Members' Edge - February 6, 2020

AGC News

AGC Houston Announces New Board of Directors at Annual Meeting

At the Annual Business Meeting on Jan. 30, AGC Houston Chairman Tony Mansoorian, W.S. Bellows Construction Corp., announced the new incoming officers and Board of Directors.

Mansoorian, who will complete his two-year term at the end of December, is Chief Operating Officer for W. S. Bellows Construction Corp. and has been with the firm since 2000. Mansoorian graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s of science degree in engineering technology, structural analysis and design from the University of Houston, Downtown.

AGC Houston has elected the following members to lead its Board of Directors. They include:
Chairman of the Board: Tony Mansoorian, W. S. Bellows Construction, Corp.
Vice-Chairman of the Board: John Marshall, Satterfield & Pontikes Construction, Inc.
Secretary: Jeremy Stovall, Brookstone, LP
Treasurer: Brian Cook, Hoar Construction
President/CEO: Jerry Nevlud, AGC Houston

For a list of the full Board of Directors, click here.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=601453&issueID=69063 to view the full article online.

Registration Now Open for AGC of America Convention

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=601274&issueID=69063 to view the full article online.

Special Election Winners Declared in 3 Texas House Districts

Last week's winners in the three Texas House special elections are guaranteed seats in the Legislature for the remainder of its 86th term. However, the victorious candidates will need to win again in the March primaries to advance to the November, 2020 election in order to hold those seats for the 2021 Session.

View the full list of 2020 primary election races here

Visit http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1119709320910&ca=a425a0b3-e38a-4485-b424-37a7366f8209 to view the full article online.

AGC of America Notes Construction Outlays Rise in November

AGC of America's Chief Economist Ken Simonson released a full report on the construction industry's year-end outlook and projections for 2020.

According to the Data Digest newsletter, construction employment rose by 20,000 for the month and 145,000 (2.0%) year-over-year (y/y) to 7,551,000, the most since October 2007. Average hourly earnings in construction rose 2.3% y/y to $31.11, 9.9% above the average for all private-sector employees ($28.32, a 3.1% y/y increase). The unemployment rate in construction, not seasonally adjusted, dipped from 5.1% in December 2018 to 5.0%, and the number of unemployed jobseekers with construction experience inched down from 493,000 to 489,000 — the lowest December levels in the 20-year history of both series.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/pdf/datadigest20200110.pdf to view the full article online.

Member News

Marek Brothers Systems, Inc. Announces Leadership Promotions

The beginning of the year marked new changes for Marek Brothers Systems, Inc., with the promotion of Phil Nevlud (pictured) to Division President of its Houston commercial construction business. Phil also is a new Board of Directors members of AGC Houston.

Jorge Rodriguez was promoted to Managing Director of Field Production and George Kissamis is now Managing Director of Estimating and Project Management. This team will lead sales and project management as well as construction project delivery across all of MAREK’s commercial service lines.

Long-time leader and Houston Managing Director Saied Alavi announced his planned retirement in December effective June 30. Saied will continue working with CEO Stan Marek and COO Mike Holland on company-wide executive initiatives including pre-fabrication and modularization as well as potential expansion of its fireproofing business line to other markets.

“Phil, Jorge and George are known for their tenure, industry leadership, deep relationships with customers, and commitment to delivering high quality projects while growing top talent within MAREK,” says COO Mike Holland. “While Saied’s passion and experience will be greatly missed in the Houston operation, we are excited he will continue to lead executive initiatives to innovate and ensure MAREK continues to achieve outstanding results for our customers.”

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=601281&issueID=69063 to view the full article online.

Arch-Con Corporation Celebrates Recent Topping Out Of New Moody National Headquarters

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=601524&issueID=69063 to view the full article online.

News you can Use

OSHA Adjusts Penalty Amounts for 2020

The Inflation Adjustment Act requires the Department of Labor to annually adjust its civil monetary penalties to adjust for inflation no later than January 15 of each year. This final rule increases civil penalties the Department of Labor assesses, including those issued by OSHA based on workplace inspections and potential violations of safety and health standards.

Employers who have open and ongoing OSHA inspections can expect that any citations issued by OSHA after today will reflect the increased penalties.

The new 2020 maximum OSHA penalties are as follows:

Other-than-Serious: $13,494 (increased from $13,260)
Serious: $13,494 (increased from $13,260)
Repeat : $134,937 (increased from $132,589)
Willful: $134,937 (increased from $132,589)

Visit https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/01/15/2020-00486/department-of-labor-federal-civil-penalties-inflation-adjustment-act-annual-adjustments-for-2020 to view the full article online.

AGC Houston Supports 2020 Census

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=601285&issueID=69063 to view the full article online.

How Exoskeletons are Changing the Construction Industry

An new breed of construction workers in Canada is using wearable machinery to do work faster and with less fatigue. The hope is this technology will attract younger workers and allow older employees to stay on the job longer, which would benefit an industry facing a labour shortage.

Some of the suits work like a lever, using counterweights to lift objects.

The latest version is a fully powered motorized suit that can enhance a user's strength and stamina.

Visit https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/construction-exoskeletons-exosuits-business-robotics-1.5444092 to view the full article online.

Join the First Lean Brew of the Year!

Join the LCI Houston Lean Interest Group Presents:
Thursday, Feb. 27
4 - 6 p.m.
True Anomaly Brewery
2012 Dallas Street, Houston, Texas, 77003
Flat Rate Registration Fee: $15.00

Visit https://web.cvent.com/event/9ffcf604-549c-4344-a2d4-4ac0237ee05b/summary?i=NyE7DpstAUW9-oBxRLGYww to view the full article online.

Here's Looking at You

Annual Business Meeting Showcases First Videos in Construction Award Winners

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=601278&issueID=69063 to view the full article online.

CLC Winter Mixer Brings Young Professionals Together

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=601280&issueID=69063 to view the full article online.

AGC Delivers Top-Notch Safety Program in Austin

AGC Houston Safety Committee members headed to Austin to join nearly 300 construction professionals for the annual conference Jan. 15-17.The conference provided educational options for critical safety and health compliance and risk issues impacting the business of construction. During the conference, the Construction Excellence Safety Awards finalists were selected and will be announced at 21st Annual Willis Towers Watson Safety Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, March 11 at the AGC of America Convention in Las Vegas.

Several AGC Houston members made the final rounds and will be officially recognized at the luncheon.

Pictured are Tommy Lee, Vice President of Safety Services, W.S Bellows Construction Corp. and Kevin Cannon, Senior Director, Safety & Health Services, AGC of America.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=601279&issueID=69063 to view the full article online.