Southwest People: Construction business updates for March 2018
Savina G. Garcia has been promoted to transportation operations manager at Wilson & Co. Engineers & Architects. A 19-year veteran of the firm, Garcia was elected as a shareholder in 2009 and has served on the firm’s governance committee. In her new role, she will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations of the New Mexico transportation group, ensuring projects are managed to meet client objectives. Her role also includes working with area managers to meet the firm’s overall business objectives, including staffing, project performance and financial targets. She has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from New Mexico State University and is a registered professional engineer in New Mexico and Arizona.
Jon Pena has been promoted to operations manager of WHPacific’s Albuquerque office. Pena is a licensed civil engineer with more than 18 years of experience in civil design, project management and design, heavy construction and underground mining. Pena previously managed the firm’s Albuquerque development group.
Mark Minter, president of the Arizona Builders Alliance, has announced he will retire from that position on June 30. Minter began working for the Associated General Contractors in 1977 and over the years worked as its assistant director, executive director and Tucson branch manager. The AGC was later merged with Associated Builders and Contractors. Minter said ABA’s plan is to find a replacement by this spring and have the person fully transition to the position by July 1.
The Arizona Builders Alliance has appointed Marty Hedlund of Sundt Construction as the organization’s 2018 incoming chairman. Hedlund will facilitate discussions with the board of directors and utilize their direction and support to ensure consensus on industry issues and challenges. Hedlund has been active in the Arizona Builders Alliance for 19 years and is serving his fourth year on the board of directors.
Jim Kurtzman has joined McShane Construction Co. as senior vice president and regional manager of its Southwest office located in Phoenix. Kurtzman will lead preconstruction and budgeting, maintain client relationships for the office and secure new contracts across the region. Kurtzman, a 22-year construction veteran, recently served as vice president at Hardison/Downey Construction Inc., Phoenix.
Justin Newman has joined Hardison/Downey as vice president and chief operating officer. Newman previously worked at McCarthy for 17 years, eventually being named operations director. He has experience with alternative energy, public works, criminal justice and residential projects. Newman serves on Northern Arizona University’s student advisory board as well as the executive board of the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters. He is also a federal affairs committee member with the Arizona Chamber of Commerce.
McCarthy Building Cos. has promoted Bryan Kuster to vice president of operations for the Southwest division. Kuster will lead collaborative project teams and manage McCarthy’s self-perform teams on lab and higher-education projects in Arizona. He joined McCarthy in 2005 as a project engineer. In January, Kuster was named one of ENR Southwest’s Top Young Professionals.
