Company Blog Archives - Page 4 of 7 - Warfelcc

Engineers Week 2020: Meet Project Executive Guy Kingree

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.

Project Executive Guy Kingree
Project Executive Guy Kingree

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.

 

Guy (right) racing go-karts with his wife Jackie in Japan

Engineers Week 2020: Meet Project Engineer Eric Kuklentz

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 Engineer Eric Kuklentz), and follow along all week as we learn more about the team members who make Warfel a leader in the construction management industry.

Project Engineer Eric Kuklentz
Project Engineer Eric Kuklentz

Describe what you do at Warfel: As a project engineer, I work with the project manager and field staff to track and maintain schedule and cost while coordinating between all trades involved on the project.  I also work closely with our trade partners and clients to ensure that the project is completed on time, on budget, and to a level of quality exceeding the client’s expectation.

Degree: Civil Engineering with a focus in structures

Why did you choose that course of study/degree? I’ve always been very analytical and curious, so I believe I was naturally drawn to engineering. And as a freshman in college, I contemplated many different majors, but ended up taking the advice of my dad when he said: “Get the technical degree, then figure out what you want to do.”

How long have you worked at Warfel? Around 2 years 

What did you do before you came to Warfel? I worked for a heavy civil contractor

What is your favorite part of your job? My favorite part of my job is learning! Working for a general contractor gives me the opportunity to learn about all trades involved in construction.  Apart from the technical side, I also learn how to communicate with many different personality types.

What is the least favorite job you ever had? I never really hated any job I had, but I disliked working for a general contractor doing road work as it was unnerving to be so close to traffic for hours a day.

What is your most exciting accomplishment? Buying a house!

What advice do you have for students considering pursuing an engineering degree? Be curious and ask questions.

What advice would you give someone applying to Warfel? Be humble and willing to learn.  Graduating in civil engineering, there are going to be things related to HVAC that absolutely stump me.  But the people at Warfel and many of our trade partners are very willing to educate you if you ask!

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career? You have to enjoy every day.  You cannot wish away your time, even when you’re doing something you dislike at work.  You cannot be counting down the days to your next vacation or watching the clock at work.  You have to find the positives in every day and make the most out of what is put in front of you.

If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be/what would you do? Chip or Joanna Gaines. I would love to flip houses!

What do you wish people knew about engineering? Engineering is not a one-size-fits-all field.  There are many different things you can do with an engineering degree, and engineering is required outside of autocad and mechanical plans.  Although general contractors don’t typically get involved with “engineering” per se, there are countless occasions where we are required to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions in the field, and that’s part of what makes the job fun.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? I enjoy running, doing home improvement, and being outside!

Eric with his nephew at the Spring City Halloween Parade

Engineers Week 2020: Meet Project Engineer Duane Troyer

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 Engineer Duane Troyer), and follow along all week as we learn more about the team members who make Warfel a leader in the construction management industry.

Project Engineer Duane Troyer
Project Engineer Duane Troyer

Degree: Mechanical Engineering at Messiah College

Why did you choose that course of study/degree? I knew I enjoyed engineering, but I didn’t know what field I wanted to work in. So I chose a degree that allowed me maximum flexibility following graduation.

How long have you worked at Warfel? 2 and a half years

What did you do before you came to Warfel? Residential Construction

What is your favorite part of your job? Meeting new people and building relationships. Successfully solving problems in the field

What is the least favorite job you ever had? I’ve been fortunate to enjoy all of my jobs.

What is your most exciting accomplishment? I convinced the best girl in the world to marry me.

What advice do you have for students considering pursuing an engineering degree? Getting an engineering degree requires countless classes that require breaking down problems into solvable steps and completing these steps in a progression. Having great problem-solving skills is invaluable in all career fields.

What advice would you give someone applying to Warfel? There is a steep learning curve, but you will be surrounded by people who have been there and will support you as you learn and grow in your career.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career? You’re not alone. Someone else has probably experienced the same problem you are facing, so don’t be afraid to look to people with more experience for input.

If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be/what would you do? Airline pilot. I love to travel and would love to have the ability to travel so easily.

What do you wish people knew about engineering? You don’t need to be a nerd to enjoy engineering. Engineers have a lot of fun, so don’t let the numbers scare you.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Visit new breweries, go to the beach, explore new towns and places.

Duane and his wife Paige on vacation in the Virgin Islands.

Engineers Week 2020: Meet Project Engineer Kevin McGuire

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 Engineer Kevin McGuire), and follow along all week as we learn more about the team members who make Warfel a leader in the construction management industry.

Project Engineer Kevin McGuire
Project Engineer Kevin McGuire

Describe what you do at Warfel: Operations (Project Management)

Degree: Civil Engineering

Why did you choose that course of study/degree?  I like to know how everything works and I have an analytical mindset but I enjoy taking a hands-on approach.

How long have you worked at Warfel? 4 years.

What did you do before you came to Warfel? Project Management.

What is your favorite part of your job? Interacting with so many different people.

What is the least favorite job you ever had? Summer Custodian.

What is your most exciting accomplishment? Competing at Nationals in Track Cycling.

What advice do you have for students considering pursuing an engineering degree? Be sure to do your research on the different fields of engineering before you settle on one.

What advice would you give someone applying to Warfel? Understand our core values and think of it as more than a job

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career? It’s not always possible to be passionate about every task but it’s important to give everything you do a “why” that you are passionate about.

If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be/what would you do? I would be a property developer.

What do you wish people knew about engineering? Regarding Civil Engineering specifically, how important it is to all aspects of our daily lives from the water we drink and flush to the streets we travel on every day.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Running, family walks at Longwood Gardens and traveling

Kevin on a family vacation in Cape Cod
Kevin on a family vacation in Cape Cod

Engineers Week 2020: Meet Project Engineer Corbin Beittel

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 Engineer Corbin Beittel), and follow along all week as we learn more about the team members who make Warfel a leader in the construction management industry.

Project Engineer Corbin Beittel
Project Engineer Corbin Beittel

Describe what you do at Warfel: As a Project Engineer, I assist project teams with a wide variety of day to day operational items, from managing/tracking project schedule to on-site coordination and problem solving, to budget tracking and analysis, no two days are the same along the journey of taking a project from concept to completion.

Degree: Civil Engineering, Penn State 2012

Why did you choose that course of study/degree? Math was a strong suit of mine through grade school and with a significant interest in construction paired with the opportunities available in engineering I decided to pursue a degree in civil engineering.

How long have you worked at Warfel? I started at Warfel in September of 2017, so about 2 and a half years.

What did you do before you came to Warfel? Prior to joining Warfel, I was involved in the Geotechnical sector of the construction industry from 2007-2017.

What is your favorite part of your job? My favorite part is that no two days are the same in this high energy fast-paced industry that we work in.

What is the least favorite job you ever had? I can truthfully say that I have never had a job that I didn’t enjoy.

What is your most exciting accomplishment? My wife and I having our first child this past July.

What advice do you have for students considering pursuing an engineering degree? The opportunities are limitless in the field of engineering. There will always be job opportunities and there is certainly a wide variety of jobs at that.

What advice would you give someone applying to Warfel? A high functioning team mentality is of paramount importance. If you are a “me” person, this isn’t the place or industry for you.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career? Be a good listener.

 If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be/what would you do? Nothing comes to mind because if there were, I would go do it. You can do anything you put your mind to.

What do you wish people knew about engineering? Not all Engineers are design Engineers.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Raising my 6-month-old son Dane!

Corbin and his wife with their son Dane
Corbin and his wife with their son Dane

National Intern Day: Meet our Summer 2019 Interns

Happy National Intern Day! At Warfel, we’re extremely proud of our internship program, which offers college students real-world construction management experience. Interns at Warfel are assigned to a project team, take on real project responsibilities, and contribute to their team’s success. Additionally, they spend two weeks in Warfel’s Preconstruction & Estimating department, as well as one week in the Virtual Design & Construction department, learning about the extensive planning that occurs before construction begins.

Scroll down to learn more about each of our Summer 2019 interns.

Audrey Shay

Audrey is spending her summer working on our Fulton Theatre project team. She studies Civil Engineering at Penn State Harrisburg, where she will be a junior this fall.

Benjamin Moore

Ben is working with our Virtual Design & Construction department this week and is spending his summer with members of the Barclay Friends project team. Ben graduated from Eastern University in May with a BA in Mathematics and will be attending Villanova University in the fall to pursue a master’s degree in Engineering.

Josh Weiner

Josh is a returning intern, back for his second summer at Warfel. He is currently working with the Acts Normandy Farms team. Josh will be returning to Temple University in the fall for his senior year, where he is pursuing a BS in Construction Management & Technology.

Julian Teller

Julian is spending his summer on-site at the Acadia Behavioral Health project. He is a senior at Temple University, majoring in Construction Management & Technology with a minor in psychology.

Liam Dooley

Liam is also returning for his second summer as a Warfel intern. He is working on the Centre Care project in State College, PA. Liam will be returning to Penn State University this fall to complete his BS in Civil Engineering.

Luke Whitenight

Luke is working with our Preconstruction & Estimating team this week, and is part of the 101NQ project team this summer. Luke is a senior at Pennsylvania College of Technology, pursuing a BS in Civil Engineering Technology.

Nick DiLemmo

Nick is spending his summer at the Rydal Waters cottage development project. He is a senior at Philadelphia University +Thomas Jefferson University, where he is pursuing a BS in Construction Management with a minor in Business Administration.

Rick Poillion

Rick spent last summer at Warfel working as a field laborer. This summer, he is working with our facilities team on a variety of small projects to serve clients. Rick will be returning to Pennsylvania College of Technology this fall to complete his BS in Construction Management.

Xaymary Caraballo

Xay is spending her summer at Franklin & Marshall College. She is a senior at Penn State Harrisburg, pursuing a BS in Civil Engineering.

Are you a college student considering a career in construction management? Click here to visit our Careers page.

Women in Construction Week 2019

Happy Women in Construction Week! At Warfel, women are a valuable part of our workforce, key members of our collaborative teams, and are dedicated to fulfilling our mission of creating Clients For Life. This week, we’re pleased to introduce you to some of the women who joined our team within the last year. Scroll down to learn more about what highlighted team members love about their jobs and working in the construction industry.

Joyce McMullen, Laborer

“I like the feeling of independence. Someone tells me what I can do to help, and I do it. I really enjoy the hands-on work, the fact that we are not in the same place all the time, and the variety of work.”

Maxine Williams, Senior Project Manager

“You will never get bored as no two days are alike. At the end of every day at work, you’ll be able to see the progress you and your team have made. Watching that progress turn into a completed project, day by day, is one of the most rewarding parts of a construction job. How many professionals in other industries can point at the brand-new building in town and say, ‘I helped build that’?”

Julie Bernat, Accounting Administrator

“I enjoy seeing the finished product of ongoing projects. It is rewarding to know that we all worked together in our different roles to achieve the same goal.”

Lindsey Lundgren, Apprentice in the Carpentry Program

“I can’t stand sitting at a desk for hours, or doing a job that is repetitive. Every day is different, and every task is different. To work with each other toward the goal of completing a project is very worthwhile when you see the end results.”

Amanda Adams, Director of Human Resources

“One of my favorite things about working at Warfel is the variety – no two days are alike, and I’m always meeting new people and gaining new experiences. My move to Warfel was definitely a whirlwind of learning and activity, but still one of the best decisions I’ve made in a long time. The projects we are working on and the Clients we partner with have such amazing messages of support, growth, and education – it’s hard not to be excited about our future!”

Liz Cabrera, Laborer

“Being in construction gives me the satisfaction of being a part of building a legacy and something that will be around for generations. Working at Warfel is like being part of a family. I can’t see myself doing anything else.”

Meghan Tressler, Office Assistant

“I never imagined myself working in construction, but now that I’m here, I love it. There is always something new to learn and improve upon, which makes each day unique and interesting. I am really enjoying learning the intricacies of the process that goes on behind the scenes of the construction projects you observe as you drive through the county. There is so much more to these projects than I ever could have imagined prior to working at Warfel and I’m looking forward to soaking up all of the information I can from the wealth of knowledgeable people here.”

Michele Renn, Project Administrator

“I started my construction career following a decades-long career in the legal profession. I decided to switch careers after relocating to Pennsylvania. Given the construction industry’s rapid growth and its vital role in Central Pennsylvania’s economy, and my construction law background, I chose to pursue a construction career with Warfel Construction as a Project Administrator. I never realized how much extensive planning, thought, and work went into a construction project. I now appreciate all aspects and phases of creating and building something from scratch based upon someone’s vision and imagination. What I most enjoy about working in construction is the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment of seeing an undeveloped piece of land turn into a beautiful building through the hard work and efforts of our team. I’m proud to be a woman in construction working at Warfel.”

 

Interested in becoming a member of the Warfel team? Click here to visit our Careers page.

Engineering Degrees Build Construction Management Careers

Engineers are critical in the construction process. Not only do they design the systems inside and outside a building- the HVAC, electric, plumbing, the structure itself, the stormwater management (to name just a few!) but their skills are necessary in the construction process too!

Warfel hires many engineering majors to join our estimating, preconstruction, and project management staff. Our employees usually do not seek their Professional Engineering (PE) license like design engineers are required to do, but the skills learned in an engineering education transfer well to construction management. An engineering education teaches many technical equations and calculations, but more importantly, great problem solving skills are developed. The construction industry faces new and unique problems on every project, and our staff members need to have great critical thinking skills to innovate and overcome the challenges.

Having an engineering degree is not a prerequisite to work in construction management at Warfel, but candidates with those degrees are highly regarded. Warfel seeks students to join our summer internship program by targeting local schools with good construction management and engineering programs. Engineering is at the heart of the construction process and Warfel is proud to hire talented engineering majors every year.

MEP-Coordinator-Project-Engineers

Are you an engineering student considering a career in construction management? Click here to visit our Careers page.

Entrepreneurial Thinking for Business Leadership

It takes drive, determination and creativity to lead a business, whether you’re a one-person operation or leading a firm with hundreds of employees. Entrepreneurial thinking – having that ability to create, lead, and grow your business – is important for business owners across industries.

Some of our most successful entrepreneurial thinkers…

Take risks. New ideas don’t come with a playbook on how to achieve success. Successful entrepreneurial thinkers must be willing to take a risk and understand that failure is a real possibility.

Have high initiative. Developing a new idea, process, product, or service can be difficult. Having the ability to out-hustle the competition and a willingness to “dig in” to accomplish a goal can be game-changing.

Accept that mistakes will be made. Understand that none of us are perfect. Giving yourself permission to make mistakes along your journey can be healthy. Learning from our mistakes is key to growth and developing new ideas.

Create a network for feedback. Look for opportunities to get input and feedback. This will also promote a greater awareness of what others may want or need and could help shape the success of your next great idea.

Are flexible. Allowing for a change in course can transform a good idea into a great one. Entrepreneurs are known for the ability to think big and consider many ideas. Deciding how much effort to put into each idea is key to a successful enterprise.

Invest in determining the needs of potential clients. Keeping your potential clients close provides insight to make informed decisions. Researching is part of exploring new ideas. Before you make a large investment, do your best to determine potential adoption and the ROI.

Know their environment. Environmental scanning can be a great way to determine where and how to spend your time and resources. Seeking insight from sources that may not be part of your everyday routine can provide greater perspective to an idea that is being developed.

Set goals and seek progress. It’s difficult to tell where we are going if we don’t have objectives or goals. Providing a gauge for progress allows us to determine our success.

Headquartered in Lancaster County, Warfel Construction is committed to supporting our business partners in the Mid Atlantic region. Join us at the Cultivate Lancaster Entrepreneurs Forum on January 24 to learn more about Lancaster’s growing community of entrepreneurs, startups, small business owners & business resource providers.

Infection Control: A Key Component to Safe Healthcare Projects

Almost everything in the healthcare industry is focused on one main point: patient safety. While working in an active healthcare environment, this focus is of utmost importance. Maintaining a healthy environment is key to a successful project outcome, and must be a key factor throughout preconstruction and construction.

One way to evaluate potential hazards that may occur during a healthcare construction project is to perform an Infection Control Risk Assessment. A best-in-class assessment is more than just running down a list of potential hazards and informing personnel of best practices. A sophisticated infection control risk assessment is a living document that forms the foundation of any comprehensive infection prevention program. The policy evolves over time as goals and measurable objectives change, while maintaining a solid framework for consistent patient safety.

For more information on how to perform an Infection Control Risk Assessment, click here.

At Warfel, we’re committed to continuous improvement and innovation. Our teams are constantly learning about improved methods, industry best practices, and ways to serve our clients better. To learn more about our work in the healthcare industry, click here. 

Infection-Control-Training-1-17-19
A group of Warfel’s preconstruction and project management staff engage in a presentation on Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA).