Movers and Shakers Promoted Across State

Several firms announced promotions recently elevating hard working performers in design and construction companies across the state.

Consulting engineers ccrd partners, recently promoted Jerry A. Nickerson, Jr., to managing principal of the Houston office. Nickerson has over 30 years of construction and engineering expertise and an in-depth knowledge of engineering project and construction management, construction administration, facility operations and construction delivery methods. His responsibilities will include the management of profit and loss, personnel, project management, and corporate reporting. In addition, ccrd promoted Sarah De Ita, to marketing manager. De Ita has over eight years of experience in the A/E/C industry providing marketing communications services with a graphics expertise.

Interface Consulting International, Inc., Houston, welcomes Jason A. Robin who has joined the firm as project consultant. He will be responsible for quantifying and analyzing construction claims dealing with cost overruns, schedule delays, and other project management issues for owners, contractors, and their attorneys. He will also provide litigation assistance, claims analysis, and contract risk assessment.

Rowland Companies Construction Group announces the addition of the following project engineers to the Dallas / Ft. Worth office:  Michele Watowich, Armand Vanlor, James Tyrone, and Brock Roorda. Watowich has 15 years construction experience as a project manager, project superintendent, and construction analyst. Vanlor has worked in the construction industry since 1999. He attended Laredo Community College. Tyrone has almost 20 years experience in the industry. He attended Louisiana State University, focusing on civil engineering / construction management.  Roorda holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology from Purdue University in addition to an Associate of Applied Science in Civil Engineering Technology.

Hill Glazier Architects, Palo Alto, Calif., a hospitality design boutique firm, has merged with HKS Architects, Inc., Dallas. The HKS Hill Glazier Studio will combine Hill Glazier’s highly service oriented, hospitality design experience and international presence in the market with HKS’s broad hospitality experience, national and international resources, and management strength.

LJA Engineering & Surveying, Inc., Houston, recently announced three new appointments. Gary W. Mensik was promoted to vice president of LJA’s Houston Land Development Division. Mensik has 25 years experience with LJA and has considerable experience in the design of water distribution, sanitary sewer collection, storm drainage, paving, detention ponds, drainage channels and trunk utility facilities. Wallace Trochesset, was also promoted to vice president of LJA’s Land Development Division. Wallace joined LJA in 1997 and has served as senior project manager for a number of land development projects.  Paula Price, has joined LJA Engineering & Surveying, Inc. as director of public infrastructure in the firm’s Houston office. Price has 20 years of experience in civil engineering, including project management and business development in the areas of transportation, hydrology and hydraulics, site development, water, and wastewater.

Program management and construction management firm Linbeck, Houston, announced three new promotions recently. Wendy Burke was named vice president of client development. Burke joined Linbeck in 2005. She has contributed to the Linbeck’s current success with project awards exceeding $400 million this past year. Craig Fredrickson, a seventeen year veteran of Linbeck, was promoted to vice president. Frederickson began his career in client development focusing on the healthcare industry. He is also instrumental in the development of Linbeck’s successful recruiting, intern, and employee development programs. Emre Ozcan was promoted to development manager. Since joining Linbeck 1997, Emre has worked in Boston and Houston as an engineer, project manager, and team manager specializing in the healthcare and biopharmaceutical industries. 

FKP Architects, Inc., Houston, recently promoted Michael Horan, Robert Johnson and Michael McVay, to vice president. Horan has more than 30 years in healthcare design with 23 years of interior design experience including his most recent projects for Texas Children’s Hospital and The Women’s Hospital of Texas in Houston, the University of Texas San Antonio Medical Science Campus and Alvin Community Hospital.  Johnson brings more than 20 years experience in informational systems to his new position.  McVay’s 20 years of experience includes work in design development, construction administration and programming.  His recent projects include Chistus St. Catherine Health & Wellness Center in Katy, Texas, Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center in Memphis, Tennessee and Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. 

Charles Aldrete joins Civil Engineering Consultants, San Antonio, as a senior project manager in the Transportation division. Aldrete has 25 years of experience in the design and management of freeways, urban streets, and multilane rural highways in Texas.  He gained the majority of his highway design and construction experience during his 15-year tenure with the San Antonio District of the Texas Department of Transportation. 

Teal Construction, Houston, recently promoted Patrick Garrett to project manager.  Garrett was formerly a project superintendent and has been with Teal for over 10 years. He has served in various aspects of the construction industry for over 36 years.

Ron Hamm and Mitch Hanzik, business development executives with Speed-Fab-Crete, Inc., Kennedale, recently received the Designated Design-Build Professional award. The award recognizes professionals in the construction industry who possess a high level of expertise in the design-build method for delivery of building projects. The pair also are newly accredited Green Advantage Certified Builders, awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council. Hamm, who is a co-owner of Speed Fab-Crete, has been with the company 20 years. Hanzik has represented Speed Fab-Crete for 22 years.

Martinez, Wright, and Mendez, Austin-based firm since 1980, and Lopez-Phelps & Associates, Austin-based firm since 1992, are now known as MWM DesignGroup, Inc. MWM DesignGroup provides both governmental and private entities throughout Central Texas with architecture, landscape architecture, civil engineering, surveying, governmental relations, and permitting services.  Amelia Lopez-Phelps joins MWM DesignGroup as principal, bringing 20 years of governmental relations experience to the team. In addition, Nancy Costa joins the firm as project manager for governmental relations and permitting.