Naomi Cohen Named to Wood Industry’s Prestigious 40 Under 40
Cohen Architectural Woodworking announces Naomi Cohen, director of design and engineering, has been named to Wood Industry’s prestigious 2020 class of 40 Under 40, a celebration by Woodworking Network of the next generation of industry professionals who are making an impact on the North American wood products manufacturing industry.
Cohen, age 32, joins a select group making an impact at their jobs, and in the community. Through innovation, motivation or inspiration, honorees are contributing in the areas of productivity, profitability, social good (locally or globally), ingenuity, innovation, peer inspiration, product development, and organizational leadership.
“It’s always difficult to select the best of the best when it comes to judging the 40 under 40 nominees. In addition to building successful businesses and careers, the Class of 2020 was rocked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the biggest challenge most of us have ever faced,” said Harry Urban, publisher of Woodworking Network. “I applaud this year’s honorees for their ability to keep their companies moving forward in the toughest of times while dedicating themselves to their communities and public causes. These are outstanding women and men who paint a bright future for our industry.”
This year marks Woodworking Network’s fifth annual awarding of the 40 Under 40. Entries were solicited in print, email and online at WoodworkingNetwork.com, with more than 140 nominations. The candidates were judged by a team of editors.
“The Wood Industry 40 Under 40 represents some of the talented people in our industry and I am most humbled to receive this special recognition,” Cohen said. “Much of the credit should really go to our clients who have allowed us to design and build customized commercial woodworking projects for over three decades, and of course to my team members at Cohen Architectural Woodworking.”
Cohen started from the ground up in this family owned business performing in a variety of capacities including working on the shop floor. Always interested in science and engineering, she built a remote controlled car that won an ACE international design award at age 14 and built a nitro-powered remote-control car the following year which took first place in both ACE national and international competitions. An excellent problem solver she has been involved with the company for some 15 years, has grown and taken on more responsibility, and is an integral part of the Cohen ownership group.
Founded in 1982, Cohen Architectural Woodworking is a family-owned architectural design/build woodworking firm headquartered in St. James, Missouri. Recently named a Forbes Small Giant as one of the top 25 small businesses in America, two things are obvious to anyone walking through our doors–we care about relationships and we care about excellence. For more information visit https://cohenwoodworking.com
July 10, 2020
Andy Howell Joins McCarthy as Business Development Manager
His role involves expanding McCarthy’s specialty market footprint within the industrial sector.
Andy Howell joined McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. as Business Development Manager for the firm’s Industrial business unit.
In this position, Howell cultivates relationships with potential clients and project partners within the industrial sectors. His focus is on positioning McCarthy to successfully pursue process, chemical process, power and petrochemical facilities throughout the company’s 28-state Central Region.
Prior to joining McCarthy, Howell served as senior field engineer at Hilti, Inc., where he provided technical expertise and training to structural engineers, architects, consultants, inspectors and contractors. He previously held technical engineering positions at Heitmann and Associates and Antea Group.
“Andy’s new role at McCarthy capitalizes on his strong engineering background, engaging personality and passion for industrial construction,” said McCarthy Vice President Aaron Lich. “He’s a great asset to our team.”
Howell earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Missouri. He’s pursuing a MBA with a focus in business project management from Missouri University of Science and Technology, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2021.
An active supporter of the local construction industry, Howell serves on the golf and trap committee for the Council of Owners and Construction Associates, Inc. (COCA), a local Construction Users Council serving the Metro-East area of Southwestern Illinois. He’s also a member of the St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers (SLCCC).
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is the oldest privately held national construction company in the country – with more than 150 years spent collaborating with partners to solve complex building challenges on behalf of its clients. More information about the company is available online at www.mccarthy.com or by following the company on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Western Specialty Contractors Announce New Branch Managers in St. Louis, Los Angeles
Western Specialty Contractors announces the appointment of two new Branch Managers: Carter Pogue at its St. Louis Concrete Restoration Branch and Guillermo Villegas at its Los Angeles Branch.
As Branch Managers, Pogue and Villegas are responsible for managing sales, daily operations and field personnel, plus developing new projects within their branch’s territory.
Carter Pogue, Branch Manager at St. Louis Concrete Restoration Branch
Pogue started his career at Western Specialty Contractors in 2003 as a General Cement Mason where he learned all aspects of Western’s restoration/waterproofing business. He moved into a General Foreman role in 2004, and in 2005 he was promoted to General Superintendent where he oversaw, coordinated, and executed multiple construction projects and subcontractor operations. In 2012, he was promoted to Project Manager and in 2016 was promoted to Assistant Branch Manager where he oversaw the successful completion of multi-million-dollar restoration projects. He has successfully overseen more than 1,200 restoration projects as a Superintendent and Project & Assistant Manager at Western.
The St. Louis Concrete Restoration Branch has served customers throughout Eastern Missouri and Southwestern Illinois since 1915. Commercial specialty services offered by the branch include caulking and sealants, carbon fiber reinforcement, chemical grout injection, concrete restoration, deck coatings and sealers, parking deck restoration, post tension repair, waterproofing and more.
Pogue is PTI Level 1 Certified through the Post-Tensioning Institute and is an active member of the Great Plains Chapter of the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI). The St. Louis Concrete Restoration Branch is recipient of the 2017 Building Enclosure Council Waterproofing Project of the Year, CETCO Waterproofing Project of the Year in 2012 and 2017, and Great Plains ICRI Project of the Year in 2014.
Guillermo Villegas Branch Manager of Los Angeles, CA Branch
Villegas has more than 16 years of construction industry experience. He started his career at Western in 2013 when he was hired as a Project Manager at the Los Angeles Branch. He served in that position for nearly five years until he was promoted to Assistant Branch Manager in 2017, then recently appointed Branch Manager. Prior to Western, he worked as a Department Manager at JTS Construction and Modular in Bakersfield, CA and as a Project Manager for Almira Restoration & Construction in Brea, CA.
Western’s Los Angeles Branch has been serving customers throughout Southern California since 1993. The Los Angeles office specializes in building cleaning, concrete restoration, epoxy and chemical grout injection, exterior wall coatings, masonry restoration, waterproofing, historical restoration and more.
In 2019, Villegas and his team were awarded the California Preservation Foundation’s Preservation Design Award for Technology and Craftsmanship for the branch’s role in conserving the Streamline Moderne facades of the historic Saban Building in Los Angeles. Villegas is a member of BOMA and IIBEC.
July 3, 2020
KAI Design Expands with Addition of Two
KAI Design proudly announces the hiring of Michael Andresen, AIA, CDT, LEED AP, as Project Manager.
As Project Manager, Andresen acts as the primary point of contact and the liaison between the owner/client and the design team on both public and private projects. He is responsible for the work quality, schedules and budget compliance for the project team.
He has 14 years of industry experience, having previously worked as a Project Manager for Vessel Architecture and Design in St. Louis and as an Architect at RDG Planning & Design in Des Moines, Iowa.
“Having Mike Andresen join our KAI Design team is a next growth plateau for our organization. He is a seasoned project manager with a wide range of project experience – including a particular emphasis with social infrastructure-driven markets such as community, education, healthcare and housing. Mike brings a well-rounded personal portfolio of solid business management, technical acumen and a passionate drive for design excellence. His alignment with KAI values, culture and mission are just terrific,” said KAI Managing Partner Brad Simmons, FAIA.
He is a Registered Architect with the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), LEED AP with the U.S. Green Building Council and CDT with the Construction Specifications Institute.
Over the last four years, he has worked as a Project Manager on six new construction and renovation projects in St. Louis totally more than half a million square feet of planning, design and construction. Prior to relocating to Missouri, Andresen spent 10 years working in central Iowa where he managed the sustainable design process on over 3 million square feet of new construction, including certifying 30 LEED projects – 10 of which achieved LEED Platinum certification.
Andresen has a Bachelor of Architecture with a Minor in Entrepreneurial Studies from Iowa State University. Andresen and his wife live in Olivette with their son.
KAI Engineering is proud to announce the addition of Ramona Nicula, PE LEED AP as Director of Electrical Engineering of its St. Louis office.
In her new position, Nicula will lead electrical engineering project design, work planning, electrical discipline recruitment and staff development. She will provide project oversight of St. Louis-led projects and lead the overall quality control of the electrical department.
“Ramona is a home run hire and a truly welcome addition to our KAI Engineering team. She brings a passion and commitment to engineering design excellence and meshes well with our KAI mission, culture and values,” said KAI Managing Partner Brad Simmons, FAIA. “Ramona is a mature industry veteran that brings a wide range of project experience. As a seasoned group leader, she is well known in our industry, understands our seller-model and is a proven performer with alternative delivery.”
Nicula has had a successful 25-year career in the industry, having previously served as Vice President of EDM Inc. and Engineering Manager at PayneCrest Electric, both of St. Louis.
She earned her engineering degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Transylvania University in Romania and an M.B.A. from University of Missouri – St. Louis. She is a member of the Electrical Board of Missouri and Illinois and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona, Texas, Maryland and California. She is also a LEED Accredited Professional through the U.S. Green Building Council.
When not working, Nicula enjoys skiing and biking. She resides in St. Louis with her husband and daughter.
KAI Enterprises is a national design and build firm providing delivery-oriented building solutions with a diverse portfolio of experience, in-house multi-discipline professionals, and expertise in both design and construction delivery. Founded in 1980, KAI has grown into one of the largest minority-owned firms in the AEC industry. KAI Enterprises is comprised of four distinct business units—KAI Design, KAI Engineering, KAI Build and KAI 360 Construction Services. To learn more about KAI, visit www.kai-db.com.
June 26, 2020
KAI Announces Hiring of Aaron Keistler, AIA, NCARB as Director of Architecture
KAI Enterprises is pleased to announce the hiring of Aaron Keistler, AIA, NCARB, as Director of Architecture in its St. Louis office.
As Director of Architecture, Keistler will manage staffing of the architectural and interior design team as well as lead the department’s vision, project guidance and standards. He will also pursue new projects with the team’s project managers and principals.
“KAI is delighted to have Aaron join our architecture and engineering business. I had the opportunity to previously work with Aaron and know what an asset he is to our design teams, our organization and our clients,” said KAI Managing Partner Brad Simmons, FAIA. “Aaron brings a high level of energy and enthusiasm that positively touches everyone. While still considered young in our industry, Aaron has the knowledge and maturity of someone with far more experience. His commitment to design excellence and knowledge of industry-leading technology are the differentiators. We are keen to see Aaron’s impact with our architecture studio.”
Keistler has eight years of industry experience, including four years as an Architect/Associate at FGM Architects in O’Fallon, Illinois; two years as an Architect at Jacobs Engineering in St. Louis and two years as an Architect at V Three Studios in Maplewood, Missouri.
He is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Young Architect’s Forum St. Louis (YAFSTL). He earned a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies and a Master of Architecture from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is also a Registered Architect with the State of Illinois and is registered through the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards Certification (NCARB).
Keistler resides in Affton, Missouri with his girlfriend and their dog Zoey Zobo, a German Shorthair Pointer. When not working, Keistler enjoys home improvement projects, dog training, hunting, fishing, camping and playing recreation league softball.
KAI Enterprises is a national design and build firm providing delivery-oriented building solutions with a diverse portfolio of experience, in-house multi-discipline professionals, and expertise in both design and construction delivery. Founded in 1980, KAI has grown into one of the largest minority-owned firms in the AEC industry. To learn more about KAI, visit www.kai-db.com.
The UP Companies Hires David Schwetz as General Superintendent
The UP Companies (UPCO) proudly announces the hiring of David Schwetz as General Superintendent in its new Kansas City office. Through UPCO’s Square UP Builders division, Schwetz will primarily focus on carpentry projects and will also support Regional Director David Murrell with expansion efforts in the Greater Kansas City area.
“In his new position, Dave will be responsible for recruiting, developing and retaining field personnel in the Kansas City area. He will also work to maximize productivity and efficiency on jobsites while creating and maintaining a workforce safety culture,” said UPCO Regional Director David Murrell. “We are pleased to have Dave join our expanding Kansas City crew, as this is an exciting time for UPCO and Square UP Builders in Kansas City.”
Schwetz has 25 years of industry experience. Prior to UPCO, Schwetz was a Foreman for BAM Contracting of St. Louis and Dahmer Contracting Group of Lenexa, Kansas. He also worked as a Superintendent for Fleshman Construction in Kansas City, Missouri.
“Dave is a tremendous asset to the UPCO team. He has built a successful career and has a reputation as a formidable leader, mentor and skilled problem-solver,” said Brian W. Arnold, Vice President of The UP Companies. “We are excited to have him on board helping to oversee our many projects as we grow in the Kansas City market.”
Schwetz lives in Blue Springs, Missouri with his wife Katie, who is a vice-president at State Street Corporation, and their two sons, George and Michael. George is in the Air Force and Michael is in the Army National Guard. During his spare time, Schwetz enjoys golfing and fishing.
The UP Companies (UPCO) is one of the region’s largest full-service contracting companies offering all-inclusive and convenient solutions for general contractors, owners and facilities management professionals. For a decade, UPCO has focused on its mission of Building UP Communities Through Innovation, Diversity, and Integrity, providing superior design and contracting services through each of its distinct business units—Power UP, Square UP and Hustle UP. For more information, go to www.theupcompanies.com or call 913.787.4063.
Kwame Building Group Hires Katina Shannon-Crawford as Project Administrator
Katina Shannon-Crawford of Spanish Lake, MO has joined Kwame Building Group, Inc. (KWAME) as a Project Administrator. Shannon-Crawford’s responsibilities include contract changes, tracking documents and maintaining staff schedules for the construction management firm’s projects, including the new St. Louis Major League Soccer Stadium and America’s Center expansion.
Shannon-Crawford has more than 10 years of experience in planning and executing large events and meetings. She holds a master’s degree in Education from Lindenwood University and a bachelor’s degree in Education from Harris-Stowe State University.
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. An employee-owned company, KWAME provides estimating, scheduling, project planning, value engineering and other project management services as an independent advocate for owners and developers. For more information, visit www.kwamebuildinggroup.com or call (314) 862-5344.
Murphy Company Adds Staff
Mary Young joins Murphy Company as accounts payable/payroll clerk. The announcement was made by Marty Coughlin, service accounting manager. With an extensive background in administrative responsibilities, Young most recently served as an accounts payable associate for a mechanical contractor. Prior to that, she held a position as an administrative assistant at an electrical consulting firm. “We are very excited to welcome Mary to the Murphy team,” said Coughlin.
Mackenzie King joins Murphy Company as data center services coordinator. The announcement was made by Eric Gottschlich, vice president – Data Center Services. A recent graduate of Missouri University of Science and Technology – Rolla, King received her bachelor’s degree in engineering management with a focus on industrial systems. Prior to that, she graduated from Mineral Area College in Park Hills, MO. with an associate’s degree. Mackenzie was recognized for her outstanding academic achievements where she made the dean’s list at each institution. Additionally, she founded an engineering honor society, as well as maintained membership in five other groups for engineering, leadership, and industrial honor societies. Mackenzie comes to Murphy with several years of experience as an engineering intern with a background in telecommunications, chemical engineering, and metallurgy. Aside from being OSHA 10 certified, she has also passed the Industrial FE exam and Systems FE exam. King is also Six Sigma Green Belt certified.
Madison Feldhaus has joined Murphy Company as service billing specialist. The announcement was made by Marty Coughlin, service accounting Manager. As a graduate of University of Missouri – Columbia, Feldhaus was most recently employed as a patient service representative for a local asthma and allergy relief clinic where she was responsible for a variety of administrative duties. Since 2012, Madison has been a volunteer with ManAdvantage, a non-profit association that helps children who have been affected by the death or disability of a parent. “We are very happy to have Madison as a part of our team and to help us grow towards our departmental goals.”, said Coughlin.
Carolanne Dukeman has joined Murphy Company as office clerk. The announcement was made by Tina Jones, executive administrative assistant/office manager. For the past two and a half years, Dukeman served as an administrative assistant for Sts. Joachim & Ann Catholic Church & School in St. Charles. From 2008 to 2017, she was a project manager, campus administrator and administrative assistant for EJ4, a video e-learning company. She attended University of Missouri-St. Louis. A dedicated volunteer, she serves as vice president of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians-St. Patrick’s Division, arranging Adopt-A-Family participation and helping to organize its annual fundraiser. For the past five years, she has been chair of the silent auction for the Sts. Joachim & Ann annual parish picnic.
Murphy Company is the area’s largest mechanical contractor with offices in St. Louis and Denver. For more information, visit www.murphynet.com.
Carolanne Dukeman has joined Murphy Company
Dennis Voss has been named president of G&S Architectural Products in St. Louis. The company is a subsidiary of Golterman & Sabo, a family-owned supplier of architectural products for the construction industry for more than 100 years.
Voss oversees the company’s specialized service and supply offering in the Midwest.
“We are one of the few suppliers that not only manufactures custom architectural products, we also do our own installation work in the bi-state area,” explains Voss. “Many of our projects are quite complex and our unique expertise in installing our products is highly valued by our construction partners.”
The company has won numerous construction industry awards for their work. “Since Dennis joined us in 1996, he has been a valued player who has continuously contributed to our growth and success, moving from various roles in project management to sales management,” says Herb Golterman, president of Golterman & Sabo. “Dennis is the first non-family member to become an officer of the company in our 75-year history, which underscores the significant contributions he’s made to our business.”
Voss holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from Southeast Missouri State University and MBA from the Keller Graduate School.
Dennis Voss Named President of G&S Architectural Products
Dennis Voss has been named president of G&S Architectural Products in St. Louis. The company is a subsidiary of Golterman & Sabo, a family-owned supplier of architectural products for the construction industry for more than 100 years.
Voss oversees the company’s specialized service and supply offering in the Midwest.
“We are one of the few suppliers that not only manufactures custom architectural products, we also do our own installation work in the bi-state area,” explains Voss. “Many of our projects are quite complex and our unique expertise in installing our products is highly valued by our construction partners.”
The company has won numerous construction industry awards for their work. “Since Dennis joined us in 1996, he has been a valued player who has continuously contributed to our growth and success, moving from various roles in project management to sales management,” says Herb Golterman, president of Golterman & Sabo. “Dennis is the first non-family member to become an officer of the company in our 75-year history, which underscores the significant contributions he’s made to our business.”
Voss holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from Southeast Missouri State University and MBA from the Keller Graduate School.