In Memory of Jim Culver

Helix Superintendent, Jim Culver passed away in May due to complications from COVID-19. He had been hospitalized and courageously battling the virus for four weeks.

Jim joined the Helix Family in August of 2005 as a Superintendent, making an immediate impact. Notable projects lead by Jim included three projects in Hawaii; the interior demo and remodel of the RitzCarlton Kapalua (completed in 7 months), Switchgear upgrade at the West Kauai Medical Center, and the BEQ at Kaneohe Bay, Oahu. In the San Diego area Jim was involved in projects that spanned the spectrum of electrical construction; The Old Globe Theater, a rooftop solar project at the University of San Diego, Grossmont Hospital D&T, The Pendry Hotel, and North Coastal Health and Human Services Facility, just to name a few. For the past year and a half Jim was the Senior Superintendent at the Children’s National Clinic on the grounds of the old Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., a $17.6M project involving the demo and remodel of five historical buildings.

Those of us who’ ve had the privilege of working with Jim knew him to be first and foremost, an electrical craftsman. It definitely runs in the family – his Dad was an electrical contractor and both brothers are electricians. Jim’s younger brother, Bill is a member of the Helix Team in Nevada. One of his key attributes was the ability to stay calm and focused in the midst of the storm. It didn’t matter who was yelling or what the conflict was, Jim was unflappable; garnering respect from Owners, G.C. ’s and other Trades alike. Jim was a mentor to many current Helix Superintendents; wasn’t big on sitting someone down and “teaching” them, but much more effective at showing a person how do to something and then pushing them to do it themselves.

The suddenness of this tragedy is difficult for all of us to process, and for his family even more so. Please keep Jim’s wife, Marcia and his three children, Nick, Matthew and Sam in your thoughts and prayers.

Children's National Hospital named the new B54 Main Electric Room in memory of Jim Culver saying, "Jim was a tremendous guy with a positive perspective on everything. His impact on this project and the team was huge and cannot be overstated. This is a very small token of appreciation and deserved recognition for a tremendous guy.