build houston december 2011

Build Houston Magazine • December 2011 / January 2012 • 1www.buildhoustononline.com

2 • Build Houston Magazine • December 2011 / January 2012 www.buildhoustononline.com

Dear Reader,I am happy to say that 2011 has been a very successful year for the ABC Greater Houston Chapter! This success is due to the outstanding participation of our members and the dedication of the ABC staff. In the beginning of the year, we were expecting some challenges that would make it difficult to reach the 2011 goals set before the association. Despite a dire economic outlook for the construction industry, the hard work and efforts of our members helped the association not only achieve but exceed our goals.

During the planning session for 2011, we wanted to make some changes to events and committees. One of the committee changes was the creation of the Young Professionals Committee, which attracts new leaders into active roles within the association to ensure continued growth and energy. We also implemented some changes in our speaker line up this year and attendance for these events was outstanding. The ABC National Economist, Anirban Basu, gave a presentation on the economic outlook for the construction industry in which he stated that Houston remains one of the brightest areas of the country for the construction industry. This year, the Excellence In Construction Awards

drew over 400 attendees who recognized 46 projects that demonstrated the abilities of ABC members in building the best and highest quality projects in the Houston area.

The Greater Houston Chapter, ABC of Texas and ABC National have been working to influence the political arena to benefit our members in conducting business in a fair market. This year was a year that demonstrated these efforts with the success ABC had on the State level—passing 9 bills that ABC supported which made changes favorable to our members. Also, in this previous Texas Legislature, ABC of Texas passed two bills that originated from the Greater Houston Chapter. ABC National, along with the Free Enterprise Alliance (FEA) and Political Action Committee (PAC), influenced the elections of Congressional members, nationwide, who have views that are aligned with free enterprise. I urge ABC members to stay active in the 2012 political year because our organization can and has made a difference on Election Day.

For me, this year has been very fulfilling and I have enjoyed my time as Chairman of ABC. It has been an honor to serve as the 2011 Chairman of ABC Greater Houston. I truly enjoyed getting to know all the individuals and companies that are active within ABC during my term. I want to welcome Dwayne Boudreaux as the 2012 Chairman and will give him all the support that he requests.

Neil Adams2011 ABC Greater Houston Chairman Senior Project ExecutiveGilbane Building Company

Letter From the Chair

Mark Your Calendar For The Following Events and Training Opportunities!

Visit www.abchouston.org or scan the Quick Reference Code with your Smart Phone for more information.

adams

December 7 - ABC Membership Orientation December 8 - 4 Hour Electrical Renewal December 10 - Rigger Performance Verification (hands on)December 13 - PAC Holiday PartyJanuary 10 - Lee College Registration

January 11 - Inaugural Dinner January 12 - 2012 Construction Leadership Form BeginsFebruary 6 - CMEF Board Meeting/Planning Conference March 12 - Spring Golf Tournament


Build Houston Magazine 3910 Kirby Drive, Suite 131

Houston, Texas 77098(713)523-6222

www.buildhoustononline.comPublisher/Owner: Associated Builders

& Contractors of Greater Houston Executive Editor: Jennifer Woodruff

Assistant Editor: Diem LeAccount Manager: Janice Peters

Graphic Design: Woodruff / Le

aBC LeadershipChairman

Neil adams Gilbane Building Company

Chairman Elect turner industries Group, LLC

Vice Chairman Lohn Zylicz

d.e. harvey BuildersSecretary

tim rickettsCajun Constructors, Inc.

Treasurertasos Banos TDIndustriesPast Chairman

Wayne NavarroS&B Engineers & Constructors

2011 Board oF direCtorsMike Abshire

Fugro Consultants, Inc.

Brian AndersonG.R. Birdwell Construction

Barry BabyakAustin Industrial, Inc.

Roger BerrySpawGlass Construction Corp.

Kevin BordelonZachry Industrial, Inc.

Jeff BurnettMarsh & McLennan Agency

Art CanalesChamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing

Matt DanielSkanska USA Building Inc.

Darlene EastHoles Inc.

John GolasheskyTurner Industries Group, LLC

Tom Kramer Manhattan Construction Company

Tad LewisMcCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

Bruce MarekMarek Brothers Systems, Inc.

John MarshallSatterfield & Pontikes Constr. Inc.

Joe MendykTurner Construction

James MorrisJacobs

Bob NussmeierBaker Concrete Construction, Ind.

Jim OwreyE. E. Reed Construction, L. P.

Rodney PageRef-Chem L.P.

Pat PollardTellepsen Industrial

Wendell RychlikW.T. Byler Company

Billy SpiesKBR

Christina Stone Gaughan, Stone & Thiagarajan

Jody Vowell Accurate Comfort Systems USA

Mark WilliamsFoster Wheeler USA Corp.

Ronnie WillsAggregate Technologies, Inc.

december 2011/January 2012

FEATURES:Pave Today, Drive Today: Satterfield and Pontikes provides an alternative to traditional paving through Rollcon, LLCLearn how Satterfield and Pontikes’ subsidiary Rollcon LLC is cutting days and even weeks off of projects with their roller-compacted concrete process. (P15)

DEPARTMENTS:LEgaL NEws

4 IRS Offers Amnesty to Employers Who Misclassify Employees as Independent Contractors

6 New Enforcement Procedures For Investigating Workplace Violence

INDusTRY NEws

10 2012 and Beyond: Houston’s Economy Remains Among the Nation’s Best Performers

FINaNCIaL NEws

16 Soothing the Health Care Cost Headache

18 Fleet Management: Warranty & Responsibility

saFETY NEws

20 Party Time! Safety Concerns to Think About During the Holiday Season

22 Do You Have a Vitamin C Safety Deficiency?

assOCIaTION NEws

24 ABC Members Recruit 27 New Members Using Social Media Campaign

IN ThE KNOw

26 People On The Move; Special Recognition; Project News & Company News

INDEx OF ADVERTISERS

Interested in Residential Construction News? Call the Greater Houston Builders

Association and ask about Houston Builder Magazine at (281) 970-8970.

Aggregate Technologies Inc. ................................ 12BIC Alliance .......................................................... 9Cokinos, Bosien & Young ..................................... 16Craig & Heidt, Inc. ................................................ 17Digitex Corporation ............................................. InsertE3 Electric, Ltd. .................................................... 5ExperTox .............................................................. 17Holes Incorporated .............................................. 14ISC Constructors, LLC ........................................... 28Marek Brothers Systems, Inc. .............................. 12

Memorial Hermann Southeast ............................ 25Mobil Steel International, Inc. ............................. 8Porter Hedges LLP ............................................... 13Professional Shoring & Supply ............................. 11Rig-Up Services, Inc. ............................................ 7Safety By Design .................................................. 13Satterfield & Pontikes Construction .................... 15Scott-Macon, Ltd. ................................................ 6TCA/The Compliance Alliance L.P. ....................... 19Texas Mutual Insurance Co. ................................. 7


The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) launched a new Voluntary

Compliance Settlement Program (VCSP) to enable

employers to resolve worker misclassification issues by

paying a small amount of tax in exchange for reclassification of

independent contractors as employees on a forward-going basis.

See IRS Announcement 2011-64. To be eligible for the VCSP, an

employer must:

• Consistently have treated the workers in the past as

nonemployees;

• Have filed all required Forms 1099 for the workers for the

previous three years; and

• Not currently be under audit by the IRS, the Department of

Labor, or a state agency concerning the classification of the

workers at issue.

Eligible employers may apply by filing Form 8952, Application

for Voluntary Classification Settlement Program, at least 60 days

before they want to begin treating the workers as employees. The

IRS will first determine whether the employer is eligible, and, if

so, contact the employer to complete the process. The IRS retains

discretion to reject any employer from the VCSP, even if the

employer otherwise meets the basic eligibility criteria.

The Benefit

Employers who participate in the VCSP must agree to prospectively

treat the class or classes of workers as employees for future tax

periods. In exchange, the employer:

• Will pay only 10% of the employment tax liability that

would otherwise have been due on compensation paid

to the workers for the most recent tax year, determined

under the reduced rates of section 3509(a) of the Internal

Revenue Code (IRC);

• Will not be liable for any interest and penalties on the

amount; and

• Will not be subject to an employment tax audit with

respect to the previous classification of the workers being

reclassified under the VCSP.

Participating employers will, for the first three years under the

program, also be subject to a special six-year statute of limitations,

rather than the three-year limitation period that generally applies

to payroll taxes. In addition, while no payment is due with the

application, full and complete payment will be due at the time the

VCSP closing agreement is returned to the IRS.

IRS Offers Amnesty to Employers Who

Misclassify Employees as Independent Contractors

“Eligible employers may apply by filing Form 8952, Application for

Voluntary Classification Settlement Program, at least 60 days before they want to begin treating the

workers as employees.”

LeGaL NeWs


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Whether it’s new construction, a tenant build-out, complete electrical retrofitting or even a singleswitch, our region’s best general contractors rely on E3 Electric for a full array of proven capabilities. Founded by highly respected industry leaders, E3 is among the most professional, dedicated and responsive electrical contractors in Texas. Simply put, calling E3 could be one of the best connections you’ll ever make.

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Potential Drawbacks

Employers currently undergoing any audit regarding questionable

classes of workers should think carefully about participating in the

VCSP. By applying for the VCSP, employers forego their rights to

assert “safe harbor” relief under Section 530 of the Revenue Act

of 1978 in the future, and thus potentially maintain independent

contractor status for the workers. Also, if the IRS does not accept

the employer’s application to participate in the VCSP, a roadmap

has been provided to the IRS for a future audit. Of further

concern, however, is that the three-year extension of the statute

of limitations appears to apply to employment taxes generally,

and not merely the classification of workers subject to the VCSP,

which may be a deterrent to employers agreeing to apply for the

VCSP.

In addition, if an employer is not currently under audit but has

previously undergone an audit, the company may still be eligible

for the VCSP if it has followed the results of the audit. It is unclear,

however, whether a cursory investigation such as one by a state

aBOuT ThE auThOR:

G. Mark Jodon, a shareholder in Littler Mendelson’s Houston office, is board-certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Mark can be reached at (713) 652-4739 and [email protected].

JodoN

workforce development agency into a claim for unemployment

benefits would constitute an audit for purposes of the VCSP. The

IRS will likely provide further clarification of how the VCSP will

work, such as whether unemployment benefits audits constitute

an audit or whether the three year statute extension applies to

all employment taxes or only the particular classification at issue.

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LeGaL NeWs


On September 8, 2011, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued its inaugural written enforcement directive for incidents of workplace

violence. The directive will be used by OSHA in evaluating whether to conduct an investigation into allegations of workplace violence. Moreover, the directive lists inspection procedures to be followed by compliance officers while conducting inspections as well as potential methods of abatement available to employers.

“Violence” DefinedThe directive defines “workplace violence” as “violent acts (including physical assaults and threats of assaults) directed towards persons at work or on duty.” The directive lists four categories of workplace violence based upon the relationship between the perpetrator and the target of the workplace violence. These include: (1) criminal intent (violent acts by people who enter the workplace to commit a robbery or crime or current or former employees who enter the workplace with the intent to commit a crime); (2) customer/client/patient (violence directed

at employees by customers, clients, patients, etc.); (3) co-worker (violence against co-workers by a current or former employee); and (4) personal (violence in workplace by a non-employee who has a relationship with an employee).

high-Risk IndustriesThe directive details numerous risk factors that indicate the potential for workplace violence, including: (1) working alone or in small numbers; (2) working late at night or during early morning hours; (3) working in high crime areas; (4) guarding valuable property or possessions; and (5) mobile workplaces.

The directive advises that inspections “generally shall not be considered” based solely upon threats by co-workers, but further states that such incidents may be referred by OSHA to the appropriate criminal enforcement agency, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or the National Labor Relations Board. Inspections may be initiated following a complaint, referral, fatality or catastrophic event (hospitalization of three or more employees) involving an incident of workplace violence. Inspections are more likely in high-risk industries or workplace settings that include the cited “risk factors.” Employers also may face citations for potential workplace violence issues during programmed inspections.

Controls The directive lists potential engineering or administrative controls available to employers to minimize or eliminate the risk of workplace violence. A few of the more obvious engineering controls include alarm systems, panic buttons and hand-held alarms. Employers with such devices also need to arrange for a reliable response system. Other engineering controls include metal detectors, closed-circuit recordings on a 24-hour basis, curved mirrors at hallway intersections or concealed areas, and locking of doors (in accordance with fire codes).

The directive states that administrative controls include changing management practices and procedures to reduce hazards, establishing liaisons with local police and state prosecutors,

New Enforcement Procedures For Investigating Workplace Violence

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requiring employers to report all assaults or threats, maintaining a log book of all reported assaults or threats, and advising employers of procedures for requesting police assistance or filing charges.

Prevention ProgramsThe directive provides advice on how an employer can develop a written workplace violence prevention program. These steps should include: (1) adopting a policy statement regarding potential violence in the workplace that assigns oversight and prevention responsibilities; (2) performance of a workplace violence hazard assessment and security analysis; (3) development of workplace violence controls; (4) implementation of a recordkeeping system designed to report any violent incidents; (5) training employees on the company’s workplace violence program; (6) annual reviews of the program; (7) development of procedures and responsibilities

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“The directive defines workplace violence as violent acts (including physical assaults and threats of

assaults) directed towards persons at work or on duty.”

(Continued on Page 8)

LeGaL NeWs


aBOuT ThE auThOR: J. Alfred Southerland’s practice at Ogletree Deakins focuses on labor and employment-related litigation before state and federal courts and agencies, including claims involving equal employment opportunity laws, unfair labor practices, wage and hour issues, unemployment compensation, wrongful discharge, state law tort and contract claims, occupational safety and health matters, and immigration. He also counsels clients regarding developments in the areas of counseling and discharge issues, workers’ compensation, family and medical leave, wrongful discharge, restrictive employment covenants, and compliance with the immigration laws. To reach Alf Southerland, call 713-655-0855.

southerLaNd

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in the event of a violent incident; and (8) development of a response team to provide immediate care for victims, re-establishment of safe work areas, and debriefing sessions with victims and co-workers.

It is also important to immediately retain counsel following any act of workplace violence. To prove a violation of the General Duty Clause, OSHA is required to show that workplace violence was a recognized hazard in the industry and that there are feasible means of abatement. The extent and manner in which a workplace violence inspection is managed by the employer will directly impact its ability to defend against OSHA citations and other potential civil or criminal proceedings.

LeGaL NeWs


Great things happen when business and industry connect

www.bicalliance.com For more information, contact Earl Heard in Baton Rouge at 800.460.4242 or Thomas Brinsko or Jeremy Osterberger in Houston at 281.538.9996.

Your Connection for Business and Industry News

With over 120,000 readers, BIC (Business & Industry Connection) Magazine is the Western Hemisphere’s largest multi-industry, multi-departmental energy publication. BIC Magazine targets key decision makers in the upstream, midstream and downstream energy sectors, as well as the power generation and pulp & paper industries.

Your Talent Acquisition Connection

BIC Recruiting finds the most qualified candidates for our clients’ open positions including executive management, sales and marketing, plus other key positions in the upstream, midstream and downstream energy sectors. BIC Recruiting has grown tenfold since 2009.

Connecting Buyers and Suppliers through Marketing, Communication and Training

BIC Media Solutions offers custom book publishing; training manual development; management, sales and marketing training; creative services; event planning; and keynote presentations on leadership, entrepreneurship, thinking outside-the-box, the “people secret”, the art of listening, and more.

Connecting Buyers and Sellers of Energy Related Companies

IVS Investment Banking offers complete investment banking services to help buy, sell or grow companies in the upstream, midstream and downstream energy sectors, as well as the power generation and pulp & paper industries. IVS has completed over $180 million in transactions since 2008.

A family-owned and operated company since 1984, BIC Alliance’s mission is

to “connect people in business and industry with one another for the betterment of all.” In a business setting, better usually means growth. When a company looks to grow, it can do so in three ways: an aggressive mar-

keting plan, hiring the right people and ac-quiring businesses (or obtaining capital for expansion). BIC Alliance Founder and CEO Earl Heard and his partner and son-in-law, Thomas Brinsko, have developed a unique business model to help businesses accom-plish all of these growth opportunities.

BIC MagazineBIC Alliance publishes the “BIC Mag-

azine” (Business & Industry Connection) 10 times a year. BIC reaches 120,000 mid- and upper-level managers and executives in the refining/petrochemical, drilling and exploration, pipeline, marine, terminal, pulp and paper, power generation and heavy construction industries.

IVS Investment BankingIVS Investment Banking is the merger

and acquisition matchmaking, investment banking and recapitalization affiliate of BIC Alliance. Through relationships and interest from strategic buyers such as BIC Alliance members and the limited uni-verse of private equity groups, IVS is able

to run a “dual-path” when representing sellers, maximizing value for its clients.

BIC RecruitingSince BIC Recruiting’s first placement

in 1999, its focus has been on sales and marketing management, general manage-ment with P&L expertise and mid- and senior-level sales executives. By working with its investment banking affiliate, BIC Recruiting has expertise in the placement of C-level executives for employers in ex-isting as well as new positions where merg-ers and acquisitions have occurred. BIC Recruiting has grown tenfold since 2009.

BIC Media SolutionsBIC Media Solutions is a communi-

cation, training and event planning divi-sion within BIC Alliance. It offers custom publishing of books about individuals and organizations and sales and marketing training manuals. It also provides turnkey event planning services and training via seminars and keynote presentations.

For more information on BIC Alliance, contact Earl Heard in Baton Rouge, La., at (800) 460-4242 or Thomas Brinsko or Jeremy Osterberger in Houston at (281) 538-9996 or visit www.bicalliance.com.

BIC Alliance: One-stop shophelps your company grow

BIC Alliance Founder and CEO Earl Heard, left, and his partner and son-in-law, Thomas Brinsko, have developed a unique business model to help businesses accomplish growth opportunities. BIC Alliance, along with its sister companies — IVS In-vestment Banking and BIC Recruiting — has recently begun to expand its presence in the upstream, mid-stream, heavy construction and maritime industries.


Texas’ ability to add jobs more rapidly than the balance of the country has attracted national attention for at least two reasons. The first is political, since one of the major

presidential contenders hails (again) from the Lone Star State. The second is economic, with many people from other parts of the nation attempting to determine why Texas has been disproportionately successful and whether this success can be replicated.

To a certain extent, much of Texas’ good fortune cannot be mimicked. Various analysts are now terming the next major growth industry in America as Energy Technology or ET, a play on the concept of Internet Technology (IT). Texas for reasons of history, corporate presence and geology is able to play a larger role in the ET industry than perhaps any place in the nation, with Houston serving as a major center of innovation within this industry category.

On a year-over-year basis through September, Texas added 248,500 jobs, or 2.4 percent to job totals, ranking the state 5th in the nation in terms of percentage job growth and second in absolute terms (California; 250,700). Sectors experiencing the largest year-over-year increases were professional and business services (+68,200); mining and logging (+38,800); construction (+35,400); and leisure and hospitality (+21,500). The biggest losses occurred in government (-33,700) and information (-5,700). The state’s construction industry now supports nearly 6.3 percent more jobs than it did a year ago, strong indication that the broader economic recovery is increasingly translating into construction opportunities.

Unemployment in Texas stood at 8.5 percent in September, or 0.5 percentage points below the national rate of 9 percent. The unemployment rate in Texas would be even lower but for the fact that many jobseekers are relocating to Texas to take part in what is perceived by many to be the deepest labor market in the country. The communities of Midland, Amarillo, Odessa, Lubbock, San Angelo, College Station, Victoria, Abilene, Longview, Austin, Wichita Falls and San Antonio each boast unemployment

rates below 8 percent. In contrast, communities such as El Paso, Beaumont, Brownsville, and McAllen wrestle with unemployment rates still in double-digits.

As one of the first major metropolitan areas to emerge from the recession, Houston continues to be one of the nation’s and Texas’ strongest economies. According to the U.S. Labor Department Bureau of Labor Statistics, from September 2010 to September 2011, nonfarm employment rose 2.7 percent in the region compared to the national increase of 1.1 percent and the statewide increase of 2.4 percent. Among the 12 largest metropolitan areas in the country, Houston ranked second both in terms of year-over-year percentage job growth and net jobs added, trailing only Dallas along both dimensions. Houstonians can take heart, however, in the fact that their football team is much better. Unemployment in Houston stood at 8.6 percent in

Houston’s Economy Remains Among the

Nation’s Best PerformersHouston’s Performance Part of a

Broader Lone Star Story

(Continued on Page 12)

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aBOuT ThE auThOR: Anirban Basu was named Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) chief economist in February 2008. His primary responsibility is to provide ABC with timely, comprehensive analyses of important trends in the U.S. commercial and industrial construction industry. Basu produces ABC’s electronic economic news report, Construction Economic Update, which includes an analysis of the following federal government economic indicators upon their release: construction spending, employment, producer price index and gross domestic product. Basu

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September 2011, or half a percentage point below the national average.

The steadily growing regional economy is increasingly apparent in local real estate data. During the third quarter of 2011, net office space absorption in the Houston area totaled 1,598,223 square feet and the regional office vacancy rate has fallen for a third consecutive quarter to 15.4 percent. Demand in the West Houston submarkets is unrelenting. According to CB Richard Ellis, several large leases were signed in the Energy Corridor and Katy Freeway submarkets during the third quarter, including BP, Nexen and General Electric.

Looking aheadFor now, the pace of recovery for the nation’s construction industry remains soft. According to McGraw-Hill Construction’s Dodge Report, new construction starts are forecast to be approximately $412 billion in 2012, essentially the same as in 2011. Growing private construction continues to barely offset shrinking public construction. In fact, in September, nonresidential construction in the United States slipped 0.1 percent on a monthly basis.

However, certain segments are better poised for stronger growth. Leading the way in recent months has been construction related to the nation’s power industry, which expanded more than 21 percent over a recent twelve-month period. The energy of America appears to be in energy, and the growth of this economic segment has been particularly impactful in a number of states, including Texas.

Healthcare represents another likely candidate for economic expansion. This is true for a number of reasons, including thawing credit markets, the nation’s demographics and healthcare reform, which will continue to increase the number of Americans with insurance and therefore enhance utilization.

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p o r t e r h e d g e s . c o mP O R T E R H E D G E S L L P , A T T O R N E Y S A T L A WS p e c i f i c r e s u l t s d e p e n d o n t h e f a c t s o f e a c h m a t t e r .

Our construction team relationships by providing clients with solutions based on experience.

builds

Porter Hedges – Construction Group AdABC Build Houston - Dec-2011/Jan-2011 issue7.5 x 5


of the recent RCC Symposium. Among the many attendees was Ken Norsworthy, Asst. Chief Construction Manager for the Port of Houston Authority. “Our first project of RCC started in 2006,” he states. “Currently, Rollcon and S&P are going to place the next phase of the project, which is Gate 3.”

Clinton Bailey, City Engineer for the City of San Angelo, also attended Rollcon’s demonstration. “We’re looking for long-term paving options,

something other than asphalt. Lower maintenance, better longevity, ease of construction, competitive pricing. Any time that we can cut even days or weeks off a project, it makes a huge positive impact on the community.”

David Pittman of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers adds: “The Corps of Engineers needs it. The public agencies need it.”

Rollcon, LLC is on a roll. Its client list continues to steadily grow along with its geographical reach. Though local to Houston, Rollcon’s crews and equipment stand ready to travel to locations anywhere in the U.S. for both public sector and private industry clients.

Paved today…you can drive on it today. Concrete paving without the concrete price. With roller-compacted concrete, you enjoy these impressive benefits and many more.

A subsidiary of Satterfield & Pontikes Construction, Inc. (S&P), Rollcon LLC offers complete planning, design and construction solutions for roller-compacted concrete (RCC) paving projects, and Rollcon’s ability to self-perform provides greater project control and more competitive pricing.

“RCC is not a complicated process,” Rollcon’s managing partner Chris Gwyn explains. “We mix aggregate, cement and water in an on-site continuous portable pugmill. The mixture is transported by dump truck to a high-density paving machine. The mix is placed with a screed from the back of the machine, then is further compacted with a roller to obtain the proper density.”

Roller-compacted concrete is a fast, economical construction system that is typically less expensive than conventional concrete and more durable than asphalt. RCC requires no forms, finishing, texturing, reinforcing, joint sawing and sealing. RCC is perfectly suited for paving large expanses, such as truck yards, military and maintenance facilities, parking lots, container terminals and aircraft parking areas. It is also becoming more widely used on city and residential streets.

Rollcon was asked to conduct an RCC demonstration at the Port of Houston Bayport Container Terminal for more than 100 attendees

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“Any time that we can cut even days or weeks off a project, it makes a huge positive

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– Clinton Bailey, City EngineerCity of San Angelo

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Whatever your view on the recent passage of the Health Care Reform Bill (PPACA), there can be no argument that health care in America is expensive.

With the cost of health insurance on the rise, businesses big and small are struggling to provide a decent plan for their employees; and a good benefits program is vital for companies who are trying to recruit skilled talent and retain key employees.

The issue of health care has become a real headache. What is a budget strapped employer to do to maintain this benefit?

Solutions to reduce the cost of health care should be considered, and there are several ways you can cut your health insurance costs for yourself and your employees without giving up your coverage. Here are a few tips.

BE aN INFORMED CONsuMER Whether choosing an experienced benefits professional, shopping for the lowest health insurance rates or looking up medical and

hospital information, doing your research before making decisions can increase your chances of lowering your health care costs.

LOwER YOuR LEVEL OF hEaLTh INsuRaNCE COVERagE wITh hIgh DEDuCTIBLE PLaNs By increasing your plan’s deductible amount, your monthly premiums will be lower and the savings in monthly premiums could end up being more than what you spend out of your pocket.

sET uP a hEaLTh saVINgs aCCOuNT An H.S.A. is tax-free savings accounts for medical expenses. Both employees and employers can contribute to the account, and it must be coupled with a high-deductible health plan. With this method, the policy holder gets the necessary insurance coverage, while the H.S.A. provides the means to fund the additional out-of-pocket costs on a pretax basis. The money in H.S.A.’s can be carried over from year to year and is portable.

EXPLORE MINI-MEDICaL PLaNs Gap Plans offer a viable low cost alternative to expensive, comprehensive major medical insurance. Unlike major medical insurance, many Gap Plan designs do not base their benefits on actual charges incurred and actually pay based on a fixed benefit indemnity amount when various health care services are utilized.

sELF FuNDED hEaLTh INsuRaNCEThis is one method to save dollars on insurance premiums if you have a

Soothing the Health Care Cost Headache

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In addition to recognition forthe firm, select attorneyshave also been named in theChambers 2011 rankings.

CONGRATULATIONS TOGregory Cokinos, Richard Flake,Patrick Wielinski andStan Curry for being honoredin Chambers USA 2011

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Cokinos, Bosien & Youngonce again places at the top ofTexas construction law firmsaccording to Chambers USA–the leading publisher ofdirectories and rankings for thelegal profession.

Again.

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aBOuT ThE auThOR: Christ Taylor Insurance is a 50 year old Houston-based Employee Benefits andIinsurance brokerage firm and member of ABC. We provide solutions to small and medium size companies in the areas of healthcare and other benefit packages, as well as life insurance and retirement plans. Contact the Christ Taylor team at 713-850-7747 or www.christtaylor.com.

Christ tayLor

healthy group. The self funded program utilizes high deductible catastrophic insurance to offset large claims, and the smaller claims are paid from a fund for claims by an administrator who receives fees. It is important to do a present program need analysis and review your claims history prior to making the decision to self fund.

LIVE a hEaLThY LIFEsTYLESeek free or low cost advice on maintaining a healthy diet and following an exercise plan. Encourage your employees to attend wellness seminars, take advantage of free health screenings at local clinics or health fairs. Wellness programs have been proven to effectively reduce healthcare costs, help cut down on employee turnover and decrease absenteeism.

Considering any of these tips just may alleviate your rising health care cost headache!

“The self funded program utilizes high deductible catastrophic

insurance to offset large claims, and the smaller claims are paid

from a fund for claims by an administrator who receives fees.”

FiNaNCiaL NeWs


Businesses with a fleet of vehicles could save thousands of dollars each year in repair expenses just by reading and following the recommendations spelled out in the

warranty booklet that comes with every vehicle. But all too often the warranty booklet stays tucked away unopened in the glove compartment until the business finds out that the warranty will not be honored by the manufacturer due to negligence or lack of required preventative maintenance. And, by then it’s too late.

Each manufacturer’s warranty is different and even the same manufacturer’s warranty can vary year to year, so it’s important to stay up-to-date especially as new vehicles are added to a company’s fleet. What may have been covered previously may either no longer be covered or required intervals for preventative maintenance may have changed.

If the vehicle’s warranty booklet is lost or misplaced, it may be possible to access the information on the manufacturer’s website. Most, if not all, manufacturers also have a toll free number that you can call to order an additional booklet. Although there may be a small charge for the booklet, it is a lot less expensive than not qualifying for warranty coverage on an expensive repair.

Working with a professional fleet management company that is familiar with every manufacturer’s warranty can help a business stay up-to-date with required maintenance schedules that comply with the manufacturer’s recommendations. In addition, because each and every receipt for work done on a vehicle may be documented and recorded by the fleet management company, if a dispute arises over warranty coverage, having a comprehensive detailed record makes a huge difference.

The most common warranties are bumper-to-bumper and powertrain. Bumper to bumper covers a majority of the vehicle’s

components, including air conditioning, but not maintenance and wear-and-tear items such as brake pads, alignments and fluid replacement services; powertrain covers everything from the engine and transmission-transaxle-transfer case to front-wheel and rear-wheel drive assemblies.

In addition to other warranties that may cover emissions and safety components, sheet metal corrosion and rust-through, there may be provisions for roadside assistance, towing for mechanical breakdown, and transportation assistance if a vehicle is not operable and must be kept overnight for warranty repairs.

However, coverage can be denied if the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance is not completed or if there are other signs of neglect or abuse. For example, in addition to regular oil changes, it’s just as important to check the oil level in your vehicle’s engine on a regular basis. Similarly, it’s important to understand that a vehicle with extended idle times requires oil changes at much shorter intervals than generally recommended.

The bottom line is that the quickest and easiest way for a business to avoid paying for unnecessary repairs or those that may already be covered by a manufacturer’s warranty is to be familiar with the warranty coverage for every vehicle in its fleet, require drivers to adhere to all recommended maintenance schedules, and document with receipts work done on every vehicle.

Warranty & Responsibility

aBOuT ThE auThOR: Stephen McNair is Vice President for Enterprise Fleet Management in Houston and can be reached at 713-465-7800, ext. 131. He is supported by an experienced team of veteran mechanics and accredited Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) technicians to serve the fleet maintenance needs of businesses with mid-size fleets.

mCNair

“Each manufacturer’s warranty is different and even the same

manufacturer’s warranty can vary year to year, so it’s important to stay up-to-date especially as new vehicles are added to a company’s fleet.”

FiNaNCiaL NeWs


Last holiday season, the manager of the maintenance department of a major airline received a call from her upper line manager that one of her workers had been found in

coma conditions in the tail of the airplane. He had sequestered himself off in the tail before takeoff and flown that way for over a thousand miles. The skin of the airplane at normal cruising altitude is about -40 Fahrenheit. He had hoped to die. He didn’t. The worker had been quiet but in no way under-performing so the manager never suspected a thing.

November marks the beginning of the holiday season and, no matter your faith, this is a festive time of year. But even with all the festivities, holidays are riddled with tensions, too. Sometimes this is a very lonely time of year for those who have suffered losses or setbacks or increased financial stressors. Further, with workers and employers alike struggling with the effects of a seriously crippled economy, everyone is likely facing a leaner holiday table this year.

While the authors of two reports I will quote hereini conclude that there is no definitive trend proving an increase in alcohol consumption during recessions, these “conclusions” are in direct contradiction to the statistics quoted within the authors’ own articles. So, I’ll ignore their conclusions and share just the facts with you from the Gallup poll and the BOE (Bureau of Equalization) studies which they used as their source documents.

According to these studies, beginning in 2010—as arguably the worst recession of modern times hit our country—alcohol consumption in America hit an all-time high and has continued. Further, students of American history will note that during 1970, which contained serious recession conditions in all four quarters, alcohol consumption of wine and beer was up in the public and private sectors throughout the year. Only consumption of the

typically more expensive distilled spirits and off premises drinking went down in 1970.

Further, there are other studies, only one of which is quoted herein, which suggest that other forms of inexpensive pleasure seeking and self-medication rise during times of social stressors including recessions and holidays. These include everything from simple entertainment like going to the movies, to cosmetic procedures to make one feel better, to workplace affairsii, or the illegal use of other types of substances to self-medicate. These all add to the typical holiday stress.

Please raise awareness among your workers this holiday season for the common holiday-related hazards so that the festive spirit need not be marred by tragedy in your workplace:

• Conduct training sessions about the hazards of drinking and driving and encourage your employees to plan NOW for a designated driver and a safe approach to their holiday parties

• Remind those who plan to host parties, whether employers or employees, that providing unchecked access to alcohol and then allowing your attendees to drive away in that condition has often caused the liability to fall back onto the hosting employer or individual when it came to criminal negligence, should it be determined that an accident occurred due in whole or in part to the alcohol consumption.

• Be alert to signs that your workers or loved ones may be suffering from the holiday blues, especially for those who have had recent setbacks such as loss of jobs, reduction of pay due to economic conditions, illness, divorce, or loss of loved ones.

Finally, let’s remember to circulate this good old YouTube reminder about the fire hazards of the holiday season whether they are

Party time!

“According to these studies, beginning in 2010—as arguably the worst recession of modern times hit our country—alcohol

consumption in America hit an all-time high and has continued.”

saFety NeWs


overloaded electrical circuits or dry Christmas trees (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQT8yOYJKxQ).

Make safety first this holiday season to ensure a truly festive yearend.

ihttp://www.boe.ca.gov/news/pdf/ep-11-10.pdf

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20101019007164/en/Influence-

Recession-BOE-Answers-Question-%E2%80%9CDo-Peopleiihttp://www.cheatingspousepi.com/affair_at_work/Workplace_Infidelity.pdf

hart

aBOuT ThE auThOR:Tara Hart Amavi is the Founder and President of TCA/The Compliance Alliance L.P., which ranked #20 on Houston’s 2007 Top 50 Fastest Growing Woman Owned Businesses. TCA has provided services to almost 1000 companies nationwide and TCA tools, methods and means have been ranked #1 in the world for managing contractor safety. Named one of the Who’s Who in Safety by Compliance Magazine, Ms. Hart is a sought after public speaker and has appeared on local and national radio and television programs. Ms. Hart may be contacted at [email protected] or 713.263.7661.

Size: 7.5 x 5 Non-Bleed 4-Color High Res Images Output at 100%

[email protected](713) 465-7800

www.enterprise.com/fleets

And managing that fleet is taking time away from your business. At Enterprise Fleet Services, we specialize in fleets like yours so

you can spend your time doing what you do best.We’ll assign a dedicated account team that will

design a program that’s right for you. A programthat takes advantage of services like vehicle disposal,loss control coordination and maintenance plans.Put your work week back to work. Call us today

for a free detailed analysis of your fleet.

Even if your business has just a few vehicles, that’s still a fleet.

©2006 Enterprise Rent-A-Car Company. 067603 6/06 KR

067603 6/26/06 11:05 AM Page 1

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Lots of people have ailments in life; some because of life style and some because of neglect. Many of life’s problems may be due to vitamin, mineral or nutritional deficiencies.

Would you believe that companies can have the same problems? Well almost the same. Let’s discover some of the problems. A healthy dose of Vitamin C Safety might be the remedy.

Vitamin C Safety DeficiencyNo. 1: Effective communicationsYears ago when teaching a course for ABC, Effective Communications was the topic. For communications between the home office and the various field locations, e-mails, faxes and telephone messages may not be effective. For employees and staff in the field, phones and computers may not be the best tools to get constant and consistent messages. For that reason, a direct message from one person to another is needed. As we say in the field, “straight from the horse’s mouth”. Direct talk usually clears the air and gets issues on a level playing field.

For fun at a meeting, try playing the game of ‘gossip’. It will teach the group about effective communications. Just whisper to one person your message and ask them to whisper it the next person; then the next and next until the message has gone around the room and is repeated to the original sender. This will show the whole group how things become out of context and confusing. Normal communications or lack thereof needs some continuous improvement. Effective communications works when you give a message to a hearer and then you ask the hearer what was said. When giving safety tool box instructions, I used to tell the crew, “Now, tell me what I told you”. Use of this method takes all the guess work out of instruction.

No. 2: CaringA wise mechanical engineer friend once told me: “Until employees know how much you care, they don’t care how much you know”. That statement has resonated with me for many years in the construction business. I’ve found it to be truer and more useful than many other profound gimmicks and quotations used in the field. A true follower of supervision on a jobsite is one who has determined that the boss cares about the workers. In 2010, during a training session at a large construction work site, it was discovered that a civil foreman had worked for over ten years without any of his crew experiencing an injury of any type. That phenomenon extended for over 100,000 work hours. The crew performed work in trenches and excavations building forms for

concrete pours. It is hazardous work with many known hazards and many more unknown. When the foreman was asked how the record was accomplished, he gave some unusual answers. The first thing he did when a new crewman was assigned to him was to sit down in a quiet place and in one-on-one discussion discover all about the new worker. The talk would cover where the person was from, about his family, hobbies and interests, where he had previously worked and other personal questions. Next the foreman would pull a photo of his family out of his wallet and show the new crewman his loved ones, explaining that this is the reason he works: to provide and care for his family. The conversation went on revealing much more about both parties. Near the end of the conversation, the foreman explained to the worker that this crew was a “Zero Injury Crew”. Further he explained that they did not permit at-risk work or at-risk behavior and that if the new worker did not believe that he could work safely from the first moment in the crew, the foreman needed to know it before work began. If the worker declared that he could not work safely, he was not allowed in the crew. Mr. Foreman never accepted a worker that could not, by his own admission, work safely. Showing that you care for each person so much that you will not allow them to work is vitally important at the jobsite. No. 3: CommitmentWho can commit at-risk behavior? Workers? Yes, of course. What about management? Can leaders commit at-risk behavior? Yes, again. How is that you might ask? Well, delay in purchasing the correct personal protective equipment is one way. Failure to approve a certain training class is another. Failure to support the field is another. So yes, management can be the ones committing at-risk behavior.

do you have Vitamin C Safety deficiency?

saFety NeWs


Is there a remedy? Yes! For management to stop at-risk behavior, they must have a level of commitment that is unstoppable. In management training I frequently ask the group to take a moment to write down their personal commitment to safety. Many say: I’m going to try harder; I’ll get around to visiting the field more often; I’ll start next month really committed. Trying harder and going to do something is spongy. Such terms gives the leader an out.

RemedySince injuries are caused by something, all injuries can be prevented if you remove the causes. By omitting the spongy words

aBOuT ThE auThOR:Bennett Ghormley is the Chief Safety Officer for AltairStrickland, Inc. Bennett has over 30 years experience in training, safety and construction administration. Experienced in implementing safety programs in the commercial, industrial, residential, as well as municipal industries. Conducted audits, investigations and inspections in refineries, chemical and petrochemical plants, pipeline, water and waste facilities, manufacturing plants, fabrication plants, public transit, multi-and single family housing units and public and private buildings. To reach Bennett, email [email protected]

“Can leaders commit at-risk behavior? Yes... How is that you might ask? Well, delay in

purchasing the correct personal protective equipment is one

way. Failure to approve a certain training class is another. Failure

to support the field is another. So yes, management can be the ones

committing at-risk behavior.”

The AQC designation provides national recognition to construction

fi rms that document their commitment to quality achievement in

fi ve areas of corporate responsibility: quality, safety training,

community service, employee benefi ts and employee training.

When you choose to work with an ACCREDITED QUALITY CONTRACTOR

(AQC), you choose to work with the best of Associated Builders and

Contractors’ more than 23,000 member fi rms.

Build With The Best

To fi nd out if you qualify as an AQC company, call toll-free 877-22-MERIT or visit www.abc.org/aqc

Find the best builders and construction-related suppliers and professionals.

www.FindContractors.com

one could come up with a real, true commitment statement. Here’s my recommendation for leader commitment: “I am doing everything I can to stop the next at-risk behavior; thus preventing injury. It takes all three of the vitamins C’s for zero injury to become the norm. All are needed to make employee safety a value instead of a priority. All are needed for total company efficiency and alignment. When you take a healthy dose of the C’s, you have an excellent chance to be Safety Healthy. Do it for all the right reasons…your employees.

saFety NeWs


ABC Greater Houston took a social media spin on their

Annual Membership Recruitment Campaign, which

launched in October 2011. During the campaign, current

ABC Members were encouraged to use LinkedIn, a popular social

media outlet for today’s upwardly moving business professional,

to find and educate prospective members about the benefits of

ABC.

In addition to the Annual Membership Recruitment Campaign,

ABC Greater Houston also involved a Membership Recruitment

Contest as an incentive for current ABC members to recruit, recruit,

recruit! As if making valuable industry connections alone was not

enough, members who have successfully recruited new members

will have the chance to win one of three cash prizes ranging from

$500 to $1000. The Membership Recruitment Contest launched

October 1, 2011 and will end on December 31, 2011.

Members who have recruited new members to ABC will be

entered into a drawing for a cash prize of $1000 and two $500

cash prizes will be given to (1) the member who recruits the most

new members, and (2) the member who recruits the largest

contractor.

Since the launch of both the ABC Annual Membership Recruitment

Campaign and the Membership Recruitment Contest, ABC Greater

Houston has welcomed 27 new members since October 1, 2011.

A big congratulatory thank you goes out to all recruiters who

contributed to this monumental chapter success!

Currently in the pool for the grand prize of $1000, Stuart Robles

of Norman Smith Equipment is in the lead, holding the Largest

Contractor, Burrow Global Construction, and Most New Members

Recruited. Robles has recruited seven new members and is still

counting!

ABC Members Recruit 27 New Members Using Social Media Campaign

NOT PICTURED HERE:

Art Canales, Chamberlin Roofing and Waterproofing

John Golashesky, Turner Industries Group, LLC

Jim Owrey, E.E. Reed Construction, L.P.

Larry Jones, Turner Industries Group, LLC

Matt Daniel, Skanska USA Building, Inc.

Sonny Covington, Dean & Draper Insurance Agency

Bruce Marek Marek Brothers Systems, Inc.

Neil AdamsGilbane Building Company

Leonard BedellMobil Steel International, Inc.

Dwayne BoudreauxTurner Industries Group LLC

John CollinsMerge 9i - Division of Newton Mfg.

Tommy DavisComfort Systems USA South Central

Stuart RoblesNorman Smith Equipment

Congratulations Recruiters!

assoCiatioN NeWs


Scan this QR Code to Join ABC’s LinkedIn Group.

Industries all over southeast Houston trust us to deliver specialized occupational health programs. From the customized fast-track system in our Emergency Center to health management tools tailored for your business, we’ve set the standard for occupational health programs in the area.

For more information, contact our dedicated occupational services coordinator, Donna Coneley, at 281.929.4490 or [email protected].

Healthcare protocols vary. That’s why companies turn to us.

PUBLICATION:Build HoustonINSERTION:Oct/Nov. 2011MATERIALS DUE:09-07-11, Wednesday

LATITUDE JOB NUMBER: MHH-11-1103 CLIENT: Memorial HermannJOB NAME: SE Occupational ADLIVE: n/a SIZE: 3.75" x 5"BLEED: n/aCOLORS: 4cp/0 133ls; SWOP 280 FORMAT: Press Ready PDF X email to Pub. QUESTIONS CALL: Pat Hartman @ 214-696-7913

MIS111103_OccupationAd_BH_03.indd 1 9/7/11 3:36 PM

Robles attributed his campaign successes to LinkedIn, “having

been involved in numerous ABC Membership campaigns, the

success of the 2011 drive can be attributed to a new approach

using a modern day tool that is quickly replacing the Rolodex, the

business networking site LinkedIn.” Without the help of LinkedIn

connections, members in the past could only rely on calling from

lead cards and sheets generated from past efforts and referrals.

These would produce warm leads, but mostly turn cold.

“This year we utilized the strength of our current membership and

their existing connections on LinkedIn to produce strong leads

with an amazing amount of professional background information

which allows for a much more meaningful and productive

conversation about the many benefits the potential member will

receive when they join the association,” Robles says. He believes

that as ABC members continue to embrace and strengthen their

WELCOME NEW ABC MEMBERS!4 City Steel Fabrication

Agile Ofis LPAVAdekAVI-SPL

AZZ Galvanizing Services Bendel Tank & Heat Exchanger Company

Building Specialties, Inc.Burrow Global Construction

CORT Furniture RentalEpoxy Design Systems, Inc

International Leading Technologies, Inc.JDM Commercial Services LLC

Karl’s Event RentalKoasati Construction Management

Magid Glove & Safety Manufacturing CompanyOGI-Texas Ohio Gratings

PAVECONProler Steel International, LLC

R&M Service CompanyRig-Up Services, Inc.

SENTRIFORCESun Coast Resources, Inc.

TradestarVidal Construction

Waste Partners EnvironmentalWeston Solutions

Wortham Insurance & Risk Management

presence and contact base on LinkedIn, this new strategy will

serve to enhance ABC’s membership campaigns in the future.

With all the successes thus far, membership growth goals for ABC

Greater Houston in 2012 and the years ahead do not seem so

farfetched. - DL

assoCiatioN NeWs


PEOPLE ON ThE MOVELisa Ruth, Marketing Director for satterfield & Pontikes Construction, Inc., has been selected by the Society for Marketing Professional Services Houston to serve on its Board of Directors as the chapter’s new Education Director. In addition, Ruth also recently earned the designation of Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM).

Kansas sartin was recently promoted to Regional Quality Manager for gilbane Building Company. Kansas made the transition from his current role as Project Engineer on the Shell Technology Center project to that of SWRO’s Regional Quality Manager on Monday, November 7th.

Doug Combes has joined Chamberlin Roofing & waterproofing’s senior management team as Senior Vice President. Doug was previously Senior Vice President at JE Dunn Construction’s Houston office and brings with him over 25 years of construction experience. Chamberlin is a specialty contractor that provides roofing and sheet metal, waterproofing and caulking, building and garage restoration services as well as related maintenance and leak repair throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico and beyond.

PROjECT NEwsManhattan Construction Company completed putting the final, upper most piece of steel into place, otherwise known as ‘topping out’, at the houston Dynamo stadium. The brightly painted orange beam was set into place in the canopy covering the east side of the bowl. The stadium is 45% complete with 5 ½ months to opening day on May, 12, 2012. The project has been moving at an extremely fast pace since breaking ground March 01, 2011.

E.E. Reed Construction, L.P., recently broke ground on NorthPark Building 11, a 147,000 SF speculative industrial building in north Houston. Designed by Meinhardt and Associates Architects, P.L.L.C. of Dallas, the building is pursuing LEED certification. Prologis NorthPark’s four existing buildings (totalling 517,060 SF) are currently fully leased.

wal-Mart has undertaken a robust building program in 2011, and satterfield & Pontikes Construction will deliver many of the new projects for the world’s largest retailer. S&P has secured no fewer than ten Wal-Mart projects totaling nearly $80 million during 2011.

haley-greer, Inc. was proud to meet the former President George W. Bush at the Topping Out Party for the george w. Bush Presidential Center on the sMu Campus in Dallas, Tx on Monday, October 3, 2011. Haley-Greer is doing the curtain wall, glass and glazing for the prestigious project. Their key project field team were honored to meet the former President and First Lady, as they graciously gave autographs and took photographs with the men.

jLg structures, Inc. recently received LEED Gold certification for its energy-efficient and environmentally friendly corporate office building in northwest Houston. The building was constructed by satterfield & Pontikes Construction.

iN the KNoW

ruth sartiN ComBes e.e. reed CoNstruCtioN L.p.

maNhattaN CoNstruCtioN

maNhattaN CoNstruCtioN

satterFieLd & poNtiKes


sPECIaL awaRDs & RECOgNITION Manhattan Construction Co. raised $80,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy association (MDa) at its 11th annual charity golf tournament held on Friday, November 11, 2011. Since the tournament’s inception, the Manhattan golf event has raised more than $400,000 for MDA through sponsorships and generous donations.

Trico Lift, a south Texas and Gulf coast business member, has received industry recognition for having the tenth largest access fleet in North America. The September Access Lift & Handlers Top 20 Aerial Fleets feature touts the company’s shift from the 14th spot to the tenth as “the biggest change” in this year’s report.

Ford Nassen & Baldwin, P.C., is pleased to announce that the firm’s Construction Law practice was ranked as a top-tier practice group in the nation and for the Dallas and Austin metropolitan areas in the u.s. News – Best Lawyers® 2011-2012 Best Law Firms rankings.

Rodney Page, Ref-Chem L.P. Executive Vice President and CFO, accepted the aBC National safety Excellence award on February 22, 2011 at ABC’s National Convention in Orlando, Florida. Jeff Havens, Vice President, also accepted the Bronze hBR 2011 safety Excellence award on May 6, 2011 at the 24th Houston Business Roundtable Annual Safety Awards in Galveston, Texas.

The great Place to work® Rankings: 2011 Best small & Medium workplaces Presented by Entrepreneur® list has been announced and hoar Construction is on the list for the 5th consecutive year. This annual list recognizes companies that have exceptional workplace cultures. Hoar Construction was selected from among hundreds of applicant companies. Applicant companies participate in an employee survey and an in-depth questionnaire about their programs and company practices. Great Place to Work® then evaluates each application using its unique methodology based on five dimensions: credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie.

COMPaNY NEws Textura is pleased to announce the acquisition of submittal Exchange®, a provider of Integrated Project Collaboration Software for exchanging, reviewing and archiving construction submittals, RFIs and other construction communications for use during the construction phases of projects. The acquisition extends Textura’s current platform to reach owners, designers and architects, allowing them to connect across construction project participants and stages, enabling efficiency and collaboration from concept to construction.

wT Byler Co. recently celebrated working 175,000 man-hours at the houston Fuel Oil Terminal Company, a safety milestone at a very important project. CEO, Mr. Bill Wilson, was on hand to personally thank the WT Byler Co. project management team and crew. Mr. Wilson reiterated the importance of safety in the workplace. Stating that everyone works and returns home to their family unharmed by practices performed on the project site.

iN the KNoW

haLey-Greer, iNC. satterFieLd & poNtiKes reF-Chem L.p.

reF-Chem L.p.

Wt ByLer Co.

triCo LiFt


PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDHOUSTON TXPERMIT 542published by associated Builders & Contractors

of Greater houston3910 Kirby drive, ste. 131houston, texas 77098(713)523-6aBC (877)577-6aBCwww.buildhoustononline.com

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