In this Issue:

• Lead Story: Learning to Do Things the Right Way: The Construction Mentor
• The First Look Hotsheet: Extraordinary Candidates
• Ear to the Ground: Trends in Construction
• Hard Hat Humor
• Riveting News: Construction Industry News
• Update: The Kimmel Scholarship for Students in Construction

LEAD STORY:
Learning to Do Things the Right Way: The Construction Mentor

We all cherish the person who has played the role of mentor in our lives. They lead, guide, suggest, and forewarn us.
The presence of great teachers is one of the traditional strengths of the construction industry.

It is a fortunate son or daughter who can recall a childhood guided by the loving hand of a mother and father; Dad teaching his son how to swing a baseball bat or wear in his glove or Mom running alongside her daughter’s bike when the training wheels first come off. Everyone feels great nostalgia for those days when our parents were also our first and best teachers.

Likewise, we all recall with great fondness and appreciation that great teacher – from kindergarten, high school, or even college – who inspired us and steered us to dream bigger or think more broadly than we had before.

Because we cherish these memories, portrayals of the older, wiser guide who instructs the newcomer abound in literature and movies: a trapper shows a greenhorn how to survive in Jeremiah Johnson, a karate master teaches a boy to believe in himself in The Karate Kid, a veteran catcher tells a hotshot rookie pitcher how to conduct an acceptable interview in Bull Durham. An old Jedi gives a young man a light saber and some sage advice in Star Wars.

In short, we all cherish the person who has played the role of mentor in our lives. They lead, guide, suggest, and forewarn us.

The presence of great teachers is one of the traditional strengths of the construction industry. Because many established companies developed as Father-and-Son operations and because so much of the craft of building a project properly relies on hard-won experience, veterans who know the work are valuable, and those veterans who are eager to show younger employees how to build something right are beyond price.

With the theme of the Mentor in mind, the Construction Industry Newsletter spoke recently to two construction professionals. The men are at different stages of their careers, but both had insights into the role that mentors have played in their lives and in the success of the company for which they each work. » Read Full Article

The "First Look" Hotsheet: Extraordinary Candidates

Listed below is just a small sampling of candidates with whom we are associated. Your needs may be different; please do not hesitate to contact us so that we can assist you with finding the right professional for your organization. The Kimmel & Associates network has the relevance, reach, and response to find the candidates who fit your specific needs. Please call 828.251.9900 or contact us by e-mail.

#240487 Superintendent - Hospital Superintendent with 20 years of experience. This candidate has run self-performing crews of 100+ men. He has worked with 3 employers over that 20 year span. All of his OSHPD experience has been doing interior work. Candidate is based in the Los Angeles area.

#191116 Senior Project Manager - Twenty years of experience in all phases of the construction industry including the design of projects, production of construction documents, managing a variety of commercial, institutional and residential projects using Primavera Expedition Project Management software, preparation of project job schedule using the Critical Path Method on Sure Track Project Management Systems software, negotiating and awarding of subcontracts and aggressively marketing to potential clients. Experience in multiple medical facilities both out of ground and renovations. Out of ground and interiors in school, government and corporate projects both vertical and horizontal. This candidate is based in the NYC, Long Island, Southern NY and Southern CT, North New Jersey markets.

#267608 Assistant Project Manager - Degreed Assistant Project Manager who was recently downsized in a corporate shift. He has 4 years of experience doing school projects. One employer since graduation. Solid candidate, solid references. Candidate is based in the Los Angeles area.

#380727 VP of Retail Facilities Management - Very strong VP of Retail Facilities Management skilled in managing corporate real estate for a major national retailer. Functionally and financially responsible for the operation of real estate asset. Has managed all aspects of the operation of the facilities until they are either sold or leases are terminated. This includes Property Management, Repair & Maintenance, Retrofit Construction, Energy Management (both consumption and purchasing), Site Incentives & Excess Property Disposition. Candidate prefers a North Carolina location.

#258804 Senior Project Manager/Operations Manager - Registered engineer with loads of hands-on construction experience in the Heavy/Highway and Mass Transit fields. Specializes in value engineering for higher profit margins on successful projects, and has powerful negotiation skills. Candidate is based in the NYC area.

#389013 Financial Planner and Procurement Specialist - Savvy Financial Planner and Procurement Specialist that has helped national contractors grow through business development and financial planning. He is interested in finding a company to finish out his career. He is open to relocation.

#149415 Operations Manager/Area Manager/Chief Estimator - Has overseen single projects up to $300 million dollars and has run a division for a multibillion dollar international contractor. He has significant design/build experience and hard bid experience in diverse types of construction including but not limited to underground, structures, mass transit, and highway. In the Northeast but open to relocation.

#298038 Director, Estimating/Purchasing - This Estimating/Purchasing expert has been a business owner as well as a Director of Purchasing/Estimating specializing in Commercial and Residential construction. This candidate has experience centralizing purchasing and estimating systems and wants to stay within 30 miles of Allentown, PA. A very competent, professional workaholic.

#392625 Assistant Project Manager/Urban Planner - Bi-Lingual urban planner with housing experience as an Assistant Project Manager. Currently living in New York but interested in Central America, South America, and/or Caribbean opportunities.

#125415 Equipment/Fleet Manager - Experienced Equipment Manager from a large heavy civil background. Worked his way up through the shop then went back to school to get an MBA. Long tenures at two companies, the last divested of their fleet. Seeking any region for excellent opportunity.

#386947 Division Manager - Degreed QA/QC professional for aggregate materials and concrete production with excellent direct report references. State inspector for QA/QC before a seven year run with large Midwest based supplier. Management material; open to most Midwest locations.

#329370 Project Superintendent – Excavation – DOT and Private - Well-experienced site and road excavation superintendent. Excellent client references, old-school work ethic. Open to any location with a good opportunity.

#296951 Civil Site Superintendent - Worked his way through operator, foreman to superintendent positions and can contribute on estimating. Adaptable and resourceful with tenacious loyalty to getting the job done. Primary projects are commercial, industrial site excavation, utility and site concrete with some muni-street work ranging from small through $1mm. Based in Kansas City, will look at all Midwest locations.

#349792 Project Manager-Pharmaceutical/Industrial - Highly-regarded, degreed Civil Engineer/ Project Manager from Puerto Rico with large pharmaceutical project experience. Fluent in English and Spanish and looking for U.S. based Pharmaceutical/Industrial Contractor to gain a growth and advancement opportunity.

#326088 Senior Estimator/Project Manager-Asphalt Paving - This outstanding Senior Estimator/Project Manager in Asphalt Paving with a BSCE from Purdue has worked for one company for 15 years and is looking for Division/Construction/Area manager responsibilities for large asphalt paving projects. Open to Midwest towards the East Coast.

#329364 MEP Sales/Marketing - Business/Corporate Development, a dedicated executive with experience in marketing, sales, P&L turnaround, market share development, lean operations management and client relations. A self-starter able to acquire new accounts through innovative sales techniques, cultivate and maintain solid relationships with clients and vendors, and build teams to maximize results based on team effort and commitment to achieving goals. A leader committed to ensuring higher gross margins and business plan success at the highest level of potential. Heavy in Electrical experience as well. Candidate is based in the Dallas, Texas area.

#164694 Senior Project Manager - Field operations manager with Finance degree, 15 years of experience managing a wide variety of utility/site prep projects. Developed training program for superintendents, set up preventive maintenance program, helped grow company from $10 million to $50 million during his 13 years there. Seeking position in warm climates with stable company.

#125064 Chief Estimator/Business Developer - Southeastern rainmaker with extensive network of site/utility/environmental customers and following of loyal field crews to do the work! Current title is Chief Estimator/Business Developer.

#385261 Project Superintendent - Construction Manager/Project Superintendent with 15 years of experience managing a wide variety of utility/site prep projects. Grew up in construction, sharp with profit/loss. Seeking position in central Florida with stable company.

#284431 Senior Project Manager, Project Manager - Senior Project Manager with at risk projects from public works, education, healthcare, multifamily and senior living. Consistent record of successful project completions, under conditions of critical time constraints and difficult coordination issues, while working on active occupied work sites. Seeking new challenges and to become part of a construction firm that will allow him to contribute his construction knowledge, managerial skills and enthusiasm to successfully achieve the company’s goal of maximum long-term profitability. This candidate demonstrates ability to meet challenging construction problems with cost-effective solutions, inspires the confidence and trust of owners, architects, engineers, management teams and subcontractors, develops realistic and useful critical path schedules - complemented by ROJ item tracking. Based in the NYC, Southern CT, Southern NY State, Northern NJ market.

#114985 Project Manager - Construction manager with 15 years of experience managing a wide variety of DOT highway, bridge, and concrete paving projects. Seeking position in Southeastern US.

#307339 Field Operations Manager - Senior field manager with 20 years of experience managing all field operations for profitable utility/site prep projects. Helped grow company from $6mm to $30mm annual volume with nice margins. Wants similar position in the Southeast.

#243257 General or Lead Superintendent - Construction professional with 20 years of progressive experience as a master carpenter, crew leader, and site superintendent. Currently a senior general superintendent with large-scale out of ground and renovation construction experience. Project types include both vertical high rise, mid rise and horizontal construction in residential, education, industrial commercial and corporate commercial markets. Candidate is seeking a senior or general superintendent position with a growth-oriented construction firm. Candidate's strengths are attention to detail, drive for results, focus on getting the job done right the first time, flexibility, problem solving and loyalty to an employer. Wants to work in the greater NY area: the five boroughs, northern New Jersey or southern NY state.

#378155 General Superintendent - Senior asphalt paving superintendent with 25 years of experience managing all aspects of public and private asphalt paving projects. Seeking Southeast position.

#384746 General Superintendent - Senior construction manager with 25 years of experience managing his own utility/site prep company. Seeking position in rural area.

#103756 Structural Steel Fabrication Senior Project Manager / Operations Manager - Highly stable, growth-oriented, steel fabrication professional with full P&L responsibility who has managed structural projects to $10mm. Profit and growth-oriented with an emphasis on financial planning and company controls. Very comfortable in business development arena.

#242551 VP of Design and Construction - VP of Design and Construction with over 17 years of construction and development experience as a builder, program manager, and owner/developer. Long tenure with industry-leading, world-class organizations including the nation’s leading builder, a major Fortune 100 firm and a start-up company that cycled through an IPO and then returned to private ownership via a private equity buyout. Diverse project portfolio includes execution of over $700 million of educational, healthcare, correctional, creative adaptive re-use, and other types of projects. Strategic planner and organizational leader who developed from inception a national corporate design and construction division responsible for executing projects in 20 states and the District of Columbia. MBA in Finance. BS in CM. Lieutenant Colonel – USMC – Retired. Willing to relocate for the right opportunity with the right organization.

#104027 Senior, Lead or Chief Estimator - Responsible to prepare bid packages from conceptual estimate, cost estimate to hard bid. Analysis of the budget and cost for all 16 divisions of every single trade. Bid preparation and presentation to clients, supervise multiple estimators’ work progress. Collecting the bids from sub-contractors, scope out the work for preparing a buy out. Review all bidders' proposals to ensure the bids are correct. Cost value engineering for the clients upon request. Review all estimates and make adjustment to the take-off, unit prices and change orders from the updated drawings, specifications and addendums. Subcontractors negotiating and award. Site walk-thru and meetings with the owners, architects, coordinate the estimates with the cost consultants to work out the final construction cost for the owners. Projects include residential, commercial, theaters, schools, airport, parks recreation, senior housing projects, high rise, renovation and out of ground, site and complex construction. Project values from $15 million to $135 million. Wants to remain based in New York, Southern NY State, South Connecticut, Northern NJ.

#315223 Senior Management or Operations Manager - Creative problem solver with 20 plus years of construction experience is seeking a challenge. He has expertise in business development, operations, corporate management, and project management. He has experience in corporate growth and reorganization, acquisition identification, and personnel management. Open to relocation anywhere. He is currently making $126k. He wants a position in senior management where he can help the company increase their profitability.

#147360 Project Manager - Project Manager in the greater Philadelphia market (including Southern NJ). Degreed building professional with 16 years of progressive experience in the hands-on general contracting profession. Successfully managed retail clients and their projects up to $17 plus million in scope. Out of ground and renovation. Looking for an opportunity to apply experience in a professional and challenging construction or development organization.

Ear to the Ground: Trends in Construction

The Construction Industry Newsletter spoke recently with two members of the Steel Division at Kimmel & Associates: Michael Murphy and Dennis Myers. The consultants provided insights into their marketplaces and even made some educated guesses as to which trends will strengthen and which types of work may diminish in the coming months or next few years. Hear what these experts in steel search have to say about your part of the country or industry.

Construction Industry Newsletter (CIN): What do you hear when you survey the territory you work and talk to your clients everyday?

Michael Murphy: The strong business climate right now means that our clients are searching for mid to senior-level professionals to support their growth. We seek out candidates who are tech-savvy; who know computer applications and other emerging technologies as they relate to the fabrication of steel … on top of the basic industry competencies of course. I am always looking for the seasoned steel pros; true constructors.

CIN: How do professionals who have been in the field for a while keep up with technology that advances so quickly? Kids coming out of college know the technology but have none of the experience and know-how of the established professionals.

Michael Murphy: It’s a challenge. Some companies work diligently to send their people back to school to learn what they need to stay ahead, others ask me to find subject matter experts to join their team and help bring others up a level. That said, technology gets more intuitive and easier to master everyday. I encourage all my ‘old-school’ pros to take the first step to computer literacy. It is a career must-have.

CIN: Dennis, what others trends do you see?

Dennis Myers: Most of our fabricators are in the market for detailers. A recent trend was to outsource detailing to the sub-continent where labor cost is a fraction of our domestic rate. Our clients continue with some of those relationships, but have had challenges in delivery and reliability. Now we see a trend to bring this function back in-house for greater control and accuracy. Fabricators seem to be reviving the relationship with domestic and more to the point, in-house detailers.

Michael Murphy: One more thought on the way technology is allowing for – and forcing – change. Software modules like FabTrol, Tekla, CNC, SDS/2 and others are helping fabricators to fully integrate multiple functions of their production, allowing for more accurate scheduling, more precise inventory of materials, and more accurate fabrication, and often, better margins. AutoCAD detailers benefit by transition into these new environments. In fact, everyone involved in the sales through delivery and erection, have a lot to gain too. Also, firms want to keep their home-grown talent to themselves - they are sending their people back to school, providing new training and development tracks, assuring them that their future is secure right where they are.

Construction Industry Newsletter (CIN): 'Change' seems to be a key word in this conversation. Do your clients - the men and women who make up the steel industry - embrace or resist change, in your opinion?

Dennis Myers: I think companies have realized that big changes must be embraced. Steel fabricators aren’t typically “Smith and Sons” operations anymore: the patriarch doesn’t hand off the family business to his first-born as often nowadays. Competition is fierce, technology is pervasive.

Michael Murphy: Dennis is right. Technology is making the industry smaller, in one sense. Sub-fabrication, for instance, creates extensive relationships among firms who in the past tended to isolate themselves from their competitors. Also, the big tend to get bigger. The regional fabricators are hanging in there, but I think it is increasingly difficult to compete. Every competitive advantage is now carefully considered.

CIN: What else?

Michael Murphy: Some companies are slow to realize that demand has created compression in the candidate market, and that drives wages up. Look, we work with candidates who make career choices for the right reasons: a new geographic requirement, the chance to advance to the next level, to work on bigger projects, or because of instability within their current firm. We feel that the market is what drives compensation, and at the end of the day, it is a negotiated wage. But compensation is one component of job satisfaction and stability.

Dennis Myers: Right, we have noticed that wages are tracking up. A good detailer, for example, working in a 3-D environment, commands a significantly higher rate these days than what our clients historically paid. Again, the market determines that, and they’re quite valuable right now. We have regular contact with over 1700 structural steel detailers from around the country: they’re not CAD operators: these people know structural steel and they are eager to develop their careers. These are a mix of AutoCAD steel detailers, Tekla, SDS/2, StruCAD, A-Steel and others. Rebar, miscellaneous and pre-engineered specialists too.

CIN: What else is a position which is heavily in demand?

Michael Murphy: Accomplished Project Managers of course, experienced Estimators, Operations Managers, Engineers, CNC Pros, QA/QC people, Sales professionals. Steel connection design specialists seem to be in demand now with our bigger clients. These are Structural Engineers who specialize in connection design and value engineering. One connection design modification, repeated thousands of times on a high-rise building, for example, can easily save millions of dollars.

CIN: Any specific markets that are showing great energy or promise right now?

Dennis Myers: There is a lot of work gravitating toward Vancouver in anticipation of the 2010 Winter Olympics and lots of structural steel to support petro-industry for oil exploration there.

Michael Murphy: Generally speaking though, our markets are strong across the board, the Mid-Atlantic and North East regions especially. Most of my clients are hitting it hard right now. It’s probably easier to point out where there is a setback, like the Michigan market. Hey, it’s a good time to be in steel.

HARD HAT HUMOR

[top]

Results of our previous poll:
Which year was best for your business?

• Energy-Efficiency Guidelines Would Be National Model
• Early Opening Earns Highway Contractor $5-Million Bonus
• Corps Chief Promises NOLA 100-Yr Protection by 2011

Update: The Kimmel Scholarship for Students in Construction

In 2004, the leadership at Kimmel & Associates began the Scholarship for Students in Construction as a means to encourage college students to consider construction as a career. Since the Fall 2004 semester, Kimmel & Associates, the leading executive search firm in the construction industry, has given 221 scholarships to students at 80 different colleges and universities located in 37 states, from Washington to Florida and from Massachusetts to California.

Read the interview above with Ted Ferguson and Chuck Hall in the article entitled “Learning to Do Things the Right Way: The Construction Mentor” to see how important it is that the construction industry continues to encourage young people to join a great and vital profession: the example that builders set – through their hard work and high level of achievement – will often draw young people like the two men profiled in the article to the construction industry; we at Kimmel have met hundreds and hundreds of talented, hopeful, and ambitious college students who intend to enter the industry and offer it new energy and ideas. Our scholarship aims to abet their admirable goals.

Though one application period just closed, soon Kimmel & Associates will begin accepting applications for the Spring 2008 semester. The application is accessible via the construction homepage of kimmel.com and can be completed online or printed and mailed back in; check back soon for the next round of applications.

Those who receive this round of the $1000 award will have the money put directly into their college account in time to defray costs for the Fall 2007 semester. Please visit the construction pages of kimmel.com and read further about the Scholarship for Students in Construction.

[top]