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INSIGHTS
A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE MAREK FAMILY OF COMPANIES
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Summer 2010
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Marek Residential Installs the Drywall in ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home The Johnson's episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition will air on television in late September on ABC.
The Johnson family view their new home.
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It took just one week for the 3,500 volunteers to complete this new house. The Johnson’s new home is the result of a MBC Houston is honored to have been week-long effort by more than 3,500 invited to participate in the construction of volunteers. Located on Goodhope Street in the 4,500-SF home for ABC's Extreme Houston’s third ward, the new home rises Makeover: Home Edition built in like a castle, complete with a grand Houston the week of July 26. staircase and its own little tower. By the end of the week it was hard to tell According to Linda Stewart, with HHN where the sweat ended and the tears began Homes - the general contractor on the when Eric and Elaine Johnson and their project, “Elaine Johnson always wanted a five daughters stood in front of their new grand rotunda.” Now her dream has come home. Extreme Makeover: Home true. Edition is a popular television show that Some of our impressive team. Ralph Marek finds families with poignant stories and personally thanked A great team of MBC Houston employees worked day and night gives them the home of their dreams. The our team for the long in the Houston heat and included: Johnsons are the first family in Houston to hours and sweat Jorge Arellano Isaac Hernandez Moises Rivera have been selected. Manolo Hernandez Joe Rodriguez saying, “/ am Mike Castellano Eric and Elaine have always given to their Mike Huegele Hilario Romero extremely proud of Jose Cruz community. Eric is an ordained minister, the personal Ricky Delgado Carlos Jiminez Ed Simmons and both of them counsel married couples. Javier Torres sacrifices that each of Eduardo Diosdado Andres Macias The couple helps African-American Juan Diosdado Ronnie Marek Norberto Torres you made under families rebuild their family structure. The Hugo Martinez Chris Trojanowsky trying conditions, to Sergio Diosdado Johnsons themselves were, however, living participate in and Edmund Guiterrez Raphael Martinez Pat Trojanowsky in a 720 SF A-frame house that had been Jose Urdanivia complete this very Adolfo Hernandez Eddie Medina damaged by Hurricane Ike and that was also Arturo Hernandez Rueben Ramirez worthwhile charity." without any working plumbing.
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THE HO MBS Dallas
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Good work pays off! Earlier this year, MBS Dallas was awarded the Carroll ISD Summer Work project for general contractor Bartlett Cocke, which consisted of five existing schools in Carroll ISD that underwent extensive electrical, mechanical and technological upgrades. Our job was to remove, replace and repair the majority of the ceilings in all the schools, as well as carrying out some drywall repairs and making upgrades as the project progressed. All of this took place within a six-week time frame, with a deadline just a few days before the start of the new school year. MBS Dallas team,
Supervisor, Wayne Strawser Sr. and Workforce Development graduates, Daniel Finch, Joe Gorman, Tartelus Moreland, Alejandro Olivarez, Johnny Reed and Shawn Wood, met the project deadline and really impressed Bartlett Cocke. As a result of doing such a great job, MBS Dallas will soon begin on a new 120,000 sf, ground up Carroll 1SD middle school in Southlake, Texas. The project is a typical drywall & ceiling job, which includes acoustical wall panels, ceiling sound diffusers, door & hardware installation, aluminum column covers, window shades & horizontal blinds. This is Bartlett Cocke’s first local project since its recent expansion into the Dallas area. In addition, two other projects are lined up for 2011 - the Minimally Invasive Spine Institute for General Contractor Medco Construction, and Christian School Library forGC Rogers-O'Brien.
MBS San Antonio This summer we will also start installing drywall, acoustical ceilings and wood ceilings at the Briscoe Western Art Museum, where we will be working with Zachry Construction.
MISI Atlanta MIS Altanta is also working on a museum project. We will start work in September on the demolition of the current Dali exhibit to make way or the multiple display walls for The High Museum of Art’s up-coming exhibition of twenty-five masterpieces from the Venetian THE LATE WORK Renaissance. Now On View The exhibits Dali exhibition to be replaced will include with Italian masters two of the greatest paintings of the Italian Renaissance, Titian’s “Diana and Actaeon” and “Diana and Callisto”. Our crews will be working with General contractor Skanska, USA on the conversion.
MBS DALLAS PUTS FINISHING TOUCHES TO AVENUE CHURCH
iitmiL Artist's impression of the new Church, which MBS Dallas will complete shortly.
Supervisor Norman Cantrell and his crews are now close to completing the Avenue Church project for GC Whiting-Turner which we began last October. The Avenue Church is a single-story, 40,000 square feet building. MBS Dallas embarked on the work with the exterior framing, where some areas had 8” studs at 12 O.C. and were 30 feet tall. MBS Dallas is also finishing up the interior framing, and ' installing the drywall, doors and hardware. There are some most unusual features in this building. For example,
MBS has installed electrical cords which hang from the ceiling, a mesh screen, 400 traffic cones placed horizontally on the wall, corrugated metal curved around a wall, and cedar lap siding on the interior and exterior. In the sanctuary and lobby areas, we are creating “hanging clouds” and installing drywall and acoustical ceilings.
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The lovely new sanctuary at night.
Framing outthe new Avenue Church.
What’s Happening in WFD! WFD Graduations
1st Row (Kneeling): David Sparacino - Production Manager, Juan Munoz, Enrique, Aguero, Chase Erickson, Luke Graham, Mitchell Snow, & Andrew Currie. 2nd Row (Standing): Paul Marek -.Owner, Stuart Clagg, Ray Edwards-Massey, John Garcia, Justin Nix, David Schlater, Justin Dial, Jesus Ramos, Jorge Guajardo, Josue Limones, & John Hinson.- Division President.
MBS-Dallas held its OJT Helper graduation on June 24 at the Marek Brothers Systems office in Dallas. Graduates and guests were treated to a BBQ dinner. Paul Marek was in attendance for the ceremony and everyone had a great time. The graduates each received a certificate of completion, a plaque, and other gifts supplied by WFDDallas and participating vendors. Most of the trainees have now begun the Mechanic level classroom and OJT training. We expect great things from this group. IVIBS-Houston held its 2nd OJT Helper Graduation ceremony, also on June 24th„ in the atrium of its new office building. The graduates brought their coaches, spouses, and guests, and enjoyed a dinner catered by Pappas restaurants. The evening started with Saied Alavi (Operations Manager) welcoming Marek family members, guest speaker Ted
Kneeling L to R: Manuel Zuniga, Denis Castellon, Jason Martinez, Luis Martinez. Standing L to R. Tyler Holton, Jean Duzanson, Eric Sauceda, Irving Sepulveda, Allen Barnes, Bryan Moya, Jon Gaastra, Isai Merlan, Brent Stowe, Daniel Cuevas, Jesus Maldonado, Kenneth Silvio, Osvaldo Martinez, Jose Mendoza, & Jesus Lopez, Jr. Not shown: David Toribio, Francisco Avila, & Pablo Robles.
Hajdik, superintendents, coaches, graduates and their guests. Ted Hajdik gave a motivational speech and talked about where the graduates had started, how far that they have come, and what is now expected of them. He also stated the fact that this is the perfect time to be in a program like Mareks’ WFD program, and the only limitations are the ones that the graduates impose on themselves. Saied Alavi gave short biographies, while Stan Marek presented each graduate with plaques and certificates. This year there were 17 drywall/acoustical graduates and five finisher graduates. Congratulations to all forajob well done. MBS-San Antonio held its OJT Helper Graduation at Mamacita’s Restaurant for its graduates and their coaches. The graduates received their plaques along with completion certificates and gift cards. Also invited to the lunch, and recognized and presented with certificates, were those who passed theNCCER assessment.
L to R Front- Rick Lopez, Pablo Elizondo, Martin Tinajero, Robert Rodriguez, Jarrod Touchton, Miguel Morales, Luis Aguilar, Stacy Gunderson. L to R 2nd - Ted Rogriguez, Geronimo Garcia, Marco Bacerra, Jorge Alvarez, Richard Sosa, Javier Gonzales, William Thompson, Joe Cantu, and Juan Garcia.
L to R Front- Ted Rodriguez, Epifamo Marquez, Jose Casarez, Jorge Rosario and Mike Dugi. L to R Back- Bruce Bostick, Cesar Caballero, Braulio Martinez, Todd Winder, Javier Gonzales, Al Coronado, Dennis Yanowski and Bobby Winder.
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NCCER Certified Drywall Mechanics
1st Row: Luis Vasquez, Efrain Vazquez, Luke Graham, Chase Erickson, Shawn Wood, Eric Fiddle, Julio Saenz, Jerry Shott, 2nd Row: Womono Nyongesa, Michael Workman, Joe Rando, Daniel Finch, Chris Bailey, Danny Rodriguez, Josue Limones, 3rd Row: John Hinson—Division President, Johnny Reed, John Garcia, Justin Dial, Justin Nix, Chris Seifert, Chris Alvarez, Luke Bryant, David Schlater, David Sparacino—Production Manager. Not pictured: Jesus Orona, Tartelus Moreland, Enrique Aguero, Jose Cavanzo, Nery Rodriguez, Alejandro Olivarez.
MBS Dallas recently honored team members who successfully completed the N CCER’s (National Center for Construction Education & Research) craft skill assessment and certification process for drywall mechanic. Mechanics achieving this certification complete a twohour assessment covering topics such as safety, tools, and equipment, drywall installation, steel framing, orientation to the trade, and acoustical ceilings. Some of our supervisors have elected to set the example by sitting for the assessment and are now also CERTIFIED mechanics. These include: Tommy Weeks, Robert Brazel, Terry Evans, Javier Flores, Ron Hawkins, and Tommy Weeks. The newly certified mechanics each received a wallet card, a certificate, a transcript of their assessment results, and a hard hat sticker indicating their status as a CERTIFIED Mechanic. If you see a Marek Brothers employee with the NCCER certified sticker on his or her hard hat, take a moment stop and congratulate them on their accomplishment.
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drywall and acoustical ceilings, including metal stud support for auditorium seating.
TARRYTOWN
MBS Austin Working with GC Rogers O’Brien, David Archibald and German Avalos are scrambling to complete renovations to the athletic department at Stephen F. Austin High School before football season
SITE MBS San Antonio The Harlandale Middle School is getting a face lift with new drywall and acoustical ceilings, which drywall supervisor Carlos Juarez is installing for GC Spaw Glass. Supervisors Luis Lopez and Alfredo Martinez might be tempted to hang around for some good eats after completing their work on the Pearl Brewery Culinary Institute of America. The new five-story building will house the Culinary Institute as well as apartments and a garage. GC on the project is Joeris. Two jobs are scheduled to be completed by the end of September. The Sentry Gateway is a three-story tiltwall office space, and the first of nine proposed buildings. Drywall supervisor Darwin Macat is working on the project with GC EE Reed Construction Company. Meanwhile, supervisors Juan Chapa and
A spectacular blaze in 2008 damaged the beautiful old building at Our Lady of the Lake University.
Rick Lopez are working with GC Bartlett Cocke on remodeling the “Old Main Building” at Our Lady of the Lake University which was damaged by fire in 2008. Drywall supervisor Jose Casarez is carrying out a demolition and drywall build back at the USAA COE3 building where the GC is Lyda Swinerton. Drywall supervisor Gabe Bostick is starting work on the Incarnate Word School of Nursing working with GC Joeris. Our crews will be installing
begins. Tarrytown Pharmacy is one of Austin’s oldest pharmacies and a throwback to a by-gone era. Dating from 1941, the
The Tarrytown Pharmacy pharmacy has cared for generations of patients and loyal customers. Now the old apothecary is relocating to new digs in the
[mbs HOUSTON ACOUSTICAL DEPARTMENT LEADS THE WAY The acoustical department in the Houston branch has landed some really big projects. Working through the Central Estimating division, The Houston Acoustical Division has procured contracts on both the Texas Children’s Maternity Center project with General Contractor WS Bellows and the Texas A & M University renovation of the MSC & University Complex project with GC Vaughn t Construction. The Houston Acoustical Division will || be joining the drywall division on the The new Texas Children’s Maternity Center Texas Children’s Maternity Center, a full-service facility at Texas Children's highly competitive market, the valued which will provide comprehensive care relationship between Marek employees for mothers and their babies all in one Larry Netardus and George Kissamis single facility - see lead story in the and Vaughn representative Brad Spring Issue ofInsights Wendler and our past experience MBS Houston will be installing 415,500 working with Vaughn helped turn the ’ square feet of acoustical ceiling tile tide in our favor, provided Vaughn with consisting of nine different ceiling types. the confidence that we will deliver. Three different tile manufacturers, Another key factor in securing the work Armstrong, CertainTeed, and USG, will was the use of BIM - Building Integrated be used on this project. Specialty Management, new technology that ceilings, such as Decoustics Clara tracks all elements of a building in Ceilincio and CertainTeed Focus D, will electronic format. Committed to be installed throughout the building. working at the cutting edge ot This is a large project with complicated technology, Marek was the only designs, most notably in the circular company with the capability to meet the connector bridge. Marek is working BIM requirements, providing a 3-D. hand in hand with FKJP Architects virtual construction model based on the providing mock-ups in order to give the actual job schedule. With this new ceiling the desired looked as well as the technology, Marek employee required accessibility. Mahendra Chouhan, created a virtual The Texas A & M project involves model that showed the step- by-step renovating an existing three-level multi installation of the acoustical ceiling purpose student center at the College systems based on the schedule provided Station campus. The acoustical work by Vaughn. This project is a gteal includes installing over 156,000 SF of example of what can be accomplished various ceiling tiles, including high end when you combine the value ceilings such as Hunter Douglas established relationship and Pa: Techstyle E and a wood slat ceiling experience with the impact el system. In securing this project, in a technology.
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Old Tarrytown area. Helping make the transition go smoothly are Luis Vela and Felipe Garcia, working with GC Sabre Commercial Inc. on the reconstruction Grifols Plasma Center, located in San Marcos, is a 72,000 sf health care manufacturing facility and the first of its kind in Texas. What is more, it will brirm 190 new jobs into the city. The facility tests and processes human blood plasma, producing products that are then used to treat burns, immune deficiency diseases and bleeding disorders. MBS has the entire interior package on the new facility, including drywall, acoustical ceilings and InPro wall protection. Working to a November completion are Jose Apolinar, Jesus Contreras, Joe Gonzales, Erick Rivera, and Miguel Ruiz.
MBS Dallas The TMC Wound Care Center is a single story building where patients suffering from severe burns and wounds will be able to receive therapy. MBS Dallas will be working on this project with Brasfield & Gorrie. The 3,000 square foot project started in August under supervisor Chris Bailey’s direction, and includes drywall, acoustical ceilings and furrdown installation. Supervisor Koby Newkirk will be installing two floors of blinds and MechoShades at UT Southwest Phase III for General Contractor Whiting-Turner. Meanwhile supervisors Miguel Servin and Jorge Servin will also install two floors of roller shades and formed aluminum pockets at the UT Southwest Phase IV for GC Austin Commercial. Both MechoShade portions of the project will begin in late 2010.
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The Cowboy Stadium of Arlington will be hosting their first Super Bowl in 2011 and MBS Dallas will be helping out. Working with GC Manhattan Construction, supervisor Joe Rodriguez and his team will be adding more concessions and kitchens to accommodate the anticipated record attendants at the 2011 Super Bowl, which is expected to be the largest Supei Bowl in history. MBS Dallas will also be on call for any last minute changes beioie the big day next January.
MISI Atlanta's crews are no strangers to working at the Manson on Peachtree in Atlanta.
The Mansion on Peachtree Phase 1 consists of three full-floors of condominium penthouse spaces that will serve as model homes for the ongoing Holiday Decorator Program. Supervisor on the project is John Files who is coordinating with General Contractor Freese Construction and working to a November completion. Nearing completion under Supervisor Eric Nethery and Finishing Supervisor Eduardo Ibarra direction is the build out of a ground level conference center in the Two Alliance office tower for GC Turner Construction.
Servcorp Offices in Atlanta
MISI Atlanta Returns to the Georgia Dome The In-Zone Bar and Restaurant is the only restaurant in the Georgia Dome and overlooks the south end zone of the Atlanta Falcons’ football field. Marek crews have been working to a tight schedule on a total remodel of the current space designed to increase the seating capacity in both the restaurant and bar areas. • Extensive furrdowns installed around the drop ceiling will provide support for plasma screen TVs MISI Atlanta’s “In-Zone” team
while risers constructed of heavy gage framing will support additional seating areas. With patrons relying on this restaurant, our work schedule is understandably fastpaced as construction has to be completed before the start of Atlanta Falcons regular season opener. Heading up our crews and keeping things on track is supervisor is TimPrough.
MISI Atlanta Supervisor Jody Spencer is working with General Contractor Hitt Contracting on the ongoing NCR World Headquarters project. The work entails building out approximately 2,000 SF of office space.
How car seats behave during a wreck can mean the difference between survival or death. MISI is currently working on the demolition and build back of a facility that Newell Rubbermaid will use to test car seats. The project includes construction of several full height partitions, a three-hour fire-rated sound partition, and numerous top outs above windows on the outside of the building. Over 40,000 square feet of acoustical insulation will be sprayed above exposed ceilings to help minimize the considerable sound created by the “Crash Sled” that will be used to test child safety seats. Brasfield & Gorrie Construction Company is the GC and Gilbert Shelton is our supervisor Supervisor Tim Prough and his crew are completing a partial floor of the Servcorp office space buildout on Peachtree for GC SkanskaUSA.
Construction at the GeorgiaDome.
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OUTSTANDING
shown himself to be an outstanding individual. Chris
employees 100% on his entry applicant, and from there Chris has Outstanding employee achieved the Trainee of the recognition to supervisor Quarter: 2"11 Quarter 2008, Philip Proffitt who joined Trainee for the Year: 2008. us in the spring of 2008 Chris Bailey has completed the while we were working on WFD training labs on January a project in the Killeen/ 15,2009, with a 100% score on Fort Hood area. With Labs/Manual Tasks Testing, his Philip’s military background he fit right and he is a Basic Helper Graduate as of June 18, 2009. Chris also Personality and many excellent skills make Gary Roy one of our outstanding employees completed the Mechanic Level when it comes to overseeing the Training, with ECO 101 installation of the numerous high-end Economics of the Job, specialty finishes present in today’s Coach Qualification marketplace. Gary is currently putting the Training, MB 101 Basic finishing touches on NCR Corporate Construction Math (Test Headquarters in Duluth, Georgia for Out), BP 101 Basic HITT Construction Group. Construction Drawings and Layouts (Test Out) and the SAD FAREWELLS NCCER Mechanic Level Assessment. Presently, Chris is a foreman-in-training, helping Supervisor Koby Outstanding employee Philip Proffitt “can-do" approach wins Newkirk by running the him Outstanding Employee recognition. night crew at the UTSW Medical Center Office into our style of effectively getting things Building Phase II. Chris is fully done. Philip continues to impress us and committed to Marek Brothers Systems our customers with his “whatever it takes” and the Workforce Development Training attitude. Program. MBSDaKas MISI Atlanta Raul Contreras, a sad loss to our team and a Chris Bailey started with Marek Brothers We would like to acknowledge the tragic loss to all who knew him. Dallas Workforce Development in March outstanding efforts of Finishing 14, 2008, and from the beginning he has It is with heavy hearts that we express Supervisor, Gary Roy. our condolences to the family and Hired in 1996 as an friends of Journeyman Carpenter Raul experienced drywall Contreras who passed away this past finisher, Gary’s vast March after a long bout with cancer. wealth of experience in all Raul was only 38 years old and would phases of commercial have celebrated his 10"‘ anniversary interior finishing, in with the company this year. He was a addition to his carpentry top notch craftsman with a quiet skills, placed him on a fast demeanor and infectious laugh that track to supervising crews will be will be sorely missed by all that in our finishing knew him. Our thoughts and prayers go department. out to his family. Gary’s outgoing MBS Austin
Rising star Chris Bailey aced the Workforce Development Program
personality and uncanny ability to anticipate the needs of the client are just two of the reasons why he is one of our “go to guys” Page 6
Oui heartfelt condolences to drywall foreman Jesse Flores on the loss of his nephew Joanthony Flores on July 5. Joanthony joined MBS earlier this year.
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Welcome to Stephanie Canales who has transferred to the San Antonio office from Houston. Stephanie is continuing her education at St. Mary’s University-
MBS Houston James Newman, a graduate of The University ofNebraska, completed his oneyear of training and has moved into his new role as the project manager for the Mechoshade department. With Marek’s ever increasing sales in Mechoshades, James is a much needed addition. With his dedication and hard work, James will quickly master the intricacies of the Mechoshade systems, helping us take the department to the next level. After four years with Dallas as an estimator /project manager, Ryan McKimmins has moved to Houston with his wife, Jessica, and two sons, Nathan and Rylan. Ryan now joins our Central Estimating division which resides in the Houston office. In his new role, Ryan will put his estimating skills to use for all the Marek branches. Ryan is a welcome addition to this growing department, which is looking to increase its productivity and better serve the Marek Family of Companies.
MBS Dallas service award recipients and their families celebrated their long tenure with the company.
OAK FOREST LUMBER
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OFL -SAFETY AND SERVICE AWARD LUNCHEON
MBS Dallas On June 24,MBS Dallas presented Service Awards to employees at a ceremony held at Love & War restaurant in Grapevine. Also attending the event were awardrecipients’ spouses, as well as John Hinson, and Paul Marek. 25-year awards: Bryant Hand Tommy Weeks 20-year awards: DanaAgnew Buddy Britt Jesus Cacique Steve Hale Wayne C. Stravvser Jr. Bret Young J 5-year awards: Gregorio Cardenas Alford J.DoIdorf David Smith 10-year awards: Fabian Arellanes Victor H. Cano, Everardo Garcia Hugo E. Marquez.
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When Oak Forest Lumber celebrated nine, no lost-time accident-free years in July, the y als0 recognized four significant anniversaries. From the left of the picture, R01 ce Marek is shown next to Juan Gonzalez who reached 10 years with the company. ' Ud-nff in front of Paul Marek is Debora Parks with 5 years. To their left, is Monico 1 -e celebrating 15 years, Antonio Trujillo having achieved 30 years, and Duffy Again « ^ ^ fer right of the picture. OFL is veiy proud of these employees and of
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Births anti WedSiujs MBS San Antonio
oil analyst Juliet Montes on the birth of her first grandchild, Congratulations J hnson bom June 28. The proud parents are Juliet’s daughter Lisa and Indiana Lisa’s husband Brian.
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Tornado-Ravaged Facility Receives New Life
The new surgery and onocology building at the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center
On the evening of March 1,2007, an F-3 tornado, with winds of up to 165 miles an hour, tore through the town ofAmericus, Georgia. The tornado left a path of destruction, completely destroying the Sumter Regional hospital. Fortunately, all 70 patients were evacuated before the storm struck. Now, three years later, the hospital is reopening as the Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, a complex of several separate buildings that include a
MAREK'fflff FAMILY OF COMPANIES ATLANTA Marek Interior Systems, Inc. (MIS) AUSTIN Marek Brothers Company (MBC) Marek Brothers Systems, Inc. (MBS) DALLAS Marek Brothers Systems, Inc. (MBS) Marek Brothers Company (MBC) FORT WORTH Marek Brothers Systems, Inc. (MBS) HOUSTON Marek Brothers Company (MBC) Marek Brothers Systems, Inc. (MBS) Oak Forest Lumber & Supply Company (OFL) Stanley Construction Company SAN ANTONIO Marek Brothers Systems, Inc. (MBS) SAN ANTONIO/RIO GRANDE VALLEY Marek Brothers Systems (MBS)
women’s health and family planning building, a surgery and oncology building, and a wellness and education facility. Working with GC Brasfield & Gorrie LLP on the outpatient facilities, MIS Atlanta is installing numerous loadbearing partitions that support the engineered roof truss system which our crews are decking with plywood. In order to ensure that the buildings withstand future tornados, all the exterior walls are framed out of heavy gage metal that is through bolted to the concrete slab, sheathed with 1/2” plywood, and coated with a modified bituminous wrap. A “Quick Frame” system has been installed above the window conditions and below the structural steel main beams that support several areas of the roof truss system. The interior package will include numerous patient rooms where Superintendent Bill Pallino and Supervisor Nick Pallino, finishing
Insights 3539 Oak Forest Drive, Suite 200 Houston, Texas 77018
supervisor Ralph Price and their crews will be installing drywall partitions, drywall and acoustical ceilings, as well as paint and wall coverings. The general contractor on the job has entered into a partnering agreement with OSHA that requires all subcontractors to participate in its on-the-job safety training. This added safety program is in addition to regular inspections conducted by the jobsite safety committee made up of hourly employees from each trade working at this site.
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All the buildings are being constructed to withstand tornado force winds
MESSAGE FROM STAN By Stan Marek As many of you know, my journey over the past few years has taken me down paths that are far from the projects we build. There are a number of critical issues affecting our business here at Marek coming from the outside rather than inside our company. I have spent countless hours trying to engage the right folks to address these key issues. It wasn't that long ago - maybe 30 years that construction was still a noble career. Skilled craftsmen built our projects. They encouraged their children to follow in their footsteps. Their children's children did the same. It wasn't unusual to have three generations of families working within construction companies across the country. We were known for good wages, exciting work, and retirement plans - many had good benefits and health insurance and most were covered under worker's compensation in case of injury. But, a lot of that has changed. Right now, the construction industry is in a mess. We can't attract the skilled workers we once did - few encourage their children into the trades. The allure of our industry has all but disappeared. Why? There are many reasons - our country's broken immigration system - the misclassification of workers by contractors - the lack of compliance to employment laws - a failure to train and develop employees and careers - the lack of commitment to maintain a safe work environment for our employees. And the list goes on. I am very proud that our team here at Marek has not abandoned the principles of the past - even in these difficult times. Our workforce development program is working harder than ever to bring young men and women into the company. We're making sure we have the wages, benefits, training and career path in place despite a
recent survey in nearby Austin which showed that 76% of construction workers there lacked health insurance, 81 % had no retirement plan for them and 45% earned poverty level wages or below. We've rekindled the pride and spirit that attracts workers and once again we are seeing the sons, daughters, nieces and nephews of our employess proudly coming aboard. We continue to pay by the hour and adhere to all employment laws even when that same survey showed almost 40% of construction workers were being misclassified as independent contractors. Our dedication to safety has never been stronger. In an industry where 142 construction workers lost their lives in Texas in 2007, we are working hard to ensure that our workers are given the safest work environment possible so they and their families can be assured of a safe return home at the end ofthe work day. We are committed to make this a better company for our employees and thus be a better partner for our general contractors and their customers. The work that remains is to change the environment - our industry. Sooner or later, our leaders in Washington will have to address the immigration problem. But that's not enough. It's up to responsibly-minded companies to lead the charge in reshaping the image of our industry and clean up our practices so that we can attract and retain a greater portion of the thousands of kids that leave our high schools ever year. Ours can be a great industry. We have a proud heritage that we can regain. Let's all ofus get to work doing it. Stan
MENSAJE DE STAN By Stan Marek - Translated by Jose Urdanivia Como muchos de ustedes saben. Mi recorrido en estos anos pasados me ha llevado por caminos lejanos de los proyectos que construimos. Hay un buen numero de temas criticos que afectan los negocios aqui en Marek los cuales vienen de afuera mas que de adentro de nuestra compania. Tengo incontables horas gastadas tratando de comprometer a la gente adecuada para poder discutir estos temas tan importantes. No hace tanto tiempo, algunos 30 anos mas o menos, que la construccion era todavla una carrera bastante noble, Habiles trabajadores especializados construlan nuestros proyectos. Elios animaban a sus hijos a seguir sus caminos. Los hijos de los hijos hacian lo mismo. No era algo fuera de lo comun tener tres generaciones de familias trabajando en companias de construccion a traves del pais.
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Hemos sido reconocidos por buenos salarios, excitante trabajo y planes de retiro. Muchos tenian buenos beneficios y seguro de salud, tambien muchos estaban protegidos bajo el seguro del trabajador en caso de accidentes.
I Pero mucho de ello ha cambiado. Ahora el trabajo de la construccion es un lio. Ya no podemos atraer a trabajadores especializados como lo haciamos antes, pocos animan a sus hijos a seguir en esta clase de trabajo. Lo atractivo de nuestra industria ha desaparecido. ^ Por que ?
I Hay muchas razones; el sistema de inmigracion en nuestro pais esta roto, la mala clasificacion de los trabajadores por parte de los contratistas, la falta de cumplimiento a las leyes de empleos, el fracaso de entrenar y desarrollar carreras en los empleados, la carencia del compromiso de mantener un ambiente
seguro en el trabajo para nuestros empleados..., y la lista va en aumento.
casa al final de un diade trabajo.
Me siento muy orgulloso de que aqui en Marek, nuestros equipos no han abandonado nuestros principios del pasado, aun en tiempos tan dificiles.
Estamos comprometidos a hacer de esta una mejor compania para nuestros empleados y de este modo ser un mejor socio para nuestros contratistas generales y sus clientes.
Nuestro programa de desarrollo de la fuerza de trabajo esta trabajando como nunca lo ha hecho antes con el objeto de atraer hombres y mujeres jovenes a nuestra compania. Nos estamos asegurando que tenemos los sueldos, beneficios, entrenamiento y carreras disponibles a pesar de una encuesta reciente llevada a cabo en la cercana Austin, en la cual se muestra que: el 76% de los trabajadores de la construccion no tienen seguro de salud, el 81 % no tienen un plan de retiro y el 45 % ganan sueldos que estan en la linea de pobreza o muy por debajode ella. Hemos podido volver a reavivar el orgullo y el espiritu que atrae a trabajadores y una vez mas estamos viendo a los hijos, hijas, sobrinos de nuestros empleados que vienen a orgullosamente abordo. Continuamos pagando por hora y nos adherimos a todas las leyes de empleos aun cuando el resultado de la misma encuesta ensena que casi el 40 % de los trabajadores de la construccion estan erroneamente clasificados como contratistas independientes. Nuestra dedication a la seguridad nunca ha sido mas fuerte. En una industria donde 142 trabajadores de la construccion perdieron la vida en Texas en el 2007, trabajamos arduamente para darles a nuestros trabajadores un ambiente de trabajo en el cual tengan las mejores condiciones posibles de seguridad para que ellos y sus familias esten seguros de tener un feliz regreso a
El trabajo que todavia falta por hacer es cambiar el ambiente - jnuestra industria! Tarde o temprano, nuestros lideres en Washington tendran que tratar el problema de la inmigracion. Pero eso no serasuficiente. Queda a la responsabilidad de companias dispuestas a liderar la lucha en reestructurar la imagen de nuestra industria y limpiar nuestras practicas para que podamos atraer y retener una mayor parte de los miles de jovenes que salen de la escuela cada ano. Nuestra industria puede ser una gran industria. Nosotros tenemos una herencia orgullosa la cual podemos recuperar. Trabajemos todos juntos para conseguirlo.
Stan