Construction started recently on two school projects for Leander I.S.D.:

• A new 94,000 SF elementary school for 800 students.
• A 48,000 SF Fine Arts / Gymnasium for their High School.

This $8 million project includes additions to the existing band hall and cafeteria, as well as a new science building and a two-story, 72,000 SF innovative Career and Technology Building. This special "Career Tech" building is designed to be the focus of the school's program to create an environment to foster "real-world" skills in high school students and bring the business world and student population closer together.

The project team includes Joe Graham, John Hall, and Morris Schmeltekopf from Hays Consolidated I.S.D.; Jim Davis and Vaughn Bomberger, Architects; and David Fletcher, Gary Hall and R.C. McMillan from American. Completion is slated for early 1998.

The hilly terrain and specialized floor plan have required creative structural solutions during the construction of this 52,000 SF church. Completing the difficult steel structure required the cooperative efforts of American's team partners: J&B Erectors' Johnny Spriggs; Tri-City Steel's Vic Velicka; engineer Mack Stoeltje; and architects Chuck Fields and John Berry of Fields & Associates. Complicated by a lot of wet weather and mud, the project is scheduled for completion in March of 1998. The church will include a spacious sanctuary, classrooms and offices.

This challenging and fun project is being led by American's field team of Project Manager Terry Sheehan and Superintendents Tim Shelton and Tommy Lauderdale. Providing tremendous support are the church's staff and Building Committee led by Pastor Laughlin and Pat Brandenburg.

American Constructors California has started design/build expansions at two Processing & Distribution Centers in California; one at San Jose (40,851 SF) and the other at Fresno (29,450 SF). Both projects are slated for completion in six months. Leading American's construction team are Superintendents Terry Adams (San Jose) and Jack Simensen (Fresno), assisted by Project Engineer Linda Shoemaker and Art Topete.

Photronics' first Austin manufacturing facility was completed in the fall of '97 ahead of schedule, under budget and successfully clean. Photronics Inc., the largest photomask manufacturer in North America, will use this new facility to produce photomasks which are a critical part of the manufacturing of microchips for the semiconductor industry. Construction of this 49,800 SF building required an elaborate and isolated foundation system to ensure a vibration-free cleanroom where the photomasks are produced. Prior to construction, Photronics' Barry Rockwell and American's Scott Cooper worked together for months to create a plan that would meet Photronics' specifications, budget and cost. Their work provided the parameters for construction drawings produced by Austin's Page Southerland Page. Leading American's field construction team was Superintendent Bruce Blakely, Project Manager Corey Taylor and Gary Hall.

Under the direction of Superintendent Tim Shelton, and Project Managers Tom Peoples and Scott Cooper, this beautiful church opened early this year for Easter services. Working closely with American Constructors' team was Father Tom Frank, Architect Mike Godfrey and the church's Building Committee. The 650 seat church and education center are located just north of Austin.

In June, American Constructors California completed a 150 unit assisted living facility in Albuquerque for ARV Investment Group based in Costa Mesa, California. The facility, which includes both one bedroom units and suites, also contains a wing specifically built to serve residents with Alzheimer's Disease. Leading American's team was Superintendent Terry Adams, Art Topete, and Linda Shoemaker.

Over the last year we have been extremely fortunate to add some terrific people to the American Constructors team in Texas and California.

Now heading the financial operations for Texas and California is Comptroller LANCE WESTON assisted by JEFF VARNER and DEBBIE SCHULZE. Also joining the company in Texas were project manager CRAIG EILERS, superintendent TOMMY LAUDERDALE, estimator DANYELLE PFAFF, and MIKE TIETZ.

In California JOSEPH LoPICCOLO and ALDONSO ZELAYA joined the company as superintendents and LINDA SHOEMAKER as project engineer. We are also please to welcome back superintendent JACK SIMENSEN and administrative assistant JUDY RIVARD.

Back l/r: Nicole Fletcher, Brooke Lasseter, Lindsay Millard, Danny Navejas and Duran Gonzales
Front: Joshua Lasseter, Gabe Navejas, Jr. and Tony Navejas

American Constructors proudly sponsored two teams of employee's kids at Round Rock I.S.D.'s first annual "D.A.R.E. to Putt for Youth" golf tournament and fundraiser on Friday, September 26th. This event was to raise money to allow the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program in Round Rock I.S.D. to go into its secondary schools, and not just the elementary level.