December - 2019

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The Riskas of H & J Construction: Innovators in Building

Dec 30, 2019
3 min

The Riskas of H & J Construction: Innovators in Building

One of the Valley’s most innovative mid-century construction companies was started in 1949 on a shoestring budget by brothers, Harry and John Riskas. The office of H & J Construction Co. was a converted barbershop, and Betty Riskas, John’s wife, provided much of their $9,000 capital and a used Studebaker truck. The brothers initially completed every job themselves, utilizing their carpentry experience acquired in the Midwest and afterward during World War II. But 14 years lat

Rosendin Names Five New Leaders in 2020 Succession Plan

Dec 27, 2019
6 min

Rosendin Names Five New Leaders in 2020 Succession Plan

Rosendin, the electrical contracting industry’s largest employee-owned firm, is pleased to announce it will promote five longstanding officers to replace retiring company leaders. The 2020 Executive Leadership Succession Plan positions Mike Greenawalt as the new Chief Executive Officer, replacing Tom Sorley, who is retiring after 26 years at the helm. Paolo Degrassi will be promoted to President, succeeding the retiring Larry Beltramo, who has been with Rosendin for 44 years.

New York City Passes Country’s Most Wide-ranging Bird-friendly Building Legislation

Dec 26, 2019
3 min

New York City Passes Country’s Most Wide-ranging Bird-friendly Building Legislation

Today, the New York City Council approved Proposed Initiative 1482B — to date, the most broad-reaching bird-friendly building policy in the country. The new policy requires that new buildings’ materials meet bird-friendly standards that greatly reduce collision risks to birds. The policy also covers major renovations that include modifying existing glass, and applies to construction across the city’s five boroughs. “Bird-friendly building design should not be seen as an add-o

Holiday Greetings from ACC Magazine

Withey Morris PLC Welcomes Planner Hannah Bleam

Dec 23, 2019
2 min

Withey Morris PLC Welcomes Planner Hannah Bleam

Withey Morris , a prominent Arizona land use law firm for more than 20 years, brought on planner Hannah Bleam , AICP from the City of Phoenix. Hannah is a planner specializing in land use, site development, community outreach, and entitlements. Her unique experience in both the public and nonprofit sectors have provided her with a skill set equipped to handle all aspects of the land use and development process. “Hannah possesses specialized knowledge that continues to di

Arizona Builders Alliance’s Leadership Development Forum

Dec 20, 2019
4 min

Arizona Builders Alliance’s Leadership Development Forum

Stonemasonry is one of the oldest and most refined professions throughout history. Buildings and structures that are now centuries old are still standing today due to exceptional work done by stone masons of the past. Because natural stone patios and walkways offer such timeless beauty, it makes sense that homeowners want to add them to their list of home projects. Whether you’re adding a stone patio, an outdoor fireplace, or even an outdoor kitchen to your home, you can be c

LGE Design Build to Construct Nearly 1 Million Square-Foot Texas Industrial Project

Dec 19, 2019
2 min

LGE Design Build to Construct Nearly 1 Million Square-Foot Texas Industrial Project

LGE Design Build is proud to announce that it broke ground on 820 Exchange in Haltom City, Texas, on Friday, Dec. 13. The four-building, nearly 1 million square-foot industrial park, located on Northern Cross and Anderson boulevards in Haltom City, Texas will mark the trusted Phoenix-based design builder’s entry into the Texas market. The Friday, Dec. 13 groundbreaking event included prepared remarks from: Rex Phelps, Haltom City City Manager Dr. An Truong, Haltom City Mayor

ARIZONA BUILDERS ALLIANCE SUNSHINE ACRES CHRISTMAS PARTY

Dec 18, 2019
1 min

ARIZONA BUILDERS ALLIANCE SUNSHINE ACRES CHRISTMAS PARTY

Members of the Arizona Builders Alliance have been collecting toys to donate to the children of Sunshine Acres during the annual Christmas Party. Sunshine Acres houses 100 children who are essentially orphaned and the Arizona Builders Alliance makes sure that each of them receive four Christmas gifts. Members also host a Christmas Part for the children. WHO: Arizona Builders Alliance Members & the ABA Community Service Board WHERE: Sunshine Acres, 3405

11 Holiday Gifts for Construction Workers
Compiled by Equipment Trader

ARIZONA BUILDERS ALLIANCE HOSTS “WRAPPING PARTY” - Construction Firms Join Together to Wrap Toys for

Dec 16, 2019
1 min

ARIZONA BUILDERS ALLIANCE HOSTS “WRAPPING PARTY” - Construction Firms Join Together to Wrap Toys for

Members of the Arizona Builders Alliance have been collecting toys to donate to the children of Sunshine Acres. Sunshine Acres houses 100 children who are essentially orphaned. Members will meet to wrap the 400+ toys/gifts that have been collected for these children. Toys have been provided by construction firms across the industry. WHO: Arizona Builders Alliance Members & the ABA Community Service Board WHERE: TDIndustries: 1888 E. Broadway, Tempe,

Can robots fill the skills shortage in the construction industry?

Dec 13, 2019
2 min

Can robots fill the skills shortage in the construction industry?

The construction industry is increasingly exploring the use of robots to speed up work and alleviate skills shortages. But where could this lead? GlobalData’s construction journalist Luke Christou explores the future of robotic construction. Christou says: “The use of single-task robots (STR) in the construction industry has been growing for some time. The use of robotics in construction dates back to 1970s Japan. As young workers turned their back on manual labour in favour

Rosendin’s Ben Mlinar Graduates from Leadership Program

Dec 12, 2019
2 min

Rosendin’s Ben Mlinar Graduates from Leadership Program

Ben Mlinar of Rosendin, the electrical contracting industry’s largest employee-owned firm, recently graduated from the Arizona Builders Alliance’s Leadership Development Forum on December 5. The exclusive year-long program has been running since 1993 and develops construction professionals into informed, knowledgeable and active members of the industry while preparing them for future leadership roles within their companies. The program has received both state and national awa

COMMUNITY CELEBRATES START OF CONSTRUCTION ON FULLY RESERVED BUILDING AT FRIENDSHIP VILLAGE TEMPE

Dec 11, 2019
2 min

COMMUNITY CELEBRATES START OF CONSTRUCTION ON FULLY RESERVED BUILDING AT FRIENDSHIP VILLAGE TEMPE

Friendship Village Tempe, community members, City of Tempe and the project team, gathered to celebrate phase one of a six phase master plan renovation of their 50 acre campus. The new 101,000 square foot building at Friendship Village Tempe, designed by Ryan Companies and managed by LCS, was fully rented before Ryan’s construction team broke ground. Friendship Village Tempe, one of the first continuing care retirement communities in the region, was originally built in 1980. T

Connecting Buyers and Sellers: WSM Auctioneers Next Auction Set for Saturday, Dec 14th

Dec 9, 2019
1 min

Connecting Buyers and Sellers: WSM Auctioneers Next Auction Set for Saturday, Dec 14th

“One thing I've learned after 21 years - you never know what is gonna come through that door,” says Rick Harrison, the star of the reality TV series Pawn Stars.'' That sentiment is part of what keeps John A. Cadzow enthusiastic about coming to work every morning at Western Sales Management, Inc., popularly known as WSM Auctioneers. “It’s exciting;, there are things that come into the auction that you would probably never see anywhere else,” declares Cadzow, the owner of the c

Ritchie Bros. set for record-breaking Phoenix auction

Dec 6, 2019
2 min

Ritchie Bros. set for record-breaking Phoenix auction

On December 12, Ritchie Bros. will hold its largest-ever auction in Phoenix, AZ, selling 3,200+ equipment items and trucks for 400+ owners. Every single item in this unreserved auction will be sold to the highest bidders, regardless of price—no minimum bids or reserve prices. "December is usually a busy month as contractors look to get surplus equipment off their books, while others want to upgrade their fleets for a bargain," said Rob Giroux, Senior Vice President (US West).

CEMEX materials to help ease traffic congestion with innovative Arizona interchange

Dec 5, 2019
2 min

CEMEX materials to help ease traffic congestion with innovative Arizona interchange

Drivers in growing part of northern Phoenix, Ariz., are soon expected to experience reduced traffic congestion after the construction of an innovative diverging diamond interchange created with high-quality aggregates supplied by CEMEX. More than 100,000 tons of aggregates from CEMEX, including 75,000 tons of Class 2 ABC, are being used to support an interchange reconstruction project currently underway that is designed to improve the link between Interstate 17 and Happy Vall

CONSTRUCTION KICKS OFF ON FULLY RESERVED BUILDING AT FRIENDSHIP VILLAGE TEMPE: Phase One Constructio

Dec 4, 2019
2 min

CONSTRUCTION KICKS OFF ON FULLY RESERVED BUILDING AT FRIENDSHIP VILLAGE TEMPE: Phase One Constructio

WHO: Friendship Village Tempe, community members, City of Tempe and the project team, are gathering to celebrate phase one of a six phase master plan renovation of their 50 acre campus. WHAT: Friendship Village Tempe Phase One Construction Kick Off Ceremony WHERE: Friendship Village Tempe – Skirm Auditorium (2645 E. Southern Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85282) WHEN: Thursday, December 5, 2019 - 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. INFORMATION: Photo opportunities and interviews with speakers will t

Back When: H & J Construction's Ranger

Dec 3, 2019
1 min

Back When: H & J Construction's Ranger

Before Wayne Newton was "Mr. Las Vegas," he was a budding teenage star in Phoenix. He performed with his brother, Jerry Newton, as the "Rascals in Rhythm" locally, including on the Lew King Show. Another child performer who appeared on the these broadcasts was Linda Sue Riskas, who was the daughter of John Riskas, Sr., who co-founded H & J Construction. The company, which opened in a converted barbershop on Camelback Road in 1949, had more than 1,500 employees by the time the

LIVABLE DESIGN OFFERS INNOVATIVE HOME DESIGN SOLUTIONS FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES

Dec 2, 2019
2 min

LIVABLE DESIGN OFFERS INNOVATIVE HOME DESIGN SOLUTIONS FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES

Jeffrey DeMure + Associates Architects today announced the publication of Livable Design: From Commodity to Community with Affordable, Adaptable, Beautiful Home Design, the first book that presents readers with the steps for building a sustainable, beautiful, livable home that changes with the needs of its occupants – from raising young children to living in place vs. merely aging-in-place. DeMure, together with his team, has spent the last ten years developing Livable Design