marketing-admin@warfelcc.com, Author at Warfelcc

Author: marketing-admin@warfelcc.com

Building Careers, One Summer at a Time

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Each summer, Warfel welcomes a new group of interns to the team. For many students, an internship is the first opportunity to turn classroom knowledge into real-world experience. At Warfel, that experience is designed to be more than a summer of observation. Interns are trusted with meaningful work and encouraged to ask questions. They are also given opportunities to build relationships that shape their future careers.

For nearly 20 years, Warfel’s internship program has continued to evolve. It has become an experience where students build confidence in their future careers. With a summer intended to keep them busy, interns can expect hands-on responsibility and mentorship. They also experience value instilled in community service, an emphasis on team building, and a final intern project. Together, these opportunities provide a well-rounded look at what it means to be a team member at Warfel Construction.

This summer, Warfel is proud to recognize 11 interns who are spending their time learning alongside project teams, mentors, and employees across the company. In honor of National Intern Day, we are celebrating the role interns play at Warfel. We are also recognizing the experiences that help prepare them for what comes next.

This summer’s intern class includes:

  • Alyssa Murray – Marketing Intern | Penn State University
  • Gabby Barbosa – Project Management Intern | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
  • Jayden Watts – Project Management Intern | Millersville University
  • Paddy McCarthy – Project Management Intern | Virginia Tech
  • Mason Pensabene – Project Management Intern | Penn State University
  • Zach Koptyra – Project Management Intern | Penn State University
  • Mick Cox – Project Management Intern | Penn State University
  • Connor Gentile – Project Management Intern | Penn College of Technology
  • Keegan Robinson – Project Management Intern | Penn State University
  • Ryan McNamee – Project Management Intern | Penn College of Technology
  • Liam Cheek – Project Management Intern | Penn State University

Learning Through Real-World Experience

From the start of the summer, they are encouraged to be active participants in the projects and departments they support. This helps interns begin to understand the industry’s pace. It also shows the importance of communication and the coordination required to move a project forward.

For interns working alongside project teams, learning often happens through everyday involvement. They may spend time walking jobsites, sitting in on project conversations, assisting with documentation, or helping track items that impact the progress of a project. These opportunities give interns a closer look at how decisions are made and how many people contribute to a successful outcome.  

“Working on observations and punch list items made me feel like part of the team,” Jayden Watts said. “Being trusted with those responsibilities allowed me to contribute to the project’s progress while working alongside the field team.” 

Ryan McNamee, who is completing his second summer with Warfel, has seen this responsibility grow over time.

“One thing I appreciate about the Warfel internship is how included I have felt in the team over the past two summers,” McNamee said. “Starting from the first day getting small tasks, to being a part of bigger discussions towards the end of the internship.” 

Seeing the Bigger Picture of Construction

Construction is often associated with the work happening on a jobsite, but every successful project begins long before work starts in the field. Through exposure to different areas of the company, interns gain a broader understanding of the planning, coordination, communication, and problem-solving that help shape each project from the earliest stages. 

Through project-based rotations, interns have the opportunity to see different sides of the construction process. They gain exposure to project management, preconstruction, VDC, field operations, quality control, and safety along the way. Rather than seeing these areas as separate pieces, interns begin to understand how connected they are.

“What surprised me most was how many different pieces have to come together to make a project work,” Mason Pensabene said. “…and also seeing how much goes into preconstruction before even setting foot on the site.”

The program also shows that there are many different career paths within the construction industry. In addition to project-based internships, Warfel offers opportunities in areas such as marketing. In this role, interns focus on the communication and storytelling side of the business. This helps bring attention to the people, projects, and culture behind Warfel. It also supports the relationships and pursuits that help move the company forward.

“My first two weeks felt like a constant stream of opportunities,” Barbosa said. “I got to be hands-on with everything, whether that was helping in the field or in the office. My experience was never a ‘sit and observe.’ It’s whatever I made it to be.”

Together, these experiences help interns begin to see where their interests and strengths may fit. They also offer a clearer picture of the many opportunities available across the construction industry.

Building Relationships and Confidence

While technical learning is a major part of the summer, relationships are just as important. Each intern is paired with a mentor who meets with them weekly to talk through their experience, answer questions, and provide any guidance needed. These check-ins give interns a chance to reflect on what they are learning and lead conversations about their own growth. 

The program also includes performance reviews and feedback forms throughout the summer, helping ensure interns feel supported and have opportunities to share how their experience is going.

“One thing I’ve appreciated most about my Warfel internship experience is the opportunity to communicate and work with the guys on site,” Watts said. “Building those relationships and learning from their knowledge and experience has been one of the most valuable parts of my internship.” 

Interns also have opportunities to build relationships beyond their daily responsibilities. This summer, interns spent a day together at Hersheypark, participated in team activities, did a volunteer day, and had opportunities to connect with employees across the company.They also had the chance to sit down with President Conlan Swope, who began his own Warfel career as an intern.

Bringing the Summer Internship Together

At the end of the summer, each intern presents an individual project. Each project focuses on a topic that has the potential to benefit the company. Interns spend the summer researching their topic, developing their ideas, and preparing to share what they have learned. While all team members are welcome to attend the final presentations, interns primarily present their work to specific groups. These include peers, mentors, project teams, and members of Warfel’s senior leadership team.

The project gives interns a chance to build confidence in public speaking, professional communication, organization, and problem-solving. It also allows them to apply what they have learned throughout the summer and share their own perspective with the company.

Preparing for beyond the internship 

At Warfel, much of the internship experience is shaped by learning alongside others and contributing to the work underway. As interns take on new responsibilities, explore different areas of the company, and build relationships with mentors and team members, they gain a broader understanding of the construction industry and begin to see where their own interests may lead. 

National Intern Day offers an opportunity to recognize the contributions of this year’s interns. It also recognizes the perspective they bring to the teams around them. Their curiosity, thoughtful questions, and willingness to take on new challenges contribute to the work they support. These qualities also encourage learning across the company.

Every internship represents more than a summer experience. It represents an investment in the future of our industry. We’re grateful for the curiosity, dedication, and fresh perspectives this year’s interns have brought to Warfel. We look forward to seeing where their careers take them.

Happy Retirement, Garry Gross!

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Celebrating Garry Gross: Honoring 44 Years in Construction and a Well-Earned Retirement

After more than four decades in the construction industry, Construction Supervisor Garry Gross is officially hanging up his hard hat. As Garry prepares to retire on July 31, Warfel Construction Company is proud to celebrate his remarkable career and thank him for the leadership, dedication, and experience he has shared over the past five and a half years.

Although Garry joined Warfel in 2021, his construction career spans an impressive 44 years. He began as a laborer before advancing through the trades as an apprentice carpenter, journeyman carpenter, foreman, and ultimately construction supervisor — a role he has held for the last 30 years.

A Career Built on Experience

Reflecting on his time at Warfel, one experience stands out above the rest. Garry recalls completing an Acadia Geisinger Behavioral Health Hospital and then having the opportunity to construct a mirror-image version of the same facility alongside many of the same teammates.

“It’s not often you get the chance to build the same project twice with nearly the same construction team,” Garry shared. “That was a unique experience.”

While projects come and go, Garry says his greatest accomplishment has simply been finishing his career with the Warfel team.

“Being part of Warfel Construction Company for the last five-plus years to finish my career is something I’m especially proud of,” he said.

Looking Ahead to Retirement

When asked what he’ll miss most, Garry’s answer was immediate: the people.

“The great people I have worked with in the short time I was here.”

As retirement begins, Garry is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, traveling, and camping at some of their favorite destinations. Most of all, he’s excited for the flexibility to enjoy life on their own schedule.

“We’ll be able to do whatever we want, whenever we want,” he said. “If we want to head out camping during the week, we can just go.”

A Message for the Warfel Team

Before stepping into this next chapter, Garry shared one final piece of advice with his coworkers, one that reflects both Warfel’s culture and his own approach to life.

“I encourage everyone to not only live by Warfel’s core values at work, but to carry them into your daily lives at home as well,” Garry said. “I also try to approach every task by asking, ‘What if?’ Working safely every day is important so that we all make it to the finish line and can continue enjoying life long after our working careers are over.”

Garry’s commitment to safety, teamwork, and living out Warfel’s core values has left a lasting impact on those who have worked alongside him.

Congratulations, Garry, on an incredible career and a well-deserved retirement. Thank you for your years of service, and best wishes as you begin this exciting new chapter. We hope it is filled with many camping trips, new adventures, and plenty of time with family.

How to Build on an Occupied Senior Living Campus

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How Do You Expand a Senior Living Community Without Interrupting Daily Life?

Construction on an active senior living campus is about more than building new spaces. It is about understanding the people who already call that campus home.

At LifeSpire of Virginia’s The Summit in Lynchburg, VA, several projects are underway across the campus, as part of Warfel’s ongoing work in senior living construction, including a new Memory Support Building, Blue Ridge Commons, Hybrid Homes, and related site improvements. Each supports the community in a different way, from expanding memory care services to creating new spaces for dining, wellness, and resident connection.

While the campus continues to grow, residents, staff, families, and visitors continue their daily routines.

That creates a unique challenge for the project team: How do you keep construction moving while helping daily life continue as smoothly and safely as possible?

The answer comes down to thoughtful planning, clear communication, careful logistics, and a shared understanding that every construction decision affects real people.

Planning the Work in Phases

Before work began, the project team partnered closely with LifeSpire to understand how the campus operates and how each phase of construction would support the community’s long-term vision.

Early planning focused on how the different buildings connected to one another, both physically and operationally. Blue Ridge Commons, the new amenities building, is designed to become a central gathering place for dining, fitness, and resident connection while complementing the campus’s recent cottage expansion and Hybrid Homes.

At the same time, the Memory Support Building became an early priority because of the growing need for specialized memory care services. The new building will allow LifeSpire to better serve residents while expanding an important offering for the community.

Like any occupied campus project, the plan has continued to evolve as work progresses. Construction sequencing has been adjusted to align with operational priorities, and the team is planning for a gradual occupancy of the Hybrid Homes rather than having many residents move in at once.

That flexibility is essential on an occupied campus. A successful plan needs structure, but it also needs the ability to adapt as conditions change and client needs evolve.

Managing Campus Logistics

From the outside, this may appear to be one large construction project. In reality, it functions as several individual projects operating simultaneously within one active community.

Each building has its own schedule, challenges, turnover date, and coordination requirements. Add in occupied cottages, ongoing sitework, active facilities, and daily campus operations, and the work becomes a constant exercise in planning.

Senior Superintendent Jason Noll describes it as “a very logistical chess game.”

One of the biggest challenges is the project’s location in the heart of campus. Both Blue Ridge Commons and the Memory Support Building connect to existing facilities and require renovation. Temporary parking impacts have even led LifeSpire to implement valet service for residents while nearby parking areas remain under construction.

The team is also working directly beside, behind, and between occupied cottages. A one-way roadway runs through the campus, requiring deliveries to be carefully coordinated each day. Larger trucks must enter, navigate the campus safely, turn around, and exit using the same route.

Work hours are also planned around campus operations. Construction activities generally occur between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., with deliveries scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. When utility shutdowns are necessary, the team seeks opportunities to perform them during off-hours to minimize disruption. Billy Delacruz shared one example of the team staying late to complete a gas shutdown so the campus kitchen could continue operating during its normal schedule.

Many of these efforts happen behind the scenes, but they make a meaningful difference for the people who use the campus every day.

Communicating with Staff

On an occupied senior living campus, communication is just as important as the construction itself.

The Warfel team stays in close contact with LifeSpire’s facilities staff through near-daily phone calls, text messages, and emails. Early in the project, multiple Warfel team members shared their contact information so staff would always know who to reach if questions or concerns arose.

Another key communication tool is the Construction Impact Alert (CIA). These customized notices outline upcoming activities that may affect the campus, including the dates, impacted areas, and what residents, staff, and visitors can expect. LifeSpire prefers receiving these notices at least one week in advance, allowing staff time to communicate changes throughout the community.

To date, the team has issued more than 30 Construction Impact Alerts. Some have covered major activities, such as crane deliveries or road closures. Others have addressed work inside occupied buildings, including installing temporary dust partitions.

The goal isn’t simply to notify people that something is changing. It’s to help residents, staff, and visitors feel informed and prepared before construction activities begin.

As fencing, walkways, and access routes change, updated site logistics plans are shared with LifeSpire in advance. Clear wayfinding signage also helps residents and visitors confidently navigate temporary route changes throughout the campus.

Protecting the Resident Experience

Every decision starts with one question:

How will this affect the people already living here?

Jason explained that the team approaches every decision by thinking about the residents as if they were their own parents or grandparents.

That perspective changes everything.

Backup alarms. Construction noise. Deliveries. Temporary route changes. These aren’t simply jobsite conditions; they’re part of someone’s everyday life.

Safety always remains the top priority, but the team also considers how every activity affects the overall campus experience. Keeping roads clean, maintaining an organized jobsite, coordinating around resident activities, and planning noisy work in advance all help reduce unnecessary disruption.

The human side of the project became especially clear during a recent hard hat tour. Residents had been watching monthly construction update videos featuring Jason, and when they arrived for the tour, several recognized him immediately. They stopped to tell him they appreciated the updates and enjoyed following the project’s progress.

For Jason, that moment stood out.

It was a reminder that construction wasn’t simply happening around the residents—they were part of the journey.

When residents see familiar faces, receive clear communication, and understand what’s happening around them, construction becomes less disruptive and more connected to the future of their community.

Building with Daily Life in Mind

Expanding an active senior living community requires more than quality construction. It requires patience, flexibility, thoughtful planning, and a commitment to the people who already call that community home.

At The Summit, every delivery, utility shutdown, pathway adjustment, and schedule change is carefully planned to keep the campus operating while preparing it for the future.

That’s what makes construction on an occupied senior living campus different.

Success isn’t measured only by the buildings that are completed. It’s also measured by the trust that’s built along the way.

Seeing the Future Before it’s Built with VDC

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Seeing the Future Before It’s Built: How VDC Helped Bring Tel Hai’s Vision to Life

Helping People See What Comes Next

When clients look at construction drawings, they can often understand the design, but it can be harder to picture how the finished space will feel. For organizations making a significant investment, helping residents, employees, donors, and stakeholders visualize that future is an important part of building understanding and excitement. Warfel’s Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) team supports clients by helping turn project information into something people can see, understand, and connect with. That support became especially meaningful as Tel Hai, a senior living community in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, prepared for the Ground Blessing of its new Health Center and wanted to help residents and stakeholders connect with the vision and better understand what was ahead.

Understanding Tel Hai’s Need

Tel Hai had been planning its future Health Center for years. As the project moved forward, the community needed more than drawings and descriptions to share that longstanding vision with the people it would serve. Tel Hai wanted residents and families to be able to see how the completed building could look and feel, even while the site was still in the early stages of construction.

Warfel’s VDC team developed detailed renderings and animations that translated the project information into spaces people could recognize and understand. These visuals gave Tel Hai a helpful resource for conversations with residents, team members, families, care partners, and other stakeholders. Rather than asking viewers to interpret technical documents, Tel Hai could offer a realistic preview of the environment being created for future care, connection, and daily life.

Bringing the Future Health Center to Life with VDC

To help Tel Hai share that vision in a meaningful way, Nathanael Tran, VDC Coordination Specialist, turned the project’s drawings and finish selections into detailed renderings and animations. By incorporating flooring, paint colors, lighting, signage, door hardware, interior décor, and other familiar details, the visuals helped the future Health Center feel less like an idea on paper and more like a place residents and families could begin to picture.

Nathanael also used character mapping to thoughtfully place people throughout the renderings, including residents using wheelchairs, family members, caregivers, and visitors. These details helped bring warmth and familiarity to the visuals, keeping the focus where it belonged: on the people who will use the space and the moments it is being designed to support.

Sharing the Vision

In June, Tel Hai marked an important project milestone with a Ground Blessing for the future Health Center. Residents, team members, care partners, and project partners gathered to reflect on the meaning behind the project and the people it will serve. Attendees also shared their hopes through stones that will later be incorporated into the landscaping, creating a lasting connection between the community and the place taking shape.

The renderings and animations added another meaningful layer to that experience. While attendees could see the early construction work on site, the visuals helped them look beyond the current conditions and picture the completed Health Center. They could see the character of the future rooms, the details that would make the building feel residential, and the ways the environment would support residents, families, and caregivers.

That shared visual reference made the project easier to discuss. Instead of relying only on written descriptions, Tel Hai had a tool that could support questions, explain design decisions, and keep people connected to the purpose behind the work. The result was not simply a preview of a building. It was a clearer way to communicate what the future Health Center would mean for the community.

Why VDC Matters for Clients

The value of these visualizations extends beyond presentation. Renderings and animations can help clients communicate complex design information in a format that is easier for a wide audience to understand. They can also support conversations about colors, flooring, lighting, fixtures, door hardware, and other details before those elements are installed. Seeing the selections together within the space helps clients understand how individual decisions contribute to the overall environment and ask more informed questions.

Nick Slobozien, Warfel’s Senior Project Manager for the project, explained the outcome: “The renderings and animations gave everyone a much better understanding of what the new Health Center will look and feel like before construction even started. For residents, families, and other stakeholders, it helped bridge the gap between the drawings and the finished project. Having that visual representation made it easier to communicate the vision, answer questions, and build excitement for what’s ahead.”

For Tel Hai, VDC created a common point of reference for people with different levels of construction knowledge. Residents could focus on how the space might feel. Team members and project partners could discuss specific design details. Stakeholders could better understand the long-term vision behind the investment. The technology supported those conversations, but the value came from helping people see, understand, and connect with the same future.

Bringing the Vision Into Focus

As the new Health Center moves forward, Tel Hai’s residents and families can begin imagining the experiences that will take place within the finished space. The renderings and animations bring that future into focus before construction is complete, helping strengthen the connection between the project’s vision and the people it is designed to serve.

Warfel’s VDC team helped Tel Hai communicate not only what the Health Center will look like, but why it matters. By making the future space easier to understand and more personal, the visuals helped the community connect with what is being built and feel part of what comes next.

Building From Reality: Managing Risk and Quality in Complex Renovations

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Transforming the former St. Joseph’s Hospital into West End Place Apartments required the project team to work through more than a century of renovations, structural changes, and concealed conditions.

Washington Place Equities’ vision was to give the historic Lancaster building a new purpose while preserving the character that made it familiar to the surrounding community. For many members of the project team, the connection to St. Joseph’s Hospital was personal — some were born there, while others had family members who received care within its walls. Preserving and repurposing a building with such deep community significance added another layer of meaning to the work.

Bringing that vision to life meant integrating modern apartments and building systems into a structure that did not always match the available drawings.

As demolition progressed, each area revealed new information. Floor conditions varied throughout the building, structural elements affected system installation, and portions of the façade reflected different eras of construction and repair.

The project’s success did not depend on avoiding every unexpected condition. It depended on how the owner, architect, project team, trade partners, and specialized support teams responded as a team. The project reinforced several important lessons about managing risk and maintaining quality throughout complex renovations.

The project reinforced several important lessons about managing risk and maintaining quality throughout complex renovations.

Lesson 1: Identify Risks Early

Renovating a historic structure begins with accepting that the drawings may not tell the full story.

At West End Place, demolition revealed structural inconsistencies, modified façades, uneven floor conditions, and other concealed conditions that could not be fully understood until portions of the building were exposed. While historical documents and investigations provided an important starting point, the building’s century-long evolution meant some conditions only became apparent as work progressed.

Each discovery had the potential to affect multiple aspects of construction, from MEP routing and ceiling heights to finish elevations and trade coordination. As new information emerged, the project team collaborated closely with Washington Place Equities, the architect, trade partners, and field teams to evaluate conditions, refine solutions, and adjust the approach as needed.

Before construction began, Warfel’s preconstruction team worked to identify areas of uncertainty by reviewing historical information, studying potential scope gaps, and developing risk logs. Early discussions with Washington Place Equities also helped establish allowances for work that could not be fully defined before demolition.

While preconstruction could not eliminate every unknown, it provided the owner and project team with a framework for responding as new conditions emerged. By acknowledging uncertainty upfront, the team was better prepared to make informed decisions throughout construction.

Lesson 2: Use Technology to Improve Decision Making

Following demolition, the team completed Matterport scans — a reality-capture technology that creates an interactive, 3D digital record of existing conditions. These scans documented exposed areas of the building and established a foundation for Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) coordination.

The scans provided a shared visual reference for the project team, owner, and design partners, allowing stakeholders to review conditions remotely and make decisions using the same information. As construction progressed, 360-degree photography continued documenting concealed systems before walls and ceilings were closed.

The VDC process ultimately became more extensive than originally anticipated. As actual conditions differed from the initial models, Warfel’s VDC team rebuilt portions of the coordination model using the Matterport scans as the foundation for coordination and layout planning. This allowed the team to refine layouts, coordinate building systems around structural constraints, and reduce rework in the field.

Technology did not replace problem-solving; it provided the accurate information needed to make better decisions.

Lesson 3: Embed Quality Throughout Construction

Technology provided valuable information, but experienced people remained critical to evaluating conditions and developing solutions.

Warfel’s Continuous Improvement and Quality team worked alongside project managers, field leaders, trade partners, and design professionals throughout construction. Their involvement included constructability reviews, material research, façade detailing, MEP inspections, and field validation.

This support proved especially valuable where new construction connected to the historic structure. Façade tie-ins, floor leveling, mechanical coordination, and system installations all required ongoing evaluation and collaboration to ensure quality expectations were met.

Rather than serving as a final checkpoint, quality was integrated throughout the project lifecycle.

Lesson 4: Build from Reality

One of the most important lessons from West End Place is that renovation projects must be built from reality, not assumptions.

The design documents established the project’s direction, but the existing building ultimately determined how the work could be executed. Through early risk planning, reality capture, VDC coordination, field reviews, and quality oversight, the team continually compared assumptions against actual conditions and adjusted accordingly.

Complex renovations will always involve uncertainty. Better outcomes come from teams that communicate openly, challenge assumptions, and respond to new information together.

While every renovation project is different, the principles remain the same: identify risks early, verify existing conditions, integrate quality throughout construction, and collaborate to solve problems as they arise. Those practices help transform uncertainty into opportunity and ultimately lead to better outcomes for owners, project teams, and the communities they serve.

 

Celebrating 45 Years of Service: Jimmy Spence

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Warfel Construction is proud to recognize Jimmy Spence for an incredible 45 years of service and dedication.

From Laborer to Foreman: A 45-Year Journey

Jimmy’s career at Warfel began as a laborer, then progressed through the ranks as an apprentice and, eventually, a foreman — a role he finds especially rewarding. “I enjoy being out on the jobsite, working alongside the crew and seeing projects come together,” he shares.

Over the years, Jimmy has contributed to countless projects, but one that stands out is the Fulton Opera House. He recalls it as one of the most challenging and exciting projects of his career, requiring creativity, perseverance, and teamwork to bring it to completion.

Lessons Learned Along the Way

Throughout his journey, Jimmy learned the value of patience and thoughtful decision-making. “Sometimes the ‘bull in a china shop’ approach doesn’t work,” he says. “I’ve learned to take a step back, think things through, and find the best path forward.”

His growth has been driven by a willingness to step outside his comfort zone and embrace new challenges. For Jimmy, every hurdle he overcomes becomes another opportunity to gain experience and develop professionally.

Advice for the Next Generation

When asked what advice he would give to someone starting at Warfel today, his response reflects the mindset that helped shape his own success: “Find someone who is experienced and willing to teach you. Keep your eyes open, listen, and always be willing to learn.”

Construction has been part of Jimmy’s life from the beginning. Working alongside his father on Saturdays sparked his interest in building and working with his hands — an interest that ultimately led him to a lifelong career at Warfel. Along the way, Warfel has helped him develop a forward-thinking mindset, teaching him to plan and stay focused on achieving his goals.

Life Outside of Work

While there are too many memories to count, Jimmy says some of his favorite moments include the camaraderie shared with coworkers. “Being able to have fun and laugh throughout the day” is what he remembers most fondly.

Outside of work, Jimmy enjoys maintaining his two koi ponds, metal detecting, and participating in community playground projects. His passion for building and creating extends well beyond the jobsite.

Reflecting on 45 years with Warfel, Jimmy encourages the next generation to appreciate the skills they learn in the construction industry. Those skills not only build careers — they create opportunities to tackle DIY projects, improve your home, and bring your own ideas to life.

Thank you, Jimmy, for 45 years of hard work, craftsmanship, mentorship, and dedication! Your contributions have helped shape Warfel and continue to inspire those around you.

Preserving History Through the Details People May Never See

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A historic church renovation rooted in faith, community, and care

Renovating a church that has served Winchester since 1753 requires more than updating a building. It requires balancing preservation, accessibility, and modern functionality while respecting a place that has been part of the community for generations.

At Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, the current renovation is helping prepare communal spaces and offices for the future while honoring the character and history that have shaped the congregation for more than 270 years.

For many members of Grace, this project has been decades in the making. Conversations about improving the building have taken place for more than 30 years, with generations of congregation members helping guide the vision for what the church could become.

As construction continues, much of the work taking place today will eventually disappear behind walls, ceilings, and finished spaces. While these elements may never be seen, they are often the details that matter most. Preserving historic features and integrating new systems within an existing structure requires careful planning and thoughtful decision-making. Those efforts will help Grace continue serving its congregation and community for years to come.

Preserving history through the details people may never see

Renovating a historic church requires more than construction experience. It requires patience, listening, and respect for the details that make the building meaningful to the people who know it best.

Throughout the project, the Warfel team has carefully preserved the church’s original elements while incorporating necessary updates. Original doors and stained glass were removed, stored safely, and prepared for reinstallation. These pieces will be refinished, with custom-built trim designed to match the character of the existing building.

Those details matter. They help the renovated spaces feel connected to the church’s history, rather than separate from it.

For a congregation with such deep roots, preserving the building’s look and feel is part of honoring the people, traditions, and memories that have shaped Grace over time.

Improving access for the people who use the church every day

While preservation has been an important part of the renovation, the project is also focused on making the building more functional and accessible for today’s congregation.

Before the renovation, navigating parts of the church was difficult for wheelchair users and for older members who could no longer comfortably use stairs. Access required a longer, less direct route through the building, creating challenges for the people who rely on these spaces most.

The renovation is helping improve that experience with the installation of a wheelchair lift and a new elevator.

Working through the realities of a historic renovation

As the Warfel team moved through construction, existing conditions required thoughtful coordination and flexibility. After the flooring was removed, the team uncovered rotted joists that needed to be addressed. In portions of the kitchen area, the plan shifted to include concrete, creating a stronger long-term solution for a space that will continue to serve the congregation.

Other details required careful field adjustments, including roof steel dunnage that was not level or square, as well as fire curtain and structural coordination.

These moments are common in renovation work, especially in older buildings. They are also where planning, communication, and problem-solving become especially important. Each condition had to be reviewed in the context of the building’s history, the church’s goals, and the space’s long-term use.

Coordination behind the scenes

Behind the visible progress, careful coordination has helped keep the project moving forward.

Warfel’s Virtual Design and Construction team supported the project by coordinating work floor by floor, helping trade partners understand how new systems would fit within the existing building. In a historic structure with tight clearances and limited space above ceilings, this coordination helped identify and resolve potential conflicts before they became larger issues in the field.

The team worked through details such as restroom layouts near existing beams, crowded HVAC chases, and the elevations needed for plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems. These are the kinds of details most people may never see, but they play an important role in creating a finished space that functions well.

In a building like Grace, coordination is not just about fitting systems into place. It is about doing so carefully, with respect for what already exists.

A project shaped by people

For the Warfel team, one of the most meaningful parts of the project has been working alongside the people of Grace.

For Jim Shives, Superintendent of the GELC project, that connection has stood out most. “Talking with them and seeing the smiles on their faces,” he shared, has been especially meaningful, knowing this renovation has been “30-some years in the making.”

Andrew McIntyre, Field Engineer, echoed that same appreciation. “The historic portion of this project, along with interacting with members of the church, has been really special,” he said. “They are such great people.”

Their excitement, patience, and connection to the building have shaped the renovation from the beginning. It is a reminder that construction is often about more than the work taking place within the walls. It is about the people who will gather there, the memories already made, and the future moments the space will support.

Continuing the story of Grace

As the renovation continues, finishes, flooring, fixtures, doors, HVAC startup, and other details are bringing the project closer to completion.

But the heart of this project has been clear from the beginning.

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church has a long history, and this renovation is another chapter in that story. It preserves pieces of the past, improves the building for today’s congregation, and helps create a more welcoming, accessible space for those who will worship, gather, work, and serve there in the years ahead.

Warfel is grateful to support Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church through this meaningful renovation and to play a small role in caring for a place that has meant so much to the Winchester community for generations.

 

Warfel Construction Continues National Growth with ENR Top 400 Ranking

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National Recognition Reflects Continued Growth, Client Trust, and Employee Commitment

East Petersburg, PA — Warfel Construction is proud to announce its recognition on Engineering News-Record’s (ENR) 2026 Top 400 Contractors list, ranking #354 nationally among the largest general contractors in the United States.

This marks Warfel’s highest national ranking to date and reflects the company’s continued growth, long-standing client relationships, and commitment to delivering exceptional construction experiences across diverse markets and project types.

Published annually, ENR’s Top 400 Contractors list is one of the construction industry’s most respected national rankings, recognizing firms based on their annual revenue from contracting services.

Continued National Growth

Warfel has maintained a steady presence on the ENR Top 400 list over the years, continuing to build momentum both throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and nationally.

ENR Top 400 Rankings

  • 2019 — #370
  • 2020 — #370
  • 2025 — #396
  • 2026 — #354

The 2026 ranking represents Warfel’s strongest performance yet and highlights the company’s ongoing growth and operational strength.

A Reflection of Teamwide Commitment

“Achieving our highest ranking ever on the ENR Top 400 Contractors list is an exciting milestone for our company,” said Conlan Swope, President of Warfel Construction. “This recognition is a direct reflection of the dedication, talent, and integrity of our entire team. Every employee plays a role in delivering exceptional results for our clients, and we are incredibly proud of what we continue to accomplish together.”

Founded in 1911, Warfel Construction has built a longstanding reputation for quality construction, trusted relationships, and a people-first approach to business. The company serves clients across multiple markets, including senior living, healthcare, higher education, commercial, adaptive reuse projects, and more.

Warfel’s continued investment in innovation, employee development, sustainability, and community impact has helped position the company as a trusted construction partner throughout the region.

Looking Ahead

As Warfel continues to grow, the company remains focused on its mission of creating Clients for Life while building spaces that strengthen communities and support future generations.

“We are honored to be recognized among the nation’s top contractors,” said Matthew Hartzler, CEO of Warfel Construction. “This achievement speaks to the strength of our relationships — with our employees, clients, trade partners, and communities. We are grateful for the trust placed in us and excited for the opportunities ahead.”

About Warfel Construction

Warfel Construction is a full-service commercial construction management company headquartered in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Since 1911, Warfel has partnered with clients across senior living, healthcare, higher education, and commercial sectors to deliver spaces that strengthen communities and create lasting impact. Guided by its mission of building Clients for Life, Warfel is committed to fostering trusted relationships, delivering exceptional experiences, and building with purpose.

Warfel Celebrates 115 Year Anniversary

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Warfel Construction Launches 115 Years of Gratitude Campaign in Celebration of Milestone Anniversary

East Petersburg, PA – Warfel Construction is proud to announce the launch of its 115 Years of Gratitude campaign, celebrating 115 years of building relationships, strengthening communities, and creating lasting impact across the Mid-Atlantic region.

Founded in 1911 and headquartered in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Warfel has spent more than a century serving clients and communities through a people-first approach centered around trust, collaboration, and its long-standing mission of building Clients for Life.

A Campaign Centered Around Gratitude

The campaign officially launches with a new brand video and storytelling initiative focused on the people behind Warfel’s journey — including employees, clients, trade partners, and community members who have helped shape the company’s story over generations.

“As we reflect on our history, we recognize that this milestone is not just about the buildings we’ve constructed — it’s about the relationships built along the way,” said Conlan Swope, President of Warfel Construction. “We’re incredibly grateful to the people who have trusted, partnered with, and grown alongside us throughout our journey.”

Growing with Purpose

Over the last several years, Warfel has continued to grow strategically while remaining grounded in the values that have defined the company for generations. The company expanded its regional presence with the addition of its Paoli office in 2019, its Winchester, Virginia, office in 2022, and, most recently, its State College office in 2024 — allowing Warfel to better serve clients and communities across the Mid-Atlantic region.

Alongside this growth, Warfel has continued investing in its people, strengthening its safety culture, and expanding its senior leadership team with leaders representing all areas of the business to support the company’s long-term vision and strategic direction.

Throughout its history, Warfel has remained resilient through defining moments that shaped both the industry and the communities it serves — including the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 pandemic — navigating challenges together through collaboration, adaptability, and a continued commitment to its people and partners.

As the company grows, its commitment remains the same: to ensure every client experience reflects the care, consistency, and integrity that define the Warfel experience.

Honoring the Past While Building the Future

The 115 Years of Gratitude campaign will continue throughout the year with a series of stories, videos, employee spotlights, community features, and partnership highlights that celebrate the people and relationships behind Warfel’s legacy.

The campaign also coincides with America’s 250th anniversary celebration, reinforcing Warfel’s connection to more than a century of growth, progress, and community-building.

“While we’re proud of where we’ve been, we’re even more excited about where we’re going,” said Matt Hartzler, CEO of Warfel Construction. “This campaign is ultimately about gratitude — and about continuing to build meaningful relationships for generations to come.”

Watch the Anniversary Video:

About Warfel Construction

Warfel Construction is a full-service commercial construction management company headquartered in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Since 1911, Warfel has partnered with clients across senior living, healthcare, higher education, and commercial sectors to deliver spaces that strengthen communities and create lasting impact. Guided by its mission of building Clients for Life, Warfel is committed to fostering trusted relationships, delivering exceptional experiences, and building with purpose.

Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Celebrates Wall Signing

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A Meaningful Moment During the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Renovation in Winchester, VA

On Wednesday, May 6, members of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church gathered at their historic church renovation project in Winchester, Virginia, to leave their mark on a space that has served generations of worshippers and will continue to support the community for years to come.

As part of the ongoing renovation of the church’s communal spaces and offices, representatives from the congregation council, church staff, and the renovation task group participated in a special wall-signing ceremony. The event included a prayer and blessing for the renovation project, guided tours of construction progress, and an opportunity for attendees to write messages directly on the walls before the next phase of construction begins.

For a congregation with roots dating back to 1753, the event represented more than a construction milestone. Every signature, prayer, and handwritten message became part of the church’s ongoing story — preserved within the walls of a historic space shaped by faith, community, and connection for more than 270 years.

Preserving the History and Legacy of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

The wall-signing ceremony followed another meaningful project milestone, completed earlier this year. In March, Warfel Construction partnered with Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church to place a time capsule within the building renovation.

The time capsule contains messages, prayers, and reflections from current members of the congregation, preserving a snapshot of today’s church community for future generations.

Together, the wall signing and time capsule installation highlight the deeper purpose behind the renovation project. Beyond updating and improving the church facility, the project honors the people, traditions, and shared experiences that have shaped Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church throughout its long history in Winchester, Virginia.

A Personal Connection to the Church Renovation Project

For Warfel Construction Project Manager David Betz, the church renovation project also carries personal meaning.

David attended Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church with his family as a child. Eighteen years later, he returned with his wife and nine-month-old daughter for an Ash Wednesday service, reconnecting with a church community that continues to make people feel welcome.

Today, David is proud to help lead the renovation project, contributing to the preservation and future of a church that has impacted so many lives across generations.