Only The Best
orb management
No matter how complex the job, client or schedule may be, ORB Management’s focus on informed decision, smart building and strong relationships always prevails.
CONSTRUCTION LEADERS TODAY T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R C A P TA I N S O F I N D U S T R Y www.constructionleaderstoday.com
U.S. WEST/MIDWEST
midwest | general contracting
Only The Best No matter how complex the job, client or schedule may be, ORB Management’s focus on informed decision, smart building and strong relationships always prevails. Story by Joel Cornell Photos courtesy of ORB Management Corp.
2 Construction Leaders Today
general contracting | midwest
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fter several years working separately, lifelong friends Kim Barse and Tom Wacholz decided to combine their diverse backgrounds into a single firm that would cater to clients that shared their values. In 2002, the duo founded ORB Management in Alexandria, Minn. and they have been doing business at a breakneck pace ever since. Having spent many years in the design and construction industry, Wacholz brought a unique level of understanding to ORB Management’s new undertaking. Barse, meanwhile, had an extensive background in running small businesses. Together, the two developed a philosophy based on trust, value and communication that sought to give their clients what they needed. Nothing more, nothing less, only the very best of exactly what they asked for. “Kim and I have both enjoyed very positive and very challenging business experiences in our past,” said Wacholz, who serves as ORB Management President. “We had known that we shared not only a modest, hardworking background, but an integral set of values that would make for a high quality firm. We work in the building industry, but our exact scope of services depends entirely on what our client wants/needs. The important thing, irrespective of what we set out to do, is that we do it well.” ORB is a collaborative organization with many success stories. Whether a client is adding onto or upgrading an existing space, building a new facility, or looking to improve operational and energy efficiency, ORB offers expertise in these areas: site search/analysis, project planning, financial feasibility, economic incentive research, design and construction process management, sustainability
above, left: Alexandria Police Department. Alexandria, Minn. Utilizing their rather diverse and broad backgrounds, the leaders at ORB Management helped to create this police stations which features cutting edge technology matched with state of the art designs. above, right: Alexandria Police Department. Evidence Room, idealized for efficency as well as aesthetics.
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YMCA Photos: Lowell Anderson, ©Echo Press, all rights reserved
midwest | general contracting
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4 Construction Leaders Today
general contracting | midwest
opposite, top: Veteran’s Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic (VA CBOC) Alexandria, Minn. Developed by designbuilder ORB Management, the 9915 sq. ft. medical center is part of a new effort to give veterans the proper treatment they deserve. opposite, bottom: ORB Management developed the VA CBOC to be staffed by more than 16 VA staff members, including physicians, nurses, a pharmacist, a social worker, dietitians and support personnel. above, top left: YMCA. Alexandria, Minn. This new 56,000 facility on a 13 acre site seeks to bring their communities together with amenities including an aquatic center, public gathering spaces and child care services.
analysis, process risk management and leasing/development services. ORB Management provides comprehensive services that bring every project full circle. Recently, the firm was selected to help create the new YMCA center in Alexandria, Minn. The firm initially got involved when Wacholz volunteered his time in upfront planning and feasibility assessments. The YMCA embarked on a mission to develop a state-of-the-art facility and ORB Management was selected through a competitive RFP process to be the Construction Manager. Their team led the project through the feasibility process, brought their expertise to the design process, and helped to establish what could work for a new YMCA. In the later stages of the project, ORB Management continued to act as the Project Manager and Site Construction Manager for the project, seeing every detail through until the client was ready to occupy. Wacholz continues to volunteer his time on the YMCA’s Property Management Committee – they are in initial stages of planning for an expansion.
above, top right: Fitness centers in the YMCA, as shown here, hope to work towards a healthier and more fit tomorrow. ABOVE, bottom: Designed to promote easy access, unity and aesthetic pleasure, ORB Management built a facility that is durable and timeless.
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midwest | general contracting
above, top left: Alexandria Area YMCA Water Slide. above, top middle: Alexandria Area YMCA Arial View above, top right: Alexandria Police Department bottom left: Alexandria Area YMCA Gym bottom right: VA CBOC
6 Construction Leaders Today
“It’s one thing to say that you will help your clients,” said Barse, who serves as ORB Management's Vice President. “But, when your client is not only an entire Board of Directors, but also a Building Committee and the building’s staff, a total of more than 30 people, it’s a rather huge accomplishment to end up creating a facility that meets the needs of not just some, but all of those people.” “From an operational standpoint, our biggest challenge was in managing a very tight budget, which then proceeded directly into a very tight construction schedule. The team delivered the project on time and within the budget. All of the money that made up the $9 million budget came from donations from individuals, businesses and other organizations in our local community – we worked very hard to help make the most of those valuable donor dollars.” In the end, ORB Management played a key role in creating a state-of-the-art, 56,000 sq. ft. YMCA facility that included all of the desired amenities: a fully outfitted aquatic center, several multi-purpose rooms, a gymnasium, a health and wellness center, youth & teen spaces, public gathering room and child care services. This project is just one example of what the two founder’s set out to do with ORB – provide only the very best service and give their time/money/talent to the community. “There are certainly specific markets where we have more experience, and we do tend to gravitate towards those environments, nurturing our internal expertise and talents,” Wacholz said. “At the same time, our preeminent focus is on catering to our clients, who may need us to do work in any given sector. Above all, the strength of our firm is in our people. We’re a management company, so our role ends up as us being the orchestrator of the entire process. As such, we’re prepared to take on any role in the process in order to see the dreams of our client come to fruition. CLT
general contracting | midwest
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INFORMED Decisions
SMART Buildings
STRONG Relationships
ORB Management Corporation 123 3rd Avenue East Suite 100 Alexandria, MN 56308
www.orbmanagement.biz 320.762.2077 (PH) 320.762.2078 (FAX)