The latest People in the News highlighting new hires, promotions, honors & recognition of the men and women in the St. Louis building community.
Murphy Company Adds Personnel
Lisa Feldhaus has been appointed as dispatch coordinator for Murphy Company. The announcement was made by Stephanie Oberle, service dispatch supervisor. Feldhaus has more than 25 years’ experience in customer service, most recently providing installation support and customer care within the HVAC industry. Prior to that, she served in customer service for a large insurance company. She is a graduate of McClure High School.
Drew Bartley has been named refrigeration project manager at Murphy Company, the area’s largest mechanical contracting and engineering firm. The announcement was made by Bob Eichelberger, manager, refrigeration solutions for Murphy. Bartley began his career as an HVAC technician and has worked in various industrial and institutional settings. Since 2015 he has worked in sales and service, most recently serving as a territory manager in the HVAC industry. He holds an associate’s degree in HVAC-refrigeration technology from Ranken Technical College. He is certified, Universal EPA and as an ammonia compressor operator.
Laura Wagoner has joined Murphy Company as service collection specialist. The announcement was made by Marty Coughlin, service accounting manager for the mechanical contracting and engineering firm. Since 2014 Wagoner has been an administrative assistant for a general contractor where she was responsible for invoicing and other bookkeeping duties. Prior to that she was a cashier and, later, a Courtesy Center manager at Schnucks.
Ryan Kramer has been promoted to a newly created position as service sales manager at Murphy Company, the area’s largest mechanical contracting and engineering firm. The announcement was made by Chris Carter, vice-president, service. In making the announcement, Carter said, “Since joining Murphy Company as a service account manager in 2015, Ryan has shown consistent growth of his portfolio of accounts, a strong focus on teamwork, and solid ability to develop and expand our client relationships. In this new role, Ryan will be responsible for implementing strategies to expand relationships with key clients as well as leading the performance, growth and development of our service account management and inside sales team.”
A graduate of Fontbonne University, Kramer was formerly director of sales for Alexander Manufacturing, a position he attained after just two years with the firm. Prior to his promotion in 2013, he served as key accounts manager, sales, managing more than 25 percent of the company’s overall sales, beginning in 2011. Before that, he served as a manager, Corporate Services Division of Cassidy Turley where he coordinated hundreds of franchisee and corporate turn-key projects for several national retailers and commercial enterprises. In that role he worked closely with contractors and subcontractors, value engineering ways to meet and exceed budget expectations.
Founded in 1907, Murphy Company is one of the nation’s top mechanical contracting and engineering firms delivering innovative solutions to the commercial, industrial and institutional markets. The firm employs more than 1,000 people nationwide. For more information, visit www.murphynet.com.
David Warning Promoted to Executive Vice President-Chief Credit Officer at Midwest BankCentre
David B. Warning, formerly regional president of Midwest BankCentre based at its Chesterfield branch, has been promoted to executive vice president-chief credit officer for the locally owned community bank. Warning leads the bank’s credit culture for all significant lending units, including commercial, consumer, mortgage and wealth management. His oversight ensures the bank’s asset quality objectives are met while supporting growth and diversification of the bank’s loan portfolio. Warning joined Midwest BankCentre bank in 2014. He has more than 30 years of commercial lending experience.
Warning has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. He served on the St. Louis Regional Chamber board of directors and the West County YMCA board. He was formerly president of the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce. Warning is a longtime volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.
Midwest BankCentre, a mainstay of St. Louis community banking since 1906, employs a staff of about 280 working at 19 bank locations in the City of St. Louis and St. Louis,
M Property Services Hires Dr. Ramona Tumblin-Rucker as Director of Design/Build & Construction Management
M Property Services (MPS) proudly announces the hiring of Dr. Ramona Tumblin-Rucker, PEng, MBA, MPM, CHC, as Director of Design/Build & Construction Management.
In her new position, Tumblin-Rucker will provide oversight to evaluate and monitor complete design/build project bids, construction schedules, proformas, budgets and project activities. She will also manage project implementation, including resource allocation, quality control, change order processing and risk analysis, as well as conduct field inspections and monitor building program success.
She has more than 30 years of project management experience, having previously served as Project Manager for McCarthy Building Companies and Legacy Building Group where she successfully managed projects of various sizes and levels of complexity in the healthcare, academic and corporate industries.
Tumblin-Rucker has a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, MO; MBA in Management from Oklahoma City University in Oklahoma City, OK; Master of Project Management from Keller Graduate School of Management in St. Louis, MO and Doctor of Management from Webster University in Webster Groves, MO.
Industry organizations she is a member of include: National Society of Black Engineers, Associated General Contractors of St. Louis, St. Louis Construction Forum, St. Louis Construction Consumers Council, Missouri Society for Healthcare Engineering, American Society for Healthcare Engineering, and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.
Founded in 1990, M Property Services, LLC (MPS) is a full-service real estate development, property management and brokerage firm based in O’Fallon, MO. For more information about M Property Services, visit www.mps-stl.com or call 636-561-9300.
Mike Trobaugh Achieves Certified Healthcare Constructor Designation
ASHE Certified Team Members Continue to Grow at Holland Construction Services
Mike Marchal, president of Holland Construction Services (Holland), is pleased to announce that Mike Trobaugh, Project Superintendent, has earned the designation of Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC) by the American Hospital Association (AHA).
The CHC is a national credential that distinguishes an individual as being among an elite group of 900 healthcare construction professionals in the nation. The CHC certification program is designed to provide an objective and rigorous assessment of broad-based knowledge in healthcare construction. An individual must satisfy eligibility requirements that incorporate a blend of education and associated healthcare-specific professional experience, agree to adhere to the professional standard of conduct, and pass the CHC certification exam.
Mike is the second Holland employee to achieve CHC certification. In addition, six Holland employees have received a Health Care Construction (HCC) Certificate from the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE, a membership group of the AHA). The ASHE HCC Certificate shows these employees have been trained to work in the health care construction environment.
Holland has built a strong reputation in the healthcare market completing over 50 projects throughout southern Illinois and the St. Louis metro area, including projects for BJC HealthCare, Memorial Hospital, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation, and SSM Health, as well as many oncology care providers and medical office buildings for physician’s groups.
Holland Construction Services is a full-service construction management, general contracting, and design/build firm based in Swansea, Ill., guided by the principle of providing our clients the best possible building experience on every project. For more information, visit Holland’s website at www.hollandcs.com.
May 10, 2019
S. M. Wilson Hires Four
S.M. Wilson & Co. has hired Michele Lord as Business Development Director, Matt Niemeyer as Virtual Design and Construction Manager, Tim Fischer as Estimator and Gwen Arenberg as Project Engineer.
Lord joins S. M. Wilson’s Business Development team with 20 years of experience in marketing, project management and business development with companies including Hellmuth, Obata+Kassabaum, BJC Healthcare and BSA LifeStructures. She holds a B.A. in Political Science with a Master’s in Higher Education. Lord will be the business development lead for S. M. Wilson’s healthcare market sector. She will also assist with higher education as well as acquiring new clients, maintaining existing relationships and elevating S. M. Wilson within the community.
Niemeyer is a licensed architect with experience as a Project Architect, Project Manager and BIM/VDC Manager. He will be responsible for developing and coordinating the firm’s virtual design and construction division. Niemeyer holds a B.S. in Architectural Studies from the University of Illinois with 22 years of experience.
Fischer will be responsible for assembling cost estimates and developing constructability reviews and value engineering studies for construction projects. He holds a B.S. in Information Technology/Multimedia and Visual Communications and has 15 years experience estimating fabrication and manufacturing, including build-out for corporate, educational and public facilities.
Arenberg is a licensed architect. She joins S. M. Wilson as a Project Engineer and will be responsible for helping establish procedures with the design professionals, consultants and Owner of projects for information flow, approvals meetings and reporting. She will also track shop drawings, submittals, material deliveries and RFIs through the duration of projects.
S. M. Wilson is a full-service construction management, design/build and general contracting firm with headquarters in St. Louis. For more information, visit www.smwilson.com.
Jeffrey Krus Joins Kwame Building Group as Project Engineer
Jeffrey Krus, of Byrnes Mill, Missouri, has joined Kwame Building Group, Inc. (KWAME) as project engineer. Krus’ responsibilities include project budgeting and estimating, contractor and subcontractor communications, site management and responding to RFI’s and submittals.
Krus has three years of industry experience as field project engineer. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Construction Management from Southern Illinois State University – Edwardsville.
Kwame Building Group, Inc. (KWAME) is one of the nation’s top pure construction management firms, dedicating 100 percent of its resources to project management services. For more information, visit www.kwamebuildinggroup.com or call (314) 862-5344.
Kirby-Smith Machinery Hires David Kellerstrass as General Manager, Product Support Sales
Kirby-Smith Machinery, Inc. (KSM) announced David Kellerstrass as General Manager, Product Support Sales. Kellerstrass will manage product support sales operations, which includes oversight of 16 product support sales representatives for the company. He will focus on growing parts and service opportunities for KSM, partnering with industry suppliers and engaging KSM’s customer base to ensure their satisfaction. Kellerstrass will work out of the Dallas office.
Kellerstrass has over a decade of experience in Komatsu dealership operations, joining KSM after a diverse 11-year career in sales and management at Power Motive Corporation in Colorado. In that position, he served in roles as a territory salesmen, rental operations and fleet general manager, and most recently as a corporate product support sales manager.
Kirby-Smith Machinery, Inc. was established in 1983 and is recognized as one of the premiere new and used heavy construction equipment and crane dealers in the country. For more information about Kirby-Smith Machinery, call 888-861-0219 or visit kirby-smith.com.
May 3, 2019
Tom Colyer joins Wiegmann Associates as Project Designer
Tom Colyer of St. Charles, MO has joined Wiegmann Associates as a project designer. Colyer is responsible for drafting and drawing 3D models of HVAC systems for various Wiegmann Associates projects. Colyer has eight years of construction industry experience as a designer. He holds an associate’s degree in Drafting and Design from ITT Technical Institute.
Wiegmann Associates is a St. Louis-based mechanical contractor and a national leader in design/build HVAC projects. For more information, visit www.wiegmannassoc.com or call (636) 940-1056.
Zig Piwowarski rejoins LANDCO Construction as Project Executive
Zig Piwowarski has rejoined LANDCO Construction as a project executive. His role is to ensure the successful delivery of multiple projects, while helping to build the client base and contribute to the strategic direction of the firm. He brings over 20 years of experience in the local construction industry, with a focus on client relations.
Piwowarski originally joined LANDCO as a project manager and estimator back in 2002, after beginning his career as a union carpenter in the field. He spent ten years at Cushman & Wakefield/Cassidy Turley/Colliers as a senior manager in project and development services. He then served as vice president in project and development services in the St. Louis region for Jones Lang LaSalle, where he managed all phases of multiple projects, representing landlords and tenants, while developing client relationships.
He rejoins LANDCO during the transition into new ownership and leadership under its president, Linda Bernhard, who has been with LANDCO since its inception. “We are extremely excited that Zig has chosen to rejoin our team. He is a genuine leader, and his industry knowledge and exceptional traits are a welcome addition to our organization,” said Bernhard.
St. Louis-based LANDCO Construction provides preconstruction, construction management and interior construction services. With the competitive advantage of strong partnerships in the design industry, LANDCO’s experienced and dedicated in-house team has delivered quality construction projects on time and within budget since 2001.
LaTonya Jackson Promoted to Community Partnership Business Development Officer at Midwest BankCentre
LaTonya Jackson, formerly leader of the Midwest BankCentre Friendly Temple branch, has been promoted to community partnership business development officer. The announcement was made by Erin Erhart, executive vice president of fee services and consumer banking.
Jackson focuses on building and expanding bank relationships with Midwest BankCentre’s community partners, faith-based institutions and nonprofit organizations. She will develop capacity and opportunities to expand bank services to clients in these market segments. Now in her fifth year of banking, Jackson joined the bank in mid-2016 and was previously the community development specialist for Electro Savings Credit Union.
Jackson has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Benedictine College and a master’s in business administration degree from Fontbonne University. She serves on the board of Better Family Life, Inc., Young Biz Kidz and the Hamiliton Heights Neighborhood Association. She chairs the youth committee for the St. Louis Regional Unbanked Taskforce and is the St. Louis regional co-chair for the Money Smart Planning Committee.
April 26, 2019
Color Art Promotes Vice President and Hires New Director
Local solutions provider continues growth in Midwest
Color Art, St. Louis’ largest interior solutions provider, is pleased to announce the promotion of long-time employee Jennifer Graham from Vice President of Workplace Strategies to Executive Vice President of Workplace Strategies and Design. Color Art also added Laura Kirk as its new Director of Architectural Solutions. Color Art is the largest commercial interiors solutions provider in the Midwest and has been family and employee-owned for more than 70 years.
The Workplace Strategies and Design team guides clients through discussions or workshops to uncover their business objectives and creates spaces that align with those goals. Graham moved from managing a small team of three to overseeing all design operations. She received her degree in interior design at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale and finetuned her AutoCAD skills at a metal manufacturer upon graduation. Graham became one of the first on-site Facilities Planners for Edward Jones and then held various roles and leadership opportunities at Knoll Textiles and Herman Miller.
Color Art has additionally hired Laura Kirk as the new Director of Architectural Solutions. By integrating architectural products, technology products, and furniture solutions, Color Art creates workplaces that enhance performance, inspire engagement and promote wellbeing. The Architectural Solutions team draws on research and experience, in partnership with clients, to elevate their interior environments. Kirk is a life-long St. Louisan with both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business from Fontbonne University. Working in business development for the past 10 years, Kirk built business for both Total Source and HumanScale in the St. Louis market by calling on A&D firms and commercial furniture dealerships.
“I thought it was the perfect timing. I love what Color Art has been doing in the market, so it was just an easy and natural next step,” said Kirk when Executive Vice President, Todd Nixon, asked her to join the team.
The largest commercial interiors solutions provider in the Midwest, Color Art serves clients in 30 states as well as internationally. For more than 70 years, its employees have earned a reputation synonymous with excellence, service, and integrity. As one of the nation’s leading authorized Steelcase dealers, Color Art prides itself on the knowledge it brings to every relationship and offers customers insight, advice, and partnership to help them create the best places for people to do their best work. For more information visit https://www.color-art.com
David Coleman Joins HOK as Regional Leader of Science + Technology in St. Louis
David Coleman, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, has joined HOK as a regional leader for the firm’s Science + Technology practice. He brings nearly 25 years of experience designing college and university projects, with a specialty in strategic facility planning, programming and conceptual design.
As a regional leader, Coleman will be responsible for leading Science + Technology projects in the region, guiding project pursuits and growing the practice. He will collaborate closely with current and future clients to deliver high-quality projects that shape campuses.
Coleman is a frequent speaker on trends impacting the design of higher education facilities at conferences including SCUP, APPA. NACUBO and Tradeline and has contributed articles to industry publications on topics such as leveraging technology in design to educate next-generation healthcare professionals.
Coleman is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis with a Master of Architecture and the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts. He is active in industry and civic organizations and is an alumnus of Leadership St. Louis.
With offices around the globe, HOK designs buildings and spaces that respond to the needs of people and the environment. HOK designers are rooted in technical excellence, driven by imagination and focused on a solitary goal: to deliver solutions that inspire clients and communities.
Guarantee Electrical Company Hires New Market Development Manager
Guarantee Electrical Company (Guarantee) recently announced the hiring of a new Market Development Manager. Nick Arb has joined Guarantee Electrical as the Market Development Manager for its offices in Missouri, Illinois, Colorado and California. Nick will be responsible for driving the company’s marketing and business development strategies to ensure the best representation of the company’s reputation, brand, culture and standards of service to its clients. Nick brings 10 years of experience in the electrical and construction industry, most recently as the Director of Business Development for Mid America Metals.
Nick will report to Don Brown – Vice President of Business Development, allowing him to capitalize on Guarantee’s long history of success and deep relationships in the construction industry.
Prior to joining Guarantee, Nick was the Director of Business Development for Mid America Metals where he successfully led the national sales program, corporate marketing, and business development initiatives which also included key account relationships, strategic partnerships and large project coordination. Additionally he has worked at Frost Supply as an Energy Solutions & Lighting Specialist and Marketing Manager.
According to Don Brown, “We are very excited to have Nick join the Guarantee Electrical team. His integrated experience in both Marketing and Business Development, coupled with his energy and passion for client relationship development will be a benefit to Guarantee Electrical clients and employees.”
A graduate of St. Louis University High, Nick also has his Bachelor of Science in Commerce from Santa Clara University.
Founded in 1902, St. Louis based Guarantee Electrical is consistently ranked among the largest electrical contractors in the United States. Its operations include branch offices in Granite City, IL. and Denver, CO, plus ongoing operations in California. The company provides full-scope electrical contracting, including preconstruction, construction, engineering and design, design-build, design-assist, value engineering, procurement, electrical and communications systems, service and preventive maintenance. To learn more, visit www.geco.com
April 19, 2019
Tarlton Promotes Korte to Human Resources Manager
Tarlton Corp., a St. Louis-based general contracting and construction management firm, promoted Denise Korte to human resources manager. Korte has more than 17 years of experience in the human resources industry. She is a certified Professional in Human Resources and Society for Human Resources Certified Professional with expertise in implementing policies and strategies, serving as a point of contact for staff and stakeholders and providing multiple human resources services and functions.
Korte joined Tarlton in 2017. She previously served as human resources manager at Progressive Medical Inc., where she managed full-cycle recruiting for corporate and sales positions, as well as conducted performance reviews and oversight of employee benefits. Korte also previously served as human resources manager at Paric Corp.
Korte holds a Bachelor of Science degree in organizational leadership from Greenville University in Greenville, Ill.
Jeremy Wood Joins Castle Contracting as Project Manager/Estimator
Castle Contracting has hired Jeremy Wood as project manager/estimator. In this position, he pursues project opportunities, manages project estimating activities and oversees the day-to-day operation of projects within Castle’s MEP Civil and Utilities market.
Prior to joining Castle, Wood served as project manager/estimator at Lawlor Corporation and project engineer at KAI Design & Build. His project management and estimating experience encompasses a wide range of institutional and commercial building projects, including medical clinics, multi-story hospitals, municipal buildings and higher-education facilities.
“Jeremy is a collaborative, detail‐oriented project manager with an exceptional record of success in delivering projects on time and on budget,” said Michael Pranger, vice president of operations, Castle Contracting. “Our clients will benefit from his expertise and commitment to achieving results.”
Wood earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology, construction management and design from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau. He and his family live in Warrenton, Mo.
Jasminn Jones joins Kwame Building Group as Project Engineer
Jasminn Jones of Florissant, MO has joined Kwame Building Group, Inc. (KWAME) as project engineer. She is responsible for managing submittals on the firm’s $450 million SSM St. Louis University Hospital project. She also ensures contract compliance, prepares project status reports and assists project management personnel.
Jones brings five years of experience in the construction industry, including an internship with KWAME. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Alabama A&M University and was a member of the Eta Kappa Tau Engineering and Technology Fraternity, Inc.
Kwame Building Group, Inc. (KWAME) is one of the nation’s top pure construction management firms, dedicating 100 percent of its resources to project management services. For more information, visit www.kwamebuildinggroup.com or call (314) 862-5344.