Company Blog Archives - Page 3 of 8

National Apprenticeship Week 2020: Meet Alogius Hanes

Posted on November 13, 2020 by adminwarfelcc

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is a nationwide celebration that gives businesses, communities, and educators the opportunity to showcase their apprenticeship programs and apprentices while providing valuable information to career seekers. We’re excited to highlight our talented apprentices who are working toward becoming the next generation of skilled carpenters at Warfel Construction. Check out our featured employee today, 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: In the morning, I take the trash out. Most days you have an agenda like demolition or framing. I do my best and make sure I finish what I’m doing before the end of the day.

Where did you go to high school? Pequea Valley

How long have you worked at Warfel? Since January 2020

What is your favorite part of your job? How completely safe the company is. I used to work for other companies and it’s completely different but here it’s number one.

What is your most exciting accomplishment? Probably this apprenticeship and trying to get to my journeyman license.

What advice do you have for high school students considering a career in construction? Try to start early. The earlier the better. The field is very big and there’s room to grow.

What advice would you give someone applying to Warfel? It’s a good company. Whatever you want to do you can do it here. Just show up and do what you’re told.

If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be/what would you do? Probably coding.

What do you wish people knew about apprenticeship? Try to get in one as soon as possible, especially if you’re younger!

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Hanging out, doing backflips. I’m a pretty chill, go with the flow kind of guy.

What’s a fun fact about you that we might not know? I’m really good at soccer!

National Apprenticeship Week 2020: Meet Liz Cabrera

Posted on November 12, 2020 by adminwarfelcc

Describe what you do at Warfel: I am a third-year apprentice. Everything from demo to finish carpentry work, while learning on the job.

Where did you go to high school? McCaskey

How long have you worked at Warfel? Two years

What is your favorite part of your job? How inviting and eager everyone is to teach.

What is the worst job you ever had? I’ve never had a bad job.

What is your most exciting accomplishment? I moved into my own apartment a few months ago.

What advice do you have for high school students considering a career in construction? Do not be afraid to take risks or ask questions because you won’t learn without asking questions. Hard work really pays off.

What advice would you give someone applying to Warfel? Always put your best foot forward and meet as many people as you can. You never know who will be helpful to call when you need something.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career? Taking constructive criticism is important to improve yourself and your craft.

If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be/what would you do? I would want to switch with a foreman for a day to see what it’s like. It would be nice to see the work from their point of view.

What do you wish people knew about apprenticeship? It pays to go to school while you’re working. You’re learning about the job you’re already doing.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? I have a puppy and love going outside with him. He’s a mini poodle.

What’s a fun fact about you that we might not know? I love to bake. Brownies are my favorite – I could never tire of them!

National Apprenticeship Week 2020: Meet Rafael Rodriguez

Posted on November 11, 2020 by adminwarfelcc

Describe what you do at Warfel: I do framing, trim work, demo, siding, pretty much everything.

Where did you go to high school? McCaskey East

How long have you worked at Warfel? Three years.

What is your favorite part of your job? Seeing something that you started and seeing how it finished and how everything came out.

What is the worst job you ever had? Worst job I ever had was working for a pretzel company.

What is your most exciting accomplishment? Marrying my wife!

What advice do you have for high school students considering a career in construction? Not always every day is going to be sunshine and roses. You’ll have your hard times at work but you have to push through it and at the end of the day it will be all better.

What advice would you give someone applying to Warfel? Give Warfel a try.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career? When you hit a roadblock, think outside of the box to figure out your solution.

If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be/what would you do? It would be a lawyer. My mother always told me when I was younger, I asked too many questions.

What do you wish people knew about apprenticeship? It’s just a great opportunity. Learn more than what you know now.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Playing sports or gaming.

What’s a fun fact about you that we might not know? My nickname is Lito. It’s a nickname my family gave me.

National Apprenticeship Week 2020: Meet Emily Edye

Posted on November 10, 2020 by adminwarfelcc

Describe what you do at Warfel: At Warfel, I am a carpenter. I also am a newbie with the company and the apprenticeship program. I’m here to be successful in my career choice.

Where did you go to high school? Hempfield High School

How long have you worked at Warfel? Since February of 2020.

What is your favorite part of your job? My favorite part of the job is seeing the outcome of a finished project.

What is your most exciting accomplishment? Being able to graduate because I had huge struggles in school. Now I get to do what makes me happy.

What advice do you have for high school students considering a career in construction? Be ready to hold yourself with good mental and physical stability. I recommend it 1000% if you love doing it!

What advice would you give someone applying to Warfel? Have a positive attitude, have previous experience and be on top of your game.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career? You need to take pride in what you’re doing and how you’re doing it.

If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be/what would you do? I wouldn’t switch jobs with anyone because I love mine!

What do you wish people knew about apprenticeship? The apprenticeship program is amazing, and you learn a lot by doing it. It helps in the long run on what you’re doing for your career. Its hands-on and book work, so you’re learning both ways.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? I enjoy chilling with my two pitbulls, Beast and Precious, along with my friends while taking adventures outside of work.

What’s a fun fact about you that we might not know? I’m the only female out of six males in the family!

National Apprenticeship Week 2020: Meet Charlie Rudacille

Posted on November 9, 2020 by adminwarfelcc

Describe what you do at Warfel: I do whatever my superintendent tells me to do! Really, my job is to make stuff pretty – often framing and trim. I occasionally do demo work.

Where did you go to high school? Milton Hershey School

How long have you worked at Warfel? Three years

What is the worst job you ever had? Cleaning bathrooms

What is your most exciting accomplishment? My daughter – she is now 10 months old.

What advice do you have for high school students considering a career in construction? Listen to what “old guys” tell you. Learn as much as you can. It may suck in the beginning, but it will get much better.

What advice would you give someone applying to Warfel? Stick with it at the beginning [and it will pay off].

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career? There are many different ways to do something; try the options before deciding the best way.

If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be/what would you do? Rodney Severs (Superintendent)

What do you wish people knew about apprenticeship? Going through the program is worth it. It prevents you from going into debt and you will get your money back upon graduation from the program.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Spending time with my wife and kid.

What’s a fun fact about you that we might not know? I played ultimate frisbee in college.

Maintaining Jobsite Safety During COVID-19

Posted on April 10, 2020 by adminwarfelcc

At Warfel, safety is always our top priority. We are committed to ensuring that our employees, trade partners, suppliers, and Clients leave work each day in the same condition that they arrived. We focus on prevention, going above and beyond OSHA requirements to maintain high standards of safety in each aspect of our business. Each Warfel employee, from laborer to jobsite superintendent, is empowered to hold their teammates accountable.

Our commitment to safety remains our most important focus as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. We are continuing to monitor the development of COVID-19 closely, utilizing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). Below, we’ve listed some of the steps we have taken to ensure business continuity, as well as the safety and health of our team members.

Daily Safety Screening

Upon arrival at a jobsite, all Warfel employees, trade partners, and site visitors are required to undergo screening to identify individuals who may be at risk for spreading COVID-19.

Safety_Covid_19_2 — *A designated Screening Administrator on each jobsite ensures that all workers are evaluated for COVID-19 exposure.*

Workers are asked if they have:

A fever
Experienced any respiratory challenges in the last 48 hours
Been exposed to anyone with a confirmed case of COVID-19, or who has been tested for COVID-19
Traveled outside of Pennsylvania in the last 14 days

Any worker identified with a temperature of 100 degrees or greater is turned away from our jobsites immediately. They must self-monitor and report for a minimum of 72 hours of under 100-degree temperature, or have a negative COVID-19 test result before they will be permitted back onto a Warfel jobsite.

Any individuals suspected of COVID-19 symptoms or in contact with someone with COVID-19 are immediately removed from their jobsite. They are required to self-isolate from Warfel projects for a minimum of 14 days.

Maximum Room Occupancy

Safety_Covid_19_1 — *A Warfel employee works in a taped off room to ensure that no other workers enter.*

Each work room (as defined on the architectural drawings) is assigned a maximum occupancy, ensuring that employees can work safely with a minimum 6′ distance between workers. Rooms are taped off once occupancy has been reached to ensure that no additional workers enter the room.

Social Distancing

Jobsite meetings are currently being held via teleconference or with a minimum of 6′ between all attendees. In-person attendees are minimized to maximize social distancing. Workers are also required to disperse throughout the site for break time and lunch, with a minimum of 6′ between individuals.

Universal Masking

Jobsite_Safety_COVID_5 — *A Warfel employee wears a homemade cloth mask. Masks are encouraged by the CDC to limit community spread.*

Following the most recent guidance from the CDC, Warfel has implemented universal masking on our jobsites. Cloth masks are being provided to every Warfel employee. We have asked all trade partners to provide a face covering for their employees.

Additional Hygiene Measures

Jobsite_Safety_COVID_4 — *A Warfel employee washes his hands at a portable wash table on a jobsite.*

Handwashing stations have been added to all jobsites for worker use. Workers are recommended to wash their hands with soap and water frequently throughout the day and are required to do so a minimum of four times per day. Employees are recommended to minimize the touching of their eyes, nose, and mouth.

Warfel Construction is committed to maintaining open channels of communication during this evolving situation. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

COVID-19 Update from Warfel Construction

Posted on March 13, 2020 by adminwarfelcc

As part of our ongoing commitment to ensure a safe working environment for our employees, trade contractors, and Clients, we are continuing to monitor the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic closely and will utilize guidance from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) for future communications. We do not have clarity on how severe this outbreak will be. We are taking proactive steps to protect our employees, trade contractors, and Clients.

Warfel Construction continues to take measures to provide for the safety of all team members, Clients, and end-users of each project we build. As such, we have developed a Coronavirus Committee who will work together to implement proactive steps to address business concerns and ensure up-to-date communications regarding our preparations. We want to continue to ensure the continuity of business operations moving forward, allowing us to best serve our clients.

We are asking all employees, consultants and trade partners to cooperate in taking steps to reduce the transmission of illness in the workplace. These steps include:

Stay home when you are sick
Wash your hands frequently with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Cover your mouth with tissues whenever you sneeze, and discard used tissues in the trash.
Avoid people who are sick with respiratory symptoms.
Clean frequently touched surfaces.

We will be implementing several measures over the upcoming days to provide cleaning resources within our offices and at all jobsites. In an abundance of caution, we are closing both of our offices to all visitors. We will closely monitor this situation and evaluate next steps. Click here for a summary of our mitigation efforts.

We will continue to provide regular updates in response to ongoing awareness on the Coronavirus outbreak. In the meantime, we encourage you to remain informed on the Coronavirus outbreak and guidelines for preparation. Please refer to the following links for relevant guidance:

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

Stop the Spread of Germs

Thank you for your support and shared commitment to our ongoing safety.

Engineers Week 2020: Meet Lead Estimator John Costalas

Posted on February 22, 2020 by adminwarfelcc

In honor of National Engineers Week, we’re highlighting Warfel employees with engineering degrees. Experts say demand for engineers will continue to grow as governments and industry work to meet the challenges of a growing global population and dwindling resources. Check out our featured employee today (Lead Estimator John Costalas), and follow along all week as we learn more about the team members who make Warfel a leader in the construction management industry.

John-Costalas — *Lead Estimator John Costalas*

Describe what you do at Warfel: Act as a Preconstruction Manager and lead the Greater Philadelphia PreConstruction team. This includes leading the estimating functions, investigating options to streamline the phasing/schedule/constructability/etc., and ultimately working with the team to set the project up for success.

Degree: Civil Engineering with a Construction Option

Why did you choose that course of study/degree? It was a 4-year degree for construction.

How long have you worked at Warfel? Since 2008 (Great time to start a new career in construction!)

What did you do before you came to Warfel? Penn State and working for my Dad’s remodeling company (as well as other odd jobs)

What is your favorite part of your job? Working with the team.

What is the least favorite job you ever had? In high school I worked for a ceiling company, sometimes we were installing new ACT ceilings, other times we would go into commercial kitchens and clean their ceilings. Installing new ACT was great, cleaning kitchen ceilings & FRP not so much.

What advice do you have for students considering pursuing an engineering degree? Enjoy everything college has to offer, but remember why you’re there and prioritize that from day one.

What advice would you give someone applying to Warfel? Put in the hard work, and it will pay off. It may take time, but it’s well worth it.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career? It’s about communication and creating relationships; having the background and education really helps, but ultimately, we need to communicate what we know or have learned with subcontractors, suppliers, architects, engineers, and owners on a daily basis.

If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be/what would you do? Be a cowboy; just need to learn how to ride a horse.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Spending time outside with my wife and the dogs.

*John and his wife Sara celebrating their wedding anniversary.*

Engineers Week 2020: Meet Project Manager Dustyn Ritchey

Posted on February 21, 2020 by adminwarfelcc

In honor of National Engineers Week, we’re highlighting Warfel employees with engineering degrees. Experts say demand for engineers will continue to grow as governments and industry work to meet the challenges of a growing global population and dwindling resources. Check out our featured employee today (Project Manager Dustyn Ritchey), 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: As a Project Manager, I am a part of the team responsible for carrying out our Clients for Life mission to manage scope, schedule, and project financials, accompanied by a high degree of quality and safety our Clients and partners deserve. It is important in the role to be sure the team has the resources needed to promote project success and to be a conduit for information between all the stakeholders of the project, internally and externally.

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management with a focus in Mechanical Engineering

Why did you choose that course of study/degree? With not going to college immediately after high school, I wanted to capitalize on both the career in construction I had already started and the academic strengths I was fortunate to uncover from a young age – math and science. Engineering was the right fit. The management component of the degree came from my appreciation for leadership and a passion to hopefully one day make a difference.

How long have you worked at Warfel? One year in April

What did you do before you came to Warfel? Project management for an architectural, engineering, and construction company.

What is your favorite part of your job? The single most satisfying attribute of the job is watching a project come to life from what is originally just an idea in the mind(s) of our Clients. Solving complex problems, meeting new people, and achieving overall “project success” with the project team is just a glimpse into a great day in construction.

What is the least favorite job you ever had? I am fortunate to say that I cannot think of a “least favorite” job.

What is your most exciting accomplishment? Graduating from college and getting the “yes” from my now wife to marry me.

What advice do you have for students considering pursuing an engineering degree? Never. Stop. Learning. Put in the work, be humble, and find passion in what you do. The opportunities are truly limitless.

What advice would you give someone applying to Warfel? You are surrounded by incredible people – ask questions, seize opportunities, and always set the bar higher! Prepare yourself to be part of something bigger than construction.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career? Never underestimate what you are capable of.

If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be/what would you do? Country music artist. I’ll pretend it has nothing to do with lacking talent and more with the fact the “right” ears have just not yet heard my voice.

What do you wish people knew about engineering? Engineering is a lot less of coming quickly to an answer and a lot more about using simpler tools, principles, and formulas in the right methodology to solve bigger problems or goals. Breaking complex things into simpler parts is the key to resolving otherwise complex questions or challenges.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Logging miles on the bike, reading a book, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

*Dustyn and his wife Morgan at their wedding*

Engineers Week 2020: Meet Project Executive Guy Kingree

Posted on February 20, 2020 by adminwarfelcc

In honor of National Engineers Week, we’re highlighting Warfel employees with engineering degrees. Experts say demand for engineers will continue to grow as governments and industry work to meet the challenges of a growing global population and dwindling resources. Check out our featured employee today (Project Executive Guy Kingree), 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: As a Project Executive, I am responsible for helping my team succeed by assisting in maintaining quality, schedule, and budget surety for our Clients for Life. I am also responsible for overall portfolio planning and working with my team to ensure our success metrics are hit.

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Penn State University

Why did you choose that course of study/degree? I was interested in construction, mainly design, at an early age. Throughout middle and high school, I gravitated toward architectural design classes as well as courses at CTC where I was able to learn CAD Design. I also learned I wanted something different every day in my career and didn’t want to be stuck in an office. That led me to construction management instead of structural design.

How long have you worked at Warfel? Almost 11 years – since June 2009

What did you do before you came to Warfel? I started working at Warfel straight out of college.

What is your favorite part of your job? I love helping and encouraging others to succeed. Working in a team dynamic allows for that opportunity every day.

What is the least favorite job you ever had? Packing eggs for a local egg supplier.

What is your most exciting accomplishment? In my work life, my most exciting accomplishment was taking the next step in my career and helping to develop the Project Executive (PX) position at Warfel. It was very rewarding to see the executive team have faith in me to help create a new position at Warfel to push our growth into the future. In my personal life – marrying my wife!

What advice do you have for students considering pursuing an engineering degree? Make sure you follow what you are passionate about. The engineering field can lead to an infinite number of roles and responsibilities. It will be a lot of hard work; however, if you stick with it, it will be worth it!

What advice would you give someone applying to Warfel? Go for it, it will be worth it and you will get to work with some of the best people you will ever meet.

What is the most important thing you’ve learned in your career? People are one of the most valuable resources you can find. Respect others, grow your network, and never stop learning.

If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be/what would you do? Andrew Zimmern from Bizarre Foods. I have a passion for both traveling to new locations and trying some weird foods so his job seems pretty ideal.

What do you wish people knew about engineering? Engineering is all numbers crunching and design. It can also be a skill applied in the field.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Spending time with my wife and our three dogs, traveling the world, being physically active, and enjoying the company of my friends and family.

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