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Month: March 2018

Warfel Wins Two National Awards from Associated Builders and Contractors

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Warfel Construction Company today announced that its work on the Hess Bros. Fruit Company project in Lancaster, Pennsylvania has earned the company a first-place national Excellence in Construction® Eagle Award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) in the Renovation $5-10 million category. Vice President of Operations Conlan Swope and Project Executive Guy Kingree accepted the award March 21 during ABC’s 28th annual Excellence in Construction awards celebration in Long Beach, California.

“Associated Builders and Contractors is proud to honor Warfel Construction with a best-in-class Excellence in Construction Eagle Award for their tremendous work in completing the Hess Bros. Fruit Company safely, on time and budget,” said 2018 ABC National Chair George R Nash Jr., director of preconstruction at Branch & Associates in Herndon, Va. “The dedication to innovation, productivity and world-class craftsmanship demonstrated by Warfel and its employees produced truly impressive results that any project owner would be proud of.”

A second generation family-owned business, Hess Bros. Fruit Company distributes over 20 varieties and 1.5 million bushels of local eastern apples a year. Hess Bros. specializes in the sourcing and wholesale of premium apples which are purchased through a network of hand-picked orchards. The apples are then distributed to a wide-range of markets including grocery stores, retail outlets, and restaurants.

Conveniently located along Manheim Pike in Lancaster, and home to a former molding and millwork company, Warfel’s task was to completely transform this manufacturing space into a fully functional distribution center housing dry and cold storage, packing and production lines, shipping and office areas.

The Excellence in Construction awards program is the industry’s leading competition, developed to honor innovative and high-quality merit shop construction projects, with an Eagle Award presented to the top project in each category. The award honors all construction team members, including the contractor, owner, architect and engineer. The winning projects, selected from entries submitted from across the nation, were judged on complexity, attractiveness, unique challenges overcome, completion time, workmanship, innovation, safety and cost.

Warfel also received a Pyramid Award, the second-highest honor, for the Water Street Mission renovation project in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Originally a six-week schedule that was condensed to just one week, this high-profile project consisted of the total renovation of the Water Street Mission dining hall and kitchen. Crews worked 24/7 for the duration of the project. The team completely gutted the interior of the building, then installed all new food service equipment, vibrant finishes and all-new mechanical systems. Workers completed the project a full 24 hours ahead of schedule.

A panel of industry experts served as the competition’s judges. This year’s panel included representatives from the Building Owners and Managers Association International, the Smithsonian Facilities Construction Division, the Construction Management Association of America, Engineering News-Record, Design-Build Institute of America and various construction-related firms nationwide.

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national construction industry trade association established in 1950 that represents more than 21,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 70 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. Visit ABC online here.

Women in Construction Week: Meet Project Administrator Emily Burkhart

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In honor of Women In Construction Week, we’re highlighting some of the fantastic women who make Warfel a great place to work.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects available jobs in STEM fields to increase 17% by 2024, but only 18 – 19% of individuals receiving degrees in computer science, engineering, or physics are women. Check out our featured employee today (Project Administrator Emily Burkhart), and follow along all week as we learn more about the team members who make Warfel a leader in the construction management industry.

Describe what you do at Warfel: I support project teams in completing the necessary paperwork throughout the duration of a project. I also complete a lot of miscellaneous office tasks as needed.

Where did you go to school? Messiah College

How long have you worked at Warfel? 9 months

What did you do before you came to Warfel? I was a second grade teacher.

What is your favorite part of your job? I love helping people and I really enjoy the people I work with.

What is your most exciting accomplishment? During my sophomore year in college, I was  given the Elite 88 award at the NCAA Field Hockey Final Four.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career? It is okay to go a different direction than what you originally envisioned for your career.

What’s your favorite part of working in the construction industry? I find the process very interesting and I love visiting the jobsites to see the work come to fruition.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Spending time with my family & going to the beach.

What’s a fun fact about you that we might not know? My grandfather was in the movie Witness. The filmmakers needed individuals that had the ability to speak PA Dutch but who would also be willing to appear on camera. He appeared as an extra in several scenes & had the opportunity to meet Harrison Ford & Kelly McGillis.

You can learn more about the statistics of Women in Construction here.

Women in Construction Week: Meet Facilities Manager Casi Babinchak

Posted on by adminwarfelcc

In honor of Women In Construction Week, we’re highlighting some of the fantastic women who make Warfel a great place to work.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects available jobs in STEM fields to increase 17% by 2024, but only 18 – 19% of individuals receiving degrees in computer science, engineering, or physics are women. Check out our featured employee today (Facilities Manager Casi Babinchak), and follow along all week as we learn more about the team members who make Warfel a leader in the construction management industry.

Describe what you do at Warfel: I manage short-term construction turnover and renovation projects for residential, retail, office and other facilities.

Where did you go to school? I have degrees from Elizabethtown College and Loyola University of Maryland.

How long have you worked at Warfel? 6 months

What did you do before you came to Warfel? I am so fortunate to have had a long and winding career path that has provided me with management experience in a variety of arenas. My realization of my love for construction project management came when I was serving as the COO for The Central Market House Company in York and had the opportunity to function as an owner’s rep for a grant-funded renovation.

What is your favorite part of your job? The opportunity to face new challenges on a daily basis and solve problems as a team while focusing on quality management and building a relationship that results in a Client for Life.

What is the worst job you ever had? The foundation of my career path has been based on my belief that there is, for the most part, no such thing as a bad job. I have always believed that it is the learnings you take from each job that serve to strengthen the stepping stones to the next, making you not only more experienced and knowledgeable, but also more savvy about what roles are the best fit.

What advice would you give someone applying to Warfel? Be authentic in your interview.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career? Stay organized, don’t say “that’s not my job”, be responsive, and do your job in a way that makes the people you come in contact with want to work with you again.

What has changed the most since you’ve started your career? Technology! It’s so hard to imagine now how I worked in the mid-90s without email, GPS and a cell phone.

What’s your favorite part of working in the construction industry? Creating spaces that allow people to live, work and play more efficiently and beautifully.

What do you think is the most challenging part of the construction industry? Challenging, albeit necessary, the bureaucratic oversight that is involved in the process can impact plans and schedules.

If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be/what would you do? I would travel to do profiles pieces on the athletes, their families and their hometowns for NBC’s Olympic coverage.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Traveling and spending time at home with my husband Mike, daughter Alex (18), son Luke (16) and our dog Wilson. I also enjoy cooking, reading, Netflix, watching my kids play sports and getting together for cocktails with girlfriends.

What’s a fun fact about you that we might not know? I have been to the State of the Union Address and the White House Christmas Party.

You can learn more about the statistics of Women in Construction here.

Women in Construction Week: Meet Marketing Communications Manager Sara Crimmel

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In honor of Women In Construction Week, we’re highlighting some of the fantastic women who make Warfel a great place to work.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects available jobs in STEM fields to increase 17% by 2024, but only 18 – 19% of individuals receiving degrees in computer science, engineering, or physics are women. Check out our featured employee today (Marketing Communications Manager Sara Crimmel), and follow along all week as we learn more about the team members who make Warfel a leader in the construction management industry.

Describe what you do at Warfel: I’m responsible for all of Warfel’s digital content – I’m occasionally described as Warfel’s “Minister of Propaganda.” On a typical day, you might find me shooting videos on one of Warfel’s job sites, updating our Instagram, or preparing presentations for our interview teams.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Elizabethtown College with a B.A. in English/Professional Writing, and minored in Business Administration.

How long have you worked at Warfel? 2 years

What did you do before you came to Warfel? I worked in the marketing department for an MEP distribution company.

What is your favorite part of your job? The people I work with are some of the most fantastic people I’ve ever met. They’re dedicated to doing the job right, willing to offer help even when their own plates are full, and committed to working together.

What is the worst job you ever had? I spent several summers in high school and college lifeguarding. Sitting around, watching a few people swim and not getting to talk to anyone is not my idea of a good time.

What advice would you give someone applying to Warfel? Be yourself! It takes all sorts of personalities to make Warfel work, and we need each one.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career? Be willing to ask for help and learn from others. There are so many incredibly smart people out there who are more than willing to share what they’ve learned with you.

What’s your favorite part of working in the construction industry? It’s amazing to see what our team is able to do every day. I absolutely love watching the progress of a project – it’s really rewarding to see something come out of the ground and be turned into a new space.

If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be/what would you do? I would love to be the person who runs the TSA’s social media accounts. They get to meaningfully impact their customers’ experiences by answering questions, and have a lot of fun with an awesome sense of humor.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Right now, my favorite thing to do outside of work is run – I’m currently training for a half marathon in April.

You can learn more about the statistics of Women in Construction here.

Women in Construction Week: Meet Junior Estimator Kaitlyn Mellon

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In honor of Women In Construction Week, we’re highlighting some of the fantastic women who make Warfel a great place to work.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects available jobs in STEM fields to increase 17% by 2024, but only 18 – 19% of individuals receiving degrees in computer science, engineering, or physics are women. Check out our featured employee today (Junior Estimator Kaitlyn Mellon), and follow along all week as we learn more about the team members who make Warfel a leader in the construction management industry.

Describe what you do at Warfel: I assist other estimators to complete the estimating process for various construction jobs. This process includes reviewing drawings and specifications, understanding the scope of work, calling subcontractors and manufactures, and completing an estimate of my own. My estimate includes taking off quantities and applying prices to those quantities accurately.

Where did you go to school? I went to Millersville University in Lancaster PA.

How long have you worked at Warfel? I started at Warfel in May of 2017, a few months short of a year.

What did you do before you came to Warfel? I started in construction when worked with my dad doing hands-on construction work during summers and winter breaks, mostly carpentry work. I had two internships with a subcontracting company and one of our competitors, then I graduated college with a degree in construction management and started working at Warfel.

What is your favorite part of your job? My favorite parts of my job are the people and atmosphere. Everyone at Warfel are always willing to help you out with anything. Being still somewhat new, it is always good to have a supportive work environment.

What is your most exciting accomplishment? My largest and most recent accomplishment was being on a winning bid team for a project at ACTS Cokesbury. It was awesome to see our team’s hard work come together.

What advice would you give someone applying to Warfel? Warfel is a great place to work. Everyone is super hardworking and positive. When I was hired someone said “Warfel hires people based on how their personality will fit with current employees” I would say that is 100% accurate. I have a lot of great coworkers.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career? Everyone makes mistakes or errors occasionally. Admit your mistakes, learn from it and move on.

What has changed the most since you’ve started your career? My motivation level has increased since starting at Warfel. It is a great feeling to be a part of a great company and knowing your work is appreciated.

What’s your favorite part of working in the construction industry? I love seeing the progression of a construction project. Watching a building go from ground up is so interesting and satisfying to me.

What do you think is the most challenging part of the construction industry? The most challenging part about working in construction is being a young woman. I have just graduated college so I am still young and I do not have as much experience as most people in our industry. Construction in the past has been primarily males, but it is nice to see this changing one woman at a time.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? I love going to concerts, participating in bar crawls and going to the beach.

What’s a fun fact about you that we might not know? I did Irish step dancing for six years of my life.

You can learn more about the statistics of Women in Construction here.

Women in Construction Week: Meet Preconstruction Administrator Stephanie Berkheiser

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In honor of Women In Construction Week, we’re highlighting some of the fantastic women who make Warfel a great place to work.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects available jobs in STEM fields to increase 17% by 2024, but only 18 – 19% of individuals receiving degrees in computer science, engineering, or physics are women. Check out our featured employee today (Preconstruction Administrator Stephanie Berkheiser), and follow along all week as we learn more about the team members who make Warfel a leader in the construction management industry.

Describe what you do at Warfel: I support the Preconstruction Managers with any tasks they need help with.  Anything from creating meeting minutes, to creating and finalizing AIA contracts, printing of drawings, and lots of scheduling.

Where did you go to school? Harrisburg Area Community College

How long have you worked at Warfel? Almost 3 years – 2 years 11 months

What did you do before you came to Warfel?  I was a Cad Drafter for a local architect in Lancaster.

What is your favorite part of your job?  The people and variety of things I do here daily.  No day is ever the same. There are always opportunities to learn something new and challenge yourself.

What is the worst job you ever had? Working at a fast food restaurant in high school.

What is your most exciting accomplishment? Raising two independent children to adulthood.

What advice would you give someone applying to Warfel? Be passionate about your abilities, but be open to new ideas and new ways of doing things.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career? ALWAYS be honest and treat people with kindness. Being a good listener is also very important.

What has changed the most since you’ve started your career? The technology for sure.

What’s your favorite part of working in the construction industry? I just really appreciate the hard work the guys in the field put in to make these beautiful projects come to life.  It’s one thing to see renderings and drawings on paper, but to go out into the field and watch it being built is so awesome to see.

What do you think is the most challenging part of the construction industry?  Getting and keeping qualified workers.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?  Watching almost any Penn State sport and traveling.

What’s a fun fact about you that we might not know? I love the 80’s!

You can learn more about the statistics of Women in Construction here.

Women in Construction Week: Meet Senior Project Manager Sheila Snyder

Posted on by adminwarfelcc

In honor of Women In Construction Week, we’re highlighting some of the fantastic women who make Warfel a great place to work.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects available jobs in STEM fields to increase 17% by 2024, but only 18 – 19% of individuals receiving degrees in computer science, engineering, or physics are women. Check out our featured employee today (Senior Project Manager Sheila Snyder), and follow along all week as we learn more about the team members who make Warfel a leader in the construction management industry.

Describe what you do at Warfel: I oversee project teams to ensure compliance to budget, schedule, and quality.  I interact with clients and their representatives and design teams to ensure positive client relationships.

Where did you go to school?

Thaddeus Stevens State School of Technology – Associates in Specialized Technology

Drexel University – Bachelor of Science in Construction Management

Penn State – MBA

How long have you worked at Warfel?  10 years

What did you do before you came to Warfel?  I worked for another construction company as a draftsperson, an estimator, project coordinator, project manager, and a senior project manager.

What is your favorite part of your job?  Being part of a great team and creating an atmosphere of success.

What is your most exciting accomplishment?  The day that we heard we got the UGI project.  I was on the presenting team and that was a wonderful day.

What advice would you give someone applying to Warfel?  Be ready to work hard.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career?  Everybody has their own perspective of the issues.  Be willing to listen.

What’s your favorite part of working in the construction industry?  The buildings that I am a part of aren’t really my buildings, but in my heart, they are.  I want to be proud of them – every one of them – so I work in a way to ensure that I am.

What do you think is the most challenging part of the construction industry?  The quality of documents in a competitive bid environment.  This creates challenges that require a finesse that isn’t always easy to muster.

If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be/what would you do?  If I didn’t work in construction, I’d probably manage a restaurant.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?  Golfing, dining out, going to the beach and watching people, theater.

What’s a fun fact about you that we might not know?  I’m a drummer and I’m pretty good.

Anything else you’d like to add?  The construction industry would benefit a lot if there were more women that worked in all areas of construction.

You can learn more about the statistics of Women in Construction here.

Women in Construction Week: Meet Company Greeter Amy Eckert

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In honor of Women In Construction Week, we’re highlighting some of the fantastic women who make Warfel a great place to work.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects the available jobs in STEM fields to increase 17% by 2024, but only 18 – 19% of individuals receiving degrees in computer science, engineering, or physics are women. Check out our featured employee today (Company Greeter Amy Eckert), and follow along all week as we learn more about the team members who make Warfel a leader in the construction management industry.

Describe what you do at Warfel: I do a little bit of everything! But most importantly, I make sure every guest and caller feel welcome, valued and important.

Where did you go to school? I attended Dorsey Business School and Elim Bible Institute.

How long have you worked at Warfel?  Almost 8 years – 7 years and 11 months.

What did you do before you came to Warfel?  I was a stay-at-home mom.

What is the worst job you ever had? I once worked in a factory making dampers for furnaces.

What advice would you give someone applying to Warfel?  Be honest and be yourself.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Anything outside – hunting, sports, and going to the beach with my family.

You can learn more about the statistics of Women in Construction here.

Women in Construction Week: Meet Bid Coordinator Karen Woods

Posted on by adminwarfelcc

In honor of Women In Construction Week, we’re highlighting female Warfel employees. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects the available jobs in STEM fields to increase 17% by 2024, but only 18 – 19% of individuals receiving degrees in computer science, engineering, or physics are women. Check out our featured employee today (Bid Coordinator Karen Woods), and follow along all week as we learn more about the team members who make Warfel a leader in the construction management industry.

Describe what you do at Warfel:  I work with the estimating team to set up all the bids that come in, make sure that all documents are sent out to the subcontractors, and coordinate the proposal or hard bid going out to the client.

Where did you go to school? I graduated from Colby Sawyer College in New London, NH.

How long have you worked at Warfel? 1 year

What did you do before you came to Warfel? I was a Senior Administrator at Skanska USA Building, Inc.

What is your favorite part of your job?  I really enjoy interacting with the Estimating team.

What is the worst job you ever had?  Retail clerk at a Carvel ice cream store.

What is your most exciting accomplishment?  Moving successfully from MA to PA – and loving it!

What advice would you give someone applying to Warfel?  Be open and excited about the opportunity.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career?  Listen – carefully.

What’s your favorite part of working in the construction industry?  The opportunity to work on a new project, daily, weekly or monthly.

What do you think is the most challenging part of the construction industry?  Keeping abreast of the continuing technology changes in the field.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?  Travel and gardening.

What’s a fun fact about you that we might not know?  My fiancé and I own a 1956 Ford Pickup.

You can learn more about the statistics of Women in Construction here.