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CONSTRUCTION
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The Industry’s Newspaper www.constructionnews.net H (210) 308-5800 H Volume 15 H Number 1 H JANUARY 2018
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From the ground floor
Third time’s the charm
Juan Hernandez (far right, with his team) learned the trade from the floor up with help from his family.
L-R: Security Fire Systems’ Mike Alexander and Melissa Wimbish
uan Hernandez has family to thank for his bright future in the flooring business. The Monterrey, Mexico native moved to the United States in 1997 and tested several jobs, hoping to find the right fit. His cousins, who worked in the flooring trade took the then 24-year-old under their wings, and began teaching him what they knew. Discovering he had a knack for it, Hernandez began working in the trade and established B & J Flooring two years ago. With his team of six, Hernandez installs carpet, vinyl, tile and wood flooring for commercial and residential projects. At the moment, he’s enjoying his initial success but isn’t aiming to ambitiously grow the business.
“I want the company to be big, but I don’t make it a goal,” Hernandez says. “Sometimes goals don’t work out because they depends on other people.” Fortunately for Hernandez, he has a Plan B on which to fall back. At 19, Hernandez discovered his love of music, and, with his brother’s help, learned how to play bass and guitar. Although he doesn’t currently have a band, he jams plenty with local bands. He especially enjoys playing norteño, a genre of Mexican music related to polka and corridos. “I’m not really good,” he says, laughing, “but I like it.” Although he doesn’t play for his employees – he suspects it would bore continued on Page 16
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ecurity Fire Systems Inc. (SFS) is celebrating two major milestones in 2018: A 25th anniversary and a much-needed new office building. SFS founder, President and CEO Mike Alexander remembers the fire sprinkler and alarm installation company’s humble beginnings in a small metal building in Coppell, TX. In 1993, Alexander bought a 1,200sf farmhouse on four undeveloped, wooded acres, which he renovated into an office space that would serve his team for the next 18 years. Alexander’s team grew to 41 field employees and an office staff of nine that the small farmhouse ultimately could no longer accommodate. Last March, construction began on a new 16,000sf office space on the same land at 196
Freeport Parkway. In January, the team is scheduled to move into the facility, which includes 2,500sf of office space and a 3,500sf shop/warehouse with a 1,200sf mezzanine. The new office building includes 10,000sf of shell space for expansion and/or leasing purposes. “The field guys are really excited about the new shop; along with our little farmhouse, there was a garage office chicken-coop house,” explains Melissa Wimbish. “It was smaller than our office; material was stacked everywhere. During the summer, the smell was not pleasant!” The superintendent now has his own office on the mezzanine. The extra space will help when the field employees come in to do their time sheets and payroll. continued on Page 16
Shooting star
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with architecture/interior design firm A Plus Design Group (APDG) and shooting range construction firm Range Development Services Inc., the team spent 11 months building the 43,000-sf indoor training facility. The expansive set-up boasts both static and dynamic shooting ranges – two bays and 20 lanes with a 25-yard maximum shooting distance. It also features a retail store with enough space for firearm inventory, gunsmith services, classrooms for education and events and a customer lounge. A 5,000sf Crossfit affiliate gym is available as well, with a 4,000sf martial arts studio for Jiu-Jitsu and basic self-defense classes. The facility also has offices for staff and conference rooms for trainings and meetings. Nature – both on the ground and in the air – were two main obstacles for the
avid and Sarah Vaught, owners of Vaught Studios, had enjoyed a long career in advertising and photography, shooting items for television and print ads. David, however, was ready for a different kind of shoot. As a former U.S. Navy Gunner’s Mate who used his G.I. Bill to put himself through the police academy, he found himself frustrated with long wait times at gun ranges and the lack of proper training programs available. When Sarah encouraged him to build his own range, David began looking for a team to help him build the Crossfire Defense Academy & Range in Flower Mound. Tri-Star Construction Inc. President Randy Ahlfs, Vice President Gary Bray and Superintendent Steve Ybarra were excited to have the opportunity to help David realize his dream, and also to tackle Tri-Star’s largest project to date. Working Tri-Star Construction Inc. built the 43,000sf Crossfire Defense Academy & Range in Flower Mound.
continued on Page 16