San Antonio Construction News March 2024

The Industry’s Newspaper

The Rosendin Foundation, a dedicated 501(c)(3) non-profit committed to positively impacting communities and empowering individuals, announces the return of TRF Camp Build, a transformative program designed to ignite the joy of building in middle school students. After the resounding success of its inaugural year, TRF Camp Build is back in Austin for the second consecutive year, taking place from June 17-21, 2024.

TRF Camp Build is a unique, free weeklong co-ed day camp tailored for current 6th-8th graders. Hosted at Austin Electrical Training Alliance, 4000 Caven Rd, Austin, TX 78744, the camp offers an immersive hands-on experience, providing participants with valuable skills that extend beyond the program’s duration. Space is limited; parents can register their middle schoolers for an exciting week of construction, skill-building, and fun. The deadline for registration is March 31, 2024.

Under the expert guidance of skilled professionals, students will engage in a variety of activities, including personal safety training, concrete and rebar work, soldering, pipe bending, Building Information Modeling (BIM), heavy equipment operation, framing, woodworking, roofing, and painting. These activities expose participants to a lifelong appreciation for building and a spectrum of career opportunities.

“As we gear up for the second year of TRF Camp Build, we’re eager to welcome both new and familiar

faces. We’re excited about the opportunity to witness the enthusiasm of fresh minds and the return of dedicated participants,” says Jolsna Thomas, President of The Rosendin Foundation. “This camp is a unique opportunity for us to continue building not only structures but also lasting connections with the young minds of the future workforce. We look forward to inspiring and empowering each participant on their journey of discovery and growth.”

Throughout the program, students will actively learn by working on interactive projects, such as wiring lamps, pouring concrete for steppingstones, and building doghouses. The doghouse will ultimately be donated to the local community, allowing participants to apply their

newfound skills while making a positive impact.

“TRF Camp Build serves as a gateway for middle school students in Central Texas to embark on a journey where they will discover the joy of building through hands-on experiences within a safe and nurturing environment. Investment in educating and training our future builders is paramount for the sustained success of the construction industry and society generally,” says Thomas.

“Our goal is to ignite a passion that transcends stereotypes, encouraging students to explore diverse career opportunities aligned with their individual interests, ultimately shaping a more inclusive and innovative future for the entire industry.”

TRF Camp Build is actively seeking sponsors to further enhance its impactful initiatives. The program has already garnered substantial support from notable contributors, including Diamond-level sponsors Rosendin, MPS, and United Rentals. Additionally, Silverlevel sponsors IBEW 520 and Bronze-level sponsors Central Texas Building Trades and Rogers-O’Brien Construction have joined the cause. In addition to these sponsors, valuable in-kind donors such as Milwaukee Tools, Stanley Black and Decker, Border States, and Graybar have generously contributed to the program’s success. The support of these sponsors and donors plays a crucial role in the success of TRF Camp Build, helping to create positive and lasting impacts in the community.

Nicholas John, a camper at TRF Camp

Austin uses a blow torch to

TRF Camp Build Austin with team and dog house

Zara Willard, Austin camper at Camp Build 2023

Campers and instructors at TRF Camp Build Austin

D. Scott Risch, Rosendin VP of EHS

KDW Announces Executive Leadership Changes

Kingham Dalton Wilson, Ltd. (KDW) is a family company that goes back five generations, with its roots in Nacogdoches, Texas. Today, with offices in Houston and Austin, they are a renowned leader in the construction industry specializing in design-build industrial and commercial projects. Their steady growth throughout Central and South Texas, especially in the last five years, has recently prompted some restructuring in their leadership team to accommodate the expansion of the company.

Rolf Scheffler, an 18 year veteran at KDW will be named to the new role of Chief Operating Officer. Former Project Manager Michael Mann replaces Scheffler as Director of Special Projects, and KDW’s Preconstruction Manager Mark Camilli has become Director of Preconstruction. “Clients rely on us as a single-source solution that excels in every stage of a commercial development,” said Scheffler. “As COO, I will work to optimize efficiency in processes, implement risk management practices and champion quality control initiatives to meet our 2024 operational excellence goals.”

Jay Kingham, who joined KDW in 2006, will be stepping into the role of President. This role was formerly held by Keith Dalton, who will remain as CEO. In his previous role at KDW, Jay was in charge of the pre construction department, estimating, and business development. As President, Jay is going to be overseeing every department in KDW from business development, human resources, preconstruction, the design department, to administration and risk management. In addition, he will supervise Luke Kingham’s work as the Business Director of their Central Texas office to assist him

as that department continues to grow.

Houston, Texas has long been the epicenter of the energy sector, often being referred to as the “Energy Capital of the World.” Five years ago, about 75-85% of KDW’s projects were manufacturing projects with energy companies. However, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and due to the downturn in the oil and gas industry, KDW has shifted their focus. Now 75% of their work is in other sectors such as manufacturing, renewable resources, recycling, the waste industry, and the construction materials industry. Jay remarks, “It’s really changed a lot in such a short time frame, and keeps evolving into 2024 as new sectors come online, it’s just new things for us to chase.” With the immense growth happening in the region, Jay is ready to lead KDW’s continued evolution.

In 2023, the company launched nearly 40 projects, including Sovereign Flavors’ Kyle, Texas, headquarters, Balcones Resources’ San Antonio-based material recovery facility, Elin Energy’s Waller County, Texas, solar panel manufacturing facility and a new location for Newton Nurseries in Spring, Texas. The momentum continues into 2024, with additional projects slated for completion throughout the year. “As KDW expands in and beyond Texas, we need additional leaders to serve our growing client portfolio and employee base,” says Keith Dalton. “The new structure recognizes and supports our employees’ dedication and professional development and provides a strong foundation for our future.” -ndw

Kingham, President Rolf Scheffler, COO Keith Dalton, CEO

HVAC Expo

Aday of networking for TNT Crane & Rigging, Inc, Bryan Doucette, Account Manager & Jason Hirsch, Specialized Rigging/ Cranes Sales and Estimating at the 2024 South Texas HVAC Expo.

Bryan Doucette, Account Manager & Jason Hirsch, Specialized Rigging/ Cranes Sales and Estimating

1st Irrigation Competition

On Apr. 4 join  Bobcat of San Antonio at the San Antonio Irrigation Association’s 1st Irrigation Competition. Festivities begin at 7am at The Jim Reed Walking & Jogging Trail, 2889 Babcock Rd, San Antonio. There will be chances to earn your continuing education credits along with a fun competition and cool equipment around.

Let’s Grow Together

Congratulations to Mission Golf Cars who was recently recognized as ‘NEW BUSINESS of the Year’ by the Marble Falls/Highland Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce! The team at Mission Golf Cars is dedicated to serving the Marble Falls community with top-quality products and services.

TMeet 2024 TxA President-Elect

Jason E. Puchot, AIA

he Texas Society of Architects (TSA) introduces Jason E. Puchot, AIA, as the 2024 president-elect. Before he serves as president in 2025, he will spend this year visiting local chapters across the state and working on the Executive Committee of the TxA Board of Directors.

Jason is a senior vice president for RVK Architecture where he is one of four principals over the architecture studio of the multi-disciplined firm. As a boardcertified healthcare architect, he is also the senior healthcare planner for the firm. For more than two decades, Jason has leveraged evidence-based architecture to transform rural and urban healthcare facilities for his clients. In addition to healthcare design, his work also includes industrial, transportation, higher education, and commercial development projects.

Jason started his service with the AIA immediately after graduating from Texas A&M University where he earned a Bachelor of Environmental Design. After graduation, he moved to Boston, where he first took an interest in helping others become licensed architects. His first AIA state role was in 2001 as the Intern Development Program State Coordinator for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. During his first year of service, he presented at Harvard and Northeastern on the path to licensure. Shortly thereafter, he relocated back to Texas, this time to Houston.

While in Houston, Jason expanded his network at AIA Houston, where he helped establish and co-chair the Intern Advocate Group, connecting emerging professionals with established architects for mentoring. He also served as a cochair of the 2004 TxA Annual Conference in Houston. His commitment to the advancement of the profession got him elected to the TxA Board and a national position at AIA from 2004-2006 as the Regional Associate Director. During that time, he also served as co-chair of the Education Student Liaison Committee at TxA, working to strengthen the communication between educators, practitioners, and students by facilitating meetings with deans of colleges of architecture, students, and TxA.

In 2008, Jason and his family returned home to San Antonio where he continued his involvement with the local AIA

chapter. There, he helped establish a Healthcare Knowledge Community for the chapter, with a mission of promoting the established local healthcare designers. Jason was later nominated to the AIA San Antonio Board of Directors from 2015-2017 during which time he chaired his second TxA Annual Conference in 2016. Jason was honored to be elected president of AIA San Antonio in 2018.

After his service in San Antonio, he turned his sights towards state representation and in 2019, was asked to sit on TxA’s Finance Committee, gaining valuable experience and eventually serving as TxA Treasurer in 2020-2021.

Jason was awarded the 2006 Texas Society of Architects Associate of the Year Award for his work in the profession. He continues to be an advocate for professional development in San Antonio as an active participant in the ACE Mentoring Program since 2017, and most recently on the Executive Council of the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce as the Leadership and Professional Development Council Chair in 2023.

Jason met his wife Julie while at Texas A&M and has two children; William, who is a freshman at Miami of Ohio studying music, and Haley, a high school sophomore. His passion for mentoring extends beyond architecture, where he has coached youth hockey since 2014 and most recently serves as assistant coach for the Texas State University ACHA Division 2 Hockey team.

ABC Interim President

Interim President, Michelle Seward

Davis’s commitment is centered on elevating the South Texas Chapter of ABC through a strategic focus on membership engagement, skills-based training and robust educational initiatives, unwavering advocacy, and community outreach. The board of directors and her are dedicated to bringing tangible value back to each member through these initiatives, ensuring an engaged and supportive collaboration for all.

Michelle is no stranger to ABC and was an active volunteer starting in 1997 as Programs Committee Chair, served on the

Board of Directors at the local, State and National level along with being Chapter Chair, Region 3 PAC Trustee and National PAC Chairman. Her passion and commitment to principles of merit shop, free enterprise and construction industry is unwavering. The collective enthusiasm shared with the Board Members, Committees and staff is fueling their shared passion to revitalize the chapter and build upon its strong foundation through member engagement. Stay tuned for exciting updates and announcements about upcoming events and programs.

JOB SIGHTS

Gone Green

KCS Premier Landscape Renovation is the complete, one-stop solution for indoor and outdoor surfacing, offering long-term durability and unparalleled customer commitment. With clients ranging from school districts, local parks and municipalities to full scale sports complexes & residential projects. KCS headquarters is based in San Marcos, TX and has satisfied customers nationwide.

Publisher

Editor

Production Kayla Wallace

Advertising Haley Mathews

Managing Editor:

2024 Board of Director’s Strategic Planning Retreat Standing, L-R – Joel Frederick, Quarter Moon Plumbing; Brent Hawley, TD Industries; Mark Baublit (2nd- Vice Chair), Marksman General Contractors; Rob Huddleston, AiRCO Mechanical; Rusty Medlin, Joeris; Matt Delgado (Treasurer), MidFirst Bank; Drew Addison (Secretary), Acrisure Seated, L-R – Chris Martinez (1st Vice Chair), Central Electric; Jim Robertson, Americrane Rentals; Chris Christians IV, Lynwood Building Materials; Jason Harmon (Chairman), Alpha Building Corp; Michelle Seward Davis, Interim President ABC South Texas; Russell Harder, Bartlett Cocke GC; Eddie McDuff, Flo-Aire Service; Jonathan Bradley, SpawGlass

New home plate installation with turf halo. G.W. Long High School, Skipperville, AL

Daniel and Steven Garcia Owners BlueRock Construction Group & 44

Daniel and Steven Garcia, both born and raised in San Antonio, are two brothers whose family has been in the construction industry for generations. Together they own and manage BlueRock Construction Group. Recently, they began a new venture with the acquisition of an established custom woodworking company, which is now known as 44 Custom Woodworx.

How did you come together to establish BlueRock?

Daniel (D): After college, around 2008, I went to work for our family’s construction business. In 2010, Steven did the same. In 2015, we went out on our own and founded BlueRock. It was something we had always wanted to do. We started out mostly doing Residential work, custom homes, kitchen and bathroom renovations. Then we started getting into the commercial space, after that we branched out into the oil fields. Now we’re doing about 50/50 commercial and residential jobs- commercial finish

outs, new builds from the ground up and same on the residential side.

Tell me how 44 Custom Woodworx came to be.

Steven (S): At BlueRock, we worked with Nick & June Chapko who owned Nick’s Custom Woodworking, a woodworking and cabinet fabrication business in San Antonio for over 40 years. Near the end of 2022, we spoke with Nick, and he stated he was getting ready to sell his woodworking business and close this chapter of his life. Daniel and I discussed it and decided to purchase the company, and rebrand it.

Tell me about Nick.

S: Nick and June were very well respected in the industry. We wanted to carry on their legacy. Alfred Morin, a Master Craftsman who worked with Nick for years, is an incredible wealth of knowledge and experience. When talking with their past clients, everyone raved about Alfred and Nick about the work they did, so we are very grateful to have Alfred on our team, still to this day.

How has the last year been, since you started this new company?

S: It’s really taken off. We started getting the word out there about the business, and Alfred began by calling his old contacts to let them know about all the changes, and we got some jobs from that. We started really getting out there, showcasing our work on social media platforms and that definitely got us noticed. We started getting jobs in MRI centers, bars, restaurants. And now we are working on doing all the cabinetry for a 188 unit new build apartment complex, and doing work in a high rise downtown near the Esquire. We have 10 employees now.

D: Especially this last year, Danny Villasana, our project manager, he’s been a huge asset and really allowed us to get back into the office and focus on growing

the business and managing that side while he’s in the field running projects. He’s a vital part, like our third arm. We know we can rely on him and count on him for anything.

Where did the inspiration come for the name of 44 Custom Woodworx?

From our grandfather, Felix Garcia. He started in the construction business in 1972, but he was born in 1944. So it was to honor him, he passed away about 5 years ago.

Any fond memories about him that you’d like to share?

S: Right after college, we did our first real estate development. We bought a piece of raw land and built a 10 unit apartment complex from the ground up. Our Grandpa and our Dad came out to the jobsite, and they were really proud of us. Our dad brought his huge smoker out and fed the whole crew. It was a big milestone for us and it was awesome to have them there, they knew it was important to us and were there to show their support.

Tell me more about your family. Are either of you married? Kids?

D: Our parents are Adrian and Jackie Garcia. They taught us a lot about the business, and our mom can always help us with questions about bookkeeping and taxes, because she knows about all that. I am married, my wife’s name is Laura and we have a niece Ava who loves spending time with her cousins. We, also, have a younger sister, Marisa, who has 2 kids, Joaquin and Juiliana.

S: My wife’s name is Briana, and we have two kids. Our daughter, Audriana is 12 and our son Adrian, who we call Bubba, is 9. Our family is really close and we love to hang out together, BBQ, and watch a Spurs game. Just spend time together.

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not working?

D: I love to golf, hang out with our

nieces and nephews, and enjoy dinner and concerts with my wife.

S: I enjoy doing social media marketing stuff. Being behind the camera and posting on Instagram and making videos, making reels, it’s fun. I like hunting and fishing. The kiddos keep my wife and I busy, and we love spending time with them.

How is it working together, being brothers?

S: It’s good. We both know our roles and responsibilities, and we can work together all day and then hang out together at night with our family all together. We both have the same values and want to make sure in our businesses that our customers come first. You have to care about them and their needs. You hear so many horror stories about people being scammed, jobs left uncompleted. We want people to know, we are going to get the job done right. We value integrity. -ndw

To learn more about the Garcia brother’s businesses, please visit 44customwoodworx. com bluerockcg.com, or check out their Instagram profiles @44customwoodworx and @bluerockconstructiongroup

Owners and brothers, Daniel & Steven Garcia

Ken Milam

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:

Don’t you believe it!

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

Well, it is official. They have finally come up with technology that can lie better than humans can!

Lying technology is something we have all had to put up with in the past. There were the old radar detectors that were as accurate as a coin toss and I have an oven that can’t tell me the true temperature to save its life, and don’t get me started on some of my old fish finders. Those were just the lies of imperfect technology. We knew to take those things with a grain of salt and not count on them too much.

With the rapid intrusion of artificial intelligence into almost every facet of our

IThe Great Outdoors

lives, we are faced with the ability to lie on an epic scale! It is true that A.I. can be an amazing tool in helping us to make sense of the staggering amount of data that needs to be studied in the sciences and engineering and so many applications we are just beginning to understand. It is also true that people will use it for everything from cheating on homework to reminding us of our cyborg friend Arnie’s dire warning about it taking over the world.

Don’t worry. There is nothing artificial about this article. It is the product of just the right balance of caffeine and stress. I don’t know how to use A.I. and a don’t think I want to know because I would be tempted use it!

Nothing but the Truth!

We know, but sometimes forget, that we can’t trust a gossipy neighbor, or what we see on TV. The internet is chock full of information both good and bad. It all depends on who is talking. Every issue has two or more sides. Here we are in a presidential election year of all times and A.I. is becoming accessible to the masses. Oh Boy are we in for a ride!

All you can do is go find your own answers! Both likely presidential candidates have had a practice lap. Which one was the best driver based on the ride they gave you. The same goes for local candidates. Take a moment to try on what they are handing you like you try on socks. If they pinch you or have holes, not the

sock you need! The best thing to remember is that YOU make up your mind! If you base your decision on your own experiences instead of what they show you, you are on solid ground.

Now to get to the most unsettling use of A.I. Did your fishing buddy really catch that trophy bass? How are we going to know?!? Does he have the right number of rays on his dorsal fin? Did that guy really bag that amazing, atypical buck? Or was the atypical part just an A.I. glitch? How will we ever know?

You are just going to have to go hunting and fishing and find out the truth for yourself! That sounds like a noble mission to me!

Giant Greenback Hunting Anglers

t’s that crazy time of year where them big girls feed up, suspend, get extra fickle, and then get hit on by the boys at this watery club I’m at, O.H. Ivie, to come check out the pretty little hard bottom bed they made for her. The infamous Pre-Spawn and Spawn season.

I’m at the “Land of the Giants” trying to coerce all these fat greenbacks to pick my plastic and/or rubbery looking fake sirloin bait over that real shad sirloin that’s right in front of their face. Tough task this time of year, but it’s not from a lack of trying on this now 8.5’ lower highly pressured body of water, which is one of the points I wanted to discuss in this article along with bait presentation. Unfortunately, Ivie and many other West Texas and South Texas lakes are on a water level decline from water usage, horrible water management by municipalities, and lack of rain, in that order I might add. Those subjects are for another article though.

In my opinion, as well as many other more experienced anglers, it is NOT “easier” to catch fish when lake levels drop. Well, not unless you’re throwing a net. Keep in mind the forage for bass, (baitfish, gizzard shad, crawfish, bluegill, crappie, etc.) in that body of water get condensed as well. Their real food is in their faces or closer to them as the levels decrease. This makes these unnatural baits we decide to throw less enticing to the bass because we typically throw baits that truly do not look anything like natural forage

for bass. In my experience, and many of the top anglers in the professional tournament arena, you will see bait sizes decrease to a more finesse style type baits, more natural colors, and slowing down the presentation.

Presentation is your key during lower levels. Move your hard baits faster and slow down your soft baits. Moving your hard bait a little faster and/or making harder twitches in their strike zone will cause that immediate reaction to that territorial and/or feeding bass, especially in stained water. Don’t give them time to study your bait. Make them fire after it like a fat kid running to the candy aisle. On the other hand, slow down your soft bait presentation AND try to “match the hatch” with bait size/selection. I’m a big fan of power fishing but throwing a 10” Power Worm during threadfin feeding season is not going to get me or my clients the results we are hoping for. Save that gnarly thing for post spawn. Decrease the size and length of movement on your soft plastic to entice more bites.

BUT there’s also 2 things to remember, bass HAVE to eat, and they are the MOST aggressive, territorial predator in the lake.

Good luck tricking those fat, sexy, prego greenbacks into licking on your hook this spawn season.

Brian Parker, Texas Bass Tours

The Great Outdoors

3 Generations of Hunters

Crappie Time on Choke Canyon

It’s almost that time on Choke Canyon y’all! The Crappie are starting to stage up and the egg sacks are starting to get vainy. As the water temps near the low 60’s, Crappie will begin building nest on hard bottom substrate. Ideal water temps between 61 - 68 degrees are when the spawn is in full effect. Yesterday I saw 58 to 62 degrees. We were able to pattern crappie staging near spawning flats with the average depth being between 14 and 23 feet of water. A Bonehead tackle slim stick in moon dust on a 1/16oz jig head and minnows on a #6 Aberdeen hook were the ticket. Some spots the jig would out perform the minnow. And vice versa. Most trips involve lots of searching and moving. Due to the fact that the spot you hit yesterday or last week, may be vacant tomorrow. This time of year, the crappie

stay on the move. Between hardwoods on the edge of the river channels and brush piles up on the spawning flats. They will continue to move in or out on their way to the shallows based on the weather.  Once they get shallow it’s a great way for kids to enjoy the great outdoors. Slip bobbers and minnows will have they entertained for hours. Be safe out there and tight lines y’all. Give me a call at 210-831-4679, and let’s go Catchin!

FacebookC&C Guide Service

InstagramCastingandcatchingguideservice

If you’re looking to fill the freezer or have a good old-fashioned fish fry, give me a call at 210-831-4679, and let’s go Catchin!

Captain Clendon Taylor Casting & Catching Guide Service

Sponsored by:

Lonnie Knight, Guido Construction harvested a main frame, 8 pt. with two extra points, 25” wide. Scored 153, 4/8 BC on his family ranch south of San Antonio.

The R.L. Jones LP family; Josh, David, Natalie & Duke Jones all harvested bucks in Kendalia & Kimble County.

The Great

Middle Coast Fishing Report

West Matagorda Bay

FAIR. 58 degrees. The warming trend in the forecast should improve the bite. Fish between fronts after the high pressure moves over for redfish and trout. Influx of freshwater in the bay, so best success will be out of the freshwater line targeting mid bay reefs for trout and redfish.The Colorado River is on the rise again and off color, so it will take a few weeks for fishing to improve. Report by Captain Charlie Paradoski, Captain Charlie Paradoski’s Guide Service.

Port O’Connor

FAIR. 58 degrees. Oversized redfish inside and outside the end of the jetties on Spanish sardines. Redfish are halfway down the jetties on dead shrimp or Spanish sardines. Large drum are spawning with catches up to 60-70 pounds in the flare of the jetties and near Bird Island on blue crab. Report by Captain Marty Medford, Captain Marty’s Fish of a Lifetime Guide Service.

Rockport

GOOD. 60 degrees. Sheepshead are moving into the jetties. Good size trout being caught on live shrimp along the jetty rocks. Redfish are good on cut mullet and live shrimp. Redfish and black drum are great on the flats when tides are low fishing the drains and guts on shrimp and mullet. Report by Captain Kenny Kramer, Kramer Fishing Charters.

Port Aransas

FAIR. 60 degrees. Sheepshead are moving into the jetties. Good size trout being caught on live shrimp along the jetty rocks. Redfish are good on cut mullet and live shrimp. Redfish and black drum are

great on the flats when tides are low fishing the drains and guts on shrimp and mullet. Report by Captain Kenny Kramer, Kramer Fishing Charters.

Corpus Christi

GOOD. 61 degrees. Changing weather has slowed the bite with the water going from stained due to high winds to clear with the winds are light. Redfish and black drum can be caught with dead shrimp. Some undersized sheepshead are starting to show up in Port Aransas around the Fina docks and jetties. Report by Captain Aerich Oliver, Rockport Paradise Outfitters.

Baffin Bay

SLOW. 53 degrees. High winds and extremely low water levels this week. Water temperature has warmed up, water levels have dropped and baitfish activity has increased. Fishing up real shallow water with these low water levels in warmer water has been productive. Knee to mid thigh deep, along guts, drop-offs, scattered sand pockets and grass beds are structures that typically hold the most slots to oversized fish. Lures of choice have been darker hues for the off colored stained water that is here in Baffin. MirrOlure Little John XL in purple and Custom Corky’s in bright or dark hues as well. Throwing these baits in areas with signs such as bait swirls or bait jumping, pelicans diving, or slicks will surely lead to a successful wade. Stay confident and consistent in your routine and it will pay off! Stay safe out on the water, keep what you need and release the rest. As always, tight lines! Report by Captain Reanna DeLaCruz, Captain Reanna’s Baffin Bay Adventures.

News’

Big Bassin’ Fishing Tours (512) 744-7453

Construction

Great Outdoor writer, Evan Coleman, with a 27lb striper on Canyon Lake.

Association Calendar

Content submitted by Associations to Construction News

ABC

Associated Builders & Contractors

South Texas Chapter

Mar. 6: Sporting Clay Shoot and BBQ CookOff, National Shooting Complex, 11:00am5:00pm 5931 Roft Rd, San Antonio

Mar. 11: Scaffold Competent Person Training, 10am-5pm, ABC South Texas Office

Mar. 11-13: OSHA #502 Update for Industry Outreach Trainers

Mar. 13-15: OSHA#503 Update for General Industry Outreach Trainers

AGC

Associated General Contractors San Antonio

Mar. 14: Project Management 101, Lunch & Learn, 11:30am-1pm

Mar. 27: Golf Tournament, 7am start

AIA

American Institute of Architects San Antonio

Mar. 6: LiA Happy Hour, 5:30-7:30pm, Maeve, 818 Austin St., San Antonio

Mar. 7: COTE Bi-Monthly Meetup, 12-1pm, Commonwealth E. Jones, 203 E. Jones Ave., Ste. 101, San Antonio

Mar. 25: SA Chapter Meeting/Speaker: Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai, 11:30am1pm, Maestro Entrepreneur Event Center, 1811 S. Laredo St., San Antonio (Registration required)

ASA

American Subcontractors Association San Antonio

Mar. 6-9: National Subexcel Convention, New Orleans

Mar. 7: Safety Update, 11:30am, Joeris

General Contractors

Mar. 21: *FREE* Tacos & Training, 8:30am, Aprio|Ridout Barrett’s Office, FREE for ASA Members, Be Prepared for an OSHA Inspection

Mar. 19: General Meeting, 5pm, The Barn

Door

Mar. 28: Excellence in Construction Awards Banquet, 6pm, Mays Witte

GSABA

Greater San Antonio Builders Association

Mar. 6: Professional Wolmen in Building Legislative Luncheon, 11am-1:30pm, GSABA Ballroom, 3625 Paesanos Parkway, Ste. 100, San Antonio. RSVP required

Mar. 19: GSABA Board of Directors Meeting, 11:30-1pm. RSVP for lunch (210) 696-3800

Mar. 21: Membership Networking Mixer, 5-7pm, Palo Verde Pools & Spa, 32255 I-H 10 W. Ste. A, Boerne

HCA de SA

Hispanic Contractors Association

Mar. 20: Women in Construction Networking Mixer, 5:30-7:30pm, Location: TBD

IEC

Independent Electrical Contractors

Mar. 2: 24th Annual Barbecue Cook-Off & Apprentice Wire-Off, 10am-6pm, Helotes Festival Grounds

MCA-SMACNA INC

Mechanical Contractors Association

Sheet Metal & A/C Nat’l Association

Mar. 13: Regular & Associates Meeting, 11:30am, The Petroleum Club, 8620 N. New Braunfels Ave #700, San Antonio Mar. 27: Joint Industry Fund Meeting, 11:30am, MCA-SMACNA Office

NAWIC

National Association of Women in Construction San Antonio

Mar. 3: Hard hats & Heels WIC Kickoff brunch, 11am, Middleman Construction, 9639 McCullough Ave., San Antonio

Mar. 4: Construct-A-Cookie, 11am, Over the Top Cake Supplies, 1010 Northwest Loop 410, #102, San Antonio

Mar. 5: Women & Power Tools, 11am, Lone Star Construction Trades Training, San Antonio

Mar. 6: Trivia Night at the Barn Door, 6pm, The Barn Door, 8400 N. New Braunfels Ave., San Antonio

Mar. 7: PPE Fashion Show, time & location

TBD

Mar. 8: NAWIC Golf Tournament, Silver Horn Golf Club of Texas, 1100 W. Bitters Rd., San Antonio

Mar. 9: Sleep in Heavenly Peace Volunteer Day, 10616 Sentinel Dr., San Antonio

Mar. 14: Tool Training for Moms & Daughters, 11am-3pm, 4315 Centergate St., San Antonio

Mar. 22: Friendship Friday, 5:30-8pm

SAMCA

San Antonio Masonry

Contractors Association

Mar. 28: SAMCA Golf Classic, 8am start, Silver Horn Golf Club of Texas, 1100 W. Bitters Rd., San Antonio

TACCA

Texas Air Conditioning Cooling

Contractors Association

Mar. 20: Member Meeting, 11:30am-1pm, Old San Francisco Steakhouse, 10223 Sahara Dr., San Antonio. For more information and to Register visit taccagreatersanantonio.org

Helluva Hootenanny

Feb. 1-3, - Craig Noto, Quality Fence & Welding, Field Construction & Gold Masters made their way to Bandera for the 19th Annual Cowboy Madi Gras Parade. They decorated Boots Beach Buggy and entered into the parade. Everyone enjoyed the weekend festivities by getting dressed up and throwing beads, super balls and ducks. It was a great weekend!

3/3– Craig Noto – Quality Fence & Welding

3/5– Ted Dunnam –President of ASA / Dunnam Safety Management

3/6– Lauren Guido Tew - Guido

3/8– Josh King – You Name It Specialties

3/11– Jessica Quintanar – Q Safety

3/17– Kelly Wilson – Director of Membership & Events / ASA San Antonio

3/18– Tyler Johnson – White Rock Construction

3/22– Michael Moore –Treasurer of ASA / Aprio Ridout Barrett

3/23– Mike Sireno – Baker Triangle

3/31– Joe Garza – Director of ASA / EquipmentShare

Know someone celebrating an April birthday? Let us know!

Email Andi Mathews, andi@constructionnews.net

On Feb. 7 guests came together to celebrate a groundbreaking ceremony of Morningside at Menger Springs Expansion of its senior living campus, introducing 80 new independent living Terrace Homes and enhancing its amenities. Depositors, residents and community leaders were invited to attend a groundbreaking ceremony to signal the start of the project’s construction phase. The upcoming expansion will incorporate an additional eight acres adjacent to the

Breaking Ground

community’s 34-acre property near Menger Creek, with occupancy planned for summer 2025.

Project leaders are taking a hybrid approach to developing the Terrace Homes by blending concepts from the community’s existing independent living offerings. The plan features four two-story residential buildings with one and two-bedroom floor plans ranging from 946 to 1,903 square feet. The expansion includes a residential clubhouse with a dining and bar

area, commercial kitchen and 120-seat community room. Other new amenities include a fitness center, pickleball court, heated covered swimming pool and an amphitheater. Architectural design elements include metal, wood, stone and stucco – exterior materials consistent with the region’s Texas Hill Country aesthetic. San Antonio-based Metropolitan Contracting Company (Metro) is the general contractor for the project. Global firm HKS is the design architect.

One

Pictured L-R

Dr. Joseph Macaluso, Boerne City Council District 5 Patrick Crump, President/CEO, Morningside Ministries Frank Ritchie, Mayor of Boerne

John Mehrkens, Baile Senior Development

John Franklin, Project Executive, Metropolitan Contracting (METRO) Brooks Powell, Executive Director, Morningside Ministries Menger Springs Brooke Craig, Marketing Director, Morningside Ministries Menger Springs

Brenham BBQ

HEB has partnered with Noble Construction on numerous projects across Texas. These include converting existing space into new concepts in grocery shopping, Curbside Shopping, as well as various interior and exterior store renovations, resets, and freezer installs. Noble’s most recent job site completion was at the H-E-B/BBQ building in Brenham.

To avoid store and customer disruptions, extensive demolition and construction was performed after hours or overnight to meet their clients’ demands. Daily and weekly coordination meetings between Nobel staff and HEB were key to providing a successful project to the client.

HOLT Manufacturing’s Spray King® Tanks: Innovating Safety and Simplifying Operations in the Water Truck Industry

By Travis Cox, Sales & Business Development Manager at HOLT Manufacturing

As a family-man, veteran, and devoted martial artist, I take immense pride in giving my all in everything I do, which something I share with my colleagues at HOLT Manufacturing. Our legacy dates back to 1886 when the Holt family began their journey of crafting top-notch equipment for the agriculture industry. By embracing this heritage of innovation, HOLT Manufacturing has emerged as an industry leader. Specifically, we are trailblazers in the production off-highway water trucks with 24,000-gallon tanks, and on-highway trucks with 2,000- and 4,000-gallon tanks.

When we embarked on the extraordinary venture of HOLT Manufacturing, it wasn’t just another business endeavor; it was a company mission to identify, meet and exceed the needs of our customers. Drawing inspiration from the remarkable history of Caterpillar machines, we meticulously assessed machines and identified opportunities for innovation. We had two core focuses in mind - safety and simplicity - as we envisioned crafting products that would not only be user-friendly but also stand the test of time.

Committed to excellence, we tirelessly explored and refined our ideas, and the journey culminated in the revolutionary Spray King® Tanks for Water Trucks & Stand Tanks. This milestone holds a profound significance to me, and it is a testament to our dedication to deliver products that surpass expectations.

Unveiling the Spray King® Tanks: ConExpo 2020, a world-wide trade

show for the construction industry, provided an ideal platform to launch HOLT Manufacturing and to showcase our Spray King® Tanks for the first time to a global audience. To provide attendees with an upclose experience of the superior baffling system, HOLT Manufacturing displayed our 6,000-gallon articulated truck with cut-outs in the tank, allowing attendees to witness the innovative system firsthand and experience the attention to detail HOLT Manufacturing brings to our designs.

These innovative off-highway water trucks and stand tanks were constructed at the newly acquired 130-acre manufacturing facility in Waco, Texas, which has significantly enhanced our customization capabilities and production capacity.

Revolutionizing Safety:

One of the most remarkable aspects of HOLT Manufacturing’s Spray King® Tanks is our commitment safety standards, which are ingrained in every aspect of our products. The rear of our articulated water truck line has been meticulously designed to provide a safe and efficient work environment. Recognizing the back of the truck is where most of the work is done, we have incorporated ladders built into the tank, enabling technicians to access various components with ease. Moreover, strategically placed bumpers can be pushed in the event the truck gets stuck, ensuring the safety of those working around the vehicle. Our values-based leadership philosophy helps to guide each decision to ensure the product not only prioritized our customers, but our technicians as well.

The baffling systems inside the tanks also play a crucial role in ensuring the safety

of operators and those working in close proximity to the truck, regardless of the fill level. Coated with a battle-tested epoxy, these baffles are built to withstand water and air erosion, ensuring longevity and uncompromised safety.

To enhance safety further, HOLT Manufacturing has developed a proprietary coating for our tanks. This coating allows for welding directly on the tank without the release of toxic gases, safeguarding the well-being of technicians. By eliminating the risk of toxic fumes, HOLT Manufacturing has created a safer work environment for those responsible for maintenance and repair.

Innovative Simplicity:

While prioritizing safety, HOLT Manufacturing has also focused on simplifying operations for technicians and operators alike. We have introduced a touch screen interface, revolutionizing the way water trucks are controlled. This industry-first feature enables operators to control the spraying of water and monitor the water level directly from the touch screen. Additionally, the system provides alerts when water levels are low, ensuring uninterrupted operation and preventing potential damage to the equipment.

We take it to the next level by designing and building our own programming and wiring for the touch screen interface. This level of customization allows us to tailor the system to meet the specific needs of our customers, providing an intuitive and userfriendly experience; something I’m extremely passionate about.

In fact, the Spray King® Tanks offer a wide range of customization options, allowing customers to specify nozzle

configurations, hose placements, in-cab electronic controls, tank access points and truck chassis. Our philosophy is to go above and beyond, ensuring that every customer’s vision is realized. Whether the customization is practical or aesthetic, we’re committed to bringing our customers’ ideas to life.

In my heart, HOLT Manufacturing symbolizes more than just a company; it reflects the passion innovation, the discipline instilled by my military experience, and the drive for continuous improvement honed through martial arts. With a heritage rooted in groundbreaking inventions and a commitment to our people, I’m proud to say HOLT Manufacturing has carved a niche for itself in the water truck industry. Our recently unveiled water truck line signifies a new chapter in their long-standing legacy, one that embraces the latest technological advancements while upholding the highest standards of safety. As HOLT Manufacturing continues to forge ahead, we are poised to lead the way in manufacturing heavy equipment, setting new benchmarks for the industry.

Photos courtesy of Mary C. Haskin Photography

Travis Cox, Sales & Business Development

S. Watts Group is a solutions-focused general contracting firm based in Austin. After successfully establishing another location in San Marcos, they are proud to announce their latest expansion into San Antonio. S. Watts Group has commercial constructioncontracting experience that includes: ground-up development, tenant interiors, retrofit and remodeling and sustainable LEED/green construction. Committed to growing alongside the thriving communities in the region, they are ready to be part of the unprecedented growth in the Greater San Antonio area.

Focused exclusively on commercial work, their projects in Austin include corporate interiors, healthcare, higher education, medical clinics/imaging clinics and amenity buildings. In San Antonio and surrounding areas, their focus is on the same market sectors but have seen an increase in new construction and ground up projects. They are already expanding into surrounding communities, such as Bulverde, where they are preparing

Hello Alamo City

to break ground on a five-acre site that will be a new home for Texas Regional Bank.

To support their growth in San Antonio, S. Watts group has appointed Teri Shelton as a Business Development Representative. With 24 years of experience in the Greater San Antonio area, Shelton adds significant expertise to the team. Her exceptional skill in fostering professional relationships with clients, vendors, and management has been crucial to her success in meeting and surpassing objectives. Her joining marks a pivotal moment in the history of their company.

S. Watts Group takes pride in offering more than just construction services. As strategic partners, they provide comprehensive solutions to tackle complex challenges across various projects. Their client-centric approach ensures that they consistently meet and exceed the diverse needs of their clientele. Jonathan Barton, Operations Manager-South for S. Watts, says

Check for Legislation

Athey want to continue to provide the same quality of service to their clients that has given them such a solid reputation, with their aim to always be honest, forthright, and efficient. Barton says he’s proud to have joined the S. Watts team nearly three years ago, stating, “I’ve known the owner, Shane Watts for 30 years, since we were both young guys in the industry. I have a deep respect for the way he runs a business, and how he treats his employees. That was the main contributor for me coming onboard, personally. I truly appreciate the team we’ve assembled, our people are our biggest asset. Our company functions as one big incredible team, and we are looking forward to introducing San Antonio to the S. Watts difference.” This new phase of their company’s growth is about more than constructing buildings; it’s about building communities, and contributing to the region’s economic and cultural development. S. Watts Group is excited to start this journey and looks forward to the opportunities that await in this dynamic market. -ndw

Kowboy Krewe

Lance Lackey, AC Today, rolling into three days of Cowboy Mardi Gras Celebration with great Cajun food and Zydeco music in Bandera!

Steve Rodriguez

Teri Shelton, Business Development Representative

Jonathan Barton, Operations ManagerSouth 1

Rebecca Pratt Greg Lazarek

merican Subcontractors Association (ASA) and San Antonio’s Government Advocacy Committee proudly met with Texas Contractors Association (TCA) on Jan 29th at the Petroleum Club of San Antonio for a check presentation to Rep. Steve Allison.  ASA & TCA are working in cooperation with other associations to advocate for legislative reforms to improve the ability for specialty contractor and suppliers to grow their businesses.

Industry FOLKS

Doug Miller

Senior Director of Marketing Site Pro Rentals

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Doug

Miller is currently the Senior Director of Marketing at SitePro Rentals . When asked what he loves most about working at SitePro, Doug says, “SitePro is the most dynamic, forward thinking, committed to people company I’ve ever worked for. It really allows the talent that works here to collaborate freely and efficiently. And we’re an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) so we are employee owned. SitePro has an awesome company culture. All for one on one for all.”

Doug has been working in the equipment rental industry for about six years now leading marketing, branding and communications efforts. He previously worked for Rental One which was a large, Texasbased, family-owned equipment rental company. Doug says his time working for the O’Neal family at Rental One taught him a lot about the equipment rental industry and he admired the strong leadership there. Doug is a people person, and loves making connections. This has served him well in his previous experience, leading marketing departments across multiple different sectors, predominantly financial services. Doug says that for over 20 years he’s had the good fortune of leading high performing teams focused on innovation process, digital marketing and branding, and he loves where that journey has led him.

After receiving his BBA from Baylor University, Doug went on to pursue his master’s degree at Texas

OA&M-Commerce. In addition to his MBA, Doug also holds an advanced marketing certificate from Cox School of Business at SMU. He has been married to his wife, Jennifer for over 25 Years, who is a Speech Language Pathologist and works with special needs children in their local school district. They have two children, a daughter who is a Junior in college at University of Texas at Arlington studying English and Education, and a son who is a High School Senior who plays on his school’s varsity soccer and golf teams. Doug is a selfdescribed “Baseball Nerd” who has been collecting sports memorabilia since he was a kid, including autographed baseballs of every living and dozens of deceased Baseball Hall of Famers. His most prized autographs are that of his childhood favorites, Mike Schimdt, and Mark McGwire, and some of his more notable signatures include Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Derek Jeter. When he’s not on the grind, Doug and Jennifer love to travel. They visit minor league baseball parks across the country and love going to La Jolla, California to relax, eat at their favorite restaurant, Puesto and hike along the beach. Faith is a big part of their lives and they are active members of their church, 121 Community Church in Grapevine. -ndw

Empowering Students

n January 26, at the Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) Training Center in San Antonio, SkillsUSA District 11 students participated the Motor Control Skills and the National Electrical Code Test, and those winners move on to the state level in Corpus Christi in April.  The SkillsUSA Championships is the premier showcase of America’s most highly skilled career and technical education students. It’s also one of the

largest hands-on workforce development events in the world.

SkillsUSA Texas is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps each student excel in leadership skills, technical and engineering skills, STEM, and occupationally related skills in 12 of the cluster areas. All students in Career and Technical Education programs are eligible for membership.

A Proud Day

Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) would like to thank everyone that attended their Annual Membership Meeting & Board of Directors Installation on Jan. 24 at Magnolia Halle. A special thanks to Geoffrey Tahuahua and State Representative Barbara Gervin-Hawkins for being our Guest Speakers. Representative Barbara Gervin-Hawkins did a wonderful job swearing in the 2024 Board of Directors.

Photo courtesy of Mary C. Haskin Photography

Propelling Future Growth

Joeris General Contractors, an award-winning construction company with a storied 57-year presence in Texas, has announced the appointment of new executive leadership.

These new appointments are part of the firm’s succession strategy allowing the company to continue serving its clients across Texas, engaging in strategic expansion, and fulfilling its mission of Transforming People and Places.

Burton Hackney  will serve the firm’s 650 team members, its clients, and industry partners as the new President after a successful tenure as Vice President of Central Texas for the past 8 ½ years. A Texas Tech graduate, Hackney brings a robust 30-year portfolio of commercial contracting leadership to his new position.

Carl McClenan steps into the role of Executive Vice President. His two decades at Joeris, culminating in his recent role as Vice President of Operations, will bring a dedicated focus on servant leadership balanced with operational excellence supported by an academic foundation in Construction Science from Texas A&M University and more than 25 years of experience in the commercial construction industry.

Karl Joeris, also a Texas A&M graduate, will continue as Chief Operations Officer, a role he has served in since 2019. Karl brings an extensive background in large scale project oversight as well as a firm foundation in risk mitigation, trade partner support and team development to this critical role as the firm continues its steady growth.

New Executive Leadership:

Ryan Doege continues as Chief Business Officer, a mantle he took up in August 2023. His expertise is grounded in his Texas Lutheran University education, a background in construction focused public accounting and a decade-long commitment to Joeris’s leadership through various financial positions from controller to Chief Financial Officer since 2011.

Kristian Pearson celebrates a 30-year career in the construction industry, 10 of those with the Joeris team, and will continue to serve at Joeris in the role of Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer. His experience is marked by numerous strategic leadership positions within the industry and at Joeris, most recently as the leader of the Joeris Houston business unit. Kristian brings a passion for strategic planning and oversight to the Executive Leadership Team.

Janet Dusek will take on the new role of Chief Culture Officer, bringing over 22 years of project experience at Joeris to the Executive Team in a position tasked with cultivating and celebrating the Joeris culture, a unique element of the firm that continues to contribute to its growth and success.

Board of Directors Formation:

As part of the transition, Joeris has also formed a new Board of Directors. The board features Joeris CEO Gary Joeris, who will now also serve as Chairman of the Board, former President Kenny Fuller, and former Executive Vice President Angela Cardwell. The board will utilize their combined 85 years of experience to provide counsel to the new executive team, sharing invaluable knowledge and expertise gleaned through their many decades leading Joeris in all facets of operations.

“We are proud to announce the composition of our new executive team, an exceptional group of individuals appointed to lead various segments of our business,” said CEO Gary Joeris. “Their unique talents and unwavering dedication have us excited about the future of Joeris. We are confident in their ability to achieve remarkable success for our company.”

Latest Technology Solutions

Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Association –Greater San Antonio (TACCA - GSA) hosted the 2024 South Texas HVAC EXPO with complimentary admission for area contractors. Over 50 exhibitors were on hand to meet with more than 400 contracting professionals and HVAC Students from around South Texas to introduce the latest in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technology, products and services.

The event was held on Feb. 15 at the Alzafar Shrine Auditorium. Owners, principles, and managers had the opportunity to participate in a leadership breakout session “Unlock Your HVAC Business Potential: Customer Satisfaction, Sales and Team Building Excellence!” presented by Hector Rodriquez with Sandler Training. A second breakout geared to Technicians, Sales Teams and Students featuring the

topic HVAC/R Changes, Challenges and Opportunities Plus a Bonus Mini Topic, Emerging Leaders - Take Your HVAC Career to the Next Level! New for 2024 EXPO hosted the HVAC Student Career Fair – over 60 HVAC students had the opportunity for a Meet and Greet with top local HVAC contractor employers. Door prizes were given away throughout the day in addition to enjoying a catered barbecue lunch.

Shaping the Future ASA Membership Mixer

Anticipating and developing solutions for our nation’s future transportation needs has never been more critical. Whether it’s replacing aging infrastructure, building new routes and modes to meet changing demands, or addressing new ways of working, the A/E/C industry has arrived at an exciting juncture. Engineering is the critical link that brings it all together.

“There is a new focus on transportation that we haven’t seen for several decades,” said Janet Keiser, P.E., PTOE, vice president and national director for transportation and infrastructure. “Terracon has the mindset to roll up our sleeves and explore the solutions that will solve the challenges our transportation industry clients are experiencing.”

As we look forward to Engineers Week 2024, the employee-owners at Terracon are excited to help our clients meet current and emerging challenges to advance the transportation infrastructure of the future.

When working with alternate delivery projects, identifying and mitigating probable impacts of potential risks is crucial. Terracon has established an alternate delivery group dedicated to this growing market sector, which includes design-build, progressive design-build, public-private partnership (P3), construction manager/

general contractor, and other alternate delivery methods. Our dedicated professionals know how to meet alternate delivery projects’ unique timing and scheduling challenges.

Whether the transportation project is small and local or has a big impact such as an airport terminal, interstate bridge, or railway, there are myriad factors to consider. Engineering professionals provide solutions and services throughout the life of transportation projects, from selecting a site through design, construction, and beyond. Maximizing resources, such as public and private funding, construction materials, and equipment, is one of many priorities we’re keeping in mind.

As important as it is to solve problems and avoid challenges, it’s also important to look beyond the practical issues of transportation today to anticipate – and invent – the future of the sector.

While some trends are clear, we don’t know the specifics of how things will evolve. But we can say for sure that engineering is the critical component to building the transportation networks of the future, starting today. We encourage those working in engineering and related professions to find solutions to today’s challenges while still allowing space for all the things we haven’t anticipated yet.

Andrew Hutto and Ted Dunnam Raffle Winner

Matt Wilkes Texas First Rentals Raffle Winner

Adam Hudec with Ted Dunnam Raffle Winner

ACCOUNTING

TFinancial Markets had a Difficult Start to the Year After an Exuberant End to Last Year

Joe Brusuelas Chief Economist RSM US LLP

he yield on 10-year Treasury bills dropped from 5% to 3.8% to end the year as investors priced in an early start for monetary policy easing.

Now, as the Federal Reserve signals rate cuts, we think conditions are ripe for the yield curve to continue to normalize as the long end moves to a range of 4% to 4.25%.

It’s all part of a rising appetite for risk that is likely to spill over into private equity as a wave of refinancing arrives in commercial real estate and corporate debt starting this year.

Money markets have stabilized, thanks to the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve navigating the debt ceiling standoff, and some of the cash that flooded into money market funds last year will likely spill over into asset markets. That shift will mark a change from the recession-driven narrative that permeated financial markets over the past year.

It took the better part of last year for the RSM US Financial Conditions Index to recover from the debt ceiling standoff.

Our index is now positive for the first time since February 2022 amid a robust economy, strong labor market, easing inflation and rising real wages and personal disposable income. This improvement is part of the foundation for our budding optimism.

The yield curve normalizing

Six months ago, the Federal Reserve was still hiking its policy rate. The yields on two-year Treasury bonds were roughly 4.75%, an abnormal 75 basis points higher than five-year yields, which were at 4.01%.

With 10-year yields even lower, at 3.73%, the yield curve was inverted as the market priced in the potential of an economic slowdown or a full-blown recession.

That was before the remarkable resilience of the U.S. economy became fully apparent.

Our modeling work suggests that the U.S. economy grew by 2.5% last year and is poised to slow to its long-term rate of 1.8% per year. That implies an economy able to support long-term interest rates in the range of 4% to 4.5% this year and next.

Now, with inflation receding and the economy operating at full employment, the Fed has signaled its intention to lower its policy rate toward a target of 4.6% this year, 3.6% next year and 2.5% in the longer run.

And because two-year bond yields are determined by the expected path of the federal funds rate, we can expect two-year yields to drop below five-year and 10-year yields, with the front end of the yield curve steepening.

A dose of reality

The spectacular run of the stock and bond markets last year reflects confidence in the economic recovery. But trading in the first week of January suggested that the markets may have gotten ahead of themselves.

In the first week of January, the S&P 500 gave back 1.5% of last year’s gains. And 10-year bond yields traded

back above 4% as the market factored in the uncertainty over the start date for Fed easing.

In our view, the Fed is faced with balancing the risk of lingering inflation, which would require maintaining the policy rate at 5.5%, with the risk of a government shutdown and geopolitical shocks that would dampen the recovery and require quick rate cuts.

The bond market often undergoes large swings in 10-year yields within long-term trends, which directly affect the cost and availability of corporate borrowing. We expect 10-year Treasury notes to trade within a 4% to 4.5% range as the economy progresses and as monetary policy normalizes.

A return to normal

The Fed’s reverse repo facility was created during the 2008−09 global financial crisis and designed to maintain liquidity in the money markets. Money market funds could park cash in the facility and receive an overnight return, even during periods of crisis.

But investors are now drawing down their money market funds as they look to receive comparable rates now available over a longer time period in Treasury bills.

This drawdown will add pressure on the Fed, which hinted in its December meeting minutes that it may need to reduce the runoff of its balance sheet, known as quantitative tightening, and ease liquidity concerns in the repo markets.

A bit of caution in credit markets

Credit default swaps allow the transfer of risk from one party to the next, in effect creating an insurance policy for debt holders.

The large increase in the cost of insurance early last year dissipated as the risk of a government default and bank failures eased, only to increase again as threat of a government shutdown returned.

In the first week of this year, the risk of another economic shock has kept the cost of insurance elevated.

The takeaway

After a year of spectacular returns, investors have reassessed some of that exuberance.

The Federal Reserve has indicated that market expectations of rate cuts starting in March need to be pared back. While we think that the Fed would prefer to wait until June to implement its first rate cut, the notable improvement in the inflation data and pricing outlook, and the anchoring of inflation expectations around the central bank’s 2% target, may result in a May reduction in a policy rate that is too restrictive.

We are forecasting the 10-year yield to trade around 4.25% this year, with action at the front end of the curve as the Fed cuts rates in the second half.

As rates come down later this year, we expect a pickup in deals around the stress in commercial real estate markets and as smart money moves ahead of the wave of corporate debt refinancing that will hit in 2025 and 2026.

LEGAL

CThe Future is Now: Application of AI-Controlled Water Management System

Jared Norton Attorney Cokinos | Young

onstruction projects are anything but benign: inherent dangers in the physical construction, safety risks to the enormous labor pool, and seemingly ever-increasing financial burdens and obstacles to continuously overcome in advance of fastapproaching deadlines should be more than enough for anyone to stress over. Naturally, insurance companies across the board, especially in this post-2020 COVID-affected economy, are more than comfortable charging hefty premiums and deductibles to their insurers for the “privilege” of coverage should something go awry during or post-construction.

One such problem is water damage; a good portion (30%) of all Builders Risk claims come from moisture intrusion or water-related damage. However, recent developments in technologies, powered by the ostensibly all-encompassing “AI,” along with partnerships with insurance companies, promises to reduce strain on contractors, developers, owners, etc. as well as mitigate impact to those same insurance companies.

The Nightmare Hypothetical

Saturday 1:34 am: The leak is deep inside a wall of your new 20-story commercial structure. It starts slowly. Just a few drips from a joint in a copper supply line.

Saturday 2:40 am: The dripping continues for about an hour. Then the copper press fitting fails, sending thousands of gallons of water an hour spraying inside the walls and at this point leaking outside the walls. Located near a major highway, the on-site security guards are unable to detect the sound of the water.

Monday 7:52 am: Hidden from view, the flow continues unabated until Monday morning when crews arrive to continue fitting out the lower level and discover massive amounts of water has submerged sheetrock, rolls of carpet, multiple generators and other equipment. Water, finding the lowest point as it does, also flooded four elevator pits and four escalator pits.

Monday 8:02 am: The water main is finally shut off. But millions of dollars of damage has already been done. And if the project has good insurance coverage, the contractor is still on the hook for sub-deductible losses. And in the case of water damage, there can be many such losses that add up to a lot of money.

AI, IoT, WINT & HSB

Enter WINT Water Intelligence, a “water management system that detects and stops leaks at the source using Artificial Intelligence” via the utilization of IoT (Internet of Things) sensors, in conjunction with HSB / Munich Re.

WINT serves to “equip contractors, developers, owners and facility management teams with a cuttingedge solution for managing water throughout the lifecycle of a building, from construction to operation.” IoT sensors are placed in areas where certain construction is underway that will anticipate waterflow or is otherwise plausibly at risk for water damage.

The sensors monitor the environment in at least two ways: (1) if connected to a water source or “checkpoint,” observe and monitor the flow of water in accordance with its coded parameters; (2) if connected to a non-water source, observe and monitor for whether water/moisture is detected at all. Those devices connected to water sources can communicate among each other via Wi-Fi, Ethernet connections, or even cellular networks (dependent upon the stage of construction and whether electrical infrastructure has been installed) as well as central hub(s) on- or off-site. If a water leak, or if a recording above a pre-specified threshold, is detected, commands previously designated in the central hub(s) can automatically shut off the source of water local to the affected area. Separately, if a device that is monitoring an area where water/ moisture is not normally expected detects an anomaly, an alert can be signaled to the human elements on call for further investigation and confirmation.

HSB has taken the unique step of providing a “water damage warranty,” covering up to $250,000 for water damage on a construction site under the condition that the WINT system failed to prevent or otherwise mitigate the water-related issue. This is a relatively nascent act from an insurance company that is likely to be seen by others as “AI-adjacent” systems like WINT are adopted for other areas/ phases of construction projects.

The possibilities for systems like this to aid contractors, owners, and design professionals is certainly welcome in a time where “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” rings loudly in the face of elevated premiums and deductibles. By integrating AI-driven solutions and developing partnerships with forwardthinking insurers like HSB, stakeholders can safeguard their investments, streamline operations, and ultimately enhance project outcomes for the benefit of all involved parties. Thorough analysis from legal counsel ensures contractual agreements align with the deployment and performance of these systems and, ideally, offer comprehensive protection and peace of mind to all involved parties. Investing in prevention today safeguards against the costly repercussions of tomorrow, charting a course towards resilience and success in the ever-developing construction industry.

Extension Ladder?

OSHA

Reducing Falls in Construction: Safe Use of Extension Ladders

Michael Middleton Compliance Safety Officer

U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA Austin, TX

Also known as “portable ladders,” extension ladders usually have two sections that operate in brackets or guides allowing for adjustable lengths. Because extension ladders are not selfsupporting they require a stable structure that can withstand the intended load.

PLAN Ahead Get the Job Done Safely.

• Use a ladder that can sustain at least four times the maximum intended load, except that each extra-heavy duty type 1A metal or plastic ladder shall sustain at least 3.3 times the maximum intended load. Also acceptable are ladders that meet the requirements set forth in Appendix A of Subpart X. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and labels on the ladder. To determine the correct ladder, consider your weight plus the weight of your load. Do not exceed the load rating and always include the weight of all tools, materials and equipment.

• A competent person must visually inspect all extension ladders before use for any defects such as: missing rungs, bolts, cleats, screws and loose components. Where a ladder has these or other defects, it must be immediately marked as defective or tagged with “Do Not Use” or similar language.

• Allow sufficient room to step off the ladder safely. Keep the area around the bottom and the top of the ladder clear of equipment, materials and tools. If access

is obstructed, secure the top of the ladder to a rigid support that will not deflect, and add a grasping device to allow workers safe access.

• Set the ladder at the proper angle. When a ladder is leaned against a wall, the bottom of the ladder should be onequarter of the ladder’s working length away from the wall. For access to an elevated work surface, extend the top of the ladder three feet above that surface or secure the ladder at its top.

• Before starting work, survey the area for potential hazards, such as energized overhead power lines. Ladders shall have non-conductive side rails if they are used where the worker or the ladder could contact exposed energized electrical equipment. Keep all ladders and other tools at least 10 feet away from any power lines.

• Set the base of the ladder so that the bottom sits securely and so both side rails are evenly supported. The ladder rails should be square to the structure against which it is leaning with both footpads placed securely on a stable and level surface.

• Secure the ladder’s dogs or pawls before climbing.

• When using a ladder in a highactivity area, secure it to prevent movement and use a barrier to redirect workers and equipment. If the ladder is placed in front of a door, always block off the door.

B&A Architects Announce New Principals to its Leadership Team

Firm promotes three internal employees to Principal

Rick Brendler, president of B&A Architects, proudly announces the elevation of Miguel Saldana, Steven Jackson, and Steve Mahlmann to the position of Principal within B&A Architects. Rick Brendler, founder of B&A Architects, will remain president of the 40-year-old, San Antonio-based firm.

“Each of these individuals have been integral to our success and collectively have more than four decades of experience as managers within B&A Architects, serving clients across Texas and the nation,” stated Brendler. “These talented individuals possess highly complementary skills and backgrounds, exemplifying collaboration, intellectual rigor, and a commitment to delivering the high standard of service for clients

that is the anchor of our organization.”

Brendler will continue to provide strategic oversight, guide the firm’s direction, and long-range plans, strategy, and policy. “I am excited to continue guiding our firm into the future, which is full of promise as we respond to our boundless potential,” stated Brendler.

“The elevation of these individuals to key leadership positions recognizes their dedication and commitment to B&A Architects’ continued growth and success over the years and further strengthens our firm.” The promotion of Saldana, Jackson, and Mahlmann to key leadership positions reinforces B&A Architects’ commitment to promoting talent and ensuring continued growth within the organization.

Congratulations to Guido Companies “Employees of the Quarter” across divisions recognized at their recent Employee Appreciation BBQ! Special shout-outs to those marking 6-month and 5-year milestones. Your dedication is the heartbeat of the company’s collective success. Cheers to many more achievements together!

Left to Right are Miguel Saldana, Principal, Steve Mahlmann, Principal, Steven Jackson, Principal and Rick Brendler, President

Winner Winner’s

Despite the rain, on Jan. 26 & 27 the Hispanic Contractors Association (HCA de SA) participated in their 7th annual Rodeo BBQ Cook-Off and Private Party.

They had two fun-filled days with incredible turnouts as well as a new Grand Champion this year!

Congratulations to Atwell, LLC for winning in all three categories; chicken, brisket, and ribs.

Chicken winners

1st Place - Equipment Share

2nd Place - Central Builders, Inc 3rd Place -Atwell, LLC

Brisket winners

1st Place- Guido

2nd Place - Atwell, LLC

3rd Place - Central Builders, Inc

Ribs winners

1st Place - Guido

2nd Place - AMC

3rd Place- Atwell, LLC

2024 Grand Champion Atwell, LLC

Photos courtesy of Mary C. Haskin Photography

Smooth Sailing

HVAC Expo

On Feb. 15, the team from Beyer Boys Air Conditioning and Heating spent the day at the San Antonio Shrine Auditorium for the TACCA Greater San Antonio HVAC Expo meeting with local contractors to introduce the latest in heating, ventilation and air conditioning technology and products.

2nd Place - Ribs, AMC

3rd Place - Chicken, Atwell LLC

Grand Champion, Atwell LLC

A recent project by Pro-Line Paving, LLC at Milberger Nursery in San Antonio. 300 tons of Mill, Overlay, Sealcoat and Striping.

MINI-EXCAVATORS

CRANES

CONSTRUCTION EQUIP TRUCKS

AT TACH ON-HIGHWAY TRUCKS

DOZERSWATER TRUCKS

ATTACHMENTS GRADERS

Your first and last stop for the best used equipment. Period. USED FEELS NEW AGAIN™