HONORS & APPOINTMENTS

Up and Down, But Still On Top: Walsh, McCarthy, Mortenson, Fagen, Barton Malow, Opus, Pepper, Alberici, and Walbridge all make top-ranking echelon based on total revenue.

Nine contractors from Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Missouri ranked among the top 50 contractors in Engineering News-Record’s 2008 Top 400 Contractors listing released in May. (Engineering News-Record and Midwest Construction are both published by McGraw- Hill Cos. Inc.)

The Walsh Group, Chicago, ranked highest among companies in Midwest Construction’s territory. Walsh climbed two spots from the previous year to land at number 17, with 2008 total revenue of $3.58 billion, including $3 billion in new contracts. Walsh reported that 45% of its work was in the transportation sector, while 41% came from general building construction and 14% came from water/sewer/wastewater work.

McCarthy Holdings Inc., St. Louis, landed just one notch below Walsh. McCarthy also climbed two places from the previous year to reach the 18th spot. McCarthy reported $3.5 billion in total revenue and $4.1 billion in new contracts. Seventy-four percent of its work came from general building construction, and 12% came from transportation work. McCarthy’s revenue from other sectors included 9% from industrial/petrochemical work, and 2% each from power and from water/sewer/ wastewater.

Mortenson Construction, Minneapolis, finished 22nd, with 2008 total revenue of $2.8 billion. Mortenson jumped up five spots from 27th the previous year and reported $2.6 billion in new contracts for 2008. Sixty five percent of its revenue came from general building work, 29% from power construction, 3% from telecommunication projects, and 2% from transportation.

Fagen Inc., Granite Falls, Minn., came in 37th, with $1.6 billion in revenue and $882.5 million in new contracts. The firm dropped seven places after ranking 30th the previous year. Fagen reported that 100% of its work took place in the industrial/petrochemical category.

Barton Malow Co., Southfield, Mich., moved up four spots to finish 39th, with $1.6 billion in revenue and $1.6 billion in new contracts for 2008. Forty-fi ve percent of its work was in general building, with 32% in power, 20% in manufacturing construction, and 1% in transportation.

Opus Group, Minnetonka, Minn., fi nished 44th, down eight places, with $1.5 billion in revenue and $891 million in new contracts. All of its work was in general building construction.

Pepper Construction Group, Chicago, landed in the 46th spot, just one lower than a year ago. Pepper reported revenue of $1.3 billion and new contracts of $1.2 billion. Ninety-five percent of its work came from general building; the remaining 5% came from water/sewer/waste work.

Alberici Corp., St. Louis, rose four spots this year, ranking 47th. Alberici reported $1.3 billion in revenue and $1.1 billion in new contracts.

Thirty-four percent of its work was in the industrial/petrochemical sector. Twenty-four percent came from power projects. Fifteen percent was in general building. Fourteen percent came from water/sewer/waste work. Seven percent was in manufacturing work, and the remaining 2% came from transportation projects.

Walbridge, Detroit, moved up eight places from the previous year to finish 48th. Walbridge reported $1.3 billion in revenue and $1.1 billion in new contracts. Forty-one percent of its work came from manufacturing construction; 32% came from general building; 15% from industrial/petrochemical; 10% from transportation; 2% from hazardous waste work; and 1% from water/sewer/ waste projects.

William P. Wenzler, FAIA, Milwaukee, has received the 2009 Golden Award from AIA Wisconsin, the state society of The American Institute of Architects. The Golden Award is the highest honor the state architects’ society can bestow upon a member.

The award recognizes Wenzler’s nearly 55 years of service to the advancement of the architectural profession and for his commitment to providing quality housing for low-income families in the Milwaukee community.

Wenzler has served in key professional leadership positions at the state and national level, and has also demonstrated an ongoing dedication to the community. He is a founding member of the board of directors of Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity. The first Golden Award was presented by the Wisconsin Society of Architects in 1986.

Wenzler is the twenty-second recipient.

In February, Governor Doyle and the Wisconsin State Building Commission recognized Wenzler and his firm, William Wenzler and Associates-Architects Inc., with its Lifetime Service Award.

Wenzler is a graduate of the University of Illinois, having earned a bachelor of science degree in Architectural Engineering in 1952. He opened his own office in Milwaukee in 1955, and his firm has earned numerous national, regional and state architectural awards for church, university and urban housing projects.

In 1967, the lifelong Milwaukee resident was presented with the Governor’s Award for Creativity in the Arts.

In 1971, at age 42, Wenzler was one of the youngest architects ever advanced to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects.

His other notable awards include the Award of Excellence for Life Work in Architecture, received in 1985 from the Milwaukee Art Commission, and a 2001 Citation for Distinguished Service from AIA Wisconsin for his contribution to establishing the School of Architecture in Wisconsin.

During his career, Wenzler has served the profession in key leadership roles, including: being a member of the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Society of Architects, the National Panel of the American Arbitration Association, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the State of Wisconsin Examining Board of Architects, Professional Engineers, Designers and Land Surveyors.

As a founding director of the Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity, he has shared his knowledge and skills since its inception in 1984.

COMPANY NEWS

Lifting Gear Hire, Bridgeview, Ill., has announced that Vice President Pat Fiscelli has retired. Fiscelli helped launch the lifting equipment company’s North American head quarters 19 years ago and also helped guide LGH into market leadership across the U.S.

On June 1, 1990, Pat Fiscelli teamed with Gordon Worswick, Overseas Development Director of the United Kingdom-based parent company, LGH Group, to open an office southwest of Chicago.

Today, the U.S. operation has grown into a multimillion-dollar enterprise, servicing many of the nation’s largest construction and mechanical contractors, from coast to coast. Today, Lifting Gear Hire Corporation is the largest, single company devoted exclusively to the rental, sale and service of lifting, winching and material handling equipment of its kind, with 11 locations across the U.S. and sales representatives in 27 states. The LGH Board of Directors has promoted Pat’s son, Tony Fiscelli, to fi ll his father’s position.

Formerly LGH’s general manager, Tony Fiscelli began his career with LGH in 1992 and has been an integral part of the growth and success of the business the past 17 years. He assumed the role of President of USA Operations on June 1.

Holland Construction Services Inc., Swansea, Ill., has announced that Safety Director Doug Devlin has received special government employee (SGE) status from the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

The SGE designation enables Devlin and Holland Construction to work directly with Peoria and Fairview Heights OSHA agents on audits of area job sites who are seeking advancement in the construction-safety field.

Holland Construction Services is the only downstate Illinois construction contractor to employ an SGE-certified safety professional. Devlin became eligible for the SGE designation after being granted Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) status at the STAR Level last October—the highest safety recognition OSHA grants.

Holland Construction also remains the only downstate construction company in Illinois to have achieved VPP STAR level status for mobile construction contractors.

HCS offers design/build, general contracting and construction management services to commercial, retail, healthcare, senior living, light industrial, recreational and educational clients.

Veit, Rogers, Minn., has opened a new office in Milwaukee. Through its new Milwaukee location, the specialty-contracting and waste-management company offers specialty contracting services including earthwork, demolition, utilities, foundations and environmental remediation to Wisconsin customers. “Opening an office in Milwaukee was a logical step because we have been serving southeastern Wisconsin clients from our Minnesota office for some time now,” says President Greg Boelke. The company’s recent projects in Wisconsin include the Columbia St. Mary’s hospital expansion in Mequon, UW-Madison campus improvements, and Epic corporate headquarters expansion in Verona.

“Given the volume of new construction and revitalization projects, and our experience in the region, the timing was right for the expansion,” says Boelke.