Category: Municipalities

Co-Ops Learn to Lead Through Summer Seminar

Posted on July 7, 2021

HPM’s Emerging Leaders program provides undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to explore a career in program management while gaining real world experience. As they work alongside industry experts, these students discover the business fundamentals needed to accelerate their careers. Last week, our co-ops gathered at our Birmingham office for the Emerging Leaders Summer Seminar, a two-day learning-to-lead workshop.

Assistant Project Manager Medora Gaddes oversees HPM’s talent recruiting process and the Emerging Leaders program. As a former co-op herself, Gaddes recognized that student employees are not only interested in their role or assignment, but in the company’s leadership and goals, as well.

“When you go to work anywhere, there is always a learning curve of figuring out what a company does, who runs the company and how they run it, and figuring out how that aligns with you as an individual,” she said. “I want our Emerging Leaders to get ahead of this while they are still in school and completing their internship or co-op rotation with us. This is important as they navigate the big questions of what do I want to do and what type of company do I want to work for when I graduate.”

During the Summer Seminar, attendees gained invaluable insight from members of our leadership team and sharpened their own leadership skills through team activities and goal planning.

“I had a lot of takeaways from the Summer Seminar, but my biggest take away was the art of leadership,” said Ben Smith, an HPM co-op from the University of Alabama. “We were not only taught what it means to be a leader, but how we can be leaders in the workplace and in our everyday lives. This seminar taught us a lot about ourselves and how we can utilize our skills and personalities to lead in a way that puts our team and others ahead of ourselves.”

HPM has offices and projects across the country, so the seminar also provides the co-ops with an opportunity to network with students who might not be assigned to a project in their area.

“I would encourage all co-op students to attend the summer seminar as it is a professional development opportunity that is relevant to our co-op and our academic success,” said UA student Iriana Molusky. “Spending time with other co-ops was a one-time opportunity to meet and learn from each other.”

Gaddes hopes seminar attendees will continue to build on what they learned and use their new leadership skills no matter what career path they choose.

“I think we all can look back on our early leadership growth and identify both people that invested in us and skills that we wish we had developed earlier,” Gaddes said. “I hope that through the seminar, the Emerging Leaders start connecting with like-minded individuals, build relationships with leaders in the industry, and sharpen leadership skills that will kickstart their personal growth.”

Interested in HPM’s co-op and internship program? Learn more on our Emerging Leaders page.

HPM Emerging Leaders

Working Together to Get the Job Done

Posted on April 8, 2021

As program managers, we serve as the eyes and ears of the owner, ensuring that their best interests are at the heart of every decision. We manage all resources as if they were our own – which includes holding designers, suppliers, contractors, decision makers and ourselves accountable to the commitments made. Sometimes, other project partners involved come from previous experiences where working with a program management firm felt more like an additional layer of red tape.

This was the case for Carmon Construction Inc. (CCI), a construction company based in Albertville, Alabama, which had previously worked with firms that either forbid them from corresponding with the owner or architect or added a fee for doing so. When we partnered with CCI on the City of Albertville’s Sand Mountain Park and Amphitheater, they found HPM to be quite different.

“To begin, HPM stayed on top of every problem or change requested by the owner, analyzed how it would affect the schedule and produced an independent cost breakdown with written analysis to the architect and owner,” said Carmon Smith, founder of CCI. “This proved to be very helpful. With this being a large project, site-wise, and with the owner choosing to contract with 10 or more separate contractors, orderly coordination of these was almost impossible. HPM did everything they possibly could to coordinate and get each contractor to do their part at the time it was needed.”

The Sand Mountain Park and Amphitheater is a big deal in every sense of the word. The park includes five softball fields with one championship field, four baseball fields with one championship field and five multi-purpose fields, each with all-weather turf. It includes a 100,000 plus square foot recreation center with an indoor eight-lane competition pool, multiple basketball courts and an outdoor water park with a lazy river feature.

The park also features four miles of hiking trails, open grass areas, an RV Park and a 7,000+ seating capacity amphitheater equipped to host national touring acts and regional or community events. The 135-acre sports, leisure, wellness and entertainment venue is expected to create more than 1,200 jobs while generating an economic impact of $120 million annually.

No matter the size or scope of any project, clear communication among the various teams involved is a requisite of success. HPM furnished a complete table of contents for close out of the project in the first third of the project and CCI came to consider us as a partner in building the recreation center and amphitheater. The complex program schedule featured numerous logistical challenges ranging from complications due to the pandemic to one of the rainiest winters in North Alabama history, but our teams worked together to ensure that the program was a success.

“Carmon Construction was driving their work from day one,” said Caleb Camp, HPM project manager. “They had strong field leadership, obviously developed over a long career in the construction industry. Carmon Smith held his company to high standards and represented Albertville with class. The City of Albertville has a reputation and history of providing excellence to its citizens, and Carmon Construction delivered the facilities to continue this tradition.”

We strive to be the perfect partner, helping every group on every project achieve its goals. Together with CCI, we put the owner first and got the job done, delivering a remarkable recreation destination to a region that will enjoy its benefits for many years to come.

HPM to Serve as Official Program Management Partner of the World Games 2022

Posted on March 16, 2021

When Birmingham, Alabama, hosts The World Games in July 2022, the world will be watching. An anticipated 3,600 athletes from more than 100 countries will participate in more than 30 different sports at unique venues across the Magic City, uniting global fans with the Birmingham community. With less than 500 days to go before competition officially begins, HPM is proud to announce that we will serve as the Official Program Management Partner of The Games.

HPM has developed into a nationally recognized leader in program management, representing owners in managing more than a billion dollars in construction volume a year. HPM’s portfolio spans the country, including work on Protective Stadium and Legacy Arena in Birmingham, throughout the University of Alabama campus including the latest renovations to Bryant-Denny Stadium, within Major League Baseball for the spring training homes of the Atlanta Braves, the Washington Nationals, the Houston Astros and the New York Mets, for sports facilities at Texas Christian University, and many high-profile projects for global clients throughout the U.S. such as Airbus and FedEx. In partnership with The World Games 2022, HPM will provide construction management services, with a focus on temporary fields of play for The Games such as beach handball courts, canopy piloting field of play, and boules courts. 

“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for me personally and for our company as a whole,” said Ryan Austin, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at HPM. “We’re thrilled to have the chance to contribute to a once-in-a-lifetime event for the Birmingham community, one that so many have already worked hard to make happen. We’re eager to get started and be part of the process.”

In addition to the firm’s partnership, The World Games Committee announced today that Austin will serve on the board of directors, joining Brian Barr of Brasfield & Gorrie. The Birmingham-based construction firm has been named the Official Construction Partner of The Games.

Originally from Oxford, Alabama,  Austin holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Auburn University and is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Construction Auditor. He also serves on the boards for the Associated Builders and Contractors of Alabama, Cornerstone School, and Ingram State. 

“Brasfield & Gorrie and HPM are world-class construction and program management firms, and their partnership with World Games 2022 is so valuable,” said The World Games 2022 CEO Nick Sellers. “But even more valuable is the addition of Brian Barr and Ryan Austin to our board of directors. These two gentlemen are leaders in our community and state. Brian will serve as the Chair of our Construction Committee and Ryan serve as Vice Chair.”

ABOUT THE WORLD GAMES 2022

The World Games 2022 Birmingham will be an extraordinary Olympic-style sports experience where elite athletes from all over the world compete for gold in 34 unique, multi-disciplinary sports. Featuring 3,600 athletes from more than 100 countries, the international event will unite global fans with the Birmingham community in 25+ unique venues around the greater metropolitan area. The World Games 2022 Birmingham, which marks the 40th anniversary of the event, will take place from July 7-17, 2022 and will generate an estimated $256 million in economic impact. The World Games was established by the International World Games Association, an organization recognized by the International Olympic Committee. For more information visit TWG2022.com or on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

HPM Serving as Owner’s Representative for Massive BJCC Expansion and Renovation Project

Posted on February 17, 2021

HPM is serving as the Owner’s Representative for the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Authority’s transformative sports and entertainment projects that are expected to play a leading role in the future of downtown Birmingham.

Totaling $330 million, our firm is providing guidance and oversight for a building program that includes both the construction of a brand new 45,000-seat football stadium that will serve as the future home of the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) Blazers, as well as the comprehensive renovation and expansion of the 44-year-old Legacy Arena. Work is now underway on both projects, which are slated to deliver in Q4 2021. The project will position Birmingham as a top regional and national destination for meetings and conventions while also generating new opportunities to host a variety of top-tier sports and entertainment events.

HPM was initially chosen as program manager to oversee the pre-construction phase of the Legacy Arena renovation before our overall scope of work was expanded. We are working with construction teams and project managers to serve as the eyes and ears for ownership on both initiatives, continuing our distinguished track record on high-profile capital projects across Alabama. HPM partnered with Steel City Services, a Birmingham firm specializing in project management services, to deliver the scope of services required for the projects. In addition to our assignment at BJCC, HPM is also overseeing ongoing renovations for Bryant-Denny Stadium at the University of Alabama, and previously managed construction efforts for Regions Field in Birmingham.

“We are pleased to expand our relationship with the BJCC Authority, which has been a trusted partner of ours for many years now,” said Mike Lanier, HPM president. “That history provides HPM with an integral understanding of the BJCC’s processes and overall vision for this campaign and allowed us to hit the ground running by developing a strategic plan that sets clear goals and benchmarks for all project partners. Our background in sports and public sector projects across Alabama made this assignment a natural fit, and we look forward to helping the BJCC and downtown Birmingham open a new chapter full of promise and possibility.”

“The new stadium and modernized arena will be assets to the city of Birmingham for many years to come and we’re proud to work with a Birmingham-based company to see them through,” said Tad Snider, BJCC executive director and CEO since 2010. “These projects mean more opportunities for entertainment, sports, family entertainment, conventions and meetings, and the associated economic impact generated from these events that benefits the Magic City.”

Originally opened in 1976, Legacy Arena is on track for a modernization initiative to ensure the facility will continue to serve the greater Birmingham area for the next generation. Renovations kicked off in the spring of 2020, with planned improvements including a new suite level, a new upper level club area, a variety of enhanced food and beverage options, new seating, a 360 degree ribbon board in the seating bowl and refurbished lobbies with state-of-the-art escalator and elevator systems. A modernized glass-and-steel façade will enhance the arena’s exterior appearance. The impact of the project was recently recognized with the NCAA awarding Birmingham and Legacy Arena the Men’s Basketball Division One first and second round dates for 2023 and the Division One Women’s Southern Regionals in 2025.

Progress is also being made on Protective Stadium, a $174 million next-generation complex jointly funded by the BJCC Authority, City of Birmingham, Jefferson County, UAB and the Birmingham corporate community. Site work began in fall 2019, with construction work commencing in January. Its impressive main entrance will open onto a large open event plaza leading to a variety of retail and restaurant offerings that serve as an extension of the Uptown entertainment district. In addition to hosting Blazers home games, the stadium will also serve as a home for the AHSAA high school football state championship games on a rotating basis, the Ticketsmarter Birmingham Bowl, concerts and more.

While construction for both Legacy Arena and Protective Stadium are on aggressive schedules, our team will work with all parties to ensure target deadlines and milestones stay on schedule. We are proud to be part of this project, which marks the first ground-up football stadium that HPM has worked on and our largest arena renovation contract to date.

HPM’s work ethic leads to saved money, seen value, and sincere gratitude for St. Lucie County

Posted on March 13, 2020

When a company decides to hire HPM, you’re entrusting your project to us. We manage each step of our projects with honesty, transparency, and clear goals and are confident that our expertise will save you time, money, and resources. Our expert program managers have decades of combined experience, and we have a solid track record and portfolio to back up our promises to deliver. To ensure we are adding value to your project, we create a Value Add Log for each project that we manage. This record does what the name implies – lists how HPM’s management of a project has added value to the project and company as a whole.

For our client St. Lucie County, the project of renovating First Data Field provided a prestigious opportunity for HPM. First Data Field, the spring training home of the New York Mets, located in Port St. Lucie, Florida, needed facility renovations and improvements. St. Lucie County hired HPM to manage the construction of $55 million in renovations and improvements. The facility renovations included a walkway connector around the outfield, a 50-room players’ academy, and three little league baseball and softball fields for tournaments and public use.

HPM worked diligently to save St. Lucie County money in the facility renovations. Since HPM was hired by St. Lucie County and not the Mets team, HPM operated with the county’s best interest in mind. A significant way that HPM added value to the project was by taking time to negotiate with the Mets, who had set the scope of the project at $67 million, to achieve the county’s budget of $55 million.

When HPM sent the original add log to St. Lucie County for approval, they ended up sending it back with a note: They believed and had calculated that HPM had added more value than we had reported. After walking through some of their additional items, senior program manager Alan Butler was pleasantly taken aback.

“The items that St. Lucie County had wanted to add to the add log were things that we at HPM just did, almost like second nature. We didn’t intentionally leave items out. In our eyes, the things St. Lucie had listed were just part of our culture and who we are at HPM. It was amazing to see a client recognize that value, and then want to quantify and add those examples to the report.”

HPM’s work was able to stand on its own with the full and esteemed Value Add Log for this project. When clients see the value that you didn’t know to recognize, that’s when you know you’ve hit it out of the park.

Alan Butler stated, “It’s not common to see a client want to recognize you for more than what you report. So when that happens, it’s something to take notice of in our company. The Value Add Log tells a greater story than we would have even known. Our clients for this project left with gratitude for HPM and said they wouldn’t begin projects in the future without reaching out to us.”

Through the addition of the items listed in the Value Add log, HPM saved St. Lucie County over 1 million dollars.

Soaring to New Heights with a Preconstruction Veteran

Posted on November 5, 2019

In an effort to maximize the company’s effectiveness and efficiency in its preconstruction services, HPM recently hired Del Buck as the Vice President of Preconstruction. In this position, Del is responsible for overseeing the preconstruction services of all HPM program management assignments.

Del has an extensive history of more than 30 years in the AEC industry, including both national and international leadership in preconstruction. His construction experience reaches to Africa, South America, Europe, Nepal, China, South Korea, New Zealand, and the Middle East. As a result of his work experience and attendance at both the American Institute of Estimating and the FMI Leadership Program, Del possesses the expertise to lead HPM in its preconstruction services.

Buck’s extensive history in preconstruction services includes involvement in multiple real estate sectors. In his preconstruction experience, he has managed an annual project bid volume totaling more than $3 billion for assignments in sectors such as retail, higher education, industrial, multifamily, K-12, medical, and government.

“Del’s problem- solving skills, attention to detail, and organizational skills make him a fit leader in HPM’s preconstruction services,” stated Greg Ellis, Vice President of Program Development. Del stated, “The duties of my position match up well with the experience I gained throughout my career as a general contractor, and the ability to leverage that with HPM’s vast database of pricing technology will allow us to offer custom-produced services tailored for each owner’s budget and scheduling requirements.”

One of HPM’s core values is that each team member strives to be good stewards in terms of time, energy, and resources invested in projects. “Del’s breadth of knowledge and experience in the industry allows HPM to continue to strive to meet this goal in order to efficiently serve the company’s clients. His goal of relentless improvement and efficiency in preconstruction services will contribute to the company’s exceptional performance in program management,” stated Greg.

“HPM considers Del to be an asset to the company, in terms of its growth and success. We believe Del’s ability to see through the GC lens combined with the advanced estimating technology and pricing databases at HPM will give us a competitive edge that cannot be replicated anywhere else.”
Mike Lanier, HPM President

Read about our other recent preconstruction expert hires

HPM’s Beginnings: A History Built on Standing in the Gap (Part Two)

Posted on May 15, 2019

By Mike Lanier, President

Welcome back as we turn back time with our founding president reminding us in this two-part series about how HPM was founded and how it continues to grow. You can read Part One of this series posted earlier on our blog.

See Part One Here

In 2013, HPM took to the skies and provided the much-needed boots on the ground in the US for the global aerospace company, Airbus. Our expert staff members embedded themselves within Airbus and became the client’s eyes and ears during the design and construction of their first US manufacturing facility, which has led us to other clients in the aerospace and aviation industry.

Along the time that HPM began making its impression in several industries signaled the time for the company to be organized into its own entity, and HPM was officially structured into an LLC, branded itself apart from the construction company, and offered services separate from industry norms.

A few years ago, HPM represented the City of Birmingham by managing the design and construction of a new minor league baseball stadium right in the middle of downtown which sparked a revitalization of the area. Now, we have lead the building of several new major and minor league baseball stadiums across the Southeast as well as numerous collegiate sports venues across the US.

As a part of our growth strategy, HPM acquired a construction audit and contracting firm which serves an impressive list of clients including Google, Caesar’s Entertainment, Southwest Airlines, Facebook and Landry’s. The team criss-crosses the country involving themselves in clients’ contract negotiations; conducting interim and final audits to determine reimbursable costs, fees, savings and savings allocations; reviewing pay applications; calculating scheduled damages; and managing claims analysis and defense. We like to say that our audit and contract services provide clients with confidence knowing you paid the right price on your construction spend.

Today, HPMers serve global clients across the US from offices and project sites dotted throughout the country. Our clients continue to work with us on new projects because we have created deep, long-lasting relationships, and we continue to attract innovative and passionate talent because our work and our teams are meaningful, interesting and fun!

HPM was founded by leaders for leaders who lead at every level. We strive to be the perfect partner in every way so that our clients’ organizations achieve success.

My talented colleagues come from all walks of life and expertise – engineers, builders, estimators and designers work alongside accountants, business managers, communications professionals and administrative experts. Every role is important in HPM’s success and our clients’ success.

I believe HPM employees are relationship-driven, problem solvers, and good stewards. We strive to have purpose in our lives and do the right things for our clients and our community. My colleagues take the time to truly get to know our clients and their businesses to provide that ultimate form of servant leadership – the trusted advisor.

HPM’s Beginnings: A History Built on Standing in the Gap (Part One)

Posted on May 14, 2019

By Mike Lanier, President

Join us on this look back in time as our founding president reminds us in this two-part series about how HPM was founded and how it continues to grow.

HPM is in the business of leading. Sometimes, that looks like shepherding more than it does signaling a full-scale charge from the front.

While others in our industry focus on getting plans on paper or aim at the best ways to compile bricks, concrete, and steel, we focus on what’s most important to our clients at any given moment. HPM serves as a trusted advisor who stands in as the owner’s advocate in a capital building program.

And that can look like a lot of different ways to lead and serve.

A Little History

Our unique story of this servant-leadership style began in 1940 when Friend Reed (F.R.) Hoar founded the F.R. Hoar Construction Company in Birmingham, Alabama. Over the decades, the company has grown across the US with new projects, new clients, and new colleagues.

I began my career with Hoar Construction in the mid-1990s doing pre-construction work in the retail industry, and very quickly, I noticed many of our clients needed help beyond that of traditional contractors. I happily provided them the guidance they needed simply because it was the right thing to do.

Rob Burton, CEO of Hoar Holdings (which owns HPM and Hoar Construction), served as the Executive Vice President of Hoar Construction at the time I joined the company. He and I recognized the market needed someone that could help clients reach success by managing all the intricacies of their construction projects – from planning, design, and construction through to owner occupancy.

After a serendipitous lunch with his daughter at her school where a construction project was in disarray, putting students at risk, Rob met with the District Superintendent and offered our services. This led us to pre-construction work for school districts and municipalities who struggled to proceed with projects because they constantly seemed to stay overbudget, behind schedule, and/or beyond their capabilities.

In 1997, Hoar Program Management (HPM) was founded as a division of Hoar Construction to serve as advocates for our clients. During this time, we guided Hoover City School District during all phases of their construction projects which put us on the map in Alabama for K12 and which has now expanded to include school districts throughout the country.

HPM team members now shepherd school superintendents and school boards through the planning, funding and site selection phases of capital bond programs through design and into construction and move-in.

In 2003, we graduated into the corporate world with our partnership with Regions Bank. Regions utilized our program management services to help stay on budget and on schedule while they rolled out new bank branches across their multi-state footprint. More than 15 years later, we still partner with Regions Bank and have expanded our services into interiors planning and move management.

In 2004, HPM made the leap into higher education when a large university in our home state hired us to provide program management support for six different simultaneous construction projects on campus. And, we’re still there today due to our deep relationships with the staff and leadership team and a successful 15-year track record. Since 2004, we have completed more than $2 billion in capital building projects to facilitate the university’s rapid growth.

And that was just the beginning…

Part Two

Realizing the Value of Preconstruction Services

Posted on April 11, 2019

James Goree, Regional Director of Preconstruction

With a decade-long career at HPM, I have learned to appreciate that highly successful projects are the ones that do a good job of balancing budget, schedule, and quality, so it only makes sense that focusing on these areas as early in the project as possible would prove valuable. In fact, that is the idea behind preconstruction services – early analysis of the effects that project circumstances and components will have on schedule and cost. Oddly enough, many owners miss the mark by not employing these services on their projects.

Preconstruction typically includes the evaluation of construction methods, project pricing, value engineering, constructability reviews and bid and award process management. At HPM, we have seen this type of in-depth analysis pave the way to a clearer path for the project, in many cases resolving challenges before they arise and saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in schedule and cost overruns. Essentially, employing these services helps map out a plan early in design and way before shovels even go in the ground, putting teams in a better position to manage change and proactively communicate. We can all see the benefits in that rationale, right?

I am a firm believer that preconstruction sets a solid foundation for every project, no matter the size of the project or the market it represents. Time and time again, experts publish articles on the benefits of preconstruction. At HPM, we have seen first-hand the impact on our projects and have captured those stories in our portfolio of case studies. When teams collaborate early to identify meaningful solutions or take the time to build a project virtually through the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) owners reap the benefits. A program manager who understands the value of preconstruction and can walk-the-talk with their clients is in the best position to guide projects to success.

Simply put, our role in preconstruction is to offer a path that allows our clients to accomplish their goals while remaining on budget. As preconstruction experts, we are attuned to market conditions and are able to paint a holistic picture of the project. From budget to sequencing, we can guide decision-making from design to start of construction. Using our expertise, we should be expected to right size the bid packages for optimal performance, resulting in maximized ROI – all along the way providing regular updates and maintaining deadlines to keep the project on-track. And at the end of the day, that is our goal – to keep you informed and help you achieve success, whatever your definition may be.

Curious what preconstruction can do for you? Contact me at jgoree@hpmleadership.com.

About the author:

James Goree serves as Regional Director of Preconstruction at HPM. An experienced preconstruction and VDC Manager, his expertise has been employed on projects across the Southeast such as Pelham City Schools, Auburn University, and Wallace State Community College. Skilled in project estimation, value engineering BIM, CPM scheduling, and software implementation, he builds a project in his mind before building a budget on paper. Working alongside other team members, his approach has saved our owners countless hours of work and hundreds of thousands of dollars. With a Masters of Building Construction focused in Real Estate Development and Construction Technology from Auburn University, James is well-equipped to help owners achieve the best ROI possible on their projects.

Why the Alabama Bid Law Matters

Posted on March 21, 2017

At HPM, we’re accustomed to quizzical looks from clients when we explain the difference in services, advantages and price we provide as opposed to lifting a hammer to actually build a facility — like that of a general contractor.

In fact, it almost sounds too good to be true. (Watch the video below to see how true it is.)

We hear, “Do you mean that your professional advice and management of my project(s) are not a contingent percentage of the price?”

That’s right. Our services are billed to clients on a mutually agreed-upon, lump-sum amount or at an hourly or monthly rate.

Clients say, “You manage my project(s) with design and construction experience and expertise, but you don’t actually design or build my facility?”

Correct. In fact, that would be a conflict of interest if we did.

That’s how and why we got started as a program management firm — separate and apart from our founding company, Hoar Construction. HPM operates as its own business entity — a limited liability company (LLC) — in order to provide clients with design and construction advice and management from the owner’s perspective — without a conflict of interest or selfish bias.

But it’s not only our business practice or simply a good policy, it’s the law in Alabama — where we got our start:

Alabama Code Title 39. Public Works. § 39-2-2

“(d) Excluded from the operation of this title shall be contracts with persons who shall perform only architectural, engineering, construction management, program management or project management services in support of the public works and who shall not engage in actual construction, repair, renovation, or maintenance of the public works with their own forces, by contract, subcontract, purchase order, lease, or otherwise.”

So, before you engage a professional to oversee your capital building program or project, make sure that (1) the firm is experienced in representing you and your interests as the owner or stakeholders; and (2) also holds no other interests or contracts associated with the program or project, too.

Category: Municipalities

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