GDI
Craftsman
Commercial Drywall, Inc. Volume 2, No. 3
I
January, 1981__]
Premiere e<o>rp©ra#© location in Dallas*
ODD Systems ft® Mid interior ©ft S©°sft®r^ Placid/Elm
i
I I
I
' i
CDI Systems has been named the interior contractor for the Placid/Elm, a 50-story high-rise office building now under construction in downtown Dallas. Placid/Elm is being built by Placid Building and Service Company for Placid Oil Company and will serve as its corporate headquarters. CDI has contracted with Avery Mays, the project’s general contractor, to provide the interior construction of the building which will include the core, tenant work, acoustical lay-in ceilings, doors and door frames. In fact, early CDI activity on the project is already in progress. The Placid/Elm, designed by Harwood K. Smith and Partners of Dallas, will be a 645-foot imposing tower, sheathed in dark gray reflective glass. As a departure from conventional rectangular building design, the structure will feature diagonally cut corners with staggered edges that will create 16 corner offices on each floor. The building will be located in the heart of downtown Dallas in the 1600 block of Elm street and will be anchored to a site, of which almost half will be devoted to a granite clad plaza. Directly across the street from the building is the Thanks-Giving Square, a downtown park area. In addition to the building’s 1.5 million square feet of gross area, a six-level parking garage will provide self-parking for some 770 automobiles below ground. The building’s lobby will contain commercial banking facilities One of the key elements in the design of the structure has been its emphasis on energy conservation. Special insulated glass, parabolic lighting, and a unique chilled water
heating and air conditioning system are expected to achieve record energy savings for the building. For CDI, Placid/Elm contains some 1.3 million square feet of acoustical ceilings in addition to the conventional drywall partitions. CDI is expected to remain active on the project through the middle of 1982. According to Mike Grogan, CDI Systems vice president and general manager, the project represents the largest undertaking for CDI in the Dallas area, and is already the third project underway since the office opened last July. Thus, CDI activity in Dallas has blossomed at remarkable rate, much of which is due to the expertise shared among the office's personnel. Top office and field personnel joined Mike in CDI’s move to a Dallas branch office and include Chuck Grogan and Sam Beard. Since then, Donna Deavers has been added to provide key office and clerical help, while the estimating department has grown to include Steve Gosling, and Alan Smith, both veterans in the drywall business.
The 645-foot, 50 story Placid/Elm Office Building is expected to be the premiere corporate location in Dallas, and will have interior construction by CDI Systems. CDI activity is just underway and will last well into 1982.
Bin this Bssu© ... ° Re-creating the past in Rice University building o A glance back at this year’s Christmas party ° 1980 seen as year of ‘respect’ for CDI
Fmm the top
1980—A wear of respect by Dick Phillips Surely, from any angle you choose to view the 1980 version of CDI, you must be impressed. Whether you are more easily impressed by big numbers, big buildings, or complex jobs done with ease and quality, CDI '80 outperformed any CDI team in history. To list our accomplishments for the year would be impossible in the space with which I have to work. Instead, I would like to discuss one of the primary results of our 1980 accomplishments—this being the respect we have earned as a leader in the drywall industry. In every market, from Houston, where we have been known for a long time, to
Dallas, where we are just breaking ground, your efforts, talents, and abilities have grown to be respected as part of a company that can do it all—and do it well. The sales part of our business has grown much easier each year because our field operations have grown better. Because of the respect that we have earned with our customers, we are the ones they come to when they have a big job, an exceedingly tough job, or a job that needs to be done fast. Personally, I have always been impressed with big numbers. Whether it’s jobs, people, or whatever. But I am more impressed
F@yr honored with belli buckles Four craftsmen were recently honored with belt buckles to show the company’s appreciation for their outstanding service. Those receiving the prestigious awards were field superintendent Jim LaCaze, Three Allen Center foreman, Tommy Underwood, employee relations manager, Larry Williams, and Dr. Earl Taylor who has helped many CDI supervisors develop a positive mental attitude through his talks at our monthly breakfasts. Jim, who supervises several jobs including the complicated Shell Woodcreek project, Anderson Hall, Yorktown Center, and Terminal C at Intercontinental Airport, has been a field superintendent for about two years. His ability to coordinate these multiple jobsites, maintain his budget, and work closely with his foremen has made him a valuable asset to the company. At Three Allen Center, over 100 craftsmen came under the supervision of Tommy Underwood during the tenant phase of that project. His supervision of such a large crew and the outstanding job he did coordinating them and the entire project, while maintaining an excellent relationship with the
general contractor was a fine example of quality leadership and technical expertise. This month not only field employees were honored with belt buckles. Your own Craftsman editor, Larry Williams was honored for his contribution to the company in the field of employee relations. Larry has organized several company activities such as our softball teams, fishing tournaments, company banquets, and has done a fine job on the newsletter and various company brochures. His contributions in these areas have done a lot to help bring the Commercial team a lot closer together by simply helping all of us get to know one another. The last belt buckle recipient was Dr. Earl Taylor, a practicing psychologist, one-time minister, and public speaker. “Doc” as he is affectionally known by many, often speaks at our supervisors’ breakfasts. His motivational talks have gone a long way in giving supervisors ideas to incorporate in their personal lives as well as their job responsibilities. The Craftsman congratulates all the belt buckle recipients on a job well done. 2
with the respect that is given us bv our customers. To be treated in our business as professionals and be counted on to uphold our segment of the work is a good feeling that not every company can enjoy. We can enjoy these things because we have earned the respect of the drywall community—customers, competitors and the industry as a whole. To summarize, we have successfully negotiated the first year of the decade of the 80's and we have entered this decade at full speed. And, we should be optimistic about our chances of maintaining this speed and increasing the respect that we have earned from our clients. It will take a tremendous commitment and an array of talent to continue the pace we set in 1980 and continue the respect we have earned. But our abilities are proven and our commitment is real. So, 1981, here we come!
I
Our greatest glory is not in never fall ing but in rising every time we fall. —Confucious
It takes less time to do a thing right than it does to explain why you did it wrong. Henry Wodsworth Longfellow
CDI
Craftsman Editor: Larry Williams The CDI Craftsman is published monthly by Commercial Drywall, Inc. for i s employees and their families. Employees should send their news contributions to Larry Williams, Commercial Drywan, Inc., P. O. Box 10686, Houston, Texas 77018.
0
Happy crowd at 580 party CDI’s 1980 field Christmas party proved to be a highly enjoyable and successful undertaking. The party, which was held December 23 at the SPJST lodge, was attended by nearly 700 CDI employees. Those present were treated to a barbeque buffet and plenty of beer (15 kegs to be exact). In addition, entertainment was provided by Larry “Bones” McCall, a professional ventriloquist. Larry is the brother of Eddy McCall, a CDI employee working at the Greenway cabinet shop. Following Bones was dancing and autograph signing by four members of the Derrick Dolls. Their presence was appreciated by the hundreds of CDI employees who clapped and yelled as the Dolls danced to the Oilers’ Fight Song and Luv Ya Blue. The Derrick Dolls were Robin Stone, Peggy Cox, Susan Hartwell, and Sherri Schoppe. In addition, the Dolls also conducted the drawing for the dozen door prizes which included theater tickets, power tools, ice coolers, and a $200 gift certificate to Oshman’s.
T _
^
ao '
*
4
i
EMPLOYEE NEWS
CM Systems growing in Dallas marten CDI Systems continues its hectic pace in the Dallas area drywall market. New projects are continually being added to the backlog while bidding maintains its feverish rate and field operations get underway. Included on the list of new projects are the 50-story Placid/Elm Office Building featured on page one of the Craftsman, and the Park Central Office Facility, a 14-story structure for Equitable-Gossman Dallas Company. Construction is already underway on both of these projects. Park Central includes the core work with tenant prices being furnished by CDI. The Placid/Elm Building includes the core and tenant work, accoustical ceilings, as well as installation of doors and door frames. While these jobs have been firmed up, CDI's estimating department has prepared bids on a number of other major projects. These include the 35-story City Tower I, a high-rise office facility by Linbeck Construction in Fort Worth. In addition, bids have gone out on two major hotels — the Park Central and The Registry — both 500 + unit hotel facilities. Estimating work on the Dallas Galleria is underway with bids on a 25-story office building and a 22-story hotel within that complex having been completed. Elsewhere, CDI's field operations began with lease work on the Lincoln Centre Office Building. Work there includes activity on the ground floors we well as floors 7, 8 and 9. According to vice president and general manager Mike Grogan, 25 to 30 craftsman are expected to be involved in that project by the end of January. In other Dallas activity, Mike also noted the addition of Steve Gosling to the CDI Systems staff. Steve will serve as an estimator and project manager, and brings eight years of wall and ceilings experience with him.
I
i
I
» 1 i
I< i
I i
I
Recently named controller, Dave LeTourneau was honored January's key person for his contributions in CDI's accounting department.
Da if© LeTourneau
fey psrs®oi pr@wid(ss accounting b@@st CDI has named Dave LeTourneau as the company’s key person for January. Dave joined CDI last February and has been instrumental in helping the company’s accounting team meet its ever increasing responsibilities and day-to-day operations. Dave, who was recently named the company’s controller, has played an important role in getting CDI’s financial reporting on a current basis, an accomplishment which gives management more timely, and thus more valuable information. Dave’s background in construction accounting enabled him to come aboard 11 months ago and immediately produce positive results. With his prior experience he has introduced some accounting procedures that have helped CDI streamline its operation in order to make information more readibly accessible. In addition, Dave assumed some of Barry Barnard’s former responsibilities, a necessity with the growing demands being placed upon everyone in the accounting department, which Barry heads. Dave works closely with Bill Schweggman and Diane Jones, two other members of the accounting team. —4—
“Dave is an extremely bright and capable person,” says Barry. “Being able to step in and understand our Ik system in just a short period of time W. has been extremely helpful. We are fortunate to have a person of his caliber join us, especially now that we’re converting to our own computer system.” Because of his broad knowledge in accounting, Dave’s input has made this transition to our own computer system a little easier. His work with the general ledger for instance, has made it possible for a variety of accounting functions to be readily entered into the computer. Of course, helping Dave in all of his work is his previous experience in accounting which includes service with Weingartens, a construction firm, and as a CPA with Arthur Young & Co. Dave hails from Pennsylvania, but has lived in Houston since 1977. He and his wife, Diana, and their children Dannielle and David live in Rolling Fork, a northwest Houston subdivision where they are active in the local homeowners association. * The children are involved in a * variety of sports while Dave enjoys flying radio-controlled aircraft. Diana keeps busy with her profession in the real estate business for Century 21-
Robert Fartey roamed GDI’s outstanding syp@o^5s©r On December 7, a tragic accident ^caused severe injuries to paint ^foreman Robert Farley. Robert fell from a 16-foot scaffold resulting in facial lacerations and crushing both wrists. The unfortunate irony is that unknown to him, he was to be named December Supervisor of the Month just two days later. Although the accident prevented his receiving the award at the supervisors’ breakfast, his outstanding accomplishments for Commercial still hold true. Robert has been with the company for about five years and has been running work almost from the start. He has done both small and large jobs and is knowledgeable in almost every facet of our paint operation. The Brookhollow Marriott, Leeland Mercury dealership, and the American Indemnity in Galveston are just some of the jobs that he has supervised in the past, along with doing various lease projects. Until his accident he was painting ^foreman on Shell Woodcreek, ^Commercial’s largest and most complicated painting job to date. Working a 23-man crew on the unique seven-building complex, Robert was able to beat his budget while maintaining outstanding quality.
Ranking
%
1
100 100 99 99 98 98
2 3
98 4 5
6 7
Supervisor of the month Robert Farley is shown leading a discussion group at the supervisors' training course held at the University of Houston last summer.
Besides his dependability, one of Ben and CDI’s other painting his main attributes is his ability to get superintendent, Jerry Featherston, the job done while maintaining a say they don’t have to worry at all close relationship with his fellow because they know the job will be workers. “He has a unique way of done and done right, getting things out of his men without Along with Jerry and Ben, Robert having to push them," claims credits finishing superintendent painting superintendent Ben Roland Roe as being instrumental in Boatright. his growth with the company. He In Ben's words, the men just seem worked on his first job with Roland on Post Oak Central, and Robert to want to work for him. And says, “He really helped me get whenever Robert is running a job, started right, and I’m thankful to him and everyone who has helped me December Attendance here in the company.” Supervisor Robert heads a family of four, with his three year old son, Jeff, 10 month ©r Foreman Project S\5am@ old daughter, Jill, and wife Karen. Steve Mayo I & || Allen Center The Craftsman would like to take Fred Lay Four Seasons this time to congratulate Robert on Cliff Welsh Houston Center his award and sincerely hopes that Ted Hajdik Teds Group the new year will bring a speedy Richard Perales T ransco recovery so that he can get back to Jr. Manuel: 1st International Plaza doing what he does best — being a Ralph Stilz painting foreman for Commercial Jesse Hajdik Jesse's Group Dry wall. Good Luck, Robert! Billy Patrick
97 97 96
Greenway Yard Laborers HI Allen Center
96 96 95 95 94 94
1st City Towers Jim’s Group Shell Woodcreek Bobby’s Group Oxford Condo Texas Commerce Plaza
94
Four Leaf Condo
94 93
Jerry's Group
Dennis Yanowski Tom Underwood: Buster Baimbridge Dudley Chisholm Jim LaCaze Roger Warman Bobby Smith Nick Nunez jay Richards Glen Brabham jerry Featherston naryi Hammons: Mike O’Brien-----
Condo I & II
—5—
“For better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checked with failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.”
I
COMPANY NEWS
Year-end tmy in Sam Antonio "It’s been a busy end of the year,” reports San Antonio general manager Roy Van Cleave. "Field operations are holding their own while bidding has really been hectic,” says Roy. In the field, the single-story Human Resources Building is nearing completion. The vinyl partition job for Design Services is under the leadership of CDI foreman Bob Widner and is expected to be completed this month. Wayne Schultze has wrapped up activity on the Foley's job at North Star Mall and has begun work on the heavy gauge exterior framing of the 14-story Valero Building with brother Gary. Also underway is the Alarmex project, an interior remodeling job of more than 5,400 square feet. A demountable job is also underway at the University of Texas in San Antonio. This three-story project includes CDI aluminum extrusions throughout. Two small jobs have gotten their start. These are the B. Dalton Bookstore in Windsor Park Mall and a job for Southern Pacific. Roy says that activity should continue to pick up as a number of major projects have been bid including a 12-story, an 11-story, two eight-stories, and several smaller projects. Most of these are expected to begin construction during the first and second quarters of this year. In other activity, the Foley's job under Wayne Schultze was the recent budget beater winner in the Austin/San Antonio competition. The 12-man crew was treated to a barbeque lunch for their excellent efforts. And, CDI-San Antonio celebrated the holidays with a beer and tamale party in the warehouse on December 23. Field and office employees participated in the get-together.
(Above) The budget beating Foley's crew is shown enjoying a barbeque lunch for their excellent efforts. (Left) Newest member of the CDI-San Antonio staff. Nancy Ellingson, provides much needed receptionist and clerical duties for that office.
Austin Craftsman receives CDI bslft bookie CDI-Austin, recently awarded a belt buckle to its ceiling foreman, Nick White. Nick, who has been with CDI for nearly two years, supervises the installation of ceiling tile on most of the projects in Austin. Recent large jobs include IBM 045 and the Data General Building. According to Danny Kaiser, field superintendent for CDI in Austin, Nick has always done an outstanding job. "He has extensive knowledge in this aspect of our trade and has always been dependable in getting the job done profitably,” says Danny. Other news from the Capital city include the steady progress on all of the major projects underway there. At the IBM complex, Bob Fritz continues to head up Building 060 with a crew of approximately 15 craftsmen. The recent addition of —6—
another wing to the building has increased that project’s size. Also at IBM, Buildings 062 and 063, both three-story structures, have structural steel coming up, meaning that CDI will begin activity there in about 60 days. Elsewhere, ceiling tile is being installed on the Tracor project under foreman Terry LaRoche with approximately 15 carpenters doing the work. Also on the project are seven painters led by James Crouch. Nearby, the Motorola project exterior framing and sheathing is underway headed up by foreman Johnny Kovar. The Austin office also reports a very successful Christmas party heicj^ December 23rd in its warehouse. Beer and barbeque were served with everyone enjoying a good time.
At Rice's Anderson Hall
CDl helping recapture earlier architecture A unique combination of the old and new aptly describes January's project of the month, Rice University’s Anderson Hall. The 40-year old building being refurbished and having a new wing added on will serve as part of the University’s School of Architecture. Designed by English architects James Stirling, Michael Wilford & Associates in association with Ambrose McEany, Anderson Hall is designed to capture the spirit of an earlier time with English architecture that includes symmetrically designed ceilings with bell towers and arched English cathedral windows. The project is a first for the English firm and is slated to serve as a model for their future efforts in this country. Their design for the building was selected in international competition. Because of its unique and intricate design, Anderson Hall has proven to be a formidable opponent for both CDl carpenters and finishers. Gary Hall has headed a crew of about six Ajarpenters which has included Dale ^Flouchin, Chuck Pate, Eric Henderson, Jim Barnes, Cliff and Virginia O’Banion, and Paul Vernon. Gary's crew has been confronted with constantly changing specifics on design and layout throughout the project. This has necessitated frequent meetings with the architects
Perry Jones, left, and Dale Houchin are seen at work through one of the circular view windows at the Anderson Hall project. The job, because of its many in tricacies, was named January's project of the month.
and the general contractor, MinerDederick, and has called for a special kind of cooperation among all crafts. Among the intricacies found in the two-story structure are accented circular view windows, corridors with continuous glass from the ceilings to six above the floor, and lecture rooms with cathedral ceilings that extend from 12 feet to 27 feet high. In addition, numerous turns in layout and framing were necessary
Nick White receives his belt buckle from Santa (L^ry Christmas party held December 23. Many of the CD Pose in the background.
vpes who attended P
—7—
to accommodate recessed stonework while a balcony area overlooks the main lecture hall and has a drywall handrail. Radius walls which extend the full ceiling height are found in the bell tower areas. Finishing foreman Charlie Duncan with outstanding support from Humberto Vargas has handled the finishing operation to date. Both have worked with hand tools and machine tools to tackle the difficult job. Joe Gilligan, a CDl estimator, did the setup for the project and has served as its project manager. According to field superintendent Jim LaCaze, the job which was started last October and is expected to last through March, has been a tremendously difficult job requiring the cooperation of everyone involved. “Nothing in the building is routine. Every aspect of the project is a challenge, and our craftsmen are showing their abilities to produce good quality under demanding conditions,” says Jim. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Special thanks for their dedicated efforts should go to Dale Houchin who did the handrail, as well as other tough parts of the job; Chuck Pate who did exterior framing; and Cliff and Virginia O’Banion who did the radius walls.)
Second steak dinner honors budget beaters
>
i
* 1
5
i ft <i
: *
CDI saw its second steak dinner winner recently when Jim LaCaze’s group compiled the necessary 100 points. Some 100 craftsmen and their dates and spouses filled the Texas Tumbleweed for delicious steak, baked potato, beans, bread and ice tea. Represented at the dinner were several budget beating jobs including Anderson Hall under Gary Hall and Charlie Duncan, 9990 Richmond headed by Darwin Macat, Yorktown Center under Billy Davis, Ashford Six led by Tommy Williamson, City Pump Station under Hilton Krenek, and Airport Terminal C led by Brad Frierson. While craftsmen from these jobs were enjoying their meal, a host of other jobs earned barbeque lunches for their budget beating efforts. These included Greenway Condominium II led by Glen Brabham, John Polk leasework by Ray Shelton and Texas Commerce Tower under Jay Richards. The Craftsman extends its congratulations to those who enjoyed the evening at the Tumbleweed, as well as the others who have continued their top production.
CDI Craftsman Commercial Drywall, Inc. 3705 Piney Woods P.O. Box 10686 Houston, Texas 77018
i
Members of the Jim LaCaze work group enjoy the evening at the Texas Tumbleweed honoring their ability to beat budgets on a number of iobs
Budget Beater Point Totals Points Project Marne
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Ted's Group Jim's Group Jerry's Painters Jesse's Group Condo II Luis' Group Texas Commerce Tower Four Leaf Condo Oxford Condo Shell Woodcreek 1st City Tower
BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE
PAID HOUSTON, TEXAS PERMIT NO. 2840