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Construction Underway on $125 Million City Foundry STL Phase 2

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Vande East development to feature 270 residential units and 13,000 sq. ft. of retail space

Construction is underway on the long-awaited City Foundry Development Phase 2 – Vande East in St. Louis’ growing Midtown neighborhood at the corner of Forest Park and S. Vandeventer avenues. Vande East will include a 14-story, 270-unit residential tower; 13,000 sq. ft. of prime retail space on the main level; and a 481-space parking garage.

Designed by lead architect and interior design firm Lawrence Group with affiliate developer New + Found, Vande East at City Foundry is a $125 million mixed-use development that extends City Foundry STL Phase 1 – a vibrant entertainment, retail and dining destination, also designed by Lawrence Group/New + Found, that opened in August 2021. City Foundry is the redevelopment of a century old, 15-acre former foundry once used by Century Electric Company to manufacture motors and generators.

“Vande East is a significant addition to an already dynamic and growing part of town, nestled between St. Louis’ most sought-after neighborhoods and the region’s finest academic institutions. Vande East is the center of city life in St. Louis,” said Lawrence Group and New + Found CEO Steve Smith. “We have always imagined that City Foundry would include places to live, which would complement all of the commercial activity and jobs that presently exist in Phase 1.”

Vande East’s residential units will feature floor-to-ceiling windows with expansive views of the surrounding cityscape, and interiors that merge modern aesthetics with industrial styling like the overall City Foundry development.

“In the dwelling units, attention to detail and high-end finishes create a feeling of abundant space and a sense of quality and timelessness. The modern, clean interior design incorporates warm, natural materials, glimpses of exposed concrete, and textures and patterns that make the space feel warm and inviting,” said Lawrence Group Senior Associate/Interior Designer Dana Peck.

Vande East will also include amazing amenities such as direct access to the Brickline Greenway, a bike and pedestrian path that connects St. Louis’ urban neighborhood and business districts; an outdoor pool and garden deck; gym; fire pits; lounges; bike storage and dog run.

“Vande East was designed with a focus on maximizing amenity spaces and outdoor gathering areas that encourage social opportunities and shared experiences,” said Lawrence Group Associate Principal/Architect Jim Shearer, AIA.

General contractor ARCO Construction expects to complete construction of Phase 2 in spring 2024.      

Founded in 1983, Lawrence Group is an integrated planning and design firm headquartered in St. Louis, MO with professional staff in Texas, Florida and New York. Using the power of people with great ideas to bring their clients’ dreams to life, Lawrence Group specializes in architecture, interior design, master planning, landscape architecture and furniture procurement. Lawrence Groups’ talented team of professionals work nationally and locally in healthcare, education, retail, hospitality, housing, senior living and workplace with the common goal of providing legendary customer service. To learn more about this powerful alignment of experience and expertise, visit www.thelawrencegroup.com or contact Enterprise Director of Marketing Rommel Medrano at rommel.medrano@thelawrencegroup.com.

American Society of Concrete Contractors Presents its Sixth Gaining Strength Award

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The Emerging Leaders Committee of the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), St. Louis, Mo., presented its sixth Gaining Strength Award to Leo Zheng, Virtual Construction Manager for The Conco Companies, Fontana, CA, at the 2023 ASCC Annual Conference in September. The award was established to acknowledge up and coming individuals aged forty and under, from member companies, who go above and beyond to promote and professionally represent the concrete industry, through their actions in their company and industry organizations. Candidates are judged based on letters of recommendation and letters of acknowledgement from industry organizations, with emphasis on participation, commitment, safety awareness, role modeling, and personal skills and knowledge.

Chad Watson, Senior Project Manager at The Conco Companies had this to say about Leo in his nomination letter, “During his time at The Conco Companies, Leo was initially involved in BIM estimating working with the preconstruction department on BIM software R&D, BIM-based quantity takeoff, 4D planning, and estimating. Leo wanted to go above and beyond by getting his boots dirty to gain more field experience. He proposed a Robotic Total Station Layout and 3D Laser Scan idea, set up demos, evaluated vendors, and connected with field crews to build and further develop this service. Leo has built, grown, and managed the Conco NorCal layout/laser scan team. He has been taking more responsibilities regarding layout/laser scan by covering Conco’s Pacific West offices in Seattle and Portland and the Sothern California office in Los Angeles within seven years.

“Additionally, Leo has worked with Conco’s Estimating, Detailing, Safety, and Scheduling team. Leo is passionate about using advanced visual data-driven methods to improve quality assurance and quality control, scheduling, project management, and safety. Leo is a valued and trusted team member and his team members always put safety first by conforming to Conco safety policy and attending OSHA training. Leo doesn’t stop with existing means and methods. He has also developed the Conco drone program, 360 photo site documentation, and Ground Penetrating Radar scan in addition to the other services he is providing and is looking into testing new solutions such as Layout robot, lean construction (takt planning), sensors for safety, etc.

“Besides exceeding work expectations, Leo has actively participated in organizations like ACI and ASCC since 2018 and demonstrated commitment to our industry. Specifically, he took part and was one of the top performers in the ASCC laser scan study in Walnut Creek, CA in 2018. He also shared his best practices in an ASCC meeting in 2019. In 2021, Leo worked with Bruce Suprenant and Jim Klinger from ASCC on another study regarding textured concrete finish, non-destructive testing for SOG slab, and laser scan on a SOG slab in Conco’s Martinez yard. He was able to publish three articles in Concrete International within 2022. Leo is currently serving as the chair of the ACI 117L – Laser Scanning subcommittee and has been working diligently to develop documents to guide concrete professionals on how to utilize laser scanning for the concrete industry. He also serves as a voting member of the ACI131-Building Information Modeling of Concrete Structures committee.”

The ASCC Emerging Leaders is proud to recognize Leo with this much deserved award.

The American Society of Concrete Contractors is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the capabilities of those who build with concrete, and to providing them a unified voice in the construction industry. Members include concrete contracting firms, manufacturers, suppliers, and others interested in the concrete industry such as architects, specifiers, and distributors. There are approximately 720 member companies in the United States and thirteen foreign countries. For more information, visit www.ascconline.org or call the ASCC office at (866) 788-2722.

Citizens For Modern Transit Hires Karen Troxell as Program and Membership Manager

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Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) today announced that Karen Troxell has joined the transit advocacy organization as Program and Membership Manager. In this capacity, she will be responsible for managing day-to-day programming and membership activities, overseeing social media channels and developing website content.

Troxell brings experience in sustainability and advocating for public transit access. For two years, she served as the Commute Trip Reduction Coordinator at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash, where she advocated for sustainable transportation use among staff, faculty and students. There, she organized events, workshops, and webinars to educate university employees on commute-related resources – focusing primarily on public transportation – and developed educational campaigns and resources for students and employees. Her background also includes serving as an environmental communications assistant at Michigan State University and working as a Medicaid Billing Coordinator and Compliance Officer in Spokane. Troxell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Cultures and Politics from Michigan State University. She currently resides in the City of St. Louis.

“We are excited to welcome Karen to our team,” said Kimberly Cella, executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit. “Her background and experience will play a key role as we continue our work of championing and advocating for public transit access in an effort to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life in the St. Louis region.”

Citizens for Modern Transit (CMT) is the region’s transit advocacy organization. It was established in 1985 to help bring light rail to St. Louis and works to develop, support and enhance programming and initiatives to ensure safe, convenient and affordable access to the region’s integrated public transportation system. CMT champions, challenges, encourages and advocates for public transit to drive economic growth and improve the quality of life in the St. Louis region.

Integrate Construction Partners Completes Second Metro MedSpa Location in Town and Country, MO

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General contractor Integrate Construction Partners (Integrate) has completed construction of a second Metro MedSpa location in less than two years.

The boutique beauty spa opened its first location at 12608 Lamplighter Square Shopping Center in St. Louis County, MO in August 2021. Construction on its second, larger location at 971 Brittany Parkway Drive in Town and Country, MO was completed in September 2023; four and a half weeks ahead of schedule. Metro MedSpa hosted a grand opening for its second location on October 13.

Integrate has partnered on both tenant build-out projects with architectural firm Lawrence Group to provide design-build, cost-effective building solutions.

“Integrate has been a great partner for Metro MedSpa delivering the highest quality spaces with constant communication and completion of our projects ahead of schedule,” said Kate Schoemehl, owner of Metro MedSpa.

Metro MedSpa is a full-service medical spa providing laser hair removal, Botox, dermal fillers, medical grade facials and peels, microneedling, Coolsculpting Elite and various medical grade skincare.

Integrate constructed the 2,275-square-foot spa in St. Louis County with a Botox bar, retail space, waiting area, coffee/cocktail bar and private rooms for a variety of treatments. Appeasing customers’ senses of sight, sound and smell, Integrate also installed a scent and soundscape system, custom wallcoverings, custom resin artwork and neon signage. One of the more unique features of the waiting area are two round chairs that are suspended from the ceiling by chains.

The spa’s recently completed 3,500-square-foot second location follows the prototype design of the first location but expanded to accommodate a larger client base and scope of services.

The Town and Country location featurees additional injectable rooms, plus a larger Botox bar and retail space. It also incorporates a photo/confessional booth for clients to confess their ‘skin sins’ and an Augmented Reality space where clients can receive automated recommendations for skin treatments.

Schaeffer Electric Launches New Workplace Technology Solutions Division

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“The hybrid office is not going away, and neither is the continuous evolution of audio/visual technology reshaping and improving business connectivity.” So noted Schaeffer Electric President Justin Kohlman as he announced the launch of a new Workplace Technology Solutions (WTS) division.  Schaeffer’s WTS division will offer complete audio/visual turnkey services including consultation, design, installation and maintenance services for commercial customers.  The WTS division will be led by Jeff Weaver, Andrew Michael and Matt Bauman who combined have nearly 50 years of experience in the commercial audio/visual industry. Learn more at www.wt-solutions.com.

“We have partnered with Jeff, Andrew and Matt on several A/V projects in the past,” said Kohlman. “Schaeffer’s installation skills combined with their knowledge and experience in ever-advancing AV technology, its vendors and suppliers, and customized designs positions WTS as a truly independent turnkey AV service provider from consultation to completion.”  Jeff Weaver serves as WTS director of operations, Andrew Michael serves as director of sales and Matt Bauman is director of engineering.  

Founded in 1935, Schaeffer is an employee-owned company and one of the region’s leading residential, commercial and industrial electrical contractors.  The firm reported revenues of $25.9 million in 2022 and employs 89.

Schaeffer has partnered with the trio leading its WTS division within a wide range of industries such as commercial, higher education, K-12, healthcare, government, legal firms, manufacturing, hospitality, non-profit, architects and more.  They include:

Neuroscience Building at Washington UniversitySt. Clair County Courts  
St. John’s Lutheran ChurchU.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
Northwestern MutualBJC Healthcare
Lutheran Hour MinistriesBoeing
BoeingAmeren
Trinity ProductsFour Seasons and Resorts
The Bank of MissouriBrown and Crouppen

“It took roughly 20 years for the world to fully transition away from analog video to digital.  Technology continues to advance at an exponential rate,” said Weaver.  “Just five years ago, a typical business training room might have a dozen microphones.  Today, a single microphone array covers the entire room with improved clarity in sound.”

Then the pandemic hit in 2020.

“The pandemic was an accelerant,” noted Michael. “Businesses had to adapt to a work from home or hybrid model which required video conferencing technology to quickly evolve.  Pre-pandemic, there were few video conferencing platforms and limited PC based hardware to choose from.  Today, there are many great options on the market and almost every space in the office requires video conferencing capability.”

WTS consultation, design and installation includes video conferencing and presentation solutions for small to large conference rooms, executive boardrooms, training rooms, huddle spaces, auditoriums, multi-purpose rooms, classrooms and private offices.  In addition, its turnkey services will provide complete design solutions and installation for:

Sound Masking;Optimal work from home space;
Digital signage;Video walls;
Room scheduling;Live sound systems; and  
Paging 

“In a technology field that is constantly adapting and improving, we work hard to stay on top of the latest trends in technology to design the best solutions for our customers,” said Bauman.  “We custom design AV systems that meet the exact needs of our clients without being overly complicated to use.”  WTS not only designs and installs AV systems for businesses, but helps design remote, work from home solutions to maintain a consistent quality between the home and office.

Kohlman says Schaeffer’s prefabrication services can be adapted to AV installations creating greater efficiencies in customized building. 

Schaeffer Electric was founded during the Great Depression by Carl Schaeffer, who initially ran the business out of his Soulard home.  He was succeeded by his son Gerald in 1969. Daniel Schaeffer succeeded his father, Gerald, as the third generation of owner in 1990. Chettle became the first “non-Schaeffer” to lead the company in 2011 after joining the firm in 1990. The firm is headquartered at 4667 Green Park Rd in South St. Louis County.

The ASA Midwest Council Elects 2023-24 Officers, Board of Directors

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The American Subcontractors Association (ASA)-Midwest Council recently elected its officers and board of directors for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Mr. Dennis Voss, Golterman & Sabo, was elected as the 2023-24-chapter president. 
Voss succeeds Mr. Dan Tucker, MC Mechanical Services.  Voss will serve a one-year term as president, which began July 1 and will expire June 30, 2024

“I am honored and humbled at the opportunity to serve as President of the ASA Midwest Council,” said Dennis Voss. “ASA is a great organization and has so much to offer its members.  As president I look forward to continuing this long-standing tradition and work to promote the many benefits of the ASA.” 

Ryan Spell, Precision Analysis, was elected vice-president., Matt Tucker, Affton Fabricating & Welding Co., will serve as secretary, and Mark O’Donnell of Schmersahl Treloar & Co. will serve as the association’s treasurer. Mr. Dan Tucker, MC Mechanical Services will serve one additional year as the immediate past president.

Members of the 2023-24 Board of Directors also include: Steve Cummins, Bell Electrical Contractors; Rose Kastrup, CSA Advisors LLC; Scott Meyer, Meyer Painting Co.; Rob Meeh, R.F Meeh Co.; Ryan Hermann, T.J. Wies Contracting; Stephanie Woodcock, Too Creative.

The American Subcontractors Association (ASA) Midwest Council is a construction trade association made up of quality specialty subcontractors, suppliers & service providers,  serving the construction industry and the community in the greater St. Louis metropolitan area and southern Illinois. The ASA Midwest Council’s purpose is to improve the construction process through active participation in education, advocacy, and collaboration. For additional information about the ASA Midwest Council, visit www.asamidwest.com or contact executive director Susan Winkelmann at 314-845-0855. ASA Midwest Council | Building. Community. for 56 years | Est. 1967

Photo above (L to R): Matt Tucker, Affton Fabricating & Welding; Ryan Spell, Precision Analysis;
Dennis Voss, Golterman & Sabo; Mark O’Donnell, Schmersahl Treloar; Dan
Tucker, MC Mechanical.

AGC of America Rolls Out D&I Week Toolbox Talks

By KERRY L. SMITH, EDITOR, ST. LOUIS CONSTRUCTION NEWS AND REVIEW MAGAZINE

The Associated General Contractors of America have initiated a series of toolbox talks on the topic of diversity and inclusion on project sites across the nation.

The programs are part of Construction Inclusion Week. Shea De Lutis, a national office for the AGC of America, says the topic is among the organization’s top priorities.

“Our nation’s workforce is becoming increasingly diverse, and if we can’t find a way to become equally diverse, we won’t be able to keep pace with demand for construction,” De Lutis said.

Construction Inclusion Week began in 2020 as an industry-led initiative that has been promoted ever since by the AGC’s leadership and overall membership. “Thousands of our members are holding diversity and inclusion education sessions, toolbox talks and stand-downs over the coming week as part of this effort,” she added, noting that while women make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce, they comprise only 11 percent of the construction industry – and while blacks make up 13 percent of the total U.S. workforce, they comprise only 7 percent of the construction industry.

For more information about how the AGC of America continues to support Construction Inclusion Week, see https://www.constructioninclusionweek.com/.

People On The Move In The Local Construction Industry

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The ASA Midwest Council Elects 2023-24 Officers, Board of Directors

The American Subcontractors Association (ASA)-Midwest Council recently elected its officers and board of directors for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

L to R: Matt Tucker, Affton Fabricating & Welding; Ryan Spell, Precision Analysis; Dennis Voss, Golterman & Sabo; Mark O’Donnell, Schmersahl Treloar; Dan Tucker, MC Mechanical.

Mr. Dennis Voss, Golterman & Sabo, was elected as the 2023-24-chapter president. 
Voss succeeds Mr. Dan Tucker, MC Mechanical Services.  Voss will serve a one-year term as president, which began July 1 and will expire June 30, 2024

“I am honored and humbled at the opportunity to serve as President of the ASA Midwest Council,” said Dennis Voss. “ASA is a great organization and has so much to offer its members.  As president I look forward to continuing this long-standing tradition and work to promote the many benefits of the ASA.” 

Ryan Spell, Precision Analysis, was elected vice-president., Matt Tucker, Affton Fabricating & Welding Co., will serve as secretary, and Mark O’Donnell of Schmersahl Treloar & Co. will serve as the association’s treasurer. Mr. Dan Tucker, MC Mechanical Services will serve one additional year as the immediate past president.

Members of the 2023-24 Board of Directors also include: Steve Cummins, Bell Electrical Contractors; Rose Kastrup, CSA Advisors LLC; Scott Meyer, Meyer Painting Co.; Rob Meeh, R.F Meeh Co.; Ryan Hermann, T.J. Wies Contracting; Stephanie Woodcock, Too Creative.

Terracon, a leading national consulting engineering firm comprised of engineers, scientists, architects, facilities experts, and field professionals announces strategic changes to support client service, innovation, and project delivery as the company continues to grow in the power generation and transmission (PG&T) sector. As the company continues to refine its organization to support continued growth, two key leadership roles have been filled:

Eddie Norse

Eddie Norse, Jr., PMP, has joined Terracon as a program manager and senior associate. With more than 40 years of experience in project and program management, Norse is focused on developing and delivering an innovative programmatic approach to improve project delivery and meet the needs of Terracon’s national PG&T clients. He earned a bachelor of science in business management degree from the University of Phoenix, and a master’s certificate in project management from The George Washington University. Norse is based in Overland Park, Kansas.

Chawn Stich has rejoined Terracon as a client development manager and senior associate. Bringing more than 25 years of varied engineering experience in the A/E/C industry to his role, Stich is dedicated to providing an excellent client experience to Terracon’s national PG&T clients. A recipient of the Engineer’s Club of St. Louis Award of Merit in 2021, he currently serves on the organization’s board. Stich is based in St. Louis.

“These roles are key to meeting the current and future needs of our PG&T clients. Eddie and Chawn bring the right combination of experience, skills, and innovation to their roles, allowing us to provide our clients with a consistently excellent experience,” said Blair Loftis, senior vice president and national director of PG&T for Terracon.

Terracon is an employee-owned, multidiscipline consulting firm comprised of more than 6,000 curious minds focused on solving engineering and technical challenges from more than 175 locations nationwide. Explore with us by visiting terracon.com.

IMPACT Strategies has welcomed three new team members: Jordan Lane as Senior Project Manager, Rosie Williams as Marketing & Business Development Specialist and Chris Douthit as Field Superintendent.

Jordan Lane

Jordan Lane holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Missouri S&T along with a master’s degree in civil engineering from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville. Lane brings over twelve years of experience in the construction industry to IMPACT, most recently managing large scale senior housing projects. As a Senior Project Manager with IMPACT Strategies, Lane is responsible for overall management of project specific teams on multiple construction projects with specific duties for client interface, monitoring construction progress and quality, and cost control activities to ensure project completion according to the established goals.

Rosie Williams

Rosie Williams holds a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from Southeast Missouri State University. Prior to joining IMPACT Strategies, Williams worked eight years for a furniture dealer supporting their marketing needs. In her new role as Marketing & Business Development Specialist, Williams is responsible for branding, public relations, communications, social media, coordinating events, content marketing and supporting business development.

Chris Douthit

Chris Douthit, a union carpenter by trade, comes to IMPACT Strategies with eighteen years of commercial construction experience. Douthit’s vast variety of project experience makes him a great fit in his new role as Field Superintendent. Douthit will be responsible for on-site managing the day-to-day details of a project under construction.

Mark Hinrichs, President at IMPACT Strategies said, “We are thrilled to welcome Jordan, Rosie and Chris to the IMPACT Strategies family. They each bring incredible skills and expertise to their respective roles, adding much need depth to our team. We are excited to see the great things they will accomplish in service of our clients.”

October 13, 2023

KAI Enterprises Promotes Gyasi Haynes to Vice President of KAI Build

Gyasi Haynes

KAI Enterprises proudly announces the promotion of Gyasi Haynes to Vice President of its construction division, KAI Build. Haynes joined KAI in June 2021 as Director of Project Management.

Haynes’ career consists of more than 20 years of construction industry experience. In his new role as Vice President, Haynes will take on a wide range of responsibilities, including working closely with the project management teams to promote safety, quality and client satisfaction. Additionally, he will be involved in managing the business operations, including assisting with budgeting, staffing and profit and loss.

“Gyasi’s promotion not only recognizes his dedication and work ethic, but it also underscores our commitment to succession planning and fostering leadership from within,” said KAI Build President Bruce Wood, PE. “His contributions to KAI go far beyond the technical aspects of his work. Gyasi works to promote and live out our core values and create an environment of respect, empathy and collaboration.”

At KAI, Haynes has led the Build team on numerous construction projects including its work with Target and its dozens of store remodels across the Midwest.

“At KAI, our core values breathe life into community transformation. As a third-generation construction professional, I’ve readied myself for advocacy and trusted advisory roles. Our goal is to foster a community-valuing team that takes care of and protects our customers, reinforcing accountability and accessibility,” said Haynes. “With faith as our guide, we steward resources, meld diverse minds, and cherish giving back.”

Haynes has a Bachelor of Science in Business and Project Management from University of Phoenix and an Associate of Science in Engineering Technology from Gwinnett Technical College.

Outside of KAI, Haynes volunteers as an Executive Board Member for Annie Malone Children & Family Services, a long-standing local St. Louis social service agency dedicated to improving the quality of life for the community by providing social services, educational programs and advocacy. He serves on the board for the ACE Mentor Program of St. Louis, an organization supporting St. Louis area high school students in their exploration of potential careers in architecture, engineering, and construction, and is also the President of Building Futures St. Louis, a group focused on supplementing the education of underserved students in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Haynes and his wife have two children and he enjoys snowboarding, running, traveling and reading books.

Kwame Building Group Welcomes Three New Project Team Members

Diamond Spence

Kwame Building Group has added three new members to its team including Kodey Lane-Norful and Likitha Kaki as Project Engineers and Diamond Spence as Project Administrator.

As Project Engineers, Kodey Lane-Norful and Likitha Kaki are responsible for assisting project managers with quality control, project budgets and cost reports, reviewing and coordinating submittals and RFIs, subcontractor management and maintaining communication with the client and entire project team.

Likitha Kaki holds a Master of Construction Engineering and Management from Texas A&M University as well as a Bachelor of Engineering, Civil Enfgineering from Anna University in Chennai, India. Prior to joining Kwame, she served as a Project Engineer providing preconstruction services and assisting in value engineering.

Kodney Lane-Norful

Kodey Lane-Norful brings two years of industry experience having previously served as a Project Manager and Estimator. He also holds Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Missouri University of Science & Technology.

As Project Administrator Diamond Spence is responsible for tracking contract changes, submittals and RFIs, creating presentations, managing and maintaining project document control systems and processing invoices for various projects.

September 22, 2023

KAI Enterprises Hires Tracy Barlow as Vice President of 360 Construction Services                    

Tracy Barlow

KAI Enterprises proudly announces the hiring of Tracy Barlow, PMP, NICET-L2, as Vice President of its construction management division, 360 Construction Services (360 CS) at its Atlanta office.

With more than 37 years of industry experience, Barlow is a results-orientated and highly accomplished program director and management professional with a specific focus on developing and managing large programs in multiple vertical markets, including transit/aviation/rail, healthcare, municipal capital, K-12, higher education and municipal water/wastewater/sewer.

In his new role, Barlow will oversee 360 CS operations in Atlanta as well as St. Louis and Dallas-Fort Worth. Working with internal and external stakeholders, Barlow will help to fulfill KAI’s vison, policies and overall goals.

“Tracy specializes in developing corporate protocols and implementing strategies to produce successful construction programs. He also possesses a rare quality that enables him to work as a hands-on manager, effective in both program and project management functions, as well as mentoring to individuals and teams to mitigate complex issues,” said KAI 360 CS President Bruce Wood, PE. “We are excited to add Tracy to our 360 CS team.”

Career projects have included two new wastewater treatment plants in Nassau, Bahamas; municipal water/wastewater programs for the City of Atlanta, District of Columbia and City of Pittsburg; and work with the Dallas Rapid Transit Authority (DART) and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). He also currently manages a master services agreement with Rice Capital Access for the Department of Education to provide construction oversight services for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Prior to 360 CS, Barlow was Vice President of Program and Construction Management Services at H. J. Russell & Company for seven years where he played an integral role in developing its New York market. He also had a long, successful career at URS (acquired by AECOM in 2014) where he held several positions and managed different programs throughout the country.

He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Systems Technologies from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Management, Marketing and Related Support Services from Park University. He is a member of the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) and the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC).

In his spare time, he volunteers with Elks Aidmore, Inc., Boy Scouts of America, Mt. Vernon Baptist Church and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. He is also a member of 100 Black Men of DeKalb County. He and his wife Precious have a son and two daughters, and he enjoys golfing, cycling, fishing and watching movies and sports as hobbies.      

Helmkamp Promotes Mark McGuire to Superintendent

Mark McGuire

Helmkamp Construction is proud to announce the promotion of Mark McGuire to Superintendent.  McGuire began his construction career with Helmkamp in January of 2015 as a Carpenter’s Apprentice.  With nearly nine years of experience and growth at Helmkamp, he is looked at as a bright, up-and-coming leader among our team in the field.

Kyle Ogden, Helmkamp’s Vice President of Building & Life Science Construction, said “Mark has been a great example of how intelligence and hard work pay off. He has grown into a knowledgeable, capable, and respected individual who has been mentored under some of our best long-time superintendents.  We’re excited for him to continue a long and satisfying career with Helmkamp.”

McGuire’s transition to Superintendent comes at a time when labor shortages and a generational skills gap continue to be a rising challenge in the construction industry.  According to a recent study by the Associated General Contractors of America, 88% of construction firms are having a hard time finding workers to hire.  There are simply less skilled people entering the workforce as the older, more experienced construction workers prepare to retire.  Helmkamp is preparing for this shift as the average tenure of current Helmkamp superintendents is 17 years, a few of whom have been with the company for over 30 years.

McGuire resides in Edwardsville, IL with his wife Rebecca.

September 15, 2023

Terracon Announces Key Business Sector Promotion

Jeff Magner promoted to Director of Technology/Digital Infrastructure

Terracon, a leading national consulting engineering firm comprised of engineers, scientists, architects, facilities experts, and field professionals announces a strategic organizational change to support client service, innovation, and project delivery as the company continues to grow.

Jeff Magner

Jeff Magner, P.E., has been promoted to director of Terracon’s Technology (Digital Infrastructure) business sector. In this role, Jeff will lead the safe and profitable growth of this business unit and collaborate in developing Terracon’s strategy to execute services delivered with an outstanding client experience.

“Now more than ever, our clients expect high-quality services provided on shortened timeframes.  Speed to market is essential for our clients to meet their business goals, and Terracon invests in innovative tools that deliver information faster,” Magner said.

A licensed professional engineer, Jeff has over 25 years’ experience in geotechnical engineering, construction observation/materials testing and client account management. He joined Terracon in 1994 and previously held roles including project engineer, geotechnical services manager, office manager, regional manager, and firm principal. He is based in Terracon’s Des Moines, Iowa, office.

Two Oculus Inc. Employees Accepted in AIA St. Louis Leadership Program

Jack Bowe and Cory Harvey join CKLDP Class of 2023-2024

Jack Bowe

Oculus Inc., an award-winning, WBE-certified architecture and interior design firm, is pleased to announce that Jack Bowe and Cody Harvey, AIA, EIT, have been accepted into the AIA St. Louis Chapter’s 2023-2024 class of the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program. Bowe and Harvey are two of 16 applicants competitively selected to represent a diverse group of emerging professionals that demonstrate strong potential as future leaders in the region.

Cody Harvey

An emerging professional is defined as someone who has graduated from college with an architecture degree and is within 10 years of their first licensure. Prospective participants must go through an application process for selection where proven career success, community involvement and the individual’s contributions within their firm are considered.

“We are so excited about this learning opportunity for Jack and Cody,” said Lisa Bell-Reim, president of Oculus Inc. “Our firm’s strategic plan supports the ongoing development of our staff, and the participation through CKLDP will be a valuable experience in the advancement of both of their careers.”

The year-long program consists of nine individual half-day sessions held monthly beginning this September through May of 2024. The curriculum focuses on core professional skills such as entrepreneurship and firm management; teamwork and collaboration; negotiating skills; client development; community leadership; understanding trends within the industry; and developing your future within the practice.

Beginning in 2013, the AIA|DC chapter undertook an initiative to develop a program which would help train and nurture the next generation of leaders. With the success of the program in DC and other AIA Chapters, the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program expanded to St. Louis in 2021. The mission statement of CKLDP is to empower architects through a peer-led leadership development program that cultivates the sharing of experiences, knowledge, and skills, while promoting the growth and advancement of each individual as a leader in the region.

This is the second consecutive year that Oculus Inc. employees have participated in the program. Zachary Mette, an architectural designer at Oculus, was accepted into the AIA St. Louis Chapter’s 2022-2023 class of CKLDP.

“The program challenged me to grow professionally as a leader both in the industry and at Oculus,” said Zachary Mette. “Jack and Cody are wonderful additions to the CKLDP cohort, and I’m looking forward to hearing about their experiences with the program!”

For more information on the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program, visit: https://www.aia-stlouis.org/page/CKLDP

September 8, 2023

Lawrence Group Announces Marketing Department Promotion, New Hires

Lawrence Group proudly announces the promotion of Rebecca DeZeeuw to Marketing Manager and the hiring of Ciara Bell as Marketing Coordinator and Drew Edelstein as Marketing Assistant.

Rebecca DeZeeuw

Rebecca DeZeeuw, Marketing Manager – DeZeeuw started at Lawrence Group in 2021 as a Marketing Assistant before being promoted to the Marketing Manager position. In her new role, she is responsible for department leadership, oversight of marketing initiatives, and digital asset management.

She has 10 years of marketing experience, having previously worked as a marketing coordinator for Tammy Mitchell Hines & Co. and as a web designer for St. Matthew United Methodist Church.

She has a Bachelor of Arts in Interactive Media and Web Design from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO.

Ciara Bell

Ciara Bell as Marketing Coordinator – In her new role, Bell helps to strategize and implement the firm’s marketing efforts and supports the Marketing Manager and other team members. Bell leads proposal production, social media campaigns, and conducts secondary market research to help compile a position and supporting strategies.

Prior to Lawrence Group, Bell was a Marketing Coordinator at St. Louis-based Intelica CRE where she coordinated marketing department projects, developed and executed email marketing campaigns, oversaw the department’s budget and purchasing, and planned events.

She has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with an Emphasis in Marketing from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO.

Drew Edelstein

Drew Edelstein as Marketing Assistant – As Marketing Assistant, Edelstein supports the larger marketing and communications team by offering administrative support and completing essential tasks for the department including writing, editing and organizing files, and printing and proofing reports, newsletters and other marketing materials. He also contributes his talents in photography and video production in support of the department’s initiatives.

Prior to Lawrence Group, Edelstein was a Communications Specialist for the City of Maryland Heights where he worked extensively on the city’s print publications, promoted DEI initiatives, collaborated on promotional materials, and produced multimedia content.

He has a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies with a Minor in Film Studies from Webster University in Webster Groves, MO. He also has an Associate of the Arts in General Education from St. Louis Community College.

PARIC Corporation Announces Mike Rallo as New President

Mike Rallo

PARIC Corporation, one of the region’s leading general contractor, construction manager and design-build firms, has announced that former Vice President of Operations Mike Rallo is the new president of the company, effective September 1 – just the fifth since the company was founded in 1979. He replaces Keith Wolkoff, who stepped down from the role in March.

Todd Goodrich

The company also has announced that Todd Goodrich, a 25-year PARIC veteran, will become the company’s new executive vice president – chief operating officer.

Rallo, who joined PARIC in 2003 as a project engineer, has held numerous leadership roles in the company’s operations, eventually rising to vice president of operations in 2016. His appointment as president follows an extensive internal and external search.

“Following our search process, it was crystal clear that Mike was the right person to help lead our company to a new era of sustained growth,” said Joe McKee, chairman and CEO of PARIC Corp. “He has a proven history of leadership among our clients and colleagues, and is focused on growing and developing our next generation of leaders.”

One of Rallo’s first major roles was leading the Express Scripts Campus project in north St. Louis County — the largest LEED project in Missouri at the time of completion. He also led the North Park Redevelopment and Park Pacific Historic Renovation, as well as the River City Casino, Washington University Loop Student Housing and two campus repositioning projects for Lutheran Senior Services in St. Louis, among other projects.

Rallo serves on the development board of St. Louis Children’s Hospital and is currently secretary/treasurer for the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Missouri.

Goodrich joined PARIC in 1997. He has served as a vice president for more than 15 years, most recently as chief business development officer.

“Over his 25 years with PARIC, Todd has overseen our significant growth in the not-for-profit senior living market,” McKee said. “And he was instrumental in driving PARIC as an early adopter of virtual design construction technologies.”

In his 10 years as vice president of business development, Goodrich oversaw a nearly threefold growth of PARIC’s valuation.

“We are extremely confident that Mike and Todd are the right leadership team to advance PARIC during this time of significant, ongoing change in our industry,” McKee said.’

HDA Architects Elevates Growth with New Principals, Expanded Leadership Team

Patrick Holleran

HDA Architects, one of the nation’s leading architectural, interiors and master planning firms, enhanced its leadership team with the recent promotions of Patrick Holleran, Brice Zickuhr and Angela Feddersen to Senior Principal, and Josh Goodman and Kent Wagster to Principal. As new or elevated Principals of the firm, these individuals join Jack Holleran, President of HDA, in spearheading the continued growth and expansion of the firm throughout the U.S. and into new markets.

“I’m thrilled to announce our new leadership team that will help shape HDA Architects’ future. Patrick, Brice, Angela, Josh and Kent are all tremendous individuals with unique, complementary skill sets and talents, which make for a formidable group,” said Jack Holleran, HDA President. “This team has substantially grown our business through new markets, insights and innovations. Their promotions are well deserved and reflect their integral status at HDA.”

Patrick Holleran was promoted from Vice President to Senior Principal, Business Development. Over the past 23 years at HDA, Holleran’s skills in business development, marketing and public relations have been instrumental in the firm’s brand awareness, market expansion and growth. His role in day-to-day operations of the firm and strategic business solutions solidify the firm’s pipeline of work. Holleran is a member of the Urban Land Institute, Society of Industrial and Office Realtors and the National Beer Wholesalers Association.

Brice Zichuhr

Brice Zickuhr, AIA, NCARB, was promoted from Director of Operations to Senior Principal, Operations. His three decades of experience as a licensed architect allows for optimal oversight of all firm construction documents, operational resources, schedules and quality control. He has worked on a wide variety of projects ranging from warehouse/distribution to multi-family to institutional and specializes in design-build/integrated delivery project methods. Zickuhr joined HDA in 2019 and has been key in implementing seamless operational procedures for the firm.

Angela Feddersen

Angela Feddersen, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, was promoted from Principal to Senior Principal – Denver. Feddersen joined HDA in 2022 to lead the firm’s newly formed Denver, Colorado office and has a strong track record for nearly three decades of expertly guiding clients through the design process. Feddersen is active in the Denver community, including the Denver Downtown Partnership, United States Green Building Council, NAIOP and Urban Land Institute.

Josh Goodman

Josh Goodman, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, was promoted from Project Director to Principal. With over two decades of experience, his extensive knowledge particularly in the industrial, beverage, high-rise/mixed-use and automotive markets allows for continued successful client relationships and facilities that serve end users well for decades. Goodman joined HDA in 2004 and has volunteered with Rockwood School District’s Partners in Education program, teaching an accelerated class and reviewing student architectural projects, since 2010.

Kent Wagster

Kent Wagster was promoted from Project Director to Principal. With nearly three decades of experience, Wagster offers clients a well-versed and practical approach to executing successful senior living, hospitality, multi-family and commercial projects. He joined HDA in 2021 and has been an essential element to the firm’s expansion into the senior living and multi-family markets. Wagster is actively involved in mentoring younger staff and participating in business development initiatives for the firm.

The new and elevated Principals are each responsible for growing specific market sectors for the firm in which they have extensive experience. All Principals will work closely with Jack Holleran on HDA’s strategic planning, business development and organizational growth.

“As part of our long-term leadership planning and the continued success of HDA, I am excited to see Patrick, Brice, Angela, Josh and Kent tackle their new roles. Each exhibits the core values that HDA is known for and has a track record of success throughout their career,” said Jack Holleran. “I’m confident they will take our best-in-class staff and the firm to new and extraordinary heights.”

Ryan Spinner joins Mia Rose Holdings as Business & Financial Analyst

Ryan Spinner

St. Louis-based real estate developer Mia Rose Holdings (MRH) has added Ryan Spinner of Oakville, Missouri as Business & Financial Analyst. He was promoted after completing two internships with the firm. In his role, Spinner is responsible for studying financial data to spot trends and make forecasts that will help the developer determine viable locations for new multi-family housing communities. He will focus on the firm’s current key markets of St. Louis, Northwest Arkansas, Indianapolis and Dallas as well as new potential markets. Spinner also will work with the firm’s partners to learn all aspects of the development process.

Spinner last attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in finance where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta and on the chancellor’s list (4.0 GPA). He graduated from St. Louis University High School (SLUH) where he was on the Dean’s List for eight semesters and was a member of the SLUH National Honor Society.

Mia Rose Holdings also develops hockey and other community sports facilities. Spinner’s involvement on those projects will draw from his experience as a member of SLUH’s hockey team when they won two state championships, and as captain of the Chesterfield Falcons U18 club hockey team when the team won the national championship.

Terracon Announces Power Generation and Transmission Leadership Additions

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Terracon, a leading national consulting engineering firm comprised of engineers, scientists, architects, facilities experts, and field professionals announces strategic changes to support client service, innovation, and project delivery as the company continues to grow in the power generation and transmission (PG&T) sector. As the company continues to refine its organization to support continued growth, two key leadership roles have been filled:

Eddie Norse

Eddie Norse, Jr., PMP, has joined Terracon as a program manager and senior associate. With more than 40 years of experience in project and program management, Norse is focused on developing and delivering an innovative programmatic approach to improve project delivery and meet the needs of Terracon’s national PG&T clients. He earned a bachelor of science in business management degree from the University of Phoenix, and a master’s certificate in project management from The George Washington University. Norse is based in Overland Park, Kansas.

Chawn Stich

Chawn Stich has rejoined Terracon as a client development manager and senior associate. Bringing more than 25 years of varied engineering experience in the A/E/C industry to his role, Stich is dedicated to providing an excellent client experience to Terracon’s national PG&T clients. A recipient of the Engineer’s Club of St. Louis Award of Merit in 2021, he currently serves on the organization’s board. Stich is based in St. Louis.

“These roles are key to meeting the current and future needs of our PG&T clients. Eddie and Chawn bring the right combination of experience, skills, and innovation to their roles, allowing us to provide our clients with a consistently excellent experience,” said Blair Loftis, senior vice president and national director of PG&T for Terracon.

Terracon is an employee-owned, multidiscipline consulting firm comprised of more than 6,000 curious minds focused on solving engineering and technical challenges from more than 175 locations nationwide. Explore with us by visiting terracon.com.

Alberici/KAI Build Completes Construction of The Mercy Center for Performance Medicine and Specialty Care in St. Louis

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The Alberici/KAI Build Joint Venture partnership recently completed construction of The Mercy Center for Performance Medicine & Specialty Care and its connected 1,000-space parking garage. The multispecialty center is located on the campus of Mercy Hospital St. Louis and is one of the largest and most technology-rich outpatient surgery centers in the United States.

“The Center for Performance Medicine goes beyond adding a new building to the campus. It offers patients a new experience and serves as a model for future Mercy projects, helping to enhance the great care provided by our teams,” said Dr. David Meiners, Mercy Hospital St. Louis president.

The high-tech, five-level outpatient center is designed with the patient experience in mind. Specialties at the new building include neurosurgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, reconstructive surgery, bariatrics and urology. Additionally, the facility includes weight and wellness-related care, imaging services and a multispecialty outpatient surgery center including ten operating rooms and eight post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) bays. Co-worker and lounge areas flex to provide spaces for collaboration and, as needed, separation. Waiting rooms include ample space for social distancing if necessary, incorporating the outdoors when possible.

The center also features digitized wayfinding and a digitally-abled concierge service that seamlessly guides patients and families through their care experience.

“Alberici has been building critical structures in St. Louis for over 100 years and is honored to have partnered with Mercy from the beginning,” said Greg Hesser, President & CEO of Alberici Constructors. “From building the first facility on the current Ballas and Conway campus to the new multispecialty center, we’re proud to continue our collaboration with Mercy to bring compassionate care and exceptional service to the St. Louis community.”

The Alberici/KAI Build construction team employed a robust suite of technology to enhance coordination and communication on site, which included weekly drone flights over the project, monthly video project updates, and an online project dashboard. The team used StructionSite 360 to ensure all stakeholders were kept up to date on the project through a secure, web-based portal providing virtual 360 video and images and interactive PDFs linked to real-time video walkthroughs and side-by-side comparisons of existing conditions and new work.

“We are so proud to have built this amazing and transformative outpatient facility alongside Alberici for Mercy,” said KAI Enterprises CEO Michael B. Kennedy. “Recognized as one of the largest in the country, The Mercy Center for Performance Medicine & Specialty Care utilizes the latest in digital technology to improve the overall patient experience and outcomes of treatment, setting the standard for outpatient healthcare across the country.”

Construction of the center officially started in January 2021 and was completed in April 2023. CannonDesign served as the architect on the project.

Alberici is a diversified construction company that partners with leading organizations to build the critical structures that improve lives and strengthen communities. Since our founding in 1918, Alberici has built some of North America’s most challenging projects. Along the way, we’ve earned a reputation for executing with quality, safety and trust backed by 100+ years of experience providing construction solutions to the automotive, commercial, civil, energy, food & beverage, healthcare, heavy industrial, industrial process, marine and water/wastewater industries. Alberici is ranked the 39th largest builder (Engineering News-Record, May 2023) with annual revenues of over $3.1 billion. With approximately 3,500 salaried employees and craft professionals, the firm is headquartered in St. Louis with offices throughout North America. More information about the company is available online at www.alberici.com or by following the company on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

KAI Enterprises is a national design and build firm providing delivery-oriented building solutions with a diverse portfolio of experience, in-house multi-discipline professionals, and expertise in both design and construction delivery. Founded in 1980, KAI has grown into one of the largest minority-owned firms in the AEC industry. For more than 40 years, KAI has been instrumental in transforming communities through its expertise in residential, commercial, K-12, higher education, healthcare, science and technology, aviation, mobility, sports and entertainment, government, water and community-focused projects. KAI Enterprises is comprised of four distinct business units—KAI Design, KAI Engineering, KAI Build and KAI 360 Construction Services. To learn more about KAI, visit www.kai-db.com.