December - Construction News

Transcription

CONSTRUCTION
™
The Industry’s Newspaper
www.constructionnews.net
P.O. Box 791290 San Antonio, Tx 78279 11931 Warfield San Antonio, Tx 78216 (210) 308-5800 Dec. 2002 Volume 5, Number 12
It’s Here - Let’s not let
the kid’s down
SpawGlass’ Raley
promoted to President/CEO
T
E
ffective Jan. 1, 2003,
SpawGlass Contractors,
Inc. President Fred Raley
will be president/chief executive
officer of SpawGlass Holding,
L.P., reporting directly to the board
of directors of the employeeowned, Texas-based general contracting company. In conjunction
with Fred’s promotion, his Houston counterpart, SpawGlass Construction Corp. President Jesse
Gonzalez has been named chairman of the board of SpawGlass
Holding L.P., and SpawGlass Contractors, Inc. Senior Vice President/
FAM Robert Blalock has been
named chief financial officer.
SpawGlass Holding L.P. is the parent
company of SpawGlass Contractors, Inc.,
which is divided geographically into three
regions: San Antonio, Austin and South
Texas. SpawGlass Construction Corp.,
headquartered in Houston, is regionalized
by types of construction; specifically K-12
education and Type V (apartments, assisted
living) construction. The entire company
employs over 400 salaried and hourly personnel.
San Antonio Construction News spoke
with Fred to find out how his new position
will differ from his current one. Fred said
he would start commuting to Houston 3-4
days a week, spending the balance of each
week in San Antonio, Austin or South
Texas. During the transitional period leading up to the new year, Fred and his col-
leagues are involved in strategic planning
and development.“In my new role, I will
be interacting more with the Houston operations,” Fred began, “which I haven’t
been dealing with directly for the last 12
years. I’m excited about that! I started in
Houston in the late 70’s, left in the early
80’s, and I’ve kept relationships with the
people there, not only because we’re all part
of the same company, but because I started
out with some of them. I will have an office in Houston, and interfacing with the
personnel there will be the biggest change
for me. My involvement with the San Antonio, Austin and South Texas regions will
probably remain the same. Timewise, it will
be minimized. Senior Vice President Jack
continued on Page 31
he time is here and the
construction
industry
has
been working very hard to make the
3rd Annual Construct A Kid’s Christmas a
big success. Are you one of those folks?
The Holidays are a busy time for all of
us, but please take just a moment to understand how your help can make this a great
Christmas for the abused and neglected foster children in Bexar County.
Most of us will have a wonderful
Christmas with our immediate and extended families. However, the children this
program supports are not as lucky.
For the two previous years, the men
and women of the construction industry
have made a huge difference in the lives of
foster children who face many challenges
of their own. Last year’s success in raising
over $60,000 in cash and gift certificates,
plus 1,500 gifts, provided that single element children dream about, a present of
their own at Christmas time.
Together, we can repeat our efforts in
support of Construct a Kid’s Christmas, so
the kids can have a holiday to remember.
The problem of abused and neglected children is not going away. Sadly, it never will,
but we can make a difference.
Please, be involved. Spread the love.
Bring that gift certificate or unwrapped gift
to the San Antonio Construction News offices, at 11931 Warfield (at Nakoma), between 10 am and 2 pm, on Fri., Dec. 6th.
If you came by last year, you know to expect lots of joy and “elfing” around as the
gifts arrive. Help us fill the truck to the
max this year, all for the benefit of the children, whom the construction industry will
not allow to be forgotten. See you there!
Buddy Doebbler
3rd Annual
Construct A Kid’s
Christmas
Date: Friday, December 6, 2002
Location: San Antonio
Construction News.
11931 Warfield at Nakoma.
Time: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Kunz Construction Co. expands Smithson Valley High School
I
n response to the spiraling student population at Comal Independent School
District’s Smithson Valley High School,
Kunz Construction Company, Inc. initiated a major renovation and new construction project there in the summer of 2000.
The original contract amount was over
$13,000,000.
Kunz Construction has operated in San
Antonio since 1951. CEO Harold H.
Kunz, Jr., now semi-retired, has relinquished the firm’s day-to-day operations to
president Mike Cooney and vice president
Andy Koebel. The company’s focus of activity, since incorporating in 1965, is in the
public sector and includes the City of San
Antonio, school districts, colleges, universities and various municipalities.
The project, known formally as Additions and Renovations to Smithson Valley
High School, covered both the east and west
sides of the campus. On the east side, construction included a new Ag building, tennis courts, as well as a split-level gymnasium facility, which included a new weight
room, locker rooms and coaches’ office.
On the west side of the campus, a new
two-story, 660-ft. long building was
erected. Initial site preparation required the
utilization of a milling machine to excavate
the rocky hillside to a depth of 20-ft. The
‘addition’ ties into the existing school building near its south end, and a new cafeteria
and kitchen complete it on the north end.
Adjacent to the cafeteria and kitchen
is the cylindrical Rotunda, the central focal point of the new addition. Standing 56ft. tall at its center, and 55-ft. wide, its dome
features a standing seam roof. This meeting and gathering area, reminiscent of a
‘shopping mall’, distributes the flow of students throughout the addition to the new
library, band and choir rooms, and to 28
classrooms. New science rooms occupy the
second level and new art and computer
This month in Focus
Construction
Equipment
rooms remain on the first floor.
“During the construction phase of the
new wing,” Andy explained, “The Ag building, gymnasium addition and tennis courts
were turned over to the school for their use.
Also, during this time, the principal’s office, in the center of the existing building,
was remodeled. Meanwhile, the school was
kept in full operation without incident or
interruption.”
Project superintendent Ronnie
Hargett said one of the challenges faced
during the project occurred last spring,
when the new classroom wing, with park-
ing, was completed and turned over for use.
“We selected the week of Spring Break,
when staff, faculty and students had vacated
the premises, to move and open the new
kitchen.”
With that accomplished, a remodel
phase began, transforming the former cafeteria into a new terraced auditorium, converting the old library into a new counseling and nurses’ center, adapting the old
kitchen for use in home economics classes,
and renovating the former band hall into
another choir and practice area. This work
is now just competed.
Construction methods included slabon-grade, structural steel framing, CMU or
heavy gage exterior framing, sheathing
damp proofing, and face brick. Metal wall
panels were used around the Rotunda. The
interior incorporates primarily CMU partitions, with drywall partitions utilized as
cross walls, acoustic ceiling, VCT flooring,
carpet and stained concrete.
Of his project superintendent, Andy
said Ronnie did a super job, again. “I say
again because during Ronnie’s 22-year tenure with our company he has consistently
produced quality projects, on time and on
budget. Ronnie’s scheduling and organizacontinued on Page 31
P.O. Box 791290
San Antonio, Texas 78279-1290
Change Service Requested
PRSRT. STD.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
SAN ANTONIO, TX
PERMIT #4043
Page 2 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2002
Old Timer’s Corner
By Buddy Doebbler and Jane Day Loter
B
orn in 1923, to a hard-working Hill
Country farming family, Gerald
Lyda, Sr. was six years old when
the Great Depression hit in 1929. Old
enough to remember the impact, he witnessed first-hand the damage that economic
travesty had on our country and on his family in particular.
“We had some unpleasant circumstances,” Gerald recalled, “including the
death of my mother when I was ten.”
Unable to secure $4,000 to pay the note
on the family farm, his father and seven siblings were present when the sheriff, representing the bank, served foreclosure papers
on his family, shortly after Christmas. They
lost everything, and one of Gerald’s most
vivid memories is driving a handful of
scrawny old cows off the place to market.
He silently vowed to himself, he would own
and operate a farm or ranch of his own one
day.
“A depression creates quite an impression,” he remarked. “In those days, agriculture was everyone’s mainstay in Burnet
County, a way to make a living and feed
families. I remember it distinctly, and it had
a lasting impression.”
Gerald’s father, who went to work
wherever he could find it, tried to hold the
family together, but it was impossible.
“When I was twelve my brothers, sister and I split up like quail,” he recalled. “I
went to work for some people when I was
twelve years old, in exchange for bed and
board. They were real fine people and they
tried to make a good person out of me. In
fact, they tried to take me to be their own,
but there wasn’t any way that I could discard the love and affection I had for my
family, even though I wasn’t with them
anymore. In spite of their good intentions,
they became a little too demanding of me,
and I couldn’t handle it. I broke away from
them after about two and a half years and
reunited with two of my brothers, James
and Warren, in Burnet. I was pretty much
on my own from that day forward, fending
for myself. I went to school, worked parttime on neighboring ranches, and at a service station on weekends. We did our own
laundry and ironing, and Dad was able to
send us some grocery money. We weren’t
the prettiest kids on the block, but we got
by.”
After graduating from Burnet High
School, Gerald drove nails as a carpenter
throughout World War II, on military
projects in Texas, New Mexico, Utah and
Arkansas. “I hired out as a 35-cent-an-hour
laborer, and in a few days the man who
hired me noticed I was paying attention to
my work, and he offered me a nickel raise
if I’d become an apprentice carpenter. I
thought I was living in high cotton!” he
chuckled. “From then on, I found the construction business interesting even though
it was hard work. I found out, if you just
try to be the best man on the job, you didn’t
have any problem getting promoted. When
construction work slowed down seasonally,
I would return to Burnet County and work
as a cowboy.”
In 1944, Gerald married Randa Jean
Green, a young lady he knew from high
school. “I was too dang poor to have a girlfriend during high school, but I did look at
her once in a while, and thought she was
cute. Her family had a ranch out on Lake
Buchanan, and she kind of understood the
way I grew up, and could overlook some
of my shortcomings. We had three children;
Gerald Dee, Jr., Gene and Eunita Jo.”
In 1947, realizing he could not provide
for his wife and children on a ranch hand’s
wages, Gerald and his family left the ranch
life that he loved. After securing a position
with Houston-based general contractor
Farnsworth & Chambers, Gerald, who was
recognized as an innovative and cost-conscience employee, advanced through the
ranks from carpenter to area general superintendent, under the tutelage of company
executive H. Alvin Lott, who became a lifelong construction friend and advisor.
After 13 years, long-time friend and
rancher, Steinmetz Darragh, approached
Gerald to form their own construction company. “Mr. Darragh knew me since I was a
kid,” he continued, “and I used to break
broncs and mend fences at their ranch.
From the time I left Marble Falls, he stayed
in touch with me. I had a lot of respect for
him, and he was accused of being the most
honest rancher in the county. Through the
years, he’d come and check in with me
while I was constructing buildings for other
people. He said I should do it for myself.”
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The general contracting firm of
Darragh & Lyda Inc. was born in 1960.
“Mr. Darragh said he didn’t have a lot of
money, but he had two ranches, good credit
and livestock. He gave me limited power
of attorney to use his property as bonding
collateral, and I guess he just trusted me
that much. I couldn’t afford to be anything
but honest, and honesty and ignorance is
what I credit any of my success to. I was
ignorant enough to know what I didn’t
know, and honest enough not to try to steal
anything from anybody.”
The new company operated on a lean
budget, avoided unnecessary machinery purchases, and made a little money in its first
year of business. In two years, they had contracted their first million-dollar construction
contract. Unfortunately, Mr. Darragh contracted cancer and passed away.
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San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2002 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Page 3
putz around town
JC Putz here . . .
I got a tip and some juicy information
this week about Ben Davis, Beck Ready
Mix. He is a very busy boy these days. Not
only did he start a new roll-off company
recently but he has managed to make time
for some Spurs games.
A reliable source tells me he took a
mysterious, brown haired girl to one game
at the new SBC Center and would you believe, he was seen on national TV planting
a big one on her lips. What a guy! The
source was able to snap a photo of this
young lady and we are trying to locate her
for a real interview on their evening together. Anyone know who she is?
During a recent meeting of ABC, ASA
and NAWIC folks who were discussing
their upcoming Construct A Kid’s Christmas benefit, an interesting thing happened.
John Kunz, Kunz Concrete and Heidi
Davis, ASA’s, executive director were sitting together talking about kids. John said
something about having five kids and one
of the ladies from the Child Welfare Board
who was in attendance asked if the two were
married.
When asked why she thought this, her
comment was, “Well John was talking
about all these kids and Heidi was just sitting there saying nothing. I just thought
they were an average American couple.”
He then made comment
about being pretty glad Putz
was not around to hear this.
John you can run but you
can’t hide, son. Like fleas
on a dog, I’m everywhere.
My best to your wives, pal!
Anonymous Brunette seen with Ben Davis
on wide-screen TV.
Well it’s been an interesting year. Lots of folks have
given me good stuff to report
and I’m hoping next year will
be even better. I always have
room to poke fun at someone.
I’m just like that. You never
know when one of your buddies will give me the inside
scoop, so watch your P&Q’s!
To all, have a happy holiday season and remember, be
careful of what you do out
there.
With that, I’m out’a here.
Merry Christmas, Ya’ll!
Architecture students leave
internships with eyes-wide-open!
L
ast summer, eleven general contracting firms participated in a program
involving third and fourth-year
UTSA architectural students. Each company hired a summer intern in an effort to
have the students experience as many facets of construction as they can, in the field
and in the office; to have them observe the
problems and reality of running a project,
to include coordination all of the drawings.
Among the general contractors who
supported the internship were: Medlin Construction Group; Satterfield & Pontikes
Construction, Inc.; SpawGlass Contractors, Inc.; G.W. Mitchell & Sons, Inc.;
Kencon Constructors/Construction Managers Ltd.; Zachry Construction Corporation; Galaxy Builders Ltd.; Tres Resources, Inc.; Ewing Construction Co.,
Inc.; Incore Construction, Inc.; and F.A.
Nunnelly Company.
San Antonio Construction News polled
a few of the contractors to inquire about
the success of the program, which gave the
students a hands-on short course in the basics of commercial construction and project
management.
Senior estimator, John Kovar,
Satterfield & Pontikes Construction, Inc.
said because it was a learning experience
for his student, Jose Cedillo, he exposed
him to as many facets of the company as
time allotted.
“I started Jose in the estimating department initially, before going to project management. He worked on our jobsite in
Laredo, which was good for him since he’s
from Laredo. That experience gave him
exposure to a job coming out of the ground,
and I’m sure he got some mud on his shoes.
He also gained knowledge of how we estimate projects.”
Under John’s tutelage, Jose was able
to grasp how the actions, or lack of actions
by an architect, affect the construction side
of the business, which was John’s goal.
“Showing him how we interface with
architects, and how the products they produce influence our business, throughout the
bid phase and during construction, was very
positive. Jose dove right in, and we gave
him meaningful work to do.”
Anxious to learn all aspects of the business, Jose made mention of changing his
course of studies to a dual major to include
architecture and construction management,
John reported.
“I think he was rather amazed at the
pace of our business, when contrasted to
the slower pace of an architect’s office. I’m
certain our company will participate in the
program next year, and possibly take on
more than one student if we can. We went
into the program with the expectation of
mentoring, that our influence should benefit the student, and any benefit we derived
would be a bonus. He helped us out, we
enjoyed working with Jose, and the experience compelled us to think that it would
be good for construction management macontinued on Page 31
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IN CHANGING TIMES
THERE IS A CONSTANT
CONSTRUCTION
Publisher:
Buddy Doebbler
Production/Art Dir:
Reesa Doebbler
Editor/Writer:
Jane Day Loter
Production/Graphics: Claire Watkinson
Sales Representative
Donna Easton
Administration:
Kevin Hughes
Receptionist:
Sue Johnson
Roaming Reporter:
JC Putz
rials submitted. No fees for materials, copy or photographs submitted will be due unless agreed upon
in advance in writing. Submissions will be published at our discretion on a space available basis.
San Antonio Construction News will not be liable for errors in copy or in advertisements beyond the actual cost of space occupied by the error. Publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement at any time.
San Antonio Construction News
P.O. Box 791290
San Antonio, Texas 78279
(210) 308-5800 Fax (210) 308-5960
© 2002 San Antonio Construction News
If you are a construction-related company
in Bexar or one of the 7 surrounding
counties and are not receiving a free copy
of the San Antonio Construction News,
please let us know by contacting our
office for a Request Form, or
visit our website at
The San Antonio Construction News is published monthly by Construction News LTD. and
distributed by mail to construction-related companies of record in Bexar and 7 surrounding counties. Additional distribution is provided at 91 material supplier locations serving the construction
industry.
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P.O. Box 791290
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CONTACT US AT 210-308-5800
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San Antonio, Texas
2002 Excellence in Construction Awards
n one of his last duties as 2002 Chairman of Associated Builders and Contractors South Texas Chapter, Tony
Pieprzyca, Hart Company, welcomed
members to the 2002 Excellence in Construction Awards at Oak Hills Country
Club, on Wed., Oct. 30th. Exactly 320 persons attended the evening event, which included the 2002 Apprenticeship Graduation
and Safety Awards.
Preceded by a social hour in the his-
I
toric club’s lobby and on the terrace, members and guests enjoyed a seated dinner after Tony recognized the twenty-five member-sponsors who contributed to the night’s
success.
As dessert and coffee were served,
Chapter President Steven Schultz and
Membership Representative Al Scooler
proceeded to announce the names of the
recipients of the 2002 ABC Chapter and
Safety Awards, the Apprenticeship Gradu-
ates, and the 2002 ABC Excellence in Construction Awards. Tony Pieprzyca, Carol
Wiatrek and Pauline Valentine were the
Award presenters.
Each year, ABC recognizes construction projects deemed the best in their respective categories. This year’s competition
judges were: Paul Lampe, Raba-Kistner
Consultants; Dick McNary, Project Control of Texas; Kent Krause, San Antonio
Business Journal; and Buddy Doebbler, San
Antonio Construction News. Award winners
were selected on the basis of several criteria, including safety, project complexity,
uniqueness, quality, and owner satisfaction.
Congratulations to all of the winners, and
to the many ABC member subcontractors
who helped build these award-winning
projects. The 2002 Excellence in Construction planning committee members were:
Paul Pruitt, Carol Wiatrek and Bobby
Friedel.
Historical Renovation:
Satterfield and Pontikes for the Wheatley
Middle School project. The architect was
Chesney, Morales Architects. The owner
is SAISD.
Interior Build Out - General Contractor:
Metropolitan Contracting Company, Ltd.
for the EZ’s Brick Oven and Grill. The architect was Stephen J. Kramer Architects
and Design. The owner is Cheers, Inc.
Institutional - $2 million to $5 million:
Faulkner Construction for the Kathleen C.
Cailloux Hall at Schreiner University in
Kerrville, TX. The architect was Lopez,
Seidel Architects, Inc.
Interior Specialty Contractor Category:
Baker Drywall Company, Inc. for the
UTSA Downtown Campus Phase III. The
architect on the project was Ford, Powell
and Carson. The owner is UTSA.
SpawGlass Contractors, Inc. for the Zeller Building, Urshel
Tower and Parking Garage at the Cancer Therapy and Research Center. The architect was Marmon Mok Architects.
Commercial - $10 million to $25 million:
Bartlett Cocke, LP for the World Savings and Loan
project. The architect was Lane and Smart Architects.
Commercial Under $2 million:
SpawGlass Contractors, Inc. for the North San Antonio
Chamber of Commerce Building. The architect was RVK
Architects.
Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union,
Administrative Service Center 114,000 sf.
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Remodelors honored
and recognized
M
embers of the
Greater San Antonio Builders
Association - Remodelors
CouncilTM gathered under
the stars at Morrison Supply Company, on the
evening of Nov. 8th, to participate in their 2002 Annual
Awards and Recognition
Dinner.
Arriving members were
ushered toward an expan2003 Remodelors CouncilTM officers.
sive tent where they enjoyed
an open bar and buffet dinner, catered by Papacito’s Restaurant. Din- ing and Design received the 2002 Associing under the stars proved to be refreshing ate of the Year Award.
for the 40 members and guests, as temperaCertificates of Appreciation were
tures hovered at a near-perfect comfort awarded to individuals and companies, for
their continued promotion of
the remodeling industry
throughout the year. Congratulations to House Master
of San Antonio; American
Tile Supply of San Antonio;
Tyvek Weatherization Systems; Sid Wolfe; DRZ Design
Studio; Sherwin Williams;
Parker’s Custom Stained &
Etched Glass; Morrison Supply Company and Pit Stop
Recipients of the 2002 Annual Awards.
Services.
zone. Before the ceremonies began, memDuring the evening, the names of the
bers were invited to stroll through 2003 Executive Board were also announced.
Morrison’s classy showroom.
The 2003 officers of the GSABA Vice president of membership and chair- Remodelors CouncilTM are: President, Jana
man of the planning committee, Rudy Nino, Ward, Clear Choice Flooring and Design;
Vice President, Robert Elder, Pit Stop SerCGR presided as Master of Ceremonies.
Rudy had the pleasure of awarding the vices; Secretary, Jeff Cowsert, House Mas2002 Remodelor of the Year Award to his ter of San Antonio; Treasurer, Bert Delgado,
wife, Charlene Krist-Nino, SA Building American Tile Supply of San Antonio; and
and Remodeling, Co. Vice president of the Chairman of Membership, Rudy Nino,
Council Jana Ward, Clear Choice Floor- CGR, SA Building & Remodeling Co.
Dumas Hardware
expands to Austin!
I
n a bold move to broaden its radius of
operations across Central/South Texas,
Dumas Hardware officially opened
the doors of its new Austin office on Nov.
1st, the first day of its new fiscal year. According to president Greg Kanning, the
San Antonio-based commercial door and
hardware distributor leased office and
warehouse space near the intersection of
Hwy. 290 at IH-35 N.
When San Antonio Construction
News asked Greg how he arrived at the
decision to expand to the state’s capitol,
he said it was the convergence of several
circumstances that molded his decision.
“As a result of our normal bidding operations, we noticed that we were getting
a substantial amount of work originating
in the Austin area,” Greg explained. “In
my opinion, there just doesn’t seem to be
a strong distributor support system among
the competition in Austin as there has been
in the past. At the same time, we felt the
San Antonio market tightening up somewhat and were looking at other options.
We thought this might be an opportunity
for us.”
Opportunity continued to knock on
Greg’s door when he hired Ben Matney,
DAHC and Ms. Tracie Ortega, CSI. Ben
owned an Austin-based door and hardware
company for over 30 years, which he sold
when he retired. Tracie, a former employee
of Ben’s, will join him in calling on some
of their old customers, including school
districts, hospitals, universities and general contractors. Much of the work
Dumas will target is in the booming north,
including Round Rock, Pflugerville,
Georgetown, Ft. Hood and Killeen, to
Waco. That will increase the company’s
radius of operations from Waco to the border.
Ben and Tracie will spearhead Dumas
Hardware’s Austin operation.
For the time being, Ben and Tracie’s
orders will be filled out of the San Antonio office. Greg said his five-year plan
would include establishing a complete inside sales counter, a full stocking warehouse, and ultimately an independent
branch operation.
“I tend to lean toward the side of caution,” Greg said, pondering the slower economic times. “But, when I have an experienced person like Ben Matney willing to
come work for me, as well as Tracie, who
was part of Ben’s team, I have a winning
combination. I cannot sit back and in a year
from now, say, ‘I wish I had done that.’ Timing is everything, the future looks promising, and we’re all motivated to succeed.”
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1st Annual Fall Fest harvests
costumed crowd
Do It Right The First Time!
T
he Air Conditioning Contractors of
America Quality College is a premiere program for learning and
implementing the Quality Improvement
Process, a carefully designed and integrated program that enables today’s business owner to build a company that guarantees customer satisfaction, employee
satisfaction and profits.
On Fri., Oct. 25th and Sat., Oct 26th,
ACCA-San Antonio welcomed former
ACCA national president Mike Callahan
requirements every time.
• Building a set of written guidelines for
every employee’s performance and using
teams to implement standards that ensure
customer satisfaction.
• Measuring in real dollars how much is
spent fixing mistakes.
• Using the team approach to prevent mistakes before they happen.
In interactive team exercises, group discussions,
practical problem-solving
sessions, and through instruction in a small group
setting, contractors began
to apply a quality perspective to their business problems.
“When they leave here,
the contractors will take a
template back to their own
organizations, which they
will utilize to implement
the 12-step, four-phase
plan. A big piece of this is
support,” Mike added, “inACCA-Quality College founder Mike Callahan
drives home the importance of quality to local
cluding additional training,
and visiting HVACR contractors.
web-based support tools,
and a formal peer group.”
and John Garofalo, Callahan Roach and
ACCA schedules 10 Quality College
Garofalo, to TD Industries. One of the dates annually, at different locations
course developers, Mike was, for many around the country. Mike said the same
years, an A/C contractor, in Columbus, type of program has been developed for
Ohio. HVACR company owners and key the masonry and electrical industry.
personnel from as far away as Florida, in“For the company that embraces this
cluding those from Texas and neighbor- concept, they can expect a group of cusing states, attended.
tomers who are not only satisfied with
“One of my goals was to develop a their work, but who become their best
system where we could take the tradi- sales force, their best advertiser. They can
tional quality improvement processes that also expect to develop a force of employwere in place in manufacturing, and move ees who are motivated, well trained, and
them into a contracting environment,” customer-focused. As a result of those
Mike explained. “After two years, the plan two things, they can expect to see inwas first rolled-out in my company, and creased bottom line profit in their orgasecondly at TD Industries, which has em- nization.”
braced this process for the last 14 years.”
Ultimately, the program saves time
Mike’s 2-day discourse included an and money, improves company morale
overall definition of the philosophy, cul- and employee loyalty, builds better relature and language of continuous improve- tionships with customers, employees and
ment. He also examined the four compo- suppliers and ensures that every emnents of the quality process:
ployee understands and buys into their
contribution to the success of the busi• Understanding and satisfying customer ness.
T
he threat of thunder and lightening
made the ambiance even scarier at
the National Association of Women
in Construction’s 1st Annual Fall Fest, on
Sat., Oct 26th.
Volunteers decorated the Harmony
Hills Cabana Club with fall harvest and
Halloween themes for the 7 pm to ‘witching hour’ bash. As costumed members and
their guests arrived for the fun-and-gamefilled celebration, many were hopeful of
Past President Esther Wong
struts her stuff!
We’re taking home the money!
taking home the $150 cash prize for best
costume.
Judges for the costume contest included Mickey Drumm, Bill Baldree and
Buddy Doebbler, who selected the top
three contenders. The crowd chose the winner by applauding for their favorite costumed couple. First prize went to the “Bull
and Matador,” Robert Rojas and Dena
Trujillo. Second prize trophy was awarded
to the “Priest and Nun” (in a family-way);
and third prize trophy went
to the “Three Pigs and
Wolf.” Congratulations!
Celebrants enjoyed a
great BBQ dinner and beverages over the course of the
evening. Seated at tables
decorated with black and orange, partygoers posed for
the camera as a roving photographer captured their
scary and hilarious images. A
beat-heaving DJ delivered a
flow of music, and when they
weren’t eating, revelers tried
their hands at various games
and palm reading exercises.
Oooooops!
Or I’ll huff and I’ll puff!
Wishing Everyone A Safe And Merry Christmas!
10568 Sentinel San Antonio,
Texas 78217
210.655.6116 Fax. 210.655.6727
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AGC Fall Fiesta and Construction Industry Awards
O
n the beautiful starlit evening of
Thurs., Nov. 7th, 300 members of
the Associated General Contractors (AGC) gathered at Pedrotti’s North
Wind Ranch for the 2002 Fall Fiesta and
Construction Industry Awards.
Dressed in casual western attire, members enjoyed fabulous, colorfully presented
Tex-Mex cuisine, an open bar, and music
by Jay Eric and the Blieders Creek Band.
For the first time, AGC had a few silent
auction items for members to bid on, including Spurs tickets, a bay fishing trip,
jewelry, and more.
After 2002 AGC president Harry
Moeller, Bartlett Cocke LP, welcomed everyone formally, he acknowledged various
VIP’s and recognized past presidents. He
also thanked member-sponsor Willis of
Texas, and invited Paul Messenger to say
a few words.
Next, Harry spoke about the AGC 2002
Community Service Project, which involves building the Therapy Garden for the
Alamo Children’s Advocacy Center. Past
president, Gary Joeris, Joeris General
Contracting, then accepted the microphone
to say of few words in support of the NEISD
Bond Campaign.
When it became apparent that one of
the Master’s of Ceremony, Councilman
Carroll Schubert, was going to be delayed,
San Antonio Construction News publisher,
Buddy Doebbler, was recruited from the
crowd to stand in his stead.
At 8 pm, the Construction Industry
Awards were presented. Harry began with
a brief background on the history of the
awards program, after which he introduced
State Representative Elizabeth Ames
Jones, who joined Buddy at the podium for
the presentations.
The award recipients were:
President’s Award: Rene Garcia, Zachry
Construction Corporation.
2002 Engineer of the Year: Goetting & Associates, Inc.
2002 Architect of the Year: Garza/
Bomberger & Associates.
2002 Presidents Award: Rene Garcia, Zachry
Construction Corporation.
2002 Supplier of the Year:
L&M Steel Company, Inc.
2002 Service Provider of the
Year: Ridgway’s, Inc.
2002 Specialty Contractor of
the Year: Dausin Electric
Company.
2002 General Contractor of
the Year: Joeris General
Contractors, Ltd.
After congratulating all
of the nominees and winners, Harry thanked Ms.
Ames Jones and Buddy for
their helpful assistance, then
encouraged PAC Chairman
Steve McClesky, Centex
Construction, to rally more
enthusiasm for the silent
auction. When the band resumed playing, members
kicked their heels and
danced until the party was
over.
2002 Specialty Contractor of the Year:
Dausin Electric Company.
2002 Architect of the Year: Garza/Bomberger
& Associates.
2002 General Contractor of the Year:
Joeris General Contractors, Ltd.
2002 Engineer of the Year: Goetting & Associates, Inc.
2002 Service Provider of the Year: Ridgway’s, Inc.
2002 Supplier of the Year: L&M Steel Company, Inc.
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A New Concept For An Old Business
Established in 1947 by Fred Reinarz, the company continues to grow under the
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Apprenticeship: Gateway to a
Career, Train the Professional Event
F
our years ago, Mary Farrell, Bureau
of Apprenticeship and Training,
U.S. Department of Labor, and representatives from the Alamo Area Tech Prep
Consortium, Alamo Workforce Development Board, Texas Rehabilitation Commission, Education Service Center-Region 20,
along with San Antonio area apprenticeship
program sponsors brainstormed to develop an event
that would teach professional counselors about apprenticeship.
With two successful programs to their credit, the organizers held another on Nov.
13th at the Education Center,
Region 20, and the San Antonio Plumbers & Pipe Fitters Apprenticeship School.
“Our intention is to educate 75-100 counselors from
the Texas Workforce Commission, Onestop Centers, Texas Rehabilitation Commission and the Education Service Center,
Region 20 about the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship
and Training Apprenticeship Programs,”
Mary stated.
The morning’s agenda included a welcoming address and statement of purpose
by Lauren Brannan, Texas Rehabilitation
Commission, followed by a discussion of
labor market trends by Ruthie Pe’Vey, Education Service Center-Region 20. Mary
Farrell, along with Pauline Valentine, Associated Builders and Contractors, Perry
Calloway, NEISD, and Sonny Tessmann,
San Antonio Plumbers & Pipe Fitters Apprenticeship School presented current information regarding specific apprenticeship
programs.
Sonny emphasized the importance of
having good math skills, which is a key
component in construction. “Apprentices
are here to learn, and if they need a refresher
course in math we help them.”
Pauline reminded the assembled counselors that the local and national construction industry has full-time positions along
with on-the-job (apprentice) training for
anyone willing to become a craft professional.
“Many individuals in the past ten to
fifteen years have not been exposed to construction related vocational training through
public schools,” Pauline reported. “ABC is
attempting to bridge the gap for those individuals who would like to learn a trade and
work not only with their hands, also with
their minds. Our members are continuing
to build America everyday, and we invite
people to choose an area in which they are
interested, attain the skills to become a
craftsperson, and be rewarded with a growing salary as their experience level increases. If you are in construction you can
change the world, or the way it looks where
you are!”
Electrical trades instructor Perry
Calloway said NEISD is expanding its high
school apprenticeship program, to include
plumbing, HVAC, metal/welding and auto
tech. “The school district is currently looking for property to house a complete trades
school, which Dr. Middleton has envisioned.”
with vocational rehab counselor Carolyn
Valdez, who said transition students she
deals with would greatly benefit from apprenticeship programs. “For those who do
not desire to go to college, yet want to learn
a trade while receiving a living wage, this
would be an ideal experience. Plus, it would
give them the option to go to school at a
later time if they chose.”
The counseling professionals were challenged to return to their respective areas to
assess their students/clients for what is called
a “Matching Event,” on Feb. 5th, 2003.
“The ‘matching event’ is where the
counselors bring back their prospective clients to actually meet with our different apprenticeship program sponsors to discuss
what the particular occupations do on-thejob and the qualifications for each program.
We expect 300-400 clients on Feb. 5th,”
Mary concluded
Following an on-site visit to the San
Antonio Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Apprenticeship school, Nancy Hunter, Education
Service Center, Region 20, made closing
remarks and adjourned the assembly.
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Madla reception
brings out subs
6th Annual “Heat-The-Town”
I
n its continuing effort to help needy
people and be of service to our community, member companies of the Air
Conditioning Contractors Association –
San Antonio (ACCA) assembled a force of
technicians on Sat., Oct. 26th, for its 6th
Annual “Heat-The-Town” Community
Project.
Professional air conditioning/heating
technicians from 25 local companies gathered at Habitat-For-Humanity’s ReStore, on
Probandt, for a pre-dawn breakfast and
briefing of rules by project organizers.
Steve Artale and Norman Hedger with the
Hungry Horse Restaurant provided breakfast for all participants.
By 9 am, trucks started dispersing to
their assigned destinations, performing an
average of five service calls each. The technicians checked heating equipment at
single-family homes whose owners or occupants could not afford service calls. They
focused on Habitat-For-Humanity homes in the downtown area, as well as in other
areas of San Antonio and
Bexar County. Each person
involved in the project received a “Heat-The-Town”
shirt.
This worthy and humanitarian project has the
potential to save lives, and
all of the participating
ACCA - San Antonio members volunteered their time,
trucks, equipment, parts and
services, and skilled technicians.
Chuck Artale, Kirk Stephenson, and
Jerry Albert, Encompass Airtron, and
Robert Fly, American Distributors, again
head up the committee for this year’s event.
“This is our sixth year doing this
project,” Kirk explained, “so
even though we have the experiences and lessonslearned over the last five
years, we understand that a
few complications will
come up and will need to be
resolved. However, we are
committed to be better at
serving our fellow citizens
each year as we fine-tune the
project. Some parts and
pieces of equipment are donated by our supplier memL-R: Tiger Services senior technicians and veterans
bers, and several of our supof the Heat-The-Town project are Isabel Alejos,
pliers remained open during
George Damien, and Iris Zuniga.
the entire time we were do-
S
ubcontractors from the American
Subcontractors Association gathered on Wed., Nov. 13th for a reception honoring State Senator Frank Madla.
The reception was held at the new
home of Wilbur and Heidi Davis, in Welfare, Texas. Guests were able to discuss
upcoming legislative issues concerning the
construction industry with the Senator.
ing calls to provide needed parts.”
By day’s end, the “Heat-The-Town”
teams made over 150 calls at homes of elderly and low-income citizens of our community to help ensure their safety during
the upcoming winter season.
Participating companies included:
Agee’s A/C; Air Jireh Services; Air Star
Heating & A/C; American Distributors;
Alamo Crane Service; ARS - Widner Service; Beyer Mechanical; Bexar Air Heating & A/C; C & J A/C & Heating; C R
Blank Co.; City Public Service; City - Wide
Heating & A/C; Comfort-Air Engineering; Cool Service; Core Distributing;
County Wide Service Co.; Encompass
Airtron; EZ A/C and Heating; Expert
Techs; Flo-Aire Service; Pena’s A/C &
Contracting; Insco Distributing; Sigma
Air; TD Industries; and Tiger Services.
L-R: Hosts Wilbur, Heidi and guest of
honor, State Senator Frank Madla.
Raymond Risk, President/CEO,
Texas Construction Association, was in
town from Austin and explained the reason
for the reception.
“The Senator has been a good friend
of the construction industry over the years,
has helped carry bills and has been a big
supporter. This reception is the least we
can do to say thank him for all the hard work
he has done.”
As the evening proceeded, subcontractors focused on the hard issues coming up
in the next legislative session.
Phases Unlimited launched and ready for business
T
wo men, who were building trades
buddies in high school and who took
different paths over the next 20
years, have reunited and formed a new company. Jon Haggerty and Quinton
Grudzinski are co-owners of Phases Unlimited.
As the son of a construction company
owner in Houston, Jon practically cut his
teeth doing interior trim work, eventually
making his mark in Austin’s high-end residential market. Quinton, on the other hand,
pursued the commercial construction sector, rising one rung at a time to the position
of superintendent. What brought them together again is the promise of opportunity.
“The timing seems right,” Quinton began, “and the expertise we bring to the table
complements each other’s talents, giving us
the advantage of diversity and professionalism. We are both perfectionists in our work.”
The company’s name, Phases Unlimited,
alludes to the multiple capabilities of the small
firm, including professional door and hard-
ware installations, specialty
woodwork, innovative interior
trim and designer decks.
“We want architects and
interior designers to know that
our superior workmanship and
attention to detail distinguishes
us from the mainstream,” Jon
said. “There’s a lot of shoddy
workmanship that people are
willing to accept, and put their
name on. We, however, bring
a level of craftsmanship to the
job that is a higher standard.”
In
discussing
the
company’s five-year plan,
L-R: Quinton Grudzinski & Jon Haggerty
Quinton said during the first year
they want to procure enough work to pro- personally trained to work our way, with a
vide a three to four month backlog. “We also complete understanding of what we will acwant to secure relationships with a few well- cept, and what we won’t accept.”
reputed, quality-oriented general contractors,
In a five-year period Jon and Quinton
who will depend on us automatically because envision having a full office and shop, and a
of the nature of our work. In the second year, reputation for excellence that precedes them.
we will hire more employees, who will be
“Typically,” Quinton remarked, “when
a job is reaching its final stages, that’s when
the door and hardware installation takes
place. If we can get in at the front of the
job, let them bid our number into the
project, then they won’t have to worry and
it smoothes out the crunch time atmosphere. The generalists should leave the
specialty work to the specialists.”
On the residential side, Jon has designed and constructed wood decks ranging from the simplistic to the very complex.
“We will work from existing designs, or
contribute to the development of the design.
We understand that each customer will
bring different needs and desires to the
table. Quinton and I both have drafting experience,” Jon concluded, “and each deck
we help design will have our ‘signature’.”
Jon and Quinton look forward to building relationships with general contractors
who, by using Phases Unlimited, can better utilize their own people at “crunch
time.”
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Color and light awaken warehouse district
Our work can entail selective demolition, new construction additions and parking lot construction.”
Former owners of an apparel and laundry business,
Nora and Charlie closed their facilities when the Levi’s
plant, their primary client, closed its doors. Left with three
huge warehouses on S. Flores and N. Flores, the entrepreneurial couple took advantage of their circumstances by
converting those industrial properties to useable office
spaces, which they lease to a variety of occupants, including the Department of Health, a
charter school,
and a caterer.
Their own spacious
office
serves as a design
template, a physical example of
their personal
sense of style, artistic preferences
and construction
practices.
San Antonio
Finishers, Inc.
employs a crew of
eight craftsmen
and a complete
1400 S. Flores’ exterior overhaul
sheet metal shop
includes fencing and landscaping.
to produce their
finished products. Not limited to structural applications,
the sheet metal shop, spearheaded by Clarence Pfanstiel,
also produces objects d’art and frames for use in decorative interior treatments. Nora’s brother, Alberto Sierra, is
the company’s project manager, overseeing the activities
of the crew and subcontractors.
“We especially want to keep the industrial influences
that are inherent in old warehouses,” Charlie digressed,
“including exposed ceilings, skylights, pipes, structural
beams and HVAC tubing. The structural parts of the warehouses are the most important, and we want to enhance
those features, to embrace the industrial ambiance, in a
cheerful, colorful, dramatic and inhabitable space.”
San Antonio Construction News asked the creative
San Antonio Finishers, Inc. transforms ‘vintage ramshackle’ into ‘modern ageless.
couple what appeals to them about taking old, dilapidated
warehouses and turning them into rejuvenated state-of-theart real estate? Charlie said he sees beauty and strength of
character in the inner city, even among the buildings that
are run down, abandoned eyesores.
“I’ve thought for the last 25 years that ‘somebody really needs to do something!’ When opportunity knocked,
we took advantage of a situation that catapulted us to where
we are today. Revitalization breathes new life into parts of
the city that many folks have forsaken, and to have a city
agency like SADA move into one speaks volumes. Hopefully, their lead will usher in a stampede by other city,
county and private entities toward continued inner city revitalization. We love what we do, and the rewards are immeasurable.”
MOORE ER EC TIO N , L.P.
PRE-ENGINEERED
STRUCTURAL
MISCELLANEOUS STEEL
Excellence
T
he new offices of the San Antonio Development
Agency are bright, colorful, shining and reminiscent of industrial-construction-gone-modern. Located at 1400 S. Flores, in a former 15-acre warehouse
district originally erected in the 1920’s for International
Harvester, SADA’s new headquarters exemplifies the results of urban revitalization. The Neighborhood Action
Department and the Housing and Community Development offices also occupy the 28,000-sf former brick warehouse, which a few month’s previous had been in an utter
state of disrepair and clutter.
Nora Sierra is the president of San Antonio Finishers, Inc., the interior finish-out contractor responsible for
the chameleon-like transformation of the decaying and
aging warehouse into a series of brightly illuminated, colorful and efficient offices and conference rooms. Her secret weapon is her husband and business partner, Charlie
Acua, director of operations.
“He is the creative one,” Nora admitted. “We are both
from El Paso originally, and our designs and applications
are the result of a marriage between the influences of our
Hispanic roots
to industrial
spaces. Utilizing ceramic tile,
commercial
glazing systems, structural
steel and metals,
warm
woodwork and
lots of paint, we
can transform
old structures
into modern,
comfortable
working spaces.
We sub out the
major concrete
work, as well as
mechanical,
plumbing and
electrical sys- Charlie and Nora in the lobby of the San
tems as needed. Antonio Development Agency offices.
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Construction Equipment
Rental companies ride out the cycle of change
San Antonio Construction News spoke with
three construction equipment rental companies to get a glimpse of their industry and
the challenges they face. We spoke about
purchase vs. rental trends, equipment theft,
their assessment of today’s economic climate and how it has affected their productivity.
G
etting started in the equipment
rental business is daunting, yet
Matthew Howell, co-owner of Action Rentals & Sales, Inc., has survived and
prospered during his first two years. The
neophyte company maintains one location,
employs four personnel, and conducts business throughout Central/South Texas.
With a self-admitted ‘Heinz 57’ fleet,
Matthew rents and sells used
boom lifts, forklifts, and scissor lifts. He also performs specialty-rigging work for customers who request the service.
“Our customer-base is
representative of most trades,”
Matthew explained, “including concrete contractors, electricians, painters, plumbers,
dry-wall applicators, plasterers, roofers, and more. I cover
them all, and even ranchers use my equipment to trim the trees on their properties,”
The young entrepreneur acquires his
equipment at auctions, makes them ready,
and offers them for rent. “Everybody likes a
different variety of brand name equipment,
and I tailor my purchases to their needs.”
Matthew agreed that the current trend
reveals customers are shying away from
expensive equipment purchases, relying
more frequently on rentals.
“We’ve been in a recession, in my opinion, for over one year,” he continued. “Customers may shy away from purchases for
cash flow reasons, and it’s a bigger writeoff when they rent machinery than when
they buy it and depreciate it. However, at
the prices that I sell my equipment for, it’s
an advantage to buy, especially if they are
going to use the equipment repeatedly.”
Action Rentals & Sales places a oneyear full warranty on used equipment. Most
of the inventory is in the 3-5-year age group,
and some are slightly older. During the
equipment evaluation, the whole machine
is scrutinized, including a 150-point inspection, from the boom, to the motor.
“A motor diagnostic is
performed to see if there are any
shavings, or what kind of wear
it has,” Matthew continued.
“We don’t buy machines that
have operated over a certain
number of hours. We do a thorough check of what we buy, and
I’m constantly flying around
the country to find the best
equipment at the best price.”
Equipment theft hasn’t been a huge
issue for Action Rentals & Sales, because
they don’t carry high-risk items such as
backhoes and skid steer. “It’s real hard to
steal a boom lift or a scissor lift, because
they are so heavy. The bigger and heavier
the equipment, the less likely it is to be
snatched.”
Ahead of where he was last year by 25
percent, Matthew said business in 2002 was
good, but he has observed a slowdown in
the past few months. Linking that to the
ongoing recession, he predicts the soft
economy will continue into 2003, and perhaps beyond.
In the meantime, growth is
stretching Matthew in ten different ways. When he presents his
independent company to his clientele, he is challenged by his
limited inventory of equipment,
keeping all of the equipment utilized, and keeping the customer
happy.
“We’ve done a good job
thus far, but my biggest problem
is maintaining a measure of success with a limited inventory. I have 166
pieces of equipment now, and it still is not
near enough. My goal is to grow my inventory to better meet my customer’s needs.
Despite the growing pains, our slogan is ‘no
excuses’! But, I still need eight more hours
in each day, and more equipment to cover
a larger customer base. I want to be in business for a long time.”
I
n spite of the soft economy, as some
talking heads are declaring, one local
equipment rental and sales company is
looking forward to a potential expansion.
United Rentals, the largest equipment
rental company in North America, is advancing plans to open another San Antonio
location in 2003.
Tommy Taylor is the branch manager
of the company’s current location, which
employs 17 personnel. He helped establish
U.S. Rentals in 1993, which was purchased
by United Rentals in 1998, and said the
branches’ normal scope of work covers a
50-mile radius.
“United Rentals sells and
rents all types of construction
equipment, industrial equipment, and equipment suitable
for individuals to use at their
homes, farms or ranches,”
Tommy explained. “We also
sell hand tools, masonry supplies, safety supplies and
many accessories. We are
dealers for Bosch, DeWalt,
Norton-Clipper, SkyTrak,
JLG, Sullair, EDCO,
Honda, and on and on, which we sell new
and used.”
He continued to report that his customers include anybody who has a project, specifically small and large contractors, individuals, manufacturing and industrial facilities. “At some point in time, everybody can
use our products and services,” Tommy
added.
With a few exceptions, Tommy agreed
that, across the board, equipment customers are deferring purchases for the option
to rent.
“In 2002, we’ve had a good year selling new equipment and a lot of them were
the bigger, high-ticket items” he continued.
Trends and niches in equipment industry
San Antonio Construction News spoke with
local equipment dealers to find out what
trends are emerging to affect their businesses. Economic times are tight, competition is fierce, and customer satisfaction is
paramount.
I
n one form or another, the Briggs family has been in the equipment business
since 1896. Originally established as
Briggs-Weaver, the company was divided
in 1996, creating Briggs Equipment and
Briggs-Weaver. Although Briggs-Weaver
was sold within the last two years, Briggs
Equipment is thriving with 17 locations
along the Gulf Coast states.
With ten Texas locations, San
Antonio/Austin is considered
one market, serving Central/
South Texas with a complement of 40 personnel.
Construction News spoke
with aerial specialist, William
“Bill” Giuliani. Considering
the longevity of the company,
Bill said quite a few staff
members have been with the
employee and family-owned
business for a long, long time.
Briggs Equipment carries various types
of material handling equipment, including
Yale industrial forklifts and material lifts.
Among its inventory of aerial or access
equipment are UpRight scissor lifts and
Genie booms. The company also carries
TEREX and Traverse rough terrain forklifts, and Case earth-moving equipment.
“We also sell/rent general construction
equipment, like backhoes, graders, miniexcavators, skid steers, etc.,” Bill explained.
“Our customers include general contractors
and subcontractors on the construction end,
as well as industrial, institutional and warehouse customers. We have a full parts and
service department, where we stock, sell
and service all of our own equipment, and
our competition’s equipment. That is a very
aggressive department.”
Bill said the soft economy and increased competition are contributing to a
slowdown in heavy equipment sales. “The
competition has almost tripled in the last
10-12 years. I’ve been doing this for 23
years, and times have never been more competitive. In addition, there’s not as much
construction as there has been, and if you
take the growth rate of all the
people in our business,
everybody’s fleet has grown astronomically, creating a surplus
compared to the current demand.”
He agreed that the
merger and acquisition trends
among manufacturers and
equipment companies have
slowed considerably. “There
may still be some activity,” Bill
added, “because some of the
little guys aren’t going to be able to make
it through these times, and will sell-out.”
Asked what new products or upgrades
are emerging from the manufacturers assembly lines, Bill said the focus is always
on safety. “Equipment manufacturers are
looking at more ways to build a safer product, to keep the operators safe. With that in
mind, they’re always looking for ways to
build equipment bigger, faster, and stronger.”
In response to the economic times and
intense competition, Briggs Equipment is
diversifying its types of equipment. “Up
until two or three months ago, San Antonio/Austin wasn’t in the general construction rental equipment. That’s what we’re
expanding into now, to help offset the soft
economy on the aerial and forklift division.
It’s another avenue of customers with
whom I’ve never worked. We’re also increasing our support of the local construction associations.”
Bill credits the tenured staff at Briggs
Equipment for its success and customeroriented mindset. “Customer satisfaction is
our number one goal, and our employees
have a great depth of experience, know the
markets and the people in them. In some
cases, our business relationships go back
for decades.”
T
wo brothers, Jack and George
Closner, founded Closner Equipment Company, Inc. in 1946,
shortly after WWII. Today, the ‘highway
heavy’ specialty equipment
company is operated by a second generation of brothers, G.
Bennett Closner and Frank
W. Closner, principals. All
graduates of Texas A&M University, they look forward to
the day the third generation
joins the firm.
The 56-year-old equipment company operates from
one San Antonio location, employs 20 personnel, and covers an area from Temple to Brownsville and
Victoria to San Angelo, encompassing most
of the Central/South Texas region. Special-
izing in the ‘highway heavy’ machinery
niche, Closner Equipment sells, rents shortterm, and leases asphalt paving, concrete
paving and compaction equipment. Its customers include private contractors and public entities at city, county and state levels.
As Bennett explained, his company
provides the machinery to the contractors
who compact the final lift of base material,
and place the concrete or asphalt pavement
on a road, highway, airport runway, parking lot or related project.
“For asphalt, we represent BarberGreene (Div. of Caterpillar Paving Products) and ROSCO Manufacturing.
Gomaco is our premier concrete line of
slipforming equipment. Dynapac vibratory
rollers are our most widely used product
and, in my opinion, the best line of compaction products in the world. As an extra
plus, Dynapac’s U.S. headquarters is in
Selma, TX.”
Closner Equipment deals with complex, specialized machinery that has an average useful life of 30 years, if properly
maintained and serviced. To
that end, the company has a full
field and shop service staff,
complete parts department, and
a fleet of service trucks on the
road, everyday, somewhere.
“Trouble shooting and
repairing machinery on the job
site is a key part of the heavy
construction business,” Bennett
emphasized. “Because this
equipment is so specialized, the
customer doesn’t own an extra
machine to fall back on. It’s imperative to
Page 12
F O C U S
continued from Page 11 - Rental companies ride out the cycle of change
“Low interest rates influence that trend to
a degree, and customers can also do some
creative financing through their banks,
through third-party leasing, and other avenues to reduce their outlay of cash. There
are always financing options available to
fit a customer’s situation and accounting
structure.”
It’s no secret that even well secured
equipment yards are subject to theft. Some
theft is the result of random acts of vandalism, and other incidences are an organized
effort by professional thieves who are filling orders. To reduce risk, United Rentals
utilizes silent tracking device units, which
is operated via the GPS system, on some
of its equipment. If a unit is stolen, a call is
placed to the police, who are able to activate a process of recovery.
Although rental revenues were good in
2002, Tommy said there is always more
room for improvement. “However,” he
added, “our growth this year has been generated through new and used equipment
sales. We project revenues in 2003 to be
similar to 2002, especially if interest rates
remain low. Even if 2003 is only as good
as 2002, I would be happy.”
The experienced branch manager reiterated a concern regarding one of the biggest problems any business faces today;
finding and retaining qualified people, who
are willing to work, grow, progress, be aggressive and take on responsibilities. He
said he’s fortunate to have a great group of
good people who have worked with him for
numerous years.
“If you take good people, combined
with good products and service, then you’re
going to be successful through the hard
times and the good times,” Tommy reflected. “That’s what we’ve always done,
and we’ve had a good run here in San Antonio. We look forward to 2003, and hope-
fully we can get another store up and running! We’ll fight those battles next year!”
C
entrally located on I-35 N, Rocky
Hill Equipment Rentals, Inc. is
named after its founder and president, Rocky Hill. In business for 17 years,
the company employs a staff of ten and operates throughout Texas and in neighboring states. In 1990, Rocky and his wife, Joy,
formed another company, J.C.H. Construction, Inc., to complement the equipment
rental business.
Rocky Hill’s standard inventory of
medium to large construction equipment
includes excavators, backhoes,
rollers, dozers, track loaders,
trenchers and rock saws, represented by top manufacturers
like Ditch Witch, Vermeer, John
Deere, Case, Dynapac, and
Bomag.
“Our specialty niche is
trenchers and rock saws,”
Rocky explained, “with everything from the smallest 35-hp
saws to 300-hp track machines,
and I would speculate that we’re
the only company in Texas with as many
variable-sized rock saws.”
Approximately 90 percent of the
equipment company’s customers are commercial construction contractors, plumbers,
electricians, utility contractors, telephone
and cable contractors, and excavation contractors.
“Like other rental companies, all of my
equipment is for sale, all the time,” Rocky
added. “However, we need to keep a young
fleet of equipment, and in our situation, it’s
more common for us to trade-in a unit for a
newer model rather than sell.”
Unless a piece of equipment is used
San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2002
everyday, there are certain advantages to
renting over purchasing. “Even among
companies that can afford to buy,” he continued, “they’re finding out it’s more cost
effective to rent equipment. They can use
newer equipment, they don’t have to replace
it, and they don’t have to hire a mechanic
to fix and maintain the equipment.”
On that note, Rocky said he has a service department with 3 experienced mechanics, who are cross-trained to work on
any piece of equipment. Two full-service
trucks enable the company to do almost all
equipment repairs out in the field, including making hoses.
In 17 years, Rocky has had a few incidences of theft, including vehicles and
heavy equipment. Caution is exercised
when renting equipment to
unfamiliar faces. “I do very
little cash-up-front business,
since most of my regular construction customers have accounts. In isolated situations,
a cash-only transaction will
raise a red flag. Fortunately,
I’ve never had anybody pickup a machine, take it out, and
never bring it back. Most theft
occurs at the job sites, over a
weekend.”
To protect his 15 backhoes, which are
hot items these days, Rocky has installed
boom locks, which disable the machine.
Customers are asked to use them when they
shut down the job site for the day. The rental
company has also installed theft deterrent
apparatus’ on its heavy equipment units.
Rocky Hill Equipment recorded its
biggest month ever in August 2001. In the
aftermath of Sept. 11th, however, business
dropped off considerably.
“Combine that tragic event with a substantial number of rain days, which always
affects our business, and I would say business is off by about 15 percent. Residential
construction, school districts and public
entities are still steady, but private commercial projects are slowing down. I think
people want to have more faith in the
economy, but these are uncertain times.
We’ve already had a preview of what an
act of terrorism can do to the economy.”
The greatest challenge Rocky faces in
business today concerns insurance. He said
for several years insurance companies were
competing for his business, yet now he’s
seeing fewer carriers that supply insurance
to the equipment rental companies. Among
those who are, they are raising their rates.
“Right now is a good time to buy
equipment,” Rocky emphasized, “because
dealers are selling at discounted prices. If
you’re confident about the economy, and
you have a lot of cash, now would be the
best time to buy or upgrade your fleet.”
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continued from Page 11 - Trends and niches in equipment industry
keep our customers up and running, to respond quickly to their needs.”
Bennett pointed out a trend in the industry that he considers a generational phenomenon; contractors typically own less
equipment now than they used to.
“The first generation paid cash for
machinery, kept it for the full lifetime, and
eventually stored it in a yard, presumably
for parts. The new generation has a different focus. They own less machinery and
they replace it earlier in its useful life. With
young fleets they can depend on, they maximize their uptime. Additionally,” he added,
“the quality and ride smoothness specifications on asphalt and concrete are extremely complex and difficult to meet. In
order to meet today’s standards, contractors are turning their machinery over and
constantly keeping it updated. It’s a trend
that didn’t exist 10-15 years ago.”
Because Closner Equipment is small
and specialized, the staff keeps close tabs
on its contractors, knows their field people
by name, and visits their projects regularly.
When manufacturers introduce a new product that will result in a customer’s higher
productivity, increased quality, or reduction
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in job-cost, the Closner team takes a proactive attitude.
“In some cases,” Bennett added, “we
demonstrate a machine, in other cases, we
transmit the data to the customer. It’s an
ongoing process, and when a meaningful
improvement occurs, we communicate that
information to our customers. There are
always contractors who are looking for an
opportunity to improve.”
According to Bennett, Closner Equipment is recognized throughout the state as
having extensive knowledge of asphalt &
concrete paving equipment and compaction
machinery.
“I don’t think there’s any other dealer
that has specialized in this kind of equipment for this duration of time,” he concluded. “We have a long history within the
Texas highway-heavy industry, we are
knowledgeable about what we do, and over
the years, we have chosen not to diversify.
Focused on a narrow section of the market,
it has remained our choice to be a specialist instead of a generalist, setting us apart
from the competition. Our added value to
the customer is application expertise, quality products, and uptime support. ”
E
stablished in San Antonio in the mid1950’s, heavy equipment dealer
Waukesha-Pearce Industries, Inc.
is headquartered in Houston and has other
branches in Kilgore, Austin, Corpus Christi,
and San Juan, TX. The San Antonio branch
employs 30 personnel and covers a 20
county area.
with sales representative Jay Taylor, who
said the company sells, rents and services
construction equipment to the contractor
market and governmental agencies.
“We carry Komatsu crawler tractors,
more commonly known as bull dozers, as
well as rubber tired loaders, excavators, and
motor graders,” Jay explained. “Bomag
manufactures our complete line of compaction equipment, both vibratory and static
rollers, and asphalt recycling equipment.
Our telescopic boom excavators are manufactured by Gradall.”
Waukesha-Pearce Industries maintains
a complete service and parts department,
for both in-shop and field service.
The company rents its heavy equipment without operators, so it’s mandatory
they know the people with whom they are
doing business.
“We typically do business with customers who have qualified operators,” Jay
added. “Our customers have the option of
providing insurance coverage on rental
equipment or purchasing loss damage waivers from WPI.”
When San Antonio Construction News
asked Jay if he agreed with reports that the
heaviest of heavy equipment is off by 1520 percent, he agreed. “We were throwing
out the same numbers at a recent companywide meeting I attended. Although some
folks credit the slowdown to the aftermath
of Sept. 11th, we attribute it to the stock
market decline. In the past few years, we
went through such a good business period,
and now it’s time for an adjustment in busi-
ness. Things are
more normal
now, as opposed
to the boom
days.”
Jay sees the
trend of mergers
and acquisitions
in equipment
manufacturers
continuing, and
thinks there is
going to be more
consolidation between manufacturers and
also distributors.
“There could also be some changes in
the products people represent, and since the
nature of business is more competitive,
everybody’s looking for an edge. Our
manufacturers are always coming out with
new and improved versions of the same type
of products that we represent. We have a
new series of excavators and wheel loaders
that we’ve received in the last 5-6 months,
which include higher technology components and features. Some of them have
onboard computers that self-identify problems or failures. That’s always a plus!”
Ever mindful of the big picture, Jay
said the best thing Waukesha-Pearce can do
is service what it sells.
“We try to improve the level of our
service constantly, with strong parts availability, and being there when the customer
needs us. Selling something is easy, but
selling something twice is the hard part.
Repeat business always requires taking better care of the customer, going the extra
mile, staying in tune with their needs, and
giving them the service they require, when
they require it. Our attention to our customers needs is what sets us apart from the competition. We have good products, and we
do our best to take care of our customers
after the sale.”
Fish fry lures
Lynwood’s customers
W
afts of mouth-watering
odors exuded from
within the yard at
Lynwood Building Materials on
Thurs., Nov. 7th, as the home
team welcomed about 200 customers and their employees to the
company’s monthly Customer
Appreciation Lunch.
“We invited customers and
people who stop by to get their
materials everyday,” said Chris
Christians, company president.
“It’s our way of saying thank you
to a lot of familiar faces.”
Lynwood’s crew of volunteers
served up fresh fried Choke Canyon catfish, served with French
fries, coleslaw and hush puppies.
Under the Makita tent, which
helped sponsor the lunch, power
tool demonstrations were conducted and some special pricing
was offered to on-the-spot-buyers.
“We hope to continue having
these lunches once a month,”
Chris added. “It gives our sponsoring suppliers some extra exposure, and that trickles down to us.
It’s a win-win situation, and the
customers are the beneficiaries.”
Mother Nature provided a
welcomed respite from the plaguing rains, and everyone was excited about the blue sky, sunshine
and temperatures in the 70’s.
The value of trees to San
Antonio’s future
T
L-R: Martha Larson and Pattie Ybarra serve plates
while cooks tended to their fish frying duties.
Makita helped sponsor the feast!
San Antonio Chapter
... working together to improve the economic well-being of
construction subcontractors and suppliers through:
communication, education, and government / industry advocacy.
he 20 percent tree cover in the
Greater San Antonio area is saving
more than $70 million annually in
energy conservation, air quality and storm
water management costs, according to a
metropolitan area urban ecosystem analysis conducted by American Forests (AF),
the nation’s oldest nonprofit citizen tree
conservation organization.
Gary Moll, vice president of AF’s Urban Forest Center, said the urban ecosystem analysis “demonstrated that trees are
a vital municipal asset both in terms of economics and the environment.”
AF surveyed 788,000 acres of the
Greater San Antonio area, including Bexar
County and its surrounding suburbs, and
measured the value of the area’s tree cover
for energy conservation, air quality and
storm water management.
“Long, hot summers mean that residents use their air conditioners at an approximate cost of $555 per home annually,”
Moll estimated. “Residential shade trees
were shown to save each home an average
of $76 a year. Assuming that 67.8 percent
of the area’s residences have air conditioners (U.S. Census Bureau), the estimated
annual residential savings total $17.7 million.”
Besides reducing energy consumption,
the area’s tree canopy provides other benefits including the removal of 17 million
pounds of pollutants a year, a value estimated at $42.1 million annually, Moll said.
“The city’s urban forest currently stores an
estimated 7 million tons of carbon and sequesters nearly 56,000 tons of carbon each
year,” he added.
The findings also estimate a one-time
savings of $1.35 billion in construction
costs for the City of San Antonio in storm
water runoff reduction, Moll said. San
Antonio’s tree cover absorbs 678 million
cubic feet during a storm event, saving the
City about $2 per cubic foot in construction costs for flood control systems and
sewer infrastructure.
Trees help reduce storm water runoff
by intercepting rainwater on their leaves,
branches and trunks, where water evaporates or slowly soaks into the ground, reducing peak flow after a storm.
These benefits become more important
with the realization that tree canopy has
been lost over the last 15 years. The analysis compared LandsatTM satellite images
between 1985 and 2001 and revealed a 23
percent loss in heavy tree canopy cover (50
percent or greater tree cover) over this time
period. Fortunately, the area still retains a
20 percent canopy cover. Similar loss patterns were found within the San Antonio
region, which includes portions of Wilson,
Guadalupe and Comal Counties (13 percent). Not surprising, the most dramatic loss
occurred within the City of San Antonio (39
percent).
The study recommends municipalities
develop public policies that increase tree
cover and promote green infrastructure.
Second, the communities should include
trees and the values associated with trees
when making land-use decisions. Lastly, the
analysis recommends that communities
should set tree cover goals and institutionalize a system to reach those goals.
Spearheaded by City Public Service,
AF will use results of the study to
proactively plan and manage the area’s natural resources. A tree-planting demonstration already has been planned for spring
2003 at the San Antonio Central Library,
and other activities will follow.
Have a Prosperous
New Year!
ASA holds monthly member’s meetings at the Barn Door.
For more information on how to join our efforts or to be placed on
the mailing list for upcoming events- write, call or email:
P.O. Box 29741, San Antonio 78229
(210)349-2105
Fax: (210)349-2847
[email protected]
DUDERSTADT STAKE CO.
SALES REPAIRS AND RENTALS
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continued from Page 2 - Old Timer’s Corner
“The last time he and I spoke, Mr.
Darragh told me to keep the company going for 10 years,” Gerald recalled. “By that
point, he said I might be better off than I
ever thought I would be. I honored that, and
hung in there. While the Darragh family
elected to sell all of their interests in the
company, I kept his name on the company
for ten years. I appreciated the confidence
he showed in me.” During this period, the
company built many schools, commercial
buildings and military construction
projects.
In 1966, Gerald and his friend and
mentor, H. Alvin Lott, who now owned his
own construction company, teamed together in a joint venture to bid on the
HemisFair ’68 construction projects.
“I told Mr. Lott I couldn’t bond those
jobs, but I sure knew how to build them,
and how would he like to go fifty-fifty. He
said let’s get after it! I felt if anybody in
the world had confidence in me he did, because I’d worked for him longer than any
person I’d ever worked for in my life.”
The team of “Lyda-Lott” was the low
bidder on Tower of the Americas, Theater
for the Performing Arts, Convention Center Arena, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention
Center and Banquet Hall, San Antonio
River Extension, and other notable
HemisFair structures. While many in the
industry had predicted financial disaster for
the young company, the successful completion of the HemisFair projects made the
Lyda organization a respected and major
player in the market from that point forward. The company changed its name to
Lyda, Inc. in the early 1970’s.
“I never was trying to get big, I was
just trying to take care of what came my
way, with what I felt comfortable,” Gerald
digressed. “After HemisFair, we had proven
that we were a little more capable than most
people thought we were, and at the same
time, San Antonio was on the map, becoming known as more than a country town.”
In the early 1980’s, a lot of out-of-town
contractors came to San Antonio to share
in the boom days of growth. “They grabbed
any job they could get a hold of,” Gerald
continued, “and even took equity in jobs to
create a profit. I just decided to keep it liquid, and the main thing I recognized was,
of all the money you handle in the construction business, very little of it belongs to you.
I never lived beyond my means, never
bought equipment I couldn’t afford or bud-
visit our
web site at
get for. Good conservative management is
probably the reason for our survival through
the tough times.”
This year, Lyda Inc. merged with
Swinerton Builders to create Lyda Builders. San Antonio Construction News asked
Gerald why he sold the company.
“I’ve got a standard answer for that
because I got what I asked for it!” he mused.
“I’ll be 80 on the 12th of January, and it’s
been a good ride. I enjoy being close to my
family, my boys and daughter. God has
blessed us with being halfway successful
in the construction business. However, I
never forgot my agrarian training, and for
the last 30 years I’ve invested in land and
working ranches, and turned some profit.
“My desire, when we drove away from
the family farm on which we owed $4,000,
was to have a piece of land somewhere, so
in my final days I’d have a place to run
cattle, live in the country and enjoy life.”
When Swinerton Builders approached
Gerald to buy his company, he gave it careful consideration. “I decided we have
enough in the land, cattle and mineral business to keep all of my family busy and profitable. They enjoy ranching and the other
businesses we’re in, so, we just let these
folks buy it. They are a large company and
they can take it wherever they want to take
it. They paid us what we asked for.”
Gerald bought his first five acres in
Burnet County in 1945, from the son of a
former black slave. While there was no road
access to the property, he bought it on
credit, turned it in three months for 100
percent profit, and realized the potential real
estate investment offered.
“You have to learn how to buy
ranches,” Gerald said. “If you don’t have
any money, you have to figure out ways and
means.” In 1954, Gerald spent $10,000 on
a 120-acre farm near his boyhood home in
Marble Falls. He sold it for $50,000 and
used the profit as a down payment on a
1,968-acre ranch in 1962, which Gerald and
his family lived on until 1985. After buying up adjacent ranch property, when sold,
the property totaled 5,700 acres.
“I used leverage buying on a lot of
ranches,” he commented, “making the land
and cattle generate enough cash flow to
make the payments over a period of time.
Of course, most of the time, the land was
appreciating in value.”
In 1985, Gerald purchased a premier
property, the sprawling 600,000-acre Lad-
der Ranch, of which 168,000 acres were
deeded, from ARCO Oil executive Robert
O. Anderson. After ranching it for eight
years, he sold it to Ted Turner and Jane
Fonda. Asked if he got his price, Gerald said
he sure did.
“Even though I was in the construction business I never passed up an opportunity to read anything I could about agriculture and how successful people operated. I
think I understood the economics of it pretty
well, and I think the land market is a whole
lot safer than the stock market.” Today,
Gerald Lyda Sr. has expanded his holdings
to over 300,000 deeded acres and 65,000
acres of leased land.
San Antonio Construction News asked
Gerald to talk about his most memorable
moment during his construction career.
“It would have to be when the rods
started breaking, when we were lifting the
top house to the Tower of the Americas. The
steel rods started breaking when it was
about 40 feet off the ground. We shored it
up, and saved it. I think that’s when my hair
started turning gray!”
As a rancher, Gerald has dodged a lot
of lightening and had many wonderful experiences. He said one of the happiest times
was when Ted and Jane came along and
agreed to buy the Ladder Ranch before he
had even named his price.
“I thought up a good number, and when
the Turner’s lawyers said it was a little too
high, I said good, you’ve just saved my life,
because my family’s awful mad at me for
even pricing the ranch. I’d better go now.
They said, ‘let us call Ted,’ who decided it
was an awful good buy.”
Gerald said his family, which includes
nine grandchildren, is one that has enjoyed
“hanging” together, and he said “we intend
to keep doing that until the end of time.”
Asked if he missed the construction business, he said, “I don’t think anybody enjoyed getting in it as much as I did, or getting out of it as much as I did. I’m a happy
man, and plan to stay that way! Again, between my friends, my customers, and the
Good Lord, I can’t imagine why everybody
treats me as well as they do, and puts up
with me. There’s no one who appreciates it
more than I do. I’m stepping into another
world now, and I’m enjoying every minute,
and everyday of what I’m doing now, and
hope to continue.”
AGC’s
statement on
Terrorism
Insurance Bill
T
he following is a statement by
the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC)
chief executive officer, Stephen E.
Sandherr, on the expected passage of
the terrorism insurance legislation.
“AGC applauds the Bush Administration for its leadership in getting
this important legislation passed when
thousands of construction related jobs
were on the line. The lack of affordable terrorism insurance left too many
of the nation’s buildings and public
places uncovered. It has also contributed to the downturn in the nation’s
economy by slowing or canceling billions of dollars worth of construction
projects. With the final passage of this
piece of legislation, the construction
industry will be poised to aid in the
nation’s economic recovery, providing
jobs and securing America’s future.”
AGC has worked closely with the
Bush Administration on this issue.
AGC president Larry C. Gaskins participated in the economic forum held
in Waco earlier this year, addressing
the importance of passing terrorism insurance and the detrimental effect of
not having a federal backstop.
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) is the largest
and oldest national construction trade
association in the United States.
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HO!
HO!
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Locally owned & operated • Personalized service
Dispatch: 210.658.6321
Office: 210.349.2491
What separates a man from a boy?
T
he price of his toys! Just ask the hun- Colt, Smith and Wesson, Benelli,
dreds of fishing and hunting enthuRemington, Tradition, Glock and others.
siasts who were in a fever on
While the clock ticked and more
Thurs., Nov. 7th when Associated Builders and
Contractors (ABC) South
Texas Chapter invited its
membership to the “Great
Gun Give-away and
Sportsman’s Expo.”
Hosted by membercompany Alamo Crane
Services, at their spacious
Alamo Parkway location in
Selma, the event promised
great dividends for those
who purchased what they
hoped would be lucky
raffle tickets. The animated
crowd had an opportunity Steven receives framed, signed, and numbered print-ofto redeem their $2 raffle the-year, by William Goebel, titled “Golden Opportunity,”
from Perry Shipler, National Wild Turkey Federation.
tickets for guns and rifles
manufactured by Ruger,
raffle tickets were sold, members and
their guests enjoyed classic favorites from
acclaimed caterer, Richard Tejeda, Black
Tie Affair. They also had ample opportunity to peruse and study the guns and
rifles displayed by Dury’s Gun Shop, a
family-owned and operated San Antonio
business founded in 1959. John Dury explained how the raffle worked.
“The ABC folks sell tickets up until
a designated time, and when they arrive
at a final figure, we calculate the number
and value of guns that can be given away.
An event like this benefits the
association’s members, and gives us some
exposure as well. Each winner has to
Capt. Steve Schultz shares fish-talk
come into our store to pick up their gun
with fellow anglers.
or rifle, and they just might need some
ammo or accessories or another gun.”
The Alamo Chapter of
the National Wild Turkey
Federation, Steve Wilson –
Hunting Service, Comal
Taxidermy, and Ducks Unlimited each had attended
booths, plus information
and handouts about their
wildlife organizations. As
well, San Antonio Construction News’ renowned
monthly fishing columnist,
Capt. Steve Schultz,
Baffin Bay Charters, lured
in saltwater enthusiasts
ABC president Steven Schultz accepts framed wood
with displays of great pho- duck print titled “Murky Waters”, by artist Justin Sparks,
from Ducks Unlimited volunteer extraordinaire Charlie
tographs and good old fishKlein, C.A. Klein Construction.
talk.
To help make those
duck blinds more comfortable for the women-shooters, Ducks Unlimited distributed foam seat pads to
every woman in attendance.
The climax of the
evening’s festivities was
the “Great Gun Giveaway” raffle drawing. On
stage, the ticket barrel was
rotated, tickets were drawn
randomly, numbers were
called out, and ticket-holders studied their receipts. L-R: Tom Quintero, MANCO; Donna Easton, San Antonio
Construction News; and Bill Dawley, HCDT Insurance
Bingo! Whoa! One exclagetting acquainted with one another.
mation after another resounded through the
crowd, as handguns, shotguns, and rifles were given
away.
Consummate ABC
volunteer, Bill Dawley,
HCDT Insurance Agency,
Inc., finally got lucky. He
said, “I’ve spent enough
money on raffle tickets
over the last 10 years to go
out and buy at least three
good rifles! Today was my
day!”
ABC’s Carol Wiatrek,
Pauline Valentine, Dana
A quick confirmation of the number and it’s yours!
Goodman and a host of
member volunteers organized and di- hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, who derected the popular affair, which surely parted with visions of antlers, feathers
whetted the appetites of construction and fins dancing in their heads.
The Great Outdoors welcomes your photos and stories.
We will print on a first-come, space-available basis, and all photos will be returned when requested.
Mail to: San Antonio Construction News • P.O. Box 791290 • San Antonio, Tx 78279
L-R: Kingfish hooked 15-miles offshore from Port A., by Quality Fence & Welding’s
president Craig Noto, Mark Childs and Billy Mays.
L-R: John Merriman; Paul Gomez and Robbin Bostick, San Antonio
Masonry Supply; Ronnie Etheridge, Ronnie Contreras and Scott Rower,
Galaxy Builders; and Tom Lindall, Metropolitan Contracting with catch from
Oct. 18th Aransas Pass bay fishing trip with Capt. Charlie’s “To
The Limit” guide service. Paul and Robbin picked up the tab!
Matt Rose, Transwestern Property Services, center, takes a break from the hunting
action to show off the Benelli Camo 3.5" Nova shotgun he won during Intertech
Flooring’s 10th Annual Dove Hunt in late September. Long-time Intertech supporter,
T&L Distributing, donated the gun. Rose was one of 125 hunters who took part in
the Uvalde hunt that was guided by Leighton and Minnie Chambers of Hondo.
During the two-day BBQ & Clay shooting event, more than 100 hunters shot their
limit of dove, both days. Shown with Rose is Pat Gallagher, left, with T&L’s
Austin office, and Bill Thornton with T&L’s San Antonio office.
Don Faulkner, Capital Industries caught and released
6-ft., 2-in. tarpon, weighing 130-lbs., off the
east coast of Costa Rica.
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210-656-6656 • Fax 210-656-7388 • 1-800-275-0434
by John Jefferson
John Jefferson brings broad-based outdoor experience and travel to
Construction News’ outdoor page as its regular columnist. www.johnjefferson.com
All Photos taken by John Jefferson
NAIL SOME QUAIL
By John Jefferson
Q
uail hunting is special. Tension in
the taught body of a bird dog ignites a similar anticipation in the
hunters. Its penetrating stare into
the concealing brush foretells the action.
The pinnacle of hunting is illustrated here
as in no other quarry sport.
My grandson put it in perspective a few
years ago. He had tired of sitting quietly in
a deer stand waiting for something to happen that didn't. He wondered "if we could
just walk through the woods with our guns
and hunt something that way." I told him
wild birds. For the present, Texas in general, and South Texas in particular, still has
adequate wild populations. The trend,
though, is downward, sad to say.
Quail hunting, in even the best parts of
Texas, has its ups and downs. "About every five or six years we see a peak in production and right now we're behind in some
areas," said Robert Perez, TPWD Quail Program Leader.
Much of South Texas received no significant spring rainfall and as a result quail
nesting and hatching conditions were very
poor, explained Perez.
"They didn't get any rain until July and then it went
gangbusters," he noted.
"Now, we're getting a lot of
reports of small birds; I
wouldn't call it a second
hatch, just a late hatch. There
will be a lot of young birds
out there at the opening of
the season, but I wouldn't
count on them being there by
February. An early cold front
or heavy fall rains could take
a toll on those late hatches
and they are typically more
One of hunting's finest experiences is hunting
susceptible to predation."
with a good pointer.
Chip Ruthven, a biologist on
what he described was quail hunting. He the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area
took to that naturally.
confirmed this. "Our hunters have only avThere is a lot of talk nowadays, how- eraged two - three coves a day, with lots of
ever, about the decline in quail populations. young, small birds," he told me.
Nationally, it's a fact. Most of the southLuther Young, hunting impresario of B
eastern United States, once the Mecca for Bar B Ranch Bed and Breakfast near Riviera
bobwhite quail hunting, is just about out of (pronounced "Rivera") let me ride shotgun
as he made a swing through one of
the pastures on King Ranch on
which he books hunts. We kicked
up the first covey several hundred
yards inside the fence. It wasn't a
large covey, but finding it so soon
foretold of things to come. I accused Luther of having staked it out
just to get us excited. His answer
facetiously referred to the ease of
herding quail, and adequately put
me in my place.
Wild birds are just that. They
have spent a lifetime roaming the
thick grassland and pear-infested,
mesquite and oak motte habitat of
King Ranch, or wherever they live.
They, frankly, just don't like intrusion by hunters and their dogs. Or
anything else. Predators consider
them to be hors d'oeuvres, if not
the entrée itself. That kind of popularity makes them a little jumpy.
Young and his guides, as do
South Texas is blessed as one of the last areas
most South Texas quail hunters,
in the United State with good populations
hunts behind dogs, driving the pasof wild bobwhite quail.
tures and letting the dogs find the
birds. If you prefer to walk
behind the dogs, you may.
He covers more ground,
though, in his own-designed,
modified Chevy Suburbans
with dog boxes behind the
seats. They even have running water. Once a covey is
located, hunters dismount to
shoot the rise. A good dog
will hold a point and not
flush the covey until directed
by its handler. Luther Young
has good dogs. Call (361)
296-3331 to book a hunt.
Hunters and guides work the senderoes through the
brush on the Chaparrosa Ranch, south of La Pryor.
Mick Hellickson, wildlife biologist for King Ranch,
predicts an above average season in their TPW Annual Public Hunting Permit. The
country. The Hill Country will not be that Daughtrey, near Tilden, requires the $40
good.
permit, and has hunts only on December 1Some public quail hunting is available 13 and January 1-5. Call the Chap at (830)
in South Texas on both the Chaparral and 676-3413 or Daughtrey at (830) 569-8700.
Daughtrey Wildlife Management Areas.
The statewide season runs October 26
The Chap, west of Artesia Wells, has one -- February 23, and the limit is 15/day or 45
more quail hunt on January 11-12. It costs in possession.
$10/day or is free to those having a $40
Don't let somebody else get your share!
JJ
THE BIRDS ARE HERE!
T
Commercial and Residential
VANGUARD CONCRETE, INC.
CONCRETE CONTRACTORS
Patrick Escalante
Office (210) 698-0708
Fax (210) 698-1424
exas is a premier birding destination,
and not just because the rare and endangered whooping cranes winter along
the coast. Hundreds of other species like egrets, terns, herons, pelicans and
numerous shore birds are here, and available for the watching from now through
April. Breeding activity continues
through June for some species.
Rockport and Port Aransas are good
birding sites and their Chambers of
Commerce have maps. A good boat tour
is Capt. Ted's Whooping Crane Tours
in Rockport (1-361-729-9589).
JJ
Covering South and Central Texas
Whooping cranes are but one of the
400 species of birds along the Texas
coast that can be seen and photographed during a birding trip.
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OF SAN ANTONIO, INC.
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TP&W to Modify Trout Regulations
Capt. Steve Schultz - Baffin Bay Charters
A
friend in Houston sent this article limit of fish in the boat limit. For example,
to me and I thought I should share a coastal fishing guide with three clients
it with you. It outlines proposed aboard would be allowed to take 30 speckchanges in the current Speckled Trout regu- led trout per day — the combined 10-fish
lations throughout the state. This will af- individual limits of the three clients. Guides
fect everyone who fishes the Texas Gulf would be allowed to fish and retain fish but
Coast.
only as part of the boat limit. The boat limit
Concern about increasing fishing pres- for working professional guides is proposed
sure, the efficiency of exploding ranks of as a statewide rule, affecting freshwater as
professional fishing guides and a
shrinking of the average size of
speckled trout in Texas bays triggered state fisheries officials to
outline potential changes to address
the issues.
At an Oct. meeting of the
Texas Parks and Wildlife
Commission’s regulations committee, fisheries staff suggested rule
changes that would modify the current speckled trout regulations and
set new limits and requirements for
professional fishing guides. Under
June: Jay Robertson landed this 30-in. 9-lb.
the tentative proposals, the daily
trout at night under a full moon trip.
bag limit of 10 speckled trout
would not change, but anglers would be well as saltwater guides. The package also
restricted to retaining no more than one recommends mandating guides working on
trout, measuring 25 or more inches. Also, water under federal jurisdiction (all coastal
the tentative proposals would impose a waters and some inland waters such as
“boat limit” on all fishing trips in which boundary waters) produce a valid Coast
licensed, professional guides are taking cli- Guard-issued license to operate a for-hire
ents for pay. The boat limit would be equal vessel before being allowed to purchase a
state-issued fishing guide license. Fishing guides exempt from the Coast Guard
licensing requirements
would have to produce certification of training in boating safety and first aid. Fees
for the state-issued fishing
guide license would increase
under the TPWD proposal.
Currently, the annual fishing
guide license costs $75. The
agency has not decided on an
amount to recommend as a
fee increase, but officials
July: Jeff Middleton of Martin Marrietta landed
said a range of $250-$500 is
this 30-in. – 8 lbs. fish.
the most likely for the forto the combined legal daily harvest of any mal proposal.
species by the clients aboard the vessel. The
TPWD’s fisheries staff has been conguide would not be allowed to include his sidering modifications of fishing regula-
STEVE SCHULTZ GUIDE SERVICE
BAFFIN BAY –– LAGUNA MADRE –– LAND CUT
SPECKLED TROUT –– REDFISH –– FLOUNDER
FISHING AND HUNTING TRIPS
(361) 949-7359
www.baffinbaycharters.com
U.S. Coast Guard &
Texas Parks and Wildlife Licensed
tions and rules governing
fishing guides, particularly
coastal guides, for more than
a year. The package is a
“moderate set of proposals”
to address the biological and
social concerns involving
the fisheries, particularly the
speckled trout fishery, said
Hal Osburn, director of
TPWD’s coastal fisheries
division.
TPWD research indicates the state’s speckled
trout population has inFebruary: Capt. Steve Schultz with a
31” – 9.5 lbs. Baffin Bay big girl.
creased in number over the
past several years. But that
population shows signs of heavy fishing proximately 800 of the 1,800 state-licensed
pressure from the state’s 700,000 coastal fishing guides operated on coastal water.
anglers. The average size of speckled trout Those guides have become amazingly efin the bays has declined over the past sev- fective at putting their customers on fish.
eral years, data show. “Another way of say“TPWD reel surveys estimate approxiing that, is that the life expectancy of a mately 40 percent of the speckled trout
speckled trout has declined,”
Osburn said. Also, the number of large, adult trout —
fish measuring 25 inches or
more has declined. A 25inch trout is approximately
5 years old and weighs about
5-1/2 pounds. Those fish
now make up about 3 percent of the recreational harvest. Trout harvest is up
sharply over the past several
years, a function of a series
of good spawns, a 13-year
absence of a major fish-killJuly: Charlie Jacobs of Capital Aggregates in Austin
ing freeze and the increasing
caught this 30-in. 8-lb. beauty.
effectiveness of anglers at
catching those fish.
Fishing guides have been particularly taken from Texas bays this past year were
effective at harvesting trout, and the num- landed by guides and their clients,” Osburn
said. “Implementing the proposed
rule changes would have a positive
impact on the fishery with a minimum of impact on anglers and
guides.”
TPWD computer modeling indicates the rule changes would result,
coast-wide, in a 13 percent increase
of trout spawning biomass (the
number of trout available to spawn)
and a 39 percent increase in the
number of 25-inch-plus trout.
TPWD will present the proposals
August – Bob Lindsey of San Antonio will mount
this 29.5-in. - 8+ lbs. trophy trout.
to the Spotted Seatrout Working
Group, a collection of anglers,
ber of guides on the water has been climb- guides and owners of fishing-related busiing. In 1980, about 200 licensed fishing
guides worked Texas bays. This year, ap-
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continued from Page 19 - TP & W to Modify Trout Regulations
ness, at a Dec. 5 meeting in Victoria. It also
will solicit comments from the public. Official proposals, which could be modified
from the ones presented this week, will be
offered to the TPW Commission at its January meeting, then be subject to public comments.
The commission will vote on any proposals at its April meeting, with any approved changes taking effect Sept. 1, 2003.
I, Steve Schultz, am in agreement with
all but one of the proposed changes. I
strongly disagree with the one trout, measuring 25 or more inches. Our bay system
is very unique and as many of you know, is
very capable of producing above average
trout. I do feel that a maximum size should
be regulated, and in my opinion, it should
be in the 27-in. to 28-in. range with two
per person allowed. But we all know what
they say about opinions.
Public comment on these issues and
others of interest may be made to TPWD,
Attn: Robert MacDonald, 4200 Smith
School Road, 78744, or by phoning 800792-1112 or by visiting the TPWD Web site
(http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/) and going to
the public comment page.
Gary Joeris, Joeris General Contractors, with 7x7 bull Elk, taken with
Dakota 375H&H at 200 yards, on private ranch in Montana.
Scoring 454.5 – SCI, likely to be ranked among “Top 3.”
Hunting Humor
T
he city fellow asked his friend the
country boy to take him deer hunting, as he had never been hunting before. The country boy agreed to this, as long
as the city fellow did EXACTLY what he
was told to do.
The two men got their gear together and
went into the woods. The country boy told
the city fellow to sit down on a log that lay
beside a deer trail, and that if he stayed quiet
and waited the deer would come right by him
on the way to the creek and he would be able
to get a good shot. The county boy said that
he was going to go on down the trail about a
mile to another good spot and he would be
back to meet the city fellow later.
But a few hours later, the county boy
heard all kinds of yelling and screaming as
the city fellow came running down the trail.
“What’s wrong with you?”, he asked
the city fellow. “Why didn’t you stay where
I told you to?”
The city fellow, still very excited, replied, “Well, when the bobcat came over
and sharpened his claws on the log; I didn’t
move. When the bear came and sat on the
other end of the log; I didn’t move. But
when the two squirrels came up, climbed
into my lap and then one said to the other,
‘Shall we take them with us or eat them
here’, well I just couldn’t stand it anymore!!”Ω
Bowfishing trio takes 1st in TX
S
an Antonio Construction News recently
bu m p e d i n t o b ow fishing enthusiast Rick
Bostain, Suncoast Post Tension, who reported a recent
victory we’d like to share
with our readers.
On Aug 25th of this
year, Rick, Ryan Lampe
and Brandon Benson participated in and won the
American Airboat Texas
State Shoot at Anahuac, TX.
The bowfishing tournament
included 25 teams from
Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas,
Georgia and as far away as
South Carolina. The first
place team caught 343 fish,
about 100 more fish than the
second place team.
After a long night on the water, Brandon, Rick and
Ryan take 1st place!
“We fished all night,
from 7 pm until 7 am,” Rick
explained, “near the mouth of the Trinity to mention the thrill of the competition.
River where it turns into Trinity Bay, be“The camaraderie at these events is
tween Baytown and Beaumont, TX. There great,” Rick said, “but no one is going to
were some heavy-hitters from other states tell you where their fishing holes are!”
who came down to try and take the Texas
Fish disposal is always a problem for
titles, but we managed to pull it off! We the bowfishermen. It looks bad for the sport
took 3rd place in the Louisiana champion- if they throw them back into the water, leave
ship not long ago, so there were a lot of them on the bank or even in a park
out-of-state guys who came gunning for dumpster. Tournament organizers typically
us.”
try to contact zoos, hog farms, alligator
The “rough” fish that Rick and his bud- farms, or businesses that sell the catch as
dies target during their nocturnal hunts in- chum (bait) along the coastal states.
clude seven species of gar, several species
A little tip for bowfishermen and traof carp, buffalo, bowfin and others. A gar ditional fishermen: after handling fish,
can consume half of its body weight in one smear some toothpaste or a citrus soda on
day. At the top of the food chain, these fish those smelly hands. It work’s great, so try
have no natural predators. It they are not it.
removed from fresh water and estuary
Congratulations on your victory, guys,
habitat’s, they will eventually overwhelm and good luck as you pursue U.S. and World
the lakes, ruin the game fish population, eat rankings next year! For more information
all of the grass and consume the baitfish. about the sport, search out ‘bowfishing’ on
The sport of bowfishing serves a valuable your favorite Internet search engine.
environmental and ecological service, not
GREAT OUTDOORS
Welcomes your stories and photos. We print on a
first-come, space-available basis, so get your photos in early.
“Clearing the way
to build America”
CONTRACTING
✔ CHECK US OUT ✔
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✔ INDUSTRIAL DEMOLITION ✔ DISMANTLING ✔ INTERIOR STRIP OUT
Licensed, Bonded & Insured
SAN ANTONIO
(210) 648-4010 FAX (210) 648-1497
www.m-mcontracting.com
Serving San Antonio & South Texas since 1984
Foundations • Retaining Walls
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Machine Laid Curbs
23306 BLANCO ROAD
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78258
210-497-8121
FAX 210-497-7509
INTERIOR
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ASBESTOS &
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Austin Construction News Alert
H
HCC, Inc. was recognized with
the 2002 Lone Star Award for best
historical renovation in the State
of Texas for the 1886 Cafe and Bakery in
the Driskill Hotel, Austin’s oldest hotel.
This is the third year in a row the company
has received a major award.
A
traditional topping out celebration
for the Hilton Austin and Fifth
Street Tower took place Nov. 19th
at the Austin Convention Center. The Landmark Organization is the general contractor. The 31-story Hilton is to be Austin’s
premiere hotel as well as one of the city’s
popular downtown dining and entertainment spots.
T
he Central Texas Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors
(ABC) was one of 64 nonprofit organizations OSHA awarded a Susan
Harwood Training Grant to last month for
safety and health training programs. In all,
the grants totaled more than $11 million.
S
tate and local leaders officially unveiled a new program called Fundamentals of Construction and Understanding Self (FOCUS) this past month.
The program is aimed at reducing the recidivism rate in Travis County and is believed to be the only one of its kind in the
country—an amalgamation of vocational
training, job placement and psychotherapy
designed to change behavior and create reformation and rehabilitation. FOCUS is
operated at the Travis County Community
Justice Center.
T
he evening of Oct. 30, 2002 was an
eventful day for the builders and
owners of Austin’s newest luxury
condominium, the Nokonah. Located at
Ninth Street and Lamar Blvd., guests were
welcomed by Faulkner Construction, Inc.
and developers Robert Barnstone and
Perry Lorenz to this celebration, which
marks the completion of the project.
L
auren Concrete Inc., Ironhorse
Concrete Inc. and Wheeler Coatings, Inc. joined forces and acquired
the former Mike Arnold Trucking & Materials for $3.8 million. It is expected that
this venture will help ensure the supply of
aggregates during the construction of SH
130, among other projects.
F
or the last five years, the Austin
Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction
(NAWIC), in conjunction with Hillcrest
Elementary, held their local Block Kids
Building Program Oct. 30th for pre-registered Hillcrest fifth graders in the Del Valle
ISD. Each student received 100 Lego
blocks, a small rock, a strand of string and
a square of foil. With this the children used
their imagination to build anything they
wanted. The winning entry was a fortress
to store rare/unique items. The winner received a Bird House Kit with hammer,
screwdriver and safety goggles, a first place
ribbon and a $100 Savings Bond. In March
2003, the winner of Texas/Oklahoma
Regionals contest goes on to the national
competition in the summer of 2003.Ω
For the complete stories, go to
www.constructionnews.net.
Establish value to get
what you are worth
D
o you get Top Dollar for every project you perform? Or,
like many contractors, do you give a little here and there
to make the price work for your client in hopes that you
will turn enough profit to make the project worth your while? In
a fiercely competitive market place, there is little room for “padPaul Montelongo
ding” your bids. So, when you know you are worth every cent of
your contract price, how do you get top dollar for your product or service?
The answer is to “repackage for value”.
Adding greater value to your service and
letting your clients know about this value
is the key that sets your company apart from
the crowd, allowing you to justify your
price in the minds of your customers.
Understand that most of the time, value
is only a perception. The individual client
determines value. What is of value to one
client may be of little value to another. For
example, an extended warranty offer may
mean little to a person who is only interested in a convenient and temporary solution. What compels one customer to buy
means little or nothing to another customer.
How do you know what to offer? Just
ask your premier customer, the one who has
a high level need for your product, what
they consider to be the real value in what
you do. They also have a frequent need for
your product, are in a position to influence
others to buy your product, and understand
the value of what you do. You may obtain
this information in a personal interview, by
way of questionnaire, and certainly by observing the buying patterns of your customer.
When you interview enough of your
customers, you will begin to hear a repeating theme. It is this theme that you want to
accentuate in all of your marketing, sales
and promotion efforts.
Some areas to consider that will set your
product apart from the competition are as
follows:
Responsiveness
Response time is crucial. Response
time relates to returning phone calls, ontime or before-time delivery, warranty response, real-time quotations, etc. The
promptness and quality of the response time
often is a measure of exquisite customer
service. It requires listening to your customer and delivering according to their expectations. Again, your premier customer
will tell you how responsive you are and
what you can do to improve.
Knowledge
What information do you possess that
is important to your customer or that your
competition has yet to discover? The
knowledge that you have obtained through
education or experience is of great value to
your customer. When your knowledge improves your customer’s personal or professional well being, your product or service
has tremendous value.
Quality of Product or Service
In order to get Top Dollar, there must
be a distinguishable difference between you
and your competition. When you are able
to prove the higher level of quality, the
marginal difference in cost is justifiable.
You can then amortize the cost difference
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CONSTRUCTION, INC.
Specializing In
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Established 1992
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210-292-5501
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General Contractor - Constructors
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James Felan, President
Herbert Hild, Vice President
13620 N.W. Military Highway
210-492-4812 Fax 492-9482
San Antonio – Austin – Houston – Dallas – Laredo – Rio Grande Valley
Spotlight
Charles Lee Koehler
The Koehler Company
Editor’s note: Charles Lee Koehler is CEO
of The Koehler Company, Seguin, TX.
Born on May 12, 1930, the 72-year-old
general contractor and millwright hails
from humble beginnings and referred to
himself as a simple country boy. His pioneering German ancestors immigrated to
Texas five generations before him, instilling in him a work ethic that helped him
shape a small enterprise into a small empire.
SACN: Where were you born and raised,
Charles?
CLK: I was born and raised in Marion, TX.
My parents were Bruno and Rose Koehler,
and they grew up on farms in the area. My
father was the constable on the western side
of the county for his whole life. I had three
sisters and one brother, and my mother
stayed home and raised us.
SACN: What do you recall about the 1920's
and 1930’s in Marion?
CLK: Of course, those were very difficult
times in our economic society. We didn’t
have a whole lot, especially compared to
the families of today. We had an old Philco
radio and we’d lie on the floor and listen to
the programs, like Jack Armstrong - The
All-American Boy and Fibber McGee’s
Closet. We’d just close our eyes and visualize what was going on in the stories. Now,
I can remember so many more things about
those days than I can remember about the
last 30 minutes!
SACN: Did you have chores to do after
school?
CLK: Well, there was always yard work,
and we kept chickens and they needed tending to. I had to clean the chicken houses
out. We tried to do any little job in the neighborhood, to make a little money. The grocery store had specials once a week, and
we’d deliver those around town on our bicycles, for fifteen cents. We also picked
cotton in the summertime for area farmers.
SACN: Do you remember your first real
job?
CLK: I worked in the grocery store, stocking shelves and sweeping. Farmers would
bring eggs in, and one of my jobs was called
candling; examining the eggs in a dark
room with a special light to make sure they
were not rotten.
SACN: How many kids were in your graduating class at Marion High School?
CLK: There were six of us. About 20 years
ago, I invited them all to my home for a
reunion, and we did a lot of reminiscing.
SACN: Did you have a favorite summertime swimming hole?
CLK: We always went to the creek (Santa
Clara Creek) against my mother’s wishes.
SACN: And, after high school?
CLK: I went to Texas Lutheran College for
one year. You see, I met the girl who would
become my wife the summer before, and,
at that time, it was very customary to marry
younger. I took a correspondence course in
refrigeration, and we continued dating. I
worked in the field after finishing my studies, but changed my mind and went into
construction, because it paid more money
and that would allow me to get married. I
was smitten, I was in love, and I married
Jacquelyn Doerfler in 1950, at Emmanuel
Lutheran Church, in Seguin.
SACN: Where did you get your start in
construction?
CLK: Well, I went to work for H.B. Zachry
at Randolph AFB. After that project, they
wanted me to go to Big Springs. But, I was
married and had a child, and Big Springs
was just too far away for an old country
boy. In 1952, I went to work for a contractor doing restoration work at Ft. Sam, and
a lot of it was millwork. I had a hobby shop
at home, and I set up a mill for him, even
though I had very little knowledge of that
field. But, I did like it, and learned it fairly
easily. I think the Good Lord gave me a talent in that area.
couraged me to treat everybody fairly, to
grand, custom homes?
SACN: Were you earning pretty good CLK: In addition to our commercial con- do good work, and get paid for it. To do the
money?
tracting, we had clients who wanted large good work, you have to charge a little bit
CLK: Yes. We worked 10 hours a day, homes built. That led us to a niche, and it’s more. He instilled that in me, and said when
seven days a week, which I liked. I always done well for us.
times get bad, if you do the good work
thought, the more I worked, the more SACN: What was the toughest period you you’ll always have some clients who can
money I could make, and the more I could went through?
afford you. That was some of the best addo for my family.
CLK: When I was about 26 years old, I vice I ever had.
SACN: What did you do when those hired two older and highly proficient crafts- SACN: Who else influenced you?
projects were over?
men, and they continuously argued about CLK: My banker and my pastors, and the
CLK: I was tired of commuting there from how to do things. Of course, I was a young leaders of this community have been so good
here, so I quit and went to work at a cabi- pup compared to them, and it was hard for to me. I’m very grateful, and whatever sucnet shop in Seguin, and stayed for 2 and a someone like me to tell them what to do, cess I’ve had, I give them the credit, especially
half years. In 1954,
when I didn’t know as the people who work here. Our plate is very
“We worked 10 hours a day, seven
thinking I knew evmuch as they did. I al- full, and it’s all negotiated work. We build
erything there was days a week, which I liked. I always most had a nervous some really, really fancy homes, and construct
to know about cabi- thought, the more I worked, the more breakdown. Today, some large schools, even at the University. Up
network, I went into money I could make, and the more I my stress is many, until three years ago, 60 percent of our work
business for myself.
many times more, and was in San Antonio. For the next three years
could do for my family.”
My fondest dream
I can handle it, and I we’ll be working right here at home.
in those difficult times was to have a two- sleep well every night.
SACN: What do you and your wife do for
man cabinet shop. But, the Good Lord and SACN: What do you do in the company fun?
a lot of good people blessed me with so now?
CLK: Well, we like to travel, and I like to
much more as time went by.
CLK: The main thing I do is take on the collect antique tools. When Jacquelyn and
SACN: Whom did you hire as the second problem jobs, where there are disagree- I go on vacation, it’s kind of like a honeyman?
ments, and try to resolve them. I’m the moon. We both enjoy browsing through the
CLK: In my first month of business, I hired troubleshooter.
antique shops and going to museums tothree people, and the company began to SACN: How many children do you and gether. My wife bought me my first antique
grow. I’m grateful to many people who have your wife have?
tool about thirty years ago, and I’ve been
been very kind to us.
CLK: We have three sons and a daughter. addicted ever since. I particularly like visSACN: Were you doing this out of your They’re all grown up now, and Steve, a iting the Amish country, where many of the
garage?
Texas A&M graduate, is the president of tools are hand-made. I have a library of
CLK: No, I rented an old metal building, the company. Jeff, also an A&M graduate, books about tools, to help me identify and
that formerly was an old filling station has an interior design business in Seguin. age them.
where you had to hand pump the gas. That Greg, who went to Southwest Texas State SACN: I get the feeling you’re never going
served my purpose for over one year, and University, is our vice president and he runs to retire.
then the lumberyard across the street built the mill. Our daughter, Nancy, is a purchas- CLK: As long as I’m physically able I’d
me a nice large building. I had 12-15 people ing agent for SMI, in Seguin. Our three like to keep working. I’ve survived a heart
working by then.
daughters-in-law are all schoolteachers, attack and cancer, I feel great, and I work 6
SACN: How did you graduate from mill- and we have six wonderful grandchildren, days a week from 5 am to 7 pm. But, I do
work to construction?
three of which are at Texas A&M. I’m very go home for lunch and take a little nap. I
CLK: Our company did the millwork on glad to have my boys here at the company. love what I do, I love to work and stay inseveral of the exhibits for HemisFair’68, They’ve both been with me for over twenty volved.
and a San Antonio businessman offered to year’s, have learned the ropes, and they’ve SACN: Does your company have a motto?
buy me out. I was the sole proprietor at that been well accepted by the construction in- CLK: Yes. Our motto is “We want to be
time, and he wanted me to go to work for dustry locally.
better friends with our
another company building component parts SACN: Was your
clients when we get
“To do the good work, you have
for homes. I all but agreed to do that, but I wife an at-home
through with the job,
to charge a little bit more.”
confided in a friend of mine who suggested mother?
than
when
we
forming a partnership and doing the same CLK: Yes, she raised the kids! I’ve always started.”
thing. That happened in 1970, and we had been a person who liked to work a lot of SACN: Charles, what would you like our
a partnership until 2000, when I bought all hours, because I felt you could make money readers to know about you?
the partners out.
better that way. I was so fortunate that we CLK: I’m a Texan through and through, and
SACN: Was that your entry point into resi- got so much work.
I’m an American through and through. I
dential construction?
love my country. I’m very grateful to all of
SACN: To what do you attribute that?
CLK: We built trusses, and wall frames, CLK: In my career there were lots of the people I’ve come into contact with over
but it never really went over that big. It people who started businesses and didn’t the years. They have all inspired, helped and
works for tract houses, but when you get make it. I think the Good Lord was look- encouraged me. A job is not the money you
into larger homes, individual custom ing over me, and I surrounded myself with make out of it, but the relationships you
homes, it’s not about mass production. Our some good people. One of my mentors was build during the process. Doing something
idea of quality was so much different, and a mill man from Nebraska, who retired in you can take pride in is very rewarding.
we got out of that.
Seguin. He came and asked me for a job, There are a lot of people who have helped
SACN: Your homebuilding focus is on the and he was a talented millwright. He en- me attain what I have, and I’m grateful.
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Couple delivers dream
homes OTOB
A
few years after retirement, Ralph
and Barbara Judkins decided that
buying and building a dream home
should be a one-time affair, and the buyer
shouldn’t have to settle for anything less than
exactly what they want. In 2000, the couple
incorporated BJ Custom Homes to build
homes for clients who want to settle down
for a relaxing and enjoyable retirement.
“You only build a dream home once,”
said Ralph. “It’s something that you want
done right. From early planning, blueprints
and land selection, we’ll build a home exactly to our customers’ specifications.”
Ralph has been in the construction industry for over 30 years. He acquired a civil
engineering degree from the University of
Southern California and a business management certificate from UCLA. A former
United States Marine, Ralph has previous
experience in managing construction
projects with budgets in the millions. This
management experience allows him to finish houses on schedule and on budget.
BJ Custom Homes utilizes the skills
of a few well-trusted subcontractors, and
stands ready to accommodate stipulations
from their clients. The homebuilder can accommodate such requests, and will work
with subs and suppliers to guarantee arrival
and completion at appointed times.
“The construction process is a lot more
efficient than it was ten years ago,” Ralph
added, “and BJ Custom Homes can get the
right people to the site at the right time, so
no one is stepping on anyone else’s feet or
tearing up something that was in the way.
We build a home once, and do it right the
first time.”
Barbara, a retired RN, attends to the
client’s needs with regard to interior design,
meeting with the homebuyer and suppliers
2. There are NO costs associated with delivery of solar energy to your site, unlike fossil
fuels which require transmission lines, open
mining, blasting, digging, strip mining, laying power lines, transport, and finally conversion, all of which cause billions of tons
of pollution worldwide. Solar energy causes
NO pollution in the delivery of the energy
course.
3. Solar energy is generated from the most
awesome nuclear power plant in the universe, our star called the SUN. The sun requires no maintenance!
4. Once installed properly and correctly,
solar energy collectors eventually require no
upkeep and very little maintenance compared to a system that uses fossil fuels to
generate electricity or produce hot water.
So Are We.
Ralph and Barbara Judkins in front of
one of their houses in Timberwood Park.
Since incorporating BJ Custom Homes
two years ago, the Judkins have
custom-built five homes. Ralph &
Barbara believe that building a dream
home starts before buying the land.
to determine exactly what appliances, lighting, plumbing fixtures and amenities the
client selects.
BJ Custom Homes follows a customer
satisfaction guarantee and warranties for
their work, determined to listen and respond
to each customer request. The small family business relies on its reputation with
realtor partners and customer referrals to
create a client base. Ralph and Barbara
pride themselves for being personable, and
a customer-first, convenient homebuilding
company.
Top 20 reasons for
using Solar Power
1. It is the ideal source of energy simply
because it is delivered free to your home,
business, plant, workplace, etc., each and
everyday.
What line of work are you in?
10. Solar energy, once paid for, is virtually free!
11. As the price of fossil fuels increase,
the payback of a solar energy system decreases.
12. The savings you get from a solar
energy system by displacement of fossil
fuel energy are tax-free.
13. You can bank the energy savings
(caused by not buying fossil fuel energy)
and let it compound. One cannot do this
with a fossil fuel generating system as it
costs money to feed it everyday.
14. Solar energy systems can be deployed in the field rapidly, unlike fossil
fuel plants or nuclear plants, which take
years from start to finish.
15. Solar energy is ideal because the technology is not overly complicated and can
be installed and deployed by most people.
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5. Once a suitable collector is installed on
site, solar requires absolutely no fuel purchases to produce the energy (electricity or
thermal energy).
16. Solar energy displaces a fossil fuel energy source, so when and if a blackout
comes to your area, you will still have electricity or hot water.
TRAFFIC SIGNAGE
6. Once the collectors are purchased and
operating, they produce no emissions as do
all fossil fuel sources, nuclear reactors, breeders, or otherwise.
17. Solar thermal energy is a great match
for DHW and radiant floor heating and cooling.
YOUR FULL SERVICE COMPANY!
7. Solar energy gives you piece ofmind.
No one controls it, and it is free of politics
and cartels at this point in time.
18. In combination with energy efficient
building practices, the cost of a solar
electric or solar thermal system can drastically reduce the initial cost of a system,
so that it is more affordable.
8. Solar requires no military presence.
9. Once the solar energy device is turned
on it returns your investment day in and day
out over its lifetime. That can never be
said for any fossil fuel generating system.
The cost to decommission a nuclear power
plant alone is in the billions of dollars.
The cost to remove a solar hot water heater
is minimal and all the glass, copper and
aluminum can be recycled easily.
19. It is “decentralized power” and collectively it has the power to transform our
world quicker than we may realize.
20. Solar power concerns government
and utilities because they cannot control
your energy power consumption and
usage.
By Steven Shepard, SBT Designs
“OVER 20 YEARS COMBINED EXPERIENCE”
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MIKE & MARK CRAWFORD
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LEGal
INSURANCE
Are you assuming
unnecessary risks?
Is this my employee/
Am I too controlling?
By Tom Hewitt
By Don Barnhill
C
ontracts are an integral part of the construction process. Construction contracts impose many duties, obligations and liabilities on contractors. Great attention may be paid to the operational
issues addressed in these contracts, while too few contractors pay any attention to the
risk management implications of the contracts.
hen a worker is injured on the jobsite, whether it’s a subcontractor, a lower-tier subcontractor, or an employee of the general
contractor, there is always a risk that the general contractor and the
subcontractor may be drawn into litigation regarding the injury.
From a risk management perspective,
a construction contract can be a valuable
tool or a deadly trap for the contractor.
Many construction contracts are drafted by
persons who have little knowledge of insurance coverage. As a result, it is not unusual for these contracts to shift uninsured
liabilities to the contractor or liabilities that
are extremely difficult and costly to the insured.
Indemnity agreements included in contractual agreements increase significantly
the potential exposure of the entity agreeing to hold another harmless. Owners often require contractors to indemnify themselves and their agents, including architects,
from loss and in turn, contractors “pass
down” these indemnity obligations to their
subcontractors.
A general contractor’s over-exercise of
control of the subcontractor’s activities can
result in the general contactor having liability for the injury of the subcontractor’s personnel. The Texas Appellate and Supreme
Courts have examined these issues in the
last two years. The Supreme Court, in the
Lee Louis Construction, Inc. decision, examined a circumstance where a subcontractor, Lee Louis Construction, had an employee who fell to his death while working
on the project. The employee was not wearing the safety equipment and independent
lifeline that would have stopped his fall. In
this case, the general contractor had retained the right to control the fall protection systems on the project. The control was
so substantial that the Court held that the
general contractor owed a duty to the
subcontractor’s employees to insure safety
on the jobsite. Therefore, the general contractor was liable under gross negligence.
Ordinarily, a general contractor does
not owe a duty to insure that an independent subcontractor performs its work in a
safe manner. The duty arises if the general
contractor retains some control over the
manner in which the independent contractor performs its work. If the general contractor retains control over part of the work
to be performed by the subcontractor’s
employees, then the general contractor may
be liable for injuries to the employees.
The Courts have made a distinction
between “right of control” and “retained
Indemnification agreements fall into three
categories:
“Broad” Form:
A broad form indemnity provision
transfers the entire risk of loss to the indemnitor, regardless of which party was actually at fault, indeed, even in spite of the sole
fault or negligence of the indemnity.
“Intermediate” Form:
An intermediate form of indemnity
agreement requires the indemnitor to fully
assume all liability of the indemnity except
only where the damages or injury resulted
solely from the negligence of the indemnitee. However, in any case other than the sole
negligence of the indemnitee, the full liability is shifted to the indemnitor even if the
injury was 99 percent the responsibility of
the party indemnified.
“Limited” Form:
This approach imposes liability on the
indemnitor only to the extent of his/her own
fault or negligence. It effectively implements a “comparative” basis of allocating
the risks predicated on relative fault. If the
indemnity is only 10 percent at fault, then
the percentage also limits its liability.
Construction contracts are negotiable.
The complexity of indemnity provisions and
insurance coverages mandates all parties to
closely review these provisions with their
attorney and insurance agent. It is important
to assume only those exposures over which
the contractor has control or can insure in a
cost and coverage effective manner.
Many contractors accept these broad contractual provisions without complaint. Most
never experience that unforeseen catastrophe for which they have assumed the responsibility ... but it does happen!!
Tom Hewitt is the vice president of Guaranty Insurance. He can be reached at
210-525-0500, or contacted by email:
[email protected]
W
control.” If the general contractor retains
control of any part of the subcontractor’s
work, that control may give rise to a duty
of care creating liability to the independent
subcontractor’s employees. Control may be
established contractually, or it may exist
when the general contractor actually exercises control over the independent
subcontractor’s work.
In the Lee Louis case, the evidence
established that the general contractor’s onsite representative “personally witnessed
and approved” the specific fall-protection
systems that the independent contractor
used. This retention of control resulted in
Lee Louis being responsible for the acts of
his subcontractor’s employees. Contractors
and subcontractors should be wary of controlling every aspect of the work of the subcontractors and lower-tier subcontractors.
The general rule is that a contractor
could be liable for negligence if its supervisory control relates to the condition or
activity that caused the injury.
In other words, much like the saying “if
you break it, you buy it,” the saying here could
be “if you control it, you may pay for it.”
Donald Barnhill is president of Barnhill
and Associates, P.C. he has over twenty
years’ experience of representing contractors and suppliers. He is a member of the
State Bar of Texas Construction Law
Section. Don can be contacted at
210-491-9090, or email:
[email protected]
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ELECTRIC,
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CONTRACTOR TOOLS & SUPPLIES
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1146 W. LAUREL
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Off Tradesman @ 1604 & IH-10 W.
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210-408-9052
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O S H A
ACCOUNTING
Is your organization
OT compliant?
Partnerships and Alliances-What are they?
Joann Nataranjan
OSHA has several cooperative programs to work with business’s to enhance safety in the
workplace.
An OSHA Partnership is a formal agreement where companies that apply to be in the
partnership agree to implement an effective safety and health program and in exchange for
this effort OSHA gives a reduced threat of enforcement for participating companies. Possible OSHA incentives offered to partners include outreach, training, and other forms of
technical assistance; inspections that focus on a site’s most serious hazards; penalty reductions; and positive publicity and recognition. Partnerships must stipulate that partnering
employers remain subject to OSHA inspections and investigations in accordance with
established agency procedures.
If a company participating in an OSHA Partnership is inspected, citations will be issued
and will be assessed for violations of standards, regulations, or the general duty clause.
For any cited hazards, partnering sites may be eligible for penalty reductions calculated in
accordance with agency procedures that provide good-faith reductions for effective safety
and health programs. An employer’s safety and health program will not be basis for
citation unless an employer is required by a specific standard to have such a program. The
Austin Area OSHA office currently has four partnerships. In San Antonio, OSHA has
partnerships with both the AGC and the ABC.
Alliances are agreements between OSHA and other entities where there is no enforcement
component. Usually alliances involve opportunities for organizations and OSHA to work
cooperatively toward a goal such as enhanced worker training. OSHA currently has nationwide alliances with a number of groups such as the American Meat Institute, the American Industrial Hygiene Association, and the Hispanic Contractors of America. These
alliances involve developing and delivering training, providing companies with information and guidance to reduce and prevent exposure to hazards, mentoring industry employers on how to develop and improve safety and health programs, and developing and disseminating information and guidance, through print, and electronic media. Alliances provide a way for the business community and OSHA to interact in a non-confrontational
forum and provide a mechanism for business to develop Agency contacts.
Interested groups and persons can contact Joann Natarajan at the Austin OSHA office at
512-916-5783 to set up an alliance, and Paul Brantley for those interested in setting up a
partnership with OSHA.
Sugarbug Celebrity
Shoot wants you!
S
tars from the long-running television
series “Dallas” will join local natives
in the 2003 Sugarbug Celebrity
Shoot, on Fri., Feb. 28th and Sat., March
1st, at The Buckhorn Saloon and The 74
Ranch. The event benefits Sugarbug, Inc.,
Children with Diabetes.
According to the Sugarbug San Antonio Chapter Leader, Chris Carlos, “We anticipate much local, state and national media interest and extensive coverage.”
On Fri. night, the event will feature a
VIP Party at the Buckhorn Saloon, beginning at 6 pm. This is a wonderful opportunity for sponsors and guests to visit with
the celebrities, munch on tasty hors
d’oeuvres, enjoy great entertainment and
the Live and Silent Auctions.
In support of this charitable fundraiser,
which helps many children and their families, you may become a sponsor or simply
sign-up as a shooter by calling 210-6883165.
RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL
NEW CONSTRUCTION • REMODELING • REPAIRS
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ESTIMATES AVAILABLE
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24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE
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EMAIL
[email protected]
8007 N E LOOP 410
By Jennifer Trinidad
T
here are many myths regarding the overtime provisions of the
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). We will discuss a few myths
and plenty of facts to better inform you of your role with FLSA.
Background: Passed in 1938, FLSA
initially established a 25¢/hour minimum
wage. Almost 65 years later, the act has
expanded to meet three primary objectives:
Set a minimum hourly wage; Set overtime
provisions; and Set child labor restrictions.
FLSA is enforced by the Department of
Labor through its Wage and Hour Division.
Enforcement includes inspections, injunctions, and suits.
Coverage: Does the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) apply to all employers?
No, but it applies to most. To find out if
you’re included in the majority, answer the
following:
• Are you a private or public employer?
• Do you have 2 or more employees?
• Do you engage in interstate commerce,
in other words, trade, buy, sell, transport,
and/or communicate goods within these
great United States?
• Do your gross sales exceed $500,000?
If you answered yes to all four questions,
FLSA would likely apply to your organization.
Overtime: FLSA states that employees
must be paid overtime or 1.5 times their
regular rate of pay when they work more
than 40 hours in a workweek. According to
the Department of Labor, hours worked
include “all time an employee must be on
duty, or on the employer’s premises or at
any other prescribed place of work.” A
workweek means 7 consecutive days or 168
hours. The workweek may begin at any
hour or any time of the day. If a construction company decided to schedule 10-hour
workday for a total of 4 days, the company
would not be required to pay overtime.
Some employees believe they are due overtime when they work over 8 hours on any
given day. This is a myth. Holidays, vacation, or sick days are not considered hours
worked for the purpose of calculating overtime. Employers should be careful when
scheduling work and determining overtime.
Exempt from overtime provisions:
Certain positions within organizations can
be considered exempt from overtime provisions according to FLSA. Employers are
responsible for looking into the details or
seeking advice related to the classification
requirements. Many employers believe
placing an employee on salary constitutes
exempt level status. This is a myth. Some
employers believe changing titles to positions justifies exempt level status. This too
is a myth. What do employers need to do
to ensure full compliance with FLSA exemption requirements? First, take a look
at the job description of the position in question. Consider the duties and responsibilities of the position and determine whether
the position meets the following:
• Practices discretionary authority for independent action.
• Less than 20% of the time spent on routine, manual, or clerical work.
• Level of earnings.
The above is only a simple test. There are
four exemption categories with numerous
other factors to consider. If a position is
misclassified, the employer is responsible
for back wages. This leads us to the penalties.
Penalties: If an employer fires or discriminates against an employee for submitting a complaint to the Department of Labor, the employer is in violation. Such violations can be prosecuted criminally. In
addition, a fine up to $10,000 can be imposed plus back wages owed. Second conviction may result in imprisonment. Did
you know there is a 2-year statute of limitations that applies to recovery of back pay?
The implications are that, should you be
found in violation, you will be responsible
for paying back overtime for the two previous years.
Employees are becoming more aware
of their wage and hour rights. As an employer, you should (1) determine if FLSA
applies to you, (2) take a look at your current overtime pay practices, (3) be sure your
exempt level employees are indeed exempt.
Jennifer Trinidad is a Human Resources
professional with eight years’ experience.
She is a Human Resources Advisor in the
Workforce Solutions Group at Padgett
Stratemann & Co., LLP. Ms Trinidad is a
graduate of UTSA with a BBA in Human
Resources Management.
Players take Fri. off for
IBI tournament
Robust job scene on
horizon for SA
T
he Golf Club of Texas at Briggs
Ranch was the setting again this year
for the 4th Annual Insurance and
Bonds Invitational Golf Tournament. On
Fri., Nov. 15th over 130 of the firm’s customers and future customers took the afternoon off to enjoy a relaxing day of golf.
After the tournament concluded, a superb buffet was served in the dining room
while the final scores were being tallied.
IBI’s Bryan Moore served as Master
of Ceremonies during the awards presentation and administered the task of handing
out numerous prizes, which included rounds
of golf, gift certificates and golf bags.
“This has been another good year for
the tournament and we were especially
grateful for the good weather,” said Bryan.
“All of us at IBI enjoy getting together with
our customers each year like this. It is a
great way to end the workweek! The Golf
Club of Texas has a great course, a professional staff and delicious food. We are glad
to be here.”
The winners were:
A
IBI’s Pat Moore and Mike Novak of
Contemporary Constructors.
1st place gross: Mike Beldon, Beldon
Roofing; Dave Sanchez, HEB; and
Jerald Gold, Ray Faris.
2nd place gross: Sam Pantusa and Bill
Garen, Olmos Environmental Service;
Troy Hargroder, Du-Mor Enterprises;
and Darrell Haby, U.S. Filter.
1st place net: AaronVerma, Pat Kemmy,
Aubra Franklin, and Ryan
Wilson, Galaxy Builders.
2nd place net: Rusty
Medlin, Robbie Tharpe,
and Rob Booth, Medlin
Group; and Keith Holm,
CCC Group.
Longest Drive: Steve
Schuetze, Metropolitan
Contracting Co.
Closest to the pin: Ryan
Wilson, Galaxy Builders.
Jerry Goodman and Ernest Cervantes from
Arahed Lathing, Mike Cappell of Alamo Aero,
and Joe Clayburne from IBI.
Congratulations!
ccording to the First Quarter Employment Outlook Survey, issued
by Manpower Inc., a flourishing
labor market is projected for the San Antonio area this winter.
“In our survey of hiring intentions for
the January/February/March period,”
Chanel Holdorf of Manpower said, “40
percent of the firms queried plan staffing
level increases, 2 percent project reductions
and 56 percent expect no changes during
the winter months. The other 2 percent are
uncertain of their needs.
“Three months ago employers were
also enthusiastic when 37 percent anticipated workforce additions, while 3 percent
thought payrolls were too high. At this time
last year the outlook was favorable as 15
percent predicted personnel gains and 3
percent reported cutbacks were planned.”
Job prospects in the New Year appear
most likely in construction, durable goods
manufacturing, wholesale/retail trade, education, services and public administration.
Other sectors are expected to remain unchanged.
Supplier Diversity
Program expands
C
ity Public Service’s (CPS) nationally recognized Supplier Diversity
Program, which encourages small,
minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises (SMWBE) to bid on CPS
contracts for goods and services, is expanding into new areas such as fuel supply and
utility construction.
Currently, CPS has $4.5 million in contracts with minority business enterprises
(MBE) for installation of underground gas
and overhead electric lines, said Fred
Villasenor, director of purchasing. This
month alone, CPS has paid MBE’s
$960,000 as part of its new program of purchasing natural gas from not one but multiple suppliers.
Last year, CPS purchases totaled
$255.4 million, and of that amount, CPS
spent $112.8 million, or 44 percent of the
total, with SMWBE’s. Over the past three
years, the economic impact of CPS’ Supplier Diversity Program has been $526.7
million.
In recognition of its supplier diversity
efforts, CPS was recognized in June by a
national publication, Minority Business and
Engineering Consulting Services, Ltd.
“Setting the Standard for Service”
PROVIDING COST EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS
• Construction Materials Testing
• Geotechnical & Soils Engineering
• Value Engineering
• Environmental Assessment & Remediation
• Property Condition Assessments
• UST Management Services
• NEPA Assessments
• Indoor Air Quality & Mold
On Time Every Time
12865 Wetmore Road
210-494-7100
210-494-7101 (fax)
Mike Harwood, P.E.
Earl McIntosh, Dir. of Business Development
The national outlook reveals that 20
percent of the employers queried intend to
staff up, while 12 percent indicate they will
reduce their workforces as the New Year
begins. Another 62 percent plan to maintain present levels and 6 percent are unsure
of their plans for the quarter that includes
January, February and March.
Manpower Inc. conducts the Employment Outlook Survey in the U.S. on a quarterly basis. It is a measurement of employers’ intentions to increase or decrease the
permanent workforce, and during its 27year history has been a significant indicator of employment trends. The survey is
based on telephone interviews with nearly
16,000 public and private employers in 470
U.S. markets.
For more information, visit Manpower’s
U.S.
web
site
at
www.us.manpower.com. Manpower is a
world leader in the staffing industry, providing workforce management services and
solutions to customers through 3,900 offices in 62 countries.
Employment Times, as the top publicly
owned utility in a national comparison of
both public and investor-owned utilities. In
addition, the U. S. Small Business Administration recognized CPS for submitting a
local minority firm, Bosworth Paper Inc.,
in the regional and national Subcontractor
of the Year competition. Although it didn’t
win the top national award, Bosworth received the Administrator’s Award for Excellence.
CPS’ Supplier Diversity office is a onestop-shop to help SMWBE’s do business
with the utility. It maintains a database of
qualified vendors and issues invitations to
bid. Since its establishment in 1989, the
office has added 3,800 SMWBE’s to the
CPS purchasing list, boosting the number
of active bidders by 52 percent.
In 1998, Supplier Diversity initiated
the Mentoring/Protégé Program to help
SMWBE’s learn about the business world
and how to do business with CPS. Sixteen
business owners recently completed this
year’s program. CPS is the only governmental entity in San Antonio that offers an
educational opportunity of this type.
IRC Code
Enforcement
Seminar
T
he Greater San Antonio Builders Association is hosting an IRC
Code Enforcement Seminar on
Wed., Dec. 11th, from 8:30 am to 10:30
am, at the San Antonio Fire Fighters
Building, 8925 IH-10 West. Cost is $17.
City of San Antonio Inspection
Department’s Michael Clack and several Inspectors will be in attendance to
answer questions regarding new IRC
Code requirements.
Do you know the new Code requires
smoke alarms to be hard-wired in series
with battery backup power? Do you
know a letter of compliance with regard
to foundation termite treatments is required? Do you know framing and structural designs must meet a 90 mph wind
criteria? Do you know about the new
stair/step handrail Code changes?
If you want answers to your questions, plan to attend. Call GSABA at
210-696-3800 to reserve your seat.
Knowledge is power!
CPS’ 7th Annual Contractor
Safety Seminar
H
O
n the eve of City
Public Service’
60th anniversary,
the publicly-owned utility
company sponsored its 7th
Annual Contractor Safety
Seminar at La Villita Assembly Building.
The Wed., Oct. 23rd
event was attended by a diverse group of construction
employees. From tree trimmers to electricians, 243
people packed the house. As
they enjoyed a warm dinner,
seated at individually deco-
San Antonio benefits from
Star of Texas Events
Hungry hardhats claim their space while waiting
for the dinner bell to ring.
tors from across the board,
however, this program is targeted for the small contractors, the ones who don’t
have, or can’t afford to have,
monthly safety meetings.”
In addition to interacting
with the many exhibitors,
attendees viewed CPS classic electrical arcing demonstration and gas explosion
demonstration. CPS’ own
exhibit, titled Hazards Can
Kill, displayed photographs
Midco Sling was one of many safety equipment
exhibitors at the 7th Annual event.
showing hazards in environments common to all of us.
Employees from construction-related
rated tables, safety films forewarning the
do’s and dont’s of working around high firms around town laughed and applauded
the winner of the special door prize. It was
voltage and gas lines rolled.
Public safety awareness representative a door, of all things!
Victor Robledo, who was celebrating his
38th birthday, said “We invited contrac-
Roofing contractors’
network created
T
wenty-seven roofing contractors
from across the United States have
allied to create RoofConnect, a
roofing contractors’ network created to
serve national companies. The alliance has
been designed as a resource for companies
seeking reputable roofing contractors anywhere in the country.
San Antonio’s Beldon Roofing is one
of the founding members of RoofConnect.
Chairman and CEO Michael D. Beldon
said that the network was created to ensure
consistently high standards for quality roofing and roof maintenance services.
“Customers throughout the country
can be connected to a RoofConnect mem-
ber by calling a 24-hour toll-free number,
24-hours-a-day, seven days a week, 365
days a year,” Beldon said. “RoofConnect
is comprised of some of the finest independent roofing and sheet metal companies in
the country. Our owners had the vision and
resources to establish a national organization to provide superior customer service.”
According to Beldon, membership requirements for RoofConnect are stringent.
The member companies total more than a
quarter of a billion dollars in annual revenues, have been in business for an average of 30 years each, with more than 3,000
skilled employees.
eight, reach and security are what Austin Sales and Scaffold aims to provide.
The company has
erected concert stages,
bleachers and scaffolding
across and beyond the Austin metro area since 1981.
Recently, Bruce Simpson,
president and Chuck
Simpson, executive vice
president, along with new
partner Sally Harrell began
The Star of Texas Events, a
company affiliated with
Austin Sales and Scaffold
The entire team of Austin Sales and Scaffold.
that specializes in renting
equipment for concerts and related events.
Since Austin Sales and Scaffold first
“So many events are held each year opened its doors, Simpson says the comacross Texas, especially in the Austin and pany has always been involved with helpSan Antonio areas” said Bruce Simpson. ing to set up for events.
“Even though the economy has slowed, the
“Our company is in the retail market
event business has taken off and done very service scene for contractors while also
well. With this new company, we plan to serving homeowners,” said Simpson.
serve the entire state”
“While building that clientele, we began
Clientele for the new company ranges erecting and dismantling concert staging.
from providing erecting and dismantling We were involved with the Aquafest’s in
services for concerts, sporting events, po- Austin and set up the stage for the Beach
litical candidates and specific company Boys when they came to town. From that,
functions.
the move to start up The Star of Texas
“We usually travel in a 100-mile ra- Events seemed to be a natural progression.”
dius of Austin, but have worked in Hous“Our ability to grow and diversify is
ton, Corpus Christi and Abilene,” said all due to the relationships with our cusSimpson. “We have set up stages for the tomers,” says Simpson. “Especially in the
Honda Car Show in San Antonio and event business, if relationships aren’t esbleachers for the World Bull Riding Cham- tablished, work isn’t nearly as fun and busipionships in Del Rio for several years.”
ness doesn’t flourish.”Ω
BIG EVENT?
Let us know. Story ideas and news releases can be faxed to
the Construction News at (210) 308-5960
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General Contractors • Design Build • Interior Finish Out • Core & Shell
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You’ve got to
do the job
right.
Page 28 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– San Antonio Construction News • Dec 2002
TREIA honors local
utility company
T
he Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association (TREIA) has proclaimed City Public Service’s (CPS)
new Northside Customer Service Center the
winner of TREIA’s Project of the Year
Award for 2002.
The award lauds CPS for “exemplary
leadership in the successful integration of
renewable energy into its wholesale, retail
and customer service operations.”
“This award from TREIA is high praise
for our environmental, renewable energy
and energy conservation efforts,” said Joe
Fulton, CPS’ director of environmental research and policy assessment. “We’re
proud of the Northside Center because we
believe it’s one of the most environmentally friendly buildings in America. We’re
grateful to TREIA for recognizing the technological achievements that make the Center not only a showcase of ‘green’ energy
innovation but also a highly functional customer service facility.”
The Center, a “graduate school” of
energy conservation and sustainable building design for building owners, designers,
architects and engineers, now serves as
CPS’ fifth customer service center.
The 75,000-sf Center, has one of the
nation’s largest combined-capacity, solar
Election commentaries
power roof panel systems. It also features
a natural gas chiller-heater and desiccant
humidity-control system, plus safe, recycled building materials.
A computerized energy-management
control system optimizes energy obtained
from both alternative and conventional energy sources. Excess power generated after hours and on weekends can be put back
into the CPS distribution network. The
Center’s 30,000-gallon rainwater reclamation system, installed in collaboration with
the San Antonio Water System, is used for
landscape watering to reduce reliance on
the Edwards Aquifer, San Antonio’s primary source of drinking water.
The TREIA award focuses on the
Northside Customer Service Center, however, the award also cites the utility for other
initiatives involving renewable energy development and use, including the 160.5megawatt Desert Sky Wind Farm near
Iraan, Texas, which supplies CPS’
WindtricityTM program and has the capacity of meeting more than 4 percent of the
utility’s electric requirements. The utility
is also engaged in other renewable energy
projects involving fuel cells, microturbines,
heat recovery absorption chillers and solar
technology.Ω
Green building expo
slated in 2003
T
he Better Building/Products Source
Expo will be held at the Live Oak
Civic Center, 8101 Pat Booker Road,
on Feb. 28th and March 1st. This exposition will be geared to architects, builders,
remodelors and landscapers as well as the
general public interested in green building
and healthy homes. To find out how you
can participate and for more information
please contact Rita Heck at 201-212-8031
or [email protected].
When You Need A Lift . . .
he Independent Electrical Contractors, Inc. (IEC) made a concerted effort this year to encourage its members to
get out and vote, and the results prove overwhelmingly that they did exactly that. 87%
of House candidates supported by the IEC
Political Action Committee (IEC-PAC) won
seats in the 108th Congress, and 80% of
Senate candidates supported by the IECPAC won. This significant change in party
control of the Senate and expansion in the
House is highly beneficial to IEC contractors.
Nov. 7th press release from IEC
A
cross America, Associated Builders
and Contractors’ members and their
employees made their voices heard on Election Day, and we have elected a U.S. Congress that supports free enterprise, open
competition and the common sense small
business agenda advocated by President
George Bush. This election benefits the
millions of men and women who work in
the U.S. construction industry. President
Bush believes in creating jobs, ensuring
economic growth and restoring full and
open competition in the U.S. construction
industry, and now he has a Congress that
will stand with him and with the American
people to accomplish those goals.
Nov. 6th press release from ABC
E
lection day saw Texas Republicans
continue their dominance as they retained all 29 statewide offices including
decisive victories in the U.S. Senate, Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General
races. In the Texas Legislature, Texas Contractors Association endorsed candidates
won 12 of 13 contested races (92%) in the
Senate and 50 of 53 races (94%) of the
contested House races. For the first time
since Reconstruction, the House has a Republican majority—and a resounding one
at that. It is almost certain that the next
Speaker of the House will be a Republican.
With David Dewhurst winning the Lt.
Governor’s race, thus becoming the presiding officer of the Texas Senate, the Republicans will control the Governorship, the
Senate and the House.
Nov. 6th press release from Texas Contractors Association
A
ssociated General Contractors plans
to capitalize on the momentum created
this election cycle to again strive for record
PAC receipts, expand the annual spring congressional fly-in to the fall, and conduct a
Washington Legislative Conference next
September. Among the issues that AGC
supports are economic growth and security,
tax relief, better roads and highways, and
creating jobs—not new government regulations.
Nov. 2002 press release from AGC
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Managing new generation
and renovation projects
from 10,000 to 128,000
square feet
Expert in high tech, high
density design
Innovators in adaptive
rehabilitation of unique
properties
Clients include:
USAA, Diamond Shamrock
Xerox, Symantec, IBM
and Ilex Oncology
“We have found Orion’s integrity,
creativity and professionalism
to be unquestionable.”
Charles Cheever
Chairman, Broadway National Bank
(210) 525-9079
www.orionpartnersinc.com
Necessity is the mother of invention
Taking it to the roof
D
id you ever say to yourself, “I wish I had invented
that?” Of course you have, we all have. Where do
inventors come up with their ideas and what does
it take to go from the sketchpad to production? In the case
of one San Antonio couple, Ignacio L. Torres III and his
wife Gracie, it took about three years to develop, patent
and produce an innovative device they call BUGOUT Weep
Hole Insect Barrier.
Ignacio is the owner of Southern Greenery, a residential and commercial landscaping and lawn maintenance
company. In the course of his work, Ignacio kept noticing
insect activity around buildings’ weep holes, the small
spaces between bricks that are intentionally left unfilled
by mortar to serve as drainage and airflow points.
“Weep holes are a perfect entry point for bees, bugs,
scorpions, lizards and snakes,” he reported. “I started thinking, there has to be something I can do to prevent those
critters from gaining access to homes and buildings. That’s
when I came up with this idea!”
The cavity wall, between the outside and the inside
wythes of an exterior brick wall, usually extends to the
soffit of the overhang framing, and often opens to the attic
space above. The weep holes and the cavity provide a perfect route for numerous types of insects and small reptiles
seeking sustenance, warmth and darkness. Accessibility
to the human living space is possible through outlet boxes,
light fixtures, fans, AC duct grilles, and adjacent garage
spaces.
Ignacio’s goal was to design a small device that would
allow the cavity space and weep holes to perform as intended while preventing undesirable pests from gaining
access.
“I came up with a two-part barrier system,” Ignacio
demonstrated, “consisting of a small fixed housing, which
directly aligns over the opening of the weep hole, and a
movable slotted flap hung from the housing by an off-center pivot hinge. The flap remains closed by the normal
gravitational force, but any moisture within the cavity can
readily flow through the weep hole openings. The flap then
returns to a closed position to perform its primary function as an insect barrier.”
Simple and innovative, the BUGOUT Weep Hole Insect Barrier doesn’t interfere with moisture and airflow,
G
but its tiny slots are precision-engineered to prevent even
an ant’s head from entering the weep hole.
“The BUGOUT barriers will fit over any standard
weep holes,” Ignacio continued. “On existing construction,
the device is directly aligned over the weep hole opening
and cemented with silicone adhesive sealant. In new construction, the barrier is installed in the masonry wall at
each weep hole.”
Ultimately, the inventor will produce three models of
the barrier. After testing and other considerations, they
decided to produce the barriers out of affordable, tough,
lightweight, UV-protected, engineered plastic. BUGOUT
insect barriers will be manufactured in La Vernia, TX.
While they are intended for use primarily on masonry structures, a model for stone exteriors is under development.
Ignacio and Gracie have had very positive responses
from local homebuilders and architects, and they envision
a time when BUGOUT Weep Hole Insect Barriers will be
utilized nationwide. Full production is expected to begin
in early December.
reen Roofs are, as the name implies, plantings that
are placed on the roof of a building. Green Roof
technology is not new. After decades of practice,
space-cramped Germans have honed the practice to a fine
art. Industry figures suggest that 10 percent of German roofs
are greened. Between 1989 and 1999, German roofing companies installed nearly 350 million sf of green roofs and the
rate is increasing.
Although information about green roofs is available,
installation specifics are mostly proprietary and performance data are largely anecdotal. In either case, there is
little actual research information available. Much of the
popular semi-technical literature is only written in German, which effectively slows its adoption by Americans.
Green Roofs have been installed in the US and more are
planned. However, our roof conditions are substantially different than those in Germany. A roof environment in Frankfurt is quite different from one in Atlanta, San Antonio, Phoenix, or Minneapolis. So, while principles can be applied,
Americans need information about our specific conditions.
Plant size and selection depends on the depth of the
roof overburden (growing medium) and local climate, but
the plants are almost always drought tolerant. Low growing
plants such as grasses, sedums, and other cactus-like plants
are used where the depth is only a few inches. Where the
medium depth is several feet, shrubs and even small trees
can be used. Although most easily used on flat roofs, a low
pitch roof can also be “greened”. Green Roofs also represent a significant niche market for horticulturists, especially
propagators, who would supply plants for these roofs.
Why should we plant Green Roofs?
• aesthetically pleasing
• reduce city “heat island” effect
• reduce carbon dioxide impact
• reduce summer air conditioning cost
• reduce winter heat demand
• lengthen roof life by two to three times
• remove nitrogen pollution in rain
• neutralize acid rain effect
• reduces noise
• reduce stormwater runoff
• provides songbird habitat
Source: Penn State Center for Green Roof Research, Pennsylvania
State University, PA.
Texas A&M
offering
workshops
The Construction Labor Contractor
Your OnlySource for Skilled Tradesmen
T
exas A&M offers a series of
workshops on the new energy efficient building code that became
law as part of Texas Senate Bill 5.
These will be given at the Alamo
Area Council of Governments
(AACOG) Conference Room, 8626
Tesoro Drive, Suite 100, San Antonio,
as follows:
We are the leader in the industry and we
have our clients to tell you why.
January 21: What Home Buyers
Can Expect from the TexasEnergy
Code, from 7 to 8 pm, free of charge.
January 22: Energy Code Training
for Residential Builders & Contractors, from 8:30 am to 11:30 am, $95
in advance or $115 at the door.
January 22: Energy Code Training
for Residential Inspection Plan Review,
from 1pm to 4:30 pm, $95 in advance
or $115 at the door.
January 23: Commercial Requirements of the International Energy
Conservation Code, from 8:30 am to
4:30pm, $175 in advance or $195 at the
door.
Course descriptions and registration information can be obtained at
h t t p : / / eslsb5.tamu.edu/sbill5/
defaultindex.shtml under Training.
Feel free to contact Metropolitan
Partnership for Energy office for
further information on any of these
events. 210-224-7278.
Baker Drywall
Call either location and let’s start
to build a quality partnership.
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877-509-3522
Qualify For:
“Ultimate Hunting Challenge 2002”
Stallion Homes embarks on visionary plan
T
wo talented, intelligent and visionary sisters,
equipped with the right education and work ethic,
have launched a custom homebuilding company,
named Stallion Homes.
Development manager, Michelle Perales, and financial manager, Corina Perales, are the daughters of Ruben
Perales, Alamo Acoustics. The young women both worked
for their father throughout their respective high school and
college years. Heralded as having a way with numbers,
Corina is praised by her father for restructuring his
company’s whole financial accounting system. She has a
BA degree in accounting and a BS in nursing.
Michelle spent her collegiate career at Cornell University in New York, where she received her undergraduate degree in urban planning and her masters in regional
planning and economics. She concentrated in real estate
development, with a focus on affordable inner city housing.
In the summer of 2002, at the urging of their brother
Ruben Perales, Jr., RSP Construction and Development,
Corina and Michelle made the decision to test their wings
when they launched Stallion Homes.
“Corina will oversee the financial side of the business,” Michelle explained, “including the management of
new clients who have credit issues. Her specialty is working with clients on a very personal level, to help them mold
their credit report into a workable unit. For interim financing the client has to fit an appropriate credit risk profile. I
feel everyone should be eligible, if they can afford it, to
have a custom home. Our custom homes aren’t all highend homes; we can build a custom home for $80,000, which
is considered affordable.”
Michelle works with development issues, helping clients procure the best lot possible, in the best area possible.
“Once we get the lot,” she continued, “I work with the
construction manager to develop the site. My function begins with purchasing the lot and continues to the point
where we’re going to pour the slab. After that, the construction manager takes over.”
The fledgling homebuilders have two clients at this
time, and brother and mentor Ruben, Jr. has served as their
construction manager.
“Ruben is grooming us in construction management
responsibilities and procedures. We’re fortunate to have
very good subcontractors who know their crafts,” she
added.
Their first two homes under construction are currently
in the concrete slab phase. Located in the Oak Creek subdivision, the single-story, 2,300-sf, masonry/stone house
is priced at a little over $110,000. The home in the Silver
Creek subdivision is a 2,000-sf, two-story, priced just under $100,000. Both homes feature four bedrooms, two
baths, and a two-car garage.
San Antonio Construction News asked Michelle to
describe some of the “custom” elements her affordable
homes will feature.
“Among our standard custom features,” she began, “are
professionally-engineered slabs, textured walls, rounded
corners, tile flooring, pre-wiring for alarm and DSL. We’re
discussing the development of a package that includes
wiring for cable, DSL and telephone. Our energy efficiency
package incorporates 12-seer and higher HVAC units, insulated windows with LowE glazing, and high-performance
insulation.”
Projecting forward, Michelle said in 2003 she and
Corina would like to attract five more clients.
“We want to remain within our production capabilities, but show people what we’re able to produce. In time,
once we’ve acquired enough working capital, we’d like to
build an affordable development in San Antonio’s inner
city. I’m very focused on the San Antonio market, that’s
where my heart is.”
With a vision that goes beyond house-by-house or
custom home construction, the young women are looking
at a high-density location near San Antonio College, zoned
MS3, where they want to build a 24-unit multi-family
dwelling.
“After doing a market study,” Michelle added, “we
feel we can build a nice apartment building there and offer
it to low income people, possibly securing low income tax
credits or CDBG money. The term affordable housing has
become synonymous with substandard housing, and we
want to change that perception. Durable building products
and good construction practices can be packaged to produce quality housing that is affordable for lower income
people. As an urban planner by degree, I think our city is
in a very favorable position to succeed in urban revitalization. My goal as a builder is to help the city build housing
that is below market value, and which doesn’t have to be
subsidized by the government through Section 8 processes.”
Michelle continued to emphasize the notion that, in
her opinion, the private sector is positioned to better handle
the development of affordable housing than the City.
“We have more time and a financial investment that
comes out of our own pockets. Private contractors are
forced to build economical, efficient and durable products.
Ideally,” Michelle concluded, “I would like to see mixeduse development which crosses over the high, medium and
low income stratum, and combines commercial usage with
residential usage.”
Forum held on National Height Modernization Program
F
ord Engineering, Inc., together with the National
Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
within The U.S. Department of Commerce, The National Geodetic Survey (NGS), Texas A&M Corpus Christi,
Leica Geosystems, and statewide business and community leaders participated in a private forum on Fri., Nov.
22nd, at the Westin-Riverwalk. The topic of discussion was
the National Height Modernization Program.
The purpose of the forum was to gather a diverse, credible group consisting of Professional Engineers (TSPE),
Registered Land Surveyors (TSPS), Geodesists, members
of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, LCRA,
SARA, Edwards Aquifer, SAWS, and other high profile
community leaders from the public and private sectors in
the Texas/Gulf Coast Region to encompass a variety of questions and comments on the direction of the Height Modernization Program with respect to addressing their current and
future needs in implementing a Texas Height Modernization Master Plan, which is to be centralized at the Texas
A&M Conrad-Blucher Institute in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) is
managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), within the U.S. Department of Commerce. NSRS is a consistent national coordinate system
that defines latitude, longitude, height, scale, gravity, and
orientation throughout the Nation, and how these values
change with time.
Height Modernization is an effort to enhance the vertical aspect of the NSRS by providing better access to accurate and consistent height data at the local level through
the use of GPS.
Integrating the horizontal, vertical, and gravity control networks into a unified national positioning system
(our proposed Texas Height Modernization Program),
joined and maintained by GPS, and administered by the
National Geodetic Survey (NGS), sets the stage for many
technological advances.
Beneficial applications to our community/region,
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especially in light of the recent flooding issues we have
faced, would include the following.
• More accurate modeling of storm surge and pollution
trajectories.
• Improved disaster preparedness.
• Increased accuracy for improved resource management
decision-making.
• Advanced surface transportation control and monitoring.
• Highly efficient fertilizer and pesticide spreading,
resulting in reduced run-off water pollution.
• Improved aircraft navigational aids, and safer approach
and landing procedures.
• Significant timesaving in field surveying.
The FAA has already declared that The North
American Vertical Datum 1988 (NAVD88) be the
“official” vertical reference datum for mean sea level in
the United States.Ω
continued from Page 3- Architecture students leave internships with eyes-wide-open!
jors to spend some time working with architects, as well.”
The president of Incore Construction,
Inc., Frank Casias, said he was compelled
to participate in the internship program
because all good construction companies
need to spend some time in helping train
the young people who are entering our industry, whether as an architect, contractor
or engineer.
“We are facing a decline in good, qualified individuals coming into this industry
we call construction. For that reason, I
wanted to show our architecture student,
Manuel Zamora, what a contractor goes
through to complete a project. Many don’t
ever get to see the complexities of a
contractor’s bidding process. The more we
can communicate with young architects, the
more it will help the industry.”
Frank threw Manuel straight into the
fire on bid day, pointing out the 10-15 alternate specifications, and opening the
young man’s eyes to the hoops contractors
have to jump through to put a good bid together.
“Manuel made the comment that he
couldn’t believe we didn’t have more time
to put the bid together. I told him, when
you grow up and become a famous architect, I hope you’ll remember this. Don’t go
out and design projects with so many alternates that it makes it nearly impossible to
put a good bid together. He was enlightened, saw examples of plans that were
poorly put together, and questioned the lack
of information. He saw that there are times
when an architect’s drawing simply doesn’t
work in the field. We exposed him to many
of the difficulties that contractors face.”
Frank said in addition to the bidding
process, Manuel helped review shop drawings, material data and submittals. He also
visited one jobsite where he was charged
with doing the internal punch list, in preparation for a final inspection by the owner.
“ I would like to continue to support
the summer intern program, workload per-
mitting,” Frank concluded. “Our industry
needs to be even more involved with UTSA
and other colleges, to create programs suitable for students who are going to enter into
construction careers.”
At G.W. Mitchell & Sons, Inc., Construction News first spoke with vice president Lane Mitchell, who jumped on board
the program because he feels an architecture student, working in a contractor’s
world, will leave with a better understanding of what it takes to build a building.
“They have a better shot at putting out a
good set of documents that are buildable.
That’s the bottom line. According to the
feedback I received, our intern, Eduardo
Fernandez, was an asset to the job and I
think it was a two-way street.”
General superintendent Ron
Moczygemba worked daily with Eduardo,
and said he thinks he really opened up the
young man’s eyes. “Eduardo left here with
a whole different attitude than when he arrived,” Ron affirmed. “In the beginning, he
had little if any understanding about how a
job is put together.”
Ron kept him involved in the day-today activities on a jobsite (125,000-sf in 10
months), dealing with timeframes, scheduling and subcontractors. “Everyday, we
had to wear our game face and head in the
right direction,” Ron continued. “Eduardo
worked 10 hours a day with me, looking
for and solving problems. He gained an
understanding of the progressive phases of
construction, learned to anticipate and prepare for the next stage. He caught on pretty
quick and when it rained, he found out that
we keep on working, just like the postman.”
Because of his many eye-opening experiences, Ron said he thinks Eduardo will
be a better architect.
As architect Don Aird, one of the three
men who conceived the program, so aptly
stated, “The most important aspect to me
is that the student gains respect for people
who work in the trades.” Without a doubt,
that goal was met.
continued from Page 1 - Kunz Construction Co. expands Smithson Valley High School
tional skills only begin to touch the assets
and abilities that go into his projects. His
carpentry and layout background, coupled
with his hands-on experience with concrete
and structural steel, make his input the key
to the success of these projects. I cannot
say enough about the valuable work Ronnie
has done at Smithson Valley High School
and for Kunz Construction.”
Ronnie has previously been nominated
and elected the American Subcontractors
Associations’ Superintendent of the Year.
“We worked well with the owner’s representative, David Swain, all of the staff
and the principal at the high school,” Andy
continued. “David was always available to
help work out equitable solutions to the
multitude of problems which commonly
surface during a project of this scope, and
he was fair in the process. Pfluger Architect developed a beautiful design and the
enhancements positively contributed to the
outstanding result.”
Support...
Professional firms participating in the
project included: Pfluger Associates, architect; Engleman Engineers, consulting
structural; HMG & Associates, MEP engineers; and Lockwood, Andrews &
Newman, civil engineers.
Subcontracting firms participating in
the project included: Advanced Fire Protection; Alpha Insulation; Anchor Post
Products; Anderson Electric; Capital Excavation; Coastal Plains Sales & Service;
Elite Masonry; G & L Erection; J a c k
Laurence Corporation; JDK Associates,
Inc.; Kezar Pest Control; King & Company, Inc.;
Newman Sports Flooring; Richard’s Rebar Ltd.;San Antonio
Floor Finishers, Inc.; School Specialty;
Service Shade Shop; Skyline Sheetmetal
& Roofing; Southwest Sound; Syma
Painting and Decorating; Thyssen Krupp
Elevator; Top of the Table; and WS Steel
Structures.
continued from Page 1 - SpawGlass’ Raley promoted to President/CEO
Mulligan will continue to serve as the San
Antonio regional manager, responsible for
its operations. ”
SpawGlass has operated under the ‘regional manager’ program for several years.
The program was implemented to create an
opportunity for the people of SpawGlass
to grow, focus on specific areas and advance
their careers.
The issue, with which Fred wrestled,
was creating opportunities for people to
grow. “Unless I did that,” Fred added, “I
couldn’t make the company grow. One aspect that has really amazed me is how
quickly the last 10 years have gone by.
SpawGlass has really grown, and we are
making sure that the candidates who take
over the current management places in the
future are ready to take it on when the time
comes.”
“One of the things I’ve always tried to
do is instill in people that you need to train
your replacement in order to move up.
That’s something I was able to learn at an
early age in my management career, and
it’s fundamental for growth.”
In his role as CEO, Fred will help lead
the effort to reinforce the identity factor of
SpawGlass as one, all-inclusive company.
Frequently thought of as two separate companies, rather than two halves of one company, SpawGlass Contractors, Inc. and
SpawGlass Construction Corp. have been
two different operating groups, but all the
employees work for the holding company,
and all the employee-shareholders are part
of SpawGlass Holdings.
SpawGlass is considered to be a general contracting firm that can take on the
more difficult projects. “We like working
with owners who are well disciplined, such
as Valero Energy Corporation, the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers and The University of Texas System,” Fred remarked. “We
do well in those markets. There are two
things we consider when a project comes
along; the project and the people. There’s
not too much we won’t try to take on if we
can match the intellect and skills of our
people to the project. That’s been a key to
our success; having the right superintendent
and the right project manager to take on
the job.”
Putting a project manager and superintendent together for several months to
complete a project places a huge responsibility on their mastery and understanding
of the work. With that in mind, SpawGlass
has focused on attracting and retaining good
people.
“Our growth is going to be based on
creating opportunities for people, not growing to meet a goal,” Fred continued. “If we
have the person who’s ready to step up and
take on the challenge, the worst thing we
can do is not have something for him or
her to do. We are continually growing our
opportunities to meet the needs of our
people. With discipline and the right people,
local regional management is positioned to
make decisions necessary to be successful
in their markets.”
Asked if SpawGlass is considering
entering other Texas markets in the future,
Fred said they are exploring other market
opportunities. “We’re also looking to see
what more we can get out of our current
markets, including tenant-finish work,
maintenance-type projects and others. We
cherish the concept of having customers for
life. For the last 15 years our goal has been
to have our clients come back to us for their
next project. We take care of our clients in
the pre-planning stages and throughout construction. We want them to feel good at the
end of the day, when the project’s complete.”
For several years, Fred has rallied a
campaign to reinforce the concept of being
the best in every market, to replicate the
success of the regional management groups
and to continually create opportunities for
people.
“Our drive is to be here for the longterm,” Fred acknowledged, “and I’d rather
be a smaller contractor making a good
profit, than a big company making no profit.
I don’t want to be the biggest contractor, I
want SpawGlass to be the best!” Ω
continued from Page 21 - Success Corner - Establish value to get what you are worth
over the life of the product and the real
value will shine through. Among others,
the quality of your product can be measured
by durability, life expectancy, ease of use
or maintenance standards.
Variables
You would probably be surprised at the
many responses customers give when asked
why they buy a specific product from a
company, including intangibles. Your premier customer may say that you and your
company staff are easy to work with. They
may buy from you based solely on your
reputation. They may just like the color
and design of your brochure. There can be
any number of reasons why a customer will
buy a product. Continue to ask your best
customers why they buy. What forms the
basis of their buying decisions? Keep track
of these reasons and emphasize them to
prospective clients.
It is not easy to command Top Dollar
in an intensely competitive marketplace
unless you understand how to repackage for
value. Take great care in asking your premier customers what makes your company
Construct
A Kid’s
Christmas
stand apart from the others. Do not take
anything for granted. Your customers will
tell you what it is they want, if you will
just ask. They will also tell you what else
you can offer to fill their buying needs. This
information often leads to new products,
services and technologies. A commitment
to continued improvement by asking your
premier customer what they want will help
you get Top Dollar for your product or service.
Until we have the honor to meet in
person, remember, “Success is YOUR
choice, choose well.”
Paul Montelongo, a nationally recognized
speaker and consultant to the construction industry, is the author of 101 Power
Strategies; Tools to Promote Yourself as
the Contractor of Choice. Visit Paul at
www.ContractorOfChoice.com and
register for a free E-mail newsletter. Paul
has owned and operated his own multimillion dollar construction company for
over 23 years.
Brick, Block
& Masonry Supplies
Residential & Commercial
210-493-2612
Converse Block Plant: 210-658-4631
Sales Office:
Friday Dec. 6th 2002
1 6 1 2 1 C o l l e g e O a k D r. S a n A n t o n i o , Tex a s 7 8 2 4 9
7th Rodeo Cook-off features
Texas music lineup
Round-Up
D
uPont
Flooring
S y s t e m s
proudly announces the
addition of
Kari Cooke
Buchanan as
Marketing Specialist. Kari has a Bachelors of Fine Arts
in Interior Design from Texas Tech University. She is a licensed Interior Designer with a solid specification, design
and project management background.
We know Kari will be an asset to the
architectural and design community, our
customers and the DuPont team.
W
illiam J.
“Bill”
Gates has been
promoted to director of engineering, technical services
and human resource development in the
Energy Supply
Business Unit at City Public Service
(CPS). A graduate of Kansas State
University at Manhattan with a BS in
mechanical engineering, Gates is responsible for technical services, engineering, water and environmental laboratories, storerooms, technical and
leadership training and computer systems at CPS power plants.
Do you have any new employees
joining your company?
email photo and info to:
[email protected]
A
ffirmed General Contracting L.P. announces
the appointment of
Randy Liesman to
Vice President Administration and
Marketing. Randy
holds a marketing
degree from University of Texas at Austin and brings
more than 20 years’ experience from the
real estate/construction finance industry,
most recently with Frost National Bank.
G
erard Electric, Inc.
welcomes Rick
Spaw to the position of Estimator.
With 23 year’s
experience in the
electrical trade,
Rick has worked
in all phases of
the industry. Holding a Texas SBCCI
Masters license, he has managed
projects ranging in size up to $5 million
and his expertise includes commercial
and industrial applications.
Tracy McCuan
has been named
City Public Service’ (CPS) vice
president of electric transmission
and distribution
maintenance and
construction.
Tracy will oversee the expansion and maintenance of
CPS’ electric transmission and distribution systems. He holds a BS degree
in electrical engineering from UT-Austin and a MS degree in natural resources
from the UTSA. He is a registered professional engineer in the State of Texas.
Happy
Holidays
from
everyone at
San Antonio
Construction
News
RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL
545-6767
Fax 490-9353
www.saqualityfence.com
13115 Wetmore Road
T
he 7th Annual BBQ
Cook-off and Rodeo
Kick-off Concert
are gearing up for a record
year with a new venue and
an all-Texas music line-up.
The cook-off and concert will take place on Sat.,
Jan. 25th, so mark your calendars now! Gates will
open at 11 am and the cost
is $10 at the gate.
The event has moved
from its former location on
the stock show grounds to
Gembler Road, Just east of
I.B.E.W. Local 500 at last year’s event.
the SBC Center. All proceeds raised by the BBQ
Cook-off and Rodeo Kick-off Concert gins right after the BBQ awards are prehelp support youth involved in agriculture sented.
through the SASR Scholarship Fund.
The BBQ Cook-off began in 1997
with 30 teams having
friendly competition, supporting youth in agriculture, and having a good
time. It has grown into a 99team cook-off and concert
with an average attendance
of 35,000 people.
For information about
entering a team in the
BBQ Cook-off, go to
www.sabbq.com to download an entry form. Deadline for entry is Dec. 13th.
Organizers will stop acceptBig State Electric & Craft Services at last year’s event.
ing forms when they reach
99 teams or 125 spaces.
This year’s event will host 99 BBQ
“So far, we have about 27 constructeams competing in three meat categories: tion-related businesses competing this
chicken, pork ribs and brisket. The Inter- year,” said public relations chairman,
national BBQ Cookers Association rules Jackie Simmonds. “The construction
will be used and IBCA representatives will teams are some of our best entries besupervise the contest for
the meat division. There
will also be a pecan and
fruit pie competition.
In addition, awards
will be given for the Most
Colorful Team, the Best Pit
Presentation and for the
People’s Choice Award.
Remember, this is more
than just a cooking contest,
so gear-up for a washer
tournament and a fun-filled
rodeo with events such as
hay hauling, bean eating
and goat dressing!
The 2003 Rodeo KickQuinney Electric at last year’s event.
off Concert will feature an
exciting line-up of all-Texas and Ameri- cause they put lots of effort and creativcana music artists. Scheduled to appear are ity into their recipes and the decorative
The Great Divide, Rodney Foster, Cory presentation of their team areas.”Ω
Morrow and Jack Ingram. The show be-
7th Annual
Rodeo
BBQ and
Kick-off
Concert!
Wrought Iron & Masonry
Staircases & Railing
Chain Link
Wood Fencing
Custom Work
Temporary Fencing
Welding Services & Repairs
Steel Fabrication
Automatic Gate Systems
See our ad on
Page 735 in your
Southwestern
Bell Yellow Pages
Jan. 25th 2003
342-5518
203 E. Rhapsody San Antonio, Tx 78216
Gates open
at 11am
ASSOCIATION NEWS
ABC
Dec. 5: The best party in town benefits
Construct a Kid’s Christmas as Associated
Builders and Contractors joins NAWIC and
ASA at the Alzafar Shrine, from 7 pm ‘til
midnight! Tickets are $100 per couple, and
you may be the lucky elf who walks home
with $10,000 in the reverse raffle. Be there!
Dec. 11: ABC’s “2nd Wednesday Safety
Shorts” luncheon, at the Barn Door Restaurant, $18 per person. Topic: “Holiday
Cheer”, issues employers face during the
holiday season.
sponse & Dealing with the Media. Contact the San Antonio Chapter at 210-3492105 for more info.
AGC
Dec 18: Air Conditioning Contractors Association of San Antonio will install its
2003 Board of Directors at the general
membership meeting, at Dave & Buster’s,
commencing at 11:15 am.
ASA
AGC OF TEXAS-HH
Dec. 5: American Subcontractors Association, ABC and NAWIC have joined together for the 2nd Annual Christmas Gala,
benefiting Construct a Kid’s Christmas, at
the Alzafar Shrine, from 6 pm to Midnight!
At that time, someone will win $10,000!!!
Cost per couple is $100, which gets you in,
gets you fed, gets you moving to the beat,
and gets you a chance at $10,000. Call your
local chapter for more info.
Jan. 27 – 30: ASA-Texas will hold it’s first
convention in Austin, at Lakeway Resort
on Lake Travis. Seminars will include
“Killer Contract Clauses in Contracts”,
“Texas Lien Law”, plus seminars on Workers Compensation, OCIPs and ROCIPs.
There will also be Safety News & Views
from OSHA Region 6 Director, classes on
Accident Response & Investigation, Hiring
Practices in Today’s Market, Disaster Re-
Dec. 13: Associated General Contractors
of Texas – Highway Heavy will hosts its
Christmas Party at Pedrotti’s Ranch, 17715
FM 1560, N. Hausmann Rd. Cost is $45
per person, and the party begins at 6:30 pm.
GSABA
Dec. 13: Greater San Antonio Builders Association Christmas Gala and Installation
of Officers.
Dec. 24-25: Christmas Holiday, offices
closed.
Dec. 31: New Years Eve, offices closed.
HCA
Dec. 11: SWMBE Conference
Dec. 12: Hispanic Contractors Association
de San Antonio’s Christmas Party at the
NAWIC
Dec. 18: Mechanical Contractors Association – SMACNA will hold its Annual
Christmas Lunch at the Oak Hills Country
Club at 11:15 am.
Dec. 5: The National Association of
Women in Construction welcome you to the
2nd Annual Christmas Gala, Alzafar Shrine,
from 6 pm ‘til midnight, benefiting Construct a Kid’s Christmas. You just might win
$10,000.
Jan 9: General membership meeting at the
Petroleum Club, socializing at 5:30, followed by dinner and a program at 6:15.
SAGA
SAMCA
Dec. 12: San Antonio Glass Association
will meet at the Barn Door Restaurant, at
6:30 pm. Subjects of discussion will include
election of new officers, continuing education classes, and SAGA contract addendum.
Dec. 6: The San Antonio Masonry Contractors Association will host its 8th Annual
Holiday Celebration and Awards Banquet
at 7 p.m., at the Petroleum Club, 8620 North
New Braunfels. $60 per person includes a
buffet dinner, an open bar and door prizes.
A Silent Auction will be held to raise money
for SAMCA’s Building Fund. November
election results of the new 2003 officers will
be announced. SAMCA also is accepting
unwrapped gifts for the “Construct a Kid’s
Christmas” program. To obtain information or reservations for this event, call
Debbie at 830-606-5556. No regular general membership meeting will be held in
December.
Jan. 29: The next regular meeting is scheduled.
MCA-SMACNA
Dec. 12: Associated General Contractors
will celebrate the holiday season with a
Holiday Open House, from 4-7 pm, at the
Chapter Office, 10806 Gulfdale. Hors
d’oeuvres and drinks will be served. A caricature artist will be on hand to provide some
added fun. Dress is casual.
Jan 8: The General Membership Luncheon
and Installation of New Directors will be
held at the San Antonio Airport Hilton, from
12 noon – 1:15 pm. Chief Economist from
AGC of America, Ken Simonson, will
present an economic forecast for Texas.
Reservations are required by Jan. 6th and
the cost will be $25 for AGC members and
$35 for non-members.
ACCA-SA
Cadillac Bar.
Jot this down – HCA’s
new address is 4047 Naco Perrin, Suite 201B, San Antonio, TX 78217-2521. Office:
210-444-1100
PHCC - SA
Nov. 25 – Dec. 5: The Plumbing, Heating,
Cooling Contractors of San Antonio will have
collection boxes set up at the local plumbing
wholesaler supply houses for donations to the
“Construct A Kid’s Christmas.”
Dec. 5: PHCC - SA members are invited to
participate in the Holiday Christmas Gala
at the Alzafar Shrine Temple, also benefiting the “Construct A Kids Christmas”. Call
the PHCC office for more details at 210523-1540.
Many thanks to outgoing 2002 Board
of Directors which include: Jimmy Shafer,
Shafer Plumbing; Doug Trimble, Ferguson
Enterprises; Steve Albert, ARS; and Joel
Stolarski, SATex Plumbing.
Jan. 9: PHCC’s 2003 Board of Directors
will be welcomed at the general membership meeting at Dave & Buster’s, from 11
am – 1 pm. The State Board of Plumbing
Examiners will be the guest speaker.
SAST
Dec. 12: The Surety Association of South
Texas will host its Christmas Party and
Mixer, from 4 - 7 pm at Dave & Buster’s.
TSPE
Dec. 2: Texas Society of Professional Engineers Christmas Party at the Plaza Club.
Dec. 10: Board meeting.
2002 ABC
Chapter Awards
continued from Page 4 - 2002 Excellence in Construction Awards
2002 Supplier Member: Ben Davis, Beck
Ready Mix and Landfill.
Mechanical-Commercial Under $2 Million
Category: A/C Technical Services, for the
San Antonio Spurs Practice Facility. The
architect/engineer on the project was
DAVID, STOKES COLLABORATIVE /
ENTECH ENGINEERS. The owner is
MEDISTAR.
Bartlett Cocke, LP for the Earl Warren High
School. The architect was Garza,
Bomberger & Associates. The owner is
NEISD.
Commercial - $2 million to $5 million:
Metropolitan Contracting Company for
the Medical Center Ophthalmology Associates Office Building. The architect was
Chesney, Morales and Associates.
2002 ABC Safety Awards
S.T.E.P. Award Platinum Category:
Baker Drywall Company, Inc.; Lyda Constructors, Inc.; and SpawGlass Contractors, Inc.
S.T.E.P. Award Gold Category:
A/C Technical Services, Ltd.; Alamo
Crane Service, Inc.; Alpha Insulation,
Inc.; Bartlett Cocke, LP; BETCO Scaffold; Bexar Electric Company; CCC
Group; H.E. Butt Grocery Company;
Howell Crane & Rigging; Joeris General
Contractors, Ltd.; Kunz Construction
Company; L.E. Travis & Sons, Inc.;
M&M Contracting Company; Manufactured Concrete Products Company;
Marek Brothers Systems, Inc.; Rabalais
I&E Constructors; Swinerton Builders;
TD Industries; The Keller-Martin Organization, Inc.; and Vincent T. Garza Contracting Company.
S.T.E.P. Award Silver Category:
C.A. Landry Partners, Ltd.
2002 Subcontractor of
the Year: Gilbert
Alvarez, Alpha Insulation Company.
2002 General Contractor of the Year:
Steve Schuetze for
Metropolitan Contracting Company,
Ltd.
2 0 0 2 Vo l u n t e e r o f
the Year: Jennifer
Blessin, Holt Companies of Texas.
2002 ABC Apprentice Graduates
Carpentry Apprenticeship Program
Participating companies include:
Bartlett Cocke, LP; F.A. Nunnelly Company; G.D. Interior Construction, Inc.;
Galaxy Builders, Ltd.; Joeris General
Contractors, Ltd.; Leonard Contracting,
Inc.; SpawGlass Contractors, Inc.; and
T.M. Davis Construction, Ltd.
Graduates: Christopher Charo;
Jesus Davila; Adrian Duran; Juan
Gonzalez; Robert Gonzalez; Jerry
Graeber; Jose Martinez; Dannie
McMurry, 2001 Silver Medal WinnerABC National Craft Olympics;
Apolonio Mendez; Paul Olsen; Jorge
Villanueva; and Patrick Wolfe.
Electrical Apprenticeship Program
Participating companies: Bexar Electric Company, Ltd.; Cappadonna Electric;
Current Electric; Dausin Electric Company,
Inc.; Encompass Electrical Technologies;
and Triple R Electric, Inc.
Graduates: Jorge Cano; Raul
Castillo; Ronald Dalrymple; Ricardo
Estrada; Audomero Gonzalez; Martin
Guzman; Christopher Hallam; Oscar
Herrera; William Krenek; Elisandro
Mireles; Jose Olguin; Ralph Ortegon;
David Ramirez; Jesse Rodriguez; Antonio Rosalez; Juan Sanchez; Agustin
Vedia; Simon Vidal; and George Wolf.
Plumbing Apprenticeship Program
Participating companies: E. Z. Mechanical, Inc.; R E C Industries; and TD
Industries.
Graduates: David Castro; Martin
Fraga; Carlos Gaitan; Larry Good;
Patrick Jacobus; Eulalio Ramon; Javier
Soliz; and Christopher Villareal.
Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Program
Participating companies: B.G. Metals,
Inc.; E.Z. Mechanical, Inc.; Flo-Aire Service, Inc.; and Jack Laurence Corporation.
Graduates: Felix Avina; Chance Baney;
Shalon Bergfeld; Lino Donato; Felipe
Guerra; and Christopher Markgraf.
2002 Chairman’s
Award:
Martha
Mangum, Executive
Director of the Real
Estate Council of San
Antonio.
2002 Associate Member: Bryan Moore, Insurance and Bonds,
Inc.
For Column Ads
or Announcements,
call 210-308-5800
SA Construction News
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• Dust Elimination • Restroom Sanitizing • Specialized Crews
Ph: 210.541.8546
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For information on these & other services call:
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Business
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Joist designs approved by the Steel Joist Institute
Fabrication as per S.J.I. Specifications
UTILITIES–EXCAVATION
Specializing In Fast Track Detailing & Delivery
210-649-4600
James Gobel, Central Texas Sales
Tom Smith, President
Pager 210-220-7975
Display / Packaging
Custom Computer Fabrication of Styrofoam Shapes
Give Bruce Eckersley a call today:
Toll Free: 877-500-FOAM
Fax: 830-693-4868
P.O Box 446 Marble Falls, Texas 78654
FLOYD INDUSTRIES,INC.
12931 Hwy 87 S.
Adkins, Tx
78101
Commercial / Residential
Fax
210-649-4602
Chuck Sparrow,
Superintendent
You’re Not Just
Another Customer.
We’re Not Just
Another Bank.
1-877-719-7787
Fax. 512.990-1575
210-734-7361
www.southtrust.com
Member FDIC. ©2000 SouthTrust
Local/national leaders awarded at Green Building Conference
T
he U.S. Green Building Council’s International Conference and Expo
was held for the first time in the
United States on Nov. 13-15 at the Austin
Convention Center, Austin, TX.
Four Leadership Awards were presented to individuals and organizations that
have made outstanding achievements in the
area of green building. The winners include:
Governor George Pataki of New York,
Pliny Fisk of the Center for Maximum
Potential Building Systems, Ray Anderson of Interface, Inc. and Rob Watson,
director of the International Energy
Project, National Resources Defense
Council, Inc.
“Since its inception, the Council has
focused on recognizing certifiably green
buildings through our LEED™ programs,”
said Christine Ervin, USGBC president
and CEO. “Now we want to honor some
of the people leading this remarkable market transformation. We wanted to recognize
the human side of the green building formula—whether it be champions of the
drawing board, the construction site, the
government program office, the manufacturing plant or executive suite.”
Pliny Fisk was given recognition for
his more than 25 years of pursuing green
building technologies and practices before
the term “green building”
was ever conceived. Most
recently he oversaw the Department of Energy sponsored Solar Decathlon submission for the University of
Texas at Austin’s School of
Architecture.
Beginning in 1975, Fisk
co-founded the Center for
Maximum Potential Building Systems (CMPBS), a
nonprofit organization focused on ecological planning, design and appropriate
technologies. CMPBS’s earThe University of Texas at Austin’s home being
liest vision recognized that assembled for the Solar Decathlon in Washington, D.C.
buildings represent resource
in Oct. It did not have to be carried on a chassis, or
installed with a crane. Rather than coming in
availability and reflect a
pre-constructed
modules, the framing and walls for
region’s guiding principles
this house were delivered on a flatbed trailer and
and framework for the City
assembled with human power.
of Austin Green Builder Program; Engineering Guidelines, incorporat- nary leadership in championing policies
ing sustainable materials and methods; co- that advance green building and support the
chair of AIA Committee’s Environmental USGBC LEED Rating System™. He apResource Guide Committee on the Envi- proved a law for a tax credit program to
ronment and participation on the ‘greening’ help fund green building initiatives in New
of the White House and Grand Canyon ini- York and signed an Executive Order that
tiatives.
requires state agencies to reduce their overGovernor George Pataki of New York all energy consumption by 35 percent and
was honored for his vision and extraordi- produce renewable energy resources by
year 2010.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C.,
the U.S. Green Building Council is the
nation’s leading coalition for the advancement of buildings that are environmentally
responsible, profitable and healthy places
live and work. Established in 1993, the
Council offers various products and services to include the LEED Green Building
Rating System™, International Green
Building Conference and Exposition, membership summits, information exchange,
education and policy advocacy.
The LEED™ Green Building Rating
System is a feature-oriented rating system
where credits are earned for satisfying
specified green building criteria. There are
six major environmental categories of review: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency,
Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Silver, Gold and Platinum levels of green
building certification which are awarded
based on agencies, state and local governments and private industry as the guidelines
for high-performance green building. For
more information on the U.S. Green Building Council, visit www.usgbc.org.
On Location
ARCHITECTURAL ACCESSIBILITY IN TEXAS
FOCUS ON ACCESSIBILITY LAWS & STANDARDS
The Fair Housing Act
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (amended 1988)
The design and construction requirements of the Fair Housing Act apply to all new multifamily housing first occupied
after March 13, 1991. Covered multifamily dwellings are:
(1) all dwelling units in buildings containing four or more units if such buildings
have one or more elevators, and (2) all ground floor dwelling units in other buildings containing four or more units.
CALPLY’s Kathy Glisson and Dryvit’s Albert Carillo host ‘lunch ‘n learn ala Barn Door’
event for 40+ architects who earned AIA credits for attending.
“covered multifamily dwellings with a
building entrance on an accessible route
shall be designed and constructed in such
a manner that all premises within covered
multifamily dwelling units contain usable
bathrooms such that an individual in a
wheelchair can maneuver about the space.”
Fair Housing Act Regulations, 24 CFR
100.205
Two Bathroom Specifications
Retired Master Plumbers honored at a recent PHCC meeting are L-R: Bill Slam,
Martin Baum, Larry Jordan, Jim Marin, Gilbert Castanon, Press Shafer,
Hollis Dowlearn, and Gilbert Kissling.
To satisfy the maneuvering and clear
floor space requirements for usable
bathrooms, Requirement 7 of the Fair
Housing Guidelines gives two sets of
specifications to design bathrooms, referred to as Specification A and Specification B. Although not the only difference between the two specifications,
a bathroom designed to meet Specification B has greater access to the bathtub than a bathroom designed to meet
Specification A.
must meet those requirements; all other
bathrooms in the dwelling unit must (1)
be on an accessible route, (2) have
doors with a nominal 32-inch clear
opening, (3) have switches, outlets, and
controls in accessible locations, and (4)
have reinforced walls around toilets,
tubs, and shower stalls. However, maneuvering space as specified in the
Guidelines’ Requirement 7 is not required in other bathrooms within the
dwelling unit when one bathroom is
designed to meet the B Specifications.
In bathrooms where several of each
type of fixture are provided, e.g., a
separate shower and tub or two lavatories, all fixtures must be usable in
Specification A bathrooms while only
one of each type of fixture must be usable by a person with a disability in a
Specification B bathroom.
Steve Schuetze, Metropolitan Contracting receives award for longest drive at IBI
Tournament. Maybe heº should quit your day job.
How Many Bathrooms and
Fixtures Must Comply with
the Guidelines?
In dwelling units containing more than
one bathroom, if Specification A is selected, all bathrooms in the dwelling
unit also must comply with the A Specifications. If Specification B is selected,
only one bathroom in the dwelling unit
Robert Buck, AIA, has provided architectural accessibility plan reviews/
inspections for over 3100 projects in
17 states. He is a Texas Department of
Licensing & Regulation Registered
Accessibility Specialist (RAS) and Fair
Housing Consultant for the City of
Austin. 13438 Bandera Road,
#104, Helotes, TX 78023
(210-695-5326).
High school was never like this. Earl Warren High School constructed by Bartlett Cocke.
SCAFFOLDING
SCAFFOLD MANUFACTURER
DIVISION OF TAR USA STEEL, INC.
“AFFORDABLE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL PRICES”
Frame Scaffold –Shoring Scaffold
Crossbraces – Screwjacks
Caster Wheels – Planks
TAR SCAFFOLDING
12746 O’CONNOR ROAD
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78233
TEL:
FAX:
The just completed Humane Society/SPCA of Bexar County facility is like
no other in the nation. Metropolitan Contracting was the GC.
210 650 0181
210 650 0782
www.tarscaffolding.com
SCAFFOLD
INDUSTRY
ASSOCIATION
60 years of excellence built on six strengths
D
uring the past 60 years, City Public Service (CPS) has transformed
itself from a simple, privately
owned utility company into one of the largest and most respected publicly-owned gas
and electric utilities in the nation. In observing six successful decades of municipal ownership, CPS leaders past and present
attribute its success to these six strengths:
1. Municipal Ownership: On Oct. 24, 1942,
the leaders of the City of San Antonio made
one of the smartest investments in the city’s
history: they bought the community’s gas
and electric systems, creating City Public
Service. As the city grew and demand for
electricity and gas skyrocketed, millions of
dollars in revenue from CPS stayed in San
Antonio to benefit its citizens.
2. Early Environmental Commitment:
From 1949 to 1956, South Texas suffered
the most severe drought in history, so bad
that the Comal Spring in New Braunfels ac-
CPS line crew, about 60 years ago.
Feat required linemen to climb poles &
use pulleys & cranes to hoist large
transformers into place.
tually stopped flowing. To meet a surging
demand for electricity and preserve the
waters of the Edwards Aquifer, then General Manager Victor Braunig ordered in
1957 the construction of two cooling lakes
downstream from the city’s sewage treatment plants.
3. Generation Independence: Owning its
own generation facilities provides a wealth
of benefits for CPS and San Antonio:
namely, more control over the production
chain of electricity and the ability to manage its plants to keep costs down. Reduced
operating costs allow San Antonio’s citizens to enjoy some of the nation’s lowest
utility bills.
4. Fuels Diversification: CPS retrofitted
existing gas-fired plants to burn oil and built
a massive new infrastructure to burn coal.
It also branched out into nuclear-powered
generation as well. Since July 1, 2002, CPS
has been purchasing natural gas from multiple suppliers instead of a single source.
Also, the addition of new pipelines and gas
storage give CPS new flexibility in responding to market conditions. CPS is a Texas
leader in the use of wind and solar energy.
5. People Power: In 1943, CPS introduced
both affordable insurance for employees and
a company-wide safety initiative. CPS holds
regular seminars for local vendors and small
business owners, helping them gain the skills
they need to stay competitive.
6. Concentration on Competition: Last
year, the San Antonio City Council decided
that CPS will not enter into competition in
Texas’ newly deregulated electric market
in the immediate future. Nonetheless, CPS
competes every day to keep rates low in an
ever-changing market. It hasn’t raised its
base electric rate in more than a decade,
even as it expands the scope of its service
to San Antonio.
In observance of its 60th anniversary,
City Public Service invited area residents
to tour the J.K. Spruce Power Plant in south-
Circa 1940’s CPS natural gas construction crew hauls in hundreds of barrels
of sand to bury underground gas service equipment.
east Bexar County on Saturday, Nov. 2nd.
Tours of the 590-megawatt (mw), coal-fired
Spruce plant were offered continuously
from 9 am to 4 pm. Visitors saw the control
room where the production of electricity is
monitored 24 hours a day, the turbine generator where electricity is produced, the
coal yard that stores tons of coal, and the
rotary dumper building where coal trains
are unloaded.
“CPS is proud to have served San Antonio and surrounding communities for the
past six decades,” said Milton Lee, CPS
general manager and CEO. “We’re delighted to show our customers one of the
best power plants in the nation. It’s one of
our lowest-cost generating facilities, and
according to the Environmental Protection
Agency, it’s among the cleanest in the U.S.”
The San Antonio City Council serves
as CPS’ regulatory authority, providing
oversight and final approval on rates, bond
issues and other major decisions. As a re-
turn on its ownership investment in the gas
and electric systems, the City of San Antonio receives 14 percent of CPS’ annual revenues, an amount comprising more than
one-fourth of the City’s budget for municipal services. If CPS were an investor-owned
utility, returns on investment would be distributed to stockholders scattered throughout the nation. Instead, CPS customers are
the “stockholders,” and “dividends” from
CPS remain in San Antonio to help defray
the cost of local governmental services.
CPS continues to earn high marks as
an efficient, well-managed energy company. A recent $576.7 million CPS revenue
and refunding bond issue earned top ratings from the nation’s leading financial rating agencies, and in particular, Standard &
Poor’s (S&P) upgraded CPS bonds to AA+,
making CPS the highest-rated electric utility in the U. S.

December - Construction News

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