The latest People in the News highlighting new hires, promotions, honors & recognition of the men and women in the St. Louis building community.
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.
April 12, 2019
Cass Commercial Bank Recruits Hoeffner To Lead New Equipment Finance Division
Cass Commercial Bank has formed a new division focused on financing equipment purchases for businesses, not-for-profit organizations and municipalities through capital and municipal leases. Recruited to lead the new division is George Hoeffner, senior vice president.
Consistently ranked among the top-performing banks in the country, Cass Commercial Bank is a subsidiary of Cass Information Systems, Inc., (NASDAQ: CASS), a leading national provider of transportation, energy, telecom and waste invoice payment and information services.
Hoeffner joins Cass with 28 years of experience in equipment finance, the last six spent with Central Bank of St. Louis where he launched its equipment finance group. He previously founded Starboard Capital Group, Inc., an entity that marketed loan and lease products to middle market companies.
New Hires at AAIC Inc.
Paul Cermak has joined AAIC as Construction Observer / Inspector. With a Bachelor Degree from McKendree University Paul brings 28 years of experience in the AEC (architecture/engineering/construction) industry. Paul resides in Millstadt, Illinois with his wife Jeannie, they have two grown children and enjoys hunting and fishing and has been an IHSA Volleyball Official for 22 years. He will be responsible for observing and monitoring the work of contractors to ensure contractor compliance with project plans, specifications, methods and workmanship, acting as the company’s on-site liaison and interacting with owners, contractors, the general public and other project participants.
Brennon Vogt has joined AAIC as an Architectural Intern. With a Bachelor’s of Science in Architecture from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, he will be responsible for programming, design development, specification writing, estimating, and construction documents. Brennon is currently working on Dunkin Donuts that will be located in Lovejoy Library at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
IMPACT Strategies Adds Two Project Managers to Growing Team
IMPACT Strategies has expanded its team with the hiring of Terry Midgley as a Senior Project Manager and Justin Eilermann as a Project Manager.
Terry Midgley is a 39-year industry veteran with an extensive and varied construction background. He has managed large-scale projects including senior and assisted living facilities, hospitals/clinics, and federal buildings. Midgley holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. He is a resident of Lebanon, Illinois.
Justin Eilermann has 12 years of experience in construction, including field experience and project management. He graduated from Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, Missouri with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Technology. Eilermann resides in Breese, Illinois.
Mark Hinrichs, president of IMPACT Strategies, said, “As we continue to grow, we are excited about the contributions Terry and Justin will make as project managers. Their knowledge and industry experience are valuable resources for our clients and the entire IMPACT Strategies team.”
IMPACT Strategies provides innovative Preconstruction, Construction Management, Design/Build, and General Contracting services for Healthcare, Multifamily, Senior Housing, Retail, Warehouse/Distribution and Commercial clients in the St. Louis Metropolitan area and throughout the Midwest.
April 5, 2019
Knoebel Construction promotes Ryan Gierer to Senior Project Manager
Ryan Gierer of Villa Ridge, MO, has been promoted to Senior Project Manager at Knoebel Construction. He is responsible for overseeing all aspects of select retail center, restaurant, grocery and retail store construction projects, both in St. Louis and nationally. Gierer joined Knoebel Construction as Project Manager in 2014.
Knoebel Construction, Inc. is a national general contractor specializing in retail center, multi-use, restaurant, grocery, healthcare and retail store construction. For more information, visit www.knoebelconstruction.com or call (636) 326-4100.
Sam Welge Named Manager – Automation and Energy Solutions at Murphy Company
Sam Welge has been promoted to the position of manager – automation and energy solutions at Murphy Company, the area’s largest mechanical contracting and engineering firm. The announcement was made by Chris Carter, vice president, service.
Welge, who has more than 25 years’ experience in the industry, has served in several roles at Murphy since 2009. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He is both a Certified Energy Manager (Association of Energy Engineers) and a LEED AP (U.S. Green Building Council.)
Commenting on the promotion, Carter said, “Sam’s leadership abilities will be beneficial to the long-term growth of the Murphy Automation Controls team. Sam is able to leverage his background and experience to help clients adopt the latest building controls and energy solutions, and extend further services to our clients.”
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. Murphy offers process piping, HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing, design-build, piping fabrication, energy solutions and 24-hour service. The firm employs more than 1,000 people nationwide. For more information, visit www.murphynet.com.
Brinkmann Constructors Promotes Nikki MacDonald To Controller
Brinkmann Constructors has promoted Nikki MacDonald to Controller. In her new role, she is responsible for supervising all the accounting activities and processes within Brinkmann Constructors. “Nikki has played a critical role in growing and managing the department and she truly leads by example,” says Jennifer Funk, Vice President of Finance, “She has always taken on new challenges with a positive, ‘we can do this’ attitude.”
MacDonald joined Brinkmann in 2007 as an Accounts Payable Specialist, and subsequently advanced through the ranks to be promoted to Controller.
Brinkmann Constructors is an employee-owned, creative leader in the construction industry with offices in St. Louis, Denver and Kansas City. For more information, please visit www.BrinkmannConstructors.com.