40 & under a/e/c professionals dandy dozen...

Oct 18 | UTAHCONSTRUCTION&DESIGN | 5352 | UTAHCONSTRUCTION&DESIGN | Oct 18

DANDY DOZEN

UC&Dprofiles12young,up-and-comingA/E/Cprofessionals,eachofwhomismakingasizeableimpactattheirrespectivefirmsandcommunitiesthroughouttheBeehiveState.

12

Editor’s note:It’s always interesting to

look for a common thread among the

individuals we profile in our annual 40 &

Under A/E/C Professionals section, and

this year what stood out was that many

of them were in college or graduating

around the time of the ‘Great Recession’,

which hit most of the nation hardest

between 2008-10. Not exactly the ideal

time to pursue a career, yet they have all

managed to find considerable success in

their respective fields. >>

40 & Under A/E/C Professionals

NAME AGE TITLE FIRMDavid Vaughan 40 SeniorAssociate BeecherWalkerArchitectsPete Kane 40 BD/ProjectManager bowenstudiosBrad Welch 38 Associate VanBoerum&FrankAssociatesPhil Miller 38 Principal DunnAssociatesRyan Bevan 37 PresidentofConstruction GardnerCompanySpencer Little 36 Principal SpectrumEngineersJessica Ely 36 VPofDesign-Build CCIMechanicalBen Hansen 35 Associate MHTNArchitectsAlex Schwerdt 35 ProjectManager Big-DConstructionZach Bellows 35 ProjectDeliveryManager Adobe Mark Thimm 34 Associate ReaveleyEngineersTyler Denham 31 GeneralManager Ferrelgas


Our list includes a nice cross-section of

talent from the A/E/C industry, including

(by trade/degree) two architects (Vaughan,

Hansen), five engineers (Welch, Miller, Little,

Ely, Thimm), three construction project

managers (Bevan, Schwerdt, Bellows), a

design PM (Kane), and a general manager

(Denham).

David Vaughan, 40 Senior Associate/Project Architect

Beecher Walker Architects

DavidVaughanlaughswhilerecallinga

conversationhehadwithhisfathershortly

beforemovingtoSaltLakeCityin2009to

workasanarchitect.TheelderVaughan,

whoisadentist/orthodontist,wouldmake

anannualtrektoUtahtotheUltradent

ProductswarehouseinSouthJordanfor

suppliesforhispracticeandtoldhissonto

considercheckingouttheBeehiveStateas

apotentialcareerdestination.

“Itoldhim,‘I’llneverliveinSaltLake’,”

saidVaughan,aSeniorAssociate/Project

ArchitectforBeecherWalkerArchitects

(BWA).“Sixmonthslater,I’mlivinghere.

That’showmylifeworks.”

VaughangrewupoutsideMemphis,

Tenn.,andearnedaBachelorofArtsfrom

theUniversityofMemphis.Heworkeda

year,thenappliedforgraduateschool,

earningafull-ridescholarshiptothe

UniversityofArizonainTucsonand

ultimatelygraduatingwithaBachelorof

ArchitectureandaMasterofDesignand

EnergyConservationin2008.

Vaughn’sinterestinthebuilt

environmentinitiallycameviahistravels

todifferentplacesintheworldand

seeinghistoricalbuildingsandold-world

architecturalstyles,apassionhecredits

hisfatherforindirectlyfostering.He’sbeen

toChina,India,Scandinavia,Italy,Croatia,

Australia,Canada,andthisyearBelizeand

Alaska(he’sdesigningaHyattHotelin

Anchorage).

Croatiawasparticularlyimpressive,he

said,“justgoingtosomeofthoseoldtowns

andcitiesinSplitandseeingthesecool

architecturalbuildingsthatarestillintact…

hiddenpocketsofoldstonebuildingsthat

wereneverdestroyed.”

Hecreditsseveralrenownedarchitects

asprominentinfluencesonhiscareer,

including:SamMockbee,whoestablished

RuleStudioatAuburnUniversityandhad

cutting-edgeideasonrepurposingrecycled

materials;WillBruderofWillBruder

ArchitectsinPhoenix;RickJoyofStudioRick

JoyinTucson.

Withthetimingofhisgraduation

coincidingwiththestartoftherecession,

Vaughaninitiallytookajobwithafirmin

GrandJunction,Colo.,beforebeinghiredby

SaltLake-basedVCBOArchitecturein2009.

HejoinedBWAin2012,andhisexpertise

withRevit/BIMandhasbeeninstrumental

inhelpingthefirmadapttonewdesign

technologies.Hehasmanagedthedesign

ofover$300millionworthofprojects

duringhissixyearswiththefirm,including

severalClassA,millennial-influenced

corporateofficebuildings,manyinthe

‘SiliconeSlopes’area,includingYounique’s

headquartersinLehi,SoJoStationPhases

IandIIinSouthJordan,andGroveTower

inPleasantGrove.Otherrecentprojects

includethenew380,000SFIrvineOffice

ParkinDraperandtheFreedomBoulevard

mixed-useprojectinProvo,whichincludes

240,000SFofofficespace,20,000SFofretail,

1,400parkingstallsand200multi-family

units.Manyofthesehigh-techclientswant

buildingsdesignedandbuiltASAP,and

continuetopushtheenvelopeonunique

designcriteria,withanemphasisonmaxing

outin-houseamenities.

“We’redoingalotofdesign-build;we

don’thavesixmonthstodesignandthen

buildit–youhave60days,sometimes

90days,andfootingsarebeingpoured

whileyou’restilldesigningwhat’sabove

thefootings,”hesaid.“It’ssomethingI

reallylike,thefastpaceandcoordination

requirements.”

“Davidhasauniqueabilitytoconnect

withanownerandunderstandaworld

theyarenotsofamiliarwith,thattiestheir

producttoabuilding,designsthatwork

wellwiththeirbusiness,”saidLyleBeecher,

CEOofBWA.“Hehasaknackofputting

peopleatcompleteease.”

Vaughan,whoisasinglefatherwith

full-timecustodyoftwoboysages5and7,

saidheintendstoremainatBeecherWalker,

withagoalofbecomingaPrincipal/Partner

withinthenextdecade.

“Ineverimaginedmyselfhere,butnow

thatI’mhereIcouldneverimaginemyself

anywhereelse,”saidVaughan.“IloveUtah;

evenwhenmyboysaregrownandin

college,I’llalwayshaveaplacehere.”

Pete Kane, 40Business Development/Project Manager

bowen studios

Itdidn’ttakelongforPeteKanetocatch

onwithhisnewroleatSaltLake-based

bowenstudiosasaBusinessDevelopment/

ProjectManagementexpert,needing

literallyjustacoupledaystogethisfeet

wetatthecutting-edge3Darchitectural

rendering/visualizationfirmbeforehitting

thegroundrunning.

“I’vehadthreepeopleinthisrolebefore

–he’sdoingsomebusinessdevelopment

andsomeprojectmanagementbecause

theyoverlapsomuch–andourpeoplewere

saying‘wedon’tneedamiddlemangetting

intheway’,”saidcompanyfounderBrent

Bowen.“Becausehe’sdone(3Drendering)

before,heknowsthetechnicalside.Hewas

hereforthreedaysandIwentonvacation

fortwo-and-a-halfweeks…Igetbackand

he’srunningmeetings.”

AnativeofEasthampton,Mass.,Kane,

40,earnedaMasterofArtsinUrbanand

EnvironmentalPolicyandPlanningfrom

TuftsUniversityinMedford,Mass.,and

hadfive-plusyearscombinedexperience

workingasTownPlanner/Directorof

CommunityDevelopmentforthesmall

coastaltownofSwampscott,Mass.(3sq.

miles;pop.14,000).Healsogainedvaluable

experienceinthe3Drenderingworldasa

ProjectManagerforNeoscape,Inc.,working

atthefirm’sBostonandNewYorkstudios

guidingtheproductionofcreativeservices.

Feelinglikeheneededachangeof

scenery–turning40cansometimeshavea

‘mid-lifecrisis’effectonaperson,although

Kaneinsiststhatisn’tthecase–heupand

lefttheeastcoastforthemountainsof

SaltLakeCityinJune,andquicklylearned

aboutarecentvacancyatbowenstudios

viahispartnerKurtMassey,whodoes

landscapedesignandmasterplanningfor

BabcockDesign,andwhohadmetBowen

earlierthisyearthroughhiswifeDanielle,

whoisaGraphicDesignerfortheSaltLake

architecturalfirm.

“Itwasinthestars,”Bowenlaughs.

Kanesayshisnewroleisidealforhis

talents–acombinationofcreativeflairand

strongorganizationalskills.

“Ireallylikeworkingonthesecreative

projects,butalsobeingaconduit

betweenourproductionteamandthe

client,andlearninghowtospeakboth

jargons,”saidKane.“Thecreativeprocess

iswhatIreallylike.”

SincehestartedinAugust,Kanehas

beenredevelopingthefirm’swebsite,no

smalltaskgiventhemyriadopinionsof

thoseinvolved,inadditiontomarketingand

PMduties.Hiscorefocusisonbuildingand

maintainingrelationshipswitharchitects,

ownersanddevelopers,particularlyas

eachgroupbecomesmorekeenlyawareof

thevisualpowerof3Drenderingsandthe

abilityto‘experience’thebuilding,notjust

visualizeit.Designing3Ddigitalmodelsof

newstate-of-the-artbuildingsisthefirm’s

breadandbutter,butithasalsoexpanded>>

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intodoing3Drenderingsofproducts,such

asfurniture.

“We’redoingmore(3D)visualization

forproducts;wecancreatesomethingand

finetuneitbeforetheyfinalizedesign,”

saidKane.“Theclientcanvisualizeand

experiencewhattheproductlookslike.

It’salotnicerthanaphotograph.Wecan

doacross-sectionofdetailsandseehow

mechanismswork.Sectiondetailsarereally

key;youcanseelayering,cutintoit.”

Thefirmhasdonemodelsfor

fitnessequipment,engineturbines,and

evencustomplanterboxesforalocal

manufacturer.Kaneisexcitedatthefirm’s

futureinthesesecondarymarkets,and

optimisticabouthisroleindrivingnew

business.

“It’sagreatopportunity,”hesaid.“I’m

excitedtobeinSaltLakeandgettoknow

morepeopleinthelocalindustry.”

Brad Welch, 38Associate

Van Boerum & Frank Associates

Fromanearlyage,BradWelchwas

intriguedathowthingsworked,even

askinghisparentsforbrokenelectronics

equipmentforChristmasoneyear.So,it

madesenseforhimtopursueacareer

inmechanicalengineering,oneofthe

quintessentialjobsforpeoplewholike

puttingtogethercomplexpuzzles.

WelchisanAssociatePrincipalfor

SaltLake-basedVanBoerum&Frank

Associates,afirmhe’sbeenwithsince

beinghiredin2005.Ironically,Welchcan

thankhisfatherRobforlinkinghimupwith

theprominentM/Efirm,astheelderWelch

ranavendingmachinebusinessfor15

yearsandhadoneatVBFA’soffice,despite

itnotbeingverylucrative,Welchrecalled.

WelchgraduatedfromtheUniversityof

Utahin’05withaBachelorofMechanical

Engineeringandhadaninternshipat

EastonattheInternationalCenterinSalt

Lake,runningtestsintheR&Ddepartment

–nothingremotelyclosetodesigning

HVAC/plumbingsystems.Hehadn’t

reallyconsideredtraditionalmechanical

engineeringuntilhisfathermadehim

submitaresumetothen-PresidentKim

Harris.

“Iwasn’treallyplanningondoing

HVACdesign,Iwasmoreintoaeronautics,”

saidWelch.“The(vending)accountformy

dadwashorriblebecausepeoplealways

bringincookiesanddoughnuts,buthe

kepttheaccountbecauseheknewthey

wereagoodfirm.Hemademesubmitmy

resume,andafterIinterviewedwithKim,it

appearedtobeabetteropportunityfrom

whereIwasat.”

WelchearnedhisUtahP.E.license

in2010andhasdesignedmechanical

systemsonawiderangeofnoteworthy

projectsincludingcity/municipalbuildings,

recreationcenters/icerinks,andK-12

schools,bothplumbingandHVACdesign.

TheseprojectsincludetheUSTARbuilding

attheUniversityofUtah,GallivanCenter

IceRinkPlaza,EmpirePass,Midvale

MunicipalCenterandtheVernalCityHall

&Courts.Inthepastcoupleofyearshe’s

transitionedovertobecomingakeycog

inVBFA’scommissioningdivision,which

allowshimagoodbalancebetweentime

intheofficeandtimeinthefield,where

heinspectsmechanicalsystemsasa

third-partyvendortoensuretheyoperate

properly.

“WithcommissioningI’mspending

moreofmytimeatjobsites–abouthalf

mytimeisatsites,”saidWelch.“SoI’mnot

usingAutoCadrightnow,notredlining

drawings.It’stakingcompleteddrawings

andgettinginformationoffofthem.It’sa

lotmorereportstowrite.”

Hecreditslong-timePrincipalsRich

ReederandnewfirmPresidentSteve

Shepherdasbeingmentorsinregardsto

designandcommissioning,respectively.

Reeder“helpedpushmeintodeveloping

myskillsetintomorethanjustplumbing

(design)…anddevelopinggoodprocesses

forworkingmoreefficiently,”saidWelch.

“Bradlookedlikehewas12yearsold

whenhejoinedVBFAin2005andInever

wouldhaveguessedthathewouldturn

outtobethesuperstarheistoday,”said

Shepherd.“Itisraretofindsuchatalented

engineerwithoutstandingpersonalskills.

Heislikedandrespectedbyouremployees

andclientsandservesonalmostevery

committeeatVBFA.”

Welchenjoyshiscurrentrolewithinthe

firm,andhopestocontinuemovingupthe

corporateladder,withaneyeoneventually

becomingaPrincipalwiththe46-year-old

firm.

“Rightnowwedon’thaveabig

commissioningteam;mygoalistostick

withitanddevelopthisdivisionofthefirm,”

hesaid.>>


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Phil Miller, 38Principal

Dunn Associates

Becauseoftheuniquegeological

dynamicsoftheWasatchFaultandthe

potentialforseismicactivityintheSalt

LakeValley,buildingsthroughoutUtah

aredesignedstructurallymuchlikethose

inCalifornia,eventhoughtheBeehive

Statehasn’texperiencednearlyasmuch

seismicactivity.It’sanaspectofstructural

engineeringthatnonethelessdemandsa

greatdealoftimeandattentiontodetail.

“Fromayoungage,we’vebeentoldthe

‘bigone’isrightaroundthecorner,”says

PhilMiller,astructuralengineer,aboutthe

potentialforalargeseismiceventinthe

state.“Wegeteverybitthe(structural)

designchallengesthatCaliforniagets;we

havetodesigntosimilarlevelsof(seismic

codestandards),butnobodycanremember

anearthquakeofanyconsequence.”

Becauseofthat,anearthquakeisn’t

typicallyatthetopofthelistofsocietal

concerns.Thatdoesn’tdiminishthe

importanceoftheroleofengineerslike

Millerindesigningbuildingsthatwillstay

standingduringamajorseismicevent.

“Thereisapublicperceptionchallenge

todesigningforearthquakesthat,frankly,

ourbuildingsmayneverseeoverthe50to

100yearsoftheirlife,”hesaid.“Overhalfof

ourdesigneffortisdealingwithsomething

thatmayneverhappen.Earthquakesare

thatghostinthecloset.Youhopeitnever

happens.”

AnativeofSandy,Millerearneda

BachelorofCivilEngineeringin2005and

aMasterofStructuralEngineeringin2006

–bothfromtheUniversityofUtah–and

startedwithDunnonapart-timebasis

in’05.Hewasdrawntoengineeringatan

earlyage,basedonaninherentinterestand

appreciationofbuildingsandstructuresin

general.

“IalwaysknewIwantedtodo

somethingtechnical,andIlikestructures

becausetheyhaveatietosomething

physicalweallintuitivelyunderstand,”

saidMiller,whowasnamedaPrincipallast

December.“Iliketheprecisionofstructural

engineering.Therearealotofuncertainties

withanyengineering(discipline),butIlike

that(structural)theoriesarewell-developed

–youcansharpenyourpencilalittlemore

becausetherearemultipleapproachesto

anyproblem.Structuralhasalowerlevelof

uncertaintythanotherfields.”

Structuralengineersdesignnewand

seismically-upgradedbuildingsaroundone

primaryitem:lifesafety–designingthe

structuresoitremainsverticalsooccupants

cangetout.Millertalksaboutlayersof

statisticsandvariousmethodologies

engineersusetopredicthowbuildingswill

functionduringaseismicevent.

Healsotalkedaboutstudiesthat

havebeendonesincea6.3earthquakehit

Christchurch,N.Z.,in2011.Onlytwobuildings

collapsed,butdozensofbuildingswerenear

collapsesandsubsequentlycondemned,

makingadjacentbuildingsalsouninhabitable

becauseoftheneighboringthreat.

“We’rekindofatapubliceducation

nexusrightnow,”hesays,“wherepeople

talkaboutstructuralresiliency.Withanon-

resilientbuildingyoumightbeoutalive;

thebuildingmayormaynotbeoccupiable

(afterwards).”

Millerspecializesinpost-tensioned

concrete,andisparticularlyproud

ofbuildingslikeOverstock.com’s

HeadquartersinMidvale–aunique,one-

of-a-kindroundcoliseum-typestructure.

Notablecurrentprojectswithconcrete

structuresincludeAdobe’sPhaseII

expansioninLehiandTheMayflower,a

resorthotelatDeerValley.>>


“Over half of our design effort is dealing with something that may never happen. Earthquakes are that ghost in the closet. You hope it never happens.”– Phil Miller


“Phil’sabilitytocreativelysolve

challengingproblemswithunparalleled

optimismhasmadehiminvaluabletoour

organization,”saidDaveDunn,Principal/

CEO.“Hisbodyofworkatsuchayoungage

isimpressive,havingbeentheleaddesigner

onthecorporateheadquartersforboth

OverstockandAdobehereinUtah.”

Ashe’sbecomingmorecomfortable

inhisroleasPrincipal,Millerislookingto

imparthiswisdomandexperiencetothe

firm’syoungerengineers,muchlikeRon

Dunn,Founderofthe23-year-oldfirm,has

donewithMillerthroughouthiscareer.

“Ronisverydynamic;hisdoorisalways

open,”saidMiller.“Hehasdescribedhimself

asabusinessmanfirst,withanengineering

acumen.Thenext10yearsformeishelping

ourpeoplegetbetter–that’smygrowth

now.It’snotlearninganewcode,it’snot

developinganewanalysismodel,it’steaching

peoplewhatIknow,passingitalong.”

J. Ryan Bevan, 37President of Construction

Gardner Company

Comingfromafamilywithastrong

backgroundindentistry(includinghis

father),RyanBevanfigureditwouldbea

logicalpathtofollow.Hisperspectiveon

afuturecareerchangedaftermeetinga

prominentgeneralcontractor,SidFoulger

(1921-2014),whileservingatwo-yearChurch

missioninBaltimore,Maryland.Foulgerwas

ahighlysuccessfulconstructionandreal

estateexecutive,foundingFoulger-Pratt

Contractingin1963andbuildingmanybig-

timeprojects,includingtheLDSWashington

D.C.Temple(aJVwithSaltLake-based

OklandConstruction)andtheonce-iconic

CrossroadsMallindowntownSaltLakeCity.

“HespoketoacongregationIwas

servinginandtalkedabouthisexperiences,

themiraclesthattookplaceduringthe

acquisitionoflandandconstructionof

theWashingtonD.C.Temple,”saidBevan.

Foulger’stalkwasdynamic–abrief,lessthan

two-hourinteractionthat“sparkedalightin

methatforeverchangedmytrajectory.Asa

resultofthatdiscussionwithSid,Idecidedto

changemypursuitstoconstruction.”

BevanearnedaConstruction

ManagementdegreefromBYUin2005and

initiallystartedatOklandConstruction

in2004asaquasi-intern,andclimbedthe

companyladderuntilhereachedProject

Manager.Hegainedvaluableknowledge

duringhiseight-plusyearsatOkland,

managingmyriadtypesofprojects

including26Targetstores,theTrolleySquare

RenovationinSaltLake,andthe22-story

high-rise222SouthMaininSaltLake.

Whileinthemidstofmanagingaproject

GardnerCompanywasdevelopingforF.L.

Schmidtin2011-12,hewasapproachedby

Gardnerexecutivesaboutrunningthefirm’s

internalconstructiondepartment.After

eightmonthsofnegotiationshetookthe

plunge,movingovertothe“darkside”of

privatedevelopment,hejoked.

“ItoldtheminitiallyIwasaliferatOkland

andhadnointentionsofleaving,”saidBevan,

whostartedatGardnerinJune2013asVPof

Construction.“It’sworkedoutwell.”

Businesshasindeedbeenbriskduring

Bevan’s5.5yearsatthefirm–he’smanaged

6millionsquarefeetofprojectstotaling

over$1.5billioninthattime,withabevyof

notablecurrentandfutureprojectsinthe

pipelineinthreeprimaryregions–Utah

(greaterWasatchFront),BoiseandLasVegas.

BevansaidmarketssuchasOffice/Mixed-

Use,IndustrialandMulti-Familyhavebeen

incrediblyhotthepastfiveyearsthroughout

theIntermountainregion.

“Kemhasbeendevelopingprojects

for45yearsandhesaidhe’sneverseen

the(commercial)marketatsuchafever

pitch,”saidBevan.“Thegoodnewsnowis,

unlike2008whenhousingmarketswere

compromised,themarketnowisbeing

drivenbyindustry.Wedon’thaveinterest

rateconcerns,althoughtheyarerisingabit.I

thinktherewillbeasofteningofthemarket,

butit’sstillreallybusy.”

AsaSeniorPMatOkland,Bevanwould

beinvolvedonaday-to-daybasiswith

1-3projectsatatime;now,he’srunning

morethanadozensimultaneously.

Healsooccasionalmoonlightsasan

adjunctprofessorteachingConstruction

ManagementclassesatBYU,andlast

Decemberheacceptedacallinginthe

ChurchofJesusChristofLatter-DaySaints

toserveasaBishop.

“He’smanagingmorethan10buildings

atonceforus–I’veneverseenanybody

soproductive,”saidGardner.“He’svery

knowledgeableabouttheindustryandan

assettous.”

“I’msolvingbiggerproblems,dealingwith

moreentitieslikemunicipalities,designers,

contractors,”hesaid.“Welearnfromwhatwe

completeandtrytobuilduponit.”

BevansaidGardnerCompanywasone

ofthefirstlargedevelopersinUtahtostart

incorporatingVRF(VariableRefrigeration

Flow)intoitsHVACsystemdesigns,

beginningin2013.

“It’smoreenergyefficienttouseaVRF

systemandonthefrontendwe’resaving

20-30%onmechanicalcosts,”hesaid.“Five

yearsago,weflewtoJapantostudyitand

soonrealizedthatintheseeasterncountries

allhigh-risebuildingsuseVRF.It’sfarmore

efficientwhenyouhaveamulti-officespace

withpeopleworkingrandomhours.”

CurrentmajorprojectsforGardner

Companyinclude:SummitVista,a1,500-

unitseniorlivinghousingdevelopment

inTaylorsville(anewdevelopmentmodel

thatBevansaidthefirmwilllikelytryto

replicatewithitspartnersinotherstates,

andpossiblymoreinUtah);a242-unit

housingdevelopmentinDraper(JVwith

WasatchCommercialDevelopment);a

newofficeheadquartersforrisingtech

firmPluralsight;a250-unitmulti-family

projectinBoiseadjacenttotheBoiseRiver;

apartnershipwithUNLVonHarryReid

ResearchParkinLasVegas(aplanned

100-acresitethatBevansaidwillmimic

ResearchParkattheUniversityofUtah);

JordanBluffsat7800SouthBingham

Jct.inMidvale–a268-acremixed-use

developmentthatisthesecondphase

ofView72,andwillincludeamixof

commercialoffice,retail,andmulti-family

projectsoverthenext5-7years.

Bevanappreciateswherehe’satin

hiscareer,andtheopportunitytomakea

differenceinmanycommunities,whichhe’s

beenquicktoobservefromGardnerhimself.

“Kemjustenjoysthisindustryandit

affordshimtodoalotofotherthingsbesides

realestate,”saidBevan,citingsizeablerecent

donationsbyGardnertotheUniversityof

UtahandIntermountainHealthCare,along

withhisinvolvementpoliticallywiththeKem

GardnerPolicyInstituteattheUofU.“The

industrygiveshimaplatformtodoalotof

good.AsemployeesofKem’s,wegetataste

ofthat.Therearesomethingsthatcan’tbe

taught.”

Spencer Little, 37Principal, COO of Housing and Hospitality

Spectrum Engineers

Justadecadeintohisprofessional

careerasanelectricalengineer,Spencer

Littlehasestablishedhimselfasan

innovativedesignerwithadiverseskillset,

risingtotherankofPrincipalandCOOof

HousingandHospitality,adivisionwithin

thefirmhe’shelpedbuildovertimeinto

a‘CenterofEngineeringExcellence’(one

producing$1million-plusannuallyin

revenues).

LittlecomesfromafamilyofUtah-

basedelectricalcontractorsdating

backtohisgreat-grandfather.Hisfather,

Byron,wasanelectricalengineerthat

wentthecontractorroute,ultimately

startingBeaconEngineeringandElectric

ofSaltLakeCityin2000.Littleworked

asanelectricianinhighschool,served

atwo-yearChurchmissiontoinnercity

NewJerseyfrom2000-02,andworked>>

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forhisfatherwhilestudyingelectrical

engineeringattheUniversityofUtah.

Aftergraduationhewashiredat

Spectrumandquicklyfoundhisnichein

thefirm’smulti-familyhousing/hospitality

sector,amarketthathasbeenonfirethis

entiredecade.Littlesayshisexperience

asacontractor,thefactthathe’sinstalled

electricalwiringandsystemsondozens

ofprojectsandknowswhatittakestoget

thejobdoneonthatside,influenceshis

designs.

“Iknowaboutthevariouspartsand

piecesofelectricalcontracting,Iknow

howtoinstallsystemsandIcantalkthe

contractorlingo,sotherearealotof

advantagesofknowinghowtomakeit

work,makeitfit,whatyoucanandcan’t

do,”saidLittle.“Itwas…differentcoming

intothedesignside.Iwouldwanttowrite

anotethatsays‘installitlikethis’.It’s

definitelyhelpedmebeabetterengineer.I

trytonotdesignthingsthataredifficultto

install.”

HisfirstcoupleofyearsatSpectrum

coincidedwiththebeginningofthe

recession,soworkwasn’tasbrisk,butin

2010hesaidhelandedhisfirmlargemulti-

familyapartmentprojectinSugarhouse,

andbusinesshasbeenbriskandsteady

since.

“Nobodywasreallyinthe(multi-family)

housingmarketbecauseit’sadifficult

market,themarginsarenarrow…butit

wasinterestingtomeandIhadalotof

developercontacts,”saidLittle.“Afterthe

recessionthingstookoff.”

“Spencerhasbeenagreatasset

toourfirmsincejoiningSpectrumin

2008,”saidDaveWesemann,Presidentof

Spectrum.“Hisleadershipandtechnical

capabilitieshavecontributedtoourfirm

bybuildingandmaintainingaclientbase,

increasingrevenuesinourmulti-family

andhospitalitymarketsectorandleading

ourHousingandHospitalityCenterof

EngineeringExcellence.Heisagreatteam

builderandalwayslookingforwaysto

improvethecompany.”

Littlehasdesigned/isdesigningseveral

topshelfhospitalityprojects,likethe

WyndhamVacationResortsinParkCity,a

newhigh-endMarriottAutographhotelin

St.George,acoolboutiquehotelinMoab,

anewcondominiumbuildingatGoldener

HirschatDeerValley,andtheSnowPine

LodgerenovationatAlta.

Thehospitalitymarkethasbeen

particularlyinteresting,hesays,simply

becauseofthehigh-endnatureofthe

projectsandbudgetsthatallowforplush

amenitiesandoptimumaestheticdesign

elements.Hewasbackeastrecentlyat

anewshowroomforCoronetLightingin

Manhattan“learningmoreaboutlight

fixtures,andacoupleofprocessesonhow

theyassembleandtestthem”andsaid

thatindustryisalotmorediversewiththe

adventofLEDlighting.

“Oftentimesthehotelprojectshave

ownerswillingtospendmoremoney,so

wecandosomefancythingsinthelobbies

andamenityspaces,”hesaid.“Itallows

ustodomorecomplexdesignson…nicer

facilitiesingeneral.Lightingpackages

andfinishesarehigherend.Theyare

interestingprojectstodesign.”

Jessica Ely, 36VP of Design-Build Services

CCI Mechanical

AspartofanexerciseforanExecutive

MBAprogramattheUniversityofUtah

sheiscurrentlyenrolledin,JessicaElywas

askedtobringahandfulofthingsinabag

thatansweredthequestionasto‘why’

eachstudentisgoingthroughtheintensive

program,mostofwhomalsohavefull-time

jobslikeEly.So,shesnatchedphotosof

allherco-workersatSaltLake-basedCCI

Mechanical–Polaroidsofthemdeckedout

inHalloweengarb–andputtheminthebag.

“TheyarethereasonI’mdoingtheMBA

–Iwanttoleadthiscompanysomeday,”

saidEly,whoservesasVPofDesign-Build

Servicesforthebehemothmechanical

contractor.“Idon’tthinkit’sasecret.”

Fouryearsago,Elysatintheofficeof

DavisMullholand,CCI’sPresident/CEO,fora

routineemployeeevaluation.HeaskedEly

whatseatshewantedwithinthecompany.

“ItoldhimIwantedhis,”shesaid,rather

matter-of-factly.“Iwastheonlyonethat

gavethatresponse.That’smygoal,forsure.”

Itwouldn’tbewisetounderestimate

Elyandhertenacityandperseverance,

especiallygivenherexperiencesofthepast

twoyears.In2016,Elyandherhusband,

Dillon(whoshemetonanairplane),moved

toSeattle,wherehewastobestationedas

apilotintheU.S.Navy.InDecemberofthat

year,Dillonsufferedatraumaticbraininjury

fromanexplosionatwork,justsixweeks

afterJessicahadgivenbirthtothecouple’s

firstchild,adaughternamedEmerson.

Theinjurycausedhimtopermanently

losevisioninhisrighteye,alongwith

physicalandmentalcapabilitiesthathadto

essentiallyberelearned.

“Itwasatoughyear,”saidEly.“Itwas

like,‘really,Universe’?”Familyandfriends

ralliedaroundtheEly’sduringthisgreat

timeofneed:hermothermovedinfrom

thePhillyareaforafewmonths;Dillon’s

twinbrothermovedinforawhile;military

squadronfamiliesmademealsandhelped

withchoresaroundthehouse.Attimes

itseemedalmostoverwhelming,butEly

persevered.

“Youlearnwhatyoucando,”shesaid.

“Youhavebaddays,butthebaddaysaren’t

lifeevents.It’seasytoloseperspectiveof

that.”

AnativeofAltoona,Penn.(home

ofMallowCups),Elygainedaninitial

appreciationoftheconstructionindustry

throughhergrandfather,whoworkedas

aconstructioninspectorandwouldtake

herasayoungchildtojobsites,whereshe

remembersscribblingonsetsofblueprints.

ShegraduatedfromPennStateUniversity

withaMasterofArchitecturalEngineering

in2006–shesaidit’sanall-encompassing

buildingsciencedegree,withherfocus

beingonmechanicalandHVACdesign.

Herfirstjobupongraduatingwaswith

Flack+Kurtz(nowWSP),alargeNYC-based

consultingengineeringfirm,andthey

wastednotimethrowingher“intothefire”

shesaid,assigningElytheHVACsystem

designonthe60-story,600-ft.tallAria

Hoteltower,partofthegiantCityCenter

developmentonthefamedLasVegasStrip.

ShecommutedfromNYCtoVegasduring

itsdesign;whenthatsloweddownatthe

endof‘07,shewasofferedapositionwith

SouthlandIndustries’LasVegasoffice,

alargenationalmechanicalcontractor

whoworkedonAria.Southlandpromptly

assignedElytoaprojectteamworkingona

PentagonrelocationprojectinAlexandria,

Virg.,sothearduous,cross-country

airplanecommutescontinued.

“TheonlyplaceIwasevergoingto

meetsomebodywasonaplane,”she

laughed.Andthat’sexactlywhereJessica

andDillonmet,randomlysittingnextto

eachotheronalayoverflightfromChicago

toLasVegas.Shewasactuallyreturning

fromavacationtotheDominicanRepublic;

hewasheadedbacktotheUniversityof

Utah’sROTCprogramafterspendingafew

monthsatanavalbaseinRhodeIsland

andtookaslightdetourtoVegaswhere>>


“Workwise, Utah is a great place. Our highs maybe don’t get as high as other markets, and our lows don’t get as low – we have this nice, protected market.”– Jessica Ely

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hisparentslived.Therest,astheysay,is

history.

“Don’tknockthatSouthwestopen

seatingpolicy!”Elycracked.

AfterDillon’saccident,theEly’swere

allowedtorelocateanywhereinthe

country.TheydecidedtoreturntoUtah,

andJessicawaswelcomedbacktoCCIwith

openarms.

“IhadalwayskeptintouchwithDavis

(alsoaPennStatealum)andwasfriends

withmostofthepeoplehereoutsideof

work,”shesaid.“Workwise,Utahisagreat

place.Ourhighsmaybedon’tgetashigh

asothermarkets,andourlowsdon’tgetas

low–wehavethisnice,protectedmarket.

Thisishometome,forsure.”

“Jessica’sabilitytoconnectwithpeople

whilebeingoneofthebestmechanical

engineersinourstatehasestablishedher

asanindustryleaderintheconstruction

community,”saidMulholland.“Sheis

highlyrespectedbystaff,peersandour

customers,wholooktoherforunbiased,

clearandhonestconversation.”

“Asanengineer,Jessicapossessesthe

extremelyrarecombinationoftechnical

expertise,akeenabilitytocommunicate

well,andthedrivetounderstandand

supportclientsinahelpfulway,”added

MikeBuell,ClientDevelopmentDirector

forCCI.

Dillonhasmadegreatprogresssince

theaccidenttwoyearsago,viaextensive

physicaltherapyandrehabilitation.He

recentlytooktheGREtestandscored

aboveaverage,andhashissightson

enrollinginaPhDprograminClinical

Psychology.

“Hecouldn’treadorwrite;we’ve

workedourbuttsofftogettothispoint,”

shesaid,thrilledwithhisprogress.“We’re

stillcontinuingdifferenttherapies.His

injurywassubstantial,buthisdriveis

muchgreater.”

Soundslikeamatchmadeinheaven–

oratleastinthesky.

Ben Hansen, 35Associate

MHTN Architects

2018hasbeenabusy,highlyrewarding

yearforBenHansen,bothonaprofessional

andpersonalside,beginningwithhis

promotiontoAssociateatSaltLake-based

MHTNArchitectsinJune,afirmhejoinedin

2010afterearningaMasterofArchitecture

fromtheUniversityofUtah.

HansenalsoinJunewasnamedan

AccreditedLearningEnvironmentalPlanner

(ALEP)bytheAssociationforLearning

Environments(A4LE),becomingonlythe

secondpersoninUtah(theotherisBrian

Parker,aPrincipalwithMHTN)withthat

designation.A4LEisaninternational

organizationthatfocusesonunderstanding

thebestprocessesforplanningand

developinglearningenvironments,and

Hansensaidhetooksixcoursesoverayear,

puttingin16hoursaweek.It’sbeenaneye-

openerinhelpinghimbetterunderstand

howdifferentspacesimpactdifferent

learningstylesofstudents.

“It’sbeenagoalofmineforawhileand

it’smorethanjustcheckingabox,”Hansen

saidabouttheaccreditation.“Probablythe

biggestbenefitistherelationshipsI’vebeen

abletocreatethroughotherindividuals

whohavethesameareasofinterest,who

liveoutsideofUtah.Thereisalotofenergy

regardinghowourschoolscanbetter

function,andhowweasdesignerscan

providebetterenvironments.”

HewasinvolvedwiththeLoganHigh

Schoolrenovation,whichhecalleda

‘reinvention’oftheschoolanditslearning

environments,giventhata‘WonderLab’

wascreatedwithintheschoolfiveyears

ago,aroughly3,000SFunusedspaceinthe

schoolwherestudentscould“imagine”a

betterlearningenvironment.

“Weperformedsomestudentand

facultyworkshopssowecouldlearnfrom

(them)astowhatitmeanstoreinvent

education,”saidHansen.“Wehadnew

remodeledspacesandclassroomswhich

arelearningstudios,andwithineachspace

wehadnewtypesofmaterials,newwriting

surfaces,(digital)technologies,furniture

systems,lightingstrategies–therearetons

ofthingstobetestedwithinthesespaces.”

Afterayearofobservation,thedesign

teamwasabletoincorporateideasfrom

thelabintotheremodelofLoganHigh,

whichwascompletedinAugust.“Wecallit

a‘prototypingprocess’,andwedeveloped

anewdesignthatcreatesgreatflexibility

withinlearningcommunities.Everyone

whohastouredtheschoolhasbeenvery

impressed.It’ssayingthatwedon’tneed

cookie-cutterschools.”

TheothermajoreventinHansen’slife

thisyearwasheandhiswifebecoming

licensedforfostercareintheirhome,and

theyrecentlygottheirfirstfosterchild,a

six-month-oldbabygirl,togoalongwith

theirthreechildrenages7,almost5,and2.

Hansensharedarecentexperience

regardinghisoldestdaughter,whois

becomingkeenertohisprofessionasa

designerofK-12schools.Hansensaidhe

wasreviewingamarketingvideoonhis

laptopthathighlightsMountJordanMiddle

SchoolinSandy,anaward-winningschool

Hansenhelpeddesignthatopenedin2016.

“Mydaughterwaswatchingovermy

shoulderandshesaid,‘dad,Iwanttogo

toschoolthere!’Thatwasactuallyreally

gratifying,tohavemychildseethespace

andwanttobeinit.Oneofmyphilosophies

withK-12designis,thesearespacesthese

studentsreturntoday-in,day-out–it’stheir

home.Wewanttomakeitaspacetheywant

tocomebacktoeverysingleday.”

“Benis…verythoughtfulinhisapproach

todesigninglearningenvironmentsand

alwaysconsiderswhatisbestforthepeople

whooccupythebuildingshecreates,”

saidParker.“Hisinnovativethinkingand

creativityarechangingtheparadigmin

Utahofwhatschoolscanbe.”

Alex Schwerdt, 35Project Manager

Big-D Construction

Inthespringsemesterofhersecond

yearatCedarCity-basedSouthernUtah

University,AlexSchwerdttookaclasson

framingaspartofaplantobearesidential

designer.Shequicklyrealizedthatworking

inconstructionwashertruecalling.

“Ihavealwayshadapassionfor

buildingsandarchitecture;Igrewupwith

mygrandfatherdrivingusaroundSan

FranciscoandIdaho,showingushomes>>


“There is a lot of energy regarding how our schools can better function, and how we as designers can provide better environments.”– Ben Hansen


hehadbuiltwithmydad,andIjustkind

offellinlovewitharchitecture,likeFrank

LloydWrightbuildings,soIdecidedtogo

intosomethingthatwasinthatarena.”

Theframingclasswastohelpher

“understandhowstructuresworkandget

abettersenseofdesign.WhenIheardwhat

aprojectmanagerdoesinconstruction,I

knewfromthatdayIwantedtofollowthat

path.”

Schwerdtwasanexcellentstudentand

servedasPresidentofthestudentchapter

oftheSUUHomeBuildersAssociationfrom

2003-05,graduatingwithaBachelorof

ConstructionManagementfromSUU.She

tookajobdoingestimatingandproject

managementforHirschiMasonryinLas

Vegasforayearin2006-07,butstarted

seeingsignsoftherecessioncreepingin

anddecidedtomovebacktoUtah.

“Iwasworking70-to80-hourwork

weeksforafullyear,itwasjustalittlemuch.

IwalkedintoBig-D…theyinterviewedme

thatdayandofferedmethejobthenext

day.Itwasrandom,butitwasmeanttobe.”

SheworkedasaProjectEngineerfor

fouryears,anAssistantPMforthree,and

wasnamedProjectManagerin2015.She

hasdevelopedavariedskillsetduringher

careeratBig-D(shecelebratedher11th

anniversaryattheendofOctober),and

servesasLEEDsubmittalclerkwheresheis

responsibleforreviewingthefirm’smany

LEEDsubmittalstoensuredocumentsare

correctlysubmitted.Co-workersandclients

describeherasanenergetic,articulate

communicatorwhodevelopsgreatrapport

withteamssheworkson.

“Alexispassionateaboutherprojects

andthepeoplesheworkssidebyside

withinordertobesuccessful,andevery

customersheworkswithwantsherback,”

saidForrestMcNabb,PresidentofBig-D’s

MountainWestDivision.“Shedeliversupon

herpromises.”

Schwerdthasmanagedanumberof

high-profileprojects,mainlyinthemarkets

ofhighereducation,science/laboratory,and

healthcare,includingLindquistHallSocial

ScienceBuildingatWeberStateUniversity,

UnifiedStateLaboratoryModules1&2,S.J.

QuinneyCollegeofLawattheUniversity

ofUtah,theUofUGuestHouseExpansion,

MyriadGeneticsLaboratoriesPhaseV,an

additionfortheScienceCenterforHealth&

MolecularSciencesatSUU,andarenovation

ofWSU’sSocialSciencesBuilding,which

finishesupinNovember.

ShementionedtheMillcreekRecreation

Center(completedin2012)asa‘milestone’

project,asitwasoneofthefirstprojects

shewasinvolvedwithfromstarttofinish.

“WhenIwalkedinandsawhowmany

peoplewereinteractinginthebuilding,that

gavemethebiggestsenseofprideinwhat

Ido,andmademerealizeI’mmakingan

impactinmycommunity,”saidSchwerdt.

ShesaidhertimeatBig-Dhasbeen

incredible,andsheappreciatesthe

relationshipsforgedworkingonchallenging

projectswithsupervisorsandco-workers.

Schwerdtrecentlywentthroughadifficult

timepersonally,asherfather,Scott,passed

awaySeptember29afteralengthybattle

witharareformofcancer.Shedrewalotof

strengthfromherco-workersduringthis

period.

“IloveBig-D–it’sdefinitelyafamily

here,”shesaid.“Icouldn’timagineamore

close,supportivegroupofpeople.Forrest

McNabb,Icallhimmyseconddadbecause

he’ssuchagreatpersontogotoforadvice.

Hesupportsmealot.”

Schwerdtsaidherfather–a29-year-

yearveteranofNuSkinandPresidentof

theAmericasRegionfortheProvo-based

companyatthetimeofhispassing–was

herbiggestchampion,alwaysreminding

hertoremainoptimisticaboutvarious

challengesthatcomeduringalifetime.

“He’sbeenmybiggestmentorthrough

mycareer,”shesaid.“Hecouldtellmefrom

anexecutive’spositionhowtohandle

varioussituations.Hekeptmegoing

throughhardtimes.Healwaystoldme,‘bea

duck–justletthingsrolloffyourback’.”

Zach Bellows, 35Real Estate and Project Delivery Manager

Adobe

WorkingfortechgiantAdobeonreal

estateandconstructionprojectsoffers

uniqueperksforZachBellows,including

theopportunitytointeractwithpeople

fromallwalksoflifeacrosstheglobeand

developsignificantrelationshipwiththem.

Whathe’sfoundduringhisfive-plusyears

withthefirmisthatconstructionprocesses

worldwidehavemorecommonalitiesthan

differences.

“It’sbeenenlighteningtodoprojects

inCanada,SouthAmerica,Europe,and

learningthedifferentprojectdelivery

methods,”saidBellows,whostartedat

thefirm’sLehicampusin2013andwas

promotedtohiscurrentroleasRealEstate

andProjectDeliveryManagerinAugust

2015.“Therearelotsofdifferences,but

mysurpriseisinthesimilaritieswith

constructionacrosstheglobe.”

Infiscalyear2017,Bellowsmanaged

$35millionworthofconstructionprojects

intheAmericasregion,includingalarge

remodeloftheamenitiesspaceataSan

Franciscooffice(newkitchen,café,fitness

area,storageandconferencespace),

workplaceoptimizationprojectsinVirginia,

andOttawa(Canada),amongothersmaller

projectsat70+officelocations.

Hehasafullplateofkeyprojectsatthe

moment,inTexas,Maryland,downtown

Chicago,Toronto,Denmark,Romania,and

anewofficeinParis,nottomentionthe

exciting160,000SF,$90millionPhaseII

expansionofAdobe’salready-iconicLehi

campus.ThefirstLehibuilding–completed

attheendof2012–was280,000SFand

$107millionandhousesabout1,000

employees.Thenewbuildingisexpectedto

house1,200+employees,withanexpected

completioninfallof2020.

OfAdobe’sglobalofficeinventory,

about75%houseunder200employees;

onlyahandfulofsites–Lehiisoneofthem

–employ600-pluspeople,withexisting

largefacilitiesinSanJoseandIndia,and

projectedkeygrowthsitesintheNY

Metropolitanarea,SanFranciscoBayarea,

andSeattle.

“Theresourcesweputintojob

functionisunreal,”saidBellows.“Adobeis

aphenomenalmixofalargecorporation

andastart-uptypeatmosphere.Our

revenuehasgonefrom$3billionto$8

billion(annually)infiveyears,andthathas

providedampleopportunitiesforgrowth.

It’sbeeninterestingcomingupwithtools

andprocessesformanagingtheseoffices.”

BellowsisanativeofFairfax,Virg.,and

attendedBYUafterservingatwo-year

ChurchmissiontoArgentinafrom2002-04,

graduatinginConstructionManagement

in2008.Hegainedexperienceinthe

constructionfielddoingprojectengineering

andmanagement–includingsixstoriesof

high-rise,luxurypenthousecondosatthetop

oftheMandarinResortprojectinLasVegas

–butdecidedtoswitchgearsprofessionally

andventureintocommercialrealestate.

HespenttwomoreyearsatBYUand

earnedanMBAin2013inFinanceand

RealEstate.Hehadasummerinternship

duringthisperiod,aprogramwithWalMart

RealEstateProjectManagementand

ConstructioninBentonville,Ark.,andbriefly

consideredworkingfortheretailtitan,

givenitsvastrealestateholdings.

Hetookaproverbialshotinthedark

afterearninghisMBAandreachedoutto

JonathanFrancom,afellowBYUalumand

Adobe’sVicePresidentofEmployeeand

WorkplaceSolutionsinLehi,aboutpotential

careeradvice.Thecompanyjusthappened

tohaveanopeninginitsrealestate

department,andBellowswashiredshortly

thereafter.

“ThethingIlikethemostaboutmy

job,”hesaid,“isit’snotsuchastructured

environment,yetatthesametimeit

requiresaroomofpeople–experts,

consultants,variousstakeholderswith

Adobe.Themostrewardingpartisbringing

theteamtogether,makingsurepeople’s

voicesareheard.Youdeveloprelationships

thatarepersonalwhenyouhavetheselong,

intenseprojects.

“Zachisaproductionmachine,always

eagertotakeonmoreprojectsregardless

ofsizeorlocation,”saidJustinaHyland,

Director,ProjectManagementOffice.“Heis

ayoungprofessionalthatislaser-focused

oncostandschedulemanagement,with

theabilitytoshepherdtheoveralldelivery

process.”

Mark Thimm, 34Associate

Reaveley Engineers

Asastructuralengineerspecializing

inconcreterestoration,MarkThimmfinds

himselfattimescrawlinginandaround

someprettytightspacewhilehetakes

measurementsandcollectsvariousdata,

generallyunderthestructuresofbuildings

inneedofsomeformofrehabilitation/

seismicupgrade.

Sometimesthebuildingsareofgreat

importancetothecommunity,suchas

theSaltLakeCityandCountyBuilding,

whichunderwentarecentseismicretrofit

ofitsbaseisolationsystem.Thimmsaid

hewaspartoftheteamatSaltLake-

basedReaveleyEngineersthatdesigned

areceivingsystemthatwill“catch”the

buildingduringaseismiceventthatcauses

thebuildingtomovemorethan16inches

onthebaseisolators.Thesystemincludes

aseriesofconcreteshoulderwalls,withthe

firstfloorsupportedbylargesteelbeams.

Thimmsaid“wehadtodesignshoesand

bracketsthatcouldbeimplementedon

thesuperstructure,whilestillallowingit

toexperiencefullmovementonthebase

isolators.It’saninsurancepolicywehope

we’llneverhavetouse.”

“It’sverychallengingworkingin

confinedareas,”headds.“Ittookusweeks

tomapoutwherereceivingsystemsshould

goandwhereshoulderwallswillgo.It’s

notafunplacetobe.Insomeareas,you’re

crawlingthrough18inch(gaps),under

existingbeams,takingmeasurementand

calculatingangles.Theownersseeitasa

success;it’savaluablebuilding.”

ThimmwasborninSanDiegoand

cametoUtahatage7,hisfamilysettling

intheParkCityarea.Hisfather,Doug,isa

PrincipalatSaltLake-basedArchitectural

Nexuswhoownedhisownfirm,visited

Utahonaskitrip,anddecidedtomovehis

familytotheBeehiveStatein1990.

Thimmwasastandoutsoccerplayer

atParkCityHighandplayedcollegiatelyat

WilliamPennUniversityinOscaloosa,Iowa

andColoradoStateUniversityinPueblo.He

finisheduphisfinalthreesemestersatthe

UniversityofUtah,earningaBachelorof

CivilandEnvironmentalEngineering,with

anemphasisonstructures.

HejoinedReaveleyin2008immediately

outofcollege,earnedhisLEEDAP>>


“When I heard what a project manager does in construction, I knew from that day I wanted to follow that path.”– Alex Schwerdt

68 | UTAHCONSTRUCTION&DESIGN | Oct 18

designationandUtahP.E.licensein

2014,andwaspromotedtoAssociatein

2015.Headmitsthatittooksometime

understandingconcreterestoration,

astherewerereallynospecificcourses

devotedtothatareaofstructural

engineering.He’slearnedawealthof

knowledgeworkingunderDavidWagner,

aProjectManagerforReaveleywho

overseesconcreterestorationforthe

firm.HesaysThimmoffersinvaluable

assistanceacrosstheboardonawide

rangeofcomplexprojects.

“He’sincrediblyefficient;hecanput

projectstogetherinathoughtfulmanner

andratherquickly,”saidWagner.“Aswetry

andsolveproblemsonaproject,Irelyon

hisreports.”

Anothercurrentchallenging

restorationprojectistheChurchOffice

BuildingParkingStructureinSaltLake,

whichThimmcalleda“majorundertaking”

onathree-levelstructureoriginallybuilt

50+yearsago.He’salsobeenpartof

recentconcreterestorationsatParkCity

MountainResortIceRinkPlaza,Bonneville

TowersinSaltLake,andtheUniversityof

UtahStudentApartmentTowerRepairs.

Hesaidhisfather’sworkdefinitely

playedaroleinhisdecisiontoworkinthe

commercialdesignarena.They’vebeen

abletoworkonacoupleofprojectteams

together,includingaresidential/mixed-use

projectinSaltLake’s9thand9thDistrict.

He’sexcitedabouthisroleatReaveley

andexcitedaboutfutureopportunities

toworkonlandmarkbuildingsinthe

Intermountainregion.

“I’mveryproudtoworkforReaveley,”

saidThimm.“AndIdolikegettingoutofthe

office,meetingwithclients,workinginthe

field.We’redoingalotofgreatwork.”

Tyler Denham, 31General Manager

Ferrellgas, L.P.

It’sbeensomethingofawhirlwind

forTylerDenhamsinceheenteredthe

propaneindustryinReno,Nev.,after

marryinghiswife,Christina,inthefallof

2010.Ashorttimeafterthenuptials,her

fatherpointedlyaskedDenham–whohad

mostlyworkedinandoutlocalcasinosto

thatpoint–ifhewantedtoget‘arealjob’

andcometoworkwithhiminpropane,

initiallyasabobtaildeliverydriverfor

Ferrellgasatage23.

Overthenextsixyears,Denham

gainedawealthofexperienceinboththe

propaneandhome-heatingoilindustries.

HestayedatFerrellgasthroughJune2013,

thenheadedeastwithhiswifetoWaltham,

Mass.,asshepursuedaworkopportunity

inthePsychology/Educationfield.

DenhaminitiallytransferredtoFerrellgas

inChepachet,R.I.,workingasaservice

tech,thenjoinedheatingoilcompany

Kerivan-LaneintheMetroBostonareato

helpitstartupapropanedivision,which

encompassedanarrayofjobdescriptions

–sales,deliveries,installations,training,

purchasing,scheduling,routing,pricing–

hebasicallycreatedtheentireoperations

infrastructure.

“Itwasanamazingopportunity,”

admitsDenham.“Theeastcoastis

differentregardingpropaneandIwasable

tolearnthehome-heatingoilindustry.I

grewmyknowledge–powergenerationis

abigmarket.”

InJuly2014,Denhamtookajobonthe

othersideofthecountrybackatFerrellgas,

thistimeasanAccountManagerinSan

Diego,whichexpandedhissalesrepertoire.

“Thisrolegrewmyunderstandingofthe

marketandtaughtmeessentialskills

whenitcomestobuildingandmaintaining

relationshipswithpast,currentandfuture

customers,”hesaid.Oneofhisbiggest

dealswashelpingthefirmlandacontract

toprovidepropanetoSanDiegoMetro

TransitSystem,whichhadconvertedits

buslinefromgastopropane.

ThecouplereturnedtoUtahin

November2016,movingtoFarmington,and

DenhamultimatelytookoverasGeneral

ManagerofFerrellgasinNorthSaltLake,the

youngest-evernamedtothatpositionwithin

thenationalcompanyatage29.Ferrellgas

isthesecondlargestpropanedistributor

intheU.S.withnearly800locationsinall

50statesasof2017.TheNorthSaltLake

locationhasfour30,000-gallontanksand

two18,000-gallontanks.

Inthe’17-18fiscalyear(Augustthrough

July),customeraccountsincreasedby139%,

grossmargindollarsareup232%,and

tanksetpercentageshavetripledamong

residentialandcommercialusers,plus

resellers.ThefirmisteamingwithaDenver-

basedfirmthatprovidespropaneheaters

onTheNewSLCAirportredevelopment,

withFerrellgasprovidingthefuel.

Denhamalsorecentlyhiredasales

rep,EarlLindell,tohelpdrivenew

businessinthecommercialconstruction

market,andwiththecorewintermonths

approachingthey’retargetinggeneral

buildingandheavy/civil/highwayfirms

thatneedtemporaryheatingsystemsand

equipment.

“We’regoingaroundtoconstruction

sitesandtalkingtocontractors,supers,

projectmanagers,tryingtofigureouthow

muchfueltheywillbeneedingduringthe

winter,”saidDenham.“MygoalasGMisto

growourcustomerbase;we’vebeendoing

verywell.”n


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