Category: Program Development

HPM Hires Cynthia Foteh as Director of Business Development

Posted on July 15, 2024

HPM has announced the hiring of Cynthia Foteh as the company’s newest Director of Business Development. Based in HPM’s Austin office, Foteh will oversee client-relationship management and spearhead new business initiatives in the Texas market as HPM continues to pursue projects in the region.

Foteh possesses more than 20 years of experience in the public and private sectors of the AEC industry, having held positions including Business Development Manager at Powers Brown Architecture and Director of Business Development at WGA Consulting Engineers. As Director of Business Development at HPM, she will lead business strategy and sales initiatives, aiming to expand the firm’s presence in Texas.

“I’m honored to step into this role at such a pivotal time, as HPM continues to expand its reach by offering premier program management services to high-profile clients across Texas,” said Foteh. “My passion for driving growth, fostering collaboration and building connections within this industry aligns with HPM’s mission and people-oriented values. I look forward to continuing to immerse myself in Texas-centric professional organizations and leadership communities, and to working alongside such a talented team as we expand our footprint across the state.”

Through her role, Foteh will aim to build and maintain relationships with clients, partners and stakeholders to deliver high-quality business solutions and strategies that meet the needs for quality program management services. She will focus on the education, municipal and manufacturing industries within Texas as she works to expand HPM’s portfolio.

“We are proud to welcome Cynthia to HPM, as her wealth of experience in AEC initiatives and ability to build meaningful relationships with clients will help us advance to the next stage of growth in Texas,” said Ryan Austin, HPM President. “It’s an exciting time for our firm, as we continue to expand into new markets and explore new sectors while strengthening our boots-on-the-ground efforts across the country. Cynthia will play a crucial role in ensuring this success and dedication to program management excellence continues for both our existing clients and those we will work with in the future.”

ENR Ranks HPM #25 on Top 50 Program Management Firms List

Posted on July 2, 2024

Each year, the Engineering News-Record (ENR) gathers data from firms nationwide to determine their Top 50 Program Management Firms list. HPM has been included in the list every year since 2014.

About ENR

ENR generates annual rankings in an effort to create structure in a large and, at times, overwhelming industry. Their surveys procure relevant information from key segments within the industry, including general contracting, engineering, architecture, and more specialized services, such as program management. Rankings are determined based on revenue generated both within the U.S. and abroad. ENR’s news, analysis, and commentary are published to empower construction industry professionals to do their jobs with greater knowledge and efficiency.

HPM’s Ongoing Growth

HPM has experienced exponential growth in the niche service offerings of construction audit and planning, along with more hallmark services like preconstruction, project management and owner’s representation. The company continues to spearhead projects on behalf of leading corporations in aviation and aerospace, industrial manufacturing, and technology while managing construction for cutting-edge sports and entertainment venues, higher education facilities and best-in-class K-12 schools.

Recent years have brought a surge in higher education projects for the company, opening doors to partner with numerous institutions for the first time in firm history. Current higher education projects include Mississippi State University’s Azalea Hall, the University of Mississippi’s Jim and Thomas Duff Center for Science and Technology Innovation, the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s College of Engineering, and the University of North Alabama’s Bank Independent Stadium.

In addition to embarking on first-time programs with new partners, HPM maintains decades-long working relationships and ongoing projects with numerous esteemed clients. In 2023, HPM celebrated 20 years of work with Regions Bank, and celebrated 20 years of work on campus The University of Alabama in April this year. The company has managed projects on behalf of FedEx for eight years.

To support the company’s external growth initiatives, HPM has made strategic growth strides internally. In 2023, the firm hired 49 new employees and promoted 18. As a result of HPM’s ongoing development, employees have been provided with new opportunities for scalability and career advancement.

HPM Hosts 6th Annual Emerging Leaders Summer Seminar

Posted on June 26, 2024

On June 12-14, HPM hosted the 6th Annual Emerging Leaders Summer Seminar. The program equips rising talent with the necessary skills and resources to create long-lasting, successful careers.

Interns and co-ops from across the footprint traveled to the company’s headquarters in Birmingham, AL, to participate in the three-day event. The Emerging Leaders program provides a unique fusion of networking and educational opportunities. Among the most valuable components of the event is the setting it offers participants to connect with like-minded peers pursuing similar career paths. This year’s Emerging Leaders class includes Robert Beason, Mary Claire Besh, Marin Carter, James Chalmers, Griffin Cordova, Tate Duncan, Elli Garcia, Rijker Hutson, Emma Roach, Cheyenne Scarborough, and Steven Schultz. Together, the group represents six universities and a variety of majors, including Industrial and Systems Engineering, Building Science, Civil Engineering, and more.

This year’s curriculum included topics such as setting goals, presentations and public speaking, and building relationships. During breaks from teaching sessions, attendees participated in team-building activities designed to foster collaboration and communication. The company’s leading executives and project managers attended the seminar, many of whom were presenters. Each presentation was given in a conversational format, allowing participants the opportunity to ask questions and grasp HPM’s culture.

“Attending Emerging Leaders and meeting everyone has made me fall in love with HPM’s company culture,” said a participant. “I genuinely believe this company cares about me and my well-being.”

A unique aspect of the Emerging Leaders program is the opportunity to witness many of former co-op students and interns transition into full-time HPM employees building careers in preconstruction, project management, field coordination, planning and beyond.

“As Senior Recruiter, I meet students at universities nationwide throughout the year. When I talk with prospective interns and co-ops, I look for individuals with an appetite to learn and develop as leaders,” said Anna Dolen. “I could not be prouder of this year’s Emerging Leaders class in particular. Each of them is characterized by integrity and intelligence that is sure to be the foundation of impactful careers. It is rewarding to see the recruiting process come full circle at the Emerging Leaders Seminar each summer.”

Round Rock ISD Breaks Ground on Early College High School

Posted on May 16, 2024

Round Rock ISD, HPM, Bartlett Cocke General Contractors, O’Connell Robertson have announced the groundbreaking of a $31 million facility for Early College High School (ECHS), an existing high school with more than 500 students in Round Rock, Texas. HPM will serve as program manager for the project.

ECHS provides an advanced curriculum at both the high school and college levels, allowing students the unique opportunity to prepare for careers directly out of high school or advancing them in their college credits. Currently, ECHS operates out of 10 portable buildings on Austin Community College’s Round Rock campus. This project will consolidate the students, staff and faculty into one 46,500-square-foot facility.

The new building will include classrooms and science labs, student breakout spaces, a cafeteria and central common area to accommodate 150 students, a fitness center, an administration suite, outdoor dining facilities, and study spaces. The site will also be located on Austin Community College’s Round Rock Campus on College Park Drive, allowing students easy access to both campus facilities.

“We are pleased to continue our legacy of providing premier program management services on K-12 initiatives with this meaningful, game-changing project for Round Rock ISD,” said HPM President, Ryan Austin. “Soon, ECHS students and faculty will have a state-of-the-art facility to call home that provides the nurturing, modernized learning environment needed to continue achieving the level of education they deserve. We are excited to work alongside Round Rock ISD and additional partners and look forward to announcing future milestones as progress advances.”

HPM will offer project management, quality control and preconstruction services for the project, ensuring budget and compliance is adhered to throughout construction. Bartlett Cocke General Contractors serves as the Construction Manager at-Risk collaborating with O’Connell Robertson as the architect of record for the school facility.

HPM Hosts Second Annual Georgia Education Executives Summit

Posted on May 1, 2024

April 24-26, executive leaders in Georgia education gathered for HPM‘s Second Annual Summit. School districts from across the state were represented at the event held in Adairsville. The Summit is a premier event designed to connect leaders in the K-12 industry to create unique strategies for navigating common challenges. Speakers included national experts in financing, staffing, planning and international business. Presenters shared insights on optimizing learning environments for students while maximizing facility lifespans.

About the Program

Featured keynote speakers included Cheryl Logan, Executive Director at the University of Pennsylvania and Casey Morris, Senior Director of Capital Planning at Ameresco. HPM’s Chris Allee, Megan Whitten Cordingly, Greg Ellis, Jake Ortego and Tracy Richter also shared best practices for navigating successful capital improvement programs. Each session was designed to foster a conversational, interactive environment to build connectivity among participants.

In a particularly insightful session highlighting program controls, attendees took an in-depth look at cutting-edge technology designed to empower leaders to make more informed decisions and better communicate with internal and external stakeholders. Embracing the digital world is paramount to achieving a successful program. Guests were also offered an approach to facility condition assessments that breaks the cyclical nature of facility planning. When implemented, this strategy enables K-12 leaders to create actionable, defensible and sustainable capital plans resulting in predictable outcomes.

The Summit’s closing session provided information on the role of educational facility standards in the development of an effective long-range facilities plan. These standards play a critical role in shaping the curriculum. Furthermore, they can be utilized to inform new construction, renovation and modernization, ultimately serving as a tool to generate improved educational performance.

“I was extremely satisfied with the quality of the content provided at The Summit,” said an attendee. “The Setting the Standard session brought everything together and was tremendously applicable. I am very likely to attend the event again and recommend that my peers in Georgia education do the same.”

Why HPM?

HPM partners with K-12 school districts to create and implement data-driven long-range planning initiatives. This team of seasoned planning professionals is comprised of former educators turned facilities conditions and assessment experts. They frequently teach the essential practice of integrated planning into capital improvement programs. HPM’s continuous planning practices consistently yield efficiencies and savings to K-12 clients. In turn, every dollar within a bond program is utilized to its full potential. Learn more about HPM’s extensive resume managing large-scale programs on behalf of K12 school districts.

Why Hire an Outsourced Project Management Team?

Posted on April 22, 2024

The ever-increasing approaches, expenses and decisions that accompany the construction process may drive hiring an external project management team to the bottom of your priority list. Paradoxically, the overwhelming nature of these demands may be the very reason you need professional support. In this article, we will take a look at three of the most transformational benefits of procuring a project management team to sit on your side of the table as you undergo a capital building program.

Elevated Technology

Project management firms are often well-versed in the most up to date, cutting edge technology. HPM makes it a priority to sharpen every tool in our technology tool belt to best serve the owners we represent. From tracking expenses and change orders, to monitoring project schedules with acute attention to detail, technology enables project management teams to ensure excellence. Procore, one of the most commonly used construction management platforms, specializes in streamlining processes related to project management, quality and safety, project financials, invoice management, design coordination and bid management. Implementing this software allows you, as the owner, to build with fewer risks and bigger profits.

SmartPM, an automated project controls and schedule analytics software is another frequently used tool. This platform can be used as a standalone or integrated with Procore to automate the most complex aspects of project management. To visualize the data collected from SmartPM and Procore, project management teams often use Microsoft Power BI. This tool transforms data into an easily digestible dashboard, allowing you to make informed decisions. Employing a project management team well-versed in these technologies allows you the freedom to carry out your daily responsibilities while remaining informed of progress on the job site.

Stakeholder Involvement

Owners undergoing construction projects are charged with the tall task of satisfying varying ranges of stakeholders. It can be difficult to balance the input of all vested parties. Project management teams help create an environment of thorough, transparent communication, ensuring all voices are heard. The elevated technology PM teams implement enable your stakeholders to feel involved and included throughout the construction process. Access to stream-lined, concise points of data fosters a high level of involvement, allowing the project to achieve optimal outcomes. A project manager fully committed to your project can serve as the go-to expert, fielding questions and alleviating your workload.

Peace of Mind

Last but certainly not least, employing a team of project management experts provides you the invaluable gift of peace of mind. With a qualified team of experts on your side, you can rest assured, knowing your investment is being safeguarded at all times. Project management teams independent from the general contractor bring a unique perspective on the job site. Your priorities are their priorities, and your interests are their interests. They serve as your full-time eyes and ears on the project, protecting your budget, maintaining your schedule and ensuring your expectations are not only met, but exceeded.

Chambers County High School Breaks Ground Ending 50-Year Federal Order

Posted on February 27, 2024

Chambers County Schools, located in East Alabama held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new high school on Friday, February 23. The new facility merges Valley High School and Lafayette High School, creating the long-awaited Chambers County High School. The property is located on Ram Stadium Drive.

For 50 years, the county has been under a federal desegregation order. Superintendent, Casey Chambley has worked diligently to upend the order throughout his tenure. To move the district forward, the county’s school board procured HPM‘s planning department to develop a facilities master plan for a consolidated facility. HPM guided the district in terms of construction requirements, as well as the allocation of resources to ensure an optimal learning environment. The site selected by the board minimizes time spent on buses and maximizes instructional time.

As the process has evolved, HPM has managed the design, budget and preconstruction. The district hired Cooper Carry to serve as the architect of record for the school system.

Vice President of Business Development, Andi Sims joined city leaders to speak at the groundbreaking ceremony at the new property.

“I could not be any prouder to be on this journey with my friends –my people — as Chambers County looks toward a new history as the Fighting Falcons”, said Andi. “Thank you for bringing me and my HPM colleagues along for this exciting chapter in the life of our community.”

What Does a Field Coordinator Do?

Posted on February 21, 2024

The Ninjas of Program Management

HPM offers a unique approach to program management because of our construction origin. Born of an 80-year-old construction company, we are well-versed not only in managing projects, but also in constructing them. Essential in leveraging our construction management expertise on-site are our Field Coordinators. But just what does a Field Coordinator do? More than anything, their role is to protect the investment of the owner, serving as their eyes and ears on the project. The client’s interests are their interests, and the client’s priorities are their priorities. As the “boots on the ground”, their responsibilities can be summarized in three primary categories.

Schedule

Schedule delays are one of the most common and detrimental threats to construction projects. With a Field Coordinator on site, progress is measured daily. This provides project managers and project controls teams with up-to-date, accurate information to foster better planning, communication and courses for remedial action if necessary. Having a representative on site also provides a level of accountability for all parties working on the project. With clear milestones mapped out and regular assessments taking place, contractors and subcontractors are motivated to deliver projects on time.

Safety

Field Coordination entails a great deal of safety monitoring. Though safety is the ultimate responsibility of the General Contractor, Field Coordinators are there to ensure protocols are being strictly adhered to. This protects the owner from potential lawsuits. An important factor is ensuring the job site is safe, particularly when located in a highly trafficked area. For instance, HPM manages numerous projects for clients in the K-12 and higher education industries. On these projects, students and faculty are often attending classes near active job sites. Field Coordinators add tremendous value in implementing the highest level of safety precautions to protect everyone in the vicinity of the project.

Quality

Another risk accompanying construction projects is verifying the quality with which the project is built. The standard inspection processes employed on most projects require only bi-weekly or monthly walk-throughs. With a full-time Field Coordinator, these inspections happen daily. Even better, the FC walking the project is inspecting with the owner in mind. This means potential trouble spots are evaluated and reported daily, avoiding threats to quality that may be overlooked and cause headaches throughout the lifetime of a building. Having a Field Coordinator is a wise way to guarantee your facility goes beyond meeting a checklist and is built to last!

HPM Expands Preconstruction Department Hiring Chance Mitchell

Posted on February 6, 2024

HPM’s in-house preconstruction department continues to grow, most recently bringing Senior Preconstruction Manager, Chance Mitchell on board. Chance will work in the firm’s Huntsville office, serving clients in the North Alabama area and beyond. Chance joins HPM having worked in the industry for fifteen years, but his construction experience goes much deeper than what can be shown on a resume. Born into a family-owned construction business, Chance has been well-versed in the industry for as long as he can remember. He enjoys the fast-paced, people-oriented nature of the industry.

Career Path

Chance previously served as Preconstruction Manager at Doster Construction, providing detailed budget estimates while developing relationships with clients, architects, engineers, and subcontractors. Earlier in his career, he worked on the operations side, managing large-scale federal government projects from start to finish. No matter his role, Chance excels in delivering best-in-class client-centered service.

“As a creative problem-solver, the preconstruction phase is well-suited for my skillset”, said Chance. “I enjoy building relationships with owners in the early stages of a project to catch their vision and carve a path for bringing it to life.”

Using his vast experience, Chance will manage the entire preconstruction process from the initial concept to the final design and contractor selection. He will guide projects from early design until ground-breaking– maintaining the owner’s established budget while implementing phasing and contracting requirements to keep the design team on schedule.

Chance was drawn to the family-oriented culture at HPM, along with the extensive potential for growth. He looks forward to fostering relationships with clients and trade partners while laying strong foundations for projects to be built upon.

Preconstruction at HPM

For almost 30 years, HPM has delivered successful, measurable preconstruction services to projects across the United States. The HPM preconstruction team formulates construction cost data for budget development and verification based on the programmatic requirements. Information from historical cost databases, market surveys, cost verifications, comparative data on the project type and recent experience are utilized to develop a total program budget.

Program Management: An Essential Tool in Today’s Volatile Building Market

Posted on January 31, 2024

What to expect when embarking on a building project in 2024

There is no denying the volatility of the current building market. More than ever, project owners must be intentional in earning and maintaining the trust of their constituents and partners. Remaining informed of the most up-to-date trends is key – below are important considerations for owners as they continue to navigate inflation, supply chain shortages and staffing challenges this year.

It’s a Contractor’s World

In today’s excess of work and shortage of people, general contractors are positioned to be highly selective in the jobs they take on. Owners must make their projects attractive to procure desirable industry partners. Realistic budgets and tight schedules are paramount in doing so. Contractors are seeking practical clients who are confident in their needs and committed to the longevity of the process.

A Dwindling Labor Force

A large pool of skilled workers in trade industries are on the brink of retirement. Meanwhile, the number of younger workers going into trades continues to thin. This, combined with the stimulus money that must be spent in a specific timeframe, creates a unique conundrum in the construction labor market.

Budget, Budget, Budget Before Building

Numerous projects were put on pause last year due to supply and labor shortages and a surge in expenses. Prior to resuming building, owners should rework their budgets. Contractors typically do not guarantee prices beyond 30-60 days. Owners must communicate with their contractors and revisit their projected expenses.

Why Hire a Program Manager?

Without a partner offering extensive knowledge of market conditions and counseling them through the building process, owners are likely to have to go back and request additional funding. A lack of confidence in a project can cause doubt among stakeholders, which leads to difficult conversations down the road. HPM’s job is to lead the way, enabling owners to deliver on the projects they have promised their communities, by positioning them for success.