40 & under a/e/c professionals dandy dozen...
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Oct 18 | UTAHCONSTRUCTION&DESIGN | 5352 | UTAHCONSTRUCTION&DESIGN | Oct 18
DANDY DOZEN
UC&Dprofiles12young,up-and-comingA/E/Cprofessionals,eachofwhomismakingasizeableimpactattheirrespectivefirmsandcommunitiesthroughouttheBeehiveState.
12
Editor’s note:It’s always interesting to
look for a common thread among the
individuals we profile in our annual 40 &
Under A/E/C Professionals section, and
this year what stood out was that many
of them were in college or graduating
around the time of the ‘Great Recession’,
which hit most of the nation hardest
between 2008-10. Not exactly the ideal
time to pursue a career, yet they have all
managed to find considerable success in
their respective fields. >>
40 & Under A/E/C Professionals
NAME AGE TITLE FIRMDavid Vaughan 40 SeniorAssociate BeecherWalkerArchitectsPete Kane 40 BD/ProjectManager bowenstudiosBrad Welch 38 Associate VanBoerum&FrankAssociatesPhil Miller 38 Principal DunnAssociatesRyan Bevan 37 PresidentofConstruction GardnerCompanySpencer Little 36 Principal SpectrumEngineersJessica Ely 36 VPofDesign-Build CCIMechanicalBen Hansen 35 Associate MHTNArchitectsAlex Schwerdt 35 ProjectManager Big-DConstructionZach Bellows 35 ProjectDeliveryManager Adobe Mark Thimm 34 Associate ReaveleyEngineersTyler Denham 31 GeneralManager Ferrelgas
Oct 18 | UTAHCONSTRUCTION&DESIGN | 5554 | UTAHCONSTRUCTION&DESIGN | Oct 18
Our list includes a nice cross-section of
talent from the A/E/C industry, including
(by trade/degree) two architects (Vaughan,
Hansen), five engineers (Welch, Miller, Little,
Ely, Thimm), three construction project
managers (Bevan, Schwerdt, Bellows), a
design PM (Kane), and a general manager
(Denham).
David Vaughan, 40 Senior Associate/Project Architect
Beecher Walker Architects
DavidVaughanlaughswhilerecallinga
conversationhehadwithhisfathershortly
beforemovingtoSaltLakeCityin2009to
workasanarchitect.TheelderVaughan,
whoisadentist/orthodontist,wouldmake
anannualtrektoUtahtotheUltradent
ProductswarehouseinSouthJordanfor
suppliesforhispracticeandtoldhissonto
considercheckingouttheBeehiveStateas
apotentialcareerdestination.
“Itoldhim,‘I’llneverliveinSaltLake’,”
saidVaughan,aSeniorAssociate/Project
ArchitectforBeecherWalkerArchitects
(BWA).“Sixmonthslater,I’mlivinghere.
That’showmylifeworks.”
VaughangrewupoutsideMemphis,
Tenn.,andearnedaBachelorofArtsfrom
theUniversityofMemphis.Heworkeda
year,thenappliedforgraduateschool,
earningafull-ridescholarshiptothe
UniversityofArizonainTucsonand
ultimatelygraduatingwithaBachelorof
ArchitectureandaMasterofDesignand
EnergyConservationin2008.
Vaughn’sinterestinthebuilt
environmentinitiallycameviahistravels
todifferentplacesintheworldand
seeinghistoricalbuildingsandold-world
architecturalstyles,apassionhecredits
hisfatherforindirectlyfostering.He’sbeen
toChina,India,Scandinavia,Italy,Croatia,
Australia,Canada,andthisyearBelizeand
Alaska(he’sdesigningaHyattHotelin
Anchorage).
Croatiawasparticularlyimpressive,he
said,“justgoingtosomeofthoseoldtowns
andcitiesinSplitandseeingthesecool
architecturalbuildingsthatarestillintact…
hiddenpocketsofoldstonebuildingsthat
wereneverdestroyed.”
Hecreditsseveralrenownedarchitects
asprominentinfluencesonhiscareer,
including:SamMockbee,whoestablished
RuleStudioatAuburnUniversityandhad
cutting-edgeideasonrepurposingrecycled
materials;WillBruderofWillBruder
ArchitectsinPhoenix;RickJoyofStudioRick
JoyinTucson.
Withthetimingofhisgraduation
coincidingwiththestartoftherecession,
Vaughaninitiallytookajobwithafirmin
GrandJunction,Colo.,beforebeinghiredby
SaltLake-basedVCBOArchitecturein2009.
HejoinedBWAin2012,andhisexpertise
withRevit/BIMandhasbeeninstrumental
inhelpingthefirmadapttonewdesign
technologies.Hehasmanagedthedesign
ofover$300millionworthofprojects
duringhissixyearswiththefirm,including
severalClassA,millennial-influenced
corporateofficebuildings,manyinthe
‘SiliconeSlopes’area,includingYounique’s
headquartersinLehi,SoJoStationPhases
IandIIinSouthJordan,andGroveTower
inPleasantGrove.Otherrecentprojects
includethenew380,000SFIrvineOffice
ParkinDraperandtheFreedomBoulevard
mixed-useprojectinProvo,whichincludes
240,000SFofofficespace,20,000SFofretail,
1,400parkingstallsand200multi-family
units.Manyofthesehigh-techclientswant
buildingsdesignedandbuiltASAP,and
continuetopushtheenvelopeonunique
designcriteria,withanemphasisonmaxing
outin-houseamenities.
“We’redoingalotofdesign-build;we
don’thavesixmonthstodesignandthen
buildit–youhave60days,sometimes
90days,andfootingsarebeingpoured
whileyou’restilldesigningwhat’sabove
thefootings,”hesaid.“It’ssomethingI
reallylike,thefastpaceandcoordination
requirements.”
“Davidhasauniqueabilitytoconnect
withanownerandunderstandaworld
theyarenotsofamiliarwith,thattiestheir
producttoabuilding,designsthatwork
wellwiththeirbusiness,”saidLyleBeecher,
CEOofBWA.“Hehasaknackofputting
peopleatcompleteease.”
Vaughan,whoisasinglefatherwith
full-timecustodyoftwoboysages5and7,
saidheintendstoremainatBeecherWalker,
withagoalofbecomingaPrincipal/Partner
withinthenextdecade.
“Ineverimaginedmyselfhere,butnow
thatI’mhereIcouldneverimaginemyself
anywhereelse,”saidVaughan.“IloveUtah;
evenwhenmyboysaregrownandin
college,I’llalwayshaveaplacehere.”
Pete Kane, 40Business Development/Project Manager
bowen studios
Itdidn’ttakelongforPeteKanetocatch
onwithhisnewroleatSaltLake-based
bowenstudiosasaBusinessDevelopment/
ProjectManagementexpert,needing
literallyjustacoupledaystogethisfeet
wetatthecutting-edge3Darchitectural
rendering/visualizationfirmbeforehitting
thegroundrunning.
“I’vehadthreepeopleinthisrolebefore
–he’sdoingsomebusinessdevelopment
andsomeprojectmanagementbecause
theyoverlapsomuch–andourpeoplewere
saying‘wedon’tneedamiddlemangetting
intheway’,”saidcompanyfounderBrent
Bowen.“Becausehe’sdone(3Drendering)
before,heknowsthetechnicalside.Hewas
hereforthreedaysandIwentonvacation
fortwo-and-a-halfweeks…Igetbackand
he’srunningmeetings.”
AnativeofEasthampton,Mass.,Kane,
40,earnedaMasterofArtsinUrbanand
EnvironmentalPolicyandPlanningfrom
TuftsUniversityinMedford,Mass.,and
hadfive-plusyearscombinedexperience
workingasTownPlanner/Directorof
CommunityDevelopmentforthesmall
coastaltownofSwampscott,Mass.(3sq.
miles;pop.14,000).Healsogainedvaluable
experienceinthe3Drenderingworldasa
ProjectManagerforNeoscape,Inc.,working
atthefirm’sBostonandNewYorkstudios
guidingtheproductionofcreativeservices.
Feelinglikeheneededachangeof
scenery–turning40cansometimeshavea
‘mid-lifecrisis’effectonaperson,although
Kaneinsiststhatisn’tthecase–heupand
lefttheeastcoastforthemountainsof
SaltLakeCityinJune,andquicklylearned
aboutarecentvacancyatbowenstudios
viahispartnerKurtMassey,whodoes
landscapedesignandmasterplanningfor
BabcockDesign,andwhohadmetBowen
earlierthisyearthroughhiswifeDanielle,
whoisaGraphicDesignerfortheSaltLake
architecturalfirm.
“Itwasinthestars,”Bowenlaughs.
Kanesayshisnewroleisidealforhis
talents–acombinationofcreativeflairand
strongorganizationalskills.
“Ireallylikeworkingonthesecreative
projects,butalsobeingaconduit
betweenourproductionteamandthe
client,andlearninghowtospeakboth
jargons,”saidKane.“Thecreativeprocess
iswhatIreallylike.”
SincehestartedinAugust,Kanehas
beenredevelopingthefirm’swebsite,no
smalltaskgiventhemyriadopinionsof
thoseinvolved,inadditiontomarketingand
PMduties.Hiscorefocusisonbuildingand
maintainingrelationshipswitharchitects,
ownersanddevelopers,particularlyas
eachgroupbecomesmorekeenlyawareof
thevisualpowerof3Drenderingsandthe
abilityto‘experience’thebuilding,notjust
visualizeit.Designing3Ddigitalmodelsof
newstate-of-the-artbuildingsisthefirm’s
breadandbutter,butithasalsoexpanded>>
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P. 801.478.8100 @STEELENCOUNTERS
COMMERCIAL BUILDING ENVELOPE
SINCE 1985
40 & Under A/E/C Professionals
Oct 18 | UTAHCONSTRUCTION&DESIGN | 5756 | UTAHCONSTRUCTION&DESIGN | Oct 18
intodoing3Drenderingsofproducts,such
asfurniture.
“We’redoingmore(3D)visualization
forproducts;wecancreatesomethingand
finetuneitbeforetheyfinalizedesign,”
saidKane.“Theclientcanvisualizeand
experiencewhattheproductlookslike.
It’salotnicerthanaphotograph.Wecan
doacross-sectionofdetailsandseehow
mechanismswork.Sectiondetailsarereally
key;youcanseelayering,cutintoit.”
Thefirmhasdonemodelsfor
fitnessequipment,engineturbines,and
evencustomplanterboxesforalocal
manufacturer.Kaneisexcitedatthefirm’s
futureinthesesecondarymarkets,and
optimisticabouthisroleindrivingnew
business.
“It’sagreatopportunity,”hesaid.“I’m
excitedtobeinSaltLakeandgettoknow
morepeopleinthelocalindustry.”
Brad Welch, 38Associate
Van Boerum & Frank Associates
Fromanearlyage,BradWelchwas
intriguedathowthingsworked,even
askinghisparentsforbrokenelectronics
equipmentforChristmasoneyear.So,it
madesenseforhimtopursueacareer
inmechanicalengineering,oneofthe
quintessentialjobsforpeoplewholike
puttingtogethercomplexpuzzles.
WelchisanAssociatePrincipalfor
SaltLake-basedVanBoerum&Frank
Associates,afirmhe’sbeenwithsince
beinghiredin2005.Ironically,Welchcan
thankhisfatherRobforlinkinghimupwith
theprominentM/Efirm,astheelderWelch
ranavendingmachinebusinessfor15
yearsandhadoneatVBFA’soffice,despite
itnotbeingverylucrative,Welchrecalled.
WelchgraduatedfromtheUniversityof
Utahin’05withaBachelorofMechanical
Engineeringandhadaninternshipat
EastonattheInternationalCenterinSalt
Lake,runningtestsintheR&Ddepartment
–nothingremotelyclosetodesigning
HVAC/plumbingsystems.Hehadn’t
reallyconsideredtraditionalmechanical
engineeringuntilhisfathermadehim
submitaresumetothen-PresidentKim
Harris.
“Iwasn’treallyplanningondoing
HVACdesign,Iwasmoreintoaeronautics,”
saidWelch.“The(vending)accountformy
dadwashorriblebecausepeoplealways
bringincookiesanddoughnuts,buthe
kepttheaccountbecauseheknewthey
wereagoodfirm.Hemademesubmitmy
resume,andafterIinterviewedwithKim,it
appearedtobeabetteropportunityfrom
whereIwasat.”
WelchearnedhisUtahP.E.license
in2010andhasdesignedmechanical
systemsonawiderangeofnoteworthy
projectsincludingcity/municipalbuildings,
recreationcenters/icerinks,andK-12
schools,bothplumbingandHVACdesign.
TheseprojectsincludetheUSTARbuilding
attheUniversityofUtah,GallivanCenter
IceRinkPlaza,EmpirePass,Midvale
MunicipalCenterandtheVernalCityHall
&Courts.Inthepastcoupleofyearshe’s
transitionedovertobecomingakeycog
inVBFA’scommissioningdivision,which
allowshimagoodbalancebetweentime
intheofficeandtimeinthefield,where
heinspectsmechanicalsystemsasa
third-partyvendortoensuretheyoperate
properly.
“WithcommissioningI’mspending
moreofmytimeatjobsites–abouthalf
mytimeisatsites,”saidWelch.“SoI’mnot
usingAutoCadrightnow,notredlining
drawings.It’stakingcompleteddrawings
andgettinginformationoffofthem.It’sa
lotmorereportstowrite.”
Hecreditslong-timePrincipalsRich
ReederandnewfirmPresidentSteve
Shepherdasbeingmentorsinregardsto
designandcommissioning,respectively.
Reeder“helpedpushmeintodeveloping
myskillsetintomorethanjustplumbing
(design)…anddevelopinggoodprocesses
forworkingmoreefficiently,”saidWelch.
“Bradlookedlikehewas12yearsold
whenhejoinedVBFAin2005andInever
wouldhaveguessedthathewouldturn
outtobethesuperstarheistoday,”said
Shepherd.“Itisraretofindsuchatalented
engineerwithoutstandingpersonalskills.
Heislikedandrespectedbyouremployees
andclientsandservesonalmostevery
committeeatVBFA.”
Welchenjoyshiscurrentrolewithinthe
firm,andhopestocontinuemovingupthe
corporateladder,withaneyeoneventually
becomingaPrincipalwiththe46-year-old
firm.
“Rightnowwedon’thaveabig
commissioningteam;mygoalistostick
withitanddevelopthisdivisionofthefirm,”
hesaid.>>
40 & Under A/E/C Professionals
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Oct 18 | UTAHCONSTRUCTION&DESIGN | 5958 | UTAHCONSTRUCTION&DESIGN | Oct 18
Phil Miller, 38Principal
Dunn Associates
Becauseoftheuniquegeological
dynamicsoftheWasatchFaultandthe
potentialforseismicactivityintheSalt
LakeValley,buildingsthroughoutUtah
aredesignedstructurallymuchlikethose
inCalifornia,eventhoughtheBeehive
Statehasn’texperiencednearlyasmuch
seismicactivity.It’sanaspectofstructural
engineeringthatnonethelessdemandsa
greatdealoftimeandattentiontodetail.
“Fromayoungage,we’vebeentoldthe
‘bigone’isrightaroundthecorner,”says
PhilMiller,astructuralengineer,aboutthe
potentialforalargeseismiceventinthe
state.“Wegeteverybitthe(structural)
designchallengesthatCaliforniagets;we
havetodesigntosimilarlevelsof(seismic
codestandards),butnobodycanremember
anearthquakeofanyconsequence.”
Becauseofthat,anearthquakeisn’t
typicallyatthetopofthelistofsocietal
concerns.Thatdoesn’tdiminishthe
importanceoftheroleofengineerslike
Millerindesigningbuildingsthatwillstay
standingduringamajorseismicevent.
“Thereisapublicperceptionchallenge
todesigningforearthquakesthat,frankly,
ourbuildingsmayneverseeoverthe50to
100yearsoftheirlife,”hesaid.“Overhalfof
ourdesigneffortisdealingwithsomething
thatmayneverhappen.Earthquakesare
thatghostinthecloset.Youhopeitnever
happens.”
AnativeofSandy,Millerearneda
BachelorofCivilEngineeringin2005and
aMasterofStructuralEngineeringin2006
–bothfromtheUniversityofUtah–and
startedwithDunnonapart-timebasis
in’05.Hewasdrawntoengineeringatan
earlyage,basedonaninherentinterestand
appreciationofbuildingsandstructuresin
general.
“IalwaysknewIwantedtodo
somethingtechnical,andIlikestructures
becausetheyhaveatietosomething
physicalweallintuitivelyunderstand,”
saidMiller,whowasnamedaPrincipallast
December.“Iliketheprecisionofstructural
engineering.Therearealotofuncertainties
withanyengineering(discipline),butIlike
that(structural)theoriesarewell-developed
–youcansharpenyourpencilalittlemore
becausetherearemultipleapproachesto
anyproblem.Structuralhasalowerlevelof
uncertaintythanotherfields.”
Structuralengineersdesignnewand
seismically-upgradedbuildingsaroundone
primaryitem:lifesafety–designingthe
structuresoitremainsverticalsooccupants
cangetout.Millertalksaboutlayersof
statisticsandvariousmethodologies
engineersusetopredicthowbuildingswill
functionduringaseismicevent.
Healsotalkedaboutstudiesthat
havebeendonesincea6.3earthquakehit
Christchurch,N.Z.,in2011.Onlytwobuildings
collapsed,butdozensofbuildingswerenear
collapsesandsubsequentlycondemned,
makingadjacentbuildingsalsouninhabitable
becauseoftheneighboringthreat.
“We’rekindofatapubliceducation
nexusrightnow,”hesays,“wherepeople
talkaboutstructuralresiliency.Withanon-
resilientbuildingyoumightbeoutalive;
thebuildingmayormaynotbeoccupiable
(afterwards).”
Millerspecializesinpost-tensioned
concrete,andisparticularlyproud
ofbuildingslikeOverstock.com’s
HeadquartersinMidvale–aunique,one-
of-a-kindroundcoliseum-typestructure.
Notablecurrentprojectswithconcrete
structuresincludeAdobe’sPhaseII
expansioninLehiandTheMayflower,a
resorthotelatDeerValley.>>
40 & Under A/E/C Professionals
“Over half of our design effort is dealing with something that may never happen. Earthquakes are that ghost in the closet. You hope it never happens.”– Phil Miller
Oct 18 | UTAHCONSTRUCTION&DESIGN | 6160 | UTAHCONSTRUCTION&DESIGN | Oct 18
“Phil’sabilitytocreativelysolve
challengingproblemswithunparalleled
optimismhasmadehiminvaluabletoour
organization,”saidDaveDunn,Principal/
CEO.“Hisbodyofworkatsuchayoungage
isimpressive,havingbeentheleaddesigner
onthecorporateheadquartersforboth
OverstockandAdobehereinUtah.”
Ashe’sbecomingmorecomfortable
inhisroleasPrincipal,Millerislookingto
imparthiswisdomandexperiencetothe
firm’syoungerengineers,muchlikeRon
Dunn,Founderofthe23-year-oldfirm,has
donewithMillerthroughouthiscareer.
“Ronisverydynamic;hisdoorisalways
open,”saidMiller.“Hehasdescribedhimself
asabusinessmanfirst,withanengineering
acumen.Thenext10yearsformeishelping
ourpeoplegetbetter–that’smygrowth
now.It’snotlearninganewcode,it’snot
developinganewanalysismodel,it’steaching
peoplewhatIknow,passingitalong.”
J. Ryan Bevan, 37President of Construction
Gardner Company
Comingfromafamilywithastrong
backgroundindentistry(includinghis
father),RyanBevanfigureditwouldbea
logicalpathtofollow.Hisperspectiveon
afuturecareerchangedaftermeetinga
prominentgeneralcontractor,SidFoulger
(1921-2014),whileservingatwo-yearChurch
missioninBaltimore,Maryland.Foulgerwas
ahighlysuccessfulconstructionandreal
estateexecutive,foundingFoulger-Pratt
Contractingin1963andbuildingmanybig-
timeprojects,includingtheLDSWashington
D.C.Temple(aJVwithSaltLake-based
OklandConstruction)andtheonce-iconic
CrossroadsMallindowntownSaltLakeCity.
“HespoketoacongregationIwas
servinginandtalkedabouthisexperiences,
themiraclesthattookplaceduringthe
acquisitionoflandandconstructionof
theWashingtonD.C.Temple,”saidBevan.
Foulger’stalkwasdynamic–abrief,lessthan
two-hourinteractionthat“sparkedalightin
methatforeverchangedmytrajectory.Asa
resultofthatdiscussionwithSid,Idecidedto
changemypursuitstoconstruction.”
BevanearnedaConstruction
ManagementdegreefromBYUin2005and
initiallystartedatOklandConstruction
in2004asaquasi-intern,andclimbedthe
companyladderuntilhereachedProject
Manager.Hegainedvaluableknowledge
duringhiseight-plusyearsatOkland,
managingmyriadtypesofprojects
including26Targetstores,theTrolleySquare
RenovationinSaltLake,andthe22-story
high-rise222SouthMaininSaltLake.
Whileinthemidstofmanagingaproject
GardnerCompanywasdevelopingforF.L.
Schmidtin2011-12,hewasapproachedby
Gardnerexecutivesaboutrunningthefirm’s
internalconstructiondepartment.After
eightmonthsofnegotiationshetookthe
plunge,movingovertothe“darkside”of
privatedevelopment,hejoked.
“ItoldtheminitiallyIwasaliferatOkland
andhadnointentionsofleaving,”saidBevan,
whostartedatGardnerinJune2013asVPof
Construction.“It’sworkedoutwell.”
Businesshasindeedbeenbriskduring
Bevan’s5.5yearsatthefirm–he’smanaged
6millionsquarefeetofprojectstotaling
over$1.5billioninthattime,withabevyof
notablecurrentandfutureprojectsinthe
pipelineinthreeprimaryregions–Utah
(greaterWasatchFront),BoiseandLasVegas.
BevansaidmarketssuchasOffice/Mixed-
Use,IndustrialandMulti-Familyhavebeen
incrediblyhotthepastfiveyearsthroughout
theIntermountainregion.
“Kemhasbeendevelopingprojects
for45yearsandhesaidhe’sneverseen
the(commercial)marketatsuchafever
pitch,”saidBevan.“Thegoodnewsnowis,
unlike2008whenhousingmarketswere
compromised,themarketnowisbeing
drivenbyindustry.Wedon’thaveinterest
rateconcerns,althoughtheyarerisingabit.I
thinktherewillbeasofteningofthemarket,
butit’sstillreallybusy.”
AsaSeniorPMatOkland,Bevanwould
beinvolvedonaday-to-daybasiswith
1-3projectsatatime;now,he’srunning
morethanadozensimultaneously.
Healsooccasionalmoonlightsasan
adjunctprofessorteachingConstruction
ManagementclassesatBYU,andlast
Decemberheacceptedacallinginthe
ChurchofJesusChristofLatter-DaySaints
toserveasaBishop.
“He’smanagingmorethan10buildings
atonceforus–I’veneverseenanybody
soproductive,”saidGardner.“He’svery
knowledgeableabouttheindustryandan
assettous.”
“I’msolvingbiggerproblems,dealingwith
moreentitieslikemunicipalities,designers,
contractors,”hesaid.“Welearnfromwhatwe
completeandtrytobuilduponit.”
BevansaidGardnerCompanywasone
ofthefirstlargedevelopersinUtahtostart
incorporatingVRF(VariableRefrigeration
Flow)intoitsHVACsystemdesigns,
beginningin2013.
“It’smoreenergyefficienttouseaVRF
systemandonthefrontendwe’resaving
20-30%onmechanicalcosts,”hesaid.“Five
yearsago,weflewtoJapantostudyitand
soonrealizedthatintheseeasterncountries
allhigh-risebuildingsuseVRF.It’sfarmore
efficientwhenyouhaveamulti-officespace
withpeopleworkingrandomhours.”
CurrentmajorprojectsforGardner
Companyinclude:SummitVista,a1,500-
unitseniorlivinghousingdevelopment
inTaylorsville(anewdevelopmentmodel
thatBevansaidthefirmwilllikelytryto
replicatewithitspartnersinotherstates,
andpossiblymoreinUtah);a242-unit
housingdevelopmentinDraper(JVwith
WasatchCommercialDevelopment);a
newofficeheadquartersforrisingtech
firmPluralsight;a250-unitmulti-family
projectinBoiseadjacenttotheBoiseRiver;
apartnershipwithUNLVonHarryReid
ResearchParkinLasVegas(aplanned
100-acresitethatBevansaidwillmimic
ResearchParkattheUniversityofUtah);
JordanBluffsat7800SouthBingham
Jct.inMidvale–a268-acremixed-use
developmentthatisthesecondphase
ofView72,andwillincludeamixof
commercialoffice,retail,andmulti-family
projectsoverthenext5-7years.
Bevanappreciateswherehe’satin
hiscareer,andtheopportunitytomakea
differenceinmanycommunities,whichhe’s
beenquicktoobservefromGardnerhimself.
“Kemjustenjoysthisindustryandit
affordshimtodoalotofotherthingsbesides
realestate,”saidBevan,citingsizeablerecent
donationsbyGardnertotheUniversityof
UtahandIntermountainHealthCare,along
withhisinvolvementpoliticallywiththeKem
GardnerPolicyInstituteattheUofU.“The
industrygiveshimaplatformtodoalotof
good.AsemployeesofKem’s,wegetataste
ofthat.Therearesomethingsthatcan’tbe
taught.”
Spencer Little, 37Principal, COO of Housing and Hospitality
Spectrum Engineers
Justadecadeintohisprofessional
careerasanelectricalengineer,Spencer
Littlehasestablishedhimselfasan
innovativedesignerwithadiverseskillset,
risingtotherankofPrincipalandCOOof
HousingandHospitality,adivisionwithin
thefirmhe’shelpedbuildovertimeinto
a‘CenterofEngineeringExcellence’(one
producing$1million-plusannuallyin
revenues).
LittlecomesfromafamilyofUtah-
basedelectricalcontractorsdating
backtohisgreat-grandfather.Hisfather,
Byron,wasanelectricalengineerthat
wentthecontractorroute,ultimately
startingBeaconEngineeringandElectric
ofSaltLakeCityin2000.Littleworked
asanelectricianinhighschool,served
atwo-yearChurchmissiontoinnercity
NewJerseyfrom2000-02,andworked>>
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40 & Under A/E/C Professionals
Oct 18 | UTAHCONSTRUCTION&DESIGN | 6362 | UTAHCONSTRUCTION&DESIGN | Oct 18
forhisfatherwhilestudyingelectrical
engineeringattheUniversityofUtah.
Aftergraduationhewashiredat
Spectrumandquicklyfoundhisnichein
thefirm’smulti-familyhousing/hospitality
sector,amarketthathasbeenonfirethis
entiredecade.Littlesayshisexperience
asacontractor,thefactthathe’sinstalled
electricalwiringandsystemsondozens
ofprojectsandknowswhatittakestoget
thejobdoneonthatside,influenceshis
designs.
“Iknowaboutthevariouspartsand
piecesofelectricalcontracting,Iknow
howtoinstallsystemsandIcantalkthe
contractorlingo,sotherearealotof
advantagesofknowinghowtomakeit
work,makeitfit,whatyoucanandcan’t
do,”saidLittle.“Itwas…differentcoming
intothedesignside.Iwouldwanttowrite
anotethatsays‘installitlikethis’.It’s
definitelyhelpedmebeabetterengineer.I
trytonotdesignthingsthataredifficultto
install.”
HisfirstcoupleofyearsatSpectrum
coincidedwiththebeginningofthe
recession,soworkwasn’tasbrisk,butin
2010hesaidhelandedhisfirmlargemulti-
familyapartmentprojectinSugarhouse,
andbusinesshasbeenbriskandsteady
since.
“Nobodywasreallyinthe(multi-family)
housingmarketbecauseit’sadifficult
market,themarginsarenarrow…butit
wasinterestingtomeandIhadalotof
developercontacts,”saidLittle.“Afterthe
recessionthingstookoff.”
“Spencerhasbeenagreatasset
toourfirmsincejoiningSpectrumin
2008,”saidDaveWesemann,Presidentof
Spectrum.“Hisleadershipandtechnical
capabilitieshavecontributedtoourfirm
bybuildingandmaintainingaclientbase,
increasingrevenuesinourmulti-family
andhospitalitymarketsectorandleading
ourHousingandHospitalityCenterof
EngineeringExcellence.Heisagreatteam
builderandalwayslookingforwaysto
improvethecompany.”
Littlehasdesigned/isdesigningseveral
topshelfhospitalityprojects,likethe
WyndhamVacationResortsinParkCity,a
newhigh-endMarriottAutographhotelin
St.George,acoolboutiquehotelinMoab,
anewcondominiumbuildingatGoldener
HirschatDeerValley,andtheSnowPine
LodgerenovationatAlta.
Thehospitalitymarkethasbeen
particularlyinteresting,hesays,simply
becauseofthehigh-endnatureofthe
projectsandbudgetsthatallowforplush
amenitiesandoptimumaestheticdesign
elements.Hewasbackeastrecentlyat
anewshowroomforCoronetLightingin
Manhattan“learningmoreaboutlight
fixtures,andacoupleofprocessesonhow
theyassembleandtestthem”andsaid
thatindustryisalotmorediversewiththe
adventofLEDlighting.
“Oftentimesthehotelprojectshave
ownerswillingtospendmoremoney,so
wecandosomefancythingsinthelobbies
andamenityspaces,”hesaid.“Itallows
ustodomorecomplexdesignson…nicer
facilitiesingeneral.Lightingpackages
andfinishesarehigherend.Theyare
interestingprojectstodesign.”
Jessica Ely, 36VP of Design-Build Services
CCI Mechanical
AspartofanexerciseforanExecutive
MBAprogramattheUniversityofUtah
sheiscurrentlyenrolledin,JessicaElywas
askedtobringahandfulofthingsinabag
thatansweredthequestionasto‘why’
eachstudentisgoingthroughtheintensive
program,mostofwhomalsohavefull-time
jobslikeEly.So,shesnatchedphotosof
allherco-workersatSaltLake-basedCCI
Mechanical–Polaroidsofthemdeckedout
inHalloweengarb–andputtheminthebag.
“TheyarethereasonI’mdoingtheMBA
–Iwanttoleadthiscompanysomeday,”
saidEly,whoservesasVPofDesign-Build
Servicesforthebehemothmechanical
contractor.“Idon’tthinkit’sasecret.”
Fouryearsago,Elysatintheofficeof
DavisMullholand,CCI’sPresident/CEO,fora
routineemployeeevaluation.HeaskedEly
whatseatshewantedwithinthecompany.
“ItoldhimIwantedhis,”shesaid,rather
matter-of-factly.“Iwastheonlyonethat
gavethatresponse.That’smygoal,forsure.”
Itwouldn’tbewisetounderestimate
Elyandhertenacityandperseverance,
especiallygivenherexperiencesofthepast
twoyears.In2016,Elyandherhusband,
Dillon(whoshemetonanairplane),moved
toSeattle,wherehewastobestationedas
apilotintheU.S.Navy.InDecemberofthat
year,Dillonsufferedatraumaticbraininjury
fromanexplosionatwork,justsixweeks
afterJessicahadgivenbirthtothecouple’s
firstchild,adaughternamedEmerson.
Theinjurycausedhimtopermanently
losevisioninhisrighteye,alongwith
physicalandmentalcapabilitiesthathadto
essentiallyberelearned.
“Itwasatoughyear,”saidEly.“Itwas
like,‘really,Universe’?”Familyandfriends
ralliedaroundtheEly’sduringthisgreat
timeofneed:hermothermovedinfrom
thePhillyareaforafewmonths;Dillon’s
twinbrothermovedinforawhile;military
squadronfamiliesmademealsandhelped
withchoresaroundthehouse.Attimes
itseemedalmostoverwhelming,butEly
persevered.
“Youlearnwhatyoucando,”shesaid.
“Youhavebaddays,butthebaddaysaren’t
lifeevents.It’seasytoloseperspectiveof
that.”
AnativeofAltoona,Penn.(home
ofMallowCups),Elygainedaninitial
appreciationoftheconstructionindustry
throughhergrandfather,whoworkedas
aconstructioninspectorandwouldtake
herasayoungchildtojobsites,whereshe
remembersscribblingonsetsofblueprints.
ShegraduatedfromPennStateUniversity
withaMasterofArchitecturalEngineering
in2006–shesaidit’sanall-encompassing
buildingsciencedegree,withherfocus
beingonmechanicalandHVACdesign.
Herfirstjobupongraduatingwaswith
Flack+Kurtz(nowWSP),alargeNYC-based
consultingengineeringfirm,andthey
wastednotimethrowingher“intothefire”
shesaid,assigningElytheHVACsystem
designonthe60-story,600-ft.tallAria
Hoteltower,partofthegiantCityCenter
developmentonthefamedLasVegasStrip.
ShecommutedfromNYCtoVegasduring
itsdesign;whenthatsloweddownatthe
endof‘07,shewasofferedapositionwith
SouthlandIndustries’LasVegasoffice,
alargenationalmechanicalcontractor
whoworkedonAria.Southlandpromptly
assignedElytoaprojectteamworkingona
PentagonrelocationprojectinAlexandria,
Virg.,sothearduous,cross-country
airplanecommutescontinued.
“TheonlyplaceIwasevergoingto
meetsomebodywasonaplane,”she
laughed.Andthat’sexactlywhereJessica
andDillonmet,randomlysittingnextto
eachotheronalayoverflightfromChicago
toLasVegas.Shewasactuallyreturning
fromavacationtotheDominicanRepublic;
hewasheadedbacktotheUniversityof
Utah’sROTCprogramafterspendingafew
monthsatanavalbaseinRhodeIsland
andtookaslightdetourtoVegaswhere>>
40 & Under A/E/C Professionals
“Workwise, Utah is a great place. Our highs maybe don’t get as high as other markets, and our lows don’t get as low – we have this nice, protected market.”– Jessica Ely
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Oct 18 | UTAHCONSTRUCTION&DESIGN | 6564 | UTAHCONSTRUCTION&DESIGN | Oct 18
hisparentslived.Therest,astheysay,is
history.
“Don’tknockthatSouthwestopen
seatingpolicy!”Elycracked.
AfterDillon’saccident,theEly’swere
allowedtorelocateanywhereinthe
country.TheydecidedtoreturntoUtah,
andJessicawaswelcomedbacktoCCIwith
openarms.
“IhadalwayskeptintouchwithDavis
(alsoaPennStatealum)andwasfriends
withmostofthepeoplehereoutsideof
work,”shesaid.“Workwise,Utahisagreat
place.Ourhighsmaybedon’tgetashigh
asothermarkets,andourlowsdon’tgetas
low–wehavethisnice,protectedmarket.
Thisishometome,forsure.”
“Jessica’sabilitytoconnectwithpeople
whilebeingoneofthebestmechanical
engineersinourstatehasestablishedher
asanindustryleaderintheconstruction
community,”saidMulholland.“Sheis
highlyrespectedbystaff,peersandour
customers,wholooktoherforunbiased,
clearandhonestconversation.”
“Asanengineer,Jessicapossessesthe
extremelyrarecombinationoftechnical
expertise,akeenabilitytocommunicate
well,andthedrivetounderstandand
supportclientsinahelpfulway,”added
MikeBuell,ClientDevelopmentDirector
forCCI.
Dillonhasmadegreatprogresssince
theaccidenttwoyearsago,viaextensive
physicaltherapyandrehabilitation.He
recentlytooktheGREtestandscored
aboveaverage,andhashissightson
enrollinginaPhDprograminClinical
Psychology.
“Hecouldn’treadorwrite;we’ve
workedourbuttsofftogettothispoint,”
shesaid,thrilledwithhisprogress.“We’re
stillcontinuingdifferenttherapies.His
injurywassubstantial,buthisdriveis
muchgreater.”
Soundslikeamatchmadeinheaven–
oratleastinthesky.
Ben Hansen, 35Associate
MHTN Architects
2018hasbeenabusy,highlyrewarding
yearforBenHansen,bothonaprofessional
andpersonalside,beginningwithhis
promotiontoAssociateatSaltLake-based
MHTNArchitectsinJune,afirmhejoinedin
2010afterearningaMasterofArchitecture
fromtheUniversityofUtah.
HansenalsoinJunewasnamedan
AccreditedLearningEnvironmentalPlanner
(ALEP)bytheAssociationforLearning
Environments(A4LE),becomingonlythe
secondpersoninUtah(theotherisBrian
Parker,aPrincipalwithMHTN)withthat
designation.A4LEisaninternational
organizationthatfocusesonunderstanding
thebestprocessesforplanningand
developinglearningenvironments,and
Hansensaidhetooksixcoursesoverayear,
puttingin16hoursaweek.It’sbeenaneye-
openerinhelpinghimbetterunderstand
howdifferentspacesimpactdifferent
learningstylesofstudents.
“It’sbeenagoalofmineforawhileand
it’smorethanjustcheckingabox,”Hansen
saidabouttheaccreditation.“Probablythe
biggestbenefitistherelationshipsI’vebeen
abletocreatethroughotherindividuals
whohavethesameareasofinterest,who
liveoutsideofUtah.Thereisalotofenergy
regardinghowourschoolscanbetter
function,andhowweasdesignerscan
providebetterenvironments.”
HewasinvolvedwiththeLoganHigh
Schoolrenovation,whichhecalleda
‘reinvention’oftheschoolanditslearning
environments,giventhata‘WonderLab’
wascreatedwithintheschoolfiveyears
ago,aroughly3,000SFunusedspaceinthe
schoolwherestudentscould“imagine”a
betterlearningenvironment.
“Weperformedsomestudentand
facultyworkshopssowecouldlearnfrom
(them)astowhatitmeanstoreinvent
education,”saidHansen.“Wehadnew
remodeledspacesandclassroomswhich
arelearningstudios,andwithineachspace
wehadnewtypesofmaterials,newwriting
surfaces,(digital)technologies,furniture
systems,lightingstrategies–therearetons
ofthingstobetestedwithinthesespaces.”
Afterayearofobservation,thedesign
teamwasabletoincorporateideasfrom
thelabintotheremodelofLoganHigh,
whichwascompletedinAugust.“Wecallit
a‘prototypingprocess’,andwedeveloped
anewdesignthatcreatesgreatflexibility
withinlearningcommunities.Everyone
whohastouredtheschoolhasbeenvery
impressed.It’ssayingthatwedon’tneed
cookie-cutterschools.”
TheothermajoreventinHansen’slife
thisyearwasheandhiswifebecoming
licensedforfostercareintheirhome,and
theyrecentlygottheirfirstfosterchild,a
six-month-oldbabygirl,togoalongwith
theirthreechildrenages7,almost5,and2.
Hansensharedarecentexperience
regardinghisoldestdaughter,whois
becomingkeenertohisprofessionasa
designerofK-12schools.Hansensaidhe
wasreviewingamarketingvideoonhis
laptopthathighlightsMountJordanMiddle
SchoolinSandy,anaward-winningschool
Hansenhelpeddesignthatopenedin2016.
“Mydaughterwaswatchingovermy
shoulderandshesaid,‘dad,Iwanttogo
toschoolthere!’Thatwasactuallyreally
gratifying,tohavemychildseethespace
andwanttobeinit.Oneofmyphilosophies
withK-12designis,thesearespacesthese
studentsreturntoday-in,day-out–it’stheir
home.Wewanttomakeitaspacetheywant
tocomebacktoeverysingleday.”
“Benis…verythoughtfulinhisapproach
todesigninglearningenvironmentsand
alwaysconsiderswhatisbestforthepeople
whooccupythebuildingshecreates,”
saidParker.“Hisinnovativethinkingand
creativityarechangingtheparadigmin
Utahofwhatschoolscanbe.”
Alex Schwerdt, 35Project Manager
Big-D Construction
Inthespringsemesterofhersecond
yearatCedarCity-basedSouthernUtah
University,AlexSchwerdttookaclasson
framingaspartofaplantobearesidential
designer.Shequicklyrealizedthatworking
inconstructionwashertruecalling.
“Ihavealwayshadapassionfor
buildingsandarchitecture;Igrewupwith
mygrandfatherdrivingusaroundSan
FranciscoandIdaho,showingushomes>>
40 & Under A/E/C Professionals
“There is a lot of energy regarding how our schools can better function, and how we as designers can provide better environments.”– Ben Hansen
Oct 18 | UTAHCONSTRUCTION&DESIGN | 6766 | UTAHCONSTRUCTION&DESIGN | Oct 18
hehadbuiltwithmydad,andIjustkind
offellinlovewitharchitecture,likeFrank
LloydWrightbuildings,soIdecidedtogo
intosomethingthatwasinthatarena.”
Theframingclasswastohelpher
“understandhowstructuresworkandget
abettersenseofdesign.WhenIheardwhat
aprojectmanagerdoesinconstruction,I
knewfromthatdayIwantedtofollowthat
path.”
Schwerdtwasanexcellentstudentand
servedasPresidentofthestudentchapter
oftheSUUHomeBuildersAssociationfrom
2003-05,graduatingwithaBachelorof
ConstructionManagementfromSUU.She
tookajobdoingestimatingandproject
managementforHirschiMasonryinLas
Vegasforayearin2006-07,butstarted
seeingsignsoftherecessioncreepingin
anddecidedtomovebacktoUtah.
“Iwasworking70-to80-hourwork
weeksforafullyear,itwasjustalittlemuch.
IwalkedintoBig-D…theyinterviewedme
thatdayandofferedmethejobthenext
day.Itwasrandom,butitwasmeanttobe.”
SheworkedasaProjectEngineerfor
fouryears,anAssistantPMforthree,and
wasnamedProjectManagerin2015.She
hasdevelopedavariedskillsetduringher
careeratBig-D(shecelebratedher11th
anniversaryattheendofOctober),and
servesasLEEDsubmittalclerkwheresheis
responsibleforreviewingthefirm’smany
LEEDsubmittalstoensuredocumentsare
correctlysubmitted.Co-workersandclients
describeherasanenergetic,articulate
communicatorwhodevelopsgreatrapport
withteamssheworkson.
“Alexispassionateaboutherprojects
andthepeoplesheworkssidebyside
withinordertobesuccessful,andevery
customersheworkswithwantsherback,”
saidForrestMcNabb,PresidentofBig-D’s
MountainWestDivision.“Shedeliversupon
herpromises.”
Schwerdthasmanagedanumberof
high-profileprojects,mainlyinthemarkets
ofhighereducation,science/laboratory,and
healthcare,includingLindquistHallSocial
ScienceBuildingatWeberStateUniversity,
UnifiedStateLaboratoryModules1&2,S.J.
QuinneyCollegeofLawattheUniversity
ofUtah,theUofUGuestHouseExpansion,
MyriadGeneticsLaboratoriesPhaseV,an
additionfortheScienceCenterforHealth&
MolecularSciencesatSUU,andarenovation
ofWSU’sSocialSciencesBuilding,which
finishesupinNovember.
ShementionedtheMillcreekRecreation
Center(completedin2012)asa‘milestone’
project,asitwasoneofthefirstprojects
shewasinvolvedwithfromstarttofinish.
“WhenIwalkedinandsawhowmany
peoplewereinteractinginthebuilding,that
gavemethebiggestsenseofprideinwhat
Ido,andmademerealizeI’mmakingan
impactinmycommunity,”saidSchwerdt.
ShesaidhertimeatBig-Dhasbeen
incredible,andsheappreciatesthe
relationshipsforgedworkingonchallenging
projectswithsupervisorsandco-workers.
Schwerdtrecentlywentthroughadifficult
timepersonally,asherfather,Scott,passed
awaySeptember29afteralengthybattle
witharareformofcancer.Shedrewalotof
strengthfromherco-workersduringthis
period.
“IloveBig-D–it’sdefinitelyafamily
here,”shesaid.“Icouldn’timagineamore
close,supportivegroupofpeople.Forrest
McNabb,Icallhimmyseconddadbecause
he’ssuchagreatpersontogotoforadvice.
Hesupportsmealot.”
Schwerdtsaidherfather–a29-year-
yearveteranofNuSkinandPresidentof
theAmericasRegionfortheProvo-based
companyatthetimeofhispassing–was
herbiggestchampion,alwaysreminding
hertoremainoptimisticaboutvarious
challengesthatcomeduringalifetime.
“He’sbeenmybiggestmentorthrough
mycareer,”shesaid.“Hecouldtellmefrom
anexecutive’spositionhowtohandle
varioussituations.Hekeptmegoing
throughhardtimes.Healwaystoldme,‘bea
duck–justletthingsrolloffyourback’.”
Zach Bellows, 35Real Estate and Project Delivery Manager
Adobe
WorkingfortechgiantAdobeonreal
estateandconstructionprojectsoffers
uniqueperksforZachBellows,including
theopportunitytointeractwithpeople
fromallwalksoflifeacrosstheglobeand
developsignificantrelationshipwiththem.
Whathe’sfoundduringhisfive-plusyears
withthefirmisthatconstructionprocesses
worldwidehavemorecommonalitiesthan
differences.
“It’sbeenenlighteningtodoprojects
inCanada,SouthAmerica,Europe,and
learningthedifferentprojectdelivery
methods,”saidBellows,whostartedat
thefirm’sLehicampusin2013andwas
promotedtohiscurrentroleasRealEstate
andProjectDeliveryManagerinAugust
2015.“Therearelotsofdifferences,but
mysurpriseisinthesimilaritieswith
constructionacrosstheglobe.”
Infiscalyear2017,Bellowsmanaged
$35millionworthofconstructionprojects
intheAmericasregion,includingalarge
remodeloftheamenitiesspaceataSan
Franciscooffice(newkitchen,café,fitness
area,storageandconferencespace),
workplaceoptimizationprojectsinVirginia,
andOttawa(Canada),amongothersmaller
projectsat70+officelocations.
Hehasafullplateofkeyprojectsatthe
moment,inTexas,Maryland,downtown
Chicago,Toronto,Denmark,Romania,and
anewofficeinParis,nottomentionthe
exciting160,000SF,$90millionPhaseII
expansionofAdobe’salready-iconicLehi
campus.ThefirstLehibuilding–completed
attheendof2012–was280,000SFand
$107millionandhousesabout1,000
employees.Thenewbuildingisexpectedto
house1,200+employees,withanexpected
completioninfallof2020.
OfAdobe’sglobalofficeinventory,
about75%houseunder200employees;
onlyahandfulofsites–Lehiisoneofthem
–employ600-pluspeople,withexisting
largefacilitiesinSanJoseandIndia,and
projectedkeygrowthsitesintheNY
Metropolitanarea,SanFranciscoBayarea,
andSeattle.
“Theresourcesweputintojob
functionisunreal,”saidBellows.“Adobeis
aphenomenalmixofalargecorporation
andastart-uptypeatmosphere.Our
revenuehasgonefrom$3billionto$8
billion(annually)infiveyears,andthathas
providedampleopportunitiesforgrowth.
It’sbeeninterestingcomingupwithtools
andprocessesformanagingtheseoffices.”
BellowsisanativeofFairfax,Virg.,and
attendedBYUafterservingatwo-year
ChurchmissiontoArgentinafrom2002-04,
graduatinginConstructionManagement
in2008.Hegainedexperienceinthe
constructionfielddoingprojectengineering
andmanagement–includingsixstoriesof
high-rise,luxurypenthousecondosatthetop
oftheMandarinResortprojectinLasVegas
–butdecidedtoswitchgearsprofessionally
andventureintocommercialrealestate.
HespenttwomoreyearsatBYUand
earnedanMBAin2013inFinanceand
RealEstate.Hehadasummerinternship
duringthisperiod,aprogramwithWalMart
RealEstateProjectManagementand
ConstructioninBentonville,Ark.,andbriefly
consideredworkingfortheretailtitan,
givenitsvastrealestateholdings.
Hetookaproverbialshotinthedark
afterearninghisMBAandreachedoutto
JonathanFrancom,afellowBYUalumand
Adobe’sVicePresidentofEmployeeand
WorkplaceSolutionsinLehi,aboutpotential
careeradvice.Thecompanyjusthappened
tohaveanopeninginitsrealestate
department,andBellowswashiredshortly
thereafter.
“ThethingIlikethemostaboutmy
job,”hesaid,“isit’snotsuchastructured
environment,yetatthesametimeit
requiresaroomofpeople–experts,
consultants,variousstakeholderswith
Adobe.Themostrewardingpartisbringing
theteamtogether,makingsurepeople’s
voicesareheard.Youdeveloprelationships
thatarepersonalwhenyouhavetheselong,
intenseprojects.
“Zachisaproductionmachine,always
eagertotakeonmoreprojectsregardless
ofsizeorlocation,”saidJustinaHyland,
Director,ProjectManagementOffice.“Heis
ayoungprofessionalthatislaser-focused
oncostandschedulemanagement,with
theabilitytoshepherdtheoveralldelivery
process.”
Mark Thimm, 34Associate
Reaveley Engineers
Asastructuralengineerspecializing
inconcreterestoration,MarkThimmfinds
himselfattimescrawlinginandaround
someprettytightspacewhilehetakes
measurementsandcollectsvariousdata,
generallyunderthestructuresofbuildings
inneedofsomeformofrehabilitation/
seismicupgrade.
Sometimesthebuildingsareofgreat
importancetothecommunity,suchas
theSaltLakeCityandCountyBuilding,
whichunderwentarecentseismicretrofit
ofitsbaseisolationsystem.Thimmsaid
hewaspartoftheteamatSaltLake-
basedReaveleyEngineersthatdesigned
areceivingsystemthatwill“catch”the
buildingduringaseismiceventthatcauses
thebuildingtomovemorethan16inches
onthebaseisolators.Thesystemincludes
aseriesofconcreteshoulderwalls,withthe
firstfloorsupportedbylargesteelbeams.
Thimmsaid“wehadtodesignshoesand
bracketsthatcouldbeimplementedon
thesuperstructure,whilestillallowingit
toexperiencefullmovementonthebase
isolators.It’saninsurancepolicywehope
we’llneverhavetouse.”
“It’sverychallengingworkingin
confinedareas,”headds.“Ittookusweeks
tomapoutwherereceivingsystemsshould
goandwhereshoulderwallswillgo.It’s
notafunplacetobe.Insomeareas,you’re
crawlingthrough18inch(gaps),under
existingbeams,takingmeasurementand
calculatingangles.Theownersseeitasa
success;it’savaluablebuilding.”
ThimmwasborninSanDiegoand
cametoUtahatage7,hisfamilysettling
intheParkCityarea.Hisfather,Doug,isa
PrincipalatSaltLake-basedArchitectural
Nexuswhoownedhisownfirm,visited
Utahonaskitrip,anddecidedtomovehis
familytotheBeehiveStatein1990.
Thimmwasastandoutsoccerplayer
atParkCityHighandplayedcollegiatelyat
WilliamPennUniversityinOscaloosa,Iowa
andColoradoStateUniversityinPueblo.He
finisheduphisfinalthreesemestersatthe
UniversityofUtah,earningaBachelorof
CivilandEnvironmentalEngineering,with
anemphasisonstructures.
HejoinedReaveleyin2008immediately
outofcollege,earnedhisLEEDAP>>
40 & Under A/E/C Professionals
“When I heard what a project manager does in construction, I knew from that day I wanted to follow that path.”– Alex Schwerdt
68 | UTAHCONSTRUCTION&DESIGN | Oct 18
designationandUtahP.E.licensein
2014,andwaspromotedtoAssociatein
2015.Headmitsthatittooksometime
understandingconcreterestoration,
astherewerereallynospecificcourses
devotedtothatareaofstructural
engineering.He’slearnedawealthof
knowledgeworkingunderDavidWagner,
aProjectManagerforReaveleywho
overseesconcreterestorationforthe
firm.HesaysThimmoffersinvaluable
assistanceacrosstheboardonawide
rangeofcomplexprojects.
“He’sincrediblyefficient;hecanput
projectstogetherinathoughtfulmanner
andratherquickly,”saidWagner.“Aswetry
andsolveproblemsonaproject,Irelyon
hisreports.”
Anothercurrentchallenging
restorationprojectistheChurchOffice
BuildingParkingStructureinSaltLake,
whichThimmcalleda“majorundertaking”
onathree-levelstructureoriginallybuilt
50+yearsago.He’salsobeenpartof
recentconcreterestorationsatParkCity
MountainResortIceRinkPlaza,Bonneville
TowersinSaltLake,andtheUniversityof
UtahStudentApartmentTowerRepairs.
Hesaidhisfather’sworkdefinitely
playedaroleinhisdecisiontoworkinthe
commercialdesignarena.They’vebeen
abletoworkonacoupleofprojectteams
together,includingaresidential/mixed-use
projectinSaltLake’s9thand9thDistrict.
He’sexcitedabouthisroleatReaveley
andexcitedaboutfutureopportunities
toworkonlandmarkbuildingsinthe
Intermountainregion.
“I’mveryproudtoworkforReaveley,”
saidThimm.“AndIdolikegettingoutofthe
office,meetingwithclients,workinginthe
field.We’redoingalotofgreatwork.”
Tyler Denham, 31General Manager
Ferrellgas, L.P.
It’sbeensomethingofawhirlwind
forTylerDenhamsinceheenteredthe
propaneindustryinReno,Nev.,after
marryinghiswife,Christina,inthefallof
2010.Ashorttimeafterthenuptials,her
fatherpointedlyaskedDenham–whohad
mostlyworkedinandoutlocalcasinosto
thatpoint–ifhewantedtoget‘arealjob’
andcometoworkwithhiminpropane,
initiallyasabobtaildeliverydriverfor
Ferrellgasatage23.
Overthenextsixyears,Denham
gainedawealthofexperienceinboththe
propaneandhome-heatingoilindustries.
HestayedatFerrellgasthroughJune2013,
thenheadedeastwithhiswifetoWaltham,
Mass.,asshepursuedaworkopportunity
inthePsychology/Educationfield.
DenhaminitiallytransferredtoFerrellgas
inChepachet,R.I.,workingasaservice
tech,thenjoinedheatingoilcompany
Kerivan-LaneintheMetroBostonareato
helpitstartupapropanedivision,which
encompassedanarrayofjobdescriptions
–sales,deliveries,installations,training,
purchasing,scheduling,routing,pricing–
hebasicallycreatedtheentireoperations
infrastructure.
“Itwasanamazingopportunity,”
admitsDenham.“Theeastcoastis
differentregardingpropaneandIwasable
tolearnthehome-heatingoilindustry.I
grewmyknowledge–powergenerationis
abigmarket.”
InJuly2014,Denhamtookajobonthe
othersideofthecountrybackatFerrellgas,
thistimeasanAccountManagerinSan
Diego,whichexpandedhissalesrepertoire.
“Thisrolegrewmyunderstandingofthe
marketandtaughtmeessentialskills
whenitcomestobuildingandmaintaining
relationshipswithpast,currentandfuture
customers,”hesaid.Oneofhisbiggest
dealswashelpingthefirmlandacontract
toprovidepropanetoSanDiegoMetro
TransitSystem,whichhadconvertedits
buslinefromgastopropane.
ThecouplereturnedtoUtahin
November2016,movingtoFarmington,and
DenhamultimatelytookoverasGeneral
ManagerofFerrellgasinNorthSaltLake,the
youngest-evernamedtothatpositionwithin
thenationalcompanyatage29.Ferrellgas
isthesecondlargestpropanedistributor
intheU.S.withnearly800locationsinall
50statesasof2017.TheNorthSaltLake
locationhasfour30,000-gallontanksand
two18,000-gallontanks.
Inthe’17-18fiscalyear(Augustthrough
July),customeraccountsincreasedby139%,
grossmargindollarsareup232%,and
tanksetpercentageshavetripledamong
residentialandcommercialusers,plus
resellers.ThefirmisteamingwithaDenver-
basedfirmthatprovidespropaneheaters
onTheNewSLCAirportredevelopment,
withFerrellgasprovidingthefuel.
Denhamalsorecentlyhiredasales
rep,EarlLindell,tohelpdrivenew
businessinthecommercialconstruction
market,andwiththecorewintermonths
approachingthey’retargetinggeneral
buildingandheavy/civil/highwayfirms
thatneedtemporaryheatingsystemsand
equipment.
“We’regoingaroundtoconstruction
sitesandtalkingtocontractors,supers,
projectmanagers,tryingtofigureouthow
muchfueltheywillbeneedingduringthe
winter,”saidDenham.“MygoalasGMisto
growourcustomerbase;we’vebeendoing
verywell.”n
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