Warfel Construction Company is pleased to announce that Rusty Hoffman has been promoted to Project Executive. In his new role, Hoffman will be responsible for complete project oversight, ensuring client satisfaction while establishing and leading a high-performance project management team.
“Rusty’s character and team-first mentality has been integral to fostering strong team dynamics and success for both clients and teammates on his projects,” said Conlan Swope, Vice President. “We are excited for his organic growth through the organization and to cheer him on in this next chapter.”
A graduate of Penn State University, Hoffman joined Warfel in 2007 and has since been an integral force in expanding our behavioral healthcare portfolio. He is currently managing three behavioral health projects for Acadia Healthcare in Moosic, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, and New Castle, DE.
He lives in Boyertown, PA with his fiancée, Ariel, and their four dogs, Riley, Kona, Ziva, and Brody.
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.
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
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
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
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.
Warfel Construction is pleased to announce Vice President Conlan Swope, LEED AP will be joining the company’s ownership team.
“We are inspired by Conlan’s enthusiasm and dedication to serving his teammates and our Clients,” said President Matthew Hartzler. “Through his continued investment in Warfel, we look forward to providing our Clients with steady leadership and commitment to our mission of creating Clients for Life.”
“One of the highlights in my career is bringing a new partner into Warfel to help lead the organization for many years to come,” said CEO Ralph Simpson. “Over his time here, Conlan has exhibited our values of initiative, honesty, accountability, and teamwork, but most importantly he possesses unquestioned integrity.”
“Conlan’s passion for providing our clients with an exceptional experience and his high energy, results-focused approach is a great asset to Warfel,” said Vice President Brett Calabretta. “I’m excited to have him join the partnership and look forward to his continued leadership in operations.”
Swope joined Warfel in 2008 as a Project Intern. In 2009, he was hired as a Project Engineer, and was promoted to Project Manager in 2011. He currently provides senior leadership to the company’s the firm’s 100+ field operations and office operations employees, including manpower needs, logistics, and quality control. He also serves on Warfel’s executive team.
Swope graduated from Solanco High School and the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He is a LEED (Leadership in Environmental Energy and Design) Accredited Professional.
Swope will serve on Warfel’s ownership team alongside Hartzler, Simpson, and Calabretta.
Swope lives in Lancaster with his wife Melissa and sons Crosby and Tanner.
Warfel Construction Company is pleased to announce Dylan Keller has been promoted to Project Manager. In his new role, Keller will be responsible for complete project oversight, coordination, schedule, and budget on a variety of projects throughout Pennsylvania and the surrounding states.
“Dylan’s initiative and heart to serve our Clients and his teammates shines through daily,” said Conlan Swope, Vice President of Operations. “His innate ability to read people and situations allows him to work quickly through project circumstances and put together creative solutions to drive the team around him forward. We are truly excited to see Dylan step into the next chapter of his career and proud that he is part of the Warfel team.”
A graduate of Temple University, Keller joined Warfel in 2016 as a Field Engineer, and was promoted to Project Engineer in 2017. He is currently involved with several projects, including the revitalization project at 101 North Queen, a 200,000 sf conversion of the Bulova building in Downtown Lancaster.
Warfel Construction Company is pleased to announce that Craig Hartz has been promoted to Field Operations Manager. In his new role, Hartz will lead Warfel’s Operations Team in hiring and resource planning, as well as spearhead new initiatives in standard operating procedures, training and development, and quality control enhancement.
A graduate of North Schuylkill School District in Ashland, PA, Hartz joined Warfel in 2001 as a Laborer and became a Foreman in 2010. Most recently, he was promoted to Superintendent in 2015. He has worked on an extensive list of award-winning projects throughout his time with Warfel, including the $2.1 million Georgelis Law Firm office, which received national recognition from Associated Builder and Contractors in 2015.
“Craig’s ability to lead outwardly, his field knowledge, and focus on serving teams through his tenure have positioned him to be well suited for this new position,” said Conlan Swope, Vice President of Operations. “Craig will play a significant role in hiring and development of Field Operations and providing greater clarity to refined processes and procedures of doing things the Warfel Way. All of these items will complement our ability to better service our customers and create more Clients for Life.”
Hartz lives in Strasburg with his wife Alicia and son Bryce.
Warfel Construction is pleased to introduce our new HR Director, Amanda Adams! We sat down with Amanda to get to know a little bit more about her. Read on to learn about Amanda’s past experience, advice for potential employees, and what superpower she’d most like to have.
Name: Amanda Adams
Position at Warfel: HR Director
Where did you go to school? Immaculata University in Malvern, PA
What did you do before you came to Warfel? I was a Global HR Manager at TE Connectivity in Middletown, PA.
What is your favorite part of your job so far? Definitely the people and the culture! Everyone has been so nice!
Before working at Warfel, what was the most unusual or interesting job you ever had? I’ve had quite a few interesting jobs. Probably the most interesting would be working in a flower shop / movie rental store throughout high school. I haven’t enjoyed flowers the same since then…
What is your most exciting accomplishment? Hands down, my son. No question.
What advice would you give someone applying to Warfel? Be yourself and take advantage of the interview process to learn as much as you can about the people you’ll be working with and the culture we value.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career? Two things… 1) Be as transparent as possible. More frequent and open communication – where possible – fosters a better work environment. 2) Hold yourself accountable. If you commit to something, follow through – every time.
What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now? I think it’s all pretty cool. But I’m most excited about my introduction meetings – getting to know the structure, the teams, visiting some of our sites… understanding what makes Warfel successful.
What gets you out of bed in the morning? My dogs. No joke. What is an alarm clock?
If you could switch jobs with someone (within or outside of Warfel), who would it be/what would you do? I would love to run a non-profit!
What did you want to be when growing up? Parole Officer or Case Worker
If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Flying!
What is your personal motto? Simple…Life is what you make it.
What’s the one app or website you can’t live without? It’s embarrassing to admit this, but probably Facebook… it’s how I keep connected with our family.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work? We’re doing a lot of home renovations, so I enjoy that… reading… spending time outside with my son, who does not understand the meaning of “calm.”
What’s a fun fact about you that we might not know? When I was in college, I worked on the production floor at a local manufacturing company putting together medical devices for surgeons to use during open heart surgery!
I’m happiest when… I’m eating.
HR Director Amanda Adams (right) with her son Eli and husband Andrew.
In honor of Women In Construction Week, we’re highlighting some of the fantastic women who make Warfel a great place to work. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects available jobs in STEM fields to increase 17% by 2024, but only 18 – 19% of individuals receiving degrees in computer science, engineering, or physics are women. Check out our featured employee today (Senior Project Manager Sheila Snyder), and follow along all week as we learn more about the team members who make Warfel a leader in the construction management industry.
Describe what you do at Warfel: I oversee project teams to ensure compliance to budget, schedule, and quality. I interact with clients and their representatives and design teams to ensure positive client relationships.
Where did you go to school?
Thaddeus Stevens State School of Technology – Associates in Specialized Technology
Drexel University – Bachelor of Science in Construction Management
Penn State – MBA
How long have you worked at Warfel? 10 years
What did you do before you came to Warfel? I worked for another construction company as a draftsperson, an estimator, project coordinator, project manager, and a senior project manager.
What is your favorite part of your job? Being part of a great team and creating an atmosphere of success.
What is your most exciting accomplishment? The day that we heard we got the UGI project. I was on the presenting team and that was a wonderful day.
What advice would you give someone applying to Warfel? Be ready to work hard.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in your career? Everybody has their own perspective of the issues. Be willing to listen.
What’s your favorite part of working in the construction industry? The buildings that I am a part of aren’t really my buildings, but in my heart, they are. I want to be proud of them – every one of them – so I work in a way to ensure that I am.
What do you think is the most challenging part of the construction industry? The quality of documents in a competitive bid environment. This creates challenges that require a finesse that isn’t always easy to muster.
If you could switch jobs with someone, who would it be/what would you do? If I didn’t work in construction, I’d probably manage a restaurant.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Golfing, dining out, going to the beach and watching people, theater.
What’s a fun fact about you that we might not know? I’m a drummer and I’m pretty good.
Anything else you’d like to add? The construction industry would benefit a lot if there were more women that worked in all areas of construction.
You can learn more about the statistics of Women in Construction here.
