The Southeast Texas chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors recently opened a new computer laboratory at its Construction Training Center that will help streamline the chapter's Skills Assessment Program and provide a free, high-technology venue for its members to hold seminars and training sessions.

The new lab, which was funded with a $50,000 donation from Sabina Petrochemicals, features 20 Dell computer stations and the latest in craft training software.

"We greatly appreciate the generous support we have received from Sabina for our training programs," said Kimberly Bernard, ABC-Southeast Texas director of education. "With this new lab, we are able to complete skills assessments much quicker and will soon be able to offer complete, core training curriculum in as little as two to three weeks."

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new lab, Sabina announced plans to donate an additional $70,000 to fund an instrumentation and electrical laboratory at the ABC-Southeast Texas training center.

"Sabina Petrochemicals has certainly followed through with its commitment to be a good community leader and continues to support ABC through its generous donations," Bernard said.

Kenneth Jezisek, a 28-year employee of Hensel Phelps Construction Co., who serves as project supervisor for construction of the SkyLink Guideway at DFW International Airport, was recently recognized as General Superintendent of the Year by the QUOIN chapter of the Associated General Contractors.

Jezisek was selected over 36 other nominees for the award presented by QUOIN, which consists of over 1,300 members in 43 counties in North and East Texas.

As project supervisor, Jezisek oversees work scheduling, safety and construction of the automated people mover. Numerous managers from the airport's Capital Development Program supported the nomination.

"Building a structure on a greenfield site is a tough enough project, but to build one adjacent to $200 million aircraft is another," said Scott Kutchins, facilities project manager for Lea + Elliott Inc. "During the course of the project, we cleared aircraft and equipment from more than 35,000 gates. Kenneth and his team completed that work safely and efficiently while coexisting with airlines and tenants alike. The end product is a world-class operation that is second to none."

"Kenneth's ability to solve problems while maintaining safe working conditions is instrumental in generating trust and respect at all levels of the construction process," said Don Pool, senior construction manager for Hensel Phelps. "I have never worked with any individual who is more deserving of this award."

Gary Roden of AGUIRREcorporation in Dallas was recently nominated for the office of 2004 chairman-elect of the national Associated Builders and Contractors Inc.

ABC's Nominating and Certification Committee also nominated Carole Bionda of Napa, Calif.-based Nova Group Inc. to chair ABC in 2004.

Additionally, the committee certified three candidates for the Office of Regional Vice Chairman in ABC Regions 2, 4 and 6. David Meyer of Meyer Brothers Building Co. and ABC's Heart of America chapter has been certified as a candidate for Region 2; Robert Moore of Doster Construction Co. and ABC's Alabama chapter, was certified for Region 4; and Michael Winzig of American Technical Systems and ABC's Northern Ohio chapter, was certified for Region 6.

The National Society of Professional Engineers recently named Jose Guerra, PE, FNSPE, to its 2003 class of Fellow Members.

The Fellow membership grade honors those active NSPE members who have demonstrated exemplary service to the profession, the society and the community.

"There is no higher honor than to be selected for special recognition by your peers," said Bob Gibson, PE, FNSPE, chairman of the executive committee of the Council of Fellows and a former NSPE president. "Fellows are recognized not only for their involvement within NSPE, but for their service to the profession and their successful work careers."

Guerra is president of Austin-based Jose I Guerra Inc., and has been a member of NSPE since 1962.

Dallas-based Austin Commercial recently received a first place 2003 National Safety Excellence Award from the Associated General Contractors of America.

The award, presented to general contractors with more than 500,000 work hours, went to Austin, which worked more than 2 million hours without a lost-time incident in 2002.
Austin superintendent Bill Wallace was also named AGC Safety Superintendent of the Year in the Building Division.

The Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. has joined with Purdue University's Department of Building and Construction Management to offer an intensive 80-hour course that provides specific project management techniques to mechanical contractors in order to help them boost profits and improve productivity.

The Mechanical Project Management Institute course, which was designed by ABC-member mechanical contractors, is taught by Purdue University instructors with extensive project management experience and is specifically intended for owners, project managers and estimators.

For more information, visit the ABC Web site at www.abc.org.