Austin Construction News February 2025 by Construction News

Fueling Communities

TProject Update

he SpawGlass team joined their repeat client, Kahlig Auto Group for a groundbreaking celebration as construction kicks off for their new Bluebonnet Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep Dealership in New Braunfels! This new dealership marks a milestone of growth for Kahlig Auto Group and the city of New Braunfels. N

unnelly General Contractors is making great progress on the new Seguin ISD - Home of the Matadors, McQueeney Elementary School. Despite these cold temperatures their project team is hard at work, and they are seeing some incredible progress. Stay tuned for more future updates as they continue to build the future of education.

Low-comotive Emissions

Cemex is proud to announce its participation in multiple governmentsponsored sustainability initiatives, securing funding from state and federal programs to deploy several lower-emission vehicles across its U.S. footprint. This remarkable investment is a crucial step in the company’s ongoing efforts to decarbonize its operations.

Through the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP), Cemex was awarded approximately $13 million to obtain four lower-emission locomotives and two haul trucks for its cement and aggregate sites in New Braunfels and Katy, Texas. The TERP program provides financial incentives to eligible individuals, businesses, or local governments to reduce emissions from polluting vehicles and equipment. Three of the four new locomotives and both haul trucks entered service in late 2023 and mid2024 in New Braunfels, respectively.

TFamily Business

exas Traditions Roofing , a family owned, commercial and residential roofing company serving Central Texas, announced the promotion of Connor Guthrie from business manager into the role of Chief Financial Officer.

“Connor has been part of the Texas Traditions Roofing family for the last five years and played a key role in the growth of our company,” stated Texas Traditions Roofing President Michael Pickel. “He has held several positions here which gives him a well-rounded view of the business and he has a strong financial background that will be key to our continued growth.”

As CFO, Guthrie will provide sound financial leadership, guiding strategic decisions that ensure the company continues to operate profitably while also achieving revenue goals and continued growth.

He has extensive knowledge in finance, having worked as a financial advisor and options trader, and holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Texas A&M University. Guthrie resides in Georgetown with his wife of eight years and two children, a son and a daughter, ages three and 17 months

respectively. Outside of work, Guthrie enjoys spending time outdoors with his family and is very active in his church where he plays the drums and his wife sings. When time allows, you may see him out on the golf course.

Addison Prime’s Journey to Success

Addison Prime is celebrating 5 successful years in business! Addison Prime provides general and subcontracting solutions, as well as project management services, for your commercial construction needs. Their licensed and certified staff provide high quality, cost-effective solutions tailored to specific projects. This milestone is a testament to the vision and determination of its founder, Yvonne Addison , who has successfully navigated the challenges of starting and growing a business in the competitive construction industry during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Yvonne’s journey to founding Addison Prime is unique and inspiring. With a degree in mechanical engineering from UTSA, she began her career in an automotive research lab, focusing on automatic

transmission fluid testing. After doing that work part time during college and for a time after, she then decided to change careers and industries. She then began a career with Standard Arrow, and spent the next nine years there, focused on engineering, continuous improvement and product management. Among one of her last projects at Standard Arrow she had the opportunity to focus more on facility integration, working on the owner side, improvement projects and gaining more experience with subcontractors and permitting. With that work she concentrated on a new focus in her career. Yvonne then completed the Executive MBA program at UTSA. From that she was confident that she had the business acumen and a strong foundation that inspired her to pursue starting her own company one day. Following that path, things began falling into place. Yvonne soon found herself with an opportunity to go work for a general contractor here in San Antonio, helping their owner build more structure to their operations and growth.

Yvonne was ready to put her feet down and focus on starting Addison Prime. Yvonne says, “We will be celebrating five years in February. As we all remember, five years ago in February was a very interesting time to start a business. I wasn’t anticipating, I don’t think anybody was really anticipating what COVID was going to become in March of that year. But I remained focused, and said, if I consider this a reason not to move forward, or pause and come back to it maybe down the road, I might not have ever continued to move forward with it. So I decided to keep going.”

That determination has paid off. Addison Prime has grown every year since its inception, establishing itself as a commercial general contractor specializing

in healthcare facilities, industrial projects, and commercial interior renovations. The company’s success is built on a foundation of strong relationships and technical expertise. “We have been working with University Health since the getgo,” Yvonne proudly states. “They have been wonderful partners. We’ve done over 30 projects with them to date.” This partnership exemplifies Addison Prime’s commitment to building trust and delivering quality work.

As a certified small minority woman-owned business and HUB, Addison Prime brings a unique perspective to the construction industry. The company has tackled diverse projects, from renovating Judge Peter Sakai’s office to replacing the perimeter fence at the San Antonio Zoo. Reflecting on the zoo project, Yvonne shares a lighthearted moment: “It was fun to hear the animals in the morning. You don’t typically get that on a construction site!” Looking ahead, Yvonne and her team at Addison Prime are poised for continued growth and success. With a solid foundation built over the past five years, the company is wellpositioned to take on new challenges and opportunities in the industry.

Congratulations once again to Yvonne and the entire team at Addison Prime General Contractors on this significant milestone. Here’s to many more years of building success! -ndw

Breaking the Bank

Hill Country National Bank, a full-service branch of Llano National Bank, is gearing up to hold its groundbreaking celebration for the new Marble Falls Branch. San Antonio-based Metropolitan Contracting Company (METRO) is the General Contractor charged with the construction of the Hill Country National Bank location. Hill Country National Bank is excited to celebrate their newest branch at this beautiful location to better serve the community.

Left to Right:

John David Baker - President & CEO, Hill Country National Bank

Jane Feigenbaum - CEO, Metropolitan Contracting Company (METRO)

Taylor Jordan - Managing Principal, Metropolitan Contracting Company (METRO)

Kevin Virdell – Burnet County Market President, HCNB

Ashlie Bauman - Hill Country National Bank

Joe Johnson - Hill Country National Bank

Bill Wootan - Hill Country National Bank

Frosty Miller - Hill Country National Bank

Dr. Steve Hoerster - Hill Country National Bank

Jimmy Hoerster - Hill Country National Bank

Steve Haverlah - Hill Country National Bank

William Buttery - Hill Country National Bank

Taylor Jordan - Managing Principal, Metropolitan Contracting Company

Tyler Guest - Director, METRO Austin, Metropolitan Contracting Company

he Texas Society of Architects (TxA) introduces 2025 President Jason E. Puchot, AIA. Jason will lead the Society as its 84th president.

Jason first served TxA 20 years ago as a Young Regional Associate Director in 2005. He recalls being welcomed with open arms as an emerging professional by past presidents including Richard Bundy, FAIA; Elizabeth Chu Richter, FAIA; and Jeffrey Potter, FAIA.

“I have always remembered that warmth and it has been the driving force of my continued participation and decision to lead the Society in 2025,” says Jason. “I look forward to continuing to advance our strategic priorities while pushing to increase the communication and interaction with our schools of architecture around the state. I’m excited for the opportunities ahead to work with the wonderful staff, board, and other leaders across the state.”

Jason is a senior vice president for RVK Architecture in San Antonio where he is one of four principals over the architecture studio of the multidisciplined firm. As a board-certified healthcare architect, he is also the senior healthcare planner for the firm. For more than two decades, Jason has leveraged evidence-based architecture to transform rural and urban healthcare facilities for his clients. In addition to healthcare design, his work also includes industrial, transportation, higher education, and commercial development projects.

Jason started his service with the AIA immediately after graduating from Texas A&M University where he earned a Bachelor of Environmental Design. After graduation, he moved to Boston, where he first took an interest in helping others become licensed architects. His first AIA state role was in 2001 as the Intern Development Program State Coordinator for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. During his first year of service, he presented at Harvard and Northeastern on the path to licensure. Shortly thereafter, he relocated back to Texas, this time to Houston.

While in Houston, Jason expanded his network at AIA Houston, where he helped establish and co-chair the Intern Advocate Group, connecting emerging professionals with established architects for mentoring. He also served as a cochair of the 2004 TxA Annual Conference in Houston. His commitment to the advancement of the profession got him elected to the TxA Board and a national position at AIA from 2004-2006 as the

Regional Associate Director. During that time, he also served as co-chair of the Education Student Liaison Committee at TxA, working to strengthen the communication between educators, practitioners, and students by facilitating meetings with deans of colleges of architecture, students, and TxA.

In 2008, Jason and his family returned home to San Antonio where he continued his involvement with the local AIA chapter. There, he helped establish a Healthcare Knowledge Community for the chapter, with a mission of promoting the established local healthcare designers. Jason was later nominated to the AIA San Antonio Board of Directors from 20152017 during which time he chaired his second TxA Annual Conference in 2016. Jason was honored to be elected president of AIA San Antonio in 2018.

After his service in San Antonio, he turned his sights towards state representation and in 2019, was asked to sit on TxA’s Finance Committee, gaining valuable experience and eventually serving as TxA Treasurer in 2020-2021.

Jason was awarded the 2006 Texas Society of Architects Associate of the Year Award for his work in the profession. He continues to be an advocate for professional development in San Antonio as an active participant in the ACE Mentoring Program since 2017, and most recently on the Executive Council of the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce as the Leadership and Professional Development Council Chair in 2023.

Jason met his wife Julie while at Texas A&M and has two children; William, who is a sophomore at Miami of Ohio studying music, and Haley, a high school junior. His passion for mentoring extends beyond architecture, where he has coached youth hockey since 2014 and most recently serves as assistant coach for the Texas State University ACHA Division 2 Hockey team.

Jason Puchot

On Jan. 14 during the January member luncheon, the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Austin celebrated the installation of the 2025 HBA Board of Directors. Leading the HBA Board this year is Melissa Brown, VP of Sales - Central Texas at Chesmar Homes. As they gear up for a year of new programming and professional development opportunities for their members, they’re thrilled to see all that Melissa and their

Installing New Leaders

Board accomplish in support of the home building industry in 2025.

In addition to the board installation, HBA Past President Nancy Stroder and CEO Taylor Jackson recognized select HBA members who demonstrated leadership excellence and an outstanding impact on the home building industry in the last year. The HBA of Greater Austin is grateful for the latest recipients of the

Nash Phillips President’s Award and their commitment to the industry and HBA:

• Cody Carr, Carr Residential Ray Tonjes, Ray Tonjes Builder

• Tim Hill, Risinger Build Olivia Garcia, MLAW Engineers

• Mike Fisher, Pape-Dawson Engineers

• The Team at Taylor Morrison”

Gavel exchange between HBA Past President, Nancy Stroder (right) and 2025 President, Melissa Brown (left)

2025 Board of Directors

Nancy Stroder, Cody Carr with Carr Residential and Taylor Jackson

Nancy Stroder, Mike Fisher of PapeDawson Engineers and Taylor Jackson

Nancy Stroder, Olivia Garcia of MLAW Engineers and Taylor Jackson

The Team at Taylor Morrison

Nancy Stroder, Ray Tonjes of Ray Tonjes Builder and Taylor Jackson

IThe Great Outdoors

Ken Milam’s Fishing Line

Reeling in Christmas

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

think we just had winter! We just missed out on the snow this time, but judging by the pictures and reports we’ve seen, a lot of you folks did get in on it!

It looks like we are getting this year off to a good start and heads up, Valentines Day is already just around the corner, just in case you hadn’t remembered! Don’t forget your sweetie and don’t forget to get on the water chasing after the white bass spawn any time now! Time is flying and spring is on the way.

Now is the time to get your Spring Break plans set up. I know in our charter fishing business, we start booking trips fast after February 1st because so many people want to get the family out for Spring Break trips, and April, May and June bring us some of the best fishing of the year. We see weekend trips get snapped up first and then have more available trips during the weekdays. On Spring Break though, every day will be in demand. I think most other outdoor pursuits see a similar run on availability this time of year so book your plans early to get the best dates!

We are really looking forward to fishing this coming year on Lake Buchanan. We had a gap in our striper stockings back in 2020 because of covid. That year everyone was more worried about us surviving and working through a pandemic, so the exacting process of raising

fingerling stripers had to be impacted just like everything else. Kudos to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. for doing such an excellent job in keeping our stocking program so strong year after year, but sometimes nature can trip us up. The last year or so we have seen the effect of that missed stocking because the fish that would have been big enough to keep just weren’t there. The fingerlings stocked since then have been growing as fast as they can and this year, they will be keepers and there are a lot of them!

It is my hope that you will find a way to get the young people you know outside during Spring Break. We are so blessed to have so many recreational opportunities available to us here in Texas! From the Gulf Coast to the mountains, Hill Country to Piney Woods, desert, and plains, we have it all and we need to enjoy it! There is a wide array of state and national parks and monuments to explore as well as your local parks.

The sad fact is that based on the sales of hunting and fishing licenses there is a noticeable trend that older people are the ones that are enjoying our natural resources. We are not doing a good job of passing this heritage down to our kids and grandkids. We need to encourage them to fish and hunt and explore and camp! If we don’t use these opportunities in the future, how long will it be before we lose them?

We can do this for them!

Some stay home for Christmas, waiting for good old Saint Nick to arrive, preparing Christmas feasts, desserts, and cookies. Others travel to celebrate with relatives and friends. While others just like to change things up a bit. For the Carrillo family, it was more so the latter.

Rey Carrillo of Alamo Crane Service took his family fishing on Christmas Eve. And did it pay off! Santa Claus didn’t have to settle for milk and cookies at the Carrillo house. No sir! KC and Aubrey Carrillo surprised Santa with delicious red fish after a fun-filled day of fishing at Brauning Lake. Between the two of them, they caught 30 redfish. Unfortunately, due to the Texas Parks and Wildlife bag limit, they were only allowed to keep three a piece but that was more than enough to share with Jolly O’ Saint Nick. – CWR

Ken Milam

Five-year-old Aubrey Carrillo proves she is as good at fishing as her brother, catching just as many fish and all around the same size as this 20-inch red.

Nine-year-old KC Carrillo shows off one of the 15 red fish he caught on Christmas Eve, all of which were around 20 inches long like this one.

The Great Outdoors

WFayette County Reservoir fishing report

ater fairly stained, water temp 57 to 61 degrees. Water temp at the discharge is 76 to 78 degrees. I’ve been catching fish out deep on foundations and rock piles throwing soft plastics rigged on carolina rigs and shaky heads. Senkos in black and blue or green pumpkin have been the baits of choice. A medium or deep diving crankbait has been key to our success as well in a shad pattern. Fayette is a great lake to catch fish scoping with a Yum FFS Minnow in a shad color or a Crush City Freeloader in a shad pattern. I tend to have a rod with an 1/8 oz head and a 1/4 oz head always rigged on the deck. I’ve also been catching a lot of fish shallow on swim jigs in a shad pattern with a swimbait for a trailer and a spinnerbait with a swimbait trailer. Casting parallel to

Captain Clendon Taylor

the reeds, slow rolling over grass flats, and pitching to the standing timber. The bite is only going to get better as the water warms up. Let’s go catchin!

Casting & Catching Guide Service | 210-831-4679

The Great Outdoors

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) laid the groundwork for a new state park in Central Texas with the purchase of 2,020 acres in Burnet County.

The property includes two miles along the Colorado River and is located across the river from Colorado Bend State Park. Its purchase solidifies phase one of a potential two-phase property purchase to create a new state park comprising more than 3,000 acres.

TPWD is exploring an additional 1,100-acre property in Lampasas and Burnet counties which was presented at the Jan. 22-23 Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting. The commission authorized TPWD’s executive director to take all necessary steps to acquire the approximately 1,100 acres from a willing seller.

TPWD purchased the 2,020-acre property utilizing a combination of a one-time funding appropriation and funds from sporting goods sales tax. The new state park will be developed through the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, a $1 billion fund overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2023 to create a dedicated funding stream for acquiring and developing

new state parks.

This land acquisition is one of many made by the TPWD in recent months, with the goal of expanding public access to Texas’ natural spaces in more corners of the state. This achievement joins the previous two acquisitions totaling 3,703 acres at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area along with the purchase of the 500-acre Lake Colorado City State Park, amongst others.

“It’s great to see these acquisitions which will provide public access and

CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT

TPWD Finalizes Purchase of 2,020 Acres Near Colorado Bend State Park

historic features made this property an excellent candidate as a new state park.

“It is exciting to add another incredible property that will eventually become a new Texas State Park,” said Rodney Franklin, director of Texas State Parks. “This acquisition will give visitors access to enjoy the beautiful Colorado River and the diverse landscapes that are featured across the property. It is fun to imagine generations of Texans enjoying the scenic views and outdoor adventures awaiting on this property. It is also great to see our team and families work together to leave this legacy for Texas.”

conserve their beautiful landscapes for years to come,” said Jeff Hildebrand, Chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. “This property near the current Colorado Bend State Park is the cornerstone for what will be a brand-new park.”

When notified of available properties, TPWD conducts a due diligence review to determine the property’s feasibility as a state park. In this case, TPWD determined the property’s outstanding natural and

AUCTION

The property features rugged hills, diverse native habitats and the aforementioned two miles of river front on the Colorado River. It is approximately ten miles upstream from Lake Buchanan and will create additional recreational opportunities and habitat protection.

Now that the sale is complete, TPWD will develop a plan with input from the public to determine recreational opportunities for the property. This plan may take many months to complete, but TPWD will communicate upcoming milestones, including a potential opening date.

High-five

HOLT CAT technicians went head-to-head in this year’s Tech Wars competition at the dealership, showcasing their skills and competing to see who’s the best in the business. HOLT CAT is excited to celebrate their top GCI Machine finalists: Garrett Mahaffey and Skeeter Gentry ! Their hard work and expertise are what make HOLT CAT technicians second to none.

Growing Student Body

Pflugerville Architects recently walked the site with Dripping Springs School Board members to see the progress at Dripping Springs Elementary School #6. Classrooms and learning spaces are starting to take shape with steel framing, and the building’s exterior is getting its personality with tilt walls and brickwork. Thanks to American Constructors for keeping everything on track. This project marks the sixth collaboration with American Constructors and Dripping Springs ISD.

TGroovy Night

he Nitsche Group had a spectacular evening dancing the night away, celebrating civic impact and meaningful milestones with fellow business and community leaders at the 2025 Bastrop Chamber of Commerce Gala!

Big News

The Beck Group is excited to announce Jacqueline Dudley, AIA, as Architecture Practice Leader and Andy Kennedy, AIA, as Design Director. With a passion for impactful projects like the Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa and RiverSouth, their leadership will drive innovation and strengthen Austin community ties.

Skeeter Gentry and Garrett Mahaffey

Pictured (left to right) Tracy Lovelace, Sarah Houser-Kean, Lindsey Vinklarek, David Rodriguez

Strengthening National Presence

HEI Civil, a leading heavy civil construction company, is pleased to announce the official rebranding of Peabody General Contractors and Horsepower Site Services to HEI Civil. Peabody General Contractors was acquired by HEI Civil in 2018, and Horsepower Site Services joined the company in 2019. This rebranding solidifies HEI Civil’s position as a national leader in the industry by uniting these entities under a single, strong brand.

“This rebranding marks a significant milestone in our journey to become the nation’s premier heavy civil contractor,” said Leo Denslow, CEO of HEI Civil. “By operating under a single, powerful brand, we can leverage our collective expertise and resources to deliver greater efficiency and value to our clients nationwide. We are excited about the future and

the opportunities for our workforce as we continue to grow and expand our services while upholding our core values of GRIT and focusing on our critical success factors of safety, people, quality, client service, care of equipment and production.”

This strategic alignment will enhance HEI Civil’s ability to serve clients better by strengthening the brand, expanding reach, and increasing operational efficiency. By unifying operations under the HEI Civil name, the enterprise will invest in new technologies and strengthen the company’s workforce competencies to expand service offerings in the future.

Happy New Year-Beer

On Jan. 23 the American Subcontractors Association (ASA) Austin had a great turnout at their Happy Hour to kick off the New Year at Meanwhile Brewing Co. ASA would like to give a big thank you to MEMCO, SpawGlass, and Everon for sponsoring.

Association Calendar

Associated Builders & Contractors Central Texas Chapter

Feb. 6: OSHA 10 - Waco

Feb. 6: 2025 Kickoff Celebration

Feb. 7: First Aid/CPR Training

Feb. 10: ABC Project Management

Institute

Feb. 13: ABC: Bartlett Cocke General Contractors Meet and Greet

Feb. 19: Coffee and Contractors

Feb. 19: Legal Series: Construction Liens - Waco

Feb. 19: Superintendents Academy – Full Series

Feb. 19: Superintendents AcademyConstruction Planning & Scheduling

Feb. 20: OSHA 10

Feb. 26: Superintendents AcademyCrew Leadership

Feb. 27: Leadership Academy

Feb. 28: ABC Tailgate: BBQ and Chili Cook-Off

ACEA

Greater Austin Contractors & Engineers Association

Feb. 7: 7:30-9:30am, Coffee Chats Hosted by ADS, Location TBD

Feb. 7: NEW: Coffee Chats – South, Hosted by Fuquay, Inc., New Braunfels Executives Association, 7:30-9:30am, 111 W. San Antonio St., Ste. 150, New Braunfels

Feb. 13: Membership Luncheon, 11:301:00 pm, Norris Conference Center, 2525 Anderson Lane

Feb. 22: Chili Cook-Off, 1-3pm, 2804 Longhorn Blvd.

AGC

Associated General Contractors Austin

Feb. 3: Monthly Safety Forum Meeting, 11:30am-1:30pm. RSVP shiloh@agcaustin. org

Feb. 21: Construction Awards Banquet, 6pm, AT&T Conference Center - Zlotnik Ballroom, 1900 University Drive

ASA

American Subcontractors Association

Austin

Feb. 20: GC Panel, 7:30-9am, https:// subcontractorsaustintexas.com/events/ for registration

HBA

Home Builders Association Greater Austin

Feb. 11: TAB Rally Day 2025, 9am-4pm, Texas State Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave.

TAB

Texas Association of Builders

Feb. 11: Rally Day 2025, 9am-4pm, Texas State Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave.

TCA

Texas Construction Association

Feb. 11: Under the Dome with Political Insiders, 2:30-4:30pm, DoubleTree Guest Suites Hotel

Feb. 11: TCA/PAC Roundup & Legislator Reception, 5:30-8:30pm, 800 Congress (membership required)

Feb. 12: Walk on the Capitol, 7:30-9am, DoubleTree Guest Suites Hotel

TSA Texas Society of Architects

Feb. 11-12: Architects Day 2025, Texas State Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave.

The Hyatt Place Demo

JR RAMON Demolition recently completed the teardown of the six-story Hyatt Place hotel, which was previously located at 7615 Jones Maltsberger Road in San Antonio, Texas. The project, which spanned just over three months, began with interior demolition before transitioning to razing the structure and ultimately backfilling the foundation with road base.

During the early stages, Project Manager Gillermo Zertuche noted a key challenge the team faced was trespassers breaking in to steal copper from within the walls. These incidents not only disrupted the demolition process several times but also pose significant safety risks to both the trespassers and the crew. To address this, the team conducted daily site walkthroughs each morning before starting work. Additionally, the crew worked swiftly and efficiently to complete the interior demolition within a few weeks before progressing to the structural teardown.

Using a UHD demolition machine (ultra-high-reach demolition excavator), President Timothy Ramon , who also operated the equipment for this project,

carefully brought portions of the building down, eventually leaving only the slab behind. Timothy Ramon shared, “Although enduring several challenges with equipment breakdowns, bad weather and trespassers, I’m glad we ended the project with zero accidents while staying on schedule.”

Committed to sustainable demolition practices, JR RAMON concluded the scope of work on this project by repurposing road base from a separate project at the San Antonio International Airport to fill the foundation voids and level the site. To promote responsible handling and sustainable disposal, the crew continually practiced segregating materials for recycling. Over 121 tons of scrap metal was gathered from the debris and sent to recycling facilities.

After completing this project, Zertuche expressed that this project was a bit intimidating and exciting for him. “It most certainly felt like this was one of those make-it or break-it situations.” He went on to say, “…Experience, preparation, and a solid team turned hesitation into confidence…no matter the scale, the right leadership and teamwork can make any job a success.”

Granger Hassmann named President of the Gulf States region for Adolfson & Peterson Construction

Adolfson & Peterson Construction (AP), a national, family-owned construction management and contracting company, has promoted Granger Hassmann to President of the Gulf States region. In his new role, the AP veteran is responsible for the Gulf States region’s strategic direction while overseeing all operational activities, client relations, risk management and business performance.

Hassmann joined AP in 2002 as a project manager, rising to the position of vice president, leveraging his deep knowledge and leadership in preconstruction and estimating, before stepping into his current leadership role. During his time with the company, Hassmann was responsible for generating over $5 billion in preconstruction and estimating activities.

“Granger Hassmann was the office’s lone employee in 2004, becoming a pivotal part of the region’s growth over the past 20 years and earning the respect of his colleagues throughout his tenure at AP by portraying strong leadership skills,” said Jeff Hansen, AP’s CEO. “I’m excited to work with him on the company’s strategic growth plans, especially as we increase our focus on mission critical services throughout Gulf States and on a national basis.”

Hassmann’s key construction projects with AP include TD Ameritrade’s campus in Southlake, Texas; Raytheon’s regional headquarters campus at CityLine DFW in Richardson, Texas; and PGA of America headquarters in Frisco, Texas. Hassmann also supported preconstruction efforts for AP’s larger hospital campuses, including HCA Medical Center Dallas, Methodist Hospital (Southlake) and St. David’s Medical Hospital (Austin, Texas).

“I look forward to continuing AP’s

strong position in the DFW market and growing our brand and efforts in Central Texas,” Hassmann said. “Our activities will be focused on the continuous development of AP team members and our culture of expertise, integrity and transparency. These actions will support our efforts to provide positive outcomes for clients while offering best-in-class services to benefit trade partners and clients.”

Hassmann earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Texas A&M University. He is a member of the ULI Office Product Council and is on the TEXO Association’s Board of Directors.

AP’s Central Texas office recently completed Sunrise Commerce Center in Round Rock and is currently constructing Cross Creek Behavioral Health Hospital in Austin. In addition, AP’s Central Texas office was awarded projects for two Austin ISD high schools. Other notable completed projects include the global headquarters for VariSpace in Coppell and Buildings 17 and 18 at Billingsley Company’s International Business Park in Plano.

ACCOUNTING OSHA

Demand for electricity is anopportunity for construction

DemandMac Carroll, Real Estate Industry Senior Analyst

RSM US LLP

Dallas, TX

Crystal Sunbury, Real Estate Industry Senior Analyst

RSM US LLP

Las Vegas, NV

for electric power in the United States has proliferated in recent years due to several driving factors: the rise of artificial intelligence and the subsequent need for data centers, increased adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), green energy production, far-flung renewable energy sites and federal efforts to reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. As this load growth continues to increase, so too do the hurdles on the supply side. It is clear the electric grid is becoming a bottleneck to bringing more clean energy online.

In response, agencies like the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission are streamlining regulations and creating opportunities for contractors to take on projects amid the backlog. To position themselves for these projects, contractors must understand the qualification requirements tied to funding and tax credits to ensure continued benefit eligibility. Here’s an overview of the key acts that led to the current situation, and the trends at play.

Initiatives to create supply and decrease demand

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was signed into law on Nov. 15, 2021, and contains four major areas of investment in clean energy and power: $21.3 billion to deliver clean power via grid expense and improvement projects; $21.5 billion for clean energy demonstrations introducing a new clean energy technology to the market; $6.5 billion for energy efficiency and weatherization of homes, buildings and communities; and $8.6 billion for clean energy targeted at manufacturing and workforce development.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed into law on Aug. 16, 2022, and contains tax credits to incentivize investment and manufacture of clean energy. The IRA also added $2 billion of funding for transmission facility financing; $760 million in grants for siting authorities such as state public utility commissions, siting boards and local governments to take actions that reduce the time to site and permit a transmission project; and $100 million in support of interregional and offshore wind electricity transmission planning.

How contractors can qualify to participate

Contractors who wish to take advantage of funding from the IIJA and IRA as more of it becomes available have important considerations. While experienced federal contractors will recognize much of the qualification process, IIJA and IRA projects have added requirements, particularly regarding labor and materials. These acts aim to improve infrastructure while promoting socioeconomic goals like reducing carbon

emissions, using U.S.-sourced materials and creating well-paying jobs; however, the additional requirements increase compliance risk for contractors.

Contractors should review Build America, Buy America guidelines, consider warranty risk associated with new lowcarbon materials and follow prevailing wage laws (like the Davis-Bacon Act). They must also meet apprenticeship and reporting requirements and be mindful of potential changes to the IIJA and IRA.

Projects that may be worth considering

The Grid Deployment Office (GDO), established in 2022 within the Department of Energy, oversees more than $22 billion in funding, including investments from the IIJA and IRA. By August 2024, the GDO had announced more than $9 billion in funding and awarded $4.23 billion, fueling ongoing construction activity amid strong demand for these projects. The approved amount allocated to GDO programs is shown in the graph below and includes:

Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships Program (GRIP): Designed to enhance grid flexibility and improve the power system against growing threats of extreme weather and climate change.

• Transmission Facilitation Program (TFP): Intended to help build out new interregional transmission lines across the country.

Civil Nuclear Credit Program (CNC): Designed to help preserve the existing U.S. reactor fleet and save thousands of high-paying jobs across the country.

• Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants (GRSTFG): Intended to strengthen and modernize America’s power grid against wildfires, extreme weather and other natural disasters that are exacerbated by the climate crisis.

Transmission Siting and Economic Development Grants Program (TSED): Designed to advance critical transmission projects by accelerating siting and permitting while supporting economic development efforts in communities affected by transmission construction and operation.

Hydroelectric Production Incentive/ Hydroelectric Efficiency Improvement Incentives Program (HPI/HEII): Designed to support hydropower development by providing payments for electricity generated and sold from dams and other water infrastructure that add or expand hydroelectric power-generating capabilities or are constructed in an area with inadequate electric service. Additionally, intended to provide grants to owners or operators of existing hydroelectric facilities, including pumped storage hydropower. Applicants must plan capital improvements that can improve their efficiency by at least 3%.

LEGAL

Avoid The Trap of ProjectLevel Final and Binding Decisions

R. Carson Fisk, Construction Attorney Andrews Myers P.C. Austin, TX

Contractors, and anyone involved in the construction industry, should be sensitive to and aware of the risks that can befall them when matters in dispute are definitively decided at the project level. The contractual language used may allow for further relief in the event of a poorlyreasoned or wrong decision, or may be catastrophically binding regardless of such failings. The best approach is to identify problematic language in the negotiation stage, and work to ensure that the dispute resolution process is fair or, at the very least, understood.

On occasion, construction contracts designate an architect, engineer, or other person to determine whether some aspect of performance is sufficient or satisfactory under the applicable contract. For example, the Texas Department of Transportation 2024 standard specifications provide that “[t]he Engineer decides all questions about the quality and acceptability of materials, work performed, work progress, Contract interpretations, applicability of standard details, and acceptable Contract fulfillment” and that “[t]he Engineer acts as a referee in all questions arising under the terms of the Contract” with the engineer’s decisions being “final and binding.” In other instances, such decisions are initial and preliminary in nature or limited, and not construed as irreversibly final and binding. For example, the American Institute of Architects AIA Document A201–2017 General Conditions of the Contract for Construction provides that “[t]he Architect’s decisions on matters relating to aesthetic effect will be final if consistent with the intent expressed in the Contract Documents.”

Referred to as a “satisfaction” clause, decisions may be reviewed under two different standards: (1) whether the decision was based on partiality, fraud, misconduct, or gross error and (2) whether the decision was reasonable. Which standard applies depends on the nature of the contract involved. The first standard— gross-error—applies when parties to a contract agree to submit questions to the decision of the engineer, and the engineer’s decision is final and conclusive. The second standard—reasonableness—generally applies when the party to the contract has the ultimate authority to determine whether a satisfaction clause has been satisfied. This standard, which is less onerous to prove, allays concerns that agreements conditioned upon one party’s satisfaction might be illusory because they could be vulnerable to that party’s whim or bad faith withholding of approval. But simply because a decisionmaker is an independent contractor retained by a party, or even a direct employee of a party, is not necessarily enough to make the reasonableness standard apply.

In a recently issued appellate court opinion, Harris County v. Pulice Construction, Inc., the Fourteenth Court of Appeals in Houston held that even if an engineer was retained by an owner to function solely

and exclusively for the benefit of the owner and not for the benefit of the contractor or any other party, that the engineer’s decision to deny the contractor’s claim was still subject to the gross-error standard. It also stated that the Texas Supreme Court acknowledges that Texas courts apply the gross-error standard “even when the engineer was an employee of a party to the contract.” This opinion builds on another recent opinion, City of Houston v. James Construction Group, also issued by the Fourteenth Court of Appeals in Houston, where the court held that where the “City Engineer” was empowered to make final decisions with respect to claims and that such decisions were subject only to a gross-error review.

While that bar may be high, it is surmountable under the right circumstances. Plantation Foods, Inc. v. R. J. Reagan Company, Inc., a case decided by the Tenth Court of Appeals in Waco in 1975, concerned defects in a newly installed roof over a turkey processing plant. The owner and its architect blamed poor installation, while the roofing contractor blamed the owner’s processing operations. The architect was empowered to determine the cause of the defects, and determined that poor installation was the culprit. The contractor sued the owner, alleging that the architect’s determination was based on partiality, gross mistake, misconduct, and fraud. Following trial, the jury determined that the owner’s operations were the cause and that the architect’s decision was based on partiality, gross mistake, misconduct, and fraud. Upholding that factual finding, the court of appeals recognized that more witnesses testified in support of moisture from operations as the cause, all witnesses agreed that the roof deck was dry at the time of installation, and moisture damages from the owner’s operations indicated an architectural design problem.

The holdings in Pulice and James should concern every contractor or subcontractor, and emphasize the need to be familiar with how disputes are addressed and resolved at the project level. If a decisionmaker is vested with the power to make final and binding decisions, those decisions will generally be treated as conclusive—unless successfully challenged under the high bar set by the gross-error standard.

At the prime contract level, the solution is negotiating the scope of decision-making authority and setting limits or a framework for further relief. At the subcontract level, even if such negotiating power is limited (e.g., a prime contractor may be reluctant to diverge from a prime contract’s dispute resolution process as to subcontractor claims), it is important to understand how disputes are to be resolved at the project level and the applicable standard for reviewing decisions. Only with such information can a full assessment of risk be conducted concerning the resolution of contractrelated questions or claims.

OSHA

INSURANCE Incident Investigation

Michael Middleton, Compliance Safety and Health Officer Department of Labor, OSHA Harker Heights, TX

OSHA strongly encourages employers

to investigate all incidents in which a worker was hurt, as well as close calls (sometimes called “near misses”), in which a worker might have been hurt if the circumstances had been slightly different.

In the past, the term “accident” was often used when referring to an unplanned, unwanted event. To many, “accident” suggests an event that was random, and could not have been prevented. Since nearly all worksite fatalities, injuries, and illnesses are preventable, OSHA suggests using the term “incident” investigation.

Investigating a Worksite Incident

Investigating a worksite incident- a fatality, injury, illness, or close callprovides employers and workers the opportunity to identify hazards in their operations and shortcomings in their safety and health programs. Most importantly, it enables employers and workers to identify and implement the corrective actions necessary to prevent future incidents.

Incident investigations that focus on identifying and correcting root causes, not on finding fault or blame, also improve workplace morale and increase productivity, by demonstrating an employer’s commitment to a safe and healthful workplace.

Incident investigations are often conducted by a supervisor, but to be most effective, these investigations should include managers and employees working together, since each bring different knowledge, understanding and perspectives to the investigation.

In conducting an incident investigation, the team must look beyond the immediate causes of an incident. It is far too easy, and often misleading, to conclude that carelessness or failure to follow a procedure alone was the cause of an incident. To do so fails to discover the underlying or root causes of the incident, and therefore fails to identify the systemic changes and measures needed to prevent future incidents. When a shortcoming is identified, it is important to ask why it existed and why it was not previously addressed.

For example:

• If a procedure or safety rule was not followed, why was the procedure or rule not followed?

• Did production pressures play a role, and, if so, why were production pressures permitted to jeopardize safety?

• Was the procedure out-of-date or safety training inadequate? If so, why had the problem not been previously identified, or, if it had been identified, why had it not been addressed?

These examples illustrate that it is essential to discover and correct all the factors contributing to an incident, which nearly always involve equipment, procedural, training, and other safety and health program deficiency.

Addressing underlying or root causes is necessary to truly understand why an incident occurred, to develop truly effective corrective actions, and to minimize or eliminate serious consequences from similar future incidents.

Higher Ed Practice Leader

Pfluger Architects, a premier Texasbased architecture firm with extensive experience in educational facility planning, design, and construction administration, welcomes licensed architect Christopher Laack as the firm’s higher education practice leader. He brings over 20 years of experience designing and managing projects in a range of market sectors and global locations. At Pfluger, he will be responsible for nurturing the firm’s client relationships and driving strategic growth in the firm’s work with higher education institutions across the state.

A versatile leader in architecture, urban design, and master planning with a focus on delivering complex projects for discerning clients, Laack has expansive global experience navigating clients and leading the design of multiple project types, including education, retail, office, hospitality, residential, mixed-use, civic, cultural, urban community development, and master planning. Based in Houston, he most recently served as Principal and Commercial Practice Leader for VLK Architects, developing and implementing growth strategies while also providing project leadership to teams across five Texas locations.

As Pfluger’s higher education practice leader, Laack will play a crucial role in leading the firm’s work with colleges, universities, community colleges, and vocational institutions across Texas, working with Pfluger’s teams in all five locations to create engaging learning environments, design campus communities, and inspire meaningful human experiences.

“Chris brings expertise to our higher education team, from planning campuses to designing facilities that work,” said Chris Lammers, Pfluger’s higher education practice director. “His genuine connection with people makes him a great fit for our team and the clients we serve.”

In addition to working with Pfluger’s clients on developing new projects, Laack will engage new clients throughout

Texas and contribute to current Pfluger work, including San Jacinto College Biotechnology Center, Texas Lutheran University Lundquist Student Activities Center, Collin College campus renovations, and more.

A graduate of University of Detroit Mercy, where he earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree, Laack is a Licensed Architect in the State of Texas, NCARB Certified, and a member of the American Institute of Architects, Urban Land Institute, and Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects. Over the last 20 years he built his expertise as a principal and practice leader with some of the world’s noted firms, expanding and diversifying market sectors in each role and leading several high-profile, award-winning projects. A frequent presenter, jurist and guest lecturer at industry conferences, awards, and design schools, Laack encourages knowledge sharing, innovation, and connection to engage future generations of designers.

“I believe in pushing the boundaries of design to create inspiring, thoughtful buildings and places that contribute to the built environment and to communities,” said Laack. “As a firm dedicated to inspiring communities and creating a more meaningful human experience, Pfluger provides me with opportunities to engage with campus leaders and understand the needs that campuses have right now and in the future.”

Chris Laack, AIA, NCARB

Join Alterman at the National Shooting Complex for an unforgettable day of shooting, fun, and philanthropy benefiting the Alterman Foundation. Tickets sell out fast, so mark your calendars and don’t miss out on a day of camaraderie and giving back.

Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund (PR-ERF): Intended to support Puerto Rico’s grid resilience efforts and achieve the goal for the commonwealth to meet 100% of its electricity needs with renewable energy by 2050.

Wholesale Electricity Market Studies and Engagement Program (WEMSE): Designed to provide states and regions with technical and financial assistance related to developing, expanding and improving wholesale electricity markets.

Approved funding for GDO projects as of August 2024

Sectors that benefit from these projects

In a year when several types of construction were affected by tight capital markets, decreased valuations, supply chain issues and labor shortages, construction sectors have received much-needed resources as a result of the IIJA and IRA programs. The U.S. Census Bureau reported a significant year-over-year increase in the value of construction projects affecting water supply (up 17%), power (8.4%) and transportation (5.8%).

YOY % change in value of construction projects in August 2024*

The Outlook

The Department of Energy forecasts a potential 10% to 20% increase in total energy demand over the next decade, while the results of the election make the future of the IIJA and IRA uncertain. President-elect Trump has vowed to roll back the Green New Deal, presumably referencing the Inflation Reduction Act’s spend on advancing climate change resilience, which would include provisions from these bills.

However, these projects are spread across states that are represented on both sides of the aisle in Congress, resulting in potential bipartisan support for their continuance. Contractors that want to participate in delivering energy solutions should monitor developments closely and be prepared to act quickly to identify and take advantage of opportunities as the landscape evolves.

Fellowship

Cokinos Young would like to congratulations Tim Delabar on being elected as a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, an honor bestowed upon only 1/3 of 1% of Texas attorneys this year. This prestigious recognition reflects Tim’s commitment to enhancing the rule of law, promoting justice, and upholding the highest standards of the legal profession. Cokinos Young proudly celebrates this remarkable achievement with Tim and look forward to his continued excellence and impact.

SpawGlass was proud to welcome new SpawGlass team members during the year’s first orientation and boot camp week. This dynamic group is made up of individuals from each of their divisions and includes interns who have recently accepted full-time positions.