Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News August 2019 by Construction News

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The Industry’s Newspaper www.constructionnews.net H (210) 308-5800 H Volume 17 H Number 8 H AUGUST 2019

The not-so-new normal

Setting up shop

Stickers remind Terry Wagner why he has a perfectly normal passion for welding.

The IWR North American, Southwest Division team. L-R: Keith Myers, Jimmie Caldrer, Liz Christensen and Bob Sculthrope

erry Wagner admits that, sometimes, people aren’t quite sure what to make of his welding passion. “People say I’m weird because I love the smell of melting metal in the morning!” exclaims Wagner, who owns welding business MW Construction. Wagner’s wife, Michelle, would agree he’s weird, except for a different reason. “We’ll go out somewhere, like to a grocery store, and I will look at the welds on the shelves that the groceries are sitting on and I will tell her, ‘I wouldn’t put that much weight on that weld,” Wagner shares with a chuckle. It’s not so much weird as it is normal for Wagner, who has been welding for 20 years. Time spent in a company-issued 40-hour weld class two decades ago

forged into a career in which there isn’t much Wagner can’t weld. “I’ve welded little things and I’ve welded big things,” Wagner says. “I’ve welded on everything from fences to 18 wheelers to rail cars to overhead cranes; I’ve done a lot of structural welding with my overhead crane experience. One man even brought me an ice cream truck that he had bought for his wife and he had me weld a trailer hitch to it.” His mobile phone is full of welding project photos so that future grandkids can see his pride in his work. “Something that would be great to build would be a stadium or anything that will last throughout the years, that a lot of people will use and essentially continued on Page 14

WR North America (IWR), one of the longest-standing building enclosure contractors in the United States, announced in May the opening of a new office in Garland, TX. Headquartered in St. Louis, MO, IWR is a subsidiary of MHS Legacy Group, a diversified national holding corporation carrying a broad spectrum of commercial and industrial companies with roots dating back to 1895. The new office strengthens IWR’s presence as a nationally recognized provider of turnkey building envelope services and solutions. “As we looked to better serve our existing clients and establish new customer and vendor partnerships, the decision to open an office in this region was clear,” said Keith Myers, general manager of

IWR North America, Southwest Division. Prior to his current role, Myers was the executive vice president of MHS Legacy Group since 2014 and general manager of IWR from 2003-14. “The new office demonstrates our long-term commitment to our customers and partners and will greatly increase our access to the vast business potential and talent in this region,” Myers added. The Southwest Division will focus primarily on large-scale custom metal panels, screening systems, louvers and decorative metals. IWR’s sheet metal fabrication and glass and glazing departments, based out of St. Louis, will support the Southwest Division by providing access to the full line of service. The new ofcontinued on Page 14

Functional showroom

riginally founded in 1992 by Dick Arnoldy and Jeff Cook, ARCO/ Murray is a national design build general contractor with over 25 years of experience building all types of facilities. In 2013, Jason McLaughlin established ARCO/Murray in Dallas, TX. Today the Dallas office has 35 employees, specializing in light industrial, manufacturing, cold storage and tenant improvements. From planning to execution, the ARCO/Murray team uses the industry’s most advanced methodology to bring their client’s visions to life. Having constructed more than 4,000+ projects in more than 48 states and Canada, they have developed a wealth of knowledge and industry specific expertise. “Our unique approach blends our exceptional team with precise planning and expert execution to deliver the very best client experience. Our promise is to make the construction process enjoyable and ben-

eficial,” says McLaughlin. Bedrosians Tile & Stone knew ARCO/Murray was the right choice to construct their new warehouse, office and showroom in Farmers Branch, TX designed by Gensler. The new 114,000sf concrete tilt wall facility took the ARCO/Murray team nine short months to construct. The building acts as a blend between a warehouse and a retail showroom. The front half of the space houses tile displays and other tile products, while the back half of the space will house granite slab storage and display. The floor is diamond polished and features an average of 100 FC lighting levels throughout making it an enjoyable retail environment. There are three 5-ton bridge cranes spanning 250ft of the 550ft long building to move granite slabs around. The structure was designed to be able to easily exThe Bedrosians Tile & Stone warehouse, office and showroom, Farmers Branch, TX.

continued on Page 14

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Round-the-year safety

nsuring workplace safety has never been more critical. The construction industry’s fast pace, however, makes it hard for business owners to keep up with the latest in safety regulations and products. 365 Workplace Safety is changing that. The non-profit, internet-based organization is dedicated to improving workplace safety for its members. 365WS members have roundthe-clock access to online resources, such as professional human resource consultants and safety and risk management information. Members also receive discounts on safety products through approved vendors, thanks to 365WS’ purchasing power. 365WS works to assist members in lowering their accidents and helping to control their insurance costs as well. UFG (United Fire Group Insurance Company) sponsors a popular benefit in which qualifying members can participate in a dividend on their insurance premiums if the program generates profitable results. “Most of our members are small businesses where one person may wear several hats,” 365WS Executive Director Sierra Dwight says. “The resources we bring to them make their jobs so much easier. Once a person goes through one of L-R: Independent Insurance Group agent Chuck Ashton, my short webinars on the Trojan Electric President Manuel Gonzales, 365 Workplace Safety Executive Director Sierra Dwight, and Trojan services available, they are Electric Director of Field Operations Danny Clifton amazed how much easier we can make their workloads.” 365WS was established in late 2016, “Even a fall from the first rung of a ladder and currently has more than 200 mem- can cause serious injuries. But, getting on bers statewide. and off the ladder at the roof line is the “The reaction to 365 has been very most serious exposure because it is a well-received, once we get people to long way to the ground. When we came understand what we have to offer,” across this product, we wanted to field Dwight says. “Our major push is to try to test it before recommending it to our get people to go through a little webinar members, and what better way to field with us and learn how to access all of the test it than to have members test it for us. various things that we have available to Then, our goal is to see if we can get them them. Once they see that, most people a discount using the purchasing power of are really excited about how it’s going to our membership.” save them time and make things better Future product tests will be confor their company.” ducted in Houston, San Antonio, and Trojan Electric was a recent benefi- Austin utilizing local 365WS members. ciary of 365WS’s perks. 365WS and 365WS also plans to introduce a traffic Independent Insurance Group agent safety program to address safety for Chuck Ashton presented Trojan with drivers of company vehicles. new ladder extensions that allow users to Keeping his workers safe and staying enter and exit roofs by going through – apprised of the latest safety regulations is rather than around – the ladder. Trojan why Gonzales maintains his 365WS president Manuel Gonzales and Director membership. of Field Operations Danny Clifton “The resources and the people make recently field-tested the new ladder 365WS priceless,” Gonzales says. extensions with great success. 365 Workplace Safety in Dallas is an “Ladders are one of the most internet-based, non-profit organization dangerous pieces of equipment in the promotes employee safety. –mjm construction business,” Dwight explains.

uilt on a foundation of quality, service and performance, D&L Construction was created in 2005. In February 2018, Chris Berzon and Brian Littlefield bought the company with visions to outperform their client’s expectations. “Our promise to our clients is to deliver projects on time, on budget and with complete satisfaction,” says Berzon. “We want to provide high quality commercial construction services that are predictably cost-effective and on-schedule by employing best practices to deliver exceptional results for every client and for every project.” As the new owners began the process of taking ownership of D&L, they began looking at ways to grow the company. The first step was to hire a new project manager to shadow the company’s retiring project manager. Jason Parrot joined the D&L team and has become instrumental in the company’s substantial one-year growth. He grew up in the construction industry spending his teenage years working alongside his father who was a superintendent.

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • AUG 2019

Battling the breeze

beautiful but breezy Texas day welcomed shooters to the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) North Texas Chapter’s 5th Annual Sporting Clay Classic at the Dallas Gun Club in Lewisville, TX. 14 teams battled it out for top team honors, and individual shooters vied for top gun honors. This event and the chapter’s fall golf outing help to fund the chapter’s scholarship program. $2000 has been donated to the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Texas at Arlington this year, and just recently awarded four

$1000 scholarships to individual college students. -cmw Top Team winners: 2nd Place: BASF #1 – ICRI Past President Patrick Jorski, Jeff Lungrin, Jeremy Bridwell and WT Dyson, score 307. 3rd Place: George D. Alan - Brian Bruton, Carlos Sida, Jason Johnson and Derrek Herchberger, score 272. Top Gun winners: 2nd Place: Scott Petty, score 87/100 3rd Place : Jeremy Bridwell, score 84/100

1st Place Top Team: All-Tex Supply - Glen Turner, Harl Ray Dickerson, Scott Petty and Travis Matis, score 339.

Brad Tolson, Sunbelt Construction Services $500 cash raffle prize winner.

A growing D&L

The D&L team – L-R: Brian Littlefield, Miranda Littlefield, Dorothy Stephens, Jason Parrott, Ryan Minonno, Ashley Berzon and Chris Berzon.

1st Place Top Gun: Travis Matis, score 96/100.

➤ University of Texas at Arlington senior, civil engineering major and scholarship recipient, Ethan Ryals.

Formerly just a two-person operation, D&L Construction has grown in both personnel and an established project log. The company has two project managers, superintendents and a dedicated officer manager. In addition to growing the company with a good support team, the company has visions to capitalize on the relationship they have, nurture new relationships and expand out and around the metroplex. “We are actively trying to grow the company outside of Fort Worth and Tarrant County,” says Berzon. Specializing in tenant finish-out, the D&L team is well experienced in ground-up construction and looks forward to growing their experience as a full-service general contractor. They have a background with historical building and government facilities and are currently finishing up a project for a new restaurant for one of Fort Worth’s most renown chefs, John Bonnell, and business partner, Ed McOwen. D&L Construction is a GC specializing in tenant finish-out in Fort Worth. -cmw

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • AUG 2019

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Leaving a legacy

Scholarship golfing

EXO, The Construction Association, held its 3rd Annual Raymond L. Critchfield Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament on Jun. 27 at Coyote Ridge Golf Club in Carrollton, TX. Once again, this event proved to be a hole-in-one for the association’s scholarship fundraising efforts. -cmw Raymond L. Critchfield golf tournament winners: 1st Place: Structure Tone - Nick Warren, Andrew Riela, Randy Slagle and Stephen Dagley

2nd Place: Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing - Justin Lambert, Cody Waddell, Tim Hooper and Grant Imhoff 3rd Place: BakerTriangle - Brandon Sparling, James Sockwell, Eric Swinnen and Mark Long

1st Place team

Construction News ON LOCATION

Stopping by

Construction News stopped by to pay the staff at the Regional Hispanic Contrators Association (RHCA) a quick visit. L-R: Johnny Reyes, Neidy Aguilar, Brenda Morales, Yolanda Tafoya and Julio Florez. -cmw

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L-R: Bob Lowe (seen with brother Jack Lowe, Jr.) is leaving a legacy with his retirement from TDIndustries.

wo months ago, Bob Lowe’s retirement party strained to hold the swell of people celebrating the TDIndustries Vice President, but it also struggled to contain everyone’s emotions as they reflected on Lowe’s 43-year career. “I think one of the best things about retirement parties is all of the stories that people tell,” Harold MacDowell, TDIndustries’ CEO, says. “At TD, we’ve always tried to use storytelling and remembering as a way to keep culture alive, and there were a lot of great stories about Bob that day.” The story of Bob’s career at TDIndustries actually started before he ever worked for the company. TDIndustries, which was founded as Texas Distributors in 1946 by Bob’s father Jack Lowe, Sr. (and financed by Bob’s great aunt Julia Greer), first focused on residential work. From age 14, Bob worked summers for his dad in the mailroom, on service trucks and in attics. Bob left and waited tables at his brother Ed’s Celebration restaurant for six years but returned to TD in 1976, when marriage and the desire to start a family called. Bob, Jack Sr. and Jack Lowe Jr. wanted to expand TD to include commercial work, and Bob jumped in to learn all he could. He began as a sheet metal helper and, within a year, became a foreman. He then moved on to plumbing and pipe fitting and earned his plumber’s license. He learned how to manage projects as a job clerk and then became a superinten-dent and construction manager. He worked hard and moved up the ladder, but was always aware he would have to earn it. “Dad told me that if I was one of two people who were equally qualified for a position, the other person was going to get it just to make sure I was never shown favoritism,” Bob says. “But he said the advantage I would always have is that, because of my name, I didn’t have to worry about being forgotten.” Bob participated in iconic projects, including City Place and Arlington’s original

Rangers ballpark. In 2005, he was named Executive Vice President, but his leukemia diagnosis that year, followed by the death of his daughter Catherine one year later, “changed the direction of my life significantly,” he says. “I decided that I no longer had the desire to climb the corporate ladder. I wanted to enjoy life and travel more.” Bob and his wife, Connie, bought a lake house and focused on his three-year leukemia treatment and recovery. Within five years, he moved out of the main office to oversee work on the DFW Airport, a project he championed. Seven years and a final Fort Worth project later, he decided the time to retire had arrived. Bob looks forward to renovating his lake house, selling his Dallas home, and taking Connie on a fall foliage tour through some northern states. He is also excited to spend more time with daughter Amy, her husband Paul Jenke (a TDIndustries senior project manager) and his two grandchildren. As happy as Bob is, there is a twinge of sadness from those who have worked with him and who carry on the Lowes’ legacy. This includes MacDowell, who has doubled the company revenue to $630 million, grown the employee count to almost 2,700 and expanded offerings to mechanical construction, truck-based service and integrated facilities management. “Bob is the last of the two sons who were extremely active in this business and, for TD, it’s kind of a sad day that we no longer have any direct descendants of the founder involved in the business,” MacDowell says. “However, we’re also extremely excited about the legacy Bob leaves inside of the organization, in terms of the people that he grew, the careers that were promoted, and the legacy of leadership that will help carry the company forward.” Mechanical contractor TDIndustries is in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Richardson, Austin, San Antonio and Phoenix, AZ. –mjm

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • AUG 2019

Double checking the contracts and invoices for cash flow slowdown contributors

What is OSHA’s General Duty Clause (5.(a)(1)) and how is it used

Judson Southwell, Senior I, Assurance Services Lane Gorman Trubitt, LLC Dallas TX

Jim Greaves, , Associate Partner & Risk Management Experience Director Catto & Catto LLP San Antonio, TX

ssues with cash flows can come in any shape or form and are derived from multiple causes. One main culprit to these slowdowns is the same documents used to start and complete projects – specifically your contracts and invoices. Make sure to always read the small print When you think about cash flow issues, your brain might rush to the end of the construction project when you’re trying collect what you are owed. But the seeds of monetary discontent are often sown before a shovel hits the dirt. Case in point: the contract’s payment terms. In most common terms, contractors usually have two options. One option is to receive payments upon completion of specific phases of the job, or receive payments by the owner in equal installments over the course of the project or by what was agreed upon in the contract. If you have been accepting one of these options without question, consider how it can negatively impact your cash flow. Receiving payments on completion is risky since random events may occur which pushes out the completion date. For the installment option, this might leave you underfunded at important times where you need the extra cash flow. If either of these apply, you may need to renegotiate the payment terms. Make sure to know your customer It is obvious that issues with cash flow start with the owners. Owners may tend to draw out making payments as long as possible in order to benefit their own cash flows. In the meantime, your outstanding invoices can pile up and slow your cash flows down. One general rule in the construction world is that contractors must be able to get by with getting paid within 60-90 days. But, in order to increase cash flow, set a company standard to reduce that down to less than 50 days. This will vary, depending on the type of construction work you do and the structure of your contracts. But there are certain proven procedures that can be helpful. One example would be to use an electronic billing system to invoice the owners. This will expedite the time they receive your invoice. Make sure that your invoices

clearly state the terms, total amount owed, and penalties for making late payments. Make sure to familiarize yourself with every owner you are working with and modify your invoicing process that will suit the situation. With some owners, a clear and precise invoice will do the trick on its own. For other owners, they may need some assistance for a more handson walk through approach. This is usually true when dealing with an owner that has given you payment issues in the past. In these cases, go the extra mile to invoice the owner on time and send a follow up shortly after. Sign here We all know that everyone dislikes doing paperwork, but your contracts and invoices can determine the success or failure of a construction projects. In closing, make sure to pay close attention to the details and know exactly what you are signing off on. Judson has quickly established himself as a leader, demonstrating his passion in the assurance services department. As a Senior I auditor, Judson oversees the work performed by professional staff and serves as the primary link between the professional staff, manager, partner, and the client. He has a comprehensive knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) financial statements as well as a thorough understanding of audit practices in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS). As a Senior I within the firm, he works with audit teams through planning, management, and the success of engagements. Judson specializes his knowledge and efforts within our construction services, investment companies, and employee benefit plans. He also consults with clients on internal controls emphasizing efficiency and productivity.

Agreement in place

The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) renewed a partnership agreement that outlines how the organizations will collaborate on advancing workplace safety and health over the next five years. L-R: ASSP President Rixio Medina, CSP, CPP and NIOSH Director John Howard, MD, signed the memorandum of understanding May 22.-cmw

he General Duty Clause, found in the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, has become increasingly important to employers. OSHA can and will utilize the clause for penalty and enforcement actions. The discussion below describes the General Duty Clause and how it is being used by OSHA to ensure a safe work environment. Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 requires that all workers must be provided with a safe and healthful workplace. The section, more commonly known as the General Duty Clause, specifically states: “Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which is free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.” In simple terms, this statement means that you, as an employer, are obligated to protect your employees from recognized hazards in the workplace even if there is not an OSHA standard which applies to the situation or if hazards still exist after compliance with a standard. In effect, the General Duty Clause obligates employers to take additional steps toward safety if the well-being of employees is in jeopardy. How Does OSHA Use the General Duty Clause? The General Duty Clause extends OSHA’s authority beyond the specific requirements of the OSHA standards when a recognized workplace hazard exists or potentially exists. It is often used by OSHA when there is no specific standard which applies to a recognized hazard in the workplace. OSHA can and may also use the General Duty Clause when a standard exists, but it is clear that the hazards involved warrant additional precautions beyond what the current safety standards require. OSHA has issued General Duty Clause citations on other issues where no apparent safety standard exists. Citations have been issued for lack of training, failure to have additional safety or alarm equipment to detect or warn of chemical leaks, and failure to provide safe locations or safe access to valves or other instruments necessary to an employee’s job. What about situations where a safety standard currently exists on a particular subject? Are you doing enough if you are in compliance with OSHA’s safety standard? The answer, unfortunately, is maybe not. OSHA has also used the General Duty Clause to cite employers who knew that an OSHA standard was inadequate to protect their employees from harm. If an employer knows a particular safety standard is inadequate to protect his workers against a specific hazard(s) it is intended to address, or that the conditions in their place of employment are such that the safety standards will not adequately deal with the hazards to which their employees are exposed, the employer has a duty under Section 5(a)(1) to take whatever measures may be required by the Act, over and above those mandated by the safety standard, to safeguard his workers. Summary of requirements Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 places additional responsibilities on the employer and the safety manager to ensure that a safe work environment is provided to all employees. The General Duty Clause is being increasingly applied to a wide vari-

ety of situations, many of which have not been addressed by a specific OSHA standard. What may be even more disconcerting, however, is that general duty citations can also be issued if OSHA feels that additional safety equipment or procedures are necessary beyond what is required in an OSHA standard. Thus, the General Duty Clause is making it increasingly difficult for companies to fully comply with OSHA’s requirements. One way to deal with the threat of general duty violations is to make good faith efforts to correct existing workplace hazards and to identify and address new hazards as they appear. Some steps you can take to accomplish this goal include: • Investigate every accident or injury in the workplace to determine the root cause and identify actions that need to be taken to prevent if from recurring; • Conduct job hazard analyses to identify the specific hazards associated with every job and to identify new job hazards; • Document your training efforts and conduct periodic retraining as necessary; • Consider establishing an employee safety committee in the workplace; and • When you have met the letter of the law,” step back, and critically assess whether the process might still be unsafe • Hold your foremen, supervisors and management accountable for safety on the jobsites. Prior to joining the team at Catto & Catto, Jim worked with the Baptist Health System as Safety Manager. He has gained vast experience in the safety field working in the construction, manufacturing, retail, hospitality and healthcare industries. As a working Director, Jim currently handles risk management and safety programs for non-profit, social service, educational and healthcare related businesses throughout the state of Texas. He is closely involved with the Risk Management team members to ensure that clients receive exceptional risk management, safety and claims consultation services. Jim received his Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tulsa. He is certified as a Field Safety Representative (FSR) and as an approved Professional Safety Source (PSS) by the State of Texas. Jim is a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), Applied Ergonomics from HumanTech, and a Master Instructor for the Crisis Prevention Institute. Jim is also a Certified Active Shooter Instructor through the ALICE Training Institute. Catto & Catto LLP was founded in 1933, and we are the largest independently owned firm in Central Texas providing thoughtfully developed and professionally delivered solutions to our clients. Our firm is driven by a passion to create risk intelligent cultures. Therefore, we take a global view on complex risk issues inherent to each client through our diagnostic audit process, the Catto & Catto Experience. The result? Engaged executives, informed staff, increased efficiency and decreased total cost of risk. 210.222.2161 x239 jgreaves@catto.com

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • AUG 2019

Page 5

Top cybersecurity concerns for the construction industry

The facts about OSHA 10 & 30 hour cards

Denis G. Ducran, Senior Counsel Peckar & Abramson Houston, TX

Joann Natarajan Compliance Assistance Specialist OSHA Austin, TX

odern technology has made many things more convenient, from email in your pocket to looking at who is ringing your doorbell by glancing at your phone. But constant connectivity has also opened us up to attacks and as such, it is more important than ever to be vigilant and prepared. Because the construction industry is not always at the forefront of adopting new forms of technology, particular emphasis must be placed on cybersecurity and data privacy. Below are some of the top concerns for the construction industry related to cybersecurity and data privacy and why ongoing training is essential. The Internet of Things In today’s world, we are hard-pressed to find devices which are not “smart” or connected to the internet. Every time you ask Siri a question or start the car from an app on your phone, you are using the internet. Baby monitors, HVAC systems, home security, smart lightbulbs, the list that makes up the internet of things goes on and on. All of this connectivity is wonderfully convenient, but any time a piece of equipment accesses the internet, it is exposed to hackers. Many people may ask, “what does it matter if hackers gain access to the air conditioner?” Besides the obvious temperature control issues, this can be a point of entry for hackers to gain access to more sensitive computer systems where personal and business information is stored. Many believe that is exactly what happened during Target’s well-publicized data breach. Hackers gained access to Target’s POS system through an HVAC vendor without proper security. As a result, training is essential for contractors and subcontractors who are given access to networks or other portals.

willingly provide thinking that the attacker is a trusted colleague. Spear phishers go after who they believe are likely to have access to and will provide them the information they need.

Jobsite Security Hackers will always seek the path of least resistance. If the front door is locked why not see if the back door will open? With cyber attacks making headlines many companies have invested money in securing their data and implementing best practices regarding cyber security in the home office. But what about on the jobsite? Construction sites are buzzing with activity and oftentimes have computers or devices that connect to networks at the home office. If devices are left unlocked or someone enters a restricted area undetected they now have access to those systems and the money and time invested in securing the home office was for naught. For this reason, dual-factor security is gaining popularity and highly recommended by IT professionals. This type of security requires a secondary device such as a smart phone to log into a computer.

Liability Liability in the event of a cyber attack is a major concern in the construction industry. Who is to blame and who should bear any losses? Whether it is the owner/developer, the contractor or the subcontractor the fingers will be pointing. Going even one step further, what will insurance cover in the event of a cyber attack or data breach? It will be very important moving into the future that cyber security and data privacy concerns are worked into contracts so that everything is clear from the outset. With proper training, hopefully liability will not be the ultimate problem, but it is important to consult with an attorney fluent in these issues when drafting and negotiating contracts. Fortunately, many insurance markets have started to offer cyberinsurance products to protect against some of these risks.

Phishing/Spear phishing While not specific to the construction industry, phishing and spear phishing are major threats that must be protected against. Numerous contractors have been victimized by these scams to the tune of millions of dollars. With potentially hundreds of employees, hackers want Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or access to company information that can, in some way, get them money. With phishing, attackers are looking for information or login info from the target. This will be a more generic email casting a wide net looking for low-hanging fruit. Spear phishing is more targeted. Attackers engage in social engineering, such as looking at LinkedIn or other websites to find out who your colleagues are, potentially spoof their email addresses and mention colleagues in an email, ultimately hoping that you will provide the information they need to access your system or steal personal information that you

Payments One major cyber security problem many companies face is spoofing – where an email looks like it is coming from a reputable, known source. The email appears to be from a friend, colleague, vendor, etc. when it is actually from a malicious actor. The construction industry deals with many payments from developer to contractor and contractor to subcontractor. Often these are very large sums of money. If an outside actor finds out about a regularly scheduled wire transfer they can send an email shortly before or at the time a payment is due asking the company to change the routing information. At that point, if undetected, the money is being handed to the attacker instead of its intended recipient. This can create substantial financial loss, and in the worst case, causes companies to go out of business.

Government Requirements Anyone working on public projects or government contracts will need to not only be aware of cybersecurity issues to protect public infrastructure, but also will need to understand government requirements related to cybersecurity. Depending on the project, contractors will need to adhere to different standards about cybersecurity and data protection. The construction industry faces daily challenges due to the complexities of cyber security, information integrity and data privacy. Increased awareness and ongoing training will assist the construction industry avoid incidents before they occur. Denis G. Ducran is Senior Counsel in Peckar & Abramson’s Houston office. A board-certified construction lawyer and registered architect, he focuses primarily on construction industry transactions, litigation, arbitration and risk management. He may be reached at: dducran@pecklaw.com.

any general contractors ask their subcontractors to obtain OSHA cards for their workers. This often refers to OSHA’s 10-hour and 30-hour safety courses. Unfortunately, there has been an increase in fraudulent activity related to these courses over the past several years. Knowing the facts can help workers avoid fraudulent trainers and courses. FACT: Only OSHA-authorized trainers may teach 10- and 30-hour safety courses and issue OSHA student course completion cards. These trainers are authorized by an OSHA Education Center to teach OSHA 10 and 30 hour courses. The 10-hour safety course covers general safety and health hazards for entry-level workers. The 30-hour safety course provides a greater variety of safety subjects and in-depth, industry-specific training and is intended for supervisors and workers with safety and health responsibility. While fraudulent actors may advertise OSHA 10-hour training, only OSHA-authorized trainers can issue course completion cards at the end of the training. FACT: OSHA publishes a public list of authorized trainers at: https://www.osha. gov/dte/outreach/outreach_trainers. html to help workers find legitimate training and avoid fraud. The list provides trainer names and contact information, and denotes which course each trainer is authorized to teach (i.e., construction, general industry, maritime, disaster site worker). Courses are also available in Spanish and online from the appropriate authorized trainer. FACT: Taking the course does NOT guarantee employment. While OSHA believes this training is an important first step towards workplace safety, beware of advertisements “guaranteeing” jobs after taking the course.

FACT: OSHA does not require completion of these courses, but may require other training for workers that encounter certain workplace hazards. Although some states, cities, and job creators have mandated Outreach Training Program courses as a prerequisite to employment, OSHA does not require the training. In other cases, jobs may include workplace hazards that require training to meet OSHA standards, such as training on common chemical hazards encountered in the workplace, or operator training for specific powered industrial trucks on the jobsite. Be sure to check your local requirements and consult the relevant OSHA regulations. FACT: The OSHA 10 hour card belongs to the worker that attended the course. The employer is not allowed to keep worker’s cards, even though the employer may have paid for the worker to attend an OSHA 10 or 30 hour class. Keep these facts in mind when searching for courses and trainers to ensure proper safety training and avoid fraudulent courses. If you come across any fraudulent actors, please contact the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General at https://www.oig.dol.gov/ contact.htm For more information, visit the Outreach Training Program website at: https://www.osha.gov/dte/outreach/ natarajan.joann@dol.gov 512-374-0271 x232

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • AUG 2019

intensive tasks. I was always interested in the tractors. I started driving a tractor when I was about 9 years old on my grandfather’s farm.

Josh Fritze

Owner BBX Excavation Euless, TX

t took Josh Fritze 14 years working in the computer field before he realized that he would rather work in dirt than data systems. Trading software for a skid steer in 2010, Fritze established BBX Excavation and is digging the career change. Share about your background and how you were introduced to the construction industry. I was born and raised in Colorado Springs, CO and was pretty much raised in Fort Collins, CO. My dad actually had a construction company back in the day called Colorado Quality Homes. Did you help out your dad when you were young? I sure did! I remember digging a lot of holes and doing framing work and construction cleanup and digging out septic tanks. However, my main focus was on the machine side as opposed to doing concrete and doing labor and

Did you think construction was a career you might pursue when you were older? I had a love/hate relationship with it, like people have with a lot of things in life. There is never something that you are going to find that will be 100% bliss. You have to take the lesser of the two evils, so to speak, and just run with that. Construction work can be very enjoyable at times and then it can be very unenjoyable at times. It can be enjoyable for several reasons. For one, you get to see something that is created from nothing. More than anything else you can do on the planet, you can do something where you can actually see something that was built and created and that will be standing for a long time. When it’s nice out and the weather is cooperating, it’s fun to be outside. The bad thing is when the weather isn’t cooperating and it’s too hot or too cold, it’s not. Working in it as I grew up, it wasn’t something where I thought that it was the end all be all, but now it’s nice to be able to get up in the morning and know that you are somewhat in control of your life, so to speak. What path did your life take after high school? By the time I was 19, my dad had wrapped things up with his business and after high school, I went to college Regis University and got a degree in computer networks. I started working with computers, systems, databases and networks and I did that for 14 years. I didn’t actually do full-time construction until 10 years ago, although on the side, I occasionally did painting, welding and mechanic work, which has always been

BBX Excavation owner Josh Fritze has been digging the career change he made nine years ago.

kind of a hobby of mine. What motivated you to pursue a career in excavation? I realized I wasn’t designed to be in an office. It took me 14 years to figure it out. I just don’t have that personality. I’m more of a free-spirited individual and – I hate to say it – I say what is on my mind a lot! When you are inside an office, people and bosses don’t like that and it causes problems. I didn’t have many problems when I was in IT, but it seemed like I was holding myself back all of the time. In 2010, I bought a skid steer I saw in a newspaper for $7500 and a brokendown dump truck, and that’s how I started BBX Excavation. I started with no contacts, no money, no nothing. I actually went $10,000 in the hole on credit cards and then I started a family all at the same time! Those first three years were brutal, and I wasn’t even doing excavation; I was doing anything known to man – landscaping, replacing bushes, lawnmowing – anything I could just to bring a dollar in that day because I couldn’t wait until I was down the road. Now, I can take jobs that don’t pay for 30 to 90 days, but man, it was a rough, rough, rough start. I would not recommend it to anyone. I should have had save up another six months’ to a year’s salary before I started my business, but that didn’t happen. How has BBX Excavation evolved in the past nine years? At first, I used Craigslist a lot to find jobs, and then got jobs through people at church or anywhere I could. I now have a shop and about 12 pieces of equipment now: a track loader, two skid steers, three trucks, a soil mixer, an excavator, a dozer, a compactor, a crane, and a scraper. I do get help with I need help, but my work is such that I can do most of the work myself. I love my tractors, running the machines and moving dirt. Have you ever found anything interesting on a site you have excavated? Sometimes when I am digging, I’ll see an old water table. When I’m digging in limestone, I can see evidence of the Crustacean period, like shells and crayfish. When I demolished a house recently, I found letters from the World War II period. The letters showed a girl and a guy writing back and forth. I have a box of them, and they are very interesting. I don’t know why they were left behind; I asked everyone I could to try to give them back. What are your plans for the future of BBX Excavation? Right now, we’re holding steady. We’re not trying to grow right now. We have a lot of things paid off and to the point where we want to start saving so that we can run off of cash instead of credit. I have some other business oppor-

tunities I’m working on; you have to have more than one. I can keep growing BBX Excavation, but I should have started when I was 19 or in my 20s, not in my 30s.I’m almost 41 now and to grow this business, I don’t want to take out a loan. The only way to grow is to hire more people, get a bigger building, get more equipment, do more jobs, and then I have more headaches, and I’m just not into headaches! Right now, we have what we need. That’s the direction we’re headed right now. What do you do for fun when you aren’t working? I don’t really do anything for fun right now! I pretty much just work around the clock – weekends, evening, days – and then I work on my other businesses, too. My wife and kids are awesome; I wouldn’t trade them for anything! In between my family and my work maintaining and fixing the machines, buying parts for them and my side hustles, there is no fun except for going to Colorado once or twice a year; I go up there for a week or so and go skiing; I absolutely love skiing; I recommend Keystone. Once I cross that state line, it’s mentally night and day. I’m on vacation and I’m not even thinking about work, just complete fun. I have some land in Colorado, and I plan on building a house up there in the mountains. I want to go up there and start taking it easy down the road. My hope is that I make it to at least 75 years old, get up to Colorado and enjoy the rest of my days. I would like five or ten years up there of peace and quiet Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to break into your industry? My recommendation is that success can be had if you work really hard for it. I’ve made good money doing this and there are a lot of benefits from doing this work. I have some time where I don’t have to show up to a job every single day from 9 to 5, and there are times when I don’t have work because of the weather. If you put the time and work in, you will be surprised what you can accomplish, but that’s the key: you have to put in the time in. Subcontractor BBX Excavation in Euless provides tractor work for commercial, and residential projects. –mjm

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • AUG 2019

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Surfs up for speckled trout by Capt. Steve Schultz Sponsored by: Waypoint Marine, Shoalwater Boats, Evinrude Outboards, Fishing Tackle Unlimited, Shimano Reels, E-Z Bel Construction, Costa Sunglasses, Simms Fishing, ForEverlast Fishing Products, PowerPro, Interstate Batteries, MirrOlure, JL Marines Power-Pole, AFW and AFCO Clothing

he population of speckled trout in the surf along the Gulf of Mexico is, quite frankly, enormous. This somewhat seasonal fishery is sometimes under fished (mostly due to wind conditions in the spring, fall and winter) and not only harbors sizable quantities of fish but many times offers quality trout weighing up to eight lbs or more. Those who learn

Latest surf outing with Turner South Texas Marketing Dept. included Cali, Kayla, Alexa and Mike. Limits of trout by 10am and a neat photo opt at the famous Port A lighthouse.

Hello, moto

t doesn’t matter how many spills she takes, nothing can keep Erika French off of her bike. “I just love motocross; it’s my favorite thing to do,” French, the Lift365 Equipment Rental owner says. “My husband Mike used to race, and I got into it through him. All three of my daughters ride; it’s what we do as a family.” Whether they ride at River Valley, Village Creek or Oak Hill – “anything with a track,” the Switzerland native says – the French family loads up all of their bikes for the trip. French’s 8-year-

old has a 50, her 11-year old has a 65, and her 19-year old prefers Mom’s bike. French calls herself “a little crazy”: In addition to motocross, she likes to fly, and was once studying for her helicopter pilot license. For now, she’s content to fly off of the ground and land on her bike wheels. “Right now, I’m scarred up from riding and I’ve broken my collarbone and wrist,” French says. “But, I’m in my 40s, and I think I have a couple of more good years left!” mjm

Flying on a bike in motocross gets Erika French closer to heaven.

to fish the surf for speckled trout will find considerably less fishing pressure compared to the bays. Let’s take a look at what anglers should consider about fishing the surf for speckled trout. The surf is not an easy environment to pattern speckled trout until one knows and understands the structures, currents and the habits of surf-running speckled trout. When in shore fishing for trout, most anglers have learned to target structures such as oyster reefs, drop-offs,

First trout

Construction News’ Managing Editor Carol Wiatrek shows off two speckled trout she caught over the 4th of July holiday in Galveston. Wiatrek had never caught trout before and was even more excited as she was the first to pull one in. -cmw

sea grass edges and sand-pockets. In the surf, the only structure that exists is the sandbar and the troughs (referred to as guts) between the bars. These sandbars and guts are extremely similar for miles and miles. The currents caused by wind direction and tide flow differently through the bars and guts as water heights change throughout the day. As the nearshore current runs along the beach, it will occasionally be pinched by a sandbar intersecting the beach. All the water flowing down the gut between the beach and the sandbar has to go somewhere, so it will be pushed over the sandbar and back out. As it flows, it carries with it all the baitfish and forage into the waiting mouths of the predators. Now, these locations shift daily, but in general they can be found every quarter to half mile along the beach. It will take training your eyes to find them. As you fish the beach more and more, you’ll begin to recognize them. At first you’ll only notice the very distinct ones. Later you’ll begin to notice the ones that are barely visible. Finding these areas where the current carries baitfish into the second gut and onto the second bar is one of the keys to understanding surf-running trout and catching them. I try to get to the surf anytime I can starting mid-summer. Live croakers work the best, but it’s fairly easy to catch these fish on lures too. If fishing from the beach, topwater plugs such as the Super Spook Jr. cast well into light on-shore winds, and if nearshore sargassum is abundant, topwaters can be rigged with single live-bait hooks instead of trebles. Slow-sinking baits such as the Mirrodine and Softdine also cast well and remain in the strike zone, allowing trout extra time to see the lure. If you are interested in trying a surf fishing excursion, give me a call. Here are some open dates available in August 15,20,21,22 and September 3,4,5,10,19,25. To schedule your next bay fishing trip or hunting trip give Capt. Steve Schultz a call at 361-813-3716 or e-mail him me at SteveSchult zOutdoors@gmail.com. Good luck and Good Fishing.

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • AUG 2019

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

just scouting out new places to fish. Are you trying to impress a client with a big stringer of fish? You need to be on top of your game, so be sure the weather is good and bring your best bait and bag of tricks. Most important, if you are using the services of a fishing guide, share your expectations with him so he has the best chance of giving you what you want. Any good guide knows the whereabouts of several schools of fish on different feeding patterns that he can get you on to. Then just try to stop expecting and start enjoying what comes! The fun of fishing is the unexpected!

Expectations

big part of having a good time on a fishing trip is based on what your expectations are. Expectations are how we navigate through familiar experiences. What did we forget to bring with us last time? Did we have a hard time getting to our destination? How can we make sure we have as good a time as last time, or better? Expectations can help us be ready for what comes next, or they can hinder us from enjoying something. Remember when you were a kid and everything was new to you? Maybe you remember your first time fishing. You didn’t have any preconceived idea as to how things would be. It was more exciting and maybe even a little scary, but it was fun! I think that is why some of our best memories are from childhood, when everything was new and we didn’t have any expectations to go on. As a guide I have seen many people have a good successful fishing trip where they had an absolute blast. Then the folks book another trip so they can come do it again. Only rarely will they get to have a trip equally as satisfying or better than the first one. Fishing involves working with variables in weather, lake conditions and the behavior of the fish. These are things we can do our best to compensate for, but can never really control. Even when you bake a cake or barbeque a brisket, you can have the exact same recipe and never get just the same result each and every time. Once again…variables wreck the expectation, and can leave you disappointed. So here is what you can do. Use the power of expectations to help you get ready to do. Anticipate what you need to bring and to find the best way to get to your destination. Then just leave the expectations at home so you can embrace your next experience anew, just like a kid.

Follow the cake recipe the best you can. Set the oven temp just right and set the timer. You have done all you can, so just walk away and see how it turns out. Never the same way twice, but pretty good eating just the same! The other thing you can do is under-

stand what your expectations for a fishing trip are. Are you taking a kid for a first fishing trip? You are going to need to find a lot of fast biting fish to keep their interest. Do you just want to spend the day wetting a hook and sipping a cold one with buddies? It might be a good day for

Rainbow fun

oe Veach, Director of Business Development for Globus Management Group LLC and President, Jason Turner shared photos from their recent fly-fishing trip at Beavers Bend State Park in Broken Bow, OK on the Lower Mountain Fork River. The dual had a great time fly-fishing for Rainbow trout, most of which were caught in the “Red Zone”. The red zone is a catch and release area. According to Joe, “this is my happy place.” Everyone should have such a place to escape to. Thanks for sharing! -cmw

Joe Veach shows off a Rainbow trout he snagged.

Jason Turner had a great time catching these beauties.

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • AUG 2019

Page 9

Plastering awards

he Texas Lathing & Plastering Contractors Association (TLPCA) held its Annual Convention & Trade Show Jun. 12 – 14 at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, TX. Twenty-two projects were submitted. Ten winners were recognized and awarded for their outstanding projects. Incoming 2019 - 2020 Texas Lathing & Plastering Contractors Association (TLPCA) President, Joe Kerlee, Quikrete Companies recognized Andy Boyd, Galindo & Boyd Wall Systems for his service to the TLPCA during the 2018 2019 year. -‑

Pinnacle Award - “Best of the Best”: Ronzani Inc. dba RONPARCO, St. Gabriel Catholic Church

Scaffolding and Access: Galindo & Boyd Wall Systems, City Centre One project

Residential - Single-Family Exterior Stucco / Veneer Stone: Silver Star Plastering, Joe Kain project

Residential - Single-Family Exterior Stucco or EIFS: Silver Star Plastering, The Stephenson project

Commercial - Exterior Stucco: Southwest Lath & Plaster, Twin Hills Office Park project

Interior - Plaster - Commercial or Residential: Triangle Plastering, Dallas High School

Commercial - Exterior EIFS: RONPARCO, Public Storage, Dallas Commercial - Exterior EIFS/Stucco & Veneer Stone: RONPARCO, St. Gabriel Catholic Church

Commercial - Exterior Stucco / Exterior EIFS: Diversified Plastering, Wismer Distributing

Presidents Award

Commercial - Veneer Stone: Galindo & Boyd Wall Systems, 3100 Olympus

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • AUG 2019

Stone bold

W hat’s Trending in Fire Protection

Innovations that capture the hearts of survivors, technicians and customers

L-R: Mark Johnson (with brother Mitch Johnson) took a stand on stone.

ven though Mark Johnson was the fourth generation in masonry – his mother and father’s families had worked in the industry for three generations – his vision was set in stone. As a high schooler, he managed crews for his dad’s commercial masonry company, but wanted to make his own mark. “At the age of 21 – 37 years ago – I approached him and told him that I thought we should start supplying and installing cut and hand-carved stone. He told me he would think about it,” he remembers. “Three months later, I went back and brought it back up a second time; he told me that the business had been successful for generations the way it was, and that he thought that it was a bad idea. I told him that I felt so strongly about it that I was leaving to start Architectural Stone Company.” Johnson’s instincts proved right. Since founding ASC, he has set up strategic partners all over the United States and the world. With a partner, he owns large manufacturing plants in Greece, Bulgaria and China, as well as quarries internationally, making his pro-

ject pricing for bids competitive. “I don’t really know of another stone company like mine,” he says. “I think the main thing that sets us apart is that most material suppliers only supply material. I am a stone construction expert. I write construction documents for architects and universities. We draw shop drawings, engineer the application and install stone material all over the U.S.” ASC boasts projects such as Dallas Omni, Ritz Carlton Towers, Granite Park, Warren Buffet’s Grandscape and the world’s largest shopping mall in Kuwait. ASC won a historical architectural award for University of Arkansas’s Gearhart Hall and is supplying and installing U of A’s Greek Theatre. ASC also helped complete Abilene Christian University’s Prayer Labyrinth and the Greek Orthodox church at Ground Zero. “I love my job and the clients we work with. I would describe it as the dream job,” he says. “My hope is that we stay where we are. We are getting looks at massive projects all over the world.” Supplier/subcontractor Architectural Stone Company is in Plano. – mjm

nxiety and a bit of panic sets in at the sound of an unexpected fire alarm or sight of smoke in a room, yet in an instant, relief can suppress fear as the installed protective measures work as they were intended. The fire protection/life safety industry gets little thought by the masses. However, all appreciate it as its systems give peace in the day-today. As all things evolve, fire protection continues to advance through life-saving, timedecreasing and experience-enhancing innovations.

The Bi-Directional Amplifier (BDA) System

Koetter Training Center

Experience-enhancing Innovations In the evolution of this digital age, fire protection is no exception. Digital devices and web-based platforms drive this industry too. These ever-changing advancements give our team the ability to collaborate and use real-time information to better serve our customers. Online after-service reporting software allows Koetter Fire Protection to confirm the work performed and centralize reporting resources like photos, voice memos, comments and inspection reports documenting the service on-site. By utilizing these access points, customers receive complete transparency into services performed, issues found by technicians and what was done to resolve them. continued next page

Life-saving Innovations In the moments of an emergency, reliable communication is critical. Staying informed with clear radio transmissions between first responders inside a building and emergency personnel outside the building can help prevent injuries and save lives. While reacting to an emergency, responders lose communications when inbuilding radio signals are weakened by structures such as concrete, windows and metal. To solve these communication challenges, Koetter Fire Protection looks to Notifier’s Bi-Directional Amplifier (BDA) System. This system is a signal boosting solution designed to enhance in-building radio frequency (RF) signal coverage for public safety radio. They are high gain, high power band-selective signal boosters/bi-directional amplifiers that can integrate directly to a Notifier fire alarm control panel. Designed and customized to meet all public safety frequency band ranges, it is intended to provide reliable two-way radio and FirstNet signal coverage inside buildings, tunnels and other structures. The band’s selective design delivers reliable performance in even the most challenging RF environments. When combined with Notifier’s fire system, Notifier provides the reliability and quality expected from a life safety solution. Time-decreasing Innovations Fire sprinkler companies deal with many obstacles daily. Two challenges that need managing are material cost and manpower. With the increasing material cost, sprinkler contractors must strategically navigate man-hours. As sprinkler manufacturers seek to meet the demand for products that decrease man-hours without sacrificing quality, they have developed time-saving parts like slip-on couplings and 1” grooving systems. Slip-on Couplings The concept of slip-on couplings is not new, yet the idea of having a coupling that you do not have to take apart to install has become a game-changer. Slip-on couplings alone have increased

productivity in the field, and now, manufacturers are developing single bolt slipon couplings. These products maximize labor cost by decreasing time spent on installation. 1-Inch Grooving Systems One inch grooving systems help fire protection technicians significantly decrease installation time. Typically oneinch pipe is threaded and can take up to two to three minutes per fitting. When using this new system, technicians can have the pipe cut and grooved in less than 30 seconds and ready to install with a slip-on single bolt coupling in the same time it would have taken to thread a pipe. This system is proven to increase sprinkler head installation by 200 percent. Additionally, the one-inch grooving system offers equivalent foot length demand and will not cause an issue with the hydraulic demands on the fire sprinkler system design. These are a few innovations in the fire sprinkler industry that are available to help fire protection companies save time on sprinkler head installation without sacrificing the quality of the products or the work performed.

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • AUG 2019

Page 11

Graduating electricians

ongratulations Class of 2019! The Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) held their 2019 apprentice graduation Jun. 6 at the Irving Convention Center. Eighty-one apprentices completed their four years of study to go on to embark in the next chapter of their careers. -cmw 2019 IEC Dallas Chapter graduating class.

What is one of your bad habits?

Construction News ON LOCATION

HOLT the way

One of my bad habits is swallowing my gum. Why I do it, I’m not sure; maybe it’s because it’s a folk tale that it makes you sick. Erika French, Lift365 Equipment Rentals One of my bad habits is not saying “no” to any new projects. The reason I do it is because I have never met a problem I didn’t like! I do it every day. I’m constantly being asked if I can do this or if I can do that, and I do it. Then, people ask me why I am falling behind, and I tell them, ”It’s because you keep asking me to do new stuff!” Ricky Locke, 365 Workplace Safety

Meet the guys at the HOLT Component Rebuild Center in Irving, TX. L-R: Antonio Mendoza, Noe Pedraza, Shacoven Smith, Michael Burkman, Steven Frederick, Dwayne Brodnax, Juan Graham, Bryan Fentress, Scott Russell, Nicholas Martinez, Serafin “Fin” Avila and Brandon Benner, Sales Coordinator. -cmw

Expanding the workforce

One of my bad habits is watching reality TV and “junk” TV shows. It sounds horrible, but I love Dance Moms or anything like that, like Keeping up with the Kardashians and The Bachelorette. I just recently started watching one about a dance group in Mesquite, TX called Dancing Queen. It’s escapism and mindless relaxation. Elizabeth Christensen, IWR North America One of my bad habits is daydreaming. It’s really easy to get caught up in some other thoughts that aren’t related to the task or conversation at hand. It can get you in trouble, too, when you are talking with someone and they think that you are listening, but you are not. Joshua Long, Complete Landsculpture I’m a thinker, and everyone one knows that when I have a lot on my plate and I’m

MAREK held their MAREK Work Force Development graduation May 21 at one of MAREK’s projects, The AT&T Stadium in Arlington. L-R: Back Row - Rodrigo Dominguez, Fernando Arriaga, Pablo Zarate, Phillip Castillo, Matt Davis, Poe Reh. Front Row – Gamaliel Osoria, Luke Shew, Juan Murrillo and Phillip Zel. -cmw

continued - Trending - Koetter

Through web-based platforms, customers receive online quoting including photos and detailed descriptions of the service to be performed or the deficiency to be repaired. This process yields a more efficient quoting process, especially in the field, and our automated job booking gets the ball rolling. The customer is in control while they interactively approve services or request changes, while companies track the progress. This innovative platform delivers swift reaction to inbound service calls as we answer questions, schedule services and update our entire team with a few clicks. Instantly customer records are found

while technicians are tracked and redirected for the fastest response time possible. With our unmatched, growing database of safety devices and code requirements, we deliver inspection solutions for NFPA that make building safety inspections easier and more accurate – which leads to greater compliance and lower cost. Jason Ferguson, Managing Partner Koetter Fire Protection 16069 Central Commerce Dr. 512.251.7888 Koetterfire.com

thinking, I start picking [the skin] on my thumbs. I have a really bad habit of picking my thumbs! I can be talking in a meeting and doing it. 3i general superintendent Rusty Morse bought me some lotion and brought it to the office; he is my constant reminder to stop it, because we’re together most of the time. He’ll tell me to stop and put the lotion on, so I’ll stop and put the lotion on. Ron Hill, 3i Contracting I would say one of my bad habits is constantly thinking I’m right. And I do it because I am! Julie Guidry, 817 Construction I’d say mine is wanting more out of employees and subs than I see at first glance. I’m sure I do it because I feel I can do anything I set my mind to. That’s why I like to surround myself with a team of rivals. Paul Guidry, 817 Construction My husband has informed me that I use “no” instead of “um. ”It is my “pause word.” So, people think I am telling them no when, actually, I am pausing! Denise Perry, All Commercial Floors Because I hear myself talking [on my podcast, Bridge The Gap], I catch myself using the word “so” too much. I am working on not using it ssss…. frequently! Lucas McCurdy, The Bridge Group Construction

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • AUG 2019

THIS TH SERVICE PROVIDERS 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

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

Labor staffing needs

34 total nationwide, with a new corporate office under construction.

safety parties, as well as attending recruitment events and meetings.

Allie Fowler, Sales Manager Staff Zone

What are the “hot button” issues in the staffing industry? The hot button issues are unexpected weather and permit delays ultimately hindering the construction schedule for many.

What is on the horizon for your industry? Changes in technology; changes in codes, ordinances or laws; other With the lucrative industry and high demand for labor, we expect our business to continue to increase. This in hand follows enhancements with technology and how orders and tickets will be processed.

Austin, TX

owler began working as a sales manager for Staff Zone in the Dallas market in 2016. Through her success in Dallas, she was given the opportunity to relocate to Austin at the end of 2017 and continues labor sales for the Austin branch. Fowler and her fiancé purchased a home in Round Rock, feeling that the Austin market would be stable on a longterm basis. The move was somewhat bittersweet as Fowler had built some great customer relationships within Dallas/Fort Worth market. She has working in Austin for almost two years now, and absolutely loves it! “I have met some great people and helped solidify this market for Staff Zone. To say the least, I stay pretty busy with work.” How would you describe the state of the construction industry in general terms? Have you experienced an increase in business? Slowdown? I have definitely experienced an increase in business in the Austin market. This market has been consumed with a heavy amount of construction and in general terms I would say it is one of the top lucrative markets right now.

What factors are driving this increase/ slowdown? The main factors for this increase are that people and businesses want to extend themselves out here, and Texas itself is one of the top markets for businesses right now, with Austin being on the radar for fastest growth. How has this increase/slowdown affected your company and how you conduct business? This increase has affected our company in many ways. Considering the fact that construction has sky rocketed, the number of workers we send out per day has increased exponentially. Therefore, this helps our customers stay at good pace with their projects. It has affected how we conduct business because we have had to hire more staff in all of our departments to keep up with the growth. We have also gone from 25 branches to

Training and qualifying for the future Jason Martin, Regional Service Manager HOLT CAT San Antonio, TX

artin has been a part of the HOLT CAT team for two and half years and is responsible for the Southern Region Machine Division. Prior to this, he worked for Caterpillar’s Large Engine Center located in Lafayette, IN for 17 years. Moving his family to Texas, Martin reveals “My wife, Ashley, and children, Aubrey and Parker, have adapted well to the climate and pace of South Texas.” What is the state of the equipment service industry? The industry is definitely strong and healthy. The Texas economy is growing and with that growth comes the construction of new homes, roads and infrastructure. We are fortunate to be a part of a unique situation where many new businesses are moving into the state, creating more opportunities for growth. Have new diagnostic or other technologies changed your industry? Caterpillar is releasing the largest

new product introduction in the company’s history between 2019 and 2020. These new products include Next Generation operating technologies to increase customer benefits in safety, productivity, fuel efficiency and maintenance costs. HOLT is currently piloting an app called CAT Technician. This tool provides a means to diagnose problems and identify the necessary parts needed before arriving at the job site. The application also has the ability to troubleshoot onsite using 3D and augmented reality. Pri-

What are major changes in the staffing industry in recent years? Being in the construction staffing industry, the major change that I have noticed is there are way more competitors readily available and popping up these days. What is the most significant challenge your industry faces? Labor shortages? Cost increases? The most significant challenge that we have faced is recruitment. However, we have had to think outside of the box to find more resources to gain adequate manpower. What are the cost increases relating to your industry? How are you dealing with these challenges? Due to the labor shortages, we have had to increase our starting labor wages which allows us to recruit and keep our current staff. We deal with these challenges by brainstorming as a team, increasing our employee morale by holding quarterly

or to this, technicians spent excessive amount of time troubleshooting and navigating various systems to identify diagnostic codes. CAT Technician provides a single app for all service needs. At HOLT, we also use a remote monitoring system called Product Link which provides machine location, service hours and basic diagnostic codes. This helps field service technicians to understand the current health of the machine and order relevant parts before arriving on site. These features benefit both the customers and HOLT. Well trained and qualified mechanics and technicians are the backbone of any service organization. What is HOLT doing to excel in this area? At HOLT, our people are our biggest asset, there are several different avenues we are taking to both hire and retain technicians. For the last seven years, HOLT has worked with local high schools providing opportunities for students within career technical education programs. Of those students participating in the program, approximately 75 percent have been hired as full-time employees. Additionally, HOLT has a training di-

What are the rewards of the staffing industry? The most rewarding parts of this industry is gaining the satisfaction of helping others, seeing the city grow and building long-lasting relationships with my clients. What are keys to being successful in the staffing industry? The keys to being successful in the construction staffing industry is straight up communication not only with my fellow co-workers, but with all of my customers. With communication comes working effectively, planning routes, and getting face-to-face with people in the field on a daily basis. Staff Zone specializes in the labor needs of the construction, light industrial and special events industries. -cmw

vision called ProTech (HoltProTech.com). There are 131 available courses and approximately 80 are taught each year, which provides the ability to train both internal and external technicians. We also provide specific training paths for technicians related to their dedicated roles within HOLT whether it be engine, machine or power generation. How has HOLT streamlined the process of service to make maintenance and repairs faster for the client? Over the last couple of years, we’ve piloted a dedicated rebuild facility in our Northern territory, which has allowed us to expand shop capacity and throughput. With this pilot proving successful, we are now in the process of opening another facility in Waco that will allow us to expand this concept even further through the acquisition of a retired Caterpillar manufacturing plant. This new facility will help us to better service our customers. HOLT CAT sells, services and rents heavy equipment, trucks and trailers, engines and generators for construction, earthmoving, mining, industrial, petroleum ang agriculture. -cwm

Fort Worth/Tarrant county graduating electricians

he Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Fort Worth/ Tarrant County held their 2019 graduation ceremony Jun. 13 at the Bob Duncan Community Center in Arlington. More than 400 people attended the graduation to honor the 74 graduates. IEC National President, Gary Goka, presented the keynote address. -cmw

Class of 2019 Chapter Fort Worth/Tarrant county graduating class.

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • AUG 2019

Page 13

NEXT TH MON

GREEN BUILDING

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

Signs of slowing Denise Bendele, Partner, Audit Services, RSM US LLP San Antonio, TX

SM US provide services to a wide array of construction segments, including architectural and engineering firms, commercial contractors, highway and street construction companies, residential contractors and specialty contractors. With nearly 11,000 professionals in 85 offices nationwide, our industry-focused service delivery model provides a high level of partner involvement with our 3,500-plus construction clients and a hands-on, local client service approach, with ready access to the resources and capabilities of a national firm. -cmw How would you describe the state of the construction industry in general terms? Have you experienced an increase in business? Slowdown? After roaring back to life after the Great Recession, the overall economy has continued to show relative strength in recent years, bringing the construction industry on a profitable ride. But there are signs that the pace of growth in the con-

struction sector is slowing. Total construction spending declined in late 2018 and early 2019 for the first time in seven years. Any rise in interest rates could, and the tight labor market will, put inflationary pressure on the sector, and the long-running expansion is overdue for a correction. While the pundits aren’t predicting another Great Recession, the International Monetary Fund‘s most-recent World Economic Outlook predicts a global slowdown in growth through 2019 for 70 percent of the world economy, followed by a potential recovery by 2020. What are the “hot button” issues in your industry? A tight labor market, evolving ac-

counting standards and shifting tax concerns make this a challenging time for construction companies. Construction projects and capital improvement programs are complex financial expenditures for project owners, presenting significant risks to a company’s strategic goals and potential for growth. Emerging technologies and robotics are being adapted into the industry. Digital solutions like cloud and mobile technologies, robotics, advanced analytics, project and performance management technologies are critical for contractor’s successful operations and will help with increased project sizes, rapid growth and constantly changing business landscapes in construction. However, the increased use of digital technologies exposes information and data through multiple channels, making security and privacy a major concern for middle market businesses. What are the major changes in the industry in recent years relating to the type of work you do? Regulatory changes with revenue recognition, lease accounting and tax reform. Digital transformation of the finance function, including increased technology and automation, which is increasing efficiencies and accuracies.

Bendele, a certified public accountant, has more than 30 years of experience in public accounting and is a leader in the construction industry practice. Her experience includes construction financial statements, closely held corporations, corporate taxation, succession planning, surety bonding, system selection and implementation, strategic and profitability planning, benchmarking, litigation support, business valuations and mergers and acquisitions. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts (NACVA), Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA) and San Antonio Chapter of TSCPA, Construction Industry CPAs/Consultants Association (CICPAC), American Subcontractors Association (ASA), Associated General Contractors (AGC) San Antonio Chapter, Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA), University of Texas at San Antonio College of Business Advisory Council and Girl Scouts of America, Audit Committee chair. Bendele is a board member of the Texas State Chapter Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio. -cmw

The i’s have it higher education-type projects. We want to continue that. In addition to that, we’d like to do more of the private side, tenant finish-out projects. In the Houston market, we would like to stay in the $3 million project range, self-performing on our own outside of joint ventures. But in addition to that, we would like to continue to go after larger projects on the joint venture side with a lot of our partners in the Houston market.” Hill says that 3i strives to build relationships with the three “i’s” in mind, especially with subcontractors, whom Hill gives much credit to for the company’s success. That’s why 3i hosts its monthly meet and greet (and eat) event, “Subs and Grubs,” with subcontractors in

Ron Hill explains how the “i’s”are the windows into 3i’s soul.

hen Ron Hill, 3i’s Vice President of Operations, joined the company, people kept asking him what “3i“ stood for. “Our president and CEO, Micheal Williams, named the company very well,” Hill explains with pride. “3i represents integrity, innovation and information.” Williams exhibited all three when he was starting in the construction industry. Knowing that his position as a Detroit Pistons point guard wouldn’t last forever, he worked – for free – for construction firms during his off season. However, Williams insisted that the arrangement have one caveat: He must meet with, report to and follow his boss around daily to absorb as much experience as he could. When Williams retired from his 11year NBA career, he was encouraged to establish his construction company in Minnesota. But, being a Dallas native, Williams wanted to return home and create a company that enabled him to give back to his community. In 2001, he established 3i as a subcontractor specializing in drywall and small general contracting items. By 2011, 3i was a full-fledged general contractor. Along the way, Williams has

assembled a top-notch team of more than 20 employees. Hill, who has more than two decades of construction experience, manages the day-to-day operations of all 3i projects. Senior business manager Keith Malone handles many of 3i’s joint venture projects. Susan Falvo serves as 3i’s business strategist and client officer Charlene Cade does many of 3i’s presentations and customer interactions. The staff is officed throughout 3i’s Dallas headquarters, a San Antonio location and a third office in Houston. The 3i team has built impressive projects in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, including DART’s Orange Line, Parkland Health & Hospital Systems, American Airline’s IOC Center and Concord Missionary Baptist Church in Dallas all bear 3i’s stamp. The company was also the first African American-owned general contractor to build a ground up school for the Dallas Independent School District. “It’s very exciting,” Hill says of 3i’s work. “It helps us fill capacity and get good employees to continue the brand and culture. What we’re hoping will happen is that we will continue on. We have an excellent resume in K-12, but we want to expand on that by doing some

different markets. 3i’s holiday parties lately are also hosted with the 3i’s in mind. “It’s for clients and subcontractors from DFW, Houston and San Antonio and it helps build the relationships that we have. We give them a casino-style-type of event. Last year, we had our party at a hotel that we built, and we want to continue this trend. We’re building Singing Hills and Recreation Center, and we hope to have it done by the Christmas party!” Through its Dallas headquarters and San Antonio and Houston offices, 3i offers general contracting, tenant improvement, design build, and pre-construction services. –mjm

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • AUG 2019

Association Calendar

Content submitted by Associations to Construction News AIA

American Institute of Architects Dallas Chapter

Aug. 19: Architecture on Tap, Pegasus City Brewery, 2222 Vantage St., 6-8pm. Aug. 21: Coffee & Conversation, AD EX, 325 N. Saint Paul St. #150, 8:30-10am. Aug. 31: ENLACES 2019 Registration & Submission Deadline. For more info, email sche@aiadallas.org AIA

American Institute of Architects Fort Worth Chapter

Aug. 22: Chapter Happy Hour & TxA visit, WeWork Clearfork, 5049 Edwards Ranch Rd. Flr. 4, 5:30-7:30pm. For info, email Alesha Niedzela at aiafw@aiafortworth.org

South Central Showroom (Between Oak Lawn & Turtle Creek), 3707 Lemmon, 6-7:30pm. For more info, contact Kim Savelsbergh at 214-943-6274 or email kim@naridallas.org NAWIC

National Assn. of Women in Construction Dallas Chapter

Aug. 21-24: Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA. For more info, go to www.nawic-dallas.org NAWIC

National Assn. of Women in Construction Fort Worth Chapter

Aug. 21-24: Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA. For more info, email Lori Donnell at lorid.nawic@gmail.com

APWC Assn. of Professional Women in Construction

RBCA

Regional Black Contractors Assn.

Aug. 21: Back to School Drive, Community Partners of Dallas, 7950 Elmbrook Drive, Morning Shift 10am-12pm, Afternoon Shift 2-4pm. For more info, go to www.apcw.us

Aug. 9: Back to School Drive, RBCA Offices, 2627 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 8am5pm. For more info, call 214-565-8946

ASA

Regional Hispanic Contractors Assn.

American Subcontractors Assn.

Aug. 23: ASA Clay Shoot, Alpine Shooting Range, 5482 Shelby Rd., Fort Worth, TX. For more info, call Beverly Reynal at 817-640-8275 CFMA Construction Financial Management Assn.

Aug. 15: Membership Meeting, Hackberry Country Club, 11:30am. For info, contact Kelly Dando at dfwcfma@gmail.com DACA

RHCA

Aug. 22: Luna Awards Reception, The Tobin Center of Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, San Antonio, TX, 3:306pm. For more info, call Yolanda at 972786-0909 or email yolanda@regionalhca. org SAM

I-LinCP

Aug. 1: Dinner Meeting, MCM Elegante Hotel, 2330 W. Northwest Highway, 5-8pm. For more info, contact Carrie Edomm at 972-438-1110 TCA

Texas Construction Assn.

Aug. 20: TCA PAC Clay Shoot, Greater Houston Gun Club, 6700 McHard Road, 1pm. For more info, call Beverly Reynal at 817-640-8275

Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects

Aug. 8-9: Texas Public Owners Conf. The Bridge Over Troubled Waters – Project Delivery to Operations. For info, contact Charli Valadez at 512-263-5521 or go to www.i-lincp.org IEC

TEXO

The Construction Industry

Aug. 29: Colleagues + Cocktails, Samuel Lynne Galleries, 1105 Dragon St., 4:306:30pm. Member $25, Future Members $40, Walk-ins $45. For more info, call 972647-0697

Independent Electrical Contractors

Aug. 7: General Membership Meeting, IEC Offices, 1931 Hereford Dr., Irving, TX, 11:30am-1pm. For more info, email susan@iecdallas.com IEC

TLPCA

Texas Lathing & Plastering Contractors Assn.

Aug. 8: TLPCA Annual Clay Shoot, Elm Fork Shooting Sports, 10751 Luna Rd. For more info, call 817-461-0676 or email yvonne@tlpca.org

Independent Electrical Contractors Fort Worth/Tarrant County

Aug. 9: IEC Clay Shoot, Defender Outdoors, 2900 Shotts St., Fort Worth. For more info, call Jo Britt at 817-496-8422 NARI

National Assn. of the Remodeling Industry

Aug. 16: NARI Night, Sub-Zero Wolf

count on my weld to hold up the place,” Wagner says. “It’s amazing to see some of the work people do, where you can tell they put their heart and soul into it. That’s how I am.” Wagner’s passion for welding – along with his skill – is something he hopes to pass along to his two daughters, 12-yearold Makayla and 5-year-old Trinity. “When I’m working on welding something, Trinity always wants to help and watch, even though she can’t because it would hurt her eyes,” Wagner says. “It really is a dream of mine to give some of my abilities to my children.” Family is everything to Wagner. He puts the stickers they gift him for Father’s Day on the smaller personal welding machine he keeps at home. They are the reason that he not only owns MW Construction, but also works days on 18-wheelers as a technician and works nights as a national pizza chain manager. When he has a rare break, Wagner enjoys taking the family camping or to the White Settlement water park. Sometimes he stays in with his family and orders pizza, a perk the girls get because of Dad’s night job. “Michelle and my children are the reasons I wake up every day and do it all over again,” he says. “I don’t get to spend a lot of time with them, but I know I don’t have to worry about what they need. If

they need it, they’ve got it. I don’t get a lot of time at home; I wish I could be with my family a little bit more. Michelle is very helpful; she helps me remember things. She’s the biggest part of everything that I do. Juggling for me is very difficult, but with my wife helping me, she makes it bearable. “I’d like the company to be a success,” Wagner adds. “I say to my children that I’m not trying to get rich. The welding I do with my business, MW Construction, is what I like to do. To me, welding is taking random pieces of steel, welding them together and creating something like an artist would take their paints and create a picture.” Whether he’s welding, working on an 18-wheeler or slicing a pizza, Wagner pays attention to the details. “I was raised as a child that if I was going to do something, I needed to do it right the first time. You don’t get paid to go back and do it a second time if you screw it up the first time!” he says. “Even managing at night, I tell the staff that I’m not going to ask them to do something I wouldn’t do myself. I like the sense of accomplishment in doing things.” Sounds like something any normal, hardworking businessman would say. Welding subcontractor MW Construction is in White Settlement. –mjm

continued from Page 1 — IWR North America

Subcontractors Assn. of the Metroplex

Drywall & Acoustical Contractors Assn.

Aug. 1: Annual Roy Neu Clay Shoot, Dallas Gun Club, 3601 S. Stemmons Frwy. For more info, contact Eddie McCormick at eddie@dacadfw.org

continued from Page 1 — MW Construction

UMCA

fice will utilize local and national vendor partnerships, both new and existing, to provide fuel for growth and development of the services provided to its customers. “We have multiple, successful projects under our belt in the Dallas market and look forward to continuing that success,” said Bob Sculthorpe, operations manager of IWR North America, Southwest Division. With more than 30 years of industry experience, Sculthorpe is responsible for managing the division’s labor, productivity, quality control, safety measures and processes. Sculthorpe will provide leadership on strategic company growth and personnel development. “As we continue to grow our brand as a reliable, value-added trade partner in this region, the opportunities for our employees will grow as well,” Sculthorpe added. Since entering the Dallas market,

IWR has been involved in several prominent pro-jects like The Epic Office Building in Deep Ellum, developed by KDC. IWR’s scope included the seven-story office tower parking garage cladding, major soffit conditions and roof screen. IWR utilized local labor force, Local 68 Sheet Metal Workers, to perform this work, several of whom performed at field leadership levels. “The Deep Ellum project is a great example of what a team can accomplish with a common goal in mind,” Sculthorpe continued. “From the onset of the project, the client and design team were both very open to collaboration and design input for a very functional system that supported the mainstays of the design intent.” IWR North America, Southwest Division is a building enclosure contractor in Garland, TX. -cmw

continued from Page 1 — ARCO/Murray

United Masonry Contractors Assn.

Aug. 8: UMCA Sporting Clays Fun Shoot, Elm Fork Shooting Sports, 10751 Luna Rd., 8am-1pm. For more info, contact Mark Little at 214-837-4379 or email mlittle@tstc.com

Construction News ON LOCATION

A painted visit

Bedrosians Tile & Stone showroom and warehouse space.

Chad Howald and Brandon Jackson, Sherwin-Williams take a moment for a quick photo. -cmw

pand the bridge cranes all the way across the building. The building also features an interior truck dock such that the slabs and other products can be easily loaded onto trucks by the bridge cranes above. Project Manager Paul Wagner and Superintendent Bill Beck oversaw the project. The project team maintained open lines of communication with the designer and owners to produce the finished product on time and on budget.

The team spent a lot of time together evaluating costs and schedule impacts during the design of the facility. As a result, they were able to use real time cost/ benefit analysis to enable the owner to create the most cost-effective solution for their long-term business strategy. ARCO/Murray is a full-service design/ build general contractor in Dallas, TX. -cmw

Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News • AUG 2019

Page 15

Swiss featz

Construction golfing

EXO, The Construction Association, held its annual golf tournament on May 13 at Gleneagles Country Club. The popular event was a great success with two morning flights and two afternoon flights. -cmw

Morning Flight Winners - Queen’s Course: Longest Drive: Bennett Brown, Brown & Tucker Closest-to-the-Pin: Arthur Walsh, MAPP 2nd Place: Mike Bye, CEC; David Ladd, Morrison Supply; Jett Willoughby, Dynaten and Bill Poole, VLP Contractors 3rd Place: TDIndustries - Logan Harper, Jared Roden, Adam Cash and Stephen Britz Originally from Switzerland, Erika French is taking on Texas with Lift365 Equipment Rentals

n Erika French’s homeland of Switzerland, the Swiss attend school up to ninth grade and then apprentice in a trade for up to four years. After Erika earned her diesel mechanic certification on semi trucks, a newspaper item caught her eye. “I saw an ad looking for mechanics to come work in the States, so I applied for and got the job,” Erika says. “Within a month, I sold everything and was gone to California and lived there for eight years. As a certified diesel mechanic, I worked for the company’s tour and shuttle bus accounts at the airport.” Her husband, Orange County Californian Mike French, suggested moving to Texas’ DFW area. Once here, Mike established Haltom City restaurant OC Burgers, but he also itched to do construction again. He bought a telehandler for his mechanical company, which would change Erika’s life. Erika prioritized being a stay-at-home wife and mom (which is still her favorite job) but Mike - who was constantly loaning his telehandler to construction workers knew Erika had a business opportunity in

front of her. “Mike would always tell me that [renting out the equipment] would be up my alley, since this involved machines and I was a diesel mechanic,” Erika says. “It took me years, but I realized that if I can handle this on the side - I homeschool two of my three daughters part-time - it would be great. That’s how I got started in 2017.” With the telehandler as her first equipment piece, Erika borrowed space for parking and a warehouse in the building of OC Burgers and Air817 for her small equipment yard, Lift365 Equipment Rentals. She kept growing and adding on equipment and continues to do so with telehandlers, scissor lifts and skid steer track loaders. Lift365 Equipment Rentals is a HUBcertified business and Erika, a Subcontractors Association of the Metroplex member, is securing her WEB certification. Owning a business here is just one more reason Erika is glad she came to the States 20 years ago. Supplier Lift365 Equipment Rentals is in Haltom City. –mjm

Morning Flight Winners - King’s Course: Longest Drive: Lori Roditi, North TX Contracting Closest-to-the-Pin: Tony Bailey, BakerTriangle 2nd Place: BakerTriangle - Mark Long, James Sockwell, Brandon Sparling and Josh Taylor 3rd Place: CORE Construction - Sterling King, Doug Olson, Todd Scallorn and John Targac

Afternoon Flight Winners - Queen’s Course: Longest Drive: Zach Denison, Austin Commercial Closest-to-the-Pin: Justin Lambert, Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing 2nd Place: Zach Ahrens, Holmes Murphy; Kyle Hamlin, Marek; Kevin Hoppman, Big D Metalworks and Matt Morgan, Mdm Scaffolding 3rd Place: Peyton Boddie, Hill & Wilkinson Construction; Tyler Dodd, Hill & Wilkinson Construction; Chad Dunaway, Cambridge Fence Services and Mike Oswald, Hill & Wilkinson Construction Afternoon Flight Winners - King’s Course: Longest Drive: Amanda Wheeler, Prism Electric Closest-to-the-Pin: Amanda Wheeler, Prism Electric 2nd Place: Lee Lewis Construction - Kyla Kalinski, Stevi Hurta, Larry Nelson and Mason Nelson 3rd Place: Burleson Electric - Greg Fester, Lonnie Freeman, Daniel Grigsby and Kyle McKenzie

1st Place Morning Flight – Queen’s Course: Prime Controls -Mike Barela, Jett Eggt and Kyle Jones

JOB SIGHTS

1st Place Morning Flight – King’s Course: Northstar Builders - Jack Ream, Zeke Perez, Phil Huffines and Jacob Dunkin

L-R: Eddie Martinez and Pedro Lopez with North Texas Contracting take a break from the early summer heat at the new shopping center in south Dallas. -cmw

1st Place Afternoon Flight – Queen’s Course: Eyesite Surveillance - Doug Olsen, Tony Burton and Kelli Martin, Staff Zone

Paul Wilson, Home Plumbing poses for Construction News during a late afternoon break at the new LA Fitness project in south Dallas, while fellow subcontractor Beam Concrete Construction Inc. employees take refuge from the hot, early summer sun under their trailer. -cmw

1st Place Afternoon Flight – King’s Course: Prism Electric - Eric Goodwin, Cameron Vrzak, Amanda Wheeler and Scott Hobbs

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Dallas/Fort Worth Construction News â&#x20AC;¢ AUG 2019