Skip to main content

Nevada Newsflash | Fall 2020

Page 1

NEVADA NEWSFLASH VICTOR FUCHS | PRESIDENT FALL 2020

ESTIMATING & DESIGN BUILD 2

HUMAN RESOURCES

3

SERVICE

4

IT

5

SAFETY

5

NORTHERN NEVADA

6

MAJOR PROJECTS

7

PREFAB

9

SPECIAL PROJECTS

10

Our year is flying by! I cannot believe this is already the third time I have had the chance to share with the team. I cannot believe we are here together and it is already October. The football season has begun. And in Las Vegas, even in 2020, the kickoff to the NFL season is special, it marked the inaugural season of the Las Vegas Raiders. As the first NFL game in history was played in Las Vegas it made me think about football and the symbolic parallel to business. Football and our business both have four quarters, and if you ask any coach, as they head into the 4th quarter of a game, they simply want the chance to win. Games are won in the 4th quarter. As we look at the calendar we realize that we are beginning our 4th quarter of 2020. Whether a Hall of Fame Coach, an All-Pro Quarterback, or an elite member of the best electrical contractor in the west, there is nothing quite like competing at the end of a game. It is 4th and Goal and we are PUSHING HARD to conclude 2020 strong at Helix. Thanks to all of you we are three months from finishing a great year where we’ve grown substantially, developed personally, and evolved effectively and efficiently as a business and as a team. It’s a good feeling knowing that as we enter the last quarter in the weeks and months ahead we’re going to be focused on three things:

2. Providing great training and growth opportunities for our team. In Q4, we’re going to push ourselves to continue to provide the best technical and professional development training in our industry. We’re going to be laser focused as a group to be better electricians, better leaders and better teammates. It’s exciting to be building, to be improving always, and to be creating opportunities for our team and our company. 3. Readying ourselves for continued growth in 2021. Complacent teams will put up a strong performance and then try to ease off the accelerator. Helix is not a complacent team. We thrive because we chose to always look for ways to be better. We double down on success. Our willingness as an organization to push through frustration to success, and then to push through moderate success to huge success, is rare. It’s what makes us great. Preparing for continued growth again is a huge part of our 4th quarter, and our philosophy of continuous improvement keeps us consistently motivated every day.

”We thrive because we always look for ways to be better.”

1. Achieve our goals – personally and as a team. In Q4, we’re going to focus on pushing forward. There are so many opportunities for all of us to score. Whether it be winning one more bid, closing out one more job, or making on more play for a teammate, we all have a chance to make the game winning score. Accomplishing

Stay up to date on projects at the Helix Electric of Nevada Facebook page

what we set out to do in 2020 will be speak volumes about our team. And it will be victory we always remember.

Team, it’s not just the fourth quarter, it’s the fourth quarter of 2020... in a global pandemic. And in this particular 4th quarter, this time of year, the world is going to start to move at warp speed. First we will have an Election, then suddenly it will be Thanksgiving time. Then, we’re staring down Christmas and New Years and the beginning of a new calendar year. With 3 months left, let’s take a minute to appreciate all we have already accomplished, set our game plans for success, and then let’s get right to it! Its 4th & Goal! Go Helix Go!

-

Fall 2020 | 1


ESTIMATING & DESIGN BUILD DEPARTMENT DAVE WOOD | VICE PRESIDENT, ESTIMATING Hello Helix Family!! Well it has been a couple of months since our last update on the Helix Estimating and Design Build Departments. Despite the fact we are still facing a lot of uncertainty as it relates to our personal health and economy, Helix is still hard at work. Our Design Build Department has been very busy working on some of Helix’s most prominent projects. Recently, our design build team stepped in on Martin Harris’ Meow Wolf project to take over the engineering for the project automation and art exhibits. Meow Wolf is billed as an interactive art exhibit. This exhibit will be like no other Art Exhibit in Nevada. Please stay tuned for the Grand Opening of Meow Wolf right around Christmas of this year. I encourage the Helix family to visit and take a look at our company’s handy work. Design Build is also working on the Construction Design on a large ($19m) Design Build Project at Creech Air Force Base, as well as, HAAS Automation in Henderson. HAAS Automation is the world’s largest CNC Machine Manufacturer in the World. HAAS Automation moving from Oxnard, Ca. to Henderson, Nevada. Helix will be very busy on both Creech Air Force Base and HAAS Automation during 2021. Our Estimating department has seen some nice activity and success in the Military and Public Works sectors with recent wins at Edwards, Creech

and Nellis Air Force Bases. Also, CCSD Schools has continued to be a great market for Helix as we recently landed a new Elementary School at Chapata and Cassidy. Also, the Multi-family (apartments/ condos) projects have continued to be very active. Helix is still experiencing success in this market and we still see some good opportunities between now and the end of the year. Family, we know times are tough and we are all dealing with some issues for the first time in history. Please stay positive and let’s continue in this battle together as a family! Stay Safe and Stay Healthy!!

Fall 2020 | 2


HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT JEFF SATTERFIELD | TRAINING MANAGER I would like to introduce our newest ABC apprentices - Curtis Ralyea, Lavetta Parks, Jed De Guzman, Joshua Cyr, Scott Jackson, Christopher Abrego, Girban Handrman-Garcia, Joshua Bunin, Moises Dominguez and Rigoberto Torres-Larez. They have all been accepted in the Southern Nevada Chapter of the ABC. These new apprentices will be starting this fall with their schooling, when you see them on the job site give them a congratulations.

These CEU’s must consist of the following at a minimum:

The requirements for the Clark County and Reno City electrical licenses have changed. Electrical Safety Professionals will now be administering the programs. The exams have changed but will still be administered by ICC. When registering, apprentices can choose from the following tests:

3. The balance of the CEU’s can be from other acceptable providers on electrical code and safety related topics. Only CEU’s issued by specific organizations will be accepted. For more information on providers and courses that are acceptable see the link below: www.electricalsafetypro.org

• • •

G16- Master Electrician G17- Journeyman Electrician G18-Residential Electrician

Current Clark County and Reno City cards will be accepted and can be renewed through ESP. CEU requirements have changed and are as follows: For electrical journeyman, residential journeyman at least 1.8 CEU’s (18 hours of instruction) related to electrical code and safety related topics. For master, 3 CEU’s must be related to electrical code and safety related topics.

1. A one-day class or .8 CEU’s must be from a codechange class highlighting code changes to the current edition or future enforced edition of the NEC for the renewal period. 2. A 4 hour class or .4 CEU’s must be on electrical safety based on NFPA70E current edition for the renewal period.

We are a preferred provider through the ICC for CEU’s. We have multiple classes that are listed with the ICC. Our QEW class is approved for 1.6 CEU’s (this covers the electrical safety), 2017 NEC Code Changes is approved for .8 CEU’s and 2017 NEC Grounding and Bonding is approved for .8CEU’s. Please check the calendar or email the training department to find the dates for the approved classes.

Fall 2020 Apprentices

Fall 2020 | 3


SERVICE DEPARTMENT EARL WARD | DIVISIONAL SERVICE MANAGER The Helix Electric Service Department was commissioned to provide power and controls for the expansion of the sauce lines at Saratoga Foods. This project started with a contract of $47K and grew to over $1M. The scope included the installation of power and control cabling for (5) conveyor lines, (3) spiral chillers and Kitchen Equipment. The conveyor equipment required over 6000’ of 8”x8” wire-way, 80,000’ of control wire, 125 amps of power and numerous control drops to the conveyor equipment. The (3) Spiral Chillers required over 20,000’ of power and control wiring as well as over 200 wire terminations at each chiller. The chillers are designed to chill the sauce packets as they come through the conveyor lines. We installed approximately 5000 feet of stainlesssteel conduit, power and control wiring inside (2) kitchens and (2) package rooms to various kitchen equipment, Kettles and Tanks.

Saratoga Foods

SARATOGA TEAM Troy McTeer | Senior PM Jared Ward | General Superintendent Ralph Matuozzi | Superintendent Shawn Barragan | Forman Ilde Elizalde | Forman Travis Schillereff | Forman Jory Drakos | Forman Amilcar Lopez Arturo Saenz Ben Altheide

We added a 3000 amp piece of switchgear to the existing service to feed all the new equipment and installed (2) new 480V panels with transformers and 208V panels to power up all the equipment. The most challenging part of this project was the schedule. We were tasked with completing approximately 7000 man hours’ worth of work in 45days. The Helix Service Team did an amazing job.

Kyle Tague Mike Guiry Nick Sawyer

Rey Vizcarra Ryan Rexius Steve Webb

NEW HIRES Devon Brown Scott Valentine Bennie Jones Kevin Filiger David Desvar

JEFF WRIGHT STATE TOURNAMENT It’s a well known fact Jeff Wright likes to fish. When his wife asked him if he ever considered fishing competitively he said he thought it would take the fun out of it. Later, he joined a fishing club and began competing in monthly tournaments. Currently, Jeff holds the # 1 coangler spot for the state team. Fishing has taught Jeff to focus on the things that matter; his family, friends, and work.

Fall 2020 | 4


IT DEPARTMENT FRANK FARINA | DIRECTOR, IT DEPARTMENT I.T. Help Desk Request Process: From time to time you may find yourself needing help with an I.T. issue. Helix has a help desk for this. To submit an I.T. Help Desk Ticket, please send an e-mail from your Helix email account to the following address: itsupport@helixelectric.com.

Enter a short description of the problem in the subject line of your e-mail and use the body of the e-mail to share as many details as possible. For step-by-step directions with screen shots, please review the “How to Enter a Help Desk Ticket” document in Powernet under the I.T. Dept. You can also submit a request by logging into the helpdesk website from this address: HelpDesk: 8080, with your network username and password.

SAFETY DEPARTMENT LAWRENCE FRY | REGIONAL SAFETY MANAGER Safety Audits As you all know, part of the Helix Electric safety process is to conduct regular safety audits of our projects. It provides a format for management to evaluate and determine the level of employee involvement with the Helix safety processes on our projects. The audit is an observational tool that assesses not just safety compliance, but also the behaviors of our employees. The audit covers the following scored items: • PPE (Hard Hat, Safety Glasses, Gloves, etc.) • Job Awareness (Pinch Points, Climbing Ladders, etc.) • Tools/Equipment (Forklift, Scissor Lift, etc.) • Ergonomics (Lifting, Overextending, etc.) • Electrical • Fall Protection • Trenches • Confined Spaces • Scaffolding • Heat/Cold Stress • Pre-Task Plans (PTPs) • Competent Person/Training

The safety audit also has a Pass/Fail non-scored section on items such as fire prevention, SDS, written safety programs, training documentation, etc. The final component of the audit is safety innovations. Projects that go above and beyond with implementing innovative safety practices and/or procedures are acknowledged, and it reflects positively on the score. As you can see, our safety audit process is quite extensive. It is our way to ensure the safety of every Helix employee is proactively managed and integrated into each work task we perform. The audit is not as scary as it sounds. No one likes to be judged. However, the true value of the audit is not in the score. The value is identifying the safety actions our projects excel in and the areas that need improvement. It’s a proactive tool that allows safety and operations to discuss and correct potentially hazardous conditions or behaviors before an employee injury occurs. It opens the door for communication, so we at Helix can share our successes, ideas, and make the appropriate adjustments when needed.

Fall 2020 | 5


NORTHERN NEVADA DARREN VANDERFORD | VICE PRESIDENT Cody and I would like to take this opportunity to spotlight a Reno project that recently wrapped up. First, I’d like to turn the clock back 4 years. The date is August 6th 2016….the day the Helix Reno office opened. We knew it would be a tough road breaking into this market. After reviewing the general contractor list, the name at the top was where we decided to start. As the largest GC based in Northern Nevada, Q&D Construction has a strong presence in the area. After doing some research it was determined that they shared values in common with us. The pursuit began. It took two years of hard work on the part of our estimating group resulting in our first award: a design build student housing project at UNR. That job became known as Uncommon. Key Data: • 7 story building with two levels of parking and 5 of residential • 191,445sq ft • 142 parking spaces • 330 beds in 125 units • Helix scope included fire alarm, smoke control, twoway communication, distributed antenna, CCTV, Access Control, Wifi, teledata/tv, and AV • Rough wiring started the 3rd week of February 2020 • Power established August 9 • Electrical finals floors 1-6 August 15 • Distributed antenna final August 17 • Fire final floors 1-6 August 18 • TCO August 19 • Student move in August 20 Not too far into the schedule, and due to delays outside of our scope, it became clear having this building open

The Uncommon

for Fall 2020 would be a huge task. Our team’s dedication and commitment to the job speaks volumes. Led by Ian Mieczynski, our field crew pulled off what most thought impossible. Our PM Jim Smalley provided the necessary support to help bring the project to the finish line. Many, many hours of overtime, late nights, and weekends were worked to make the date. Through hard work, commitment to the deadlines, and close coordination a tremendous milestone was achieved. Hats off to our entire Uncommon team and the additional Helix personnel that assisted including Jeff Russo, Nathan Dowdy, Ed Bock, Mike Martin and many others. What a critical project for us to perform as all eyes were on us. Other subs on site had been in town much longer with proven track records. We had so much riding on this project and the team came through. We have gained not only the loyalty and respect of our client but also that of the owner with whom we are now kicking off the next building. It would not have been possible if not for the efforts of our Reno team! Great work everyone!

CONGRATULATIONS MICHELLE SURPLICE! Michelle had her beautiful baby Kelcee Nicole born 10/11/20 at 9:53pm • 6lbs 9 ozs • 19.5 inches She was due on Friday 10/16 but wanted to come early.

Fall 2020 | 6


MAJOR PROJECTS BOB JOHNSON | SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, MAJOR PROJECTS Major Projects has been working with the new program with Training, Recruiting and PreFab Departments in an effort to redesign, create and establish more efficient and effective procedures. We are excited to welcome new members to the Helix Electric team as well as celebrate the promotion of others.

”It’s exciting to be building, to be improving always, and to be creating opportunities for our team and our company.” WELCOME TO THE TEAM!

PROMOTIONS:

Reese Brown | Project Manager Reese joined the Major Projects team in August 2020. His first project with us will be the ‘RTC CNG Fueling Upgrades’ started in September 2020. Reese has worked for multiple electrical contractors on high-rise casino and hotel projects in Las Vegas. In 2010 he began to get his license to start his own electrical company, and is working toward getting his Master’s Degree. We’re excited to have you Reese!!

Dwayne Garrison General Superintendent Dwayne was promoted to General Superintendent for Department 16 in June 2020. Dwayne has been with Helix for over 20 years, working his way up from JW, to Lead, to Superintendent, and now General Superintendent! His notable projects are The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Macy’s Shops at Summerlin, Thomas & Mack West Addition, RTC CNG Fueling Infrastructure Upgrades, UNLV’s Fertitta Football Complex, with his final project as superintendent at World Market Center, over 355,000 square foot single store exposition center, managing over 50 field employees at its peak. Congratulations Dwayne!

John Garcia | Superintendent - John joined us in August 2020, and is working on the Creech AFB. John attended college at Richland Jr. College, followed by a 4-year apprenticeship at Northlake College. He started his electrical career in 1995 in Texas, followed by a few other electrical contractors and is now with Team Helix where we hope he will have a long lasting and prosperous career!

Fall 2020 | 7


MAJOR PROJECTS CONT. POLY WEST ADDITION, HENDERSON A subsidiary to Poly-America, Poly-West is the largest producer of high-quality trash bags and construction films in the United States. The group of companies comprises of the largest and leading manufacturer, and is the most technologically advanced recycler and compounder of polyethylene in the world. The 21,800 square foot mezzanine addition will be completed March 2021, with a possible addition for the parking lot light poles as a future scope of our work. Project Team: Project Manager: Scott Shaul Project Engineer: Demarkes Delouth Project Assistant: Danika Johnson

Superintendent: Rafael Robles General Contractor: R&O Construction

CORRIDOR OF HOPE Corridor of Hope is a new homeless facility designed for critical and necessary services such as triage, placement, daytime and overnight sheltering, and will be equipped to sleep approximately 500 people. Estimated start date is September 2020. Project Team: Project Manager: Marshall Thomson Project Engineer: Alex Johnson Project Assistant: Leann Clement

Superintendent: Daniel Gattuso General Contractor: Core Construction

TYRONE THOMPSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (EL CAPITAN) Construction began in May 2019 with completion in August 2020. The 100,000+ square foot elementary school, with 53 classrooms, art room, and science room, is dedicated to the late assemblyman Tyron Thompson for his work in building stronger and safer communities in Nevada. Helix’s scope included switchgear/ distribution, LED lighting with lighting control systems, and school flashers. Project Team: Project Manager: Thomas Dinkins Project Assistant: Danika Johnson

Superintendent: Ray Koltas General Contractor: Rafael Construction

Fall 2020 | 8


PREFAB DEPARTMENT WHAT IS PREFAB? Prefabrication or Prefab, is the practice of assembling components of a structure in a manufacturing site and transporting complete assemblies or sub-assemblies to the construction site where the structure is to be located and permanently installed. Prefab can help to increase efficiency, decrease time frames, reduce cost, waste, and safety incidents. This quarter, Prefab has focused a lot of effort Mark Rogge on joining forces with the BIM department to better serve our customers with design builds. BIM, along with frequent kick-off meetings, have helped to bring in more production and better relations. Prefab has surpassed 180 orders since March with 95% OTD. This was not without the benefit of Prefab’s new Superintendent, Mark Rogge, a 20+ year field superintendent focused on Quality Control and training within the facility. Collaboratively, a three-

step Quality Control program has been developed and implemented in the shop, ensuring a quality product is supplied to our customers. We were also privileged to obtain extra sets of hands with three summer interns, Juan Carlos Villalobos, Dean Moore and Tim Gelfer.

Carlos Villalobos

Dean Moore

Tim Gelfer

Summer Interns: Juan Carlos Villalobos, Dean Moore and Tim Gelfer.

Our team is proud to announce that two of our star employees, La’Vetta Parks and Josh Cyr have been accepted into the ABC Program. We look forward to helping them achieve their goals as well as motivate others to join the program.

La’Vetta Parks

Josh Cyr

Fall 2020 | 9


SPECIAL PROJECTS MIKE VITA | VICE PRESIDENT, SPECIAL PROJECTS What an uneventful summer it has been. Although we are living in unprecedented times, Helix Electric is a leader in the industry. We are ranked #13 on ENR Top Electrical Contractors in the USA. This is a fantastic achievement. Our first half this year is right on target as we forecasted, and we are on our way to finish the year in a similar fashion. We have a few projects that have been delayed and our goals are still being met.

morning shift and returning Superintendent Brooks Parnell assigned to swing shift. With splitting the crew and adding more manpower, Helix has been more productive. As a welcome back challenge, the TEAM decided to award Brooks Parnell with the swing shift crew.

The Virgin Casino Tower project is going strong with new projects being added. To date we have the towers, 3 restaurants, The Joint Concert Hall, Kassie Night Club and we recently got awarded the Sports Book. Superintendent, Terry Hatfield, is the field leader and experienced long-term employee on the project. The teams on site are doing an exceptional job. This project is run thru McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

Hope Church Worship Center

We also have Superintendent Robby Jacobs currently working on The Joint Concert Hall and Superintendent Gary Miller currently working on the MB Steakhouse. The Virgin Casino Towers are scheduled to open by the end of the 2020 calendar year. We are excited to be involved with Hope Church Worship Center and GC Layton Construction. The project is running a double shift with a very demanding and challenging schedule Superintendent Jeff Inman was assigned to the

Virgin Casino Tower

Brooks Parnell

Lawrence Fuchs

Welcome back Brooks Parnell & Welcome aboard Lawrence Fuchs!

Virgin Casino Tower

Fall 2020 | 10


LAS VEGAS

RENO

SALT LAKE CITY

702.732.1188 3078 E. Sunset Road, Suite 9 Las Vegas, NV 89120

775.440.2391 961 Matley Lane, Suite 190 Reno, NV 89502

801.280.2228 3060 W California Ave Suite A Salt Lake City 84104

Fall 2020 | 11


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Nevada Newsflash | Fall 2020 by Helix_Electric - Issuu