The latest People in the News highlighting new hires, promotions, honors & recognition of the men and women in the St. Louis building community.
ACG St. Louis Hires New Executive Director to Spearhead Continued Growth
The Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) St. Louis Chapter is pleased to announce the hiring of Amy Ruebsam as its new executive director of the St. Louis chapter.
Ruebsam will seek to strategically position ACG for future growth, while focusing on membership development and increasing sponsorship opportunities. Weintraub Advertising’s Association Management Division led by Darcie Carney, CAE, will continue to manage ACG’s administrative responsibilities.
“The Board is extremely excited to welcome Amy into our local chapter. We believe it will be a perfect fit,” said Kevin Prunty, ACG St. Louis President and Vice President at RGA Private Debt & Equity. “I am confident in Amy’s ability to take our chapter to the next level of growth and provide members an even better and stronger association.”
Her non-profit experience includes serving as the Chapter Manager of the Human Resource Association of the Midlands in Omaha, NE and the District Director of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, also in Omaha.
“Joining ACG is a tremendous opportunity for me to apply my non-profit and sales experience to enhance membership value and help grow the organization,” Ruebsam said.
ACG St. Louis’ 325 members drive corporate growth and mid-market dealmaking in the Midwest. Members include corporate CFOs, local banks, private equity and mezzanine firms, local investment banking professionals, area law and accounting firms and leaders at the area’s top advisory and service companies.
KAI Design & Build Expands Marketing Department with New Director of Marketing, Senior Marketing Coordinator and Promotions
KAI Design & Build has expanded its Marketing Department with the addition of new hire Daniel Poole as Director of Marketing and Michelle Gray as Senior Marketing Coordinator. Ashley Mensinger and Kristina Glassl were also promoted within the department.
New Hires
Daniel Poole, Director of Marketing – Poole has seven years of marketing and public relations experience, having previously led content marketing strategy for a Webster Groves, MO-based engineering firm. In his new position, Poole will be responsible for developing and implementing the corporate marketing strategy, promoting and improving process management, expanding and managing brand awareness, and engaging and leading the marketing team. He has a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Southeast Missouri State University and is pursuing his Master’s degree in Management & Leadership from Webster University. He is currently the Communications Director of SMPS St. Louis.
“2018 is already proving to be a big year for KAI. As we continue to grow, I’m focused on working with leadership to develop strategy that is innovative, thoughtful, inclusive and emphasizes our unique position in the industry and the communities we serve,” said Poole. “KAI has a compelling story to tell from their collaborative value offering to their incredible group of talent. There is an excitement in the air that fuels individuals to do great things, and it’s empowering. I’m excited to be part of something this special and proud to join the team.”
Michelle Gray, Senior Marketing Coordinator – Gray has 14 years of AEC industry experience, most recently as Senior Marketing Coordinator for an architectural firm based in Creve Coeur, MO. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Business with a specialization in Mass Communications and a minor in Spanish from the University of Florida. In her new role, Gray will play an integral part in proposal management and strategic messaging. She will also provide expertise in market research and trend analysis.
Promotions
Ashley Mensinger, Graphic Designer – Mensinger was promoted from Project Coordinator to Graphic Designer. In her new position, Mensinger will provide graphic and administrative support to the marketing department. She will be essential in helping build brand awareness and provide support in process management. She has five years of industry experience, most recently as a Project Coordinator at an architectural and engineering firm in St. Louis, MO. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from the University of Missouri – St. Louis.
Kristina Glassl, Marketing and Events Coordinator – Glassl was promoted from Marketing Assistant to Marketing and Events Coordinator. In her new role, Glassl will manage project photography, organize and direct company-wide events, oversee proposal submissions and manage the customer relationship management database. She has been with KAI since 2016 and previously worked as an Accounts Payable Specialist for The UP Companies. She has a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Dayton in Ohio.
KAI Design & Build is a national 100+ person design and build firm headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. A renowned leader in the industry, KAI provides design and build integrated project delivery solutions through collaboration, technology, processes and expertise. For more information about KAI Design & Build, visit www.kai-db.com or call 314-241-8188.
February 16, 2018
New Hires at Murphy Company
Maria L. Ogata has been named purchasing agent for Murphy Company, a leading mechanical engineering and contracting firm. The announcement was made by Dave Book, vice president – purchasing & facilities. Ogata has more than 18 years’ experience in commercial mechanical contracting with most of that being in the procurement area. “We are delighted to have someone with her extensive purchasing skills and experience join our outstanding team,” said Book. She attended both MacMurray College in Jacksonville, IL, and more recently, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.
Daniel Ruiz has joined Murphy Company as help desk technician. His appointment was announced by Michael Julson, network manager for the mechanical engineering and contracting firm. Ruiz has worked as a desktop support technical and service center technician since 2012. His work experience includes repairs and trouble-shooting of personal computers, smartphones and tablets. Earlier, as a manager/supervisor for two game shops, he also did troubleshooting and repair of electronic game systems. He has extensive computer skills and HTML experience which he also brings to his new position.
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.
Michael Delano Jr. Joins Striler Group as Project Executive
The Striler Group hired Michael Delano Jr. as Project Executive to lead industrial and commercial projects. Michael’s career includes over one billion of construction and development project oversight, including the New Busch Stadium (St. Louis Cardinals), Kauffman Stadium Renovation (Kansas City Royals), Marlins Ballpark (Miami Marlins), Ed Smith Stadium (Orioles Spring Training). He served as Owner’s Rep for the Oceana Key Biscayne and Oceana Bal Harbor ultra-luxury condominiums in Miami, FL as well as Business Development Manager for Coastal Construction Group.
Midas Hospitality Hires Director of Revenue Management
Midas Hospitality, a premier hotel management group, recently hired Morgan Bilek as Director of Revenue Management. In this position, Bilek will implement and execute the company-wide revenue management culture and philosophy. Her responsibilities include handling transient and group pricing strategies, creating a proper segmentation mix, and overseeing revenue management objectives and strategies in order to maximize hotel room revenue at all Midas properties.
Bilek has more than 12 years of hospitality experience. Prior to joining Midas Hospitality, she worked as the Director of Revenue Management for a hospitality management group based in Kentucky. She also has worked in a similar capacity for a hospitality property operator and developer in Wyoming.
Founded in 2006, Midas Hospitality has developed, opened and currently manages numerous properties including 40 hotels in 14 states. For more information, call (314) 692-0100 or visit http://www.midashospitality.com.
Longtime Contract Furniture Sales & Installation Veteran Joins Professional Installers, Inc.
Longtime contract furniture sales and installation expert, Dennis Popp recently joined the team at ProfessionalInstallers, Inc. (PI) as a Senior Project Manager. As the transformation of the office workspace continues to evolve, Dennis will bring best practice means and methods to PI, especially in the architectural wall installation area.
Prior to joining PI, Dennis worked for NewSpace Business Interiors. NewSpace is a St. Louis based contract furniture dealer and Teknion Authorized Dealer. Dennis brings 34 years of business interior sales and installation experience to the PI team. His primary responsibilities will focus on preconstruction, constructability and feasibility analysis, major project oversight, project logistics, estimation and architectural wall installation projects. Likewise, Dennis will be the installation liaison between architect, owner, dealer, and general contractor on projects.
With a B.S. in Business Administration from Southeast Missouri State University, Dennis’ understanding of complex projects lends well to the construction industry.
Dennis has most recently been instrumental working on projects such as Anders CPA renovation, Washington University Olin Library, Metal Exchange Corporation new offices, Nestle modular wall renovation and BJC IT Services Group reapplication of space. He is also currently on the Foundation Board of the Nazareth Living Center.
Grant Named MCAA Region E Vice President
Brian Grant, President of Grant Contracting Company in Fenton, Mo., was elected to the position of MCAA Region E Vice President at the MCAA Annual Meeting on January 25, 2018 during the MCAA Convention at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas.
Brian is currently in his thirty-fifth year in the masonry industry. He is a Professional Engineer, holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Brian is past president of the Mason Contractors Association of St. Louis, and the American Subcontractors Association-Midwest Council. Brian is also past Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Masonry Institute of St. Louis. He currently serves as Management Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Bricklayer’s Union Local 1 of Missouri Pension and Welfare Funds. Brian currently sits on the Mason Contractors Association of St. Louis’ Arbitration Board and is on the Board of Trustees for the Masonry Institute of St. Louis.
In addition to the Mason Contractors Association of St. Louis and the American Subcontractors Association Midwest Council, Brian is currently a member of the Mason Contractors Association of America, The Masonry Society and the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Grant Contracting Company, a certified masonry construction firm with an over seventy year history, specializes in commercial, industrial and institutional masonry.
The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) and our members welcome Brian to his new role.
February 9, 2018
Luby Equipment Services Promotes Vince Smith to Rental Manager
Luby Equipment Services, a St. Louis-based CASE Construction Equipment Dealer, has announced the promotion of Vince Smith to Rental Manager effective immediately. Smith has been the rental coordinator for the past 4 years based out of the corporate headquarters.
Prior to Luby Equipment Services, Smith spent 9 years as the Assistant Manager at Nu-Way Rents located in St. Louis. In his new role, Smith will be responsible for providing leadership in guaranteeing efficient procedures and management of all branch rental activities. He is replacing longtime rental manager Jim Bailey, who is transitioning into an equipment management role.
“Vince’s skills and experience will be instrumental in the future growth of the rental department as well as improving the customer experience,” said David Kedney, Sales Manager, Luby Equipment Services. “The rental industry is poised for accelerated growth over the next three years, especially in the St. Louis Metro area, and with Vince in this leadership role, we will be positioned to take advantage of these opportunities.”
Luby Equipment Services operates out of its headquarters in Fenton, Mo., and seven other branch locations. They serve their customers equipment needs with a variety of new, used, and rental equipment. The company represents several manufacturers, including CASE Construction, Takeuchi, Doosan, Indeco, Atlas Copco, Wacker Neuson, Oshkosh Airport Products, Eager Beaver and Towmaster trailers.
Erin Wright Joins Rosemann & Associates, P.C as Architect/Project Manager
Rosemann & Associates, P.C. is pleased to welcome Erin Wright to its St. Louis staff as Architect/Project Manager. Erin comes to Rosemann with more than 14 years of specific expertise in the multi-family and commercial sectors and brings an abundance of design experience with her.
Erin’s experience prior to Rosemann included project management for Capital Consultants and Checkmate Design, where she was instrumental in managing lender/investor inspections, physical needs and property assessments, plan reviews, construction document management and interior design of historic tax credit residential projects.
“We are excited to add Erin to our team, she brings a strong background in project management and a commitment to excellence,” said Jarrett R. Cooper, Vice President/St. Louis Studio Director.
Erin is a registered architect, LEED® accredited professional and served as a board member for the St. Louis Cultural Resources Office Preservation Board. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri.
New Hires at HOK’s St. Louis Office
Fatemeh Shirpour, has joined HOK in St. Louis. She will support the HOK office as design professional.
Shirpour joins HOK after receiving her Master’s degree in architecture from Washington University in St. Louis and after having previously been an intern with HOK. Shirpour is originally from Tehran, Iran.
HOK is a global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm. Through a network of 23 offices worldwide, HOK provides design excellence and innovation to create places that enrich people’s lives and help clients succeed. DesignIntelligence consistently ranks HOK as a leader in sustainable, high-performance design and technology innovation.
Jared Zipprich promoted to Senior Project Manager at McGrath & Associates
Jared Zipprich has been promoted to Senior Project Manager at McGrath & Associates, a 100 percent employee-owned general contractor and construction management firm. Zipprich has been with McGrath & Associates for more than three years as a Project Manager.
McGrath & Associates is a 100 percent employee-owned general contractor and construction management firm specializing in commercial, health care, industrial, institutional and pharmaceutical construction projects since 1983.. For more information, call Ken Knobbe at (314) 772-7600 or visit www.mcgrathconstruction.com.
The UP Companies Hires Paul Renaud to Head Up New Drywall Division
The UP Companies (UPCO) has hired Paul Renaud of O’Fallon, MO as General Manager of Square UP Builders’ new Drywall Division. As General Manager, Renaud oversees preconstruction and field operations including contract execution and administration, personnel training and career development, and the implementation of safety plans. He is also integrally involved in the division’s overall business planning.
“Paul’s experience and proven leadership skills are a real asset to our customers and to the outcomes they have come to expect from Square UP,” said Brian Arnold, Vice President of The UP Companies.
Renaud has 39 years of management experience, having previously worked as Director of Self Perform at Paric Corporation and as General Manager at McBride and Son Companies. He also served as Mayor of the City of O’Fallon, MO for 10 years and previously served on the St. Louis Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship Board and St. Louis YouthBuild Leadership Steering Committee.
The UP Companies (UPCO) is one of the region’s largest full-service MBE-certified contracting companies. For more information, go to www.theupcompanies.com or call 314.865.3888.