. His office is located in his great-grandfather’s home.

“Everybody knows everybody,” he says. –cw

Milestones

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wo Testengeer employees recently celebrated milestones with the engineering and technical services

firm.

Ricky Frederick, right, and Wanda Zwerschke, left, both have 21 years with the company.

Zwerschke is an I/E designer at the Port Lavaca location and Frederick is an engineer in Port Lavaca. –cw

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GS Electric was formed 50 years ago in 1965 in a partnership between Don Krueger, Chad Goyen and Troy Summerlin. At the time, Don Krueger owned Don Krueger Construction and Troy Summerlin became a partner. The men are credited with being a large part of the movement to bring the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) chapter to Victoria that still flourishes today.

“Don and Troy were founding members of ABC,” says Bruce Harrison, senior estimator. “We’ve always supported the building industry.”

After Don’s death in 2012, son Kevin Krueger became sole owner of the construction company and KGS Electric was absorbed into Don Krueger Construction.

According to Harrison and Brian Cooper, electrical project manager and estimator at KGS, customer service and a family-friendly atmosphere are key to the

business.

“We believe in family first and we strive to make sure our customers are happy – even at our expense,” Harrison says. “We want long-term relationships with both employees and customers.”

Cooper, who recently joined the company, says people interested in a job should come in and check it out.

“Some of the best people we’ve hired have come right off the street,” he says. “Be prepared to show up every day, be on time and don’t be afraid to ask questions.”

When Kevin Krueger assumed ownership of the company, he established something called “The Krueger Way” that explains the company’s philosophy and mission.

The first thing on the list is “We love to build!!!” – and that means people, buildings and careers, say Harrison and Cooper. –cw

South Texas

CONSTRUCTION NEWS South Texas Editor: Cyndi Wright STeditor@ConstructionNews.net 210-308-5800 Construction News Ltd. Home Office P.O. Box 791290 • San Antonio, Tx 78279 210-308-5800 Fax 210-308-5960 www.constructionnews.net

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The South Texas Construction News (ISSN #2327-4670) is published monthly by Construction News Ltd., dba South Texas Construction News, and distributed by mail to construction related companies in the South Texas area.

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South Texas Construction News • Apr 2015

Page 3

Floored in Port Isabel

The science of soil

Gabe Flandes poses with some of Port Isabel’s ubiquitous pelicans, immortalized in art.

Partners Rudy Martinez, pictured, and Jaime Cantu have the dirt on the local soil.

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rothers Adrian and Gabe Flandes have been doing distinctive floor coverings in Port Isabel since 2001 and four years ago, they opened A+ Flooring. Adrian is owner and Gabe is operations manager.

“Our philosophy is while we are doing the current job, we are already focused on our next referral,” Gabe says.

“We want to make sure our customers are happy so they tell their friends.”

The brothers are picky about who they hire to help install flooring.

“I have to see their work first,” Gabe says. “I want to verify their abilities.”

The company handles a lot of commercial work, mostly working on existing buildings, such as hotels.

“My focus is to make sure the product is specific to the job,” Gabe says.

That can get a little tricky in an area where a building may be unoccupied in a humid climate for six months out of the year.

“Products in this area must stand up

to the air conditioning being off for half the year,” he says. “All of our inventory has chain of custody. There are no suspect ingredients.”

Flandes says installers are matched up to the job they are hired to perform.

“There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes to accomplish the projects,” he says.

The future includes growth, with not only floor coverings, but cabinetry and trim work coming online. They are already doing countertops. Another goal is to build the current store into a nice showroom.

Of course, living next to the Gulf of Mexico means that both Adrian and Gabe spend time fishing. Adrian has a second business as a professional fishing guide, under Captain Adrian Flandes.

The business supports the local chamber of commerce. Both men like to spend time with family when they aren’t working or fishing. –cw

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artners Rudy Martinez and Jaime Cantu, PE, have more than 40 years of experience between them in the fields of civil engineering, geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing. After working for other companies, the two opened EarthCo in Harlingen in 2008.

“We opened this business in the worst economic times,” says Martinez, who handles the business end of the partnership. “We saw a need for a construction materials testing company that would be local to the Valley and be capable of providing a personalized level of service.”

Despite opening during rough economic times, the firm has been very successful, having eight employees who work out of an office and a 13,000-sf warehouse where the lab and testing are located. Their clients consist of governmental entities and school districts for the most part, with a small percentage of

large, high-end housing thrown in.

“We are the guys that tell you this soil will bear this much,” Martinez says. “There is a lot riding on it. We are very familiar with the soils in the Rio Grande Valley.”

A large percentage of their business comes from referrals. They also maintain evergreen contracts with some customers.

According to Martinez, the work falls into two parts: geotechnical, which means advising clients building on the area’s heavy clay soil; and quality control, being hands-on with a project from start to finish.

Both men are married to women in the field of education: Martinez’s wife Sylvia is a teacher, while Cantu’s wife, Yolanda, is a principal. Martinez has three children and Cantu has two. The families socialize together when not at work.

“We make sure things get done as efficiently as possible,” Martinez says.

“We solve problems.” –cw

Construction News ON LOCATION

Industry FOLKS

Happy in Harlingen

Mark Roach Outside Sales Dealers Electrical Supply Corpus Christi

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ark Roach has been with Dealers Electrical Supply in Corpus Christi since it opened in 1995. Along the way, he’s held different positions, but he started in sales and that’s where he likes to be.

Roach and two other men, Tommy Moore, who is also still there, and Jerry Sharp, who is no longer with the company, were instrumental in Dealers opening a branch in Corpus.

Prior to that, Roach had his own electrical contracting company.

“In the late ‘80s, early ‘90s, the economy had gone south for Texas,” Roach says. “I had told Jerry that I didn’t think I was interested in draining my life’s savings to keep the ship afloat.”

When it didn’t look like the economy was going to improve, Sharp and Roach began seriously looking at electrical supply.

“We started in 1992, thinking we would be able to get it done within 9 to 12 months. It took three years,” he laughs.

It was during that three years that the Dealers organization learned of the effort to open a store in Corpus Christi and asked to be part of it.

“When we opened, Jerry was manager, I was sales and Tommy was operations,” Roach says. “Our first inside salesman was Chris Gomez and he is still here.”

When Sharp left, Roach was asked to step in as branch manager, a position he held for six years.

Mark Roach and his son Greg Roach in Austin

“I stepped down to let somebody younger take over and went back to outside sales,” Roach says.

He prefers working in sales, and explains that sales is a 24/7 kind of job.

“If you are giving it just the minimum, it’s 24/7,” he says. Roach, who spent 20 years as a contractor and holds a master electrical license, says he gets calls from panicked clients at all hours.

“I get a lot of calls when folks are in the field scratching their heads,” he laughs.

Roach has had a strong presence in the local Associated Builders and Contractors chapter (ABC). He became involved in 1997 and in 2002, he moved into the chairman position. Currently, he is treasurer.

“The original attraction for most people is networking,” he says.

But it’s the political work the organization does that is most important, Roach says.

“People have a tendency to shy away from getting involved in politics,” he says. “But any prevention of regulations that businesses who are not members enjoy, they enjoy by riding on the backs of ABC members. In ABC we have an expression: Get into politics…or get out of business.” –cw

Miguel “Mike” Torres, J&S Plumbing Inc., picks up supplies for the day’s work in Harlingen. –cw

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South Texas Construction News • Apr 2015

Taxable fringe benefits and self-employed health insurance

Take steps to protect your family business

Lynda Land Ridout, Barret & Co. PC San Antonio, TX

Jesse Abercrombie Edward Jones Dallas, TX

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very day, in the ordinary course of business, employers provide benefits to their employees. Some are taxable; others are not. For instance, did you know gift cards and prepaid credit cards are taxable benefits regardless of the amount on the card? That personal use of a company vehicle is taxable? What about group term life insurance in excess of $50,000? And let’s not forget health insurance. The IRS addresses these and other fringe benefits in Publication 15B, Employer’s Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits.

Of the many benefits discussed in Pub 15-B, health insurance is the most often misreported and misunderstood.

This is due, in part, because benefits are treated differently depending on whether the recipient is an employee or an owner/shareholder, and the entity is an S corporation or partnership. This article focuses primarily on health insurance for shareholders of S Corporations who own greater than 2% of their corporation’s stock.

Health insurance premiums paid on behalf of a 2% shareholder through a company group health plan are taxable fringe benefits to the shareholder. The company cannot deduct premiums paid on behalf of the 2% shareholder, his spouse or dependents; nor can the 2% shareholder participate in a cafeteria plan, treating the premiums as pre-tax health insurance. Instead, the company must include the cost of health insurance in the shareholder’s wages, subject to income tax withholding; exempt from social security, Medicare and FUTA taxes.

Including these benefits in the 2% shareholder’s wages allows him to deduct the cost as an adjustment to gross income on Form 1040.

For S corporations with one shareholder who is also the sole employee, the policy can be in the name of the company or the shareholder. If the policy is in the name of the company and it pays the premiums, it must include them in Box 1 of the shareholder’s W-2. If the 2% shareholder owns the policy and pays the premiums personally, he can only deduct the premiums as self-employed health insurance if the company reimburses him and includes the premiums on his W-2.

The company’s plan will not be a qualified health plan if the premiums are not paid or reimbursed by the company and included on the shareholder’s Form W2.

Prior to the Affordable Care Act, small employers (less than 50 full-time equivalent employees) were allowed to reimburse their employees and share-

holders for health insurance via the “employee payment plan,” or EPP, rather than go to the expense of setting up and paying for a group health plan. Under an EPP, the employee would purchase an individual policy, submit proof of payment and be reimbursed by the employer for the premiums. The reimbursement was treated as pre-tax health insurance, exempt from payroll taxes.

Today, with federal and state exchanges in place, EPPs are no longer permitted. In fact, continuing this practice will result in penalties of $100 per day per employee. That’s $36,500 per year, per employee. These penalties are punitive in nature and aimed at employers who directly pay or reimburse individual health insurance premiums. Because guidance on this penalty was not issued until late in 2014, the IRS recently issued Notice 201517. This notice provides retroactive relief from penalties for small employers who have or will have reimbursed employee paid premiums between Jan.1, 2014 and June 30, 2015. Relief is also available for S corporations that reimburse or directly pay individual health insurance premiums on behalf of their 2% shareholders between Jan. 1, 2014 and Dec. 31, 2015. It appears the self-employed health deduction for 2% shareholders will no longer be available after Dec. 31, 2015, unless the premiums are paid through a companysponsored group health plan.

The health insurance debate will continue for many years. It is imperative that business owners and employees understand the rules to maximize their benefits and minimize potential penalties. If you have questions about self-employed health insurance or other fringe benefits, contact your CPA. We are here to help you.

Lynda Land is the Manager of the Small Business Services department of Ridout, Barrett & Co., P.C. and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Texas Society of CPA’s.

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here’s nothing more important in the world to you than your family. However, your family-owned business probably helps support your family. So, when it comes to protecting both your family and your business, you need to carefully consider your moves.

would maintain control over the day-today operation of your business, but, over time, you could gift or sell limited partnership shares to your family members.

And eventually, you would also relinquish control of the business to whoever is going to run it.

As you know, you face plenty of challenges to keep your business running smoothly — but it can be even more difficult to pass the family business on to your children or other relatives. In fact, according to the Small Business Administration, only 33% of family owned businesses survive the transition from first generation ownership to the next generation.

Another component of your succession plan might be a “buy-sell” agreement, which allows you to name the buyer for your business — such as one of your children — and establish methods to determine the sale price. Your child could then purchase a life insurance policy on your life and eventually use the proceeds to buy the business, according to the terms established in the buy-sell agreement.

Why is it so hard to keep a family business intact? Sometimes, it’s because no one in the family is interested in running the business — but family businesses frequently disintegrate because of the lack of a succession plan.

We’ve just skimmed the surface of techniques that might be used alone or in combination to carry out your business succession. The transfer can be complex, so you will certainly need to consult with your legal and financial professionals. It’s important that you fully understand the business and tax implications of any succession plan, as well as the financial effects of a plan on all your family members.

To create a succession plan, your first step — and possibly the most important one — is to collect the thoughts and preferences of family members on their future involvement with your business.

It’s essential that you know who wants to really do the day-to-day work and who is capable. During these conversations, you’ll also want to discuss other key business-succession issues, such as the retirement goals and cash flow needs of retiring family owners and the personal and financial goals of the next generation of management.

In developing a plan for the future of your business, you will need to determine who will control and manage the business, and who will eventually own it.

These decisions will depend on a variety of factors, such as the time horizon, goals and financial needs of the family members involved.

Your succession plan could be based on a family limited partnership. Under this arrangement, you, as general partner,

In any case, once you’ve created your succession plan, you’ll need to work with your legal advisor to put it in writing and communicate it clearly to all family members. Surprises are welcome in many parts of life — but not when it comes to transferring a family business.

You want to leave your family a legacy. And if that legacy is the family business, do whatever it takes to pass it on in a manner that benefits everyone involved. This will take time and planning — but it can be well worth the effort.

Jesse Abercrombie, financial advisor with Edward Jones Investments, works closely with business owners and executives in the construction industry. For any questions or comments, please contact him at: jesse.abercrombie@edwardjones.com or 972-239-0852.

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South Texas Construction News caught Joe Corpus and Homer Serna at the office of Medina Consultants, an engineering and surveying firm in Corpus Christi. –cw

South Texas Construction News • Apr 2015

Page 5

Back in the U.S.A. Legislation–we are under way Sewell C. “Spike” Cutler, Principal Cutler-Smith PC Dallas, TX

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he 2015 legislative session (the “84th Legislature”) has already produced a number of filed bills that directly affect the construction industry. Here are some highlights (bill status is as of the date of writing): Consolidated Insurance Programs

HB 1206, Representative Dan Huber- Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown), rety (R-Humble), provides modest regula- ferred to Senate Business and Commerce tion of “CIPs,” Owner-Controlled and Committee.

Contractor-Controlled Insurance Pro- Reduced Construction-Defect Liability grams, requires disclosure of the exis- Rep. Paul Workman’s (R-Austin) tence, terms and required participation HB1784 reduces contractor liability for in Controlled Insurance Programs before construction defects ten percent for each bid time, and allows regulation by the year after project completion. This should Texas Department of Insurance. Referred reduce claims of “construction defects” to the House Insurance Committee. asserted immediately before expiration Notice of Lender Default of the 10-year Statute of Repose. Referred HB 1208, Representative Cecil Bell to House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence (R-Magnolia), Representative Jeff Leach Committee.

(R-Plano) and Representative Ron Sim- Union Contracts mons (R-Louisville), requires notice of Senate Bill 303, Senator Kelly HanOwner default on construction loans to cock (R-Tarrant County), outlaws requircontractors, allowing suspension of per- ing or precluding collective bargaining formance upon default. Referred to (union) contracts as conditions of contracting on publicly-funded higher-eduHouse Business & Industry Committee.

Retainage Trust Fund cation institutions. Referred to Senate HB 1966, Representative Jim Keffer Business & Commerce Committee.

(R-Eastland), amends Texas Construction Made in the Good Ol’ USA Trust Fund law, requiring retainage be es- HB1007, Rep. Yvonne Davis (D-Duncrowed for the life of a project to protect canville), provides that iron, steel and retainage for contractors and subcon- manufactured products to be used in tractors. Alternatively, a bond could state-fund the construction projects serve as security. Referred to House Busi- must be manufactured in the United States, unless they are not reasonably ness & Industry Committee. available or increase the cost of the projWorker Misclassification

This is a hot issue - when employers ect by more than 15%. This bill has been do not classify workers properly as em- referred to the House Economic & Small ployees or independent contractors, Business Development Committee. many contend that they gain an unfair Sovereign Immunity Modification competitive advantage in bidding for Representative Paul Workman’s jobs. Current penalties for not classifying HB1124 limits sovereign immunity in conproperly are limited to payment of back tract claims on state projects. This bill retaxes owed, plus nominal interest and a moves the $250,000 floor for state claims, tiny penalty – not enough to deter em- improves claims for increased costs and ployers from not classifying properly. HB simplifies attorneys’ fee recovery. Re434, Representative Senfronia Thomp- ferred to the House Judiciary & Civil Jurisson (D-Houston), provides greater penal- prudence Committee for Hearing. ties for misclassification as a deterrent. Contractor Licensing Referred to House Business and Industry The last bill I will mention is a real doozy – Rep. Eddie Rodriguez (D-Travis Committee.

Mandatory Workers’ Compensation County) has filed HB3148, a modest little proposal requiring that all construction Insurance HB 689, Representative Armando contractors be licensed, under the control Walle (D-Houston) and Representative of the Texas Department of Licensing & Terry Canales (D - Edinburg), referred to Regulation, and for TDLR to develop rules the House Business & Industry Commit- for the enforcement and penalties for tee, and Senate companion, SB 155 by their violation. This bill, just filed, should Sen. Jose Rodriguez (D-El Paso), referred provide plenty of controversy in the reguto Senate Business and Commerce Com- lation-averse Texas political arena.

There is much to be watched in this mittee. These bills mandate workers’ compensation coverage be provided by year’s legislative session and, as always, all building and construction contractors. most of the action will come in the last “run to the gavel.” Watch these pages!

Mandatory e-Verify Participation Cutler-Smith PC focuses on representa Companion bills require contractors or subcontractors on state contracts to tion of construction trade contractors and use the federally-administered “E-verify” the commercial construction industry. For program to verify employee information more information on the firm and its indusduring the term of the contract with the try advocacy, see the web site at agency. HB 889, Rep. Tony Dale (R-Cedar www.TexasConstructionLaw.com, Park), referred to House State Affairs or call 214-219-0800.

Committee. Companion Bill SB 401, Sen.

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fter years of developing his career abroad, Evan Creson returned home to the United States, joining HOLT CAT in early February. The equipment dealer appointed him vice president of sales for its Machine Division. In this position, Creson will lead machine sales for the Southern Region, including San Antonio, Austin and South Texas.

Born and raised in North Carolina, Creson earned his bachelor’s degree in economics from Appalachian State University. Between high school and college, he served as a diesel technician in the U.S. Army Reserve.

He began his career at a Caterpillar dealership in North Carolina as an assistant to a supervisor in the component rebuild area and then as an assistant to the general service manager. While working as a fleet manager, he met a CAT rep named Bob Nelson.

Nelson encouraged Creson, who was young and single and eager to see the world, to try to get into the Caterpillar marketing training class, a three-month course the company offers every year in which a select number of recruits learn about CAT products and visit CAT factories. At the end, students received a factory or marketing company assignment, and Creson went to a Miami-based marketing group covering Latin America.

As a general construction marketing consultant, covering dealers in Latin America, he was responsible for mini, small and wheeled excavators. In October 2003, he received a machine sales representative assignment in Puerto Rico. While living there, he facilitated deals between the factory and dealers as well as end users. His territory was the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, British Guiana and Colombia.

Evan Creson recently came into the HOLT fold and was named vice president of sales in the Machine Division.

In November 2004, he switched gears to become branch manager of a CAT dealership in Freeport on Grand Bahama, and in August 2005, he took a position as marketing manager of the CAT dealership in Bogota, Colombia. He also served as vice president while based in Bogota, and then vice president of the mining division in Barranquilla on the Caribbean Coast in Colombia, and finally returned to Bogota to become president of the CAT dealer.

With more than 15 years of experience with Caterpillar and its dealer network in North America and Latin America, Creson left the Bogota dealer as it split into three companies that his three vice presidents took over.

Returning stateside with his wife and two daughters, now 6 and 7 years old, Creson is a self-described family man who is happy to be back in the U.S. with his family and joining the HOLT family. –mh

Fence sense

Hurricane Fence Co. keeps its crews and employees busy.

Construction News ON LOCATION

‘Fasten ‘ating day

Danny Reyes and Travis Neslony greet customers with a smile at Southern Fastening Systems in Corpus Christi. –cw

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etting out of Houston and finding a better place to raise his family was one reason Roy Garrison Jr. started working for Hurricane Fence in Harlingen. Since he was raised in McAllen, it was also a coming home.

About a year later, in 1983, he bought the company founded by Jaret Cummings in 1954.

Now, his son, Roy Garrison III owns the company, having bought it in 2011.

Charlene M. Garrison, Roy Jr.’s wife and Roy III’s mother, is secretary.

Roy III, now president, has worked in the company his whole life and learned some of his lessons the hard way.

“We almost built a fence on the wrong lot!” he laughs. “I thought I would be efficient and start the fence crew on the job then head to the city department to purchase the permit. In filling out the permit paper work, I realized I had the neighbors address next door. So I quickly purchased the correct permit, then

moved the crew to the correct address.

We don’t have to discuss who, when or where, but we got it right.”

The company has a great philosophy towards customers and employees.

“Customer is first, especially a returning customer,” Roy III says. “We try to provide what the customer wants, when they want it and for a reasonable price. If we don’t have it we will find it for them.

We are known for our quality and experience and we use it on each project we complete.”

He says the company is loyal to its employees and tries to pay a better wage for quality work. They offer vacations, uniforms and a contributing retirement plan.

Future plans include growing the company and improving service.

“We have a great centralized location in Harlingen on 6.5 acres with an 18,000sq ft. metal building, and plenty of room to grow with the Valley!” he says. –cw

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South Texas Construction News • Apr 2015

Jorge Gonzalez Owner Tri-Gen Construction Weslaco, TX

T

he Gonzalez brothers are third generation builders – hence the name of their construction company, TriGen Construction in Weslaco.

Jorge and Juan Gonzalez also own Dream Homes by J&J, and a real estate and management company. Jorge runs Tri-Gen and Juan runs Dream Homes.

A practical man, Jorge decided early on what he needed to be successful in business – and followed that path. Along the way, he found a mentor who also has played a part in his success. Now, as a family man with four children, Jorge plans to continue growing the Gonzalez family legacy in the Rio Grande Valley.

Tell me about your early life.

I was born in Weslaco and raised in Elsa. My mom, Tita, was the strict one.

Dad always talked to us about things. It was a good balance.

There were three boys and three girls. My younger brother, Art Jr., works at Tri-Gen as a supervisor.

We are third generation builders. My grandfather, Juan Jose Gonzalez, had seven sons and they were all in construction. My father, Arturo Gonzalez, had Gonzalez Construction.

Dad always taught us about hard work and earning our money. Thanks to him I know how to do everything from the foundation up. We worked in the family construction business. I also worked at Walmart and Juan worked at HEB. What did you do after high school?

We both have degrees in finance. I figured a degree in business offered many different avenues and finance allowed me to have knowledge in investments, insurance, accounting and real estate. It fit the profile of what I wanted to do. I use all of it now.

After college, Juan ended up at the courthouse for 15 years. I worked for Georgia Pacific Building Products for six years, then PrimeSource Building Products for nine years.

We got to a certain age and decided we wanted to be in business for ourselves. We formed Dream Homes by J&J in 2004, then Tri-Gen in 2007.

The real estate and management company includes 130 apartment units

At this year’s AGC-RGV awards banquet, Jorge Gonzalez and staffer Sara Orta, at the end of the table, tried their hand at Craps.

Photo courtesy Frontera Media

Jorge Gonzalez and his family loved a family trip to Colorado where they went white-water rafting.

and we are about to start building an additional 140 units in McAllen.

Besides a family in the construction business, what did you and Juan do to get to the point of general contracting?

We started with finish outs and private work. We got involved in schools and municipalities mostly. We just finished a renovation of the Edcouch-Elsa ISD fine arts building. Currently, we are working on the Progresso police and fire building. We are about to start an adult day care center in La Feria.

I like to make sure our product is quality. We like to stay up with technology and see how every aspect of construction can be done better. We help our subcontractors if we see a way they can do it better.

Turning a project in on time is a big element of our company.

I’m in and out of the office. I’m very hands-on. I make sure I am at every job site at least three to four times a week checking on timeliness and safety standards.

Tell me about your mentor.

Danny Smith with Matt’s Cash and Carry Building Materials. He was a customer of mine when I was a sales rep with PrimeSource. He has a great perspective of where the Valley is and where it is going. To this day, we have a good relationship.

What is your advice to someone who may be thinking about starting their own general contracting company?

Start slow. Never go too fast. We only have two to three projects at a time. We don’t want to get bombarded because that’s when you start to see a loss of quality.

Start with a trade that you want to do, for example, finish outs. Use that time to learn the different trades and aspects.

Learn how to work with other trades and how those other trades affect what you

are doing.

I see the construction industry as a core nation of people working together towards a common goal.

The Valley is in a great position and growth is projected to be good.

I believe there is a vacuum of good superintendents. On one hand, you have the ones who have been doing it for a long time and have the experience. On the other hand, you have the younger ones who have a great handle on all the new technology. We need superintendents who have both of those aspects.

Tell me about your family.

I met my wife Maribel at college, the University of Pan American. She was in the same school and also has a degree in finance. We have a blended family of four children. Our oldest daughter is Priscilla Guetta. Her husband is a military recruiter and they live in Louisiana.

Jorge Jr. is in college and my two youngest are still at home.

Do you take family vacations?

Oh yes. We’ve been to many places, including New York, Colorado and Washington D.C. I really liked Colorado. While we were there we went white-water rafting. That was one of the better ones.

This year, we are doing a tour of amusement parks. We plan to go to three or four.

We also like going to the beach and fishing.

What do you like to do when you are not working?

When I’m not working, I’m with my family.

I like to cook (barbecue). We cook just about every weekend.

My wife quits cooking at 5pm on Friday and doesn’t cook again until Monday.

We are involved with Boy Scouts and my son plays baseball. Tri-Gen sponsors a team. We help where we see a need. You have to give back to the community. –cw

H Location Dallas/Fort. Worth H Location Austin H Location Houston H Location San Antonio South Texas H Location Publishing the Industry’s News . . .

TEXAS Style

Home Office (210) 308-5800 www.constructionnews.net

South Texas Construction News • Apr 2015

Page 7

of fish that feed on them. If you’re opposed to using live bait, a soft plastic tied 18-inch behind a mauler can be just as effective. Gambler lures makes a 4-inch flap-n-shad that has become one of my favorite choices when choosing this method. Colors can vary depending on water clarity, but pumpkinseed/chartreuse and plum/ chartreuse can always be relied on.

Heart-stopping action on topwaters

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, Simms Products, Pure Fishing, Mirr-O-Lure, ForEverlast Hunting and Fishing Products and Columbia Sportswear.

S

pring fishing is one of this writer’s most exciting time of the year to be on the water for several reasons. The first reason is we associate spring with warming conditions and the end of cold winter mornings. The second reason is water temperatures are reaching that magical point that most look forward to throw top water lures. Top water lures or surface plugs are by far my favorite types of lure to throw. They’re the only artificial lure that provides a

Hill Ojeda caught this 28-inch redfish that stretched the boga grip over the 8-lb mark along the King Ranch Shoreline last week fishing with Steve Schultz Outdoors.

visual sight when a fish attacks it. This type of fishing is by far the most exciting for me because of the heart stopping explosion that occurs when a fish attacks your plug. When a fish attacks your lure it can be at the end of your cast or five feet from your rod tip, either way it will surprise you even if you think you’re expecting it. For me every hit is as exciting as the first.

With the arrival of warmer conditions to the Laguna Madre and surround-

ing bay it means the arrival of live shrimp at local marinas. I have already seen those white flags flying periodically at several of the marinas along the JFK Causeway. Live shrimp are by far the most popular of live baits along the Gulf coast. Using these little crustaceans under an Alameda Rattling cork can produce some constant action when drifting over grass beds with scattered potholes. As shrimp migrate through the bay systems, so do the many species

In our product section this month, we are going to put our equipment through some pretty rough conditions. Windy days are not uncommon during spring months and you can be sure there will be some days that you wished you would have stayed home.

One piece of equipment that I will not have to worry about in the platform of my business is my boat. My 25-ft Majek Xtreme is by far the most reliable part of my operation and my office day after day. The folks at Majek boats have been around these waters for decades and know what it takes to build a boat to get you home safe. If you’re looking for a boat that will out perform the competition day in and day out, look no further than Majek Boats. The folks at Premier Yamaha have the full line of Majek’s to look at and test ride.

To schedule your next bay fishing trip give Capt. Steve Schultz a call at 361813-3716 or 361-334-3105 or e-mail him at SteveSchultzOutdoors@gmail. com. Still have several days open in April although summer is filling up quick. Good luck and Good Fishing.

Crazy nephews STEVE SCHULTZ OUTDOORS, LLC BAFFIN BAY –– LAGUNA MADRE –– LAND CUT SPECKLED TROUT –– REDFISH –– FLOUNDER FISHING AND HUNTING TRIPS

(361) 949-7359

www.baffinbaycharters.com steveschultzoutdoors@gmail.com U.S. Coast Guard & Texas Parks and Wildlife Licensed

Like the Tom Petty song, Travis May was “free-falling”.

Specializing in Industrial Scrap Metal & Container Service

S

outh Texas Construction News editor Cyndi Wright has a couple of crazy nephews, Taylor and Travis May. For Travis’ 21st birthday, the two decided to “jump out of a perfectly good plane,” in Taylor’s words. Travis later said it “was a life-changing experience.” –cw

We buy Aluminum, Brass, Copper, Iron, Stainless Steel, Steel, Brass & Radiators Taylor May said there was no bungee cord attached to the plane.

2300 Frio City Rd.

210-927-2727

www.monterreyiron.com

Page 8

South Texas Construction News • Apr 2015

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

Spring Break fishing results

F

or a lot of fishing guides, Spring Break is the fishing season opener.

This is when we get to spend a lot of time on the water and get a good preview of the kind of fish we will be fishing in the coming months. After being on the water almost daily for the last couple of weeks, I can say that this is going to be a real good year!

The only bad thing about Spring Break is that it comes a little too early in the year for us to have nice settled weather in place. You never know when it will feel like a frosty winter morning or a balmy summer afternoon when you go fishing this time of year. All you can do is make do with whatever weather you get and hope the fish don’t react too badly to the swings in the weather.

We did have a little rain splashing around Lake Buchanan to keep us guessing, and a temperamental north wind that teased us and slowed down the catching. But when the weather behaved we did well.

One afternoon trip pulled two new Youth Water Body Records for Lake Buchanan! Logan Wiggins visiting from Midland with friends caught an 11.2-lb., 30.25-inch striper AND a 6.8-lb.,24.75inch hybrid on the same trip.

Two days later, Barbara McPherson on a fishing trip with her husband Bryan, caught her first fish ever – a 46-lb. humpback blue cat just like a pro!

While the fishing might not have been consistent over Spring Break, I sure do like the trend I see here. We are marking lots of fish here on Lake Buchanan and larger fish too. The bait population is good and healthy and that’s what all the fishing revolves around.

Wiiggins’ record striper. New youth record striper

McPHerson 46-pounder

I think the increase in the general size of the fish we are seeing is largely due to the decrease of fishing pressure our lake has seen because of the bad press we get concerning the drought. If people are cautious of running their boats on a low lake, that’s less people fishing and more fish having the time to grow to a larger size. That just makes fishing with a guide an even better proposition. We can put you on those fish and you don’t have to risk your boat.

From what I hear from people who usually fish the white bass run on the

Fishing boats just before setting out in the morning

Colorado River at Bend, the white bass once again have not been able to make their run due to low water. So I guess we will have to catch up with them around the islands this year. Crappie fishing is getting good, especially on the nicer sunny days.

We are looking forward to good fishing and good times here on Lake Buchanan. We are going to be chasing the stripers and hybrids and going to focus a little more on those catfish too. I hope you can get the chance to come and join us this year! Tight lines!

Half or Full Day Fishing Trips All Bait, Tackle & Equipment Furnished Your catch Filleted and Bagged for You Furnish your TPWD Fishing License & Refreshments, and WE DO THE REST!

Ken Milam Guide Service (325) 379-2051 www.striperfever.com

Submitted to Construction News

How do ya like me now?

South Texas Construction News Editor Cyndi Wright shows off her brand new Chevrolet Camaro – well, not really. The folks at the car rental center let Cyndi take the Camaro on her latest trip to South Texas. What fun! –cw

South Texas Construction News • Apr 2015

Page 9

The artist inside

Tires from Terry Labonte’s racecar adorn the wall above the bar.

There’s plenty to look at in the football section – including a mural Hinojosa painted about Tom Landry.

M

anuel Hinojosa is an artist first. Like most artists, he knew at a young age what he wanted to do with his life – create on a canvas the things he could see in his mind.

He started taking art classes at age 9 in his native Mission and spent every weekend until high school learning how to paint still lifes in oil.

After high school, he attended Pan American University and received a degree in art. It seemed his path was set.

He decided to attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette for a master’s degree in art, and that’s where things got a little sidetracked.

“When I got to Louisiana, they had enrolled me in the architecture program,” he says with a laugh. “I thought, ‘Let me take a stab at it’. Fate had me going into architecture.”

As an architect, Hinojosa has had an illustrious career – the crowning moment being named a Fellow in the American Institute of Architects, one of only three in the Rio Grande Valley. The cap and gown ceremony was held in New Orleans in 2009. Less than 1 percent of architects are inducted into the Fellowship that recognizes architects who have made a significant contribution to their craft and society. He is now associated with Rike, Ogden, Figueroa, Allex.

Add a third area of expertise – sports history – to the mix and you began to understand why people who know Hinojosa refer to him as a “Renaissance Man.”

The meeting of the artist and the sports history buff led the architect to build his own popular landmark in Port Isabel – Doubleday Sports Bar & Grill.

“I needed a reason to continue painting,” Hinojosa

says. “So, I did paintings of sports figures, then I would ask them to sign them. I also asked for memorabilia. I kept filling A Manuel Hinojosa painting showing Triple Crown winners hangs in the baseball section. up boxes with signed things and putting them under beds. My wife gave me an ultimatum!”

So, Manuel and his brother, Rick, a structural engineer with his own firm back in Mission, designed and built Doubleday – a shrine to all things sports. The 10-year-old structure is large, sturdy and has no windows – both for security and weather reasons. In fact, the building has been used as a makeshift shelter during hurricanes – albeit a shelter with good food, drinks and friends to ride out the storm.

“We were in here during Hurricane Dolly,” Hinojosa said. “You could not tell there was a storm outside.”

Doubleday and Port Isabel

The bar and grill is named for Lt. Abner Doubleday, and Hinojosa has neatly separated fact from legend about this storied baseball founder on his website, doubledaysportsbar.com.

Fact has it that as a rookie officer out of West Point, Doubleday was attached to General Zachary “Old Hickory” Taylor’s team that arrived in Punta (Port) Isabel in April 1846. Prior to that, in 1839, Doubleday is credited with founding the sport of baseball, when he laid out the first baseball diamond in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Legend has it that while stationed in Point Isabel, Doubleday organized a squad of players and played baseball in the vicinity of the present namesake, Doubleday Sports Bar & Grill.

“I have a story for everything in here,” says Hinojosa, who loves to tell those stories to youngsters who come in with their families.

The venue has been popular since it opened, with a mixed clientele of locals and visitors who flock to Doubleday, not only for the visual experience, but for the well-known good food and entertainment. –cw A signed pair of O.J. Simpson’s shoes.

Construction News JOB SIGHT

Construction News JOB SIGHT

Warehouse prepare

A higher calling

AFC Builders LLC is the general contractor on this project building the Chapa and WO4W warehouses in Pharr. –cw

Mission’s Colair Inc. staff work on a local project at Entravision Radio in the Valley.

Colair is an HVAC company providing residential and commercial services. –cw

Page 10

South Texas Construction News • Apr 2015

The man behind the camera

50 years of success

A group of Terracon’s Pharr employees are geared up for the 50th year anniversary.

Steve Huedepohl creates films and takes photos for HOLT CAT.

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hen HOLT CAT needs to capture as photographing people and events at the image of the company, various locations across 118 counties in that’s when multimedia com- Texas. One of his latest projects showed munications manager, Steve Huede- the teardown and rebuild of a CAT 777D pohl, grabs his equipment. mining truck at the Fort Worth facility

At 61, Huedepohl has been with the over a period of two months – in a threecompany for more than 16 years, joining minute video, which can be seen on the equipment dealer as Power Systems Vimeo. marketing manager in December 1998. “I’m so blessed to get paid to do Named multimedia communications what I love to do,” says Huedepohl. “And manager in January 2006, he is HOLT’s of- I’m very grateful for HOLT.” ficial photographer and filmmaker.

Huedepohl is not the only member

After graduating from the University of his family to make a career behind the of Texas at Austin with his bachelor’s de- eye of a lens. His paternal grandfather gree in mechanical engineering in 1977, worked at Studer’s Photos in San Antonio Huedepohl and a good friend embarked for 45 years. upon a month-long backpacking adven- Not one to sit still, when he’s not at ture through nine countries in Europe. work, Huedepohl sings and plays guitar Before leaving, Huedepohl bought his at his church, plays in a sand volleyball first camera for the trip, and he devel- league, goes snow skiing and rides dirt oped his passion on that journey. bikes. He also used to race motocross. His

He cultivated his interest on the side 32-year-old son, Erik, was a professional while working at jobs for Gulf Oil Com- motocross racer before he started his pany in Houston, designing compressor own remodeling company in 2012. He packages at HOLT Machinery, and evalu- also has a daughter, Stephanie, 22, who ating oil reserves for Alamo National lives in Denver. –mh Bank.

When the oil industry tanked and Alamo National Bank shut down his department in 1987, Huedepohl had been doing photography and videography for weddings and other events on the side for four years. So, he became self-employed and took his hobby on as a fulltime endeavor.

Two years later at church, he met Gary Stone, a marketing manager at HOLT at the time, and Huedepohl started doing photography and video jobs for the company and transitioned to working for HOLT in 1998.

Today, Huedepohl creRepresenting HOLT CAT at the Spike MS Volleyball ates primarily brand-building Tournament at Sideliners in 2012, Huedepohl and his son, Erik, won the championship that day. films for the company, as well

Construction News ON LOCATION

Pro’s for the job

Pro Express Plumbing LLC owner George Gatica and employee P.J. Salon just loaded up the truck to head out to a job on a beautiful day in Corpus Christi. –cw

T

erracon Consultants Inc., with locations in 40 states, is celebrating a huge anniversary this year. Started in 1965, Terracon is now 50 years old and the Terracon location in Pharr will celebrate this month with a Client Appreciation event, according to Stephanie Rendon, client development specialist.

At the event, to be held at Main Event in Pharr, attendees can expect to find some good food, door prizes and bowling, Rendon said.

Terracon is a 100 percent employee owned business specializing in environmental consulting, facilities, geotechnical engineering and materials testing, according to Rendon.

Clients, employees and a partnership with local associations are key to the company’s success.

“Terracon has successfully participated in the annual AGC Fajita Cook-Off,” Rendon says. “We have been successful in placing in the fajita, chicken, salsa and pan de campo categories. We are excited to compete again this year on April 9 at the AGC office in Harlingen.”

The company’s clients can be found in state and local government, commercial, retail, industrial, agricultural, institu-

tional and energy sectors, Rendon says.

Safety awareness is also a key component in the company.

“At Terracon, safety is held as a core value, as well as an operational priority,” Rendon says. “Working safely is an inseparable part of doing things right, just as much as other commitments such as quality, profitability and schedule.” –cw

Guadalupe Leal, Stephanie Rendon, Sylvia Quinones and Jorge Flores (holding his son Georgie) attended last year’s AGC barbecue.

The gist of the “List”

E

“All-Star” TDIndustries has ranked on the list every year.

ver since Fortune Magazine created its “100 Best Companies to Work For” list in 1998, construction companies have jockeyed for a position among the various industries represented. This year, six construction companies with a Texas presence have been recognized with the distinctive honor.

Dallas-headquartered TDIndustries (TDI), which has secured “All-Star” status because it has made the list every year, was ranked #83. With offices in Austin, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio and Weslaco, the company, which offers facility services and mechanical construction, earned #82 last year.

For the ninth year, upscale homebuilder David Weekly Homes has been included in the Top 100, and was named #14 for the 2015 list. Last year, the company, which is headquartered in Houston and includes offices in Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Antonio, held the #13 position.

Employee-owned engineering and architecture firm Burns & McDonnell has

enjoyed five years (four of them consecutive) on the Top 100 list; this year, the firm, which has offices in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston, took the #15 spot after holding 14th place in 2014.

Design consulting firm Kimley-Horn & Associates skyrocketed to #25 from the 73rd slot this year. This is the eighth year on the list for the national firm, which also has Texas locations in Austin, Bryan/College Station, Collin County, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Las Colinas, Lubbock and San Antonio.

The nation’s sixth largest contractor, PCL Construction, was named #67 after holding the #59 spot in 2014. The group of independent construction insurance companies with Dallas and Houston offices has enjoyed 10 consecutive years on the list.

Fortune Magazine welcomed a newcomer to the 2015 “100 Best Companies to Work For” list: specialized construction toolmaker Hilti. Breaking in at #89, the company has Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Antonio offices. –mjm

South Texas Construction News • Apr 2015

Page 11

Women in Construction Many more women in construction industry Patricia Livas, Corporate Procurement Turner Industries Group LLC Corpus Christi, TX

W

hat is your background in the construction industry?

I have been in the industry for 10 years. I started as a billing clerk with Bay Ltd. on a jobsite, so it was a whole different world for me since I was coming from an area manager position, but dealing solely with check cashing and loans. I worked my way up to accounts payable supervisor and learned the different aspects that accounting involved. At the same time I was working on my Master’s degree at the University of the Incarnate word. It was a challenge, but well worth it.

After five years with Bay Ltd. I started working for Turner Industries Group LLC as a clerk for the Construction Division manager and it came easy to me since I had already been in the field a few years.

During my six months as a construction clerk, not only did I learn even more about the industry, I was then offered a position as the corporate buyer for the South Texas Division at Turner Industries Group LLC. Along the way I have met so many different individuals, learned so much more, and dealt with many different vendors, clients and co-workers.

Why did you choose a career in the construction-related industry?

I would have to say it chose me.

While working on my MAA degree, I was at a point in my life where it was becoming a challenge to be an area manager of eight different locations and going to school full time, so I had to make a tough decision. But before I put my resignation

in, I made sure I had another job lined up and there it was: billing clerk for Bay Ltd. I knew at that point that I was in the right industry.

Do you have a mentor?

I would have to say that the one person who was and still is a mentor for me is my very first manager, Sally Ortega. It was through her management skills, training and words of wisdom that I am where I am today. I learned so much from her as an 18-year-old, fresh out of high school. To this day we still remain friends and I still sometimes call upon her for advice. As I matured in age, I understood what it was to be a manager and to make the decisions she did. It was then that I decided I wanted to go back to school and major in Psychology of Organizational Development.

What are the benefits of women pursuing a construction career?

Some of the benefits would be that we can decide how far we want to go in this industry. We can learn as many skills as we want and be able to advance. What we want to achieve as women - or any individual in general - is all up to us.

So many women had the mentality that a construction career was only for men, but today we are starting to see more women pursue careers in construction, i.e.: engineering, safety, finance, HR and even women that pursue a craft/manual trade.

Whichever route we take as women in this industry there will always be room for growth if we want it. To me one of the main

benefits is that you gain the knowledge of construction and the city you live in.

What do you enjoy most about your career?

I enjoy my job and the relationships that I have built with so many people in this industry and within the company I currently work for.

What specific challenges have you faced in your career?

I really haven’t faced any challenges.

I would like to say they are more of an opportunity to learn something new. In this industry, every day can be a new learning experience, especially when working with so many different jobsites.

Currently, as corporate procurement, I deal with different jobsites on a daily basis in different cities and every site is a different ball game. Each site, depending on the client, has different needs and my job is not only to procure what is needed, but to fulfill the needs of the client.

What advice can you offer women who want to pursue a construction career?

Don’t give up or get discouraged. We all have second-guessed our career paths and if you think a construction career is for you then go for it.

Which is more important for a construction career – education, or experience?

I would have to say from what I’ve learned and seen in these 10 years in the industry is that education is of importance both internally and externally, and experience is more important externally.

From a woman’s perspective, has the construction industry changed over the years?

Yes, there are several opportunities in the industry for women, whether it be out in the field or in an office. I have seen more women in the construction industry within the past few years then I did when I started in the industry. Although

women only represent a small portion of the construction sector, it is growing and will continue to grow especially because women are becoming more independent and have more knowledge of what the construction industry entails.

What are your goals for the future?

I’d have to say that since I’ve been working for Turner Industries Group, LLC, I have set some high expectations for myself. Turner Industries Group, LLC offers classes to their employees for advancement within the company. I hope to grow with the company in the coming years, not only in procurement but in some of the different things they have to offer.

For instance, I would like to take the Primavera/P6 program so that I can excel in becoming an estimator/planner scheduler/cost control analyst or just utilize my Master’s degree and become an HR manager for one for one of their offices.

Whatever the future holds for me, I’m sure it will be within the construction industry.

Please feel free to add information that applies to you or that we did not think to ask.

I love to read, dance, listen to live music and watch sports. I have a 5-yearold son, Santiago Miguel Peña, who is my heart. He plays on a select baseball 7U team the Pro-Elite Rangers so three weekends out of the month we are busy with baseball tournaments.

I am a board member for National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Corpus Christi Chapter#4.

I am the Team Turner advocate for the Corpus Christi area and set up multiple events for Turner employees to participate in volunteering their time and getting involved within our community.

I coach youth soccer (ages 3-6) for the Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation centers.

My time is always busy and people ask, “when do I have all the time to do everything?” It’s called time management, the key to success, I say. –cw

Women can achieve a career in construction Sandy Field, president National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Ft. Worth, TX

M

y career in the construction industry began as an accountant/bookkeeper for a homebuilder. I found the industry to be a very good career choice for me and I spent about 20 years in residential construction. Approximately 10 of those years I was a custom homebuilder building only custom homes. For the past 13 years I have worked for general contractors focusing mainly on commercial construction.

I have to admit that I really didn’t choose construction as a career path at first; I chose a position with an established company/homebuilder that offered stability with a competitive salary and benefits. Only after working for this firm for a few years and having the opportunity to learn construction and move up within the company, did I realize that the construction industry was a very good career choice for me. The chal-

lenge of completing a project on time, within budget, meeting the owner’s specifications and expectations, and delivering a beautiful custom home that a family could be proud of is why I chose a career in construction. Seeing a lot or home site become someone’s dream home gave me satisfaction in my career choice.

Part of my success in the industry has been due to mentors that, over the years, have shared their knowledge and encouraged and inspired me to pursue a career in a non-traditional field. My construction education was not from a college degree in construction science or management, but from on the job training and from mentors willing to invest in me.

The first homebuilder I worked for was a great mentor. He encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone in the

office and get out in the field in a nontraditional role. I became vice president, general manager for this firm, not only selling new homes, but overseeing the construction of every home I sold. There were also two female homebuilders in the area that were good mentors and encouraged me not only as a homebuilder, but as an industry leader in the community. Some of my best mentors and advisors are women I have come to know and respect who are members of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). Taking advantage of the mentoring and professional development offered the members of this association, I have grown professionally and personally; gaining knowledge and skills that have helped me become a respected leader in my company, in the community, and in NAWIC. Over the past few years there definitely seems to be more opportunities for women in the construction industry than when I started. Corporations, large and small alike, are promoting diversity in the workplace, including in the trades.

The construction industry is experiencing a labor shortage at all levels. Add to that the fact that more and more baby boomers are leaving the workforce, there is an even greater shortage with addi-

tional positions needing to be filled.

Women make good candidates for positions in construction because of their attention to details. Whether it be in architecture, engineering, project management, administration, welding, electrical or some other trade or position, there are opportunities for women in construction.

My advice to women who want to pursue a construction career would be you can achieve anything you set your mind to and are willing to work for.

Women truly are more readily accepted today than when I started in the industry over 30 years ago. I would also share NAWIC’s core values: BELIEVE in yourself; PERSEVERE with the strength of your convictions; and DARE to move into new horizons.

According to some reports, discrimination is still a major barrier for women and one of the key reasons why the number of women employed in construction has not changed much in three decades.

Education and awareness can help overcome some of the barriers we face today.

One of my goals is to continue working with NAWIC, other organizations and educational institutions to create a greater awareness of career opportunities for women in the construction industry.

Page 12

South Texas Construction News • Apr 2015

WIC Week in Corpus Women in Construction Studying, networking key for women Sharon Douglas, President/Owner Bradley Douglas Construction Services LLC Fort Worth, TX

W L-R: Vickie Thompson, Amanda Kirchoff, Patricia Livas, Lisa Huerta, Darlene Lee-Omana, Julia Smith and a prospective future member.

N

ational Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Corpus Christi Chapter celebrated Women in Construction Week Mar. 1-7. As part of the celebration to highlight women in the construction industry, each chapter held a walk and a blood drive.

On March 1, the Corpus chapter took

part in a Pink Hardhat Walk down Shoreline Dr. On March 3, the group dropped off clothes and shoes at Dress for Success in Corpus Christi.

On March 8, the ladies had lunch and saw “Ghost the Musical” at the Aurora Theater. –cw

On March 4, Vickie Thompson and Teresa Salmans-Smith gave blood, while other chapter members gave blood all week at the Blood Center.

hat is your background in the construction industry?

I came out of the military, where I managed transportation. When I was recruited from the military, I went into manufacturing, then left corporate to start my own business. I founded my company in 1995, first as a construction cleaning company. In 1996, I actually merged to general contracting. My background is concrete; I do commercial and heavy highway.

Why did you choose a career in the construction industry?

Years ago, I believed I would be the builder of my own home. As I continued with the construction cleaning company the first year, I was looking out the window at all the concrete formations happening and my curiosity became stronger.

What are the benefits of women pursuing a construction career?

For one thing, it teaches non-traditional skills [for women], so they can learn so much more. Women in construction right now are growing very strong in number. I think the other thing with women in construction is that – and I don’t think I’m being biased when I say this – women focus on the project, because [the opportunities to build or construct something] were originally something that was not a part of our so-called traditional world.

What do you enjoy most about your career?

I would actually say the excitement; I always call it an adventure because it’s never going to be the same way. When you start a project, for example, LBJ, when we started the project, we had to clear everything away, and now when you look at it and it’s a beautiful structure that people are able to use. I like the beginning and the finish.

nizations are not so apt to take on a small contractor or a woman-owned contractor. Again, we fall back into a traditional world. We really have to prove ourselves that we can take on the work with passion and ride that throughout the project. If there’s one small contractor that fails, it’s as though that stigma follows us all.

What areas do you see the most increase in jobs for women?

Heavy highway is growing. This is the opportunity that I see that we can make an impact, not only on the numbers, but on the type of work that we do.

What advice can you offer women who want to pursue a construction career?

I would say study it. Know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. When I say study, that means study the structural work that you’re going after. When I first started in concrete, I didn’t know a lot about it, I didn’t know all of the technical [aspects] behind it. So I actually spent a lot of time out on projects that I wasn’t actually doing, I just wanted to see [the processes]. I would actually go out and record their [concrete] pours; even at 2 o’clock in the morning, I was out there recording it all. The other key is to not to have someone else running your business.

In your experience, are more opportunities opening up for women in construction?

Yes, at this particular point, I should hope that we are running the front race for the women to come. The key thing is that we stay strong, network strongly and make sure that we take the jobs that we know we’re going to be successful at.

Fort Worth-based Bradley Douglas Construction Services LLC is a small minority/woman-owned and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business business providing general contracting services with a focus on concrete. –mjm

What challenges have you faced in your career?

I think the key challenge is that orga-

NEXT MONTH MAY 2015

L-R: Darlene Lee-Omana, Amanda Kirchoff, Teresa Salmans-Smith, Julia Smith, executive director of Dress for Success, Cathy Colomo Riojas, Lisa Huerta, Virginia Llanas and Vickie Thompson.

Concrete Industry 2015 Schedule Jan: Feb: Mar: Apr: May: Jun:

Construction Forecast Construction Safety Construction Education Women in Construction Concrete Industry HVAC & Plumbing

July: Aug: Sep: Oct: Nov: Dec:

Electrical Industry Service Providers Green Building Trends Specialty Contractors Architecture & Engineering Construction Equipment

San Antonio • Austin • South Texas • Houston • South Texas

South Texas Construction News • Apr 2015

Page 13

Share your story

Reaching the Summit

S

C

reating a new position within the company, Summit Electric Supply announced that Paul Jeffries has joined the company and stepped into the new role of president and COO. Before accepting the position with Summit, Jeffries was a group vice president and general manager for a publicly traded international distributor.

Summit, a privately held independent electrical distributor is headquartered in Albuquerque, NM, but Jeffries will be based in the Houston office where the EP&C Division is located. He will report to the chairman and CEO, Victor Jury Jr.

“Paul’s perspective and skills will significantly contribute to Summit’s next phase of growth,” states Jury. “Adding Paul to the Summit team reflects our commitment to planning for Summit’s future success as part of a broadly implemented, companywide succession planning process.”

In Jeffries’ new position, he will oversee sales, operations, corporate credit, marketing and talent management. He will be involved with several divisions, including the international sales and marine divisions, engineering, procurement, construction and the strategic accounts team.

“Summit is well-respected in every market it serves and across the industry,” comments Jeffries. “As a private company, it operates strategically and has a progressive, forward-thinking vision that gives it the ability to drive complete solutions. I knew Summit and the values the company represents would be a natural fit for me. I’m eager to use my experience and business knowledge to deliver valueadded solutions to our customers and

Paul Jeffries, president and COO

further the company’s growth.”

With nearly 25 years of experience running various businesses ranging in size from $10 million to $800 million in annual sales, Jeffries’ background is concentrated in sales, marketing, operations and technologies. Last year, Summit had $421 million in sales.

For nine years, he was owner and president of his own electrical supply company. He earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering sciences from the United States Air Force Academy and his MBA from the Air Force Institute of Technology.

Founded in 1977, Summit covers 27 markets across the United States and in Dubai, U.A.E. The company has the most locations in Texas, including Abilene, Austin, Beaumont, Bryan/College Station, Clute, Corpus Christi, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Kenedy, La Porte, Midland, Pearsall, Pecos, San Antonio, Victoria, Waco, and of course, Houston. –mh

Construction News ON LOCATION

Serious materials

o many of you have been a part of Construction News since it was first founded in 1998, and then expanded into markets throughout Texas, including South Texas in Jan. 2013. Perhaps you have participated as an advertiser, as a subject of one of our articles or have been a faithful reader (or all three!), and we sincerely thank you for supporting our paper all of these years.

But, do you know the history of Construction News?

Buddy and Reesa Doebbler, who were involved in the construction industry, founded this paper at their kitchen table in their hometown of San Antonio. The couple wanted to recognize the myriad accomplishments of the men, women and companies in a publication that would be circulated to all segments of the construction industry. Remembering their beginnings in the industry and the many people who helped them, they also wanted to be able to give back by promoting companies that were just getting their start.

Their concept was so well received, they soon produced Construction News for other markets: Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and, most recently, South Texas. These five monthly editions showcase the good work (and good works) the people and companies in our industry perform every day. We are proud to feature them, and always appreciate when readers let us know they enjoyed a story, recognize someone they know, tell us what they or their company are doing or recommend someone we should feature.

Our paper highlights the construction industry in so many different ways.

Beginning on our Front Page, Construction News features a local project that has been recently constructed, outlining the process and featuring the final result.

Our “Spotlight” takes a deeper look into the lives of construction business owners – how they started in the industry, what motivates and inspires them, their hobbies, interests and families.

The “Great Outdoors” section, one

of the most popular in our paper, is a great place to show off your latest hunting, fishing, vacation, marathon, vehicle or pet photos.

Our editorial content explores topics and provides coverage of statewide and national events that you will not learn about anywhere else.

In “Industry Folks,” we help you to get to know the industry employees behind the desks, the drills and the phone lines that you might have the good fortune to do business with.

The editors also take “Job Site” photos of projects underway and “On Location” photos of office staff as they go about their workday.

Finally, there are our “Industry Profiles,” which focus on local companies, the fascinating reasons behind their establishment, their employees and their company culture.

On a personal note, I love writing about the construction industry because I’m reminded every day that people are still keeping the American Dream alive though their work. It doesn’t matter if I interview the person who owns a handful of tools and a pickup truck or a multimillion dollar construction business, everyone has a “history” worth sharing.

I meet people who say, “I read your paper every month!” When I ask if they’ve ever been featured, however, many say no, insisting that they’re not very interesting and that they have nothing to say.

They do have something to say, and so do you. You have a story, or you know someone in commercial construction who does. I hope you’ll connect with me so we can share it with Construction News readers. All you have to do is call me at (210) 308-5800 x148, email me at cyndi@constructionnews.net … or take me up on the offer when I meet you at an event! –cw

Association Calendar

Content submitted by Associations to Construction News AGC- Rio Grande Valley Associated General Contractors

Apr. 9: 5th annual Fajita Cook-off; registration deadline is Apr. 6. Limited to 20 cook-off teams. Call 956-423-4091 for more information.

AIA - Lower Rio Grande Valley American Institute of Architects

Apr. 17: Golf tournament, Shary Municipal Golf Course, Mission. Registration at 10am; shotgun start at noon.

Julio Alvarez, owner, and Aurelia Alvarez, serve up construction materials with a smile at Triple AAA Inc. in Los Fresnos. There are two more locations in Brownsville. –cw

Construction News ON LOCATION

Share the hardware

NAWIC - Corpus Christi Nat’l Assn. of Women in Construction

Apr. 21: Dinner Business Meeting, public welcome, The BBQ Man Restaurant, 5:30pm networking, 6pm meeting. Pro-

gram - Dr. Schemmel with Texas State University will talk about their Concrete Industry Management program and what all is available to college students who enter this program (i.e., scholarships, internships, a greater understanding of the industry upon graduation, etc.). $20. Contact Vickie Thompson 361299-6278 or 361-438-0593, to get more information check out nawic.org or nawiccorpuschristi.org

SCTMC Safety Council of TX Mid Coast

Apr. 28-May 1: OSHA #511, Standards for General Industry. For more information, contact Betty Birdwell at 361-552-7823.

Round-Up 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 your city issue, with “Round-Up” in the subject line:

STeditor@constructionnews.net Luciano Vallejo, manager, heads up the contractor services department at Los Pinos Hardware in Edinburg. –cw

Page 14

South Texas Construction News • Apr 2015

What’s your favorite local gem?

Hi-Ho Mexican Restaurant on Morgan.

BEST Cheese enchiladas in town … but they close at 2pm. Also, Saltwater Grill on Cimarron. Great seafood!!

Kathy Burnette, ABC Corpus Christi Scuttlebutts Restaurant on the Island....

Where I can bring in my fresh catch of the day and have them cook it up any way I like.

Vernon Carr, Coastal Bend Demolition, Corpus Christi The Heat Fitness, our 5:30am group! The gym is a gem! Truly the best part of waking up and starting my day!

Lynda Parma, VCS Companies, Victoria This is an easy question for me … the New York Deli locations valley-wide!!

They have the best sandwiches, burgers, salads and soups in town and with locations in Brownsville, Harlingen, Weslaco and McAllen I can get my fix no matter where I am!

Stephanie Rendon, Terracon, Pharr Las Vegas Cafe - best cheese enchiladas anywhere. Our family has eaten there over 30 years.

Roy Garrison III, Hurricane Fence, Harlingen This is a tuff one. I can’t think of a hidden gem. During the summer my spot would be on Lake Houston. This time of year it is the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Neither of these are hidden but are things

Construction News JOB SIGHT

Rain or shine

I really enjoy with friends and family.

Sandy Field, NAWIC, Houston The Aurora Theater. It is a small hometown theater that seats 100. They have great plays and musicals. We just saw Ghost the Musical a couple of weeks ago.

A friend got me and my husband hooked.

Vicki Thompson, NAWIC, Corpus Christi Used to go to this place when I worked downtown and recently rediscovered it.

The Bombay Bicycle Club on N. St Mary's!

They have great food and reasonable prices along with a vine covered patio that invites you to stay and relax. And not to forget they have a great happy hour and make the best Black Cherry Margarita I've ever tasted, so hope you give them a try.

Deborah Wertheim, LC Mosel Co., San Antonio My place would sitting on a boat in the bay with a few lines in the water doing some catching.

Connor Friedrichs, REFCO, Pharr

Despite the rainy weather, J&N Welding and Fabricators Corp., located in Penitas, TX., continues working on the La Quinta Ballroom. –cw

Construction News JOB SIGHT

Grade A

Red Dog Icehouse in Kenedy and The Tote in Karnes City.

Billi Rue, Cut Antz Land Improvement, Karnes City Dragonfly Restaurant on the Island.

Debbie Schibi, AGC, Corpus Christi Mine is a night out dancing with family and friends at Winks.

Mike Cantu, CMC, Corpus Christi

Construction News JOB SIGHT

Fill slam

Diamond Eight Industries, located in Santa Rosa, is a heavy civil construction business.

Pictured, getting the grade ready. –cw

continued from Page 1 — Up on a roof Professionalism is at the core of Puente Roofing. The company’s slogan is “A Professional Roofing Company.”

“The way I approach roof jobs is strictly business,” Puente says. “I try to present myself well. I don’t want my customers to see me as roofer.”

With his crew of about eight loyal employees however, Puente is definitely a roofer.

“I’m the first one on the roof and the last one to leave,” he says. “I like to get my hands dirty.” –cw

Longhorn Paving and Oilfield Service in Edinburg is busy getting the site work done for a new Roadhouse restaurant. –cw

continued from Page 1 — It’s a Peacock thang “It was a really tough competition,” Tre’ said. “Peacocks, or peafowl as they are known there, are native to that area.

So Bo Randy was competing against birds that were born and raised in that terrain. Luckily, my rain forest has him well conditioned.”

Peacock races are also tough because it’s a well-known fact that if a likely female bird happens to breach the tightly controlled, all-male racing circuit, the racing birds will immediately stop and start preening.

“Well, it’s a beautiful spectacle so you can’t get too upset,” Tre’ says. “All these birds, probably 100 or more, spreading their plumage all at once.

‘Course it gets a little crowded in there.”

Tre’ says he was like a proud father when Bo Randy took first place honors and won the bluish, purplish, greenish metallic shiny medal.

“He worked hard and brought glory to the Peacock name,” Tre’ says. “I got so emotional I felt like a fool.”

And if anybody reading this thinks they will congratulate Tre’ and Bo Randy – and maybe even schedule a visit to the South Texas rain forest – get ready to feel foolish, as well.

Happy April Fool’s Day!!

South Texas Construction News • Apr 2015

Construction News ON LOCATION

Page 15

continued from Page 1 — On the wings of a butterfly

Hard workers

Aaron Urbina and Manny Pedraza, get ready to help customers at Johnny’s Hardware in Edcouch. –cw

Construction News JOB SIGHT

Spray day

A sinuous configuration of white, modular, display tables weaves through the welcome center.

Within the confines of an economical budget, the building is designed to have strong iconic qualities on what was featureless, abandoned farmland. A 10-year master plan takes the 100-acre park and divides it into “pixels,” or plots of land – each 22 by 22 feet. Using a careful patterning of enclosure, wall and open space, buildings will emerge with surrounding gardens and support areas. The pavilion is the first structure on the grounds and as such is multi-purpose.

Sheathed in vertically stacked local, Mexican white brick, the building includes a timber-frame roof. Concrete floors and a galvanized metal cornice are precisely proportioned to work together.

The open ceiling with exposed ductwork and coordinated lighting, as well as all interior surfaces are painted “limelight,” a color that simultaneously reflects and complements the harsh, dry landscape, Joseph says. A sinuous configuration of white, modular, display tables weaves

through the orthogonal geometry. Private areas are separated from public spaces using translucent, polycarbonate panels, while sunlight is filtered through frit patterns on the glass.

The Center is located along the Rio Grande River and includes about 30 acres of buildable land and 70 acres of Texas savannah that will be left in a native state.

Since there are no hills, buildings will be small and low-impact.

Joseph said the idea of this first building was to make it as multipurpose and flexible as possible. It includes an office, a café, bathrooms, a conference room, a gift shop and an open area for exhibit and meeting space.

Van der Graaff Ilumina Designs was founded by Olivier Van der Graaff in 1994 in Weslaco. Born in Africa and raised in Mexico, Van der Graaff studied architecture in the United States. The company builds both residential and commercial projects. –cw

Alamo Crane is equipped to handle any petroleum related work in the Eagle Ford Shale.

An RGV Insulation staffer sprays foam on a new set of apartments for GC Gohu Construction in Edinburg. –cw

Installing walkway on sand silo in Eagle Ford area with our new 120-ton Liebherr

From El Paso to Beaumont, Amarillo to Brownsville

35 Years of Service to Texas

www.alamocrane.com

San Antonio (210) 344-7370 Austin (512) 282-6866 Toll Free (800) 880-0134

Page 16

South Texas Construction News • Apr 2015

Construction News ON LOCATION

Construction News ON LOCATION

Let fly the supplies

Service with a smile

Noe Robles and T. Lopez stop for a quick photo during a busy day at Morrison Supply Company in Harlingen. –cw

Team Zarsky is on the job at Zarsky Lumber Co. Inc. in Los Fresnos. –cw

Construction News ON LOCATION

Systems a go

Adonna Maturey and Erica Morales, man the office at Delta Temp Services (DTS), a heating and cooling contractor in Harlingen. –cw

Construction News JOB SIGHT

Cool!

Atlas Electric, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Services, located in Alton, helps keep the Valley cool in those hot summers. –cw