News

The latest People in the News highlighting new hires, promotions, honors & recognition of the men and women in the St. Louis building community.

Castle Contracting Promotes Stacey Lampe and Daniel Grasham to Project Manager

Castle Contracting has promoted Stacey Lampe and Daniel Grasham to the position of project manager. Both previously served as assistant project manager.

In their new roles, Lampe and Grasham assume day-to-day project management responsibilities, including estimating and managing project costs, coordinating interactions between field and office personnel, and building and maintaining long-term client relationships.

Lampe joined Castle as project engineer in 2013 after serving as assistant project engineer and project assistant at St. Louis-based Tarlton Corporation and project coordinator at Hof Corporation, a family-owned St. Louis general contractor.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology/construction from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Lampe has held various Board positions with the National Association of Women in Construction – St. Louis Chapter and serves on the Advisory Board of the Missouri Military Memorial Foundation. She previously participated in the Construction Leadership Council of the AGC of Missouri. She also holds a Construction Industry Technician (CIT) certification.

Grasham joined Castle as assistant project manager in 2017. He previously served as civil field engineer at MC Industrial in St. Louis, a construction management professional at Jacobs in Houston and project engineer at The Beck Group in Houston.

Grasham earned a bachelor’s degree in construction science from the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Okla., and a master’s degree in civil engineering from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He’s a LEED Green Associate from the U.S. Green Building Council, a Certified Professional Constructor from the American Institute of Constructors and a Project Management Professional from the Project Management Institute.

Castle Contracting, LLC provides turnkey site preparation services, site utilities, earthwork and trenchless technology directly to owners; general contractors; and mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection contractors. 

Jerrod Crosby Joins G&S Acoustics as Project Manager

St. Louis-based G&S Acoustics has hired Jerrod Crosby as a Project Manager. Crosby’s responsibilities include customer contact, data input, scheduling, field dimensions, creating AutoCAD drawings, and ensuring the project is completed to the customer’s satisfaction. 

Before joining G&S Acoustics, Crosby was an estimator with James G. Staat Tuckpointing. He attended Western Carolina University where he pursued a degree in engineering technology. Crosby is also a member of the Columbia Jaycees in Columbia, Illinois.

Crosby started with G&S Acoustics in March.

G&S Acoustics® is a leading manufacturer of acoustical, tackable and sound diffusing wall and ceiling products distributed worldwide. G&S Acoustics’ fabrication process includes custom designs, prints and shapes to visually and acoustically enhance any interior space. For more information, email G&S Acoustics or call 800-737-0307. 

Oculus Inc. Expands Architecture Team with Two New Hires 

Project manager, project designer bring expertise in government, healthcare and military sectors

Oculus Inc., a full-service architecture and interior design firm, is expanding its expertise in the government, healthcare and military sectors with the additions of Bryan Beckering as project manager and Nick Balsman as project designer. Beckering, AIA, and Balsman, LEED AP BD+C, will both be based out of the firm’s St. Louis corporate headquarters.

Beckering is a versatile licensed architect with more than 10 years of experience in the design and construction fields. He brings to Oculus an emphasis in private sector and military healthcare design requirements and standards.

Prior to joining Oculus, Beckering served as a project manager/architect responsible for managing teams of architects, engineers and consultants, coordinating with construction project managers to ensure projects meet the client’s scope of work, schedule and budget, as well as producing proposals for various project types. Beckering graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from Kansas State University.

Prior to joining Oculus Inc., Balsman served as a building information modeling manager and lead project director on commercial, recreation, government, healthcare and military projects throughout the U.S. His responsibilities focused around project management and design, as well as pursuing new projects, developing client relationships and contract negotiations. He has experience conducting facility audits, outlining code and operations deficiencies, along with detailing of design and concept drawings, preparing Revit documents and communicating with other disciplines for coordination of project documents. Balsman has a Master of Architecture from the University of Kansas. Balsman is currently in the process of completing the Architect Registration Examination.

Oculus Inc. delivers comprehensive architecture, interior design, planning and move management services with a driving aesthetic to Connect | Shape | Move people, experiences, sensibilities and spaces. Oculus has offices in St. Louis, Dallas, and Portland, Ore., is WBE-certified and is regularly cited in top industry rankings for architecture and design. Oculusinc.com. 

Terri Fritsche Earns FMP Designation 

Terri Fritsche, a facilities planning manager with Spire, has attained credentials as a Facility Management Professional.

Fritsche took an extensive course and passed assessments in four focus areas to achieve the FMP designation. Professionals who earn the designation demonstrate a proven comprehension of the foundations of facility management and knowledge in the core facility management topics deemed critical by employers.

Fritsche joined Spire, formerly Laclede Gas, in 1996. She has held numerous positions with the utility company, including customer service and sales before accepting a position in facilities management and real estate five years ago. As a workplace manager, she oversaw workspaces and hospitality programs. She now provides planning support for the company’s facilities.

Fritsche has been a member of IFMA (International Facility Management Association) St. Louis since 2017.

IFMA St. Louis offers its members a learning and networking environment among its diverse membership and supplies its members with the tools to achieve their professional goals. Started in 1985, IFMA St. Louis has more than 250 members representing small and Fortune 500 companies throughout the region. For more information, visit www.ifma.org.

February 16, 2018

New Hires at Murphy Company 

Maria L. Ogata has been named purchasing agent for Murphy Company, a leading mechanical engineering and contracting firm. The announcement was made by Dave Book, vice president – purchasing & facilities. Ogata has more than 18 years’ experience in commercial mechanical contracting with most of that being in the procurement area.  “We are delighted to have someone with her extensive purchasing skills and experience join our outstanding team,” said Book. She attended both MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL, and more recently, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

Daniel Ruiz has joined Murphy Company as help desk technician.  His appointment was announced by Michael Julson, network manager for the mechanical engineering and contracting firm. Ruiz has worked as a desktop support technical and service center technician since 2012.  His work experience includes repairs and trouble-shooting of personal computers, smartphones and tablets.  Earlier, as a manager/supervisor for two game shops, he also did troubleshooting and repair of electronic game systems.  He has extensive computer skills and HTML experience which he also brings to his new position.

Murphy Company is one of the nation’s top mechanical contracting and engineering firms delivering innovative solutions to the commercial, industrial and institutional markets. For more information, visit www.murphynet.com.

Michael Delano Jr. Joins Striler Group as Project Executive

The Striler Group hired Michael Delano Jr. as Project Executive to lead industrial and commercial projects. Michael’s career includes over one billion of construction and development project oversight, including the New Busch Stadium (St. Louis Cardinals), Kauffman Stadium Renovation (Kansas City Royals), Marlins Ballpark (Miami Marlins), Ed Smith Stadium (Orioles Spring Training).  He served as Owner’s Rep for the Oceana Key Biscayne and Oceana Bal Harbor ultra-luxury condominiums in Miami, FL as well as Business Development Manager for Coastal Construction Group.

Midas Hospitality Hires Director of Revenue Management

Midas Hospitality, a premier hotel management group, recently hired Morgan Bilek as Director of Revenue Management. In this position, Bilek will implement and execute the company-wide revenue management culture and philosophy.  Her responsibilities include handling transient and group pricing strategies, creating a proper segmentation mix, and overseeing revenue management objectives and strategies in order to maximize hotel room revenue at all Midas properties.

Bilek has more than 12 years of hospitality experience.  Prior to joining Midas Hospitality, she worked as the Director of Revenue Management for a hospitality management group based in Kentucky.  She also has worked in a similar capacity for a hospitality property operator and developer in Wyoming.

Founded in 2006, Midas Hospitality has developed, opened and currently manages numerous properties including 40 hotels in 14 states. For more information, call (314) 692-0100 or visit http://www.midashospitality.com.

Longtime Contract Furniture Sales & Installation Veteran Joins Professional Installers, Inc.

Longtime contract furniture sales and installation expert, Dennis Popp recently joined the team at ProfessionalInstallers, Inc. (PI) as a Senior Project Manager. As the transformation of the office workspace continues to evolve, Dennis will bring best practice means and methods to PI, especially in the architectural wall installation area.

Prior to joining PI, Dennis worked for NewSpace Business Interiors.  NewSpace is a St. Louis based contract furniture dealer and Teknion Authorized Dealer.  Dennis brings 34 years of business interior sales and installation experience to the PI team.  His primary responsibilities will focus on preconstruction, constructability and feasibility analysis, major project oversight, project logistics, estimation and architectural wall installation projects.  Likewise, Dennis will be the installation liaison between architect, owner, dealer, and general contractor on projects.

With a B.S. in Business Administration from Southeast Missouri State University, Dennis’ understanding of complex projects lends well to the construction industry.

Dennis has most recently been instrumental working on projects such as Anders CPA renovation, Washington University Olin Library, Metal Exchange Corporation new offices, Nestle modular wall renovation and BJC IT Services Group reapplication of space.  He is also currently on the Foundation Board of the Nazareth Living Center.

Grant Named MCAA Region E Vice President

Brian Grant, President of Grant Contracting Company in Fenton, Mo., was elected to the position of MCAA Region E Vice President at the MCAA Annual Meeting on January 25, 2018 during the MCAA Convention at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas.

Brian is currently in his thirty-fifth year in the masonry industry.  He is a Professional Engineer, holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Brian is past president of the Mason Contractors Association of St. Louis, and the American Subcontractors Association-Midwest Council.  Brian is also past Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Masonry Institute of St. Louis.  He currently serves as Management Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Bricklayer’s Union Local 1 of Missouri Pension and Welfare Funds.  Brian currently sits on the Mason Contractors Association of St. Louis’  Arbitration Board  and is on the Board of Trustees for the Masonry Institute of St. Louis.

In addition to the Mason Contractors Association of St. Louis and the American Subcontractors Association Midwest Council, Brian is currently a member of the Mason Contractors Association of America, The Masonry Society and the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Grant Contracting Company, a certified masonry construction firm with an over seventy year history, specializes in commercial, industrial and institutional masonry.

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) and our members welcome Brian to his new role.

February 9, 2018

Luby Equipment Services Promotes Vince Smith to Rental Manager

Luby Equipment Services, a St. Louis-based CASE Construction Equipment Dealer, has announced the promotion of Vince Smith to Rental Manager effective immediately. Smith has been the rental coordinator for the past 4 years based out of the corporate headquarters.

Prior to Luby Equipment Services, Smith spent 9 years as the Assistant Manager at Nu-Way Rents located in St. Louis. In his new role, Smith will be responsible for providing leadership in guaranteeing efficient procedures and management of all branch rental activities. He is replacing longtime rental manager Jim Bailey, who is transitioning into an equipment management role.

“Vince’s skills and experience will be instrumental in the future growth of the rental department as well as improving the customer experience,” said David Kedney, Sales Manager, Luby Equipment Services. “The rental industry is poised for accelerated growth over the next three years, especially in the St. Louis Metro area, and with Vince in this leadership role, we will be positioned to take advantage of these opportunities.”

Luby Equipment Services operates out of its headquarters in Fenton, Mo., and seven other branch locations. They serve their customers equipment needs with a variety of new, used, and rental equipment. The company represents several manufacturers, including CASE Construction, Takeuchi, Doosan, Indeco, Atlas Copco, Wacker Neuson, Oshkosh Airport Products, Eager Beaver and Towmaster trailers.

Erin Wright Joins Rosemann & Associates, P.C as Architect/Project Manager

Rosemann & Associates, P.C. is pleased to welcome Erin Wright to its St. Louis staff as Architect/Project Manager. Erin comes to Rosemann with more than 14 years of specific expertise in the multi-family and commercial sectors and brings an abundance of design experience with her.

Erin’s experience prior to Rosemann included project management for Capital Consultants and Checkmate Design, where she was instrumental in managing lender/investor inspections, physical needs and property assessments, plan reviews, construction document management and interior design of historic tax credit residential projects.

“We are excited to add Erin to our team, she brings a strong background in project management and a commitment to excellence,” said Jarrett R. Cooper, Vice President/St. Louis Studio Director.

Erin is a registered architect, LEED® accredited professional and served as a board member for the St. Louis Cultural Resources Office Preservation Board. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri.

New Hires at HOK’s St. Louis Office

Fatemeh Shirpour, has joined HOK in St. Louis. She will support the HOK office as design professional.

Shirpour joins HOK after receiving her Master’s degree in architecture from Washington University in St. Louis and after having previously been an intern with HOK. Shirpour is originally from Tehran, Iran.

HOK is a global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm. Through a network of 23 offices worldwide, HOK provides design excellence and innovation to create places that enrich people’s lives and help clients succeed. DesignIntelligence consistently ranks HOK as a leader in sustainable, high-performance design and technology innovation.​

Jared Zipprich promoted to Senior Project Manager at McGrath & Associates

Jared Zipprich has been promoted to Senior Project Manager at McGrath & Associates, a 100 percent employee-owned general contractor and construction management firm. Zipprich has been with McGrath & Associates for more than three years as a Project Manager.
McGrath & Associates is a 100 percent employee-owned general contractor and construction management firm specializing in commercial, health care, industrial, institutional and pharmaceutical construction projects since 1983.. For more information, call Ken Knobbe at (314) 772-7600 or visit www.mcgrathconstruction.com.

The UP Companies Hires Paul Renaud to Head Up New Drywall Division

The UP Companies (UPCO) has hired Paul Renaud of O’Fallon, MO as General Manager of Square UP Builders’ new Drywall Division. As General Manager, Renaud oversees preconstruction and field operations including contract execution and administration, personnel training and career development, and the implementation of safety plans. He is also integrally involved in the division’s overall business planning.

“Paul’s experience and proven leadership skills are a real asset to our customers and to the outcomes they have come to expect from Square UP,” said Brian Arnold, Vice President of The UP Companies.

Renaud has 39 years of management experience, having previously worked as Director of Self Perform at Paric Corporation and as General Manager at McBride and Son Companies. He also served as Mayor of the City of O’Fallon, MO for 10 years and previously served on the St. Louis Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship Board and St. Louis YouthBuild Leadership Steering Committee.

The UP Companies (UPCO) is one of the region’s largest full-service MBE-certified contracting companies. For more information, go to www.theupcompanies.com or call 314.865.3888.