construction leaders today fall 2009

T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R C A P TA I N S O F I N D U S T RY

CONSTRUCTION LEADERS TODAYwww.constructionleaderstoday.com

GilfordCorporation

$500 Million & Climbing

Felix Garcia discusses the success of his multidisciplined manufacturing and construction business

12 International:Grupo Linda

Henry Gilford discusses the success of his DC based construction company as they look toward the future

The Log Homes Council discusses the enviornmental and economic benefits of log home construction

p. 34 Log Homes: TheOriginal Green Product

21 Roadside:Live, work and shop with Roadside

Fall

2009 p. 16

12 La Fabril

21 Roadside Development

28 Banneker Group

in this issue

16 Gilford CorporationSuccessfully completing a diverse assortment of as-signments—schools, churches, residential, hospitality, commercial, governmental, and international—Gilford Corporation stands as a giant within the construction industry, breaking new ground with innovative projects and serving as an international industry leader.

31 Delgado Erectors

9 VMJR Companies

4 Construction Leaders Today Fall 2009

24 Paradigm Construction

52 K&M Building Contractors Ltd

Time management and delivering a qual-ity product are the foundations of a project for the company before the real foundation even gets poured.

Grupo Linda has been a pioneer in the coun-try’s agro-industrial production and manu-facturing of metal and plastic packaging since its foundation in the late 1960s.

Take a look at the projects by Roadside De-velopment and the images can be summed up in three words: live, work and shop.

Since 1991, Paradigm Construction Co. has been a leader in multi-family, residential properties in the Washington, D.C., and mid-Atlantic region.

A niche in facilities maintenance and a pursuit of work overseas is what Louis Gilford, CEO, sees as the driving force behind his company’s current success and future expansion.

For more than four decades, KM Building has assembled teams to create buildings of lasting value, while also helping clients realize their dreams and ensuring future success.

Dominic Delgado knows what it’s like to work up high. He was a paratrooper in Vietnam and is now high on a wave of success with his steel construction business, Delgado Erectors Inc.

56 Homan Inc.oZ WORLD MEDIA, LLC

1330 New Hampshire Avenue NW Suite B1

Washington D.C. 20005

OZ

Todd Weaver

Diana DoyleJonathan MackJoseph Orange

Ferdinand ModenaStephanie HessIan PalmerSusan Maybach

Haley SilvermanKate Darling

Mike Livingston (SouthEast)Kara Richards (NorthEast)Lily Macabe (West)Joe Sorenson (SouthWest)Rebecca Rodriguez (National)Jane Caffrey (National)Aaron McGaskey

Diana StephensSteve PetersGerald Adams

Moe Kazemi Jill CarpSteve StoneDavid Levi

Steve Reed

Editor-in-Chief

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Editorial DirectorEditorial Production

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ConstructionLeaders

Construction Leaders Today Fall 2009 5

Last year, along a bluff in Anchorage, Alaska, Charles Homan connected two houses with two impressive 30 ft. long enclosed bridges. It was his largest project and a showcase of the type intricate work his company is ca-pable of.

44 StonemillStoneMill Log Homes has found the solution to weathering the storm and helping others do the same; producing warm, homespun log homes that are simple, comfortable, and crucially, affordable.

Log Cabin Luxury

36 CoventryThe unique historical moment that the log home industry currently fac-es in light of international economic difficulties and new energy efficient standards has prompted Coventry to seize the opportunity to produce high quality log homes that are both affordable and sustainable.

features


48 PrecisionWith custom designs and a total home building methodology, Preci-sionCraft Log & Timber Homes en-sures that customers get the home of their dreams

Who says log cabins have to be musty old houses in the middle of the woods? These four companies are bringing style, comfort and affordability to the log cabin, moving the idea into the modern age.

40 ExpeditionThis company has discovered the distinction between an exceptional personal retreat and an ordinary residence – careful consideration of individual aes-thetic tastes combined with skillful, one-of-a-kind craftsmanship.


Log Cabin Luxury

editor’s note


[email protected] Weaver

We’re Going Global

First, let me say thanks to those readers who have given us tremen-dous feedback on the Summer edition of Construction Leaders Today. One of the most frequent requests was that we expand our view beyond the US and report on projects beyond US borders. Most of our readers either have a con-struction business that branches into other countries or they source materials and supplies from the global market place. For this rea-son, they have voiced an interest in understanding what’s happen-ing around the globe. We listened to you and at the risk of sounding like Thomas Friedman, it is obvi-ous that ‘The World is Flat’ in the construction business.

We dipped our toe into this new international market by starting in our own backyard with a multifac-eted manufacturing/construction company, La Fabril, located in the Dominican Republic. La Fabril was involved in the principal construc-tion of the international airport in Santiago and several major hotel chains throughout the country. In addition to this story, our writ-ers are busy working on stories on major construction companies in Australia, the UK and Canada. Look for more of these stories in our upcoming Winter edition.

On the home front, can we dare say that the housing recession is starting to bottom out? We can’t

say for sure but one thing we do know is that the number of build-ing permits nationwide have been increasing month to month al-though they are still several per-centage points down from this period last year. Many of the com-mercial construction investors I’ve spoken with say that the market is at its bottom and they are starting to open up their wallets again as the credit markets begin to ease. We’ll keep an eye on this and re-port back to you in the next issue.


When The VMJR Companies tackled its two biggest proj-ects, one was done ahead of schedule and the other was finished on time with mon-

ey to spare. Time management and delivering a quality product is the foundation of a proj-ect for the company before the real foundation even gets poured.

Victor Macri, Jr., President and CEO of VMJR in Glen Falls, NY, keeps the “done on time” re-frain foremost in his mind as he tackles proj-ects with what he said is thorough confidence and capability. The result is a well-built prod-uct the client is pleased with. With more than 60 years in business, Macri said his company rides a wave of success even though competi-tion is tight.

“Anybody can build something,” Macri said. “Not everybody can deliver something at our sophisticated level.”

The two biggest projects were the Albany air-port terminal and the State University of New York at Albany (SUNY) Technology Library.

“These were large aggressive projects and they were done simultaneously,” Macri said.

The 260,000 sq. ft. passenger terminal was completed for $22 million but faced numerous changes throughout construction. However, the Sweet division of VMJR finished the proj-ect six months ahead of time and completed it under budget.

Another project the company did for JC Penny about 15 years ago was a new 80,000 sq. ft. store presented with a time span of three months. Sometimes that means running three shifts smoothly.

“No one believed we could do it on time. Comments from JC Penny were that they’d never seen a project done so fast,” Macri said. “We had three shifts running and transitioning people is difficult. We had to overlap the shifts bringing the next shift in 30 minutes ahead of time to keep the continuity of the work and obviously there’s a cost on doing that.”

Macri knows cutting costs while retaining the highest quality is an issue with his clients. But his company offers a high level of guaran-tee.

“There’s no stress and no surprises,” Macri said. “The client does not get stressed over budget. We spend time, program, and work

with the client so they understand what they’re getting. And we deliver it.”

When Macri’s company is involved in the program management from the onset of the project, it ensures a better product and the bet-ter he can economize.

“The pleasure we get out of projects is not particularly the type of work that is being com-pleted, but rather the type of delivery system,” he said.

Involvement from the beginning also keeps a better handle on costs.

“We tend to play the bad cop and keep things under control and on budget,” he said.

In May of 2001, the Sweet Constructors di-vision tackled an $11 million student housing facility at SUNY New Paltz. It took thirteen months to construct, including a redesign from a modular structure to a standard struc-ture. This saved the university more than $2 million.

“We had site problems and students were coming in soon. We accelerated that project and was able to get it done using several shifts,” Macri said.

The VMJR Companies was founded in 1991

written by Rebecca Rodriguez

northeastcorporate profile

northeast corporate profile


with the blending of Adirondack Construction and Sweet Associates. Its annual revenue was about $25 million.

VMJR focuses its strengths in two areas.“We decided our best clients tend to be in the medical field and

higher education,” Macri said.Adirondack Construction was founded in Glen Falls and has oper-

ated for over 59 years specializing in adaptive reuse of historic struc-tures, commercial renovations and reconstruction projects.

Macri got his start in Sweet Constructors ( formerly known as Sweet Associates) in the 1970s when he said the company was one of the top five in the country for construction management. In the 1980s the Sweet company decided to focus on large industrial clients and institutional clients which is what VMJR is doing now.

Sweet Constructors is a 55-year-old company focusing on large in-stitutional and industrial projects in the northeast.

Today the VMJR Companies specializes in high quality, professional program management services. This includes general construction, design/build, and construction management of educational, insti-tutional, industrial, and commercial as well as historic restoration. The Adirondack side of the business tends to take on the warehouse metal buildings and light construction, including retail construc-tion, while Sweet handles larger institutional, commercial, and heavy industrial with an expertise in concrete and masonry construction.

Macri described a recent bid on a job in which the architect worked on the project for over a year and needed to be bid in a week.

“It was difficult and intricate in its design and required numerous hour of research,” he said. “We got it done. We are in a deadline busi-ness. We try to stay under pressure all the time.”

With current annual revenue of more than15 million, Macri said word-of-mouth fuels the company’s engine, adding that architec-tural engineering firms have a high regard for VMJR and its related companies.

The economy has had an impact on the construction industry, Macri said.

“I believe you’re going to see some downsizing on larger firms,” he said.

Bonding, insurance and banking credit lines are shrinking, he said, adding that this is a usual cycle in the business. He predicts an up-swing in the next five to ten years.

For his company, in particular, cycles tend to come every 30 years

sales – rentals – service – leasing – partsOver 350 used machines listed on our website!

72 Everett RoadAlbany, NY 12205

Phone: 518-438-4444Fax: 518-438-5751

[email protected]

W. W. Patenaude SonsW.W. Patenaude Sons, Inc. has earned its highly regarded reputation

by providing the highest quality services to the chemical, manufacturing, hydro and power generating industries in the Northeastern USA.

For 75 Years we have served with integrity and distinction as evidenced by our list of clients and technically demanding projects. Started in 1930 and incorporated in 1973, WWP can rely on the experience and knowl-edge of our staff which represent a total of more than 225 years of dedicat-ed field experience in the Industrial and Commercial Painting and Coating Industry. We maintain our edge on technology through our trade associa-tions.

W.W. Patenaude Sons, Inc. has the experience, training, knowledge, equipment and innovation required to prepare and install Industrial Coat-ings of the highest quality in a safe work environment. Our tenured core of highly skilled personnel have received extensive applicator and safety training. WWP has a NACE Certified Coating Inspector on staff.

Safety for our personnel and our host facility are of paramount impor-tance. Adherence to client’s safety programs as well as our demanding safety disciplines will assure a safe work environment. WWP offers solu-tions to coating problems in all major industries world wide.

within the medical and educational realm.“Facilities get worn down,” he said. The current market has made bidding more competitive and

some clients are backing off plans due to the economy, he said.Macri’s company has a strong following of subcontractors and

vendors that know when we are on a job it will be completed on time with a minimum changes.

“Things run smoothly because of the way we organize and on the supply side we have a really good following,” Macri said.

The company covers the regions of east Syracuse, Canadian border areas, southern Vermont and western Massachusetts.

“I think our market will expand and develop as we grow,” Macri said.

In a time when the economy is tight, quality and keeping a tight schedule is the driving force behind VMJR. The company prides itself on quality, integrity, competence and reliability for its clients.

northeastcorporate profile



ProgressiveVision: ShapingAgro-Industryin the Dominican Republic

international feature


For more than three decades, Mr. Félix Maria García Castellanos has been in-volved in food processing and manufac-turing, and today he is the President and CEO of one of the Dominican Republic’s most prominent organizations in these fields, Grupo Linda. A blanket organiza-tion for several manufacturing compa-nies, Grupo Linda has been a pioneer in the country’s agro-industrial production and manufacturing of metal and plastic packaging since its foundation in the late 1960s. Its associated corporations, launched under the leadership of Félix García, share similar traits; they are all leaders in quality production, utilize advanced technology, reach out to the communities, and constantly modernize in an increasingly global market.

“The first objective is to satisfy the consumer with a high level of quality in finished products,” Félix García said. “First quality and service, so that the client has trust, and afterwards price.” Aside from leading in quality of produc-tion, the central mission of Félix Gar-cía’s multiple companies extends into the technological, environmental, and social realms as well. The diverse manu-facturing corporations of Grupo Linda hire more than 2,000 employees in total, and function from a number of factories around the country, with 80 percent of operations located in the province of Santiago and the remaining 20 percent based in the southern ̈ Azua de Compos-tela¨. Although each company is distinct in its products and services, they often collaborate to provide diverse services and expedite projects for both commer-cial and industrial markets. The corpora-tions represent various brands as well, such as Linda, La Joya, Bella and others, but all of these brands are considered Grupo Linda products. “They are all dif-ferent companies, but all are united by

Grupo Linda,” Félix García explained.With a background in industrial engi-

neering, a young Félix García launched Grupo Linda’s first company—Envases Antillanos, C. por A. (ENVAN)—in 1968. The corporation is a leader in canning and the manufacturing of metal pack-ages. Established during a period when agricultural packaging in the Dominican Republic depended entirely on imports, ENVAN acted as a pioneer and a pillar of support for agro-industrial development in the country. Five years later, Grupo Linda opened an additional container company, Troquedom, S.A., which spe-cializes in the production of pilfer proof caps, cap crowns, aluminum tubes, and other products in the beverage, phar-maceutical, and chemical industries. In 1987, Félix García next led a group of Do-minican and Ecuadorian entrepreneurs in the establishment of TransAgricola, S.A., a processor, packer, and marketer of agricultural products. The corpora-tion established Productos Linda, now a brand leader in the Dominican Republic, which include derivatives of tomatoes as well as canned beans, corn, juices, nec-tars, seasonings, and vegetables. Grupo Linda’s most recent enterprise occurred in 2001, when the organization founded La Fabril, C. por A., a refinery of edible oils and fats that are free of trans fatty acids and produced with 100 percent natural vegetable oils. This company strives to be recognized for its wide va-riety of products and massive consump-tion.

Félix García argues that several com-petitive advantages set his corporations apart from similar businesses in the fab-rication market. The highest quality of product—the “Rolls Royce” of the manu-facturing business, he said—is the result of superior facilities, aggressive invest-ment in new technology, and channels of

distribution. Within the last two years, Grupo Linda has made multiple capital investments in operations, primarily in advanced machinery and technology for food processing and shaping textiles. Yet the most modern technology is not only utilized in production and operations, but also to handle energy, environmental and waste management issues. Grupo Linda invests heavily in electric plants and other power generating technology. The corporation also works closely with local authorities of the municipality to meet environmental requirements such as recycling garbage and debris. La Fab-ril, the newest factory, has invested in an advanced system of water purification, taking extreme measures to return clean water to the environment and to avoid contamination during the production process.

While Grupo Linda is dedicated to a continuous improvement process and obtaining the latest technology, Félix García also explained that there is a fine balance between the capabilities of a machine and the competence of human labor. Committed to creating a strong internal staff, the company rarely outsources, and Human Resources se-lect professionals with only the high-est capacity in production experience. The corporations implement continued training programs as well, allowing each member of the work team to learn about the latest advances in the industry. For Félix García, there is an additional sense of the social responsibility to create em-ployment opportunities. “Now we are working in a much globalized world. Basically, you need technology,” he said. “But in the Dominican Republic and in other poor countries, it is very important that you give back the working hand to the worker, if they can do it sufficiently or better than a machine. With this work,

Félix García, the CEO of Grupo Linda, creates client satisfaction with quality products and a modern outlook

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a person becomes professional, realized, liberated, and dignified. For me, this is fundamental.”

Transagricola alone has more than 650 permanent employees, while an additional 1,500 positions are cre-ated during the tomato harvest season. ENVAN cur-rently employs more than 300 people, La Fabril has more than 250 employees and Troquedom more than 300 employees.

The associated businesses of Grupo Linda addition-ally strive to undertake a social function within their respective municipalities, often cooperating with sports teams or religious groups. For example, Trans-agricola has supplied free drinking water to the town of Navarrete for decades; contracts a food vendor that provides affordable meals to employees; and offers in-ternship programs to students in the local community.

It is this emphasis on quality and leadership that Gru-po Linda corporations also endeavor to project within the Caribbean and in the larger global market. As some of the most modern factories in the Caribbean, these companies are autonomous and meet international standards of production. Many utilize investigation laboratories to research new products in manufactur-ing and food processing. La Fabril, for instance, incor-porates analysis and technological support in serious investigation of new products. Grupo Linda companies are also expanding beyond the national market and ex-

porting products out of the country, utilizing distinct sales strategies depending on the changing market demands. Their products reach Puerto Rico, United States, Haiti, Guyana, Jamaica, and Panama.

Like the majority of businesses around the world, Grupo Linda currently feels the repercussions of global economic crisis, yet faces the situation with optimism. “We are moving forward because our products and ser-vices satisfy the basic needs of the industry and the consumer group,” Félix García said. “The economic situation is cyclical and affects us, but our companies are prepared to survive this financial and industrial hit and continue moving forward during these times of economic distress. In a certain way, this situation has also helped us in the sense that we have been able to survive while others are failing and disappearing.”

Félix García sees further expansion in the future of Grupo Linda and its associated corporations. He be-lieves that although it is challenging to break into new markets, the organization could potentially double in size within the next 15 to 20 years. “At this time, we are thinking about primarily expanding the markets in Haiti and to other markets in the Caribbean and Cen-tral America,” he said. Félix García deems that such growth will significantly help Grupo Linda compete in the global market, as well as continue in its role as a pioneer in modern agro-industry production.

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The Gilford Corp.The Washington Monument tow-

ers above the nation’s capitol, and affords visitors sweeping views of the city thanks to the renovation of two observation

decks and one of the tallest elevators in Washington D.C. In Glendale, Maryland, the brand new Reid Temple A.M.E. Church is now the spiritual home to more than 5,000 parishioners. Across the Atlantic, the 221,000 square-foot space of the U.S. Em-bassy in Rome has been restored to incorpo-rate historical details. Another monumen-

tal endeavor, to be completed in 2010, will feature a crescent-shaped memorial on the National Mall to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. These projects, among many oth-ers, grace the corporate resume of Gilford Corporation, a general contracting com-pany with a wide variety of clients in public and private sectors. Successfully complet-ing a diverse assortment of assignments—schools, churches, hospitality, commercial, governmental, and international—Gilford Corporation stands as a giant within the construction industry, breaking new ground

with innovative projects and serving as an international industry leader.

Originally established 1984 as Gilford & Chase, a civil engineering firm, the Mary-land based company was driven forward by current President and CEO Henry Gil-ford. The highly prepared Chief Executive holds a Bachelor of Science Construction Engineering degree from Alabama A&M University, as well as Civil Engineering Certifications and Registrations in the Dis-trict of Columbia, Maryland, and Wiscon-sin. Before founding Gilford Corporation,

by Jane Caffrey


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The Gilford Corp.

Soaring achievements and high profile projects mark the Gilford Corporation as a leader in generalcontracting around thenation and the worldGilford worked in civil engineering and construction management at District En-gineering, Inc., Dillingham Corporation, and International Business Machines Cor-poration. With experience, skill, and ambi-tion, Gilford then founded and led Gilford & Chase down the path of expansion, in 1995 shifting the company’s focus to gen-eral contracting and changing its name to Gilford Corporation. The business evolved in following years to become the chief con-struction management company that it is today. Utilizing a precise methodology for general contracting, which focuses on or-ganization, personnel, achievement goals, and resources, Gilford Corporation has re-fined its abilities in effective project man-agement.

“Our philosophy is that if we can satisfy our clients, give them what they want, and finish projects on time and on a budget, then that will lead to client loyalty and they will use us again. We consider ourselves a client satisfaction construction company,” Gilford said.

Since its conception in 1995, Gilford Cor-poration has successfully completed 350 projects, at a combined value of more than $400 million. To assist clients and ensure quality results, the company offers ser-vices such as design and build, traditional competitive bidding, agency construction management, and construction manage-ment “at-risk” services. An annual revenue

of $20 million also affords a great deal of

f lexibi lity, allowing

Gil-

ford Corporation to respond to the budget constraints, constructed schedules, and the technical requirements of each indi-vidual project. With a diverse assortment of projects, budgets vary from $300,000 for smaller remodeling efforts to as much as $56 million for the construction of new fa-cilities. Yet regardless of cost, Gilford Cor-poration remains committed to delivering the highest quality products and services in a the most timely manner, earning consis-tent client loyalty.

Equipped to serve local, state, and federal agencies, Gilford Corporation’s projects vary in style, price, and purpose. Regularly employed by the government, the company has completed a number of renovations around Washington D.C., restoring histori-cal glory or equipping newer structures with modern amenities. In one project for the U.S. Department of the Army, Gilford Corporation restored the Pentagon Base-ment, working under a tight schedule de-manded by an acceleration order. Another notable project is a three-phase renovation of the Washington Monument, a grand en-deavor in which the company replaced all mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and fire alarm systems. The corporation also pro-vided interior finishes for two observation spaces and restored the tallest and one of the oldest elevators in the city, allowing vis-itors panoramic views of Washington D.C.

Gilford Corporation has additionally completed several projects for U.S. the gov-ernment in overseas locations, utilizing a highly developed international division. One greatly successful project abroad is the renovated U.S. Embassy in Rome. The company revitalized a 221,000 square-foot

space and preserved the historically sig-nificant Annex Building, with elaborate wall and ceiling moldings. Upon com-pletion, the structure was renamed the Sembler Building, in honor of former


ConstructionQuality Management

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Satish W. Korpe, P.E. & President, Potowmac Engineering Inc.

PotowmacPotowmac Engineers was established in 1984, to pro-vide services in Construction Inspection, Geotechnical Engineering, Testing and Construction Management. Potowmac Engineers is a Small & Minority Business Enterprise.

Services:O Construction Project Management, CPM reviewO Geotechnical EngineeringO Subsurface InvestigationO Foundation InspectionO Pavement Paint Marking InspectionO Construction Claims Investigation, analysisO Reinforcing Steel InspectionO Concrete Testing Waterproofing InspectionO Soils TestingO Structural Steel and Welding Inspection,NDT TestingO Backfill MonitoringO Post Tensioning InspectionO Roofing InspectionO Bituminous Paving InspectionO Structural SurveysO Environmental Audits

P.E. employs a highly qualified staff of 25 including Professional Engineers, Certified Construction Inspec-tors and Technicians.

ambassador to Italy, Melvin Floyd Sembler. A comparable restoration was also com-pleted for the U.S. embassy in France. “Some of these projects are just riddled with chal-lenges that you wouldn’t believe; logistical problems, coordination problems. I think we did an exceptional job on those two projects, in Italy and in France, with what we had to work with and with some chal-lenges we had to overcome,” Gilford said.

Gilford Corporation not only assists federal agencies, but has also completed a number of new construction projects for clients in private sectors. Recently, the company man-aged the construction of the $20.4 million Reid Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church. The 117,000 square-foot campus consists of three connected buildings: a 3,000-seat sanctuary with a choir loft; a 16,000 square-foot administrative wing; and an educational wing that includes a children’s chapel, classrooms, and day care centers. In another $2 billion project, the company provided management support for the con-struction of the 2,000-room Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Maryland. The 350-acre mixed-use project now includes an 18-story glass atrium, nearly two acres of

gardens, four top-rated restaurants, a fitness area, the 470,000 square-foot Convention Center, and a private marina. “That one was a fast track project, that just went at excep-tional speed,” Gilford said.

Currently, Gilford Corporation is collabo-rating with three other construction compa-nies in yet another landmark project: the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Wash-ington D.C., due to be completed next year. The expansive, moon-shaped memorial will rest on the site where Dr. King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech, and quotes from sermons will capture his contributions to peace through non-violent social change. The centerpiece will feature a 30-foot stat-ue of Dr. King, while natural elements such as water, stone, and trees will highlight the themes of justice, democracy, and hope. “From a personal standpoint, it means a great deal for my wife, Ollie, and me to be a part of this historical undertaking,” Gilford said. “Both of us grew up in Alabama during the height of the civil rights movement. We experienced the inequities of segregation and also participated in the struggle by taking part in the demonstrations and Dr. King’s voter registration efforts.”


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Professional Applicators, Inc.6725 Santa Barbara CourtSuite 105Elkridge, Maryland 21075Tel: (410) 796-8252Fax: (410) 796-8253

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Such projects, with both historical relevance and modern appli-cability, have entitled Gilford Corporation to distinction within the construction management industry. Gilford hopes to continue this trend, by completing more groundbreaking projects that lead to great customer satisfaction in upcoming years. “In the future we are going to try to continue what we’re doing. I think one of my most important goals is to become recognized in the business,” he said. “It’s a challenging industry, and if my firm can become recognized as a firm that does quality work, that has good people, and that treats people right, then I think I will have accomplished everything.”

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R. Harris WeldingR. Harris Welding is very proud of the work we have done on our projects. Our recent projects include the Gaylord National Harbor Convention and Re-sort in Oxen Hill, MD, the largest project on the East Coast last year, as well as the Victory Center in Alexandria, VA. We also worked on the Howard Hughes Medical Center in Ashburn, VA, install-ing two sets of the largest ornamental stairs in any one project. Our work at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD, started out as a $125,000 job. Because of our reputation for thoroughness, ef-ficiency, and demand, additional manpower were called in to help with additional precast work, and our contract was extended to $3,000,000.

• incorporated in September 1998 as a small minority business in the state of Maryland.

•certified as a minority Business and/or Disadvantaged Business Enterprise with the state of Maryland Department of Transporta-tion

•maintains a high level of comptency in our staff, and satsifaction with our customers. our reputation for integrity and warmth ex-tends to our employees as well as our customers.

•has completed jobs as small as $1500 and as large as $12 million.•many joint ventures with R&R Fabrications, INC.& that working in

collaboration with R&R Fabrications, INC.,our bonding capabili-ties enable us to be bonded up to $20,222.222.00 . INC.

Capabilities•drafting & engineering

•construction•bonding

•erection & fabrication

All of our workers are AWS certified, state certified for bridges and structural steel 18 gauge to unlimited thickness. Job foreman are 30 hour OSHA certified. Standard

employees are 10 hour OSHA certified. We are also AISC certified.

www.rharriswelding.com

2365 Sixes Rd./P.O. Box 2421Pr. Frederick, MD. 20678

410.610.5566


Take a look at the projects by Roadside Development and the images can be summed up in three words: live, work and shop.

Mixed-use communities are the compa-ny’s specialty, and its two biggest projects reflect a natural blending of office, retail and residential, sometimes with a historic touch.

The Washington, D.C., based real estate firm is creating the CityMarket at O, a $260 million mixed-use redevelopment of the

historic 19th century O street market at the center of the Shaw neighborhood, north of downtown Washington, D.C. The market is two blocks from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and also within walk-ing distance to the Verizon Center and Gal-lery Place, the city’s entertainment district.

“It’s a 10 minute walk to 70,000 jobs,” said Richard Lake, a founding partner in the company along with Todd Weiss and Ar-mond Spikell.

The 1 million-sq. ft. project entails 87,000 sq. ft. of retail, about 600 residential units

– including 80 affordable senior units - , a 200-room hotel, and a giant-sized 71,000-square foot Giant grocery store. The site Roadside worked with also had a 28-year-old Giant grocery store that they doubled in size

“It’s essential today for retail shopping to be mixed with other uses to create an excit-ing environment,” said Weiss.

The site the company worked with con-sisted of just a brick shell of the old market.

“Now it has a modern grocery store with an 1881 feel,” Lake said.

live, work & shopRoadside Development brings a

historic feel to shopping complexes, condominiums and office spaces.

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It was important to Lake and his partners to retain a historic façade of the old market as well as some aspects of the interior.

The company’s other current big project is Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center in Woodbridge, VA. Lake described it as bringing an urban atmosphere to the sub-urbs. A metropolitan feel, he said, will be introduced to northern Virginia. The web-site for the center highlights a 24/7 lifestyle, where one can live, work and shop in a hop-ping community of style, convenience and flavor.

Anchored around a 138,000 sq. ft. Weg-man’s grocery store that opened in 2008, the center boasts 550,000 sq. ft. of retail in a boulevard environment. It also includes 500,000 sq. ft. of office space, and 500 resi-dential units. Lake explained that it’s a great opportunity for a large number of national retailers to access a hard-to-reach customer base. The center, projected for completion in spring 2010, is conveniently located off Interstate 95.

Retailers are being tentative in these eco-nomic times and Lake predicts short –term dip in multi-use communities. But even though the economy will take its toll, he says they will rebound quickly.

“We’re weathering the storm and will

come out stronger on the other side,” Lake said. “We are a development company and we look for ways of developing opportunity in the economic downturn.”

Weiss added that the Washington D.C. area is an extremely strong prime market.

“We’re just not going to be suffering like other markets have been,” he said.

The company was born out of a leasing and brokerage business. One of its first projects was development for CVS stores and then expanded to major grocery stores like Harris Teeter and Wegmans. They also completed renovations and expansions for Safeway and Whole Foods.

Roadside’s first big mixed-use project was the 2002 Tennille Town Project in which they took a 90 sq. ft. vacant building from the 1940s. The project involved building 204 condominiums on top of retail build-ings such as Best Buy and Giant Foods.

“We just grew from there,” Lake said. “Our first big multi-use project was bought for retail.”

In the fall, the company will be breaking ground on creating a suburban town cen-ter on an old coal farm in Loudoun County, Va.,

“We’re taking a bucolic farm motif and modernizing it,” Weiss said, adding that

modern materials and colors will trans-form the village center.

A town gathering place, Weiss explained, will focus on water, both for storage and irrigation. A solar-powered fountain will offer an environmentally-friendly appeal.

The converted coal farm will feature single family houses, office building space, and multiple venues for retail.

Lake said the company works within a two hour driving distance from Washing-ton, D.C., explaining that they’re a small group and more effective if close to proj-ects. About a half-dozen other projects are currently in the works.

In five to ten years, Weiss said he sees the company focusing on urban rehabilita-tion and older 1950s and 1960s suburban transformation in areas like Arlington and Fairfax.

“We’re looking to redo the older suburbs because they have the transportation lines and the water and sewer are already there,” Weiss said.

Lake described the company’s future as returning to the old city markets of New York and Boston.

“It’s not that different. We’re cycling back and now introducing this to suburban mar-kets,” he said.

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Paradigm Builds Itself Up to Penthouse Status

by Rebecca Rodriguez

PARC ROSSLYN

dc metro feature

Construction Leaders Today Fall 2009 25MERIDIAN AT EISENHOWER STATION PARC ROSSLYN

Since 1991, Paradigm Construction Co. has been a leader in multi-family, resi-dential properties in the Washington, D.C., and mid-Atlantic region. It has a hard-to-beat resume with more than 8,000 urban, high-rise residential apartments and condominiums under its tool belt.

In May 2008, Paradigm completed the Highland Park Apartments in Washington, D.C., featuring seven stories, 229 condominiums, 16,000 sq. ft. of retail space and three levels of underground parking.

The Kenyon Square Condominiums, also in Wash-ington D.C., were completed in February 2008. It is seven stories high, and features 20,000 sq. ft. of retail space, and three levels of underground parking.

“We specialize in multi-family construction,” said Mi-

chael Foster, president of Paradigm Construction Co. “We are noted in the Washington metro area for being at the top.”

Paradigm is comprised of separate development, con-struction, and property management companies. It offers a full-range of real estate services to residents, customers, and clients. Many projects have been done with ventures from pension funds, landowners, and local governments.

Paradigm Construction Co. acts as a general contrac-

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tor in the construction of apartment and condominium projects for both Paradigm Development Company and third party owners. Paradigm undertakes $100 mil-lion per year in general contracting and construction management work of which approximately 30% is Paradigm Develop-ment affiliated.

Founder and CEO of all three companies, Stanley Sloter, has said Paradigm’s reputa-tion is built on its ability to design complex residential properties and complete proj-ects within budget.

The company’s focus on producing quali-ty housing has shifted to entail green build-ing practices.

“We’re one of the leaders of green build-ing. We only do certified, multi-family green building here in Arlington,” said Foster. “Everything is lead silver certified.”

“We’re in a position of leadership in the industry regarding efficient design, green building technology, and the integration of affordable housing into market-rate resi-dential locations,” the company’s website states.

Paradigm Management Company over-sees the operation of over 7,500, luxury garden and high density apartments, in-cluding 1,500 affordable units. The major-ity of these are located in mixed-income

developments. Managing primarily Para-digm-developed projects, Paradigm’s man-agement division is an industry leader in residents’ services. It develops systems for quality reporting to institutional investors, and in preserving and maximizing asset value through day to day operations for owners.

Sloter graduated from Lycoming College with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry-Man-agement and received his Masters in Busi-ness Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to initiating a career in development, Sloter’s background was in construction lending with Pittsburgh Na-tional Bank.

The company has 80 employees and an-nual revenue of $170 million. It was formed when Foster and other partners purchased the national development Washington, D.C. branch and also formed Paradigm Construction in 1992.

Foster said the long-term prospects of the company are problematic due to the trouble with finding financing.

“Our near prospects are not good,” Foster said. “We have been working hard and dili-gently to pursue projects and we can’t get third parties to agree.”

Foster explained that 75 percent of their work comes from other developers and

those developers are finding it hard to get financing from the banks.

“The banks have got to start lending mon-ey,” he said.

Some developers working with Paradigm are using U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) financing, some are putting in other equity, and others are thinking of waiting 18 months before breaking ground.

“I don’t see us starting new projects until 2010,” he said. “We have about 65 million in backlog and most of these projects take 18-24 months.”

It’s a tough situation unless developers can get projects financed. And outbidding has been an obstacle for Paradigm.

“We are outbidding,” Foster said. “But when you get 40 bidders that are in a lot less shape, they are taking projects and taking no money. We are not going to do business that way.”

When it comes to supply-chain man-agement, Paradigm has a “whole laundry list” of suppliers, Foster said, explaining that the company sticks to subcontractors they’ve done business with before.

The company’s largest project was a $65 million high rise in Carlisle, Pa. It was com-pleted in 2005.

One of the reasons for the company’s abil-

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ity to handle large-scale projects and for its success in the field, is its staff. They all have degrees in engineering or construction management and are in line with company beliefs.

“We look for people with integrity and who are honest, hard-working people,” Foster said.

Paradigm is a member of Associated Builders & Contractors Inc., (ABC) and conduct seminars for ongoing employee training. They have also hired people to come in and conduct presentations on certain topics, Foster said.

For Paradigm, quality is something that starts from the tiniest detail and runs through all avenues of the company. Each aspect is dependent on the other and that’s how Paradigm strives to deliver the highest-quality projects.

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By Rebecca Rodriguez

Design It.Build It.

Maintain It.The Banneker Group builds

with maintenance in mind. Sets sights on overseas development.

The Banneker Group’s motto is “Design It, Build It, Maintain It.”

A niche in facilities mainte-nance and a pursuit of work

overseas is what Louis Gilford, CEO of The Banneker Group (TBG), sees as the driv-ing force behind his company’s current success and future expansion.

The company, located in Laurel, Md., specializes in general contracting and facilities maintenance. Its domestic busi-ness is growing at a fast pace due to its diversified services.

“Most companies know how to build and build well, but we want to go beyond that to build well and maintain the building af-ter it is done,” Gilford said. “It enables cus-tomers to do a one stop shop.” Gilford also provides facilities maintenance overseas. He went on to explain that it captures a client’s attention when a company is able to provide maintenance for the life of a building.

High profile projects like maintenance for the Washington Monument in 2000 is what helped strengthen The Banneker Group and launch it into a company that

gets noticed. Gilford built his way up in the construc-

tion business. He got his start in construc-tion through his father’s company, the Gil-ford Corp., which handled the renovations of the Washington Monument.

Attending the University of Maryland at College Park in the late 1990s, Gilford be-gan working out of his dorm room, helping his father clean the company offices. Gil-ford’s major was in sports medicine, but instead of moving onto graduate school, Gilford graduated in 1999 and started his own cleaning company. He used this as a tool to learning how to run a business.

“I got the entrepreneurial bug and didn’t know how to shake it,” Gilford said.

He learned the construction business from his father and began running the company in 2003. The Banneker Group was then developed.

Gilford is pursuing work overseas, tar-geting developing countries. Not just the construction industry, but business as a whole is going global, he said. On a recent two week vacation Gilford explained that he was able to run his business with just his cell phone and a computer.

“With the advent of Blackberries and e-mail more companies are investing with foreign governments,” he said.

Another high profile project Gilford tackled was two restaurants within the National Harbor, an impressive waterfront resort on the banks of the Potomac River just minutes from downtown Washing-ton, D.C.

The Pienza Italian Market was complet-ed on schedule and the Old Hickory Steak House was completed two weeks ahead of schedule.

Staying on schedule is high on a client’s list, Gilford knows. At the time he had only six people within the company and through this project he was able to get good references.

“Our goal is simple. We always strive to be the best and do what’s right for our cus-tomer,” he said. “We built our reputation by thinking outside the box. We do things differently and exceed expectations in do-ing them.”

Customer satisfaction is an important building block to the continuation of the company’s success, he said. With that comes a unique relationship where Gil-

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“It’s a system of partnering with them. It’s not your tradi-tional customer relationship,” Gilford said.

Keeping the communication lines open and providing the best-trained work force is the way to gain a customer’s trust and meet their expectations.

“If they’re pleased with it and it’s an attractive project then we can do more work for them,” he said.

Much of Gilford’s work comes from the federal government. The Army Corps of Engineers is one of his biggest clients. His projects were 60 percent government in the past and now have risen to 70 percent since the government’s stimu-lus package.

“With the recession, things have dried up a bit now, but we’re not putting all of our eggs in one basket,” he said.

Gilford strives to make The Banneker Group one of the premiere emerging contrac-

tors in the nation. One of the ways he does that is starting a school, TBG University, which focuses on training in the area of facilities management. It is open to the general public and there has been a lot of in-terest, Gilford noted. This fall there will be fifteen students in three classes: construction accounting, blueprint reading, and estimating.

“I wanted to set up a way to invest in our company and what better way than to invest in our people,” he said.

Gilford noted that no certi-fication is needed in the con-struction profession and he is looking to change that. He has teamed up with the University of Maryland and John Hopkins University to create a four year program where students will receive hands-on training and a degree.

“This is innovative and pro-gressive,” he said. “We’re a company that is looking to push the industry forward with this innovation.”

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Students can also attend a four-year program overseas through the two universities in conjunction with TBG University. They are focusing on northeast Africa and West Africa, he said.

“This country (United States) is going global and we want to be seen as innovators amongst our peers,” Gilford said. “We’re tapping into academia and funneling some of the students into our company once they graduate.”

Gilford is reaching out to his com-munity as well to create interest in construction training. His company had strong ties to community service and mentors at-risk minorities from low-income communities on week-ends.

A strong faith in God has also made his company strong, Gilford said.

“We think we have control over ev-ery little thing, but we really don’t,” he said.

A strong faith, being business savvy and community outreach is the win-ning combination that has made Banneker one of the major players in the business.

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SuchGreat

Heightsby Rebecca Rodriguez


midwestcorporate profile

Do m i n i c D e l g a d o k n o w s w h at i t ’s l i k e t o

work up high. He was a paratrooper in Vietnam and has worked on 100th floor high rises. Now he’s riding high on a wave of success with his steel construction business, Delgado Erectors Inc.

Delgado, whose busi-ness is located in Dolton, Ill., has worked within the downtown Chicago steel industry since 1966. He’s built strong bridges, a strong business, and a strong name for himself. He’s the go-to guy for 90 percent of Chicago’s city, state and federal proj-ects.

“There’s a half dozen steel erectors in the city of Chicago and only about four are qualified to do federal work. We’re in a niche, and we’re get-ting calls all the time,” Delgado said.

His business is so strong locally, he doesn’t see the need to leave the state for work. Al-though he did note that he might be tempted to go to Minnesota to work on bridges.

“In Minnesota their bridges are falling apart. They’ll be getting a lot of stimulus money,” he said.

Delgado Erectors is a family-run business and at age 66, Delgado said he will never fully

Delgado Erectors reaches new heights in business and and

construction projects.


retire. But his vision for the future of his company rests in the hands of his children.

“Their vision is greater than my vi-sion,” he said.

His son, Adrian Delgado, handles safety and technology, while his daughter, Nina Delgado, works with employee management. They would like to see the company soon expand into other states, he said.

Delgado Erectors has been in busi-ness since 1985 and specializes in structural steel buildings, heavy high-way bridges, and steel commercial construction. One of Delgado’s big-gest deals was a $270 million project for the Chicago Transit Authority rail system’s Blue Line in 2003, which was a joint venture with Kiewit construc-tion company in Nebraska.

His company has teamed up with Kiewit before, including some road-way projects. Kiewit helped Delgado when his company was first forming.

“They put me on my feet. It was good mentoring and I learned about many techniques and strategies,” Delgado said.

Chicago was “very happy,” he said

with the CTA project and his company received an award from the city. CTA, itself, received an Award of Excellence from the American Galvanizer’s Asso-ciation (AGA) for the project.

After serving in VietNam from 1965-66, Delgado built his way up in the business, starting out as a journey-man and then foreman, project man-ager, and superintendent. He worked construction for 10 years with Meccon industries, Inc., in Chicago. At Meccon he attended meetings, strategy ses-sion, and learned about project man-agement and the technical side.

“I learned how to run a company. I absorbed it and took it to my busi-ness,” Delgado said of his time with Meccon.

When Meccon decided to do founda-tion work instead of civil work, they asked Delgado to take over their con-tracts. That was in 1985 and that’s when Delgado’s company took off.

The company is a labor-intensive subcontractor that works with a union. Only occasionally will he buy the steel and he does not take part in the design process.

Delgado, president of the Hispanic

American Construction Industry As-sociation, makes sure his workforce is diversified. He works with a crew of 40 employees that he has been working with consistently.

“I know their dads. Everybody knows everybody here,” he said.

For Delgado, business is as strong as a steel girder.

“We’ve never been so busy working before. We’re not doing a lot of mar-keting. It’s word of mouth,” Delgado said, noting that he mostly works with the same contractors.

His annual revenue is about $10 mil-lion, which Delgado says he is com-fortable with.

“I don’t want my business to survive on volume of work. I want it to survive on profit,” he said.

He does not get a lot of private work, noting that most of his work is from the city, state and federal government and entail mostly bridges, infrastruc-tures, and overpasses.

Government stimulus money, he said, will not flow rapidly. Chicago is focusing on paving streets now, but next year he foresees more focus on infrastructure.

midwest corporate profile


There’s a lot of competition in the bidding process, Del-gado explained. But he doesn’t worry and he doesn’t undercut people.

“There’s not a lot of work right now. But I’m not going to take it (project) for cost. I need to make it for profit,” he said.

Delgado said he has booked about 12 bridges for metro next year. Over the years Del-gado has erected more than 150 bridges and overpasses for Chicago.

His union iron workers are fully trained and he works closely with OSHA to protect against injuries and fatalities.

The projects he’s most proud of, Delgado said, are the ones where no injuries or fatalities occurred.

“It’s a tough business. You’re outside and way up in the air. A lot of people don’t last in this business,” he said.

But for Delgado, who served as a paratrooper with the 173rd airborne brigade in Bienhoa, he has always had a calling for

defying gravity. “Height never scared me,” he

said.And as his company reaches

new heights, Delgado’s son and daughter make more am-bitious plans for the future. Reaching out to new markets and moving into new states are some of the areas they are interested in. They would like to see their father’s business grow to $15 million in revenue quickly. But Delgado still has his calming hand in the mix, keeping things local and word-of-mouth. Many projects are coming up with the city, but as this family business looks to the future, the young have their sights past the Chicago streets.

Delgado’s children see the business riding high into the tech world as well.

Thanks to his son, the busi-ness has gone paperless and a website is soon to come.

This old-town business is broadening its horizons and moving up to higher heights.



features


Owning a log home provokes an emotional sentiment that is per-haps rooted in the history of the American frontier. Several aspects of log home living contribute to this sensation; the warmth of the wood, the feeling of comfort and secu-rity inside, and the beauty of log home structures. Log homes are also natural and environmentally friendly, and people are increasing-ly gravitating towards sustainable options. All of these factors will contribute to a robust market for log homes in the foreseeable fu-ture. People want a retreat; a home that represents an escape from the chaos of daily life. The Log Homes Council is an available resource for those looking to realize the dream of an inviting, sustainable, and heritage rich home.

Log Homes Continue to Stand asan Iconic Staple of American Living

Paraphrased from Jim Young, President of the Log Home Council,written by Jane Caffrey

Heritage Rich Living


The log home has enjoyed a prestigious position throughout American history, from Abraham Lincoln’s childhood abode in Illinois to modern retreats gloriously perched atop mountains or beside tranquil lakes. At Coventry Log Homes,

owners Jeff and Mark Elliott recognize the unique historical moment that the log home industry currently faces in light of international economic difficulties and new energy effi-cient standards. The company is seizing the opportunity to produce high quality log homes that are both affordable and sustainable; efforts that help families achieve the significant milestone of owning their dream home and also protect the environment.

“Our model has always been built on quality, tradition, and excellence,” said Mark Elliottt, Vice President of Coventry Log Homes. “It is historic to be in the industry, and it’s a unique

time to be in the industry due to the current situation.”Coventry Log Homes itself was born of a long family history

in the log home industry. Jim Elliott, the father of Jeff and Mark Elliott, started a business as a log home dealer on the east coast in 1969, and his sons grew up in the trade. When Jim Elliott decided to semi-retire in 1994, the elder son, Jeff Elliott, initiated his own factory direct log home business and hired his brother Mark Elliott. During the early years Mark Elliott worked the mill while Jeff Elliott drafted homes and handled sales and production, but as the company began to grow it added additional staff members. Today, Coventry Log Homes employs more than 30 sales people, draftsmen, financial and clerical administrators, technical advisors, print and web designers, and mill workers. Coventry primarily serves the United States and Canadian markets, but ships internation-ally across North America. It has sold more than 800 homes

log cabins feature

since its inception, delivering 160 homes this year alone. “Over the years, we’ve been able to grow in the industry from being smaller to being one of the leaders in the industry now,” Mark Elliott said.

Mark Elliott believes that multiple factors set Coventry Log Homes apart as a pioneer within the log home industry, with one being excellent quality. Coventry offers more than 60 log home models in five separate categories—the Craftsman, Tradesman, No-Change, Cabin, and Recreational Camp Series. The mill produces four different log profiles, and specializes in kiln-dried eastern white pine. A complete team of profession-als is also drafted to work on each project, collaborating indi-vidually with customers and local builders. Since Coventry Log Homes is factory direct, the company is able to take complete control of a project and fulfill every responsibility; from draft-

ing designs to ordering materials to producing log product. Yet high quality does not necessarily come at a high price.

According to Mark Elliott, Coventry Log Homes hits the target market of the average individual that is hoping to build a log home. “We’re at a price point that the average American who has the dream of owning a log home can actually afford,” he said. By providing a reasonably priced product during a period when most Americans are cutting back on spending, Coventry Log Homes has also been able to separate itself within the log home industry as a debt free company. “It’s something in the current economic environment that really separates us. We are in a very good financial situation ourselves, so customers know we’re going to be around for a long time,” Elliott said.

With a healthy annual budget of $10 million, Coventry Log Homes has a great deal of flexibility on projects. Yet a portion


Addressingthe Times

Coventry Log Homes recognizes its role in history, and grasps the

opportunity to tackle today’s most critical issues by producing afford-

able and sustainable log homes

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of this revenue is also dedicated to protecting the forests that produce the timber utilized in Coventry homes. Recognizing the significance of forests within the environment, Coventry Log Homes makes donations to various edu-cators, organizations, and eco-friendly loggers through the CLH Forestry Program, in an ef-fort to spread awareness about environmental concerns and to ensure that forests are being managed correctly. Groups that benefit from the program include The Arbor Day Founda-tion, Project Learning Tree, and Robin Roystan Logging, among others. “That’s one of the neat things about log homes; we’re utilizing our nat-ural resources,” Mark Elliott said. “Being able to support organizations that manage the for-est is very important to us.”

Sustainable building is a core value within the company as well. Currently, the log home industry is undergoing a paradigm shift, as new conservation efforts and energy efficient building codes are increasingly coming into practice. Yet Mark Elliot feels that Coventry Log Homes is already breaking new ground in sustainable building within the log home industry. “Green building is also very impor-tant, and considering log homes as a whole, it doesn’t get any greener or more environmen-tally sustainable than a log home. Fortunately,

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we feel like we’ve been on the leading edge of this shift by already utilizing energy efficient homes,” he said.

One master project that displays such cutting-edge advances in sustainability is Bear Rock Lodge, a family getaway and snow mobile camp completed by Coventry last year. The 4,300 sq. foot

home in Northern New Hampshire uti-lizes a custom Craftsman design. It is capable of sleeping up to 16 people, holds multiple bathrooms, and features a spacious open concept kitchen and dining area. Yet the most intriguing as-pect of the retreat is that although it is located in an extremely cold climate, it

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is nonetheless a complete energy start home. Meeting the strict energy efficient standards set by the EPA, the residence earned the highest rating of 5+ and was declared an Energy Star qualified home.

Coventry hopes to forge ahead with en-ergy efficient building and move the log home industry towards more sustainable

building practices in the future. This, in addition to helping people achieve one of the most significant milestones in life; the aspiration to own a dream home at an affordable price. “We hope to utilize how energy efficient our homes can be, what a good use of natural resources they are, and within that still provide

a home that the normal person budget wise can be able to afford,” Mark Elliott said. Coventry plans to promote these values as it continues to develop as a leader within the log home industry.

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At Expedition Log Homes, no two projects are the same. This log home design and manufacturing company has discovered the dis-tinction between an exceptional

personal retreat and an ordinary residence; careful consideration of individual aesthetic tastes combined with skillful, one-of-a-kind craftsmanship. Going above and beyond, the company specializes in catering to specific preferences and working one-on-one with clientele to create a high quality, handcrafted product. “All of our homes are custom de-signed,” said Jan Koepsell, founder and man-aging member of Expedition Log Homes. “I’ve been in this business for twenty years, and its rare to find a customer that sees a plan and does not make a change to it. Our finished products have character, and reflect their own personality.”

When Koepsell and her partners McCade Garcia and Greg Grimes established the com-pany in 2000, all shared a deep passion for log homes and a desire to add a personal touch to the design and manufacturing industry. With a combined experience of more than 70 years, the three managing members drove the Wis-consin based company forward to become a nationally recognized name in the log home industry. Today, it consists of 20 employees that collaborate with clients, architects, lo-cal builders, and 45 dealers around the Unit-ed States, allowing for flexibility on projects. Staff members work closely with customers to transform ideas into a working floor plan, and the company then provides a uniquely handcrafted log product, featuring five differ-ent log styles, for building. Since it’s founding, Expedition Log Homes has produced more than 400 individually handcrafted homes in various regions of the country.

“We don’t have standard models, nobody wants cookie cutter plans,” Koepsell said. “It’s very interactive with the customer and very hands on. We really want the home to be the way that they want it.” To create a working design, Expedition Log Homes utilizes a team approach. Often, clients will have already chosen a builder or an architect to facilitate the project, and Expedition then works hand-in-hand with these other professionals to gen-erate a blueprint. Local field representatives employed by the company also guide clients

through the design and building process and help prevent mistakes. To create a tailor-made floor plan, the experienced team ex-amines the function of the home, considering activity zones for sleeping, working, eating, and living; assesses the land to maximize ad-vantages and the best views; and adjusts de-sign styles to accommodate individual tastes and budgets. Simple aesthetic decisions can also make a significant impact on the cost of a project, and the company makes an effort to direct clients towards design decisions that will accomplish goals on a lower budget.

“Our role is that of a seasoned guide to thoroughly understand your project and to work as a partner with you throughout the process,” the managing members proclaim, according to their website. “We understand that your own personal vision of a home is unique and embrace the opportunity to bring that vision to life.”

Yet beyond a team based approach to de-sign, superior craftsmanship also transforms mere visions into the reality of a beautifully handcrafted log home retreat. Homes com-pleted by Expedition are distinguished by a unique log product manufacturing process, in which pine or cedar is cut directly from the heart of a log, kiln-dried, and then skillfully crafted by hand with a draw knife. A method that takes a great deal of time, talent, and dedication, the result is a beautifully hand-crafted log of the highest quality. “This pro-cess maintains the integrity and the character of a particular tree, so the logs are much more unique looking and individual,” Koepsell said.

Clients may chose to incorporate five dif-fering log styles into their home, including the kiln-dried handcrafted logs, but also air-dried handcrafted logs, air-dried Swed-ish cope logs, kiln-dried pioneer logs, and kiln-dried cabin logs. Expedition Log Homes offers a variety of hand-notched corner sys-tems as well, such Swedish cope saddlenotch, handcrafted saddlenotch, and vertical post corner, among others. To complete the pack-age, the company incorporates a wide array of architectural design elements into proj-ects. Noteworthy features include looming beamed cathedral ceilings, a breezy second floor porch, or custom windows with mold-ing and framework that mimic the sunrise. All beams and structural systems utilized

Distinctive handcrafted hideaways and a familiar approach to customers define

business at Expedition Log Homes

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in projects are graded and meet structural integrity standards. The company is also addressing increas-ing environmental concerns with a handcrafted half log product. In this design, logs are cut in half, with one piece attached to the outside of the building structure and the other piece on the inside, resulting in an energy efficient wall system, a nod towards green living.

Among the diverse masterpieces produced by Expedition Log Homes in the last decade, one home in near Wyndham in upstate New York in-corporates all five log styles and an array of architectural design ele-ments offered by the company. Con-structed in 2003, the homeowners from New Jersey decided to build a mountain retreat after canceling a trip to Italy post 9/11. They hoped to create a haven to enjoy while their young children were still growing up. Working in conjunction with a New York architect, Expedition Log Homes took on the project, and strove to meet the family’s liv-ing needs and aesthetic aspirations while also incorporating all of the available log styles. Today, the $1.2

million home glows atop Wyndham Mountain.

The floor plan and design of the home cater to the family’s per-sonal interests and living necessi-ties. Since cooking is a family pas-sion, Expedition designed a large, family-centered kitchen, complete with elaborate cabinetry and a cen-tral island surrounded by wooden stools. Upstairs, a loft holds a game room and a pool table for the kids and their friends, with enormous log beams sprawling across the ceiling overhead. In the bedrooms, wide windowed doors open onto airy outdoor decks. To capture the spectacular forested landscape and mountain vistas at Wyndham, floor-to-ceiling wood-paneled win-dows in the living room offer spec-tacular panoramic views. “They are there every weekend, and they have a lot of family come to visit. You can tell that they really enjoy their log home,” Koepsell said.

The Wyndham retreat is a crown-ing jewel for Expedition Log Homes, but it is only one of several master-pieces that combine quality design, exceptional craftsmanship, and cus-

tomer oriented service to create an enjoyable building experience and a superior finished product. The company keeps its focus on quality over quantity, and strives to main-tain its reputation for exceptional handcrafted products that allow customers to realize their individual dreams.

“Our philosophy is that we really are a family centered company,” Ko-epsell explained. “We treat our cus-tomers as if they’re part of our family. That’s one of the comments we hear from our customers, that they really feel like part of our family. We cre-ate a unique product that’s different from many others in the industry, and we want to keep providing in-dividual services to our clients. That is probably the most important, re-maining individual to the customer. We are a handcrafted shop. We want to continue to be handcrafted.”

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An Affordable Solution to American Tradition

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In an increasingly complex modern society, cur-rent global recession and economic concerns only enhance the intricacy. Yet in these try-ing financial times, StoneMill Log Homes has found the solution to weathering the storm

and helping others do the same; producing warm, homespun log homes that are simple, comfortable, and crucially, affordable. With a broad spectrum of projects behind them—from luxury houses to cozy retreats—the company remains committed to cus-tom designing quality homes that accommodate any budget. “We’re not just building for the top 1 percent incomes in the USA,” Rob Cantrell, presi-dent of StoneMill Log Homes, said. “We build for a diverse group of customers, and we are very grateful for that. I think that shows our ultimate value for the customer.”

StoneMill Log Homes was launched in 1974, and at that time it was one of the first log home manufac-turing companies to fabricate log product utilizing modern technology and trees, rather than destruct-ing old Appalachian style barns and recycling the wood. Originally, the company produced a “do-it-yourself ” kit, with the precut walls of the house. Yet as the business evolved, along with the log home in-dustry, it changed its business model and turned to a design- and service- oriented approach. An architect began designing floor plans, and StoneMill added to their repertoire by collecting clients’ ideas and blue-prints of past projects in a master portfolio. New plans featured roof systems, floor systems, decorative beams, and heavy porch components that were all designed using timber in place of conventional build-ing materials. “It went from really just being log walls to all of the unique components of log construction,” Cantrell said. By selling only pieces that are unique to log structures and allowing customers to buy other materials locally, StoneMill is able to compete finan-cially with other companies by offering a more cost effective option to clients.

In 1998, StoneMill took the final step of becoming a completely service-oriented business and found-ed its sister company, Creekside Construction. Al-though StoneMill has always had some form of erec-tion crew, the well-supported construction company now offers a broader range of on-site construction services to customers. Employees are highly trained in constructing homes and drying in the logs, and work with equipment such as cranes, tractor-trailers, and all terrain forklifts to efficiently move massive log product. The experienced crews build exclusively on StoneMill homes. And like StoneMill Log Homes, Creekside Construction offers labor at a competitive price. Detailed proposals present customers with the exact cost of each service offered in a detailed and direct manner.

“We really changed our business model. We now have more of a design-build approach,” Cantrell said. “We do the manufacturing, and then we have Creekside Construction. Everything that our com-pany does, from the design to the manufacturing,

Building both luxury homes and snug retreats, StoneMill Log Homes ensures that all customers have access to the dream of owning a log home, regardless of budget.

is all focused on the end result, which is to get the project designed and installed and going the extra step to help the customers get to their ultimate goal; a complete log home.”

In reaching that goal of a complete log home, sev-eral features set StoneMill Log Homes apart, with one being the quality of the log product itself. The company uses first-rate structural timbers of yel-low pine and Canadian Western Hemlock. Coming from the west coast and British Columbia, some of the logs reach up to 40 feet in length. Yet despite this massive size, StoneMill never splices logs, to ensure the highest level of structural stability and protec-tion from air and water infiltration. More than 90 percent of the logs and structural timbers utilized are heartwood, with more resistance to insects and decay. In construction, the company also specializes in authentic dovetail corners; notches cut with a pre-cision developed by pioneers hundreds of years ago, which makes use of the entire weight of the struc-ture to hold each log in place in a tighter, weather-secure fit. StoneMill Log Homes was the first in the industry to introduce the special notch, as well as to complement it with the top quality Styro-Seal Insula-tion System. Once buildings are structurally sound, StoneMill completes the project by allowing clients to choose between a hand hewn or hand planed fin-ish. Many customers chose to combine these two finishes at no additional cost.

Both the use of dovetail corners and the rougher, hand hewn finish were techniques utilized by Ameri-can pioneers centuries ago, and the homes built by StoneMill recall that heritage while also meeting modern necessities. “What we’re doing is providing a unique type of structure that has warmth and a feeling,” Cantrell said. “The hand work and the hand hewing is not done by machine, each of the strokes and each log is individual, and I think that has a lot to do with the heritage of the settlers. Today our houses look similar to theirs, but we have better technology, better insulation, and better engineering. You don’t see it, they all look very old, but they are backed by the 21st century technology that is supporting them.”

While all StoneMill homes share the common quali-

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ties of sound structures, fine workmanship, and a blend of tradition and modernity, they differ in size, design, and price, with every project personalized to fit individual preferences. Cantrell says that each home presents its own challenge, and that nothing is a pre-cut package. The company has completed the luxury homes of CEOs and minor celebrities over the years, working with 6,000 square-foot structures. Yet Cantrell says that they have also been presented with the smaller projects of simple, 800 to 1,200 square-feet retreats, which they also consider particularly unique and challenging.

Being flexible on the size, style, and budget of each project, StoneMill Log Homes strives to ensure that the vision of owning a log home becomes a reality for Americans from different economic backgrounds. Projects range in price from $85 per square foot to $250 per square foot, allowing customers at varying income levels to participate in the dream of log home living. “I think that a large part of our value is that we offer a quality product that the average American can actually afford. We work on very high end proj-ects, but we also do a lot of smaller and simpler cozy retreats” Cantrell said. “Our philosophy is to break down those barriers, and make it easier for every customer to go from visualizing their log house to actually living in it.” Through StoneMill Log Homes, the heritage rich tradition of owning a log home con-tinues to be enjoyed by a diverse group of Americans.

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With custom designs and a to-tal home building method-ology, PrecisionCraft Log & Timber Homes ensures that customers get the home of

their dreamsGreat homes begin with great designs. This

is the core value at PrecisionCraft Log & Timber Homes, evident in all projects from mountain accent retreats to rustic luxury lake houses to hybrid log & timber homes. Utilizing a design-oriented approach, the log and timber home construction business col-laborates with its sister company, award win-ning Mountain Architects Inc., to produce homes that cater to clients’ individual tastes and stand out for extraordinary design. “We are probably the only company in the indus-try that is design focused opposed to product focused,” Jim Young, president of Precision-Craft Log & Timber Homes, said. “It’s really about creating our customers’ dream and fit-ting the products to the dream, not fitting the

dream to the products.” This year, PrecisionCraft was honored for its

emphasis on aesthetics at the 2009 Country’s Best Design Awards, taking home three first place finishes and two-runner up awards. This is a crowning achievement after nearly two decades in the log home construction industry. When PrecisionCraft was founded in 1990, the company started out as a manu-facturing log mill. Over the years it expanded its products and services to include a wider variety of log and timber products and hand-crafted log homes and timber frame homes. In 2000 the company founded Mountain Ar-chitects, Inc., shifting its business model and becoming completely architecturally driven. The team of highly educated and experienced architects, specializing in mountain style residential housing, collaborates with Pre-cisionCraft to guide customers through the stages of designing a home. Architects work closely with clients to customize one of many floor plan ideas or to design an original home

From blueprints to construction,

PrecisionCraftLog & Timberhandles it all.

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from scratch. Mountain Architects Inc. has earned more national design awards than any other firm in the industry.

Today, the two companies offer more than 65 timber and log home floor plans, green building design, and six different home styles, including handcrafted log homes, timber frame homes, hybrid log and timber homes, milled log homes, mountain accent homes, and rustic luxury homes. With 100 percent of the projects being custom designed, cus-tomers enjoy flexibility in design, state-of-the-art log and timber product, and completed homes that reflect personal style and character. Unique finishes— flooring, staining, furniture, cabinetry, lighting, mantles, and fireplaces—also dress up homes in diverse fashions. “We’re very much designed focused, so that design more or less is determining the path that we go. We felt that we had to be flexible in our manufacturing to

create a variety of products that fit the particular design, to keep in mind what the customer has envisioned. This is a huge difference. Usually companies fit designs to the product, but we felt we needed to flip that idea around,” Young said.

Beyond going above and beyond in the quality and aesthetics of log and timber home design, PrecisionCraft also stands out in the industry in that it is the first and only company to offer the Total Home Solution, a trademarked meth-odology that guides clients through the process of building a home from start to finish. “Building a dream home is a very personal goal and deserves the best formula for success,” Young said. “Cus-tomization of the home is really trying to get what the customer wants. Cus-tomers have a vision about what they want, and it’s about heir vision.”

With the Total Home Solution, Preci-

sionCraft ensures that customers play an active role in the process of complet-ing their home. The procedure includes three stages of development: a feasibility study, pre-construction, and construc-tion. In the first phase, PrecisionCraft creates conceptual design drawings that match clients’ lifestyle and architectur-al tastes. The company also draws up a categorized turnkey cost estimate, a detailed list of costs for labor, construc-tion, and design choices. Referring to the total cost before a customer is able to “turn the key” to their completed home, this service allows families to assess the affordability of their dream home. In the second phase of pre-construction plan-ning, Mountain Architects help clients move forward with the project by refin-ing the home design. Project managers assist with a builder bid administration, a process in which builders bid for cus-tomer business that ensures high qual-

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ity work at a competitive price. In the final construction phase, PrecisionCraft fab-ricates log and timber materials, sends a professional crew to install the structure, adds finishes, and follows up with on-site inspections. Throughout the entire pro-cess, customers are connected to the proj-ect through ClientConnect, a personalized project website with timeline information, account details, reports and plans, contact information for the project team members, and photos of the project’s progress.

“We really needed to be in control of the total project,” Young said about the Total Home Solution. “It’s not just about produc-ing the logs and the timber, but it’s more about controlling the project, building a home, and the full process. We want to be able to create all aspects of the home. We can really create just about everything in log and timber to fit whatever the designer and the customer dream up.”

Top design has been attainable for cus-tomers of PrecisionCraft Log & Timber Homes, and is evident in the 2,000 proj-ects completed to date. One home in Jack-son, Wyoming, for instance, catered to the client’s love of mountains, with broad windows in the great room that offer breathtaking views of the Grand Tetons. In another project, the company modified an “Eagle’s Nest” floor plan to include a fea-ture double-sided fireplace, 1,134 square-feet of decks and patios, and a square dove-tail milled log and timber frame hybrid exterior. “All of our homes are exceptional and they are all one-of-a-kind,” Young said. “In our customers’ views, they are some of the best homes around.”

Young is optimistic about upcoming years for PrecisionCraft Log & Timber Homes, and believes that the company will contin-ue on the same path while also providing additional services. Some of these services include creating houses on an economical scale.

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At KM Building Company, business re-volves around a passion for people and their visions. Although a qualified com-mercial contractor, specializing in both ground up construction and remodel-ing and renovations, what truly sets this Minneapolis company apart is a personal relationship with clients. For more than four decades, KM Building Company has assembled teams to create buildings of lasting value, while also helping clients realize their dreams and ensuring future

success. “Our overall philosophy is to partner with our clients to bring, at every corner and with regard to every aspect, value to their proposition,” Steven Faber, owner of KM Building Company, said.

A premier builder in commercial and hospitality projects, tenant improve-ments, and religious facilities, the com-pany was originally founded in 1964 by Norwegian and Swedish immigrants as Kloster Madsen, and later changed own-ership in 1987. “Since it’s beginnings, KM

has had a reputation for quality construc-tion and being a trustworthy, reliable partner that completes the job right,” Faber said. Faber became involved in the commercial real estate business in 1982, working on the leasing of significant of-fice buildings in the Twin Cities area and providing consultative and investment services in commercial properties for more than a decade, before he bought 50 percent of the interest in KM Build-ing Company in 1995. Four years later,

KM Building Company’s diverseportfolio demonstrates expertise not only in building quality structures, but also in

making the dreams of clients a realityby Jane Caffrey

Passion for the Visionmidwest corporate profile


Faber bought the remaining 50 percent of the company and became the full owner. Today, he forms teams around real estate deals, and works with KM clients to bring them development and acquisition op-portunities.

“What sets KM Building Company apart from many general contractors is the level of expertise of our project manages with the current team, averaging over thirty years of experience with KM. This com-petency should give our clients a great degree of comfort,” Faber said.

As a construction leader, KM Build-ing Company retains the passion and the vision required to deliver quality projects to client—by meeting business needs, providing accurate estimating and design/cost guidance, and working as a single source provider throughout the whole building process. In terms of construction, KM Building Company of-fers its clients three primary areas of ex-

pertise. For one, the company has been known throughout its history for doing the “messy jobs,” that is, fully gutting buildings and completing restoration or improvement projects. These include additions, remodeling, renovations, and historic restorations—all which the com-pany has particularly excelled at since its commencement in 1964. KM also does exceptionally well with tenant and interi-or improvements, particularly for office, industrial and retail spaces. The third area of specialization for the company is the revitalization and construction of religious facilities.

With a diverse portfolio of projects around the Twin Cities area, completed work proves KM Building Company’s ability to rise to the distinct challenges that each individual client and project presents. For instance, in the renova-tion of the historic chapel at Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis’ largest cemetery,

the company implemented new lighting, electrical, and mechanical systems—all concealed from view behind finishes to maintain the historical value and the sanctity of this worship space. After add-ing an underground addition to the cre-matorium and an exterior stone handicap ramp, KM also restored the exterior ap-pearance of the building with tuck point-ing, bronze doors, and decorative glass. In a completely distinct project, KM Build-ing Company cut an opening in a concrete slap of downtown Minneapolis’ Target Center basketball arena, for the con-struction a 10,000 square-foot NBA sport themed restaurant. During this project, the company worked without disrupting the Timberwolves’ court time. Following the completion of the restaurant geared towards sports aficionados, the Timber-wolves hired KM Building Company to construct VIP locker room facilities and remodel concession areas in the Target



Center.In another major project, KM Building

Company was challenged to conserve the historical aesthetic of the Straus Knit buildings, an abandoned, 5-story knitting mill, while converting the structures into affordable residential living space. Today, the complex holds 50 apartments and commercial space on the ground floor, resting comfortably in front of Mears Park in Lowertown, St. Paul. In this $7 mil-lion project, KM gutted three buildings before dividing the 70,000 square-feet of space into multiple apartment units. The project also included new mechani-cal and electrical systems, vertical trans-portation via elevators and stairs, and the installation of new windows. During the restoration process, decorative cast iron details from the original mill were revealed, and the company was awarded a Historic Preservation Award for its re-vitalization of the Straus Knit buildings.

In the future, KM Building Company plans to focus on its three areas of exper-tise, and continue to meet the needs of clients and the challenges of diverse proj-ects. Overall, the company strives to work as a reliable partner and provide quality work that completely satisfies client vi-sions. “Our most important goal is to be perceived amongst our peers and clients as a trusted leader in our areas of exper-tise,” Faber said. “Life is short, so make friends with whom you do business.”

National WindowAssociates, Inc

Over 50 years combined experience!All Phases of Window Design & Replacement

In House Engineering and InstallationPersonneland Provide a Full Range of Service

13325 Commerce Blvd., Suite 1Rogers, MN 55374

Phone: 763-428-3123Fax: 763-428-3193

[email protected]

midwest corporate profile

Last year, along a bluff in Anchorage, Alaska, Charles Homan con-nected two houses with two impressive 30 ft.

long enclosed bridges. It was his largest project and a showcase of the type intricate work his company is capable of.

“It was pretty elaborate,” said Homan, owner of Homan Inc. based in Eagle River, Alaska.

The 10 foot wide bridges also act-ed as rooms and contained a sun-room and an 800 sq. ft. lanai room with an adjoining swimming pool. One bridge was made of glass on the side that overlooked the bluff. The enclosed bridges also featured 12 ft. x 8 ft. skylight over the pool and sunroom and an 8’ x 8’ skylight over the lanai. The owner of the two houses also requested a 3,452 sq. ft. butler’s kitchen on the other side of his house to handle entertaining.

It was a lucrative project for Homan and one he was excited about tackling.

Homan’s company specializes in additions, remodeling, and window replacements. This year he is focus-ing on smaller projects, mostly due to the economy. His current project involves replacing rotted out beams in a condominium complex. Also, he is tackling a few upgrading of win-dows for more energy efficiency. He is only working on one smaller ad-dition this year.

“The volume of construction is down from a few years ago,” Homan said. “There’s a lot more competi-tion from spec homebuilders who are now doing additions.”

In the past, the spec homebuilders would call Homan for projects, now they’re doing it themselves, he said.

He is handling a high volume of

Building BridgesHoman tackles any project, be it replacing windows

or connecting two homes via bridge.


by Rebecca Rodriguez

northwest corporate profile

window replacements because peo-ple are interested in meeting the IRS code for a tax rebate. Alaska, he said, has an energy rebate program where a home owner can get up to a $10,000 rebate check from the state for in-creasing the energy rating of their home by five stars.

“Most consumers replaced their heating systems and that has had a di-rect impact on window replacements,” Homan said.

Alaska is ahead of the nation in en-ergy efficient “green” building, he said.

“Energy consumption is important in a colder climate. With my custom-ers, it’s a driving force with the kind of house and the use of windows,” Homan said.

Although Homan usually builds one custom home a year, this year he has had none.

“In Anchorage, the volume of con-struction is down from a few years ago,” he said.

“Projects this year have been small-er.”

A lot has to do with the economy, he said, but also there’s not a lot of land to develop in Anchorage due to envi-ronmental reasons. And Anchorage is not overbuilt like the rest of the na-tion, he said.

“Existing stock is being torn down and rebuilt,” Homan said.

What land is left in the Anchorage Bowl, where Homan does most of his work, are small pockets for develop-ment rather than larger chunks of land for subdivisions.

As president of the Anchorage Home Builder’s Association, Homan is keyed into issues that affect area businesses. A remodelers’ council meets once a month and members also participate in the Home Builder’s Association’s yearly home and remodeling show.

“That generates quite a bit of busi-


ness for me,” he said. “I meet clients at the home show and projects come through about two to three years later.”

Homan also does projects in the Chu-giak/Eagle River communities near An-chorage, but he does not do statewide work. He is happy with the size of the area he works in and with the size of his company which generates about $1 million in revenue per year.

“I’m happy with the size of my com-pany. I’m not going to change,” he said, adding that he has four employees. There are two carpenters and two la-borers that work with Homan.

Even five years from now he sees his company staying on the smaller size.

“I’m not planning on growing into a large-scale remodeling business,” he said.

northwestcorporate profile


Homan’s wife does the book keeping for the company which got its start in 1978.

Homan’s father worked as a former banker and was involved in the home building mar-ket. Homan started out working for a builder as a laborer and learned the business. He led many of the projects.

“I was the only one who knew what was go-ing on in the job. Everyone came to me,” he said.

In 1978 he built two homes and his own business took off. The company’s primary focus was on construction and development of residential homes for the first seven years.

“Our mission is to strive for excellence while providing quality and dependable re-modeling service,” he said.

Homan stressed that he is not a spec build-er and works with clients on custom homes.

Window replacements take up about 30 percent of his business and additions take up about the same amount. Miscellaneous jobs such as kitchen remodeling, bath remodels, structural repairs, and basement remodeling take up the rest of his business. Most of his work comes from referrals or repeat custom-ers, but he does do some advertising in the local yellow pages.

“Customer’s ask around and check you out,” he said. “My subcontractors also do a lot of referrals for me.”

He works with a group of subcontractors that he has worked with for a long time and sticks with them.

Homan said he is experiencing a small dip in business that’s reflecting what’s happen-ing nationwide. Alaska, a state that’s heavily dependent on tourism and oil exploration, has seen an downward turn.

One aspect helping the housing market and remodeling market in Alaska, though, has been the government’s $8,000 tax credit for first time home buyers.

Homan is content with the projects his company takes on and thrives on the large and elaborate remodeling projects he some-times receives. The houses he connected in Anchorage he uses as a reference for clients seeking an example of his work. The project is a reflection of the quality of work he per-forms and is an example of the dedication he has for the client’s needs whether that be a small project or a large addition.

bef

ore

B & M Painting is proud to be a long standing business partner of Homan Inc. Bill Blakely, President, and his staff are a highly experienced team that can help solve your paint selection prob-lems and can fulfill any of your painting needs, both commercial and residential.

northwest corporate profile


afternorthwestcorporate profile

60 Construction Leaders Today Fall 2009 Courtesy of Send2Press® Newswire

news awards

Legendary Cotton Bowl Galvanizedfor Years to Come


Routinely recognized as an industry leader for their implementation of cut-ting edge technologies and delivering exceptional value, Southern Bleacher and project partner Aztec Galvanizing

Services recently received their 3rd Excellence in Hot-Dip Galvanizing award. The award, bestowed annually by The American Galvanizers Association (AGA), is awarded to only the premier manufactur-ers in the world that employ industry-leading galva-nizing processes.

Cotton BowlThe prestigious award was bestowed upon the team in conjunction with the biggest trans-formation in the Cotton Bowl’s 78-year history, a $57 million upgrade that added more than 16,000 seats to its end zones, finishing out the ends of its oval bowl with upper-level decks and bringing its total capacity to 92,200.

Hot-dipped galvanized bleachers were a key com-ponent in the makeover. Hot-dip galvanizing is the process whereby fabricated steel, structural steel, castings, or small parts, including fasteners, are im-mersed in a kettle or vat of molten zinc, resulting in a metallurgically bonded alloy coating that protects the steel from corrosion. While corrosion is natural and inevitable, it can be minimized and delayed via the hot-dip galvanizing process. Those manufactur-ers that don’t utilize the proper galvanizing process contribute not only to unnecessary corrosion that costs the U.S. economy approximately $300 billion,

but also fail to deliver the best possible, longest last-ing product for their clients.

Stated Southern Bleacher executive Garrett Pettus, “We are once again honored by the award. At South-ern Bleacher, we combine the best and brightest pro-fessionals with rigorous design and manufacturing processes and partner suppliers like Aztec Galvaniz-ing Service to ensure we deliver the best products in the industry. Each customer entrusts us with their most important investments and we deliver superior product that maximizes their investment.”

Southern Bleacher’s comprehensive services in-clude budget analysis, estimates, proposal drawings and specifications at no cost. Clients will benefit from their vast experience in addressing the myriad of building-code requirements, accessibility issues, safety requirements and lines of sight that fans will cheer about.

Since 1946, Southern Bleacher’s products grace soccer fields, college campuses, school districts, NASCAR tracks and rodeo arenas across the U.S.

From concept to reality, Southern Bleacher is customer driven. They work closely with planning committees and project architects to create a facil-ity that is timeless and cost effective.

Southern Bleacher is a family owned and operated company that takes pride in their commitment to excellence.

For more information, visit: www.southernbleach-er.com.

awards news


An 1870s Shingle Style home that was renovated and restored by Charlie Allen Restorations (CAR), the Cambridge, MA-firm specializing in remodeling

period homes, has been awarded a Historic Preservation Award from the Cambridge His-torical Commission (CHC). The Washington Avenue property is the fourth local remodel-ing project by Charlie Allen Restorations to be recognized by the CHC. The award was presented in a ceremony at the Old Cam-bridge Baptist Church on Thursday, May 21.

Charlie Allen Restorations”This was a re-warding project for us,” says Allen. “The ho-meowners not only wanted a thorough, his-

Remodeling Project by CharlieAllen Restorations Wins 2009

CHC Historic Preservation Award

Courtesy of Send2Press® Newswire

news awards


torically-appropriate exterior restoration, but also sought a thoughtful interior renovation that would improve functionality and enhance period detailing.”

The project began in September 2007 and was com-pleted in June 2008. During that time the exterior of the house underwent a transformation that included a new roof, new wood siding where necessary, a new conical turret top, the replication and installation of porch spandrels, and a historically appropriate paint scheme with colors chosen with the help of the CHC. On the interior, the main staircase of the house was opened up between the second and third floors to make contact between floors easier.

The original balustrade spindles, handrail and newel posts were replicated and installed on the new stairs. The stair system was stripped and stained to match an original section that was uncovered dur-ing the renovation. Additional storage space was added to the home’s entry, the kitchen, which had been remodeled to look like a Scandinavian boat, was opened-up and updated, and a dressing room was introduced to the master bedroom suite.

In the end, the home was transformed into a beauti-ful house with thoughtful detailing that preserves the architectural and historical integrity of the neighbor-hood.

Charlie Allen and Trevor Nelson, project manager for CAR, headed the project. Partners included archi-tect Tom Downer of Downer/Associates, designer Pe-ter Steven of Upland Designs, and landscape designer Kevin McLaughlin of Phoenix Park Landscapers.

“We were thrilled to restore this neighborhood jew-el,” notes Allen. “To see the project receive recogni-tion from the Cambridge Historical Commission is a great bonus.”

Charlie Allen Restorations is an award-winning firm offering meticulous craftsmanship, established project management techniques, and exceptional customer service. The company, founded in 1978, specializes in remodeling period homes.

For more information about Charlie Allen Restora-tions, please call 617/661-7411 or visit www.charlie-allen.com.

awards news


Whisper Mountain:Home to Southern Living’s 2009

Mountain Sweepstakes Home

news awards


Whisper Mountain, home to the 2008 Southern Living Green Idea House, has once again teamed up with Southern Living Magazine to offer yet

another environmentally-inspired home - Whis-per Creek Cabin. This cabin is one of four homes, and the only mountain home, that can be won during the Southern Living's Choose Your Home Giveaway sweepstakes this spring. The public can register to win the home through June 30.

Whisper Creek CabinThe home opened for tours on May 14 and will continue through June 30. A $5 donation to tour the home will go to the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conser-vancy - its mission is to conserve the natural beauty and habitat of western North Carolina and east Tennessee. One way this is achieved is through developing and maintaining long-term conservation relationships with private landowners such as Whisper Mountain.

The Whisper Creek Cabin was constructed by Haven Custom Homes (www.HavenHomes.com), and Jade Mountain Builders of Ashe-ville, and is built with many eco-friendly and environmental principles in mind, including the use of site-harvested poplar siding and re-cycled tin roofing for the front porch from a local barn

With a rustic exterior design of shingle and stone, the cabin's design mimics the style and charm of 19th-centry homes that were once prevalent in the mountains of Western North Carolina. This 1,550 square foot cabin has two bedrooms and sits alongside Whisper Creek,

one of the many protected mountain streams at Whisper Mountain. Sweeping views can be enjoyed from the front porch encompassing the great French Broad River Valley and sur-rounding parkland.

"We chose Haven Custom Homes for this project because their fabrication process is consistent with Whisper Mountain's dedica-tion to eco-friendly construction techniques," Charlie Ball, developer, Whisper Mountain says.

The construction process that Haven Custom Homes employs is completed in a controlled environment, off-site, which limits disruption to the land, both physically and esthetically. The company also meets green certification thresholds for state and national "green built" programs, including North Carolina's Healthy-Built Home standards and Energy Star.

"We are privileged to participate in the 2009 Southern Living Choose Your Home Giveaway program and are delighted to partner with Charlie and his wife, Troy, and applaud their commitment to continuing to grow a sustain-able community that honors and preserves the environment," Jerry Smalley, CEO and presi-dent for Haven Custom Homes, says.

For more information about Whisper Moun-tain, visit: www.WhisperMountainNC.com.

To enter to win the Whisper Creek Cabin, visit southernliving.com


awards news


Green Retrofitsfor CommercialBuildings Motivated byHigher Property Values, According to PikeResearch

news environment


The institutional market for energy efficiency retrofits in commercial buildings is booming, driven by strong activity in the federal build-

ing sector, and activity initiated in the next few years will continue through 2013 and beyond. However, according to a recent report from Pike Research, the largest potential for long term, sustained growth in building efficiency lies in the private commercial sector, comprising 70 billion square feet of space, where managers are motivated not only by the opportunity to reduce energy costs, but also by the lure of higher property values for green buildings.

“As the economy recovers, the com-mercial building sector’s activity mix will shift away from new construction and toward more renovations,” says managing director Clint Wheelock. “In addition to the direct benefits of re-

ducing energy bills, high-performance buildings command premium rental and sales prices. In a struggling and fiercely competitive market, green buildings simply move faster relative to their more conventional counterparts.”

According to the report, commercial building retrofits range from less than $1 per square foot (SF) for a simple en-ergy efficiency program to save 10% of energy costs, to $10-$30/SF to save 40% of energy costs and enhance occupant performance, to $40/SF for a major ren-ovation. Payback periods, particularly for simple low-cost retrofits, can range between a few months and a few years.

Pike Research’s study, “Energy Efficien-cy Retrofits for Commercial and Public Buildings”, provides an in-depth exami-nation of the market opportunities, driv-ers, barriers, and best practices within the commercial building sector. The report features detailed quantitative

analysis of the addressable market for green retrofits, along with forecasts for market growth over the next five years. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website.

Pike Research is a market research and consulting firm that provides in-depth analysis of global clean technology mar-kets. The company’s research method-ology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examina-tion of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Renewable Energy, Clean Transportation, Clean In-dustry, Green Consumers, and Environ-mental Management sectors. For more information, visit www.pikeresearch.com or call +1.303.997.7609.


environment news


Southwest Design Flooring LLC, a full service flooring contrac-tor, continues to develop in-novative f loor-restoration services and techniques. Most

recently, the company has added a new service that restores old floors - Arizona Clean Tile (www.AZCleanTile.com).

AzCleanTile offers eco-friendly sys-tems and uses people-friendly products to restore original-polished concrete floors. These products are also good for Saltillo cleaning; garage floor cleaning; travertine cleaning; Saltillo sealing; ga-rage floor sealing; and travertine seal-ing. People will also no longer need that garage floor epoxy paint.

During the 1940s and 1950s, many homes were built with colored concrete floors - colors of timeless browns and reds. The colors they used were neutral and continue to be used today, especial-ly in the southwest.

“However, many people may not even be aware that they have these floors in their homes,” Jack Langley, owner South-west Design Flooring LLC, says. “But, let’s say they start to do some renova-tion and begin lifting off that old tile or carpet. Few people will know that these beautiful concrete floors can be restored to near new condition by using these various new concrete polishing meth-ods. Some concrete floors polish very well and do not even need sealers.”

Langley adds that some flooring com-panies prefer to cover concrete with syn-thetic polymer and an artificial stone or tile.

“But, the problem is that these syn-thetic coatings are not as long lasting and durable as polished concrete; they are also not as eco-friendly,” Langley cautions.

Many old and tired Saltillo floors can also be restored to near new condition by using advanced power extraction sys-tems. Few contractors have the equip-ment and expertise to restore Saltillo as well and affordably as AzCleanTile.

Eco-friendly Floor ProductsRestore Concrete, Flagstone, Saltillo, Brick Patio and Garage Floors

AZCleanTile also combines methods to enhance the natural colors in flagstone and brick patios not otherwise thought possible; colors literally come back to life.

Keep in mind, that natural stones such as travertine and limestone should not be sealed without a deep power clean-ing and extraction. When AzCleanTile uses its Turbo force extraction system to remove the deep-down soil and pet contaminants, people can be confident that their floor is as clean, sanitary and

healthy as it can be.Finally, glazed ceramic or porcelain tile

- anything with a rough surface - holds a great deal of soil and pet contami-nants. The well-trained and professional crews at AzCleanTile can remove all of this embedded dirt and recreate a clean and healthy environment for people and their families.

Ordinary tile cleaning service is also available. For more information, visit: www.AzCleanTile.com.


news environment


environment news


Growing Numberof Arizona SchoolsFacing Mold Problems

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As August winds down children across Arizo-na are heading back to school, but problems await some school districts. Just this month it was reported that mold has been found at one Higley Unified School District elemen-

tary school and is believed to be present in two others. Earlier this summer mold was found at Red Mountain Ranch Elementary in Mesa and last year mold problems plagued Tempe Union High School District after micro-bial problems were found at Corona del Sol High School.

These mold problems are not limited to the greater Phoenix area as other areas across the state such as Tuc-son, Yuma and Prescott have faced similar situations in the past. As schools age and tight budgets get squeezed even tighter maintenance on some school buildings is

at times postponed or delayed indefinitely. The lack of maintenance on these heavily used and aging buildings can make them conducive to water infiltration, HVAC failures, faulty plumbing and other conditions that can invite mold to grow.

Global Prevention Services (GPS), one of the nation’s largest microbial prevention and remediation compa-nies, has been busy providing solutions. The nationwide company is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona and has developed procedures and techniques to address the un-relenting problem of microbial contamination in schools for years.

The company has invested heavily in the development of their exclusive PureSpace® Process and line of Pure-Space® Products that are ideal for school environments.

environment news


“No other mold remediation and prevention company has access to the proprietary PureSpace® Process and line of environmentally friendly treatment products,” reported Michael Himelfarb, Presi-dent of Global Prevention Services. “The products are safe and are used in our system to not only fix mold and microbial issues, but also prevent these problems in the first place.”

GPS has a remarkable record of providing affordable proven solutions to the problem of microbial contaminants in schools, institutions as well as commercial and residential properties. To learn more about the GPS® Network please visit www.NoMold.com, email [email protected] or call 877.NoMold5.

About Global Prevention Services

Global Prevention Services has been on the forefront of treating buildings with microbial problems and providing preventive mold solutions to residential, institutional and commercial facilities.

environmentnews


Mueller, Inc., a leading man-ufacturer of steel build-ings and resi-

dential metal roofing, wants to extend a helping hand to a Texas non-profit in need of a new facility. One organiza-tion will be chosen to receive a new Mueller steel building through applications submit-ted by June 1, 2009.

Due to widespread economic stress, Mueller wants to give something back to a strug-gling organization that always gives to others, whether it is a food bank facility, a volunteer firehouse, or maybe a senior citizen center.

Upon making the announce-ment, Mike Fry, director of marketing for Mueller said, “We are very supportive of the hard working non-profits in Texas and during these tough times, we want to do our share of giving back by offering a helping hand to one of these deserving organizations.”

Mueller is teaming up with the popular television series, “Texas Country Reporter” with Bob Phillips to publicize this offering. Viewers of the pro-gram representing non-profit organizations will be invited to write in and explain why their organization is worthy of receiving a Mueller steel building. The winner will be announced on the television show this fall.

A complete listing of the days and times the show airs in cit-ies across Texas is also on the program’s Web site.

Mueller Offers a Metal Building to a Deserving

Texas Non-Profit Org.


newsnon-profit


Convio, a company that is passionate about helping nonprofit organizations use software and services to fulfill their mis-sions, today announced the opening of its new DC office and nonprofit executive center. In addition to housing Convio’s DC-based team members, the new facility was designed to serve as a hub for meetings, training sessions, meet-ups and other networking opportunities which help non-profit professionals in the DC area share ideas, insight and innovation, as well as build relationships.

“We are thrilled about expanding our presence in Washington and the ability to use this facility to give back to our cli-ents and the larger nonprofit community,” said Gene Austin, chief executive officer for Convio. “This new facility offers non-profit professionals a special opportunity to come together, share ideas and innova-tion. The space provides our clients state-of-the-art meeting and training facilities so they can enjoy an out-of-the-office ex-perience while developing their people and resources to better fulfill their mis-

sions. It also offers a unique opportunity for clients and future clients to gain first-hand knowledge of Convio innovations, software, services and real world fundrais-ing and donor management strategies.”

In addition to an open, eco-friendly envi-ronment for the Convio team, the new fa-cility offers more than 4,000 square feet of meeting and training space, video confer-encing capabilities and conference rooms for smaller gatherings between Convio and nonprofit professionals.Sustainable Workplace

Convio OpensExecutive Centerand New Office in D.C.

non-profitnews


From the beginning Convio was commit-ted to the well-being of the environment, as well as providing a healthy and productive workplace for team members and guests. Convio worked with OTJ Architects and Hitt Contracting to create an office space focused on sustainability. In addition to selecting an office location in a building that has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) prestigious En-ergy Star, the national symbol for superior energy efficiency and environmental pro-tection, the company also implemented numerous “green” design elements.

Key design elements of the new office space include: lighting and natural light-ing, with all team members having access to natural light from at least three sides of the building; furniture, with all worksta-tions being Herman Miller Vivo interiors, designed according to Herman Miller’s cra-dle-to-cradle protocol and GREENGUARD certification; and carpet, with all carpet used in the office certified by Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label Plus certifica-

tion for volatile organic compound emis-sions.

“Convio is to be commended for their work in not only creating an environment that will help facilitate community par-ticipation and engagement, but for taking a leadership role in green practices,” said Page Oelschig, LEED AP for OTJ Archi-tects. “The company and their customers also benefited greatly from Convio’s strong financial position and their ability to invest in this expansion during the current eco-nomic situation. They have a state-of-the-art, green facility for pennies on the dollar compared to similar build outs prior to the recession.”

Added Angie McDermott, vice president human resources for Convio and project lead for the company, “Our partners at OTJ Architects and Hitt Contracting share our passion for the nonprofit community. That passion for the work of our clients com-bined with their passion and expertise in design to create a wonderful people and earth-friendly environment in which to collaborate and work.”

About Convio

Convio is the leading provider of online marketing, fundraising, advocacy and constituent relationship management software and services to nonprofit organi-zations. The company’s online marketing suite offers integrated software for fund-raising, advocacy, events, email marketing and web content management, and its da-tabase system, Convio Common Ground™ CRM, helps organizations efficiently track and manage all interactions with support-ers. All products are delivered through the Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model and are backed by a portfolio of best-in-class consulting and support services and a net-work of partners who provide value-added services and applications focused on the unique needs of nonprofit organizations.

For more information, please visit www.convio.com.

Green FacilityDesigned to Serve

as Hub for Nonprofit Community to Share

Ideas, Insight & Passion


newsnon-profit


Property InspectorsExpand their Serviceswith High ResolutionThermal Imaging Cameras

high tech news


Thermographic cameras, or in-frared cameras, use infrared radiation to create images. Since objects emit a certain amount of black body radia-

tion as a function of their temperatures, these specialized cameras have the ability to capture this information in the form of a digital image.

Since their inception thermal imaging cameras have found many uses. They are used by everyone from firefighters to pow-er line technicians. One of the most com-mon uses for thermal imaging today is in the building construction and moisture intrusion/disaster restoration industries.

As prices for these cameras have come down, an ever increasing number of en-vironmental investigators and building science inspectors have begun utilizing these tools. EMSL Analytical, one of the largest environmental testing laboratories

and environmental equipment providers, recently announced the availability of the new Fluke TiR32 thermal imaging camera.

The TiR32 is the first high resolution camera available for under $9000. It is also Fluke’s first camera in the TiR “gun” series with interchangeable rechargeable batteries. The new camera is loaded with features that investigators will find useful, including high temperature and dew point alarms, thumbnail view memory and Ul-tra-Contrast™ palette options.

The cameras also come with Fluke’s SmartView® analysis and reporting soft-ware with free upgrades through the life of the camera. The cameras have been designed to be rugged and engineered to withstand a 2 meter drop. Fluke’s 2 year warranty also provides additional peace of mind for camera owners.

“These new cameras provide profes-sionals with features that until now were

only found in cameras that cost well over $15,000,” reported Jody Thomason, Direc-tor of Products Division for EMSL Analyti-cal. “We are pleased to be offering these IR cameras and will be displaying them at several upcoming industry conferences,” Thomason continued.

To learn more about thermal imaging cameras, other environmental testing products or analytical services please con-tact EMSL Analytical at (800)220-3675, visit www.EMSL.com or email [email protected].

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.EMSL Analytical is a nationally recog-

nized and locally focused provider of envi-ronmental and industrial hygiene services and products to professionals and the gen-eral public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organi-zations as well as state and federal regulat-ing bodies.

Property InspectorsExpand their Serviceswith High ResolutionThermal Imaging Cameras

high technews


Graduate organizations and cur-rent residents of the University City Science Center’s business incubators have created more than 15,000 jobs that remain

in the Greater Philadelphia region today and contribute more than $9 billion to the regional economy annually, according to a study measuring the economic impact of the Science Center’s business incubation services that was released September 14, 2009.

“The University City Science Center : An Engine of Economic Growth for Greater Philadelphia” was prepared for the Sci-

The University City Science Center is An Engine of Economic Growth for Greater Philadelphia

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high technews


KEY FINDINGS•Of the 350-plus organizations that

“graduated” from the University City Sci-ence Center, 93 remain in the 11-county Greater Philadelphia region.•These 93 companies employ more than

15,000 people at an average salary of $89,000. 37 incubator residents employ another 174.•Each employee also generates an ad-

ditional 1.68 jobs throughout the region due to indirect and induced economic demand. Overall graduate and resident incubator organizations generate more than 40,000 regional jobs.•These organizations contribute $22.0

million to the City of Philadelphia in wage taxes and $42.5 million to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in in-come taxes annually.•Annual economic output for graduate

and resident incubator organizations present in the region is $9.4 billion; Value added (increased regional GDP) is $5 billion.

About The Science Center

•The University City Science Center ac-celerates technology commercialization, regional economic development, and the market availability of life-enhancing scientific breakthroughs by bringing together innovations, scientists, entre-preneurs, funding, laboratory facilities, and business services. Established in 1963 and headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, the Science Center was the first, and remains the largest, urban research park in the United States. It provides services that range from incubator space with fully-equipped laboratories and “plug ‘n play” offices for entrepreneurs to path-breaking programs designed to demon-strate, nurture, and sustain new technol-ogy businesses and bring their benefits to the region and the world. For more information about the Science Center, go to www.sciencecenter.org.

ence Center by the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia with assis-tance from Select Greater Phila-delphia.

“We’ve long known that the Sci-ence Center is a driving force in innovation, job creation and eco-nomic development in the Greater Philadelphia region’s high tech sec-tor,” says Science Center President and CEO Stephen S. Tang, Ph.D. “What this study does is quantify our impact. Since our inception in 1963, our resident companies have been awarded 449 patents, they have developed drugs and discov-eries that will change the world, and each year they contribute billions of dollars to the region’s economy.”

“The University City Science Cen-ter has a long history of helping to create a more robust economy in the Greater Philadelphia region,”

says Tom Morr, President and CEO of Select Greater Philadelphia. “The impacts identified in this study provide further evidence of how Greater Philadelphia’s innova-tive capacity and strong high-tech collaborations have contributed to the area’s economic vitality. Orga-nizations like the Science Center have helped the region outper-form the U.S. economy as a whole in these troubled economic times.”

“Understanding the value the Sci-ence Center has had to date in con-tributing to Greater Philadelphia’s economy is crucial as we all work together to build the region’s next generation of innovation leaders,” says Steve Wray, Executive Di-rector of the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia.

high tech news


Molex Offers LED forGovernment, Commercial& Residential Construction

The fully integrated solution addresses critical needs of electrical and lighting contractors worldwide and ensures code compliance;

available exclusively through Leviton in North America

Molex Incorporated (NASDAQ:MOLX)(NASDAQ:MOLXA) today introduced to the government, commercial and resi-dential construction markets the com-pany’s new series of patent-pending SSL products, the Transcend™ Lighting Series, which will be sold exclusively by Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc. in North America. The innovative new products are small, interchangeable modules, which address some of the barriers to widespread adoption of LED technology, including precise heat and current management and the necessary optical design for superior illumination. The unique, sustainable format allows electrical and lighting contractors on residential and commercial sites to use Transcend LED lights in existing fixtures – from decorative wall sconces to recessed cans and track lights – all while meeting code requirements.

“The lighting market lacked a full service integrator that answered the

high technews


needs of electrical and lighting contrac-tors in the residential and commercial construction markets,” said Mike Picini, vice president of Solid State Lighting, Molex Incorporated. “We developed the Transcend Lighting Series for the LED marketplace to enable more rapid adop-tion and greater acceptance of LED light-ing. The new series is plug-and-play and meets current and possible future build-ing code requirements, including Title 24, making it easier for electrical and lighting contractors to take full advan-tage of LED technology.”

The Transcend Lighting Series will be available globally in September 2009 and enables electrical and lighting contractors to incorporate LED lights into their con-struction projects. Molex will showcase its first two products at the 2009 NECA Con-vention and Trade Show in Seattle, Sep-tember 12-15 (Booth 411), which include:• The Transcend RM2, a 2” reflector

module, which provides efficient LED directional light with various beam in-tensity and angular distribution

• The Transcend PM3, a 3”surface puck module, which provides a diffused op-tic for ambient or decorative light

Both Transcend products are based on the AcricheTM 4W AC LED from Seoul Semiconductor and can be directly plugged into the AC line voltage without a converter or separate power supply. Other product features include:

• Available with GU24 base or direct wire attachment

• Power source: direct AC line voltage: 120V, 230V or 277V

• Color rendering index (CRI) of 80+• Full integration with correlated color

temperatures (CCT) of 3000K and 5000K

• Two beam angles: 11° and 25° available

for RM2 module and 112° for PM3• Dimmable• UL recognized, code compliant• Suitable for use in dry and damp loca-

tions protected from direct water spray• Sustainable – easily replaceable solu-

tion• Efficacy: ~33 L/W for RM2 and ~25

L/W for PM3

Building on the Transcend products, Molex will introduce a full suite of so-lutions for the lighting market for both direct (DC) and alternating (AC) current.

About Molex IncorporatedMolex Incorporated is a 70-year-old

global manufacturer of electronic, elec-trical and fiber optic interconnection systems. Based in Lisle, Illinois, USA, the company operates 43 manufacturing lo-cations in 18 countries. The Molex web-site is www.molex.com.

high tech news


It first began as an idea to fight air-borne germs and bacteria in hospitals and healthcare settings, and in fact, Accents in Water remains the only Hospital-Approved, clinically tested

water features available in the world today. Then, general public settings like restau-rants, office buildings, and hotels wanted them. So naturally, it was only a matter of time before custom interior designers and architects demanded these particular wa-ter features for their high-end residential clients.

Accents in Water”We now produce the only patent-pending, anti-bacterial (Pathoban AG254™) re-circulating indoor water sys-tems designed to inhibit microbial growth for both general public and in-home envi-ronments,” said international sales director Guy Bertelli.

The Accents in Water systems have been proven to entrain airborne particles and mi-crobes, bacteria, and fungi.

Company president, Joe Kloppenberg says, “Bioaerosol tests and disinfection modeling conducted at the University of Colorado’s Civil Engineering Laboratories validated the ability of our water features to harvest pathogenic airborne bacteria and other particulate matter from indoor air which results in locally cleaner air.”

One of the world’s top scientists in this field, Dr. Mark Hernandez, PhD, PE, is a

professor of environmental engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder and the principal investigator charged with identifying the potential environmental impacts a water feature can have on the indoor environment. “These water features had a measurable impact on the numbers of airborne bacteria in the room hosting the device; our results suggest the opposite of conventional opinion regarding the opera-tions of architectural indoor water features, which are often suspect for the enrichment and aerosolization of some microbes. When operated properly, these particular features humidified the air, and had a net entrain-ment of bacteria and other respirable-sized particles,” said Dr. Hernandez.

Beyond their measurable health quality benefits, the customizable wall and floor models offered in a variety of styles and fin-ishes create a breathtaking piece of cascad-ing art.

Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, the sixty-seven year old company is a division of Kloppenberg, a veteran custom metal fabricator. The company also prides itself as a “Completely Made in America” manu-facturer with an industry-breaking 25-year warranty and incomparable purification system.

More information: 800-622-3440, or www.accentsinwater.com.

Hospital Approved ResidentialWater Features KillHarmful Airborne Bacteria


newshigh tech


Ge r r i ty S t o n e , Ne w England’s premier interior and exterior custom stonework specialist, today un-

veiled its Platinum Collection - a distinctive and stunning line of one-of-kind stones handpicked from quarries around the world.

GerrityStone”People are drawn to granite for its unique beauty and vi-sual texture,” said Dawn Carroll, di-rector of the GerrityStone Architec-tural Division. “It is that must-have finishing touch in today’s luxurious kitchens and bathrooms. But some granite is more unique than others. Choose a granite from our Platinum Collection and you are guaranteed it will stand out from the rest.”

Some of the region’s top interior and kitchen designers rely on Ger-rityStone for selections above and beyond the standard choices. “I am enamored with new stone options that are available at GerrityStone,” said Rosemary Porto, kitchen de-signer for Poggenpohl. “This partic-ular collection I call precious gems for your home.”

Currently the collection features stone such as Molten Ember Pol-ish, Pewter Moonscape, and Polar Ice. One of the most striking of the collection is Garnet River, a quartz-ite with cabernet and moss-colored streaks running through the stone, blurrily entwined in a totally linear movement. The texture suggests the cool and calm running of a forest stream.

“We tell our clients that you need to be careful when you enter our Platinum Collection showroom,” Carroll said. “Once you’ve seen these stones, you’ll never look at granite

GerrityStone’s Platinum Collection: Changing the Way ClientsLook at Granite Forever

high tech news


the same way again!”Stone in the Platinum Collection is

handpicked and quarried in places like Nova Scotia, Brazil, Italy, and even Madagascar. The rock itself is formed through unusual geological events, giving each stone its unique qualities. Once these rare and limited textures are gone, they are literally gone forever.

In fact, selecting a stone from the Ger-rityStone Platinum Collection is very much like choosing a piece of art. To ensure a successful installation, Gerri-tyStone will only allow its own crafts-men to fashion, finish, and install it.

“Each step in the process from stone selection to fabrication and installation requires meticulous attention,” Carroll said. “That is especially true when you get into unique textures and move-ments like you’ll find in the Platinum Collection.”

GerrityStone specializes in custom stone fabrication and installation for

kitchens, bathrooms, fireplaces, and outdoor living spaces. Achieving the industry’s highest customer satisfac-tion ratings and offering the widest selection of directly sourced materials are the cornerstones of the company’s philosophy. GerrityStone is an industry leader in green practices providing ed-ucation on LEED certification, as well as continually reducing its own ecologi-cal footprint and promoting green ini-tiatives in the Boston area through its “Green Team,” an employee volunteer program.

GerrityStone is located just 10 miles north of Boston, in Woburn, Massachu-setts and serves architects, designers, builders and homeowners throughout New England. The GerrityStone De-sign Center is open Monday through Saturday with extended hours Tuesday through Friday. For more information please call GerrityStone at 781-938-1820, or visit www.gerritystone.com.


newshigh tech


A new trend has befallen the Kern County new home market. For the second consecutive quar-ter, and despite another decline in the number of actively selling developments, net sales volume increased, according to MarketPointe™ Resi-

dential Trends™ Publication. This quarter’s net sales, all of it detached, represents a 13 percent increase from last quarter. While the first consecutive quarter increase since 2005 may signal a market on the mend, a more subdued approach is ap-propriate when you realize that this current second quarter is 24 percent below the volume of the second quarter of last year and nearly 65 percent less than the second quarter of 2007. “As fewer and fewer projects constitute the competition with the Kern County region, it will be difficult to return to the most recent ‘glory days’ of 2005, when crossing the 1,000-unit sales threshold was the norm” said Robert Martinez, Director of Research, MarketPointe™ Realty Advisors.

Weighted average price in the region resumed its negative di-rection, after the previous two quarters noted increases. This

quarter’s weighted average detached price represents a 10 per-cent decline from last quarter. Also dropping this quarter was the weighted average home size with a 7 percent decrease per square foot. These price and size decreases resulted in a more than 3 percent decrease in the value ratio for a detached home, the lowest per square foot value on record.

Inventory in the 71 active detached projects, two of them audited for the first time this quarter, decreased for the fourth consecutive quarter. This quarter’s 6 percent decline pushed the total supply number to the lowest level since the fourth quarter of 2006. Of 7,279 total units of detached inventory this quarter, more than 92 percent constitute units within unre-leased future phases of existing developments. Inventory that represents more immediately available supply stands at 565 units, a 5 percent decline from last quarter. Together, both un-sold inventory and inventory that has not yet been made avail-able to the marketplace represent close to nine years of total supply. However, the inventory that has been made available and remains unsold represents just over eight months of supply.

news business


New Home Sales in Kern County Extend

the Latest Style

business news


Jet Edge’s Ultra Deckblaster waterjet surface preparation machine uses ul-tra-high pressure waterjets to quickly blast away old paint, coatings, grease and dirt from steel decks and concrete floors without using hazardous chemi-cals.

Resembling a lawnmower, the self-propelled Ultra Deckblaster water jet machine operates at pressures up to 55,000 psi (3,800 bar). Typical water-jetting applications include removal of polyurethane paint or nonskid coat-ings from factory floors, ship decks, paint booths and parking ramps. The Ultra Deckblaster also removes accu-mulated spillage such as grease, oil and overspray.

The Ultra Deckblaster portable water jet system utilizes UHP water supplied by a Jet Edge waterjet intensifier pump. Hydraulic pressure activates the mo-tor to spin the spray bar assembly and open a high-flow water valve supplying fluid to the manifolds. The water trav-els through a high-pressure on/off valve and high-speed swivel before entering the rotating spray bar. Multiple water jet orifices direct UHP water over an 18” (46 cm) wide cleaning path as the ma-chine advances. The spray bar accepts a variety of standard jet manifolds.

Waterjet operators have total control of the rotation speed, drive speed, for-ward/off/reverse, water and rotation on/off of the spray bar. Easily acces-sible knobs control forward/reverse

and bar rotation speeds. A manually actuated valve does not allow opera-tion of any function unless the safety lever is depressed. The hydraulic-pow-ered wheel drive (self-propelled drive) offers additional operator control and comfort and can be easily disengaged for free-rolling applications. The spray bar height is adjustable.

For more information about Jet Edge water jets, visit www.jetedge.com, call 1-800-JET-EDGE (538-3343) or e-mail [email protected].

About Jet Edge

Established in 1984, Jet Edge is a global designer and manufacturer of waterjet systems for precision cut-ting, surface preparation and coating removal. Jet Edge water jets are used around the world in a broad range of industries, from the world's leading air-lines to automotive, aerospace, indus-trial manufacturers, machine and job shops. Jet Edge waterjet systems are proudly made in the U.S.A. For informa-tion about Jet Edge, visit www.jetedge.com, e-mail [email protected] or call 1-800-JET-EDGE (538-3343).

Waterjet SurfacePreparation MachineStrips Paint, Coatings, Dirt, Grease from Steel Decks, Concrete Floors

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AuctionPoint, Inc. today announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind online auction technology that puts the commercial real es-tate broker at the center of the auction process. The patent-pending technology platform al-lows the local broker to customize and manage the entire auction of a featured property, from marketing to live bidding to sale, in an efficient, seamless manner.

Unlike traditional auctions which exclude or limit participation by brokers, AuctionPoint empowers brokers – the market specialists – to sell properties faster, more efficiently and at market value, all while keeping their full com-mission.

“The AuctionPoint solution was developed with the broker in mind. At a time when dis-tressed commercial properties are on the rise, we believe brokers best understand their local market and are best suited to find qualified buy-ers for properties for efficient and faster clos-ings,” said Joseph Tang, co-founder and CEO of AuctionPoint.

With AuctionPoint, brokerage firms and brokers can create unique online auction sites – each site dedicated to a specific property auc-tion – then market listings as they have tradi-tionally. For brokers, AuctionPoint’s

set-up is simple, easy-to-use

a n d

intuitive. At the same time, its robust function-ality can handle all the data and complexities of commercial real estate transactions, from detailed property information to extensive due diligence materials. During the registration pe-riod of an auction, brokers can review the list of registered bidders and qualify bidders to par-ticipate. On auction day, brokers know which bidders are in the virtual auction room, when they entered and the full bidding history.

While AuctionPoint’s platform gives brokers back control of the auction process, it also levels the playing field for bidders, creating transparency that is missing from traditional sales approaches. For interested buyers, each customized site provides a 360-degree view of a property, from a pre-set minimum bid and de-tailed property information to photos and due diligence documentation. Throughout the auc-tion period, each bidder is aware of the current high bid, and has ample opportunity to make an offer during a five-minute window after the last bid. This time prevents last-minute bidders from shutting out others who may submit a higher bid to win the auction.

AuctionPoint could be one of the solutions in a market that is seeing the increase of distressed commercial properties. According to a recent Deutsche Bank report, a staggering $1 trillion of commercial mortgages scheduled to mature over the next decade are unlikely to quality for refinancing without substantial equity from

borrowers.“AuctionPoint accel-

erates the time to market by several months because the traditional offer and counteroffer period is eliminated. We think our platform will motivate qualified buyers to get off the side-lines, which means promoting liquidity in an otherwise stagnant market and achieving true market value for properties,” said Keith Yang, co-founder and president of AuctionPoint.

Because of this, brokers with Cushman & Wakefield, Voit Commercial Brokerage and Collins Commercial have recently selected AuctionPoint to create branded online auction sites for their select commercial properties in Southern California.

“In these current market conditions, it is not uncommon to see commercial properties on the market for 18 months to two years. We think that AuctionPoint’s technology has the poten-tial to bridge a long-standing pricing gap that currently exists between sellers and buyers,” said Rick Ellison, Executive Director of Cushman & Wakefield. “Most importantly for us, brokers are in charge and receiving full credit for their work.”

Each broker can create and customize a Web site for an individual auction for a one-time set up fee of $395. AuctionPoint collects a one per-cent fee of the final price at the close of escrow, the same time as brokers receive their commis-sions.

For more information, visit www.Auction-Point.com.

AuctionPoint: Solution for next WAve of DiStreSSeD commerciAl ProPertieS?

business news


Trinity Building and Construc-tion Management Corp., a Mass-based general contract-ing and construction manage-ment firm, announced today

that it has completed construction at Oceana Restaurant’s new location, inside the McGraw-Hill Building, at 1221 Avenue of the Americas at 49th St, New York, NY. Oceana has been recognized as one of New York’s most well-known seafood destina-tions since 1992.

“The present location was beginning to feel dated,” said Nick Livanos, whose family owns Oceana. “The idea of moving is some-thing that’s appealed to us for some time, and here we’re able to reinvent [Oceana] in a very exciting way.”

Trinity provided the restaurant with a modernized and less formal version of its signature nautical atmosphere. While Oceana’s 54th Street location resembled the cosseted dining room of a luxury yacht, the new 49th Street location seats 180 din-ers, and its floor-to-ceiling windows over-look 49th Street. Both outdoor seating and

a bar offer a more casual experience, as lunch and dinner are served inside the res-taurant’s more formal dining room.

“There are many high end finishes, where the quality of installation is extremely im-portant and Trinity’s subcontractors per-formed well in this regard,” said Matthew Kilty, Trinity Partner and Project Manager for Oceana.

Oceana’s high-end features include cus-tom fabric booths and banquettes with walnut details, and a large, contemporary canopy over the revolving door entryway. Other striking details include sliding glass doors that separate the private and main dining areas, a custom-built lobster tank that sits in the entrance to the kitch-en, tiered decorative chandeliers, and a tremendous amount of stone. There is a private Chef ’s room located within the state of the art kitchen for special functions, and there are Brazilian cherry floors, custom woven carpets, and large flowing hand made draperies.

In addition to Trinity’s team, there were vendors and subcontractors working di-

rectly for the owners, the Livanos Group, including the tile and stone subcontractor. “Having such a key trade working directly for the Owner was certainly something new for us. Constructability issues were re-solved efficiently, and the restaurant’s own-ers knew where things stood every step of the way,” said Kilty.

The Trinity construction team worked hard to minimize costs while still deliver-ing the look that the Livanos Group and designer Morris Nathanson envisioned. “There were certainly obstacles to over-come in maintaining the luxurious look and feel of an upscale restaurant like Oceana, especially in today’s economy,” said Paul Mancini, Trinity Partner. “As de-sign changes occurred we did our best to find the ideal balance between cost and quality, to deliver Oceana its signature style, but in the most cost effective man-ner possible.”

Trinity has completed construction and Oceana is now open at its new Rockefeller Center location.

Trinity Transforms Oceana Restaurant

to Reinvent New York Dining Institution

Seafood destination’s 15,000 s.f. space now open in Rockefeller Center

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TRINITYTrinity Building and Con-struction Management is a full-service construction management and general contracting firm. We build lasting relationships with clients, architects, and de-velopers. Our clients are from the retail, hospitality, corporate and institutional sectors. Trinity’s goal is to achieve the highest level of customer satisfaction by striving for perfection on every level. We bring all the experience and “know-how” of a large general contractor, includ-ing the ability to work on a national level for mul-tiple unit rollout concepts. Some of our completed projects include the new 3400 SF Foot Flagship Branch for Sovereign Bank at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, NYC; and NY&Co’s newly renovated corporate offices.

business news


Custom-Bilt Metals is launching their category-leading Vail Titan Select Steel & Vail Majestic Copper shingles into the national market place strictly through one-step distribution. Vail shin-gles are now being supplied to a growing num-

ber of independent wholesale building materials distributors and roofing supply houses nationwide, with more partner-ships being added on a regular basis throughout the year.

“Vail is a very attractive residential offering with light commercial applications as well,” said Joe Chiovare, vice president of Custom-Bilt Metals. “What better way to penetrate the market than with established distribu-tors who sell directly to installers and end users on a national level.”

“We are reaching out to partner with many dis-tributors that share our vision of supplying superior products and services,” added Chiovare. “Despite our evolving business model for Vail distribution, we stand behind the same set of values that we’ve brought to the highly successful partnerships we’ve established with our customers since the ‘70s.”

This new sales model for Custom-Bilt Metals’ Vail shingle products falls under the direction of newly hired Mike McInnis, national sales distribution man-ager, who for the last eight years worked solely with roofing distributors in the Western United States.

When asked what this new direction means to the market, McInnis replied, “Vail is a highly sought-after residential steel roofing product. It looks like a tradi-tional shingle but with all the benefits of energy effi-cient reflective paint, longevity due to the toughness of steel and the beauty of our stylish color palette. It’s a strong addition to any distributor’s product mix. When distributors first see the product their eyebrows raise, they smile and nod their heads. It’s the shingle product they’ve been looking for.”

Unique in the marketplace, Vail Titan Select metal shingles are an Energy Star-rated product, with most colors currently approved by the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) as part of an overall ratings program from leading ‘cool’ coating company PPG. This new CRRC rating qualifies the majority of colors offered by Custom Bilt Metals for tax credits as well as enabling valuable points towards green building ratings such as LEED certification.

To learn more about Custom-Bilt Metals’ Vail line of metal and copper shingles and other energy-efficient products, visit Booth 419 at the upcoming METALCON show, or log onto www.custombiltmetals.com/prod-ucts.

About Custom-Bilt Metals: Producing roofing prod-ucts since 1974, Custom-Bilt Metals has the knowledge to deliver the best in energy-efficient, coated-metal roofing to public and private projects of any scale. Custom-Bilt Metals has consistently led metal roofing markets on delivering environmentally sustainable products through innovation. In 2002, in an exclusive partnership with BASF (now owned by PPG), Custom-Bilt was the first to introduce the ULTRA-Cool® coating system to their full product line of metal roofing.

For more information on Custom-Bilt Metals prod-ucts, visit www.custombiltmetals.com.

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Expansion of Partnerships a Strong First Step Down Path to Nationwide Distribution of Award-Winning,Energy Star-Rated Metal Shingle Line

Custom-Bilt Metals Moves Vail Shingles

into Distribution

business news


B. Knightly Development, an Austin-based residential and mixed-use development company today announced comple-tion of the purchase of the historic Lone Star Brewery and the commencement of development operations. Plans are already underway to convert the massive 23-acre site into a modern liv-ing destination complete with 190 residential units, an Olympic size pool and on-site amenities such as entertainment venues, restaurants, coffee shops, historic beer gardens, and 1,100 feet of frontage on the Mission Reach section of the Riverwalk.

The New Lone Star Brewery”This is an exciting time for the city of San Antonio,” said Mark Tolley, B. Knightly’s chief execu-

tive officer. “We have a long history in maintaining the historic aspects of important structures while transitioning them into incredible modern living destinations. We are thrilled to pro-vide the people of San Antonio with the ability to own a piece of Texas history.”

The brewery, closed twelve years ago after brew master op-erations moved to Longview, Texas, will offer residents a rare opportunity at downtown urban home ownership amidst some of the most unique property amenities in the state. There are plans for a private on-site three-acre park, Olympic size pool, concert venues, restaurants, bars and even an on-site movie

Lone Star Brewery to Reopen as Mixed-Use Living Destination

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Lone Star Brewery to Reopen as Mixed-Use Living Destination

theater. Residents will also enjoy a full-privileged gym membership and dis-count spa services; all steps from their front door. The 23-acre project is the largest development parcel remaining on the Riverwalk, and is less than two miles from Downtown located just south of San Antonio’s historic King William dis-trict.

The property is also slated to secure one of the highest LEED green ratings, with

natural rain water collection systems and rooftop photovoltaic solar energy arrays. Prices will start at $129,000 and include concrete floors, modern ameni-ties, European style cabinetry and high clear ceilings with upper end fixtures and finishes throughout.

“This restored destination will prob-ably be the coolest place to live in all of Texas,” said Paul Kirchoff, Chief Market-ing Officer for SaleAMP, the company

marketing the Lone Star Brewery. “The early response has been so positive and overwhelming that we’ve had to build a priority reservation list because of it - and we haven’t even started sales.”

The original Lone Star Brewery, built in 1884, was the first large, mechanized brewery in Texas. Adolphus Busch, of Anheuser-Busch, founded it along with a group of San Antonio business men.

“Lone Star Beer is proud to be a part

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of this exciting time for the city of San An-tonio. The old Lone Star Brewery is the ancestral home of Lone Star, and its re-vitalization is something we’re proud to be involved with,” said Brad Hittle, Chief Marketing Officer-Pabst Brewing Com-pany. “Many Texans have fond memories of visiting the brewery grounds with their families, and we’re happy to know that this tradition will continue for years to come.”

Refurbishment is already underway, with the first residences scheduled for comple-tion in the summer of 2009. A professional sales center will be open to the public on September 3, 2008 and staffed with prop-erty experts from Wednesday to Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Interested parties can learn more at www.thelonestarbrew-ery.com and are advised to submit their name directly onto the priority interest list via the on-line form to ensure their posi-tion in the purchase consideration process.

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About B. Knightly and Lone Star SATX, LLCB. Knightly is an industry leader in the field of smart growth adaptive reuse residential con-struction, and infill mixed-use transit oriented development. Based in Austin, TX, B. Knight-ly’s mission is to provide affordable, well de-signed, green built homes in revitalizing urban core markets throughout the Western United States. The Principal Managing Partners have developed over 4700 residential units in Or-egon, California, and Texas. (www.bknightly.com). Phone 512-474-5600. TRCC # 38951.

About SaleAMP and AMP!SaleAMP (www.saleamp.com) is a cut-ting-edge marketing and software com-pany specializing in internet marketing, email and direct marketing and non-tra-ditional guerilla marketing. The company offers bleeding edge expertise in several areas including search engine marketing, on-line social marketing, auction market-ing, lead-converting web sites and land-ing pages, customer relationship man-agement (CRM) systems, and sales cycle marketing. Based in Austin, Texas, the company serves diverse clients ranging from condo developers and home build-ers to high-tech companies. The company was founded in 2003 and is privately held.


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