Category: Project/Program Management

HPM Expands Presence with Larger Office in Huntsville Alabama

Posted on December 5, 2023

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

Roots in Huntsville, Alabama

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

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

Bright Days Ahead

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

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

Procurement Professional, Ivy Mitchell Receives Promotion

Posted on November 29, 2023

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

Ivy’s Achievements

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

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

Why Utilize a Procurement Professional?

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

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

More About Ivy

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

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

Project Management Professional, Will Cather Promoted at HPM

Posted on November 20, 2023

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

Will’s Career

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

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

Client Praise

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

About Will

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

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

What Does a Project Manager Do?

Posted on November 19, 2023

The breadth of the term “project management” often begs the question, “what does a project manager do?” The HPM team loves to learn through stories and personal experiences. As such, we are introducing you to Project Manager, Justin Adams for a peak behind the curtain into his everyday life.

What project(s) are you currently on? 

I am currently working on three municipal projects in the great state of Texas! These include City of Lewisville Public Safety Campus, City of Denton Fleet Services Expansion and City of Denton Fire Station #09.

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

My typical day includes interfacing with our team for project updates and helping develop solutions for project challenges. This involves touching base with our HPM team as well as trade partners and clients/ stakeholders. Generally, we have at least one dedicated project meeting in person or virtually. Days when I am onsite include walking the jobsite with the contractor and reporting meetings with clients.

What is the best part of your job?

The best aspects of my job are getting to learn from clients and trade partners coupled with the opportunity to share this knowledge within our team. I interface directly with various levels of management within the municipalities we support. This exposes me to the many complexities of project management and client satisfaction. There is always something to be learned and my knowledge is ever-growing. This grants me to lead by teaching. Watching team members accumulate new knowledge and develop new skills is immensely rewarding.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

My proudest accomplishment was having run the Dallas Marathon twice. My wife and I are avid runners and love to be outdoors. This was recently outdone by becoming a father. Our baby girl was born October 5th this year!

Tell us about someone who inspires you. What made or makes this person a great leader?

My Grandpa has always been a source of inspiration both personally and professionally. My Grandfather taught me the importance of hard work and taking pride in what you do. He learned to be a hands-on leader working for the Dept. of Transportation building the original Interstate Highway System. He instilled in me the importance of accountability when leading a team, always teach by example. Grandpa is my inspiration for pursuing a career in Engineering / Construction and someone I am still learning from.

What are the characteristics of a great leader?

I find a great leader is often characterized not by personal success and accolades, but by the success of their team. Simply being a manager is not enough. You must gain the trust of your people, foster autonomy and create an environment centered on learning. A great leader is never too busy to work through a question or spend one-on-one time with their team. A leader’s focus should be providing their team the tools necessary for success.

Learn more about HPM’s expertise in Project/Program Management.

K12 School District Leaders Attend HPM’s Executives Summit

Posted on November 16, 2023

HPM recently hosted the inaugural HPM Texas Education Executives Summit, a premiere event connecting executive leaders in K12 school districts to create unique strategies for navigating common challenges. The Summit, held November 1-3, 2023 at The JL Bar Ranch, provided the perfect backdrop for an elevated networking and educational experience. Leaders representing seven districts across the state were in attendance, along with national experts in finance, facilities planning, contract management/auditing and other fields impacting the K12 industry.

About the Event

Attendees gleaned valuable insight on approaches for successful bond planning and execution. Topics included strategies for maximizing bond dollars through comprehensive Planning, best practices for navigating bond elections, tips for developing and maintaining a master schedule. As a highlight, HPM President, Ryan Austin and Senior Vice President of Program Development, Greg Ellis led a discussion on capital program success, offering strategies for managing multiple contractors, efficient program controls strategies, managing delays such as materials availability, change orders and contract disputes. Most importantly, sessions were robust, reality based and designed to foster conversation.

The Summit concluded with a round table discussion of open-ended topics benefiting all attendees with a focus on methods for overcoming operational challenges. Outcomes of the discussion provided thought provoking ideas for participants to take back to their districts, as well as a framework for future Summit topics.

Why HPM?

HPM partners with K12 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.

HPM Project, The Laurel Hotel and Spa Earns AAA Ultimate Luxury Five Diamond Recognition

Posted on November 14, 2023

AAA recently awarded The Laurel Hotel And Spa, located in the The Tony and Libba Rane Culinary Science Center on campus at Auburn University with a five-diamond rating, indicating ultimate luxury. The Laurel is the first hotel in the state of Alabama to be given this recognition, and one of only 89 total recognized hotels in the United States. AAA deems five diamond hotels their “crown jewel”, reserving this indicator for only the most extravagant accommodations. In total, 119 hotels worldwide are given this distinction.

The Laurel occupies the fifth and sixth floors of the Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center, a facility for which HPM provided the full spectrum of program management services throughout construction, including quality assurance, procurement and preconstruction, schedule and budget controls and safety compliance. HPM oversaw logistics for aspects of the project being managed by numerous vendors, ensuring that cohesion and strategy were cornerstones throughout the entire process.

The Laurel is a key component of one of the Southeast’s most innovative facilities, seeking to blend academia, hospitality, culinary excellence and retail spaces into a marquee location on the Auburn University campus. The hotel provides advanced education and training for students seeking success in hospitality, culinary arts, event management and beverage appreciation.

Housed in the facility is the exclusive 1856, the country’s first tasting-menu-only teaching restaurant- a unique and elevated experience where education meets exceptional dining. The hotel’s rooftop features a beautiful infinity pool, bar and lounge area for guests to enjoy as they enjoy an unmatched view of Auburn’s campus.

Learn more about HPM’s work on the facility here!

HPM to Manage Construction of Mississippi State University’s Luckyday Tower

Posted on November 8, 2023

A $4 million gift from the Luckyday Foundation of Jackson, Miss. was announced on November 1, to aid in funding the construction of Mississippi State University’s new residence hall complex, the Luckyday Tower. The facility will serve as a living and learning community for MSU’s Luckyday freshman Scholars, housing 412 residents in the 159,000-square-foot Azalea Hall.  

MSU has tasked HPM with managing the full scope of construction and ensuring project details are implemented accurately in a timely manner. HPM is also slated to oversee the budget throughout the lifecycle of the project, safeguarding every dollar contributed and maximizing funding capability for the facility.  

The $96 million campus project, positioned at the corner of Barr Avenue and George Perry Street in Starkville, is projected to open in August 2025. Students participating in the Luckyday Scholars Program will enjoy a lobby and study area, modern classrooms with adaptable seating and tables and a kitchenette. In conjunction with program growth, the scholars will have reservation priority for a large meeting space in the residence hall complex to foster collaboration.  

Freshmen Luckyday Scholars will be granted first priority to live in the new hall, along with student mentors helping lead the program. On top of educational and housing space, the facility will include a new campus dining option. All facets of the building will be created with students in mind—fostering engagement, teamwork and group learning.  

“As the proud father of a current Mississippi State student and a tenured member of the HPM team, I couldn’t be prouder to partner with the university in achieving their vision for this transformative facility”, said Greg Ellis, Senior Vice President of Program Development. “With two decades of experience managing student housing projects on campuses across the nation, our team is well positioned to ensure excellence in every detail as this project comes to life.”

Learn more about HPM’s experience managing higher education projects. 

Built to Lead: Iriana Molusky

Posted on September 7, 2023

Meet Iriana Molusky, Assistant Project Manager!

A strategic piece of our growth strategy as a company is our robust Project Management track. Beginning with Project Engineers and scaling all the way up to Program Executives, our PM growth track was crafted to inspire motivation, work ethic and dedication to the process.

Assistant Project Manager, Iriana Molusky has enthusiastically committed to this growth track early on in her career. Iriana is based out of Jupiter, Florida and is currently providing support to a client in the aviation industry. We appreciate Iriana’s drive to develop and take on new challenges. Her leadership skills are strong, and we look forward to watching as she continues to grow and evolve. Continue reading to hear from Iriana as she shares more about her evolving career journey!

 

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

Similar to most of my colleagues on the Project Management track, there is really no such thing as a “typical day” for me. Each day comes with unique opportunities and challenges. On my most recent project, I was able to participate in many different aspects of project management, including change order reviews, creating and managing the master budget, GMP negotiations and pay applications. I find excitement in the constant change that comes with project management!

HPM: What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is the multitude of opportunities it affords me to build relationships. Thus far in my career, I have been able to work with an array of Architects and General Contractors, all while forming meaningful friendships within the company.

 

HPM: What is your most memorable HPM project so far?

My most memorable project so far has been Hewson Hall at the University of Alabama. I had the opportunity to see this job through from beginning to end as a co-op, enabling me to appreciate every milestone as the facility progressed. Hewson Hall was my first project to work on with HPM, and I learned so much about project management from the Senior Project Manager on the job, Joshua Bollinger, who served as a great mentor.

HPM: What are the characteristics of a great leader?

A great leader possesses a combination of qualities and skills, such as effective communication, empathy, adaptability, integrity and the ability to inspire and motivate others. They are forward-thinking, open to feedback and capable of making tough decisions while considering the well-being of their team. A great leader leads by example, fosters collaboration and empowers their team members to reach their full potential.

HPM Named 2023 Project Achievement Award Winner by CMAA’s South Atlantic Chapter

Posted on July 17, 2023

HPM was honored to be named a 2023 Project Achievement Award winner the South Atlantic Chapter of CMAA in recognition of our work on Auburn University’s Rane Culinary Science Center. Representatives from HPM and the Rane project team were able to attend the annual CMAA SAC Project Achievement Awards Gala held in Atlanta, GA.

CMAA offers Project Achievement Awards annually to recognize projects that stand out as examples in the construction industry, demonstrating excellence and innovation. These awards are reserved for facilities that push the industry forward and motivate its leaders to push past perceived limitations and pursue what others have deemed impossible. HPM’s representatives in attendance at the Awards Gala were inspired by the projects of fellow award winners having managed cutting-edge projects in various categories and were proud to have a seat at the table in a room filled with some of the best and brightest minds in our field.

The Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center is one of the most exciting new construction projects in the Southeast, seeking to blend academic, hospitality, and retail spaces into a marquee location on the Auburn University campus. The academic spaces consist of a teaching restaurant, culinary teaching kitchens, wine appreciation center, distilled beverages center, brewery, and classroom spaces.

The hospitality spaces feature high-end hotel rooms, living units, fitness center, spa, roof top event center, roof top garden, and roof top pool. The RCSC also includes an expansive food hall with numerous vendor spaces for tastes of all types. The project team provided preconstruction and construction services on the project including contract oversight and quality control and assurance, working closely with design teams during the planning stages to ensure the initial drawings aligned with the budget and timeline, while also managing communication with all partners and subcontractors to guarantee that progress remained on schedule.

HPM’s involvement in the realization of this project served as its solid foundation, ensuring that safety, schedule, budget and quality were all managed in a manner that would come to exceed the client’s expectations. Our firm oversaw logistics for aspects of the project being managed by numerous vendors, ensuring that cohesion and strategy were cornerstones throughout the entire process. Whether in office crunching numbers for estimates or in the middle of the action with boots on the ground to ensure safety and best practices, our group of experienced professionals brought organization, expertise and integrity that will forever be etched into the DNA of this best-in-class facility.

We would like to thank CMAA for recognizing the value of this project, Auburn University for trusting us with this important work, the outstanding vendors that served as excellent partners in delivering the facility and the members of #teamHPM who worked diligently for many years to see this dream through to reality.  

Built to Lead: Taylor Thorn

Posted on April 11, 2023

Whether representing clients to ensure success or fostering emerging talent within the company, leadership is woven into all that we do at HPM. Long-term HPMer, Taylor Thorn, Assistant to the President, embodies the humility and servant leadership that characterize stand-out leaders. Having worked his way from Project Engineer to Program Executive, Taylor was promoted to his current position at HPM last year. Taylor is widely respected by his colleagues as a problem-solver and selfless leader, who provides influence and aid while consistently building trust – both internally and externally. Continue reading to hear from Taylor as he expands upon his what leadership means to him.

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

One of the things I love most about my role, is that there really is no such thing as a typical day. Each day brings about new challenges and opportunities, and I enjoy the excitement that comes along with this. In my role, I spend time in every aspect of our business to support our strategic initiatives across the company. This involves regular interactions with sales, operations, program development, audit, and regional leadership.

Thorn Taylor

HPM: What is the best part of your job?

Without a doubt, the amazing people I have the benefit of working alongside daily. At HPM, I work with some of the most talent-driven people in the industry and it is a privilege to witness their successes every day. Together we develop relationships with some of the best clients; from leaders in aviation, to premiere higher education institutions, to flagship sports and recreation, HPM allows me to interact with diverse clients and industries daily.

HPM: What is your proudest accomplishment?

Though my career has been full of rewarding experiences, nothing thus far has matched the pride I felt in the first team I was ever tasked with leading. This group was comprised of hard working, talented individuals, who consistently sought out ways to improve to better serve our clients. Because of their dedication and determination, many of these team members have now become leaders within the company, which has been gratifying to observe. I am also exceptionally proud of HPM and our growth as a company—not merely for the sake of growth, but for the purpose of enhancing the potential of our people and providing them opportunities to develop into new markets and new industries.

HPM: What are the character qualities of a great leader?

The best leaders are those who truly seek to serve their team. They demonstrate flexibility as they have humbly fluctuated in roles based upon the needs of their people. Good leaders understand what motivates team members and chart paths empowering these individuals to realize and maximize their potential. Positivity and a commitment to the continuous improvement of self and those around you are vital qualities for a leader to possess. I strive to be a leader others can trust, knowing that I truly care for them and seek to do the right thing in all facets of life.

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