emj construction Archives

EMJ Construction Begins Work on Multi-Family Project in El Paso

EMJ Construction has started work on the 188-unit multi-family portion of the EPT Land Communities massive project on the west side of El Paso, Texas, the Monticello Town Center.

This phase of the project includes an apartment complex and parking garage. The multi-family portion is part of the larger Monticello Town center, a 20-arce mixed-use development which will eventually include multi-unit housing, retail, and entertainment.

The town center will be made for walking, and its shops, offices, bars and restaurants will be clustered around a plaza. The blend of commercial and residential spaces will have a smart, modern twist.

“We are very excited to begin work on this project,” said William Mosher, EVP, EMJ Construction. “This is a great project to further the urban development of the west side of El Paso, and we are honored to further expand our extensive experience in the multi-family sector.”

EMJ Construction is working on multiple projects in El Paso. Currently, EMJ is working on the Jefferson/Silva High School additions and renovations and the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema – El Paso Montverde. These projects bring EMJ’s project total to 33 for the area.

The Jefferson/Silva High School project includes the renovation of an existing 50,000-square-foot auxiliary gym, as well as the addition of a new three-story, 96,000-square-foot academic building, featuring a cafeteria, library, science labs and administration space. A 4,000-square-foot weight room and a softball complex with field event space will be also be added.

The El Paso Montverde Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is a new 46,500-square-foot ground-up construction on a 30-acre mixed-use development site. Features of the project include a ten-screen theater with premium sound and approximately 1,000 luxury recliners as well as an attached full-service bar and restaurant.

“We are proud to work in El Paso,” said Mosher. “The city presents a tremendous business environment and we are excited about supporting great clients as the area continues to grow and attract new businesses.”

EMJ Ranks #135 on ENR’s 2020 Top 400 Contractors

EMJ Corporation is #135 on ENR’s Top 400 List of contractors.

EMJ Corporation is proud to be #135 on Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) 2020 ranking of the Top 400 Contractors. EMJ was ranked #66 on ENR’s Top General Contractors list for Texas and Louisiana and #64 on the list of the Southeast’s Top Contractors. These rankings represent both EMJ Construction’s and Signal Energy’s work.

“These rankings are only possible because of our best-in-class clients,” said Jack Bowen, President, EMJ Construction. “I’m also very proud of the work of our family of companies, office staff, and project teams who work tirelessly to deliver exceptional experiences to our clients, partners and colleagues each day.”

Since 1968, EMJ and its family of companies have delivered billions of dollars in building and renewable energy projects across the U.S. The corporation’s history and experience are unique, but what elevates EMJ is the client experience. With more than 52 years of diverse experience, thousands of partnerships across the country and numerous satisfied, repeat customers, EMJ challenges clients to expect more — one project at a time.

Engineering News-Record (ENR) annually ranks the Top 400 Contractors in the country according to their revenue in a calendar year.

Catalyst HRE Celebrates Grand Opening of Medical Office Building in St. Cloud, Florida

Catalyst HRE recently celebrated the grand opening of a new medical office building, built by EMJ Construction, in St. Cloud, Florida.

Time lapse video of the Catalyst HRE medical office building in St. Cloud, Florida.

Catalyst Healthcare Real Estate (“Catalyst HRE”), a national healthcare real estate developer, recently celebrated the grand opening of new 50,000 square foot Medical Office Building (MOB) in St. Cloud, Florida. The medical office building, built by EMJ Construction, will be anchored by Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital (‘OHSCH’) – an 84-bed acute care facility with 190 physicians.

As the first multi-specialty MOB on the campus of OHSCH, this location will serve as patient access point for diagnostic imaging, lab, cardiology, rehabilitation, gastroenterology, ear, nose, throat (‘ENT’), urology, general surgery services, primary care, and a walk-in clinic. The two-story MOB will also be home to the following tenants: Celebration Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Institute, and Eye Florida.

“We are honored to work with Catalyst Healthcare Real Estate,” said Chas Torrence, EVP, EMJ Construction. “They have a passion to provide health systems to physician groups, academic medical systems, and hospitals. We are proud to play a small part in delivering their vision.”

The new first-class facility will enable OHSCH to expand their outpatient services while providing care in a centralized, convenient location. Catalyst Healthcare Real Estate is one of the nation’s fastest growing full-service healthcare real estate firms. To learn more visit Catalyst Healthcare Real Estate.

Aerial Footage of H-E-B in Kerrville, Texas

Check out this arial footage of the work at H-E-B in Kerrville, Texas.

Check out this aerial footage of the work at H-E-B in Kerrville, Texas. Upon completion, this new store will replace the #1 store built. EMJ is proud to partner with H-E-B, a leader not only in U.S. grocery retail.

Quarantine Cookbook Is A Recipe to Stay Connected

Quarantine cookbook is an example of resiliency and determination to remain human, and in contact, while we transition to a digital work environment.

The Dallas preconstruction team conducts its daily meeting.

These past few months have been interesting, to say the least. While EMJ Construction was deemed an essential business, and our field teams continued to work on projects, in mid-March the office-based teams started working from home.

While the work transition was seamless, thanks to Microsoft Teams meetings, it took some time to adjust to not seeing teammates in the office. To help feel better connected, the Dallas Preconstruction team had daily touch point meetings with a special theme every Wednesday.

The first Wednesday each member of the team wore a hat and explained its meaning. That’s when Drew Halsey, Vice President of Preconstruction, had an idea – a cookbook. “I was looking for something different to talk about. We wanted something to get people involved and interacting in a personal way,” said Halsey. “We’re all spending time at home and I thought it’d be great to see what everyone is cooking during the quarantine.”

That led to a call for entries sent to Martin Briggs, Assistant Preconstruction Manager, who assembled “Cooking in the Time of Crisis,” EMJ’s own version of a “Better Homes & Gardens New Cook Book.” Some of the recipes are serious and others tongue-in-cheek with little golden nuggets of humor sprinkled throughout. Here are some highlights:

321 Rib Method, submitted by Drew Halsey

I firmly believe that you should cook food the way you like it, and ribs are no different! You like your ribs saucy? Put some extra sauce on them (I like using my Kansas City Style BBQ Sauce)! You like your ribs falling off the bone? Follow this 3 2 1 Rib Method. These are your ribs after all. Don’t you let the man get you down. Just don’t.

A Starkes Family Lunch, submitted by Keith Starkes

1. Middle child yells at you during conference call because “they are starving.”
2. Commence with making lunch.
3. Assemble ingredients. Oldest child: make ham sandwich with ham, cheese, ranch, pickles.
4. Yell at kids to get out of pantry: “Can’t you see that I am making you lunch?”
5. Resume step 3.

Quick 1 Minute Oats, submitted by Suzanna Trent

1. Boil water or milk and salt.
2. Stir in oats.
3. Cook about 1 minute over medium heat; stir occasionally.

World Famous Homemade Buttermilk Ranch, submitted by Chris Ross

What You Need:

½ cup whole fat buttermilk
1 teaspoon of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing BUTTERMILK mix
Can always add more if needed
1 cup mayonnaise
¼ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Paprika (to taste)
1/8 cup of celery salt

Steps
1. Mix All together. Eat with anything because ranch goes with everything.

While the cookbook will not be featured on any of your favorite cooking shows, and we can’t vouch for any of the recipes, it did accomplish its mission – to bring levity and camaraderie to a heavy and potentially isolating situation.

“I have been so proud of my team and how they’ve responded to this unbelievably challenging time,” said Keith Starkes, Vice President of Preconstruction, Dallas. “They didn’t miss a beat. This is just one of many examples of resiliency and determination to remain human, and in contact, while we transition to a digital work environment.”

The cookbook is not available on Amazon or at your favorite bookstore, but you can download here.

A Letter to Our Superintendents

Burt Odom, President and CEO of EMJ Corporation, encourages us to stay in touch with each other and to be strong and not give up.

The following is a note from Burt Odom, President and CEO of EMJ Corporation, to our Superintendents.

Supers,

When 2020 started I sure didn’t expect a global pandemic. I imagine it will be some time before we realize its true impact and how it has improved us. But, I can tell you this, it has made me more steadfast in my appreciation for you.

Every organization has a core group of people that make it run – the business end of the company. In the medical industry it’s nurses and technicians. In the military it’s the enlisted men and women. And, in construction it’s you, often referred to as “the field,” which is an inadequate term because it doesn’t fully describe what you do or the importance of your role.

You are the ones away from your families, you are the ones who face the weather to move dirt and rocks, pour concrete, erect steel, hang drywall, bring power to buildings, and give life to our clients’ visions.

During this pandemic you have met trials of various kinds and you have risen to the occasion. I realize how insufficient it sounds, but I want to once again say thank you. I’m proud of you for your grit and determination. You are the spirit of EMJ Construction.

Because of you and your steadfastness, I know that we’re going to emerge from this faster, stronger, and better.

With Admiration,

Burt

Servant Leadership in Action

On Sunday, April 10, a deadly tornado with winds as high as 145 mph slammed into eastern Chattanooga, damaging many homes and leaving a wide swath of destruction.

The storm hit the homes of several EMJ Construction employees and family members, including the neighborhood of Nestor Praniuk, Superintendent, EMJ Construction.

Nestor quietly took a couple days off work, borrowed a tractor from a friend and, together, they went around the neighborhood cleaning up trees and debris for people who needed help.

“This wasn’t something Nestor broadcast, or even discussed, but others noticed,” said Chas Torrence, EVP, EMJ Construction. “Our purpose is to be people serving people, but we don’t always see it in action. For Nestor and his friends to do this amid the Coronavirus pandemic is a perfect example of what we mean.”

A few weeks ago we shared this blog about Mr. Rogers, who famously said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”

We are thankful for people like Nestor and all the other helpers out there who see a need and step forward.

Be Strong and Do Not Give Up

Burt Odom, President and CEO of EMJ Corporation, encourages us to stay in touch with each other and to be strong and not give up.

These are strange times! Although we live in a world that’s more connected than ever, you may be feeling isolated and have some level of fear. Whether you’re working from home or working on a job site, it’s easy to feel alone and trapped. It has caused me to reflect on how much I appreciate and enjoy working with such a great group of people. I do miss seeing all of you!

During these times, like so many of you, I often rely on Biblical principles to shape my world view. Recently, I was reading 2 Chronicles 15:7. Contextually, this was a time of restoration for the people of Judah. A prophet tells the King, despite their troubling times, “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” As I read that verse there were three things that stuck out to me about our current situation:

Our challenges are not unique to us. Isolation comes by believing that you are going through something no one has ever faced. While the details specific to the Coronavirus may have never happened before, every generation before us has faced major issues. We are not alone. “Be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”

Our challenges are relatively minor. I’m not dismissing our situation, or the severity of the illness. But, think about those who fought foreign wars, lived through The Great Depression, or even survived the Civil War. On balance, I’m thankful for the time and place in which we live. “Be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”

Our challenges will change the future. Not many of us like change because it moves us out of our comfort zone. We need to embrace that our life will be changed by this experience, but I’m willing to bet it will put a clear focus on what really matters in life. “Be strong and do not give up for your work will be rewarded.”

I want to thank each of you for your continued hard work during a difficult time. I especially want to thank our field staff that continues to be away from home, keeping our projects and company moving. I would encourage all of you to remember we are not alone in this and to stay in touch with each other. More than ever we all need to be “People Serving People”.

During these strange times, “Be strong and do no give up, for your work will be rewarded!” Onward!

Burt Odom is President and CEO of EMJ Corporation.

Navigating Uncharted Territory

Burt Odom, President and CEO of EMJ Corporation, shares some thoughts about navigating uncharted territory.

I think it goes without saying, but we’re all feeling a little uneasy right now. That is understandable.

I want you to know that we are monitoring the situation with the Coronavirus and how it affects the health and safety of our people, and our projects. I’m thankful for the leadership I’m seeing as we adjust to the situation.

As we navigate this issue, I want to share some thoughts that are top of mind:

This too shall pass. The following days and weeks will be inconvenient, but a lot of smart people are taking measures to lessen the impact of this virus.

This is the time to serve people. To EMJ this includes our clients, but more broadly, your communities in general. Find some people around you in need and help them. And please, whatever you do, don’t stockpile toilet paper.

This is the time to be gritty. Being gritty means we are courageous and of strong character. Remember, challenges provide the fire which tempers the steel.

We are in uncharted territory and uncertain about what will happen in the coming days. But, I’m reminded of this quote from St. Joan of Arc, “Go forward bravely. Fear nothing. Trust in God, all will be well.” Onward!

Psalm 46, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Burt Odom is President and CEO of EMJ Corporation.

People on the Move: Tina Brogdon

Tina Brogdon has been promoted to Project Coordinator. She works in the EMJ Construction office in Chattanooga.

This upcoming September will mark Tina’s 15th year with EMJ and in the construction world.

“Tina has always been a key part of the success of the Chattanooga Admin Department and I know she is ready to take on the challenge of her new role as Project Coordinator,” said Andrea Boatman, Office Manager of the Chattanooga office. “She has a passion to help those around her and will do whatever she can to make EMJ successful. Tina will use the vast knowledge she has acquired during her 15 years at EMJ to help make the Project Coordinator a vital part of the Project Team.

“My favorite part of construction is getting to see the pieces come together as something is built. I love to watch that process,” says Tina.

When Tina isn’t working, she loves to sew, read, participate in community theater and be a ‘Volunteer Cuddler’ in the NICU at Hamilton Medical Center. However, her favorite pastime is playing with her grandkids.

Congratulations, Tina!

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