CDI
Commercial Drywall, Inc. Vol. 3 No. 1
Craftsman November 1981
Supervisory training
Supervisors, foremen learning the ropes’ of management
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CDI has completed its first inThe supervisors and foremen who John Gearhardt, Larry Grimm, Bill house supervisory training course served as the participants in the Grissom, Mike Hawkins, Robert which began in early October. The training were selected from a group Hayes, Harold lida, John Ingram, course, designed to enhance the of more than 60 candidates Alan Jones, Dewayne Keeney, supervisory skills of present nominated by management, Vernon Lambert, Frank Lawrence, supervisors and foremen was an superintendents and supervisors. It is Dusty Lobb, Robert Orman, Randy eight-week undertaking aimed at planned that those not chosen for the Robinson, Ronnie St. Lawrence, specific areas of supervision beyond initial course will participate in Robert Tunnell, Tommy technical skills. subsequent sessions to begin after Williamson, and Billy Wright. Each The program was divided into the first of next year. received a certificate displaying their eight different topics each covered in completion of the program. The course utilized a variety of one and a half hour sessions meeting teaching tools to present the The supervisory training course is twice each week on Tuesday and information. In addition to lecture, yet another aspect of CDI’s Thursday mornings. Perhaps the participants viewed films, engaged in Operation 3P, the company’s most unique part of the course was written exercises and assignments, program to increase productivity. It is that it was put together and was felt that as supervisors become more and completed tests on many taught almost exclusively by CDI aspects of supervision and fully equipped with various management. management skills, 3P's work people. smarter campaign will move closer The individuals who attended the According to employee relations to reality. classes and completed the course manager Larry Williams, the course were Stan Frey, Oscar Garcia, covered such topics as what is supervision, planning a job, handling paperwork, delegation, achieving production and quality, human relations, communications and problem solving. "These areas are some of the most critical for effective supervision,” says Larry. “And unfortunately when a craftsman moves up the ranks to supervisor it is usually based on technical ability with no consideration given to these skills. Therefore we feel that it is necessary to help supervisors develop these skills.” Serving as instructors for the classes were a host of CDI management individuals including Larry, Hoagy Cannon, Alan Jezek, Jay Richards, Glen Brabham, Tom Stephens, Lee Jones, David Kirsch, Luis Soliz, Mike O’Brien, Ben Boatright and Mike Holland. Participants in CDI's supervisory training program listen as an instructor covers These individuals were selected on one of eight topics in the course. Sitting in on this particular day was CDI the basis of their knowledge in each president Dick Phillips (right). of the topics covered in the course.
A measurement of compassion ' :
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CDI’ers pull together in United Way success
By Dick Phillips Can you believe it? We did it again. Over the top on the United Way Campaign with more than $151,000 in pledges. With an average per employee gift of $185.00. That is truly a remarkable show of care, concern and compassion from the hearts of a bunch of sheetrockers, finishers, painters, laborers and office personnel—an outstanding response. I used to sing a song in church that was entitled “You Will Know Them by Their Love” referring of course to the true measurement of a Chritian’s faith, by his obvious love for his fellow man. There are a lot of ways to measure companies as to their efficiency, their quality, their competitiveness. But is very difficult to measure the heart of the company. United Way has for us been a good mearsurement of the compassion that is found within the employees of CDI. It certainly may not be the only measurement, but it seems to be one that we respond to. General contractors, major sub-
contractors and small contractors throughout the metropolitan area of Houston struggle to make a representative showing in such civic and socially important activities like the United Way. Many of my friends who are with other construction firms are consistently amazed and impressed that a “construction company’’ can develop the level of oneness there seems to be prevailing at CDI. I take tremendous pride in knowing that we as a group have made it possible for some handicapped person to lead a more complete life or a blind person to deal joyfully with his blindness. Or that some of our elderly people can negotiate their late years without loneliness or pain. It is a tremendous thing we've done. And it has been done as a company. All of us as individuals playing our part, doing our share—together. Even though our gifts are meant to bring others a glimmer of hope or to help unfortunate little people, as
always, the big winner has been CDI As we all know and have been taught, the more you give, the more you receive. I feel secure in saying that each of you who gave, in turn, will receive. Your generosity, your care will not only help fill the lives of others, but will help fulfill yours as well .... On behalf of all those who will benefit from your compassion, Thank you.
Umfcd] Way pfedgss top $151,000 for ’82 CDI proved once again it is truly a company of “people helping people.” With the 1982 United Way drive concluded, CDI employees pledged over $151,000 to the United Way and its more than 80 agencies in the Houston area. This amount substantially exceeded the goal of $120,000, and represented an increase of nearly 50 percent over last year’s total of $101,000. The 1982 total includes participation by 86 percent of the entire company, and is an average per person gift of approximately $185 — an amount unmatched by any other Houston company! All CDI employees should feel proud of their gifts as the money helps more than a million needy people in Harris, Montgomery and Ft. Bend counties.
Craftsman Editor: Larry Williams
Millwork looking good CDI’s millwork operations have gotten off to a xas
The CDI Craftsman is published monthly by Commercial Drywall, Inc. for its employees and their families. Employees should send their news contributions to Larry Williams, Commercial Drywall, Inc., P. O. Box 10686, Houston, Texas 77018.
CDI Systems
Mike Rider marned outstanding supervisor CDI Systems presented its- most recent outstanding supervisor award to Mide Rider. Mike is currently heading the lease work on the 50-story Placid/Elm in downtown Dallas. Prior to this, he was supervisor of the lease work at the Lincoln Centre. Mike worked for CDI in Houston before moving to Dallas. According to field superintendent Chuck Grogan, “Mike is a top-notch supervisor.’’ He knows his business and he knows how to get the job done best. “Mike is excellent when it comes to production as well as quality," says Chuck. At the Placid/Elm where Mike leads lease activity, Lee Romine continues with the core, while approximately 70 percent of the ceiling grid is completed under foreman Richard Schrieber. Elsewhere, the 40-story City Center Two under David Thom continues its buildup. Already, there are some 20 craftsmen involved in ^fcstocking, layout, framing, and rocking ^^of the project for Linbeck Construction Company. Also underway for CDI Systems is the 26-story office building in the Galleria. Jerry Slocum is directing that project with assistance from foreman Mike Greco.
Mike Rider was named the outstanding supervisor for CDI Systems in November. The award honored Mike for his direction of leasework at the Lincoln Centre and Placid/Elm projects.
Other work centers on the Continental Plaza in Fort Worth, a 40-story building for H.C.B. Contractors and led by CDI supervisor Dudley Chisholm.. Progress on the concrete structure is “touch and go” says Chuck. Providing a boost to the already active backlog of lease activity is the
The 40-story City Center Two is a CDI project now going up in Fort Worth for general contractor Linbeck Construction Company. The job is being headed by supervisor David Thom. It is the largest undertaking made by CDI for Linbeck to date.
Continental National Bank building where Rudy Rios is providing the leadership on six floors of work. CDI Systems has announced that it will hold its Christmas Party at the Moose Lodge in Farmer’s Branch on Wednesday, December 23. The party will feature a band, plus plenty of beer and barbeque. And, Tim Tyler has been named the new warehouse manager, while Sandra Jnus has been added to the office staff to handle work orders and accounts receivable. In addition, Nancy Tomczak has joined CDI Systems assuming payroll duties for the office.
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Cowboys tickets presented! Foreman Mike Greco was honored with two tickets to a recent Dallas Cowboys football game. Mike received the tickets for his excellent guidance and work on CDI’s new office in Dallas. Mike is presently working on the 26-story Galleria office building. Congratulations Mike! office in North Dallas.
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A tough two floors EMPLOYEE NEWS
Christmas party to be held Dec. 23 CDI’s annual field Christmas Party will be held Wednesday, December 23rd from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the S.P.J.S.T. Lodge at 1435 Beall. This year promises to be another fun-filled afternoon with lots of beer, barbeque and entertainment. Employees should wrap-up their work at a time specified by their supervisor. This should be in time to allow everyone to make it to the lodge by 1 p.m. The barbeque will be served around 2 p.m. with beer flowing both before and after the meal. The entertainment portion of the afternoon will follow the lunch.
Tenneco center nears completion “They would have to build another one of these if they ever wanted something like it — ’cause this is definitely one of a kind. ” These words have been uttered at least a dozen times by at least a dozen different people in the past year. And, there could be no confusion about what they are talking about. It’s just the Tenneco Employment Center. What is the Tenneco Employment Center? Well, from the standpoint of a finished product it is one thing. But, from the construction side of things it is quite different — almost a nightmare. To put things into perspective, the Tenneco Employment Center is a athletic center being built by Tenneco in downtown Houston for its employees. It contains an elaborate
array of facilities including two restaurants, jogging track, whirlpools, racquetball and basketball courts and a large indoor atrium/garden area. But, closer details show us that it is going up on the top two floors of a parking garage. It has one of the largest skylight areas in the country in its roof, and is such an odd-ball of a job that it has required CDI to install 74 different types of wall. Because of the unusual circumstances, sequence has been almost non-existent. Floors have been poured after walls were built, huge trees were dropped by crane through the skylights after they were built. And, several ceilings were hung with all kinds of piping, ducts, and plumbing jutting down. In one twoday period 37 of the 56 pages of prints for the job were changed.
Dewayne Kenney
Tenneco boss honored for work CDI’s latest supervisor of the month award was presented to Dewayne Keeney. Dewayne, who has been with the company for the past three years, is presently heading
Dewayne’s handling of the tough Tenneco Employment Center earned him a recent honor as CDI's outstanding supervisor.
always well respected on the job by activity at the Tenneco Employment Center project. his crew, other crafts and the He received the award for the general contractor.” tremendous job he has done on the Ted says that Dewayne earns this tough project. Tenneco is a two-story respect by being fair with all those athletic center located atop the 1010 with whom he works. “He doesn’t try Lamar parking garage. It includes a to shortchange anyone, and he won’t tremendous amount of unusual let the company get shortchanged conditions and work requirements. Its either,” claims Ted. physical facilities include two A native of Texas, Dewayne has restaurants, basketball court, spent the last seven years in racquetball courts, jogging track and Houston. He and his wife Georgia suana rooms. have been married for nine years. Dewayne joined CDI as a foreman Both enjoying bowling, and handling Hine’s Industrial lease work. participate in league play two nights Some of his completed work consists a week. of Park Springs, The Houstonian and During the summer months Fugro Gulf, as well as a variety of Dewayne is an avid deep-sea smaller jobs. Prior to CDI, he was fisherman. He goes out of Freeport self employed in the drywall business on his 27-foot Thunderbird every primarily in Texas and California. opportunity he gets. His catch often Altogether, he possesses some 20 includes king, ling, dolphin, and red years of drywall experience. snapper, or whatever is biting. According to field superintendent As far as hobbies, Dewayne Ted Hajdik, Dewayne has done an simply shrugs and says "Tenneco outstanding job in the last three has been my hobby this year.” years for CDI. "Dewayne is a The Craftsman is pleased to talented guy who knows his recognize Dewayne for his efforts business," says Ted. "He gives you and honor as one of CDI’s finest 100 percent all the time and is suprvisors. Keep up the good work!
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0 GDI’s supervisor on the job is Dewayne Keeney. And in fairness to everyone, he is quick to point out that the unusual demands of the job are really no one’s fault. “In fact," says Dewayne, "I would hate to ’see where we would be without cooperation and help from some very important people—namely W.S. Bellows’ superintendent Jim Broomfield and the architect Harold Massas of S. O. M. They have been tremendous in giving us and the rest of the crafts, every bit of help they possibly can. And, I for one am most appreciative." With Dewayne, have been finishing foremen Jeff Symank and Doyle Senn, paint foreman Robert Orman and laborers Taft Bowden and Matthew Fields. This leadership has been taxed pretty hard since the job began last January. Providing the carpenters' boost for most of the project has been foreman Dave McGuire and craftsmen Tom Damazzio, Carl ^Carsons, and Orphus Keeney. In Waddition, an average crew of 16 others have worked hard on the job. Says Dewayne "Anyone who spend just a day here made a significant contribuiton as far as I’m concerned."
Leadership on the Tenneco Employment Center was provided by (L to R) Dewayne Kenney, Robert Orman and Jeff Symank. The job has been one of the most demanding for these men and their crews.
For the finishers, Jeff Symank provided the early leadership and did most of the work on the large, intricate skylight area. The skylights were an added treat for all CDI crafts because much of the work was done from mechanic creepers due to only a two foot clearance between the scaffolding and the ceiling. Doyle Senn later joined the job as finishing foreman and is presently heading the crew of about a dozen craftsmen. Two of the finishers on
EarlytThe Ter^co project framing of fu"* with the aid of jigs built by Dave McGuir . illustrated in the photo above.
the job for a long time besides Jeff are Cleveland Scott and Terry Reese. All of the finishers deserve credit because their work demands high quality under the difficult conditions as most surfaces are getting high gloss enamel and epoxy finishers. So that the painters wouldn't feel left out, their job has been no “bed of roses." Under Robert Orman, the painters have done the exterior steel, water blasting and painting on the remainder of the exterior, and applied enamel on most surfaces. In addition, the whirlpools required epoxy paint, and some walls called for vinyl wall coverings. Presently a crew of about eight are continuing these efforts and shooting for a completion before Christmas. Charles Burgess and Jerome Pinckard deserve special recognition as they were saddled with tough water blasting job. And, all other painters are earning respect for their talents on the tough project. Finally, a work of appreciation goes to the two laborers on the job — Taft Bowden and Matthew Fields. Despite the complexity of the work, CDI has managed to get all the labor details accomplished primarily through these two men. CDI is proud to acknowledge the fine efforts of every craftsman on the job. While they are too numerous to name, their work is certainly appreciated.
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QDI—Austin winding up several large projects COMPANY NEWS
Paydays set for holidays The upcoming holidays will require the payroll cut-off date to change for Christmas week. Checks that would normally be distributed on Friday, December 25 will go out Wednesday, December 23. Therefore the cut-off date for these checks will be Friday, December 18. As a result these checks will cover four work days. The January 1 paychecks will go out on December 31 but will have the normal Monday cut-off date. Due to the Wednesday afternoon Christmas party, and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day holidays, the check will include only three and a half work days. The following week’s check will also have the normal Monday cut-off and will cover four work days, New Year’s Day being a holiday.
In the news CDI craftsman William Peters was recently featured in a Houston Post photo while he was working on the Pasadena Town Square project. The photo appeared in the Sunday, October 25 Post and showed William cutting metal studs.
CDI Austin is currently finishing or has finished several large projects such as Motorola, Police Complex expansion, IBM Building 060, Tandem Computers, Foley’s, Republic Bank, Safeway, and Gateway Office Center. Major projects under construction include State Farm Insurance, which is 100,000 square feet of acoustical ceiling, being run by Nick White. State Farm is currently 20 percent complete. Phase I is scheduled for occupancy January 1982, with the remainder of the reconstruction to be completed by June 1982. Brockton Business Center, with Johnny Kovar at the helm, is on schedule and preparing for a December 1 move in. CDI was responsible for a major portion of the construction which includes demountable partitions, acoustical ceilings, wall and ceiling insulation, computer floors, doors and frames, tape floating, and vinyl wall covering. Johnny and his crew made a dedicated effort to complete this project on time while maintaining a standard of quality that all of CDI can be proud of. St. David’s Professional Building is another project which is on schedule for a mid December move in. David Kovar has coordinated this project with Gary Galloway who is the superintendent for J. C. Evans Construction Co. Gary and David
also worked together on the Brackenridge Hospital project which was completed last winter. Motorola expansion continues under the supervision of Gregory Hammack. The expansion is a continuation of the base contract which was completed by Johnny Kovar last August. The paint group continues to grow by leaps and bounds. Pat Lunday, who started the painting operation, has been joined by Gene Dougherty who is being trained to help in the estimating department. Cecil Freeman continues to do an outstanding job as paint superintendent. The painters are currently working at the American Bank Tower with Richard Dobrowolski and Johnny Samora carrying the load. Solo Serve is winding up with Kevin Ingram and Timothy Pettigrew doing the final touch up. St. David’s is manned by Eliazar Vega where CDI is about 70 percent complete. Foley’s is also in the final stages with Dale Duncan, Michael Yeaton, and Lawrence Hale completing the skylight and miscellaneous touch up. Major projects bidding in Austin are St. David’s Hospital, Holiday Inn, University of Texas Engineering Building, new plant for Motorola, IBM Material Distribution Center, a large state office building, University of Texas Biology Building, and University of Texas Bureau of Geology.
Belt buckle awarded
Ulysses Loving (H) is shown receiving a belt buckle award from Austin nPn0r„ Manager Larry Hanvey. Ulysses, a five year veteran with the 9 company, was honored for his work on the IBM project 063.
Austin craftsman Ulysses Loving was presented a belt buckle for his outstanding contribution on the IBM 063 project. Ulysses is a carpenter for CDI and has been with the company for the past five years. He received the award on the recommendation of supervisor Wally Galvan who cited Ulysses for his dedicated efforts on the tough 063 job. In addition to 063, Ulysses was also involved in IBM 060, as well as a number of other major projects for CDI in Austin.
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Employee spotlight
Ben Catalon moving force Sra warehouse #
For the past four and one-half years, CDI’s warehouse operations have been under the capable hands of Ben Catalon. Ben joined the company in 1977 as a yard laborer But, with his background and desire Ben quickly became a warehouse manager. And, since then, he has displayed the attitude and ability that makes him well regarded by everyone in the company. Ben’s adeptness at heading our warehousing, shipping and receiving stems from his 21 years of experience in that field. Prior to CDI he served as manager of shipping and receiving for Sears and J. C. Penney. Presently, Ben performs a variety of duties although work is getting a little more organized in CDI’s new and larger warehouse. Prior to our recent move, Ben's work was scattered in two warehouses, at two different locations, both of which were extremely small on space. ^ According to Ben, this made ,9 inventory control and material organization a constant chore. Besides normal shipping, receiving and warehousing duties, he oversees CDI’s vinyl operations which include the construction and application of all vinyl panels used extensively by the Systems Group. Under Ben are four craftsmen who help in stocking and deliveries, as well as running the vinyl machine and building panels. Currently, Ben operates the machine as the need arises, a pace which will surely increase as the new Transco project grows nearer. The Transco job, itself, will require some 30,000 panels for installation in the building. In the new warehouse Ben is busy organizing and arranging all the materials which include all Vaughan and CDI extrusions, vinyl coreboard and sheetrock for panels and other specialty items used mostly by the Interiors Group. He plans to have everything in order before the first o the year with all materials properly A stocked and labeled for easy access ^ This move depends largely on the arrival of new racks for the warehouse. Besides overseeing warehouse functions, Ben serves as a trouble
Ben Catalon is shown against a stack of sheetrock. As warehouse manager, his fob includes all shipping, receiving, and stocking, plus the construction of vinyl panels.
shooter for minor repairs on furniture, chairs, and cabinets around the office, plus he coordinates the operation of CDI’s insulation equipment on jobsites. Overall, Ben has proven to be a handy asset who is willing to take on any responsibility that needs to be met. His pleasing personality and optimistic attitude always makes him a fresh sight around the office. While not at work Ben is involved in church activities especially in building and repairing things for the church. His primary hobby is working
Garpentars syfc If you are a carpenter guilty of being reckless in a high place, you may have been involved in a scaffold accident. In its most recent edition of "Accident Facts," the National Safety Council reports that 80 percent of all scaffold accidents in 1978 were falls. Carpenters incurred more than one-fourth of all injuries, while construction workers accounted for 16 percent of the injuries. Sprains, contusions, and fractures were the most frequent type of injury, says the Council, each representing about one-fifth of the cases. For all caes, 28 percent reported no scaffold breakage or slippage preceding the fall.
around the house repairing items and woodwork. His father was a union carpenter, teaching Ben much of what he knows today. Ben’s family includes a wife, Delores and three children ages 23, 21, and 15. He is a native of Maurice, Louisiana and former resident of Lafayette before moving to Houston 13 years ago. The Craftsman is pleased to highlight Ben and the fine work he does for CDI. His attitude and abilities certainly have made their mark on the company’s success.
Injuries One-fourth of the injuries occurred while the worker was climbing or stepping to or from the scaffold. The Council recommends that carpenters and other workers take the following steps to stay secure in high places: ° Check out the scaffold every time you use it. Keep it uncluttered with tools, scrap or tangled lines. ° Make sure scaffold is level or anchored firmly in place. ° Climb down each time a rolling scaffold is moved. Before you climb back up, lock or block the wheels. ° Always wear your safety belt on power platforms. Be sure the pulley blocks, hooks, fittings and ropes are functioning properly.
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CDI San Antonio activity gearing up * CDI San Antonio has received the contract on the 10-story Corporate Square office building. The job, which will start in the second quarter of 1982, will include drywall, acoustical ceilings and tenant work. It will be done for general contractor Bartlett & Cocke, Jr. with architecture by Flesson and May. The job is expected to last into early 1983.
CDI has also received word that they will be the acoustical ceiling contractor on the Airport Plaza office building, a 12-story project for general contractor Lyda, Inc. The architect on the project is Robert Arburn. Already underway is the Greatview office building, a job which consists of drywall, acoustical ceilings, and all tenant work using the CDI
Holiday schedule set CDI has established its holiday schedule for the remainder of 1981. Thursday, December 24th and Friday, December 25th will be observed as holidays. New Years Day, which also falls on a Friday, will be a holiday, but New Years Eve will be a regular work day. The field Christmas party will be held Wednesday, December 23rd from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the SPJST Lodge located at 1435 Beall. Since Friday, December 25th is a holiday, paychecks will be distributed at the jobsites on the preceding Wednesday. Checks for the next week will go out on Thursday, December 31st.
Holidays! The Montrose Special thanks for the hard work so far goes to all CDI craftsmen on the 5000 Montrose job. Supervisor Vernon Lambert reports that despite a few problems typical of condominium construction, production, quality, and attitude on the job are high. Continue the good efforts!
demountable wall system and our own Texas Frame door frames. For general contractaor Sacon, the project will be headed by supervisor Bob Winder who recently completed the 11-story North Frost Center. The Prudential Building is underway for Linbeck Construction Company. The 65,000 square foot, two-story job is headed by Pete Williams, who completed the Valero Computer facility, also a job for Linbeck. Work includes drywall, partitions and acoustical ceilings. Wayne Schultze has commenced activity at the eight-story La Quinta Plaza for Lyda, Inc.. Wayne recently concluded tenant work for architect Marmon-Mok Partnership, the firm who has designed La Quinta Plaza. Elsewhere, Paul Buck is wrapping up work at the J.C. Penny Credit Support facility for IBS. Paul's next assignment will be Cline’s Landing, a 12-story condominium project. With the contract for both drywall and paint, Cline’s Landing will be the largest job ever undertaken by CDI San Antonio. The project is scheduled to begin in early January. With Christmas fast approaching, CDI San Antonio employees are looking forward to their Christmas party to be held in the warehouse on Wednesday, December 23. The party will include lots of beer and fajitas.
CDI Craftsman Commercial Drywall, Inc. 3705 Piney Woods P.O. Box 10686 Houston, Texas 77018
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