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Commercial Drywall, Inc.

era Craftsman

Vol. 4 No. 11

September 1983

Statewide distributorship

COB to s@IDs Install Donn-Severn ae©@ss flooring CDI has been awarded the statewide distributorship for DonnSevern access flooring products. The move, effective in September, will greatly enhance the company’s total interior construction concept. Donn-Severn, an international company, is the largest manufacturer of access flooring in the United States. As a statewide distributor, CDI will be able to sell and install Donn-Severn flooring throughout Texas. As part of CDI’s marketing efforts, the company has brought on board Frank Kinsella. Frank will spearhead CDI’s efforts into the access flooring market. He brings with him an extensive background including tenure with Webber, an access flooring manufacturer, and with Liske as its regional manager. “Frank gives us tremendous strength in the access flooring market,” says president Stan Marek.

Frank Kinsella is overseeing all CDI's access flooring operations.

CDI has been named a statewide distributor for Donn-Severn access flooring. The company will sell and Install the product throughout Texas, thus enhancing its access flooring capabilities. Shown above are CDI-Dallas craftsmen installing a floor on a lease in Lincoln Centre.

He has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the field. “Frank's home is Temple, Texas which gives him a central location from which to serve our primary markets — Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio,” claims Stan. In addition to Frank, his son, Mark, has joined CDI to handle the Houston access flooring market as Houston’s sales manager. Mark who has eight years in the field most recently spent two years as sales manager for Prestige Interiors. These individuals plus the addition of Bob Alfred in Dallas give CDI the expertise and manpower to become a major force in the access flooring market in Texas. “All projections show that Texas will be the hotspot for access flooring in the country between now and the end of the century. With more and

more of today's office buildings going to access flooring throughout instead of only in their computer rooms, this creates a tremendous opportunity," claims Frank. “CDI is just the company to emerge at the forefront. It has already established itself as the premier interior contractor in the state. Now with the addition of access flooring, we can offer the client a total interior package like never before,” says Frank. “Donn-Severn is a highly accepted product in the industry,” contends Frank. They have been around a long time and have a very advanced marketing concept utilizing computers to meet client needs. Of course, we will have direct access to this impressive tool. CDI has enjoyed success in the (see Access flooring, page 8)

The United Way

Time for all to give fair share by Stan Marek Each year at this time, CDI makes preparations for its United Way campaign. Community service efforts like the United Way are an annual affair and actually a year-round effort. That’s because the problems they seek to overcome seldom go away. And, when one does, it is usually replaced by another one or two. With the present economic situation in the Houston construction industry, I think hard times are perhaps hitting us all a little closer to home. Couple this with the wave of tornadoes, floods and Hurricane Alicia, odds are good that some of us have had to rely on someone else recently. That is what the United Way is all about. It’s people helping people. And, it’s people being helped by people — members of a community lending a hand and getting one lended to them. Probably now more than at any other time, Houston and Houstonians need the United Way simply because there are more needs to be met. The economic hard times have put thousands of people out of work. Hardship falls on these people and

their families. With no one to turn to, who provides medical care during sickness, clothes for school, and food? In many cases, it’s a United Way organization. And, of course, there are the never-ending problems of care for the elderly, for the handicapped, for the homeless. Then there are the agencies such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the Y’s which are a part of almost every family’s lives. When you look at all of this, you realize that the United Way does affect us more than we realize. That is why each year CDI turns to its employees for their support of this worthwhile cause. Because it is up to those of us who have the means to help, to do just that. If you have been aided by a United Way agency then you can appreciate the importance of giving your fair share. If you are fortunate enough not to have needed their services, you still have an obligation. We all do - to give what we can to help others not so fortunate. On behalf of the United Way and CDI, I urge all of you to make your fair share pledge this year as you have done in years past.

Editor’s note: the following letter was received from Don Harrison who, at one time, was a paint foreman for CDI.

J September 16, 1983 Mr. Stan Marek Commercial Drywall Inc. Houston, Texas Dear Stan: I hope this letter finds you well and CDI busier than ever. I recently moved from Denver to San Diego as my wife was transferred there. As the saying goes, “if foresight was as good as hindsight.” Since leaving Houston and CDI, I have worked for several companies, some small and some large in both cities. I just wanted to say that no company can compare to CDI in the quality of work, production and most of all, employee relations and benefits. None of the companies I have worked for seem to care about their employees and the employees felt no responsibility to the companies. I just want to say what a fine company CDI is to have worked for and I hope that each and every one of your employees realize and appreciate this. May they never have to work for others in Houston or elsewhere to see how good they really have it. I only wish CDI had something going in the San Diego area! Please tell all my old buddies hello for me and I wish CDI continued success. Don Harrison

CDI Craftsman I

Editor: Larry Williams Asst. Editor: Maureen MacAuley

CDI Austin crews recently completed the above building tor Nash, Phillips/Copus in Austin. The two-story gray panel and reflective glass building will house such support services for NPC as NPC's Interior Design Center. Jerry Wilhelm ran the project while Larry Porterfield came in to complete it. CDI's James McAnally was responsible for all the doors. CDI provided the drywall, acoustical ceilings, doors, trim, hardware and paint and vinyl wallcoverings on the project.

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.

warn

Supervisor of the month

RepuMdBank tenant boss is honor®©! ^ Tenant work at RepublicBank tenter is proceeding well and riqht on schedu'e thanks to its supervisor, Mike Pennington, recipient of September’s supervisor of the month award. Mike, who has been with CDI since April 1971, started working at he RepublicBank project about seven months ago on the tenant floors while core construction was still in progress. At one point, we were working on about 25 floors with about 80 men," says Mike. “It was hectic doing tenant work on that many floors at a time but the sequencing went well." Mike attributes his success as a supervisor to working with a "bunch of good men.” His carpenter foremen are Doug Hopson, Danny Smith and Charlie Slayton while James Hurston handled the five-floor Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co. lease. Eddie Payne is the labor foreman on the project and Charlie Sons and Dale Johnson are doing an excellent job in the finishing department. The 16 floors of leasework for ^RepublicBank are almost complete at this time. “The toughest floors for us with the bank lease were three, four and five,” Mike says. “It was a real challenge for us as most of the walls were 18 feet and exactness really is important.”

According to Mike, communication is key to running a successful project. To achieve the required communication, Mike holds weekly meetings to discuss potential problem areas in a lease and everyone has a chance to talk about the job. “The only real obstacle we had on the leases was having to tear out damage cause by Hurricane Alicia and redoing the work,” says Mike. “Ray Johnson did an excellent job keeping up with all those work orders as well as the regular work orders for leasework.” In his 12 years with the company, Mike has proven himself on several prestigious projects starting with remodel work at Allen Center with Buddy Mayo. He supervised the Entex building leasework and the two 15-story Summit Towers in the Greenway Plaza development. “There are so many good things to say about Mike,” says superintendent Luis Soliz. “He has a good rapport with everyone — his men, the general contractor. Mike lets men know up front what is expected of them and always manages to maintain an even keel.” Mike comes from a family of carpenters — his father and brothers are carpenters. “I guess I was born into it. I really enjoy being a

Core: Houston Design Center Greenpark One Montagne Center (Beaumont)

Tealstone St. Lukes Hospital-South Expansion Menil Collection

_ ®

Paint: Robert R. Herring Hall Augusta Green St. Lukes Hospital-South Expansion

Mike Pennington, supervisor of the RepublicBank tenant work, was recently honored as September's Supervisor of the Month.

carpenter,” adds Mike. When he joined the company, Mike had just finished his apprenticeship. In his leisure hours, Mike enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife, Glynda, have two children — Ricky, 18, and Dede, 11. Congratulations Mike on being honored for the second time as CDI’s top supervisor.

Congratulations . . .

Projects up and coming . . . Project

General Contractor

Start Date

Texas Construction Inc. Mayan Construction Inc. Del Webb Construction

Nov. 1 Nov. 1 Nov. 15

Warrior Constructors

Nov. 15

Baxter Construction Co.

Nov. 15 Jan. 1/84

E.G. Lowry

McKee

Feb. 9/84 Spring 1984

Baxter Construction Co.

Spring 1984

Mayan Construction Inc.

CDI’s Jim Rutledge and his wife, Eva, are the proud parents of a new daughter born September 20. Rainie Mariah arrived at Spring Branch Memorial Hospital weighing 6 lbs. 1 oz. Jim, who has been with CDI since June 1977, oversees the remodel work at One Allen Center.

People Helping People The United Way

United bank Plaza

Core complete, tenant wotr&c proceeds

The 45-story Unitedbank Plaza is bounded by Louisiana. Bell and Milam Streets in downtown Houston.

To have a project run smoothly, right on schedule, with no major obstacles is the dream of every contractor. Unitedbank Plaza is one of those projects. “This was the smoothest running job I have ever been associated with,” says project manager Wayne Lueckemeyer who handled management of the corework. “Thanks goes to the people at W.S. Bellows, the general contractor, and the good people under Tommy Williamson’s supervision on the core.” At this point, the core is virtually complete with leasework progressing well. Supervisor Tommy Underwood, who is handling the tenant work on the project, is averaging about 20 men on the job. Ron Tolbert and James Hurston are the carpenter foremen while B.J. Ward is handling the finishing operations. Labor foreman is Raymond Pickney. For interior general contractor, Urban Interior Construction Co., CDI crews are working on the bank leases on the mall and plaza levels of the building as well as the third,

fourth, fifth and 43rd floors. “The leases are just as smooth-running as the core was,” says Tommy Underwood. “The only really challenging aspect of the bank leases is the construction of the different ceiling heights, that is the stairstepping light coves, of the offices.’’ Throughout the leasework for the bank, CDI crews will also be installing several fiberglass columns which will be later covered or painted. “There have been several changes in the bank leases,” comments Mark Keith who is handling project management of the leasework. “However, Tommy's crews have adapted well and are handling the difficulty of trade coordination. His men are consistently beating the budget while stiil maintaining excellent quality." The most elaborate bank lease is the penthouse on the 43rd floor. As there will be a fireplace installed, CDI crews will be constructing a firewall. Other custom features in the penthouse office will be a whirlpool

Julia l¥lald©mad©

Billing clerk handles demands off ffh® department When one member of a department is on a leave of absence, everyone in that department has just that much more work to do. Billing clerk Julia Maldonado, in addition to completing her own work in the contract billing department, has taken on many of Kim Luttrell’s duties while Kim is out. And, she is handling that additional pressure well. Each day, Julia begins the morning by logging in work orders, pricing them and obtaining the necessary approvals. She sets up work order numbers, job numbers and does some of the actual billing for the contract work. “I just keep real busy,” says Julia. “We are still doing some water damage billing from the hurricane

which takes a great deal of time.” Part of Julia’s day is spent dealing with the estimators “keeping them in line.” That is, getting work orders and job numbers on time. Julia started at CDI a little more than two years ago as a billing clerk for the paint department working for Bernie Thomas. “The departments are totally different,” comments Julia. “There are different procedures in each department and with contract billing, I deal with bigger numbers where more detail is required." “Julia is a hard worker and a fast learner,” says contract billing manager Melva Weggemann. “She has really caught on to our system and now is certainly helping to carry the extra load in the department.” Since moving to Houston fr om 4

Mexico when she was 12 years old, Julia has mastered the English language. “At first I would just carry a dictionary around with me and when I didn’t know what something meant, I would look it up.” Mathematics was always a strong point for Julia. She enjoyed it in school and went on to take accounting courses at Massey Business College in Houston. Julia brought accounting experience with her to CDI from a similar job while she was attending school. Julia possesses a fine quality she cares about people. Each Friday night she, with a group from her church, visits sick people in various . hospitals around Houston. In addition to her church activities, Julia enjoys music and dancing.

^ bath and elaborate wall coverings w and fixtures. Completion date for the Unitedbank leases is scheduled for December 1. Other leases which have been completed in the building by CDI include two floors, 11 and 12, for ShareCom; the 16th floor for Comprop, the building manager; and the 22nd floor for MCZ Inc. CDI's millshop is playing an active role in the leasework at Unitedbank Plaza. “The focal point of the millwork is the intricate teller line on the plaza level,” says Mike Pruzinsky. “The mock-up we built for the architects is probably the most detailed one we have done.” According to Mike, the teller line will be prefabricated in the shop, disassembled for transfer to the project and then reassembled in place. Once installed, it will be covered with marble by another trade. In addition to the teller lines, millwork crews will be installing laminated casework and woodwork ^ throughout the building. flb The 45-story Unitedbank Plaza is a ' project of developer Wortham & Van r ‘

CDI's Joe Menslage (left) and Muggs Gonzales are taking measurements for the stairstepping ceilings found in most of the offices in the Unitedbank Plaza.

Carl Carson loses life to cancer ^ On September 4, CDI ,lost a close friend and long-time employee, Carl Carson. Carl passed away after nearly a year-long struggle with cancer. He died while visiting relatives in Amarillo over the Labor Day weekend. . Carl, 61, joined CDI in April 1979, He served as a journeyman carpenter on numerous projects and worked despite his illness which kept and out of the hospital and him in treatment during the last under

several months. Always a top worker, Carl was named CDI’s Journeyman Craftsman of the Year in 1982. He had been in the drywall business since 1946 after serving as an army paratrooper during WW II. Carl worked as part of ® unique family team which included his son-in-law, Dewayne Keenev and grandson, Orphus Keeney On behalf of all CDI’ers the Craftsman extends its deepest sympathy.

Louis KOowenski to retire

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* Julia Maldonado handles quite a work load In CDI's contract billing department.

■10

___ recently presented one of its CDI outstanding craftsmen, Louis Klovenski, with an engraved Seiko watch. The award honored Louis' 10th year of service as well as his retirement from the company this

“has been one to always give his

Bruce MaSrer°U,i',e “e prssitte"* Louis’ retirement will begin late

1974, has entire drywall Louis, 64,spent who his came aboard in career with CDI. He previously worked in the construction business

north Houston Louis and hi*ThLuh'6’ reside in children, John who is T for CDI and Diane S ^ es imator

as a welder and erector. He has worked on a number of projects and

The Craftsman extend* h.c wishes to Louis in his ret

ASmosf s dirty word

The word itself sends shockwaves through CDI. Nonetheless, not a day has gone by in the past year without its mention. It has been the cause of considerable heartache, headache and hardship. This dreaded thing is the “conversion.’’ The conversion, or more specificly, the computer conversion, means simply that the company switched from a Tl to a more sophisticated IBM computer, primarily one better suited to CDI’s needs. But, that’s where the simplicity stops. “A conversion is something you don’t want to go through more than once in a lifetime," contends vice president of finance Barry Barnard. “Unfortunately, this is our second one in three years.” What makes a conversion so tough Computer operator Betty Hamilton poses with CDI’s new computer, the IBM System 38. is that everything on the old system has to be redone to fit the new one. tunnel. We can’t see it, but we know Meiva Weggemann and Bernie In many cases the old programs it’s there, somewhere,” jokes Barry. Thomas, credit headed by Libby have to be scrapped totally. What it all means is that there have Ciancia, payables under Debbie Adding to this is the fact that what been some CDI people hard at work Hewitt, and the general accounting one computer does one way the over the past several months. Most group which includes Dave new one does differently. So the of them have worked long hours and LeTourneau, Vicki Edwards, Debbie program has to be written so that stayed late, spending countless you get what you want doing it the Jackson, Diane Jones, Paul frustrating hours getting the IBM up way the computer wants to. Herman, Joyce Kaminski, and David and running. According to Barry, there are five Kirsch along with Barry. These people include the data basic programs on the new Through their dedication and hard processing department under Pat computer - accounts receivable, work the word conversion may Click, field payroll department under accounts payable, job cost, payroll someday become just a normal word and general ledger. All of these have Joy Taylor, billing department under again. to tie into each other so that such things as payroll is reflected in job cost and so forth. “Naturally we put the payroll CDI Austin crews recently completed. Nick White handled the system on first since it is one of the completed construction of KBVO-TV, ceiling work in the building. largest and most important. Then we Channel 42 in Austin. In addition to just do down the line until all are on Project manager of First City coordinating the interior construction, and working,’’ says Barry. Center is Nick Sukup. CDI did the drywall, acoustical “The system as a whole is CDI’s Austin office recently ceilings, and paint and wallcoverings intricately complex. Such a received a Mayor’s plaque from the under the direction of Ben Oyler. conversion requires specialists to City of Austin for furnishing material Crews started the job in midwrite the specific programs which for the Food Bank which is currently August and completed it for the provide the information we want under construction. October 16 move-in date. Lynn while being compatible with the Pounds, Cliff Means, Mike Stathos computer itself. There are so many Israel Garcia and Ulysses Loving variables that it really becomes a were the craftsmen on the project. task of getting the programs on and Albert Einstein once admitted that First City Center in Austin is fixing what doesn't work.’’ figuring out his U.S. income tax was winding down for CDI crews. The So, for nearly the past year CDI’s core is just about complete with beyond him, he had to go to a tax data processing and accounting consultant. “This is too difficult for a foreman Johnny Kovar finishing groups have been busy “getting the up. Under the direction of Terry mathematician,” said Einstein. “It bugs out.” LaRoche, CDI is handling some takes a philosopher.” “We’re to the point where we know tenant work including floors 9 there is a light at the end of the and 10 The best way to get the last word is for the bank and 11 which is now to apologize. 6

!S TV station

CDI Dallas

CDI Systems in Dallas has announced the promotion of Phillip Santeiu to construction manager of field operations. Phil, who joined the company as a journeyman carpenter in January 1981, will now be responsible for directing the entire field operations for the Dallas branch. Most recently, Phil served as field coordinator over tenant space and computer flooring construction activities, a position held since June 1981. He made that move following duties as carpenter foreman over Park Central leasework. “Phil has always displayed intense dedication and diligence in his work. His climb through the organization was certainly no accident. We have always gotten 110 percent from Phil,” claims CDI Systems president Mike Grogan. “Phil has been with us almost from the beginning and he has played a major part in our success in building a top production team. We think Phil will help us even more with his ■ increased responsibility,” continues " ' Mike. “I’m very excited about the

CDI Dallas' Mike Grogan (right) congratulates Phil Santeiu on his recent promotion to construction manager of field operations for Dallas.

opportunity to run the whole field operation,” responds Phil. “CDI is a company that brings out the best in a person because it is the best. I’m just going to try to carry this forth and do everything to the best of my ability.”

Phil is a native of Michigan where he worked in the interior construction business for 10 years. He moved to Dallas in 1980, just a few months prior to joining CDI. He and his wife, Cathleen, reside in North Dallas and have a son, Christopher who is 13.

COD Dates crew ha A CDI Systems crew in Dallas is past the halfway point on a demanding 24,000 square foot computer flooring installation job. According to construction manager Phil Santeiu, the Zales computer floor has several unusual conditions which are testing the mechanical

controlled air. Members of the Zales flooring crew doing such a tremendous job are Ken Lutes, Mark Brown, Chris Van Summers, Wayne Watson, Ricky McCurley, Neil Booker and Raymond Martin. Eddie Cobb highlighted

skills of the craftsmen. “Ed Fritch is our foreman on the job with Barry Richards serving as his leadman. They have done a tremendous job in planning and problem solving under less than desirable conditions," says Phil. A nine-man crew is doing the 24-inch finish floor height installation. job requires that the floor be laid The out and installed as one continuous floor although it is actually divided

The work of CDI System's Eddie Cobb is being spotlighted in this issue of the Craftsman. Eddie, who serves as head of the tenant estimating department, handles a tremendous volume of work. Eddie’s responsibilities include sales and project management over the Dallas Galleria Office Tower, Park Central, Lincoln Center I & II and the Colonade office building. He joined the company in January 1982 bringing with him five years of drywall and acoustical experience. “Eddie is putting in a lot of extra time and effort to get the job done," says Mike Grogan. “He’s handling

into several rooms. have ^ U In addition, all door openings W. drywall installed two feet up from the floor to restrict air flow between the rooms. Complicating the job is the fact that the area is enclosed with no

Jp* ZM Eddie Cobb handles all the leasework estimating in CDI's Dallas office.

the same volume of work as last year without the help of another person. We really appreciate Eddie’s hard work and dedication.”

1 . ■n

(Access flooring, from page 1)

Dallas access flooring market for the past two years. “The work that Mike Grogan has put into our computer flooring efforts is really paying off. He was instrumental in the company getting into the market initially and has played a big part in our getting the Donn-Severn distributorship,” says Stan. “We have been looking for the right combination of personnel and timing to move more into the access flooring market,” says Stan. We think with the present team, our previous experience and the Donn-Severn product, we can now become a factor in the industry.” Bob Spencer

Allen Frank

Taim years serwiee recognized

Mark Kmsella will head CDI Houston's access flooring operations.

Evidently 1973 was a good year at CDI. Because 10 years later in 1983 the company has honored a number (19 to be exact) of 10-year veterans with service awards. Two recent ones were office personnel, Bob Spencer and Allen Prank. Each of these individuals was presented a Seiko watch honoring their decade of service with the company. Bob joined CDI in June of 1973 as a material expediter after serving as rail equipment manager for Texas Gulf Sulfur Co. He moved up to estimator in CDI’s tenant department before his position as manager of CDI’s remodeling division and millwork operations. As such, Bob is responsible for

five estimators who account for approximately 90 percent of the company's remodeling work. In addition the millshop is under his supervision. Allen Frank, meanwhile, has chalked up 10 years with the company, half of those in the field. Allen joined CDI in 1973 as a carpenter apprentice at the Greenway complex. From there he became a foreman of leasework at the Allen Center before coming into the office as an estimator in the tenant department. Presently, Allen handles a major portion of sales and estimating for the fast growing millshop. In addition, he does all the job set ups for the millshop.

CDI Craftsman Commercial Drywall, Inc. 3539 Oak Forest Drive RO. Box 10686 Houston, Texas 77018