NUGENT
Karla Nugent
“Even with the recent construction downturn, our industry will soon be facing a skilled labor shortage. The influx of new recruits continues to fall well short of the attrition rate, and the impact will become a much-larger issue in coming years. When considering employment options, teens and 20-somethings are not typically drawn to our industry as a first choice. The limited industry resources used to combat this negative perception fall short, but construction is one of the few industries that offers paid training and apprenticeship programs with quickly scalable career ladders. We don’t advertise or advocate enough. We need to continue to work through collaborative efforts to promote the numerous benefits our industry has to offer.”
39
CEO/Founder
Weifield Group Contracting LLC, Denver
Time in Current Position: 8 years
Time in Industry: 8 years
Education: B.S. in psychology, Colorado State University, 1992
Hometown: Woodland Park, Colo.
LEED Accredited: No. Last spring she implemented a program that provides in-house LEED training (outside consultant who works over two weekends), with business incentives for those who become certified.
Important Projects: Hyatt Convention Center Hotel, Denver; Rocky Mountain Christian Church, Frederick; Signature Center, Denver West, Golden; SkillBuild Colorado Funding Collaborative
Community Service: Habitat for Humanity, Compa Food Ministries, The Gathering Place, Rocky Mountain Christian Church, Haselden 65 Roses golf tournament
Professional Affiliations, Memberships: Independent Electrical Contractors, past president; Constructors & Designers Alliance, Executive Committee; SkillBuild Colorado, founding member, Executive Board; USGBC
MACCOLL
Michelle Pfeil-MacColl
“The biggest challenge in the industry, near term, is maintaining high standards of quality during the slow economy. The market is demanding a lower price and that can come at the expense of quality and reliability. Owners need to understand what they get for their money, since there are occasions where the lowest bidder may be sacrificing the most important values on the job. Maintaining a high standard in construction is key to creating a safe, sustainable and quality product— and perhaps a legacy building for our clients.”
38
Senior Project Manager
The Weitz Co., Denver
Time in Current Position: 1 year
Time in Industry: 17 years
Education: B.S. in construction management, Florida International University, Miami, 1995
Hometown: Miami
LEED Accredited: Yes
Important Projects: Centennial Station, Centennial; CH2M Hill, Building 4; School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management, University of Denver; Starz Entertainment Headquarters, Douglas County
Community Service: Rose Hill Elementary School, Commerce City, donation drive; Colorado Construction Career Days; Big Brothers Big Sisters
Professional Affiliations, Memberships: National Association of Women in Construction, AGC of Colorado, Lean Congress Attendance; Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce; Women’s Vision Foundation; General Building Contractor
RUSS
Drew Russ
“I believe the biggest challenge for the construction industry today, and in the near future, is the economic burden that we are all faced with. Maintaining a high level of construction quality is becoming increasingly difficult with a diminishing workforce, reduction of projects and tightening of project budgets. The industry, as a whole, needs to rely more on a collaborative design and building process to maintain project viability. This process is crucial to our future success.”
32
Director of Sustainability
Adolfson & Peterson Construction, Aurora
Time in Current Position: 6.5 years
Time in Industry: 11 years
Education: B.A. in mechanical engineering, minor in sociology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., 1999
Hometown: St. Charles, Ill.
LEED Accredited: Yes
Important Projects: Bud Werner Memorial Library addition and renovation, Steamboat Springs; Adams City High School/Community Learning Center, Commerce City; UCCS Recreation Center, Colorado Springs; Erie Community Library, Erie
Community Service: Ducks Unlimited, wetlands and waterfowl conservation; Green Building Certification Institute, LEED Fellow Credential Development; Bud Werner Memorial Library, tour guide
SHORT
Melanie Short
“I believe that the biggest challenge facing our industry that directly impacts the work I am privileged to do is overcoming the mistaken assumption that historic buildings aren’t green. Existing buildings have incredible benefits that can contribute to a sustainable community and a sustainable future. As we move ahead with the greening of more and more historic buildings, we hope to continue the conversation and help educate the public about the inherently sustainable qualities of historic buildings in order to protect them for future generations.”
37
Associate
Slaterpaull Architects, Denver
Time in Current Position: 10.5 years
Time in Industry: 14 years
Education: M.A. in architecture, certificate in historic preservation, University of Wisconsin, 1998
Hometown: St. Paul, Minn.
LEED Accredited: Yes
Important Projects: Tivoli Student Union Master Plan and Revitalization, Auraria Higher Education Center, Denver; Drennan Community Club Building Historic Structure Assessment Building Rehabilitation, Colorado; Mathews-Gotthelf House Historic Structure Assessment and Exterior Rehabilitation, Denver
Community Service: Colorado Historic Preservation, Review Board; Sacred Places Preservation Steering Committee chair; AIA Historic Preservation Committee
HEUKELEM
Karen Van Heukelem
“I see a challenging yet promising future ahead for the specialty contractor industry. As the economy struggles to emerge out of the current discouraging disposition, the decrease in volume of development trickles down to contractors and subcontractors However, there is hope in the quality of projects and contractors I see on the horizon. The growth focuses more importance on quality and trusting relationships than it has in recent history. Loyal, innovative, collaborative and quality companies will rise and pull the industry out of this rut. It will be a struggle to reach that point, but I see encouraging growth in the construction industry for late 2010 and into 2011.”
27
Business Developer
Colorado Hardscapes Inc., Denver
Time in Current Position: 3 years
Time in Industry: 10 years
Education: B.A. in business, Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, Ill., 2003
Hometown: Denver
LEED Accredited: Yes
Important Projects: Asbury Green, University of Denver; Front Range Village, Fort Collins; Colorado Mountain College, Summit County
Community Service: NAIOP’s Community Relations Committee, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver
Professional Affiliations, Memberships: NAIOP, AGC, WCCA
