In this Issue:

• Lead Story: Attracting Top Construction Talent in the 21st Century
• Western Carolina University Announces the Kimmel School of Construction Management, Engineering & Technology
• Great Jobs/Great Candidates
  

• Hard Hat Humor
• The Poll: What construction trends to you believe will continue to grow in 2006?
• Riveting News: Construction Industry News
• Made in the USA: The Transamerica Building

LEAD STORY:
Attracting Top Construction Talent in the 21st Century

Two Construction Industry Veterans Discuss Tactics and Solutions to a Personnel Crisis
By Gary B. Warner and Frank Bruckner

Gary, everywhere I turn, I hear Presidents and CEOs of construction companies wondering, to me and among themselves, "How are we going to attract talent to our company?" "How can we keep our best people onboard?" "What can we do to find ways to bring more young people into our industry?"
     »Read Full Article

Gary Warner is a nationally regarded Construction Industry expert on issues of employee recruiting, training, retention, and management development. His 35+ year career in construction includes long service as Vice President at Pizzagalli Construction Company. During his career at Pizzagalli, Gary developed one of the Industry’s premier management development programs, and produced the managers necessary to help the company grow from $20 million to $500+ million during his tenure.

He is a Life Director of the Associated General Contractors of America and most notably, co-founded the Construction Personnel Executives Group, the premier organization for senior level human resource executives in the construction industry today. Gary is a nationally regarded Construction Industry expert on issues of employee recruiting, training, retention, and management development. He brings his no-nonsense approach to problem-solving and a wealth of human resources and administrative management experience to various conferences and seminars nationwide as well as to private companies. Gary offers unique and deep insight into the challenges faced by businesses today.

Since his retirement from Pizzagalli, Gary splits his time between homes in Vermont and Florida and manages GBWResults, a national consulting practice serving construction organizations in matters of Management Recruiting, Organizational Design, Employee Retention and Employee Training.

Frank Bruckner is Executive Vice-President at Kimmel & Associates and has worked in construction executive search for more than 35 years and currently operates a nationwide search practice for Kimmel & Associates, the largest executive search firm working in the construction industry. During 2004, Frank served as a panelist at the ENR Top 1000 Contractors Leadership Forum in Chicago. He is a member of The American Council for Construction Education, and Construction Industry Advisor to the Construction Management Program at Western Carolina University.

He is acutely aware of the Industry’s deep concern for the current and future shortage of craft and managerial personnel, and devotes much of his energy working to fulfill Kimmel & Associates’ commitment to expanding opportunities for the next generation of leaders of the U.S. Construction Industry.

The following is an exchange between Gary and Frank which addresses some of the most pressing and long-term issues that the construction industry faces today.

Frank: Gary, everywhere I turn, I hear Presidents and CEOs of construction companies wondering, to me and among themselves, “How are we going to attract talent to our company?” “How can we keep our best people onboard?” “What can we do to find ways to bring more young people into our industry?”

Gary: I hear that, too, Frank, at seminars and in contractors’ offices.

Frank: It’s the 500-pound gorilla in the room these days. »more

Western Carolina University Announces -
The Kimmel School of Construction Management,Engineering and Technology

CULLOWHEE - As industry experts warn of a worsening international shortage of construction professionals, Western and one of the nation's largest personnel recruiting firms are teaming up to boost the number of college graduates prepared for management positions in the construction industry.

Officials from Western announced Thursday, Dec. 1, a $10.4 million net investment in its construction management and related programs. At the core of the investment is a pledge of $6.92 million from Kimmel & Associates, a leading construction industry executive search company, which will leverage $3.495 million in state matching money and other support.

“The incredible gift from Joe Kimmel, his family and his associates will provide much-needed support to an academic program that is near and dear to Joe's heart,” Chancellor John W. Bardo said in announcing the contribution. “We view this gift as among the most important events in this university's long and storied history. We expect this pledge, combined with additional private and public support, will result in a school that will place Western on par with the nation's finest institutions of higher education in preparing students for careers in construction management and related fields that are critical to the emerging economy of the state and the nation.” »more

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GREAT JOBS:

GREAT CANDIDATES:

The job postings on our website and in our newsletter represent only a partial list of searches that we are currently performing. New searches arrive at our firm daily. We continually place professionals in positions with the top construction firms in the nation in all locations. Our network has the reach to place professionals like you in positions that are never advertised. Please call 828.251.9900 or contact us by e-mail. Click on the position title below to contact us.

WEST:
#22727 Senior Estimator - One of the top General Contractors in Colorado needs a Senior Level Estimator. This individual needs to be degreed with at least 5 years estimating experience. Project sizes range anywhere from 5-30 million. Commercial projects include schools, offices, hospitals, churches and warehouses. Base range from $75k-$90k plus bonus. Immediate opening.

MID-ATLANTIC:
#22725 Project Managers, Asst. Project Managers, Sr. Project Managers - Premier DC/Metro Area GC is now looking for for Assistant Project Managers, Project Managers and Senior Project Managers with experience in both base building and interiors experience. If you prefer interesting projects, terrific sub-contractor relationships and a company that values and generously rewards their people you need to respond to this opportunity. If you are looking for a job don't bother responding to this, but if you are looking for a life changing opportunity here is your chance.

FLORIDA:
#22714 Senior Project Manager -
A formidable leader in the utility construction market is seeking a senior level project manager for their model operation in the state of Florida. Successful candidates will have the opportunity for leadership in the Florida division, and within five years the opportunity to become a division head in various operations based along the eastern seaboard.

MIDWEST:
#21691 Project Managers -
Premier Midwest General Contractor is looking for a few good people. ENR Top 50 GC, exceptional company is offering several opportunities in 3 of their offices for star performers. Degree required, 5-15 years experience with a solid proven track record of upward movement and success. Project types would be healthcare, library, auto dealerships, hotel, condo, institutional. Only interested in dynamic, aggressive, energetic people who are serious about there careers.

»Search more jobs

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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.

SOUTHEAST:
#98031 Superintendent - A Superintendent with wide experience and a stable work history. This professional has built projects up to $12M including retail, offices, and schools. He wants to work closer to home, which means he’d like to limit his travel to Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

MIDWEST:
#166468 Senior Superintendent - This dedicated cradle-to-grave Senior Superintendent has a strong concrete self-perform background and has worked in the field for 22 years with one employer, a $1B company. Associates degree in Building Construction. Used to working on $50-$70M projects and wants to continue to tackle those large scale jobs. Currently employed but would accept a new challenge. Living in Michigan and willing to travel in upper Midwest and North.

SOUTHEAST:
#135812 Project Manager - A talented Project Manager living in Maryland wants to relocate to the Raleigh, North Carolina area. Has built a wide array of projects, including healthcare and retail. Typical project size ranges from $3 to $10M.

SOUTHEAST:
#231181 Project Manager - Project Manager with heavy Design-Build experience has built lots of schools and university residence halls. Holds a Master of Architecture degree as well as a BA in Urban Studies. Must relocate to St. Louis to be closer to family.

HARD HAT HUMOR

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What construction trends to you believe will continue to grow in 2006?

• Alaska Drilling Dropped as Congress Approves $29 Billion for Hurricane Relief
• Bechtel-UC Team Wins Bid to Manage Los Alamos Lab
• Bush Signs 2-Year Terrorism Insurance Extension

The Transamerica Building

The genesis of the Transamerica Building began in 1968 when President John R. Beckett noticed that the trees in a city park - unlike the surrounding, box-like buildings - allowed natural light and fresh air to filter down to the streets below. Wishing to achieve the same effect with Transamerica's new headquarters, Beckett chose a unique shape for what would become Transamerica’s headquarters.

Four years later, the result of Beckett’s desire for a sunlight-and-fresh-air friendly building was the now-famous pyramid that stands in downtown San Francisco. The Transamerica Pyramid is now both a distinctive structure revered by San Franciscans and a landmark of international recognition that offers a refreshing openness and access to the environment.

Designed by architect William Pereira, the Transamerica Pyramid is the tallest building in San Francisco. Originally designed to be 1,000 feet tall, the building was lowered to 853 feet due to protests against changing the San Francisco skyline dramatically.

The building is covered with white, pre-cast quartz aggregate panels. The slender, pyramidal configuration allows more light to reach the street than a conventional, box-like building design.

The building features 48 stories with 3,678 windows. It takes a month to wash all the windows. At its base, the building is 152 feet by 152 feet. The 48th floor is 45 feet by 45 feet.

The spire rises 212 feet above the top floor and is covered with vertically louvered aluminum panels. Begun in 1969, the Transamerica Building was completed in 1972 and is located at 600 Montgomery Street in San Francisco. The Pyramid cost $44 million to build and is a federally registered trademark.

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