San Antonio Construction News February 2024

Covering the Industry’s News

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or decades, founder Perry Beyer Jr. played a pivotal role in shaping Beyer Plumbing, establishing it as a pillar of the San Antonio community and outshining other leading plumbing businesses. In 2019, a turning point emerged when Perry Jr. was diagnosed with cancer.

Despite a valiant battle against the devastating disease, Perry Jr. unfortunately lost his battle with cancer in 2020, leaving behind not only a thriving business but also a bereaved family and circle of friends. The challenge now faced by the Beyer family was clear – the business had to endure; the question was how. With the combination of experience and exposure from growing up in the business, his children would soon step up to the plate.

Growing up in the business, James Beyer, son of Perry Jr., alongside his sister, Liz Beyer, were never pressured to take over. “Our parents never pushed anything onto us, they always planted seeds and let them grow over time,” states James. Over the years, James found himself increasingly drawn to the plumbing industry. He pursued and secured his registered plumbing apprenticeship at the age of 16, later delving into commercial construction after college. He began working in the architectural and design side of the industry, with his architectural career taking off soon after. It wasn’t too long after, that he realized that he was missing out on working with his father.

Carrying on a Legacy

James decided to do a complete 180 and quit his architectural career to come back and finish becoming a licensed plumber. He began to realize the value of contributing to the family business and how it could transform into a multi-generational legacy.

Prompted by Perry’s untimely passing, James, supported by his sister Liz and guided by their faith, assumed leadership roles as President and Vice President, respectively. Cindy, Perry Beyer Jr.’s wife, gracefully stepped down from her role as Interim CEO.

Their journey has been far from easy, marked by numerous hardships along the way. The biggest obstacle, however, was the mental preparation for Perry’s inevitable passing. Liz reflects, “God always has a different plan. No one could see it at the time, but looking back, we can see His hand in everything.” The brother-sister duo is steadfast in their commitment to honoring their father’s legacy every day.

With the second generation now in office, the Beyer siblings have revived company traditions that had faded

during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. These traditions include the PHCC Fishing Tournament, the Beyer Boys Family Picnic, annual employee Christmas Eve lunch, company Christmas party, Wednesday bible studies with office personnel, and so much more. They have also introduced something new into the mix — The Beyer Cares Foundation. Recognizing the financial strain a diagnosis like cancer can impose, this non-profit organization was established to alleviate out-of-pocket expenses and offer emotional support to families living with cancer, all while commemorating Perry Jr. To date, the foundation has raised over $130,000 to give to families in need.

Through the culmination of hard work, the Beyer Boys have overseen the establishment of a new headquarters on Beyer John Drive in Selma, TX, and witnessed remarkable growth in the process. Looking ahead, they are optimistic about the future, holding on to their founding principles and their “why.” By keeping their core values and the memory of Perry Jr. at the forefront of everything they do, James and Liz take pride in continuing the Beyer legacy. The future looks brighter than ever, with the family harboring aspirations to establish a second location in the near future.

Beyer Plumbing is honored to have served their customers for over 30 years.

Mark Jones retires from Intertech Commercial Flooring

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ounded in 1988 with a leap of faith, Mark joined Intertech Commercial Flooring in 1988 as one of four employees that formed the key management group still in place today. It started when a carpeting company closed its doors with no notice - just as they were on the brink of a massive job

for 3M in Austin. Unwilling to give up this job, they called 3M and said they were going to get together and start their own company, and they would follow through with the job as promised under a new name. That job put Intertech on the map, and since then has grown into a well known name in the industry in San Antonio and beyond.

Intertech does it all in the flooring world: from the smallest of carpet jobs to the largest of wood flooring jobs, data flooring, raised flooring, static dissipative, hard tile and more. Mark rose the ranks throughout the company over the years and at the time of his retirement held the title of VP of operations. During the development of Intertech Flooring, he helped assemble an in-house labor apprentice program, the most comprehensive educational program for installation in the flooring industry. Mark previously worked for a

flooring subcontractor in Houston, Dallas and Austin, experience that gave him a wealth of knowledge to contribute.

He is a 2002 graduate of the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Lab Class. He also serves on the board of Associated Builders & Contractors San Antonio.

Josh Jones, Mark’s son who was 12 years old when Intertech began, now works for Intertech as well, as do other family members who have joined the team. He has many fond memories of working with him and being out in the woods, hunting with him. When asked what he thought Mark’s greatest contributions to Intertech have been, Josh says that his dad is the type of person that makes relationships with people that last. He earns the trust of the people he works with, and his name is well respected.

He made a point to be involved in things socially and also professionally on boards

and at charity events, to really get to know people face to face - something that is true to the industry’s spirit in San Antonio.

Mark’s cowboy hat is not just an aesthetic - he owns horses and other livestock, and is a true outdoorsman. He lives on top of a hill on a property north of Canyon Lake near Blanco County. An avid hunter who loves his shotguns, he will often be out hunting somewhere with family and friends. The week of his retirement, he went on a pheasant hunt and a Sandhill Crane hunt in the same week. Several members of the team at intertech enjoy hunting, and the friendships that have come out of the company will surely last a lifetime. Though he’s officially retired now, he’s sure to be around at many of the industry social gatherings, a familiar friendly face to many. Construction News wishes you well as you ride off into the sunset, Mark!

Happy Retirement!

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San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2024

because of the experiences that he was, the offer came during a difficult Industry FOLKS world have shaped his perspective. time for the Maccall Family.

Finn Maccall Sales

Equipment Share San Antonio, TX

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orking for the vertical sales department for Equipment Share, Finn Maccall is considered somewhat of a subject matter expert in various applications, engineering projects, and advanced solutions. He says, “I attempt to segue that specialty into a deeper penetration with our customer base to expand and do more than just a single transaction or point of sale. I strive to develop confidence with our customers, and capitalize the efficiency and product knowledge of the company to the customer and to increase their sales and revenue.” Friendly by nature, he chats with ease with prospective clients.

Being a well traveled man, he often can relate to people from other parts of the

At 17 years old, Finn enlisted in the United States Marine Corps to follow his dreams and serve his country.

During the years of his military service, he was deployed to Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Mogadishu, Somalia. When he retired as a veteran at age 39, he sought to put some of his engineering knowledge to use in his work post military. He did some government contracting work, but eventually found himself in the oil and gas field, designing, building and servicing pumps for water transfer.

While working for that company he became familiar with a breakout company, Equipment Share, which was one of their customers. He was intrigued by their business model and contacted the management there, eager to start doing business with them by helping them build part of his fleet. They were impressed with the work he did and offered him a position with their company, and despite the fact that Finn was content with where

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At the age of 25, Finn’s daughter had been diagnosed with cancer. Finn and his wife, PJ, were living in Midland, and wanted to be near their daughter during her treatment. Their daughter lived in South Texas and PJ was readily making the long drive to be with her, but wished they could be closer. When he received an offer for a position with Equipment Share in San Antonio, he and his wife jumped at the chance. Not only offering him a lucrative new position, Equipment Share also generously paid for the Maccall’s moving expenses, something Finn says he’s incredibly grateful for. They were able to be there to support their daughter during her illness, and even more grateful that she recovered and is now 5 years free from cancer.

Finn and PJ recently celebrated 34 years of marriage, 18 of which they spent traveling together during Finn’s military service. They have four grown children, Jessica, Joseph, Kimberley, and Ruby Jean. Joseph also works at Equipment Share as a Senior

Technician. They have two grandsons and one on the way. Recently, Finn and PJ have embarked on a new adventure as business partners. They are opening a gym in Boerne called The Gym, something most fitness enthusiasts only dream about. They also love baseball, and travel every year to Fenway Park in Boston to watch the Red Sox play on Jackie Robinson Day, April 15th. They have a dog named Jax, who Finn describes as “the best dog ever”. Jax is an American Staffordshire Terrier who has a mark on his back in the shape of Texas, something that one has to see to believe. -ndw

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San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2024

Page 3

National Demolition Association Launches First Ever Supervisor Certification Program JR RAMON Demolition has been serving Central and South Texas since 1945, and holds the license as the first demolition contractor in San Antonio.

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he National Demolition Association (NDA) recently celebrated its 50th anniversary with the launch of a unique program to help secure the role of demolition as a viable trade in the construction industry. The NDA is a trade organization that serves as the voice of the demolition industry. The association represents over 500 member companies throughout North America, with some international members as well. The NDA as a whole sees the need to recognize that demolition is not just a viable career path, but is a bonafide trade and skill of its own. Just like becoming an electrician, plumber or any sort of other certified technician, this program will certify Demolition Supervisors. This certification is designed to validate the knowledge and accountability of a supervisor in the demolition industry. A person who receives this certification would be able to go to any construction company, or demolition company, and apply for a job as a supervisor, having proven he has the knowledge and skills to be responsible for a demolition site.

50 candidates applied to the program, and out of the 40 people who sat for the exam, 27 passed. Three of those individuals who passed the test are on the JR Ramon Demolition team in San Antonio. With over 30 years of experience under his belt, Joe Ramon III, Vice President of JR Ramon, passed the test.

Ryan Medellin and Jody Hopewell, both of whom have been with JR Ramon for 5 years but have many more years of experience in the industry, were also recognized as Certified Demolition Supervisors. These individuals are the

JODY HOPEWELL, JOE RAMON III, and RYAN MEDLIN of JR RAMON Demolition have been recognized as CERTIFIED DEMOLITION SUPERVISORS by the National Demolition Association.

only three people to now hold the certification in the San Antonio area! This was not an easy exam. It’s meant for seasoned professionals in demolition, and those who didn’t pass the first time are encouraged to continue studying, pursue more experience and try again. Timothy Ramon says, “I’m very proud of Joe, Ryan and Jody. We see this test as not only advancing their careers, but also validating all their hard work and attention to detail they put in their job sites to ensure a safe environment for themselves, their co-workers, and the community.”

The main goal for the NDA Certification program is to elevate and advance people in the demolition industry throughout the country.

Demolition professionals carry a lot of responsibility and accountability for what they do, with safety being the first priority. Several years ago, the Board of Directors of the NDA voted to form an independent certification board to

develop a certification program. The NDA Certification Board, comprised of industry subject matter experts from across the country, developed the Certified Demolition Supervisor (CDS) program under the guidance of Yenny Caceres, an accredited certification manager and expert in developing and designing high risk assessments that effectively assess knowledge, competency, and skill.

Timothy Ramon, the president of JR Ramon Demolition, is the Chairman of the Certification Board for the NDA. This Demolition Supervisor Certification is the first program of its kind, and held its first exam in October 2023. There is a set criterion of requirements and prerequisites that the candidates must have to even be allowed to take the exam.

They must have: • Documented five years of hands-on demolition experience in the industry, • Fall prevention training in the form of an eight hour fall prevention or fall

protection course • Obtained the OSHA 30 HR construction safety course • CPR and first aid certification • 8 hours of asbestos or HAZWOPER awareness training Once the candidates meet all those qualifiers, they are eligible to take the exam. The exam is very in-depth. It covers five different domains that are applicable to the majority of demolition sites: safety, environmental, operational mythology, project management and people management. A Certified Demolition Supervisor will demonstrate their knowledge within these five domains and actively use them on any demolition site to keep the site safe, productive and in compliance with governing regulations.

This certification is designed to validate the knowledge and accountability of a supervisor in the demolition industry.

In the spring of 2024, NDA will be hosting their annual convention and expo in San Antonio from March 6th-9th.

Demolition San Antonio will feature the latest innovations and technology solutions from the industry’s best resources.

Exhibits from leading manufacturers and suppliers give attendees one-stop access to a full range of products, service offerings, and education sessions that can help them add efficiencies, capture new opportunities, and increase profits.

Additionally, the NDA will offer the Certified Demolition Supervisor exam in an in-person setting. Information about this event, and the Demolition Supervisor Certification can be found at Demolitionassociation.com. -ndw

Freund Enterprises Adds Building #3 as Part of its Growth

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reund Enterprises is a familyowned and operated company founded by two brothers, John and Robert Freund, in 1964. Composed of two companies, Comfort-Air Engineering, Inc. and Primo Plumbing, Inc., they are excited to plan celebrations for their “60th Jubilee”. One of the main focuses for the company at present is the construction of a new building that will add some much needed square footage to their offices and service departments. The business has grown so much that the need for more space for their team became a huge priority, and they were in need of some larger conference rooms to meet clients. This will be the third building on the grounds of the company property and will boast 18,257 sq feet, including the office and warehouse spaces.

Comfort-Air Engineering and Primo Plumbing are doing their own HVAC and Plumbing work on the project, and the Architect is Ed Boyle of Open Studio Architecture. Other companies working on the project are Fuller Excavation and Sitework, LLC for concrete and excavation

work, Campbell Interior Systems for walls, sheetrock, and painting, Hill Electric, 1st FP Services for a fire protection system, JR Utilities, and Maldonado Landscaping.

The project broke ground in January 2023 and was completed in January 2024, with their VP of Technology, Mike Stahl, leading the project.

Another exciting change for the company that is happening this year is that Clint T. Wurzbach, P.E., will be moving from VP of Construction Operations to Company President.

Freund Enterprises is now in its third generation of being family-owned and operated, something they take great pride in. They want the company culture to be like an extended family and a great place to work. While planning their 60th Jubilee celebration and Grand Opening set in March of the new building, they are also preparing for ways to give back to the community while incorporating their dearly held family values and honoring what they do to serve the city of San Antonio. 2024 is sure to be a very exciting year for Freund Enterprises. -ndw

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San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2024

Hands on Training

Shawn Murray, President and Pete Mann, Head of Operations

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hawn Murray is the President of Murray Plumbing, and his family’s history in the plumbing industry goes back 5 generations, starting with his great great Grandfather, who owned and ran his own plumbing company. Shawn remembers many conversations around the dinner table with his family that centered around life in the trade and their business. What happened in certain emergency situations, talks of new products, the future in the industry and business discussions were common topics at family get-togethers. As a child, Shawn absorbed the information from those conversations and unknowingly gained some first hand knowledge about plumbing, as well as hands-on experience tagging along to jobs with his father and grandfather during summer breaks. During these times surrounded by his family on the job, he developed a strong work ethic. He loved being busy and getting things done. The wisdom passed down through generations, and the combined experience of a family of tradesmen, led to the founding of the most recent incarnation for the family business in 2005.

Following in the footsteps of his elders might seem like a natural transition for a young man who had been exposed to all things plumbing since birth, but in high school, Shawn only had one thing on his mind- football. Anyone who has played football, or has had a loved one who played the sport in High School, knows it is a big commitment of the athlete’s time and energy to be part of a team. Shawn loved football and his love for the sport was the main motivation for him to go to college. He began his journey at Midwestern State University, and made the football team. As exciting as that was for him, he knew he had to be realistic about the fact that not everyone will make it to the NFL. He considered careers, and thought maybe he’d be a firefighter or a real estate agent, but his natural talent for math led him to choose engineering. However, it quickly became clear that he didn’t feel a spark in the study of engineering- he knew after one semester he needed to find something he was more interested in. He realized that due to his upbringing, he was meant for business.

Even at a young age he had entrepreneurial tendencies- he would save money, put it in a briefcase, and dole out loans to his older siblings, keeping records on a notepad and even charging interest. After some thought, and consulting his family, he then chose to switch his major to Business Management. Discussing this with his grandfather on the phone, he was asked if he would be willing to come take over Murray Plumbing after graduation. This was a big deal. It was not just a business, but his family’s livelihood. He agreed to come on board but said he would need a lot of guidance, which his grandfather was happy to provide. That summer, he returned home, eager to help his family’s business thrive.

Unfortunately, that would be his last summer with his grandfather, who passed away later that year. His family was reeling from the loss of their loved one, patriarch and head of the family business. This motivated Shawn to want to help his family any way he could, he even gave up his spot on the football team, which was heartbreaking

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for him. He wanted to honor his promise to his grandfather and family and that came first. So he began working on holiday and summer breaks trying to learn about all the aspects of the business, with his grandmother teaching him about the accounting and administration duties. He recalls reading a book about business by Steve Jobs, who likened running a business to conducting a symphony. He didn’t have to be an expert in playing all the instruments, but he could be the conductor who made sure they were playing in harmony. This gave him the confidence boost he needed to take on the role as President. Shortly before he graduated, the purchase of Murray Plumbing was finalized in his name, and through lots of ups and downs, it is more successful than ever.

Shawn loves a quote by Isaac Newton: “If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.” It reminds him that he wouldn’t be where he was today without the work of his father and forefathers, and wants to always honor them.

Murray Plumbing has grown to have about 40 employees, and while facing the challenge of taking over the company, he knew he wanted a builder’s perspective, and someone with the experience to help him guide the company, someone with skills that could balance his own. He found that in Pete Mann, who agreed to come on board as Head of Operations. The two of them had skills that the other lacked, and their partnership made the company even stronger. They had a firm vision and developed the values of the company together. They attracted some amazing talent and saw the need for more skilled tradespeople in plumbing and together, they began planning their own training facility that included more hands-on training that they knew was crucial. They also wanted their apprentices to know that they were getting into a trade that not only promised a good career, but is something very important to society as a whole. Shawn says, “Plumbing is so much more than putting together materials and connecting pieces of pipe. Clean water is essential to our existence, a basic need.

Everything from that to the highly complex Med Gas systems that hospitals use for anesthesia, it’s an important job.”

With that in mind, they built the training facility, with immense support from manufacturers, suppliers and other companies within the construction industry in donating time and materials to make it happen. They currently hold weekly classes for their plumbers at Murray to continuously sharpen their skills and master the craft.

Shawn is also in the process of creating a full-time six-week course focused on recruiting new apprentices into the industry in efforts to overcome the industry’s biggest challenge of an aging workforce. This course will be a great way to attract new young men and women to the industry and create a strong foundation of basic competences to build a successful career on. He projects that by the end of this year, he will have his 501c and hold his first official class for that course. Shawn has a vision for the company, and the understanding that he needs to draw on the wisdom that surrounds him. This dynamic combination will continue to propel Murray Plumbing, and his family’s legacy of hard work, into the future. -ndw

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Page 5

Growth for Aprio continues with Expansion to Texas through Merger with Ridout Barrett & Co. CPAs & Advisors Combination ignites Aprio’s position as a leading provider of solutions to the construction segment and expands footprint to Austin and San Antonio

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prio, LLP, the fastest-growing business advisory and accounting firm, proudly announces its strategic expansion to Texas through its merger with Ridout Barrett & Co. CPAs & Advisors (RBC), a powerhouse accounting firm with broad experience in construction and real estate. This strategic union marks a significant milestone in Aprio’s remarkable journey of sustained growth and nationwide presence.

“Expanding to Texas and integrating the RBC team of over 50 partners and professionals to Aprio aligns seamlessly with our strategic priorities and growing needs of our Texas clients. This merger doubles the size of our firm-wide Construction Practice and aligns two firms with successful histories, deep industry expertise & shared values, giving us the opportunity to expand services to clients and provide meaningful career opportunities for our team members,” said Richard Kopelmand, Aprio CEO & Managing Partner.

Connecting the East and West regions this expansion into Texas increases Aprio’s presence and is the beginning of a major buildout in Texas. Texas is poised to replicate Aprio’s pattern of expanding into

other markets, experiencing a fourfold growth over the next five years, just as Aprio has achieved in ins previous market buildouts. As a premier advisory and CPA firm that provides growth-minded team members an unprecedented opportunity to achieve sustained career growth, Aprio will attract like-minded leaders in Texas.

Additionally, the firm will expand major segments to support leading businesses in manufacturing, technology and government contracting, while growing service offerings to include business advisory, high net worth and wealth management.

“We are thrilled about this strategic combination,” said Melanie C. Geist, Managing Partner at RBC. “Aprio and RBC have shared a complementary focus on investing in culture and talent to create a better team and client experience. We will leverage this new partnership to provide our clients with more tools to realize their goals. RBC clients will benefit from our broadened strengths and capabilities across many industries, especially construction and government contracting, that are facing shifting market dynamics and our eagerness to anticipate what’s next.”

Newly Acquired

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emuel T. Sinclair, RPLS, President, Sinclair Land Surveying, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Lenz & Associates, a Professional Land Surveying firm in Austin, Texas. “Our combined firms began conducting their practice as Sinclair Land Surveying, Inc. on January 22, 2024.”

Sinclair Land Surveying, Inc. began its professional practice in 1981. While most of their work has been in the San Antonio and Austin markets, they have offered professional land surveying services throughout the State of Texas for

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San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2024

The Great Outdoors 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 Bettis, fish & friends Heads Up! Spring Break is just around the corner!

While the kids don’t think Spring Break will ever get here, we adults know that time flies and we have plans to make and reservations to set up so we can get the best available dates for guides, accommodations, and activities!

Thanks to the rains that have fallen recently, the wildflowers in the Hill Country should be outstanding this year although they may just be at the beginning of their bloom. If you are coming this way, you are in for a treat!

If you are headed for the lakes and rivers, Spring Break works out well for fishing. The white bass spawning run usually starts up in mid-February so they should be biting great for Spring Break! If you really want to show a kid a good time, just find some white bass feeding on topwater! They can see them, chase them, and catch them one after another just like

T

eating popcorn! White bass and bluegill fishing are both fast fun and kids love it!

Crappie fishing is good this time of year too and they will give you lots of action. You can find them on nice days lurking in brush piles in the warmer shallow water.

You can find stripers and hybrid bass chasing shad on topwater early in the mornings. Then look for them on humps and ridgelines later in the day.

Largemouth bass can be found hiding on structure and on windy points chasing after shad.

Catfish will be in the river channels and even in shallow water using cut bait.

The whole freshwater fishery starts to get active this time of year because they will spawn soon and that takes energy.

Fish need to feed a lot to be ready, so the lake gets busy! This time of year, the old live bait or artificial bait or stink bait dilemma isn’t all that noticeable. The fish

Ken Milam

are plenty hungry and if you bring the food, you are all set!

The only trouble with Spring Break fishing is that it is still early enough in the year for the weather to be unpredictable.

Pay close attention to the weather forecast and if boating on your own, be sure to have your rig lake ready so you can have a great experience.

The main thing is to just get our next generation of anglers on the water! They need to know what a great outdoor resource is out there for them to enjoy.

They are the future of our fishery conservation; we need to get them engaged while we can. I have watched many families make fishing and hunting together a family tradition. That kid you take fishing today often becomes that daughter or son that brings you fishing someday! It is satisfying to see your children passing what you have shared with them on down to their kids.

Now We’re Cookin’

he gang from S. Watts Group, Commercial General Contractors, enjoyed a weekend of cooking, eating, networking & more cooking at the San Antonio Bar-B-Que Cook-Off. Fun fact: S. Watts very own Operations Manager, Jonathan Barton, is a professional pit master (Barton BBQ). Out of 300+ teams Jonathan walked away with 8th place: Ribs and 14th place: Chicken.

Pictured L-R: John Ilgen, Jonathan Barton, Greg Lazarek, Rebecca Pratt, Teri Shelton & Chris Cato.

Jonathan Barton

Kris Rogers, owner of Cedar Creek Camo and project manager at Hayden Paving Inc., bow killed a buck in Bexar County, TX., scoring 134” pope & young. He said he would not divulge the location because it is his honey hole, can’t say that we blame you, Kris. Congrats!

San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2024

Page 7

The Great Outdoors Cold Weather Fishing in Texas Captain Evan Coleman Big Bassin’ Fishing Tours Sponsored by: Daiwa USA

Haley Mathews with a nice rainbow on the Guadalupe River. Photo courtesy of Captain Dylan Mendoza.

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J

anuary and February are two of my favorite months to fish. The reason being is its primetime striper fishing on Canyon Lake! Due to stripers being a northern saltwater fish, the winter weather in Texas really gets them fired up. They group together and travel in schools ambushing giant pods of shad around the lake. And throwing shad imitators such as an Alabama rig, an underspin, and a jigging spoon can really catch a lot of fish!

There are a couple of different things I look for when I try to catch these stripers. The first thing is there having to be bait present for the stripers to be in the area. If there is one rule about trying to catch these striped fish, it’s that they will always be around a food source. The next thing I look for is deep water. I’ve noticed that stripers tend to use the main river channels to travel around the lake and they just prefer the deep colder water.

Once I locate the stripers I determine if they are mostly feeding on the surface, or if they are feeding deeper in the water column. I use my livescope to pinpoint exactly how they are positioned. If they are feeding more on the surface, there will be a ton of fish up high in the water column and a few bigger ones underneath those fish feeding on the dead bait that falls. When they are feeding on the surface typically, I will use a faster retrieve as it imitates a fleeing baitfish.

If they are feeding lower in the water column, my experiences I’ve noticed that they will be a little more scattered and hugging the bottom third of the column. The best way that I’ve targeted these fish is by using an Alabama rig or an underspin. I make long casts with either of these baits and count it down close to the bottom and reel them in as slow as I can without getting stuck.

The stripers can get frustrating to

chase around the lake but if you’re willing to endure it, it can be some of the best fishing days you’ve ever experienced! And if you want to learn more about it don’t hesitate to come out fishing with me!

To schedule your next fishing trip, give Capt. Evan Coleman a call at 512-744-7453 or bigbassinfishing.com.

Page 8

San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2024

ON THE JOB

Association Calendar

Content submitted by Associations to Construction News ABC Associated Builders & Contractors South Texas Chapter Feb. 8: Breakfast Club: Cyber Risk Management, Magnolia Pancake HausNorthwoods Location, 7-9am, 2070 N Loop 1604 W, San Antonio Feb. 14: Safety Committee Meeting, 12-1pm, ABC South Texas Office Feb. 21: Ladies Operating for Growth in Construction (LOGIC) Committee Meeting 3pm, ABC South Texas Office Feb. 28: Happy Hour at Burleson Yard Beer Garden, 4-7pm, 430 Austin St, San Antonio The Droptine Utility Construction team getting the job done in San Marcos on a High Velocity Jetting project.

AGC Associated General Contractors San Antonio Feb. 28: Winter Member Mixer, 6-8pm, Ralston Family Collections Center, The Alamo, 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio ASA American Subcontractors Association San Antonio Feb. 1: Safety Update, 11:30am, Joeris’ Office, 823 Arion Pkwy., San Antonio Feb. 6: *FREE* Membership Mixer, 4-6pm, Little Woodrow’s Stone Oak, 606 W. Afton Oaks Blvd., San Antonio, Sponsor for $250 Feb. 8: *FREE* Tacos & Training, Ridout Barrett’s Office, 8:30am F ​ eb. 13: ASA National Webinar: Stronger Field, Stronger Profits: Enhancing Labor Productivity in Construction, 11am, *FREE* Online​ Feb 14: Board Meeting, ESC Safety Consultant’s Office, 11:30am, Contact Jennifer to attend GSABA Greater San Antonio Builders Association Feb. 6: Professional Women in Building Lunch & Learn with Dr. Debora Trimpe, 11:30am-1:30pm, GSABA Ballroom, 3625 Paesanos Parkway, Ste. 100, San Antonio Feb. 13: 2024 Million Dollar Circle Awards Presentation, 8:30-10:30am, Ray Ellison Ballroom, 3625 Paesanos Parkway, Ste. 100, San Antonio Feb. 20: GSABA Board of Directors Meeting, 11:30am-1pm, RSVP for lunch, (210) 696-3800

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Feb. 22: Winter Membership Mixer, 5-7pm, New Parrish & Company Showroom, 18443 46 W., Bulverde. No cost to addend, RSVP required Feb. 23-25: San Antonio Spring Home & Garden Show, Alamodome MCA-SMACNA INC Mechanical Contractors Association Sheet Metal & A/C Nat’l Association Feb. 14: Regular & Associates Meeting, 11:30am, The Petroleum Club, 8620 N New Braunfels Ave # 700, San Antonio Feb. 28: Joint Industry Fund Meeting, 11:30am, MCA-SMACNA Office NAWIC National Association of Women in Construction San Antonio Feb. 7: NAWIC General Meeting, 5:307:30pm, The Barn Door Restaurant & Meat Market, 8400 N. New Braunfels Ave, San Antonio Feb. 23: Friendship Friday, 5:30-8pm Feb. 29: DEI Mega Mixer, 6pm, SAMSAT AREA21, 3331 General Hudnell Dr. Acc Rd., San Antonio PHCC Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association Feb. 8: Monthly Membership Meeting, 1pm, location TBD. heather@phccsanantonio.org Feb. 29: Sporting Clay Tournament, 8am5pm, National Shooting Complex, 5931 Roft Road, San Antonio SAMCA San Antonio Masonry Contractors Association Feb. 28: General Meeting, 11:30am, Old San Francisco Steak House, Guest Speaker: Spike Cutler, 10223 Sahara Dr, San Antonio TACCA Texas Air Conditioning Cooling Contractors Association Feb. 15: South Texas HVAC Conference & Expo, 9:30am, San Antonio Shrine Auditorium, 901 N Loop 1604 W, San Antonio

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San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2024

Page 9

working with all different beige” trend is fading. People are Industry FOLKS experience types of materials and watched many favoring Old World styles with longer

Mike Tally

Design & Installation

Taylor Designer Floors New Braunfels, TX

M

ike Tally has been in the industry since he was a very young man. For the whole of his adult life, he has worked pretty much every aspect of the flooring business from wholesale retail manufacturing, distribution and his passion, new home construction, especially custom homes.

With 35 years of experience, he has gained a substantial amount of

home trends come and go. Currently, he works for Taylor Designer Floors in New Braunfels and loves his job.

When asked what he loves most about custom home flooring installations, Mike says that years of working new construction in trackhome style neighborhoods can become very monotonous. He prefers to present a wide array of materials and styles that suit the customer’s tastes and budget. He loves seeing a finished design product be tied together with the flooring he expertly installed. It’s among the first things people notice when they walk into a space, and often the center of the design’s focus.

Mike predicts the “all gray and

lasting, better quality materials, and color is making a comeback, especially jewel tones. Mike says, “We’re blessed with areas surrounding San Antonio as a whole in the areas we work in. We’re blessed to be part of the most beautiful country in the world, Texas Hill Country.

And people, as they migrate here, they want to bring that outside beauty in, but not necessarily in a rustic way. More of an elevated farmhouse look. I love it.”

Mike is a friendly and talkative guy, and it’s easy to imagine that he’d be a wonderful partner in design and installation. A Texas native, Mike was born in Wortham, in East Texas. He now resides with his wife, Rachel in Universal City. They have one son, Brandon, who

followed his father’s footsteps into the industry and also works for Taylor Designer Floors. When Mike is not working, he loves riding motorcycles and going to see live music with his wife. He’s also a long time subscriber and reader of Construction News! -ndw

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Page 10

San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2024

Alamo Crane Service, Inc. Recognized by San Antonio Business Journal

A

Adolfson Peterson Prepares to Break Ground on Hospital Project

Receives Business of the Year recognition

lamo Crane Service, Inc., a local leader in the crane service industry, is pleased to announce that ACS was recognized at the San Antonio Business Journal’s Business of the Year Awards event held at the beautiful Canyon Springs Golf Club. ACS was among 15 companies to be nominated for the San Antonio Business of the Year Award.

“We are honored to be recognized by the San Antonio Business Journal and to receive this award,” said COO Marvin Ohlenbusch. “Marge and I are very proud to serve San Antonio and the state of

Texas. We would like to extend a special ‘CONGRATULATIONS’ to this year’s 2023 SABJ Business of the Year winner, San Antonio International Airport.”

Congratulations to all this year’s nominees – AmeriVet Veterinary, Brooks Development Authority, CE Group, Central Builders Inc., EMBREY, MarketVision, Millennium PetroCapital, OCI Solar Power, Petroleum Distribution, REEP Equity, San Antonio International Airport, SEnergy | Powered by Schneider Engineering, Sports Medicine Associates of San Antonio, and SWBC.

Marvin and Marge Ann Ohlenbusch, Alamo Crane

Carol and Stan Rothman, Alamo Crane

A

national construction management firm and general contractor, Adolfson & Peterson Construction, (AP) is preparing to break ground on a large addition to Cedar Crest Behavioral Health Hospital and Residential Treatment Center. The latest project in a trusted partnership with Acadia Healthcare, these treatment centers are crucial to the health of growing populations and offer mental health and rehabilitation services. Acadia also accepts many forms of insurance, such as Medicaid, Medicare and Tricare which makes them more accessible to the general public and underserved communities. “Mental Healthcare is a growing and needed area within the medical field, and it is an honor to work on this Central Texas project with Acadia Healthcare,” says Addisu Negash, project executive at AP. “We will leverage our vast healthcare facility experience to provide Cedar Crest Hospital with topquality work efficiently and better equip this facility to provide life-changing care to Central Texas residents.”

For Cedar Crest, located at 3500 Interstate 35 frontage road in Belton, Texas, their ability to help people in the surrounding community will be expanding in a big way. AP will build a massive addition to the main hospital, which originally opened its doors in 1988.

The new addition was designed by Stengel Hill Architecture, and will add a 79,000 square feet two-story building with 96 beds to the facility with available space for future expansion. Each of the 48 rooms will have two beds and its own bathroom and shower. Along with the new dormitories, the addition will include a new gym for residents, treatment areas, activity yards and administrative office space. Plans to renovate an existing kitchen space are also in the works. AP plans to break ground on this project in early February, with its completion expected within 16 months.

In their prolific partnership with Acadia Healthcare, AP has built other behavioral health facilities, such as Rio Vista Behavioral Health Hospital in El Paso which was completed in 2023.

Minneapolis-based AP has built a strong presence in Texas, with locations in Austin, San Antonio, Midland and Richardson. Other notable Texas projects completed by AP include an expansion of Midland College, Reunion Rehabilitation Hospitals in Plano and Arlington, and PGA of America in Frisco. Currently, AP is also working on Sunrise Commerce Center in Round Rock. AP is a familyowned business with over 75 years of experience, and has been consistently ranked as a top 100 Contractor by Engineering News Record.

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San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2024

Page 11

P•R•O•J•E•C•T S•H•O•W•C•A•S•E San Antonio Artist Creates Masterpieces with SitePro Equipment

Finished masterpiece!

I

f you spend much time in downtown San Antonio, you might have recently had some beautiful murals and art installations catching your eye. That’s because an organization called Centro San Antonio has made it their mission to beautify public spaces such as empty urban windows and blank walls to celebrate local artists and culture. So far, there are 140+ works of art gracing San Antonio thanks to the project, breathing vibrancy and color into the atmosphere of downtown life.

Two local artists, Andy Benavides and Nik Soupe, submitted an entry to paint a mural that captured the essence of the San Antonio Spurs. Out of 160 submissions, they were thrilled to land in the top 4. Andy began working on a concept for the project, keeping in mind that it must not utilize any direct marketing material related to the Spurs.

No logos, no likenesses of Gregg Popovich or Tim Duncan. But something

Andy Benavides (center), Mark Shaw, SitePro (right)

that spoke to San Antonio’s deep love and loyalty to their team. Andy drew inspiration for the mural from his mother, saying, “She was probably a bigger Spurs fan than I was. Reflecting on the project, this was an opportunity to remember the days when she would be calling my aunts, getting her jersey on, making popcorn and lighting her candle, praying to La Virgen de Guadalupe for victory. It was almost like a religious experience.” With the idea of demonstrating that the Spurs are akin to a religion for their fans, he made sure to get the blessing of La Virgen de Guadalupe. He was taking this seriously and didn’t want to be thought of as mocking the shrine- he wanted to complement it by paying homage to this humble team.

The process of creating a 50ft mural requires some serious equipment. Andy immediately called Mark Shaw who works at SitePro Rentals in San Antonio to enlist his help for the project, as they

have a working relationship that goes back 20 years. Mark came out to the mural site to evaluate the equipment needed for the project, and to talk about safety measures which are a SitePro core value and always the number one concern. He needed to make sure that everyone involved was educated in the proper way to harness themselves, and that there was someone certified to operate the equipment. Nik Soupe’s background in street art meant that he was certified to operate the scissor lifts and jumbo booms needed to reach the top of the mural. Andy says Mark and SitePro have won his loyalty over the years because he knows he can count on the equipment rental leader. He can call SitePro at night or early morning and the SitePro team including Mark and San Antonio Branch Manager Joey Scott are always there for him, ready and willing to address any issues he might have.

SitePro offers a no hassle equipment

rental experience for every size jobsite and specializes in serving commercial contractors, facilities managers, industrial centers, and construction professionals that need a reliable equipment partner.

Everything from aerial work platforms, compressors and Air tools, compaction Machines, earthmovers, power generators, forklifts, and even small tools and equipment, SitePro professionals can supply you with whatever you need for your crew. Doug Miller, Senior Director of Marketing for SitePro Rentals, recalls coming to San Antonio to see the Texassized work being done, and he wanted to personally thank Andy and his team.

Doug says, “SitePro Rentals is proud to be viewed as the ‘unofficial’, official equipment sponsor of artisans everywhere. To know our equipment was chosen to support a project that helps beautify the city and support the San Antonio Spurs connection to the city, is especially gratifying. There are a lot of options when renting equipment - to be first choice on this inspiring work says a tremendous amount about the trust placed in the SitePro brand.”

To check out a map of the art installations around San Antonio, visit centrosanatonio.org Information about SitePro equipment can be found at siteprorentals.com. -ndw

Page 12

San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2024

Wired to Give Back In 2021, Alterman, Inc. established the Alterman Foundation whose purpose is to be stewards of the community through various initiatives to serve charities and organizations selected by Alterman employees. Alterman distributes the funds the Foundation raises throughout the year and donates the entire sum during Alterman’s 8 Weeks of Giving.

Week 1 - Wilson County No Kill Animal Shelter Nominated by Alterman employee: Nancy Oliver, Service Coordinator

Week 2 - Zapatos, Inc. Nominated by Alterman employee: Mallory Fuentes, Contract Specialist

Week 3 - Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation Nominated by Alterman employee: Manual Gonzales, Project Designer

Week 4 - Arms of Hope Nominated by Alterman employee: Eric Walker, Installation & Planning Manager

Week 5 - Hope for Heroes Texas Nominated by Alterman employee: Sonia Jones, Buyer

Week 6 - Corazon Ministries Nominated by Alterman employee: Cynda Walker, Benefits & Compensation Manager

Week 7 - Texas Firewalkers Nominated by Alterman employee: David Deschaine, Director of Special Projects

Week 8 - TRAPRS - Trapping, Rescue, and Pet Recovery Service Nominated by Alterman Employee: Amariah Harp, Account Manager

C

Catamount Constructors Announces National Build to Rent and Multifamily Expansion

atamount Constructors, Inc., a 100% employee - owned ENR Top 400 General Contractor, proudly announces its strategic move Jared Ford towards a national Build to Rent (BTR) and multifamily expansion with the appointment of industry veteran Jared Ford as President, Build to Rent and Multifamily.

With a portfolio of 56 completed BTR and multifamily projects valued at $1.4 billion, Catamount is a proven expert in delivering successful projects for

clients and developers. Ford’s two decades in the construction industry encompasses projects totaling $7.25 billion, spanning 28,00 multifamily, BTR, condo, and senior living units and 6,500 student housing beds.

His industry tenure includes notable positions at Fortune-Johnson, Crescent Communities, The Dinerstein Companies, and Cortland, marked by a track record of spearheading national expansions and leading strategic direction.

James Benning, co-CEO at Catamount, stated, “Jared’s extensive experience, leadership skills, and deep understanding of the industry will play a crucial role in continuing to grow our

strong market expertise across BTR and multifamily.”

In his role as President, Jared will collaborate closely with existing leadership to further elevate Catamount’s brand reputation in these key markets.

His emphasis on fostering collaboration, driving innovation, ensuring operational excellence, and nurturing client relationships is set to position Catamount as an unparalleled force in the national BTR and multifamily landscape.

This strategic partnership merges Catamount’s industry prowess and Ford’s extensive experience, positioning Catamount to lead its national expansion and capitalize on the

substantial growth potential within BTR and multifamily. The integration of Catamount and Ford’s expertise creates a formidable force, placing Catamount at the forefront of success and innovation in these dynamic markets.

San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2024

Page 13

A Sheet Metal Christmas

Leadership Unveiled

More than 130 Mechanical Contractors Association Sheet Metal & A/C Nat’l Association (MCA-SMACNA) members gathered December 20th at Flemings Steakhouse for their annual Christmas party complete with cocktails and an amazing lunch. Photos courtesy of Mary C. Haskin Photography.

On Dec. 20, MCA-SMACNA of San Antonio announces their newly installed 2024 Board of Directors: President: Justin Russell, Dynamic Systems, Inc. Vice President: Oscar Garza, Brandt Companies Secretary Treasurer: John Gargotta, Dynamic Systems, Inc. Associate Director: Jim Knight, Siemens Immediate Past President: Kyle Pennington, AJ Monier Compan

Pictured L-R: Jim Knight, John Gargotta, Justin Russell, Kyle Pennington, Oscar Garza

Page 14

San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2024

Rifle, Trap & Skeet

M

ore than 150 participants attended the Mechanical Contractors Association Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning National Association’s (MCA-SMACNA) 45th Annual Hunter’s Symposium. The event was held Sept. 27 at Bexar Community Shooting Range in Marion.

Members, associate members and guests participated in a skeet, trap and rifle shoot, enjoyed a delicious fish fry dinner and won some amazing raffle and door prizes. Jim Bellm was awarded the first ever (and only) “Judges Mis-Fire” Award for his shooting at last year’s event. This year’s trophies were custom Game Guard duffle bags.

Photos courtesy of Mary C. Haskin Photography

Shooting awards were presented to:

1st Place Associate Skeet

1st Place Guest Rifle

1st Place Member Skeet

Bullseye

Bullseye: Mark Zinsmeister, Dynamic Systems, Inc Expert Rifle: Chad Fisher, High West Services 1st Place Retiree Rifle: Rick Barrera, Retiree 1st Place Guest Rifle: Phillip Allen, Ackerman & Co 2nd Place Guest Rifle: Brian Goebel, Retiree 3rd Place Guest Rifle: Ian Vohwinkle, MS2 1st Place Associate Rifle: Jason Patty, SA Win Supply 2nd Place Associate Rifle: Gatlin Grosch, Texas Air Systems 3rd Place Associate Rifle: Ben Evans, SA Win Supply 1st Place Member Rifle: Jordan Rittmann, Texas Chiller Systems 2nd Place Member Rifle: Trinity Hampton, Mueller & Wilson 3rd Place Member Rifle: John Timmerman, Mueller & Wilson Expert Trap: Ben Christian, M&M Metals 1st Place Retiree Trap: John Scott, Retiree 1st Place Guest Trap: Jim Baker, Trinity University 2nd Place Guest Trap: Adam Vega, Christus 3rd Place Guest Trap: Brian Keller, Cleary Zimmermann 1st Place Associate Trap: Hunter Dietzmann, Mechanical Reps 2nd Place Associate Trap: Troy Wunsch, Larry Wunsch & Assoc

1st Place Member Trap

Expert Rifle

3rd Place Associate Trap: Vance Jupe, Anchor Insulation 1st Place Member Trap: William Luensmann, Texas Chiller Systems 2nd Place Member Trap: Tommy Baird, Mueller & Wilson 3rd Place Member Trap: Joe Cielencki, M&M Metals Terrible Trap: Jake Hood, AJ Monier Co Expert Skeet: Jim Bellm, Texas Chiller Systems 1st Place Retiree Skeet: Ken Brothers, Retiree 1st Place Guest Skeet: Tom Phillips, Retiree 2nd Place Guest Skeet: Terry Collins, AES 3rd Place Guest Skeet: Jim Rodriguez, Jim T Rodriguez Consulting Engineer 1st Place Associate Skeet: Jeff May, Mechanical Reps 2nd Place Associate Skeet: Aaron Caldwell, Texas Air Products 3rd Place Associate Skeet: Clint Walter, Anchor Insulation 1st Place Member Skeet: Brendon Burgess, Dynamic Systems, Inc. 2nd Place Member Skeet: Todd Hartman, Mueller & Wilson 3rd Place Member Skeet: Brandon Keller, Mueller & Wilson Shoddy Skeet: Zach Rother, Milwaukee Tools

1st Place Guest Skeet

1st Place Retiree Rifle

1st Place Retiree Skeet

Expert Skeet

1st Place Member Rifle

1st Place Retiree Trap

Expert Trap

San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2024

Page 15

Play Ball

Celebrating 60 Years Alterman, Inc. was proud to be in the spotlight of National Electrical Contractors Comfort-Air Engineering & Primo Association - NECA, for our project at Darrell K. Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium.

Alterman, long time members of NECA, completed the $200 million south end Plumbing’s Legacy of Service zone addition and renovation at Darrell K. Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium. Fully enclosing the stadium for the first time in 95 years, it offers new suites, clubs, upgraded seating, a Longhorn-shaped balcony, and more!

Despite challenges, the project, including cutting-edge lighting and technology, was completed just in time for the University of Texas at Austin football season.

A

s 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of Comfort-Air Engineering, Inc. and Primo Plumbing, Inc., the Freund and Wurzbach family look back on a legacy that has become a cornerstone of San Antonio’s HVAC and plumbing industry. Beginning in 1964 with founders John and Robert Freund, fresh from The University of Texas at Austin with mechanical engineering degrees, they set out to establish a company dedicated to quality service and community engagement.

The early years were challenging as they navigated the competitive market to establish a name in HVAC services. Their persistence and commitment to excellence soon set them apart, culminating in their significant involvement in the Hemisphere ‘68 project, which propelled them from a local enterprise to an industry leader. This success laid the groundwork for steady expansion and the gradual inclusion of family members into the business, such as Scott Freund in 1991, Tom Freund in 1992, and Matthew and Patrick Freund in 2000.

The turn of the century brought a new era of innovation as the second generation of Freunds and Wurzbach took the helm. They expanded the company’s services, including the establishment of Primo Plumbing in 2007, further committing to comprehensive solutions for the San Antonio community.

Today, the company stands proud of its journey from a modest startup to a major industry player, maintaining its commitment to the community while expanding its reach and adapting to technological advancements. Central to

their ethos are values of family, teamwork, and excellence, guiding them through both challenges and successes.

In 2022, they introduced the “Progress to Success Program,” aimed at nurturing the next generation of skilled workers in HVAC and plumbing. This initiative underscores their dedication to empowering young San Antonians with valuable career opportunities.

As they celebrate this milestone, Comfort-Air Engineering and Primo Plumbing extend their gratitude to the San Antonio community and invite everyone to join in commemorating their 60 years of service, innovation, and community involvement. This anniversary is not just a reflection of the past but a promise of continued commitment to the people of San Antonio for many more years. -ndw

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San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2024

ACCOUNTING

LEGAL

Diversity Programs Answer the Call for More Women in Commercial Real Estate

Enforceability of Contractual Liquidated Damages Andy Harris Andrews Myers, P.C. Austin, TX

Lauren Gerdes Real Estate Senior Analyst, RSM US LLP

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Sarah McKevitt Real Estate Senior Analyst, RSM US LLP

omen are incrementally gaining in the commercial real estate (CRE) ranks, which has historically lagged other industries in the move to gender parity.

Accelerating the trend toward greater female representation can help jumpstart innovation at a time when the industry faces challenges ranging from slower deal flow to major shifts in the use of commercial space. The key to giving women a leg up in their careers is workplace flexibility.

Forty-two percent of the North American workforce in CRE are women, a 3.7% increase from 2021, reported NAREIM’s “Global Real Estate DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) Survey 2022,” which collected 210 responses from organizations representing more than 357,000 full-time employees and $2.3 trillion in total gross assets under management. Women now hold 31.9% of CRE’s board seats, up from 29.6% in 2022, according to the 2023 Bisnow Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Special Report, which tracked diversity across 89 of CRE’s largest firms. Women in the C-suite have also gained representation, increasing to 26.2% in 2023, up from 25.6% in 2022 and 23.5% in 2021, according to the same report.

Boosting the female roles at all levels makes good business sense. Research from McKinsey, Credit Suisse and other prominent organizations has shown that diverse teams outperform homogenous groups and lead to more creative problem-solving. More women in leadership positions could help commercial real estate develop innovative solutions for everything from deal sourcing and fundraising to strategies for operations and investment.

But a commitment to DEI requires more than just evening out the numbers of men and women; the industry needs to actively cultivate a culture of diversity to foster collaboration and innovation.

Female representation in CRE lags behind other sectors Female representation in CRE lags the broader 28% for all industries, based on 2023 data from a McKinsey report on women in the workplace, which collected information from 276 senior human resources (HR) leaders who shared insights on their policies and practices.

Although the pipeline of female talent shows signs of growth, CRE continues to trail in recruitment, retention and advancement of women, a trend underscored by numbers in senior leadership in private equity (PE) real estate firms.

According to Preqin data as of January 2023, examining the workforce in every asset class, female employees in real estate as a proportion of total employees only grew 3.5% globally from 2019 to 2023. Also concerning is the lack of representation within investment teams; the “2024 Preqin Private Capital Compensation and Employment Review” of 84 leading private capital real estate firms worldwide revealed that women at private capital firms hold only 21% of those roles versus 69% in operations and 77% in investor relations.

Crystal Sunbury Real Estate Senior Analyst, RSM US LLP

Even as women gain representation in CRE, the gender wage gap has continued to widen, with women earning far less than their male counterparts.

According to a leading benchmark survey of the industry, conducted every five years by CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women), the total average earnings for women in CRE were 34% less than men, up only 11% in the five years from 2015 to 2020. The CREW survey polled 2,930 industry professionals across CRE. Fundraising remains a major challenge in the current market as investors pull back from CRE and focus their limited capital allocations on established fund managers. However, institutional investors appear to be leaning into the diversity discussion and asking for information on the makeup of investment teams seeking to raise funds.

Another recent McKinsey report, “The state of diversity in global private markets: 2022,” which surveyed 42 PE firms globally, showed that institutional investors would allocate as much as two times more capital to a gender-diverse deal team whose track record matches a less diverse one. Even more surprising, 40% of respondents would still allocate more capital to a gender-diverse deal team despite lower historic returns. This trend presents a tremendous opportunity for women-led PE fund managers.

More workplace flexibility is key A flexible workplace is essential to bringing more women to C-suite and board positions.

The post-pandemic landscape is characterized by increased flexibility across corporate America. Many organizations have opted to offer their employees hybrid or even fully remote work options. This new working environment has allowed companies to retain more staff and tap into a larger, more geographically diverse talent pool, helping mitigate the significant challenges brought on by low unemployment and a competitive labor market.

All demographics have benefited from increased flexibility. “Women in the Workplace 2023,” a McKinsey study, reports that men and women alike rank flexibility among the top three employee benefits. Flexibility, however, has been particularly important to working mothers, who are generally the primary caregivers of their children. In fact, based on data from the same study, one in five women says flexibility has helped them stay at their organization or avoid reducing their work hours.

The lack of flexibility is an obstacle CRE companies need to recognize still exists in the industry, particularly on investment teams emphasizing uninterrupted investment pipelines amid severely constrained deal sourcing in the current market. A common perception we hear among women in the industry is that investment teams need an office presence and work extended hours to identify capital and actively manage investment portfolios, leaving little time for home responsibilities.

Continued on Page 17

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liquidated damages clause is designed to estimate and apportion damages for non-performance or breach of contract when the actual damages may be unknown at the time of contracting. However, sometimes— whether intentionally or inadvertently—a party will seek to discourage nonperformance by imposing liquidated damages that exceed the likely economic loss for the harmed party. In most states, including Texas, these liquidated damages penalties are void. Liquidated damages must be calculated to reimburse the contracting party only for damages likely to occur. Therefore, if a contract awards liquidated damages that greatly exceed the anticipated actual damages, the award will be unenforceable in nearly every state.

In the U.S., states fall into three basic categories on this issue: (1) Uniform Commercial Code (“U.C.C.”) states – (43 states plus the District of Columbia); (2) U.C.C. states with additional liquidated damages laws – (Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota); and (3) Non-U.C.C. states – (California, Georgia, Louisiana).

A majority of states have codified or otherwise utilize the principles of the U.C.C. liquidated damages language into their respective statutes and cases. The applicable U.C.C. section states: Damages for breach by either party may be liquidated in the agreement but only at an amount which is reasonable in the light of the anticipated or actual harm caused by the breach, the difficulties of proof of loss, and the inconvenience or nonfeasibility of otherwise obtaining an adequate remedy. A term fixing unreasonably large liquidated damages is void as a penalty. U.C.C. § 2-718.

Accordingly, states that have implemented the U.C.C. language will invalidate a liquidated damages clause when it is determined to be a penalty.

Section 2-718 also lays out the two-part test to determine if the clause is a penalty provision and therefore void.

The basic purpose of a liquidated damages clause is to apportion possible future damages when those damages are unknown. Therefore, to be an enforceable liquidated damages clause, the economic harm must be difficult to ascertain at the time of contract.

Part two of the enforceability test requires the amount of awarded liquidated damages to be reasonable and proportional to the anticipated or actual damages. If disproportionate to the actual damages, a court should find that the liquidated damages award was intended to penalize the breaching party and is therefore unenforceable.

Although the language utilized by the individual courts can vary, U.C.C. states incorporate this basic two-step “no penalty” test. When challenged, a contractual penalty is most often invalidated because it fails the second prong of the test—the penalty awarded is disproportionate to the actual/ estimated damages.

The preeminent Texas case discussing the enforceability of liquidated damages is Atrium Medical Center v.

Houston Red C LLC, 595 S.W.3d 188 (Tex. 2020). In this case, the Texas Supreme Court reiterates prior decisions requiring liquidated damages to be just compensation rather than an unenforceable penalty.

Texas favors freedom of contract, as a policy “firmly embedded in our jurisprudence.” But tempering this policy is the “universal rule” that damages for breach of contract are limited to “just compensation for the loss or damage actually sustained.”

Stewart v. Basey, 150 Tex. 666, 245 S.W.2d 484, 486 (1952). Accordingly, courts carefully review liquidated damages provisions to ensure that they “adhere to the principle of just compensation.”

In keeping with this approach, an enforceable liquidated damages contract provision establishes an “acceptable measure of damages that parties stipulate in advance will be assessed in the event of a contract breach.” A damages provision that violates the rule of just compensation, however, and functions as a penalty, is unenforceable.

Liquidated damages must not be punitive, neither in design nor operation.

The Atrium Court also re-affirmed prior case law describing the threeprong analysis of any liquidated damages provision. A liquidated damages clause is facially reasonable if: (1) the damages are impossible or difficult to estimate; and (2) the liquidated damages are a reasonable forecast of the just compensation at the time of contracting.

Even if a party can show that the clause is facially reasonable, a liquidated damages clause is not enforceable if: (3) the actual damages (at the time of the breach) are much less than the liquidated damages imposed.

Montana, Oklahoma, North Dakota, and South Dakota have incorporated the above-cited U.C.C. language, but enacted additional laws that: 1) specifically void any penalty for non-performance, and 2) only allow liquidated damages when it is difficult for parties to determine actual damages at the time of contracting.

Finally, three states offer a more deferential approach to liquidated damages when compared to the U.C.C. states. However, in two of these— California and Georgia—a true penalty provision would still be void. In California or Georgia, the underlying laws presume that liquidated damages are enforceable, but the liquidated damages must still show a reasonable relationship to the probable loss. Louisiana stands alone as the true outlier. In Louisiana, a penalty clause is likely to be upheld, even if the contractual damages are specifically designed to penalize non-performance or breach. However, even in Louisiana, the penalty—although enforceable— may still be reduced by the court if the award is deemed manifestly excessive and against public policy.

The overarching takeaway is that even on Texas projects, a contractor would be wise to consider if a different state law applies to the contract and review the liquidated damages provisions in light of whatever law will interpret the LDs.

San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2024

Page 17

INSURANCE

C

OSHA

Safeguarding Success with Cyber Liability Insurance

The Texas Top Construction Hazards in 2023

Brigette Burttschell The Nitsche Group Media & Content Manager Giddings, TX

Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX

yber-attacks are on the rise, and they’re more than just an inconvenience— they can mean financial ruin for a business.

In fact, 60% of small businesses go under within six months of a cyberattack.

It’s easy to believe that we would never fall for a cyber-attack. Many business owners simply shrug off cyber risks like spam and phishing emails as small annoyances that come with doing business in today’s digital world. However, cyber-attacks are becoming more frequent, more sophisticated, and can have devastating consequences.

Recognizing the importance of cybersecurity and cyber liability insurance as key components of risk management has become imperative for the sustained success of businesses in today’s world. No matter what type of business you run, where you’re located, or how much time you personally spend online, your business needs cyber insurance.

A Growing Threat The risk landscape for cyber-attacks has evolved significantly in recent years, particularly in regard to small and midsized businesses.

When cyber events like ransomware attacks or data breaches hit big companies, they make headlines. But, nearly 70% of all cyberattacks are specifically targeted at small and mid-sized businesses, and small to mid-sized business employees on average receive 350% more social engineering attacks (like phishing emails) than an employee at a larger corporation.

When these incidents happen to a small business, they don’t garner the same news coverage as the big corporations, but they aren’t any less serious. It’s reported that a single successful phishing email can cost a small business an estimated $25,000 over a 12-month period with larger cyberattacks costing companies an average of $200,000 per incident.

Beyond The BOP Unfortunately, many businesses are unprotected and don’t even realize it. They may assume that their Business Owners Policy (BOP) will provide protection in the face of a cyber-attack.

While a BOP can provide coverage for some conventional business risks, the unfortunate reality is that traditional BOPs tend to fall short and often exclude cyber coverage.

Some insurance companies offer cyber-related riders or endorsements to their available BOP coverages. However, these add-ons generally do not provide nearly enough coverage for the average cyber-attack.

Even worse, BOP insurance cyber riders are typically designed only for thirdparty claims. They often do not even begin to cover the associated first-party costs.

These can include notification costs, which can run hundreds of dollars per record, and the costs of forensic investigation, which can run $10,000 to $30,000. BOP insurance typically will not offer coverage for these expenses.

To extend coverage for a fuller range of cyber liability risks, a business should put a stand-alone cyber liability policy in place.

The Importance of Stand-Alone Cyber Insurance This type of policy can offer coverage for risks like business interruption, identity theft, cyber extortion, and more. Cyber

insurance can also provide financial coverage for the costs associated with a cyber-attack, including legal fees, notification costs, and expenses related to data breaches. It can also provide coverage for the costs of restoring data, repairing damaged systems, and compensating affected parties.

Financial Protection: One of the primary reasons small and mid-sized businesses should invest in cyber insurance is the financial protection it can offer. The aftermath of a cyber-attack can be financially devastating, with the costs of data recovery, legal fees, and potential regulatory fines adding up quickly. Cyber insurance can provide a safety net, ensuring that the financial burden of a cyber incident does not jeopardize the success of a business.

Reputation Management: A cyberattack can tarnish a business’s reputation, eroding the trust of customers and partners. Cyber insurance can include coverage for public relations efforts to manage the fallout from a data breach.

Having a solid cybersecurity strategy in place, backed by cyber insurance, not only helps in financial recovery but also supports efforts to rebuild and maintain a positive brand image.

Preventative Cyber Risk Tips: While cyber insurance is an essential component of risk management, preventing cyber-attacks in the first place is equally as important. Here are some practical tips for small businesses to enhance their cybersecurity— Employee Training and Awareness: Educate employees about cybersecurity best practices, including recognizing phishing attempts, using strong passwords, and being cautious with email attachments and links. Human error is a common entry point for cyber-attacks, making employee training a foundational element of cybersecurity.

Regular Software Updates: Ensure that all software, including operating systems, antivirus programs, and applications, is regularly updated. Software updates often include security patches that address vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of exploitation by cybercriminals.

Data Backup and Recovery: Regularly back up critical data and ensure that backups are stored in a secure, offsite location. Having a robust data backup and recovery plan in place is crucial for minimizing downtime in the event of a cyber-attack.

Incident Response Plan: Develop and regularly test an incident response plan to ensure a swift and effective response in the event of a cyber-attack. Clearly define roles and responsibilities, establish communication protocols, and identify external resources, such as cybersecurity experts and legal counsel, that may be needed in the aftermath of an incident.

In the face of escalating cyber threats, cyber insurance has become a crucial risk management tool. And it’s not limited to any specific business size or sector— any business that uses technology or collects data is at risk of a cyber-attack.

In an increasingly digitized business landscape, businesses must prioritize cybersecurity and cyber insurance as integral components of their risk management strategy.

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he topmost frequently cited hazard in construction in Texas was not fall protection being used in residential construction.

OSHA requires that whenever a fall to a lower level of 6 feet or more can occur, it must be guarded against with a personal fall arrest system, guardrails or safety nets.

The second most frequently cited hazard was failure to wear eye and face protection whenever there was a risk of objects striking the eye. OSHA frequently finds that workers operate hand and power tools without wearing safety glasses. OSHA requires the employer to enforce the use of eye and face protection.

The third most frequently cited hazard was head protection. Whenever there are overhead objects that can strike the head, OSHA requires that head protection be worn. For example, if workers are on a scaffold handling materials and tools, the workers on the ground in adjacent areas would be required to wear head protection in the event that tools or materials are inadvertently dropped.

The fourth most frequently cited hazard was not extending a ladder’s side rails 3 feet above the landing surface used to gain access, so that workers climbing a ladder can grasp the side rails as they exit the ladder onto the landing surface.

The fifth most frequently cited hazard was failure to provide a training program for each employee who might

be exposed to fall hazards. This training must cover where fall hazards are encountered on the job, how they will be controlled, and what fall protection systems will be used. Written records of fall protection training must be kept by the employer.

The sixth most frequently cited hazard was failure to wear a fall protection harness in an aerial lift> OSHA requires that workers in aerial lifts wear a harness that is attached to the aerial lift.

The seventh most frequently cited hazard was employees on a walking/ working surface with an unprotected side or edge which is 6 feet or more above a lower level were not protected from falling by the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.

The eighth most frequently cited hazard requires whenever scaffold platforms are more than 2 feet above or below a point of access, some method of safe access must be provided to the scaffold.

The ninth most frequently cited hazard was retraining workers on fall protection whenever there are inadequacies in an affected employee’s knowledge or use of fall protection systems or equipment, or has not retained the knowledge regarding fall protection.

The tenth most frequently cited hazard requires that all working levels of scaffolds shall be fully planked or decked.

Accounting continued Meanwhile, while remote work policies have been institutionalized by a host of companies, executives’ outlook on physical office space continues to evolve. Forty-six percent of respondents in the Q4 2023 RSM US Middle Market Business Index survey said their organizations plan to increase their number of physical workspaces over the next two years, up from 25% a year ago.

The percentage is even greater among executives at large firms ($50 million to $1 billion in annual revenues), rising to 72% from 35% last year.

DEI strategies for CRE companies The majority (95%) of firms in the Global Real Estate DEI Survey 2022 said they are addressing DEI either through a formal program or by enacting DEI initiatives and policies.

Achieving more representation of women in CRE requires a multifaceted approach that incorporates strategies for advancement, alignment of incentives, the building of external partnerships, and normalizing workplace flexibility. Here are the key actions that CRE companies can take to improve female representation in their workforce and leadership: • Normalize flexibility: Companies need to establish a level playing field for different work arrangements to mitigate biases that exist between inperson and remote workers. They need to coach managers and leaders on eliminating flexibility stigmas and ensure equal opportunities and performance reviews among workers with different work arrangements.

• Promote advancement and retention: Mentorship programs and business networking groups are effective tools for women to build internal networks. Participation by men should be encouraged, as allyship is key to gender balance and the advancement of women.

• Build external partnerships: Many CRE companies have very lean operating structures that don’t support internal programs; support from external organizations can fill that gap. By partnering with professional organizations focused on the advancement of women—such as Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) and Women in Real Estate (WIRE)— companies can expand business relationships and recruiting efforts to benefit the entire company, not just female employees.

• Align incentives: While many DEI programs may exist, very few are effectively measured for success.

Managers should have specific, identifiable metrics to track their performance in improving women’s program participation. Linking DEI efforts to goals and metrics that are tied to compensation and incentives keeps initiatives top of mind for managers and leaders.

Diversity of teams and leadership equates to opportunities for innovation.

By implementing strategies to bring more women to the boardroom table, CRE companies can build DEI cultures that can more creatively think through industry challenges and solve for a more equitable future.

Page 18

San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2024

Taking Action on the Shortage of Skilled Laborers

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he unprecedented growth and construction boom that Central Texas is currently experiencing has made many contractors acutely aware of the difficulty in attracting skilled laborers.

American Builders and Contractors has developed a proprietary model which projects that the construction industry will need to attract an estimated 546,000 additional workers on top of the normal pace of hiring in 2023 to meet the demand for labor. “The construction industry must recruit hundreds of thousands of qualified, skilled construction professionals each year to build the places where we live, work, play, worship, learn and heal,” said Michael Bellaman, ABC president and CEO. “As the demand for construction services remains high, filling these roles with skilled craft professionals is vital to America’s economy and infrastructure rebuilding initiatives.”

Bryan Ehrlich, the founder and CEO of NCE General Contractors Inc., hopes for less talk and more action on the subject of recruiting and retaining skilled labor. Instead of the usual conversations that come and go about the problem, he is looking for viable solutions. He founded his own company on the principle of “Build partnerships first, and buildings second.”

Bryan really started feeling the pinch during Covid, like many others, and wants to keep the conversation open instead of cast aside, only to reemerge every six months. He has built up a network of people who can help guide people interested in the trades and can connect with them as a mentor. He acknowledges

that it’s not only about finding the right trade school or training program, but about giving someone the opportunity to learn from someone in the trade personally, which can lead to Bryan Ehrlich, more opportunities Founder & CEO for young tradespeople to get their foot in the door. For instance, he might connect an experienced electrician with someone entering an electrical apprentice school, so they can help them expand on the knowledge they gain, more than just receiving the diplomabut a chance to be guided personally by someone who understands exactly what the job is about.

Bryan wants to equip the experts with the tools they need to retain their employees, especially those skilled in mechanical, electrical and plumbing. His goal being to provide the back-office assistance that they need so that they understand what it takes to operate in this space and be a resource for them so they’re able to compete with other general contractors and other projects.

“What we are trying to do is really give a diverse background the opportunities and positions that they may not have had access to, or give them the right contact.

To help them prop themselves up, and really make sure that the trade schools are at the forefront. I think that’s what’s going to be the success and the longterm sustainability of the industry.” -ndw

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National Demolition Association Launches New Supervisor Certification Program

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new program is being developed by an independent certification board that is sponsored by the National Demolition Association, (NDA) a trade organization that serves as the voice of the demolition industry. The association represents over 500 member companies throughout North America, with some international members as well. The NDA as a whole sees the need to recognize that demolition is not just a viable career path, but is a bona fide trade and skill of its own. Just like becoming an electrician or any sort of other certified technician, this program will certify Demolition Supervisors. Demolition professionals carry a lot of responsibility and accountability for what they do, with safety being the first priority.

Several years ago, the Board of Directors of the NDA voted to form an independent certification board to develop a certification program. The NDA Certification Board, comprised of industry subject matter experts from across the country, developed the Certified Demolition Supervisor (CDS) program under the guidance of Yenny Caceres, an accredited certification manager and expert in developing and designing high risk assessments that effectively assess knowledge, competency, and skill. Timothy Ramon, the president of JR Ramon Demolition, is the Chairman of the Certification Board for the NDA. This Demolition Supervisor Certification is the first program of its kind.

The first test in the new program was held in October of 2023. Over 50 candidates applied to take the test.

There is a set criterion of requirements and prerequisites that the candidates must have to even be allowed to take the exam. They must have documented five years of hands-on demolition experience in the industry, as this program is meant for individuals that have made their careers specifically in demolition. The importance of fall protection on all demolition sites is very prevalent, so candidates must have fall prevention training in the form of an eight hour fall prevention or fall protection course. They must also have obtained the OSHA 30 HR construction safety course, CPR and first aid certification, and 8 hours of asbestos or HAZWOPER awareness training, which is a hazardous waste operations and emergency response training, prior to applying for the exam.

Once the candidates meet all those qualifiers, they are eligible to take the exam. The exam is very in-depth. It covers five different domains that are applicable to the majority of demolition sites: safety, environmental,

operational mythology, project management and people management.

A Certified Demolition Supervisor will demonstrate their knowledge within these five domains and actively use them on any demolition site to keep the site safe, productive and in compliance with governing regulations. This certification is designed to validate the knowledge and accountability of a supervisor in the demolition industry. A person who receives this certification would be able to go to any construction company, or demolition company, and apply for a job as a supervisor, having proven he has the knowledge and skills to be responsible for a demolition site.

Out of 40 people who took the test, 27 passed. Three of those individuals who passed the test are on the JR Ramon Demolition team in San Antonio. With over 30 years of experience under his belt, Joe Ramon III, Vice President of JR Ramon, passed the test. Ryan Medellin and Jody Hopewell, both of whom have been with JR Ramon for 5 years but have many more years of experience in the industry, were also recognized as Certified Demolition Supervisors. These individuals are the only three people to now hold the certification in the San Antonio area! This was not an easy exam.

It’s meant for seasoned professionals in demolition, and those who didn’t pass the first time are encouraged to continue studying, pursue more experience and try again.

Timothy Ramon says, “I’m very proud of Joe, Ryan and Jody. We see this test as not only advancing their careers, but also validating all their hard work and attention to detail they put in their job sites to ensure a safe environment for themselves, their co-workers, and the community.” The main goal for the NDA Certification program is to elevate and advance people in the demolition industry throughout the country.

In the spring of 2024, NDA will be hosting their annual convention and expo in San Antonio from March 6th9th. Demolition San Antonio will feature the latest innovations and technology solutions from the industry’s best resources. Exhibits from leading manufacturers and suppliers give attendees one-stop access to a full range of products, service offerings, and education sessions that can help them add efficiencies, capture new opportunities and increase profits.

Additionally, the NDA will offer the Certified Demolition Supervisor exam in an in-person setting. Information about this event, and the Demolition Supervisor Certification can be found at Demolitionassociation.com -ndw

Tanner Mathews

713-829-8894 tanner@kennyscs.com

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San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2024

Page 19

Hollywood-Crawford Door Co. Named One of Top 10 Overhead Door Dealers in the Country

Ring in the New

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t was a beautiful evening on Jan. 17 for the Hispanic Contractors Association de San Antonio (HCA de SA). The honorable Judge Erik Reynolds swore in the new HCA de SA 2024 Board of Directors at the Petroleum Club in San Antonio. Congratulations to the new board, cheers to a very successful year!

2024 Executive Board (L-R) Fernando Keller, Ex-Officio Ana Owens, Secretary Lisa Casarez, President Larry Mathis, Vice President Chris Valot, Treasurer

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he International Door Association named Hollywood-Crawford among the top 10 door dealers overall and among the top 10 residential door dealers in both the United States and Canada, based on 2022 revenue.

“This national recognition is a result of our continued focus on providing outstanding service to our customers in the San Antonio area,” Randy Oliver, president of Hollywood-Crawford.

Founded in San Antonio in 1947, Hollywood-Crawford offers both commercial and residential garage door sales, installation and repair services, and is the only door company in the city accredited by the Institute of Door Dealer Education and Accreditation (IDEA).

The mission of the International Door Association is to be the leading trade association representing the door and access system industry by

2024 President and Vice President (L-R) Lisa Casarez, President Larry Mathis, Vice President

providing advocacy, education, and collaboration to advance the industry with increased professionalism.

2024 Board of Directors Back Row (L-R) Middle Row (L-R) Angie Mojica, Floor & Decor Alejandro Gonzalez, Satterfield and Sim Gill Tirado, New York Life Insurance Pontikes Construction Angie Gonzalez, JR’s Plumbing Alex Tirado, H-E-B Ana Owens, Acrisure Chris Valot, Valot General Contractors Fernando Keller, Pro Landscape Solutions Latifah Jackson, University Health Systems Julissa Ramos, HCA de SA, Office Manager Jon-Michael Paul, DL Bandy Ram Casiano, Turner Construction Front Row (L-R) Lisa Casarez, United Water Restoration Judge Erik Reynolds Larry Mathis, Architectural Division 8 Photos courtesy of Mary C. Haskin Photography

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San Antonio Construction News • FEB 2024