SSE Adds New Professional Engineer to Branson Operations

Stan Schultz and Brad Allbritton pose with two awards Brad has helped SSE win;
ACEC Design Honor Award & the Better Business Bureau Gold Star

Branson, MO – Schultz Surveying and Engineering is proud to announce that Brad Allbritton recently passed his Professional Engineering exam and is now a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Missouri. Company founder Stan Schultz said, “We are so proud that Brad has become a PE so early in his career. I’m sure his experience in managing projects in Branson was an advantage on the exam. What many engineers in training (EIT) are studying to learn in books, Brad has actually worked on in real life.”

 

The PE exam tests an applicant’s ability to practice the engineering profession competently. It is designed for engineers who have gained at least four years experience. It is typically the last step in the process of becoming a licensed professional engineer. The exam contains 80 multiple-choice questions. It lasts 8 hours and is split into a 4-hour morning session (40 questions) and a 4-hour afternoon session (40 questions). “It is not an easy test”, added Allbritton. He continued, “I put a lot of effort into my studies, but actual experiences as an engineer came in handy on several of the questions.”

 

Brad joined Schultz Surveying and Engineering in 2000 after graduating high school, where he first learned the basics of surveying and engineering. Brad commented, “Working for SSE as a young surveyor sparked my interest in engineering, and to go from being a rodman on a survey crew to designing projects and to finally have my PE designation is a very satisfying feeling.”

 

He graduated from Arkansas State University with a B.S. in civil engineering in 2008 and has been a project engineer managing the Branson office since 2010. Schultz added “Brad is a dependable employee who has been taking care of our customers’ needs the last three years. Watching him finish his degree and pass his PE test has been very encouraging. With the PE designation, Brad is becoming a key part in how we provide engineering services to our customers.”

 

Schultz concluded, “Brad has an ability to look at each project individually and quickly determine how much time it will take to complete and what resources he needs to get it done. He has an uncanny knack for detecting where problems may arise. These traits have allowed him to keep our projects on time and under budget.”

 

In his 5 years with SSE,  Brad Allbritton has worked on numerous sewer, water, road, and utility projects in America’s heartland, including: MoDOT contracts, Mo-Ark Water Company, site design for companies like HCW, Dollar General, and Branson Ziplines, and the Corps of Engineers/FEMA Joplin Ballfield design.

SSE Awarded Gold Star by BBB

SSE Wins BBB Gold Star Award

Stan Schultz and Brad Allbritton hold the 2013 BBB Gold Star Award.

They were recognized for having no complaints over the past three years.

SPRINGFIELD, MO. - The Better Business Bureau of Southwest Missouri recently awarded Schultz Surveying and Engineering their Gold Star award for having no customer complaints the last three years. Owner Stan Schultz said, “It’s an honor to receive this recognition from the BBB. Our employees work extremely hard to make sure our customers’ needs are taken care of. I’m very thankful that Brad Allbritton and his team have done such a good job in Branson.”

Over 300 attended the annual Torch Awards dinner in Springfield. Greek Corner was awarded the 2013 Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics in the small category while Varsity Contractors won for the medium size category and Service Master Restoration and Construction won in the large size category. The BBB Torch Award is designed to promote not only the importance of ethical business practices, but also the willingness and efforts made by outstanding businesses to ensure that our country's marketplace remains fair and honorable for all consumers and businesses.

“Running an office and dealing with customers can sometimes be hectic, but SSE is a company that supports our efforts to take care of our customers. I’m proud to work at a place where honesty and integrity are the top priority,” added Branson Office Manager Brad Allbritton. Only 77 Southwest Missouri Businesses were presented the Gold Star Award, and SSE was proud to be among them.

SSE Business Development Director Rodney Jetton attended the event and he concluded, “It was a very nice dinner and I enjoyed meeting the other business owners and award winners. The economy has been rough the last few years, but it was nice to meet other small businesses who have worked hard, taken care of their customers and survived. We are thankful to be a part of this group!”

ACEC/MO Recognizes SSE at their Annual Awards Banquet

ACEC/MO Recognizes SSE at

Their Annual Awards Banquet

They received the Honor Award for designing the Joplin Athletic Fields.

Project Manager Brad Allbritton with Owner Stan Schultz

KANSAS CITY, MO – Schultz Surveying and Engineering joined over 200 engineers at the annual MO-ACEC awards banquet in Kansas City, Missouri.  They were one of the 26 awardees on hand to be recognized during the ceremony. ACEC President Bruce Wylie commented, “There were many quality projects to evaluate, but I’m sure the judges considered how serious Joplin’s storm damage was and were impressed with how quickly SSE designed the ball fields and oversaw the construction.”

SSE owner Stan Schultz added, “Being selected for the project by FEMA and the USACE was a true honor.  Then to have our project recognized along with other projects from some of the most respected firms in Missouri was a very pleasant surprise.  I’m so proud of all our employees and the work they do to make our company successful.”

SSE won the Honor Award for their work on the Joplin Athletic Fields. 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. 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 July 13^th the USACE contacted C&M Contractors about this project and on July 14th 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 Surveying and Engineering as well as Ridge Hill Contractors. On July 23rd 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.

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 SSE have an opportunity to do this kind of project. SSE owner Stan Schultz said, “Even though we were new to the Hubzone program, working on design build projects is not new to us. Our project managers all understand the importance of doing quality work on projects that have demanding timelines.”

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.”

Stan Schultz and his wife along with Brad Allbritton and his wife attended the ACEC award banquet.  Brad Allbritton accepted the award on behalf of the company and he remarked, “We take great pride in this project, but receiving recognition for helping the students in Joplin get back to a normal life is a very humbling experience.  Your kind words and encouragement are very appreciated by all our employees and the Joplin School District.  Thanks for a wonderful evening.”  

MACADOODLES MAKES ITS MARK ON BRANSON

Macadoodles Grand Opening

Branson is now home to one of the most premiere specialty shops in the southern mid-west.  Macadoodles Fine Wine, Beer, and Spirits opened up one of their highly acclaimed shops in Branson in August of 2012.  Schultz Surveying & Engineering was selected to do the site development plan, construction staking and surveying for this project which will be another business added downtown by the Branson Landing.  SSE Owner Stan Schultz said, “I am very proud of Brad Allbritton and our Branson team.  Developing a site plan that accounted for the small space and traffic patterns down by the landing was a huge challenge.  I didn’t know if it could be done but by working with the developer, city planners and the contractor they pulled it off!”

Branson Mayor Raeanne Presley helping
 Macadoodles Owners cut the ribbon!

Brad Allbritton has been running the Branson office since 2010 and has been involved in numerous commercial and public projects in the region.  He added, “It was a simple but tricky project.  Working with a limited amount of space so close to the creek made it a challenge to design a plan that met their building size requirements and still have adequate room for parking, but the City of Branson was very helpful and the folks at Macadoodles were a pleasure to work for.” 

SSE's Brad Allbritton with
Branson Alderwoman Cris Bohinc

Schultz Engineering sent Chief Surveyor, Wendell Beard, to head up the beginning stages of the project and up until its completion in August 2012.  Wendell said, “This project was a lot of hard work, but it was a lot of fun, too.  Brad did a great job on the design and we worked well with the rest of the team to do the surveying and construction staking.  It’s always nice to be a part of bringing another business to our area.” 

Superior customer service is one of Macadoodles top priorities and their President, Roger Gildehaus said, “Our promise is providing the friendliest service guaranteed!  If you’re not 100% satisfied, we’ll double your money back.” 

They do that by meeting the following goals:

• Clean and friendly shopping experiences for the whole family
• Customer service beyond expectations
•  Make you feel appreciated and that you are an important person to us
•  A variety of products, many that can only be found at Macadoodles
• Competitive pricing
• Always in stock on the products you want
• The extra amenities that make the store a complete and outstanding shopping experience
• Strive everyday to develop your loyalty

You can visit Macadoodles online at www.Branson.Macadoodles.com or visit their new location in Branson located at 438 Branson Landing Boulevard.  

HCW Picks SSE for two Branson Projects

 This year, Branson has seen many ups and downs in its economy and within the community. With the February 29th Leap Day tornado hurting many businesses, the community has persevered and is now back on track to do huge things for its community. HCW is a major development and construction company headquartered in Branson, Missouri. HCW has been heavily involved in many Branson-area projects such as the Branson Landing, Payne Stewart Golf Club, Dixie Station Shopping Center, Thousand Hills Golf Resort, Fall Creek Resort, Cedar Ridge at the Woods Resort, Grandvista at Emerald Pointe Resort, Branson Yacht Club, the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum and Theatre, as well as adjoining Celebration Plaza, and Vista Plaza shopping centers. SSE Business Development director Rodney Jetton stated, “We are very proud to be working with such a well known and respected company like HCW.  Their outstanding track record in Branson and the Midwest is well documented and to be associated with Rick Huffman and their company is something we are very proud of.  We look forward to working with them more in the future on projects that will improve the economy and quality of life for communities in this region.”

SSE Marketing Director
Rod Jetton

This year, HCW has contracted Schultz Surveying and Engineering (SSE) to do two projects in the Branson community.  One is a site design located at the roundabout by Skaggs Hospital.  This project consisted of topographic surveying, architectural layout of the building and parking lot, a grading plan design, erosion and sediment control plans, and a water and sewer service plan that included a bore under business 65.  This piece of land is approximately 1.25 acres and will be a sales office for HCW.

The character of the area is always taken into account in HCW developments.  New construction blends harmoniously with existing structures, and rehabilitation projects bring freshness and up-to-date convenience to established structures.  HCW projects can bring innovation, excitement and a new outlook to communities as they move into the future.

SSE Owner, Stan Schultz

SSE Owner, Stan Schultz stated, “I appreciate HCW and the work they are doing within the Branson community.  When I bring my family to Branson we always have a great time enjoying what Branson has to offer and HCW played a huge role in that.”   

HCW’s vision provides for specific needs within the community.  New development often brings new jobs, and housing the workers is an accompanying need.  HCW has brought numerous housing projects into communities in several states.  Affordable multi-family and single housing developments are built with the same attention to quality and environment as HCW’s largest commercial projects. 

HCW Dir. of Development
Gary Fultz

Gary Fultz, HCW’s Director of Development said, “The team, led by Bradley Allbritton, was always responsive to our needs during the civil engineering process, and they produced quality plans.  They are an extremely professional firm and I would recommend them to any company seeking quality engineering services.”

SSE Branson Operations Mgr.
 Bradley Allbritton

SSE’s Bradley Allbritton said, “HCW is so great to work with.  They are extremely smart and savvy when it comes to what it is they need and want in a project design.  Our team enjoyed working with HCW on these projects and we look forward to our future with HCW Development.”