San Antonio Construction News March 2022

Covering the Industry’s News

Texas Style

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www.constructionnews.net H (210) 308-5800 H Volume 24 H Number 3 H MARCH 2022

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The name of the game

Exciting times

L-R Audrey Elliott, Tom Damiani and Dave Jahn

Joeris General Contractors executive leadership team L-R: President Kenny Fuller, CFO Ryan Doege, Executive VP Angela Cardwell, CEO Gary Joeris, VP Karl Joeris, Sr. VP Carl McClenan and COO Henry Serry

om Damiani started in the air conditioning business in 1986 as an installer. When he was in college at Southwest Texas State University, now known as Texas State University, his dad who was in the industry, moved to Iowa and Damiani lost all his jobs. To help him out, his dad got him a job with an air conditioning contractor in Iowa during summer and Christmas breaks. “I would leave Texas State and drive to Iowa to do a/c unit installs,” recalls Damiani. “I went to college not wanting to be in the air conditioning business because my dad was in the business. By the time I was done installing, I kind of fell in love with it and I wanted to own my own business one day.”

After realizing that he might want to make a career out it, Damiani asked his summer employers to show him the ropes of running a business. “I would install during the day and at night, they would show the ins and outs of running a business,” he adds.

After college, he went to work for Lennox as a territory manager and later had his own distributorship called Texas Geothermal before moving to Chicago where he ran a big mechanical contracting company. “I kind of call it my master’s degree in HVAC,” Damiani continues. “I got a lot of experience along the way, made some good money, and wanted to come back to Texas.”

Putting the frigid temperatures of

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f celebrating 55 years in business isn’t exciting enough, try throwing in business of the year.

As Joeris General Contractors enters its 55th year in business, the San Antonio-based general contractor received the San Antonio Business Journal’s 2021 Business of the Year Award. “We are truly shocked and honored to have been selected among a group of such prestigious firms,” says Joeris Executive Vice President Angela Cardwell. “We had some really strong competition; some very well-known firms here in San Antonio. It’s just amazing!”

Cardwell believes the San Antonio Business Journal nominated companies for the award based on revenue growth,

continued on Page 18

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fter a history in corporate retail, LA Bankler Beck was ready to make a change. Looking for something new and with the confidence she received from her family, she was ready to do just that. She decided running her own company is the change she needed.

But what kind of company would be the right fit for her?

Similar to purchasing a new home, Beck looked at what was on the market.

She spoke to a lot of companies, and ultimately decided to purchase a utility company with a longevity in San Antonio.

Confident that it was a company she could grow and make her own, Beck became the proud owner of RAM2 Utilities, an underground utility and infrastructure construction company.

With her husband, Jason Beck, by her side, the company quickly began picking up the traction the company had slowly lost before Beck stepped in to

weathering the pandemic, workforce sustainability and company culture. “We are always up for various awards with the Business Journal,” adds Cardwell. “We’ve been a recipient of the Best Places to Work award for 15 years running, and we are always in the top five on the Largest Contractors in San Antonio, depending on how the numbers shuffle out every year, as well as some others. And, we have had some of our projects featured in the Business Journal. But what exactly was their criteria? I’m not sure.”

Twenty twenty-one was a record year for Joeris revenue-wise. They were fortunate that some projects that had stalled in 2020 due to covid got momentum in 2021 and were actually started. continued on Page 18

A part of the story

LA Bankler Beck, president and owner of Ram2 Utilities

breathe new life into it.

“We are in a growth mode,” says Beck. “When we purchased the company it was a small operation. We’ve been ramping it up and now we have about five crews with 31 employees. We doubled the business last year and plan to continue multiplying our sales this year.”

Of course, coming from corporate retail to utility construction had its challenges. She had to learn all about the day-to-day operations, bringing in the right materials and the right workforce to provide the type of service she envisioned RAM2 to have. Fortunately, having a husband whose a chemical engineer and oversees the field operations, Jason was well versed in the different applications of pipes and fittings and all the necessary materials used in underground applications.

“We are a customer service- oriented continued on Page 18

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San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022

Brothers in construction

Growing off main

Breda Construction President/Estimator, Michael Breda

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ince the young age of 11, Michael Breda has been working in construction. He started out as a helper cleaning and disposing of scrap materials for a neighbor who was building homes.

He continued working in construction alongside his brother, Bobby Breda. After working for other contractors in the industry, the two brothers decided it was time to venture out on their own.

In 2003, with more than more 40 years of experience in the construction industry, Michael and Bobby started their own commercial construction company, Breda Construction Inc. Michael serves as president and estimator, while Bobby services as vice president and project manager.

Prior to starting Breda Construction, the two brothers went through the Carpenters Local 14 apprenticeship program. They worked for a local contractor for almost two decades where they developed strong relationships that helped jump start Breda Construction.

They started out working from Michael’s home before purchasing a building in 2010. A year after starting Breda Construction, Michael’s son, Michael Breda II, joined the company. He started out as a laborer and like his father and uncle, he too went through the Carpenters Local 14 apprenticeship program. Today he is part owner of Breda Construction having bought in as a majority owner. He also serves as project manager.

Family-owned with over 40 years of commercial construction experience, the Bredas have a wide array of experience from estimating to working in the field.

As project managers, they bring a wealth of knowledge to their projects specializ-

ing in institutional remodels. Breda Construction offers experience in all areas of construction including institutional remodel, new construction of restaurants and car dealerships. “We specialize in institutional remodels, but we are not limited to just that. We can also take care of new construction, negotiated work, and commercial finish outs,” says Michael Breda.

Breda Construction keeps busy performing remodeling work for their two biggest clients, Trinity University and University Hospital. They were responsible for the remodeling of the dormitories at Verna McLean Hall, Murchison Hall, updating the dormitories at Herndon Hall and Beze Hall as well as the remodel of McFarlin Complex and other projects throughout the campus. Other projects include University Health Systems’ (UHS) 7th floor remodel, UHS’s pharmacy remodel, Robert B. Green Physical Therapy and UHS’s kitchen remodels; and the City of San Antonio’s Northeast Service Center addition, McCreless Library remodel, Wolff Stadium remodel and repair, and the City Visitor Center remodel.

“We are fair and honest. We stand behind all of our work. Quality is our top priority,” adds Michael Breda. “We’ve built some really good relationships over the years and we appreciate them all and take pride in serving them.”

Michael and his brother Bobby share a cabin down at the coast and enjoy fishing whenever time permits. Michael also enjoys deer hunting on his ranch in Hondo.

Breda Construction is a general contractor in San Antonio. -cmw

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Ron Page

on Page takes pride in the work his organization has accomplished as a whole. The team he surrounds himself with is “top notch” according to his clients. He is an established entrepreneur that continues to grow no matter what entity he starts from the ground up.

His first entity that was launched in 2014 was MainStream Painting LLC, doing business as MainStream Painting & Construction. That company was able to start its growth in the summer of 2015 when Page sold his first franchise to a fellow colleague in the industry that was based out of Arlington, TX. Within a month he had sold his second franchise in the San Antonio market. Then after finding more interested parties in joining his cause, he was able to get the El Paso, TX market up and running. Soon after, he sold his first out-of-state franchise to a young man in the industry out of the Denver, CO market. While selling franchises of his brand, he then turned his attention back to Texas and had sold his next franchise to another fellow colleague in the industry out of Houston, TX. Once the main markets in Texas had a solid reputation of franchises, Page was asked by his clientele to add more services to his portfolio. He then took their advice and started getting into more construction projects. But shortly after adding more services to their portfolio, some of the clientele still took them as a “paint contractor only.” Hearing this, he decided to start a second entity/LLC and

titled that entity MainStream Construction Services LLC. Now that there was a new entity created, Page decided to bring on some major key players in his industry and brought on Joe McLaughlin who is a highly respected professional in the networks Page belongs to. After bringing McLaughlin on board, MainStream Construction Services LLC started gaining serious growth in the existing markets his other entity was already in. Soon after, Page was asked by a very large real estate firm to start his next out-of-state market out of Atlanta, GA and Nashville, TN. He and McLaughlin decided to give that opportunity a shot and away they did.

While growing into other markets once again, MainStream Construction Services LLC started heavily marketing their brand by doing live television commercials, business television interviews, social media marketing and podcasting.

With the adoption of this form of marketing and transitioned into their business model, Page added Gina Pemberton to his team. Pemberton comes with a real estate background in the same industry. Along with having a previous business herself in the industry, Pemberton grows companies to the next level with her high-level skills in marketing. Page maintains that he is extremely blessed having such a good quality team backing him up as they grow into now offering almost 50 services. “The sky’s the limit,’’ says Page. -cmw

Joe McLaughlin, MainStream Construction Services LLC Founder, Franchisor and CEO

Gina Pemberton

San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022

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ince 1952, mechanical contractors and sheet metal contractors have been represented in San Antonio through the Mechanical & Sheet Metal Contractors Association (MCA-SMACNA).

It was incorporated to serve the needs of the contractors involved in the commercial construction and maintenance of all manner of piping, plumbing, air conditioning, heating, ventilation and related systems.

Its founding members were driven by a passion for excellence and service that remains the focus of their member contractors today. The founding members of MCA-SMACNA include Kurt A.J. Monier, Rigdon Terrell, Louis Mosel, Sr., Bill Gibson, T.W. Neely, Otto Tezel, Bob Cotter, Buddy Mueller, Aubrey Wilson, Ed Tschoepe and Pressly Schafer. Some of these industry leading corporations have celebrated 75-100 years in business helping to build San Antonio and South-Central Texas.

“Through the years,” says Jeff Vogt, President of Dynamic Systems Inc. “MCA-SMACNA of San Antonio has been invaluable in fostering healthy professional relationships across all trades which have helped enable the construction industry to keep pace with the ever-growing city of San Antonio and its surrounding areas. We are proud to be an active member.”

Many of MCA-SMACNA’s founding companies have passed the torch to the next generation and are still very active in the association. Companies like AJ Monier Company, LC Mosel Company, Mueller & Wilson Inc. and Tezel & Cotter A/C to name a few. “I started sweeping floors during the summer in high school and 45 years later am running the company,” says LC Mosel President Kurt Mosel.

“When I took the position of executive director eight years ago,” adds

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Celebrating 70 years MCA-SMACNA Executive Director Sandee Morgan, “the thing that impressed me the most is these are the elite mechanical and sheet metal contractors in San Antonio – the contractors you want to have on your project. MCA-SMACNA contractors do the majority of the high-profile, technically challenging projects in South Central Texas. If you pass a major hospital, data center, industrial plant, resort hotel or manufacturing facility in this town, one of our contractors most likely worked on it.”

The association also has a sheet metal apprenticeship school and HVAC/ Plumbers and Pipe Fitters apprenticeship school which turn out the most skilled and educated journeymen in the industry. “As a third-generation builder,” says Ryan Rehman, Vice President and Division Manager, Dynamic Systems. Inc., ”I am so proud to now have the opportunity to represent Dynamic Systems Inc. in the San Antonio area while continuing to move the industry forward.”

MCA-SMACNA of San Antonio member contractors include Beard Mechanical, Bentley Sheetmetal and Roofing, The Brandt Companies, Dynamic Systems Inc., M&M Metals, Mission Plumbing Heating and A/C, AJ Monier Company, LC Mosel Company, Mueller & Wilson Inc., Service Mechanical Group, Texas Chiller System, Tezel & Cotter A/C and 64 associate member companies. -cmw

A.J. Monier & Co. - 1957 St. Mary’s University

Santa Rosa Hospital, 1968

J.W. Marriott - work performed by Dynamic Systems Inc.

UTSA’s third Science & Engineering Building

San Antonio Water Systems – work performed by Dynamic Systems Inc.

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San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022

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SA rodeo cook-off

fter a one-year hiatus, the construction industry turned out in force on January 28-29 for the San Antonio Rodeo’s 25th Annual Pre-Rodeo Bar-B-Q Cook-Off. Held at its permanent location in east San Antonio, everyone was full of smiles as Construction News made our yearly rounds to photo and highlight the companies in the industry showing off their cooking skills. And boy can you guys cook! -cmw

WATCH VIDEO

San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022

LETS RODEO

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San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022

nership isn’t appropriate after all. Another type of partnership that distributes ownership more equitably based on roles/responsibilities might be better.

And second, you’re going to need some help wrangling these moving parts into a strategic plan that transcends a verbal agreement.

Consider the Tax & Financial Implications Partnerships and the IRS have a complicated history. The entities are passthrough, which means the partners, not the business, are taxed. This has resulted in some tax advantages that the IRS has spent years trying to rein in.

Before 2018, for instance, for small partnerships with ten or fewer partners, the IRS could only audit each partner, not the entity. This complication resulted in very few audits—perhaps less than 1% of partnerships each year. The Bipartisan

Budget Act (BBA) became law in 2018 and gave the IRS the ability to audit and collect money from partnerships directly (unless the partners proactively opt-out).

Around the same time, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) increased the excludable qualified business income of passthroughs to 20%, and partnerships became even more irresistible. But recently proposed legislation aims at reducing deductions and loopholes.

The bottom line is that as tax laws change, so might the advantages/disadvantages of a partnership. It also hammers home the point that you need to trust those you partner with. If one partner commits fraud concerning their business earnings, the IRS may be able to take a close look at the other partners.

Were you grossly negligent in overlooking your partner’s discretions? Did you profit from their actions?

And even if you choose a protected partnership structure with limited liability, you and your partners need to make smart financial moves to keep your business and personal assets clearly separate. Personal guarantees, offering up collateral, and co-mingling business and personal finances at any point can come back to bite you if the business goes bankrupt or has unpaid debt.

Many of these considerations are best discussed directly with a business attorney and tax professional before instituting a partnership agreement. A little due diligence from the start can go a long way in keeping a healthy partnership long-term.

Steven Bankler has more than 45 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.

Let me share a few tips that can help for future snow days – since this seems to be the new normal:

ing on the stove or oven but not a good idea. This causes carbon monoxide and electric ones pose a fire risk.

How to Prepare Your Home for Winter

Tree Branches - No matter the season, it’s a great practice to have your trees trimmed back.

Reginald Mahadeo Agency Owner Reginald Mahadeo Insurance Agency, Inc. Austin, TX

During winter storms, branches build up ice that eventually start to weigh down causing damage to rooftops, windows, fences, vehicles, etc. Maintaining the branches trimmed two to three feet away from the surface can avoid those issues and a home/auto claim.

Do not use your vehicle as a source of heat, most importantly if the vehicle is parked inside the garage. If the vehicle is parked outside, verify the exhaust pipe is clear of any snow, ice and debris.

ACCOUNTING Partnerships Are a Tricky Business Steven Bankler, Owner Steven Bankler, CPA, Ltd. San Antonio, TX

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mall business ownership can be daunting when you’re alone at the top. That’s why many entrepreneurs consider forming their businesses as equal partnerships between two or more owners. However, these business structures can be uniquely affected by relationships, taxes, and other factors.

An equal partnership can be a great idea until it isn’t. Perhaps the partnership is between a couple, siblings, or colleagues. Maybe it’s a partnership from the beginning, or it’s an idea that allows two or more inheritors of a family business to share the business equally.

Equally sharing a business may sound like it will keep the peace, but, eventually, it can result in turmoil. Some of the most significant challenges come into play when: • A partner becomes disillusioned by a real or perceived belief that they’re doing more work than the other(s).

• One partner drops the ball in their duties, participates in fraud, or decides to pivot in a direction that wasn’t discussed initially.

• Family changes for one partner affect the whole. For example, divorce and death can both lead to one partner’s stake suddenly being transferred to or shared with a spouse or former spouse outside the original ownership group.

• Generational chaos ensues. Passing down a family business equally to offspring can result in too many cooks in the kitchen, complicating operations and decision making.

While partnerships can lead to these challenges, they aren’t inherently a bad idea. However, they need to be structured and executed thoughtfully.

Have the Tough Conversations A partnership begins because two (or more) owners each bring something unique to the table. That could be talent or expertise, money or property, or a tireless work ethic (sweat equity). These different values mean that the partnership—from the start—isn’t equal (based on sameness) but should at least be equitable (based on fairness). Outlining these expectations from day one is essential.

Of course, you should have a shared vision, too. Do you plan on growing the business? Do your short-term and longterm goals match? What about financial responsibility: Who will handle business finances, bookkeeping, payroll, and tax filings? When the business generates a profit, how will that be distributed? If it doesn’t do well, is every partner prepared to take on debt?

Once you start having these discussions and evaluating each partner’s contributions, you’re likely to realize two critical things. First, perhaps an equal part-

INSURANCE

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n February 2021, did anyone expect to see a white layer of winter wonderlandin front of our yards, next door neighbor’s home, rooftops, autos, plants, etc. The answer was no. When does it really snow in Texas? That’s the 2nd year in a row!

Such calmness when watching snowflakes, icicles glistening in the sun and the only outside activity are kids and adults slipping and sliding on the small hills. There was no need to travel on the roads, so most stayed home to avoid the wintery forecast.

Were you prepared?

Make it Legal This realization should lead you to build a structure around the partnership you envision. One pillar is your legal formation. A general partnership is always an option, but it provides little liability protection for owners. Limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships are often better options for this reason.

Within those partnership structures, you can divide partnership levels in many ways. For example, maybe there should be a managing partner who is given authority to act on behalf of the other partners in certain situations.

It’s essential to work with a legal professional to hammer out these details in a partnership agreement. Just as important is drawing up a buy-sell agreement from the start. It’s not a frivolous contingency because the partnership is guaranteed to change at some point for one reason or another. A buy-sell agreement can help you avoid surprises or conflict when it happens.

Weatherstripping and HVAC - It’s important to check the weatherstripping on all windows and doors and HVAC filters. Replaced them if they look worn down or if filters are dirty.

Water Heater and Water Lines - To help your pipes stay warm, insulate external water lines within your water heater. Remove and store all garden hoses and cover any exposed water lines and spigots.

During a winter freeze, I also offer these suggestions: Make sure to have a slow drip into a clean container and/or tub. This helps two-fold, one from bursting pipes within your home and two storing clean water for any future needs. If your pipes are frozen, turn off the main water supply to avoid further damage.

Lower the temperature in your home that is comfortable. The recommended temperature is 68 or lower.

Keep curtains/blinds closed unless the windows face direct sunlight.

What not to do during a power outage: First reaction for warmth might be turn-

Do not run a generator closer than 20 feet from the doors and windows. This can help prevent fumes from entering the home.

If your vehicle isn’t properly equipped to drive in icy/snowy conditions, refrain from driving anywhere. Stay home!

Emergency Kit: Here is a list we recommend: Flashlights Batteries Bottled Water Nonperishable Food Matches First-Aid Supplies Medications Pet Supplies Battery Banks for charging devices All Weather Radio Multipurpose Tool Hand Sanitizer Hopefully this information can help with the next snow/ice storm to help protect yourself and your family. Also, consult with your Insurance agent with any questions.

Office of Reginald Mahadeo Farmers Insurance 13740 N. Highway 183, Bldg. S, Unit 3&4 Austin, TX 78750 512-879-4701 Office www.farmersagent.com/rmahadeo

San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022

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LEGAL Are You Ready for the “Other” Federal Contractor Mandate?

Cokinos | Young J. Shannon Gatlin Senior Counsel Houston

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ince September 9, 2021, federal contractors in the Texas construction industry have (understandably) been preoccupied with the so-called “vaccine mandate” implemented by President Joe Biden’s Executive Order 14042. But if you are a federal contractor, there is another mandate that recently took effect and could also require substantial changes to your operations – specifically, your hiring practices and policies. Do you know about this? And are you ready?

Even though the “vaccine mandate” for federal contractors is currently on hold thanks to a nationwide injunction on the vaccination requirement (but not on other portions of the Executive Order related to items like worker masking or distancing)1 issued by a Georgia federal court in early December, the “ban-thebox” requirements of the federal Fair Chance Act have already taken effect and are here to stay.

The Fair Chance Act is part of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2020 that was signed into law by former President Donald Trump. Simply put, the Fair Chance Act – which went into effect on December 20, 2021 – prohibits federal contractors from asking about a job applicant’s criminal history before making a conditional job offer to the applicant. Similarly, federal contractors are also barred from seeking information about an applicant’s criminal history from other sources.

The purpose of the Fair Chance Act is to make it easier for individuals with a criminal record to find employment by ensuring that they are not eliminated right out of the chute based on their admission on the job application to having a criminal record (hence the “ban-thebox” moniker). That being said, the Fair Chance Act includes certain exceptions, including • Positions related to law enforcement and national security duties • Jobs requiring access to classified information • Roles required by other laws to reveal criminal history prior to a conditional offer.

A fair number of Texas construction firms already have some familiarity with “ban-the-box” requirements, even those that are not federal contractors. While there is currently no state law limiting companies’ ability to ask job applicants about their criminal history, no fewer than five Texas jurisdictions currently have similar “ban-the-box” or “fair chance” ordinances: Dallas County, Travis County, San Antonio, Austin, and DeSoto.

While the two county ordinances and San Antonio’s ordinance only apply to those seeking to work for the public municipality, the ordinances for the cities of Austin and DeSoto also apply to private employers of at least 15 employees within the city limits.

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Also note that federal agencies are still permitted to require that any contractor employees who perform work on-site at federal facilities be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

And the trend toward “fair chance” hiring practices is growing rapidly across the country, with clear bipartisan support. The national push toward such poli-

M. Wilson Stoker Principal Austin cies began in earnest during the Obama Administration and has gained renewed momentum under President Biden’s watch; President Trump actually signed the Fair Chance Act into law, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott has stated his support for “banning the box.” As of October 1, 2021, 37 states and more than 150 cities and counties nationwide had adopted some form of “ban-the-box” legislation, with 15 of those states and 22 cities and counties (including Austin and DeSoto) applying the law to private employers, not just public employment.

For those federal contractors who have already had to navigate the rules in Austin or DeSoto or some other city, county, or state with “fair chance” requirements, the federal Fair Chance Act should require minimal operational changes, if any. But for those Texas construction firms that have not yet had to deal with these laws, there are certain steps you can take to prepare yourself, be it for working as a federal contractor or doing work in our own state capital.

First, recognize all of the different aspects of the hiring process that can be affected by “ban-the-box.” Review and (if necessary) revise not only your hiring practices, but also your application forms and any internal checklists, policies, or procedures to ensure compliance. Also provide periodic training to those involved in your recruiting and hiring processes to make sure they are aware of the legal requirements of these laws, especially since they are rapidly growing in number.

And if you are faced with an applicant’s criminal history after extending a conditional job offer, do not automatically rescind the offer. Instead, follow the guidance issued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and conduct an individualized assessment of the applicant and the specific job by considering three key factors: • The nature and gravity of the crime • The time that has passed since the criminal act or completion of the imposed sentence • The nature of the job (e.g., does it involve handling large sums of money or accessing customers’ private property without supervision).

By following the above guidelines, your company should be well-prepared to comply with whatever “fair chance” requirements it may come across, whether as a federal contractor or a private employer. And if you still have questions, you can always contact your local employment counsel for assistance in navigating these laws.

About the Authors: J. Shannon Gatlin is Senior Counsel in the Houston office of Cokinos | Young and is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Mr. Gatlin can be reached at (713) 535-5504 or sgatlin@ cokinoslaw.com M. Wilson Stoker is a Principal in the Austin office of Cokinos | Young and is also Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law. Mr. Stoker can be reached at (512) 615-8573 or wstoker@cokinoslaw. com

OSHA Safe Use of Extension Ladders Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX

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hat is an extension ladder? Also known as “portable ladders,” extension ladders usually have two sections that operate in brackets or guides allowing for adjustable lengths. (See Figure 1, below.) Because extension ladders are not self-supporting they require a stable structure that can withstand the intended load.

PLAN Ahead to Get the Job Done Safely • Use a ladder that can sustain at least four times the maximum intended load, except that each extra-heavy duty type 1A metal or plastic ladder shall sustain at least 3.3 times the maximum intended load. Also acceptable are ladders that meet the requirements set forth in Appendix A of Subpart X. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and labels on the ladder. To determine the correct ladder, consider your weight plus the weight of your load. Do not exceed the load rating and always include the weight of all tools, materials and equipment.

• A competent person must visually inspect all extension ladders before use for any defects such as: missing rungs, bolts, cleats, screws and loose components.

Where a ladder has these or other defects, it must be immediately marked as defective or tagged with “Do Not Use” or similar language.

• Allow sufficient room to step off the ladder safely. Keep the area around the bottom and the top of the ladder clear of equipment, materials and tools. If access is obstructed, secure the top of the ladder to a rigid support that will not deflect, and add a grasping device to allow workers safe access.

• Set the ladder at the proper angle.

When a ladder is leaned against a wall, the bottom of the ladder should be one-quarter of the ladder’s working length away from the wall. For access to an elevated work surface, extend the top of the ladder three feet above that surface or secure the ladder at its top.

• Before starting work, survey the area for potential hazards, such as energized overhead power lines. Ladders shall have nonconductive side rails if they are used where the worker or the ladder could contact exposed energized electrical equipment. Keep all ladders and other tools at least 10 feet away from any power lines.

• Set the base of the ladder so that the bottom sits securely and so both side rails are evenly supported. The ladder rails should be square to the structure against which it is leaning with both footpads placed securely on a stable and level surface.

• Secure the ladder’s dogs or pawls before climbing.

• When using a ladder in a high-activity area, secure it to prevent movement and use a barrier to redirect workers and equipment. If the ladder is placed in front of a door, always block off the door. natarajan.joann@dol.gov 512-374-0271 x232

Construction News ON LOCATION

CN around town

While out and about, Construction News stops in to visit with Byrne Metals Operations Manager Matt Hubbell. -cmw

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San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022

degree doesn’t apply 100 percent to what we do.

Mark, do you think you will go back and finish your degree?

I’ve actually been asked that a lot.

No, I don’t think I will. I just don’t have the time, and the little bit of time that I do have I spend working out and spending time with my family. It’s not something that is important to me anymore.

Mark Lopez, Co-Owner/Partner Efrain Perez, Jr., Co-Owner/Partner Concepts Construction, San Antonio, TX

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hen their two paths crossed, Mark Lopez and Efrain Perez, Jr. formed a bond that developed into a great partnership. Balancing one another, the dual went from working together on a project, to co-owning a successful construction company, Concepts Construction.

Tell our readers a little about yourselves.

Lopez: I’m originally from San Antonio. I was born and raised in San Antonio.

I went to college at UTSA. I’ve been in construction since I was 19 years old.

Perez: I was born in Chicago, IL. When I was about 7 years old, my family moved back to Mexico where I got my degree in architecture. I came back to the United States in 2005. I’ve been involved in the construction industry since I was 21.

Growing up, what did your parents do?

Lopez: My dad was in construction.

He worked for H.B. Zachary for a little over 25 years and is now retired. He did a lot of earth moving work with heavy equipment. He was involved in building a lot of shopping centers and highways.

Perez: My dad was a painter and had his own company. He was in the business for over 40 years.

Efrain, you said you got your architectural degree in Mexico. What made you decide to get a degree in architecture?

I always liked doodling and drawing things like buildings. I used to draw a lot of houses and such when I was little. It just seemed like a natural fit.

Do you incorporate architecture in the work you do now?

Lopez: My background kind of just carried over into the type of work we do.

Perez: My background is less about design as it is knowing the properties of the work. I know all about the strengths of concrete, the rebar and a lot of the aspects that go into the work we do, so my

Are you all married? Do you have children?

Lopez: I am. My wife’s name is Lauren. We got married in 2009 and have two kids, Felicia and Rocky. Felicia is 22 and Rocky is 12.

Perez: My wife’s name is Irma. We have been married for 22 years. We have three children – Maria Fernanda, Efrain and Emiliano Perez.

Mark, you got married and started a new business in the same year?

Yes, I did. Lauren is an amazing woman and very supportive of the long hours the job requires.

Do you think any of your children will get involved in the business?

Lopez: I don’t believe my daughter has any interest and my son is a bit too young, so who knows.

Perez: My daughter works here. She works the front desk.

How did the two of you meet?

Lopez: We actually worked together.

We met back in 2005. We were both called to do a project with a gentleman named Jaimie Gonzalez who was heading up a project in The Rim. They were looking for some help. He was in controls.

I started as a surveyor and moved up to sight superintendent and eventually took over as he exited. We managed and oversaw project controls from 2005 to 2009.

How did you come to start Concepts Construction?

Lopez: During our time at The Rim, we got to know all the right people. We got to know the vendors, the city inspectors, suppliers and from there, things just kind of took off.

L-R: Mark Lopez and Efrain Perez, Jr. – co-owners/partners of Concepts Construction

erybody told us we were nuts starting a business during a recession. We had to take that leap of faith and we had to make it work.

What roles do you play in the company?

Lopez: I know this sounds cliché, but we wear different hard hats. Some days I’m in the office. Some days I’m in the field and some days, I’m doing physical labor.

It’s wherever we fit in at the time. Some days you are the estimating guy or you’re doing something in the field.

Perez: I oversee the utility crew. And when something breaks, I’m the man who fixes the problem whether it’s parts, maintenance or a little bit of office work.

Lopez: I think our guys rely on Efrain more when things break because he was in controls when we met.

What is the best part of your work?

What do you like the best?

Lopez: I guess it’s being my own boss. I have good days and I have bad days, but I love being my own boss because every day presents a different challenge.

Perez: I love the relationship I have with our guys. I have a very good relationship with them and really enjoy working with them.

Was it hard to get started?

Lopez: It was slow going at first but we made the turn and here we are.

What would you like our readers to know about Mark Lopez?

That’s a question for Lauren Martinez. She is our superintendent. I don’t like talking about myself.

Martinez: Mark Lopez is a fitness aficionado and he is just as passionate about his work as he is about working out. He a very generous and thoughtful person. He believes in taking care of his employees and giving back. And he is extremely active in his church. He even portrays Jesus for his church.

What was the hardest part about coming together and deciding, “Okay, this is what we are going to do. We’re going to go out and start our own company?”

Lopez: The honest truth? It was the recession in ’09. We had no other choice.

All construction had come to a halt. Ev-

What would you like our readers to know about Efrain Perez, Jr.?

I can’t answer that. Lauren can better answer that.

Martinez: Efrain is a fantastic cook.

He is a better cook than he is an owner and that just goes to speak of what an amazing cook he is. He is a great owner

How did you know the two of you would make a good team?

Lopez: Well, we were young, ambitious and full of life.

Perez: No, really we made a good team. I was more of the inside guy and he was the field guy. I was more into ordering all the materials and he saw the work through.

San Antonio

Mark Lopez with his son, Rocky and wife, Lauren.

but an even better cook. He is part of a cooking team that has won lots of competitions, winning crazy amounts of money. He is also a pretty good fisherman.

Mark and Efrain are like Ying and Yang. They balance the business well together.

Efrain, where did you learn how to cook so well?

My dad. My dad distributes meat in three states in Mexico. Growing up, he was always cooking for his guys. I guess I learned from watching him.

What are your hobbies? What do you do for fun?

Lopez: I love working out. I enjoy being involved in my church whether it is cooking turkeys for our parish turkey dinners, frying fish for our parish fish fries or like they said, playing Jesus. Whatever is needed by the church, I love being able to help.

Perez: I really just enjoy fishing. I like to go fishing whenever I can.

What is your goal for this year?

Lopez: My goal is to stay hungry. I always want to stay ahead of the curve, stay hungry, stay motivated and push the needle. That’s all I’m about.

Perez: Our new baby, Greyrock Materials. We are expanding next year by opening a materials yard next door. I’m in the process of establishing the materials and quantities that will be needed to get started and to maintain operation. -cmw

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San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022

Page 9

Renewable footprint expands

Bronto skylifts at Kardie Equipment, a subsidiary of HOLT

I

n 2010, Kevin Darby established TGM Wind Services with a focus on the wind services market. With help from business partner, Clayton Ripley, the company developed into two brands – TGM Wind Services which is dedicated to supporting the wind power industry and Kardie Equipment, a distributor and rental company of the Bronto Skylift.

On Jan. 5, HOLT announced its acquisition of Kardie Equipment / TGM Wind Services. This acquisition allows HOLT to further its commitment of investing in renewable energy resources and provide additional products and services to its customers nationwide. With the acquisition, Kardie Equipment / TGM Wind Services will retain its name and operate as an independent, wholly owned subsidiary of HOLT. Kardie Equipment / TGM Wind Services will serve as a complementary business to other HOLT divisions, offering the Bronto Skylift for sale and rent, with or without operators. The Bronto Skylift is a truck mounted aerial platform used to reach challenging heights. “The Bronto Skylift aerial work platform is quite unique. It is the safest and most efficient way to get humans to height – around 340ft – to perform valuable work in a variety of industries and applications,” says J.K. Baxter, Senior Vice President for HOLT. “We are continually looking for ways to provide our customers with quality, technologically-advanced products to help ensure their success,” Baxter continues. “This is another avenue that allows

HOLT to offer solutions to our new and existing customers, that will enable them to safely and efficiently do the work and accomplish their specific goals.”

Kardie Equipment is the largest dealer of Bronto Skylifts in North America.

Kardie Equipment / TGM Wind Services provide and maintain aerial work platforms to safely and efficiently allow workers to perform assembly, maintenance and repair services on wind turbines and other elevated equipment. They operate across the country.

“HOLT is excited to welcome Kardie Equipment and TGM Wind Services to the HOLT family of businesses,” says Baxter.

“We can’t wait to see what the future holds with this acquisition. Darby, Ripley and the TGM / Kardie team have built a fantastic business over the past 12 years.

We certainly want to continue the journey, building from that strong foundation. HOLT looks for ways to add value whether that is taking existing HOLT products and services to TGM / Kardie customers or bringing TGM / Kardie’s offerings to existing HOLT customers.”

Peter J. Holt, CEO and general manager of HOLT CAT adds, “This acquisition will bring added value to our customers with a safe, premium product that supports multiple industries who have a need to reach challenging heights.”

HOLT is a family-owned company, headquartered in San Antonio, TX. The Holt name has been associated with heavy equipment and Caterpillar for over 100 years. -cmw

A great gathering place

The City of San Antonio Public Works Department contracted Skanska USA Building Inc. to construct the $27 million voter-approved Civic Park at Hemisfair development project.

Civic Park Phase I encompasses five acres of public parkland, including a shaded Promenade, the Shallows water feature and a Great Lawn for large events up to 15,000 people in concert mode. On Jan. 26, more than 200 residents were in attendance as community leaders broke ground on San Antonio’s central park, Civic Park at Hemisfair. The project is expected to take 18 months to complete. -cmw

One smart puppy

I

t seems the construction industry isn’t the only ones interested in reading Construction News these days. Lexi Joy enjoys reviewing CN’s monthly issues as well.

Apparently, little Lexi Joy has watched her owner, Jennifer Swinney, executive director of the American Subcontractors Association (ASA) reading

our publication enough that she wanted to see what was of such interest to her owner. You can imagine, Jennifer’s surprise when she walked in to catch Lexi Joy catching up on the latest news of the construction industry. After reading it, Lexi Joy determined it was loaded with “dog-gone” good news.-cmw

Page 10

San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022

Resource Guide Associations & Education H General Contractors H Subcontractors H Service Providers H Subcontractors H Supplies H Truck & Equip Dealers

Associations and Construction Education

Service Providers

General Contractor

Suppliers

For Information on Resource Guide Ads, contact Buddy Doebbler, 210-308-5800 or email at Buddy@ConstructionNews.net

San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022

Page 11

Overlooked Fish To Start The Season Winning

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

Ranee Benson caught a limit of drum fishing with family last month with Steve Schultz Outdoors.

D

uring winter months, fishing can be very challenging to say the least. Weather plays a huge part on what kind of day you will have on the water. Cold fronts frequent the Coastal Bend weekly changing feed patterns, keeping even the seasoned guides guessing throughout the day. As game fish go, black drum are about as romantic as dump trucks. A dump truck has rubber tires. So does a Ferrari, but the comparison pretty much ends right there. It doesn’t require a poll to determine which vehicle most people would rather ride around in. That might change, of course, if the pretty red sports car hopelessly broke down a long way from home and the driver needed a ride. A rusty but reliable dump truck slowly chugging down the road suddenly starts looking very attractive.

That’s the way it is with black drum.

The charcoal-colored bruisers get next to no respect for much of the year. Come January through March, however, saltwater fishermen generally take what they

Here are a couple of the Turner Construction folks from Houston displaying their drum on a recent trip with Steve Schultz Outdoors.

can get. They know, if nothing else, they can catch black drum.

Deep in the soul of every angler is the inherent desire to simply catch a big fish. Speckled trout and redfish snobs may deny it, but a month or so of backto-back cold fronts can significantly impact a fisherman’s priorities. Just about the time that cabin fever starts feeling like a terminal disease, news of the drum run hits the hotline and weather-weary anglers with readjusted attitudes happily head for the coast.

It’s undeniable that, pound-forpound, the redfish is a much tougher opponent. Reds take the bait and run like punt return specialists. Black drum, even really big ones, shuffle along like over-

weight offensive linemen. A black drum’s surges are slow but deliberate. Bigger fish methodically shake their thick, humped heads with telltale zig-zags and capture line in short, uninspired spurts that believe their surprising size.

The annual migration kicks off in January. All along the Texas Coast, heavyweight drum course through deep-water channels in sizable schools. Fishermen are restricted to a “slot” limit that allows for the retention of five fish per day, none less than 14 in. long and none over 30 in. Unlike red drum, there is no “trophy tag” on an angler’s license that allows the fisherman to retain one oversized fish per year. They are also one of the few fish still commercial harvested

and surprisingly, 80 percent of Texas commercial black drum landings occur in Upper and Lower Laguna Madre and Corpus Christi Bay. Did I mention how excellent drum taste. I’m not talking about the huge socalled Big Uglys that are fun to catch.

Those are the ones that give the species a bad rap. Small “puppy” drum can be taken from bay shores, rock groins and reefs, often on live shrimp or crabs, and make for fine eating. Unlike big drum, they lack the harmless but distasteful “spaghetti worms” that, along with coarse flesh, make big drum less-than-desirable table fare. Pack you’re gear and come catch some drum this spring.

I have already started to fill the calendar for the upcoming 2022 season.

Don’t wait `till all the good dates are gone!

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

Good luck and Good Fishing.

Page 12

San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022

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

I

’ve been in the fishing business almost all my life and nothing is as much fun as taking kids fishing. I don’t know what it is about kids and fish that makes something magical happen.

Part of the allure I’m sure is getting to go fishing with the grownups. It is a little rite of passage. It doesn’t matter if they go with Mom and Dad or Grandma and Grandpa, every kid loves to see and learn new things at the side of their favorite people. Nothing makes them feel more special than for you to share something you love doing with them because they understand that it is a gift.

If you are jerking a perch out from under a sun drenched dock, crappie from the riverbank, largemouth from a stock tank or catfish from a Kid Fish even at the coliseum, it is that tug on the other end of the line that is just magical. Fishing is entertaining because it gives us immediate, continuous feedback. Fishing beats video games because you can always find a way to cheat or manipulate your way to achieving a goal in a game, but not in fishing. Right quick the fish let you know they don’t care a thing about messing with you because they are largely in charge of the situation. If they feel like biting, you don’t know when or where or how they’ll do it. No telling whether they will try to sneak off with your bait or hit it so hard they knock it out of the water and just keep on chasing it. Most of all, who knows what you are going to catch and how big it’s going to be! And maybe the fish will just turn loose and leave you wondering what just happened…. Nope you can’t just reset the level on that and try it again!

Then there is the fact that fish are just so darn fascinating in the ickiest way.

When it comes time to clean the fish you

Kids Love Fishing!

catch most kids are awestruck. First thing, a soft little finger tip has to just see what one of those googly fish eyes feels like.

Next comes the anatomy of a fish lesson.

Fish guts are just amazing when you are a kid. They are smelly, not too bloody and so many different colors and purposes. I never met a kid who could pass up a chance to just watch fish being dressed.

If you go ahead then and wet another hook and line under the fish cleaning station and get to catching what is lurking there for a quick lunch it just gets more interesting!

Fish are just fun. You can watch them in an aquarium with calm fascination,

catch a serious case of the giggles over a dare to touch one, or just put a hand full of minnows down your sister’s shirt and run like the dickens. And don’t think girls can’t get into fishing just like boys do because they can and will often out fish you. One bunch of little kids comes to mind. When it came to be picture time to show off their catch at the trip’s end, they all preferred holding their catch like favorite teddy bears embraced by both arms and hugged up tight with big happy grins! I bet Mom was thrilled with that load of laundry!

Spring break – kids – you know what to do!

San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022

Season ender

Page 13

Broadheads over bullets

Preston Wiatrek, Altex Landscape Construction LLC harvested this 6-point buck on Jan. 8 in Uvalde County. -cmw

A good harvest Marvin Ohlenbusch, Alamo Crane Service, had a great deer season at his lease north of Menard, TX where he has been hunting these past seven years. This 10-point, 20-in. spread trophy buck was harvested on Dec. 5. Marvin shot it from 115 yards. It scored 149.5. -cmw

Derek Medina, Structura Inc. enjoys hunting on his ranch in Rocksprings where he harvested this nice Axis buck. -cmw

Page 14

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San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022

Word of mouth

On the bright side

Dedicated Landscape Solutions President, John Leifester

Matt Bright, owner of Bright Roofing LLC

t started out as summer work, but little did John Leifester know it would end up being his career.

After receiving some training in tree care, Leifester had become very interested and went to work for a local landscape contractor and earned his Arborist Certification, Oak Wilt Specialist Designation, and his TCLP certification from the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association in 2007. After receiving his certifications, the contractor he was working for made him a vested profit-sharing partner in the company. He then began running the company’s tree care division.

In 2014, eight and half years later, Leifester branched out on his own and started Dedicated Landscape Solutions, with his wife, Stephanie, by his side.

Since then, Dedicated Landscape Solutions has been making a name for themselves in and around San Antonio and the construction industry.

“Business is done with relationships in South Texas,” says Leifester. “People do business with people not with companies. If you know people and if they trust

you, you put your name on it. Something we have always believed in is that you have your handshake and your word. You work hard for your clients and you get the job done. That is how we choose to operate. Most of our business comes from word of mouth.”

Leifester and his wife believe in giving back. That is their marketing strategy.

“We really develop our relationships with our clients based on how we can interact with them on a personal level. If they have a charity that is near and dear to their hearts, we want to help them with that.” The company has a barbecue trailer that they use for community service through a non-profit organization, Tall Boys Barbecue. “It’s reaching out to help others,” says Leifester. “That’s our slogan for it and you can see it on our trailer.”

Dedicated Landscape Solutions offers commercial maintenance, irrigation, tree care and commercial installation construction. They do some renderings and some designs if their customers don’t have a landscape architect, or they are happy to refer an architect. -cmw

A

fter working in construction while in high school doing remodeling work, Matt Bright eventually found his way into the roofing industry.

Working for his cousin’s roofing company as a superintendent, Bright quickly learned the ins and outs of running a roofing crew. “I ran my first job on a house in Alamo Heights,” recalls Bright. “It was a big house in Olmos Park. We were on that job for a couple of months.”

When his cousin’s business slowed, Bright went to work for H-E-B where he met his wife. But the roofing bug stayed with him and he decided to get into it full-time. “I had gotten my feet wet. I had built my clientele and with seven years of roofing behind me, I was ready.”

In 2018, Bright decided to go out on his own and opened Bright Roofing LLC, taking pride in all aspects of roofing. He has a passion for quick, efficient, and transparent repairs to damaged homes.

Bright Roofing specializes in residential roofing offering services for shingle,

clay tile, low-slope, TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin, a single-ply white membrane used in both commercial and residential roofing) and modified roof systems.

Although Bright Roofing primarily serves San Antonio and its surrounding areas, if his customer needs him, he’ll go where he needs to go to take care of them. In four short years, Bright Roofing has seen continual growth year after year. “We are dedicated to providing customer service that is second to none,” says Bright. “Whether it’s a new roof or it is time for repairs, we have the expertise to get it done. We provide full consultation to explain available options. I want to save my customers both time and money by combining roofing knowledge, the highest quality parts and equipment and dedication to delivering exceptional service. We will not leave the job until it is finished, and our customer is completely satisfied with the results.”

Bright Roofing LLC is a residential roofing contractor in Spring Branch, TX. -cmw

San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022

Page 15

Industry FOLKS Adam Hackebeil

District Sales Manager,

United Rentals Trench Safety, San Antonio, TX

B

orn and raised in Hondo, TX, Adam Hackebeil enjoyed the life of a typical small town where everybody knows everybody or they knew your parents, or even your grandparents.

Mark’s wife of 22 years, Misty Friesenhahn Hackebeil, is the most selfless person he knows. “I am beyond blessed and fortunate to call her my wife. We met through a mutual friend as we began working with each other during a college summer break. I actually saw her first and asked our friend about her.

Our friend took the next step and help set us up on a blind date. We’ve been together ever since!

“We have four children. Alyson, 24, is currently attending nursing school.

Jayce, 20, is currently attending college and majoring in agriculture. Brady, 18, is a senior at Devine High School, and will be attending TAMU in College Station.

Our youngest Kolt, 15, is a sophomore at Devine High School. They are great, hardworking, well-rounded kids. I’m very proud of each of their accomplishments.”

You could say Adam was born/bred into the construction industry. His grandfather was a resident engineer for TXDOT in Hondo. His uncle worked as an engineer for TXDOT before starting his own company. His dad also owned several small construction companies, and even his in-laws currently own their own construction company.

“I certainly owe a lot of people a debt of gratitude for being a mentor, sharing their knowledge and expertise, and for giving me an opportunity to jump headfirst into the construction

A

world. My first real experience outside of a family owned business was working for a local utility contractor who gave me the opportunity to learn about the underground business, how to lay utilities, and how to put some of my other construction related experiences to use.

After several years, another opportunity presented itself, and I was then given the chance to work the same trenches, but from a completely different angle.

This time I’d actually be helping those same people and many others in the industry understand the safety side of the business and how to keep their employees safe, and their trenches from collapsing. Thus beginning my career with United Rentals Trench Safety.”

As district sales manager, Adam coaches, mentors, and educate UR’s outside sales reps on the best way to approach customers, help them come up with the most cost-effective solutions, and how to maintain customer relationships. Aside from working with the outside sales reps, he devotes time with UR’s branch managers and inside sales reps within his district, helping them better understand the sales process, and how to service their customers’ needs.

Adam lost his life mentor, his dad, to cancer in 2019. “His ability to listen, dissect the conversation, and then come up with the soundest advice was second to none. I would give anything to have another chance to sit down with him, and just talk.“ -cmw

Partnership renewed

t the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) Safety Committee meeting this month, OSHA reported 96 fatalities in Region 6 since Oct. 1 with eight of those fatalities taking place in San Antonio. That is an all-time high for the region as well as San Antonio.

Several of the deaths in San Antonio were caused by falls and struck byes. Unsure of the reason for the spike, safety professionals from across the region are putting their heads together, trying to combat the causes and improve safety cultures.

ABC members are committed to sending their workers home safely every night. They have taken the first step towards strengthening safety performance by participating in ABC’s STEP (Safety Training Evaluation Process) program.

The second step in achieving world-class safety is found in the OSHA Alliance, a longstanding collaboration between ABC and OSHA for over 15 years.

Founded in 1989 as a safety benchmarking and improvement tool, STEP has evolved into a world-class safety management system that dramatically improves safety performance among its participants regardless of company size or type of work. Participating ABC members measure their safety processes and policies on 25 key components through a detailed questionnaire with the goal of implementing or enhancing safety programs that reduce jobsite incidents.

ABC’s commitment to a culture of safety is evident in this free program provided to its members which helps lower workers compensation insurance rates.

The OSHA Alliance works with ABC to promote safe, secure workplaces and to enhance the safety knowledge of everyone in the workplace. This alliance is part of the OSHA Outreach Initiative de

ABC South Texas Chapter safety committee members watch as President Tamara Klaehn and OSHA Area Director Alex Porter renew the OSHA Alliance between OSHA and the ABC South Texas Chapter.

veloped to provide a forum for OSHA, employers and workers to collaborate, resolving workplace safety and health issues. ABC is committed to working closely with OSHA to develop and share information with workers and employers to help prevent injuries, illnesses and fatalities in the workplace “Whether you are beginning your safety journey or continuing to strengthen your performance,” says ABC Chapter President Tamara Klaehn, “ABC and its dedicated committee members are working with their peers in San Antonio to make the River City a safer place to work. Reduce your TRIR by 86 percent and learn more about STEP or the OSHA Alliance.” -cmw

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San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022

South Flores area apartments

F

ounded in 1978, Alamo Crane Service offers full-service crane rental and rigging solutions throughout Texas. For over 40 years they have been providing heavy lift crane rental services.

When a forklift broke down after being placed to assist with the setting of roof trusses at a new apartment complex in the South Flores Street area, Alamo Crane Service was contact to help remove the unit. Confined to tight quarters, this was no easy task.

The biggest obstacle the Alamo Crane team faced was available space.

Typically, the 43-year-old company set up cranes in a super large area. For this particular project, Alamo Crane had a very small area in which to build a 360ton crane. They had to work around parking garages that could not be blocked; a street that could not be closed and still get in seven semi-trucks where only one can fit at a time. The area in question, was an alleyway. How do you fit a 360-ton crane with outrig-

gers in such a narrow space?

The amount of planning that goes into lifting 31,000lbs pounds over a four-story building safely is no easy task and really showcases Alamo Crane’s ability to do any job.

Alamo Crane used a 360-ton Liebherr 1300 crane, one of the best pieces of equipment on the market to perform the task. But it isn’t just the machine, it takes a very experienced crew to assemble and execute a job of this caliber. It took multiple people to fully assemble the crane including seven truck drivers, two riggers, one crane operator, a safety director, a salesman and a trucking supervisor.

With the crane assembled, Alamo Crane operator Jack Guerra was able to successfully hoist the 31,000-pound forklift out of the building’s framed structure to the ground. The team was then tasked with dismantling and removing the crane without incident. -cmw

Alamo Cranes hoists the disabled forklift from the structure Alamo Crane Service lowers a hoist to remove a 31,000-pound forklift broken down on the fourth floor of a new four-story apartment complex.

Alamo Crane team members begin assembling the crane to hoist the disabled forklift.

Alamo Crane Service San Antonio, TX

Airmen Training Complex (ATC) Dormitory

F

or decades Lackland Air Force Base has been utilized as the sole location to provide the country’s Active Duty Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard, with basic military training. To facilitate the growing base’s needs, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Fort Worth District turned to SpawGlass Contractors Inc. to construct their latest Airmen Training Complex (ATC) Dormitory.

Construction of the 280,550 sf military facility began in May 2020, with a completion date slated for November 2022. When finished, the four-story facility will be the sixth dormitory on base and will house more than 1,200 recruits.

The facility was designed with an emphasis on durability in mind. It consists of a cast-in-place stressed tendon reinforced concrete structure with an exterior façade of precast and metal panels.

The interior design incorporates an open floor plan with glazed face and painted CMU walls to allow for bunk space, office space and restroom areas. This layout, which can accommodate up to eight squadrons per floor, is replicated throughout all the living areas of the structure. The ground level is primarily open to the exterior for drills and formations geared toward forging our nation’s future Air Force service members.

SpawGlass is on track and on pace to achieve the contractual completion date.

The team is currently transitioning from the structural stage to interior mechanical and electrical systems installations and the exterior finishes stage. Upon completion, the facility will serve as more

Aerial view of Lackland Air Force Base’s Airmen Training Complex (ATC) Dormitory under construction

than simply housing and will feature adjacent facilities to support recruits’ needs as they progress through basic training.

These facilities include a quarter-mile, four-lane running track, an exercise pad, a drill pad and a 5,000 sf outdoor weapons cleaning structure.

Communication has been vital to the project’s success. The complex is adjacent to the construction site of ATC Dormitory Five and Dining Facility Three.

Both structures are helmed by another contractor that utilizes many of the same subcontractors as the SpawGlass team.

This division of workforce, along with the current labor shortages in the industry, has created one of the project’s primary challenges to overcome.

“Scheduling and coordination with the subcontractors has been very important,” SpawGlass Project Manager Wayne Ambrose said. “What we have been trying to do is stay abreast of their situation next door and to make sure that we’re sequencing in a manner that will be the most advantageous to both projects.”

Additionally, the team has successfully combatted material procurement issues created during the COVID-19 pandemic by executing long-term scheduling and creative time management solutions throughout the project. Challenges aside, SpawGlass is honored to support our nation’s newest defenders as they are trained to serve and protect our country. -cmw

Spaw Glass Contractors, Inc. San Antonio, TX

San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022

T

Page 17

Comal No. 5 High School aka Pieper High School

hanks to the 2017 bond, Comal Independent School District constructed two additional high schools to help alleviate overcrowding at Canyon and Smithson Valley High Schools.

IES Commercial partnered with Bartlett Cocke General Contractors for the construction on Pieper High School, one of the newly constructed high schools approved from the 2017 bond election.

The new 2,500-student, four-story high school, designed by Pfluger Architects, was constructed in 27 short months and opened in August 2021, in time for the 2021-2022 school year. Comal No. 5 consisted of a 247,000-sf Academic Wing and a 155,000-sf Fine Arts Wing. It also has a complete sporting complex consisting of concession stands, out buildings, Musco Lighting for the football field, baseball field, softball field, tennis courts and swimming pool.

IES Commercial performed all the electrical construction of the project. The project required 3,300 linear feet of primary conduit feeding two separate utility transformers, two 5000 amp switchboards with tie-buss, 151 pole lights for site lighting, a three-story football press box, 176,700 man hours, 755,000ft (143 miles) of branch conduit, 2,128,000ft (403 miles) of branch wire and 5,800 light fixtures.

Comal No 5, now known as Pieper High School, is the fifth high school for the Comal ISD. IES Commercials’ New Braunfels branch office has been the electrical contractor for all of the high school projects for the Comal Independent School District.

IES Commercial is a multi-faceted electrical contractor with a national presence in all areas of commercial and industrial construction. They provide design, build and maintenance services in an array of project delivery methods in order to meet the needs of projects in numerous job markets.

IES Commercial San Antonio, one of four branch offices in Texas, has the capability to service any electrical construction need and offers electrical installations, prefabrication and maintenance. A majority of IES’ experience is focused on K-12 schools, office buildings, retail and manufacturing facilities. -cmw

Aerial view of Comal No. 5 High School, Pieper High School

Pieper High School cafeteria

Pieper High School Auditorium under construction Pieper High School Gymnasium

IES Commercial San Antonio, TX

Porter Loring Mortuary West

P

lanning for the New Porter Loring Mortuary started in 2016, the facility opened in September of 2021.

The Porter Loring family selected Malitz Construction to construct the new facility on San Antonio’s northwest side.

The 16,000-sf facility, designed by Chesney Morales Partners, has a Modern Hill Country aesthetic with natural light throughout. The facility includes a multi-functional chapel with seating for 200-plus, two visitation/reception rooms,

a warming kitchen and onsite crematory.

The onsite crematory with private viewing space is a first of its kind feature that presented unique challenges. The utility and ventilations requirements of the equipment were extensive, and the equipment had to be delivered and installed prior to completion of the surrounding building structure.

The site topography required rerouting of upstream drainage under the site.

The building structure is wood framed.

The exterior skin includes limestone veneer, stucco, metal and fiber cement siding. The interior finishes include stained alder wood paneling, tile flooring, stile and rail doors, and tongue and groove wood ceilings.

Malitz Construction has worked continuously with Porter Loring Mortuary since 1996 on multiple renovation, facilities maintenance projects, and two new facilities. -cmw

Lobby seating

Visitation/Reception room

Porter Loring Mortuary Parking and Grounds

Porter Loring Mortuary West

Malitz Construction San Antonio, TX

Page 18

San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022

What is your favorite form of social media and why?

LinkedIn is probably my biggest and most favorite form of social media and Instagram.

LinkedIn is more professional because you get to meet with other entrepreneurs and other like-minded business folks. I like Instagram because you can share with a broader base.

Fernando Keller, Pro Landscape Honestly, it is TikTok because you can’t argue on it. I think that is the problem with social media, everybody wants to argue instead of just looking at having a good time.

Zach Stinnett, Equipment Share I really don’t use social media. My company does, but I do not.

Ram Casiano, Turner Construction Facebook. I think it has a very broad reach.

You can reach just about anybody through it.

It’s easy to navigate and everybody is on it.

Fernando Lozano, X-Press Drywall LLC I don’t like any of them, but Facebook is the one I use.

Clint Distefano, Hydraulic Supply & Service Co. I would have to say Facebook because I can keep up with my kids and grandkids.

Michael Breda, Breda Construction Facebook. I love Facebook Market place.

Colton Sandell, Double L Heavy Equipment I like Facebook. I know Instagram and TikTok are the newest forms of social media going on, but I still think advertising on the news and radio is the way to go. It’s still alive. I think the news is still the best form of social media.

Melissa Gonzales, Solar Electric Texas I would have to say Facebook. I get to see what other people share in common with me.

Tony Pineda, DNT Construction

My favorite form of social media is probably TikTok. There is not one person in our office that doesn’t watch TikTok. We send them back and forth to each other. It provides a lot of humor for us.

Lauren Martinez, Concepts Construction I’m not a big social media person but the one I use frequently and get the most value out of is LinkedIn. I like that it is more geared to professional connections.

Angela Cardwell, Joeris General Contractors I really wish I was not on social media because it is a time-suck. I would have to say Instagram, because I can see photos and see what is going on with people as opposed to all the dialogue.

LA Bankler Beck, Ram2 Utilities I’m not a big social media person, but my favorite would be Facebook Marketplace. I’m an old “classified ads” kind of guy from the newspaper days. Thanks again to my dad, I spend probably too much time on Facebook Marketplace looking for a “good deal.”

Adam Hackebeil, United Rentals I actually don’t like social media, except for TikTok because it entertains me. Sometimes I will get on Facebook to keep connected with some folks but you won’t catch me posting.

Matt Bright, Bright Roofing LLC I think social media is destroying our country.

I have Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, but I don’t like them. I don’t like what they are doing to us. What I do like about Facebook is, I have friends that I grew up with in Kansas City and I can catch up with them to see what’s going on. So I dabble in it just to see what people are doing, that but I can’t stand social media.

Tom Damiani, Damiani’s Comfort Design

Industry FOLKS Shalon LeBlanc Sheet Metal Fabrication Shop Manager,

Gillette Air CO., San Antonio, TX

S

halon LeBlanc comes from a long line of women in construction. Her grandmother, Bernice Bergfeld, and her sister built air planes in WWII. Her dad was in the military, stationed at Holloman Air Force Base, NM where she was born. When Shalon was 4 years old, her family journeyed to Germany, arriving at Sembach Air Force Base where her father was stationed for nine years. “I had an awesome childhood, being filled with many adventures. Adventures that included traveling all over Europe France, England, Switzerland, Australia, Czech Republican, etc.”

When her family returned to the United States, her father was stationed at Brook City Base. Her family lived off base, residing in Converse where Shalon attended Judson High School.

There, Shalon entered the welding program. She discovered she really enjoyed welding and I knew that is what she wanted to do.

Through Shalon’s high school employer, BG Metals, she began attending Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) South Texas Chapter apprenticeship program as a welding apprentice, working towards her journeyman’s license. Shalon worked for BG Metals for 12 years before moving on to pursue her passion with her current employer, Gillette Air Co. Fast forward 11 years, Shalon is now the sheet metal fabrication shop manager. “I am in charge of one of the largest sheet metal fabrication shops in San Antonio. I truly love what I do for a living. The best part was being a part of the re-design team for Gillette’s fab-

rication shop and was given the opportunity to pick out and select new equipment to keep improving on production time and efficiency in the fab shop.”

Shalon has been a sheet metal instructor for ABC’s apprenticeship program for six years. “Teaching others about the sheet metal trade and the processes of layout is awesome. Fabricating metal is an art. It’s a great feeling to be able to take a flat sheet of metal and form it into something like duct fitting or a counter top.”

Shalon met her husband, a Bexar County Deputy Sheriff, in high school.

They have been together for 25 years and have two children together. Trenton, 23, is Gillette’s Auto Cad Drafter for their sheet metal division and is currently working through college to get his cyber security degree, and has his own pressure washing company. Their 18-year-old daughter, Cadence, is a member of Judson High School’s National Honor Society. She is also in FFA and the Chapter Vice President of The Judson and reporter for the Alamo District FFA. Also she is in the National Honor Society.

“My dad, Henry Bergfeld is the one I always looked up to. He made every bit of growing up awesome. After working all day he would still find time to help us with our projects and homework.

My dad always supported us and cheered us on in ever thing we decided to do or become.” -cmw

continued from Page 1 — Damiani’s Comfort Design Chicago behind him, Damiani moved back to Texas and began reaching out to his local ties in the industry. He visited with various manufacturers inquiring about any air conditioning companies looking to sell their businesses. Before long, Damiani purchased what is now known as Damiani’s Comfort Design in 2004.

“We are mainly doing residential work in the form of change-outs, maintenance, tune-ups and repairs,” says Damiani. “We don’t do any new construction and we don’t do a whole lot of commercial. We basically stick to taking care of existing homes and making them more comfortable. Fixing duct work is our specialty.

“Good reliable customer service is the name of the game. I tell my guys all the time, ‘go out there and do the right thing today, and the customer will be there for the lifetime. We’ll get what we need by having a lifetime customer for doing the right thing today. The right thing today doesn’t necessarily mean the most money today, but you’ll have a customer that believes in you and trusts you.’ We’re a real low-pressure company. I try to do it the right way and I try to instill that culture in my guys.”

Damiani’s Comfort Design was a small family-owned business before he purchased the company. It was literally a small mom and pop shop and their son

who were looking to sell their business.

By the time the husband, wife and son team left the business, it was Damiani, his wife and three other employees.

“I’m still small and to be honest, it’s by design. I have 10 employees. There are hedge fund guys coming in and buying companies left and right. What used to be family-owned companies, now look like family-owned companies from the street, but they’re owned by big conglomerates that are buying companies all over the country. It’s so hard to find good people. It’s not hard to find people. It’s hard to find good people that fit your culture, that fit what you’re about,” Damiani maintains.

At the end of the day, when it is all said and done, Daminai can lay his head down with peace. He knows the men and women that work for him can do the same because it is all about doing the right thing, no matter the cost. “We are a company that tries to do the right thing and what’s best for the customer,” Damiani says. “I’m a Christian. I’m strong in my faith. I don’t ever want somebody to feel like they are getting taken by something we do. It’s my name on the building. Nobody else’s. We are not the biggest in town and we’re not the smallest, but we are the one that’s going to do the right thing for you, for what you are looking for.” -cmw

continued from Page 1 — Joeris General Contractors Throughout the pandemic, Joeris never let a single person go. As a matter of fact, they grew their workforce by adding 20 members to their family. “Weathering the storm is part of the Joeris culture,” Cardwell adds. “Obviously, 2020 was a rough year for everybody trying to get their legs underneath them and figuring out if you were actually going to be able to work. Of course, being an essential business helped. We have never in the history of the company had any kind of lay-off. It was just another one of our commitments. We just weren’t going to do it.”

The company actually saw some additional momentum securing targeted new verticals and gaining new clients in those vertical markets, particularly here in San Antonio. They are proud to have some high-profile projects that are contributing to the revitalization of San Antonio.

“Receiving the Business of the Year award has given us the opportunity to talk about our projects and our wonderful team of people,” Cardwell continues.

“We have really honed in on our culture within the past three years. We’ve established a new mission and that is to transform people and places and this award speaks to that and how we are doing that. We feel like we are transforming San Antonio and working with city leaders to do that is putting this city on the map.”

“We’ve always been that quiet city.

We’re not quiet anymore. Joeris wants to be a part of that and also be a part of contributing to maintaining what San Antonio is. This is our home. This is our hometown. The Joeris family grew up here and

we want to be a part of this community in the most positive way we can.“ Adding to Joeris’ excitement, Joeris’ Dallas office celebrates 10 years in the Dallas market this year. And while, celebrating the company’s 55 years in business is a big deal, the Joeris team would like to focus on celebrating ten successful years in the very demanding market of Dallas, TX. As for the Business of the Year and what it means for Joeris, one only has to wait and see as it is surely going to help further brand the company in San Antonio and help carry that brand further throughout Texas. “Our other offices can take advantage of that and use it for their branding,” says Cardwell. “But I think it also reinforces who we are as a company, what we believe in.

“This company was founded by a man, Leo Joeris, who focused on every part of the process and every person engaged in the process. Having been a trade partner, a subcontractor at one point, he really put a high priority on working as partners with everybody on site and that really is something that we all value to this day at Joeris. We want to be powerful partners.”

“We would not have gotten the award without the amazing partners that we have in this industry – the architectural firms, the engineers and the trade partners. Especially the trade partners. They are the boots on the ground. They are the ones doing the work. We received the award, but we want to honor them. It’s every bit an award for every person who steps foot on each of our projects as it is for us.” -cmw

continued from Page 1 — Ram2 Utilities company,” adds Beck. “We want to offer value to our customers. Things don’t always go as planned in construction, but it is how you handle it that makes the difference. We are going to do the job well and we are going to do it right. We are going to be the company that people want to work with. We are in the early stages of operation, so our reputation is important. We stand behind that. It’s really about providing high quality productions and good customer service.”

Specializing in underground pipe installation for water, sanitary sewer, and storm, they also provide directional drill-

ing and trenching, and build and refurbish water tanks. RAM2 provides services to utility districts, municipalities, road contractors, builders and other general contractors doing new developments and new builds as well.

“We are excited to be here,” adds Beck. “There is a lot going on in San Antonio – new infrastructure building and the general growth in both San Antonio and Texas. We look forward to partnering alongside the city, builders, and contractors. We are happy to be a little part of the story and the growth of Texas.” -cmw

San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022

Page 19

Traffic focused

Association Calendar

Content submitted by Associations to Construction News ABC Associated Builders & Contractors Mar. 2: Sporting Clay Shoot & BBQ Cookoff, National Shooting Complex, 5931 Roft Rd., 11:30-6pm.

Mar. 15-17: ABC National Convention, Henry B. González Convention Center, 900 E. Market St. Mar. 23: LOGIC Ladies Breakfast, 8-10am.

For more info, contact Jennifer Galarza at 210-342-1994 or email jgalarza@abcsouthtexas.org AGC Associated General Contractors Mar. 3: Salsa Taste-off, AGC Offices, 10806 Gulfdale, 4-6pm Mar. 23-24: OSHA 10-Hour TDI, AGC Offices, 10806 Gulfdale, 8am-4pm Mar. 28: Golf Tournament, The Club at Sonterra, 901 E. Sonterra Blvd., 10:30am-6pm, $200 Individual Golfer, $750 Foursome.

Mar. 30: Fiesta Mixer, Dos Sirenos Brewing, 231 E. Cevallos St., 4-6pm.

Mar. 28-31: 2022 AGC Annual Convention, Gaylord Texas Resort & Convention Center, 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, TX. For more info, call Kelly Wilson at 210-349-4921.

ASA American Subcontractors Association Mar. 3: Excellence in Construction, Mays Family Center The Witte Museum, 6-10pm.

Mar. 9-12: 2022 SubExcel, Hotel Effie Sandestin, 1 Grand Sandestin Blvd., Miramar Beach, FL Mar. 16: Safety Update, ESC Safety Consultants Office, 12758 Cimarron Path, 11:30am Mar. 17: St. Patrick’s Day Mixer, The Pigpen, 106 Pershing Ave., 4pm Mar. 24: Golf Tournament, Canyon Springs Golf Course, 24405 Wilderness Oak, 8am Shotgun Start.

Mar. 29: General Meeting, The Petroleum Club, 8620 New Braunfels 7th Flr., 5:45pm Mar. 30: ASA/AGC Fiesta Mixer, Dos Sirenos Brewing, 231 E. Cevallos St., 4pm. For more info, contact Jennifer Swinney 210-3492105 or email jennifer@asasanantonio.org ASSP American Society of Safety Professionals Mar. 21: Chapter Meeting - Boiler Safety in the Workplace – Study of the OKC School Explosion, Location TBD, 11am-1pm. This presentation is worth 0.1 CEU. For more info, go to www.southtexasasse.org CFMA Construction Financial Management Association Mar. 22: Jobsite Tour, 11am. For more info, go to www.sanantonio.cfma.org CLC Construction Leadership Council Mar. 26: CLC Service Day, San Antonio Food Bank, 5200 Enrique M. Barrera Pkwy., 9am. For more info, call Kelly Wilson at 210349-4921.

GSABA Greater San Antonio Builders Association Mar. 25: YPLC Crawfish Boil & Cornhole Tournament, GSABA Parking Lot, 3625 Paesanos Pkwy., 4-8pm, $20 Members, $25 Non-Members $120 Cornhole Team of Two. For more info, call 210-696-3800 or email hking@sabuilders.com HCAdeSA Hispanic Contractors Association de San Antonio Mar. 7-8: OSHA 10 Spanish Mar. 8-9: OSHA 10 English Mar. 10: Women in Construction Mixer, Location TBD Mar. 16: Member Meeting & Mixer, The Petroleum Club, 8620 New Braunfels 7th Flr., 5:30-7:30pm.

For more info, call Victoria Rodriguez at 210-444-1100 or email vrodriguez@hcadesa.org

MCA-SMACNA INC Mechanical Contractors Association Sheet Metal & A/C Nat’l Association Mar. 9: Regular & Associates Meeting, The Petroleum Club, 8620 New Braunfels 7th Flr., 11:30am.

Mar. 23: Joint Industry Fund Meeting, MCA-SMACNA office, 206 E. Nakoma, 11:30am. For more info, call Sandee Morgan at 210-822-3763 NAWIC National Association of Women in Construction Mar. 6-12: WIC Week Mar. 6-12: Wic Week Scavendger Hunt Mar. 6: Kick-off Cocktails, El Camino, 1009 Avenue B, 4-7pm.

Mar. 7: Blueprint Workshop, 6-8pm.

Mar. 8: Precast Pant Tour, Redondo Manufacturing, 2919 FM 1516 N, Converse, TX, 1pm.

Mar. 9: Family Game Night – Family Feud, The Lonesome Rose, 2114 N. St. Mary’s St., 6pm.

Mar. 10: Board & Brush, Private Event.

Mar. 11: 2022 Annual Golf Tournament, Canyon Springs Golf Club, 24405 Wilderness Oak, 11am-5:30pm, $600 Foursome, $165 Individual Player Mar. 12: Volunteer Event, Habitat for Humanity, Rancho Carlota, 13801 Watson Rd., Von Ormy, TX, 7:45am-3:30pm. For more info, contact Shenel Rimando at shenelrimando@gmail.com NUCA National Utility Contractors Association Mar. 2-5: NUCA Annual Convention & Exhibit, Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa, 9800 Hyatt Resort Dr. For more info, contact Chris Barrett at 703-358-9300 or email chris@nuca.com.

Mar. 4: 3rd Annual CEO Bobble Head Tournament, Hyatt Hill Country Golf Club, $250 Player, $1000 Team, 11:30am Check-in, 12pm Practice/Putting Green, 1pm Teetime.

Mar. 4: Texas Party, Stone Werks Big Rock Grille, 6626 W. Loop 1604 N, 4:30-7pm. For more info, contact Mary Jane Debenport at 817-688-8347 or email maryjane@nucatexas.com PHCC Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Mar. 3: Sporting Clay Tournament, National Shooting Complex, 5931 Roft Rd., 11:30am Mar. 10: Construction Careers Academy Tour & Plumbing Material Drive Mar. 14-18: PHCC Plumbing Apprenticeship School Spring Break Mar. 30: Par 3 Golf & Mixer, San Pedro Golf Bar, 6102 San Pedro Ave., 4pm. For more info, call Heidi Trimble at 210-824-7422 or go to www.phcc-sanantonio.org SAMCA San Antonio Masonry Contractors Association Mar. 29: 2022 Golf Classic, Quarry Golf Club, 444 E. Basse Rd., Registration 8am, Shotgun Start 9am, $125 Per Golfer, $25 Non-Golfer. For more info, contact Debi at 210-347-2423 TACCA Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Association Mar. 16: General Membership Meeting, Alamo Café, 14250 San Pedro Ave., 11:30am1pm. Membership includes one complimentary meeting attendee; additional attendees and non-members $30 per person.

For more info, call Dawn Thompson at 210901-4222 TXAPA Texas Asphalt Pavement Association Mar. 8-9: Managing Asphalt Pavements Conference and Trade Show, Waco Convention Center, 100 Washington Ave. For more info, contact Emily Adams at 512-312-2099 or email eadams@texasasphalt.org

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Roma and Charles Stevens

resident and Founder of Stevens Technical Services Inc. (STS), Roma Stevens, started out in structural engineering and serving as a professor for the first ten years of her career. Roma transitioned to transportation receiving a master’s degree from Texas A&M University in 2005. She is considered a national expert in hurricane evacuation modeling.

In 2010, she and husband, Charles Stevens, started Stevens Technical Services to do work on the side while Roma was at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. She went fulltime with the firm in 2016.

In 2018, STS branched into San Antonio after the firm landed a contract with TxDOT and recruited Robert Steigleder to help the firm administer, incorporate and carry out the assignments in the San Antonio district of TxDOT. “We are a specialty firm, a boutique firm. We do a lot of traffic studies. Our areas of expertise is very broad,” says STS CEO Charles Stevens. s

Stevens Technical Services Inc. provides expert services in the areas of traffic engineering, transportation planning, intelligent transportation systems, municipal permitting, Robert Steigleder technology transfer, and research. They specialize in traffic impact analysis, signal warrant studies, highway capacity analysis, pedestrian and bicycle studies, transit routing and modeling, freeway modeling, evacuation modeling, signal timing, alternatives analysis, safety studies, and interstate access justification.

They perform designs and PS&E (plans, specification & estimate) in signalization, signing and pavement markings, large overhead signing, left-turn lane extension/ intersection design, and illumination (conventional, highmast and underbridge).

Stevens Technical Services Inc. is SBE, WBE, DBE, MBE, HUB certified company. -cmw

Submitted to Construction News

Round-Up

Raba Kistner is pleased to announce the promotions of two key team members: Ian Perez, P.E. has been promoted to Vice President and Manager of San Antonio Geotechnical Engineering. Perez began his career at Raba Kistner as an intern while completing his Master of Science in Geotechnical Engineering. In his new role, Perez will be responsible for the leadership and management of Raba Kistner’s San Antonio Geotechnical Engineering staff as well as their New Braunfels Engineering staff. -cmw

Eric J. Neuner, P.E., who has led our San Antonio Geotechnical Engineering Department for the last eight years has been promoted to Division Practice Line Leader for Geotechnical Engineering. In his new role, he will work closely with the San Antonio Geotechnical department and provide technical support to the other Consultant offices. -cmw

Cude Engineers San Antonio is pleased to announce: Jeffrey McKinnie PE has been promoted to Senior Vice President.

McKinnie joined Cude in 2015 and has been a valued member of its team since, overseeing numerous successful projects. In his new role, Jeff will lead multiple teams and continue to represent the company with clients and in the broader community. -cmw

David Cupit PE has been promoted to Vice President of Cude’s San Antonio office. Cupit joined Cude Engineers in 2011 and has risen in the company over the course of his tenure.

In his new role, he will lead teams in both the San Antonio and San Marcos offices while representing the company to clients and the broader community. -cmw

Sundt Construction Inc. is pleased to announce the promotion of Cade Rowley. Rowley joined Sundt in 1998 as a field engineer and has served multiple positions across the organization. In his new role, Rowley will be responsible for all business development, preconstruction and operations for the general contractor’s industrial construction work throughout the Western U.S. and water/wastewater projects across the country. -cmw

TBG Partners is pleased to announced Samantha Whitney, AIA, has joined the TBG family. Whitney who was previously Principal, Director of Urban Design at Overland Partners in San Antonio, will deepen the principal leadership team and expertise across the firm at TBG Partners. In her new role, Whitney will focus on urban design, urban planning, and placemaking out of TBG’s San Antonio Studio office. With over 20 years of experience, her project breadth includes mixed-use development, downtown revitalization, campus master plans, and urban streetscapes. -cmw

Page 20

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San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022

Latest technology solutions

he San Antonio Chapter of the Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Association (TACCA) hosted the 2022 South Texas HVAC Expo for area contractors. Over 40 vendors were available to meet with local contractors to introduce the latest in heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology and products. The event was held on Feb. 10 at the Alzafar Shrine Auditorium. Contractors had the opportunity to earn continuing education hours by participating in scheduled breakout sessions held throughout the day in addition to enjoying a catered barbecue lunch. -cmw

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San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022

F

Page 21

Quality brings results

A family affair

Alaina and Fernando Keller, owners of Pro Landscape Solutions LLC

The team of Solar Electric Texas

rom a very young age, Fernando Keller’s father taught him to be a hard worker and to work with his hands. Keller carried those lessons over into adulthood when he started working in the food industry. “As an adult, I started out cooking,” says Keller. “I really enjoyed it and dreamed of opening my own restaurant someday.”

Then he crossed paths with a gentleman in Wichita Falls, TX, Ronnie Sawyer, who changed his life and became a mentor, both mentally and spiritually. “He took me on one of those spiritual retreats that really changed my life,” Keller said.

“He got me thinking with a clear mindset and he taught me all about the installation of irrigation systems.”

Keller worked with Sawyer for three years installing irrigation systems and then went on to work for a couple of local landscape contractors here in town. He spent the next eight years learning all about the landscape business before striking out on his own.

In 2012, Keller and his wife Alaina Keller, started Pro Landscape Solutions LLC, working out of a storage unit. Alaina is a licensed irrigator with the state of Texas and Fernando is a commercial pesticide applicator with his TDA Ag 3A license. With his personal truck and trailer, his brother and one other employee, Keller slowly started laying the foundation for Pro Landscape Solutions.

Finding the work wasn’t hard he says. “The work has always been there and still is. The hard part was finding people and building up that nest egg as you’re working to buy the materials and equipment needed to grow. We didn’t charge customers until we were finished with the job. So building the capital to

run the business was the hard part.

“I never got a bank loan. I started with my own money. I had about $7,000 dollars in my savings. I took that and used it. That $7,000 investment earned us $2.7 million in revenue last year.”

Pro Landscape performs 90 percent commercial work. “We do offer some residential service, but we don’t cut lawns every two weeks,” adds Keller. “If you need a repair, a spruce up, a clean-up or a make ready because you want to sale your home and you want to make it look its best, we’ll come and do a spruce up or an enhancement.

“We are a family-owned business.

We are all about putting out a quality product the first time at a competitive price. We guarantee our work. We are veteran owned as my is a 12-year veteran.

We have a good team. We guarantee our work and we do it right the first time.”

Keller states that they buy directly from the nation’s finest growers, which means their clients receive the freshest, most superior plants available. “Our experienced crews go above and beyond to ensure your landscaping is installed properly. The time and effort we put into your design ensures perfect results,” adds Keller.

Celebrating 10 years in business, Keller and his wife plan to celebrate this milestone by providing an employee appreciate event where they can invite their families to say thank to them and of course, to their valued clients.

Pro Landscape Solutions LLC is a DBE, ESBE, SBE, VBE, WBE and HUB certified having just received their DBE certification. With their DBE certification, they hope to add federal contracts to their portfolio. -cmw

W

hen it came time to select a career path as a young man, Chuck Gonzales knew exactly what he wanted to do. He knew he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and become an electrician. Gonzales joined the local union and completed its fouryear apprenticeship program. He traveled to New York and California with his father to find work because at the time, there was no union work for electricians in Texas.

After 15 years as a journeyman electrician, Gonzales received his master license in 1998 and started Triple AC Electric. He later changed the company name after partnering with a solar company from Arizona.

“I’ve always been interested in solar,” says Gonzales. “About seven years ago we partnered with a company out of Arizona who had gotten into solar two years prior. They wanted to do business here in Texas, and more specifically, in San Antonio because of the rebates being offered.

We came to an agreement and we eventually started doing solar work ourselves.

The solar work of our business just took off. About 90 percent of our business is solar work.”

With the solar aspect of the business taking off, Gonzales changed the company name to Solar Electric Texas to reflect the company’s offerings.

“We still do provide electrical work because I still have all my customers that I have to take care of,” Gonzales adds.

“But now, instead of having three or four employees, we are in upwards of 30 employees. It’s been a blessing.”

Solar work is different from electrical work says Gonzales. “If you ask, 80 percent of electricians have never done solar. It’s just a whole different animal. One of CPS’ requirements to qualify for the rebates they offer is you must have your NABCEP. I had my master electrical license and now I have my NAPCEP which

is the equivalent to the master license in the electrical industry. In the solar industry it is the NABCEP – North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.

Now I’m a master in both the electrical industry and the solar industry.”

After partnering with the company from Arizona, Gonzales eventually bought them out and is now the sole owner of Solar Electric Texas.

The solar business has come a long way since Gonzales first started dabbling in the industry. “When we initially started selling solar, people wanted their neighbors to get it first so they could see how it worked. Now, more and more people are finding out about the savings. CPS is very favorable towards renewables. They are working towards a cleaner form of energy.”

Solar Electric Texas is a family-owned and operated business. It’s a true family affair. Gonzales’ wife, Melissa Gonzales, is the company’s operations manager and project manager. Three of their sons – Chuck Gonzales, Jr., Justin DeAnda and Ruben DeAnda; two of Gonzales’ brothers – Jesse Gonzales and Michael Gonzales, Melissa’s son-in-law, Eric DeAnda all work at Solar Electric Texas as well as Melissa’s sister, Noel Luna, who operates out of Arizona.

Solar Electric Texas serves all of Texas providing electrical and solar work in both the commercial and residential sectors.

“We are family and locally owned,” states Melissa. “We are truly a local company born, bred and grown here in San Antonio. I always say we are a small business, but my son says we’re not small anymore. But we are locally-owned.”

“We try to bend over backwards to help the customer. Sometimes to a fault.

We might lose money but doing what is right for the customer is what we try to do,” says Gonzales. -cmw

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San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022

Construction News ON LOCATION

JOB SIGHTS

Holding down the fort at KCM Cabinets Inc., team members L-R: Jack Magee, Brad Moore, Ray Fehner, Audrey Perez and Valerie Garza represent KCM Cabinets with smiles. -cmw

Manuel Delgado, Metropolitan Contracting (METRO), operates a telehandler forklift at The Our Lady of Guadalupe New Family Center project in Helotes. -cmw

All smiles

L-R: A/C Technical Services LLC Project Foreman Albert Barboza, Aaron Jimenez and Leobardo Contreras are installing the HVAC system for F.A. Nunnelly General Contractors at the new100,000sf VIA Paratransit Operations and Maintenance Facility which is expected to be complete the first quarter of 2022. -cmw

Bring life to projects & people

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Arthur Cockfield, president and owner of Resurrection General Contractors LLC

t the age of 19, Arthur Cockfield began working in the construction industry. He learned and sharpened his skills in both commercial and residential work and evenutally he ran commercial jobs for commercial companies. He picked up supplies around town and worked in the field. Then, when his commercial workday was done, he would leave to go work on houses. So when he went out on his own, he continued to do both and has been doing it ever since.

In 2001, Cockfield started Resurrection General Contractors LLC, a company of qualified professionals with over 20 years of experience and understanding about construction conflicts, customer needs and deadlines. The company is experienced in ground-up red iron Butler structures, prefabricated metal buildings, commercial renovations, warehouses, apartments, custom homes, historical renovations, motels, casinos, medical renovations, school renovations, churches, and all turn-key operations.

Resurrection’s main source of revenue comes from rehab and remodeling work. “I’ve been doing remodeling work forever,” says Cockfield. “I’m kind of a remodeling specialist. I do ground up work and houses, but remodeling, everybody calls me. I have designers, engineers, architects – I have everybody. We work together very well.”

Cockfield takes great pride in his work as a contractor. He is equally proud of his charitable work. “I help folks who have pretty much lost their homes and have rehabbed a few of them for free out of my own pocket,” says Cockfield. “I try to give. I don’t just try, I do it.”

Additionally, Cockfield is proud to work with and help rehabilitated convicts get work in construction. “You just have to have the right type of job and a place to put them,” he states.

Resurrection performs work all over Texas commercially. Residentially, Resurrections stays within San Antonio and its surrounding areas. -cmw

San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022

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Engineering presence

Trains, trucks & trailers

Stantec San Antonio team members participate in Stantec in the Community Week, beautifying Olmos Park

Jared DeMoss, Longhorn Concrete Materials

n 1954, Dr. Don Stanley, a Harvard graduate in environmental engineering founded Stantec, formerly known as D. R. Stanley Associates in Edmonton, Canada.

During Stantec’s first decade as a one-person firm doing water and sewerage projects in small, rural municipalities, it transformed into a company with close to 30 employees working on major projects extending across Alberta and into British Columbia. The firm completed its first acquisition in 1976, adding urban land to its growing list of service areas. It also added five regional branch offices and established an International group to focus on overseas projects.

“Within the past 10 to15 years or so, we have really exploded through a series of mergers and acquisitions which has really grown our business to roughly 25,000 employees world-wide,” says Jason Nelson, Stantec San Antonio Vice President and operations leader for Stantec’s community development transportation groups in Texas.

In 2016, 40 years after completing its first acquisition, Stantec completed its largest-ever acquisition: MWH Global, a 6,800-person engineering, consulting, and construction management firm. The transaction marked an important step forward in Stantec’s journey to become a top 10 global design firm.

Additionally during this time, Stantec laid its footprint in San Antonio with the acquisition of Bury Inc. Today, Stantec San Antonio is home to 40 engineers that contribute to the company’s ever-growing success.

Stantec provides professional consulting services in planning, engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, surveying, environmental sciences, project management, and project economics for infrastructure and facilities projects. It provides services on projects around the world through over 25,000 employees operating out of more than 400 locations across six continents internationally. -cmw

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s an engineer for Union Pacific, Jared DeMoss was always on the road traveling. That was part of the job. But he was away from his family way more than he wanted and he needed a change. He needed something that would allow him the flexibility of making a good living and spending quality time at home with his family.

“One of my best friends owned a commercial concrete company in Houston and I became friends with his supplier who had moved to Texas and whose family owned multiple stores in Alabama and Orlando,” DeMoss said. “I called him up and asked how hard it would be to start my own supply company. He told me it wasn’t hard. It’s all about relationships. You just have to hit the streets.”

DeMoss met with his friend and the two worked up a game plan. “I started calling who I could when I wasn’t sleeping on the train and I started going place to place,” he says. “I would go to work, get off early in the morning, then start making the rounds. Then, it just ended up happening.”

With the help of his brother and a truck and trailer, DeMoss started Longhorn Concrete Materials in 2018.

The first nine months was a slow start, selling a little bit here and there.

Then, after 10 to 11 months of building relationships it started to change all at once. Suddenly DeMoss realized he needed to start stocking inventory because he no longer had the time to run to his vendors to pick up material and run it out to his customers. “So many people were starting to call for orders or would swing by. It was one of those deals where you realize it’s scary but we need to get a warehouse,” recalls DeMoss.

Longhorn Concrete Materials went from two to 10 employees, from one truck and trailer to three trucks and of course, the truck and trailer in case it is needed. They carry over 700 products specializing in concrete, masonry, reinforcing steel, waterproofing, insulation and tilt-up supplies.

Longhorn Concrete Materials is a supplier of concrete materials located in New Braunfels, TX. -cmw

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San Antonio Construction News • MAR 2022