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P.S.I. NEWS
February, 2009
Volume 11 Issue 1
Precast Services Names Board of Directors
W
hether you are planning your day, your next vacation, or your retirement, it is important to do just that, plan ahead for a
successful outcome. This is exactly what Company President Barry Cooper had in mind when he decided to
assemble our Corporate Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors is comprised of individuals with extensive experience and knowledge of our industry who not only
recognize the absolute necessity of providing our customers with exceptional service, value, and personnel to erect their
products, but who have also played active roles in creating this philosophy which has made Precast Services, Inc. a leader in
the Industry.
Our Board of Directors, as pictured left to right, front row are,
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary Paul Entres,
Company President Barry Cooper, Project Manager Ron
Cooper, and, second row, left to right, Shop Manager Daniel
Perko, Project Manager Aaron Vnuk, Vice President of
Architectural Precast Michael Drop, and Project Manager
Bo Kusznir.
As Company President, Barry will continue to lead the dayto-day operations of the Company and will provide guidance
to the Board of Directors in their decisions. Although Barry
has no immediate plans to retire, the creation of the Board
of Directors will allow for a seamless transition of
management responsibilities to the next generation when
that time eventually arrives.
While continuing to maintain the standards Precast Services, Inc. is known for, the Board of Directors is sure to bring a new
level of enthusiasm and idea’s to the table which will not only allow Precast Services, Inc. to continue our mission of providing
top notch service to our customers, as we have for over twenty years now. It will also enable Precast Services, Inc. the
opportunity to continue to provide stable employment for many employees who have played such a major role in our success.
PSI Welcomes Frank and Andrew
P
recast Services, Inc. is pleased to announce two new additions to the PSI family.
Frank Zwiercan comes to us from a major precast producer/erector and has joined
our team of Project Managers. Frank lives in Reinholds, PA with his wife and three children,
and will be primarily involved in our East Coast Operations.
A Message From
The President
The Safety Page
Employee Spotlight
Andrew Heinesman, a recent graduate with a degree
in accounting from Mount Union College, joins our
accounting department at the Twinsburg Office.
Andrew played college football and helped his school
win two NCAA National Championships. Andrew
plans on attending Grad School this Summer at
Cleveland State University.
Welcome aboard!
In This Issue:
Where in the U.S.
is PSI ?
Project Photo’s........
and Announcements
Frank
Andrew
President’s Message...
A
s you know, Precast Services, Inc. now has a Board of Directors in place
who will eventually lead Precast Services, Inc. into the future. I decided
this would be the best way to assure that Precast Services, Inc. would be a
company that our customers can continue to count on to provide the services
that are required without interruption.
Over the next several years, I feel confident that there will be very few, if any, changes in the way
Precast Services, Inc. has been conducting business. For years, the members of the Board of
Directors have been involved in decision making of every type on all projects, are all dedicated, and
now have a stake in how successful this company will be in the future as we continue to grow.
I personally will enjoy watching and helping everyone in the company uphold the standards that
Chuck Mayer taught me over the years. One thing which has stuck with me is the constant reminder
that no matter what you do, “Your Reputation Is Everything” and it is not to be sacrificed at any
cost.
I want Precast Services, Inc. to be around for all employees long after my involvement. With the work
ethic that we have, there is no reason why we cannot continue
Barry L. Cooper - President
our success for years and years to come.
AL
k Ahead.....
Project
Est. Start Location
Project
Est. Start
Location
D’Youville College
The Lex PG
Wright Patterson
Jefferson Center PG
St. Joseph Medical Ctr.
Doylestown Hosp. PG
MVH Heart Tower
April 2009
April 2009
April 2009
May 2009
June 2009
June 2009
June 2009
Cira Center PG
Chester Soccer Stadium
UK Medical Center
Harrison Commons PG
Lutron PG
Bucks Co. PG
Louisville Arena
June 2009
June 2009
June 2009
June 2009
July 2009
August 2009
September 2009
Philadelphia, PA
Chester, PA
Lexington, KY
Harrison, NJ
Allentown, PA
Doylestown, PA
Louisville, KY
Buffalo, NY
Lexington, KY
Dayton, OH
Louisville, KY
Patterson, NJ
Doylestown, PA
Dayton, OH
Employee Spotlight
Mark Derus
P
recast Services, Inc. is blessed with many great employees. The intent of “Employee Spotlight” is to recognize these
individuals for their accomplishments, loyalty, and dedication.
One of these individuals is Project Foreman Mark Derus. Mark has been with Precast Services, Inc. since 1996 and is a
member of Ironworkers Local # 550 in Canton, Ohio.
While working for another contractor, Mark kept bumping into Chuck Mayer and Barry Cooper on
various projects. Mark must have left a good impression as he was later asked to join Precast
Services, Inc.
Mark has successfully supervised many major projects, including The Marriott and 100 Madison
Place, both in Covington, KY. Mark has also worked on the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH,
and Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. In 2002, as a part of the PCI Qualified Erector
Program, Mark was also named as a “Primary Erection Crew Foreman”.
For these and other reasons too numerous for this space, our “Employee Spotlight” shines on
one of PSI‘s most “Happy-Go-Lucky” employees, Mr. Mark Derus. Congratulations Mark!
Mark Derus
P
recast Services, Inc. is playing a big part in developing one of the largest,
most uniform & contiguous properties in Atlantic City, NJ. Situated at the
Northern end of the Boardwalk adjacent to the Showboat Casino, Revel
Entertainment Group is creating “Revel”, a beachfront casino entertainment resort
on 20 acres of land which is to include two hotel towers with approx. 1,900 rooms
each, 500,000 sq. ft. of dining, 150,000 sq. ft. of casino space, retail and
entertainment space including a 5,500 seat theater, a health club & spa, meeting
space, a one acre outdoor oceanfront beach, and of course, a massive garage.
Erection of the parking garage, consisting of 5,506 pieces, has been underway since August 2008 and is
simultaneously being erected by two crews headed by General Foreman Bob Nelson Jr. (pictured below
center). The parking garage project is expected to be completed by the end of May 2009.
Crane 1 Erection Team members, representing
PSI, Ironworkers Local # 350, Operating
Engineers Local # 825, and Teamsters Local #
331 are Project Foreman Mike Hart (pictured
right corner), Mike DePaola, William Dreyer, Brandon Florczynski,
Steve Gonzales, Drew Logan, William Musey, Al Novak, Jacob
Obrikis, Tony Russo, Joseph Seratore, Joseph Weeks, Druley
Golden, Lawrence McCauley, John Fox Jr., and Robert Best.
Crane 2 Erection Team members, representing
PSI, Ironworkers Local # 350, Operating
Engineers Local # 825, and Teamsters Local #
331, are Project Foreman John Elwood
(pictured left corner), William Bogner, Derek Christie, Mike Flood,
Frank Fumo, John Fox Sr., Steve Gelsleichter, Robert Gilmore,
Andrew Grace Sr., Tony Harrison, John McCarthy, James Newell,
Ken Parliament, James Price, James Zinn, Ralph Smith, Lucas
Warring, and Jason Williams.
French Street
New Brunswick, NJ
This nine story office building, connected
to a precast garage previously erected by
Precast Services, Inc, provided limited
access along congested city streets.
It was necessary that crane equipment, at
it’s maximum capacity, be utilized to hoist
architectural panels across the full length
of the building elevation.
Erection Team members, representing PSI and Ironworkers Local # 373, were, Project
Foreman Mike Hart, Antonio Arellano, David Criscitiello, Anthony David, Steve Gonzales,
Anthony Magielnicki, Chris Papas, and Tony Russo.
U.S. Courthouse - Buffalo, New York
T
he October 2007 groundbreaking on the new, 10-story, 265,000
square feet courthouse was the result of nearly 13 years of planning
and lobbying by District Court Judges, local political, and business leaders.
At $137 million, the courthouse is one of the largest construction projects on
the local books and is viewed as a symbol and a guide post to Buffalo and
the region’s future. The horseshoe designed South Wall, enclosing the
public lobbies, orients the courthouse towards Niagara Square and will be
fitted with exterior translucent colored
glass panels.
P
roject Foreman Karl Schneider (pictured)
and Erection Team Members representing
PSI and Ironworkers Local # 6 were, E. Paul
Jones, Chris Charney, James Held, Aaron
Martin, Robert Nendza, and Shane O’Merara
have been challenged with
having to erect the exterior
lower level panels during
very harsh winter weather
conditions. PSI is tentatively
scheduled to return in the
spring to complete the
project.
Everest Project - Lebanon, Ohio
E
rection Team Members
representing Precast
Services,
Inc.
and
Ironworker’s Local # 290
were, Project Foreman Monte
Owczarzak (pictured left),
Wade
Owczarzak,
Mark
Derus, Terry Streets, Larry
Elwood,cTimcLaymon,
BobbyfWard,cJohn
Druckenbroad, and Jeremy
Burger.
Bergentown Mall PG
Paramus, New Jersey
T
he Erection Team Members representing Precast
Services, Inc. Ironworker’s Local # 483, and
Operating Engineers Local # 825 were, Project Foreman
Mike Hart (pictured), Mike DePaola, Andy Flynn,
Rothschild Laurenceau, John McCarthy, Donald Meakem,
Kevin Mulvaney, James O’Grady, Frank Piscitelli, Julio
Smith, Daniel Vantassel, Alfred Frontauria, John Fox, and
Lawrence McCauley.
Bloomfield Park, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
A
developer’s vision, 10 years in the making, to bring a $350 million dollar upscale retail, office and residential
complex to suburban Detroit, became a reality when contractors began building Bloomfield Park in the early part of
2008. The complex consists of a theater, eight parks, a health club, hotel, shopping and condos, also has three parking
garages and an office building that requires our erection expertise.
The eight level, 1,300 car Deck “J” started in April 2007 and finished a month ahead of schedule in August. The eight level,
1,200 car Deck “D” started in June and despite numerous delays finished exactly on time. The office Building “J” (attached
to Deck “J”) has precast cladding that started in June and ended in September. The four level, 600 car Deck “E” began in
mid-October and was 60% complete before financing issues shutdown the project indefinitely. Developers hope to begin
the project again during the summer of 2009.
Parking Deck “D” Erection Team members, representing
PSI, Ironworkers Local # 25, & Operating Engineers Local
# 324, pictured left to right were, bottom row, Roger
Fischer, Project Foreman Loren Cheney, Dan Richards,
Tonya Moughler, Tom Moran, Chris Casto, Joe Brown,
Dave Molnar, & Don Phillips. Top row, left to right, Doug
Shaffer, Danny Fogg, R.D. Mills, Dan Moran, and Jason
Unruh.
Not pictured: Foreman Ronnie Mills, who’s
assistance was appreciated, Jennifer Potvin, William
Russo, Tim Keener, Joseph Cassel, & Rich Witzke.
Monte Owczarzak
Loren Cheney
Don Phillips
Parking Deck “J” & “E” Erection Team members, representing PSI, Ironworkers Local # 25, and Operating Engineers Local # 324, were
Project Foreman Monte Owczarzak, Terry Streets, Eric Besaw, Glen Howell, Jason Howell, Tom Moran, Wade Owczarzak, Aaron Peach,
Mark Pruitt, Brian Rase, Chad Thill, Jerred Thill, Larry Tomczak, Robert Hutchinson, and Richard Hutchinson.
Building “J” Erection Team members, representing PSI, Ironworkers Local # 25, and Operating Engineers Local # 324, were Project
Foreman Don Phillips, Terry Streets, Joseph Cassel, Wade Hitchock, Tom Moran, Stephen Smolinski, and Jason Unruh.
St. Joseph Regional Medical Center - Mishawaka, IN
O
nce completed, this new, world class, $355 million Hospital will provide 254
private rooms and baths with hotel-style ambience, a business center for
patient’s & visiting family members, and adjacent medical departments for streamlined
patient care. Set on 90 acres at Edison Lakes, the facility will maximize patient safety &
operational efficiencies thanks to spirited architecture and perceptive design.
The sheer size and scope of this project reveal
some amazing statistics:
* 633,000 square feet of usable space
* 375,000 cubic yards of soil was excavated
* 2 acres of glass will be installed
* 2.3 million square feet of drywall will be hung
* 5,000 tons of structural steel was erected
* 24,000 cubic yards of concrete for the foundation
In addition, the property will also have a park area
with ponds and scenic walkways. Sounds like the
place to be if you have to be hospitalized!
Erection Team members, representing PSI, Ironworkers Local # 292, and Operating Engineers Local # 150, were Project Foreman Joe
Fontaine (pictured above), Ben Dodson, Dan Fogg, Joe Brown, Jonah Anderson, Jeffery Books, Jerry Felicicchia, Danny Ferris, Joseph
Grishaber, Todd Harbaugh, Brian Rose, Tim Sullivan, and Warren Bolton Jr.
Diversified Developers Realty - Beachwood, Ohio
Custom lifting brackets that fastened to the back of
the panels (pictured right) were used for hoisting all
panels fabricated with beveled sill’s so as to avoid
having lifting inserts cast into the top of the panels
and thus eliminate the possibility that patches may
be seen from within the building.
Announcements!
Serving our Country:
The
Erection Team members,
representing PSI, Ironworkers Local #17
were, bottom row, left to right, Project
Foreman Mark Derus, Corey Donaldson
(All Erection), Top Row, left to right, Sam
DiGeronimo, Jim Komar & Mike Tischler.
Not Pictured: Mike Szuhy, Terry Streets,
Jim Dunaway and Kevin McCarthy.
Congratulations To:
Ron & Debbie Cooper
Married 9/27/2008
May your life together
bring joy and happiness!
Dave Schlaufman who Retired in 2008!
PSI is grateful for your years of loyalty
and service. You and Diane Enjoy!
Specialist (Marky) Mark Derus Jr. serving as a gunner
in Afghanistan.
Academic Achievement:
Kristy Kuzmiak graduated from
Akron University in August of
2008 with a Masters Degree in
Science of Nursing as a
Certified Registered Nurse
Anesthetist (CRNA) and is
currently working at University
Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.
Project Foreman Monte
Owczarzak’ son, Montena,
(age 12), bagged a 300 lb.
black bear in the lower
Peninsula of Michigan.
Al Novak - Retired Ironworker, Local 350, who was working
at the Revel Project. Best Wishes!
Do you have an Announcement or other item of interest you would like to share with the PSI family?? Please forward any
brief announcements such as wedding anniversaries, births, graduations, etc. you would like to share to Sandy Kuzmiak
for publication in future newsletters.
The Safety Page
Incident Rates and Manhours
I
t might be a safe bet that you have heard the term “Incident Rate” before, but do you really know what it is and what it
means? Every year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics compiles injury data from employers of all types to determine National
Average Incident Rates for literally hundreds, if not thousands of employment classifications, from hair dressers to cooks, to
construction workers representing all types of construction.
There are many different types of incident rates which can be calculated. Generally, OSHA, General Contractors, and
Construction Managers are interested in a company’s lost workday, recordable, and restricted case incident rates.
Incident rates are the number of injuries, illnesses, lost workday cases, etc. related to a common exposure base of 100 full
time workers. This common exposure enables one to make an accurate inter-industry comparison, trend analysis over time,
or comparisons among firms regardless of size. The rate is calculated as follows;
# of Incidents x 200,000
Manhours
(200,000 represents 100 full time workers working 40
hours per week, 50 weeks a year)
= Incident Rate
Because manhours are used in the calculation, companies with a large amount of manhours who have several injuries per
year will see their incident rates remain relatively low, while the smaller contractor, with the same number of injuries, will have
a higher incident rate due to the lack of manhours. Nevertheless, the incident rates for both employers will be an apple to
apple comparison.
The 2007 National Average Recordable Incident Rate for Precast Concrete Contractors is 7.7. This means that 7.7 workers
out of 100 had a recordable injury. Precast Services, Inc. is pleased to report our recordable incident rate was below the
National Average for calendar year 2008.
Example: 3 Recordable Cases:
Large Employer
(3) Cases x 200,000
Manhours (150,000)
Incident Rate Equals = 4.0
Small Employer
(3) Cases x 200,000
Manhours (75,000)
Incident Rate Equals = 8.0
With your help, we can reduce the number of injuries in 2009, thus, reduce our incident rates even further this year.
Vanderbilt Critical Care
Nashville, Tennessee
Erection Team members, representing PSI and Ironworkers
Local # 492 were, Project Foreman Karl Schneider, Donald
Hayes, E. Paul Jones, Gabe Wentworth, and Ray Williams.
Penn Square Marriott
Lancaster, PA
Penn Square Marriott & Convention Center Erection Team
members, representing PSI, and Ironworkers Local #420, were
Project Foreman Mark Derus, John Ammons, Tim Ennis, Phil
Gothard, Ryan Hartman, Joe Smith, and Tim Smith.
Projects Under Construction
Revel Casino PG
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Gen. Foreman: Bob Nelson Jr.
Crane #1 Foreman: Mike Hart
Crane #2 Foreman: John Elwood
Carousel Mall Expansion
Syracuse, New York
Foreman: Larry Cole
Buffalo Courthouse
Buffalo, New York
Foreman: Karl Schneider
CSU PG
Cleveland, Ohio
Foreman: Mark Derus
Crocker West PG
State College, PA
(April 2009)
Ascend Credit Union
Chattanooga, TN
(May 2009)
11
7
Hunter Jumper
Lexington, Kentucky
Foreman: Gabe Wentworth
3
12
13
6
Baptist Memorial Addition
Memphis, Tennessee
Foreman: E. Paul Jones
Franklin County Courthouse
Columbus, Ohio
Foreman: Joe Fontaine
2
10
9 1
4
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago, Illinois
Foreman: Loren Cheney
8
5
Knoxville POD
Knoxville, Tennessee
Foreman: Karl Schneider
14
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Foreman: Jim Allen
SUNY - Bingham Hall
(Devon Contracting)
Foreman: Loren Cheney
Binghamton, New York
Port Huron Hospital MOB
Port Huron, Michigan
Foreman: Monte Owczarzak
Click For More!
When you see this symbol,
Click For More
on precastservices.com for more
information relating to the
project or subject matter covered
within this newsletter.
Work Safe and Produce Quality Workmanship
P.S.I. NEWS
February 2009
Twinsburg Office
Volume 11 Issue 1
Columbus Office
8200 Boyle Parkway
1725 Jetway Boulevard
Twinsburg, OH 44087
Columbus, OH 43219
Phone: 330-425-2880
Phone: 614-428-4541
Fax:
330-963-0150
Fax: 614-428-4542
www.precastservices.com
[email protected]
© 2009 Precast Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Published for the employees & friends of Precast Services, Inc.
An equal opportunity employer
Barry L. Cooper
President
Paul Entres
CFO
Jon Smith
Executive
Vice President
Michael J. Drop
Vice President
Architectural
Contributors: Barry Cooper, Michael Drop, Bernie Nowak, Frank Zwiercan,
Karl Schneider, Ron Cooper, and Sandy Kuzmiak.
Editor: Michael A. Hudgins