Category: Preconstruction

HPM Promotes Michael Eskew to Senior Mechanical Preconstruction Manager

HPM’s preconstruction team has grown exponentially throughout the years as we’ve added critical team members that have continued to bolster our capabilities, each bringing specialized knowledge to the table to keep our initiatives moving forward. We have always placed a heightened emphasis on the importance of preconstruction services and knew that hiring a mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering (MEP) expert in-house would take this service line to the next level. Michael Eskew was the perfect person for the job, bringing a vital 30 years of experience in the MEP field to the team. Because of his impressive leadership and willingness to take on initiatives outside of his wheelhouse, Michael has been promoted to senior mechanical preconstruction manager.

Michael previously served as mechanical preconstruction manager, leading HVAC systems and controls, plumbing and fire protection initiatives for construction programs in sectors including K-12, higher education and industrial. As senior mechanical preconstruction manager, Michael will be responsible for overseeing these programs on a higher level, involving engineering and design management, estimating, budgeting, systems analysis and consulting.

Michael earned his bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from Auburn University before following in the footsteps of his father, who worked as a consultant for Hoar. After gaining expertise in project management, sales and preconstruction services for several companies and business lines, Michael gladly joined the program management business when he accepted a job at HPM in 2019.

Throughout his time at HPM, Michael has saved owners millions of dollars by selecting alternate systems than those originally chosen by contracted mechanical engineers, showing a sense of authority and proficiency that translates to his track record of success throughout his career. 

“Michael has far proven his superior knowledge of mechanical systems and project management, backed by his years of leadership within the industry,” said HPM Vice President of Preconstruction Del Buck. “He is invaluable to our preconstruction team and HPM as a whole, and we knew he needed to advance to this well-deserved position where he could continue using his talents to drive home success for our clients and partners.”

Congratulations, Michael! 


We’ve been named one of the Best Medium-Sized Companies to Work For in America by Great Places to Work multiple years running. Interested in joining our team? Learn more by clicking the button below.

HPM Promotes Kyle Talley to Senior Electrical Preconstruction Manager 

In recent years, we have seen great success after bringing our preconstruction services in-house and creating a cohesive team with an extensive knowledge base that has greatly expanded the capabilities of our business. We have expanded this team by hiring mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering (MEP) experts including electrical preconstruction veteran Kyle Talley. Sure to brighten your day through any interaction, Kyle is always ready and willing to take on extra projects outside of his primary responsibilities and possesses an infectiously positive attitude. His dedication to HPM and ability to successfully lead others through challenging programs is the driving force behind his promotion to senior electrical preconstruction manager.

As senior electrical preconstruction manager, Kyle will lead the charge to support preconstruction efforts for electrical building systems on projects across our portfolio. These systems include electrical, fire alarms, security systems and audio/visual and communication components. Kyle will use his extensive knowledge and experience in construction to create estimates, budgets and systems analyses, to lead engineering and design management and to provide consulting for the electrical components of HPM’s programs.

In 2019, Kyle began his career at HPM as an electrical preconstruction manager on our growing preconstruction services team. He previously worked for a large electrical subcontractor in Birmingham for 18 years, helping to lead various projects through the electrical estimating process. During Kyle’s three years of service with HPM, he has contributed his expertise to countless projects while exemplifying his commitment to creating more efficient strategies and communication techniques for our clients.

In addition to his work saving clients crucial time and money during the preconstruction phase, Kyle has also taken on several additional projects outside the scope of his primary role. He has volunteered on many of HPM’s community service initiatives and has even put his culinary skills to the test as the chief chef for our company’s team in the annual chili cook-off.

“Kyle is an incredibly vital part of our preconstruction team and a go-to source for guidance and a word of encouragement,” said HPM Vice President of Preconstruction Del Buck. “His consistently upbeat outlook and experience in managing teams of estimators have been invaluable to HPM. His promotion is very well deserved, and I know that Kyle will continue to deliver superior results for our clients and partners through his great dedication and strong work ethic.”

Congratulations on this well-deserved promotion, Kyle! 


We’ve been named one of the Best Medium-Sized Companies to Work For in America by Great Places to Work multiple years running. Interested in joining our team? Learn more by clicking the button below.

6 Steps to Ready Your Stadium for The Ultimate Fan Experience

In baseball, there’s only one opening day each year. There is no second chance for a do-over when you need to get your stadium ready for the players and the fans.

baseball stadium

While your team is prepping for the big game, HPM provides a whole continuum of program management services that includes everything from coordinating all your various stakeholders and funding options in the beginning stages to reigning in the beehive of activities necessary to ready the stadium for the first game. Through our decades of experience, we have become experts in stadiums, arenas, and athletic training facilities.

HPM partners with major league and minor league baseball organizations on stadium projects and many other signature athletic facilities on university campuses. So, we know a thing or two about getting your stadium fan-ready.

 

As one of the nation’s top program management firms, HPM’s program management services guide every facet of your project from beginning to end. Our dedicated full-time program managers maintain a singular focus – which leads to increased efficiency and complete accountability.HPM’s program management

Is Your Stadium Ready for the Ultimate Fan Experience?

The HPM continuum of services includes six stages that build upon the knowledge gained in the previous step. Let’s take a look at how each of our steps and services can help you on your next project:

stadium
  1. Planning- Our team understands the importance of project definition and determining performance metrics that will keep your project on time and on budget. We sit down with stakeholders to determine needs versus wants and how to prioritize everything against when the facility should open and how much it should cost.
  2. Design- During this stage, we help our clients with design reviews and monthly preconstruction reports to ensure that your stadium will be completed before opening day. Plus, we work with the architects and engineers to deliver plans to the builder which maximize player development and fan experience simultaneously. For instance, the Atlanta Braves Spring Training field is the exact same dimensions as their regular season field. The sod is the exact same sod, and the infield mix is exactly the same. HPM understood the importance of the team practicing and training on a field that’s as identical to their home field as possible.
  3. Execution- HPM inserts our services at any point during the lifecycle of a facility, but our company was founded as construction managers. For example, the New York Mets hired us to manage the construction of a $55-million facility renovation to their Clover Park, formerly named First Data Field, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

You get the team ready for opening day…we get your facilities ready.

 

Built to Lead: Denish Sonani

Whether we are managing an already-established capital program or overseeing a project from site selection through owner occupancy, our reason for being is to lead our clients to success. HPMers like Project Manager Denish Sonani are committed to the relentless pursuit of improvement in order to push our firm, our clients, and our industry to new standards of excellence. Denish is currently part of an HPM team that manages $280 million of the Manor ISD bond program where he is overseeing the construction of a new elementary school campus and three multipurpose indoor practice facilities. Continue reading to learn about his role at HPM, what leadership means to him, and more.

HPM: What does a typical day at HPM look like for you?

As a project manager, my key role is to manage day-to-day communication between various parties, including the architect, contractors, consultants, and the owner. Besides that, I spend a good amount of time managing the budget and schedule. In my opinion, an HPM project manager’s everyday job is to remove hurdles and clear a path well in advance so all parties can work effectively and efficiently.

HPM: What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is getting to know the project from a very early stage. I enjoy being there for the land acquisition, witnessing the programming and planning phases, getting in the mix with architects, consultants, and contractors, and seeing the building take shape. Finally, I enjoy closing out the project on a high note, followed by a long-awaited ribbon cutting. Basically, I get to know the project inside out.

HPM: Tell us about someone who inspires you. Why do you consider them to be a great leader?

My father inspires me more than anyone else because of his ethic, dedication, and ownership of the work. He works more than 80 hours a week as of today but I have never seen him tired. He always tells me that if you love what you do, you will never get tired but instead, you will get joy.

HPM: What does leadership mean to you?

To me, a great leader is one who believes in creating more leaders and not followers. Great leaders are more focused on the “process” to get the results, not just the results. Leading from the front is one of the main characteristics of a good leader because that is what inspires and motivates others.


Are you built to lead and interested in joining the HPM team? Check out our current job openings and apply today!

Saving Time and Money, Despite a Pandemic

It is no secret or surprise that construction projects around the world have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For many, it has caused delays and budget increases, setbacks that public-school districts typically cannot afford. At Round Rock ISD, however, we delivered over $75 million of work in a period of eight months.

“One of the great successes is that we have been able to accomplish an incredible amount of work in an amount of time that really would not have been possible if we didn’t have the assistance of HPM,” said Melanie Camarena, Round Rock ISD (RRISD) director of construction.

Despite any delays caused by the pandemic, all summer 2020 projects were completed successfully on time. The projects included miscellaneous HVAC, roofing, bleachers, kitchen, and flooring renovations. In addition, there were renovations completed on the PA system, fire alarm system, cafeteria stage, main distribution frame room, a track replacement, and a field turf replacement. Electrical renovations were also completed, including the replacement of panels and main switchgears.

In order to provide a successful completion on these projects, the team helped to redefine and implement schedules, document management, and control protocols. In addition to keeping projects on track, HPM saved the district approximately $1 million in the first year through Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) reviews and pre-audit work.

“From a K-12 district point of view, it’s very difficult to hire a project manager who has the experience to be working in 30 to $50 million dollar or larger projects,” said Terry Worcester, Round Rock ISD chief operating officer. “You really need someone with experience and the knowledge base to be able to work with designers and builders who are in that league, so we procured and were very delighted to have HPM join our team here as a partner, not necessarily just as a consultant, but as a partner to augment our staff and work with us directly.”


HPM is currently serving as the program manager for Round Rock Independent School District’s $500+ million capital bond program, which spans 199 individually approved bond projects. Our role includes the three-year management of the planning, design, and construction of several large projects, including a new elementary school, a new aquatics practice center, expansion of existing schools, modernization of two high schools, and more. This also includes technology, security, and ongoing maintenance. We provide program controls with a dedicated interface with the accounting and financial systems of the district and the development of the master schedule, including all procurement, design, construction, occupancy, and startup milestones.

HPM’s Brooks Ballentine Promoted to Vice President of the East Region

Brooks Ballentine has been known to say he values HPM’s family atmosphere and size—it is small enough to know everyone, yet large enough to provide opportunities for growth. He has spent nearly 14 years of his career growing with the company and has proven himself a dependable leader in every position he has served. For his immense dedication to our team and our clients, Brooks is being promoted from Director of the East Region to Vice President of the East Region.

“As a director, Brooks has worked tirelessly to improve his group’s organization, promote inclusion, and support his team in their programs and pursuits,” said Frank Marsac, HPM Vice President of Operations. 

Brooks does an excellent job of partnering both internally and externally. His team feels like he is fully supportive of them and their careers and that he works hard to not only ensure their success and HPM’s success but the client’s success, as well. 

“Brooks exemplifies the golden rule, whether that is with a client or his team, and they truly see him as a trusted advisor who is always seeking the best solution in every situation,” Marsac said. “He is always willing to step in and help whenever there is a need or challenge and is a true servant leader. He is optimistic and encouraging to his teams, which pushes them to higher levels of success in their roles.” 

Brooks began his career at HPM in 2007 as a Project Manager. He worked on the Regions Bank account in Birmingham before representing HPM as an indispensable leader for the University of Alabama (UA) account in Tuscaloosa. Brooks helped manage the UA program’s many projects and teams from 2008 to 2017. 

In 2018, Brooks took on the position of Program Executive for HPM. In this role, he managed multiple senior program managers who supervised numerous programs—such as UA, Regions, Homewood and Vestavia Hills City School districts, and the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center (BJCC) arena. Brooks displayed clear communication skills, strong leadership, and a determined work ethic. Because of these qualities, he was promoted to Director of the East Region, a position in which he has managed multiple program executives who are working on projects in HPM’s geographical East Region. 


We’ve been named one of the Best Medium-Sized Companies to Work For in America by Great Places to Work multiple years running. Interested in joining our team? Learn more by clicking the button below.

Built to Lead: Foster Veazey

At HPM, we are dedicated to being an advocate for our clients from start to finish. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service while providing unparalleled expertise in construction management. For the past three years, HPM Project Manager Foster Veazey has soared to new heights by leading successful aviation projects for HPM clients like Airbus and the Mobile Airport Authority. Keep reading to learn more about Foster’s role at HPM, his proudest accomplishment, and more.

HPM: What does a typical day at HPM look like for you?

One of the things that I enjoy the most about my job is that aside from my standard weekly meetings, most of my days are different and not a “standard” or “typical” day. Depending on the phase of the project, the overall schedule, risks, etc., the priorities for how my day is spent change constantly. This allows for constant engagement and excitement while preventing a sense of monotony while at work.

HPM: What is the best part of your job?

Without a doubt, the best part of my job is being able to work in close proximity with and collaborate with our HPM team. We have an extremely unique culture that fosters a collaborative spirit and team atmosphere in everything we do, which I have found to be very atypical compared to other organizations. Working with others who I consider friends and not just co-workers is a unique feature that sets HPM apart.

HPM: What is your proudest accomplishment?

My proudest accomplishment was completing a full renovation of a 100+-year-old house amidst the COVID pandemic. I completely gutted the house down to the studs, moved walls, re-wired the entire house, laid new flooring, transformed the third bedroom into a master bathroom, and re-plumbed the house amidst 1,000+ other projects that I completed. I’d never done a project of this size by myself and was able to learn more than I ever thought was possible while restoring a beautiful home that my wife and I were able to sell. Lots of literal blood, sweat, and tears went into the renovation which took right around 13 months for me to complete by myself.

HPM: What are the characteristics of a great leader?

To me, a great leader is one who is able to inspire others to do things that they don’t want to or are unwilling to do on their own. Too often clichés that “everyone is a leader” are thrown around today, but this simply isn’t true. There are leaders and there are followers, but to truly be a leader you must inspire others to follow you. Personally, I feel that this is most easily accomplished by the leader having the humility to only ask of others what they are willing to do themselves.


Are you built to lead and interested in joining the HPM team? Check out our current job openings and apply today!

HPM’s Brian Morris Promoted to Senior Project Manager

When it comes to our industry, being a people person is a critical component of forging connections that will last long after a project is completed. Brian Morris is the perfect embodiment of this skill and exemplifies this quality in every facet of his career. His natural talent at building strong client relationships led him and his family from Tuscaloosa to Central Texas, where he is now helping to oversee HPM’s growing presence in the region. Brian’s ability to earn and maintain the trust and respect of clients is what led to his promotion to Senior Project Manager.

Before heading to Texas, Brian worked on our University of Alabama account, where he managed numerous renovations and quickly became an admired colleague among the entire UA team and campus partners. He relocated to Austin, where he now works on one of HPM’s major K-12 program in the Texas market. Since being in the Lone Star State, Brian has established himself as the project management leader in the Round Rock ISD facilities and construction department. He is a go-to resource for the district, providing consultation on a wide range of topics and offering his problem-solving skills when challenges arise. Brian’s current projects at Round Rock ISD (RRISD) include a $51 million program for McNeil High School, an $8.1 million Support Services building and a $2.4 million addition to the Chisholm Trail Athletic Facility.

“Brian has the natural ability to become close, like family, to anyone he meets out on the field,” said Ben Henson, HPM Program Executive. “He’s exactly the kind of person you want on your team. He works hard, but always finds a way to keep people laughing and engaged every step of the way during a project.”

In addition to his work in Round Rock, Brian has built a wide network of relationships throughout Central Texas with contractors, designers, representatives from various school districts in the region and other valuable partners. On top of the success he maintains for his ongoing projects, he is also constantly looking for opportunities to improve HPM’s brand recognition in the community and to spread the firm’s name across the state.

Terry Worcester, Chief Operating Officer at RRISD, recently said the following about Brian: “In the span of my many years of architectural practice and education administration, I have not had the extraordinary honor of working and collaborating with such a talented and capable colleague as Brian Morris. He is my go-to HPM ‘associate’ of client and project management within my many departments in the school district.”


We’ve been named one of the Best Medium-Sized Companies to Work For in America by Great Places to Work multiple years running. Interested in joining our team? Learn more by clicking the button below.

Project Success and School Spirit at Hyatt Place TCU

The new six-story Hyatt Place Fort Worth/TCU is the first and only hotel located directly adjacent to the Texas Christian University campus, making it a popular place for out-of-town fans and alumni to stay. Its unique location called for an equally unique design, one that is distinctly inspired by the university’s history, mascot, and colors. The 113,000 square-foot, $40 million hotel development includes 150 guestrooms, a 6th-floor rooftop bar and restaurant, Top Golf Swing Suites, an expanded lobby and first-floor bar, extensive meeting and ballroom spaces with catering kitchen, and an outdoor pool and gym.

Once the project came to fruition, a former TCU board member recognized the need for an experienced owner’s representative to oversee this unique and challenging project. As a trusted advisor to TCU, HPM was introduced and accepted the challenge.

HPM procured and managed the various team members including but not limited to the general contractor, architect, designers, operator, furniture, equipment, interior and exterior signage, security, audiovisual, food and beverage, acoustic consultant, envelope consultant, access control, technology, warehouse, moving, commissioning and final turn over.

We also coordinated and managed municipality efforts, compliance with TCU’s guidelines and design standards, cash flow, brand communication and approvals, bank inspectors and the model room process.

Having experience in leading hotel developments, HPM was able to provide solutions and value options when city codes and urban development requirements changed during design and planning. The project overcame additional planning approval time, budget and scope additions through HPM’s efficient and effective leadership.

In addition to the standard build-out procedures, special pre-planning for the design had to be implemented to accommodate changes in sanitary precautions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, the dining area in the lobby of the building was originally designed to feature a buffet-style setup. In response to the challenges and lifestyle changes created by COVID-19, changes were made to install sneeze guards and other modifications to allow for prepackaged food service and to adhere to safety protocols related to self-served meals. HPM remained agile, ensuring that the project moved forward and delivered on schedule, despite the challenges of designing and constructing a hotel during a pandemic.

Through effective project management, HPM led Hyatt Place Fort Worth/TCU to completion on time and within budget, while maintaining safety, achieving quality, and maximizing our client’s resources.

Avoid Weather Delays with Early Planning and Prefabrication

By Kyle Talley, HPM Electrical Preconstruction Manager

It’s cold and raining, yet I have miles of duct bank to go. In this blog post, we will discuss a planning option to avert schedule delays due to concrete-encased duct bank installations that must wait on good weather.


The cold and rainy season is well upon us and for most construction projects the thought of installing any significant length of underground concrete-encased duct banks is simply out of the realm of possibility. After all, we need minimum levels of dryness and warmth for the proper setting of the concrete. If current weather conditions do not meet these minimum requirements, we simply must wait until weather conditions improve. However, our construction schedules cannot always conform to the current weather situation. Sometimes we simply must get that duct bank installed in the dead of winter to maintain a tight schedule. With forethought, this potential situation does not have to impact your schedule. In fact, a longtime construction buzzword has presented the potential solution: prefabrication.

Kyle Talley
Kyle Talley

For many years now, prefabrication has been used to mitigate some of the risks and delays incurred with onsite construction. The use of an offsite location with more controlled conditions has become a tried and true method for both quality assurance and schedule enhancement. A prefabricated concrete-encased duct bank is a product that could very well help a project maintain a tight schedule while also allowing the actual installation to occur in conditions that otherwise would not allow. The sections of the duct bank are built offsite to the specifications of the project and then shipped to the job site. The onsite crew opens a trench, lowers the duct bank sections into the trench, joins the sections together, covers the trench, and the installation is done. The time-consuming work was completed offsite.

This allows prefabrication to be a solution to our weather-constrained schedule issue but also presents a challenge: planning. For this solution to work, the construction team must be able to anticipate the problem a minimum of six weeks in advance – the typical lead time for a prefabricated duct bank. The other main constraint to prefabricated duct banks is cost, mainly due to shipping. This potential solution will not be cheaper than a cast-in-place duct bank. The construction team will need a cost versus benefit analysis exercise to determine which installation method is best for the project.


HPM’s Preconstruction Services set the table for a successful project and make the entire building process easier for the owner. We offer expertise in planning a construction project before the actual construction begins, including feasibility studies, cost analyses, estimating, master scheduling, and design team structure and selection. The Preconstruction team includes mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering (MEP) specialists. Visit our Preconstruction Services page by clicking the button below to learn more.

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