Covering the Industry’s News
Texas Style
P.O. Box 791290 San Antonio, Texas 78279-1290
PRSRT. STD. U.S. POSTAGE PAID DALLAS, TX PERMIT #1451
Change Service Requested
San Antonio H Austin
Austin
CONSTRUCTION NEWS
The Industry’s Newspaper
ImagesFromTexas.com
www.constructionnews.net H (210) 308-5800 H Volume 21 H Number 10 H OCTOBER 2021
I
Betting on Austin
Beginner’s truck
Advanced Consulting Solutions (ACS) Group LLC, co-founded by James Taylor ((far left), opens its new Austin office with the help of Principal Gage Weilert (second from right).
L-R: E+M Emergency Air Conditioning LLC’s Edgar Arellano and Maria Acuña in a throwback snap of their first business truck.
n 2019 in Las Vegas, NV, James Taylor and David Neschke founded Advanced Consulting Solutions (ACS) Group LLC. Two years later, the gamble has paid off; the company has grown to four technical engineering staff and one office administrator and opened its second location in Austin last month. Principal Gage Weilert, the Austin office’s sole employee at the moment, is responsible for the oversight and management of the new location. A 2016 graduate of Oklahoma State University with a degree in fire protection and safety engineering, Weilert is highly skilled in building and fire code consulting, alternate methods of compliance, hazardous materials management, and fire protection design.
D
“The Austin office was established with the intent of expanding our company to serve the greatly growing Central Texas architecture, engineering, and construction market,” Weilert explains. “ACS Group can provide fire protection design, building code and life safety consulting, master egress planning, fire/smoke modeling, performance-based design, annual/semiannual testing of smoke control systems, fire protection commissioning, and fire protection construction management services.” The selection of Austin as ACS Group’s second location was strategic, given the area’s growth and popularity with other out-of-state companies. “As we know, central Texas, and continued on Page 14
M
aria Acuña has an album’s worth of photos from the day she and her business partner Edgar Arellano bought their first truck for their new business, E+M Emergency Air Conditioning LLC. She remembers Arellano chuckling when she made a sign that announced the date to hold up in the photos. “I told him I wanted to remember this, that these pictures were going to hang on our walls someday!” Acuña says. “When we started our AC company, we said we wanted people to think of us as professionals because that’s what we want to be. So, when we bought our first truck, it was such a big deal to us. I have so many pictures from that day! And Edgar was so happy.”
Now, nine months after they started the business, they are wrapping their second truck, and it’s every bit as exciting as buying the first. “It was a really emotional thing for us to be able to do this in less than a year,” Acuña says. “It was a very proud moment to think, ‘We’re actually doing this! We’re growing and we’re okay!’ We’re very grateful for where we are right now, even though we’re at the point where money comes in and goes right back out! We’re able to pay our bills and that in itself is a great accomplishment. We haven’t been in the red at all this year, so those little things to us as a small company and new business are huge.” continued on Page 14
He’s got to be joking!
id you hear about the Roman soldier who ate his wife? When they asked him about it, he said he was glad he ate her! (Gladiator, get it?) This is Josh Hadden’s favorite “dad joke,” and he has a million of them. His fondness for joking while he roofs is the reason behind his company’s name, The Roof Joker. It’s also apt that the idea for the business came during a poker game. “I play poker with Justin Jackson, who is an attorney in Cedar Park, and Scott Brischke, who owns an investment company. We were at a poker night, and they asked me if I would be interested in being equal partners in a roofing installation and repair business. I told them I was comfortable where I was; I’ve owned companies before and didn’t want the headache. They started talking more, and at the next poker night, we
came up with a plan to launch it. “I already had the nickname: The Roof Joker,” Josh adds. “I have been telling dad jokes on top of roofs for years. If you get on a roof and take a video of yourself talking about pipe flashing, no one will watch it, but if you tell them a joke and make them smile, if they have a roofing issue later on, they’ll say, ‘I’m going to call that Roof Joker guy.’” On The Roof Joker’s Facebook page, Josh enjoys sharing his jokes with customers, saying that it breaks the ice and establishes a rapport. “I believe in having fun while you work because then it’s not work,” he says. “There are many aspects to this job that aren’t fun, but it’s fun if you decide it’s fun. For me, it’s fun to climb roofs.” Climbing roofs for fun was something he did from a young age – much to his mother’s disapproval. Then, someone The Roof Joker’s Josh Hadden
continued on Page 14
Page 2
B
Austin Construction News • OCTOBER 2021
Metal meeting
Cheering section
rooke Williams, owner of The Metal Shop Austin, hosted an inaugural Women’s Metal Workers Meet Up Sept. 24. The evening provided the perfect opportunity for the welding professionals to bond, share ideas, best practices, and network. Red Ball Oxygen was invited to sponsor the gathering, and David Brown of Fronius provided the equipment and technical support for this fun and empowering event. –mjm
It was game on for CORE Office Interiors’ Dylan Eagle, Hoar Construction’s Justin E. Brodnax, CRH Americas (Oldcastle)’s Morgan Willis, Ensight Haynes Whaley’s David Carter, Broaddus Construction’s Glenn Hart, and DHA Captial’s Daniel Hollander at the Longhorns vs. Red Raiders game Sept. 25 in Austin. – mjm
Having a clay old time Red Ball Oxygen’s Myron Marshall, The Metal Shop Austin’s Brooke Williams and Red Ball Oxygen’s Heather Greys
Ideas were exchanged at the inaugural Women’s Metal Workers Meet Up.
The industry got fired up to raise funds at the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) Austin Chapter’s 2021 AGC Austin Sporting Clays Classic. Hosted Sept. 24 at Capital City Clays, the event raises money for CLC scholarship awards. –mjm
L
In memoriam
arry P. Shumaker, 79, 1970s and grew the comfounder of Shumaker pany into a fleet of trucks Landscaping and and excavation equipShumaker Enterprises, ment. In the 1980s, he passed away Sept. 20, started a sand and gravel 2021. Born in Hornersville, company that became his MO, Shumaker served in core business. For over 50 the U.S. Army, was a years, Shumaker Enterprismember of the 101st es was a mainstay in the Airborne, served on a material and trucking busiMarksman team, and serness in Austin. ved in Vietnam. Upon He is survived by a leaving the military in brother, son and two Larry P. Shumaker 1967, Shumaker settled in daughters, and many North Austin and started Shumaker grandchildren and great-grandchildLandscaping with his wife Nellowen, ren. A graveside service was held and soon purchased his own dirt pit to Sept. 24 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks begin hauling and selling dirt in Austin. Funeral Home and Memorial Park. – The family moved to Del Valle in the mjm
Austin Construction News • OCTOBER 2021
A
Page 3
B2Z buzz
ll kinds of companies are setting up shop in Austin to benefit from the building boom, and B2Z Engineering LLC is one of the most recent. The Mission, TX-based, multi-disciplined civil engineering consulting firm celebrated the grand opening of its Austin location Sept. 11 at 4707 Commercial Park Drive. Founded in 2009, B2Z Engineering LLC also has a Houston office, and has completed projects throughout Texas. The company provides planning through final design, program and project management, construction inspection and material testing. Among its services are roadway, bridge, and drainage design; GIS and drone services; construction management; construction, engineering and inspection (CEI); geotechnical engi-
neering and material testing; and transportation planning. The HUB, WBE and DBE certified firm offers a true turn key delivery method to clients and has played a role in the design and construction of numerous private and public projects. B2Z’s grand opening of its new stateof-the-art construction material testing laboratory and engineering office in Austin was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony performed by the Austin Chamber of Commerce. County CommissionerJeff Travillion and Judge Bill Gravell were in attendance. Donations were collected during the event and, coupled with B2Z’s matching donation, $16,000 was raised for Dell Children’s Foundation. B2Z Engineering is in Austin, Houston and Mission, TX. –mjm
B2Z Engineering’s new Austin location was celebrated with a ribbon cutting with the Austin Chamber of Commerce.
S
Smart way to give back
taff Sergeant Lamont Jones served his country for 30 years and continues his service as an active member of the Army Reserves. With his wife, Carrie, he has six children and five grandchildren. Now it is time for the Lamont Jones Family to receive something in return for all that they have given. With the help of Habitat for Humanity, Restoration Builders Inc. selected the Lamont Jones family to be the recipients of the company’s first annual Pay it Forward program. The family’s Pflugerville home received a much-needed upgrade last month. A new GAF brand roof, a 4.8kW solar photo-voltaic system, and new Senox brand gutters was installed on the family’s home, as well as LED and solar exterior lighting provided by Alpha Team Electric. John Lorenz, Chairman and CEO of Restoration Builders, says the company takes great pride in helping homeowners and giving back to the community. Lorenz says the event is an essential part of the Environmental Social Governance (ESG) program principals that it incorporates into its business. The company believes that it has a responsibility to be good steward of the environment and give back to the communities it serves. Restoration Builders was established in 2017 and has grown into a premier exterior building material services company. Restoration Builders provides roofing, siding, windows, and gutters to commercial and residential customers in 32 states, with seven Texas locations
including Kyle and Pflugerville. Lorenz says he is pleased that this Pflugerville family was the first recipient of the Pay It Forward award and that it is well deserved. “Mr. Jones is a hardworking man who is devoted to his family, and we thank him for his service to our great country,” Lorenz says. “I am very proud to give this family a Smart Healthy Home upgrade.” Restoration Builders Inc. has 32 locations nationwide and seven Texas locations, including Kyle and Pflugerville. –mjm
Small world!
Donations for Dell Children’s Foundation collected at the grand opening were matched by B2Z, with $16,000 raised.
Linden a hand GeoSolutions Inc. COO Steve Archer (right) ran into American Society of Civil Engineers National President Dr. Jean-Louis Briaud (left) at the ASCE Texas CECON2021 Civil Engineering Conference in San Marcos Sept. 15-17. It wasn’t their first meeting: Briaud, whom Archer calls “a geotechnical engineering legend” was Archer’s professor at Texas A&M. –mjm
Rhode Partners helped celebrate the groundbreaking of its newest mixed-use residential high rise, The Linden, on Sept. 17. Rhode Partners plans to incorporate museum-inspired detailing to perfectly blend in the new one- to three-bedroom units and two-story penthouses with the Museum District. –mjm
Page 4
Austin Construction News • OCTOBER 2021
myself without a place for me and my daughters to live. Fortunately, I was able to stay with some friends, but I vowed that I would never allow myself to be homeless again! I convinced my mom to buy me a truck to start a business with. She didn’t convince my dad, because he would have said no; she bought it in secret. That’s how I started driving my own truck in 2003. I ordered some business cards and told people that if they had any loads to let me know.
Claudia Serna
Founder and Owner Serna’s Trucking LLC San Marcos, TX
T
here were several reasons Claudia Serna could have failed to achieve her dream of being a successful businesswoman and owning a trucking company. She was a young immigrant who spoke limited English and was totally unfamiliar with the U.S. business culture. She was a single mother with two very young daughters. She couldn’t afford a first truck to start the business, and not all of her family supported her dream. Serna, however, didn’t let any of these challenges stop her from establishing Serna’s Trucking LLC in 2003. In the 18 years since, she has grown it into a successful business serving Texas’ construction industry. Please share about your background, Claudia. I was raised in Aguascalientes, Mexico. My family is still there; my dad was a businessman, and my entire family were businesspeople. I was 19 years old when I came with my daughters and my now ex-husband to the United States and settled in the
What were those first years of business ownership like for you? It was hard. When I came here, I did not know English beyond basic words and phrases. At first, all I could say in English were things like, ‘Where do you want the load?’ but I kept learning and learning. Fortunately, many people in the industry speak Spanish. Also, there weren’t too many women in the trucking business or driving trucks. Most people don’t expect a woman to be driving a truck! It was also hard driving and trying to raise my two daughters. It was really hard for me to have the same opportunities as the guys because I had my two daughters with me that I needed to drop off and pick up at school. It was difficult for me to have the same income and make it work. How did your business evolve and grow? At first, I transported dirt. I drove for a couple of years without drivers. In 2006, a man was retiring and said I could buy his truck, and that’s how I got a second truck. It took a few years, but I started to notice the business growing in 2008 and 2009. Today, I have 36 drivers and 36 trucks; we keep buying and buying more. We transport asphalt, concrete, and cement and work in Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Waco, and Brownsville. We have been very fortunate to have formed working relationships with smaller trucking companies and ownerdrivers in areas outside of Central Texas to be able to expand our footprint. Not only does it help our brand grow, but also provides work for the communities where we are expanding. Do you enjoy your work? I enjoy everything about my work! I have a very committed and hard-working team. We are like a big family that’s working to provide for our families and loved ones. I also like to see the projects and roads when they’re finished. We are very fortunate to be living in Central Texas – so much growth with people moving into the area.
Claudia Serna
Austin area. We were planning for him to work to support the family; you have more opportunities to grow in this country than in Mexico. I have always liked to learn and wanted to provide the opportunity for our girls to get a good education. I really liked the experience over here in Central Texas. The people are open, and everybody was welcoming. Were any of your family in Mexico involved in the trucking industry? My grandfather used to have trucks – not these kinds of trucks, but the kind Greyhound uses for passengers, but I didn’t help him in the business. My exhusband had some trucks and was trying to convince me to ask my parents to buy me a truck. But my dad told me that trucking was a man’s business, and not for women. He didn’t want to support me. What motivated you to establish a trucking company despite your father’s feelings about it? When I got divorced, I didn’t have any income for my daughters, and that’s when I decided I had better start driving. In fact, there was a short time I found
How would you describe yourself as a boss? I think I am a considerate boss and that I have a big heart. I try to instill in all of my workers – especially women – to train in the construction business. Right now, I have four women in the office and, with the exception of my aunt, who is only a little bit older than I am, they are younger women. I try to not only serve as their boss but their mentor. I try to instill work ethic and discipline and try to teach them to run a business. I like to help them. Do you think your daughters have witnessed your journey in the construction industry and learned from your example? Yes. They used to ride in the trucks with me all of the time when they were little, and they remember those times. They didn’t enjoy it then, but they enjoy it now! I am very proud of my daughters because they have turned out to be very bright, educated young women. We are very close, and they have seen the challenges and opportunities of the business and have always been willing to pitch in. While they don’t work with me, they have learned about the value of hard work and how it provides us a great life. They are very proud of me.
Claudia Serna overcame a host of challenges to establish Serna’s Trucking Inc. in 2003.
What do you enjoy in your free time? I don’t have too much free time, to be honest! When I do, I enjoy spending it and traveling with my daughters. My oldest daughter graduated from Texas State, and my youngest daughter is studying to become an esthetician. I live in San Marcos now and it allows me to travel to Austin, San Antonio and south Texas to visit clients and constrution sites. I do enjoy the Central Texas sceneries, especially in the spring when the bluebonnets are blooming. I will say that there are times that I take a break from my site visits and stay in my office to enjoy reading a good novel. This affords me some quiet time and regain some perspective on the business. Do you help others in the industry? I feel very fortunate that I was able to accomplish above and beyond what I looked for. Now I want to give back. I’m now in the position to give back to our community by helping out where we can. Last winter during our record-breaking freeze, I was contacted by the Hays County Judge’s office to ask if I could help out with our frozen landscape. I was able to send some of my trucks to Waco to pick up food and drinks for our first responders who were working around the clock trying to keep our communications and roads open for emergency use.
Austin
What a nightmare that was!! I’m also with the Buda Chamber of Commerce and the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC). I’m an example of a woman who successfully runs a small business as a result of hard work and dedication. I help small businesses that they bring to my attention because I know how difficult it is. I give them work if I have it or help them connect and provide a link to the business world for these organizations. As I mentioned earlier, we use 50 to 60 subcontractors in remote areas and help them provide for their families. What plans do you have for the future of the company? The plan is to expand our outreach and start doing some ground up road construction. We are currently looking for a couple of management individuals to manage office and dispatch operations that will allow us the opportunity to focus more on future growth by leveraging our 8a certification as well. Did your dad ever change his mind about you working in this business? Yes! But it took a while for him to do so! He said he never thought I would make it but now he is so proud! He said I proved him wrong. Serna’s Trucking Inc. is in San Marcos. –mjm
CONSTRUCTION NEWS
Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buddy Doebbler Editorial/Production . . . . . . Reesa Doebbler Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carol Wiatrek Editorial & Copy . . . . . . . Melissa Jones-Meyer Production Manager . . . . Helen Greenwood Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Buddy Doebbler Editors
AustinEditor@ConstructionNews.net SAeditor@ConstructionNews.net Austin Area Counties Travis, Hays, Bastrop, Burnet, Blanco, Caldwell and Williamson counties Construction News Ltd. Home Office P.O. Box 791290 • San Antonio, TX 78279 210-308-5800 Fax 210-308-5960 www.ConstructionNews.net
Visit our Website to sign up for a free monthly Digital Subscription www.ConstructionNews.net The Austin Construction News (ISSN 15477630) is published monthly by Construction News LTD., dba Austin Construction News, and distributed by mail to constructionrelated companies of record in Austin and surrounding counties. All submissions should be emailed to our editorial offices. We reserve the right to edit any materials submitted. No fees for materials, copy or photographs submitted will be due unless agreed upon in advance in writing. Submissions will be published at our discretion on a space available basis. Construction News, Ltd., dba Austin Construction News, will not be liable for errors in copy or in advertisements beyond the actual cost of space occupied by the error. Publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement at any time. ©2019 Construction News, Ltd.
SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS GO TO www.ConstructionNews.net Select “Digital Subscription”.
Austin Construction News • OCTOBER 2021
Page 5
Fifth Wall expands
E
Texas Fifth Wall Roofing Systems management team L-R: Tony Zahtila, VP of Sales; Will Smith, VP of Operations; Jody Delino, CFO and Todd Hewitt, President
stablished in 1973 in Austin, TX, Texas Fifth Wall Roofing Systems Inc. has been offering new construction, reroofing, repair, and maintenance services to the construction industry working with a breadth of roofing materials. In 2009, Texas Fifth Wall expanded, opening its second office in San Antonio to support growing demand in the Alamo City and South Texas. Since then, the company has continued to grow. In June, Texas Fifth Wall expanded again, this time into the Metroplex to provide a base for supporting customer demand in Dallas and Fort Worth. The new office is located in Arlington, TX. “Our growth strategy has always aligned to what our customers need from us, and for decades they have been bringing us to the four corners of the state,” said Texas Fifth Wall President Todd Hewitt. “Our business in the DFW market has grown to such a level to support sales and operations in the region, and Arlington is ideal for a centralized footprint.” Texas Fifth Wall has been building its team in the DFW area for the past year. They
currently have five team members dedicated to sales and estimating, and operations with additional shared statewide resources. As the company continues to expand its presence in the Metroplex, Texas Fifth Wall expects the team to grow significantly in 2022. “We are certainly proud of our strong foundation from Austin, and even more proud when our customers lead us to new markets like the Dallas/Fort Worth area,” adds Hewitt. “We have been careful and strategic in our expansion. We find our customers pull us to new markets because of our focus in three areas. One, we support our customers’ success. We are a team that understands our individual customer’s needs. Those needs are different for new construction, reroof and service. We are really attuned to catering our offerings and services to what our customers want. Secondly, we are good at solutions, very good at solving problems like finding the right products to avoid material delays. Lastly, we deliver value. We are comprehensive and consistent, and very efficient in the ways we operate.” -cmw
Self-sufficient at its best
I
Shooting to first
t’s a first for Arrow Glass and Mirror! The commercial and residential glass and glazing company is the first Austin-based contractor to achieve North American Contractor Certification (NACC). Not only is the company first in Austin to earn NACC but is the fifth in Texas and 39th overall in North America. The honor is significant, as NACC is the only ANSI-accredited, third-party credential that recognizes architectural glass and metal contractors for competency, business practices, and industry accepted guidelines for quality and safety excellence. Meeting these requirements indicates that Arrow has the processes and procedures in place to consistently deliver high quality project results. Glazing contractors earn the credentials in one or more of six operational categories based on the company’s focus of work. Arrow earned NACC in five: interior and entry systems, building envelope low-rise, building envelope high-rise, guardrails and service work. Arrow President and CEO Joseph Rynders, Arrow leadership and employees closely collaborated with NACC administrators to adhere to the program’s stringent assessment. Arrow also implemented a quality management system (QMS), which was a hallmark of certification. Originally founded in 1994 as a shower and countertop marble supplier, Arrow Glass and Mirror serves central Texas’ residential and commercial glass industry. The company offers a range of products including mirrors, architectural metal and curtainwall systems. Arrow’s commercial team has completed projects such as distinctive glass walls, retail storefronts, and interior glazing to
Arrow Glass and Mirror President/CEO Joseph Rynders
the office, medical, and hospitality industries. Recent projects include the Clean Energy Tech Center, The Crossover sports complex, Round Rock High School, and Seven Oaks West. The Arrow team serves towns around Austin including Bastrop, Cedar Creek, Buda, Wimberly, San Marcos and Dripping Springs. Rynders says Arrow is always seeking ways to improve and found it beneficial to receive outside expert perspective on the company’s processes relative to best industry practices. “We have seen immediate quality improvements,” Rynders says. “Having more robust quality processes and procedures allows us to cut down on waste and deliver more consistently. As a result, our customers will see even better products and services.” Arrow Glass and Mirror is in Austin. – mjm
Baker’s ten
JMEG LLC Austin team members Front Row L-R: Chris Helton, Daniel Olszewski, Randy Smith, Paul Terry and Robert O’Connor. Back Row L-R: Angel Medellin, Jason LaBahn, Mark Winkelmann, Bill Terrell, B.J. Sanders and Jason Payne
I
n 2002, electrical colleagues Gary Fraser, Ray Naizer, Russell Ferraro and Jerry Mills got together to form JMEG LLC, a commercial and industrial electrical contracting firm delivering electrical contracting and facility services throughout the state of Texas. Naizer, Ferraro and Fraser had worked together a few years before starting JMEG. “We had worked at one of the publicly traded companies, one of the roll-ups that took place back in the day and didn’t make it through. When it was obvious they were not going to come out of it, we started JMEG,” says JMEG President South Texas Gary Fraser. “We were fortunate that not only did we have good client relations, we had a strong workforce that we were able to keep the bulk of together. We hit the ground running pretty quick when we started. We hit a $150 million in revenue by 2007/2008, which is a pretty sizable electrical contracting company. We are a $200 million now,” Fraser adds. The Austin and Dallas/Fort Worth offices were opened simultaneously. In 2004, JMEG expanded to San Antonio.
“Each of our offices are self-sufficient and are all active with the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Association. supporting IEC’s apprenticeship training program,” says Fraser. “Having multiple locations, it is too hard to commute between the cities obviously, but we find that our customer base is diversified between our different locations. There is some crossover of customers, mainly general contractors, but we pretty much have to establish relationships, business relationships independently in all of our locations so that is why have our own management and estimating teams in each of our locations.” San Antonio is the smallest of the JMEG locations, averaging around 70 employees. Austin is a few hundred strong with the bulk of their workforce spread between Dallas and Fort Worth which are JMEG’s biggest markets. JMEG LLC is a commercial and industrial electrical contractor with offices in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth and San Antonio. -cmw
BakerTriangle’s Jerry Smith, Carlos Torres, and Shawn Provencal are all smiles as they celebrate Torres’ 10-year anniversary. – mjm
Pulled by Elk
Elk Electric has homecoming spirit, yes they do! Their work truck made the perfect puller for the Dripping Springs High School softball team’s Homecoming float. –mjm
Page 6
Austin Construction News • OCTOBER 2021
Halloween fun don’t forget to send us your company and personal halloween photos, along with captions.
Doves galore
O
n Sept. 1, members of Associated Builders & Contractors’ Central Texas Chapter enjoyed a great afternoon at Solana Ranch. From 3-8pm, ABC CTX members tried their luck opening day of the 2021 north zone dove season. -cmw
Solar Freeedom 2020
Email Photos & Info to Melissa@ConstructionNews.net
We’re here for the Boos!
Waiting for the birds to come in.
ABC Central Texas members enjoy refreshments after dove hunting at Solana Ranch.
The Resource Guide Subcontractors
Service Providers
Truck & Equip Dealers
For info: Buddy Doebbler Buddy@ConstructionNews.net 210-308-5800
Austin Construction News • OCTOBER 2021
Page 7
OSHA Fire Ant Safety Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX
F
ire Ants Fire ants resemble ordinary ants. They average 1/8 to 1/4 inch in length and are reddish brown to black in color. Fire ants display aggressive behavior and they build mound-shaped nests. Interaction Fire ants attack anything that disturbs their mound (nest). They firmly grasp skin with their jaws, and then sting and inject venom. Fire ants pivot at the head and inflict more stings in a circular pattern. Symptoms The sting of a fire ant develops into a pustule (small, firm blister-like sore) in 2448 hours. These pustules can become sites of secondary infection. Fire ant venom may cause a severe reaction in hypersensitive individuals, including nausea, shock, chest pains, and in rare cases, coma. Prevention/Treatment • Be aware – don’t stand on ant nests or areas where they are foraging. • Wear boots and/or tuck pant legs into your socks to reduce the risk of bite/sting. • Use insect repellants, such as DEET or Picaridin, on clothing and footwear. • If attacked, leave area immediately while brushing off ants with the use of a gloved hand or by using a cloth. • Consult your pharmacist for treatment of minor bites and irritation. • Seek immediate medical attention, particularly if you feel short of breath or have swelling. Mosquito Control: Employers should keep in mind that eliminating mosquito breeding grounds is a highly effective way of reducing mosquito populations and the number of mosquito bites. Mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water. Employers with workers who work outside, and in and around areas of
stagnant water should: • Be aware of working conditions, i.e., the presence of equipment or areas where water accumulates. • Advise workers to inspect work areas and, where possible, get rid of sources of stagnant or standing water to remove a potential breeding ground of mosquitoes. • Reduce or eliminate mosquito populations by disrupting mosquito breeding grounds (i.e., whenever possible, drain ditches, gutters, etc., to get rid of sources of stagnant or standing water). • Advise workers to protect themselves from skin contact with dead birds. CDC recommends using gloves or an inverted plastic bag when handling dead birds. It may not always be possible to eliminate all potential mosquito breeding grounds. Knowing the key steps to take to minimize the risk of mosquito bites is important in reducing the risk of West Nile virus infection. Workers should c over as much of the skin as possible by wearing shirts with long sleeves, long pants and socks whenever possible. Use light weight clothing to minimize the potential for heat-induced illnesses and use insect repellent containing an EPA registered active ingredient (e.g., DEET, Picaridin) on exposed skin according to instructions on packaging. natarajan.joann@dol.gov 512-374-0271 x232
Making meals of it
T
he CertaPro Painters of Austin team woke up early with a giving spirit, as they volunteered at Central Texas Food Bank. Together with members from RealManage, they packaged over 7000 lbs. of food, which amounts to 5,833 meals for those in need. –mjm
Page 8
Austin Construction News • OCTOBER 2021
ACCOUNTING
LEGAL
How to Avoid Ghost Tax Preparers & Other Scammers
Hear Ye Hear Ye! New Laws Coming Down the Pike!
Steven Bankler, Owner Steven Bankler, CPA, Ltd. San Antonio, TX
West W. Winter Attorney/Managing Member The Winter Law Firm, PLLC San Antonio, TX
T
he American tax system is filled with tax breaks that can save you thousands of dollars, as long as you know where and how to look. But the system is decidedly not “user friendly,” which is why many taxpayers miss out. Finding a savvy tax preparer who understands the changing landscape and its moving parts is vital. But your preparer still needs to operate within the law. An unscrupulous or incompetent tax preparer, at best, will leave you on the hook for the taxes you owe (including payback of any erroneous refunds you received) along with penalties and interest incurred. At worst? You could face jail time for their digressions. “It is important to know that even if someone else prepares your return, you are ultimately responsible for all the information on the tax return,” the IRS states. That means that even when your tax preparer makes an “honest” mistake, the IRS expects you—the taxpayer—to take responsibility. How do you know you’re working with a legitimate tax preparer? The answer isn’t as cut-and-dry as it should be. Tax preparers are federally unregulated currently, but bipartisan lawmakers want to bring back federal power to regulate paid tax return preparers and mandate minimum competency standards with registration, testing, and continued education. Believe it or not, most reputable tax professionals support these efforts for regulation. Those already adhering to top professional and ethical standards understand the importance of rooting out tax preparers who do more harm than good. In the meantime, what’s the best way to choose a tax preparer? First, understand the difference between a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and other tax preparers. Business owners and highnet-worth individuals often choose to work with CPAs because they’re licensed by their state or territory’s board of accountancy and hold a degree in accounting. They can also represent their clients to the IRS on matters including audits, payments/collection issues, and appeals (so if something goes wrong, you’re not on your own). “In addition, CPAs must comply with ethical requirements and complete specified levels of continuing education in order to maintain an active CPA license,” the IRS states. In contrast, unlicensed tax preparers aren’t regulated like CPAs, licensed tax attorneys, or IRS-sanctioned enrolled agents are. They have limited representation rights and currently have no federal standards to meet when it comes to knowing and adhering to tax laws. To find the best tax preparer for you, consider looking for: • An active preparer tax identification number (PTIN). Paid preparers must sign returns and include their PTIN on the return they file. To cross-check a PTIN, search the IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications. If the tax preparer doesn’t appear on the list, ask them about it (it’s not mandatory but being listed proves that they’re dedicated to continuing education and professional standards). • Clues that the tax preparer is who they say they are. If they claim to be a
CPA, for instance, verify their license online. For Texas CPAs, you can search the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy’s database. The search will also turn up any disciplinary actions against the CPA. Also note, when you do your PTIN research above, that the number they give you belongs to them. Several recent court cases include tax preparers who used other people’s PTINs to file their clients’ taxes. • E-filing of tax returns. Most paid preparers who file more than ten returns annually must file the most standard tax forms electronically. The IRS considers e-file the safest and most secure way to file taxes, in fact. You’ll be asked to sign the return electronically or sign an IRS e-file authorization (Form 8879). Then, once filed, the tax preparer should send you the e-file receipt. • Best business practices. Legitimate tax preparers charge either flat or hourly rates. Those who base fees on a percentage of your refund or guarantee bigger refunds than their competitors can be up to no good. Before establishing a relationship, do not send a tax preparer your Social Security number, past returns, or other sensitive information. The IRS warns that some unscrupulous prepares have used this type of information to file false returns. • Thoroughness. Once a relationship is established, a legitimate tax preparer will ask you for more information than is convenient. They’ll need records and receipts and will be picky about the documents you present (they’ll need W-2s, not just paycheck stubs, for instance). Tax preparers who don’t need to see these documents may either fabricate your tax situation or jump to conclusions, which can be costly if the IRS spots mistakes. • Red-flag behavior (to avoid). For example, being asked to sign a blank return. You need to ensure you agree with what’s being claimed (the IRS will scrutinize your innocence once you sign your return), that your information (not your tax preparer’s) is provided for refunds, and that the preparer has signed and included their PTIN. Those who don’t sign returns and ask the taxpayer to file the return themselves are called “ghost preparers” and are named among the IRS’s most dangerous scammers. When choosing a tax preparer, don’t be distracted by slick marketing, confusing titles, or well-known names. Instead, do your research and be sure that they are as wise and as ethical as they say they are. Steven Bankler has more than 44 years of experience in the accounting industry. Steven’s expertise lies in consulting, planning, tax, and asset protection as well as exit strategy services for closely held businesses. He also provides litigation support (both as a testifying expert witness and a consulting expert), business negotiations and estate planning. Visit www.bankler.com for additional tax strategy tips and to learn more about Steven Bankler, CPA, Ltd.
D
uring the 2021 Regular Legislative Session, more than 6,900 bills were filed and over 1,000 were enacted into law. Described by some as “the most socially th conservative session in a generation”, the 87 Texas Legislative Session brought many welcome changes to the construction industry. Significant Changes to Mechanic’s and Materialman’s Lien Procedures HB 2237, effective January 1, 2022, has significantly modified Chapter 53 of the Texas Property Code dealing with mechanic’s and materialman’s liens. General changes include: modification of definitions, revision of some filing deadlines, removal of the requirement for a subcontractor to provide a second-month notice to the prime contractor, addition of the ability to lien for design services and equipment rental, extension of the lien deadlines to the next business day if the deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, provision of proscribed statutory forms for lien notices, and shortening of the limitations period to file suit to foreclose an M&M lien. Stay tuned to Construction News in November and December as we will provide a two-part series further detailing the changes to Chapter 53. Contractors No Longer Responsible for Design Defects SB 219, effective September 1, 2021 and codified in Chapter 59 of the Texas Business & Commerce, establishes that, with certain exceptions including contracts for the construction or repair of a “critical infrastructure facility”, a contractor is not responsible for the consequences of design defects in and may not warranty the accuracy, adequacy, sufficiency, or suitability of plans, specifications, or other design documents provided to the contractor by a person other than the contractor’s agents, contractors, fabricators, or suppliers, or its consultants, of any tier. However, under this new law, the contractor must disclose any known defects, inaccuracies, inadequacies, or insufficiencies in writing or risk being liable for the consequences resulting from the failure to disclose. This obligation to disclose applies to defects, inaccuracies, etc. which are discovered, or which reasonably should have been discovered, by the contractor using ordinary diligence. SB 219 alters the 100 year-old default rule in Texas (the 1907 Texas Supreme Court decision known as Lonergan) which held that the party doing the work bears the risk that it will end up being more difficult than anticipated unless the contract shifts that risk to the buyer of the services. Public Works Legislation HB 692, effective immediately, substantially amended Section 2252 of the Texas Government Code relating to retainage requirements for certain public works projects. Notably, maximum retainage on contracts in excess of $5 million is limited to five percent, retainage may be released when the project is substantially or fully complete, the prime contractor may not withhold from a subcontractor a greater percentage of retainage than the percentage withheld from the prime contractor by the governmental entity, and the government entity must provide the contractor notice of the basis for withholding retainage and allow the contractor to cure. Among other legislation relating to public works, HB 3069
reduces the statute of repose to eight years for suits for defects by a governmental entity. Attorney’s Fees Fo Breach of Contract HB 1578, effective September 1, 2021, amends Chapter 38 of the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code (which provides for the recovery of attorney’s fees, in addition to the amount of the claim and costs, if the claim is for, among other types of claims, rendered services, performed labor, furnished material, or an oral or written contract). Previously, courts strictly construed the specific language within the statute in such a manner so as to limit its applicability to claims against “individuals” and “corporations.” As such, many Texas courts held that Chapter 38 did not allow a prevailing party to recover attorney’s fees against common entity forms such as partnerships and limited liability companies. This illogical result has now been corrected by HB 1578, which makes Chapter 38 broadly applicable to claims against all “organizations” as that term is defined in the Business Organizations Code. Subject to certain exclusions, this legislation expands the application of Chapter 38 and allows litigants to recover attorney’s fees in breach of contract claims against most entity forms, including partnerships, limited liability companies, and trusts. In addition, HB 2416, effective September 1, 2021, allows for the recovery of attorney’s fees under Chapter 38 of the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code as compensatory damages for breach of a construction contract. Other Legislation of Interest There were many new laws enacted which are of general interest to many of us in the great State of Texas. These include “constitutional carry” (HB 1927, effective September 1, 2021) which allows for the carry of holstered handguns without a permit or training, subject to certain restrictions. A restaurant’s ability to sell alcohol to go, a byproduct of the pandemic which has been favorably received by many, will continue after the pandemic ends (HB 1024, effective immediately). To see the text of these new laws or to learn more about the legislation discussed above, please visit www.capitol. texas.gov and search for the bills in which you have interest. West W. Winter is the founder and managing member of The Winter Law Firm, PLLC. West is the immediate past-chair of the Construction Law Section of the San Antonio Bar Association, and he has been repeatedly listed as one of the Best Lawyers in San Antonio for Construction Litigation. The Winter Law Firm represents owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in all phases of the construction process, from contract formation through dispute resolution, litigation, and collection. West can be reached via email: west@ thewinterlawfirm.com.
Austin Construction News • OCTOBER 2021
Page 9
Redfish Bonanza 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.
L
abor Day ends the summer for most vacationers and out-of-town anglers and it kicks off the start of hunting season. This relieves a lot of the fishing and boat pressure in our coastal waters and gives fish a chance to re-group. A lot of the guides start seeing a definite decrease in weekday charters as most anglers concentrate on weekend bay fishing. But don’t pick-up those guns and forget about those rods and reels just yet. October may just be the best time to spend on the water and can be some of the best fishing of the season. By this time of the season, mornings start out cooler with a lot less humidity in the air. After fishing the summer months, the fresh cooler temperatures are a relief. Typically, the latter months of the fishing season are best for red fishing, but this season I have seen many more reds come to the dock the entire year. Anglers have been hammering on reds all year due to low trout populations after the freeze. During the fall months is when you see the big schools of reds in the bay system. Scattered smaller pods of redfish will gather into larger schools of hundreds of fish and begin staging to migrate to the Gulf of Mexico for their winter migration. These schools will feed vigorously along the flats and shorelines, fatting up and preparing for the winter. On calm flat days we may spend the better part of the morning running the flats looking for these large schools and when we do run across them the game is on. Schooling reds will practically eat anything you throw at them. Typically, our rods are rigged with quarter ounce jig heads and a soft plastic of your choice.
GOOD NEWS!
You always look good in Construction News, Guaranteed!
Call us for a Company Profile (210) 308-5800
Long time friend Mike Maule caught this huge 42-inch redfish while fishing near the Port Aransas Jetties in late September. Fish was released after quick photo by Steve Schultz Outdoors.
Girls day out for some of the EZ-Bel Construction office personnel. Limits of reds and several trout were boxed fishing with Steve Schultz Outdoors.
Gold weedless spoons, either half or three-quarter ounce, work well also. You need to have a little heavier weighted lure to be able to throw in far when these schools are fleeing the boat. I’ve even seen guys throwing a jalapeno pepper on a hook catching feeding reds. YouTube it if you think I’m pulling your leg. Whenever possible use your trolling motor to pursue these schools of reds, for they can be very skittish and evasive. Usually when you’re the only boat on a school of reds, they will stay somewhat organized and schooled up. It’s when you get other boats coming in and jockeying for position on the next cast is when these fish will get spooked, submerge or breakup. Conservation is a huge part of my business and many of my client’s know I do not keep many oversized reds and never any trout over 24-25 inch. Please be
mindful when fishing these larger schools of red to keep only what you want to eat for a couple of meals and release the rest. Oversized reds do not eat very well and are the producers for our bay system. When releasing these fish, make sure that you carefully remove the hook and get the fish back into the water as soon as possible. Gently move the fish back and forth so that they can revive themselves and swim off naturally. Practice catch, photo and release when ever possible. My whitetail hunts are booking up rather quickly, so if interested give me a shout. 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 Instagram @ Steve_Schultz_Outdoors. Good Luck and Good Fishing.
Page 10
Austin Construction News • OCTOBER 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
Eyes in the Sky
H
ave you spent any time playing with the amazing satellite images you have at your fingertips these days? I don’t just mean checking out how many swimming pools are behind the privacy fences in your neighborhood either. This technology is a sportsman’s dream. The best part is that you can zoom in to get quite a bit of detail. Got a new deer lease this season? Load up the satellite images for those pastures. Zoom in close and you can see the features of the land and the locations of water that your game will be coming to. Look closer and you can see the way the contours of the land form natural funnels that the game travel through and even the very trails they use. Now you know where you want your feeders and your deer stands to be located. Couple this with some good game cameras and you get a head start on really making the most of your lease. t used to take years of hunting to get this kind of familiarity with a place and now you can do it with an evening at your computer. Satellite imagery is even more of an advantage for fishermen. Plink around on the images of your favorite lake, or the one you plan to visit next, until you find the link that lets you also see the historic images for that area. I know
that on Lake Buchanan they have several sets of images that go back for years. Some of the images show the lake full, others half empty and one even shows that lake during a flood. Older images might not have quite as good resolution as newer ones but studying them can give you great information on how the river channel travels through a body of water, what places keep water and where islands will come up. This and just the general picture of how a body of water is laid out should give you some good places to start fishing, even if you are visiting a lake for the first time. There are two other very important sources of free information that every sportsman should be familiar with on his phone, (no, don’t leave it at home… mute it, but have it in case you need it). Now days there is no reason for you to ever go out on the water without a last-minute check of weather forecast and a look at current radar. You just don’t have any excuse for putting yourself in harm’s way anymore, yet we see people do it all the time because they just don’t bother to check the weather first. The last important tool to have and learn to use are the maps on your phone. Even if you are lost your phone can show you exactly where you are and how to get back to the boat ramp or deer camp. Check it out and get on out there now and make the most of our great Texas outdoors this fall!
How do you like him sow?
Have an Outdoor Story or Photo? Send to: AustinEditor@ Construction News.net Ben Parker, Design Consultant at Suncoat of Texas, was on cloud swine after nabbing this 180lb. sow in Lexington, TX. –mjm
Austin Construction News • OCTOBER 2021
F
Simply the bass!
ans of Elliott Electric Supply’s annual fishing tournament waited with baited breath to see if the company’s 2021 Big Bass Classic would be held this year – and they were not disappointed! Hundreds lined up Sept. 12 to catch the event, hosted at Lake Fork Marina, as well as competition-worthy bass. Thousands of dollars were awarded in three categories: Biggest Bass, Biggest Stringer and Smallest Bass. The day before the fishing, attendees visited vendor booths showcasing the latest and greatest products and services in the electrical industry. –mjm
Page 11
M
A wake and ready
atthew Lamz, President at Dimensional Roofing & Diagnostics LLC in Austin, makes a splash during his off-hours with his passion for wakeboarding. Lamz enjoys it so much, he is a Wake Surf Instructor and coaches the University of Texas at Austin’s wakesurfing team. “The sport alone is so much fun, and
not as difficult as it may appear. I tell my students that its ‘ease’ makes me look like a genius because they all learn so fast and we crush goals two at a time out there. What I love about that is how rewarding it is for us all. They walk away from the boat going on and on about their day and that is what it’s all about for me.” –mjm
Lamz surfs his week of stress away.
Lamz coaches the UT Austin Wakesurfing team.
Companies, like Burrus & Matthews Inc., ➤ participated in the Bass Classic’s vendor trade show on Sept. 11.
Biggest Bass Category, 1st Place: Ameri-Tex A/C & Electrical (8.2lbs.)
Matthew Lama never gets “board” with wakeboarding.
Biggest Stringer Category, 1st Place: United Mechanical (8.71lbs.)
The Elliott Electric Supply team
Fun run
On Sept. 10, four Turner Construction South teams gave the competition a run for its money at the annual Zilker Relays. After the teams completed the 10K race at Zilker Park, they were rewarded with food, drinks and live music. –mjm
Page 12
Austin Construction News • OCTOBER 2021
Smashing Success
T
Smash My Trash truck grinds waste down.
he mobile waste compaction service, Smash My Trash, celebrates five years in business and a bit over a year in the San Antonio and Austin markets. The innovative company originally franchised in Houston, Dallas and Austin and has been successfully growing while helping business owners save on their waste hauling expenses. “We are a mobile on-site trash compaction service,” says Darrell Cooksey, owner of the Austin and San Antonio market franchise. “Whenever a customer has a trash container (dumpster) that needs emptying, we show up and smash it. “Ideally we come in when the dumpster is 50 percent full rather than at capacity. By coming in when the container is at 50 percent, you are going to maximize the compaction, which will extend the need for hauling it off. Less haul-offs equal lower waste expenses. Even after the smash fees, our customers are realizing 30% to 40% savings.
Smash My Trash has been operating a little over a year in the Austin and San Antonio markets and already have over 115 recurring customers and growing. “People are starting to discover our business. Luckily, it is one of the fastest growing franchises in the nation. So with that recognition comes education and people are starting to learn about our service and how much money they can actually save on their waste,” Cooksey states. “We work with you to determine the best schedule for your needs in order to maximize your savings. After that, you can set it and forget it, we will take care of everything from there. Cooksey points out that they do not smash concrete and masonry, heavy steel, and mattresses. Mattresses do not crush down or tear apart. Smash My Trash offers project base smash, recurring smashing and on-demand smashing from North Austin to South San Antonio. -cmw
Industry FOLKS Emily Jones
Estimating Director
Kaufman Lynn Construction Buda, TX
E
mily Jones grew up in construction. Her family home was built on her grandfather’s land by her parents, family, and friends. Her mom worked for architects and owned a Bee Caves plumbing fixtures store. Her dad owned a plumbing business and managed plumbing maintenance for the state of Texas at the Capitol and Governor’s Mansion. “My childhood was speckled with hanging around my dad’s job sites, playing with architectural samples, eating cereal over blueprints at the kitchen table and making PVC pipe “phones” with my brother in the back of my dad’s truck. So much of my family was in construction as I grew up, that not only was I surrounded by it, but it felt comfortable and right – like home. I began in the industry selling flooring and design products to local home builders in the late ‘90s. I jumped into project management and estimating in the realm of high-end estate homes and eventually in multi-family/light commercial along with developing projects in Austin on in-fill lots.” Today, Jones works for Kaufman Lynn Construction. “As an Estimating Director for a company in multiple states, I have the opportunity to work on a variety of project types from stick frame to tunnel built concrete structures. I generally lead a team of two to four estimators as we budget and bid a couple of projects at a time. My projects range from $20 million to $80
million each.” Outside of work, Jones is equally busy. ”My husband and I have eight children, two adorable granddaughters, and two crazy dogs, so family time is always important. I’m also continuing my higher education, with my eyes on law school. In our free time, we travel, fish, kayak, hike, and enjoy food nearby and far away. I love to learn about history and collect old map prints.” Running for Buda City Council at Large Position #3 is also on that list. “Growing up, I learned that you don’t just punch a clock in life; you give back. This has culminated in my life in volunteer work, church projects, speaking events and coaching math teams. But something keeps pushing me to help larger groups of people. I love our ‘Budaful’ city and the people in it, so it only made sense for me to give back in my own backyard! I started by enrolling in the Buda Citizens Academy and offered my construction and development experiences to the Planning and Zoning Board where I am the Vice Chair. Now, our city of Buda sits in the fastest growing county in the United States! We are looking down the barrel of so much growth and development that the best way for me to serve the people of Buda during this unprecedented time is from a City Council seat.” –mjm
Austin Construction News • OCTOBER 2021
Page 13
Association Calendar
If you had a chance to start all over and follow a different career path, what would it be?
Content submitted by Associations to Construction News ABC
Associated Builders & Contractors
Oct. 14: Excellence In Construction Awards Banquet, Four Season Hotel, 98 San Jacinto Blvd., 6-10pm. Oct. 20: Coffee & Contractors with Structure Tone Southwest, ABC Offices 2600 Longhorn Blvd. #105, 7:30-9am Oct. 27: Membership Breakfast, TBD, 7:30-9am. For more info, contact Brian Bisgard at 512-719-5263 or email bbisgard@abccentraltexas.org ACEA
Greater Austin Contractors & Engineers Assn.
Oct. 4: Membership Luncheon, Norris Conference Center, 2525 W. Anderson Ln. #365. 11:30am. Jerry Negrete, The Chapman Firm, SB 219 Legislative Changes Affecting Contractors & Engineers Oct. 28: Fish Fry Fundraiser, Williamson County Expos Center, 5350 Bill Picket Trail, Taylor, TX. 5:30-9pm. For more info, contact Silvia Pendleton at 512-893-7067. AGC
Associated General Contractors
Oct. 5: Procore Project Manager Development Program Course, Via Zoom, 8am12pm, Member $1395, Non-Member $1795 Oct. 5: UTA OSHA #3085 – Principles of Scaffolding, 5pm Oct. 13, 14, 20, 21: OSHA 30 Construction, AGC Offices, 609 S. Lamar Blvd., 7:30am4:30pm, Member $300, Non-Member $650 Oct. 21: CLC Professional Development, Additional Info TDA. For more info, contact Toni Osberry at 512-442-7887 CenTex IEC
Independent Electrical Contractors Central Texas
Oct. 19: Joint Lunch Meeting with CTSA – Legislative Update, 11:30am-1pm. CTSA
Central Texas Subcontractors Assn.
Oct. 19: Joint Lunch Meeting with IEC – Legislative Update, 11:30am-1pm. Oct. 28: Clay Shoot, Mulligan $20, Team $500, Individual Shooter $125. For info, contact Wendy Lambert at 512-255-6373 DACA
Drywall & Acoustical Contractors Assn. of Austin
Oct. 14: DACA Austin 5th Annual Golf Classic, Falconhead Golf Club, 15201 Falconhead Blvd. For more info, email Eddie McCormick at eddie@dacaaustin.org NARI
National Assn. of the Remodeling Industry
Oct. 13: General Membership Meeting, Sunshine Camp, 2225 Andrew Zilker Rd.,
11:30-1pm. Oct. 29: Chili Cook-off & Cornhole Tournament, 2121 Scarbrough Dr., 8:30am8pm, Advanced Tickets $30, Day of Tickets $40, Cornhole Team $150, Chili Team $500. For more info, Kayvon Leath at 512997-6274 or email kayvon@austinnari.org NAWIC
National Assn. of Women in Construction
Oct. 6: Chapter Meeting/Meet the Board of Directors, Easy Tiger North, 6406 N I-35 #1100, 5:30pm. Members $35, Non-members $45. For more info, email austinnawic@gmail.com RCAT
Roofing Contractors Assn. of Texas
Oct. 1: RCAT Awards Banquet/Annual Business Mtg/Casino Night, Marriott Marquis Houston, 1777 Walker St., Houston, 6-10pm. For more info, contact Sarah Ramon at 512-251-7690 SEAot
Structural Engineers Assn. of Texas
Oct. 28: Virtual Chapter Meeting –For more info, call 512-301-2744 or visit www. seaotaustin.org TACCA
Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Assn.
Oct. 28-29: TACCA Annual Conference, Lakeway Resort & Spa, 101 Lakeway Dr., Lakeway, TX. For more info, go to www. tacca.org TexASCE
American Society of Civil Engineers Texas Section
Oct. 12: Bioengineered Living Shoreline Erosion Control Technology Webinar. For more info, go to www.texasasce.org. TSPE
Texas Society of Professional Engineers
Oct.13: Monthly Lunch Series, Water for Texas: Water for the Future, Webinar, 121pm, $10 Oct. 22-23: TSPE Leadership Training Conference, The Menger Hotel, 204 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, 12pm. For more info, contact Trish Smith at 512-472-9286 or email trish@tspe.org TXAPA
Texas Asphalt Pavement Assn.
Oct. 5-21: Inspector Asphalt Education: October – Tues. & Thurs., 8-10:30am Oct. 7-8: TxDOT Letting, 9:37am Oct. 14: TXAPA Live, 3-3:30pm. Oct. 28: TXAPA Live, 3-3:30pm. For info, contact Kelli Mofie at 512-3122099 or email kmofie@texasasphalt.org
Last of the summer board-um
H
ensel Phelps’ Southwest District office employees and their families enjoyed the last of the warm Austin weather and all that Ladybird Lake and Barton Springs has to offer. The group explored via paddleboard with the Texas Rowing Center. –mjm
I think I would do everything the same. I don’t think I would change anything. Everything that has passed has made me the person I am now. Claudia Serna, Serna’s Trucking Inc.
Now that I have gone through everything that I have gone through, I think I would have done really well in that field. I’m very left-brained. Maria Acuña, E+M Emergency Air Conditioning LLC
If I was to be anything else, I would be an educational trainer for driving. I’ve been asked to train people in the past, even at Champion and, believe it or not, I learn more about what I’m doing by training somebody. I show someone, and then I let them do it, I get more back because I see the reason why we do things. If I had a chance to do something different, I would have accepted more chances to be a trainer. There have been opportunities, but I like my job here. Pete Carrasco, Champion Site Prep
I think it’s really easy to think, “Oh, I made mistakes in life and I wish I hadn’t have made those, but I think the mistakes we make in life develop who we are. There are certainly regrets that I have in life and if I’m honest, I would have definitely invested in Bitcoin when it was fractions of a penny! But I really don’t know that I would change much. I think I would be in this same career. I’m sure there is something else I could have done with my life, that I would love just as much, but I love this so much that I just can’t imagine doing anything else. It’s just so much fun. To me, a lot of people are into material things and I’m into experience, and the experience of my life has been really fun. I enjoy it, and we only get one of these things! Josh Hadden, The Roof Joker
Well, I’m glad you asked because I have been a project superintendent pretty much my whole working career and I decided to cross to the other side of the fence and get into sales. I feel that it’s time to become more financially independent. Adam Shackelford, Raesz Custom Floors and Lighting I love the path that God has put me on, including my career, because it got me to where I am. But, if I had to choose a different career, it would be law. I feel the need to make sure people are free to live their lives as God Intended them to. In order to do that most efficiently in our society, constitutional law and human rights must be defended and upheld. Emily Jones, Kaufman Lynn Construction If I could choose a different career, for me, it would be mechanical engineering. s
Well, first and foremost, there’s no starting over in my answer. The experience I have at 43 years old is how I can procure my answer and there’s no replacing experience. But, going forward with software development the way I did and what I learned along the way, combined with my nature … constant ideas … everyone knows me to be that guy … I want to continue developing digital solutions for various problems in various industries. If – when – the Bidfarm takes off … say I get bought … that’s what I’m doing. I’ll be building the next one. Matthew Lamz, Dimensional Roofing & Diagnostics LLC
Submitted to Construction News
Round-Up
Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam Inc. (LAN) is pleased to announce the addition of Robert Goode, P.E. as Vice President and Senior Program Manager. Goode will be responsible for growing LAN’s business in Austin and central Texas, enhancing the firm’s profile with municipal and local agencies in the region, and serving as an advisor for municipal transportation projects nationwide. Goode is a veteran executive with 37 years of city, county, and private sector experience. -cmw
Gage Weilert recently joined ACS Group and will oversee the company’s Austin office. Weilert brings to his new role experience in industrial hazard analysis and fire protection consulting. Weilert graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science, Fire Protection and Safety Engineering. –mjm Ali Donoho joins MW Builders as an Operations Manager in the company’s Austin office. Donoho possesses 18 years of estimating and project management experience and has led projects and teams nationwide. Donoho will execute and deliver projects to MW Builders’ clients and manage and develop Austin-based project personnel. –mjm
Hoar Program Management LLC announces the appointment of Ryan Austin as president of the firm. Austin, who previously served as Chief Operations Officer and Executive Vice President, succeeded retiring HPM president Mike Lanier. For 17 years, Austin served HPM in positions ranging from Vice President of Finance to Chief Financial Officer and brings to his new role over 20 years of experience in the construction and accounting industries. –mjm
Page 14
Austin Construction News • OCTOBER 2021
Good for the environmental
Tom Burr
Joe Irizarry
rake Environmental LLC has joined engineering consulting firm Raba Kistner as part of its environmental division. Drake Environmental, which is based in College Station with additional offices in Austin and Houston, was established in 2014 by Scott Story. With an environmental construction and compliance service focus, the company specializes in erosion and sedimentation control, stormwater management and stormwater pollution prevention. Going forward as Drake Environmental, a Raba Kistner Company, it will help expand Raba Kistner’s environmental services in the Central, Southeast and North Texas marketplaces. It will also strengthen construction phase services by adding expertise in erosion control and stormwater management during project construction phases. An Engineering News-Record “Top 500 Firm” for 27 years, Raba Kistner was founded in 1968 and has expanded from its corporate headquarters in San Antonio to more than 500 employees in 12 offices in Texas, Utah, Nebraska and Mexico.
Today, the company’s makeup includes engineers, geologists, scientists and technologists. Raba Kistner’s offerings include environmental consulting; construc-tion materials engineering, testing and observation; geotechnical engineering; testing and pavement consulting; building sciences and consulting; and infrastructure oversight and quality management. Tom Burr is a Senior Vice President of Raba Kistner and Chief Operating Officer of the firm’s environmental division. The partnership is seen as an opportunity for future growth by leaders of both companies. Story says that the Drake Environmental team will have the opportunity to expand its services beyond its current client base. Joe A. Irizarry, Raba Kistner’s Chief Marketing Officer and senior vice president, says the affiliation supports Raba Kistner’s strategic growth plan and should yield innovative solutions and excellent customer service for clients. – mjm Raba Kistner and Drake Environmental, a Raba Kistner Company have offices in Austin. –mjm
D
Industry FOLKS
continued from Page 1 — Advanced Consulting Solutions (ACS) Austin specifically, is experiencing a construction and development boom. Companies like Tesla and Samsung are making Austin their home, and for good reason,” Weilert says. “It is our intent to participate in Austin’s growth and to establish ourselves as a partner for architects, general contractors, developers, building owners, and the local community. In the complex built environment, creative solutions are often necessary to achieve a safe environment. ACS also plans on giving back to the community through active participation in local organizations, such as the ACE Mentor program, and charitable organizations.” ACS recently introduced fire protection construction management services as a service line. Weilert hopes clients will avoid expensive re-work and other common project pitfalls by allowing
ACS to oversee the design, installation, commissioning, and final acceptance of fire protection and life safety systems. “ACS Group are experts in developing and validating creative building code and life safety solutions with the intent of being the bridge between jurisdictional requirements and architectural/development design intents,” Weilert says. “We establish meaningful relationships with our clients with a focus on achieving our client’s goals. ACS Group utilizes deep technical bench strength, existing jurisdictional relationships, and sound engineering principals to aid our clients in their project development. Let us handle the fire protection and life safety portions of your project so you can focus on overall project success.” Las Vegas-headquartered ACS Group is located in Austin. –mjm
continued from Page 1 — E+M Emergency Air Conditioning LLC Their initial success is all the more sweet considering that Acuña originally went to trade school for Computer Aided Drafting in hopes of working for an architect and Arellano was studying medicine in Mexico. The two met while working for a company they both enjoyed, but the owners’ impending divorce convinced Acuña and Arellano to pool their talents and establish E+M Emergency Air Conditioning LLC in January this year. “Everyone kept telling us that it wasn’t a good idea to start a business when we were going through a global pandemic,” Acuña says. “But Edgar and I felt it was the right time for where we are in our lives. One thing that we saw during the pandemic is that essential businesses thrived. Even though we were all going through what we were going through, there are certain things we can’t go without, and air conditioning in Texas is one of them.” As business owners Acuna and Arellano wear many hats. Acuna says Arellano is the most hardworking, methodical technician she has ever met, and he always has a clear plan for how he
and their employees will address anything that comes their way. “For commercial and residential projects, we offer new systems, construction, and remodeling installations, air conditioning service, repair, maintenance, and ductwork repairs. One commercial project we did early on in the year was the Marruci Club House at the Crossover in Cedar Park.” The business is growing, but Acuña and Arellano want to manage the pace. “We want to grow the same way the Central Texas area is growing but we want to grow at a manageable rate,” she says. “We want to be growing but also not pulling our hair out because we took on more than we can handle. “We have so many dreams but one of the key things is that Edgar and I both come from immigrant families,” she adds. “As someone who hasn’t always had enough, we want to work that much harder. We value every opportunity that we’re given. We want to be an inclusive employer, and we treat our customers the same way.” E+M Emergency Air Conditioning LLC is in Kyle. –mjm
Pete Carrasco Truck driver Champion Site Prep Inc. Austin, TX
P
ete Carrasco grew up on a farm in Fort Stockton and wanted to be a farmer just like his dad. “I loved driving tractors, learning about irrigation, the planning, the process,” he says. When the farm closed, Carrasco’s farming aspirations ended, and he tested pumps until he was laid off during the recession. When the unemployment office offered to pay for his Commercial Driver License for a start in truck driving, he jumped at the opportunity. He began driving trucks in 2007, and the Champion Site Prep brand quickly caught his eye while he was on the road. “They’re big in Central Texas. You see Champion Site Prep trucks everywhere,” Carrasco says. “I was working for other companies, and the opportunity arose where I could apply with Champion. They saw what I could do and they said they needed someone with my experience.” Carrasco has found that he loves construction as much as farming. “I enjoy the process. You take a piece of land with nothing on it, and you build a church, a public library, or a gas station, and you see the people that go in and out – and you’re part of that,” he says. “People enjoy going into those buildings that we build, and that’s what I enjoy.” When he isn’t on the road, he can be found in the small library he has created in his house. “I love to read. I have a wide variety of books that I read; I read non-fiction
mostly, educational books. I like Dave Ramsey and Joel Osteen. Gaining knowledge through reading is very important.” Carrasco can also be found planning home improvement projects. “I have been planning working on the patio, the paint, and floors for my house. My wife and I put projects together that we want to do. She works from home, and we recently turned one of our bedrooms into an office. It’s her pride and joy.” Carrasco credits his wife for being his “greatest motivator. She pushes me to do my best in everything.” That includes keeping his truck – a white 2013 Peterbuilt – sparkling clean. Often, as soon as he pulls into Champion Site Prep’s yard, he grabs the water hose and brush for a good scrub. “People notice my truck, let me put it that way,” he says, chuckling. “I’m a rolling billboard for our company as I go down the highway. We work in construction, in the mud and dirt. If the truck is dirty, people might only see part of the Champion Site Prep name. I want my truck to stand out. Some people who don’t know me ask if I even work because it’s so clean!” Carrasco recently celebrated two years at Champion Site Prep, and says he hopes to stay for years to come. –mjm
continued from Page 1 — The Roof Joker actually began paying him to do it when he worked summers for a construction company in Corpus Christi. “We didn’t exclusively do roofing, but I learned how to do roof repairs. We worked for five dollars an hour, cash. This was the ‘90s; I thought I was rich!” he recalls. “I saved up for my first car.” After high school, he pursued different work, but kept returning to construction, amassing 13 years of construction experience. “This is my second time owning a company. The first time, I did everything – roofing, flooring, painting, drywall,” he says. “I went to Houston after Hurricane Harvey and was miserable driving back and forth. It was tough on my family, so I went to work for a roofing company in Austin in January 2018. I worked for them for a little over three years and I started The Roof Joker in April.” Since then, his team has expanded to
include his wife and production manager Melody Hadden, office manager Windy Toliver, Senior Roofing Project Manager Logan Bohannon, and Roofing Project Managers Shaun Gonzales and Art Garner. Josh serves as Chief Operating Officer; Jackson is Chief Executive Officer and Brischke is Chief Financial Officer. “Our tagline is ‘Funny guy, serious roofer.’ We love having fun and cutting up. I joke around with customers all of the time. When it comes to doing the work, we have really great crews,” Josh says. “But it’s not easy to be able to work for me; I have very high standards on keeping the job site clean, making sure customers don’t have nails in their tires, because it’s easy to go from a fun situation to an unfun situation. I’m training them to meet our standards with how they treat people and encouraging them to have fun while they work.” The Roof Joker is in Cedar Park. –mjm
Austin Construction News • OCTOBER 2021
T
Page 15
Clay busting
Personal touch
he members of the Drywall & Acoustical Contractors Association (DACA) had a great time networking and competing for this year’s awards at the DACA Annual Clay Shoot. The weather was perfect throughout the day which made the event, held at Capital City Clays, all that much more enjoyable. “The day would not have been a success without the help of Shelley Conran of Specified Technologies Inc. help coordinating the event,” says DACA Executive Director Eddie McCormick, CEP. Congratulations to the first place team CEMCO with a score of 177; second place team ISC Building Products with a score of 164 and first place individual shooter, Mark Didway, who shot 47 out 50 clays. -cmw
To celebrate its “Founder’s Day,” Kitchell’s Austin team partnered with Central Health and prepared 3,000 personal protective equipment kits for Travis County residents who have limited access to PPE. –mjm
C Team CEMCO
Mark Didway
In memoriam
larence P. Guerrero, co-founder of CG&S Design-Build, passed away Aug. 19 at age 93. Born April 18, 1928, Guerrero grew up in east Austin, learned carpentry at a young age, and accompanied his father on jobsites across the country. After his service in the Navy, he attended one year of architecture drafting school and continued his path in carpentry. After meeting and marrying his wife, Stella, he founded CG&S Design-Build in Austin. Guerrero’s roles encompassed every facet as the business, and he and Stella eventually sold the business to
their children in the 1990s, and the business now involves the family’s third generation. Guerrero is survived by Stella, eight children, including his daughter and current CG&S President Dolores Guerrero Davis, 33 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. A lifelong devout Catholic and avid University of Texas fan, he enjoyed hosting get-togethers at his home and owning and racing quarter horses at Manor Downs. A mass of Christian burial was held Aug. 25 at Santa Cruz Catholic Church in Buda. –mjm
Page 16
I
n its fourth partnership with Catullus Development, Engen Contracting Inc. (ECI) constructed a ground up mixed-use pavilion project in the Mueller Development in the Mary Elizabeth Branch Park. The venue boasts 20,000sf of usable space perfect for hosting weekly Mueller Farmers Markets and special events such as weddings and association and civic gatherings. Construction on the project, which began in early 2020, was overseen by a talented, communicative team. Catellus representative Leo Lopez, Project Architect Earl Swisher of The Lawrence Group and ECI’s Project Superintendent Angelo Matos, Project Manager Michael Engen and Peter Maneikis closely collaborated to realize the owner’s vision. The project consisted of structural steel spider columns mounted to the tops of 18 ‘finish free’ concrete pilasters for supporting the roof structure. Three perimeter walls of floor-to-ceiling curtain-wall systems with bi-folding hydraulically-operated tube steel glass “Crown Doors” permits a quick conversion to an enclosed climatized space or an open-air concept. Concession facilities for private and community events, a bridal suite for weddings and two sets of unisex public restrooms are also available. Shortly into the project, COVID lockdowns blindsided the entirety of the project team. Project meetings quickly went virtual, and plans were implemented to structure protocols to ensure onsite worker health and safety. COVID also caused supply chain issues that were overcome by working with the design team to select ‘as equal’ options alternatives to keep momentum moving forward. Each day posed new challenges and made for moving targets that required constant follow ups and
S
ometimes, a project is created through unexpected circumstances, as Austin Shoe Hospital recently learned. When a vehicle accidentally drove into its north Austin location and destroyed the sales area flooring (among other things), owner Carol Kelly turned to Raesz Custom Floors and Lighting, whom she had known for two decades, for help. Kelly hoped the Raesz team could repair the building so that that Austin Shoe Hospital could quickly continue repairing shoes, bags, and belts. The Raesz team, led by Foreman Abel Guzman, demolished the sales area and installed new luxury vinyl plank flooring from Happy Feet. The durable flooring resembles natural wood but is 100% waterproof. The chosen color, “Outer Banks,” gave the flooring a rustic look, which complemented the store’s aesthetic. Although the project was a small commercial job of only 700ft., the installation of the new LVP made a noticeable impact. The deadline was tight, so the Raesz team completed the work over the weekend so that the Austin Shoe Hospital would not lose important operating hours. “The installation does not normally go this fast,” Raesz sales team member Adam Shackelford explains. “This was a special exception that needed to get done as soon as possible. “With the owner needing this flooring addressed ASAP, there were zero complications of material getting to us, even with all of the complications of delays with material around the world.
Austin Construction News • OCTOBER 2021
Mueller Pavillon specific purpose and the design team and ECI worked tirelessly until it functioned as intended. This project’s strength was due in large part because the entire team were similarly motivated to reach the end without cutting any corners, regardless of the additional effort involved. The client, architect and ECI were very satisfied with the final product, which was completed last spring. It was proof that, once again, hard work on everyone’s part does indeed pay off. Engen Contracting Inc. (ECI) is located in Austin, TX. –mjm Engen Contracting Inc. Austin, TX
Engen Contracting Inc. (ECI) constructed Mueller Pavilion, a 20,000sf mixed-use venue.
aggressive negotiations to avoid delays. Being a project that was an added phase to an existing park that bordered the South and East sides, as well as having two active city streets on the North and West borders, had the project pinned in. Another challenge was staging materials while keeping a safe site for workers and public foot and vehicle traffic that were always in close proximity of the Limits of Construction throughout the project. One unique aspect of this project was the structural steel components that were shop fabricated. These were shipped to a large painting shop so that high performance coatings could be applied, since they could not be applied onsite in the field like
typical coatings. This required detailed schedule and coordination work with multiple vendors. Another unique aspect was concealing all hydraulic and electrical components of the Crown overhead glass doors that sit in the large curtainwall systems. Coordination with the design team on routing lines through curtainwall framing and under the roof insulation was paramount in achieving this design feature. The project’s successful execution was due to the effective communication at critical project milestones between the GC, architect, and developer. Every element of this project was carefully analyzed requiring significant ongoing strategy-enhanced communications. Every detail served a
Bi-folding hydraulically-operated steel glass “Crown Doors” permits a quick conversion to an enclosed climatized space or open-air concept.
Austin Shoe Hospital
Raesz Custom Floors and Lighting has an Austin showroom which helps customers, like Austin Shoe Hospital.
The flooring was installed quickly over the weekend so that the owner could reopen Austin Shoe Hospital on Monday.
After a vehicle drove through Austin Shoe Hospital, Raesz Custom Floors and Lighting installed new luxury vinyl plank flooring in the location.
The vendor got material to us without delays,” Shackelford says. It is little surprise that the company would know how to meet a challenge this daunting. Raesz Custom Floors and Lighting Owner Gary Raesz has been a flooring contractor since 1976, and he founded his full-service company in 1989. He runs a showroom in Austin that is fully furnished with a wide range of flooring samples, including eco-friendly options. The company services both commercial and residential; on the commercial side, it offers high fashion, engineered, and reclaimed woods, travertine stone and tile, vinyl plank, central vacuum systems and cleaning and maintenance. In addition to offering a variety of flooring and lighting options, Raesz Custom Floors and Lighting in Austin is committed to using products that are safe for customers, their employees and the environment. Not only was Austin Shoe Hospital going to get a new look, it would be healthier to boot. With the flooring in place, customers could now walk in and have their shoes looking as spiffy as the new shop floor. Despite the tight deadline, “the project was installed without complications,” Shackelford says. “The store manager and the owner were very pleased with how prompt we were able to complete this job on a Sunday, and for them to reopen Monday morning.” Raesz Custom Floors and Lighting is in Austin. –mjm Raesz Custom Floors and Lighting Austin, TX
Austin Construction News • OCTOBER 2021
Page 17
Elevators at 300 Colorado St.
CAB Design Interiors fabricated and installed nine elevator cab interiors for a new building in downtown Austin
A
new multi-story office building, located at 300 Colorado St. in downtown Austin, is as sleek on the inside as it is on the outside. Thanks to CAB Interior Design, an Austin-based elevator interiors fabricator and installer, the building’s elevators are certainly no exception. CAB’s former Owner(s) John Tolbert and Brad Marchbanks, former Shop Manager Rick Martin, Shop Foreman/ Project Manager Matt Raesz, Lead Installation Wayne Potter, and General Manager Dillon Spreen teamed up to oversee the fabrication and installation of the interiors for nine elevator cabs. CID coordinated a set of plans with the architect that consisted of rift white oak veneer wrapped with 304SS ¼ in. by 1/4 in. bar horizontal and vertical throughout the cab.
A
The team completed a mock-up of the elevator interiors in CAB’s shop. All wood veneers were 3/4 in. fire rate MDF bank matched rift white oak with a custom two-part finish all done in-house at our shop. The rear wall had #6 18 Ga. Stainless steel wings on each side of the wall. The wood veneers were wrapped with 304 stainless steel bar that ran vertical and horizontal throughout the entire cab. Ceilings were #6 18 Ga. stainless steel with 1/8 in. wide black reveals. The lighting consisted of six ManD-Tech emergency lighting LED downlights. These were square lights that required a special 1/8 in. reveal around each light. The handrail was a 1 1/2 in. stainless steel round bar handrail with a 1 1/4 in. mounting brackets. The handrails were integrated into the walls so it flowed properly with the stainless steel bar. “After the initial mock-up of the cab walls in our shop, the architect made a trip,” Spreen says. “After review, we had to modify how all of the stainless steel bar locked into the wood veneer panels, to ensure they all seamlessly lined up.”
“After the initial mock-up, we had to rework our entire philosophy on how to get every bar flush with the other ones. It consisted of hand sanding every bar so it would fit perfectly,” Spreen adds. “The trickiest part was laying up the bar in equal segments; that way, it would line up across the cab, along with figuring out where to break the rear middle panel which recessed off the rear wall 3 inches, which is not common.” The team also had to discern how to make the stainless steel bar look like it intersected through the handrails and how to adhere all the stainless steel bar in the grooves without having to screw in every single one. The 3 in. stainless steel bar that encased the rear wall was twisted and proved to be very hard to work with. The challenges didn’t end there. Once the mock-up was modified, the team then faced new obstacles as they prepared for the elevator interiors’ installation. “The biggest install challenge we faced that is not common for us was
Ensuring that every stainless steel bar was flush on the rift white oak veneer panel proved to be a challenge.
The stainless steel bar appears as if it intersects the handrails, a design plan that the team meticulously executed.
having to load all of the materials at ground level and then use a forklift to get the wall panels and ceilings to the 12th level of the parking garage,” Spreen explains. “This was very time-consuming because the vibration and bumps of the forklift could damage or twist the walls. Along with having to coordinate all of our off-loading onsite after work hours. Thanks to CAB Interior Design’s years of experience and skilled team, each obstacle was overcome, resulting in nine stunning elevator cabs that perfectly complemented the new building’s aesthetic. “Cousins Properties was satisfied with the end result and our product met their expectations for the new multistory office building in downtown Austin,” Spreen says. CAB Interior Design is in Austin, TX. –mjm
Ben E. Keith Company Distribution Centers
ustin-based Freedom Solar has built a reputation for managing complex solar and backup power projects and boasts decades of residential and commercial solar panel installation including off-grid solar power, ground-mount solar energy systems, solar car-ports and more. The company continues to reinforce its commanding position as a leading turnkey solar energy installer in Texas with recent major solar installations at the Austin distribution facilities of Fort Worth-based food and beverage distributor Ben E. Keith Company. “We are extremely pleased to have this new relationship with Ben E. Keith Company, a revered name in Texas business for 115 years,” Freedom Solar CEO Bret Biggart says. “This is the second major Austin-area beverage distributor we have helped move to solar, demonstrating that the time for solar is now in the distribution business, which has the ideal industry profile for onsite solar power.” “Sustainability is increasingly important to businesses and customers alike, and these projects represent the first steps in our sustainability plan,” said Ben E. Keith Beverage Vice President of Operations Jon Thompson. “Solar is, without a doubt, an affordable, financially and environmentally smart investment.” Although Thompson approached Freedom Solar based on another distributor’s recommendation, he also put the jobs out for competitive bids. Freedom Solar’s installation of 2,430 solar panels on the rooftop of Ben E. Keith Beverages’ distribution center at 4101 McKinney Falls Parkway in Austin is
Freedom Solar installed 2,430 solar panels on the rooftop of Ben E. Keith Beverages’ distribution center in Austin, one of the largest local commercial solar installations to date.
one of the largest local commercial solar installations to date. With the capacity to produce 1,336,037 kilowatt hours of energy, offsetting two-thirds of the facility’s energy costs, the array has a projected five-year return on investment. Freedom also recently installed 1,020 solar panels on the roof of Keith’s facility at 1604 Bessemer Avenue in Llano, which provides the capability to produce 557,792 kilowatt hours of energy, offsetting 40% of the facility’s electricity costs. It was the first commercial solar project in the Llano area. The company serves all of Texas as
well as the Front Range of Colorado and central Florida, providing alternative energy to thousands of residential customers and hundreds of commercial solar power clients. An investment in commercial solar power provides a strong internal rate of return (IRR) and a more favorable payback period than most residential systems. Growing numbers of businesses in the United States are seeing the financial and environmental benefits of solar energy. Companies such as Walmart, Kohl’s and Amazon are leading the way, with growth across many
corporate sectors. In Freedom Solar Power’s experience, a few of the commercial sectors that would benefit are architects, engineers and contractors, education and non-profits, government and military, healthcare, hospitality, multi-family and assisted living, office buildings and retail. Businesses that own the building or property with large unobstructed area on the roof or grounds, have a roof that is in good condition, have higher electrical loads during the day and/or summer, and have a passthrough ownership structure with significant tax liability are a good fit for solar. Since 2020, Biggart says, the federal investment tax credit has been a big factor in the decisions of many customers to go solar. Congress recently extended the ITC as part of a broad congressional initiative to make renewable energy like solar more affordable. The legislation extends the 26% solar tax credit through 2022, dropping to 22% in 2023. Additional legislation is in the pipeline to further stimulate the broad adoption of clean, renewable energy. “Solar’s time has come,” Biggart says. “Freedom Solar is proud to partner with respected, high-profile businesses like the Ben E. Keith Company in leading the 21st century solar revolution.” Austin-headquartered Freedom Solar has locations in Texas, Colorado and Florida. –mjm Freedom Solar Austin, TX
Page 18
T
Austin Construction News • OCTOBER 2021
Golfing at Star Ranch
he Austin Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) hosted their Annual Golf Tournament on Sept. 14. The event was held at The Golf Club at Star Ranch for a sold out event. The 144 golfers enjoyed perfect weather and raised over $20k towards their scholarship fund. Equipment Share Team 1 and Standard Drywall tied for first place while Equipment Share Team 2 took home the Dead Ass Last place award. -cmw
Swing set
On Sept. 13, Harvey-Cleary Builders’ Austin office hosted its annual charity golf tournament at UT Golf Club and raised $75,000 to benefit Helping Hand Home for Children. –mjm
Method to their gladness Equipment Share Team 1
Standard Drywall
Method Architecture put the finishing touches on its company retreat, Camp Method, with a “Nailed It” challenge using Legos, the tiny plastic building blocks that have inspired so many architecture careers. –mjm
Austin Construction News • OCTOBER 2021
T
Happy anniversary!
he Independent Electrical Contractors Central Texas Chapter celebrated their 25th anniversary on Aug. 25 with a Meet & Greet Mixer. The event was held at TopGolf with an outstanding turnout. Electrical contractors from the Austin and surrounding area attended the anniversary party. -cmw
Page 19
Serving up safety
IEC CenTEX 25th Anniversary medals ➤
CenTEX members celebrate their Chapter’s 25 years of service to electrical contractors in the Austin area.
Executive Director David Johnson visits with CenTEX members
Golfing and mingling
Prism Electric’s Austin Service team enjoyed the most important meal of the day with a safety breakfast Sep. 15. The group’s new Austin General Manager, Jim Schlosser (not pictured) reminded the group about the importance of awareness and accountability. –mjm
Page 20
Austin Construction News • OCTOBER 2021