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CONSTRUCTION
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Volume 19
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Number 7
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JULY 2017
Over land and sea
95 years of integrity
As Overland Partners celebrates three decades, CEO Rick Archer helps work on the designs that they do for clients across the world.
F.A. Nunnelly Company is celebrating 95 years in business in San Antonio. L-R: Greg Vaughn, Philip Nunnelly, Blaine Beckman, and Doug Nunnelly Not pictured: Scott Nunnelly
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ince its establishment Apr. 1, 1987 by four friends from the University of Texas, Overland Partners has grown to 72 people at its 30th anniversary. Though Overland has evolved in many ways, big changes in the firm’s structure and expansion into new areas have come recently in its three-decade history. Rick Archer, CEO and one of the original founders, notes that Overland was formerly a founder-led firm and had not previously had a CEO, but he has held the position for over a year now. The title came with a significant change in how the firm’s leadership was organized. “As we looked toward the future, the founding principals said, ‘We really need to set a structure in place, which will allow others in the organization to grow
up into leadership,’” recalls Archer. “And so the founding principals became the board of directors, and we are raising up younger leaders who are really playing a significant role today and into the future. My job as the CEO is to help shepherd that transition toward future leadership who will be able to continue Overland’s mission into the future.” The new executive team includes the vice president of operations, Michael Rey; the vice president of administration, Becky Rathburn; and the vice president of client development, a title first held by James Andrews. In this transition, Tim Blonkvist, who is also a founding principal, became chairman of the board. This year, they’ve also brought in two continued on Page 20
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s F.A. Nunnelly General Contractor celebrates its 95th anniversary, the organization is preparing to transition its legacy to a new generation of leaders by the time of the 100th anniversary. Current principals and third-generation owners Philip Nunnelly, president; Scott Nunnelly, vice president; and Doug Nunnelly, secretary/treasurer, have found the next generation that will run the company beyond its century milestone. Blaine Beckman, vice president of operations, and Greg Vaughn, vice president of preconstruction, have already been helping manage the company for the past year and will continue a gradual transition over the next six years. Both Beckman and Vaughn stated that it is an exciting time to work at F.A. Nunnelly.
“Stable company growth paired with abundant opportunity for not only the organization, but for every employee has led to an amazing company culture,” says Beckman. They have already begun the gradual transition and are honored to take the torch from the Nunnelly family and continue their 95-year legacy in San Antonio and the construction community. Floyd Arthur Nunnelly Sr. founded the company in 1922 according to the company bylaws, though the Nunnellys have reason to believe the company may have been established in 1917. As one of the oldest companies in San Antonio, integrity is a running theme among its current and future leaders. Philip, Scott, and Doug Nunnelly have continued on Page 20
A little lot of land goes FARR
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ith the vision that would develop a small plot of land no one seemed interested in improving, FARR Builders turned an infill property into a highly desirable place to live in Highland Park, two miles south of downtown, off of I-37 and Fair Avenue. Nopal Street Villas was a unique project that brothers Steven and Daniel Garcia developed as Ciano Properties and built as FARR Builders. The construction of 10 apartment units on the half-acre lot took approximately eight months, but the preparation to begin construction took two years. As the owners and builders of the multi-family property, Steven and Daniel faced multiple challenges from both sides. Located at 2335 Nopal St., the property sits on the street right behind FARR’s office and it had remained untouched. Since Steven and Daniel would be involved in the development and
construction, it made it feasible for them to purchase the property and bring new life to it. The first big hurdle was zoning, needing to go from R4 to MF-18 to be able to fit 10 apartment units. The Garcias earned the support of the local community and the Highland Park Neighborhood Association. Then, when they applied for the re-zoning, they already had support for their plan for the property from the community and District 3, having met with Councilwoman Rebecca Viagran. Next came the parking variances. The property would need to incorporate head-in parking to meet the requirement for 15 parking spaces – 1.5 spaces per unit. The Garcias made the case that the property sits on a side street, and following a traffic count, they were able to meet the low-traffic requirement and were allowed to include the head-in parking. continued on Page 20
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San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
A day in Wonderland
ith about 700 people in attendance, Alterman gave its employees and their families a well-deserved break and day out for the company’s recent Family Picnic at Morgan’s Wonderland. Alterman hosts its annual summer party to let Alterman’s employees and their families know that the electrical contractor appreciates them. –mh
At the summer party, attendees enjoyed the rides, Sensory Village, Butterfly Playground, Music Garden, and of course, the Waterworks.
With an abundance of door prizes, many provided by Alterman’s vendors, and grand prizes that included a backyard playset, a game station, a Yeti with gift cards, an iFly group package with dinner and a Traeger Pellet Grill, many employees went home very happy with something special.
Guests tried their hand at the “Punch Box” to grab cash prizes, which was a big hit and garnered many smiling faces.
Families ate lunch together at the Alterman summer picnic like one big family.
The fun and games weren’t just for kids – even the adults enjoyed having their portraits drawn by the caricature artist.
Alterman’s picnic guests enjoyed a Mexican food buffet by Longhorn Catering.
Attendees and their children enjoyed fishing off the wharf.
Alterman employees and their families hopped aboard the Wonderland Express for a day of fun at the world’s most accessible theme park.
The kids of the Alterman family got to play in the water.
San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
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Small companies, big stories
Gabriel Lomas, GL Contracting, feels Extending the Reach is an opportunity for both his company and others in the SMWVO business community.
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ext month is the debut of Extending the Reach, a Construction News special feature publication focusing on small, minority, woman, and veteran-owned (SMWVO) businesses. Gabriel Lomas, who founded GL Contracting more than 15 years ago, recognized the importance of Extending the Reach and wanted to be a part of the publication to give back to the community that helped him when he was just starting out as a general contractor. With 8A, DBE, HUB, DIBE, MBE, ESBE, HABE, SBE, VBE, and SDVOSB certifications, Lomas built up his business and grew the company by utilizing these distinctions. In Extending the Reach, he will be one of several contractors who tell their stories, discussing the certification process, the advantages and disadvatages to obtaining these certifications, as well as other helpful information about operat-
GL Contracting and DHR Construction’s joint venture also did the Live Oak County Airport.
ing a SMWVO business. “There’s not a tool out there right now for what to focus on to market small businesses,” says Lomas, noting that this publication will be a tool to educate people in various stages of growth, from startups to companies like his that have been around a long time and are still learning about opportunities available to small, minority and diverse businesses. “If you’re starting in the private and residential markets, it’s not such a hard transition,” he observes. “But once you get into government or municipal work, there’s a lot of things to understand before you start out.” From his own experience, he sees tremendous value in being able to use
As on the Windmill Center job, to get started, GL Contracting had to dig up resources to lay the foundation for the business to become what it is today.
Extending the Reach as a guide. He believes this would answer a lot of questions contractors may have about the qualifications to get certified, the benefits of obtaining those certifications, and which ones may be more worthwhile to pursue than others. Compared to other resources and materials available, Lomas feels that Extending the Reach would have been the solution to a problem he faced when starting GL Contracting. He recalls that when he started out on his own, one of the biggest challenges was finding exactly this kind of resource. He spent months running from place to place, person to person, in search of the answers he needed to address the many issues that arise when building a small business from the ground up. Ultimately, he utilized Google and talked to anyone who would listen to him about the challenges he faced. Extending the Reach presents him with a chance to help someone who is in the same position as he was five to 10 years ago. By joining other contractors in sharing advice from their first-hand experiences, he believes he can save contractors a lot of time running around searching for information and wading through mediocre resources to find the good ones. There are several very important questions small, minority, and diverse business owners ask themselves when starting out. They wonder where to start, who to start with, what the trials and tribulations of getting started are, and what will help or could potentially stall you up front. In the early days of GL Contracting, Lomas found it awkward and difficult reaching out to others for answers to these questions. He also found more reference to marketing tools for companies that were already up and running, but nothing substantial as to how to get up and running. That is why today, having found his way through the proverbial school of hard knocks, he is willing to provide answers for others who find themselves stuck on the same questions. Though he could not find a lot of wings to get under 15 years ago, he is willing to extend one to anybody who needs it today. Giving back to the community and supporting small business is why Lomas became involved with Extending the Reach, and it’s why he is excited to be among other companies who feel the same way. “One of the main things I hope people will take away from this publication is who’s dedicated and who’s
GL Contracting, a small, minority and veteran-owned business, has performed work in various markets across the state, including the Windmill Center in Kyle, TX.
GL Contracting had to break through several barriers to be able to do municipal and government work.
involved,” Lomas says. “I believe if you’re involved in this, then you care.” Since he has successfully grown his business through becoming certified with several organizations, he wants to offer guidance and insight that will
hopefully benefit someone who is in the same position as him when he was getting his business off the ground. Among others, he aims to speak about what other contractors can do to grow as SMWVO companies and the opportunities available to them. At the same time, Lomas will be able to promote his own company and show what GL Contracting has learned, where the company has come from, and where it is going. Extending the Reach is almost here! No matter your size or field in the industry, if you or your company would like to offer your experience and support as Lomas and GL Contracting has, we are still welcoming sponsors and contributors. To be a part of this inaugural small, minority, and diverse business publication, contact Dana Calonge at 210-308-5800 or Dana@ ConstructionNews.net. –mh
In a joint venture with DHR Construction, GL Contracting’s municipal work includes runways and associated work at Corpus Christi International Airport.
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San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
Feeding hungry kids
Taking an active role in the community, 15 team members of Metropolitan Contracting Company and their families, 30 people in all, helped Snack Pak 4 Kids San Antonio with its final summer packing event Jun. 7. The organization works to fill the hunger gap for children who do not get enough to eat at home and typically rely on subsidized school meals for their sources of food and nutrition. This volunteer packing day broke a record for food packed and the program will feed a record number of kids this summer. –mh
Fun and food for the entire family
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rawing approximately 500 people, ASCO Equipment hosted its sixth annual Benefit Car & Bike Show and BBQ Cook-Off May 20 at its I-10 location. The event included door prizes, silent and live auctions, a 50/50 raffle, a dunking booth, live band, and backhoe rodeo. The fundraiser brought in $17,100 for the San Antonio Christian Hope Resource Center and Operation Float A Soldier, which offers Wounded Warrior support. –mh
Chicken 1st: Bryan Crawford, Crawford BBQ 2nd: George Zuniga, Branch 8 Smokers 3rd: Hubert Mills, Super Gringos Ribs 1st: John William, Smokin’ J 2nd: Bryan Crawford, Crawford BBQ 3rd: Carlos Salazar, Monster Grillers
Winners
Beans 1st: Wayne Stewart, Buchanan Smokers 2nd: George Zuniga, Branch 8 Smokers 3rd: Hubert Mills, Super Gringos
Brisket 1st: Carlos Salazar, Monster Grillers 2nd: John Williams, Smokin’ J 3rd: Hubert Mills, Super Gringos
Bloody Mary Mix-Off: Dennis Stevens Cook’s Choice Award: Carol Mills Reserve Grand Champion: Bryan Crawford Grand Champion: Carlos Salazar
1st Place Brisket
Dennis Stevens and his cook team, Hot Sands BBQ
1st Place Chicken
1937 Ford
Cook’s Choice
Grand Champion
Bloody Mary Mix-Off Winner
Cars were lined up for the benefit’s 500 attendees to admire.
San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
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Contractors who rule the block
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he San Antonio Masonry Contractors Association (SAMCA) hosted its Golden Trowel Awards Jun. 15 at Sunset Station. –mh
Block: Lee High School Science & Athletics Additions & Renovations Masonry Contractor: Ericstad, Foreman: Jose Martinez, Architect: Pfluger Architects, General Contractor: Joeris General Contractors, Suppliers: Acme Brick/ Featherlite, Headwaters Construction Materials, Christopher Stuart Cast Stone, San Antonio Masonry & Tool Supply
Educational Facility – K-12, The Atonement Academy High School, Masonry Contractor: DJM Masonry Enterprises Foreman: Kenneth Harlan, Architect: John Gibson Martin Architect, General Contractor: Keller-Martin Construction Suppliers: I-10 Building Materials/Stone Source, Christopher Stuart Cast Stone, SPEC MIX, Headwaters Construction Materials, San Antonio Masonry & Tool Supply
Educational Facility – College University, E.L. Turbon Student Center Additions & Renovations, Masonry Contractor: Ericstad Foreman: Marco Leija, Architect: Pfluger Architects, General Contractor: Skanska USA Building, Suppliers: Acme Brick/ Featherlite, Christopher Stuart Cast Stone, Headwaters Construction Materials
Hardscape/Landscape – La Villita Maverick Plaza Improvements Masonry Contractor: Ericstad, Foreman: Giancarlo Manzaba Architect: Beaty Palmer Architects, General Contractor: Kencon Constructors, Suppliers: Acme Brick/Featherlite, Headwaters Construction Materials, I-10 Building Materials/Stone Source
Residential Single Family – Huntington Residence Masonry Contractor: Tarrillion Masonry, Foreman: Juan Santos, Architect: F.S. Almendariz & Associates, General Contractor: Burdick Custom Homes, Suppliers: Brooks Stone Ranch, I-10 Building Materials/Stone Source
Patron of Masonry – Outstanding Associate Member I-10 Building Materials/Stone Source
Industrial/Commercial – North Park Lexus at Dominion, Masonry Contractor: Lundberg Masonry, Foreman: Gregorio Hernandez, Architect: McIntosh Architecture, General Contractor: Bartlett Cocke General Contractors, Suppliers: Brooks Stone Ranch, I-10 Building Materials/Stone Source, SPEC MIX Government/Institution – Seguin Public Library, Masonry Contractor: Shadrock & Williams Masonry, Foreman: Victor Ritter, Architect: 720 Design, General Contractor: Byrne Construction Services, Suppliers: Acme Brick/Featherlite, Christopher Stuart Cast Stone, I-10 Building Materials/Stone Source, Morrell Masonry Supply
Patron of Masonry – Architect of the Year Morkovsky + Associates
San Antonio
Patron of Masonry General Contractor of the Year M.J. Boyle General Contractor
CONSTRUCTION NEWS
Mary Hazlett, San Antonio Editor — SAEditor@ConstructionNews.net — 210-308-5800 Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buddy Doebbler Editorial/Production . . . . . . Reesa Doebbler Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carol Wiatrek Production Manager . . . . Helen Greenwood Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terri Adams Account Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dana Calonge Construction News Ltd. Home Office P.O. Box 791290 • San Antonio, Tx 78279 210-308-5800 Fax 210-308-5960 www.ConstructionNews.net If you are a construction-related company in Atascosa, Bexar, Bandera, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina or Wilson counties and are not receiving a free copy of the San Antonio Construction News, please call for a Requester Form, or visit our website.
The San Antonio Construction News (ISSN 1547-7630) is published monthly by Construction News LTD., dba San Antonio Construction News, and distributed by mail to construction-related companies of record in Bexar and 7 surrounding counties. 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 San Antonio 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.
©2017 Construction News, Ltd.
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San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
Vicky Hansen Owner/“Mrs. Boss” Hansen Screen Company
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f you look up Vicky Hansen on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), you’ll find credits for her as an actor, director, and producer. If you go to see a wrestling match put on by Branded Outlaw Wrestling, she’ll be the show runner. And if you walk into Hansen Screen Company, she’s simply known as “Mrs. Boss.” At 61 years old, Hansen co-owns the business with her husband, Clint Hansen, but she runs operations for the company. She spent five years working her way up to that affectionate – and accurate – title, which she took on around 2010. Having become very comfortable in the business, she has come a long way to get here, and she and Clint stay quite busy, both in and out of the office.
Where did you grow up? I grew up in a small Indiana town. We actually had a Dunkirk address, but I went to school in Redkey. I didn’t graduate high school. I dropped out. We lived on a farm and I got bored with it really. So, I helped on the farm, and later I got my GED. Being a farmer’s daughter, we had lots of animals, which was my favorite thing. We had plenty of pigs, chickens, ducks, and cows. Daddy primarily raised Black Angus cows, so lots of beef. We grew the hay for the cows, the oats for the chickens. If you’ve never been to Indiana, it’s very flat and perfect for farming. How did you end up leaving Indiana? My mother was southern. She was raised in Tennessee. So, she and Daddy had always discussed that when they retired that they would move to Tennessee, and so that’s exactly what they did. I was 20 at the time. It was a gradual move. My sister was still under age at the time, so she moved down first. She and Mom went down first and got the place, and Daddy and I packed up and took stuff gradually and had to sell the farm. Mom’s family being in Tennessee in a little town called Monterey, which my sister still lives in – that’s where we spent our summer vacations. We had a lot of family there. And Daddy bought another smaller farm outside of town. It wasn’t that much different. He just didn’t raise anything except hay for the cows, goats and chickens. How long were you in Tennessee? From 1975 to 1988. In 1975, I married my first husband, and that didn’t work out. We were only married about two years. And then I met my kids’ dad, and we got married a year later, and we have two boys. They both live in Alabama. I’m actually a widow. We did the “’til death do us part” thing. He died when the boys were small. It’s just one of those things. It was 1987 when he died. We stayed another year, and I met a guy. He worked road crew, and he had two brothers that lived in Alabama. So, we moved to Alabama with him, and he worked road crew. The boys are still in Alabama, but I was in Alabama from 1988 to 2000. There, I worked at home. For the longest time, I sewed those white suits – clean suits. I had a sewing machine and I
did those at home for a company out of Decatur, AL. That allowed me to stay home with the kids. So I was a stay-at-home but working mother at the same time. Then, in 1998, they decided to move the plant to Mexico, and I had to find another job. It happens, and so, I went to work for Walmart. I did stocking on third shift where you restock the shelves in the full store overnight – which was also good, because I would be coming in as the boys were getting up for school, and at this time, they were teenagers. So, I didn’t really have to worry about them all that much. I’d spend a few minutes with them, go to sleep while they were at school, and then get back up when they were home. So, I was still a semi-stay-at-home mom. What came next for you? In October of 2000, I moved out here. I had a very bad breakup with the guy I was with, and I wanted to get as far away as possible, and Walmart had an opening out here at the 1604 and 281 Nacogdoches Store. So, I transferred out here. My oldest son was with his first wife at the time – he stayed in Alabama. But the youngest one was only 16, so he came with me. That was a big change. I had never lived in a city, not even a town. We’d always been country. And I just absolutely fell in love with San Antonio. We were over at Canyon Oaks Apartments, and it was close to work. I worked, and my youngest got a job, and we lived there for about a year. And I met Clint in December 2001. How did you meet Clint? Online in a chat room. We’re one of the first people that actually met that way. In 2001, you didn’t have eHarmony and all that. Everybody was in chat rooms. We got to talking and figured out we were only like four miles apart. And that was Dec. 3. We’ve been together ever since. We actually got married on Dec. 4 – because we couldn’t get the 3rd – in 2005. We’ve been married almost 12 years. That was the same year, 2005, when he brought me in here, which he really resisted at first. We had a lot more guys working here at the time, and he was a little unsure how the guys would take him bringing me in. But it all worked out. And now you run everything! Yes [laughs]. Pretty much. But I didn’t start here. I actually started in the very back of the shop, breaking down the old screens. I started at the bottom and I pretty much do everything in the shop now. Have you installed screens too? No, they leave me here. The guys go out and do all that. Besides, I’m not really good with heights. I don’t think me and a 40-ft ladder would get along [laughs]. Tell me more about your boys. The oldest one is Robert, and his wife is Trina, and they both work at a car parts manufacturer. She boxes the parts, and then he picks them up with the forklift and takes them to whatever section they need to go to. My youngest is also with the car parts manufacturer. His name is Jerry, and he’s actually the night manager at the plant. Robert has three kids, one boy and two girls. Jerry also has three kids, all very rambunctious boys. I have six grandchildren, and the oldest one will be turning 18 this fall. I never ever thought I would be old enough to have grandkids that are grown [laughs], but I’m getting there. You have a lot of pursuits outside of work. Tell me about your hobbies and interests. The first thing we started with – Clint saw an ad on CraigsList for a local director who was making a continuation of the movie “Warriors,” and that is absolutely his favorite movie ever. So, we showed up for the audition. I didn’t audition, because I wasn’t
The walls of Vicky Hansen’s office at Hansen Screen Company are covered in posters and pictures from their adventures on a film set or ringside at a wrestling match.
interested in acting, but he got a part for a character called Hatchet, and somehow during the filming, since I was the only person there old enough to remember the ‘70s [laughs], I got to do hair, makeup, wardrobe and consulting to keep it accurate to the ‘70s. That’s how I got started in that. He’s done several other movies – I don’t even know how many – and I’ve always gone along, and I have actually been in 9 or 10 movies as bit parts, because I happened to be on the set, and they say, “We need an extra” or “Somebody didn’t show up – can you say this line?” That’s great! What other things have you done outside of work? We sponsored one of the local bands for a while. It was Wounded Souls. I don’t think they’re together anymore. But that was quite fun, because all the kids were 16 and under. I think they were between 12 and 16. It was fun to go out and see them play. They were really good. In fact, they auditioned for “America’s Got Talent,” but they didn’t make the final cut unfortunately. But they were good enough to get an audition. What made you want to sponsor the band? We’re good friends with one of their dads, Ray Aikens, who actually got us started in the wrestling. Tell me about your love for wrestling. I have been a wrestling fan since I can remember. My dad, besides farming, had a full-time job, so I always helped on the farm. My sister was more with Mom doing the household stuff, the cooking, whatever. But my dad loved wrestling, and he always made time on a Saturday night to watch whatever wrestling was on that night. That’s some of my best memories – sitting next to Daddy, sharing a Coke, watching wrestling, him explaining to me who the wrestlers were and the moves and all that kind of stuff. That’s where it started, and I’ve always watched wrestling since then. So, when we met Ray, he was working for another promotion, and he had an idea for Branded Outlaw Wrestling. So, he put the first BOW Show together and we went to it. We thought, “Hey, this is pretty cool!” and asked Ray, “Do you need any sponsors? Do you need any help with this?” We helped – sometimes it would be money, sometimes we would buy a turnbuckle cover or ring bell or whatever was needed last minute. The big plus was that we always got ringside seats and got to meet the wrestlers, which was really cool. Actually, some of the coolest wrestlers here in town still wrestle for us. Are you still part of Branded Outlaw Wrestling today? Heck yeah, we now run Branded Outlaw Wrestling. Ray is still involved sometimes, but it’s more in the shadows.
He comes in and helps out whenever he can, but is mostly too busy coaching the San Antonio Junior Brahmas football team nowadays. So, now you’re running the show? Yes. Basically, we hold a meeting just before a show to lock in a date the following month for our next show. Then, we contact the local wrestlers to see who’s available to work our show. When we get however many people we can get, then we put the card together and announce the show through flyers and electronic media such as Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, etc. We do the shows once a month. We’re trying to keep it to Sundays. It doesn’t always work that way. Our next show is Jun. 25. We’ve been out at Hooligan’s Bar & Grill at 1604 and Pat Booker Road. It’s a fun place. What do you and Clint do outside of all this for just the two of you? We try to go down to Port Aransas as often as we can. We like to go to the beach. I like to fish, but him – not so much. It’s just something to relax for a while. Do you have any pets? We have a rescue dog that is now 14 named Susie, and she’s getting pretty slow, but she’s still getting around. She’s a mutt. One of our friends was taking her to the Animal Defense League, and he stopped here to drop something off for Clint, and he said, “I’ve got to take this puppy to the shelter.” And I said, “You have a puppy? Can I see her?” And that was it. She was the most pitiful little white and brown thing. Her eyes were all matted and her nose was all runny. I said, “Where did you find her?” And he said, “Well, one of the houses up the road from us burned down a few nights ago, and we went up there to see if there was anything salvageable, and there she was.” I took her home, and next day, I immediately took her to the vet, because she was having trouble breathing, and it turned out she actually had distemper. I got her one night, and then she spent a week at the vet getting rid of the distemper. We’ve had her 14 years. She’s been a very good dog. What are your future plans for the business? We’re actually doing pretty good. A lot of people have asked us why we don’t expand. We really don’t need to. We’ve been in this location for 20-odd years and everybody knows where we are. What do you like best about being “Mrs. Boss”? It’s never dull. Ever! Every day is something different. You wouldn’t think so in a small business like this, but between the customers and the jobs that come in, it’s interesting. –mh
San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
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Serving up some hot tee
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he Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Association (TACCA) Greater San Antonio Chapter held its 28th annual Golf Tournament Jun. 5 at the Club at Sonterra with 115 players taking to the green that day. –mh
Winners
1st: Beyer Mechanical Team 3 4th: Goodman Distribution – Brent Warner, Daryl Hoffman, and Joey Ashley, Goodman Distribution; Tom Damiani, Comfort Design
7th: Century AC Supply – Stephen Abila, Alfred Hernandez, Douglas Morris, Joe Adams Longest Drive: Tom Smith, Joeris Closest to the Pin: Rick York, Rick York Construction
L-R Pete Martinez and Terrence Carr, INSCO Distributing; Pat Beyer, Beyer Mechanical; Patrick and Keith Wilks, Wilks Air Conditioning, at the awards dinner.
L-R: Arden Leggett and Laura Hay, Beyer Mechanical, working the tournament all day and when it was all over, they each were won date night packages.
1st Place Team L-R: Tom Damiani, Comfort Design (committee chair); Jeff Beyer, Beyer Mechanical; Dawn Thompson, TACCA-GSA; Rick York, Rick York Construction; Tom Smith, Joeris, (not pictured: David Breda, Mechanical Reps)
Texas Apprentice James Bump PHCC Apprenticeship Program Tietze Plumbing
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he last four years have brought major life changes for James Bump. In addition to getting married and becoming a father, he has found a passion for the plumbing trade and is on a new career path. Having just graduated from the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors (PHCC) 4-year apprenticeship program while working at Tietze Plumbing, Bump graduated from high school and immediately joined the workforce, but not in the construction industry. “I did a little bit of computer work,” recalls Bump. “I was a network manager for a small company for a long time, right out of high school. I liked that too, but I just don’t like sitting behind a desk.” From there, Bump decided to take on a job where he could get his hands dirty, literally. He went into aircraft mechanics, starting at the bottom – or rather the inside – as a fuel tank diver, climbing inside aircraft fuel tanks to clean them. Working his way up in that industry, he eventually became a structural mechanic. Though he was with Boeing for six years, he wanted more job security, and his father-in-law, Steve Tietze, owner of Tietze Plumbing, invited him to find that stability and security in the plumbing trade. Starting at Tietze and the PHCC apprenticeship around the same time, Bump came into plumbing very green. He liked doing the apprenticeship program as he learned in the field, because
he says it really filled in the gaps for him. With four years of experience in his new trade, Bump is really enjoying his new career working at the familyrun business as well as the relationships he gets to build while doing his job. “I like the customers,” he says. “It’s almost like they become family too, because you see them out somewhere, and they always stop and say hi, or you get a call and they request you to come work in their house – which is awesome.” Bump has been married to Bethany, daughter of Steve and Tracy Tietze, for about three-and-a-half years now. He and Bethany have a 2-year-old son, Hayden, who loves being outdoors as much as his daddy does. Now, little Hayden loves the zoo, but when he gets old enough, Daddy is taking him fishing. Having become very involved with the PHCC, Bump is a committee chairman for the association’s fishing tournament. He has also taken over the Good Time Fishing Tournament, an event that his father-in-law has passed down to him. The invitation-only tournament started out with Helotes businessmen and has grown to almost 40 teams now. –mh
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San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
Simplifying Sales and Use Tax: A 4-part checklist Stephanie Thomas, CPA Principal Thomas, Thomas & Thomas PC Houston, TX
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or many of the construction firms we work with, sales tax is the bane of their existence. Texas has some of the most complicated, confusing rules that if not applied properly, can lead to steep penalties. Determining the property type, project type, contract type and entity type will help you determine your sales tax responsibilities. Once those questions have been answered, understanding your sales tax responsibilities will be a lot simpler. 1. What type of property is it? Commercial business – Commercial property is non-residential property. Examples include restaurants, manufacturing plants, office buildings, hospitals, malls, hotels, etc. Residential - A residential property includes property used as a family dwelling, multi-family apartment or housing complex, nursing home, condominium, or retirement home. 2. What type of entity is it? Taxable entity – entity is not exempt from Texas sales and use taxes. Tax exempt entity- governmental, educational, charitable or religious entity that is exempt from Texas sales and use taxes. 3. What type of project is this? New construction - all new improvements to realty, including initial finish out work to the interior and exterior of the improvement. It also includes the addition of new usable square footage to an existing building. Repair/Remodeling/Restoration - to rebuild, repair, replace, alter, modify or upgrade existing realty. A mix - is a project that has both elements. For example, adding a wing to an existing building has both new construction and repair/ remodeling elements. 4. What type of contract is it? Lump sum contract – the charge for labor and incorporated materials is one charge. Separated or line item contract- the charge for incorporated materials is separately stated from the charge for labor. How to Use the Checklist to Charge Clients The answers to these questions determine how clients are invoiced and when sales or use tax is due on purchases. The following information is general and reflects current Texas sales tax rules for repair/remodeling projects performed on commercial property for taxable entities. Repair/remodeling/restoration projects on commercial property for taxable entities are taxable, with few exceptions. Sales tax should be invoiced as a separate line item on the total charge, except separately stated unrelated services charges. The applicable tax rate is based on the jobsite.
In most instances, the contract type for commercial, repair/remodeling projects does not matter. However, there are exemptions for labor, if the repair/remodeling project is performed pursuant to a separated contract in a designated disaster area or the property listed in the National Register of Historic Places. For example, Thomas Construction is the general contractor on a commercial, remodeling project with a XYZ Corp, a taxable entity. The property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. If the construction services are performed pursuant to a separated contract, Thomas Construction only charges sales tax on the separately stated incorporated materials charge. If the service is performed pursuant to a lump sum contract, Thomas Construction should charge sales tax on the entire charge. Sales Tax the Contractor Should Pay The contractor can purchase incorporated materials and subcontractor services tax-free by issuing a properly completed Texas resale certificate to subcontractors and material suppliers. Sales tax is due on consumable supplies and equipment rentals. Conclusion Determining the project type, property type, contract type and entity type will help you determine your sales tax responsibilities. Once those questions have been answered, understanding your sales tax responsibilities will be a lot simpler.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided above is general in nature and is not legal advice. The provider of the information makes no representation regarding the law and/or its application to any entity’s specific situation. Because state tax laws, policies, and applications are dynamic, please consult with a state tax professional for a complete rendition of the law as it may apply to your specific situation at a particular time. Since 1998, Stephanie Thomas, CPA has helped clients with sales and use tax issues. Thomas, Thomas & Thomas, PC is a CPA firm that works exclusively in state tax issues only, helping clients all over the country address sales and use tax audits, minimize sales and use tax deficiencies, and understand how to comply with applicable sales and use tax laws. If you have more questions regarding sales and use tax, refer to Stephanie’s book, Texas Taxes For The Construction Industry, which can be found at www.thomaspc.com or contact Stephanie directly at (281) 4691103.
Taking Back control in a difficult commercial auto insurance market Stan Gregory, Safety and Risk Consultant INSURICA San Antonio, TX
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ommercial auto insurance is becoming more difficult to manage each year. Rates continue to increase, and insurance carriers are limiting their appetites for anything but best-in-class risks. Before we look at what you can do to take back control of your auto insurance program, let’s take a look at the reasons behind this hard market. 1. Cell phones are huge distractions. More than one quarter of all crashes involve distracted drivers talking on phones or texting. As younger drivers are hitting the streets, this problem is continuing to grow. 2. People are driving more. In the first half of 2016, we saw a 3.3% year-overyear increase in mileage driven, nationwide. This trend has been continuing for some time, and we are at an all-time high for mileage driven. Unfortunately, more driving translates to a higher frequency of accidents. 3. Medical costs are escalating. In fact, the rate of medical inflation is growing 1.5 times the rate of other costs. This is a big concern for insurance companies because experts agree there is no easy solution in sight. 4. Frequency and severity of auto accidents are both increasing. Claims costs can come from a rise in frequency or severity of accidents. With commercial auto, both are rising. 5. Auto repair costs are rising significantly. As the price of cars has gone up, so have the costs to repair them after an accident. With newer cars, even minor repairs can cost major bucks. 6. In 2016, auto insurance carriers in the state of Texas ran an average of a 110% combined loss ratio. Simply put, this means the commercial auto insurance industry is losing money. To make up for this, insurance carriers are tightening their driver qualifications, and rates are trending upward to compensate. There are a few troubling things to note about these trends. Many of the trends simply do not have solutions. The insurance industry cannot do anything about more drivers on the roads, rising medical costs, or rising repair costs. Many industry experts believe the auto insurance industry will continue the pricing trends we are seeing for years to come. For auto insurance buyers and commercial fleet managers, the time for proactive fleet management is now. While many carriers are limiting their appetites and increasing rates, the best pricing is
always reserved for customers with bestin-class fleet management programs. Here are six things every business should be doing to manage their fleet. 1. Hire qualified drivers. Insurance companies typically exclude drivers after three violations. Best-in-class companies will examine a potential new hire’s driving record to determine if their moving violations could result in future problems with procuring auto insurance policies. 2. Check driving records regularly. In addition to pulling MVRs for new hires, best-in-class companies will pull employees’ MVRs regularly to check for new violations. 3. Implement a robust fleet safety program. This includes documenting the program and consistently communicating the company’s expectations to all employees. 4. Adopt and enforce a company policy for personal use of vehicles. While a lot of companies have personal use policies in place, many don’t enforce the policy in a consistent manner. 5. Train your drivers. Whether your insurance agent offers decision driving training or you contract with a vendor to provide training, it’s important to train new hires and re-train existing employees using proven risk management techniques. 6. Monitor drivers and vehicles using technology. There are a variety of options available for fleet managers to monitor fuel economy, speed, hard braking, and aggressive driving. These systems may require initial an investment, but the potential insurance savings can pay for them many times over. Stan Gregory is a Safety and Risk Consultant and a leader on INSURICA’s Risk Management team. He has more than three decades of experience working with loss control, safety planning, and risk management for clients within the construction and energy industries. He can be reached at 210-805-5915 or sgregory@INSURICA. com.
San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
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The Economic Loss Rule and construction cefect litigation Part 1: What is the Economic Loss Rule? Varant Yegparian Schiffer Odom Hicks and Johnson PLLC Houston, TX A. Introduction Litigation is the last place anyone in the construction industry wants to be in. That is why owners, developers, contractors, and sub-contractors should draft their contracts with an eye toward the possible lawsuit. To that end, a contract’s terms (capping damages, excluding claims, specifying specific types of relief, etc.) represent a careful allocation of the parties’ risk—the “benefit of the bargain.” Parties to a construction contract rely on the negotiated terms to provide a measure of certainty—letting them know what to expect over the course of a construction project. The ability to rely on a contract’s terms is especially important in litigation; being able to use a contract’s terms as defenses to a lawsuit can radically alter a person or company’s decision to sue. Therefore, knowing whether a contract’s terms can be used in a lawsuit is essential. A legal doctrine known as the “economic loss rule” is especially important in determining whether contractual defenses will be available in a lawsuit. Indeed, the rule provides a useful weapon to those who find themselves in litigation. This article is part of a three-part series which will explain what the rule is, how it works in a lawsuit, why it is important to the construction industry, and how some recent court decisions affect the rule. B. The Economic Loss Rule The economic loss rule is a legal sorting machine: put in information about the parties, the type of damage, and whether there is a contract and it will spit out whether you have a contract or tort claim. This sorting might not seem like much, but drawing a line between contract and tort claims can have significant consequences for a lawsuit. This is because tort damages cannot be recovered in contract – and – contract damages cannot be recovered in tort. C. Tort or Contract: What is my claim? In a construction defect lawsuit, the plaintiff usually asserts two types of claims: contract and tort. A breach of contract claim is straightforward: a party will claim that it had a contract with the defendant to, for example, to do all electrical subcontracting on the project. If the subcontractor fails to do its job properly, it will be liable or responsible to the plaintiff for breach of contract. A tort claim—i.e., one for negligence—is a little more complicated. In the example above, assume again the
subcontractor did not properly install the wiring for the project. If a third-party inspector is inspecting the electrical work and gets shocked due to the faulty wiring, he could bring a personal injury suit against the subcontractor. This would be a tort claim. Importantly, the inspector could not bring a breach of contract lawsuit against the subcontractor because there is no contract between the two. The inspector’s contract would be with the project owner, not the electrical subcontractor. Therefore, the inspector’s claims would be limited exclusively to tort—not contract—damages. D. The Economic Loss Rule, Again: What does it do? Returning to the example above, the inspector could not sue electrical subcontractor for breach of contract because no contract between the two existed (hence, tort damages cannot be recovered in contract). Likewise, the project owner could not sue the subcontractor for negligence because the damage suffered by the owner—improper wiring— is covered entirely by its contract with the subcontractor. This sorting of contract and tort is the key feature of the economic loss rule. E. Conclusion The legal “sorting” provided by the economic loss rule—its way of separating contract claims from tort claims—is important in litigation. While some might think the difference between a contract and tort claim might is obvious, sometimes it is not. As will be explained in next month’s article, the economic loss rule can be particularly useful for those in the construction industry when there is an issue regarding what type of claim— whether contract or tort—a plaintiff has actually pled. Varant Yegparian 700 Louisiana Ste. 2650 Houston, Tx 77002 • Tel: 713.255.4109 vyegparian@sohjlaw.com
Workplace violence Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX
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orkplace violence is any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site. It ranges from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide. It can affect and involve employees, clients, customers and visitors. Homicide is currently the fourth-leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in the United States. Research has identified factors that may increase the risk of violence for some workers at certain worksites. Such factors include exchanging money with the public and working with volatile, unstable people. Working alone or in isolated areas may also contribute to the potential for violence. Providing services and care, and working where alcohol is served may also impact the likelihood of violence. Additionally, time of day and location of work, such as working late at night or in areas with high crime rates, are also risk factors that should be considered when addressing issues of workplace violence. Among those with higher-risk are workers who exchange money with the public, delivery drivers, healthcare professionals, public service workers, customer service agents, law enforcement personnel, and those who work alone or in small groups. In most workplaces where risk factors can be identified, the risk of assault can be prevented or minimized if employers take appropriate precautions. One of the best protections employers can offer their workers is to establish a zero-tolerance policy toward workplace violence. This policy should cover all workers, patients, clients, visitors, contractors, and anyone else who may come in contact with company personnel.
By assessing their worksites, employers can identify methods for reducing the likelihood of incidents occurring. OSHA believes that a well-written and implemented workplace violence prevention program, combined with engineering controls, administrative controls and training can reduce the incidence of workplace violence in both the private sector and federal workplaces. This can be a separate workplace violence prevention program or can be incorporated into a safety and health program, employee handbook, or manual of standard operating procedures. It is critical to ensure that all workers know the policy and understand that all claims of workplace violence will be investigated and remedied promptly. In addition, OSHA encourages employers to develop additional methods as necessary to protect employees in high risk industries. OSHA recently issued a Directive on Workplace Violence that can be located at: https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/ Directive_pdf/CPL_02-01-058.pdf natarajan.joann@dol.gov 512-374-0271 x232
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San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
Built to be outstanding
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he Associated General Contractors (AGC) hosted its first Outstanding Construction Awards Luncheon Jun. 12 at the San Antonio Airport Hilton. An estimated 155 attendees gathered to applaud the local winners, and among them, those projects that also won the AGC Texas Building Branch awards for the state. –mh
Historic Renovation Alamo Long Barracks HVAC Renovation Turner Construction
Electrical 1 – Projects $0-5 Million Bexar Metro 9-1-1 Network District Regional Emergency Center – Technology Systems Alterman
Electrical 2 – Projects $5-10 Million Bexar Metro 9-1-1 Network District Regional Emergency Center Alterman Statewide Winner
Building 1 – Projects $0-2 Million Baptist University of the Americas Barlite Campus G.W. Mitchell Construction Building 4 – Projects $10-30 Million San Antonio ISD Thomas Jefferson High School Renovation Turner Construction Statewide Winner
Interior Finish Out 4 – Projects over $5 Million Statoil North American Headquarters T.I. Turner Construction Statewide Winner
Building 2 – Projects $2-5 Million TMMTX Stamping Building Structural Repair Bartlett Cocke General Contractors Electrical 3 – Projects over $10 Million AT&T Center Renovations and Technology Alterman
Building 3 – Projects $5-10 Million Pearl Bottling House Joeris General Contractors
Design Build 3 – Projects over $30 Million Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center Expansion Hunt-Zachry Joint Venture Statewide Winner “Best of the Build”
Specialty Construction Shops at Rivercenter Mall Guido Construction Statewide Winner
Building 5 – Projects $30-75 Million Judson ISD Veterans Memorial High School Bartlett Cocke General Contractors
Residential Multi-Family Cascadia Apartments Galaxy Builders
Health Care 1 – Projects $0-10 Million Baptist Emergency Center – NW Military F.A. Nunnelly Company Statewide Winner
San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
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Showing what they’ve got
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ith more than 100 exhibitors and about 800 attendees, Blue Book hosted its Central Texas Who’s Who Showcase Jun. 15 at the Embassy Suites in San Marcos. –mh
Robles1 Demolition Contractors Parkland Vertical Solutions
Phoenix Geosystems
Clearfield Construction Hispanic Contractors Association (HCA) de San Antonio
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC)
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)
Texas State Rentals
Alamo Decks & Fence
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San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
Door to three generations
A milestone of generosity
The Dumas Hardware 70th anniversary party welcomed approximately 100 people. L-R: Carlos Gutierrez, Frost Bank; Jon Marek, MEMCO; Mike McGinnis, Allen & Allen Co.; Dustin Michalak, Ridout Barrett; Tyler Stein, Frost Bank; and Greg Kanning, Dumas Hardware
Michael Sireno, president of Baker Triangle San Antonio, presents the check for Baker’s donation raised by this year’s tournament.
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ith the 70th anniversary of Dumas Hardware happening under Greg Kanning’s leadership, he observes that his family is the first to have a multigenerational presence in the company. Aubrey Dumas founded the company, and since its incorporation in 1946, Dumas Hardware has had a few different owners, including Ed Kanning, Greg’s father. In the 1970s, Ed and a partner, Phil Spicer, purchased the business. Spicer passed away in the ‘90s, and Greg’s father officially retired in 2002. Having graduated from UTSA with a plan to be a high school coach, Greg started working at Dumas part-time during college in 1989, taking apart wooden racks and helping in the welding shop, and he has been there ever since. Though he has been running operations as owner and president since his dad retired, he now has another family member involved in the business. “I’m really proud that my nephew, Ryan Whaley, is now working for us, and so he’s going to be the next generation,” says Greg. “As long as we’ve been in business, I am the only second generation that’s ever had the business. Now, my nephew is going to be our third generation.” As a subcontractor and supplier,
Dumas has been working on the Alamodome and a big renovation for the VA hospital in Kerrville as well as work for all of the school districts, hospital systems, Fort Sam Houston and Lackland Air Force Base. “I feel very proud that we’ve been in business 70 years,” he says. “Just being part of the construction industry in San Antonio, my hometown, and watching it grow – I think that’s what means the most to me.” While Greg runs operations, handles all the contracts and acts as estimator and project manager, he is also very involved in the industry. He’s been on the local board of the American Subcontractors Association (ASA) for several years, has served on the national board, and still holds a position on the Texas PAC board. He is also on the board for the Door & Hardware Institute (DHI). Outside the industry, he is involved with Central Catholic High School, where he was a third-generation graduate, as well as the Knights of Columbus and the International Order of Alhambra, also a fraternal Catholic organization. He enjoys fishing, hunting and anything related to sports. Dumas Hardware is a commercial door and hardware company that does fabrication, supply, and installation. –mh
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or a decade now, Baker Triangle has been getting outside of its walls and out on to the green to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. The 10th annual Baker Triangle Charity Golf Tournament, held May 26 at SilverHorn Golf Club, raised $26,000 for the cause. –mh
2nd: Brian Yezierski, Brian Hogan, Bryan Moon, Rick Luna 3rd: Cody Erben, Craig Jendrusch, Luis Berumen, Brent Dawson Closest to the Pin: Dennis Darr Longest Drive: Brian Criswell Photos by Mary C. Haskin Photography
Winners
1st: Brett Patton, Brian Criswell, Kip Craddick
1st Place Team
Industry FOLKS Shawn Babb Operations Manager Alpha Building Corporation
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Guests at the anniversary celebration enjoyed barbecue cooked by a long-time friend of Kanning’s as well as margaritas and beer.
or four years, Shawn Babb has served as the operations manager for Alpha Building Corporation, but before that, he served in the military for 21 years, cutting his teeth on construction as a U.S. Navy Seabee. “I learned a lot about construction from every level through every trade,” explains Babb. “Because at one point or another, I was in charge of electrical shops, plumbing shops, carpentry shops, and I was a heavy equipment operator so that was my specialty. And I learned a lot about educating people, because I was an instructor for five years of my military career, teaching heavy equipment construction.” Having grown up in Little Rock, AR, Babb graduated high school while in the Navy and spent over two decades traveling the world. He estimates that he has been around the world six times, seeing many places, both good and bad, and then he retired in 1994. Now, at 61 years old, Babb is a three-time war vet, having served at the end of Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War, and Operation Just Cause in Panama. His civilian construction career began as the quality control safety manager with Brown & Root at Little Rock Air Force Base. After moving up to the project management side, Babb left Arkansas to do an $8 million lead abatement job in Chicago. Then, he moved to San Antonio working at Fort Sam Houston as a project manager for the Job Order
Contract there. After four years, he joined Johnson Controls as a senior project manager on performance contracting. And after five years there, he joined Alpha as a project manager at UTSA. Enjoying the challenges of a job, such as repurposing a historic building, is what Babb loves most. He is currently working on just such a project in Brownsville. It’s a building downtown that is more than 100 years old that they razed with the exception of the exterior walls and they are building it back up to be a cultural center when it’s completed. Today, his wife, Kathy Babb, has been an administrative assistant with Alpha Building for five years, and his son-in-law, Kevin Rainey, is a senior project manager in Alpha’s Austin office. Babb has three children; his oldest, Shawn Jr.; his daughter, Shannon Rainey; and his youngest, Christopher. Shawn Jr. is still on active duty, having followed in his father’s footsteps as a Navy Seabee. Shannon is a retired hospital corpsman who was assigned to a Naval construction battalion. Christopher is a senior project manager at Rackspace. Babb also has four grandchildren. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing, fishing, and shooting. An avid shooter, Babb used to be a range instructor. –mh
San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
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Protecting yourself from the sun and heat by Capt. Steve Schultz Sponsored by: Waypoint Marine, Majek Boats, Evinrude Outboards, Fishing Tackle Unlimited, E-Z Bel Construction, Costa Sunglasses, Diawa Reels, Power Pole Shallow Water Anchor, Aggregate Haulers, ForEverlast Fishing Products, Interstate Batteries, MirrOlure, and AFTCO Clothing.
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ith summer in full swing and temperatures on the rise, you must really be prepared when spending a full day on the water. Temperatures have already started reaching the mid to upper ‘90s during the hottest part of the day and with the heat index, that could feel like 102-105 degrees. It’s very important to stay cool and drink plenty of fluids so that you don’t get dehydrated. Proper hydration improves mood, boosts brain function and prevents fatigue. When planning for your day on the water, pack your cooler with drinks that don’t have high amounts of sugar and
Cameron Lopez of San Antonio had a nice mixed stringer of fish while pre-fishing with Steve Schultz Outdoors for a tournament. Note the sun gloves and sleeves that help protect this angles from the harsh conditions we work in.
carbs in them. These drinks will not quench your thirst and instead make you crave something else to drink. Beer is not a very thirst quenching beverage either. I know what you’re thinking, “Steve Schultz is getting old and soft”. I remember him when he was younger, he’d have a cooler full of Silver Bullets every time the boat left the dock. That’s true, and I’m not saying you should not drink beer while fishing, but it should be done in moderation and water should be added
Submitted to Construction News
Northern hunting exposure
Barbara Katz, wife of Jerry Katz, a senior project manager with Alterman, took this 6’4” black bear on the couple’s recent trip to Golden, British Columbia in Canada. –mh
in between every couple of adult beverages. That’s enough on the speech of beer on the boat. One drink that’s good to have on your boat during the summer is several bottles of Pedialyte. Pedialyte is a medical-grade hydration solution specially formulated with the optimal balance of sugar and electrolytes needed to help replenish vital fluids, minerals, and nutrients, which, when lost, can lead to dehydration. Electrolytes are minerals essen-
tial to your health. They help carry electrical signals that power your nerves and muscles, maintain your blood’s proper pH, and balance fluids in your body. You get electrolytes from what you eat and drink, and you lose them any time you lose fluids, like when you sweat or go to the bathroom. Another way I stay cool is by dressing in the proper clothing. Many of the fishing clothing companies make performance fishing clothing that helps keep you cool all day long. Columbia, Aftco, Under Armor and HUK are just some of the few that this captain wears on a daily basis. Light color garments work best on sunny day’s. This style of clothing has become very popular with most of the guides in our area because they also carry an SPF rating of at least 50 to protect you from the sun. You can also find shorts and fishing pants made of the same quality material. Speaking of sun protection, let’s not forget to apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before you hit the water. I typically use Neutrogena sunscreen products daily and try to remember to reapply midmorning if possible. Most of the time I forget to do this, so I always have my trusty buff around my neck that I pull over my cap to shield my face and neck from the sun the rest of the day. These buffs are also handy to help keep your cap on your head when running across the bay. Y’all know how guides hate to go back for caps!! Stay Salty my friends!! I still have several open dates for August, September and October of the 2017 season. Don’t wait until all the good dates are gone! To schedule your next bay fishing trip give Capt. Steve Schultz a call at 361-813-3716 or 361-334-3105 or email him at SteveSchultzOutdoors@ gmail.com. Good luck and Good Fishing.
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San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
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
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Zebras attack!
know, it sounds like the name of a bmovie from the 1960s. Don’t worry, you won’t wake up one morning to find Zebras munching on the shrubs in front of your house or running rampant in the streets. I’m talking about another kind of Zebra. Zebra mussels. I bet you have already heard the public service commercials from Parks and Wildlife about Zebra mussels. You know, “Clean, Drain, Dry your boat” in a catchy little jingle. If you don’t have a boat you may not even pay attention anymore. But do you use water for drink-
MB Construction
ing or bathing or keeping your grass alive? Then you need to know about this! Zebra mussels and quagga mussels are almost the same. They found their way to the Great Lakes in the ballast water of Eastern European ocean-going vessels in the 1980s and by 1990 have already infected all the Great Lakes. They are in 29 states already and sadly, Texas is now one of them. A single adult can produce
100,000 adult offspring in her life and each of them will do the same. They are filter feeders that consume the plankton that is the very foundation of the native food chain from the water. This makes the water crystal clear as it has been stripped of nutrients and changes the amount of light that penetrates the water. More light leads to unnatural and
sometimes toxic overgrowth of algae that can kill native fish and aquatic birds. If that’s not bad enough, they attach themselves to everything in the water. No more barefoot beachcombing or letting the kids play in the sand at the lake’s edge, zebra mussels shells can cut you to pieces. Anything left in the water gets coated with them, even crawfish. Worst of all they stop up intakes for water systems. From the cooling of a boat’s engine to supplying a thirsty city, if it pumps water from an infected waterway the mussels will clog it up! Expect your water bill to increase due to expensive efforts to clean and maintain water treatment facilities. Zebra and quagga mussels have had an easy time traveling with people from one waterway to another. We move a lot of things by water. Between shipping and recreational activities we never thought much about moving from one body of water to another until now. Our only hope is to slow them down by learning to be vigilant about adequately cleaning and drying out our boats. Something as innocent as a wet rope or soggy carpet on a boat trailer can introduce the invasion into a new lake. So far no one has any way to eradicate or control the mussels without causing harm to others. I hope you will take a little time to learn more about zebra mussels. You can go to my Facebook page; Great Outdoors Ken Milam Radio Show and listen to the podcast of the interview we had with Monica McGarrity, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Aquatic Invasive Species Team Leader about Zebra mussels in Texas Lakes, and “like” the page while you are there. The more people that understand what we are up against the better. Maybe one of you will hit upon the idea that will make a difference. You are the most innovative people I know!
Horizon Construction
Half or Full Day Fishing Trips All Bait, Tackle & Equipment Furnished Your catch Filleted and Bagged for You
Ken Milam Guide Service (325) 379-2051 www.striperfever.com
Furnish your TPWD Fishing License & Refreshments, and WE DO THE REST!
San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
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Marathon journey
A common denominator
aniel Crago, project manager for The GFP Group, recently returned to San Diego for what has become a vacation tradition for him and his wife, Stacey, in the last two years. A San Diego native, the vacation allows Crago to visit family while he is town for the Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon. This year, the event happened to be celebrating its 20th anniversary. –mh
James Caraway with his 28 1/2” trout
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reg Wiatrek, Alpha Insulation & Waterproofing, took groups of guys from Bartlett Cocke General Contractors and The Koehler Company on fishing trips last month. On the first trip with Jack Nelson as their guide, James Caraway, Bartlett Cocke, caught his best trout to date, and the next day, with Darrell Walter as their guide, Jared Koehler, The Koehler Company, caught his best trout to date. “I’m not saying that fishing with Greg Wiatrek from Alpha was the reason they caught their personal best trout,” says Wiatrek, “but that was the common denominator.” –mh
Daniel and Stacey Crago at the after party that followed the race.
They also spent some time on the beach in La Jolla.
The happy couple had a beautiful view out onto the harbor and Coronado Island from the convention center.
Submitted to Construction News
Play ball!
Mary Hazlett, San Antonio editor for Construction News, and her husband, David, attended the San Antonio Missions game, mingling with ASA and PHCC while watching the home team take on the Midland Rockhounds – unfortunately the Missions lost by one run. –mh
Jared Koehler with his 27 1/2” trout
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San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
Getting out of town
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ummer is in full swing, and that means vacation for a lot of people while kids are out of school and San Antonio heats up into triple-digit temps. There’s only one question. Where do you go? Everyone has a favorite vacation destination, and we asked members of the local construction community, where does your compass point when you need to get away to true relaxation? –mh Hernandez’s son feeding the birds on one of their trips to Rockport
“Our favorite family vacation spot is on the coast of Corpus Christi or Rockport,” says Vanessa Hernandez, ASCO Equipment, pictured with her husband, Richard. “Both spots are close by and relaxing quick getaways that one can enjoy multiple times throughout the year.”
“Our favorite vacay spot is Port Aransas,” says Vicki Towery, Impact Fire Services, who sent this photo of her daughter, Devin, on St. Jo Island, adding that it is just a quick ferry ride across from the hustle and bustle of Port A, and the water is usually clear and blue.
Cabo is the preferred getaway of Greg Kanning, Dumas Hardware. “Great fishing. Great resorts. Great golf. Very scenic.”
Rebecca Mansfield, Catamount Constructors, is a fan of the big cities, pictured here at Highline Park in New York City with her fiancé, Bruce Ralston.
“One of my favorites so far has been the Big Island of Hawaii,” says Carter Ramzel, Benchmark Plumbing, pictured on a whale watching boat excursion with his wife, Charlotte.
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Cy and Susan Jary, Con-Cor Incorporated, are fond of Cabo. Cy notes, “We had great fishing – caught tuna, mahi-mahi, marlin, and sailfish. The food at the restaurants we went to was outstanding. There is always plenty to do there, nightlife, day cruises – just hanging at the pools at our hotels was fun meeting people from all over the country.”
Punta Cana calls Daniel Garcia, FARR Builders, to the Dominican Republic with his wife, Laura, and friends, Travis, Greg, and Justin. “From golfing to the Hard Rock Casino, Punta Cana is a perfect place to getaway for a few days. Great company, good weather, and cold beverages; can’t ask for a better trio.”
A South American adventure
oe A. Lambert, Terracon, and his wife, Sylvia, recently returned from a trip to Brazil, one of several countries where Lambert grew up. While in Brazil, the couple visited Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, and the Amazons. –mh
Photos by Joe A. Lambert
Pao de Acucar (Sugarloaf Mountain) in Rio de Janeiro
The Amazon River in Belem
Ouro Preto, a former colonial mining town in the mountains of eastern Brazil in the state of Minas Gerais
Icoaraci, Para
Brasilia, Distrito Federal
San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
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A father and a son
Safety for all
ASA gave a safety demonstration to about 55 crewmembers at the Bartlett Cocke jobsite for the Children’s Hospital project in Downtown San Antonio.
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laine Beckman, F.A. Nunnelly Co., recently celebrated Father’s Day on both sides of the fence. As a dad, he loves to hear his son, Citizen Beckman, say, “Dada, what does that tool do?” and “I love you, Dada!” and when putting him down for the night, he repeatedly says, “Dada, lay with me just a couple more seconds.” As a son, Beckman says that his favorite thing about his dad, Gary Beckman, is his dedication to their family
and teaching them the value of work ethic. “He has always taught me to make decisions based on sound ethics and in what is best for my family. He has multiple degrees in various fields of study, has had a successful general contracting company as well as having his doctorate in chiropractic. I could not be more proud and have huge shoes to fill as a father to follow in his footsteps.” –mh
Led by Ted Dunnam, ESC Consultants, and Mike Grendell, Midco Sling of San Antonio, the American Subcontractors Association (ASA) San Antonio Chapter’s Safety Committee partnered with Bartlett Cocke General Contractors and SpawGlass to provide demonstrations of fall protection awareness at two of their jobsites. “We demonstrated the benefits of using the proper type of lanyard and fall protection application,” says Dunnam.
“Using the proper type of lanyard will minimize the shock effect on the body. We’re always striving to promote jobsite safety on all projects.” He adds that with falls being the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry, OSHA’s National Safety StandDown Week gave ASA an opportunity to emphasize the importance of working safely on the jobsite and using the proper fall protection equipment for the hazard at hand. –mh
ASA gave a safety demonstration to about 45 crewmembers at the SpawGlass jobsite for the Texas A&M University San Antonio (TAMUSA) Science & Technology Building.
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San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
Chillin’ at the summer palace
ummer is when AmeriCRANE, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) South Texas Chapter, American Subcontractor Association (ASA) San Antonio Chapter, Mechanical and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (MCA-SMACNA) and Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Association (TACCA) Greater San Antonio Chapter come together to host the biggest party of the season. The third annual Summer Shindig gave everyone a chance to unwind Jun. 15 at Blue Bonnet Palace. –mh
L-R: Clayton Spainhower, Western States Fire Protection; Roxanne Harris, Concrete Renovation; Greg Wiatrek, Alpha Insulation & Waterproofing
L-R: Jon Randolph, Baker Triangle; Craig Noto, Quality Fence & Welding; Dawn Thompson, TACCA; Scott Wiatrek, Dedicated Landscape Solutions
L-R: Todd McAlister, TACCA; Darrell Friesenhahn, Friesenhahn Heating & Air Conditioning; Tim and Patty Wilson, Mr. Wilson Heating & Air; Steve White, AmeriCRANE
L-R: Joey Galvan and Jay Postel, MK Marlow; Vincent Templin and Angie Zuniga, Sunstate Equipment
L-R: Josh Campos and Paul Peltier, Alpha Insulation & Waterproofing; Rick Nanez, Cambridge Contracting; Dana Calonge, Construction News; Ismael Gonzalez, Alpha Insulation & Waterproofing; Bill Gellhausen, USI
L-R: Josh Gatus, John Good, Nick Madrid, and Jeff Emery, Carrier Enterprise
L-R: Steve Cannon, Gardner Law Firm; Sandee Morgan, MCA-SMACNA; John Gargotta, Service Mechanical Group (SMG)
L-R: Greg Kanning, Dumas Hardware; Ashley Fousek; and Chris Christians IV, Lynwood Materials
Jon Randolph, Baker Triangle, and Heather Osborn, Nelson Interiors
Nora Romero, ASA, and Steve White, AmeriCRANE
Serving her profession
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Photo by Paul Kniestedt L-R: Carlos Rodriguez; Carlos Cruz; Edgar Sanchez; Debra Dockery; Felipe Lopez, Pugh Constructors
fter 28 years in business, Debra J. Dockery, Architect continues to do projects that excite its owner and namesake, and architect Debra Dockery remains active in the local industry and community. Recently inducted into the American Institute of Architects (AIA) College of Fellows, Dockery was recognized at the ceremony for her nearly three decades of service. That service has included giving her time to organizations, mentoring, and advocacy. She is currently chair of the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners, and is the first woman in the 79-year history of the board to hold that position. She has mentored young professionals in her firm and the AEC industry. She has advocated for better business environments for architects,
engineers and contractors in the state through analysis and review of legislation that may impact AEC professions. With her father working as an electrical contractor and her uncle a partner in an architectural firm, Dockery grew up in the industry and knew very early on that architecture was her calling. She followed in the footsteps of her uncle, Jim Dockery, and attended Texas A&M University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental design and her master’s in architecture. Dockery was moved by the emotional ceremony for the College of Fellows induction, and she is proud of having been in business for this long, having survived volatile years in the industry. Recently, her firm completed work on a new library for the City of Hondo and the restoration of Hangar 9 at Brooks City Base, which is the last remaining wood-frame hangar from World War I. When she gets home, she enjoys time with her husband of 27 years, Paul Kniestedt, who works as her construction administrator. She also enjoys her garden and horse on her six acres. –mh
Debra Dockery has been running her own firm and giving her time and service to the AEC industry for 28 years.
San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
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Better safety than sorry
CPS Energy workers performed Arc & Spark demonstrations with various materials to show the dangers of coming in contact with live wires. This demo dispelled any myths that trees that touch wires are safe and won’t conduct electricity.
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o promote safety in the construction community, the Hispanic Contractors Association (HCA) de San Antonio hosted its annual Safety Fair May 19 at Alamo University Center in Live Oak. The HCA received special permission from Washington D.C. to do an OSHA 10Hour, which was offered in both English and Spanish and for free, in one day for this year’s event as it had several years ago. Dave Sanchez, executive director for the HCA, notes that people don’t want to miss work for two days or miss a Saturday morning with their families to do the class over two days, so they’ve gone back to doing it in one day. The fair included a Medic First AidCPR/AED course, which was also given in English and Spanish and for free. Roger Friar, who has been in the industry for about 50 years and recently joined F.A. Nunnelly Co., was taking the course, and noted that the 8-hour class was very thorough and extensive and that he would feel more confident trying to help someone, maybe even save a life, on the
jobsite, at home, or anywhere. Turner Construction cooked lunch for everyone on the company BBQ pit, and CPS Energy did an Arc & Spark Demonstration to promote electrical and natural gas safety. –mh
L-R: Henry Villarreal, Everett Willis, and Sergio Balderas made up the Turner barbecue team, cooking chicken for lunch on the general contractor’s custom-made barbecue rig.
The First Aid and CPR class taught workers life-saving skills and techniques that could help them to help someone else in the field one day.
Rafael Llera, organizer and coordinator of the Safety Fair, taught OSHA 10 in Spanish.
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San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
Aiming to win
High Over All
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he Associated General Contractors (AGC) San Antonio had 179 shooters step up and take their shots at the annual Fun Shoot and Mixer May 19 at the National Shooting Complex. –mh
Winners High Over All: Bryan Boehme, Joeris (97) Red Course Class A 1st: Michael Oliver, Security Service Credit Union (95) 2nd: Charles Poole, Allbrite Construction (95) 3rd: Doug Mercer, Zurich Surety (95) Red Course Class B 1st: Chris Powers, Patriot Erectors (73)
2nd: Danny Dellinger, Midco Sling of San Antonio (73) 3rd: Brooks Butler, Zachry Construction Corporation (73) Yellow Course Class A 1st: Trey Baring, QMC Services (96) 2nd: Brooks Holzhausen, QMC Services (94) 3rd: Steve Thode, QMC Services (93) Yellow Course Class B 1st: John Bailey, Marek Brothers (73) 2nd: Derek Sparling, Skanska USA (73) 3rd: David Winkelmann, Bartlett Cocke General Contractors (73) Photos by Mary C. Haskin Photography
continued from Page 1 — Over land and sea new associate principals, Joe Albea and Adam Bush. Meanwhile, Madison Smith, Overland’s previous managing partner, has launched a new business called HeadWaters|Urban, a sister company that offices with Overland and does design-enhanced real estate. Smith is still part of Overland, and the two companies share the same board. Headwaters|Urban evolved out of the realization that Overland was resolving real estate problems with design solutions. Since it made sense to start a different company to help its clients with these challenging real estate issues, Smith, who has an MBA in real estate, launched that venture for Overland.
Rising to a new height of visibility in 1995 for its work on the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, the firm’s projects have spread from regional to worldwide, from work along the Yangtze River in China to the redevelopment of HemisFair Park here in San Antonio. “What we do as architects is help our clients unlock the embedded potential of their organizations and of their projects,” says Archer. “We’re excited to be looking toward the next 30 years of doing that with clients around the world.” Overland Partners is an architecture firm that specializes in four markets: urban design, commercial development, institutional, and single-family residential. –mh
continued from Page 1 — 95 years of integrity all been on job sites or at groundbreakings from the time they were children, and the two generations that came before them emphasized the importance of integrity in their relationships with clients and subcontractors, the quality of their work, and the way they conducted themselves in business. “Integrity is the core value of the past and will continue to be the core value of the future,” says Vaughn. When the heirs to the Nunnelly legacy were being chosen five years ago, Beckman was new to the company but quickly distinguished himself. Vaughn came in two years ago and was hired at that time with the hopes of him becoming the other half of this new leadership team.
Scott and Philip have been with the company almost continuously for the last 50 years, starting their careers in the industry as teenagers. Scott adds, “My whole construction career has been pretty much working with family, and I would not change a thing. These guys have been a blessing for me.” Regarding the transition, Doug comments, “These two gentlemen have already taken over huge responsibilities here. Philip, Scott, and I are excited to work with them as F.A. Nunnelly moves into its next 100 years.” –mh Photo by Joshua Michael Photography
continued from Page 1 — A little lot of land goes FARR
1st Place – Red Course, Class A
1st Place – Yellow Course, Class A
FARR Builders performed all the work to make the 10 apartment units at Nopal Street Villas feel like a traditional home with modern touches.
Teaming up with local firms Mogas Architecture on the design and GomezGarcia & Associates on the MEP engineering, FARR was able to build 10 apartment units with three floorplans, including 2-bedroom/1-bath and 3-bedroom/2-bath units. The two bedrooms are 902sf, and the three bedrooms are 1,132sf for a total of 9,632sf of interior living space. The interiors are furnished with stained concrete floors, black appliances, and stackable washers and dryers. As for the outdoor space, there is a courtyard on the front side of the property, and each apartment has its own backyard. The backyards range from 10x10 to 10x20. “It’s your traditional home, but it has modern features to it, like the electrical fixtures and the stained concrete,” explains Steven, who was project manager for the job. “There are some accents that modernize it. The exterior is all fully irrigated. All the yards and the vegetation in the front are green year-round.” FARR Builders self-performed all of the work for the project. The site work, excavation, foundation, stained concrete, installation of appliances and other aspects of the job were done in house. Other major aspects of the job included running the sewer and the water main to the apartment complex. They had to add a new pole and transformer on the property. The result of all their work is a property that FARR can be proud to have built and Ciano is proud to own and operate. Nopal Street Villas has been full since it opened for business. “A lot of the tenants we have now grew up in this area,” says Steven. “They have families that live in this area, and they wanted to move back into something
nice, and this area really didn’t offer anything with amenities like ours. So, as soon an apartment is available, we lease it out right away – within a day.” The Garcia brothers note that a lot of community members helped make this happen. Though they had not worked with Jefferson Bank before, Joseph De La Garza, senior vice president of commercial lending, pushed for them to be approved, and Steven says that without De La Garza and Jefferson Bank, this project never would have come to fruition. They also worked with the Center City Development Office on its CCHIP (Center City Housing Incentive Policy), which gave them grants and incentives, paying impact fees for SAWS and permit fees for the city. The project fell within the office’s ICRIP (Inner City Reinvestment and Infill Policy) area, where they are focusing on development that will bring revitalization. “We grew up in the area,” says Steven. “And we haven’t really seen too many people or investors putting their money into this side of town, and we know the demand on this side of town, and we know what kind of people live here. Once we did this development, all the neighbors and community were very happy with it, because it helped beautify the area.” Additionally, Daniel, who is vice president of business development for FARR, adds that he feels their grandparents who began the company and their father and uncles who took it over from the first generation would be proud of what FARR’s third generation did with this project. Established by Felix and Mary Lou Garcia in 1982, FARR Builders originally started in concrete contracting and expanded into commercial and residential construction. –mh
San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
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THIS TH MON Jan: Construction Forecast Mar: Construction Education May: Concrete Industry July: Electrical Industry Feb: Construction Safety Apr: Women in Construction Jun: HVAC & Plumbing Aug: Service Providers
Living by the code of safety Ben Tijerina, Assistant Project Manager HJD Capital Electric San Antonio, TX
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n September, the 2017 code will become effective. What changes can electrical contractors expect to see in the new code? The code changes every three years. It’s always minor changes. The NEC [National Electrical Code] has always been about safety. My view is that the NEC is there to protect people and equipment. There are always going to be changes, and most of them have to do with safety and safeguarding people and equipment. The arc-fault requirements always get expanded every time they do these revisions. The arc-fault, circuit interrupters, became required in 2011. This is because of personal safety. It’s geared more toward residential than commercial, but when they changed the code, they made it required to have every electrical circuit that is going to what they call “a living area” be protected by an arc-fault breaker to help prevent house fires. If an extension cord is broken and starts a fire, the arc-fault breakers will catch that and interrupt the circuit. That way there’s no damage down the line. Do you use the code often in the field? As an installer in the field, [the code] goes more into the design of these buildings and how they build them. It is something that as an electrician, you do need to know, but it’s not something where we’ll have a codebook right by us and pull it out. As far as requirements or arc-fault and other safety [factors], those usually get integrated into the design. We’ll be told, “You’re going to use this kind of breaker here now. A couple of years ago, we used this kind, and now, you’re going to use this updated kind.”
Is it more relevant for new installation as opposed to service and repair? When you get into service and repair – normally, when you touch a system, you do have to bring it up to code. For instance, if we did a residential call, and the customer is asking for an interior panel to be changed out, then as an electrical contractor, you would have to go in and update everything to meet the new code requirements. When we go in and renovate places, if the systems aren’t meeting the code requirements, we have to update them. We go into buildings they want to renovate and [the electrical system] doesn’t meet the new code – or doesn’t even meet the code for the past 10 years – so you get in there and you have to update it. When you update a system that is so old that it doesn’t meet the code, do you have to update or replace the whole system? Depending on how old the equipment is, sometimes it’s easier just to pull it all out and start new. I’ve run into that several times. But then, you get certain
Electrical horizon Vincent Real,President and CEO Big State Electric Ltd. Austin, TX
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ow would you describe the state of the construction industry in general terms? I feel Texas has been vibrant and creative to keep our economy healthy. Texas leadership has always been proactive attracting large industry and Fortune 500 companies. No matter where I go or turn there is construction projects of all sizes including infrastructure and highway improvements throughout the state. I would say the economy in Texas is fair. Have you heard of any increase or slowdowns in business? Obviously the oil production decrease and under $50 a barrel oil has had an impact on Texas. Our Houston office has definitely been feeling it for the last 10 months, but we see light at the end of the tunnel. We have been budgeting many projects for large companies and we feel it is only a matter of time until they are released. We have also noticed a lot of consolidation in facilities with the larger companies. The Permian Basin is very active at the moment and we hope it trickles down to the Eagle Ford and other parts of South Texas. On the bright side, we are seeing a lot of activity in San Antonio, Austin and Houston with public education bonds being passed to build more schools. There seems to be a lot of activity in the higher education arena also. Medical and data centers, also seems to have some activity. What are the factors driving this increase/slowdown? I believe not only national, but also international companies focus on Texas. It is a company and industry friendly state that does not handcuff large industry with laws and regulations. Not that our state leaders
don’t protect our state and the people that live here, they just seem to be more sensible and use common sense when it comes to what is decided for the large companies and what is good for our state and its cities. Do you see an increase in the number of outside contractors coming to the area? We do see a considerable number of general contractors, mechanical, electrical and plumbing contractors from other states setting up offices in the areas where we work. Especially in the last 10 years large contractors, from the East and West Coast, pursing large government and municipality projects in the state. What are the costs increases relating to your industry? We historically have had labor increases due to inflation and insurance coverage continuing to rise. We have invested a large amount of funding on two full time safety personnel and looking for a third so we have one in each office. We are also increasing safety and certification training. We have seen a positive side to this by lowering our modifier and reducing our insurance premium.
Electrical Industry Sep: Green Building Nov: Architecture & Engineering Oct: Specialty Contractors Dec: Construction Equipment
situations where you can retrofit what is already there and make it meet the new code requirements. It just really depends on how old the system is. Whenever we run into systems that are, let’s say, over 30 years old, that’s usually when we just completely replace. On some of these older systems, we’re working with a piece of switchgear that’s 30 years old, and they want you to pull a new subpanel out of it, you get to the point where we need a breaker for this switchgear, and the breaker for the switchgear just isn’t available new. It’s usually only available when it’s refurbished, and it’s so expensive that it’s actually cheaper to just replace the whole system. When it gets that bad, it just depends on what kind of system it is.
goals that have been given to us by the contractor, safety is always the most important thing. You never know what you’re going to get into when you pop open a cover of a piece of switchgear that’s 30 years old. When we get into these older systems, we’re very cautious. And I don’t want to say we’re more cautious than we are with the new installation, but the luxury for us with the new installation is we can make sure everything’s correct before we turn it on. When we go to an existing system, we’re always challenged with what could be behind those covers that we’re not seeing.
Do you run into that often in commercial construction and renovation? What fraction of your work poses this kind of challenge? I would say it’s about one-third. We don’t run into a lot. Also, a lot of the work Capital does is with the government and the city, and a lot of the work is on a budget. When things like this happen, it comes back with a large cost, and they try to do something different instead. In addition to costs for the owners, what are the factors that affect retrofitting for electricians? One of the biggest things with the NEC and with us in general in the industry is safety. That’s always a big deal, especially when we’re dealing with electricity. That’s key for us. It’s very important that no matter what we do, especially in researching all these things. When you get into some of this older gear, and you have to start researching what it is we need to do to accomplish the
What’s an example of such a safety concern? Some of the locking mechanisms on some of the panel covers of older gear – the way they were designed, they could pinch wires. I’ve seen that before. I’ve seen bolts come loose on panel covers and fall inside a piece of switchgear that’s energized. That’s never a good feeling – to hear something fall in there. Everybody usually turns their head when they hear something fall because they know there’s a possibility it’s a bad situation. For instance, if a bolt falls – and it would have to be a perfect situation – but it could fall in between two of the bus bars or in between the bus bar and the metal frame, and then, that would cause that phase to ground out and you would have an arc-flash, which depending on the size of the system could be life threatening. It’s something that we’re always looking out for. Having been recently promoted to his current position, assistant project manager, Ben Tijerina has been with HJD Capital Electric for three years and has been an electrician since 2006. –mh
What is on the horizon for your industry? We have invested in various software, more computers, ipads, cell phones and state-of-the-art tools. We are doing more training, preplanning, prefab and taking more emphasis on material and logistics. In simple terms, reducing task and steps on the project site.
Back in the ‘90s, we did a project at a research facility where high voltage cable grids were installed overhead in the interior of a large building. This was to mock up high voltage utility lines that we see in our cities and rural areas. Monkeys lived in this facility for years and were observed to see if the frequent exposure had any side effects or caused medical issues.
Have there been any significant code changes in the last year? Yes, related to the energy codes regarding lighting, lighting controls, daylight harvesting and automation of window shades in large buildings.
What is the most significant challenge your industry faces? I would say hiring. We have become a society that feels they are entitled to high wages and benefits when they have no experience. I had a friend tell me his son just started his first day as an intern at a large company and one of the other interns in the group asked, “I wonder how many hours they expect us to work?” That scares me when this type of mindset exists for potential new hires. I am seeing it too often.
With the recent emphasis on green building, what is the most environmentally-friendly change relating to your industry? I think in the electrical industry it would be the disposal of incandescent, florescent lamps and ballast. You can’t dispose a large quantity when doing a demo project. I know Big State Electric is doing a better job recycling and collecting cardboard, pallets, etc. for recycling instead of throwing in the dumpster. We have been on some large projects when owners are seeking LEED Certification for silver, gold or platinum recognition for their buildings. On these projects you have multiple dumpster separating cardboard, pallets, scrap metal, sheetrock, trash, etc. to score points. Have you seen an increase in safety awareness? Yes, I would estimate a 30 percent increase in the last five years in our company. As a minimum, all our employees are OSHA 30 or OSHA 10 trained along with many other special certifications. What is the most unusual application of electricity you have seen?
What are the rewards of the industry? The friends I have made and every project we complete and getting that warm and fuzzy feeling of accomplishment. I am very proud of our company name and I smile every time I see one of our trucks on the road or seeing our sign hanging on a new construction project. What are keys to being successful? I think finding people to work in your organization that are self- motivated, driven with a desire to be a servant and that are engaged daily. We all work hard in our organization but we try to have a little fun while we are doing it. Big State Electric Ltd. headquartered in San Antonio, with offices in Austin and Houston Texas, has been in business for over 50 years performing all facets of electrical services from 38 KV to low Voltage telephone/data cabling. –cmw
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San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
NEXT TH MON
Service Providers
If you would like to represent your company in an upcoming FOCUS, contact your San Antonio Editor for an Interview Mary Hazlett (210) 308-5800 SAEditor@ConstructionNews.net navigating the sea of employment possi????????????????? Gaining strength through bilities without a compass. “Expanding apprenticeships and adversity
David W. Johnson, Executive Director CentTex Chapter IEC Austin, TX
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he current outlook for the electrical industry is strong. The number of construction projects in Texas has been steadily rising for both large and small companies over the past several years. With industrial, multiuse and commercial construction thriving and residential housing developing, the architects, engineers, general and electrical contractors are all experiencing significant growth and the need for qualified, skilled workers has never been greater. Our contractors in Texas are encountering a serious challenge—the workload demand has surpassed the trained workforce supply. Why is there a shortage? There are basically three reasons for the lack of trained electrical workers we are currently experiencing. Each year more and more established workers are reaching the age of retirement. Due to the social pressure to attend a college or university, less high school graduates are pursuing jobs in the electrical construction trade. Additionally, a significant number of experienced workers left the industry during the years of economic recession to seek a different career. The resulting loss of talented tradesmen and not replenishing the workforce adequately with trained electricians has led us to where we are today.
When did it become apparent that the electrical industry was headed into a bad situation with a shortage of qualified electricians? In late 2010 the economy still had fewer jobs than it did before the recession started. This blended with an exceptionally sluggish recovery and fewer construction projects, the demand for electricians leveled. In 2014 construction started to turn around and amid government fostering a business friendly environment in Texas, development has flourished! What is being done by the industry to help resolve this issue? On June 15, 2017, President Trump issued an Executive Order, expanding Apprenticeship programs that make sense. “In today’s rapidly changing economy, it is more important than ever to prepare workers to fill both existing and newly created jobs and to prepare workers for the jobs of the future. Many colleges and universities fail to help students graduate with the skills necessary to secure highly sought after, meaningful occupations. Far too many individuals find themselves with a tidal wave of student debt and
Workload, costs, labor shortages up Bill Groves, President Charles VandeZande, Vice President of Estimating Groves Electrical Service Inc. Farmers Branch, TX
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ow would you describe the state of the construction industry in general terms? Have you heard of an increase or slowdown in business? In the DFW Metroplex, the workload exceeds the available manpower. In the last few years there have been several large projects in the Metroplex that have taken a lot of the available workforce to complete. With large projects like The Star, Frisco Station, Toyota North American Headquarters, State Farm Insurance and Legacy West, everyone that is willing to work has a job. With all of this work, prices have gone up and budgets are getting exceeded. You have to be able to not only help with budgets and bid the projects, but find ways for owners to save money and get projects in budget. This includes working with the general contractor to redesign projects in a way that the owner still gets what he wants at the budget he can afford. At Groves Electrical Service Inc., we have an experienced and valuable estimating and design team to help with this. If you don’t have the ability to do this, the jobs go over budget and will not be funded or at least put on hold until they can get them redesigned and rebid at a later date.
What are the hot button issues in the industry? One of the hot button issues in our industry is safety. When you start a job, contractors want to meet the person responsible for the safety in your company. They want to see a specific person that will be held accountable if something goes wrong at the jobsite. It is every contractor’s responsibility to make sure that every employee goes home at the end of the day. The electrical trade has certain inherent dangers associated with the trade and contractors want to know how you are going to mitigate those dangers so that employees can work safely. The “Good Old Boy” way of doing things without the proper training and safety equipment is disappearing fast. Do you see an increase in the number of outside contractors coming to the area? We have found more general contractors opening up shop in the Metroplex every day. We receive email bid requests from contractors we have never heard of every week. We try to vet each general contractor before deciding if we will give them a bid on bid day.
workforce development programs will help address these issues, enabling more Americans to obtain relevant skills leading to higher paying jobs. Apprenticeships provide paid, relevant workplace experiences and opportunities to develop skills that are valued by employers. “Additionally, construction trades training programs provide affordable paths to steady work and ultimately, careers driven by hard work, honesty and integrity demonstrated by the worker”. [Excerpts from the EO] visit https://www. whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/executive-orders for more information. The Independent Electrical Contractors Association (IEC) offers a tremendously successful Electrical Apprenticeship Program, registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, for individuals who are interested in joining the electrical industry. The ‘earn while you learn’ model is appealing and motivating for men and women to acquire full-time employment alongside professional education. At the high school level, how are they looking at trade schools now versus in the past? Due to ‘No Child Left Behind,’ high school students have been steered towards pursuing a degree program through a community college or university. In 2013, House Bill 5 (HB 5) was passed by the Texas Legislature making substantial changes to the state’s education curriculum, graduation requirements and accountability system. HB 5 restructured the Texas public school graduation requirements by moving
With the recent emphasis on green building, what is the most environmentally friendly change relating to your industry? The lighting industry and LED lamps are the way of the future and the future is now. What is the most significant challenge your industry faces? Labor shortages for the electrical industry are a big issue facing electrical contractors in North Texas. When a seasoned veteran retires, they are harder than ever to replace. At Groves Electrical Service Inc., we are training in the field and in the classroom. We have always trained and promoted from within, and now it is more important than ever. We are finding it harder and harder to find young talent these days. The electrical trade needs to be held in the same regard as a four-year college degree. Spend four years in the trade and become a journeyman while getting paid. Contrast that versus spending four years in college and receiving a degree along with student loan debt. What are the cost increases relating to your industry? Labor and material are up. General contractors are utilizing “Doc U Sign” for subcontractors and are becoming more and more unwilling to negotiate favorable terms and conditions with subcontractors, shifting costs from the general contractor and forcing them upon the subcontractors. Texture payments are also an additional cost added to the subcontractor. Has the theft of copper affected pricing of work? Copper theft is still a big problem. In the past year, we have had a new school in
from the “4x4” graduation plan to a 22-credit Foundation High School Program that allows students to earn endorsements in specific areas of study by completing four additional credits. The endorsements include Business & Industry, Public Service, STEM (Science/Technology/Engineering/Math), Arts & Humanities; and Multidisciplinary Studies. The chapters of the IEC have amplified our proactive outreach efforts across Texas to encourage young adults looking for an exciting profession or military veterans searching for their second career to consider Electrical Apprenticeship. The end goal is to build relationships in a community, increase awareness and help bridge the gap between separation from high school or unemployment by leading the way into the rewarding electrical career. In most cases, the apprentice will complete the program debt free! Visit www.myelectriccareer.com for more information on how to “Energize Your Career”. Do all IEC Chapters across the state offer an apprenticeship program and how effective have the program(s) been? YES. IEC chapters located in Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Lubbock, El Paso, the Panhandle and Rio Grande Valley, along with their contractor members, work together sponsoring hundreds of students to successfully achieve the title of Journeyman Electrician each year. And it doesn’t stop there; many individuals who work in the electrical trades move on to Foreman, Project Manager, Estimator, Inspector or Company Owner. The electrical trade is truly a lifetime of opportunities.
Dallas hit twice. Once they stole from the plumber and once from us. Our sports lighting projects are always susceptible to theft due to the secluded nature of the projects. Are there solutions to the copper theft problem? There is no foolproof way to stop copper theft. We cannot install the copper until the job is secured. We utilize aluminum conductors when allowed. What are the rewards of the industry? The rewards are many, such as the relationships that are created as time goes on with owners, general contractors, engineers and other trades. As with all construction trades, the feeling of accomplishment you get with each project, large or small. Whether you are a young apprentice installing your first ceiling fan or an experienced apprentice finishing a single room, you get a feeling of accomplishment. For the foreman and project manager, it might be the first football game on a new field or the opening of a school, restaurant or fire station. The electrician is the first on site with temporary power and the last one finished after we put the plug and switch plates on the devices. You get to meet or at least see all the trades work and learn something on every project. What are the keys to being successful? Hard work and good preparation is the only way I know to succeed. You have to keep current in your field and not let technology or code changes happen without your knowledge. Electrical contractor Groves Electrical Service Inc. specializes in a wide range of projects, including educational, municipal, hospitality, municipal and retail. –mjm
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continued Texas thriving George Green, Vice President of Preconstruction VA Electric Houston, TX
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he construction field is constantly changing with technology, code and different types of buildings being built. The electrical industry in the Houston area is no different as the technology changes and the customers look for the new and different in their projects.
How would you describe the state of the construction industry in general terms? Have you heard of an increase or slowdown in business? Despite rumors of a slow down in construction due to political games, we have been experiencing quite the opposite, and with design firms still backed up, we don’t see it stopping abruptly or anytime soon. Do you see an increase in the number of outside contractors coming to the area? No. We are based in Texas and cover most of the state. The cat got out of the bag several years back about Texas having one of the strongest economies, and we have been fighting off non-local competition ever since. The vast majority of these outside contractors that sought to expand into Texas and have since retracted after taking their lumps. What are the “hot button” issues in your industry? Skilled labor. The number of quality, skilled electricians, or young men/women looking to pursue the trade is outweighed by the amount of positions becoming available. What is on the horizon for your industry? Electrical materials and installation techniques are constantly evolving. These
Has the theft of copper affected pricing of work? No, you will always have a few bad eggs but if you need to charge the customer for something they will never see nor use a better purchasing and handling protocol should be put in place. What are keys to being successful? We are still looking for those keys, but persistence and making sure the people that we take care of at VA has gotten us pretty far in a short amount of time.
Tell me about your company. VA Electric was formed at the tail end of 2013 with simple “old school” core values, a handful of good people, a couple of great customers and a desire to produce quality electrical services. Four years later, a few more great customers, and around three hundred employees later we still stick to the same simple core values today, just on a much larger scale. –cs
evolutions are largely focused around safety, reduction of energy consumption and production increases. A few specific items we keep an eye on include lighting fixtures, intelligent lighting controls and equipment/installation testing requirements. With the recent emphasis on green building, what is the most environmentally friendly change relating to your industry? This answer varies depending on building type. An easy answer would be lighting and lighting controls. Those two components usually equal, and often times exceed, the cost of all other electrical materials on new construction projects. Much of this is due to advancements in lighting fixtures and the ever-expanding use of lighting controls to include daylight harvesting. Another answer that often gets overlooked is mechanical system demands. As building and insulation materials improve, so do the efficiencies of mechanical systems, which usually account for 25-plus percent of the tenant’s electric bill. Not only does this change get noticed monthly when your electric bill arrives, but your reductions in mechanical loads can also lead to reductions of service sizes saving you money up front on construction, or giving you extra capacity should you ever add equipment or realty.
Giving their time
The next journeyman plumbers
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embers of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) San Antonio Chapter recently went out into the community to serve and inspire. –mh
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) San Antonio Chapter participated in the NEISD Career Fair Expo on Apr. 25. L-R: Craig Scott, owner of CROSS; Pat Plazek, sales manager at McCoy’s Building Supply; John Cox, owner of Cox Tile.
Members also participated in the City of San Antonio’s first-ever Rehabarama May 13, hosted by the city’s Office of Historic Preservation. Volunteers included Ross Doege, Buck Cavazos, Bruce Baham, CROSS Construction; Scott Thomas, S Thomas Designs; and James Gorbey, James Handy-Man Services.
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PHCC’s 2017 graduating class and instructors
he Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) San Antonio Chapter hosted its Plumbing Apprentice Graduation Ceremony May 25. Among the graduates were Daniel L. Aguilera, O’Haver Plumbing Co.; James W. Bump Jr., Tietze Plumbing Co.; Unyces I. Cestou, Beyer Plumbing Co.; Jimmy A. DeHoyos, A-Ram Plumbing
Co.; Jonathan W. Layden, Vamvoras; Juan J. Mendiola, O’Haver Plumbing Co.; Aric J. Ramos, O’Haver Plumbing Co.; David E. A. Ross, Texas Plumbing & Diagnostics; Salvador L. Sandoval Jr., O’Haver Plumbing Co.; Alejandro Soto Jr., Beyer Plumbing Co. –mh Photos by Colton Bolin
Don Harrell, left, presented graduate David Ross, Texas Plumbing Diagnostics, with the Ed Harrell Memorial Scholarship, a $500 award.
Corey Opiela, Opiela Mechanical and second year apprentice, won an award for the highest GPA, a $300 reward.
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San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
Round-Up
Association Calendar
Content submitted by Associations to Construction News
Project Control announced the following: John Sharpstene has joined the firm as senior project manager. With more than 30 years of experience as a project manager and owner’s representative for Fortune 500 companies across the country, he has a strong foundation in planning, construction and facilities. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from GardnerWebb University and associate’s in architecture from Catawba Valley Commu-nity College. Prior to joining the firm, he worked for Halliburton, Facility Programming and Consulting, and Continental Airlines.
Terry Wayne Wright Sr. was promoted to vice president, director of field operations at O’Haver Contractors. Having joined the company seven years ago, he started as a senior project manager and has held the positions of superintendent, project manager and general superintendent.
Glen Young has joined Yates Construction as a project executive. With more than 35 years of experience in the industry, he will serve as the primary point of contact for clients and provide leadership for the day-to-day operations of all the company’s South Texas Division construction projects. –mh
Chris Moore has earned his license in Texas as a registered architect for RVK Architects. Part of the firm’s architecture studio since January 2010, he is also a LEED Green Associate through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and a WELL Accredited Professional through the International WELL Building Institute. He earned his bachelor’s degree in architecture from Texas Tech University in 2007 and his master’s from UTSA in 2011. –mh
Baker Triangle is pleased to announce the promotion of Preston Pressley to Vice President, Business Development and Marketing. Pressley has been with Baker Triangle for six years and is a graduate of Texas A & M University.
Submissions
Round-Up
Luis “Louie” Rodriguez has joined the firm as project manager. His experience includes municipal, private, and P3 projects across multiple markets. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University and graduated from the ULI Young Leader Mentor Protégé Program, Real Estate Council of San Antonio Leadership Development Program, and AGC Leadership Academy. He is also vice president of I-LinCP’s San Antonio Chapter and serves on ULI’s Young Leader Committee and AGC’s Construction Leadership Council Steering Committee.
This is a monthly section for brief company announcements of new or recently promoted personnel, free of charge, as space allows. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Email (w/digital photo, if available) by the 15th of any month, for the next month’s issue (published 1st of each month). Email info to appropriate city issue, with “Round-Up” in the subject line: –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– San Antonio: saeditor@constructionnews.net Austin: austineditor@constructionnews.net Dallas/Fort Worth: dfweditor@constructionnews.net Houston: houstoneditor@constructionnews.net
ABC Associated Builders & Contractors
July 11-14: OSHA 2055: Cranes in Construction; ABC Office; 8am-5pm; for more info, email Dana Hickman at dana@ abcsouthtexas.org July 24: Happy Hour, Little Woodrow’s; 4:30-6pm; for more info, email Ruby Trejo at ruby@abcsouthtexas.org
MCA–SMACNA
AGC Associated General Contractors
All events are held at the AGC office unless otherwise stated. July 8: CLC Night at the Missions, Wolff Stadium, 7pm July 11: CLC Mega Mixer, The Well Beer Garden, 4-7pm July 13: CLC General Membership Meeting, 4:30-6:30pm July 17: PAC Reception with Rep. Gutierrez, The Petroleum Club, 5-6:30pm July 19: OSHA 10-Hour; free; 8:30am-4pm July 20: OSHA 10-Hour; free; 8:30am- 3pm July 25: Past President’s Lunch, The Petroleum Club, noon
AIA American Institute of Architects
July 11: I-LINCP Mega Mixer; The Well, 5539 UTSA Blvd.; 4-7pm
ECAT Earth Moving Contractors of Texas
July 21-23: Annual Meeting; Holiday Inn NW Sea World, San Antonio; for more info, call 325-340-8370
HCA de San Antonio Hispanic Contractors Association
Jul. 21: 8th Annual Diversity Awards Gala; The Norris Conference Center; Gold Table (10 seats) is $1,650, Silver Table (10 seats) $1,100, Bronze Table (5 seats) $550, Individuals $100; prices are for members, non-members add 25 percent; for more info, visit www.hcadesa.org or call 210444-1100
IEC Independent Electrical Contractors
All events are held at the IEC office unless otherwise stated. July 5, 11, 25, Aug. 1, 10: Journeyman/ Master Prep Class, 5-9pm July 3-4: IEC Office closed in observance of Independence Day July 13-15: Motor Controls Class, 9am5pm July 15: Electrical Maintenance Technician Class, 8am-5pm
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July 17: Continuing Education Class, 5-9pm July 20-22: National Instructor Conference, Houston, TX July 26-28: National Executive Director’s Conference, Colorado Springs, CO For more info on these events, contact the IEC office at 210-431-9861 or visit www.iecsanantonio.com Mechanical Contractors Association Sheet Metal & A/C Nat’l Assoc.
July 5: Regular & Associates Meeting – Oak Hills Country Club @ 11:30 a.m. July 19: Joint Industry Fund Meeting, Oak Hills Country Club, 11:30am July 19-23: MCAT 2017 Conference & Product Show, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort
PHCC Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors
July 6: Contractor Q&A Mixer for the PHCC Plumbing Apprentice Program, Morrison Expressions showroom, 6:30pm July 13: Membership Meeting, Topic: Millennial Generation in the Workforce, The Petroleum Club, 11am-1pm July 15, 29: Plumbers Continuing Education, PHCC classroom July 18: Fishing Committee Meeting, PHCC office, 11:30am For more info on these events, visit www. phcc-sanantonio.org or call 210-824-7422
SAMCA San Antonio Masonry Contractors Assn.
July 14-15: Annual Fishing Tournament; Redfish Bay Boathouse, Aransas Pass; $300 per boat with 4 anglers; for more info, call Debbie at 830-606-5556
TACCA Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Assn
July 20: Member Appreciation Mixer; Bowlero, Hwy. 281 & Bitters; 5:30-8pm; complimentary for members and future members; to RSVP, visit TACCAGreaterSanAntonio.org For more info or to join, visit TACCAGreaterSanAntonio.org or contact Dawn Thompson at 210-901-4222 or dawn@ taccagreatersanantonio.org
USGBC U.S. Green Building Council
July 11: The Urban Heat Island and Its Hazard; Eco Centro; 11:30am-1pm; for more info, visit http://www.usgbctexas. org/event-2559165
In memoriam
laude Lorey Sr. (center), project manager at Central Builders Inc. (CBI), passed away Jun. 16 at the age of 56 after an unexpected illness. A main facet of senior leadership for CBI, he had worked for the company since 2004. After years in the San Antonio Division, he spent the past six years running CBI’s Southwest Division. “We have lost not only a great employee, but also a very great friend,” says Bryan Ehrlich, vice president. Throughout his life, he relentlessly pursued his passions, which were varied and many in number. He spent much of his youth professionally racing motorcycles and dragsters, while working by his father’s side in the grocery business for many years and later, moving into landscape and commercial construction management;
and finally achieving his true passion of farming pecans at his home in Lordsburg, NM. Survivors include his wife, January; his nine children, Kristin, Crystal, Kacie, Kaylee, Claude, Demi, Jared, Logan, Isaiah; and seven grandchildren. –mh
San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
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Rooting for the home team
he American Subcontractors Association (ASA) San Antonio Chapter took its members out to the ballgame for Baseball Night Jun. 8. Attendees enjoyed watching the San Antonio Missions taking on the Midland Rockhounds from the Fiesta Deck. –mh
L-R: Nora Romero and Jennifer Swinney, ASA, and Jordon Brown, Quality Fence & Welding
L-R: Jon and Kathy Randolph, Baker Triangle, and Margie and Walter Benson, Time Insurance Agency
L-R: Ray Fehner, and Jack and Melissa Magee, KCM Cabinets
L-R: Tammy and Alan Thompson, Traugott; and Lindsey Sutherland, G.D. Interiors
JOB SIGHTS
South Texas Erectors and Urban Concrete worked on the walls of the new Westover Market at Highway 151 and Potranco Road. The 9,150-sf retail center project began Mar. 20 and was estimated to take general contractor Cambridge Contracting less than four months to complete. The project manager for Cambridge is Rick Nanez, and the superintendent is Mike Pate. –mh
RCO Construction was doing repairs along the San Pedro Confluence, Mission Road and downstream of the Espada Dam for the San Antonio River Authority’s Mission Reach Erosion Repair Project. This included installing rock riprap, sheet piling, and a base maintenance access drive, as well as all associated excavation, fill and compaction, erosion control protection, and re-vegetation. –mh
Construction News ON LOCATION
Iron central
Rosamalia Rodriguez, assistant manager, and Leobardo Aguilar, purchasing, have the doors open at AMS Group at its new Nakoma location. The iron works company moved to this new home from downtown about a year-and-a-half ago, and they are currently remodeling their showroom. –mh
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San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
Bringing on the heat
Tees and tackle
he Fire Sprinkler Contractors Association of Texas (FSCATX) held its 7th Annual Skins & Fins Tournament Jun. 8-10 at the South Shore Harbor Resort. The threeday event kicked off with classes and vendor shows on Friday, followed by a golf tournament on Saturday and a fishing tournament on Sunday to close the weekend. More than 400 people from across Texas attended the event with 25 teams competing in the fishing tournament and 38 teams for the golf tournament.–cs
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he Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors (PHCC) San Antonio Chapter hit the Fiesta Deck at Nelson Wolff Stadium to see the San Antonio Missions go up against the Midland Rockhounds for its Night at the Missions Jun. 8. –mh
L-R: (standing) Mackenzie and Brenner Gold, Laura, and Joe Hastings (seated) Matt McGeehan, Brandy Howell, Aaron and Tiffany Teer with their son, Kellen, Hughes Supply L-R: Dan Merritt, David Stone, Lance Prince and Alan Hertz
L-R: Heidi Trimble, PHCC; Randy and Teena Beck, Hughes Supply; Randy Hunter, REC Industries; Steven Short; Perry Beyer, Beyer Boys
L-R: Doug Trimble, Ferguson, and Heidi Trimble, PHCC; Art Serrato, Ferguson; Rhonda and Maurice Fox, O’Haver Plumbing
Jason Zinn, Wes Davis, Carlos Rojas and Mario Moya
FSCATX gave its members a chance to visit with vendors.
L-R: Teala, Chloe, Daniel, Spencer and Melissa Ramzel, Benchmark Plumbing
Distinguished among Aggies
John M. Yantis, founder of Yantis Company, was one of 10 Aggies to receive the prestigious Distinguished Alumnus Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a former student of Texas A&M University. His company has been honored by A&M’s Aggie 100 list multiple years, and Yantis created a Regents Scholars Student Assistance Endowment Fund through the Association of Former Students among other ways he has served his alma mater and community. –mh
San Antonio Construction News • July 2017
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Clash of the castles
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he sands of time did not stop association members from competing in a childhood favorite activity. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Houston Chapter hosted members across Texas for the 31st Annual AIA SandCastle Competition on June 3 at Galveston East Beach. Fifty-eight teams competed to win different awards and spend a day at the beach with fellow members, putting together masterpieces of sand. Kirksey + Metzger pulled off a three-peat, winning its third consecutive first place Golden Bucket.–cs
Winners
Golden Bucket: Kirksey + Metzger – Surf and Turf
Silver Shovel: Gensler + Harvey – Return of the Crawfish Bronze Shovel: Ziegler Cooper Architects – Quest for the Holy Pail Fourth Place: Pfluger Flintco – Clash of the Icons Fifth Place: Page –’Tis the Sea-sun Sixth Place: HKS with DPR Construction – Crash Sanding Annual AIA College Challenger: Richard Meier – Barcelona I “LIGHT” Best Team Signage: Browne McGregor Architects – Houston, We Have A Sculpture Best Team T-Shirt: Page – ’Tis the Sea-Sun Best Costume: Philowilke Partnership – 5th Element The Sydney LeNoir Public Favorite: ASCE Houston – Bowser’s Beach Bash!
Tallest Standing Structure: Kirksey + Metzger – Smurf and Turf Best Sports: VLK Architects – Pirates of the Super Bowl Best Science Fiction: HKS with DPR Construction – Crash Sanding Houston-Centric: Gensler + Harvey – Return of the Crawfish! Kidtastic! Lego Edition: Perkins + Will/HOAR Construction –The Truth About Legos Best Traditional Castle: Kirksey + Metzger – Smurf and Turf Best Architectural Icon: Freese and Nichols, Inc. – Mayan Pyramids
Kirksey + Metzger
Freese and Nichols, Inc.
Gensler + Harvey
Kirksey + Metzger
Repairing the neighborhood
Volunteers from G.W. Mitchell Construction participated in the inaugural San Antonio Rehabarama, a one-day event hosted by the City of San Antonio’s Office of Historic Preservation. Working on homes in the historic Denver Heights neighborhood, G.W. Mitchell’s volunteer team included Art Ramos, Mark and Laura Balencia, Andy Mitchell, Lane Mitchell and Angela Hines. They helped repair windows, exposed joints, masonry, rotting portions of wooden exterior, and put a new coat of paint on a 1920s-era home. –mh
Ziegler Cooper Architects
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San Antonio Construction News • July 2017