Building News And Georgetown News - FTWOODS Construction, Texas.

Building Relationships

The rules of business are changing rapidly, which means the role of the leader is Construction men shaking hands changing. What will it take to lead our company in the future? Strong leadership starts with having a clear identity. It is both an expression, and an extension, of who we are. Many people, however, see the act of leadership as separate from the leader. They think of leadership as something "you do," not "who you are." That misguided thinking is why effective business leadership is so rare today. What does it take to become an effective leader? Leaders believe that the more they put into something, the more rewards and fulfillment they will reap. Leaders focus on how to put the most in — not how to get the most out. Leaders acknowledge that the size of their goals is determined only by the depth of their faith.

George Washington once said “discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the weak and esteem to all.” Discipline is the gap we fill between goals and accomplishments. Disciplining ourselves as leaders to do what we know is right and important, although sometimes difficult, is the high road to being proud of ourselves, higher self-esteem and personal satisfaction. Lee Lacocca said “I learned about the strength you can get from a close family life. I learned to keep going, even in bad times. I learned not to despair, even when my world was falling apart. I learned that there are no free lunches. And I learned the value of hard work through discipline.”

Leaders point the way and provide direction. Leaders have clarity of who they are, what they stand for, and what's most important in life. Leaders build a "compelling why" into everything they do. Leaders design their vision encompassing how and why they desire to serve and contribute to others. Leaders understand that commitment and perseverance begin with vision.

Leaders communicate with emotion and logic. Leaders have developed clear, concise and empowering communication skills. Leaders understand that communication begins with positive self-talk. Leaders have learned to interact with others by asking open-ended questions, by developing the skill of actively listening and by responding with tools of influence and empowerment with clear communication.

Leaders know that to achieve consistent results they must keep their team connected to the vision; that connection begins with influence; that influence begins with encouragement and recognition. Leaders understand that their own vitality determines the vitality of their followers. Leaders acknowledge that the followers will never go any further than their leaders’ relationships.

Leaders know that they must set examples of honesty, consistency and commitment in their endeavors and relationships. Leaders establish high standards of themselves, of others, of work, and of those values that shape their lives and the lives of those around them. Leaders display harmony between what they value, what they say, and what they do, this in turn reveals their integrity.

Leaders believe that what they are going to be tomorrow, they are actively becoming today. Leaders know that "I'm OK, everything's fine," means that there is denial, and thus, no growth taking place. Leaders are not interested in improvement or increased results; leaders are committed to continual improvement, and thus, continued success. Leaders understand that they cannot maintain success by just showing up and working in their business; they know that they must work on themselves and on all aspects of their business in order to create growth.

Leadership skills do not happen by chance. Leaders are people who make the commitment to learn skills, acquire knowledge and develop behaviors necessary to excel. Our relationships offer the opportunity to accumulate the material, financial and emotional rewards, we dream of. Those rewards will be in direct proportion to the investment we make in developing ourselves as a leader.

- FTW

Another Succesful Year for Texas Mission of Mercy

Group of people smiling Texas Mission of Mercy (TMOM) was a huge success in its second year in Williamson County. There was an outstanding turnout of both patients and volunteers. The event was hosted by the City of Round Rock and Mayor Nyle Maxwell. It was held at the Dell Diamond on November 12 and 13, 2004. TMOM assists people who are in need of dental, vision, and hearing screening. This year the organization was able to care for 909 dental patients, 475 vision patients, and 50 hearing patients. The success of this event can be credited to those whose hearts share in the conviction of caring for those less fortunate. A special thanks to the following FTWOODS Construction employees who participated, as well as the following subs and suppliers:

Lori and Tony Bagliore, Lee Loving, SC Inman, Ross Schneider, Pat Baker, Mike Chaney, Mary Dixon, Greg Hampton, Randy Miller, Mandy Moya, Alma Rios, Mike Robinson, Zeb Robinson, Diane Schiller, Rick Schiller, Rowdy Caskey, Mark Frost, Charles Gadison, Matt Holley, Mark McCartney, Sid Smithson, Shannon Wells, Brian Bagwell, Todd, Carol, Kristi and Reagan Woods.

Nick Morris of ACM Services, Mobile Mini, Rental Service Corporation, United Rentals, United Rentals Highway Technologies, Honeycutt Fire Protection, Document Engine, Affordable Signs, Intertech Flooring and B&L Portable Toilets.

Texas Department of Transportaion (TxDOT) Austin Customer Service Center

FTWOODS Construction will soon begin construction on the new TxDOT Austin Customer Service Center. The project, located in Austin, Texas, will be a two-story building that is approximately 25,710 SF. The first floor will be 11,669 SF and will include a call center, meeting rooms, shipping and mail rooms, along with facilities for operations personnel, business centers, and ancillary spaces including mechanical and electrical rooms. The 11,657 SF second floor will house the administration and clerical offices along with the business centers, meeting and break rooms, and ancillary facilities. A penthouse of approximately 2,384 SF will house the mechanical equipment and ancillary facilities.

In addition to being awarded the General Contractor, FTWOODS Construction was also awarded the Site Excavation and Utilities portion of the project. The architect for the project is PBS&J. The FTWOODS Construction Team includes Project Manager S.C. Inman IV, Project Estimator Zeb Robinson, and Superintendent Lee Loving. The completion date is set for September 20, 2005.

DeZavala Elementary School in San Marcos

San Marcos Consolidated I.S.D. awarded the DeZavala Elementary School Additions and Renovations to FTWOODS Construction. The project will consist of a new 11,000 SF classroom wing, a new 5,400 SF library building, and major renovations to the existing

70,000 SF school originally built in 1986. The team working on the project includes Project Manager Troy Lee, Senior Estimator Mike Mason, Project Engineer Rick Schiller and Field Manager Mark Smith. The architect for the project is Pfluger and Associates. The new portions of the project will be completed and occupied for the fall semester of 2005, with the remodeled areas complete during Winter 2005.

Capital Metro Administration Annex Building Renovations in Austin, Texas

FTWOODS Construction has begun renovations on the new Capital Metro Administrative Annex Building. The building is located on Pleasant Valley Road in Austin. The project is a renovation of an old office/storage building into a child care and training facility for Capital Metro. The footprint for the existing building is 16,000 SF. The new building will have 26,000 SF including the second level.

The architect working on the project is Parshall + Associates Architects. Project Manager Troy Lee, Project Engineer Rick Schiller, and Field Manager Casey Clawson will be leading the FTWOODS Construction Team. The project’s estimated completion date is set for August 2005.

Growing Up Four new employees

FTWOODS Construction has continued to grow, and we have added a number of new employees this past year. In the office we have four new people: Randy Miller, Greg Hampton, Debby Ramirez, and Lori Bagliore.

Randy Miller has joined FTWOODS Construction as Controller. He is responsible for the financial accounting and reporting of the company’s operations, as well as internal auditing, tax filings, payroll reporting and compliance, employee benefit plans, risk assessment and analysis, and human resource management. Prior to joining FTWOODS Construction, he worked for Olympus Servicing. Randy earned a B.B.A. in accounting from The University of Texas and a master’s in business administration from Texas State University. In Randy’s spare time he enjoys fishing, boating, and working in his yard.

Greg Hampton is a part of FTWOODS Construction’s Civil Group as the new Civil Group Utilities Manager. He is responsible for the daily operations and focuses on both production and customer satisfaction. His role will include securing work, making certain that the customer’s schedule is maintained, and ensuring that projects are performed under budget. Greg earned a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Management from the University of Texas at Arlington. Greg enjoys any type of sports, working out, and spending time with his three beautiful daughters and his wife, Tara.

Debby Ramirez has joined FTWOODS Construction as the new Administrative Assistant. She works very closely with Mary Dixon. Debby is responsible for matching an abundant amount of purchase orders with invoices. She does this for both the General Contractor and Civil Group Projects. Prior to coming to FTWOODS Construction, Debby worked in billing at Transit Mix. In her spare time Debby enjoys shopping and spending time with her two children and husband, Mike.

Lori Bagliore has joined the accounting team at FTWOODS Construction as the new Accounting Assistant. Lori works closely with Randy Miller and Alma Rios. Lori’s day is filled with processing and inputting invoices. She is responsible for preparing lien releases along with account payable checks. Lori must also maintain all outstanding liens and subcontractor insurance certificates. In Lori’s spare time she enjoys church activities, hanging out with family, and riding the Harley with her husband, Tony.

Thank Heaven for Little Girls!!!

Three husbands with their hands on their pregnant wives bellies

FTWOODS Construction is happy to report an abundance of new baby girls at FTWOODS Construction. On August 18, 2004, Superintendent Casey Clawson and wife Elizabeth had a beautiful baby girl named Isabel Vera. On December 13, 2004, Superintendent Matt Holley and wife Mandy Holley welcomed Ryann Lee into their lives. In February 2005, Project Manager Mike Chaney and wife Alicia are expecting their baby girl, Ella Grace; and in April 2005, Project Manager Ross Schneider and wife Shanna are patiently awaiting the arrival of Logan Marie. All baby girls are the first for their parents.

Everyone at FTWOODS Construction is excited about all of the new additions and looks forward to the many years of watching them grow up. We wish you all the best.