The latest People in the News highlighting new hires, promotions, honors & recognition of the men and women in the St. Louis building community.
Promotions at Lawrence Group
Christina Clagett, AIA, NCARB was recently promoted to associate. Clagett joined Lawrence Group in February 2015 and specializes in the execution of historic renovation projects. She has contributed to a variety of historic scopes for the firm, working on the assessment and documentation as well as the renovation of medium and large-scale historic architecture. Christina received her master’s degree in architecture from Kansas State University and recently became a registered architect.
Nicole Hoffarth, AIA, NCARB was recently promoted to associate. Hoffarth is a registered architect in Lawrence Group’s education studio. She joined Lawrence Group in 2015 bringing with her more than three years of experience in universal design and renovations for a variety of markets including education, hospitality, corporate and community.
Lawrence Group is a building design, development, and project delivery firm headquartered in St. Louis.
Jef Ebers Joins HOK’s St. Louis Office as Design Professional
Jef Ebers, has joined HOK in St. Louis as an environmental graphic designer. Ebers will work on a variety of high-profile corporate projects including Square and several CORTEX Innovation District projects. Ebers brings more than 20 years of experience and returns to HOK after serving as adjunct faculty at The Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis. He earned his degree in industrial design from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
HOK is a global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm.
Kristi Zoref Joins HOK’s St. Louis Office as Project Interior Designer
Kristi Zoref has joined HOK in St. Louis as a project interior designer. Zoref transferred from HOK’s New York office and will support the HOK St. Louis team’s corporate interior projects and work on the BJC HealthCare WUMC Campus Renewal Project.
Zoref earned her degree fine arts from Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri.
HOK is a global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm.
March 24, 2017
Dale Bax Joins Midwest BankCentre’s St. Charles County Advisory Board
Dale Bax, vice president of Bax Engineering Co., has been elected to the Midwest BankCentre St. Charles County Advisory Board. Bax leads residential design for the full-service civil engineering and land surveying firm, based in St. Charles, Mo.
Bax belongs to several industry organizations, including the Home Builders Association of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri, Missouri Society for Professional Surveyors, Missouri/Kansas Chapter American Concrete Pavement Association, Engineers’ Club of St. Louis, American Public Works Association, and the Transportation Engineers Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. Within the local community, he is active in the St. Charles County Chamber of Commerce, Sunrise Rotary Club of St. Charles and St. Jude’s Dream Home.
Midwest BankCentre (www.midwestbankcentre.com), founded in St. Louis in 1906, employs a staff of 300 currently working at 20 bank locations in the City of St. Louis, St. Louis County, Jefferson County and St. Charles County.
Martin Padilla Rejoins Trivers as an Architectural Designer
Trivers is happy to announce that Martin Padilla has returned to the firm as an Architectural Designer. After receiving his Master of Architecture degree from Washington University, Martin served as a Project Designer at Trivers early in his career. He spent the remaining recent years at a variety of firms gaining experience in diverse building types, working on projects such as the Jesuit Archive and Research Center, various projects at Washington University and the University City Master Plan that resulted in several addition and renovation projects throughout the district. He returned to Trivers in 2017 with a focus on civic and higher education projects. Martin teaches a Revit Crash Course at Washington University and also serves as the Assistant Director for Career Services in Architecture at Washington University’s Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts.
Brad Lohrum and Bob Haefner Join Geotechnology
Geotechnology, Inc., a leading provider of geotechnical and environmental engineering, geophysics, water resource management, materials testing and drilling services, has hired Brad Lohrum as a senior scientist and Bob Haefner as a scientist in the St. Louis office.
Lohrum has seven years of experience conducting and managing asbestos and lead-based paint surveys, abatement observation and testing, and indoor air quality assessments. He is a Missouri and Illinois licensed asbestos inspector, and a Missouri licensed asbestos management planner, lead risk assessor and project designer, lead abatement supervisor, and air sampling professional.
Haefner has three years of experience conducting asbestos and lead-based paint surveys, as well as abatement observation and testing. He is a Missouri and Illinois licensed asbestos inspector, asbestos abatement supervisor, lead risk assessor, and air sampling technician.
“The addition of Brad and Bob to our company will enhance our build-related hazardous materials inspection and abatement services, and expand our environmental consulting services to existing and new clients,” said Geotechnology Environmental Manager Michael Roark, R.G., LEED AP.
Niemann Named Executive Director of The Sheridan at Chesterfield Assisted Living and Memory Care Community
Denise Niemann has been named executive director of The Sheridan at Chesterfield, a 91-unit assisted living and memory care community currently under construction at 16300 Justus Post Road in Chesterfield, Mo.
Niemann brings to the assignment more than 15 years of experience in managing the daily operations of progressive retirement communities. She holds a bachelor’s degree in humanistic studies from St. Mary’s College of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana.
The Sheridan at Chesterfield is one of three senior living communities being built in metro St. Louis by Senior Lifestyle Corporation, a closely-held national owner, operator and developer of senior housing based in Chicago, Ill. The other Sheridan communities are in Creve Coeur and Sunset Hills.
March 17, 2017
Mechanical Contractors of Eastern Missouri Appoints Stephens Executive Director
Kristy Stephens has been named executive director of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Eastern Missouri. The announcement was made by George D. Corey, P.E., MCA-EMO president.
Prior to joining MCA-EMO, Stephens worked as an independent consultant facilitating and executing strategic marketing and communication plans for clients in healthcare, pharmaceutical, exhibit and event production, and the nonprofit sector. She brings an additional 12 years of experience in administration from varying roles – as a project manager for research at Washington University, program manager for the Nonprofit Services Consortium, and grants and volunteer manager for the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Arkansas in 2006 and her bachelor’s degree from Webster University in 2001. She currently serves on the board of Modern STL, an organization dedicated to the preservation and celebration of modern architecture.
“We are thrilled to have Kristy serving at the helm of our organization,” said Corey, who also serves as senior vice president of Mechanical Solutions, Inc. “Her project management experience combined with her employment within the not-for-profit sector is an excellent match with the work of our association.”
MCA-EMO offers programs crucial to the ongoing success of contractors and vendors operating within the construction industry in Eastern Missouri.
JLL Announces St. Louis Office Promotions
JLL today announced several promotions within its St. Louis office. David Steinbach has been promoted to Managing Director, David Biales to Executive Vice President, and Ed Backer to Senior Associate.
Steinbach, who specializes in landlord and tenant representation, has been with JLL since 2008. He acts as an exclusive advocate in all matters pertaining either to his clients’ properties or to their real estate issues including early renewals, disposition strategies, lease buyouts and/or subleasing. As Managing Director, Steinbach oversees all operations for the St. Louis office.
Biales has worked with JLL since 2010 specializing in office leasing. He has consistently been a Top Producer, one of the firm’s highest honors, and has been featured in Real Estate Forum magazine as one of 20 international brokers for the next generation. Biales has participated in more than 500 commercial sale and lease transactions.
Backer specializes in office, landlord, and tenant representation, and has been with JLL since 2013. He has participated in more than 150 commercial sale and lease transactions while at JLL.
JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management
Poettker Construction Company Promotes Keith Poettker & Dave Lammers
Poettker Construction Company, a second generation family-owned and veteran owned construction management and design/build firm, has appointed Keith C. Poettker as President and Dave Lammers as Contract Compliance Officer.
Keith Poettker began his career with the firm in 1990 and served as Vice President Preconstruction since 2005. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, IL. His certifications and recognition include American Hospital Association (AHA) Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC), International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Certified Development, Design and Construction Professional (CDP) and 2015 CenterBuild 20 Under Forty Recipient, Central Illinois Builders Association (CIBA) Board of Directors, and National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies (NASCLA) licensed contractor. He succeeds Charles V. Poettker, who will continue as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Poettker Construction.
Dave Lammers has over 28 years of construction safety and quality control experience, and has been Poettker Construction’s Safety Director since 2014. Under Dave’s safety oversight, the company’s EMR rating has dropped to the lowest in its history at 0.73. Under the new appointment, he will be responsible for overseeing both the safety and quality control departments. He is an active member of the Southern Illinois Builder’s Association (SIBA) safety committee, and his certifications include AGC Safety Management, EM385.1-1 Military Competent Person & Inspector, Infection Control Risk Assessment, OSHA 30 Hour, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Construction Quality Management for Contractors Training.
Midas Hospitality Names GM and Sales Director to its New Hotel Hampton Inn St. Louis Wentzville to open this month
Midas Hospitality, a premier hotel management group, recently appointed Angie Gadesi as General Manager and Danette Beaver as Area Director of Sales for its new Hampton Inn St. Louis Wentzville in Wentzville, Mo.
As General Manager, Gadesi will oversee all property operations and sales which includes specializing in team building, delivering superior guest service while ensuring product quality standards are met, and achieving revenue goals. Gadesi, a 24-year hospitality industry veteran, has worked at Midas Hospitality for four years.
As Area Director of Sales, Beaver will provide total account management and establish strong client relations by providing personalized account service and creating satisfied guests. She will target groups and corporations to grow market share and exceed the hotels’ sales goals. Beaver has 17 years of industry experience and has been with Midas Hospitality for two years.
“We are extremely excited about Angie and Danette leading the sales and operations team at our new Wentzville hotel,” said Midas Hospitality president Rob Willard. “It is very rewarding to see our team members grow into new positions and take on additional responsibilities with Midas Hospitality. We know the Hampton Inn will be a huge success with their leadership.”
Founded in 2006, Midas Hospitality has developed, opened and currently manages numerous properties including 40 hotels in 14 states. The company serves global brands including Hilton, IHG, Marriott, and Starwood. Midas Hospitality’s headquarters are located at 1804 Borman Circle Dr. in Maryland Heights, Mo. For more information, call (314) 692-0100 or visit http://www.midashospitality.com.
Midwest BankCentre Expands Role of CFO Oberkfell; Adds President to Executive Responsibilities
Midwest BankCentre (MBC) Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Dale E. Oberkfell has been appointed president of the locally owned community bank. Oberkfell, who was named executive vice president and CFO in 2012, continues in his role as CFO. He also was elected a director of the bank and its holding company, Midwest BankCentre, Inc. Midwest BankCentre Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim Watson made the announcement.
In his expanded capacity, Oberkfell oversees the bank’s retail operations, fee services and marketing activities. He continues to monitor financial operations and facilitate strategic planning.
Oberkfell has 39 years of banking and corporate accounting experience. Prior to joining MBC, he was executive vice president and CFO of Reliance Bank.
Oberkfell is serving his fifth year as chairman of the board of directors for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, which provides funding and liquidity for mortgage lending, economic development and affordable housing to 1,400-plus participating institutions in 13 states and three U.S. territories. Locally, he serves on the boards of Good Shepherd Children & Family Services and Villa di Maria Montessori School.
Oberkfell is a certified public accountant (CPA) in both Missouri and Illinois. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and his master’s degree in business administration from Washington University, both in St. Louis, Mo. He is a member of the Missouri Bankers Association, Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants, Illinois CPA Society and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Midwest BankCentre has been a mainstay of St. Louis community banking since 1906. It ranks among St. Louis’ largest locally owned banks with assets of about $1.8 billion and deposits of $1.3 billion.
Helmkamp Construction Company Hires new Estimator
Helmkamp Construction Company is happy to announce the hiring of Andy Reynolds as an Estimator. Andy has 15 years of experience in the St. Louis construction market in the Healthcare, Building, and Industrial markets. We welcome him into his new role as he helps Helmkamp grow and prosper.
Helmkamp is a relationship-based general contractor, based in East Alton, IL, working exclusively for private, professional, repeat buyers of construction, primarily in the industrial, power, manufacturing, healthcare, higher education, and pharmaceutical industries. Helmkamp provides self-performed general contracting services, including civil, millwright, concrete, carpentry, structural steel, and excavations.
Carlos Deschapell, Jr., Joins G & S Architectural Products as Project Assistant
Carlos Deschapell, Jr. has been named Project Assistant at St. Louis based G&S Architectural Products. Deschapell is responsible for customer order acknowledgements, shop drawings, issuing purchase orders and releasing orders.
Prior to coming to G&S Architectural Products, Deschapell served in the military as a job mechanic. He is currently working on his bachelor’s degree in construction management.
“We love to offer opportunities for young professionals to explore their talents at our growing company,” says Herb Golterman, president of parent company Golterman & Sabo. “Carlos is already adding value to our business.” Outside of work, Deschapell, enjoys watching sports and exploring the city of St. Louis.
Golterman & Sabo is a premier provider and installer of architectural products for the commercial, education and healthcare industries.
Newmark Grubb Zimmer Welcomes Dan Rossini & Jay Kerley to St. Louis Office
Newmark Grubb Zimmer is pleased to announce Dan Rossini & Jay Kerley have joined the team as Managing Directors of Investment Properties. Dan and Jay will specialize in the Investment Brokerage sector, specifically with retail, industrial and office property/clients.
Kirt Daniels joins Wiegmann Associates as Project Engineer
Kirt Daniels of Oakville, MO, has joined Wiegmann Associates as a Project Engineer. Daniels is responsible for designing and selecting HVAC systems for client facilities, and provides mechanical engineering support on construction projects.
Daniels is experienced in valve diagnostics, preventive maintenance and testing of critical valves in the process control industry. He has Valve Technician I and FlowScanner Data Acquisition & Interpretation I certifications, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri – Columbia.
Wiegmann Associates is a St. Louis-based mechanical contractor serving the commercial, industrial and institutional markets, and a national leader in design/build HVAC projects.