The latest People in the News highlighting new hires, promotions, honors & recognition of the men and women in the St. Louis building community.
Oculus Inc. Adds To Its Professional Staff
Carol E. Saucedo as a new Business Developer in their Dallas office. Carol brings over 20 years of marketing and business development experience to Oculus Inc. She has extensive experience in the Professional Services industry, working with engineering and design firms. Carol will be responsible for the cultivating new opportunities and relationships for Oculus while collaborating with the Corporate Marketing team located in St. Louis to create and implement new marketing and sales strategies. Oculus has been growing their portfolio and office in the Dallas market and Carol will be working to expand relationships and pursue new business opportunities in Dallas and surrounding areas.
“We’ve been searching for the right Business Developer for our Dallas office,” said Lisa Bell-Reim, Oculus Inc. President. “Carol is the perfect fit for our organization and we can’t wait for our clients to become acquainted with her and to see what new relationships she cultivates.”
Oculus Inc. is a nationally, WBE-Certified, full-service architecture and consulting services firm with offices in St. Louis & Dallas.
Asif Kadiani & Nick Zahner Join Murphy Company
Asif Kadiani, P.E., CEM, GBE, LEED AP, has joined Murphy Company as senior engineer, design-build. The announcement was made by Mark Bengard, P.E., senior vice president, sales and pre-construction for the mechanical engineering and contracting firm.
A registered professional engineer in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Oklahoma, Kadiani also is a certified energy manager, a green building engineer, and a LEED accredited professional. He is a member of the editorial advisory board for HPAC Magazine and is a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
Kadiani holds an MBA from Eastern Illinois University. He earned his master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Bombay, both in Bombay, India. He also took pre-engineering coursework at the University of Bombay.
Since 1993, Kadiani has worked on major projects in higher education, K-12 education, municipal and government, healthcare, military, data centers, research, communications, transportation and commercial facilities throughout the Midwest.
“We are delighted to welcome Asif to the Murphy team,” said Bengard. “His expertise in the design and analyses of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, building automation, fire protection and plumbing systems fits nicely with both our service platforms and the markets we serve. His experience supervising project teams also is very helpful.”
Nicholas Zahner Hired by Murphy Co. as Safety Engineer
Nicholas (Nick) Zahner has joined Murphy Company as a safety engineer. The announcement was made by Chris Hamilton, director of safety. Zahner is a 2015 graduate of the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg where he majored in safety management. Previously, Nick served as the environmental health and safety coordinator for HarbisonWalker International where he provided safety oversight of all safety programs and policies.
Murphy Company delivers mechanical solutions to the industrial, commercial, institutional and heavy industrial markets.
Nick Walker Joins IMPACT Strategies as Director of Development & Construction Services
Nick Walker has 20 years of experience as a registered architect and as a construction manager. Walker most recently was Vice President of Development and Construction for a St. Louis-based developer and builder of senior housing properties. Walker is a registered architect in Missouri and a member of the American Institute of Architects and NCARB. He has vast experience in all levels of senior housing projects and is a certified aging-in-place specialist though the NAHB.
A resident of Des Peres, Missouri, Walker earned a bachelor’s degree in Architecture at the University of Kentucky and an MBA at Saint Louis University. He also completed the Construction Leadership Institute program at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville.
February 3, 2017
Ron Landolt, LANDCO Construction’s CEO, announced two staff promotions at the firm’s Strategic Planning Session held on January 27, 2017.
Linda Bernhard was promoted to President. Linda has over 20 years of experience in the St. Louis commercial construction market in the areas of Construction Management, Strategic Planning, Preconstruction and Human Resources. Linda is an accredited LEED Green Associate and recipient of the Project Manager of the Year Award in 2016 from the American Subcontractors Association ( ASA) of the Midwest Council. Linda is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a degree in Architectural Engineering with an emphasis in Construction Management.
Greg Zuzack was promoted to Vice President. Greg, a graduate of St. Louis University, joined the firm in 2008 and has over 30 years of experience in the St. Louis commercial construction market in the areas of Business Development, Strategic Planning, Preconstruction and Project Management. Greg is an accredited LEED Green Associate, and is actively involved with IFMA and BOMA.
“Both Linda Bernhard and Greg Zuzack exemplify a high level of character, competency, and capacity which are exceptional traits that every firm is looking for in their employees. It goes without saying that Linda and Greg are truly genuine leaders in the commercial construction industry. I am extremely proud of their accomplishments and pleased to have both of them on our team,” stated Ron Landolt at the firm’s 2017 Strategic Planning Session.
St. Louis based LANDCO Construction is a leading commercial construction contractor providing Preconstruction, Construction Management and Interior Construction Services.
Architects Dusica Stankovic and Colten Baker Join HOK’s St. Louis Office
Architects Dusica Stankovic and Colten Baker have joined HOK in St. Louis. Both will support the HOK team working on the Indiana University Health Bloomington Regional Academic Healthcare project. Stankovic serves as a senior project architect and Baker serves as a design professional.
Stankovic joins HOK from RDG Planning & Design in Des Moines, Ia. She earned her master of architecture at the University of Belgrade and her degree in architecture from the University of Sarajevo.
Baker joins HOK from Oculus Inc. in St. Louis, Mo. He earned his master of architecture and degree in architectural studies from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill.
HOK is a global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm.
Great Rivers Greenway Welcomes Angelica Gutierrez as Project Manager
Great Rivers Greenway is pleased to welcome Angelica Gutierrez, of North St. Louis County, to its team of professionals who are working to connect the St. Louis region through the development of greenways so people can live life outside. Gutierrez has joined as Project Manager, overseeing all aspects of greenway construction projects, from community engagement to design and construction. She will also coordinate the organization’s involvement in the Gateway Bike Plan, which aims to identify the regional system of on-street bikeways and develop strategies for education, encouragement, and enforcement to make bicycling safe for people of all ages and abilities.
As an industrial engineer, she brings to Great Rivers Greenway nearly 16 years of experience in project management, including a background in public works and production management. Her prior experience includes nine years with the City of University City, where she most recently held the position of Senior Public Works Manager. Her efforts there included streetscapes, bridge replacement, street and sidewalk repair and maintenance, bicycle facilities and traffic signal installation projects.
Great Rivers Greenway connects the St. Louis region with greenways so people can explore their rivers, parks and communities, making it a vibrant place to live, work
Tauquincy Neal, FM for St. Charles City-County Library District, Earns FMP and SFP Designations
Tauquincy Neal, facility manager for St. Charles City-County Library District, has attained credentials as a Facility Management Professional (FMP) and Sustainability Facility ProfessionaL (SFP). Only members of the International Facility Management Association can earn these professional designations. Neal is a member of the IFMA St. Louis chapter.
Neal took an extensive online 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.
Additionally, she took an extensive online course and passed assessments in three focus areas to achieve the SFP designation. Focus areas provide a complete picture of how SFPs can improve the sustainability of their facilities in all eight major categories of sustainable facility management as defined by IFMA: energy, water, materials and resources, workplace management, indoor environmental quality, quality of services, waste and site impact.
Neal started with the St. Charles City-County Library District in August 2015, as its first facility manager. She manages the day-to-day maintenance of all buildings and grounds, projects, and all contractors and vendors, as well as its delivery and supply operations. The library district comprises 12 branches in St. Charles City and County. She also is responsible for its administrative office.
Neal has been a member of IFMA St. Louis since 2015.
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.
Jake Haggmark Joins HOK’s St. Louis Office as Senior Design Professional
Jake Haggmark has joined HOK in St. Louis. He will support the HOK team as a senior design professional working on high-profile, corporate design projects across the US.
Haggmark joins HOK from CannonDesign in St. Louis, Missouri. He earned his master of architecture from the Knowlton School of Architecture at The Ohio State University and his degree in architecture from Alfred State College.
HOK is a global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm.
Lee Burford Joins Holland Construction Services as Senior Project Manager
Holland Construction Services (Holland), is pleased to announce that Lee Burford has joined the Holland team as Senior Project Manager. Lee comes to Holland with over 36 years of construction management experience overseeing a variety of multi-million dollar projects both as a project manager and project director.
Lee has the designation of Certified Professional Constructor, the American Institute of Constructors highest level of certification only given to established constructors with years of project oversight experience. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management from Bradley University.
Holland Construction Services is a full-service construction management, general contracting, and design/build firm based in Swansea, Ill.
January 27, 2017
New Hires at Oculus, Inc.
Oculus Inc., a full-service architecture and interior design firm, is pleased to announce the addition of Josh West to its professional staff as an Intern Architect, Kaitlin McCormick from intern to Interior Designer and Zachary Mette to its professional staff as an Intern Architect.
Mt. West will be working with project and programming data, synthesizing information into floor plans and space layouts, developing approved layouts into developed designs, assisting with the preparation of construction details and drawings for permit. He brings experience working with community improvement, museum design, healthcare facilities, and transportation centers. In addition, he also worked as a Teaching Assistant where he mentored multiple groups of students working on design and constructions projects. His software skills include Auto Cad, Revit, SketchUp, Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop. In addition to Mr. West’s experience, he holds a Masters of Architecture and a Bachelors of Architecture with a minor in Landscape Design from Southern Illinois University. “We are so pleased to have Josh join Oculus,” said Lisa Bell-Reim, Oculus Inc. President. “We look forward to working with him; his strong background in working with community based projects will be of great service to our federal work.”
Ms. McCormick comes to Oculus to help with creating design concepts, finish selections, developing furniture budgets, preparing finish plans, designing signage, assisting with the preparation of construction drawings for permits, preparing client presentations, and managing the product library. She has been involved with projects for the Girl Scouts of America and multiple school and retail projects. In addition to her experience, Ms. McCormick holds a Bachelor of Human Environmental Studies/interior Design/Architectural Design from Southeast Missouri State University and is pursuing her NCIDQ. “We got to know Kaitlin very well as she worked for us an interior design intern,” said Lisa Bell-Reim, Oculus Inc. President. “Based on the skill we recognized during her internship, we are thrilled she has joined the firm as a full time Interior Designer.”
Mr. Mette brings a background of work experience that includes leadership, technical skills and design skills. His role at Oculus will be schematic design development, conceptual and construction documents, digital model construction, and drafting. Zach gained invaluable experience while he completed his Architecture Degree at Drury University (Springfield, MO) by working on Community Studio projects, which were real projects with actual clients, budgets and contractual agreements. Through this program, he worked with the Army Corps of Engineers’ Joe Bald Park to create a 30-year vision for improving the facilities. He is skilled in spatial programming and the following software: Revit, CAD, Sketch up, InDesign and Photoshop. “Zach came to us as a summer intern before returning to his final year of school,” said Lisa Bell-Reim, Oculus Inc. President. “We are thrilled he has come back in a full time role.”
Oculus Inc. is a nationally, WBE-Certified, full-service architecture and consulting services firm with offices in St. Louis & Dallas.
Three from Byrne & Jones Sports Division Earn Certified Builder Accreditation
Ben Traetow and David Baalman of Byrne & Jones Construction’s sports division have earned Certified Field Builder (CFB-S)Tom Brockmann, also of Byrne & Jones Construction’s sports division, has earned Certified Track Builder (CTB) Byrne & Jones has installed more than 2,000 athletic surfaces in the Midwest, including artificial and natural turf fields for all types of sports as well as track and fields, tennis courts and associated site improvements.
CFB-S and CTB accreditations are awarded by the 52-year-old American Sports Builders Association and is given to those who have demonstrated a high level of expertise in synthetic turf field and running track construction. Learn more at www.sportsbuilders.org
Traetow has a degree in construction systems management from The Ohio State University.
Baalman has a degree in construction management from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.
Brockmann has a degree in mechanical engineering from Missouri University of Science & Technology.
Founded in 1976, Byrne & Jones Construction is a diversified St. Louis civil site contractor serving clients through six divisions – concrete, sports, asphalt, soil stabilization, marine and micro surfacing.