Austin Construction News March 2021

Covering the Industry’s News

Texas Style

P.O. Box 791290 San Antonio, Texas 78279-1290

PRSRT. STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT #1451

Change Service Requested

San Antonio H Austin

Austin

CONSTRUCTION NEWS The Industry’s Newspaper

ImagesFromTexas.com

www.constructionnews.net H (210) 308-5800 H Volume 21 H Number 3 H March 2021

Re-United in Cedar Park

Roofing reach

United Rentals is back at its Cedar Park location in March, and has a unique open house planned to welcome customers.

A friendly reminder: The Volkert Roofing team serves Austin, San Antonio and beyond.

U

nited Rentals Inc. is getting back to where it once belonged: The building and yard at 608 N. Bell Blvd. in Cedar Park, which the company originally opened in the 1990s.

“That location was a United Rentals location several years back; we never sold it, we just subleased it,” District Manager Keith Stallings explains. “With a lot of the newer projects and jobs starting in the area, we’re looking at trying to help customers save money in terms of freight; we figured that would be a good opportunity to open that location back up to lessen the cost of business, both for us and the customers. It will streamline business for all of that residential and commercial on that northwest corridor, if you will. We’re excited to get back and

W

ith offices nationwide, design build contractor ARCO/Murray has added another, this time in Central Texas. Located at 3636 Executive Center Drive #201 in Austin, the new Central Texas location will serve the Austin and San Antonio market and continue to serve national clients.

As of the new year, the Central Texas office is open and operational. A local team is ready to bring the firm’s design build methodology to life. Over the last several years, ARCO has completed numerous projects in the market and they currently have a handful under construction.

ARCO/Murray saw a need to bring their design build methodology to the Austin/San Antonio market. The firm’s expertise spans across all product types.

From industrial to tenant improvements, ARCO/Murray’s approach leads to faster timelines and lower overall costs. Numerous self-storage projects, industrial buildings

support that Cedar Park market. With the homeowner and commercial growth in that area, there will definitely be a need; there are some really exciting projects.”

The Cedar Park location will be a fully operating branch very similar to Untied Rentals’ other locations but will also have a few new offerings.

“That location will house a couple of different workstreams,” Stallings says.

“We will do our typical general rent location that has backhoes, skid loaders and a mixture of pretty much all types of general rent equipment. But because of that location’s footprint and large yard, we’re also going to house what we call our customer equipment service (CES) continued on Page 14

A

s more people and companies move to the area, New Braunfelsbased Volkert Roofing wants to remind new and current customers of its extensive reach.

“We’ve always worked in the Austin and San Antonio area,” General Manager Gary Grumbles says. “We go as far Marble Falls and Lockhart, and I’ve worked as far as Corpus Christi and Fort Worth.”

Volkert Roofing’s staff of nine most often serves San Marcos, New Braunfels, Buda, Canyon Lake, Kyle, Schertz, Cibolo, McQueeney and Seguin. The company offers high-quality roofing solutions including TPO membrane roofing, asphalt shingles, metal panels (standing seam and exposed fastener), tile, spray-in-place polyurethane foam, and several roof

coating systems. Its services include roof repairs, roof inspections and maintenance, gutter installation, waterproofing and spray foam insulation (open cell and closed cell).

The company was founded in 1990

by Ken Volkert, who moved to New Braunfels from Houston and brought his contracting and remodeling experi-ence with him. Deciding to focus on roofing repairs, remodeling and reroof-ing, he purchased land at 8159 Old Bastrop Rd. and put a warehouse on the property.

Although Volkert recently retired, the company continues to plan for how it can best serve customers. Having worked on historical buildings, manufacturing continued on Page 14

Serving Central Texas

ARCO/Murray recently opened an Austin/San Antonio office, which will be helmed by Vice President Paul Wagner.

and tenant improvement projects have been completed in the market, as well as entertainment spaces like Topgolf, Chicken and Pickle, and Andretti Karting. ARCO/ Murray’s consistent work in the market revealed a gap the company’s turnkey approach could fill. Having a local team to service clients both in the Central Texas market as well as nationally was extremely important.

In addition to industrial, tenant improvements, self-storage and entertainment projects, the company performs work on manufacturing, multifamily, controlled environments agriculture, laundry, life sciences, mission critical, multisite, process, and specialty.

ARCO/Murray has named Paul Wagner the Vice President of the Central Texas office. Wagner, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, joined the firm in 2014 as a project manager and continued on Page 14

Page 2

Austin Construction News • MAR 2021

Austin Construction News • MAR 2021

Page 3

Austin and earned a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering. Once I conquered the book smarts, I wanted to get the real world “field” smarts, which I feel is as much or even more important than the book smarts. After graduating college, I worked at a design-build firm gaining a decade’s worth of invaluable hands-on experience regarding the daily trials and tribulations of a construction company, eventually branching off with my own venture, Synergetic Engineering.

Pat Sablatura PE

Owner Synergetic Engineering Leander, TX

P

at Sablatura PE leaves quite an impression on clients, not only because of his quicker-than-quick turnaround of foundation, framing, and retaining/screen wall designs, but also because of his quicker-than-quick wit.

After 20 years of working in a profession he loves, the owner of Synergetic Engineering still can’t wait to answer his ringing phone, learn what the day holds and share his enthusiasm for his work with his clients.

Share about your interests growing up and your background.

I’m very proud to be a born-and-bred Texan. I was raised in Round Rock back when there was only one high school and stuck around ever since. Growing up, I was always fiddling around outside.

Whether indoors or outdoors, if it could be stacked, I would stack it up and build it out, using anything from baseball cards to Lincoln Logs, to rocks – everything I could get my hands on. I was always putting stuff together, and taking stuff apart, too. Having an insatiable curiosity, my parents drilled into my head, “Look with your eyes not your hands.” Boy, was I a handful.

Back when I was growing up, when the streetlights came on you had to go home, but there was always enough time to build forts in the woods, dams in the creek, and skateboard ramps in the street. My parents were and still are totally supportive of my some-times-zany endeavors; one time I even built a scale model of the Alamo out of sugar cubes for a school project, and I remember Ma had to keep going to the store to get more sugar cubes because I kept running out as my project just kept getting bigger and bigger.

After high school, what path did you take?

I went to the University of Texas at

Did you run the business solo or did you have partners?

I’ve always been a one-man show.

Before I transitioned into my own company, I got my foot in the door with the architects around town as being a TDLR registered accessibility specialist (RAS). So, once I earned my engineering license, I already had accumulated a business clientele. From day one, it’s been just a matter of word of mouth which translates to successfully completing over 800 design projects per year.

What would you say has helped you successfully build your business over the years?

There are three components that are equally important: my engineering degree, my business-owning personality, and AutoCAD drafting skills. Having the ability to draw and edit my own design plans is quintessential to my super-fast turnaround time because I don’t have to rely on somebody else to do it. I routinely crank out structural design plans much, much faster than anyone else in the industry and, in this day and age where everyone is behind schedule, my clients really appreciate it.

Another facet that is important to me running a successful business is being technology-oriented so I can do so much more electronically these days. I have not used a plotter or printed my own drawings in 10 years. Email rocks.

What reputation do you have among your clients?

Some people call me “ASAP PAT” since I’m ultra-responsive, reliable, and get the projects done so quickly. I have a three-day turnaround on foundation design; everyone else is three months. I’m asked why I’m so fast and I say that’s it’s not that I’m so fast, it’s that everyone else is so slow! My designs are simple yet thorough. Since I have 10 years field experience, my designs are very constructable, which contractors enjoy.

Don’t confuse my speed with inaccuracy; I’m spot on. Like my website says: Been there, built that. I’ve been around the block, built the block, demoed the block

How It Started vs. How It’s Going: Twenty years at a job he loves means Synergetic Engineering Owner Pat Sablatura always finds the fun in his work.

and then rebuilt the block!

Also, I’m a nut. They say I use some pretty colorfully descriptive language.

Whatever gets my point across. You may not know who I am when I walk in the door, but you’ll know who I am when I walk out! I strive to maintain an ‘’attitude of gratitude’’.

What do you enjoy about your work?

I enjoy talking with people and figuring out the most economical, costeffective, buildable and structurally sound solution. I work to figure out what my clients are trying to accomplish and how best we can work together to achieve their design goal as fast as possible.

It’s just so much fun. I have such a good time helping people. I’m never going to get too big for my britches; bigger isn’t better. I expect every day to do the Structural Engineering 101 with whomever on whatever project is being built. Even though it’s nowhere near my first rodeo, for a lot of these people, it IS their first rodeo, and I would want someone in my position to explain the basics to me, so I feel comfortable and understand the basics of what’s going on. Thus, I’ll spend as long as I need to with them until they fully understand my scope of what they hired me to do. Communication is key.

Some people volunteer their time around the community whereas I volunteer my time on a daily basis via thoroughly explaining the hows and whys to my clients. It’s just good karma.

How does it feel to be celebrating your business’ 20th anniversary?

I really hadn’t realized it has been 20 years! Time flies when you’re having fun and, according to me, I’ve never worked a day in my life. I love what I do, and people can tell. That passion for what I do really conveys to my clients, and they feel comfortable with me. I’m a man of my

www.constructionnews.net

publishing the industry’s news

Austin

CONSTRUCTION NEWS

Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buddy Doebbler Editorial/Production . . . . . . Reesa Doebbler Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carol Wiatrek Editorial & Copy . . . . . . . Melissa Jones-Meyer Production Manager . . . . Helen Greenwood Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buddy Doebbler Editors

AustinEditor@ConstructionNews.net SAeditor@ConstructionNews.net Austin Area Counties Travis, Hays, Bastrop, Burnet, Blanco, Caldwell and Williamson counties Construction News Ltd. Home Office P.O. Box 791290 • San Antonio, TX 78279 210-308-5800 Fax 210-308-5960 www.ConstructionNews.net

Visit our Website to sign up for a free monthly Digital Subscription www.ConstructionNews.net The Austin Construction News (ISSN 15477630) is published monthly by Construction News LTD., dba Austin Construction News, and distributed by mail to constructionrelated companies of record in Austin and surrounding counties.

All submissions should be emailed to our editorial offices. We reserve the right to edit any materials submitted. No fees for materials, copy or photographs submitted will be due unless agreed upon in advance in writing. Submissions will be published at our discretion on a space available basis.

Construction News, Ltd., dba Austin Construction News, will not be liable for errors in copy or in advertisements beyond the actual cost of space occupied by the error.

Publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement at any time. ©2019 Construction News, Ltd.

SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS GO TO www.ConstructionNews.net Select “Digital Subscription”.

word, am very steady and principleoriented, and I always do the best job for my clients. Plenty of clients hand me their wallets, but I never take them to Vegas!

Right is right and wrong is wrong.

Do you have any plans to take yourself out for steak dinner to commemorate two decades of hard work?

No, because every day I have the rewarding opportunity to do what I do is a celebration; it’s just plain fun! Every day is a milestone and every email and phone call I receive leads to a new adventure.

I’ve seen a lot, but definitely not seen it all.

If someone is looking for a cookie cutter, lackadaisical, mundane, boring job, this isn’t for them. This is a wake up every morning with an all-hands-on-deck mindset, because I’m getting it thrown at me from all sides! And I love it; I love the wheeling-and-dealing part, figuring out how people tick and what they’re really looking for. At the end of the day, I know I’ve helped out a lot of people and enjoy the satisfied feeling of a job well done.

What do you enjoy when you are off the clock?

I have a laid-back Texan sort of attitude and can’t ever seem to get enough Vitamin D so I’m constantly outside! Since I live on Lake Travis, l’m always boating, fishing, jet skiing, etc… anything outdoors and since building is in my blood, I’ve got a slew projects to fiddle with…. suffice to say there’s never a dull moment and always something to do at the lake.

Synergetic Engineering offers foundation, framing, and retaining/screen wall design. It also provides privacy screen walls, tiltwall panel shop drawings, subdivision entry structures, structural compliance/ certification letters and asbestos abatement investigations. –mjm

Texas Style

H San Antonio H Austin

Page 4

Austin Construction News • MAR 2021

10 Years Ago

March 2011

All photos taken and content assembled in February 2011 for March 2011 Issue

10 YEARS AGO (February 4) - Austin residents woke up and saw snow covering the ground.

A rare sight to see.

Construction News caught up with Wade Merritt, Magnum Construction, just before the cold front hit Austin. The company is a general contractor. –ab

Burts Construction and Burts Ranch welcomed five wounded warriors from Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington D.C. for the 2nd Annual Hunts for Heroes at Burts Ranch in Bracketville, TX.

L-R: Linnie Harness and Joe Zsebenyi, P.E., provide engineering services at ESA Engineering LLC in Cedar Park, TX. –ab

Spawglass Leadership Transition Fred Raley (left) , chairman and chief executive officer of the commercial contracting firm, has named Joel Stone as the next CEO, effective Dec. 31, 2011.

A welder, an artist and a musician, Manual (Manny) Vela is the owner of Aztec Custom Designs

Rick Hagar’s hobby is raising longhorms.

He is the owner of Liberty Window & Door Inc.

Rob Butler, owner of Butler Floors, unloads laminate at the the commercial and residential flooring company.

Aaron McKee, counter salesman and Michael Tollett, operations manager, Elliott Electric Supply, Cedar Park

Scott Newcomb and Matt Cannon start their week off right at Leander-based Excel Construction Services LLC.

Office manager and salesman Humberto Camacho gets organized at Austin Concrete Acid Stain.

Debbie Ladd, Silvestre Cema, Lori Perry, and Craig Bryant (owner) Bryant Electric Service

L-R: Inside salesmen Ben Fair and Timmy Tilotta Aces A/C Supply, North Austin store

Owner Dennis Rassi at 4-D Insulation, supplier of spray foam insulation in Bastrop, TX. He also owns 4-D Construction, a general contracting company.

Austin Construction News • MAR 2021

Page 5

Page 6

Austin Construction News • MAR 2021

The Resource Guide Service Providers

Suppliers

Truck & Equip Dealers Subcontractors

List your Company For Info, Contact:

Buddy Doebbler Buddy@ConstructionNews.net 210-308-5800

Austin Construction News • MAR 2021

Page 7

ACCOUNTING

BONDING Succession Planning & Bonding

Business Valuation & Maximizing Value

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

Cristina R. Baumgardner CPA/ABV, CFE, CIA, Partner

Bryan Gooden Senior Associate

Ridout, Barrett & Co., P.C. San Antonio, TX

W

hen was the last time you valued your business, if ever? If you are like most business owners, you’ve probably never had a valuation performed. If you are one of the many individuals wondering why a valuation would ever be needed, there are several reasons.

Perhaps you are in the beginning stages of estate and/or succession planning, or maybe you are a business owner and would like to eventually position your business to be acquired by an employee, partner, or third-party financial or strategic investor. Or maybe you are going through a divorce and a business valuation is required by the court. While these scenarios represent a fraction of the many reasons business owners come to us for a professional valuation, Ridout, Barret & Company’s team of highly qualified CPAs and Valuation experts deal with some of the most complex situations on a daily basis.

Why Now?

Depending on your personal and/or business situation, there is a high probability you may have been in need of a business valuation yesterday. Statistics show the largest group of today’s business owners are “baby boomers” and rapidly approaching retirement age. Many business owners are faced, not only with what to do with their business, but equally important, how to properly handle their overall estate going forward. If you want to be smart about handling your affairs, the best course of action is to be proactive and know where your business stands in terms of its financial valuation.

As a business owner, you’ve worked years, if not decades, to build your business to where it is today; furthermore, your business is most likely the largest asset you own – so why wouldn’t you want to know what it is worth?

How to Maximize Business Value Other than the obvious, increasing bottom-line earnings is not the only sole factor in which a company can increase its value. While earnings may be the most important variable from a quantitative standpoint, there are additional qualitative variables that must be and should be addressed if a business owner is seeking to improve not only its intrinsic valuation, but also its perceived value. From a risk standpoint, the higher the associated/ perceived risk of a company, the lower the valuation. In other words, perceived risk and business value have an inverse relationship. Based on this relationship, it is important for business owners to think about whether or not the following statements apply to them:

(1) Do you keep a clean set of books and financial records? When there is very little integrity behind a company’s financials, it creates a difficult climate for others to properly assess the true earning capacity of the business.

(2) What would happen to your business if you as the owner/operator were to suddenly disappear tomorrow – do you have safeguards in place regarding secondary leadership to absorb your duties – has a solid operating plan been established and adopted by all personnel to ensure continuity of the company?

(3) Do you have a documented set of policies and procedures regarding your company’s operating plan? This is essen-

tial if you’re looking to bring on investors for the purpose of expanding your business and scaling it into various markets.

Although there are many other factors to consider when valuing a company, it is important to know, as a business owner, none of these areas can easily be changed overnight. However, with a roadmap in place, coupled with diligence, persistence, and the right advisor, it is possible to achieve many of these goals in the short and long-term.

Hire a Professional – Don’t Wing It! Yes, over the years, you may have heard several “techniques” and “rules of thumb” as to how you can personally value your business, but it is important to know what you are doing in order to avoid common mistakes and pitfalls, given that many critical components are typically overlooked by a non-professional. Our team members hold CPA licenses, highly recognized valuation certifications, and extensive backgrounds in accounting, finance and forensic accounting.

It is also important to note the purpose of why you are seeking a business valuation. Is it required due to marital dissolution? If so, there are certain valuation rules and guidelines that must be adhered to when, which are mandated by the court. Are you involved in a shareholder/partner dispute and in need of a business valuation? If you are seeking a valuation for the purpose of “gifting”, it is highly imperative proper steps are taken into consideration when conducting the analysis, given the IRS not very forgiving when it comes to valuation errors.

Ridout Barrett will guide and support you in All Stages of your Business Lifecycle. We offer guidance and support from startup, to daily operations, to succession planning. We deliver comprehensive, flexible strategies that address the issues affecting your business. We can help you identify areas that are negatively affecting profitability and growth, and develop practical solutions.

Cristina Baumgardner is a member of the Ridout Barrett Forensics and Litigation Support Services team and specializes in providing forensic accounting, fraud investigation, internal control assessments, litigation support, and business valuation services. She has over 15 years of experience and holds the following designations: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA). Cristina joined Ridout, Barrett & Co., P.C. in 2017 and became a partner with the firm in January 2020. Ridout, Barrett & Co., P.C. has been providing professional accounting, tax and business advisory services to the South and Central Texas construction industry for over 34 years.

Bryan Gooden is also a member of the Ridout Barrett Forensics and Litigation Support Services team and focuses primarily on business valuation engagements. He has over 10 years of experience as an M&A advisor. Bryan joined the firm in December 2020 as a Senior Associate and is currently in the process of pursuing the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) designation. Visit www.ridoutbarrett.com for additional information about Ridout, Barrett & Co., P.C. and the services we offer.

W

hen planning any business venture, it is important to think with the end in mind. Considering your exit strategy does not mean you are not committed to your business. It shows you care about the business and brand you have created living on into the future after you have decided cease involvement or are unable to continue in day-to-day operations.

Many construction companies are closely held family businesses, often with ownership residing with one or two founding members. In my experience, continuity discussions can be challenging primarily due to the daily demands of running of the company taking energy and focus. Secondarily the discussion of exiting the company due to death or retirement can be a sensitive topic not easily discussed, especially with outside vested interests like banks and bonding companies.

Current ownership has held important operational roles during the inception and growth phases of the company, so it is important to identify the next generation of key leadership and involve them in the planning process and development of a timeline.

In a situation involving death, disability, or retirement of a shareholder, management can rely on terms outlined in a Buy-Sell agreement to transition ownership to other existing owners or key management. In the event of death, this is often funded by a life insurance policy. In the event of disability or retirement, acceptable financing terms should be outlined in the Buy-Sell agreement.

5 common transition methods: • Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). ESOPs can have tremendous tax advantages and might be a great option for your company. As it relates to continuing bond credit, key areas to concentrate on are high costs & fees, over-valuation (linked to next point), overleveraging the balance sheet, and possible loss of personal indemnity.

• Private Equity. Also referred to as recapitalization, is when a financial partner is brought in to acquire a majority stake in the company. From a bonding perspective, private equity sales can over leverage the balance sheet depending on how the purchase is structured, siphon off a significant amount annual profits from the Company, offer too short of an exit horizon for the investor, and may not continue to maintain culture or retain key employees. The private equity firm also represents inactive shareholders lacking in construction industry knowledge.

rd • External/3 party sale. This is often the best way for shareholders to maximize value and liquidity while minimizing ongoing risk. Some downsides to external sales are the buyer may be a competitor and require burdensome non-compete commitments, as well as exposure to future change in operations and culture.

• Old Co/New Co plan. This is a good option when the goal is maintaining financial strength for bonding. The strong existing company would remain in place while a new company is formed by the new shareholders. Oldco maintains an agreed upon amount of financial wherewithal and indemnifies the surety while Newco closes out existing backlog via subcontract agreements or assignments.

New contracts are signed and executed

by Newco. Over time, Newco’s balance sheet is built up via retained earnings so that is can stand on its own allowing Oldco to distribute capital to outgoing ownership.

• Internal Sale. This is a common structure for family-owned construction companies needing to maintain banking and bonding credit. The next generation of competent key employees and/or family members are identified, and a bank loan or seller financing is structured to purchase the stock from exiting ownership.

The balance of the note and interest is paid down using future cash-flows. A bank loan can be obtained by the new ownership group. This is a good option when favorable terms and flexibility can be negotiated. Seller-financing can often offer a greater level of flexibility including more creative responses to poor performance and changing market conditions.

To comfort the bonding company during this period of transition, the seller can subordinate the Note to the surety allowing them to view the Note balance as equity in their analysis instead of debt. As part of this structure the seller can maintain personal indemnity to support the bond program during the first couple years of the transition. For his or her indemnity the seller often receives additional fee compensation.

Ongoing success of the company is of paramount importance when developing your continuity plan and that means preserving bonding capacity to bid and secure profitable work. Please remember to involve all appropriate advisors in your continuity planning, like your attorney, CPA, tax advisor, banker, and bonding agent.

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 512-640-6444, email eric@schmalzsurety.com or visit the website at www.schmalzsurety.com

Page 8

Austin Construction News • MAR 2021

OSHA

LEGAL Contractual Risk Mitigation: Three Tips for Solving PROBLEM$ in 2021

OSHA Issues New COVID-19 Guidance for Employers Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX

Shelly Masters Principal Cokinos Young Austin, TX

W

hile the pandemic’s effects did not magically disappear upon the arrival of 2021, new projects out for bid and high profile corporate relocations to Texas have estimating teams and preconstruction departments buzzing with activity. Many savvy contractors recognize tough, unpredictable times call for more, rather than less, scrutiny of contracts to avoid problems on these new projects.

Based on 2020’s lessons learned, these contractors know it is not if, but when, a problem will arise. When contracting this year, parties should consider including three provisions aimed at: (1) curing problems; (2) terminating problems before they get bigger; and, (3) resolving disputes over problems as quickly as possible.

Opportunity to Cure. In this postCOVID-19 world, both contracting parties have a reasonable expectation of difficulties in performing their respective contractual obligations. As such, the best solution would undoubtedly be to find a common agreement and thus avoid litigation altogether. OTCs typically include written notice requirements, circumscribed time allotted to cure, steps required to fix the issue and clarification of when a failed cure warrants termination.

A well-drafted OTC clause can set parties up to solve and/or collaboratively mitigate the risk of problems.

Terminations for Convenience and Cause. The COVID-19 pandemic has burdened subcontractors with workforce shortages, supply chain issues, and financial difficulties. General contractors and others who subcontract a portion of their scope of work will want to be in the best position possible in the event they have to terminate a subcontractor. The contractor’s first line of defense is always a subcontract that spells out the parties’ rights and obligations when a problem arises. Attention should be paid to clearly defining the scope of work to be subcontracted, when an agreement can be terminated for no reason and what actions or inactions will give rise to a termination for cause. Further, the provision should clearly define the terminated contractor’s rights to final compensation (e.g., reimbursement for labor and materials completed, overhead and profit, limitations commensurate with upstream contracts, etc.). Without TFC provisions, healthy project participants may all be at

risk when the weakest link fails.

Mediation/Arbitration. As a career litigator, a contract without a dispute resolution provision arming clients with the power to file a lawsuit upon breach has given me concern on more than one occasion in the past. Much has been written even in the pages of archived versions of this fine newsletter about the pros and cons of litigation versus arbitration – such as, cost, efficiency and the ability to appeal faulty decisions. However, given COVID-related suspensions of pending judicial proceedings and the likely impact of delays to new litigation at least in the short term, it is worthwhile to consider the options Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms can offer to help parties achieve a more expeditious solution to potential disputes.

As courthouses get back on schedule, contractors should at least temporarily opt for arbitration clauses with a mediation chaser. Mediation gives parties an informal, nonbinding and relatively cost effective approach to solving disputes with the help of a neutral third party. The joint benefits of committing to such a process are particularly important when the parties intend to maintain their commercial relationship despite the existence of a conflict. If mediation fails, the contract should require arbitration which confers powers and responsibility to an impartial and independent party for solving the dispute through a final and binding decision. Unlike trials, arbitrations stayed on schedule better during the pandemic and transitioned with relative ease to a virtual format.

For those who lament the likelihood for success of contract negotiations, keep in mind many companies are more responsive now than ever to proposed contract clauses like these when the mutual benefits are clearly articulated and drafted.

Shelly Masters is a Principal in the Austin office of Cokinos Young. She represents clients in the areas of construction, labor and employment, commercial and products liability law. Cokinos Young has been representing the construction industry for over 30 years. She can be reached by e-mail at smasters@ cokinoslaw.com or by phone at (512) 615-1139.

If you are interested in submitting a construction-related column and are a professional in the Accounting, Insurance or Legal profession, give us a call at 210-308-5800.

You must be located in the san antonio, austin or surrounding areas.

O

n January 29, OSHA took the first step towards improving protections by issuing updated guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.

The guidance is designed to help businesses decrease risk and improve worker safety, so they can re-open and stay open, safely.

The biggest takeaway from the updated guidance is that implementing a COVID-19 prevention program is the most effective way to reduce the spread of the virus. Employers should implement COVID-19 Prevention Programs tailored to their workplace.

The most effective programs engage workers and their representatives in their development, and include the following key elements: • Conducting a hazard assessment; • Identifying a combination of measures that will limit the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace; • Adopting measures to ensure that workers who are contagious (or potentially contagious) are excluded from the workplace; • Implementing protections from retaliation for workers who raise COVID-related concerns; and • Educating and training workers of COVID-19 policies and procedures in a language they understand.

The guidance provides additional details on key measures for limiting the spread of COVID-19, starting with: • Separating and sending home infected or potentially infected people from the workplace;

R

• Implementing physical distancing;

• Suppressing the spread by using surgical masks or cloth face coverings; and The use of personal protective equipment.

Employers are responsible for recording work-related cases of COVID-19 illness on their Form 300 logs if the following requirements are met: (1) the case is a confirmed case of COVID-19; (2) the case is work-related (as defined by 29 CFR 1904.5); and (3) the case involves one or more relevant recording criteria (set forth in 29 CFR 1904.7) (e.g., medical treatment, days away from work). Employers must follow the requirements in 29 CFR 1904 when reporting COVID-19 fatalities and hospitalizations to OSHA. Employers may not discriminate against employees for raising a reasonable concern about infection control related to COVID-19 to the employer, the employer’s agent, other employees, a government agency, or to the public, such as through print, online, social, or any other media; or against an employee for voluntarily providing and wearing their own personal protective equipment, such as a respirator, face shield, gloves, or surgical mask. Section 11(c) of the OSH Act prohibits discharging or in any other way discriminating against an employee for engaging in various occupational safety and health activities.

OSHA will continue to update this guidance over time to reflect developments in science, best practices, and standards, and will keep track of changes to ensure transparency.

The guidance can be located on the OSHA website at: https://www.osha.gov/ coronavirus/safework natarajan.joann@dol.gov 512-374-0271 x232

In memoriam

andy Joe Rehmann, 64, who was instrumental in the formation of mechanical and process construction firm Dynamic Systems Incorporated (DSI), passed away Feb. 9 after a hardfought battle with cancer.

Born in San Antonio on April 8, 1956, Rehmann earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Building Construction from Texas A&M University in 1978. Rehmann started his career as Assistant Project Manager for the Emde Company in Houston, and founded DSI in 1988, which is headquartered in Austin with branches in San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, College Station, Atlanta, Boston, and Poughkeepsie.

His involvement in many nonprofit organizations included serving as President, Council Member,

and Elder at Bethany Lutheran Church, Past President of Mechanical Contractors Association (MCA) Texas, MCA Austin, and the Associated General Contractors of America. A Texas Wildlife Association member and recipient of the Texas Outdoorsman of the Year award, Rehmann loved the outdoors and teaching wildlife conservation to future generations.

Rehmann is survived by Debbie, his wife of 41 years, children Ryan Rehmann (Amanda), Holly Bazan (Daniel), Aaron Rehmann, Adam Rehmann (Sadie), siblings Russell Rehmann and Wanda Reidy, his mother June Rehmann and five grandchildren.

A memorial service celebrating Rehmann’s life was held Feb. 22 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Austin. –mjm

Austin Construction News • MAR 2021

Page 9

such as paddle tail soft-plastics and spoons. If using soft-plastic tails, it is usually best to use a bit heavier (1/8 or 1/4 ounce) jig head than may generally be utilized for a given water depth in order to get a bait down and keep it in the strike zone while being rapidly retrieved from a fast-moving boat. Try these techniques on your next outing and see if your catch ratios improve.

My 2021 fishing calendar is starting to fill up, so don’t hesitate in booking your next fishing outing. To schedule your next bay fishing trip or hunting trip give Capt.

Steve Schultz a call at 361-813-3716 or e-mail me at SteveSchultzOutdoors@ gmail.com.

Springtime Drift Fishing Tactics

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram@ Steve_Schultz_Outdoors. Good Luck and Good Fishing.

by Capt. Steve Schultz Sponsored by: Waypoint Marine/Waypoint Customs, Shoalwater Boats, Mercury Marine, 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.

T

oday, February 15, 2021, is going to be easy to sit at my computer and write this column. Corpus temperatures at daybreak were 18 degrees with a wind chill close to zero. I know San Antonio and many parts north of us received a blanket of snow last night and lower freezing temperatures. We who live in South Texas are not accustom to this harsh weather and neither is the wildlife.

I am hoping and praying that we don’t have a fish kill like we experienced in the 1980s. Drastic drops in water temps can be detrimental to some fish species. This artic cold snap had a gradual drop in water temperatures and falling slowly for several days giving fish a chance to seek deeper and warmer water.

Looking forward to tactics and techniques in spring fishing, we typically do a lot of drifting fishing. Probably the one

Springtime fishing can produce a varity of species which include speckled trout (pictured above), redfish, flounder and black drum. These trout came off a wade using a topwater lure in spring. Photo by Steve Schultz Outdoors.

thing drift fishermen struggle with the most under high wind conditions is being able to thoroughly cover an area with repeated casts. Essentially, a quick drift speed means fewer casts in a given area, as the boat passes over the area too quickly to allow multiple casts. Of course, there are various ways to slow the boat in order to get more casts in over a productive stretch of water. Anchoring and power poling at various intervals along a flat will accomplish this.

And most every seasoned bay fisherman knows to employ a drift sock to help slow their drift and stabilize the boat. But, at times these measures can be more trouble than they are worth.

Typically, by late March, the water has usually warmed sufficiently to make fish more aggressive, meaning “power fishing” tactics are in play. So, rather than spend too much time and energy trying to fight the wind, anglers should learn to adapt their fishing style in order to take advantage strong spring winds. A very simple solution to many high wind situations is something many fishermen

refer to as “power drifting.” This is basically a mad dash across a flat while fan casting and trying to cover as much water as possible. Power drifting is effective in two situations: 1) fish are scattered making it necessary to cover massive amounts of water or, 2) fish are very aggressive and willing to swim a pretty good distance to attack a bait. One or both of these conditions is often present during April.

In order to be effective with power drifting, there are a couple of things that need to be considered. For starters, the right type of bait or lure is essential. Because you will be moving a quick clip during a power drift, finesse baits or any other lures which require a slow retrieve are a poor choice. It is far too difficult to maintain line contact with a slow sinking or suspending bait when drifting rapidly toward it. Also, baits which require a lot of angler manipulation to impart action are not good choices. Twitching baits at a high drift speed usually results in line twists and tangles. Rather, it is better to use simple cast and reel retrieve baits

Page 10

Austin Construction News • MAR 2021

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

Well, that was something!

A

week ago, today we woke up in a 40-degree dark house covered up with everything we could find only to step out into snow half-way up to our knees and one degree on the thermometer. Today, it is over 80 degrees and I have sweat running down my back as I haul melt water to the house to keep the plumbing going.

If you stay still long enough in Texas, just about every kind of environment will stop by to visit you. Spring can bring lush fields of wildflowers, summer can bring endless stretches of one hundred plus degree dry heat, fall can turn a drought-stricken lake into a great swamp that attracts migrating fowl of all unusual kinds and winter can bring renegade blizzard conditions or hardly be more than a few cold fronts. Just for excitement, add in a flood here and there, hold on to your hat for the dust storms, and be sure you know where to go in case of a tornado. I think that is why weather is always a topic of conversation. How is it, enjoy it if it’s nice and how long before what happens next.

The winter storm was nothing to make light of. It was a hard and serious time, and some people are still trying to get their lives back to near normal. If we can set aside blame and hard feelings about the hardships we faced and just focus on the way people came together to help each other out, that might be a good place to start. I’m sure we will be picking things apart and understanding what worked and what didn’t for perhaps years to come.

Now it is time to see what we could have done better individually to face

Fishing anyone?

such a trial. I know we will be buying sleeping bags, storing water, revamping the old wood heater and dragging Granny’s old oil lamps out of storage. Even though we did our best to get ready, I can see a lot of things we should have thought of. We should have thought about what happens when the power goes off and stays off. Then we need to imagine going through this in summer.

I’m not going to get depressed because Nature taught us a lesson. I’m not going to get all mad about who may have dropped what ball. I am going to try to be ready for next time. Next time may not ever come…but I bet it can.

As for the lake, it did freeze over in the backs of the sloughs and anywhere the water would hold still. It did get cold enough to have killed some of the bait fish, but we will just have to wait and see if it will affect our spring bite for the better or worse. Sometimes it makes for hungry fish! Fall Creek falls did freeze over this time, someone had drone pictures on Facebook. This wasn’t the first time however. Here is the picture from the time it froze up in 1986! It has done it before and will do it again, but I’m getting better long johns!

Spring Break is upon us, let’s go fishing!

Wednesday, March 17

Austin Construction News • MAR 2021

Page 11

Change of scenery

D

reaming of an escape somewhere warm? Cold? Scenic? Historic? Near?

Far? Devin Gloria, KangaRoof Production Coordinator, knows where you should go when we can all travel freely again. Over the past two years, he and his wife have traveled extensively within Texas, to Utah, California, and most recently Colorado. They have even traveled to Ireland! Along the way, they have snapped some breathtaking shots that have us looking into booking flights. –mjm

Mendocino, CA

Lake Tahoe, CA

Bryce Canyon Trails, UT

Donnor Lake, CA

Jeepers creepers!

Vertical, horizontal, sometimes on its side, but not yet flipped over – Caldwell’s rock crawler Jeep has almost been through it all.

C

ody Caldwell’s love affair with Jeeps began in 1994, when the Koala Cooling LLC Comfort Adviser and General Manager bought one and drove it

from Rockville, TX to Alameda, CA. “I was in the Navy, so I drove it out there and it was a very interesting trip,” he remembers. “I drove across the desert in Arizona on July 4th with no top and no air conditioning. But I have always been drawn to Jeeps.”

Eight years ago, he got to the point where he could afford an extra toy, “or, as my wife calls it, ‘The Money Pit!’” he says, laughing. “Jeep stands for ‘Just Empty Every Pocket’ and that’s pretty much what they are because, when something breaks, it’s very expensive to fix. I have a 2006 Rubicon Unlimited LJ. It’s the unicorn of the Jeep; there weren’t a lot of them made from 2004 to 2006.”

But of course, we always hurt the Jeeps we love. Caldwell says he and his rock crawler Jeep have rolled over on the vehicle’s side a few times, but thankfully, has never completely flipped over or gone down any cliffs.

“I would say that I have been in spots more than once where I was off of the side of the cliff and had to really balance to get the winch hooked up because if I leaned too far to one side, I would have rolled

Pumpkin catch

Thanks to the al-lure-ing seven-inch Zoom Magnum Green Pumpkin worm, Pat Sablatura, Owner of Synergetic Engineering, recently caught two bass on his boat dock near Volente Waterpark. –mjm

down,” he says. “You try not to put yourself in those positions, but sometimes it bounces you over that way.”

One can’t imagine why, but it seems Caldwell’s wife is not a big fan of his hobby.

“She will go every once in a while, just because she knows I love to do it, but it’s mostly me and my buddies who go,” he says. “I go out to Hidden Falls by Marble Falls. There is an adventure park out there for rock climbing and trails to Arizona and all around.” –mjm Cody Caldwell and his Jeep push limits.

Outside Belfast, Ireland

Breckenridge, CO

Page 12

Austin Construction News • MAR 2021

Industry FOLKS

Roque Leal Jr.

Project Superintendent

Austin Materials LLC Austin, TX

N

early all of Roque Leal Jr.’s family work in one of three different fields. His great-great-grandfather and many of Leal’s uncles farm 5500 acres of land on the Rio Grande border. Other family members work in law enforcement, like his uncle, who was the first Hispanic Texas Ranger. And then, there is his family’s connection to the paving industry.

“My grandfather started construction in 1974 for a paving asphalt company in Brownsville. He started off at the bottom and worked his way up,” Leal says. “My father started in 1990 in sort of the same way, starting off at the bottom and working his way up to general superintendent for Angel Brothers in the New Braunfels area.”

At 18, Leal decided to follow his grandfather and father into the trade.

“In 2007, my father brought me into the trade,” Leal says. “He started me off the way he and my grandfather did – down on the shovel – and slowly trained me in all aspects of paving.”

Leal started as a Paver Operator before transitioning to Traffic Control Supervisor. After taking a course to test asphalt, he became a Quality Control Technician before moving on to Patching Foreman and Overlay Foreman. Then, in 2016, Austin Materials gave him a shot at the Project Superintendent role. His steady ascent in the industry has assured him that he made the right career choice.

“For me, I think it was always asphalt,” Leal says. “I enjoy seeing projects grow. For example, on a toll road project for which Austin Materials just won the National Asphalt Pavement Award, I remember being out there on the first day the machines were breaking ground, and there was nothing but hill country as far as the eye could see. At the end of the project when we opened it, I remember standing out there and seeing all of the progression we did over the two years of that project. For me, that’s where I get my passion.”

Leal also gets his motivation from his team as he visits job sites, plans project budgets and produces a good product while promoting safety.

“Without my guys, I couldn’t do what I do every day,” Leal says. “From our Project Managers to our last shovel guys, I love the camaraderie that I’ve built. I’m very much about my team, and I appreciate them very much for what they do every day to achieve a job and go home safe to our families.”

His own family consists of his wife of three years, Yazmin, 13-year-old Chihuahua Bo, 2-year-old Dachshund Hakeem and 2-month-old Dachshund Max. When he’s not paving, he’s golfing and helping with his uncle’s annual white wing hunt.

He hopes to have children and encourage them to consider a construction career, especially engineering. Meanwhile, he’ll carry on the family tradition.

“I want to follow in my father’s and grandfather’s footsteps and become a general superintendent and eventually run my own division of asphalt,” Leal says. –mjm

Austin Construction News • MAR 2021

Page 13

Association Calendar

What do you mostly watch on TV?

Content submitted by Associations to Construction News ABC Associated Builders & Contractors

Mar. 2: Meet the GC, 2-3pm Mar. 9: WIC Week Collaboration Event, 5:30-7:30pm Mar. 9-12: ABC National Convention ABC National Convention, Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine, TX. For more info, call Jodi Bunyard at 512719-5263 or email jbunyard@abccentraltexas.org ACEA

Greater Austin Contractors & Engineers Assn.

Mar. 11: Membership Luncheon, Norris Conference, 2525 W. Anderson Ln. #365.

11:30am.

Mar. 25: Networking Happy Hour, Location TBD. For more info, call Silvia Pendleton at 512-893-7067 or email silvia.pendleton@aceatx.com.

AGC

Associated General Contractors

Mar. 10: Fundamentals of the Clean Air Act, UTA ETI Class at Austin AGC Mar. 16: Excavation, Trenching & Soil Mechanics, UTA #305 at Austin AGC Mar. 17: CLC Happy Hour, Location TBD For more info, contact Toni Osberry at 512-442-7887 AGC TBB

Associated General Contractors Texas Building Branch

Mar. 19: Outstanding Construction Awards submission deadline. For more info, contact Corbin Van Arsdale at 512964-1633 or email corbin@agctbb.org ASCE

American Society of Civil Engineers Texas Section

Mar. 16 : ASCE Virtual General Meeting, 11:30am-1pm. For more info, go to www. texasasce.org/legislative-drive-in or contact Jenni Peters at 512-910-2272 or jpeters@texasce.org CTSA

Central Texas Subcontractors Assn.

Mar. 9: Lunch Membership Meeting, Location To Be Determined. 11:30am-1pm.

For more info, contact Wendy Lambert at 512-255-6373 NARI National Assn. of the Remodeling Industry

Mar. 10: Powering Up Your Brand, March Austin NARI GMM Virtual, 11:30am-1pm, $30 Members, $40 Non-Members. For more info, Kayvon Leath at 512-997-6274 or email kayvon@austinnari.org NAWIC

National Assn. of Women in Construction

Mar. 7-13: WIC Week Mar. 8: North Austin/Round Rock Happy Hour, Finley’s Round Rock, 410 W. Main St., Round Rock, TX, 5:30-8pm.

Mar. 9: Virtual Keynote Speaker Kristin Arnold, 5:30-7pm.

Mar. 10: Urban Axes, Urban Axes Austin, 812 Airport Blvd., 4-6pm.

Mar. 11: Central Texas Food Bank Community Service Event, Central Texas Food Bank, Metropolis Dr. #6500, 1:30-5pm Mar. 11: South Austin Happy Hour, Moontower Saloon, 10212 Menchaca Rd., 5:308pm.

Mar. 12: Industry Council at the Park, Fannie Davis Town Lake Gazebo, 9307 and Roy Butler Hike & Bike Trail, 3-5pm.

For more info, email misti@compliancesourcesinc.com or 512-801-8143 SEAot

Structural Engineers Assn. of Texas

Mar. 25: Virtual Chapter Meeting. For more info, call 512-301-2744 TSPE

Texas Society of Professional Engineers

Mar. 25: Texas State Mathcounts Competition. For more info, call Claire Black at 512-472-9286 or email Claire@tspe.org TXAPA Texas Asphalt Pavement Assn.

Mar. 1-17: March Inspector Program, 8am-10am, $650. For more info, contact Jim Warren at 512-312-2099 or email jwarren@texasasphalt.org Mar. 4-5: TxDOT Letting, 8am-5pm Mar. 11: Partners in Quality Meeting, Amarillo, TX, 2-3pm. For info, contact Kelli Mofie or email kmofie@texasasphalt.org

Food for the frozen in

Although February’s winter storm impacted her as well, AiRCO Mechanical account manager Stephanie Jackson-Lloyd still found a way to pick up food and deliver bags of essentials to dozens of people in need. –mjm

I come from a family with a background of law enforcement and have a cousin who was the first Hispanic Chief Lieutenant Captain of the Texas Rangers. He solved a cold case murder in 2002 in Seguin, TX and is featured in one of the episodes of a Netflix show called “Cold Case Classics.” Growing up, I was always very proud of him because it is a high honor to be a Ranger in Texas.

Hearing the story of how he solved this murder, I’ve always been intrigued by the evidence, so I watch a lot of law enforcement shows. My wife and I love them! My wife is definitely the one who can tell you who did it before it’s revealed and points out the most important evidence.

Roque Leal Jr., Austin Materials Most of the time, I watch the news. I know it’s fake media, but I have to have it. Having four years with Trump, the news was amazing! Watching the transition from Obama to Trump, and then following the economy …

I had my feet pulled out from underneath me in 2008 when the recession hit, so I was really following the news then. It’s all about COVID right now, but I’ve always been an avid news watcher. In fact, I DVR the news in case I miss it.

David Maldonado, Alta Vista Plumbing I watch the same old movies, anything that I have seen before. Our work is so stressful and demanding that, when I go home, I don’t want to have to pay attention to something.

I’m good with knowing what’s coming.

Jim Knight, KFM Engineering & Design Everybody that knows me would probably say I watch classic westerns. My favorites of all time are “Gunsmoke” and “The Rifleman.” I watch them on regular television,

but when the whole family is here, we’ll stream them; most of them don’t enjoy them like I do. I start picking up on things like, “He rides that horse all of the time!” or “That saddle is the wrong saddle!”

Gary Grumbles, Volkert Roofing I really don’t watch TV but with this past week of being snowed/iced in, I did find myself binge watching “Last Man Standing” and “Modern Family.” I figured laughing was a great way to not think about the current situation and laughing is a great way to keep the body’s energy up and stay warm.

Nancy Ellis, Broaddus Construction Everybody knows I always watch “The Price Is Right” in the morning and “Wheel of Fortune” at night. Owning my own business and working from my house, it gives me a sense of routine: 10:00am is “The Price Is Right” and 6:30pm is “Wheel of Fortune.”

It’s something to look forward to and is an automatic, mindless agenda. I don’t sit and watch it, but it’s on TV in the background and I can glance up and watch people go nuts over winning $1000 like it’s $10 billion!

People ask me why I don’t go on “Wheel of Fortune” but, nah, I’m just fine.

Pat Sablatura, Synergetic Engineering PBS’ “Antiques Roadshow,” “American Pickers,” “American Restoration” and “Rust Valley Restorers.” I like the craftmanship of the bygone era. I reject both disposable and, to a certain extent, recyclable eras and am drawn to made-to-last, made right and quality eras. That’s why there are shows about them. They still exist.

Frank J. Cheff, Chanvra Materials

Page 14

Austin Construction News • MAR 2021

All in for Austin

K

L-R: KFM Engineering & Design founders Jim Knight, Charlie Fowler and Josh Millsap have made the move to Austin.

FM Engineering & Design is the latest company making the move to Austin. The firm, helmed by Jim Knight, Charlie Fowler and Josh Millsap, has moved from its Grapevine office to 8701 State Hwy. 71, West Suite 200.

The trio met while working for Bury + Partners. Knight and Fowler had worked together in the firm’s Austin office as Managing Partner and Principal, respectively, since 2003. Millsap began worked in the firm’s Dallas office in 2007.

“Bury was acquired by Stantec in 2016.

They’re a great company, but we didn’t want to work for a big company,” Knight explains. “I was going to do something on my own. After I resigned, they decided they wanted to do something on their own. We got together and had a cup of coffee and decided we would do something together. We didn’t care if we were big or small, we were just going to enjoy what we did and have fun.”

In 2019, they formed their civil engineering, design and land use firm in Dallas, but their first client was not local.

“The first client that called us was an Austin client,” Knight says. “He said, ‘I know s

you guys are in Dallas, but I trust you.

Would you guys come work on my project?’ We’re not a big firm, but we probably have a dozen to two dozen projects in the central Texas market. It became natural. We had more people calling us saying, ‘I trust you guys and I know you’ll take care of me; can you take over my project?’ So, we opened up an office in Austin to make it easy.”

With the relationships in Austin that Knight, Fowler and Millsap already have, Knight feels like he’s “going home.” He says KFM’s team of 25 looks forward to this new chapter.

“In Texas, we are working on single family master plans, multifamily, retail, office, industrial, mixed use, data centers, and infrastructure projects,” he says. “We have each of those projects in North Texas and Central Texas already.

“Austin has always been a dynamic place but what is happening in that market right now is really unique,” Knight adds.

“It’s going to be special to watch it for the next decade or two.”

KFM Engineering & Design is a civil engineering, design and land use firm. –mjm

Submitted to Construction News

continued from Page 1 — United Rentals Inc. division. Basically, that’s employees that are only dedicated to customer-owned equipment. Many times, when you go to a rental company, they have the ability, but they just don’t have the time to service your equipment right away, and it sits in the yard waiting. So, we have carved out some space in that yard for our CES division that will do nothing but work on customer-owned assets. We’ll also be bringing in an additional flooring line out of that location, with floor care, remediation and flooring products.”

Slated to open March 1 (with fingers crossed, due to the recent winter storms), Stallings says the branch is planning a unique way to celebrate.

“We’re going to have an open house in addition to a huge equipment sale out of that location March 25,” he says. “We have

continued from Page 1 — Volkert Roofing plants, churches, and non-profit complexes such as Elks Children’s Center in Luling, Volkert Roofing hopes to add to its scope.

“We’re looking at some builders to see if we can fit their bill for new construction in some of the new neighborhoods and commercial going in between San Antonio and Austin. We’re trying to tap that market that might be out there,” Grumbles says.

Jesse M. Kocher PE has been promoted to senior principal at Terracon Consultants.

Kocher brings more than 17 years of experience to his role of office manager of the engineering firm’s Round Rock and Waco offices. –mjm Corgan (Austin) welcomes Anissa Sabawala as Director of Business Development.

Sabawala is a registered architect and LEED AP BD+C expert with more than 30 years of industry experience. She previously served as a Project Architect, Construction Project Executive, and Project Account Principal and has experience overseeing national account rollouts for Fortune 500 companies across the country. –mjm

Volkert Roofing wants current customers and customers coming their way to know that, wherever they are, Volkert is ready to reach them.

“We’re trying to make sure our customers are getting the best that they can get, and keeping a good service going out there for all of our customers,” Grumbles says.

Volkert Roofing is in New Braunfels. –mjm

continued from Page 1 — ARCO/Murray has experience running numerous jobs in multiple product types. Currently, four team members staff the Central Texas location to serve clients, and the company plans to expand the group with the best and brightest.

ARCO/Murray promises to make the construction process enjoyable and beneficial to both its associates and clients. The firm prides itself on its ability to design and build the most demanding construction projects and works hard daily to distinguish itself in Austin’s dynamic and competitive construction market. A key distinguishing factor is the firm’s design build methodology, which provides a complete, turn-key solution from conception to completion. From the

Round-Up

Contractors Inc. welcomes Josh Rackley as Project Manager.

Rackley brings more than 20 years of construction experience in the Austin area to his new role. Rackley began his career in residential restoration as a Project Manager for commercial tenant finish out projects and for the past decade has completed ground up commercial projects. Rackley is experienced in JOC contracting for government sector projects, has an OSHA 30 certification, IICRC in water damage and odor control and Corps of Engineering certifica-tions. –mjm

over $100 million worth of fleet in the Austin metro market already, so we’ll be utilizing some of that fleet to host a big yard sale.”

Stallings says the local construction community is excited to see United Rentals Inc. return to Cedar Park.

“The reaction has been very positive,” he says. “We’ve been in this market for 25 years, and that location was here in the very beginning, so a lot of our customers that we’ve built those relationships with then are excited to hear that we’re coming back.

In fact, a couple of the employees that started that location back in the 1990s will be officing out of that location as well. It’s a homecoming, if you will, for a lot of people.”

United Rentals Inc. is an owned and rental equipment service and a repair and maintenance service. –mjm

start, ARCO/Murray’s integrated team of architects, designers, and engineers collaborate with clients to bring their vision to life. This approach transfers into projects being completed faster, more cost effectively, and with greater customer satisfaction.

In rapidly increasing numbers, clients across a range of industries are choosing ARCO/Murray because of their collaborative and efficient approach to construction. ARCO/Murray is proud and excited to continue to play a role in building an even more vibrant and prosperous central Texas economy.

ARCO/Murray is a national design build contractor. –mjm

Lifting smoke on hemp

Rogers-O’Brien Construction Co. Ltd. welcomes back Todd Wynne as Innovation Officer. In his new role, Wynne will oversee company-wide strategic initiatives to expand RO’s process improvement and technology innovation.

Wynne previously co-founded and led the development of Project Atlas, a novel project information application later acquired by Bluebeam Inc., where he served as Vice President of Strategy and Partnerships. –mjm Rosendin Electric promoted Brandon Stephens to Operations Manager overseeing the company’s Texas, Arizona and Nevada offices. Stephens, a 17-year employee of Rosendin, is a graduate of Boise State University, where he is a member of the Industry Advisory Board for the Construction Management Department. –mjm Jeff Brooks has joined Satterfield & Pontikes Construction Inc. as Vice President. Brooks will manage S&P’s Healthcare Center of Excellence. A 25-year healthcare industry veteran, Brooks specializes in healthcare facility planning, design, construction, and operations. Brooks, who holds an MBA and a BS from SMU, previously worked at Erdman Company and was President/CEO of Metiscan Technology. –mjm

Photo by Emily Paige Pereira Chanvra Materials’ CMO Frank J. Cheff carries a hemp wool square used for insulation batting.

H

emp, despite its many uses, continues to be widely misunderstood.

In fact, using hemp as a construction material isn’t the first option many contractors might consider.

Frank J. Cheff is ready to change that.

Cheff is the Chief Marketing Officer of Chanvra Materials, specializes in supplying high grade industrial hemp hurds, made from the plant’s woody cellulose, that can be certified for construction. When hemp hurd is mixed with water and a lime or raw clay binder, hempcrete is formed, and it is gaining traction as a cost competitive and healthy building material alternative. Structures from small off-grid cabins to large commercial buildings can be made from hempcrete, with the walls proving to be a breathable, carbon sequestering, oxygenbuilding system.

Cheff says building with hemp offers numerous benefits, both to the construction industry and the consumer.

“Human and hemp plants have been side by side since the dawn of man and have affected each other’s advancement,”

Cheff says. “Hemp is naturally microbial. It is mold and fungus resistant. It is fireproof. It’s a lightweight, acoustic-assisting, natural, sustainable fiber. You can make blocks to make it loadbearing and build with it. In 120 days, one acre of hemp can produce the amount of wood pulp four acres of trees can.

“We’re building a health and wellness center in Austin this spring made out of hemp,” Cheff continues. “We think it adds to the health and wellness center theme because it is a healthy choice. The properties aren’t toxic, they don’t off gas, there are no fumes, and it does sequester carbon. In this project, the builder says it is hemp insulation installation, or, as it may be more widely recognized as cast in place.”

Contractors interested in Chanvra Materials’ hempcrete calculate the amount needed for projects, and the company will deliver the material to the construction site or staging warehouse. Cheff believes once contractors understand how useful and beneficial hemp can be for projects, word will spread.

Chanvra Materials is in Austin. –mjm

Austin Construction News • MAR 2021

Page 15

Thriving at 75

T

In the company’s new podcast, Jack Lowe Jr. will reflect on TDIndustries’ years in the industry.

hree quarters of a century ago, Jack Lowe Sr. founded Texas Distributors Inc.– now TDIndustries (TD) – as a small air-conditioning supplier in Dallas. By 1952, his business had evolved into an employee-owned firm and 20 years later, Jack Sr. began embracing the Servant Leadership philosophy espoused by Robert Greenleaf that the company is renowned for today.

After Jack Sr.’s passing, his son Jack Lowe Jr. became CEO and was named Chairman of the Board in 1990. Its rebranding as TDIndustries came in 1983 along with a focus on mechanical construction and commercial service.

While filled with many successes, the past 75 years have not been without hurdles. The company faced impending devastation when the 1980s banking crisis shut down five of Texas’ six largest mechanical contractors. TD Partners invested $1.25 million of their personal

retirement funds, restructured the business and consolidated operations to steer the company clear of the iceberg. The pandemic also caused the company to pull more focus on the safety and health of its employees and customers.

Next on the list for TDIndustries was the offering of facility management services 1998 and a new CEO, Harold MacDowell, in 2004 to guide the company into the future. Along the way, the full-service mechanical company built offices in Austin, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Tucson, Phoenix and Denver.

To celebrate 75 years of history, success, service, and hard work in the construction industry, TDIndustries has themed months planned for each office to participate in, as well as a podcast featuring the wisdom of Jack Jr. Given the 75 years of backstory, there should be much on which he can reflect. –mjm

TDIndustries (established as Texas Distributors Inc. in 1946, pictured) th celebrates its 75 anniversary this year.

Together again

It’s been awhile since the members of the Central Texas Subcontractors Association (CTSA) have been able to get together. Kicking off 2021, CTSA members hosted their first membership meeting of 2021 at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center Jan. 12. -cmw

Page 16

Austin Construction News • MAR 2021

P

•

R

•

O

•

J

•

E

•

C

•

T

Novel Coworking

Construction and renovation experts Rhino Interiors Inc. revamped Novel Coworking’s North Austin office space.

C

oworking and office rental company Novel Coworking’s North Austin location at 14205 N Mopac Expressway must perform a multitude of functions for clients. The company offers private and daily offices, office suites, meeting and coworking space, conference rooms, virtual office and event space, all of which must be both functional and professional in appearance.

When Novel Coworking needed to renovate the building in which it was located, Austin construction and renovation experts Rhino Interiors Inc. performed the transformation. Under the expert guidance of Rhino Interior superintendent Gary McNelley and project foreman Lucio Cardenas, the Rhino

T

ogether, brothers Steve L. Maldonado, David Maldonado and J.R. Maldondo of Alta Vista Plumbing have more than 130 years of combined plumbing industry experience. According to David, there is nothing that the trio hasn’t dealt with on a project.

That’s why, when a Kwik Chek Gas Mart was under construction at 1402 Williams Dr. in Georgetown, Alta Vista Plumbing was called in to assist.

The team was tasked with install-ing a 3,000-gallon grease trap, hot/cold water, drains, and vents. Alta Vista Plumbing also provided all floor drains, floor sinks, plumb-ing fixtures, and the water heater. A power wash system in the building was added on during the project as well.

The team’s experience came in handy, especially since challenges immediately pre-sented themselves.

“At the pre-construction meeting, the 3,000-gallon grease trap was supposed to go in before the pad was built,” David, who served as project manager, explains. “But because we were

Interiors Inc. team renovated several floors, the existing lobby and the majority of the building.

“Starting last November, we renovated a lot of the building, and then the client decided to renovate almost the entire building,” Rhino Interiors Inc. owner Ryan Binder explains. “Primarily what we did was metal framing, drywall, acoustical ceilings, interior storefront windows and doors using the materials within our scope. We’re still working on it, but a couple of the floors are finished.”

While the project is typical of the type of work Rhino Interiors Inc. performs, challenges did present themselves.

“Getting material in the space was tough,” Binder says. “Most of the material

What was meant to be a small renovation expanded into the renovation of several floors and a lobby.

had to be brought in with boom trucks through the exterior windows on the higher floors or up the stairs, which made it really difficult. There was lots of coordination due to some space being occupied, which required phasing of schedules and keeping new or occupied spaces clean while still expanding into new areas of construction. We kept tenants above and below happy while we were working above, below, or next to them. Fortunately, up until the recent freeze, the weather cooperated with us.”

Binder credits his highly capable team with overcoming these challenges and steering the project toward success.

“The superintendent on this job had years of background and construction

Kwik Chek Gas Mart

Alta Vista Plumbing provided installation at a Kwik Check Gas Mart under construction in Georgetown.

experience as well as our superintendent, so execution was made possible by collaboration of supervision by the GC and the sub with an extensive background in TI construction,” Binder says.

As Rhino Interiors Inc. completes each phase of the project, they continue to look ahead.

“This project is for a client that I have worked with in the past, and we have executed it in such a timely manner that we are currently signing more contracts to work in other parts of Austin as well as the same building.”

Rhino Interiors is in Austin, TX. –mjm Rhino Interiors Inc. Austin, TX

“It’s basically a 3/8, high-pressure line, which is smaller pipe than we’ve ever used,” David says. “It has different components to make this system work to which they can attach a quick disconnect hose to start power wash the driveways and sidewalks.”

Fortunately, the project wasn’t all challenges.

“We didn’t have any bad weather during our part of the project, and we had all of the manpower we needed in our company for the delivery and installation.

Once the tank was set in the ground in the morning, in the afternoon, J.R. and his crew finished it out, tied it all in and out,” David says.

Alta Vista Plumbing met their deadline and Kwik Check Gas Mart is scheduled to open in mid-June.

“A project manager rolled up on to the site and said he was so glad we were on time,” David says. “We like to make our clients happy. That’s our goal.”

Alta Vista Plumbing in Georgetown offers full plumbing services, repairs, replacements, maintenance and installa-tion for commercial and residential projects. –mjm Alta Vista Plumbing Georgetown, TX

notified long after the pad was built and ready for a plumbing rough-in, that’s when we noticed, ‘How are we going to get this grease trap in here now?’ Well, the only other way is to get a crane in there. That was the first problem.

“The second problem was, had we gotten in there the week before the pad was built, we would have had the grease trap available, but we weren’t told until after the pad was started,” David continues. “When I put in a call to get a grease trap that week so that we still had a chance to drive up on a pad without forms or a building on it, it was too late. The grease trap manufacturer had a back order, and it was going to take two months to make. We waited eight weeks for this grease trap to be constructed and then planned for the crane operator to be there when it was delivered.

So, there was a lot of timing involved here.”

The Maldonados spent that time roughing in the concrete floor. They also kept their crew busy completing site utilities and infrastructure on a Round Rock Starbucks project.

“We had no slack time,” David says. “The timing involved was crucial. We said, ‘Don’t worry about it; we’ll just get it in there,’ which is what we did. That pit was dug when we first got on the job because we wanted to see how much rock was there. Once we got the pit dug and saw that we got the depth that we needed to with no rock involved, we said what was the point in back filling it, and to leave it open. We fenced it off and they worked around us. By Feb. 1, we had that tank in. We would have had it in a week earlier, but because of crane scheduling, we had to wait to install it.”

Unexpected project add-ons some-times mean delays, but the team easily With the grease trap challenge overcome, handled the add-on of the power wash system.

Alta Vista Plumbing quickly worked to A crane was needed to lift the 3000-gallon complete the installation.

grease trap for installation.

Austin Construction News • MAR 2021

S

•

Page 17

H

•

O

•

W

•

C

•

A

•

S

•

E

CHASCO YMCA Round Rock, TX

Koala Cooling LLC employed a crane to lift up the 450 lb. unit atop the CHASCO YMCA roof.

S

wimming pools are often associated with good times, but the CHASCO YMCA in Round Rock was having anything but good times as far as the facility’s pool was concerned. The unit controlling its indoor aquatic center had been experiencing issues ever since its installation, and a solution was needed so the community could fully enjoy the amenity.

HVAC replacement and repair company Koala Cooling

P

alm Valley Lutheran Church in Round Rock provides a beautiful setting for its congregation to worship at, but one section of the building’s large shingle roof recently was in need of grace. The church looked to KangaRoof to provide a full replacement of a section of the shingled roof, which had deteriorated over the years.

“It was an older roof and it was time to be redone,” agrees KangaRoof Production Coordinator Devin Gloria.

“It had some wear and tear on it and some shingles were falling apart. It had really aged.”

The church fortunately was able to match its roof’s older black shingles with a readily available “Charcoal” shingle.

Once that decision was made, the 12man crew began the roofing process.

Although KangaRoof specializes in residential projects, the company applies the same care and attention to the larger commercial projects it undertakes.

“We tore up all of the shingles and synthetic underlayment, everything underneath all the way down to the wood itself,” Gloria explains. “We look for rot; if all of the wood is good except for some rot, we’ll replace that sheet and then we’ll add the new underlayments and drip edge. We also put on an ice and water barrier in specific spots, such as where it meets a wall, or anywhere it can basically pool water. From there we lay on the shingles.”

Gloria says that it’s during this process that the unknown challenges usually make themselves known.

“Finding what is underneath the old that you can’t see otherwise is always a fun process in roofing in general,” Gloria

LLC has built a reputation mostly in the residential market, so it was a testament to the company’s skill that CHASCO YMCA trusted their expertise.

“They have a unit that is a gas-fired pool pack controlling their indoor aquatic center,” Cody Caldwell, Comfort Advisor and General Manager, explains. “We discovered what the problem was on a Saturday; a 20-horsepower blower motor was out as well as the blower shaft and all of the bearings, so we basically had to rebuild the entire blower housing. I had a motor located and round rod by Monday; we scheduled to get it picked up with a crane and we actually lifted it on the roof the following Tuesday. We did it in a fast turnaround because obviously their aquatic center is a major deal for all of their swimming and aquatic activities.”

Although the Koala Cooling LLC team worked quickly, they also had to work around obstacles.

“One challenge is that the motor weighs about 450 lbs. so we had to use a crane to lift it and get it in. You open up doors on the side of it, and the motor had to swing inside the cabinet. You had to push it in there for it to sit down because it can’t be manhandled; it needs to get pretty close to where it’s supposed to sit. Also, we had to take off the old parts using pullers, get the bearings out and rebuild the shaft line because the blower driving it is about 30 inches round by 30 inches long, and maybe even a little bit bigger than that.

There is a two-inch rod that the bearings set on and the pulleys turn it, so it’s moving all of the air.”

Because of the tight quarters a crew of three – one on the ground, one on the roof and one manning the crane – performed the work. Once the unit was in place, one person bolted it back together.

“Our technician did a great job of diagnosing it and taking the time to figure it out,” Caldwell says. “For the most part, everything went well. There were some minor obstacles, like getting the pulley off, and we had to soak it in oil and get a bigger pulley so we could get it pulled off and mount everything back up.”

The client was impressed with the work Koala Cooling LLC performed and appreciated the company’s transparency and communication throughout the process.

“They have been really happy so far,” Caldwell says. “We actually just closed a major maintenance contract with them

The entire blower housing was rebuilt and installed in an impressively fast four days.

with all three of their campuses: Cedar Park, Round Rock and Hutto. They are a pillar in the community, and any good work from them is great for us as well.”

Koala Cooling LLC is in Round Rock. –mjm Koala Cooling LLC Round Rock

Palm Valley Lutheran Church

KangaRoof replaced an aged section of Palm Valley Lutheran Church’s roof.

KangaRoof expertly identified and corrected problems underneath the roofing layers, and seamlessly blended the church’s new roof with its older sections.

says. “We try to find the problems as best as we can [beforehand], but once you pull the shingles and underlayment off, you’ll find an old piece of wood that has a rotted spot on it, and then you have to add that in. The speed of being able to do that, especially on larger jobs is an interesting situation.”

Fortunately, Gloria says there weren’t too many challenges on this roofing project.

“There was some existing flashing that ended up having to be replaced while we were there. It wasn’t noticed ahead of time just because of the way that it was laying on the roof,” Gloria says.

“That was probably the biggest complication on this project. That’s why our superintendent Brian Hollandsworth was on site, just as we have a superintendent on every single one of our replacement jobs, to catch it and be in charge of taking care of it.”

To ensure projects meet KangaRoof’s high standards, the team adheres to the same process, adding to it as needed, but never deviating from it.

“This project went very well, very smooth,” Gloria says. “When our roofing advisors went out there and made notes on everything that needed to be taken care of, there was a lot of good communication there to make it go smoothly.”

KangaRoof is in Round Rock, TX. –mjm

KangaRoof Round Rock, TX

Page 18

Austin Construction News • MAR 2021

All heart

New location spotted

Broaddus Associates and Broaddus Construction got the red out for National Wear Red Day on Feb. 5. The team donned the rosy color to bring greater attention to heart disease, which is a leading cause of death for women in America. –mjm

F

L-R: Guy Perry, Dyezz Director/CTO Matt Vickers, Founder and CEO John Dyess and Vice President Casey Ellison.

our hundred dollars. That is the amount John Dyess spent on two surveillance cameras in 2001. With that modest investment, Dyess established Dyezz Surveillance and Security Inc., which in 20 years now earns roughly $3.5 million annually, with a staff of nearly 30 employees and up to 15,000 customers in the Austin area.

Working out of the right location, however, has continued to be a challenge for Dyezz Surveillance and Security Inc. – until now. In March, the company’s headquarters are moving from 2113 Wells Branch Pkwy. in Austin to three buildings measuring about 5,000sf on a half-acre at 4613 Priem Ln. in Pflugerville. Rising commercial real estate rents was a chief reason Dyess decided to relocate his business, in addition to his desire to own both the buildings and the property his

business inhabits.

Serving both commercial and residential clients, the company installs and services video surveillance systems, burglar and fire alarms, access control systems, covert surveillance, intercom systems, and home automation. In addition to Austin, Dyezz services the San Antonio, El Paso, Dallas and Houston markets.

While five employees work out of a Dallas office that opened last March and operates under the legal name Dyezz Surveillance and Access, the remaining employees are Austin-based. Dyess plans to hire an additional salesperson, IT technician and two technicians in the next year for the new location. A Houston office is also in the works for 2022.

Dyezz Surveillance and Security is in Pflugerville. –mjm

Austin Construction News • MAR 2021

Verifying a strong leadership

L

Page 19

Safe service

Rob Crow assumes new role.

ast year, Alpha Building Corp. celebrated 50 years in business. Since then, Alpha Building Corp. has continued its legacy set forth from founder Gordon Kovich of being a premier contractor in South Texas with a strong leadership base.

In January, the leadership of Alpha Building Corporation excitedly announced a leadership change. Long-time team member, Rob Crow assumed the role of Executive Vice President for the company, a promotion from his previous role as Vice President of Business Operations. Over the past few years, Rob has been taken on increasing responsibilities for various operation and support functions. In this role, Rob will focus on process improvement across Alpha to increase companywide synergy and growth.

Crow graduated from the Virginia Military Institute with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1988.

Upon graduation, he was commissioned in the United States Air Force, where he served as a C-130 flight examiner navigator, then as a flight instructor at the Undergraduate Navigator Training school.

After ten years of honorable service, he

transitioned into civilian life and joined Johnson Controls, where he held various operations and sales roles during his seven-year tenure there.

Crow joined the Alpha team in 2006 as project manager on Northside ISD’s job order contract (JOC) in San Antonio.

When Alpha was awarded the City of San Antonio’s first JOC the following year, he managed that contract until 2010, when he was promoted to Area Manager. In 2012, he transitioned to the corporate team in the Business Development Manager’s role, followed by Vice President of Business Development in 2015. He had served in his previous role as Vice President of Business Operations since 2018.

An active member of the construction industry, Crow serves as Vice-Chair for the Associated Builders and Contractors South Texas Chapter. He is involved with the Center for Job Order Contracting Excellence (CJE) and several other industry trade associations. His diverse professional experience lends a unique perspective in driving Alpha forward in today’s ever-changing business environment.

Alpha Building Corp is a general contractor headquartered in San Antonio. -cmw

Feeling lucky?

March brings to mind lucky finds, especially on construction sites.

Keith Nix, WKN Restorations Owner, recalled a recent one of his own.

“Last time, when I was working removing masonry on the Louisiana State Capitol, I was the lucky mason to find a chisel left in the wall that looked as though it had never been struck. It looked as if a mason laid it down in the wall in 1930 as they were setting the limestone,” he says.

Being that it was only a little rusted with lime mortar on it, it seems Nix found himself a brand-new 1930s tool!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! May you find a little luck of your own this month! –mjm

On board in cardboard

The pandemic has affected most milestones, including groundbreakings. To commemorate the recent major campus groundbreaking and expansion of Austin’s innovation and technology Ecosystem for BAE Systems Inc., STG Design planned a fun workaround. STG’s research and development market sector team assembled with cardboard cutouts of key construction site members to mark the occasion. –mjm

L-R: Lennox’s Marcus Reyes, Gail Jewett, and Erik Hinojosa safely deliver service at the company’s North Austin store. –mjm

Page 20

Austin Construction News • MAR 2021