San Antonio Construction News August 2020

Covering the Industry’s News

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Fifteen years, really?

The next chapter for Sharp

L-R: Mark Wohlfarth and Danny Benavidez

L-R: Kyle and Clint Sharp, second generation and new owners of Sharp Glass

une was an exciting month for the folks at The Sabinal Group. It marked the company’s 15th year in business.

Specializing in professional construction services, The Sabinal Group is a highly skilled minority contractor.

“Has it really been 15 years?” asks Coowner, Danny Benavidez.

Benavidez and co-owner, Mark Wohlfarth, did not just come together as business partners by chance. The two grew up together. They played football together at Marshall High School. After high school, Benavidez went on to St. Phillip’s College for a couple of years and got into the electrical trade, while Wohlfarth went on to get a degree in architecture, but the two friends stayed in touch.

When Constructors & Associates came

to San Antonio in 2001, Benavidez reached out Wohlfarth who was working for the company at the time for a job. He would end up going to work at Constructors. During that time, he and Wohlfarth talked about teaming up again and starting something of their own.

Then, in 2005 when Constructors was bought out, the duo decided it was a good time to set out on their own realizing that at the time there weren’t many good minority contractors in San Antonio.

In June 2005, Benavidez and Wohlfarth opened The Sabinal Group. “We have been blessed ever since,” boasts Wohlfarth.

Over the company’s 15 years in business, the company has maintained a suc-

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t’s exciting times for Sharp Glass.

Founded in 1986 by Alan Sharp, Sharp Glass is a San Antonio based glazing contractor committed to the quality fabrication and installation of glass, aluminum and specialty framing products for commercial and industrial applications.

On Jun. 30, Sharp Glass announced the transition of ownership and buyout of the commercial glass installation company by the Sharp brothers, Kyle Sharp and Clint Sharp.

Both having been involved in the company in one aspect or another during their high school and college years have decided Sharp Glass was their future. “We technically have been running it for the past few years. Our father is still currently involved from a PM standpoint but Kyle

continued on Page 18

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t all started in Hot Springs, VA when Jeff Lewis was working for a construction company, Daniels Construction Company. While working for Daniels, he began taking classes for pipefitting and welding the company was offering. The classes were offered throughout the course of the project. “They offered trade school at night. Once the job was done, so was the school. I went as far as I could go while I was there on the job,” recalls Lewis.

From there, Lewis went to work in the same trade and moved to San Antonio. Overtime, Lewis worked his way up in the HVAC trade and decided to go out on his own. “Working for other mechanical contractors for years I just decided to do it for myself, to see if I could make some money and have my own company.

In 1996 I quit the company I was working for and started Jeff Lewis Company,” adds Lewis. From there, Jeff Lewis Com-

and I have been at helm for the past few years,” says Sharp Glass COO Clint Sharp.

Sharp started the company after being introduced to the glazing business while in college when a college buddy asked Sharp if he needed a job. Although he was working at a bank at the time, Sharp said “yes” and began working at his buddy’s dad’s company as an estimator. Estimating led to project management and from there he ended up getting another job with a larger corporation as project manager. When the latter company closed their install department, Sharp started Sharp Glass utilizing the work his former employers was offloading.

Kyle, having grown up around his father’s business, began getting serious continued on Page 18

Still going

Jeff Lewis, owner

pany was off to the races, making a name for itself.

Lewis started the Jeff Lewis Company with just himself and one other person who did sheet metal work. “He did all the sheet metal and I did all the piping. We had both sides covered. We had all the piping, equipment and then we had the duct work side too.”

Jeff Lewis Company’s first job was a project with Brown & Root at Fort Sam Houston piping in a new chiller and new pumps. From there things escalated for the Jeff Lewis Company. People began to learn about Lewis, and he got his next job with Naval Air Station Corpus Christi.

According to Lewis, the first 16 years was nothing but government work installing chillers and pumps from Fort Campbell, KY to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Fort Hood in Waco and all the major bases in San Antonio including Fort Sam Houston, Randolph Air Force Base, Brookes Air continued on Page 18

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San Antonio Construction News • AUG 2020

Local HVACR legend

Latin for construction

L-R: Legend of HVACR Award recipient Lee Rosenberg with wife and Vice Chairman of the Board Betsy Rosenberg, and Rosenberg Indoor Comfort President and son Michael Rosenberg.

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atin for construction or structure, the founders of Structura, Rusty Morgan and Kevin Jones, wanted a Latin connection when coming up with a name for their general contracting firm.

Like most general contracting firms, Structura started out performing lots of ground up construction. As the company started making a name for itself, the company ventured into interior work and focused on that for a while until deciding to get back to the skill set that made a name for Structura. “We went back to our ground up work, but we had lots of interiors so we hired Steve Shuler. He is our director of interiors. This allows us to diversify and keep the interiors and ground up mix even. We have people focusing on ground up and we have people focusing on interiors,” says Structura Marketing Manager Tara Kirkland.

Having the ability to diversity between ground up construction and interior construction may not be all that uncommon within the construction industry, the company’s ability to connect from office to office is.

“Structura is geared to be more connected between offices. There is a lot of interaction between Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Waco. Our team communication is almost daily so that is a big plus. Additionally, we do self-perform concrete and self-perform drywall in Austin which allows us to lend or borrow manpower as needed

★★

in some of the other offices that are smaller where we haven’t had the need to hire field labor as we have in Austin,” says San Antonio Regional Leader Armando Aguilar.

“Another thing that sets us apart is our diversity through the types of work that we do. When we say we do corporate office, hospitality, industrial, healthcare, etc.; we have an abundance of project experience in those types of markets,” adds Kirkland.

“Each office has a slightly different focus in terms of business pursuits, but I can speak for San Antonio. We are making healthcare, higher education, and k-12 key pursuits. Between our shared resources throughout our offices along with our new staff members’ vast experience in these industry sectors gives us a higher degree of expertise that is paramount with success in our business approach,” continues Aguilar.

While not new to San Antonio, Structura has been a competitive entity in the San Antonio for five years. In 2018, Structura began taking a different approach as far as how they conduct business as a whole.

They have begun building their resume as a company and the types of jobs they pursue and hiring experienced industry professionals from within the industry giving Structura a tremendous wealth of experience in various sectors of the construction industry.

Structura is a full-service general contractor. -cmw

★★

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or over 45 years, Lee Rosenberg, chairman of the board for Rosenberg Indoor Comfort has been in the air conditioning and refrigeration business. In 1986, he and his family started Metro Tech Service Company. They later sold the company in 1998 and remained on board before making the decision to venture out on his own again in 2003.

“When we started Rosenberg Indoor Comfort, it was my son Michael, my wife Betsy, myself and a gentleman who was with us during our original company days. Tom Hull, our vice president, runs all the instruction and service side of the company. Betsy is primarily credit and collections and gets involved with human resources as well.

“We have a very stable team, but we are always looking for good people. We are growing at a good pace, but we typically grow our own employees on the technical side. We get them out of the trade schools upon recommendation of their instructors and then we put them through our ‘build-a-tech’ program. We have a pretty extensive training laboratory. We are big on training,” says Rosenberg Specializing strictly in HVAC and refrigeration, Rosenberg Indoor Comfort focuses on their core competency, performing about 50 percent light commercial and 50 percent residential service.

“We started from scratch. Today we are somewhere north of $7 million. It’s not how much you sell, it’s how much you make. There are so many contractors out there that talk about kazillions of dollars of revenue, but when you get down to it, are they profitable? You have to be profitable to be able to grow and take

care of your people and your customers.

Our philosophy is honesty, integrity, professionalism and understanding that you can’t be all things to all people,” says Rosenberg.

With 45 years in the HVAC and refrigeration business, Lee Rosenberg has done it all and is big on helping great employees, great customers and doing profitable work. He has been very active nationally in the HVAC and refrigeration industry for many years and was recently humbled when a national trade magazine informed him that he had been selected as the recipient of the Legend of HVACR Award for his dedicated service in the industry.

“I was very pleasantly shocked. I was very humbled by it. It would have been announced at the annual conference of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) which was to be held earlier this year in St. Louis which was canceled due to COVID-19,” Rosenberg states.

Rosenberg was the national chairman for ACCA, on the board of several manufacturers, chaired the Air Conditioning Refrigeration Advisory Board for the state Texas State Board of Licensing and was appointed chair under then Governor George Bush. He co-founded and served as chairman of the board for an internet based company called Service Nation that helps train service trade people in plumbing, air conditioning, remodeling, solar, etc. Additionally, he has served as a consultant to contractors in the trade across the United States.

Rosenberg Indoor Comfort is an air conditioning and refrigeration contactor in Schertz, TX. -cmw

San Antonio Construction News • AUG 2020

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San Antonio Construction News • AUG 2020

Keeping Texas strong

A growing niche

L-R: Texas Strengthening Technologies’ Omar Martinez and Jose Ochoa

Mike Davis, Jordan Ford Commercial & Fleet Service

exas Strengthening Technologies’ Bobby Irvin wants the construction industry to know that when it comes to post tension repair, there are options.

“We strengthen existing concrete structures,” Irvin explains. “That’s everything from post-tension repairs to carbon fiber installation, barrier cable engineering and installation, epoxy injection and concrete repairs. There’s not a post tension repair that we don’t do; we do unbonded PT, including elevated structures and slab on grade. It’s a very unique niche that not many people in this world can do. Right now, we work for a lot of post tensioning manufacturers, meaning they sell the cable; when they have repair needs, they give us a call and we do the repairs for them.”

Irvin says choosing Texas Strengthening Technologies can save general contractors and homebuilders time and effort.

“We can provide the in-house engineering, so you’re not having to go out and do a third-party stamp or anything of that nature. Many times, companies that do what we do are backlogged, but we have excess of about 35 employees now; we’re really fast and we travel across the entire United States. There’s nowhere we won’t go. Right now, we have work from New York down to Florida. We even have a project coming up next month in the Grand Cayman Islands.”

Irvin is one-third of the leadership at the company, sharing an equal partnership with Jose Ochoa and Omar Martinez.

“The uniqueness about our partner-

ship is that I run the business development, marketing, sales, and estimating and Omar and Jose are in complete control of the build and day-to-day operations,” Irvin says. “What makes it so unique and such a good thing for our customers is that they have field representation out there that has stake in what we do.”

Irvin, Ochoa and Martinez have witnessed the industry discovering their niche.

“We’re growing fairly rapidly. We’re trying to get to $150 million in sales a year, so we’re a little bit away from that, and that’s where we want to plane off,” Irvin says. “Our plans are to continue to grow in innovation and stay up to date in tech-nologies. We’re always on the lookout for any of the newest materials and features out there that can make us more competi-tive. Most of all, it’s our customer service that we’ll continue to provide. That’s going to be the biggest commitment of our future: how fast we can respond and the quality of job that you’re going to get – period.”

Irvin says his favorite part of his work is repairing and making existing structures stronger, and he plans to continue getting the word out how his company can help customers.

“If a homebuilder, general contractor, enginner or anybody is searching for strengthening of a concrete structure and need post-tensioning repairs, there are other options. Give us the call and give us the opportunity.”

Texas Strengthening Technologies is based in Cleburne. –mjm

W

hen Mike Davis graduated high school in 1989, he went to work in the oil fields. He worked offshore and then later in the oil fields of South Texas for about a year. Getting tired of the ups and downs of oil field work, Davis left the oil field in 1991 and began working at Jordan Ford as a diesel mechanic.

Davis quickly became a senior master certified technician, which is the highest level of certification a technician can get. From there, he became Jordan Ford’s shop foreman and after a few years, service director and ran the service department.

While running the service department, many of Davis’ customers encouraged him to go into sales because of the quality of service he provided them. “I told them I wasn’t a salesman. I can’t sell anything because I couldn’t handle rejection. They reminded me again and again that I had been selling myself to them the whole time. I could sell myself, I just couldn’t sell vehicles.

“I finally gave in and got tired of running. I went to the owners and pointed out that we really didn’t have a commercial and fleet department and asked about opening one up. I told them I would hire my replacement to run the service dept. They sent me home to write up my pay plan and job description. Two weeks later I had hired my replacement and started selling vehicles to commercial and fleet customers in the oil field,” says Davis.

Davis set up office at Jordan Ford’s

satellite lot, requested a truck and trailer, and Jordan Ford Commercial & Fleet Service emerged under the reins of Davis.

“Today I sell commercial, fleet, farming and ranching vehicles. I sell to a lot of farmers and ranchers all over Texas.

That’s one of our biggest niche markets.

I sell to government entities, hospitals, oil fields, air conditioning and heating, plumbing, landscaping companies, just to name a few,” says Davis.

“A niche that I found with people was a pickup and delivery option. I would go to the customers so they wouldn’t have to come to me. Unlike typical salesmen at a dealership, I didn’t get any referrals or leads from the dealership at all. It was 100 percent of me going out, prospecting and generating a customer base, based on handshakes and word of mouth. To this day, it has all been word of mouth. I started these relationships, one handshake at a time,” continues Davis.

Founded in 1919 by the Jordan brothers, Jordan Ford is San Antonio’s oldest Ford dealership. Just like Buddy Jordan, son of one of the original Jordan brothers, who saw the city growing to the north east when he asked Ford to give him the first shot at the next new location which opened in 1985 at its current location, Jordan Ford’s owners, Marc Cross and Mike Trompeter, along with Mike Davis continue to make their mark on the commercial and fleet service. -cmw

San Antonio Construction News • AUG 2020

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A Veteran’s call to help

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his is a lengthy story by Construction News, but well worth it. I hope you read it to its entirety. In 1999, after serving four years in the United States Marine Corps, Giovanni Marotta did not expect that getting a job as a civilian would be such a difficult task, especially in Military City USA (San Antonio).

“Twenty years ago, companies would not hire veterans. Even though people promoted supporting the military, they all wanted college degrees,” recalls Marotta.

Running out of options, Marotta decided to do something on his own and chose construction.

“All those Scantron tests we used to do in school always said I would be good at construction. I never wanted to be in construction, but I needed a job.

“I started putting flyers on people’s doors with a list of things that I could do for them. I didn’t have a truck, only a car. I was doing every tile job, drywall job, fence job, concrete job, roof job, anything I could get my hands on. When someone would call me. I would set appointments for a Wednesday to go talk to them. On Tuesday, I would go to Home Depot in their ‘Do It Yourself section with the library of DIY books they sold. Those books were $25-$35 each. I had no money. I mean zero money. I was basically living off my disability check from the VA. I would take that book and go to the back corner of the store and memorize it so I would know how to talk about the project when I went to talk to the customer. I would do the work myself or I would subcontract it. I learned from reading and memorizing those books. Whatever they called me for was the book I would memorize,” he continues.

Marotta eventually got hired by a worldwide stone company, Cosentino’s that had a big Home Depot contract for a product that everyone knows now as Silestone. They hired him as an installer. “I was making money on my own, so I went to work for them. They moved me to Nashville and then to Cleveland to start my own company using their product. In 2004, I started my own company as an installation company for countertops in Cleveland with the support of Cosentino. In 2007/2008 when the economy went down, they were closing up facilities. I lost my contract and moved back to San Antonio,” says Marotta.

Having installed countertops for kitchens and bathrooms for years, Marotta started Kitchen Design Studio Jan. 1, 1999. “It was just myself and a helper. I was just really focused on doing kitchens and bathrooms.”

Through word of mouth and referrals, the company grew. More people were added along with a showroom. “Since then we have added two other companies. One is called Precision Windows which is a brand new company that my brother and I both own. The other company called River City Rock Tops is a granite fabrication facility that myself and a friend of mine, Mike Serratos, both have,” he adds. The three companies all operate separately.

In 2014, Marotta started doing work for veterans in need of showers that were wheelchair accessible. It all started when he went to a customer’s house who had lost his legs in Vietnam at the age of 19. Having spent his entire adult life in a wheelchair, he found himself having difficulty getting in and out of the shower the older he got. “They needed a shower with wheelchair access. We got a non-profit to help us out to pick up some of the cost of it and we didn’t charge them for anything other than what the non-profit wasn’t able to cover. From there, they did more and more at no charge as long as the veteran was injured in battle.

The retired veteran who advertises regularly on 550 AM KTSA began appearing on The Jack Riccardi Show regularly the weekend before Memorial Day to remind people of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the 4th of July and Veteran’s Day. This was after Riccardi got wind of Giovanni’s efforts to help veterans in wheelchairs.

In 2014 after his reoccurring Memorial Day show spot, the company named changed to Kitchen Designs by Giovanni at the suggestion of the radio host, Jack Riccardi, after receiving a number of calls for the kitchen guy named Giovanni.

Over the years, with the wars calming down, it became harder and harder to find veterans to do showers for and that’s when Kitchen Designs by Giovanni met the Hollers and became involved in the Luke Holler 5k.

A kitchen designed by Giovanni.

A bathroom designed by Giovanni.

Luke Holler was killed in action Nov. 2, 2006. In his memory, Ruth Holler, A God Star Mom, and the Holler family set up the Luke Holler Memorial 5k Run to remember the fallen and support the living the weekend after Memorial Day. “I was in the Marine Corps from’95 through ’99 and we never got called out to fight in a foreign country and so I feel like this is something I can do to help. The Luke Holler 5k just became a non-profit this year and one we have chosen to support, and we do every year. Our companies try to support everything we can with veterans. This year was truly special because Mrs. Holler is very connected with Gold Star Moms and was nice enough to introduce me to a couple of them and joined the virtual broadcast with us, shared the stories of their loved ones that were lost and what happened, and just trying to keep their memories alive,” adds Marotta.

Kitchen Designs by Giovanni is a contractor who specializes in turnkey kitchen and bathroom remodeling in San Antonio. -cmw

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San Antonio Construction News • AUG 2020

What is “Surface Water” and Why Does it Matter?

The Differences between Bonding and Insurance

J. Andrew Scott Attorney Cantey Hangar, LLP Austin/Fort Worth, TX

Eric Schmalz, Principal Schmalz & Associates Surety Bonding Liberty Hill, TX

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s a surety bond agent, I find that many people confuse surety bonds with insurance. I thought it would be good to discuss the important distinctions between the two products.

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ave you ever considered at what point should rainwater be characterized as surface water or ground water or some other type of water? Probably not.

You may be surprised to learn that the answer is not so clear-cut.

Let’s say that you own a vacant parcel of land. Your neighbor also owns a vacant parcel of land. One day, your neighbor decides to build a building on their land. When it rains, the rain water naturally flows to a retention pond behind your land and your neighbor’s building.

Years later, you build a building on your land. Your engineer recommends that your building sit at a higher elevation than your neighbor’s building. To accommodate for rainfall, you decide to build a channel to funnel the rainwater coming off of your building to the retention pond behind your property.

One day, a massive 100-year rain event (10 inches of rainfall over 24 hours) sweeps through your neighborhood.

Your well-designed channel cannot direct all of the water coming off your building. So some of the rainwater enters into your neighbor’s building, thereby causing damage.

The above scenario probably opens the door to a host of causes of action, including negligence, temporary or permanent nuisance, and maybe gross negligence. But there also exists a lesser known cause of action found at Section 11.086 of the Texas Water Code.

Under Section 11.086, “no person may divert or impound the natural flow of surface waters in this state, or permit a diversion of impounding by him to continue, in a manner that damages the property of another by the overflow of the water diverted or impounded.” Put differently, to prevail on a Section 11.086 claim, a plaintiff would need to prove that: (1) there was a diversion or impoundment of surface water; which (2) causes; (3) damage to the property of the plaintiff landowner.

This seems pretty straightforward, right? Some neighboring property owner moved or stored surface water in such a way that caused damage to another property owner. Unfortunately, it is not so straightforward, and all of the uncertainty rests on two words: surface water.

For starters, surface water is not defined by the Water Code, which means practitioners must resort to the Texas courts’ interpretation and judicial definition of surface water. And this is where it gets complicated.

Many Texas courts have focused their attention on whether surface water has been controlled by artificial means or “touched by the hands of man.” In a rather instructive 1987 case, the Austin Court of Appeals observed that water is no longer surface water when it has been altered by the hands of man so that it flows in greater quantities or in a directed manner. Other courts have held that a claim under the Water Code is inapplicable once water is controlled and directed by a watercourse, regardless of whether the watercourse is naturally occurring (e.g., a natural gully) or man-made (e.g., ditches and culverts).

Thus, the majority rule may be best summarized as: rainfall that diffuses across the ground is diffused surface water and remains so until the water is controlled and directed by such devices as swales, channels, ditches, tanks, ponds, or pipes.

If the water is not surface water, a plaintiff cannot recover under Section 11.086 (although they might prevail on another cause of action).

Meanwhile, other Texas courts have questioned or refused the “touched by the hands of man” exception. Namely, a Texas Supreme Court opinion from nearly 100 years ago recognized that a neighboring property owner of a higher elevation may be liable for diverting water onto a lower property if the upper landowner has altered the natural flow of surface water. Similarly, some academics have criticized the judicial definition of surface water.

Why does this matter?

A plaintiff suing under Section 11.086 of the Water Code is suing under a theory of strict liability. This means that a person will be found liable for damages regardless of whether the person found strictly liable acted with fault or negligence.

Therefore, if your property is damaged by a neighboring property owner’s diversion of water, you may be able to sue your neighbor under a theory of strict liability—which means you don’t have to prove your neighbor acted with fault or negligence. Conversely, if you build a swale, channel, culvert or some other drainage device, and that device directs rainfall towards your neighbor, you should be prepared to defend a claim in which the injured party does not have to prove that you acted with fault or negligence.

Andrew Scott is a construction lawyer with the law firm of Cantey Hanger, LLP. He may be reached at (817) 877-2802 or by email at ascott@canteyhanger.com.

• As a risk product business that responds to “claims”, the surety bond industry needs a pool of capital to operate and pay losses. This model lent itself to sureties becoming divisions of insurance companies. In many ways, that is where the similarities of bonding and insurance end. Surety is better described as a “credit” financial product with underwriting more akin to banking.

• The insurance industry compiles actuarial data on the frequency and severity of losses that occur in an insurance product. Armed with this data they set the premium rates on a product to cover those anticipated losses. With surety bonding there is an underwriting goal of zero losses. The premium charged is best described as an underwriting fee. Using the example of a construction project, the surety is pre-qualifying the contractor to ensure the project will be delivered as specified by the contract with no performance issues and all labor and material suppliers getting paid. The surety company is not underwriting or pricing the bond expecting a loss.

• An insurance contract is a twoparty agreement between the insured and the insurer, often with the insured as the beneficiary of the policy. Whereas a surety bond is a three-party agreement including the Surety, Principal (contractor), and Obligee (owner). The Obligee is the primary beneficiary of the bond rather than the contractor.

• Sticking with the construction industry as our example, a contractor buys insurance primarily to protect themselves against financial loss – the goal is to transfer risk from themselves to an insurance company. With a bond, it is the owner or entity the for which the contractor is performing work who requires and benefits from the bond protecting their project.

• As insurers expect losses on their policies and recoup much of that loss through the proper premium pricing, they also ‘subrogate’ or turn to the person or entity found at fault for the loss for financial responsibility. With a

bond, based on the premise of underwriting to a zero loss, the surety and principal sign an “indemnity agreement” or promise from the principal to the surety to make them “whole” financially if they sustain a loss.

• Insurance policies, such as general liability, are typically renewed annually and offer coverage across a contractor’s scope of operations. A Performance & Payment bond is also referred to as a “contract bond” as it directly guarantees the obligations of a specific underlying contract. The bond is put in place when the contract is signed and is closed when the obligations under that contract have been met. So, a bond follows the life of the contract and construction project and does not renew annually like an insurance policy.

• With insurance, even if you are deemed a high-risk account or in a highrisk class of business, there are usually options in the marketplace to obtain a policy. But you may have to pay more premium for the policy. This is where the phrase “there are no bad risks, just bad pricing” comes from. With surety bonding, we have options in the market to establish bonding for a contractor with higher risk attributes. Such as lack of financial resources, credit problems, or recent track record of losing money.

That said, there is a limit to what is available and there is time when you just might not be bondable. In these instances, I would recommend working with your surety bond agent. A professional surety bond agent can help establish a plan and goals around what a surety underwriter wants to see and take those steps to becoming an acceptable risk and bonded.

Schmalz & Associates is an agency exclusively supporting contractor’s bonding needs. Eric Schmalz was an underwriter and manager for over 15 years working for Top 10 surety companies and now helps his contractor clients establish and maximize their bonding. Please call 512-6406444, email eric@schmalzsurety.com or visit the website at www.schmalzsurety. com

San Antonio Construction News • AUG 2020

Page 7

A Unique Disadvantage for the Design-Build Process

OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard

R. Carson Fisk Shareholder Andrews Myers P.C. Austin, TX

Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX

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esign-build as a project delivery method has a number of advantages. It offers a single source of accountability for the owner, enhanced communication among project participants as they work together actively and collaboratively, and faster project completion times. While there are disadvantages with the design-build approach, Texas law has evolved in such a way that this particular project delivery method now suffers from a unique disadvantage that should be considered by owners and contractors/designbuilders and their subcontractors.

In Texas, for years “the plaintiff” has been required to obtain a certificate of merit—a pre-suit affidavit signed by an appropriately qualified person—in order to pursue a claim arising out of the provision of professional services against an architect, a professional engineer, a professional land surveyor, a landscape architect, or their respective firms. In 2014, the Texas Supreme Court held that a third-party plaintiff—a party generally seeking to pass derivative liability to others (known as third-party defendants) by mechanisms such an indemnity and contribution—need not obtain a certificate of merit as it is not “the plaintiff” and, in any event, requiring such would be illogical. Specifically, in Jaster v. Comet II Construction Inc., the Texas Supreme Court was faced with determining whether a certificate of merit was required of a third-party claimant when asserting claims against an engineer. One argument advanced by the engineer was that “construing section 150.002 [of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code] to allow a party to bring third-party claims or cross-claims without filing a certificate of merit when a certificate of merit would be required if the same party filed the same claim as a separate suit achieves ‘an absurd result’ and ‘thwarts’ the purpose of the statute,” leading to the conclusion that the plain meaning of the statute should not be enforced. In holding that a certificate of merit was not required in the context of a thirdparty claim, the Texas Supreme Court noted as follows: [M]any defendants … deny the existence of any design defect, but alternatively assert third-party claims against a design professional, seeking contribution and indemnity in the event that the plaintiff prevails. It would be far more “odd” to require such defendants to file an expert’s certificate supporting the merits of the plaintiff’s claim, thus requiring the defendants to abandon their denial of the merits.

With the above as the controlling law, where an owner sued a design-builder and the design-builder sought to join its subcontracted design professional (whether an architect, an engineer, or otherwise), the design-builder would not have to obtain a certificate of merit.

Stated differently, the design-builder would not have to obtain an affidavit that the design-builder, through its subcontracted design professional, did something wrong.

However, during the past legislative session, Senate Bill 1928 by the Texas Legis-

lature was signed into law by the Governor, which fundamentally changes the process. Effective September 1, 2019, in SB 1928, references to “the plaintiff” were replaced with “Claimant,” and “Claimant” became a defined term: “‘Claimant’ means a party, including a plaintiff or third-party plaintiff, seeking recovery for damages, contribution, or indemnification.” Thus, with SB 1928 as the controlling law, where an owner sues a designbuilder and the design-builder seeks to join its subcontracted design professional, the design-builder will have to obtain a certificate of merit. In essence, the design-builder will now have to obtain an affidavit that the design-builder, through its subcontracted design professional, did something improperly.

This is the very “odd” requirement that the Texas Supreme Court sought to avoid in Jaster v. Comet II Construction Inc. It will impact litigation strategy and, by extension, every party downstream from the design-builder. Now, if an owner contends that a design-builder did something wrong that implicates the design, the design-builder will be placed in the uncomfortable position of either: (1) defending against such a claim without the design professional as a party or (2) having to obtain an affidavit that the design professional (and the design-builder by extension) did something wrong in order to join the design professional. The first scenario potentially leaves out a party who is appropriately joined in the case, and may inhibit settlement. The design-builder and its subcontractor may understandably be reluctant to work towards resolving an issue that they believe is at least partially caused by design-related matters in the absence of the architect or engineer. The second scenario results in the design-builder effectively aiding the owner in proving the owner’s claims against the design-builder.

The appropriate approach in one matter may very well be inappropriate for another. And such decisions must be made at the outset of the case to ensure that parties are timely joined. Owners and contractors/design-builders and their subcontractors should tread carefully in these uncharted waters, balancing the advantages of the design-build process with the disadvantages inherent in evolution of Texas law on the subject.

R. Carson Fisk is board certified in Construction Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and may be reached at cfisk@andrewsmyers.com.

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he Respiratory Protection standard requires employers to establish and maintain a respiratory protection program to protect their respirator-wearing employees.

A respiratory protection program is a cohesive collection of written worksitespecific procedures and policies that, address all respiratory protection elements required by the OSHA law. For example, a respiratory protection program must contain specific procedures describing how respirators will be selected, fitted, used, maintained and inspected in a particular workplace. When respirators are used during operations where exposures exceed OSHA’s permissible exposure limit (PEL), use of properly functioning respirators is essential to ensure that employees are not placed at significant risk of material impairment of health. Respiratory protection is necessary in situations where engineering and administrative controls are insufficient to reduce airborne hazards, in emergencies, in situations in which engineering and other controls are being installed or maintained, in oxygen deficient atmospheres, or for internal structural firefighting.

The OSHA Respiratory Protection law establishes the minimum elements of a comprehensive program that are necessary to ensure effective performance of a respirator. Generally, you are required to establish a respiratory protection program whenever you or OSHA requires your employees to wear respirators.

For example, you may need to establish a respiratory protection program: • If your employees work in situations where the level of oxygen is insufficient or potentially insufficient. • If your employees are potentially exposed to harmful levels of hazardous gases or vapors.

• If your employees are exposed to other

potential respiratory hazards, such as dust, airborne biological hazards, mists, fumes, sprays, and other airborne particles.

You need to supply employees with respirators when all preferred methods of protecting them from breathing contaminated air have been determined to be insufficient to reduce the contamination to nonhazardous levels. You must also consider the potential for emergencies, that is, for reasonably foreseeable emergencies, when evaluating the respiratory hazards in the workplace. These preferred methods include: • Engineering controls, such as: local or general dilution ventilation, change of the work process, isolation or enclosure, or substitution, and • Administrative controls, such as: employee rotation, or scheduling major maintenance for weekends or times when few employees are present.

The type of respirator provided to workers depends on the air contaminant to which they are exposed and the level of exposure. OSHA assigns protection factors to classes of respirators. A half mask respirator has an assigned protection factor of 10. This means that the respirator will protect up to ten times the permissible exposure limit for the air contaminant you are trying to protect against. Other types of respirators have higher or lower assigned protection factors. A respirator is selected based on the level of protection required for the hazard. natarajan.joann@dol.gov 512-374-0271 x232

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and dine at downtown’s finest like wannabe tourists.

Where did you go to school? Did you go to college?

I graduated from Oliver Wendell Holmes High School in 1981. I never attended college. I am self-educated, and I have no regrets.

Alan Vasquez

Owner Geotechnical Solutions San Antonio, TX

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hen Alan Vasquez stumbled into the construction industry, he had no idea what awaited him. As absurd as it may sound, sometimes Vasquez feels like the field of geotechnical testing and soils engineering chose him. He often finds himself mentally revisiting the fact that environmental and man-made conditions often cause small and large structures to experience both minor and major vertical movements due to the kind of soil that is prone to significant shrinkage and swelling.

Alan, Where were you born? Where did you grow up?

I was born in San Antonio and at the time I was born, we lived on the west side near W. Commerce St. and General McMullen. However, my mother was like the theme song “Movin’ on Up” from the TV sitcom “The Jeffersons.” After each promotion my father earned from his civil service job at Fort Sam Houston army base, my mother would announce, “Okay, time to move again.” Eventually, by the age of six, we settled in a home near Bandera Road and Loop 410.

What was your childhood like growing up there?

My childhood was awesome. I remember the first time my mother and father took me with them to see a noon matinee at a downtown theater. I was fascinated and hooked for life. I felt as if I had discovered a new utopia in the kind of popcorn, cola and hotdogs that can be found “only” in a downtown theater. I looked forward to every opportunity to venture into the heart of San Antonio with my boyhood friends. We often arrived an hour early whenever the movie lineup in the downtown theaters of yesteryear featured a Bruce Lee movie.

Today, my wife and I often journey downtown to our favorite restaurants.

Sometimes it’s difficult to choose between the street-level restaurants and the gems located along the Riverwalk.

It’s apparent that we’re in love with the heart of San Antonio because we tour

Tell me about your wife. What is her name? How did you meet your wife and long have you been married?

I met “my chick” in 1981 at the Pizza Hut located on Commerce St. and 24th St. my senior year of high school. I was hired to work as a cook in Dec. 1981. My wife, Leticia “Letti”, was hired about two weeks later. When the manager introduced her to the rest of us, our eyes locked. We couldn’t stop looking at each other. All at once, true love drove deeply into my heart. I felt like I had found someone that I wanted to make as happy as possible, and she was going to be very essential in my life.

As the saying goes, the rest is ongoing blissful history. She is truly an amazing woman. But of course, like all longterm relationships, it’s not always about love, games and bliss. It took me a few years to comprehend the concept of whoever coined the phrase, “A perfect marriage is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other.” On the day our first child was just hours from being born, I was scared. I was afraid because I began to doubt my ability to be a good father. In the birthing room, my wife could see the anxiety and uncertainty written all over my face. She took my hand, placed it on her tummy and said, “My love and husband of my life…if you love me like I know you love me, then all you have to do is love our son the same, times two, and everything will be fine.” I never doubted again. We will be married 39 years on Mar. 20 of 2021.

Tell me about your children. How many children do you have? What are their names and ages?

We have four children. From oldest to youngest: Jennifer; Alan, Jr.; Marissa and Nathaniel. Jennifer and Alan live in Houston. Marissa and Nathaniel live in San Antonio.

Now that your children are grown, do you have any pets to fill the void?

My wife has two cats and five very lovable dogs. From my perspective, the connection and relationship she enjoys with her dogs is astonishing. I have never been a “pet” kind of person, but I have to say, I’ve been inclined to adopt one. I guess the day “my chic”’ does not look forward to an embrace and a kiss when I get home after work is the day I may finally venture to adopt a wonderful fourlegged friend. But I would worry he may grow so attached to my amazing wife that within a week, he will disown me. He may decide, “Well pal, the deal is that you’re too boring, too dumb, and you re-

Alan Vasquez, owner of Geotechnical Solutions

ally believe I like that disgusting, cheap food that you want me to eat, and you’re never here anyway. So, sayonara, buddy.”

How did you come to work in the construction industry?

While I never aspired to work in the construction industry in Sept. 1985, I was fortunate and ambitious enough to gain employment at a well-established geotechnical engineering firm. It was there that I developed a crazy fascination for the physical and engineering characteristics of various soils. In our profession, geotechnical testing/engineering, we get to discover and convey “how good or how bad” the dirt is before building a home or commercial structure. Basically, we provide essential geotechnical engineering information about the soils of the property being developed. Then, the builder and structural/civil engineer review our report and determine the appropriate adjustments to the final construction details based on the identified soil conditions. That’s what we get to do for the general public.

What do you like best about what you do?

When I ventured into the world of entrepreneurship in June 2009, it took me a while to fully comprehend the level of risk and anticipated public trust that all business owners eventually realize. In the infancy stage of the business, my mindset was simply to go, execute and perform. Go, bedazzle and awe customers with speed and a plethora of technical mumbo jumbo terminology. With time, I realized just how little I knew, and eventually began to identify the areas of my business concept where much updating and improvement was required.

Today, I’m still learning and making small adjustments along the way on how to serve each customer best. Although it may sound too cliché, having the opportunity to serve the customer is what I like the most. I will say that everything that happens in between, makes me giddy; the networking and collaboration that

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occurs between the owners, architects, engineers and builders all in the name of a common goal. When you think about it, the conversation and goal of building or developing begins with a basic foundational concept and ends with a lasting, well-structured foundation. It has worked wonderfully for years in building lasting relationships and thriving communities.

Every day, each of us is granted the same opportunity. You have to love how you choose to serve. You do it, do it as well as you should and then you go home.

Is your wife or children involved in the business?

My two sons are associates. Professional engineer, “Conan,” is also an associate.

Do you have a mentor? Tell me about him/her and how they influenced your life.

I place my trust and faith in God and my amazing soul-mate, Letti. She has extraordinary insight and instincts. I often tune in to Anthony Robbins and Bishop T.D. Jakes.

What are your interests/hobbies? How do you relax? What do you do for fun?

Date nights with my wifey, dancing, writing, reading and watching our granddaughters compete in Volleyball and basketball are all my sense of relaxation.

Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?

First, I’m grateful for the privilege of being spotlighted in Construction News.

Secondly, the life storms which currently and deeply plague society will pass. There are not yet realized reasons and purpose for all of it. Whoever or whatever you place your faith and trust in, please continue to do so. The more we can come together, the stronger and better off we will be. Let us “serve” each other in ways that will encourage, enlighten and strengthen. Stay safe, stay vigilant and stay blessed. -cmw

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A new future for CSM degree

y most accounts, the Construction Science and Management program at the University of Texas at San Antonio has been highly successful.

The four-year Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Construction Science and Management (CSM) degree is accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) and has produced 430 graduates. The overwhelming majority quickly found gainful employment in the Texas construction industry.

The program has benefited from multiple endowments and active industry supporters, many of whom are part of the Construction Industry Advisory Council (CIAC). Over the years, industry leaders reviewed curricula, provided needed internships, and served as adjunct professors. These contributions have provided students and faculty with a real-world perspective and are characteristic of the university’s outstanding partnerships and community outreach.

Last March, as the country was grasping the seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic, UTSA President Taylor Eighmy announced operational changes relating to the new stay-at-home order stating, “The past week was a big transition for all of you as we all embraced our new reality as an online learning institution with a primarily telecommuting workforce.” The announcement would foreshadow news 312 layoffs in the summer.

Local construction companies were working to secure their “essential” status and making their own operational adjustments. Some were working to complete UTSA projects and preparing to compete for new ones like the National Security Collaboration Center.

Now, there are more changes afoot. That same month President Eighmy and UTSA Provost Kimberly Andrews Espy made the decision to combine the College of Architecture, Construction and Planning and the College of Engineering into a new, and yet-to-be named college.

The initial news set off alarms bells within the local industry. The CIAC was surprised by the move and wanted to know more about the new college and what it meant for the CSM program and the Department Construction Science. They also wanted to know what it meant for the department chairman Tulio Sulbaran and the rest of the faculty. Construction trade association leaders who worked hard to establish the initial program in 2007, also had questions. For example, how would the change affect students and the important ACCE accreditation?

Dr. Murphy quickly assured nervous CIAC members that everything was fine and “nothing was falling off.”

Dr. JoAnn Browning, the Dean of the College of Engineering and Interim Dean of the College of Architecture, Construction and Planning, oversees the process. She assured the CIAC and industry leaders that the program would continue, and the development of the new college would include industry input. She explained that an integrated design task force had been created to facilitate the change. And although the task force is made up exclusively of UTSA faculty, the CIAC would be a vital partner in the process. The task force’s charge is “To fully leverage UTSA’s expertise across architecture, construction, planning, and engineering.”

Mid-June brought another surprise. Dr. Sulbaran announced, “I have decided not to seek re-appointment for another term as chair to allow me to focus energy into the academic and research activities of the department.” He added, “I have already talked with Dr. Browning and she will be appointing an interim chair very soon to continue moving the department forward.”

Dr. Browning appointed a familiar figure to the interim post, John Murphy. He had previously been Dean of the College of Architecture, Construction & Planning.

A New College

The new name and college structure are expected to be announced in 2021 and include the CSM program and remnants of the Department of Construction Science. Meanwhile, the alarm bells have been silenced and industry leaders are embracing the opportunity to improve the program.

“This is a great opportunity to enhance the curriculum and enrich the programs through collaborative classes that emulate the real world, weaving technology into the fabric of the program and broadening our industry and academia partnership,” says Luis Berumen, president of the San Antonio Chapter of the Associated General Contractors.

Mike Kaiman, vice president and general manager for Turner Construction in San Antonio, has hired 18 graduates with CSM degrees. “We have an opportunity to stitch the architectural design, detailed engineering and construction industry into a cohesive group,” he says. “My hope is that all of us use this merger to become more closely aligned as a cohesive group and that this results in increased collaboration in the future.”

What about future students? Greg Wiatrek, the president of the CIAC says, “The degree, the program, the devoted faculty, and the support from industry and the CIAC will be unchanged. The program, faculty and most importantly the students are held in the highest regard by the decision makers in this merger.”

Looking back in 2008 on the early efforts to establish a Construction Sciences department, Harry Moeller, then executive vice president of Bartlett Cocke General Contractors said, “AGC has been working on this at least as far back as 2002 when I was chapter president. It’s great that it’s finally a reality!”

Given the history and all that has been accomplished, it is clear industry and university leaders will work hard to ensure future successes. “As the former president and CEO of the ACCE for 15 years, I see great potential with combining the CSM program with the engineering programs in the College of Engineering,” says Mike Holland. “I saw a similar potential with the CSM program being in the School of Architecture.”

Article written by Doug McMurry, Executive Vice President Associated General Contractors (AGC). -cmw

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San Antonio Construction News • AUG 2020

Help during a crisis

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PPE for small businesses

he association staff of the Hispanic Contractors de San Antonio (HCA de SA) took time to help the Bexar County SWBME program by delivering PPE products to small businesses around town. -cmw

The COVID-19 pandemic has had major effects across the nation and San Antonio is no exception. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sundt Foundation donated $16,000 to aid three San Antonio nonprofits to address an increased need. The San Antonio Food Bank received $10,000, and both the Battered Women and Children’s Shelter and the Children’s Shelter received $3,000 in relief aid. The Sundt Foundation awards grants each quarter to nonprofit organizations that support disadvantaged children and families.

Grant recipients are selected through an application process, then reviewed by Sundt employee-owners within their local giving area. -cmw

HCA de SA Assistant Director Tracy Burns unloads bottles of disinfectant and hand sanitizer.

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HCA de SA Executive Director Victoria Rodriguez arrives to deliver a bag from the Bexar County SWMBE program.

Stand down against COVID-19

R RAMON Demolition was one of several companies recognized by the National Demolition Association (NDA) for their participation and support of NDA’s COVID-19 Safety Stand Down program. The program was a coordinated effort between NDA and the Construction Industry Safety Council to highlight the importance of safety during the coronavirus pandemic. JR RAMON and others are doing their part to flatten the curve through enhanced safety efforts, including social distancing and limiting group sizes to no more than 10 people, while continuing to provide essential community service. -cmw

San Antonio Construction News • AUG 2020

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out the night. As the sun comes up, you can find these fish working their way back to deeper and cooler water. After several hours, I will move to 4 to 5 ft. of water and concentrate over deep grass beds using live croakers and piggy perch.

I will look for moving currents around spoil islands with deep water access during the hottest parts of the day. The key is staying on the move and keeping and eye out for tell-tale signs of feed fish, such as surface bait activity and diving pelicans and gulls.

Extreme Fishing In Summer Heat

by Capt. Steve Schultz Sponsored by:

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xtreme conditions are upon us as we prepare for the dog days of summer.

Nothing hits you harder than first thing in the morning when you swing the door open and feel a combination of 80-degree morning temperaturea mixed with 100 percent humidity. It takes the air right of you and questions your judgement on whether those fish are worth the endurance it’s going to take to catch them. When fishing this time of the year, an extra early start will pay off especially if you’re not conditioned to the summer heat.

Before you push off from the dock, it’s important you have a plan or idea on what you’re going to have to do to catch a box of fish. Most importantly, do you have all the things loaded on the boat to accomplish your task at hand. One of the first things I make sure to have is plenty

Speckleds & reds

Craig Noto, Quality Fence & Welding, is all smiles showing off the redfish and speckled trout he caught during the ASA fishing tournament. -cmw

Mike Kaiman, San Antonio brought this 23-in. trout to the boat on a recent trip with Steve Schultz Outdoors. Trout limits have been the norm throughout the first half of the year.

of water and other drinks on ice to stay hydrated throughout the day. I start off that day with a Yeti cup full of ice water before I leave the house. Throughout the day I probably drink 3-4 large glasses of water. Sometimes I even take a couple of electrolyte drinks such as Pedialyte to provide key nutrients to get me threw the hotter days.

Now that you’re prepared for a hot day on the water, it’s time to locate some fish. I really like to get started early in the morning and work shallow grass and sand flays at first light. Trout will push up shallow late in the evenings looking for shrimp, perch and small mullet to feed on through-

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Waypoint Marine, Shoalwater Boats, 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.

Michael Traugott, San Antonio pictured with his grandson and a keeper trout for the box while fishing with Steve Schultz Outdoors.

Another key to catching fish is to keep in mind the feeding times using a solar/lunar table or app. Solar/lunar table are tables that fishermen and hunters use to determine the best days of the month and times of the day for catching fish and hunting game. Knowing the time of the tides, sunrise, and sunset help fishermen predict when fish are going to bite. I make it a habit to be fishing during these peak times to gain the best advantage possible for catching fish. Google these tables or download an app showing you the best days and times for hunting and fishing. I assure they are right most of the time.

I know there are lots of rumors about Covid-19 virus scaring people, making them alter the daily lives. I assure you that there is no safer place to be than on a boat breathing fresh while catching fish.

If you feel like getting out on the water for a day of fun, give me a shout. I promise you won’t be forced to wear a mask!!

Here are some dates open in the next few months. August 14,19,21,28,31 and Sept. 1,2,3,21,23 and Oct. 2,12,19,26,28. Hunting dates available for whitetail deer also. To schedule your next bay fishing trip or hunting trip give Capt.

Steve Schultz a call at 361-813-3716 or email him at SteveSchultzOutdoors@ gmail.com. Follow me of Facebook and Instagram at Steve Schultz Outdoors.

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San Antonio Construction News • AUG 2020

Ken Milam’s Fishing Line Since 1981, Ken Milam has been guiding fishing trips for striped bass on Lake Buchanan in the Texas Hill Country, You can hear Ken on the radio as follows: The Great Outdoors: 5-8 am Saturday on 1300, The Zone, Austin and The Great Outdoors: 5-7 am Saturday on 1200 WOAI San Antonio The Sunday Sportsman: 6-8 am Sunday on 1300, The Zone, Austin All on iHeart Radio

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Hot Enough for You?!? passing bait. Stripers can only seek cooler water and wait until fall temperatures return the water temperature to a more habitable range. The best part of this whole cycle is how hungry they are when fall gets here. When they don’t really feed for several weeks, everything looks tasty!

That makes for the great fishing and better chances of top water fish that any fisherman lives for.

So, what to do for now… Our strategy is a mixed up one. We go at it like a good waiter with a picky diner at his table. We may offer up live bait. If that isn’t to their liking, how about a nice sparkly umbrella rig. No? How about we just down rig and try to find a pocket of cooler water that might have a hungry customer in it. All the while, if the customer onboard is agreeable, we might be dropping a series of jug lines for catfish that we can pick up on the way home. Most of the time we can find something that’ll take a bait; it just takes a lot more tackle and effort this time of year!

t’s hot enough for me. Okay, it’s not fun anymore. I’m ready for October please!

That is exactly what our stripers and hybrids on Lake Buchanan are saying too. They have already headed to cooler, deeper water and hung out the “Do Not Disturb” sign. That makes fishing pretty tough on anglers who just want to invite them out to dinner.

Stripers are not native to Texas waters. They come from the Atlantic coastline of North America from the St. Lawrence River to the Gulf of Mexico as far as Louisiana. Except for the spawning run, any place you find them living in freshwater, they have been stocked there or caught a ride downstream from a stocked water body. In some instances they can even spawn successfully without salt water. In Texas, Lake Texoma is the only place we get a spawn. All the rest of the stripers are stocked yearly.

As long as the water temperature is 80 degrees or less (and the cooler the better), stripers thrive. The problem is that our Texas summers will raise our lake temps up through the eighties and into the low nineties before summer finally passes. Stripers tend to cope by getting as far from the hot sun and wind as possible, slipping into deeper water to try and cool off. That wouldn’t be so much of a problem, except that real deep water that time of year just doesn’t have a lot of oxygen to keep live bait alive or allow stripers to be mobile enough to grab

We can also just do jug line trips for bluecats. That way we can go up the lake where the waterfalls and scenery are amazing and have a different kind of fishing trip altogether. We notice that kids really seem to like the suspense of the jug lines, and they can yield a nice mess of catfish too.

This old heat will pass before long and we can all feel a little more lively.

Meanwhile, I think I heard someone say “ice cream!” Catch ya later!

Lusk bluecat at Falls

San Antonio Construction News • AUG 2020

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An 8-year-old’s harvest

A girl after her grandpa’s heart…Jerry Williams, owner of A-1 Fire and Safety/Uvalde Fire, with his granddaughter Klaire Williams show off Klaire’s 29-inch, 190-lb low fence Axis buck. She was one happy 8-year-old when she harvested this buck on her grandpa’s Uvalde ranch. -cmw

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he Texas Research and Technology Foundation and Velocity Texas were looking for a new office, but an ordinary office would not suffice. The two firms wanted to be situated in downtown San Antonio and in a historic building. The location chosen was the San Antonio Merchants Ice House. The building was originally constructed in 1909 and was in need of a significant revitalization. METRO was selected to undertake the renovation of this historic site.

Phase 1 consisted of converting 45,000sf into office, meeting and laboratory space. About six months into the renovation of the building, a new tenant was added. This was no ordinary tenant, they were a stem cell research company that required an extensive revision to the utilities and equipment for the project.

The total adjustment was nearly three million dollars’ worth of process utilities

and equipment needed to make the space ready for the stem cell research firm.

Staying on schedule was imperative for this project because of the delivery of the self-contained biological laboratory pods. A specialty subcontractor was hired to handle the installation of these pods and it was pertinent that METRO stayed on schedule for the building to be ready for the delivery and installation of these pods. These pods were swung into the building utilizing a crane. Once the pods were inside the building, compressed air was used to move the pods. The compressed air allowed the very heavy pods to glide across the floor with ease.

METRO is a full-service general contractor. -cmw

TRTF Velocity reception desk.

TRTF Velocity entrance

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Laboratory pods being flown in by a crane.

TRTF Velocity breakroom

CPS Bravo parking garage

uality Steel Fabrication was chosen as the structural and miscellaneous steel fabricator for the six-story CPS Bravo Parking Garage project. The project is a six-story, concrete structure parking garage with steel roof framing, a connecting bridge between the parking garage and an existing building, steel stairs and railings, and three elevators.

Quality Steel Fabrication’s scope of work included all 2,400-plus embeds, 162 columns, 188 beams, elevator support steel, fabrication of a 138-ft-long connecting bridge, floor and roof decking, 51 stairs and landings with concrete pans from ground level to roof level, 1,690-plus linear feet of 9-line pipe rail throughout the three staircases from ground to roof level, elevator divider beams and support columns for the three elevators, stainless steel bike racks, 384 bollards, 340-plus linear feet 9-line exterior railing, and interior and exterior security fencing.

“One of the challenging aspects of the project was the railing which required very meticulous work,” says Project Manager Chris Loeffler.

Fabrication of the 9-line rail system played out to be an exceedingly difficult task in which their attention to detail was key. “It required a lot of pipe, cuts and specific

CPRS Bravo Parking Garage six-story stair well.

TRTF Velocity METRO San Antonio, TX

CPS Bravo Parking Garage connector bridge.

welds that had to be done precisely to specification. We applied a shop coat of red-oxide primer to all the structural steel, railings, stairs and bollards.”

Quality Steel Fabrication was able to design and en-

Completed flat landing rail.

gineer all stairs, landings, and rails on the project, and was able to produce each stair with rails in a timely and accurate manner.

Each stair system had over two miles of pipe with intermediate mitered joints. Quality Steel Fabrication took a risk in taking on this 200-plus ton structural and miscellaneous steel project. They spent eight months in design, followed by a year in fabrication, but as always, were able to succeed.

“We are very proud of this project. We maintained open lines of communication with general contractor throughout our fabrication process and delivered the finish project on time, allowing the general contractor to remain on schedule,” adds Loeffler.

Quality Steel Fabrication is a structural steel company offering custom structural steel fabrication for construction columns, beams, rails, stairs, lintels, arbors, and more throughout San Antonio, Austin, Georgetown, San Marcos, New Braunfels, Seguin, Bastrop, La Grange, and surrounding TX communities. -cmw CPS Bravo parking garage Quality Steel Fabrication San Antonio, TX

9-line pitched stair rail with 2” dia. frame and 1.5” dia. std. rails

9-line “U” shaped flat landing rail in progress (mid fabrication).

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Renovating for the physically disabled Nine times out of 10, glass enclosures are eliminated for safety and maintenance reasons.” Vertical and horizontal grab bars are the final touch. These are installed to facilitate an ease of use for the Disabled person, as well as grabbing point for an individual’s caretaker.

Wet rooms could be considered the ultimate in accessible showers. The entire bathroom is converted so that there is a flat surface that is slip resistant and waterproof, making it ideal for wheelchair users and people with mobility difficulties.

While Sandoval has found a niche in accessible baths & showers, he is not limited in his skill set. “We’re a well-established business with over 35 years of unmatched expertise. Customer preference and priorities are always first. We are very timely with our work and never lose attention to detail. We are proud to specialize in

oming from a family with a history of working with tile, Jose Luis “Joe” Sandoval had initially thought of being a carpenter. While going to school, he wisely took construction classes that were being offered to help pave his path into the Remodeling Industry , he learned the family trade of laying tile and eventually went out on his own putting both his tiling skills and carpentry training to use and started Sandoval Tile & Marble. That was over 35 years ago.

About 25 years ago, Sandoval found his niche renovating showers and tubs for disabled veterans who had served in Kuwait and Desert Storm.

Making a shower wheelchair accessible incorporates several factors. The existing tub or shower must first be removed. The space is measured and redesigned to accommodate a larger opening for wheelchair accessibility. In some cases, the area in question must be widened to accommodate two individuals if the disabled individual needs assistance while bathing.

Projects usually require reconfiguring the plumbing and especially the drains in showers with beach entry (no step/lip) allowing the wheelchair easier accessibility.

“Typically, we use an elongated drain.

Reroute supply lines and realign sinks and faucets for a small child-size person or a low-sitting individual as those confined to a wheelchair. Showers are redesigned with divertors for different shower heads, often with extensions or handles to divert water, depending on the shower’s user.

Additionally, niches are formed in the walls at different levels for wheelchair access and for soaps and bathing toiletries.

T

•

tub to shower remodels for handicap access, but we are also kitchen back splash and flooring professionals.”

Sandoval Tile & Marble is a full-service flooring and tile contractor in Boerne, TX. -cmw Renovating for the physically disabled Sandoval Tile & Marble San Antonio, TX

Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic

This design-assist project involves DIndustries, a mechanical subconworking with an out-of-town team, intractor, is continuing its healthcare cluding developer US Federal Properpresence in the San Antonio marties, general contractor Jacobsen Conket while reinforcing its support of vetstruction, architect Hoefer Wysocki, erans. TD is providing mechanical and and MEP consultant Smith & Boucher. plumbing services at the new San AntoThe project is TD’s third major healthnio Veterans Affairs Community Based care project in San Antonio during the Outpatient Clinic, which has not been past two years – Methodist Stone Oak’s officially named, off Highway 151. renovation and Northeast Methodist The new outpatient center is a Hospital vertical expansion being the three-story, 240,000sf building. It will previous two. feature a grand curved entrance with Bailey, project managers Jimmy natural lighting, Texas limestone on the Hurley, Will Bernhard and Kyle Jinks, exterior and a “pedestrian-friendly setalong with mechanical engineer Paul ting,” general contractor Jacobsen Cherry, are leading this project, with Construction said to Medical Construcroughly 75 TDPartners working onsite. tion & Design Magazine in 2019.

“We are taking all COVID-19 precautions TD is installing a two-cell cooling on the jobsite, including hand-washing tower, two water-cooled centrifugal stations, social distancing, modified chillers, three condensing boilers, seven meetings, and delivery parameters,” rooftop chilled-water air handling Bernhard said. units, 500-plus plumbing fixtures, as TDIndustries is responsible for plumbing and mechanical systems on the 240,000sf TDIndustries is a subcontractor that prowell as med-gas systems to serve the San Antonio Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic on Highway 151. vides commercial and industrial services minor operating rooms, radiology, densuch as air conditioning and plumbing systems primarily tal, mental health, radiology and pharmacy departthrough general contractors. -cmw take care of those that have taken care of us.” ments of the clinic.

“The driving force behind this project is increasing TD, which is leading BIM coordination, ran all sysaccess to healthcare for our veterans and their fami- tems through clash detection and collaboratively reVeterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic lies,” said Greg Bailey, TD’s San Antonio Construc- solved field issues, increased prefabrication opportuniTDIndustries tion Business Development Manager. “We want to ties, and generated GPS files for system layout points.

San Antonio, TX

San Antonio is one of the fastest growing areas for veterans in the nation.

TD is leading BIM coordination, which helps resolve field issues, increase prefabrication opportunities, and generate GPS files for system layout points.

TD is installing a cooling tower, two chillers, three boilers, seven rooftop air handlers, 500-plus plumbing fixtures, and med-gas systems.

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San Antonio Construction News • AUG 2020

Happy 25th Chuck

huck A. Gregory, P.E. celebrated his 25-year anniversary with Terracon Consultants Inc. on Jul. 31, 2020.

As a senior principal in the firm and vice president/regional manager, oversees offices in San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Laredo and Pharr. Gregory has been in the industry for over 35 years working as a consulting engineer in geotechnical engineering, construction materials engineering and testing and forensic engineering.

He serves on the Quality Management Committee, Corporate Leadership Team for Client Development and Pavements Committee at the Corporate level at Terracon.

A proud graduate of Texas A&M University, Gregory began his career after graduating with his Bachelor and Master of Sciences in Civil Engineering in 1979 and 1981, respectively. He has been a licensed Professional Engineer in Texas since 1987.

Gregory has a long history of service and involvement in professional organizations over his career serving on many boards and committees. He currently serves as a director at large for the Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA), where he has been a board member since 2015 and previously served on the Construction Materials Engineering and Testing (CoMET) as Committee Chair from 2006-2012. He has also held leadership roles in the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) San Antonio Chapter and American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) San Antonio Branch.

He was awarded 2015 TSPE Bexar Chapter Engineer of the Year for his outstanding achievements and dedicated services to the engineering profession. Additionally, he received the Lifetime Service Award from the San Antonio Chapter of the American Concrete Institute (ACT) in 2013.

Chuck A. Gregory, P.E.

Other achievements include the ASCE committee member for Transportation, Outreach and Public Policy; ACEC vice president of membership in 2016 and served on the COSA Pavement committee.

Gregory’s passion for serving his community and profession has allowed him to give back to the community by identifying and championing the Terracon Grant Program for our local community colleges and universities. Gregory has made a significant impact by working with the UTSA College of Engineering and Texas A&M San Antonio where he serves as a committee chair for fundraising. He is also actively involved in the legislative process through TSPE’s PE Day at the Capitol. He is the author of awardwinning papers and regularly speaks at local colleges and universities.

Other professional organizations Gregory is involved in: ABC, PEPP, SEAOT, AIA, TXAPA, AGC Heavy Highway, AGC Building, SAMCO Boerne EDC, A4LE. -cmw

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Improving customer service

fter a nationwide search, HOLT CAT® has selected Joyce Pingel as the company’s Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer and Head of Digital. Chosen from dozens of candidates to advance HOLT’s tradition of innovation, an important part of one of the company’s core values of continually getting better, Pingel will be responsible for leading, managing and directing IT and digital functions while providing strategic direction for the information technologies and communication systems at HOLT. Joining HOLT from Des Moines, IA, Pingel spent the past eight years as CIO at Kum & Go / Krause Group HOLT CAT® Chief Information Officer and Head driving the digital strategy and techof Digital, Joyce Pingel nology transformation for 5,000 employees in 400 stores across 11 states. Prior to Kum & Go / Krause Group, she gained Dean’s Advisory Board at the University over 20 years of domestic and internation- of Northern Iowa. al experience leading technology teams “I am excited to welcome Joyce to and innovation in the financial services in- San Antonio and the HOLT family,” said dustry at Principal Financial Group and Corinna Holt Richter, president and Aviva Investors. chief administrative officer at HOLT CAT. Pingel believes in supporting the “Under her leadership we will continue communities where she lives and works, improving customer solutions through which is In line with HOLT’s Values-Based the use of technology. Her extensive Leadership. Through her work as an ap- knowledge and experience analyzing pointed member of the Iowa Governor’s and implementing innovative IT and digiSTEM Advisory Council, she helped in- tal solutions will no doubt transform how vigorate the PreK-12 talent pipeline to- we do business.” ward STEM careers and advocated for in- Pingel and her husband Brad have creasing diversity and inclusion in the four children and will be looking for a technology industry, especially for wom- home in the San Antonio area over the en. She served as a United Way of Central upcoming month.

Iowa executive board member for three HOLT CAT® sells, rents and services Catterms and supported quality learning as erpillar® machines, engines, generator sets a member of Women United and the and trucks. -cmw

San Antonio Construction News • AUG 2020

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Page 17

Not just locks and keys

n 1983, Justin Hitchcock’s father purchased Alert Lock & Key from a gentleman who ran it as a walk-in key shop located off of San Pedro down the street from North Star Mall. The business was actually started in 1976.

Justin began working at Alert Lock & Key in 2001 after serving in the United States Navy. Since then, Hitchcock has taken over the business and began restructuring the company.

“We started out as just a mom and pop locksmith company. We were battling the No. 1 position with another company and were going a 100 mph, running 4050 calls a day. We had eight technicians running all over town from automotive, safe, Justin Hitchcock, owner of Alert Lock & Key. residential and commercial.

We did that for about a good 20 years. and commercial. They have grown to “We started adjusting and restruc- offer the installation access control, turing our business. I started going after CCTV, construction, installation of doors the construction side of the business. and hardware, storefront glass installation, Our first project was Morgan’s Wonder- along with safe openings, moved, serland. It was the first project that we did viced and sold. They are fully licensed, door and hardware on. We did all the bonded and insured. doors and hardware for the whole park In addition, Alert Lock & Key’s serand the soccer field as well. After that, it vice area has grown as well. It continues was the trickle effect. We started doing to cover the greater San Antonio area hotels. Now, 90 percent of our business and its surrounding areas and services is in schools doing work for companies Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown down like Guido Construction, Bartlett Cocke, to Laredo to Houston, along the Texas Joeris and SpawGlass, to name a few. coastline down to the tip of Texas, From a small mom and pop shop, Brownsville. the family-owned and operated busi- Alert Lock & Key is a full-service lockness continues to provide prompt and smith and subcontractor of door and quality service offering offer 24-hour full hardware installation and other access locksmith services for both residential services. -cmw

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In memoriam…

ichael J. Zezula was born Jan. career in 1984 with Beicker Engineer15, 1961 in Pasadena, TX to ing, now Beicker Consultants, and Jerome and Alice Zezula and left this spent 36 years practicing as a liearth Jul. 14, 2020. Preceded in death censed professional and working in by his father Jerome and his first the concrete contracting industry.

Aussie dogter, Sheila. Survived by his Mike was well liked and respected in the construcwife of 21 years, tion industry and Joan and Aussie will be missed by dogters Shelly, many.

Sydney and Gra Mike loved his cie of San Antonio weekends with TX, mother Alice Joan and their of La Grange, TX, dogters hunting brother Tim and at Z Place in Honwife Yvonne of do, TX or fishing Hockley, TX, nephat Z Lazy Place in ew Ethan and wife Rockport, TX. Ever Ashley, brother the gentleman, Matt and wife KelMike always allowly of Leander, TX, ed Joan the best nephews Chance deer and did not and Sam Bates, even take a deer parents-in-law Ed from his own and Rose Kanning Michael J. Zezula, property for alof Tarpley, TX, sisBeicker Consultants LLC most 10 years. He ters-in-law Donna (Rick) Blackburn and Stephanie Haw- also liked to brag about how fast he ley, brother-in-law Greg Kanning and Joan could launch and load (fiancé Rhondie), nephews and niec- a boat. es Ryan (Julie) Whaley, Kaitlin (Matt) Church services were held on Bright, Danielle (Johnathon) Soza, Jul. 29 at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church Noah Blackburn, TJ (Lindsey) Hawley in China Grove, TX and on Aug. 1 at and Courtney Hawley. He is also sur- Queen of the Holy Rosary in La vived by aunts and uncles and so Grange, TX. In lieu of flowers, donamany cousins, friends and business tions can be made to the American associates that it is impossible to Heart Association https://www. heart.org, Diabetes Foundation count them all.

Mike was a proud Texas A&M http://www.diabetes.org. For perAggie, Class of 1983, graduating with sonal acknowledgement, you may a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engi- sign the online guestbook at www. neering with an emphasis in Struc- missionparks.com. -cmw tural Engineering. He began his

The Resource Guide Associations and Construction Education

Subcontractors

Suppliers

Service Providers General Contractor

Truck & Equip Dealers

For Info on Resource Guide: Buddy@ConstructionNews.net

Page 18

San Antonio Construction News • AUG 2020

Association Calendar

Content Contentsubmitted submittedby byAssociations Associationsto toConstruction ConstructionNews News ABC

Associated Builders & Contractors Inc.

Aug. 18-21: UTA OSHA 511 OSHA Standards for General Industry, For more info, call 210-342-1994

of 4. For info, call Victoria Rodriguez at 210-444-1100 or go to www.hcadesa.org IEC Independent Electrical Contractors

Associated General Contractors

Aug. 5-9: IEC of Texas Conference, Sedona, AZ. Aug. 15: Electrical Maintenance Technician Class, IEC Training Center, 5511 Ingram Rd., 8am-5pm. For more info, contact Julie Tucker at 210-431-9861 or email jtucker@ iecsanantonio.com

AIA

Mechanical Contractors Assn.

Sheet Metal & A/C National Assn.

AGC

Aug. 24: Virtual AIA Joint Membership Luncheon, 12 Noon-1:00pm. For more info, contact Kelly Wilson at 210-3494921 American Institute of Architects

Aug. 14: Conversations with Fellows – Live on Zoom, Diane Hays, FAIA, 9-10am. $10 Members, $20 Non-members. For more info, email info@aiasa.org ASA

American Subcontractors Assn.

Aug. 20: Annual Sporting Clay Shoot, National Gun Club, 5931 Roft Rd,12pm.

Aug. 25: General Meeting, The Petroleum Club, 8620 N. New Braunfels Ave., #700, 11:30am. For more info, call Jennifer Swinney at 210-349-2105 ASSP

American Society of Safety Professionals

Aug. 17: ASSP Regular Meeting, Southwest Research Institute (SWRI), 6220 Culebra. For more info, go to www.southtexas.assp.org HCA de SA

Hispanic Contractors Assn. de San Antonio

Aug. 5-6: OSHA 10 Hour in Spanish (Tentative), 8:30am-4:30pm, To Register contact TDI at 512-804-4610 or email safetytraining@tdi.texas.gov Aug. 19: Monthly Meeting/Mixer, The Quarry Golf Club, 444 E. Basse, 5:30-8pm.

Aug. 28: 5th Annual Paloma Primer, San Antonio Gun Club, 928 E. Contour Dr., 1-8pm, $125 Per Shooter, $500 Per Team

MCA-SMACNA INC

Aug. 12: Regular & Associates Meeting, The Petroleum Club, 8620 N. New Braunfels, 7th Flr. For more info, call Sandee Morgan at 210-822-3763 Aug. 26: Joint Industry Fund Meeting, MCA-SMACNA office, 12500 Network Blvd., #410, 11:30am. For more info, call Sandee Morgan at 210-822-3763 NARI

National Assn. of the Remodeling Industry

Aug. 19: General Membership Meeting, Hearthstone, 3920 Harry Wurzbach Rd., 11:30am-1pm, $20. Use PayPal interface online. For more info, email Angela Parks at angelas@southwestexteriors.com NECA

National Electrical Contractors Assn.

Aug. 18-20: CIR, Washington, DC. For more info, go to www.necasa.org PHCC

Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors

Aug. 15: PHCC-Texas Plumbing CE, Embassy Suites Landmark, 5615 Landmark Pkwy., 8am-5pm.

Aug. 28: PHCC-Texas Plumbing CE, Embassy Suites Landmark, 5615 Landmark Pkwy., 8am-5pm. For more info, call Heidi Trimble at 210-824-7422 or go to www. phcc-sanantonio.org

continued from Page 1 — The Sabinal Group cessful relationship with one another just as they have with their long list of clients.

“From the beginning, we did not set out to pursue projects per say. We set out to establish long-lasting clientele,” says Benavidez.

“That philosophy has worked really well for us,” adds Wohlfarth. “It has allowed us to maintain a steady, controlled growth. We haven’t gone after the $20$30 million jobs. We developed a clientele relationship that has nurtured us through the years. About 80 percent of our work is repeat clients, and we are very proud of this,” continues Wohlfarth.

According to Benavidez and Wohlfarth, the most difficult thing about starting their company was coming up with a company name. Many names were tossed around and submitted to state, only to find out that the names were already taken.

“By circumstance, we were in a restaurant bar in Sabinal, TX drinking with the locals when we asked them where the name Sabinal came from. They said it was an old Indian term that meant “shelter” like “over the river shelter.” We were like that’s kind of cool,” adds Wohlfarth.

And those the name, The Sabinal Group.

Starting out as a two-man show, the company has grown to a family of 19 with a few contractor labor employees. The company has been blessed to maintain a list of tenured employees who have been with them from the company’s very early days.

Benavidez and Wohlfarth recall their first projects with great pride. “When we first started, we were in an 800sf office and we were sitting there saying to one another who is going to give work to The Sabinal Group. And then we got our first paint job. It was only $800, but it might as well have been $800,000. Our first project was the corporate office for Cambridge Realty,” they explained.

While the company has no scheduled celebration planned, they wanted the opportunity to say “thanks.”

“We want to tell our clients, subcontractors and staff thank you. We really and truly appreciate all of them, because without them, none of this happens.

They are Sabinal Group and we are so appreciative of each and every one of them,” adds Wohlfarth.

The Sabinal Group is a full-service general contractor in San Antonio. – cmw

continued from Page 1 — Sharp Glass about working in the business after graduating from college. “I graduated from Texas A&M in 2007. It is at that point the business really became more serious for me. In the summers, I really didn’t know what I was doing. There was a lot of do this, do that; you know, menial tasks.”

For Clint, it was 2015. “I came on board in 2015. I worked in high school very briefly doing small tasks. I had even told my dad I wasn’t going to work for Sharp Glass. I saw myself going somewhere else because I played baseball. I played professionally for two and half years, and in 2015, I decided to come on board here at Sharp Glass.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure what direction I would take, but I came on board doing deliveries, the company safety guy and then I saw that there was something here that I wanted to be a part of that.

“In October of 2016, I took over the shop and that’s when things started to change for me. I became more involved in operations. I ran the shop for about three and a half years. After those three and a half years and seeing more of the business and how things worked and with better understanding, I stepped into operations about a year ago and started really seeing more of the business side and took over that as well,” says Clint.

With the transition of ownership, the Sharp brothers are leading the company through an extensive rebrand and will launch a new streamlined website featuring an expanded photo gallery of installation and fabrication projects in late summer.

“Clients can expect the same strong leadership from Sharp Glass and our commitment to building and maintaining relationships with our clients,” says Sharp Glass CEO Kyle Sharp. “We have worked hard to establish a reputation in the industry as a proactive and honest contractor who delivers safe and quality work in a timely manner.”

Under the new ownership, Sharp Glass, who has worked on a number of notable projects such as Hotel Emma and the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio renovation, will begin to use a lean fabrication process to reduce waste and cut cost for customers.

In anticipation of future growth, Sharp Glass recently purchased two acres of land adjacent to its current headquarters at 5320 Rittiman Rd.

Sharp Glass is a San Antonio based glazing contractor committed to the quality fabrication and installation of glass, aluminum and specialty framing products for commercial and industrial applications. -cmw

continued from Page 1 — Jeff Lewis Company Force Base (back when it was Brookes AFB), Kelly Air Force Base (when it was Kelly AFB), Lackland Air Force Base and Camp Bullis.

The Lewis Company’s most memorable project was his contract with Lackland AFB to install the first steam chiller made by Trane in the Lackland Wilford Hall’s mechanical and boiler room. “I installed two of them. The chillers were so big, I had to hire a rigging company to bring them in on slopes. They set them down a float with wheels and brought them into the building that’s how they were,” says Lewis. Today, with the dwindling of government contracts, the company performs work primarily in the private, city and state sectors.

Lewis is proud that through the years, through the good times and the bad times, he stayed with it, never losing site of what was important to him and his company and the customers he serves.

“I’m still out there and I’m still going. It’s what you want to do with your life and no matter the ups and downs you just got to keep going.”

Jeff Lewis Company currently has two projects in Austin, one project in Richmond, TX and three projects in San Antonio doing plumbing, duct work and installing rooftop units, and looking forward to continuing the relationships with the valued customers they value.

Jeff Lewis Company is a HVAC contractor in Universal City, TX. -cmw

San Antonio Construction News • AUG 2020

Page 19

Getting out on the water

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he American Subcontractors Association (ASA) had a great turnout for their 19th Annual Fishing Tournament. The fun-filled event was held Jun. 26-27 at Drifters Resort in Rockport, TX. -cmw

Young Brothers – 1st Place Guided Heavy Stringer; Heavy Guided Trout and Heavy Guided Flounder

Heavy Guided Redfish: Ridout Barrett

Guided Division Winners: 2nd Place Heavy Stringer: M5 Utilities 3rd Place Heavy Stringer: Ridout Barrett and Alpha Insulation & Waterproofing (tie)

1st Place Non-Guided Heavy Stringer: Quality Fence & Welding

Michalak PC - Heavy Non-Guided Flounder and Redfish with the Most Spots, 16

What would be your dream vacation?

I would like go sport fishing off the coast of Cosa Rica until I was tired of fishing.

Colby Lewis, Alpine Contracting My dream vacation would be spending a week in the middle of the woods somewhere away from cellphones and be able to leave work behind and just relax and refresh.

Chris Loeffler, Quality Steel Fabrication I really want to go to Norway and see the Aurora Borealis.

Candace Wilhelm, Mesquite Interiors Tara: My dream vacation is to spend it out on a beach somewhere.

Armando: I’m going to ditto that. Spending time in a Cancun time-share.

Tara Kirkland and Armando Aguilar, Structura That is almost impossible for me to answer as I seldom take a vacation of any sort. If I did or could, my dream vacation would be to go out to a part of the world that is somewhat isolated where my wife and I can be one with nature.

Joe Sandoval, Sandoval Tile & Marble

land was shut down and my trip canceled.

Maybe next year.

Giovanni Marotta, Kitchen Designs by Giovanni I don’t remember the year, but we took all the members of the company to the coast.

We had a real magical time with all of our families. I would like to repeat that with all the company members on a cruise somewhere, maybe the Caribbean.

Ernesto Gomez, Cool Component Inc. I would love to spend about a month traveling around New Zealand and Australia going to the Barrier Reef, the Outback and the mountains. I just think it would be incredible with so many different regions and so many different things all in one area.

Matt Hopper, Texas First Rentals Our favorite country to visit is Italy. Staying in a villa in Italy and traveling around the countryside for two weeks would be my dream vacation. Aside from that, taking a cruise around the world with my wife.

Lee Rosenberg, Rosenberg Indoor Comfort I’m a big beach guy. I would love to spend my dream vacation on the beach somewhere like Bora Bora, the Bungalows Key Largo or someplace like that.

Clint Sharp, Sharp Glass

I would like to spend two weeks on a catamaran sailing The Virgin Islands sailing from port to port.

Rick Brun, H.R. Brun & Company Inc.

I have already had the opportunity to take my dream vacation a year ago. I went to Maui, HI. I went to play golf and played on every top course in Hawaii. It was unbelievable.

Jeff Lewis, Jeff Lewis Company

My dream vacation actually just got cancelled. I was all set and ready to go with my vacation paid for and two weeks before I was to leave, my dream vacation to Bora Bora was canceled due to COVID-19. The is-

My wife and I love The Virgin Islands, so my dream vacation would be to spend a good amount of time with my wife in The Virgin Islands.

Ernest Wilborn, Wilborn Steel Co. Ltd.

Money Pots Winners: Trout: Alpha Insulation & Waterproofing Redfish: Ridout Barrett Flounder: Young Brothers

Heavy Non-Guided Trout: Wright Meow

Heavy Non-Guided Redfish: Pesado Construction

s

My dream vacation is to spend time in Cozumel, Mexico. We have a property there where we vacation several times a year so that is my on-going dream vacation.

Mike Davis, Jordan Ford Ltd.

Non-Guided Division Winners: 2nd Place Non-Guided Heavy Stringer: Michalak PC 3rd Place Non-Guided Heavy Stringer: Pesado Construction

1st Place General Contractor Division: Central Builders Inc.

Submitted to Construction News

Round-Up

O’Connell Robertson is pleased to announce the promotion of the following to Senior Associates: Aaron Anderson, PE, INC, Senior Associate has eight years of experience in architectural engineering, broadly studying all building-related disciplines (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, structural, architectural and building acoustics). He has specific in-depth experience in building mechanical systems and in building acoustics. -cmw

David Meyer, Senior Associate has more than 20 years of experience in the design, development, and construction of mechanical and plumbing building systems.

He is O’Connell Robertson’s Plumbing Team Director and has served as Mechanical/Plumbing Task Design Engineer for a variety of higher educational facilities. -cmw

Kim Pham, EIT, Senior Associate has more than 10 years of electrical design experience on a variety of projects, including complex higher education and healthcare projects requiring specialized expertise. She collaborates with the design team to ensure that we meet or exceed client expectations.

-cmw

Danny Cornejo, Senior Associate, a native of San Antonio, applies his marketing experience and community connections to develop and enhance relationships with clients.

He acts as a liaison between the design team and the client to ensure the client’s goals and expectations are met. -cmw

Casey Nicholson, RA, Senior Associate has 11 years of experience in planning, construction administration and project management of K-12 education projects. Prior to joining O’Connell Robertson, Casey taught elementary school for two years and can incorporate that first–hand experience in helping schools develop successful educational environments.

-cmw

Misela GonzalesVandewalle, RA, AIA, Senior Associate has nine years of experience in the planning, design, and production of various facilities, including healthcare and higher education projects. Through design solutions tailored to the project mission, she shapes flexible environments that embrace diverse learning styles and promote innovation. -cmw

Page 20

San Antonio Construction News • AUG 2020

JOB SIGHTS

Industry FOLKS Dustin Vaughan Darr Equipment

Business Development Manager San Antonio, TX

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2009 graduate of Calallen High School, Vaughan graduated with honors, lettered in football, basketball and baseball. With many fond memories of high school, including winning the baseball State Championship in 2008, attending the football State Championship his freshman year, and making it to the 2009 Regional Tournament in basketball, he went on to create even more special memories. His biggest win of all was when he started dating Courtney Oertli his junior year of high school, as she would eventually become his wife.

He went to college at West Texas A&M University where he played football as a quarterback for the Buffaloes and graduated with a Biology Pre-Medical degree. “My initial intention was to become a Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgeon.”

The summer before his senior year, Dustin and Courtney got engaged and were married the following June after five years of dating.

“My career pursuit changed as I started getting looked at by NFL scouts for a potential to play football professionally.

We decided this opportunity was something we could not pass up, so I entered the 2014 NFL Draft and was picked up as an undrafted free agent for the Dallas Cowboys. I made the 53-man roster my first year and we made it to the Divisional Playoff against the Green Bay Packers.” He also played for the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, and the San Antonio Commanders throughout his

5-year career. Deciding it was time to retire from playing, Vaughan spent this past year in Nacogdoches at Stephen F. Austin University as a Director of Player Personnel/NFL Liaison/QB Assistant. “Although I love the game of football, we decided it was best for us as a family to move on from football as a career.

“I have to say I never thought I would end up in material handling which obviously branches off into many different industries and businesses. I was introduced to the material handling industry and Darr Equipment right around the same time I was contemplating the transition out of football. My eyes were opened to the necessity of a simple forklift and how one piece of equipment can be central to the efficiency and productivity of our manufacturing and distribution centers.

“Central to who I am as a person is my reliance on Jesus Christ. I am a Christian before I am anything else. It is what makes me the husband, father, son, friend, and employee I am today. My biggest enjoyment comes when I get to spend quality time with my wife and two kids. We like to get outside as much as possible. I still love training young quarterbacks or playing golf every once in a while. A river is my happy place. We really enjoy hosting people at our house and grilling everything in sight.” -cmw

Matthew Flores and Eugene Alfrido, Jr. with Parker & Sons Plumbing at a residential hydrostatic testing job in Saint Hedwig, TX. -cmw

L-R: Charlie Richardson, SpawGlass, Hector Zavala and Nick Frost with The Levy Company at the TxDOT Transguide Renovation review hazardous chemical ratings. -cmw

The Baird Foundation crew L-R: Antonio Lopez, Foreman Jesus Garza, Edward Antonio Ybanez, Derrick Green and David Sutton at the end of a long, hard, hot day on the job in Saint Hedwig, TX. -cmw

Justo Para, SpawGlass at the Texas A&M San Antonio (TAMUSA) project. -cmw

San Antonio Construction News • AUG 2020

Page 21

Keeping it cool

Industry FOLKS Candace Wilhelm

Estimator/Project Manager

Mesquite Interiors San Antonio, TX

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Cool Component Htg & A/C Inc. service truck.

native of Mexico, Ernest Gomez, and his family moved to the United States when he was a young boy.

Gomez would return to Mexico to continue his education. After graduating college in Mexico, Gomez returned to the United States, June 24, 1994.

In 1998, Gomez started as a salesperson and partner for a refrigeration and air conditioning company, Component Refrigeration. “It was mostly commercial and refrigeration. We did refrigeration only, and in 2000, we started air conditioning. I then became an air conditioning installer. I learned the trade for five years before I got my air conditioning license,” says Gomez.

In 2003, the company spilt into two separate entities and Cool Component Htg & A/C Inc. was born. “My partner took the refrigeration side and I took the air conditioning side. We did mostly commercial jobs in 2003.

“We started with just one truck and two guys. We then bought another van and hired two more guys.

Now we have 150 employees, sixty of which are on payroll and the rest are subcontracted,” recalls Gomez.

The company began doing residential when con-

struction was up in 2005/06. After the residential market began to take a downward spiral, the company once again started doing commercial work.

“We started from scratch and we got through the downturn of 2008, and we thank God and pray we can keep going for a long time. We work hard to serve our customers. We offer not just air conditioning, but we offer plumbing, electrical, weatherization and insulation. We are here just to serve,” adds Gomez.

Today, they do about 60-70 percent commercial and residential. The remaining 30-40 percent is in their new divisions of weatherization, foam insulation, electrical and plumbing.

Cool Component Htg & A/C Inc. is a fullservice air conditioning contractor with operations in West Texas, Houston and San Antonio. -cmw

andace had a great childhood growing up in San Antonio. She played outside with the neighborhood kids and loved the outdoors. Just 45 minutes from San Antonio in Floresville, she enjoyed going to her father’s ranch where she enjoyed feeding the cows, fish for catfish and hunt whitetail deer. “I am a true tomboy.”

She attended Churchill High School, where she enjoyed woodshop and art classes. After graduating from Churchill, she attended Texas State University in San Marcos. While attending college, she worked as a teacher’s assistant.

“I was a member of the Construction Student Association and I was a founding member of the Collegiate Association for Women in Construction. I made a lot of friends in these organizations and spent a lot of time outside of class with them.”

Candace also participated in the 2019 Asphalt Rodeo, a college competition hosted by the Texas Asphalt Pavement Association (TAPA). “My team didn’t place, but I had a lot of fun and learned a lot.”

Candace graduated Summa Cum Laude in the spring of 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Science and Management with a Minor in Business Administration.

“I have been around construction my whole life. I have a lot of family that works in construction. The construction industry has a lot of opportunities to learn and grow. I knew construction was the path I wanted.”

As a young, beautiful single woman, Candance has no children unless you

count her rescued golden retriever lab mix dog, Remington. “I love to dress him up in t-shirts and bow ties. I try to take him everywhere I go. He’s a great fishing buddy and loves to swim. He’s also a great co-worker as he comes to work occasionally as the sole member of the official greeting committee.”

Construction has always been very prominent in Candace’s life. Her dad is the owner of Mesquite Interiors, and one day, she plans on being an owner in the company.

“I am an estimator/project manager for the company. I’m still learning the ropes and have a lot to learn. Each day is different, and no two projects are the same. I love working with my family, because we understand one another’s dynamics and enjoy being around each other.”

As you can imagine, Candace’s dad and grandfather are her mentors. “They are both hard working men and are both skilled carpenters. Throughout my childhood, both have taught me important information in regard to construction that I will always use.”

Candace loves traveling, fishing and hunting. “I love fishing a little more than hunting. I do a lot freshwater fishing for bass. Lately, I have been trying to learn how to use a bait caster and new fishing techniques. My current motto right now is: I work hard so I can fish hard. I also love to travel and experience new cultures and see new places.” cmw

Page 22

San Antonio Construction News • AUG 2020

GC with a niche

Industry FOLKS Thomas DeLeon Project Manager

Wilborn Steel Company Ltd. San Antonio, TX

B

orn and raised in San Antonio, Thomas DeLeon grew up in a quiet and peaceful neighborhood on the southside of San Antonio near Harlandale High School. The neighborhood was very close and enjoyed visiting with one and another and helping each other out.

DeLeon attended and graduated from Jubilee Academic Center, a charter school on the city’s east side.

To financially help his mother, DeLeon chose not to attend college and went to work straight out of high school. Having already been working during summer vacations, DeLeon’s summer job became permanent.

“My boss and I actually attended the same church. One year, when I was still in high school, he asked if I wanted to work during my summer vacation. I didn’t want to just do nothing for the next three months waiting for school to start back up and accepted the job. I felt a shop environment would be interesting to learn.

“This was supposed to be a temporary job in the beginning. I wanted to join the police department. My first job here was literally sweeping up the shop. As time went on, I learned how to weld along with operate other machines we had in our fabrication shop. In the end, I just fell in love with the company and the

industry too much to leave.

DeLeon is currently a project manager at Wilborn Steel. When DeLeon first started, he didn’t know anything about this industry which he kind of hinted to. He never turned down a chance to learn something different and better himself when the opportunity arose.

Through those opportunities, DeLeon feels that he has a few people who have influenced him in his life a tremendous ways. “It would be hard to single any one person out. I just thank God for the people he has put in my life.

“The best part of my job is the people I am blessed to work with. I have never had a day where I do not want to show up for work. I thank God that I was blessed to be put in this position.”

Single with no children, DeLeon has had several pets over the years.

All of which have meant so much to him and loved very much.

With no wife, no children and no pets, DeLeon enjoys a good game of flag football. “I typically play flag football all year and enjoy going to rock concerts. Other than that, I like to relax at home.” -cmw

Rick Brun, H.R. Brun & Company Inc. president and CEO

S

pecializing in state and federal projects, renovations, design built projects, TXDOT projects, commercial and residential new builds, H.R. Brun & Co. Inc. has much to be excited about. In Jan. 2001, President and CEO Rick Brun established H.R. Brun & Co. Inc. as an SBA Disadvantage Contractor. With the guidance of a mentor, the company was awarded a $2 million contract with the Corps of Engineers and will have work for several more years and is up to $60 million and is hopeful to reach $200 million as a small business.

Since the awarding of the Corps of Engineers contract and the growth they have begun to experience, Brun decided it was the right time to develop a new division in the company. The company’s new division will specialize in division 8, drywall and framing.

“We have been doing drywall since we opened the company. We do all the general contracting work from concrete to finish. We have been doing drywall for many years, but I found a niche in dry-

wall. We want to grow this new division pretty big. That is what we are doing right now.

“Now with the new drywall division that I’ve developed, I’m doing self-performing on the drywall. We are going to go after private work as we begin to diversify by taking some private work and specializing on hotels and apartment complexes,” says Brun.

H.R. Brun & Company Inc. is a SBA Certified Small Disadvantage Business, SBA Certified 8A Program Participant, Minority Owned Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, State of Texas SDB, MBE, SBE, DBE, ASMPP SBA Mentor / Protege Participant, and has applied for their HUBZone certification.

“We are just here to help the state of Texas. We are here to help get through this corona virus thing. The more successful you are the more you need to help.”

H.R. Brun & Company Inc. is a full-service general contractor in San Antonio.

-cmw

Before the madness

Before all the uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. E-Z Bel Construction LLC’s team members got together to salute San Antonio and the construction industry they are so proud to be a part of. -cmw

San Antonio Construction News • AUG 2020

Page 23

2020 plumbing graduates

T

he Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) held its 2020 Plumbing Apprenticeship graduation. This is the association’s seventh year hosting a graduation for its plumbing apprenticeship school.

After completing the remaining 30 classroom hours online during pandemic social distancing, the PHCC-San Antonio chapter held a drive-thru sociallydistanced graduation ceremony on Jul. 9 in the parking lot of the PHCC office with the presence of close family and employer sponsors for each apprentice.

At specified time intervals, apprentices were recognized with certificate awards, sponsor graduation gifts and a photo memory opportunity.

After working for their employers during the day for four years (8000 OJT hours), the 11 graduates attended the four-year Dept. of Labor approved plumbing apprenticeship program held at the St. Philips College campus two evenings per week. A majority of the apprentices have already passed their Journeyman Plumbing License exam and will only need another 2000 on the job working hours to then take their Master Plumber exam with the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners- this is a “carrot” at the end of the program in addition to college credit hours to continue their education with an Associate degree in construction.

PHCC member employers sponsored their employees throughout their training with tuition expense and support throughout the four years. It is a win-win for both the employer and the apprentice. They leave the program as professionally trained apprentices with a career path laid out by PHCC to obtain their Journeyman License, then Master Plumbing license and ultimately additional endorsements such as Medical Gas, Backflow Certification, and Water Supply Protection Specialist. Photos courtesy of Colton Bolin, Bolin Plumbing.

-cmw

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L-R: Beyer Plumbing’s Bobby Crawford, Kenny Coffman, Ed Harrell Scholarship Winner (4-year cumulative criteria consideration) Carlos Avila, James Beyer, and Jacob Pooley

L-R: Pat Freund, Primo Plumbing owner and sponsor, and graduate Joe Ballard

L-R: Carl, Rebecca Rutkowski and family, Rutkowski Plumbing owner and sponsor; and graduate Luke Rutkowski

L-R: Graduate David Smith with owner and sponsor Joey Suarez, A & A Plumbing

L-R: Shawn O’Haver, O’Haver Plumbing owner and sponsor; graduate Robert Vasquez, Jr.; and Eusebio Romero, foreman O’Haver Plumbing.

L-R: Graduate Tom Nolan and sponsor Southwaste’s Master Plumber Dustin Carver

Page 24

San Antonio Construction News • AUG 2020