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CONSTRUCTION
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The Industry’s Newspaper www.constructionnews.net
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Volume 15
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Number 8
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AUGUST 2015
A team and a dream
Aiming high
L-R: Angie Horner and Connie Molina
Kevin King says 2015 had been a good year for A.I.M.
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ngie Horner, vice president-owner says Brit-Tex Plastering started out in Austin in 1997, but the appeal of being in a small-town eventually won their hearts over and the company relocated to Bastrop. “I started working full time at Brit-Tex Plastering in 2000,” Horner said. “When the economy crashed in 2008, we struggled but we made it through the difficult time. “Since then, we have had several commercial jobs in Central Texas, especially Austin, San Antonio and the surrounding areas. We have actually had to turn work down this year because we are so busy.” According to Horner, as business has increased in 2015, the company has had a
challenge finding quality people to do the work. “We look for laborers who are honest, hardworking and willing to learn,” she said. “They need the right qualifications, too.” The majority of the folks at Brit-Tex Plastering have been with the company for years. Connie Molina takes care of the estimating and payroll and she makes sure all the bids go out on time. “Connie helps me when I am overloaded at the office,” Horner said. “Every once in a while I will go out in the field.“ Horner says estimator Bill Kendrick is expecting his first baby boy. Employees continued on Page 17
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uda-based Austin Independent Mechanical (A.I.M) A/C and Heating Services reached its 15-year anniversary this year. Founded by owners Derek and Susan Herring, the company was born out of Derek's natural mechanical ability and construction background to fix air conditioners. As a firefighter, Derek used his off time to hone his skills and received a Master's license in 1999. Susan, a former Hays CISD teacher, joined the business and runs many of the day-to-day activities. Manager Kevin King began working at the company in 2006. He helps with sales and installations on a daily basis. Office manager Erica Weber takes care of
the paperwork. “A.I.M. has stayed in business for 15 years because we are committed to hard work and dedicated to customer service,” King says. Since the early days, King says A.I.M has grown to include a service department, an installation department, a weatherization department, a construction department and a fulltime office staff. “We have four trucks in the field nowadays,” he said. “Buda and Kyle have grown so much over the years, so we are doing about 70 percent of our work in these areas.” continued on Page 17
Grand reveal
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he City of Bee Cave proclaimed July 5, 2015 as Sonesta Day in Bee Cave in honor of the ribbon-cutting and grand opening of Sonesta Bee Cave. Sonesta Bee Cave, adjacent to Hill Country Galleria, has been under construction for 15 months. Zapalac/ Reed Construction Co. was the GC for the project. The owner is Adrian Overstreet. According to Vice President Shad Zapalac, LEED AP, Zapalac Reed Construction, Sonesta Bee Cave, has 195 guest rooms and 10,000sf of meeting and ballroom space, a 13,000-sf elevated plaza/green roof with pool, 2,000sf of pedestal paver terrace and a single story below grate 177-car parking structure. One of the highlights of the hotel is the Hill Country-inspired rooftop space which is occupied by Meridian 98, an upscale lounge and small plate eatery. Zapalac says the 134,000-sf hotel is a six story CIP concrete frame with an exte-
rior consisting of stucco, thermally broken store front, metal wall panels, IPE wood and masonry. The lobby finishes include site finished Hickory plank flooring, reclaimed hemlock ceiling and wall panels, blue millscale metal wall panels, leather wrap wall panels with back lit art, custom lobby desk with natural stone and back-lit Sonesta logo water cut out of anodized bronze aluminum. “After 15 months of construction we are thrilled to open our doors to the public and show off our new Hill Country inspired hotel, especially our rooftop space,” said owner Adrian Overstreet. “We believe the new hotel will provide the Bee Cave area with needed hotel rooms as well as meeting and function space.” Sonesta Bee Cave
continued on Page 17