Texas Focus Newsletter // Q4 2024
bUILDING cONNECTIONS
At Kitchell, we’re not just building structures—we’re building the future. From shaping young talent to preserving historic landmarks and leading cutting-edge projects, our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and community drives everything we do.
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PROJECT FOCUS
Groundbreaking at Texas State Technical College Waco Campus: Ready, Set, Go!
From Dream to Reality: How Kitchell’s Hard Hat Scholars Program is Shaping Future Construction Leaders
ARTICLE
We Have Moved!
ANNOUNCEMENT
Wesley Neubauer Project Superintendent
PEOPLE FOCUS
Recently Completed Projects in Texas
LIST
Building Connections
Breaking Ground on Sam Houston State University Health Professions Building
Nicholas Thanos Senior Project Manager
Now Hiring: Industry Professionals
Kitchell wins National ENR Award for Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center Electrophysiology Lab & Surgical Suite Expansion
Celebrating Our New Hires!
History meets present day with renovation of historic Mood-Bridwell Hall at Southwestern University
Wesley Neubauer
Meet Wesley Neubauer, one of Kitchell’s Superintendents in Houston! Wesley joined our team a year ago, bringing over 14 years of healthcare construction experience within the Houston area. As a Superintendent, Wesley excels at building strong relationships with everyone involved in a project—whether it’s trade partners, subcontractors, owners, or our talented Kitchell team. Wesley’s career started in the oil and gas industry, but the extensive travel pushed him to seek a new path. That’s when he fell into the construction industry and found a passion for making a lasting impact in the local community through healthcare construction.
“I truly enjoy building and consider myself a builder at heart. My passion for construction stems from witnessing innovative building techniques, technologies, and architectural designs come to life. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the appreciation of owners, staff, and patients as they experience their new or renovated spaces.”
Wesley Neubaur, Project Superintendent
Wesley is currently overseeing the renovation of Memorial Hermann’s Children’s Heart Institute, one of the nation’s top medical centers for children with congenital or acquired heart diseases. Consistently ranked among the leading pediatric cardiology and heart surgery facilities, this 67,500 SF, multi-floor renovation will enable the Institute to continue transforming the lives of over 30,000 children each year.
ONGOING SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP WITH MEMORIAL HERMANN AT THE WORLD’S LARGEST MEDICAL CENTER
This multi-floor renovation involved the delivery of two (2) new MRI units into the basement of the occupied facility!
Nicholas Thanos
Meet Nicholas Thanos, Senior Project Manager, based in our Austin office. Nick is a seasoned architect, program and construction project manager with 26+ years experience in the education sector. His previous role as a Project Manager with Round Rock Independent School District showcases his ability to manage complex educational projects, ensuring strict adherence to district guidelines while maintaining strong communication with stakeholders. With his deep expertise in the education sector, Nick has been instrumental in adding value within the K-12 school market.
“One of the things I love most about construction is seeing a project evolve from a conceptual idea to a completed building. In K-12 projects, I especially enjoy witnessing the reactions of kids, users, and community members when they first step into the new or renovated space—those moments make all the hard work worthwhile. Paying attention to the details of how everything comes together also helps me grow and become a more credible professional.”
Nicholas Thanos, Senior Project Manager
Nick actively participates in industry events focused on the K-12 market, gaining a deeper understanding of current district needs while showcasing Kitchell’s successful track record with K-12 projects. He’s a past President of A4LE Central Texas and is currently a board member. Nick is passionate about the future of our work in the education sector and continues to bring valuable ideas, insights and best practices for our clients.
boosting kitchell's presence in the k-12 Market
2024 brings exciting projects in the Houston area, and Beverly is particularly excited about the new Health Professions Building at Sam Houston State University’s (SHSU) Conroe campus (which breaks ground in April).
Boosting Kitchell's presence in the k-12 market
SAFETY PASSION DRIVES EXCELLENCE
At Kitchell, we are excited to share that construction is officially underway on the Health Professions Building at Sam Houston State University. This new project reflects our dedication to enhancing education for future healthcare professionals. Click HERE for the latest construction updates on the project!
For over 70 years, Kitchell has been at the forefront of constructing state-of-the-art facilities that foster innovation, learning, and excellence in healthcare education. Our portfolio boasts the completion of medical teaching projects totaling over $2.3 billion in value, all while nurturing long-standing partnerships with prestigious institutions across the nation. From the University of Arizona’s award-winning Health Sciences Innovation Building to the comprehensive Clinical Skills & Simulation Suite at the University of California Riverside to teaching hospitals like UC San Diego Health’s Jacobs Medical Center, our projects have consistently set the benchmark for excellence in health education. In the ever-evolving world of healthcare, the need for cutting-edge educational facilities that mirror the complexity and dynamism of real-world medical environments has never been more critical. Unique medical education spaces, such as advanced simulation labs, are at the forefront of this transformative shift, offering immersive simulation events that incorporate game-based learning to prepare students for the unpredictable nature of patient care. These labs go beyond traditional learning, enabling students to engage in scenarios that replicate emergency situations, surgical procedures, and clinical decision-making in real-time. Additionally, the integration of nursing and clinical skills training areas within these spaces ensures that students gain hands-on experience in patient care, from basic assessments to complex interventions.
Simulation Center at The University of Arizona Health Sciences Innovation Building
Pharmacy training spaces within these innovative educational facilities are designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of medication management, compounding, and the critical role pharmacists play in patient health outcomes. Surgical and imaging technology training areas are equipped with the latest equipment, from laparoscopic simulators to state-of-the-art imaging scanners, allowing students to hone their technical skills and understanding of anatomical structures in a risk-free environment. Moreover, the advent of 3D-printed tissues has revolutionized the way future medical professionals learn about the human body, offering unparalleled opportunities for advanced simulation support. This technology enables the creation of realistic organ models and complex tissue structures, providing a tactile learning experience that textbooks simply cannot match. Health informatics spaces within these educational settings are designed to bridge the gap between healthcare and technology, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to navigate and leverage electronic health records, data analysis, and digital health applications. These spaces foster an understanding of how informatics can improve patient care, streamline workflows, and contribute to the advancement of healthcare systems. By integrating these diverse yet interconnected learning environments, medical education facilities are not just preparing students for the healthcare landscape of today but are paving the way for the innovations and challenges of tomorrow.
A LEGACY OF HEALTH EDUCATION cONSTRUCTION
In building these medical education spaces, from simulation labs to health informatics suites, our expertise extends beyond mere construction to a profound understanding of the specific needs and intricacies of each area, including the costs associated with creating such advanced, multifunctional environments. Our approach is rooted in a deep commitment to innovation and efficiency, ensuring that each project not only meets the highest standards of educational excellence but also aligns with budgetary considerations, thereby delivering value without compromising on quality or the educational mission. Click HERE to download Kitchell's recent Health Education experience.
Take a closer look at how our team is diligently preserving this historically significant structure while transforming it into a comfortable, sustainable facility that will serve students and faculty for decades to come. Stay tuned as this unique project takes shape, and continue scrolling to hear the integrated project team reflect on the specialized design and construction efforts required to bring this historic building up to modern-day standards!
Building the future.
PERSERVING HISTORY,
Rendering courtesy of PBK Architects
Recent Completions
Highlights from newly completed projects in the Texas region.
This 20,000 SF renovation and build out included Cath Labs, ORs, Pre-Op, PACU, and administrative offices. To expedite construction, Kitchell laser scanned the existing space and overlaid the existing BIM model on the images, which enabled us to quickly plan and accurately construct the removal of ceilings and installation of the infrastructure prior to removing a single screw or light fixture. This forward planning allowed us to bring the entire second floor of ORs online several months sooner, as requested by the Owner.
Texas Medical Center Surgical Suite Expansion
Memorial Hermann Health System
Houston, Texas
Kitchell reimagined the T. Boone Pickens Academic Tower and Mid-Campus Building at the Texas Medical Center, transforming multiple spaces into vibrant, modern faculty collaboration areas designed to inspire innovation and foster academic synergy.
Ascension seton health center georgetown
Ascension Health
This multi-phased project involved the construction of a 135,000-square-foot, five-story, ground-up tilt-wall medical office building on the existing Sugar Land Hospital campus. It also included the removal of the existing helipad and constructing a new 645-space parking lot adjacent to the campus. Constructed on a tight site with limited space, this 5-story tilt panel building features a unique design with a 2-story panel attached to a 3-story panel, as an 80-foot single panel wouldn't fit.
Sugar Land Medical Plaza 3
Sugar Land, Texas
Boone pickens academic tower renovation
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
This project is a multi-phased, 67,000-square-foot renovation for the Children’s Heart Institute. Kitchell recently completed the second phase, which involved transforming existing basement spaces to accommodate two new MRI machines and a new IR room. The first phase focused on renovating the entire second floor of the Cullen Building to serve as a dialysis and infusion center for the pediatrics unit. The final phase is currently underway.
Texas Medical Center Children's Heart Institute Renovation
This 30,000-square-foot renovation of the annex building consolidates government and employee offices. It included a complete renovation of an existing church property purchased by the county, including a new MEPF system, envelope improvements, elevators, restrooms, office, conference and storage space. The building houses the tax office, fire marshal, development and engineering department and purchasing office, among others.
Central Building
Ellis County
Waxahachie, TX
TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER CHILDREN'S HEART INSTITUTE RENOVATION
Kitchell's Hard Hat Scholars program is transforming the way young people, especially from underserved communities, view careers in construction. By offering hands-on experience and exposure to the industry's diverse opportunities, the program is opening doors to a new generation of skilled professionals—starting with students like 19-year-old Nathan Evans, who is now pursuing his dream of becoming a mechanical engineer.
“Growing up my big dream was to become a mechanical engineer,” said Nathan Evans. Evans, 19, has long had his eyes on a career in the construction industry. Now, the Sacramento, California-area resident is pursuing his dream after completing Kitchell’s Hard Hat Scholars program. “It was amazing,” Evans said of the experience. After going through it as a student, Evans returned as a teaching assistant, in part because he earned an internship at Phoenix-based Kitchell’s Sacramento office. Evans said not all of the high school students in the program, hosted at Kitchell’s office in Northern California, knew about construction beforehand like he did, but they were equally excited as he was for the opportunity. Hard Hat Scholars has evolved since its inception in 2020, but the core idea has remained the same: opening doors to construction careers for those who may not know those pathways exist, especially young people in inner-city areas. “The big picture of the program is for the communities that do not necessarily have these resources, how can we go about giving them the information?” said Kristoffer Bridges, project manager at Kitchell. “When you think about construction you always think of dirt, grime, labor, that kind of thing. We wanted to showcase the trades, technical background and other aspects.”
Program Beginnings
Kitchell CEO Wendy Cohen told Construction Dive she started “kicking around the idea” of developing a program for inner-city schools in Northern California that lack career technical education programs in 2020, and spent the better part of a year formulating ideas. The result was a partnership with school districts in Northern California and other stakeholders — including STEM nonprofit Square Root Academy, which introduced Evans to Hard Hat Scholars — to create a program taking place across 16 Saturdays in the summer.
At first, Cohen said, they had concerns about students sacrificing one of their weekend days for the program, but Kitchell soon saw the kids were excited for the trades. Even more surprising? The parents were stoked, too. “When we kicked off the first program, we felt like the parents were going to come and drop their kids off. But what happened is the parents came and sat in the room,” Cohen said. The adults got the opportunity to learn about the trades as careers for their kids, she added. The first cohort was 20 high school students enrolled in four four-week sections on architecture, engineering, construction and a few jobsite tours, Bridges said. The second year, the camp extended to 18 weeks. Each week, professionals spoke to the students about the specifics of their jobs and students received hands-on experience as well. The first two camps culminated in a $2,000 scholarship for each student. After the first two cohorts, Kitchell extended an internship offer to one student, which Evans took the first year.
Now preparing for the third year of the program, Bridges said Kitchell is figuring out how to streamline it and make it easier to replicate. Rather than four months of Saturdays, Kitchell has pivoted to a camp-style format, with a week of full days focusing on different aspects of the trades. Instead of the scholarships, Bridges said the program gives the scholars a free laptop and a $100 gift card. Eventually, Cohen hopes to have Hard Hat Scholar camps at multiple Kitchell locations.
Going Forward
’My goal is that starting next year, we start to take that program to our other offices across the Southwest,” Cohen told Construction Dive. “And then my long-term goal is to take the program national. In my opinion, in construction, there’s such a need for more people that are interested in the industry.” And small cohorts may be a drop in the bucket, but they’re a place to start. “I am a firm believer in you pursue what you have exposure to,” Bridges said, saying that many construction professionals have family in the industry, and noting how Hard Hat Scholars seeks new groups to feed into industry pipelines. Published in Construction Dive on August 15, 2024. Read the original article here.
Now preparing for the third year of the program, Bridges said Kitchell is figuring out how to streamline it and make it easier to replicate. Rather than four months of Saturdays, Kitchell has pivoted to a camp-style format, with a week of full days focusing on different aspects of the trades. Instead of the scholarships, Bridges said the program gives the scholars a free laptop and a $100 gift card. Eventually, Cohen hopes to have Hard Hat Scholar camps at multiple Kitchell locations. ’My goal is that starting next year, we start to take that program to our other offices across the Southwest,” Cohen told Construction Dive. “And then my long-term goal is to take the program national. In my opinion, in construction, there’s such a need for more people that are interested in the industry.” And small cohorts may be a drop in the bucket, but they’re a place to start. “I am a firm believer in you pursue what you have exposure to,” Bridges said, saying that many construction professionals have family in the industry, and noting how Hard Hat Scholars seeks new groups to feed into industry pipelines. Published in Construction Dive on August 15, 2024. Read the original article here.
Kitchell wins National ENR Award for Texas Medical Center Electrophysiology Lab & Surgical Suite Expansion
Further showcasing Kitchell's expertise in managing intricate projects within active healthcare settings, Kitchell was honored with the prestigious Best of the Best Award. This recognition celebrates our outstanding work on the Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center Electrophysiology Lab & Surgical Services Expansion project, which was distinguished by ENR as one of the top 20 projects nationwide in 2023.
Click HERE to read more about the project.
Award-winning
Patient First
Approach
BEST OF THE BEST!
Step into the world of Kitchell, where safety isn't just a requirement—it's a deeply ingrained passion. In the diverse landscape of building in Texas, where safety standards vary and challenges abound, Kitchell's commitment to safety shines through our field staff and our Texas Safety Coordinator, David Punteney.
Ashley Lemere Project Engineer
Caleb YEAger Assistant Project Manager
Charles Pegram Building Maintenance Technician
Cameron Glass Director of Justice
Martina Geissler Sr. Marketing Associate
Francisco Hernandez Assistant Project Manager
Mark Martinez Safety Manager
Andrew Ramponi Project Engineer
Kristi HInds Field Office Manager
Hunter Kitchens Field Engineer
Nathan Silver Superintendent
Bahaa Taei Safety Manager
Alex Genois Field Engineer
Alex Luza Assistant Project Manager
Welcome to Kitchell’s newest team members in Texas!
We've
Our Austin office recently moved... Kitchell Austin 7600 N Capital of Texas Hwy Building B, Suite 350 Austin, Texas 78731 Kitchell’s Austin office brings together both Kitchell Contractors and Kitchell CEM (Construction Management) under one roof, fostering collaboration and the seamless exchange of resources and insights. By working closely together, we leverage shared lessons learned to deliver the highest value and best outcomes for our clients in Austin and across Texas.
MOVED!
Now hiring:
industry professionals
Are you looking for a place to hang your hard hat? We’re seeking passionate, driven professionals who excel both in collaborative environments and as self-starters. If you’re someone who loves a challenge, values diversity, and wants to make a lasting impact in your career and community, we’d love to have you on our team. Kitchell’s Austin and Houston offices are hiring! For more details, click the link below. Come grow with us!
LEARN MORE
Our Kitchell team in Texas was excited to participate in the recent groundbreaking ceremony for a new educational building at the Texas State Technical College (TSTC) Waco campus. This impressive 126,000-square-foot facility will house five instructional programs: Building Construction Technology Electrical Construction HVAC Technology Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology Solar Energy Technology We are proud to be part of the team delivering state-of-the-art facilities to support the education and advancement of the local community!
As construction recently wrapped up on the Ascension Seton Health Center Georgetown this August, the team reflected on the successes of this project that will bring much-needed quality healthcare to Georgetown, Texas.
IMPACTING OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Building spaces that improve our communities and support our neighbors is the driving force behind everything we do at Kitchell.
Continue to Video
Chris Kirch
New President of Kitchell Contractors
congratulations!
Chris Kirch, who most recently served as Market Sector Executive for Kitchell in Houston, has been selected as the new president of Kitchell Contractors, Inc. We look forward witnessing his efforts while Chris supports a new era of leadership for Kitchell.
“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to continue the legacy of this incredible 73-year-old company.”
Read more at KitchellProgress.com.
Kitchell is dedicated to building value in our communities through donations and volunteerism. We support the communities in which we operate, much the same way Sam Kitchell envisioned when he founded Kitchell in 1950. Sam believed philanthropy was an essential part of doing business and supported causes that were important to him personally and professionally. While the organizations we donate to have evolved over the years, we have not wavered in this spirit of service. Kitchell is known as one of the top corporate givers in our industry because of the passion of our people, who engage, volunteer, and give to causes that are important to our company and to our communities. Check out how Kitchell’s Texas Teams have been out and about in our local communities!
Kitchell in the Community
The Kitchell Houston team gathered to cook up some of Ron Garrett’s famous chili at the 5th Annual Houston Chili Fest. The 1,100 attendees raised over $81,000 for two great charities - the ALS Association of Texas and Folds of Honor.
Market Sector Executive Chris Kirch and his wife, Kristin, are on the Executive Committee for the Montgomery County Heart Ball, and Kitchell has been a sponsor for five years. The event, which was held in February, raised nearly $700,000 for the American Heart Association - Texas.
Troy Lee, Mike Salmeron, Kourtney Marini and Jose Leija traded their hardhats for hair nets to help package meals for Feed My Starving Children in February. Over 272,000 meals were packed in two days at this year’s FMSC MobilePack event in North Austin, which feeds 746 kids for a year!
The Kitchell team supported Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas by packing lunches that are given to families who are focused on caring for their critically-ill or injured children.
A packing party was held to assemble ‘thank you’ bags for the healthcare staff at Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston.
A groovy time was had by all as Kitchell’s Houston team came out to support this year’s Memorial Hermann Good Vibrations event that raises funds to ensure their ongoing commitment and ability to provide critical programs and services to meet the community’s growing healthcare needs.
OpenSpace
OpenSpace is a technology platform that provides advanced photo documentation tools powered by artificial intelligence. Kitchell’s adoption of the technology has enhanced construction project documentation, created greater accountability for trade partners, streamlined coordination and increased productivity with visual tie-ins to traditional workflows, and improved overall safety on our job sites.
CAPTURE OpenSpace hardware consists of a hardhat mounted camera. Kitchell team members wearing it simply walk the site and the technology does the rest as the camera captures 360-degree views. The software automatically stitches the images together and ties them to the construction plans virtually. The simplicity allows for our teams to document projects more thoroughly, more frequently creating a more comprehensive visual record. Kitchell team members can focus on building, not documenting.
Using technology for enhanced accessibility and greater accountability
How does it work?
VIEW All team members can track progress remotely from the trailer, home office, or from anywhere in the world. COVID-19 protocols have affected all construction projects and this tool greatly alleviates the need for travel and physical site visits. Users can view the project many ways, including: Splitscreen Mode – with the same areas shown at different dates and BIM Compare – showing a comparison of the built environment to the BIM model. On-site team members can even use Reveal Mode to see what is behind walls with their smartphone. OpenSpace also integrates with project management software, Procore, to enhance Kitchell workflows and productivity. Team members can instantly add visual data to RFIs, Observations, Issues and more. Instant clarity in understanding issues that come up translates directly to less delays and rework.
ANALYZE From advanced progress tracking and benchmarking to instant object identification and search functionality, OpenSpace brings AI tools so Kitchell can better understand projects. And we are only scratching the surface. Kitchell is even using the data capture for predictive safety analytics. Using the OpenSpace data, along with other sources, Kitchell is using AI to identify which projects pose the highest risks of having an incident. This allows our teams to proactively take the necessary actions to prevent an injury before it happens. CLOSEOUT Need to access an area for maintenance or renovate in the future? Clients and Facilities Maintenance Staff benefit from a complete visual record of what is behind EVERY wall, floor, and ceiling at any time down the road.
Above: A Kitchell intern demonstrates the Reveal Mode in OpenSpace allowing owners to see what is behind walls.
