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WHAT’S NEWAT BCNBCN Alumni Regional Club UpdatesThe Rinker School’s 70th Anniversary BBQ sponsored bythe North Central Florida BCN Alumni Club was heldon Saturday, April 22nd from 11 am to 1 pm on the RinkerHall North lawn. Close to 150 BCN alumni and friendsattended and enjoyed the pre-Orange & Blue game BBQ.The event was kicked off with a brief welcome and overviewof the Club’s initiatives and rationale for the fundraiser byClub President, Domenic Scorpio. Dr. Abdol Chini thenaddressed the group and thanked those that helped sponsorthe event.Domenic Scorpio, Club PresidentThe BBQ was a great opportunity for alumni and friends torelax and reminisce prior to the game. BCN Grand Guardalumnus Robert Bird (BCN 1956) shared many stories ofhis BCN experience as well as graciously donated his photosfrom that time for the Rinker School archives.In addition to reminiscing and celebrating the RinkerSchool’s 70th Anniversary, the event raised 14,000 for the70th Anniversary Endowed Professorship. The RinkerSchool would like to give special thanks to the North CentralFlorida Alumni Club Board of Directors, event sponsors,and Kim Stanley without whom this event would not havebeen possible.Dr. Abdol Chini and BCN Grand GuardAlumnus Robert BirdThe North Central Florida BCN Alumni Club Board of DirectorsPresident - Domenic Scorpio, PPI Construction ManagementVice President of Academics - Louie Wise III, CCS MechanicalVice President of Outreach - Brandon Tinckham, PPI Construction Mgt.Secretary-Treasurer - Matt Webster, Charles Perry ConstructionEvent sponsorsAlachua Environmental Services, IncAlexander GroupAdvanced Building Concepts, IncBBI Construction ManagementCCI Cabot ConstructionCCS Mechanical, IncCentral Florida Drywall & PlasteringCharles Perry ConstructionClancy & TheysEdwards Construction Services IncGray Construction Services, IncHolder Construction Group LLCJohnson Construction & DevelopmentJoyner Construction, IncThe first meeting of the Southwest Florida BCN AlumniClub took place on June 1, 2006 from 6 to 9 pm at thePelican Larry’s Pine Ridge Road location in Naples. FifteenBCN alumni attended the event to socialize, network,reunite, and learn about the BCN regional clubs. Dr. Chiniprovided an update of the Rinker School’s enrollment,faculty, curriculum, career fair, and other major events. Alsoin attendance were Marcia Bourdon, Director ofDevelopment for the College of DCP and new AssistantDirector Sally Morris. John Gooding, President ofDeerbrook, Inc. organized and sponsored this event. Withthe support of the members who attended the first meeting,John is planning to set up another one with more participantsMM Parrish Construction CoPPI Construction ManagementSuperior Construction Co., IncTri-City Electrical Constractors, IncTrinity Fabricators, IncUniversity Imaging, IncWW Gay Mechanical Contractor, Incto select the first Board of Directors for the Southwest com) for more information.The Central Florida/Orlando BCN Alumni Club held itsfirst social on June 29th. It was held at DubsDread CountryClub in Orlando. With about 50 people in attendance, theydiscussed the purpose of the club and ideas for upcomingevents. The planning is to have another social in either lateOctober or early November and to have a banquet in theSpring 2007 semester. The club website, http://www.ufbcn.org/centralflorida is still being worked on, butwhen complete it will have information regarding club events.Volume 70, Issue 2 August 20065

The South Florida BCN Alumni Club Presents 100,000 toClose to 650 alumni, friends and sponsors got together onTuesday evening, May 9th, 2006 at the Seminole Hard RockHotel and Casino in Davie Florida to celebrate the School’s70 th anniversary and fundraiser for an endowedprofessorship.with our students and to give them broader exposure to the“real world” of construction.The Club Board of Directors had the difficult task oforganizing an elaborate fun-filled evening for all to enjoyas well as fund raising for the 70th Anniversary Professorship.They did an excellent job with coordinating the event aswell as reaching their fundraising goal, which was to surpassthe high benchmark already set by the Tampa Bay Club.The Rinker School would like to give special thanks to theClub Board of Directors and sponsors. Without the hardwork and efforts of the Club members and generous supportfrom our sponsors, the event and professorship would nothave been possible. We would like to also recognize Ray dela Feuilliez, Giovanna Easton and Beth Yowell of James A.Cummings; Kathy Worley of Stiles; and Viki Solt of the RinkerSchool for their outstanding efforts in organizing manyactivities needed for a banquet of this size.The South Florida BCN Alumni Club presented a 100,000 check to Interim Dean Anthony Dasta and Dr.Abdol Chini for the Rinker School’s 70 th AnniversaryEndowed Professorship. The generosity demonstrated bythe South Florida BCN Alumni Club is a testament to thededication our alumni and friends have for the Rinker School.We are very appreciative of the confidence they have shownin the Rinker School through this gift.The South Florida BCN Alumni Club is one of 6 clubscurrently organized in Florida and was responsible forcoordinating and hosting the event. The remarkably strongGator spirit was present while alumni, friends, and sponsorsenjoyed an unforgettable evening of celebrating andreminiscing. The evening was kicked off by a cocktail andsocial hour, then dinner and a program.The program’s welcoming remarks were given by RickDerrer, President-elect of the Club, where he thanked allthose in attendance. Steve Palmer, President of the Club,gave the opening remarks, including a brief description ofthe Club’s initiatives and purpose of the fundraising banquet.Dr. Dan Whiteman, Vice President of Academics for theClub, gave the invocation for the evening. The eveningprogram continued with Dean Dasta giving the group a briefaccounting of the College’s and Rinker School’sachievements and activities. Dr. Chini then addressed thegroup and introduced the School’s faculty in attendance, Drs.Brown, Cox, Dukes, Issa and Olbina. Ray Southern, CharlesP. Reid, and Jim Cummings were keynote speakers duringthe event. They spoke of their experiences within theircareers and how BCN enabled them to be successful in theconstruction industry. Each speaker also entertained thegroup with stories of their times at BCN and/or their first“real” job after graduation.The resources generated by the endowed professorshipwould be used to bring the outstanding constructionprofessionals into the classroom to share their knowledge6Volume 70, Issue 2 August 2006Steve Palmer, his wife, Linda and John Bennett.Ray Southern, CEO of Centex Construction

the School at its 70th Anniversary Banquet and FundraiserThe Rinker School wishes to thank all who participated, especially the South Florida BCN Alumni Club Board ofDirectors and those companies who sponsored tables.Table SponsorsAmerican Engineering & Development CorpANF Group, IncArazoza Bros., CorporationAreda ConstructionAssociated Builders & ContractorsBaker Concrete CompanyBateman, Gordon & Sands, IncBCM Construction ManagementBeauchamp Construction Co.Boran, Craig, Barber Engle Construction Co.Bovis Lend LeaseBuilders PlusCabi Developers, LLCCapri EngineeringCentex Construction Co.Charland Rurey Construction, IncCoastal Construction GroupConstruction Association of South FloridaCoreslab Structures, Inc.CoscanCritical Path ServicesCurrent Builders of Florida, IncDigiplotDixie Metal ProductsElcon Electric, Inc.Facchina-McGaughan, LLCFalkanger, Snyder, Martineau, & Yates ArchitectsForm Works, Inc.Fortune InternationalGeneral Crane USA, IncGroupe Pacific Management, Inc.Gryphon Construction, LLCGulf Building CorpH J Foundation, Inc.Hensel Phelps ConstructionHill York CorporationJames A Cummings, Inc.Kraft Construction Company, IncLatite Roofing & Sheet Metal Co.Lotspeich Company of Florida, Inc.M C Velar Construction, Corp.M&R Drywall Marc LaCerteMiller Construction CompanyMoss & AssociatesNielson & CompanyPavarini Construction Company, Inc.Peckar & Abramson, P.C.Phoenix Sales Inc.Pirtle Construction CompanyPomeroy Electric, Inc.Right Way Plumbing Co., Inc.Rinker MaterialsSouthern Pan Services Co.St. Paul TravelersSteel Fabricators, LLCStiles Construction Co.Stevens Roofing Systems & Phoenix Sales IncSuffolk ConstructionTGSV EnterprisesThe Marker GroupThe Related GroupThyssenKrupp ElevatorsTurnberry AssociatesVincent Vaccarella, PAWCI CommunitiesWhiting Turner Contracting CompanyWillis of FloridaContributing SponsorsAssociated General Contractors of America, South FL ChapterMora Engineering Contractors, Inc.Superior Window CorporationJames Cummings, Jim Dunn from Willis of Florida and BobBenson from Madsen Sapp Rodriquez and MenaThe South Florida Region UF BCN Club Board of MembersPresident – Stephen R. Palmer, Stiles Construction Co.President-Elect – William R. Derrer, James A. Cummings, Inc.Vice President of Outreach – Harley W. Miller, Miller Construction CompanyVice President of Academics – Daniel E. Whiteman, Ph.D, Coastal Construction Co.Secretary-Treasurer – Charles P. Reid, Current Builders of Florida, Inc.Directors – John F. Bennett, Rinker Materials; Michael Gomez, TGSV Enterprises;Jose R. Moreno, Jr., BCM Construction Management; Raymond C. Southern, Centex ConstructionVolume 70, Issue 2 August 20067

BCNAttention West Palm Beach AlumniThe Palm Beach UF BCN Alumni Clubrequests your attendance atThe Rinker School’s70th Anniversary Banquetand Fundraiser forThe 70th Anniversary Endowed ProfessorshipThe Palm Beach UF BCN Alumni Club is hosting the Rinker School’s 70th Anniversary Banquet scheduled for Thursday,October 19th at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. The cocktail reception starts at 6:00 pm with dinner andprogram starting at 7:00 pm. Invitations will be sent out to the alumni in the region the first of September. If you wouldlike more information about the banquet, or would like to sponsor a table, please contact: Vince Burkhardt (BBC 72) orBill Zammit (BBC 74) at: PalmBeachBCNAlum@bellsouth.net or Duane Burgard (BBC 81) at: tcdburgard@adelphia.netWe would like to thank the West Palm Beach area companies below, who have graciously agreed to sponsor tables as of7/20/06.Burkhardt Construction, Inc.Butler Construction, Co.D&D Quality Constructors, Inc.Hardrives, Inc.Hertiage ’76 Corp.West ConstructionThe Weitz Co. Inc.Dean Dasta, continued from page 2Director, continued from page 2In these times of unsteady statesupport, the Rinker School hasmaintained strong support of itsalumni, profession and friends. I amespecially thankful to the Marshall E.Rinker, Sr. Foundation, Charles R.Perry family, and all of those whohave given their support to theSchool. The Rinker School’s 70th yearanniversary BCN Club celebrations have been verysuccessful and will provide needed faculty support in thefuture.these two regions. Without the hardwork and efforts of the club membersand generous support from thesponsors, the events andprofessorship would not have beenpossible. The celebrations in Tampa,Gainesville, and Ft Lauderdale havegenerated 180,000 for the 70 thanniversary endowed professorship.The BCN Clubs at Palm Beach andOrlando are planning to have their celebrations in the Fall2006 and Spring 2007, respectively.In closing, I look forward to working with the Rinker Schoolin the coming year and to helping in any way I can to keepthe program a success. Thank you to all the alumni andfriends I have met in the past year. It is your support thatleads the School to the success it has earned.Dr. Robert Cox left the University of Florida and hisAssociate Director position with the Rinker School tobecome the Building Construction Management DepartmentHead at Purdue University. His excellent teaching skillsand leadership qualities have been instrumental in improvingthe quality of our programs for the past 13 years. We willsorely miss his enormous contributions. I have appointedDr. Paul Oppenheim as the Director of UndergraduatePrograms. Dr. Oppenheim has been teaching BCNundergraduate courses in Heating and Air Conditioning andElectrical systems since 1989 and has ranked consistently atthe top of the BCN faculty in teaching performance. He iswell-respected by students and his fellow faculty membersfor his enthusiasm and dedication.Thanks to all of you for your continued support. Your supportis essential for us to maintain the high quality of our program.8 Volume 70, Issue 2August 2006

Building Construction Advisory CouncilExecutive CommitteeThe Spring BCN Executive Committee meeting was held onApril 7, 2006 at the Orlando International Airport HyattRegency from 9:30 am – 1:30 pm. The committee discussedthe current fundraising efforts for the 70th AnniversaryEndowed Professorship. Specifically, it was noted that anyproceeds received by December 31, 2006 for theprofessorship will be eligible for bundling to receive theState match. Breck Weingart, President of Charles PerryConstruction, gave the group an update on the Gainesville/Ocala BCN Club’s pre-Orange and Blue game BBQscheduled for April 22, 2006 at the UF Campus. Rick Derrer,President of James A. Cummings, Inc. informed the groupof the Fort Lauderdale/Miami BCN Club’s initiatives for itsupcoming 70th Anniversary Banquet, scheduled for May 9,2006 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.The committee also welcomed the following new membersto the EXCOM: Tim Good, Vice President of The HaskellCompany; Chris Hanlon, Senior Vice President of TowerDivision for WCI Communities; Paul Hardaker,BCNFlorida Region Manager for Gerdau Ameristeel; BillMorthland, Operations Manager for Hunt ConstructionGroup in Tampa; and Louie Wise, III,. President of CCSMechanical. The committee also discussed filling the twoavailable seats on the committee with new members. RonNunez, Senior Director of Corporate Health, Safety, andEnvironmental for Flour Constructors and RaymondSouthern, CEO of Centex Construction were selected to theEXCOM effective Fall 2006. The next EXCOM meetingis scheduled in conjunction with the UF and BCNHomecoming events for Friday, October 6th at Rinker Hallfrom 8:30 am – noon.Members and BCN faculty who were present for the April7th meeting include: Robert Angle, John Bennett, CurtisCulver, Rick Derrer, Tim Good, Chris Hanlon, PaulHardaker, Sidney Jordan, John McIntyre, Harley Miller, BillMorthland, Steve Palmer, Chip Reid, Erik Sharpe, DarrellSmith, John Sofarelli, Breck Weingart, Louie Wise, III,Abdol Chini, Robert Cox, and Raymond Issa.Steve Palmer, President of the BCN Advisory Council EXCOMBy Hollie GowenWhen Steve Palmer was 15, he andhis best friend decided to do a littleconstruction just for fun. Over thecourse of one summer, using moneythey made painting houses, the boysplanned and built the ultimate treehouse. “It was 30 feet in the air in alarge oak tree,” Palmer said. “It wasfully enclosed with walls, shingles,paneling and a rope ladder.”“It was such a great experience creating something fromnothing-basically taking an idea and making it a reality,”Palmer said. “The passion of being a builder started there.”That passion continues to this day. In addition to his role aschief operating officer of Stiles Corporation, a FortLauderdale-based development company, Palmer ischairman of Habitat for Humanity of Broward, Inc. “Mypersonal philosophy about my purpose is to be a goodsteward of the talents I’ve been blessed with, and Habitatgives me an outlet to accomplish that,” he said.Palmer has volunteered for many groups over the years, butalong with Habitat, he is especially proud of his work withKids in Distress, a local agency dedicated to eradicating childabuse and caring for its victims. “When I joined the boardof Kids, there were maybe a dozen children and a couple ofpaid staff,” said Palmer, who has been on the board for 22years. “Today, the agency touches the lives of over 7,000children a year.”He added that Stiles Corporation has played a major role inhelping to build each of the organization’s major capitalprojects. The business charged no fee for its work. Palmersaid it is his nature to volunteer his time and talents to suchworthy organizations. “I grew up in a family that was veryinvolved in giving back to the community, and I have a strongbelief that it’s important to do that,” he said. “It’s alsorewarding to know that you’re making a difference.”Palmer came to Fort Lauderdale in 1979- straight out of theUniversity of Florida’s School of Building Construction- totake a job as an estimator with Stiles Corporation. “I neverworked anywhere else,” Palmer said, noting that the companyhad 10 people when he started. Things have changed forboth Palmer and Stiles Corporation. The latter is now one ofthe largest construction companies in South Florida, andPalmer now holds the position of chief operating officer.In today’s work world, where employees bounce from onecompany to the next, Palmer’s loyalty to Stiles is somethingof an anomaly. But he said his longevity at the company waseasy to achieve. “The core values we have as an organizationare completely aligned with what my personal beliefs are,and we have been extremely successful holding to very highstandards,” Palmer said. Palmer lives in Weston with hiswife, Linda, and their 15-year-old son. In his spare time,what little of it there is, Palmer likes to golf, write songs andplay guitar.Palmer currently serves as President of the BCN AdvisoryCouncil, EXCOM President of the South Florida BCN Cluband recently served on the Dean search committee for theCollege of Design, Construction and Planning.Volume 70, Issue 2 August 20069

BCN CENTERS& PROGRAMSShimberg Center for Affordable Housingcontact: Dr. Robert Stroh, stroh@ufl.eduThe John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation hasrecognized the importance of the preservation of affordablerental housing stock through its Window of Opportunityprogram and through grants to support housing-policyrelated research. These efforts are hampered, however, bythe lack of data about subsidized properties in both individualstates and across the nation. For example limited informationis available about ownership, types of subsidy programs usedto finance the properties, mortgage prepayment eligibilitydates, property conditions, tenant characteristics, and soforth. In response to this lack of decision-support data, theMacArthur Foundation awarded a grant to the University ofFlorida, on behalf of the Shimberg Center for AffordableHousing and the Florida Housing Finance Corporation(FHFC).The Florida Housing Finance Corporation, working inpartnership with the Shimberg Center, will convene anational meeting of organizations already engaged incollecting housing preservation data. The second phase ofthe effort will be led by the Shimberg Center and will be todevelop and implement a data collection project within thestate of Florida. The objective of organizing the meetingand conducting the data collection and analysis is to identifythe information needs for housing policy and programdevelopment professionals and to create a data infrastructurethat other states can implement for the preservation of theaffordable rental housing.The key personnel that will be involved in the project includeMr. William O’Dell, of the Shimberg Center, who will bethe principal investigator for the Shimberg Center’s tasks,and Ms. Nancy Muller, Policy Director for the FloridaHousing Finance Corporation, who will be the principalinvestigator for the FHFC tasks.Powell Center for Construction and Environmentcontact: Dr. Charles Kibert, ckibert@ufl.eduThe Powell Center is organizing an international conference,Rethinking Sustainable Construction 2006 (RSC06), aninternational conference that will be held September 19-22,2006 in Sarasota, Florida. RSC06 will focus on the cuttingedge and beyond for high performance green buildings andassist in the development of a roadmap for designing andbuilding future high performance facilities. We anticipatea collaboration of designers, developers, builders,manufacturers, primary materials suppliers, policymakers,and researchers to collaborate in developing a vision of thefuture high performance building. The green buildingmovement has been highly successful and the Powell Centerhas been engaged in the process of evolving this concept for15 years. Rinker Hall was the first green building on theUniversity of Florida campus and there are now a total of 18green buildings in various stages of evolution. These highperformance buildings have become an important researc

Fluor Program For Construction Safety M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Building Construction 304 Rinker Hall PO Box 115703 Gainesville, FL 32611-5703 Phone: 352-273-1150 Fax: 352-392-9606 www.bcn.ufl.edu University of Florida M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Building Construction Editor Stacey Rosenberg sirosen@ufl.edu SPONSOR: BCN Homecoming BBQ