In 1923, five years after the formation of the Associated General Contractors of America,

a group of Houston builders came together to organize what would become one of the strongest local chapters in the country. Although the men came from various backgrounds and nationalities, they represented one unified voice for the commercial construction trade of the time.That core group of companies

included:• Edmond Fretz, Standard Construc-

tion (Fretz Construction Company)• Don Hall, Central Contracting

Company• S. Bailey Houx, AmericanConstruction Company• E.G. McClay• Albert Meyerson• Thomas Murray• Tom Tellepsen, TellepsenConstruction Company• C. H. Thanheiser, Southwestern

Construction Company• W. E. WoodruffThe group negotiated with the

fledgling labor organizations and

promoted construction by contract during a time abounding with day labor and force account construc-tion work. While the labor strikes issues may not be as impactful to the construction industry today, the orga-nization’s purpose resonates within AGC Houston 90 years later; its leaders and members collaborate to foster an environment that promotes excellence in building practices. This collaboration has led the chapter in developing educational programs that include technological advancements and improving the safety and work conditions on construction job sites.

The Roaring '20sThe early 1920s represented an

important growth period in Houston as building construction, infrastruc-ture projects and housing created a boom for employment. Architects, engineers, builders and craftsmen punctuated the city’s skyline with new landmarks.During this time, many of the

AGC Houston founding firms also belonged to the Builders Exchange

group, which served as a clearing house for information during strikes. Located at 413 ½ Fannin Street, the building functioned as a meeting space and hiring hall, furnishing non-union building craftsmen to contrac-tors on jobs idled by union workers.In 1924, AGC Houston saw its first

elected officers: Thomas Murray as president; C. A. Thanheiser as first vice president; E.G. McClay, as secretary/treasurer; and Don Hall and J.N.L. West as directors. As the oil gusher age spurred rapid

regional development across the state, other Texas cities began form-ing AGC chapters. That year, a fairly tight-knit federation of AGC Hous-ton, Fort Worth, Dallas, San Antonio and El Paso members became known as the Texas Branch (not to be con-fused by the current Texas Building Branch) with S. Bailey Houx presid-ing over the group. Though the Texas Branch practically phased out in the 1930s, it was reestablished in the late ‘40s and renamed the Texas AGC Chapters Executive Council. It was during August 1924 that a

Echoes Into The FutureA Unified Voice

Originally published in Cornerstone magazine, this is a three-part series of articles intended to serve as a snapshot about AGC Houston’s history from 1923 through 2004.

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Downtown Houston construction sites: Left, the O’Rourke Construction Company, circa 1940s, displays the AGC emblem with a “Safe Job” sign; right, Fretz Construction Co. undertakes the Preston-Fairfax building expansion to accommodate Southwest Bell Telephone Co.

landmark event occurred: the AGC Texas Branch held an annual meet-ing in Austin and voted to adopt the National AGC Code of Professional Ethics and Practice. This code, which remains a mainstay of AGC today, defined the ethical relations between contractors, owners, architects, engi-neers and the building public.Houston realized numerous and

significant building developments during this period including the River Oaks subdivision, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Niels Esperson build-ing, Memorial Hermann Hospital, the Masonic Temple building, the Houston Central Library (Julia Ide-son Library), the Texas State Hotel (now private condominiums), the Warwick Hotel (now Hotel ZaZa) and the Magnolia Hotel—the tallest reinforced concrete structure built at the time.The roaring ’20s were capped by

construction of the 37-story Gulf/Humble Building (now the J.P. Mor-gan Chase Bank Building) by Jesse H. Jones and the American Construc-tion Company. Upon its completion in 1929, it was the tallest structure west of the Mississippi until 1963.

1930s: The Great Depression and Rejuvenation Houston continued its growth trajec-

tory and by the early 1930s, emerged as Texas’ most populous city and dominant economic center. In spite of the Great Depression, Houston was dubbed “the city the Depression forgot,” thanks in part to a busy port, an ever-increasing demand to build oil refineries and Jesse H. Jones.Jones, a prominent city leader,

businessman and banker, actively met with wealthy and politically-active businessmen (which included AGC Houston members Herman and George Brown, Brown and Root Construction) in Suite 8-F of the Lamar Hotel to discuss politics, raise political funds and make deals. Jones’ business and financial

acumen reached Washington, D.C. in 1932 when President Hoover asked him to serve on the board of the newly-created Reconstruction Finance Corporation. Houston-based architects Alfred C. Finn and Joseph Finger received important Federally-funded commissions through Jones’ influence. These commissions led to the development of significant modernistic buildings built by AGC Houston members.For the building industry, contract

construction was now a practiced reality by most area government agencies and labor relations were relatively peaceful. As the economic

downturn began to trickle into Texas and the city, construction halted and chapter financing became extremely difficult in the ensuing years. Some of the construction projects

built by chapter members included the River Oaks Community Center and Theatre, the Tower Community Center and Theatre, Alabama Com-munity Center and Theatre, numer-ous commercial storefronts and gas stations, public schools, the Jefferson Davis Hospital, the Sam Houston Coliseum and Music Hall, and City Hall, among numerous examples of Houston’s Art Deco movement.The spring of 1934 witnessed a

rejuvenation of AGC Houston. At the request of the Chapter, AGC of America issued a new charter on May 5.Two years later, Jesse H. Jones—

Texas Centennial Celebration chair—and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas secured state and federal fund-ing to build a monument dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto and the fallen heroes who fought for their independence.Designed by Alfred C. Finn, the

ground-breaking ceremony occurred on April 21, 1936 during the Texas Centennial Celebration. AGC mem-ber W. S. Bellows Construction Com-pany (now Corp.) built the 570-foot

By Catherine Bezman, AGC Houston

monument between 1936 and 1939. Constructed from reinforced concrete and Texas limestone, the column is topped with a 220-ton star. The five-sided obelisk remains the tallest in the United States.As the 1930s came to a close, AGC

Houston underwent new and impor-tant restructuring: active general con-tractors allowed subcontractors and material suppliers into the existing group, forming the first AGC chapter in the country to have both Active (General Contractor) Members and Associate (Subcontractor and Mate-rial Supplier) Members. According to documentation, this

new classification was done in “order that all phases of the industry might be represented as a coordinated unit for the purpose of dealing as an employer-unit with organized units of labor.”In January 1937, AGC Houston

President Edmond Fretz called a spe-cial membership meeting to develop a strategic plan for the association’s future and to hire a full-time asso-ciation manager. Fretz, along with Tom Tellepsen, Robert Collins and Russell Nix formed a subcommittee

to oversee the details of the chapter’s program and to interview prospects.After a two-month search, Loy Dud-

dlesten — former real estate editor of the Houston Post — became the executive secretary and the associa-tion’s first paid staff. AGC Houston continued to gain recognition in the building industry and expanded its membership. Soon after hiring Duddlesten, the

chapter leased office space in the Ma-sonic Temple, 711 Main Street (Main and Capitol). It also made strides in member services by providing an open plans room and by publishing the AGC News Service, a mimeo-graphed bulletin for the construction industry. By November, the chapter grew to 30 members when the Gen-eral Contractors Association merged with AGC Houston.By 1939, the chapter expanded its

offices once again and leased the Williams State Jacobs estate—a neo-Georgian three-story home—at 2602 Main Street, (Main and Mc-Gowen). Ever progressive in their approach, the chapter leaders and members funded a six-foot neon sign that featured an exact reproduction

of the AGC emblem. Costing $750, the sign is believed to be the only neon-type AGC sign in existence at the time. The office space was con-ceived to serve in several capacities: the first floor featured general offices, plan rooms, a director’s room and a library. The second floor was rented as office space to members of the construction industry and the third floor served as an assembly hall.AGC Houston published its first

membership directory in 1939, which listed Active Members (general contractors), and Associate Members (specialty contractors, subcontractors suppliers, architects, engineers). It also included local unions, prevail-ing wage scales, chapter by-laws and ethics. The association provided members standard forms that covered important contracting procedures. Companies could purchase seals and AGC job signs (8” diameter for $.15 and 18” diameter for $.50) to post at construction sites. The move into the new space ushered in the 1940s.

Swinging Into Action In April 1940, Houston transformed

its public transportation system

Below: In 1939, AGC Houston leased the Williams State Jacobs estate at 2602 Main Street and funded a six-foot neon sign featuring the AGC em-blem. Right: In 1929, Jesse H. Jones built the 37-story Gulf/Humble Build-ing (now the J.P. Morgan Chase Bank Building) – the tallest structure west of the Mississippi until 1963.

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Below: Designed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto, the W. S. Bellows Construction Company built the 570-foot obelisk between 1936 and 1939. Below right: Tellepsen built the 1,100-room Shamrock Hotel for oilman Glenn McCarthy. Located at South Main Street and Bellaire Blvd. (West Holcombe Blvd.), it was the largest hotel built in the U.S. in 1949.

-ing labor relations through the Labor Committee. Created in 1939, the committee settled labor disputes by arbitration to prevent strikes and lockouts; promoted steadiness of employment in the skilled build-ing trades; and maintained just and equitable treatment in relations with building trade employees.The AGC Houston Labor Com-

mittee served a significant purpose over the course of 40 years. In 1946 a city-wide strike, which lasted 77 days, halted all construction jobs on the city’s giant $100,000,000 post-war building program. The strike affected home build-

ers and virtually all public works construction. Some of the buildings affected included the Dow chemi-cal plant, Sears-Roebuck building on Harrisburg, the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company building on Harrisburg, the Hermann Hospi-tal, the Baylor University College of Medicine, and the Folger Coffee Company.

According to estimates, at least 7,000 jobs were affected. The Hous-ton Press ran several articles on the June 21, 1946 title page, which read: “Major Contractors Halt Big Build-ing Jobs Today,” “Union vs. Contrac-tors. Spokesmen for Both Outline Po-sitions,” “70 Firms to Pay Off Men In Union Row,” and “Construction Stops, Neither Side Makes Move for Solution.” D.W. Maxwell, a veteran labor leader, represented the Build-ing and Construction Trades Council while Robert W. Collins, Southwest-ern Construction Co. and chairman of the AGC Houston Labor Committee, represented the membership. Leo E. Linbeck, Linbeck & Ded-

erick Construction Company, and W.S. Bellows, Bellows Construction Company, sat on the Labor Com-mittee along with 14 other AGC Houston members. Reconciliation occurred in a smoke-filled room on Friday, August 30 at the offices of Vinson, Elkins, Weems and Francis with AGC Houston President Otis S.

Van de Mark, American Construction Company.Linbeck was present, too, and made

the first move when Collins and labor leader D. W. Maxwell shook hands in agreement. Linbeck called a steel manufacturer in Orange, Texas and exclaimed “It’s all signed, sealed and delivered. Load that damn steel and get it here in a hurry!” Some 20,000 men representing 27 local unions were affected by the strikes. The Big Band era closed with

the development of the Shamrock Hotel, a 1,100-room resort venue constructed by Tellepsen for oilman Glenn McCarthy. Located at South Main Street and Bellaire Blvd. (West Holcombe Blvd.), it was the largest hotel built in the U.S. A historic grand opening celebra-

tion took place on St. Patrick’s Day 1949 and was attended by an esti-mated 50,000 people. More than 2,000 Houstonians paid $42 a person to have dinner and the party was attended by over 150 Hollywood

Left: The AGC Houston Officers listing page in the 1942 Chapter Directory. Below: The Houston Post’s August 30, 1946 front page shows AGC Houston Labor Committee Chair Robert W. Collins shaking hands with Labor Leader D. W. Maxwell at the end of a 77-day building strike.

by replacing streetcars with buses. Houston now counted 400,000 resi-dents, and by early 1941, city plan-ners were designing a new master plan, which encompassed a loop system to handle the increasingly busy thoroughfares. When WWII broke out, the city’s

economic base dramatically expand-ed due to massive federal funding. The area’s oil companies moved from being sole refiners to produc-ing sophisticated petrochemicals. New plants, factories, commercial buildings, schools and public infra-structure projects put everyone to work. Other major growth industries included steel munitions and ship-building.AGC Houston’s active member-

ship also grew with the onslaught of wartime building projects. By 1942, the membership accounted for 50 general contractors and 250 sub-contractors, material dealers, manu-facturers, insurance and bonding companies. AGC Houston and AGC of America devoted their efforts and activities almost exclusively to the war by recommending direct services to government agencies and by fur-nishing advanced information about

government-sponsored construction projects to the members.In 1944, the ever-growing Houston

chapter moved once again—this time, to a two-story house at 2103 Crawford, where it would serve the construction industry for 17 years. That year, President Roosevelt ap-proved the purchase of 118 acres from the Hermann Estate on Old Spanish Trail and Almeda Road to construct a 500-bed naval hospital. On June 1, 1945, President Truman

designated the building as a perma-nent naval hospital and it opened in 1946 to eventually become a teach-ing facility for the Baylor College of Medicine (later renamed the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center and rebuilt in 1991). From 1945 to 1949, major ground-

breaking events took place in the newly-formed Texas Medical Center, thanks to a significant endowment from businessman Monroe Dunaway Anderson, who established the M.D. Anderson Foundation. In 1946, the Texas Medical Center

developed a master plan and ap-proved for inclusion Baylor Univer-sity College of Medicine, M.D. An-derson Hospital for Cancer Research

of The University of Texas, the Postgraduate and Graduate Schools of Medicine, the School of Dentistry, the Institute of Orthodontics, the School of Public Health, Hermann Hospital, St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospi-tal, The Methodist Hospital, Tuber-culosis Hospital, the Arabia Temple Crippled Children’s Hospital and the Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library. As the nation’s and the world’s

premier health institution, the Texas Medical Center put the growing ma-jority of AGC members to work for the next several decades.The pent-up consumer demand

fueled an exceptionally strong eco-nomic growth during the post-war period. From 1945 to 1948, Harris County ranked number one in the nation for industrial construction. It was also a time when organized

labor reigned. Nearly 15 million men and women belonged to a union in the U.S. Organized labor exercised tremendous power and influence within the Democratic Party—in particular—and grew at a rapid pace due to the National War Labor Board. Unions could shut down construction jobs and paralyze the local economy.AGC Houston played a significant

role during these years and through the 1970s in mediating and negotiat-

Far left: A vintage postcard of the Lamar Hotel, which was demolished in 1983. Houston’s movers and shakers (including AGC Houston members) met regularly in the corner Suite 8-F to discuss politics, the city’s future and make deals.

Left: Original AGC Houston minutes of a special meeting concerning a wage cut agreement held at the Texas State Hotel on Wednesday, April 22, 1931. The mo-tion passed unanimously and was signed by founding AGC Houston members.

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Bottom: The modern-style AGC Houston headquarters designed by Milton Mc-Ginty and built by Spaw-Glass, Inc. in a circa 1960 rendering.

Right: April 17, 1961—One week after the destructive Hurricane Carla struck the lower Texas Gulf Coast, AGC members, guests and dignitaries gather outside the new building for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

accepted the position as Executive Secretary, replacing Loy Duddlesten who had served in that capacity since 1937. Nearly 50 years later, Lewis reflected about his career in an inter-view for AGC Houston’s oral history project.“I was very active in labor nego-

tiations through the 1950s and for the companies I worked for during that time: Farnsworth & Chambers Company (from 1950 to 1956) and the Robert Nesmith Company (from 1956 to 1959). I was on the AGC Board of Directors and during a meeting in which we discussed Loy’s replacement, some of the guys turned to me and said, ‘Lewis, you are over here every day anyhow on labor mat-ters, you might as well take the job.’ So, I took the job and never regretted it either. I worked 30 years for AGC Houston and I loved it.”

1960s: The Go-Go YearsSince 1944 the Chapter operated

from a rented two-story house at 2103 Crawford in what is now Mid-town. Desiring a better-functioning space, the AGC Houston Board of Directors and members approved plans to fund, design and build new headquarters.In 1960 the chapter purchased the

site of the old William Marsh Rice estate, just a few blocks west of

its location. Designed by architect Milton McGinty and built by Spaw-Glass, Inc., the building reflected a modern style with rectangular spans of aluminum siding and decorative glass. The plans featured a two-story 10,000 square-foot space with an en-trance facing Crawford and a 56-car parking lot opening to La Branch. Upon its completion, AGC Houston

President Louis Fisher, members, city officials, dignitaries and trade representatives gathered outside the building’s entrance for a ribbon-cut-ting ceremony on Saturday, Septem-ber 17, 1961—one week after the destructive Hurricane Carla struck the lower Texas Gulf Coast. To mark the occasion, a few board members’ children were tasked to break the crêpe paper ribbon with masonry trowels.The new space featured:• Large central plan estimating room

(24’ X 44’ space for meetings) con-taining 10 spaces to review plans and three separate private booths rooms (the first of their kind for an AGC chapter);• Plan room where plans were stored;• Conference and meeting space;• Mail room;• News area for reporters and press

area with four work stations, editor room, and morgue for filing news;• Coffee bar area overlooking land-

scaped patio;• Board room adjoining executive

director’s office.Much as it had since its inception,

the Chapter focused on labor rela-tions, negotiating wages and working conditions for 10 Houston-Galveston area construction crafts. It also maintained “The Official Handbook of Working Rules and Wage Rates,” considered the bible for contractors. Recognizing that an adequate supply of skilled craftsmen is vital for the industry, the Chapter and craft unions supported and financed apprentice training programs.AGC also worked closely with the

American Institute of Architects and subcontractor groups through joint committees and subcommittees. Ever progressive in its approach to recruit a future workforce, AGC Houston collaborated with area schools and colleges to develop relevant and practical construction curricula. The Chapter also established student

scholarships and is believed to be one of the first chapters in the country to sponsor a university student chapter: in 1949 it formed the AGC student chapter at Texas A & M University.The early ‘60s marked a series of

exciting events for Houston: the rise of the oil industry and the introduc-tion of the space exploration pro-gram. On July 4, 1961, the National

celebrities. Unfortunately, the hotel endured financial troubles during its history and was donated to the Texas Medical Center by its owner, Hilton Hotels, in 1985. In March 1986, historic preservationists—including Glenn McCarthy—held a protest rally. The Shamrock hosted its last annual St. Patrick’s Day party before it was demolished June 1, 1987.

The Post-War Years With the onset of the 1950s, a

flurry of technological advancements flooded the building environment. Construction that was halted during the war started once again and the city counted building plans with an aggregate value of $400 million.The International Terminal at

Houston International Airport (Hobby Airport) was completed and the Texas Medical Center became fully opera-tional. Millions of dollars were spent to replace aging infrastructure and Houston was dubbed “the world’s most air conditioned city.” Architects embraced the Internationalist style using modern structural principles and materials such as concrete, steel

and glass. The design often revealed the skeleton-frame steel construc-tion while avoiding non-essential decoration. The modernist movement transcended across all types of build-ings including single family homes, churches and synagogues.When Houston art patrons John and

Dominique DeMenil engaged Phillip Johnson to design their River Oaks home in 1950, no one could foresee the impact the architect would have on the state, nor upon the city in the ensuing 30 years.During this period, AGC Houston

reorganized its structure and staff to better meet the market’s demands. In 1949, the chapter converted its in-house newspaper to an eight-to 10-page tabloid to keep up with labor news and the multitude of construc-tion projects members could bid on. The organization also added a labor relations department, staffed full time. The city was bursting with residential and commercial construc-tion projects and in 1954, population reached 1 million residents. AGC Houston helped to establish

the Employers’ Council to maintain

its position of leadership and as a relationship-building organization with other contractor associations regarding labor relations. The Em-ployers’ Council also served as the Chapter’s forum for liaison with the industrial plant owners. In 1959, the Chapter’s staff reor-

ganized to implement an expanded program of service and to enhance its voice for the construction indus-try. Dick Lewis, a former chapter board member and Labor Committee chairman, was selected to manage the revitalized organization.Tom Sneed, a journalist, trade as-

sociation executive and official in the Industrial Editors Society, was hired to manage the newspaper, the plan room and public relations. The chapter also hired Mike Woodruff as staff attorney.The next 20 years would place

Houston as a leading construction market with outstanding designs and construction efforts. Embracing A New EraOn October 15, 1959, Dick Lewis—

an active AGC Houston member—

Left: AGC Houston announces the association’s first semiweekly tabloid newspaper and the first of its kind for any AGC chapter. Launched April 15, 1949, it featured chapter and city news, plans and specs on file in the AGC Plan Rooms, and expanded coverage of the construction industry.

Below: In 1944, the ever-growing Houston Chapter moved to a two-story house at 2103 Crawford, where it would serve the construction industry for 17 years.

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Aeronautics and Space Administra-tion started building a new campus in Clear Lake. “Houston stands at one of the great

crossroads of the world,” Houston Magazine published in February 1962, the same month John Glenn achieved orbital space flight. AGC Houston member Brown & Root, Inc. was awarded the planning con-tract for the $200 million Manned Spacecraft Center (renamed the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in 1973) on nearly 1,200 acres. During NASA’s construction, the Farnsworth & Chambers building, 2999 S. Way-side, became temporary headquarters for the space exploration agency from 1962 through 1964.The historic building was commis-

sioned in 1954 by Farnsworth & Chambers Company, designed by noted Houston architects MacKie & Kamrath and completed in 1957. Also known as the Gragg Building, Project Mercury astronauts such as Scott Carpenter, John Glenn, Wally Schirra and Alan Shepard maintained offices there. The building became a

City of Houston Protected Landmark in 2008 before undergoing a sensi-tive rehabilitation and has received numerous awards. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it became the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department’s head-quarters in 1977.In May 1963, Ben Taub General

Hospital opened its doors and the 44-story Humble Oil headquarters (now Exxon building) became the tallest building completed in the ‘60s. Designed by Welton Becket Associates and constructed by W.S. Bellows Construction Corp., the building attracted spectators to its observation deck and one could purchase miniature wax models from a vending machine. Houston saw its new Grand Opera

and Symphony Orchestra home, Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Perform-ing Arts, break ground in January 1964. Gifted to the city upon the legendary Houstonian’s death, the entire construction tab was paid for by Houston Endowment Inc., a

charitable foundation established by Jones.The Houston Astrodome opened to

great acclaim as the Harris County Domed Stadium with the Supremes and Judy Garland performing to a capacity crowd on April 9, 1965. Built by H. A. Lott (who worked pre-viously at Farnsworth & Chambers and had been Dick Lewis’ mentor), the world’s first domed stadium was crowned the “eighth wonder of the world.” The brainchild of Judge Roy Hofheinz, the Astrodome was home to the Colt 45s, Houston Astros, Houston Oilers and the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, drawing thousands of spectators at events until it closed in 1999.Condemned since 2009, the build-

ing is currently used for storage, with AstroTurf rolled up carelessly below 4,007 skylights. City officials have long debated what to do with the engineering marvel and preservation-ists hope it won’t be torn down.In late June, the Harris County

Sports and Convention Corporation

unveiled a $104 million proposal to turn the landmark into a convention center. On November 5, 2013, Hous-ton voters will determine the fate of the structure that once was the city’s glowing pride.By 1967 the Chapter had become

the nerve center of Houston’s con-struction industry and it added 2,500 additional square feet of office and plan room space.That year, Paul Bell, P.G. Bell Co.,

completed his second term as AGC Houston President. A former em-ployee of Farnsworth and Chambers Co., Bell left the company in 1955 to form his own construction firm.

Aside from being involved with the new headquarters’ building plans, he was extremely active as an execu-tive committee member of AGC of America, and president of AGC of Texas and eventually the Texas Building Branch.A key member of the Collective

Bargaining Committee, Bell helped to establish much of the current AGC labor policy.He was particularly instrumental

in getting all of the state building contractors organized to create a presence in Austin. Leo Linbeck, Jr., Linbeck Group, LLC, often worked along his side, both on labor nego-

tiations and by visiting AGC Texas chapters to enlist their involvement in government affairs.That year, AGC Houston opened a

branch office in the state’s Capitol building and hired E. Wayne Hall as manager to represent the Chap-ter’s interests before all state boards and commissions. Hall also main-tained liaison with state agencies that awarded construction work and focused on issues such as unem-ployment compensation, worker’s compensation and state tax.The 1960s closed with a 79-day

strike that began on April 3, 1969 when 1,650 members of the iron workers local union went on strike. The protests ended June 21 only to be followed by a nine-day strike by laborers. According to Chapter documentation, the last strike that had previously affected commercial construction for a significant time occurred in 1966.The city rocketed to fame when,

on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong’s voice crackled from the lunar mod-ule Eagle. As millions of people around the world stood mesmerized in front of television sets, they heard

The Midtown District served to house AGC Houston’s headquarters for nearly 60 years.

Circa 1961: Texas A & M AGC Student Chapter President Don Jones (second from left) and other students visit the AGC Houston headquarters. Jones would join W.S. Bellows Construction Corp. in February 1964 and remain with the firm until retiring in 2008.

In 1954, AGC Houston member Farnsworth & Chambers Corp. hired noted architects MacKie and Kamrath to design its office complex at 2999 S. Wayside Drive. Completed in 1956 the building transferred ownership and became NASA’s command post in 1962 until moving to Clear Lake. Today, the landmark is home to the Parks & Recre-ation Department and features a historical plaque at the building’s entrance.

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of establishing a statewide organi-zation that would coordinate gov-ernmental activities for all building chapters. A group began to prepare a Declaration of Intent to set forth the Texas Building Branch’s purpose and specific activities it would under-take. In January 1974, the Houston branch office was converted to house the newly-formed Texas Building Branch and E. Wayne Hall became its Executive Director until his retire-ment in 1988. Throughout the ’70s, AGC Houston

continued to focus on labor nego-tiations for 10 unions, though most strikes involved specialty crafts and did not particularly affect commer-cial construction projects.In August 1974, AGC of America

released a National Labor News Report indicating that “barely 25 percent of the working people in the U.S.” were organized into labor unions.In documentation dated June 6,

1977, Dick Lewis reported to Leo Linbeck, Jr., that many unions “were considerably less aggressive at the bargaining table because of open shop competition and the fear of pricing themselves out of the market.”During the Disco era, the Chapter

undertook meaningful work as it oversaw the development of a public relations program, a supervisory training program and a fair employ-ment opportunity program. It also produced significant work related to six apprentice and training programs. The Education Committee collabo-

rated with area colleges and universi-ties to develop curricula that prepared students for construction careers. To

further promote interest in construc-tion management, AGC Houston donated $10,000 scholarships annu-ally to five area universities.In the mid ’70s AGC Houston’s

News Department consisted of Juan-ita Deen, Editor of AGC News, Jan Gilbert, Feature Editor and Special Projects, Jeri Haynes, Assistant Edi-tor, (who retired in 2010 after work-ing 40 years in various capacities. Haynes continues part-time work as AGC Houston’s historian, classify-ing documents.) and three reporters who gathered and wrote about bid-ding information for the bi-weekly eight-page The AGC News Service newspaper.The News Department compiled

economic data and furnished con-struction industry information to members, architects and the building public. Reporters kept in continuous contact with approxi-mately 240 architec-tural firms and 135 engineering firms in connection with The AGC Building News Service.During the country’s

Bicentennial year, AGC Houston be-came the first chapter to develop an effec-tive open shop hiring center for contractors who operated on an open shop basis. The model was presented to other state chapters and to all of the coun-try’s chapters during the national AGC of America conference.

In June, AGC Houston won the “Good of the Industry Award” for having “made the greatest contribu-tion toward the betterment of the construction industry” during the AGC of Texas Convention. AGC Houston leaders also developed a comprehensive set of member guide-lines to assist in establishing affirma-tive action programs. The initiative received the “Model Chapter Pro-gram” at the National AGC Confer-ence in January 1977. The late 1970s saw a population

boom as people from the Rust Belt states moved into Houston at a rate of over 1,000 a week. It was not uncommon to see bumper stickers that read “Last one out of Michigan, turn out the lights”. The chapter touted 1979 as “A Marathon Build-ing Boom” because non-residential, industrial, public works and residen-tial construction totaled more than

Right: A Houston Chronicle article dated December 10, 1972 reports on the progress of the Museum of Fine Arts’ Brown Pavilion and Cullinan Hall designed by the legendary German-American architect, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The article featured a photograph of Dave Chapman and William Beard of Mayan Co. holding blueprints inside the construction space.

Below left: Circa 1967: Dick Lewis, Dave Chapman, Ted Connor, Leo Linbeck, Jr., and George Bellows. Below right: At AGC Houston’s 50th anniversary celebration, Warren Bellows, Jr., presents Tom Tellepsen with an Honorary Life Membership on June 13, 1973. Pictured next to Tom is his spouse, Ingeborg. The event was held at the River Oaks Country Club.

the now famous words: “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.”

1970s: Movin’ And Groovin’

The 1960s and 1970s belonged to Houston’s builders and developers. “Space City, USA” grew by leaps and bounds. AGC members were busy on a multitude of regional proj-ects and reshaping downtown with a new civic center, central library building, the Hyatt Regency hotel and skyscrapers.One Shell Plaza, in particular, be-

came the city’s most watched tower from 1967 to its completion in 1971. At 50 stories, it was the tallest cast concrete structure in the world. De-veloped by Gerald Hines, the design was based on Fazlur Khan’s then-new concept of a tube in a tube. The weight of the building was carried in the concrete walls and a shear-wall central core, leaving each floor open. Chief structural engineer for Skid-

more Owens and Merilll, Khan’s seminal work of developing tall building structural systems are still used today. One of the primary chal-lenges for W.S. Bellows Construction Corp. included the excavation and construction of the deepest founda-

tion in the city’s square block. The project served as a model for nu-merous structures in downtown and influenced projects worldwide.On December 10, 1972, the Hous-

ton Chronicle reported on the prog-ress of the Museum of Fine Arts’ Brown Pavilion and Cullinan Hall designed by the legendary German-American architect, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The article featured a photograph of Dave Chapman and William Beard of Mayan Co. hold-ing blueprints inside the construc-tion space with the headline, “Team Concept Clicks for Mayan; 2 Years: $50 million in Contracts.”Other significant projects mem-

bers worked on included Century Development Corporation’s Green-way Plaza; the 21-acre Allen Center master-planned mixed-use center; George R. Brown’s 33-block Hous-ton Center; 1111 Milam Building (now CenterPoint Energy Plaza) on Louisiana; Two Houston Center; KBR Tower; and Pennzoil Place, the highly-acclaimed iconic trapezoid- shaped towers that opened in 1975. Designed by the architectural team of Philip Johnson and John Burgee, the building represented the first sky-scraper of the Post-Modern era and catapulted Gerald Hines to national

recognition. That year also saw the completion

of One Post Oak Center. Houston’s iconic skyline changed dramatically with the construction of 38 of its 45 tallest buildings. As cranes towered over downtown

and the suburbs continued to expand the city’s topography, AGC Houston paused on June 13, 1973, to celebrate its heritage.Members and special guests gath-

ered at the River Oaks Country Club for the Chapter’s 50th anni-versary and to pay homage to three remaining original charter members: Tellepsen Construction, South-western Constructor Co. and W. E. Woodruff Co., Inc. Chapter President Warren S. Bellows, Jr., recognized Tom Tellepsen as an Honorary Life Member and awarded Charter Memberships to Southwestern Constructor Co., Tellepsen Construction and W.E. Woodruff, Co., Inc. The special event also featured “Mr. Life Insurance,” Ben “Woody” Woodson, Chairman of the Board and President of Ameri-can General Insurance Company.In 1973, members of various Texas

chapters met with Houston Chapter officers to determine the feasibility

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Bank Plaza (now Wells Fargo Bank Plaza); and Republic Bank Center (now Bank of America Center) by Johnson/Burgee Architects—another Hines Interests development.The early 1980s also marked a tran-

sition in the Chapter’s leadership with the arrival of Patrick Kiley in March 1984. Hired as Assistant Executive Director, he would recall many years later key events that led to his hir-ing in an interview recorded for the Chapter’s Oral History Project on January 29, 2008. “I had a small consulting firm that

did work in the employer relation’s arena. When we were acquired by a large Chicago firm, I went to work for one of my clients, the tri-institutional complex of St. Luke’s Episcopal Hos-pital, Texas Children’s Hospital and the Texas Heart Institute.”As fate would have it, Kiley met Paul

Bell and George Bellows who served on the Episcopal Hospital Board and Texas Children’s Board respectively. “The two of them were an extremely powerful influence in the Medical Center. Mr. Bell remains so to this day. At the time, we went through an extensive union campaign with Teamsters. It was a threshold attempt to organize healthcare workers,” Kiley recalled. The hospitals prevailed and Kiley continued his work for a few years until he received a friend’s call. “(He) was engaged to do the search

for the person who would ultimately be the successor to Dick Lewis,” Kiley said. As it turned out, both Bell and Bellows were part of the search com-

mittee, which also included Walter Murphy, Leo Linbeck, Jr., and James Stephens. Just as Kiley came on board, the

Chapter was negotiating with unions to take a 15 percent wage cut “because the market started plummeting,” Kiley recalled. “For the first time in the his-tory of bargaining where wages had gone historically straight up for many years—probably 50 to 60 years at the time—we were asking them to take a substantial cut. It took somebody with the skills of Leo Linbeck, Jr., Dick Lewis, AGC Houston President Walter Murphy and a wonderful Labor Negotiation Committee… to get us through that period.” Kiley said that from the mid ‘80s through 1988 “the vast majority of contractors who used to be involved with the unions realized that they couldn’t survive with those kinds of wages… We went through a real series of (years in which) the bargaining sessions were difficult and contentious.”The Chapter fortunately had the

strength to weather the storm because of the philosophy that the founders established and the integral manner in which members did business.“We were able to stay true to

our principles in our motto (Skill, Responsibility, Integrity). We never changed our message (nor our) services. When the market bottomed out in 1987… labor no longer was the dominant service (the chapter) could provide. We began to empha-size other types of services and put a big premium on education offerings,”

Kiley reflected. In spite of record levels of unoccu-

pied retail and light industrial space, a stagnant oil market and the closure of 11 banks, the city witnessed some bright spots with new cultural venues that included the George R. Brown Convention Center, the Gus S. Wortham Theatre Center, the Menil Collection and the IMAX theatre in the Museum of History and Natural Sciences.In September 1988, Dick Lewis’

plans to retire became more evident when he moved out of his office after 27 years. One month earlier, AGC Houston President Al Jensen, H.A. Lott, Inc., wrote to the Board of Di-rectors about Lewis’ transition phase and his extensive influence on AGC. “The great success of the Houston Chapter has been largely due to his efforts which have earned him the respect and affection of all those who know him and have had an opportu-nity to work with him.”Pat Kiley became Executive Direc-

tor and moved into Lewis’ space on the main floor, while Lewis worked part time in an office on the second level. By mid-1989, plans were underway to celebrate Dick Lewis’ legacy.The first event took place January

24, 1990, at the River Oaks Country Club where he was honored by a distinguished group of general con-tractors and special guests; and the second occurred January 31, 1990, at the HESS Club for the general mem-bership, public officials and trade dignitaries.Affectionately called “Old Gray” by

many longtime contractor members and friends, Dick Lewis officially retired on January 1, 1990, and Pat

Pictured at left, an unused ticket for the first Safety Day Cook-Off & Exhibit Show.

$7.9 billion. Work on the 31-story Eleven Greenway Plaza building and the Texas Commerce Tower (now the JPMorgan Chase Tower) had begun. 1980s: Changing Of The Guard

The 1980s were marked by a new generation of AGC Houston Chapter leaders, a continued surge in high-rise construction, the expansion of the Texas Medical Center, the Port of Houston, universities, school districts, suburban office parks, The Woodlands and the Energy Corridor. In 1980, area population reached 1,595,138 and AGC Houston’s membership was comprised of 108 general contractor firms and 1,193 subcontractor companies.Houston saw its first woman—

Kathryn Whitmire—elected as 48th

mayor in 1981 and serving five terms (10 years) before term limitations were enacted. Economically, the decade witnessed three recession years—1982, 1986 and 1987—and the savings and loan crisis, with more than 1,000 savings and loan as-sociations failing, the largest number in the Lone Star state. Plunging oil prices, inflated real estate and high interest rates added to the gloomy image that painted Texas and sur-rounding oil states.Since 1947, Houston’s total con-

struction volume was greater each year than the preceding one, until 1983 when the commercial con-struction industry felt the recession and figures reached just under $2.2 billion.As AGC Houston members weath-

ered the storm, things would get worse in 1986 for the commercial

and industrial sectors. There was optimism, however, as developers announced land acquisitions and planned projects in Friendswood, Clear Lake, Cinco Ranch, and near Highway 290 and FM 529.The city saw several new iconic

high-rises punctuate the skyline. In 1980, the pink granite and glass-clad First International Plaza (now 1100 Louisiana Building) opened its doors. In 1981, the 75-story Texas Com-merce Tower (now JP Morgan Chase) stood as Houston’s tallest building and the tallest granite-clad building in the world.Designed by noted architects I. M.

Pei & Partners and 3D International, it was developed by Hines Interests and built by Turner Construction Co. The design firm also added the 19-story Texas Commerce Cen-ter to Main Street in 1982 and the Texas Commerce Motor Bank (now J.P. Morgan Chase Motor Bank) in 1983. Uptown, in The Galleria, the team designed the Warwick Post Oak (now Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel) just down the street from Johnson/Burgee Architects’ Post Oak Central. Hines Interests also engaged Johnson/Burgee Architects for a new landmark in the area: the 64-story Transco Tower (now Williams Tower). With its beacon light and ode to the setback Art Deco tow-ers, it became the tallest skyscraper in the world located outside of a city’s central business district upon completion.Work also proceeded on the Capital

National Plaza in Allen Center; on the 49-story First City Tower; on the 1010 Lamar Building; and on Con-tinental Center 1 (now 1600 Smith Building), built by Linbeck Group, LLC, which served as Continental Airlines Headquarters from 1998 to 2010. The old Memorial Professional Building on Louisiana was demol-ished to make way for the Allied

12 13

A Houston Chronicle article dated May 14, 1978, highlights W. S. Bellows Con-struction Corp. as a major player on 12 significant buildings downtown. Pictured from left in both photos are brothers Frank, Warren, Jr., and George Bellows.

on biotechnology and the aerospace industry.The following year, Houston redrew

its districts to allow for greater minority representation at the City Council level. AGC Houston also redefined its pa-

rameters as its role in labor negotia-tions began to wane due to the surge of open shop construction firms. Un-der Pat Kiley’s direction, education and safety soon became major focal points of the association as it gained local, statewide and national signifi-cance. Thanks to a robust program developed by the Safety Committee, numerous classes were launched—which included the new OSHA Fall Protection Standard—and taught by committee members.To manage the onslaught of safety

programs and the demand for more services, Jay Marak joined the staff in May 1990 as the Chapter’s first Safety Director. (See the Fall 2013 Cornerstone article “A Commitment to Safety,” for more information about the evolution of the Safety Committee and programs.)The Safety Committee continued

to diversify in other areas, launch-ing its first Safety Day Cook-Off and Exhibit Show on June 20, 1992 in the AGC Houston parking lot.

“AGC Safety Day” featured 30 teams competing in a barbecue cook-off, 25 vendors demonstrating lifesaving and protective equipment, live music and a festival for children. AGC used the event to unveil its Mobile Safety Training Classroom—a repurposed shuttle van—which Marak drove to jobsites and member offices to lead safety training classes and demon-strations.Houston’s laissez-faire business

environment was put to the test in fall 1993. As they had in 1948 and in 1962, voters defeated a proposed land use regulation after much heated pub-lic debates. On November 3, 1993, the morning headline of The Houston Post read “Zoning Goes Down for Third Time.” That year also marked a new era

in the expansion of the Texas Medi-cal Center: The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center began a $248.6 million expansion proj-ect, which constructed an inpatient pavilion with 512 beds, two research buildings, an outpatient clinic build-ing, a faculty office building and a patient-family hotel.

Forward Advances

By 1994, more than 280 AGC

Houston members were serving on 16 committees, and all associate member firms became national as-sociate members—a first in chapter history. Another significant event occurred that year when hundreds of AGC members, guests and industry partners gathered at the Sheraton Astrodome Hotel on May 11 for the first APEX Awards gala.The biennial event was created to

recognize AGC Houston members for “their consistent excellence in construction, their valuable contri-butions to the community, and their demonstrated commitment to skill, integrity and responsibility.”AGC Houston Chairman John

Carson, Brookstone Corp., welcomed the attendees to the inaugural event and introduced KTRK Channel 13 News Anchor Bob Boudreaux, the evening’s master of ceremonies. The program began with the an-nouncement of the first Master Builder Award recipient: architect Seth Irwin (S.I.) Morris, whose firm was involved in the Astrodome, the Wortham Center, Houston Public Library and who collaborated with Johnson/ Burgee Architects on Penn-zoil Place, Transco Tower, among a large body of civic projects. The group of 40 judges represent-

ing the design and owner community recognized 21 projects built between 1992 and 1993. Some of the winners included BP Plaza, Linbeck, Group, LLC; Houston Children’s Museum, H.A. Lott, Inc.; Moody Gardens, Gil-bane Building Company; St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Fretz Construction Company; Woodway

Pictured in a 1998 photograph during the 75th anniversary celebration of AGC Houston are George Miner, Ralph Marek, Alvin Lott, Dick Lewis, Ernie Meyerson, Walter Murphy, Howard Tellepsen, Sr., Jack Marshall, and Bob Fretz, Sr.

Kiley took the reins. A new era was underway.

1990s

In 1990, Houston—covering 540 square miles—ranked as the fourth largest city in the U.S., with a popu-lation of 1,630,553. The city had ma-tured culturally and socially and was rebounding from the slump of the 1980s. Garnering the global spotlight for its cancer and heart treatment, the Texas Medical Center had become the largest employer in Houston with its 14 hospitals.The beginning of the year was

bittersweet as AGC Houston bid farewell to Dick Lewis, who of-ficially retired after 30 years of dedicated service. News of his retire-ment prompted an outpouring of warm accolades from all facets of the construction and the business indus-try, including a Senate Proclamation

initiated by State Sen. Gene Green who “heralded Lewis’ leadership and statesmanship.” In a special tribute, the Board of Di-

rectors unanimously voted to award Dick Lewis Honorary Life Mem-bership. Under his guidance, AGC Houston became the preeminent commercial building contractor or-ganization in the Southwest and one of the most respected chapters within the AGC framework—a prestigious position still held today.The AGC News Service promi-

nently featured photos of the newly elected officers on its February 6 edition’s first page: Dave Gray, Gray Construction Co., President; Charlie Nelson, H.A. Lott, Inc., Vice President; Bill Beard, Beard Build-ers, Inc.; Craig Schneider, Schneider Construction; and Pat Kiley, Execu-tive Director of AGC Houston. Also noted were the elected Board of Director members and the Advisory

Board Directors. The weekly 12-page newsprint bul-

letin provided members with timely information about projects out for bid in 24 counties, announced awarded jobs, and listed plans and available specifications on file in the AGC plan room. Published on Wednesdays by the presses of the Daily Court Review, the AGC News team also produced several other publications.Beginning in February, the chapter

launched a three-part lecture series titled “Public Construction Oppor-tunities in 1990,” which brought together industry specialists, mem-bers and representatives from public entities such as National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the City of Houston and universities and the State of Texas. In May, the Ameri-can Institute of Architects held its national convention at the George R. Brown Convention Center and presented exciting opportunities for AGC Houston and its members to co-host a seminar on “Trends in Con-struction Management” and partici-pate in other panel discussions. AGC Houston staff also manned a trade show booth to promote the chapter and its members.The city rolled out the red carpet to

welcome the G7 Economic Sum-mit of Industrialized Nations in July as the heads of the United States, France, West Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the presi-dent of the European Commission spent three days discussing economic challenges. The international press converged on Houston and reported on the city’s progress as it began to diversify its economy by focusing

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The January 26, 1994 front page of The AGC News Service tabloid announcing the new officers and board of directors.

having significantly impacted AGC, the industry and the community.Progress never stopped: that spring,

the Chapter spearheaded a coali-tion of 11 construction associations to oppose a proposal launched by the AFL-CIO to mandate the use of registered apprentices and restrict the use of helpers and laborers on all City of Houston jobs. Chapter mem-bers provided factual data to oppose the requirements from being enacted and won. With the city’s economic boom and

continuous expansion, unemploy-ment hovered at under five percent, creating a workforce shortage.AGC tackled the issue head on and

began exploring workforce devel-opment solutions. The chapter also received a grant from the Texas Skills Fund to pioneer a program titled “College and Industry Collaborating,” which provided craft training to more than 100 construction workers.The Chapter also supported the

Construction Workforce Coalition by recruiting 440 people into the industry and distributing a video that touted careers in the construction

industry.

Strength in Numbers

Besides developing ongoing training programs, AGC Houston continued to join forces with owners, architects, engineers and developers through committees. The Construction Users Council addressed industry issues to help improve the construction process and published two publica-tions in 1998: Embracing Ethics in the Design/Construction Industry and the Guide for Improved Quality in the Project Delivery Process. The Chapter also expanded its

technological advancements by of-fering bid project information via the Internet with AGC Connect, an elec-tronic service that included projects from four other Texas AGC chapters. Today, through a national partnership forged a decade ago with AGC of America, members can access plan room services online through iSqFt.Thanks to a continuous alliance

with numerous industry groups, AGC Houston continues to collaborate with and produce a plethora of valu-

able publications, studies, construc-tion cost reports, economic data, recommended best practices and important labor and HR issues.To meet the needs of a growing

school district and community, AGC stepped up its effort to support the Houston Independent School District bond election proposal. The chapter raised funds and sent a comprehen-sive educational package to members and industry partners about the sig-nificant $678 million in construction work on the drawing boards.The electronic revolution continued

to advance changes in the manner in which information was communi-cated. In mid- 1998, AGC Houston announced it had won a free Website design from AGC of America and www.agchouston.org was born.During the third APEX Awards,

AGC Houston recognized 33 projects and honored Mayor Bob Lanier with the Master Builder Award. Former KPRC Channel 2 News anchor Ron Stone, whose signatory “Good night, neighbors” sign-off ended his news-casts for nearly 40 years, remarked:“All you have to do is drive around

downtown Houston to see Lanier’s legacy… Bayou Place, the redevelop-ment of the Albert Thomas Conven-tion Center, the new baseball stadium, the Theatre District redevelopment, and outdoor festivals and celebra-tions… in response to the Mayor and Mrs. Lanier’s desire to bring life back to the center of the city.”Dave Chapman reflected on his

presidency and key chapter events in Builder’s Digest, a tri-fold quarterly tabloid produced by the AGC News Service. He wrote that “a very busy year has come to a close” and signifi-

Village Shopping Center; Tribble & Stephens. Co.; and Marek Brothers Systems, Inc. for the Sharpstown Center Renovations completed by H.A. Lott, Inc. During the mid 1990s, AGC Hous-

ton maintained its edge by embrac-ing technological advancements and started the Construction Information Network, a joint venture with Com-puserve that allowed members to access key construction and project information via computer modem.AGC also initiated a pilot program

for a statewide electronic plan room operation. With the advent of com-puters entering the workplace and revolutionizing the printing industry, the chapter launched “AGC Con-nect!” which provided blueprints and specifications online. By early 1998, more than 80 percent of the plans and specs were delivered electronically.On the political front, AGC and

its members stepped up and took a strong stance against frivolous law-suits by becoming an early supporter and active leader for tort reform. Driven primarily by Texans for Law-suit Reform, the group developed an 11-point agenda that was embraced by prominent business groups includ-ing chapter members who provided

leadership and testimony to the House and Senate committees.The Chapter also met with Har-

ris County construction officials to advocate changes to their construc-tion documents. Working through the joint construction industry councils, AGC Houston achieved an open dialogue with Mayor Bob Lanier and with minority groups about the proposed changes to the city’s MBE/WBE ordinance. Chapter leaders also testified on behalf of the Houston Independent School District adminis-tration’s proposal for a new prevail-ing wage rate schedule, reflecting open shop rates.

Deep Roots

In 1995, Howard Tellepsen, Jr., Tellepsen, became president of AGC Houston Early in the year, the Chapter launched Building Insights, a 12-page monthly publication designed to inform the membership about issues affecting the industry, committee work, events, education, safety courses, government affairs and to report on member projects. The publication was mailed to key construction service users to dem-onstrate the value of using AGC

Houston members.1997 marked another milestone

in AGC Houston history: after 36 years, the Chapter left its Midtown address and moved into the current two-story structure at 3825 Dacoma Street. According to retired AGC Houston employee Jeri Haynes, the United States Postal Service wanted the Midtown site for a new postal distribution center.Upon accepting the government

agency’s offer, the Chapter formed a task force to determine which area of the city would be ideal for new head-quarters. Using member company zip codes, the search committee narrowed its location circle and landed in the northwest quadrant of Loop 610 and Highway 290.The staff temporarily moved out

of 2404 Crawford to an office on Richmond Ave. while 3825 Dacoma Street underwent a major rehab. On May 27, 1997, AGC Houston cel-ebrated its official opening day in the 23,6000 square-foot building.In January 1998, Chairman Dave

Chapman, Gilbane Building Co., an-nounced in Building Insights AGC’s involvement with the Construction Workforce Coalition and plans for the Chapter’s 75th anniversary. The celebration began with an open

house to feature the new office build-ing. To commemorate the Chap-ter’s anniversary year and member companies’ contributions to the city, framed building photographs hung throughout the space. Staff also pro-duced photo albums and scrapbooks to highlight the Chapter’s meaningful and historic moments.In May, past presidents, honorary

life members and key retired mem-bers were reunited and recognized for

March 2000: The first issue of Cornerstone, announcing the retirement of AGC Houston’s Sidney Simpson, after 40 years of continuous service to the Chapter.

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On July 28, 1999, the final issue of the AGC News Services is published after 62 years of serving the HOuston commer-cial construction industry.

Austin were partnering firms.On June 4, 2001, Tropical Storm

Allison arrived, devastating the Houston area with 40 inches of rain. The flooding shut down the Texas Medical Center, destroyed thousands of homes and caused $5.5 billion in damages. With the converging White Oak and Buffalo Bayous, Interstate 45, sections of I-10, The Heights and the downtown areas became impass-able, as were numerous other areas around town. AGC Houston member companies—including the A/E/C community, property owners, munic-ipalities, institutions, school districts, the medical community and insur-ance companies—worked around the clock to rebuild the damaged buildings, roads and infrastructure systems.Early in February the following

year, AGC Houston announced changes to its publications: the Cornerstone newsletter was being re-branded Member’s Edge and printed bi-monthly while Cornerstone would become a slick four-color quarterly magazine. The change reflected a strategic move to improve the pub-lication’s format and allow for more in-depth coverage of industry issues.

Writing about the changes in his monthly column, Jerry Nevlud wrote:“…we are excited about the un-

veiling of our new and improved communication pieces …(and) have taken a little of the old and mixed with the new to create two new pub-lications to serve our members.”The inaugural Cornerstone featured

articles on environmental issues, ris-ing insurance costs and construction liability.The Fall 2003 Cornerstone focused

on new technology and construction. It also featured an article on iSqFt and the chapter’s plan room. Since 1937, one of the longest-running services AGC Houston offered to its members was bidding and award information as well as the plan room.While numerous operational

changes had marked the 66-year-old service, the plan room facility was still maintained by the newsroom staff and Ridgway’s provided on-site services with a plan copy center. The addition of iSqFt also brought better technology to the IPR subscribers and helped to streamline the entire data-entry process. The Cornerstone issue also high-

lighted photos from the chapter’s 80th anniversary celebration hosted by four founding-member firms at the Bayou Club. Additionally, more than 400 members headed to the AGC Houston offices on May 9, 2004, for a special birthday party fea-turing barbecue cooked by Western States Fire Protection.On June 30, 2004, the chapter

hosted a special industry briefing to discuss the shortages and escalating prices impacting the construction industry. More than 100 architects, engineers, construction professionals,

owners and developers discussed ris-ing construction costs resulting from a growing global economy.

Change at the Top

The fall was marked by a signifi-cant change: the retirement of Pat Kiley and Jerry Nevlud moving officially into the role of Executive Vice President on September 1. Their respective Cornerstone columns ran side-by-side in the Fall issue.“This is it for me—my final col-

umn as Executive Vice President of the Houston AGC,” wrote Kiley. “So I write with great emotions of gratitude, appreciation, nostalgia and pride… The 20-plus years I have been here have flown… Running any AGC chapter is a position of great privilege, but running the Houston AGC and serving the high quality people and firms that make up this chapter is the highest personal hon-or… Timely change is the hallmark of all great institutions.”Of his own new role, Jerry Nevlud

wrote, “What an honor and privilege it is to have the opportunity to serve in this capacity at a chapter so rich in history and tradition! … I would like to comment on what a privilege it has been for me to serve as the understudy of Pat Kiley for the last four years… A simple observation: Pat Kiley represents a true example of the servant leader.” To pay tribute to Kiley’s legacy and

service to AGC, the Chapter hosted a reception at the Houston Hilton Americas Ballroom on September 9, 2004. Hundreds of well wishers—from members, to local and national organization leaders and politicians, including Mayor Bill White—cel-ebrated and paid tribute to Pat Kiley and his family. AGC Houston rang in 2005 with a

new Chairman—Bill Scott, III, of At his retirement reception on September 9, 2004, Pat Kiley receives a warm em-brace from Houston Mayor Bill White.

cant milestones had portrayed “the strength of our organization and the richness of our relationships through the years.”As the digital revolution continued

to reshape communication tools, the Internet expanded quickly and by 1999 almost every country in the world was connected. The digital revolution was underway, and on July 28, 1999 a 62-year old tradition came to a halt as the chapter printed its final issue of AGC News Service in tabloid format.On the cusp of the New Millenni-

um, Steve Dishman, Brookstone Cor-poration, was elected Chairman and tapped to head the chapter’s Strategic Planning Task Force. Formed to re-structure the organization, the group set out to analyze the current status and future trends in the commercial construction marketplace, the city’s political structure, AGC Houston member companies and other AGC chapters.In addition, the Chapter increased

its technology infrastructure invest-ments to better serve and communi-cate with members, and increased the level of educational programs and events—among many other endeav-ors—to propel the organization into the new century.

Communication Tools

In March 2000, the Chapter launched the first issue of Corner-stone, a monthly 12-page publication created by Webmaster and Commu-nications Manager Tamara Bayles. The predecessor of the quarterly four-color magazine, the publication served in the capacity of a newslet-ter to provide local, state and na-tional chapter news. The cover story featured a tribute to Sidney Simpson who was retiring after 40 years as the Chapter’s courier and building services maintenance supervisor.On September 6, 2000, Corner-

stone reported on another landmark event: the arrival of Jerry Nevlud as AGC Houston’s Executive Direc-

tor for Contractor Development. A University of Texas graduate, Nevlud had construction industry experience working 15 years with the Marek Family of Companies and as an executive with a building supply company.Nevlud was tapped to be part of

the Chapter’s management succes-sion plan and mentored by Pat Kiley as his eventual replacement. The chapter also announced the arrival of Ada Lam (currently Chief Financial Officer) as Executive Director for Finance and Controller.Since the early 1980s, OSHA and

AGC Houston have collaborated to reduce construction-related injuries and fatalities.On May 3, 2001, members of the

Texas Building Branch and the Oc-cupational and Health Administration signed a statewide partnering agree-ment. The signing represented an expansion from local jurisdictions to the entire state, with OSHA and TBB encouraging and rewarding safety on construction sites. On hand were Pe-ter Corcoran, TBB/OSHA Partnering Task Force Chairman; John Lawson, Area Director OSHA Houston North Office; John Miles, Regional Ad-ministrator Region VI OSHA; Bob Fretz, Jr., Fretz Construction Co. and TBB president; and Jessie Cole, TBB Safety Forum. The significant event was preceded in 1999 when AGC Houston began a formal partnering agreement with OSHA—the Safety and Health Partnership for Excel-lence. SHAPE outlined stringent safety and health guidelines for contractors to follow. By June 2001, W.S. Bellows Construction Corp., Tellepsen Builders, LP, Williams Industries, and Craig Sheffield &

A photo spread from the Fall 2003 Cornerstone showing images captured during the Chapter’s 80th anniversary celebrations.

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AGC Houston publications anddocumented interviews with past andcurrent leaders from 1939 throughpresent.Articles and publications from theseresources:Associated General Contractors ofAmerica, Inc.Texas Building BranchAIAhouston.orgAIA Houston Architectural Guide Third Edition by Stephen FoxArchiplanet.org“Building a Houston Practice – The Career of S.O. Morris” by Barry Moore, Cite magazine Winter 1999Building and Construction TradesCouncil of Houston and VicinityEncyclopedia Britannica (Britannica.com)Fretzconstruction.comGreater Houston Partnership (Houston.org) Harris County Association for Industrial Peace, Inc.Harriscountytx.govHarris County Historical CommissionHines.comHouston – A Sesquicentennial Commemorative by Lee and Marsh TuckerHoustonhistory.comHouston Business Journal archivesHouston Chronicle archivesHoustonhistorymagazine.orgHoustonpermittingcenter.org

Houstonmod.orgHouston Parks and Recreation DepartmentHouston Post archivesHoustontx.govKHOU.comNASA.govPei Cobb Freed & Partners(Pcfandp.com)Philip Johnson & Texas by Rank D. WelchPreservationhouston.orgRay Miller’s Houston by Ray MillerRice UniversityRice Design AllianceFondren LibraryTellepsenbuilders.comTexasescapes.comTexasFreeway.comTexas Historical CommissionTexas State Historical Association“The Buildings of the Texas Medical Center Through the Years” by Ben Koush, Cite Magazine, Fall 2012The Library of Congress (loc.gov)The Museum of Fine Arts, Houstonmfah.orgUniversity of Houston (UH-Houston History Archives)University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of ArchitectureUniversity of Texas Libraries – Alexander Architectural Archive (Karl Kamrath, An Inventory of His Collection 1918-2004)

RESOURCES

The September 6, 2000 issue of Cornerstone announcing the arrival of Jerry Nevlud as Executive Director of Contractor Development.

Linbeck Group, LLC—and a new Executive Vice President—Jerry Nevlud. The year was highlighted by numerous successful chapter events as well as a catastrophic one that many will never forget: Hurri-cane Katrina, the most powerful and damaging natural disaster to hit the United States.To assist the victims, AGC Houston

developed a website for construc-tionrelated employment listings. The site also contained information on how members could help in the clean up and rebuilding efforts in Loui-siana, Mississippi and Alabama. In addition, AGC sent job postings to American Red Cross shelters.AGC Houston also helped members

with the rebuilding of the hurricane-ravaged region by sponsoring a three-hour briefing highlighting in-formation on the Louisiana lien law, Louisiana construction law and labor implications, and held a seminar to prepare members for the Louisiana Commercial Contractors Building Construction License Exam. Accord-ing to government sources, the Bush Administration sought $105 billion for repairs and reconstruction in the region, which are still ongoing.In spring, a new opportunity for

promoting the value of AGC Hous-ton presented itself when the chapter was chosen as a recipient of an AGC of America/ Department of Labor grant. The grant established a career academy on the Houston Indepen-dent School District campus of Furr High School. Students enrolled in the Academy of Construction, Arts, Science and Technology followed a curriculum to introduce them to the commercial building industry. AGC also successfully launched

the Project Management for the Construction Industry course and held a Small Contractor Training certification class by partnering with several public Houston organizations. Through the Chapter, 2,445 students completed 18,509 hours of education and safety training in 2005. During the 79th Session of the Texas Legis-lature, several key pieces of legisla-tion were passed due to the Texas Building Branch and AGC Houston lobbying efforts.Much of the political activism

victories were a direct result of the AGC Houston PAC raising more than $100,000—$80,000 of which was raised by board members during a three-hour call campaign.

A Lasting Legacy

How do you define the ideas of leaders that made a difference, have consequences and survive the test of time? What does it mean to leave a legacy? Perhaps AGC Houston’s legacy means a continuum of as-sociated principles that keep paying forward into the next generation. Ninety years ago, brave leaders fol-lowed their inner compass to build their dreams and fought for principles such as honor, skill, integrity, responsibility and character.Indeed, these charac-

teristics represent the very foundation AGC leaders set forth as the cornerstone of the building trade chapter they formed. In 1994, numerous AGC Hous-ton members were recognized at the Rice Design Alliance Gala,

which paid tribute to the local con-struction industry. Titled “Sheetrock Around The

Clock,” the event was cosponsored by AGC Houston, chapter members and other trade organizations.Architectural historian Stephen Fox

wrote the program’s introduction and noted that what is prevalent in Hous-ton “is the element of continuity that is so noticeable among the builders honored by the Rice Design Alli-ance. Family continuity, especially, indicates responsibility, commitment, pride of workmanship, and pride in leadership.”Ten years later, 2004 Chairman

Lynn Stoever, Miner-Dederick Con-structors, Inc., reflected about Hous-ton’s construction community in the Fall Cornerstone: “Those of us active in the business today have inherited this legacy, whether we are with one of the old line firms or with one of the first generation companies.“ We are all beneficiaries. Our chal-

lenge is both to preserve and enhance this gift of mutual respect and trust and to leverage it into even more meaningful collaboration in serving our clients.” ■

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