Austin Construction News July 2021 by Construction News

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Fresh new 50

Counting on Austin

L-R: Guy White, Charles White and Neel White celebrate White Construction Company’s 50 years and are planning the next 50.

Houston-based Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical opened a new Austin location in March.

elebrating a 50th anniversary calls for a look forward and a look to the past. So general contractor White Construction Company (WCC) is taking the opportunity to express gratitude, plan for the future, and to revamp its brand. “There’s so much going on this year, and we’re thrilled to be celebrating 50 years,” says Dominic Padilla, Vice President of Relationship Management. “As we celebrate this milestone, we are working on two big initiatives: a strategic planning update and a brand refresh. The strategic plan will help guide us for the next 50 years, and a refreshed brand will help us continue to communicate the integrity and quality on which our company is founded. Additionally, we’ve recently updated our current logo to reflect

aised in Orange Grove, TX, Robert Flores says the post-high school path for most kids in town went two ways –college or oil drilling. He initially tried the college route, studying criminal justice at San Antonio Community College before realizing he needed to earn more income. When he saw David Erfurt’s ad calling for drillers in 1999, Flores thought he would be giving the oil field route a try. “When I showed up, I was looking for the drill rigs but didn’t see them, and David explained that that was not the drilling they did,” Flores recalls. “He pointed to a hill at the job they were doing at La Cantera golf course in San Antonio and, suddenly, the hilltop just blew up and rock was flying everywhere! Where I’m from, you don’t hit rock until 18 to 20 ft. down into the ground. I never knew about blasting rock down in the

our 50th anniversary.” White Construction Company’s refreshed Core Ideology has been refined to articulate what has led to the company’s success and cements principals for growth: Safety, Leadership, Teamwork, Trust, and Relationships. Coupled with a transformative strategic planning effort and refreshed brand, White Construction Company is ushering in a new strategic focus on “Building Success Together.” “We’re mindful of giving back to the community, and it’s a big part of who we are today. So instead of a celebration event, we decided to use those funds to continue to support our community,” says Neel White, Chairman of White Construction Company. “We’ve increased our continued on Page 14

fter 18 years in Houston, Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical is expanding its Texas reach with its new Austin branch, located at 2105 Denton Drive. The location, which has been open in Austin since March, hosted a grand opening May 7. Abacus’ Founder and CEO Alan O’Neill, who cut the grand opening ribbon, was a master plumber when he established the company in 2003. As he built his business to offer plumbing services, air conditioning and heating, electrical services, drain and sewer, and water treatment, he also formed relationships in his community. He has quickly formed those strong ties in Austin as well: O’Neill recently announced Abacus’ partnership with Austin FC as the

organization’s official plumbing, air conditioning and electrical partner. To celebrate the partnership at the grand opening, Vice President of Corporate Partnerships with Austin FC Alison Roscoe presented Abacus with a signed FC jersey. The company’s philanthropy was also at the forefront of the event. Abacus supports Austin Pets Alive (APA), which was presented with a $1000 check at the grand opening. APA, in turn, brought a dog named “Charlie Brown” that was up for adoption. Interestingly, the dog shared the same name as the first employee O’Neill hired to work at Abacus, who is still a valued employee today. Also in attendance were sponsors and partners Dry Force, Johnstone Supply continued on Page 14

It’s been a blast

Erfurt Blasting Inc. President Robert Flores

ground like that. My eyes were opened. He asked if I wanted to try it out, and as soon as I saw, I said, “Oh yeah, let’s go.” Flores started as a laborer/blaster’s helper at Erfurt Blasting Inc., lifting the buckets, spreading out the powder, and putting out dynamite. He transitioned to a drilling position for two years before working as both a driller and blaster and training others to do the same. “I enjoy the hard work,” he says. “Several of the jobs we take on are very difficult, labor-wise and mentally as well. There is nothing that the EBI team can’t do when we put our minds to it and have racked up a very successful portfolio.” Flores says a five-year, on-and-off conversation began when Erfurt asked if he would take over the company. “He would ask, and I would say if he was ready to do it, I would think about it,” Flores says. “It was just conversation in a continued on Page 14

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Austin Construction News • JULY 2021

Seizing the moment

Expanding footprint

Trent Bryant (far left, with his family) seized the opportunity to establish distributorship Professional Building Supply.

Landtec team members

rent Bryant was working with his dad Phil Bryant at their company, Austin Touchstone Builders, when he saw an opportunity he knew he needed to seize. A 4,000sf net-zero home that their company was building – and Trent’s website-building skills for company Block – caught the eye of Nudura and TREMCO, a division of RPM International. Trent and Phil were approached by the parent company to start a distributorship in Central Texas, specifically in fast-growing Austin. Three months ago, the duo opened the distributorship, Professional Building Supply, separate from their building company, to focus on both Nudura’s insulated concrete forms and accessories and all of TREMCO’s sealants and waterproofing products. It wasn’t a hard decision for Trent, who was dismayed at the block choices he previously had to use as a builder. “I was extremely excited that I was going to be using this brand of block because it’s just so well-designed, so wellengineered and the customer support is awesome,” Trent says. The Bryants are also excited to offer Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) training to interested customers. “ICF is used to build concrete and steel walls, and it is really taking the industry by storm now as an alternative to lumber walls,” Phil says. “A lot of people are trying them for the first time, and they’re concerned that the sealants or glues they’ve used in the past may not work with the polystyrene. They can come to us and we can tell them what kind of products work with any ICF or ICF-related product so they can feel comfortable that everything is going to stick and hold for 30 years.” Professional Building Supply has been encouraged to promote the product, mostly known to commercial builders, to residential builders. “We’re reaching out and letting people know that right here in Central Texas, that

if they need the Nudura products or TREMCO Products, they don’t’ need to order them out of state,” Phil says. “They can order them right in Texas, and they can order them from someone right in their backyard.” Trent and Phil believe the postpandemic timing of establishing Professional Building Supply is perfect. “The silver lining of the pandemic was slowing down. It gave us the opportunity to develop and work on our branding for Professional Building Supply and put in place good systems for ordering on the website,” Trent says. “This is a time when a lot of projects are on hold due to lumber, and this a rare opportunity for builders to try something different,” Phil adds. “That’s why we’re here and that’s why we were recruited to TRM International, to not just be a distributor of these products, but to be a knowledge resource for builders who, if they are unsure about these products, they have an Austin-family operation who could walk them through it.” To help customers, an ICF training class will be offered Jul. 22 in Lakeway, with another tentatively scheduled this fall in Marble Falls. For $150, attendees receive training, an insulation manual, breakfast, and lunch. “I think that a local distributor of ICF and training resource is very valuable,” Trent says. Professional Building Supply’s parent company also sees the value. “I believe it’s fair to say that the parent company thinks that Professional Building Supply has the potential to be the largest distributor of their products in the United States. They are giving us every support so that we can accomplish that and get these products in front of the people in Texas and get them familiar with it.,” Phil says. Professional Building Supply is the official distributor for Nudura and TREMCO products in Central Texas. –mjm

ver 30 years ago, Randy O’Neal’s stepfather, Larry Barnet, started a business, ERWS, building retaining walls with railroad ties. After Barnet’s passing in 2013, O’Neal wanted to keep the company going and quickly realized he needed an equity partner and brought in CEO Jack Matz who provided capital to get the retaining wall business back on track. In 2015, the company rebranded and is now known as ERW Site Solutions with a vision to provide additional products to their customers. By the 2017, the company’s backlog wasn’t what it had once been. O’Neal and Matz agreed to bring in a strong marketing team before investing in making the company bigger and Joe Stewart joined the ERW team as Vice President of Sales & Marketing. The company grew expeditiously and in 2018 the Fort Worth-based company began to target acquisitions and acquired Austin-based Landtec, a local landscaping company. With the acquisition of Landtec, ERW ºhas expanded its product lines by offering landscaping and maintenance as a service to their state-wide client base. Additionally, with Landtec’s strong presence in Austin and San Antonio, Landtec now offers re-

taining walls as part of their service. In 2020, ERW started DesignBuild Consulting Services and hired Scott Miller as President and Senior Engineer, adding engineering services to their services, reducing change orders along with offering consulting to reduce cost for Design Build Retaining Walls. Continuing the company’s diversification, ERW acquired Ratliff Hardscape who specialize in hardscape amenities, screen walls, concrete sitework with sidewalks and trails in single-family developments. “Our goal,” says Stewart, “is to really bring Landtec and the services they can provide in Austin and San Antonio north to cover the whole state of Texas, and the same in reverse with Ratliff Hardscape. We want to bring that footprint down south to Austin and San Antonio so we will have all the same services in all those markets.” This is by no means the end of ERW’s acquisition mode. They are looking at other purchases through the end of this year and in the future that will continue to provide a bigger footprint and more solutions to general contractor in order to be a bigger part of what they do on the job site. ERW, Landtec, Ratliff Hardscape and DesignBuild Consulting are under the parent company umbrella of RW Assets Inc. -cmw

Austin Construction News • JULY 2021

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The Golden Trowel goes to ...

he Central Texas Masonry Contractors Association (CTMCA) hosted their prestigious Golden Trowel Awards on Jun. 11. The esteemed event was held at the Austin Marriott Downtown Hotel where Austin area masonry contractors gathered together in hopes of receiving the coveted Golden Trowel. The award ceremony is held to recognize and reward the outstanding design of the architects and designers, the craftsmanship of the masonry contractors and the superior equipment and suppliers of the association’s membership. -cmw

Block: Austin FC Soccer Stadium ➤ Mason Contractor: Brazos Masonry Inc. Architect: Gensler General Contractor: Austin Commercial Member Suppliers: Acme Brick Company; AHI Construction Products; Christopher Stuart Cast Stone; Hohmann and Barnard Inc.; Jewell, an Oldcastle Company; Suncoast Post-Tension and Tailored Foam Inc.

Industrial & Commercial: Midland Office Garage, Mason Contractor: Brazos Masonry Inc. Architect: Gensler, General Contractor: Havey Builders, Member Suppliers: Acme Brick; Christopher Stuart Cast Stone; Jewell, an Oldcastle Company and Upchurch Kimbrough

College & University: Texas A&M 21st Century, Mason Contractor: Legacy Masonry, Architect: BORA, General Contractor: Vaughn Construction, Member Suppliers: AHI Construction Products; Continental Cut Stone; Hohmann and Barnard Inc.; Jewell, an Oldcastle Company and Upchurch Kimbrough Company

Everyday Excellence: Intelligentsia Coffee Mason Contractor: C.W. Oates Masonry Inc. Architect: Magic Architecture w/ artist Erin Elizabeth Curtis General Contractor: Franklin Alan Member Suppliers: Continental Cut Stone

People’s Choice and Government & Institutional: Texas Health & Human Services TFC NACA, Mason Contractor: Legacy Masonry, Architect: STG Design, General Contractor: Vaughn Construction, Member Suppliers: Acme Brick; Christopher Stuart Cast Stone; Hohmann and Barnard Inc.; San Antonio Masonry Tool & Steel Supply and Upchurch Kimbrough Company

K-12 Education: Episcopal Church of Dallas, Mason Contractor: Brazos Masonry Inc., Architect: Overland Partners General Contractor: Hill & Wilkinson, Member Suppliers: Acme Brick; Christopher Stuart Cast Stone; Hohmann and Barnard Inc. and Jewell, an Oldcastle Company

Multi-Family Residential: Camden Mason Contractor: Brazos Masonry Inc. Architect: ZCA Residential General Contractor: DE Harvey Builders Member Suppliers: Acme Brick; Spec Rents; Hohmann and Barnard Inc. and Upchurch Kimbrough

Restoration: Building 2 Shell Improvements Mason Contractor: Brazos Masonry Inc. Architect: GSC Architects General Contractor: Harvey-Cleary Builders Member Suppliers: Best Block Construction Materials; Hohmann and Barnard Inc. and Oldcastle APG

Hardscape & Landscape: TAMU E Quad Sitework Mason Contractor: Legacy Masonry Architect: Treanor HL General Contractor: Vaughn Construction Member Suppliers: Acme Brick; Hohmann and Barnard Inc.; Mustang Metals; Mezger Enterprises and Oldcastle APG

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Rodney Palmer, AIA Principal Partner/Architect Cornerstone Architects Austin, TX

orld travel in his youth, influential mentors and an enjoyment of construction can be credited for Rodney Palmer’s successful architecture career. As he celebrates 20 years at Cornerstone Architects, Palmer reflects on his journey and looks forward to the future. Share a bit about your background. I came to the States in 1987. I grew up overseas; I never lived in America until I went to college. My father was a diplomat with the U.S. Embassy, so you could say I got a lot of exposure to a lot of things growing up in South America, Jamaica, etc. I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but I think it soaked in. How were you introduced to architecture? I was actually introduced to architecture through the construction business. My grandfather was a contractor in Phoenix, AZ and I used to work with him in the summers. I really enjoyed that whole process and aspect of the business. I didn’t want to be out working summers in Phoenix for the rest of my life, so I began looking into architecture school. I graduated in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in Architecture from University of Arizona in Tucson. Did you immediately start working in your field after college? I had a job offer from a firm before I

A sailing enthusiast, Cornerstone Architects’ Rodney Palmer enjoys his free time on the water.

Austin Construction News • JULY 2021

even graduated. They were doing hotels around the world – one in Mexico, one in Asia. It was entry level, and I drew up whatever they asked me to draw. It ended up that some of those jobs fell through about a year in, so they laid people off. I looked at my wife - who was from Texas and wanted to move back here – and said, “Now is your chance!” I told her there was only one city I wanted to move to in Texas, and that was Austin, since I had visited her here during her time at UT. We packed everything into two cars and drove out here. I worked on a framing crew; I walked on and started a job the next day framing houses. After a few months of that, she was like, “Okay, it’s time for you to get an architecture job,” because I was enjoying it a little too much. I answered an ad with a lovely gentleman named Stephen Gele’. I was honest with him and said that I didn’t know CAD at all. He said, “Take this computer and go learn it.” I did that and worked for him, and then I was partners with him for four years. We wanted to do different things, so we amicably parted ways in 2001 and I went over to Cornerstone Architects, where I’ve been ever since. Share about your start at Cornerstone Architects. Cornerstone was founded in 1989 by Bob Wetmore, AIA and Mark Carlson, AIA. They had always done single-family homes in the high-end range, but they were starting to get a lot of requests from those clients who were doctors, CEOs, etc. to design an office or office building for them with the same aesthetic or scale as their houses. Bob and Mark didn’t particularly want to get into commercial or want to get into it, honestly, so when I talked to them, I explained that what I had done mostly with Gele’ was commercial. So, I came to Cornerstone and started formalizing their commercial department. When I first joined Cornerstone in 2001, I didn’t come over as a partner. I came in as a Project Manager and didn’t tell them anything else. I was just going to do design, run some projects and figure out what I wanted to do the rest of my life. Somewhere along the line, I became the answer man for everything. As I started and grew that department, I grew that department, became a valuable asset and transitioned into ownership in 2006 along with growing the commercial side of the business. In 2006, I became a Principal Partner. Today, we specialize in high-end homes in the Austin area and nationwide, as well as specific commercial projects, tenant interiors, free-standing office, suburban-scale buildings and a little bit in between. What is a key to your firm’s success? Really, it’s the people I work with, that’s important. We take job candidates to lunch before we hire them to be sure they will mesh with the rest of the team, otherwise we don’t hire them. It’s important that we work well with others and get along with them, because we’re in the office 8 to 10 hours a day. The more people get along, the better the projects are, and the better things flow. It’s very important that it is a

Cornerstone Architects’ Rodney Palmer and his wife Kristen Palmer

family-type environment. Who has mentored you? My first mentor was my grandfather. As I said, I worked with him over the summers and he was a very practical, get-it-done, guy. I learned a lot of that side of things from him, how to deal with things that come up in the field, how to change them on the fly and make them work. He was very good at that, so he was probably the most important influence early on. I also had a couple of great professors in college that took me under their wings, taught me design and process and how to be an architect, what you think coming out of school but what you don’t really know until later. And when I was working for Steve Gele’, he was a great man; he’s still doing architecture in Austin. He’s the one that taught me that people are the most important thing; it’s not any one building, project, or client. It’s the people you work with and your employees. What lessons have you learned as your career has evolved? I used to be very much a perfectionist in the early days, and when I worked on a project, I was very focused on that one project. As I have grown, I have become much more open to my employees bringing ideas to the table and incorporating them. I’m much more patient with clients and employees, explaining to them the process and really holding their hand throughout it, understanding what they’re going through. I’ve built three houses for myself, so I’ve learned on the fly what my clients are living through. That gave me a lot of empathy for that situation. I used to never think I had the patience to be a teacher, but it seems I do. What are your plans for the company? We just incorporated interior design into our services for our clients in the last year. Thirty years of Cornerstone and we didn’t really have that, so we wanted to do a little bit more of seamless integration on certain projects with interior design and so we added that. We’ve expanded the commercial department and will continue to do so into different areas. High tech is

Austin

something we got more into, along with campus-type design environments. We’re starting to do more work outside of Austin; Austin has been very all-encompassing, nothing but Austin work. We’re getting a lot of calls from around the country now. We’re leveraging on our Austin work and doing several projects around the country. What do you enjoy in your free time? My kids are grown and gone, so I have a lot of free time on my hands. I’ve always liked sailing; I do a lot more sailing now just for pleasure. In the last year, I have gotten into competitive sailing at the Austin Yacht Club, crewing for other people, enjoying that and getting outside. I’ve also sailed in the Caribbean prior to the start of COVID. I also like to do woodworking; I have a shop at home, and one of my COVID projects was to improve my shop. I did some woodworking and just started getting into a little bit of plastics. I always like to travel. It’s in my blood; I like to see and experience new things and I feel like I’m home again. The most recent place I traveled to was Belize, which was really interesting. I’ve lived in Brazil and Panama and Belize is not like any other Latin America country I’ve lived in. Everyone has Spanish names but speak English and drink British beer! I enjoyed that. I would really like to see China. It’s a whole other culture that, when I was growing up, we were never stationed in Asia, so it was kind of a mystery to me. I’d like to spend a month there, soak it up and see what it’s about. This year marks your 20th year at Cornerstone Architects. Do you have plans to celebrate this milestone? We have some things in the works. We weren’t sure if COVID was going to be over, so we have been adapting those on the fly. It may be more personal than it was going to be. I don’t know where that’s at because we were going to see what the COVID situation was. We’re hoping, fingers crossed, that it will be a big celebration. Cornerstone Architects is an architectural and interior design firm in Austin, TX. –mjm

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Austin Construction News • JULY 2021

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Expansion into Austin

David Hiley

Elaine Buchhorn

ichael Swadley is well-known for instilling into his team members, “the righteous man stands by his word, even when his word hurts.” After returning home from doing missionary work in Mexico, Michael Swadley was quickly laid a new path. That path brought him to the Houston area with generators and lawn equipment to help the hundreds of people without power. He assisted in the massive clean-up efforts and helped those in need of repair to homes and businesses after Hurricane Ike hit the Houston/Galveston area in 2008. During that time, Swadley was acquired by a residential roofing company as a sales representative. From there, he learned the roofing business inside and out and came across a family-owned roofing business who needed to sell upon the passing of the company’s owner and operator. Swadley purchased the roofing company and began building the business as Swadley Roof Systems in 2014. As a oneman show, Swadley performed much of the work himself, eventually bringing on more people and developing a Christian-based culture, a culture in which they stand by their word, performing their work to the promise given to their clientele and each other.

Michael Swadley

In seven short years, Swadley Roof Systems has expanded and opened its second office in San Marcos, servicing San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christi and the Valley. This location is equipped with its own sheet metal shop offering a full line of metal fabrication for all roofing applications. “We provide installation, field measuring, and consulting,” says San Marcos Branch Manager David Hiley. “Our sheet metal products and services are used in both commercial and residential applications.” Swadley Roof Systems performs commercial, multi-family and residential roof systems. These systems include TPO roofing, low-slope/flat roofing, cool roof, composition shingles, modified bitumen roofing, metal roofing, high-end specialty roofs, PVC roofing, EPDM roofing, and sheet metal fabrication. “We have skilled fabricators and can do custom fabrication metal up to 16 gauge,” adds Hiley. “We have our own project managers, our own service techs, our in-house roofing crews so we personally manage our jobs,” adds Swadley Sales Representative Elaine Bucchorn. “We want to make sure that the job is covered, done right and most importantly, we want to ensure safety on every job.” Swadley Roof Systems is a full-service roofing company headquarted in Houston. -cmw

In memoriam

Wright Wood

right Wood, 55, passed away on Jun. 14 in Austin, TX after an intense battle with the COVID-19 virus. Wood was born on Aug. 8, 1965 in Houston, where he graduated from the Kinkade School. He attended the University of Texas at Austin and graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering. During his career, Wood focused on Estimating and Construction Management, work-ing in Dallas, Houston, Guam, Sacramento, and Las Vegas. He returned to Austin in 2007 to enjoy a successful career at Bartlett Cocke General Contractors as one of the foundational members for the Central

Texas office. In addition to spending time with his family, Wood enjoyed traveling, diving, studying history, and long drives in his Mustang. Wood was preceded in death by his parents Judson and Nancy Wood. He is survived by Elizabeth, his wife of 31 years; his sons Jackson and Grayson; his daughter Gabrielle; and his two brothers, John Wood and Judson Wood Jr.; and Judson’s family. A memorial service was held Jun. 27 at the Southwest Campus of Austin Ridge Bible Church. A celebration of his life followed at the Woods’ family home. Bartlett Cocke established the Wright Wood Scholarship Fund in his name. –mjm

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Austin Construction News • JULY 2021

Down Home heroes

Gene and Janice Rampy (far right) pose for a photo with six of the Down Home Ranch ranchers.

astrop, TX is home to an esteemed HVAC business that is owned and operated by two people with hearts as big as Texas! Gene and Janice Rampy, owners of Centex Mechanical Air & Heat, have selflessly supported their community since 1984. Gene earned his Master HVAC license in 1983 and, shortly after, he and Janice started Centex Mechanical Air & Heat in their hometown of Elgin, TX. For the first few years of operation, they officed out of their home and worked diligently day in and day out to grow their business. In 1997, they purchased their first location in Bastrop. They support various local non-profits they hold near and dear to their hearts. Centex Mechanical’s most recent gift was to Down Home Ranch, a non-profit in Elgin offering social, educational, residential, and vocational opportunities to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their help came at a time that was crucial to the organization: At the end of 2020, the HVAC unit failed in one of the bunkhouses used for DHR’s annual summer Ranch Camp. Knowing June was fast approaching, DHR had to come up with at least $10,000 to purchase a new unit. An unexpected expense of this size would have a large negative impact on the organization’s general operating budget. Cue Gene and Janice to the rescue! After visiting the ranch and seeing the immediate need for help, Gene and Janice

offered to donate the entire unit and labor for installation. When DHR Development Director Kelly Clarke found out about this donation, she stated with tears in her eyes, “This donation could not have come at a better time. We are forever grateful to Gene and Janice for their generosity and compassion for those we serve!” Down Home Ranch was founded in 1989 by Jerry and Judy Horton, whose daughter was born with Down Syndrome four years prior. Recognizing a lack of facilities that properly addressed the needs of children like their daughter, the Hortons began hosting ranch camps with cots and tents from the National Guard on 215-acres. Now celebrating 32 years, Down Home Ranch has grown into a 410-acre complex that includes The Learning Center, administration offices, a barn, a maintenance and repair shop, a pavilion, four large houses, six micro-houses, two cottages, five cedar cabins and two tiny houses. Last year, COVID-19 forced the organization to shut down Ranch Camp for a year. When it was safe to offer Ranch Camp this summer, slots quickly filled and excited staff prepared for a fun and busy summer. However, the ranch’s HVAC units are 10 to 14 years old, which could mean HVAC issues for many buildings, especially during hot summers. “To have 14 people in one bunkhouse sleeping with no air conditioning, that would just not work. It’s a week-long camp

that we do for five weeks. We had to have this space, and we were really in a bind,” Down Home Ranch President Craig Russell explains. “The way the building was and the way that it was set up, it was going to be expensive. It was one of those expenses that couldn’t have come at a worse time for us. To have Centex step forward like that was awesome. They put in a system in two days and didn’t charge a thing.” To try to replace the HVAC units before they fail (and to avoid freon prices, maintenance costs and wait times), DHR inventoried their existing HVAC units and noted the age of each. Since then, they have been searching for the needed funds: Down Home Ranch depends on grants and financial and in-kind donations from companies like Centex Mechanical to continue operation. “We always have construction projects we’re trying to fund and we’re always looking for people and companies, like Centex Mechanical, to partner with on projects,” Russell says. “Even when I’m paying for something, I always want to know who I’m working with and that I can trust them. I also want to know they are giving me a good price because it’s a nonprofit and I need to maintain good stewardship over the resources that are given to us. For me, it’s always being able to find organizations that we can partner with, construction companies that I can trust and know that the job is going to get

done right, especially when I’m dealing with things at an emergency level rather than being able to plan it out. Centex Mechanical was amazing to do this for us.” Thanks to Centex Mechanical’s generosity, Russell has peace of mind knowing that DHR can provide a safe environment for individuals who will attend and enjoy ranch camp this year. “Ranch Camp is a huge part of our legacy; we’re known for that and all of the great camp things: swimming, kayaking, archery, BB guns. It’s Ranch Camp full-on! The individuals have a blast,” Russell says. “It’s also one of the ways that we are able to serve people that is not a residential program. We have this beautiful piece of property with amenities, and we want people to be able to experience it. Camp has been one of the primary drivers behind that. During COVID, the place was very different. Knowing that we are opening it up and that we’re going to have people here, it’s exciting. I can’t wait.” Centex Mechanical Air & Heat’s commitment to philanthropy was one reason the company was recently recognized with the Carrier President’s Award. The honor is given to Carrier factory-authorized dealers for service to the community, leadership, management, customer satisfaction, expertise, business growth, and operational excellence. Centex Mechanical Air & Heat is located at 514 Old Austin Hwy., Bastrop, TX. -mjm

Centex Mechanical Air & Heat employees install a new A/C unit in one of the Down Home Ranch bunkhouses.

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Austin Construction News • JULY 2021

Page 7

OSHA

Reunited feels so good

Reflective Vests Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX

s Lauren Concrete employees and their families arrived at Georgetown’s Reunion Ranch for the company’s annual summer picnic, it felt every bit like a reunion. The family-centered company had not had an opportunity to gather since 2019, and everyone was on board to finally have some fun. Face painting, ziplines, basketball, paddleboats, swimming, fun photos, food, and prizes were all part of the package at the Jun. 19 event. Lauren Concrete will host another summer picnic for its east business unit employees in July. –mjm

uestion: Construction employees working on highway/ road construction work zones often risk being struck by traffic. Do the OSHA standards require high-visibility apparel for these construction workers?

Answer: Road and construction traffic poses an obvious and well-recognized hazard to highway/road construction work zone employees. OSHA standards require such employees to wear high visibility garments in two specific circum1 stances: when they work as flaggers and when they are exposed to public vehicular traffic in the vicinity of excavations. However, other construction workers in highway/road construction work zones are also exposed to the danger of being struck by the vehicles operating near them. For such workers, section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, 29 U.S.C. §654(a)(1), also known as the General Duty Clause, requires similar protection. The Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) issuance of a final rule (Worker Visibility, 23 CFR Part 634) demonstrates the need for all workers who are exposed either to public traffic or to construction vehicles and equipment to wear high-vis5 ibility apparel . Section 634.3 of the Worker Visibility Rule states: All workers within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway who are exposed either to traffic (vehicles using the highway for purposes of travel) or to construction equipment within the work area shall wear high-visibility safety apparel. The purpose of this requirement, as stated in section 634.1, is “to decrease the likelihood of worker fatalities or injuries caused by motor vehicles and construction vehicles and equipment....” In the preamble to the Worker Visibility rule, the FHWA stated:

High visibility is one of the most prominent needs for workers who must perform tasks near moving vehicles or equipment. The need to be seen by those who drive or operate vehicles or equipment is recognized as a critical issue for worker safety. The sooner a worker in or near the path of travel is seen, the more time the operator has to avoid an accident. The FHWA recognized this fact and included language in the 2000 Edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) to address this issue. OSHA construction standard Subpart G, 29 CFR 1926.201, titled Signaling, states: Flagmen shall be provided with and shall wear a red or orange warning garment while flagging. Warning garments worn at night shall be of reflectorized material. For daytime work, the flagger’s vest, shirt, or jacket shall be orange, yellow, strong yellow green or fluorescent versions of these colors. For nighttime work, similar outside garments shall be retro reflective. The retro reflective material shall be orange, yellow, white, silver, strong yellow-green, or a fluorescent version of one of these colors and shall be visible at a minimum distance of 1,000 feet. The OSHA standard does not specify that the garment must be a vest, the type of reflective strip or fasteners that should be used.

Lauren Concrete hosted employees and their families at its annual picnic.

Terence Green: Social media star!

Hard workers play hard, too.

Trash talkin’

natarajan.joann@dol.gov 512-374-0271 x232

Technology construction niche

The Texas Disposal Systems team served as “trash goalies” Jun. 19 at the Austin FC inaugural game. To keep the new venue clean and green, the TDS goalies educated fans about how to properly dispose of waste at the Q2 Stadium’s Eco Stations. –mjm

Booking good EquipmentShare, team Austin

rowing up in a technology-driven world, two brothers who had been working in construction realized that the construction industry was not an exception to technology. William and Jabbok Schlacks who have always had a foot in construction and have experienced the frustrations of managing assets, utilization and rental started EquipmentShare in 2014. The company has grown expeditiously in its seven short years. Originally established in Columbia, MO, EquipmentShare has over 80 branches in 29 states and two countries with 14 of those locations in Texas. “They realized really quick in the equipment industry that technology, like

everything, was growing in the world,” says Territory Account Manager Zac Patrick. “Housewares, appliances, everything else was Wi-Fi or cellular-based except equipment rental, so they had the idea that there needed to be an upgrade to the equipment industry and construction as a whole, to make it better. They started EquipmentShare and started renting equipment, or really originated sharing equipment. “We rent equipment, yes, but our main offering is the technology piece. It allows you to pretty much be live with each machine you have on rent or own.” EquipmentShare is an equipment rental company with offices in San Antonio and Austin. -cmw

Ground was broken Jun. 17 for Round Rock’s new public library. Work on the three-story building and 300-car parking garage, performed by General contractor Hensel Phelps, PGAL, Coleman & Associates, and 720 Design, is slated for completion late 2023. –mjm

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Austin Construction News • JULY 2021

INSURANCE

LEGAL

Three Insurance Industry Trends That All Contractors Should Be Aware Of Lauren Schuler, Vice President of Sales Time Insurance Austin, TX

ust as the construction world is ever changing so is the insurance industry. What are three key trends shaping the insurance world for contractors that are a must know? How do these dynamic shifts affect the pricing of your premium, shape the customer experience and present new risks you may not even have thought of? The first important trend that we are seeing is the rise of insurance premiums for auto and umbrella policies. You may have noticed the jump on the last renewal and asked your agent, “What the heck is going on?!” We are transitioning into what is defined as a “hard market”, meaning insurance premium rates are escalating due to the insurance companies underwriting to a far lower level of risk than what we have previously experienced. Policies that were once issued, are now not acceptable. More importantly, it has shifted much of the leverage you and your agent once had, nearly eliminating the ability to negotiate more favorable terms. You have now been warned! Most agencies do everything they can do stay ahead of the curve, but before you blame your agent on rising costs for reduced coverages, remember it’s the state of the market and everyone is experiencing the same pains. You may be wondering, what is causing the market to turn so fast? The cause of the increase in premium is a thee headed monster the insurance companies’ overall losses, which they have experienced an unprecedented amount this year, especially in Texas. Another sector of continued loss is through auto and distracted driving. Furthermore, Social inflation and third-party litigation financing continue to deteriorate the insurance carriers bottom line and exacerbate profitability issues further. Even during COVID-19, commercial vehicles were still on the road driving longer distances and per claim, experiencing more severe losses. Additionally, the increase in loss per claim is driven by litigation pay outs. Its main culprits are: the desensitization of jury awards, the influence of millennial views on judgments, the lack of tort reform, the rise of litigation funding and increased attorney advertising. As umbrella markets seek to increase their attachment point and excess markets seek placement higher in the excess tower; capacity for umbrella limits, especially in construction, are starting to disappear. A contractor who previously was insured in the standard market for all lines (including the umbrella), may now be forced to seek coverage in the surplus lines market. Trend number two is cyber insurance. Cyber insurance has been all the buzz in the insurance industry for the past few years. As our world continues to go digital, we open ourselves up to hundreds of cyber related issues each day. The work-from-home boom and deteriorating political stability between the U.S., Russia and China have resulted in increased cyber attacks from our biggest institutions, down to smaller companies and maybe your family. The continued increase of these cyber-attacks will further disrupt every aspect of life, critical supply chain systems and further lead to the

crippling of our countries infrastructure. So how should we protect our families and our businesses from these insidious cyberattacks? Cyber Insurance. Cyber-liability insurance is a policy that helps protect organizations from the fallout form cyberattacks and hacking threats. It can minimize business disruption during a cyber incident, limit the effects of its dreaded aftermath. as well as, provide some financial support as you recover. A cyber-attack isn’t just about money, the loss of data and intellectual property can be far more damaging in the long-run. Nothing is impenetrable and we now urge all clients to have some level of cyber coverage at renewal, in addition to suggesting ramping up their cyber technology to deter attacks in the first place. Trend number three is technology in the insurance space. The insurance industry has made leaps and bound the last few years in improving the customer experience for its insureds. Insurers have adopted hi-tech practices by using artificial intelligent software. The software can streamline data collection and risk assessment to get you policies quicker and at more accurate rates based on your particular profile. This same machine learning technology is also used in the claims process. Much of the back and forth with the insurance companies we all hated has been nearly eliminate. Claims are getting closed faster and more efficiently than ever thanks to technology. Even drones are now starting to be used to survey job sites and access damages in place of people. Most, if not all carriers have 24/7 claims services thanks to chatbots and efficient online systems. The continued investment in AI and other various technologies will drastically increase the efficiencies of a historically inefficient process. The sooner a quote can be issued or a claim is processed, the sooner you can get protected or paid. Time Insurance Agency with locations in Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas has proudly been serving the Texas construction industry for 60 years. With deep roots in the construction industry, we are able to serve your commercial, health, and surety needs. I am the proud third generation of Time Insurance, my grandfather started the Austin location in 1961. As Vice President of Sales, I continue to bring in the next generation of customers to Time and evolve the agency into a more tech forward space. Lauren Schuler Vice President of Sales Time Insurance Agency 1405 E. Riverside Drive Austin, TX 78741 800-365-6065 Fax 512-440-0989

Attention ACCOUNTING, INSURANCE & LEGAL FIRMS If you would like to submit quarterly construction-related columns in these professional industries, please contact Construction News at our home office in San Antonio: 210-308-5800

The Evolution of Force Majeure Christian Trevino Associate Cokinos | Young Austin, TX

anuary 21, 2020 - the United States confirms the first U.S. case of COVID-19. Two weeks later, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a Public Health Emergency that sent America into a frenzy and brought the booming construction industry to a sudden halt. Nationwide, companies scoured their contracts for guidance on what happens when the unthinkable happens. How is this going to affect my business? Who is responsible for these delays? Is notice required? Is this a force majeure? What does force majeure even mean? While attorneys and businesses alike hunted for answers, job sites shut down, the price of materials began to rise, and projects incurred delays. Governor Abbott issued an executive order exempting the construction industry from shutdown restrictions. With extensive case law on epidemics/pandemics in Texas lacking and abundant uncertainty, the industry was forced to do its best to interpret force majeure and notice provisions, and to adapt on the fly. Most standard contract language yields a considerable amount of discretion in determining what qualifies as a force majeure event. This “discretion” left companies in the precarious position of trying to perform as an “essential business,” but facing severe limitations with crews, supplies, and job site access. Now, while the country has slowly rebounded from COVID-19, there are lingering effects on the industry—especially with regard to contract law and “force majeure” in Texas. What is Force Majeure? Force majeure is a French term that literally means “greater force,” but has come to describe acts of God generally accepted as outside contracting parties’ control. Most force majeure clauses include events such as war, terrorism, strikes, civil unrest, acts of God, epidemics, pandemics, and other unforeseeable events beyond the parties’ control. The American Institute of Architects, makers of industry standard construction forms, does not specifically reference “force majeure” in its General Conditions of the Contract for Construction, but the emergency provision reads as follows: “In an emergency affecting safety of persons or property, the Contractor shall act, at the Contractor’s discretion, to prevent threatened damage, injury or loss. Additional compensation or extension of time claimed by the Contractor on account of an emergency shall be determined as provided in Article 15 and Article 7.” Contracts without a force majeure provision Parties without force majeure provisions are forced to rely on the common law and legal theories of commercial impossibility/impracticability/frustration of purpose when seeking relief from contractual obligations. Where a party’s performance is made impracticable by the occurrence of an event, an event that the contract assumed would not occur, that party’s duty to render performance may be discharged under the “doctrine of impossibility.” Centex Corp. v. Dalton, 840 S.W.2d 952, 954 (Tex. 1992). The impossibility defense has been referred to by Texas courts as impossibility of performance, commercial impracticability, and frustration of purpose. Texas courts have not drawn distinctions between these theories. Key Energy Services, Inc. v. Eustace, 290 S.W.3d 332, 339–40 (Tex. App.— Eastland 2009, no pet.). Determining whether the nonoccurrence of a particular event was or was not a basic assumption of the parties, for purposes of a defense to a claim of breach of contract alleging impracticability of performance of the contract, involves a judgment as to which party assumed the risk of the event’s occurrence. Tractebel Energy Mktg., Inc. v. E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co., 118 S.W.3d 60, 64 n. 6 (Tex. App.— Houston [14th Dist.] 2003, pet. denied).

The Cost of Doing Business Force majeure has evolved from acts

of God and unthinkables to essentially an allocation of risk. Which party contractually accepted the risk for such an occurrence? Was this occurrence unforeseeable? What remedies are available? While in the early months of the pandemic delays associated with COVID-19 were unforeseeable, parties soon began incorporating provisions allocating said risk in their contracts or specifically excluding COVID-19 as a force majeure event. The novelty of the disease wore off with time, at least in the construction industry, and companies have been forced to accept certain risks associated with COVID-19 from community spread to jobsite restrictions as a cost of doing business. The unthinkable became the thought-upon and the negotiated. Moving forward, construction contracts will focus, not on the unthinkable, but on the assumption of risk and attempting to predict the unforeseeable. Catch-all language will be negotiated and risks allocated accordingly. Expect companies with stronger bargaining power to generally have lower risk tolerances, and vice versa. Companies have used COVID-19 as an opportunity to revisit their risk profiles in construction contracts, especially when it comes to labor shortages and the rising cost of materials. Notice provisions will also be heavily scrutinized and negotiated. Today, more and more contracts are considering emails as sufficient notice in lieu of the more formal certified mail. While the change makes notice less burdensome, it also adds importance to ensuring management’s inboxes receive the proper attention. Practice Tips • What does all this mean in practice? Be prepared. Know your contracts. Think about the following: • Does this event qualify as a force majeure/excusable delay under the contract? • What does the notice provision require? • What remedies are available for delays? Time? Time and Compensation? • Are there liquidated damages? Consequential damages? • Does your contract include waivers of claims? • Who bears the risk/burden? The questions above are a starting point for a proper evaluation of delay claims. Remember to document your claims and keep a paper trail. As work begins to return to normal, take time to re-examine your contracts and do not hesitate to reach out with any questions. Christian Trevino’s practice focuses on commercial litigation and construction law. Christian was born and raised in San Antonio and grew up around his family’s construction company. Christian is a graduate of Texas A&M Univ. and The Univ. of Texas School of Law. Christian can be reached via email at ctrevino@cokinoslaw.com or by phone at 512-615-1147.

Austin Construction News • JULY 2021

Page 9

Summer Fishing Outlook Better Than Expected 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

Bubba Montalvo hosted a twp-boat trip with some Capital Aggregate customers or a couple of day with Steve Schultz Outdoors. The bite was on, and they were able to box multiple species on their outing.

can’t believe how different and difficult this year is on the water. It has literally been a challenge each and every day to put clients on fish. What fish were there yesterday may not necessarily be there the following day. Each day, when I push-off the dock, I have to wonder if it will be a good day or am I going to fall flat on my face. All I know for the most part is I have an awesome clientele that has been with me for over 20 years and have seen lots of good days and some not so good. They are fully aware that mother nature has control of every living specimen on this earth and will take care of the balance her way. As I mentioned in my last column, my plan was to start fishing north of the JKF causeway in search for a more consistent bite on speckled trout. That plan came together the last several weeks of June when the winds laid and I was able to access the deeper waters of Corpus Christi Bay. My gut feeling was right and I was

Greg Wilbanks and Johnny Byres teamed up on a double redfish fight last month fishing Steve Schultz Outdoors.

able to get on a fairly decent trout bite for a good stretch of time. Seems like the deeper waters of the CC Bay area helped keep the mortality rates lower than the bays south of the JFK bridge. That, in conjunction with the inlets (Packery Channel and the Port Aransas jetties) that feed this bay, help keep the numbers strong. I was also able to get out into the surf a few times during these low wind and calm seas days where the speckled trout bite was phenomenal. The beaches along the Texas coastline were basically spared from the freeze and hold a variety of species of fish. Redfish, speckled trout, are the most common species sought after along the beachfront. However, don’t be surprised if you see a few sharks and tarpon along the way. Although we have been fishing north of the JFK Causeway, we are sticking to the limits imposed by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) on the south side of the bridge by only harvesting three trout per person between the 17–23-inch mark. I still believe we have a long road of recovery to get our trout populations back to where they were, and I am hopeful that the folks at TPWD will keep the temporary limits in place till we see a definite change. By now, the shock is over from our February fish kill and I can clearly see we are going to get through this. It’s really amazing to see the support from my clients and fellow guides that are so passionate about this amazing sport to be able to make the necessary changes to get our bays back healthy again. It just takes a little educating to the folks that don’t know what went on, and they are eager to help out. My fishing calendar is getting full fairly quickly, so don’t hesitate in booking your next fishing outing. Here are some dates in the next couple of months I’d like to fill: July 12,14,15,16 August 2,3,12,13,16, 19,23,24,25,27,30,31. 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. Follow me on Facebook and Ins tagram@Steve _ Schult z _O utdoors. Good Luck and Good Fishing.

Celebrate July 4th!

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Austin Construction News • JULY 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

So Many Fish!

ven if it has been a crazy weather year so far, some of this chaos seems to have made fishing better. We were noticing that our stripers and hybrids seemed to be coming in larger this year. There were a lot of fishing trips that didn’t happen last year due to the pandemic. It seems to make sense that would translate to a bunch of fish that got to stay in the lake one more year to grow. This year we have had to cancel many trips due to freezes, high winds and thunderstorms. The fish got to stay in the water a little longer, the summer heat was a little slow to get cranked up, and the rains brought us in some fresh, cool water to keep the stripers on the biting side. We are seeing good catches come into the dock. Nice size and frequent limits. This is due in no small part to the diligence of our guides. While the catching is good, the fishing from the guide’s point of view can be challenging. Some days the shad we use for live bait are readily caught. Other days you would think there were no shad in this lake. It takes a really gifted fishing guide to be able to take whatever he has to work with and deliver a memorable fishing trip. Our secret weapon on no-shad days is to use umbrella rigs to simulate our own school of shad. If we are having a hard time finding shad, it often seems like the stripers must be having the same problem. When we show up trolling the umbrella rigs by, they really get the striper’s attention. Sometimes and angler can reel in a rig with three hungry fish on at once! We had one trip the other day that had two of those rigs loaded up at the same time. Now that was a tussle!

Pick-your-treat picnic!

here is a first for everything, and at CapStar Electric’s first annual employee and customer picnic, everything was available for team members to try! Rock climbing, swimming, canoeing, tug-of-war, and a shaved ice stand were only a few of the fun treats for guests to enjoy at the June event! –mjm

As we get farther into summer, we will just have to see what kind of weather we get. If we can keep getting a little heat relief from some breezes, cloudy days and occasional showers, we can expect the stripers and hybrids to remain nice and active. If we settle in to those old 100 degree plus days with no wind and no end in sight, the fishing will usually slow down until the water starts to cool down again for fall. This time of year, it is all about the see-saw of that dreaded dome of high pressure that can lock in on us in late summer, and what kind of activity we see in the tropics as hurricane season progresses. The only thing that can temper late summer heat is the power of the gulf. Who knows which will be more in control in the coming weeks? Whatever we get, isn’t it great to get back out and load up the gang and get back on the water? We are very thankful for our fishing friends that have made it through this last year. Thank you for making a fishing trip one of the first things you wanted to do when things got better!

Austin Construction News • JULY 2021

KEN MILAM CONTINUED

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Austin Construction News • JULY 2021

Page 13

Association Calendar

A Capitol idea!

Content submitted by Associations to Construction News ABC

Associated Builders & Contractors

Jul. 15: ELG Membership Meeting, Location TBD. Jul. 22: Membership Mingle, Location TBD. For more info, call Jodi Bunyard at 512-719-5263 or email jbunyard@abccentraltexas.org ACEA

Greater Austin Contractors & Engineers Assn.

Jul. 8: Monthly Membership Luncheon, Norris Conference Center, 2525 W. Anderson Ln., 11:30am-1pm, $35 Member, $40 On-Site Member, $50 Non-Member. For info, call Silvia Pendleton at 512-893-7067 AGC

Associated General Contractors

512-478-5629 or email pauline@agctbb.org CENTEX IEC

Central Texas Chapter Independent Electrical Contractors

Jul. 24: Apprentice Graduation, Norris Conference Center, Red Oak Ballroom, 2525 W. Anderson Ln., 10am-12pm, Seating is Limited! For more info, contact Suzanne Johnson at 512-461-0723 or email admin@centexiec.com. NAWIC

National Assn. of Women in Construction

Jul. 14: Chapter Meeting – Safety Panel, Pappasito’s Cantina, 6513 N I-15, 5:308pm. For more info, contact Danielle Dlugosh at ddlugosh@henselphelps.com SEAot

Structural Engineers Association of Texas

Jul. 14: Lunch & Learn, Stormwater: From Burden to Bliss, CLC Community Service Event, AGC Office, 609 S. Lamar Blvd., 11:30am-1:30pm. For more info, contact Toni Osberry at 512-442-7887

Jul. 22 Chapter Meeting via Gotowebinar. For more info, call 512-553-9635 or email info@seaotAustin.org

AGC TBB

Texas Asphalt Pavement Assn.

Associated General Contractors Texas Building Branch

Jul. 27-29: AGC TBB Annual Convention, Beauport Hotel, Gloucester, MA. For more info, contact Pauline Preston at

TXAPA

Jul. 1-2: TxDOT Letting Jul. 19: Quarterly Membership Meeting and Technology Showcase. For more info, contact Lauren Selvik at 512-521-0655 or email lselvik@texasasphalt.org

What did you do good for somebody today? I stayed on the phone with a friend whose vehicle started overheating on a long stretch of isolated road until a toll truck arrived to pick her up. Elaine Buchhorn, Swadley Roof Systems I actually took a co-worker to lunch and then took him to his house to get another vehicle because his car broke down. Joe Stewart, ERW Site Solutions

so that they can build a healthy, durable home within their budget. I helped a lady today in the Valley who wanted to build a home for her and her husband to retire on a budget. We’re happy to give that advice away at no charge. Phil Bryant, Professional Builders Supply

My wife and I just took our little kids on a beach trip to give them their first experience of going to the beach, swimming, seeing the fish and going through memory lane of some of the vacations we used to do as a kid. I feel like that’s important and a good thing to do and give them experiences you had a kid. Tyler Olfers, ECS Southwest LLP

Last night was my 18th wedding anniversary. We had some friends that were unexpectedly displaced due to some moving circumstances and didn’t’ have a place to stay. We put them up in our house last night and cancelled our anniversary plans so that they didn’t have to stay with their kiddos and their dog in a hotel. We didn’t have the heart to tell them that it was our wedding anniversary. They probably would have not taken us up on the offer had they known, but it was good. Steve Strauss, Mend

I don’t really like to answer that, because a good deed doesn’t have to be praised. I don’t read the Bible every day, but that’s one of the things that always stuck out, that you do a favor from your heart, you don’t do it for praise. The things I do, I just try to be good to others. Robert Flores, Erfurt Blasting Inc.

I carry around water bottles and packets of crackers to give to people on the corners at streetlights. I don’t have enough money to give them all money. I was trying to think of something I could afford to do for the masses that I know would be useful to them. Everyone needs to eat and drink. Cristina Kinney, Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing

The ICF solution is something many people would like to have, but that some cannot afford. When they call into Professional Building Supply, they have a number of questions about how they can make it work for them. Some call from areas where it really doesn’t make sense for us to be involved as a builder. In those cases, I have no problem whatsoever referring these people to other builder, especially economical ones,

Mentorship is a big part of our culture and is one way to define our Core Purpose of “Building Success Together.” The good deeds that happen around our organization while mentoring or being mentored are too numerous to recount. Building Success Together is not possible without the many good deeds of many. Dominic Padilla, White Construction Comapny

Two pink granite slabs offer a place for WGI team members to sit – and an interesting backstory.

itting outside at WGI’s Austin office, In fact, WGI had the perfect plan for them: two large, elegant pink granite slabs The blocks were given a good scrub and invite employees and passersby to turned into beautiful benches to flank the sit a spell and take a break from the day. office. Some of the sitters who enjoy these spots Now, the pink granite benches at probably don’t know that they are 2021 East 5th St. welcome visitors, provide parking themselves on an interesting respite and keep the forward-thinking firm connected to the past. piece of history. WGI is a national engineering, geo Close to the office and behind the slabs is a train line, which once hauled spatial and professional services firm. – granite from Marble Falls, TX to the Texas mjm Capitol. Not all of the blocks, however, reached their destination; a few fell off of the line along the way only to remain unclaimed or not put to another use. WGI, a national firm, arrived in Austin in January 2019 as part of the acquisition of BIG RED DOG Engineering and Consulting. When excavation began for WGI’s Engineering building, several of the massive pink granite blocks were unearthed. This time, they Once discarded and forgotten, the slabs serve a new weren’t considered useless. purpose for WGI. s

Submitted to Construction News

Round-Up

White Construction Company is pleased to announce: Herb Deazvedo has joined White Construction Company to lead an expanded team dedicated solely to interior finish-out projects. He will be guiding a group of top-notch construction managers to build out owners’ visions for workspaces in the active construction environment. -cmw

Krysta Stauch, Relationship Manager, joined the White Construction family in January of this year. She joins Deazvedo to razor-focus WCC’s interiors team on clients’ needs for interiors renovation and new construction. -cmw

Mark Hauser joins Cash Construction Company Inc. as Project Manager. Hauser has worked in construction and land development for the past seven years in the Austin area. Before moving to Austin, he worked for 10 years in construction and real estate in San Antonio. –mjm

TDIndustries is proud to announce that Greg Bailey has been promoted to Director of Business Development and will be taking on a regional role for both TD’s Austin and San Antonio offices. Bailey, a TD partner for almost four years, will guide business development sales efforts including new construction and more. –mjm

H&E Equipment Services is pleased to announce the return of David Hobbs as Executive Vice President. Hobbs returns after 15 years of holding top management and executive roles with the nation’s largest rental equipment company. He will report directly to the company’s president and COO, driving forward the execution of H&E’s strategic plan and grow the company’s rental business. -cmw

Dunaway has hired Leia Novosad as a Project Engineer II for its Central Texas team. Novosad brings over a decade of experience in the design of utility, roadway, drainage, and site improvements. A University of Texas graduate, Novosad has extensive ArcGIS analysis tool experience. Her work has included rehab and new development in the Austin West Campus area. –mjm

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Austin Construction News • JULY 2021

Teams together

eliz Construction celebrated its Austin and El Paso team members, after a year and a half of social distancing, with an appreciation cookout. Together again, the employees bonded over good food and fun activities. They also nominated team members for awards: Ana Karen Rodriguez and Joram Carranza received the “Above and Beyond” award and Jerry Bombach and Miguel Penaflor were named “Safety Rock Stars”. As a special treat, the dads in the group were treated to Father’s Day gifts. –mjm

continued from Page 1 — White Construction Company participation within non-profit organizations such as Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the Real Estate Council of Austin (RECA) to thank them for supporting us over our company’s history,” White explains. The company is currently working on an anniversary video that pays homage to its history and those who have supported its success, with interviews of key clients and staff. The video with reflect on the journey of Charles N. White, who founded White Construction Company in 1971 in Clarksdale, MS and his sons Neel White and Guy White, CEO, who serve as second-generation leadership. WCC has grown in its half-century of operation, with two Texas locations in Austin and Houston, and two additional offices in Mississippi and Florida. Today, the firm constructs a broad range of

corporate, public education, faith-based, and community projects and has recently expanded its focus on corporate interiors. Notable projects include the Dell Headquarters campuses, National Instruments Headquarters, the Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, the U.S. Courthouse in Austin, over 50 projects for Whole Foods Market, the Texas Facilities Commission’s Barbara Jordan Building, and the Underground Parking Garage and Pedestrian Mall. “We are very thankful to the community of clients, partners, subcontractors, employees, and our families who have helped us thrive for 50 years,” Neel says. “They made our success possible.” White Construction Company is in Austin with offices in Houston, Panama City Beach, FL, and Ridgeland MS. –mjm

continued from Page 1 — Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical Veliz Construction’s Austin and El Paso teams enjoyed an appreciation cookout.

After social distancing for about 18 months, Veliz’ teams embraced the togetherness.

and Southwest Sales. Employees gave guests tours of the new facility, and virtual viewers of the grand opening had the chance to win two tickets to an Austin FC home game. General Manager Duane Moore oversees the Austin staff at the new location. With more than 20 employees and plans to reach 100 employees by 2023, Abacus is currently looking for skilled technicians to join their team. – mjm

Abacus General Manager Duane Moore, Austin FC’s Alison Roscoe and Abacus Founder/CEO Alan O’Neill celebrate the Abacus/Austin FC partnership

continued from Page 1 — Erfurt Blasting Inc.

Raffle prizes, team member awards and Father’s Day gifts made the day even more special.

truck – ‘One of these days, this might be yours.’ I thought he was just talking.” Erfurt asked again in February 2020, and Flores realized that the talking had turned to truth. “I saw the seriousness in his face, so I said I needed to talk to my wife first,” Flores says. “My wife said, ‘Life is nothing but experiences. Let’s just try it.’ There’s never really a good time or a bad time. I’ve always taken the approach that life is short and to just do it.” Flores stepped into his new role as company president, only to be met with the COVID-19 pandemic the next month. “It was scary, but I was already going in with “50/50” mindset – 50% we’re going to do well, or 50% I’m going to run EBI into the ground,” Flores says with a chuckle. “But at least I wouldn’t have regrets that I never tried it. Businesses were shutting down left and right during these times and I thought this is going to stink, but at least I have an excuse if it doesn’t work out: COVID!” Fortunately, business remained steady for a few months until Flores says it “blew

up and work started flowing in.” Flores credits his team of 20 employees in Austin and San Antonio for keeping the company running during a challenging time. “The guys that have been with us for a while, a lot of our success is due to them,” Flores says. “My goal when I said I would take over the company was, if this company is going to be good to me, I’m going to be good to the company. I try to stay balanced on that.” Flores also gives credit to Erfurt, who continues to play a role in the company as Project Coordinator. “David is still a major part of the backbone of this company,” Flores says. “Without him, a lot of this would be impossible.” “I would like to grow a little bit more, but I’m just going day by day,” Flores says. “My hope is to keep EBI running successfully for many more years to come and that everybody that works with me gets as blessed as I am in this business.” Erfurt Blasting Inc. is in Austin and San Antonio. –mjm

Coming to you, Live

Marking the occasion

Live Oak Brewing Company was the perfect picnic spot for Texas Society of Professional Surveyors’ Chapter 13 on May 29. In the group’s first in-person event in a more than a year, nearly 80 members enjoyed a bite, a beer and a big chance to win door prizes. –mjm

On May 28, JE Dunn’s Austin team celebrated the ongoing construction of the Austin Fire Department 51/Austin-Travis County EMS 40 station with a beam signing. –mjm

Austin Construction News • JULY 2021

Page 15

How to reduce waste (and save money) at your construction site

Reuse materials • When possible, plan for future deconstruction using mechanical fasteners such as bolts, and screws. • Invest in reusable products for temporary applications such as a steel mesh fence. • Sell or donate unused and salvaged materials. Donating materials can count towards a project’s overall diversion to meet the ordinance’s requirements. • Repair items so they can be reused. • Use local reuse networks such as The Austin Materials Marketplace to find new reuse and recycling market opportunities.

he City of Austin’s Construction and Demolition (C&D) Recycling Ordinance requires general contractors to reuse and recycle material for affected projects. At the time of final inspection, contractors must also submit an online report showing how they met the requirements. An efficient recycling program can help general contractors meet the city’s requirements with limited time and labor. Here are some tips for creating a successful recycling program on your job site. Plan ahead Determine what type of waste the project will generate during each phase. From there, you can figure out what type of processors, recyclers and/or haulers will work best for the project. A mixed C&D processor allows you to mix most materials into one dumpster. Other recyclers require materials to be separated on the job site. Although separation can take more time and space, it allows for a greater savings and the potential for higher recycling rates to meet the ordinance’s requirements. Ensure haulers, processors, and recycling facilities will provide weight tickets for each load. You will need the weight ticket to fill out the required online report and the end of project. Set up the job site for success Consider how many dumpsters, recycling containers, and storage areas the project will need. Clearly label containers with images of materials to promote effective sorting. When possible, pair recycling dumpsters next to landfill trash dumpsters to reduce the risk of trash ending up in the recycling container. Too much trash in a recycling con-

Construction in Austin

tainer can result in the whole dumpster being taken to a landfill instead of being recycling. Train staff and subcontractors Educate and train all employees throughout the project. You can address recycling at job site meetings, orientation, or lunches. Provide all employees, including subcontractors, a copy of the job site recycling instructions. Everyone on the project needs to know that proper recycling is needed for the project to meet the city’s requirements. Site photographs can help communicate the impact of construction debris being put in the incorrect recycling or landfill trash dumpster or cart.

Reduce waste The best environmental and cost-effective solution is to reduce the amount of waste created during a project. Implement waste reduction at all stages of a project, from procurement to final inspection. • When finding suppliers, consider ones that offer reusable or returnable packaging options. • Plan deliveries to align with construction stages. • Avoid excess and only order what you need. “Just-in-time” delivery strategies can reduce waste created. This will help keep materials from being stored on-site before they are needed and reduce the risk of damage.

Recycle materials • Set up separate collection areas for materials you plan on reusing on-site, recycling, and donating to keep them separate, clean, and accessible. • Collect hazardous material in a separate container to reduce the risk of contamination to other materials. • During the project, keep all weight tickets. You can compile them into a tracking form to make filling in your required Construction Recycling Report at the end of the project easier. Be sure to include the material description, the hauler information, the destination information, and the quantity diverted on the tracking form. Article courtesy of Austin Resource Recovery. Learn more about the City of Austin’s Construction and Demolition Recycling ordinance, find a list of C&D processors, and reuse organizations and recycling facilities at austintexas.gov/cd. -cmw

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Austin Construction News • JULY 2021

Blue Sushi a lot of banging on sheet metal putting ductwork together, so we had some restrictions to start off, like we couldn’t work with a hammer before 9am so that people would not be woken up by the sounds.” Jaramillo says working in a tight space surrounded by heavy traffic was also a challenge. “One of the other things we had to overcome was having a crane to set AC systems on the roof, especially in the area where Blue Sushi is located,” he explains. “It’s at an intersection that is coming in from the highway; there’s a lot of people coming in from that area, so traffic was

BUILD-PRO Mechanical Elgin, TX

BUILD-PRO Mechanical was brought in to complete the HVAC portion of Trinity Contractors’ Blue Sushi remodel.

he Blue Sushi remodel at Austin’s The Domain was just one of many projects interrupted by the pandemic. A contractor had just secured permitting to start the project’s HVAC portion when COVID paused the project for a year. When building resumed recently, Trinity Contractors needed a different HVAC contractor to finish what had been started and invited HVAC contractor BUILD-PRO Mechanical to complete the work. To start, BUILD-PRO Mechanical General Manager Ereli Jaramillo, Project Manager Chris Larravelt, and their team began demolition of the 7,000sf space, which had previously served as a Kona Grill. “We first demolished the existing kitchen and HVAC-related equipment,” Jaramillo explains. “We demolished the hoods, the chill water units, and the cool line. After that, we demolished the duct work, flexible ductwork, diffusers, and deenergized the units, and removed all of the electrical components of the room. Then

always going to be an issue.” Jaramillo jokes that his team’s demolition work left the site looking “like a messy teenager’s bedroom” until the space was made ready for the HVAC installation. Finished in April, the space now looks – and feels – cool, just in time for summer dining. “By the time we finished, it started coming together,” Jaramillo says. “With the new theme that Blue Sushi brings, it’s fabulous.” BUILD-PRO Mechanical is in Elgin, TX. –mjm

ilker Café at Barton Springs Pool was constructed in 1960, with the intent of providing food and beverage services to locals and visitors of Zilker Park. It is a contributing structure to the Zilker National Register Historic District. The mid-century design of the building, designed by Paul Roesle, was intended to compliment the current Barton Springs Bathhouse. In early 2016, there was an inspection by the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department. It was determined that there were many challenges in the building, ranging from severely deteriorated structu-ral conditions, multiple violations of current codes, outdated utilities, and a lack of accessibility. Hazardous material reports indicated that asbestos and lead were also found in the building. The café was closed in 2016 when these structural and environmental problems were discovered. The rehabilitation of Zilker Café needed to reflect the original look and feel of the building and certain components of the building had to be preserved. In order to re-open the building, extensive renovations to bring the facility up to code needed to take place. The building also needed to meet or exceed the Secretary of Interior’s Standards and receive approval from the Historical Landmark Commission. The City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) contracted with Jamail & Smith Construction and CasaBella Architects to undertake the

we moved on to demolish the existing walk-in cooler system. Once we were done with that, there was a period where the general contractor had to come in and demo and bring other trades in to get it ready for new build out. Then we installed our system.” One main challenge of the project was permitting, which had just been secured by the other contractor when the pandemic impacted the project. “When COVID hit, it slowed down the permitting process,” Jaramillo says. “Having the other contractor on the project as the permit holder for the mechanical portion of it and going through that process took about three weeks, when it would typically take a couple of days maximum.” Containing work-related noise within a certain time window was also a priority for BUILD-PRO. “There were certain noise restrictions as there is limited space in the apartment complex in the area,” Jaramillo says. “We do

BUILD-PRO demolished the existing HVAC system in order to install a new system that worked for the client.

Zilker Café

Jamail & Smith Construction rehabilitated Zilker Café at Barton Springs, which was closed for five years due to structural and environmental problems.

construction effort and design of the project. Jamail & Smith deconstructed the building from the inside out, removing the roof, ceiling, walls, glazing, framing, and kitchen equipment, reducing the facility to the slab and historic Lueders stone walls. The Lueders stone walls were temporarily shored until the finished framing could be installed. Plumbing was installed below the slab. To secure the historic masonry, while allowing for a future mechanical system that would be installed on the roof, new steel and wood framing was installed from the inside out. The original design of Zilker Café had a low-profile, flat, cantilevered roof, that was very difficult to replicate and meet current mechanical and health code requirements. To overcome this challenge, a layered roof system was designed and constructed which included a steel

supported cantilever, parapet, and rooftop equipment screen. It was decided that a sleek and modern high visibility storefront system would be installed with automatic serving windows to maximize natural light. To save energy, LED lighting was installed both inside and outside of the building, replacing the current incandescent and fluorescent lighting. In the midst of construction, it became apparent that the mechanical duct work would not allow for the proper clearance below the vent hood. The team, Jamail & Smith, CasaBella Architects and PARD, worked together to come up with a solution to adjust the structural joists to accommodate the vent hood. Our team also needed to ensure that the kitchen was properly ventilated. This was accomplished by the installation of

a modern mechanical system on the roof and hidden behind a sleek perforated screen matching the storefront windows. Our team ensured the safety of the facility against kitchen fires by installing an Ansul Fire Suppression System. Additionally, since Zilker Café is located in an endangered species zone, all of the products used on the project were specifically chosen to adhere to strict environmental standards to ensure the safety of wildlife in the area. Jamail & Smith worked closely with the design team and the Parks and Recreation Department to deliver a quality construction solution that met their exact needs. Dedicated to making their clients look great, Jamail & Smith worked closely with the design team and the Austin Parks and Recreation department to deliver a quality construction result that adhered to the unique needs of this historic and beloved café. With over a million visitors per year, Barton Springs Pool continues to be a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. Jamail & Smith is honored to have been a part of the rehabilitation of such an historic and cherished facility to the Austin community. Jamail & Smith Construction is in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. –mjm Jamail & Smith Construction Austin, TX

Austin Construction News • JULY 2021

ursthalle in New Braunfels, TX is the main center for Wurstfest, an annual 10-day festival commemorating German culture. When the 2019 Wurstfest concluded, a fire started destroying the Marketplatz and damaging the iconic Wursthalle. Members of the Wurstfest Rebuild Committee swiftly brought on design/builder Byrne Construction to help them completely rebuild in time for the 2020 Wurstfest. Byrne engaged Marmon Mok Architecture as their design partner. The Marketplatz was designed to be a separate building from Wursthalle, or rather four buildings linked by a single roof with large overhangs. This was designed to enhance crowd control and improve the experience of festival goers through air flow and natural lighting. The new buildings were designed in a German look with Fachwerk styling that features external wood supports. Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing was selected by Byrne Construction for concrete restoration on Wursthalle and waterproofing installation on the new Marketplatz. Time was of the essence on this project, as everything had to be completed within seven months for the 60th Annual Wurstfest. Construction had to conclude by the middle of October to allow the vendors enough time to set up their booths. The schedule was to remain the same even after COVID-19 hit and Wurstfest was canceled. Chamberlin crew members were one of the first trades on site in March of 2020 working under Byrne Construction. While roof repairs were needed, the buttresses and walls had to be repaired first to stabilize the building. Shoring was in place to secure the roof while the first task at hand was tackled. The Marketplatz was attached to Wursthalle and, when it burned down, it damaged the buttresses that were supporting the adjoining wall and roof of

Page 17

Wursthalle of Wurstfest

Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing installed peel and stick waterproofing at the new Wursthalle and Marketplatz.

the hall. The extreme heat from the fire caused the concrete buttresses to crack and pull away from the wall in some areas. It also caused severe spilling in multiple locations. Nineteen buttresses were in need of concrete repairs. The crew began by removing all loose spalls and unsound concrete from identified buttresses and the wall using hand tools only. No mechanized tools were used for fear the vibrations would cause even more cracking and damage. The crew then prepared the concrete surfaces per Sika Sarnafil requirements, coating all exposed reinforcements and steel plates with Sika Armatec 110 EpoCem to receive Sika VOH repair mortar. To repair the cracks, Chamberlain installed stabilization ports into the wall, injected the cracks with Sikadur 35 Mod LV, removed

the ports and then sealed over the cracks. Due to the age of Wursthalle, the buttresses and wall still had the imprint of the original forms. The crew had to match those imprints so the patches and repairs would blend evenly with the parts that were not destroyed in the fire. Through several mock-ups and trial runs, a solution to diligently match the imprints to make the building cohesive was found. The fire brought all of Marketplatz to the ground, making an entire redesign necessary. Chamberlin’s scope included furnishing and installing self-adhered membrane flashing at window and door openings, structural columns up to the I-beams and at the base of the wall where stucco meets stone. The walls were an extremely unique product, an insulated metal stud panel

system that utilizes EPS (High Density Expanded Polystyrene) from Novidesa that is manufactured in Mexico City. These panels replace typical batt and rigid insulation, metal stud framing, sheathing, and water-proofing in one step. The challenge for Chamberlin was how to integrate these panels with Chamberlin’s waterproofing into a warrantable product. Byrne Construction, Carlisle Coatings and Waterproofing Inc. and Chamberlin went through several mock-ups to determine an installation method that would successfully seal off the I-beams and wall panels at the base of the walls, openings, and structural columns with the peel and stick waterproofing. The scope also included installing site sealants at various locations on the limestone façade, men’s and women’s restrooms and hollow metal door frames. Water repellants were installed in the exterior stone at the end of the buildings, the urinal walls, exterior tap wall and at the trash enclosure stone. Lastly, Chamberlin installed stainless steel to the top of the stone walls at the through-wall condition at the end of the buildings. Chamberlin was able to rectify the buttresses and stabilize Wursthalle as well as help rebuild the Marketplatz within a short time frame and zero safety incidents. While finding new ways to work peel and stick waterproofing into a unique wall system and keeping the history of Wursthalle intact, Chamberlin contributed to a dedicated project team led by Byrne Construction who helped the long-time German traditions continue in New Braunfels. –mjm

Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing Buda, TX

Kitchen remodel about four tons suspended by brick ties from the old wall sheathing. The shoring crew added shores under the brick mass while a solution was sought. PB Construction’s structural engineer suggested adding a freestanding W8 x 15 lintel which could be supported on continuous brick pockets which rest on the foundation on either side of the opening. The lintel had to be threaded through the small forest of shoring and we took down the shores under the brick, hoping that the brick ties would hold, then heaved up into place. The space allotted was just enough to slide one end home and then put the other end in place – with nothing to spare. –mjm

uring a project to expand a kitchen for a customer, PB Construction made an unsettling discovery. A previous owner had added a two-story wing to the back of the structure, which was sheathed with brick. Instead of removing the brick sheathing, the PB Construction team elected to encapsulate it within the new framing, even bolting a steel lintel to a header over the opening between the kitchen and another room. PB Construction’s goal in the renovation was to make the opening a good deal wider, which would involve removing the existing header after shoring the second floor and replacing it with a longer one. To make things more complicated, the team needed to remove and replace a similar header on the kitchen side. The brick, which was invisible when the design was first engineered, appeared as an unwelcome mass between the two headers with no obvious means of support. There were

PB Construction Austin, TX

During a kitchen expansion, PB Construction discovered a wing sheathed with brick.

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Austin Construction News • JULY 2021

Page 19

Worth the wait

Due to COVID-19, City Electric Supply (CES)’s Hutto branch celebrated its grand opening 11 months after it opened its doors to customers.

ity Electric Supply (CES) opened in Hutto, not just once, but twice in the past 11 months! The first opening occurred last July, when the branch opened to serve customers. The second was a grand opening held on Jun. 11, and it was worth the nearly year-long wait. Although it was a second opening, it marked a first for many CES vendors and customers. According to CES Hutto Branch Manager Arthur “Buzz” Carruth, many of their guests had not been able to attend any events since COVID began last year. To make up for the missed fun, CES treated guests to delicious food, live demos, storewide discounts, and plenty of giveaways. Thanks to generous prize donations, every guest that attended walked away with something special by which to remember the day. Vendors including Klein Tools, 2M Lighting Inc. and Milwaukee were on hand to help the CES celebrate. Carruth says his team spent a month spreading the word about the event by distributing flyers and calling customers, and their efforts paid off: the Hutto branch’s

customer base doubled after the grand opening. The best part, he says, was being able to reconnect with current CES vendors and customers and to form new connections. Representatives from Make-A-Wish and The Caring Place, two charities close to CES’ heart, also made an appearance at the event, and guests had the chance to celebrate the opening with donations to these causes. Since CES has partnered with these non-profits in February, the company has helped raise more than $8000 for them. Both openings may be in the bag, but CES still has more plans for the Hutto branch, which is located at 4701 Priem Ln. With the location, experienced staff, and departments in place and the resources available, District Manager Mehs Ess says everything is in place for the Hutto branch to become one of the top three in the district, which he says will be the team’s focus moving forward. City Electric Supply (CES) spans 30 states with over 517 stores, including Hutto, TX. –mjm

Industry FOLKS Tyler Olfers

Construction Materials Department Manager

ECS Southwest LLP Austin, TX

yler Olfers was just a 5-year-old picking out notes on a keyboard when his mom realized he was trying to play one of her favorite Eagles songs. She immediately enrolled Olfers in piano lessons, which he took until picking up the guitar at age 15. Before long, he was joining bands and playing with his friends and composing. Along the way, he acquired an impressive collection of instruments and continued to play even as he began a career in the construction materials industry, which he got into through a high school friend. As Olfers began building his life around work, marriage, and fatherhood to 3-year-old daughter Everly and 20-month-old son Gibson, time to devote to music became rare, although Olfers continues to create tunes in his makeshift home studio on his iPad and at his friend’s studios. Recently, Olfers found the time to write and release a new single, “Industry Sandwich,” a pop-py, bluesy ode to how to succeed in work. “The song, Industry Sandwich, has layers, metaphors and meaning tucked away in the simplicity in a song about making a sandwich,” Olfers explains. “As for the title, my friends and I, as a young band, were recording with a seasoned guy that knew the ins and outs of music and kept referring to everything as “industry standard.” He said it so much that my friends and I made a joke where we would ask each other if something was “industry

standard.” The song was kind of anthem to that; it’s essentially the formula of making a sandwich and the necessary steps to write a good catchy song and what you need to do to make it in the music industry. It’s got a little sarcasm but otherwise it has straightup-the-middle vibe. As a guest on a recent podcast, Olfers realized that the song was more farreaching than he had initially considered. “It caused me to see the different layers in the music industry, but it’s kind of a formula and an anthem towards anything that you’re doing, even outside of the music industry. ”Industry Standard” is something that can kind of transverse different industries,” he says. The Austin-born, Leander-raised musician said he did a full release of the song, and that anyone who wants a taste of the song can find it on any music platform. His talent has caught the ears of his team at ECS Southwest LLP. He played at the Austin office’s client appreciation event and has encouraging and supportive fans among his team members. “After I released the song ‘Industry Sandwich,’ we had an internal contest within the company for submitting a song that inspires and motivates you. A person I work with submitted my song as his choice. They’re very supportive of it and me as a musician,” Olfers says. –mjm

Saw it in Liberty Hill

Instead of a traditional ribbon cutting to mark the grand opening of McCoy’s Building Supply new Liberty Hill store on Jun. 18, the occasion was marked with a unique twist - a board cutting! Located at 2505 Hwy. 1860, the Liberty Hill branch brings McCoy’s Texas location count to 78. –mjm

Park pick up

Convergint Technologies’ Austin team gave back to its community Jun. 18 with a massive park clean-up effort in Cedar Park. –mjm

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Austin Construction News • JULY 2021