In this Issue:

• Lead Story: College Recruiting Enters the Digital Age:
  Kimmel & Associates Launches College Recruiting and Internships
• The First Look Hotsheet: Extraordinary Candidates
• Ear to the Ground: Trends in Construction
• Update: Kimmel Scholarship for Students in Construction
• The Poll
• Hard Hat Humor
• Riveting News: Construction Industry News
• Made in the USA: The Empire State Building

LEAD STORY:
College Recruiting Enters the Digital Age:
Kimmel & Associates Launches College Recruiting and Internships

The Dean of a major Construction Management Department at a leading American university recently referred to the College Recruiting Process on his campus thusly:
“It’s archaic. Companies in search of their next generation of executive talent go to a career fair, set up a table, and hope something good falls into their lap. Thousands and thousands of potential candidates, and companies are selecting their management gene pool from a tiny fraction of all those available.”

It is a sad fact that students and professionals often make huge life choices regarding the industry they will work in based on limited and dated information.

We at Kimmel & Associates aim to change that.

In January, 2008, Kimmel & Associates will make available to the Construction Industry a new service which we believe will revolutionize college recruiting and college internships.

Kimmel College Recruiting and Internships (or Kimmel CRI) will be available to bring together in a single place, on a national basis, all of the students in design, engineering, and construction, with all of the employers of the U.S. Engineering and Construction Industries. We will attempt to provide a centralized source of jobs, career options, industry options, and employers to students around the country. » 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 email.

#187350 Area Manager - Results-oriented Area Manager with 20 years of experience in heavy civil construction in the TX market. All manner of heavy highway experience, including structures. Extremely stable work history and very well-regarded in the industry.

#417630 Senior Project Manager / Business Development Manager - With over 15 years in Heavy Civil construction, this candidate’s projects range from airport, seaport, and power plants to environmental remediation. He has a Texas PE stamp, is a certified Project Manager, and is accomplished in six scheduling and CM software applications. Houston, TX market; current project wraps shortly. A true constructor.

#38361 Senior Vice President of Development - This professional is one of Eastern Pennsylvania’s most successful Development Executives with profitable commercial, residential, and mixed-use projects including urban infill and brownfield development. His entrepreneurial approach to development has resulted in over 1 million sq. ft. of office/retail space and over 1,500 residential units generating over $350 million in revenue and over $100 million in profits within the last 3 years.

#204841 Vice President of Construction - Vice President of Construction for one of the largest, most prestigious hotel/hospitality developer builders in the U.S. Currently managing a $6.5 billion construction program, 12+ active projects, in a profitable and on schedule manner. Projects are architecturally significant, very high quality themed construction. Hired and supervised a staff of 50+ professionals, including Construction Managers, Project Managers, Project Engineers, Schedulers, Design Managers, and Interior Designers. Very strong people skills, management skills. Brings a “presence” to his organization. Projects are new construction, remodel, renovation, ranging in size from a few million to $3+ billion. Prefers the West Coast but will consider any location.

#411724 Project Manager/Chief Maintenance Engineer - A Project Manager/Chief Maintenance Engineer with loads of Hospitality experience is open to consider positions in the greater Detroit market. He has a Mechanical Engineering degree. He is also experienced in running commercial projects with a Mechanical Contractor. This highly dedicated individual needs to focus on positions in the Midwest with a preference for the Detroit market. He has supervised a staff of seven (7). Supervising and trouble shooting job sites in the area of HVAC-R, chiller and boiler systems, electrical and plumbing systems, closed loop systems and designing new air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. As the primary Project Manager his responsibilities included maintaining budget control and inspection for all job sites. Current salary $45k.

#40788 Senior Project Manager - A seasoned professional who is a triple threat. With strong Business Development experience, Preconstruction skills and an Operations background, this individual can help a company on many levels. With project experience in the Healthcare and Institutional sectors, he is able to help a company further develop work in those areas or enable them to pursue new work for the first time. While this individual is currently living in the Northeast, he is open to relocation to any major metropolitan area.

#16623 Chief Estimator/Preconstruction - An experienced Estimator with an in-depth knowledge of work in the Commercial, Institutional and Industrial arenas both in the private and public sectors. This individual has proven capability to perform successfully in a diverse portfolio of projects including infrastructure, stadiums and arenas, manufacturing facilities, healthcare/laboratories, distribution centers and office parks. Previous experience with client interface, conceptual estimating and scheduling, GMP Preparation and design team direction could be a great help for the right company. Will work in the Mid-Atlantic area.

#375400 Vice President of Construction - This professional possesses strong abilities in operations and has been highly successful in seeing his company through an aggressive growth plan. He specializes in grocery store construction and has overseen a wide array of other commercial, base building projects. Currently living in MA; he and his family would like to find a home in a warmer climate.

#392239 Structural Fabrication Plant Manager/Production Controls - This professional manages production controls at a $150M Structural / Misc. Fabricator. Oversees data entry, preparing cut lists, part lists, and QC. Also tracks all materials throughout the fabrication process. CNC programming of all machines, burning tables, plate fabricator, beam lines, drill line and plate punch. Job takeoffs, inventory control and shipping orders. Communicates with all job sites to coordinate delivery of finished materials. Prepares Management Reports. Warm climate and a greater challenge are of interest to him. Tech savvy: FabTROL, AutoCAD, and SDS/2 environment.

#303629 Senior Structural Steel Detailer or Detail Manager - This professional has been detailing structural steel for 28 years and has been on SDS/2 3-D Modeling since 1988. Highly proficient and able to lead a department or PM, Estimate or Check detailing projects. Owner of detailing firm for 10+ years; understands the bottom line.

#138699 Project Superintendent - Loyal student housing / multifamily apartment Superintendent with garden style and urban infill project experience would like to settle down in the Dallas/Ft Worth area. He’s worked at the same company for over seven years and has been promoted to lead Superintendent. Well-respected, competent, computer literate.

#237104 Construction Manager - Motivated, stable and accomplished self-starter who loves a challenge! A solid background of 12 years in commercial general contracting, multi-family development and site development/contracting. He attended evening college - while working full-time - to earn a BS in construction. While still employed, his current company is discontinuing development and construction. His desire is to join a developer/builder, developer or owner as a Construction Manager to continue his career growth. Outstanding people and communication skills. While currently in Florida, he is open to relocation – the Southeast is preferred.

#129585 Development/Construction Executive - Mixed-use development and commercial general contracting operations. Masters Degree in Construction. Currently in Atlanta but open to relocation for an opportunity to utilize the blend of 18 years of development and contracting experience.

#91602 Superintendent - Strong Superintendent open to relocation in Northeast.

#137174 Superintendent - Superintendent in New Jersey.

#131178 Project Executive - Project Executive in the greater NY metro area.

#405692 Electrical Project Manager - This electrical Project Manager has over 20 years of experience in the Atlanta market with both electrical contracting and engineering firms. Project experience ranges from high rise condominiums to data centers in the $4-5 million range. This candidate is experienced with computer-based estimating programs such as Accubid and Conest. Interested in Atlanta opportunities only.

#262169 Estimator/Chief and/or Senior Project Manager - This is a very experienced Estimator/Project Manager with expertise in the multifamily construction industry. He is willing to relocate to most geographic areas with his current residence being in Florida.

#293802 Superintendent - A very strong Multifamily Superintendent who has been with his current company for the last nine years. He is open to relocate from his current residence in Florida to other geographic areas. Projects have been $10 million to $30 million apartments and condos. He has experience with wood frame, CMU concrete, steel, tunnel form concrete, etc. He has excellent computer skills and management experience.

#54754 Operations/VP/Senior Project Management - This is a very experienced upper management candidate who has extensive mid-rise to high-rise condo experience as the Owner, Developer, and Contractor on projects ranging from $7 million up to $130 million. His preference would be to stay in the South/Southeastern Coastal (East Coast, Gulfcoast, etc.) or within 60-80 miles of those areas.

#396690 VP/Director, Land Development/Construction - Accomplished and proactive senior real estate executive with proven success in directing acquisitions, land development, construction and market research. Extensive expertise in commercial, multi-family (including independent and assisted living), and international industrial projects with delivery on time and under budget. Organizational leader, adept at building and leading high performance teams to meet and exceed objectives. Recognized for decisive negotiations and transforming business plans into tangible assets and maintaining strong broker/agency relationships. Highly skilled communicator with proven ability to collaborate with involved parties to ensure that all elements of project coordinate with organizational objectives. B.S. in Civil Engineering and M.S. in Management. Prefers Pacific Northwest, but will consider other relocation depending on the opportunity.

#417837 Safety Manager - This is a motivated team player with a hands-on approach to resolving safety challenges in a timely and cost effective manner. He is very proficient in field level injury claims management and return-to-work programs, as well as safety program development and implementation, including associated training of new and current employees. He has had extensive experience in managing subcontractors and direct hire employees, and has been successful in “coaching” employees in safe practices in order to foster a “safety culture.” Success in this area has given him the distinction of being assigned to problem projects, where he has realized significant improvements in safety performance. His extensive experience in all facets of safety management, particularly crane operations/rigging, confined space entry, fall protection, lock out/tag out, and air sampling/monitoring. This candidate has big project experience with projects over $250 million in size. He was with his last employer for more than five years.

#334548 Program Executive, Principal Architect or Sr. Construction Manager - This strong candidate has a background working with School Districts, OSHPD and MOB projects throughout California. In his career he has been an Architect, Construction Manager and, in his last position, a Program Executive. He has projects ranging in size up to $412 million; this candidate is interested in West Coast opportunities (WA, OR, CA). He has managed Joint Ventures with four companies building in school districts. He has CM experience with hospitals, MOB and other healthcare projects in California.

#354289 CFO - Senior financial executive with solid operations / P & L leadership experience and a record of significant accomplishment in real estate, construction and financial services industries. A growth-oriented leader with a demonstrated ability to set strategic direction, align mission, goals and tactics, establish comprehensive metrics, and attain strong results. This candidate is known as a business builder who finds opportunities to expand business, taking appropriate, well-managed risks. Willing to relocate from his home in Colorado.

#382401 President, VP or Division Manager - President, Vice President or Division Manager level experience in all-around civil transportation work with design, construction management, general contractor, engineering supervision, P&L responsibilities, client relations, operations, DoD and Army Corps experience. Masters level education in Civil Engineering and PE license. Prefers Midwest locations.

#276261 Estimator/PM - Currently serving as business unit leader (P&L) for national specialty utility contractor with a deep background in earthwork, paving and utility for DOT, Municipal and private markets. Currently in the Detroit area.

#406300 Project Manager/Sales Engineer - This up-and-coming Project Manager/Sales Engineer has run projects from $20,000 to $2 million. With a Mechanical Engineering degree from Cal Polytechnic State Universiy, he is capable of design (HVAC wet and dry and plumbing systems), estimating, and management of his own work. A sample project list includes university office buildings, restaurants, university science buildings, and sports facilities. The candidate is looking for a growing company where he can use his knowledge to better the company and put himself on a management track. Target area is San Jose or San Francisco.

#231057 Project Manager/Construction Manager - With over 30 years of experience in the field of water quality (wastewater and water treatment, distribution, and collection), this candidate can do it all: operations, maintenance, construction, management, training, troubleshooting, and consulting. With clients such as IBM, Clark County Nevada, U.S. Air Force, Irvine, Ca. Ranch Water District, and the cities of Los Angeles and South San Francisco, he would be a fortunate catch for any organization. Open to relocation.

#403831 Electrical Senior Project Manager - Electrical Senior Project Manager with 20 years of experience in public and private work is available now for union or merit shop work in Riverside County, Inland Empire, or San Diego. Individual projects up to $6 million, significant experience with schools and hospitals. This candidate is motivated, articulate, possesses natural leadership qualities and has a proven track record of profitable electrical work.

#399243 Electrical Project Manager/Superintendent - Electrical Project Manager/Superintendent available now for heavy industrial and WWTP work anywhere in Southern California. Individual jobs up to $14 million, some commercial/institutional experience as well. Candidate is flexible on salary. Though candidate has a relatively high frequency of jobs due to work slowdowns, references from former employers are excellent across the board. Will relocate for the right opportunity, currently living in northern San Diego.

#411723 Assistant Superintendent - Traveling multifamily student housing Assistant Superintendent interested in long-term opportunity with growth and stability. He is ready for a lead role on garden style projects but open to lateral move within the right company. Loyal, dependable, charismatic and bi-lingual. He prefers to travel in the southwestern US. Home is Oklahoma/Texas area.

#79262 General Superintendent/Vice President of Construction - This degreed individual (currently working towards MBA) has over 20 years of educational, commercial, institutional, and residential construction experience in the New York metropolitan markets. He has worked for big CM firms and National Development firms as well. Prefers to stay local to NYC market.

#79994 Project Manager - Candidate has 25 years of experience working his way up from Field Superintendent to running industrial and power projects up to $100 million in revenue. With a BA in Business, this individual has worked a wide spectrum of projects including nuclear, refinery, auto manufacturing with many projects managed in a self performing environment. The candidate will travel and will work anywhere in the USA.

#414483 QC Manager/Field Engineer - 20 years of experience in the power generation, petroleum refining and pharmaceutical industries. Candidate is involved with plant operations, engineering, maintenance, construction and decommissioning on projects up to $120 million. Duties include estimating, trouble shooting, compliance, engineering oversight and material purchasing. This candidate is open to relocation in the midwestern United States.

#408959 Business Development/Project Manager - Currently in a business development role, this professional has a project management background in the power industry. He has existing relationships in the eastern U.S. with power companies and other nuclear power plant owners, making him a value to any industrial contractor. He has excelled in the business development role by securing multiple high-dollar contracts through innovative means in the power generation and transmission and distribution realms.

#399178 Senior Estimator - This industrial piping Estimator has an engineering background. He has a broad industrial career with experiences in petrochemical, pharmaceuticals and petroleum and has worked total project estimates from several thousand dollars to multi-million dollars. Software knowledgeable. Located in the Mid-Atlantic.

#378104 Program Director - Over 20+ years of experience in General Construction and Construction Management of process industries including extensive experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical and research facilities, as well as major wastewater treatment plants and process chemical manufacturing plants. Project experience, both design-build and construction, has been primarily focused on high technology projects, but is not exclusive to just process industries. Total of all projects managed is estimated at $650 million.

#120249 Senior Estimator - Over 25+ years of experience in heavy industrial, oil refining, petrochemical, power, pharmaceutical, pulp and paper, offshore facilities, ethanol, maintenance and municipal areas of construction. Emphasis on project engineering, construction management, cost estimating, cost engineering, validation, commissioning and planning various disciplines in effecting safe, cost effective, quality installation of work. He is currently located in Indiana but would consider relocation to the Southeast.

#414636 Construction Manager - This candidate possesses 23 years of experience in the wind power industry including project management and quality control in construction, development and owner’s representative roles. Willing to relocate.

#117763 Senior Project Manager - This Engineering and Construction executive possesses extensive domestic and international experience and diversified responsibilities for large and small utility, industrial and IPP projects. Experience includes gas, oil and coal power plants. Professional Engineer. A proven track record for successfully managing complex projects profitably and on schedule on behalf of owners, vendor, and E&C firms; in-depth expertise in all facets of engineering, construction and project management and controls.

#389013 Business Development - Independent consultant serving large and small firms in the fields of corporate, business, marketing strategy, process improvement, organizational development, and mergers and acquisitions. He is looking to re-enter the engineering/construction industry. An expert in business and corporate planning and strategy, this candidate has over 25 years of professional consulting and industry experience. Most recently, he was a consulting director for a major accounting firm (Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, GA). Prior to that, he was CAO/CFO for a leading geotechnical contracting firm (Pittsburgh, PA and Atlanta, GA) with responsibility for all administrative functions. He also served previously as director of corporate marketing and development for a leading environmental engineering firm specializing in solid and hazardous waste, and energy. He has written several marketing planning manuals for industrial and consumer product firms and published case studies on marketing strategy, benchmarking and managerial prudence. In addition, as a teaching fellow at Harvard University, he taught courses in entrepreneurship and management communication.

Ear to the Ground: Trends in Construction

Industrial and Power Division

The Kimmel Construction Industry Newsletter spoke recently with five members of the Power and Industrial Division at Kimmel and Associates. 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 Industrial search have to say about your part of the country.

Paul Samuels is an Executive Vice President at Kimmel and Associates and serves as the head of the Power and Industrial Division in the United States.

Construction Industry Newsletter (CIN): From a nationwide perspective, where do you see the demand with in the Industrial and Power sector?

Paul Samuels: Although each region in the country has unique hiring situations, we are seeing a general boom in most sectors within the power and industrial marketplace.

Nuclear power deserves some comment: as nuke plants continue to age, the frequency of outage and turnaround work continues to increase. Permits for existing plant expansion and new nuclear plants are fueling demand on the design side that will eventually turn into increased demand in the construction phase.

Wind power is an interesting segment of the industry right now, too. The market is extremely strong for construction of wind farms, especially in the upper Midwest, upstate New York, and on the West Coast.

Many projects in ethanol and biofuels that have been on the books for years are now being built, with corn ethanol leading the way, followed by soy generated biodiesel plants. Due to a drop in ethanol prices, some of the corn ethanol projects on the books might be put on hold until the market stabilizes.

New burning and scrubbing technologies at coal-fired plants continue to increase the demand for upgrades and changes to all types of coal plants.

All kinds of process plants are vital right now: food and beverage as well as chemical; again new plants continue to be built as aging plants need demolition and major repairs; further, product lines are constantly changing which has increased demand for industrial upgrades.

2007 has seen a boom in the market for power. Utilities and independent power producers are feeling the demand for power continue to rise; therefore, the power grid is still trying to catch up to demand. This sector is booming across the country.

CIN: How has all this activity affected the marketplace from a hiring point of view?

Paul Samuels: All sectors seem to be busy. Pure engineering … design build … mechanical and electrical contractors … millwrights and riggers … industrial general contractors … construction management firms … power producers and utilities contractors. They have all pushed the demand for top notch talent up to new levels.

CIN: How has all this activity affected the compensation packages?

Paul Samuels: All levels of construction positions are seeing a rise in salaries with the largest increases coming within the area of project superintendent, project management, general labor and the crafts.

Alan Sizemore serves as a consultant to clients and a career advisor for professionals in the Southeastern Region.

Construction Industry Newsletter (CIN): What are the biggest needs that you see in your market right now?

Alan Sizemore (AS): The Southeast has a tremendous need for Project Managers and Superintendents at the present time. However, six months ago the answer would have been Project Controls, Estimators, and Schedulers. I feel the present trend will continue for a while.

CIN: Are any types of industrial construction “hot” right now?

AS: On the power generation side, there are many air quality control retrofits in progress to reduce emissions from existing power plants. We’re seeing more and more interest and activity in wind as an alternative power source, and in ethanol and biofuels from a renewable energy standpoint. And of special interest to many is the resurgence of nuclear power for the future.

CIN: Is the Southeast a client market or candidate market at the present time?

AS: Fortunately, both. There is a lot of work out there, and there are many, many highly qualified candidates vying to do the work. Many candidates are looking to make a definite, positive career move, and many client companies are taking advantage of the opportunity to upgrade and augment their present workforce. That’s a win-win situation.

Ross Brickman serves as a consultant to clients and a career advisor for professionals in California.

CIN: California always seems to have a few surprises. What do you see in that market?

Ross Brickman (RB): The market is on fire now - especially on the power / utility side of the business. There are a number of new projects in the development stages that are focused on renewable / clean energy (wind, solar, biofuels). The companies which are involved in these types of projects range from small specialty contractors to giant EPC firms and public utilities. In addition, any contractors that are involved on the high voltage utility side of the business seem to be positioned to be a part of many large projects because the government is looking to revamp much of the transmission and distribution infrastructure. There are also a number of companies that do construction and maintenance on existing traditional power plants installing NOx reduction units on the boilers to reduce the emissions.

CIN: Which other regions are active?

RB: I seem to have the full spectrum of clients all over the West Coast from Southern California to the Pacific Northwest; they are active in all types of industrial projects from traditional power plants to alternative energy to petrochemical and refinery.

CIN: What talents are most in demand right now?

RB: Individuals who have experience in the development and construction of renewable energy projects are in high demand. Because the technology is so new, there are a limited number of people who are steeped in the industry. As always, any good Project Managers, Site Managers, or Construction Managers that have power / petrochemical / refinery experience are getting offers very quickly. Candidates with high voltage experience in transmission, distribution, and substation projects are also very sought after. Anyone with an engineering background on any level is a hot commodity.

Ben Schlaefer serves as a consultant to clients and a career advisor for professionals in Texas and along the Gulf Coast.

CIN: What do you hear when you survey the territory you work and talk to your clients everyday?

Ben Schlaefer (BS): With the Gulf Coast, Texas and Louisiana in particular being the traditional epicenter of Petrochemical and refining activity in the United States, demand for experienced personnel at all levels is the strongest I’ve seen since the early 1980’s. In particular, I am experiencing an acute need for Process and Design Engineers. If you have 7 to 10 years of quality Process Engineering experience under your belt, you can choose between any number of employment opportunities in the area.

CIN: Why?

BS: As our economy and population continue to grow, so to does the demand for energy (more office buildings, more cars, and more houses that need to be heated and cooled). Our nation is looking increasingly at alternative energy sources to meet this demand and many, including wind farms, coal gasification or “clean fuels,” and ethanol facilities appear to be viable alternatives. At the end of the day, our current energy production capacity is insufficient to meet projected demands in the near future. Compounding the problem, there is a scarcity of qualified Engineers, Project Managers, and Estimators who have the requisite skills to bring these production facilities to reality.

Dave Noyes serves as a consultant to clients and a career advisor for professionals in the Northeast Region.

CIN: Where is the demand the greatest?

Dave Noyes (DN): It’s important for prospective employers to know that for every 10 companies with an industrial process piping Estimator need, there is probably one qualified Estimator. There is a vacuum in the industry. I find all along the Eastern Seaboard - from Virginia to Maine - that industrial contractors are scrambling for qualified candidates in all disciplines. Sectors that have been hibernating for years have awoken and can’t find enough talent to fill their needs. Refinery construction, energy infrastructure, wastewater treatment and freshwater treatment are all booming sectors. Knowledgeable industrial piping Estimators and Project Managers with experience in those sectors are in high demand.

CIN: Do you see other trends of interest?

DN: It is not a secret that we have an shrinking workforce. I find that there are a lot of construction professionals who are prepared to work well into what we normally consider their retirement years. One Project Manager I spoke with about a refinery construction opportunity said, “Oh, yeah. I worked on the original construction there in ’68.”

CIN: Anything the older workforce can teach the next generation?

DN: Yes. According to the hiring authorities I speak with, they can use hands-on talent in the next generation of project management. They say, while computer skills are important, it is secondary to being able to solve problems, manage people, a jobsite, and appreciate the overall scope of the project.

CIN: Any industries rising or falling?

DN: Most industrial sectors are performing well. I see very strong demand in power transmission and distribution, and that market is continuing to grow. A lot of the utilities are putting more responsibility on the contractor, so more Project Managers are needed to supervise the work being done. Biofuels are hot right now, but I suspect the technology could change soon due to market forces. In addition, there was a rush to get all of these ethanol facilities built and now much of that flurry is subsiding according to a couple of my sources.

CIN: Anything unusual or exciting in the works?

DN: Wind and solar facilities are in development as well. A utility-scale solar array is in the development stage outside of Philadelphia. It will be built near an old landfill site. Some of the nation’s largest wind farms are being planned for off-shore sites off of NJ, DE, CT. Utilities are tapping landfills to collect gas for combustion purposes. The domestic petroleum industry is rising right now. Refineries are in the planning stages or being built.

CIN: What markets are most active right now?

DN: Most population centers in the region are very active at this time. Aging infrastructure and population shifts have driven demand upward in most industrial sectors.

HARD HAT HUMOR

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What obstacle do you find makes attracting a new employee to your company most difficult?

Oldest Nuke's Towers Felled In U.K.’s Sellafield Complex

Utility Agrees to Costly Air Pollution Settlement

San Diego Landslide Trashes Neighborhood

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.

Kimmel & Associates is currently accepting applications for the Spring 2008 semester. The application is accessible via the construction homepage of kimmel.com and can be completed online; please note that completed applications and transcripts are sent to BuildingFutureBuilders.org, the website of Building Future Builders, a non-profit organization with which Kimmel & Associates works closely.

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 Spring 2008 semester. Please visit the construction pages of kimmel.com and read further about the Scholarship for Students in Construction.

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The Empire State Building

The Empire State Building is a 102-story Art Deco skyscraper in New York City, New York on the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. Its name is derived from the nickname for the state of New York. It stood as the world's tallest building for more than forty years, from its completion in 1931 until the construction of the World Trade Center North Tower topped out on December 23, 1970.

The Empire State Building has been named by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

The Empire State Building was designed by Gregory Johnson and his architectural firm Shreve, Lamb and Harmon, which produced the building drawings in just two weeks. The building was actually designed from the top down. The general contractors were Starrett Brothers and Eken, and the project was financed by John J. Raskob. The construction company was chaired by Alfred E. Smith, a former Governor of New York.

Excavation of the site began on January 22, 1930, and construction on the building itself started symbolically on March 17—St. Patrick's Day—per Al Smith's influence as Empire State, Inc. president. The project involved 3,400 workers, mostly immigrants from Europe, along with hundreds of Mohawk Nation iron workers. According to official accounts, five workers died during the construction. Governor Smith's grandchildren cut the ribbon on March 1st, 1931.

The construction was part of an intense competition in New York for the title of the world's tallest building. Two other projects fighting for the title, 40 Wall Street and the Chrysler Building, were still under construction when work began on the Empire State Building. Both would hold the title for less than a year, as the Empire State Building had surpassed them upon its completion, just 410 days after construction commenced. The building was officially opened on May 1, 1931 in dramatic fashion, when United States President Herbert Hoover turned on the building's lights with the push of a button from Washington, D.C.