GDI
Craftsman
Commercial Dry wall, Inc. Vol. 5 No. 6
April 1984
Another successful tourney
annual Fasti™5 F@®ls attracts COD'S top fishermen CDI's fifth annual Fishin’ Fools Bass Tournament again drew much response from the fishermen in the company ranks. Some 42 boats competed in the affair held this year on April 28 at Fishermen’s Reef Marina on Lake Conroe. This year’s tournament paid close to $2,000 in prize money split among 10 boats. A total of 19 boats weighed in their catches. There was a tie for first place honors between the team of James Rutledge and Hershel Renfro and Ted Sullivan and Ted Stardig, each weighing a stringer of 10 lbs., 3 oz. They split the money for first and second places, a total of $550, and a coin toss determined first place trophies. Fishin’ Fools Bass Tournament fourth place winners Greg Sorge (left) and Daryl Hammons received trophies as well as a cash prize of $150 for their day's catch. Daryl also won the big bass side bet of $390.
CDI's Dennis Yanowski looks on as his fish are weighed in. Dennis and his partner Bob Marek placed eighth in this year’s tournament.
John McLain and Douglas McLain placed third in this year’s competition with a weigh in of 9 lbs., 11 oz. Third prize was $200 cash along with a trophy for each. The team of Greg Sorge and Daryl Hammons took home fourth place trophies together with a $150 cash prize. In addition, Daryl won the big bass side bet of $390 with his 3 lbs. 141/2 oz. catch. Fifth place went to the brother team of Bruce Marek and Paul Marek for a weigh in of 6 lbs., 11 oz. They were awarded $100 and each received a trophy. Trophy for the biggest bass along with $50 went to James Retledge for the largest fish caught in the tournament.
Funding for this year’s tournament, as in other years, came from entry fees and the sale of the Fishin’ Fools caps. Finishing off the good day of fishing was a fish fry where fried catfish, hushpuppies and french fries were served to fishermen, employees and families. A fishing tournament the size of CDI’s requires the hard work of several people in planning and actually seeing that the event runs smoothly. A special thanks goes to Patsy Whitehead, Charles Boyd and Barbara Smith who organized the fish fry and spent several hours cooking over hot oil. In addition, draft beer was supplied by Elva Pullen of Pullen Fasteners Inc.
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Messag® from the top
001 adjusting to current @©®oi©my by diversification by Stan Wlarek As the first quarter of 1984 is now CDI’s vulnerability to the construction things for many years. As our market behind us, it's a good time to review here in Houston rebounds and the industry cycles by adding product GDI’s progress in coping with the lines, and second, improve upon the branches flourish, let’s not forget to current economy. The number of pat one another on the back company’s status as the most building permits issued in Houston occasionally and say thanks for a job efficient producer in each of the continues to drop, the oil business well done. major product lines and strategic struggles to rebound, and housing business interests. starts are fluctuating. Experts say In addition to the many internal that 1984 will remain flat with a changes we’ve made, the most Construction down definite improvement expected in exciting event this year is the on Houston, Dallas 1985. acquisition of a major drywall On the home front at CDI, the company in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. CDI According to the latest Dodge 15% wage reduction taken by the purchased the company from a Construction Update, nonresidential carpenters and laborers will definitely holding company, Eliason & Knuth of building activity in Houston fell 40 aid us in our bidding. The men and Omaha, Neb. The paper work is percent for the first two months of women remaining in our fields, some concluded and the company joined 1984 as compared to 1983. 375 strong, are the best in the the CDI family of companies April 3. Dallas showed a 33 percent drop industry and our production figures We heartily welcome the some 100 with Austin falling off by 14 percent. certainly reflect it. With the lower employees to our ranks. The new Some of the Texas cities posting an wage rate and increased company is Metro Drywall Systems productivity, our estimating staff is and will be linked to CDI Houston via increase include San Antonio up more than 100 percent, hitting the bid market harder than our IBM computer system. Brownsville/Harlingen up 89 percent, ever and many times beating open With the joining of forces with our Forth Worth/Arlington up 77 percent, shop contractors. As the union Florida branch, CDI gains 23 years Midland up 74 percent and Victoria general contractors add work to their drywall experience in the tough up 82 percent. backlog, our contract awardings will south Florida market as well as a be on a dramatic upswing. host of seasoned veterans in the One area we need help on is the drywall business. painters local. Tapers and floaters CDI’s market will comprise Ft. Lauderdale and Miami with plans of and painters renegotiate their wages Poumdl vs. lb. expanding to the Orlando/Tampa in July, and we must follow suit with area in the near future. New product a wage reduction in order to remain It is a puzzle to many people why lines such as caulking and competitive. In dry wall, 30 percent of “lb.” is used as the short form of waterproofing, dryvit and residential our product is finishing labor while in “pound’’ when the word contains painting will be added to CDI’s areas neither an “I” nor a “b”. The symbol is paint it’s closer to 70 percent. If we of expertise. The Florida market is are going to compete with the open a contraction of “libra”, the Latin getting ready to boom and the CDI’s word for pound. shop, we must have that wage presence will be felt. adjustment. Besides the added dollar volume Several overhead changes have we will receive from the Florida taken place around the company operation, I am extremely excited and the resulting reorganization has about the cultural exchange between made us stronger than ever. My hat our Texas operation and the Florida is off to each of you who have made branch. We each have our own the necessary adjustments — GDI Craftsman ways of doing things and by looking transfers to a branch or joining in a at the best of both methods, we consolidation of duties. Editor: Larry Williams should emerge even stronger. The Yes, Houston’s economy is slow to Asst. Editor: Maureen MacAuley Florida market has always been the come back, but when it does, we’re toughest market in the country and The CDI Craftsman is poised and ready. Conversely, CDI branch operations to survive in it for 23 years took published monthly by are doing great. Frank Sciullo in San stamina and intelligence. Commercial Drywall, Inc. for its In conclusion, let me say that I’m Antonio and Larry Hanvey in Austin employees and their families. proud of each of you. The dedication are enjoying booming markets and Employees should send their and hard work of the past three are steadily increasing their news contributions to Larry months is not going unnoticed. The backlogs. Dallas continues to be Williams, Commercial Drywall, # slowdown has given us a chance to strong. Inc., P.O. Box 10686, Houston, do much needed house cleaning At the beginning of the year, our Texas 77292. company goals were to first, reduce and re-evaluate the way we’ve done
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‘A custom job fair CDS’
The Menil Colteetsoo underway on Utertiroa® area CDI is involved in another very prestigious project going up in Houston - The Menil Collection. A permanent home for the collection of art assembled by Dominique de Menil and her late husband, John de Menil, The Menil Collection is located in Houston’s Montrose area. The site is bounded by Sul Ross, Mulbery Branard and Mandell Streets. The Menil Collection numbers approximately 10,000 items and ranges from Stone Age to contemporary art collected over the past 30 years. On display will be old pieces from the Mediterranean world, artifacts of the peoples of Eurasia and Europe and a broad body of African art. The contemporary art will include works by the Cubist painters, a group of surrealist art and works by Max Ernst and Rene Magritte. Also included in the collection is a grouping of drawings, prints and rare books. CDI is handling the exterior and interior framing of the building as well as the sheetrock walls and ^^ceilings. Daryl Hammons is running ^^CDI’s work. To date little of CDI’s work has been started but is scheduled to really get underway in May for general contractor E.G. Lowry. “The Menil Collection will be a very custom project,” says Wayne Lueckemeyer, CDI’s project manager on the job. “It certainly is not the runof-the-mill drywall project. “It will take a group of superb craftsmen to complete this job. The building is like a huge jig saw puzzle that must be fit together piece by piece. Each wall is unique to itself. According to Wayne, the walls will be built with heavy gauge studs with wood blocking inside. Then a layer of sheetrock will be installed with a layer of plywood and the final layer of sheetrock. “Finishing will be key to this project," adds Wayne. “Most of the building will have direct sunlight so any flaw in the wall will show. The finishing will be done only when the ^^environment is controlled cose SPin and with proper air ventilation. Natural light will be used as the source of illumination in most of the museum areas.
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The above is a cross-section view of the interior of The Menil Collection showing the exhibition areas, promenade and storage areas.
The museum, designed by architect Renzo Piano of Genoa and Paris, will be 70,000 square feet in size of which 25,000 square feet will be used as exhibition facilities. The remaining will be utilized as storage, library and support areas. Dominique de Menil is the
daughter of one of the founders of Schlumberger, the oilfield service company. Since moving to Houston, she has been very active in the art community. Joe Gilligan handled estimating duties for CDI.
A San Antonio crew working under foreman Joe Solis has recently completed a four-story core job for general contractor Joeris-Clauss, Inc. Fifteen Thousand Six Hundred, as the job is known, was finished on time, under budget with no accidents by CDI craftsmen who numbered about 10 on the job. According to superintendent Wayne Schultze, Joe was outstanding in coordinating his craftsmen and sequencing the job with the other crafts. “Joe kept everyone headed in the same direction and worked closely with the general contractor,” says Wayne. Director of construction Luis Soliz says that the job in general was
difficult with several challenging areas. “Joe and his crew built a 40-foot atrium ceiling, abutting glass roof and handrail and fascia conditions in the atrium area. In addition, they solved scaffolding problems and beat a fast completion schedule,” contends Luis. Project manager Grady Atnip adds that all of this was accomplished under budget. “Joeris-Clauss and its superintendent Jerry Griffin helped out a lot,” says Grady. “They helped us and we helped them.” With this successful completion, Joe heads to his next job, Trinity Plaza, a nine-story office building. Congratulations, Joe and crew for a job well done!
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Project of the month
180® Smith Street paint operation wmdlooii mp For the past year or so CDI’s paint group has been busy painting the core of 1600 Smith Street and now is handling the leasework painting in the building for general contractor Linbeck Construction of Houston. Under the direction of supervisor Tony Cuellar and foreman Rick Benge, CDI was responsible for corework paint comprising the stairwells, doors, frames, elevator doors and frames and ceilings as well as hanging the vinyl wall coverings in the restrooms on each of the building’s 55 floors. "The core is virtually complete," says Tony. "We are just finishing up odds and ends and the exterior handrails on the setbacks on floors 39, 48 and 51.” Located on the corner of Smith and Pease Streets in downtown Houston, 1600 Smith is a joint venture of Cullen Center, Inc. and PIC Realty, a subsidiary of Prudential Insurance Company of America. The tower’s exterior was designed in classic geometric forms that are repeated throughout the interior of the building. Its octagonal-shaped penthouse is highly visible in Houston’s downtown skyline. MorrisAubrey Architects designed 1600 Smith. Dressed in Sardinian gray granite, 1600 Smith Street is highlighted by dark gray windows set in black frames. The plaza area is of Spanish rose granite. “The most interesting segment of the project for us was the three-story lobby area,” says paint department manager Barry Neimann who handled project management of the core paint. “The ceilings in the area are plaster and just being so high made it quite challenging for our painters. In addition, CDI put a special finishing on the handrail of the monumental staircase.” Leasework underway in the building currently consists of two floors for Prudential as well as two floors for the architectural firm of Golemon and Rolfe. Project management duties for the leasework paint are being handled by Scott Bauer. Tony has been splitting his time running the paint operation at 1415
Foreman Rick Benge (left) and supervisor Tony Cuellar discuss aspects of the paint operation at 1600 Smith Street, a project for general contractor Linbeck Construction.
Louisiana as well as 1600 Smith. Other crew members who did a fine job on this project for CDI are Freddie Cuellar who is also the paint foreman at 1415 Louisiana, Roger Volk, Ruben Cuellar, Robert Orman, Mike Sills, Humberto Galvan,
Charles Burgess, Narcisco Vazquez. Eddie Carsten, Lewis Carsten and Juan Salinas hung the vinyl wall coverings while Ron Gordon and Angel Jimenez were responsible for spraying the elevator doors. “The elevator doors were
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Dm® Cobum
Austin's paint manager enjoys tremendous CDI-Austin’s painting operations have enjoyed tremendous success in recent months with much of the credit going to its manager, Dave Coburn. Dave joined the Austin branch after spending his first two months with the company in Houston. He became manager of the Austin paint group in late 1983. Western division president Larry Hanvey says that Dave has been a welcome addition to the Austin staff, “Not only is Dave a good estimator but he works well with the field too. He is thorough in his takeoffs, knows how to deal with customers and communicates well with the field. I dont think we can ask for any more out of him, says Larry. Pamt superintendent Rudy a inez agrees with Larry. “I enjoy working with Dave because he does 4
such a good job on his end. We don’t get stuck with a lot of problems because he dropped the ball. He stays on top of things,” claims Rudy. Dave, born in Dallas, but a Houston resident most of his life, has ten years experience in the paint business. His career includes serving as chief estimator for Symco and Courtney & Company contractors prior to joining CDI. He graduated from Texas Tech University in 1972 with a BBA in Economics. Presently, Austin’s painters number approximately 35 with most of them working on the 32-story One American Center and the University Teaching Center on the University of Texas campus. While away from the job, Dave enjoys staying fit by jogging and lifting weights. He also likes to fish.
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^sprayed at night by Ron and Angel,” "says Rick. "And, they did an excellent job.” Tony and Rick agree that the project has gone smoothly for CDI. “The only obstacle we had was damage caused by the freeze this winter,” says Tony. “As a result of frozen pipes, the stairways had to be repainted as well as the high ceiling in the lobby area." In addition to the paint work on the tower, CDI finishing crews under B.J. Ward are handling the finishing of the leases on floors 12 and 13 as well as floors 35 and 36. “The lease on floors 35 and 36 is quite detailed,” says finishing superintendent Mike O’Brien. “There is a radius stairway between the floors that will require expert finishing." 1600 Smith is situated on a site that in area is greater than three city blocks. A 3,000-car parking garage is also the site and future plans include building a companion tower.
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At 1600 Smith Street, CDI paint crews handled the paint work in the building including the three-story lobby ceiling as well as finishing the handrail of the monumental staircase pictured above.
Personnel changes made around CDI Kinsella has assumed a new position In recent weeks, there have been as manager of the remodel a few personnel changes at CDI. Bob Pigg, who has been with CDI department. Mark joined CDI last year as manager of computer since January 1974, transferred to flooring. the Austin operation as sales Congratulations go to Mark manager. Kinsella and his wife, Lori, who Teresa Meshay has moved from the Houston office to San Antonio as recently had their first child. Christine Anne Kinsella was born April 5 at estimator/project manager. Austin's new branch accountant is Methodist Hospital. She weighed in at 5 lbs. 5 oz. Debbie Jackson who transferred On March 30, John Klovenski and from the Houston office. his wife, Nita, welcomed their first CDI's cabinet shop has a new child. John Louis Klovenski was born employee. David Cross recently at Texas Women’s Hospital weighing joined the company as a detailer/draftsman. Originally from the in at 6 lbs. 6 oz.. Earlier this year, Tayab Alvi and midwest, David brings a good deal his wife Aisha had their first baby. of experience in the business to CDI Zohaib Alvi was born January 16 Welcome aboard! weighing 5 lbs., 15 oz. In other personnel news, Mark
better world if This would be a far on what based their wealth people what they rather than on 1 they are have.
V Austin's paint manager Dave Coburn is highlighted this issue for his fine efforts in making CDI's paint operation successful.
Praise does wonders for the sense of hearing. The tragedy of life is not that we die, but is rather, what dies inside a man while he lives. Success is more attitude than aptitude.
Some reason, more. 5
For the &®c@indl time
Syp@r¥os®r Boll PsrSoielk honored for Mmmb To CDI supervisor Bill Patrick, the key to being a successful supervisor is having good people and the ability to generate time and money saving ideas on the job. These two things have worked in his favor as this is the second time CDI’s top supervisor honors have gone to Bill since joining the company in June 1978. Greenway remodel has been home to Bill the last six years. He was first a carpenter under Luis Soliz at Greenway and then became the remodel supervisor of the 15-building complex. “Handling the remodel work in so many buildings takes a lot of organization,’' says Bill. “Having worked out here for almost six years, I now know most of the ins and outs of each building." Recent work at Greenway includes the installation of the thermal insulation at the 32-story Alpha Tower, renovation of the club on the 20th floor of Stouffer’s Hotel for general contractor Miner-Dederick and remodel work throughout the complex. “Bill took on the responsibility of the Alpha Tower in addition to his work in the Greenway buildings,” says director of construction Hoagy Cannon. “He always manages cost and manpower effectively. Bill had the impetus to create a jig for cutting
Greenway's remodel supervisor Bill Patrick was honored as supervisor of the month for March.
insulation quickly and accurately at the Alpha Tower which helped save on material and manpower while improving quality.” “It’s the key people I work with who make my job easier and make me a sucessful supervisor," says Bill. “It’s finishing foreman Tommy Craddock, it’s labor foreman Wilson Chambers. There’s finisher Dominic Arguelles, carpenters Gerald Hill, Claude Bell, Raymond Recio, Cliff Frost, Oscar Soliz, Steve Moore and Scott Sonsel. Laborers Ronnie
CDI crews under Bill Patrick did the remodel work on City Lights, the club on the 20th floor of Stouffer's Hotel. The above photograph illustrates some of the detailed ceiling work involved in the job.
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McNeal and Anthony Hamiliton do a fine job. All these men have done an excellent job at Greenway and are an asset to any crew.” Another factor to which Bill attributes his sucess is communicating and just getting along with everyone he works with from his crew members to the general contractor. In addition, he always works with basically the same crew at Greenway. “Inventing the insulation jig at Alpha Tower and handling the remodel work on the Stouffer’s club have given me the opportunity to be creative,” adds Bill. “Both jobs gave me the chance to come up with new ideas.” In his leisure time, Bill enjoys fishing and hunting and spending time with his wife, Susan, and their nine-month-old daughter, Megan Christina. Hoagy adds, “Bill’s work always shows he’s one of our best supervisors. He is always looking for new ways to do his job better. Thanks, Bill, for a job always well done.”
(Editor’s note: Since receiving this supervisor’s award, Bill has accepted 0 a position with another construction company. We at CDI wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.)
CDI begins Lamar basketball arena CDI has started interior ^construction on the Montagne IR\ctivity Center at the Lamar University campus in Beaumont. The $11 million center will serve as a 13,000 square foot arena for the university’s basketball team. In addition, it will be used for non sports related activities including banquets, concerts and graduations. For CDI, the job includes heavy gauge exterior framing and sheathing, plus interior sheetrock ceilings and partitions under the supervision of Bob Cocran. According to project manager Wayne Lueckemeyer one of the critical aspects of the job is the stocking of material. “Because of its location we have to be sure that the right kinds and quantities of material are on the job. We don’t have the luxury of our warehouse or some of our customary vendors close at hand,” says Wayne. Because the structure’s exterior will be composed of pre-formed panels, CDI is being relied on for extremely accurate layout and stud location. The Montagne Center is situated at he north end of the Lamar University football stadium. It will have 8,000 seats of initial capacity with future expansion capabilities to 10,000 seats.
The Montagne Activity Center at the Lamar University campus will basketball arena and will also be used for non-sports related activities when completed late this year.
At the top of the arena is a 1,000 foot running and conditioning track. Additional space for classrooms, conferences and seminars is included in the building. For visiting VIPS, the Montagne Center houses a private “Red Room” which will offer an isolated view of arena events. General contractor on the project
is Del Webb Construction while its design was provided by the Houston architectural firm, Goleman & Rolfe Associates, Inc. The Montagne Center began construction in mid 1983 with completion slated for December of this year.
Top Austin craftsmen named
. ^Fish fry volunteers Patsy Whitehea d (left) and Charles Boyd fried the catfish and Tournament a success. all the fixings to make 1984's Fishm Fools Bass
Below is a list of Austin's 15 leading craftsmen based on a program that rewards employees on jobs which beat their budgets. Under the program, craftsmen receive a hard hat decal for a budget beating performance. Five stickers earn the employee a dinner for two. The number of decals each has earned is rated in parenthesis. John Whittenbaugh (12) . . . Nick White (11) . . . Nelson Harris (11) .. . James May (11)... Bob Fritz (11) . .. Chuck Turner (10) ... Terry LaRoche (9) . . . Keith Leshe (9) . . . Sydney Hart (9) . . . Johnny Kovar (9) . . . Frank Sukup (8) . . . Walter Louk (7) . . . Rick Wilson (6) . . . Mike Griesemer (6) . . . Bo Carter (6) . .. :i
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1984 Fishin’ F©oDs Bass Tournament Place
Fishermen
Place
Fishermen
First (tie)
James Rutledge Hershel Renfro Ted Sullivan Ted Stardig
Eleventh
Jim Smith Red Knowles
Twelfth (tie)
Leo Ryza Ken Hyatt Keith Reeves Richard Jones
Third
John McLain Douglas McLain
Fourth
Greg Sorge Daryl Hammons
Fourteenth
Bill Patrick Clifton Frost
Fifth
Bruce Marek Paul Marek
Fifteenth
Joey Watson Charlie Wakefield
Sixth
Billy Hilbun Curt Wedgeworth
Sixteenth
Wiley Pierce Garry Pierce
Seventh
Howard Boren Steve Boren
Seventeenth
Tommy Craddock Roger Barosh
Eighth (tie)
Dennis Yanowski Bob Marek Mike Huegele Gary Saugster
Eighteenth
Charles Burgess Jerry Burlson
Nineteenth
George Melder David Melder
Tenth
CDI Craftsman Commercial Drywall, Inc. 3539 Oak Forest Drive RO. Box 10686 Houston, Texas 77018
Bill Shafer Viola Shafer