Austin Construction News September 2018

Covering the Industry’s News

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The Industry’s Newspaper www.constructionnews.net H (210) 308-5800 H Volume 15 H Number 9 H SEPTEMBER 2018

Hooked on a new hobby

Heavenly hardwood

Sean O’Grady, owner of F2 Metal Works.

Roy Allain, owner of Kingdom Hardwood Floors & More

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ome people find their calling or main profession in life because they were raised in it or inherited it. Others, because of an “Aha!” moment. This would be true in Sean O’Grady’s life.

The Dallas native’s hobbies prior to 2007 were rock climbing and motorcycles.

For his job, he was a regional sales manager for a software company. He decided to build his own motorcycle one day “because everyone else was doing it.”

O’Grady bought all the motorcycle parts, but when it came time to weld it all together, he froze because he didn’t want to risk his life on a skill in which he didn’t feel proficient. He sold the un-assembled bike.

Meanwhile, his neighbor needed to store his welding equipment in O’Grady’s

garage. He was restoring an old Mustang and didn’t have the room at his own house.

The welding gear was a tiny, Lincoln SP25 model that sat in O’Grady’s garage for a good chunk of time. “One day,” he said, “I decided to turn it on and see what happens. I plugged it in, pulled the trigger, and was instantly amazed.”

Aha!

O’Grady took all the welding classes he could at night, “just to see if it’s a passing fancy or if it’s as exciting as I think it is.” It wasn’t just a passing fancy - he gave up both motorcycles and rock climbing as hobbies.

He started his own company, originally called “Fexal Online” in 2016, selling items he made weekends and nights. continued on Page 16

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oy Allain’s purpose for his flooring company isn’t just to make a profit.

“I want [God] to get the glory for anything and everything that it accomplishes through me.”

Hence, the name of his business is Kingdom Harwood Floors & More. The name comes from Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Allain was working as a meat cutter when a customer in the wood flooring business challenged him to be a contractor himself. He got his license in three years and became one. That was in California, where he had lived since he was 10.

Living in Orange County, however, wasn’t to Allain’s liking. He wanted to live

some place that had more of a hometown feel to it. But where?

Circumstances placed Texas on Allain’s heart, even though he had never been there before. His wife, however, said it would take and “act of God” to get her to leave her native California.

God loves a good challenge.

She was a hairdresser. One of her clients had an aunt and uncle who lived in Georgetown, Texas.

Further, finding a church in their tradition (Calvary Chapel) was important.

As it turned out, the woman client’s uncle in Georgetown was the pastor of the Calvary Chapel there.

As the Good Book says, the handwriting was on the wall at that point. continued on Page 16

Leander gets community college

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he Austin Community College District San Gabriel campus is the first major development in the City of Leander’s Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) that was established to create a space where residents can live within close walking distance of their essential needs, including retail, schools, parks, open space, transit stops, and employment. Working in conjunction with Capital Metro, the region’s transit authority, the district has officially opened its new San Gabriel campus to students seeking higher education options without leaving their community.

American Constructors was the construction manager on the new campus, which will initially accommodate up to 2,500 students. The project is expected to anchor future development within the TOD and serves as a hub for community engagement.

The campus consists of classrooms and laboratories, a 150-seat ‘ACCelerator’ learning lab integrated with a library and tutoring areas, multi-purpose rooms for community use, and open spaces for studying and gathering, including a 3,900-sf rooftop terrace.

To solidify the sense of place in this iconic project for the City of Leander, the design team (Pfluger Architects, SmithGroupJJR, Structures Structural Engineers, and Shah Smith & Associates) added specific features as a nod to the city’s heritage as an old ranching community. To underscore the priority of project sustainability, the District expressed a deep interest in being good stewards of the water on site. Three 30,000-gallon water collection tanks were custom-designed to mimic the look of old grain silos. The tanks are fed by a siphonic system via aquaducts for rainACCD’s San Gabriel Campus, Leander, TX

continued on Page 16

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Austin Construction News • SEPT 2018

Attendees enjoyed world-class conference in Austin

Capital gain

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he 39th annual short course on Grouting Fundamentals & Current Practice was hosted by The University of Texas at Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering from February 12-16, 2018. The event was attended by professionals worldwide to learn the latest and best in the field of grouting. Since 1979 this unique course on geotechnical grouting materials, methods and applications has educated over 2,000 grouters and filled a wide gap in traditional university education. Although theory and calculations are an integral part of competent grouting work, practical experience is essential to success in the very critical situations grouters are called to fix.

An incredible breadth and depth of subject matter was covered by a renowned course faculty that included experts from seven countries, many of whom maintain active leadership and membership roles on the ASCE G-I Grouting Committee. The 2018 course included 70 delegates representing engineering design firms, specialty geotechnical contractors, hydropower facility owners, equipment manufacturers and material suppliers.

As is common, the majority of delegates were from throughout the US and Canada, with significant overseas attendance based on major upcoming geotechnical construction works. The recent course included such delegates from Australia, Albania, Bolivia, Uganda, and throughout Europe.

An integral part of this course is the ½ day Field Demonstration that facilitates direct hands-on learning. The Field Demo included high shear mixing, QC testing of fluid grout, slab jacking, penetration of microfine cements, tube-a-manchette grouting, methods for nondestructive quantification of ground improvement, along with a broad spectrum of grout materials (cementitious, chemical, and cellular).

The Austin team Heartland Acoustics & Interior.

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*The 2019 course will again be hosted by UT Austin. For course details visit www.groutingfundamentals.com

ason Gordon didn’t open the third branch of his company, Heartland Acoustics & Interiors, in Texas’ capital city to “keep Austin weird,” although what he does is unique to the city. While scouting out a Texas location to complement his Colorado and California offices, he couldn’t help but notice Austin was indeed a bit different.

“When I came to Austin two years ago in my market research, I found out there are no ceiling companies here; they’re all drywall companies that also do ceiling,” he says. “Austin is unique in our niche of the world in acoustical ceilings and sound treatment because there aren’t any companies in the Austin market that do just that niche. You can look at that one of two ways. You can either say, ‘Wow, no one is doing this. It may not work,’ or you can say, ‘No one is doing this! This is an opportunity for us to carve our own way. Let’s prove this market needs what we have.’”

Gordon, Heartland’s president and CEO, decided Austin would be the perfect place to carve his own way. In August 2016, he started from scratch, knocking on doors and selling as much as he could in between flights back home to Colorado. By October of that year, he had leased a temporary space and hired an estimator and general manager. In a matter of months, Heartland Acoustics & Interiors had announced its arrival through its work.

“One of the first projects we landed was the Austin Bergstrom Airport renovation, which we’re wrapping up,” Gordon says. “Our next one was the Oracle project at Waterfront; it was a new

campus that got a lot of high-profile press. We’ve done other projects in the area, including a large remodel of a Dell campus in Round Rock.”

The company isn’t just moving on projects; in October, it will be moving to a new location. Gordon purchased a new building at 1205 Sheldon Cove and is preparing it as a base for his 30 Austin employees. He says this office will mirror his other locations in function and style.

“Our office was built out of the working showroom so we display many of the products we install or sell,” he says.

“We did the same in California and Colorado. I’m really big on having a pleasing workspace; our people work hard and spend a lot of time at work so we want to have a really cool space. We have game rooms and relax rooms and it’s nice, clean and professional.”

Gordon knows how to establish in new markets and take care of employees because he has been around the industry his entire life. His father began doing ceiling and acoustical work in the 1960s and moved to San Diego to establish his own company in 1987. It was perfect timing for Gordon, who was in college studying architecture and happy to help out with Dad’s new venture. Gordon changed his major to construction management, spent years learning the ropes, and established and incorporated Heartland Acoustics & Interiors in November 2007. In May 2008, he got to work.

“We now have about 100 employees across the company. We’re headquartered in Denver, CO and we service the entire Rocky Mountain region and Wyoming. In 2008, we expanded an office to San Diego [in Carlsbad], where I had relationships; we’ve been in that market for about 10 years and service San Diego and Orange County. We just celebrated our 20th anniversary with a huge party in Denver.”

“We have market growth in Austin and we’re growing in Denver and San Diego. My plan is for further expansion and to take the Heartland solution to other markets,” he adds. “Our vision is to be the preferred ceiling and specialty contractor in our market. That’s our guiding metric; what we all are shooting for is to be that preferred contractor.

When someone thinks of ceilings and wall treatments, we want them to immediately think of Heartland.”

Interior specialty contractor Heartland Acoustics & Interiors in Austin specializes in acoustical ceiling and acoustical wall treatments. –mjm

Austin Construction News • SEPT 2018

Page 3

Material world

Still here!

L-R: General Manager Jeffrey Derer, Office Manager Cindi Mouser and Owner Rick Tipple

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Bottom left: Marcos Ozuna and the NOW Specialties Inc. staff.

ometimes our original plans do not turn out to be the right plans. For instance, Marcos Ozuna wanted to become a structural engineer, not sit behind a desk all day.

On the opposite side, Ozuna learned about fabricating and installation. “I asked to shadow some of our project management people and ended up falling in love with it.” The company he is referring to is NOW Specialties Inc.

“Every day is different, every day has it’s new problems and I think that’s what keeps me going and that’s what I enjoy about it the most.”

Ozuna started with NOW at their headquarters in Dallas. He said, “I ended up getting promoted to open up the Austin branch and started to develop our central Texas market.

NOW has an additional office location in Houston, and the Austin branch opened in January 2015.

The company was incorporated in

1996. The founders were three different families.

“Our official company name is NOW Specialties, but the actual word the acronym creates has everyone refer to us as “Now.” The NOW stands for the first letters of each of the owners’ last names. N stands for Nolans, O for Ozuna and W for Welhouse,” explained Ozuna.

Ozuna is the nephew to the owner, Mr. Ozuna. Today Ozuna works in Austin as the regional operations manager.

He explains the company is a turnkey contractor that specializes in commercial wall systems. NOW Specialties is the only MCA premium fabricator in Texas.

“We fabricate and install nearly one million square feet of various clouding materials a year. We’ve been in business for over 30 years, but we rebranded in 1996 to form NOW Specialties.”

NOW Specialties Inc. is a commercial wall systems fabricator based in Carrollton, TX with offices in Austin and Houston. –lv

Hopping to hype

The Kanga Roof team. Far left: Scott and Stacie Feller

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anga Roof isn’t just a clever name; it’s a clever marketing strategy according to Scott Feller, vice president of marketing.

“We made the decision that roofing companies are almost always someone’s last name followed by the word ‘Roofing,’” Scott says. “It’s hard to stand out in anybody’s mind. When you do a Google search, who pops up? We decided that we would rebrand as Kanga Roof; it’s something that sticks in people’s brains a little bit better.”

Being a different kind of roofing company is important to Scott and his wife Stacie, the company’s president, and it shows in their treatment of their employees and their community. Since Kanga Roof came to be, they’ve grown the staff to 12, whom they regularly treat to cruises and beach vacations. The couple created a bring-your-baby-towork environment so parents could work and care for their children. Scott and Stacie also give $1000 scholarships to students going to tech or trade school.

Another unique quality about Kanga

Roofing is the close bond shared by Scott and Stacie, who married in 2012. They work so well together, the couple commissioned a custom-built T-shaped desk that allows them to work side-byside, with a middle section that allows them to collaborate on ideas. The pair says the partnership “works really well,” despite their different backgrounds. Scott, who earned a construction engineering degree, has owned construction companies or worked for them since 1992.

Stacie, a former vice president of underwriting systems for Texas Mutual, has a degree in business management.

Now, the couple hopes the name “Kanga Roof” will stick in people’s minds beyond Austin.

“We want to continue the growth we’re on right now, because the bigger we get, the more we can help,” Scott says.

“It’s all going to be pretty relative, so we would like to grow larger and we would like to have more employees. We might even branch out into other areas.”

Kanga Roof is a roofing subcontractor in Round Rock. ­–mjm

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arly one recent morning, Alamo Glass Inc. President Rick Tipple unlocked the store doors, grabbed the keys to the work trucks and one by one, backed the trucks into the lot. That’s when he was suddenly hit with a realization.

”I’ve done this every morning for the last 42 years!” he thought. “That’s a lot of trucks to pull out!”

It’s sometimes hard for Tipple to believe that it’s been so many years since he came on board his wife’s family’s business 15 years after it had been established.

“I was offered the opportunity to come here because the existing manager at that time wanted to retire,” Tipple recalls. “I said, ‘Well, what the heck; I’ve always wanted to live in Austin.’ So I came here, and that’s what I’ve done ever since.”

Tipple says in addition to moving locations and building their staff to 15, Alamo Glass’ evolution mirrors Austin’s.

“From 1976, we’ve gone from a nice little town to a state university town. We didn’t have big high rises, strip centers

and everything else,” he explains. “As the town has evolved, so has our business.

We’ve since we’ve done more things; we’ve opened up more ideas and products as people have wanted more, so we have had to adapt for that.”

More than 40 years after Tipple pulled out his first work truck, he is planning to hand over the keys.

“I’ve been stepping back,” he says. “I have a good office manager in Cindi Mouser and a good project manager in Jeffrey Terer and they’re keeping things going. I’ll be 70 in September so I’m not lifting up anything big anymore.”

While it may be easy to let go of his morning routine, it may not be easy to let go completely.

“I enjoy my work, I enjoy the people that I have here. I have really good people over the years that I’ve worked with and customers who keep coming back,” he says. “I think part of our success is they know we’re here. People say, ‘You’re still here?’ and I’ll say, “We’re still here.’”

Austin Supplier/subcontractor Alamo Glass Inc. offers glass sales, repairs and installation services. –mjm

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Austin Construction News • SEPT 2018

job I do. I had a lot of pain growing up, so I like to stay busy and do the right thing.

What lessons have you learned?

Balance is a big one, which I manage with knowledge and experience. I’ve learned to fill positions; if I’m too busy, that means there is a spot for somebody else. I’ve also sacrificed a lot with my wife and kids. But I know that’s part of life; you have to sacrifice to be successful.

James Pickell Owner Pickell Plumbing LLC Round Rock, TX

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hinese teacher and philosopher Confucius advised us to study the past to define the future, and James Pickell seems to have heeded that wisdom. The owner of Pickell Plumbing LLC has overcome obstacles he has faced in life to build a thriving business rooted in daily hard work, tenacity and, interestingly, a water softener that he calls “Pickell Juice.”

How were you introduced to the industry?

My dad was a framer in this area, but that is not how I was introduced to the industry. I learned about plumbing by answering phones for a year for AAA Auger Plumbing Services when I was around 18 years old. I then worked for other people for about 15 years and got a lot of experience before I got my Master plumber license.

Once I got my license, I had about $2000 in the bank, and one of the bosses at the company I was working for let me borrow $2000, so I started with $4000 [to establish Pickell Plumbing LLC]. I bought a van in 2010 and gave my two-week notice right before Christmas. I got in trouble with everybody – my mom, my wife – for that. Everybody thought I was crazy, but I didn’t want to struggle anymore. There is pain and suffering in being broke; that’s how I grew up, I didn’t have much. Once I started doing my own thing, I started making some money. I found I could either make $10 an hour or $100 in one hour, and it was a big difference at 10 times the rate. Plus, I cannot stand authority and people telling me what to do, so there was a real benefit to me being on my own.

What were the first years of business ownership like for you?

There was no looking back. The first year, I made $80,000 profit, and this was in the recession. I base how I feel on the

What advice would you give someone who wants to rise in your industry?

The only thing you have to do is show up every day and work. That’s it. That’s the only thing I did growing up; I gave it my all and it’s the only thing I’ve benefitted from.

I’ve didn’t do a lot of changing. I enjoy working hard and learning.

What is your favorite part about your job?

My favorite part of my job would probably be the social part of it. If you want to be successful in business, you have to deal with people, because you talk with people all day long. Sometimes, I get 150 calls a day! I meet so many different people from so many different parts of the world. I know one of everybody now. It has helped me get along with people, which I didn’t always use to do. This plumbing company has basically gotten me out of myself.

Tell me about the team that you have built to help you.

I don’t normally run ads to hire people; it’s usually through my network, and it has really worked out well. Right now, I have three plumbers, an office manager and a helper – low overhead! I have so many crazy pictures of us hanging out in our office, kicking back. I’ll cook breakfast and dinner for everybody.

We’ve really become good friends.

Plumbers often work long and erratic hours. How do you separate your professional and personal life?

I just put it down when I can. I still have trouble with that. For some reason, like today, it’s hard to figure out when I’m going to stop. There is so much to do.

What are your plans for the company?

I’m going to try to be the next big thing, and I place a high priority on getting there. We got into the water softener business. Plumbers seem to think that water softeners and plumbing are separate, but until you realize that 90% of plumbing problems are from hard water, it’s plumbing’s responsibility to figure out the real solution. If water softeners cure 90 percent of plumbing problems, then you have clientele that appreciate that. I would rather do that than replace a faucet and never tell them

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about the water softener solution. I call it “Pickell Juice.” That’s why we do water softeners and plumbing. I’m one of the top water softener sellers in this area and the top plumber in my area. My slogan is “If you’re ever in a Pickell …”

Who has mentored you as you have built this business?

Plumbers that I have worked for in the past have mentored me, and Morrison Plumbing Supply has really helped me.

There were different tools that I needed for the plumbing company, and the Morrison Supply managers would know of a plumber who was getting rid of a certain tool. They would find it for me and help me out so that I wouldn’t have to buy one that was new. For instance, there was a camera I needed that was a $10,000 purchase, but one manager found a used one and sold it to me for $4000 and they let me make payments on it.

Another Morrison Supply manager literally made me sit down for the water softener class because he knew that it would be a perfect fit for my company and who I am. Within five minutes of the class, I was smiling from ear to ear because not only was it a goldmine, but also it was going to help my customers.

I’m one of their water softener reps now since I sell them and work on them so much. It’s really opened up a lot of opportunities.

Have you had the opportunity to be a mentor to others in the industry?

I have mentored a lot of people who I have worked with in the past and people who have worked for me. I am now that “mentor” person and it’s kind of cool. In the past eight years of doing business, I’ve had four different people who have worked for me who at first struggled to be a plumber and now they own their own companies. It’s bittersweet. I enjoy showing people how to do it right.

James Pickell

I’ve also played golf and competed in CrossFit. I was into health until I started fishing.

Do you collect anything?

I collect pickles and poop – not real poop, but the emoji poop items. I have an entire shelf on one wall to display the poop people have brought me because I’m a plumber, and pickles because of my last name.

Do you think you’ll retire and pass along the business to your kids, or will you sell the company before then?

If my kids are interested, it’s theirs.

Anything other than that, I want to sell it and make millions, and then I will find a body of water and just fish.

Subcontractor Pickell Plumbing performs installations for new commercial and residential construction in the Austin and Round Rock area. –mjm

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love to fish for all kinds of fish everywhere, by myself, with my buddies, with my family and with my clients to show them a good time. Brushy Creek in Round Rock is my favorite place for freshwater fishing; I live just down the street from there. I enjoy catching catfish overnight without a pole. I both catch and catch and release, depending on the fish I’m going after. I won’t catch and cook a bass; they’re more of a “sport” fish and they don’t taste very good. I’ll clean my fish, but I do try to get other people to cook them. I also have a YouTube channel and I use a GoPro camera when I go out fishing. I film it, edit it and put it on my YouTube channel. Fishing is my favorite hobby.

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L-R: Spencer Zachary, Glenn Ficther, Ryan Cruz, Darrell Schacht, Jodi Rodgers, Austin Cowan and Nick Sergent of Texas First Rentals, The CAT Rental Store in San Marcos, TX pose with one of their dozers. -cmw

Austin Construction News • SEPT 2018

Page 5

Gator-way to heaven

Golf atop

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he Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) hosted a membership at TopGolf on August 1 with a great turn out. –cmw

L-R: Will Plato & Robert Martinez, Hensel Phelps with Nick Young and Andrew Gonzales, Alterman Inc.

Sheldon Kramer, owner of Corridor Electric.

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heldon Kramer warns that if you see a 3-ft. alligator crossing a city street, prepare for something to hit the fan. While leaving for work one day, he saw an Alligator mississippiensis scuttle across a downtown San Marcos street.

After the creature catching all went down, some unrelated workplace drama also went down. That day, he ended up parting ways with his boss.

Maybe the alligator was a sign that something needed to change. These reptiles are hailed as signals of new growth and regeneration, nudges to seize opportunities for knowledge or wisdom. All Kramer knew in the moment was that he was unemployed with a new baby and a toddler to support. Whether the ‘gator was a sign or not, the lesson of it didn’t come until a few unfulfilling electrical jobs later. Finally, Kramer realized his work was never going to work unless he owned his own business.

“I had $5000, a station wagon, a drill and a ladder,” he remembers. “I started driving around and found these houses in a subdivision that the contractors weren’t getting to, so I started wiring houses by myself. Then, I hired someone, got some more houses to wire and Corridor Electric was born in 1996. After a while, I just hoped that people could see what we were doing and that we were doing it right, and we just got more work over time.”

With 40 years in the electrical industry and 22 years of business ownership under his belt, it’s evident people have been watching him doing it right.

“The size of the jobs have changed,” Kramer says. “We started off with houses and then we got a little commercial work.

When they saw we could do that, we got more commercial projects and that’s basically what we do now.”

Kramer could have taken that growth and success all the way to the bank, but that’s not what motivates him.

“We’re about longevity and being a smaller, better company,” he says. “We don’t want to do everything. We want to do the things that we do for the people that recognize us as confident and special. I think we’ve established that relationship.”

Kramer says his employees have helped him achieve those customer relationships, and he in turn has a great relationship with them. Two of his team members have worked with him 16 years, one has been on board for 12 and another for 10. Soon, he will welcome his newest employee, his oldest daughter, Kristen.

Being a proud papa, emotion shakes his

voice a little when he describes her coming into the fold.

“She graduated from Texas State four years ago with an engineering degree and has worked in San Antonio for four years for an HVAC company and a supplier,” Kramer says. “She was laid off and I needed help in the office. You know how you get to crossroads in your life?

I’ve got things coming in from every direction. This is a moment of rejuvenation for Corridor Electric, while also giving her an opportunity to carry on a legacy of goodness. Being almost 60, I’m thinking about a way out, while she sees her future as something to work for. She’s also tight with money, which is what I need!”

Having Kristen join his company has allowed him to return to the work that makes him happiest.

“In these times, I have to work longer to do what I need to do,” he says. “Having her come in has left me feeling free from the work looming over me in the office. I can get back to what I like –being out in the field and having people see me as Corridor Electric.”

As long as he doesn’t see another alligator in that field, he should be fine.

Even if he does cross paths with one, though, he doesn’t need the sign. The new growth, regeneration, knowledge and wisdom are already his.

“In the process of doing things right in this life, we go through the things we need to,” he says good-naturedly. “It’s been a very interesting ride, and it still is.”

Electrical subcontractor Corridor Electric is located in San Marcos. –mjm

Stefan Gresham, Opifex tries his luck.

Second chances

The Texas Apprenticeship Readiness Program in collaboration with U.A. Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 286 Austin; the Texas Building Trades Council, North American Building Trades Unions along with Austin Goodwill, Austin American Youthworks and Workforce Solutions Capital Area hosted a graduation ceremony for individuals of diverse backgrounds and ages selected to be part of “second change” beginning in the Apprenticeship Readiness Program (ARP) utilizing the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3). -cmw

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Austin Construction News • SEPT 2018

“W” is for work

orrest Ferguson found his destiny in a World Book Encyclopedia at the age of 7 – specifically the “W” book.

“I was looking through it and I came to ‘welder,” he recalls. ”I saw that and immediately knew that’s what I was going to do for the rest of my life.”

He says he didn’t think about it at all for seven more years. Then, he walked into a machine shop at age 14 and applied for a job. Impressed by his initiative, the owner hired Forrest on the spot, and his career in welding began.

After high school, Ferguson worked for several oil field companies, the State of Texas welding signs for state agencies and in the semiconductor industry. When he was, as he puts it, given the “gift of termination,” he decided to load his welding Will (left) and Forrest Ferguson (right) of Ferguson equipment onto his truck Fabrication. and do some projects to pay the bills. going to him when I’m out. I see him as “It was then that I realized this is being fortunate; if he sticks with it, he will what I always wanted to do,” he says. He be way further ahead of the game when founded Ferguson Fabrication in 2010. he’s my age than I am. It was a good Today, Forrest takes on projects business decision.” ranging from ADA handrails to gates for Forrest thinks surrendering to his venues, ranches and vineyards. A current destiny was a good decision, too. project is the curved barn doors he is “I enjoy the fact that when I walk welding on a silo that is being transformed away at the end of the day, I can look over into Bastrop arts center. my shoulder and see something I’ve

Besides working on projects, Forrest done. I sat at a desk for many years when works to help someone else find their I worked in the semiconductor industry, fate in welding – his son, Will Ferguson. but when I walked away, I didn’t build “He’s very good at it,” Forrest says. anything; I couldn’t put my hands on “He worked for me for a while and for what I built that day. Later on in my years, both of our sakes I made him a partner. I realized I really need that.”

That way, he can share in all of it, there Welding subcontractor Ferguson are no surprises, and the company is Fabrication is located in Bastrop. –mjm

Industry FOLKS Reid Fairbanks Facilities Maintenance Division Manager Pinpoint Strategies Inc. Buda, TX

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omehow, someway, someone is influenced directly or indirectly by his or her surroundings. For Reid Fairbanks, it was his father.

Fairbanks was born in Conroe, TX and grew up in the heart of the deep Piney Woods in the small town of Livingston. It is there his influence began.

His father is civil/structural engineer.

And as with many, work often accompanied his father home. It wasn’t long before Fairbanks found himself reading plans. “I’ve been involved in construction my entire life. I was reading plans before in got into junior high.”

He attended Big Sandy High School where he graduated valedictorian in 2007. From high school, he pursued an education from Texas A&M University. He graduated in 2011 with a Bachelors Degree in Agricultural Leadership and Development with an emphasis in Construction Services. It is there he met and married his wife of seven years, Stacy.

“I have been blessed with two boys, a three-year-old named Rhett and a six-month-old named Brooks.

My three-year-old loves everything outdoors, especially playing in the dirt with his tractors and fishing with dad.”

Moving up the ranks from field superintendent to division manager, Fairbanks has been with Pinpoint Strate-

gies for four years. “I have always had a desire to solve problems and build tangible structures. It is very rewarding when a project is priced and performed in a profitable manner.”

Definitely a people person with a desire to solve problems, Fairbanks gets his share of both. As the facilities maintenance division manager, Fairbanks spends the majority of his day working on project procurements and project management. He manages a top tier of field staff.

“The most enjoyable part of my job, to me, is the large variety of projects and people that I get to encounter on a daily basis.”

It’s only natural, coming from the Piney Woods of Texas, that Fairbanks has a love for outdoors. Much like his three-year-old, he enjoys doing anything outdoors, especially fishing.

Tournament fishing to be exact is his top outdoor past time. “I participate in a multitude of local and statewide bass fishing trails by kayak and boat.” The biggest bass he has caught to-date was 8lbs, 15ozs. Wow! “I enjoy spending my free time with my family, preferably outdoors.

We make frequent trips in the summer to the crystal clear waters of Canyon Lake.” –cmw

Austin Construction News • SEPT 2018

Sooner than later: Changes in lease accounting Doug Swofford, CPA, Accounting & Consulting Services Supervising Senior Lane Gorman Trubitt, LLC Dallas, TX

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eady or not, here it comes. Starting in 2019 for public companies (2020 for private companies), the way leases are accounted for and reported will change.

These changes can impact the financial statements of lessees. While the implementation date might seem far away in the future, companies should start preparing for the changes in order to achieve a smooth transition.

Historically, there have been two still exists, it will look very different from kinds of leases for lessees, operating leas- the historic presentation of operating es and capital leases. The difference be- leases. Under the new rules, both financtween these two types of leases is deter- ing and operating leases will require a mined by a set of rules. The life of the “right of use asset” and lease liability to asset, the length of the lease term, be recorded. This change will eliminate whether there was a bargain purchase the ability of companies to structure leasoption, and other criteria. An operating es for off balance sheet financing. lease is reported by recording rent ex- The overall changes to leases are pense over the term of the lease. A capi- more complex than simply moving them tal lease is required to be recorded on the all to the balance sheet, but that is bebalance sheet. A capital lease asset and a yond the scope of a single article. Incapital lease liability are recorded. De- stead, here are some best practices to folpreciation expense is recorded over the low. Business owners and managers term of the lease which lowers the value should look to analyze the impact of the of the asset. The liability is decreased as changes on their financial statements. If your company has significant leases, the payments are made.

The difference between operating addition of the related liabilities in the and capital leases allowed companies year of implementation could impact the some flexibility in controlling their bal- operation of your business. Bonding ance sheet. The SEC first identified leases agents, bankers, and even potential cusas a topic for change in 2005 due to in- tomers who use your financial statecreased “off balance sheet financing.” ments will notice a large jump in liabiliSome companies worked to structure ties. This could affect your ability to get leases as operating leases instead of capi- credit or secure a bond. Proactively detal leases. Both leases result in the same termining the impact will allow you to expense over the life of the lease, but start talking with your creditors now to capital leases require recording an asset make sure the change will not negatively and the accompanying liability. By focus- impact your business. Whether you like it ing on operating leases, a company could or not, change is coming. Are you ready avoid recording the liabilities associated for it?

Doug Swofford joined LGT in 2016 and with a capital lease.

The new accounting method chang- has extensive tax experience in S corporaes the two types of leases to operating tions, partnerships, and individuals, as well leases and financing leases. In addition as financial reporting: compilations and to changing the names of the lease types, reviews, business personal property: comthe reporting of leases in financial state- pliance and protests, and payroll taxes: auments will be different under the new dits and compliance issues within the conrules. Even though the operating lease struction industry.

Clays + women = fun

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he National Association of Women in Construction held their first annual clay shoot July 20 at Reunion Ranch. Proceeds from the event go towards the chapter’s scholarship program. It was a fun-filled event complete with BBQ, networking and live music.

–cmw

Best Overall Shooter ➤

1st Place Team – Victory Designs

Page 7

A basic explanation of Experience Rating & its benefits to the employer Austin Goolsby, Vice President TexCap Insurance Dallas, TX

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t’s six to one and half a dozen to another whether you refer to a company’s NCCI experience rating as an EMR or EMOD. At the end of the day they are the same in relative terms but how they are computed on behalf of a business is as unique as the company itself.

Let’s start by what the National Except for a couple of industries in Council on Compensation Insurance select states, Texas is one of only two (NCCI) does and why they’re “Experience states where workers comp is elective.

Rating Plan” is a benefit to employers. Texas also has a state accident limitation, The NCCI is an insurance rating and data which helps minimize the impact of a secollection agency that is only concerned vere loss on a company’s rating. Effective with workers compensation and employ- 7/8/2018 a $251,000 cap is put on cataer’s liability. They are a non-profit organi- strophic losses. Meaning if a loss is zation analyzing industry trends within $500,000 only $251,000 can be considevery industry classification. Their exami- ered in the rating factor. Due to large nation of costs, rates and legislation are losses being so infrequent this limitation currently instituted in thirty-six states by helps alleviate the impact on ratings. The way of state insurance departments, like limitation does vary by state and in Texas the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). its reviewed annually by TDI and adjustThey use untold amounts of data report- ed to account for inflation, among other ed by the insurance companies appoint- things. ed in each state to configure work comp Now back to the real-world applicarates. The Experience Rating Plan is a vital tion and how this effects day to day oppiece in an employer’s final cost of insur- erations. The vetting of a company’s exance as it relates to workers comp and is perience, reputation and capacity, along applied in two ways. It alters the final net with verifying insurance, are all common premium paid by using a business’s practice during the pre-qualification prounique loss information and it incentiviz- cess, but more and more an employer’s es an employer to develop and imple- rating is becoming a significant factor ment loss prevention that encourage re- when receiving an invitation to bid. The turn-to-work programs. If there wasn’t an folks awarding projects are peering into Experience Rating Plan an individual an employer’s safety measures and using company’s loss prevention practices their rating as a gauge. Most of those enwouldn’t be considered and everyone forcing this measurement are requiring would be subject to manual rating, which companies to have a rating of less than is essentially an average of estimated 1.00, and some higher profile projects relosses per industry and each company quire a rating of less than 0.85. Every under the same classification would pay company should strive to have a safe their premium based on individual pay- working environment for their employroll as it relates to that specific class as a ees, both in the office and on site, and whole. that’s the whole idea behind the Experi So what information is considered? ence Rating Plan, but completion dates The primary loss information used to fig- are moved up, change orders happen ure the rating are the three years prior to and mother nature usually impacts a the expiring term. Moreover, when your project along the way. At the end of the workers comp expires this year the NCCI day, a company’s strategy and approach will use the years 2014-2015, 2015-2016 to the health and safety of its employees and 2016-2017 loss information in their will reflect in their individual rating and rating. This allows the insurance compa- their insurance will shield against the unny time to report the information to NCCI expected. and it consequently allows an employer Austin Goolsby is a Vice President of time to implement safety measures to TexCap Insurance, an independent insurprevent past losses from reoccurring. If ance agency headquartered in Dallas, Texthere isn’t prior coverage, an insurance as. He is one of the leading members of the company can use manual rating in con- construction division at TexCap Insurance junction with a scheduled credit. In order and has over 8 years of total experience in to qualify for the Experience Rating Plan the field, on the building material supply a business must have a minimum premi- side and insurance aspects of the industry. um of $10,000 or have payrolls that would For more information please visit www.Texgenerate and average of at least $5,000 CapINS.com or you can contact Austin diof premium during the previous two rectly at 972-720-5384 or agoolsby@Texyears.

CapINS.com.

Page 8

Austin Construction News • SEPT 2018

Three steps employers can take to protect Latino and immigrant workers from discrimination Mauro Ramirez Fisher Phillips Houston, TX he Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that Latinos TUnited make up 29 percent of construction workers in the States. This percentage varies from state to state,

with Latinos likely comprising more than 50 percent of construction workers in Texas. (The Center for Construction Research and Training estimates 55 percent). Other studies estimate that immigrants comprise about 25 percent of construction workers nationwide and 41 percent in Texas, with most having emigrated from Mexico.

These figures – in combination with guage barrier. Are policies and acknowlgeneral shortages in skilled construction edgement forms translated into Spanish workers – underscore the importance of (either in writing or verbally)? construction companies’ efforts to re- Training. A well-drafted, thoroughly cruit and retain Latino workers. disseminated policy is not worth the pa The National Discussion on per it is printed on if managers do not Immigration know how to enforce its terms effectively Immigration from Latin-American coun- and consistently. Training is essential to tries became a key talking point during the educating managers and workers alike on 2016 election and in this year’s mid-term recognizing prohibited conduct, as well political campaigns, and employers report as responding appropriately when they an increase in enforcement efforts this witness or are a victim of such conduct. year. This national discussion highlights Again, consider providing training in the need for employers to continue non- Spanish to assure workers and managers discrimination efforts in the workplace. understand your commitment to provid In 2017, survey results indicated that ing a discrimination-free environment. about a third of Latinos reported experi- Investigation. Employers who reencing discrimination in workplace situa- ceive a report of harassment must take it tions (applications, equal pay and pro- seriously and promptly start an investigamotions). This sentiment has steadily in- tion. There is no one-size-fits-all apcreased since the early 2000s (in 2002, proach, but the following components Rutgers University found that 22 percent are essential: of Latino workers reported experiencing Objectively interview the complainrace-based unfair treatment). ing party, the alleged harasser and any

Some suggest the trends are related third-party witness, documenting the innot only to national discussions on immi- formation provided and obtaining writgration, but also to an incorrect assump- ten statements. Use a translator if necestion that discrimination is permitted sary. against certain groups. To the contrary, Preserve and review relevant eviTitle VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 pro- dence, including text messages, e-mails, hibits discrimination based on both race documents and photos. and national origin (including a person’s Analyze the facts, weigh the evidence or ancestor’s place of birth), and the Im- and assess witnesses’ credibility to determigration and Nationality Act prohibits mine the truth. discrimination against non-citizens au- Arrive at a conclusion and make recthorized to work in the United States. ommendations to resolve the complaint,

Steps for Creating an Inclusive including potential disciplinary action for Workplace the accused harasser.

Employers can take three simple Communicate the outcome of the insteps to implement these laws and create vestigation to the parties involved. an inclusive workplace: create and en- If the investigation reveals that the force anti-discrimination policies; pro- allegations against the accused are subvide effective training; and promptly in- stantiated, take action commensurate vestigate reports. with the gravity of the offense. Conduct Policies. Strong, clear policies set ing a good investigation will improve out expectations for workplace behavior morale, minimize legal liability and demand communicate how seriously you onstrate a commitment to enforcing politreat this subject. Policies should define cies and promoting an inclusive and rediscrimination and harassment (provid- spectful workforce. ing clear examples) and state conse- An inclusive work environment helps quences for violations. Policies should employers thrive in an increasingly direflect the modern workplace and ad- verse world. By adhering to the tenets of dress harassment in a thoughtful man- Title VII and implementing the steps ner. For instance, does your policy ad- above, construction companies will build dress conduct that may occur via text employee loyalty and a team perspective message or online forums? that helps them retain critical Latino Give similar thoughtful consider- workers. ation to distributing the policies. A policy Mauro Ramirez is Of Counsel in the is ineffective if workers and managers do Houston office of labor and employment not know or understand its terms. With law firm Fisher Phillips. Mauro can be respect to Latino workers, in particular, reached at 713.292.0150 or mramirez@fishemployers should account for the lan- erphillips.com.

Backover Incidents Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX

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backover incident occurs when a backing vehicle strikes a worker who is standing, walking, or kneeling behind the vehicle.

How do backover incidents occur?

Backover accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. Drivers may not be able to see a worker in their blind spot.

Workers may not hear backup alarms because of other worksite noises or because the alarms are not functioning. A spotter assisting one truck may not see another truck behind him. Workers riding on vehicles may fall off and get backed over.

Drivers may assume that the area is clear and not look in the direction of travel.

Sometimes, it is unclear why a worker was in the path of a backing vehicle. A combination of factors can also lead to backover incidents.

What can be done to prevent backover incidents?

Many solutions exist to prevent backover incidents. Drivers can use a spotter to help them back up their vehicles. Video cameras with in-vehicle display monitors can give drivers a view of what is behind them. Proximity detection devices, such as radar and sonar, can alert drivers to objects that are behind them.

Tag-based systems can inform drivers when other employees are behind the vehicle and can alert employees when they walk near a vehicle equipped to communicate with the tag worn by the employee. On some work sites, employers can create internal traffic control

plans, which tell the drivers where to drive and can reduce the need to back up. In some cases, internal traffic control plans can be used to separate employees on foot from operating equipment.

Training is another tool to prevent backover incidents. Blind spots behind and around vehicles are not immediately obvious to employees on foot. By training employees on where those blind spots are and how to avoid being in them, employers can prevent some backover incidents. One component of this training can include putting employees who will be working around vehicles in the driver’s seat to get a feel for where the blind spots are and what, exactly, the drivers can see. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has several blind spot diagrams that can help explain what drivers of various large trucks can see. These diagrams can be located here: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/highwayworkzones/BAD/imagelookup.html OSHA also has several free videos on preventing stuck by accidents that are free to view or download: https://www.osha.gov/dts/vtools/construction/struck_by_backover_fnl_eng_ web.html natarajan.joann@dol.gov 512-374-0271 x232

Austin Construction News • SEPT 2018

Page 9

End to a great beginning

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

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y the time this paper hits the newsstands, summer break will have ended and kids will be back in schools continuing their education. This is also a time that our bay system will see a much needed break from the daily pressures that it’s received since early May. Every year I notice more and more boats on the water. With this comes added pressure in congested areas that are popular and hold lots of fish. It doesn’t take long for fish to move on and seek less pressured areas. Changing your normal fishing strategies will keep you on the bite during these difficult times.

With fall weather patterns approaching, it’s time to start paying attention to little indicators that will help you catch fish. During summer months, weather stays fairly stable unless there is a rare rain shower in the area. Typically, from mid-May until the middle of September we are going to have pretty stable weather patterns. On the other hand, fall is a transitional season. Sometime around the third week in September, we will start to see a weather change. Most of you that dove hunt in South Texas

Mark Kirshner, San Antonio, had his hands full when this 40-inch redfish decided to take his piggy perch for lunch. Fish was CPR’d after photo by Steve Schultz Outdoors.

Ryan Wyatt caught this 28-inch speck last month fish with Steve Schultz Outdoors.

Fish was CPR’d (Caught-Photoed-Released) after photos.

know that we always have some sort of weather change opening weekend.

Barometric pressures will start having an effect on fish feeding as soon as these weather patterns start to change. Wherever warm and cold air masses meet, storms begin to brew. In the process, there are often rapid changes in temperature, wind direction and barometric pressure that affect fishing. While that impending storm front might cause an angler without raingear some discomfort, it can also trigger a hot bite. The most interesting observation is that the actual pressure level itself is relatively unimportant; it’s the direction in which the barometric pressure is heading, rising or falling that has the most significant effect on fishing success. Simply stated: Rising pressure generally shuts the fish off, while dropping pressure turns the fish on and almost always improves your catch rate.

Speaking of fall fishing, I can’t wait for cooler temperatures to arrive. This should be the month we start to see schooling reds starting to show up along our shorelines and flats. Typically, these fish will hang around our bays and estuaries for weeks feeding before they migrate to the gulf for the winter. Targeting these schools depends a lot on the weather. Calm, clear days are best for site casting these brutes and can really test the durability of your equipment. I’m always prepared with a rod rigged up with a gold spoon or a 1/4 oz. jig and a white soft plastic of some sort. You never know when you’re going to jump a school, so best be prepared.

My 2018 calendar is now open for bookings for the fall fishing season. The months of September and October are truly two of the best months of the year to fish. Also, start planning your winter trips. I will be booking wade fishing trips in Port Mansfield again this winter.

To schedule your next bay fishing trip or hunting adventure give Capt.

Steve Schultz a call at 361-813-3716 or 361-334-3105 or e-mail me at SteveSchultzOutdoors@gmail.com. Good Luck and Good Fishing.

Page 10

Austin Construction News • SEPT 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

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Dog days

hree buzzards are sitting on the walkway to the dock. They are fluffing and snapping at each other while staring intently at a dead fish lazily floating in to shore. The fish is still 20 ft out, giving the buzzards a few more minutes to squabble before dinner arrives.

Finally they just all fly away, leaving the fish to bob along his way without them.

tough go of it this time of year. Since stripers come from the Atlantic, the kind of long hot summers we treat them to in Texas are not well received. They don’t tolerate the high water temperatures very well and they feel a strong tendency to want to be traveling down stream, heading back to salt-water for winter. In a lake they just end up like my pup that sleeps by the back door. They know they need out, but they can’t get there. In just a few weeks it will cool off enough to trigger the stripers starting to feed hard in preparation for spawning in the spring.

This summer we have been able to keep the striper bite going and even bring in some larger fish by reviving our downrigger fishing. They have been steady for this time of year with some hint of topwater feeding that we should start to see as fall gets here.

I know just how they feel. I don’t wanna do anything either. Nothing looks good to eat. It’s too hot. Got lots of stuff I could be doing, but I just can’t seem to make myself move!

If you find yourself in the Hill Country hunting doves or getting the deer lease ready, save a little time to get on the water. Some the best fishing and prettiest days on the lake are just around the corner. It’s hard to beat a fish fry in the pasture under a starry sky!

Welcome to the Dog Days of summer. It’s when you just feel dog-tired, go around with a hang-dog expression on your face, feeling dogged out and wanting to join the dogs under the cool front porch. If summer was any longer would we just keep on naming the days after slower and draggier creatures? How about the Slug Days of summer, when it’s all you can do to just drag yourself across the hot sticky pavement. Enough of that!

Half or Full Day Fishing Trips

The Dog Days have always been with us.

It’s that time of year when summer has officially worn out its welcome. Right between high summer when we are still enjoying being rid of winter and Indian summer, when we can begin to feel the first subtle changes of fall coming and we want to cherish every last warm afternoon, because we know are going to miss them when winter comes. Humans are not the only ones who go through this.

Neither are buzzards and dogs.

All Bait, Tackle & Equipment Furnished Your catch Filleted and Bagged for You Furnish your TPWD Fishing License & Refreshments, and WE DO THE REST!

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

The thing I know best is fish, stripers in particular, and they can really have a

Say “corn”

Stan Rothman, BlueLine Rental shared this photo of pictures taken from his game camera at Indian Creek Ranch.

She definitely is not shy! -cmw

Fishing, Sam style

While fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, Samantha York, DCA Construction, caught these beauties. “They put up a good fight, but YES, I won the battle.” –cmw

Austin Construction News • SEPT 2018

Page 11

The therapy of water

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ennifer Maxell, Lott Builders Construction Company Ltd. shared photos from her kayaking trip on Brushy Creek Lake. “Since I do not have a truck, I use the inflatable kayak – fits easily in my trunk. I’ve taken it to Port A and kayaked the Gulf and the Channel by the ferry. I frequent Lake Georgetown, Brushy Creek Lake, Lake Austin off Emma Long Park and Quinlan Park Rd, the south side of San Gabriel River from Georgetown to Jonah, lake Whitney, Lake Pflugerville, and other spots I randomly find. I love being in/on water in general. It’s very therapeutic, refreshing and allows me to explore the beautiful nature and chase sunsets which I adore.” -cmw

A sunset captured by Maxwell while in her inflatable kayak.

www.constructionnews.net publishing the industry’s news Reach your Target Market with Construction News 210-308-5800 ★ www.ConstructionNews.net

Taking a short break way back on the west side of Brushy Creek Lake where it narrows to a shallow creek.

Texas Style

★ ★ ★ ★

San Antonio Austin Dallas/Fort Worth Houston

Page 12

Austin Construction News • SEPT 2018

Thirty years of success

Construction News ON LOCATION

Visiting with the safe way

Frank Castillo, Max Corbin, Terry Norris and Phillip Centorbi with Safe Way Rental in Manachaca, TX pose with some of their equipment for Construction News. -cmw

L-R: Bill Imhoff and Mark Jones pose for a photo at Intertech’s 30th anniversary celebration, Scholz Garten.

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he market depression of the 80s turned out to be a blessing for Intertech Commercial Flooring. At the time, owner Bill Imhoff, Vice President Mark Jones, Terry Bessire and Dixon Matlock were working for another flooring company that closed its door while working on a good-size project in Austin. That’s when they knew they wanted to start their own company. As fate would have it, the four worked together, along with 11 other employees from their previous employment, and set out to continue what they had started.

The rest is history.

“We were installing 1,200 yards of carpet a day when the company we were working for closed its doors. During that time, nobody would lend any money. We did everything we could to get the money to start Intertech. I called the head of facilities for the job we were on and told them that we had started our own company and asked him to let us finish the job. Things just fell into place. They really helped us get started,” recalls Imhoff.

It’s been 30 years since that faithful project and Intertech is going strong with locations in Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and Mission, TX. They have grown from 15 employees to well over 150 employees. Seven of the original 15 employees are still with Intertech.

Jones eventually moved to head up the San Antonio office. “It’s been a long road, but then again it seems like yesterday when we started. I’m here in San Antonio and it’s one of the best moves I ever made,” says Jones.

To ensure the quality of Intertech stays intact, Intertech has it’s own inhouse apprenticeship program training skilled installers through a Dept. of Labor approved program.

To celebrate the company’s 30th anniversary, Intertech hosted an anniversary party at the infamous Scholz Garten.

The event was held on Jul. 12 with over 200 clients, friends, employees and family in attendance.

Intertech Commercial Flooring is a fullservice commercial flooring contractor. -cmw

Hahns duo

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Gladys and Gene Hahn, owners of Hahn & Hahn Sawmill and Woodworking.

f Gene Hahn could choose the perfect wood to symbolize his marriage and business partnership with his wife Gladys, he knows just the wood he would pick.

“Mesquite,” the president of Hahn & Hahn Sawmill and Woodworking says without hesitation. “It’s strong, and we have a strong bond between us.”

With Gladys by his side as vice president, Gene started the company in 2003 after 30 years of carpentry and homebuilding for McCoy Building Supply. Three employees help the couple cut, mill, dry, plane and mold lumber for commercial, residential and personal projects.

“Our specialization is mesquite, pecan and aromatic red cedar,” Gladys explains. “We do sell raw lumber to hardwood dealers in Austin and we sell flooring to stores individually. We also sell to cabinet shops. We even did a 16-ft. conference table for a group of engineers in Austin that was pretty trying to get up to the second floor!”

Getting the business off the ground in the first place is what was really trying for the couple.

“It was rough, but if we wouldn’t

have had money of our own that we put up to keep going, we wouldn’t have made it through the first two years,” Gene recalls. “After the first two years, everything went pretty well. We have the same people coming now that have been coming the past 10 to 15 years; we get customers that are local and that are referrals. I enjoy making things and satisfying people that come in here. It gives me a good feeling to know they leave out of here happy.”

One thing that makes the Hahns happy is working together. Gene hails Gladys as his bookkeeping and invoice guru, and Gladys praises Gene as a “creator” who can envision what the piece will look like before he cuts the wood. They hope to work for five more years together before they retire.

“We don’t really have a problem with working together,” Gene says. “I get tickled when people ask us how we work together all of the time. We just go on and do it. We like what we’re doing, I guess!”

Supplier Hahn & Hahn Sawmill and Woodworking is in Red Rock. –mjm

Austin Construction News • SEPT 2018

Page 13

THIS TH MON Jan: Construction Forecast Mar: Construction Education May: Concrete Industry July: Electrical Industry Feb: Construction Safety Apr: Women in Construction Jun: HVAC & Plumbing Aug: Service Providers

A better tomorrow Ryan Therrell, Director of Business Development The Beck Group Austin, TX

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ounded in 1912, The Beck Group is a collaborative team of designers, builders and technology experts, offering planning, architecture, interior design, construction, sustainability and technology consulting services. By integrating architecture and construction, Beck provides a unique approach to projects that transforms the way organizations design and build.

How is green building related to smart growth and sustainable development?

Green buildings are only a piece of the sustainable development pie. Architects and contractors historically have focused mainly on the building, but in order to improve our lives and the environment, we need to look beyond the buildings in a more inclusive way to the surrounding communities and regions.

We need to ask questions such as: How can we impact health? How can we develop in a way that can add value and regenerate our surroundings?

What are the benefits of green building?

Energy and water savings are the most obvious economic and financial benefits both in operational cost and resource conservation. Additional benefits

to building owners include operational savings, better marketability and branding, improved recruiting and retention of top talent, reduced healthcare costs, and increased property value. Benefits to employees include improved health, comfort, overall well-being and productivity.

What are the major changes in your industry relating to green building?

Green building discussions are moving beyond looking strictly at operational savings through building performance, but also how health and wellness impacts a company’s bottom line. For example, the WELL Building Standard is new to the market and is focused solely on the occupant.

What is the most significant challenge

The beneficial green Lyle Coston, Vice President of Waterproofing & Caulking Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing Houston, TX

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yle Coston has over 20 years experience in sealants and waterproofing. He holds a BBA in Business Management from the University of Phoenix Houston. He has been part of the Chamberlin family for 18 years and is well versed in green building and sustainability.

What are the benefits of green building?

The benefits of green building are that it provides the owner with a longterm investment that will pay for itself over the life of the building. The more energy efficient a building is will help with the energy costs, which will pay for those upgrades (or code requirements) during construction, like continuous insulation and air barriers.

What are the economic benefits of green or sustainable building and development?

There are many architects that now have enough historical data on green buildings that can prove lower energy costs when owners select options that create a more energy efficient building.

Building Enclosure Energy modeling has come a long way with the technological advances that can help show owners the cost impact during construction and

benefits over time.

What are the major changes in your industry relating to green building?

Major changes related to Division 7 are continuous insulation code requirements. Thermal bridging of metal components like steel studs, Z-furring, metal screws and even flashings have shown with 3-D imaging that the R-Value mentioned on an insulation doesn’t mean that wall will have R-19. The thermal bridging reduces that R-Value significantly so the need for continuous insulation to create a thermal break is needed to get that R-Value back up.

What is the most significant challenge your industry faces relating to green building?

Design and consistency in the way these projects are being built. We are seeing a significant change in air and va-

GREEN BUILDING

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

your industry faces relating to green building?

One of the biggest challenges is effectively dealing with the costs of green building.

Are green buildings more expensive to construct? Why? What are the cost increases relating to green building?

In Beck’s experience, green buildings don’t necessarily have to cost more.

Through an integrated design process that prioritizes holistic, innovative solutions, green buildings can be the same or potentially lower cost than traditional buildings. Another way to look at the cost of green buildings is to look at the lifecycle cost. Being able to quantify the first cost of an energy efficiency strategy as well as the predicted operational savings will provide a simple payback that can help owners make big picture decisions.

What is on the horizon for your industry?

Actual performance. It’s good to do the up-front analysis and design to a predicted energy efficiency level; but until you verify it, savings are only probable.

We include Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) services as part of our Sustainability consulting services.

Have there been any significant code or regulation changes regarding green building?

por barriers as well as insulation. These changes are causing confusion in the architectural and contracting community because not all of these systems have been tested together. They are tested in standalone conditions and pass most ASTMs that are listed, but the entire system is rarely put together to test it as a whole system.

Are green buildings more expensive to construct? Why? Green buildings are more expensive to construct because of the requirements to achieve certain LEED Certification levels. The cost impact is due to material selection and design that may otherwise not be required if it was not a green building. Studies have shown that the initial cost is a few percentage points more but when you roll in the cost of that building after five years, the payback may show you that the building will actually cost less.

What are the cost increases relating to green building?

Testing, continuous insulation, R-Value requirements, whole building envelope testing, and material selection are just a few of the increases but the savings again are on the backside. We have seen buildings that have not followed any guidelines and they are losing either heat or AC at a very rapid pace that could have easily offset those initial costs had they commissioned the air and vapor barrier installation. Images can now show owners where they are

One of the most significant changes is pushing high performance buildings to the new energy codes. Most of the regions of the country that we work in have adopted the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which calls for stricter requirements for building envelopes, lighting, heating and cooling, which lead to operational savings and reduced Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.

Additionally, increased commissioning requirements ensure the predicted energy savings are realized.

How are buildings certified as green in the U.S.?

The most widely recognized green building certification in the world is the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Their Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program sets the standard for building performance. Beyond USGBC’s LEED rating system is the Living Building Challenge, which rewards projects for net zero/net positive energy and water and avoiding chemicals of concern, as well as other imperatives such as beauty and health and happiness.

The Beck Group is a full-service architecture and construction firm with offices in Atlanta, Tampa, Mexico City, Denver, Austin, Dallas and Fort Worth. -cmw

losing the AC or heat very easily which are sometimes surprising to see.

What is on the horizon for your industry?

More green roofs and amenity decks, continuous insulation and roof assemblies that are reflective with higher R-Value requirements where it is a minimum not an average.

Have their been any significant code or regulation changes regarding green building?

Yes, there have been code changes but it becomes a political nightmare within each city or county on who is adopting those codes and then hiring the personnel in the permitting office to enforce or implement the changes through plan review and permitting.

How are buildings certified as green in the U.S.?

USGBC is the standard when it comes to LEED Certification. The United States Green Building Council was started in 1993 during a founding meeting at the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Continuous collaboration and education with industry experts have helped to push this certification as a standard in LEED certification.

Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing is full-service roofing and waterproofing company with offices in Texas & Oklahoma. -cmw

Page 14

Austin Construction News • SEPT 2018

THIS TH MON

GREEN BUILDING

To represent your company in an upcoming FOCUS, contact AustinEditor@ConstructionNews.net (210) 308-5800

NEXT MONTH (October 2018) SPECIALTY CONTRACTORS

Healthy buildings, healthy people Mary Bartlett, Partner, AIA, RID, LEED AP Marmon Mok Architecture San Antonio, TX

B

artlett is an architect with over 25 years of experience, working on civic, corporate and higher education projects.

What are the benefits of green building?

Green building has significant benefits for the environment and the building occupants. For the building, it’ll use less water and energy, will have better indoor air quality, and will incorporate more natural light. As a result, the occupants’ health and wellbeing will be improved and their workplace productivity will increase.

How is green building related to smart growth and sustainable development?

It is an approach that specifically addresses and minimizes the harmful effects of the building on the environment during construction and throughout its operation and habitation.

Green building also follows the idea that healthy buildings make healthy people. It ensures good health and wellbeing are addressed through design, finding practical solutions to provide clean water, affordable and clean energy, responsible consumptions, and production.

What are the economic benefits of green or sustainable building and development?

Green building leads to lower life cycle costs, lowering water and energy bills and long-term maintenance costs. Material selections are also more durable and therefore fewer are required. Aside from the physical costs, the building’s marketability increases as the majority of today’s consumers highly value sustainability and enhanced quality of life and productivity in spaces.

What are the major changes in your industry relating to green building?

I think the major changes are how the codes are now mandating many of the green building practices. Additionally, the industry is looking to improve the entire building for its occupants. For example, the WELL building practices include air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind.

A construction standard John O’Connor, Director of Preconstruction Balfour Beatty Dallas, TX

J

ohn O’Connor is an experienced director of preconstruction with a demonstrated history of working in the construction industry. He holds a Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering degree focused in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University.

What are the benefits of green building?

Green building takes an approach that meshes building construction with the surrounding environment. When done correctly, the benefits can be recognized by those who occupy the building, in addition to owners responsible for the long-term operation and maintenance of the building. For end-users, benefits often include increased natural lighting that provides a healthier and more productive work environment. Natural lighting can also reduce operating costs for owners by reducing power consumption by artificial lighting.

How is green building related to smart growth and sustainable development?

Green building is the construction process to achieve smart growth and sustainable development. Designed to create environmentally friendly work and living spaces, the process promotes the efficient use of the available space, minimizes waste during the building process, and utilizes materials that reduce operations and maintenance (O&M) costs.

Green building also considers the longterm function of buildings and how to

maximize the surrounding environment by thoughtfully evaluating building orientation and minimizing the impact on the existing site and surrounding area.

Simply evaluating a new structure’s orientation and its impact on the site can affect mechanical equipment efficiencies, electrical power needs and the natural drainage of the site.

What are the economic benefits of green or sustainable building and development?

By leveraging sustainable energy sources such as solar power or geothermal systems, economic benefits are inherent in green buildings which are more efficient and provide power to the grid.

Green buildings promote the use of recycled materials like reclaimed wood, recycled steel and products that come from recycled materials. These environments also take into careful consideration the health of the end-users in regard to air quality and lighting, which in turn creates healthier and more productive living and work environments.

What are the major changes in your industry relating to green building?

Green building practices are becom-

What is the most significant challenge your industry faces relating to green building?

I think the biggest challenge is educat-ing the public and clients on the science behind the green building movement and understanding the long-term benefits versus the short-term investment.

ments, and major renovations shall be carbon neutral by 2030,’ and the push for net-zero buildings, meaning the building creates more energy than it consumes. In response to this goal, there is a renewed enthusiasm for development of new and creative alternatives of products and materials.

Are green buildings more expensive to construct? Why?

I think the key word in this question is construct, and to that point, yes and no. You can make always make design choices that will make the building more expensive to construct. Typically, to construct a green building through the use of material choices and the conscious effort to make the building more efficient, it does not cost more. The bottom line is, green buildings are designed for the present and future, to last, to enhance, and to conserve, both dollars and resources like energy and water.

Have there been any significant code or regulation changes regarding green building?

Yes, the building codes are changing to require sustainable requirements in-stead of just making them optional.

The necessity established by new codes and regulations makes many of the issues more mainstream, enhancing the conversation of green building and continuing to push research and innovation. In turn, the bar for green buildings keeps rising.

What are the cost increases relating to green building?

There doesn’t have to be a cost increase, but some of the choices made towards green building can be more expensive: many times it depends on geographic location and available access to water, alternative energy sources, and sustainable and green materials.

What is on the horizon for your industry?

We are still moving towards the goal set for 2030, ‘All new buildings, develop-

ing more of the standard for construction in the industry today. There are many benefits for building owners when it comes to lower O&M costs and investment values, although those benefits come with additional initial construction costs. The most notable changes we see are changes being made to building codes and local jurisdiction codes for building in large metropolitan areas.

What is the most significant challenge your industry faces relating to green building?

Education, understanding the requirements and helping the designers with constructability of the new systems.

The next challenge is understanding what the owner’s ultimate goal is for their project.

Are green buildings more expensive to construct? Why? Although the long-term O&M cost savings are well documented, green buildings are more expensive to build.

Green buildings often require new and less available materials such as Forest Stewardship Council-certified (FCS) wood products. Green building systems may also require additional layers, whether it’s additional insulation in wall and roof systems or additional valves and controls to enhance mechanical systems.

Also, commissioning costs to verify buildings have been constructed to meet the efficiency requirements to be designated a green building.

What are the cost increases relating to green building?

Ultimately the cost increase revolves around new, unknown processes and the requirement to prove the buildings achieve the green building designation. I

How are buildings certified as green in the U.S.?

There are a few ways to validate the sustainable aspects of a building with the following standards of LEED certification Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design; CHPS - Consortium for High Performance Schools; Energy Star – energy consuming products Green Globes; GBCI and WELL Building Standard.

Founded in 1953, Marmon Mok is a leading architectural design practice in the San Antonio community and throughout the state of Texas. -cmw

believe as these new processes and systems are increasingly utilized, it will be understood they achieve green building standards and will not require the extreme cost of verification.

What is on the horizon for your industry?

I believe green building practices that save on O&M costs will continue to be more of a requirement than a choice in the future for developers and owners.

Builders will have to be better informed of these changes in order to anticipate green-building trends that will affect the construction processes for their projects.

Have there been any significant code or regulation changes regarding green building?

Green building practices have certainly influenced changes to building codes. For instance, the electrical energy codes now require lighting control systems in institutional facilities like schools to reduce power consumption by shutting off lights when rooms are not in use or are unoccupied.

How are buildings certified as green in the U.S.?

Buildings in the United States are primarily certified through the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® green building program. However, some major metropolitan municipalities like Dallas and Austin are adopting their own green building requirements as part of their building codes, but they do not provide certifications.

Balfour Beatty is a full-service general contractor with offices throughout the continental US. –cmw

Austin Construction News • SEPT 2018

Page 15

Sanctified service

Industry FOLKS Jon Alvarez Leadman Coppera, LLC Taylor, TX

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Roger Osborn, founder and owner of Osborn Plumbing.

R

oger Osborn, owner of Osborn Plumbing, as clear guidelines with which to run his business: “I tell people that we try to work like we’re working for Jesus.”

Each morning they meet to go over policies and expectations, keeping the bar set high.

The Bastrop native originally wanted to be a math teacher, studying as Southwest Texas State (now Texas State, San Marcos).

While in college, Osborn decided, “I liked plumbing better than I did going to school, and that kind of started the journey.”

After getting married to Carey, who now helps in the office, Osborn worked for Bailey Plumbing, who gave him a lot of responsibility at a young age. “He put me in charge of his service department and was fortunate enough to learn on his dollar.”

After a stint with America Oil near Houston, Osborn came home to start his own plumbing company in May 1977. At first, it was just he. Then he hired his first help about a year later. Now, Osborn has five plumbers on staff.

“I’ve never been a big company,” he

said. “I’ve kept it small to where it’s easily manageable.”

With a 20-25 mile radius, Osborn will put a new apprentice with his most seasoned plumber for training.

Osborn doesn’t spend as much time in the field as he used to. “Most of what I do out in the field is get estimates,” and then solves problems that “need a little bit of gray hair.”

One of the biggest changes Osborn has seen since he started has been in the advertising area. In 1977, it was word of mouth, people seeing his truck, or the newspaper and phone book that got the word out. Now, the majority of his new customers find him from Mr. Google.

Even after so long, Osborn laughed and said he still trying to figure the business out, but “haven’t gotten a grip on it yet. I’m still learning!”

One big lesson he’s learned though, when it comes to being a master plumber, there is still only one Master, and He guides Osborn every day.

Osborn Plumbing is a residential and commercial plumbing company in Bastrop.

-dsz

hat is it like being the oldest of eight children? Jon Alvarez knows.

Alvarez was born in Austin and grew up in the outer Austin area. He has four brothers and three sisters who still live in the Austin area also. As the oldest brother, Alvarez acknowledges that kids grow up fast in today’s world.

Alvarez and his wife Erica portray a power couple focusing on their futures before they decide to bring someone into the world. “I am trying to graduate and my wife is going to school for nursing.

We are trying to provide and do it the right way before we try to bring someone else into this world,” said Alvarez.

He is currently the leadman at Coppera, the plumbing and commercial services company. He has been with the company for three years and will be graduating from the PlumbingHeating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) in June 2019.

Turns out Alvarez had been around construction when he was younger. “I had some grandparents and uncles that did masonry work, landscaping, automotive and a little bit of welding here and there.”

After high school, a family member introduced Alvarez to the plumbing industry. Coppera is the first and only place Alvarez has worked within the plumbing trade.

“I like knowing how important plumbers are, especially in the commercial industry. Plumbers have their hands on the project first and they are

usually the last ones to leave.”

This hard-working eldest brother has discovered his own path in the plumbing industry and will continue to grow. Here are a few words of wisdom he shared are for those in or starting out in the industry: “If you ever work within different types of phases, always bring out your code book.” He knows it is good to enlighten oneself because codes always change. “It’s always good to know what’s changed and what hasn’t.”

While at work Alvarez enjoys what a new day can bring on a jobsite. One day in Round Rock they were drilling at a dog kennel for McNeil High School. “The drill all of a sudden gave out and come to find out there was a huge cavern underneath the jobsite. That was pretty cool and unique because when they showed us the pictures…I mean it’s a cavern that no one has been inside of for thousands and thousands of years!”

Alvarez loves nature and said being there at that moment to witness that “was really cool.”

Alvarez is no stranger to nature.

His favorite spot to get in a good hike is at the Greenbelt in Austin. “It is good to hike, get some fresh air and get away from the city life for awhile.”

So, what is it like being the oldest of eight children? It is a humble journey for this soon to be journeyman. –lv

Page 16

Austin Construction News • SEPT 2018

What would you like to see more of in Construction News?

I’d say probably a little more depth inside the articles. You know how you asked me how I got here, not necessarily going that deep, but how they feel about their passion of their work.

Jon Alvarez, Coppera It would be nice to see more articles regarding upcoming projects that have been approved in each city. Building permits issued, etc. Projects that are up and coming instead of projects that are under way or already completed.

Whitney Oldfather, Advanced Connections Inc. Construction News is a great resource that informs its readers of specialty trades/contractors. From my short time being a subscriber and from reviewing past issues, I think it would be a great idea to also have sections for highlighting general contractors, upcoming projectspotential leads section and training and education for employee development within the various contractor organizations all identified for the month.

Marcos Ozuna, NOW Specialties, Inc. I always enjoy reading about welding technologies and seeing stories of others in the industry and how they got to where they are. This is an area where I could see a place filled with interest in Construction News.

Sean O’Grady, F2 Metal Works I’d like to see a networking connection between developers and contractors.

Nicholas Scales, Red Beard Excavators

I would like to see a little more from construction leaders about the outlook of construction. What are their projections five – ten years down the road.

Crystal Hernandez, Millwork Services I would like to see more stories on individuals. It’s a way to humanize the industry, to put a face with a company. It helps us realize we are all just people trying to make our mark in the industry.

Stan Rothman, BlueLine Rental We would love to see more local project highlights. It’s always nice to get a peek into the great projects that are happening around town and that don’t necessarily make the mainstream press.

Barney Toler, AQC Austin LLC Many times I see that many crafts are featured that do not relate to new construction, which is where we focus our attention. It is difficult to sort through the many articles to find the diamond in the rough that could be of interest to us. I do get to see Construction News featured articles on LinkedIn throughout the day to keep abreast of new construction projects in Austin and the Texas area.

Irma Gonzalez, Arias Geoprofessionals I wouldn’t know what to say because you all have everything in there I like to see.

You all have a little bit of everything.

Tina Reeves, The Reynolds Company

Credit awards

T

he Texas Statewide Construction Credit Group held its annual award presentation at their quarterly meeting at the Flying L Ranch in Bandera, TX. In recognition for serving as the association’s president/chairman for the past four years, Lori Drake was also recognized. -cmw

continued from Page 1 — Hooked on a new hobby “Fexal” comes from an element from the periodic table.

O’Grady thought about changing the name to “Fexal Fabrication,” but didn’t because it “sounded stupid.” Formula 1 racing was coming to Austin at this time, and it had a nice ring to it. “Fexal Fabrication” has two F’s in it, and O’Grady finally settled on F2 Metal Works.

O’Grady got a truck and became mobile. With plenty of ranches in the Austin area, he has done his share of horse shelters and enclosures. He has done several pipe welding jobs in the oil industry and much commission

O’Grady loves the actual design process. Designing a project “is more of what I do than the actual welding.” He did a very intricate stairwell for a customer and redrew it “probably nine or 10 times.” He likes making sure he and the customer are in agreement and that there are no surprises.

O’Grady contrasts this with the job for which he was hired on strictly as a welder, with no input in or knowledge of the de-

sign. He merely produced what he was told to. He “felt like I was lost” because he never was part of the design phase.

From his first few welding classes at Austin Community College, O’Grady has upgraded to aluminum and stainless steel. “Anyone can put a welder in the back of a truck and say they’re a welder, [but] to weld to a code, not everybody can,” he said. Keeping current on being certified by the American Welding Society is time-consuming and expensive.

For the future, O’Grady wants to grow F2 Metal Works. He wants to hire full-time people, get more mobile rigs, and be able to do more than one job at a time. “I don’t want it to end; I want it to get bigger,” he said.

Being able to turn a hobby or interest into a profession is a great thing.

O’Grady has been able to do this with F2 Metal Works.

Maybe he should buy his old motorcycle back and give it another whirl.

F2 Metal Works is a custom welding and fabrication shop in the Austin area. -dsz

continued from Page 1 — Heavenly hardwood

The Allain family drove out to Georgetown to check it out. They immediately fell in love with the people and culture.

“Respect is earned here,” Allain said.

“And once it’s earned, don’t screw it up because you’ll lose it. People here support each other.”

The move was made in 2010, with Kingdom Floors starting in 2011. God had spoken.

Allain made contacts with other contractors, and his business began to grow.

He worked on the Roger Beasly Mazda dealership and many other local businesses, in addition to many residences.

The one part of California Allain brought with him is the high expectation for quality work he used to do there.

“The small jobs, I’m going to do them just like I did the big jobs. We don’t like cutting corners,” he said. “We want to make sure it’s done to the way we would be happy with ourselves.”

The only other person to work with Allain is his stepfather, who had raised him since he was 13. Sometimes, however, his two sons, ages 19 and 13, will join in. While Allain “would love to work with them,” he realizes that it’s important for them to do what makes them happy.

What makes Allain happy is doing the fun stuff with his woodwork. He likes doing custom stairs. When discussing a project, he’ll ask his client, “How much creativity do you want me to have?” He learned how to do intricate inlays and designs from the contractor with whom he worked as a journeyman in California.

Preserving the heritage of older structures is an important part of Allain’s work.

But it’s Texas that’s home for the Allains now. “I truly love the people and culture in Texas,” he said. “The people are honorable. When we do jobs for a lot of the locals, [many times] it’s on a handshake. And I respect that.”

Allain said that “we just came out in faith [knowing God] would provide.

And He has. Allain says that “There’s gratification in what I do.” What started out as a leap of faith has turned into a new life for the Allain family and a thriving business. Seeing divine providence in Allain’s coming to Texas is easy, as there really aren’t random coincidences.

One could say that Texas really is God’s country.

Kingdom Hardwood Floors & More is a full service floor installation and repair company in Georgetown. -dsz

continued from Page 1 — Leander gets community college

2017 Credit Executive of the Year - Belinda Haynes, Beacon Roofing

San Gabriel Campus Commons Lounge

Outstanding Services as President, 2014-2018, Lori Drake, CBA

water storage but also serve a dual purpose in providing storm water retention capacity. Bio-retention ponds known as ‘rain gardens’ provided additional storm water retention capacity. These were placed strategically throughout the site and on the rooftop terrace in lieu of a single, concentrated detention pond.

The landscaping for the San Gabriel campus was also thoughtfully chosen to support the migratory monarch butterfly population as a Certified Monarch Waystation – a rare consideration on typical project sites.

Sustainability is a priority for the Austin Community College District, and as a

result of these combined project features, American Constructors was able to construct a campus that satisfied the requirements to receive LEED Silver certification.

When fully realized, the San Gabriel campus master plan will comprise 17 academic and community buildings, including a YMCA and an early college high school. The construction of the San Gabriel campus itself in Phase One sets the tone of urban design for the rest of the development.

American Constructors is a full-service general contractor with 35 years of experience in the Austin regional market. -cmw.

Austin Construction News • SEPT 2018

Page 17

Association Calendar

JOB SIGHTS

Content submitted by Associations to Construction News ABC

Associated Builders & Contractors

Sept. 7: Clay Shoot, Capital City Clays, 8707 Lindell Ln. For more info, call Amy Grace Torress at 512-719-5263 ACEA

Greater Austin Contractors & Engineers Assn.

Sept. 13: ACEA Membership Luncheon, Dave & Buster’s, 9333 Research Blvd., 11:30am-1pm. For more info, go to www. aceatx.com/events/events-calendar or call 512-893-7067 Sept. 20: ACEA Annual Fish Fry Fundraiser, Travis County Expo Center, 7311 Decker Lane, 5-10pm. For more info, go to www.aceatx.com/events/fish-fry or call 512-893-7067.

AGC

Associated General Contractors

Sept. 15: CLC River Cleanup Community Service Event, San Marcos.

Sept. 16: Industry Fundraiser for YMCA, Casino Night, Cimarron Golf & County Club, 200 E. Cimarron Hills Trail, Georgetown, TX. Sept. 17: Industry Fundraiser for YMCA, Golf Tournament, Cimarron Golf & Country Club, 200 E. Cimarron Hills Trail, Georgetown, TX. For more info, contact Toni Osberry at 512-442-7887

Carty Ln., San Marcos, TX. For more info, go to www.texasce.org Sept. 21-23: 3rd Annual Younger Member Camping Trip, McKinney Falls State Park, 3808 McKinney Falls Pkwy. For more info, contact Bob Demyan at demyance@ gmail.com NARI National Assn. of the Remodeling Industry

Sept. 12: General Membership Meeting, Sunshine Camp/Zilker Park Lodge, 2225 Andrew Zilker Rd., 11am-1pm, Must RSVP. For more info, go to www.austinnari.org NAWIC National Assn. of Women in Construction

Sept. 12: Installation of Officers Dinner, 5:30-8pm. Maggiano’s Little Italy, 10910 Domain Dr., #100, 5:30-8pm.

Sept. 18: NAWIC Annual Golf Tournament, The Club at Star Ranch, 2500 FM 685, Hutto, TX. For more info, contact Misti Shafer-Webb at mshafer@complianceresourcsinc.com NECA National Electrical Contractors Assn.

Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: NECA Convention & Trade Show, Philadelphia, PA. For more info, go to www.ctxneca.org

ASCE

SEAot Structural Engineers Assn. of Texas

Sept. 19-21: Texas Civil Engineering Conference (CECON) 2018, Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center, 1001 E. Mc-

Sept. 27: Chapter Meeting, Maggiano’s Little Italy, 10910 Domain Dr., #100. For more info, call 512-301-2744

American Society of Civil Engineers

s

Fredi Acosta of Emmanuel Mejia Construction mixes mortar at the new Buda Convenience Store in Buda, TX. -cmw

Submitted to Construction News

Round-Up

Stone Panels International LLC is pleased to announce…

Mike Day has joined the SPI family as president and chief operating officer. He has more than 25 years experience in executive leadership of manufacturing companies. Day has a strong background in finance and administration, which includes P&L management, financing, acquisitions, operations, information systems and human resources. –cmw Greg Terhaar is Stone Panel’s V.P. of sales and marketing. Terharr comes to SPI from parent company Coldspring after successfully serving as director of sales. He will provide leadership and direction for all promotion and sales and will implement marketing and growth strategies for the company. -cmw John Mattke, who came to SPI in April 2017 from SPI’s parent company Coldspring transitions into the role in Organizational Development to ensure a successful change in leadership.

Mattke served as president and chief operating officer of Coldspring from 2004-2017 and will continue involvement as a board member for Coldspring. -cmw

Round-Up Submissions

Submit Info & Photo:

Tobolie Castillo and J. Isabel Loredo prepare rebar for new sidewalks at the Hooters on I-35 in San Marcos. -cmw

O’Connell Robertson is announces leadership changes.

Jarrod Sterzinger, AIA, LEED AP, Director of Architecture. He will be responsible for fostering the design process, ensuring that quality and service exceeds client expectations are executed at the highest level of professionalism; lead the development and implementation of a corporate design vision for more than 20 architects and designers in the firm’s Austin and San Antonio offices. -cmw Chief Operating Officer Kim Cochran will also assume the responsibility of CoChief Executive Officer and will continue in her role as COO as well. -cmw Rick Burnight, AIA, ACHA leaves his position as CEO after 13 years to focus on key client relationships, new business development and special projects within the firm as the O’Connell Roberts moves toward a Co-CEO leadership structure. -cmw President Amy Jones will assume the responsibility of CoChief Executive Officer while continuing on in her existing role as president. –cmw

Brief company announcements of new or recently promoted personnel, free of charge, as space allows.

AustinEditor@ConstructionNews.net

(210) 308-5800

Rusty Whited, Rick Soto and Stacey Jones with J & R Construction take a moment from framing the new Southern Oaks Church of Christ facility in Manachaca, TX. Krueger Construction is the general contractor for the project. -cwm

Page 18

Austin Construction News • SEPT 2018

Enthralled with drywall

Industry FOLKS Sam Drew Fleet Manager Conquest Demolition Inc. Buda, TX

S

W

L-R: Terry Neitsch, Mike Iselt, Doug Longernecker of Iselt Drywall.

ant to know how to sustain a company long term? Ask Mike Iselt, who has owned Iselt Drywall for 36 years.

“You need to enjoy getting up and going to work every day,” Iselt says. ”I still enjoy it and that’s a big deal. Just get up, do a good job and do what you say you’re going to do.”

Iselt, who worked construction jobs during his teenage summers, found his calling in drywall right out of high school.

While working for other drywall companies, he took business courses at night until a project surplus prevented him from continuing. Iselt started hanging sheetrock on his own with encouragement from a co-worker, but one morning decided that he wanted to take it in a new direction. With the help of his uncle who owned a Dallas drywall company, Islet learned enough tricks of the trade to formally establish Iselt Drywall in 1982.

Iselt prides himself on maintaining good client and industry relationships.

“A lot of my subs have been with me for a long time. Terry Neitch, my right-

hand man, has been with me more than 30 years now and Doug Longernecker is between the 15- and 20-year mark; they’re two good reliable fellas you can count on. Even though they work for others, they always find time to take care of my projects,” Iselt says. “Also, I’ve worked with many builders and contractors for a little over 30 years and it’s still going.”

Although Islet usually likes to keep his radius of work in the Lake Travis and Lake LBJ area, he recently finished a remodel of the Mills County State Bank in Goldthwaite. Nearly four decades in the industry has taught him a little extra mileage shouldn’t come between him and a great client.

“I get to meet very interesting people, I have a new location just about every week, and I never know who is going to call me,” Iselt says. “I’ve done projects for people 20 years ago and now their kids are calling me. That’s pretty cool.”

Iselt Drywall, Georgetown, specializes in drywall installation, tape and float and water damage repair. – mjm

Construction News ON LOCATION

Patriotic contractors

Patriot Fence & Roofing’s Lori Dunlap, Kayla Luongo and Joann Thornton visit with Construction News at their office in Manachaca, TX. -cmw

Construction News ON LOCATION

Driftwood roofs

Carmela Avants poses next to the Driftwood Builders Roofing mural at the Driftwood office in Manachaca, TX. -cmw

am Drew was born at a military base in sunny San Diego. But the warm weather and beautiful beaches wouldn’t be home for long. Typical of military families, Drew was raised on the complete opposite side of the continental US, in Bangor, ME, whose average first freeze of the season occurs in early October, with the last freeze in early May. Growing up in Maine was a blast for him. Snow days meant no school.

Although something we rarely see in these parts of the world, who doesn’t love snow days? As you can imagine, when we are blessed with a blanket of Mother Nature’s white, fluffy precipitation, he has the upper hand on building snowmen, among other things.

His family moved to Texas when he was 13 years old, so thankfully, he didn’t have to make a living in the snow.

After graduating high school.

Drew started working at a mechanic’s shop and has been turning wrenches ever since.

He is currently engaged to his long-time love, Martha. Drew and Martha have been together 10 years. They have two children between the two of them, a son, Nathan and a daughter, Kacy and three grandchildren.

A big lover of dogs, Drew has six.

The smallest dog, a Yorkie named Annie, prides herself on being the boss, or so she thinks, over his labs, Baily, Spot,

Piggy, Alvin and Costello. Isn’t that always the case?

As fleet manager, he has the exciting task of keeping Conquest Demolition’s equipment running, as well as, keeping their trucks on the road. “Ever since I was a kid, I’ve enjoyed taking things apart to see how they work.

That is how I became a mechanic. It is very interesting seeing the technology grow from when we had points, condensers and carburetors to fuel injections and computer timing for spark plugs.”

His love for taking things apart definitely falls right into place at Conquest. While he loves tinkering with equipment, he loves operating it too. “I enjoy doing demo work. There’s something about being on a machine and tearing down a structure or just making noise with a high ram.” A high ram is the jackhammer on a backhoe or an excavator.

He spends his free time with his grandkids doing things grandparents do. Ranging in age from 1 year to 6 years of age, it’s no wonder his free time is occupied with the apples of his eye, and “dang, do they keep us busy.”

In addition to spending every moment he can with his little ones, he enjoys riding his Harley and going to the coast. And let’s not forget, he’s gotta watch Nascar! -cmw

Hot days of summer

On Jul 10, the Advanced Connections Inc. team attended the IKEA kick-off meeting. L-R: Christine Borrero, Jeff Dyer, Brandon Long, Whitney Oldfather, Jay Petrilla and Hugo Bravo. –lv

The beauty of wood

L-R: Julie & Chris Hernandez, owners; Crystal & Christopher Griffin and Joshua Hernandez of Millwork Services show off planks of pecan and sycamore at their shop in San Marcos. -cmw

Austin Construction News • SEPT 2018

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Excavating the town red

Going up!

mi Feller loves heights. Good thing, too, because as owner of Feller Roofing of New Braunfels LLC, she’s in some pretty high places.

“I love being on top of the roof, especially if it’s early in the morning and it’s overlooking the lake and God’s amazing creations; it’s so beautiful out there. That’s one of my favorite things about my job.”

Up is a good place to be, especially when the industry has tried to bring Ami, a cheerful gogetter, down at times. The Iowa native got her start running crews for her brother Scott Feller, who created a roofing company during their college years. After graduation, the real world didn’t reward her hard work, even when she moved to Austin with Scott in 2000 to start a construction company. She returned to corporate America, but as a single mom working 5am to 5pm, she was tired of “working like a dog.” When Scott asked her to join his newest roofing and remodeling company, she took a chance.

“We did really, really well,” Ami says.

“The first year, we did $275,000 and in 2015, we did $3 million,” she says. “In 2016, we split it. Scott now owns Kanga Roofing in Round Rock, and I have this.”

Ami now has six employees that she spoils with tubing trips and cruises. She enjoys networking at Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, and Girl Scout meetings. Because she knows life’s curveballs, she generously donates roofs to people in need.

Although she believes “life keeps it mixed up for you – a little bit of fun, a little bit of hard,” lately, it has been fun.

Ami, who has a 10-year old daughter, just married her husband, who has a 9-year old daughter. Professionally, life has been

L-R: Operator Mauricio Murrieta, Labor hand Rosendo Lopez, Estimator/Project manager David R. Gomez, Owner Nicholas Scales, Operator Ignacio Estrada, Superintendent Horacio Hernandez and Operator Hector Gonzalez

Ami Feller and her adorable daughter.

on the upswing too.

“I like where we’re at,” she says.

“We’re doing about $3.5 million, but I would like to be at $4 million. We’re trying to grow our commercial side and we have some big commercial projects at the end of the year. I don’t want to be a storm chaser or huge. I just want to have a nice life and enjoy my family.”

Feller Roofing of New Braunfels LLC is a New Braunfels roofing subcontractor. ­mjm

Feller Roofing crew

T

he biggest challenge for a new excavation company in Austin is being competitive. “There is a lot of work out there, but there is also a lot of contractors,” Nicholas Scales, owner of Red Beard Excavators LLC said.

So, how does he stand out from the rest? Well, for one, this Austin native took a little advice from a former boss and decided to showcase his big red beard as his company name and logo. Yes, you guessed it, he does have a red beard, but behind this red beard is experience.

Scales was an excavation superintendent before opened his own company.

Almost 12 years ago, he worked for a general contractor in Round Rock as an excavation superintendent.

“I just fell into it, I liked it, and I stuck with it. I have always wanted to have my own business, so I eventually pulled the trigger and went to work for myself.”

Scales established Red Beard Excavators in March 2017. They offer a full range of excavation services for both commercial

and residential. His team consists of seven professionally trained crewmembers.

The company’s commercial services are 30 percent of their work, but Scales wants to expand the commercial market.

Recently, Scales says they completed a parking lot for a new office complex, as well as a new RV parking site.

Red Beard Excavators has traveled to Marble Falls, Florence and even San Marcos for jobs. “Our goal is to stick with the central Texas market.”

Customers in the central Texas market have already reached out to Scales.

“I’ve honestly gotten phone calls from people that were looking up different contractors and they saw the name Red Beard Excavators. They liked it, so they called me.”

“In Beard We Trust” is the tagline. But Scales says that quality, customer service and pride in your work are the values his company stands on.

Red Beard Excavators LLC is located in Austin, TX. –lv

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Austin Construction News • SEPT 2018