CONSTRUCTION NEWS
Green Thumbs Up
On Sept. 13 Nunnelly General Contractors broke ground on the new Bexar County Agrilife office extension project. Bexar County Agrilife provides education and the importance of agriculture to our youth. This new urban farm is going to be an invaluable asset for the community. Nunnelly would like to thank Tommy Calvert, Bexar County Commissioner, Pct. 4 for his support and leadership on this project. Thank you to the Young Men’s Leadership Academy band for their performance during the celebration!
Home is Where Your Heart is
Sept. 21 was a warm, breezy day, complete with a bright blue sky and fluffy white clouds. Nestled amongst oak trees in the peaceful Vintage Oaks subdivision of New Braunfels, stands a brand new house behind a wide green lawn. This house has a classic, humble style, and a quiet elegance that blends effortlessly with the other luxurious homes that line the street. But on this day, it stands out. People line the curves of the long driveway, with volunteers holding up 10 foot poles bearing very large American flags. Children, decked out in red, white and blue, ran around with smaller versions of Old Glory. The excitement was palpable as everyone gathered to greet Governor Greg Abbott. As exciting as it was to meet such a distinguished politician, today the focus was all about handing over the keys of this gorgeous home to a disabled Iraq war Veteran and his family, and it is all thanks to an incredible organization called Homes For Our Troops. (HFOT)
The true guest of honor that day was Alberto Flores He joined the military as an Infantryman to support his family, committing to serve his country, and proud of the camaraderie he felt with his fellow Marines. On May 12, 2005, Lance Corporal Flores was on his second combat deployment with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines in Ramadi, Iraq when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device (IED). His right leg sustained severe damage and he was Airlifted to Landstuhl, Germany, and subsequently transported to Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland. Unfortunately, due to multiple infections, his leg could not be saved, and he had to undergo surgery to amputate his leg above the knee.
Alberto and his wife, Elvira, met in the eighth grade, and have been married for over twenty-five years. They enjoy spending time with their son, Alberto Flores III, and grandson, Aden, as well hosting get-togethers for their extended family. Their former house was multilevel, making it difficult for Alberto to navigate inside and outside in his wheelchair. He was often forced to wear his prosthetic for long periods, causing pain and further injury to his leg. This specially adapted custom home from HFOT was built by MW Christian Builders, who has partnered with HFOT and built twenty homes. The adaptations in the home allow Alberto to cook for the family and help with daily tasks. The pull-down shelving in the kitchen, roll-under sink and countertop, and
accessible appliances, enable him to prepare meals safely. The open floor plan and wheelchair-accessible outdoor areas give Alberto and Elvira the ability to do what they love most—spend time with their loved ones at home, in Texas where they have lived for the last 18 years. The house was built, designed and furnished with the Flores family’s preferences and needs in mind down to every last detail. HEB also filled the fridge and cupboards with all the pantry staples.
In the last 20 years, HFOT has built a lot of homes. The Flores home is number 400. With generous partners by their side to support them through donations, Such as ABC Building Supply, a platinum partner, they have all raised millions of dollars with passionate fundraising. Texas Roadhouse and Bubba’s 33 funded this home, and provided food for all the guests in attendance. The mission of HFOT is “Building homes, Rebuilding lives” and they continue to do so all over the country. There were many other military veterans in attendance, veterans of the Iraq and Vietnam wars, and even a WW2 veteran in attendance who received a standing ovation, after giving a hearty “Ooh Rah!” to his marine brothers. In addition to Greg Abbott, Senator Donna Campbell and ABC’s Founder and Chairman, Diane Hendricks were there to share their love and support for HFOT and to congratulate the Flores Family.
After all the remarks and thanks were shared by those involved with the project, the Flores family surrounded the flagpole that graces the front entrance of the home. Already flying was a flag proudly celebrating it as HFOT’s 400th gift of a mortgage free home. Alberto Flores pulled the flag down, slowly, and raised the American Flag to fly. Then, the Flores family received the key to their new home - and cut the ribbon leading to the front door.
In the words of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, “ There’s no better name for the organization, that is the reason why we gather here today. It’s called Homes For Our Troops. Noteworthy is this - it’s not called houses for our troops. A house and a home are far different. There are a lot of buildings on every street and every town and every location across the United States of America, those are houses. They’re structures. A home is different. A saying becomes old because there is timeless truth behind the saying. And it is true - home is where your heart is.” -ndw
Aline Yoldi, Senior Associate, Central Texas Higher Education Market Leader at Stantec studied architecture in Mexico City and had to overcome multiple challenges to obtain her U.S. architectural license. Yoldi said that work took her 10 years. This is why she has made it her mission to support, empower and promote women in architecture. In Yoldi’s role at Stantec, she identifies and pursues new project opportunities related to university and college work. In 2015, while serving on the board of the American Institute of Architects San Antonio, she founded the Women in Architecture network, “to support women in the profession and assist them into their own path to licensure.”
The daughter of a Mexican mother and a Spanish-Mexican father, Aline was born in Paris, France. At age 4, her family relocated to New York City where Aline fell in love with architecture. At eight, her parents returned to Mexico City where she was raised and later studied a Bachelor of Architecture. After graduation, Aline moved to San Antonio to begin her professional career.
Please describe your day-to-day work responsibilities.
I serve as the Central Texas Higher Education Market Leader, Senior Associate at Stantec, a global top -10 architecture and engineering firm founded in 1954 with over 30,000 employees working at 400 offices worldwide of which 250 located in the US (with five in Texas). Based out of the San Antonio office, my role is two-fold: first focused on business development associated with higher education for the Central Texas region which covers Austin, San Antonio, Laredo, the Rio Grande Valley, and all neighboring areas. In this role, I identify and pursue new project opportunities related to university and college work. I also promote Stantec as a thought-leader in innovative design and assist the firm in gaining recognition for outstanding work by building fruitful relationships that help drive key outcomes to ensure client satisfaction. Additionally, I serve as the San Antonio architecture office leader managing staff and overseeing projects since the recent retirement of the former Principal-in-Charge at the end of March 2024. In this role, I oversee staff resources ensuring all employees have the necessary assistance, tools, and information they need to deliver projects on time and in budget. I also serve as project manager for higher education projects and perform quality control reviews of projects at different phases of development. I am also in charge of reviewing all contracts with clients and consultants, developing service proposals, approving invoices and timesheets and client communications related to project satisfaction.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I hope to continue making a positive impact as an advocate in support of women and young
Building up Women
architects. As an architect, I hope to design impactful and meaningful projects. Establish myself as a valuable member and leader in my firm by continuously learning, developing new skills, and expanding my network. To achieve personal and professional growth and find balance between work and life to continue leading a fulfilling life.
Describe the biggest challenge you’ve encountered in your career and how you overcame it.
As a young immigrant woman from Mexico, I was told repeatedly that I would never become a licensed architect in the US. I had studied at a non-accredited institution in a foreign country – learning a different construction process in a different language using a different unit system. This meant that I would need to satisfy twice as many hours of internship development (for a total of 7,000!) and other additional requirements before being allowed to take the 7 mandatory Architectural Registration Exams ARE. I would also be entering a highly maledominated field where licensed Latina women constitute less than 1% of the overall number of architects in the US (women of all races make 22% of all architects and African American women only 0.3%). I persisted knowing that I needed to achieve this, not just for my own personal success, but in representation of the many others that had also been discouraged along the way. It took me close to 10 years, but I finally became a licensed US architect in 2014! A year later, while serving on the board of the American Institute of Architects AIA San Antonio, I founded the Women in Architecture WIA network to support women in the profession and assist them in their own path to licensure.
What advice would you offer to young women getting into your career field?
Seek the support of other women in your field to serve as your mentors, advisors, and role models. Learn from each other, create a strong circle, and invite other women to participate. This network will guide and encourage you to keep going
and for their achievements and abilities to be recognized by the larger group. I wish to learn from them while also serve as their mentor and create a mutually supportive environment that promotes success for the entire company.
when the road gets hard and celebrate your successes and achievements.
How do you pay it forward to help other women become leaders?
In 2015, a year after becoming a licensed architect, I founded the Women in Architecture WIA network to support women in the profession and assist them in their own path to licensure. This network creates activities and events that support, honor, and empower (SHE) women, showcase their work, and serve as their voice and platform in architecturerelated fields. WIA’s annual events provide a variety of learning, networking, mentorship and leadership opportunities to women of all ages and experience levels, such as: a)Panel Discussions where women leaders discuss women issues related to the profession, b) Annual Exhibitions showcasing projects designed by women, c) Tours spotlighting projects by women, d) Lectures and Presentations featuring women leaders and experts presenting relevant and educational topics, e) Networking events in partnership with other industry-related associations such as interior design, engineering and construction and, f) Mentorship activities in support of students and younger women pursuing licensure and wishing to elevate their careers. I proudly remained the Chair of WIA for 8 years since its founding until 2023. In 2024, a new Chair continues WIA’s mission as a strong advocate for women and young architects. As a leader in an architectural firm, I make sure that women are hired at all levels and positions, and that they are provided with learning and skill improvement opportunities for career growth. I also push for their voices and opinions to be heard during presentations and meetings
Please detail your work with nonprofits/boards or charitable/ volunteer projects you’re involved in. For over 20 years (since 2003), I have served as volunteer on leadership positions for the American Institute of Architects AIA San Antonio chapter. My roles have included Chair of different committees such as Programs (20102013), Beaux Arts Ball (2019-2021) and, Founder and Chair of the Women in Architecture WIA network (2015-2023). I have also served on the Board of Directors on multiple positions such as Director (2015-2016), Treasurer (2020), President-Elect (2021) and President in 2022. Since 2021, I have also served as volunteer for the Texas Society of Architects TxA based in Austin. My positions include member of the Conference Planning Committee in charge of organizing the annual Texaswide conference, TxA Director representing San Antonio on the state board (two-year term) and, member of the Design Awards committee that recognizes outstanding projects by architects practicing in Texas (3-year term). I have also participated in multiple local, state and national events and activities to serve as moderator, panelist or presenter such as: a)Invest in Women Forums and round-tables at industry conferences presenting topics related to women in leadership and women in architecture, b) lectures for architecture students at colleges and universities, c) career days at K-12 schools and university career fairs, and d) at a Texas Public Radio public event. I am also an active member of other industry-related associations such as International Interior Design Association IIDA, Society of Marketing Professionals SMPS, Society of Design Administrators SDA, Association for Learning Environments A4LE, Urban Land Institute ULI and National Association of Women in Construction NAWIC.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give yourself as a teen?
Don’t be afraid. You have the intelligence, ability, and resilience to overcome any challenge so don’t doubt your abilities, believe in yourself and never give up!
Perfect Records
TCS Mechanical, one of Austin premiere provider of plumbing, process, fabrication and mechanical services was thrilled that one of their own, Erik Martinez was recognized for his good efforts on the job. Thank you, Erik for making safety documentation a priority and being an excellent representation of the TCS Crew! Thanks to General Contractor Flintco, for recognizing hard work! Congrats Erik!!
Texas Traditions Roofing Announces New General Manager
Texas Traditions Roofing, a family owned, commercial and residential roofing company serving Central Texas, announced the addition of Fred Brent, Ph.D. as the company’s new general manager as former GM, and now owner, Bryan Chisholm transitions into the role of Chief Operating Officer.
“We are thrilled to welcome Fred to the Texas Traditions team,” stated Texas Traditions Roofing President Michael Pickel. “His leadership background and dedication to serving others make him the perfect fit to lead our operations. His ability to foster a strong organizational culture and drive success aligns perfectly with our values, and we look forward to seeing how his skills will guide our company’s continued growth.”
COO Bryan Chisholm said, “Fred brings a fresh perspective and a wealth of experience that aligns perfectly with our goals at Texas Traditions Roofing. His leadership style and commitment to building strong teams will be invaluable as we continue to expand and elevate our company. I look forward to seeing the innovative approaches he’ll bring to our operations and the positive influence he’ll have on our culture.”
As general manager, Brent will oversee and manage the company’s operations to ensure they are achieving their strategic goals. This includes enhancing employee engagement, managing administration and production, improving financial
performance and leading recruiting and training efforts.
Brent brings an extensive background in leadership, having worked many years in the education sector, including nine years serving as the Superintendent of Schools for Georgetown ISD. Most recently he worked in the private sector as chief of staff at the Sport Clips corporate office in Georgetown.
Brent is married to Terri, and they have three children: two who are both students at Texas A&M, and one who graduated from Texas A&M in 2022 and now lives in Georgetown, Texas. Outside of work, Brent enjoys a variety of hobbies, including exercise, fly fishing, snowboarding and working on his family’s property.
Association Calendar
ABC CTX
Associated Builders & Contractors
Central Texas Chapter
Oct. 1-4: The University of Texas at Arlington OSHA Education Center – OSHA 521 OSHA Guide to Industrial Hygiene
Oct. 1-2: Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Class
Oct. 2: Coffee and Contractors
Oct. 2: Grit & Glamour LOGIC Luncheon
Oct. 3: Top Golf Tournament - Waco
Oct. 4: First Aid/CPR Training
Oct. 8: New Member Breakfast
Oct. 15: Protect Your People - Austin
Oct. 15: Construction Estimating Principles & Application
Oct. 15: Young Professionals – Killer Contract Clauses: How to Identify and Negotiate Important Contract Terms
Oct. 16: Austin Fall Mega Mixer
Oct. 17-18: OSHA 10
Oct. 17: Bluebeam Baseline Basics
Oct. 23: Bluebeam Basic Material Takeoffs and Estimates
Oct. 24: Bluebeam Advanced Material Takeoffs and Estimates
Oct. 24: Cocktails & Congrats: A Casual Evening of Excellence
Oct. 29: Bluebeam for Administrative Professionals
Oct. 29-Nov. 1: The University of Texas at Arlington OSHA Education Center – OSHA 510 Occupational Safety and Health Standards for Construction
Oct. 30: Coffee and Contractors
Oct. 30: Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training
Oct. 30-31: Reading Construction Documents
Oct. 31: STEPping Stones: Leading Indicator – Supervisor Safety Meetings/ Foundation – Top Management Engagement
ACEA
Greater Austin Contractors & Engineers Association
Oct. 10: Membership Luncheon, 11:30am1pm, Norris Conference Center, 2525 Anderson Lane, Austin
AGC
Associated General Contractors Austin
Oct. 26: 4th Annual BBQ Cook-Off & Rodeo
Oct. 27: CLC Annual Clay Shoot, 8am registration, Capital City Clays, 8707 Lindell Ln., Austin
CTSA
Central Texas Subcontractors Association
Oct. 11: Annual Clay Shoot, 8:30am-3pm, Capital City Clays, 8707 Lindell Lane, Austin. Registration Includes Breakfast, Lunch, Team Golf Cart, Ammo. ALL Subcontractors, General Contractors, and Suppliers Welcome. Register at www.ctsaonline.org. Contact Carrie Buckley at 817-983-6244
HBA
Home Builders Association Greater Austin Oct. 25: Golf Classic, 9am-4pm, Teravista Golf Club, 4333 Teravista Club Dr., Round Rock
Oct. 25: Signature Event/Winetasting & Golf Lessons, 1-4pm, Teravista Golf Club, 4333 Teravista Club Dr., Round Rock
NUCA
National Utility Contractors Association
Oct. 4: Live Trench Training, 7am, PGC General Contractors, 1501 Blackjack St. Lockhart. An interactive safety training program for Job Site Leaders and Crew Members offered in both English and Spanish
RCAT
Roofing Contractors Association of Texas
Oct. 15: Lunch & Learn, Topic: Mastering the Hiring Process, BBB, 1805 Rutherford Lane, Austin
TACCA
Texas Air Conditioning Cooling Contractors Association
Oct. 11: Golf Tournament, 7:30am-3pm, Shadow Glen Golf Club, 12801 Lexington St., Manor
TSA
Texas Society of Architects
Oct. 26-27: 38th Annual AIA Austin Homes Tour. For more information, visit https:// aiaaustin.org/programs/homes-tour/
More Campus Life
Skanska, a leading global construction and development firm, broke ground on Texas State University’s new Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Classroom Building, on Aug. 16. The significant milestone marked the start of construction of the new $137M project located on the San Marcos campus.
The new eight-story, 168,000-square-foot structure academic and lab building will house the Departments of Mathematics and Computer Science, and will provide teaching space, class labs, departmental offices, and research labs for several other academic disciplines. The project also requires site and utility improvements and upgrades to support the new building. The project is expected to be complete by summer 2026.
“Today marks a significant milestone for Texas State University and the broader community, and Skanska is honored to take part in further elevating the University’s reputation as a world-class institution,” said Ryan Aalsma, Skanska USA Building San Antonio executive vice president and general manager. “Their investment in the students, region, and the state of Texas demonstrates a strong commitment to educational innovation, providing future generations with opportunities to push the boundaries of knowledge and contribute meaningfully to society.”
In Texas, Skanska has completed more than 130 higher education projects throughout Texas resulting in over $1.8B.
Leading Safety
Congratulations to Alan Riddick from TNT Crane & Rigging! Alan received the Distinguished Safety Award, sponsored by Bair Hilty, P.C. and Transafe, Inc. recently at the TXTA Annual Conference. This award recognizes individuals who are dedicated to motor fleet safety and demonstrate exceptional leadership in protecting lives and property on the road. Join us in celebrating Alan’s commitment to safety in the trucking industry!
CONSTRUCTION NEWS
“Lost and Found”
Country music star Randy Rogers is set to elevate the New Braunfels dining and entertainment scene with his latest venture, “Lost and Found,” a rooftop bar and grill that promises to be a game-changer for the growing downtown community.
As the first rooftop bar in his hometown, Lost and Found represents the realization of Rogers’ long-held dream to create something special in South Texas. “Over the last 25 years of touring, I’ve experienced some of the greatest rooftops, cocktails, and eats around the country,” Rogers explains. “I’ve handpicked what I like the most. I’m excited to bring these flavors and experiences to New Braunfels.”
What sets Lost and Found apart is Rogers’ personal involvement in every aspect of its creation. Far from being just another celebrityendorsed establishment, this twostory venue bears the unmistakable touch of its owner. Rogers has been deeply engaged in the design process, ensuring that the space
reflects his vision and the essence of Texas Hill Country.
The name “Lost and Found” holds a special significance, inspired by a heartfelt ballad Rogers penned at the age of 18 after his first heartbreak. This fan-favorite song has become a staple in Rogers’ repertoire. He hopes this new bar and restaurant will become an integral part of New Braunfels’ dining landscape.
Collaborating with an impressive team including Cody Reimer, Slate Angel, Woolsey Design Build, Schumann Consulting, interior designer Brittany Wheeler, and architecture firm Point B Design, Rogers has created a space that seamlessly blends luxury with Texas charm. The venue boasts a carefully curated wine list and a private whiskey room for top-shelf spirit tastings, appealing to a diverse clientele.
Lost and Found is designed to be a year-round destination. The courtyard is fully equipped with misters for hot Texas summers and heaters for cooler evenings, ensuring
comfort in any season and features a retractable roof. Opening daily at 11 am, the establishment will serve both lunch and dinner, with each floor offering unique experiences.
“We pulled out all the stops for this,” Rogers proudly states. “The New Braunfels downtown community is growing, and we’re proud to be on the cusp of this new era.” Lost and Found stands as a testament to Rogers’ commitment to his hometown and his desire to create a space that captures the spirit of Hill Country. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a craft cocktail with a view, savor local cuisine, or simply soak in the atmosphere, Lost and Found promises to be a must-visit destination in New Braunfels. For Randy Rogers, this isn’t just a business venture – it’s a project close to his heart. “This is a project I believe in and put my heart into,” he says, “and I’m proud to own this place.” As Lost and Found welcome its first guests, it’s clear that Rogers’ passion and vision are set to offer something truly special to locals and visitors alike.
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
Fall Striper Fishing’s Gonna Be Good!
Fall is officially here! As summer’s heat starts fading away and the first cool fronts of the fall start to push through, the stripers go through a transitional phase. They have withstood the heat, often not feeding very well and haunted the deeper water to try and stay cool. That makes for less fishing activity in the late summer, than during the rest of the year.
Now that it’s starting to cool down, the fish are more in their comfort zone. They can venture out and feed as they please, and they will be hungry!
Any time now we will start to see the egg sacks in the female stripers begin to start developing the eggs for next spring’s spawning season. These eggs will form and mature during the winter months and require lots of nutrients for their growth. The males also need to get into tip top shape for spawning. That means the fish will be feeding heavily in the coming months to get ready. Fishing is about to go into another strong catching season!
What with football, hunting season and the holidays, the fall fishing season often gets overlooked. It’s a shame too, because it can bring some of the best fishing action of the year. We have generally mild weather in the fall. Cool fronts are easily predictable so they can be scheduled around, and we have some beautiful days in between. To top it off autumn sunsets on the water are quite a sight to see!
If you find yourself in the Hill Country on a
hunting trip this year, you might want to give some thought to adding a half day fishing trip to your plans so you can have yourself a fish fry around the campfire.
Fishing will remain good all through the holidays too. If you have folks in for a visit and you are looking for a way to entertain them, bring them fishing! Book your trips early to get the best available dates.
We did have some good flooding rains here and there that did help lake levels, but we are still waiting for our drought busting rain to come. Lake Buchanan as well as several other lakes are still seeing the water levels fall. When you couple that with the success of the striper and hybrid striper stocking programs in recent years, you have a whole lot of fish becoming increasingly concentrated. Fishing will be amazing in the coming months, and it will probably be best for us to catch all we can before they become overcrowded and have to face the heat next summer.
If we do get several good rains on the watersheds for our lakes, we will have the best conditions possible for spawning fish and stocked fish alike. Once the water floods the overgrown lake bottoms, there will be plenty of nutrients in the water fueling the food chain and ample structure for feeding and spawning fish to hide in.
I’m getting excited just thinking about it! about it! Unusual conditions should make for unusually good fishing. Come check it out!
White-tailed Deer Population Looks Strong Ahead of Archery-Only Season
Good news for hunters! Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists anticipate an exceptional white-tailed deer season this fall. The 2024-25 archery-only season kicks off Sept. 28 and hunters should expect to have good harvest numbers and opportunities for quality bucks.
“Given that over half the state experienced excellent habitat conditions this spring, it will be another great season to pull the bow out and spend time hunting,” said Blaise Korzekwa, TPWD White-tailed Deer Program Leader. “Whether you’re looking to fill the freezer with venison or harvest the trophy of a lifetime, it will be time well spent in the field this year.”
Much of the state received drought-quenching rain in the spring, which allowed for excellent habitat growth during the initial part of the growing season. Even those regions that missed out on spring rainfall will still have a good number of mature bucks this season.
Spring forb (weeds and flowering plants) production, which is a critical component of a deer’s diet coming out of winter, was abundant and offered essential nutrients to boost antler development in bucks and aids does in meeting lactation demands for nursing fawns. Additionally, the improved habitat conditions over the summer helped keep fawns healthy enough to survive their first few months (also known as fawn recruitment).
While the archery-only and Managed Lands Deer Program seasons begin Sept. 28, the general season opens more than a month later, on Nov. 2. The general season runs through Jan. 5, 2025, in the North Zone and Jan. 19, 2025, in the South Zone. A youth-only gun deer season is set in both zones for Oct. 25-27 and Jan. 6-19. For additional late season deer hunting opportunities, county specific regulations and information on how to properly tag and report a harvest, consult the 2024-25 Outdoor Annual.
Landowners and hunters play a critical role in managing Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Before heading to the field, hunters are reminded that several new CWD zones are in place for the 2024-25 season, and some have transitioned to voluntary sampling. New carcass disposal requirements are also in place this license year, so Texas hunters harvesting white-tailed deer and mule deer must comply with carcass disposal requirements when transporting the carcass away from the property of harvest.
The most effective way to help slow the spread of CWD is by reporting sick deer, properly disposing of unused carcass parts and voluntarily testing harvests. More information about carcass disposal requirements, zone boundaries and requirements, and check station dates and hours of operations can be found on TPWD’s CWD website.
Archery hunters are required to purchase an Archery Endorsement in addition to their hunting license. Hunters taking advantage of Texas Public Hunting Lands must have the Annual Public Hunting Permit. Public land hunters should also consult the Public Hunting Lands Map Booklet to review regulations that may apply to specific areas. The Texas Hunt & Fish app (formerly My Texas Hunt Harvest) can be used to complete on-site registration electronically at a public hunting area.
Those interested in learning more about archery and bowhunting, or anyone who is looking to brush up on their skills ahead of the season, are encouraged to explore Bowhunter by Fall, a newsletter series presented by TPWD’s Community Archery Program.
Ken Milam
The Great Outdoors
On Sept. 19 members from Alamo Crane Service, Rocky Hill Equipment Rentals & JCH Construction enjoyed a guy’s night out at the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center for the 36th Annual New Braunfels Downtown Rotary Wild Game Dinner. Everyone enjoyed food, drinks, raffles, live & silent auctions. Since 2005, the Downtown Rotary has donated almost $4 million to benefit the non-profit organizations in the New Braunfels community.
Michael Weeks with Lone Star Materials, Michael Sireno with BakerTriangle, and Brett Patton with Mill Steel had a great time on their recent alligator hunt near New Orleans, LA. They left out of Delacroix, LA. and came back in with three gators. The biggest one being 13 feet. Bayou Bowfishing Charters & Alligator Hunting Outfitters who the three hired to take hunting said the season has been on a wet roll but the gators are biting. Impressive hunt fellas!!
The Rocky Hill & JCH Construction team - Stacy Turner, Chuck Villanueva, Jesus Baeza, Wes Clark, Thomas Fryer, Clifton Fischer, Willie Chavis, Colson Clark
Owner, Marvin Ohlenbusch (center) and his Alamo Crane crew.
Happy Dove Hunting season from the Cleary Zimmermann Engineers! This year, Danny Zimmermann and Wade Cleary took their team and clients to enjoy an outstanding hunt together for some appreciation and countrifying.
The Nunnelly General Contractor team travelled to the Kincaid Ranch on the outskirts of Uvalde for their Nunnelly Dove Hunt. Such a cool experience and great team building event! Thank you to Frye Outdoors and Kincaid Ranch for hosting an awesome event.
The Great Outdoors High School Tournament on LBJ
Let’s switch it up from the normal fishing reports and talk about an event I participated in this week. I was asked to boat captain for some high school students last month in a tournament on lake LBJ. I was excited and nervous! I was excited because I don’t get the opportunity to captain very often, but nervous because I hadn’t taken these kids fishing before. And I really wanted to ensure, that above all they had a good time.
As a fishing guide, and someone who fishes quite a few tournaments myself, being a boat captain can be a little tricky. I often feel I have to go to places I think would be good, or throw baits that I think would work best. However, I have to keep an open mind and continue to let the kids do what they feel will produce results and provide guidance if they seem to be getting frustrated. Maintaining this balance is also what leads to the kids having the best time possible.
I ended up getting really lucky and these kids had actually had quite a bit of experience, and they even spent some time on the lake before the tournament. They already knew some areas they wanted to fish and lures they wanted to throw. I didn’t have to do much in terms of coaching, just give some tips on how to throw lures or how to set the hook for better hookup ratios on some baits. Things were looking up to having a really good day!
We knew we wanted to start the tournament throwing frogs and chatterbaits. So we began on some shallow aquatic vegetation. As we worked down the bank throwing frogs we weren’t having much success. That was when I panned behind the boat and noticed some deeper grass. We shifted to throwing chatterbaits. We saw tons of bait and fish in this grass and right when I was thinking, we’ve got to get a fish soon, BAM one of the kids catches their first keeper. It was a two pound five ounce fish, a great first fish to have.
was a monster fish! We are both sitting there, me with the net and him fighting this fish thinking this could be his personal best bass. After a few more seconds go by I notice this isn’t fighting like a bass should. Then the fish comes to the surface. It’s a huge catfish! Wow! Of course, I’m trying to video tape him fighting this catfish on a light spinning rod. Everything was so hectic, but I turned around and noticed the other kid had just put a bass in the boat. Holy smokes, things are even getting crazier. I’m busy trying to help land this catfish, and the other kid is landing bass after bass while the fight is going on. After about five minutes we finally get this monster flathead in the boat, and it ended up being twenty pounds! All while the other kid landed three more keeper bass to finish up the limit. I’d say that was a good stop!
We did manage to have a limit, but it wasn’t a very large limit. We needed some bigger fish to have a chance at winning. We continued to bounce around the lake the rest of day and culled out two of our smallest fish with a three pounder, and a two and half pounder. We never found that kicker fish we were looking for. But for these kids first ever high school bass fishing tournament, I believe it was a success! They caught a ton of fish, a huge catfish, and finished in the top third of the field. I’m looking forward to captaining these kids in the future. And I would say they had a good time!
After we fished that grass flat, and a couple other grassy areas we were sitting on two keepers. The goal is to have five solid keepers for weigh in. So we started switching up tactics. We went to a stretch of bank that had nice big rocks and a steep drop off. A perfect place for shad to pile on, and for bass to ambush said bait. One of the anglers was fishing a dropshot, and the other was fishing a crankbait, that way one was fishing fast and one slow to test which would work better. The kid fishing the dropshot was explaining to me how he had just got that rod and reel, and really wanted to catch his first fish on it! It was right then that he had gotten a bite. He sets the hook, and it
Captain Evan Coleman Big Bassin’ Fishing Tours
Sponsored by: Daiwa USA
While fishing Lake Braunig, Tim and his son Noah with a couple of nice reds caught on a recent charter trip with our very own outdoor writer and guide, Evan Coleman.
Hogg Memorial Auditorium Reno
The SpawGlass-Austin team was thrilled to accept an award for Outstanding Construction from Associated General Contractors (AGC) Texas Building Branch for their historic restoration of the Hogg Memorial Auditorium at The University of Texas at Austin.
Nestled on a busy section of the University of Texas at Austin campus, the Hogg Memorial Auditorium was the first theater to be built on the campus and has stood as a symbol of cultural and academic significance since 1933, providing the University with a stage for inspiration, education and entertainment for generations.
The passage of time and evolving needs of the community, however, necessitated a transformation for this unique space. As construction managerat-risk, SpawGlass partnered with McKinney York Architects to help
restore and preserve this delicate and significant part of the University’s history.
The exterior renovation addressed several issues, including replacement of the sub-roof, cleaning of the exterior walls, waterproofing and installing new doors and solar shade windows. The tight working space near a busy street required close coordination with campus facilities and the scheduling of exterior work during campus breaks and downtime to minimize disruptions to the surrounding area.
Inside the auditorium, the restoration process was an intricate endeavor. Interior work began with removal of the original seats, which were later replaced with new seats specially designed to match the originals. An expansive 40foot scaffolding structure was constructed and stood for nearly a year to facilitate ceiling work. Lighting and sound elements were upgraded,
enhancing the overall experience for attendees. The team commissioned a local artist to hand-carve and paint restored plaster pieces, breathing new life into the ornate carvings that adorn the stage and mezzanine areas. The addition of motors for stage curtains, a new sound booth, acoustic improvements and new backstage spaces modernized the auditorium’s theatrical capabilities, ensuring it can adapt to the ever-evolving world of performing arts. The addition of genderneutral accessible restrooms, ramps to the theater, handrails and a wheelchair lift guarantee every visitor can now enjoy the auditorium fully.
The restoration and renovation of Hogg Memorial Auditorium was not without its share of challenges. One such challenge emerged in the form of an unexpected basement expansion, which involved cutting a hole in the slab of the
building and lowering equipment to dig and expand the space to accommodate a new air handling unit. Senior Project Manager Mayur Sethi recalls feeling excitement at the prospect of this particular challenge, stating “We had to get creative. We ended up bringing in the manufacturer of the air handler to assist with devising a plan to install the unit, which had to be disassembled, transported through the basement hatch in pieces and reassembled within the restricted space.”
Throughout the unique hurdles presented by this elaborate restoration project, the team worked together with expert dedication. Senior Superintendent Joey Clepper likened the team’s effort to a challenging football game: “Everyone had a position to play and a role to fill, and we all worked as a team to strategize and put together a game plan to tackle this project.”
A Unique Opportunity to Give Back
The Home Builders Association (HBA) Austin celebrated the closing of two HBA Benefit Homes – one by Taylor Morrison, one of the nation’s leading homebuilders and developers, generously donated the residential lot and built the charity home in Leander’s Travisso, and one by Brookfield Residential who generously donated the residential lot and paid to build the four-bedroom, three-bathroom home, including the cost of labor and materials in South Austin’s Easton Park.
In the Driver’s Seat
In honor of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, Holt was excited to highlight driver, Chiantae Butler! Outside of work, Chiantae enjoys cutting hair and spending time with family and friends during game nights. Her perfect weekend? Relaxing by the water or on a cruise ship. Chiantae comes from a large, loving family, she loves big family gatherings and cookouts where they are able to create memories.
What makes Chiantae’s job great? The amazing people she works with. She says the HOLT CAT team feels like a second family, making each day on the job even more rewarding. She’s also proud to have been a Truck Driver for 10 years and still loving it!
Williamson County Officials Push Forward on Justice Center Improvement
Williamson County officials approved the maximum price to be paid for two construction projects related to improving justice system spaces, which will add room to hear more cases and improve security.
At a September 17th meeting, commissioners unanimously approved the guaranteed maximum price proposals of a Justice Center improvement project alongside Phase 1 and 2 of the Juvenile Justice Center Addition. Upon a permit approval in December, the Juvenile Justice Addition construction will go into 2027.
The Justice Complex Improvements Project and the Juvenile Justice Addition’s GMP is $646,184 and $78.09 million respectively, according to county documents.
At an Aug. 20 meeting, commissioners discussed possible alternative building sites for the Justice Center, according to previous Community Impact reporting. The court will revisit the proposal and timeline in October.
The Juvenile Justice Addition project will have five phases total, Precinct 3 Commissioner Valerie Covey said. Its construction timeline awaits a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and drainage issues on-site to be fixed.
The construction design is fairly complete, and the TCEQ permit is hopefully arriving in December, with a groundbreaking to follow, said Dale
Butler, Williamson County facilities senior director.
Upon the permit approval, Phase 1 will last 18 months, consisting of new construction beside the existing facility and an added courtroom, Butler said. Afterward, Phase 2 will begin next and go into summer 2027, consisting of a remodel in the existing intake area.
The GMP for Phase 1 and 2 of the Juvenile Justice Addition is over the previous amount commissioners had approved, Covey said. The first item to consider cutting to lower costs would be the added courtroom, but Covey said she currently supports it.
“The current space in the Juvenile
Detention Center is not adequate for the hearings that are going on, but more importantly, it’s a way of moving forward,” Covey said.
The added courtroom would hear from juvenile and civil cases, while the first two phases would aim to improve security and visitation opportunities, Covey said.
After breaking ground on a new Williamson County administration building, the headquarters is set to begin operations by December 2025.
County Judge Bill Gravell said he likes the idea of the additional courtroom, but would prefer getting the pricing on completing the road from
the administration entrance to juvenile services, which commissioners have not yet budgeted.
“Between the Juvenile Justice Addition, the county administration and this drainage project—which are all within 200 yards of each other—we’ve got about $180 million dollars of construction going on,” Gravell said. “That’s a lot of people and a lot of moving.”
In the days ahead, Gravell said it would be wise to set aside money for the planning portion.
“We’re building rather a large county community there, and paths for getting in and out are important,” Gravell said.
Brookfield Residential groundbreaking
The Benefit Home built by Brookfield Residential ribbon cutting
The Benefit Home was built by Taylor Morrison in Easton Park, a 2,700-acre master-planned community in Southeast Austin.
Taylor Morrison groundbreaking
Women in Business
Rising Star, Gabriella Bermea, Associate, VLK Architects is passionate about education and is using her role as an architect to ensure students all over Texas have access to inspiring classroom environments.
Bermea, the youngest associate in VLK Architects’ nearly 40-year history, obtained her architect license in 2021 at the age of 26 and hasn’t looked back.
Her work has impacted 15 school districts and nonprofit organizations through over 2.9 million square feet and $1.2 billion of designed projects to date. Notable projects include the Legacy Ranch High School in Liberty Hill ISD, which will serve 2,800 students when it opens in 2027, and Lake Travis ISD’s second high school, which was designed as a comprehensive high school campus to serve 1,500 students.
“From an early age, I felt a deep call to serve others. I wanted the chance to amplify a community to facilitate what their needs are. Architecture was that path to leave a mark on generations to come,” she said.
When she isn’t serving in various leadership positions for boards and associations, Bermea has dedicated her time to advocating for equity in the architecture industry. She is one of the 1% of licensed Latina architects in the U.S. — a goal many people tried to steer her from during college.
Some of her proudest accomplishments include partnering with local school districts to provide underrepresented students access to job shadowing within the architecture field and serving educational and nonprofit clients across the state of Texas.
Bermea is currently serving as the 2023-24 AIA National’s Young Architects Forum communications director, editorin-chief of Connection Magazine and the 2024-25 vice president of practice and recognition with the Texas Society of Architects. She’s also a mentor with the Young Women’s Alliance of Austin and a member of the National Steering Committee for Mental Health with Latina Professionals. She is also on the advisory board for the ACE Mentor Program of
Austin.
What advice would you give to women early in their careers?
Build relationships. Genuine, real relationships. Ask questions and be vulnerable. There is a responsibility we have to our next generation. We must make growing upcoming architects and designers our priority and leave this profession better than we found it.
What are your professional goals?
My professional goal would be to bring our community into every process — enriching the experience for our students and educators, ultimately tying back to my childhood as the daughter of a public educator, dedicated to bridging the gap of our educational to industry experience.
How do you give back to the community, inside and outside of the workplace?
I have had the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors for the ACE Mentor Program of Austin for 6 years, previously serving as a lead mentor. In that time, over 600 hours have been dedicated to the ACE Mentor Program of America through my leadership and mentorship. Since the program’s start, our board has built a legacy with over $200,000 (in scholarships) awarded to local students, 650-plus Austin-area students mentored, 42 Austin-area high schools represented, and over 400% enrollment growth since 2015. With over half our board, mentors and students identifying as women, our combined dedicated time will lead to us increasing the 25% of women architects and reshape the built environment together.
I’ve also been fortunate to serve on the board for the Pflugerville Education Foundation, contributing to the district’s vision for quality education with a commitment to excellence and the Foundation’s awarding of more than $2 million to PfISD students and teachers. I’ve had the opportunity to start my own scholarship with my husband, Brian Hernandez titled the ‘Build Your Future’ scholarship for the future architects, engineers and construction professionals of Pflugerville ISD.
Manhard Consulting, a full-service civil engineering, surveying, and land planning firm, is pleased to announce the promotion of Zach Steele, PE, to senior project manager. Based in the firm’s Austin, Texas office, Steele will lead teams through all phases of private land development projects, with a particular focus on multi-family residential, urban core development, affordable housing, mixed-use, industrial, and retail sectors.
Steele began his career as an intern at Manhard and joined the firm as a staff engineer, quickly advancing to senior project manager. With 10 years of experience, he brings extensive knowledge of the development process and a strong track record of collaborating with clients to ensure the successful delivery of complex projects. His understanding of the Austin market further enhances his capability to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities of the region.
Steele received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois.
Submissions
ACCOUNTING OSHA
Blueprint for Success: Strengthen
Your Construction Firm with 3 Pillars of Internal Controls
Christopher Vasquez, Partner Aprio Rockville, MD
If you are an owner in the construction industry, a critical and often overlooked area within the business includes sound internal controls. Strengthening them is a blueprint for accurate financial reporting and protection of your company’s assets.
Internal controls are policies and procedures designed to improve the reliability of information and prevent the misappropriation, or theft, of company assets. The main components of internal control include the control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, and monitoring.
Soundness
Starts with Separation of Duties
In its most basic form, a sound internal control system starts with the segregation of duties. In other words, this means identifying different individuals to handle different tasks so no one person has control over an entire transaction. The three primary areas, or pillars, to focus on are:
• Authorization: The process of delegating the authority to someone in the organization to perform and approve a task. A treasurer approving a wire transfer or signing a check is one example.
Recordation: The process of record keeping transactions in the accounting system. An example is an accounts payable clerk, a controller, or some other personnel in the accounting department.
• Custody: The process of having control of an asset related to a transaction. An example from the cash disbursement cycle includes having custody of blank check stock or having the ability to access bank portals to initiate a wire transfer.
When these three functions are segregated, the internal control system is well-designed, which helps minimize the chances of theft or fraud. Additionally, these measures help detect and prevent inadvertent errors.
Construct a Firewall Against Fraud by Segregating Duties
Internal fraud is something for which all businesses should be on guard. One
common fraud scheme includes the utilization of ghost vendors. For instance, if an accounts payable clerk has the ability to add vendors to an approved vendors list, the payables clerk can create a ghost vendor and set up unauthorized payments to be made. With sound internal controls in place, the payables clerk would not be authorized to access or modify the approved vendors list. Similarly, a payroll department employee might add a ghost employee to direct payments to themselves through payroll runs if proper checks and balances are not in place.
Overcome
the Biggest Obstacle to Internal Controls:
Cost-Benefit Measurement
The biggest challenge in implementing internal controls is costbenefit measurement. This is the process of measuring the benefits of a decision by comparing them with the projected costs to determine whether it is feasible to implement. In smaller organizations with two or three employees, owners might hesitate to expand accounting staff to segregate duties. And while segregating duties isn’t a guarantee that fraud or errors will not occur since employee collusion and overrides of control are always a threat, it does serve as a solid foundation. We recommend consulting a professional advisor to determine the best next steps for your organization when implementing internal controls.
Build a Strong Foundation by Focusing on Three Pillars
Separating the three pillars –authorization, recordation, and custody – is vital for effective internal controls. A best practice is to consult with a CPA about your current accounting practices and needs. Aprio, a premier business advisory and accounting firm, can evaluate your internal controls and provide strategies for improvement. If you need help evaluating your internal controls and determining next best steps, contact Aprio today.
OLEGAL
What the construction industry should know about the new Texas Business Court
Kyle Zunker, Principal Cokinos | Young San Antonio, TX
n September 1, 2024, a new court opened for business in Texas. The Texas Business Court is the first of its kind in the Lone Star State—a court of limited jurisdiction dedicated to handling certain business dispute cases. To understand this unique court and how it might impact the construction industry, it is helpful to review the basic structure of the Texas Judiciary.
Other than the new Texas Business Court, the trial courts of Texas are courts of general jurisdiction organized geographically by county. Depending on its population, a county may have several types of trial courts, including district courts, constitutional county courts, statutory county courts, probate courts, justice courts, and municipal courts. Generally speaking, these courts have different but sometimes overlapping jurisdiction to handle all sorts of legal cases that arise in their county, from a slip-and-fall at the grocery store to a capital murder charge to a multi-million-dollar commercial dispute to an uncontested divorce. Appeals from these trial courts go to one of the fourteen intermediate appellate courts, which are also organized geographically. Finally, the Supreme Court of Texas and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals serve as the highest courts in the State for civil and criminal cases, respectively.
These trial courts are busy. In 2022, there were more than 7.3 million cases filed in the Texas Judiciary. Of those cases, approximately 1.4 million were civil, as opposed to criminal and family. Around 82% of the civil cases regarded municipal and administrative issues, consumer debt, landlord-tenant disputes, and civil proceedings related to criminal cases. Of the remaining 18% of civil cased filed, only a small portion were complex business disputes. Thus, the trial courts in Texas must process a tremendous volume of cases, of which a tiny fraction are complex business disputes that involve legal issues and factual contentions foreign to the vast majority of the cases before the trial courts. As a result, lawyers and litigants in complex business disputes have often felt out of place in the general jurisdiction trial courts that are understandably more familiar with the types of cases they handle more often.
In recognition of these trends, the 88th Texas Legislature created the Texas Business Court in 2023 by passing House Bill No. 19, which amended the Texas Government Code by adding Chapter 25A. The newly formed Texas Business Court has several key differences from the general jurisdiction trial courts.
1. The Texas Business Court has limited jurisdiction. The court has
jurisdiction to hear only certain types of business disputes. A full statement of the court’s jurisdiction is beyond the scope of this article and can be found in Texas Government Code § 25A.004. In summary, the court has jurisdiction to hear: (i) cases regarding the governance of a publicly traded company, (ii) cases regarding the governance of a private company if the amount in controversy exceeds $5 million, and (iii) contract disputes in which the contract value and the amount in controversy both exceed $10 million.
2. A defendant can remove a case to the Texas Business Court. If a plaintiff files suit in a district court or county court for a case within the Texas Business Court’s jurisdiction, the defendant may remove the case to the Texas Business Court. The defendant must file the removal within 30 days of the date that it discovered, or reasonably should have discovered, the facts establishing the Texas Business Court’s jurisdiction.
3. Appeals go to the 15th Court of Appeals. The Texas Business Court is not the only new court on the block. The Texas Legislature also created the 15th Court of Appeals, which, like the Texas Business Court, is a court of statewide, limited jurisdiction. The 15th Court of Appeals has exclusive jurisdiction over all appeals arising from the Texas Business Court.
4. The parties can request a written opinion. Unlike the district and county courts, where the court’s order on a dispositive motion might simply say “denied,” the judges of the Texas Business Court must issue a written opinion (i) “in connection with a dispositive ruling, on the request of a party” and (ii) “on an issue important to the jurisprudence of the state, regardless of request.”
What does all of this mean for the construction industry? It is too early to know how things will play out, but we may see two things. First, the contracting parties on larger projects who would ordinarily elect for arbitration instead of general jurisdiction trial courts now have another option in the Texas Business Court, so we may see more construction related cases being tried in the courthouse. Second, if parties elect to use the Texas Business Court rather than arbitration, we may see a new source for the generation of construction law. While arbitration awards are almost always confidential and have no precedential status in the law, the business court judges would issue written opinions supporting dispositive decisions, which would be reviewed by the 15th Court of Appeals in written opinions.
INSURANCE
WOSHA
Occupational Safety and Health Administration has adjustments to regional boundaries and assignments
Monica Comacho, Area Director OSHA Austin Area Austin, TX
ith the start of a new fiscal year on October 1, the U.S. Department of Labor has made some strategic changes to better align its operations and serve workers and employers here in Austin and throughout Texas and eight other states, stretching from Alabama to New Mexico.
To respond to the continued significant workforce growth in these areas, the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has adjusted its regional boundaries and assignments to ensure the agency is positioned properly to protect the rising number of workers employed in hazardous occupations and industries.
As a result, the existing Dallas Region (formerly Region VI) will now be responsible for outreach and enforcement in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico and we’ve created a new Birmingham Region to include jurisdiction over Alabama (including coverage in the Florida Panhandle), Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.
Since March 2023, I’ve been privileged to serve as OSHA Area Director for Austin and the surrounding counties. In the 15 years since I joined the agency as an industrial hygienist working in its Austin and San Antonio offices, my belief in the values of hard work, perseverance and growth have deepened greatly.
I have long respected the importance of the work - and the workers - that builds and supports our communities. For those who erect our homes and offices to the people who build and replace our roadways to the workers in the manufacturing and service industries and beyond, OSHA is committed to
ensuring every employee has a safe and healthy workplace and ends their shift without injury or illness.
In my years in this area and as Area Director in Austin, I am grateful for every interaction I have had and consider myself very fortunate to do meaningful work while sharing my passion for protecting the safety and wellbeing of workers in various industries and allowing them to thrive professionally and personally.
For me, creating new opportunities and sharing resources to promote workplace safety and health is a priority. Every person has the right to work in an environment free from harm and danger. When employees feel safe, they are able to focus on the work at-hand and avoid needless and preventable injuries. Employers have a responsibility to promote safety and we encourage them to create a culture where safety is a core value.
To assist employers and workers in understanding the nature of their industries, OSHA has launched an online tool to share severe injury data reported to OSHA since 2015. This interactive tool allows users to search and download statistics by year, industry, state, establishment name, and Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System codes. We encourage you to visit the Severe Injury Report webpage to better understand trends related to workplace injuries and learn about injuries common in your industry.
When it comes to safety, workers and employers have a job to do. So, let’s all get to work on staying safe and healthy.
Lauren Paver Appointed COO
Pfluger Architects, a premier Texasbased architecture firm with extensive experience in educational facility planning, design, and construction administration, strategically adds business leader Lauren Paver as Chief Operating Officer (COO). She brings over 15 years of experience and will play a critical role in leading operational strategies across the firm’s five Texas locations and 130 employees. In collaboration with the Pfluger leadership team, her work supports CEO Terry Hoyle’s vision of creating engaging learning environments by advancing the firm’s purpose of inspiring people to create a meaningful human experience.
As Pfluger COO, Paver will focus on business performance and operations by developing strategy and optimizing the firm for operational effectiveness. An integral leadership team member, she serves as brand ambassador and culture designer by seeking opportunities to integrate the firm’s purpose and core values into its operating system. Paver, an ardent champion of education, humancentered design, and collaboration, brings a fresh perspective to help create clarity and inspire engagement. She has a track record of helping organizations undergoing exponential growth, like Pfluger, achieve their goals of recruiting and retaining top talent while scaling processes, technology, and teams.
“Lauren is engaged, thoughtful, and constantly curious about illuminating Pfluger’s distinctness while integrating components of our history and legacy into our future. She’s dialed in on our vision and her value-driven leadership will guide Pfluger’s day-to-day operating rhythm,” said Terry Hoyle, Pfluger’s CEO. “Lauren’s energy and compassion will undoubtedly provide us with the strategies and structure to support our growth as we strive to inspire our clients and the communities we serve to create meaningful human experiences.”
A graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, where she was recognized as a Distinguished Young Alumna, Paver comes to Pfluger from Higher Order Consulting. As founder and principal consultant, she developed a proprietary methodology to help teams grow and scale their business by defining an organization’s purpose, designing revenue strategies and goals, and developing strategic operating plans to deliver results. Previously, as COO at CLS Partners (acquired by Alliant Insurance Services), she was responsible for leading the implementation of the strategic
operating plan and ensuring the right people, processes, and products were in place to effectively grow the organization and ensure operational effectiveness.
“I’m deeply passionate about education and delighted to contribute my skills and experiences to level up the strong foundation that has been built over the firm’s 50-year history,” said Paver. “It’s inspiring to see how smart design plays a crucial role in creating an environment for students to achieve their full potential. Pfluger-designed spaces spark creativity and focus on the importance of socialemotional learning and commitment to educational excellence. I’m honored to have the opportunity to support our incredible work in shaping the future of education design, and ultimately shaping our communities’ future leaders.”
Recognized by the Austin Business Journal as a Woman of Distinction, Paver has built a career delivering strategic and successful programs and leading the operational transformation of for-profit, non-profit, and governmental organizations. An active volunteer in her community, she was recognized by the E3 Alliance as an Architect of Change for her leadership as co-chair for the Missing School Matters campaign. Paver was recruited by the United States Department of State to serve as a mentor with the German Marshall Fund Young Transatlantic Innovative Leadership Initiative. She has served her local community as an assistant scoutmaster with Scouts of America and as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for youth in foster care. A longtime board member of Impact Austin and ardent supporter of education, Paver has also served on the Advisory Board, Capital Campaign Committee, and Annual Fund Chair for St. Austin Catholic School.
Paver succeeds retiring Principal and COO Mark Lam who navigated strategic growth and transformation at Pfluger over the last 10 years.
Critical Growth
As Texas Critical Systems (TCS) continues to grow, they have been busy recruiting. Project Manager, Robert Gonzalez and Project Manager, Jay Upton, connected with prospects from Texas State University at their Construction & Concrete Industries Career Fair. Further north, Vice President, Tyler Dodd, and Vice President, Keith Kindle flew up to Boise State University and participated in their Construction Industries Career Fair. Wonderful connections were made with university staff and student prospects! TCS sends a big thank you to both universities for hosting such valuable events and fostering the connection from student to employer.
OValor Expansion
n Aug. 6, Valor Education, a network of tuition-free K-12 charter schools, celebrated the grand opening of Valor North Austin’s campus expansion. Built by American Constructors, construction on the new building began in March 2023 and was completed in June. Valor North Austin welcomed students to the expanded campus for the start of the 2024-25 semester. The ceremony included remarks from Valor leadership and tours of the building.
“We were excited to finally share the expanded North Austin campus with our students, teachers, and the greater Austin community,” said Jesse Bates, Chief Operating Officer of Valor Education. “This project would not have been possible without the vision and collaboration from our many partnersphilanthropists, community leaders, and project teams. Thank you to everyone who helped make this project a reality.”
The Valor North Austin campus offers a comprehensive school program where students are invited to engage deeply in the humanities, math, science, athletics, fine arts, and extracurricular activities. Designed in collaboration with Haddon+Cowan Architects, the 51,407 square-foot, three-story building provides ample space for these programs
to grow and for students to thrive. The new spaces include:
• A gymnasium featuring basketball and volleyball courts, bleachers, concessions, and a stage
• A black box theater for plays and choral performances
• A new library for students to read and study
• A larger playground and new courtyard for outdoor learning
An open-air gym and weight room complete with free weights and squat racks
E xpanded faculty commons to foster collaboration among Lower and Upper School teachers
• Middle school and high school science labs
Seminar rooms and intervention rooms for discussions and small groups
E xpanded high school classrooms for music, art, and general education
“We are grateful to celebrate this milestone alongside Valor Education and proud to be a part of the team that brought this project to life,” said Marty Burger, Chief Executive Officer of American Constructors. “We hope the Valor community enjoys their new campus for years to come and that it serves as a positive foundation for all students in their future endeavors.”
American Constructors Team
Headmaster Conor Hill, and the Valor North Austin leaderhip team
Erin Fonner speaking to the crowd before the ribbon cutting
Valor Eduation Executive Team with Headmaster Conor Hill
Project Manager, Robert Gonzalez and Project Manager, Jay Upton
Vice President, Tyler Dodd, and Vice President, Keith Kindle
70 Years of Commitment to Safer Communities
As JM Electronic Engineering (JMEE) prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary, their company continues to demonstrate its dedication to safety and innovation, particularly in the realm of school security. Founded in 1955 and relocating to Pflugerville in 1978, JMEE has become a cornerstone in Central Texas for fire safety and security solutions. The company’s slogan, “Committed to safer communities; serving Texas since 1955.” encapsulates their enduring mission. As a preferred vendor for fire alarm, fire sprinkler, and security systems in school districts, JMEE has been at the forefront of implementing cutting-edge safety measures.
JMEE was founded by James Moore and his wife, Josie. Josie still comes into work every day, and her leadership is a valuable part of company life. James Moore served his country during World War II, becoming an AAF Commissioned Officer (Pilot) in 1944, and, in 1948, he returned to Austin and graduated from The University of Texas with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He went on to obtain a Masters in Economics as well as a Doctorate in Fire Protection Engineering. He was passionate about educating people about life safety systems, and went on to successfully own over 40 businesses. James Moore also invented and held the patent for the automatic tape dialer and wireless smoke detector in 1962. In 2005 the company was awarded to his son, James J. Moore who still leads it today.
One of JMEE’s most significant recent initiatives is the introduction of the Blue Point Alert System. This rapid communication software represents a major advancement in school safety technology. In the event of an emergency, such as a medical crisis or a situation requiring police intervention, school staff can activate a pull station similar to a fire alarm. This action instantly creates a chat room, notifying all relevant parties including school employees and local law enforcement. The system allows authorized personnel to view realtime updates and access the school’s camera system,
The New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation’s Last Tuber’s Exit Project, aimed at improving safety and accessibility for Comal River users, is set to begin construction this November following approval of the updated $1.4 million construction cost.
Scott McClelland, assistant director of transportation and capital improvements, presented an update of the projects to the EDC on Sept. 12.
According to McClelland, project details include:
• Replacing underwater stairs
• Adding a 12-foot-wide landing
• Installing handrails and an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant transfer system
The safety improvements are designed to reduce congestion, make the exit safer for tubers, and limit the need for staff interventions during peak times, McClelland said.
facilitating a swift and coordinated response. The Blue Point Alert System also addresses the requirements of Alyssa’s Law, which mandates silent panic buttons in classrooms. JMEE’s implementation includes blue strobes for silent alerts and wearable lanyards that can activate the system, ensuring that help can be summoned discreetly and quickly in various emergency scenarios.
In a statement from JMEE, they acknowledge the serious nature of the work they do, saying, “As fellow parents in the communities we work in, we believe BluePoint is a valuable tool for schools, because of the pull system. The startling reality is that a student could be the first person to see a threat to common safety. This technology gives students the opportunity to alert police immediately, saving minutes and even seconds that truly matter. It’s something none of us want to even think about, but when it comes to providing safer solutions for our communities, we absolutely do.”
In addition to the Blue Point Alert System, JMEE has expanded its expertise to include Emergency Radio Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES). This technology boosts radio signals within buildings,
ensuring that first responders have reliable communication during emergencies. ERCES has become a crucial component in new construction projects across central Texas jurisdictions.
As JMEE marks this significant milestone, they’re not just celebrating their past achievements. The company is actively shaping the future of safety technology in schools and other facilities. Their upcoming 70th-anniversary celebration March will be held at The Hotspot in Leander and will not only honor their history, but it will also be a chance for all of their dedicated employees who have contributed to the company’s success over the years to get together for a fun night of celebrating, amazing food and live music.
With ongoing projects and partnerships with school districts, JMEE continues to evolve and adapt to the changing landscape of safety and security. Their commitment to innovation and community wellbeing positions them as a leader in the field for years to come. As Central Texas grows and changes, JM Electronic Engineering stands ready to meet new challenges, ensuring that schools and communities remain safe and secure for future generations. -ndw
Comal Last Exit Remodel
“We’re just trying to make it a safer exit for those using the river,” he said.
Here is a breakdown of the funding and cost adjustments for the project, McClelland said:
• The final design of the project was funded with $162,000, which was approved in January 2023
• Construction funding was initially estimated at $1.2 million, with approval granted in April
• The total project cost was revised to $1.4 million after construction bids came in higher than expected
• An additional $252,000 was secured through the city’s fiscal year 2024-25 budget to cover the funding gap
The plan is to present the construction contract for approval at the Oct. 14 city council meeting, McClelland said.
Construction on the project is scheduled to begin in November and expected to be complete by March 2025, McClelland said, though weather conditions could potentially cause delays.
