SL Q1 NewsletterLO - FINAL 2019-09-10

JANUARY － JUNE 2019 VOL. 1
SNYDER LANGSTON INSIDER JANUARY –JUNE, 2019 | VOL. 1

SNYDER LANGSTON

INSIDER

SNYDER LANGSTON INSIDER JANUARY –JUNE, 2019 | VOL. 1

In this Issue BETTER COMMUNICATION =

Better Communication = Better 1 BETTER RESULTS
Results What do we do when we are at our very best? This is something I’ve had to
ask myself many times in order to manage challenging situations towards a
The Inside Scoop with Jose & Danny successful outcome. More often than not, communication is at the root of our
2 achievements. It is not always what we say or do that sets us up for success, but rather

how we communicate it, both verbally and physically.

Breaking Ground at Avenida 3 In-Person Communication is Key
B.R.I.D.G.E. Builds for JDRF In this digital age, it can be easier to send a quick email or text message, but what

many don’t realize is how much more effective in-person communication can be when
4 building relationships. This makes the recipient of your message feel more important

and valued.

On the Road with Snyder Langston Be Clear and Concise
Whether we’re in meetings, in the hallway between meetings, or on a job site, we’re
University 5 always communicating something. It’s important to practice brevity and clarity in all
communication. The story goes that if you ask someone to name all 7 Dwarfs, they
60 Years in the Rear View typically only remember two or three, and it varies which names they remember.
However, if you ask them to name The Three Stooges, they generally name all 3 very
Driven to Succeed {Looking back at quickly. The moral of this story is to communicate two or three key points clearly and
they will likely remember what you’ve said. If you give them more information, they
1959-1974} 6 will likely not remember it. This communication strategy gives you more control and
makes you more effective.
Great News! SL Team Member
Listen to Understand
Milestones 7-8 Any time you’re communicating with someone, try to drop any judgment or
preconceived perceptions and come to the table with a positive attitude and an open
mind. With this foundation, your conversation will likely be more productive and lead
to your desired outcome. A great book that emphasizes this point is “Miller’s Bolt” by
Thomas Stirr.

Snyder Langston has 60 years of success in large part due to our team’s ability to build
and sustain meaningful relationships. The quality of our communication determines
this success. As a company, we are committed to continuing our tradition of strong
relationships and positive, effective communication, both internally and externally.
Thank you for all your efforts to deliver on this commitment.

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SNYDER LANGSTON INSIDER JANUARY –JUNE, 2019 | VOL. 1

THE INSIDE SCOOP WITH JOSE & DANNY

With to-do lists that seem to Project Manager Danny Sumner is team to avoid misunderstandings.
be constantly growing, it can currently running the Culver West It comes down to committing to
be difficult to fathom the Mixed-Use Development project, what you say you’re going to do and
idea of taking on even more tasks having previously worked on several delivering the final product to the
in order to go above and beyond jobs for our Residential division. best of your abilities.
in the workplace. That being said, Under Danny’s leadership, the team Step 2: Go Beyond Your Job
the winners of this year’s Exceeding achieved two key milestones ahead Description
Expectations Award at Snyder of schedule: podium top-out and Rather than waiting to be told
Langston’s Annual Meeting have framing top-out, which generated what to do, take the initiative
done just that. an additional fee bonus. Danny’s of completing tasks that don’t
Jose Lopez and Danny Sumner know continued pursuit of managing to necessarily fall under your job
what it takes to do more than simply the owner agreement has resulted in description. There is always more
tackling daily to-do lists. Jose is a successful negotiation of significant to be done and you might surprise
proven team-player, most recently delay time added to the construction yourself in terms of how much you
on the Irvine Spectrum Renovation schedule, as well. can accomplish. This “wow” factor
projects and the Icon Sign Tower Congratulations on a job well done, is something teammates appreciate,
in San Clemente. He was recently Jose and Danny! We interviewed and employers seek.
promoted to Senior Project Engineer, both and have identified a few key Step 3: Remember, Someone is
but wears many hats on his jobs. insights on how others can achieve Always Watching
He is always willing to chip in where excellence. Hard work doesn’t go unnoticed and
needed: whether that’s helping the Step 1: Do Your Job, and Do the results speak volumes. While a
Coordinator update logs, acting as it Well pat on the back shouldn’t be your
Superintendent, or making phone It is important to take matters into motivation in putting your best
calls for our estimating team. He your own hands and remain diligent foot forward, don’t be surprised
brings a positive attitude and thirst – work hard to keep projects on when you begin to receive positive
for knowledge to his role, making schedule and communicate with your feedback.
him an asset to the Optym division.

Jose Lopez Danny Sumner
Senior Project Engineer Project Manager

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BREAKING GROUND AT AVENIDA

At Snyder Langston, we are for communities in Illinois and their design consultants, determining
serious about our Brand Tennessee. the most valuable design elements
Pillars: our commitment to Our current team uses knowledge to the client and their targeted
exceed expectations, plan excellence, gained from our past experience with demographic. We implemented
do the right thing when no one is this owner, along with information Target Value Delivery, and other
watching, make it happen and know learned during the planning of the recommendations while maintaining
our client. Palm Desert project to emphasize owner intent and increasing the
Snyder Langston recently broke what is important in both process perception of Snyder Langston
ground on Avenida Partners’ latest and product, to proactively resolve as a valuable member of the
residential community in Palm issues before they have the development team.
Desert. Once completed, Avenida opportunity to adversely affect cost Budget Control
Palm Desert will be an active lifestyle or schedule: Target Value Delivery was developed
enclave for residents ages 55+ and Design Schedule on an aggressive design schedule
will feature 161 apartments along At Palm Desert, Snyder Langston and an initial GMP was established
with resort-inspired amenities. led team meetings with all design very early, allowing the project
Snyder Langstson was awarded the entities to ensure the schedule team to establish design parameters
latest Avenida Partners project as a remained on track, and designs for and effectively manage the budget
result of our reputation as Trusted amenity spaces started early. that was established during design
Advisor on previous projects: Design Elements development drawings.
construction management services The preconstruction team spent
for a project in Colorado and countless hours with the owner and
preconstruction services provided

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SNYDER LANGSTON INSIDER JANUARY –JUNE, 2019 | VOL. 1

B.R.I.D.G.E. BUILDS FOR JDRF

B.R.I.D.G.E. Team to the Rescue! Snyder Langston would like to thank The dream-come-true playhouse
our subcontractors and suppliers was auctioned to a local family for
Snyder Langston partnered who stepped up and donated $11,000. The mother has Type 1
with Brandon Architects time and materials and worked Diabetes and had recently undergone
to design and build a one- tirelessly on a tight 3-week timeline a pancreas transplant, as a result of
of-a-kind playhouse for auction at to complete this project, valued at the disease. The family includes two
JDRF’s (Juvenile Diabetes Research $30,000: young daughters who were thrilled to
Foundation) Dream Gala. • Advanced Framing Structures – learn of the gift and look forward to
its delivery via crane!
The playhouse was initially designed Take off and purchase of lumber
in December 2018, but a builder • Classic Customs Inc. – Framing Snyder Langston is grateful to have
had yet to step forward to construct • Harris & Ruth – Painting and played a part in making this family’s
it. Shawnna Fisher, who sits on the day a bit brighter.
Dream Gala committee, learned of staining
JDRF’s challenge and knew Snyder • CMF – fabrication and installation
Langston could help. Cue the
B.R.I.D.G.E. team who coordinated of metal roofing
subcontractors and logistics to finish • Charles McCandless Tile – Brick
the job!
veneer on fireplace
• Premier Developing Services Inc. –

Siding and carpentry
• Seeley Brothers – Finish Carpentry

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SNYDER LANGSTON INSIDER JANUARY –JUNE, 2019 | VOL. 1

ON THE ROAD WITH SLU

Snyder Langston University Launches New Year & a Roadshow Tour

The Snyder Langston University leading the Schedule Management tutorial videos, which may be found
(SLU) team has added a Roadshow Tour, focusing on project on Paycom.
number of new courses and schedule updates at various jobsites
expanded its pool of instructors for throughout Southern California. Ray Visit the 2019 Snyder Langston
2019. Renneker will offer a variety of on-site University Course Catalog for detailed
safety classes; and several required information regarding your particular
Executive team members will facilitate and elective technical courses are requirements, a complete list of
technical courses, covering topics such planned at the El Segundo and courses with descriptions of each, and
as structural steel and stairs, rough Pasadena offices. registration instructions. The catalog
carpentry, roofing and waterproofing as well as the updated 2019 SLU
and HVAC, among others. Software In total, the SLU curriculum has calendar resides at D:\Administration\
courses in Bluebeam, SmartBidNet, increased by 15 programs. A reminder SLU\Colleges (Course Catalog or SLU
and Google Sketch-up have also been that all employees are required Calendar).
added. to attend a course in Quality, and
operations personnel must attend Questions or comments? Contact
SLU is also expanding geographically! a Safety class. Optional SLU courses Teresa Humphrey or George Loynd.
David Stelter and Lee Watkins are include more than a dozen “How To”

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SNYDER LANGSTON INSIDER JANUARY –JUNE, 2019 | VOL. 1

60 YEARS IN THE REAR VIEW

Driven to Succeed: From Car Dealerships to Industrial Buildings

I{Looking Back to 1959-1974} Thanks to the early leadership of Complex, primarily for the Irvine
t was 1959. Gas was 35 cents a Don Snyder and Bill Langston, Snyder Company. Snyder Langston continues
gallon and office rent in Costa Langston has grown from primarily great relationships with all three
Mesa was $90 per month. an auto dealership builder to the firms five decades later!
Orange County’s namesake orange How did Snyder Langston achieve
groves dominated the landscape company’s current role as a Trusted this impressive growth in its first
when Don Snyder and Bill Langston Advisor and Master Builder. Snyder 15 years? Gayle Jones – who was
joined forces to form what is now Langston’s growth is due to what brought on board in 1961 to support
Snyder Langston. With Don managing can only be explained as a powerful Don and Bill in office services and
building processes and Bill focusing drive to succeed and a focused, contract administration, and was
on sales and client relationships, the client-centered approach to project later named partner- believes the
team offered design-build services delivery. success of the firm is primarily due
for auto dealerships, building more to the team’s strong roots, client
than 100 dealerships in their first Building on their success in the auto relationships and ability to adapt.
decade in business. Naber’s Cadillac sector, Snyder Langston began to “From the beginning, Bill and Don
on Harbor Boulevard was completed expand their assignments to include were completely focused on the
for just over $666,000 (cost plus a variety of projects in the industrial client and this set the standard for
10% including supervision and category. By 1974, the firm had the entire team,” she says. “Snyder
management.) Bill’s vision to develop teamed-up with architect partners Langston was, and continues to be,
a long-term clientele by offering Leason Pomeroy and Associates the whole package.”
preconstruction services in addition (LPA) and Ware Malcomb on several
to construction services was yielding projects and was working on multiple
results! buildings in the Irvine Industrial

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SNYDER LANGSTON INSIDER JANUARY –JUNE, 2019 | VOL. 1

GREAT NEWS! EMPLOYEE MILESTONES

New Hires Baby Boom

(as of June 30, 2019) The SL family is growing and 2019 looks to be a banner year! Please
congratulate the Gottfried, Allen, Lopez, Lapka and Abergas families
Snyder Langston has successfully secured a on their new arrivals.
number of new projects and is staffing up Kelsey and Gavin Gottfried started the year with a new bundle of joy: Kai
accordingly. Nakada joined the family on January 2nd 5:39 a.m. and weighed in at 7 lbs
13 oz.
Please welcome our 2019 new hires, and if you Noah William made his debut 5 weeks early on February 1st, weighing 4
are at their site, stop by and say hello. lbs 5 oz and measuring 18 inches long. Chris and Fabiana Allen welcomed
him home after 5 weeks in the NICU. Everyone is doing great and little
Genevieve Rodriguez, Sr. Project Coordinator – Noah is growing like a champ!
Pasadena On March 10th, Adam Lopez and his wife, Rebecca, welcomed baby
Kevin Zhu, Project Manager – Silverado T.O. Vincent Adam into the world. Baby Vincent weighed in at 7 lbs 2 oz and 20
Lisa Oakes, Marketing Manager – Irvine 1/4 inches long.
Lauren and Shane Lapka welcomed their second daughter, Leah Rose,
Superintendents into the world on May 10th 8:28am weighing in at 5 lbs 10 oz.
Christopher Cleary – USC Rob and Kristen Abergas welcomed their second bundle of joy, Blake
Darren Wyre – Lankershim + Otsego Wong, on June 7th, weighing 7 lbs 15 oz.
Gilbert Carrillo – Northridge Apartments
Jared Brook – Shea Northridge
Ron Adkison – Avenida Palm Desert
Scott Burroughs – Silverado Thousand Oaks
Shawn Wilson – Boardwalk Cafe
Victor Gonzales – MacArthur Court
Reinvestment
Cristina Ramirez (Asst. Super.) – Samueli
Academy

Project Engineers
Eric Boyd (Sr. PE) – The Senator Hotel
John Radich (Sr. PE) – Shea Northridge
Layth Alsaad (Sr. PE) – Silverado T.O.
Ian Morton – District at South Bay
Kelsey Frazier – Lakeshore Plaza
Ryan Shanks – Culver West

Interns Kai Nakada Gottfried Noah William Allen Vincent Adam Lopez
Alexis Canas – Avenida Palm Desert January 2 February 1 March 10
Christopher Widin – Lakeshore Plaza
Daniel Balsam – Chinese Garden
Grant Wempner – Samueli Academy
Keagan Coyne – Evolve South Bay
Kyle Broccardo – Mission Viejo MOB
Luis Diaz – Lankershim + Otsego
Reynaldo Soriano – 649 Lofts & Joshua House
Health Center

Leah Rose Lapka Blake Wong Abergas
May 10 June 7

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SNYDER LANGSTON INSIDER JANUARY –JUNE, 2019 | VOL. 1

Promotions Milestones

C(as of June 30, 2019) (as of June 30, 2019)
ongratulations to our newly promoted team members. Best wishes in
your new roles, and thank you for your dedication and commitment to Happy anniversary to our employees
Snyder Langston. celebrating 5 and 15 years with Snyder
Langston:

15 Years
John Gunther, Vice President – Optym

Alex Penman Ben Martin Carl Evans 5 Years
Assistant Project Manager Assistant Project Manager Assistant Project Manager Alan Wardin, Senior Project Manager
Michael Calkin, Superintendent
Lee Watkins, Vice President – Healthcare
Wendy Ballam, Sr. Project Engineer
Chad Divine, Project Manager
Diana Ramirez, Technology Coordinator
Jerelee Latcha, Project Manager
Chelsea Kahle, Asst. Project Manager
Juan Lozano, Asst. Superintendent
Renee Little, Accounts Payable Coordinator
Colleen Pierce, Risk Management
Coordinator

Chelsea Kahle Erik Bruner Jose Lopez
Assistant Project Manager Project Manager Sr. Project Engineer

Kelsey Gottfried Marcos Del Toro
Assistant Project Manager Assistant Superintendent

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SNYDER LANGSTON INSIDER JANUARY –JUNE, 2019 | VOL. 1

Corporate Office
17962 Cowan
Irvine, CA 92614
949.863.9200

El Segundo Satellite Office
2141 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 5110
El Segundo, CA 90245
310.606.5650

Pasadena Satellite Office
80 South Lake Avenue, Suite 670
Pasadena, CA 91101

© 2019 Snyder Langston