Prairie View A&M University

Jamail & Smith Construction has been working as a JOC for Prairie View A&M for three years through our BuyBoard contract. Just like any JOC program, we do a variety of renovation and repair projects with a few significant projects thrown in the mix. In 2012, our Houston office did some pretty interesting work for PVAMU, including constructing a new state-of-the-art goat laboratory.

Goat Laboratory
We provided metal cabinetry with epoxy countertops, new flooring, ceilings, electrical work and plumbing for the new goat laboratory at Prairie View A&M University. The lab will be used for experiments on goats and goat embryos. This facility features state-of-the-art equipment and maintains more than 1000 acres of goat farm land for these experiments.

Carden Waller Roof
We were selected to work on the Carden Waller roofing project, which entailed removing the existing foam roof and providing a modified bitumen roofing system. We installed new parapet walls and changed out the exterior windows in the high roof. The main challenge for this project was working in an occupied facility, but our team is highly experienced with such circumstances and worked with the client determine an appropriate and efficient work schedule that allowed us to complete the project within 60 days.

Agricultural Research Building Plumbing
J&S completed a large plumbing project in the agricultural research building. We removed all existing gas and air lines in the crawl space under the building, provided all new piping and pipe supports, and created a 27,000-sq-ft mud slab in the crawl space. The challenge with this project was cramped working conditions; our team had only 3-5 feet of standing space, but we were able to overcome this issue and finish the project to the complete satisfaction of PVAMU.

New Year's Resolutions

My resolution is to be a better proofreeder. - Stuart Stutzman, Marketing Assistant

Mine is to survive this year! - Darrell Smith, PE, Vice President - Healthcare Division

My 2013 resolution is to pick up my hobbies/things I enjoy doing again. - Genoveva Rodriguez, Proposal Writer

I resolve to get my radio controlled helicopters back out to the flying field, fuel them up practice until I finally learn to fly upside-down, do loops and rolls and the other tricks they’re capable of doing! So far, I’ve only learned how to LAND upside-down, which is pretty hard on the equipment. - Gene Rigby, Estimator

Make my health and family my priority and stop being so OCD about the small stuff! - Carol Voges, Administrative Assistant

Get back under 200 pounds. - Tim Odermann, Project Manager

Get back to the gym 3 to 5 times per week!!! - Jeff Clark, PMP, Project Manager

My goals for next year are to give more time where it matters, make more phone calls to family and friends, send more written letters, laugh too much, start my charity series of poker games back up, take more random classes, get a bunch of vitality points by being healthy & fit, and my last goal is to have as many “WOW” moments as possible personally & professionally. - Kim Holmes, Risk Management Consultant

Run 20 miles a week. - Andy Hood, Project Manager

Finish grad school!! - Ashley Goode, Marketing Coordinator

Employee Profile

Tim Odermann, Project Manager

Tim Odermann had an exceptional 2012 here at Jamail & Smith Construction, and we're proud to feature him in our employee profile. He has worked with us as a project manager and hard bid estimator since May 2011, and he's had some major project accomplishments. Tim's main project management focus is on Arlington ISD JOC, Chase Bank and Discount Tire projects.

Tim enjoys working here at J&S because we serve a variety of clients in both the public and private sectors. He believes that our flexibility in the type of work we do for each client really sets us apart from the competition. In addition to the work he does at J&S, Tim enjoys the people he works with on a daily basis. His funniest experience yet was the time someone from the Houston office turned on the heat in the Dallas office in the middle of July before they left to go back to Houston. Needless to say, everyone in the office was sweating before they realized the heat was on.

Tim was born in Montana, grew up in Dayton, Texas, and currently lives with his family in Corinth. He served four years in the US Air Force and would recommend any young person join the military to help pay for their education - Tim had 90% of his college education paid for because of his military service. Additionally, he learned some important life skills and job training that he uses every day in his career and personal life. When Tim's not at work, he spends most of his time taking care of this three daughters and occasionally squeezing in a round of golf.

Jamail & Smtih Construction isn't your typical general contractor

 

Darrell Smith, the Vice Present of our Healthcare Division, recently sat down with Bill Pemberton on Prime TV to discuss what sets us apart from other general contractors. Take a watch to find out how our "constructability" allows us to design facilities on time, at the lowest cost possible, and without compromising the design dynamics of the architect's vision.

Tasty Summer Dishes

Although the end of the summer is fast approaching on the calendar, we all know that this Texas heat will be with us through at least the beginning of October. Summer heat waves call for light and flavorful foods that will satisfy our cravings without leaving us overly stuffed. Here are a couple of healthy summer recipes that are sure to hit the spot!

Green Goddess Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Ingredients

2 slices whole grain bread 
2-3 tablespoons Green Goddess Herb Pesto (recipe below) or jarred pesto from the grocery store
2 slices mild white melty cheese like mozzarella
Handful fresh baby spinach
¼ avocado, sliced
2 tablespoons goat cheese, crumbled
Olive oil 

Directions

Spread about 1 tablespoon of Green Goddess Herb Pesto onto each slice of bread.

On one slice of bread, add 1 slice of cheese, sliced avocado, crumbled goat cheese, spinach, second slice of cheese, then top it with second slice of bread. Press together gently.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a frying pan over medium low heat. Add the sandwich to the oil and cook until bread is golden brown. Press down on the sandwich lightly, then flip the sandwich over and cook until second side is golden brown.

Green Goddess Herb Pesto
Ingredients

1 clove garlic
½ small shallot, chopped (about 1 tablespoon)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Handful chopped fresh Italian parsley
Handful chopped kale
2-3 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
1 tablespoon chopped chives
¼ cup olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Pulse garlic and shallot in food processor until chopped. With the food processor running, add lemon juice, parsley, kale, tarragon and chives. (It won’t process very well yet, don’t worry).

Very slowly drizzle in olive oil until kale and herbs get sufficiently chopped and everything is the consistency of a pesto. You may need more or less of the olive oil depending on how big a “handful” of herbs is to you. You can also turn off the food processor and push herbs down the side of the bowl with a spatula every once in a while.

Season to taste with salt and pepper. 
Recipe via Trend Spotting

Black Bean, Orange and Corn Quinoa Salad

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa
2 cups water or chicken broth
1 can (15 oz. can) black beans, rinsed
1 whole orange, segmented and cut into chunks
1 cup corn kernels
½ whole red onion, chopped
1 whole jalapeno, chopped
1 whole red bell pepper, diced
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
¼ cups lime juice
¼ cups olive oil
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt

Directions
Cook the quinoa in water or chicken broth for 10-15 minutes. Add the black beans, orange and the corn, red onion, jalapeno, red bell pepper, and cilantro into the salad. Stir to combine.

Whisk together lime juice, olive oil, cumin, and salt. Drizzle over the quinoa salad mixture. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe via Tasty Kitchen

52 Healthy Meals in 12 Minutes or Less

Why spend hours cooking a gourmet feast when a nutritious and delicious mean could be only 12 minutes away?!

Visit the "Greatist" website below for breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes. There are also some great fitness and health tips to check out!

http://greatist.com/health/52-healthy-meals-in-12-minutes-or-less/

Thanks for the great ideas Greatist!

Should you Renovate or Relocate your Skilled Nursing Facility?

Esperanza Senior Living,
College Station, TX

• Does your facility show wear and tear and have outdated finishes?
• Are you within close proximity to hospitals and healthcare facilities?
• Have you outgrown your current space?
• Is your skilled nursing facility up to code?

All of these may lead to the determining the future of your  skilled nursing facility. Below are key points to consider before making a decision to renovate or relocate.

1.         Resident Safety & Waiver List

First and foremost, you must consider the safety of your residents and staff when considering whether to renovate or relocate your home. If your facility has waivers and needs upgrades in life safety and ADA compliance, a remodel may clear up some of the waivers and improve resident safety. If your facility isn’t currently designed to optimize valuable space with a good circulation pattern, you may opt for relocation with a new design (ie. neighborhood layout). Poor facility circulation can result in crowded nursing stations and corridors that share pathways with front-of-house and back-of-house activities, compromising safety, dignity and privacy of residents. A new home can be designed to avoid problems of crowded and congested corridors, resident privacy and safety with a better conceived floor plan. 

2.         Location

The location of your skilled nursing facility is critical when considering whether to renovate your existing building or relocate. Location can drive revenue based on the convenience to your residents and the community. If your home is located at a distance from key services in the community, you are at a disadvantage. It is also important to think about your competitors, the size of your property and how much you plan to grow when considering whether your location is sufficient.

You must consider your proximity to important services, such as hospitals and other medical care facilities. It is also important to research the market to see what your competitors are doing and how that will affect the occupancy of your facility.

3.         Census Level

The number of occupied beds you currently have is another important factor when deciding between renovation and relocation. Do you plan to grow exponentially in the next 10-20 years? If so, then maybe relocation to a new home is the best option for you. However, if you do not plan to outgrow your facility in the next couple of decades and currently have enough space and amenities for your current residents, it may be best for you to stay in your current home and invest money in renovation. It is also worth noting that you may be able to receive a 25% Medicaid bed increase if you relocate your facility.

Clifton Sunset Nursing Home, Clifton, TX

4.         Competition

As with any business, it is important to monitor what your competition is doing. If you find out that a competing facility is planning to construct a large facility at one of the best locations in town, it would be a good idea to consider relocating your home. However, if you happen to be the leader in  skilled nursing in your community or do not have any real competition, it may be best to simply stay where you are.

5.         Medicare Revenue

Revenue is always a key point of consideration when contemplating renovation vs. relocation. Some homes may be eligible for maximizing Medicare funded revenue if they make certain upgrades or additions to their facilities. However, your action is based solely on the capacity of your current home and its property. If you do not have room to make the necessary additions or your facility needs too many upgrades, it may be beneficial to consider relocating your home.

Each of the elements above must be carefully considered in determining whether you should make improvements to your home through relocation or renovation. The Jamail & Smith Construction Senior Living Team specializes in the design and creation of senior living facilities. From financial analysis, planning and development, to construction and operation of your facility, our team can help you through every step of the process. Our priority is to assist you in making your vision a reality through a seamless partnership.

If you would like a free assessment and consultation for your facility, please email the information below to marketing@jamailsmith.com and a member of our Senior Living Team will contact you to schedule a walk-through.

• When was your facility constructed?
• Where is your facility located(address)?
• What is your census level?
• What are the top two (2) improvements that you desire for your facility?
• Contact information: Name, Title, Phone number, Email address