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CONSTRUCTION NEWS The Industry’s Newspaper
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www.constructionnews.net H (210) 308-5800 H Volume 24 H Number 7 H JULY 2021
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Teaming it up
Diamond anniversary
L-R: Cooper Engel, Kevin Lueck and Jose Acevedo represent Team Mechancial at ASA’s recent subfest.
JR Ramon team members L-R: Mario Ochoa, Director of Operations; Beatriz Gonzalez, Administrative Director; Clayton Russell, Special Projects Manager; Victor Rosas, General Superintendent; Joe Ramon III, Chief Project Manager and Timothy Ramon, President
n 2012, Chris Humphreys and Mitch Patterson, two friends in the HVAC industry, got together and decided to start an HVAC and plumbing company, Team Mechanical of Texas. Team Mechanical is a full-service mechanical and plumbing contractor. “We do sheet metal, HVAC, piping, med gas and plumbing work for commercial and industrial projects,” says Vice President of Operations, Kevin Lueck. Originally based in Schertz, TX the HVAC and plumbing company has relocated its office and is now based in New Braunfels, TX where it is more centrally located to serve its client base. The company has grown to a team of 85 members strong with over 125 years of combined experience.
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n 1946, Frank Monaco, Sr. started Pyramid Stone Co. alongside his uncle Jimmy Palmeri. Eventually, Frank senior’s son, Frank Monaco, Jr. would join the company and take the reins as the second generation. In 1980, Frank Jr. hired a 20-year-old, David Garza, as a draftsman. Frank Jr. would teach Garza everything he had learned from his father and uncle from drafting to production. Garza worked alongside Frank Jr.’s mother, Clara, until she retired. In 2012, Garza, who had always felt like part of the Monaco family, took over the business to carry on the Monaco family legacy. He changed the company name to Pyramid Cast Stone Co. “I ended up changing the name just a little,” says Garza. “We were Pyramid Stone Co. I changed it to Pyramid Cast Stone Co. because we were getting a lot of calls from people thinking we were a
“We have a proven track record in both the commercial and residential markets,” adds Lueck. “We are a capable contractor. We can do work like the big boys but we try to have a customer service touch of a smaller company. We like to be able to adjust our schedules and adjust to changes in projects. We try to remain fluid. “Our website says it all. We are only as good as our team. Our team is honest and reliable. Our technicians are understanding of our clients’ times of need and do not work on commission. Saying that, we won’t try to upsell you with unnecessary products or service. We explain the problems we find and show our customers what services are being performed continued on Page 18
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uring the year of the pandemic, JR RAMON Demolition celebrated 75 years in business. However, the pandemic that brought the world to its knees did not stop JR RAMON from taking care of business. The 75-year-old demolition company continued with business having one of its most rewarding years. Originally the company was founded as a road construction and asphalt paving company in the mid 1940’s. In the 1970’s JR RAMON transitioned into demolition as its primary scope of work and trade. “For the last 50 years, we have focused on providing demolition services to Central and South Texas” says JR RAMON President Timothy Ramon. “Naturally, the way we conduct business has
evolved with the times. Throughout the decades, we have, and continue to, improve efficiencies with the introduction of new technologies and processes. But at the heart of it, we are still a family business. We still operate with the same principles and core values that we have for the past 75 years. Our core values keep us centered around our family-oriented environment with a strong emphasis on personal growth and development.” JR RAMON has 92 full-time employees with a focus on the central and south Texas markets. “We do not venture out of state, and we will only venture into other Texas metropolitan markets like Dallas or Houston when we are personally invited by a preferred customer,” adds Ramon. continued on Page 18
75 years by hand
L-R: Derek and David Garza
limestone company. Adding cast to the company name just solidifies, without a doubt, what we truly do.” This year, Pyramid Cast Stone Co. celebrates 75 years in business and is still done the way Garza was taught. ““I was 20 years old when I started here,” recalls Garza. “I was very fortunate for the Monaco family to allow me to take over their legacy for them. I learned the art of cast stone from the old timers who I worked with when I started. We still do things the old way, the way the company started because it is a proven success. Our stones are still standing. Every stone is created by hand. Every form, every mold, every detail – it is all done by hand.” Garza’s son, Derek Garza, joined the company in 2012 after his father took ownership of Pyramid Cast Stone. He does AutoCAD drafting while Garza, himself being an “old-timer,” still does all his drawings by hand. Derek, skilled with continued on Page 18