March 2021 | Harkins Builders

03/30/202106/30/2021

President’s Message: The Path Forward

While most of us are happy to have 2020 behind us, we are starting 2021 in an environment that is no less challenging. As we head into what looks like the most difficult phase of this pandemic, Harkins continues with our established protocol of wearing face coverings, practicing social distancing, and using thermal imaging cameras, which have all been vital measures in keeping our employees and our trade partners safe.

One of the biggest challenges we are facing as a result of the pandemic relates to the disruption of the supply chain. The ripple effect of material delays and shortages is impacting our projects today and will continue to do so in the coming months.

Harkins has been leveraging our 55-year history and relationships with our clients, design teams, key trade partners, suppliers, and vendors to ensure that we are receiving the most up-to-date information about materials. By involving the Harkins team early in the project and making decisions promptly, we can obtain materials with long lead times well before they are needed, in lieu of just-in-time contracting.

Though vaccines are on the way, I encourage everyone to continue practicing safe routines until they are no longer needed. Even with material shortages and the pandemic, Harkins continues to have a steady backlog and offers an optimistic outlook for our continued growth and success. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and I know we will get there and be a stronger company after going through this journey together.

03/26/202106/30/2021

Harkins’ New Community Outreach Program

Harkins Has Heart Community Outreach Program

‘Harkins Has Heart’ is our company’s newly branded community outreach and giving program. Harkins is committed to improving the lives of those among us who are most in need in our communities. While we reinvest a significant portion of our financial successes into many good causes, employee-owners give their own personal time, talent, and resources to help those who are less fortunate.

Through the program, Harkins focuses its attention on various non-profit partnerships throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. One of our most popular initiatives includes ‘Jeans for Charity,’ where employees choose a charity and donate $5 per paycheck for the privilege of wearing jeans on Friday. Harkins is proud to give back to the communities we build in.

03/16/202106/30/2021

Rob Tirocchi Earns National Design-Build Certification

Columbia, MD

Harkins is proud to announce that Government Programs Manager Rob Tirocchi has successfully completed the Design-Build Institute of America’s comprehensive education and certification testing program to achieve the design-build industry’s highest designation as a nationally certified design-build professional. Two to six years of substantial, documented direct project experiences in design-build project delivery experience is an additional prerequisite for Designated Design-Build Professional certification.

DBIA Certification is the nation’s only measurable standard of an individual’s knowledge of the Design-Build Done Right principles vital to successful project delivery. By completing these requirements, which touch on all aspects of design-build, candidates earn the right to display “DBIA” after their names, identifying them as experienced design-build professionals.

DBIA offers certification in design-build project delivery to:

Owners
Architects
Engineers
General contractors
Trade partners
Project managers
Legal professionals
Academics

Maintaining the credential requires a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education credit every two years.

03/15/202106/30/2021

Harkins Begins Construction of Dulles Downs III

Sterling, VA

Harkins’ Commercial Group is excited to announce that they have started construction of Dulles Downs III in Sterling, VA. This will be the first project completed for Prologis, with Powers Brown Architects.

Dulles Downs III is a 61,200 sf tilt-wall warehouse that is expected to reach substantial completion by December 2021. Located in the Dulles submarket, this industrial facility offers quick access to Route 28, 606, and the Dulles Toll Road. The site is conveniently located approximately one mile from Dulles International Airport.

The facility offers 1,000 sf of parking with 11 spots for trailers, 2,500 sf of office space, 19 docks with one drive-in (ramped) for convenient building access, and 40’x52′ column spacing throughout the space.

Rendering of Prologis Dulles Downs III.

03/05/202106/30/2021

Celebrating Women in Construction Week

Harkins joined the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) in observing Women in Construction Week. This national week is celebrated annually in March and is dedicated to sharing the contributions of women in our industry while educating future generations about the incredible opportunities available within the construction market. The theme for this year was, “Connect, Collaborate, Construct”, and we are proud to say that the women at Harkins are crushing the stereotype that the construction industry is a man’s world!

LEITIE COBB-GIBSON, SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATE

Leitie joined the Harkins team as a field office manager and now leads our W/MBE outreach efforts as the chair of our Small and Minority Business Affinity Group. She is also an active member of ABC Baltimore’s Diversity Committee. Her willingness to help and eagerness to learn makes her a strong leader within the company.

HALEY HERSHEY, ESTIMATOR

Haley assists our preconstruction team in construction take-offs, analyzing plans and specifications, and assisting with contract documents before a project begins. She is actively involved in our Equity and Inclusion Affinity Group, contributing to the group’s mission of fostering a culture of equity and inclusion to improve the lives of our employees through diversity initiatives in education, training, recruiting, hiring, activities, and outreach. Haley is always eager to learn and dedicated to helping the preconstruction team perform at its best.

KRISTEN SCHRADER, BD MANAGER

Kristen works with our Commercial Group to maintain relationships with existing clients and track new opportunities for the company. She is a leader in our industry, serving as the 2020 board of directors president for the Commercial Real Estate for Women (CREW) and 2017-2019 chair of the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Women’s Leadership Initiative.

ANTONICE TURPIN, PROJECT ENGINEER

Antonice joined the Harkins team as a summer intern. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, she began her career at Harkins on our Robinson Overlook project in Columbia, MD, where she is responsible for coordinating with trade partners on unit finishes, conducting and maintaining schedules, managing material deliveries, and getting the units ready for the owner’s first walk. Antonice’s ambition and compassion in her work make her a key member of any project team.

Month: March 2021