Category: Project/Program Management

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

Posted on January 6, 2022

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.

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Be Our Guest at the Games

Posted on December 21, 2021

The world is coming to our backyard, and as our gift to you, we’d like for you to be our guest for the World Games!

HPM is the Official Program Management Partner of the World Games 2022, to be held in our headquarters city of Birmingham, Alabama, in July. We’re proud to contribute to this once-in-a-lifetime event for our community and would love to be your host.

Representing 30 official sports including 54 disciplines, you’ll have the opportunity to witness drone racing, sumo wrestling, flag football, softball, wheelchair rugby, kickboxing, parkour, and many more competitions! The World Games are an international multi-sport event comprising sports and sporting disciplines that are not contested in the Olympic Games. They are usually held every four years, one year after a Summer Olympic Games, and the last time these athletes competed was in 2017 in Poland.

So, if you can join us in Birmingham sometime between July 7-17, reach out to an HPMer to find out more information on how to attend any of the 206 events that week.

Also this year, we are coming alongside two clients who give of their time and resources to worthy community charities. As an expression of our gratitude, HPM has donated $5,000 to each of these charities on behalf of our clients:

Alabama Correctional Employee Support Fund (ACESF), which provides financial support, scholarships, and assistance to persons employed by the Alabama Department of Corrections and their families who are needy, ill, or distressed because of disaster, hardship, or other circumstances.

AND

Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, which supplies millions of meals per year to over 250 Partner Agencies, like food pantries, shelters, and children’s programs in 12 counties across Central Alabama.

As 2021 comes to an end, we wish you — our clients, colleagues, partners, and friends — all the best in the new year. We look forward to working with you for many years to come!

Contact our team to join us for the World Games 2022!

Ryan Austin, President, raustin@hpmleadership.com

Greg Ellis — Ryan Austin, President, raustin@hpmleadership.com

Mike Pitts, Director of Field Operations — Email

Alan Butler — Mike Pitts, Director of Field Operations — Email

Built to Lead: Foster Veazey

Posted on December 13, 2021

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 Careers

HPM’s Brian Morris Promoted to Senior Project Manager

Posted on December 1, 2021

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.”

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What is Program Management?

Posted on November 30, 2021

Simply put, program management is the most efficient, most effective way to manage a capital building program from beginning to end.

HPM sits on the owner’s side of the table to provide flexible and professional staffing, precise management, best practices and innovation for savings to our clients which typically results in covering more than our fees.

How much does program management add to a capital building program?

Nothing. Program management isn’t an addition to a capital building program, but rather it’s a different approach to delivering its projects — planning and coordinating work to eliminate wasted time and resources. Typically, HPM’s implementation of our processes reduces total costs by 5-10 percent. And the earlier you engage a program manager, the more you’ll save.

What does HPM provide that we aren’t already receiving?

During a typical building program, the architect, engineer, general contractor/construction manager and other project team members are focusing on specific services for a duration of time in the lifecycle of a facility. HPM serves as an advisor and representative for the owner from the beginning to the end — yet, with planning, design and construction experience and expertise. We work collaboratively with all of those key players, making the process better for all stakeholders and ensuring the best and most cost-effective outcome for the owner.

Do architectural, engineering or general construction firms provide program management services, too?

They sometimes offer program management in addition to the primary services they deliver, but it’s difficult for them to “flip a switch” and go from thinking only of the specific portion of the process they’re used to delivering to strategically planning the entire process from start to finish. In addition, this can create a conflict of interest as the firm balances representing the best interests of the owner with generating revenue by selling additional services. This isn’t a problem for HPM — we don’t offer design or construction services. We simply use our expertise in those areas to serve as advisors for the client.

Why should we pay for HPM to oversee building projects when we can hire employees?

The benefits our clients receive outweigh the costs. Plus, HPM team members are cross-trained and backed by our full complement of experts in planning, procurement, pre-construction, design, construction, accounting, communications and operations. Hassles are avoided, and problems are averted. Moreover, money is saved, and you don’t have to worry about hiring and firing staff when capital building programs wax and wane.

Interested in learning more about our services? Explore our program management page and our portfolio for more information or reach out to us at info@hpmleadership.com. We would love to hear from you!

Home for the Holidays: Helping a Louisiana Resort Reopen on Time

Posted on November 23, 2021

At HPM, we’re dedicated to leading a project every step of the way—striving to ensure that the owner’s vision comes to life on time, within budget, and beyond expectations. For our clients in the hospitality industry, the pressure to complete projects on time is often intensified by peak seasons and holiday travel.

In 2020, the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana came to us with a difficult timeline for the renovation of its Coushatta Casino Resort, which had suffered significant damage caused by Hurricane Laura that August. The Notah Begay III Junior Golf Championship was scheduled for the following November and Christmas season occupancy for the Seven Clans Hotel was also a top priority. The Coushatta Tribe initially hired a restoration contractor to do the work, and while the demolition and removal of wet and damaged materials progressed quickly, the restoration effort faltered, leaving no area of the hotel occupiable.

It quickly became evident to the tribe leadership that they were lacking the planning and organizational manpower needed to get the work completed on time, so they sought a program manager with the necessary experience to lead the way. HPM was hired to oversee the restoration of 160 guestrooms and other ancillary buildings.

Our services included:
• temporary furniture relocation
• identification of materials and furniture needed
• installation of new finishes and reinstallation of furniture
• coordination of contractor’s work activities with on-going hotel operations
• development of the construction schedule for restoration contractors
• tracking and reporting progress of rooms on each floor
• identification of temporary finish materials to overcome materials
procurement issues
• verification of work completion and acceptance
• coordination of the turnover of completed rooms floor by floor and wing by wing
• review of change orders and pay applications
• expedition of long-lead materials

HPM also coordinated the restoration and roof repairs of other buildings on the resort campus, including the golf clubhouse, restaurant and lounge, golf course comfort stations, human resources and training offices, and other miscellaneous buildings.

HPM’s efforts enabled the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana to reopen its casino and resort facilities efficiently, host the Notah Begay III Junior Golf Championship as scheduled, and welcome guests back in time for the holidays.

Through effective project management, HPM leads construction projects to completion on time and within budget while maintaining safety, achieving quality, and maximizing our clients’ resources.

HPM Services

Image courtesy of https://www.coushattacasinoresort.com

Project Success and School Spirit at Hyatt Place TCU

Posted on November 16, 2021

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.

HPM Selected as Program Manager for Manor Independent School District’s Capital Projects

Posted on October 20, 2021

We are proud to announce that Manor Independent School District (Manor ISD) has selected HPM to serve as program manager for its capital and facility-based projects. Representing $174 million in new development, these enhancements are the result of a $280 million school bond program approved by voters in Manor, Texas, in November 2019.

HPM will work alongside Manor ISD to provide project management and preconstruction services while ensuring schedule and budget compliance over the next three years. This includes several new classrooms, transportation, and multipurpose facilities.

“Manor has seen tremendous growth over the past decade, underscoring the need for improved educational infrastructure that can support a student body expected to exceed 12,000 students within the next few years,” said Greg Ellis, HPM’s Vice President of Program Development. “We look forward to seeing firsthand the positive impact that this investment will have on the community.”

The partnership is a continuation of HPM’s growth strategy in Central Texas, where it has already built an extensive program management portfolio for K-12 districts including Round Rock Independent School District, Belton Independent School District and Austin Independent School District. HPM’s success is largely attributed to the firm’s full range of services uniquely tailored to meet the demographic and socioeconomic needs of every community it serves.

“Our work is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and HPM is well known for the ability to cater our services to the specific needs of each school district we partner with,” said Derek McSween, Senior Program Development Manager at HPM. “HPM has the expertise to understand the nuances and challenges that come with working in K-12 facility planning and bond implementation, especially as the coronavirus continues to impact regulations. Our team is pleased to play a part in Manor ISD’s growth story by ensuring that its scholars are provided the highest quality academic and recreational facilities possible.”

Greater Austin is one of the fastest-growing major metropolitan areas in the U.S., having increased 34% in population size since 2010 and an impressive 3% in the last year alone. The population of Manor, located just 12 miles northeast of Austin, has grown by more than 160% since 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

“We are grateful to the Manor ISD community for voting to pass the 2019 bond. As we continue to put scholars first, these new state-of-the-art educational facilities will address equity gaps, overcrowding and prepare for the continued population growth,” said Dr. Andre D. Spencer, Manor ISD Superintendent of Schools. “Most importantly, Manor ISD scholars are more than deserving of quality facilities that will enhance their learning environment. We are excited to work alongside HPM for this effort. HPM is truly a remarkable project management partner. It would be almost impossible to complete $280M worth of bond projects without their expertise and dedication to excellence in Manor ISD.”

HPM K-12 Services

HPM’s Gaila Barnett Promoted to Senior Project Manager

Posted on October 20, 2021

Gaila Barnett is a passionate and strategic leader whose ability to tackle new projects with enthusiasm, thoughtfulness and urgency has led to great success for her clients and her team at HPM. Having established strong relationships in Texas, she has played an essential role in growing HPM’s business throughout the state. We are proud to promote Gaila to Senior Project Manager and appreciate her many contributions to the firm over the past two years.

Gaila joined HPM in October of 2019 with over 25 years of experience in design and program management under her belt after leading projects totaling $2 billion across 26 states. Her ability to tailor her approach to meet the needs of individual markets is what sets her apart, along with her impressive experience within the healthcare industry.

Her first project with HPM was the Hyatt Place Hotel at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, a very challenging assignment that Gaila jumped into headfirst. She spent countless hours working to gain an understanding of the project’s history, the team dynamics and the client’s vision. Due to her expertise and commitment to providing the best possible service for the client, this project overcame challenges throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and was a tremendous success for both the owner and HPM.

Since then, Gaila has taken on 41 facility assessments around the state of Texas for one of HPM’s longtime clients in the healthcare sphere, and is working with a partner firm on municipal projects throughout Metro Dallas. Her previous portfolio of healthcare experience and numerous relationships within the sector has also led her to confidently take on the challenge of crafting a plan for HPM to pursue additional healthcare work in markets across the country.

“Gaila has far proven her ability to show extreme ownership of her projects and responsibilities and does what it takes to provide the best possible outcomes for our clients,” said HPM Program Executive Ben Henson. “She consistently showcases all of the qualities that typify strong, effective leaders and is committed to helping HPM remain the best of the best in our industry.”

Careers at HPM

HPM’s Andrew Betts Promoted to Senior Program Manager

Posted on October 5, 2021

As HPM continues to grow and develop our teams on various accounts and throughout the US, ascribing to the company’s vision and effectively carrying it out become preeminent characteristics of those in leadership. For his willingness to see and develop the potential in our people, our business, our markets and our clients, Andrew Betts has relocated from Fairhope, Alabama, to Austin, Texas, and has been promoted from Senior Project Manager to Senior Program Manager. He will be the account leader for our most recent K-12 program at Manor ISD in Manor near Austin.

When Andrew was hired at HPM eight years ago in Mobile, AL, the company looked very different. We had just successfully landed the Airbus A320 program and were experiencing significant growth potential along the Gulf Coast of Alabama and in the aviation world. Andrew came to us from an electrical subcontractor that was working on the Gulf Quest Maritime Museum project. Andrew’s leadership skills stood out on that project and he was quickly recognized by Jared Scheeter and Mike McKenny, who were leading the HPM effort for that project. Mike and Jared recruited Andrew for several months until the appropriate time for him to make the move to HPM.

“Hired initially as a Project Engineer for the Airbus account, Andrew’s attention to detail, positive attitude, and collaborative leadership style allowed him to grow quickly, through two successful Airbus projects and a successful HAECO project, from Project Engineer to Senior Project Manager,” says James Adams, HPM Vice President of the Western Region. “While in Mobile, Andrew helped develop and implement tools and processes that now serve as the deliverables HPM provides to almost every client.”

Careers at HPM

Category: Project/Program Management

Contact our team to join us for the World Games 2022!

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