Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News July 2018

Covering the Industry’s News

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www.constructionnews.net H (210) 308-5800 H Volume 16 H Number 7 H JULY 2018

Foam and family

A word to the wise

Gary and Sharon Hase, owners of Enviro Tech Spray Foam Insulation

Courtney Wilkinson, vice president of administrative operations of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and Minuteman Heating & Air

hen Sharon Hase’s cell phone blasts a ringtone rendition of Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” she wastes no time in answering it.

Whatever this call means for her 24-year old daughter Elissa and their day – a doctor’s visit, a trip to the hospital – Sharon is still grateful. Her business, Enviro Tech Spray Foam Insulation, allows her and her husband Gary Hase the flexibility needed for Elissa’s health emergencies.

Elissa, who was born with cystic fibrosis, is the absolute light of her parents’ lives. Devoted to her care but needing a steady income, Sharon and Gary carefully considered the work they could realistically do after Elissa’s birth.

Sharon, who earned a business computer

statistics degree from Texas A&M, wasn’t able to work as they navigated Elissa’s early years. Gary, who earned an industrial technology degree from the University of North Texas, taught industrial technology manufacturing classes. After stumbling upon Enviro Tech Spray Foam Insulation and becoming instant fans, they knew it was the perfect business opportunity.

“We went to a spray foam insulation school in Montana for a weekend,” Gary says. ”Sharon learned the business part and I learned the technical part of spraying and application. We bought a machine and did little jobs for friends just to get in some practice. We then got our first big job with an architect with whom we had previously worked.” continued on Page 16

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Lancaster’s new Park 20 Distribution Center.

Taurus Commercial Inc. gave Dude Perfect the perfect space to plan, execute and film their world-famous shenanigans.

Photo by Digital Home Studios

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uestion: What does Benjamin Franklin have to do with the plumbing industry? Answer: Probably not much as Ben wasn’t into plumbing.

But, he was into wisdom. In fact, he is credited with saying, “A word to the wise is sufficient…”

Thus, the wise thing to do when one has a plumbing problem in the Irving/ Fort Worth area is to call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. If you do, Vice President of Administrative Operations Courtney Wilkinson will see to it that you are treated right.

Simply put, Wilkinson runs pretty much everything, from training the call center workers and new employees, doing cost analysis and working with ven-

dors, to marketing, to accounts receivable and taxes. Her father bought the franchise in 2004, and is semi-retired now.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is headquartered in Houston. There are now over 200 franchises nationwide, with three being in the Metroplex.

Wilkinson started working for her father when she was a senior in high school, in his plumbing business. He did primarily insurance work on slab leaks. As she put it, dad “wasn’t very organized.” One day he gave her a pile of receipts and said, “Here, organize these.”

After high school, Wilkinson went to the University of Texas, Arlington, where she was a business major with a minor in management. continued on Page 16

Featured projects

ach month, in each of our four city issues, we reserve this premium space to feature a recently completed project by a DFW area General Contractor, as well as in San Antonio, Austin and Houston.

Our goal is to vary the project and contractor size to afford everyone the opportunity to participate. A smallor medium-sized project constructed by a small- or medium-sized contractor is just as important as the high profile projects.

Since we began our first paper, the San Antonio Construction News in October 1998, we have always reached out to everyone. We always highlight our Texas-based general contractors.

If you have a recently completed project in any one of our four cities and their surrounding areas, we would be honored to see you on our front page.

Just give us a call at our home office in San Antonio and we will schedule a short interview and send you some suggested topics. We look forward to hearing from you.

Office (210) 308-5800 (Carol Wiatrek)

Email: mEditor@ConstructionNews.net

Russell Creek Drive, Phase 1

Texas Motor Speedway garage floors are race-ready, thanks to the LATICRETE team

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • JULY 2018

Mortar love

Owners of Pryor & Pryor Masonry Inc. L-R: Joe Pryor Jr., Joe Pryor Sr., and Gene Pryor

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oe Pryor Jr. was 18 when he took to the trowel for the first time and, even his family had worked in masonry since 1910, he says he had to work at it.

Today, as president of Pryor & Pryor Masonry Inc., he continues to hone his skills.

“To this day, I still go out to the job sites and work when I have time to get out of the office,” he says. “The guys who have been with me the longest know I’ll do anything they will.”

It is a lesson the fourth generation mason learned from years of watching his family run their masonry businesses.

“My grandfather started a masonry business, and then my uncle took it over in the early 1960s,” he explains. “He ran the company until the recession hit in the mid-1980s and we shut the doors. My father, uncle, brother and I worked outof-state in masonry for three years, and when we came back we worked with other people. In 1991, my uncle and my

father started Pryor Brothers Masonry back up again.”

When his uncle decided to retire, Joe Jr., his brother Gene and their father Joe Pryor Sr. incorporated Pryor and Pryor Masonry in 2004. The company has since expanded to 55 employees, including Jo Jr.’s cousin, Sandy Jones. The business focuses on schools, fire stations and churches, but Joe Jr. enjoys completing smaller jobs as well.

Even though Joe Jr. has mastered the trowel, the mortar of running a business hasn’t always been smooth. Still, he wouldn’t choose any other work.

“It’s hard, but masonry has made me and my family a good living for the last 30 years that I’ve been around it. There are good days and bad days like anything else – but it’s all good! It really is. I see my family every day, and it’s rewarding to see the projects I’ve done.”

Pryor and Pryor Masonry Inc. is a subcontractor in Mesquite. –mjm

From Craigslist to a career

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Richard McMurray, founder and owner of DFW Crown Moldings Co.

ort Worth native Richard McMurray was a diesel mechanic in the Marine reserves, but it really wasn’t his thing.

When his reserve time was over, McMurray saw an ad from a man in Phoenix, AZ, advertising for an apprentice/helper in his carpentry business. Without any experience at all in woodworking, McMurray answered the ad and moved to Phoenix.

There, he learned woodworking and, behold, he liked it. One of the aspects of this trade McMurray learned was the art of crown molding.

After spending a year doing this in Arizona, McMurray returned to the DFW area and decided he could do this for a living, forming DFW Crown Molding in 2013.

Which begs the question: Why specialize in crown molding and decorative wood? Answer: Because so few carpenters do specialize in it, as there are cabinetmakers galore out there. The market isn’t saturated with crown molding experts.

And, McMurray learned how to finish the wood products he makes, which makes for a happy customer who doesn’t

want to hire a separate person to paint or stain the wood.

Working with just his brother-in-law Jonathan, McMurray is something of a YouTube sensation, with 130-some odd video clips out there. He tries to do one per week. He has over 80 thousand subscribers and has generated over 10 million views. Some of the clips are instructional videos showing would-be carpenters how to do a project.

One beautiful job McMurray did was a custom-built mantle and fireplace for a wedding reception facility/event center.

About 90% of the time, the customer has a vague idea of what he/she wants and McMurray will design it. The rest of the time the customer will be very specific as to what he wants.

Answering a random Craigslist ad enabled a former diesel mechanic to find his true calling, not by working on an engine but with wood.

DFW Crown Molding specializes in interior trim and finish carpentry in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. -dsz

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • JULY 2018

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Phase two

Banking on different

Back row L-R: Ryan Weldon and Cameron Weldon. Front row L-R: Dewey Williams, James Savage, Chris Beltran and Michael Kiddy.

The Uretek ICR crew working to provide another customer with a needed lift.

L-R: Raul Cerda, Matt Pesqueda, Scott Turnage and Aaron Boone

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hen workers strike out on their own, it’s not uncommon for the former company’s clients to follow them. But when Phil Weldon started mechanical, plumbing, piping and service contracting company Weldon Contractors in 1984, he refused to sneak away any of his employer’s clients.

When it was time for his sons Cameron Weldon and Ryan Weldon to start working at the company as kids, Phil taught that same golden rule by example.

Those lessons stuck them both as Cameron earned business and law degrees and Ryan served as a police officer. Cameron returned to Weldon Contractors in 2008, followed by Ryan as safety director in 2016, and both are excited to build on the company’s reputation.

“We really have the best team today than in any previous time,” Cameron says.

“It’s a really exciting time at Weldon to be here. In the last three years we’ve started a new phase of re-establishing our values and we’ve got a new direction with some growth-oriented ideas. We’ve seen a lot of growth in the last three years. That’s its own pickle to understand; too much growth can be bad if you want to grow right. I’m sure Phil would tell you it’s been a wild ride and we’re excited about where we’re going.”

One area Weldon is particularly focused on is maintaining its excellent safety record. Ryan says he draws upon his law enforcement background to find ways to keep employees safe.

“Weldon Contractors is committed to safety; we take it seriously,” Ryan says.

“We take pride in our safety program and want to continue to improve it. I can tell you that it has come a long way. We do awesome on the safety side and we will continue. We want to make sure people are being and staying safe, which is a

Dallas H Fort Worth

challenge with all of the jobs we have going and all of the employees here. It’s been an honor working here and it’s exciting where we’re at.”

Cameron emphasized that he is also interested in expanding the company’s training and education of employees.

“We reward our customers by investing in our employees,” Cameron says. “We put it back into this business and try to build a better mouse trap for people that work here. I’m impressed with companies that have curriculums, that have a practice of investing in their people and finding ways to train them and educate them. If we better employees and they don’t stay here, that’s okay. We want people to grow in their careers and that’s a commitment that we make here.”

With Phil taking on more of a “Jerry Jones”-type role as the years go on, the sons are also focused on how the company will expand.

“We have plans for limited and controlled growth,” Cameron says.

“We’ve sat in a spot for quite a while, and that’s a good thing. We spent a lot of time looking at how to not only grow the revenues but sales and the development, estimating and preconstruction. It’s been going on for a few years and we have a few years to go, but we’re getting closer to where we want to level off, what we would call phase II of Weldon. We’re on track to do it, and it’s a really fun thing to plan for growth and see it coming into effect.”

Cameron and Ryan are most excited to continue their dad’s reputation.

“I think the secret to Phil’s success is pretty simple: He does what he says he was going to do, whether he signed a contract or not,” Cameron says. “I think that word gets around. He has the respect in North Texas that takes 30 years to get.”

Subcontractor Weldon Contractors is located in Arlington. –mjm

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pent nearly 20 years in the banking industry before he realized he should really be in construction.

“I survived mergers and acquisitions and never lost a job, but was a little disenchanted with the direction that business was going,” Turnage says. “My eyes were open to other opportunities. I had a former customer, Marc Spencer, who had been in the painting business and sold it. We looked for an opportunity to go into business together. That’s when we discovered URETEK, which is engaged in the business of concrete lifting.”

“I didn’t even know what that was,” Turnage admits. “It was purely an alignment of stars that this opportunity presented itself to us. We bought the patent rights to the URETEK process and we started our business, URETEK ICR, literally at Marc’s kitchen table in 2000.”

Determined to succeed, the business partners learned the process, put their

single rig and crew to the test and wowed an engineer and a property manager on their first commercial job.

“Between [the testimonials] of those two individuals, we springboarded from that and used them as our references to grow our commercial market,” Turnage, who is co-owner and manager of production, says.

“Now we’re approaching 20 years in this and have about a dozen employees.”

Turnage doesn’t regret leaving banking, especially when he works with fantastic employees, finds solutions for customers, and enjoys wearing golf clothes rather than a suit while he works.

“I’m very casual, out driving around in my truck and working with people all day, and I absolutely love what I do,” Turnage says. “It does not get better!”

Subcontractor URETEK ICR is located in Fort Worth. –mjm

Growing gains

The Texas Stone Designs team (L-R): Jason Romberg (sales manager); Dan Grant (president); Micah Grant (CEO); Jessica Strength (director of operations); Adriane Walsh (office manager)

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icah Grant was in junior high when his dad, Dan Grant, started Texas Stone Designs “as a garage-style operation” 25 years ago.

Since then, Micah and the stone veneer business have both grown up; Micah went on to earn a business degree at Texas A&M and a law degree at Texas Tech, while Texas Stone Designs grew to a 20-employee Arlington store.

Micah joined the business 12 years ago after practicing law. With Dan’s recent retirement, Micah – now the company’s CEO – plans for more growth.

“We’ve made a lot of changes,” Micah says. “Over the last three years, I’ve really made more of a push to revamp the business and start growing it more aggressively. We’ve basically turned over all of our key personnel. We also now have a director of operations that we didn’t have before. We’ve totally revamped the company’s leadership.”

Micah also wants to grow the com-

pany’s heart and is reaching out to immediate and broader communities.

When an employee’s daughter was diagnosed with leukemia, funds were raised for her treatment, and after a distributor’s family member drowned, the company rallied to assist the family.

“I would like to find other charitable causes that we can help with,” Micah says. “I want to grow the business and make it a place where people enjoy coming to work. We’re trying to make a company feel like a family instead of just someplace you come to work.”

Although Micah says Dan “is mainly in an advisory role” now, he is happy to have his dad in his corner.

“He’s my mentor as well as my dad,” Micah says. “I’ve learned a lot from him; he’s given me a good understanding of business to try to grow with.”

Texas Stone Designs is a stone veneer product manufacturer in Arlington. –mjm

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • JULY 2018

Your fathers’ were very influential to you both separately and together, it seems. Would you consider them your mentors?

Tim: Yes, we both learned a lot from our dads. That helped us succeed both personally as individuals and in business. We try to pass that on to our employees so they can be successful as well.

Charlie Stewart President

Tim Underwood

CEO Southwest Construction Services

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CS is celebrating their 25th year of service to the DFW area and there is no stopping them any time soon.

Starting back in 1993, with just a sealing business, it has grown to multiple companies within the SCS Group including Southwest Demolition Services, Concrete Preservation and their newest company, Southwest Landscaping Services.

It appears their paths were destined to cross when Tim Underwood’s father introduced these two and, with the leadership and support from both their fathers, came the beginning of what is now Southwest Construction Services. Inspired by their fathers’ examples, they have built a company that employs over 500 people who are more like family; they believe that is the type of environment that promotes growth and respect for everyone involved and it shows in their work.

With Charlie Stewart’s performance drive approach and Tim Underwood’s strategic and analytical methods, this duo is in a class all of their own.

Why do you think you connected so well?

Tim: Charlie definitely has an entrepreneurial spirit that never gives up and I had the spirit to say, “let’s go for it.” I think that resulted in a supportive friendship, then a partnership to help grow into what we are now 25 years later.

Charlie: I really enjoyed working for Tim’s father when he hired me at Lofland Steel, who was the largest independently owned rebar fabrication company in the U.S. in 1983. He was a great man and Tim is very much like his father, so it works. Tim and I have gone through everything you can go through as business partners. We have become really good friends and I think our company is solid; its amazing to me.

Charlie: Absolutely! I had zero construction experience prior to Mr. Underwood hiring me. In 10 years, I was in the field working with all of the major players in Dallas and was a part of major projects that changed most of what we see today as the Dallas Skyline. I had really learned the trade through studying and working with all of these general contractors.

Our job now is really to mentor our employees, find ways to help them become better people, not just in the construction business, but for their families and life in general.

Share with us about the Charlie A. Stewart Memorial Training Center.

Charlie: My dad retired when he was 60 years old and found that retirement wasn’t what he wanted to do. My dad was here in the business’ growing stages and he was a very intelligent man in regard to mechanical work. He knew everybody and they called him “Poppy.” He stayed here until he passed away eight years ago. He was dedicated, and kind and it showed throughout his relationships. I was surprised four years ago when some of our employees here named the training center after him. It is a great memorial to who he was.

Tim: Big Charlie was a great man! It was an easy decision for the management group to dedicate his name for the training center.

What lessons have you learned throughout your 25 years in business?

Charlie: I was very fortunate to work for Mr. Underwood Sr. I learned a ton about the business and I was very fortunate to have been involved with the best contractors and subcontractors in DFW. I was always an entrepreneur at heart, but I had to have a place to learn and I learned it all at the Lofland Company. I was only 32 when I launched the waterproofing division of my company in 1993. Now I’m 57 and training the next guys to take my place. Throughout my career so many lessons had to be learned and I realized that the most important lessons were to be yourself, be honest and do the right thing – that never takes a day off.

Tim: To Charlie’s point, we know that we have and will make mistakes, but no matter what, we fix them.

L-R Charlie Stewart and Tim Underwood Charlie: We repair the mistakes we have made. We’ve grown by that and we tell the truth. We treat our employees and our customers equally. The lesson we have both learned together is that there are no shortcuts in life.

Tim: The plan, when I first started thinking about a career, was very different than what my father had in mind. He wanted me to get a construction degree, but I told him I wanted to get a finance degree and become a banker. When he passed away from cancer at the age of 49, I had finished school and Lofland hired me in sales. So like Charlie, I started my construction experience at Lofland in 1991. Some of my biggest lessons I took away from Lofland, and growing our business was priding ourselves in not burning bridges. We don’t want just a one job customer relationship, but rather a 10-20-year customer relationship. The guys we work with are our friends and that is why doing the right thing is so important to us. It is engrained into our motto here at SCS. As for the people who work here at SCS, we really do consider them family and we pride ourselves on our family here.

With 500 employees, how do you stay connected with them?

Tim: We try and have small company events throughout the year for office, field and other team members. They range from cookouts, hunting trips, poker tournaments and golf outings.

Charlie: We have annual parties with our employees and our favorite is our big annual field Christmas party. We love to buy a ton of prizes and hand them all out. These guys work so hard and they deserve it.

Do you have any of your own family working for the business now?

Tim: Charlie’s nephew, Chris Owens, works here and has been here since he was 18.

Charlie: My son Jeremy is now my “friendly” competitor. He worked here for about eight years, learned the business and is now an entrepreneur doing architectural concrete, and is making a name for himself. His company is the same as we built ours, on the same principles. I

am so proud of him and my daughter.

Tim: My wife is an interior designer and my kids are attending college right now and enjoying the good life.

What do you like to do with your leisure time?

Tim: When I get the opportunity to go on golf or fishing trips with customers and friends. I also love traveling with my family, especially when my kids get some down time from school. I try to spend as much time in those moments as I can because it’s easy to get wrapped up in work.

Charlie: I like golf and travel as well. For he first few years I didn’t have any vacation time. But after 25 years, I’d better have some time!

Tim: After so many years we found that maintaining balance with our work and families is why we work.

Charlie: Exactly!

Your company’s 25th anniversary is in October. What are your plans to celebrate?

Tim: We are very excited to be celebrating this milestone. We plan on having a couple of parties. One will be here at our office and another will be for our customers and friends in the industry at the Star in Frisco – but you have to bring a contract to get in the door! HAHAHAHA! All kidding aside, we wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for our families at home, our SCS family, our customers and friends who have supported us along the way.

Has the past 25 years gone by fast?

Tim: It seems to have gone by fast, but if you look back, there are so many memories. There have been so many good times with great people and some bad, but we are stilling standing strong. I consider myself and SCS truly BLESSED! Charlie: I can remember when we started. I cherish every moment from being broke and growing to where we are today. I think it’s a process everybody needs to go through to respect their business and to fight hard to deliver an excellent product. Those qualities make a great company and we are proud to be here.

Stand-down 2018

In recognition of OSHA National Stand-Down 2018, the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association (RHCA) had over 200 construction workers join them at Mountain View College on May 5 where they trained 185 students in the Susan Harwood Training Grant Fall Protection class. –cmw

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • JULY 2018

Page 5

Golfing at Indian Creek

Prescription for plumbing

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r. Roy Cryer, founder and owner of Delta 1 Plumbing, isn’t really a medical doctor; his Ph.D is in marketing and philosophy from Columbus University in Mississippi.

But if they gave out doctorates for plumbing, Cryer would have one.

He started in the plumbing world at an early age. His neighbor (Mr. Smith) was a plumber who didn’t have any sons. Hence, he would drag the young Cryer out with him on jobs, not all voluntary.

“He made me go with him,” Cryer said, laughing, “not always by choice!”

Cryer worked with Mr. Smith from ages 10-19. As a seasoned veteran, Cryer formed his first company–Cryer Master Repair Plumbing–at age 19. He had this company Dr. Roy Cryer, owner of Delta 1 Plumbing until 1989, then sold it and was a competitive bass fisherman until 2000.

On January 1, 2000, (remember functions of plumbing well. “The plumbthat’s when the Y2K bug was going to kill ing industry is a great industry,” Cryer all computers in the world), Cryer started said. “When we say we specialize [in a Delta 1 Plumbing. One reason why he core plumbing skill], we do.” This allows picked that date was that’s when the new Delta 1 to be honest with the customer.

64 percent of his work is repeat cusedition of the Yellow Pages came out and people would see the ads. (The Yellow tomers that he’s had for years. Word-ofPages were the pre-Google way of find- mouth works so well that Cryer does very ing businesses, for all the young readers little advertising.

As for the future, Cryer isn’t looking out there. Ask your parents.)

Today, Delta 1 Plumbing covers a 50- to grow his company, but be faithful to all mile radius in the Fort Worth area. They the referrals he can handle. Cryer might have four office locations, but the main sell Delta 1 to another firm when that day comes, or it might cease. hub is in Fort Worth.

Until then, if one’s home or business Cryer doesn’t go out on the service calls anymore, but credits his team. has a plumbing problem, the doctor is “’Without good employees, you can’t definitely in the house. Delta 1 Plumbing will cure what ails you. have a good company.”

Delta 1 Plumbing is a plumbing service

And, Cryer’s philosophy is to not be so diversified that they can’t do the core provider in the Fort Worth area. –dsz

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n May 25, 228 golfers ascended on Indian Creek Golf Club for the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association’s (RHCA) annual golf classic.

With two full courses, the event was a total success for everyone! –cmw Creek Course winners: 1st Place: United Rentals – David Plog, Doug Gaither, Mark Sweidan and Tyler Womack 2nd Place: Dallas ISD – Samuel Jefferson, Joe Davis, Joel Hodges and Jesse Benavides 3rd Place: NTTC A Kiewit, Austin Bridge

& Road, and Parson Joint Venture – Jonathan Kempfer, Joel Lasich, Marcus Navetta and Shane Schauman Lakes Course winners: 1st Place: Reeder Construction – Cole Reeder, Kyle Kent, Joe Mendoza and Tanner Whitson 2nd Place: Flynn BEC LP – Brian Rhoades, Jake Miller, Mike Angles and Ryan McCutchan 3rd Place: APM & Associates Inc. – Ronald O’Connell, Brian Adams, Keith Landow and Joe Coonrod

1st Place Lake Course

1st Place Creek Course

4th of

July

Celebrating Independence Day A day that represents the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States of America as an independent nation On July 4, 1776 the thirteen colonies claimed their independence from England, an event which eventually led to the formation of the United States.

As of July 2018, the United States is 242 years old.

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • JULY 2018

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • JULY 2018

Page 7

Lookback interest Trey Hardy, CPA Lane Gorman Trubitt, LLC Dallas, TX

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ith respect to certain contracts, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) requires contractors to compute and pay interest using the Percentage of Completion Method (“PCM”). This article explores why and how the IRS computes this interest.

The IRS obviously wants taxpayers to pay their taxes, but it also wants taxpayers to pay their taxes when the income is considered taxable. If the contractor doesn’t pay when the income is considered taxable, the IRS will impose interest.

This “lookback interest” prevents contractors from trying to benefit from delaying the recognition of revenue — and therefore deferring their tax liability — until the end of the contract period.

Understanding how contractors recognize revenue under PCM contracts helps to understand the calculation of lookback interest. Under the PCM, contractors’ recognized revenue equals the contract price times a fraction where the numerator is actual costs and the denominator is estimated total costs. Put differently, contractors under the PCM are recognizing revenue based on the costs they incur. For example, if the contractor had no expenses related to a certain contract for a period, the contractor would recognize no revenue related to that contract for that period, and therefore would have no tax to pay related to that contract. This is true regardless of whether the contractor has billed the customer.

Lookback interest is computed after the project is complete by looking back at the contract’s life and determining the revenue that should have been recognized (and the tax that should have been paid) throughout the life of the contract.

Since this analysis is performed after the project is complete, the IRS bases lookback interest on actual costs per year over actual total costs for the contract.

Because lookback interest is computed using actual costs instead of estimated costs, a difference can arise between the amount of revenue recognized by the contractor in a given year and the amount of revenue recognized under the IRS’s lookback interest calculation for that given year. For example, if the contractor recognized less revenue in the first year of a four-year contract using estimated costs than the IRS determines should have been recognized using actual costs, the contractor will owe lookback interest on the underpayment of tax for that first year. Conversely, if the contractor recognized too much revenue for a given year,

the IRS will pay the contractor interest on the overpayment of tax. The same interest rate applies to both situations.

In conclusion, the IRS imposes lookback interest to ensure that contractors are using fair estimates for recognizing their revenue (and paying their tax). If the cost estimates for the contracts are close to actual costs, lookback interest should be minimal. If the estimated costs vary from what the actual costs total, there will be lookback interest — either in the form of lookback interest due the Government or an overpayment refundable to the contractor by the Government. As always, please consult your tax advisor in order to confirm that the contractor is subject to the lookback interest calculation and to accurately determine to what contracts the lookback interest calculation applies.

After joining our firm, Trey has aligned himself to be an asset to not only our firm, but our tax department as well. Trey specializes his knowledge and efforts within our Construction Group, along with working with manufacturing, distribution, and real estate industries. Some of his current responsibilities include organizing and coordinating clients’ tax data for the accurate, timely completion of individual tax returns and simple-to moderately-complex corporate, partnership, S-corp, and trust tax returns. He also prepares and reviews individual, corporate, and partnership income tax returns, as well as state income and franchise tax returns. Trey’s additional duties include being a member of the tax training committee and the further training and supervision of our lower tax staff.

Under-kicked your insurance coverage Austin Goolsby, Vice President TexCap Insurance Dallas, TX

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e’ve all heard the phrase that he or she has “outkicked their coverage” when referring to a significant other. It’s a common expression used to suggest that you, a friend or relative is in a relationship with someone they believe is out of your or their league. The contrary can be said all too often when it comes to your company’s general liability insurance.

The commercial general liability (CGL) policy is provided to cover the two basic perils of property damage and bodily injury, and it’s made up of five basic parts. The declarations of the policy outline the basics that tailor’s the policy to meet the needs of your specific company or companies. Those include but are not limited to; the names of all entities insured, the limits of coverage and applicable deductibles, a description of operations divided up into classifications or class codes and list of their applicable locations, policy numbers and everyone’s favorite…premium. The insuring agreement contains the insurance company’s promise to pay on your behalf and defend your company should a claim arise during the policy term. This agreement is a binding contract between your company and the insurance company. Next up are the conditions, which cover the duties and rights of both parties, you and your insurance carrier. This section addresses your obligations to the carrier-i.e., notification of a claim or loss, non-renewals, cancellations, and the territory of coverage to name a few. In the midst of the conditions is where you can find the endorsements. These are the forms that can add or modify coverage that pertain to your individual risk. They also include the necessary forms to comply with today’s contracts like additional insured status, subrogation rights and if a waiver is included, primary-noncontributory status, a thirty-day notice of cancellation and a “per project” aggregate limit. Bringing up the rear are the exclusions, or what is NOT covered. This is the part of the policy that has all the abstract verbiage letting you know what they will not be paying for in the event of a claim. These can be a detriment to your company if they are not thoroughly explained prior to binding coverage and they can ultimately cause a company to close their doors. Some of the basic exclusions pertain to war, suits brought between named insureds (not to be confused with additional insureds), OCIPs or CCIPs, tract home work and violations of disclosing confidential or personal information. Insurance companies include these as a means to protect their liabilities from instances and scenarios

considered financially uninsurable, which are backed by years of case law, some of which is still on-going. Every carrier has their own individual guidelines on how they address specific exclusion forms but some may be able to endorse the policy and allow coverage to accommodate these limitations. Simply put, depending on the carrier, specific perils like professional liability which is commonly referred to as errors and omissions (E&O) or even pollution liability can be endorsed to provide coverage under the general liability. Other common coverages allotted for under the CGL are employee benefits liability (EBL) and employment practices liability (EPL), which are intended to protect the insured entity or entities from potential internal grievances by employees rather than a third party.

This basic definition of a CGL policy is a means to educate those that spend billions of dollars a year with their respective insurance companies and insurance agencies. The time of a loss or claim is not the time to read the fine print of the exclusions in your policy. The best practice is to be proactive and look over the CGL forms before your company’s insurance coverage is bound. As previously mentioned and more often than not, a carrier is willing to remove an exclusion or even endorse the policy to include the desired coverage. If not, there are more than enough insurance companies out there that will provide the necessary coverage to operate your business.

At the end of the day, we all get what we pay for, and either your carrier is insuring your risk or you are. The difference is knowing. Talk with your current agent and make sure you don’t have any unpleasant surprises at the end of your policy.

Austin Goolsby is a Vice President of TexCap Insurance, an independent insurance agency headquartered in Dallas, Texas. He is one of the leading members of the construction division at TexCap Insurance and has over 8 years of total experience in the field, on the building material supply side and insurance aspects of the industry.

For more information please visit www.TexCapINS.com or you can contact Austin directly at 972-720-5384 or agoolsby@TexCapINS.com.

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • JULY 2018

What is Safe + Sound Week?

Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX

Safe + Sound Week is August 13-19, 2018 A nationwide event to raise awareness and understanding of the value of safety and health programs that include management leadership, worker participation, and a systematic approach to finding and fixing hazards in workplaces. Participating in Safe + Sound Week is easy.

To get started, select the activities you would like to do at your workplace.

You can host an event just for your workers or host a public event to engage your community. Below are examples of potential activities and tools to help you plan and promote your events available.

After you’ve completed your events, you can download a certificate and web badge to recognize your organization and your workers at https://www.osha. gov/safeandsoundweek/

Management leadership is a demonstrated commitment at the highest levels of an organization to safety and health. It means that business owners, executives, managers, and supervisors make safety and health a core organizational value, establish goals, provide resources, and set a good example.

Here are a few ways you can show management leadership during Safe + Sound Week.

• •

•

•

Deliver a safety and health message Establish a visible presence to pro- mote safety and health Formalize and publicize your com mitment to safety and health) Take your commitment to safety and health beyond your organization)

Worker participation is meaningfully engaging workers at all levels in establishing, implementing, evaluating,

and improving safety and health in the workplace. This means workers understand they are a valuable partner in making their workplace safer and are encouraged and able to communicate with management about hazards on the job.

Don’t be scared - Be prepared!

Violence issues in the workplace Art Lambert, Partner Fisher Phillips Dallas, TX Scenario: An employee enters the job site wearing camouflaged clothing, carrying a large paper sack. The employee, who speaks to no one, has been acting strangely recently, making threats to his supervisor and fellow employees and making comments about getting even.

What would you do and why is this important? Homicide is the fourth-leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in the United States, so it is an important issue to deal with.

Defining workplace violence: Employers must understand the full gamut of

Here are a few ways you can engage behavior. Generally, workplace violence is your workers during Safe + Sound Week. any act that creates a hostile environment and/or negatively affects an employee physically or psychologically, including: • Show you are listening and ask for • Physical or verbal assault • Threats feedback • Coercion • Harassment • Empower workers with safety and

Workplace violence can be caused by

health information disgruntled employees, jilted lovers, • Recognize workers or teams for con spousal situations, stalkers, the mentally

tributions to workplace safety ill, people with substance abuse issues, • Partner for safety and health plan- bullies/racists and instances of robbery or ning murder at the worksite.

Factors that can increase work A systematic approach to finding place violence: Unsurprisingly, many of and fixing hazards is a proactive, ongo- the factors that increase workplace vioing process to identify and control sourc- lence are stress-related. Additional factors es of potential injuries or illnesses. This include frustrations from poorly defined means establishing procedures to collect job responsibilities, labor disputes, poor and review information about known or management styles (e.g., arbitrary or unpotential hazards in the workplace, inves- explained orders; over-monitoring; reprimands in front of employees, inconsistent tigating the root cause of those hazards, discipline), inadequate security or a poorand prioritizing hazard controls. Identify- ly trained, poorly motivated security force, ing and correcting these hazards before a lack of employee counseling, downsizsomeone gets hurt ensures that workers ing or reorganization, understaffing that go home to their families safe and sound leads to job overload or compulsory overafter every shift. time. If any of these factors sound like your workplace – definitely read on. Actu Here are a few ways you can find and ally, read on anyway.

Employer liability for workplace fix hazards during Safe + Sound Week. violence: A company can be liable for violence at or related to the workplace if, • Spotlight hazards and controls among other things: • Create challenges, contests, and • It failed to properly screen employees, competitions resulting in hiring a person with a history • Evaluate safety and health processes or evidence of criminal acts.

and systems • It kept an employee after the employer • Conduct analyses to identify hazards became aware of the employee’s unsuitability. natarajan.joann@dol.gov • It failed to provide necessary monitoring 512-374-0271 x232 to ensure employees are performing duties.

• It had inadequate measures to safeguard employees and customers from potential threats.

The potential liability can be significant.

How to prevent workplace violence: A number of considerations go into keeping a workplace safe. These include: • Screening (if you ask for references, check references.)

• Drug testing

• Policies (have and follow the right policies) • Training (employees need to know how to act and managers need to know what to do) • Security (good security – not window dressing) • Searches (reserve the right to search and make sure everyone knows it) • Threat investigation (if you hear of a threat, act on it. If you dismiss a threat and are wrong, consequences can be severe.)

• Employee assistance program (consider giving your employees an outlet to express any concerns. Sometimes just being able to complain makes people feel better.)

• Discharge (plan a fair and humane termination) • Problem solving (stop and think about what your employees are saying)

Common employer errors: Employers often ignore threatening behavior or even escalate risk through confrontational approaches or premature or inappropriate police involvement. Nothing heightens the tension like having a person in uniform around. Employers need to weigh the need. Peace bonds or restraining orders against irrational or desperate people can be of limited effect and may make people angrier.

Employers cannot expect employee assistance programs or the like to change an employee’s personality or make all the problems go away. Failing to document misconduct can allow an employee to think he/she is “getting away with it.” Plus, it creates a situation where employees are surprised when disciplined for misbehavior, which should not happen.

Develop a workplace violence prevention program: OSHA requires, in many cases, a written emergency action plan, kept in the workplace and available for employee review; however, employers with 10 or fewer employees can communicate the plan orally. Training is key so employees understand their roles and responsibilities in an emergency. An emergency action plan should address issues specific to your workplace. The annual fire drills companies have are shown to be effective when a fire occurs. Why not have a safety drill? It cannot hurt, and look how much it could help.

Art Lambert is a partner in the Dallas office of labor and employment law firm Fisher Phillips. He can be reached at (214) 2208324 or alambert@fisherphillips.com.

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • JULY 2018

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chop conditions. Let me assure you that my 23 Shoalwater Cat is dryer that most of the V-bottom hulls I have run in the past. This is another complement I get when we have to cross Baffin Bay from the north shoreline to the south in the middle of the day.

As for the power behind my Shoalwater, it was a no brainer after running the Evinrude G2 on my last two fishing rigs. From the best fuel economy of all the outboards I have run over my 20-year career to the smoothest steering system and the cleanest rigging. Why would you want any other outboard? And that’s not all. In addition to the extreme durability, the engine comes with the industry’s best warranty and maintenance schedule to give you the ultimate peace-ofmind.

Ultimate fishing machine

by Capt. Steve Schultz Sponsored by: Waypoint Marine, Shoalwater Boats, Evinrude Outboards, Fishing Tackle Unlimited, E-Z Bel Construction, Costa Sunglasses, Diawa Reels, Simms Fishing, ForEverlast Fishing Products, Interstate Batteries, MirrOlure, and AFTCO Clothing.

So I know your probably thinking that I’m full of bull shrimp and I’m only saying this because I get a deal on a boat.

Don’t take my word for it. Call me and I’ll take you on a demo ride. Then you will see why the 23 Shoalwater Cat is the hottest boat on the Texas Coast.

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here are literally thousands of fishermen that fish the coastal waters of Texas. Each of these anglers may possess their own individual idea of what constitutes the “ultimate fishing machine.” It’s no different than choosing a car or truck to drive. Everyone of them will get you down the road, but some there will take you to places that others can’t get to.

This season, I was given the opportunity to run a boat that is not totally new to the waters of the Laguna Madre, but certainly new to this captain’s style of fishing for over 20 years. Since day one in September of 1998, I have chose a V-style bottom fishing platform for my charters.

This decision came pretty easy because of the ride and comforts a V-bottom boat produced, and I was conscious about keeping my customers comfortable.

Needless to say, I was surprised when I launched my new Shoalwater Cat hull

My 2018 calendar is now open for bookings for the fall fishing season. The months of September and October are truly two of the best months of the year to fish. To schedule your next bay fishing trip or hunting adventure, give Capt.

Steve Schultz a call at 361-813-3716 or 361-334-3105 or e-mail me at SteveSchultzOutdoors@gmail.com.

David Biesenbach and Joey Farmer put together a nice box of fish last month fishing with Steve Schultz Outdoors. early this fishing season. Everyday I push away from the dock, I can’t help but smile as I ease the throttle forward on this awesome fishing platform. This boat opened up the entire bay complex for myself and clients to explore, without giving up any comfort or speed. No, my Shoalwater is not the fastest boat on the water, and there may be a few boats that have a few more bells and whistles than a Shoalwa-

ter, but I can assure you that you cannot find a more all-around fishing platform for the in-shore waters of the Gulf of Mexico. I’ve been fishing for four months now from my Shoalwater Cat and everyone that has been on the boat has been so impressed with the ride, speed and comfort. One of the things that has always been a concern with low profile cat style boats is the ability to stay dry on cross

Good Luck and Good Fishing.

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • JULY 2018

Ken Milam’s Fishing Line Since 1981, Ken Milam has been guiding fishing trips for striped bass on Lake Buchanan in the Texas Hill Country, You can hear Ken on the radio as follows: The Great Outdoors: 5-8 am Saturday on 1300, The Zone, Austin and The Great Outdoors: 5-7 am Saturday on 1200 WOAI San Antonio The Sunday Sportsman: 6-8 am Sunday on 1300, The Zone, Austin All on iHeart Radio

Lake life pioneers

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t’s kind of funny to think about because it just seems so natural now, but do you realize that once upon a time here in Texas we really didn’t know what to do with a lake?

According to www.brazos.org, there was only one natural lake in Texas, Caddo Lake, and it was formed by an accidental log jam. In Texas the usual way of water is for it to get dumped from the sky and you better catch it quick before it runs off.

Here in the Hill Country of Texas in the 1930s, a grand experiment was underway, just like the one in the Tennessee Valley. People always had a love – hate relationship with their rivers. The water brought life, possibility and an avenue for travel and trade. The flip side though was the nasty fact that rivers also brought deadly floods that had a bad habit of washing away towns and anything else that tried to get too close. Finally someone had the idea that it was time to tame the rivers with dams to control the flooding, hold the extra water for dry times and make the water that did pass through churn out a new commodity that the nation was suddenly so hungry for – electricity.

Before long a lot of farmers and their families were standing on the shorelines of new lakes instead of in the fields that had supported them for so long. Some of them moved to the cities to find work and built new lives and some stayed put and adapted to lake life becoming a new kind of pioneer. The old boys who didn’t leave knew from living near the river how to build simple wooden boats and how to river fish. The lakes were wider and rougher, but they were learning and newfangled outboard motors were getting more common.

It wasn’t long before World War II ended and our country welcomed home

In the beginning

our returning heroes. We no longer needed to manufacture a stream of war planes, but we had companies with aluminum and the workforce who knew how to meld it into the sleek aerodynamic lines for flight. To stay in business and help people keep their jobs, they turned to making boats – wonderful boats that were just the welcome diversion so many servicemen dreamed of enjoying if they ever got to come home to fish again.

That is the beginning of the spectrum of boats you see today.

Think about what it was like for our lake pioneers. Before them there were no water skis, wakeboards or fancy specialized boats. They were just a bunch of river rat farm boys looking for fun and having to figure out things as they went along. That’s what makes talking to any of these old timers so interesting. Nobody did this stuff before, no one could teach them, it just all started with, “What if we…”

Next time you are at the lake with the jet skis whizzing past and the wake boats thumping by and the center-consoles cruising along, think about the humble farm boys who had lost their way of life and found a way to channel their loss and confusion into the boating lifestyles we still love to this day.

In Memory of Max Alexander, 1932 2018

Half or Full Day Fishing Trips All Bait, Tackle & Equipment Furnished Your catch Filleted and Bagged for You Furnish your TPWD Fishing License & Refreshments, and WE DO THE REST!

S&D Plumbing on fishing trip in Taylor, Tx

Ken Milam Guide Service (325) 379-2051 www.striperfever.com

A muddy good time

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n Jun 9 Construction News editor Lexie Velasquez said yes to the No Mud No Glory 5k Spartan Race in Laredo, TX. Although she was familiar with a 5k race, the obstacle portion was unfamiliar territory, not to mention the mud. “It felt empowering to push oneself and have fun at the same time,” she said. Her and her team managed to complete each obstacle. –lv

Lexie landing after climbing the military wall.

Shimming across a rope over a pool of mud.

Lexie (right) and her cousin Diandra all smiles after completing the entire race.

Lexie pushing herself to get through the tire obstacle (and not fall).

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • JULY 2018

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Ride for freedom

pproximatly 800,000 motorcycles rolled into D.C. from around the country for the 31st annual Memorial ride on Sunday, May 27. The ride begins at the Pentagon, through DC, then onto Potomac Park by the Lincoln Monument. Thousands of spectators lined the streets along the route to observe this spectacular event, waving flags and remembering what Memorial Day is all about. It’s a great place to be to celebrate our military veterans and the fallen.

Construction News’ Dana Calonge and Reesa Doebbler rode along as guests with our designated escorts.

To view a video of Rolling Thunder, go to www. rollingthunderrun.com and scroll down to video.

Doebbler (left) with escort from Michigan and Calonge with escort from New Jersey

That famous Marine who stands in salute during the entire procession. Veterans salute him as they pass by.

Staging at the Pentagon in two parking lots.

Construction News in the Big Apple

Construction News’ editor, Melissa Jones-Meyer and son Avery, take in the sights in New York’s famous Times Square.

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • JULY 2018

Recognizing excellence

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t was a stellar night for the American Subcontractors Association (ASA) and its members at the 40th annual awards night. The event was held Jun. 7 at the Marriott DFW North Hotel.

In addition to presenting awards to its members for their top projects, ASA also recognized their member companies celebrating membership milestones from 10 years to 40 years. –cmw

Subcontractor 2018 Platinum Award Project winners : $0-$1 Million: Encore Mechanical LLC – Ft. Detrick Youth Athletic Center $1-$4.5 Million: Prism Electric – Choctaw Casino Grand Resort $4.5-$8 Million: TDIndustries – Texas Health Resources Recovery & Wellness Center Subcontractor Safety Awards winners: $8-$10 Million: Kent Companies Texas Div. I – Potter Concrete – Lakeside DFW (Elan Flower Mound Div. II – Kent Companies Texas Phase II, Overture Flower Mound, Lakeside Div. III – Haley-Greer Inc. Parkway) $10-$15 Million: Walker Engineering – General Contractor Safety Award winners Frisco Omni Hotel Div. I – Holder Construction $15 Million Plus: Walker Engineering – Div. II – MEDCO Construction LLC JP Morgan Chase Legacy West

Subcontractor 2018 Gold Award Project winners: $0-$1 Million: CESG – Lava Cantina $1-$4.5 Million: Weldon Contractors – IKO Shingle Paint $4.5-$8 Million: Carrco Painting – Toyota Motor North American Headquarters $8-$10 Million: Skinner Masonry – Lebanon Trail High School $10-$15 Million: CESG – University of Texas at Dallas Student Housing Phases 6 & 7 General Contractor 2018 Platinum Award Project winners: $2-$20 Million: Rogers-O’Brien Construction – Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

$20-$50 Million: Turner Construction Company - University of Texas at Dallas Brain Performance $50 Million Plus: Austin Commercial – Toyota Motor North America Headquarters $50 Million Plus: MEDCO Construction – Complex Multi-Story, Multi-Phase Hospital Renovation General Contractor 2018 Gold Award Project winners: $2-$20 Million: MEDCO Construction – Emergency Dept. Relocation & Expansion at Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center $20-$50 Million: Structure Tone Southwest – 400 Record $50 Million Plus: Rogers-O’Brien Construction – Legacy West

$50 Million Plus: Austin Commercial Toyota Motor North America Headquarters

$2-$20 Million: Rogers-O’Brien Construction Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens

$1-$4.5 Million: Prism Electric Choctaw Casino Grand Resort

$4.5-$8 Million: TDIndustries Texas Health Resources Recovery & Wellness Center

$50 Million Plus: MEDCO Construction Complex Multi-Story, Multi-Phase Hospital Renovation

$20-$50 Million: Turner Construction Company University of Texas at Dallas Brain Performance

A 2018 Beacon Award: Sean Ruff, Member of the Year

2018 Engineer of the Year: Baird, Hampton & Brown Inc.

$0-$1 Million: Encore Mechanical LLC Ft. Detrick Youth Athletic Center

$8-$10 Million: Kent Companies Texas Lakeside DFW (Elan Flower Mound Phase II, Overture Flower Mound, Lakeside Parkway)

2018 Architect of the Year: Merriman Anderson Architects Inc.

H&E comes to Aledo

s Texas’ population continues to soar, so does the growth in our Texas communities. Aledo, TX is no exception and H&E Equipment Services (H&E) is ready.

One Jun. 4, H&E announced the opening of its 16th and newest branch in Texas. Aledo, TX to be exact. This is the company’s 89th branch nationwide.

The new branch is located at 104 BPR Lane, Aledo, TX 76008 and will provide full-service coverage to customers in the western DFW area. The 23,840sf facility sits on three and a half acres with a fully fenced yard area, offices, parts warehouse, and a repair shop with eight bays.

The facility is capable of repairing a variety of general industrial and construction equipment.

The branch specializes in aerial lifts, telescopic forklifts, earthmoving, and general construction equipment from the following manufacturers: Atlas Copco, Bomag, Club Car, Gehl, Generac, Genie, Hamm, JCB, JLG, John Deere, Laymor, MEC, Miller, Multiquip, Okada, Polaris,

Skyjack, Skytrak, Takeuchi, Unicarriers, Yanmar, and others. In addition to equipment rentals, the facility provides new and used equipment sales, in-shop and mobile service, a comprehensive parts inventory, training, and other value-added services.

“The Aledo location will position us to meet full-service rental needs quickly and efficiently with the same high-quality equipment our customers expect for many years to come. Adding this second location in the Ft. Worth market will help us better serve our customers,” says Abe Farrington, Regional Vice President.

“Aledo is a great town. We’re really proud to be in Aledo. This new branch will cover Fort Worth west to Abilene, down to Stephenville and Granbury.

“Established in 1961, H&E Equipment Services is one of the largest, equipment distributor and rental companies. For more information, visit HE-equipment. com. “

H&E has 16 locations throughout Texas and 89 nationwide. -cmw

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • JULY 2018

Page 13

THIS TH MON Jan: Construction Forecast Mar: Construction Education May: Concrete Industry July: Electrical Industry Feb: Construction Safety Apr: Women in Construction Jun: HVAC & Plumbing Aug: Service Providers

Safety is key!

David Hittinger, Director of Safety, Codes and Standards Independent Electrical Contractors Alexandria, VA

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lectrical contractors work in a very competitive electrical construction industry. Electrical workers must be trained in safe work practices and National Electrical Code (NEC) compliant installations. Jobsite conditions can vary with tight scheduling demands affected by special equipment, such as lighting, generators, and distribution equipment.

This special equipment must be timely in tion (NFPA). The primary function of the delivery, which includes planning for NEC is to safeguard people and property weather-related delays that can affect the against electrical hazards. The NEC is one completion date when installing electrical of the most widely used and recognized systems. consensus standards in the world. It is a Regardless of any job challenges, true consensus standard because memjobsite safety is paramount and installa- bers from throughout the electrical intions must meet the NEC minimum re- dustry contribute to its development. quirements. States or municipalities may The NEC is updated every three years to adopt the current 2017 NEC and some reflect current trends in the electrical inamendments may occur. It is recom- dustry. mended to check with the local authority The 2020 NEC has moved beyond having jurisdiction before doing electri- the first draft stage with some significant ideas for change. The next step in the cal work.

The NEC is sponsored and controlled process is the public comment stage, by the National Fire Protection Associa- which is when the NFPA will be accepting

Programmable switching Kenneth W. Hengst, Branch Manager 4C2 Electrical Associates Houston, TX

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native of Houston, Hengst began his electrical trade career in 1974. He became a Journeyman in 1977 and then progressed to a Houston Master Electrician (HMEL 205) in 1990. His career has covered industrial, aviation and commercial installations throughout the greater Houston area, combining hands on and management roles. He is a principle member for the IEC on Code Making Panel 8 and a member of UL STP 5 and 6 along with a number of other committees working to enhance the electrical contracting and installation industry.

How would you describe the state of the construction industry in general terms?

I would say it is steady, but not spectacular. Health Care is active and new light industrial is slower than the recent past. In my older neighborhood, restaurants and small commercial ventures are very active.

Have you experienced an increase or a slowdown in business?

We have seen an increase in revenue and backlog, led by capital improvements to existing facilities by our customers.

What factors are driving this increase/ slowdown?

In my opinion, the increase is due to a better business environment. Higher sales are leading to the confidence to repair or replace aging equipment.

What are the “hot button” issues in your industry?

There are three “hot button” issues in the electrical industry. The first is maintaining and training a competent workforce. The second “hot button” issue is safety compliance. And third, payment terms which are trending longer.

Someone say “Party on the 4th?”

ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY

Sept: Green Building Nov: Architecture & Engineering Oct: Specialty Contractors Dec: Construction Equipment

comments for the technical committees to act on when they reconvene in late October 2018.

Some important topics that were reviewed at the first draft meetings include new language that would address electrical hazards associated with installations supplying shore power to ships and watercrafts, including monitoring of leakage current.

The Scope of Article 100 recognizes that definitions are also found in the XXX.2 sections of other articles. There are some new defined terms, such as Bonding Jumper, Supply Side, Inverter Input Circuit and Inverter Output Circuit.

The Hazardous (Classified) Locations defined terms will be located in a new Part III in Article 100, including new definitions for Aircraft Painting Hanger, Encapsulation “M,” Intrinsic Safety “I,” Outdoor Spray Area Protection by Enclosure “T” and Unclassified Locations.

A correlating committee-appointed task group was assigned to improve the usability of Chapter 7 and 8, specifically the Articles that fall under the purview of Code Making Panels 3 and 16, to remove redundancy within these Articles. Several changes resulted, including a new gen-

eral requirement for Cables and Conductors new section, 110.12(C). A new Article 800 was developed which would relocate numerous Chapter 8 redundant text in one location.

All of the proposed changes are subject to public review in the public comment stage that will be available on the NFPA website beginning July 6, 2018, and will close on August 30, 2018. Anyone can help improve the next edition of the NEC by submitting a public comment. V i s i t www.nfpa.org for a complete review of the next edition – 2020 NEC.

Want to learn from many more industry experts? Join thousands of electrical and construction professionals at IEC Convention & Expo 2018 in Indianapolis, IN, on September 19-22, 2018. Take your business to the next level with latest products, trends, and business strategies. www.iecconvention.org.

What is the most significant challenge your industry faces? (i.e. labor shortage, other) Improving the productivity of our limited workforce is the biggest challenge in our industry.

While we are in the first full year of compliance with the 2017 National Electrical Code, expanded use of arc-fault devices and the addition of several new articles in the 2020 edition of the Code will require all contractors to stay current with continuing education.

Do you see an increase in the number of outside contractors coming to the area?

No, I have not. The local workforce is very competent and while other parts of the country have been lagging, the Houston area is enjoying resurgences of their own.

What are the costs increases relating to your industry?

Steel conduit and all of the associated fittings have gone up as much as 40 percent this year and many of the commodities we purchase have been affected as well.

What is on the horizon for your industry? (Changes in technology; equipment; other) Increasing worker safety in existing facilities by advances in ARC-Flash technology.

Have there been any significant code changes in the past year? Or regulations?

Established in 1957 and headquartered in Alexandria, VA, the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) is an electrical trade association representing more than 3,300 members. -cmw

With the emphasis on green building, what is the most environmentally friendly change relating to your industry?

Programmable switching and the expanded use of LED lighting system controls have to be at the forefront of environmental changes. In addition, advances in the solar power generation are a close second.

What are keys to being successful?

The keys to success for me are Integrity, a competent workforce and the willingness to practice servant leadership.

4C2 Electrical Associates is a Dallas based company who specializes in installation and maintenance services for industrial.

-cmw

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • JULY 2018

THIS TH MON

ELECTRICAL INDUSTRY

To represent your company in an upcoming FOCUS, contact DFWeditor@ConstructionNews.net (210) 308-5800

NEXT MONTH (AUGUST) SERVICE PROVIDERS

Current flow of electricity Les Moynahan, Executive Manager National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) San Antonio, TX

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s July approaches, I will be coming up on my 22nd year serving as the Executive Manager for the South Texas Chapter. Much has changed over the years but change continues to accelerate at a faster and faster pace.

Our chapter remains active in developing research projects through ELECTRI International (our research council).

We attended and participated in our recent legislative conference. At the conference, we had dinner with Congressman Henry Cuellar and Senator Ted Cruz who attended our opening reception.

The Chapter continues to be an intricate part of Cross Border meetings (this year in Roatan, Honduras). Our relationship with our partners in Labor is also strong and vibrant. 2018 is shaping up to be a great year and the foreseeable future also looks good.

How would you describe the state of the construction industry in general terms? Have you experienced an increase or a slowdown in business?

I would describe the overall construction industry, as a whole, healthy and areas like infrastructure upgrades might even be described as robust. The

past five years have been good and the work picture for the next three to four years continues to look good. New tax laws, infrastructure upgrades, a strong global economy and a business friendly state like Texas are bolstering our industry.

As we all know, Texas is a business friendly state and it continues to draw new business from other states that are not business friendly. Also, there has not been an unusual amount of contractors coming into our market from other markets. In talking with my counterparts around the country, the work picture seems to be good everywhere.

What factors are driving this increase/ slowdown?

There has been a strong interest in apprenticeship programs and with the

Sustainable electricity Don Watson, President/Owner Watson Nunnelly LLC San Antonio, TX

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on Watson started in the electrical business in the field as an apprentice at Alterman Electric in 1994 and worked his way up to Project Manager. Three and half years ago Watson decided to start his own electrical business and it has been quite a ride!

“It is amazing how my network of friends and clients that I have built over the years have helped me build this company! It has and continues to be fun to do business with the people you want to do business with and not just bidding every job, but hoping to get something with someone you don’t know. I have been very blessed!”

How would you describe the state of the construction industry in general terms?

The construction industry is booming! It’s an exciting time to be in construction.

Have you experienced an increase or a slowdown in business?

Yes, I have definitely been experiencing an increase in business. The challenge for me is to not take on more projects than I can manage.

What factors are driving this increase/ slowdown?

We have some of the fastest growing areas in the country such as New Braunfels, Hays County, Boerne, as well as San Antonio. Texas is the place to be in construction right now.

What are the “hot button” issues in your industry?

Sustainable construction is affecting the construction industry as a whole. The electrical industry is no exception. There has been an ongoing push for energy efficiency and renewable energy and while most of these changes are on the design side of the business, we have to learn to implement them.

What is the most significant challenge your industry faces? (i.e. labor short-

age, other) The biggest challenge we have is finding skilled labor. We, along with the IEC, are constantly working with local high schools to educate our youth about the construction industry and the benefits of learning a skill.

cost of college being so expensive (and student loan debt being at an all-time high), this career pathway is drawing interest. High school counselors are finally starting to realize that a college education is not for everybody as are students and parents. Alternatives to college have been missing from the high schools for many years.

What is the most significant challenge your industry faces?

There is an increased emphasis on increased recruiting efforts, leadership development in the field and office. One of our most significant challenges is finding and retaining skilled workers and particularly skilled supervisory employees.

There is a need to focus on training for all levels for the skilled trades.

What is on the horizon for your industry? (Changes in technology; equipment; other) Technology is going to be the most important driver for the future of electrical contracting. The internet of things, artificial intelligence, smart buildings, human augmentation and even drones are impacting how we do business and this is only going to come at us at a faster pace going forward. There was a recent article on the MySA website that highlighted the fact that an Austin company is 3D printing small houses in order to provide these systems function. Electricians are used to light switches that run on 120– 277 volts and turn the fixtures “on” and “off.” Now a lot of the lighting systems are utilizing low voltage controls that are installed with Cat5 cabling. Lights come on as you walk into the room and go off when you leave. Then as the sun comes through the windows the lights dim to the correct lighting that the office needs, utilizing natural light mixed with LED. All cool stuff just new to the industry. I think that is one of things that I like about being an electrician; it never gets stagnant, we are always learning.

Have their been any significant code changes in the past year? Or regulations?

As I have already mentioned, the In-

What is on the horizon for your industry? (Changes in technology; equipment; other) The international Energy Conservation Code has been adopted by Texas.

This mainly affects lighting and lighting controls in the electrical world. You are seeing more LED lighting, occupancy sensing technology and daylight harvesting being designed into our projects.

We constantly have to train our team to make sure we are up to date with how

With the emphasis on green building, what is the most significantly friendly change relating to your industry?

The electrical contracting industry continues to become more and more environmentally friendly. There has been a continuous improvement of energy efficient lighting and controls like LED and development of power over the ethernet to power and control lighting. As systems continue to develop and utilize more “smart building” technology, this trend will continue to improve.

What are the keys to being successful?

There are several keys that are going to be needed by electrical contractors in order to continue to be successful. Succession planning, leadership development, strategic planning and adapting to and embracing the latest technology are just a few of those keys.

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) is an electrical trade association. -cmw

ternational Energy Conservation Code is a significant change.

With the emphasis on green building, what is the most environmentally friendly change relating to your industry?

LED lighting has reduced the cost of energy significantly. City Public Service is offering rebates for owners to change out their existing lighting to LED to help reduce the power draw on their system.

What are keys to being successful?

I truly believe that the key to being successful it to do what you say you are going to do, when you say you are going to do it.

Watson Nunnelly LLC is an electrical contractor in New Braunfels, TX -cmw

Golfing cowboy style

Do you see an increase in the number of outside contractors coming to the area?

I do see an increase in the number of outside contractors coming to the area.

With all the construction going on, many companies are coming in to take advantage of the growth. I don’t much worry about them taking our share of the work; they just tend to try to take our manpower offering more money, trucks and promises. At the end of the day, most of these contractors don’t stay and the electricians are back at our door asking to get their old job back.

What are the cost increases relating to your industry?

Steel has doubled in price since the first of the year and copper has increased significantly in the last few months. Projects that I bid a few months ago are no longer in budget.

housing for the homeless. They are able to print these small houses for around $4,000 per house. Single-story, 600– 800sf homes can be printed in less than 24 hours.

1st Place Morning winners

T

he North Texas Roofing Contractors Association (NTRCA) held its annual golf tournament May 21st at Cowboys Golf Club. To accommodate the multitude of golfers, the NTRCA had a morning and an afternoon tee time. -cmw Morning Tee Time winners: 1st Place: Danny Ahlers, Phillip Reno and Santino Romeo 2nd Place: Steven Hartsburg, Mark Snow, Jeff Pool and Jay Weda 3rd Place: Darren Kennedy, Jerod Niles,

Colston Rowley and Adam Swope Closest-to-the-Pin: Jacob Choate Longest Drive: Colston Rowley Afternoon Tee Time winners: 1st Place: Khris Killen, James Pendergrass, Brian Stamper and Jon Stewart 2nd Place: Rodney Bell, Mervyn Salas, Brett Scott and Jack Scott 3rd Place: Jonathan Haro, Ryan Morgan, Eric Thomason and Ray Wilcox Closest-to-the-Pin: Jody Waggoner Longest Drive: Darren Kennedy

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • JULY 2018

Page 15

Third gen, new look

Crimson strong

Allan Paxton with his daughter Carrie Edomm, the second and fifth presidents of Astro Sheet Metal. The old logo is on the left; the new one on the right.

Clint Pingleton, owner of Crimson Landscape

A

t 51 years old, it’s time for a facelift.

No, not Carrie Edomm, president of Astro Sheet Metal (she’s not close to 51), but the company itself.

Edomm is the third generation of the Paxton family to run Astro Sheet Metal.

John W. started it in 1967. His son (Carrie’s father) Allan was number two in 1983.

A year ago, Edomm became the fifth president, following brother Steve in 2009 and Warren Hankhammer in 2013.

Even though change can be difficult, Edomm is launching a new website this month and a new logo.

“It’s not just a new logo,” she said, “it’s rebranding, re-imaging.” After 51 years, it was time for the facelift.

Edomm oversees the whole company, having started out as a freshman in college doing clerical work. Now, she’s trying to improve all internal processes like communication and reporting.

Since timing is everything, Edomm has been cautious about changing too much too swiftly. But what charges her

batteries is making “baby steps of continuous improvement. That’s what makes me happy.”

She’s “very excited” about this new look for her family’s company. “It’s breathing new life into the entire business,” she said.

Even though Edomm’s only been president for a year, she wants Astro Sheet Metal to stay in the family once her time is done. Fortunately, there are cousins and nephews spread out all over the age spectrum who will ensure that there isn’t a drastic break in family leadership.

“The transfer of information doesn’t have to start all over again in 15 years,” Edomm said, “it’s happening right now.”

Astro Sheet Metal got its name because the Houston Astrodome had recently been built. But the venerable ballpark is no more. But, Astro Sheet Metal, is still going strong after 51 great years.

It was just time for a little nip and tuck.

Astro Sheet Metal serves the DallasFort Worth area with custom metal fabrication. -dsz

Stacking to win

On May 9, the United Masonry Contractors Association (UMCA) held a bricklaying contest at North Lake College. The contest began at 5pm followed by a prime rib dinner. -cmw

T

F

rom the battlefields of Iraq to the mega-growth of the north Dallas area, Clint Pingleton is meeting the objective and securing the hill.

Actually, he’s landscaping the hill. As owner of Crimson Landscape, Pingleton has traded his Army gear in for landscaping equipment. The former 101st Airborne fire supporter (they coordinate artillery, mortar and air support strikes) got severely injured while training others to go into combat, and had to be medically retired after 11 years in. He spent 18 months convalescing.

Pingleton’s wife, Heidi, was an Army MP. The two met while deployed to that lovely garden spot of Mosul, Iraq. She now works part-time for Crimson while serving as a children’s pastor at their local church.

The name “Crimson Landscape” refers to the hymn, Jesus Paid It All: “Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.” That hymn is a reference to Isaiah 1:18: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow.”

After his discharge, Pingleton returned to Plano, where his family has been since the 1800s.

Pingleton worked for Jabil Circuit as a facility manager at a data center while it was under construction. To supplement his income, he mowed yards. During this time, he saw that many landscaping businesses weren’t doing quality work and decided he could do better.

Crimson is a relatively new company, getting under way in the spring of 2015.

While doing landscaping came relatively easily, starting a business and doing the paperwork wasn’t. “It was definitely a challenge,” Pingleton said. “There are no books on how to do it the right way.” All the various state and federal reporting for this-and-that was hard, but Pingleton gladly says they’re on top of it now.

Crimson has its own facility, having started out of Pingleton’s house with just him and another guy. Being located in

the heart of Plano’s and north Dallas’ booming commercial district, Pingleton doesn’t have to advertise and doesn’t go beyond a 10-mile radius at the present time.

They are still looking to hire, however, so they can grow. By using résumé search engines like Indeed, Pingleton is intentional about hiring fellow military veterans. Crimson has 10 employees; five of them are Army vets (one medic, one MP, one infantry, and two Airborne).

Pinglton’s working model is: “No experience necessary; we will train.” This is in contrast to the typical civilian philosophy of “You must have experience.”

Pingleton sees a lot of similarities between construction, which is very “goal/ objective-oriented” and the military. “We give the employees a task and purpose, and give them the schematic for what has to be done, and give them the tools and resources and say, ‘Get it done.’”

Thus, when it comes to veterans working in construction, Pingleton says there is “no doubt about it” that they typically do well.

Getting the right personnel is the only impediment to expanding. The day Construction News interviewed Pingleton, he said he had two prospective employees, but none bothered to show up to be interviewed.

Even as a new company, Pingleton says there is no doubt they are “very blessed.” And, as a veteran of the redtape battles, he has some words of wisdom for other new business owners: “The best advice I can give anybody who starts their own company is ‘Don’t quit.’”

Don’t quit. From serving on the battlefield, to plowing his way through 18 months of rehabilitation, to slugging his way through all the bureaucracy of red tape and paperwork in his business, Pingleton has the right stuff to provide quality landscaping for his customers.

Crimson Landscaping is a commercial and residential landscaping company in the north Dallas area. -dsz

Electrical graduation

he Dallas Chapter of the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) celebrated the graduation of 97 electrician apprentices May 29, with over 800 in attendance. Mr. Julian Alvarez, Texas Commission of Labor, Texas Workforce Commission was the commencement speaker. The IEC apprenticeship is a four-year program registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are awarded a certificate of completion by the United States of America, DOL. and are recognized anywhere they may want to live or work in America. -cmw

Graduating Independent Electrical Contractors class of 2018

Page 16

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • JULY 2018

If you could live anywhere, where would that be and why?

I loved living in Austin, So Austin or Puerto Vallarta. We’ve taken our team and it’s always a great time.

Cole Garrison, WaterTight Roofing The Florida Keys because I’m a big fisherman.

Mike Slaughter, WaterTight Roofing

I graduated from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana in May of 2017 with a major in Marketing and a minor in Economics. I lived in South Bend, Indiana my entire life and have never moved from Indiana until June 1st after my graduation. I

had the opportunity to pick up and move to the state of Texas and I do not plan on leaving anytime soon. I always wanted to live in a warmer climate with beautiful scenery and a welcoming community and I believe I have found that in Texas. I love working at Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing, if I had not found this job with such welcoming team members I may not still be here. Texas is where I see my future and I’m happy I made the move!

Victoria Roush, Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing

Industry FOLKS Susan Thompson Director of Business Development Marsh & McLennan Agency

T

he book of Ecclesiastes doesn’t say exactly this, but “There is a time to work, and a time to retire.”

After Susan Thompson’s latest escapade in returning from a business trip starting in Midland, TX, it definitely is a time to retire.

First, the plane got to Midland late from Houston due to weather.

Next, someone on the plane got very sick, so there was a delay while they cleaned it. Then, the plane had mechanical problems, causing another delay. All told, it was a 16.5-hour day to get from Midland to Dallas.

Thompson’s son is a United States Air Force Academy graduate who now flies for Southwest. She said, “I can’t wait to text him and tell him about my day with Southwest!”

The former high school English teacher who admits she “can’t spell,” got into the business she’s in via a real divine appointment. She was teaching a Bible Study Fellowship class in Dallas, when a lady in her class had a husband who asked Thompson to answer the phones for him at his construction insurance company. She did it so well that she

continued from Page 1 — Foam and family The couple established their business in 1999 and worked primarily on the weekends. The company’s success continued to build and soon their weeks were full as well, with projects for Budweiser, Six Flags Over Texas, Dole Pineapple, the federal prison system and the City of Fort Worth.

“We got some really nice jobs,” Gary, who manages the business, says. “We like doing commercial, but we also do barns and hangars – anything that needs foam insulation.”

“The best jobs always start with someone calling and saying, ‘I know this is going to sound crazy, but I want you to do this.’ It’s like a challenge!” Sharon adds.

Besides loving what they do, Sharon and Gary enjoy the benefits their business offers.

“What’s good about having this business is that we try to schedule work four days a week and then I always want to have an open day for family, bidding or something that comes up, like an emergency,” Gary says. “With my daughter’s illness, my wife doesn’t have to work [fulltime]. She can set appointments, answer emails and run the technical and payment sides of the business.”

“I enjoy the flexibility,” Sharon agrees.

“It’s something that we can call our own time with. I do all of the bookkeeping, management, and taxes, and he does the bids and supervises the jobs. We work well together. I have the business degree and he has the knowledge and skills of the industry. It’s always worked well for us; we’ve never had conflicts as far as that goes.”

Next year, the couple will celebrate 20 years of business ownership, but will first celebrate 30 years of marriage in August. With all that Sharon and Gary have on their plate, these milestones have crept up on them.

“I haven’t even thought about it!”

Sharon says with a surprised chuckle. “I guess my main focus is on my daughter, who is the first point of our lives. We juggle everything – juggle life, juggle my daughter’s illness and juggle the business – so having a party never crossed my mind.”

But what she and Gary have put into these years together doesn’t escape her attention.

“We have kept a business – and a marriage – longer than most people,” Sharon reflects. “We do have a commitment to what we do.”

Subcontractor Enviro Tech Spray Foam Insulation is located in Fort Worth. –mjm

continued from Page 1 — A word to the wise

kept moving up into the business development job.

Marsh & McLennan Agency does commercial construction insurance and bonding, also insurance for non-profit organizations like homeless shelters and churches.

But now, after 13 years with them, it’s time to retire, which will take place on August 31 of this year.

As to the next stage of her life, Thompson is “really big into volunteer work.” Out of her home church of Park Cities Presbyterian Church, she will be involved in various ministries like prison ministry, crisis pregnancy work, abused children ministry, and West Dallas projects.

With God’s hand firmly on her life, Thompson will use her time in retirement helping others and being a blessing.

More than likely, she will not be a flight attendant with Southwest.

Nor will she be retiring in Midland.

-dsz

While college was useful, Wilkinson worked for her dad throughout college.

She said that real-world experience was far better for learning how things work outside of the classroom.

When dad’s plumbing business fell on hard times during the mold crisis of ’02-‘03, a flyer for Benjamin Franklin Plumbing came in the mail. He attended a meeting with them in San Antonio regarding becoming a franchisee. He also joined Plumbers Success International, which taught them the ropes of being a top-notch plumbing outfit.

Wilkinson used all her experiences and training and moved up to her current position. She went from organizing some receipts to organizing the whole ball of wax. Not bad for a country girl from southwest Oklahoma.

If operating a plumbing company weren’t enough, dad and daughter also run a separate business: Minuteman Heating & Air. They were interested in branching out into this world when Benjamin Franklin’s general manager connected them with a person who knew the business. In March 2015, Minuteman was formed.

Wilkinson performs the same duties for Minuteman as she does Benjamin Franklin, but with different dispatchers.

Keeping everything straight was “pretty confusing” at first, but Wilkinson said, “We’ve

got it nailed down now.” A big learning curve was discovering that the heat/AC world is seasonal, while plumbing is not.

There is an ebb-and-flow to servicing heat and AC that plumbing does not have.

So now this begs the question: What does a Revolutionary War Minuteman have to do with heat and air conditioning? Again, probably nothing, but Wilkinson claims they provide “revolutionary service” to their customers. Get it?

Both images – Ben Franklin and a Minuteman – convey wisdom, stability and a sense of foundation that Wilkinson says typifies their two companies.

Wilkinson has two young sons who may or may not succeed her in the family business. But, she says, they will, at the right time, be put to the task and get their hands dirty doing hard work. “Even if they don’t stay in the business,” she said, “what they will learn will stay with them the rest of their lives.” She is a firm believer in youngsters knowing that having a trade can be just as good for making a good living as a college degree.

We think old Ben would agree, for it was he that said, “A word to the wise is sufficient.” And Courtney Wilkinson is a very wise lady.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is a fullservice plumbing contractor in the Irving/ Fort Worth area. Minuteman Heating & Air services the same location. -dsz

Getting ready

The East Dallas small group of TEXO’s Young Constructors Council filled backpacks Jun. 13 for Hope Supply Co.’s Tools for School Drive. –cmw

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • JULY 2018

Page 17

Association Calendar

Content submitted by Associations to Construction News AIA

American Institute of Architects Dallas Chapter

Jul. 19: North Texas Sustainable Showcase 2018, Briscoe Carpenter Center, 1403 Washington, 2nd Flr., 8:30am-5:30pm. For more info, go to ntxsustainableshowcase. com Jul. 27: Book Drive Donation Deadline.

For more info, email sche@aiadallas.org ASA

American Subcontractors Assn.

Jul. 19: Bowling Tournament, Bowlero, Euless, TX. For more info, call Linda White, 817-640-8275 Jul. 26: Monthly Membership Meeting, Las Colinas Country Club, Irving, TX. For more info, call Linda White, 817-640-8275 CFMA

Construction Financial Management Assn.

Jul. 19: July Membership Meeting, Hackberry Country Club, 1901 W. Royal Ln., Irving, TX, 11:30am-1pm. For more info, contact Kelly Dando at cfmadfw@gmail.com

MCA Mechanical Contractors Assn.

Jul. 11-14: Annual Meeting & Products Show, Hyatt Regency Los Pines Resort & Spa, 575 Hyatt Loss Pines Rd., Lost Pines, TX. For more info, call 281-440-4380 NARI

National Assn. of the Remodeling Industry Dallas Chapter

Jul. 10: July NARI Night, Ferguson Bath, Lighting & Kitchen Gallery, 7946 TX-121, Frisco, TX, 6-7:30pm. For more info, call Kim Savelsbergh at 214-943-6274 NAWIC

National Association of Women in Construction Dallas Chapter

Jul. 16-20: Camp NAWIC. For more info, contact Shelie Gaffron at sgaffron@auipartners.com Jul. 17: NAWIC Membership Drive & Networking Mixer, Uncle Buck’s Brewery & Steakhouse, 2501 Bass Pro Dr., Grapevine, TX, 5:30pm. For more info, contact membership@nawic-dallas.org NAWIC

CSI

Construction Specifications Institute Dallas Chapter

Jul. 19: North Texas Sustainable Showcase 2018, Briscoe Carpenter Center, 1403 Washington, 2nd Flr., 8:30am-5:30pm. For more info, go to ntxsustainableshowcase. com

National Assn. of Women in Construction Forth Worth Chapter

Jul. 19: Monthly Meeting – Industry Appreciation Night, Diamond Oaks Country Club, 5821 Diamond Oaks Dr. N. For more info, email Lori Donnell at lorid.nawic@ gmail.com SAM

CSI

Construction Specifications Institute Fort Worth Chapter

Jul. 10: Chapter Meeting, The Gardens Restaurant, 3220 Rock Springs Rd., 5:30pm. For more info, go to www.fwcsi. org

Subcontractors Assn. of the Metroplex

Jul. 12: Learn at Lunch, MCM Elegante Hotel, 2330 W. Northwest Hwy., Dallas, 11am1:30pm. For more info, email execdir@ sam-dfw.org USGBC

U.S. Green Building Council North Texas Chapter

DACA

Drywall & Acoustical Contractors Assn.

Dallas / Forth Worth Chapter

Jul. 25: Membership Meeting.

IEC Independent Electrical Contractors Fort Worth/Tarrant County Jul. 11: IEC Party at the Brewery, Wild Acre Brewry, 1734 E. El Paso St., #190, Fort Worth. For more info, call Jo Britt at 817496-8422

Jul. 19: North Texas Sustainable Showcase 2018, Briscoe Carpenter Center, 1403 Washington, 2nd Flr., 8:30am-5:30pm. For more info, go to ntxsustainableshowcase. com Jul. 26: Tour & LEED Gold Award Ceremony, 1900 Pacific Residences, 1900 Pacific Ave., 5:30-7:30pm. or more info, call 214571-9244

s

Submitted to Construction News

Round-Up

RLG Consulting Engineers is pleased to announce the following promotions: Phillip Brugger, PE has been promoted to Senior Associate. He joined RLG in 1998 originally as a cad technician for the Civil Engineering Department. After obtaining his civil engineering degree from the University of Texas at Arlington, he moved into the role of project engineer and then to project manager.

Brugger is licensed in Texas. -cmw

Brent Lewis, PE has been promoted to Senior Associate. Lewis has more than 15 years of experience across a broad spectrum of civil engineering specializing in the design of infrastructure improvements for municipal clients.

He currently oversees RLG’s Fort Worth office and is licensed in Texas and Oklahoma. -cmw

Stephen Schwind, PE has been promoted to Senior Associate.

He joined RLG in 2006 and quickly distinguished himself with his hard work and engineering talent.

Schwind oversees the implementation of the latest design software for use by technicians and engineers for design and production of drawings. Schwind is licensed in Texas. -cmw

Dunreeth JahnsenCole has been promoted to Associate.

She joined the RLG team in 2007 as an office manager. Jahnsen-Cole performs and oversees the functions of accounting, human resources, employee benefits, clerical and administrative support, supplies and maintenance. -cmw

Diane Earnest, PE, promoted to Associate, has been a member of the RLG team since 2011 demonstrating a strong understanding of the unique complexities of wood-framed and masonry construction as well as a sound grasp of seismic design. Earnest is licensed in Texas, California and Washington. -cmw

Brent Jackson, PE has been promoted to Associate. He joined RLG in 2012 with more than nine years of experience in structural engineering on a wide variety of commercial projects. He has extensive knowledge of concrete and steel construction, having worked on projects across the country. Jackson is licensed in Texas. -cmw

Star tour

Down the road

L-R: George McGraw, Plains Capital Bank; Brian Kindopp, Staley Steel; Pam & Kelly Clymer, Mid South Fire Solutions attended the The Star Tour hosted by Subcontractors Association of the Metroplex (SAM) Jun. 7. –cmw

Foreman Joey Marsh by a long line thermoplastic truck

W

e had the pleasure of featuring Stipe-A-Zone Inc. in 2009, but we wanted to see what’s been going on since then.

So, since 2009 the company has increased their diversity logistically. It’s “drastically increased,” said Executive Vice President David Sargent.

They now have offices in five different locations, while remaining headquartered in Grand Prairie, TX and n have 16 acres.

The other four locations include Marshall and Lubbock, TX and Lafayette and Robert, LA.

Sargent explains that logistically the employees are more efficient because they are located in more than one area now. “They are not traveling so much to cover these projects around the state.”

Since 2009 the employee number has tripled to about 197 employees.

Of, course with their growth in numbers Stripe-A-Zone expanded their services to focusing more on highway striping and airports. In 2009 they had one long line thermoplastic truck, and today they have nine.

There are plenty of projects going on

because funding is available; Sargent explains there is an increase in jobs getting “pulled forward” due to the fact that there is plenty of funding.

“It’s the best time in history to be in the construction business,” said Sargent.

He also says with their additional locations they hold an advantage for bidding projects because “we are not an out of town contractor,” stated Sargent.

In addition to their expansion and increase logistically, technology has also played a role in increasing logistically.

Sargent remembers that back in 2009 the pavement industry had just started to see new technology in the marketplace.

Sargent said the equipment they are using today is so much safer and advanced.

Strip-A-Zone was incepted in 1950 and with all their gains they have become a permanent strip on our streets.

Stripe-A-Zone are pavement-marking specialists located in Grand Prairie, Marshall, Lubbock, TX, Lafayette and Robert, LA. –lv

Page 18

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • JULY 2018

Consistent entrepreneur

Classic clays

M

embers and guests of the North Texas Chapter of the International Concrete Repair Institute (NTX ICRI) had a great time at the 4th Annual Sporting Clay Classic, which was held on June 15 at the Dallas Gun Club. –cmw Team winners: 1st Place: Master Construction and Engineering – Don Weempe, George O’Reilly and Cary Stone 2nd Place: BASF – Jeff Lungrin, Patrick Jorski, Jeremy Bridwell and Jordan Miller

3rd Place: All-Tex Supply – Glen Turner, Ray Dickerson, Philip Jeane and Robert Cotton Individual winners: 1st Place: Derick Herschberger from Team George D. Alan 2nd Place: Jeremy Bridwell from Team BASF 3rd Place Tie: George O’Reilly from Team Master Construction and Engineering, and Ed Carter from Team Western Specialty Contractors

Josh Fritze standing by one of his machines.

O

1st Place Individual winner

1st Place Team winners

riginally from Colorado, Josh Fritze is a man who values consistency. Back in his Colorado days he and others would go day and night fourwheeling with a jeep. “I was known as the bucking bronco up in the hills. That’s how I got my name,” said Fritze. The nickname we are referring to is Bronco Bill.

This “bucking bronco” made another name for himself as owner of BBX Excavation & Hauling. The company was established in the year 2012 in Euless TX.

Yes, BBX stands for Bronco Bill Excavating.

BBX does residential and commercial dirt work. “Mostly what we do is in the line of civil work,” said Fritze.

So, what inspires one to move to Texas and open an excavation and hauling company?

Fritze shares that it is several different things. One reason was to expand his horizons. “Everything I do is always something new everywhere I go.” Fritze goes on to tell us his second reason is because he is an entrepreneur. Lastly, he

says, “The overall aspect of being able to do something that is in demand, hard work and [then] you see the rewards of what you do when you are done. Some lines of work you don’t see the things that actually get done.”

BBX service areas include the DFW area and areas outside of town, “not too far.” With that said, Fritze is his only employee with plenty of resources. A scratch on the back for a scratch on the back is how he puts it.

Excavation and hauling alone is a trade that doesn’t take a lot of crewmembers, whereas other trades are very labor intensive.

It’s a surprise that this entrepreneur does not come from a family line of construction mentors.

Nonetheless, his work ethic is carried through his value of consistency. “You have to be consistent on everything you do in life. It doesn’t matter if it’s dirt work or not.”

BBX Excavation & Hauling is an excavating contractor in Euless. –lv

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • JULY 2018

A

s second-generation owner of Long Electric and Air Conditioning, Tommie Long doesn’t run the company by sitting behind a desk in an air-conditioned office.

No, he’s out in the field (which means, hot sun) fixing everyone’s AC. Long joined Long Electric in 1979, the company started by his father Tom and uncle Harold. Long bought Harold’s 50 percent half of the company when Harold returned to Oklahoma in 1977.

Then, when dad Tom retired in 1979, Long bought out his half, becoming the sole owner, along with his wife Mary.

Currently, the entire company is run by members of the Long family, to include son Kevin and daughter Kellie, along with her husband John. Long isn’t sure if any of his grandkids will follow suit in the family business, but for now, the plan is for Kellie and Kevin to assume command once that day comes when he turns in his wrench.

Kellie recently completed her degree

Page 19

Long on service

Tommie Long, owner of Long Electric and Air Conditioning, next to his truck featuring Watson

in business and will handle all the administration.

While Long Electric can handle any

type of AC unit, they specialize in Lennox.

Long does light commercial repair and remodeling. One problem he sees,

besides the usual type of maintenance repair, is the home or business owner having a too-small AC unit. When someone remodels their facility and adds on a room or square footage, the existing AC system becomes too small to handle the larger space. The extra strain causes breakdowns.

The AC world is “constantly changing,” said Long. It is going to all aluminum evaporator coils to end leakage. When the government passes a new policy or standard due to environmental reasons, that word gets to the AC manufacturers, then down to the field.

Long likes to ride his motorcycle and go camping when he’s not busy keeping the rest of us cool. Long Electric and Air Conditioning is a total family business, and the next generation is poised to keep it that way in an ever-changing world.

Long Electric and Air Conditioning is an AC, heating and electric contractor in Irving, TX. -ds

Apprentices graduate

T

he 2018 graduating class of the Independent Electrical Contractors Fort Worth Chapter’s apprenticeship program was held Jun. 14 at the Bob Duncan Community Center in Arlington. There were 71 graduating apprentices.

Travis Childers of Cable Electric received the 2018 Outstanding 4th Year Apprentice award and Ganesh Pokhrel of The Brandt Companies received the “The Gary Dalrymple Award” for most improved apprentice of the 4-year program.

–cmw

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • JULY 2018