Category: Corporate

HPM Promotes Taylor Thorn to Vice President of Growth Strategy

Posted on January 9, 2024

HPM has announced the promotion of Taylor Thorn to Vice President of Growth Strategy for the company. Thorn is a 13-year veteran of the commercial real estate and construction industries and will oversee all growth initiatives for HPM in his new role.

Career Path

Thorn began his career with HPM as a Project Engineer in 2012, before being promoted to Project Manager, Senior Project Manager, Senior Program Manager, Program Executive and most recently, Assistant to HPM President, Ryan Austin. As Vice President of Growth Strategy, Thorn will oversee business development, marketing and client relations for HPM, as well as overall leadership for the firm’s staff of more than 160 individuals. His goal within this position will be to identify and understand the needs of prospective clients to provide holistic solutions through HPM’s range of service lines.

“We’re in a monumental chapter of HPM’s growth story in 2024, with many new projects and company initiatives on the horizon,” said Austin. “We needed someone to oversee growth within all facets of our company and no one understands the vision for the future of HPM quite like Taylor. He is a true champion of not only our firm and its people, but of every client we have worked with and their individual successes. I rest easy knowing Taylor is helping to lead HPM into another year of prosperity.”

Throughout his career at HPM, Thorn has managed client partnerships, program staffing and internal controls and reporting. He first joined The University of Alabama account team and has provided oversight and leadership for multiple program accounts including Regions Bank, the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, Calhoun Community College, Buffalo Rock, Ole Miss, National Cement and Avanti Polar Lipids.

What’s Next?

“For over a decade, I have seen firsthand not only the overall growth and achievements of HPM, but also the personal growth of each employee that has turned our company into the program management powerhouse that it is,” said Thorn. “I believe HPM has thrived because of our supportive culture, commitment to fostering meaningful client relationships and combined years of expertise and experience within the industry. I am honored to be given the opportunity to lead HPM alongside Ryan as we expand our footprint into new avenues and markets and continue to serve our clients with top-tier program management and owners’ representation services.

Thorn is a graduate of Auburn University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in construction management. He is a Certified Construction Manager (CCM) and is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED certified. He is a member of the 2017 Future Leaders in Construction (FLIC) cohort, a group comprised of individuals demonstrating robust leadership and effective management skills within the construction industry.

HPM’s Year in Review

Posted on December 22, 2023

2023 has been a year of exponential growth for HPM and the program management industry at large. More than ever, owners are finding immense value in securing a trusted partner to safeguard their interests as complex projects are brought to life. While it is impossible to sum up a very full year in one post, we’re taking a moment to reflect on this HPM’s milestones within the program management industry and beyond.

Awards & Recognition

ENR once again included HPM in their annual Top 50 Program Management Firms as well as their Top 100 Professional Services Firms. This recognition is a result of the many industry-leading clients who continue to entrust HPM with their program management needs.

HPM was honored to be named a 2023 Project Achievement Award winner the South Atlantic Chapter of CMAA in recognition of our work on Auburn University’s Rane Culinary Science Center. Representatives from HPM were able to attend the annual CMAA SAC Project Achievement Awards Gala held in Atlanta, GA. CMAA offers Project Achievement Awards annually to recognize projects that stand out as examples in the construction industry, demonstrating excellence and innovation. These awards are reserved for facilities that push the industry forward and motivate its leaders to push past perceived limitations and pursue what others have deemed impossible.

Rane Culinary Science Center’s Laurel Hotel and Spa received Five Diamond Recognition from AAA, indicating ultimate luxury. The Laurel is the first hotel in Alabama to be given this recognition, and one of only 89 nationwide.

Project Milestones

Among the many exciting project milestones this year was a celebration held at Airbus recognizing their newest expansion in Mobile, AL which will be accomplished through the construction of a second A320 final assembly line. Along with securing Mobile’s status as the fourth largest commercial airline manufacturing center in the world, this addition is projected to create 1,000 jobs for community residents, bolstering the economy in The Port City for years to come. We are proud to partner with Airbus as they continue to represent the best of the aviation industry.

This year brought great progress on the Manor ISD account as multiple facilities within the program opened their doors to students. Great strides of Progress were also made at Round Rock ISD, which are poised to continue successfully in the new year.

In August, HPM celebrated 20 years of supporting Regions Bank. HPM has provided support in capital improvement projects of all shapes and sizes as Regions has experienced exponential growth. Over the course of the last two decades, years, HPM has managed more than $800 million in project volume. This includes 3,000 projects and 10,000 associate moves on behalf of the client.

This fall, The University of Alabama broke ground on the Smith Family Center for the Performing Arts! HPM is honored to help deliver the vision for this state-of-the-art facility for dance and theater programs. Substantial progress was made on the numerous additional projects HPM is managing on behalf of the university as well.

Ground was broken on Ground has officially broken on Leonardo’s state-of-the-art customer support center in Milton, FL. The facility will span 113,000 square feet and include four large hangar bays, major component repair and overhaul, transmission work that will include Dynamic Test Bench, a full-sized paint booth and all associated tooling and equipment.

New Opportunities for HPM

The University of North Alabama to serve as program manager and owners’ rep for Bank Independent Stadium, a state-of-the-art, multi-purposed facility on campus. The stadium will be thoughtfully designed for year-round utilization by UNA and the wider Shoals area. We look forward to leveraging our vast portfolio of stadium experience in partnership with the outstanding university as they realize a much anticipated goal on behalf of students, athletes and the community at large!

Mississippi State University selected HPM to manage construction of new residence hall complex, the Luckyday Tower. The facility will serve as a living and learning community for MSU’s Luckyday freshman Scholars.

HPM also acquired work with The University of Alabama in Huntsville. Beginning in 2024, we will be managing the construction of their new School of Engineering.

Company Initiatives

Early this year, HPM rolled out our company-wide Building Women Initiative this year, along with hosting the inaugural Building Women Forum. We look forward to the program’s continued growth, providing an equitable platform to discuss challenges related to the corporate landscape.

The operations team implemented new “Fourth Friday Training” in 2023, a company-wide cross training opportunity. This equips our professionals with knowledge pertaining to all facets of the company.

In March, HPM celebrated Women in Construction Week with a video highlighting the females comprising our company. It can be viewed here.

In October, HPM launched an updated, reimagined website. The modernized site showcases HPM’s breadth of service offerings, diversity of experience and astute caliber of employees.

Community Impact

Community service is a key opportunity for us to live out the company’s core values. No matter the office location, employees across the footprint were given many opportunities to serve their communities. HPM was honored to sponsor and volunteer at a myriad of community events nationwide. These included chili cook-offs, golf tournaments, school reading days, toy drives and much more!

Company Growth at HPM

This year HPM expanded our footprint with a new, larger office in Huntsville, AL. The new office is located downtown at 200 Clinton Avenue West, Suite 703. The space enables HPM to better serve clients within the Huntsville area and expand capabilities on projects throughout the market. We look forward to finding new opportunities for growth and strengthening our robust team in The Rocket City and beyond.

Thank you!

These highlights are but a glimpse into the transformative HPM has enjoyed. We extend deep gratitude to our clients, industry partners and all following along as the company achieves success. 2024 has big shoes to fill, and we are confident that with our team, it will surely deliver.

HPM Expands Presence with Larger Office in Huntsville Alabama

Posted on December 5, 2023

Alabama-based national Program Management firm HPM announces the opening of a larger office location in Huntsville, Alabama. This solidifies the company’s commitment to broaden its footprint within the market and supports an increase in clients and projects within the region. Since 1997, the company has established a solid reputation as a leader in representing owners in managing the planning, design and construction of capital projects and has completed numerous projects across North Alabama.

Roots in Huntsville, Alabama

“HPM has stayed loyal to its roots in Alabama since our company’s beginnings more than 26 years ago. This expansion proved to be an easy decision as Huntsville remains one of our most active markets in the state,” said HPM President Ryan Austin. “As Huntsville, Madison, Decatur and the surrounding areas have experienced explosive growth, we have seen an influx of work here, too. We knew it was in the best interest of our firm and our clients to expand our footprint as investment continues to pour into the market. With this larger presence, we can foster our existing long-term relationships with valued partners while also making new connections to continue providing quality work to the region’s most high-profile projects.”

HPM’s presence in North Alabama area dates back to 2009. The company got its start in the region with the construction of Westwind Technology’s MRO facility for which HPM provided program management and owners’ representation services. In recent years, the firm has continued to serve the market with notable projects including 52,000 square feet of interior renovations at Drake State Community & Technical College; the construction of a new 204,000-square-foot North Alabama distribution center for Buffalo Rock; the renovation of the 180,000-square-foot Sparkman Building at Calhoun Community College; and renovation and expansion projects on behalf of Aerojet Rocketdyne. HPM is slated manage the construction of The University of Alabama in Huntsville’s New Engineering Building, commencing in Fall 2024.

Bright Days Ahead

The new Huntsville office is located downtown at 200 Clinton Avenue West, Suite 703. The space enables HPM to better serve clients within the Huntsville area and expand capabilities on projects throughout the market. HPM has appointed Senior Program Manager, David Jones to lead initiatives out of the Huntsville office. Since joining HPM in 2018, David has assisted in the execution of ongoing capital development programs throughout Alabama. He possesses more than 17 years of construction experience.

“This expansion bolsters HPM’s services in markets across the region, and I’m honored to oversee our talented team and ongoing strategy in Huntsville,” said Jones. “We have established a trusted reputation through our project successes in the market, and now we can grow our portfolio with a stronger boots-on-the-ground approach. We look forward to finding new opportunities for growth and strengthening our robust team in The Rocket City and beyond.”

Procurement Professional, Ivy Mitchell Receives Promotion

Posted on November 29, 2023

For over a decade, procurement professional, Ivy Mitchell has added immense value to HPM’s Procurement Services Department. Due to excellent performance and consistent leadership, Ivy has been named Director of Program Development.

Ivy’s Achievements

Ivy leads procurement efforts for Airbus where over $750M of work (20 work packages) have been procured. Additionally, Ivy spearheads procurement efforts for Saraland Sports complex, Mercedes and Leonardo. As Director of Program Development, Ivy will be focused on helping project teams, bringing consistency to the procurement process company wide. This enables clients to engage with highly qualified suppliers and ultimately mitigate risk for building programs.

Denny Dahner, Category Buyer with Airbus praised the team led by Ivy stating “HPM’s team of procurement professionals utilize a methodology that is very organized, professional and adds tremendous value to achieve our Airbus project targets. The cooperation happens in a respectful and open way.”

Why Utilize a Procurement Professional?

HPM’s Procurement team assists clients in identifying and procuring high quality designers, consultants, contractors, design-builders and construction managers to position construction program for success. Along with the architects, the team makes adjustments in the schedule to expedite completion.

HPM’s procurement process brings numerous benefits to our clients. Value adds include cost savings, supplier management, risk mitigation, improved quality, transparency, compliance, and strategic decision-making. By implementing HPM’s process, clients can enhance their operational efficiency, reduce costs and gain a competitive edge in the market.

More About Ivy

Beyond her workplace achievements, Ivy serves as a mentor to numerous individuals at varying stages of their careers. Colleagues appreciate her willingness to invest in those around her and strengthen the team. Her sharp wit, fierce loyalty and willing spirit make Ivy a beloved figure in the HPM community.

Ivy and her husband, John have a riverfront home where they love to fish and spend time together outdoors. Their daughter, Jordan is currently in school to become a Certified Nurse Practitioner and engaged to be married on April 20^th next year.

Project Management Professional, Will Cather Promoted at HPM

Posted on November 20, 2023

As HPM continues to grow, it is more important than ever to employ individuals demonstrating the highest level of dedication to the projects and clients they are assigned. Since onboarding with HPM, Will Cather has proven his robust work ethic as a project management professional. Because of his outstanding performance and contributions to our team, I am confident in promoting him to the next level as Project Manager.

Will’s Career

Despite being early in his career, Will has developed a well-rounded skillset by the nature of his previous positions at a general contractor and a design firm. He applies this knowledge and experience daily on our Regions Bank account managing facilities maintenance capital projects. These projects include capital replacements/upgrades of elevators, fire alarm systems, HVAC units, HVAC control systems and both exterior and interior LED lighting retrofits.

The FMC team simply would not be successful without Will’s commitment and effort. The nature of the FMC work is for installations to occur on nights and weekends, and Will is always on call and available to support his projects. Will has developed a great relationship with key members of the client’s team, and quickly gaining their trust and confidence. He excels in managing client expectations as he communicates in a clear and effective manner. Will is a team player and fosters a collaborative work environment where his coworkers feel valued and motivated. He understands that if one person on our team succeeds, we all succeed.

Client Praise

Regions Project Manager, David Caulkins heralded Will’s contributions, saying “Will has been such an asset to the team, it’s hard to surmise into a simple statement. He is transparent, available and impactful, all in a timely manner.”

About Will

Will and his wife, Haleigh have a love for travel and most recently visited Switzerland! Among his many hobbies, Will is a coffee connoisseur and loves to cook—he even bakes his own bread! He is a huge sports fan and his favorite teams include Alabama, the Dallas Cowboys, the Atlanta Braves and most importantly, his beloved Tottenham Hotspurs.

Will truly is a “rising star” at HPM, and I’m so proud of what he’s accomplished in only 8 months. I am excited to witness his continued success!