San Antonio Construction News February 2018 by Construction News

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www.constructionnews.net H (210) 308-5800 H Volume 21 H Number 2 H FEBRUARY 2018

35 years of sprinklers

Third generation celebrates

L-R: Coby, Lori, Rusty, Doris and Clayton Young

L-R: Todd, Martha & Arnold Barrett

ith the changing of the licensing laws in the early ‘80s, Rusty Young felt it was just good timing to venture out on his own at the ripe old age of 21 with the help of two partners. Now 35 years later, Young is the sole owner and president of Young Bros. Fire Protection Inc. “We officially opened our doors this day, Dec. 22, 1983,” says Young. “Starting up the company, I covered every aspect of the business including bidding, designing, fabricating, and the installation of jobs, so I was in the trenches a lot the first couple of years.” Through slow and consistent growth, the company has become very successful in the fire sprinkler industry. Young con-

tributes to the success of the company by continuing to keep all aspects of the fire sprinkler business in-house. “The majority of fire sprinkler companies sub-out their design and fabrication, whereas Young Bros. Fire Protection decided from day one to keep everything in-house for better oversight and quality control.” Young’s mother, Doris, wife Lori, along with their two sons, Clayton and Coby are also involved in the company business. Lori is the office manager and Doris is the accounting manager and has been with Young Bros. since day one. Lori oversees the operations of the office. Clayton and Coby, who have worked in this family business since the age of 15, are as active in the business as their continued on Page 20

arrett and Sons Inc. is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary this month. Since the early ‘50s, the Barrett family has been involved in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) industry. The late Herchell Barrett performed his first air conditioning job in 1946 in Fort Worth. In 1951, he moved his family to San Antonio where he opened Alamo Engineering Services. Arnold Barrett worked with his late father, Herchell, from the age of 13 and in 1968, Alamo Engineering Service became Barrett & Sons Inc. Arnold commented, “The summer after my junior year in high school, my dad pitched me the keys one Saturday and said you’re ready. I ran the calls by myself for the first time at 17 years of age. “

After graduating high school, Arnold attended North Texas State University and went to work for a Carrier dealer in North Texas. Upon returning home from college, Arnold ran a service truck for the next 22 years. In 1987, Herchell retired to further pursue his passion for traveling. At that time, Arnold assumed ownership until 1989 when his wife, Martha, joined the business. Martha became majority owner until her retirement in January 2017. Todd Barrett, Arnold and Martha’s youngest son, attended Texas State University and the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he studied business management. After college, Todd pursued a career in law enforcement for 10 years. continued on Page 21

Retail luxury

ominion Springs Plaza is a planned retail development fronting the luxurious 325-unit Grand at The Dominion apartments located at interstate 10 and Boerne Stage Road. The high visibility and easy access to interstate 10 just north of the 1,500-acre country club community of The Dominion serves as a desirable location for the best in class retailers, restaurants and service users in one of San Antonio’s most affluent areas. Selected for the project was D. Wilson Construction Company, a 100 percent employee-owned company since 2001. It was founded in 1957 by Darrell Wilson and started with the vision of bringing personal attention to each project and giving every client the commitment they deserve. With this type of philosophy and a 60-year history for constructing educational facilities, churches, medical offices, business offices, banks

and retail centers, D. Wilson Construction was the perfect fit for the owner to construct the new 72,000sf ground up project. The project encompasses approximately 10 acres in Leon Springs with five separate shell buildings ready for tenant finish out, ranging in size from 9,100sf to 18,900sf. The intended use of the project is up-scale retail and dining. With clean lines and a finish that conveys a hint of Mission and Southwestern design heritage, the plaza also includes many exterior use areas provided by airy atriums and cedar trellises. These exterior areas are further enhanced by exceptional landscape design. The location along with the mix of eclectic luxury offerings will make the Dominion Springs Plaza an end destination. Dominion Springs Plaza was constructed using an insulated concrete North view Dominion Springs Plaza, IH-10 West & Boerne Stage Rd.

continued on Page 20

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San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2018

You’re surrounded

Getting to know you

Owner, John Padia, Padia Construction

Derek Phillips and Jennifer Curtis outside the office.

rom chain link to guardrails, a fence has always made sense within commercial projects. The San Antonio Zoo, the Japanese Tea Garden, and various jobs for SAWS are just a few of the projects Pecos Fence Co. has completed. In fact, they still hold the record for the longest commercial fence built in San Antonio for USAA. Richard Curtis, owner at Pecos Fence, has been in the business since 1953, having started Viking Fence of Austin and Dallas in 1976. Pecos Fence was opened in 2007 after Viking was sold. One of Pecos Fence employees, Derek Phillips, senior estimator says, “Companies come back to us again and again because of our knowledge and experience; we’re not just a fence company.” Phillips, a project manager in England and California was approached by Pecos to come aboard. He has been with the company for many years now. Phillips brought his English accent with him too. The family owned business knows how to fence. “We do all size projects. Everything from your grandma’s wooden fence to industrial, government, city, and

state work,” says Phillips. While grandma is enjoying her new wooden fence, Phillips adds the company has extended itself on a global level. “We just started working for the largest solar power company in Asia; Hanwa Q Cells.” Pecos has also opened the gate to becoming more involved in natural energy resources. “We see it as an integral part of the future.” When the company isn’t putting up a 55,000 ft. fence for a project in Fort Stockton, they help their community at home. Pecos gives donations of materials to local high school shop classes. Jennifer Curtis, vice president at Pecos Fence, says, “We give them the materials, and we give them vouchers from Home Depot to buy the extra materials that we don’t sell. They take the materials and make classroom projects. We recently gave materials to a church that wanted to do a nativity scene.” Jennifer was previously a teacher for 30 years and took over for her father’s company in April. Pecos Fence is a fence contractor in San Antonio and central Texas. –lv

ohn Padia’s dad was a homebuilder and went to help his dad during summers to make a little extra cash. He learned a lot about construction. He learned the carpentry side of construction and the sheetrock side. Starting out as a laborer for different contractors doing a lot of multi-family work, he moved his way up to a labor foreman, then assistant, and then superintendent. One year when work was slow he was laid off and began to get his own work. “I don’t know why but I kind of stuck with drywall. I guess I was more fascinated with it as far as the workmanship and the finishes. “It took a long time, a lot of years. I was real small at first, probably the first seven to eight years. Within the last three to five years we’ve become more of a business,” says Padia. Padia started Padia Construction in 2004 after going to Lake Charles, LA chas-

ing storm work. With very few job offers for drywall work, Padia returned to Texas, opening his office in San Antonio five years ago. Getting started as a business is not hard according to Padia. The hard part is getting your name out there. “Getting people to know you and trying to spread your name and what you do and the quality of work you do is hard. People see all different styles of work, good and bad, so it’s hard to fit yourself into that right profile where people will trust you and want to hire you and respect what you do. “We want the city of San Antonio to know us more. We want to expand and put our name out there. We try to strive on leadership and good work quality. We are respectful and try to keep our customers and clients happy.” Padia Construction is a drywall specialty contractor specializing in multi-family and commercial work. -cmw

San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2018

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Flying service

L-R: Rocky Hill Equipment Rental Owner, Rocky Hill and Vice President, Wes Clark

t can get a bit confusing at times when you call Rocky Hill Equipment Rental, looking to speak with Rocky Hill and the voice on the other end answers “Rocky Hill.” President of Rocky Hill Equipment, Rocky Hill, on average of three times a day says he gets a chuckle when he answers the phone, “Rocky Hill” and the customer calling is asking for him and he replies, “this is Rocky Hill.” “May I speak with Rocky Hill,” asks the caller. “This is Rocky Hill.” Rocky had every intention of carrying on the family business of dairy farming once he graduated from college. Unfortunately, or fortunately for Rocky, the family closed the business just three months before graduating. What to do next? Growing up in dairy farming, Rocky knew equipment and went to work for a local trenching equipment supplier. After some time, he left and went to work for another company and later started his own company renting trenching and rock sawing equipment. With the help of his son-in-law, Wes Clark, who is vice president of Rocky Hill Equipment, the company has expanded beyond Selma, TX. “Our footprint has expanded from little ol’ Selma, TX,” says Clark. “We specialize only in dirt equipment, trenchers, rock saws, dozers, etc. In the past five years, we expanded much further than San Antonio, Austin, San Marcos. Now we pretty much encompass Texas.” The oil business, as you can imagine, has really helped the company grow. “There is a lot of trenching needed in the oil fields,” adds Clark. “Part of the reason we go many places is because we have a specialized product. Our niche and bread and butter are our trenchers and rock saws. There are not a lot of people, especially with the nation-wide companies, that deal with just trenchers and rock saws. They are

high maintenance and require a lot of service. Everybody has the backhoes and dozers but when you get into rock saws, there’s just not that many people that have the selection we have,” adds Hill. Having the selection is just one facet. The other is to have the ability to service your equipment. When you are a private shop with one location and you are servicing a big state like Texas, you have to be committed to service. Rocky Hill has bridged that gap and is able to offer same day service by use of a helicopter. “About three years ago when the oil fields got really busy, we had six or seven machines out there. It got to be a bit of a hassle getting there because it was a day’s drive there and back, and that doesn’t include the time you’re working on the equipment so we bought a helicopter. We fly out, service and make repairs on the equipment that is 125 miles or more from here,” says Rocky. “The idea came about through brainstorming between Rocky and our service manager Andy, who is also our helicopter pilot. We’ve been doing this for three years now. It’s been great because when someone calls, we don’t lose a guy for three days driving up there, fixing the equipment and then driving back. And our customer is not down,” adds Clark. “It doesn’t solve all the problems, but it takes care of about 80 percent. Bad weather and parts too large to carry in a helicopter require traditional means. Let’s put it this way; we rent a backhoe. They’re out there a dime a dozen. It’s the exact same one I have that they have. The only advantage you have is service,” says Hill. Rocky Hill Equipment Rental is a heavy equipment rental company located in Selma, TX. -cmw

CAROL WIATREK, Managing Editor Construction News / San Antonio (210) 308-5800 SAeditor@ConstructionNews.net If you are a construction-related company in the Austin area and would like an article about your company and personnel, call Kim for an interview in person or over the phone. There is absolutely no charge for interviews, articles and photos. All content is free. If you are interested in advertising in any of our 4-city papers, contact Buddy Doebbler, Publisher, at our home office, (210) 308-5800.

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The San Antonio Construction News (ISSN 1547-7630) is published monthly by Construction News LTD., dba San Antonio Construction News, and distributed by mail to construction-related companies of record in Bexar and 7 surrounding counties. All submissions should be mailed to our editorial offices. We reserve the right to edit any materials submitted. No fees for materials, copy or photographs submitted will be due unless agreed upon in advance in writing. Submissions will be published at our discretion on a space available basis. Construction News, Ltd. , dba San Antonio Construction News, will not be liable for errors in copy or in advertisements beyond the actual cost of space occupied by the error. Publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement at any time.

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San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2018

Tommy Mangold Owner Turner Roofing Co. San Antonio, TX

simple man, living a simple life, Tommy Mangold is a man of many interests. Interestingly enough, this third-generation roofer is not all roofing. Whether it is sitting back and enjoying a glass of wine, swinging a golf club or a hammer, creating something from wood or working on his property, it is safe to say, Tommy Mangold does not stay still for very long. Where were you born? My dad’s family is from Castroville. I was born in the hospital there in Castroville. My great aunt was the nurse who delivered me. Funny side note to that, it was 50 years ago today. Did you grow up in Castroville? No, when I was really young, we lived off Talley Road and Potranco. When I was in about the second grade, we moved to Boerne and grew up there. What was it like growing up in Boerne? Boerne was a one-light town back then. It was a lot of fun. One of the reasons I left is because when I was in school, I could walk into the café and I knew everybody in there. About 15 years ago, I walked into that same café and I didn’t know anybody. Where do you live now? Boerne got too big. My wife and I wanted our kids to grow up in a small town where they had opportunities to do everything they wanted to do. My wife is the elementary school counselor in Blanco, so we made a home there.

What is your education background? After I graduated from high school, I went to college for a little bit, but it wasn’t a fit for me so I came to work here with my dad and grandpa. Working with my dad and my grandpa, they taught me all I needed to know. How did your dad and grandpa get started in the roofing business? My grandpa graduated from St. Mary’s University in 1940 or ’41. He came to work here for a while and then spent some time in the army. After the army, he then went to help his dad with an addition onto his grain company. By the late ‘40s, he came back to work here and purchased Turner Roofing Co. in 1950. My dad came to work for my grandpa and eventually bought the company from my grandpa and his siblings. Following a family tradition, I bought the company from my dad and my siblings. What is your wife’s name? How long have you been married? My wife’s name is Patricia. She goes by Trish. We’ve been married 9 years. Do y’all have children? We have three kids, two boys, 19 and 17, and we have a daughter who is 12 years old. What are their names? Jake is my oldest. Tyler is my middle son, and Chloe is my girl. What do you like best about the roofing business? The thing I like best is some of the challenges we are presented with in some of these architectural designs. This industry has changed so much in just the last 10 years, but go back when I started 30 years ago, it’s a whole new world. The metal designs and the architectural features that people want on buildings now are very challenging and you have to have a certain craftsman to do this and there are very few of those craftsmen left in the industry today. I came up on the sheet metal side working with a lot of different roofers in this town and we all worked together back then. There are very few of these craftsmen left that can do the kind of work people want to see now. Today’s roofing is not a buy off the shelf and put it on; you have to think about what you are doing and how’s it going to work. The other thing I truly love about the

Tommy Mangold, Owner

roofing business is I’ve made a lot of good friends and met many good people through out the years. How old is Turner Roofing? Turner Roofing Company is 104 years old. We started in 1914. Back then it was primarily a gravel pit and a little sheet metal shop in the back. The McDonald brothers bought out the gravel pit and The Turner’s kept the sheet metal shop and it grew from there. Was learning the roofing business hard to learn? Oh yeah. I was out in the field the first 10 or 12 years. By the time they moved me into estimating, I was running all the outside crews like a general superintendent and solving problems, and installing when I needed to install. Even today, when we are short-handed, I’ll strap on a tool belt and get to work. It’s a funny reaction to see superintendents yelling at me about getting something done and then I’ll go to a meeting and they figure out I’m the owner of the company. Do you think your children will have an interest in taking over the company someday? One of our sons just left college after he decided college wasn’t for him. He has worked here several summers and now he is working here fulltime. Our other son says he has an interest, but he has a lot of other interests as well. He’s going to be senior in high school and is concentrating on making decisions about colleges. Realistically, I don’t know. This is a great business to be in. It’s ever changing but it’s not as simple as it used to be. I try to encourage them if they have other interests to do that and if they don’t like it or it doesn’t

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work out, they can always come here. It would be a proud moment for a fourth generation to take over and continue and keep it going, but we’ll have to see what the future holds. What do you do in your spare time? I’m in on a ranch with some friends and we spend some time there. I hunt on a ranch in West Texas with some other friends. And, I have a boat in Port Aransas and we go as often as we can and fish. My oldest son was a four-year state golf qualifier. He plays a lot of golf and I’ll go play with him. My wife likes to travel so about every six weeks we go somewhere for the weekend. Wherever we go usually has to have a winery near, my wife likes wine and visiting the different wineries. I’ve picked up woodworking. I try to do a lot of that. I got that from my grandfather. Woodworking was one of his main hobbies. Since we’re down to one kid at home now, we don’t have some sporting event to run to every night so we spend our time working around the house or visiting some winery. Do you like wine? It’s growing on me. If you would have asked me this 12-15 years ago, I would have said no it’s not something I would have wanted to do, but she has persuaded me into it. Living in Blanco, we live 15 minutes from 56 wineries, so we’ve gotten to know a lot of the people and a lot of owners of wineries. What is your favorite wine? There are so many it would be hard to pick a favorite but I really enjoy the Hye winery selections. -cmw

Texas Style

★ San Antonio ★ Austin ★ South Texas ★ Houston

San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2018

Page 5

Making moves

An evolved concept

L-R: Safety first! Wearing vests and hardhats are David Bandy, president of D.L. Bandy Constructors and operations manager Robert Harrell on a jobsite.

he company was founded in 1989 with $2,500 in his checking account and a pick up truck. Today, D.L. Bandy Constructors is looking at reaching over 30 million this year. David Bandy, president of the company was originally headquartered in Austin. He then moved his headquarters to San Marcos for over 20 years until last October. The mid-sized commercial company is now headquartered in San Antonio, but still have an office located on Highway 21 in San Marcos. Robert Harrell, operations manager, has been with Mr. Bandy for 12 years. Starting as a superintendent, in five years became the operations manager. Harrell says the company has been molded the right way. “We’re a big team; we’re a big family. We call them Bandy guys.” D.L. Bandy focuses primarily on K-12 schoolwork. In fact 85 percent of their work is school related projects. Projects with Judson ISD, Hondo ISD, and Northside ISD are being completed. “These guys get it done. They take care of the

owner and they take care of the project,” says Harrell. He recognizes the people who work here all come to realize everybody’s pulling the wagon together. Harrell mentions, although the employees are scattered out and everybody is on different jobs sites throughout south central Texas. It’s good to all come together and communicate their goals. “We try to bring the company in as a whole two or three times a year to let everybody know from A to Z what we’re doing, how we’re doing, where we’re going, and to confirm and reassure what our beliefs and values are.” This year D.L. Bandy is rebranded with a new website and logo. “The new one is fresh and it marks our period of growth and how we are coming into our own and more of a significant force,” says Harrell. The company’s effort to become a bigger presence in the San Antonio market is a goal for this year. D.L. Bandy Constructors is a commercial construction general contracting company. – lv

L-R: JCH Construction Inc.’s Vice President Wes Clark and President, Rocky Hill

CH Construction Inc. has been rocktrenching San Antonio for nearly 30 years. JCH President, Rocky Hill, founded the company after a contractor wanted to rent a trencher from sister company, Rocky Hill Equipment Rentals, but did not want to operate the trencher. Seeing a need, Hill hired a man experienced in operating trenchers. “I was just trying to help out a customer,” says Hill. Soon, there were more calls looking for operators to run trenching equipment on various jobsites. Obviously, Hill was onto something. “Our customers can focus on what they do best and leave the trenching to us. Who better to operate the equipment, than the supplier of the equipment? We know the equipment, frontwards and backwards. We can save them money as well as help them focus on their specific trade,” says Hill.

Hill adds that JCH owns no equipment except a few trucks. JCH rents all their equipment from Rocky Hill Equipment, and gets charged the exact same pricing as any other customer. “JCH started out where it was mainly rock trenching,” adds Wes Clark, JCH Construction vice president. “Now it’s moved to 50/50 backhoe and trenching with all these data centers getting into fiber and other technologies requiring more detailed trenching going around pipes and other obstacles. We kind of found a market place.” Starting out with one employee through Rocky Hill Equipment, JCH Construction now has 15 employees. “Bob Nichols, the original operator, just retired from JCH six months ago,” adds Clark. JCH Construction Inc. is a turnkey rocktrenching subcontractor in Selma, TX. -cmw

Construction News ON LOCATION

Hometown dealer

Whatever you need

Thomas Rentals in Boerne, TX rents a range of heavy equipment from rocksaws to water trailers to serve a diverse range of construction needs. L-R: Jordan Farris and Owner Alex Thomas. -cmw

Tooltron Industries Inc. in Boerne, TX offers a wide range of hardware and tools. Thomas Love, president of Tooltron Industries visited with Construction News. -cmw

Construction News ON LOCATION

A Christmas visit

Construction News stopped by at Howell Crane & Rigging in San Antonio – L-R: David Paschall, Tiffany Kruse, Kelsey Davis, Ashley Adkins, Courtney Bennett, Audie Howell -rd

Onto the next chapter

After 31 years of dedicated service to PapeDawson Engineers’ Brice Moczygemba, PE and senior vice president is retiring. -cmw

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San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2018

Finish-out master

Keeping it going

Ronnie Rosales, owner of Mastertech Builders

L-R: Eric Silvers, Jim Fillinger, David Fillinger and John Schuehle.

or more than 30 years, Ronnie Rosales has been involved in construction in one form or another. He got his first taste of building things right out of high school as a laborer. Over the years he worked for various contractors where he learned a variety of specialty trades, to include learning to be a foreman and an estimator. “I started taking night classes at UTSA in business management and related classes on my own. I wanted to learn more,” says Rosales. Six years ago, Rosales felt it was time to go to the the next step. He slowly began seeking work on his own and created his own company, Mastertech Builders. Rosales was careful not to bite off more than he could chew so he grew his business slowly. “In the beginning I specialized in interior finish-out. I really enjoyed custom

detail work. I did all types of ceiling work and designs along with the different finishes and painting. Today we are venturing into more general contracting. We subcontract some trades, but we do all our own framing and, of course, the interior finish-work.” Rosales oversees every job personally in addition to performing all the estimating and bidding. A very hands-on individual, Rosales works closely with his clients to make sure their needs are met. Outside of the day-to-day work routine, Rosales enjoys martial arts, fishing, hunting and spending time with his wife and three children when time permits. He says it’s a busy time in the industry and doesn’t get to enjoy those times enough. Mastertech Builders is an interior finish-out specialty contractor in San Antonio and surrounding areas. - cmw

Networking with a twist

You’ve heard of speed dating, well welcome to speed networking. Eleven general contractors and 11 subcontractors (two individuals from each company) had six minutes for a timed, round-robin style networking opportunity hosted by the American Subcontractors Association (ASA) held on Nov. 7 at the San Francisco Steakhouse. L-R: Don Salazar, Western States Fire Protection; Laura Martinez, BizDoc; and Nancy Flores & Kathy Bower, The Bluebook Networking. –cmw

n 1984, four partners got together to form Sunbelt Mill Supply and began distributing industrial, contractor supplies, and safety products in San Antonio and the surrounding areas. The locally owned company continued to flourish through the years under the leadership of the four partners servicing clients in San Antonio, as well as South Texas. A little over a year ago, three of the original partners decided they were ready to retire. Jim Fillinger, one of the original partners, remains as an active partner along with new partners Eric Silvers, David Fillinger, and John Schuehle. “We are working partners,” says Silvers. “We take orders, we make sales calls, and we’re out in the field. We call on contractors and jobsites. We service industrial plants, the oilfield industry, and school districts. We want to know our customers and we want our customers to know us.” Though the company has been op-

erating proficiently for over 30 years, the new partners would like to see the company grow at a steady pace and take it to a new level. Recently, the company held a customer appreciation lunch and tool demonstration. “We have one of the most extensive lines of products in the area and offer great services, such as “FREE” deliveries via our own company trucks. “We’re here to stay. We’re here to help our customers in any way we can. We’re also big in safety and contractor supply products,” adds Silvers. In their spare time, the four partners along with other members of their crew enjoy the great outdoors. “We enjoy hunting, fishing, and just about anything else outdoors. And of course, we have kids that are in football, baseball, and other sports. We just enjoy being outdoors.” Sunbelt Mill Supply is a supplier of industrial, contractor and safety products in San Antonio and surrounding areas. –cmw

San Antonio Construction News â&#x20AC;¢ FEB 2018

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San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2018

BONDING Tax reform Dustin R. Michalak, CPA, CVA Managing Shareholder Barrett & Co., P.C. San Antonio, TX

he passing of The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is a historic accomplishment by lawmakers. The act, seemingly, will try to spur our nation’s economic growth and job creation by reducing the tax burden on all job-creating businesses. So what exactly does this mean for contractors? How will the new laws affect the way contractors run their businesses? How much TAX SAVINGS should contractors expect? The most significant and most publicized change is the decrease in tax rates for both businesses and individuals. The focus for this article will stay within the business changes. For C-Corporations, tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, a flat tax rate of 21% will be applied to taxable income. This is a significant change from 2017’s maximum tax rate of 38%. Though this makes C-Corporation an attractive entity tax selection, there is still the burden of double taxation upon dividends to the corporation’s shareholders. The typical dividend rate will range from 15% to 23.8% depending on the shareholder’s individual earnings. Here is a simplified example: A C-Corporation with taxable income of $100 would pay $21 in taxes. If the corporation pays a dividend to a high-income shareholder of the remaining $79, the shareholder will pay an additional $18.80 in taxes. Effectively paying $39.80 ($21 + $18.80) in taxes at a rate of $39.8%. For pass-through entities, things get a bit more complicated, although beneficial for tax purposes. What type of businesses are qualified as pass-through entities? These are Partnerships, S Corporations, LLCs taxed as partnerships, and sole proprietorships. Under the new law, beginning in 2018, pass-through entities may qualify for a deduction up to 20% of qualified domestic business income subject to certain limitations based on taxable income. The limitations are phased in for taxpayers with taxable income of $315,000 married filing jointly (“MFJ”) and $157,000 for all other filers. Qualified business income (“QBI”) is defined in section 199A(c) as ordinary income less ordinary deductions from a qualified trade or business. Qualified business income does not include capital gains and losses, dividend, or interest income. Any potential deduction is taken at the taxpayer level. Here is a simplified example for a taxpayer who is under the phase out: A high-income taxpayer with $100 of qualifying business income would get a deduction of $20. The remaining $80 of income would be taxed at 37% (highest individual rate). The taxpayer would owe $29.60. Thus, the taxpayer would have an

effective rate of 29.6%. The calculation of the pass-through deduction for taxpayers above the taxable income threshold is more complicated. In this case the 20% deduction is further limited based on the W-2 wages and capital of the business. The deduction is limited to the greater of the following: (a) 50% of the wages paid by the business, or (b) 25% of the wages paid by the business, plus 2.5% of the unadjusted basis of all tangible depreciable property of the business. What type of entity should my business be and how should the earnings be taxed? Unfortunately for contractors, there is not a clear cut answer. It will all depend on the business as well as the owner’s investment objectives, bonding requirements and other considerations. This question will need to be answered on a case by case basis. Another hot topic item for contractors is depreciation and more specifically, Section 179 expense and Bonus Depreciation. The depreciation changes in the new law can add huge tax savings, especially for contractors with extensive equipment and capital expenditure requirements. For tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, taxpayers may expense up to $1 million under Section 179, and the phase out threshold amount is increased to $2.5 million. These amounts will be indexed for inflation in tax years beginning after 2018. In regards to Bonus Depreciation, for qualified property placed in service between September 27, 2017, and January 1, 2023, taxpayers are allowed a 100% Bonus Depreciation deduction on both new and used qualified property. The new tax reform bill includes other changes that effect contractors such as, accounting for long-term contracts, reporting under the cash method, nondeductible entertainment, deductibility of interest expenses and many other changes. It’s extremely important that contractors contact their tax advisors now to understand the effects this tax reform has on their businesses and evaluate the company’s entity selection to take advantage of the changes.

How much does a contract bond cost? Eric Lesch, Principal/Bond Producer PCL Contract Bonding Agency Irving, TX

frequently get asked to provide estimates for the cost of a bond as if I have a slab of meat and the buyer only needs one pound. Sure thing, I’ll just shave off a little and there you go! Of course, it isn’t nearly that simple and as my dad always says, “It depends.” The most common factors that determine rate are the type of work, time until project completion, length of warranty, where the project is located, whether design is included and the financial condition of the contractor. For this article, we will focus on performance and payment bonds for projects located in Texas. In Texas, like other states, each surety above the base rate. These are most comfiles rates with the Department of Insur- monly used when a company’s financial ance. Multiple rates are filed, but unlike condition is poor or underwriting inforother states, through some invisible mation is incomplete. agreement, the sureties have all settled While you could use an elaborate on using a similar standard set of rates spreadsheet, we supply them to clients that are based on the type of work per- when asked, there are many details that formed. This leads to many large Texas need to be accounted for and mistakes contractors receiving the exact same rate are easily made. It is always safer to ask as their much smaller competitors, an en- your agent for an estimate, but make sure vironment where competition on rate is when you do, you include all the details. not common and very long-term surety Many contractors forego a complicated relationships. spreadsheet and instead use a simple cal Nearly all construction falls within culation that uses only a flat percentage two rate classes. The class A rate, starting or a couple tiers so that missing anything at 1.5%, is used for trades such as roofing, will still result in an overcalculation of preglazing and millwork, while the class B mium and nothing lost. rate, starting at 2.5%, is used for the ma- It is important that all change orders jority of building trades like mechanical, have bond premium added. Instead of electrical, plumbing, underground utili- trying to calculate a new bond premium ties, drywall, painting and concrete. As for the project and then taking the differyou can see from the trades and their ence, many contractors also have a derates, they don’t always match up with fault percentage to use for all change orwhat we consider the highest risk on a ders so that mistakes are avoided, and project. For example, painting and dry- even though deductive change orders wall use a significantly higher rate than result in a premium refund, I advise conglazing and roofing. In cases where mul- tractors to never include that refund since tiple types of work are present, for exam- it is likely to be over-estimated. ple a GC with multiple subcontractors, Included in the cost of a performance the rate used is typically the highest of bond is a payment bond and one year of the trades used. warranty. An extra year of warranty starts If you have design in your contract at only 0.25% which is a bargain if you ask then you can push aside those rates be- me. For some trades, like those concerncause there is one special rate for things ing building envelope, it seems like an obthat are considered hazardous. This rate vious choice to ask for the second year of starts at 2.5%, like class B, but falls off warranty if you already paying for a bond. much more gradually at each tier. You Can bond premium be marked up? It should always try to separate design and depends, but usually. You spend lots of build into their own contracts and only time building a strong and dependable bond the construction portion. This pro- surety relationship and money on CPA fiduces a cost savings to the owner that is nancials and other reports that the surety typically accepted at your benefit with requires. Another reason to markup your surety happier too. bonds is when you want to discourage a As the contract amount grows, the request for bonding. By making the rate decreases in tiers that are applied to bonds appear very expensive, the bondportions of the contract value. As an ex- ing requirement may be waived. ample, the first three tiers are shown here If a contractor bonds subcontractors with rates. then does that reduce the amount or cost As the contract amount grows, it is of their bonds? No. separated into six tiers: $0-100k, 100k- Is the bond cost reduced if it is for a 500k, 500k-2.5m, 2.5m-5m, 5m-7.5m, and percentage of a contract? No, except for over 7.5m, with each tier getting a lesser maintenance bonds which have their rate. For example, for class B the rate ap- own complex rate calculations. plied to each tier is 2.5%, 1.5%, 1.0%, There are many things involved in 0.75%, 0.7% and 0.65%, respectively. these calculations and your agent doesn’t Some surety companies have addi- expect you to be an expert so give them a tional rates allowing them to charge call when you need help.

San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2018

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Four common construction law misconceptions West W. Winter, Attorney The Winter Law Firm, PLLC San Antonio, TX

hroughout two decades of law practice, I have heard a number of recurring legal misconceptions from clients. Four of the more common construction law misconceptions include: Sending a lien notice will harm the working relationship When payment has not been received, subcontractors are sometimes reluctant to send proper pre-lien notices because of a perception that doing so will irreparably damage their relationship with the upstream parties. It is only natural to fear upsetting the apple cart. However, as the mechanic’s and materialman’s lien is one of the most powerful weapons for ensuring payment, failing to properly and timely send statutorily required lien notices will have adverse consequences. Whatever the reason for non-payment, a pre-lien notice serves many valuable purposes. Chief among these is trapping funds in the hands of the project’s owner. This is critical because an owner’s liability to a lien claimant is limited on commercial projects to the statutory retainage and any funds which the owner should have retained upon receipt of a proper pre-lien notice. Furthermore, general contractors and owners are typically sophisticated parties who understand the importance of securing one’s right to payment. I filed my lien, I just have to wait to get paid While it is essential to timely and properly perfect your mechanic’s and materialman’s lien or payment bond claim, there are also strict statutory deadlines within which you must actually file suit to foreclose or enforce your lien or bond claim. Failing to file suit within these prescribed deadlines will likely result in the loss or extinguishment of your lien or payment bond rights. Suit must be brought to foreclose a lien within the limitations periods mandated by Section 53.158 of the Texas Property Code (typically one or two years, depending on the type of project) or the lien will be extinguished. A suit on a payment bond on a state public project may not be brought by a payment bond beneficiary after the first anniversary of the date notice for a claim is mailed under Chapter 2253 of the Texas Government Code. I missed the lien deadlines, I have no rights Even if you miss statutory lien dead-

lines, there are many avenues of potential recovery for nonpayment. In a sham situation described by Section 53.026 of the Texas Property Code, you may still have lien rights, and if you contract directly with the project’s owner, you may have constitutional lien rights which exist independently of any notice or recording requirements. In the absence of lien rights, you likely have available causes of action for nonpayment which, depending on the specific circumstances involved, may include breach of contract, quantum meruit, suit on sworn account, Prompt Pay Act claims pursuant to Chapter 28 of the Texas Property Code, and Texas construction trust fund claims as codified in Chapter 162 of the Texas Property Code. Many of these claims also provide for the recovery of attorney’s fees and expenses. I have Insurance, so I am covered CGL insurance policies are loaded with exclusions and exceptions which often come into play in construction cases. In construction defect cases, policy exclusions such as the “your work” exclusion will often operate to deny you the very defense and/or coverage which you thought you were getting. These exclusions have frequently been the basis for denial of defense and coverage by insurance carriers and as a result, the subject of much litigation in recent years. Work with your attorneys and insurance agents to understand your coverages and the impact of applicable exclusions. If you are denied a defense and/or coverage, don’t give up as there may be viable arguments which can be asserted on your behalf in this evolving area of the law to obtain a defense and/ or coverage.

Carbon monoxide poisoning Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX

arbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, toxic gas which interferes with the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood. CO is non-irritating and can overcome persons without warning. Many people die from CO poisoning, usually while using gasoline powered tools and generators in buildings or semi-enclosed spaces without adequate ventilation. Effects of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning • Severe carbon monoxide poisoning causes neurological damage, illness, coma and death. • Headaches, dizziness and drowsiness. • Nausea, vomiting, tightness across the chest. Sudden chest pain may occur in people with angina. During prolonged or high exposures, symptoms may worsen and include vomiting, confusion, and collapse in addition to loss of consciousness and muscle weakness. Symptoms vary widely from person to person. CO poisoning may occur sooner in those most susceptible: young children, elderly people, people with lung or heart disease, people at high altitudes, or those who already have elevated CO blood levels, such as smokers. Also, CO poisoning poses a special risk to fetuses. CO poisoning can be reversed if caught in time. But even if you recover, acute poisoning may result in permanent damage to the parts of your body that require a lot of oxygen such as the heart and brain. Significant reproductive risk is also linked to CO. Some Sources of Exposure • Portable generators/generators in buildings. • Concrete cutting saws, compressors. • Power trowels, floor buffers, space heaters. • Welding, gasoline powered pumps. Preventing CO Exposure • Never use a generator indoors or in en-

closed or partially enclosed spaces such as garages, crawl spaces, and basements. Opening windows and doors in an enclosed space may prevent CO buildup. • Make sure the generator has 3-4 feet of clear space on all sides and above it to ensure adequate ventilation. • Do not use a generator outdoors if placed near doors, windows or vents which could allow CO to enter and build up in occupied spaces. • When using space heaters and stoves ensure that they are in good working order to reduce CO buildup, and never use in enclosed spaces or indoors. • Consider using tools powered by electricity or compressed air, if available. • If you experience symptoms of CO poisoning get to fresh air right away and seek immediate medical attention. What can you do if you suspect someone has been poisoned? When you suspect CO poisoning, promptly taking the following actions can save lives: • Move the victim immediately to fresh air in an open area. • Call 911 or another local emergency number for medical attention or assistance. • Administer 100-percent oxygen using a tight-fitting mask if the victim is breathing. • Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation if the victim has stopped breathing. natarajan.joann@dol.gov 512-374-0271 x232

Construction News ON LOCATION

The guys at the office

West W. Winter, a LEED Green Associate, serves on the board of the Construction Law Section of the San Antonio Bar Association and has been listed as one of the Best Lawyers in San Antonio for Construction Litigation. The Winter Law Firm represents general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers, in all phases of the construction process, from contract formation through dispute resolution, litigation, and collection. West may be reached via email: west@thewinterlawfirm.com.

Members of the Rocky Hill Equipment Rental/JCH team – L-R: Guz Pedraza, Alex Robeldo,Nathan Belloff, Kana Urbina, Wes Clark -rd

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San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2018

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Tricking winter trout by Capt. Steve Schultz Sponsored by: Waypoint Marine, Evinrude Outboards, Fishing Tackle Unlimited, E-Z Bel Construction, Costa Sunglasses, Diawa Reels, Simms Fishing, ForEverlast Fishing Products, Interstate Batteries, MirrOlure, and AFTCO Clothing.

any of you know that winter fishing in the Laguna Madre/Baffin Bay complex can produce some gator sized trout on artificial lures. What most people don’t know is what it takes to catch these fish on a consistent basis. Typically, our coldest weather is in February. This is primetime for wade fishing for these big sow trout and one must be prepared to handle some pretty harsh conditions out on the water. My hunting season has come to an end until next fall and it’s now time to transition back to the bays where the majority of my year is spent. Leaving the South Texas brush country was difficult but seeing returning clients and gaining new ones will fill that void. I’ve been staying in contact with fellow guides and communicating with other friends that have stayed on the water and the consensus is that fishing is above average since the new year. Although we received some strange weather patterns this winter with the snow in Decem-

Chris Huey, field Staff with ForEverlast Hunting and Fishing products, caught this nice 26-inch – 6-lb. trout fishing with Steve Schultz Outdoors ion the Upper Laguna Madre. Fish was released after photo.

ber and some freezing conditions in January, I feel we should be in store for a stellar season this year. Water conditions are in great shape and the salinity levels should stay in check with the timely rains we have had. There are certain signs you need to look for when fishing during winter months. First, and by far the most important in my opinion, is the presence of bait in the water. Everyone knows that where there is food, there will be something that will feed. Pods of mullet are the most likely to be present along shorelines and other structures. Large trout and reds may only feed once a day in cold weather and these mullet make for a great meal. Water clarity is also a factor in my observation when checking an area out. Off-color or murky waters are preferred although I have caught good fish in clear water and is certainly a deal breaker. Third factor to a successful outing is a combination of solunar table and water temperatures. Keeping track of major and minor feed times and making sure you are fishing during these times may increase your odds also. I like keeping track of water temperatures, especially when they dip lower than 55 degrees or so. This information may come in handy on future outings. Starting out with a lure that has been proven and one you have plenty of confidence in is what I like to suggest. That may be something totally different than what your buddy has tied on. However, it’s what gives him the most confidence. After you realize there is fish feeding in the area is when I try new lures and prototypes sent from sponsors. Don’t get caught up in fancy packaging and bright colors. Those old standby lures your dad told you about still produce good fish! Port Mansfield dates are filling up for February and March. Call me for details if you are interested in wading the Lower Laguna Madre. My 2018 calendar is now open for bookings throughout the year. Don’t hesitate in booking your fishing trips because my dates usually go pretty quick, especially during the more popular months. To schedule your next bay fishing trip or hunting adventure give Capt. Steve Schultz a call at 361-8133716 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 • FEB 2018

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

Are you ready for spring break?

s anyone? It won’t be long now until you have a bunch of kids with time off looking to you for something to do. If you plan to get in a fishing trip with the family during spring break, you need to start planning now. Some folks prefer to just load up their boat and family and head off to the lakes and bays on their own. This works out fine if you have your routine down and are familiar with your rig and equipment and your fishing locale. If you are going to need a place to stay during the month of March you need to go ahead and make your reservations now. Many people prefer to hire a reputable guide, at least for their first fishing trip of the year. Maybe you are not quite ready to break your boat out of storage yet, or you may be trying out a new lake. It is pretty nice to be able to just arrive at your destination, hop on a boat, catch fish, go home and eat your fish. That way

you don’t have to deal with the possible hassles of trailering your rig, (how about those wheel bearings and tires?), negotiating a crowded launching ramp, wondering if your motor will run and if you can find the fish, and then going through the whole process in reverse to get back home. If you have a day off to go fishing on your own or with a buddy you might enjoy the whole “half the joy of the trip is in the journey” idea, but with a couple of restless kids…you can see my point.

There are times when a good guide is a wise investment. If your time with your family is tough to come by because of your busy schedules and is too precious to waste or if you don’t want to risk damaging your own equipment in unfamiliar waters, go ahead and make you some reservations and then just enjoy your trip. If you like fishing on your own, there are some other plans you can make too. You probably could benefit from a trip to your local outdoor store to stroll down

the fishing tackle aisle. Aw, go ahead! You know you need new line on your reels so you won’t lose any fish this year. Linger there a while, you know you want to. Just don’t forget to check out the electronics too. The fish-finders and GPS units just keep getting better, smaller and more affordable. Do a little research. Visit with the folks at the tackle store to get the scoop on places you want to fish. They get to meet all kinds of anglers that fish various locations. They can give you tips on places to fish, launch a boat or stay a couple of days. Go on the internet and take advantage of all the information that is at your fingertips. Besides the commercial websites there are plenty of websites devoted to all kinds of fishing that have busy forums where fishermen share tips and tall tales. You’ll be amazed to find out how many other people share your enthusiasm for just your kind of fishing and how much you can learn from their experiences. Let’s get those kids on the water and have some fun!

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

San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2018

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Aoudaddy!

New Year hunting

Tom Wilborn, Jr. and his son, Ernest Wilborn on their annual father-son hunt at the Wilborn Whitetail Ranch in Ozona, TX. L-R: Ernest, the Aoudad, and Tom, Wilborn Steel -rd

Biesenbach Mechanical and C & F Construction hosted a black buck and white tail hunt at Broken Blade Ranch New Year’s weekend. L-R: Amanda & Grant Prater show off their trophies. This is Amanda’s first buck. Congratulations Amanda. -cmw

Last day luck

Can’t see anything

Colby Lewis, president of Alpine Contracting shot this beauty on the last day of the 2017 deer season outside of Uvalde at the Rudy Ranch. -cmw

Worth a thousand words

GRIT Design Build’s Superintendent, Chris Stone has a soft side! Pictured with his son Tharon, a hunt with no kill is still worth it when the youngins are there! -cmw

Carol Wiatrek, Construction News, looks out while deer hunting Dec. 2. -cmw

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San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2018

Valentines Day Wednesday February 14

Things you didn’t know . . . about Valentines Day 220,000 is the average number of wedding proposals on Valentine’s Day each year. 189 million stems of roses are sold in the U.S. on this day. More than 35 million heart-shape boxes of chocolate will be sold.

Teachers will receive the most Valentine’s Day cards, followed by children, mothers, wives, sweethearts and pets. Over $1 billion worth of chocolate is purchased for this day in the U.S. Richard Cadbury produced the first box of chocolates for this holiday in the late 1800s. At least 9 million people buy their pets a gift on Valentine`s Day.

15 percent of U.S. women send themselves flowers on Valentine’s Day. Women purchase approximately 85 percent of all gifts on this holiday. Every Valentine’s Day, the Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare’s lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet. Superstition: If you see a squirrel on Valentine’s Day, you will marry a cheapskate who will hoard all your money.

There are enough candy hearts made each year to stretch from Valentine, Arizona to Rome, Italy, and back again. The number of these candy hearts produced is approximately 8 billion.

Many believe the X symbol became synonymous with the kiss in medieval times. People who couldn’t write their names signed in front of a witness with an X. The X was then kissed to show their sincerity.

Over 50 percent of all Valentine’s Day cards are purchased in the six days prior to the holiday, making Valentine’s Day a procrastinator’s delight.

What does

Valentines Day mean to you?

Just one more day to express LOVE to everyone around you! Not sure about Cupid…how is a chubby child in a diaper, chasing you with a weapon, romantic? Sandee Morgan MCA–SMACNA of San Antonio, Inc. Valentines day has greater meaning these days as I proposed to my lovely bride, Wendy last Valentines day. She said yes! Sam Sitterle, Metroscapes I would say, it means it’s time to have bid sets ready and issued for summer construction work. Maybe not particularly romantic... Erik Murray AIA Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. A single red rose, dinner in, Godiva chocolate. Dana Calonge Construction News

San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2018

Industry FOLKS Terri Pasley Office Manager Sundt Construction Inc. San Antonio, TX

okingly referring to herself as an Air Force brat, Terri was born in Marysville, CA and grew up in a small town in Western OK. When Terri says small, she means small. Her graduating class was a whopping 22 in size. After moving to San Antonio in ’86, she attended Hallmark University and acquired her Associate Degree of Applied Science Business in Accounting. It all began for Terri while married. While married, Terri and her former husband started Pasley Construction, which brought her to San Antonio for the construction of their largest client’s corporate office located here. Terri has worked in Sundt’s San Antonio office as office manager overseeing daily operations and providing support to the local leadership team for the past four years. Prior to Sundt, Pasley has had the privilege of working for several San Antonio GCs over the years having been in the San Antonio construction industry since 1992. Interestingly, Terri recalls her tenure at Koontz McCombs Construction during the time Red McCombs owned the Minnesota Vikings when they leased three buses to drive the employees to a football game in Houston. “I was not a Vikings fan (Go Cowboys!), but I really enjoyed the adventure.” She also reflected on people picketing the demolition of the old Earl Abel’s restaurant on Broadway, which made the news. Terri has three grown-married children and 10 grandchildren. Her oldest daughter Jamie works as a project manager for SAMCC’s Facility Management. Her son Brett works on maintaining the Dominion golf course. Her youngest daughter is a stay-at-home mom. “I also have a granddaughter, 82nd Airborne and grand son-in-law serving and stationed at Fort Bragg. Army Proud!” Do what you love, love what you do is her philosophy. “Interacting with people in the industry; knowing that every day is something different; seeing the full cycle of a project and upon completion being able to say ‘I had a part in that development’ is what Pasley loves must about what she does. She has a miniature schnauzer named Nakai after the Native American music composer she discovered while on a road trip thru Colorado and Fenway, a keeshond, named after Fenway Park. She enjoys gardening, road trips, music, cooking and spending her free time with family and friends, volunteering, small home improvements and is looking forward to documenting life through the photos she’ll be taking with the new camera she got for Christmas. “My mother, Jean, is my mentor. She grew-up in London during WWII. I believe the dire conditions in which she endured during her childhood gave her strength and courage to deal with situations in her adult life. Without the support of any immediate family, she raised me and my two brothers in a very unfamiliar country. To this day, she is very proud that she became a citizen of the United States. She instilled in all of us a strong work ethic, dignity, and compassion for others. She is my rock! -cmw

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San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2018

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

Safety is good business Baldemar Martinez, Branch Manager National Trench Safety San Antonio, TX

afety in the workplace has received an increasing amount of attention over the past several years. The rising cost of insurance as well as litigation cost has caught everyone’s attention. In recent years management has considered safety as a hot topic, and resources are going toward compliance, accident prevention programs, and safety training. Yet for most, the safety record has much room for improvement. If management has demonstrated a commitment to safety, if the safety department is busy with compliance, if safety training is up-to-date, what are we missing? OSHA has a focus four which looks at construction hazards related to falls, electrical, struck by, and caught-in-between. These types of accidents continue to plague the construction industry. The question of “why” these accidents take place remains, and finding the answer to preventing accidents has been elusive for many construction companies. Perhaps part of the problem is that employees just don’t “get it.” If so, just

exactly what is the “it” that employees are not getting? A superintendent was overheard once saying “nobody wants anybody to get hurt, but when you have deadlines to meet, projects that need to be finished, and work that has to get done, sometimes you have to take chances.” Maybe that is the “it” that this superintendent is not getting. Do employees get the fact that safety is good business? Do employees really understand that skipping safety steps and taking chances do not move the proverbial ball down the field? Do employees understand that behavioral safety

Stop, think, act Darren Alexander, EHS Manager Air Conditioning Innovative Solutions (ACIS) McKinney, TX

hat do you consider are the major safety risks in construction? Falls are a top priority, working from ladders, slips, trips and falls. Never forget about housekeeping.

What are ways to identify and reduce safety risks? Stop, Think, Act – Stop and evaluate the task; think how it will be accomplished, then act in a safe manner. Training related to the type of work is essential in order to evaluate risk and recognize hazards associated with the task. How important is a good safety record in the construction industry? A good safety record is very important. It is a major part, if not the most important part, of a business’ reputation. The safety record and reputation can be very impactful on insurance cost, EMR, securing job contracts, etc. In addition, how employees conduct themselves, safely and professionally, is the difference between repeat business and maybe no business in the future. Companies do not need a liability on their jobsite. They need the peace of mind that all employees are trained and not only know how to work safely, but will work safely and not take shortcuts.

How does construction safety impact your company? Construction safety is a big part of our company. We are many times the subcontractor to a general contractor and this requires us to demonstrate a safe professional attitude at all times. We have to work every day to rise above the competition and always do what is right. I learned years ago from a mentor to always do what is right and let the cards fall where they fall. So when I came to work at ACIS, their guarantee was, “We Do it Right or We Make it Right,” I knew I was at the right place. Does an increase in the volume of construction affect safety? Realistically, I would say no. It is the mindset of each employee. With increased workload and tight schedules, safety can get squeezed and appear to be less important, sure. But with proper training and company culture it is easy to remind everyone what is important – Safety & Risk Reduction. Each employee must keep their safety and the safety of ev-

CONSTRUCTION SAFETY Sep: Green Building Nov: Architecture & Engineering Oct: Specialty Contractors Dec: Construction Equipment

programs are not just silly rules and a passing fad? For example, many times we talk about the hidden costs related to an accident. We teach that the hidden costs of an accident are typically about five times that of the “visible” cost. We can use the example of an iceberg, which is mostly hidden, and how the massive chunk of ice below the water line is much larger than the visible part. We can even preach about the personal pain of an accident by showing graphic pictures of missing or mangled limbs or pictures of eyes with protruding objects. Yet, even when confronted with the knowledge that a spouse and kids can be left without a husband and father, employees can still make a wrong decision and put themselves in harm’s way. Perhaps it is the belief that the reality of a tragedy could happen to them or their crew. In spite of all of the training, maybe it is an employee’s unfounded confidence that. “I am too smart, too quick, too lucky, or too cool for the unthinkable to happen to me.” One way to know if someone suffers from this mistaken ideology is to find out if they work safely when no one is watching. Do they take risks when they are

alone or believe that no one can see them? Perhaps the ultimate test for all of us is this: Do we work safely at home? Does the concept of “we are more productive when we work safely” follow us home? Do we understand the concept that “safety means productivity gains?” If employees do not understand that, how can we expect the employee to get it right on the job? The simplest way to explain how the phenomena of “safety is good business” works is to approach it from the perspective of the efficiency expert who analyzes every step of the work flow process, looking for ways to eliminate waste. The safe approach to any job is to first analyze it, organize it, assess the hazards, and proceed only after eliminating or controlling the hazards. Behind the concept of “safety is good business” is the realization that if I do not deal with hazards, they will deal with me! By taking safety seriously enough to take it home, employees will learn and practice good safety habits that will lead to a better job and a better life. National Trench Safety is a fully integrated provider of trench and traffic safety products. -cmw

eryone around them in the forefront of their mind.

Equipment; Other? I think one of the biggest challenges the safety industry faces today is continuing to transition the cost effectiveness of a good safety process. Great strides have been made on this endeavor over the last decade but there is still work to be completed on this front.

What can be done to increase safety awareness and create a safe working environment? Safety is personal, we have all heard this slogan and many others, but to me safety is about people, I am in the people business, building trust, effective relationships, energizing the team, providing training that allows the employee to be informed, and educated. People want to do the right thing and if given the right tools to make the right decisions they will succeed every time. What safety training programs are available? In-house programs? Outsourcing? Associations? We have been creating a library of online safety training that employees can take and are required to take depending on job title, positions, etc. In addition we outsource some specific training such as Powered Industrial Trucks or Confined Space Training. I personally belong to American Society of Safety Engineers and attend multiple trainings to stay up to date on new standards and state of the art safety methodologies. What are some of the safety training program types? Equipment? Jobsite? Other? Online training, instructor led training, job specific training, hazard recognition, rescue equipment, proper ladder usage, equipment inspection, etc. Have there been recent advances in PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)? PPE is always advancing, from improved rescue equipment to basic safety glasses. The key seems to always be around style and comfort. If it is comfortable and makes the employee look good, they want to wear it. I think that is important, but for me it must also perform to protect the employee. PPE advancements range from improved hearing protection, fall harnesses, SRL’s and gloves and are always improving and very important. Most all will agree injuries to our hands are way too frequent. What is on the horizon for the safety industry? Changes in technology;

What is the most significant challenge your company faces regarding safety Language barrier? The language barrier is and will continue for some time. You can run into many different languages from the many Hispanic workers, to just as many owners and other nationalities in America today, in boardrooms to the construction site. Getting people to understand the safety language, acronyms, and best practices can be difficult. Does increased construction volume, costs or other factors significantly challenge how your company approaches safety concerns? Cost is always a challenge. Keeping costs down all while spending more money on PPE, safety equipment, supplies, etc. will always be a challenge in finding low cost-effective providers of quality safety equipment. How are you dealing with these challenges? Networking and building effective relationships with vendors and suppliers and taking advantage of deals and specials when available are vital. This all ties together to knowing the best time to buy and have the equipment and supplies when needed. Again, I am in the people business, from the supplier, vendor, management, employee, etc., and it is a great revolving circle of building trust, effective relationships, energizing the team, and providing training. Darren is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and a member of American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), where he has served as the Fort Worth vice president, and president. He has also served as the ASSE Region III student leadership conference chair, and senior advisor for the past 6 years. In addition, has served as the ASSE Society on several joint task force initiatives over the last 14 years. -cmw

San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2018

Page 17

NEXT TH MON

CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION

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

The marriage of safety & production Oliver Guzman, Houston Supervisor ESC Safety Consultants Houston, TX

SC Consultants understand the importance of identifying and correcting hazards and are equipped with the means to keep jobsites safe, assisting subcontractors and contractors alike in meeting their unified goal and a safe work environment.

What do you consider are the major safety risks in construction? The major hazardous safety risk in construction is that many contractors have a horizontal safety plan that is not specific to each jobsite. Each jobsite is different. Each site will have different hazards, so many safety hazards do not get evaluated properly. In addition, subcontractors and contractors are hiring undertrained, unskilled employees due to high demand turnover for construction and are not completing any type of required training. Training that includes new hire orientation, fall protection, PPE, ladders, scaffolds, etc. Many contractors do not understand the importance of teaching their employees how to recognize, control, isolate and eliminate hazards, and have a believe that if they hire or sub out their work, the hiring contractor is not liable or in charge of the safety of that hired contractor. What are ways to identify and reduce safety risks? Ways to identify and reduce safety risk should first start when a job gets bid out. Upper management should evaluate the safety risks that the jobsite will present. Then, contractor should develop, imple-

ment and enforce a safety program and safety policies and procedures specific to that site, factoring in PPE requirements for the specific hazards that the site will present. Third, educate and train all employees on the safety program’s requirements. How important is a good safety record? A company’s safety record whether good or bad, most definitely will affect their ability to gain work. For example, a company with a good safety record will be more competitive at bid day since their insurance costs will be less than a company with a poor safety record. Does an increase in the volume of construction affect safety? As the demand for construction increases, the demand for employees increases, schedules get tighter and the importance of safety is overlooked with a greater focus on production, which in turn develops a “get it done however you need to get it done” mentality. The greater the demand, the greater the push for completion of a project rises, causing stress, causing an employee’s mind to drift from safety. More concern goes to an employee worrying about potentially losing their job for not producing, instead of doing the job safely.

The safe word Renee Ramthun, CSP, CHST, Environmental Health & Safety Director Jordan Foster Construction Austin, TX

he construction industry knows the word “safety,” but keeping up with the new advances, courses and employees are key to any company.

What do you consider are the major safety risks in construction? As cliché as it might sound, our biggest risks in construction are: one – the actual work conditions and two – the workforce. It’s an ever-changing entity. There is no single day that will be like the last one. The worksite will be different. The employees will likely be different (whether it is because of decreased staff, increased staff or simply new subs on the job.) After that, it’s the “fatal four” that are documented every year: fall hazards, electrical hazards, struck-by hazards and caught-in-between hazards. What are ways to identify and reduce safety risks? You have to go beyond “compliancebased safety.” You have to begin to look at the things that are causing the issues on your site and address those in ways that are meaningful to that specific project. How important is a good safety record in the construction industry? A good safety record is critical in the construction industry. Every single new project proposal, without exception, includes a section that reviews your safety record. Owners look at the GC’s safety record, GC’s look at the subcontractor’s safety record. The safety record is one indication of how a company will perform and what their overall culture is.

How does construction safety impact Jordan Foster Construction? Safety has a great impact on our company in a number of ways. Our ability to perform our job safely impacts our ability to get new work. Additionally, for us, because we self-perform much of our work safety has a direct impact on our immediate workforce, our greatest assets. Without our employees, we would be unable to perform the work that we do, so it is obviously critical for us to keep our employees safe. Does an increase in the volume of construction affect safety? An increase in the volume of construction can certainly impact safety. When there is a sudden increase in volume there is generally an increase in new employees, new employees that may not have the training or experience that our current employees have; new employees that haven’t yet bought into our culture and way of thinking; and new employees that may have heard it a million times before. What can be done to increase safety awareness and create a safe working environment? We start every day with a Task Hazard Analysis. On some days, a crew may do more than one, depending on what

What can be done to increase safety awareness and create a safe working environment? Contractors usually focus on production and many of the leaders of these companies are not safety professionals, although they are professional construction managers. A way to increase safety awareness and create a safe working environment is to outsource safety, either by contracting a safety consulting firm or directly hire a safety professional. Also, upper management must be onboard with safety. Many have no concern for safety, which leads to the employees having no concern for safety. What safety training programs are available? In-house programs? Outsourcing? Associations? There are many safety training programs available. The best way for a contractor to obtain required safety training is to outsource to a safety consulting firm or join an area contractors’ association such as ABC, AGC, ASA, IEC etc. Many of these area contractor associations can guide contractors in the right direction. They have monthly safety council meetings where various contractors gather to discuss safety hazards, ideas for safety mitigations and are available to assist all members develop safety programs and offer advice. How does construction safety impact your company? Safety is our business. We understand the importance of identifying and correcting hazards. We assist general contractors in implementing effective subcontractor safety management programs and assist subcontractors in implementing safety programs within their own companies and on the jobsite.

their tasks are for that day. We have our safety mantras – don’t just go through the motions. Learn from you issues. Be brutally honest about things. It is through honest communication that you can find the areas that need to be improved before an issue arises. What safety training programs are available? There are a number of training resources out there. In Texas, both UTA and TEEX have extensive safety courses. OSHA provides a number of free courses offered in all of the major Texas markets that range from one-hour courses to full 10 and 30hour courses in both English and Spanish. There are online courses available through several vendors. AGC, ABC and ASSE (ASSP) also host many training courses through their various chapters. The route that we take is to provide most of our training inhouse, so that we can gear the topics specifically to the needs of our employees and can meet their schedule requirements. Have there been recent advances in PPE? There have been a couple of new recent advances in PPE that have peaked some interest, though Jordan Foster hasn’t adopted them yet. We are still looking to see if they are actually effective. New types of safety helmets have recently become popular in Europe and Australia. Kask is the name brand that I have seen most often, though there are others out there. In spite of their appearance they seem to be lighter than your standard hardhat, but provide more impact protection. They can be equipped with much of your other standard issue items, such as safety glasses and hearing protection. Some of the larger contractors are beginning to make the switch, but these new types of safety helmets are by no means commonplace yet. Safety vests with intrinsic safety devices are

Have there been recent advances in PPE? PPE is constantly improving in all arenas. Fall protection is a great example. Recent advances in fall protection gear, such as body harnesses, are more comfortable to wear. Many types of portable anchor points are also available now. Safety glasses are more comfortable. What is on the horizon for the safety industry? As OSHA introduces a new standard or modifications to an existing standard come about, the safety industry will come up with new types of tools that will allow construction companies to follow new guidelines. What is the most significant challenge your company faces regarding safety language barrier? Increased construction volume? No matter the language it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that all employees understand the training presented to them in a language that they understand. Increased construction volume is great for the economy. More work means more jobs. But that being said, these employers must keep up with the training that is necessary for the trades involved. How are you dealing with these challenges? As a safety company, the challenges presented from construction companies do not vary that much. On rainy days all companies want training. When companies are busy they must work and produce as much as they can in order to be profitable. But safety cannot be compromised for production! In today’s construction market a company will not survive unless they find the marriage between safety and production – a successful union. -cmw

being introduced now. Some have cooling devices and flashing lights, so you are more visible. There are some that can sound an alarm if there is some oncoming traffic hazard. What is on the horizon for the safety industry? I think the safety industry is heading more and more in the direction of risk management and looking at enhanced metrics to determine the “safety record,” rather than sticking to the tried-and-true compliance-based safety with an occasional glance at the incident rates and EMRS. What is the most significant challenge Jordan Foster faces regarding safety language barrier? Our most significant challenge is establishing one unified “culture” across our company, because we have entities that self-perform and others that act purely as GC’s, so the dynamics are obviously different. We communicate, tackle one issue at a time, suggest a solution, test that solution, revise as necessary and then we communicate. The continuous flow of information, in particular with the workforce, helps guide our activities to what is most effective. It is easy to look out over a site and make a determination about what needs to be addressed, but unless you have open communication with the employees you won’t know whether that is really the issue. The employees know where the problems are and they generally have the solutions, if you take the time to ask them and then listen to their answers. The construction industry instills safety all around. Listen, learn and be safe out there. Jordan Foster Construction is a general contractor headquartered in El Paso with offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. –lv

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San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2018

A Look Back 10 Years Ago - February 2008 Jumping for joy

Construction News ON LOCATION

February smiles

Stone Solutions, Inc. on Arion Parkway is a major importer of natural stone, ceramic and porcelain tiles for the construction industry. The staff says, “Happy Valentines Day!” –kf Don’t let the blond hair and pretty face fool you. Carie Wilson, Allegiance Floors, is into polocrosse, racehorse training and show jumping.

Hanging out

L-R: Tink Stanfield, Bobby Henderson and Bill Vaught, Louisiana Crane Company, are hard at work at the 2008 Construction Expo held Jan. 23-24 at the Dallas Convention Center. –LL Construction News ON LOCATION

Construction News ON LOCATION

Deep in the art of Texas

Charlie Chakales, Texas Metal Art, Boerne, TX, displays some metal artwork. The company also supplies outdoor items for home, ranch and commercial needs, as well as automatic gate systems and custom metal work. –rd

‘Tis the season

Fish out of water

L-R: Paul Kincaid and Tommy Powers, Tuttle Plumbing and Air Conditioning in Universal City, are looking for some real fish for their lobby fish tank to replace the paper ones taped to the front of the aquarium. –kf

Construction News ON LOCATION

Fusion energy

L-R: Mario and Joe at Fusion Welding Company on Snowflake work on steel fabricating projects on a rainy Tuesday. –kf

Paul Sellers, Holes of San Antonio, took this nice 10-pt. buck Jan. 5 in McMullen County. –kf

Red hot property

Crawford Electric Supply Company (CESCO) will open the doors to a 40,000-sf facility in the summer of 2008 in New Braunfels. Red Hawk Contracting broke ground Jan. 7 on the project located on Hwy. 306. –kf/kg

San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2018

Page 19

A sheet metal Christmas

Fabulously fun!

ore than 125 Mechanical Contractors Association Sheet Metal & A/C Nat’l Association (MCA-SMACNA) members gathered December 20th at the DoubleTree Hotel for their annual Christmas Party. Photos courtesy of Mary Haskin Photography. -cmw

orty-five members gathered together Dec. 18 for the American Subcontractors Association’s (ASA) Christmas party at La Fonda. They had the ever popular white elephant gift exchange and recognized board and volunteer members. -cmw

L-R: Ryan Haby, John Gargotta, Chuck Clark and Gary Haby

L-R: Brenda & Dustin Michalak, RidoutBarrett; Debbie & Duane Hannaash, Fire Alarm Control Systems; and Tony & Karen Ridout, RidoutBarrett

L-R: Justin Odom, Roger Ford, and Kley Semlinger

L-R: Alison Gragg, John Gargotta and Patty Wylie

L-R: Dema Hanson, Baker Triangle; Mike Grendell, Midco Sling of San Antonio; Nora Romero, ASA; Ted Dunnam, ESC Safety Consultants; and Ray Fehner & Rena Jacobson, KCM Cabinets

Future builders of America

L-R: Incoming President Matt Summerville presents 2017 President Kyle Pennington with a plaque of appreciation.

L-R: Kurt Mosel and Michael Powell

L-R: Paul Tezel and Tonya Hall-Serna

Leadership unveiled

MCA-SMACNA of San Antonio announces their newly installed 2018 Board of Directors. L-R: Secretary/Treasurer Chris Solis, Dynamic Sysments; Vice President John Gargotta, Service Mechanical Group; President Matt Summerville, The Brandt Companies; Associate Member Director Matt McGeehan, Hughes Supply; and Immediate Past President Kyle Pennington, AJ Monier Service Co. -cmw

1st place winner, fifth-grader Christian Miranda

hird, fourth and fifth graders from Madison Elementary School were treated to an afternoon of fun and creative construction using Legos and their imaginations. The students gathered in the school’s library for the National Association of Women In Construction’s (NAWIC) annual Block Kids event.

Using Legos and few additional materials of twine, foil and a rock provided for them, the children built projects they envisioned with these few simple tools. The creations were judged on creativity, understanding of construction and several other criteria. The winners took home trophies and Toys ‘R’ Us gift cards. –cmw

Phoenix Chin built a church/restaurant so you didn’t have to drive after church to go eat.

Lillie Muniz, 3rd grade built her dream house with a crane and used the tinfoil as the mortar for the bricks.

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San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2018

continued from Page 1 — 35 years of sprinklers

continued from Page 1 — Retail luxury

The Young Bros Fire Protection team at the company’s 35th anniversary and employee appreciation luncheon.

father was 35 years ago. Clayton is a project manager and designer; and Coby is the company’s construction supervisor. Young boasts of his family, not just his blood family, but also the “family team” that has become part of the Young Bros. family. “The company has grown from three employees to 50 employees. We have a great group of employees. We have a lot of longevity. Some of our employees have been with us 20 plus years and they are family to us,” adds Young. “Luke Williams, our sales representative, has been with us since 1991.” With a steady and consistent growth over the years, Young is confident they have found their niche in the industry and will continue to grow. “We found our happy median, our niche. You have to find your niche to be successful and we found ours.” -cmw

form (ICF) system made by Fox Block. The use of the Fox Block system offers the structural concrete forms, structural reinforcement support, insulation compliance, air infiltration compliance, and walls ready for finish system. The combined scope areas addressed by the Fox Block ICF system provide significant value as compared to other concrete wall systems. “The owners intended for this complex to be the finest retail strip in the area. Alamo Architects did a fantastic job of designing the complex with beautiful tile lined arches, soaring towers with tile roofing, a combination of salt finished concrete sidewalks with paver bands and accents. Outdoor trellised shade areas may provide outdoor seating for shops and eateries,” says D. Wilson Construction Central Texas Regional Manager, Richard Weldon. There were many challenges to the project as it is situated along Leon Creek and a portion of the property is within the 100-year flood plain. Starting with basic design documents, final plans and finishes were developed during construction. Two of the five buildings do not face the street they face the scenic view of Leon Creek. The project has some unique qualities about it. First ICF construction, which is not new to the industry, is seldom used. Due to the recently adopted 2015 IEEC

code, this method was selected due to the insulating factor and the ease of interior finish out. Second, the sheer beauty of the project along with its location adds to the uniqueness of Dominion Springs. Project manager for D. Wilson Construction was Ruben Cavazos and Mo Humble was the project superintendent. Together, they worked closely with the design team to ensure the project was completed in a timely fashion. “It is has been a pleasure to be part of the dynamic and creative team that has made the Dominion Springs Plaza a signature project,” says Humble. R&S Excavation, Urban Concrete, American Lath & Plaster, Quarter Moon Plumbing and Masters Electric were some of subcontractors involved in the completion of Dominion Springs Plaza. “This has been an extraordinary collaboration of owner, developer, the complete design team, the construction manager, suppliers and subcontractors. We are very proud of how well all parties worked so closely together to ensure the owners would be pleased with the final results. This has truly been a collaboration of talent from across many fields,” says Weldon. D. Wilson Construction Company is a full-service general contracting firm with offices in the Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio. -cmw

Round-Up Email brief information and photo for employee new hire or promotion to: MEditor@ConstructionNews.net Pape-Dawson Engineers is pleased to announce the promotion of Cara Tackett, PE, LEED AP, and senior vice president as the new leader of the firm’s Water Resources team. Tackett has 21 years experience in civil engineering and environmental services and has been the firm since 1999. –cmw

Lopez Salas Architects is pleased to welcome Judy Smith as their newest architectural intern. Judy graduated from UTSA’s College of Architecture in 2009 and has 11 years of handson architectural and interior design experience on projects for civic, commercial, medical, educational, religious, retail and federal clients. Her well-rounded experience, passion for design, positive attitude and extensive experience in interior design make her a welcome addition to the Lopez Salas Architect’s design team. –cmw

San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2018

Page 21

continued from Page 1 — Third generation celebrates

Association Calendar

Content submitted by Associations to Construction News ABC

Associated Builders & Contractors

L-R: Todd, Martha, Arnold and Ron Barrett at the company’s 50th anniversary celebration

He started as an officer with Schertz PD for a short time and then worked for the State of Texas as a Trooper with the Texas Highway Patrol. Todd’s son, Cameron, was born in 2006, which is when Todd decided to make the move to Barrett & Sons. Todd obtained his master license early on and assumed full ownership of the business in January 2017, becoming the third generation of ownership. Today, Todd is president of the corporation and manages all of the day-to-day operations. Although Martha retired, Arnold remains very active in the company. He is a consultant, oversees the construction division and continues to serve as an officer of the corporation. This month, Barrett & Sons is celebrating 50 years in business. The company has seen many changes over the years. Today, the company performs 98 percent commercial service and construction work and is extremely proud of their multi-generational clientele relationships. Arnold stated, “We still maintain one account that my father air conditioned prior to the start of Barrett & Sons.” “Most everything we do is referral based.” adds Todd. “Our construction division has seen tremendous growth due

Feb. 7: Breakfast Club, Alamo Café 10060 I-10, For more info contact, Jennifer Rocha at Jennifer@abcsouthtexas.org or 210-342-1994 Feb. 15: Casino Mixer, GSABA offices, 3625 Paesanos Pkwy., #100. For more info contact, Jennifer Rocha at Jennifer@ abcsouthtexas.org or 210-342-1994 Feb. 22: Business & Breakfast, GSABA offices, 3625 Paesanos Pkwy., #100. For more info contact, Jennifer Rocha at Jennifer@abcsouthtexas.org or call 210342-1994 AGC

Associated General Contractors

L-R: Martha and Todd visit with customers during the celebration

to design-build projects and base work with our GC’s and the Corp of Engineers.” “In reflection, our faith and values as a family and a business have allowed us many blessings in the first 50 years. We strive as a team to build on the legacy that has been created while growing it for generations to come. Our core values of providing quality service, hard work and a dedication to our clients has built us a reputation in South Texas for prompt, comprehensive service, going the extra mile and then some.” Todd Barrett Barrett & Sons Inc. is a full-service heating, ventilation & air conditioning subcontractor located in Schertz, TX. –cmw.

Construction News ON LOCATION

Feb. 1: Outstanding Construction Awards Deadline. AGC Chapter Offices, 10806 Gulfdale, 5pm. For more info, call 210-349-4921 Feb. 2: Night with the Rampage, AT&T Center, 1 AT&T Parkway, 7:30pm. For more info, call 210-349-4921 Feb. 15: Salsa Taste-off Mixer, Bartlett Cocke General Contractors’ Offices, 8706 Lockway St. For more info, call 210-3494921 Feb. 25-28: AGC of America National Convention, New Orleans. For more info, call 210-349-4921 ASA

American Subcontractors Association

Feb. 2: ASA Hockey Nigh, 7:30pm, AT&T Center, 1 AT&T Center Pkwy. For more info, contact Jennifer Swinney at Jennifer@ asasanantonio or call 210-349-2105 Feb. 27: General Meeting, The Petroleum Club, 8620 N. New Braunfels, 11:30am. For more info, contact Jennifer Swinner at Jennifer@asasanantonio or call 210-3492105 Feb. 28 – Mar. 3: SubExcel, Tempe Mission Palms Hotel & Conference Center, Tempe, AZ. For more info, go to www. asaonline.com

HCA de SA

Hispanic Contractors Assn SA

Feb. 21: Monthly Mixer, The Quarry Golf Club, 444 E. Basse Rd., 6-9pm. For more info, call 210-444-1100 Mar. 1: Casino Night, Aggie Park, 6205 West Ave. For more info, go to www. hcadesa.org MCA-SMACNA INC

Mechanical Contractors Assn/ Sheet Metal & A/C Nat’l Assn

Feb. 7: Regular & Associate Meeting, Double Tree Hotel, Loop 410 & McCullough, 11:30am. For more info, call 210822-3763 Feb. 21: Joint Industry Fund Meeting, MCA-SMACNA Offices, 12500 Network Blvd. #410, 11:30am. For more info, call 210-822-3763 NAWIC

National Assn of Women in Construction

Feb. 7: General Membership Meeting, The Petroleum Club, 8620 N. New Braunfels. For more info, call 210-639-2489 or email Rebecca.rodriguez@zachrycorp.com PHCC

Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors

Feb. 8: Membership Meeting, The Petroleum Club, 8620 N. New Braunfels. 11:00am-1:00pm. For more info, call Heidi Trimble at 210-824-7422 SAMCA

San Antonio Masonry Contractors Assn

Feb. 28: Membership Meeting, Pappadeaux Restaurant, 76 NE Loop 410, 12noon. For more info, contact Debbie at 830-606-5556 TACCA

Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Assn

Feb. 15: Membership Meeting, Alamo Café, 14250 San Pedro Ave., 11:30am. For more info, call Dawn Thompson at 210901-4222

ASCE

American Society of Civil Engineers

Feb. 18-24: Engineer’s Week. For more info, go to http://www.discovere.org/ourprograms/engineers-week

Oldie, but goodie Happy times

Robert Balderrama, territory sales representative for SealMaster south Texas says it’s time to retire his vintage cowboy hat. –lv

Construction News ON LOCATION

Mr. & Mrs. Friends and associates gathered at the new G.W Mitchell office celebration. L-R Andy Mitchell, Bill Mitchell, Melvin Mitchell, Lane Mitchell and Erin Clementson. –lv

President of Schmidt Mechanical Group, Inc., Kevin Schmidt and his wife Heather Schmidt step outside and enjoy the sunshine with Construction News. –lv

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San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2018

Construction News ON LOCATION

They appreciate your business

Construction News paying a visit to SA Masonry and Tool Supply – L-R: Janet Davila, Franky Ochoa, Jorge Arredondo, Troy Fabre, Delores Sloan - rd

JOB SIGHTS

City of San Antonio Transportation & Capital Improvements workers begin work on storm water drainage repairs outside the Construction News’ offices at Naco-Perrin & Roszell. L-R: Zelaya Gonzalo, Theodore Banks, Porfirio Lopez, Pedro Cruz and Robert Flores. -cmw

John Torres with hammer in hand says hi to Construction News as he and the crew work on a new Olive Garden. The general contractor is Jerry Kachel Builder, INC. –lv

Ismiel Rio of J Hill Construction takes a moment from installing door frames at the Limmer Dermatology interior finish-out project located in the Lockhill Crossing office KGC Construction Services is the general contractor Joe Riddle, KGC Construction Services is the project superintendent. -cmw

Loft Concepts and Davila Construction are the general contractors for the new Valencia Lofts in Leon Valley. L-R: Jesus Zepeda, Efran Orta and Jesus Carrera are applying stone near the pool area. –lv

San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2018

Page 23

Ridout passes the torch

Construction News ON LOCATION

L-R: Shareholders of RidoutBarrett, Milton Barrett, Melanie Geist, Dustin Michalak, Kathleen Dvorak and Tony Ridout.

Visiting the Wilborn Steel office in San Antonio L-R: Thomas Deleon, Leti Sanchez, Ernest Wilborn and Dana Calonge, Construction News -rd

or 32 years, Tony Ridout has been the managing partner for RidoutBarrett serving San Antonio and now the Austin areas since 1986. On Jan. 1 of this year, Tony passed on the reins to new managing partner, Dustin Michalak. Michalak started with RidoutBarrett as an intern while attending St. Edwards University in Austin, graduating with his BBA in Accounting and Management in 2004. He acquired his CPA certificate in 2009 and became a shareholder in 2014. “It was a unanimous decision with the shareholders,” says Ridout. “I wanted to pass on the torch a few years before retiring to help transition clients.” At 36 years of age, Michalak has plenty of time to continue on the legacy Ridout and Milton Barrett have created. “My goal is just to continue on with the structure and leadership Tony has built over these past 32 years and bring us into the next generation.” says Michalak. In addition he will be developing a formalized succession plan for the firm as one of

his top priorities for 2018. “It’s about people. Finding the right people that fit within a culture is something that we have been deliberate about,” adds Shareholder Melanie Geist. “We have a professional, but family atmosphere and are very deliberate about our growth.” “It’s part of our retention plan. We want to retain our great staff and if they know what are succession plan is and that we are looking for them for leadership roles, they’ll be more inclined to step up and stick around,” adds Shareholder Kathleen Dvorak. “Tony, Kathleen and I have all the confidence in the world in these two young people; Dustin and Melanie and our core group of people. We’re very excited for them,” says Shareholer, Milton Barrett. Specializing on a construction platform, RidoutBarrett is certified public account serving San Antonio and Austin. -cmw

Office wildlife

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San Antonio Construction News â&#x20AC;¢ FEB 2018