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CONSTRUCTION
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The Industry’s Newspaper www.constructionnews.net H (210) 308-5800 H Volume 16 H Number 9 H SEPTEMBER 2018
Bigger by the day
The third to finish out
L-R: D&G Enterprises Founder/Owner Miguel Ojeda and Vice President Omar Garcia
Back row L-R: Ryan Culp, Walter Foster, Spencer Smith, Christa Conroy, Daniel Dixon, Cori McCaffrey, Delaney Broyles, Kelley McIntyre, Brandon Bell, Nooraddin Jabouri, Kolby Hanzel, Alfredo Garcia, Abraham Escobedo and Miguel Rodriguez. Front row L-R: Kimberly Lee, Josh Naylor, Marilyn Naylor and Maria Buenrostro.
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iguel Ojeda was a secondgeneration masonry contractor who started working on houses and progressed to building multifamily and commercial projects. Omar Garcia gained his industry experience through business development and funding for contractors. When Ojeda became Garcia’s client, it wasn’t long before the two realized they should combine forces and start a masonry and stucco business. Since they established D&G Enterprises in Dallas in 2013, they have successfully branched out into commercial, multifamily and residential projects. Ojeda, who serves as president and Garcia, who is vice-president, employ 42 team members and boast impressive clients including Starbucks, QuikTrip,
Texas Roadhouse and Buffalo Wild Wings. Their work also extends beyond the Dallas/Fort Worth area into Texas cities Austin, Cotulla and San Antonio, Moore and Oklahoma City in Oklahoma and St. Louis, MO. Ojeda and Garcia attribute their rapid success and scoring of larger, more notable projects to many factors, such as attention to quality. “Quality is the best thing that has gotten us to this level,” Ojeda says. “We ensure every single brick and piece of stone is put up to perfection.” Attention to hiring the best team members, treating them well and being hands-on also has boosted their success. “One of the things that I implemented continued on Page 16
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t’s rare to have three generations in the same industry, but it’s a fame the Naylor family can claim. Greg Naylor, whose father was a painter, started Naylor Commercial Interiors Inc. in 1985, and Greg’s son Josh Naylor, who worked his way up in the company, purchased it in 2012. Josh soon brought on wife Marilyn Naylor as CFO and they hope their daughter will become the fourth generation in the industry. “When we started, it was literally interior finish-out of small law firms and little tenant improvement office spaces,” Marilyn explains. “We started getting into some of the bigger projects; NorthPark’s Neiman Marcus really put our company on
the map. This job really opened the door for us to branch out into other sectors of the construction industry.” The company’s high-profile projects include the George Bush Library, Parkland Hospital, Old Parkland and the TCU football and basketball stadiums. The team is currently wrapping up the new Rolex building downtown and will soon start work on the Windrose Tower in Legacy West. Marilyn says that rather than subcontracting the work, the company proudly and exclusively utilizes the talents of its 125 employees. Performing all mud, paint and wallcoverings in house. It also continued on Page 16
An old gem with a new story
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or many years, the 23-story Tower Petroleum Building, built in 1931, stood vacant. A once thriving zigzag art deco skyscraper was one of Dallas’ most marvelous office buildings. It was even occupied by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In late 2016, renovation of this iconic gem began to transform it into the luxury high-rise hotel, Cambria. The downtown building now contains 177 hotel rooms, as well as a restaurant/bar, fitness center, meeting space/work area, and a band rehearsal room for performers at the nearby Majestic Theater. ANDRES was the general contractor on this project, which is in conjunction with ANDRES’ neighboring project at 1900 Pacific Residences/ Corrigan Tower. Guestrooms were constructed using metal framing, designer patterned carpet, headboard features, and granite countertops on black chrome tubular
metal frames. While existing and restored marble veneer walls were incorporated with new metal frame walls to renovate the existing elevator lobby and corridors. The existing millwork wall features and terrazzo floors were also restored. Amenity Space on the first floor included the existing elevator lobby with granite floors and walls. New hardwood floors were installed in the restaurant with a custom millwork bar topped with a marble countertop with brass metal features as a general theme. The building’s exterior was returned to its original beauty by restoring the masonry façade using polished black granite exterior on bottom floor with existing masonry façade above with detailed and patterned terra cotta stone accents and parapet caps. Restored and regaled existing steel frame “accordion” style windows were also incorporated. Cambria Hotel
continued on Page 16
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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • SEPT 2018
Rain can’t stop us
The process of art
espite some showers, Baker Triangle didn’t let a little bit of precipitation get in the way of having some fun at their 2018 Baker Triangle Golf Classic. The event was held at the Dallas Athletic Club and proved to be the perfect venue for the 86 golfers who participated in their fifth tournament for “OurCalling”. Through the generosity of sponsors and golfers, Baker Triangle raised $40,775.51 for the ministry to the homeless. –cmw
Steve Orelup, owner of Steveson Remodeling, with his Wolf Creek Ranch frieze.
F L-R: OurCalling Director of Development Patrick Palmer, Baker Triangle Chairman Steve Baker, tournament chairman Brad Baker and OurCalling Executive Director Wayne Walker.
Net winners with a score of 50 L-R: Matt Nelson, Michael Canterbury and Brad Gross.
Gross winners with a score of 53 L-R: Josh McKee, Rob Couture, Matt Rooker and Ryan Posey (not pictured).
or Steve Orelup, owner of Steveson Remodeling, it’s not so much as the mechanics of art, it’s the continual growth as an artist and what is required to stay viable. Take being an art major at North Texas State, for instance. There was the formal learning, but Orelup said, “A number of us crawled up into the shop and just kind of tinkered…that’s what I got out of college.” Orelup has a wide range of work for his résumé, from bathroom and kitchen remodeling to commissioned art as a sculptor. He’s done work doing displays for stores, restaurants, hotels and even casinos. One of his favorite pieces is a 9 ft. long frieze scene of Texas longhorns out in the field. It was privately commissioned for a man’s ranch. The name “Steveson Remodeling” doesn’t incorporate his first name, but rather it’s his mother’s maiden name. Instead of saying he’s mastered a variety of skills, Orelup states that the “[art] industry is constantly being overturned and clients change constantly and processes change constantly. You have to
continually have to learn things.” Therefore, “You have to learn process and techniques wherever and whenever you can.” He initially got interested in working with his hands and being artistic by “by watching my dad in the garage. He is an engineer.” At the present, home remodeling occupies a lot of Orelup’s time. “I appreciate working with people. If they’re happy, I’m happy.” Raised in a Christian home, Orelup said he “became headstrong with a bad attitude” from 18 on. But in his 30s, he found his way back to the faith. He said he is “constantly being taught patience.” Which is good, because everything that Orelup makes must surely require patience, from oak furniture to Mexican tile work in a bathroom, to herringbone floors, to a massive/portable biblical scene for a monastery. Not only has Orelup mastered many artistic skills, it’s the process that still matters. Steveson Remodeling specializes in residential and commercial remodeling in the Dallas area. -dsz
Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • SEPT 2018
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Welding wisdom
Covering Texas
Some of the hard working crew at Cox Welding.
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eith Wilbanks will give you a straight answer if you ask him a question. He’s been in the welding business for a spell now and has seen it all. Wilbanks is the owner of Cox Welding Services. He started working for James G. Cox in early 1973. Cox started his business in January 1972. As Cox was getting into his 70s, he looked around for a successor. Since Wilbanks was his only employee, the choice was simple. Wilbanks bought Cox Welding Services in 1982 and kept the name. With six employees now, Wilbanks’ area of reach is the DFW Metroplex. 70 percent of Cox’s work is in-shop, while the rest is launched from a truck. He does a lot of work for several school districts in Plano. However, as Wilbanks said, “We built this business strictly on repairs, and you can’t make a living doing repairs anymore. We’re trying our best to phase the repair business out, and we’re trying to stay with the commercial manufacturing now.” Case in point: Cox is working on a 5,000sf building in Plano. “Most of the stuff that we do is what I call manufacturing where we’re actually building a product for people.” When it comes to fulfilling a niche, Wilbanks described his company thus: “We are so diversified. I learned that a long time ago about being diversified. If you put all your eggs in one basket, you’re not going to stay in this kind of business.” The born-and-bred Plano native first got into welding from the automotive arena. “I learned a lot about people,” he said. “They’re mad because their car broke; they’re mad you’re going to charge them to fix it.” When Wilbanks saw how Cox’s customers were overjoyed at getting their particular items fixed by Mr. Cox, “I liked that and that’s what turned me on to the welding trade.” Of interesting note is how the current tariff issues are impacting his work. The prices for steel have risen an average
Dallas H Fort Worth
of 50 percent, which those in the industry knew would happen. The root of the problem is the imbalance in the trade agreements. “Most steel is produced from scrap iron,” Wilbanks explained. “We’re shipping scrap iron to China and bringing it back as steel.” “The problem in my industry is the contracts that we have, we can’t go up on. So we end up absorbing that [cost] the steel goes up.” But, Wilbanks is philosophical when discussing this complicated and sensitive issue. “We’re taking it on the chin because if that’s what it takes to balance our trade, I’m willing to sacrifice what little bit I have to [in order to help.” With a small operation that does about $500,000 per year in sales, Wilbanks takes care of the bidding but also is very hands-on. With a certification in aluminum welding, Wilbanks does most of that. His wife Anita is in charge of the administration. She writes all the checks and files all the paperwork. As Wilbanks is approaching the day when he must pass on the business, at the moment he doesn’t have a plan of succession, but “will try to put something together with an employee in the next 4-5 years.” Fortunately, he has very little turnover. “My average employee works for me 17-18 years,” he said. Wilbanks doesn’t have any sons but rather three daughters, so that “kinda ends that,” he laughed. Training new welders takes about three years, he said. “The reason is we do so many diversified things.” From reading a blueprint to operating the machines and put it all together takes time and dedication. “Twenty-five years ago there were skilled laborers everywhere,” Wilbanks said. One thing that has remained the same over the years Wilbanks has been in welding is people still like getting their thing fixed or made, turning anger into joy. Cox Welding Services provides welding and fabrication services to the DFW area. -dsz
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Irongate employee Noe Rivas working in the shop.
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t was in 2005 that founder Casey Cronin opened Irongate Roofing and Sheet Metal. Since then the company has established itself as a specialized contractor in sheet metal and metal roofing. They offer roof repair, installation and maintenance. Other services include removal and replacement of existing roof systems, reroof applications, new construction roof system, both minor and major roof repairs, plus siding and gutter systems. Donny Tooman, project manager has been with Irongate from the beginning and continues to watch the company grow. The company roots have not changed and have remained in Rockwall, TX. Irongate is also a family-owned business. One hundred percent is how Tooman puts it. “We do a lot of new construction, both commercial and residential,” added Tooman. An ultimate goal for the company is to gain more commercial projects. A few commercial projects Irongate has completed are the Dallas Christian School and a funeral home that had a challenge of its own. “It was 300 squares of a re-roof,” noted Tooman, but that wasn’t all. The funeral home was not vacant, so Irongate had to work around the funeral home’s scheduling by laying small pieces at a time. One thing important to Cronin, Tooman and all the Irongate staff is respecting their clients’ property. A commercial job that is going on right now Tooman mentions is the Valencia Texican Court Hotel in Irving, TX, near the Irving Convention Center. “It’s a big hotel,” said Tooman. The roof will be placed with Spanish tile, complimenting the Texican atmosphere. Irongate works mostly in the DFW metroplex but is willing to work elsewhere. Barbara Perser, the Irongate office manager, said, “We’ve even done some commercial work in Colorado.” They prefer to work in their home state. Perser then mentions they went to the south Texas after Hurricane Harvey had hit. “We did some work out there. One of
our guys (Justin) did volunteer work. He just went out there – got in a canoe – and started helping people. We set up shop there and did some roofs for people to help them out,” explained Perser. Irongate has been familiar with community outreach for some time. “Donny and Casey are really good about helping other organizations through funding,” said Perser. She shares a story involving her church, and Cronin and Tooman who had “made a big contribution last year for some golfers to raise money for a charity.” It turned out that fireman were the ones to fill those golf slots. “So not only did it help the Rowlett community, which is right next door to Rockwall, but it helped the fireman too. They got some time to de-stress by playing golf,” said Perser. Speaking of de-stress, Irongate has their own way to do so. Thanks to Keeley, the unofficial Irongate mascot. “We put up a ‘beware of dog’ sign on the door so we could let everybody know there is a dog in here. So, when they come in, they are looking for this big attack dog and it turns out she’s 4 lbs. and doesn’t make a sound,” Perser said. Perser is the owner of Keeley, a 4-lb. Chihuahua that goes to work every day. If anyone is having a bad day they turn to Keeley for a smile. Irongate Roofing and Sheet Metal is a roofing contractor in Rockwall, TX. –lv
Keeley the 4-lb. Chihuahua dressed to impress.
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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • SEPT 2018
Dave Butts
owner/president
Amie Butts owner/corporate secretary Air Today Heating & Cooling Plano, TX
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hen Dave Butts needed to escape his hectic, high-travel IT career, he switched gears to the HVAC industry and bought Air Today Heating & Cooling. With his mechanical engineering degree and wife Amie’s degree in management, the couple has built a company where they can utilize their skill sets, spend more time together and minimize Dave’s time flying the friendly skies. How were you introduced to the industry and come to own this HVAC business? Dave: I actually come from a very different background. I went to Kansas State University and got a mechanical engineering degree. Somewhere along the line, I decided that engineering wasn’t really what I wanted to do for a career and I went into IT consulting. I spent a couple of years with [ac-
counting firm] Arthur Andersen and then went into the corporate world at Interstate Brands. After seven years there, I went to work for an IT consulting firm based out of Britain. I ended up traveling around quite a bit and [the company] eventually was bought by an Indian consulting firm. I don’t know how many trips I made to India; most of them were last minute. I missed pretty much every holiday at one point because I was out of the country. I finally decided that I needed to make some sort of move. I started to look around at other ITrelated job opportunities but didn’t find anything that interested me, especially long-term. I had trouble figuring out how I was going to continue in my career without risk of travel, moving or whatever the case may be. So I started Googling businesses in Dallas to buy and I quickly focused in on [Air Today Heating & Cooling]. We made the jump from IT, and I started leveraging my mechanical engineering background with the skills both Amie and I have. We purchased this company about two and a half years ago, in January 2016. Amie: I graduated from Texas State University with management degree and went on to several different things, but I ended up with ALDI Foods. It wasn’t necessarily what I wanted to do long term. It was a lot of long days, nights, and weekends. When had our first child, he was born extremely premature at 27 weeks, so there was really no way for me to go back to work since he had multiple doctors’ appointments. I decided to stay home and we then had two more children. I stayed home until we bought the business two and a half years ago. What appealed to you both about the HVAC industry? Dave: I’ve always enjoyed the mechanical aspects of things and air conditioning is a very mechanical thing. I felt like I could ramp up fairly quickly on
The Butts family
the technology aspects of it. I had all kinds of courses years ago in college and I felt like that was something I could catch on pretty quick to. I also think as we walked into the business and saw their mode of operation and a complete lack of technology, my interest was peaked in making things more efficient. I saw a lot of opportunity in putting this company into the more mobile world that we’re in now. We have electronic invoicing and mobile apps on our phones so the guys know where to go and what the job requirements are. We can use a credit card in the field rather than writing it down on a piece of paper, bringing it back to the office and keying it into the system. My IT background merged with the mechanical background. It felt like a good opportunity to get into a company that was established but also had a lot of upward potential. Amie: I was kind of along for the ride. I honestly am not sure that I knew that I would take as active a role as I did in the business. I was really there to support Dave and to help him find something that he could be proud of that we could pass on to our kids; we have two boys and a girl and the two boys are both very engineering-minded like their dad. Every company needs management, and my background could be used anywhere, but I really felt like supporting him … Dave: … She also did it to keep me off of airplanes! What kind of company culture do you hope to create? Dave: I hope they view us as family, with high integrity and honesty. We’ve hired on employees from other companies and have heard horror stories. Employees have had beer cans thrown at them by the boss, had commissions or pay withheld for absolutely no basis or merit or had to work long hours with no recognition for those. Hopefully, my children might want to run calls for this company one day, and I treat our 16 employees the way I would treat my kids. Who has helped you on this journey? Amie: Both of our families are local, and they’ve been instrumental in helping us, especially since we have children. We’ve made some great contacts within associations that we can network with. In this age of technology, Facebook has been incredible for me to connect with several groups of not only owners but also women in HVAC groups. There are a lot of conversations and leadership going on there that gives us a lot of feedback on what works and what doesn’t work. What do you do in your spare time? Dave: I try to spend as much time as possible with the kids and their sports when I’m available. It’s tough because I don’t want to overcommit myself and not be there when I say I’m going to be there. I’ve done the basketball thing and helped out with baseball. I used to golf; I wouldn’t say that it’s a hobby anymore but I still have a bag of clubs sitting in the garage and try to get out one or twice a year.
I enjoy barbecuing meat and cooking as well. When I have the time, I like being in the kitchen, making a meal or cooking something on the grill. Amie: I find stress relief in crafting. I’ll do the vinyl for our installers’ shirts and things like that. It gives me an outlet and helps the business at the same time. I love to also do it for our kids’ teachers and other kids. Share about your family. Amie: Our oldest son, who was the preemie and our miracle baby, is in third grade now and will be 9 years old. He went from two pounds and will be 7 feet tall when he’s done growing, so we’re obviously doing something right there! He enjoys computers, technology and LEGOS. Our middle son is going into the first grade this year and he is going to be 7 years old soon. He also enjoys LEGOS and Star Wars – and especially Star Wars LEGOS! He is an incredible athlete. He currently plays football; it is supposed to be flag football, but he has the attitude that it may be their flag but they’re going down with it! He’s our back up plan; we’re hoping he goes pro someday. He’s our little athlete, and is also very into technology and building and all of those sorts of things like his dad. Our daughter is still Pre-K; she’ll be in kindergarten next year. She’s about to be 5 and she is going to be a mermaid princess when she grows up! She does tumbling and loves to play with babies. She’s 100% girl, even being the youngest of three and the only girl. Do you hope your kids will be a part of your business someday? Dave: If our kids are interested and we’ve got a strong company that we can pass on, I would certainly hope one or all of them would be interested in doing it. Amie: At the same time, we want to lead them; we want them to be who they are. I think there is a fine line into leading someone into an industry that you’ve been in and letting them be their authentic selves. What do you hope the future holds for you professionally and personally? Dave: We hope to continue to grow the business and build up the customer base and reputation. I can’t imagine doing multiple locations at this point and time: we have a long way to go before we could even think about doing something like that. Amie: Reputation is everything. We hope to get our mission out there to be that company that you can trust. We want to make sure that people understand that there are companies you can trust to do the right thing and stand behind their work with their customers. We treat people the way we would want to be treated. I think that’s huge and I hope it’s what takes us to the next level. Plano subcontractor Air Today Heating & Cooling offers HVAC installation, service and maintenance. –mjm
Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • SEPT 2018
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Thanks a half-block!
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The Frazier Roofs and Gutters team.
hen it comes to his company’s success, Rich Frazier says his neighbor gets some of the credit. Nearly five years after Rich and his wife Sheila started Frazier Roofs and Gutters in 1977, his neighbor, who was also in the roofing business, complained to the city. The grievance only motivated the couple to open an Arlington storefront. “We now own half the block and thank him every time we see him!” Rich says. Rich is actually thankful for all who contributed to Frazier Roofs and Gutters’ years of success. He’s grateful to the roofer who first hired him years ago, paving the way for Rich to start Frazier Roofs and Gutters. He appreciates Sheila for her accounting and payroll acumen, general manager Mike Long for his leadership and 22 stellar employees for their commitment to excellence. He lavishes praise on son Kyle Frazier, who joined the business six years ago after college graduation. Customers like Joe T. Garcia’s and owners of the area’s largest commercial roofing companies (who hired him to roof their own homes,
earning him the “Roofer of the Roofers” title), get major kudos. He appreciates the North Texas Roofing Contractors Association, for whom he served as president in 1992-1993. Even Fuzzy’s Tacos, which Rich has on speed dial when his office needs a “fix,” gets a round of applause. He’s appreciated the journey, too. “I’ve enjoyed meeting people and trying to make them happy,” he says. “When you see them years down the road, they remember you and the good job you did for them. We’re doing roofs now for customers the third time and for the kids that I used to teach soccer in grammar school. It’s a lot of fun.” After four decades, he is also thankful that more success is coming. “We’re planning to diversify to get into the window, insulation and fencing business. If you do retail, you live and die by the storms; we need something to full in those gaps when storms aren’t prevalent. We’re looking at expanding into those areas the first of the year.” Subcontractor Frazier Roofs and Gutters is located in Arlington. –mjm
Art + tile = life
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Nancy Epstein, founder and CEO of Artistic Tile.
ancy Epstein, CEO of Artistic Tile, is the perfect combination of artistic flare and business savvy. She started as a cabinet designer, but has ended up running high-end interior design showrooms across America. While Epstein’s mission is, “To make the world a better place, one tile at a time,” her byline is, “Bringing art to life.” Artistic Tile has its origin and headquarters in New Jersey, but has also reached to New York City, then westward to Chicago, then real westward to San Francisco. Finally, Epstein opened the Dallas showroom in 2013. They brought workers from Chicago to open the Dallas store. Customers from the homeowner, to the business owner, to the contractor, to the interior designer all come to Artistic Tile showrooms with the goal of enhancing their worlds. “Our goal,” Epstein said, “is to get them to have the most beautiful space the possibly can have, whatever their budget is.” Epstein grew up in a business-mind-
ed household. But with her eye for the beautiful and artistic, she has grown her company to where it is today. A big challenge is “today’s day and age [are] the way things are copied,” she said. Epstein has her own in-house designers making many of their tiles and patterns, which they copyright. Many, however, don’t see a problem with stealing Artistic Tile’s intellectual property. Going to trade shows can be very revealing, as it’s common for Epstein to see other companies with her designs. Epstein says, however, she has “a great team. We’re very pleased with our dealers and how they’re performing.” Epstein is very involved with philanthropy. “I come from a family that that’s always been our goal in life, to give back to the world for all the blessings that we have.” In other words, making the world better, through artistic tiles or paying it forward, is a good way of doing business. Artistic Tile is a nationwide wholesale distributor in luxury tiles, with a showroom in Dallas. -dsz
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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • SEPT 2018
Heavy metal
L-R: Brad Lockett, Raleigh Davis (president) and Craig Davis (vice president), of Davis Metal Stamping.
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ooten Metals and Davis Metal Stamping both operated in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, literally separated by railroad tracks. Brad Lockett had been with Wooten for 40 years, while Raleigh Davis, owner of the new Davis Metal Stamping, had worked with his dad since the 1970s. Davis eventually bought out Wooten, becoming AC Metals in January 2016, then finally Davis Metal Stamping (DMS) in August 2016. Lockett simply moved over from one company to the other one without a break in the action. “I’m still doing what I was doing years ago,” the metal veteran said. With all these years under their belts, Davis Metal Stamping has put its “stamp” all over the Metroplex: the new entrance to Love Field; DFW charging stations; work for both Jerry Jones and Mark Cuban; Sam Houston State University; gas station overhangs; component parts for mini warehouses - you name it and
they’ve done it. The sales team for DMS is basically Lockett. In other words, they really don’t have to look for work anymore. “We’ve been in business for so long, everybody knows us,” Davis said. “We don’t even ask for work; it just shows up!” Davis’ son Craig serves as the vice president. When he worked for dad during summers in school, he “didn’t want any part of it,” he said. But, after a few years in the “real world,” he went to work full time for DMS. New technology like laser cutters have radically changed the industry. Even with the frustrations of fluctuating raw steel prices, as set by the “greed of the big boys,” as Davis said, these guys and their 90 employees continue to put their stamp in a booming market. The next generation of Davis will continue what was started decades ago. Davis Metal Stamping is a full service metal fabrication shop in Dallas. -dsz
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Taking it national
ore than 20 years ago, Jay Katav learned the construction business from the ground up as he worked for his brother’s general contracting business. Within four years, he had enough hands-on experience and the confidence to open his own general contracting company, J National in 2000. “I started working with 400sf space in the back of my garage,” Jay says. “Five years later, I moved to a 1500sf office. After seven years, I moved to a 3,000sf office and now I’m in a 4,000sf office with a big warehouse.” The office hasn’t only increased in square footage but also locations and staff. J National’s Carrollton office employs 20 team members and the Katy office staffs ten. The company specializes in multifamily renovation, restoration and repair, including the leasing office renovations at Arlington’s Shadow Ridge, Dallas’ Chesapeake apartment complexes. Currently, J National is also Jay and Maggie Katav, owners of J National. working various fire damage restoration projects, including Rolling Mead- takes care of the accounting and finances ows in Arlington where they are rebuild- and is the ‘mom’ of the office. She’s aling six burned units. ways giving everyone advice. She comes Because he had worked with his in and greets every single person. Last brother, Jay understood the benefits of year, the ladies in the office went on a working with family and soon enlisted his cruise to Cozumel and Mexico. For everywife Maggie to help. J National’s head of body’s birthday, we get him or her each a marketing, Tatiana Ruiz, says the couple cake. Every week, we have a potluck and is hands-on in their work and both strive eat together. It’s like a big family.” to create a welcoming and inclusive at- It is a family that the Katavs hope to mosphere at the company. grow. “Both Jay and Maggie are very in- “I enjoy building working relationvolved in every aspect to make sure ev- ships with our customers, while also eneryone is taken care of and that every- hancing the value of their property,” Jay body works as a family in the office,” says says. “Our goal is to expand to other Ruiz. “Jay goes and sees each client him- states.” self and visits them at their properties to General contractor J National is locatbuild long lasting relationships. Maggie ed in Carrollton and Katy. –mjm
Dallas/Fort Worth 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.
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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.
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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • SEPT 2018
Three steps employers can take to protect Latino and immigrant workers from discrimination Mauro Ramirez Fisher Phillips Houston, TX
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he Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that Latinos make up 29 percent of construction workers in the United 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
Party at the brewery
The Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) hosted the “IEC Party at the Brewery” on Jul. 11 at Wild Acre Brewery. Members and guests were treated to a great evening with a variety of brews to choose from. -cmw
King pin
City Wide Mechanical took first place at the American Subcontractors Association (ASA) bowling tournament held on Jul. 19. L-R: John Ivey, Ryan Ivey, Lori Ivey, Rick Mitchell and Josh Williams. -cmw
Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • SEPT 2018
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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
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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.
Barefoot ready
e have seen quite a few vacation photos from this summer. Now look at Miguel Ojeda, president of D&G Enterprises and his son Danny “future CEO of D&G Enterprises” in matching attire while at the white sand beach of Destin, FL. –lv
Danny Ojeda holding hands with his dad Miguel.
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.
Hi y’all
Stan Rothman, BlueLine Rental shared this photo of pictures taken from his game camera at Indian Creek Ranch. She definitely is not shy! -cmw
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Dallas/Fort Worth 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
Dog days
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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. 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! 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! 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. The thing I know best is fish, stripers in particular, and they can really have a 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.
Half or Full Day Fishing Trips
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!
Furnish your TPWD Fishing License & Refreshments, and WE DO THE REST!
All Bait, Tackle & Equipment Furnished Your catch Filleted and Bagged for You
Ken Milam Guide Service (325) 379-2051 www.striperfever.com
Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • SEPT 2018
Page 11
Of all things to sea
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he outdoors is an escape from our concrete jungles. Travel can take you out of your comfort zone. Words can hardly express what was experienced in Mexico. All I can say is there is so much to indulge in, not just comida y tequila. We embraced the Caribbean Sea waves while taking a sailboat to the wellknown Isla de Mujeres, a Mexican island in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Cancun. There we discovered the aquatic life while snorkeling. We swam with schools of fish! The Caribbean Sea is more than a clear blue ocean; it is a breath taking view of underwater life. Xoximilco, Xoximilco! That chant will never be forgotten, nor will the food. Crickets along with a taste of traditional cuisines of Mexico were on the menu
during our gondola dinner tour into the canals of Xoximilco. The Aztecs are known to have built the canals. The Xel-ha Park is an aquatic theme park. You can explore the Mayan covered cenote (cave) with snuba, a snorkel and scuba activity that takes you 30 ft. below the water. The beauty beneath the ocean is remarkable and the history of these attractions is enlightening. Cancun is full of life, entertainment and culture. Not only did I visit the country, I discovered the purpose of visiting. The Spanish language will bring out your true Mayan. When was the last time the outdoors took you out of your comfort zone? Where was your last outdoor adventure? What activity did you participate in? Share it. –lv
Lexie inside the Xel-ha Mayan cave.
Right: Lexie Velasquez smiling and snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea.
Lexie 30 feet below to view the underwater caves.
Family and new friends enjoying dinner, music and drinks on the Xoximilco gondola tour.
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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • SEPT 2018
Aluminum ally
Steven Benavides (right) watching helper Scottie weld in his shop.
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n the welding world, Steven Benavides has fused a niche for himself. Among the welding services that the owner of Benavides Welding Works, LLC offers, it’s his work with aluminum that makes him stand apart for the competition. “I do all kinds of different projects, from small jobs like ADA handrails to jobs where I’m on site for months, but I have a lot of people call me for aluminum work because not a lot of people do it,” Benavides explains. “Some people want aluminum because it’s a lightweight metal. Welding companies come to me for my aluminum work, and it’s kind of neat that I’m out-of-the-box.” Welding first sparked Benavides’ interest when he was a boy watching his grandfather work on farm equipment. “Both of my grandfathers have their own businesses,” he says. “I didn’t think I was going to work for myself, but later on in life it just kind of happened. After high school, I learned how to weld at a company in Lewisville. Eventually, I started doing my own side jobs and found I liked doing it for myself.” He liked it so much that, in 2015, he
took out equity in his home, bought welding equipment and started his company out of his home’s garage. Word of mouth, boosted by his previous employer’s positive referrals and on-site mobile welding gigs, gave him enough success to employ part-time help. “I’m trying to get more equipment and expand but stay in the same city,” he says. “I expanded last year with another building and more space. I’m getting more equipment to do different things to reach out to more customers.” Having a shop close to home gives him more time with his three children and to spark their interest in the trade. “I showed my 14-year-old daughter, my 11-year-old daughter and my 10-yearold son how to weld, and I even let them come in on the weekends and do the welding,” he says. “I had to learn welding, but the first time all three of them picked up a welding machine, it was like they had been doing it their whole lives! People tell me it is in their blood, to just look at their dad.” Welding subcontractor Benavides Welding Works, LLC is in Lewisville. –mjm
Epoxy marks the spot
Mark King, owner of Garage Floors DFW.
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n days gone by, the only way a person could re-finish his garage floor was battleship gray paint designed for industrial use on concrete. Now, garage floors are darn near works of art. At least that’s what Mark King, owner of Garage Floors DFW, wants to make them. King’s background is in small business, not construction, per se. He has worked in a variety of small businesses. After he worked for a friend of his who bought a floor coating franchise, King knew this was a good business model. He started Garage Floors DFW in 2014. He spent the first couple of months working on his website and social media presence. Then his first job came in, and “Every week we were a little busier with leads than we were the week before,” King said. The largest job he’s done to date was a 5,500sf retail store. The most difficult job he’s done was a 4,500sf underground garage at a private residence in Highland
Park, Dallas. Flooring preparation is the key. Seventy five percent of all coating failures is due to inadequate surface preparation. Scuffing up the surface gives the epoxy more surface area with which to bond. Many people are using their garages as an extension of their living space, such as turning them into man caves or rec rooms for the kids. And, if a home is nice - why not the garage as well? While a person can buy personal usage epoxy floor coverings at home improvement stores, an industrial floor is harder to apply but is much more durable. King hopes to expand to do more commercial work, then perhaps reach further into Austin and San Antonio. For now, his territory is the DFW Metroplex. When it comes to your garage floor, home or work, Garage Floors DFW has you covered. Garage Floors DFW is an epoxy floor expert in Grapevine. -dsz
Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • SEPT 2018
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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 construction standard John O’Connor, Director of Preconstruction Balfour Beatty Dallas, TX
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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-
Healthy buildings, healthy people Mary Bartlett, Partner, AIA, RID, LEED AP Marmon Mok Architecture San Antonio, TX
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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. What is the most significant challenge your industry faces relating to green building? I think the biggest challenge is educating the public and clients on the science behind the green building movement and understanding the long-term benefits versus the short-term investment. Are green buildings more expensive to construct? Why? I think the key word in this question
GREEN BUILDING
Sept: Green Building Nov: Architecture & Engineering Oct: Specialty Contractors Dec: Construction Equipment
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
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. 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, developments, 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. Have there been any significant code or regulation changes regarding green building? Yes, the building codes are changing to require sustainable requirements instead 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
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
push research and innovation. In turn, the bar for green buildings keeps rising. 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
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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • SEPT 2018
THIS TH MON
GREEN BUILDING
To represent your company in an upcoming FOCUS, contact DFWeditor@ConstructionNews.net (210) 308-5800
NEXT MONTH (October 2018) SPECIALTY CONTRACTORS
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.
Builders tee-off
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?
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 vapor 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-Val-
At the Tribute Golf Club, 130 golfers gathered for McCarthy Building Companies Inc’s 18th Annual Dallas Charity Golf Classic which raised monies to benefit Md Escuelita Preschool of Dallas. -cmw
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
ue 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 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
★★★★★
Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • SEPT 2018
Page 15
Gone for wood
Rick Kirkindall stands next to one of his works of art.
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ick Kirkindall calls his stint in the corporate world 30 years ago as “the worst time in his life ever.” Besides the micromanaging he experienced, he found that his fashion sense wasn’t always appreciated. “One day, I had a pair of suit pants on and a sport coat, and with it I wore a denim shirt and tie,” he remembers. “The manager of the department said that wasn’t very professional and told me to go home. I asked her if she really wanted to do that because, if I went home, I wasn’t coming back.” Kirkindall cleaned out his desk that day, but he wasn’t worried. It was the motivation he needed to establish his company, Rick’s Woodworking. “I had always been woodworking; I had my saws and was making things every weekend out of my 20ft. by 20ft. two-car garage anyway,” he says. “That was a really good reason to push me over the edge. I believe everything happens for a reason.” Kirkindall makes custom, one-of-akind pieces such as cabinetry and bookcases using alder, ash, maple, oak and walnut hardwoods and veneers. From an early age, he was influenced to build beautiful things. “I did it as a very young boy,” he says. “My father built homes down in Houston in River Oaks. I liked to do the finish end of it, the pretty stuff; I didn’t much care for framing houses, even though I could do it. When I went to elementary school, I would walk through a neighborhood that was being built, and I made friends with and worked with these old-time cabinet guys who set up shop in these houses. I could make pretty much anything as a 5th grader or 6th grader in school. I’ve always been a problemsolver; I’ve always enjoyed it. I liked mechanical stuff as well as a kid and I’m very good at that; that helped me out a lot as an adult.” Kirkindall grew his business methodically and sensibly, with the long game in mind. He worked in his home’s garage for a year before he outgrew it and moved out to a “pretty good-sized shop” in Carrollton. “I would only buy tools after every job,” he explains. “In the early years, I bought small tools. I never financed anything. I would go to pawn shop and buy everything I could buy. Today, I have about half a million dollars in tools that I bought and paid for and I don’t owe anyone anything.” Kirkindall has enjoyed the freedom that comes from owning his own business. “I can be creative,” Kirkindall says. “No one is bird-dogging me. It comes right out of my head and right out my hands, making doors, or drawers or cabinetry from scratch. The joy in that is – regardless of how good one person is – as you grow older, you can’t do what you could when you were in your 20s or 30s, but people that age haven’t really lived long enough to know what it takes
to do a really good job. The devil is in the details. In the early years of the business, the biggest joy used to be getting the job. If I could get the job, I could figure out how to get it done. That’s the way I’ve always been.” Kirkindall’s work has won accolades in Houzz’s “Best Of” category for several years. He hopes to find someone to whom he can pass along his knowledge and his business, but with the dearth of young people interested in learning the trade, he doubts that will happen. “I’m just going to work until I fall down dead,” he jokes. Still, he’d rather be dead than go back to working in the corporate sphere again. A few years after he started his business, the woman who chastised Kirkindall for his denim shirt/suit combo pulled up next to him at a stoplight and excitedly greeted him. Kirkindall, for his part, didn’t reciprocate her enthusiasm. “I had been called by two or three different managers who said, ‘Rick, you’re good at what you do, why don’t you come back?” he said, amused. “I said, ‘No.” Woodworking subcontractor Rick’s Woodworking is in Carrollton. –mjm
L-R: Rick Kirkindall, Harley and Tazz.
From NY to North Texas
D
Silvano Salvatici of Sublime Concrete.
on’t let his Queens, NY accent fool you: Silvano Salvatici’s life is in Texas. Don’t be fooled by Salvatici’s extensive telecom background either; the Sublime Concrete Solutions LLC owner left that behind to enjoy a 15-year career in the decorative concrete industry. “Decorative concrete is something I discovered on my own,” Salvatici says. “I was in telecom and in 2003, telecom was not having a good time. I always wanted to start my own business, and I saw decorative concrete as an expanding opportunity. I took a two-day course and for the next two months I created a number of samples. I gave the first couple of jobs away at cost and that’s how I got started in Plano. In 2003 and 2004, I had a full-time job while launching this and then in 2005, I started doing this full-time.” “I’ve grown up, so to speak, in the corporate telecom world, and I came away with a certain range of expectations. When I got into construction, I found out my expectations were way off,” he says. “I had to learn how to deal with different skill sets and how the people in construction are compared to other industries. That takes a lot to adjust to.” Salvatici originally offered overlays and later branched out into concrete pouring and stamped concrete, and then concrete polishing, which is his favorite. “You take a piece of concrete that generally does not look very nice and you make it into something really nice. That gives me the most satisfaction.” Salvatici does a lot of education with his customers. “The biggest misconception is that everybody thinks it’s just concrete,” he explains. “Every piece of concrete is different. The coloring is different, the porosity is different, the way it was poured is different, and the way the material makes it up is different from batch to batch. You really have to make
sure people understand up front that, because of that, no two slabs come out the same. When you do a color, it doesn’t come out the same from project to project, and in many cases the texture and what it looks like doesn’t come out the same. It always comes out beautiful but it changes from job to job. It makes every project unique in its own way.” When he hit his 15-year milestone, to Salvatici, it was “just another day.” He says he still loves his work. “I enjoy walking away with a happy customer,” he says. ”We’ve learned to do many different things in my business. The amount of what we have learned, the skill set that I personally bring with me now from the sales and installation points of view, it’s a lot easier than it was back then.” As he looks forward, he says he is planning the direction he wants to take the company. “Each slab – the way you approach it and the way you do the work – is different, so I’m looking to standardize it a little bit more so that it’s a little bit more repeatable and not so intensive on training. I want to grow from there. At the moment I have two full-time employees, although it varies from time to time. My business model is changing and I find it’s a little bit easier to have it smaller than bigger.” “This is basically what I do all of the time, and it allows me to do some other things too,” Salvatici adds. “We’re looking at launching an outdoor kitchen business, where we prefabricate outdoor kitchens in the shop and basically drop them in place. Being in the decorative concrete business, it allows me to look around and see what other things we might be able to do. It will be under the same name; we’re still developing the product and will probably launch in 2019.” Decorative concrete subcontractor Sublime Concrete Solutions LLC is in Plano. –mjm
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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • SEPT 2018
Change is good
L-R: PCL’s Eric and Melissa Lesch and Felix Navejar
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CL Contract Bonding Agency has undergone exciting changes since Eric Lesch assumed full ownership of the company last year. PCL recently relocated to Grapevine’s Vineyard Center II building at 1452 Hughes Rd. The team has also welcomed its newest controller, Felix Navejar. Eric says the office move makes sense. The company’s former Irving location, with its multiple offices and cubicles, was too large for Eric, his wife Melissa Lesch, Eric’s father Clem Lesch and now Navejar. The new, smaller office is more efficient for the team. “We have one office at the Regus which has all of the shared areas and conference rooms,” Eric explains. “We have three desks in here, so if my dad or Melissa comes in, they can get on the third computer and work. We all know what is going on and we just hand stuff back and forth for verification. There are a few clients that come to our office, but for the most part, we use FedEx or UPS to send things overnight to everybody.” Eric says bringing Melissa’s nephew Navejar into the family business was
another sensible decision. Navejar, who worked at a Lake Charles, LA CPA firm for nearly four years, handles bond preparations, transactions, receivables, payables and invoices. With his ability to analyze financial statements, he also helps clients with bookkeeping, which is a growth opportunity Eric is considering. “I’ve known Felix since he was a kid, and I know I can trust him, which is a big deal,” Eric says. “I have a pretty good idea of his abilities and work ethic, so I knew he would be a good match for PCL and for the family.” “This is actually the first time I’ve worked for family, and I can honestly say that it has been a great experience so far,” Navejar says. “It’s business as usual, but there are a number of thoughts as to what we might do,” Eric says. “Our costs are lower than ever, we’re streamlined more than we’ve ever been and we get work done faster than we’ve ever done before. Business is great right now.” Specialty contractor PCL Contract Bonding Agency in Grapevine specializes in bonding for Texas contractors. –mjm
continued from Page 1 — The third to finish out takes pride in the way the company treats their team. New Business Development and Marketing Manager Delaney Broyles says Naylor Commercial Interiors Inc. is “a family-owned business first.” “We wouldn’t have jobs without our men and women in the field, and so our priority is to build more of a community within them,” Broyles says. “We constantly set up team building opportunities. Every quarter we do a field appreciation party and safety stand down; we bring every field member to our warehouse and we do training over certain safety needs at that time. Our goal is to create an opportunity for the field and the office staff to come and get to know each other. It has really created a unity. We’re actually seeing it in their work. It gives them more of a motivation and a reason to get up every day and work hard to make our projects beautiful.” Naylor Commercial Inc. is also involved in bettering the community outside of their company. “We are very connected to and give heavily to the Dallas International School,” Marilyn says. “We are constantly promoting a diverse culture and working to bring multiple cultures together. Our office is probably the most diverse in our industry, so that cause is very close to us. We also donate paint or have the office go out and help paint for Habitat for Humanity. A lot of the GCs are very much community forward and so when they
offer opportunities for us to help sponsor or donate, we do everything we can to help other organizations as well.” After 33 years, the company continues to look to the future, but wants to arrive there at its own pace. “Our goal is to grow moderately to conservatively,” Marilyn says. “We’ve been around long enough, have grown really quickly and that can be a little dangerous sometimes. We would like to grow at a nice seven to 10 percent a year. Our ultimate goal for the next 10 years is to have four more locations. We’re probably going to stick to what we know, master it and go by location as opposed to adding more services. There are so many great subs out there that specialize in their trade that we don’t want to be subpar at something. We just want to master what we do.” Marilyn enjoys witnessing all of the projects the family has mastered in North Texas. “I love driving through Dallas watching the buildings go up and knowing that we touched a piece of that. It’s an amazing feeling,” she says. “When you’re walking through a restaurant or a building and everybody talks about it, we can go, ‘Yep, we did that!’ We’ve definitely left a footprint.” Interior/exterior painting subcontractor Naylor Commercial Interiors Inc. is in Dallas. –mjm
continued from Page 1 — An old gem with a new story
Cambria lobby
continued from Page 1 — Bigger by the day in the beginning when Miguel and I started working together was finding quality workers,” Garcia says. “That’s always important because we want to retain the good people. One of the things that has helped us maintain our team is for them to constantly see us on the job site and not just behind the desk. That’s very key. They see us out there sweating in the heat with them. Also, anything they need, they get, whether it’s restock-ing water for them, bringing new bags of ice or buying lunch for them on Friday when its payday. Those are the things that they appreciate because they know that we’re hands-on. They see us. It’s a bond that people talk about but rarely see.” The team also bonds over contributing to their community –specifically the children’s ministry at a local church – and seeing that community grow because of their work. “We enjoy just having a sense of building something, of making a community better, of building something that’s transformative,” Ojeda says. “When we’re driving by, we can say that we did that. “Just to see the transformation, to take something that needs remodeling or needs to be built from the ground up, to see the progress as we’re working on it and see it come alive and knowing that
was our crew and our company – we take pride in that,” Garcia agrees. “We believe – and we really drill this into our employees – that we are the best in masonry and stucco. It doesn’t matter how big the competition; we truly believe we are the best at our craft.” Ojeda and Garcia hope that D&G Enterprises will continue to serve in areas beyond the Metroplex in the coming years. “Our goal is to expand and do more jobs in Oklahoma and more jobs outside of Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, and also target more government jobs, jails, schools and more multifamily projects. We are also acquiring more staff in two years,” Ojeda says. Garcia says the venture has been “nothing but a success story,” and if five years of fast growth has taught them anything, it’s not to underestimate the power of persistence. “One thing Miguel and I have in common is that we believe consistency pays off,” Garcia says. “We’re very persistent in what we do. We definitely believe our hard work will overcome any obstacle we may encounter.” Dallas subcontractor D&G Enterprises specializes in masonry and stucco. –mjm
The most challenging historical preservation item was maintaining the design and finish of the existing elevator lobbies and corridor walls. Protecting the existing stone veneer on the lobby walls from major demolition, existing interior masonry, and metal frame walls was an everyday task that involved close supervision and temporary protection with insulation board and plywood. The existing plaster walls along with the wood doors and stone base of the corridors on level five, 11,and 18 were maintained as well. The deteriorated plaster walls proved difficult to re-fortify, transition into new drywall, implement a code compliant fire rated assembly, and install new MEP systems. A specialty crew polished the metal and cleaned the glass, while an elevator crew replaced the light fixture. An experienced millwork carpenter crafted custom plates to lower each fixture clear of the new ceilings. The corridors and elevator lobbies showcase patterned terrazzo with brass inlaid joints restored to original luster. Masonry restoration had its own obstacles as well. The work consisting of repointing the grout joints, cleaning the façade, patching damaged or unsightly materials, and caulking the existing windows was done from swing stages hung from a new davit and tie back system. The davit system keeps all support systems independent of the irreplaceable terra cotta masonry parapet caps. Accessing the building facade was chal-
lenging due to the adjacent property’s courtyard and the city pedestrian sidewalks. The building is now illuminated with RGB color changing LED fixtures. The installation of a new canopy and blade sign showed its complications when coordinating the attachment to the existing building. The original construction drawings were drafted by hand in 1930 and lacked information needed. This led to a forensic exercise with all parties to determine exactly what is behind the exteriors walls and how to create a strictly structurally attachment to the building. The cutting edge architectural design and central location relative to Dallas’s business centers and entertainment attractions made it a desired location for business. “I think what really makes this project unique is the historic preservation of existing materials while implementing an “art deco” design with modern amenities and features. It brings a new energy to downtown Dallas while connecting you to the downtown of old,” says ANDRES Office Engineer, Jack Davis. The owner, architect, engineer and ANDRES worked positively together to tackle challenging aspects that accompany an old existing building. Without the project team’s adaptive nature, the process would not have been possible. ANDRES is a full-service general contractor with offices in Dallas, Austin, Houston, and Fort Worth, TX. -cmw
Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • SEPT 2018
Page 17
Association Calendar
Target practice
Content submitted by Associations to Construction News AIA
American Institute of Architects
Sept. 6: ENLACES 2018, Latino Cultural Center, 2600 Live Oak St., 6-8pm. Sept. 28: AIA Dallas LiA Sporting Clay Classic, ACME Brick Ranch, Brock, TX. For more info, email sche@aiadallas.org or call 214-880-1508 ASA
American Subcontractors Assn.
Sept. 27: Membership Meeting, Las Colinas Country Club, 4400 N. O’Connor Rd., Irving, TX, 11am. For more info, call Beverly Reynal, 817-640-8275 CFMA Construction Financial Management Assn.
Sept. 20: Membership Meeting, Hackberry Creek Country Club, 1901 W. Royal Ln., Irving, TX. Sept. 27-28: 2018 Lone Star Conference, Hilton Garden Inn, 1749 Scott Blvd., Temple, TX. For more info, contact Kelly Dando at 615-440-7486 or email cfmadfw@ gmail.com ICRI
International Concrete Repair Institute
Sept. 13: Membership Meeting, For more info, contact Steve Grelle at sgrelle@wje.com IEC
Independent Electrical Contractors Fort Worth/Tarrant County
Sept. 6: IEC Night at TopGolf, TopGolf, 2241 E. 4th St., 6:30-8:30pm. For more info, call Jo Britt at 817-496-8422 NAWIC
National Assn. of Women in Construction Dallas Chapter
Sept. 18: Monthly Meeting, Wyndham Garden Dallas North, 6-8pm. For more info, email Kim Gibbons at kgibbons@ mccarthy.com NAWIC
National Assn. of Women in Construction Forth Worth Chapter
NUCA
National Utility & Excavation Contractors Assn. North Texas Chapter
Sept. 28: Live Trench Training Event, Bob Jones Park, Southlake, 8am-1pm. For more info, email lisa@nucatexas.com NTRCA
Oct. 10-12: Texas Roofing Conference, Gaylord Texan Resort & Conference Center, 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, TX. For more info, call 817-734-8373 PDCA
Painting & Decorating Contractor of America Dallas Chapter
Sept. 27-30: Annual Destin Fish Trip, Destin, FL. For more info, go to www. pdcadallas.org PHCC
Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Assn. North Texas Chapter
Sept. 18: September Luncheon, TDIndustries, 13850 Diplomat Dr. 11:30-1pm. For more info, contact Alicia Baron at Alicia@phccnorthtexas.org
Sept. 7: RHCA Annual Clay Shoot, Elm Fork Shooting Sports, 10751 Luna Rd., 8am-2pm. Sept. 15: RHCA Day of the Construction Work, Mountain View College, 4849 W. Illinois Ave., Dallas, TX, 9am-2pm Sept. 15: Fall Protection Training English & Spanish, Mountain View College, 4849 W. Illinois Ave., Dallas, TX, 9-11am. For more info, call Yolanda at 972-786-0909 SAM
Subcontractors Assn. of the Metroplex
Sept. 6: 2nd Annual TopGolf Event, TopGolf Dallas, 8787 Park Lane, 5pm For more into, call Carrie Edomm at 972-438-1110 TLPCA
Texas Lath & Plastering Contractors Assn.
NECA
UCTA
Underground Construction Technology Assn.
Sept. 21: UCTA North Texas Chapter Clay Shoot, Elm Fork Shooting Sports, 10751 Luna Rd., Dallas, TX. For more info, go to www.uctaonline.org
What would you like to see more of in Construction News? More community outreach. Barbara Perser, Irongate Roofing and Sheet Metal There is nothing I can think of at the moment. I like the content of your publication. Kelly M. Smith, All Tech Electric I love features on the different companies and the people work there. Danielle Boyd, Buyers Barricades A construction legal advisory section, I think that would benefit all of the readers. Miguel Ojeda, D&G Enterprises I’m biased, but I would like to see more information regarding emerging risks in the construction industry and potential solutions. Brian Hunt, Aon I really enjoy reading Construction News and appreciate the work you do to help spread the word about the Architecture/
PDCA members pose for a group photo.
RHCA Regional Hispanic Contractors Assn.
Sept. 20: Monthly Business Meeting, Diamond Oaks Country Club, 5821 Diamond Oaks Dr. N., 5:30pm For more info, email Lori Donnell at lorid.nawic@gmail.com National Electrical Contractors Assn.
he Texas DFW Council Painting and Decorating Contractors of America (PDCA) hosted their Spring Tactical Shoot May 18 at the TDSA Private Outdoor Range in Ferris, TX. Experienced SWAT instructors from Group 6 Training used the AR15 platform to train 36 painting contractors and their associates on real world close quarters battle tactics, which included engaging and identifying multiple threats. The event ended with a scored SWAT completion team challenge, prizes, and a barbecue lunch. -cmw
North Texas Roofing Contractors Assn.
Sept. 21-22: Annual Fall Weekend Larry Trusty Memorial Fishing Tournament, Lake Texoma, Tanglewood Resort, 290 Tanglewood Cir., Pottsboro, TX. For more info, call 817-461-0676
Sept. 29 – Oct. 2: NECA Convention & Trade Show, Philadelphia, PA. For more info, go to www.ntxneca.org
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Construction/Engineering industry. I would be interested in a column focused on women in the industry, bylines from industry leaders and maybe an engineer-ing specific column. Of course, I would be happy to supply you with content for these areas and anything else you may be working on. Katie Mudd, RLG Consulting Engineers I would like to see more focus on the residential sector. There is a lot of really cool stuff going on in the industry, like outdoor living, solar, etc. I would like to see more of that. Mark King Garage Doors DFW I really enjoy your paper the way it is. Carrie Edmomm Astro Sheet Metal Co., Inc. I think Construction News covers all the construction side of companies very well; like what it’s doing. Brad Lockett Davis Metal Stamping
Two down, three to go…
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Ready, aim, shoot!
Submitted to Construction News
Round-Up
TDIndustries is pleased to announce the following promotions: David Fultz has been promoted to Senior Vice President of TD’s Dallas Special Projects. He will be responsible for sales, business development, estimating and operations for the Dallas Special Projects Group. Fultz is a graduate of SMU and earned his professional engineer’s license in 2013. He began working with TDIndustries in 2008. -cmw
Matt Terry has been promoted to Senior Vice President of TD’s Fort Worth office. Terry will oversee the TDNorth Texas Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) Group in addition to business development, estimating, construction, special projects and service offerings. A graduate of the University of the University of Texas at Austin, Terry achieved in Professional Engineering license in 2010. -cmw
Trinity TransCon is pleased to announce the promotions of Mark James, Bill Schnoor and Shelley Travell. Shelley Travell has been promoted to Director of Pre-Construction and Estimating. She has been a part of the Trinity team since October of 2017 bringing along a wealth of knowledge and understanding of tenant finish-outs and new construction. -cmw
Bill Schnoor has been promoted to Director of Operations. He joined the Trinity team in 2017 as a senior project manager. He utilized the skills he learned while in the Marine Corps and on the job to work closely with team members to continually improve operations. -cmw
Mark James has been promoted to Director of Business Development. James has been with Trinity since its inception. He has over 17 years of experience in the construction industry building strong relationships. -cmw
Austin Industries welcomes Deborah Adams to its Board of Directors. Adams brings more than 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry with her to Austin. Adams earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from Oklahoma State University, where she has been named a distinguished alumna. -cmw
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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • SEPT 2018
50 years of great people
ake no mistake about it: Barry Sterling is the CEO of JC Millwork who steers the ship, but he’s clear when it comes to who makes it work. “The biggest part of what I do is the people around me,” he said. “Our company is successful because of the people that work here, and we all make it together as a team.” Sterling admits that, given his background in the energy business, he needs the experts in this industry to produce the products they do. “I really didn’t know much about commercial cabinetry or commercial millwork at all.” Case in point: the most complicated project JC has done since Sterling joined the team in December 2015 has been the new Board of Regents and chancellor’s suite at the University of Texas, Austin. This involved a lot of different sub contractors and “a lot of work with high end finishes,” he said. The largest job they’ve done is the new Houston Methodist North Tower expansion, coming in at over $7 million and was completed November 2017. JC Millwork started 50 years ago in 1968, and currently has over 100 employees. Sterling said that very few companies in the country can generate the volume of work they do in the time they do it. Currently, JC Millwork is working in approximately seven states outside of Texas. JC Millwork’s job is to take the architect’s design and make it a reality. “We bring their vision to light,” Sterling said. Oftentimes that takes quite the effort, and Sterling depends upon his talented crew to figure out how to make it happen. In other words, what looks great as a drawing may not be that simple to produce in reality, and it takes talented people to do just that. Sterling says the future looks posi-
Wall rocket
Griff Rausch, owner of Engineered Wall Systems Barry Sterling, CEO of JC Millwork.
tive for his company. “We’re in a growth mode right now,” he explained. “We’re expecting a steady growth phase over the next four to six years.” He said Austin is a big market, San Antonio is growing and Houston is picking back up steam. “We’re right in the middle of DFW, so we can service our customers very well,” Sterling said. Why? It’s all about the team. “My job is to keep my team employed and to serve them.” The CEO said, “Our potential is only limited by the ability of our people to meet the needs of our customers.” From the looks of things, JC Millwork has done a pretty good job at doing just that. It’s been doing it for 50 years now, and the future looks great for many more years to come. JC Millwork specializes in large commercial millwork projects, located in the Dallas Metroplex. -dsz
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hen Griff Rausch learned the large building enclosure company he worked for was diversifying its scope of work, he admits he “wasn’t really interested in participating in it.” Fortunately, he didn’t have to be: Alec McDougall, CEO of the John W. McDougall Company in Nashville and The McDougall Family of Companies, stepped in to ask Rausch to create Engineered Wall Systems Texas. Rausch says having McDougall as a backer helped smooth EWS Texas’ first years. They started doing sales in a small, rented Fort Worth office building in 2015, moved up to buying their current North Richland Hills building, and grew from a team of three to a office staff of 15 and nearly 80 field employees. They have also worked on high-profile projects such as The Shops at Clearfork and the Irving Music Factory. As fast as the company has grown, its culture has been carefully cultivated. Family days, outings and job site lunches are just a few ways EWS Texas shows care for its employees. The company donates
to school athletic programs and the YMCA and, as an employer of veterans, also hopes to contribute to veteranrelated causes. “We really try to build an employeefriendly environment and make this company different than other companies I worked for,” he says. “Here, you’re not just an employee. We try to be a family, support one another and give everybody an opportunity to grow to their potential. That’s probably my favorite part, just empowering people to better themselves.” Now, Rausch said the time has come for EWS Texas to finally catch its breath. “We’ve had this meteoric growth in the past two years. We would like to spend the next year or so just getting our feet back under us and solidifying our position in our work force. I would like to see us continue to grow at a slower, more reasonable pace,” Rausch says. “I think we will probably just stay in Texas and keep focusing on our work here. It’s a great market and the people here are nice.” Subcontractor Engineered Wall Systems Texas is in North Richland Hills. –mjm
Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • SEPT 2018
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The village painters
The life of Riley
Patrick McCoy, owner of Village Professional Painters.
Andrew Nugent, owner of Riley Concrete.
atrick McCoy came from southern California to north Texas because of his last job with United Sports Technologies (UST). Now, as owner of Village Professional Painters, he’s here to stay. “I love it [here],” he said. “Wouldn’t live anywhere else.” The CEO of UST asked McCoy to run a painting franchise he bought. As it turned out, pretty much none of those franchises worked. McCoy then bought the one he was to run, called Village Professional Services. He ran with it, renamed it Village Professional Painters in 2005, and was off and running. Even after some training on how to run a painting company, the first few years were rough. “It took two to three years before we really knew what it takes to do estimates,” McCoy said. But business boomed, and McCoy hired more help. However, that didn’t work out well, as part-time painters didn’t have the dedication to quality and customer service that McCoy insisted upon. “I’ve got the same six guys that have been with me for almost 15 years,” he said. “I know I can trust them. I know I
don’t have to babysit them. My clients love them.” “We really try to build relationships with clients - very personable, very hands on,” he explained. McCoy uses his small business network partners to pass on job tips his way, as he does them. Social media and sites like Angie’s List are the methods of marketing he uses. Like fashion, painting tends change too. McCoy no longer does decorative painting with glazes or faux finishes/ heavy textures as they have gone out of style. People want cooler colors and simple wall styles. “You have to keep an eye on this industry,” he said. For the future, McCoy has just expanded into power washing and parking lot striping. “We look forward to seeing the growth,” he said. The southern Cal. native has found his village in north Texas. With his team of painters, the team at Village Professional Painters is ready to color your world. Village Professional Painters does interior and exterior painting in the Dallas area. -dsz
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ndrew Nugent, owner of Riley Concrete, knows his stuff. He should - he’s been doing it since he was 11. Not just Nugent, but his eight other brothers. Nugent is one of 17 kids, the first nine being boys. All those boys worked for their father in his asphalt and paving business. Dad’s plan was for the boys to stay together and work as a family. Alas, it didn’t work out that way, as “we started veering off and doing our own businesses.” Nugent began Riley Concrete in 1993. He named it after his son’s middle name. Many of those boys still work in the Dallas area with their own concrete/paving businesses, but “we stay out of each other’s hair,” Nugent said. They will, however, pass work onto another brother if one is too busy or the other would be better at it. Nugent did have musings of being a singer, even going out to Nashville a couple of times to audition for record labels. But, since he was “too nervous in front of a stage and people,” he came back to
what he knew best. “I know [concrete] like the back of my hand,” he said. Nugent has three other employees with him, but is very hands on with his work. “I do everything from the ground up,” he said. Speaking of the ground - that’s the number one reason why concrete cracks, a big reason in Texas. One thing that has changed since his early days is the quality and type of drying agent used for the concrete. Also, some of the more decorative styles weren’t around then. Nugent doesn’t plan for his own son to follow in his footsteps in the concrete world, or take over dad’s business once he retires. “This is a hard business,” he said. “I prefer [my son] to not be doing this because it’s hard work. He’ll sell Riley Concrete to someone not in the family. But that day isn’t close. Concrete “is what I do everyday. I’m going to work as long as I can,” Nugent said. He’s living the life of Riley. Riley Concrete is a full-service concrete contractor in the Dallas area. -dsz
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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • SEPT 2018