San Antonio Construction News December 2017

Covering the Industry’s News

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A supporting hand

Celebrating a journey

Heat Transfer Solutions’ team in San Antonio

L-R: Trisha and Albert Ramirez, co-owners of A-RAM Plumbing

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n 2002, McQuay International (now Daikin Applied) reached out to Toronto based HTS Heat Transfer Solutions because they no longer had a representative present in the Houston market. As a result, HTS made the decision to branch out to the United States. Soon after in 2003, San Antonio- based Envirotex was bought out by HTS and has been a growing fixture in the San Antonio and Austin markets.

“As we have grown, we have opened additional offices in Texas, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts and Canada. Today, we are the largest independent HVAC manufacturer’s representative in North America,” says Paul Naizer, San Antonio branch manager.

“HTS provides full life-cycle, highlyengineered solutions to clients and we proudly represent. Daikin is the number one air conditioning manufacturer in the world,” adds Vicki Lusk, San Antonio inside sales representative. “I started out with Envirotex and remained with the company after the merger. I’m going on 20 years and I have seen a lot of changes.

We remained in the original Envirotex building across the street until three years ago when we remodeled this space with a Daikin HVAC system and moved in.”

As the company began to grow, HTS started adding support divisions to help service their customers. “We went from five employees to 30 in just the past three years,” says Naizer. “Most of the growth continued on Page 20

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elebration is in the air, or rather the pipes and drains. Albert and Patricia (Trisha) Ramirez are celebrating their business, A-RAM Plumbing for hitting 20 years of service in San Antonio.

Starting out working from their home and learning how to master the business, Albert says, “At night we would sit down and do all our estimating till 1 or 2 o’clock in the morning, and to get all our invoicing out.”

Interest in plumbing struck Albert while attending Kennedy High School, where he took his first training course.

Soon after, he moved to Washington D.C. with his sister and started off as a plumber’s helper. “I started out making $4 an hour,” he says.

Fast forward, he’s back in San Antonio and joined the local union. Him and Trisha married in ’89. Then the unfortunate occurs as he is laid off. Albert would find work elsewhere for the next several years. During those years he received his masters license and decided to venture off on his own. Well, with Trisha of course.

“I told him no! You’ve got a paycheck; you’ve got a company truck,” Trisha explains. “Why do you want to do it?”

Albert’s response was because he was tired of the headaches that were not his headaches. “There was plenty of times I wanted to quit and get out and she said no. We finally said okay, but getting out or quitting is not an option; we got to make this work.” Trisha’s thoughts were continued on Page 20

Small town hill-country flare

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Seven Oaks project consisted of five 6,500sf office building shells including site work and utilities. Each building allows for one to five-suite finish outs. The buildings are comprised of wood stick framing with standing seam metal roofing. The buildings’ exteriors keep in line with the ever-popular hill country look of finished stucco, stone and corrugated metal siding.

“Our biggest challenge was the rain setting back the schedule during the site work and paving stages of the project,” says Lewis. “We also had months of delays trying to obtain the proper permitting for the different aspects of the project.”

Located on Old San Antonio Rd, just down from the new Boerne police headquarters, this quaint and charming professional office park is designed to meet the needs of its tenants. The uniqueness

riginally founded in 1957 by Zac P. Russom, Colby Lewis reinstated his grandfather’s company, Alpine Contracting Inc. in 2012.

With a passion to carry on a family legacy, Lewis has built Alpine Contracting into a successful company and within five short years has been recognized by the San Antonio Business Journal receiving a nomination for best places to work in San Antonio in 2017, and in 2015 was awarded Best in Construction Retail Development by the San Antonio Business Journal, and two more construction awards by the Associated General Contractors in 2015.

Alpine’s experience and reputation was key to the development of the Seven Oaks Business Park in Boerne, TX. The $3.5 million project took 11 months to complete.

New construction of the 32,500sf Seven Oaks Business Park, Boerne, TX

continued on Page 20

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San Antonio Construction News • December 2017

Electrical full-circle

F&W Electrical Contractors team. Photo courtesy of Diamond Photography Co.

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ames L Freasier, Sr. and his business partner, after experiencing 20 years in electrical construction, renovations and upgrades, founded F & W Electrical Contractors Inc. in 1985. Their primary focus was high voltage and electrical distribution work for private and governmental entities.

James L. Freasier, Jr., president and CEO of F & W, established his own company in 1991 after gaining 18 years management and supervisory experience in the electrical service and installation industry. His company, JLF Electric Inc. specialized in airfield distribution and lighting. In 1994, Freasier Sr. purchased his partner’s share of F & W and merged it with his son’s company to form a familyowned business.

“A big part of our business is still airfield lighting and distribution,” says Jennifer Kincaid, director of human resources and Freasier, Jr.’s daughter.

“When my grandfather started F & W it was tiny, and even when my dad was JLF Electric it was just him, two of my uncles and one other guy; four guys, a pickup truck and a backhoe.”

F & W would continue to grow and by 2005 acquired Comal Electric, which added traffic signalization and highway lighting to the company’s list of services.

The company remains a family operation with several members of the family members involved in the day-to-day operations. Freasier’s sister oversees the warehouse operations and his brotherin-law is fleet manager and oversees the company’s CDL drivers.

As with many companies, F & W is involved in their community participating in the local peanut festival, the local 4H and the Wilson county livestock show.

F & W is a full service electrical contractor in Floresville, TX. - cmw

Back in the family

L-R: Three generations, Jed Knowlton, Scott Knowlton, Virgil Knowlton, Sam Knowlton and Shakotah Knowlton

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ith a model D grader, a dump truck and a roller made out of a hot water heater, Virgil Knowlton started V.K. Knowlton Construction & Utilities Inc. out of his mother’s garage in 1960. “Granddad would pull the roller he made behind his tractor to flatten base,” says Jed Knowlton, general superintendent.

Though the company prospered for years, as with many companies in the ‘80s, the company fell on rough times.

Around 1982, Tetco Companies acquired 65 percent of the company. The company continued to be run by Virgil. “They were more than just a silent investor, they were partners with us. Tom Turner, Sr. with Tetco and my grandfather worked together doing strip malls. Mr. Turner really liked my grandfather and when my grandfather fell on hard times he offered to help him.”

The company grew substantially during the ‘90s doing everything from state heavy highway work to municipal and commercial to residential. “Residen-

tial is our niche right now,” adds Knowlton.

“We still do commercial, but we are probably doing 90 percent in the residential market doing work for the big home builders like D.R. Horton, Better Blue, Denton Developments, Pulte and Meritage Homes.” The company also did oil field energy work during the down turn of the market in 2008.

In June 2016, the Knowlton family acquired back 100 percent of the company’s shares. It was a mutual separation from Tetco with whom the V.K. Knowlton had a good relationship with for 25 years.

Starting out as a site work and paving contractor, the company has since integrated into concrete with a concrete division and utilities.

After retiring, Virgil passed the torch on to his sons, Sam and Scott. Together with their sons Jed and Shakotah, the company moves forward with great expectations.

V.K. Knowlton Construction & Utilities Inc. is a site work and utilities subcontractor in San Antonio. -cmw

San Antonio Construction News • December 2017

Page 3

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 general five years ago is starting to pay off for contracting partners to help deliver them Texas construction. their building in a timelier manner.”

The company joined the StoPanel The initial challenge was educating the affiliate program dedicated to building 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 vision- personnel that explain the vision, not only aries, not only in our market here in DFW to general contractors but also to architects, but visionaries within the drywall and acous- owners and development groups. tical industry nationally. They fly at a 5,000 “I think we’re just now starting to see ft. view and are always looking at what’s the industry gravitate towards this coming,” Preston Pressley, BakerTriangle’s investment,” he continues. “Especially vice president of business development moving into 2018, it’s really starting to pick and marketing, says. “Several years ago, up steam in our Texas markets, and not only they saw that European markets were with our clients (contractors) but also with starting to do things a little different, and I architects and owner groups. We are seeing think they really latched on to them mandate prefabrication methods prefabrication. They made a heavy invest- into their master specifications as standard ment to try and get ahead of the curve and practice moving forward. We are excited to get started with that here locally in Texas.” be delivering a unique process to this great Prefabricated panels offer Texas industry, and look forward to latching on to builders several benefits. The panels are this wave of momentum we are seeing built in a controlled manufacturing envi- towards prefabrication.” ronment versus unpredictable field condi- BakerTriangle PreFab was launched tions, guaranteeing a higher degree of under the umbrella of BakerTriangle, which product quality and sidestepping unex- has nine Texas locations. –mjm

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Construction News ON LOCATION

Portholes of light

L-R: Juan “Juan 2” Barron, Pedro Alvarez, Owner Juan “Juan 1” Avila, and Hicham Bouchama visit with Construction News at their shop, Allied Skylights, 11914 Warfield. -cmw

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San Antonio Construction News • December 2017

that I went to work for a steel contractor in Dripping Springs.

Michael Rodriguez President

Stephen Park Vice President E-Z Bel Construction LLC

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t’s kind of funny what things are important to a young man especially when you don’t really know what it is you want. For some it’s flying by the seat of your pants. For some it’s girls, fame, sports and for others, it’s a car.

When was E-Z Bel Construction started?

Michael: My dad started the business in 1971 Where did you grow up?

Michael: I grew up in San Antonio.

Stephen: Born and raised in Bandera.

Did you always know you wanted to be in construction?

Michael: I wanted to be an architect. I had no desire to go into construction.

Stephen: I really didn’t know what I wanted to do. But I had no intention of going into construction either. Once I got into construction, I was talking to my grandmother and she pulled out my grandfather’s resume, a four-page resume. I started looking at it and said this is exactly what I do – manage crews, working utilities. His resume is framed here in my office.

How did you get into construction?

Michael: I started doing surveying work with my dad at an early age. My dad was a surveyor working for Earl J. Wentworth for a while until he decided to go out on his own.

When I was around 10 years old my dad would take me afterschool and on weekends to Von Ormy to layout lots and grading, set blue tops, wrap labs with tape, flagging or just to give my dad line on top of a transit box. I think he took me out to work just to punish me. I’d being lying out at the pool, enjoying my summer and he would walk up and say, “I need an extra hand.”

Stephen: I got started in construction as a teenager while in high school to make some extra spending cash. My first job was a tile setter’s assistant. I did that for four summers straight. I was in the Corps at A&M and really intended on commissioning out of A&M into the Army, but that didn’t work out. When I graduated from A&M, I went to work for a family-owned business doing landscaping and that was not a good idea. After

Stephen, what is your degree in?

I got a degree in Agricultural Leadership & Development. When I was a junior at A&M my counselors told me I had not yet declared my major and needed to do so. Still not knowing what I wanted to do, I asked for their input. Looking at my grades, which weren’t all that great, we decided that was the best course for me.

I went back and got my Masters Degree in Construction Science and Management at UTSA because I finally decided what I wanted to be when I grew up.

It’s amazing how much better you do in school when you know what it is you want to do.

Michael: What’s interesting about that is when he went back to school and finished the program, they asked him to apply for a professor’s position and they hired him. He taught there for five or six semesters.

Are you still teaching Stephen?

I’m not doing that anymore. We have an almost two-year old and time got pretty tight. I was just an adjunct professor. It was a lot of fun, and we got two great interns from it.

When did you come to work for E-Z Bel? Michael: I got lured into construction. I still remember the day like it was yesterday. I told my dad I was going to join the Air Force. And he said, okay.

About two weeks later, I was going to work with him and we were driving south on San Pedro. Tindall & Son was right there, north of the railroad tracks at Hildebrand at Olmos Drive and he pulls in and says, “What do you think about that El Camino. That’s a pretty nice El Camino.

If you don’t go into the Air Force you can have that El Camino.” I told my dad it looks like I’m going to have that El Camino. For $7,000 he bribed me into coming to work for him at E-Z Bel.

Stephen: Short version. I met Michael sometime after I had started working for the steel erector. One day I got a call that E-Z Bel was looking for someone.

I came down that very day to meet with Michael and started working for E-Z Bel about two weeks later.

Michael, what did you start out doing when you came to work for E-Z Bel? I worked out in the field throwing concrete, pouring curbs, learning how to run a job, and building construction. My dad went from surveying into curb work and then into vertical building. I hated doing vertical building, so I asked my dad what do you really want to do and he said “I want to do some dirt work. I want to do some city work.” So we got into dirt work and pursuing city work.

I had gotten into it mostly by doing curbs. I had wanted to get back into curb work. I wanted to get back into concrete work because we were making a lot of money doing machine laid curbs. We bought a brand new 3500 Power Curber back then. It was the first one in San Antonio. I got a couple of huge contracts with the City of San Antonio as a subcontractor with Eby Construction for 90,000lf of curbs that lasted three years. And

L-R: E-Z Bel Construction Vice President Stephen Park and President Michael Rodriguez, Jr.

that’s how we learned to start bidding city work.

Stephen, when did you come to work for E-Z Bel?

I came to work for E-Z Bel January 31, 2011 as a project manager.

Michael, after you came on board, how long before your parents retired?

I started full-time in 1985. They started retirement in 1995 thru 2000. Ish came on board at that time as CFO. He got our books in order. Helped me with management and HR and helped me get ready for the transition, getting the stock out of mom and dad’s and into mine. Ish is still around and has been for about 22 years.

My parents have been fully retired since 2005. Dad still comes around, usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We go to lunch and visit jobsites.

Stephen, when you decided not to go into the military, did your parents support your decision?

Well, there’s a large gap from when I decided military wasn’t going to be the route for me and construction was. But yes they were very supportive of my decision.

Are you married? Do you have children?

Michael: Yes I am married. My wife’s name is Cheryl. We have two children ages 27 and 24.

Stephen: Yes I am. My wife’s name is Jennifer. We have an almost two-yearold boy. His name is Macrae. We have another on the way.

What do you all do when you are not working? What do you do for fun?

Stephen: We spend time with friends and family. Could be at the ranch, on the water or in the backyard. I’m the oldest of seven and have quite an extended family.

Just being with Jennifer and Macrae is a lot of fun, regardless of where we are or what we’re doing. Being with them is always the best part of my day.

Michael: I get on the water. We have a place down in Corpus. My wife lives down there and I commute to see her every weekend. So spending time on the

water, whether fishing or not, it doesn’t matter. I enjoy fishing. That’s what I’d rather be doing is fishing on the water, otherwise we’re boating. And I love to cook. Cheryl allows me to cook when I’m there.

What is your specialty?

Michael: I would say rabbit - rabbit stew, French rabbit stew.

Do you have any regrets going into construction?

Stephen: I have no regrets going into the construction industry. How could I? To have regrets would imply that I’m not grateful and I am so grateful.

Michael: The opportunities that have been giving me have been enormous. It has allowed me to create opportunities with the people on my team around me. And the opportunities that my employees have been able to obtain by just giving back to them are from being in the construction industry. There’s no way I would have been able to do all that without the opportunities given to me.

My parents allowed me to spend their capital and to wager that money towards my benefit. It was their money and they let me do that and I’m so grateful for that too.

What is the one thing you would like our readers to know about you?

Michael: I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my mom and dad and the opportunities they gave me. I couldn’t have done it without my wife. She kept me going.

Stephen: What Michael is saying is reflected in our purpose at E-Z Bel – “Building opportunities through constructing our communities.” It’s less about the roads we build and more about the opportunities that are given to the 180 plus employees and what it means to them and their families. There are a lot of folks here that have made it beyond their circumstances because E-Z Bel created an opportunity for them, including myself.

I don’t believe there is such a thing as a self-made man. Nobody can do it on their own. Sometimes people just need a chance, an opportunity. And that’s why we’re in business. –cmw

San Antonio Construction News • December 2017

Page 5

Windows to doors

Someone has to do it

Kerry Kirby, president of Architectural Division 8

Cesar Melchor filling tank with diesel

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efore Kerry Kirby got into the hardware business, he was a manufacturer’s rep for a residential products company based out of Dallas. He started right out of college and continued with that career path and went to work for a local San Antonio company where he got into the hardware business.

“I was selling products and then began filling in for the contract hardware division manager while he went on vacation. I worked there for 11 years,” says Kirby

In 1991, Mike Hutchison started up a company, Hutchison Supply, as a hollow metal supplier. Three years later, Hutchison hired Kirby to run contract hardware, an additional product line, for the company. “Hutchison was a hollow metal supplier only at the time. When I came on board, Hutchison had started bidding projects with hollow metal and hardware. Shortly after that, we hired an individual to handle wood doors. We started putting together packages of hardware, wood doors and hollow metal and that morphed into installation. “

The company changed their name to Architectural Division 8 in 2003 when Kirby bought out Hutchison who was ready to retire. “He never really wanted to get into all the products. He wanted to focus only on hollow metal and hardware. We went with Architectural Division 8 because if you know what that is, you know what we do.”

Along with a new ownership, and company name change, came an additional product line of glass and glazing and along with it, installation. Just two short years later, yet another line would be added to the company’s growing list of product lines, access control and automated entrances. “We pretty much sell the whole division 8 package. The only thing we don’t do is overhead doors.”

The company grew with its increasing products, going from three employees to 126 employees just in the San Antonio office. The company now has offices in Austin, Corpus Christi and Harlingen.

Architectural Division 8 is a division 8 supplier headquarted in San Antonio. –cmw

Industry FOLKS Roman Perez, Jr. Estimator, Project Manager & Safety Manager M & M Metals Inc.

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oman’s parents were born and raised in Corpus Christi and moved to San Antonio a few months before he was born when his father went to work on the large USAA construction project.

Growing up on the southeast side, Perez attended and graduated from Highlands High School in 1991. Soon after high school, Perez went to work at the Alamodome with the International Union of Operating Engineers where he worked as an oiler on the many 4100 Manitowoc conventional cranes. After the Alamodome project, he joined the Sheet Metal workers as a pre-apprentice, where he applied and was accepted as an apprentice. There he earned his journeyman’s status after completing his four years of apprenticeship training. “I started my sheet metal career at Todd-Ford Sheet Metal where I worked for 10 years. I joined the M & M Metals Inc. team in 2002.”

Perez is currently an estimator, project manager and safety manager for M & M Metals. “I’m really proud to be leading the Ornamental Metals division at M & M and successfully estimating, managing and changing the safety culture at M & M.” Perez and his wife, Leticia, recently celebrated 13 years of marriage. “I met

my lovely wife at a Selena concert on March 21, 1992. She works for the City of San Antonio. We dated for 12 years before we got married.” Together, the couple has a beautiful 10-year-old daughter who attends Coker Elementary and loves making slime, playing the violin, dancing and singing.

If being an estimator, project manager, and safety director, husband and father of a talented 10-year-old is not enough, Perez also teaches welding, safety, and rigging at the local sheet metal apprenticeship school.

You would think Perez has his hands full, but still he finds time for a little extracurricular activities of his own. He enjoys saltwater fishing and hunting. “I partake in saltwater fishing and hunting every chance I get. Fishing and hunting is so relaxing and peaceful.”

A man of many talents and interests, Perez’s interests don’t stop there.

He also enjoys cooking, barbecuing to be more specific. “I am an award winning brisket and rib cooker.” -cmw.

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umerous industries are dependent on fuel to operate, and many need a lot of it and some need it need it 24/7. And more importantly, companies need a source for this fuel.

Marshall Distributing Co. fills this niche of supplying fuel in various ways.

Since 1990, Mark and Brent Marshall have been delivering fuel to on-site fuel tanks for their customers as well as directly filling their equipment and fleets (wet hosing).

“Fewer companies have been warehousing fuel on their property for their business operations since the City of San Antonio is enforcing the required use of UL2085 concrete vaulted tanks for fuel storage,” Mark explains. “These tanks are several times more expensive than the old steel tanks. So we go out and fill up the equipment and vehicles instead of the tanks.”

The company has 24/7 crews, plus backup crews to keep their service on-

going. On-site fueling can reduce their customers’ labor costs by fueling their equipment and vehicles during off-use hours, shift changes or wasting time at gas stations.

Another advancement made is the use of barcoding. “The new barcoding system for wet hosing is a big deal. We bar code all the equipment and trucks.

When we pull up to a truck, we take the hand-held gun, scan the barcode and fuel it up. It shows the vehicle number, number of gallons of fuel and time it was fueled. This saves time and paperwork, a big plus,” says Mark.

The company has been providing fuel products and delivery services for over 50 years. They take pride in keeping their customers long term; some have been with them from day one.

Marshall Distributing is a fuel supplier servicing San Antonio and surrounding areas. –rd

Page 6

San Antonio Construction News • December 2017

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Brazilian style camaraderie Dirty dishes!

Willie Nelson, Gunn Chevrolet

Solicitors calling on your cell phone..

Letisha Sayles, VBX

Tony is always late.

Karen Ridout, Ridout Barrett

Too many people think the constructionrelated trades wouldn’t make a good career or be lucrative.

Tony Atkinson, The Millwright Co.

People that don’t know how to fish – on my boat.

Tony Ridout, Ridout Barrett Last minute change orders Marco Ortiz, BakerTriangle Traffic. Especially I-35 traffic.

Art Salinas, Alterman Inc. L-R: Steve Albert, NEISD Trades; Don Harrell, Harrell Plumbing Co., and LW Tschoepe, Guarantee Plumbing & HVAC enjoy each other’s company at the Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors’ membership mixer, Nov. 9 at Galpao’s Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse. -cmw

Construction News ON LOCATION

Walking the dog

People that will not take responsibility for their actions – “that’s the way it was when I got it” or “nobody told me I had to do it all.

The left always looking for something to blame on someone they’ve been getting away with for 28 years.

Marvin Ohlenbusch, Alamo Crane People who are stuck on their cell phones. What ever happened to talking or spending time together! Put down your phones people and look around!

Lori Rosenberg Armstrong Vaughan & Associates When my daugher borrows my car and brings it back empty. An even bigger pet peeve is when she brings i back with a new dent or two.

Judy Dement, Dement Designs

L-R: Stafford Plumbing Owner Tony Currie, Office Manager Michelle Kincaid, Assistant Sara Currie, Warehouse Manager Tyree Doyle and Bella (center front) visit with Construction News outside their Leon Valley office. -cmw

Assumed familiarity. It is a technique used to perplex one into thinking they know the one using the technique, even though neither party has met before.

Sam Sittlerle, Green Grow Organics Late work received causing others to get behind of schedule.

Eric Murray Wiss, Janney, Elstner Architects

People always bitching at me for things they are guilty of.

Bob Lynch, Walls Across Texas 1-Reply all abuse – especially when it is just to say“thank you.” Email is enough of a distraction – don’t clutter it up anymore than it already is!

2-People driving slow in the fast lane really grinds my gears, too.

Stephen Park, E-Z Bel Construction I HATE disorganization. I am a little OCD and lack of organization stresses me out.

Angela Cardwell Joeris General Contractors When you reach out to someone with questions or info (multiple times) and get no response. I understand being busy, but you can still respond with, “I am really busy but will get back with you as soon as possible.” Communication and acknowledgment that you received a correspondence is a must. My pet peeve is the proverbial black hole.

Julie Petri, DIRTT Austin/SA When folks don’t give it their all. As Ben Franklin put it, ‘A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things. There will be sleeping enough in the grave.’ I can’t stand it when people aren’t driven to better their circumstances and environment.

Dakota Durden GRIT Design Build LLC Slow drivers in the fast lane.

Mark Beasley MB Welding & Fabrication

In the Wright profession

Tony Atkinson out milling around

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efining a millwright encompasses a lot of skills and craftsmanship.

Bricklaying, painting, plumbing, welding and electrical work may be a part of a millwright’s job. These and other skills may be used to build concrete foundations for heavy equipment, assemble machines and parts, along with knowledge of building materials.

James (Tony) Atkinson learned many skills starting at age 5 when his dad, a homebuilder, began taking him to his jobsites. As he grew up, he helped his dad after school and on weekends.

Born in Colorado, Atkinson traveled all over the country, wherever his dad found construction work. His family landed in San Antonio during the 1985 housing construction boom when he was a senior in high school. After graduation, he went to college in Dallas, joined the military, then came back to San Antonio in 1997 to build homes.

Fast forward to 2000, Atkinson es-

tablished The Millwright Company and focused mainly on homebuilding. When homebuilding took a dive in 2007, he partnered with Surmac, a nationwide specialty contractor in restoration.

“I actually love getting up in the morning and going to work; I love what I do,” says Atkinson. “I can drive around San Antonio and point out a hundred buildings I’ve been involved in. It’s nice seeing your legacy.”

One job (in 1990) he won’t forget was adjusting doors at a nursing home.

The electricity wasn’t working properly and found there was water going into the electrical room. His head got wet, then says he stuck it where it didn’t belong – he took 13,000 volts to the back of the head which exited through his chest.

Other than knowing what it’s like to be struck by lightening, there was no serious damage. A true survivor!

The Millwright Company is a commercial construction specialty company. -rd

San Antonio Construction News • December 2017

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Going with the times

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Builders Gypsum Supply sales team.

igrant farmer workers growing up, Chicho, Rigo and Israel Flores started a drywall construction company in 1969 in Houston, TX. After a few years in business, the brothers saw the need for a gypsum supply house to help supply their growing need for drywall. So they opened a supply house of their own, Builders Gypsum Supply.

The new business proved to be very profitable and grew at a substantial rate.

Within five short years later, the Flores brothers opened a second location in San Antonio and more locations in Round Rock, Dallas and Fort Worth. The company would continue to be owned and operated by the three brothers until 2009 when they sold the company to Allied Building Products Corp.

Builders Gypsum Supply (BGS) has been in the San Antonio market for 25 years servicing drywall contractors in the area and surrounding areas. Under the Allied ownership, BGS expanded its product to offer roofing supplies.

As with many things, nothing stays the same for too long. BGS once again will change ownership after the first of the year.

Beacon Roofing Supply, recently acquired the Allied owned BGS. Builders Gypsum Supply will be the first of the 110 stores to offer interior drywall supplies and products for Beacon. “It used to be that roofing and drywall were two separate divisions, but we’re seeing more and more of the two being packaged together,” says Branch Manager David Wingrove.

From the time BGS first opened its doors in San Antonio 25 years ago, the company continued to maintain its presence. The influx of several competing companies has not seemed to have any effect on the business. And with the company’s new ownership, the company is expecting to continue on its course and expand. Currently, BGS runs 13 trucks, four boom trucks, and two contract haulers, each with boom trucks to help deliver drywall, with 29 employees.

Like most of the construction industry, Wingrove says the employees of BGS like to golf, fish and hunt when they are not servicing their customers.

Builders Gypsum Supply is a supplier of drywall, interior products and roofing material in San Antonio. –cmw

Introduction to construction

Swinging for green

Beyer Plumbing & Beyer Mechanical hosted their 5th Annual Beyer Boys Relay for Life golf tournament at Canyon Springs Golf Club on Oct. 19. The event raised $30,000 for the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life. –cmw Left: Jeff Beyer, president Beyer Mechanical presents 1st Place Low Net team L-R: Nick Skeen, Goodman; Don Rackler, Jon Wayne A/C, and Brian Simpson, Jon Wayne A/C

Golf gaines

1st Place RamRoc Construction – David De La Cruz, Joe Ramirez, Rudy Sanchez, and Bill Castro, Sundt Construction held it’s 7th annual Mike Gaines San Antonio Charity Golf Tournament benefiting ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease on Oct. 27 at Silverhorn Golf Club of Texas. -cmw

The YouthBuild graduating class and instructors from Associated General Contractors (AGC) YouthBuild Program FRONT L-R: Gregory Knowles; James Calhoun; Fernando Figueroa, Curv Compliance. BACK L-R: Jack Hodge, Joeris General Contractors; Dana Marsh, AGC San Antonio; Bill Roberts, T&D Moravits & Company; Brandy Rodriguez; Ty’Shanye Randel; Maurcet Ruiz-Zuniga; Tia Hypolite Gavino Cardenas; Malik Taylor; Ursula Hernandez-Rico; Todd Sutton, Zachry Construction Corp.; Andrekis Cantu; Castatroy Barnett; Miriam Hernandez; Mike Sireno, BakerTriangle; Alejandro Rodriguez; Jaqual Clayton; Adam Hockley, Bartlett Cocke General Contractors; Jesse Aguilar; Natasha Kay, Turner Construction Co.; Blaine Beckman, F.A. Nunnelly Company. -cmw

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San Antonio Construction News • December 2017

Finders keepers! Benefit options to attract and keep good employees Leann Ussery, CPA, Tax Manager Armstrong, Vaughan & Associates, P.C. Universal City, TX

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any companies in the construction industry are experiencing increased difficulty in attracting and keeping good skilled laborers. One way to edge out the competition is to offer better employee benefits. One employee benefit becoming more popular with construction companies is offering retirement benefits to employees. For the purposes of this column, we’ll explore four basic retirement plan options, but there are other options available.

• Any size company may set up a tradiSimple IRA • A Simple IRA is arguably the least com- tional 401(k) plan although the higher plicated and least expensive plan to set cost tends to prohibit this option for small companies. up.

• Plans are available only to companies • Eligible employees can contribute up to with 100 or fewer employees and no oth- $18,500/year (for 2018), on a tax-deferred basis through payroll deductions. er retirement plan.

•Eligible employees can contribute up to • Eligible employees over 50 can contrib$12,500/year, on a tax-deferred basis ute an additional $6,000/year.

• Matching the employees’ elective deferthrough payroll deductions.

• Eligible employees over 50 can contrib- rals (up to 25% of compensation) is an ute an additional $3,000/year if the plan option, but not a requirement.

• Traditional 401(k) plans may also allow allows.

• Employers can either elect to match up for employer discretionary profit-sharing to 3% of the employee contributions or contributions which might be a better fit can make non-elective contributions of if net income varies year-to-year.

• Unlike Simple IRA’s or SEP plans, vesting 2% of the employees’ annual salary.

• Eligible employees are established by of the employer contributions is not necthe plan documentation, largely at the essarily immediate, but may specify a discretion of the employer. You may vesting schedule after a certain period of choose to include all employees without time or years of service. restriction or you may limit to those who • Plans must meet nondiscrimination rehave earned at least $5,000 in compen- quirements and require annual testing. sation in any two calendar years preced- • Matching contributions are not taxable ing the current year or who are reason- income to the employee until distributed ably expected to receive $5,000 in com- but are a tax deduction for the company subject to certain limits. pensation during the current year.

• Matching contributions are not taxable Safe-Harbor 401(k) income to the employee until distribut- • Safe-harbor 401(k) plans function just ed but are a tax deduction for the com- like traditional 401(k) plans except that employer contributions are required, pany. generally at no less than 3% of compenSimplified Employee Pension (SEP) • SEP plans are easy to establish, have low sation, and are immediately vested. administrative fees, and are available to • For many employers, this option is well worth the additional contribution reany size company.

• There are no employee contributions/ quirement because there is no annual deferrals. All contributions are at the dis- discrimination testing. For this reason, cretion of the employer, made by the it’s one of the fastest growing plans for small businesses. employer for all eligible employees.

• Employer elects to contribute an equal Regardless of type of plan chosen, earpercentage 0% to 25% of each eligible ly distributions (before age 59½) are employees’ annual salary (maximum typically subject to penalties.

Every employer has a different contribution of $55,000 for 2018).

• Eligible employees must include all threshold for costs of employee benefits over the age of 21 with three years of and plan costs vary greatly depending on employment in the company. Plans may your employee base and desired contriallow for additional employees at em- butions. Contact your tax professional for an individual in-depth analysis of variployer discretion.

• Like Simple IRA’s, contributions are not ous retirement plans, their costs, and potaxable income to the employee until tential tax savings. distributed but are a tax deduction for Leann Ussery, CPA is tax manager of corporate/partnership returns and focuses on the company. the tax needs of small-to-mid sized entities, Traditional 401(k) including entities with multi-state tax issues.

• More complex to establish with higher Leann joined Armstrong, Vaughan & Associates, administrative fees, but allows for more PC in 2008 after graduating from Angelo State University with an MBA in Accounting. She can customization. be reached at 210-658-6229.

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

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istracted drivers are everywhere and are the single largest contributing factor to traffic accidents today. Consider this: during the 5 seconds it takes to read a text, a vehicle traveling 55mph will move approximately 250 feet down the road, or nearly the length of a football field. Because drivers are often preoccupied when driving, employers must evaluate the potential risks involved in the operation of both company-owned and non-company-owned vehicles (non-owned vehicles are those owned by others, including vehicles owned by employees).

This is especially true when considering the U.S. legal doctrine of respondeat superior (Latin for “Let the master answer”) as the employer is liable for the injuries caused by an employee who is working within the scope of his employment. Employees who use their own personal vehicle to travel between worksites, drop off paperwork at other offices, or run a quick errand to the bank, can put their company at risk. Additionally, the utilization of independent contractors could impose liability on the employer for these individuals’ actions should an auto accident occur while they are conducting business for the company.

To effectively assess your company’s risk, it is imperative to evaluate current non-owned vehicle use. In collaboration with FCCI insurance, consider the following: • Determine the number of employees utilizing their personal vehicles for business use; • Identify the frequency of this type of driving; • Recognize the area(s) where this driving will occur; and • Be informed on the minimum auto liability limits in the state. (In Texas, these limits are $30,000 for each injured person, up to a total of $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident).

• Develop a workplace driving policy.

Tip: require that all drivers are included in the company’s defensive driver training sessions, and establish rules regarding cell phone use and the number of passengers an employee can drive at one time.

• Set vehicle standards. Tip: utilize the same vehicle maintenance standards for both company-owned and non-company-owned autos, including periodic inspections and records of maintenance reports at designated times.

• Obtain valid certificate of insurance from independent contractors. Tip: recheck coverage at various intervals – 45 days (as many cancellations for nonpayment occur after 30 days), and at various intervals before the contract anniversary.

• Establish minimum required limits of liability insurance. Tip: consider minimum limits of at least $100,000 if dealing with a handful of non-owned drivers (for more employees consider increasing the limits to $300,000). Also request that non-owned drivers’ auto policies not have a business exclusion clause.

• Understand rental car agreements.

Tip: develop a business relationship with a rental car company and set parameters for car types and accessible features. Also ensure employees understand which insurance coverage to accept and which to waive.

If these limits are exhausted due to an employee’s negligent act then liability could shift to the employer, and if the company does not possess non-owned auto coverage then the employer could be on the hook.

Do not slip into a false sense of security when an employee drives a personal vehicle for company business. If an employer allows an employee to use his/her personal vehicle for business purposes, this is considered a non-owned auto exposure risk, and the consequences could be devastating should an accident occur.

Once the company has assessed its risk regarding non-owned vehicle use, the next step is learning how to mitigate and implement proper safety controls: • Establish an approved driver list. Tip: those included on this list must possess valid driver licenses, and the employer should review each driver’s Motor Vehicle Records (both at the time of hire and annually thereafter).

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

San Antonio Construction News • December 2017

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Texas Supreme Court clarifies standard for suits against design professionals Tracy Galimore, Senior Counsel Peckar & Abramson Austin, TX

Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX

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he Texas Supreme Court recently considered two cases seeking to clarify the meaning of and standards in Tex. Civ. Prac. Rem. Code Ch. 150, which requires suits against design professionals to be supported by a sworn affidavit known as a Certificate of Merit (“COM”). When the plaintiff’s claims arise from the defendant’s provision of professional services, a COM must be furnished by a similarly licensed third-party expert who shall attest the design professional’s negligent acts, errors or omissions. The purpose of the law is to deter and quickly dismiss non-meritorious claims.

The statute requires the third-party lenged the COM submitted by East Rio expert hold the same license as the de- Hondo’s expert on the grounds that it did fendant design professional, and also be not contain sufficient factual support for knowledgeable in the defendant’s prac- each of the plaintiff’s claims. The Court tice area. If the plaintiff fails to file a COM rejected Melden’s interpretation of the in compliance with the statute, the court statute which would require the COM to shall dismiss the claim and the plaintiff substantiate the plaintiff’s legal theories may be prevented from filing suit again. for suing the engineer. According to the In Levinson Alcoser Assoc. LP v. El Pisto- Court, the statute only obligates the lon II, Ltd., the Court considered whether plaintiff to furnish a COM attesting to the the COM filed by El Pistolon, the devel- defendant’s professional errors or omisoper of a shopping center, sufficiently sions and their factual basis. The Court complied with the statute when the also determined the third-party expert third-party expert listed only his license could reserve his/her right to modify the as his relevant experience. The Texas Su- opinion if additional information is made preme Court held the requirement that available, noting the COM statute does the third-party expert be knowledgeable not require the plaintiff to disclose all its in the practice area cannot be satisfied evidence at the start of the case. simply because the expert holds the These opinions offer clarification for same professional license as the defen- those seeking to file suit against licensed dant. The COM must include the specific architects, engineers, surveyors and illustrations of the expert’s familiarity or landscape architects and the interpretaexperience with the practice area at issue tions provided should be closely heeded in the litigation. In this case, the plaintiff’s to avoid a complete dismissal of claims expert should have detailed his experi- against these professionals. ence designing shopping centers in the Tracy Galimore is Senior Counsel in COM. The faulty COM resulted in the de- Peckar & Abramson’s Houston office. A veloper’s claims against the architect be- Board Certified Construction lawyer, she ing dismissed. represents contractors, sureties, owners, In Melden & Hunt v. East Rio Hondo and developers in construction related Water Supply, East Rio Hondo sued transactions and disputes. She can be Melden, the designer of its water-treat- reached at 281.953.7706 or tgalimore@ ment plant, for defective engineering pecklaw.com. and project supervision. Melden chal-

A safer Texas

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Texas Top Construction Hazards in 2017

n 1991, the Texas Legislature took a stance on the skyrocketing workers’ compensation rates that affected Texas companies in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.

This company originally known as the Texas Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fund, would later become known as Texas Mutual Insurance.

On June 5, 2001, Governor Rick Perry changed the company’s name by signing into law HB 3458 and authorizing the company to operate as a domestic mutual insurance company. The bill would maintain constitutional mandates that the company remain a competitive force in the marketplace, guarantee the availability of workers’ compensation insurance in Texas, and act as an insurer of last resort for those companies unable to find coverage elsewhere.

Since 2007, Texas Mutual began to utilize a program created within its safety department called the Work Safe Texas Award Program to recognize policyholders whose commitment to employee safety sets them apart. “We wanted to recognize our customers who were providing outstanding safety services for their employees.

We recognize these companies on an

annual basis. Currently, we insure about 68,000 policyholders across the state and we recognize the top 200, so these are the best of the best,” says Regional Manager of Safety Services for the Austin region, Stacy Rose.

“As a company, safety is a core value in our organization and we are very pleased that we are able to have this recognition reward program each year to highlight and bring the best of the best up to forefront and recognize them. It’s about keeping the workers safe so they are able to come to work and go home every day safely.”

The award is handed out usually in the fall and this year, Selma based Alamo Crane Services Inc. is one of 45 companies of the 200 to receive the top safety award, the Platinum Safety Partner Award.

Texas Mutual Insurance is workers’ compensation provider across the state of Texas. -cmw

he list of most frequently cited OSHA laws in construction over the last year:

1. 1926.501(b)(13) – Fall protection was not provided in residential construction where workers could fall more than 6 feet. This hazard was cited more than 486 times for a total fine of 1.9 million dollars.

2. 1926.102(a)(1) – OSHA cited employers for not providing or not requiring workers to wear eye and face protection when necessary to protect them. For example, safety glasses would be required when workers are using hand and power tools.

3. 1926.1053(b)(1) – Extension ladders did not extend at least 3 feet above the upper level so that workers would have the support when stepping off the ladder to the upper level.

4. 1926.501(b)(1) – No fall protection was provided when workers were exposed to a fall distance of 6 feet or more to a lower level.

5. 1926.100(a) – No head protection was provided where there were overhead hazards. OSHA requires workers to wear hard hats if there are hazards that could strike the workers head, such as other workers who could drop materials or tools from an overhead scaffold.

6. 1926.503(a)(1) –Training on the recognition and avoidance of fall hazards was not provided to workers. Workers that are exposed to fall hazards have to be trained on how to recognize potential fall hazards, and fall protection measures such as guardrails and personal fall arrest systems.

7. 1926.453(b)(2)(v) – Workers in an aerial lift were not wearing a body harness and lanyard and were not attached to the lift anchor point. OSHA requires workers in aerial lifts be tied off to prevent them from being ejected or falling out of the lift.

8. 1926.451(e)(1) – OSHA requires that workers be provided a safe method to access working levels of scaffolds. Climbing the end frame is allowed if the scaffold is designed for this purpose, but climbing the cross braces is not allowed.

9. 1904.39(a)(2) – The employer did not report a workplace incident that resulted in an amputation, loss or eye, or inpatient hospitalization of one or more workers within 24 hours. The requirement to report these injuries became effective January 1, 2015.

10. 1926.501(b)(10) – Fall protection was not provided on low slope roofs. Options for low slope roofs include guardrail systems, safety net systems, personal fall arrest systems, or a combination of warning line system and guardrail system, warning line system and safety net system, or warning line system and personal fall arrest system, or warning line system and safety monitoring system. Or, on roofs 50-feet (15.25 m) or less in width the use of a safety monitoring system alone [i.e. without the warning line system] is permitted. natarajan.joann@dol.gov 512-374-0271 x232

Corrections

In last month’s story, “Cards & more” The American Subcontractors Association (ASA) held its annual Pour-off, Texas Hold ‘em & Salsa Taste-off Sept. 21 at Aggie Park. Two winners’ photos were incorrectly identified. –hg

1st Place Best Salsa: KCM Cabinets Inc.

1st Place Best Non-Frozen Drink: Fire Alarm Control Systems

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San Antonio Construction News • December 2017

Construction News ON LOCATION

Getting ready

Construction News caught Satex Plumbing’s Plumbing Manager Robert Gonzalez getting ready to go out in the field. -cmw

Construction News ON LOCATION

Reaching new heights

L-R: CBS Rental & Supply Operations Manager Ben Bagnato, District Service Manager David Kopeck, and Service Manager Jamie Draper visit with Construction News. -cmw

San Antonio Construction News • December 2017

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Your perfect fishing destination

by Capt. Steve Schultz Sponsored by: Waypoint Marine, Majek Boats, Evinrude Outboards, Fishing Tackle Unlimited, E-Z Bel Construction, Costa Sunglasses, Diawa Reels, Power Pole Shallow Water Anchor, Aggregate Haulers, ForEverlast Fishing Products, Interstate Batteries, MirrOlure, and AFTCO Clothing.

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ost of us avid anglers take what we have in our own backyard for granted. I’m talking about the entire Texas Gulf Coast bays and estuaries that line our state from the Gulf of Mexico to Louisiana. Believe it or not, Texas has a world class fishery that many of us don’t realize. With over 360 miles of coastline and more than 3,360 miles of tidal shoreline, Texas has been a premier destination for many years. One of the most popular fishing destinations in the state is the Laguna Madre and, in particular, the Baffin Bay area. Anglers from all over the state and gulf regions of the U.S. visit these waters during winter months in search of one trophy – Trophy Speckled Trout!

Wintertime remains one of the best times to target large specks. Speckled trout feed less during winter months, but eat larger portions to conserve energy.

Josh Aljoe of San Antonio caught this fat 24.5-in. speck that weighed nearly 5 lbs. fishing the boat hole last week with Steve Schultz Outdoors.

Most of the bays along the Texas Gulf Coast have access guts and channels into the Gulf of Mexico which allow these fish to migrate to open water. Baffin Bay is virtually a closed bay system which traps a large portion of the fish throughout the year. These resident fish learn to adapt to harsh conditions such as rapid temperature changes, hyper salinity conditions and lack of food source. Needless to say,

these fish become warriors and learn to survive or be devoured. Big trout are scarce but, fortunately, they are more common than monster bucks and you don’t have to pay to get behind a high fence to have a chance at one. Learning where these fish live and their habits determines your success in catching these big girls.

Fishing for these big girls is an easy task; however, knowing where to catch them is the question most anglers ask.

Many factors play a part in knowing where to fish on any given day. Being on the water daily takes a lot of guess work out of the equation. Another challenge to your day on the water is choosing the right bait to throw. There are thousands of baits to choose from, some that are new and popular, and then there are those that have been around for many years and have a proven record. It all boils down to preference and having confidence in what’s tied on the end of your rod.

I will be splitting my time this season between Baffin Bay and Port Mainsfield this winter. Baffin trips will depart from Marker 37 marina. Port Mansfield trip will include accommodations in a luxurious 5-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. My calendar is starting to fill for these winter trout fishing trips, so don’t hesitate to call and get yours booked before these dates are full.

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. Good luck and Good Fishing.

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San Antonio Construction News • December 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

Winter fishing is here

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inter is almost here, or at least what passes for winter in Texas.

The weather forecasters are saying that we are in for a generally warmer and drier winter this year, with a few little cold hiccups here and there. That means we are in for a lot of nice fishing weather the next few months.

If you read up on stripers or have fished for them very much, you know how important water temperature is to their behavior. The “perfect” water temperature for them is 55 – 68 degrees. This explains why things go bad for the stripers when we get to the end of summer and sometimes see water temps in the high 80s or low 90s. That’s over for now and we are back in cool water again. Cool water gets the stripers back to feeding well again and schooling up. They are all about getting fat and sassy ready to spawn next spring. We also get into some really nice bluecats in cool winter water.

Gene Tramp catfish

We have been doing striper fishing charters for many years and have noticed that while the winter fishing is still just as good as ever, we aren’t seeing as many people taking advantage of it. I really

think that this is still just a holdover from all the bad press and bad experiences with our lakes from the drought. It always takes a while for people to rediscover the lakes after a drought.

Winter fishing is a little iffy because of the frequent “cold” fronts that pump through, but we also have some of our best fishing weather of the year. We encourage fishermen to get their trip on the books and cross their fingers that the weather will cooperate. If all goes well they are in for a treat.

Sometimes the weather can fool even the most experienced fishing guide.

I remember one afternoon when the weather turned off really bad. We had 31 degrees and 25 mph winds and pelting sleet. We also had a fishing trip scheduled, but never could reach the folks to cancel the fishing trip. Long story short, the fishermen showed up at the dock and piled out of their pickup looking like the little brother from the Christmas Story movie. They were so bundled up with a mix of camo hunting coveralls and snow skiing gear they could hardly bend their arms and legs. We loaded up and pointed the bow of the boat into that icy wind and went fishing. In 45 minutes we were back at the dock…LIMITED OUT!

The moral of this story is that winter fishing can be awesome! It may not be a shorts and flip flops and sunscreen kind of trip, but I promise the fish won’t laugh at you fishing in your camo hunting clothes. In fact, you’ll be the one laughing and having a good time.

If you are in the Hill Country to go hunting, or have out of town guests to entertain for the holidays, give us a call and we can get you on the water. A nice fish fry and a good time might fit just fine into your plans this winter!

Relaxing at its best!

Steve White, owner of AmeriCRANE Rentals LP shared this photo from his recent fishing expedition in Chesapeake Bay, MD where he caught this 26in Striper. “We had a blast! We caught over a hundred fish a day,” says White. -cmw

The big catch

Scott Smith, Dealers Electrical Supply: Photos from the Construction Outfitters International (COI) annual fishing trip on Sept. 30.

1st Place Trout, 25 in. Karen Pfeil, Our Lady of the Lake University

1st Place Black Drum, Billy Waldrep COI. L-R: Larry Trejo, Richard Gonzales, Bill Waldrep, Jimmy Limon and Steve Gonzales

1st Place Red Drum, 45 in.: Scott Smith, Dealers Electrical Supply

San Antonio Construction News • December 2017

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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

Guests had access to 1800 acres of outdoors fun.

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

L-R: Audie Howell and buckle winner Suzi Schacht

L-R: Buckle winner John Starks and Audie Howell

Howell Crane & Rigging’s Mickey Mikolajczyk, Tommy Beaver and Audie Howell

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

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Reds, speckles & drum

Ray Hegwer, Dulaney Exterior Solutions shared this photo from their annual fishing trip in Baffin Bay near King Ranch. Top Row: Bob Noska; Bottom Row L-R: Carl Dulaney, Michael Mills and Andrew Hernandez together caught speckled trout, redfish and black drum. - cmw

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San Antonio Construction News • December 2017

HALLOWEEN PHOTOS

Catto & Catto bond department “Bad Girls of Disney” Cruela De Ville, Becky Landry and Maleficent, Anna Torres – cmw

Virtual Builders Exchange (VBX) Halloween contest – winner is Jeannette Olguin, the T-Rex. -rd

Barlett Cocke Genreral Contractor and ISEC employees hand out treats at the Children’s Hospital. L-R: Sergio Sigala, Jason McGarvie, ISEC and Alicia Marqwuez -cmw

BakerTriangle – San Antonio

G.D. Interiors

Catto & Catto risk management team “Disney Princesses” Jim Greaves, John Lawhorn and Chirs Cherniss - cmw

The RidoutBarrett crew

Cram Roofing

Lauren Daniel, Alpha Building Corp. shares photo of pumpkin carving contest held at their offices Oct. 27. -cmw

Construction News Nerds of SA! L-R: Buddy Doebbler, Terri Adams, Carol Wiatrek, Reesa Doebbler, Dana Calonge.

Not available, Helen Greenwood -rd

The office staff of Capital Electrical Division, shared by Ray Garcia, vice president of operations. -cmw

L-R: Raba Kistmer Inc. employees Suzanne Webster “Zombie Jester”; Isenia Galaviz “Frida Kahlo de Rivera”; and Amy Jimenez “Senior Citizen” -cwm

Quality Fence pumpkin carving and costume winners: 1st Place Pumpkin Carving: Ramiro Garcia III

L-R: 3rd Place “Hell Boy” Danny Caballero, 1st Place “Little Red Riding Hood” Meghan Frank and 2nd Place “Little German Person” TJ Howard -cmw

San Antonio Construction News • December 2017

NAWIC’s new leadership

Beth Brooks

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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, coor-dinating annual conferences for 7,000 attendees as well as the TDA’s publica-tions and membership.

After 10 years, she joined the Texas Pest Control Association as the association’s first full-time 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 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

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San Antonio Construction News • December 2017

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

Cautiously Optimistic Brian P. McGuire, President and CEO Associated Equipment Distributors Schaumburg, IL

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usiness is good on the construction equipment side of things according to AED members and most are optimistic about the future. However, we still face challenges.

Many report business is up or at least consistent with last year, though margins remain slim.

Hot button issues include what’s included in the tax reform bill (H.R.1) working its way through congress. While H.R. 1 has provisions beneficial to AED members, there are also some troubling portions. We are particularly concerned with Sec. 3303, which prevents the use of like-kind exchanges (LKE) for personal property starting in 2018. While the provision doesn’t apply to an exchange if (A) the property disposed of by the taxpayer in the exchange is disposed of on or before Dec. 31 2017, or (B) the property received by the taxpayer in the exchange is received on or before Dec. 31,

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

Another constant challenge is workforce education and training. Finding technicians and employees in general in the construction industry is difficult. That’s why AED and the AED Foundation invest heavily in promoting our 32 Accredited Programs at colleges and universities across North America. Not all technicians are created equal. The AED Foundations Certified Technician Program allows technicians to earn a professional industry certification by successfully passing an online technical assessment. An AED Certification is widely considered to be the “Gold Standard” in the industry.

Finally, as we all know, financial challenges continue to squeeze margins including the cost of equipment and labor and the cost of acquiring capital. AED members are dealing with this by getting leaner and making better use of technology.

Speaking of technology, the emergence of telematics is a key shift in our industry. Telematics allow our members to stay ahead of the game in maintenance, which reduces down time. It also affords them the ability to properly utilize resources, thereby reducing idle time.

Another major shift in our industry is the move from equipment sales to equip-

Geomax

eoMax Positioning provides a comprehensive portfolio of quality construction and surveying instruments, and software. Easy-to-use GPS/ GNSS instruments, total stations, software, lasers, levels and accessories. As a part of Hexagon Corporation; a global technology group with strong market positions within measurement technologies, GeoMax has access to state of the art development and production facilities worldwide.

A prime advantage and unique to GeoMax instruments is the flexibility that the open sourced operating platform provides. Leading the market with software innovative and intuitive technology advancements. As the first to integrate Android technology Geomax XPAD software has a simplified graphic user interface which operates the full range of GeoMax precision measurement equipment. Prefer Windows? XPAD WinCE is also an available operating system.

Choose your data collector and choose your software from multiple options.

With either platform; WinCE or Android, the end user has the flexibility to choose from a variety of data collection devices and an assortment of software applications that are suited to the end users unique job requirements. Yes you can use your android phone; all the rage in Europe now available in the

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2017, eliminating personal property LKE from the tax code will create uncertainty and could detrimentally impact capital investments.

One challenge facing the industry includes lack of action on a federal infrastructure bill. Everyone in Washington says they want a long-term bill, but so far we’ve seen nothing. We are anxious for Congress to take responsibility for maintaining and improving infrastructure, which are the backbone of our nation and a prime driver of jobs and the economy. This is one place Congress needs to be bold.

Construction Equipment

Case

M United States. Utilize the full advantage of Android technology and operate your total station or GPS with your Android phone or tablet. Say good bye to propriety file formats and expensive software maintenance agreements. Lead the pack with innovation and cut costs.

Tour XPAD WinCE or Android version by downloading the app from Google playstore. Or contact: Phoenix Geosystems Survey Supplies, 12746 Cimarron Path Ste. 117 210.451.5995 for demo and pricing.

ment rentals. This is partially due to the lack of a federal infrastructure bill. Our equipment is too valuable and construction firms don’t want to make large investment and have the equipment sit idle, so they rent it when they need it. Unfortunately, the risk is that when things really start to boom, they may not have the equipment they need.

All in all, our industry remains a very rewarding place to work. Our members provide good paying jobs, in demand careers, and the opportunity for advancement. Plus the satisfaction that comes with building and rebuilding America and strengthening our economy.

In closing, how do we remain successful? By educating our workforce, staying ahead of the technology curve, and investing in people and the communities we live and work in. As an association, AED is committed to providing the tools necessary for our members to thrive.

Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) is an international trade association representing companies involved in the distribution, rental and support of equipment used in construction, mining, forestry, power generation, agriculture and industrial applications.

-cmw

ore power. More productivity. More value.

Introducing the C Series, CASE’s expanded line of mini excavators that now includes six models from 1.7 to 6.0 metric tons. These compact excavators are ideal for use in tight spaces and applications such as general and residential construction, landscaping and utility work.

C Series mini excavators provide parallel, unobstructed operation near obstacles, tree lines and foundations thanks to their zero, short-tail or conventional swing design and independent center swing boom that can be offset left or right within an operating range.

Offered in zero tail swing, short-radius or conventional configurations, C Se-

ries mini excavators feature an adjustable boom with the ability to offset left or right to work closer to buildings and obstacles. The CX17C features a variablewidth undercarriage and adjustable blade capable of passing through most common gates and for working on confined jobsites, close to buildings and in developed areas.

C Series mini excavators provide parallel, unobstructed operation near obstacles, tree lines and foundations thanks to their zero, short-tail or conventional swing design and independent center swing boom that can be offset left or right within an operating range.

Contact ASCO for more information at 800-687-0008 or ascoeq.com.

Genie

Link Belt

ough Terrain Crane 75-ton | 70 mt Remarkable control, reliability and capacity performance • 38’ - 142’ (11.6 - 43.3 m) FIVE SECTION FULL-POWER BOOM • BOOM LENGTH AND CAPACITY OUTREACHES/OUTLIFTS ALL COMPETITION • SIMPLE OPERATION – 2 BOOM EXTEND MODES • LINK-BELT PULSE 2.0 – a 10 IN FULL COLOR TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY WITH TOTAL CRANE OPERATING SYSTEM • V-CALC (VARIABLE-CONFINED AREA LIFTING CAPACITIES) AND TELEMATICS • FULL LED LIGHTING PACKAGE WITH 3 ON-BOARD CAMERAS • TRANSPORTS AT UNDER 99,000 LBS | 44 905 KG For more information contact HOLT Crane and Equipment 877-275-1520 or visit HoltCrane.com

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enie continues to round out its Super Boom product family by announcing the new Genie® SX-150 telescopic boom

lift. Offering uncompromising productivity, reliability and serviceability, this boom continued next page

San Antonio Construction News • December 2017

Page 17

NEXT TH MON

Construction Forecast

If you would like to represent your company in an upcoming FOCUS, contact your Austin Editor for an Interview Carol Wiatrek (210) 308-5800 AustinEditor@ConstructionNews.net

Bobcat

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ew Bobcat T595 compact track loader boasts the most horsepower in its size class. The new 74-horsepower Bobcat® T595 compact track loader features increased horsepower and performance for pushing or digging applications, without the need for operators to move up to a bigger machine.

With a 2,200-lb rated operating capacity and improved lift force, the T595 compact track loader can help increase jobsite productivity, plus it can move or carry more material with an attachment to increase jobsite efficiency.

At 68 in. wide with a standard bucket, the loader’s compact size allows it to work in confined spaces, move confidently within a congested worksite or travel between homes. Its rubber tracks cause minimal ground disturbance for fewer repairs to established lawns when a project is complete.

The Bobcat T595 compact track loaders come with standard controls (hands and feet). The Advanced Control System (ACS) and Selectable Joystick Controls (SJC) are available as options.

Available on the new T595 is a 2-Speed travel option that allows operators to

choose between low and high travel speeds to better match the jobsite conditions and tasks. A best-in-class travel speed of 10.4 mph in high range boosts jobsite productivity. This option will become available during summer of 2016.

With the introduction of the T595 compact track loader, Bobcat Company now offers its customers 10 unique compact track loader models to choose from.

Bobcat Company introduced its first compact track loader — the 864 — in 1999 and has since made significant refinements to the machines, including a new undercarriage in 2015, to increase the machines’ performance and jobsite productivity.

Log on to www.bobcatcce.com for more details or to contact a sales rep!

Caterpillar

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MEC

EC Aerial Work Platforms, a name synonymous with robust, unique, innovative, state-of-the-art lift designs for over 40 years introduced its new Micro Scissors line recently which included a 13 foot platform height, lightweight, low cost, feature rich scissors lift that literally took what was long considered a commodity product line and generated new excitement and enthusiasm! ‘Rock Star’ has been the term used by tradesman to describe this versatile little Red machine.

The smooth, quiet, precise, infinite proportional controls combined with a very short wheelbase, super tight turning radius, extension deck, and two person capacity has made it a requirement on big jobs where protecting the vertical surfaces and door mechanics is mission critical, like hospitals and laboratories.

The fact that the machines utilize Direct Electric Drive, dramatically increases operating cycle efficiencies while reducing hydraulic oil, fittings, and the risk of environmental hazards – including sealed, maintenance free AGM batteries. With the 1900 lbs. weight and super compact dimensions it can fit into elevators and, together with options of an on-board inverter, take productivity to the next level – literally.

MEC has responded to customer demand to take this concept to the next higher class and as a result the Micro 19 has been introduced! The Micro 19 has kept the original concept of lightweight, extremely low floor load pressure, high efficiency, and super compact dimensions. It has the same works-in-a-drawer chassis component layout and, in keep-

ing with the 13 foot machine, uses a construction duty, scissor linkage that puts the rigidity in a whole different league to a mast machine. Couple this to a platform that has enough space for two workers in real life not just on paper and you have a machine that can do the work of a conventional 19 footer yet fit into so many more tight places.

For more information contact H&E Equipment Services at 877-700-RENT.

YANMAR

Cat 259D Compact Track Loader Unmatched Performance & Comfort

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o matter the size or model, every Cat® Compact Track Loader features a suspended undercarriage for superior traction, extra comfort, exceptional stability, longer track life, & lower ground pressure.

Easy-to-use pilot-operated controls keep you more productive throughout the work day. Our high performance powertrain, and advanced hydraulic system, can handle the toughest working conditions.

The Cat® 259D CTL with the reliable

Cat® C3.3B turbocharged engine delivers solid performance & requires no diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). When coupled with this powerhouse & the suspended undercarriage your operators will sit in the finest work station available to make long days seem shorter.

HOLT CAT® has a large inventory of new and used Cat machines, Cat certified technicians and 24/7 Parts availability.

Call today for special financing 877-7054619 or visit HoltCat.com.

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continued from previous page - Genie

lift provides industry-leading capacity through the full working envelope. The new SX-150 boom lift is a fit for construction, maintenance, telecommunications, gas and oil refineries, chemical maintenance, and large utility applications.

Offering excellent productivity benefits, the SX-150 boom lift reaches its full platform height of 151 ft in under three minutes. The boom offers four programmable height settings of 150 ft, 135 ft, 120 ft and 100 ft for rental versatility, and a 10 ft horizontal and vertical rotating jib allows for quick local repositioning of the platform. With a horizontal outreach of 80 ft, this boom also offers 70 ft of outreach at 120 ft of platform height. The SX150 provides unrestricted ROM with a lift capacity of 750 lbs for a maximum of two people. A standard 7.5 kW on-board generator powers tools, including welders.

Weighing 50,700 lbs, with a tail swing of 3 ft 6in and ground clearance of 15 in, the boom lift is transportable on a standard trailer; no over-size permits are required.

The boom uses an identical, fieldproven chassis design to the SX-180 and ZX-135 boom lifts. External sensors and manifolds are protected under steel covers that are easily removed providing excellent service access. The unit uses a Deutz® Tier 4 final engine with no regen or DPF. The rotating jib worm drive reduces backlash while increasing reliability and offers 60 degrees of horizontal motion for increased working area. The SX-150 boom lift contains hydraulic hard lines wherever possible to increase durability while a four stage hydraulic filtration system ensures cleanliness. For more information contact H&E Equipment Services at 877-700-RENT.

he ViO35-6A is our most popular model and the most innovative, fuel-efficient excavator YANMAR has ever built.

The advanced technology zero tail swing ViO35-6A features an electronically controlled Tier 4 engine and dramatically evolved hydraulic system. It also comes standard with ECO and Auto-Deceleration modes for even more operational efficiency. All of which means the ViO35 delivers up to 20% less fuel consumption than previous models, without sacrificing any of the legendary Yanmar power that’s made it the most productive digging, lifting, do-anything excavator you can buy.

Advanced Operation Control System The digital Smart Assist Remote control system comes standard on The ViO35-6A. This system allows you to monitor up to three months of operational history. Because this state-of-the art system centralizes control of machine operation information and maintenance support infor-

mation, it’s never been easier to maintain a timely, efficient service process.

Quick Coupler System The standard hydraulic Quick Coupler makes changing buckets fast and easy.

With the exception of fitting and removing the safety lock pin, the entire operation is performed electronically while you’re seated in the comfort of the cab.

Less hassle. Less downtime. More productivity.

Easier To Service Than Your Car The innovative design puts virtually every major component – engine, hydraulic system, starter, generator, battery – right at your fingertips. Because routine filter and grease fitting checks are easier and quicker, you can perform them more often, extending the life of and improving the durability of your machine.

For more information contract H&E Equipment Services at 877-700-RENT.

Page 18

San Antonio Construction News • December 2017

Construction Industry Events

Behind the projects

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ecognizing people and companies behind the projects that have left a footprint on our city since 1990, Associated General Contractors’ Casino Night and Construction Industry Awards were held Nov. 16 at the Club at Sonterra. -cmw

BakerTriangle 2017 Specialty Contractor of the Year

Fernando Figueroa, Curv Compliance 2017 Bubba Moeller Award for Outstanding Service

Architectural Division 8 2017 Supplier of the Year

LPA Inc. 2017 Architect of the Year

Vernon Bryant, BRC Remodeling Group 2017 Outstanding BCA Member

Andi Galloway, Joeris General Contractors Ltd. 2017 Outstanding CLC Member

Raba Kistner Inc. 2017 Engineer of the Year

F.A. Nunnelly Company 2017 General Contractor of the Year

Curv Compliance 2017 Ace Tinch Service Provider of the Year

Fun reeling time

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here was plenty of great fishing and fun to be had at the 24th Annual Fishing Tournament hosted by the Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Association (TACCA).

Originally scheduled for September 8-9, the event was postponed to Oct 27-28 due to the devastation and relief efforts from Hurricane Harvey. -cmw

1st Place Heavy Red – Team Four Horsemen 1st Place Heavy Trout – Team Redfish on the Hook

1st Place Heavy Stringer – Team Pat is Down Most Spots – RUUD Dudes, Insco Distributing

Trout Pot – Pat is Down

Fall swing

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verybody is in the swing of it and enjoying the amazing fall weather South Texas has been blessed with.

On Oct. 13, the Hispanic Contractors Association de San Antonio (HCAdeSA) hosted its fall golf tournament at The Republic Golf Club. -cmw Winners: 2nd Place Net – Team H-E-B Sheldon

Kotara, Alan Whitley, Jim Sayers, Ron Clark Men’s Longest Drive Alexander

–

DeMonte

Women’s Longest Drive – Marianna Lujan Closest-to-the-Pin – Randy Guzman, Albert Ramirez, and Andy Brumgard

1st Place Net team A-RAM Plumbing & Moore Supplies L-R: Tony Castano, Joel Kemph, Albert Ramirez, Randy Guzman and HCAdeSA Executive Director, Dave Sanchez

1st Place Gross team Taco Cabana L-R: Matt Vela, Denise Garza, Tony Zamora, Jim Bell and HCAdeSA Executive Director, Dave Sanchez

San Antonio Construction News • December 2017

Page 19

Hosted by Construction Industry Associations

Breaking clays

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nother beautiful fall day brought out the outdoorsmen and women on Nov. 9 for the Associated Builders & Contractors Inc. South Texas Chapter Sporting Clay Shoot and Barbeque Cookoff held at the National Shooting Complex. Over 200 shooters and 20 cooking teams participated in this annual event.

Winners from the event included: Women’s Best Yellow Course, Score 72: Michelle Seward Davis, Joeris General Contractors 2nd Place Yellow Course, Score 327: Tom Spencer, INSURICA; Ely Maja, Rabalais; Lily Sharp, Rabalais; and Tony Alcoser, Rabalais

2nd Place Red Course, Score 335: Spencer, INSURICA; Grant Norman, Companies; Keven London, Liberty tracting Services; Kross McCarty, Companies and Daniel McCarty, Companies

Autumn Mixin’ Tom Beck ConBeck Beck

2nd Place Chicken: SpawGlass Contractors Inc. 3rd Place Chicken: Joeris General Contractors 2nd Place Ribs: Intertech Flooring 3rd Place Ribs: Architectural Division 8 2nd Place Brisket: TDIndustries 3rd Place Brisket: Harvey-Cleary Builders –cmw

It was a relaxed atmosphere with food and drinks making for a fun filled evening at Tycoon Flats on Oct. 26 as members of the San Antonio Masonry Contractors Association (SAMCA) gathered for the associations’ annual Mixer/Auction. The event’s proceeds help fund the SAMCA activities, scholarships, masonry training, UTSA Masonry Day and general operational expenses throughout the year. –cmw L-R: Arrica Klekar, Ericstad and Ben Morales, San Antonio Masonry & Tool Supply

Fall golf

1st Place High Overall Yellow Course, Score 95: JD Fontenot, Zurich Surety

1st Place High Overall Red Course, Score 98: Rudy Bazan, Terracon Consultants

1st Place Gross: Alpha Insulation & Waterproofing and Phillips Manufacturing.

L-R: ASA Golf Committee Chair Jordon Brown, Quality Fence & Welding and Robert Moore.

Not pictured: Matt McClain, Theron Talley and Kenny Salaiz

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here’s nothing better than spending a beautiful day outdoors. Playing golf was an added bonus for the participants in the American Subcontractor Association’s (ASA) fall golf tournament held on Oct. 17 at the TPC Oaks Course at the J.W. Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. Women’s Best Red Course, Score 60: Joslyn Lopez, Intertech Flooring

1st Place Team Yellow Course, Score 335: Roger Strickland, Repcon; Tobin Kieran, Repcon; Tom Spencer, INSURICA; and Bob Parker, Repcon

2nd Place Net: ESC Safety Consultants – Ted Dunnam, Ray Garcia, Randy Ortiz and Rafael Slas 3rd Place Net: Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing – Adam Matthys, Craig Jendrusch and T.J. Rogers 2nd Place Gross: Southern American Insurance Agency – Dustin Johnson, Jory Jared, John Overholtz and Charles Swindoll 3rd Place Gross: Marek Brothers – Mark Williams, Tom Smith, Brian Cox and David Cupit

1st Place Team Red Course, Score 360: Jerry Nelson, Terracon Consultants; Rue Ferguson, RC Page Construction; Rudy Bazan, Terracon Consultants; Steve Ethridge, Frost Bank and Tom Spencer, INSURICA

1st Place Ribs: Texas Disposal Systems

1st Place Net: Health Markets L-R: Todd Meuth, John Seybold, Jordon Brown, Rick Shrank and David Van Winkle

Closest-to-the-Pin Winner: Jory Jared, Southern American Insurance Agency Men’s Longest Drive: Ryan Kiel, Texas First Rentals –cmw

Tailgate fun 1st Place Chicken: Intertech Flooring

1st Place Brisket: Robles 1

L-R: Ray Fehner, KCM Cabinets; Scott Wiatrek, Dedicated Landscape Solutions; Chris Christians, Lynwood Building Materials; Todd Meuth, Health Markets; and Mike McGinnis, Allen & Allen share a few laughs at the American Subcontractors Association’s (ASA) Tailgate Mixer held in the Alamo Tees & Advertising parking lot on Oct. 26. -cmw

Page 20

San Antonio Construction News • December 2017

continued from Page 1 — A supporting hand

Industry FOLKS Bill Bell Sales Manager Alamo Iron Works

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orn in San Antonio, Bill Bell grew up on the Southside where he attended and graduated from McCollum High School. He earned an Associate Degree in 1975 from San Antonio College after graduating from high school.

Pursuing a career in sales seemed to be a natural thing for Bell. “I guess you could say it was in my blood. Both my father and grandfather were in sales their whole lives. I learned from the best. They taught me the value of customer service. Sales is about customer service.”

It’s a good thing Bell decided to go into sales. Bell met his wife of 33 years, Darlene, when he called on one of his first customers, Far West Products. Darlene was an executive assistant for Far West when he started calling on them in 1983. “We have two children. My son, Garrett, graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), and my daughter, Emily, graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).”

Bell has been in industrial sales for 41 years. 27 of which, have been with Alamo Iron Works (AIW) as sales man-

ager. “I support and manage the AIW outside sales team who call on thousands of customers all over Texas. The thing I like most about my job is helping my salesmen develop their sales and service talent and teaching them how to add value for their customers. I get the most satisfaction watching young new salesmen thrive and succeed over many years, in addition to watching their families flourish. There’s not a better feeling than that.

“I love the competitive nature of sales. No two days are the same. Just when you think you know it all, you find out, you don’t. After 41 years, I’m still learning.”

Bell enjoys sharing his hobbies with his salesmen, vendors and customers, which includes golfing, hunting, and sporting clays. Plus he says “I love teasing my wife by telling her, ‘I’m working late,’ when I have the pleasure of going to dove shoots and golf tournaments with customers who have become good friends over many years.” -cmw

has stemmed from the expansion of our parts, service and controls departments.

Our controls division is our newest division.”

“We had some growing pains along the way. It’s all about finding the right people. Hiring key people and the right people as project managers to help run the controls division was vital. We are committed to the individual success of all those involved in a project’s HVAC system selection, design, purchase, installation and maintenance,” adds Naizer.

With a focus on the heavy commercial side of construction, the company helps owners and engineers design and specify their products to fit the needs of

their clients. The company works handin-hand with general contactors’ project executives, estimating, and scheduling teams as well as the HVAC contractor’s project and estimating team hired to install the equipment. “We are more of a support for contractors. Because we are an independent rep operation, we don’t need approval from the factory to take care of our customer’s needs. We can take care of issues if there is a problem on the job,” adds Naizer.

HTS is a full-service HVAC&R equipment distributor with 16 locations in Canada and the United States with a location in San Antonio. –cmw

continued from Page 1 — Celebrating a journey we have two families, our personal and our employees.

In 2002, Trisha was juggling her two children (soon to be three), and a full time job in the corporate world, until she was laid off. “Our youngest daughter was born and I got to stay home and nurture her and then I had to make a decision – return to corporate America where I was or help our business. I decided to help our business.”

“We’d been in business from ‘98 to ‘02.

We were trying everything, but we really didn’t have a niche,” Trisha says. She then got connected with the construction industry and got involved with the Hispanic Contractors Association of San Antonio. “I started researching how much resource and help was out there for small businesses and I just ran with it. Anything I thought was going to help us move forward I did. I went to seminars and classes.”

All the effort led to discovering the company’s niche. It was facilities maintenance and repairs, in particular running 24/7. She assures it was a commitment.

“One of the things we put into our packages when we do proposals is they’re not going to get an answering service, they are not going to get an answering machine, they get us. If we cannot get someone to cover for us, it’s Albert and I. We’ve built on that the last 10 years.”

The couple vouches that the mentoring received through the city, county, and protégé programs was a piece to solving

the plumbing puzzle. Trish adds it was also Bartlett Cocke and F.A. Nunnelly’s mentoring they found instrumental while coming out of the economic recession, finding themselves in the red during that time and the frustration struck. It wasn’t until they were given small jobs that brought them back to the table. “Just to get to the table to talk to them about a job was a lot. I was scared. When you go to the table and you have a $300,000 job to talk about, it gets a little scary,” Albert says.

The business laid in the company’s niche and boy did they get good at it.

“There’s not a job that we can’t do,” he says.

Today A-RAM has 15 employees, five crews, and three office workers. A-RAM has all their certifications that make them a Texas HUB. Trisha says, “All that is a result of planting seeds many years back. You can’t see it when you’re doing it, but it does sprout and eventually you do very well.”

Albert and Trisha have much to look forward to. Launching in 1998, A-RAM’s anniversary is on Jan. 5th. They also have their kids keeping them busy, from sporting events to an upcoming wedding. Albert leaves us with, “I’m having a hard time walking my daughter down the aisle. She’s my first one,” he says with a twinkle in his eye.

There you have it, drop the tool belt, because it’s time to celebrate.

A-RAM Plumbing is plumbing subcontractor in San Antonio. – lv/cmw

continued from Page 1 — Small town hill-country flare

Additional exterior street view of Seven Oaks Business Park, Boerne, TX

of the project is that the architectural design juxtaposes with the functionality and use of the surrounding hill country style and design. The buildings were framed out using wood, which is very uncommon for multitenant commercial developments. The architect utilized these materials to allow the architecture to echo the Boerne, small town hill-country flare. However, while the space was framed out more similarly to a residential space using wood framing and pre-engineered wood trusses, the five buildings are commercial shell spaces that can be finished-out by the tenants to accommodate up to five suites per building. The architect developed a commercial project that resonated the looks of its surroundings to give that hill country style in this business park community. Currently most of the new tenants are in the medical field and one building will be fully occupied by an ER clinic. This ER clinic has drawn in other physicians to

this business park.

Lewis himself was the project manager overseeing the construction of Boerne’s newest professional park. Oscar Martinez was the project’s superintendent and 1718 Architecture was the designing architect.

Working within the City of Boerne was a rewarding experience for Alpine Contracting. “In working with the owner and architect on this project, Alpine has been able to expose its name and expand its business further into the Boerne area. Alpine Contracting team members have been able to make valuable contacts by meeting face-to-face and working alongside many individuals within the City of Boerne,” adds Lewis. Alpine is continuing to do some of the interior finish outs in addition to the Phase 1 shell.

Alpine Contracting is a general contracting firm, specializing in ground up construction and interior finish-outs in San Antonio and the surrounding counties. –cmw

San Antonio Construction News • December 2017

Page 21

Association Calendar

Content submitted by Associations to Construction News ABC

Associated Builders & Contractors Inc.

Dec. 7: Construct A Kids Christmas Gala, Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall in Exhibit Hall C, 3201E. Houston St. For more info, call 210-342-1994 AGC Associated General Contractors

Dec. 7: Construct A Kids Christmas Gala, Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall in Exhibit Hall C, 3201E. Houston St. For more info, call 210-349-4921 Dec. 14: Holiday Open House, AGC Offices, 10806 Gulfdale. For more info, call 210-349-4921 AIA American Institute of Architects

Dec. 14: FA LA LA LA FONDUE, AIA Christmas Party, AIA Center for Architecture, 1344 S. Flores #102, 6-9pm. For more info, contact Belinda Sanchez at 210-226-4979 ASA American Subcontractors Assn.

Dec. 7: Construct A Kids Christmas Gala, Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall in Exhibit Hall C, 3201E. Houston St. For more info, contact Jennifer Swinney at Jennifer@ asasanantonio.org or 210-349-2105 ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers

Dec. 6: MEGA Holiday Mixer, Jazz TX, 312 Pearl Pkwy., Bldg. #6 #6001, 5:30-7:30pm.

For more info, contact Anna Leija at asceym.sa@gmail.com CFMA Construction Financial Management Assn.

Dec. 7: Construct A Kids Christmas Gala, Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall in Exhibit Hall C, 3201E. Houston St. For more info, contact Janet Bridger at 210-572-6118 or janet.bridger@rsmus.com

GNBHBA

Greater New Braunfels Home Builders Assn.

Dec. 12: Holiday Install, Mixer & Horseshoe Tournament, Freiheit Country Store, 2157 FM 1101, New Braunfels, TX. , 5-10pm. For more info, email kturner@ newbraunfelshomebuilders.com HCAdeSA Hispanic Contractors Assn. de San Antonio

Dec. 7: Construct A Kids Christmas Gala, Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall in Exhibit Hall C, 3201E. Houston St. For more info, call Patty Cardenas at 210-444-1100 Dec. 20: Holiday Open House, HCAdeSA office, 101 W. Euclid Ave., 3-7pm. For more info, call Patty Cardenas at 210-444-1100 IEC Independent Electrical Contractors SA

Dec. 7: Construct A Kids Christmas Gala, Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall in Exhibit Hall C, 3201E. Houston St. For more info, call 210-431-9861 Dec. 8: Membership Appreciation Casino Night, IEC Training Center, 5511 Ingram Rd. For more info, call 210-431-9861 MCA-SMACNA INC Mechanical Contractors Assn. Sheet Metal & A/C Nat’l Assn.

Dec 7: Construct A Kids Christmas Gala, Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall in Exhibit Hall C, 3201E. Houston St. For more info, call 210-822-3763 Dec. 20: MCA-SMACNA Christmas Party, Double Tree Hilton Hotel, 37 NE Loop 410, 11:00am. For more info, call 210-822-3763 NAWIC National Association of Women in Construction

Dec. 7: Construct A Kids Christmas Gala, Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall in Exhibit Hall C, 3201E. Houston St. For more info, call 210-639-2489 Dec. 12: Christmas Party, The Petroleum

GOOD NEWS!

Club, 8620 N. New Braunfels. For more info, call 210-639-2489 or email Rebecca. rodriguez@zachrycorp.com PHCC Associated Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors of San Antonio

Dec. 7: Construct A Kids Christmas Gala, Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall in Exhibit Hall C, 3201E. Houston St. For more info, call 210-824-7422 Dec. 14: PHCC Holiday Party, Casa Rio, 430 E. Commerce St. For more info, call 210-824-7422 SAMCA San Antonio Masonry Contractors Assn.

Dec. 14: Holiday Celebration & Banquet, Sunset Station, 1174 E. Commerce, 6-10:30pm. For more info, contact Debbie at 830-606-5556 SAST Surety Association of South Texas

Dec. 7: Construct A Kids Christmas Gala, Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall in Exhibit Hall C, 3201E. Houston St. For more info, call 210-930-5550 TACCA Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Assn.

Greater San Antonio

Dec. 7: Construct A Kids Christmas Gala, Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall in Exhibit Hall C, 3201E. Houston St. For more info, call 210-901-4222 TSPE Texas Society of Professional Engineers

Dec. 6: MEGA Holiday Mixer, Jazz TX, 312 Pearl Pkwy., Bldg. #6 #6001, 5:30-7:30pm.

For more info, call 210-494-7223 TSPS Texas Society of Professional Surveyors

Dec. 2: TSPS December Seminar, Omni Hotels South Park, 4140 Governor’s Row. For more info, go to www.tsps.org/ Dec2017

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Call us for a Company Profile (210) 308-5800

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San Antonio Construction News • December 2017

Construction News ON LOCATION

Service ready

Victor Mata and Service Manager George Gamez take time for a photo at Sunbelt Rentals, 1802 Austin Hwy. -cmw

JOB SIGHTS

Roy Valerie, part of the concrete crew prepares grade beams for the Food Truck Park located at 1916 Austin Hwy. Scott McIntyre is the superintendent for Alpine Contracting who is the general contractor for the project. Steven F. Kramer Architecture & Design is the project architect. -cmw

Luis Juarez, United Steel Erectors attaches steel bar joists to a 109ft, 24,000lb steel girder at the Linda Mora Elementary School project. D.L. Bandy Constructors Inc. is the project’s general contractor. The project architect is Noonan Rittimann Architects. Persyn Engineering is structural engineer. D.L. Bandy Operations Manager Robert Harrell, Superintendent Rodney Harrell and Project Manager Scott Hilston oversee the project located at 1520 American Lotus. -cmw

ISEC employee Rene Castillo cuts trim for cabinets at The Children’s Hospital for the 4th Floor A North Wing remodel. Bartlett Cocke General Contractors is the general contractor. Nathan Lerow is the project superintendent. -cmw

San Antonio Construction News • December 2017

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San Antonio Construction News • December 2017