Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News November 2017 by Construction News

Covering the Industry’s News

Texas Style

P.O. Box 791290 San Antonio, Texas 78279-1290

PRSRT. STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT #1451

Change Service Requested

San Antonio H Austin Dallas/Fort Worth H Houston

Dallas/Fort Worth

CONSTRUCTION

™

The Industry’s Newspaper See Page 18

www.constructionnews.net H (210) 308-5800 H Volume 14 H Number 11 H NOVEMBER 2017

Redi to help

It’s his specialty

L-R: Buck Weatherby, John P. Owen, William J. Sandbrook and David Behring

Duron Building Specialties CEO Shaun Duron

allas/Fort Worth concrete supplier Redi-Mix Concrete believes giving back is just what companies should do. “Buck” Weatherby, Redi-Mix Concrete’s vice-president of business development, compares the attitude with that of a former mentor of his, whom he says was “a strong believer in giving back to the community that gives you an opportunity to work.” “The community provides the infrastructure we use to deliver our products, and we’re trying to give back to the community by creating jobs and supporting local charities,” Weatherby says. The corporate office is in Euless, where 100 Redi-Mix employees share an office building with 75 employees from parent

company U.S. Concrete. Together, they rarely miss an opportunity to make their corner of the world a better place. When recent hurricanes struck and impacted several of its employees, it established the U.S. Concrete Hurricane Relief Fund to assist their workers in getting back on their feet. Redi-Mix also reached out to those beyond its inner circle by participating in a “Harvey Hiring Event” which offered jobs to those affected. Redi-Mix’s biggest charity to-do is its annual Charity Golf Classic. Over the past 22 years, it has raised $1 million for various causes, but in recent years it has focused on The Clayton Dabney Foundation, which financially assists families of terminally ill children. Redi-Mix and continued on Page 16

haun Duron worked 11 years for his family’s Division 10 specialties business, which his grandfather established in 1987. He enjoyed the experience so much, he established a similar business, Duron Building Specialties, in 2014. “I learned everything from the ground up, and I saw some different things that I wanted to explore,” Duron says. “I thought this was a good opportunity for me to do it on my own and to be my own business owner. I knew I could do it for myself,” Duron explains. In three years, Duron has grown the business to seven employees, is tackling $1.5 million of work and is steadily adding to his range of Division 10 specialties. “We do hospitals, warehouses, anywhere where there is a bathroom that

needs toilet partitions or accessories, or schools that need lockers and projection screens,” he explains. “We also do wall protection for hospitals and door and hardware installation.” This year, he added carpentry to his stable of services. “I’m never afraid to be a risk taker and take on some new things,” he says. Duron says that if he hadn’t had the good fortune to be trained in the family business, he would have been a police officer because he enjoys meeting people and helping others, job aspects he currently enjoys in this business. Even though he’s technically in competition with his family for clients, he appreciates the lessons he learned continued on Page 16

Courthouse is in session

enton County had a vision: Each precinct commissioner would have their own building, while also housing an annex building for the county. The facility would include the precinct’s justice of the peace, the commissioner’s office, tax and clerk’s offices, the constable, adult and juvenile supervision and the Department of Public Safety. After 12 years of planning and deliberation, the County was ready for the realization of the Denton County Southwest Courthouse, and enlisted the expertise of SEDALCO Construction Services and EiKON Consulting Group. The result is a 32,000 sf single-story facility located within five acres of Flower Mounds’ Canyon Falls development and nestled within the city’s trail system. SEDALCO project manager Tammy Crooks explained that the natural feel of the environment greatly influenced the materials chosen for the project.

Natural materials and a historic bridge bring the new Denton County Southwest Courthouse to order.

“The natural stone and brick on the exterior makes the building blend in,” Crooks says. “It needed to look like it was always supposed to be there. If you look at it from the outside, it looks like someone took a lot of care to make sure the building look like it belonged.” “The building site actually hooks into the trail system that goes throughout that community,” Crooks continues. “When we built the building, we incorporated sidewalks and trails around the building to give it the feel that it was always supposed to be there. People are already walking around it with kids and strollers. One of the best features, I think, is the bridge that spans the pond in the front of the facility. “The Sam Bass Road Bridge” is a historic bridge for Denton County. It was a bridge that was on a one-lane road that was brought over to our site. When we built our project, we integrated that bridge into the pond area so that it’s actually a continued on Page 16

Page 2

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • November 2017

HOLT CAT® joins Metso’s distributor network in Texas

L-R: Buck Pate, technical services manager at HOLT; Nayles Bakke, Metso; Evan Creson, VP, Machine Sales South at HOLT; J.K. Baxter Senior, VP, Machine Sales at HOLT.

OLT CAT® will now offer Metso’s crushing and screening products to the contractor and recycling segments, covering 118 counties in south, central, north and east Texas. The agreement was signed in June, 2017. “We are extremely happy to welcome HOLT CAT to the Metso distributor community,” said Ben Hansbury, vice president of Distribution Sales at Metso. “With HOLT CAT’s industry experience and acknowledged commitment to creating customer value, we know they can provide Metso equipment users with superior service. This partnership strengthens our distributor channel in Texas, one of our key markets in the United States.” “We are looking forward to the opportunity to represent Metso in our region,” said Evan Creson, vice president of machine sales at HOLT CAT. “Metso is

an established manufacturer known for its high level of quality, innovation and support. Adding Metso’s portfolio complements and diversifies our product range, and will help us to provide even more value-added solutions that enable our customers to bring progress to our world.” Metso’s products range from mining and aggregates processing equipment and systems, to industrial valves and controls. Their customers are supported by a broad scope of services and a global network of over 80 service centers and about 6,000 service professionals. Metso has an uncompromising attitude towards safety. Metso is a world-leading industrial company serving the mining, aggregates, recycling, oil, gas, pulp, paper and process industries. -bd

Going against the rain

L-R: Southwest Lath & Plaster’s “Eric Sr.,” Bart Matthews, Eric Kihl, Keith Frazier and ClarkDietrich’s Stuart Fisher

aindrops kept falling on their heads, but the blues they sent wouldn’t defeat Adams Supply of Dallas Inc. The company hosted its 7th annual customer appreciation day Sep. 29 in spite of the rain, offering lunch, raffles, prizes and an opportunity to visit with vendors. A highlight of the event was a product demonstration by company owner George Adams, who masterfully sprayed basecoat even though the day wasn’t dry. –mjm Owner George Adams treats guests to a product demonstration.

Adams Supply of Dallas Inc.’s John Burton and Anthony Willis

Wwrenco’s Bill Wren and Plastic PC’s Wayne Vaughan

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • November 2017

Page 3

Celebrating 50 years

Women honored

he achievements of women in architecture, engineering and construction were honored Oct. 19 at Regional Hispanic Contractors Association’s Luna Awards Luncheon. Hosted at the OMNI Fort Worth Hotel, the event recognized professionals who exemplified excellence in their respective categories. –mjm Outstanding Executive: Tonya Watson, Gadberry Construction Company Inc.

Joeris General Contractors leadership team LR: Scott Lee, director of operations; Jorden Dial, business development; and Jim Graham, director of preconstruction.

Established Construction Firm: North Texas Ductworks LLC, Carmen Smith

Outstanding Professional: Kelly Ioannou, Structure Tone Southwest

Established Service Firm: ACARI Management Group, Jollyn Mwisongo

Outstanding Administrative Professional Brandi Williams, JNT Developers

Rising Star Firm: DCG Environmental, Shelley Hines

Lifetime Achievement: Angela Berry Roberson, Esq. Ferrovial Agroman

Business Advocate: Kimberly Suber, NTTA

Dallas H Fort Worth

Vanguard Award: University of Texas at Arlington, Dr. Vistasp Karbhari and Arcilia Acosta, CARCON Industries/STL Engineers

eo Joeris got his foot in the construction door when he went to work for his brother Joe after the war. After getting some valuable experience he became an acoustical ceiling contractor before going back into the general construction side of working for William Matera Construction. Leo and Raymond Klaus along with a handful of people worked for William Matera Construction until Matera was killed in a plane crash. “After his death, Dad finished up all their work and started bidding work as Joeris & Klaus Construction Company,” says Gary Joeris, CEO of Joeris General Contractors. “My dad and Raymond Klaus started the company in 1967 focusing on some private work, but mostly school work, churches and public work.” Working through the summers during high school and college, Gary worked for the company as a carpenter, helping out in the office, running errands and estimating. He joined the company fulltime in 1978 after graduating college as a project manager. By the early ‘80s, when Klaus decided to go out on their own, Joeris continued on as Joeris General Contractors and Gary was named vice president of the company. He would continue in that capacity until 1990 when he took on the role as president. His father continued to support and guide him until he retired in 2000. “Dad was pretty good about relinquishing control and, of course, I went to him for advice. We were a good team. He was always open to my opinions and suggestions and I certainly listened to his opinions and suggestions.” The biggest changes for the company came 17 years ago, when Joeris started the strategic planning process for the company. “My aspirations were to grow

the company. You have to keep it growing in some form or fashion to be relevant in this market. We started this strategic planning process and identified goals for the next two to three years. We set goals for getting better; goals for the kind of manpower we would need, what positions we would need people in, and we worked very deliberately in making those goals happen. “I could not have achieved any success without our people. They are the key ingredients. My best blessing was having some really good people to start with from my dad, and we continue to be bring in high quality, high caliber folks with good character.” Celebrating 50 years in business, Joeris General Contractors has been celebrating all year by hosting quarterly fundraising events to give back to the community they love so much. “We hosted a clothing drive to benefit CAM Ministries. We also hosted a can food drive for the San Antonio Food Bank and in August we hosted a school supply drive to benefit CASA, the advocates for San Antonio’s foster children. And just this past weekend we did the Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society with John Casstevens, our president, as chairman. In conjunction with the Light the Night Walk we are also doing a teddy bear drive for young leukemia patients in the hospital,” says Angela Cardwell, chief marketing officer. The company commissioned a painting to honor their workers at their 40year mark and will have a sculpture commissioned in their honor for the company’s 50th anniversary. Joeris General Contractors is a general contactor headquartered in San Antonio with offices in Austin, Dallas and Houston. - cmw

CONSTRUCTION NEWS

MELISSA JONES-MEYER, Editor DFW Construction News (817) 731-4823 DFWeditor@ConstructionNews.net 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 Dallas, Tarrant, Collin or Denton counties and are not receiving a free copy of the Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News,and are not receiving a free copy of the DFW Construction News Digital, please visit our website and select “Subscribe.” ConstructionNews.net. Add’l Counties for Digital Subscriptions: Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker & Rockwall.

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

November 11 A day to say Thank You to those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces

bserved annually, Veterans Day honors military veterans. This day originated as Armistice Day on November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War 1. Veterans Day gives special thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime. Often, Veterans Day is confused with Memorial Day, the day to honor those who served and died while in military service.

Thank you for your Service Sacrifice Patriotism

Page 4

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • November 2017

where my mom had an office with Edward Jones. She said they needed a manager for the Pizza Hut there; Doug and I had both worked for Pizza Hut during high school. I managed it for a couple of years and realized it wasn’t what I was cut out to do. I moved back up to Kansas City and bartended and had a lot of fun, but again, I realized it wasn’t what I wanted.

Dean Olson Owner and Vice president of Sales

Doug Olson Director of Business Development

EyeSite Surveillance Irving, TX

rowing up helping their mason father, brothers Dean Olson and Doug Olson learned a thing or two about the ins and outs of job sites. As adults, they now work together to keep job sites safe from theft – when they aren’t busy saving the world from bad barbecue. Share a little about your backgrounds. Dean: We were born and raised in northwestern Iowa on a farm, and raised cattle and hogs. It’s where I spent the first 14 years of my life and where Doug spent the first 16 years of his. Then our dad moved us to Missouri and the Ozarks. Doug: He was in the construction industry as a masonry contractor, so we learned the business. Dean: We did it in the summers. When you’re at that age living in that small town in Iowa, you’re going to do something, like de-tasseling corn. There was always something to do on a farm. Since Dad was laying block, we’d go out and work with him. Doug: I actually got a degree in construction after high school at Reeds Springs. I went through a building trades class in high school and worked for him as part of class. One of the most interesting things we did is all of that rock and block for Silver Dollar City in Branson MO. Dean: I was there this summer and put my hands on the very stuff that my dad laid 35, 40 years ago. What did you do after high school, Dean? Dean: I went out to the oil fields. Three days after high school, my dad asked me what I was going to do since I didn’t have the money or the grades for college and I couldn’t live at home! The oil fields were really hot in the ‘80s, so I jumped in my buddy’s pickup truck and went to western Oklahoma. We slept on park benches or in the truck and ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a week as we went around to all of the drill rigs and finally got work. It was fun, hard work, and a good learning experience; I did that for a year and a half. I then came to the Houston area

How did you find out what you were interested in? I ended up joining the Army. I wanted money for college and wanted to go to Europe. Even though I didn’t apply myself in high school, I did well on the test, got top-secret clearance and worked as a nuclear weapons specialist. It was in Germany during the Cold War. Ronald Reagan was president, and I was over there for the whole great “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” history. It was fantastic. I was stationed in a small town in Munich, and through a friend met the woman who would become my wife, Marina, who was born and raised over there. How long did you stay there? I stayed until 1997. The idea was to stay in Europe to spend more time with Marina and to also use the money that I had received for my education. I went to school there and worked towards my business management degree through the University of Maryland, which had a European campus. It was so interesting, living over there and seeing a different culture and a different lifestyle. I also became fluent in German. When did you return to the United States? Marina and I ended up getting married and having two girls. In 1997, our oldest daughter was 5 and our youngest was just born, and we really wanted them to be raised in America. We loved everything about Europe but just felt that America would be a better place for them to go to school. My mom was in Arizona and we really liked Scottsdale, so we moved there. I got into real estate working for residential builders – which is how I got back into construction – and did that until 2005. How did you get involved with EyeSite Surveillance? One of the contacts I made was Scott. He had started working for another company doing something very similar to what we’re doing now. He came to me and said he would like to buy the business from the owners and asked if I wanted to invest. I brought in our other business partner, Dave, who had commercial real estate experience. We were lucky, because Dave’s son Jason is an aerospace engineer with an MBA, which is something we needed, so it made sense that we brought him in as a fourth partner. That was the start of the business in 2005, working out of Scott’s garage. We conquered Arizona, expanded over to Dallas five years ago and for a year and a half, we’ve been down in Houston. It’s nice; after being together 12 years, we’ve created our own little family. We’re great friends, but we’re also not afraid to tell each other when we need to change something. Share how Doug became part of the team. Dean: We were lucky. About four years ago, Doug was finishing his career with an insurance company in Minnesota and was looking for something a little bit different. We needed a solid salesperson in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, someone we could trust who had a lot of energy and a lot of go-get-‘em. I approached Doug about this and he was all over it. Doug: I wanted out of Minnesota and back in Texas, where I had lived in the early ‘80s. Texas is my home, and it was nice to get back home. Was there any apprehension about working together? Dean: No. It was pretty clear that we had to separate business from family. Doug: I didn’t have any reservations. I had to go though the interview process with the other three owners and Dean. I told them that I would treat this business like my own.

L-R: Brothers Doug Olson and Dean Olson of EyeSite Surveillance work and win cookout trophies together.

Doug, what strengths does Dean bring to the business? Doug: He’s more organized; he keeps me on task and pointed in the right direction. I go 100 miles per hour in 100 different directions. I’m always the guy who will never say no. What does Doug bring to the business, Dean? Dean: Obviously, it’s his energy and get up and go that he has every day. He has a great sense for networking, meeting people and making people feel comfortable. I get so many comments about him, that he is such a great guy. That’s definitely the type of person that we were looking for, someone who is trustworthy and doing what is best for the company. That’s what he does. What are your lives like outside of work? Dean: My wife and I lived in Arizona for over 20 years and we developed a real appreciation for the outdoors and nature; we love to go hiking. I love to travel, and Marina has that bug as well. Both of our daughters are in college now; one is in her junior year of Pre-Med, and the other speaks four languages and is in graduate school at an international business school. Doug: I have a son in the Army who is based in Hawaii. My other son is living here with me in Dallas; he works for CityWide Mechanical as an HVAC tech, so he is loving life. I joined a golf group when I moved here, so on Sundays, I get to go have fun with the guys. I’m also on the board of directors with the American Subcontractors Association, and we do a lot of stuff with TEXO. I’m just happy to be part of the industry and trying to pay back the industry for what they give us. Dean and I also do a lot of cookouts for ASA and TEXO and some of the construction companies. That’s something we do together. You’re both celebrated for your smoker skills; you often place at industry cookout competitions. Dean: It’s a friendly competition. We

build on relationships that we’ve already created. We meet so many people out here and we’ve had so much fun over the years with it. Would you share your secret recipe with our readers? Dean: Absolutely. You have to love it, and you have to put love into it. I really enjoy cooking that meat. It’s like with business; if you really enjoy it, it’s going to turn out well. That’s my secret. I share my recipes all of the time – I use this wood, I use these spices, I buy these cuts of meat and cook it at this temperature – but you’ve got to be into it. Doug: I just stick my little finger in everything; it makes it sweeter! What do you both enjoy about your work? Doug: I enjoy being out on construction sites and the interaction with the guys. It takes me back to when I was younger and on job sites with my dad laying block and brick and being around the other trades. Dean: I really enjoy providing solutions for builders who have so many problems with theft on job sites. We put the equipment out there and back it up with solid people. They build it and we protect it. It’s a good feeling to know we’re stopping theft on job sites. What does the future hold? Dean: The future for us as a company is very clear. We need to grow it one market at a time. I think that is one of the things we’ve done that you don’t normally see in the industry; we accomplish one goal before moving on to another. We did really well in Arizona. Dallas/Fort Worth was a good market and so we established there. Once we had our hands on it, we went to Houston. Austin and San Antonio will be next. We’ve planned it out and are looking into the future. EyeSite Surveilance in Irving is a security expert for construction companies requiring mobile theft prevention equipment. –mjm

All a board!

Meet the National Association of Women in Construction Dallas chapter’s (NAWIC) 2017-2018 board. The group was installed Sep. 18 at Wyndham Garden Dallas North. (L-R): Recording secretary Candace Jones; treasurer Jennifer VanBreda; director Britni Hammond; director Deenie Kurtz; president Kim Gibbons; director Mary Prey; director Lindsay Lauderdale; and immediate past president Ann McCullough (not pictured: vice president Debbie Parkerand corresponding secretary Laurel Wesson –mjm

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • November 2017

Page 5

Honor role

lack-owned businesses, corporate partners and diversity specialists in the North Texas region were honored at the Regional Black Contractors Association’s (RBCA) Inaugural 2017 Chairman’s Awards Gala. Texas House of Representative of District 109, Helen Giddings, served as keynote speaker at the event, which was hosted Sep. 22 at Doubletree by Hilton DallasCampbell Centre. –mjm

‘Gaters gonna gate

ver 1,000 TEXO members and their families filled the fields at Lake Grapevine’s Silver Lake Marina to throw washers, eat chili and barbecue and help feed others too. The TEXO YCC Tailgate is the trifecta of the association’s final Challenge Cup events, combining the washer tournament, chili cook-off and barbecue (chicken, ribs and brisket) cook-off. The event, held Oct. 21, also served as a company canned food drive competition. Ridgemont Commercial Construction raised $7000 for the North Texas Food Bank. –mjm

Not pictured: Developer of the Year The Cordish Companies Not pictured: Diversity Champion of the Year Jollyn Mwisongo, ACARI Management Subcontractor of the Year Roberts Trucking, Quincy Roberts

Contractor of the Year Con-Real, Webber Azteca-Omega

Washers Tournament winner: Prime Controls

1st Place Brisket: Ridgemont Commercial Construction (Team #1)

1st Place Habanero Award, BBQ People’s Choice Award, Chicken People’s Choice and Chili People’s Choice Award Baker Triangle

1st Place Ribs, People’s Choice Brisket and People’s Choice Ribs: EyeSite Surveillance

Best Booth: Cadence McShane

1st Place Chicken and Overall BBQ winner: Austin Commercial (Team #2)

MBE Contractor of the Year EJ Smith

Two times the tee!

eams fought for first at Dallas’ Bear Creek’s east and west golf courses on Oct. 9. In the end, the Automatic Fire Protection team and the Classic Fire & Hunter Fire Protection team putted their way to the prize at the 28th Annual Fire Sprinkler Contractors Association of Texas’ (FSCATX) Golf Classic. –mjm

L-R: Mark Parker presents the east course first place prize to Automatic Fire Protection team members John Begnaud, Thomas Glisson, Marty Self, Paul Begnaud, Greg Mootes with FSACTX president David Stone.

L-R: The Classic Fire & Hunter Fire Protection team’s Wes Davis and Nick Jones accept the west course first prize from Mark Parker with teammates Jason Zinn and Thomas Deleo and FSCATX president David Stone.

Page 6

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • November 2017

Texas-sized vision pected schedule delays due to weather. If prefabrication is introduced early enough in the design process, the building façade can be fully constructed, finished, shrinkwrapped and put on a truck ready for install prior to a shovel ever hitting the ground. Dry-in is positively impacted and scaffolding use can be drastically reduced, if not eliminated. It’s also an attractive option to use in a labor-strapped industry. “With as much work as we currently have going on in Texas, we just don’t have the field resources that we used to have,” Pressley explains. “When we look at prefabricated methods, we see a parallel to reduction in man-power needs, which are getting harder and harder to find in these loaded markets.” “We also feel like it’s a strong benefit to our clients and to their clients. They’re getting a product that has gone through a very stringent quality control process,” he adds. “Every phase of prefabrication Exterior prefabricated metal panels are is checked, verified and scanned so manufactured in BakerTriangle Prefab’s Dallas plant, but are used throughout Texas, that we know we are building to such as the Austin Aloft Hotel project. correct standards. We feel owners are getting a streamlined, consistent product akerTriangle’s investment in a vision that allows us to work alongside our five years ago is starting to pay off for general contracting partners to help deliver Texas construction. them their building in a timelier manner.” The company joined the StoPanel The initial challenge was educating affiliate program dedicated to building the industry on the benefits of prefabricated panel systems that adhere to consistent exterior panels. standards. It then opened a stand-alone “The industry is not necessarily used to prefab plant in Dallas focused on or comfortable with it, so we have invested manufacturing pre-finished exterior wall a lot of resources in marketing and raising panels. The division, BakerTriangle Prefab, is awareness of what prefabrication is and the only DFW market-based affiliation and when it can be applicable to projects. We serves a 500-mile radius, which includes its constantly have people come through the Austin, Houston and San Antonio branches. fabrication facility and talk with them about “I think our leadership team, led by methods and constructability. We have Bryan Baker and Steve Baker, are personnel that explain the vision, not only visionaries, not only in our market here in to general contractors but also to architects, DFW but visionaries within the drywall and owners and development groups. acoustical industry nationally. They fly at a “I think we’re just now starting to see 5,000 ft. view and are always looking at the industry gravitate towards this what’s coming,” Preston Pressley, investment,” he continues. “Especially BakerTriangle’s vice president of business moving into 2018, it’s really starting to pick development and marketing, says. “Several up steam in our Texas markets, and not years ago, they saw that European markets only with our clients (contractors) but also were starting to do things a little different, with architects and owner groups. We are and I think they really latched on to seeing them mandate prefabrication prefabrication. They made a heavy methods into their master specifications as investment to try and get ahead of the standard practice moving forward. We are curve and get started with that here locally excited to be delivering a unique process to in Texas.” this great industry, and look forward to Prefabricated panels offer Texas latching on to this wave of momentum we builders several benefits. The panels are are seeing towards prefabrication.” built in a controlled manufacturing BakerTriangle PreFab was launched environment versus unpredictable field under the umbrella of BakerTriangle, which conditions, guaranteeing a higher degree has nine Texas locations. –mjm of product quality and sidestepping unex-

Horses, planes and doors

Pilots arrive at Schweiss Doors Friday for fun, food and a Schweiss factory tour.

ike Schweiss is one focused individual. Rather than devoting time and energy to a wide variety of activities and undertakings, he finds fulfillment in two areas of interest - doors and horses. From his point of view, everything else is pretty much a diversion. It's been that way for much of his adult life. Doors are Schweiss’ first passion. “I just can’t stop thinking about them. From the time I get up in the morning until I go to bed at night, doors are on my mind.” This obsession is a good thing. He’s the founder of Schweiss Doors, one of the world’s premier manufacturers of bi-fold and hydraulic doors. Doors weren’t on his radar screen in his early working life. After graduating high school, he worked on the family dairy located about two hours west of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Over the next several years he began manufacturing numerous farm and ag-related products. The moment that changed his life forever came in 1980 when a friend told him he was good at making things and why not make a bi-fold door. Schweiss replied,“What’s a bi-fold door?” He couldn’t stop thinking about this idea. A few months later, he designed his first door, a 14-ft x 14-ft for a utility shed owned by the local county highway department. Through the 1980s, he zeroed in on making bi-fold doors for farms and agricultural-related businesses. And the rest is history.

Schweiss designed a system that relies on nylon straps rather than cables for operation. He developed new markets over the next two-plus decades, to include aviation. In addition to bi-fold doors, he developed hydraulic doors. One of the larger doors is a 94-ft x 62-ft for SpaceX at Cape Canaveral in Florida. Schweiss’ most recent success story is Hurricane Harvey’s havoc on the South Texas Coast. The aftermath of the hurricane at the Aransas County Airport in Rockport, TX was devastating, hangers were destroyed. That is, except for the hangers that had the Schweiss doors which helped to support the buildings. Those were still standing according to Mike Geer, Airport Manager. Geer chose to ride out the storm in the airport terminal, a probable staging ground for relief and recovery efforts. He wanted to be there to assist first responders. “It was like having a 747 with parking brakes on a full throttle just outside the door; it was incredibly loud. We had hurricane force winds for 13 hours,” said Geer. Creating tremendous interest within the construction and architectural industry is the Schweiss Hydraulics. Builders like the clean and trending styles, yet rugged design of these products. Heavyduty hydraulic cylinders provide super stability. As one builder commented, "Hydraulic doors with the Schweiss name, it doesn't get any better." -rd

GOOD NEWS! You always look good in Construction News, Guaranteed!

Call us for a Company Profile (817) 731-4823

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • November 2017

Page 7

Potential payroll pitfalls

Game of drones

Leann Ussery, CPA, Tax Manager Armstrong, Vaughan & Associates, P.C. Universal City, TX

Lauren Allen, Vice President-Sales BrookStone Insurance Group Dallas, TX

our focus is your company’s growth, but you might be jeopardizing that growth if you’re not aware of various payroll pitfalls. Voluntary compliance with IRS regulations can save hours of time and thousands of dollars in penalties and assessments in the event of an audit, so it’s important to understand how to avoid these issues before that happens.

Contractor vs. Employee Be sure to properly classify your employees and contract laborers. Work responsibilities vary significantly from company to company, so there is no clear definition of who is an employee and who isn’t, but there are some general guidelines. • Contract Laborers are hired by the job, not the hour, with no expectation of on-going employment. They generally have their own tools and frequently have other employment. • In contrast, employees are subject to more control by the employer in terms of when and how they work; tools are generally provided by the employer; and they receive benefits such as paid time off, training, job evaluations, and/or expense reimbursements. • The IRS is suspicious of classifications showing any individual as both an employee and an independent contractor, so avoid this red flag whenever possible. • Payroll reporting is a hassle, yes, but filing Forms 1099 to your employees is not a substitute. An employer who misclassifies employees as independent contractors bears the risk of employment taxes, penalties and interest. • To correct classification errors, the Voluntary Classification Settlement Program is available to offer some relief. Eligible participants pay just 10% of applicable payroll taxes without penalties or interest and are no longer subject to employment tax audits regarding reclassified employees on any prior years. Partnership Compensation If your business files as a partnership, partners should not receive traditional wages except in rare cases but could receive guaranteed payments as outlined in a written partnership agreement. • Guaranteed payments are compensation to partners for services or use of capital or property. Amounts of these payments are determined without regard to partnership income and are generally fixed. Payments should not include any payroll withholding but will be taxed as self-employment income on the partner’s individual income tax return. • Cash payments to partners designated as distributions of earnings are not deductions for the partnership, nor do they increase taxable income to the partner.

S Corporation Owner Wages If your business files as an S Corp, your shareholder-employee compensation is of great interest to the IRS since it is the only portion of your income that is subject to the self-employment tax. • Under-paying yourself may be considered unjustified tax avoidance if the shareholder-employee is also taking taxfree distributions of earnings. Shareholder wages are paid in the same way other employee wages are paid, net of applicable withholding. • If S Corp income is significant and shareholder wages are not comparable, the IRS may recharacterize any distributions and levy payroll taxes and penalties. To reduce risk, use industry standards to determine shareholder wage rates. Auto Allowance and Other Taxable Fringe Benefits Providing an auto allowance to employees for business use of their personal vehicles is a fringe benefit that provides incentives to employees and a tax deduction for the company. Other taxable fringe benefits include adoption assistance, dependent care assistance in excess of federal limits, unsubstantiated expense reimbursements, and educational or mileage reimbursements in excess of standard federal rates. These fringe benefits paid to owners or employees should be treated as additional compensation to the employee, subject to payroll tax. If paid to independent contractors, the total amount paid including fringes should be reported on Form 1099. Classification issues, owner-compensation, and taxable fringe benefit reporting are just a few of the potential dangers of payroll, so contact your payroll professional for help in navigating payroll tax compliance and reporting. Leann Ussery, CPA is tax manager of corporate/partnership returns and focuses on the tax needs of small-to-mid sized entities, including entities with multi-state tax issues. Leann joined Armstrong, Vaughan & Associates, PC in 2008 after graduating from Angelo State University with an MBA in Accounting. She can be reached at 210658-6229.

hat do the U.S. military, Super Bowl LI, Texas Dept. of Public Safety, Austin City Limits Music Festival and the construction industry have in common? All have utilized drones to enhance the activity at hand. From search and rescue operations to documenting artistic performances to monitoring projects for safety and quality control, commercial drones (also known as “unmanned aircraft systems”) are becoming an increasingly predominant tool to ensure operational success. While the use of drones in the construction industry may not seem like an everyday occurrence, the FAA estimates that by 2018, over 7,500 small commercial drones will be used by general contractors and tradespeople, with most of the usage occurring on construction sites. Think about the benefits: surveying large project sites, inspecting dangerous or difficult to reach locations, creating aerial maps, and providing live video feeds of the job site to ensure adherence to safety protocol. Drones have the capability of completing certain tasks with significantly less risk than a human. But practical and cost benefits aside, it is imperative to consider the full gamut of risks associated with drone usage. Incidents of a drone running out of power, the operator losing control, or in some cases reckless operation can lead to destruction of property and/or medical injury to others. While not as prevalent, hackers have developed tools to interfere with GPS systems, which could lead to liability issues. And one of the most concerning issues when operating drones on a construction site is the type of imagery drones may capture when flying close to the borders of private property, which can lead to claims of invasion of privacy. To be protected, the proper amount of insurance coverage must be in place, and likely your current commercial general liability policy contains an exclusion that prohibits aviation coverage (yes, the FAA now includes drones in its definition of “aircraft”). Therefore, do not assume that your company is covered for drone activities. In its efforts to quickly adapt to the increased usage of drones, the Insurance Services Office (ISO) has issued endorsements to better clarify the coverage applicable to commercial drone use: the Unmanned Aircraft Exclusion (CG 21 09) and the Limited Coverage for Designated Unmanned Aircraft (CG 24 50). These endorsements, which focus on bodily injury, property damage, and personal and advertising injury, allow the insurance market to either exclude or include coverage for drone activities. Additionally,

several insurance carriers have stepped up to the plate and now offer drone-specific policies with varying degrees of coverage, including both “owned drone” and “non-owned drone” coverage. When determining whether drone usage is right for your company, consider a few of the FAA’s regulations: • The drone must be registered with and approved for commercial use by the FAA; • Drone operators must be at least 16 years old, pass an initial aeronautical knowledge test/obtain a remote pilot airman certificate, and be vetted by the TSA; • The drone must weigh less than 55lbs and adhere to FAA regulations, including maintenance regulations; and • Drone operation must occur during daylight or during twilight hours, assuming there are running lights on the drone, and the drone must be in the visual line of sight of the operator. As the insurance world adapts to the integration of drones into the construction industry, it is important to establish and implement risk management strategies for drone activities. Always vet drone operators regarding their training and qualifications, and establish specific flight plans for drone usage on job sites. These tactics can both assist in mitigating the risks associated with commercial drone use and make the company more desirable in the insurance marketplace. The use of drones in the construction industry can lead to exciting new ventures and business successes. Ensure that your company is properly protected with the right insurance coverage and policy limits to safeguard your risks. Lauren Allen is a licensed attorney in the State of Texas and the Vice President of Sales at BrookStone Insurance Group. She focuses on collaborating, innovating and delivering risk management plans tailored to her clients’ specific needs. She can be reached at 214-301-3333 or lallen@brookstone-group.com

Page 8

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • November 2017

Taking cover after the storm

Improper use of extension and flexible cords

Angela A.L. Connor, Associate/Houston office Peckar & Abramson Austin, TX

his hurricane season is on track to be one of the most active seasons of record. Hurricane Harvey hit a vast portion of the Texas coast and affected numerous construction projects. A hurricane of this magnitude results in delays and added costs to projects. As projects get back on track after Harvey, contractors should re-review their contracts to ensure compliance with all notice and documentation requirements, if there is a time and/or cost impact caused by the storm. A hurricane and other “acts of God” are usually known as force majeure events. A force majeure event is an unavoidable circumstance beyond a contractor’s control. Depending on the contract language, if a force majeure event occurs, a contractor may be entitled to additional time and/or costs. Notice In a typical construction contract, there are notice requirements to receive time and money for delays not caused by the contractor. It is critical for contractors to immediately review the contract’s notice requirements to ensure compliance. Contractors should also check the contract to make sure the notice is sent in the correct form, to all required recipients, and contains all necessary content. The notice should explain the cause for the delay and reserve rights for time and money. It is important to note that time delay is not only the actual period of the storm. Contractors need to take into account the limited access to the project site, changes conditions at the project site (e.g. muddy conditions), and demobilization and remobilization time. Additionally, contractors should consult with their subcontractors and suppliers. A shortage of labor, materials and/or equipment would likely cause more delay than the actual storm. By now, contractors likely know the full effect of the storm’s aftermath to their project schedule and costs. Contractors will now need to send a supplemental notice detailing the additional time and costs. Under the AIA Document A201TM – 2007 General Conditions (“A201”), an extension of time and additional costs are altered by a change order.1 This means documentation is required. Documentation AIA recently released the 2017 version of the AIA Documents. This article focuses on the 2007 version because most ongoing projects are contracted under the 2007 version.

To be entitled to time under the A201, the contractor must show there was a delay or delays to the project’s critical path. If time is requested due to adverse weather conditions, the contractor must also submit “data substantiating the weather was abnormal for the period of time, could not have been reasonably anticipated and had an adverse effect on the scheduled construction.” Examples of backup would include NOAA reports and other data showing the actual rainfall at the project site and flooding in the area. A revised schedule should also be submitted along with the adverse weather data. To receive additional cost under the A201, the contractor must submit a complete itemization of costs, labor and materials. A contractor should submit time sheets, payroll records, source documents for costs, and have their subcontractors submit the same itemized documentation. The more documentation a contractor can include the better chance they have of getting additional time and money. Lastly, there are usually time limits to submit the documentation for change orders. It is imperative for contractors to scrutinize their contracts and determine the applicable time period to submit the documentation. While hopefully we will never see another storm like Harvey again, there will be future force majeure events. Complying with all notice requirements and submitting detailed documentation will help prevent a disaster to your bottom line. Angela Connor is a construction lawyer in Peckar & Abramson, P.C.’s Houston office. She represents a wide range of construction industry clients and focuses her practice on construction-related disputes and contract negotiations and drafting. Angela can be contacted at aconnor@ pecklaw.com or 281.953.7705.

Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX

he normal wear and tear on extension and flexible cords at your site can loosen or expose wires, creating hazardous conditions. Cords that are not 3-wire type, not designed for hard-usage, or that have been modified, increase your risk of contacting electrical current. The most commonly found defects are: Wet Conditions 29 CFR 1926.405(j)(1)(v): Strain Relief 29 CFR 1926.405(g)(2)(iv): When a cord connector is wet, elec To reduce hazards, flexible cords tric current can leak to the equipment must connect to devices and to fittings in grounding conductor, and to humans ways that prevent tension at joints and who pick up that connector if they proterminal screws. Flexible cords are finely stranded for flexibility, so straining a cord vide a path to ground. Such leakage can can cause the strands of one conductor occur not just on the face of the connecto loosen from under terminal screws tor, but at any wetted portion. Limit exposure of connectors and tools to excesand touch another conductor. Cord Damage 29 CFR 1926.405(a)(2)(ii) sive moisture by using watertight or seal(I): A flexible cord may be damaged by able connectors. door or window edges, by staples and fastenings, by abrasion from adjacent How Do I Avoid Hazards? materials, or simply by aging. If the elec- • Use factory-assembled cord sets. trical conductors become exposed, there • Use only extension cords that are 3-wire type. is a danger of shocks, burns, or fire. • Use only extension cords that are Durability 29 CFR 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(J): The OSHA construction standard re- marked with a designation code for hard quires flexible cords to be rated for hard or extra-hard usage. or extra-hard usage. These ratings are de- • Use only cords, connection devices, rived from the National Electrical Code, and fittings that are equipped with strain and are required to be indelibly marked relief. approximately every foot along the • Remove cords from receptacles by length of the cord. Examples of these pulling on the plugs, not the cords. codes are: S, ST, SO, and STO for hard ser- • Continually audit cords on-site. Any vice, and SJ, SJO, SJT, and SJTO for junior cords found not to be marked for hard or extra-hard use, or which have been modhard service. Grounding 29 CFR 1926.405(a)(2)(ii)(C): ified, must be taken out of service imme Extension cords must be 3-wire type diately. natarajan.joann@dol.gov so they may be grounded, and to permit 512-374-0271 x232 grounding of any tools or equipment connected to them.

In memoriam

ane Fowler Rychlik, 78, passed away Sep. 25 in Ennis. Rychlik was born Aug. 26, 1939 in Dallas, grew up in Seagoville, attended Henderson County Community College and in 1958 married Bennie (Ben) Rychlik. After moving to Dallas, she and her husband opened Surveying Associates in 1983, and she played a key role in its running up until a few weeks before her passing. She was also past president of the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors Women’s Auxiliary. Rhychlik is survived by her husband Ben, her sons Steven Rychlik (Shelley) and Rodger Rychlik (Barb), four grandchildren and her brother. Funeral services

were held Sep. 30 at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Ennis, with interment at St. Joseph cemetery in Ennis. –mjm

Leader board

The National Association of Women in Construction’s (NAWIC) Fort Worth chapter announced its 2017-2018 board. Inducted Sep. 21 at Fort Worth’s Diamond Oaks Country Club were president Shelie Gaffron, president-elect Lori Donnell, vice president VaLissa Padgett, secretary Sarah Wooldridge, treasurer Julia Campbell, immediate past president Sharon Murphy, parliamentarian Lara Siegel and directors Charlotte Cox, Jennifer Murphy, Alicia Speer, Rebecca Turner and Tracey Heslink. –mjm

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • November 2017

Page 9

the upper and lower Laguna Madre. These trips will be primarily targeting trophy trout with artificial lures while wading. As most of you know, these are the best months for targeting big sow trout for the wall. If you’re looking for a single day trip or a multiple day trip I can accommodate either. The Port Mansfield trip will include accommodations in a luxurious five-bedroom house that will sleep up to 10 fishermen. The Laguna house has all comforts of home with a large outdoor deck and cooking area to entertain clients and guests. A two-day minimum is required for the Lower Laguna Madre trips. If you are interested in either of the winter wade fishing packages don’t hesitate to give me a call to discuss rates and packages.

Don’t overlook winter fishing 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

I still have several open dates for the 2017 season, and my 2018 calendar is also open for bookings. Don’t hesitate in booking your fishing trips because my dates usually go pretty quick, especially during the more popular months. I’m also offering some trophy and management deer hunts in South Texas if you are interested. Please call me for specifics and pricing. To schedule your next bay fishing trip or hunting trip give Capt. Steve Schultz a call at 361-813-3716 or 361-334-3105 or e-mail him at SteveSchultzOutdoors@gmail.com.

y the time you read this article, I am hoping we will be in some sort of fall weather pattern. These hot days are getting old and this writer is ready for some cooler weather. The last few months have been a struggle for everyone in the Coastal Bend as we are still trying to get on our feet after Hurricane Harvey. I’m looking forward to some winter wade fishing for trophy trout in the upper and lower Laguna Madre.

David Biesenbach of San Antonio had a stellar day fishing last month with Steve Schultz Outdoors. David managed to catch his limit of trout up to 27 in. and a limit of slot redfish.

Good luck and Good Fishing.

Our fishing report lately has been rather sporadic with the extreme high tides we’ve had for several weeks. Water levels have been elevated at least two feet above average and that makes fishing not so consistent. Everyday seems to be a challenge staying on fish because they are so scattered throughout our bay system. What you do one day may not necessarily work on the next day, even though all conditions remain the same. Needless to say, we are covering a lot of water each day, including water that typically we could not get to earlier in the year. Trout and redfish are still our primary target fish and black drum when they are available. I’m hoping for some colder weather so we can possibly target some flounder also. Bull reds are still being caught with schools of 100-200 fish in the 34 to 48-inch range. These schools when found can test your equipment and stamina as there is no giving up in these fish. Recently, we boated 16 bull reds in a morning before my clients threw in the towel. Looking into the winter months, and I’m talking about January and February, I will be offering wade fishing trips in both

Don’t forget to send us your company Halloween photos

TDIndustries, Halloween 2016 (Dec, 2016) issue

Email toDFWeditor@ ConstructionNews.net Send photo and caption

Page 10

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • November 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

Fall & Winter Fishing by Max Milam

ooling water temperatures start a feeding frenzy. The fish are starting to develop eggs and need to eat more to get ready for the spring spawn. In terms of striper and white bass this means huge schools of feeding fish slowly migrating towards their spring spawning areas. With a little experience and some good electronics a fisherman can capitalize on some of the best and most overlooked fishing of the year. I know it’s also time to be out in the field hunting Buckzilla, but what can beat spending a Friday night in the hunting camp frying up some fresh fish with good company? Fall striper fishing is some of the most exciting fishing, hands down. The cold fronts can make it a little tricky to get a comfortable day on the water, but can also trigger some of the best feeding frenzies of the year. The cooling waters and ample forage fish from the spring and summer bait spawns create some of the best schooling top water action the year has to offer. I have seen schools up to three acres feeding on the surface in late October into mid-November. The stripers are usually easy to find this time of year, even when not feeding on top. The easiest way is to find a wind-

blown bank. Then look for a submerged structure that offers an ambush point for the fish to take advantage of – remember they are predators. I like to look for ledges, humps, and long points with fast drops. Anything that offers a fast change in depth has the potential to hold both quality fish and large numbers of fish. If you don’t want to spend the time needed to locate the fish, and you just want to spend some time on the water, just call your favorite fishing guide. White bass are one of the most popular fish in our area, but they are often not targeted much in the fall and winter. Spring time is not the best time to catch white bass. Winter white bass fishing is one of my favorite types of fishing. On any given day from November through February I can typically take the boat out for an hour or two and have a limit of nice fat white bass. They are easy to find and tend to follow similar patterns to the stripers, but they usually are found further up the river system than the stripers. They tend to stage around the mouth of the rivers they spawn in during the spring, and can be found using electronics. My favorite way to catch white bass is to drop jigging spoons to the depth that the fish are holding at, and then hang on. You will know when you’ve got the right bait at the right depth. Once again if you don’t have time, between work and chasing Buckzilla, then give your favorite fishing guide a call and they can do the leg work for you.

Submitted to Construction News

Later, ’gator

Fall Sunrise at Lake Buchanan

Half or Full Day Fishing Trips All Bait, Tackle & Equipment Furnished Your catch Filleted and Bagged for You

L-R: Mike Pryor and Mystee Pryor of Compass Air Service Inc. pose with the prize of Mike’s Sep. 30 hunt in Liberty, TX – a 12 ft. 8 in. alligator! –mjm

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

Furnish your TPWD Fishing License & Refreshments, and WE DO THE REST!

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • November 2017

Page 11

Cup runneth over

he hook – or rather, the Pook – brings them back! Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing’s annual Pookie Cup Invitational, a fishing tournament held Oct. 12-14, at Port Mansfield, gave company superintendents, project managers and estimators two days of bonding, drift and wade fishing fun and cash prizes! –mjm Winners: 1st Place: TR Mayfield, Miguel Pecina and James Miller 2nd Place: Ronnie Waldrop, Vince Patterson and JC Cottrell 3rd Place: Adam Matthys, Taylor Emmons, Tim Rosenberg and Brett Schropp

Maintenance project estimator Barry Heinley

Big Red Day 1 Winners: 1st Place: Danny Burgan 2nd Place: James Miller 3rd Place: Justin Lambert

Doving every minute

owell Crane & Rigging Inc. customers and employees popped in to enjoy the company’s 23rd Annual Skeet Shoot and Dove Hunt on Oct. 14. The popular event was attended by 280 guests, who enjoyed full use of the 1800 acre Howell Ranch in Olmos, TX – in between big bites of barbecue! –mjm Howell Crane & Rigging’s Mickey Mikolajczyk, Tommy Beaver and Audie Howell

Big Red Day 2 Winners: 1st Place: Juan Venegas 2nd Place: Mike Harper 3rd Place: Tim Rosenberg

L-R: Buckle winner John Starks and Audie Howell

L-R: Audie Howell and buckle winner Suzi Schacht

L-R: Bryan Brietzke, John Fritz and Dean Fritz prepare barbecue for the guests.

L-R: Howell Crane & Rigging’s Trisha Grein, Kelsey Davis, Courtney Bennett and Melissa Scott

L-R: Executive vice presidents Art Canales and Doug Combes with president and CEO John Kafka

L-R: Tim Rosenberg, Joseph De Long, Mike Harper and Adam Matthys

Guests had access to 1800 acres of outdoors fun.

Safety director Justin Lambert

Send to: MELISSA JONES-MEYER, DFWeditor@ ConstructionNews.net (817) 731-4823

L-R: Peter Pantusa and Dustin Murphy

Share YOUR photos and stories . . . fishing, hunting, skiing, biking, racing, or any outdoor activity and sport. Don’t forget GREAT Vacations you’d like to send us!

Page 12

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News â&#x20AC;¢ November 2017

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • November 2017

Page 13

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

“Robust environment of work” Rob Welker, President and Partner Hoefer Wysocki Architecture Dallas, TX

hat are the “hot button” issues in your industry? • The client profile – Each client requires a different type of service from our firm. This demands that we be flexible and adaptable to meet stringent requirements on the government side, tight budgets on the private sector, and a performance driven environment at an institutional level. What are the “hot button” issues in your industry? • Beyond the building – Architecture is our craft, but it is not all about building. As a result of our strategic approach on performance, we are looking for ways to create value for our clients. This complex process culminates into inspiring and engaging environments that affect our quality of life. • Economy – We are at a great point where there is great opportunity for designing and constructing new facilities. It is also a good time to focus our energy into meaningful and impactful engagements. For this reason, we provide a fully integrated service for each of our clients, which allows them to make the most educated decision that will allow them to be successful while creating graceful architecture that reflects their ambition. • Work force – The ability of skilled workers, because of economic demand, has created a robust environment of work. This leads to confor-

mity and over inflation in delivery of projects. Our focus on performance identifies key driving issues that help our projects navigate the complexity of the construction environment. • Construction cost escalation – Difficult to control costs, AE fees are at risk • Urbanism – More people are moving to the city unlike their parents. The younger work force are interested in city living and the amenities. This will continue putting pressure on how we provide enough supply of housing/ schools/retail to the increasing pollution of the urban core. Public transportation is a must. What are the major changes in recent years relating to the type of work that you do? Implementation of technology and more accurate digital models have allowed the opportunity for more robust communication at the conception of a project all the way to construction administration of a project. As we make early decisions of design, we can now look in real-time the impact on energy consumption, budget,

Promises in design Aaron Dahl, Co-founder & Partner Acuform Architecture San Antonio, TX

elebrating ten years in practice, Acuform Architecture prides themselves on referrals and repeat clientele, assisting clients with all aspects of private sector commercial work and aiding in the process from initial site selections and securing governmental approvals through getting doors open and processing warranty claims. The hallmarks of their service include their candid, sometimes blunt, communications, and their ability to remain accessible to their clients throughout the entire design and build process. Describing the construction industry as healthy, Dahl says “San Antonio has been well-positioned to take advantage of the growth specifically with regards to military, medical, and housing. I am confident that the recent growth in this market will domino into other areas of construction and we will have several years to come of steady continued work. “Business activities have increased over the past twelve months. The growth has been good for businesses bottom line, but general contractors are having an extremely difficult time getting subcontractors to even look at projects. Subcontractors are unable to find talented workers, leading to increased construction costs and less-than-perfect construction. “The business community, like Wall Street, is bullish about the future. The environment in Washington is more favorable for businesses small and large and

organizations that were holding steady for the longest time are now moving forward with plans for expansion. Another factor we’re starting to see is some new faces emerge as decision makers in key markets as the Baby Boomer generation continues to move into retirement. This younger generation is more willing to take on capital debt to secure a better future than their predecessors.” Maintaining the level of service and quality that their clients have come to expect has been challenging. Owners are putting more pressure on design professionals and contractors to get things done faster - the QA/QC tends to take a back burner in the interest of getting the doors open. “My partner, Shawn Willis, and I find ourselves spending our weekends redlining drawings, reading field reports and prioritizing tasks for the coming week.” The “hot button” issue in the architec-

Architecture & Engineering

Sept: Green Building Nov: Architecture & Engineering Oct: Specialty Contractors Dec: Construction Equipment

timeline and overall experience. Predictive analytics has allowed us to test in real-time that potential outcome of functional decisions in planning and design. We are seeing a shift from an evidence-based design approach to a results-driven approach that takes into account current and relevant data that is customizable and unique on geographical location. Public/Private/Partnerships (P3) are gaining acceptance to fund for revenue generating projects. What are the most significant challenges your industry faces? One challenge is integration in project delivery to assure functional and performance results that add value to our clients. A growing list of threats happening nationally and internationally – from the wrath of Mother Nature to local and global sponsored terrorism, is causing a void of much-needed regional suppliers to the new/immediate buyers. Labor shortage of skilled workers in the construction industry is impacting cost and timely building turnover. The construction industry is reaching out to educational institutions like high schools and community colleges to create partnerships with them to ensure future supply of skilled labor. What is on the horizon for your industry? • Rearrangement and reorganization of financial approach to project delivery. Partnering with industry leaders to advance healthcare delivery, creating better educational models that meet today’s demands and think big when it comes to urban design to reassure social equity and resilience.

tural/engineering industry is sustainability. “Unfortunately, this term has been commandeered by the green building people, but it’s more than just selecting efficient mechanical systems and renewable materials. Clients expect their buildings to last 70-80 years. Clients who already own and operate existing facilities are keenly aware of how much it costs to operate and maintain an older building. We are constantly trying to remain abreast of current technologies in order to provide our clients a durable, low maintenance facility for not just years, but generations to come,” adds Dahl. Major changes in the industry, in recent years are the rapid adoption of sustainable design principles. This has driven design like never before. Many items that used to be part of the LEED(R) requirements have been adopted by the International Code Council and are now required by law. It seems like every three years designers have a whole new layer of sustainable design elements that are required by code. Design professionals and contractors are continuously educating clients who are always seeking a good value. Some elements with a short payback period are defensible, but there are a lot of things required by code that don’t make much sense for most owners. In addition, labor shortages continue to be the most significant challenges in the industry. “Clients are willing to pay for what they need, but across the design and build industries we simply cannot find the right talent to fill the positions out

• Filling the gap between the millennials’ wants to the baby boomers’ needs. Designing and delivering flexible spaces and finding creative ways to give everyone flexibility. How does this affect how you conduct business? First and most of all it affects our people by creating an emphasis on intellectual capacity more so than production. It also makes sure that our studio structure is a catalyst for good ideas and a vehicle for our stellar design leaders to make an impact in their communities and our business. What factors do you feel are driving this? Technological advancement in rapid prefab, 3-D printing and augmented reality will continue to impact how buildings are designed and built. With the rise in labor cost and shortage of skilled labor, these technologies will be the future. Right now, we are reaching the tipping point to move more into the highly automated building construction industry. Increasing pressure to reduce energy consumption and impact on the environment will shape how buildings are designed and built. More strict regulation will force the construction industry to reinvent itself. Hoefer Wysocki Architecture is a full-service architecture, planning and interior design firm with offices in Dallas and Kansas City. The firm focuses on healthcare, commercial, retail, hospitality/entertainment/multifamily, government, judicial, education and urban and master planning projects. –mjm

there,” say Dahl. Designers are starting to see some influences of the sharing economy on design. For years, clients have been looking for adaptable spaces, but now even large organizations are recognizing the value a small portion of their building may have for other organizations or small businesses. Much as houses are now being designed with Airbnb suites, “owneroccupied” buildings are considering ways to partially separate new facilities to accommodate small tenants. All design professionals must offer a value proposition to their clients in the form of a better-built environment at a lower upfront and ongoing cost. “We achieve this through creative design solutions tailored to our clients’ specific needs that utilize practical and cost effective construction systems. The trademarks of our service are working as a team with the Owner and the Contractor in order to produce the most successful result possible.” In conclusion, Dahl says, “The greatest reward is a referral from a client we worked with five or ten years ago. It’s a testament to our skills and foresight that a client from several years ago continues to appreciate their facility and recognizes the role that Acuform played in getting it built.” Acuform Architecture is a full-service design firm focused on private sector commercial work. –cmw

Page 14

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • November 2017

NEXT TH MON Kidd Roofing

Construction Equipment

If you would like to represent your company in an upcoming FOCUS, contact your DFW Editor for an Interview Melissa Jones-Meyer (817) 731-4823 DFWeditor@ConstructionNews.net

Bringing engineering home David Eastwood, President

Geotech Engineering & Testing Houston, TX

ow would you describe the state of the construction industry in general terms? Have you experienced an increase in business? Slowdown? In our experience, the construction industry started off slow, but started to stabilize towards the second half of the year.

What factors are driving this slowdown? One of the most notable factors for us relating to a decrease in business is the Petrochemical Industry slowdown. How has this slowdown affected your company and how you conduct business? Some of our major clientele include homebuilders and land development companies. With oil and gas being so

vital to our city’s economy, if there is a slowdown, the result is less people moving to Houston, which in turn means less houses are being built. What are the “hot button” issues in your industry? The “hot button” issues in our industry mainly consist of qualifications and speed in which we can deliver our services to the client.

Opportunities are up in architecture Michael Malone, FAIA Past President, Texas Society of Architects Austin, TX

Founding Principal Malone Maxwell Borson Architects Dallas, TX

ow would you describe the state of the construction industry in general terms? It’s wonderful! The level of activity and optimism is fueling tremendous opportunities.

For our firm and clients, the primary driver seems to be the attractiveness of Texas, and Dallas specifically. The continued influx of people has created opportunities for growth in virtually every sector of professional services.

Has the architectural industry seen an increase in business or a slowdown? There’s a palpable increase since the recession, and it’s understandable in terms of increased projects, challenges finding qualified staff in a strong job market and the ability to build backlog and security.

How has this increase affected the industry and how you conduct business? It has allowed us to expand our staff, offer them better benefits and upgrade our office environment and technology. It has made us more selective about the work we undertake, demonstrated in more appropriate fees and more satisfactory busi-

What factors are driving this increase?

What are the major changes in the industry in recent years relating to the type of work you do? A high increase in new companies entering the Houston market would probably be the major change in our industry. This makes it so much more competitive in attracting business. What is the most significant challenge your industry faces? Labor shortages? Cost increases? The most significant challenge for this industry is still the constant fluctuation of our economy. What are the cost increases relating to your industry? Cost increases include the cost of labor, and parts and maintenance for our rigs has constantly increased over the years. How are you dealing with these challenges? Vetting of suppliers is a common practice of ours now, as well as the con-

ness relationships. What are the “hot button” issues in your industry? With all of this growth, there are negatives: lack of available qualified staff, higher construction costs and the impact on the environment and quality of life this much building represents. What have been the major changes in the architectural industry in recent years? The continuing impact of technology in the way we practice and the inherent ways it allows services to be commoditized are the main changes we see. This has been an ongoing issue, and we don’t know yet if the result is less thoughtful and less-carefully made buildings. What is the most significant challenge your industry faces? I believe it’s the commoditization of professional services, the idea that everyone does the same thing and offers the same product. Differentiating yourself and your firm in the present environment is very challenging but increasingly necessary. What are the costs increases related to your industry? Salaries go up in strong construction markets, but beyond that, the largest costs continue to be in the areas of staff support and benefits. How are you dealing with these challenges? As a firm, we’re committed to a certain

sideration for vendors with pricing becoming so stringent. What is on the horizon for your industry? Multiple advances in drilling equipment and engineering software has helped expedite our processes and procedures. Incoming changes in qualification requirements for city jobs will also help in selecting a more broad variety of companies. What are the rewards of the industry? The feeling of assurance that people’s foundation will be well designed and the soil will be accounted for. What are keys to being successful in the industry? I think it is most important to focus on various sector markets to explore, as well as keeping up with our company’s reputation of working adequately, quickly, and affordably. Geotech Engineering & Testing specializes in geotechnical, materials testing, environmental, and forensic engineering services. - te

level of salary and reasonably generous benefits for all our staff. We build our business plan for the year with these costs (and associated overhead) as the basis for what we need to do and how we need to perform. Once we know we have these costs covered, we’re able to plan for profitability and additional expenses. We invest heavily in technology when we’re busy knowing we can’t afford this when times are leaner. What changes are on the horizon for your industry? We’re always sensitive to changes in the economy and ready for it to retrench or slow down. Regardless, we feel certain Texas will do as well or better than the rest of the country, and that gives us comfort. We do wish the state were more focused on issues of educational quality and appropriately funding it for the long-term benefits it promises. We see this lack of coherent educational policy and the disparities in funding and outcomes as a potential long-term issue for the state, perhaps the greatest issue. What is rewarding about working in your industry? Creating the built environment is a gift and a privilege. To work with clients and contractors to create and build something is the most rewarding thing in the world. The Texas Society of Architects, with 15 regional chapters and 7,000 members, is one of the nation’s largest organizations for the architectural profession. It is headquartered in Austin. - ke

Green machines

The Marsh Group team’s Rob Shapiro, Craig Williams, Ty Cordner and Dave Tate placed first at the Construction Financial Management Association’s (CFMA) 15th Annual Golf Tournament. The event, held Oct. 9 at Timmaron Country Club, raised scholarship funds. –mjm

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • November 2017

Hurricane help

Page 15

In memoriam

andall Gene Hazzard of National Wholesale Supply passed away on his 50th birthday on Oct. 12. The Mesquite resident was born in Dallas and was a Lakeview Centennial graduate. He joined National Wholesale Supply this year. He was a member of the American Subcontractors Association and the PlumbingHeating-Cooling Association. He is survived by fiancée Lori Chung of Johnston Products, Andrew and Alex Chung, son Brandyn Hazzard (Charlotte) and grandchild Henley. A celebration of his life will be held Nov. 11 at Ozona Grill & Bar, 4615 Greenville Ave. in Dallas. Donations in his memory can be made to Texas Scottish Rite and Happy Hill Farm. –mjm

As part of the company’s “Day of Service,” JQ’s Dallas and Fort Worth offices sorted and packed more than 600 boxes of food, totaling nearly 25,000 lbs., to assist those affected by Hurricane Harvey. –mjm

Fair fun

L-R: Ag-Power Inc. set up “shop” at the State Fair of Texas at Dallas’ Fair Park. Ag-Power’s Mount Pleasant parts salesman Zack Parris and Athens parts salesman Dakota Burleson were two of many employees who sold equipment and merchandise and entertained kids at the Ag-Power Plaza. –mjm

Page 16

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • November 2017

JOB SIGHTS

continued from Page 1 — Redi to help U.S. Concrete work together to make it a success; this year’s tournament, attended by 270 golfers at Roanoke’s Trophy Club Country Club on Oct. 23, raised $255,000 for the organization. While they know how to have fun and raise funds, they also have fun for its own sake. One month earlier, four RediMix Concrete employees competed in the National Ready-Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) National Mixer Driver Championship in Grapevine. Still fun is just more fun when it helps others.

“With this golf tournament, we’ve been very fortunate,” Weatherby says. “Not only do our customers and vendors participate, but people from New York, Wisconsin and Washington DC do as well. Once they do it and they see that it’s not just about the stuff they get, they do it because it’s the right thing to do.” Redi-Mix provides concrete products and services to the commercial, residential, civil/heavy highway and public works sectors. –mjm

continued from Page 1 — It’s his specialty

Eric Judd of Yates actually built the office space at 2101 Jacksboro Hwy. years ago, but is back to refresh the space, starting with the lighting. –mjm

working in their business for more than a decade. “From my grandfather, I learned the values of doing the right thing, treating people the way you want to be treated, and helping people whenever you can,” Duron says. As his business grows, Duron has started to realize that he may not always be a subcontractor. “Eventually, with me getting into different things, I hope to someday be a

very small general contractor, maybe five or ten years down the road,” he says. “I feel like I’m going towards that road, since I know a lot of subcontractors who do different things. People say that I’m almost a GC, and I say, “Almost!” Maybe that’s the direction where I will end up; I don’t know yet, but it feels that way.” Duron Building Specialties is an Irvingbased subcontractor offering Division 10 specialties, door and hardware installation and carpentry work. –mjm

continued from Page 1 — Courthouse is in session

L-R: Abenamar Sanchez and Uriel de la Cruz Valenzuela of Green Scaping reset some historic brick in the Fort Worth Stockyards. –mjm

Just give ‘em that countryside

ear Creek Golf Club’s green acres were the place to be Oct. 16. The American Subcontractors Association’s (ASA) 2017 Golf Tournament hosted three flights of fun at the Dallas club. –mjm

First flight winners: Kyle Kelley, Shane Bryant, Steve Fleiner and Scott Eldridge

Proximity to a residential area and a metal roof damaged by weather presented challenges.

pedestrian bridge now with public access to it. It’s a really unique feature of the project and interesting feature for the property.” Crooks says the nicest feature inside the building is the community room. “It was constructed with exposed timber trusses. It has a nice, warm feel to it because of the trusses and the wood paneling that surround the room. There were a lot of clerestories incorporated into the building, so there’s a lot of natural light.” The effect is stunning, but was not effortless. “There were quite a few challenges on this project,” Crooks says. “The weather was really bad for us; we lost a lot of days because of rain. Site conditions were not favorable; we were actually creating drainage for the property when we built it.” We were also trying to build this facility within a neighborhood; literally, there is a wall separating it from the residents behind it. That was a little challenging, because you must maintain a good working relationship with your neighbors, so the County could occupy the building on a good note. The superintendent, Chad Montgomery, did an excellent job in forging this relationship; he wrote a letter giving our team members’ contact information and left one on each door.” Materials and labor toward the middle of the job also presented challenges.

“This project was aiming for silver LEED certification. Because of that, we were ordering materials like FSC lumber. One of the major issues we had was that all the windows on the exterior were to be FSC wood. It took almost 16 weeks to get them in. It’s kind of hard to build the rest of the building when you’re waiting for windows and doors to close it and dry it in. The labor shortage started to hit us towards the end of the project as well making it difficult for subcontractors to man the project. The biggest challenge was the standing seam metal roofing. When the installation was nearing completion, a hailstorm damaged it so severely there was no choice but to completely replace it from scratch. For the most part, those were the big challenges,” Crooks says. “But we had a great team, the people of Denton County were great and the architect’s representative, Paul Sanders of EiKON, was fantastic. Even with the challenges, the courthouse, which was completed in June of this year, was a crowd – and client – pleaser. “It’s a stunning building,” Crooks says. “Our commissioner was extremely ecstatic. Everyone in the community was happy that the building is finally there. This project was literally 12 years in the making so it was something they were very eager for.” Fort Worth general contractor SEDALCO Construction Services builds projects for a broad range of industries. –mjm

www.constructionnews.net Second place winner

Third flight winners: Larry Pate, Don McCallum, Neil McKittrick and Douglas Ekstrom (pictured)

publishing the industry’s news

Texas Style

★ San Antonio ★ Austin ★ Dallas/Fort Worth ★ Houston

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • November 2017

Page 17

Association Calendar

NAWIC’s new leadership

Content submitted by Associations to Construction News AIA – Dallas American Institute of Architects

Nov. 9-11: TxA 78th Annual Convention and Design Expo, Austin AIA – FW American Institute of Architects Nov. 9-11: TxA 78th Annual Convention and Design Expo, Austin ASA – N. Tx. American Subcontractors Assn.

Nov. 9: GC Night, Eddie Deen’s 944 S. Lamar, Dallas, 4pm Nov. 15: ASA Cookout, Trawick Pavilion in Oak Grove Park, Grapevine, 4pm CFMA Construction Financial Management Assn.

Nov. 16: Membership meeting, Hackberry Creek Country Club, 1901 W. Royal Ln., Irving, 11:30am

Campbell Center, 8250 N. Central Expwy., Dallas, 6:30pm Nov. 23: Women in NARI (WIN), Blue Mesa Grill, 14866 Montfort Dr., Dallas, 11:30am NTRCA N. Tx. Roofing Contractors Assn.

Nov. 8: Meeting/Lunch & Learn, Texas Star Conference Center, 1400 Texas Star Pkwy, Euless, 11:30am PDCA - Dallas Painting & Decorating Contractors of America

Nov. 8: Annual business meeting PHCC Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Assn.

Nov. 21: Meeting/luncheon, Brookhaven Country Club, 3333 Golfing Green Dr., Farmers Branch, 11:30am PMI – Dallas

CSI – FW Construction Specifications Institute

Nov. 14: Chapter meeting, The Gardens Restaurant, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth, 5:30pm

Project Mgmt. Institute

Nov. 9: Dinner meeting, Brookhaven Country Club, 3333 Golfing Green Dr., Farmers Branch, 6:30pm SEAoT – Dallas

DACA DFW Drywall & Acoustical Contractors Assn.

Nov. 16: Membership meeting, banquet and Annual Casino Night, Courtyard Marriott Grapevine, 2200 Bass Pro Court, Grapevine FSCATX Fire Sprinkler Contractors Assn. Nov. 8: Dallas regional meeting, D/FW CEF Education Center, 1401-A West Royal Ln., 11am

Structural Engineers Assn. of Tx.

Nov. 14: Member meeting, Maggiano’s Little Italy, North Park, 11:45 TEXO The Construction Association

Nov. 2: Construction Safety Professionals Day, Omni Dallas Hotel Park West, 1590 Lyndon B. Johnson Fwy., Dallas, 7:30am Nov. 4: 2017 TEXO Softball Tournament, Hurst Athletic Complex, 2104 Precinct Line Rd., Hurst

n Aug. 30, Beth Brooks, CAE took over the role of executive vice president of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), a continuation of more than 30 years of leadership for the Certified Association Executive. “Professionally, I have been in association management my whole career,” she says. “This is my fourth association and my third as an executive director, executive vice president or CEO.” Involvement in one’s community was a value instilled early in Brooks’ life. “Both of my parents were huge volunteers within the community; I was raised in a service-oriented environment,” she says. “I never gave it much thought throughout college, but I was always a volunteer, such as serving as president of my sorority, so I guess it was in my blood.“ Upon graduation from Texas Lutheran University, Brooks began her career in association management, working as director of communications for the Texas Dental Association, coordinating annual conferences for 7,000 attendees as well as the TDA’s publications and membership. After 10 years, she joined the Texas Pest Control Association as the association’s first fulltime executive director. A decade later, she served as CEO for Texas Society of Association Executives for 15 years. Brooks, who will oversee her duties from NAWIC’s Fort Worth headquarters, is excited about her new role in the women’s association and its future. “Our board has noted this is a very exciting time for NAWIC, and it is one of the reasons they hired me; they’re

Beth Brooks

looking for change and to grow this organization,” Brooks says. “It is very exciting to me; I’m very honored to be a part of this.” “NAWIC has a strategic plan, and one of the pillars of the strategic plan is to assess and create the infrastructure of the organization,” she continues. “One of my first big goals, and it will take months, is to look at the infrastructure of the staff, our processes, and streamline what we’re working on, as well as review and update the governance structure of this organization.” In her free moments, Brooks enjoys spending time with her husband of 35 years, her 22-year-old son and the family dog, Buddy. She also enjoys traveling, swimming, the ice sport of curling and is an inaugural member of the long distance walking initiative EverWalk. –mjm

TSPE – Preston Trail

IEC – Dallas Independent Electrical Contractors Assn.

Nov. 8: General membership lunch meeting, IEC Dallas, 1931 Hereford Dr., Irving, 11:30am

Tx. Soc. of Prof. Engineers

Nov. 1: Career Days at Willow Spring Middle School, 1101 W. Lucas Rd., Lucas, TX, 10am

Submitted to Construction News

Round-Up

UMCA

Nov. 2: IEC Party at Trinity River Distillery, 1734 E. El Paso, Ste. 130, Fort Worth, 6pm ICRI – N. Tx. International Concrete Repair Institute

United Masonry Contractors Assn.

Nov. 8: Meeting, Mi Cocina USGBC – Tx. U.S. Green Building Council

Nov. 29: Case Studies & Cocktails, Sylvan Thirty, 1818 Sylvan Ave., Dallas, 5pm

Nov. 15-Nov. 17: ICRI Fall Convention, New Orleans NARI – Dallas Nat’l Assn. of the Remodeling Industry

Nov. 14: NARI Greater Dallas Evening of Excellence, DoubleTree by Hilton –

An honor to play

CMC’s Jeff Wilhelm, Bobby Jones, Brad Court and Dustin Dorssey took the trophy at the International Concrete Repair Institute’s (ICRI-NTX) Jesse Points Memorial Golf Classic. Held Oct. 6 at Waterchase Golf Club, the annual event was renamed for founding member Points, who passed away in June. –mjm

Richard Munson Miller FAIA LEED AP BD+C has joined Dallasbased interdisciplinary architecture and design firm Hoefer Wysocki as national leader of its higher education practice. He previously served as founding principal and southwest regional practice leader at Perkins+Will’s Texas higher education practice. Miller also was Ellerbe Becket’s principal and national higher education market sector leader. Throughout his 30-year career, the University of Texas at Austin graduate has overseen the completion of 40 major university projects at more than 28 institutions. –mjm

Summit Electric Supply promoted Randy Hudson to sales manager of its Irving location. Hudson began his electrical distribution career in 2006 as a warehouse driver for an electrical supplier. His responsibility increased through numerous roles before he specialized in industrial sales and business development management. He joined Summit in 2015 as industrial business development manager and helped form and build the company’s industrial team. In his new role, Husdon will focus on growth and commercial markets at the Irving service center. –mjm

MYCON announces the promotion of C. Scott Pitt to vice president of the company’s institutional services group. In his new position, Pitt will oversee the firm’s preconstruction efforts for all projects and their operational execution within the institutional market. Pitt holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering technology from Murray State University. –mjm

Submissions

Independent Electrical Contractors Assn.

Round-Up

IEC – FW

This is a monthly section for brief company announcements of new or recently promoted personnel, free of charge, as space allows. –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Email (w/digital photo, if available) by the 15th of any month, for the next month’s issue (published 1st of each month). Email info to appropriate city issue, with “Round-Up” in the subject line: –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– San Antonio: saeditor@constructionnews.net Austin: austineditor@constructionnews.net Dallas/Ft. Worth: dfweditor@constructionnews.net Houston: houstoneditor@constructionnews.net

Page 18

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • November 2017

Spirit animals

ompany spirit was contagious Sep. 18-22! MEMCO launched a company-wide “Spirit Week,” with each day having a different theme. “Music Monday” inspired the crew to wear their favorite musicthemed shirt. Tuesday was “Funny Sock Day.” Wednesday was “Superhero Day,” then a rad turn on “Throwback ‘80s” Thursday and “Floral Friday” had them feeling flower power. Each office posted photos on social media, with “likes” determining the winners. MEMCO Dallas’ assistant recruiter Cynthia Gamez won the “Individual Prize” and MEMCO’s Houston office’s sales group took the team prize. “We laughed until our capes/socks fell off,” Gamez says. “We took many pictures for our memory book and look forward to next year’s spirit week!” –mjm

Tuesday – Funny Sock Day

Music Monday

Thursday – Throwback ’80s Thursday

Friday – Floral Friday

Good sports!

Wednesday – Superhero Day

Fore the win!

he North Texas Roofing Contractors Association’s (NTRCA) 2017 Clay Shoot was a shoot and a holler! The annual event, held Sep. 20 at Elm Fork Shooting Sports, challenged teams – as well as individual shooters – on two courses. The CertainTeed team and the Southern Shingles team reigned supreme, and went home with trophies and bragging rights until the 2018 event. –mjm Misty Rae was crowned “Top Woman Shooter.”

L-R: Jeremy Peek, David Gladu, Gary Lockwood and Lance Bryant took home the trophy Oct. 18 at the United Masonry Contractors Association’s (UMCA) Fall Golf Tournament. The annual event was held at Bear Creek Country Club. –mjm 1st Place Meadows Course: CertainTeed Team: Brad Roth, Darren Kennedy, Tanner Swayne and Justin Braddock

1st Place Woods Course: Southern Shingles Team: Aaron Rasmussen, David Swayne, Mike Sines and Jacob Choate

Top Overall Shooters: 1st: Justin Braddock 2nd: David Swayne 3rd: Ryan Henderson and Scott Ward

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • November 2017

Page 19

Cans of whoop!

n Oct. 15, teams comprised of Fort Worth architects, engineers, contractors, designers and students created works of art out of canned and packaged food. The goal? Each creation helped raise awareness about hunger in the community, with all food that was used

donated to Tarrant Area Food Bank. CANstruction’s 19th Annual Fort Worth Exhibition challenged the teams to design and build structures for display in a 10 ft. by 10 ft. by 10 ft. area at North East Mall. Both judges and the public voted for their favorites, with the category

winners announced at an Oct. 19 awards banquet. The event was sponsored by the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Fort Worth chapter and Society for Design Administration (SDA). –mjm

Most Cans: “Unite and Fight for the Hungry”, Freese and Nichols Inc. (4,035 cans) Structural Ingenuity: “Make Your Mark on Hunger”, Huitt-Zollars (2, 568 cans)

Best Use of Labels: “Putting the POW! And BAM! In Fighting Hunger”, BOKA Powell (1,000 cans)

Best Meal: “#WINNING”.Bennett Benner Partners (3,456 cans)

Best Original Design: “The Caped Crusader”, VLK Architects (2610 cans)

Fifty years of Dallas design

ine projects were selected from 71 entries to be honored at American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Dallas Design Awards. The event, which is now in its 50th year, is the organization’s highest recognition of works exemplifying excellence in built projects by Dallas architects. In addition to six commercial projects, three residential projects – 5G Studio Collaborative’s Winnwood Residence, A Gruppo Architects’ Snyder Hill Residence and NIMMO’s Hillen Residence – were celebrated at the Oct. 5 Awards ceremony held at The Venue. –mjm

The Edith O’Donnell Institute of Art History Digital Library Buchanan Architecture

Harim Pet Food Factory The Beck Group

Fairway Ranch DSGN

The Cottages at Hickory Crossing buildingcommunityWORKSHOP

The Crescent Pavilion The Beck Group

Fire Station #6 DSGN

Winnwood Residence 5G Studio Collaborative

Page 20

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News â&#x20AC;¢ November 2017