CONSTRUCTION NEWS
Delivering Meaningful Impact in Austin
Design and Engineering Systems (DES), a leading multi-disciplinary design and engineering firm headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, proudly announces the opening of its new office in Austin on Jun. 26. This strategic expansion underscores our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our clients across diverse industries and geographic regions.
As an integrated design firm, DES specializes in fostering collaboration across disciplines, seamlessly integrating architecture, interior design, structural engineering, civil engineering, landscape architecture, graphics, and sustainability. With a rich legacy spanning over 50 years, DES has demonstrated its unwavering dedication to delivering highperformance and sustainable solutions for projects of all scales and complexities.
O“Our decision to establish a presence in Austin stems from our firm belief in collaborating to put our clients’ needs first. We are excited to bring our unique approach to design and engineering to the vibrant Austin market, particularly as we witness the emergence of a thriving life science sector.”
rooted expertise, positions us to deliver innovative solutions that address the unique needs of our clients in the Central Texas region.” Kevin Norman AIA, LEED AP, SF Managing Principal | Project Executive
Steve Mincey PE, CEO
The expansion into Austin marks a significant milestone for DES, as the firm looks to leverage its decades of experience serving clients in San Francisco and Silicon Valley. With a diverse portfolio that includes projects in life science, technology, education, healthcare, and real estate development, DES is poised to make a meaningful impact in Austin’s dynamic business landscape.
“We are thrilled to join the Austin community and contribute to its ongoing growth and development. Our collaborative culture, coupled with our deep-
BBQ and Family
n Aug. 16-17, Texas Critical Systems (TCS) cooked up another successful year at the Taylor International
Park in Taylor. This year TCS dedicated their wins to their fallen
and 10th place margarita win this year.
DES’ new office is on the second floor of 720 Brazos Street, in the heart of downtown and just blocks from the Texas Capitol. The team officially kicked off the office opening with a public announcement as a Gold Sponsor Host of ULI Austin’s June monthly breakfast on Jun. 26. Later that evening, the DES team hosted an intimate celebration at Higbie’s, located at the ground level of the new office location. Opening week concluded with a LinkedGlenn Coffee Social meet-up, sponsored by DES. The casual breakfast was very wellattended, with one LinkedIn commenter exclaiming, “Great turnout today. May have to get a bouncer/ doorman soon!”
Barbecue Cookoff at the beautiful and thankfully shaded Murphy
brother, Sterling Haney, who cooked with them last year, they know he played a part in that 3rd place chicken
Partners Kevin Norman (right) and Tracy Wong (left) will co-lead DES Austin.
Coffee social success!
Serving as a focal point, a hand-installed series of textured acoustical tiles adorns the entry, evoking the prismatic nature of the DES brand
n a significant step toward enhancing safety and professionalism in the demolition industry, JR RAMON Demolition is proud to recognize two employees who successfully achieved the National Demolition Association’s Certified Demolition Supervisor (CDS) badge, demonstrating their commitment to safety, industry best practices, and environmental responsibility: Gillermo Zertuche, Project Mgr/Estimator, and Clayton Russell, Vice President.
Gillermo Zertuche, Project Manager/Estimator joined JR RAMON six years ago with a 10-year background in construction. He recognizes this certification as a building block to learn more and do more. He says, “Going through this program is the next step to help me broaden my knowledge and bring more value to our company and customers. With this experience, I can walk on a jobsite and confidently know I possess the knowledge and experience to address the situation.”
Clayton Russell, Vice President, joined JR RAMON nearly 7 years ago and views the certification program as a key opportunity to expand the company’s collective knowledge. “By increasing the number of Certified Demolition Supervisors on our team, we expand our capabilities and scope of work, and are able to assist with more projects,” Clayton
says. “In addition,” he explains “the certification is valuable to the industry as a whole by standardizing the knowledge required for specific positions within the demolition industry.”
“We are incredibly proud of our team members who have achieved the CDS certification, including the 3 employees recognized earlier this year” said Timothy Ramon, JR RAMON Demolition president. “This accomplishment underscores our company’s unwavering dedication to providing safe, responsible, and sustainable demolition services.” As the demolition industry continues to evolve, the demand for qualified professionals with the expertise to manage complex projects safely and responsibly will continue to increase. Timothy says, “By continuing to invest in the personal and professional development of our employees, JR RAMON Demolition is ensuring that we have the necessary talent to meet future challenges and provide exceptional service to our partners and customers. We are able to not only improve our own operations but also contribute to a safe and environmentally friendly demolition industry.”
To learn more about the NDA Certified Demolition Supervisor Certification Program, visit ramondemolition.com
Tip Top Finish
JE Dunn Construction hosted a topping out celebration on Aug. 23, for Paseo – the new 48-story multifamily development from LV Collective that sits on Rainey Street in the heart of Downtown Austin.
“Paseo required countless hours of hard work from JE Dunn, LV Collective, and numerous Trade Partners on the project to reach this milestone. I want to thank everyone who made it possible, but specifically our JE Dunn Self Perform Concrete Team,” said Todd Mattocks, senior project manager at JE Dunn. “It is exciting to witness and contribute to the growth of the city I call home, and I look forward to the completion of the project in 2025.”
Financed by a development
partnership between LV Collective, ELV Associates and JE Dunn Capital Partners, the roughly 835,000 square foot, 557-unit tower is scheduled to open its doors in late 2025. Residents will be able to choose from studios to 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments, each with expansive views of the city, which include 28 units designated as affordable housing. The tower will also include a 9-level, 412-car above ground parking garage.
“When completed, Paseo will be one of the most desirable places to live in Austin,” said Michael Walden, real estate investment director with JE Dunn Capital Partners. “JE Dunn Capital Partners is proud to partner with LV Collective on this exceptional project that has been carefully
curated with unique amenities and integration with the charm and energy of the Rainey neighborhood.”
Designed by PappaGeorge Haymes Partners, Paseo aims to add to Rainey Street without detracting from the bungalow, local bar, and pedestrian-friendly charm that’s made the area so popular with locals and visitors alike.
The development’s intentionally designed spaces and amenities include a best-in-class pool, spa, and fitness center with yoga studios and an on-call property concierge. Residents also will enjoy a private rooftop pool and sky lounge on floor 48, and amenity decks and coworking spaces with private work pods and collaborative conference rooms stretching from floors 12-14.
“It’s so rewarding to see Paseo come to life,” said David Kanne, LV Collective CEO. “We’re grateful to be working
alongside first-class partners and excited for residents to experience all that Paseo has to offer.”
In addition to the bungalows that have been preserved on site, the tower’s ground and second-floor retail space will include several food and beverage concepts, including Fleet Coffee, which will serve coffee during the day and cocktails at night. The retail space facing Rainey Street will feature a special elevator lobby to take the public up to the 12th floor pool deck and bar. This will be Rainey Street’s first publicly accessible foray into the sky.
As the project enters its final year of construction, JE Dunn and the rest of the project team will be focused on the completion of interior unit finishes, the exterior pool decks on the 12th and 48th floors, rooftop equipment and roofing, exterior glass and glazing, and exterior garage finishes.
Me-tee-ing Time
On Aug. 8, with 200 in attendance, the Associated General Contractors (AGC)
Austin had a fun filled evening of networking at Topgolf in Austin as members hopped between sponsored bays every 15 minutes, meeting and greeting industry peers.
Sept. 5: OSHA 30
Association Calendar
Chapter
Sept. 6: First Aid/CPR Training
Sept. 9: The University of Texas at Arlington OSHA Education Center: OSHA 502 Update for Construction Industry Outreach Trainers
Sept. 11: Protect Your People Waco: Respirable Silica Dust Awareness
Sept. 11: The University of Texas at Arlington OSHA Education Center: OSHA 503 Update for Construction Industry Outreach Trainers
Sept. 12: Swing Into Action: A Free Enterprise Alliance Fundraiser
Sept. 19: OSHA 10-Spanish
Sept. 19: Safety Celebration Luncheon
Sept. 25: Meet the General Contractor
Sept. 26: STEPping Stones: Foundation: Toolbox Talks
ACEA
Greater Austin Contractors & Engineers Association
Sept. 12: Membership Luncheon, 11:301:00pm, Norris Conference Center, 2525
Anderson Lane, Austin
Sept. 25: Fish Fry Fundraiser, 5-9pm, Williamson County Expo Center, 5350 Bill Pickett Trail, Taylor
AGC
Associated General Contractors Austin
CTSA
Central Texas Subcontractors
Association
Sept. 19: Annual Lien & Bond Claim Seminar: Presented by Sewall “Spike” Cutler with Cutler Smith, P.C., 11am4pm, Maggiano’s Little Italy, 10910 Domain Drive, Suite 100, Austin Attendance Includes Lunch and Printed Materials. ALL Subcontractors Welcome
DACA
Drywall Acoustical
Contractors Association
Sept. 26: TLPCA Clay Shoot, Elm Fork Shooting Sports, 10751 Luna Rd, Dallas
HBA
Home Builders Association
Greater Austin
Sept. 4: Essential Building Skills (EBS)
Certificate Program: Building Science, HBA, 7800 Shoal Creek Blvd., Ste. 225E, Austin
Sep. 11: Essential Building Skills (EBS) Certificate Program: Framing and Roofing, HBA, 7800 Shoal Creek Blvd., Ste. 225E, Austin
Sept. 18: Essential Building Skills (EBS) Certificate Program: Foundations Panel, HBA, 7800 Shoal Creek Blvd., Ste. 225E, Austin
Sept. 25: Essential Building Skills (EBS) Certificate Program: Plumbing, HBA, 7800 Shoal Creek Blvd., Ste. 225E, Austin
Sept. 27: CLC Annual Clay Shoot, 8am4pm, Capital City Clays, 8707 Lindell Ln., Austin
AGC TBB
Associated General Contractors - Texas Building Branch
Sept. 5: AGC-TBB Outstanding Construction Awards Dinner and Ceremony, 5:30pm, Georgetown Sheraton
ASCE
American Society of Civil Engineers
Sept. 18-20: Texas Civil Engineering Conference (CECON): Raising the Grade, texascecon.org
ONARI
National Association of the Remodeling Industry
Sept. 7-8: 19th Annual Tour of Remodeled Homes, 10am-6pm, 10 amazing homes-self-drive tour
NUCA
National Utility Contractors Association
Sept. 23: Golf Tournament, 8am Shotgun Start, Grey Rock Golf Club, 7401 Texas Highway 45, Austin
Productive Produce
n Aug. 9 the generous members of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) took time out of their day to give back to their community by volunteering at the Central Texas Food Bank. During their shift, they sorted and bagged produce that provided 1,099 bags! 5,495 pounds of produce = 4,579 meals to their neighbors in need. Thank you to everyone who showed up and devoted their time to this wonderful cause.
Austin CONSTRUCTION NEWS
Industry FOLKS
Valerie Niver, Branch Manager
Texas First Rentals-Belton Jarrell, TX
Valerie Niver is the sole female Branch Manager at any Texas First Rentals location in the state of Texas. Her leadership role in the traditionally male-dominated heavy machinery sector defies the stereotypes often associated with people who work in the skilled trades.
At the Texas First Rentals location in Belton, Valerie manages a diverse team of 15 men, ranging in age from their early 20s to early 60s. Under her leadership, the stores she has managed have broken records for equipment on rent, with her current
branch doubling in size. This has not been without its challenges, but as she has learned more and more about this fast paced business, her confidence has grown exponentially. She is proud of her team and feels at home with Texas First Rentals.
After Valerie and her husband moved to the Austin area in the beginning of 2020, she applied to work at the Pflugerville Texas First Rentals location. With a background in sales, she applied as an inside sales representative. Upon hiring her, management decided that she would be better suited for the role of Service Writer. A few months into her time there, her work ethic had people taking notice, and her manager showed her all the ins and outs of the business. It wasn’t long before she was promoted to Operations Manager for that branch. In May of 2023 she was promoted to Branch Manager of the Belton location.
Valerie’s husband works for HOLT
CAT as a Field Service Supervisor. HOLT CAT and Texas First Rentals are both HOLT Group operating companies. Her appreciation of how her husband’s company was led, and the investments they made personally and professionally in their staff was what originally prompted her to apply for a position at Texas First Rentals.
When asked about what she loves most about her position now, Valerie says “I love the fact that I wake up in the morning and I know I’m going to work, but I have no idea what’s going to happen. It will literally shake out so many different ways throughout the course of the day. Equipment rental is a very fast paced business, and you have to be ready to react to what happens, quickly. I love that part of it because it’s challenging. I also really love the group of guys that I have here with me now, this branch is awesome. The people I work with are fantastic, I can’t say enough good things about them. They are dedicated to getting the job done. They are committed to taking care of our customers, that’s our number one thing, but also taking care of each other and working as a team. I couldn’t be prouder.”
When she’s not out in the yard moving machines around, towing equipment to job sites or working to help her team, Valerie enjoys the outdoors. She loves to go on hikes, and travel with her husband as much as possible. Together they have two dogs, a Labradoodle named Maggie and a Boston Terrier named Brody. Being a native of Buffalo, NY she appreciates the lack of snow in Texas. She also loves football and says, “I can’t wait for football season. Since I’m from Buffalo, I’m a huge Buffalo Bills fan. Everybody teases me mercilessly about it down here. I don’t care. That’s still my team.” -ndw
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
Eyes in the Sky
Have you spent any time playing with the amazing satellite images you have at your fingertips these days? I don’t just mean checking out how many swimming pools are behind the privacy fences in your neighborhood either. This technology is a sportsman’s dream. The best part is that you can zoom in to get quite a bit of detail. In one of the images of my place I can even make out how many of our black barn cats were lounging in the parking lot! Drones are fun too and they have their place, but to really study a place you need the satellite images.
Got a new deer lease this season? Load up the satellite images for those pastures. Zoom in close and you can see the features of the land and the locations of water that your game will be coming to. Look closer and you can see the way the contours of the landform natural funnels that the game travel through and even the very trails they use. Now you know where you want your feeders, and your deer stands to be located. Couple this with some good game cameras and you get a head start on really making the most of your lease. It used to take years of hunting to get this kind of familiarity with a place, and now you can do it with an evening at your computer.
Satellite imagery is even more of an advantage for fishermen. Pull up the images of your favorite lake, or the one you plan to visit next, until you find
RQuality Weekend
Quality Fence & Welding (QF) held their 28th Annual Quality Fence & Welding Fishing Tournament and Beach Party in Port Aransas, TX. The event was held the weekend of Aug. 23 and they kicked off the weekend with a BBQ cookout & cornhole tournament. The fishing tournament had six guided boats to accommodate 24 QF team members which included managers, PMs, superintendents, and several key skilled employees. Winners from both the fishing tournament and cornhole tournament won Bluetooth stereos.
the link that lets you also see the historic images for that area. I know that on Lake Buchanan they have several sets of images that go back for years. Some of the images show the lake full, others half empty and one even shows that lake during a flood. Older images might not have quite as good resolution as newer ones but studying them can give you great information on how the river channel travels through a body of water, what places keep water and where islands will come up. This and just the general picture of how a body of water is laid out should give you some good places to start fishing, even if you are visiting a lake for the first time.
There are two other very important sources of free information that every sportsman should have preferably on his phone, (no, don’t leave it at home…mute it, but have it in case you need it). Now days there is no reason for you to ever go out on the water without a last-minute check of weather forecast and a look at current radar. You just don’t have any excuse for putting yourself in harm’s way anymore, yet we see people do it all the time because they just don’t bother to check the weather first. The last valuable tool to have and learn to use are the maps and gps on your phone. Even if you are lost your phone probably can show you exactly where you are and how to get back to the boat ramp or deer camp.
Check it out and get on out there now and make the most of our great Texas outdoors this fall!
Get the Official App of Hunting, Fishing & Boating in Texas
ecently, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will launch an updated version of the official mobile app used by hunters and anglers across the state for harvest reporting, electronic onsite registration, digital license display, and more.
Formerly named My Texas Hunt Harvest, the mobile app will have an updated look and a new name, Texas Hunt & Fish, but will have all the same great features users are familiar with from the previous version of the app.
With the Texas Hunt & Fish mobile app hunters and anglers can satisfy mandatory reporting requirements for wild turkey, white-tailed deer and alligator gar harvest, as well as complete electronic on-site registration for most public hunting sites accessed when using the Annual Public
Hunt (APH) Permit. Fully digital license holders must use the Texas Hunt & Fish app to execute digital tags for deer, turkey, oversized red drum and spotted seatrout.
One of the newest features, launched during the 2023-24 hunting season, is the app’s ability to show Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) zones relative to the hunter’s location if they have the location services turned on.
A full list of features includes:
• Online and offline functionality –use the app regardless of data service once it has been installed and your account is connected
• Connect and display your hunting and fishing license (note that paper license holders must still carry physical tags when pursuing tagged species)
• Perform mandatory hunt harvest
reporting for wild turkey, white-tailed deer, and alligator gar
• Digitally tag harvested game and fish (requires purchase of an appropriate digital hunting and/or fishing license)
• Track and view your harvest history
• Perform electronic onsite registration (eOSR) for many public hunt areas
• D ownload maps of many public hunt areas for use with or without data service
• V iew CWD Zone boundaries and, with location service enabled, determine your position in relation to the nearest zone
• Reportar su cosecha en español o en inglés — report your harvest in English or Spanish
Users not wishing to use the app can
complete mandatory harvest reporting online.
Users that already have the old version of the app downloaded on their devices will need to update to the new version starting on Aug. 15 to get all the latest features and to ensure proper app functionality.
Get the free Texas Hunt & Fish app in Apple and Google Play stores (links to download also available at tpwd.texas. gov/huntandfish.
Ken Milam
Kasen Schneider (Moore Plumbing Supply Conroe) took his dad, Stephen Schneider, (Dillard Associates Texas) fishing in Laguna Madre where they limited out on Speck’s and Drum’s and still made it back in time for lunch.
Quality Fence & Welding team members in Port Aransas for the company’s 28th Annual Quality Fence & Welding Fishing Tournament and Beach Party
BLife’s Short, Hunt Big
ig Time Texas Hunts kicks off another season with 10 premium guided hunt packages representing some of the very best hunting opportunities in Texas, including a new chance to take an aoudad ram in the Trans-Pecos region.
In addition to the annual suite of offerings, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has added several new categories to the conservation fundraising drawing. New this year: the Trans-Pecos Aoudad Adventure, offering a challenging free-range hunt for a mature male ram in the Chihuahuan Desert in the fabled Texas Trans-Pecos region.
“In our 28th year, we are extremely excited to continue offering hunters an affordable chance at once-in-a-lifetime hunting opportunities and raising important wildlife conservation funding at the same time.” said Janis Johnson, TPWD’s marketing manager.
Also new this year, Jesse Griffiths, acclaimed wildgame chef, hunter and author of three hunting books, will join the Big Time Bird Hunt. Jesse will spice things up by leading the turkey hunt and giving a private cooking lesson to the winner. The Big Time Bird Hunt consists of three bird hunts in three locations. It will include two afternoons of dove hunting with three guests, a goose and duck hunt with three guests, and a three-to-five-day turkey hunt with one guest.
Some of the most popular hunts in this year’s drawing include the Texas Grand Slam, where one lucky winner will get four separate big game hunts: desert bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, pronghorn and desert mule deer. Another
The Great Outdoors
popular hunt, the Exotic Safari, offers the winner and a guest a chance to hunt gemsbok and scimitar-horned oryx at Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area. The Ultimate Mule Deer Hunt offers a three-to five-day hunt for mature mule deer in the Texas Panhandle.
Big Time Texas Hunt participants have helped raise more than $21.3 million over 27 years to fund wildlife research, habitat conservation and public hunting access. The 2023-24 hunting season raised more than $1.3 million and was the fourth year in a row with sales exceeding $1 million.
Conservation efforts funded by Big Time Texas Hunts include desert bighorn sheep restoration work in West Texas, thousands of acres of brush control work across the state for the benefit of species like mule deer, pronghorn and quail and multiple grassland restoration projects. Public hunting efforts include the funding of numerous public hunting leases and the purchase of hunting equipment such as ADA-accessible blinds for several Wildlife Management Areas.
“Revenue generated from the sale of BTTH entries cover the cost of next year’s hunts, provides funding for wildlife habitat work and improves the quality of public hunts across the state,” said Kevin Mote, TPWD’s private lands and public hunting program director.
Big Time Texas Hunts entries are available online for $9 each, at license retailers or by calling (800) 895-4248 for $10 each. The deadline to purchase entries is Oct. 15 and winners will be announced within two weeks.
TCatch Me If You Can
he fishing on Choke Canyon has been phenomenal. The summertime Crappie bite is in full effect. Crappie have been stacking up on brush piles and hardwoods near major creek and river channels. Most trips have been averaging limits 45 to 65 keeper crappie with a mess of small ones in the mix. We have been catching them on minnows and jigs with soft plastics anywhere from 10 to 18 foot of water.
The bass bite has been slower than usual for this time of year. Normally, I spend my summers fishing deep water in search of trophy sized bass. But this year, due to the low water conditions and the “mildly” cooler summer we have had, these bass have gone from deep to shallow and then back to deep again. But not so much in the sense of being on the bottom where you can drag a bait or grind a crank bait for
them type of deep. They have started to suspend out deep and roam while chasing shad. One can catch them shallow in isolated grass stretches with a top water or moving bait, like a buzz bait, chatter bait, or a fluke. The typical summertime pattern of dragging a C-rig or a Texas rig and grinding a crank bait will still work. It’s just not as effective as it usually is. To target the suspended bass effectively, an angler who is proficient with livescope might be able to put a nice 5 fish limit together.
The White Bass are still playing “catch me if you can” as they continue to be very nomadic and roam the humps on the main lake. Gorging themselves on shad as they meander through the depths. A 3/8 oz to 1/2 oz spoon is still the ticket this time of year. Jigged off the bottom with a sharp snap of the wrist.
Captain Clendon Taylor Casting & Catching Guide Service
Sponsored by:
As always, go early, stay late, and tight lines y’all.
There’s a new light shining on the Texas coast. The Frazier Lighthouse, situated in the North Beach neighborhood of Corpus Christi is a part of a 24 million dollar project, which includes the Lighthouse Pointe apartments. “I’ve traveled all over the world. I see what life could be and we have that potential here, if people will just have a vision to do some of these things,” said Lynn Frazier of Frazier Companies, whom the lighthouse is named after. The project is a partnership between Frazier and Jeff Blackard of Blackard Global. The lighthouse will not serve any actual navigational purposes, but the light emitted from the top will be decorative and changed for holidays. Eventually, the hollow base of the lighthouse will serve as a private entertainment space for the restaurant
The Frazier Lighthouse
that’s set to be built next to it. Developers are considering adding an elevator in the future to enable people to tour the lighthouse. The only way to the top right now is a ladder.
The vision for this project was to create a beautiful landmark that would greet visitors to the area and serve as a focal point for the adjacent luxury apartments. The design inspiration was drawn from the aesthetic of a ‘rugged seaport village’. The Fraizer Lighthouse is made entirely of stone, and stands 142 feet tall, making it the tallest lighthouse in Texas. Its other claim to fame will be that it’s also the only one built of stone in the Western Hemisphere.
Imperial Products Supply played a pivotal role in the construction of this monumental project. As the trusted source for top-quality construction
supplies and materials, Imperial Products played a crucial part in bringing this monumental and historically significant project to life, providing 2,000 tons of stone. Using hydraulic scaffolding, a crew of around 40 men worked painstakingly to place each stone by hand, using rubble stone for its durability and to achieve the “rugged” look that the developers sought. Rubble stone, also referred to as rough stone, is a type of building material that consists of irregularly shaped and rough-hewn pieces of stone. The stone can be defined as the leftover product or scrap from quarrying and processing. This rough stone is made from a variety of different types of stones, including granite, limestone, sandstone, and slate, among others. The use of this type of stone dates back to medieval times when cathedral walls had ashlar as their outer
IN TEXAS
shell with inner backfilling of mortarless rubble and dirt. Imperial Products supplied the stone for the lighthouse and for the landscaped areas around the Lighthouse Pointe apartments, bringing the design together seamlessly.
The Fraizer Lighthouse may be new, but the beauty of the rugged stones that it’s made of give it an old-world feel. A cozy little chapel that sits by its side adds to the reverent beauty of this remarkable monument, and provides a perfect space for a gorgeous wedding venue. As both were built, Bible scriptures were embedded within the rocks, and a Bible was placed at the center of the base of the lighthouse. Designed by men of faith, and built to last- this stone lighthouse will be a beacon of light that shines out from North Beach for many, many years to come. -ndw
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A 1957 Campus Welcomes Modern Additions and Renovations
Cotulla Independent School District (ISD), a South Texas district of nearly 1,200 students, recently began construction on renovations to the 1957 high school buildings. Designed by Pfluger Architects, the renovations and additions to the sprawling campus will work around existing buildings to integrate seamlessly into the site plan in two phases, bringing the total campus area to 137,000 square feet (12,300 square feet of renovations). The additions and renovations are to be completed in December 2026.
Cotulla High School’s disconnected campus buildings, with limited interior corridors and many outdoor access points, creates logistics challenges. Recognizing the urgent need for modernization and connecting the entire campus, Cotulla ISD sought a design solution that strikes the right balance between modern facilities and preserving the school’s tradition and charm. The community approved a $65 million bond in May 2022 to fund the additions and enhancements for the 400-student campus.
“The age of the existing buildings and a modest budget for modernization were some of our biggest challenges, but they tested our creativity to really give Cotulla a thoughtful design that resonates with the community. By applying Pfluger’s HealthySafe holistic approach to educational facilities planning, we were able to create a campus design that embraces openness and an inviting atmosphere, incorporating constant visual connections to the outdoors and discreet layers of security,” said Anthony Plascencia, Principal and Project Designer at Pfluger Architects. “For Cotulla High School, this means a thoughtful campus redesign to create a secure and supportive environment where students can learn and grow confidently while honoring the history and community that makes the school unique.”
To create a HealthySafe school, the architects looked at everything: the layout, the design of entrances, the use of technology and how people communicate. This layer-by-layer exploration of the campus establishes a healthy environment inside and out. Pfluger’s design reflects the district’s focus on student safety and wellbeing, with a layout that thoughtfully incorporates the existing buildings while promoting student interaction and awareness, fostering a sense of
community and belonging. Among the renovations and enhancements is an enclosed campus with a reimagined entry, establishing a clear and prominent entrance fitting within the context of Cotulla’s rich agricultural heritage. In addition to a second level covered outdoor balcony classroom, the layout promotes outdoor circulation while providing continuous internal circulation. Taking inspiration from the region’s cowboy iconography and ranching industries, Pfluger’s design incorporates a palette of textures, colors and materials that nod to livestock, rope, leather, iron and the weathering effects of the sun. The overall design encourages collaboration and flexibility, shaping an environment where students can flourish creatively and think critically, all in a space specifically adapted to meet their needs.
Faced with a challenge to create adaptable spaces that could serve multiple purposes, in particular a community/assembly space for up to 1,000 people for large periodic events like graduation, Pfluger created innovative solutions that make responsible use of budget and space allocation. An auditorium will open to a dining hall to expand capacity as needed without increasing unnecessary academic square footage. The creative
design encompasses inventive solutions to the space’s acoustic separation, line of sight, AV systems, control booth location, cafeteria serving line location and other spatial challenges. The multifunctional, flexible venue enables an overall footprint that waxes and wanes depending on the scheduled use, while incorporating safety considerations like closing the academic wing for community events.
At the heart of Cotulla High School is a dining commons that doubles as an outdoor courtyard, an area that engages all students every day, encouraging student interaction and creating meaningful experiences. Pfluger’s design encloses the courtyard and creates shared space between the academic wing and the addition of a Commercial and Technical Education (CTE) and fine arts building with sightlines to an existing pond at the back of the property that is often used for science experiments and an outdoor classroom. The CTE/fine arts building brings career tech programming to the forefront, integrating seamlessly with other buildings and enclosing the courtyard in a protected outdoor space with mature trees already on the site.
“Our community prides itself in tradition and the memories so many former students forged on this campus.
We needed a partner who could help navigate this challenging landscape and turn our vision of a safe and inspiring learning environment into a reality, and we found that in Pfluger,” said Dr. Ramiro Nava, Superintendent of Schools at Cotulla ISD. “The entire Cotulla community is excited to see this transformation of a school we are so deeply connected to – this is a building the community will be proud of for the next 50 years.”
The design enhancement and campus modernization rethink the site to bring a new vision to life for Cotulla High School. By selecting maintenancefriendly and highly durable local materials and traditional building forms, Pfluger’s design reflects Cotulla’s unique character, strengthening the campus’ bonds to the community and preserving connections to the outdoors.
Photos courtesy of Pfluger Architects
Cotulla High School’s new entrance, designed by Pfluger Architects, is part of Phase 1 renovations to be completed in August 2025
Breaking ground
Reaching YOU to new heights!
Since 1979, Alamo Crane Service has been a leading provider of crane rental and transportation services in Central and South Texas.
We have a fleet of over 30 cranes, ranging from 15-ton to 770-ton capacities, as well as a fleet of tractor trailers to help you with all your hauling and transport needs. Our diverse fleet of state -of-the art heavy equipment and related crane services include crane accessories, associated rigging, haul ing equipment, and project consulting.
When Alamo Crane Service is on -site, both our equipment and our operators are ha rd at work for you Our operators are professional, setting the standard for great service. We will go to any length to make sure you are satisfied with Alamo Crane Service.
Safety:
Alamo Crane Service is proud to be the recipient of Texas Mutual’s 2017 Platinum Safety Award, Texas Mutual’s 2021, 2022, and 2023 Award of Safety Excellence, the American Subcontractors’ (ASA) 2022 National Safety Award, and various other trade association awards for its outstanding safety record. Alamo Crane Service has an EMR of .73
Our Fleet:
We take pride in our equipment and our service. We provide the best in well -maintained, dependable cranes and transportation equipment. Each rental project comes with a certified operator to ensure that the job is done right! Here are a few of our most popular rentals:
Hydraulic cranes
Heavy -Haul Service:
300-ton conventional crane Personnel Basket Service Forklifts Tractor Trailers
Our heavy-hauling service keeps your job moving. Not just a crane rental company, we have a fleet of tractor trailers ranging from the standard gooseneck trailer to our 120 -ton heavy-haul trailer.
No project is too large or too small for Alamo Crane Service :
Alamo Crane Service offers crane rentals for hourly, daily, weekly , and monthly time allotments. Our fleet of heavy -duty hydraulic and conventional cranes is suited for service in many sectors of work including:
Commercial HVAC installation
Structural and pre-cast concrete erection
Commercial building and construction Highway and bridge
Industrial restoration projects
Residential construction projects
City, Municipal, and Government projects Oil and Gass
Other Equipment and Services:
Alamo Crane Service provides a variety of other equipment and services to help you get the job done efficientl y and on time to include Gooseneck Trailers, Tandem Axle Tractor s w/45’ float, Tandem Axle Tractor s w/50’ float, 4 -Axle Tractors w/60-ton Lowboy; 4 -Axle Tractors w/80-ton Lowboy, 100 -ton Lowboys, 120-ton Lowboys, Pilot Escort Vehicle, Trailer Steerman, Mechanic, A&D Director, Front End/Man/Oiler, Certified Rigger, Qualified Rigger, Certified Signal Person, Qualified Signal Person, OSHA 10 Personnel, OSHA 30 Personnel, Lift Plans, Spread Bars, Crane Mats, H2S Moni tors, Barrier Clamp, Skip Pan, Concrete Bucket, 2 -Way Radios, Travel Crew/Operator, Tilt Wall Rigging 8 -Point, and Outside Storage.
When you need a lift in life, call Alamo Crane Service!
ACCOUNTING LEGAL
5 Critical Components for your Construction Business Strategy
Jon Caforio, Principal RSM US LLP
Chicago, IL
Explore new ventures and set the stage for growth and diversification
Revising your business strategy is an opportunity to innovate and explore new ventures, setting the stage for growth and diversification. Your strategic pivot can create a resilient and forward-thinking enterprise that responds to the needs of both customers and employees.
Here are five aspects to keep in mind as you refine your business strategy.
1. Quantify value
This concept emphasizes diligent measurement of the value of your products or services, enabling more informed decision making and stronger value propositions.
• Craft your value metrics: Establish metrics that quantify value from multiple dimensions. For example, a software company might measure customer value through user engagement metrics, subscription renewal rates and customer feedback scores to guide product development and customer support enhancements.
• Measure performance: Assess how strategic decisions affect financial indicators that matter. Rather than relying solely on traditional EBITDA metrics, you might quantify a broader understanding of your company’s value by assessing its mix of revenue types in the context of its overall target market valuation, including debt.
• Visualize value communication: Use digital dashboards and mobile apps that provide real-time metrics on the performance and impact of your products or services. These tools streamline access to financial health indicators while supporting informed strategy execution.
• Implement value-based pricing: Align your pricing strategy with the value that your customers perceive. Premium brands use this approach to price their products according to perceived quality and prestige.
• Optimize resource allocation: Use value metrics to guide investments in projects and initiatives that offer the highest return, ensuring the efficient use of resources. For example, a company might use value metrics to prioritize a new product line projected to meet emerging market needs.
By quantifying value, companies can make informed decisions, prioritize investments and communicate their value proposition better.
2. Modernize Modernization transcends digital transformation to encompass the broader integration of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and advanced analytics. This strategic shift reimagines your business model, processes and customer experiences.
• Embrace AI and automation: Integrate AI-driven technologies. Predictive analytics are personalizing customer interactions,
driving efficiency in internal processes and optimizing supply chains.
• Upgrade technology infrastructure: Modernization of your business means modernizing your technology and infrastructure. This involves cloud computing for flexibility and scalability, cybersecurity measures to protect data, and IoT/5G-enabled devices for better connectivity and insights.
• Foster digital culture: Embrace continuous learning, innovation and agility. Encourage teams to experiment with new technologies and methodologies to drive forward-thinking solutions.
• Transform your people experience: Focusing on your people creates a competitive advantage. Modernizing your human resources function or enhancing the employee experience can drive business success.
• Leverage data analytics: Use advanced data analytics and AI to enhance customer engagement.
• Adapt rapidly to consumer trends: Leverage technology to meet evolving expectations. This could mean developing new business models, such as subscription services or on-demand products, that cater to the consumer’s desire for convenience and personalization.
Understanding and investing in modernization means positioning your company at the forefront of innovation, ensuring agility and enhancing operational efficiency. This creates an organization that adapts to current trends and anticipates future shifts, leveraging technology to drive growth, optimize customer engagement and maintain a competitive edge.
3. Cultivate resilience and agility
This strategic pillar emphasizes creating a flexible organization that swiftly adapts to market shifts, technological advancements and unforeseen challenges.
• Foster a culture of adaptability: Integrate change management into the core of your operations. Encourage teams to embrace innovation and flexibility, facilitating quick pivots in strategies when facing new market conditions or challenges.
• Invest in versatility technology: Implement systems and technologies that support rapid adaptation and scalability, ensuring your business responds to changes without significant delays or costs.
• Build a robust contingency plan: Develop comprehensive contingency plans that address potential risks and outline clear response strategies, minimizing downtime and maintaining operational continuity in crisis situations.
• Empower decision making at all levels: Streamline decision making processes to enhance responsiveness, allowing frontline employees to make quick decisions within a strategic framework.
InThe Game Changing-Power of a Benefits Program
David Rodriguez, Employee Benefits Insurance Specialist
The Nitsche Group Giddings, TX
the competitive world of construction, securing and retaining skilled workers isn’t just a necessity— it’s the backbone of a thriving business. It also remains a critical challenge for the industry.
To tackle the issue, construction companies often focus on the tools, technology, and materials required for projects to better position themselves. However, an impactful strategy that often goes unnoticed and underutilized is offering a robust benefits program.
In an industry known for high turnover rates, a labor shortage, and challenging working conditions, employee benefits can have a huge impact on a construction company, leading to long-term success, stability, and growth.
Here’s why prioritizing employee benefits should be at the forefront of your business strategy.
Retain Your Best Workers and Cut Costs: High turnover rates are a constant challenge in the construction sector, and the costs associated with hiring and training new employees can quickly add up. According to a study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the cost of replacing an employee can range from six to nine months of that employee’s salary.
The Impact: If a construction worker earns $50,000 per year, replacing them could cost anywhere from $25,000 to $37,500. By offering competitive and attractive benefits packages, you can reduce turnover, retain your best employees, and avoid these costly disruptions.
Slash Hiring and Training Expenses: When workers feel valued, well-compensated, and supported through benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off, they are more likely to stay with your company for the long haul. This not only saves you from the constant cycle of recruiting, hiring, and training new staff but also provides stability within your workforce. Long-term employees bring a wealth of experience to the table, which reduces errors, decreases the chance of accidents, improves efficiency, and boosts the overall quality of work.
The Impact: Seasoned workers who have been with your company for years are more likely to be familiar with your safety protocols, reducing the likelihood of costly accidents and legal claims. Reducing these factors contribute to a good safety record which can help reduce commercial insurance terms and premium rates: including worker’s compensation rates.
Boost Safety and Productivity: The construction industry is one of the most dangerous sectors in the workforce, with high rates of workplace injuries and fatalities. Experienced
employees are your first line of defense against these risks. By offering benefits that help attract and retain quality workers, a company can boost operational safety and productivity. They understand the importance of adhering to safety protocols and can serve as mentors to newer workers, helping to instill a culture of safety on the job site.
The Impact: With a fully staffed team of experienced workers, your projects move faster and more efficiently, with fewer delays caused by accidents or the need to constantly train new hires. This leads to higher productivity, better project outcomes, and a more positive reputation in the industry.
Stay Ahead of Compliance: The construction sector is subject to a wide range of regulations, from OSHA safety standards to state and federal labor laws. Staying compliant with these everchanging regulations can be a headache for business owners, but offering comprehensive employee benefits can help you stay ahead of the curve and avoid costly penalties.
The Impact: By staying ahead of regulatory changes and communicating these efforts effectively, businesses can turn compliance into a competitive advantage by avoiding costly fines and unexpected operational changes.
Master Regulations with Ease: Employee benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and workers’ compensation, are not just nice-to-haves; they are often required by law. Ensuring that your business complies with these regulations is crucial to avoid fines, legal disputes, and reputational damage.
The Impact: Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), companies with 50 or more full-time employees are required to offer health insurance to their workers. Failure to comply can result in substantial penalties. By proactively offering comprehensive benefits, you ensure that your business stays compliant with current laws and regulations, keeping your operations running smoothly.
Build Trust and Reputation: Taking care of your employees goes a long way in building trust and enhancing your company’s reputation. Workers who feel valued and supported are more likely to speak positively about your company to others, becoming ambassadors for your brand. This positive word-of-mouth can attract not only more top-tier talent but also new clients and business partners.
The Impact: In a field as interconnected as construction, your reputation is everything, and investing in employee benefits is one of the best ways to build and maintain that reputation.
FOSHA INSURANCE
OSHA LEGAL
Which Policy Covers That? Timing Considerations When Placing CGL Carriers on Notice of a Construction Defect Claim.
E. Samuel Creclius III, Insurance Coverage and Risk Management Cokinos | Young Dallas, TX
or a construction contractor, receiving notice of a claim for damages associated with the contractor’s work can be a daunting prospect. Particularly if the contractor’s first notice of the claim is a lawsuit naming the contractor as a defendant. Fortunately, most contractors do (and all contractors should) maintain commercial general liability (CGL) insurance to cover claims for damages or injuries related to the contractor’s work. CGL insurance (typically) covers allegations of damage because of defective work, defending the insured against potentially covered claims and settling covered claims. Of course, many factors can affect this basic coverage analysis. For example—what happens when bodily injury or property damage occurs after the policy in place while the contractor did its work expires?
Many contractors maintain CGL insurance on an ongoing basis, renewing or replacing each policy as it expires with a new policy. Over time, a contractor may have had multiple different CGL polices in place, through multiple different insurance companies. When faced with a claim involving allegations of defective work or other liability, contractors often notify only the CGL policy in force as of the date of the alleged wrongful act. Often, especially if the claim arises while the work is still ongoing, this commonsense approach is enough. The insurance carrier acknowledges the claim, appoints defense counsel, and
tries to settle the claim against the insured contractor. But sometimes—to many contractors’ surprise—the CGL carrier instead denies coverage for the claim.
Counter-intuitively, the CGL insurance policy in place when a contractor does its work is not necessarily the policy that covers bodily injury or property damage because of that work. This is because one of the conditions of coverage under a typical CGL policy is that “[t]he ‘bodily injury’ or ‘property damage’ occurs during the policy period ….” What that means is that property damage or bodily injury is normally covered by the CGL policy in effect when the damage or injury occurs, not the policy in effect when the underlying work was performed.
By way of example, suppose an insured contractor worked on a construction project in 2018. A lawsuit against the contractor alleges property damage resulting from the contractor’s work occurred in 2021. The contractor’s 2021 CGL policy may cover the claims against the contractor, rather than the 2018 policy. In cases of ongoing damage or injury, or where no date is specified, coverage might be available under multiple policy years.
The insurance policy in force when a contractor’s work was performed is not the only policy that contractor should consider when seeking coverage. Instead, contractors should consider whether coverage may be available under another CGL policy.
Suicide Prevention: 5 Things You Should Know
Suzanna Perz, OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officer OSHA Austin, TX
Suicide is a leading cause of death among working age adults in the United States. It deeply impacts workers, families, and communities. Fortunately, like other workplace fatalities, suicides can be prevented. Below are 5 things to know about preventing suicide.
1. Everyone can help prevent suicide. Mental health and suicide can be difficult to talk about—especially with work colleagues—but your actions can make a difference. When you work closely with others, you may sense when something is wrong.
2. Know the warning signs of suicide. There is no single cause for suicide but there are warning signs. Changes in behavior, mood, or even what they say may signal someone is at risk. Take these signs seriously. It could save a life.
3. Ask “Are you okay?” If you are concerned about a coworker, talk with them privately, and listen without judgment. Encourage them to reach out to your Employee Assistance Program (EAP), the human resources (HR) department, or a mental health professional.
4. If someone is in crisis, stay with them and get help. If you believe a coworker is at immediate risk of suicide, stay with them until you can get further
help. Contact emergency services or the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
5. Suicide prevention resources are available. • Call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. • Visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (www. afsp. org) to learn more about suicide risk factors, warning signs, and what you can do to help prevent suicide.
Resources
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org/chat for 24/7, free, and confidential support, including prevention and crisis resources for employees. Veterans may call 988 and press 1 or visit veteranscrisisline.net.
Crisis Text Line: Text “TALK” to 741741 or visit crisistextline.org from anywhere in the USA to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor for free, 24/7.
For more information, visit osha. gov/preventing suicides, osha.gov/ workplace-stress, Or American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (afsp.org) • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov/suicide) • National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention (theactionalliance.org) • National Institute of Mental Health (nimh.nih.gov) • Suicide Prevention Resource Center (sprc.org)
This focus on resilience and agility ensures your business is not just prepared to face disruptions but is also positioned to capitalize on opportunities that arise from changes.
4. Consider conscious capitalism
In their book, Conscious Capitalism, John Mackey and Raj Sisodia emphasize the importance of businesses adopting sustainable practices as a core aspect of their operations. The book positions sustainability not just as a regulatory requirement but as an integral part of a conscious business strategy that drives long-term value creation for all stakeholders.
In light of the evolving regulatory landscape, particularly with the California climate laws and published SEC rules mandating disclosures and corporate sustainability reporting, it’s crucial for businesses to adapt their sustainability strategies accordingly. This adaptation isn’t just about compliance; it is an opportunity to innovate and align with the growing consumer demand for responsible business practices.
• Embrace sustainability: Emphasize ethical, sustainable and socially responsible business practices in response to buyer values and in line with regulatory changes. For example, verifying that your supply chain does not include child labor or forced labor is both appealing to the consumer and in line with an ethical procurement policy. Supply chain reporting is also required by the Canadian Supply Chains Act and is in line with U.S. forced labor prevention laws.
• Adapt to regulatory requirements: Understand and integrate the requirements set by the recent California climate bills (SB253 and SB261) into your business operations, ensuring all sustainability reporting is comprehensive and transparent. If you operate in the European Union, you may be subject to global compliance reporting based on the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.
• Transform your supply chains, systems and data: Overhaul your supply chains and core systems to efficiently track, manage and report on sustainability data, ensuring compliance and operational efficiency.
• Leverage sustainability for market advantage: Use your compliance initiatives as a marketing tool, highlighting your commitment to sustainability to attract consumers and business partners who value environmental and social responsibility.
• Invest in sustainability: Implement sustainable practices that increase your positive impact on the environment and your community. These policies and practices enhance your brand’s value,
reputation and appeal.
Through strategic adaptation and a proactive approach to sustainability, businesses can turn challenges and investments into competitive advantages, building a more sustainable and profitable future.
5. Design for experiences
The emphasis has shifted toward human-centered design and radical empathy, guiding customer interactions, product development and sustainable growth. This approach is about more than just products; it’s about creating meaningful experiences that resonate on a personal level with consumers and employees.
• Prioritize empathy: Engage directly with users to understand their needs, challenges and desires on a profound level. Use these insights to guide the design process, ensuring products and services not only meet functional requirements but also resonate emotionally with users.
• Enhance the customer experience: Design your customer interactions to be as intuitive, enjoyable and fulfilling as possible. This includes tailoring your communications, optimizing your touchpoints and ensuring your products and services provide discernable value.
• Ignite product innovation: Identify unmet needs and areas for innovation. Develop products that not only solve problems but also delight users, creating memorable experiences that set your brand apart.
• Pursue predictive personalization: Use advanced data analytics and AI to not only personalize products, services and experiences but also to predict consumer needs before they are even aware of them. This involves analyzing engagement metrics and analyzing behavior patterns and preferences to forecast future desires, enabling you to offer solutions and experiences that meet consumers’ needs preemptively.
• Build meaningful connections: Engage with your community and stakeholders through initiatives that demonstrate understanding and commitment to their wellbeing. This may involve sustainability efforts, community services or programs that address specific societal issues, all of which build an emotional connection with your customers.
Takeaway
By embedding these five principles into every aspect of your operations, you can create more meaningful, lasting connections with customers and employees. Revising your business strategy to reflect these principles can be a differentiator in today’s competitive landscape, ensuring your brand remains relevant and competitive in the future.
Outshine the Competition: In today’s construction industry, where skilled labor is in short supply, exceptional benefits can be your secret weapon for standing out in a crowded market. Companies that go the extra mile to support their employees through comprehensive benefits are more likely to retain their workers and attract new talent, giving them a significant advantage over competitors.
Invest in Health and Happiness: Benefits packages that include health insurance, retirement plans, and wellness programs demonstrate that you care about your employees’ long-term wellbeing. Healthy, happy workers are more productive and take fewer sick days, which means your projects stay on schedule and on budget.
The Impact: Offering a wellness program that encourages regular exercise and healthy eating can reduce the risk of chronic health conditions, leading to fewer missed workdays and lower healthcare costs for both employees and the company.
Promote Work-Life Balance: Construction work is physically demanding, and burnout is a real concern for workers who feel overworked and underappreciated. Offering benefits like paid time off, flexible hours, and family leave helps employees maintain a healthy work-life balance, reducing stress and preventing burnout. Workers who feel
supported in their personal lives are more loyal, motivated, and committed to delivering high-quality work.
The Impact: This not only improves employee retention but also enhances the overall performance of your business. If quality and productivity suffer, so does your company’s chance of landing jobs.
Stand Out in a Crowded Market: In an industry where skilled labor is in high demand and short supply, offering exceptional benefits can be the key to attracting and retaining top talent. Workers will choose and stay with an employer who provides comprehensive packages, giving you a competitive edge. In a marketplace crowded with companies competing for the same skilled labor, your commitment to employee well-being will set you apart as a top employer.
The Impact: Companies unable to attract or retain a skilled workforce can face challenges including
The Game Changing-Power of a Benefits Program: Investing in employee benefits is more than a compliance checkbox; it can be a gamechanger for construction companies. By prioritizing employee well-being, employers pave the way for a thriving, successful company ready to tackle the challenges of the construction industry. Embrace the power of employee benefits, and watch your business build a brighter future.
September
9/1 – Gerard Orta / Mazzella Midco
9/2 – Patty Wylie / JCI
9/13 – Kenneth Moore / KCM Cabinets
9/13 – Tony Ridout / Aprio
9/14 – Harmon Hamann / INSURICA
9/15 – Nick Metcalf / Forbes Hever Wallace
9/19 – Rhonda Chadwick / Aprio
9/21 – Casey Bartek / Bartek Construction
9/22 – Zac Patrick / Broken Ground Equipment Auctions
9/26 - Jenn Munoz / AGC SA
9/26 – Penny McDonald / The Fetzer Companies
9/30 – Dustin Michalak / ATKG
9/30 – Carlos Galvan / CG Steel Solutions
Lawrence Di Filippo
The Venice Art Terrazzo Company
Lawrence Di Filippo is the Vice President of The Venice Art Terrazzo Company. Established in 1934 in San Antonio, this family company has entered their fourth generation, and their work can be found in many prominent Texas Landmarks.
Construction News: The Venice Art Terrazzo Company is only 10 years away from celebrating 100 years! That’s amazing. Can you Tell me about your family’s history and how the business came to be?
Lawrence Di Filippo: My grandfather, John Matthew Di Filippo, came from a little town in Italy called San Daniele. He was born there in July of 1894, and when he was 18, he came to America through Ellis Island by way of a French ocean liner. After New York, he ended up settling, initially, in Minnesota. He had already learned about carpentry and construction in Italy, and he found work in Minnesota with a marble company, (Venice Art Marble) that also did some terrazzo. In 1929 that company sent him down to San Antonio and he established a branch office of Venice Art Marble. In 1934 he bought enough shares to turn the branch into the Venice Art Terrazzo Company. So, we’ve been in San Antonio as Venice Art Terrazzo since 1934, and we’ve had this location at 200 Caldwell Street ever since. He was married to my grandmother, Rose, and they had five children. Three daughters and two sons, John Henry Di Filippo, was a fighter pilot in World War Two, and sadly, he was shot down in the Pacific. And then there was my father, Richard Victor Di Filippo, who went into business with my grandfather. He
married my mother, Mary Jo Di Filippo, and they had five children just like his parents did. I have one sister, and the rest are brothers, and we all grew up working here at one time or another because it was a family business. Richard Victor Jr, my oldest brother, and I chose to carry on the family business. I went to Texas A&M University and received a business degree to help with the business here, so we’re the third generation. My Mom, Mary, came to work here in the late 60’s, and then she and my father became partners with my grandfather. My mom is now the President. My father has passed away and so has my brother, Richard, so I’m currently running things alongside my mother. And then my son, Matthew Lawrence Di Filippo is here working with us now, so with Matthew it’s gone on to the fourth generation.
CN: Amazing, what a legacy. What is Terrazzo exactly?
LDF: Terrazzo is a mixture of crushed marble aggregate, mixed with fillers, cement and or epoxies. Once hardened, it’s ground and polished. At one time we also did tile work, but we’re focusing on terrazzo currently. Terrazzo is a durable flooring, and yet very beautiful, it is an elegant and timeless flooring versatile in color and design. It’s used in airports, courthouses, schools, hotels, and museums. But it’s also appropriate for homes and so today, especially, it seems popular for residential again, as well as the commercial and public venues.
CN: What is the process for installing Terrazzo?
LDF: It starts with preparing a structural slab by shot blasting or grinding the slab which could also include remedial repairs, such as filling up holes, leveling or other corrections. The actual terrazzo is a mixed material. So, we take marble aggregate, which has a variety of colors, (creams, whites, grays, tans, yellow, reds and greens etc) and create a formula or a mixture. A custom recipe is created for each of our customers. So, for example, we might put 50% white, 25% beige, and 25% gray or any number of combinations to create the mix they desire for the intended project. Then those dry marble aggregates are mixed according to the recipe on a slab, and then re-bagged. Then at the jobsite they’re mixed with either cement, and or with epoxy resin primarily used today. We use a two-part epoxy resin, which is made up of an A side and a B side, we mix them together, and add fillers and along with the filler we add the blended aggregate. Then the mix is placed in a mixer or small batches with a hand drill, and then poured out on the floor, shoveled out on the floor, and spread by hand with a trowel. So, the crew gets down there and spreads the mix out and flattens it. Once it hardens, we come back the next day with grinder machines that use diamonds to cut and polish the poured mix. In the early days, they used carborundum stones, and
in the very, very old days, it was spread out the same way, but then it was ground with handheld pumice stones.
CN: That’s fascinating. Sounds like very hard work. They are so beautiful in the end, truly works of art. How is the detail work done, like when you see a big design as a focal point in a Lobby or something?
LDF: The way we create designs often involves the use of metal divider strips to keep the colors separate. We put these dividers down in a pattern, often a square or a triangle or a diamond pattern, and then fill the divided areas with a custom mix that’s similar in consistency to pancake batter. Then it’s spread out with hand trowels, and you spread it into those designs, those patterns. And so, if you had a checkerboard, or you had a border and a field in the middle, you know, you could do the beige border around the outside and a white in the middle, or you could do a black and white checkerboard or any number of design combinations. On our website, you can see some examples of this in completed project pictures. One project (the Randolph Credit Union headquarters) involved a very intricate design. All those little intricate divisions of divider strips are bent and soldered onto a mesh, and then we fill each section with its designated color. The Randolph Credit Union emblem incorporated 50 different colors and was very detailed.
CN: It must be so amazing to see all the work your family has done over the years in such prominent spaces.
LDF: It is. One fun story I have is from the 80s. I was working on a job doing some restoration work at the State Capitol. There were additions being made, renovations. I knew my grandfather did some work back there in the 40s and 50s. When we were there, one of the contractors was tearing up the base of a wall. And the metal divider strips I mentioned earlier? Those are manufactured for us and come shipped to us in a box that is stamped with ‘Venice Art Terrazzo’ on the lid. And so, during the
remodeling we found some of our box lids, nailed on the wall, with Venice Art Terrazzo stamped on the back of the wood, from many years before. That was special, being the third generation that was restoring the capital, and we found a sort of a time capsule.
CN: So cool. Tell me more about your immediate family.
LDF: I met my wife, Sandra, at Texas A&M, she is a Physical therapist. We got married in 1985, so we are getting ready to Celebrate 40 years of marriage next year. We have three children. Our oldest is Matthew, our middle child is Rebecca, and our youngest is Andrew. They are all married, and they have children of their own now. By the end of the year, I’ll have 9 grandchildren. My daughter went to school to become a speech pathologist. Matthew went to Texas A&M and got a Construction Science degree and he’s working at Venice Art here with me now. And my younger son, Andrew, has worked here part time in the past but is a firefighter for Bexar County.
CN: When you aren’t working, what do you enjoy doing?
LDF: My wife and I both enjoy hiking, camping, kayaking, canoeing, outdoor things like that. And I, not so much her, enjoy going fishing and hunting. But we both like to go to the State parks and National parks. There’s a peak called the Guadalupe, the tallest peak in Texas, it is 8,751 feet above sea level. My wife and I climbed that a few years ago enjoying the hike with its spectacular view. I like going on backpacking trips and canoe trips, too. One trip I went from Dawson, Canada to Circle, Alaska. We traveled the Yukon River about 260 miles, canoeing with my son Matthew. And then a few years later, I went on a second trip along the Yukon River that was about 450 miles and this time we were canoeing from Whitehorse, Canada to Dawson. So, I got to do about seven or 800 miles of the Yukon River. Another special trip, this time, a climbing trip with both my sons. Together we climbed Mt.Rainer in Washington State. I love adventure.
Mary Di Filippo, Lawrence Di Filippo, Mathew Di Filippo
0 % $ 0 FOR UP TO 48 MONTHS UP TO $500 TOWARD + DOWN
