Schultz & Summers Engineering News

Jaymie Potter is the SSE Employee of the Month for January

2012-02-21T05:10:00.001-08:00

Jaymie at her computer

BRANSON, MO ─ Schultz and Summers Engineering, is pleased to announce the January employee of the month was Jaymie Potter from the Branson office. Owner Stan Schultz said, “It was not as hard to pick an employee of the month for January because Jaymie did such a good job on preparing so many SOQ’s that have helped us obtain new projects. In January she put together 17 SOQ’s which is almost one a day.”

Jaymie will be celebrating her second anniversary with SSE in October 2012. She helps manage the Branson office, but mainly focuses on preparing all SSE proposals and managing our database. Schultz added, “Jaymie has made a real difference in how nice our proposals and presentations look. They have helped us obtain some very key projects for the company and her database work has helped us do a much better job of keeping in touch with our customers and reaching new prospects.”

Jaymie hooking a big one

Jaymie lives in Branson, Missouri with her husband Jim and their four dogs Monty, Lucca, Dallas and Estee. Before joining SSE she owned a commercial fishing business in Kodiak, Alaska and still has a family owned B&B the Kodiak Russian River Lodge (www.kodiakrussianriverlodge.com). Marketing Director Rodney Jetton said, “Jaymie has been a huge blessing to SSE. Her desire to see our company succeed is contagious and she doesn’t know the word no. We keep pouring mountains of work on her and she just gets it done!”

Jaymie’s interests include, singing in the choir at her church, the Sanctuary of Hope, participating in the Republican Party, and sport fishing every chance she gets. She loves to visit her daughter and grandkids in Kodiak, Alaska and her newest interest is finding stories from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s that have moral lessons for children and recording them for her grandchildren. Jaymie says that stories like the Hedge of Thorns, Teddy’s Button, Jill’s Red Bag and Buried in the Snow, contain a Christian message to teach children, responsibility, kindness, and how to treat others. “These stories are wonderfully written but mostly in "King's English" so I take to story and tell it in my own words so they understand the message. My goal is to have a library that my grandkids can listen to so that the miles between us don't separate us as much,” she added.

Brad Allbritton donates a check to of the United Oxford House on behalf Jaymie Potter

When asked what she likes best about working at SSE she replied, “Everyday is a new challenge. I have my normal workload but the variety of projects really makes each day interesting. My weeks fly by, which is always a good assessment of the challenge and job satisfaction. The Branson team is fantastic. I am excited to see the success of the new direction the company is taking with the training and pursuit of new markets and clients.”

In honor of Jaymie being awarded January employee of the month SSE will donate $100 on her behalf to the Oxford House, which is a home in Springfield for women in recovery. “Jaymie has been such a big part of helping us present a more professional image to our customers and prospects. Having her skills on the SSE team has really helped us be successful,” concluded owner Bob Summers.

SCHULTZ AND SUMMERS ENGINEERING & SURVEYING DESIGNS NEW BERNIE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLAN

2012-02-13T08:46:00.000-08:00

Progress on Bernie

BERNIE, MO – Residents in Bernie will soon get a much needed new wastewater treatment facility to keep their sewer system running smoothly. Their old oxidation ditch was constructed in the 1970’s and began having significant problems serving the City’s 768 homes and businesses. Cracks could be found in the facility’s structural walls, the controls were worn out, and the bearings on the mixer were on the brink of collapse. These problems were first identified in 2004. In 2009, Mayor Tillmon’s asked Schultz and Summers Engineering (SSE) to evaluate any deficiencies with the system and help identify what funding was needed to replace the plant. SSE owner Bob Summers said, “The problems Bernie’s older system was experiencing are similar to what we have seen in other communities in Missouri. We enjoy designing projects that keep sewer rates low for the residents and keep communities in compliance with all the DNR rules and regulations.”

After a careful review of all the problems with the old treatment plant, SSE put together a design that addressed all the deficiencies. They also developed preliminary designs and cost estimates for the project that were made available to the public. Once the voters looked at the new design and the option to use public financing in order to keep sewer rates low, they passed a $5.0 million dollar bond issue at the November 2009 election with over an 80% approval. Mayor James Tillmon added, “The plan Schultz and Summers developed was a cost effective way to solve our sewer problems. Their help in informing the voters about the new treatment plant was very useful in gaining passage of the bond issue.”

The new plant under construction

Once the bond was successfully passed, a Preliminary Engineering Report was submitted by SSE to the Missouri Water and Wastewater Review Committee in January of 2010. Schultz and Summers then worked with USDA-Rural Development to secure over $2.5 million in low interest loan dollars for Bernie. Rural-Development provided the City these loans at a 2.25% interest rate, which was fixed for 35 years. Summers commented, “We have helped several cities in Missouri obtain low interest loans over the years, but it was almost unbelievable for Bernie to receive a fixed 2.25% interest rate for 35 years!”

The project plans were completed in mid-2010 and submitted to both USDA-Rural Development and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The plans were approved in October 2010 and Rural Development approved the bid advertisement that took place in November 2010. The project provided the low bidder with a Notice to Proceed in January 2011 and the new treatment plant should be completed sometime in the fall of the this year.

Mayor Tilmon concluded, “I can’t say enough about how helpful Schultz and Summers Engineering were during this whole process. It was nice having a company help us who understood the process and knew all the key players involved. Their experience was one of the main reasons we were able to pass the bond issue and get so much support from government agencies such as DNR and USDA-Rural Development.”

DOT makes $500 Million available for infrastructure projects

2012-02-08T19:29:00.000-08:00

Here is a great story in -

Tiger Grant money is now available. Schultz and Summers Engineering will be doing all we can to help our clients apply and receive some of these funds. We have helped over 56 communities obtain over $92 million in free grants and loans. If you know a community that would like to have SSE assist them in applying for one of these grants, then have them contact Marvin Nesbit, SSE's director of Business development, because the deadline is quickly approaching You can read the whole story after clicking the link below.

Read the whole story here.

Schultz and Summers Engineering & Surveying Highlights Their FEMA Flood Surveys

2012-02-06T10:33:00.000-08:00

Almost up

We just added some billboards to our advertising plan in Branson. Because of the new flood maps many homeowners find themselves in a FEMA flood zone. These billboards highlight our surveying services and how we have helped hundreds of customers save thousands of dollars on flood insurance.

This one is done

Schultz and Summers Engineering & Surveying Sponsored the Missouri Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

2012-02-04T15:55:00.000-08:00

SSE employees Stan Schultz, Brad Allritton, along with Rodney Jetton all attended the Missouri Hall of Fame induction dinner January 29th. The joined 1,500 other sports enthusiasts who attended the annual event. This year 18 stars were inducted into the HOF. Stan Schultz said. "What a great event. It was so interesting to hear each story of how these individuals succeeded in their sport. It was an honor to be there as history was being made."

THE 2012 HOF INDUCTEES

Jim Edmonds- Outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals (eight seasons)
Emmitt Thomas- Cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs
Jon Sundvold- Guard for University of Missouri
Jamie Quirk- Catcher, Kansas City Royals
Mel Gray-Receiver, University of Missouri, St. Louis Football (Cardinals)
Al Onofrio – Football Coach, University of Missouri
Mickey Owen- Catcher, St. Louis Cardinals, Brooklyn Dodgers
Dr. Richard Lehman- Sports Medicine, St. Louis, MO
Rex Sinquefield- Chess, St. Louis, MO
Lawrenece Walls, Football Coach, Summer High School, St. Louis, MO
Jim Pearson- Golf/Football Coach, Kickapoo High School, Springfield, MO
Richard Hantak- NFL Official, St. Louis, MO
Ellen Fuson Port- Amateur Golf, St. Louis, MO

Clyde Lear- Sports Media, Jefferson City, MO
Gene Ruble- Basketball, (Southwest) Missouri State University
Columbia College- Volleyball, Columbia, MO
New Haven High School- Basketball, New Haven, MO
St. John’s- John Q. Hammons Founder’s Award, Springfield, MO

2012 Missouri HOF Inductees Photo by-Bruce E. Stidham / For the News-Leader

Photos From The Event

Stan, Edmonds and Brad

Brad & Jamie Allbritton, Kathy & Stan Schultz, Emily Jetton, Kristen Link and HOF inductee Rex Sinquefield

ENR Midwest's Top 20 Under 40 | ENR: Engineering News Record | McGraw-Hill Construction

2012-01-31T09:26:00.000-08:00

Schultz and Summers Engineering & Surveying is proud to announce that Bob Summers was selected by ENR to be on their 20 under 40 list.

Here is the story below!

Bob talking with a client

ENR Midwest's Top 20 Under 40 | ENR: Engineering News Record | McGraw-Hill Construction

Schultz and Summers Engineering & Surveying December Employee of the Month Ed Roll

2012-01-31T09:00:00.000-08:00

Ed Roll Paying tunes

POPLAR BLUFF, MO- Schultz and Summers Engineering is pleased to announce the January employee of the month was Ed Roll from the Poplar Bluff office. Owner Bob Summers said, “Ed has been a solid performer in our company for a long time. He is a top performer who saves our customers time and money.”

Ed will be celebrating his 8th anniversary with SSE in September. As party chief of a survey crew he is responsible for going out to the job site and marking the appropriate lines while gathering all the necessary data for the engineers to design a project with. Summers added, “Ed is a big reason so many businesses in Southeast Missouri call us for their surveying and engineering needs. He does things right the first time. He makes less trips to the field and gets more done while he is there than most surveyors. His accurate work not only saves time but it also makes our design work easier and precise.”

Ed lives in Puxico, Missouri. Before joining SSE he worked at Gates Rubber Company in Poplar Bluff. SSE Survey department manager Grady Robinett said, “Having Ed as a party chief makes my job alot easier. I can send him out on any job and never worry if he can handle it. He is smart, experienced and always gets the job done!”

Ed is an accomplished musician and plays lead guitar, bass guitar, and keyboards in a local rock and roll band. When asked what he liked best about working at SSE he said, “I love the outdoors. I started my career as a surveyor before working at Gates, but I found I missed the outdoors and surveying. There is nothing like surveying a roadway, power line or commercial site. It’s fun to survey a tract of barren land and then see something useful built on it all based on the surveying we did before anything was built.”

In honor of Ed being awarded January employee of the month SSE will donate $100 on his behalf to the Shriners Hospitals for Children. St. Louis Shriners hospital delivers the highest quality of care to children with a host of orthopedic and neuromusculoskeletal disorders and diseases. Ed has several family members who were Shriners and wanted to support their efforts to help children.

“Ed has worked on some very important projects in Missouri. He staked Highways 67, 13, and 5, as well as major power lines across Southern Missouri for Show-Me-Power. He is an experienced surveyor and we are very fortunate to have him on the SSE team,” concluded owner Stan Schultz.

CHAFFEE SELECTS SCHULTZ AND SUMMERS ENGINEERING FOR THEIR WATER NEEDS

2012-01-29T11:22:00.000-08:00

Chaffee water plant before upgrades began

CHAFFEE, MO- The City of Chaffee Missouri has announced that Schultz and Summers Engineering has been chosen as the engineer to design a $6,250,000 upgrade of their water treatment plant, as well as complete replacement of all waterlines throughout the City, and a new radio-read water meters for all 1,200+ customers. Mayor Steve Loucks said, “Schultz and Summers is the most experienced engineering firm in southeast Missouri for these kinds of projects. They helped us pass our bond proposal and work with the funding agencies to obtain funding. We are very pleased to have them on board.”

Bob Summers

The USDA issued the Letter of Conditions to Chaffee in March 2011. Construction should begin in the spring of 2012 with a projected completion for the summer of 2013. SSE Owner Bob Summers added, “In addition to the new water treatment plant, we will be installing new controls and rehabilitating a large water tank. Also, replacing all of the waterlines and adding the radio-read water meters for the 1,200+ residents will provide customers with improved drinking water and lower operating costs for the City.”

Last November, Chaffee voters passed a $12 million dollar bond issue to make improvements to the City’s water and wastewater systems. The water upgrades are the first phase of the planned improvements.

Schultz and Summers Engineering is a Missouri based Civil Engineering Company with offices in Poplar Bluff, Branson, Lake Ozark and New Orleans. They have provided drinking water and sewer services to over 47 communities in Missouri. To date, they have helped those communities obtain over $90,000,000 in public funding. They have set up several large state of the art USACE validated testing labs along the Mississippi River and are one of the select companies that have been approved for Blanket Purchase Agreement with the USACE. They have also provided surveying services to a variety of clients from utilities, MoDOT, USACE, cities, corporations, small business, and individuals. SSE is a HubZone certified company and can be found at www.schultzandsummers.com or http://schultzandsummers.blogspot.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/schultzandsummers

Lake Economic Council names top businesses of 2011 - lakeexpo.com: Business

2012-01-25T15:38:00.000-08:00

SSE Named 2011 Business Partner of the Year

Brian Meisel, Stan Schultz, Jim Fisher, Bob Summers, and Trisha Creach

Lake Economic Council names top businesses of 2011 - lakeexpo.com: Business: The Lake of the Ozarks Regional Economic Development Council announced the winners of the 2011 awards at the annual meeting
Thursday, Jan. 19,…

2012-01-16T17:54:00.000-08:00

ENR-Midwest Names Bob Summers one

of the Region's Top 20 Under 40 Engineers

POPLAR BLUFF, MO- Schultz and Summers Engineering principal Bob Summers has been selected as one of the top 20 under 40 rising stars by Engineering News Record (ENR) - Midwest. ENR Midwest is the foremost publication on all facets of the development, design and construction marketplace in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and eastern Missouri. They provide news, features and information about the people building the infrastructure projects in the Midwest. “Being selected by ENR for this list is a real honor. I love my profession and work hard to design projects that improve the lives of the citizens in Missouri, but I never expected to get something like this. It’s very humbling,” said Summers.

Bob Summers

The Top 20 Under 40 Program received scores of nominations during a submission period extending from Nov. 1 to Dec. 8 but the final winners include 14 men and six women hailing from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin and Missouri. The winners were chosen based on individual accomplishments along with their ability to demonstrate excellence and leadership in their professions.

Bob and the other winners will be highlighted in the Jan. 30 edition of ENR Midwest. SSE founder Stan Schultz added, “The judges could not have picked a better person to put on this list than Bob. He is a true professional and I’m so happy to see him get the kind of recognition he deserves. He has been a real asset to our company and the communities we serve.”

This year's Top 20 Under 40 include:

Sachin Anand, 39, Principal, dbHMS, Chicago

Zachary Borders, 33, Senior Urban Planner + Designer/Associate, HOK, Chicago

Brad Dannegger, 37, Vice President and Regional Manager, Arco/Murray National Construction Co., Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.

Katherine Darnstadt, 29, Principal, Latent Design, Chicago

Aash Desai, 33, Managing Principal, Helios Design Build, Chicago

Lisa Gomperts, 38, Principal, Schmidt Associates, Indianapolis

Tobias Heddinghaus, 39, Principal, Gray Design Group, St. Louis

John Lashenik, 37, Vice President, American Structurepoint, Indianapolis

Lira Luis, 38, Principal Architect, ALLL, Chicago

Jeff Madden, 38, General Manager, Mortenson Construction, Madison, Wis.

Corrie Meyer, 34, Associate, Schmidt Associates, Indianapolis

Michael Rallo, Jr., 33, Senior Project Manager, Paric Corp., O'Fallon, Mo.

Peter Rumpf, 32, Integrated Construction Manager, Mortenson Construction, Elk Grove Village, Ill.

Beau Sanders, 31, Project Manager, GRAEF, Milwaukee

Amy Slattery, 33, Associate, BNIM, Kansas City, Mo.

Robert Summers, 34, Principal, Schultz and Summers Engineering, Poplar Bluff, Mo.

Chuck Taylor, 38, Director of Operations, Englewood Construction, Lemont, Ill.

Peter Todd, 34, Owner's Agent/Program Manager, The Boldt Co., Milwaukee

Brian Volpe, 37, Vice President, Thornton Tomasetti, Chicago

Megan Zack, 34, Director of Sustainability, Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, Chicago

The five Panelists who reviewed all the nominations include: James Arends, vice president and business development manager with Gilbane Building Co., Chicago; Fred L. Brandstrader, senior project manager with CB Richard Ellis, Chicago, and President of the Chicago Chapter of the American Institute of Architects; Ashley Z. Hand, associate with AECOM, Kansas City, Mo; Colin Rohlfing, Sustainable Design Director with HOK, Chicago; and Anna Stern, vice president with Tri-North Builders, Fitchburg, Wis.

The SBJ's New Awards Debut with 2012 Dynamic Dozen- SSE's Rodney Jetton won Top Local Sales and Marketing Executive

2012-01-12T07:27:00.000-08:00

Here is a quick story the Springfield Business Journal ran on their upcoming awards banquet. Our marketing director, Rod Jetton was picked as the top local sales and marketing executive. The SBJ story is below.

The SBJ's Top Local Marketing Executive Rodney Jetton

The 12 fastest-growing Ozarks companies for 2012 have been determined, and three individuals will be honored via a trio of new awards.

The Dynamic Dozen companies, in alphabetical order, are:

Burrito Concepts LLC, area franchisee for Qdoba Mexican Grill;

Citizens Memorial Healthcare;

Covington Holdings Inc., dba Ashley Furniture Home Store;

CoxHealth;

ECS, formerly Electronic Check Services;

Intuitive Web Solutions LLC;

Jack Henry & Associates Inc.;

S&H Farm Supply;

Springfield First Community Bank;

Penmac Staffing Services Inc.;

Red Monkey Foods; and

SRC Automotive, a division of SRC Holdings.

The three individual honors and recipients are:

Top Local Executive – Steven Brady, CEO and chairman of the board, Anderson Engineering Inc.;

Top Local Financial Executive – Mike Finch, associate general manager and chief financial officer, City Utilities; and

Top Local Sales and Marketing Executive – Rodney Jetton, marketing director, Schultz and Summers Engineering.

Dianna Parker, a business faculty member at Ozarks Technical Community College, verified the numbers in the Dynamic Dozen applications.

Parker also served on a panel of independent judges that chose the honored executives. Other judges were Nancy Bass, vice president of human resources, Students in Free Enterprise Worldwide; Jerry Chin, computer information systems department head, Missouri State University; Dori Grinder, executive director, Ozark Chamber of Commerce; and Kelley Still, executive director of Drury University’s Edward Jones Center for Entrepreneurship.

Rankings for the Dynamic Dozen companies will be announced and the individuals will be honored at a March 1 reception and awards ceremony at Doubletree Hotel, 2431 N. Glenstone Ave. Tickets are $30 apiece and are available at SBJ.net/D12.

SCHULTZ AND SUMMERS ENGINEERING DESIGNS ELLINGTON’S NEW WATER SYSTEM

2012-01-11T09:12:00.000-08:00

The design includes a new well, waterlines, ground storage tank and

meter reading system that will cut operating costs by a third.

Greg Batson from the USDA congratulates Mayor Pickett

ELLINGTON, MO – Residents in Ellington are now using the City’s new water production and distribution system. Their old system was first designed in the 1950’s, but over the years, the City had used their limited budget to cobble together wells, waterlines and pumping stations just to get by. The leaking and deteriorating system was having significant problems serving the City’s 450 homes and businesses. Maintenance crews were constantly digging up city streets and residents’ yards to fix and replace old leaking waterlines. Pump controls were worn out, and the water tower needed serious maintenance. In 2008, the City asked Schultz and Summers Engineering (SSE) to evaluate any deficiencies with the system and help identify what funding was needed to make the necessary repairs. SSE owner Bob Summers said, “The problems Ellington’s older system was experiencing are similar to what we have seen in other communities in Missouri. We enjoy designing projects that provide communities safe and clean drinking water while keeping water rates low for residents.”

Everyone in front of the new plant and refurbished water tower.

After a careful review of all the troubles with the old system, SSE put together a design that would meet the needs of Ellington’s citizens not only today, but well into the future. The city council took that design and presented it to the voters who passed a $3.5 million dollar bond issue with more than 80% approval. . Mayor Ben Pickett said, “Because the plan Schultz and Summers developed was a cost effective way to solve our water needs, voters overwhelmingly supported it. He continued, “Bob Summers, and Marvin Nesbit came to our public meetings, explained the funding process and answered all the questions that the voters asked. As a first term mayor, having someone like Bob, who had been through the process before and knew how everything worked, made my job much easier.”

After the bond was successfully passed, a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER)was submitted by SSE to the Missouri Water and Wastewater Review Committee. Included with the PER was a report by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources stating that Ellington’s existing wells had the potential for surface water contamination. Phyllis Minner from USDA-Rural Development said, “Because of the chance of surface water getting into Ellington’s existing water supply, we felt that this was a perfect project for USDA to support.”

Inside the treatment plant

By making sure all the required paperwork was filled out properly and turned into the USDA, SSE helped the City of Ellington secure a $1.6 million low interest loan with a 2.5% fixed interest rate for 35 years. Owner Bob Summers added, ”Sometimes it is hard for a small town to afford hiring an engineer to get all the cost estimates and initial designs done before they have been awarded any grants. Providing rural residents with clean drinking water is important to our company. That’s why we take a chance and work at our own expense until our clients get their funding secured.”

Ellington was also awarded a $1.25 million grant from the USDA which allowed them to move forward on completing the design and hiring a contractor to make the improvements. The final project plans were completed in mid-2009 and submitted to both USDA-Rural Development and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The plans were approved in January 2010 and Rural Development approved the bid advertisement that took place in June 2010.

Through the normal bidding process, KAJACS construction, Ozark Applicators, and Flynn Drilling were picked to construct the three contracts involved. The new upgrades are projected to lower the cities operating costs by about a third. Mayor Pickett added, “We had two old wells pumping water up to our water tower which was expensive. Now we have one well at the water tower, which will save a significant amount of money over time. The new well will produce up to 225,000 gallons of clean drinking water per day but will use less electricity, less chemicals and require fewer man-hours to operate. Since fixing all the leaks we have seen daily use decline from 230,000 gallons a day (GAD) to 109,000 GAD.” The City estimates that they will lower operating costs by over $12,000 a year with the new system. Additionally, the new well house includes a generator which will allow the water to be pumped even in a power outage from an ice storm. The project also included the installation of a radio read meter system that will allow the meters to be read in 10 minutes instead of several days.

The old water tank that served the city for many years

The new well house was brought on line in November of 2011 and a small ceremony was held at city hall. Greg Batson from USDA-Rural Development presented Mayor Pickett with a plaque commemorating the start of the new system and several community leaders were on hand to witness the event. Mayor Pickett concluded, “These upgrades are a huge milestone for our community and getting all this work done within budget is something we should take pride in. Schultz and Summers played a huge part in making this happen. They were there from the beginning and walked us through the whole process including public meetings, the bond election, then the application process, the bidding process, construction, testing and ending with supplying clean water. Without Wayne Faries, Marvin Nesbit and Bob Summers we couldn’t have done it.” He added, “Not only will we lower the operational budget, but eliminating the effort we spent digging up yards and roads to fix leaks will save us money and provide our residents with a clean and dependable water supply for years to come!”

Jim Fisher P.E., Joins Schultz and Summers Engineering

2012-01-05T13:56:00.000-08:00

He will be in the operations manager at SSE’s Lake Ozark office.

LAKE OZARK, MO – Schultz and Summers Engineering is proud to announce that Jim Fisher has been selected to manage their Lake Ozark office. Jim has worked as a surveyor and engineer throughout southwest and mid-Missouri for the last 12 years. Owner Stan Schultz said, “Jim is the well rounded P.E. we have been looking for to run our Lake Ozark operations. His background providing engineering services for commercial clients as well as city and county governments is exactly what we needed. ”

Danny Roeger (left) and Jim Fisher (right) look over Gravois plans

Jim started in the engineering field right out of high school when he went to work at Heideman & Associates in Springfield as a surveying rodman. He was quickly promoted to survey crew party chief while he began his college education at Missouri State University. In preparation to be an engineer he transferred to Missouri University of Science and Technology and worked three different jobs to help pay for his college expenses including working as a part-time surveyor. Fisher said, “Attending engineering classes and working long hours seemed hard at the time, but now that I am an engineer I’m thankful I found jobs that gave me hands on experience. That experience along with my classroom studies allowed me to hit the ground running when I graduated.”

After graduation Jim joined APAC-Missouri where he worked as estimator and manager working with MODOT to deliver quality highway rehabilitation projects, mainly on Interstates 70 & 44. In 2006 he was asked to join MESA Consulting Engineers in Branson Missouri. Branson was rapidly expanding and MESA was a company that focused on commercial development. Jim worked on a number of residential development projects including multiple phases of the Stonebridge Community, Branson Creek, Emory Creek, Terrell Creek, The Woods, and Long Creek to name just a few. He also helped with a wide-range of commercial developments including banks, gas stations, strip malls, database centers, resort welcome centers, entertainment, and recreational facilities. “Jim did a very good job for MESA. His abilities and drive made an immediate impact on the quality and quantity of engineering work they produced,” added Schultz.

The economic downturn of 2008 caused construction in Branson to slow to a complete halt. Jim joined Elgin Surveying and Engineering in Rolla, Missouri where he designed several municipal projects for the cities of Licking, Houston, Cabool, Westphaila, and Waynesville. Additionally, he assisted with the engineering for a number of commercial and residential clients which included Casey's General Stores, Missouri University of Science & Technology, Investment Realty, and Rightway Homes. Stan remarked, “Our Company does a lot of engineering work for both commercial and public clients. I wanted a P.E. with the knowledge to design a water treatment plant for a large city and the knowhow to help a developer plan a well designed subdivision. Jim will be able to help our city customers with all their needs while also helping our private developers properly design subdivisions, banks, gas stations or strip malls that are integrated into the existing road, sewer, water and electrical networks.”

When asked what he most liked about engineering Jim replied, “It’s enjoyable to sit down with the client and listen to what their requirements or desires are. Understanding their needs and working with them to design a solution that takes care of their needs or meets their requirements is exciting.” He continued, “Finding cost effective ways to provide a city or private development with sanitary sewer collection and potable water distribution systems, or efficient street and sidewalks designs as well as water wells, storage towers, and storm sewers are all interesting challenges that I enjoyable taking on.”

Jim and his wife Krystal live in Rolla Missouri. They enjoy spending time visiting many of the natural and historic curiosities found in the Show-Me-State. Jim also collects historic engineering and surveying tools such as slide rules and mechanical calculators.

Schultz and Summers Lake Ozark office provides engineering services to several mid Missouri Counties including, Camden, Miller, Morgan, Montieau, Pulaski, Phelps, Benton, Osage, Crawford, Maries, Laclede, and Dent to name just a few. Owner Bob Summers concluded by saying, “Jim is the perfect fit for our mid Missouri operations. He grew up and has worked in this region for years. His knowledge of the people, terrain, and communities we serve will help us better assist all our customers in the region.”

The Joplin Field of Dreams

2012-01-04T13:42:00.000-08:00

This is a short video with Melinda Vaughn, Stan Schultz, Charlie Bass ,Shawn Bass and Heather Morgan. They do a great job of explaining how FEMA and the USACE worked together to rebuild Joplin's ball fields. C&M Contractors was the project manager and they had Schultz and Summers Engineering do the design work while Ridge Hill Contractors helped with the construction.

This $1 million project was designed by SSE in just 9 days and C&M completed work and had the fields ready for use 45 days ahead of schedule.

Joplin Field of Dreams

Here are a few photos of the finished fields.

The ZweigWhite 2011 Hot Firm List Ranks Schultz and Summers Engineering 54th Among the Most Successful Architecture, Engineering, and Environmental Consulting Firms in the USA

2012-01-03T15:59:00.000-08:00

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. —Every year since 2000, ZweigWhite has recognized the most successful architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting firms with The Zweig Letter Hot Firm List. Over the years, the "Hot Firm" designation has become synonymous with success in the industry. 2011 marks the first time Schultz and Summers has been named to The Zweig Letter Hot Firm List. In 2011, SSE ranked 54th among these top firms. “We are extremely proud to have made this prestigious list during these economically challenging times. I am very thankful to both our customers who rely on our services and the SSE employees who work so hard to meet their needs,” said SSE owner Stan Schultz.

ZweigWhite, the nation’s leading consulting, publishing, and training firm for the architecture, engineering, planning, and environmental consulting industry, recently released the names of firms making The Zweig Letter 2011 Hot Firm List. Mark C. Zweig, ZweigWhite founder & CEO said, “Getting on The Zweig Letter Hot Firm List for 2011 is an amazing accomplishment, particularly when you consider the depressed state of the A/E/P industry. I am so proud of these firms I cannot tell you! They are making it happen in spite of many obstacles to their success.”

The 2011 Hot Firm List, compiled by ZweigWhite, recognizes firms that exhibit the fastest growth in the last three fiscal years. SSE was ranked on their average percentage revenue growth and absolute dollar revenue growth from 2007 to 2010. Entrants were limited to firms based in the United States or Canada that derive the majority of their revenues from the practice of architecture, engineering, planning, environmental consulting, or allied disciplines. Design/build firms that provide both design and construction services were also eligible.

While being ranked #54 on the ZweigWhite list is quite impressive SSE was also the second fasted Missouri based company on the list. “This recognition makes all of the hard work and effort we have been doing seem worth it, added SSE principle Bob Summers. “Coming in at #54 in America and #2 in Missouri just confirms the trust our clients have in our services.”

This year’s top spot went to Cardno USA, the American arm of the Brisbane, Australia-based Cardno Limited, a global infrastructure services firm. All of the companies that earned a spot on The Zweig Letter 2011 Hot Firm List – which range from firms as small as six people to as large as 10,000 employees – were celebrated at the 2011 Hot Firm Awards Banquet during the Zweig Letter 2011 Hot Firm Conference at the Montage Hotel in Laguna Beach, Calif.

The top 10 on the 2011 Hot Firm List:
1. Cardno USA, Inc., Portland, Ore.
2. exp. (formerly Trow Global), Brampton, Ontario
3. HAKS Engineers, Architects and Land Surveyors, P.C., New York, N.Y.
4. EMR, Inc., Lawrence, Kan.
5. Allen & Shariff Corporation, Columbia, Md.
6. GENIVAR Inc., Montréal, Québec
7. Sullivan International Group, Inc., San Diego, Calif.
8. Binkley & Barfield, Inc., Houston, Texas
9. Dade Moeller & Associates, Richland, Va.
10. The Cadmus Group, Inc., Watertown, Mass.

ZweigWhite founder and CEO, Mark Zweig, said the following about the Hot Firm List and what it means to the A/E industry: “No one can tell me that the companies on the TZL Hot Firm for 2011 aren't special. They achieved success despite all odds!

For more information about the Hot Firm list, go to http://www.zweigwhite.com/g-46-the-zweig-letter-hot-firm-list.aspx

SSE Helps Keep Archer Western Contractors on Schedule

2012-01-03T12:21:00.000-08:00

AWC is a member of the Walsh group and was ranked as the 2nd largest domestic heavy

Contractor in the United States by Engineering News-Records Top Contractor Rankings and they

were ranked as the 125^th largest privately owned company in America by Forbs magazine.

The old LVP 109 levee before construction

NEW ORLEANS- Since June 20, 2010 Archer Western Contractors (AWC) has had Schultz and Summers Engineering (SSE) helping them to finish LPV 109.02a levee project. AWC Project Manager Martin Pospisil said, “Having SSE on the project has been very beneficial to our progress. Their technicians show up every day on time and ready to work and Stan has been available to handle any questions or problems that arise.”

A drill rig on one of the 126 wells

The Contract Award was for $112,247,806 to rework a 7.2 mile stretch of levee starting on the south bank of Lake Pontchartrain and running South along the bayou. Work includes moving over 3.1 million tons of soil to enlarge the existing levee, demolish existing gates and construct new gates that cross US Highway 90 & US Highway 11. Also, they will remove and replace four (4) drainage structures, remove and replace pump station discharge pipes, and upgrade two (2) pump stations. Additionally, they installed over 9 million feet of wick drains as well as constructed T-wall/I-wall transitions at CSX Railroad, US Highway 90, and US Highway 11. “Working with Martin and all his staff has been very rewarding,” stated SSE owner Stan Schultz. “There are a lot of moving pieces to this project, but so far technicians like Thomas Hudson, January employee of the month Cory Brown, and James Badkoubei have been able to keep things on schedule and within budget.”

Despite all the wet weather they met their goal of completing this project by August of 2011. Quality Control manager Raphael Campos added, “With the hurricane season in New Orleans we have to maximize our progress on sunny days. Around here we put in some long hours and all the SSE folks have been willing to do whatever it takes to keep us moving.”

For Stan and all the SSE employees this was a particularly challenging job. They also were responsible for drilling 126 well holes and installing the geotechnical instrumentation for monitoring the levee. This required ordering all the necessary equipment and personal to drill these holes, and properly installing the magnetic extensometers, inclinometers and piezometers all while the work on the levy continued. SSE technician Cory Brown said, “It was a challenge to keep the drill rig going and ahead of the dirt moving crews. The whole project schedule depended on us to meet our goal each day and the bad weather was always a worry. I am proud to say we finished our part ahead of the schedule!”

Schultz concluded, “I’m thankful to be working on one of the bigger projects in the New Orleans region but being able to help solve problems and keep LPV 109.02a on schedule has been very rewarding professionally. Martin made us feel like we were a key part of his team and working with AWC has been one of the highlights of our work here in Louisiana.”

Sunrise Beach selects engineering firm to design sewer system

2011-12-21T22:00:00.000-08:00

Another good story about this project by the Lake News Online!

Sunrise Beach selects engineering firm to design sewer system

Sunrise Beach chooses Schultz & Summers for sewer project - lakeexpo.com: Business

2011-12-21T07:05:00.000-08:00

The Sunrise Beach City Council

Sunrise Beach chooses Schultz & Summers for sewer project - lakeexpo.com: Business: SUNRISE BEACH, Mo. – The Board of Trustees voted unanimously
during Tuesday night’s special session to contract Schultz and
Summers Engineerin…

Gravois Sewer approves construction bids for Phase III - lakeexpo.com: Business

2011-12-20T21:37:00.000-08:00

Gravois Sewer approves construction bids for Phase III - lakeexpo.com: Business: The Gravois Mills Board of Trustees approved a resolution Mondayfor construction bids and awarding project contracts for the Phase
III Sewer …

Photo Book

2011-12-20T10:21:00.001-08:00

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Click here to create your own Shutterfly photo book.

OVER 60 ATTEND THE FEMA FLOOD INSURANCE SEMINAR

2011-12-20T08:45:00.000-08:00

Realtors, bankers ,insurance agents, and floodplain managers attended

the FEMA seminar sponsored by Schultz and Summers Engineering

Monique Pilch covered Flood Insurance

BRANSON, MO- SSE hosted an informational flood insurance seminar to help local bankers, realtors, insurance agents, developers, contractors, and homeowners better understand how the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) determines flood zones and how the flood insurance program works. Over 60 individuals involved with the property transaction process attended the 5 hour seminar. Bill Watson from Tri-Lakes Reality said, “More and more real estate sales are being impacted because of floodplain and flood insurance issues. The information presented at the seminar has given me a much better understanding of the process and how I can help my customers correctly deal with these issues. I also own property in Iowa and the flooding up there was terrible. This seminar really helped me better understand how the process works.”

Scott Samuels, the former Floodplain Management Engineer for the State of Missouri Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and Monique Pilch, the current FEMA RVII Insurance Representative, were the main instructors for the day. Scott presented a program covering Floodplain basics: NFIP background, why FIRM's are updated, and what to do when you are in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). They also went over Elevation Certifications and the LOMA processes. Monique focused her time on Flood Insurance Rate Maps and how to understand the effects of map changes on flood insurance, as well as working through the claims processing after a flood. “Teaching in a seminar like this is a great way to help the public better understand the FEMA flood management process and how the insurance program works. The Branson participants were very engaged and asked some great questions. With all the flooding that has taken place here I very much enjoyed helping them better understand and participate in the program, commented Monique.” Rodney Jetton from SSE concluded the session with a summary of their surveying services, prices, and how they help homeowners obtain a LOMA.

Sixty-eight counties in Missouri either just adopted new maps or will be adopting new FEMA flood maps, including Taney, Stone, Christian, Lawrence, Barry, and Green counties in southwest Missouri. These map updates place some properties in the floodplain while others may be removed. Once a property is in the floodplain flood insurance can be required. Ron Tagge, owner of Ron Tagge Insurance added, “Lenders are now federally required to determine if a property is in a floodplain. If there are any doubts homeowners are being forced to buy flood insurance. I’m dealing with more and more of these situations, but if the homeowner has a survey done and proves they are above the floodplain they can eliminate or reduce the cost of the insurance. We do everything we can to make sure a homeowner has the required coverage, but if they do not need it we can help them get the help they need to show FEMA and their banker exactly where their house is in relation to the floodplain.”

Scott Samuels explains how maps are updated

Most communities where new maps have been adopted report having new properties end up in the flood zone while some properties are removed. This forces those new property owners to obtain flood insurance. Sometimes properties that have never flooded and are clearly out of the floodplain are shown by the new map to be in the floodplain. Instructor Scott Samuels explained it by saying, “The Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) map updates are designed after careful watershed studies using aerial photos and contour lines. While these tools are good, they do not perfectly reflect the elevation of a property within the floodplain. Conducting a survey is the best way to show the exact elevation of a property.”

Wendell Beard looks over a plat map

FEMA recognizes that the maps are not perfect and have developed a process for removing a property from the floodplain. If a homeowner provides an Elevation Certificate (EC) to FEMA that shows the finished floor of a structure is above the floodplain elevation, FEMA then gives the homeowner a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) that can be used to remove the property from the flood zone. SSE surveyor Wendell Beard mentioned, “I have done hundreds of elevation surveys around our lakes here in southwest Missouri and about 75% of them prove that the structure is not in the floodplain. I know it’s a hassle for the folks who have to deal with it, but helping homeowners determine if they are in the floodplain is a part of my job I very much enjoy.”

Schultz and Summers Engineering has developed a program that lowers the costs and speeds up the process of getting a survey done and applying for a LOMA to FEMA. Their program has kept them very busy and they report doing over 650 flood elevation surveys in 2011. Business Development Director Rodney Jetton added, “Our flood survey business has exploded because we charge a low standard fee, offer neighborhood pricing discounts, guarantee a quick turnaround time and even offer a minimal trip charge if the survey shows you are in the flood plain.”

Participants learned a lot about floodplain liability

Sunrise Beach considers wastewater system proposals

2011-12-15T12:10:00.000-08:00

Great story by the Lake Sun Leader about the upcoming SB city council meeting. Our proposal takes a long term look at providing all the residents and business the infrastructure they need to continue to grow. It also allows for expansion in the future.

Sunrise Beach, Mo. —

The Sunrise Beach Board of Trustees may soon get its proposed sewer system off dead center. Trustees are considering two proposals and two engineering firms for a proposed wastewater treatment system. With the potential to get funding sooner than expected, the board has scheduled a special meeting Dec. 20 to make a decision on what direction to take.

A few months ago, the village began to look at ways to phase the proposed sewer along Highway 5. Olsson Engineering was contracted to study the feasibility of a wastewater system for what has been called the City Hall Ridge area, basically the northern part of town. Its preliminary engineering report (PER) was provided to the board Dec. 12 for review. Schultz & Summers Engineering (SSE) made a proposal Dec. 12 to sewer the Highway 5 corridor focusing on commercial users.

SSE had previously declined to make a proposal to the village due to a contractual issue between the board and Midwest Engineering, which had completed another PER for a Highway 5 sewer.

SSE had reviewed Midwest's PER for free and recently presented its findings, which were positive, to the trustees. It originally proposed to subcontract with Midwest. Since then, SSE co-owner Stan Schultz said he has negotiated a deal to purchase the PER information from Midwest, if SSE is selected as the engineer for the sewer project.

While the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and USDA Rural Development had put off the village until the second phase of the water system had been operating for a year, SSE helped appeal DNR's staff level decision to shelve the project. Getting Sunrise Beach placed on the disadvantaged community list, Schultz with trustees Curt Mooney and Charlie Bott received tentative approval to get 2012 funding if the village could recraft the budget and turn in the revised PER by the first of the year.

Stan Schultz

The construction cost had to be reduced to approximately $4 million. The original PER from Midwest had a budget of almost $7 million, but that project had included a larger capacity to allow for some growth on the system. In its Dec. 12 presentation, SSE proposed a rough plan to construct a minimum, basic sewer for the entire Highway 5 corridor in Sunrise Beach focusing on commercial users, which has been the main support and reason for a sewer system. Residents along the path of the collection system could hook up if they wanted to but it would not be mandatory.

Schulz did not have a complete PER to present to the board but said the revised PER could likely be done by the end of the week. Trustees decided to schedule a special meeting at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 20 to give SSE time to complete the revised PER for more firm numbers, and still meet the DNR timeline.

The board has not rejected the City Hall Ridge proposal at this time. It could also take the SSE concept and request a similar PER from Olsson.

Greg Williams

Village attorney Greg Williams advised the board to make the decisions on an engineering firm and scope of project independently. SSE has no contract with the village at this time. The work done so far has been on its own time. During visitor comments, Ron Duggan thanked the board for their work and gave his support of SSE which has been working on a solution to sewer problems at his business, Captain Ron's Bar & Grill. The lakefront entertainment venue that is home to the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout event is being pursued by the State Attorney General's Office for violations of the Clean Water Act.

His is the most prominent but certainly not the only business in Sunrise Beach that has been in trouble with DNR over wastewater. The proposed plan to sewer the entire corridor could give Captain Ron's and the other businesses a reprieve as a more long term solution would be in the works. It could also provide a boost to economic development in the village.

KOLR10- FEMA Sorts Out Insurance Impacts from Spring Flooding

2011-12-02T16:24:00.000-08:00

Here is a story on the FEMA flood insurance class Schultz and Summers sponsored. Over 60 bankers, realtors and floodplain manager attended the classes.

SSE has completed over 650 flood surveys in Missouri this year. Their low set fees, neighborhood pricing discounts and minimal trip charges for those who are in the flood zone have been a big reason so many people have had them help them with their surveys.

Another aspect of their service that is bringing them more business is that they do all the paperwork and work with FEMA to get the property owner a LOMA. They also guarantee to finish flood surveys in one week.

http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=564947

Monique Pilch the FEMA flood insurance specialist explain the claims process

The SEMO Times Covered Our Work In Joplin

2011-12-01T21:42:00.000-08:00

Check out the link to the story here: http://semotimes.com/6421

KSMU- Engineering Firm Offers Help Understanding New FEMA Flood Maps | KSMU

2011-12-01T21:16:00.000-08:00

Missy Shelton of KSMU talked with Stan Schultz about the upcoming FEMA class in Branson. We have helped hundreds of homeowners save thousands of dollars but surveying their property and proving that they are not in the Floodplain.

Engineering Firm Offers Help Understanding New FEMA Flood Maps | KSMU

Listen to the story here-
http://ksmu.org/media/mp3/engineering-firm-offers-help-understanding-new-fema-flood-maps_26368.mp3

Lake News Online Story- FEMA, FERC alphabet soup leaves a taste of confusion

2011-12-01T21:09:00.000-08:00

The Lake News Online published a very good article about the FERC issues. Our technicians did a good job of explaining a few of the problems their ruling was causing.

FEMA, FERC alphabet soup leaves a taste of confusion

Stan Schultz Summarizes The FERC Issue for the Lake

2011-11-28T20:44:00.000-08:00

When A Levee Needs Repaired Fast, the USACE Turns To Schultz and Summers Engineering

2011-11-26T09:55:00.000-08:00

SSE was selected by the Memphis Corps of Engineers District to perform all the

testing for Operation “Make Safe,” the emergency repair work on the Birds Point Levee.

Crops ready to be harvested behind the new levee

EAST PRARIE, MO- Last May the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) intentionally blew up the Birds Point- New Madrid Floodway levee, flooding over 130,000 acres with up to 23 feet of water and damaging hundreds of buildings and homes in the floodplain. In addition to the property damage, the blast and ensuing floodwaters left three giant crevasses that totaled nearly three miles in length. This left those same homes and millions of dollars worth of crops vulnerable to the mighty Mississippi River this fall. “If the area were to flood again it would put many people out of business”, stated Carlin Bennett, the Mississippi County Presiding Commissioner.

Additionally, the raging waters left several huge scour holes up to three stories deep and four football fields wide. SSE owner Stan Schultz said, “The amount of soil needed to repair these breeches and sand to fill in the scour holes is massive. Helping the USACE accomplish this task before the fall rains could harm this year’s harvest has been very satisfying.”

Mark Ritter in the bottom of a scour hole that is almost filled in

When the Memphis corps district went looking for a material testing company to help with Operation “Make Safe”, they called the Army corps district that has the most experience in repairing levees-New Orleans. Because of the stellar performance by Schultz and Summers in New Orleans, they have quickly become known as a company that can perform fast and reliable soil tests when called upon. It wasn’t long before SSE received a call asking if they would be interested in providing testing services for the corps on the Birds Point Levee Floodway. Said Schultz, “Of course we were excited about working on such an important project, and helping repair a critical levee right here in our own backyard was very appealing. I immediately sent them my top soil technician, Mark Ritter, because I knew he would help to keep the project moving.”

With such a tight schedule the corps didn’t have time to solicit design and construction bids, so they decided to do this job themselves. They quickly designed the interim levee, brought 41 pieces of dirt moving equipment and 43 corps personnel from several different districts to southeast Missouri, and began work. There were only two outside contractors involved in the project, Schultz and Summers Engineering for testing and J.W. Transport for trucks to haul the needed soil and sand.

One item of contention has been the height of the interim levee. The current design is the same as the 51 foot river gauge at Cairo, IL. Once funding is approved, the plan is to take the levee back up to its original height of 62.5 feet. The interim repairs are projected to cost $15 million and it will cost another $21 million to raise it back to the original height. But corps spokesman Jim Pogue said, “Corps officials are evaluating the whole Mississippi River flood protection system before ranking projects, but where there is a potential for loss of life, that’s always going to be at the top of the list. The floodway is important. It’s going to happen. It’s not an if, it’s just a when.”

Amazingly, this project started June 16, 2011 and is on track to be completed by November 30, 2011. Currently they have completed 95% of the work at the upper crevasse, 56% at the center crevasse and 100% at the lower crevasse. “We’re still on target to meet the deadline,” said Pouge.

The follow-on project to Operation “Make Safe”, called Operation “Restore”, will reconstruct the floodway system to the pre-operational level of protection. The construction schedule is contingent on the availability of funding. Clearly, the gridlock in Washington has slowed the appropriations process down. But earlier this year Jo Ann Emerson led the charge to get $589 million for levee repairs pushed through the House Appropriations Committee and recently the U.S. Senate passed Senator Blunt’s amendment and included it in the FY2012 spending bill for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies.

Blunt said, “We must work to provide communities with short term and long term recovery and disaster mitigation, which is why I recently introduced an amendment that was passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee to add $400 million to Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) — funding that picks up where FEMA leaves off.”

Many farmers gambled that the fall flooding wouldn’t come and planted crops after the flood waters receded. Memphis Corps District employee Mark Broughton reports that about 90% of the flood way had crops planted. He said most of it was in beans and they were planted late, but some farmers have gotten 50 to 60 bushes per an acre. Of course those farmers who owned land in the 10% that was totally destroyed, didn’t fare so well.

Until the funding is approved for the higher levee, the threat of spring flooding has most farmers apprehensive about planting more crops in the floodway. Many farmers are seeing crop insurance rates twice as high as 2010. With the Mississippi River staying at record summer levels along with a levee that is 11 feet shorter than the old one, residents are worried that even normal flooding could breach the interim levee. KFVS News reported that county officials told them the data shows the river has been over 51 feet seven times in the last 12 years.

Bobby Carlisle USACE, Mark Ritter SSE and Mark Broughton USACE

Schultz and Summers Engineering has played a major role in assisting the corps personnel in keeping the project on schedule. Making sure the soil has the right amount of moisture and compaction is important to the long term strength of any levee. SSE soil technician Mark Ritter said, “We have done over 300 tests so far on the project. The results have been outstanding and everything has come in within the standards. It’s been a bit hard to keep up with the fast pace of the corps, but we have done whatever it takes to support their efforts and keep things moving.”

To read the most up to date info on the Birds Point Levee repairs go to: http://tinyurl.com/czdussf

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

2011-11-23T15:33:00.000-08:00

We want to wish all of our customers and friends a wonderful Thanksgiving! We very much appreciate your business and look forward to working with you more in the future.

LOCAL COMPANIES HELP JOPLIN MISSOURI REBUILD THEIR BALL FIELDS

2011-11-11T14:48:00.000-08:00

C&M Contractors & SSE finished the project ahead of schedule and within budget!

Melinda of C&M and Doug of Ridge Hill pose for a photo.

President Obama

JOPLIN, MO- On May 22, 2011 Joplin Missouri was devastated by an F5 tornado that killed 156 people and left the city of Joplin in ruins. The high school, along with several of the athletic fields, was totally destroyed. Soon after the event President Obama said, "Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in the tornadoes and severe weather that struck Joplin, Missouri. We commend the heroic efforts by those who have responded and who are working to help their friends and neighbors at this very difficult time. At my direction, FEMA is working with the affected areas' state and local officials to support response and recovery efforts, and the federal government stands ready to help our fellow Americans as needed."

With the presidents orders in hand FEMA jumped into action. They put contracts in place to begin the cleanup effort, and build the needed temporary housing. Another project they put a priority on was building new High School Athletic fields. Working through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)-Kansas City District, they hoped to design, build and complete new soccer, softball, baseball and football fields that the students could use by October 15th. Time was of the essence so they moved fast to find a reliable contractor that could quickly design and construct these fields. Owner Charlie Bass said, “The damage to Joplin was indescribable, and losing so many people in a town that side was a tragedy. Being picked to help the rebuild was a real honor and we did everything we could to finish this job on time and within the budget!”

The Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) had provided C&M Contractors as well as SSE the help they needed to be registered as a small business with the federal government. Because of that help the USACE was able to identify that C&M Contractors had the background and experience to handle a design build project for the Joplin ball fields. SSE owner Stan Schultz added, “Once C&M told us the schedule for this project we quickly gave them the support and staff they needed to begin the design process. Melinda and Charlie may be new to the 8a program, but their 15 year track record of working in the private sector on demanding construction schedules was perfect for this project.”

Melinda Vaughn

Charlie Bass

On July 13^th the USACE contacted C&M Contractors about this project and on July14th owners Melinda Vaughn and Charlie Bass made their first visit to the site. They were chosen for a design/build negotiated contract by the USACE- Kansas City District and Melinda Vaughn quickly assembled an experienced team including Schultz & Summers Engineering as well as Ridge Hill Contractors. On July23rd, only nine days later, SSE successfully completed the design which allowed C&M Contractors to successfully negotiate the contract for the temporary athletic fields located at the Joplin South Middle School. These included a baseball, softball, soccer, and a football field. The contracting authority was the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; however, the project was funded by FEMA through their critical infrastructure program as part of the disaster relief effort after the tornado. Heather Morgan a landscape architect for the USACE said, “There was a lot of pressure on this project with people saying I need this now, along with me pushing and calling Brad Allbritton on the weekend because SSE had to come out and site plan the project, grade it, do all the permitting and prepare the construction documents at the speed of light. C&M Contracting and SSE did that! We had a full site with all these existing conditions and SSE had to come up with deliverables that normally take months on end to create, to get earth moving and get everything correct as far as cost estimating. On a large site that is not easy to do, but it saves time.”

Heather Morgan goes over the plans

Typically, design build contracts are awarded to large construction and engineering firms, but because of the tornado and emergency situation FEMA wanted to find a small business that could begin work immediately. Rarely do small companies like C&M Contractors have an opportunity to do this kind of project. C&M owner Melinda Vaughn said, “Even though we are new to the 8a program working on design build projects is not new to us. Charlie and our project managers all understand the importance of doing quality work on projects that have demanding timelines. We also have some very capable and reliable partners in Schultz and Summers Engineering & Ridge Hill Contractors. A good team makes successfully completing a project like this easy” Charlie Bass added, “Having quality local subcontractors helped us complete the project on time. Bill’s Electric placed the lights for two fields and Anchor Fence built the fencing around the softball and baseball fields. Their hard work was invaluable.”

On September 1^st the final sod was laid down which completed the project 45 days ahead of schedule. The grading was complete, the grass was growing, the bleachers were in place, and the lights were shining the night the students took the field for the first time. While some may say ball fields are not that important, the folks in Joplin do not agree. Mike Johnson, Director of Maintenance added, “We lost several students in that storm and anything that can help bring some normalcy back into these kids lives is a wonderful thing. What FEMA the USACE, C&M, SSE and all the workers have done for our school is truly a blessing.”

One of the finished ball fields.

SSE BREIFS BAGNELL DAM REALTOR’S ON SHORELINE PROTECTION PLAN

2011-11-10T09:15:00.000-08:00

LAKE OZARK, MO- November 9, 2011. The Bagnell Dam realtors held their first of four workshops to help the members better understand the recent Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) introduced this summer. They invited a few local experts including Bryan Vance from Ameren Missouri, Christine Cisar from Arrowhead Title and Stan Schultz from Schultz and Summers Engineering. Stan said, “This forum provided us a great opportunity to better understand what FERC is requiring in the SMP, how it is impacting lake property owners, as well as giving me a chance to explain how our surveying services can help homeowners protect their property.”

Vance began the meeting with a very informative presentation on the history of land acquisition at the lake and how Ameren Missouri came to be in charge of shoreline management. He said, “Until 1982 the US Army Corps of Engineers managed the shoreline. Since that time Ameren has taken over the lead role in permitting and trying to get an SMP approved.”

He had several slides showing how elevation lines conflicted with the assumed property boundaries and gave examples of homes that were on the project property and not even on the property owned by their owner. Vance added, “Many of these structures have been there for years and these owners have no recourse. We are asking FERC to allow us to move the project boundary line down to the shoreline so that these encroaching structures ownership questions can be cleared up.”

Bryan Vance explains how Ameren is trying to fix the problem.

While Ameren is working with FERC to adopt a reasonable SMP and get these ownership issues resolved it seems that the bureaucrats in Washington DC have other plans. Despite strong opposition from Missouri’s congressional delegation, FERC seems determined to force homeowners to remove these structures from below the project boundary line. Senator Blunt recently said, “This is ridiculous. An example of another federal agency acting as if common sense has been thrown out the window,”

Ameren took over the permitting role in 1983 and in 2001 they began working re-licensing. They held countless meeting with lake residents to come up with a workable SMP and were issued a new license in 2007 with the caveat that a revised SMP be submitted in 1 year. Vance pointed out that in 2008 FERC posted the revised SMP and made no mention of nonconforming structures. He added, “FERC still has to render a final order on the SMP, and we have no idea when that will be. Right now we have already started working to move the project boundary line down to the lake and avoid causing the effected home owner any more problems.”

After Mr. Vance finished, Christine Cisar from Arrowhead Title and Stan Schultz from Schultz and Summers Engineering each gave short presentations explaining how title insurance and surveys could help homeowners deal with these boundary issues. Christine went through several examples of lake front property deeds and the problems the old legal descriptions are causing today. She mentioned, “Legal descriptions have a hard time following contour lines. Contour lines are not flat and can intersect adjoining properties at different levels. At the lake these lines are causing some serious problems and the only way to know for sure where a contour line crosses a property is to hire a surveyor.”

Stan reiterated some of the points others speakers had made and he explained why some areas of the lake have different project boundary lines. “Just under 30% of the lake front deeds use the metes and bounds description and the others use an elevation number. To make it even more confusing there are 14 separate elevation levels used in those deeds,” mentioned Schultz. He continued, “Elevation levels on a property can dramatically change over time because of issues like erosion and fill being added. These things can change the contour of property, which only complicates the boundary disputes.”

Stan explains how a survey can help deal with boundary issues.

All the speakers emphasized how import surveys will be as the lake area works through this process with FERC. One participant asked Schultz what a survey like this would cost? Stan replied, “We have worked hard to reasonably price our survey services at the lake. We charge $400 for a flood elevation; $150 to mark the project boundary line and a boundary survey for an average lake lot would be around $1000.” He added, “If you have a unique need or a large property we would have to look at the project and give you a specific bid for the survey work.”

Dee Dee Jacobs

At one point in the seminar the participants were asked if anyone had come across skittish buyers over this issue. Almost every hand in the class went up. When asked if any transactions had fallen through two hands went up. Most agreed that it was impacting lake front property. Dee Dee Jacobs with Jacobs Real Estate Partners RE/MAX, said she has definitely been dealing with the issue, “FERC’s ruling is having a devastating effect on lake front properties and we have added new discloser language to our contract to make sure everyone is informed of the situation. The seminar was very useful in helping me better understand the problem and Stan did a great job of explaining how the elevation levels affect ownership and how a survey can help property owner’s deal with where the contour line crosses their property.”

While the FERC issue has become a huge issue locally and has even garnered national attention, many in our area are just learning the details about what property owners can do. Legislation has been introduced in Washington to fix this problem, but for now Ameren and homeowners are in limbo. Schultz concluded, “We want to do whatever we can to fix this problem as quickly as possible. This is negatively affecting my business and the longer it takes the damage just grows. Providing property owners with accurate and reasonably priced surveys is just one thing we can do to help!”

Springfield Business Journal- SSE Business Spotlight

2011-11-01T20:57:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Business Spotlight: Water Works
Schultz & Summers Engineering's Branson office builds forte in rural water systems

Eric Olson
Editor

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Schultz & Summers Engineering co-owner Stan Schultz, second from left, reviews engineering site documents with the team building athletic fields for the Joplin School District.

Brad Allbritton, Branson branch manager, says the office has found a niche helping rural towns and districts obtain funding to meet water and sewer needs.

Schultz & Summers Engineering Inc.

Owners: Stan Schultz and Bob Summers
Founded: 1997
Address: 800 State Highway 248, Bldg. 4, Ste. D, Branson, MO 65616
Phone: (417) 337-8820
Fax: (417) 337-8850
Web: www.SchultzAndSummers.com
E-mail: sse@schultzandsummers.com
Services/Products: Civil engineering, land surveying and materials testing
2010 Revenues: $5.7 million
Employees: 60; 6 in Branson

The year 2008 was critical in the life of Schultz & Summers Engineering Inc.

Coming off 12 months that eclipsed $2 million in revenues, principals Stan Schultz and Bob Summers reviewed their Poplar Bluff-based firm’s work orders and saw a lighter-than-comfortable load on the horizon.

“We started pursuing more work in the Branson market because it appeared strong to us,” Schultz says, noting a second strategy in the works at the time. “We had information that New Orleans was just getting ready to boom from the post-Katrina construction.”

Juggling both ideas, the civil engineering partners thought they’d be glad to hit on one.

“We ended up executing successful ventures in both markets,” he says, and the moves ultimately advanced SSE this year on Inc. magazine’s 5,000 fastest-growing private companies list to No. 1,613 with a 169 percent three-year growth rate to $5.7 million in 2010 revenues. The company placed No. 3,832 on Inc.’s 2010 list.

Branson in-roadsFounded in 1997 and offering civil engineering, land surveying and materials testing, SSE already had a project track record in southwest Missouri, having completed jobs for Table Rock Dam and Branson Airport and on highways 65 and 13.

Schultz started the Lake of the Ozarks branch office from scratch in early 2003 and discovered it took at least five years to build a sustainable office. Seeking quicker in-roads in its Branson plan, SSE officials – through a consultant – identified an acquisition opportunity with Mesa Engineering in early 2009.

“It was our strategy to purchase Mesa to give us a seat at the table with local developers,” Schultz says. “But then the market evaporated, and we had to rely on our ability to get municipal customers in southwest Missouri to keep the Branson office afloat.”

Government projects emerged as the firm’s bread and butter, both in southwest Missouri and in New Orleans. A combination of federally funded jobs, local municipality water and sewer systems, and state highway projects have pushed the company faster than expected.

“It just loaded us up with more work than we’ve had in the history of our company,” Schultz says, noting the company now employs 60 firmwide.

Efforts to get employees on the ground in New Orleans paid off as SSE secured roughly 40 jobs under the federal $14 billion hurricane protection system rebuilding project. At the peak, the company had 35 employees in the New Orleans office to work on surveying and materials testing, including temporary assignments among the six employees in the Branson office. The firm netted about $3 million, or 60 percent of 2010 revenues, from the post-Katrina work.

“It’s managed for us to keep about 15 people from Missouri employed when we may not have had work for them locally,” Schultz adds.

This year, Branson officials were tabbed by the Army Corps of Engineers for a $1 million job for the Joplin School District. In response to the May tornado, school officials were determined to quickly provide athletic fields for fall sporting events as the community regrouped, and SSE began working with Doniphan-based C&M Contractors Inc. in July to design and build football, soccer, baseball and softball fields to high school standards on more than 10 acres at Joplin South Middle School.

“It was a super-fast-track deal. We worked very hard on that project and were able to provide the fields right as the school started,” says Brad Allbritton, a project engineer and the Branson branch manager. “It was a very good feeling to know that you’re helping that community.”

Funding strategiesThe forte of the Branson office is helping rural towns and districts obtain funding to meet water and sewer needs, Allbritton says. Companywide, SSE has helped townships and nonprofits secure nearly $100 million in public funding, and Branson officials are working with Kanakuk Camps for water and sewer testing, and with Fort Leonard Wood for the design of an Army training support center.

Lampe-based Mo-Ark Water Co. partnered with SSE this year to upgrade its water systems in Lampe and Blue Eye. Mo-Ark assistant office manager Chris Davidson says the not-for-profit water company is seeking government funding to extend and improve its drinking water lines, which pumped more than 45 million gallons of water in the last year to its 582 residential and commercial connections. The $1.1 million project, which would be largely funded by a U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development loan, comprises a new water tower in Blue Eye and additional lines in Lampe.

Davidson says Mo-Ark Water is now seeking a Missouri Department of Natural Resources grant, the company’s first financing efforts since it opened in 1973.

“Brad has helped me get all of the numbers together – a pretty massive amount of information – and this is the first time I’ve done this,” she says. “He’s helped me every step of the way. We actually got preapproval on the DNR grant, and we’re still working on the loan.”

Such work involves writing reports and applications, holding public meetings, getting a bond issue on the ballot, promoting up to the vote and securing government agency funding, Schultz says. “It takes about three years from the first phone call before we get pipe in the ground,” he says.

SSE officials project more than $6 million in 2011 revenues and say a glimmer of hope rests in the private development market.

“We’re getting an uptick of activity from developers in just the last 30 days,” Schultz says. “We think we’re close to the bottom if we haven’t already bottomed out. We look for the private investment market to be active again.”

The Association of State Floodplain Managers | ASFPM

2011-10-31T15:18:00.000-07:00

The Association of State Floodplain Managers | ASFPM

SSE HELPS HAYTI WITH CLEAN DRINKING WATER

2011-10-26T14:01:00.000-07:00

Mayor Watkins and City Council members thank Bob Summers

HAYTI, MO- What do you get when you combine a low water table, an old water plant in disrepair and no money to fix it? In Hayti, Missouri they were getting citations from MoDNR and the quality of the water their citizens were drinking was terrible. Mayor Bobby Watkins said, “Our water was so bad nobody wanted to drink it and it became the number one issue I believe I was elected to take on.”

Schultz and Summers Engineering was asked to help Hayti fix their water quality problems and they immediately sent Marvin Nesbit to assess the situation. Marvin has helped dozens of communities find the resources they needed provide sewer and water services to their residents. Nesbit added, “Hayti had a serious problem with their water treatment plant. DNR was all over them about it and they desperately needed to get it fixed.”

Marvin Nesbit

SSE looked at their current plant as well as the old plans and designed a new system that would meet the needs of their citizens, not only today, but well into the future. The city council took the design and presented it to the voters and a bond issue was passed with an unbelievable 91%. Watkins said, “Our citizens wanted this problem fixed and Marvin, along with all the SSE engineers, came to our public meetings explained the process and answered any questions that the voters asked. As a first term mayor having someone like Marvin, who had been through the process before and knew how everything worked, made my job a lot easier.”

Schultz and Summers helped apply for the grants and low interest rate loans available through the government programs. They helped them with the initial design and costs estimates and made sure all the required paperwork was filled out properly and turned into the USDA. Owner Bob Summers added, “Sometimes it is hard for a small town to afford hiring an engineer to get all the cost estimates and initial designs done before they have been awarded any grants. Providing rural residents with clean drinking water is important to our company and that’s why we take a chance and provide preliminary work for free to help get the funding they need.”

Mayor Watkins and Bob in front of new Water Plant

Hayti was awarded a $1.9 million grant from the USDA, which allowed them to move forward on completing the design and hiring a contractor to make the improvements. With SSE’s help their plan was approved and they quickly received their grant. Through the normal bidding process Robertson Construction was picked to build the new plant.

The new plant will be much cheaper to operate. It will produce 1,200 gallons of clean drinking water per minute but use half the electricity, half the chemicals and half the manpower to operate in comparison to the City’s old plant. The City estimates that they will save over $50,000 a year with the new treatment plant. Mayor Watkins added, “This plant will be able to produce enough water to handle even emergency situations such as a fire and we now have a generator so that if we lose power, because of an ice storm, our citizens will still have water. To have a plant that is cheaper to operate but produces more and cleaner water is a dream come true.”

Dan Koehler in front of 1938 plant

Additionally, Hayti had enough money to repair and fix several water lines, rehabilitate two elevated water towers, as well as purchase a radio read water meter system for the entire city. “We were able to keep costs down and save money which allowed Hayti to not only build the new plant but to also make other needed repairs to the system,” commented Summers.

The plant was brought on line in February of 2011 and a ribbon cutting was held in March to announce the official opening. Over 50 community leader joined the city council members and Mayor Watkins in celebrating this historic milestone for the city of Hayti. Mayor Watkins concluded, “Schultz and Summers played a huge part in making this happen. They were there from the beginning and walked us through the whole process starting with public meetings, the bond election, the application process, the bidding process to construction and testing and to finally supplying clean water. Without Dan Koehler, Marvin Nesbit and Bob Summers we couldn’t have done it.” He added, “Since the new treatment plant came on line people stop me all the time and say how happy they are to be able to actually drink the water from their tap!”