Garney acquires Warren Environmental and A&W Maintenance
Nov 2018
Garney acquires Massachusetts-based companies, Warren Environmental and A&W Maintenance. Warren Environmental manufacturers epoxies that offer a cost-effective option to coat, protect, and rehabilitate pipelines and structures with minimal downtime. A&W Maintenance is Warren’s applicator and trains all of Warren Environmental’s approved applicators worldwide.
This acquisition expands Garney’s capabilities in the water and wastewater market, and for the first time in the company’s history, Garney is a product manufacturer. As a 100% employee owned company, Garney provides Warren Environmental and A&W Maintenance with significant resources and financial strength for continued long-term growth in the epoxy coating industry. It also assures their current and future employees gain a beneficial ownership interest in the combined companies without any personal investment.
“It was very important that our team of incredible employees be secure and thrive after the sale of our companies,” said Danny Warren, President of Warren Environmental and A&W Maintenance. “Garney’s employee owned structure provides that.”
Warren Environmental and A&W Maintenance were founded by Danny and Jane Warren nearly 35 years ago. The companies were established with the goal of protecting the environment and developing safer 100% solids epoxy coatings and application technologies. Danny and Jane Warren will remain in their current positions to drive continued success.
“It will be exciting to be a part of the future growth that Garney will accelerate because of their footprint in the industry,” said Jane Warren.
Garney is excited to welcome both organizations as our newest employee‐owners. Our combined strengths will enable both organizations to continue leading the water and wastewater industry.
Leadership promotions at Garney
Oct 2018
October 2018
Scott Parrish has been promoted to President of Garney Construction.
Scott joined Garney in 1988 as a Laborer, learning the field skills necessary to be an effective builder of water and wastewater projects. These skills proved valuable in becoming a leading Project Manager and Estimator of pipeline projects throughout his 30-year career at the company. In his new role, Scott has oversight for all company operations, including resource management, employee development, and operational strategy. Scott has been responsible for some of Garney’s most high-profile projects, including the Vista Ridge Water Supply Project – the largest P3 water project in the history of the United States. Scott’s role as President allows current CEO, Mike Heitmann, to focus on longer-term aspects of the company’s growth, such as succession, strategic vision, and acquisitions.
Matt Foster has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer of Western Pipe Operations.
In this role, he is responsible for the organization and management of Garney’s pipe operations in the Western United States. Matt oversees project pursuits and operations across multiple projects throughout this region. These projects focus primarily on large diameter water and sewer pipelines in varying ground conditions. Matt joined Garney in 1993 after graduating from Kansas State University. He is based in Garney’s Kansas City headquarters.
Garney enters Business Journal Hall of Champions
Jun 2018
JUNE 2018 – Garney was honored with the Kansas City Business Journal’s 2018 Champions of Business award. The program recognized 15 companies based in the Kansas City area that are committed to the community, innovators in their industry, and strong financial performers. This year, Garney was inducted into the Hall of Champions as a three-time award recipient.
Garney’s success story begins in 1961, when Charles Garney left his father’s Kansas City plumbing business to start his own pipeline and utility construction company. Nearly 60 years and several acquisitions later, Garney is recognized as one of the nation’s leading contractors in water and wastewater systems, working with municipalities, private developers, and industrial users nationwide.
“Our proactive approach and problem-solving mindset with our customers, our non-confrontative approach with our suppliers and subcontractors, and the sharing of our success with our employees distinguishes us from our competitors,” President and CEO Mike Heitmann said.
Building the ideal employee owned company
Jun 2018
JUNE 2018 – In partnership with the Employee-Owned S Corporations of America (ESCA), Garney participated in two videos featuring the role that private, employee owned companies play in the American economy. Across every major industry, S corporation companies are comprised of more than 800,000 employee-owners, reaping the benefits of employee ownership through an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Garney is fortunate to share in this powerful solution for economic growth.
Thank you to all of our employee-owners and clients who help make Garney the ideal employee owned company.
Garney promotes new leadership
Jun 2018
JUNE 2018 – With continued growth, Garney’s succession planning is a priority for the company over the next several years. Meet Garney’s recent leadership promoted to join the next generation of leaders:
MEGGAN KRASE, VICE PRESIDENT
After graduating from the University of Kansas with a degree in Accounting, Meggan went to work for Grant Thornton where she obtained her CPA license. She spent five years there as a Staff Auditor and Audit Senior before joining Garney Construction in 2006. Meggan was promoted to Controller in 2012, where she assisted Jeff Lacy, Vice President of Finance and CFO. She was then named Director–Corporate Controller in 2014 and Vice President in 2018. In this role, Meggan is responsible for managing the company’s accounting team, including the development, implementation, and administration of accounting policies and maintaining internal controls. Meggan is also Chair of the Technology Council.
DAVID BURKHART, DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL PIPE OPERATIONS
David has spent his entire career with Garney, after graduating from the University of Kansas with a degree in Civil Engineering. He has constructed projects in Colorado, Florida, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Texas, specializing in large diameter waterline installations and the CMAR project delivery method. In total, David has built more than $1 billion worth of construction projects during his career in the water industry, including several high-profile CMAR projects. As Director of Central Pipe Operations, David is responsible for overall management of the pipeline projects built in his area.
JOEL HEIMBUCK, DIRECTOR OF WESTERN PLANT OPERATIONS
Joel joined Garney in 2005 as a Project Engineer with six years of previous experience in the power and distribution market for a national general contractor. He was promoted to Regional Operations Manager in 2013, responsible for facilitating and administrating traditional bid and alternative delivery water/wastewater infrastructure projects in the Western United States. Joel is a certified and active member of DBIA and graduated with a degree in Construction Management from Colorado State University. He was promoted to Director in 2018.
ERIC WAGNER, DIRECTOR OF ESTIMATING
Eric’s entire career has been focused solely on water/wastewater construction since building a wastewater treatment plant in 1997 as a co-op. Eric graduated from University of Akron-Ohio with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and started working for a national treatment plant contractor. In 2004, Eric joined Encore Construction (now Garney Construction) as a Project Manager. In 2010, Eric transitioned to an estimating role. During this time, Eric has combined his field experience with estimating and considers it a true privilege to be working with the best estimators in the country. Together, this team has worked to develop estimates on many of Garney’s most prominent traditional bid and collaborative delivery projects. Eric was promoted to Chief Estimator in March 2013 and Director in May 2018.
Garney constructs first plant of its kind in Southwest Florida
Aug 2017
AUGUST 2017 – Garney is at the helm of constructing an ionic water treatment plant that will purify water from three different aquifers with multiple different treatment systems. Using the latest in new technology, the Green Meadows Water Treatment Plant will be the first of its kind in Southwest Florida to process brackish and fresh water.
The $75.4 million plant for Lee County Utilities will replace a 40-year-old facility and reduce treatment cost per thousand gallons by 60%. This marks the second most expensive project undertaken in Lee County history, just behind the $78 million JetBlue Park – the spring training facility of the Boston Red Sox.
The plant, located near Fort Myers, will provide 14 million gallons per day to enhance reliability and address growing population needs. The County selected the latest in advanced technology to treat the water using multiple systems including:
Ion Exchange
With the ability to process 3.9 million gallons per day, five exchangers will remove organic compounds and color from the water. The system will treat the surficial water high in iron and hardness through large vessels, tanks, and a complex piping network.
Reverse Osmosis
Three reverse osmosis trains comprised of 672 cartridge pre-filters will be responsible for removing salt and hardness from the water. This process will be used to treat the brackish water from the Floridian aquifer.
Degasifier and Clearwell System
Primarily used to treat odor, the water will get degasified before flowing through a 55,000 gallon storage tank. Disinfection will follow through a concrete maze of three switchbacks and then be transported via several miles of distribution pipe.
“The design concept is unique in that water treatment facilities typically rely on one source, thus requiring one treatment process,” said Josh Petro, Project Manager at Garney Construction. “Not only are we constructing multiple treatment systems, but we’re using the latest technologies gaining momentum in the water industry. This is a hallmark project for Lee County Utilities and for Garney.”
Garney is serving as Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR), managing 17 subcontractors with a daily workforce of 120 field craft at peak hours.
“Approximately 75 percent of the subcontractors are local and we’ve produced an estimated 300 jobs for local residents,” said Petro.
“Unlike most of our projects, Garney is not allowed to self-perform work on the site, but it has truly been a win-win for the County and Garney. We have been able to exceed the County’s expectations by adhering to our goals and philosophies, keeping expectations high, and championing teamwork.”
Construction is ahead of schedule and anticipated to be complete by December 2017. Commissioning and transfer activities will follow with the plant scheduled to be fully operational by August 2018.
Garney appoints new directors
Aug 2017
AUGUST 2017 – Dan Smolik, Jeff Seal, Scott Reuter, and Bill Williams were recently named as Directors, expanding Garney’s leadership team in three markets. With continued growth, Garney’s succession planning program is a significant priority for the company over the next several years.
“Currently, we’re in our third generation of leadership and we’re preparing for the fourth generation,” said Mike Heitmann, President and CEO of Garney Construction. “One of the most important things we can be doing right now is preparing the next generation of leaders.”
These new Directors will be working closely with Garney’s executive team and board of directors to implement strategic planning and growth within their respective markets.
“Each of these new Directors have proven their operations capabilities and leadership potential,” said Heitmann. “Throughout this succession process, Garney’s Directors will continue to develop the leadership skills to prepare them in shaping the future of the company.”
Meet Garney’s latest Directors:
Dan Smolik – Director of Florida Pipe Operations
Dan has been with Garney his entire career and brings 17 years of experience focused on pipeline operations, primarily in Florida. During this time, Dan has elevated Garney’s alternative delivery, industrial, and power presence throughout the state. He has provided leadership on notable projects including the Regional Integrated Loop System Interconnect (Venice and Punta Gorda, FL), Wet Weather Monitoring & Pumping System (Largo, FL), and the 48-Inch Water Transmission Main for Area N (Miami, FL). Dan has delivered more than $280 million in water and sewer pipeline projects in Florida and will continue to expand Garney’s presence in this market. In 2000, Dan graduated from Missouri Western State University with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering Technology.
Jeff Seal – Director of Nashville Pipe Operations
A graduate of Vanderbilt University with a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering, Jeff has 14 years of experience in the construction industry, with 12 of those years spent overseeing pipeline operations at Garney. Since joining the company in 2005, Jeff has managed the construction of more than $300 million in water and wastewater pipeline projects throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Jeff has expanded Garney’s mid-South operations in the private and power markets, and will continue to shape this growing market sector to explore additional opportunities in Southern Indiana and Southern Ohio. Jeff has spearheaded some of the company’s largest projects in the area including the Cumberland City Low Transmission Main (Nashville, TN), Logan CSO Interceptor (Louisville, KY), Virginia-Highland Water Main (Atlanta, GA), and the Decatur to Limestone County Water Transmission Line (Decatur, AL).
Scott Reuter – Director of Nashville/Florida Plant Operations
Scott’s 19-year career has been focused on constructing more than $400 million in water and wastewater treatment facilities. In 2003, Scott joined Encore Construction, which was acquired by Garney in 2012. Scott has expanded Garney’s facility operations in Florida and Tennessee, in addition to recent growth within the federal market sector. He will continue to guide operations in these markets and leverage his experience to drive success in the Southeast. Scott obtained his Professional Engineering license and is a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University with a degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering. Major projects led by Scott include the Peace River Water Treatment Plant (Arcadia, FL), Regional Water Treatment Facility at Yankee Lake (Sanford, FL), and Holston Army Ammunition Plant (Kingsport, TN).
Bill Williams – Director of Western Pipe Operations
Bill has been working on pipeline projects since graduating from the University of Southern Colorado as a Civil Engineer. He spent the first 20 years of his career building both small and large infrastructure projects along the front range, before joining Garney in 2010 as a Project Manager. Bill has helped maintain one of Garney’s strongest client relationships by contributing on more than half of the projects completed for Colorado Springs Utilities, including the $112 million Southern Delivery Water System Program. In addition, Bill has been a part of Garney’s management team, supporting more than $215 million of pipeline projects. Upon Garney’s award of the Vista Ridge Water Supply Project in San Antonio, Texas, Bill became the project’s Operations Manager and enjoys the challenges as a part of the management team for the largest P3 water project in the history of the United States.
Oklahoma Approves Design-Build and P3
Aug 2017
AUGUST 2017 – Legislation was passed in the state of Oklahoma supporting design-build and public-private partnerships (P3s). This is a large step for Oklahoma’s local governments and state agencies as public design-build projects must be authorized by law.
According to the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA), only three states were using design-build delivery when the organization was founded in 1993. Today, more than 40% of the nation’s projects are delivered using design-build with widespread or full design-build authority provided in 42 states.
Enacting these alternative delivery methods further affirms Oklahoma’s commitment to finding better ways to deliver infrastructure projects for taxpayers, and encourages the future of design-build and P3 in the Midwest.
P3 projects are also growing rapidly in popularity in many states across the country. Private funding is an attractive option for governments, and for private parties, as state and local governments serve as reliable partners on projects that make for secure long-term investments.
For more information on the bill and its impact on the future of public infrastructure in the state, visit the Design-Build Institute of America State Advocacy.
Forbes Names Garney ‘Best Place to Work’
Aug 2017
Garney has claimed a spot on a new “best places” list of mid-sized employers published by Forbes. Among the top 300 U.S. employers, Garney is humbled to be recognized No. 149 on Forbes’ America’s Best Midsize Employers. Forbes’ list ranks companies with 1,000 to 5,000 employees based on a survey that asked employees how likely they were to recommend their workplaces to family or friends.
“Garney is fortunate to be 100% employee owned — it’s the foundation of our culture,” said Mike Heitmann, President and CEO of Garney Construction. “When you’re an owner, you care more about the company. It has defined our culture and our success.”
Forbes partnered with Statista to survey 30,000 employees from firms across the country on their workplace cultures.
“Garney’s employee ownership, coupled with our reputation as a leader in the industry, has created this environment where we continue to grow and invest in the development of our employee-owners.”
“We continue to see historic growth at the company. Even throughout the slowdown of the economic downturn several years ago, we continued to grow. The market we are in now is much stronger, and has put Garney in a position to grow even faster.”
For a full list of companies that earned spots on America’s Best Midsize Employers, click here.
Vista Ridge Recognized Internationally, Winning Top Water Awards
Apr 2017
APRIL 2017 – As the largest privately financed water project to close in North America to date, Vista Ridge has received top honors on a global platform. The $927 million project will support the construction of a well field, pump stations, 142-mile water pipeline, and terminus site carried out by the Vista Ridge consortium led by Garney P3 with the construction contract executed by Garney Construction.
Vista Ridge was named North America Water Deal of the Year by IJGlobal and Project Finance International (PFI). Both organizations celebrate industry excellence on a global scale, with IJ Global recognizing the best in energy and infrastructure and PFI honoring project finance professionals. Garney accepted the awards on February 1 in London and March 15 in New York.
On April 24, Vista Ridge was awarded Water Deal of the Year by Global Water Intelligence (GWI) in Madrid, Spain. Vista Ridge was up against three impressive competitors: a desalinization plant in Aqaba, Jordan; a sea-water reverse osmosis plant in Oman; and, a water treatment plant in the Bulcan Province of the Philippines.
International attention on Vista Ridge developed when the original equity partner encountered financial difficulties and Garney stepped up to assume a leadership position. San Antonio is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. The Vista Ridge Regional Water Supply Project remains a critical project for helping San Antonio secure their water future. Vista Ridge will expand San Antonio’s water supply by 20 percent, decreasing pressure on the sensitive Edwards Aquifer, which is subject to federal, state, and regional pumping regulations.
Water supply is expected to flow by 2020, complementing SAWS’ continued conservation efforts and development of water resources as San Antonio adds an additional one million residents by 2040.
“Vista Ridge, Garney P3, and Garney Construction are all humbled by the international recognition associated with this momentous P3 project,” said Scott Parrish, Chief Operating Officer of Garney Construction. “We look forward to successfully delivering this project on time and on budget to do our part in helping secure San Antonio’s water future.”