SAn Antonio Construction News April 2016

Covering the Industry’s News

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Volume 18

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Number 4

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APRIL 2016

Woman in charge

Kickin’ ash, takin’ names

The Tejas Premier executive team L-R: (front row) Roxane Higareda, Julissa Carielo, Irene Chavez, (back row) Rudy Carielo, Andrew Wallace, Oscar Carielo, Gilbert Hernandez, John Cayton

Jon Marek is breaking into the barbecue biz with this handcrafted pit that he built himself from American-made steel.

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elebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Tejas Premier Building Contractor has grown and evolved with many changes that have taken effect in just the last few years.

Established by Julissa Carielo and two employees in 2006, the general contractor has more than 55 employees today and hires more than 200 small business vendors. As a business owner, Carielo has learned to use her voice as a leader in the small business community.

“I have talked to so many small businesses who ask me what I’m doing and ask for advice on how they should do things,” she says. “I don’t know everything, but I know that I have made it

against all odds and have done it very strategically. It’s important to keep growing as a person and as a company.”

While staying active in the community and serving on the boards for several organizations, Carielo has grown her company through four locations. Last year, Tejas purchased the Johnson Center, an old SAISD elementary school campus next door to its old location, and relocated its offices.

In partnership with the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, she is developing the Maestro Entrepreneur Center (MEC), which will be based at the new Tejas campus. The MEC will be a

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t the end of this month, barbecue enthusiasts from across the area will be able to enjoy delicious, award-winning barbecue at what’s sure to be the hottest new restaurant in the San Antonio area. Jon Marek, MEMCO, is inviting everyone to check out the grand opening of his own barbecue place, aMAREKan BBQ, Apr. 30 in New Braunfels.

Marek will be keeping his job at MEMCO while operating aMAREKan BBQ on the weekends, open for lunch and dinner on Saturdays and Sundays. On Saturday nights, aMAREKan will host live music with Texas Renegade taking the stage for opening weekend. On Sunday

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nights, there will be karaoke.

The barbecue pitmaster has taken his secret family recipe and come up with a special barbecue sauce and rub, the secret of which he is guarding closely. (Believe me, this reporter tried to pry some spice information out of him, but he is not giving it up.)

The menu will include brisket, ribs and chicken, and every month, there will be a different, un-advertised mystery meat, about which Marek notes, “They’ll just have to come and check it out.” But when you do visit, be sure to bring cash, because it’s cash only – no credit cards will be accepted. You can, however, bring your own steak, and he will add his dry continued on Page 24

Large and licensed senior living

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hile Elan Westpointe in New Braunfels represents the first of the Elan brand for owner Titan Senior Living (TSL), the project also represented several firsts and unique aspects for the Reid & Associates (R&A) construction team.

Elan Westpointe is the first Large Type B senior assisted living facility certified for Alzheimer’s patients that Matt Schumann, project manager, has ever built. It’s also the first facility he has built that is considered hybrid construction.

These unique facets of the job came with separate challenges.

In only 13 months, the R&A team built the flagship senior assisted living facility, which is just under 92,000sf with 113 patient rooms, a bistro with full wet bar, theatre room, party room and full salon. Schumann notes that the amenities and finishes are a big selling point as they are not typical of a senior living facility.

The Elan Westpointe senior assisted living facility in New Braunfels was a unique project for Reid & Associates, utilizing hybrid construction and adhering to strict life safety code requirements.

In order to be certified for Assisted Living and Alzheimer’s residents, there were several factors in meeting life safety code and satisfying UL systems requirements.

UL is a science company that sets a standard for fire protection systems, including fire detection and extinguishing, smoke control, and systems that assist emergency responders. All of these systems had to be incorporated into the building.

The construction process was already complex with the hybrid nature of the building. The center of the building, which includes the assisted living dining room, is all cold-form metal framing and structural steel. The three-story side of the building, which is all the assisted living units, is cold-form metal framing with EpiCore concrete decks. The single-story side of the building, which houses 38 units for the memory care portion of the facility, is all stick frame. This meant taking the time to evaluate structural and continued on Page 24

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San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

At home in the Hill Country

Construction News JOB SIGHT

Sealed and delivered

Wheeler Paving did the sealcoat in the parking lot of Forum Crossing. Alpine Contracting was the GC on the project, which included the façade renovation. Colby Lewis is project manager on the job and Brandon Brysch is superintendent.

Phase II is expected to be completed this month. –mh

Greg Greget, president of Greget Brothers Construction, is currently working on this residential project, a 900-sf pier and beam home.

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hen Greg Greget moved out to the Hill Country about threeand-a-half years ago, he began transitioning his company, Greget Brothers Construction, to the Hill Country, too.

Formerly located in Schertz, Greget has relocated north of San Antonio to Spring Branch. Frustrated with all the driving and traffic in San Antonio, Greget loves his new location in the Hill Country. He’s currently building a warehouse and shop for his business as well as his residence.

Today, most of his business is in that area, and his customers in San Antonio are only about 20 minutes away. Though the projects he takes on are almost exclusively residential, his jobs aren’t always homes. He did a 7,500-sf warehouse for a rancher client of his, who also lives in the Hill Country.

With an average of three people, including himself, Greget’s jobs are mostly kitchen and bathroom remodels, updating the appearance and fixtures in these

areas of the home.

Everyone in Greget’s family has either been carpenters or masons. After working 18 years in management for a heavy equipment construction company, Greget was ready to go out on his own.

Having grown up with a knack for building homes, he and his brother started Greget Brothers Construction in 2002.

Greget’s brother is no longer involved in the business. Early on, Greget did multifamily, apartment complexes and condos, but soon he returned to doing mostly residential.

At 50 years old, Greget likes to fish when he gets the chance and used to love to go hunting, though being in the process of building the company’s facility and his residence along with his workload, keeps him pretty busy these days.

Greget Brothers Construction specializes in custom cabinetry, complete remodeling and new construction, focusing on residential projects. –mh

Straight from the heart

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1st Place Gross

n honor of its patriarch, Galaxy Builders held the inaugural Arun Verma Memorial Golf Tournament Feb. 22 at The Club at Sonterra on the North Course.

Verma passed away Dec. 7 due to complications from pulmonary fibrosis.

With 128 golfers attending, the event, held the day after what would have been Verma’s 74th birthday, raised an estimated $45,000 donation to the American Heart Association. –mh Gross 1st: Triple Cross – Bobby Davis, Chris Palumbo, David Hebner, Nick Meadows

2nd: Jimmy Evans, Denny Huesser, Vince Reinhart, Adam Fiebig, Kade Kemnitz 3rd: Norman Longoria, David Hernandez, Ray Pena, Phillip Pena Net 1st: – Tri Star Utilities – Jason Howell, Barrett Branson, Larry Courtney, Keith Mayfield 2nd: RVK – Steve Grau, John Nelson, Eva Ramirez, Greg SanMarcos 3rd: Insurance One – Vince Wysong, Mark Massey, Bill Ryan, Wade Gerloff

1st Place Net

San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

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Stewards of a legacy

Brother and sister team Peter John Holt and Corinna Holt Richter have stepped into new executive leadership roles at HOLT CAT, taking up the next phase of the succession plan in their family’s company.

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epresenting the fifth generation of the HOLT CAT family tree, Corinna Holt Richter and Peter John Holt have taken the next step in the succession plan towards their ownership of the heavy equipment dealer.

In her new role as executive vice president/chief administrative officer, Holt Richter will be responsible for the administrative divisions, including HR, safety, IT, organizational development, facilities management, continuous improvement, environmental, legal, marketing and strategy, and transportation.

In his new role as executive vice president/general manager, Holt will be responsible for all enterprise operating divisions, including HOLT CAT, HOLT AgriBusiness, Texas First Rentals, HOLT Crane & Equipment and Sitech Tejas.

Both of them joined the HOLT CAT team in 2011 and note that in those five years, they have learned a lot from their experience and ascension through the ranks. They also emphasize the significance of starting on the product support

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side of the business, which Holt Richter says, “is really what we see as the heart of what a dealer does.”

Holt, who bears the name of their father, Peter M. Holt, owner and CEO of HOLT CAT, says, “This is truly a formal step for my sister and I to move into being owners of the business and head operators of the business in our partnership.

So, this is a really important time in HOLT’s past, present and future in the fact that we’re moving into roles that we will stay in for our entire careers. So, it’s vitally important for us to build and grow our teams, and then use a balanced approach to continue on our operations excellence journey, but also to find areas for growth and diversification.”

Holt Richter adds, “It’s really humbling to be a part of this legacy that my family’s built. We’ve outlined what our sibling partnership mission statement is, and it’s essentially to be a steward of that legacy and to grow the business. We’re really excited about the future.” –mh

Asked and answered

ast month, we featured questions submitted by students in the Builders Exchange of Texas’ Pre-Employment Architecture Construction Education (PACE) program. We received one more response to the student inquiries.

Chris Otto, director of hydrology and hydraulics at KFW Engineers + Surveying answered the question, “Is it true engineering is only crunching numbers? If I like working outside or hands on, which engineering field should I go into?”

He replied, “There is a lot more to engineering than crunching numbers. Engineering is about designing the best solution for your client and the public, while adhering to the rules and regulations applicable to the project.

“Engineers write many technical reports. We interpret regulations and reports to apply them ethically to a given project.

As you advance your career, you will also manage budgets, schedules and client expectations. Engineers will even negotiate on behalf of their client in some cases.

“If you like to work outside and being hands on, I would recommend construction engineering or civil engineering.

Construction engineering can be very hands on and keeps you on the construction site most of your day.

“In construction engineering, you will analyze plans prepared by someone else and determine the best way to build it. Sometimes you will design alternatives that can be constructed more efficiently.

“In civil engineering, you will prepare the construction documents and then perform construction observation. In this regard, you make periodic site visits to confirm the construction is generally following the plans. You will also review materials submittals, request for information, payment applications and address constructions concerns as they arise. For me, civil engineering provides the best balance of office work and field work.” –mh

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San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

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Rising to the top of the roof

Last year, Beldon Roofing Company received an award for Top Work Place. L-R: (standing) Curt Cote, Mark Sobotik, Ryan Shutt, Pat Franks, Danny Mendez, (sitting) Kelly Schumacher, Tricia Peebles, Brad Beldon, Rebekah Mora-Palumbo, Sandra Medina

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merging after an Army colonel and MIT graduate decided to settle down in San Antonio after World War II, Beldon Roofing Company is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.

With the third generation now leading the family business, one big change is that in January of last year, Danny Mendez became the first non-Beldon president of the company.

Starting part-time with Beldon in 1993 as a mechanic while still in high school, Mendez came on full-time after graduating. Early on, he did a lot of government work for the company from Florida to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, and he went on to become an assistant superintendent, production manager and COO before rising to his current position.

“My whole goal as president has been and will be continuous education,” Mendez says, adding that they’ve invested in a new training room. “I’m a big be-

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liever that if you don’t educate your workforce, then it’s only as good as you put into it.”

Noting that attracting the new generation to roofing is one of the biggest challenges the business faces, Mendez estimates that Beldon currently has an average of 125 employees between the office and field. The company’s current projects include two jobs at Port Authority, the new Red McCombs Toyota, and re-roofing the entire facility for the Witte renovation.

Founded in 1946, Beldon Roofing Company was originally established by Morry Beldon and A.A. Shepherd as AAA Roofing and Supply Co. Morry’s son, Mike Beldon, followed in his footsteps at the head of the company. Today, Morry’s grandson and Mike’s son, Brad Beldon, is CEO.

Beldon Roofing Company provides residential and commercial roofing services and products as well as waterproofing. –mh

In memoriam

heresa Knight, the family matriarch at Allen & Allen Co., passed away Mar. 17 at the age of 84.

She was born Aug. 13, 1931 in San Antonio to Leonard and Connie Wheeler.

When ownership transitioned from the Allen family to the Knight family in the early 1980s, Knight served as the company secretary. She played an integral role in the success and growth of the company over the years and made a difference in many lives.

Survivors include her daughters, Dara and Connie; four grandchildren, Wes, Maegan, Ashley and Andrea; six great-grandchildren, Hudson, Harper, Berkley, Presley, Luke and Camilla; sister, Nancy Vic; and a niece and a nephew.

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Keeping that small town air

The Air-Tex team at the Pre-Rodeo BBQ Cook-Off for the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo L-R: Sharon Winter, Melissa Guenther, Matt Guenther, Beau Rodriguez, Mike Owens, Keith Winter, (front) Kevin Kenney

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wo years ago, Keith and Sharon Winter took over Air-Tex when the previous owner, Gary Bacon, retired. Since then, the couple has enjoyed running the HVAC company that has been a part of its neighborhood and local community for nearly 65 years.

Founded as Tex’s Air Conditioning in 1952 by a man named Tex, the company was passed down to Bacon when its original founder passed away. Keith began working with Bacon in the early 2000s, and Sharon came in a few years later. Today, they run operations, and Sharon holds the license.

“I’m one of a handful of women in the State of Texas that hold a Class A license,” she explains. “Ideally, we could do anything. With a Class A license, you can do any tonnage, commercial, residential, anything.”

Though they do not have a limit on what they can do, they prefer to keep the company small. With five employees, the Winters focus on their residential cus-

tomers while doing work for the small delis and other businesses in their neighborhood on Callaghan Road near Bandera.

“Of course, we want to grow, but we don’t want to lose that small town feel that we have in such a big town,” says Sharon. “Most of my customers can call in, and I don’t have to be in front of the computer or in the office to know who they are, where they live, what kind of system they have, because we have a relationship that we’ve built with all of our customers. It’s a very friendly environment.”

Sharon credits Rich Bowen, the lead service tech who has been with the company for more than 30 years, with being an asset to the company and their relationships with the customers.

Air-Tex offers air conditioning and heating services in the commercial and residential markets, including service, maintenance, repairs, change outs and new construction. –mh

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San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

Shane Hans President Hansco

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t 34 years old, Shane Hans has built his experience and his business working on his own, learning the various aspects of operations in the field and the office along the way.

Today, his company, Hansco, does demolition, excavation and site work with about 23 employees handling a 60 percent residential workload. Originally leasing a property he demoed for a client, he relocated the business to Rail Drive about two years ago.

Born and raised in San Antonio, Hans has made his own way in the construction community. He has kept his family close with his parents working for Hansco and photos of his children all over his office.

How did you get started in the construction industry?

I started out in ’98 doing landscaping. Then I bought a Bobcat and started doing commercial landscaping. I really enjoyed working with the machine and with that, grew into doing small demos.

Finally, in 2002, we got into the heavier equipment, and kept growing from there.

Did you start out working for another company?

I’ve actually never held another job other than working for my uncle. I worked with my uncle when I was really young as a plumbing helper for Harrell Plumbing, but that was about it, really just a parttime job.

I had the drive to want to start something from the ground up. I was driven to do something different and unique.

When did you start working as Hansco?

Hansco was incorporated in 2005.

What do you like about what you do?

I like being in the field, and the reason I tried to keep it small was so I could be hands on working in the field. Now I’m more in the office than I find myself in the field.

Because I started out doing everything, I am able to operate all of the equipment I own and drive the CDL trucks. That’s where my passion is, out working, but as it evolved, I saw that I was needed more in the office overseeing things than actually performing the dayto-day tasks.

You taught yourself how to operate everything you use in the field. How long did it take to learn all of the equipment?

That was quick, because I’ve always been mechanically minded, so the oper-

ating came quickly.

I’ve had one person with me, who still works for me today, Tim Bailey, who started out in the beginning.

We were neighbors in Bulverde, and I was kind of growing at that time. I had a burn house to do out on Blanco Road. It was one of the first houses that we actually did, and I was talking to him about it, and he said, “Well, I can run an excavator.”

So, I learned a lot of my operating skills from him. Pretty much right off the bat, we were working together most of the time in the field. And he still works for me today.

I learned the majority of what I know on the operating end from Tim. He is also the one who unearthed all the coins downtown.

What is the story about the coins?

We were doing the dirt work for the Marti’s Mexican Imports downtown. We were doing the site work, and the building had been torn down years prior, but in the ground under the building, they had basically buried chests with gold and silver coins. So, as we were excavating along, we started unearthing a bunch of silver coins.

Of course, the job got shut down.

The archaeologists came in. They had police there overnight watching it. It kind of slowed things down. They wanted to unearth as much as they could.

We haven’t discovered a whole lot of things. We come across a tremendous amount of safes, and people are always like, “There’s something in the safe.” But there usually never is. We found one floor safe in all these years that I think had 50 $1 bills in it and a small gold antique ring that I gave to my wife that she enjoys wearing.

What motivated you to start out in the industry on your own?

I was just kind of an ambitious kid. I knew I enjoyed working with my hands.

So, I just started working, and it just kind of took form after that. I knew how important it was to look and listen to others that had experience. I also listened to what my customers were wanting.

Why did you choose to start in landscaping?

I was appreciative of lawns that looked pristine. When I was young and looking for a part-time job I knew I wanted to be a part of making something better and working for others. That excited me more than working at a mall or in the fast food industry.

What was the hardest part of starting out in the industry on your own?

The challenging part was starting out in my early 20s and getting my foot in the door. I worked diligently at making a name that others would recognize in the line of business. In our big city of San Antonio, we of course have many competitors.

For the first few years, we primarily focused on residential work. We were demolishing homes, houses that had been burnt, and pools. We wanted to be able to grow at a steady pace, not too fast or slow.

Our biggest market today is the Alamo Heights and Terrell Hills area. The majority of the work in these municipalities is high-end demos for new construction

Shane Hans started out in the construction industry on his own, teaching himself along the way. Last year, his company, Hansco, celebrated its 10th anniversary.

of residences.

It was not difficult but did take patience to get in with some of the general contractors and then work our way up.

Malitz Construction was one of the first contractors that gave us a break into the commercial industry. We’ve now completed projects with SpawGlass, Joeris and other larger contractors in our city.

But I do know our niche is light commercial and heavy residential contractor.

You built this up without any training in business management. How did you learn to operate your own business?

Staying small for so long really facilitated in being able to take the time to understand the ins and outs of the business. Trying to grow at a steady pace and not biting off more that we could chew.

The administration of the office was the most difficult part, trying to set up an office and processing all of the jobs in the correct manner. Making sure at the end of the day everything was organized, up to code, payroll, advertising, etc. All of the different aspects of the business were being taken care of at the same time and learning how to juggle it all.

What spurred the decision to grow the business beyond staying that small?

In the housing boom back in 2007, we had so many high-end custom builders, we were kind of just forced to grow.

We also had many clients that had helped us get started so we wanted to keep their business at the same time. So, we grew with the economy. We have actually retained our size throughout the recession, if not grown during that time.

What community or construction organizations are you involved with?

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Associated General Contractors (AGC), and the National Demolition Association. I used to do a lot of the cook-offs.

We are interested in starting to get back into that this summer. We just got too busy, and it fell to the wayside, but trying to phase it back in if we can.

It helped on the marketing end to get the name out there. I knew we just had to get to the point where there was name recognition amongst the contractors. Just trying to get out there to where they would recognize the name and be

comfortable. That’s where we got into a lot of the cook-offs, handing out cards, and meeting and greeting people.

What do you like to do outside of work? Do you have any hobbies?

I enjoy hunting and fishing. I love to be out in nature or on a boat. I have three boys and enjoy keeping them active with recreation and sports.

We also have a home in Port Aransas, and we enjoy trips to the coast.

Tell me about your family.

My wife, Laura, works for Northside Independent School District as a reading specialist. She was a first grade teacher for her first five years. She went back and completed her master’s degree, and now this is her fifth year as a reading teacher.

We have a 14-year-old, Tyler, who is a freshman in high school. We have a 3-and-a-half-year-old son named Jackson, and then we have a 6-month-old baby boy named Weston.

We are currently building a home and moving out to Helotes.

How did you meet your wife?

We actually met at a dance hall back when she was 20 and I was 21. We met 13 years ago and have now been married 11-and-a-half years. Our birthdays are also two days apart.

What about your parents?

My dad, Jim Hans, runs a lot of the outside operations, and my mom, Janice Hans, runs the office and the administration side of the business.

Dad is a licensed plumber by trade.

He worked for Harrell Plumbing, for my uncle. My mom has been an office manager.

What are your long-term goals?

I’d like to try and find more family time than what I get now. I say quality is better than quantity but now with three sons and my lovely wife, more time would be wonderful.

I would like our company to stay at its current size, without being forced to grow any larger. I would hope my sons would have an interest in it – if they want to. That would be the ultimate goal to give them something they can step into after college. –mh

San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

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Many disciplines, one celebration

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he Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) Bexar Chapter celebrated Engineers Week 2016 Feb. 23-27 with several opportunities for members to have fun and network.

The week of activities kicked off Tuesday with the Proclamation Breakfast and Engineer-for-a-Day, honoring the Young Engineer of the Year, Lorena Carter. She started as an intern at Bain Medina Bain, graduated from UTSA in 2009, passed her PE exam in 2013 and has worked her way up within the firm to the role of project engineer. She has worked on projects with clients including Alamo Colleges, the City of San Antonio and Bexar County.

On Wednesday came the sporting clays tournament at the San Antonio Gun Club, which was followed later that evening by the Structural Engineers Association of Texas (SEAoT) Scholarship Social at the Hofbrau Beer Garden in the Quarry. A past presidents luncheon was hosted at Paesanos Restaurant on Thursday, and the Society for Marketing Professional Services Happy Hour was held that evening at Little Woodrow’s.

The golf tournament at Canyon Springs got everyone out onto the green on Friday, and then it was hitting the pavement Saturday morning for the Family Fun 5K Walk/Run at Lady Bird Johnson Park.

That evening, at the banquet and casino night at the Norris Conference Cen-

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ter, the chapter honored its Engineer of the Year, Coy D. Armstrong, PE. A principal with Bury Inc., Armstrong has been a member of TSPE’s Bexar Chapter for a decade now and he has been in the civil engineering industry for more than 21 years. In addition to being active in the industry, he has volunteered with the San Antonio Children’s Museum and Habitat For Humanity, served as a mentor to third through fifth graders at Jackson Keller Elementary School through the YMCA as well as the Fall 2011 UTSA Business and Development senior design class. –mh Engineer of the Year: Coy Armstrong, Bury

Golf Tournament 1st Place Net

Your company up front and in the spotlight

hen our readers pick up Construction News, there are a few articles and sections about which they often ask, “How do they decide who is profiled in this article?” and “How can I be featured in one of these?”

In this article, we’ll answer those questions regarding two of our primary features, our Front Page GC and Spotlight articles.

Front Page GC Every month, we feature a general contractor’s recent project on the front page. The size and scope of the project range from small tenant finish out or renovations to large ground up construction.

If you are a general contractor with an office located within our coverage area for that city and its surrounding counties, you are eligible to have one of your projects featured on the front page of that paper. The project should be one that has been completed within the last year and is located within our local paper’s coverage area.

We will need any information about the build that you can share including but not limited to the project duration, square footage, approximate cost, design team and subcontractors on the job, and details about the build and building process. We will also need a few photos, exterior and interior.

Can your company be featured in this article multiple times? Yes, but when you are featured as our Front Page GC, you must wait five years from the publication date of that article to have another project featured on our front page. This is to ensure the opportunity for general contractors of all sizes and markets to appear on the front page.

Spotlight Another monthly feature in our paper is a profile of the head of a company that we call Spotlight. This article is an indepth interview with the person who serves at the very top of a company as its owner, president, principal or CEO. The company can be a general contractor, subcontractor, supplier, architecture or engineering firm, equipment dealer or service provider of any size or specialty.

To qualify for a Spotlight article, the

featured person’s company must have an office located within the coverage area for the paper in which he or she would appear. The Spotlight can only run in the city in which this person is based. We only do a Spotlight once per individual and per company.

The Spotlight focuses on the individual, not the company. The profile covers the interviewee’s background, career, family, community involvement, hobbies and interests, and other personal details.

The interview is presented in a question and answer format along with a photo of the person being featured.

If you feel you qualify for one of these articles and would like to be featured in a future Front Page GC or Spotlight, please contact your San Antonio editor, Mary Hazlett, at saeditor@constructionnews.net or 210-308-5800, ext.

142. –mh

Young Engineer of the Year: Lorena Carter, Bain Medina Bain

Golf Winners 1st Net: Pape-Dawson (4) – Bruna Spengler, Chris Chaffee, Will Buzzelli 2nd Net: HDR Inc. – Brandon Hilbrich, Ron Branyon, Mike Mann, Ron Bowman 3rd Net: PapeDawson (2) – Matt Johnson, Lee Mangum, Ben Ruby, Brad Triesch Sporting Clay Tournament 1st Place 1st Gross: Primero Engineering – Chase Hodges, Will Bernard, Matt Rothe, Sporting Clay Winners 1st: Pape-Dawson Engineers Mark Marlow 2nd: Cude Engineers 3rd: LNV

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San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

Grand gathering in Alamo City

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he Associated General Contractors (AGC) held its National Convention Mar. 9-11 at the Grand Hyatt in San Antonio. Approximately 2,300 people attended the three-day event.

The convention coincided with the AGC Charities Operation Opening Doors extreme build project, Morgan’s Inspiration Island, which will be the first-ever ultra-accessible water park when it opens in spring 2017.

While in San Antonio for the convention, national officers visited the Inspiration Island jobsite, where 31 local member companies were working on the most ambitious community service project in the history of AGC. An appreciation lunch was held for volunteers and contributors to the five-day build effort.

A video about the project was shown at the convention’s opening session, and in that same session, Lane Mitchell, vice president of San Antonio’s own G.W. Mitchell Construction, sang the National Anthem. He also led the gathering in an uplifting rendition of “God Bless America” at the session’s close.

The AGC Technology and Construction Solutions Expo, which was open all three days, hosted breakfast and lunch for attendees.

Some of the notable events were a contractor’s prayer breakfast, a luncheon for AGC spouses and guests, an AGC PRO & Glenfiddich VIP Event, a first-time attendee reception, the Construction Safety Excellence Awards and the Alliant Build America Awards Luncheon.

Sundt Construction, which has offices in San Antonio and Fort Worth, won two awards for safety excellence: first place in the Highway Division among contractors with more than a million man-hours, and the prestigious Grand Award.

Among the educational sessions offered were “How Do Owner’s Define Value in Their Construction Projects? A Lean Perspective,” “Future Forecast: How Drones, Sensors and Integrated Apps Are Rewriting All the Rules,” and “Are Your New Hires Ready to Work?”

The AGC also offered its own version of TED Talks, ConstrucTED Talks, such as “Meeting Diversity Hiring Goals in your Trade Workforce” for the association’s Federal and Heavy Construction Division.

The Building Division’s discussion, “Understanding Multigenerational Perspectives: The Key to Developing Enduring Organizations,” featured two members of the San Antonio construction community: Maryanne Guido, CEO of Guido Construction, and Blaine Beckman, project manager at F.A. Nunnelly Co. On Thursday evening, Zachry Construction, the Texas Building Branch, and the AGC San Antonio Chapter held a reception at the Hilton Palacio del Rio for members of the local legislative delegation, welcoming guests State Sen. Carlos Uresti, State Rep. Rick Galindo, State Rep. Justin Rodriguez, State Rep. Ina Minjarez and State Rep. John Lujan. –mh

Paul Levin, Sundt’s corporate director of safety and quality, accepts the Grand Award at the AGC National Convention in San Antonio.

Clara Cordova, Galaxy Builders, holds up a shirt commemorating the monumental effort of the Morgan’s Inspiration build blitz, which coincided with the convention and welcomed attendees for a tour.

Left: Lane Mitchell, G.W. Mitchell Construction, sang the National Anthem and “God Bless America” at the AGC National Convention.

Patrick Byrnes, Linbeck Group, managed the extreme build effort at Morgan’s Inspiration Island, which national officers arrived ahead of the convention to tour, and he spoke at a lunch for those working on and contributing to the project.

San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

Page 9

50 years of subcontractors

Submitted to Construction News

Snow place like home

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he American Subcontractors Association (ASA) held its national convention, SubExcel, Mar. 3-5 at the Hyatt Regency in Miami, FL. The annual conference also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the association, for which the association created an anniversary book detailing its history.

Highlights included the president’s welcome reception, a city tour of Miami and an outing to the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens for spouses, the ASA-Political Action Committee’s South Beach Culinary Walking Tour, a tour of Little Havana for executive directors, and the Biscayne Lady Dinner Cruise 50th Anniversary Celebration with a reception, banquet and awards gala on the final night.

The three-day event also offered many educational programs. At the opening general session, “The Economist Who Loved Me,” Anirban Basu provided data on the performance of the global, national and relevant regional economy, focusing on trends in financial, real estate, energy and labor markets.

Other education programs included “Outpacing Technology, Trends and Rising Expectations in the Trades,” an “Ask an Attorney” workshop with the ASA Attorney’s Council, “To Manage Stress, Rekindle Your Spirit,” and a workshop on compliance communications. –mh

Beth and Kenneth Moore settled into the ASA SubExcel in Miami at the President’s Welcome Reception. Moore, president of KCM Cabinets, attended as vice president of the ASA San Antonio Chapter.

While contractors in San Antonio dealt with several thunderstorms passing through the area in March, San Antonio-based Treco Enterprises was buried under heavy snowfalls at its La Quinta jobsite in Denver, CO. –mh

Right: While in Miami for ASA’s annual conference and 50th anniversary celebration, Beth and Kenneth Moore took the opportunity to do some fishing.

What should people try at least once?

Deep sea fishing. It’s fun. You get to see the ocean, which is just a humongous wonder of the world. It’s an experience that you can’t duplicate. We love it. If you ever get a chance to go down to Seadrift, TX, it is a small town. It’s just there for fishing, but we have caught 4-ft, 5-ft drum, and it’s an awesome place to go, and it’s kind of a secret down there. Not many people know about it.

Sharon Winters, Air-Tex I’m always big on trying to get people to try different food, stuff their uncomfortable with. A lot of people won’t eat seafood. My wife won’t touch anything that’s kind of wild game, but I’m a big foodie. I think you should try something different.

Shane Hans, Hansco I’d challenge people to step out of their box. I think that some people are content, and without challenging yourself, you don’t really know how much you can succeed in something.

Matt Schumann, Reid & Associates Ride a horse. There is nothing like it. I know people like riding motorcycles, but for me, it’s like riding a motorcycle that’s alive, that is just living that experience with you. I enjoy it so much that when people say that they’ve never ridden a horse in their life, I can’t imagine ever having lived this life without getting on a horse. It’s the most exciting, exhilarating, wonderful experience you can have out in nature.

Hilda Ochoa, 8A Electric I think people should travel. Sometimes people don’t ever get out of their comfort zone, where they live or where they

grew up. And I think getting out as far as you can get at least once in life is so beneficial to just grow. I think you grow as a person when you travel with the things that you learn about how other people live or other cities and those dynamics.

Bunmi Collins Bartlett Cocke General Contractors Ziplining. It’s just very exciting, hanging from a cable 100 feet, going from tree to tree. My wife and I did it in the original ziplining country of Costa Rica about a year ago.

Ronnie Bitterly Central Air Conditioning I would say walking in somebody else’s shoes. Ultimately, I think it’s one thing that’s gotten me through some hard times. Even through the worst times, I’ve always known that no matter how hard I may have it, somebody’s always got it harder. I try to keep that in the back of my mind.

Mike Morin, The Reynolds Company Jump out of an airplane. I’ve done it a few times. It has to be one of the scariest things I’ve ever embarked on the first time you do it, but the pure adrenaline, exhilaration. You just don’t know what you’re capable of until you’ve just let go of everything and fallen for about a minute or so and then have a parachute ride to just kind of settle yourself back down and realize what you just did.

Todd Calder, Sundt They should try doing their tax return at least once. They’ll come to a CPA after they get done with it.

Tony Ridout, Ridout Barrett

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San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

10 things every construction company should do to control their E-Mod

What you need to know about compilations, reviews and audits to obtain a loan or line of credit

Tom Spencer, Construction Practice Leader INSURICA San Antonio, TX

PKF Texas Houston, TX Chris Hatten, CPA

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any business owners looking for their first loan or line of credit face the daunting task of picking the right financial institution and subsequent credit agreement that best fits their current and future needs. Unfortunately, this can be a challenge for many owners who do not have experience in finance or accounting.

Signing a loan that is not properly negotiated can cost tens of thousands of dollars per year, while choosing the incorrect loan can be an expensive mistake that cuts into your bottom line for years.

Most loans or lines of credit come with different covenants, and many require the borrower to provide yearly financial statements. These range from internally prepared financial statements to compilations, reviews or audits. Many first-time borrowers don’t understand the differences or the costs of producing these reports.

Financial statements prepared by a CPA firm assist with the assurance banks look for when they issue a loan. Typically, the larger the loan, the more assurance the bank will require. Some loans only require a compilation, which technically provides no assurance, while loans which appear riskier to the bank may require a financial statement audit.

Compilation A compilation is a financial report put together by a CPA firm that follows AICPA guidelines to assure the financial statements are presented in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or other standards recognized by the AICPA. This is a relatively inexpensive report, compared a review or audit, but it also provides no assurance.

Review A review is the next step up and provides limited assurance. This report must be done by a qualified CPA firm, but unlike a compilation, the firm must be independent; meaning, the firm has no financial interests in the business, relations with owners or elected members of management, or with the area of the business it reviews. A review is typically two or three times more expensive than a compilation, with an increase in the level of work for the review process, and the increased risk the accounting firm assesses in preparing the reports. Reviews are like compilations, in that they are the representation of

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Sam Razmandi, CPA management and not the CPA firm, and follows standards set by the AICPA. Audit

This is typically a much more involved process and provides reasonable assurance the financials are presented fairly, in all material respects, and are in accordance with the stated financial framework, such as U.S. GAAP or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Audit procedures include an examination, substantive analytics, confirmations, and for some companies, the testing of internal controls. Audits can be two or three times the cost of a review and can even get into the six figures, depending on the company, its size and the complexity of the transaction involved.

There can be a major price difference between the procedures banks may require, so it is important to note, like other aspects of your loan, these requirements can be negotiated. As with interest rates, collateral and other important factors of a loan, the financial reporting requirements are just as substantial. At times, a bank may be asking for an audit when a review might suffice and be a better fit for your business needs.

Yet, after obtaining a loan or line of credit, it can be a painful lesson to learn of the costs associated with preparing the required financial statements, and the subsequent charges incurred by the CPA firm. It takes proper planning to prepare for a compilation, review or audit, which adds to the costs incurred if the company is not ready for the process.

Most business owners do not like surprises. Always read the fine print and make sure you understand all of the covenants and reporting requirements that come with a debt obligation. Discuss these items with your banker and CPA to ensure you understand and can meet them.

In addition, find out if any of the three can be interchanged from one year to the next. For example, getting a review one year and an audit the next can save time and money and may still be able to satisfy the financial institution and allow the business owner to grow into the reporting process.

Chris Hatten, CPA, and Sam Razmandi, CPA, at PKF Texas can be reached at chatten@pkftexas.com or srazmandi@ pkftexas.com.

t is a beast that goes by many names: Experience Modification Rating (EMR), Experience Modification Factor (EMF), experience modifier, and many others. I call it the “e-mod.” Many people in the construction industry are judged by their e-mod, but most owners and operators think their rating is out of their control. Here are 10 tried and true ways anyone in the construction industry can take back control: 1. Understand how your e-mod is calculated.

Understanding how your e-mod is calculated is the foundation for building a plan to control it. Once a basic understanding is achieved, all efforts with loss control, claims control, and safety planning can be specifically targeted to have the biggest impact on your bottom line.

2. Understand the financial impact of your claims.

When you understand how individual claims affect your e-mod (and ultimately, your Workers’ Comp premium), it is easier to allocate resources where they can be most helpful. Claims trends can be analyzed to understand the impact of specific types of claims. This information can then be used to foresee problems before they get out of control.

3. Invest in your company’s safety culture.

Creating a strong safety culture is an investment in the future success of your operations. It is well documented that a strong safety culture has far-reaching benefits, including increasing employee retention, increasing employee morale, creating a team atmosphere, and drastically reducing workplace injuries.

4. Make Return-to-Work work for you.

Early Return-to-Work, or “light-duty,” programs have been shown to have tremendous benefits, when implemented correctly. While some employers have mixed feelings about Return-to-Work, nearly every best-in-class construction company has some form of a Return-toWork program—and for good reasons.

5. Work with loss control and risk management experts.

Loss control and risk management experts can do more than keep you in compliance with OSHA requirements. A skilled professional can assess your current operations and make recommendations based upon best-in-class status. Pro tip: check with your insurance carrier to see if they offer free loss control services to policyholders.

6. Help control the cost of claims.

Controlling the cost of claims goes beyond timely claim reporting. Develop a procedure for injured employees to follow, and work with your insurance carrier to communicate with injured employees. Routine claims

reviews can keep you up-to-date on claims before they spiral out of control. Claims costs are directly related to how your e-mod is calculated, and the lower your claims costs are, the lower your e-mod will be.

7. Communicate with your insurance carrier.

Develop relationships with the claims managers and adjusters at your insurance carrier. Most carriers have a limited number of claims people, so it is common to work with the same people over many years on multiple claims. Let them know you take your safety culture very seriously, and communicate with them about resources at your disposal, such as your Return-to-Work program.

8. Hire the right people.

Construction is hard work. Ensuring that capable, skilled workers are being hired is one of the easiest ways to prevent fraudulent claims and control overall claims costs. Best-in-class companies utilize pre-employment screenings and physicals in order to avoid potentially problematic hires. Additional resources available include reference checks, motor vehicle record checks, criminal background checks, and integrity testing.

9. Create safety goals.

Having employees buy in to your safety culture is paramount for your success.

Creating achievable short- and long-term goals is a way to engage employees and give them ownership in the safety process.

10. Celebrate safety success.

Adding to number nine, it is important to celebrate team safety successes.

Many companies choose to do monthly catered lunches for loss-free months, while others provide things like new work boots to their employees to reward successes. Regardless of what your specific incentive program consists of, it is important that the message is well-communicated and all mid-level managers support all safety goals and celebrations.

Tom Spencer is the Construction Practice Leader for INSURICA’s Texas offices. His experience as a life-long construction insurance professional gives him a unique understanding of managing the risks facing the construction industry. Tom can be contacted at TSpencer@INSURICA.com or by phone at 210.805.5901.

San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

Page 11

Assignment issues in construction contracts

What Is Work-Related Asthma?

Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX

Ben Wheatley , Title Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr Austin, TX

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s construction, design and real estate professionals (and their lawyers) know, the following clause is found in most standard AIA contracts: Neither Owner nor Architect [or Contractor] shall assign this Agreement as a whole without the written consent of the other, except that Owner may assign this Agreement to an institutional lender providing financing for the Project.

Because the only explicit exception to the consent prerequisite in the AIA Contract is for institutional lenders, courts have questioned whether this provision actually prevents the assignment of contract performance or related causes of action. For example, design and construction professionals want the right to choose who they work for. On the other hand, a developer may have a difficult time selling a newly completed project if the design and construction teams cannot be held accountable for defects that are discovered after a sale.

In addressing this question, courts generally interpret this provision to prohibit the assignment of contract performance, but not the assignment of a postperformance cause of action relating to that performance. The primary purpose of clauses prohibiting the assignment of contract rights without permission is to allow the party to select the persons with whom he [or she] deals. When a contract is performed prior to the assignment of a breach of contract claim arising therefrom, assignment of the claim does not require consent because a general anti-assignment clause, one aimed at prohibiting the assignment of a contractual performance, does not necessarily prohibit the assignment of a breach of contract cause of action.

The legal distinction between the “right to assign performance under a contract and the right to receive damages for its breach” is the right to assign performance of the executory contract. There are two reasons for this distinction: First, is the general rule that causes of action are freely assignable Second, references not only the distinction between executory and non-executory contracts, but between contracts pre- and post-breach Even though an executory contract may be non-assignable because of its personal nature, after an event that gives rise to a liability on a contract, the reason for the rule disappears and the cause of action arising under the contract is assignable.

Thus, claims for money due under a contract, which is non-assignable because of its personal nature, may be assigned to a third person and enforced by the assignee.

Courts have traditionally made this

distinction between an assignment of a right or thing before a loss or breach has occurred, and an assignment of a right or thing after a loss or breach has occurred.

This is because pre-breach assignments involve the potential creation of new contractual relationships, which could materially increase the risk of the nonconsenting party, whereas the postbreach assignment is supported by the law concerning the free alienability of causes of action that do not materially increase the risk of the non-consenting party because, in theory, that risk has been fixed by the breach or loss. Last, when the anti-assignment clause prohibits assignment “as a whole,” assignment of the right to sue only constitutes a partial assignment.

The AIA language above will not prevent the assignment of a contract, even while executory. Rather, a party seeking to enforce the anti-assignment provision will simply have a breach of contract claim for damages arising from the breach. If a party wants to prevent assignment while a contract is executory, it should include language in the clause noting that any assignment without consent is void and unenforceable.

Finally, when reviewing a design or construction contract, which contains an anti-assignment provision, carefully consider the long term implications of such a clause, in the context of your project role as a designer, builder or owner. Each project constituent will have a different view on what it actually wants as a result of such a provision, and ensure that the language plainly states your ultimate goal.

Ben Wheatley has more than 23 years of experience litigating complex construction and environmental matters, negotiating and drafting construction and design contracts, serving as in-house counsel for an international A/E firm, and working on issues concerning the practice of architecture, engineering, and project construction in all 50 states, Mexico and South America.

In addition to construction law matters, Ben handles administrative matters related to the construction and design industry, as well as environmental and commercial litigation. bwheatley@munsch.com www. munsch.com

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ork-related asthma is a lung disease caused or made worse by exposures to substances in the workplace.

Common exposures include chemicals, dust, mold, animals, and plants. Exposure can occur from both inhalation (breathing) and skin contact. Asthma symptoms may start at work or within several hours after leaving work and may occur with no clear pattern. People who never had asthma can develop asthma due to workplace exposures. People who have had asthma for years may find that their condition worsens due to workplace exposures. Both of these situations are considered work-related asthma.

A group of chemicals called isocyanates are one of the most common chemical causes of work-related asthma. OSHA is working to reduce exposures to isocyanates and has identified their use in numerous workplaces. See table below for common products (both at home and work) and common jobs where exposure to isocyanates may occur.

Common Products • Polyurethane foam • Paints, lacquers, ink, varnishes, sealants, finishes • Insulation materials • Polyurethane rubber • Glues and adhesives Common Jobs and Job Processes • Car manufacture and repair • Building construction (plaster, insulation) • Foam blowing and cutting • Painting • Truck bed liner application • Foundry work (casting) • Textile, rubber & plastic manufacturing • Printing • Furniture manufacturing • Electric cable insulation Why You Should Care About WorkRelated Asthma Work-related asthma may result in longterm lung damage, loss of work days, disability, or even death. The good news is

that early diagnosis and treatment of work-related asthma can lead to a better health outcome.

What To Do If You Think You Have WorkRelated Asthma If you think that you may have work-related asthma, see your doctor as soon as possible. Take a copy of the safety data sheet for the product you suspect of causing the asthma with you to your doctor.

Work-Related Asthma Quick Facts • Work-related asthma can develop over ANY period of time (days to years).

• Work-related asthma may occur with changes in work exposures, jobs, or processes.

• It is possible to develop work-related asthma even if your workplace has protective equipment, such as exhaust ventilation or respirators.

• Work-related asthma can continue to cause symptoms even when the exposure stops.

• Before working with isocyanates or any other asthma-causing substances, ask your employer for training, as required under OSHA’s Hazard Communication standard.

For more information on isocyanates, visit OSHA’s web page: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/isocyanates/ index.html natarajan.joann@dol.gov 512-374-0271 x232

Craftsman brings home the gold

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t the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) 29th annual National Craft Championships, a South Texas Chapter member took home the prize at the top of the winners list. Juan Palafox, Joeris General Contractors, won the 2016 gold medal in the carpentry division.

At the national competition, held Mar. 4 in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Palafox, a fourth year apprentice, competed against six others in the Carpentry: Residential/ Commercial division and was awarded first place.

The South Texas Chapter has participated in the carpentry division of the championship since 1998, and past competitors from the chapter have placed with silver and bronze medals in various construction trades. Palafox has the distinction of being the first local participant to achieve a gold medal.

“I never imagined winning a gold medal,” says Palafox, who says that he framed the medal and it is hanging in his living room. “I went to the competition for an opportunity to show my skills as a carpenter.”

On the experience of winning, he recalls, “At first, I was really nervous when they were calling out the names of the winners, and when I heard my name, I felt like everything went silent. I had an amazing feeling. I feel so proud of myself.”

More than 200 craft professionals representing 35 states competed in the National Craft Championship, which was held in conjunction with the ABC National Workforce Conference.

The two-day competition includes

Juan Palafox, who is in his fourth year of ABC’s apprenticeship program, made history for the South Texas Chapter at the National Craft Championships.

an intense two-hour written exam and a hands-on practical performance test where the competitors demonstrate their skills and best safety practices. This demonstration for carpentry consists of completing a small house using blueprints given to them at the start of the competition. With no time to preview or prepare, the competitors had to complete the build that included stairs, crown molding, baseboards and rafters.

“We are very proud of Juan bringing the gold medal home to San Antonio!” says Steven Schultz, president of the South Texas Chapter. “Juan’s accomplishment reflects highly on his employer, Joeris General Contractors, and our apprenticeship program! Way to go, Juan!” –mh

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San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

Spice masters

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he Associated General Contractors (AGC) San Antonio Chapter held its 13th annual Salsa Taste-Off at Architectural Division 8. With live music, a photo booth and refreshments, guests sampled all the salsa they could eat out of 29 entries. –mh

1st Place: Construction Leadership Forum (CLF)

San Antonio Masonry & Tool Supply

3rd Place and Showmanship Award: Baker Triangle

Allen & Allen Company Turner Construction

2nd Place: Architectural Division 8

MK Marlow Company

Terracon

Left: NAWIC

Watson Nunnelly

People’s Choice: Alterman, Inc.

A gallery of sustainability

Photos displayed at Rosella Coffee for the Images of Sustainability exhibit were selected for their portrayals of San Antonio’s sustainability concerns and artistic quality.

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he American Institute of Architects (AIA) San Antonio Chapter’s Committee on the Environment (COTE) hosted the opening of its Images of Sustainability Photography Exhibition Mar. 4 at Rosella Coffee for members and the public. –mh

Left: Stephen Brady Dietert, an architect with Overland Partners, took to the mic at the Rosella Coffee during the photography exhibition opening.

San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

Page 13

Meant to rent

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The Schertz branch of We Rent It opened in 2014.

riginally owned and operated as Allied Equipment Rentals, We Rent It (WRI) began in Bryan, TX when then-owner Charles Mancuso acquired that Allied location in 2001. For nine years, WRI operated under the management of Allen Housley until it was acquired by Cobra Equipment Rentals in 2010. The WRI name, Housley, and the entire family of WRI employees were retained. Housley is head of operations for all stores. Grant Dillon is district manager.

“We Rent It strives to provide the best customer service for any project one may need to accomplish,” says Hal Hawkins, director of marketing. “We Rent It ensures the best products are available to rent and purchase and quick and reliable responses are made to any service needs.”

WRI opened a new store in 2012 in Pleasanton, added three new stores in 2013 by acquiring Derrick Equipment

Rental’s locations and assets in Caldwell, Bastrop, and Elgin, and expanded to two more stores in 2014, acquiring Longhorn Equipment Company’s assets and locations in Buda and Schertz.

According to Hawkins, the stores and employees sponsor a cook-off competition, as well as baseball teams, fairs and rodeos in the specific locations.

In Schertz, Clint Mackerer has been with WRI as branch manager since the location opened in 2014. There are 12 employees and Mackerer says personal relationships are what he strives for with customers.

“I believe if we take care of our customers, they will take care of us,” he says.

“We take care of their needs as if they were our own.”

Working at WRI has been great, he said.

“I definitely plan on retiring with the company,” he says. “I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.” –cw

Getting connected

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The ACI Cabling team in the company’s San Antonio office has grown to approximately 24 people.

hough ACI Cabling opened its office in San Antonio about eight years ago while doing work for one of its clients, the company has grown in the San Antonio market as it gained more projects and clients.

“The office has probably more than quadrupled in size since it originally opened and we gained a number of other large accounts in the San Antonio market,” says Liz Sinnett, business development associate for the San Antonio office, which is run by its operations manager, James McNeil.

The company has three divisions: telecommunications, which deals with voice and data fiber; security access control; and audio visual. Each division is broken into two crews, service calls and ground up construction installation.

The Methodist Hospital System is the client that brought ACI to San Antonio, and the company maintains their systems. ACI also maintains all the fiber for Natural Bridge Caverns.

Sinnett points out that the company has assembled its crews with relevant background and training. In the security department, ACI has retired police officers who have a unique mindset in doing security analysis. ACI also has a number of engineers on staff for the design aspect of the systems.

She adds that they have all the required industry certifications, including RCDD (Registered Communications Distribution Designer). ACI takes this certification a step further and also trains for these courses. This means they can train the internal staff of large companies to

install, maintain and repair the systems and cabling ACI sells.

ACI Cabling is the cabling arm of Advanced Connections Inc., a technology company. The company does structured cabling and security, offering service, installation and maintenance. –mh

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Terracon acquires BES

erracon recently announced it has acquired Building Exterior Solutions LLC (BES) of Texas.

Terracon is a provider of environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials engineering services with many locations throughout Texas.

Terracon will retain BES’ 20-plus employees and offices in Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio areas.

Founded in 2008, with the experience of professionals from architectural, engineering, and construction industries, BES provides investigation, evaluation, and construction solutions for exterior building systems. BES’ experience resolving existing building enclosure problems and developing new integrated building enclosure designs reinforces Terracon’s facilities capabilities and strengthens the firm’s ability to service clients across the country.

“BES adds significant bench strength to our building enclosure practice and we are excited to have them join Terracon’s Facilities Division,” said David Gaboury, PE, president and CEO of Terracon. “The depth of their expertise allows us to further demonstrate our commitment to bringing even greater value to our clients.”

The BES staff includes licensed engineers and certified roof and waterproofing consultants who provide design for new facilities or rehabilitation of existing building enclosures that exhibit distress, deterioration, and air and/or water infiltration. BES clients include owners, developers, architects, contractors, and organizations such as Kirksey, Memorial Hermann, Lincoln Properties, and Gensler.

BES operates as Building Exterior Solutions, A Terracon Company, as of the Jan. 31 closing.

David Gaboury

“Terracon is well-known in the marketplace and gives BES clients the benefit of an expanded network of resources and capabilities,” said Jerry Abendroth, BES president. “The facilities services capabilities of our firms align perfectly, enhancing our ability to serve clients across the country.”

The acquisition strengthens Terracon’s Texas presence as BES joins a network of more than a dozen offices in the state. Engineering News-Record ranks Terracon as the third largest General Building design firm in Texas and Louisiana, and 11th on the Top Texas Design Firms list.

Terracon is an employee-owned engineering consulting firm with more than 3,500 employees providing environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services from more than 150 offices in 42 states. Terracon currently ranks 35th on Engineering News-Record’s list of Top 500 Design Firms. –cw

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San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

Electric energy

Texas-sized acquisitions

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ith two acquisitions, Stantec has doubled its size in Texas. The North American design firm acquired both the Infrastructure Americas Division of KBR last December and multidisciplinary firm Bury Inc. in March.

With Texas offices in Dallas, Austin and Houston as well as an office in Alabama, Infrastructure Americas has added 180 professionals (120 which are in Texas) with transportation, water/wastewater and aviation project experience to the Stantec team. The acquisition of the division will strengthen Stantec’s presence in Texas and enhance its infrastructure design capabilities in the Gulf region.

Austin-based Bury Inc. boasts 300-employees in offices in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, as well as locations in Arizona and Florida. The firm, which has been in business for more than 30 years, offers infrastructure and buildings design services to private and public sector clients. Bury Inc. focuses on civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing design and structural engineering, as well as surveying, land planning and landscape architecture.

The Bury acquisition will help Stantec gain a foothold in the transportation, water and architectural markets, as well as contribute to staff growth. Stantec plans to benefit from Bury’s wealth of experience in community development, as well as the experience of Bury’s staff.

Bury officially becomes “Stantec” in September, but will be referenced as “Bury, now Stantec” in the interim, and will continue to operate in Bury’s current offices.

Fermin A. Diaz, Stantec’s Regional Gulf Leader, believes both acquisitions promise to be a good fit for Stantec.

Stantec’s Regional Gulf Leader Fermin A. Diaz

“The asset purchase in December 2015 of KBR’s Infrastructure Americas Division, coupled with the recent Bury Inc. acquisition, reflects Stantec’s commitment to provide a comprehensive and diverse level of services to meet the challenges and needs of our clients,” Diaz says. “Both firms complement Stantec’s philosophy to ‘design with community in mind.’ The addition of this talent to our current Texas team provides us the opportunity to expand multi-disciplined services and offer a full suite of professional services from local, trusted partners.”

Stantec offers professional consulting in planning, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, surveying, environmental sciences, project management and project economics. –mjm

The newest location includes, front, L-R: Jesse Alejandro, Mike Huff, Mary Jane Neaves and Jackie Trevino; back, L-R: Chris Babcock, Todd Persyn, Massey Brand and Mike Morin.

Not pictured: Scott George and Esrael Cantu

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he Reynolds Company, an electrical wholesaler distributor, was founded in 1984 in Ft. Worth. Walt Reynolds and Donald Reynolds Jr. are now the president/CEO and COO, respectively.

The company, still headquartered in Ft. Worth, has 18 locations in Texas and Louisiana, with the newest location in Selma, serving the San Antonio area.

Massey Brand, regional manager for Central Texas, says customer service is a top priority.

“Our idea is to truly value the overall customer experience,” he says. “We want our customers to enjoy doing business with us. We are a customer-focused company.”

Brand says the company’s goal is to be the premier distributor in Texas and Louisiana, and that begins with topnotch staff.

“We believe in hiring experts in our field,” he says. “We have an outstanding culture. We want our employees to come

to work and enjoy their jobs – and to make progress. We understand our most important asset is our people.”

The company believes in promoting from within and has an internal training program, as well as an intern program.

Brand says the company takes part in several charity endeavors, including the American Heart Association Heart Walk, the Juvenile Diabetes Fund and various trade associations.

“We understand we have a responsibility to the community and we take that very seriously,” he added.

Brand says when he started in 1995, the company was only in the DFW market, but over the last 20 years he has watched the company grow into a major regional distributor.

“It speaks volumes to the type of owners we have,” he says. “It’s family owned with family values.”

The Selma location opened in late 2010 and employs a staff of 10. –cw

San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

Page 15

and set of a new moon is invisible anyway, and overcast weather often hides the moon. Without prior knowledge of setting and rising times, two of the best fishing times will be missed every day!

Other Considerations

When planning your fishing by moon phase, there are certain other factors that should also be considered. Weath e r : Severe weather changes have an impact on the way fish feed. When a storm’s brewing, or just after one has passed, is a good time. If this happens while you’re in place, you’ll be in for a treat! However, if there’s a cold front approaching, the fish are likely to move deeper into the water and become inactive.

Using the moon to your advantage

by Capt. Steve Schultz Sponsored by: Waypoint Marine, Majek Boats, Evinrude Outboards, E-Z Bel Construction, Power Pole Shallow Water Anchor, Aggregate Haulers, ­­­ForEverlast Hunting and Fishing Products MirrOlure, and Columbia Sportswear

E

very fisherman knows that the best fishing times are when the fish are feeding. This tends to be during dawn and dusk, but what often goes unnoticed are the two periods elsewhere in the day - moonrise and moonset. Because the moon has an effect on a variety of factors surrounding the fish, these periods, combined with the moon’s phase, are what trigger feeding. By understanding this, and choosing times when sunrise/sunset and moonrise/moonset coin-

K

Got a chance to bring my son Carson on a charter with Mike Kaiman and his daughter Kelsey.

Here are the kids with a couple of Baffin Bay redfish that were caught during the break.

cide with new or full moon phases, you’ll increase you chance of a good fishing catch. Assuming there are fish in the area, of course.

Choosing The Best Fishing Times There really is nothing complicated about this at all; it’s just a matter of knowing ahead of time exactly when the sun and moon will rise and set. Fish are most active during 90-minute windows surrounding each of these four daily events; that’s 45 minutes before and after these four daily points.

Fishing during these four periods will

For the birds

risti Villanuena, HJD Capital Electric, went on a bird hunt at Serengeti Game Ranch Mar. 6. She went to check it out after her husband, Ronnie Villanueva, discovered the Hill Country ranch on a weekend hunt excursion a few weeks prior. She says that her family now plans to make hunting at this location an annual trip to the Hill Country. –mh

Villanueva scored five rooster pheasant, one pheasant hen and four Chukar on her recent hunting trip.

Ike, a pointer who is very committed to his job at Serengeti Game Ranch in Comfort, goes for a dip.

help increase your fishing catch, but if you plan wisely so as to ensure you’re at the water’s edge on the days of new or full moon, you can use these ‘windows’ to reel in a catch like you’ve never done before. If you have to choose between sunrise/set and moonrise/set, always go with the moon as the moon is the stronger influence.

Hunters have always known that fish and game are most active at dawn and dusk - sunrise and sunset - but their activity surrounding moonrise and moonset is less noticeable because these events are likely to occur without a­ f fecting any change in the perceived light. The rise

Season: Most fish are more likely to bite willingly during seasonal transitions with the transition from winter to spring and summer to fall being the two best fishing times.

Now that you know that moon phase fishing really works, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t utilize this knowledge to increase your own fishing catch by being at the ready with your rod during the best fishing times available. It’s easy and it works!

My summer schedule is filling quick.

Don’t wait till all the good dates are gone!

To schedule your next bay fishing trip give Capt. Steve Schultz a call at 361-8133716 or 361-334-3105 or e-mail him at SteveSchultzOutdoors @ gmail.com.

Good luck and Good Fishing.

Page 16

San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

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

Liquid Resurrection!

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just saw a sweet sight. Three generations of my neighbors just slipped down to the boat dock to wet a hook and see if they could catch a mess of crappie. Now you might think that would be a routine thing if you weren’t from around here. The amazing thing is that the kids of the group are just getting acquainted with the lake because it has been dry for most if not all their lives. It’s like that old West Texas joke about drought that says a three year old kid would think the sky was falling if it rained because it never had in his life time.

After being over 34 feet low at its worst the level of Lake Buchanan has risen to just a little over 4 feet low! It has taken several rises on the Colorado River since July of last year to get the water back, but it is finally here!

Years of drought left thousands of acres of lake bottom dry and exposed to the sun. The rich silt grew all kinds of heavy brush and trees. Now all of that structure is mostly hidden beneath the waves again and the fish have already moved in, just in time to spawn and raise their young. Buchanan is poised to become a destination fishing lake once again!

All around the lake the lights are coming on as people come back to enjoy their lake houses and rediscover their favorite resorts and fishing camps. We are hearing not only from fishermen that had been displaced by this drought, but from long lost friends and customers from up to 30 years ago. Everyone seems to just want to check in on the return of the water and recapture the good times they’ve had here and we are happy to welcome them. We can’t seem to stop looking at the lake either!

I can’t explain how good it is to hear soft conversation on the cabin porches over coffee, and smell bacon sizzling as the sun comes up, children playing on

the beach with splashing dogs and fishing boats idling in and out of the docks in the cool morning air or the scent of fish and taters frying as the sun goes down.

It is so nice to have everyone around again. It was too quiet for a long time around here.

Already we have plenty of bait fish that have moved back in. For the first time in several years the white bass have been able to make it all the way up to the head of the lake at Colorado Bend State Park for their spawning run. Stripers and hybrids are back to their old spring migration patterns like nothing ever happened. Largemouth bass are starting to find themselves good spots to nest and the crappie are loving all the brush to hide in. Everything seems to be settling back into place.

I know this same scenario is being played out all over the state with the other lakes that are returning. We are in for a fine fishing season this year. Don’t miss out on going back to the waterfront; after all we have learned just how precious our water is and how quick it can be gone.

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

San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

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uns have been a debated topic for as long as I can remember. It seems you are either for them or against them and not much is in between. The fastest growing group of handgun shooters appears to be females between 30 and 60 years old.

We wanted to find the reason for this dramatic increase so we headed up to Ballistic Therapy LLC just outside of Boerne for some answers.

Sandy and Wes Barnett opened the facility in August 2015, but are not newcomers to the industry. The facility includes an indoor range, gun shop and a classroom for License to Carry and other training.

“We first went through the process to receive our FFL (Federal Firearms License) and started selling firearms. Ladies would buy a firearm and didn’t know anything about it and that led to training,” said Sandy. “About four to five years ago we started thinking about our own shop. I really enjoy training women. This range became vacant so we met up with a partner and took it over.”

How did she get started shooting, I asked. Her big smile and quick response was that daddy had no boys so he turned his three girls into tomboys. She is the oldest and started shooting at 9.

I turned the focus of my questions to the driving force behind the increase in women learning to shoot and carry a firearm for protection.

“In the last five years, it has really gone up. I think it’s the world we live in now. That’s what I hear from a lot of ladies. They don’t want to have to rely on their boyfriend or husband. They want to feel protected when they are in or out of their home. Forty percent of our business is women,” continued Sandy.

Wes explained that formal training appeals to people, as well.

“Husbands are also bringing their spouses in to have them trained as opposed to training them themselves,” he said. “Also, after the wives learn to shoot they can come in together. Shooting as a sport has drawn countless numbers of women.”

Women who walk in the range may be uncertain, Sandy says.

“Probably one half the ladies that walk in this door are somewhat afraid of a gun,” she said. “It’s the unknown. They

Page 17

Protect yourself but be safe

Receiving formal training before picking up this new skill is a good idea.

L-R: Dana Calonge, and Sandy and Wes Barnett, owners of Ballistic Therapy LLC.

Beginner’s luck? Not according to Wes Barnett, who say women are more focused when learning to shoot.

don’t know what to expect or if they will even want to shoot. They also worry about if they will shoot well.”

Is it better for a lady to be trained by a male or female, was my next question

and how does she get a new shooter over that initial fear? Also, what is the difference between the sexes when it comes to learning about guns and safety?

“They come in and say I want to

learn from a female because I feel more comfortable. I work with them one on one using a nice easy approach. Safety is first hands down. It’s the first thing I start with and no matter what we are talking about, we go back to safety. Over and over again, we talk about safety,” stated Sandy. “They come in and are usually a little nervous. After we go though the steps and some training sessions they are more comfortable and their confidence is building. Confidence plays a big part.”

According to Wes, women have different strengths than men.

“Women seem to multitask a little better than men do,” says Wes. “They seem to follow the process better when they step into the lane. They do the same thing in sequence all the time. They are very deliberate in what they are doing.

Guys don’t necessarily do that.”

Sandy says she has a specific plan in place for training women shooters.

“There is a strategy in the training,” said Sandy. “When I get them in here we take it step by step by step. Women will spend more time in the class than the males hands down. They ask more questions. They want to know and make sure they get it right.

“Also we go through the process even before we go into the range so I am comfortable they know how to dry fire, stance, hand placement and all of that.”

I brought Dana Calonge, our new Construction News account manager, to the interview since she had shown interest in learning more about guns. She had never shot a handgun so a first training session seemed like a good idea.

Sandy began going through the basics with Dana and I could tell very quickly that safety is the number one topic in this classroom, along with lots and lots of basics. After this phase was complete we headed to the range and, here again, the first thing out of Sandy’s mouth was safety rules.

It was interesting to watch Dana and her initial apprehension about what she was about to do. She was carefully guided step by step. Load one round of 22 long rifle into the pistol. Assume the proper stance, proper grip, proper aim and gently squeeze the trigger.

After that first shot, she said, “I wasn’t aiming there.” continued on Page 29

Sights from Spain and beyond

Sireno (left center) and the hunters with the haul from their red-legged partridge hunt In February, Michael Sireno and his wife, Kari, who traveled through Spain and nearby parts of Europe, stand outside the Capital grounds in Madrid.

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hile in Spain for a red-legged partridge hunt at La Flamenca Ranch just outside Madrid, Michael Sireno, president of Baker Triangle in San Anto-

The prince’s castle in Liechtenstein

nio, and his wife, Kari, did some sightseeing in Madrid, Barcelona, Liechtenstein and Zurich. –mh

Sagrada Familia Basilica, designed by architect Antoni Gaudi, in Barcelona

Sireno (third left) on Lake Zurich in Switzerland

Page 18

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he Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors (PHCC) San Antonio Chapter held the Fleet & Accessory Showcase Mar. 10 at Freeman Coliseum. Drawing more than 200 attendees, the event offered owners and managers of contracting companies the opportunity to visit with truck and fleet vehicle dealers as well as vendors for fleet accessories and services.

"It was a really good show,” says Jimmy Shafer, Shafer Services and showcase committee chairperson. “That is because we had a great team that worked hard on planning. Heidi [Trimble], as usual, was the mainstay. We also had understanding and supportive vendors, and the Freeman Coliseum reps were easy to work with. We had a receptive group of contractors that were open-minded enough to realize there is more to learn in the fleet world." –mh

San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

Meeting new fleet options

Ancira Truck Center

Members of the committee greeted attendees of the PHCC Fleet & Accessory Showcase.

L-R: Lisa Casarez, Emergency Service Restoration; Cody Foust, Leasing Associates; Perry Beyer, Beyer Plumbing; Maurice Fox, O’Haver Plumbing; Lisa Mochel, eESI; Kylie Ortiz, Plumbers Choice Water; Sheila Haecker, National Wholesale; Sandy Grabill, PHCC

L-R: Brad, Don and Curtis Harrell, Harrell Plumbing, spent some time at the show.

L-R: George Saliba, George Plumbing; Randy Hunter, REC Industries; Gary Haecker, National Wholesale Lone Star Reprographics

Jimmy Shafer, Shafer Services and showcase committee chairperson, with mariachi band

Submitted to Construction News

Wilborn’s weekend at the ranch

Ernest Wilborn, owner of Wilborn Steel Co., took the men hunting for their annual weekend outing. Wilborn says they have always enjoyed getting away for that one weekend, hunting, sitting by the fire, and relaxing. On this year’s trip, they harvested 10-point buck, Aoudad ram, axis does and whitetail does. –mh

San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

Page 19

Construction News JOB SIGHT

Industry FOLKS

The power of the sun

Brandon Bendele Regional Manager for the Building Sciences Group Braun Intertec

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n October of last year, Brandon Bendele joined Braun Intertec to develop building sciences for the San Antonio office.

“I’m very excited to be here at Braun,” says Bendele, noting that the goal is to build up the building sciences group to be strong and steady and also to complement the firm’s other service lines, such as materials testing, geotechnical and environmental services, and non-destructive testing.

“We’ve got a really good start already,” Bendele says. “We’ve made some key hires, and we’re having really good success right now. Our goals for this year are really to have people in place in the Houston and Dallas markets so we can continue with the success that we’ve implemented here for the San Antonio and Austin area.”

Bendele started in the engineering industry as a roofing technician with PSI in 2004. In 2006, he joined Terracon Consultants as a project manager for the facilities division and rising to department manager, built up the facilities group there.

Having expanded the facilities to full building envelope consulting at Terracon, he then made the move to Braun Intertec to help develop the firm’s building science region here in Texas.

Born and raised in San Antonio, Bendele graduated from John Jay High School, going on to attend San Antonio

College and UTSA. He was going into the engineering program when auto racing began calling to him.

“My dad raced drag cars, and he raced at the local track here in San Antonio, San Antonio Speedway,” he explains. “So I grew up in that. I started racing go-karts when I was 14 years old and then graduated to stock cars and have raced pretty much for over 20 years.

“I won a couple of championships here in San Antonio and on the regional level with NASCAR. I started racing around the southeast part of the country. I moved up to North Carolina in 2000 to try to really make a go at it, and I didn’t have all the necessary resources away from home that I needed to make it in that career path. So I had to explore some other opportunities. And I always liked the engineering side of the racecars, understanding angles and how the car and components work together to make the car handle better.”

Though he might do a race every once in a while, today at 40, he stays busy with work and family. He and his wife, Kami, have a 9-year-old daughter, Karsyn, and a 5-year-old son, Brody. –mh

A natural expansion

At a home on the northside of town, crewmembers of Solar Electric Texas finish up installing panels and completing the wiring for the company’s first solar panel installation project in San Antonio. L-R: Adrian Barbosa; Ruben DeAnda, crew lead; Joseph Raymond; Wayo Talavera and Miguel Gonzalez. –mh

Construction News ON LOCATION

Inside slabs

David Rymer, owner of Delta Granite and Marble, shows the newest warehouse that he had built a couple of years ago to house calcium carbonate-based materials, including limestone, marble and onyx. With the market leaning more toward marble in recent years, Delta now has more marble slabs than granite slabs. –mh

Construction News JOB SIGHT

Getting Vertical

Austin-based Clayton & Little has expanded with its first branch office right here in the Alamo City. L-R: Nicole Corwin, Derek Klepac, Cam Greenlee, Emily Little, Brian Korte, Paul Clayton, Jonathan Card and Marc Toppel

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ith the acquisition of Urbanist Design, Clayton & Little Architects has expanded to San Antonio. The downtown office in the Green Gate building, 429 North St. Mary’s, opened Jan. 1 with Urbanist’s founder Jonathan Card managing the local operations and serving as the firm’s director of design.

Card describes the connection and transition as being very natural. As the Austin-based firm started picking up work in the Alamo City, Clayton & Little and Card’s San Antonio-based firm, Urbanist Design, ended up working together on several projects. Through this interaction, they saw many similarities between the two firms, which made the transition seamless.

“It’s pretty cool,” says Card. “Because if you didn’t know our work or Clayton & Little’s work before we joined together, now you look at our website and see all of our work put together, and you really can’t distinguish between the two.”

Card’s team went from two staff

members to an extended staff of nearly 30 with six people in the San Antonio office, which was renovated to accommodate up to 20 employees.

The location has also been a natural fit for Card and the San Antonio team with Clayton & Little situated in the hub of the city, leading to business opportunities that emerge organically from meeting other professionals in the area.

Card also brings connections from his eight years as Urbanist to the firm.

Currently, Clayton & Little is working on existing properties downtown, remodeling garages and office space, and doing early conceptual planning for new development downtown and along the Broadway corridor.

Founded in 2001 when Paul Clayton and Emily Little expanded Little’s 18-yearold firm, Clayton & Little is a general practice architecture firm, doing everything from residential remodels to master planning, including office, hospitality, additions, and new residential. –mh

L-R: Tito Contreras and Adolfo Rico, Paez Construction, were framing the walls for the Dumpster enclosure at the new 7-Eleven at Vance Jackson and 410. Paez is also doing all the framing, sheet rock, wall panels, ceiling and ceiling grid on the job for general contractor Vertical Construction Management. David Noah is the superintendent, and Dave Dombrowski and Darren Lewis are the project managers. –mh

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San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

Inspiration sweeps through the construction community

round 30 local construction companies donated $400,000 in construction services, including labor and materials, for a five-day construction blitz to help build the first-ever ultra-accessible water park, Morgan’s Inspiration Island, right here in the Alamo City.

Volunteer contractors from across the San Antonio area came together to work on the expansion to Morgan’s Wonderland, the first theme park designed for special needs individuals but built to be inclusive of everyone. The blitz build included five new pump houses, a restroom, and a new main building with the signature lighthouse feature.

Chosen as the Associated General Contractors (AGC) Charities’ Operation Opening Doors annual project, work on Morgan’s Inspiration Island began Mar. 7 and ran through the conclusion of the AGC National Convention, which was held in San Antonio Mar. 9-11. Linbeck Group and the AGC San Antonio Chapter organized the build and its volunteers.

“This is a large service project in which there are many dedicated companies and talented individuals coming together to make it happen,” says Patrick Byrnes, senior cost analyst at Linbeck

L-R: Michael Sireno and Keith Dimmick, Baker Triangle, and Patrick Byrnes, Linbeck Group, were excited to contribute to the project.

Galaxy Builders is one of the local construction companies that volunteered time, skill and materials to the five-day construction blitz.

Members of the Sunstate Equipment Co. team stand by an artist’s rendering of Morgan’s Inspiration Island, the first-ever ultra-accessible water park.

and a director of AGC San Antonio. “When the construction industry can come together for such a project, it shows that construction is not just about building buildings, it is about building lives and building a stronger local identity.

“There is a community of kids and adults that deserve a place where they can have experiences they otherwise would not. Morgan’s Wonderland is unique to the world. We are truly thrilled to see the community of contractors come together to help make Gordon [Hartman]’s vision a reality.”

While Linbeck offered management personnel and safety individuals on site, Baker Triangle had men building the walls for the pump houses, which were prefabricated at Baker’s warehouse.

“We (Baker Triangle) believe that we need to make a positive impact in the communities that we work in,” comments Michael Sireno, president of Baker Triangle San Antonio. “We are making a difference in the lives of many people that would not have the opportunity to expe-

rience a water park, not only in our community, but across the United States and the rest of the world. If this does not inspire you, I do not know what will!”

Baker’s effort certainly inspired Baldo Guardiola, one of the company’s general superintendents, to volunteer on the project.

“This is a special place in the community for children that have special needs,” explains Guardiola. “I do have nieces and nephews that have those special needs, also as a community member in San Antonio, and they come out here. So for me, it’s a way to give back to the community and help the team.”

Meanwhile, a team of about a dozen employees from Galaxy Builders worked on the roof trusses, the roof sheathing, the siding and the trim for all of the pump houses, the restrooms and the main building. The company provided all the siding and trim as well as the windows and though they did not provide the trusses or sheathing, the Galaxy team did the labor on those, too.

“It’s such a great cause,” says Greg Cislo, project manager for Galaxy. “You don’t have another facility like this in the country, and we’re blessed to have something like this in San Antonio, and for

Baldo Guardiola (center) and the Baker Triangle team worked to put walls up in several buildings at the future site of Morgan’s Inspiration Island.

them to be able to expand this and bring more joy to the kids, it’s really great. And something like this can’t happen without volunteers. There isn’t money. It’s not state funded. It’s people funded. So, we want to be one of those people.”

In the most ambitious project AGC Charities has taken on – this is their eighth for Operation Opening Doors – there were many people who also wanted to get involved in this unprecedented volunteer effort.

Blaine Beckman, a project manager for F.A. Nunnelly Co., was on site and noted that the general contractor was excited to be a part of the effort and got several of their subcontractors involved as well.

Marek Brothers Systems had several people on site helping with the framing of the exterior walls on the main building entrance. Sunstate Equipment Co. donated all of the construction equipment for the project, an estimated $28,000 worth.

Dana Marsh, education director for AGC San Antonio, got about a dozen of the students in the chapter’s YouthBuild program helping out on site as well.

Other industry companies that participated in the blitz build effort include Allegiance Crane, Alterman Inc., Architectural Division 8, Beldon Roofing, Commercial Hardware, Guido Materials, Joeris General Contractors, Martin Marietta Materials, MBCI, RSG, Safety Supply, Sherwin Williams, Southwest Exteriors, Texas Air Products and Turner Roofing.

The philanthropist behind the creation of Morgan’s Wonderland, Gordon Hartman, says “What the Associated General Contractors are doing here will allow us to do so much more than what we originally anticipated here, because the donations have been far exceeding anything that we had planned.”

Hartman notes that Morgan’s Wonderland, which opened in 2010, has continued to experience increasing numbers of people coming to the park. The Inspiration Island addition, which is scheduled to open in spring 2017, will include five new water play areas and a riverboat ride. –mh

Construction News ON LOCATION

Keeping busy at BCE

L-R: Craig Kasper, project manager/engineer, and Fernando Molina, engineering tech, stand outside the headquarters for Briones Consulting & Engineering (BCE) on Broadway. The firm is currently working on land development projects in San Antonio and construction management and inspection projects in Houston. –mh

San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

Page 21

Celebrating a woman’s place in the industry

A group of NAWIC members toured the Hotel Emma during WIC Week. L-R: (front row) Michelle Urbanczyk; Jennifer Tobias; Debra Ruiz; Riki Lovejoy, NAWIC national president; (back row) Hanna; Alyssa Fitz; Patty Wylie; Angela Hines; Linda Shapiro; Dawn Holmes; and Lovejoy’s husband, Wayne Blaylock

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Jennifer McElroy decorates her hard hat at the WIC Week Wine Down & Design event.

he National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Antonio Chapter celebrated Women in Construction (WIC) Week Mar. 6-12 with several events that put women in the forefront of education and fun in the industry.

The Industry Awards Night was held Mar. 2 at Petroleum Club just ahead of the WIC Week kick off. Highlights included Wednesday’s Industry Certification and Education Lien Law Luncheon, Thursday’s Career Day at the Construction Careers Academy (CCA), Friday’s Golf Tournament at the Silverhorn Golf Club, and Saturday’s Wine Down & Design at Stray Grape.

“The San Antonio Chapter had a remarkable WIC Week this year,” says Michelle Urbanczyk, San Antonio Chapter

1st Place Women’s – L-R: Maggie Seay, Dawn Vernon, Laurie Montgomery, Eva Ramirez Photo by Mary C. Haskin Photography

NAWIC members Wine Down & Design for the hard hat decorating for safety contest.

president. “A big shout out to Gretel Lott, membership chair; Elizabeth Connally, P&E chair; and Patty Wylie, San Antonio vice president and golf chair, for bringing everything together, and thank you to all the members who helped to pull it together.

“We had hot, cold, windy and rainy days, yet as in San Antonio style, rain or shine, there was great attendance. Thank you to all who participated and showed WIC Week the support it deserved.” –mh Golf Tournament Winners Women’s Longest Drive: Kelsey Turner Men’s Longest Drive: Chris Puig Women’s Closest to Pin: Rachel Townsend Men’s Closest to Pin: Mark Odenthal Putting Contest: Buddy Howard

1st Place Mixed – L-R: Bill Baldwin, Rick Valadez, Billy Baldwin, Kelsey Turner Photo by Mary C. Haskin Photography

www.constructionnews.net publishing the industry’s news

Correction Last month, in the article on the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Casino Night, Jon Randolph, Baker Triangle, was mistakenly identified as “on Randolph.” Construction News regrets the error.

Also, San Antonio editor Mary Hazlett suggests that you ask Randolph about his hot-air balloon trip the next time you see him. –mh

If you have Fiesta photos, send them in for the May issue.

SAeditor@constructionnews.net or call Mary Hazlett at 210-308-5800

Ted Dunnam, VP, ESC Consultants, received an Industry Appreciation Award for his support of NAWIC, its members and other industry associations at NAWIC’s Industry Awards Night.

1st Place Men’s – L-R: Frank Rihn, Ron Richard, Todd Meuth, Jay Patterson Photo by Mary C. Haskin Photography

Texas Style

    

San Antonio Austin South Texas Houston South Texas

Page 22

San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

Can’t rain on this chili parade

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he Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) South Texas Chapter hosted its annual Chili Cook-Off Mar. 10 at the parking lot adjacent to its office. Despite being held on what turned out to be a particularly rainy day, more than 200 people attended the event and made it the most successful chili cook-off to date. This year, the chapter also incorporated voting via its Facebook page into awarding the People’s Choice category.

–mh

People’s Choice Award – W.G. Yates

2nd Place – Beck Companies

Lone Star Paving came to the cook-off with the Snoopy Cook Shack the company won in the Construct A Kid’s Christmas Gala raffle.

3rd Place – Terracon

L&M Steel 1st Place – D. Wilson Construction

SpawGlass Galaxy Builders

South Texas Drywall & Construction

MK Marlow Company

Koontz Corporation

Comfort-Air Engineering

HOWELL CRANE & RIGGING, INC.

AUDIE HOWELL President

PHONE (210) 661-8285 FAX (210) 661-7683 MOBILE (210) 862-5301 1-800-438-9814 HOME (210) 649-3726 email: Audie@HowellCrane.net 24-HOUR SERVICE CRANES 15 TO 500 TON P.O. BOX 200576 SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78220

San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

Page 23

Setting examples for excellence

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he American Subcontractors Association (ASA) San Antonio Chapter hosted its 21st annual Excellence in Construction Awards Banquet Mar. 10 at Pearl Stable with Johnson High School’s jazz band providing entertainment during dinner. –mh

Right: President’s Award Scott Wiatrek

Project Superintendent of the Year: John Devaney, SpawGlass

Project Manager of the Year: Randy Deupree, Whiting-Turning Contracting Project of the Year – Under $2.5 Million: Alterman Electric Office Expansion Keller Martin Construction

Project of the Year – $2.5 Million to $5 Million: Bexar County Medical Society R.C. Page Construction

Project of the Year – $5 Million to $10 Million City of Leon Valley Municipal Office, Police Station & Fire Station Bartlett Cocke General Contractors

Project of the Year – $10 Million to $20 Million: Windcrest Elementary Additions Joeris General Contractors

Project of the Year – Over $20 Million: Dollar General Distribution Center Whiting-Turner Contracting

Pioneer Award: Walter Benson Time Insurance Agency

General Contractor of the Year: Whiting-Turner Contracting

Page 24

San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

continued from Page 1 — Kickin’ ash, takin’ names rub to it and cook it on a second pit.

The barbecue restaurant, which is designed to have a real rustic feel, like an old barn, will also offer all the typical sides and fresh beverages, including ice cold beer and a special Marek family favorite, his mother’s famous South Texas Sun Tea.

Winning awards at various cook-offs over the last five years working the pit, Marek will be cooking the barbecue himself. David Musquiz, also of MEMCO, will be helping to man the pit.

Marek notes that they will utilize MEMCO for the wait staff and hire some helpers as the barbecue business picks up steam. For now, the only other helper Marek will have is his clean-up crew – his

dog, Gracie. She will not only be clearing any scraps that ravenous patrons leave behind, but she will also be the official taste tester. With a dog on staff, Marek says that pets are more than welcome.

Having wanted to do this for several years, Marek is excited for his dream to come to fruition after a year of planning and six months of construction. In the future, after aMAREKan is well established, he is also planning to offer catering and hopes to have food trucks that can come to jobsites and enter all the ASA, ABC and AGC BBQ cook-offs.

Opening weekend is Apr. 30 through May 1, and Marek has just one thing to say to everyone about his new enterprise: Gotcha! April Fool’s! –mh

continued from Page 1 — Woman in charge nonprofit entrepreneur center that will help existing small businesses to grow.

In another development at Tejas two years ago, the company added a facilities maintenance division to help meet the same clients’ needs on smaller construction jobs.

The Tejas portfolio includes numerous renovations for the Corps of Engineers at Fort Hood and Camp Stanley, numerous restorations for Joint Base San Antonio, including historical restorations for a WWII hangar and 1930’s base chapel, and the George Gervin Wings of Hope, a multi-family ground up project.

Having started as an accountant for a small architectural firm, Carielo has been in the construction industry for 23 years.

She feels fortunate to work with her husband of 16 years, Oscar Carielo, and they have two sons, Oscar, who is 14, and Hector, 12.

“We have been blessed with growth every year,” says Carielo. “We have continually added more staff to keep up with our clients’ needs. We had to develop an in-house training program that focused on maintaining our standards of quality while motivating the employees to do their best. It’s a proud moment when our clients request to keep working with the same construction teams.”

Tejas Premier Building Contractor is a full-service general contractor specializing in design build, renovations and ground up construction. –mh

continued from Page 1 — Large and licensed senior living

The assisted living dining room at Elan Westpointe has A-frame trusses and a fireplace.

General contractor Reid & Associates built this side of the facility with cold-form and structural steel.

architectural layout to ensure that everything would line up accordingly.

While R&A aimed to deliver a high quality product that has the aesthetics that the architect, owner and interior designer have envisioned, Schumann emphasizes that they maintained the integrity of the life safety features in the building.

“We had to build it structurally sound before we could do anything else,” says Schumann. “Then, we had to start thinking about life safety and making sure that what we put together is going to provide the correct life safety assembly. Next, we had to start thinking about functionability. And finally, we think about what it was going to look like.”

Using a wall as an example, he notes it has to be constructed in the right place with the correct components to be structurally sound. Then, they have to install the correct assemblies into that wall to provide a certain UL rating so that whoever’s behind the wall has time to get to safety. Then, they can focus on function and after that, they can think about what color it will be painted, etc.

Schumann gives a lot of credit to Titan Senior Living’s project manager, Brian Vita. Citing some serious design changes to keep the building within life safety codes, Schumann recalls that Vita hired a third-party life safety consultant and coordinated with the design consultants throughout construction to catch life safety systems and construction conflicts before they became an issue.

This was Schumann’s first senior living project and with the help of project superintendent Jim Tollette, the facility receiving its license was a big victory for R&A and the whole team. With five sur-

veyors inspecting every corner of the building for three days, Schumann says all of the challenges were worthwhile when the facility received the stamp of approval from the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services as a Large Type B with certified Alzheimer’s facility.

“Everybody has a grandparent,” he says. “It becomes a little sentimental, because one of your loved ones could be in one of these communities, and you would hope that whomever built that facility put as much heart and soul into it as you would.”

The design team included D2 Architecture and interior designer Direct Supply Aptura. RLG was the structural engineer. Moeller & Associates was the civil engineer. PE-Services was the MEP engineer. The landscape architect was Weaver Design Studio.

Subcontractors on the job included 4MC Enterprises for the drywall and cold-form framing, Keystone Concrete, Pro Electrical Services, AF Contractors Group as the finish carpenter, MCS (now Argyle Security) for the low-voltage integration, Mills Brothers for the limestone masonry, Hull Door, Firetrol for the building fire alarm system, and RTM Construction Company for the underground utilities.

Reid & Associates has been a commercial/industrial builder for the past 25 years.

R&A and TSL are currently working on four other senior living communities from New Mexico to Florida with many others in the pipeline. TSL is a sister company of Reid & Associates. –mh Photos by Patrick Coulie

125th Anniversary April 14 – 24

San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

Page 25

Women in Construction Living and learning as a woman in construction Hilda Ochoa, Vice President 8A Electric San Antonio, TX

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ike many women in the construction industry, Hilda Ochoa balances several roles in her life. She is a mother, the vice president of 8A Electric, a director of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) San Antonio Chapter, and chair of the AGC’s Construction Leadership Forum (CLF). She’s also on the association’s Education Committee.

“I have to say that I am a mother first and foremost and that will never change,” says Ochoa. “My daughter will always come first.”

She observes that a pivotal key to balancing these roles is having a support system, which includes her father, her mother and other family members. One of the reasons she entered the construction industry was because her position has allowed her to be a mother to Iza, who turns 5 years old this month, while working for her father, the president of 8A.

She adds that friends and colleagues serving with her on the committees are also very supportive. They rally around each other, and they understand and appreciate the importance of her role as a mother. She brings her daughter with her to industry events and functions, and the

people at the AGC know Iza.

“I think the construction industry offers a lot of opportunities for women that women don’t know are there, because it has been viewed historically as a maledominated industry,” she explains, noting that though it is still heavily male, she believes more women have been introduced to the industry through various education programs.

As part of the Education Committee, Ochoa helps to expose women and minorities to opportunities in the construction industry. She says that construction requires skills in areas where women naturally excel, strengths such as organization, planning and scheduling.

“I think that project management roles are ideal for women,” she says. “Yet a lot of women don’t know that. That

Blazing a trail Alexandra Wilstrom, Project Manager McCarthy Building Companies Houston, TX

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hat is your background in the construction industry?

After graduating from college, I started working for a heavy civil general contractor (The Conti Group) based in New Jersey and New York City that focused on transportation projects for NJDOT and federal projects with the USACE.

During this time, I worked on a variety of different projects, with everything from highway and bridgework, marine work, homeland security upgrades, and superfund site remediation.

I also worked for about a year in New Orleans with the USACE on several hurricane protections to expand the levees, floodwalls and floodgates after Katrina.

I worked for Conti for almost five years before accepting a position with McCarthy Building Companies in Texas.

Since coming to Texas, I have worked with McCarthy’s Marine Group to construct a new layberth facility for MARAD and reconstruct a container yard at the Port of Houston.

Currently I am the project manager on the Harrisburg Overpass project for METRO, which expands the light rail service to Houston’s East End. Why did you choose a career in the construction industry?

In college I started off as a mechanical engineer but after freshman year changed my major to civil engineering.

I always enjoyed the practical hands on application of civil engineering and knew I wanted to be outside and not sitting at a desk all day doing design work.

I also enjoyed the challenge of planning and executing the process of building something, so I decided to apply my civil engineering background to the construction industry.

What are the benefits of a woman pursuing a construction career?

The construction industry needs more gender diversity, and woman have all the necessary skills to be successful in the industry (particularly our ability to multi-task).

Until more recently, I don’t think engineering and construction were career choices that were really presented to women as an option.

Now women are more exposed to construction as a career choice, particularly during school, and they are realizing that construction can provide an exciting, challenging and rewarding career.

What do you enjoy most about your career?

I enjoy the challenge of problem solving that is required on a daily basis when running a construction project. No two days or projects are ever the same and you are constantly learning something new or a better way of doing something.

Working in construction, I enjoy the balance between the technical side and working with the design engineers, and the logistics of planning and executing the work in the field.

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

Yes, I definitely think that more opportunities are becoming available for women in construction and more women are considering construction as a career while they are in college.

Many companies are increasing their focus on recruiting more woman now, especially new hires straight out of school.

Construction is still very much a male dominated profession but there is no rea-

doesn’t mean that we don’t make good workers out in the actual field, because I think that we do. I think that there are a lot of opportunities there as well, but I think it’s about exposure at this point and just letting women know that these jobs and careers are available to them.”

Emphasizing the value of education, for men and women, as the key to advancing in anything a person does, Ochoa notes that she always continues to learn “as a mother, a VP, as everything and anything.”

One thing she has learned while working in the industry is that some of the adversity she has felt isn’t necessarily because she’s a woman, but because of the nature of the business.

When asked if she felt that it took more time for her to be accepted or that she has had to earn being seen as an equal a little more, she responded that in some instances – not always – that she has felt she has to work a little bit harder, but she sees a different reason.

“The construction industry is a highrisk industry, and the folks that you do business with want to know who they’re doing business with. So, a lot of the time, I think that maybe I have put that undue pressure on myself that ‘Oh, it’s because I’m a woman.’ Well, I don’t know.

“Now that I’ve been involved with the industry a little bit more, I think it has more to do with the jobs that we do as an industry and the risks that we take on in

every single aspect of the job. It has more to do with the risk in the industry than the fact that I am a woman. So, I have to reel myself back in when I put myself in that frame of mind, because I have to definitely coach myself and say, ‘Hey, remember the job that you’re doing. It’s about the job. It’s not about you.’”

While education helps to combat some of the preconceptions women have about working in the construction industry, Ochoa thinks that women hold themselves back from pursuing opportunities in the industry because of stereotypes.

“I definitely think that the biggest impediment to women in the industry are women ourselves,” she observes. “I think that a lot of these programs that are out there are doing a good job of tearing down these stereotypes, but we need to do a better job. I think there is a double standard that we impose on ourselves.

And I think that we can definitely overcome that by having more female role models in the industry trying to pull in other women.”

Ochoa notes that Katherine Willis, T.H. Willis, was the one who encouraged her to join the board of directors at the AGC. Also crediting Doug McMurry for being an advocate of women having a voice and presence in the association and industry, Ochoa says it is crucial that women in the industry bring other women to the table to be heard too. –mh

son that driven women cannot be just as successful in this industry as men.

a technical background but experience is invaluable.

You learn how to put work in place and solve problems by spending time in the field. It’s not something that can be taught in a class room.

Construction is still an industry where you can work hard and, with desire and leadership skills, you can move up to a management position without a formal education.

Regardless of how someone gets their start in construction, experience is still most important and something that cannot be rushed. You have to put your time in. –ab

What advice can you offer women?

To be successful in the construction industry you have to be willing to work hard and prove yourself, which is true for anyone but even more so for women.

Women who are successful in this industry have to be driven, have self-confidence, earn people’s respect, and not be afraid to blaze their own trail at times.

Which is more important education or experience?

In construction, education gives you

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San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

Women in Construction More opportunities for women than ever Sandra Johnson, president Edge Electric, Driftwood, TX

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hat is your background in the construction industry?

My parents have owned a construction company for nearly 20 years so I grew up learning the ins and outs of the industry. However, I only started working within the industry in 2009, when Edge was incorporated.

Why did you choose a career in the construction industry?

Construction chose me! I was supposed to be a real estate agent, actually I still am, I just haven’t sold anything in six years! I got my license to sell real estate the same year my husband and I incorporated Edge. I didn’t think the company would grow as quickly as it did but it began to require my presence and attention more and more often. I honestly believe there was a time frame in which I worked every waking second, A/P and A/R 7am to 4pm and showing houses in the evening and weekends - leaving no time for my family or myself. I had a tough decision to make - Real Estate or Construction??? Obviously, I chose the latter and I’m glad I did because it has been an amazing experience building a successful business with my husband by my side.

Do you have a mentor? Please explain.

Common sense tells me that if you strive to be successful your best bet is to learn from those who are already successful. And if you find someone who is willing to share their knowledge for suc-

cess you should listen! But the key is to actually use the advice they give. My business advisor doesn’t always tell me what I want to hear - even so, I follow his instructions. For example, a couple years ago we were offered a $2 million project in Louisiana - literally just needed to sign the dotted line. Our advisor, with good reasoning, suggested we turn it down.

And abiding by the law of common sense and listening to words of the wise we reluctantly declined the contract.

What are the benefits of women pursuing a construction career?

Women are emotional creatures by nature - so the fact that you are able to be a part of something bigger, like building a city, is pretty fulfilling. I was born and raised in Austin so being involved with the growth of my hometown makes me so proud! Almost every corner you turn downtown, I could point out a building where we’ve worked.

What do you enjoy most?

I’ve worked in offices where the tension was so thick you could cut it with a

Time to overcome stereotypes, teach girls about construction Jennifer VanBreda, Corporate Project Manager/Pre-Construction Engineer Tyco/SimplexGrinnell Richardson, TX

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hat is your background in the construction industry?

I started construction in high school.

I was taking hand drafting courses and my grandfather saw how much I enjoyed it. He bought me a drafting table for Christmas one year. He had me draw the design for his kitchen that he was remodeling. The contractors used my prints to do their work and were very impressed that a high school student put that much detail into prints. He then saw an ad in the paper looking for a drafter at an electrical contracting firm. He encouraged me to apply for the job. I got the job and started my first job in the construction industry at 16 years old, designing lighting plans for commercial businesses. I have since moved into the Life Safety industry working for various companies promoting drafting and design services, estimating, sales and project management. I am currently employed by Tyco/ SimplexGrinnell as a corporate project manager/project engineer.

Why did you choose construction?

I didn’t choose construction; it chose me.

Do you have a mentor?

In my current position as a corporate project manager at Tyco/SimplexGrinnell, I have a mentor. My mentor is there to guide me in my role and ensure I perform above and beyond what is expected of me. He is constantly encouraging me to strive to be the best project manager in the company.

What are the benefits of women pursuing a construction career?

Construction is a very detailed field, and I think most women are very detailoriented. And women are, by nature, mutli-taskers. We can juggle things and the balls don’t fall often. In any field, it I important to have diversity in the workforce, as that helps bring a diverse set of thoughts, opinions and experiences together to do the best work and deliver the best results.

knife - I woke up every morning dreading the day ahead of me. So when we opened our company it was very important to me that we create a peaceful and inviting environment for our employees and in return I walk into an amazing atmosphere every morning. I love my job and the people I work with!

What specific challenges have you faced?

There’s really nothing easy about building a business from the ground up.

But I have to say that one of my biggest challenges have involved growth. Unless you had a rich uncle kick the bucket and leave you a small fortune you should be prepared for the long haul. Rapid growth requires substantial capital, if you don’t have the capital you can simply grow your business slow and organically.

How did you overcome those challenges?

We didn’t have the “rich uncle capital” so we grew it slow, reinvesting every penny of profit for several years. We set annual goals considering the strain of growth on cash flow and our labor force - taking on only as much work as necessary to meet our goals while remaining profitable. Typically we grow 20%-30% per year.

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

Definitely!

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

There’s really NOTHING a women can’t do in our industry! I see women of all ages with a wide range of skill sets within the construction industry. Business owners, upper management positions, wom-

What specific challenges have you faced in your career? How did you overcome those challenges?

The biggest challenge I have had in my career is also my biggest benefit … being a woman. Construction has been male-dominated for years with women as the support team in the office. We are breaking those barriers daily. When I started in the industry, I had women tell me I only got the job because of the way I look. I had men treat me like I wouldn’t be able to do the job I was hired to do. I worked hard to prove them wrong in every instance. Some days were harder to get through than others, but I managed to overcome the negativity and become a stronger person and a better employee.

Are more opportunities opening for women in construction?

I don’t think the opportunities were ever not available. I think there was a fear in some women to try a career in construction because they didn’t know all the different fields and what the job really was. You don’t take a [required] course in construction in college, and many young girls are not exposed to construction at a young age. We play with dolls, not blocks. It’s a stereotype we have to overcome and teach the young girls today that construction is not just using tools in the field; it’s so much more.

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

I don’t think there is an area where women aren’t needed in the construction industry. Tyco has a strong focus on diver-

en with trade certifications, etc.

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

This isn’t my quote but I like it, “You can’t force someone to respect you, but you can refuse to be disrespected.” –unknown.

I used to think that just because I signed someone’s paycheck they should naturally respect me but I’ve learned that respect must be earned (that applies to men, too). But as a woman in a predominately male industry we have to maintain confidence and consistence in our work to earn the respect of our colleagues and customers.

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

I believe experience is more important - I know lots of successful women in our industry with no more than a high school education.

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

Things have changed dramatically in the last 10 years - women aren’t just running the office anymore - they own the office, they run the field, they design and engineer projects, women are assets to successful businesses!

What are your goals for the future in the construction industry?

A perpetual goal of mine is to maintain a healthy business. We’re looking forward to another 20 percent in growth for 2016. –cw

sity and inclusion, and a Women’s Growth Network that champions the value, growth and advancement of women.

That is helping to bring more women into construction-related jobs in our business.

Which is more important – education or experience?

This one is tough. I would never tell someone to not get a college education, but I didn’t. I couldn’t afford to go to college and I didn’t want student loans and debt. I went to work part-time after high school and took a few college courses. All of my money was going toward school and I was bored with it, so I stopped going to school and started working full-time.

Because I did that, I have the career I have today. But I am also lucky enough to have a great employer in Tyco/SimplexGrinnell, who offers a tuition reimbursement program. This program is allowing me to get my college education. I am currently taking courses to get my degree in business focusing on project management.

What advice can you offer women?

Just do it. And never settle for your current position, always try to better yourself and be the best at whatever you are doing. Always ask questions and take on new projects and duties if you can.

The more you know, the more you learn, the better and stronger you will be for yourself and your employer.

Jennifer VanBreda currently serves as president of the National Association of Women in Construction’s (NAWIC) Dallas Chapter. –mjm

San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

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Women in Construction Plenty of opportunity for women in construction Riki F. Lovejoy, President National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) San Antonio, TX

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hat is your background?

I have been in the industry since 1985, starting as a receptionist for a national general contractor. By the time the company had a layoff I was a project manager. At this point, in 1990, with a male partner, we opened a carpentry/concrete/miscellaneous specialties company. By day I worked in the field alongside our crew on commercial projects; by night, I was president of the company and all that entailed. Due to personal issues, both for my family and my partner’s, we closed the business in 1992.

From there, I went back to work with a couple of local general contractors and finished my education. In August 2001, I opened RFL Consulting Solutions in Orlando, FL. We are a construction management consulting firm specializing in owner and lender representation on commercial projects and moved to the San Antonio area in October 2012.

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

Prior to 1985, I had worked both in the hospitality and insurance industries but knew that neither of these was to be a life-long career for me. I had also worked as a part-time secretary/bookkeeper for a masonry subcontractor. The VP of the company would take the office staff on ‘field trips’ to visit the various projects we had going. From these field trips I found it fascinating to watch a building literally rise from the ground. I realized that this was a very ‘tangibly’ rewarding career opportunity. I also realized that I could make better money to support myself (and later, others) nicely. I love the fact that 10 years or more later, I could drive by a building that I had a part in and realize that the building is a part of any city’s history and/or footprint.

Do you have a mentor?

I don’t think I can honestly say I have had A mentor, and certainly not for this industry. What I will say is that the support I received from the ladies in the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) was probably the biggest factor in staying in construction and continuing to pursue career goals. And to be perfectly frank, I really did not realize the knowledge and leadership skills I had received from being an active member until 20 years after becoming a member and becoming a part of the national board.

Not that I want to shamelessly plug NAWIC, but I truly believe I would not have had the ‘moxie’ to pursue the starting of my companies, working in the field with little skill but learning as I went along, co-authoring in women’s issues books, doing workshops and other presentations, or even becoming the president of NAWIC. So I say all this to say that I believe NAWIC was my mentor – or rather the members of NAWIC! What are the benefits of women pursuing a construction career?

There are sooooo many avenues in the construction industry that can be pursued. When someone first says ‘construction career’, the first thought is the field/trades people, which I’ll get back to.

Architects, engineers, contractors, business owners, developers, are next in line.

But because of the very nature of construction, attorneys, CPA’s, bookkeepers, insurance/bonding agents – all must have knowledge specific to construction.

With all this said, women can find themselves in any aspect of construction to be able to support themselves and their families very well.

Personally, working in the field was very fulfilling to my sense of accomplishment. I believe having a trade/skill becomes the basis for conquering anything that is thrown in our path. Additionally, the industry as a whole is changing… women will have a very positive influence on these changes and there is a very large sense of satisfaction in being a part of these changes.

What do you enjoy most about your career?

I would have to say still seeing that building that I had a part in, whether as a PM/Owner-Lender’s Rep or when I worked in the field and knowing that my contribution to the project was a key part of the ‘being’ of the building. Next, would be the people, including the men, who I have met along the way. For the most part they are all hardworking, honest people with the same goal of a great building coming into existence.

What specific challenges have you faced in your career?

Early on in my career, being taken serious that I knew what was going on with a project and wasn’t ‘the secretary’ was very frustrating for me. Also, with the first GC that I worked with, I was actually passed over for a PM position for a guy that had literally just got out of college and I was asked to ‘train him’.

I had been doing PM work for about a year with this company, but didn’t have the title or money that went with this!

In the field, I did have to work twice as hard to prove that I could do the work as well the guys and there were some un-

comfortable moments with being approached by guys with perhaps another agenda for my being in the field. And I think the worst challenge is the port-apotties! Uggghhh!

How did you overcome those challenges?

In the case of the PM pass-over – I let the boss know in no uncertain terms that this was not a fair decision. I did have support of a couple of the other PM’s in the office so after I let loose on them and calmed down, with their advice, I talked to the VP (who had hired me in the first place and knew I was looking to rise in the company).

Two things happened shortly after this conversation – first ‘the guy/PM’ really proved himself to be near worthless… and, because I was still covering his butt, I finally got the promotion. I’m pretty sure the pay scale was not the same, but I still felt accomplished. The field work – I continued to work hard, kept up with the crew, and, in fact, found out later that my partner used me as a benchmark for hiring and staying employed with us. He told all new hires, first, can’t have a problem with working with a woman in the field and second, ‘gotta keep up with her’.

For the uncomfortable moments, I basically just had to face the issues head on, probably taking on a little more ‘male attitude’ and then just staying cautious about being alone with any of the troublesome workers (none on my crew – these would be from the other subs on the project). And, the port-a-potties – well, just had to hold my nose and get through it the best I could!

Are more opportunities opening up for women in construction?

Most definitely the opportunities are opening up. The problem is that the women are not taking advantage of these opportunities. Some of this is due to societal teaching – women are teachers, nurses, secretaries, men are plumbers, electricians, construction guys! The industry as whole has the image of being ‘dirty’ work, ‘hard’ work, a man’s world – most of which is true! But I see the industry as being one that will always be there (after all, it is one of the oldest industries in existence) and, yes, there are economic down times that would adversely affect job opportunities, but it also one of the first to start bounc-

ing back as the economy improves.

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

Quite honestly, I would say the field/ trades. As predicted in the late 90’s, we are experiencing a trades/skills shortage. In most cases, I truly believe that women make great tradespeople because of their attention to detail, their ability to learn and adapt quickly, and their need to succeed.

What advice can you offer women?

Talk to women that are currently in the field of choice. If a woman thinks she wants to pursue the trades, talk to tradeswomen about the challenges they face in the field. And whether one goes for the office or field job, don’t be afraid to face the challenges, i.e. comments, being eyed as you walk by, etc. but also don’t complain or whine about the men. There is a fine line of ‘being one of the guys’ and not losing your femininity.

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

Obviously, it really depends on career choice, but in general, I think experience is the greatest education. For tradespeople, although there is an amount of education needed, to acquire skill it is experience. But being of the contractor persuasion, I have also always said that architects and engineers should have an internship period of actually working in the field. I have had both, but I learned more from the experience.

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

Of course, as has all other male-dominated industries. But, there is still a lot that needs to change, specifically image and developing a 21st century mindset. I believe as more women come in to the industry and take leadership positions, these changes will move a little faster – maybe even before we leave the 21st century!

What are your goals for the future in the construction industry?

To not have to have this discussion about women in the construction industry. For not only women to realize the benefits of choosing a construction career but for the industry as a whole to understand the importance of having women and their influence in making this industry a career of choice for everyone! –cw

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San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

Association Calendar

Content submitted by Associations to Construction News ABC Associated Builders & Contractors Events are held at ABC office unless otherwise stated.

Apr. 4: Spring Golf Tournament; Fair Oaks Ranch Country & Golf Club; email Ruby Trejo at ruby@abcsouthtexas.org Apr. 8: Scaffolding Awareness; Harvey Cleary office; email Chris Preetorius at chris@abcsouthtexas.org Apr. 15: Flagging/Traffic Control (English) Apr. 16: Flagging/Traffic Control (Spanish); for either class, email Chris Preetorius at chris@abcsouthtexas.org Apr. 22: Office closed for Fiesta Friday Apr. 26: Wine Festival Benefiting UTSA Scholarship; Boerne Wine Company email Ruby Trejo at ruby@abcsouthtexas.org

AGC Associated General Contractors Events are held at AGC office unless otherwise stated.

Apr. 4, 11, 18, 25: Leadership Academy, Weeks #2-5, 12:30-4:30pm Apr. 5: The Basics Session #2: Liens, 6-8pm Apr. 6: The Build Your Future’s Construction Career Day, Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall Apr. 12: AGC/ASA Joint Mixer; VFW Post 76, 10 10th Street, 4:30-6:30pm; The Basics Session #3: Understanding Contracts, 6-8pm Apr. 19: The Basics Session #4: Bidding & Estimating, 6-8pm Apr. 26: The Basics Session #5: Project Scheduling, 6-8pm

AIA American Institute of Architects

Apr. 9: Beaux Arts Ball; Lone Star Brewery, 600 Lone Star Blvd.; 6:30-11:30pm Apr. 20: COTE Workshop: Sustainability Through Integrated Design, Joeris General Contractors, 1-5pm Apr. 25: Annual Joint Meeting of AIA/

SMPS; Plaza Club, 100 West Houston St., #2100; noon-1pm; RSVP required Apr. 28-29: Continuing Education Conference; Center for Architecture, 1344 S. Flores St., Ste. 102; 8am-5pm Apr. 29: Product Expo, Center for Architecture, 11am-2pm, free For more info visit www.aiasa.org

ASA American Subcontractors Association

Apr. 6: TCCI Event, Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall, 9am Apr. 8: Golf Tournament, TPC Golf Course, 8am Apr. 12: Fall Protection & Drop Test, ESC office, 7:30am; Fall Protection & Drop Test, ESC office, 7:30am; fiesta kick-off mixer with AGC Apr. 19: General Membership Meeting, The Petroleum Club, 6pm Apr. 22: Lunch & Learn: Confined Spaces, Gardner Law Firm, 11am Apr. 26: Seminar Series: HR Toolbox, Padgett Stratemann, 1:30pm May 6: SubFest BBQ Cook-Off, Helotes Fairground, all day

ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers

Apr. 7-9: Texas Section Student Symposium in Lubbock at United Supermarkets Arena; concrete canoe races, steel bridge building, career fair; for info, call 512-472-8905

Submissions

Round-Up

CSI Construction Specifications Institute

Apr. 14 – 16: South Central Region Spring Conference and Trade Show, Hilton Houston Post Oak Conference Center, 2001 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, Continuing Education:Leadership Education with Heath SuddlesonAccessibility with Brad Gaskins (McIntosh Group) and Jeremy Murphy (ACI)CDT Exam Cram For more information go to http://scr.csinet.org/ or email holly.jordan@hok.com

ECAT Earthmoving Contractors Assn. of TX

Apr. 16: Spring Board of Directors meeting; Holiday Inn Express meeting room, 5701 Legend Lake Pkwy, Waco, TX; 3:30pm; finalizing plans for the 2016 annual meeting for July 14-17 in Duncanville; all members and prospective members are welcome; for business with the board, contact the executive secretary at 830-629-1620 or visit www.earthmovingcontractors.com

GSABA Greater San Antonio Builders Assn.

Apr. 14: Golf Classic, Canyon Springs Golf Club; 4-person scramble; check-in and breakfast 7am, tee-off 8am; awards/lunch immediately following; $175/player

Apr. 11: Rock Your Sales Rally; GSABA Ballroom, 3625 Paesanos Pkwy; 2:306pm; free to attend but reservations required; to reserve, call 210-696-3800 Apr. 21: Membership Mixer; The Tile Shop, 5219 De Zavala; 5:30-7:30pm Apr. 25: Top Golf Builder Speed Networking Mixer, 4pm, reservations required; to reserve, call 210-696-3800

CMAA

HCA de San Antonio

ASHRAE Am. So. HeatingRefrigeratingA/C Eng.

Construction Management Assn.

Hispanic Contractors Association

Apr. 21: Monthly meeting; Fergusons Showroom, 303 North Park Dr.; SAWS

Apr. 1: Casino Night; St. Joseph’s Society Hall, 420 E. Cesar Chavez; 6-11pm; $50/ person; gaming, food, DJ, prizes, open bar for beer/wine/set-ups and BYO bottle, silent auction Apr. 7: VIA Bus Hop; meeting at Crossroads Park & Ride, 151 Crossroads Blvd., Balcones Heights; departure 8am, arrival 1:30pm; first stop is HJD Capitol Electric; free/members; $10/non-members ​Apr. 13-14: OSHA 10 in Spanish; free; to register, email safetytrainings@tdi.texas. gov or call 512-804-4610 Apr. 27: Monthly Meeting/Mixer; The Quarry Golf Club, 444 E. Basse Rd.; free/ members, $10/non-members ​For more info call 210-444-1100 or email admin@hcadesa.org

Round-Up Canda Jellenc has been promoted to vice president at PC Sports. With the firm since 2006, she has more than 20 years of construction management experience. She recently completed the construction phase of the $485 million Texas A&M University Kyle Field Stadium Redevelopment project in College Station. She earned her bachelor’s degree in architectural technology from the University of Southern Mississippi and is active in PMI and CMAA.

Design and Construction Projects, $25/ members, $30/guests; for more info, email Brian Beach at btb@freese.com

John Latimer has been promoted to executive vice president at Project Control. With the firm for 28 years, he will be integral in day-to-day operations, including implementation of strategic plans, project manager training and providing senior leadership. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Lehigh University.

This is a monthly section for brief company announcements of new or recently promoted personnel, free of charge, as space allows.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Email (w/digital photo, if available) by the 15th of any month, for the next month’s issue (published 1st of each month).

Email info to appropriate city issue, with “Round-Up” in the subject line: ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

San Antonio: saeditor@constructionnews.net Austin: austineditor@constructionnews.net

Dallas/Ft. Worth: dfweditor@constructionnews.net Houston: houstoneditor@constructionnews.net South Texas: STeditor@constructionnews.net

IEC Independent Electrical Contractors Events are held at IEC office unless otherwise stated.

Apr. 6: TCCI Career Day, Freeman Coliseum, 9am-1pm Apr. 11: Continuing Education Class, 5-9pm Apr. 14: NEISD Career Night, Blossom Athletic Center, 6-8pm Apr. 16: First Aid/CPR Class, 8am-1pm; Electrical Maintenance Technician Class, 8am-5pm Apr. 19, 26, May 3, 10, 17, 24: Journeyman/Master Prep Class, six nights, 5:309:30pm Apr. 24-28: IEC National Policy Conference, Washington, D.C. Apr. 28-29: IEC of Texas Regional Meeting, Austin, TX For more info call 210-431-9861 or visit www.iecsanantonio.com

MCA-SMACNA

Mechanical Contractors Association Sheet Metal & A/C Nat’l Assn.

Apr. 6: Regular & Associates meeting, Oak Hills Country Club, 11:30am; TCCI Career Fair, Freeman Expo Hall Apr. 13: Labor/Management meeting, MCA-SMACNA office, 11am Apr. 20: Joint Industry Fund meeting, Oak Hills Country Club, 11:30am

PHCC Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors

Apr. 6: Construction Careers Career Fair

RCAT Roofing Contractors Assn of Tx

Apr. 20-21: RCAT Licensing Boot Camp, Exams; International Bowling Museum Arlington, 621 Six Flags Dr., Arlington, TX; Wed: 2-6pm Licensing “Boot Camp,” Thu: 9am-1pm RCAT Licensing Exams

SDA Society for Design Administration

Apr. 28: Monthly Chapter Luncheon, The Barn Door, 8400 N. New Braunfels Ave.; noon-1pm; topic is IT trends; for more info, email angelica@tejaspremierbc.com

TACCA Tx Air Conditioning Contractors Assn.

Apr. 6: Construction Careers Day, Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall Apr. 21: Monthly Member meeting; Alamo Café, Hwy 281; 11:30am-1pm; topic is city codes update; free for TACCA GSA members-first attendee, $20 per person for additional; RSVP Required May 7: Community Outreach: Special Olympics Spring Games; Blossom Athletic Center For info, contact Dawn Thompson at dawn@ TACCAGreaterSanAntonio.org or 210-9014222, or visit TACCAGreaterSanantonio.org

Submitted to Construction News

Top of their league

Justin Calvin (left), San Antonio Building Services Manager at SpawGlass, and his team, “Built Better By Us,” won first place in the Topgolf San Antonio Fall League.

L-R: Justin Calvin, SpawGlass; Ryan Friesenhahn, Virtual 1 Source; Greg Shue, Open Studio Architecture; Jeff Young, Two Infinity. –mh

San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

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National accolades

t the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) National Conference in Fort Lauderdale, FL, the South Texas Chapter received national recognition for its membership and two of its member companies.

At the National Excellence in Construction Awards Mar. 2, W.G. Yates won a National Eagle Award in the Commercial – Less than $5 Million category for the United Cooperative Services Hood County Office in Granbury, TX. Baker Triangle won a National Pyramid Award in the Interiors: Acoustical, Drywall, Millwork or Plaster category for the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.

The South Texas Chapter received recognition in four categories for membership, including awards for 90-Percent Retention, Membership Growth, Membership Goal, and the ABC-National Mullan Award for membership financial

Yates Construction

growth for its division. This year is the third time the South Texas Chapter has won the prestigious latter award. –mh

continued from Page 17 — Protect yourself but be safe need to train. If you don’t train, then maybe you shouldn’t have a gun with you.

“Buying a gun is a personal fit like buying a pair of shoes or a purse. It has to be what you are comfortable with and that’s why we have you try before you buy. And safety is always first.”

Buddy Doebbler Publisher P.S. After Dana left, I went to the range and shot a box with terrible results. I asked Wes to hide the evidence (target) in the trash.

Her first shot was in the 8. Now load up three more rounds and go again. This time each of the shots hit close to the X circle. Beginners luck, I said to myself.

Next was the step up to a Sig Sauer P238 and six more rounds. This sweet little .380 was going to be Dana’s first experience with a little bit more recoil. All six landed in the X circle and now I really believe in first-time luck. The gal is now hooked on something new.

Back to the classroom and a little more conversation and I had to ask. “Are the ladies really better shots than men?”

Sandy says yes, but then puts in a, “I don’t know why,” but Wes may have the answer.

“When guys get guns our first thoughts are, ‘I can’t wait to go shoot’ and wanting to shoot off a lot of rounds.

With the women, they are not so much about that. They are about hitting that X and seem to be more focused, I think.”

Proper training and fit seems to be the key word at Ballistic Therapy and I asked Sandy for her final comments.

“I want women to know when they come into this range it’s different than anything you have experienced before hands down,” she said. “Wes and I are proud to say that. If they have never shot before we suggest a shooting course to get the basics down, then we can go into other classes.

We tell them if they are going to carry they

Karen and Darryl Cook, pictured in Turks and Caicos, have embarked on a new adventure with their own company, Landscape Lighting Guru.

D

Baker Triangle

Sandy Barnett spends time with Dana Calonge in the classroom before hitting the range.

Seeing in a whole new light

P.S.S. Next day I had an eye appointment and found out my prescription really needed to be changed. I knew there was a reason.

arryl Cook has a passion for lighting design. So, when he and his wife, Karen Cook, embarked on a new business venture together, they decided to start Landscape Lighting Guru Sep. 1, 2015.

Karen, who owns two different bookkeeping and accounting companies, is the owner, and Darryl is the lighting designer. He previously built another lighting company, ran it for 18 years, and then sold the business. Now, he has started this new venture with his wife, and he notes that he couldn’t be happier working side by side with her as his partner.

Darryl believes that poor lighting design can detract from a spectacular space and that proper lighting can make a soso space look amazing. In regards to interior lighting, he does mostly retrofits, converting older incandescent and fluorescent systems to LED, which he notes not only saves energy and radiates less heat, but creates color tones using an even and clean light.

On the commercial side, the new company has a few neighborhood entrances as well as the holiday lights for neighborhood entrances. His former company was responsible for the holiday lighting displays on the River Walk. On the interior side, the work has been mostly residential, but there was a 24-hour taco restaurant that Landscape Lighting Guru converted to LED.

“They were spending almost $10,000 during the summer months in electricity bills, and the electricity bills went down to $4,500 a month,” explains Darryl. “But the real reason is not the low energy cost associated with the LED. It’s the lower heat exchange associated with LED not forcing their HVAC system to run so hard.

Therefore, your HVAC system is not trying to compete with your lighting.”

Landscape Lighting Guru does exterior and interior lighting in both the commercial and residential markets. Currently, their workload is 90 percent residential. –mh

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San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

Wired to be winners Beans

he Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) San Antonio Chapter held its 16th annual BBQ Cook-Off & Apprentice Wire-Off Mar. 19 at Helotes Fairgrounds. While cooks worked the pits, apprentices competed for the chance to represent IEC San Antonio at the national competition for Apprentice of the Year. In addition to lots of delicious barbecue, there was fun for the entire family including bingo, a bounce house, face painting and a game truck. –mh Cook-Off Winners Gumbo 1st: E-Tel 2nd: IES Commercial 3rd: Reynolds Co. 4th: Central Electric 5th: VA Electrical Chili 1st: Eldridge Electric 2nd: Dealers Electric Supply 3rd: JD Martin 4th: JMEG 5th: IES Commercial Dessert 1st: Central Electric - Orange Cupcake 2nd: JMEG - Upside Down Pecan Oatmeal Cake 3rd: IES Commercial - Strawberry Cake 4th: Summit Electric Supply - Peach Crisp 5th: Circle Electric -Peach Cobbler Chicken 1st: Circle Electric 2nd: VA Electrical 3rd: Central Electric 4th: IES Commercial 5th: Dealers Electric Supply Pork Ribs 1st: Circle Electric 2nd: IES Commercial 3rd: Beard Integrated 4th: Dealers Electric Supply 5th: Eaton

1st: Reynolds Co. 2nd: Good Electric 3rd: Mission City Electric 4th: Eldridge Electric 5th: JD Martin Open 1st: E-Tel - Cajun Stuffed Pork Loin 2nd: Reynolds Co. - Bacon Wrapped Grilled Cheese 3rd: Summit Electric Supply - Stuffed Mushrooms 4th: Circle Electric - Steak 5th: Graybar Electric Supply - Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Brisket 1st: Hill Electric 2nd: VA Electrical 3rd: Graybar 4th: Rexel 5th: Dealers Electric Supply Bragging Rights 1st: IES Commercial 2nd: Circle Electric 3rd: Reynolds Co. 4th: E-Tel 5th: Central Electric Wire-Off Winners 1st: Terry McDaniel, Good Electric 2nd: Michael Brown, SCI 3rd: Josh Snodgrass, Good Electric 4th: David Vidales, Quinney Electric 5th: Kyle Reding, Central Electric 6th: Guillermo Sanchez, IES 7th: Stanley Isawode, PBNI

Wire-Off winners Chili winner

Beans winner Gumbo winner

Dessert winner

Open winner

Chicken and Pork Ribs winner

Industry FOLKS Bunmi Collins Manager of Corporate Marketing and Branding Bartlett Cocke General Contractors

H

aving joined Bartlett Cocke General Contractors in August 2009 as a graphic designer, Bunmi Collins worked her way up, becoming manager of corporate marketing and branding in 2013.

Since then, Collins has kept very busy.

The year she rose to her current title, she started grad school at the Parsons New School for Design, pursuing her master’s in strategic design and management. In 2014, while in grad school, she married her husband, Derrick, who works at St. Mary’s University.

Then, in spring of 2015, she finished her degree and, as a member of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS), joined a study group for the Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) exam, which she took in October 2015. Now, Collins has her CPSM credentialing.

Collins moved to San Antonio when she was about 7 years old, growing up on the Northwest side and attending the Communication Arts High School, a Northside ISD magnate school on Taft’s campus. She went on to Texas State University in San Marcos where she earned her degree in communication design.

After graduating college, she enrolled in the AmeriCorps VISTA program, moving to Boston for one year to serve a nonprofit called Generations Incorporated, a literacy organization that pairs older adults who have retired

with urban schools where they help the children improve their reading skills.

“I was their marketing and development associate,” she recalls. “It was really great experience. It was just really amazing to move away on my own to a whole new city. I didn’t know anybody.

The organization I applied with and got accepted to was phenomenal, and [VISTA volunteers] came from different parts of the country. Most of us were fresh graduates from college. It was a great way to step off on your own but also not feel completely alone because there was already a network there.”

She did some freelance work while in Boston and wanted to stay there, seeking work in graphic design. For two years, she worked as a staff assistant for the president’s office at the Mass General Hospital for Health Professionals. Then, she was ready to get back into design and return to Texas.

At 32, Collins has several passions, including trying new restaurants and foods, wine, and reading. Last year, she and her husband took a first anniversary honeymoon to Italy where they took a cooking class in Rome and traveled to organic vineyards in Tuscany. –mh

San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

Page 31

Bringing storybook homes to life

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n partnership with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) San Antonio Chapter, the San Antonio Botanical Gardens is hosting the Storybook Houses Exhibit. The houses were designed and built by local architecture firms and contracting companies, and they can be seen along the paths through the gardens.

Opened Mar. 5 and on display through Jul. 10, the exhibit displays five entries that were selected for their creativity of design, use/re-use of weatherresistant materials, focus on recycling, reuse or sustainability, accessibility, collaboration with others, and design appeal for all ages of visitors. –mh

“San Antonio and the Beanstalk” Based on the fairytale Jack and the Beanstalk Designers: Overland Partners – Lucas Mackey, Esau Hernandez and Marcel Van der Maas Special Thanks: Guido Construction and Datum Engineers

“The Little House” Based on the book by Virginia Lee Burton Design/Build Team: RVK Architects and Joeris General Contractors Special Thanks: L&M Steel, Urban Concrete and Systems Painters & Drywall

“Sleeping Beauty” Based on the fairytale by the Brothers Grimm Designer: Ernest Guerrero, South San Antonio High School, Class of 2016 (Angelica Ramos, Teacher) Construction Team: The South San Antonio Advanced Architecture and Advanced Millwork Classes

“Oh! The Places You’ll Go” Based on the book by Dr. Seuss Designers: Jeff Olivares and Belen Aguilar, PBK Architects Design/Build Team: PBK Architects and Bartlett Cocke General Contractors

On the right: “Worms at Work” Based on Diary of a Worm Design/Build Lead: Bucrane Design Build – Christopher Drown and Lauran Drown

Page 32

San Antonio Construction News • Apr 2016

Celebrating its past and future

Accounting for three decades

L-R: Paul Easley, Joseph Marshall, Tommy Price, Michelle Marshall, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI); Donna and Vincent Real, Big State Electric; Betty Easley and Jack Ballard, SwRI; Robert Chapman, Chapman Brothers

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elcoming more than 350 guests, Big State Electric hosted its 50th anniversary celebration Mar. 17 at its Aero Street headquarters.

Vincent Real, president, was amazed to see how many friends and partners the company has in the industry, including clients, suppliers, general contractors and subcontractors, who came to celebrate the milestone.

“We’re just proud of Palmer Johnson,” says Real of the anniversary’s significance.

“He was the founder of the company back in 1966, starting it as a one-man show. He worked by day, and he bid and did paperwork at night. I wish he were here just to see the roots he established. We’re in San Antonio and putting roots in Houston and Austin. I’m just really proud, and I wish he were here to see it.” –mh

Yates Construction L-R: Carlos Elizondo, Dee Bhakta, Andrew White

L-R: Steve Becker, Eaton; Forrest Wilson, Big State Electric; Bob Nielsen, Eaton

L-R: Daniel Tarpley, Hill Country Electric Supply; Clay Hurst, Big State Electric; Chris McCort and Jim Martin, Bell & McCoy; Allen O’Dell and Brent Tomes, Summit Electric

L-R: Dustin Michalak, Kathleen Dvorak, Tony Ridout, Melanie Geist and Milton Barrett, the partners at Ridout Barrett, are celebrating the firm’s 30th anniversary.

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n Apr. 1, Ridout Barrett celebrated the firm’s 30th anniversary. Today, Tony Ridout, founder and managing partner, has plans for the firm’s near and distant future and insists that the anniversary isn’t about him.

“I didn’t do it myself,” Ridout says when asked about achieving this milestone. “I have great partners and staff. I think my biggest accomplishment was to make this a great place to work and to have a fun and relaxed environment.”

Currently, the firm has about 50 employees and Ridout notes that there is a great sense of unity within the firm. This also carries through Ridout’s partners, Milton Barrett, Kathleen Dvorak, Dustin Michalak and Melanie Geist.

With Ridout’s retirement date set for Sep. 13, 2020, his 65th birthday, all of the partners agreed that Michalak will be the firm’s new managing partner. As a young leader, making managing partner before he will turn 40, Michalak was chosen to

bring long-term stability as part of a 15year succession plan.

After working in public accounting for seven years, Ridout struck out on his own Apr. 1, 1986. He had a niche in the construction industry with contractors, and he started his firm working with contractors big and small. About 20 years ago, his wife, Karen Ridout, came on board, and he credits her with helping him a lot along the way.

Though the move to its Gulfdale address was only a few years ago, the firm has already outgrown the space and is relocating to a nearby office at the end of May. They sold their current building to the nonprofit Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Ridout Barrett is a CPA and business consultant firm that has specialized expertise in the construction industry with approximately 60 percent of its clientele in construction or construction-related businesses. –mh