Houston Construction News July 2019

Covering the Industry’s News

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Number 7

H JULY 2019

Semper structures

Eyes on the ground

Jim Boehm, founder and owner of Aerohaus Metal Buildings

Tom Freeman, owner of APEX Commercial Industrial Flooring

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ew Orleans native and now-Houston resident Ron Boehm said he’s “been through a few” hurricanes in his time. These experiences have come in handy when his company – Aerohaus Metal Buildings – builds another airplane hangar or structure for someone.

Wherever his buildings go, they have to be built according to the local code. In the Houston area, a structure has to be able to withstand winds of 139 miles per hour. This is up from the 110 mph of a few years ago.

When Hurricane Andrew destroyed Homestead Air Force Base, FL in 1992, except for damage to the door, Boehm’s hanger still stood.

Boehm’s journey to Houston and

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H (210) 308-5800

kanska has built and restored local landmarks in Houston for decades, ranging from historic renovations, like San Jacinto Memorial Building on the Houston Community College campus, to the new construction of world-class sports facilities including NRG Stadium, and invaluable healthcare resources like the expansion of LBJ General Hospital’s emergency department. In Houston, Skanska has invested more than $650 million to selffinance new office developments including developing and building the LEED Platinum West Memorial Place campus in the heart of the Energy Corridor, as well as 3009 Post Oak in the Galleria area. Skanska continues to leverage its local knowledge and global expertise to shape the region’s commercial, healthcare, sports and entertainment facilities.

Construction of the recently renamed Bank of America Tower began in April 2017 was completed May 2019.

starting this company is not your usual story. After going to high school and college in Louisiana, he was faced with the reality all young men faced in the 1960s: “Either you joined something [i.e., a branch of the military], or you were drafted,” he explained.

He ran across a Navy recruiter while a senior in college who said being a Navy pilot was great. Boehm agreed and without any flying experience whatsoever, he began his trek to become a Navy pilot.

But what’s the military experience without a whole lot of red tape and regulations? A bunch of this caused Boehm to switch to the Marines to be a pilot. After getting commissioned as a second lieucontinued on Page 14

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ven as he looks down, Tom Freeman looks ahead. Much of what Houston parks on and walks on is what Freeman has focused on for the past 12 years.

Freeman’s first ground-related company was a striping business. That changed when a customer asked him to do a concrete staining project.

“Someone asked if I could stain their concrete, so I took a few classes. I learned how to do it and practiced with friends and family,” Freeman says. “I ended up doing it so much that I started it with myself and one other guy. Now, we have four to five full-time employees and cover the entire city of Houston.”

Freeman abandoned striping and established APEX Commercial Industrial

Flooring. The company offers commer-cial, industrial and retail concrete finish-ing, focusing on urethane cement slurry floors, heavy duty epoxy wall systems, waterproofing and moisture suppression systems, parking deck flooring systems, paver sealer and static dissipative and conductive systems (ESD floors). Offering a range of services means Freeman and his team are in class as much as they are on site.

“There seems to always be new products coming out every year, so we take continuing education classes to stay updated on new products and application procedures,” he says.

Freeman, who also owns a second company, Houston Concrete Staining, continued on Page 14

Ground-up trophy tower

Located at 800 Capitol St., the newly constructed Bank of America Tower is situated on a prime block in the Central Business District. Developed and self-financed

by Skanska, and designed by architectural firm Gensler, the tower offers 754,000 sf of office space and over 35,000 sf of engaging public space at Understory, an inviting, open-air community hub that includes a full-service restaurant and a 9,000 sf culinary market with seven diverse chef-driven concepts and a cocktail bar.

Tenants at Bank of America Tower also have access to The Assembly, a 10,000 sf state-of-the-art conference and private events center that features three dynamic meeting venues. The Assembly is connected on the 12th level to the 24,000 sf SkyPark, the first and largest green roof in Downtown Houston to be open to all building tenants.

Primary construction materials used Bank of America Tower courtyard

continued on Page 14

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Houston Construction News • JUL 2019

Supplying solutions

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Linking up the industry

Crawford Electric Supply is Texas’ largest electrical distributor and can take on customers’ large problems.

rawford Electric Supply, a subsidiary of Sonepar USA, is Texas’ largest electrical distributor. With 26 locations between Texas and Louisiana and more than 650 employees, the company is used to conducting business on a large scale.

Sometimes though, customers have equally large problems to solve. That’s why TJ Horny joined the company’s twoyear-old Services and Solutions Division last October. Crawford had one goal for the group: find a better way to learn about and solve customer problems.

“I worked on national accounts for Sonepar prior to joining Crawford. In doing so, I recognized the similarities from our national customers that touched all 50 states,” he says. “There are common problems, such as labor availability, turnaround time on a job site and space allocation, all of which are equally common for Crawford’s customer base. Many of our customers are looking for resources to help them combat these challenges and mitigate some of that

burden. Our Solutions group primarily wats to tackle these issues for our customers with a qualified, highly technical group of specialists – such as prefabrication, switchgear, digital, fixture and controls specialists – who are subject matter experts in their fields and can help customers with their problems.”

Crawford’s Solutions group is comprised of 22 highly-specialized peers who believe solutions begin with simple conversations.

“Of the multitude of things that we offer our customers, we are really focused on the conversation and the questions that we ask and building upon those discussions: ‘What are your pain points?’

‘What keeps you up at night?’ We want to identify our customers’ wants and needs, and collectively build upon that together to identify a solution, service or product that will help mitigate stress on their job site or within their day-to-day business operation.”

Crawford Electric Supply is headquartered in Houston. –mjm

Construction News ON LOCATION

May I help you

Derek Pickens with LENNOX in Spring, TX answers calls while visiting with Construction News. -cmw

Carol Warkoczewski, founder of (I-LinCP)

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arol Warkoczewski, MSOLE, AIA compares the Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP) to Switzerland. That’s because her nonprofit organization dedicated to building leadership, excellence and predictability in capital project planning, design, delivery and operations isn’t biased.

“We link people together, hold this neutral position in our industry and hold everybody as equal partners,” Warkoczewski, I-LinCP’s founder and chief vision officer, explains. “For a project in which we are facilitating, we bring together all key project stakeholders, designers, architects and engineers, the end user, the project owner and the contractor. We discuss communication, team values, project goals, mission, lessons learned and rocks in the road. We hold this special position in the middle and help to bring all of these groups together.”

Warkoczewski developed the idea for I-LinCP (pronounced “I Link Up”) in 2008 while facilitating project partnering and team building through her business Synergy Builders. In February 2009, the first leadership and capital projects forum was held in Austin to such positive response that she formed I-LinCP and held two more conferences that year.

“I had this really strong background and desire to help project teams be successful, and from an organizational development side as well,” Warkoczewski, who also is a City Architect for the City of San Antonio, says. She has since established an I-LinCP team, including executive direc-tor Carla Bingaman and Mike Lackey, who has been instrumental in program coordination. San Antonio, Austin, Houston and Dallas chapters have formed, and I-LinCP hosts a retreat and networking events. I-LinCP also started “Circles of Excellence, which provides opportunities for smaller teams to focus on particular areas of interest.

“Something I am very proud of that I

think will continue to grow and gain momentum is our ‘Circle of Excellence’ called ‘Invest in Women,’ which has an annual women’s forum and is helping to put together a leadership certification program called ‘Leadership in Collaborative Project Delivery.’ It is open to all genders, but we include topics around effective communication, equity, and diversity in the workplace.

“Looking forward, providing good programs is one of the things that we will continue to do, and we have really good ideas that we want to implement in different circles,” she adds. “One thing we will do to help I-LinCP be sustainable is grow Circles through the financial investment of major underwriters. We have one major underwriter, SKANSKA, that supports the ‘Invest in Women Circle.’ Their donation helps fund this program’s curriculum development.”

One I-LinCP event, a Texas Public Owners Conference with the theme “The Bridge Over Troubled Waters: From Project Delivery to Operations,” is Aug. 8 and 9 at Sheraton Fort Worth Downtown Hotel. She says the conference is “an opportunity for facility owners and public owners to share information with other public owners, but we also bring in other partners, designers, architects, engineers and contractors. It’s an opportunity to learn from each other.”

I-LinCP has met such a need in the industry that Warkoczewski has received requests to start chapters beyond Texas.

“My goal for five to ten years is to have chapters outside of the U.S. I believe that the values, goals, mission and vision that I-LinCP has is something that can be taken internationally. The construction industry can show people in other countries and industries that we have to work together in spite of contracts that put us at odds. If we can do it, anybody can do this,” she says. –mjm

Houston Construction News • JUL 2019

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Cranes & clays

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he Texas Crane Owners Association (TCOA) conducted its summer membership meeting and 2019 Raymond Davis Shotgun Shoot at the Greater Houston Sports Club. The event held on Jun. 4 drew 115 members and guests. -cmw

Expo &Headline crawfish in one

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he Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) Greater Houston Chapter hosted the 2019 GC Expo & Crawfish Boil on May 8 at the Bayou City Event Center. Contractor members and guests filled the event center and parking lot with opportunities to network with one another and visit with exhibitors. -cmw

ABC Members fill the Bayou City Event Center 1st Place Flurry & Flush Team Competition – Maxim Crane. L-R: TCOA Vice President Calvin Jones, Keith DeSalvo, Scott Green, Chris Johnston and Doug Courts.

DeWalt team members were on hand to visit with ABC members and guests.

Coastal Ice & Water

Annie Oakley Individual Competition winners with TCOA Vice President Calvin Jones, L-R: 2nd Place David Miller, Maxim Crane; 1st Place Will Chisum, Davis Crane and 3rd Place Mike Kasowski, Liebherr.

A roof family ABC members enjoy crawfish prepared for them.

The entire Marton Roofing Industries team unite together for a family photo -tnp

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Houston Construction News • JUL 2019

Are you fully utilizing your financial statements?

Active shooter events: Simple actions can save lives

Lance Trammell, CPA, Partner, Assurance Services Lane Gorman Trubitt LLC Dallas, TX

Jim Greaves, Associate Partner & Risk Management Experience Director Catto & Catto LLP San Antonio, TX

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ow effectively are you using your financial statements when making decisions? At the project level, contractors know just how important planning, and job monitoring is when it comes to the performance of the project. Plans and project estimates are carefully prepared prior to the start of a project and are continuously monitored throughout the term. Monitoring helps ensure that timely decisions can be made with regards to scope and the profitability of the project. If we step back to look at the big picture, are we doing the same thing for our company as a whole? Are we taking the information in our financial statements and using it to effectively plan and monitor our financial success?

It is not just about cash in the bank and the bottom line…

As decision makers, we cannot make sound decisions by just looking at the first line of the balance sheet and the last line of the income statement. The entire set of financial statements provide key insight into what we have to look forward to. For instance, our receivable and payable balances can help forecast some of our major cash inflows and outflows for future periods. As contractors, the cost/billing in excess accounts are indicators of how well we are estimating and billing out our contracts in process. The income statement provides us information on our current performance with regards to profitability and being able to cover our expenses; while the statement of cash flow shows us how we have generated and used our cash resources.

Performance analysis/benchmarking

Ratio analysis and benchmarking are great tools to incorporate into your financial statement analysis. Growth indicators such as month to month or year over year comparisons are good performance measurables. Comparisons of month to month can help us spot trends throughout the year so that we can better plan for cash flow in future periods.

Simple analytics such as calculating general and administrative (G&A) expense categories as a percentage of contract revenue or gross profit can help identify what non-contract related expenses are consuming our profit dollars, as well as having a significant impact on the bottom line. We should also be calculating ratios that are used by our external users such as liquidity, profitability, and leverage ratios.

Performing these calculations alone is should not be the endpoint of our analysis. We need to make sure that we are interpreting the results and that they are in-line with expectations. Additionally, taking the results and performing benchmarking allows us to see how we measure up against others in our indus-

try and can clue us in on the efficiency and effectiveness of our operations.

In conclusion

Financial statements provide a roadmap of where the company has been and a good indicator of where the company is going. Establishing performance measures and monitoring them is integral to staying on top of company performance.

Your financials are trying to tell you something, so make sure you are listening.

Contact your CPA, whenever you need assistance in understanding or setting up any analysis that will enhance your measurables within your financial statements.

About Lance:

Lance Trammell joined Lane Gorman Trubitt, LLC (LGT) in 1999 and has nearly two decades of experience working with a diverse portfolio of clients, particularly in the construction, real estate, and manufacturing/distribution sectors. A specialist in large-scale project management, Lance oversees the delivery of quality service to clients needing assurance, review, and compilation solutions by supervising staff on engagements, reviewing documentation, and preparing financial statements. Lance’s insight is frequently sought by members of the construction industry, and he has been involved in expert witness preparation and testimony for construction-related disputes. Lance is also well versed in compliance and HUD-related matters, and frequently presents on topics unique to the construction industry.

Lane Gorman Trubitt, LLC 2626 Howell Street, Suite 700 Dallas, TX 75204-4064 Phone: (214) 871-7500 Fax: (214) 871-0011 Email: askus@lgt-cpa.com Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Share on Twitter

2019 CMEF graduation

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t seems like we cannot turn on the television, read the newspaper or go online without hearing about another tragic mass shooting. With a majority of active shooter events occurring in the workplace, safety professionals are looking for guidance in helping their organizations plan for, respond to, and recover from them. Construction job sites have not been a major target for active shooter events, but the number of incidents has risen dramatically in the United States in recent years.

The Department of Homeland Security defines an active shooter as an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area. Unlike most safety hazards, active shooters cannot always be identified through a simple assessment, even though warning signs may be recognizable in some cases. They come from every occupation, industry, economic situation, education level, background, and race.

What can be done to help an organization assess and control the active shooter risk?

Safety professionals should conduct a Threat Assessment to identify areas of opportunity and implement the steps needed to fill any gaps in preparation or response.

A thorough Threat Assessment involves an evaluation of areas such as: • Risk & Vulnerabilities – Review any prior assessments – Current involvement with law enforcement – Number of building exits and monitored status – Criminal activity in the area

and more • Emergency Action Plan – Is there a plan in place?

– Do you conduct drills?

– Does your plan address active shooter?

– Does your plan address construc- tion sites?

• Prevention – Do you know what the law enforce- ment response times are in the areas of your construction jobsites?

– What are your contractor controls?

– What are your perimeter and access controls?

– Training and Education While not an all-inclusive list, the following are some additional tips worth your consideration: • Give law enforcement as much heads up as possible. In addition to preevent planning, on-scene information about the facility is critical. Employers can place lock boxes in the front entrance containing blueprints and key cards for additional responders.

• Plan for reunification of workers, keeping in mind that law enforcement may have occupied usual emergency gathering spots. How do your workers contact their employer to let their employer know that they are safe? Do you have a call in number?

• In addition, prepare for family members and media personnel to be present on scene. While law enforcement may handle access control, employers can plan in advance and make the process more effective.

Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) and its educational affiliate, Construction Maintenance Education Foundation (CMEF) recognized the 2019 CMEF graduates at the Sylvan Beach Pavilion on May 16. -cmw

• Create a reunification location where family members can reunite with their loved ones away from the shooting scene. Also prepare and have a plan in place for family notification so that they know to head to the reunification location.

• Let law enforcement speak to media early on in the event. The organization’s communications team should work with law enforcement. In any emergency situation, it helps to have a policy indicating that media communication should come from assigned company representatives; employees should be instructed to defer to those representatives.

• Once a law enforcement investigation is complete, media communications will transition to the organization. In the meantime, internal communications to workers should come from the organization.

• Have a plan for getting work done.

Because law enforcement will essentially close the building for days after an event, it’s important for employers to have a contingency plan, keeping in mind that many employees will have quickly left the scene without computers and other items needed for work.

• Plan for post-incident counseling.

The goal is to normalize emotions, helping workers get back to a routine. Provide HR staff with appropriate training so they are able to assist, and bring in trained professionals to provide counseling.

• Training for employees must include options instead of just traditional lockdown procedures. Use Department of Homeland Security’s “Run, hide, fight.”

Law enforcement recognizes that many employers are not comfortable telling workers to fight. However, if employees can fight back, even with something as simple as throwing a book or yelling, the action can disrupt the shooter enough that stronger measures can be taken.

Remember prior planning and simple actions can have a significant impact on all involved in the event of an active shooter situation.

As a working Director for Catto & Catto, Jim Greaves handles risk management and safety programs for non-profit, social service, educational and healthcare related businesses throughout the state of Texas. He is closely involved with the Risk Management team members to ensure that clients receive exceptional risk management, safety and claims consultation services.

Jim Greaves Catto & Catto LLP 210.222.2161 x 239 jgreaves@catto.com

INSURANCE • RISK MANAGEMENT • SURETY BENEFITS • WELLNESS

Houston Construction News • JUL 2019

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Artificial intelligence: Poised to benefit the construction industry J.D. Holzheauser, Associate Peckar & Abramson Austin, TX

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enerally speaking, artificial intelligence (“AI”) is the use of machines to imitate human learning and problem-solving skills with algorithms and data. The algorithms process data input into the system and considers all potential outcomes through trial and error. Ideally, it will recognize the best course of action based on the data provided.

There are many ways in which the construction industry will utilize AI. Some examples include:

• AI could predict constructability issues for a project

• More efficiently manage materials and inventory

• Optimize scheduling, or identify safety risks and provide real time solutions These are only a few of the ways AI will be used in the construction industry.

But what about the use of AI in construction from a legal perspective? In what ways could AI be used on a legal front, and what new issues may arise because of increased AI in construction?

One of the ways a construction company could benefit from AI is in contract review and analysis. A contract is full of obligations, rights, contingencies, and other requirements. And for most large projects, the size of the contract documents can make it impossible to review and understand without the assistance of a lawyer. But AI document review technology that allows for patterns in contracts to be recognized enabling a user to understand the context and content of a document is a real possibility. Also, the ability to review a contract and identify the rights, obligations, and liabilities of the contracting parties is possible using AI. These types of tools can be used by contractors to identify variations in contract documents that are largely the same from project to project and compose a comprehensive list of the contractual requirements. The information gathered from AI document review can then assist contractors when they seek the assistance of an attorney. It will also assist the attorney to provide a better contract negotiation/liability assessment for the contractor.

AI could also assist in document review for a construction project when it comes to dispute resolution. If a project gets to the point where the parties resort to arbitration or litigation, AI could assist in providing the company’s attorney with the information necessary for proper representation. Traditionally, the attorney would have to review the contract documents and correspondence to get to that point. The application of AI could cut out a significant portion of review time by using algorithms to identify relevant information and cull out the rest. This document review application of AI would also be useful in the litigation discovery process for the same purpose.

based on search terms, and AI, is that AI has the ability to learn as the process runs. While the document review process will still need a human element to assure the results of review and address problems or other issues, the use of AI in document review has the ability to ease the time requirements for document review.

While the utilization of AI in construction can be beneficial, there are still unknown aspects as to how AI will affect issues of liability and how legislative and regulatory bodies will address AI. A paramount concern is how insurance liability could be affected by introducing AI into aspects and phases of construction that traditionally relied on people. Also, as a construction company relies more on AI for pre-construction, scheduling, quality control, etc., it will expose itself to a higher risk of online attacks against the AI systems controlling those tasks. This could be a problem, especially if proprietary or confidential data is used to feed those AI algorithms.

As AI becomes more prevalent within the construction industry it will become imperative for contractors to focus on cybersecurity to ensure safety of Personal Identifiable Information (PII) and the integrity and/or security of their data systems. Also, for public projects it will be necessary to consult legal counsel regarding governmental cybersecurity requirements before implementing any AI program.

There are unlimited ways in which AI can be utilized by the construction industry in the future to make construction more efficient and profitable for all parties. Using AI to assist in better assessing contractual risks so those risks can be recognized, accounted for, and minimized, is just one way that AI can be used by contractors to provide a benefit throughout the life of any project.

Construction Attorney J.D. Holzheauser is an associate in the Austin office of the national construction law firm of Peckar & Abramson, P.C. He represents contractors, subcontractors, owners, developers, and suppliers on a diverse range of construction matters, including dispute resolution. He may be reached at: jdholzheauser@pecklaw.com.

Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX

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mergency Evacuation is the immediate and urgent movement of people away from a threat or actual occurrence of a hazard. These threats may include explosions, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, hazardous/toxic material releases, radiological and biological accidents, civil disturbances and workplace violence.

Deciding whether to shelter-in-place or evacuate to safety (i.e., get away from a threat or hazard) is among the most important decisions that must be made during an emergency. Employers should understand and plan for both scenarios.

Many disasters are no-notice events, meaning that there is no warning before they occur. These types of events do not allow time for people to gather even the most basic necessities. Therefore, preplanning is critical. Workers may need to be trained to respond differently to different threats. For example, workers may be required to assemble in one area inside the workplace if threatened by a tornado or on an adjacent highway if threatened by a chemical spill. Moreover, a fire may require workers to evacuate to a pre-determined exterior location.

When developing an emergency action plan, it is important to determine: • Conditions under which an evacuation would be necessary • Conditions under which it may be better to shelter-in-place • A clear chain of command and designation of the person in the workplace authorized to order an evacuation or shutdown • Specific evacuation procedures, including routes and exits • Specific evacuation procedures for workers in buildings (including high-rise buildings) • Specific evacuation procedures and responsibilities for employers in buildings (including high-rise buildings) Specific evacuation procedures on con-

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Employees not turning in their receipts on time at work. At home, it would be wet towels on the floor left by my kids.

Laura Robey, Kingdom Roof and Fence Liars! I just want to be told the truth.

Shannon Cadena, PeopleReady Getting involved with building projects that are done with architects. They take a good metal building that is beautiful in its simplicity and they jazz it all up with their architectural designs and different stuff. They change the basic metal building and make things more complicated.

Ron Boehm, Aerohaus Metal Buildings One of my pet peeves is when people don’t enjoy a good dad-joke or cheesy humor, i.e., What do you call a bear with no teeth? A GUMMY BEAR! Maria Esquueda, Crawford, A Sonepar Company

The difference between traditional document review programs that are

Happy

4th

struction sites or non-fixed facilities • Procedures for assisting visitors and workers to evacuate • Designation of which, if any, workers will remain after the evacuation alarm to shut down critical operations or perform other duties before evacuating • A means of accounting for workers after an evacuation • Special equipment for workers, such as appropriate respiratory protection An Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is a written document required by some OSHA standards to help facilitate and organize employer and employee actions during workplace emergencies. See https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/evacuation/checklists/eap.html for more assistance in developing an EAP. • Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) • Procedures that address special needs workers, such as those that may have physical limitations • Any special actions for evacuation during an active shooter or other dangerous intruder situation The emergency evacuation plan should identify the different types of situations that will require an evacuation of the workplace. As mentioned before, these may include explosions; earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters; releases of chemical, radioactive, or biological agents; and civil disturxxxxxxxxxxxxxx bances and workplace violence. The extent of evacuation may be different for different types of hazards. natarajan.joann@dol.gov 512-374-0271 x232

Women who do not support women. I have actually had high-level executive women in powerful positions say, “I didn’t have good fitting gear. Why should they?”

Today, I am thankful for both the women and the men that support this change.

Jane Henry, See Her Work People who drive for miles on the highway and don’t realize their turn signal is

still on. How come they don’t see the flashing blinker right in front of them on the dashboard or hear the very distinct clicking noise while it’s blinking on and off? This tells me they have no situational awareness when they drive.

Dan Zulli, Construction News Tardiness. I am a very punctual person. I hate to be late and running behind.

Edith Carmona, Vitual Builders Exchange My biggest pet peeve is when I get on a job site and realize that, with all my proper planning and packing, I forgot one small item that is not a typical item found in the store, but I have it in my studio.

Bree Ada Wrister, BREE The Mural Girl LLC People who say they are going to do something and don’t it.

Heather Osbourne, MEMCO People who scrape their teeth against the fork when they are eating.

Liz Kelly, Staff Zone People who play music on their phones in public places. I don’t want to hear your music. It drives me insane.

Meghan Wilson, Trane Chewing with your mouth open.

Trevon Tate, Big City Access

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Houston Construction News • JUL 2019

Bree Ada Wristers

Owner BREE The Mural Girl LLC Cypress, TX

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hen Bree Wristers was a child, her bedroom walls were her canvas.

Even as she pursued other studies and work, she continued to put her creative talents to good use. Today, she is the owner of a mural painting business, BREE The Mural Girl LLC, and brings to walls the same color and fantasy that she enjoyed creating in her youth.

Share about your background and how you first expressed your artistic talent.

When I was a child, my family moved a lot. We started off in Baton Rouge, LA, then went to Mendham, NJ, Cheshire, CT, and then in Texas we lived lots of places, including Galveston, Clear Lake, Houston, and The Woodlands.

So, my parents started letting me paint on the walls of the houses we moved into. I did my first mural when I was around 10 years old in my bedroom.

Every time we would travel, they would stick me in a little art class because all I wanted to do was paint.

What was your first mural?

I laugh at it, and I have a picture somewhere. It was The Joker from “Batman,” of all things, and I put a little quote from the movie on there – something about the ‘pale moonlight.’ I also loved to paint animals.

How did you nurture your talent, and were you intent on having a career in art?

I continued to take art classes throughout high school and when I attended college, but I didn’t get a degree in art. I went to Baylor University for my undergraduate degree in preoccu-pational therapy and I went to the University of Madrid Complutense in Spain for my master’s degree, where I majored in teaching and minored in Spanish. In the back of my mind, I knew I wanted to pursue painting in some fashion.

After college, what path did you take?

I moved to Arlington, TX, where I was a financial advisor for American Express right out of college – which, again, has nothing to do with art! After a while, I

decided that I wanted to move to Spain, so I took a waitressing job and saved $3000 so I could move and live there.

I planned to stay in Spain for three months, but I ended up staying for four years teaching English to businesses and kids. I traveled the entire time and became fluent in Spanish. I was there simply because I enjoyed living somewhere I could feel European roots.

I met a Spaniard when I was there and in 2001, we came back to Galveston where my parents lived at the time. We married, then we moved to Las Vegas, started going our separate ways and ended up getting a divorce. Once again, I came back home to Galveston in 2004. I ended up teaching Spanish and art for about four years.

How did your interest in becoming a career artist develop?

I taught for a long time during summers and breaks as I tried to become an artist that was actually going to make money. I would put art pieces in coffee shops and boutiques. Also, a friend of a friend would want something painted on their walls. I tried to take a year off just to do art, but I ended up having to go back to teaching because I was a starving artist.

While I was teaching in The Woodlands, I read a lot about small businesses and I talked to small business owners, instead of just wanting to be an artist. I started making kids’ tutus and doing the murals, trying to make money. I knew I was finally ready to make painting murals a career in 2010.

How did you get your name out there as a mural artist, and what were the first few years like running your own business?

The first three years were a big struggle. You know that saying “hitting the pavement?” I went door to door. I was going to houses, businesses and getting my name out there. The business finally started taking off about five years ago and started being really solid. It always continues to be a struggle, but the struggles get less and are different now.

What services does your business currently offer?

My main three services are faux painting, murals and logos. My favorite thing to do is murals. The faux painting is easy for me because it’s like the background of a painting. So many people want faux work that I added that to my line of work.

Bree Wristers, owner of BREE the Mural Girl

tried to trade their business’ services for my work rather than pay me in cash. One wanted to trade massages for my work!

What do you love about what you do?

Honestly, I really like the fact that I feel like I have created a home here in Cypress. Pretty much everyone I run into is from business. I have said this before, but the work I do is like when you bring flowers to someone. They can’t not smile!

I love when I am doing a kid’s mural and I have them paint it with me so that they feel they have done the mural. After I had painted a treehouse that looked like you could go into it, one 4-year-old boy’s parents called me to tell me that he had tried to climb into the painting, like it was a real treehouse!

What lessons have you learned along the way?

Patience. There’s a lot of brushing yourself off and getting back up, whether it’s a job that changes or clients that ask you to change your work in certain ways.

Showing up is also a huge thing I’ve learned.

What do you hope the future holds for your business?

I want to continue doing this as long as my body will do it. My son, Zee, is 11 years old and he sometimes comes on jobs with me. Once he is of working age, he can use it as something he likes to do,

make a little spending money as he paints on jobs for Mom’s business.

Is Zee artistic like you?

He is. He knows more about painting than a lot of people my age! There is one mural that we did together of a little boy fishing, and I love showing it to people because he did 40% of the job with me.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I spend a lot of time with my family, and I have a house I absolutely love. It’s on an acre, and I would like to get to the point where I’m not always working on it.

We’ve moved probably four times, but this is the house I am going to stay in here in Cypress.

I still like painting, but I enjoy other forms of art in my personal time. I like to create things out of odds and ends and see what the masterpiece becomes.

Have you painted murals in Zee’s room?

Yes; he has had “Batman,” “Superman,” “Toy Story,” and forest animal murals. His mural now is every single thing he wanted to be on his walls, so I had to put it all on there in a way that wasn’t too busy and crazy. But otherwise, I have other people paint my house!

BREE The Mural Girl LLC in Cypress, TX offers custom murals, faux finishes, and logos for commercial and residential projects. –mjm

What is the most interesting request you have received?

I’ve painted in elevators that are 2ft. by 3ft. in size. I’ve painted on rooftops so that when planes fly over, they will see the businesses’ names. There have been so many interesting requests. Oh, yes, another: I painted a pregnant belly for Halloween.

What is the most memorable experience you have had doing this work?

When I was starting out, some people

Construction News ON LOCATION

The painting that mom Bree and son Zee worked on together.

Construction News ON LOCATION

Wood art

Environmental construction

Pedro Fuentes and Jose Aguilar with Creative Granite & Cabinets make cabinetry a work of art. -cmw

Taking a moment to visit with Construction News at Drake Environmental, L-R: Drake Dischler, James Berry and Cheryl Severance pose for a quick photo. -cmw

Houston Construction News • JUL 2019

Page 7

Summer fishing at its best

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

The Sharron family brought their A-Game with them on a fishing excursion with Steve Schultz Outdoors. No limits but a solid box of fish for sure.

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ummer has arrived in the Coastal Bend, and this means our waters are fixing to get crowded. As many of you fishermen know, the weekends are the most popular days on the water. Saturdays are the worst!! Starting early morning on any given Saturday you can expect long lines at the boat ramp, bait stands and a mad rush getting to your favorite fishing spot. You can cut the tension at the dock with a fillet knife as you arrive and see the crowds trying to find their guide while others scramble to get their bait, ice and last minute necessities for their day on the water. As you ease out of the marina, your anxiety level drops as you lower the throttle on your outboard and the cool morning breeze hits your face. A slight smile comes across your face thinking everything is gonna be alright when you start fishing. Then that anxiety reappears when someone is already sitting in your favorite fishing spot catching fish. Go to plan B and finally start fishing and catching a few fish.

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“BOOM,” some yo-yo just ran across your fishing lines and here we go again. That’s just a little taste of what happens on the water on any given Saturday on our bay.

Here are some tips and ideas to help plan your day when fishing on those crowded day. First of all, try to pick a day other than Saturday. I rarely fish on Satur-

Shooting for clays

he National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) held their annual sporting clay shoot in Lumberton, TX at Sabine Sporting Clays. The event was held on Apr. 5 with a great turn out. -cmw

Wayne Electric’s Chuck Smith, Shane Plummer, and Jordan Smith.

3rd Place: Bones Copeland; Mark Banks, Jefferson Electric; Andrew Lane, Newtron and Michael Bunn.

Sporting clay shoot winners: 2nd Place: Joe Rooney, Wholesale Electric;

NECA Sporting Clay Shoot 1st Place team L-R: Allen Grainey – Executive Director, SETX NECA; Tim Carr, Wholesale Electric; Joey Flick, Burrus & Matthews; Perry Viator, Newtron and Tannie Gillespie, Burrus & Matthews.

days unless it’s early spring or late in the fall. Most tournaments are held that day and every Saturday throughout the summer there’s at least two or three going on. Sundays make for a much less crowded bay and you can still get off the water earlier enough to get back home and cook your catch. Pick fishing areas that leave other boaters no choice to run behind you. If wading, position your boat to block the waters you intend to fish. Other ideas is run further from the crowd.

Most fishermen like to stay close to the marinas and don’t like burning excess fuel. Fishermen that make the long runs typically are savvy on boat and fishing

etiquette. Last but not least, make sure you do all of your preparing the evening before and leave early.

Lately, the bite has been early in the morning, so we have been leaving the dock in the dark. Limits of trout have been a daily norm while redfish seem to be a little more challenging. Live croakers are the go-to bait but I’ve seen several good boxes of fish hit the dock with live shrimp and soft plastics. Whatever your preference is, the fishing is on fire along the Coastal Bend and summer is in full swing.

There are a few holes in the remainder of my summer months, so don’t hesitate in booking your fishing trips. Here are some open dates available in July 22 & 29 and August 9, 15,19,20,21,22,29.

To schedule your next bay fishing trip or hunting trip give Capt. Steve Schultz a call at 361-813-3716 or e-mail him me at SteveSchultzOutdoors@gmail. com. Good luck and Good Fishing.

Page 8

Houston Construction News • JUL 2019

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

Well finally!

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he topsy-turvy, weird and wild weather has started letting us get some fishing done!

As far as weather goes in Texas, no two years are alike. This year has really been a challenge for anybody needing to work outdoors. We have had late cool fronts, lots of rain, crazy wind and wild storms that ran us off the water lots of days this spring, but now summer’s here we are getting on some really good fishing trips. In general, it seems most of the state is reporting that the seasonal patterns for most fish are running about a month later than usual because it has stayed a little cooler and we’ve had lots of rain.

The arrival of good weather is just in time too. School is out and the kids have some free time to share with you. I hope you can find a way to help your kids spend some good time in the outdoors this summer, and not just on the ball fields. Each year it seems like we are seeing fewer and fewer kids getting to come fishing. It is concerning to us not just because they are our future charter customers, but they will be buying the fishing licenses and supporting the hunting and fishing industries that will help to nurture and protect our outdoor resources in the coming years. If we drop the ball and don’t find the time to help them experience the world outdoors, who will care about the well-being of the parks that are there for us to explore?

Will they have the experience to safely spend time on the lakes? Will they even notice when animal species we cherish and protect now start to disap-

pear. For all of our sakes, I hope they will.

We owe it to them to give them the gift of the world outside, if for no other reason than to have a place to go to slow the pace of life and find some peace in our noisy, clamoring world.

Now the hope is that we don’t get too much hot weather too fast. I hope we can keep seeing some cloudy days with light winds and a few rain showers here and there to keep our water temperatures down enough to keep the stripers active.

We will have to wait and see I guess, but then there are always catfish to be caught, and Lake Buchanan is raising some really nice blue cats and we are seeing more yellow catfish coming in again. Of course, there is a lot of fun to be had just jerking perch on a hot summer day. Those little jewels have fearsome appetites and can be just as much fun on a creek bank or stock tank or lake. They give you fast action that keeps kids coming back for more!

I hope you have a great summer this year! Don’t put off having some summer fun too long now. Get moving before you get caught in the end of summer panic with everyone else!

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

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

www.constructionnews.net publishing the industry’s news

Share YOUR photos . . . fishing, hunting, skiing, biking, racing, or any outdoor activity or sport.

Texas Style

H H H H

San Antonio Austin Dallas/Fort Worth Houston

Submitted to Construction News

Royal visit

Construction News’ Helen Greenwood and grandkids visit King Julien XIII during a recent outing to Disneyworld in Orlando. Fortunately, he did not make them bow down in order to take this picture.

Houston Construction News • JUL 2019

Page 9

Eagles come to Houston

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ongratulations to seven local contractors who were award the prestigious Eagle Award at the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) National Convention held Mar. 24-28.

The national convention was held in Long Beach, CA launching a merit shop movement to celebrate, collaborate and connect. -cmw

Interiors, Acoustical, Drywall, Millwork or Plaster: GMI - Market Square Tower (Houston, TX)

Renovation - $10 to $100 Million: SpawGlass Contractors, Texas A&M University Chemistry Building 1972 Wing 1st and 2nd Floor Renovation

Renovation - $5 to $10 Million: Rogers-O’Brien Construction Co. - WeWork 708 Main Project (Houston, TX)

Mega-Projects - All Projects $100 Million to $200 Million: S & B Engineers and Constructors Ltd. Lone Star NGL Frac V (Baytown, TX)

Electrical - Industrial $2-$10 Million: MMR Construction Inc. - Shell - Olefins Flare Gas Recovery Project (Deer Park, TX)

Construction News ON LOCATION

Say cheese!

MEMCO team members Front Row L-R: Susy Espinal, Minerva Chan; Back Row L-R: Eduardo Hernandez, Lauren Wilganowski, John Palacios and David Rodriguez take advantage of a photo opportunity. -cmw

Other Specialty Construction - Commercial - Less than $10 Million: Aggregate Technologies Inc. - I-69 TX DOT Emergency Bridge Repair (Houston, TX)

Other Specialty Construction - Industrial - Less than $10 Million: Standard Constructors Inc. - DOW Lake Jackson Pump Station (Lake Jackson, TX)

A second to spare

Steven Klotz working for One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating had a second to spare for a snapshot. -tnp

Page 10

Houston Construction News • JUL 2019

From flames to fabulous

W hat’s Trending in Lighting & Controls

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Ubaldo Parra, General Manager LED Electric + Lighting Contractors

echnology moves forward at a blazing pace. We interact everyday with hardware devices and apps that make our lives easier. As consumers we have grown increasingly accustomed to having everything at our fingertips. In the past not much thought was given to how we interacted with the buildings we occupy at work or the residences we live in. Everything has now changed.

More and more customers are now inquiring about how to interact and manage the lighting systems of the buildings they come in contact with. Hardware devices such as occupancy sensors have been around for years and they certainly bring convenience to our lives. It is much easier to walk into your office for example and have the lights automatically come on than to physically turn on a switch.

However, more than just convenience is the fact that those same sensors can now be networked and provide data analytics about building usage and allow us to more efficiently use spaces.

Networked Lighting Controls

The days of the simple toggle switch that can be purchased at a local hardware store are fast approaching an end. Today’s switches come in a wide variety of colors, finishes and options such as push button controls, touchscreens and even integrate motion sensing technology.

What’s more fascinating is that no longer is a 120V or 277V connection required. New technologies such as computer cable, CAT5e or even wireless control are now options to consider! The logical next step for these devices in a building to talk to each other. They can each have an individual IP address just like your computer has and can respond to commands from a remote location.

Automated Lighting Controls

Is it possible to have lighting systems learn our patterns and automatically anticipate when and how long lights should stay on? This certainly is something capable of being designed and implemented on a small or large scale. Networked lighting controls allow the user to manage a software and set certain parameters then let the system take care of the rest. With minimal effort a system can make more efficient use of the energy and also report back if there are any problems or lights out. Time and personnel can now be more efficiently deployed to address

other maintenance issues in a building.

Color Changing Technologies No doubt we have all attended a concert and have been mesmerized by the light show and production. This is a big factor that adds to our enjoyment of the event. This same type of technology that allows stage lights to change color is now available to the consumer. Relaxing one evening sipping on a glass of wine is not quite the same experience under bright white lights. Enjoying a Friday night football game and cheering for your favorite team as they make a last minute touchdown would just not be the same if it was played under dim yellow lights.

Lighting intensity affects our mood. Studies have shown that it also affects our productivity, learning abilities and recuperation. Healthcare and education are two big areas where this is being implemented. Don’t be surprised if next time you’re in the classroom or hospital lighting changes it’s hues according to the time of the day!

Going Green Resources on earth are not infinite.

Will we be good stewards of these resources? This is the question that must be answered with regards to energy.

Certainly a lot of natural light is available everyday to help us with our daily tasks.

Natural light also inherently has a lot of benefits over artificial light. While it is true that LED’s bring us a lot closer to natural light than traditional incandescent lighting, nothing can ever replace what nature provides. Who can disagree that we all wish we had a corner office with a big window?

This is where daylight harvesting sensors play a vital role. These devices can help us automatically dim down the amount of artificial lighting we need conserving energy and maximizing the amount of natural light we use.

The Sky is the Limit The above mentioned technologies and trends are not all inclusive of all the products currently available on the market. As mentioned at the beginning of this article, technology moves forward at a blazing pace and we can all agree it will continue to move forward. In the next few years we can be assured that more and more technology will permeate our lives and the buildings and living spaces will continue to become smarter. The Internet Of Things is here to stay!

13119 Lookout Ridge San Antonio, TX 78233 210.802.8320 San Antonio 956.568.4330 Laredo

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Before and after of an updated dining room from A&K Remodeling and Turnkey

orn and raised in Houston, TX, Alfonso Sanchez made his start in construction by doing maintenance. He worked in apartment complexes and became a maintenance supervisor. He learned a lot in management and repair services. For quite some time, it had been on Sanchez’s mind to leave and become his own boss. He knew he has what it takes and wanted the opportunity to make his own money.

A&K Remodeling and Turnkey opened for business serving Houston and surrounding areas 25 years ago. Sanchez says services include anything related to remodeling, including indoor/ outdoor spaces, paint, and floors. Common requested services include interior remodels for bathrooms and kitchens.

It is dramatic to experience a fire- or flood-damaged property. A&K Remodeling and Turnkey has experience and will gladly come to the rescue for restoration.

Sanchez finds these types of restorations rewarding.

“I like doing all types of services, but there is something rewarding about go-

ing through the process of reconstructing a severely damaged space and making it new again.”

Sanchez will always remember when he had to restore a burned-to-theground home. It was completely totaled from the fire. Not only was he able to restore it, but he made it like new again.

“We were able to construct it where it is better than it originally was before the fire!” he said.

What Sanchez finds as a perk to being a founder and owner of his own company is being able to make his own business decisions and deal directly with the customer. He likes being able to interact with a variety of customers and assist them without having to go back and forth between customer and management with negotiations.

“As the owner, I assist and establish deals with customers face to face in order to meet their needs.”

A&K Remodeling and Turnkey is a remodeling and restoration contractor in Katy, TX. –tnp

JOB SIGHTS

Independent drywall contractor Jose Reyes gathers up his tools at the end of day at the interior finish-out project of an existing strip center at Pinemont & Balbo. -cmw

Ascrete INC. crew installs asphalt at Cross Point Church in Pearland, TX. L-R: Alan Shealy operating machinery, while Pasqual Valdez works loop rake. -tnp

Houston Construction News • JUL 2019

Page 11

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

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

More efficient energy practices

stalling, how it works, not just having them as pre-fab installers.

Matt Rokovich, President

Do you see an increase in the number of outside contractors coming to the area?

I have seen an increase in electrical contractors traveling outside of their area ever since the licensing changed from regional to statewide in 2003. It is fairer this way and not political as it was before 2003 but yes, that was when the tide changed, and the number of travelers has increased year to year.

Allied Electrical Contractors of Houston Inc.

Houston, TX

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llied Electric in Beaumont was formed in 1975. When Matt Rokovich was 16 years old, he went to work there and started out as a shop/delivery driver. Allied Electric later branched out to the Houston market. Rokovich became a co-owner alongside the person that trained him who passed away in a tragic helicopter accident in 2012.

How would you describe the state of the construction industry in general terms?

So far in 2019 there has been modest growth in varying sectors of the construction industry with increases anywhere from 1 to 4 percent but overall, I believe when the dust settles on 2019 it will be a mirror image to 2018 with not much of increase or decrease.

Have you experienced an increase or a slowdown in business?

I have seen work staying constant from 2018 through 2019.

What factors are driving this increase/ slowdown?

From 2012 to 2018, there have been

great increases but with interest rates and material costs rising versus the US economy overall it has counter balanced out which has been the reason for the status quo for 2019 from what I have seen.

What are the “hot button” issues in the electrical industry?

The “hot button” is that the great majority of our youth coming out of grade school are not interested in doing trade work as a career anymore and it creates a shortage of workforce. I have to continue to improve the skills of my existing workforce and couple it with attracting new talent. I train from within, preach, and teach the National Electrical Code. I employ and empower electricians that understand what they are in-

Hire smart Cesar Ramirez, Sales Manager Precision Power Solutions Houston, TX

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s an established electrical contractor in Houston, TX, Precision Power Solutions has built its reputation from the company’s name sake – the quality, condition or fact of being exact and accurate. They have become efficient in working around a client’s current setup to complete projects to the client’s full satisfaction.

Precision has survived the ups and downs of an ever-changing economy and believes the current state of the

construction industry is strong with a climbing demand for qualified electrical contractors. They have experienced an

Enjoying the ride Mike Varnum, General Manager Good Electric LTD. President, Independent Electrical Contractors San Antonio, TX

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or 33 years Good Electric LTD has been operating and serving the San Antonio market. “We strive for success for our employees and customers. Honesty and integrity are of great importance to us. Our motto, ‘ Dedicated To Excellence’ truly means what we try and achieve,” says Varnum.

How would you describe the state of the construction industry in general terms?

The construction industry is strong right now. Companies and industries are moving into more government friendly environments.

Have you experienced an increase or a slowdown in business?

I definitely experienced an increase in business over the last couple of years.

What factors are driving this increase/ slowdown?

Lower taxes and the relief of a lot of restrictive regulations have contributed to increased investment and construction.

What are the “hot button” issues in the electrical industry?

Changes in technology, code compliance enforcement and lack of a skilled workforce are the “hot button” issues in the electrical industry.

What is the most significant challenge the electrical industry is facing? (I.e. labor shortage, other) Making sure other trade crafts are not overlapping into electrical work like HVAC contractors, maintenance personnel and appliance installers.

Labor shortages for specific skilled trades continues to be a challenge. We have come to learn that we will have to build a workforce with green personnel and bring them up through the trade in order to start filling the voids we are experiencing.

Do you see an increase in the number of

What are cost increases affecting the electrical industry?

The trade war with China is our biggest obstacle right now. Different parts of LED’s that are manufactured in China affect our budgets and estimates that have been submitted to our clients. We have had to rush order light fixtures to curtail these threats of price increases.

What is on the horizon for the electrical industry? (Changes in technology; equipment; other) The trend will continue to shift to more energy efficient practices. More jobs will require knowledge of installing renewable energy technology and other alternative power sources. I predict this

industry will be used in the future to retrofit existing buildings and to improve their energy efficiency. There will be more and more complex, integrated electrical and communication systems. I also see a need for more charging stations in homes and businesses for electric vehicles.

Are there any significant code changes / regulations in the past year affecting the electrical industry?

NFPA received 4,012 public inputs recommending code change and 1,235 first revisions resulted. There were 1,513 public comments submitted, with 559 second revisions. Nine new articles were proposed, and five new articles published in the 2017 NEC. The changes were diverse. However, the most significant change to me is the listing of “elementary and preschool facilities” as needing the requirement for tamper resistant receptacles for all 15 and 20 amp, 125 and 250volt receptacles.

What are keys to being successful?

Do not oversell and overextend your company’s resources and sacrifice quality to achieve quantity.

Allied Electrical Contractors of Houston Inc. is a full-service electrical contractor.

-cmw

increase in business due to large infrastructure projects and the strong Texas economy.

“Getting younger talent into the electrical trade is the “hot button” issue of the electrical industry,” says Cesar Ramirez. “On a different note, educating customers on the value of a DOL program to educate electricians versus field only electricians is the most significant challenge the electrical industry is facing.”

As a result, qualified journeymen know their value, as do the owners of companies, resulting in higher costs in payroll. “Our highest cost is in payroll,” adds Ramirez.

Hybridization of low voltage technicians and electricians is on the horizon for the electrical industry. And the 2020 code is around the corner. “I’ve been hearing the 2020 code is going to shake things up.”

Through it all, Ramirez believes the key to being successful is to hire smart, dedicated, hardworking and educated individuals. “Our employees are our biggest investment.” -cmw

outside contractors coming to the area?

Yes. We see outside contractors when market and industry building is in demand. We are also seeing a lot of new, up start small businesses. This can also drive up wages and can promote poaching of employees from other companies. This is good for them until the economy takes a negative turn, and it will again, then it creates some real problems for employers and small businesses that can no longer afford the high labor costs when work starts drying up. When the outside contractors have moved on to the next boom town it can leave employees and employers with some real hard choices.

we in the electrical industry welcome the challenges. With these challenges come new, innovative tools and equipment to help us do our jobs. I know most of our field personnel love seeing the latest and greatest tools for our trade and saving up to get the best as they are introduced.

What are cost increases affecting the electrical industry?

I would have to say insurance costs, from workers comp to health insurance.

Insurance costs increase every year and are a real challenge for businesses to keep up with these costs. Also, stated previously, inflated wage rates due to the economic boom. I am all for paying the best wages and offering the best benefits possible, but if economy has a down turn employees can struggle to maintain life styles going forward after such booms.

What are keys to being successful?

Reinvest in your business. Always be diligent and keep a sense of urgency.

Communicate with your customers and employees. Do what you say you will do.

Save a little for that downward time. Take care of your employees. Practice integrity and fairness at all times. Prioritize by adverse consequences. Maintain and practice with mutual respect.

What is on the horizon for the electrical industry? (Changes in technology; equipment; other) Technology is always changing and

Are there any significant code changes / regulations in the past year affecting the electrical industry?

There are not too many code changes that I think had a real impact, but some local government choices, like the “paid leave act” will have a big impact on all companies doing business in San Antonio.

“Good Electric LTD has been in operation for 33 years now. We strive for success for our employees and customers. Honesty and integrity are of great importance to us. Our motto, ‘ Dedicated To Excellence’ truly means what we try and achieve,” says Varnum. -cmw

Page 12

Houston Construction News • JUL 2019

NEXT TH MON

SERVICE PROVIDERS

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

Parking downtown Sandra Johnson, President Edge Electric Inc. Buda, TX

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ncorporated in 2009 by two native Austinites, Edge Electric Inc. is proud to take part in the growth of their eccentric city. Over the past 10 years, they have taken time to build a structured environment and invest in a quality team, which has afforded them the capability to complete high profile projects within required budgets and timelines. Maintaining the “quality over quantity” mindset has allowed Edge Electric to build strong customer relations, creating an exceptional reputation for themselves in Central Texas.

How would you describe the state of the construction industry in general terms?

Running a construction business in one of the fastest growing cities in the country is hectic, overwhelming… and a little brutal sometimes. It’s dog eat dog out here!

Have you experienced an increase or a slowdown in business?

We’ve definitely seen an influx in business. We’ve grown by 50 percent since this time last year with margins reflecting the same 50 percent growth. Obviously, this means 50 percent more headaches to go along with it, ha!

What factors are driving this increase/ slowdown?

What’s the statistic? 55,000 people are moving to Austin each year. Unfortunately, Austin hasn’t been able to stand by the “build and they will come” motto.

We’re overwhelmed with new residents who need places to work and live. Investors and business owners are jumping on

this opportunity to serve the newcomers.

For us, this means get it done and get it done FAST! The majority of our projects have a strict 12-week deadline.

What are the “hot button” issues in the electrical industry?

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) governs electrical licensing. A long-lasting rule has been that on a job site each electrician must have a valid electrician’s license in their possession. Furthermore, for every five apprentice electricians on a construction site, there must be at least one master or journeyman electrician on site. Failing to abide by this rule puts businesses at risk for expensive fines. Repeat offenders can face suspension or revocation of their Texas Electrical Contractors License, which is required to run an electrical contracting business in Texas. TDLR has recently initiated a “sting”, sweeping jobsites all over Austin looking for this kind of exposure.

What is the most significant challenge

Resurrecting HS training Keith Bell, State Representative Dist. 4 CEO/President Intex Electrical Contractors Inc. Forney, TX

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4th generation Texan, State Representative Keith Bell resides in Forney, TX. Before being elected to represent House District 4 in November 2018, Bell served as a trustee on the Forney ISD School Board for 20 years; elected as president 14 times. He has been in the electrical field since 1976 and founded Intex Electrical Contractors Inc. in November 1983 and serves as CEO/President. A serial entrepreneur, he has owned and operated numerous businesses in several industries including KB Land and Cattle Company LLC. How would you describe the state of the construction industry in general terms?

The construction industry is on pace with 2018 revenues, though tariff related issues seem to have put a damper on some of the private commercial, industrial and residential projects. Labor shortages and tariffs are having inflationary pressures on construction costs.

Have you experienced an increase or a slowdown in business?

Only in the high-end residential sector due to delayed starts have we seen a slowdown. This is due to the wet weather. We’re very diversified, so these weather-related slowdowns have been offset by increases in other divisions.

What factors are driving this increase/ slowdown?

Our area has been booming for several years, beginning with a very business friendly tax structure which has led to businesses relocating to our area. Additionally, many of these employees and their families have followed these jobs.

It’s led to growth in all sectors of construction in office/warehouse, office, institutional and residential projects.

What are the “hot button” issues in the electrical industry?

Tariffs have been a huge concern for the last year. The uncertainty has been keeping some projects on the sidelines due to inflationary pressures. The risk to subcontractors is trying to curb margin erosion due to rising wages and material

the electrical industry is facing? (i.e. labor shortage, other) Austin’s construction in progress far out-weighs the number of skilled tradesman available. This creates high demand, which calls for premium labor rates and yet another challenge for obtaining and retaining employees.

A secondary and much less troublesome issue is parking downtown. About three years ago we started seeing a decrease in margins and higher than expected labor hours… after much research I came to find that my employees were spending, on average, one-plus hour per day making trips to their car to replenish the parking meter. In some instances, there is a three-hour time limit on parking, so employees must find another spot to park. The time spent making these trips to the meter cost our company nearly $175,000 in non-productive labor expenses in just ONE YEAR, plus $45K in parking fees.

Discovering this, I started purchasing garage and surface lot parking permits, $265/month (on average). This was perfect! They always had a spot available and there was no wasted time clocked for replenishing meters. However, as of late 2018, garages and lots stopped accepting us. I have reached out to City of Austin Small Business Development, City Council and Parking Enforcement to propose a plan with no positive response. I feel there is a simple solution, but I can’t seem to get it in front of the people who matter. Allow businesses in the construction industry to purchase parking permits that allow the construction vehicle to be parked at any meter or designated area between 5am and 5pm. I would be willing to pay $200-$300 per month for each permit. Just from my business alone

this would bring in $60,000 - $90,000 per year rather than collecting $45,000 in meter fees per year. The additional money could be used to offer rebates to large businesses who shuttle in their employees from outside of downtown. It would be a win /win/win for all parties. There must be a solution – we just have to find it!

costs on long term projects.

ment structured price increases.

What is the most significant challenge the electrical industry is facing? (i.e. labor shortage, other) Currently, our biggest challenge is finding enough qualified electricians. We abandoned HS trades programs and have pushed high school graduates toward college for years. This created a significant workforce development disconnect in the skilled trades. Fortunately, this has been recognized and these programs are being resurrected. We are working to recruit people to the construction industry through the IEC Apprenticeship Program, partnerships with high school CTE programs, military outreach and internships, all part of our Intex University.

What is on the horizon for the electrical industry?

With the rollout of LED lighting and Power over Ethernet, there have been numerous changes that affect electrical wiring and installation. Because digital electricity is not currently governed by the National Electrical Code and Class 1, 2 and 3 signaling circuits are exempted from the Texas Electrical Safety and Licensing Act – there is a risk that unqualified Individuals can perform these installations without the knowledge to properly size wiring and over current protection based on connected loads.

Do you see an increase in the number of outside contractors coming to the area?

We’ve seen several new contractors come to the area because of the demand.

However, this industry is relationship driven! We have maintained longstanding relationships from years of consistent quality service and creating value for our customers.

What are cost increases affecting the electrical industry?

Rising labor costs and salaries. Copper and steel are constant factors causing fluctuations in commodity prices. Additionally, the tariff threats have caused some lighting manufacturers to imple-

www.constructionnews.net publishing the industry’s news

Do you see an increase in the number of outside contractors coming to the area?

I have seen more electrical contractors go out of business in the last year than I have seen in the last 10 years. The blessing of the booming Austin market is a double-edged sword for new or small businesses. There is SO MUCH work available, it’s hard to turn down. But taking on more work than you can handle is a surefire way to drown.

What are cost increases affecting the electrical industry?

Although for a good cause, tariffs have been a trigger for increased costs.

Luckily, that increase impacts us all so competitively speaking it doesn’t have much effect when it comes to bidding.

Also, as previously mentioned, there is a shortage of skilled tradesman, which has caused a labor rate increase. Technology is expensive as well, but consumers are happy to pay the price for the latest and greatest. Almost all lighting packages we install now come with comprehensive controls for efficiency, security or simply ambiance.

What are keys to being successful?

Don’t ask me! Just kidding! After 10 years in business, the best advice I could give is to find what you’re best at and focus on it, be prepared for the long haul and don’t bite off more than you can chew. -cmw

Are there any significant code changes / regulations in the past year affecting the electrical industry?

The NEC has a three-year cycle and it is my hope digital electricity is addressed in the next revision.

What are keys to being successful?

Our keys to being successful are focusing on employee satisfaction, maintaining the diversity of our markets, a keen focus on customer service and prudent risk management. We are constantly striving to stay at the top of our game; learning and growing continually while putting that to work to create value and solutions for our customers.

Intex Electrical Contractors Inc. is a fullservice electrical contractor. -cmw

Texas Style

H H H H

Austin Dallas/Fort Worth Houston San Antonio

Houston Construction News • JUL 2019

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continued

Electrical contractors positioned to thrive David Long, Chief Executive Officer National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Bethesda, MD

E

lectrical contractors are well positioned to thrive in today’s economy, but there are additional challenges to overcome in the years ahead. An overarching issue facing the electrical construction industry is a protracted worker shortage at all levels due to market demands. Challenges of innovation and generational change are forcing contractors to adjust to a shifting landscape.

As a result, they have employed a variety of approaches to minimize their impact, including increased recruitment, pre-fab, technology adoption, pre-apprentice programs, college partnerships and training programs around specific skill sets. I am proud that the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) plays a pivotal role in the growth of contractors every day.

First and foremost, safety is of paramount interest to our thousands of electrical contractors and their employees across the country. NECA participates with many federal agencies and consensus organizations in the development and implementation of safety-related requirements. They include the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Advisory Committee on Construction Occupational Safety and Health (ACCOSH), the Small Business Administration Safety Roundtable, the American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI) A-10 Committee on Construction and Demolition Operations, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) National Occupation Research Agenda (NORA) committee. We are also a key partner on the Electrical Transmission and Distribution (ET&D) OSHA Strategic Partnership (OSP). This partnership consists of utility contractors, trade associations, labor organizations, electrical utilities, and OSHA representatives. It is the oldest and only national OSP that OSHA has in place.

NECA also delivers continuing education both locally and nationally throughout the year. We stage the largest convention and trade show of its kind for the industry every fall. We will hold our annual event this September in Las Vegas, where in-depth education covers topics such as technology, leadership, communications, business development, and succession planning. Whether it’s learning about code changes or implementing a safety update, NECA provides support to members at every level of the industry. The new NECA Learning Center offers a wide range of educational programs to help NECA’s contractors grow, such as state-approved code courses for CEUs as well as courses in project management, project controls and project contracts, general business, and line foremanship fundamentals.

Advocacy is a central part of NECA’s mission. To help ensure a climate that is conducive to business growth, NECA has a strong presence in Washington, D.C. We represent the electrical industry on Capitol

Hill and the White House and interact with policymakers on both sides of the pollical aisle. NECA supports the passage of a significant infrastructure investment package, the permanency of tax code changes enacted in 2017, and the modernization of the multiemployer pension system. One of NECA’s top legislative priorities, allowing 529 savings plans to be used in apprenticeship programs, passed through the House of Representatives in May and is now before the Senate for consideration.

NECA’s focus on advocacy extends to industry codes and standards. Since the founding of NECA in 1901, we have had direct involvement in the development of requirements in the National Electrical Code (NEC). The NECA Codes and Standards Committee provides effective representation of electrical contractors in the rulemaking process. Many changes in the 2020 edition of the NEC address new and emerging technology and industry trends while maintaining effective relevance of the NEC each three-year code development cycle. A few revisions that have a broader impact on electrical construction and system installation will cover installations providing shore power to watercraft in marinas and boatyards, including monitoring leakage current and installations used to export power from electric vehicles to premises wiring. In addition, the 2017 edition of the NEC has been revised globally to specifically include rules related to the use of reconditioned equipment.

Lastly, a key area of focus is business development. Our goal is to help NECA contractors get more work from current and prospective customers through programs like the NECA Service Network.

They help members prepare for opportunities in new markets such as renewable energy, smart cities, electric vehicle, and the Internet of Things (IoT) through programs like NECA’s Energy and Conservation Performance (ECAP) platform. Of course, we are always trying to draw attention to the cutting-edge work our members do every day, and that’s why we are proud to present our annual NECA Project Excellence Awards to best-inclass projects in 12 different categories.

Changes in the electrical industry have affected every aspect of contractors’ work from technology and workforce development to budgeting, estimating, project management and much more. NECA helps members understand and embrace disruptions in a manner that aids them in becoming the source that brings value to their customers. -cmw

Association Calendar

Content submitted by Associations to Construction News For more info, visit www.hasc.com

ABC

Associated Builders & Contractors

Jul. 18: Membership Mixer, Construction EcoServices LLC, 13810 Hollister Dr. #100, 4-6pm.

Jul. 26: Membership Breakfast, Houston Marriott Waterchase, 2900 Briarpark Dr., 6:30-9am. For info, call 713-523-6222 Aug. 1: Casino Night, Bell Tower on 34th, 901 W. 34th St., 5:30-9pm. For more info, call 713-523-6222 AIA

American Institute of Architects

Jul. 18: Small Firm Roundtable, DEK Studio, 119 E. 20th St., 4pm.

Jul. 31: WiA Negotiation Workshop, PBK, 11 E Greenway Plaza 22nd Flr., 6-8pm.

For more info, call 713-520-0155 or email aleks@aiahouston.org ASCE

American Society of Civil Engineers

Jul. 12: Dynamo Game, BBVA Compass Studium, 2200 Texas St., Gates Open 6:45pm, $35; Pre-Game Beer Garden AddOn Opt. $5; Pre-Game Happy Hour 6:457:45pm Celebration, Minute Maid Park – Astros vs. Detroit Tigers, 501 Crawford St., 7pm. For more info, call 713-261-5156 ASPE

HCA

Houston Contractors Assn.

Jul 25: HCA July Luncheon, Junior League Ballroom, 1811 Briar Oaks Ln., 11am. For more info, contact Emelie Englehart at 713-349-9434 or emielie@houstoncontractors.org HARA

Houston Area Roofers Assn.

Jul. 9: Lunch & Learn, Greater Houston Builders Association, 9511 W. Sam Houston Blvd. 11am-1pm. For more info, contact Baily Burns at 512-251-7690 IEC

Independent Electrical Contractors

Jul. 20: IEC Graduation, University of Houston, Houston Room, 10:30am. For more info, contact Tori Barrett at mbrdir@ iectxgc.org or call 713-869-1976 MCA

Mechanical Contractors Assn.

Jul. 24-28: MCA Texas Summer Conference & Products Show, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, 23808 Resort Pkwy. For more info, visit www. mcatexas.org/annual-conference or call 281-440-4380

American Society of Professional Estimators

Jul. 8: July Meeting, Spaghetti Westernãs, 1608 Shepherd Dr., 6pm. For more info, visit www.aspehouston.org DACA

Drywall & Acoustical Contractors Assn.

Jul. 18: Member Meeting, Maggiano’s Memorial, 602 Memorial City Way, 11:30am-1pm. For more info, email eddie@ dacahouston.org or call 214-557-0356

NAWIC

National Assn. of Women in Construction

Jul. 19: NAWIC Bowls, Copperfield Bowl, 15615 Glen Chase Dr. For more info, contact Kathleen Cernosek at kathy@ritx. com or 281-890-1880 ext. 11 PHCC

Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Gulf Coast Chapter

Jul: Summer Break – No Meeting

ECAT

Earthmoving Contractors Assn. of Texas

SWE

Society of Women Engineers

Jul. 18-24: Annual Meeting, Holiday Inn Northwest at Sea World, 10135 SH 151, San Antonio, TX. For more info, visit www. earthmovingcontractors.com or call 325340-8370 or 325-977-8372.

Jul. 22: FHPW Quarterly Meeting, The Norris Conference Center, 816 Town & Country Blvd., 5:30-8pm. For more info, call 713-977-0909

FPA

Greater Houston Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Assn.

TACCA

Foundation Performance Assn.

Jul. 10: Meeting, Dr. Rob Pennington, Hess Club, 5430 Westheimer, 4pm. For info, call Vicky Bonds at 713-699-4000 Jul. 10: Meeting, John McReynolds, Hess Club, 5430 Westheimer, 5pm. For more info, call Vicky Bonds at 713-699-4000 HAGA

Houston Area Glass Assn.

Jul. 11: Summer Bowling Mixer, Willow Lanes, 19102 Texas 249, 6pm.

Jul. 24: Quarterly Meeting, Saltgrass Steakhouse, 1803 Shepherd Dr., 11:30am.

For info, call 281-849-8293 or email Dorothy Gurka at dgurka@houstonglass.org HASC

Houston Area Safety Council

Jul. 10: Navigating OHSA Recordability.

Jul. 19: Bay Bash Fishing Tournament, April Fool Point Marina San Leon. For more info, call 713-781-4822 TSPS

Texas Society of Professional Surveyors

Jul. 17: Chapter 9’s Annual R.L. & Inez Sargent Silent Auction & Raffle, Saint Arnold’s Brewing Company, 2000 Lyons Ave., 6-9pm. For more info, contact Jose Pedraza at jose.pedraza@mbcoengineering.com WCA

Women Contractors Assn.

Jul. 9: July Mixer, The Red Lion Pub & Eating House, 2316 Shepherd Dr., 5-7pm. For more info, contact Becky Khan at 713594-5926

Construction News ON LOCATION

Like family

The folks at H4 Architects & Engineers are like family. L-R: Rigo Hernandez, Saad Hameed, Melissa Ho, Patrick Salmon, Allison Riveria, Sherie Hensley and Allan Hensley. -cmw

Page 14

Houston Construction News • JUL 2019

Trees and kitchens

U

Danny Strickland of Strickland Construction and Landscaping

nlike Hank Hill’s profession with Strickland Propane, Danny Strickland sells construction landscaping and construction landscaping accessories.

Strickland’s company Strickland Construction and Landscaping provides indoor and outdoor construction services in Houston.

Some indoor construction services include room additions and renovations. Some outdoor construction services include builtin kitchens and drainage installations.

Early on, the company transitioned from landscaping to adding in construction. Services do not have to be landscaping related, but it is offered. Strickland has experience in many trades of construction and enjoys the wide variety of work he does. He does not prefer one over the other. Placing mulch and boulders from knocking down walls, the variety is what makes the job exciting.

Currently Strickland receives many requests for kitchens, ripping everything out and starting from scratch to look

brand new again. Throughout Houston, San Antonio and Corpus Christi, Strickland has provided maintenance and remodeling services for several Macaroni Grills.

Born in Corbin, KY and raised in Kokomo, IN, Strickland came to Houston to visit his parents and decided to stay. His father owned a steel manufacturing company and spent much of his time in woodworking. Strickland had always had an interest in construction and learned a lot from his father. His grandfather was also in the steel business.

A perk of owning a company is being able to set aside days for much needed yard and fishing time. As a master landscaper, Strickland likes to update his own yard. For fishing, he prefers to go offshore. His favorite fishing destination is in Hawaii; closer to home in Texas, Strickland goes fishing in Freeport.

Strickland Construction and Landscaping provides landscaping and construction services in Houston, TX. -tnp

continued from Page 1 — Aerohaus Metal Buildings tenant upon completing Officer Candidate School at Quantico, Boehm and a few others had to take pilot training at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, AL. He went because he was promised a jet. “Of course, my hand shot up,” he said, violating one of the military’s most sacred rules of never volunteering for anything.

“Everything worked out great for me,” Boehm said. “I was very impressed with the Air Force.”

Boehm became an A-6 Intruder pilot and flew missions out of Da Nang, Vietnam.

He was in the military from 1967-1974.

After separating from the Corps in California, Boehm got a job as a salesman for Airborne Freight, which sent him to Houston as that was the closest to the Big Easy as he could get. Boehm had the opportunity to fly for this newfangled company in Memphis called Federal Express, but he declined due to the job’s logistics. He did work for FEDEX in Houston for a spell.

Boehm then flew for a pipeline company in Houston. He was encourage ed to sell hangar buildings when he wasn’t flying, which he did. He then met up with a man who was into construction, and they teamed up to form Aerohaus Hangar Buildings in 1980. After doing just airplane hangars for a few years, “I realized that’s a

pretty small market, so I said, ‘We’d better just make it Aerohaus Metal Buildings.’”

Of all the metal structures Areohaus makes, Boehm says he does metal shop buildings the most. “An average building would be like a 40 x 50 x 12ft small shop.”

“There’s a really good feeling [when] I pass by a building and there’s my name – Aerohaus – and I know that thing’s going to be around for 30 years, and I built it.”

“I’ve shipped buildings all over the world,” Boehm said. He cited Germany, Iceland, Africa, Saudi Arabia and Hawaii as some examples. For international shippings, the company brings the container to his plant and they load it up, to be constructed on site.

Boehm has 2,500 hours flying time, even though he hasn’t flown for a couple of years now. Aerohaus has six employees, and Boehm says he’s “shooting for four or five more years” as head of Aerohaus.

When that time comes for the former Marine to fly off into the sunset, he’ll leave behind metal structures that are built to last even through the worst of weather. He said he has “a lot of credentials being around since 1980.”

This is what you call semper structures.

Aerohaus Metal Buildings makes pre-engineered metal buildings, based in Houston. -dsz

continued from Page 1 — APEX Commercial Industrial Flooring says revitalizing floors is his favorite part.

“I enjoy the transformations, seeing it go from night to day compared to what it used to look like,” he says.

When his eyes aren’t cast down looking at his work, they are looking forward to great things ahead.

“Every year, we’ve grown by at least 1015% so I would like to keep on growing,

maybe get a couple of new trucks and start hiring more crews,” he says. “Right now, we cover the Houston metro area, from Galveston, Beaumont, College Station and everywhere in between but eventually I would like to cover the state of Texas.”

Subcontractor APEX Commercial Industrial Flooring is in Houston. –mjm

continued from Page 1 — Skanska

Never done

Bank of America Tower is the first Houston development to reach LEED v4 Platinum precertification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Construction News caught up with Buyers Barricades’ Outside Sales Rep Rebekah Matamoros and her son Caleb on her day off while picking up supplies at Aztec Rental Services in Houston. -cmw

Construction News ON LOCATION

Quality welcome

Nicole Parsley, Marketing Director for Quality Comfort Air in Spring, TX offers a comforting welcome. -cmw

included 75,000 cy of concrete in the framework (7,500 trucks), 6,500 tons of steel, 1,428,250 lbs. of aluminum in the exterior façade (equivalent to 4.3 million soda cans), 420,000 sf of glass on the exterior and curtain wall units, end to end would stretch over 15 miles.

Skanska built the prestigious Bank of America Tower project on time, on budget and with zero lost time incidents.

In the early phase of the project, the construction team coordinated and executed the phased demolition of the historic Houston Club in 2014 before vertical construction of the tower began 2017. At peak construction, the site had 390 workers resulting in more than 1,000,000 hours worked and zero lost time safety incidents. Although the original schedule was very tight, the team collaborated to meet every key milestone.

Bank of America Tower is the most sustainable office tower in Houston, using 25 percent less energy than typical baseline facilities. Pre-certified under LEED v4 Platinum, one of only four coreand-shell projects nationwide, the sustainable office development features a number of green amenities, including the SkyPark on the 12th level. Other sustainable features include a 50,000-gallon rainwater collection system for reuse in landscape irrigation and restrooms; a secured bicycle storage room with access

to lockers and showers; 90 percent access to daylight and views for tenants; highperformance façade that significantly reduces solar heat gain; an energy recovery wheel to precondition fresh air intake; and district cooling to provide chilled water throughout the facility, which lowers cooling costs and offers unlimited service capacity to tenants.

Skanska’s unique business model means that they serve as both the owner/ developer/financer of our commercial development projects, as well as the builder. The close relationship and synergy between Skanska’s development and construction teams allowed Skanska to build one of the only ground-up trophy towers in downtown Houston in the last 11 years. Skanska’s relentless dedication and innovative construction solutions allowed its development team to provide cost and schedule certainty as they shared the vision for the innovative, highly sustainable new office tower to its prospective tenants. Ultimately, the power to self-finance its developments, coupled with an in-house, fully integrated construction team, resulted in Skanska successfully leasing this world-class, mixeduse sustainable development, which is approximately 88 percent leased to date.

Skanska is a global construction and development company in Houston, TX. -cmw

Houston Construction News • JUL 2019

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Houston Construction News • JUL 2019