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Volume 13

Number 10

OCTOBER 2016

Family friends

Innovation at work

L-R: Patti Allen and Ashton Sams love working at J&K Cabinetry so much, they’re recruiting their own co-workers.

L-R: Tenbusch Inc.’s Mike Tenbusch and Al Tenbusch

ord of mouth doesn’t just draw in customers. In the case of J&K Cabinetry, it attracts employees too – and then even more employees. Sales employee Patti Allen in J&K’s Dallas office might have a little something to do with that. After working at another cabinetry company, she joined J&K’s staff last December. Allen was so impressed with the company’s high-end solid maple cabinetry and customer service that, last July, she recruited former co-worker Ashton Sams to come on board as the office’s first interior designer. Sams, in turn, enjoyed working for J&K so much that she too played recruiter, wooing her twin sister to join the company a month ago.

Sams says the company’s nurturing environment is one of the reasons J&K’s staff has tripled since last winter. “It’s really laid back and friendly,” Sams says. “Everybody knows each other. It’s a nice environment. We’ll spread lunch out in the office and eat together. We help each other; there’s always an extra hand you can count on.” That familial feeling trickles down from the top. “It’s a family-owned company, and it’s been in business for 17 years,” Allen explains. “We have 17 locations around the country. Not only does the family own the factory in China where the cabinets are produced, but a family member continued on Page 20

l Tenbusch started his business more than 40 years ago with the purchase of a single backhoe and a strong desire to put his equipment to work. His company, Tenbusch Inc., adapted over the years from digging trenches in the early days to doing water and sewer work as a utility contractor and then shifting focus to boring and tunneling work. For Tenbusch, innovation was always key and was what he used to ensure continuous work for him and his company. He often created his own equipment to help complete tough jobs and, when he wasn’t creating something new, he was altering something he already had to make it better. This innovative mind-

set led him to shift his company’s focus to solely manufacturing equipment for underground contractors in 2001. Since that shift, Tenbusch has been granted five patents on his equipment and helped author numerous technical papers for the industry. However, for Tenbusch, it’s all about the contractor and the work. “Contractors do not get enough credit for their knowledge and no nonsense attitude needed to get things done,” he says. “They play a huge role. Having walked in their shoes for more than 25 years, I have an appreciation of their mindset and the challenges they sometimes face.” continued on Page 20

Rustic renovation

exadelphia found an ideal retail center space for its new Richardson restaurant at 100 South Central Expressway – except it wasn’t ideal. A 50year revolving door of retail and restaurant tenants had left the space in clear need of a finish-out. H1 Construction president and senior project manager Craig R. Hebert saw the project as an opportunity to not just correct the 3,300-sf space’s flaws, but to create something better for the client. Working with architect P Shade LLC in McKinney, Hebert and his team overcame many challenges to fashion an eatery filled with rustic charm. “Because it was so old and so many different tenants had been there before, we had to relocate and move things around to facilitate another restaurant. It was quite extensive,” Hebert says. “It was space that had a considerable amount of things that needed to be done to make it work, including relocating the building’s

H1 Construction transformed a rundown retail space into a rustic restaurant with modern, thoughtful touches.

structural components and extensive work outside to receive the plumbing necessary to provide for a restaurant. We had to relocate roof drains that were coming down through the middle of the kitchen area. We also had to relocate main sewer lines and connections throughout the space to accommodate the plumbing needs for the grease interceptors.” Even though the space required extensive work, Hebert says the process was “fairly smooth.” “Complications did come up that caused delays,” he says. “We even had to perform some modifications to the exterior of the building for the landlord for their egress; the sidewalks and approach to the building were dilapidated. Those were upgrades that were improved as well to facilitate the restaurant’s needs.” There was one pleasant surprise in store for the crew, however. When the continued on Page 20

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Oct 2016

Service with a smile

ach year at Eaton, every office is given the opportunity and the tools to make a difference in the lives of others though the Eaton Day of Service. Rather than dictate how their employees will contribute to the community, Eaton encourages each office to decide where their contributions are needed and then supports them in their efforts.

For the event, Eaton’s Dallas office team collected coupons for food, pets, babies and other items for weeks prior and brought them into the office on the day of service. The team then spent their lunch hour cutting and sorting through coupons to put inside handwritten letters to be delivered to those who served in the military and their families.

The Dallas office also participated by hosting a “back to school” drive to collect school supplies for local children in need. The staff collected donations for weeks to give to the Dallas Community Center, which supports abused and neglected children served by the Dallas County Child Protective Services. –mjm

Construction News JOB SIGHT

It’s going down

The Dallas office held a back to school drive.

General contractor DPR Construction is really digging their latest project. Construction crews have dug the biggest hole in Uptown Dallas – 50 ft. below street level – for a new 14-story office tower and 23-story residential high-rise. The Union Dallas development built by StreetLights Residential and designed by HKS, is scheduled to be finished in 2018. –mjm

The Dallas staff collected, cut and mailed coupons and letters to thank those who served in the military.

A note of thanks and a coupon goes a long way.

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Oct 2016

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Forward to the future

Earning her stripes

RondaSue McCarty carries on the business she owned with Walter.

f the hard times teach you the most, then RondaSue McCarty is a star pupil. The president of Patriot Pressurewash & Striping, a subsidiary of Retlaw Resources Inc., tragically lost Walter, who was her husband, best friend and business partner, during a job three years ago. She has since had to run the business while grieving her loss. “He was my best friend and one of the best men you’ll ever meet,” she says. “His death rocked my world, but he’s still in charge – after all, “Rentlaw” is “Walter” spelled backward.” The couple met after Walter completed his Marine Corps service, moved to Texas and started to work at Patriot. McCarty, who had just closed her janitorial business, met Walter and began helping him at work. When Walter’s boss passed on a large city project, McCarty bid and won the project and convinced Walter to quit and work for her. Before he could turn in his notice, however, Patriot’s owner offered to sell Walter the business. “I absolutely loved working with my husband,” she says. “There are a lot of couples that can’t do that, and I guess I was just lucky. We very much enjoyed working together.” McCarty cut back her hours to homeschool their kids and serve as her church’s youth pastor for seven years. But after her husband died, she went back to “full time and a half” at Patriot. She says there

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The Dallas  Fort Worth Construction News (ISSN 1547-7657) is published monthly by Construction News Ltd., dba Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News, and distributed by mail to construction related companies in the Dallas/ Fort Worth metropolitan area. All submissions should be mailed to our editorial offices. We reserve the right to edit any materials submitted. No fees for materials, copy or photographs submitted will be due unless agreed upon in advance in writing. Submissions will be published at our discretion on a space-available basis. Construction News, Ltd., dba Dallas  Fort Worth Construction News, will not be liable for errors in copy or in advertisements beyond the actual cost of space occupied by the error. Publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement at any time. © 2016 Construction News, Ltd.

aren’t enough words in the dictionary to describe what the past three years have been like running Patriot without Walter, but she insists on keeping a positive outlook. Instead of being “one-sided” like before, she says she has had the opportunity to learn every aspect of the business. “It’s been hard, but it has been rewarding,” she says. And even though it’s tempting to keep looking back at the good times, she plans for the good times to come. “I would like to develop Patriot into a business where I own it and promote it and have others run it,” she says. “I want to give people who wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity the chance to find success and fulfillment in running this business, just like I have.” Patriot Pressurewash & Striping, a subsidiary of Retlaw Resources Inc. in Fort Worth, offers parking lot cleaning, prepping and striping, signs, wheel stops, seal coating and building exterior cleaning and prep. –mjm

Clear Choice Roofing’s Fort Worth and Austin employees

avin Weathersby, owner of Clear Choice Roofing in Austin, San Antonio and Dallas/Fort Worth, recently made the news after his company, in conjunction with the Owen Corning’s Roof Development Project, installed a new roof for an Austin military family. “This is a wonderful feeling,” Weathersby said. “It feels great to give back to somebody who’s sacrificed so much for us.” Four years ago, Weathersby opened a Fort Worth office and shared his giving spirit with its 110 employees and local community. Whether hosting a music event in Azle or treating employees to a Hawaiian trip, his generosity is evident. Fort Worth office manager Spencer Price enjoys both the company’s giving culture and its dedication to quality. “We’re family-owned and operated, so customers can be assured the job will be done in a professional manner,” Price says. “We’re verified by the two top man-

In memoriam Edwin Allen Smith, PE, 70, a civil engineer for 40 years, passed away Aug. 19, 2016 in McKinney. In Smith’s career, which took him to Minnesota, Colorado and finally Texas, he worked for the City of Plano, Carter and Burgess, NTTA and most recently Jacobs Engineering. Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1969 from South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D. and was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Aug. 26 at St. Jude Catholic Church in Allen. Smith was interred at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen. Smith is survived by his wife Peggy, sons Grady, Darin and Riley and their spouses, grandchildren and extended family members. Memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.

ufacturers of roofing products and one of the very few roofing companies here to offer lifetime warranties.” For Weathersby, quality begins with his team; he hires from the ranks and looks for employees who are motivated. Weathersby feels the company culture keeps employees happy. “They enjoy the work atmosphere and they are dedicated,” he says. “It’s also due to our credibility. There’s never a question about whether the company is legitimate; we offer long-term employment security.” The future is already in place at Clear Choice, one of the first roofing companies to offer solar. “I do see the future of solar. It’s basically bringing two industries into one,” he says. “Solar companies don’t understand roofing companies. They aren’t up to speed on fall protection or how to breach our roofs to successfully install solar. It’s a very exciting field.” –cw/mjm

Clarification The story on the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Annual Meeting and Education Conference in the September issues of Construction News stated that Dede Hughes will be retiring from her position as NAWIC’s national executive vice president on Dec. 31. The statement should have specified that this will be happening on Dec. 31, 2017. –mh

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Oct 2016

ble. After I finished the pool table, I realized that this was something that I wanted to do for the rest of my life!

Matt Price Owner MP Custom Fabrications

little distance usually makes the heart grow fonder. In Matt Price’s case, briefly stepping away from his craft to try something completely different helped him see he was going in the right direction all along. These days, with 11 years of business ownership under his belt, Price continues to be content with his career and the creative outlet it provides him. He’s also excited about a new collaboration with an old friend. How were you introduced to welding? I was born and grew up in the small town of Pocatello, ID. I started working in a machine shop rebuilding motors when I was 16 and got a job at a big factory. It was an old World War II gun plant; it was a Raytheon company, Harbert Yeargin. I was in a big factory doing pressure tanks and vessels and I got a job being a helper and laborer, grinding and just learning how to weld after work. I worked my way up, and ended up working there for seven or eight years. I learned a lot of cool stuff there. We had some slow times in that seven or eight years and we would go to work at some of the bigger plants doing what they called shutdowns; that is what got me into welding, I think. I worked on a shutdown for MONSANTO in Soda Springs, ID for about four or five months and I think that’s when I really loved it. It was a lot of work but just really cool working with all of those guys in such a huge plant – memories that I will have forever! Did you have a natural talent for welding? I’ve always been mechanical and I love building things and figuring out how stuff works. I love the challenge, but I don’t know if it came naturally. When you really love what you’re doing, though, I guess that makes it natural. I really enjoyed welding for a long time and what I could do with it. I was always thinking of cool things I could build with it. However, when I was about 24 years old, I went though a lot of changes in life and the company I worked for closed its doors. Some of the employees had wanted it to become a union shop. There were enough votes to turn into the office and get the attention of the corporate operations in Iowa. They came down and had a mandatory meeting and asked if anyone would like to move from Idaho and they would pay for the move. So, I raised my hand and I said I would love to see what else is out there! I made the transition and moved to Kansas City TIG welding for a sub of General Motors and then they transferred me to Garland, TX in 1997; I’ve been here ever since. It was actually something I didn’t want to do anymore after moving here; there were so many opportunities here and I actually didn’t’ want to weld again. But I got married to my wife Rosie and we were trying to find a way to keep the family going financially, so I started doing small projects in the garage and my first full-blown project was a custom pool ta-

What happened to cause you to feel that way? I just wanted more. I wanted to challenge myself. That’s why I moved to Texas; there were so many different opportunities and things to see here. I got into sales for a while, but it wasn’t what I thought it was going to be. Then I started doing welding projects in my garage and really started loving it again. It took off from there. I’m glad I tried sales though. My sales experience has helped me tremendously with owning my own business. Sales are a huge portion of what I do with my business; I have to sell my product and myself. I don’t regret doing it at all; I learned a lot. Had you always wanted to own your own business? Ever since I was little, I always wanted to open up my own business. My mom and stepdad owned a little restaurant in Idaho named Price’s Corner Drive-In. My grandmother and grandfather and aunt also owned their own businesses. My grandfather built venetian blinds and was very handy; he died when I was three, and my grandmother always told me I was the spitting image of him and said I was following right in his footsteps. That made me feel good, and I was always trying to keep up with him. What motivated you to stop working for someone else and start working for yourself? It was 2005, and I was welding for a company in Fort Worth building water jet machines. I was laid off and I came home and was pretty depressed. My wife and I had one son at the time, and we had all of these bills. I’ll never forget: I walked into my house alone and just said to myself, “This is the greatest day of my life; I’m going to start my own business.” My wife thought I was crazy. She was concerned how to pay the first month’s rent on a new shop, and how scary that was. I was scared to death. Now that you have 11 years of business ownership to your credit, what do you feel has been the biggest challenge? I think the biggest challenge is just keeping cash flow going. It’s always a struggle and a battle but owning your own business is feast or famine. What has been the most rewarding part of business ownership for you? The people I’ve met and the relationships I have been able to build. I have met some really cool people in the industry. It has been a very humbling experience. What advice would you give to someone who wants to establish a business in the construction industry? Get ready for a lot of challenges, and don’t ever give up. It’s tough. I think what separates staying in business or going out of business is whether you give up or not. There are times when you have $4 in the account, and somehow you just have to keep plugging, and somehow everything works out. The hardest part, when times get really tough, is not letting go. Tell me about your team that you work with at MP Custom Fabrications. I have one employee who has been with me for more than 10 years, two who have been with me for seven, a couple of other employees who have been with me for five and then I just hired another. They’re just amazing. I wouldn’t be able to do it without them; they’re some of the most talented guys I’ve worked with. Do you plan on growing your company? I don’t think I want to get much big-

Matt Price (front) and his team at MP Custom Fabrications enjoy putting their creativity to work in projects such as this staircase.

ger. I’d like a couple more employees and to add some equipment, but I love the size that we’re at right now. The sizes of the jobs we do are right in our wheelhouse. We’d like to master what we have right now. We don’t know what the next level is, so we’ll just keep building and just be the best at what we do with the size of jobs we have right now. We did move our shop this year. We had been in the same space for about six and a half years. We moved to our current location Jan. 1. The new space is smaller, but it’s a jumpstart to what we’re striving for, kind of a next chapter. Your work allows you to be really creative; does your creativity extend to other areas of your life or business? I’ve done a bunch of work at the house; I’ve done some really cool handrails and steel walls in the house. I’ve also added a marble garage door to my house. It’s the first one in the world. Did you say a marble garage door? Yes, ma’am! My buddy Tom Beckum and I started it as another branch of the business; it’s called “Rock Garage Doors.” It’s really cool and beautiful. You can do garage doors in marble, granite or travertine. That’s such an interesting idea; how did it originate? Tom is a solid dude, and it’s just one of those relationships that, without starting this business, we never would have met. I’ve known him since my very first shop in Carrollton 11 years ago, when he had a marble and granite company next door. We stayed in contact and worked together here and there. He came to me about seven months ago with an idea he had patented for panels on a garage door. We talked about it and built all of the panels. I’m not an engineer, but with other resources we managed to engineer it right. It’s about a quarter-inch thick marble with an aluminum panel, a honeycomb and then another aluminum panel on the back. They’re insulated and UV-protected. I think it’s going to be really cool. He’s developing the website and we’re getting ready to launch. I never would have come up with that idea in a million years! Everyone we talk to says the same thing! I can tell you appreciate creativity because of your tattoos on your arms! It’s funny, and I’ll never forget this. I had a couple of tattoos before I started my business. I was doing work for a concrete guy, an older gentleman, and I had just gotten a big tattoo on my upper forearm that was the start of all of it. I had both of my boys with me because I had to meet him on a Saturday to look at a job.

He looked at my arm and said, “Matt, what are you doing? With that on your arm you’re going to be out of business in a week! No one wants to do business with a guy who has a bunch of tattoos!” I looked at him and said, “If they’re going to judge me for my tattoos on my arms, I don’t want to do work with them either!” And he started laughing and wished me luck. I do still talk to the guy! But now, tattoos have become more acceptable. I don’t even recognize them on me anymore! Obviously, tattoos haven’t hurt your business at all! What is one of your favorite creative welding projects? We did a 32ft.-tall sculpture [called “Combination”] for the city of Midlothian with an artist named Brad Oldham. It looks like one of those puzzles made out of two nails. It was probably one of the coolest things we’ve built. Tell me more about your family and how you spend your free time. My wife, Rosie, is from Toronto, Canada. We met in 1999 and married in November of 2001. She works as a nurse and I don’t know how she does it; it takes a special person to be a nurse. She is definitely a special person. She also works at MP Custom paying all of the bills and doing her best to keep me in check. Our oldest son Sean is 15 and goes to Grapevine High School. He gets great grades and he is an amazing athlete! My youngest son Christopher is a 6th grader at Grapevine Middle School. He also gets great grades and is an amazing athlete as well. I know I am their father, but I am so proud of our family and what we have done! It has not been easy but I love it and I love my family more than anything. I love sports; I love football and baseball, UFC and motocross. We used to ride dirt bikes almost every weekend, but with football and baseball it has kind of taken a backseat. When we get a little downtime, we get out the bikes, but it’s non-stop with those boys. Have your sons expressed an interest in the business? They have. I’ll take them into work to do some stuff here, but I tell them to be kids as long as they can, that they’ll be adults the rest of their lives. They both have had an interest in it, and I would definitely be proud if they decided to take the business, but I would be equally proud if they pursued something they had a passion for. Either way, it would be great with me. Irving-based MP Custom Fabrications offers industrial, residential or creative custom fabrication services including installation, general machining, modification, reproductions, repair, welding, structural work and sports designs. –mjm

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Oct 2016

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Answering the call

Industry FOLKS

Gena Williams Administrative Assistant/Receptionist Mart Inc.

eing an administrative assistant/receptionist at general contractor Mart Inc. is the perfect job for Gena Williams. First, it piggybacks on her long career in accounting. Second, the faith-based company is aligned with her own values. And, last but not least, bosses Vernon and Linda Proctor “have been a blessing to me in allowing me to come in and do my job. It was their Christian values and beliefs that help me strive to do my best for the company,” she says. It’s nice that her work life is a source of support, since she dedicates her free time to helping others. With the support of her parents, Thomas and Deborah Leonard, the DeSoto resident founded Youth Empowered For Success, a Dallas-based organization that empowers, educates and promotes growth and social awareness in youth and teens. Through educational enrichment programs, sports and adventure outings, career/life planning, and lessons in areas including leadership and community action, the organization nurtures at-risk youth. It was her parents that pushed and encouraged her to follow her passion. “It was just my desire to help youth,” she says. “One day, God put it on my heart because I love helping youth and I love putting smiles on their faces. I went out on faith and built it up from the ground by myself and incorporated it in 2011. Last year I got it 501c approved.” Youth Empowered For Success re-

cently held its first Youth Fest for 150 young people and provided 50 supplyfilled backpacks for local schoolchildren in need. The cause inspired Mart Inc. coworker Michelle Gomez, to donate a backpack to Williams’ organization. As an aunt to a host of nieces and nephews, Williams strongly believes every child is worth helping. “I don’t look at these kids as if they aren’t my kids. I look at them and treat them as though they are my kids. Whatever I give them is what I would give my own flesh and blood,” she says. Fiercely dedicated to growing Youth Empowered for Success, Williams is earning her Bachelors degree in accounting at Mountain View College. “It’s been challenging, but God has really blessed me and put me in position. I have 30 hours until I complete it. It will help me be more handson involved in the finance side of my nonprofit, since I’m taking nonprofit accounting as well. “What I hope is that I’ll just be able to be a constant motivating person to these kids, to where they will look up to me or that they will just contact me if they need anything,” she continues. “I just want to leave a legacy of helping our kids get on their feet, take them places where they never dreamed they would be able to go. I just want to make a mark on a child’s life.” –mjm

s a kid growing up in Tulsa, OK, it became apparent early on what David Call was meant to do as a career. “I had a strong drive towards changing things in my own family’s home to make it better and better – and they put up with me doing it!” the owner of David Call Interiors remembers. “They were so tolerant of my doing it and seemed to get a charge out of my creativity. It continued to spiral forward and I started my first business when I was 19; it was a budding business that propelled me directly into the interior design business that I’m in now. The way the clients responded and allowed me to continue to create designs, including construction designs to doing decorative design, just kept going and that is what truly helped me make it my career.” Call works with commercial clients on projects ranging from high rises to boutique-sized companies. Among the projects in his accomplished portfolio is an “almost from the ground up” remodel of a call-in credit collection center, which he was tasked with infusing new energy into the space. Call says what he does is a “great mix for enjoyment.” “What I love is the challenge. It isn’t necessary for clients to have a negative challenge, but I do enjoy having something at my feet that is more than just a decorating job,” he says. “I am known as one of the few remodel design managers for projects. What sets me apart from other designers is that, when you’re working on a remodel design manage-

David Call

ment project, what you really have is the opportunity to transform a space in a way that decorating just can’t do. I love it because we’re able to create floor plans for clients that show them this is what can truly be done. It comes down to paying attention to clients needs and bringing the plan opportunities to pick from.” Call enjoys helping clients make decisions that transform environments for their clients and employees. “I tell all of my clients that it’s just as simple to make the wrong decision as the right one,” Call says. “It’s all about having someone who understands, listens and makes the right decisions for you.” David Call of David Call Interiors in Dallas is a full-service design consultant and project manager. –mjm

Construction News ON LOCATION

Happy to greet you

Construction News ON LOCATION

Checking it twice

Receptionist Donette Moss’ cheerful and helpful demeanor delight all who enter the doors at VLK Architects in Fort Worth. –mjm

A.J. Airth, a fabricator with Lake Cities Fabrication in Lewisville, checks an order for accuracy. –mjm

Submitted to Construction News

On board for 2016-2017

The National Association of Women in Construction’s (NAWIC) Fort Worth chapter announced its 2016-17 board Sep. 15 at Diamond Oaks Country Club. Representing the association this year are Weaver’s Valissa Padgett (director), VFC’s Jillian Giles (director), Linear Pro Access’ Martina Wisherd (director), AXA Advisors’ Rebecca Turner (director), Direct Results’ Lara Siegel (immediate past president), UEB Builders’ Deanna Grover (treasurer), F.D. Hawkins Painting and Remodeling/Alegeh Autocad Design’s Francine Hawkins-Alegeh (secretary), Double Eagle Electric’s Lori Donnell (vice president), AUI Partners’ Shelie Gaffron (president -elect) and Accutex Electric’s Sharon Murphy (president).

Look how they’ve grown!

everal local construction-related businesses were recently ranked by Inc. as America’s fastest growing private companies. The “Inc. 5000” is an annually-published list of leading entrepreneurial businesses. –mjm 210: Fire Line Services, Fort Worth 841: Landmark Roofing, Bedford 1314: Gadberry Construction Company, Dallas 1776: Venus Construction, Mansfield 2344: Old Pro Roofing, Dallas 3172: Architectural Fabrication, Fort Worth 3219: UR Holdings, Carrollton 3520: W&M Environmental Group, Plano 3816: C1S Group, Dallas 3925: KWA Construction, Addison 3942: Viva Railings, Carrollton 4156 Silver Bullet Construction, Arlington 4464: Parkway Construction, Lewisville

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News â&#x20AC;¢ Oct 2016

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Oct 2016

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What do you want to do when you retire? I want to disappear to Alaska. I’m going to move up into the mountains and disappear. Kevin Hubbard, Graybar My plans are to sit back and enjoy life, fish and hunt and just enjoy what we have out here in the world and just explore the world. I will probably move to East Texas and build a lake house. Jody Holubek, Hilti I’m still young and looking to work for the next 40 years. But when I retire, I’d love to kick it up on the beach, have some drinks, a nice view, lay up all day and just enjoy my life with my 401K. Isaac Pinilla, Premier Electrical Staffing I have no plans to retire. I plan to work until they carry me out the door. Daryl Donaldson, Dealers Electrical Supply I would move to the mountains in Colorado, maybe Breckenridge, and become a complete hippie and live in nature. I’d have a coffee cart and sell paintings I made with twigs and rocks. Morgan Pearce, Bell & McCoy My dream in retirement is to move overseas, probably Europe or Greece. I would probably travel and sightsee and vacation to the beaches. Diane Bostwick, Tekk Force I would go into the consulting business, advising people about my experience and what I recommend is better for them. As a neutral person, I can help them out and choose the right product. Jawaid Ansari, Mersen I want to move to Colorado. I would buy a small house on some property on some

water somewhere and just relax – and get out of the city! Patti Allen, J&K Cabinetry

It was golden

he Texas Masonry Council hosted its annual convention Aug. 3-5 in Austin. Besides playing golf, betting big on a casino night, holding a workforce development fundraiser and a live auction, the organization handed out its 2016 Golden Trowel Awards to honor its best and brightest. Pictured below, the Dalas/Fort Worth winners.–cw

My ultimate dream would be to retire, travel and watch my kids play a sport that they love. My wife and I have talked about a dream house somewhere it is nice and relaxed. I’d love a log cabin in the mountains. I don’t know if I would ever be able to just slow down but neither one of us could just sit down and do nothing; we’d always be doing something. Matt Price, MP Custom Fabrications I would travel everywhere. I’m not kidding! God made this world and I want to see it! If I die and I don’t get to leave the states, I have failed Him. I’ve seen the Dominican Republic, Canada and Mexico, so I’ve ventured a little bit. I’ve always told my kids they will not fall off the edge of the earth at the Texas state line! There’s a whole world out there and we have to get out there and see it! RondaSue McCarty, Patriot Powerwashing and Striping, a subsidiary of Retlaw I would really like to stay at home and have lots of furry animals running around and maybe do something with animal rescue. Jennifer VanBreda, Johnson Controls Tyco SimplexGrinnell

Austin Masonry Construction for Old Town Plaza. Architect was Design Workshop.

Industrial/Commercial: DMG Masonry Construction Ltd. for Old Parkland West Campus office building. Architect was Beck Architecture.

My dream retirement would be to have a home in the Rocky Mountains because I am a mountain person and not a beach person. As long as I have running water, I’m good! MaryAnne Doss, Kings of Texas Roofing Refurbishing furniture, farmhouse style! I love watching Fixer Upper! Wanda Bledsaw, Bledsaw Construction and Design

Block/CMU: Artisan Masonry Inc. for Walmart – Royse City Architect was Raymond Harris and Associates.

Happy anniversary!

ongratulations to the Fort Worth chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), which is celebrating its 70th anniversary year, and also to the original Fort Worth section of the Texas Society of Architects (TSA), which was created 75 years ago this month. Incidentally, Texas’ earliest professional architecture organization – the Texas State Association of Architects (TSAA) was founded 130 years ago in 1886, with Fort Worth architect JJ. Kane as its first president. –mjm

Education (K-12): Skinner Masonry LLP for Three Lakes Middle School Architect was PBK Architects.

Construction News ON LOCATION

They’re a-heading out

L-R: Robert Holtsclaw, Devon Wood and De’andre Smith of Ahead of the Rest Plumbing in Fort Worth are ready to head out and tackle a downtown Cowtown restaurant project. –mjm

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Oct 2016

Buying, leasing and renting … oh my! Strategic thinking for construction equipment acquisitions Michael Kuchar, CPA, CCIFP, Construction Group Shareholder Doeren Mayhew Houston, TX

ome construction companies buy and maintain large fleets of equipment. Others choose to lease these assets and, in some cases, purchase select pieces at the end of the arrangement. Still others opt to rent what they need, for only as long as they need it. Making the right call among all of these approaches can seem overwhelming. Every contractor would love to have a diverse fleet of equipment ready to deploy at a moment’s notice. But few, if any, want to deal with the potential financial repercussions. Buying: For daily use It usually makes sense to buy equipment that you expect to use daily or almost daily. If you’re using an asset at or near its full capacity, generally buying and maintaining it will pay off. For starters, you’ll have the piece ready to go at a moment’s notice and, assuming proper maintenance, be able to extract maximum life-cycle value from it. Ownership also allows you to, where permissible, claim tax deductions for related depreciation, insurance, interest and repair expenses. On the other hand, coming up with large down payments can be a financial strain. In addition, investing heavily in equipment ties up capital you might better use in other ways. Consider, too: • The space you need to store purchased equipment • How you will transport the asset to and from jobsites • Which resources you need to use in repairing and maintaining the piece As alluded to above, life cycle is everything. Many of today’s construction assets are evolving just as rapidly as the technology used to track and run it. So look carefully into whether you’ll be able to fully use a piece of equipment before it’s outmoded. Renting: The flexible option Renting offers the most flexibility, allowing you to pay for only the equipment you need for a limited period. This option often benefits smaller companies — especially subcontractors — lacking the resources to maintain a fleet of equipment. Of course, that doesn’t mean renting can’t benefit larger construction businesses under the right circumstances. Choosing to rent a piece of equipment means no big down payment, and less money spent on the overall arrangement than with a lease. Plus, rental payments are generally considered

a tax-deductible operating expense, which simplifies accounting. Renting also frees you from responsibility for maintenance and repairs. And because most rental companies regularly update their inventories, you’ll generally have access to new (or newer) assets. Naturally, there are downsides. You’ll be at the mercy of rental inventories and, in some cases, renting could increase your overall expenses (compared with leasing and owning), because rental companies often build higher costs into their payment terms. Leasing: hedging your bets Leasing equipment offers some of the benefits of ownership while mitigating certain downsides. An equipment lease is essentially a loan arrangement in which the lender owns the equipment and leases it to a contractor at a flat monthly rate for a specified term. At the end of that term, the lessee can opt to buy the equipment, return it or lease new assets. Just as some drivers prefer to lease vehicles to stay up-to-date and reduce their maintenance costs, many contractors see the same advantages in leasing equipment. With leased assets, you can avoid making large down payments and reserve capital for other purposes. You’ll typically pay a higher interest rate, though. Leases are usually set up so payments are made with operating funds rather than capital accounts and, therefore, are deductible as an operating expense. But if a lease includes certain options (such as a bargain lease option) it may be defined as a capital lease and, therefore, need to be put on the books. The right mix of construction equipment acquisitions As mentioned, large construction companies may be able to own their own fleets. But, for small- to mid-sized businesses, some combination of owned, leased and rented equipment will likely make the most sense. Keep in mind, recent changes in accounting rules will affect the way leases are handled and defined in your financial statements. A top 100 U.S. ﬁrm, Doeren Mayhew’s CPAs and business advisors serve more than 500 suppliers and general and specialty contractors doing business domestically and abroad. For more information, visit www.doeren.com.

The Healthcare billing experience Kristen Harder, Account Executive Catto & Catto LLP San Antonio, TX

magine you are at HEB shopping for your weekly meals. You begin shopping and all of a sudden other people start placing items in your basket that you did not know you needed, nor did you budget for. Then you get up to the cashier and they gather some money from you and then tell you, “We will bill you for the remaining balance. ” Three months later you get a bill in the mail. You’re not only caught off guard by the charge that is very surprising, but you’ve forgotten what all you bought at HEB on that trip, and you have no idea what else was placed in your basket by others. Wouldn’t that be irritating? Of course it would be. It is not the way we as consumers shop for anything else, as it just is not rational. Next, imagine that you’re going to buy something very important to you, perhaps a flat screen TV. What if you found that the prices were not posted. Or, the best and the worst TV, according to quality statistics, were priced about the same or better yet, the worst TVs were the most expensive. Again, doesn’t sound right or make sense. Well, isn’t it interesting that when we utilize the healthcare system, the shopping and billing experience is much like the above scenarios? Not rational. It should be no surprise that managing our personal health or the health of a close person consistently ranks in the top five for most adults. The longer I am in the insurance business and help my clients manage their health and navigate the healthcare system, the more I realize just how confusing it is. Think about it: if you need to have a knee surgery, how do you find and research top quality orthopedic surgeons? Do you Google ‘top orthopedic surgeons in my area‘? Do you ask a few friends who may have had knee surgery prior? Then you remember that you better check to see if they participate in network with your health insurance company. What about the price? There are so many different reasons we choose a provider and trust them with our personal health, but unfortunately, consumers are not privy to choosing a provider proven to have the highest quality of care with the best of outcomes because transparency is lacking in healthcare today. As consumers, we should be equipped to choose the practitioner who is best in class at what they do. And by “best in class,” I mean a measurable quality metric that makes that practitioner truly among the elite. For example, if I

need back surgery, I want to go to the BEST back surgeon in my area and know what my out of pocket costs will be so that I can determine the best provider to use. Should be easy, right? It is not. In fact, there is usually a long wait to get in to those “best doctors” because they are the best and often times we do not like to wait six weeks or longer for something we need done today. Good news. You’re not the only one who is frustrated. Thankfully we are starting to see solutions emerge. We partner with a company who is now doing quality reviews for proven top physician practices and their outcomes, and so in this network they negotiate the pricing down with the top providers, ensure that their members are seen within three business days. This is real savings for employers, key information for employees who are seeking treatment, and a real breakthrough in the system. Self-insured companies should be aware of this option because it is a great way to see real dollar savings, and to know that their employees are going to top providers by utilizing this service. Kristen specializes in employee health benefits for mid to large employers in Texas. Through her experience, valued client partnerships and heavy involvement in the community, Kristen understands and strives to combat the challenges that employers and executives face in regard to providing an attractive benefits portfolio while protecting the company’s assets and liabilities, as well as balancing these expenses with their budget. Let me know how I can help. Call me at 210-222-2161 x254.

Submitted to Construction News

Night of nominees

Submitted to Construction News

TCU vs. Iowa State

L-R: U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Texas chapter executive director Jonathan Kraatz, Sustainable Concepts president Tricia Loe and USGBC Texas chapter board member Sam Gunderson show team spirit at the Green Building Tailgate before the game. The Sep. 17 event was hosted by Acme Brick and Steele & Freeman at Amon Carter Stadium. –mjm

And the nominees are … accomplished women in architecture, engineering and construction! The Regional Hispanic Contractors Association (RHCA) made its much-anticipated announcement of its LUNA nominees at the LUNA Kickoff & Nominees’ Reception. The event, held Sep. 15 at Sheraton Dallas Hotel, celebrated a decade of LUNA history and honored women nominated for their industry achievements. The 10th annual Luna Awards and RHCA Women’s Business Conference will be held Oct. 28 at the same venue. –mjm

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Oct 2016

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How does “Ban the Box” affect you?

Zika Virus protection for outdoor workers

Shelly Masters, Principal Attorney Cokinos, Bosien & Young Austin, TX

Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX

hat is “Ban the Box”? “Ban the box” is a Fair Chance Hiring Ordinance that prevents employers from inquiring about a job applicant’s criminal history until a conditional offer of em-

ployment has been made. History of Ban the Box The movement began in early 2000s by the “All of Us or None” grassroots civil rights organization led by formerly incarcerated and convicted people. Currently, 24 states and over 100 cities and counties have adopted some form of ban the box. Only nine states and several cities apply ban the box to private employers. Texas does not have a ban the box state law. Travis County and Dallas County are the only counties that have ban the box. Austin is the first and only city in Texas to implement ban the box. In 2008, Austin City Council passed an ordinance that prevented only public employers from asking about criminal history during the initial application process. On March 24, 2016, the Council passed a ban the box ordinance that applies to private employers as well. The new ordinance took effect on April 4, 2016. Why ban the box? Supporters of ban the box argue that criminal history on a job application unfairly and arbitrarily limits the pool of qualified job applicants. Local Ban the Box rules In Austin, City Ordinance No.20160324-019, or “ban the box,” includes findings by the city council that denying an employment opportunity based on criminal history is “unjust; is detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the City; prevents the reintegration of the persons into the community; creates a burden on public resources and law enforcement; contributes to crime and recidivism; and contributes to unemployment and harms the local economy.” The ordinance applies to public and private employers. It applies to all private employers with 15 or more employees working in Austin’s city limits. This includes full time, part time, contract work, and temporary workers. It does not apply to jobs that have a legally mandated insurance or bond requirement that dictate disqualifying an individual based on criminal history. The ordinance allows an exception for a staffing agency. A staffing agency may make inquiries into criminal history when it has identified a job to which the applicant will be employed or placed in a staffing pool.

An employer still has authority to withdraw a conditional employment offer for any lawful reason, including the determination that an individual is unsuitable for the job based on an individualized assessment of the individual’s criminal history. What should an employer NOT do? An employer that falls under this law may NOT: • publish any information about a job that automatically disqualifies based on criminal history • inquire about an applicant’s criminal history in an application • solicit criminal history information or consider criminal history, unless the employer has first made a conditional offer of employment • refuse to consider employing an individual because the individual did not provide criminal history before a conditional offer • take adverse action against the individual unless the employer has determined that the individual is unsuitable based on an individualized assessment. What should an employer do? First, review all current application forms and make sure there are no questions regarding criminal background. Second, modify the hiring process. An employer should not inquire regarding criminal history or consider criminal history in any way until a conditional offer is made. If an employer chooses to take an adverse action against an applicant because of criminal history, the employer must inform the applicant in writing about the decision being based on criminal history. Penalties Austin Equal Employment/Fair Housing Office will enforce the ordinance. There is a one-year grace period. If the violation occurs before April 4, 2017, only a warning will be issued. After April 4, 2017, the first violation will likely result in a warning, followed by a civil penalty of up to $500. Shelly Masters is a Principal in the Austin office of Cokinos Bosien & Young. She represents clients in the areas of construction, labor and employment, and commercial law. CB&Y has been representing the construction industry for over 25 years. She can be reached at smasters@cbylaw.com or (512) 615-1139.

Submitted to Construction News

Morning meet and greet

Meloni McDaniel, president and CEO of TEXO, The Construction Association, welcomed new and potential members at a breakfast hosted Sep. 13 at TEXO Dallas Conference Center. Guests were introduced to the board of directors and given a brief overview of the association. –mjm

utdoor workers may be at the greatest risk of exposure to Zika virus, which is primarily spread through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Your employer should inform you about the risk of exposure through mosquito bites and how to protect yourself. Current science-based evidence suggests that approximately one out of five infected people develops symptoms of Zika virus, usually beginning 2-7 days after the bite of an infected mosquito. Symptoms are usually mild and can last 2–7 days. The most common symptoms of Zika virus infection are fever, rash, joint pain and red or pink eyes. Other symptoms include myalgia (muscle pain) and headache. These symptoms are similar to those of dengue fever or chikungunya. During the first week of infection, Zika virus can be detected in the blood and is capable of being spread from an infected person to a mosquito that feeds on that person. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to other people through bites. OSHA recommends that your employer: Train you on how to protect yourself and about the importance of eliminating areas where mosquitoes breed at your worksite and provide insect repellents and protective clothing for your exposed skin, and encourage their use. How to Protect Yourself: Use insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin or another EPA-registered active ingredient on skin that is not covered by clothing. Always follow label precautions. • If using permethrin, spray it on clothing and gear only—not directly on skin. • Choose a repellent that provides protection for the amount of time that you will be outdoors.

• After returning indoors and before eating, use soap and water to wash skin that has been treated with insect repellent. Reapply repellent when returning outdoors or after eating. • Wear clothing that covers all of your skin, including socks that cover the ankles and lower legs and hats with mosquito netting to protect the face and neck. • In warm weather, wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing. This type of clothing protects you from the sun and provides a barrier to mosquitoes. Get rid of sources of standing water (e.g., tires, buckets, cans, bottles, barrels) whenever possible to reduce or eliminate mosquito breeding areas. • OSHA and NIOSH recommend that you talk to your supervisor(s) about any outdoor work assignment(s) or travel to Zikaaffected areas if you are or may become pregnant, or, for males, if your sexual partner is or may become pregnant. Consult CDC information on Zika virus and pregnancy: www.cdc.gov/zika. • If you routinely work with insecticides to control mosquitoes, you may require additional personal protective equipment. • If symptoms develop, seek medical attention promptly. Discuss any possible exposure to mosquitoes or infections spread by mosquitoes with a healthcare provider. natarajan.joann@dol.gov 512-374-0271 x232

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Oct 2016

Community commitment

Trench fare

Attendees listen to a message from Texas 811 at the event.

“C

ommitment to design with the community in mind” – that’s the mantra that has inspired Stantec Dallas for the past four years to give back though an annual day of firmwide volunteerism. On Sep. 21, volunteers gathered where there was need to improve their communities. Throughout Texas, Stantec will have 450 volunteers out in the communities of Dallas/Fort Worth, Plano, Austin, Houston and San Antonio. At a local level, 50 volunteers spent their annual day of service at St. Philip’s School and Community Center, which is a nonprofit and ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas that serves low and moderate-income families. Stantec also had four volunteers

providing clean up at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens and more than 40 volunteers tidying up at Richardson’s Cottonwood Park. Last year, more than 7,000 Stantec team members volunteered in such farflung locales as Canada, Barbados, the UK, the UAE and India. This year, the company anticipates 8,000 employees will volunteer in their communities. –mjm

Halloween fun

ore than 300 industry members gathered at Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers in Fort Worth to learn about trench safety from the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Held Sep. 16, the free event opened with a message from one-call and damage prevention service Texas 811. Groups then rotated through ‘live’ stations to lis-

ten to presentations hosted by industry and OSHA safety instructors. An OSHA panel concluded the event by participating in a question-and-answer session. Several construction companies contributed to the event, including National Trench Safety, United Rentals, U.S. Shoring, North Texas Contracting, Buyers Barricades, Team Safety and Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers. –mjm

Groups rotated through ‘live’ stations to listen to trench safety presentations.

Construction News ON LOCATION

Family business

Keep Construction News in mind this year when your office undergoes a spooky transformation like PCL Contract Bonding Agency did last year. Send your photos from Halloween to DFWeditor@constructionnews.net

L-R: Dierdre Harper recently started working with her brother Michael Harper, owner of Harper’s Plumbing Co. in Mansfield. The siblings enjoy working together – and teasing each other – on job sites throughout the metroplex. –mjm

Construction News ON LOCATION

Siding eye

L-R: Robert Valle and Jose Martinez of Irving siding contractor Unity suit up and sport some shades for another sunny day of siding installation. –mjm

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Oct 2016

Page 11

Fall fishing forecast 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.

abor Day typically ends the summer for vacationers and out-of-town anglers and kicks off the start of hunting season. This relieves a lot of the fishing and boat pressure in our Coastal Bend waters. Busy guides start seeing a definite decrease in weekday charters as most anglers concentrate on weekend bay fishing. But don’t let all of those signs keep you off the water and away from some of the best fishing of the season. I’m talking REDS! BULL REDS! September and October are some of the best fishing months of the year here on the Laguna Madre. The first fronts of fall start blowing in triggering a migration that is about to begin. Scattered redfish will school-up and most will begin a journey to the gulf. They will be feeding vigorously along the flats and shorelines, fatting up and preparing for a winter. We will be ready for some of the best line-stripping, rod bending action of the year. Catching redfish can sometimes be very challenging due to their very picky

Fall fishing brings more variety to the ice chest. This flounder came in at 4-1/2 pounds and 22 inches long caught with Steve Schultz Outdoors.

eating habits. I’ve seen reds follow a gold spoon for yards only to turn and swim away at the last minute. There are several different strategies when fishing for reds. Wading the shallow flats around shell reefs and grass beds is one of the most enjoying techniques and also my favorite. These areas can also be worked with a shallow draft boat rigged with a good trolling motor or a push pole. When wading for reds I like using a 1/8 oz. Johnson Gold Weedless Spoon

Submitted to Construction News

Worthy of a pedal

Eric Bunner (center), vice president at Skanska USA Building Inc., cycled for a cause Sep. 17 at the inaugural Emmitt Smith Gran Fondo. Launched from Rough Riders Stadium in Frisco, the premier multi-course cycling event included a timed race for the 100-mile course and a cash prize. All proceeds benefitted the Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities. –mjm

attached with a 20# shock leader and a swivel. This spoon is small enough to work slow in shallow water and won’t spook the fish like some of the bigger baits will. If the wind is up and stalking quietly isn’t a factor try using a topwater plug like a Top Dog Jr. or a Super Spook. These baits will more than likely trigger some larger redfish as they imitate a mullet in distress. When working topwater lures for reds, remember to work them slow and don’t jerk to soon when you get

a blow-up. Redfish mouths are on the bottom of their heads and they must turn sideways or attack from the top to inhale the surface bait. Live bait is another effective technique for producing big boxes of redfish. Local marinas have gone to great lengths to catch and keep bait alive for guides and sport fishermen. Croakers and Piggy Perch are the main live baits during this time of the year. Shrimp will be making their way back into the bay system as the waters get cooler. When fishing from a boat with live bait, key on grass lines and drop-offs early in the morning. Use your trolling motor or push pole to position your boat around these areas so you don’t spook any fish in the general area. Cast live croakers or grunting piggy perch to the grass line and wait patiently. Keep an eye out in the distance for sudden wakes and frenzy bait in the water. Occasionally a school of redfish will appear and you better be ready to give chase. When ever possible use your trolling motor to pursue these schools of reds, for they can be very skittish and evasive. Just last week, as we were anchored on the King Ranch shoreline, a herd of redfish appeared swimming towards the boat. As I was preparing my clients for the excitement, my 7-foot FTU Green Rod doubled over in the rod holder. I instructed them to cast to the school as I reached for my rod and reel that by now had a screaming drag. POW! It was gone. In all of the excitement we had three hook-ups and landed two redfish. As the gold flash disappeared into the deeper water, all we could do was watch. The school of reds must have been several hundred large and all seemed to be oversize. We retied and the chase was on again. Fall fishing dates are still available. Don’t wait till the last minute to book your dates. To schedule your next bay fishing trip give Capt. Steve Schultz a call or text at 361-813-3716 or 361-334-3105 or e-mail him at SteveSchultzOutdoors@ gmail.com. Good luck and Good Fishing.

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Oct 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 the radio as follows: The Great Outdoors: 5-8 am Saturday on 1300, The Zone, Austin and The Great Outdoors: 5-7 am Saturday on 1200 WOAI San Antonio The Sunday Sportsman: 6-8 am Sunday on 1300, The Zone, Austin All on iHeart Radio

Eyes in the Sky

ave you spent any time playing with the amazing satellite images you have at your fingertips these days? I don’t just mean checking out how many swimming pools are behind the privacy fences in your neighborhood either. This technology is a sportsman’s dream. The best part is that you can zoom in to get quite a bit of detail. In one of the images of my place I can even make out how many of our black barn cats were lounging in the parking lot! Got a new deer lease this season? Load up the satellite images for those pastures. Zoom in close and you can see the features of the land and the locations of water that your game will be coming to. Look closer and you can see the way the contours of the land form natural funnels that the game travel through and even the very trails they use. Now you know where you want your feeders and your deer stands to be located. Couple this with some good game cameras and you get a head start on really making the most of your lease. It used to take years of hunting to get this kind of familiarity with a place, and now you can do it with an evening at your computer. Satellite imagery is even more of an advantage for fishermen. You know how I was encouraging everybody to get out and visit the lakes that were being dried up by the drought? While that was an excellent opportunity to get a look at some of our favorite fishing spots, satellite images can take you a step further. Plink around on the images of your favorite lake, or the one you plan to visit next, until you find the link that lets you also see the historic images for that area. I know that on Lake Buchanan they have several sets of images that go back for years. Some of the images show the lake full, others half empty and one even shows

that lake during a flood. Older images might not have quite as good resolution as newer ones, but studying them can give you great information on how the river channel travels through a body of water, what places keep water and where islands will come up. This and just the general picture of how a body of water is laid out should give you some good places to start fishing, even if you are visiting a lake for the first time. There are two other very important sources of free information that every sportsman should have preferably on his phone, (no, don’t leave it at home…mute it, but have it in case you need it). Now days there is no reason for you to ever go out on the water without a last minute check of weather forecast and a look at current radar. You just don’t have any excuse for putting yourself in harm’s way anymore, yet we see people do it all the time because they just don’t bother to check the weather first. The last important tool to have and learn to use are the maps and gps on your phone. Even if you are lost your phone probably can show you exactly where you are and how to get back to the boat ramp or deer camp. Check it out and get on out there now and make the most of our great Texas outdoors this fall!

Full moon fishing

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!

Missed the boat!

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

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Oct 2016

Page 13

Hey, hey …

Just for the fin of it

ichael Harper, owner of Harper’s Plumbing Co. in Mansfield, only got two pet Marmoset monkeys to make his wife happy. But it’s pretty safe to say that Meko and Misha have grown on him and have become a curious addition to his family. Potty-trained and fond of candy, Meko (who is male) and Misha (a female) also enjoy leashed trips out in public to see the sights. –mjm

Although Marmosets usually feast on tree sap, Michael Harper gives Misha (pictured) and Meko suckers as a sweet substitute.

The largest tuna of the trip was 107 lbs.

hillip Hope, vice president of North Town Electric Company in Dallas, recently lined up the tuna and redfish at Venice Marina in Louisiana. Hope has won several fishing tournaments, and among this day’s victories were a 23-lb. redfish and a whopping 107-lb. tuna! –mjm

Meko and Misha may never know how many licks it takes …

Misha, at 6 weeks old, was only 2 in. long when Harper brought her from St. Petersburg, FL to her new home. Adult Marmosets can grow to 8 in.

Phillip Hope and the 23 lb. redfish.

Submitted to Construction News

Hearts for helping

Meko is ready for his outing.

Seven employees from Brandt’s Fort Worth office joined thousands of walkers in over 300 communities for the 2016 Tarrant County Heart Walk. Held Sep. 10 at Will Rogers Memorial Center, the race was narrowed down to the one-mile path due to area thunderstorms, but no one’s enthusiasm was dampened in the least! -mjm

Have an Outdoor Story or Photo? Send to: DFWEditor@ ConstructionNews.net or call Melissa at 817-731-4823

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Oct 2016

From Russia with love

etween Jun. 22 and Jul. 13, PCL Contract Bonding Agency’s Clem Lesch, his wife Pauline and family members visited St. Petersburg and Moscow and took a 5,000-mile Siberian train ride to Lake Baikal and Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar. To keep their energy up, the group ate like the locals. In Mongolia, they selected a sheep that would immediately serve as their dinner, and also sampled fish caught from Lake Baikal, which has been an isolated lake for millions of years. Lesch says a favorite part of the trip was the horse racing celebrated at the annual Naadam Festival. Featuring jockeys ranging in age from 5 to 12, the race has no rules and the first to cross the finish line after racing on rough terrain for 25 kilometers (16 miles) wins. Lenin’s tomb in Moscow was also on the itinerary (although Clem isn’t entirely sure that the real Lenin was on display). He also got a kick out of visiting Red Square. “Never in a million years did I think we would be standing in Red Square, especially since I was working with NATO during the mid-1960s!” he jokes. –mjm

Clem (center) and four of his brothers in front of St. Basil’s Cathedral in the Red Square in Moscow.

The group poses at the top of the 131 ft. tall stainless steel statue of Genghis Khan and his horse on the steppes of Mongolia.

Clem: “We were inside the Kremlin and tried to talk to Putin but word was he was too busy reading e-mails!”

Clem and Pauline see their names written in Mongolian script. Dressed up warrior-style

Child jockeys. Sixteen-mile race. No rules. What could go wrong?

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News â&#x20AC;¢ Oct 2016

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Oct 2016

Round-Up VLK Architects announces James “Jim” Stephenson, NCARB LEED AP, as its newest principal responsible for the firm’s automobile dealership sector. As owner and principal of Stephenson Architects in Fort Worth since 1983, he brings a vast amount of experience with institutional, warehouse, medical, retail, surgical, educational, office, service/repair and many automobile dealerships. Stephenson’s project experience includes renovation/ repair, retrofit, additions and ground-up construction.

Engineering, construction and sustainability consulting firm C1S Group in Dallas recently added Clint Wilson as construction project manager. Wilson previously spent the past two years with Dallas-based Vaughn Construction and also worked with ARCO/ Murray Design Build and spent more than five years with Balfour Beatty Construction. Wilson earned his bachelor’s degree in construction science from the University of Oklahoma.

Healthcare-focused architecture firm Environments for Health (E4H) appointed Mackenzie McHale AIA, LEED AP, EDAC, as an associate partner in its Dallas office. McHale brings more than 14 years of experience to her role; her portfolio includes Baylor All Saints Medical Center’s emergency department renovation and expansion and master plan work for Covenant Health System. She most recently served as vice president at architecture firm HKS. McHale earned her bachelor of science in architecture from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Pape-Dawson Engineers Inc. announces Nancy Cline, PE, has been hired as practice leader of transportation. Cline will serve as a leader in the Dallas office, promoting and managing transportation and construction services throughout Texas. Cline brings more than 30 years of experience to her role, most recently serving as Denton Area Engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Dallas District. Cline holds a bachelor of science degree and a masters in engineering degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University.

Exceptional architecture

he Texas Society of Architects (TSA) recently announced the recipients of the 2016 Honor Awards. This program recognizes exceptional members, firms, individuals, and organizations for outstanding achievements in support of the profession of architecture, the built environment, and quality of life in Texas. Honorees will be recognized at the 77th Annual Convention and Design Expo, Nov. 3–5 in San Antonio. –cw Award for Community Service in Honor of James D. Pfluger FAIA, Paul Dennehy, AIA, Fort Worth The Honors Awards jury commends Paul Dennehy for going beyond the role of service to the profession through TxA and AIA Fort Worth to serve the greater community. A 13-year involvement with the Berry Street Initiative is just one of multiple examples of Dennehy’s volunteer efforts that have brought revitalization and livability to key areas of Fort Worth. His service to a myriad of organizations, including the Fort Worth Park and Recreation Department and UT Arlington College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs, more than warrants recognition through this award.

Award for Young Professional Achievement in Honor of William W. Caudill FAIA, Jennifer Workman, AIA, Dallas Jennifer Workman is a dedicated young professional who has shown strong leadership abilities through her involvement with AIA at the national, state, and local levels, through community involvement with diverse groups such as the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas and the Real Estate Council, and through mentorship within her firm, GFF. She exemplifies the voice of a strong emerging talent dedicated to the profession.

General contractor Sundt Construction Inc. announces the following: Teri Jones has been named senior vice president and building group manager responsible for the overall performance of the entire building group, including North Texas. The 37year industry veteran joined Sundt nearly 17 years ago and previously served as vice president in charge of business development for Sundt’s Northern California District. Jones earned a bachelor of science in civil engineering from the University of Southern California and is a LEED-accredited professional with the United States Green Building Council.

James Leppo has been hired as a preconstruction project manager/project executive. Leppo has more than 30 years of industry experience in Texas, starting his career as a laborer and reinforcing steel installer before earning a bachelors degree in engineering from the University of Texas. Leppo’s previous positions include project engineer, senior estimator, chief field engineer, division scheduler, superintendent, senior project manager, project director/executive and operations manager. He is a certified professional constructor by the American Institute of Constructors.

MYCON General Contractors appointed healthcare and hospitality construction veteran Jacob Riney, LEED AP BD+C, as the firm’s vice president. Riney will be responsible for the leadership and management of the firm’s healthcare, senior living and hospitality construction projects, including preconstruction services. Riney spent the last nine years as an executive with a top North Texas general contractor. His healthcare credentials include the Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) and Health Care Construction Certified (HCC) designations and Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification (EDAC).

MYCON General Contractors promoted Dana Walters to vice president of business development. In her new position, Walters will be responsible for leading staff, formulating building project pursuit strategies and developing client and industry group relationships. Her focus will be identifying new business opportunities in the retail, office, industrial, religious and mixed-use market sectors. Walters, who has 20 years of experience in the commercial construction industry, joined MYCON in 2004 as director of business development, securing several national clients for the company.

Round-Up Submissions 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 DFWeditor@ConstructionNews.net, with “Round-Up” in the subject line

Mentorship Award AIA Dallas Latinos in Architecture Network AIA Dallas Latinos in Architecture (LiA) Network is a vibrant program providing mentorship to Hispanic/Latino emerging professionals. The program’s commitment to professional development is demonstrated through the broad range of opportunities it provides for EPs to get involved, including volunteer work with area schools and outreach events in the community. The result is a program which will no doubt bear the fruits of heightened diversity within the EP ranks of AIA Dallas, while empowering Latino students in the community to embark on a career in architecture.

Citation of Honor Downtown Dallas Inc. This organization has had a significant impact on the quality of life in Downtown Dallas. It has been instrumental in energizing the livability of the heart of the city, and serves as a great example of a public-private partnership improving the public realm. Honorary Membership Linda Owen, Dallas During her decade-long involvement with the Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation, Linda Owen provided key leadership in the development of Klyde Warren Park — a 5.2-acre public park spanning a freeway to link Downtown Dallas with Uptown. This dynamic project has transformed the city’s central core into a vibrant urban environment and is a lasting testament to Owen’s commitment to making Dallas a great city.

Submitted to Construction News

On board for 2016-2017

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)’s Dallas chapter installed its 2016-17 board of directors Sep. 19 at Dallas’ MCM Eleganté Hotel. Representing the association are Jennifer VanBreda of SimplexGrinnell (immediate past president), treasurer Britni Hammond of Iowa Bridge & Culvert (treasurer), Laurel Wesson of United Rentals (corresponding secretary), Debbie Parker of King of Texas Roofing (recording secretary), Emily Britton of McCarthy (director), Deenie Kurtz of Briggs Equipment (director), Mary Prey of International Fidelity Insurance Co. (director), Kim Gibbons of McCarthy (vice president) and Ann McCullough of McCullough & Associates (president). Not pictured: director Brenda Blakeman of Penhall)

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Oct 2016

Page 17

Specialty Contractors Outlook “conservative but positive” Lisa B. Brown, Co-Owner/CFO Michael E. Brown & Associates LLC (MEB&A) Dallas, Tx.

ow would you describe the state of the construction industry in general terms? Overall, everyone we speak with, from glazing contractors, consultants and architects, etc., the feeling is a conservative, but positive, outlook going forward. More monies are being released for government projects, as well as hospitals and schools, which is always a good sign of continued growth. We’ve also seen a significant increase in multiuse buildings, not only in the local DFW area but throughout the country. These buildings are also being built with LEED in mind, which is good for everyone.

rated “project assistance” as a tool to help our customers with phone calls to architects and general contractors, to reviewing specifications and product recommendations. What factors are driving this increase? We like to think that our growth is due to our quality of work, good customer service, communication and overall experience with more than 35 years. We also recognize that there has been an uptick in the construction industry over the past two or more years in all areas. How has this increase affected your company and how you conduct business? The increase in business has affected lead times slightly for shop drawings, application engineering, etc. We also have found it a bit challenging to find/hire experienced personnel, but in the last few months we’ve been able to fill our needs with qualified drafters and additional

Have you experienced an increase in business? MEB&A has seen a steady increase in all of our divisions over the past 12 months. We offer shop drawings, take off, consulting, design, application engineering and technical services for the glazed wall industry. We’ve also incorpo-

ASA focuses priorities on issues that directly impact construction subcontractors Marc Ramsey, Director of Communications American Subcontractors Association Alexandria, Va.

undreds of associations represent companies and individuals in the construction industry. The American Subcontractors Association carefully focuses its priorities in order not to waste its members’ resources and to avoid redundancies. Thus, ASA’s highest priorities are issues that have a direct impact on construction subcontractors and that are unlikely to be addressed by other major construction associations to the benefit of subcontractors—including, for example, payment timing, retainage, contingent payment, mechanic’s lien and payment bond rights, risk allocation, and safety and health regulations with a direct impact on specialty trade contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. ASA’s secondary issues are those that impact the construction industry gener-

ally, that is, issues on which other construction industries are working but on which ASA’s involvement may make a difference. These secondary issues may include broader safety and health issues, employment issues, and tax issues. ASA’s tertiary issues are those that impact businesses, such as ASA members, generally. These issues may include, for example, broader tax and employment issues that may have a unique impact on construction subcontractors. “I firmly believe that there would have been little, if any, action on subcontractor issues, particularly payment issues, during the last 50 years if not for ASA’s leadership through education and advocacy,” said ASA Chief Advocacy Officer E. Colette Nelson. “Indeed, even on those few occasions when ASA has not

staff. This makes an immediate impact with scheduling and lead times. We’re excited about the opportunities ahead and the continued growth as this fiscal year comes to an end. What is the most significant challenge your industry faces? As with most industries, it’s finding good personnel to fill positions. The construction industry seems to have been hit hard in this area over the past few years. The need for more vocational and technical schools, as well as internships, needs to be addressed. We need to get people involved in what can be a very satisfying career, with many different areas of interests. The construction industry offers working in the field (concrete, framing, installation of product/glass) to creating shop drawings, estimating, take off and engineering careers. It really does have a lot to offer, we just need to do a better job of getting the word out. We also believe that apprenticeships should be considered in all areas of business. Offering a high school student the opportunity to see what interests him or her might help everyone out in the long run. What are the cost increases relating to your industry? Cost increases for services MEB&A

been directly involved in a state’s legislative or regulatory action on subcontractor payment, the individuals who led those advocacy efforts leaned heavily on ASA’s model legislation and supporting materials.” During the last few years, and for the immediate future, ASA’s principal subcontractor-focused issues include: • Assuring that subcontractors have payment assurances on projects financed through public-private partnerships at both the federal and state levels. In most cases, without separate statutory authority, construction subcontractors on projects financed through P3s do not have the payment protections provided by mechanic’s liens or payment bonds on P3s. ASA supports extending the tenets of the federal Miller Act and state Little Miller Acts (i.e., requiring the prime construction contractor to provide a payment bond) to P3s. During the last six years, most states that have enacted legislation authorizing the use of P3s have included such a bonding requirement. • Requiring federal and state government contracting entities to process and pay change orders in a timely manner. ASA members report that con-

provides would be more in software updates, upgrades, etc. We try to stay current with newer versions of AutoCAD, Revit, Wind Load analysis, GoTo Meeting, Blue Beam, etc. We also look at our hardware (computers, printers, etc.) about every six to 12 months that may need to be upgraded as well. We have found that keeping up with the newer products has made us a more productive and competitive company. We want to be prepared and offer seamless communication and transfer of documents for both incoming and outgoing information. How are you dealing with these challenges? Well, we try to anticipate costs on an annual basis. We plan ahead with a budget allowance for renewals and upgrades for any software. The hardware really can depend on when we hear or see something that would help improve our daily workflow, communication with our personnel and, of course, with our customers. Michael E. Brown & Associates LLC provides consulting, shop drawings, design, fab drawings and application engineering. The company has experience in designing glazed wall systems and curtain wall consulting. –mjm

struction owners, in both the public and private sectors, increasingly delay processing change orders until the end of a project. This not only requires both prime contractors and subcontractors to finance this part of the project, but effectively shifts all negotiating leverage to the owner—since the prime contractor and subcontractors already have completed the work for which they have not been paid. • Encourage federal and state governments to improve the transparency of their payment practices. This includes making the prime contractor’s payment bond more readily available to subcontractors and suppliers (e.g., by posting it on a Web site), making available information on payment to prime contractors (e.g. the City of San Antonio posts a list of payments to its prime contractors on its Web site), and by providing a report on the status of each change order on a project. ASA continues to work on its traditional issues, including payment (e.g., payment timing, retainage, mechanic’s lien and payment bond rights, contingent payment, etc.) and risk allocation (e.g., indemnity, additional insured, etc.). –cw

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Oct 2016

Specialty Contractors Low voltage, high demands Thomas Schluter, President Beckwith Electronic Engineering Co. San Antonio, TX

hen it comes to commercial life safety, security and communication systems, Thomas Schluter, president of Beckwith Electronic Engineering for the last 25 years, has to keep apprised of the changes sweeping through his industry as well as the latest shifts in the local market affecting his business.

What are the latest trends in your industry? 1) Increase in the construction of standalone emergency centers, clinics and office buildings. Beckwith has been able to provide customers with a packaged low-voltage solution, which includes: nurse call, fire alarm, access control, CCTV, security and public address systems. 2) Increase in the amount of business we do with out-of-town contractors coming into San Antonio and Austin due to their markets/areas being slow or be-

cause the companies they do business with are opening or moving to our area. Beckwith has been able to grow its customer base by doing business with these new clients. 3) Local healthcare facilities are being acquired by national healthcare organizations and the decision-making is being transferred to their headquarters not located in San Antonio or Austin. 4) Employee healthcare costs are increasing at a higher rate than before. Beckwith pays for 90 percent of its employees’ healthcare premiums; this has increased our cost of doing business. What are some of the recent increases or decreases in business and the driving factors behind them? [As previously noted] Increase in the construction of standalone emergency centers, clinics and office buildings. New corporations are moving to our city due

to a booming economy, lower cost of living expenses and available workforce. What are the current “hot button” issues affecting the industry relating to your specialty? 1) Job safety is becoming a hot button in our industry. Beckwith’s project managers and lead technicians are all OSHA certified. 2) Cross training across multiple disciplines. Beckwith cross-trains their technicians to install and program different systems, allowing us to be more cost effective. 3) Design built projects. Beckwith has professional engineers, designers and industry experts on staff who can perform the design, sales, installation, commissioning and certification of lowvoltage and life safety systems saving the end user and general contractor money. What are some of the major changes in the industry in recent years relating to your specialty? Local healthcare facilities being acquired by national healthcare organizations and the decision making being transferred to their headquarters not located in San Antonio or Austin. What are the most significant challenges in recent years in the type of work you do, and how you are handling them? 1) New manufacturers have entered

our industry increasing competition. We have been able to weather the storm by providing great customer service with dedicated customer service representatives that follow up with our end users on a regular basis. 2) Having the right information at the right time allows us to make decisions in a timely manner. This required us to change out our old accounting, estimating and time management system. What are the keys to being successful in your specialty? 1) Our people are the most important and valued part of our company. They are the main reason why Beckwith has been and will continue to be successful. 2) Our manufacturers are also a big part of our success. Their products keep up with our customers’ needs and requirements. Established by Jack Beckwith and ‑rge Ridder in 1962, Beckwith Electronic Engineering is a distributor, contractor and consultant that designs, sells, installs and services commercial communication systems. Thomas Schluter bought the company from its founders in 1991, having earned his professional engineer license while working under Beckwith. –mh

Building relationships is key That way you have knowledge about what to look for when you go out and assess a roof. How has your industry advanced over the years? There is a high demand for TPO roofing systems. People are using this system for reflective purposes and energy savings.

Jonathan Strellow, Project Estimator for Roofing and Sheet Metal Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing Houston, TX

In your opinion, what is the current state of the local construction industry? I think the market in Houston is really good due to the severe change in weather. The weather has driven business in an upward manner since we have extreme temperatures and humidity as well as wind and severe storms. There are has been weird weather this year. I think this will probably happen for seasons to come because the state of the core of the earth and the atmosphere. I think our weather systems and storms are going to keep getting more severe. We have seen this over the last couple of years. There is more frequency in tropical storms too.

What is the most significant challenge your industry faces? The challenge right now is trying work around the rain and wind. This has put a lot of jobs off schedule. There is a higher demand for the subcontracting roofer out there right now. It is getting harder to pinch the penny these days. What is your advice for a high school graduate who wants to do what you do today? I would say it helps if you have a knack for logic and numbers and have some type of general construction background. It would be a good idea to spend a year in the field and then come in and do the work on the desk using software programs.

What are the keys to success in your industry? I think the first thing is to realize your job is in the field and at the desk but it really starts and ends with the customer. You have to build a line of communication to let the customer know you are here to help him or her. They need to know you can get the answer to them or have someone else help them out. Building relationships and friendships is so important in the construction industry. Why is your job rewarding? I really enjoy helping people solve problems. At the end of the day, that makes me feel good about what I am doing. I do this every day, whether it is helping someone with his or her roof or help-

www.constructionnews.net publishing the industry’s news

ing him or her figure out how they are going to put a long lasting, safe roof on a building. What is on the horizon for your industry? I think Houston is still growing, which is unreal because it is the fourth largest city in the United States. It is amazing how many apartments, gas stations and grocery stores are in Houston. I have never seen so many restaurants in a city in my life. There are still areas in the city limits that are being pushed out more and more every year. When you look at what Houston encompasses as far as square miles, it is amazing to find there is still room to grow. I think in the next five years Houston is going to continue to grow. More businesses are going to move here. Even though there have been severe climate changes lately, overall Houston is great place to build a warehouse or corporate office. Houston has so much to offer. Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing provides commercial roofing, waterproofing, commercial building restoration, parking garage renovation and roof leak repair services. –ab

Texas Style

   

San Antonio Austin South Texas Houston

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Oct 2016

Page 19

Charging the plate

ndependent Electrical Contractors (IEC) members rounded the bases at Texas Rangers Stadium Sep. 15, learning the latest about their industry and meeting others working in their field. The IEC’s Dallas and Fort Worth chapters hosted a contractor reception and stadium tour for electrical contractors, project managers, estimators and supervisors. The event also featured an open-to-the-public trade show at the venue’s Cholula Porch and free educational seminars. Among the seminar topics covered were new overtime rules for salaried employees, the AFCI/GFCI updates and the new OSHA confined space standard. –mjm

IEC’s Marcie Funchess and Sandy Strevel

Bell & McCoy Graybar

Dealers Electrical Supply LoneStar Electric Supply

Summit Electric Supply

IEC ‘s Hank Strittmatter

Premier Electrical Staffing

Hilti

Eaton

Parrish-Hare Electrical Supply

Page 20

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Oct 2016

continued from Page 1 — Family friends individually owns each of the 17 locations. The company was created out of a dream; the family came from New Jersey and opened up the Dallas location five years ago. Sharon Hong is general manager of the Dallas, Houston and Louisiana offices.” Allen says the Dallas office has progressed nicely; not only has the staff increased three times over, but sales have tripled as well – no surprise, given J&K’s ability to meet North Texas’ building boom head on. “We stock everything here,” Allen says. “Our Dallas office has a 70,000-sf warehouse and a 10,000-sf showroom that features the cabinets in vignettes. Contractors can bring customers here to use us as a showroom. We’re great for multi-family projects because our product

is here in stock and the turnaround time is 10 days. That’s why Ashton and I love working here. We know we have a great product and our customer service is good.” Having Sams as an interior designer, which is a new value J&K Cabinetry offers, is another reason the company is succeeding. “We can show builders and their customers around the showroom and teach them about the product, give them more information and take time to discuss what the final result will look like and how it will function,” Sams says. With the Dallas office established and growing, it is exploring ways to give back to its community, including possibly donating cabinetry to charities. J&K Cabinetry offers kitchen and bath cabinets. –mjm

continued from Page 1 — Innovation at work The underground equipment Tenbusch manufactures for contractors includes jacking frames, tunneling shields, tunnel boring machines and hydraulic power units. Tenbusch’s innovative spirit and expertise has also led him into being a source of an application specific hydraulic power unit. “We really excel when we can provide something that is not found off the shelf,” he says. The larger jobs keep the Lewisville plant busy, but no job is too small, and he and his company take pride in being a resource for contractors from DFW and beyond. “Our business exists to help contractors and we want to help,” he says.

Tenbusch Inc. has grown into a family business. Tenbusch’s wife Sue runs the office. Son Albert Jr., an engineer, helps design and engineer the equipment. Another son, Michael, helps with the business’ sales and marketing. After more than 40 years, Al’s passion for the business is as strong as ever. “I enjoy all of it,” he says. “Meeting new contractors, discussing job and equipment challenges and ultimately building great equipment – I’m passionate about it.” Tenbusch Inc. designs, fabricates and manufactures custom heavy equipment for underground construction, including hydraulic power units and tunneling equipment. –mjm

continued from Page 1 — Rustic renovation space’s interior was pushed back to create an outdoor seating area, walls were torn out to allow for new brickwork to be covered by stucco. The ordered brick arrived in random colors, but in a consistent size. Once installed, the landlord and owners “liked the look of the patterned brick on these walls,” he says. “They decided to keep it because it looked old, rustic and consistent with some of the building’s features.” Not covering the brick with the planned stucco saved time, money and labor. Adding to the rustic look are interior walls covered with 1-in. solid oak planking milled to the client’s specifications and custom bar countertops crafted from specialty woods. One unique characteristic, however, is the dining room, corridor and bathroom floors. “The concrete slurry mixture is similar to doing an epoxy-type floor, but it was poured onto the floors in a thin coat and then stamped to make it look like an old rustic wood floor. It included all of the lines and nail heads for the individual planks of wood; it has the appearance of real wood but it’s actually concrete. You literally cannot tell the difference,” Hebert says. “It’s cleaner, very durable, and hides a lot of the flaws of a retail space where the foundation has been cut up multiple times. It levels the entire floor and gives the appearance of a wood floor at the same time.” The kitchen’s epoxy floor goes up the paneled walls by six inches, which creates a permanent barrier, ideal for kitchen messes and cleaning. “You could literally fill the kitchen six inches full of water and it would not leak underneath the walls or damage any of

the framing or adjoining lease space,” Hebert says. “It has an epoxy floor that is a quarter-inch thick, which is beautiful and very easy to maintain. Hebert praised the subcontractors who rose to each of the project’s challenges. Phil Wilmot, of Dark Horse Construction LLC, not only provided the custom millwork and finishes but also worked as the main project manager. Flooring was provided by ADT Concrete Coatings, Alamo Glass and Mirror installed the entrance’s custom glass, Allied Interiors is credited with the interior framing, ceilings, drywall and finishes, C&E Electric handled the electrical work, CR Construction provided masonry services and Quality One Energy Systems installed the mechanical systems. The clients were so pleased with the finished result that they designated it as the prototype for the restaurant’s future franchises. “The key factor is that the project manager was on the project and worked directly with everybody in an efficient, effective way with strong communication, resulting in it getting done within the expectations of our client,” Hebert says. “That has a lot to do with why they want it to be a flagship store in terms of the time, quality and the overall look of the project. The owners are extremely happy with us.” H1 Construction in McKinney is a commercial construction management company specializing in retail build-outs and shopping center, medical office, commercial ground-up, industrial, hotel and motel, office building and restaurant construction. -mjm

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Oct 2016

Page 21

Association Calendar

Putting their best to the test

Content submitted by Associations to Construction News AIA - Dallas

PDCA

American Institute of Architects

Painting & Decorating Contractors of Amer.

Oct. 6: 2016 Built Design Awards Announcement Celebration, Texas Theatre, 231 W. Jefferson Blvd., Dallas, 6:30pm Oct. 13-14: Facades+Dallas, CityPlace Events, 2711 N. Haskell, Dallas, 8am Oct. 13: COTE Happy Hour, Green Door Public House, 600 South Harwood St., Dallas, 5:30pm

Oct. 13-14: Raymond Harkins Striper Tournament, Lake Texoma

AACA Asian American Contractors Assn. of TX

Oct. 20: Constellation Awards, 525 W. Arapaho Rd., Richardson, 11am

PHCC Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors

Oct. 19-21: CONNECT 2016, San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter; www.phccweb.org/ connect or contact connect2016@ naphcc.org or (800) 533-7694 for info. Oct. 27: Chili Cook Off, Hugh M. Cunningham, 2029 Westgate Ste. 120, Carrollton, 8am

PMI – Dallas

AIA - Fort Worth

Project Management Institute

American Institute of Architects

Oct. 17: Inaugural Golf Tournament, Brookhaven Country Club, 3333 Golfing Green Dr., Farmers Branch, 12pm

Oct. 13: Sporting Clay Event, ACME Field, Brock Oct. 16: Canstruction Build Out, North East Mall, 1101 Melbourne Rd., Hurst, 8am Oct. 18: Design Awards, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, 3200 Darnell St., Fort Worth

APWC Assn. of Professional Women in Construction

Oct. 11: Speed networking event, Coal Vines Prestonwood, 5407 Belt Line Rd., Dallas, 5:30pm

ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers

Oct. 10: Branch meeting, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 14315 Midway Rd., Addison, 11am

ASA North Texas American Subcontractors Association

Oct. 5: “Cooking For The Blue,” Trawick Pavilion in Oak Grove Park, Grapevine, 4pm. Contact ladell@asa-northtexas.org Oct. 17: 2016 Golf Tournament, Bear Creek Golf Club, 3500 Bear Creek Ct., Dallas, 11am registration Oct. 25: Grapevine Craft Brewery, 4pm

CFMA Construction Financial Mgmt Assn.

Oct. 10: Golf Tournament, Timarron County Club, 1400 Byron Nelson Pkwy., Southlake, 7:30am registration

PMI – Fort Worth Project Management Institute

Oct. 20: Dinner meeting, DFW Marriott South, 6pm

RBCA Regional Black Contractors Assn.

Oct. 13: In the Mix: Bond Program Contractor Networking, Dallas County Schools’ Technology & Training Center, 5151 Samuell Blvd., Dallas, 4pm

RCAT Roofing Contractors Assn. of Tx.

Oct. 12-14: 41st Annual Conference & Trade Show, Gaylord Texas Resort & Conference Center, Grapevine. Visit http: // roofingcontractors-texas.com/tradeshow/

RHCA Regional Hispanic Contractors Assn.

Oct. 13: In the Mix: Bond Program Contractor Networking, Dallas County Schools’ Technology & Training Center, 5151 Samuell Blvd., Dallas, 4pm Oct. 28: Luna Awards/RHCA Women’s Business Conference, Sheraton Dallas Hotel, 400 North Olive St., Dallas, 8am

SEAoT

CSI - Dallas

Structural Engineers Assn. of Tx.

Construction Specifiations Institute

Oct. 20-21: State Conference, Lakeway Resort and Spa, Austin

Oct. 6: Lunch, Dave & Busters, 11:30am

CSI – Fort Worth

SAM

Construction Specifications Institute

Subcontractors Assn. of the Metroplex

Oct. 11: Membership meeting, Tarrant County College Center of Excellence for Energy Technology Building, 5301 Campus Dr., Fort Worth, 5:30pm

Oct. 6: Dinner meeting, MCM Elegante Hotel, 2330 W. Northwest Hwy., Dallas

IEC - Fort Worth

Oct. 15: TEXO YCC Tailgate, Lake Grapevine, Silver Lake Marina. BBQ set up Oct. 14

Independent Electrical Contractors

Oct. 13: 17th Annual Fall Golf Tournament, Waterchase Golf Club, 8951 Creek Run Rd., Fort Worth, 11:30am. Contact Jo Britt at (817) 496-8422 or jo@iecfwtc.org

NARI Nat’l Assn. of the Remodeling Industry

Oct. 11: APEX Supply, 600 E Arapaho Rd., Richardson, 6pm Oct. 27: Women in NARI, Blue Mesa Grill, 14866 Montfort Dr., Dallas, 11:30am

NAWIC - Dallas Nat’l Assn. of Women in Construction

Oct. 14: Block Kids Building Block Competition, Girls Inc., 2607 Toronto St., Dallas, 12:30pm Oct. 17: Dinner Meeting

NAWIC - Fort Worth Nat’l Assn. of Women in Construction

Oct. 20: Chapter business meeting, Diamond Oaks Country Club, 5821 Diamond Oaks Dr. N, Fort Worth, 5:30pm

NUCA Nat’l Utility Contractors Assn.

Oct. 26-27: OSHA Construction Conference, Irving Convention Center, 500 West Las Colinas Blvd., Irving

TEXO The Construction Association

TSPE - Fort Worth Texas Society of Professional Engineers

Oct. 20: Young Engineer’s Leadership Forum, Chimy’s, 1053 Foch St., Fort Worth, 2pm

TSPE – Preston Trail Tx. Society of Professional Engineers

Oct. 20: Luncheon, Canyon Creek Country Club, 625 West Lookout Dr., Richardson, 12pm

TSPS Tx. Society of Professional Surveyors

Oct. 12-15: 65th Annual Convention & Tech Expo, Embassy Suites San Marcos Hotel Spa & Conference Center, 1001 E. McCarty Lane, San Marcos, 10am. For info call DJ Kyle at (512) 327-7871

UMCA United Masonry Contractors Assn.

Oct. 18: Fall Golf Tournament & Auction, Tour 18, 8718 Amen Corner, Flower Mound, 11:30 sign in, 1:30 start

USGBC U.S. Green Building Council

Oct. 4-7: National Greenbuild Expo, Los Angeles Convention Center

The Plumbing Apprentice Contest brought students to San Antonio to compete for the opportunity to represent PHCC Texas on a national level.

he Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors (PHCC) Texas Apprentice Contest Aug. 12 brought students from chapters across the state to St. Philip’s College. They competed for the chance to represent PHCC Texas at the PHCC National Apprenticeship Contest Oct. 20 at the Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio. Valentin Bedolla, R.E.C. Industries, San Antonio, won first place, while Abram Hoffman, Raven Mechanical, Houston, took second. Their competition included Jacob Alborn, Bolin Plumbing;

John Crawson, Central Texas Plumbing Solutions; Alejandro Soto, Beyer Plumbing; and Frankie Valdez, Coppera. Apprentices third year and higher had to prove themselves in several competencies, specifically plumbing code, tools and equipment, and systems roughin for drainage systems and water systems. Students took a written test and enjoyed dinner the day before, as well as lunch and an awards presentation on the day of the contest. –mh

www.constructionnews.net San Antonio  Austin  Dallas/Fort Worth  Houston

Page 22

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Oct 2016

They’ve got spirit …

Way to start the day!

The Dallas Team captains

A catered taco bar greets Lonestar Electric Supply customers.

very Friday is “Breakfast Burrito Friday” at Lonestar Electric Supply in Dallas! Customers can belly up to a employee-cooked breakfast burrito bar with all of the fixings, with each wrap serving as a warm “thank you” for their loyal business. Andrew Garcia, counter manager at the company’s Dallas location, says de-

spite the early-hour (7a.m.!) availability of the burritos, the company’s parking lot is full of hungry customers eager to grab some grub before the workday begins. It gives the Lonestar Electric Supply team a chance to connect with each customer, and gives each customer a bright start to the day! –mjm

es they do! School spirit is strong at Brandt’s Dallas office, with employees hosting a backpack drive and a College Colors Day to kick off the start of school. Each year, the office holds a backpack drive benefitting the Community Partners of Dallas. Brandt’s employees foster friendly competition by enlisting the help of captains to establish teams to collect as many backpacks as possible. This year, a new donation record was set: 580 backpacks were donated to Dallas area children. The competition was a close one with two backpacks determining the winner; Megan Pulley’s team got the gold with 169 backpacks and Chaldees Julian’s team scored silver with 167 backpacks. Jennifer Grove’s team

brought the bronze with 144 backpacks. “Brandt is dedicated to giving back to the communities where we live and work,” says senior vice president Steve Hayes. “We build hospitals, schools and corporate campuses and it is our goal to not only provide a safe and comfortable environment, but to also support the mission of our clients. We are glad that we have the opportunity to participate with so many great organizations.” The school spirit didn’t fade once the backpacks were distributed. In early September, Brandt celebrated college football with College Colors Day. Employees were encouraged to wear team’s colors to work. When the group gathered for a photo, colleges across the country were represented. –mjm

Several customers linger while eating breakfast to chat with the employees.

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They’re gonna be stars! Brandt’s Dallas office donated 580 backpacks.

L-R: Son and father team Nathan and Oscar Corrales of Corrales Masonry have been filmed three months for a History Channel series. The show focuses on Hull Historical’s Brent Hull and his craftsmen as they restore historic architecture; here, the Corraleses rework brick on what will become an “Into the West” furniture store in the Stockyards. –mjm

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Beating the heat

L-R: Pablo Gallegos and Luis Bega of L.A. Concrete in Fort Worth seek relief in the shade of a car trunk and have a snack before heading back to work on a hot pavement project. –mjm

The Dallas office showed their school spirit in team colors.

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Sunny dispositions

L-R: Roofers Edgar Cortez and Francisco Garcia of WR Roofing in Dallas are all smiles and ready to tackle the tasks of the day. –mjm

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Oct 2016

Page 23

Tat’s all, folks!

nk. Skin art. Pieces. Tats. No matter what you call it, tattoos have a colorful history and have enjoyed a surge in popularity. Whether it’s a symbol of sentiment, a rite of passage or done on a dare, it seems every tattoo has a story. Please enjoy this ink piece about a few works of art we have noticed in the offices and fields of construction. –mjm

Tonya Watson of Gadberry Construction shares her sweet story about the letters inked on her right foot: “My son was in kindergarten and learned how to write his name in cursive. I took his piece of paper and had it tattooed on my foot. He’s now a junior in high school.”

Kelly Hull, project superintendent at Crimson Building Company LLC, proudly displays a tattoo of the helmet of Ares, the Greek god of war. “Life is Beautiful” is spelled in Latin below.

Yesenia Valdez, Gadberry Construction’s office coordinator, has a tattoo of a skeleton key at the base of her neck, and it has a very special meaning to her. “The story behind it is my grandpa collected everything under the sun but I was obsessed with his collection of skeleton keys. When he passed, my grandma gave me the collection of keys and this tattoo is for him!”

Matt Price of MP Custom Fabrications wears his heart on his sleeves. The names of his two sons, Sean Mathew and Christopher Aaron, decorate both of his arms, and his wedding anniversary “11-9-01” inked on an upper arm means he’ll never forget!

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • Oct 2016

Alma matters

BOKA Powell:

ant to show love for your uni at work beyond a diploma on an office wall? Take a page from the books of these alums, (and a die-hard fan) who reminisce on their college days in myriad ways! –mjm

Not to be outdone, Chandra Stroope, a business administration manager at Haley-Greer Inc., could open an OU gift shop in her office. Although she didn’t attend OU (she graduated from a nearby college) as an Oklahoma native she can’t resist rooting for the OU team. “In my office I have a signed OU Roy Williams picture,” Stroope starts. “Then I have a little sign that says “Sooners Drive” sitting above my tack board. I also have a Boomer Sooners schooner sitting on my glass shelf, an OU helmet, an OU koozie, a signed OU picture from the quarterback, and an OU mug…” We think Ms. Stroope deserves an honorary degree in OU school spirit!

Jeremy Sharp, project architect Oklahoma University, 2006 Season Tickets

L: Kristin Tomdale, architect, Texas Tech, 2009, Tech jacket R: Taylor Brown, interior designer, SCAD, 2013 Mug

Courtney Richardson, project designer Oklahoma University, 2007 Decorative sign

Andrew Bennett, principal University of Texas, 1990 Tumbler

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Four’s company too

L-R: Juliano Rodriguez, Alfredo Guerra and Kenneth Jackson share a bonding moment with their boss, C.N.K. owner Carlos Sanabria. The Fort Worth company offers a range of services from brick, stone, block and concrete work to painting. –mjm

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Light this way!

Mike Wills of Mesquite-based outdoor lighting and sign company Albrite Sales and Service makes sure a company’s sign can be seen day or night. –mjm