East Petersburg, PA — We are proud to announce the promotion of Corbin Beittel to General Manager, Central PA, effective August 1, 2025. In this role, Corbin will oversee the day-to-day operations of Warfel’s East Petersburg and State College offices and provide leadership to the region’s project management teams.
From Field Engineer to General Manager
Corbin joined Warfel in 2017 as a Field Engineer and has since taken on roles as Project Engineer, Project Manager, and most recently, Project Executive. His path reflects a deep commitment to learning, leadership, and building strong relationships.
With this leadership transition, project management staff in both Central PA offices will begin reporting directly to Corbin, supporting aligned leadership and continued team success.
Focused on Teams and Clients for Life
Known for his authentic and servant-minded leadership style, Corbin brings a thoughtful, people-first approach to his work. In his new role, he’ll focus on growing and supporting project management teams, strengthening Warfel’s Clients for Life mission, and delivering operational excellence across the region.
“I’m honored to step into this new role,” said Beittel. “What energizes me most is the chance to support our teams and help create spaces where people can do their best work. That, and continuing to build long-term partnerships in Central PA, makes this an exciting new chapter.”
A Vision for the Future
“Corbin’s leadership is grounded in integrity, collaboration, and care for people,” said Conlan Swope, President of Warfel Construction. “His story reflects the values we believe in—investing in people, growing leaders from within, and staying focused on relationships. We’re confident Corbin will continue to elevate our impact across Central PA.”
Warfel’s Culture of Growth
Corbin’s promotion reflects Warfel’s long-standing commitment to building from within. The company’s success is rooted in the strength of its people, and Corbin’s journey is a clear example of that belief in action. Warfel’s culture of prioritizing people, cultivating leadership, and fostering collaboration ensures that team members are supported as they grow and thrive.
Life Outside the Jobsite
Corbin enjoys all things outdoors—from cabin trips and motorsports to time spent with family and friends. He believes that no two days in construction are ever the same, and that’s exactly what fuels his passion for the work.
Please join us in congratulating Corbin on this well-earned promotion.
About Warfel Construction
Warfel Construction is a full-service construction management firm based in East Petersburg, Pennsylvania. Warfel serves clients in senior living, healthcare, higher education, and commercial sectors across Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and nearby states.
Guided by a people-first culture and a mission to build Clients for Life, Warfel is known for delivering complex projects through collaboration, innovation, and integrity. To learn more about Warfel Construction, visit warfelcc.com.
East Petersburg, PA—Warfel Construction has been named a 2025 Empowering Women Award recipient by Lehigh Valley Business and Central Penn Business Journal. This recognition highlights companies in Central and Eastern Pennsylvania that are creating meaningful opportunities for women to grow, lead, and thrive in the workplace and the broader community.
Warfel is honored to be included among this year’s awardees. In an industry where women have historically been underrepresented, the company remains committed to building a collaborative environment where women are supported through mentorship, leadership opportunities, and a strong sense of belonging. Over the past five years, Warfel has grown its female workforce by over 176% and promoted two women to Vice President on its senior leadership team.
Thoughts from Leadership
“Receiving this award reflects the incredible people who make Warfel what it is,” said Conlan Swope, President of Warfel Construction. “We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and committed to continuing the work to support women in every part of our organization and industry.”
“When you feel truly supported—like your voice matters and your growth is a shared priority—it changes everything,” said Gina Bonafede, Vice President of Marketing. “That’s the kind of culture we’re committed to building at Warfel. This recognition is truly a reflection of our mission and values at work across the organization, each and every day.”
Grounded in People and Community
Warfel’s commitment to empowering women is part of a broader approach to putting people first, always. That includes uplifting internal teams and building strong, lasting connections with the communities the company serves. Through mentorship programs, hands-on learning opportunities, industry partnerships, and volunteer initiatives, Warfel works to create a meaningful impact both inside and outside the organization.
Amber Schnader, Director of Project Management, at ABC Keystone Girls Camp
Supporting Growth at Every Level
Every employee who joins Warfel is connected with a mentor or supervisor to help guide their journey. Through its internal RISE (Raising Industry Standards for Equality) group, team members connect, grow, and find community together.
Warfel also extends its impact beyond the company by partnering with the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), hosting job site tours, and leading summer camps designed to introduce young girls to careers in construction. In July, Warfel will host a Girls Inc. Design & Build Camp Day at its headquarters, where participants will take part in hands-on activities that highlight construction career paths, workplace etiquette, and communication skills, helping to build confidence and awareness at an early age.
RISE team members team building at axe-throwing event
About the Award
The Empowering Women Awards will be celebrated at the Women’s Leadership Summit on August 12 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading. The Empowering Women Awards highlight companies and organizations that have demonstrated tangible efforts and documented results in supporting and empowering women in Central and Eastern PA. Honorees will also be featured in the August 15 issue of Central Penn Business Journal and the August 25 issue of Lehigh Valley Business. To learn more, visit lvb.com/event/empowering-women.
About Warfel Construction
Warfel Construction is a full-service construction management firm based in East Petersburg, Pennsylvania. Warfel serves clients across the senior living, healthcare, higher education, and commercial sectors. Guided by a people-first culture and a mission to build Clients for Life, Warfel is known for delivering complex projects through collaboration, innovation, and integrity. To learn more about Warfel Construction, visit https://www.warfelcc.com/.
Behavioral healthcare facilities demand more than standard construction. Navigating the complexities of patient safety, security, flexibility, and therapeutic design requires an integrated approach, all while meeting strict regulations and working within active clinical environments.
In this first installment of a two-part thought leadership series, our Project Executive shares insights from Warfel’s experience building behavioral health facilities that prioritize healing without compromising safety. Whether you’re a healthcare provider, facilities leader, or AEC professional, this article highlights the nuances that make these projects both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
Published: May 29, 2025
Author: Rusty Hoffman, Project Executive, Warfel Construction
Originally published by HCO News on May 29, 2025. Read the full article on HCO News.
Navigating the Complexities of Behavioral Healthcare Facility Construction, Part I
The demand for behavioral healthcare services remains high in the United States. According to the 2024 State of Mental Health in America report, 23% of American adults have experienced mental illness in the past year, and 18% of adults report having a substance use disorder. Of those reporting substance use disorders, 77% did not receive any form of treatment.
To ensure more people get the help they need, it’s important for stakeholders such as local communities, legislatures, and insurance companies to support expanding mental health programs and constructing new and renovated facilities. These behavioral healthcare (BH) facilities must provide a safe, therapeutic, and supportive environment designed to meet the unique needs of each patient as well as staff and visitors. This can be challenging, as constructing and upgrading a BH facility is significantly more complex than traditional healthcare or commercial construction.
By understanding the unique challenges and following some best practices, building, design, and construction teams can collaborate effectively to ensure their next BH facility construction projects get completed successfully and benefit the whole community.
Behavioral Health Construction Challenges
Along with the typical challenges of constructing a multi-bed healthcare facility, three unique obstacles need to be fully considered during planning and construction.
Gaining community support: The introduction of BH facilities can sometimes be met with concern among community members regarding safety and property values. While these concerns can often be resolved through public collaboration and education, they can impact the progress of projects if not addressed appropriately.
Managing safety risks: BH facility construction requires a different risk-management mindset than conventional healthcare projects. When complete, the facility’s design and construction must foster healing, while simultaneously minimizing risks associated with patient self-harm or aggression. Even elements that appear benign—light fixtures, windowsills, door hinges and furniture—must be scrutinized for potential safety risks.
Overcoming regulatory complexity: Intricate, overlapping federal, state and local regulatory requirements must be satisfied to complete each project. With BH facilities, these can be significantly more complex—and potentially contradictory. Building, design and construction teams need to be fully conversant with these regulations for each project and be prepared to manage the documentation necessary to satisfy all reviewing parties.
Best Practices for BH Facility Construction
While every project is unique, experienced teams can leverage best practices to address these challenges and meet stakeholder expectations.
Be active in the community
Hospital interior with sitting areas sat by tables and a lobby desk.
Southwood Psychiatric Inpatient Hospital in Pittsburgh is an example of thoughtful and successful behavioral healthcare design and construction.
Community engagement is important for alleviating some of the potentially negative connotations associated with BH facilities. The most successful projects are those that involve the community early in the process. Building owners and executives can work with their construction partners to host public forums, participate in community events and offer site tours before the facility opens. This type of proactive and transparent community engagement helps build trust in a project and can turn initial negative perceptions into support for the facility.
Being available and ready to engage with planning commissions and at municipal meetings where projects are reviewed and approved is critical—but so are local community events where public acceptance can be built. Many communities now host seasonal fairs and festivities—like Halloween ‘trunk-or-treat’ events—which offer opportunities for families to socialize with local business owners. This type of interaction allows residents to meet the people behind the BH project and learn how it can be a valuable community asset.
Design for safety at every level
From the layout of patient rooms to the selection of fixtures, an exceptional level of safety must be built into BH construction. For example, protruding objects and areas such as corners that a patient could use to harm themselves must be eliminated from the room. Experienced contractors and design teams incorporate ligature-resistant elements throughout the space. Design features such as tamper-proof outlets, continuous hinges, impact-resistant glass and recessed casework are standard. Furniture is often bolted to the floor and sealed with pick-proof caulking, while air diffusers are designed with serpentine patterns to prevent concealment or access.
Safety also includes designing excellent lines of sight, so staff can always be aware of patient whereabouts. Nurse stations must be central to patient rooms and shared spaces. One critical step is to communicate with the staff who will be using the spaces during constructability reviews and understand how everything needs to work, down to how the doors lock and unlock on interlocking vestibules.
The sequencing of construction activities must also be adjusted accordingly. For example, be aware that access for diffuser installation can be through light fixture openings, which needs to happen prior to light installation. It’s also key to arrange psychiatric window installation in conjunction with the sequence of drywall finishing. These and other conditions require careful coordination among trades and suppliers. Clear communication and documentation during this stage will help avoid any potential complications with subcontractors. This is especially critical with tasks such as electrical work that must happen in a certain sequence to ensure the safety of all the patient rooms and common areas.
Check back for Part II of this article, which offers more best practices for successful BH facility construction, including steps to work more effectively with subcontractors.
About Warfel Construction Company
Established in 1911, Warfel Construction is a leading provider of general contracting and construction management services specializing in senior living, healthcare, education, and commercial construction. Headquartered in Pennsylvania, Warfel proudly serves clients across Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and neighboring states.
For more about Warfel Construction, visit warfelcc.com.
