Category: Project/Program Management

HPM’s Taylor Thorn Promoted to Program Executive

Posted on October 4, 2021

In our business line, the ability to build strong, impactful relationships is crucial to our success and growth at HPM. Whether these relationships are with owners, design teams or even internally, it takes a true leader to possess the ability to forge meaningful connections with everyone he or she meets. Taylor Thorn is the perfect embodiment of this quality, known for his ability to effortlessly convey that HPM can provide solutions to meet any client’s needs. He has quickly become a go-to resource for clients and colleagues looking for assistance in solving complex challenges. This dedication to maintaining strong relationships both inside and outside of our firm is the driving force behind Taylor’s promotion to Program Executive.

“Taylor lives HPM’s core values every day, through his dedication and care for his clients, his community and his teams,” said Brooks Ballentine, HPM’s Director of the East Region. “Along with his determined work ethic, infectious attitude and can-do approach, Taylor puts relationships at the forefront of all of his actions as he strives to exceed client expectations.”

In his previous role, Taylor provided oversight on more than 10 programs executed out of the Birmingham office, and was responsible for managing client partnerships, program staffing and internal controls and reporting. He joined HPM in 2012 as a project manager on the University of Alabama (UA) account team and has quickly grown in his professional career as a part of our firm. Throughout his nine years here, he has provided oversight and leadership for multiple programs in addition to UA including Regions, the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, Calhoun Community College, Buffalo Rock, Ole Miss, National Cement and Avanti Polar Lipids.

“Taylor’s passion for his work and for supporting his teammates through any and all challenges is what sets him apart from the rest,” said Frank Marsac, HPM Vice President of Operations. “This is evident through his reliability, drive to be the best in the business and his willingness to lend a hand to anyone in need. This promotion is well deserved, and I look forward to seeing what great things Taylor will accomplish for our company as he grows his impact across our industry.”

Taylor graduated from Auburn University with a B.S. in construction management and is also a graduate of the Hoar Leadership Council. He is a Certified Construction Manager (CCM).

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How Does HPM Help School Districts Like Yours?

Posted on September 20, 2021

By Anna Sullivan, Senior Program Development Manager

When a capital bond program becomes inevitable due to growth or change, school districts seek out an advocate who will work with them, teach them, and support them through the entire process. HPM is ready to assist and, as K-12 advisors and managers, we’re here to help.

Experienced in the various facets of bond measures and planning for such, we understand the complexities and tasks required. We are here to ensure a successful outcome and allow you and your staff to focus on your day job- educating students.

Program Management is the process of managing several related services and projects. The intent and deliverables are to provide transparency with reporting, consistency with processes and performance, and streamline the outcomes.

HPM works as an extension of your internal staff and can be engaged at any time during the process. Some may believe we should be embedded at the time of a bond measure to execute construction and fiduciary oversight, but this is not necessarily the best solution. HPM can provide more valuable input when we are involved earlier in the process for planning and then throughout the program.

Here is a brief summary of how we can help you and your district:

Facility Assessments

Our team will review and document the physical state of all site work, buildings, and systems, and provide cost estimates for repair or replacement. We will make recommendations of life cycle cost and ADA accessible evaluations, as well as provide capacity and utilization analysis of existing spaces. We will assess the educational adequacy of your facilities and whether or not they align with the district’s visions and goals. In the end, we will provide prioritization of facility needs with cost projections of each.

Long-Range Facility Planning

Strategic planning for facilities and operations is an essential component of short and long-term efficiency models. When engaged in the long-range planning stage, we provide demographic analysis of past and current projections, review and recommend potential boundary changes, and offer recommendations of facility use and improvements.

Preconstruction Services

Before construction begins, HPM’s Preconstruction Services team can develop conceptual budgeting and master program budgets for your district. We provide detailed cost estimates for proposed designs or options and program and project schedules. We will also review all design documents for constructability.

Audit and Contract Services

HPM’s Audit and Contract Services provide you with the expertise you need to be confident you haven’t overpaid on your construction projects. We offer contract language preparation and assistance with procurement methods, including pre-bid documentation and vendor RFQ/P. We complete construction audits, delay claims, and change order audits.

Program Management

HPM is dedicated to leading clients to success by managing all the intricacies of capital bond programs. When we manage a district’s construction program, we provide design management and coordination of all proposed projects in the program. We provide project construction management, coordination, and oversight of all project activities in the program. We also provide post-construction management, coordination, and warranty oversight, including coordination of all of the district’s vendors (ie. technology, AV, furniture, and security).

HPM provides an objective and thorough analysis for the district to make efficiently timed and knowledgeable decisions. The details in the data bring the confidence of transparency and reporting for the school board, administration, and community.

We can bring a flexible team of professionals at any time during the life of your program. HPM consistently delivers savings equal to, or in excess of our cost to you, due to our efficiencies and effectiveness. We are your advocate in every step of the process and will work closely with your architects, engineers, and additional vendors in a relationship-driven environment so that we can develop a win-win solution for your district.

To learn more about our services and our K-12 experience, click the button below.

HPM K-12 Services

HPM Names Ryan Austin President, Ushering in New Era for the Birmingham-based Firm

Posted on September 14, 2021

After 23 years at HPM, President Mike Lanier to retire this fall

HPM today announces the appointment of Ryan Austin as president of the firm, effective October 1, 2021. Austin, who currently serves as Chief Operations Officer and Executive Vice President of HPM, will succeed the current president, Mike Lanier, upon his retirement.

“It’s truly an honor to be appointed president of HPM and build upon Mike’s leadership, who has led the firm through many stages of growth,” said Austin. “Mike leaves an outstanding legacy at HPM and an indelible mark on my professional career. Mike has always lived out HPM’s core values and a passion for serving our clients.”

Having served HPM for over 17 years in positions ranging from Vice President of Finance to Chief Financial Officer and, most recently, Chief Operations Officer, Austin possesses more than 20 years of experience in the construction and accounting industries. He is a graduate of Auburn University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree.

“Over the past nine years as president of HPM, I have worked to establish a strong foundation for growth and continued success on behalf of our clients,” said Lanier. “I have worked closely with Ryan, and I’m at ease in knowing I’m passing the baton to a leader with unwavering commitment to our people, our clients and our core values. In its next evolution, I’m confident HPM will thrive under Ryan’s leadership, as the firm continues to innovate and expand its offerings to better serve clients.”

Rob Burton, CEO of Hoar Holdings and co-founder of HPM with Lanier, said, “I’m grateful for Mike’s service and commitment over the years. I now look forward to Ryan continuing to improve and build on that foundation.”

Lanier began his career at HPM in 1994 and became president in 2012. During his time as president, Lanier helped establish and strengthen HPM’s commitment to servant leadership and adding value to our clients and the communities we work in. Under Lanier’s leadership, HPM has emerged as a leader in program management on a national scale, and Lanier will serve as an advisor and consultant until the end of the year to HPM and some of its clients.

HPM’s David Jones Promoted to Senior Project Manager

Posted on September 2, 2021

HPM has assisted in the execution of an ongoing capital development program at the University of Alabama since 2004, working alongside the university on projects ranging from high-tech science facilities to world-class sports venues. It takes a special team to assist with such extremely demanding construction projects, and HPMers like David Jones are the reason we are so successful. For his dedication to the client and tenacity in the face of any challenge, David is being promoted to senior project manager.

“During his time with HPM, David has acted in a very high capacity as a project manager who manages a wide variety of projects on campus,” said Trent Hall, HPM senior project manager. “David is always willing to accept new projects of varying complexity and scope and never shies away from a challenge.”

Over the past six months, David has grown in his responsibilities and, in addition to managing his project workload, provides leadership to several team members. David also serves as a valued member of the Senior Leadership Team for HPM’s UA team.

“David has never been afraid to roll up his sleeves and put in long hours to get the job done,” Hall said. “He spent many hours on site during the completion of the Tutwiler Triangle Lot and Capstone Parking Deck projects to ensure their successful completion. He has continually pushed projects across the finish line to ensure they are completed by deadlines set by the University of Alabama.”

Before coming to HPM in 2018, David worked as a construction manager for Gray Construction and a project coordinator and estimator for KBR. He has over 17 years of total construction experience and a degree in construction engineering technology from the University of Southern Mississippi.

“David always goes above and beyond to serve his clients at the University of Alabama,” said Brad Cook, HPM senior program manager. “David has a very strong work ethic and a relentless pursuit for improvement. He truly embodies our core values as a company, which is exemplified in the way he approaches his job every day. I am proud to call David a member of the HPM family.”

We intentionally guide with our values to create a culture that is inclusive, challenging, and supportive at HPM. 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.

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HPM Ranks Among Top 30 on ENR’S Program Management Firm List

Posted on August 18, 2021

HPM was named one of the top 30 program management firms in the U.S. by Engineering News-Record (ENR), ranking No. 27 on the annual list. This is the 6th year in a row we have landed among the top 50.

“We have continued to strengthen our capabilities while growing our reach and our team over the past year, enabling us to better serve the clients who entrust us to lead their capital projects,” said Ryan Austin, HPM chief operations officer.

HPM attributes this success to its clients and the recent expansion of staff and service offerings. Our planning services division is led by facilities planning expert Tracy Richter and is focused on providing a comprehensive approach to capital and operational building programs. Joining HPM as vice president of planning services, Richter launched the division in July 2020 to expand HPM’s business lines to better serve clients at every stage of development. This move strengthened client engagements through a variety of new offerings, including demographic analysis, standards and specifications development, GIS services, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, client facilitation, and facility master planning.

This year, HPM bolstered its planning services division with the hiring of Gary Rademacher as director of planning services and Tim Kelleher as GIS analyst. Rademacher is a 30-year veteran of architectural planning and design, with specialized expertise in K-12 education. His deep relationships throughout North and Central Texas also strengthen our Texas footprint, as we continue to strategically grow our presence throughout the south. Kelleher has worked to incorporate the GIS framework into HPM’s planning efforts through geographic data analysis, 3D mapping, and GPS development, helping more of HPM’s clients leverage technology and data to make smarter business decisions.

“This recognition by ENR demonstrates our relentless pursuit of improvement and excellence, despite the challenges our industry has faced throughout the pandemic,” Austin said. “We’re proud to rank among the top program management providers in the country and celebrate the exceptional performance of all of our team members.”

HPM’s Medora Gaddes Promoted to Project Manager

Posted on August 11, 2021

Team members who inspire those around them are vital to the success of any organization. Their positivity encourages others to step up and shine. Medora Gaddes is undeniably one of those people. She is not only passionate about leading our clients to success through project management but also serves as HPM’s Talent Development Coordinator, recruiting the next generation of HPM leaders. For her unwavering enthusiasm and leadership, Medora is being promoted from Assistant Project Manager to Project Manager.

“Medora is being promoted due to her hard work and dedication to all things HPM,” said Brennan Bell, HPM Senior Program Manager. “She was put on the Calhoun Community College Sparkman Building project as an Assistant Project Manager (APM) with all of the responsibilities of a Project Manager. Over the course of the project, she has proven to be capable of managing the project with little oversight and has fully gained the trust and respect of the client. She has also been working on building relationships and seeking opportunities with North Alabama-based clients and architects, all while balancing being a new mom.”

Medora first began showing her value at HPM as a Co-Op from 2014 to 2016, assisting with assignments including Walker County High School, Birmingham Intermodal, and even the high-visibility Auburn Pharmacy and Nursing buildings. After her graduation from Auburn with a degree in civil engineering (and a minor in dance), she joined HPM as a Project Engineer in 2017. She immediately began demonstrating leadership qualities, attending events in Huntsville to integrate herself into the local market, and becoming involved with the Chamber of Commerce and the Southern Automotive Women’s Forum. Her project highlights include Calhoun Community College, Abaco, FedEx, Aerojet Rocketdyne Headquarters and Advanced Manufacturing Facility, and the Sand Mountain Park and Amphitheater.

In addition to her project management duties, Medora does a tremendous job leading our recruiting efforts for the company. She spends considerable time making sure that the needs for co-ops, interns, and full-time hires are being met. Medora has expanded our recruiting network and can be counted on to put forward qualified candidates who are great fits for HPM.

“Medora is an enthusiastic team player,” said Brooks Ballentine, HPM Director of the East Region. “Not only does she handle her project management duties, she is active in helping with business development, client entertainment, recruiting, and coordinating our Emerging Leaders Program. She goes above and beyond in everything she does.”

Careers at HPM

Built to Lead: Matt Ernst

Posted on July 28, 2021

Our expertise and knowledge of construction, development, and management, combined with our dedication and passion for excellent customer service, sets us apart as industry leaders. Over the past five years, HPM Project Manager Matt Ernst has led clients to success on projects in multiple industries, including higher education and manufacturing. Keep reading to learn more about Matt and what makes him a leader.

HPM: What is the best part of your job?

Two things: being a part of a team and being involved in the full life cycle of a project. It’s really fulfilling seeing something go from a napkin sketch idea to a fully functioning facility, especially when you know how much work went into it along the way.

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

I think there are multiple types of “typical” days at HPM. Some days are spent in the office on emails, meetings, or reviewing plans/estimates/etc. Some days are spent completely in the field. Some days are a mixture of both. It really just depends on where the project is at that time.

HPM: What is your proudest accomplishment?

I’ve been lucky to be a part of a lot of projects in my time at HPM so it’s hard to pick specifics, but I’d say generally any time we turn a project over to the end-user and get to see that satisfaction first-hand.

HPM: What are the characteristics of a great leader?

To me, a great leader is someone who gets results. That might seem vague, but there are a lot of different ways to lead and a lot of different ways to get results. A great leader always understands how success is defined and what it’s going to take to get there.

HPM Talks Webinar: Emerging Leaders

Posted on July 20, 2021

HPM’s Emerging Leaders Program offers undergraduate students a unique perspective of the planning, design, and construction process through hands-on experience at our projects across the country. Medora Gaddes oversees the program and, as a former HPM co-op herself, recognizes the immense value of experiential learning. During this HPM Talks webinar, Gaddes and co-ops Iriana Molusky and Ben Smith discuss their experience in the program and what they’ve learned along the way.

Webinar Details:

July 29, 2021 at 11AM CST

View the Recording

MEET THE HOST

Medora Gaddes, Assistant Project Manager and Talent Development Coordinator at HPM
Medora is not only an Assistant Project Manager at HPM, but also our Talent Development Coordinator and heads up the Emerging Leaders Program. She herself was a co-op with HPM before becoming a full-time employee. After graduating from Auburn University with a degree in civil engineering, she joined HPM as a project engineer and as a full-time HPM team member in the Huntsville office.

Learn More About Our Emerging Leaders Program

Q&A from Webinar

We heard about precon and program management. What is field coordination like as a co-op?

Ben Smith: During the field rotation as a co-op, a day usually consists of walking with the Field Coordinator (FC) as he makes his rounds around the job site to track the progress of construction and look for items that might need to be addressed with the owner/general contractor. For me, this was a time to pick the brain of the FC and ask as many questions as possible about what is happening on the job site and why/how they are doing it. You can be given miscellaneous tasks that help the FC with his job. For instance, one of the tasks I was given was keeping track of the progression of concrete pours and ceiling paint in a large warehouse. The FC used this information to update the weekly report that was sent to the owner. Other things I experienced were on-site meetings with the general contractor and the owner, taking meeting minutes to send to the HPM team on your specific project, site walks with the general contractor and owner about issues that need resolving, and much more. The field rotation is a good way to get a feel for what a construction site looks like and how things are run during construction both from the Construction Management side and the General Contractor side of things.

2. My major is Architectural Engineering. I have learned that very few companies are hiring ArchEs or understand what ArchE is. Does HPM recruit ArchE’s and how are they used?

Medora Gaddes: HPM is less focused on your specific major and more focused on what you are interested in doing upon graduation. Obviously your major plays a role in that, but I’ll give you an example. I have a bachelor’s in civil engineering and if I wanted to do structural design as a career path, HPM would likely not be the best fit for my interests because HPM does not have engineers designing and stamping drawings. HPM has been a good fit for me since I was interested in the management of design and construction upon graduation. My civil engineering degree has supported my ability to manage, understand, and communicate the civil aspects of design and construction. So ask yourself if you want to work for a company that will utilize the technical skills of architectural engineering and likely the skills you’ve learned in school? Or do you see your architectural engineering degree as a foundation or launching pad into a different career path? I think every engineer can ask themselves this question and it will help you be intentional with your job search. Does HPM hire architectural engineers who are going to use their technical engineering skills? Not at this time. Does HPM hire architectural engineers interested in the management of design and construction? Absolutely!

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

HPM’s Brennan Bell Promoted to Senior Program Manager

Posted on May 19, 2021

As a senior project manager, Brennan Bell continuously goes above and beyond to serve HPM and its clients. After joining Hoar Construction in the spring of 2011 as an assistant superintendent, Brennan came to HPM in 2012 to serve as an assistant field coordinator for storm damage repairs on the Wallace State Community College (WSCC) campus in Hanceville, Alabama. In June 2014, HPM was awarded the Pelham City Schools’ program management services contract, and Brennan was selected as the assistant project manager. He quickly proved himself to be a capable manager of the school system’s capital building program, managing both preconstruction and construction phases concurrently. He successfully managed the completion of the Vestavia City Schools program in the last year and is currently leading a team on the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center (BJCC) renovation. His dependability and drive to succeed make us proud to announce Brennan’s promotion to Senior Program Manager.

“Brennan is an incredibly hard working, steady, and dependable manager,” said Brooks Ballentine, HPM Director of the East Region. “He puts the best interest of the client and the program at the forefront. He is always ready to jump in and offer his direct support to make programs successful, even if it means putting in a little more effort.”

As Senior Program Manager, Brennan is responsible for managing and leading several programs that are supported out of HPM’s Birmingham office, including Calhoun Community College, the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), the BJCC, and Buffalo Rock. Brennan has taken on additional leadership, including being a member of HPM’s 2020-2021 Leadership Council.

“Brennan is a rock-solid performer, and he is reliable and driven to succeed in everything he does,” said HPM Senior Program Manager Taylor Thorn. “These accomplishments are all a testament to Brennan’s commitment and ability to serve his clients and HPM teams. He is going to be a great leader in our company for years to come.”

Category: Project/Program Management

Facility Assessments

Long-Range Facility Planning

Preconstruction Services

Audit and Contract Services

Program Management

Webinar Details:

July 29, 2021 at 11AM CST

MEET THE HOST

Q&A from Webinar

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