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Claudia Vasquez, Virtual Design and

Construction Project Manager

What is your construction background (education, training, etc.)?

I have a double bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M Prairie View in Architecture and Construction Management. After graduation I was a structural designer, building information modeling (BIM) coordinator, and now a virtual design and construction project manager.

How did you become interested in construction, specifically BIM? Since college I’ve been interested in building design and the thought that goes into smart and responsible construction. After graduation, I took a job that was mainly drafting, which I enjoyed, but I wanted to be more immersed in the projects. In order to understand design, I feel it’s important to understand BIM and how it’s used in the preconstruction and construction phases which meant I needed to fully understand the construction process. This prompted me to take a job as the BIM coordinator at another Houston general contractor which in turn lead me to Bellows Construction where I am developing the in-house BIM department.

What do you find the most interesting/challenging aspect of BIM and what do you see as the biggest benefits for a project?

The most interesting and challenging aspect about BIM is the successful coordination of architecture, engineering, and subcontractors’ models into one master file so the team can view the building prior to the commencement of construction. BIM is in high demand right now and is used on almost every project because ultimately, finding solutions before construction starts can help save the project time and money.

Have you had to overcome any challenges in this career path? Learning all the trades was imperative so that I can execute my part of the project and coordinate the BIM process properly and successfully. My job wouldn’t be possible without the support and collaboration from the Bellows team and subcontractors. We help each other so the final product is a satisfied client with a beautiful and functional facility.

What is you favorite thing to do outside of work?

I am a mom and wife so spending time with my family takes priority. There is always an activity we need to get to and someone always needs me. They definitely keep me busy and happy. I also love soccer! I have always enjoyed playing and watching soccer so I was very entertained during the World Cup. Lastly, I love a clean and organized space. I have found this to be one of my favorites things to do and believe it or not, it helps me relax!

The person responsible for Bellows’ culture of safety over our last four decades is Tommy Lee. For 42 years, Tommy has tirelessly gone above and beyond to achieve one goal: that everyone should go home the way they came to work – safely.

Tommy’s passion for safety, his constant quest for innovation, and his genuine concern for the safety and well-being of all our workers is communicated in everything he says and does. When you look at any Bellows project, Tommy Lee is the common thread. When you peruse our proud list of safety awards, including the most prestigious National AGC Grand Award for Construction Safety Excellence earned in 2017, Tommy Lee is, once again, the common thread. That he is a remarkable storyteller and keen listener is indicative of the caring, supportive relationships he has cultivated with employees, subs, clients, and colleagues over the years.

We thank Tommy Lee for his tremendous contributions to Bellows over the past 42 years. We will miss his presence, humor, and passion. After four decades and more than 100 successfully completed projects, Tommy is quite literally part of the foundation of Bellows and always will be.