In previous generations, college kids moving into an apartment for the first time were happy just to be living away from home, while their parents were equally happy to have their house to themselves. Young adults didn’t care about having white-on-white appliances, shag carpet, a fitness center or a pool. They wanted cold beer and […]
Case Studies Region: Southwest
Rodney Watts ‒ Circle K
After his employer prepared for the worst that Hurricane Laura might deliver, Rodney Watts may have been thanking his personal deities when the storm mostly spared Eastern Texas, necessitating just minor repairs to one Circle K on the Gulf Coast while a couple of others endured brief power outages. Overseeing facilities for most of the […]
RJ Kosadnar – Empyrean Benefit Solutions Inc.
Such a moving target, this responsibility of outfitting facilities for maximum production. So many factors affecting it, maybe especially so around the Texas Gulf Coast where hurricanes can be an annual event. But if Mother Nature becomes as unfriendly as in 2017, at least Empyrean Benefit Solutions is well prepared. RJ Kosadnar has seen to […]
Will Martin – HMS
The global COVID-19 pandemic has been eye-opening for industries across the globe, from entertainment and sports to food, beverage and hospitality. Will Martin, the vice president of real estate and facilities for HMS, says the pandemic has been eye-opening for his company, too, but in a good way. “We already had pandemic plans, and like […]
Peter Dourlein – University of Arizona
While there’s no substitute for a real-life casualty to test the capabilities and temperaments of first responders and medical personnel, the University of Arizona in Tucson can offer the next best scenario. It may not be for the squeamish. You’ll find it on the seventh floor of the Health Sciences Innovation Building. Opened last year, […]
Gregg Collison – P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Inc.
He is ready for the next challenge, confident that his nearly three-year stretch as vice president of facilities and construction at P.F. Chang’s China Bistro Inc., along with 29 years of professional experience, have more than prepared him for whatever the future holds. In the meantime, Gregg Collison can mull options from his Scottsdale, Arizona, […]
John Kluber – Halff Associates
The complex sprawls out across 300 acres of grasslands in north Texas; a center of research and learning in computer science, agriculture and microbiology. In order to continue its cutting-edge work, however, the University of North Texas Discovery Park needs some retrofits and upgrades. It also needs to be made more efficient in both its […]
Jeff Barber – Olympus Property
Whether a painting project in Tennessee, new flooring in Tampa or a pool in Fort Worth, Jeff Barber needs to see it, walk around it and touch it. As the director of construction for Olympus Property, Barber wants to experience any job he’s overseeing. He travels often and he travels light, an approach that’s imbued […]
Blake Roberts – Legend Homes
When a real estate market turns sour—whether caused by market conditions or a pandemic—that’s not the time to panic, says President Blake Roberts of Legend Homes in Houston. In fact, it’s what he’d call a business opportunity. It was in this very situation that the Texas-based residential development company found itself, not once, but twice. […]
Charles Smoot – North American Properties
Working on projects across the country for 30 years, Charles Smoot knows what it takes to get the job done—no matter what the circumstances might be. As for completing construction projects during the COVID-19 crisis? North American Properties—with its team of essential workers—is forging ahead with a Class A apartment community in Texas that should […]
