The latest People in the News highlighting new hires, promotions, honors & recognition of the men and women in the St. Louis building community.
Michelle Jordan Joins Architectural Business Interiors Team as Business Development Manager
Architectural Business Interiors (ABI), located in DesPeres, MO, has recently expanded its staff to include Michelle Jordan as Director of Business Development representing their Muraflex® demountable walls, Arktura acoustical systems and Carvart architectural glass product lines. Michelle brings 20+ years of business development experience to the ABI team including nearly 10 years in the Architectural Interiors industry. Her primary responsibilities include business development focusing on construction specifiers, architects, commercial real estate, end-users and general contractors. “We are very excited to have someone with Michelle’s experience and qualifications in the construction industry joining our team and look forward to opening up new vertical market channels for ABI.” Added Bob Mitchusson, President.
Oberle Promoted to Service Dispatch Supervisor at Murphy
Stephanie Oberle has been promoted to the position of service dispatch supervisor at Murphy Company, a leading mechanical contracting and engineering firm. The announcement was made by Chris Carter, vice president, service.
Oberle brings 27 years of customer service experience and 15 years of supervisory experience, many in the HVAC industry, to her new role. She joined Murphy as a dispatcher. Earlier in her career she served as a service coordinator for an HVAC company and club services manager for Optimist International. She also has held administrative positions with the Missouri chapter of the Neurofibromatosis Foundation, Options for Justices, and Delsan industries.
She is a graduate of Hazelwood Central and also attended St. Louis Community College-Florissant Valley.
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.
KC McDonald joins Wiegmann Associates as Director of National Business Development
KC McDonald has joined Wiegmann Associates as director of national business development. McDonald is responsible for developing national construction design/build opportunities primarily in the industries of healthcare, senior living, commercial office, refrigeration, multi-family housing, warehouse, manufacturing and food and beverage distribution and processing. He also provides mechanical engineering support and assists in HVAC equipment selection on construction projects.
McDonald has eight years of construction industry experience. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from East Tennessee State University and is a licensed real estate broker.
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.
Terry Denny joins Knoebel Construction as Site Superintendent
Terry Denny of Dardenne Prairie, MO, has joined Knoebel Construction as a site superintendent. He is responsible for managing day-to-day operations, subcontractor coordination and scheduling for various retail center, restaurant, grocery and retail store construction projects. Denny has 19 years of experience in commercial construction. He is a graduate of the St. Louis Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship program.
Knoebel Construction, Inc. is a national general contractor specializing in retail center, restaurant, grocery and retail store construction.
August 4, 2017
Geotechnology Announces Tim Gorline has Achieved Designation as ICC Master Special Inspector
Geotechnology, Inc., a leading provider of geotechnical and environmental engineering, geophysics, water resource management, materials testing and drilling services, is pleased to announce today that Mr. Tim Gorline, a Geologist in their construction materials testing (CMT) group, has achieved International Code Council (ICC) designation as Master Special Inspector. Tim is one of only two Master Special Inspectors in the State of Missouri, the other being in the Kansas City area. Of the 16 Master Special Inspectors in the State of Illinois, only Gorline and one other reside in the St. Louis metro area.
Tim is now certified by ICC to perform inspections in reinforced concrete, soils, fireproofing, structural steel and welding, structural steel and bolting and reinforced masonry. Tim also holds other certifications including the following: Level I Technician, American Concrete Institute (ACI); Level II Technician, Post-Tensioning Institute; Level II Soils, Level II Asphalt and Level III Concrete Technician from National Institute of Civil Engineering Technicians (NICET); and Soil and Concrete Technician from Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).
Gorline received his Bachelor of Science degree from State University of New York at Fredonia. As a degreed Geologist, and member of Geotechnology’s CMT group since 2002, Tim has extensive experience providing construction observation, inspection and testing of many facets of construction. Tim provided quality control observations and testing for Busch Stadium, 212 South Meramec high rise, St. Louis Art Museum, MasterCard Headquarters, Washington University’s Loop Student Housing, Reinsurance Group of America, Saint Louis University’s Chaifetz Arena, and many other St. Louis metropolitan area projects.
“Geotechnology has made considerable investment in providing highly trained field representatives to perform code-required special inspections. Tim has shown great leadership in achieving the Master Special Inspector designation. The scarcity of Master Special Inspectors in the metropolitan area and the commitment of representatives like Tim, clearly differentiates Geotechnology, and allows us to to provide a level of service that others cannot.” said Jeff Klein, P.E., Construction Materials Testing Manager in St. Louis.
Established more than 32 years ago, Geotechnology, Inc. is a professional corporation offering a comprehensive range of consulting services in applied earth and environmental sciences, including geophysics, water resource management, geotechnical and environmental engineering, materials testing and drilling.
Thomas Stockmann Jr. Joins Murphy Co. as BIM Designer
Thomas Stockmann Jr. has joined Murphy Company as a BIM (Building Information Modeling) designer. The announcement was made by Patrick Bastow, supervisor, BIM Production, for the mechanical contracting and engineering firm.
A 2017 graduate of Mineral Area College with an associate’s degree in engineering, tech design drafting, Stockmann is a certified production technician (2015). He also is OSHA 30-hr.certified (2014). His work experience includes logging and customer service for his family’s business, Stockmann Logging, in Fredericktown, MO.
Blake Named Fabrication Database Engineer VDC/BIM at Murphy
Dylan W. Blake has been appointed a fabrication database engineer VDC/BIM (Virtual Design and Construction/Building Information Modeling) at Murphy Company, a leading mechanical
contracting and engineering company. The announcement was made by Patrick Bastow, supervisor, BIM Production.
A May 2017 graduate of Missouri University of Science and Technology with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Blake was the university’s Lacrosse Club president and captain, an Opening Week mentor, and was inducted into the National Society of Leadership and Success in 2015. A cum laude graduate of Fox High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society for four years, Blake played varsity soccer for three years, and served as captain of the high school’s varsity Lacrosse team.
While a college student, he worked as a maintenance/field worker for the City of Arnold Parks Department, performing plumbing, welding and carpentry work.
Vincent Named Plumbing Designer, VDC/BIM at Murphy
Ahmad Vincent has been appointed a plumbing designer, VDC/BIM (Virtual Design and Construction/Building Information Modeling) at Murphy Company, a leading mechanical contracting and engineering company. The announcement was made by Patrick Bastow, supervisor, BIM Production.
An experienced professional, Vincent holds a Master of Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management as well as a bachelor’s degree in project/construction management and an associate’s degree in computer drafting and design from ITT Technical Institute.
Before joining Murphy Company, Vincent worked for more than two years as a project manager, BIM designer/estimator, on such projects as the Jefferson Barracks Veterans Affairs Building, the 4220 Duncan Wexford Science and Research Building, and the Rockwood Summit High School renovation/addition. He also worked on projects at the Washington University School of Medicine and the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, among others. Prior to that, and during his college years, he was general manager of a high-volume restaurant.
Murphy Company is one of the nation’s top mechanical contracting and engineering firms delivering innovative solutions to the commercial, industrial and institutional markets. Murphy offers process piping, HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing, design-build, piping fabrication, energy solutions and 24-hour service emanating from its five locations in St. Louis, Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder and Northern Colorado. Murphy is ranked No. 17 on Engineering News-Record’s list of largest mechanical contractors in the United States. Founded in 1907, the firm employs more than 1,000 people nationwide. For more information, visit www.murphynet.com.
MC Industrial Appoints Bob Wood as Business Development Manager
MC Industrial, Inc., an independent McCarthy company and leader in industrial construction, recently announced the addition of Bob Wood as Business Development Manager.
Based in MC Industrial’s St. Louis office, his focus will be working with project teams to develop design and construction solutions that enhance project delivery for MC Industrial’s clients in the power market nationwide. Bob brings 23 years industry experience and broad power expertise to his new role including environmental, new generation, renewable and plant maintenance projects.
“We are pleased to have Bob join our team and serve our power industry clients,” said Brian Timmer, Business Development Director. “His strong foundation in design and construction and experience with large-scale industrial projects brings extensive value to our firm and our clients alike.”
Bob attended Lindenwood University and Ranken Technical College HVAC. He has received special training through Carrier Corporation, York and Siemens. He is currently an active member of COCA, AGC, SLCCC and SIBA.
MC Industrial is a national construction firm, dedicated to the highly specialized needs of the industrial marketplace.
Mueller Prost Promotes Partners Adam Herman and Quinn Martin to Firm Leadership Positions
Effective July 1, 2017, Adam Herman, CPA/ABV/CFF, CVA, ASA, CFE, Partner was named Chief Visionary Officer, and Quinn Martin, CPA, MBA, Partner was named Chief Operating Officer. This is the first-time Mueller Prost has appointed a CVO and COO, a move to ensure the growth and sustainability of the firm in future years. This split from the traditional Managing Partner structure recognizes the need for various skill sets as the firm grows, and allows for highest and best use of the firm’s resources and people.
Herman has over 25 years of experience in business valuations, tax credits, advising and consulting. Adam has been successful in supporting new business growth nationwide through his leadership, creativity, energy, integrity and credentials which are highly respected among valuation, IRS, and business professionals. In his new role, Herman will oversee the strategy and direction of the firm, lead growth and new service initiatives and manage the firm’s industry leaders, sales and marketing efforts.
Martin has over 15 years of experience in assurance and auditing services, specializing in manufacturing, construction, distribution, and a variety of other niche industries including PCAOB non-issuers. In his new role, Martin will ensure the operational effectiveness of the firm. He will manage the firm’s service line leaders, human resources, finance and IT functions.
Herman and Martin will work closely together for a seamless transition. Co-founder Doug Mueller will remain President under the new structure and co-founder Mike Prost will act as Managing Partner during the transition.
President, Doug Mueller says, “When Mike and I founded our firm, we wanted to create a legacy firm for ourselves, our clients and our employees. This three-pronged leadership approach will position us to continue to grow in years to come. Adam and Quinn’s leadership and dedication to the firm are exactly what we need when it comes to succession planning.”
Mueller Prost has 18 partners, 3 locations and over 150 employees. The firm is regularly recognized as a Best Place to Work and focuses on employee and client engagement and retention.
Spellman Brady Welcomes Monica Stefek, Director of Marketing
Spellman Brady & Company welcomes Monica Stefek, who will serve as the firm’s Director of Marketing. Ms. Stefek will have corporate responsibility for the firm’s marketing activities which includes developing the firm’s marketing material, responses to Requests for Qualifications and Proposals, as well as managing the firm’s communication, marketing and public relations activities.
Ms. Stefek is a seasoned marketing professional with over 20 years of innovative and results-oriented marketing experience. Monica earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Some of her previous experience includes marketing responsibilities for clients at Visual Ingenuity and The Vandiver Group.
Spellman Brady & Company is an award-winning St. Louis–based interior design firm specializing in senior living, healthcare, and higher education environments.
Focal Pointe Hires John O’Connell as Controller*
Focal Pointe Outdoor Solutions announces the addition of John W. O’Connell of Chesterfield, Missouri as the firm’s Controller. In this position, John will lead all aspects of Focal Pointe’s financial processes and procedures, strengthening performance and profitability. He will also provide leadership for the firm’s administrative operations, including human resources and nformation technology.
O’Connell brings more than 35 years of experience in finance, having been a minority owner of a local luxury homebuilder, and financial executive for one of the largest home builders in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and earned his Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
certification with Peat Marwick Mitchell.
Founded by John Munie in 1998, Focal Pointe Outdoor Solutions, Inc. is a full-service grounds maintenance, lawncare, and landscaping company specializing in distinctive, high-touch properties for both residential and commercial clients.
Rick Rebecca Joins Contegra Construction Co. as Safety Director
Rick Rebecca, who has more than 26 years of experience in risk management, has joined Contegra Construction Co. as safety director. Rebecca will oversee all facets of safety and safety training at Contegra. Based in Edwardsville, Ill., Contegra is one of the St. Louis area’s largest general contractors and serves a national customer base that includes industrial, institutional, municipal, multi-family, office and retail projects.
Johnston Joins Murphy as Service Sales Account Mgr.
Jennifer Johnston has been named service sales account manager for Murphy Company. The announcement was made by Chris Carter, vice president, service, for the mechanical contracting and engineering firm.
Johnston recently was elected as president of the St. Louis chapter of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA). She has more than seven years’ experience in facilities, most recently serving as a facility and maintenance supply territory manager at Ferguson in St Louis. Before that, she was a service and building solutions sales executive in St. Louis from 2010 to 2014. She also is a member of the Building Owner Management Association (BOMA).
Murphy Company is one of the nation’s top mechanical contracting and engineering firms delivering innovative solutions to the commercial, industrial and institutional markets.
Murphy Appoints Jared Moresi as Engineer, Industrial
Jared Moresi has joined Murphy Company as an engineer, industrial. The announcement was made by Mike Werdes, manager of engineering for the mechanical engineering and contracting firm. Moresi earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in May 2017 from the University of Missouri-Columbia where he was on the Dean’s List. He also was 2016-17 secretary of Mizzou’s Mechanical contractors Association of America student chapter, which captured First Place in the Final Four Competition at the MCAA National Convention in San Diego in March 2017.
The UMC chapter also was named MCAA’s Student Chapter of the Year. During summer 2016 Moresi served as an intern in Murphy’s design/build department. The summer before he interned in the company’s service department. During summer 2013 he worked for Cardinal Home Improvement in Cottleville, MO.
Murphy Company is one of the nation’s top mechanical contracting and engineering firms delivering innovative solutions to the commercial, industrial and institutional markets.
Dale Duello joins Knoebel Construction as Site Superintendent
Dale Duello of Wentzville, MO, has joined Knoebel Construction as a site superintendent. He is responsible for managing day-to-day operations, subcontractor coordination and scheduling for various retail center, restaurant, grocery and retail store construction projects. Duello has 25 years of experience in commercial construction. He is a graduate of the St. Louis Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship program.
Knoebel Construction, Inc. is a national general contractor specializing in retail center, restaurant, grocery and retail store construction.
Irace Named Engineer, Commercial at Murphy Company
Phillip Irace has joined Murphy Company as engineer, commercial. The announcement was made by Conrad Philipp, vice-president, commercial, for the mechanical contracting and engineering firm. Irace holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL, graduating summa cum laude. He will receive a Master of Science in mechanical engineering from Washington University in 2018, graduating magna cum laude, with a specialization is energy conversion and efficiency.
He joined Murphy full-time in June 2017 after having served as an intern for one year. Prior to that, he worked at Global Surgical Corporation as part of Washington University’s engineering co-op program. He is an ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) graduate student member, an affiliate member of ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers), and an EIT (Engineer in Training.) He is a member of Pi Tau Sigma and also played Illinois College football.
Kniesche Joins Murphy Co. as Engineer, Commercial
Nicholas (Nick) M. Kniesche has joined Murphy Company, a leading mechanical contracting and engineering firm, as engineer, commercial. The announcement was made by Conrad Philipp, vice-president, commercial.
Kniesche is a 2017 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia where he was on the Dean’s List. He also was 2015-17 president of Mizzou’s Mechanical Contractors Association of America student chapter, which is sponsored by MCA-EMO. The student chapter captured First Place in the Final Four Competition at the MCAA National Convention in San Diego in March 2017. The UMC chapter, although only three years in the making, also was named MCAA Student Chapter of the Year from among a total of 52 student chapters nationwide.
While studying at UMC, he also was executive treasurer of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) student chapter for which he also served as a mentor for architectural studies. He also was a member and subchairman of the marketing committee for Pi Sigma Epsilon, a professional business fraternity. Additionally, he was a member, executive secretary and member of the judicial board and finance committee, and Homecoming build chair for Alpha Tau Omega. An active community volunteer, he volunteered for Sacred Heart Church, Caring for Columbia, and the Thompson Center for Autism.
Kniesche served as a project management intern at Murphy Company during the summers of 2015 and 2016. Prior to that, he was owner-operator of Kniesche Home Improvement. He is OSHA-10 certified.
Murphy Company is one of the nation’s top mechanical contracting and engineering firms delivering innovative solutions to the commercial, industrial and institutional markets.
July 28, 2017
HOK’s Leah Hofferkamp Earns National Interior Design Award
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is honoring HOK’s Leah Hofferkamp as a future leader in the interior design profession.
Hofferkamp, an architect in HOK’s St. Louis studio, was named a 2017 ASID Ones to Watch award winner. The award recognizes rising leaders who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential and a willingness to push the boundaries of the interior design profession. Winners were honored at the ASID awards recognition ceremony in San Diego on July 13.
Hofferkamp focuses on projects for HOK’s healthcare clients. Her recent projects have included the BJC HealthCare Washington University School of Medicine Campus Renewal project in St. Louis, development projects for Indiana University Health in Central Indiana, and the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis. Hofferkamp also has helped create products for HOK Product Design.
Hofferkamp earned her master’s degree in architecture from Washington University in St. Louis and a degree in interior design from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
ASID includes 13,500 design members, 6,000 industry partner representatives and 5,500 student members in 350 chapters throughout the country.
HOK is a global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm.
Etegra Hires CTO RT Murthy
Mr. Thandav (RT) Murthy has joined Etegra as our Chief Technical Officer. As the technical lead, Mr. Murthy will support our areas of expertise including energy efficiency, PM/CM and the design of projects for secured facilities. Mr. Murthy will not only oversee active contracts, but will also assist in the winning of new contracts and supervise Program and Project Managers on active contracts with the USACE, AFCEC, USAF, VA, USDA and TRE.
He has extensive experience in professional civil engineering, including design, project management, program management, and construction management; with a focus on general/heavy civil engineering, facilities, dams, levees, tunnels, environmental compliance, NEPA, water resources, and conveyance.
Mr. Murthy has supported federal clients for more than 20 years, including USACE, USAF, GSA, USIBWC and numerous other state/local entities. Prior to Etegra, he served in the capacity of Infrastructure Manager for a large multinational Engineering Construction firm. His roles included being the functional group lead for design, construction management, program management, environmental, alternate financing and advisory services. He managed personnel resources and ensured adequate resourcing of all AE and PM/CM pursuits.
In addition, he was the Regional Federal Business Line Director responsible for sales, resourcing, program oversight, and the US Army Sector Lead for Texas and Oklahoma.
Spellman Brady & Company Hires Rachel Bartelsmeyer
Spellman Brady and Company, an interior design firm, is pleased to announce that Rachel Bartelsmeyer has joined its team as a Designer. She is responsible for interior design solutions primarily for senior living projects.
Ms. Bartelsmeyer earned a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design with a secondary major in Gerontology, the study of aging, from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. In addition to her interior design experience, she brings an abundance of client-focused service and specialization to the elderly community.
Spellman Brady & Company is an award-winning St. Louis–based interior design firm specializing in senior living, healthcare, and higher education environments.
Shawn Downey joins Knoebel Construction as Project Manager
Shawn Downey of New Haven, MO, has joined Knoebel Construction as a project manager responsible for overseeing all aspects of various retail center, restaurant, grocery and retail store construction projects. Downey has 15 years of experience in the construction industry. He is a graduate of the St. Louis Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship program.
Knoebel Construction, Inc. is a national general contractor specializing in retail center, restaurant, grocery and retail store construction.