Build Houston Magazine • June / July 2014 1 www

Transcription

www.buildhoustononline.com
Build Houston Magazine • June / July 2014
1
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ABC LEADERSHIP
Chair
Tim Ricketts
Channel BioRefinery & Terminals
www.buildhoustononline.com | June / July 2014
Chair Elect
Darlene East
Holes Inc.
Vice Chair
Mike Holland
Marek Brothers Systems, Inc.
Secretary
Warren Adamson
S&B Engineers and Constructors
EDITORIAL FEATURES:
Treasurer
Leonard Bedell
Mobil Steel International
2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
COVER FEATURE
Neil Adams
Gilbane Building Company
W.T. Byler Co. Celebrates Equipment Milestone
W.T. Byler Co. recently acquired its 1000th piece of equipment marking
a large milestone for the company and its decades of award winning
achievements. (P16)
Brian Anderson
G.R. Birdwell Construction
Kerry Bennett
ISC Constructors, LLC
Kevin Bordelon
Zachry Industrial
Robert Burelsmith
E. E. Reed Construction, L. P.
Sam Craig
Craig & Heidt, Inc.
Matt Daniel
KBR Building Group
Marcus Deal
CB&I
Matt Elliott
SpawGlass Construction Corp.
John Golashesky
Turner Industries Group, LLC
Brandon Mabile
Performance Contractors, Inc.
John Marshall
Satterfield & Pontikes Constr. Inc.
Rod Molyneau
JACOBS
Bob Nussmeier
Kiewit/TIC
Joe Orr
Baker Concrete Construction, Ind.
Rodney Page
Ref-Chem L.P.
DEPARTMENTS:
LEGAL
6
NLRB Keeps Employers Guessing About Legality of Work Rules
FINANCIAL NEWS
10
Improve Your Success in Getting Insurance
14
To Rent, Lease or Buy: Get the Best Bang For Your Buck
18
The Five Pillars of a Retirement Plan
Frank Rusich
Tellepsen Industrial
SAFETY NEWS
Wendell Rychlik
W.T. Byler Company
20
What Kind of General Contractor Are You, Anyway?
William Sanchez
Oxford Builders Inc.
22
Safety: Activity vs. Achievement
Billy Spies
KBR
Christina Stone
Gaughan, Stone & Thiagarajan
Henry Villarreal
Turner Construction
Ben Westcott
Andrews Myers
Mark Williams
Foster Wheeler USA Corp.
INDUSTRY NEWS
25
High School Students Get “Hands-On”Experience at Construction Careers Expo
IN THE KNOW
28
People On The Move; Special Recognition; Project News & Company News
Ronnie Wills
Aggregate Technologies Inc.
Front cover photo credit: Don Hoffman
Lohn Zylicz
D.E. Harvey Builders, Inc.
Build Houston Magazine
3910 Kirby Drive, Suite 131
Houston, Texas 77098
(713)523-6222
Publisher/Owner: Associated Builders
& Contractors of Greater Houston
Executive Editor: Jennifer Woodruff
Assistant Editors: Katy Driver,
Megan Brann
Account Manager: Janice Peters
Graphic Design: Jennifer Woodruff,
Robert Chevis
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
Aggregate Technologies Inc. .....................26
All American Screening..............................19
American Mat & Timber Co. .....................21
Architectural Metal Crafts Inc....................13
Baker Triangle............................................12
Briggs Equipment......................................27
Brookside Equipment................................15
Channel Biorefinery & Terminals...............27
Coastal Ice.................................................11
Cokinos, Bosien, & Young..........................30
Compliance Safety Consulting...................27
Cool Hard Hat............................................27
Craig & Heidt, Inc.......................................19
Efficiency Shoring and Supply......................5
Enviro-Barrier............................................13
Gulf Coast Stabilized Materials..................13
Gray Mechanical........................................13
HG Fire Systems, LP...................................13
Ford Nassen & Baldwin.............................29
Houston Barricade.....................................27
Interface Consulting International, Inc......23
ISC Constructors, LLC...................................5
Locke Solutions Precast Division..................8
Marek Brothers Systems, Inc.....................25
Marton Roofing Industries........................27
Merit Professional Coatings......................23
Pavecon....................................................... 2
Porter Hedges LLP.....................................21
Romco Equipment.......................................9
Scott-Macon Equipment............................26
Skillforce...................................................... 7
TCA/The Compliance Alliance L.P..............31
Total CAD Systems, Inc..............................32
Von Younger Landscaping..........................13
W.T. Byler Co..............................................16
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ABC is on the Move... | FROM
THE CHAIR
Dear Reader,
Well, we did it! As I wrote in the last edition, the ABC Facilities Committee has been performing due
diligence on the purchase of a new home for ABC Greater Houston. On April 11, we closed on the
new property at 4910 Dacoma. Now the real work begins. There have been three committees set
up to ensure that we can move in by the targeted date, which is February of 2015. The committees
include Planning, Construction, and Financial. The Planning Committee, which will develop the
building space and actual plans for permit, has already met and expects to be prepared for permit
application in June. Its not too late to get involved with one of these committees if you would like to
have input!
The ownership of this building has been the dream of many members for many years as it will offer
permanency to the chapter location without worrying—from lease to lease—where we will be
RICKETTS
located or what the cost will be. Many members have spent a great deal of time and effort to this
end but probably none more than John Golashesky with Turner Industries. He has been at this for over 10 years! The only thing I can
say is THANKS JOHN and to all who helped make this happen.
There are many things happening right now in Washington, D.C., particularly with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), and ABC
National is working to fend off many of the potential rulings that will adversely affect the Merit Shop philosophy. You can participate
in this effort by subscribing to the ABC Action Alerts if you have not already. It only takes a minute to subscribe and less than that
to respond when you receive an alert. And they work! Subscribing is as easy as going to the “Politics and Policy” section at the ABC
website (www.abc.org), clicking on the most current Action Alert, and following the instructions. I encourage ALL members to take the
time to participate.
Speaking of Washington, D.C., the annual Legislative Conference (LegCon) is coming up June 11th -13th. In addition to visiting with
legislators, there will be a host of great speakers such as Dr. Ben Carson. This is one of the more important events that is held during
the year and is my favorite.
Remember, “Get into politics or get out of business”! Thanks for all you do and stay busy my friend.
Tim Ricketts
ABC Greater Houston Chairman
Director of Projects, Channel BioRefinery & Terminals
Mark Your Calendar For The Following Events and Training Opportunities!
JUNE
June 4:
June 5:
June 11:
June 20:
Wrongful Contract Termination Seminar
CMEF Graduation
ABC Legislative Convention
Fishing Tournament
JULY
July 11:Membership Breakfast
July 23: PAC Summer Event @ Top Golf
AUGUST
Aug 7: ABC Casino Night
Aug 21: Fall Clay Shoot
Dates above are tentative. Visit www.abchouston.org for more information.
4
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5
NLRB Keeps Employers
Guessing About Legality
of Work Rules
E
mployer work rules and conduct policies remain under
attack by the current NLRB and its administrative law judges.
The Board’s attack on these policies focuses on whether the
workplace rules “explicitly restrict” an employee’s exercise of
Section 7 rights to engage in protected concerted activity under
the National Labor Relations Act. Even workplace rules that do not
explicitly limit employees’ rights may be illegal according to the
current NLRB Board if employees reasonably would understand
the rules to prohibit such activity. The Board’s current composition has
led to unpredictable determinations
on lawful employer work rules.
For example, the Board in First
Transit, Inc. 360 NLRB No. 72 (2014)
decided that a policy prohibiting
“discourteous and inappropriate
attitude” was unlawful because
it could inhibit employees from
speaking to co-workers about
employment-related matters.
The Board’s current composition has led to unpredictable
determinations on lawful employer work rules. For example, the
Board in First Transit, Inc. 360 NLRB No. 72 (2014) decided that
a policy prohibiting “discourteous and inappropriate attitude”
6
was unlawful because it could inhibit
employees from speaking to co-workers
about employment-related matters. In
this same case, the Board upheld a rule
prohibiting loitering because it was
limited to an employee’s failure to remain
productive during work hours (since the
rule referred to “poor work habits”). The
Board concluded employees would not
JODON
reasonably construe the “no loitering” rule
to forbid them from engaging in Section 7 activities during nonwork time when they were not required to be actively performing
their jobs.
In Flex Frac Logistics, LLC, 358 NLRB No. 127 (2012), the Board
found the employer’s confidentiality rule unlawful since it defined
confidential information to include “personnel information.” The
Board concluded the rule interfered with the rights of employees
to discuss wages and other terms and conditions of employment
under Section 7 of the NLRA. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the
Fifth Circuit recently upheld the Board’s decision on this issue.
In Copper River of Boiling Springs, LLC, 360 NLRB No. 60 (2014),
the NLRB upheld an employer’s rule prohibiting “[i]nsubordination
to a manager or lack of respect and cooperation with fellow
employees or guests,” including, “displaying a negative attitude
(Continued on page 8)
NLRB Keeps Employers Guessing | LEGAL
NEWS
7
LEGAL NEWS
| NLRB Keeps Employers Guessing
that is disruptive to other staff or has a negative impact on guests.” The Board concluded that the rule banned only unprotected
conduct harmful to the employer’s legitimate business concerns. The dissenting opinion stated: “an employee would reasonably
interpret a ‘negative attitude’ as one that is critical of the
employer, and that the rule would thereby reasonably inhibit
employees from discussing controversial topics, including terms
and conditions of employment.”
In California Institute of Technology Jet Propulsion Laboratory,
360 NLRB No. 63 (2014), the NLRB unanimously upheld an
ALJ’s determination that the employer violated the Act by
discriminatorily reprimanding five employees who used the
employer’s email system to communicate with their coworkers
about a new background check requirement. The ALJ found that
the employees’ emails were protected, concerted activity because
the employees were discussing their working conditions. The
employees did not lose the protection of the Act merely because
they used their work computers and email accounts to send the
emails. Although under the Board’s Register Guard decision,
employees do not currently have a Section 7 right to use company
computers to engage in protected, concerted activity or unionrelated activity; an employer may not allow employees to use
computers for some non-work activities and discriminate against
employees using computers for Section 7 activities. Because the
employer here had a practice of allowing use of its computers
and email for a wide range of non-work purposes, such as social
events, lost and found, and birth announcements, it could not
lawfully discipline employees for their similar use in sending the
emails at issue.
In the same case, the NLRB upheld the employer’s ethics and
business conduct policy, which required employees to “avoid any
actions which could reasonably be expected to . . . discredit [the
employer].” The NLRB seemingly ignored its recent decisions
invalidating similar rules and relied on older precedent upholding
employer policies that specifically prohibited “discredit[ing]” the
employer.
These decisions illustrate challenges employers face when
promulgating work rules governing employee attitude and
conduct. Based on the growing body of NLRB decisions on
these subjects, employers are left to make educated guesses
whether a specific employee conduct policy restrict employees
in the exercise of their Section 7 rights. Employers should tread
cautiously and consult legal counsel to determine the best course
of action to meet their specific goals.
Firmwide:126485965.1 800000.1000
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
G. Mark Jodon is the office managing shareholder in Littler Mendelson’s Houston
office. Mark is board-certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board
of Legal Specialization and represents companies in all facets of labor and
employment law. He can be reached at (713) 652-4739 and [email protected].
“Do what you say,
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8
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9
Improve Your Success
In Getting Insurance
A
nybody who has been paying insurance premiums over
the last few years has noticed that there has been a
shift in the property/casualty insurance world. Obtaining
insurance today has a few more hurdles, but there are ways to
increase your chances of success.
Market changes: “Hard Market” Vs. “Soft Market”
Insurance agents undoubtedly have talked to you about the “hard
market” cycle – the flip side of the “soft market” cycle. During
the soft market years, from around 2000 to 2011, insurance
companies wanted your business – and worked hard to get it.
Insurance companies offered lower premiums to attract new
business and reduced premiums on renewals to keep the
account. Underwriters weren’t asking too many questions about
your business, either. You didn’t have to jump through hoops to
come up with the dates that you had your roof replaced. No one
wanted to see the contents page of your safety manual or insist
that you have a central station alarm to get your contents covered
for theft.
Understand How Market Changes May Impact You
With the shift to a harder market, things have changed significantly.
Premiums have increased 3 to 5 percent, and companies seeking
insurance are under more scrutiny. Additionally, insurance
companies have narrowed their “appetite guides,” the list that
10
they
give
their
agents about the
types of businesses
they want to insure.
If you are a plumbing
company
doing
residential
work,
good luck. Very few
DAVIS
O’HARA
markets will insure
that exposure. Grading lots for a residential sub-division? You are a
hot potato! Insurance carriers don’t want any part of a potential class
action lawsuit. It’s their worst nightmare.
As always, there are exceptions. If you are a large enough company,
carriers might bend the rules in exchange for a hefty premium.
There are also surplus lines insurance carriers in business to write
the accounts that the standard markets avoid.
Your Contracts Matter
Many of the larger carriers—CNA, FCCI, Travelers, and others—are
beginning to evaluate the subcontracts utilized by a prospective
insured. In the good ole’ “soft market” days, carriers rarely
requested this type of documentation, and even less frequently
made waves about how it was written. Now carriers want to see
Getting Insurance Successfully | FINANCIAL
NEWS
11
FINANCIAL NEWS
| Getting Insurance Successfully
subcontracts that are well drafted, up-to-date, and in compliance
with applicable rules and statutes governing construction
contracts. Indeed, a bad subcontract can put you at risk of losing
or being denied coverage. For example, an HVAC contractor in
Central Texas recently had its subcontract agreement sent back
for revisions by its insurance company not once, but twice, with
the threat of non-renewal!
At the end of the day, carriers want to see subcontracts that they
can defend in the event of a loss. While there is no hard-andfast rule (i.e., less may suffice), a well drafted subcontract that
includes at least the following key items should be considered
defensible and is likely to garner the blessing of any insurance
company: (1) an indemnity/hold harmless clause that complies
with the “express negligence” rule as well as Chapter 151 of the
Texas Insurance Code; (2) an additional insured provision which
complies with Chapter 151 of the Texas Insurance Code; (3) a
waiver of subrogation clause; (4) a flow down clause; (5) a nodamages for delay provision; (6) a cross-default provision; (7) a
time is of the essence provision; and (8) a merger clause.
Summary: Our Best Advice In Your Quest For Insurance
Follow the tried and true Boy Scouts’ creed and BE PREPARED!
• Be prepared to answer questions about your business
• Be prepared to provide detailed information about your
business
• Be prepared to accept conditions to obtain the coverage you
desire
• Be prepared for additional cost – higher premiums are the
norm
• Be prepared to provide contract documents that are well
drafted, up-to-date, and comply with applicable rules and
statutes
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Gina O’Hara is vice president of Anco Insurance and program manager of
the Texas Construction Association endorsed insurance program. O’Hara is a
commercial insurance veteran who specializes in insurance for constructionrelated businesses. Ten years ago, she launched the TCA Workers’ Compensation
Safety Group through Texas Mutual, an innovative solution designed to help
Texas contractors improve safety in the workplace while lowering their workers’
compensation insurance premiums.
William B. “Billy” Davis is an attorney with the law firm of Andrews Myers,
P.C. His practice focuses on the dispute resolution and transactional aspects
of construction law. His experience includes the prosecution and defense of a
variety of construction-related disputes before state and federal courts, as well
as the American Arbitration Association. Billy also has significant experience with
insurance coverage analysis and insurance litigation.
acoustical | drywall | eifs | plaster | prefab | stone systems | stucco | bakertriangle.com
Bob Baker, Founder
Bob Baker founded BakerTriangle 40
years ago and had a deep desire to
provide the highest quality workmanship
in the drywall and plaster industry. His
legacy continues today as a thirdgeneration company dedicated to
continuing the values and standards
he began so many years ago.
BakerTriangle is structured for quality.
BT40
1974
2014.indd
1
12build houston
Build
Houston
Magazine • June / July 2014
-
2014
1/15/2014
8:35:43 AM
13
TO RENT, LEASE OR BUY:
Get the Best Bang for Your Buck
P
roper equipment is essential for performing your work
and delivering on your contracts. However, the high cost
of equipment can hamper your bottom line in the longterm if you haven’t chosen the right avenue of financing for your
situation. Don’t become consumed with the old concept of buying
all of your equipment upfront. There are a variety of rental and
leasing options available today, each with its own financial perks.
Leasing Equipment
With today’s lower interest rates, leasing has evolved as a
favorable option. Leasing is an interval-based payment option,
usually lasting at least one year and offering incentives and
benefits such as:
• No down payment requirements
• No direct debts
• Flexibility to purchase equipment in full at the completion of
the lease or return equipment, commonly referred to as an
“open-end lease”
Accounting For Your Lease
When considering leasing equipment, it is important to know
that there are two types of leases that can be recognized for
accounting purposes:
1. A capital lease is similar to a purchase, although not legally
deemed as such. It has the economic attributes of owned
assets, thus for accounting purposes, consider it a purchase.
As part of this lease, you are viewed as the owner of the
equipment, meaning your equipment will be accounted for
14
as an “on
the balance sheet” asset
on your financial statement.
Tax deductions are made regularly
until the leasing period is complete
or the lease has been paid in full.
These deductions for the equipment
are limited to the depreciation of the
equipment and the interest portion of
the lease payments.
KUCHAR
2. An operating lease acts as a rental agreement – a contract that
allows you to use equipment without conveying ownership
rights. It is accounted for as an “off the balance sheet” asset
for financial statements. Since it is not held as a liability, you
can maintain a low debt-to-equity ratio and increase your
ability to borrow more equipment with ease. Payments on
equipment under an operating lease are eligible for annual
tax deductions.
Standards have been established by the Financial Accounting
Standards Board (FASB) that qualify equipment under a capital
lease or an operating lease. Each of these types of leases require
different accounting treatments, so be sure you understand the
qualifications of each.
Renting Equipment
For those not intending to use equipment for a long period of
time, or simply wanting to cut costs, renting is another alternative
Rent, Lease or Buy | FINANCIAL
providing several incentives, including:
• Short-term agreements, i.e., monthly, weekly or daily
• Fewer financial constraints
• More options if you have poor credit
• Ability to test out machinery in advance
Accounting For Rented Equipment
As opposed to taking out a loan to buy equipment and affecting
your credit-to-debt ratio, renting is considered a separate
transaction and will not count against current debt. It enables you
to expense costs immediately and is applied against your taxable
income. In addition to no tax on rental equipment, there are no
hefty guidelines aligned with accounting for equipment.
Buying Equipment
If you are convinced that having complete control of your
equipment is the only way to go, then buying is the best alternative
for you for a few reasons:
•Ability to manage how equipment is maintained
•A cost savings of 20 percent to 30 percent over leasing in the
long run, since there are no related fees attached to buying
•Tax breaks – by deducting some of the purchase price on a
tax return, some of the payment can be reimbursed
NEWS
Accounting For Purchased Equipment
Tax advantages of buying equipment aren’t as great as in recent
years thanks to the expiration of two favorable tax provisions:
• Special 50 percent first-year bonus depreciation available
before 2014 for certain qualified property is no longer
available for most types of property.
• The elective Section 179 expense deduction has been
reduced from $500,000 to $25,000 a year starting this year.
Congress may extend these tax breaks and make them retroactive
to Jan. 1, 2014, but it’s currently too early to tell.
A hasty equipment purchase can lead to a lengthy financial
burden, so take the time to evaluate and get the most bang for
your buck.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Michael Kuchar is a Shareholder and leader of Doeren Mayhew’s dedicated
Construction Group in Houston. A top 100 U.S. firm serving Houston for 30 years,
Doeren Mayhew provides CPA and advisory services to more than 500 suppliers
and general and specialty contractors doing business domestically and abroad. For
more information, visit www.doeren.com.
EXPECT MORE FROM YOUR WORKFORCE.
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15
Celebrating a History
of Determination and
Hard Work with the
Acquisition of a
Milestone 1000th
Piece of Equipment
T
his year marks several special milestones for W.T. Byler
Co. Not only is the family-owned and operated company
celebrating 41 years in business, but they are also
celebrating an outstanding achievement: the recent purchase of
its 1000th unit of earth moving equipment!
Mr. Rick Johnson, General Superintendent for W.T. Byler Co. was
pleased to hand off the new machine to Mr. Larry Henderson,
Senior Operator. Both gentlemen recently celebrated over three
decades of service with W.T. Byler Co.
With such an outstanding milestone in mind, Wendell Rychlik,
Director of Business Development and Marketing, says that W.T.
Byler Co. stays true to their motto, “our work is more than earth
moving”—ensuring employees are safe, creating
the best possible product while providing the
best possible service. They are a heavy and civil
engineering construction firm specializing in
large site-work and railroad construction.
downtown,
W.T.
Byler
C o . ,
like many companies, faced difficult
decisions. However, by maintaining
strict efficiency and downsizing their
fleet to less than 500 units, the company
was able to grow at a sustainable rate.
“Make no mistake, the company has had
many years of success, but during the downturn of 2008, Bill Byler
had the foresight to create the DBD & Marketing position and
gave me the charge. My efforts becoming a face of the company
were focused on the industrial complex—manufacturing, oil, gas,
chemical and power,” says Rychlik. “Relationships have been so
very vital in our growth. We have new friends from Japan, Austria,
From humble beginnings, the original forces
included a backhoe, tractor-mower and four
field personnel. Working primarily for the
railroads, W.T. Byler built the company with
the inherent values centered on people with
commitment to building the job right the first
time. These core values, constructed by founder
Troy Byler and maintained by Bill Byler, are still
true today.
W.T. Byler Co. continues to lead the field
into new and exciting areas of growth—
transforming, often difficult, and large projects
into reality. Even after the 2008 economic
16
Heavy-equipment, including dozers, loaders and 11 excavators, is mobilized on a Friday night. The
following Saturday, W.T. Byler Co.’s 40-personnel team, led by Bear Hebert and Roger Nichols, with
employees of Union Pacific Railroad, place out of service the existing track and remove, and in one
single-lift, lift and walk into place 620 track-feet of pre-constructed railroad including a crossover or
pair of switches combined connecting two parallel rail tracks, allowing one track to cross over to the
other. The system was surfaced and placed back into service that Sunday night. Photo by: Wendell
Rychlik
W.T. Byler Co. Celebrates Company Milestones | COVER
STORY
Argentina and other parts of the world and still
maintain our relationships with our friends that
have been here all along: UP Railroad, PTRA,
KTN, CPChem, Kinder-Morgan, HFO—to name
a few, and our commercial contractor friends
and developers.”
“Yes,” admittedly said Jeremy Perkins – Senior
Project Executive for the company, “Safety is
more stringent in the industrial market, but the
owners have been good to us.”
W.T. Byler Co. has since multiplied revenue over
three times since 2009, and the fleet size has
more than doubled to an impressive 1000+
units of heavy equipment and transport trucks.
The company produces major projects Getting to a 41 year anniversary milestone is no accident. It takes teamwork and dedication. The
including infrastructure for mining, grass-root WT Byler Co team is composed of some of the best and brightest professionals in the industry.
Troy and Bill Byler entrust the company to team members like Rick Johnson, Cliff Atteberry,
refineries & power plants, petroleum liquid Jeremy Perkins, James Heath, Carol Erwin, Geoff Pospisil, Bobby Posinski, Bill Miller, Steven Ehler,
storage facilities, K-12 & institutions of higher Bubba Campbell and many others who contribute to the company’s success.
education, professional sports arenas, road
systems, airports, railroads, and manufacturing, pipe mill and Award. Most recently in 2014, Associated General Contractors
steel-pellet producers.
of America (AGC) awarded W.T. Byler Co. a National Construction
Even with an impressive fleet, W.T. Byler Co.’s outlook is not only in
its equipment, but more importantly, in the quality of its people.
The professionals who make up this efficient team include staff,
superintendents, mechanics and operators, who have decades of
service to the company and to the community.
The company offers not only substantial construction experience
and integrity to clients, but continues to have a genuine
commitment to every project that is supported by a foundation of
workplace safety and quality. W.T. Byler Co. was honored In 2012
with Associated Builders and Contractors ABC National Safety
Excellence Award, and in 2013 with the ABC National Pinnacle
Together with the forces of the Gilbane-Harvey ExxonMobil Campus project, WT
Byler Company spells out their commitment to safety and felt privileged to take
this very important photograph, for a very important client, complementing a
very important owner. Photo by: Wendell Rychlik
Safety Excellence Award. In 2010, the firm was recognized for an
unheard of construction company 0.19 EMR.
When asked regarding the future, Rychlik stated, “The shale
plays are a game changer and not just the Eagle Ford in Texas.
We have projects that were created from the Permian basin and
the Bakken. Manpower will continue to be an issue, but also
keeping up with technology is essential—work plans, accountably
plans, rapid reporting—we need to know specifically what we are
achieving to hedge any short falls. These are key factors — adapt
to any situation, control human and equipment assets, achieve
hi-end results and company wide transparency. We will remain
committed to continuous
improvement, the protection
of our employees and
sustainable relationships with
our ever-growing clients and
subcontractors.”
To learn more, or discover
how W.T. Byler Co. can
assist you with your next
project, contact Wendell
Rychlik - Director of Business
Development and Marketing
at [email protected].
Rychlik
17
The Five Pillars of
a Retirement Plan
O
ur country has experienced some of the most difficult
conditions in decades –severe market downturn, economic
and credit crisis, the Madoff scandal, an uncertain
regulatory and legislative environment–which has threatened
the future financial security of most employees. The American
workforce is aging – from 2010 to 2020, 65 to 74 year olds will
occupy the fastest-growing segment of the population, while 55
to 64 year olds will be the largest segment of the population. Many near-retirees are now postponing retirement or facing the
prospect of a lowered standard of living during retirement. In light of the aging population
and Congress’ recent focus on
the integrity of retirement plan
administration, design and
investment monitoring, it’s more
important than ever for your
company to have a competitive,
compliant retirement plan.
In light of the aging population and Congress’ recent focus on the
integrity of retirement plan administration, design and investment
monitoring, it’s more important than ever for your company to
have a competitive, compliant retirement plan.
An employee retirement plan can help in multiple ways:
• Recruit and retain valuable employees
18
•Bridge the gap between
Social
Security
and
retirement income needs,
which are estimated to be 85
percent of current income
•
Reduce tax liability –
contributions to employee
accounts are tax deductible
from business income
CHRIST
TAYLOR
INSURANCE
As a decision-maker, it’s important to understand how a successful
retirement plan can help benefit you and your employees. There
are five pillars upon which a successful retirement plan can be
built:
1)The Plan Fiduciary – The named fiduciary is primarily
responsible for the overall operations and administration of the
plan. Understanding the role and responsibilities of a fiduciary
necessary for establishing and maintaining a successful
retirement plan can be a daunting task, therefore relying on
the guidance and expertise of a plan consultant is common. They help fiduciaries limit and manage personal and corporate
financial liability while enhancing investment opportunities and
improving overall plan value.
2)Plan Design and Compliance – Each company has individual
needs and a retirement plan needs to be responsive to them
in selecting the appropriate plan type and design, as well
as ensuring plan compliance. Key issues such as cash flow,
organizational structure and size factor into the type of plan you
Five Pillars of a Retirement Plan | FINANCIAL
NEWS
select (401(k), Roth IRA, Profit-Sharing Plan, SEP IRA, SIMPLE,
etc.). Within each plan type are different design options to help
maintain the plan’s tax advantaged status. One size does not fit
all, and your advisor can help determine the design to maximize
contributions, minimize tax liabilities and remain compliant.
3)Selection and Monitoring of Plan Investments – Develop an
investment policy statement, select a balanced investment
lineup and designate a default investment option for your
plan. A retirement plan must provide a balanced selection
of investment options that have a track record of strong
performance when compared to benchmarks. Consider those
providers that offer a variety of investment options within
different asset classes which allows diversity of investment mix. Ibbotson and Kaplan’s 2000 study supports the conclusion that
asset allocation is by far the biggest determining factor (91.5%)
of portfolio performance.
4)Plan Participation and Education – Implement strategies that
can help your employees meet their retirement goals. As
employees struggle to make their own retirement decisions
with less support from Social Security and traditional pension
plans, they depend on employers to sponsor retirement plans
that can help them meet their financial goals. Help maximize
your plan’s effectiveness by taking actions such as benchmarking
your current results against industry averages, implementing
automatic features such as deferral increases, designing
an education strategy that helps ensure your employees
understand the value of the plan, and giving them access to the
plan consultant who can help them make informed investment
decisions.
5)Service, Technology and Day-to-Day Administration – Select
a provider whose plan administration capabilities and level
of service fits best with your organizational needs. Your
retirement plan should help minimize the burdens on your
organization, not bog you down with day-to-day administrative
issues. Considerations can include how much time you spend managing your plan, access to participant resources and
tools, dedicated client contact, efficiency of payroll and loan
processing, and reasonable fees relative to other providers.
Individuals are being asked to assume greater responsibility for
the planning of their retirement needs. Now more than ever
before, and it is important to use these five pillars to help you
build and maintain a successful retirement plan for your company,
and your employees.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Christ Taylor Insurance is an Employee Benefits and Insurance Brokerage firm
doing business for over 50 years in southeast Texas, and long-time ABC member. We provide solutions to small and medium size companies in the areas of
Healthcare and other Benefit programs, as well as Life Insurance and Retirement
Plans. Contact the Christ Taylor team at 713-850-7747 or www.christtaylor.com.
19
What Kind of
General Contractor
Are You, Anyway?
F
rom Color Personality quizzes, Type A and Type B personality
profiles, and the Meyers-Briggs personality standard to the
Match.com analyses that promises to create romantic bliss
for you by matching you up with “your type”, Americans love to
identify what “type” they are and seek out “like-minded” people. And, interestingly enough, according to W. Edwards Deming,
author of Out of The Crisis, The Essential Deming on Leadership
Principles from the Father of Quality, and many, many more
books, companies also have “personality types”.
In my almost 30 years of experience in construction safety, I have
witnessed firsthand that there are distinct “Safety Personalities”
in construction. Here’s a list of the most common types. Which
one are you?
1)The Rhett Butler: Basically, you really don’t give a damn.
These contractors have told me that safety is a waste of
money because “I’m going to pick them up on one corner and
if they get hurt, drop them off on the next.”
2)The Kim Kardashian: Your safety personality is “no experience
needed”. You “get” that you have to have someone with a
title “safety coordinator” but you won’t be giving them any
power or authority. So it can be anyone—a project assistant,
an admin or clerical person elevated to the duty, or even
a laborer who can run errands and be a “project safety
coordinator”, too.
3)The Clint Eastwood: You focus on the law—yours and maybe
OSHA’s. If the workers make mistakes, no worries. Your
20
team immediately turns into either
Harry Callahan in Sudden Impact
with a threatening “Make My Day”
or a menacing Walt Kowalski in Gran
Torino yelling “Get Off My Lawn”. Zero
Tolerance, control and intimidation,
that’s the way to get things done.
4)The Bernie Madoff: You are all about
AMAVI
making safety look good, really good,
and gaining the trust of some very
major players and global owners. But behind the scenes, it’s
a different story. Your “safety” personnel do what you tell
them to do and 100% Compliance Audit Reports are common. But, as one of the Top 20 global oil & gas companies recently
and publicly announced at a citywide contractor meeting,
“We have good news and bad news…the good news is our
reported unsafe acts and conditions are way down. The bad
news is our injuries, major and minor, are not.” If we are to
believe the insurance companies when they say it takes 30
unsafe acts for a first aid, 300 unsafe acts for a recordable
injury, up to 30,000 unsafe acts for a fatality, how do you, “Mr.
Madoff”, reconcile your “A+” safety audits with all the people
getting hurt?
5)The Kevin Costner: With you, safety is for real even when no
one else can see or hear it the way you do. You don’t care
about flying in the face of traditional safety—you know that
whether its 30, or 300, or 3000, or 30,000—unsafe acts ARE
happening and you want people to help you root every one of
What Kind of GC Are You? | SAFETY
NEWS
them out so you can interrupt the flow and prevent injuries. You refuse to lie about safety now and try to explain injuries
later. Like Costner’s character, Ray Kinsella, in the movie
Field of Dreams, you are going to put together a playing field
of people who believe authentic safety, administered with
professional integrity, is not only possible but profitable and
worthy…even when other people don’t agree or can’t “see
it”. You will attract like-minded people and the major owners. You know that if you build it, they will come.
Now that you know the main Safety Personality Types for general
contractors, ask yourself these two questions:
a) What type of safety personality am I teaching workers on
my jobsite to get along with?
b) Is the answer to (a) good news?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tara Maria Amavi, (formerly Tara Templeton Hart, name changed due to identity
theft) is the Founder and President of TCA/The Compliance Alliance L.P. TCA has
provided services to almost 1000 companies nationwide and TCA’s proprietary
tools, methods and means have been ranked #1 in the world for managing
contractor safety. The TCA Safety System® is peer acknowledged as a method
based upon TCA’s own trade secrets which get better results than traditional safety
methods and, therefore, saves lives. Ms. Amavi has been named one of Houston’s
50 Most Influential Women for 2012 by Houston Woman magazine, and has also
been named one of the Who’s Who in Safety by Compliance Magazine (2007). Ms.
Amavi is a sought after public speaker, has appeared on local & national radio and
television programs including five appearances on The BusinessMakers, a radio
show hosted by John Beddow & Russ Capper. Ms. Amavi may be contacted at tara.
[email protected] or 713.263.7661. Our construction team
relationships
by providing clients with solutions based on experience.
Porter Hedges assists owners, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, lenders and design professionals who manage the risks of
construction projects. From commercial to industrial and infrastructure construction, our experienced counsel can take you
from contract formation to project completion, including the complexities of financing projects. Our breadth of experience
helps clients avoid claims and resolve them when they happen.
Chambers USA has ranked our construction practice among the best in Texas (Band 1) for ten consecutive years,
describing Porter Hedges as “a very strong firm” with “experience across a broad array of construction matters.”
1000 Main Street, 36th Floor
Phone: (713) 226-6000 Fax: (713) 228-1331
porterhedges.com
PORTER HEDGES LLP, ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Attorney Advertising
21
SAFETY:
Activity vs. Achievement
A
few years ago a project manager turned to me and said;
“Don’t mistake activity for achievement.” He said this after
observing employees in a work area. When his employees
knew he was looking, they appeared to be working and engaged.
But when they thought the boss was not paying attention, they
worked at a completely different pace or did no work at all. So,
my question is this: why do employees think that appearance of
activity is the same as achievement?
Can You See Me Now?
While performing safety audits on a recent project, I encountered
some workers who appeared to be complying with the applicable
safety rules. They were working near a grinding activity. With
sparks and metal bits flying through the air, I placed goggles
over my safety glasses to protect my eyes. The workers, on the
other hand, had no protection beyond their safety glasses. They
thought only the person doing the grinding was required to wear
double eye protection. I was not comfortable with the situation,
and knew these workers were at-risk, so I called for their foreman.
He wasn’t wearing the appropriate eye protection either, and did
not see things my way. He explained that their JSA did not call
for goggles or a face shield therefore he wasn’t going to make
his employees wear them. He pointed out that the workers were
wearing the required personal protective equipment and he was
going no further to protect them as that might be inconvenient.
I explained that they were in a hazardous area and those near
the grinding area could be harmed. My words were in vain. The
22
employees continued to work under the
pretense of safety.
Gravity Works
A recent visit to a high rise building project
brought back horrible memories of a fall
incident where a man was severely injured.
The incident occurred a few years ago,
GHORMLEY
but it’s as vivid in my mind as though it
were yesterday. Workers removed some flooring near a scaffold
ladder. They thought their crew was the only work group on that
level. It appeared that the flooring had been properly and safely
removed, but they failed to put up substantial barricades to warn
other workers before they moved on to another work area. Later,
a worker descending the scaffold ladder stepped into the floor
opening and fell a short distance. This could have been prevented
with proper barricading instead of merely going through the
motions—or appearances—of being safe.
It’s Been Said
How many times have we heard someone say, “You can count
on me.” I’m sure it’s been said a jillion times. But lip service is
not commitment. Only doing proves commitment. In the safety
business, actively showing care proves you can be counted on.
A safety manager assured me that he’d stay the course and
continue on-site until the project was done. However, he
Activity vs. Achievement | SAFETY
NEWS
disappeared without notice during a critical
time of the project and never returned.
His absence became a situation that left
many workers without safety or medical
coverage. Later, I learned that the so-called
safety professional simply took another job
leaving his co-workers in at-risk situations.
Could I replace him? Yes. Did I replace him?
Yes. Did he harm his career by leaving the
job in mid-project? Yes. He proved that
when the going got tough, he couldn’t be
counted upon. Although he appeared to be
a person with integrity, his actions proved
otherwise. He need not re-apply for a job
with me. His dependability as well as his
character was seen in his actions.
Real or pretend?
The real safety professionals are those
supervisors, craft leaders and safety pros
that achieve safety excellence. They aren’t
the ones that look busy only when the
boss is around. They are the ones who do
their work diligently without prompting,
coercing or begging. They do their jobs
right because it is the right thing to do and
because they have taken an unwritten oath
to protect and preserve lives. Those who are
pretenders do neither. I’ve seen pretenders
at all levels of operations from craftsmen
to executives. It’s never fun dealing with
them. Overcoming and learning to deal
with pretenders is a challenge, but the true
safety professional must protect pretenders
as well. Like the project manager said,
“Don’t mistake activity for achievement.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Bennett Ghormley has over 35 years of experience
in safety, training and construction administration.
He is experienced in implementing safety programs
involving commercial, industrial and municipal
industries. Mr. Ghormley has conducted audits,
investigations and inspections in refineries, chemical
and petrochemical plants, for pipelines, water and
waste facilities, manufacturing plants and fabrication
facilities. Mr. Ghormley has served as an expert
witness in litigation cases and appeared before
the Workers’ Compensation Commission, EEOC,
Employment Commission and civil courts. Contact
Mr. Ghormley via email at bennettghormley@yahoo.
com.
Trouble?
Let us help you get off the hook.
Interface Consulting’s construction consultants and experts provide proven insight backed
by unrivalled experience to address cost and schedule issues on troubled projects. Clients
have called on us to assist with change order identification and substantiation, schedule delay
analysis, claims preparation and management, and dispute resolution for the past 27 years.
We’ve built our reputation by getting into trouble.
www.interface-consulting.com | Houston, TX | 713.626.2525
23
We’re on the Move
The ABC Board of Directors recently approved the purchase of a building at 4910 Dacoma (77092)
to serve as the new ABC office and north-side CMEF training facility. There is a lot of work to do to
make this space move in ready for 2015 – but with your help we can make it happen! This is a great
opportunity to get involved with ABC while showcasing your knowledge and talents. Here’s how:
Volunteer
The ABC Board of Directors has assembled three task forces to specifically address needed renovation
of the 4910 Dacoma building – the Planning and Design Task Force, the Facility Fund Raising Task
Force, and the Construction Task Force. The Planning and Design Task Force will study and make
decisions on the facility needs of the association and it’s members. Working with an architect, they will
determine the space requirements, layout and level of building finishes. The Facility Fund Raising Task
Force will create a fundraising campaign to solicit contributions and in-kind donations and determine
how donors will be recognized. The Construction Task Force will select contractors, schedule,
coordinate and monitor construction progress through completion and move-in.
In-Kind and Monetary Donations
Members who have material assets and labor resources available to donate will play a valuable role
in the success of the 4910 Dacoma build out. With your expertise and quick access to materials, the
vision for this new office building will quickly become a reality. Blueprints and take offs will be made
available by the Planning and Design Task Force.
For those materials and tasks that cannot be met by in-kind donations, ABC will solicit monetary
donations to help offset the cost. Your pledge of monetary support and in-kind donations will be
recognized as part of a permanent, on-site contributor display.
Contact us to get involved and learn more about this exciting new chapter for ABC Greater Houston!
Associated Builders & Contractors - Greater Houston Chapter
LIKE /ABCHouston
FOLLOW @ABCHouston
24
Website www.abchouston.org
Phone
(713) 523-6222
Construction Careers Expo | INDUSTRY
NEWS
High School Students Get “Hands On” Experience
At Construction Careers Expo
By Megan Brann
W
ith the blasting sound of an air horn, approximately 360 high school students moved from station to station to
participate in hands-on construction demonstrations at
the 2014 Construction Careers Expo on Thursday, May 1st.
The event hosted students from 20 Houston-Metropolitan
Area high schools who demonstrate interest in a career in the
construction industry. Thirty-eight CTE teachers/administrators
also attended to connect with professionals and learn about
current trends in the industry. The Expo was held by Construction
and Maintenance Education Foundation (CMEF) and Associated
Builders and Contractors of Greater Houston (ABC).
Students enthusiastically got to try their hand at pipefitting,
welding, scaffolding, painting, insulating, drywall, carpentry,
rigging, instrumentation, and electrical. They also had the
opportunity to operate crane and excavator simulators. All of
these activities took place with an emphasis on the importance
of safety in the workplace. CMEF Schools Program Director Dr.
Steven Horton said students not only benefit from the hands-on
demonstrations, but also communicating with the 35 respective
contractors, owners, colleges, and suppliers who helped sponsor
the event.
Construction Careers Expo students get real hands on experience as electricians as
they learn how to correctly - and safely - wire an electrical outlet.
“I think this is very helpful,” Aaron said. “It’s helping me find a job
that I am already interested in. I think we all found something that
we could do later on in life, after college or high school.”
After cutting tile, Alvin High School Student John, 17, said that he
liked the activity, but he would have to brush up on his math skills.
“The students really enjoyed speaking one-on-one with the
industry professionals at the Career Information Booths where
the volunteers spoke about their respective companies and the
numerous Construction Industry career opportunities as well
as having the opportunity to see and participate in the handson activities that construction professionals perform on a daily
basis,” Horton said.
Aaron, 18, wants to start his career in pipefitting after graduating
from Ross Sterling High School. He said most of his peers in his
CTE class were interested in a career that was discussed at the
Expo.
Construction Careers Expo student attendees used virtual simulators to experience
heavy-equipment operation.
25
Construction Careers Expo students are treated to live demonstrations of how
scaffolding works and how scaffold builders erect the structures.
Alvin High School CTE Teacher Sergio Cantu said the Expo gave his
students a look beyond the textbook.
“The textbook only takes them so far. I can only teach them so
much in a classroom. Today, the students got to see and take part
in what they read about,” Cantu said.
Each student had approximately 30 minutes at each station,
ample time to either practice their skills or discuss their career
options. One of the “stations” was a full auditorium of vendors
and professionals ready to answer all of the students’ questions.
From colleges to companies, the students walked from booth
to booth participating in the vendors’ activities and informative
sessions.
“BUILT ON A TRADITION OF SERVICE EXCELLENCE SINCE 1973”
SALES ● RENTALS ● SERVICE ● PARTS
(dealerships vary by location)
DEMAG
AMERICAN
Parts & Service
www.smequipment.com
26
No stone was left unturned with the
help of nearly 200 volunteers who
donated their resources, services
and time to make the Expo happen.
No stone was left unturned with the help of nearly 200 volunteers
who donated their resources, services and time to make the Expo
happen. Horton said he wanted these students to walk away
knowing that construction is a viable career option for them. With
that, he thanked the volunteers, staff and students for taking part
in this important event.
“I want to thank the CMEF Board Members for supporting the
event, all of the companies that participate in the CMEF Training
Contributor Agreement whose contributions helped support the
event, the companies that allowed their respective employees to
participate, and each of the nearly 200 volunteers who shared
their time and expertise to make a positive difference in the
lives of the close to 360 students and 38 school chaperones who
attended the 2014 Construction Careers Expo.” - MB
27
IN THE KNOW |People, Companies, Projects and Awards
VOGEL
STOBAUGH
GRIMLAND
SHEPHERD
PARRISH
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Coats Rose is pleased to announce that J.P. B. Vogel has joined as Of
Counsel in their Dallas Office. JP is a trusted counselor and litigator
to clients throughout Texas and the U.S. particularly representing
businesses and individuals involved in the construction industry
including owners, general contractors, specialty sub-contractors,
suppliers, and manufacturers.
Mobil Steel International, Inc. announced that Mike Wamsley
joined the local steel fabricator as production manager. Wamsley
brings 35 years experience in the structural steel industry to
Mobil Steel, most as production or plant manager in AISC quality
certified fabrication shops. He has experience building industrial
plants which will help as he manages an abundance of projects
Mobil Steel is fabricating as a result of a refining and petrochemical
renaissance.
Bendel Tank and Heat Exchanger is pleased to announce the
recent addition of Greg Stobaugh to their Quality Assurance/
Quality Control team. Mr. Stobaugh brings over 20 years of
experience as an AWS QC-1 Certified Welding Inspector. He is also
certified in multiple NDE procedures and is proficient in ASME
Section VIII, Division 1.
Bilfinger Tepsco has named Freddy D. Grimland as the company’s
Chief Operating Officer (COO). Mr. Grimland has 40 years of
industrial experience throughout North America. Prior to joining
Bilfinger Tepsco he served as executive director of U.S. operations
for a major engineering and construction firm. In his new role, he
will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of all Bilfinger
Tepsco construction activities.
ODIN Industrial, Inc. announced today COO Mike Mitchum
was elected to serve on the Investment Recovery Association’s
Board of Directors. The Investment Recovery Association is the
professional organization for managers of surplus and idle assets
and industry suppliers. They are known for setting the highest
standards for the investment recovery profession worldwide.
KBR Building Group is pleased to announce the addition of Randy
Shepherd as Director of Preconstruction for Texas. With more than
33 years of construction industry experience, Randy has focused
his career on achieving the most project for client budgets. His
28
expertise has benefited the full range of clients including higher
education, health care, oil and gas and aviation industries. He is
currently working with Houston Independent School District on
several new high school projects and with Texas State University
System on a new academic building at Lamar University.
KBR Services Business Group recently announced the promotion
of Mark Parsons to Vice President, U.S. Construction. Mark will be
supporting EPC projects in the U.S. with direct-hire construction
execution while growing KBR’s construction-only business. A
third-generation employee, Mark started with Brown & Root in
1989 as an entry-level helper. Since then, he has held increasingly
progressive responsibilities, including Director of Construction
overseeing the successful execution of more than $1 billion in
construction projects.
Merit Professional Coatings – Houston is proud to announce
that Andrew Parrish has come aboard as Operations Manager. Andrew is a native Houstonian and graduated with a BA in Business
Marketing Management from Hillsdale College in southern
Michigan. He was formerly with Summit Electric Supply and joins
Merit bringing prior experience in construction, management,
and customer service.
SPECIAL AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
TDIndustries was selected from entries across the nation for the
ABC National Diversity Excellence Award for subcontractors over
$14 million. Companies were judged based on the diversity of the
company; their focus on diversity in hiring practices, training and
retention; and their contractor/vendor relationships. Awards were
presented in four categories: Associate, Supplier, Subcontractor,
and General Contractor.
W.T. Byler Co. is pleased to announce Mr. James Heath — having
served with the company for over 40 years — was honored with
a building dedication in his name for recognition and sincere
appreciation for four decades of loyal and dedicated service to
the company.
The Houston office of Camarata Masonry Systems, Ltd. was
awarded the first annual Coverings Installation and Design (CID)
Grand Prize Award for Commercial Construction at the Coverings
W.T. BYLER CO. - HEATH
Construction law. Build on our experience.
Convention in Las Vegas for its tile
and stone work on the restoration of
the Harris County 1910 Courthouse in
Houston, Texas. The award combines
the Tile Letter and National Tile Council
of America installation awards. Camarata
previously garnered an ABC Eagle award
for its work on this project.
PROJECT NEWS
The Florida office of Camarata Masonry
Systems, Ltd. recently secured contracts
for the masonry scope on the Citrus Bowl
renovation in Orlando, Florida as well as
two of the three towers on the $1 billion
mixed use Brickell City Centre project in
Miami, Florida.
Cherry Companies has begun the
demolition of Houston Methodist
Hospital’s Favrot Hall, located in the heart
of the Texas Medical Center. Specialized
demolition equipment and trained crews
will continue to work throughout the
next few months to remove the thirteenstory building. The structure once housed
apartment units for extended-stay
patient’s families and residency students.
E.E. Reed Construction recently started
construction on 3831 Technology Forest
Blvd. for The Woodlands Development
Company. The project consists of a
100,000 square foot, four-story, shell
office building in The Woodlands. Collaborating with PGAL Architects, this
project is scheduled to be completed in
late 2014.
It’s Where We Hang Our Hat.
At Ford Nassen & Baldwin, P.C., we dedicate our practice to the
legal needs of the construction industry. As one of the largest
construction law firms in Texas, we represent owners, general
contractors, EPC contractors, specialty contractors, major
suppliers, and sureties in both the public and private sectors.
We are proud to represent the builders of the world in virtually
every sector of the construction industry including commercial,
infrastructure and energy.
fordnassen.com
Dallas • Austin • Houston
29
IN THE KNOW |People, Companies, Projects and Awards
CHERRY COMPANIES
E.E. REED CONSTRUCTION
SATTERFIELD & PONTIKES
AMERICAN COMMERCIAL
CONTRACTORS
The Texas A&M University System selected Satterfield & Pontikes
Construction (S&P) to lead the expansion of the Student
Recreation Center on the College Station campus. The expansion
and renovation work will be complete in fall 2015. The $46 million
project will add more than 113,000 square feet of new space and
amenities and will renovate 55,000 square feet of the current
natatorium, activity spaces and office areas.
Saxon Construction, a division of Primoris Energy Services, is
responsible for the turnkey installation of a twenty-four hundred
tons per day air separation unit in La Porte, Texas. The project
scope includes civil, structural, mechanical and E&I, and has
recently passed the two-hundred thousand safe man-hour
milestone. The build requires multiple heavy lifts, including three
cold boxes, as well as all concrete foundations.
American Commercial Contractors is pleased to announce the
start of construction for a design-build, three-level, 57,000 square
foot medical office building and a three-level, 79,000 square foot
parking garage. The $12 Million project is located in the Telfair
East Business Park near the intersection of US 59 and University
Boulevard in Sugar Land. The building will be completed in August
2014 and is 80 percent pre-leased. The twin of this building, Phase
2, is expected to break ground in August 2014.
COMPANY NEWS
On March 24th, Holes Incorporated Vice President Kellie
Vazquez testified in front of OSHA and industry peers on behalf
of the Construction Industry Safety Coalition on the Proposed
Rulemaking on Occupational Exposure to Crystalline Silica. Holes
not only provided OSHA comments on the Proposed Rulemaking
but contributed testimony and sent Post Hearing Comments. Conestoga‐Rovers & Associates (CRA) and GHD announced that
they have entered into an agreement to
merge the two companies. A key feature
of the merger is that all ongoing employee
shareholders in CRA will become
shareholders of GHD.Once complete,
this merger will be one of the largest
true mergers to have occurred in the
When your business is faced
engineering and environmental industry.
with a challenge, you want your legal team
On Target
Legal
to understand your goals. Whether it's
complex transactions, business formation,
litigation or dispute resolution, the attorneys at
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FOUR HOUSTON CENTER • 1221 LAMAR STREET • 16th Floor • HOUSTON, TX 77010 • Tel: 713-535-5500
www.cbylaw.com
HOUSTON
30
•
DALLAS /FT. WORTH
•
SAN ANTONIO
KBR Building Group’s Houston office
recently participated in “Dinner with
the Experts,” a youth mentoring event
organized by the Spring Independent
School District and co-sponsored by
Learning for Life – a division of the Sam
Houston Area Council of the Boy Scouts
of America. The event aims to inspire and
motivate students to succeed and develop
a positive self-image.
Comfort Systems USA South Central
hosted their annual Client Appreciation
Crawfish Boil on April 17, 2014. Each year
the company hosts this event to show
appreciation to their clients. The crawfish
were hot, the beer was cold and the
evening was festive.
WE
HELP
Is keeping up with
SAFETY a
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can be:
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Since 1985
TCA IS THE
3131 Memorial Court
Suite 15101
Houston, TX 77007
713.263.7661 [email protected]
Legal Notices: TCA is an independent service provider and is in no way endorsed by, sponsored by, approved by, or otherwise affiliated with
ISN Software Corporation or any other pre-qualification networks. ISNetworld® is a registered trademark of ISN Software Corporation.
31
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PERMIT 542
Published by Associated Builders & Contractors of Greater Houston
3910 Kirby Drive, Ste. 131
(713)523-6ABC (877)577-6ABC
www.tcadsys.com
VISIT US ONLINE:
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Call (281) 445-6161 today to see what’s new and how it can benefit you and your organization.
32

Build Houston Magazine • June / July 2014 1 www

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