Subcontractors USA Journal 17

SUBCONTRACTORS

USA

TEXAS JOURNAL

W W W . S U B C U S A . C O M

Architecture | Construction | Education | Energy | Engineering | IT | Manufacturing | Oil and Gas | Petrochemical | Transportation

August 2017 | Advertising for Certified Women, Veteran & Minority-Owned Subcontractors | 17th Edition

South Post Oak Recycling Center

The Purpose, Transformation, and a Greater Cause

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Angela Robinson, Co- Owner/Founder; Brandi Harleaux, Co-Owner and Freddie Robinson, Co-Owner; Founder

16-17

INSIDE

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Rimkus Consulting Group Leverages Global Forensic Expertise to Form Full-Service Engineering and Technical Firm, Rimkus Building Consultants

06

Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors Announces New Officers and Members of the Board of Directors

22

Enterprise and Navigator Gas to Develop Ethylene Marine Export Terminal

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Publisher’s Message

MR. D-MARS

The Subcontractors USA Texas Journal highlights opportunities and news relevant to the industry.

We hope you find this issue not only informative, but inspiring and educational as well.

This month’s issue highlights South Post Oak Recycling Center (SPORC). SPORC’s vision entails moving metals responsibly, listening to their customers, generating quality material, providing exceptional service while creating relationships and building and maintaining a great team of people. After 23 years

Behind the Journal

ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla Vice President, Marketing Anita Bates SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES C.T. Foster Tiffany Black PHOTOGRAPHY L.C. Poullard Grady Carter MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Andrea Hennekes LAYOUT & GRAPHIC DESIGN Angel Rosa Project Coordinator Taelor Smith

04

our services

04 Architecture 04 Rimkus Consulting Group Leverages Global Forensic Expertise to Form Full-Service Engineering and Technical Firm, Rimkus Building Consultants

06 Construction 06 Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors Announces New Officers and Members of the Board of Directors 08 Public investment around DART Rail moving North Texas 09 Points to Ponder: 6 Ways to Speed Up the Process to Obtain Your Building Permit

08

10 Energy 10 VanZandt Controls, LLC Completes the Acquisition of D.A. Criswell Sales, Inc. 11 NRG Eyes Renewables as Key Part of $4 Billion in 12 Asset Sales as Prices Pummel Profits, an Industrial Info News Alert 12 BBVA Compass named inaugural Rural Matters award-winner during Texas Rural Challenge 14 The 411 on HVAC energy-efficiency ratings and terms

18 Engineering 18 Burns & McDonnell Claims No. 1 Spot on Engineering News-Record Texas & Louisiana's 2017 List of Top Design Firms

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16-17

20 Gas & Oil 20 Industry Insiders Say Minorities Should Pursue Oil Jobs 20 New Report On Shale Oil And Gas Development In Texas Finds Wide Range Of Benefits And Consequences

24 MANUFACTURING 24 TI introduces single-chip buck-boost battery charge controllers enabling USB Type-C™ and USB Power Delivery support 28 Petrochemical 28 Enterprise and Navigator Gas to Develop Ethylene Marine Export Terminal 28 CB&I Awarded Material Supply Contract for Ethylene Expansion Project

ADVERTISING | MARKETING MEDIA | COMMUNICATION Graphic Design • Logos • Flyers • Ads • Folders • Brochures • Door Hangers Printing • Business Cards • Flyers • Folders • Pull-up Banners • Step and Repeat Banners • Brochures • Door Hangers • Letterhead • Envelopes Photography • Headshots • Event Photography

16-17 Cover Story 16-17 South Post Oak Recycling Center

DISTRIBUTION Booker T. Davis, Jr. Rockie Hayden CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Helen Callier Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Subcontractors USA News Provider Vernell Silva

— Colin Powell

contents

Publisher & CEO Keith J. Davis, Sr. Chief Operating Officer Kimberly Floyd

"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure."

of business, the baton has been passed to the next generation; taking the reins is Brandi Harleaux. She is building on this great family legacy and taking SPORC into the future.

As always, thank you for your continued support of Subcontractors USA Texas Journal. When you support us, you are supporting more than just our company; you are supporting the communities in which we live and work. Working together, we can succeed in making positive things happen.

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MAIN OFFICE 7322 Southwest Fwy., Suite 805 Houston, TX 77074 Phone: (713) 272.9511 | Fax: (713) 272.6364 Email Us: contact@subcusa.com Visit Us Online www.subcusa.com

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Architecture

Rimkus Consulting Group Leverages Global Forensic Expertise to Form FullService Engineering and Technical Firm, Rimkus Building Consultants rience in all phases of planning, design and construction for a diverse list of projects, ranging from business parks to large-scale commercial and industrial facilities to multi-family dwellings, as well as bridge, infrastructure and roadway projects. Senior Vice President Peter Doffing also brings 25 years experience in the engineering, construction and insurance sectors to the firm.

New Company Focuses on Proactive Solutions to Extend the Life of Buildings, Industrial Facilities and Other Infrastructure

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

AboutRimkus RimkusBuilding BuildingConsultants Consultants About

R

imkus Consulting Group, Inc., a worldwide provider of forensic consulting services, today announced the strategic expansion of its business operations with the formation of a new company, Rimkus Building Consultants. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, the firm will help clients from coastto-coast proactively extend the life of their facilities by helping to identify, mitigate and eliminate the complex risks inherent in procurement, design, construction and operation of large-scale facilities.

"Rimkus Building Consultants combines our deep bench of technical expertise – engineering, architecture, design and construction – with our forensic backgrounds to proactively identify those important details that provide for a lasting facility," said Jack Dolan, president of Rimkus Building Consultants. "From building envelopes and structural systems to roadways, bridges, electrical systems and the entire range of built environments, we bring a personalized approach and innovative thinking to our clients to help mitigate risks and defects and maximize life cycles."

With a full-service portfolio and all engineering disciplines under one roof, Rimkus Building Consultants will provide professional consultation and support on

a wide range of project-specific issues for both private and public sectors. The firm's suite of services spans the life of the project, including Property Condition Assessments (PCA), risk assessments, design services, preconstruction services, construction services, project close-out and post-construction services, maintenance and operations as well as building sciences.

"Rimkus has more than 30 years experience investigating what goes wrong with buildings and projects, and it's a natural next step for us to use this expertise to help developers, building owners and managers proactively optimize and extend the life of their facilities," said Curtis Brown, president and chief executive officer of Rimkus Consulting Group. "The new company fits well with our overall business strategy and supports our mission to deliver value-driven and client focused services for every aspect of the built environment."

Rimkus Building Consultants is managed by a team of seasoned experts with deep experience across a diverse range of commercial, industrial and institutional projects.

Dolan, the firm's president, has more than 25 years expe-

Rimkus Building Consultants combines extensive expertise in design, construction, operations and maintenance with more than 30 years of forensic investigations experience gained from Rimkus Consulting Group. From building envelopes and structural systems to roadways, bridges, electrical systems and the entire range of built environments, the company applies engineering skills and innovative thinking to proactively help mitigate risks and defects and maximize life cycles.

AboutRimkus Rimkus Consulting Group, About Consulting Group, Inc. Inc. Rimkus Consulting Group, Inc. is a worldwide provider of forensic consulting services to insurance companies, law firms, corporations and government agencies. Rimkus assists clients in the responsive and timely resolution of claims and disputes. The company's team of professional engineers, scientists, and technical specialists is recognized for its commitment to service excellence by local, national and international business communities.

Source: PR Newswire

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Construction

Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors Announces New Officers and Members of the Board of Directors D

he Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC-DFW) is delighted to announce its 2017–2018 Executive Board and Board of Directors. This working board is comprised of 10 members who, under the framework of the national office, set local strategic policy that aligns with the unique challenges facing minority businesses in DFW. Since its inception in 2016, the DFW chapter has become one of the largest and most diverse organizations of its kind in the area, representing more than 150 active members.

“It is an honor to be elected as the Board Chairman for the DFW Chapter of NAMC,” said Greg Cody, president of GCC Enterprises and chairman of the board. “As we build upon the outstanding accomplishments of the leadership that spearheaded the founding of this chapter, our priority will be to forge better relationships through strategic alliances in the construction market. We look forward to advancing access, advocacy, contractor readiness and growth of minority contractors in North Texas.”

NAMC-DFWwelcomes welcomesthe thefollowing followingnew newexecutive board and NAMC-DFW executive board and board members: board members: • Executive Director – Demetria Bivens, DLB Consultants • Chairman – Gregory Cody, GCC Enterprises • Vice Chairman – Vince Fudzie, Triune General Contractors • Treasurer – Benjamin Robertson, Byrne Construction Services • Secretary – Yesenia Garcia, North Texas Ductworks • Board Member – Jeff Postell, Post L Group • Board Member – Rosa Navejar, Rios Group • Board Member – Greg Obar, University of North Texas • Board Member - Frank Yuan, Amec Foster Wheeler • Board Member – Wayne Lawrence, Diversity Resources Group • Board Member – Pam Ervin-Davis, Nervi' Strategic Solutions Read more about our board members at http://namc.wpengine.com/about-us/

AboutNAMC NAMC About The National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) is the oldest minority construction trade association in the U.S. The NAMC-DFW Chapter serves as a local advocate for minority and woman-owned contractors throughout the DFW region. The purpose of NAMC-DFW is to encourage and assist area firms in the pursuit of opportunities in all areas of construction, and to integrate various ethnic groups, races, creeds and genders into the industry. The association strives to accomplish its goals in collaboration with major corporate partners, strategic alliances and public agencies.

For more information, contact Demetria L Bivens, Executive Director, at dbivens@namcdfw.org.

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COnstruction

Public investment around DART Rail moving North Texas D

new study looking at the economic impact of publicly funded projects near the light rail stations of Dallas Area Rapid Transit demonstrates what economists and private real estate developers have seen for nearly two decades: DART Rail is driving the North Texas economy.

Researchers from the Economics Research Group at the University of North Texas, led by Michael Carroll, Ph.D., looked at 11 public projects, like Parkland Hospital, the Irving Convention Center or the Hatcher Station Health Center between 1999 and 2015 and found those types of projects are valued at $1.8 billion. Combined with privately funded transit oriented development, $10.8 billion has been invested near or along DART's 93-mile light rail system since 1999.

The updated study was presented at a meeting of the Urban Land Institute on May 11. Previous studies by UNT researchers looked at TOD projects like Mockingbird Station or CityLine and identified more than $7 billion in economic impact from new or planned construction within a quarter mile of rail stations.

Researchers concluded the projects studied "represent not only the region's commitment to multimodal transportation options and an urban landscape that reflects the importance of those options, but billions of dollars in economic activity and tens of thousands of jobs throughout the region."

Carroll added, "This proves the wisdom of regional leaders in building a regional transit network like DART."

Growing the economy while advancing smart growth The 93-mile light rail system, the nation's longest, was built at a cost of $5.5 billion. The most recent extension, three miles, connecting a renewed Ledbetter Station to the campus of the University of North Texas Dallas, opened Oct. 24.

"Public transportation transforms cities," DART President/Executive Director Gary Thomas says. "It not only provides connections to great destinations; it can be the catalyst for economic growth and community renewal."

More information about DART and transit oriented development is available at DART.org/EconomicDevelopment.

Source: DART.org

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COnstruction

Points to Ponder: 6 Ways to Speed Up the Process to Obtain Your Building Permit to speed up the process to obtain a building permit.

By Helen Callier Contributing Writer

A

s a BUSY contractor, it is a hassle to take construction plans to City Permitting, then realize that you forgot a key document, which means a delay in submitting for your building permit. Plus, from speaking with other contractors as you are leaving the City, you realize their experiences in obtaining building permits are just as frustrating.

Finally, you manage to locate the missing document and muddle through the process and you scratch your head thinking about ways to improve the process to obtain building permits going forward.

Engaging permit expediters that have established relationships within that jurisdiction and are knowledgeable with permitting processes is a proven way to get your permit fast.

If you want to tackle obtaining your city building permit head-on, while avoiding incurring higher costs and consuming your time, here are 6 ways

#1Responding Respondingto tothe the dreaded #1 dreaded rejections rejections Plan Reviewers will reject plan sets for a multitude of reasons including a missing address on a drawing, failure to adhere to industry building codes, non-compliance with jurisdictional standards, or even if an architect’s seal is smudged. Whatever the reason for the rejection, it is important to respond to all rejections. To not respond will cause a delay in obtaining your permit.

#2Relieve Relievethe thefrustration. frustration.Use #2 Usechecklist. the checklist. the Refer to the appropriate jurisdiction’s building permit submission checklist to make sure you have all the pre-requisite documents. One oversight of a document will cause a delay in submitting for plan review.

#3Get Getstarted startedearly early #3 If possible and if you have been en-

gaged as the contractor, get started early by reviewing plans and seeing if any area may cause a problem in pulling a permit. Consider reaching out to the jurisdiction’s Plan Review group and ask questions. You can also schedule pre-submission meetings with a Plan Reviewer - just realize you may pay a fee for this review service in some cities.

older set of building codes. It is key to stay abreast of the changes in building codes to make sure you are in compliance. Attempting to convince a Plan Reviewer about making changes based on the latest building codes will cause a delay in obtaining your permit if codes have not been formally accepted by the jurisdiction you are seeking a permit from.

#4Know Knowthe theworking workinghours hours #4

#6Say Say“thank “thankyou” you” #6

Some jurisdictions have creative staffing levels where resources are wearing multiple hats. One person may be the Plan Reviewer in the morning and then at noon, they place their City Inspector hat on; so knowing the limitations of staff and their working hours will save you a trip if you happen to arrive at a different time.

The permitting process may be bureaucratic, painful, and loses money for you while wait. Remember that Plan Reviewers are people too and saying “thank you” goes a long way to prevent your plan set from being placed at the bottom of the stack.

Whether the market you are working in is burning hot with opportunities or is slow, obtaining a building permit fast is key to starting construction in a timely manner, satisfying your client and closing out the job for your to get paid.

What kind of challenges are you experiencing in obtaining a building permit? I would love to hear from you via direct message @PermitUsNow on Facebook or call 1.844.

PERMIT.4. Happy building!

#5Stay Stayup-to-date up-to-date #5 Jurisdictions in Texas and in the United States adopt industry building codes at a different time based on their City’s policies. This means the City of Austin may be working under one set of building codes and the City of Houston may still be working on an

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ENergy

VanZandt Controls, LLC Completes the Acquisition of D.A. Criswell Sales, Inc. V

anZandt Controls, LLC ("VanZandt" or the "Company"), an OFS Energy Fund ("OFS") portfolio company, has acquired the assets of D.A. Criswell Sales, Inc. ("Criswell"). The acquisition is a significant step in advancing VanZandt's goal of becoming a market-leading provider of premier valve automation and instrumentation components to the energy industry. The addition of Criswell expands VanZandt's geographic footprint and diversifies its customer base.

Criswell was founded in 1992 by David Criswell in Canyon, Texas. Criswell specializes in the packaging, distribution, and servicing of automated valves. The Criswell team brings over 43 years of combined experience supplying valves and automation equipment to numerous industries such as the oil and gas production, pipeline, chemical, and power industries. Criswell possesses a loyal customer base that includes Fortune 500 companies with operations in the Texas panhandle.

It also maintains exclusive distributor agreements with select vendors, providing Criswell with a competitive advantage relative to others in the valve automation industry in the form of lower prices and faster delivery times. The Company has regional sales offices in Midland, Texas and El Paso, Texas.

"We are thrilled to add David, Alexia, and the rest of the Criswell team to VanZandt," said Larry Richards, VanZandt's President and CEO. "David and his team have a reputation in the valve automation industry for providing high-quality products and services and bring with them a wealth of knowledge and expertise to VanZandt."

Since its founding in January 2015, VanZandt has quickly grown into one of the top providers of automated valves in west Texas. It serves blue chip upstream, midstream, and downstream customers active in the construction of energy-related infrastructure throughout the Permian Basin. VanZandt was acquired by OFS in partnership with Larry Richards and Dave Latch, former senior management team members at Hy-Bon Engineering and Key Energy Services, in mid-2017. In acquiring VanZandt, OFS, Richards, and Latch planned to utilize the Company as a platform to create a market-leading provider of premier automated valve, control, and instrumentation components that have demand across multiple packaged energy products and in the buildout of energy infrastructure. The acquisition of Criswell furthers this vision via the expansion of VanZandt's distribution network into new geographic segments and the diversification of VanZandt's customer base through the addition of customers in the midstream and downstream energy verticals.

"Criswell is a strong strategic fit with the VanZandt platform. The acquisition is a tangible step in the execution of the growth plan we underwrote to in making our investment in VanZandt," said Jerad McMayon, Partner at OFS.

AboutVanZandt VanZandt About VanZandt Controls, LLC specializes in valve automation, valve sourcing, instrumentation, and process controls. The Company is headquartered in Odessa, Texas.

OFS Energy Fund is a Houston-based private equity firm specializing in acquisitions and recapitalizations of middle-market companies in the energy industry with enterprise values between $5 million and $100 million.

Source: PR Newswire

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ENERGY

NRG Eyes Renewables as Key Part of $4 Billion in Asset Sales as Prices Pummel Profits, an Industrial Info News Alert R

esearched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)-NRG Energy (Princeton, New Jersey), the largest independent U.S. power producer, plans to raise as much as $4 billion through asset sales over the next three years, in an effort to slash debt by $13 billion. Between half and all of the company's renewables-focused subsidiary, NRG Yield, is on the chopping block, according to executives. Industrial Info is tracking nearly $4 billion in active projects involving NRG, including about $890 million in renewable projects.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, five offices in North America and 10 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle™, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.

Source: PR Newswire

FLUOR SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PROGRAM

Connecting for Opportunities Fluor is committed to excellence in supplier diversity.

As a global company, Fluor operates across highly diverse markets that are best served by correspondingly diverse resources, including suppliers and subcontractors.

Visit us at www.fluorprocurement.com for a list of the products and services that Fluor buys and create your company profile.

© 2016 Fluor Corporation.

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ENERGY

BBVA Compass named inaugural Rural Matters award-winner during Texas Rural Challenge

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

B

BVA Compass, which has channeled $79 million in community development loans and investments in rural Texas communities since 2015, was honored with a Rural Matters award last month at the Texas Rural Challenge.

The Texas Rural Challenge is the largest state event of its kind, focusing on business and economic development, community development and statewide issues including energy and health care access in the state's rural communities.

The conference, which had more than 300 attendees from over 90 cities across the state, is hosted annually by the University of Texas at San Antonio's Small Business Development Center Rural Business Program and the Office of the Governor. The conference's steering committee selected BBVA Compass and four other organizations as recipients of the inaugural Rural Matters awards on the strength of their efforts to serve rural Texas.

"This award is particularly meaningful to BBVA Compass because our

purpose is to create opportunities for brighter futures for all people," said BBVA Compass Waco City President J.D. King, who accepted the award on behalf of the bank at an evening reception during the conference at the Waco suspension bridge. "Let me underscore that last part: all people. It's not just those in big cities or their suburbs, but everyone. It's why we actively look for ways to support our rural communities."

One of those initiatives is BBVA Compass' sponsorship of the strategic

plan and feasibility study that ultimately led to the Pharr Life Net pilot program in Pharr, Texas. The program is giving 50 families in the border community broadband access and bilingual training and technical support, with an additional 250 homes to receive broadband internet in the coming months. The bank's investment — it is the largest corporate sponsor of the strategic plan and feasibility study — was spurred by research by BBVA Compass economists that found internet access to be the dominant fac-

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tor in financial inclusion, and that the McAllen area, of which Pharr is part, was ranked last among 250 cities for financial inclusion levels.

The BBVA Compass Foundation also awarded a $50,000 grant in 2016 to the Housing Assistance Council, whose mission is to improve housing conditions for the rural poor.

"BBVA Compass' interest and investment is making rural Texas more competitive and sustainable," said Gil Gonzalez, director of the SBDC Rural Business Program at the University of Texas at San Antonio. "But, more importantly, it's restoring hope and opportunity for rural Texans."

UTSA's SBDC Rural Business Program is a specialty center affiliated with the university's South-West Texas Border Small Business Development Center Network, a 79-county service area that covers the Gulf Coast of Texas as well as South and West Texas. Rural communities in the network area have been principally agricultural based. The program's focus is to provide rural communities and small to medium-sized businesses with technical assistance to help them grow, develop and create new jobs across the state's rural areas.

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ENERGY

The 411 on HVAC energy-efficiency ratings and terms w

hether you’re looking to lower heating and cooling costs, or have a passion for protecting the environment, maximizing the energy efficiency of your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is a smart move. The more energy efficient your system, the less you’ll spend running it every year, and the smaller your home’s environmental footprint will be.

Efficiency ratings are intended to help you decide which products are best for your home, so it’s important to understand what all the related terms mean.

HVAC systems manufacturer Luxaire, which has received ENERGY STAR’s highest rating for two components, offers some guidance on interpreting energyefficiency ratings and terms.

EnergyStar Star Energy Launched in 1992 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the ENERGY STAR program is a voluntary labeling system designed to help consumers identify energy-efficient products. ENERGY STAR rates products in more than 70 categories.

Over the past 20 years, ENERGY STAR-rated products have helped consumers save $362 billion on energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 2.4 billion metric tons.

"Products that earn the ENERGY STAR rating are proven to operate using less energy. For example, in order to earn the highest rating, the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient designation, Luxaire's Acclimate AC8B Split System Air Conditioner and Echelon HC8B Split System Heat Pump demonstrated performance levels of up to 20 Seasonal Energy Ef-

ures the amount of cooling provided by an air conditioner in comparison to the amount of energy the system uses — measured in watts per hour — over a hypothetical season. SEER can give you an idea of how energy efficient a unit will be under average conditions. However, a number of factors, such as how you use and maintain a unit, can influence energy efficiency, so it’s important to realize a unit might perform differently in your home. ficiency Ratio (SEER) and 12.5 Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) for cooling and heating performance, and 10 Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) for heat pumps," says Ken Ely, product manager, Luxaire heating and cooling.

Eer Eer EER is very similar to SEER, except instead of measuring efficiency over a season, EER tells you how efficient an air conditioning unit might be when operating at a typical temperature.

EnergyguideLabel Label Energyguide

Hspf Hspf

Federal regulations require heating and cooling equipment to carry an EnergyGuide label that provides an estimate of how much energy the equipment will use. The label also compares the unit’s energy use to that of similar products, and gives an estimate of how much it will cost to operate the equipment in a year.

In addition to energy efficiency labeling, it’s important to know some measurement terms. Generally, for all these terms, a higher number equates to better efficiency.

HSPF is meant to help you understand a heat pump’s energy efficiency over a season. It’s typically referenced alongside SEER to give a better picture of a system’s probable energy efficiency. The HSPF formula uses BTUs (British Thermal Units, a measurement of heat) to estimate the useful heat output divided by the total electricity (in watts per hour) the heat pump uses during a heating season.

Seer Seer SEER measures the energy efficiency of air conditioning systems and heat pumps. The ratio meas-

Afue Afue One more energy measurement to know is the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency rating. The AFUE measures average efficiency for furnaces, boilers and water heaters. Like SEER and EER, the measurement is for a theoretical heating season. - BPT

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South Post Oak Recycling Center

Serving the Community and a Greater Cause

By Vernell Silva Staff Writer

w

hen you look around the city and see cranes, you see an indication of old metal coming down and likely new metal going up. Government and city contracts that require trades such as electricians, plumbers and HVAC technicians revolve around the usage of metal.

The City of Houston and surrounding cities are increasing their focus on recycling efforts in order to become more progressive and the benefit is two-fold: environmental and monetary.

In our everyday lives, we evaluate the quality of a finished product before making a purchase. We look at a new car and ponder on the color we’re considering but who looks at the actual exterior of the car and thinks about how it became the shiny object before our eyes? The team at South Post Oak Recycling Center (SPORC) does.

Scrap metal is their specialty and opportunity is their investment. They build their relationships with clients based on trust by guaranteeing they will responsibly divert metals from landfills; and they are paying people for their material and service.

CoreValues Values Core As the second-generation owner in transition, Brandi Harleaux, is a female entrepreneur who left Corporate America as an executive after twelve years, with a very deliberate intention on being passed the baton of building a legacy at South Post Oak Recycling Center. Harleaux shares the same vision her parents do: • Moving metals responsibly • Building and maintaining a great team of people • Listening to customers • Generating quality material • Providing exceptional service and creating relationships

SPORC has valued this vision for 23

years. Moving forward, the company is in an ownership transition and Ms. Harleaux has a sense of duty to maintain the same values her parents established.

"I'm building on a legacy of how recycling metal impacts and benefits industries and government entities, as well as the community."-Brandi Harleaux The reason why SPORC is a local success story that eventually expanded into the Southeast Houston area and acquired multiple MBE designations including COH, POH, and HUB within the past four years is because of its willingness to reshape the mold.

Beginnings Beginnings From humble beginnings in 1994, SPORC focused on servicing working class people: plumbers, electricians and HVAC technicians with easy access to offload any scrap metal (i.e. brass valves, insulated copper wire) accumulated from job sites/project sites throughout the course of the day or week. Servicing the everyday blue-collar family was not a penetrating market in the recycling industry because commercial accounts frequently offered higher quantity of material. SPORC focused almost solely on households, contractors and light industrial. They’ve since

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"I'm building on a legacy of how recycling metal impacts and benefits industries and government entities, as well as the community."

—Brandi Harleaux

expanded to manufacturing, government/ city entities, demolition companies and corporations with departments such as facilities and maintenance, property disposal investment recovery and asset disposition. Services include roll off containers for large volume generators and a covered drive through for everyone else. SPORC’s loyalty to household accounts as well as private and public sectors makes them an exception to an ever-changing market.

Testimonials Testimonials Client testimonials pulsate through the veins of the neighborly business that built its foundation on the premise of custom-

er service. A recent letter of praise from a contracting officer states, “…SPORC went out of its way to facilitate removals expeditiously, giving graciously of their time and resources.” SPORC is an award-winning business founded by a minority race couple, functioning by a team who reflects the core values of the company. When a couple from Third Ward Houston decided to “go green” and take responsibility in the recycling process of the Houston community, they would later provide material for the automotive, manufacturing and utilities industries. Their original cliental were everyday hard-workers like themselves, but now they hold commercial accounts as well. SPORC focuses on the overall experience for their clients as a central focal point of long-standing relationships.

Impact Impact The business of recycling metals in the Houston area fluctuates depending on supply and demand. With a second location in Southeast Houston thriving as well, SPORC knows what sets them apart from competitors and owes all their success to probity and hard work. SPORC offers an array of services to the community including recycling iron, copper, aluminum and other metals. When these metals become scraps, SPORC uses this as an opportunity to recycle and educate

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businesses on environmental awareness.

With a diverse team that reflects its company’s history as a minority-owned business, SPORC is also actively involved in Houston’s culture and society. The leadership team is engaged with various boards and committees that serve Houston and Texas in their industry. SPORC serves as a collaborative community on Houston’s Air Pollution and holds board positions on the Recycling Council of Texas (RCOT) and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI). SPORC prides itself on productivity-enabling and proactive impacts at a city, state and national level.

SPORC is consciously aware of the pressing issues in its industry and Harleaux carries the same values of the company by mentoring at one of her Alma Maters in the esteemed University of Houston Wolf Center of Entrepreneurship Mentor Program. Harleaux recognizes the disappointing number of women in entrepreneurship. That’s why she dedicates her effort to molding likeminded young women. SPORC also volunteers for community outreach such as Council Member Green’s “Green Up Clean Up” initiative, back-to-school drives and recycling fairs. Focusing on continual growth, SPORC also supports organizations such as Goldman Sach’s 10K Small Business Program. All in all, the face of South Post Oak Recycling Center reflects its core values and impactful selfless team efforts on businesses and an eco-friendly Houston.

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Engineering

Burns & McDonnell Claims No. 1 Spot on Engineering News-Record Texas & Louisiana's 2017 List of Top Design Firms

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ith an increase in comprehensive engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) solutions and multibillion-dollar contracts, Burns & McDonnell has claimed the No. 1 spot on Engineering News-Record Texas & Louisiana's 2017 Top Design Firm list. This is the fifth consecutive year the architecture, engineering, construction and consulting firm has been recognized among the top 20 design firms in the region.

Since opening its doors in Texas in 1994, Burns & McDonnell's statewide presence has grown from one project office to four offices with more than 700 employees. The Houston office is the firm's largest regional operation. (PRNewsfoto/Burns & McDonnell) "Burns & McDonnell is widely diversified, offering services ranging from environmental permitting to power generation to terminals and pipeline services and beyond," says Leslie Duke, Burns & McDonnell president and general manager of Houston and Austin offices. "Our broad capabilities — especially in EPC delivery — paired with improvements in the oil and gas and midstream market sectors have allowed us to thrive throughout the past year."

Since opening its doors in Texas in 1994, the firm's statewide presence has grown from one project office to four offices with more than 700 employees.

"Throughout the next 12 months, we expect to see our growth continue as the need for infrastructure upgrades remains prevalent and the oil and gas sector improves,"

says Scott Clark, Burns & McDonnell vice president and general manager of Dallas-Fort Worth offices.

In addition to the overall, regional design firm ranking, Burns & McDonnell continued to climb among the rankings in these categories: • No. 1 in Structural Engineering

• No. 1 in MEP Engineering • No. 2 in Civil Engineering • No. 2 in Petroleum • No. 6 in Environmental & Geotechnical Engineering Source: PR Newswire

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Gas & Oil

Houston News

Industry Insiders Say Minorities Should Pursue Oil Jobs

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA

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here are great opportunities for African Americans and Latinos in the oil, natural gas, and petrochemical industries, according to industry insiders, who are calling on minorities to “get in the game.”

“IHS Markit projects that there will be nearly 1.9 million job opportunities over the next 20 years in our industry, and [minorities] are expected to fill more than 575,000 of those positions,” said Deryck Spooner, the senior director of external mobilization at American Petroleum Institute. “These employment projections are based on current and expected trends in factors such as labor force participation rates, population growth rates, and educational attainment rates.”

IHS Markit is known as the leading source of information and insight into critical areas that shape today's business landscape.

Spooner noted that opportunities would be available in a wide variety of occupations across the country.

Of the 1.9 million new job opportunities, 57 percent are projected to be in blue-collar occupations and 32 percent are projected to be in management and professional fields, according to IHS Markit.

Martha Montoya, the chair of the National Association of Hispanic Publications, said that it's important for Black and Latino families to have conversations about opportunities in the oil industry that are available for people who aspire to join the middle class.

A recent report by IHS Markit noted that Hispanic and African-American workers are projected to account for close to 25 percent of new hires in management, business and financial jobs through 2035.

Also, of the women projected to be hired in the oil industry, more than half are expected to fill management and professional occupations.

The salaries in the oil and gas industry make the jobs very attractive.

Currently, the average salary for a financial analyst in the industry is $55,620, while a petroleum engineer makes $82,000 annually. Oil and gas pipeline construction workers average about $76,000 per year and those who drill oil and gas wells typically rake in at least $98,000 per year, according to several databases.

“Experienced engineers are being offered sky-high salaries and are taking regular calls from headhunters as the booming shale gas industry fights for scarce

talent, snapping up engineers from other sectors,” reported Alanna Petroff of CNN Money. “There aren't enough experienced engineers to go around, and global demand for engineers is growing, especially as the U.S. shale gas industry balloons.”

In order to take advantage of the oil and gas boom, Spooner said that minorities must get in the game.

“Our polling of African-Americans and Latinos showed that the vast majority of individuals had never applied for a job in the industry, with 60 percent of those being driven by a basic lack of familiarity with the industry's opportunities,” Spooner said.

As noted in the 2017 State of American Energy report, the American Petroleum Institute (API) continues to work with Hispanics in Energy and the American Association of Blacks in Energy to spread the word about that 707,000 positions are projected to be held by African-American and Hispanic workers, said API spokesman Reid T. Porter.

Porter added: “And, we've started a Veterans Energy Pipeline program to connect veterans with career opportunities that are compatible with their unique skill sets.”

With above-average salaries and an abundance of career opportunities projected over the next two decades, the oil and natural gas industry offers solutions to wage stagnation and income inequality, which remain major concerns in our still-struggling economy, said Porter.

“Capitalizing on energy job opportunities doesn't require a government program or taxpayer funding,” said Porter. “All it takes are smart energy policies and increased awareness of job opportunities to ensure the ‘Great Crew Change' is the game changer it can be for America's workers.”

The industry is partnering with schools, labor organizations and the government to increase awareness of energy job opportunities and to promote greater participation in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers.

Still, many are surprised to learn that the industry has a great deal of job opportunities in blue collar occupations (57 percent), which require a high school diploma and some post-secondary training, Spooner said.

“These are jobs like welders, pipefitters, truck drivers, and construction workers,” said Spooner. “There are also hundreds of thousands of job opportunities projected in management and professional fields as scientists, engineers, architects, communication professionals, business managers, and so much more.”

The oil and natural gas industry pays wages significantly higher than the national average and can provide tremendous career opportunities for women and minorities, said Jack Gerard, API president and CEO. Gerard continued: “These careers can help shrink the income inequality gap without spending a dime of taxpayer money.”

New Report On Shale Oil And Gas Development In Texas Finds Wide Range Of Benefits And Consequences

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

A

new, comprehensive report on the impacts of shale oil and gas development in Texas by a diverse team of top researchers finds a wide range of both benefits and consequences for the state's environment and communities. The report, convened

by The Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas (TAMEST), collects the best science available and summarizes what we do and don't know about shale development impacts in Texas.

The TAMEST Shale Task Force report is an independent, comprehensive review of scientific research on the impacts of shale oil and gas development in Texas by a diverse set of experts. The report—convened and sponsored by The Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas (TAMEST)—also offers recommendations for future research, identifies opportunities for greater collaboration and proposes consideration of policies to help mitigate these impacts. Learn more: www.tamest.org The TAMEST Shale Task Force report focuses on six key areas: seismicity, land, air, water, transportation, and economic and social impacts.

TAMEST is Texas' premier scientific organization, bringing together the state's best and brightest scientists and researchers. TAMEST membership includes all Texas-based members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine and the state's Nobel Laureates.

"This is the first effort of its kind in Texas, bringing together the best experts from academia, environmental organizations, the oil and gas industry, and state agencies," says Task Force Chair Dr. Christine EhligEconomides. "All of us worked together to reach a scientific consensus on what we do and do not know about the impacts of shale oil and gas development."

Source: PR Newswire

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MANUFACTURING

TI introduces single-chip buck-boost battery charge controllers enabling USB Type-C™ and USB Power Delivery support New battery algorithm provides maximum input power for 1S to 4S applications

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exas Instruments today introduced a pair of highly flexible, single-chip buck-boost battery charge controllers for one- to four-cell (1S to 4S) designs. The bq25703A and bq25700A synchronous charge controllers support efficient charging through USB Type-C and other USB ports in end equipment ranging from notebooks and tablets to power banks, drones and smart home applications.

Supporting both I2C and SMBus interfaces, the bq25703Aand bq25700A feature a new advanced battery algorithm enabling full power output by adding intelligence to battery charging through maximum power point tracking technology. The unique algorithm, referred to as input current optimization (ICO), automatically detects the full capacity of input power to optimize current, while maintaining consistent system and charging current to ensure the utilization of maximum input power.

Keyfeatures featuresand andbenefits benefits Key • Input source flexibility: The device's USB Power Delivery compatibility offers an input voltage range from 3.5 V

to 24 V, which designers can use in multiple ports including USB 2.0, USB 3.0 and the newest standard, USB Type-C. • Wide USB On-the-Go (OTG) output compatibility: The new charge controllers support input-ready devices from 5 V to 20 V and adjustable output for USB OTG with programmable current regulation.

• Compact configurations: TI's new battery-charging algorithm and intelligent detection features enable the battery charge controllers to support wide input and output voltage ranges and more compact adaptor designs.

• Seamless transition between different modes: The devices support 1S to 4S batteries and an efficient transition between buck and boost operation without any dead zone.

The bq25703A and bq25700A expand TI's portfolio of industry-leading batterycharger solutions, offering switch-mode fast chargers and linear chargers for a broad variety of applications and power levels. Learn more about TI's battery charging solutions for accurate, dependable and faster, cooler charging and how TI's USB Type-C ecosystem provides protected power delivery for low power applications.

controllers are now available through the TI store and authorized distributors. Offered in a 4-mm-by-4-mm, 32pin quad flat no-lead (QFN) package, the controllers are priced at US$2.20 in 1,000-unit quantities.

Findout outmore moreabout aboutTI's TI's Find battery-managementsolutions solutions battery-management

Tools Toolsand andsupport support Designers can use the bq25700A evaluation module (EVM) to easily evaluate device features and performance and speed time to market. The bq25703A EVM and the bq25700A EVM are available from the TI store and authorized distributors for US$149.00. Designers can use the WEBENCH® Battery Charger Designer to calculate the efficiency of the battery charge controller.

Availability, packaging and Availability, andpricing pricing The bq25703A and bq25700A charge

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• Read the blog post, "How a buck boost battery charger can transform the way you charge your devices."

• Visit the TI E2E™ Community Battery Management forum to search for solutions, get help, share knowledge, and solve problems with fellow engineers and TI experts.

AboutTexas Texas Instruments Instruments About Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) is a global semiconductor design and manufacturing company that develops analog ICs and embedded processors. By employing the world's brightest minds, TI creates innovations that shape the future of technology.

Source: PR Newswire

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CBP-6100-07 CRE Ad-MM.pdf

1

6/9/16

10:52 AM

Let’s grow, right now.

When it comes to business, timing is everything.

And, with historically low rates, there’s never been a more opportunistic time to expand your business with a commercial real estate loan from Comerica. As the leading bank for business*, we’ve been financing business expansion for nearly 150 years. Whether you need to build or purchase, expand or refinance, it’s the right time. Are you ready?

Call 800.705.2387, stop by a Comerica banking center or visit comerica.com/cre.

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MEMBER FDIC. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY LENDER. Comerica Bank NMLS ID: 480990 *Comerica ranks first nationally among the top 25 U.S. financial holding companies, based on commercial and industrial loans outstanding as a percentage of assets.

Data provided by SNL Financial, June 2015.

CBP-6100-07 06/16

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Petrochemical

Petrochemical

Enterprise and Navigator Gas to Develop Ethylene Marine Export Terminal

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

E

nterprise Products Partners L.P. and Navigator Holdings Ltd. today announced the execution of a letter of intent to jointly develop an ethylene marine export terminal on the Houston Ship Channel. Enterprise would manage the construction, operations and commercial activities of the proposed terminal, which would be located at Enterprise's Morgan's Point complex. Enterprise's Morgan's Point facility has a 45-foot draft and includes Enterprise's ethane marine export terminal, the world's largest. Navigator Gas has extensive experience with ethylene shipping through its fleet of 14 ethylene-capable vessels that provide a virtual pipeline to deliver ethylene to consuming customers.

The ethylene export terminal would be connected to Enterprise's high-capacity ethylene salt dome storage and ethylene pipeline system, which is currently under construction. Enterprise's ethylene storage facility will have approximately 600 million pounds of capacity with an injection/withdrawal rate of 210,000 pounds per hour expandable to 420,000 pounds per hour. Enterprise's ethylene pipeline system will be connected to multiple producers and consumers of ethylene on the U.S. Gulf Coast.

The U.S. petrochemical industry is expanding its ethylene production capacity by 45 percent between 2016 and 2020, based on currently announced projects. These expansions are driven by plentiful, lowcost supplies of natural gas and ethane as a result of the development of U.S. shale reserves. Almost 90 percent of these expansions are at facilities located along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast. Enterprise's ethylene storage and pipeline system, together with the proposed ethylene export terminal, would provide the petrochemical industry with logistical flexibility and an outlet to international markets.

"We are very pleased to work with Navigator Gas in efforts to commercialize an industry leading ethylene marine export terminal on the Houston Ship Channel with unsurpassed connectivity to ethylene producers and pipeline and storage infrastructure," said A.J. "Jim" Teague, chief executive officer of the general partner of Enterprise. "Customers would have the ability to manage the transportation and storage of ethylene supplies from the tailgate of producing facilities to domestic and international consuming derivative plants. The proposed ethylene export terminal would provide U.S. petrochemical companies critical market diversification rather than

relying solely on polyethylene export markets."

"A strategically located ethylene export terminal is the key to unlocking growing petrochemical production capacity in the U.S. We are proud to work with Enterprise, with their proven commercial and technical capabilities, on a project that promises to meet the needs of our customers and provides the seamless transportation of ethylene from the producer to the customer," commented David Butters, chief executive officer of Navigator Gas. Formation of the 50/50 joint venture to build, own and operate the ethylene marine export terminal is subject to the negotiation and execution of definitive agreements and approval by the respective boards of directors of Enterprise and Navigator Holdings. The commercialization of the project is subject to sufficient long-term customer commitments.

Enterprise Products Partners L.P. is one of the largest publicly traded partnerships and a leading North American provider of midstream energy services to producers and consumers of natural gas, NGLs, crude oil, refined products and petrochemicals. Enterprise's services include: natural gas gathering, treating, processing, transportation and storage; NGL transportation, fractionation, storage, and export and import terminals; crude oil gathering, transportation, storage, export and terminals; petrochemical and refined products transportation, storage and terminals; and a marine transportation business that operates primarily on the United States inland and Intracoastal Waterway systems. The partnership's assets include approximately 50,000 miles of pipelines; 260 million barrels of storage capacity for NGLs, crude oil, refined products and petrochemicals; and 14 billion cubic feet of natural gas storage capacity.

Navigator Holdings Ltd. is the owner and operator of the world's largest combined fleet of handysize and midsize liquefied gas carriers, including the largest fleet of ethylene vessels, by tonnage. Navigator Holdings provides international and regional seaborne transportation services of ethylene, ethane, LPG, petrochemical gases and ammonia for energy companies, industrial users and commodity traders.

Navigator Holdings's fleet of 38 vessels, 14 of which are the largest ethylene and ethane-capable liquefied gas carriers available in the market, enables cost-effective and efficient long-haul transportation of ethylene for our customers.

CB&I Awarded Material Supply Contract for Ethylene Expansion Project

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B&I today announced it has been awarded a contract by PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical Tbk (CAP) to supply materials for the revamp of existing cracking heaters at CAP's naphtha cracker plant in Cilegon, Indonesia.

The revamp will increase CAP's ethylene production capacity from 860 KTA (kilo tons per annum) to 900 KTA, enabling CAP to meet increased market demand for petrochemical products in Indonesia. CB&I previously provided the license, basic engineering and detailed engineering for the naphtha cracker revamp project.

"This award builds upon our long relationship with CAP, the largest integrated petrochemical producer in Indonesia," said Luke V. Scorsone, Executive Vice President of CB&I's Fabrication Services operating group.

"CAP's naphtha cracker has been in service for more than 20 years using CB&I's industry-leading ethylene technology and pyrolysis heaters."

AboutCB&I CB&I About CB&I (NYSE:CBI) is a leading provider of technology and infrastructure for the energy industry. With more than 125 years of experience, CB&I provides reliable solutions to our customers around the world while maintaining a relentless focus on safety and an uncompromising standard of quality.

Source: PR Newswire

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