Autistic Teens Use Architecture Software to Build Job Skills

By Danielle Manley | The Salt Lake Tribune 
First Published July 14, 2014
Sixteen-year-old Mason Dimock can focus intently on one subject, thinks visually and spatially, and is interested in technology — skills that have helped him land a summer job designing for a construction company.
He and nine other Salt Lake City teens were selected for a pilot project by NeuroVersity, a company that aims to give students with autism or similar disorders the training they’ll need for careers. The students work with 3-D imaging software called SketchUp Make, developed by Google.
&#8220;I think it’s a great program,&#8221; Dimock said about the pilot Monday. &#8220;It not only helps you with SketchUp, but it helps with social skills, too &#8230; [The software] is good for architecture. You can make pretty good money; they use it for construction.&#8221;
The NeuroVersity effort was highlighted at a Monday conference, &#8220;The Bottom Line of Disabilities: The Social Financial and Economic Impact in Our Communities,&#8221; held at the Columbus Community Center in Salt Lake City. The gathering was sponsored by the nonprofit center, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and others.
&#8220;In economics, we’re always looking for investment and productivity. That’s when we grow,&#8221; said Natalie Gochnour, associate dean for the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business. &#8220;People with disabilities bring a very unique skill set, very valuable skills.&#8221;
Connecting disabled people with jobs helps fuel the economy with &#8220;a return on investment and [workers] being productive,&#8221; she said, noting that 65 percent of Utahns with disabilities are unemployed.
Keynote speaker Thorkil Sonne launched his Danish company, Specialisterne, to help workers with autism deploy their strengths in the technology sector.
Employing people with disabilities, he said, is simply about changing the way we think.
Instead of viewing a dandelion as a weed, think of it as an herb, he said. Instead of viewing a person as someone with a disability, think of them as someone with a particular set of skills, Sonne said.
&#8220;We need more talent,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We need to bring in more people with autism and other similar disorders. There are so many who want to contribute to the labor market.&#8221;
NeuroVersity was founded by U. nursing professor Scott Wright and Cheryl Wright, a U. professor of family and consumer studies. The students who were selected for the two-week pilot project at the Columbus center — all boys — were recommended by their high schools.
SketchUp is used in industries such as construction, architecture, urban planning and video game designing. The first week, the teens designed their own creations, building trucks, tanks, dragon worlds, 260-house neighborhoods and raceways.
Most of the students worked on their projects over the weekend, even though homework wasn’t assigned.
Last week, Wright said, organizers told the boys, &#8220;If you want to come back next week, you’ll be able to work on a real project and get paid.&#8221;
All ten students came back on Monday. The amount of their pay will be announced later as a surprise for them.
Mike Plaudis, from Big-D Construction, who has a son with autism, taught the students the basics of designing a building on Monday. He asked the boys to convert 2D drawings of a building his company built in Ogden to a three-dimensional blueprint.
The 3D images are used to communicate how all the different pieces and parts of a building fit together, he explained.
Beyond the technical skills, Wright said, the program is also about building self-confidence.
&#8220;The entire experience has been magical,&#8221; said Mason’s mother, Denise Dimock. &#8220;It’s empowered him.&#8221;
She said by being around kids who share his interests, Mason has become more confident about his talent and his work. He even presented his project in front of about 15 people.
Denise Dimock said the program is improving his problem-solving skills, his persistence and his motivation. When she stopped to run errands after a class last week, she said, he told her, &#8220;Mom, I need to get home to work on my SketchUp.&#8221;

This new office will provide Big-D with the opportunity to expand in Southern Utah and create relationships in our new space at The Foundry—a campus built to elevate and inspire the design and construction industry in the region.
We look forward to providing advancement opportunities to our Big-D associates as we create meaningful impact in Southern Utah.
Congratulations and good luck to our St. George team!

Big-D Construction Opens New Office in St. George, Utah

This phrase holds two meanings for what we are trying to collectively accomplish as the most sought-after construction companies in the business.
“Here for Good” means being present in our communities for good causes.
“Here for Good” also means we are here to stay and build up our communities through charitable efforts.
Our first ever Week of Giving showed us that we can be “Here for Good” in every sense.
Thanks to all of our associates, friends, and families, who collectively donated $21,650 dollars during our inaugural Week of Giving—an amount we will match at the company level. Beyond the money donated, our team members across the country volunteered at local food banks and donated to food drives to support Feeding America and their mission to end hunger.

Big-D’s Inaugural Week of Giving Fights Hunger and Builds Community

The 90,000 sq. ft. Juniper Building will serve as the anchor to all of the ongoing efforts, especially as new buildings emerge and new students join in the excitement at the Herriman Campus.
“If you build it, they will come.”
The field of dreams in question turned into the Juniper Building, while &#8220;they&#8221; are the 1,000 students coming and going to classes this semester. Those students doubled the expected enrollment in year one at the Herriman Campus—the ongoing joint venture between Salt Lake Community College and the University of Utah to provide Utah’s South Valley students easier access to education and a seamless transition between the college’s two-year and university’s four-year programs.
Modern tech features in the many class and breakout rooms will advance remote and e-learning opportunities—all to promote each school’s desire to bring a higher education opportunities to potential students across the state. From functions like those, to form, where copper-colored terracotta panels and rammed earth walls tie the building design from ajc architects perfectly to place, with the copper mine and Oquirrh foothills visible just west of the site’s first structure.
The 90,000 sq. ft. Juniper Building will serve as the anchor to all of the ongoing efforts, especially as new buildings emerge and new students join in the excitement at the Herriman Campus.

The Juniper Building Anchors a New Era at Herriman Campus

Congratulations to Galloway &amp; Company, Inc., City of St. George, and our Big-D St. George team—we&#8217;re excited to watch St. George City Hall emerge from the red rocks!
Back when the existing City Hall finished in 1980, 100 full-time employees served a population of just over 13,000 residents. How the city has grown since then! Today, well over 1,000 full- and part-time employees serve the 100,000-plus residents that call St. George home.
The building looks back to the past, namely its address at 61 Main Street giving a historical nod to when pioneers settled the area in 1861. But most importantly, the building looks forward to helping meet the current and future needs of St. George. When construction finishes in early 2025, employees and residents will be able to enjoy the 69,500-sq. ft. City Hall and the neighboring four-story parking garage in the heart of the city.
As the current City Hall has served admirably for over 40 years, Mayor Michelle Randall hinted at how she hoped future residents would see the new building. &#8220;In another 50 or 60 years, I hope our grandchildren and great-grandchildren will say ‘This City Hall served us well.’”

Big-D Construction Builds New St. George City Hall to Serve 100,000+ Residents by 2025

Teamwork makes the dream work, especially when getting 37,000 pounds of pipe systems from floor to ceiling.
Out in Burley, Idaho, Big-D National Food &amp; Beverage’s Project Suntado has involved the highest levels of coordination work—prefabrication, transportation, assembly—to prepare the project for the “Burley Big Boost,” when 35 team members lifted a 37,000-pound pipe rack assembly via 23 brand new chain hoists. The process of raising the rack and piping from the ground to the 40-foot-high final place took approximately six hours.
Old-fashioned muscle was a unique way the team put safety first as they met the demands of the project schedule. By working off the slab instead of 40 feet up in the air, minimizing labor hours, and focusing on quality control assurance, the lift was a success—and earned high praise from Suntado LLC Co-Owner Dirk Reitsma as he and his company look to provide consumers with shelf-stable milk, or milk that requires no refrigeration.
“It was incredible to watch the effort and ingenuity of Big-D and RM Mechanical, Inc to accomplish this part of the project for Suntado.&#8221;

Big-D Construction Lifts 37K-Pound Pipe Rack in Burley

Congrats to everyone who helped make Big-D Construction ENR's Top Intermountain Contractor in 2023.

Other Big-D rankings from the ENR release: 
#1 Education 
#1 Government/Public Building 
#1 Multi-family 
#2 in Utah 
#2 in Idaho

Congrats to everyone who helped make Big-D Construction ENR’s Top Intermountain Contractor in 2023.

Congressman Burgess Owens and Barbara S. Riddle, the CEO of ChamberWest visited Big-D Construction to present an award on behalf of ChamberWest to our Chairman Rob Moore.
We appreciate each of our associates for providing outstanding work and invaluable service to the Big-D Family of Companies, their colleagues, and their communities!

ChamberWest Honors Big-D Construction and Chairman Rob Moore

Congrats to the HDJV team for all of the progress on Concourse A-East. Four more Delta gates opened with more on the way!

We aced the aircraft fit test for the four Concourse A-east gates opening on August 22! These tests allow us to simulate arriving and departing aircraft procedures to ensure everything operates safely before opening day.

Children participate in groundbreaking for Cook Family Park in Pleasant Grove

Congratulations to Pleasant Grove City officials and doTERRA founders Greg and Julie Cook for coming together to fund this incredible project. We&#8217;re excited to work with them and our construction teammates to make Cook Family Park a reality over the next 13 months!
<a href="https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/2023/aug/03/children-participate-in-groundbreaking-for-cook-family-park-in-pleasant-grove/">https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/2023/aug/03/children-participate-in-groundbreaking-for-cook-family-park-in-pleasant-grove/</a>

Construction season is in full swing at BYU: a new arts building and renovations to the Harold B. Lee Library continue this summer.

Take a look at the awesome work happening at BYU: 
<a href="https://lnkd.in/e6vT8_8J">https://lnkd.in/e6vT8_8J</a>

Big-D Construction was thrilled to be a part of the groundbreaking for the Delta Air Lines Flight Ops Training Center at the Salt Lake City International Airport.

Follow the link to see a video from the event by KUTV 2News / KMYU
<a href="https://lnkd.in/guRvReSQ">https://lnkd.in/guRvReSQ</a>

Students in BYU-Idaho’s construction management and VDC programs toured the Cottonwood Highland Apartments job site with BYU-Idaho alum.

Students in BYU-Idaho’s construction management and VDC programs toured the Cottonwood Highland Apartments job site with BYU-Idaho alum and Big-D Superintendent Scott Harris last week. Scott showed how the intricate puzzle of commercial construction is the perfect place for students to utilize their education, specifically for the role of superintendent.
His advice for students: “If you don’t know, ask. It shows you are willing to listen to the people who do this every day.”
Scott said that mutual trust built from asking questions is essential in the field, especially, Scott said, since good superintendents are needed now more than ever to build collaborative and successful teams.
“Being a superintendent isn’t just about what you know,” he said, “but about the relationships you build and trusting the subcontractors to be accountable to the project.”

Students in BYU-Idaho’s construction management and VDC programs toured the Cottonwood Highland Apartments job site with BYU-Idaho alum

Congratulations to our teammates at MVE + Partners for their big wins at the Pacific Coast Builders’ Conference 60th annual Gold Nugget Awards.
MVE + Partners won &#8220;Best On-the-Boards Multi-Family Community&#8221; for their work on Post District Residences in Salt Lake City, Utah. As a mixed-use, pedestrian-friendly development in Salt Lake City&#8217;s downtown, Post District will be a community comprised of five buildings with 580 residential units, 22,405 sq ft of retail, and 86,000 sq ft of private and public outdoor space when Big-D Construction and team members finish construction later this year.

MVE + Partners and Big-D Construction Shine with Post District Residences

Big-D had the opportunity to attend and receive multiple awards at the Associated Builders and Contractors Utah chapter&#8217;s 2022 Excellence in Construction event on May 23rd in Salt Lake City, Utah.
With the association being the voice of the merit shop philosophy in construction, we were honored to receive their recognition as the Contractor of the Year along with the STEP Gold Level safety award. We were also awarded for our work on these stellar projects:
-Industrial over $2 M—Sunroc/Sunpro New Office &amp; Shop Building 
-Higher Education over $5 M—WSU Engineering, Applied Science &amp; Technology Building 
-Cultural/Entertainment over $5 M—Westminster College Gillmor Hall Addition 
-Tilt-Up over $5 M—Mountain View Industrial Park 
-Hospitality over $5 M—King&#8217;s Crown Park City (Big-D Signature)
Major congrats to everyone at Big-D who helped us earn these honors in safety, outstanding craftsmanship on these projects, and overall work as a company.

Big-D Construction Named Contractor of the Year at ABC Utah Excellence Awards 2022

May is Mental Health Month, and we value the importance of maintaining a healthy headspace.

At Big-D, we organize wellness checks for our associates to check in on their health and assess where they are at physically, mentally, and emotionally&#8211;and #lookwithin is a great starting point.
The initiative comes from Mental Health America and allows everyone to get a better understanding of where their mental health is at and how to make it better.

Big-D’s safety culture hinges on the all-important common goal of Zero Harm. 

As we focus on Construction Safety Week, annual event where companies and people spread awareness and celebrate safety measures.
At Big-D, we achieve Zero Harm through the values and strategies of our proactive, task-oriented safety program we call TH!NK.
TH!NK helps remind our employees what is important to them in their lives and what they need to do everyday to work safe.
Follow along with our Big-D accounts to see more information about why we value safety!

Big-D Construction was the host of one of the NAWIC Salt Lake Chapter events this last week.

Saturday March 11th, we had a brunch with just a handful of women in construction, at the Big-D Construction Salt Lake City Utah Office. 
We are excited to see this engagement and momentum as work is done to promote the success of women in the industry!

Builders' Day is this week on Wednesday, April 12th!

The location is at Salt Lake Community College, Redwood Campus in Utah.
We are thrilled to come together with companies that make up Utah&#8217;s Construction Industry and to meet hundreds of students who are interested in exploring a variety of construction roles.
This is an event you will not want to miss. We hope to see you there!

Builders’ Day is this week on Wednesday, April 12th!

Big-D Construction was honored to play a key role in the transformation of Raising Cane’s in Midvale, Utah—now famously known as Project Pink, a one-of-a-kind restaurant personally designed by global music icon Post Malone. Located at 890 Fort Union Blvd in Midvale, UT, this location has become a standout destination not just for chicken lovers, but for fans of bold design and creative collaboration.
On April 13th, the revamped restaurant was unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by both Post Malone and Todd Graves (Founder of Raising Cane&#8217;s). The event drew fans, media, and community members eager to see the artist’s personal touch on the space.
Whether you&#8217;re stopping by for a box combo or just want to experience the vibe of a restaurant designed by Post Malone himself, Project Pink is a must-see.

Big-D Construction Builds Post Malone’s Custom Raising Cane’s in Midvale, Utah

Big-D Construction is actively involved with opportunities to engage with and support the community.

The University of Utah&#8217;s College of Architecture and Planning runs a program for architecture students ( @designbuildbluff )to design and construct buildings for indigenous families in Bluff, UT.
Big-D Construction was able to donate a very specific truck to transport materials to build homes for the Rural and Native communities of San Juan County in the Utah Four Corners.
Follow along on our social media pages to learn more about the involvement that Big-D Construction has within your community!

Big-D Construction Supports DesignBuildBLUFF

March 8th is International Women’s Day!

Big-D Companies would like to give a BIG thank you to all of our incredible women associates that work within our family of companies.

We had two associates from Big-D Construction participate in the State Capitol Day by advocating for specific bills that have an impact on mental health and suicide prevention.

Two Big-D Construction associates recently participated in Utah’s State Capitol Day, advocating for legislation focused on mental health and suicide prevention. Standing alongside partners from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), LiveOn, and SafeUT, they helped amplify the importance of these critical issues.
During the event, they met with Senator Daniel Thatcher, a key figure behind SB 175—the legislation that established Utah’s suicide crisis line. 
“Suicide deeply affects the construction industry, which is why it’s vital for us to speak up,” shared one associate. “We wore our Big-D vests proudly, but we were there representing the entire industry.”
Big-D encourages everyone to take action, support mental health initiatives, and be part of the change—because every voice matters.

Big-D Construction Advocates for Mental Health at Utah Capitol Day

Big-D Companies was a sponsor for the 2023 Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Regions 6 & 7 Student Competition!

The whole weekend was dedicated to the Student Competition and Construction Management Conference, which took place in Reno, Nevada.
We had a great team of employees from a variety of our offices, attend the event.
On the closing day of the competition there was a Career Fair where Big-D Companies&#8217; employees mingled with students who were looking for opportunities within the construction industry.
Visit our website today and check out the variety of careers that we have to offer at an office near you! <a href="http://www.big-d.com">www.big-d.com</a>

We are thinking, working, and living big across the nation.

We are thinking, working, and living big across the nation.
Check out our Big-D Construction local offices and follow along for project updates, news, career features and so much more!
Get to know your local Big-D Construction offices by following their Instagram pages: 
@thinkbigdmtnwest @thinkbigdmidwest @thinkbigdsouthwest

Check out our Big-D Construction local offices and follow along for project updates, news, career features and so much more!

We are honored to share that Big-D Construction Salt Lake and Big-D Signature made UC&D '2022 Most Outstanding Projects' list

Congratulations to our Big-D family on the following projects:
• Westminster College Florence J. Gillmor Hall &#8211; Higher Education (Big-D Salt Lake) 
• King’s Crown – Hospitality/Resort (Signature)

We are honored to share that Big-D Construction Salt Lake and Big-D Signature made UC&D ‘2022 Most Outstanding Projects’ list

Big-D Construction is among the Top Workplaces in Utah again! 
Thank you to our associates for making this possible for multiple years in a row.

Utah Top Workplaces 2022
<a href="https://lnkd.in/gVkmxvyv">https://lnkd.in/gVkmxvyv</a>

Big-D Construction is among the Top Workplaces in Utah again! Thank you to our associates for making this possible for multiple years in a row.

Recognized by Construction Equipment Guide for our recent completion of the Noorda Engineering, Applied Science & Technology Building at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah.

Recognized by Construction Equipment Guide for our recent completion of the Noorda Engineering, Applied Science &amp; Technology Building at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://lnkd.in/g6dAsRsZ">https://lnkd.in/g6dAsRsZ</a>

Today is a BIG day for Big-D Construction as we celebrate 55 years of service.

Since November 2, 1967, we have been driven by an idea so powerful it continues to inspire everything we do.
By focusing on Respect, People, and Truth, we have successfully grown Big-D to a $2 billion company with 16 offices in 9 states and growing. 
Thank you and here is to the future of Big-D!

We are honored to announce that Big-D Construction has been named a Top Workplace by The Salt Lake Tribune! This is our third year consecutively to receive the honor and we are a four-time recipient since 2018!

A BIG thank you to all our associates, who helped make this happen!

Today we hosted a topping-out celebration for our trade partners and Big-D associates working on the Momentum Apartments currently under construction in West Jordan, Utah.

Today we hosted a topping-out celebration for our trade partners and Big-D associates working on the Momentum Apartments currently under construction in West Jordan, Utah.
Thank you to everyone that participated and we hope everyone had a good time! This was for you, great work!

Construction is officially underway for 5 South Commerce Center, a new industrial warehouse located just off I-80 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Big-D Construction’s scope of work for the 173,033 square-foot concrete tilt-up facility includes the building core and shell, and all associated site improvements for the 11-acre site.
The project is estimated to be completed by late summer 2023.

Celebrating the completion of another project at Weber State University! 

Friday, a ribbon cutting and tour of the Noorda Engineering, Applied Science &amp; Technology Building took place at the Ogden Campus. Among the guests were Speaker Brad Wilson, House of Representatives, President Brad Mortensen, Weber State University, and Rob Moore, Big-D Executive Chairman.
The state-of-the-art facility is over 130,000 square feet, with 15 engineering labs, 14 classrooms, and nine computer labs.

Celebrating the completion of another project at Weber State University!

Local KUTV 2 News here in Utah covered our recent groundbreaking for High Valley Transit!

<a href="https://kutv.com/news/local/construction-begins-on-24-million-high-valley-transit-campus-project-in-park-city-big-d-wasatch-back-maintenance-operation-campus-utah-summit-county?fbclid=IwAR2hoB15QtJi0oSaI9uln--0GgDIIlkmffMemMycbMtACC9C8GatlsF7Wqs">Construction begins on $24 million High Valley Transit campus project in Park City | KUTV</a>

Big-D Construction Joins Forces with Colorado Based CFC Construction.

Salt Lake City, UT (October 5, 2022) – Big-D Construction, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, announced today it has acquired CFC Construction. Based in Golden, Colorado, CFC Construction has served the state for 45 years. Under new ownership, the company will continue to be locally managed and operate under the same name. Chairman and Founder, EJ Olbright, will continue in his role with CFC, along with CFC President Pat Smith
“We are excited about CFC joining the Big-D family of companies.  We chose them because we found we have perfectly aligned values, culture, and vision for the future of CFC.  Our collective strength will allow us to grow while continuing to provide the very best-in-class construction management services in the Colorado market. It will also ensure we take care of our greatest asset, our associates, who will be able to further expand and develop their careers,” said Olbright.
After four decades in the Centennial state, CFC Construction has left its footprint through hundreds of unique, challenging, and successful projects, including office, resort, hospitality, and multi-family. This transaction will allow CFC to better serve its clients by enabling the company to take on larger, more complex projects in Colorado while increasing its bonding capacity and resources.
“This acquisition is part of Big-D’s vision to strengthen our company through alliances with premier builders and talented project teams in selected markets. CFC has a reputation for providing clients innovative solutions and strong leadership. We are honored to be partners and excited to be a part of their future,” said Chairman Jack Livingood, Big-D Construction.​​​​​​​
ABOUT BIG-D COMPANIES
Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Big-D Companies is one of the largest groups of contractors in the United States. Combined, Big-D has thousands of successfully completed projects with over $2.5 billion of annual revenue.  Strengthened by more than 1,400 associates, Big-D has 16 offices in nine states from Minnesota to California. Regional offices are in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Lindon and Park City, Utah; Jackson, Wyoming; Pleasanton and Irvine, California; St. Paul, Minnesota; Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Tempe, Arizona. Other owned affiliates include Martin Harris in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada; Dovetail in Bozeman, Montana; McAlvain Companies Inc. in Boise, Idaho; and CFC Construction in Golden, Colorado. For more information, please visit big-d.com. ​​​​​​​
ABOUT CFC CONSTRUCTION:
Since 1977, CFC Construction’s honest, hardworking, and highly respected teams have consistently delivered results at job sites throughout Colorado — from the plains to the peaks. We understand the challenges unique to building in Colorado, delivering the benefit of our specialized expertise in the design and construction methods, timing, and approaches that work best here. We bring a true field-first focus, providing the right solutions to get your buildings built. For more information, visit www.cfcc.com.

Big-D Companies Joins Forces with Colorado Based CFC Construction

The doors are officially opened at Westminster College's Florence J. Gillmor Hall!

Big-D Salt Lake group recently took part in the grand opening celebration of a two-year expansion project.
At 26,000 square feet, the academic facility allows Westminster to better serve its performing and visual arts students through state-of-the-art classrooms, rehearsal, performance, and display spaces. The building includes a 93-seat recital hall, a costume studio, an expanded scene shop, and a grand lobby for art shows and receptions.

The doors are officially opened at Westminster College’s Florence J. Gillmor Hall!

Preview story from the Idaho State Journal on a groundbreaking today in Chubbuck, Idaho.

Construction officially starts for Alpine Academy Charter School, a school for students in grades six through eight.
Great work team Idaho Falls!

The latest issue of Structure Magazine covers the teamwork put into remodeling Weber State's Lindquist Hall.

Another Big-D Proud project.
Full article here <a href="https://www.structuremag.org/?p=21318&amp;fbclid=IwAR0MIfZgHx1iTTqIOK0LSW2bdnSZ4vwKgA4rA89JpAgwI5g5V1nCyrV_RGI">STRUCTURE magazine | Lindquist Hall Remodel and Seismic Renovation</a>
Project Team 
Owner: Weber State University 
Structural Engineer: ARW Engineers 
Architect: GSBS Architects 
Contractor: Big-D Construction 
Steel Fabricator: AMFAB Steel Specialties, Inc.

The latest issue of Structure Magazine covers the teamwork put into remodeling Weber State’s Lindquist Hall.

Shout-out to our Big-D Companies VDC Manager, Chantelle Menlove

Shout-out to our Big-D Companies VDC Manager, Chantelle Menlove, for speaking at the Hansen Wade Advancing Construction Technology conference in Chicago.
Chantelle discussed what it takes to identify, develop, and retain staff with strong VDC skill sets to accomplish a high-quality VDC workflow!
Thank you for Thinking Big and representing Big-D!

Big-D Companies is excited to announce that Johnson Carlier, an affiliate of Big-D Construction Corp. has changed its name to Big-D Construction Southwest.

Big-D Companies is excited to announce that Johnson Carlier, an affiliate of Big-D Construction Corp. has changed its name to Big-D Construction Southwest.
Read more about our recent Big announcement in the below article published by AZ Big Media.
<a href="https://lnkd.in/drn7XyDy">https://lnkd.in/drn7XyDy</a>

Big-D Construction recently celebrated in true cowboy fashion with bull riding, lasso throwing, dancing, and more!
Saturday was our annual Big-D Construction Summer Party at the Gallivan Center for our associates across the Wasatch Front!
Thank you to everyone that came out!

Big-D Construction recently celebrated in true cowboy fashion with bull riding, lasso throwing, dancing, and more!

Recently Big-D Construction’s Andrew Soderquist from our Salt Lake office was featured in the May/June issue of UC&D discussing Industrial Construction, its current trends, and where we are headed.

Shoutout to Andrew for his expertise and contribution to UC&amp;D magazine and for representing Big-D Construction!

Big-D Construction's recent coverage in the Standard-Examiner for the North Ogden Public Safety building's groundbreaking.

NORTH OGDEN — After 10 years of on-and-off discussion, ground has officially been broken on what will be perhaps the costliest project in North Ogden history — a new police department building.
City leaders, though, emphasize that it’s not going to be an over-the-top structure with excessive bells and whistles. Rather, the focus will be on alleviating crowding in the existing structure at 515 E. 2600 North and giving police a more modern, safe place to work.
<a href="https://lnkd.in/ges2_BXq">https://lnkd.in/ges2_BXq</a>

Big-D Construction’s recent coverage in the Standard-Examiner for the North Ogden Public Safety building’s groundbreaking.

Did you know Big-D Earned a 2022 Great Place to Work Certification™

Now that&#8217;s worth a celebratory photoshoot! 📸
Are you also aware that Big-D has 15 offices in 8 states? From Minnesota to California, we are hiring. Join our team today.
<a href="https://bit.ly/3ArCuVk">https://bit.ly/3ArCuVk</a>

Final Episode featuring Big-D Construction on Military Makeover: Operation Career is airing on Lifetime tomorrow morning!

The episode highlights three of our hardworking veteran associates and their transition out of the military and into civilian life through a trade career path!
DON’T MISS IT!
📺Thursday, June 30th at 7:30 a.m. EST/PT on Lifetime TV! 
(Check your local listings, set those DVRs!)

Celebrating the completion of the Utah State Correctional Facility (USCF).

For the last six years Big-D, as part of a joint-venture with Kitchell Construction (BDK), served as the Program Manager consultant for the Utah State Prison Relocation project.
Tuesday, Governor Spencer Cox cut the ribbon for the new USCF along with other stakeholders, marking the project&#8217;s substantial completion.
“Today is truly a landmark day for the Department of Corrections and the state of Utah as we celebrate the largest construction project in Utah history,” Gov Cox said.
Comprised of 35 buildings and 1.35 million square feet of operational space, the facility sits on approximately 172 acres of land approximately five miles west of the airport. The total cost of the facility, including infrastructure, is approximately $1,050,000,000.
The USCF will be occupied by the end of this summer.

Big-D Associate Feature: Recently our National Development Director, Braden Moore participated in The State of Our Industry - A construction Roundtable.

The discussion was published in The Enterprise and touched on everything from supply chain disruptions, price escalations, and collaboration during challenging times in the industry, and the solutions!
Way to represent Big-D!

Big-D Associate Feature: Recently our National Development Director, Braden Moore participated in The State of Our Industry – A construction Roundtable.

Congratulations to our Safety Team for being named the 2021 Diamond Award Winner, an achievement of safety excellence!

The award was presented by the Associated General Contractors of Utah at their Annual Awards breakfast, in which our COO Troy Thompson and AGC Chairman of the Board participated in.
The Diamond Award with five stars is the highest safety award you can get from the AGC. Hats off to our BIG-D Safety Team for always putting safety at the front of the line!

Big-D's Salt Lake Group and partners celebrating the topping out of the Salt Lake Community College's Juniper Building in Herriman.

Juniper, the campus’ main building, is the first of what is proposed to be 13 buildings to be constructed on the new campus and marks the kick-off of the multi-year $46.2 million project.
The new campus is scheduled to be completed for the Fall 2023 semester.

Big-D’s Salt Lake Group and partners celebrating the topping out of the Salt Lake Community College’s Juniper Building in Herriman.

Big-D Construction ladies from our Minnesota to our California offices gathered for the 17th Annual Women Thinking Big celebration. 

“We work in a male-dominated industry and women are making their mark! They have always existed in accounting and estimating, but when we start seeing tradeswomen coming to the event, that gets me really excited!” said the event organizer.
Thank you to everyone who participated this year virtually or in-person and keep THINKING BIG!

Big-D Construction ladies from our Minnesota to our California offices gathered for the 17th Annual Women Thinking Big celebration.

Recently Big-D Construction and partners took part in a ceremonial wall-breaking for the historic Frank E. Moss Courthouse in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City. 

The two-year project was awarded to Big-D&#8217;s Salt Lake group by the General Services Administration.
We are honored and excited to be a part of a renovation that is so meaningful to the community and help preserve this historic gem.
Dozens gathered for the celebration including GSA, HOK Design, Preservation Utah, members of the U.S Bankruptcy Court for the District of Utah, and Big-D Construction.
The project is slated to be complete in the Spring of 2024!

Recently Big-D Construction and partners took part in a ceremonial wall-breaking for the historic Frank E. Moss Courthouse in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City.

SLC International Airport before and after!

In March of 2021, Holder-Big-D, A Joint Venture (HDJV) wrapped up the demolition of the former Salt Lake International Airport, which allowed for Concourse A-East to be constructed.
Interesting visual to see how much progress and orchestration has happened in one year!
Great job team!

Project Profile: Metl-Span's IMPs Renovate Swire Coca-Cola Storage Facility

Proud of our Big-D Ogden group and their talented team that worked on an awesome rebuild for Swire Coca-Cola in Denver, Colorado.
“The toughest challenge was stripping the existing facility down to the frame of the old building, which wasn’t necessarily as plumb as we had hoped for,” said Forrest McNabb, Big-D President of National Food and Beverage.
Learn more <a href="https://www.roofingcontractor.com/articles/96845-project-profile-metl-span-imps-renovate-swire-coca-cola-storage-facility?fbclid=IwAR1uLVPdql_Juqo9E4xs9AE-4fDB4BvQ3Q9YlPMvMttj0llMeq_GeB8w_9U">Project Profile: Metl-Span IMPs Renovate Swire Coca-Cola Storage Facility | Roofing Contractor</a>
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Proud of our Big-D Ogden group and their talented team that worked on an awesome rebuild for Swire Coca-Cola in Denver, Colorado.

The first of many projects to come between Big-D Construction National Food and Beverage Group and our Family of Companies partner McAlvain Construction based in Boise

“Teamwork Makes the Dream Work”
The first of many projects to come between Big-D Construction National Food and Beverage Group and our Family of Companies partner McAlvain Construction based in Boise as they work together on Project Angus, a meat processing and distribution facility in Idaho Falls.

Big-D Family of Companies is proud to announce Laura Shivers has been promoted to Vice President of Johnson Carlier, an Arizona based subsidiary of Big-D Companies.

Big-D Family of Companies is proud to announce Laura Shivers has been promoted to Vice President of Johnson Carlier, an Arizona based subsidiary of Big-D Companies.
Beginning her career at Johnson Carlier in August of 2020, Shivers was hired as the Director of Business Strategy, a position she’s done exceptionally well in during difficult times. In her role as Vice President, Shivers is responsible for the preconstruction, business development, marketing, and administrative teams. Additionally, she will spend a majority of her time securing new business, accelerating growth and ensuring 100% client satisfaction.
“I’m excited to represent Johnson Carlier and the Big-D Family in a leadership role. The opportunity to help grow the organization into the next century and execute on our strategic plan is a challenge I am ready for,” said Shivers.
The new leadership role comes on the heels of several promotions within Big-D Family of Companies as of the new year. Shivers will report to Big-D’s Chief Operational Officer, Troy Thompson, based at company headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“Laura’s drive, passion and skills when it comes to enterprising and social relationships are as high as I have seen in other leaders within the organization,” said Thompson. “I am thrilled to see how she uses those powerful skills to help all of our associates at Johnson Carlier achieve the careers of their dreams.”
Prior to Big-D, Shivers has an extensive and impressive resume as an award-winning marketing and communications professional. She is also highly dedicated and fervent about giving back to the community and has turned that passion into one of the fastest growing non-profits in the state of Arizona, Back 2 School Bounty. Shivers is highly determined and good at what she does. As Vice President, she is looking forward to winning, growing people, and evolving the perception of the company’s limitations. She’s particularly proud of how far Johnson Carlier has come and is looking forward to the future.
“Since joining Johnson Carlier two years ago, Laura has taken our office to new heights in her role as Director of Business Strategy.  She has participated in the re-branding of Johnson Carlier, website development and features, rebuilding of the marketing team and has been very successful in opening up doors to new projects and clients for the company,” stated Thompson. “We are pleased that Laura has accepted the offer to serve as Vice-President and help to grow the company’s vision for its 2030 Strategic Plan in this executive capacity.”
“I’m extremely proud of the recent strategic hires we’ve had at Johnson Carlier—our team’s resume is critical to growth and future work in this market. In addition, in 2021 we had over $400 million worth of industrial opportunities and an additional $200 million in multi-family projects, more than we’ve ever seen—large in part to an effort in forging relationships with other business units within Big-D,” said Shivers.
ABOUT BIG-D FAMILY OF COMPANIES
Strengthened by more than 1,500 employees, the Big-D Family of Companies has grown to become one of the nation’s leading contractors, comprised of 14 offices in 8 states traversing the west from California to Minneapolis, with a resume of thousands of construction projects spanning from coast to coast. Today, they are responsible for the construction and management of $2 billion annually, providing design-build, general contracting, and construction management services to customers in a variety of specialized and focused industries. Regional offices are in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Lindon, and Park City, Utah; Pleasanton and Irvine, California; Tempe, Arizona; Las Vegas and Reno, NV; Saint Paul, Minnesota; Bozeman, Montana; Boise and Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Jackson, Wyoming. For more information, please visit www.big-d.com.
ABOUT JOHNSON CARLIER CONSTRUCTION
Johnson Carlier is an Arizona-based independently managed general contractor providing construction management, design/build and CMAR services throughout the southwest. Headquartered in Tempe, Johnson Carlier brings small-firm attention and large-firm capabilities to every client, partner, and project and does so by delivering exceptional expert customer service and nimble, responsive solutions. For more information, please visit www.johnsoncarlier.com/.

Laura Shivers of Johnson Carlier Promoted to VP | Commercial Construction and Renovation

On this National Employee Appreciation Day, we just want to say THANK YOU to all our amazing associates!

On this National Employee Appreciation Day, we just want to say THANK YOU to all our amazing associates! 
We couldn&#8217;t do it without your hard work, loyalty, and support. Keep Thinking Big!

National Employee Appreciation Day, we just want to say THANK YOU to all our amazing associates!

Big-D Companies Announces Two New Executive Roles

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — As Big-D Family of Companies continues to grow nationwide with 14 offices in eight states and over 1,500 associates, the company&#8217;s executive leadership is also expanding.
Big-D announces Michael Sant, former Senior Vice President, has been named Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) and Shaun Orr, former Vice President, has been named Chief Information Officer (CIO).
Since 2005, Sant has been a leader at Big-D Companies in many different roles. Sant&#8217;s resume includes Senior Estimator, Pre-Construction Director, Vice President, Senior Vice President, and most recently an executive on one of the largest ongoing projects in the United States, The Salt Lake City International Airport Redevelopment Program.
“We are pleased to watch his progression as a leader, and we are excited to have him take the reigns as CSO,” said Big-D Chief Executive Officer Cory Moore.
As Chief Strategy Officer, Sant will have many new responsibilities including consistently clarifying and communicating Big-D Companies&#8217; vision and taking the necessary strategic steps to support that vision and continued growth.
“This is an exciting opportunity, and I look forward to contributing to the lasting vision created by our founder, Dee Livingood,” Sant said.
Former Vice President and Head of Human Resources and Information Technology, Orr has worked for Big-D Family of Companies and its associates for over 20 years.
“His dedication exemplifies our mission of being the most sought-after, which is echoed through his ever-patient, thoughtful, and humble service to everyone at Big-D,” Moore said.
As CIO, Orr is responsible for the effective leadership, strategy, and implementation of the organization&#8217;s information and policies as related to Human Resources and Technology. Additionally, he will provide expertise and future vision to leverage technology and human capital management to ensure Big-D Companies&#8217; commitment to growth and innovation.
“I am honored to have been asked to work with the Senior Leadership team at Big-D and lead our efforts on innovation, technology, and our most valuable and cherished resource: our people,&#8221; Orr said. &#8220;I have been fortunate to have been given amazing opportunities at Big-D Companies over the last two decades and will continue to foster our culture and support our mission to be the most sought-after construction company in the business.&#8221;
With Big-D Family of Companies&#8217; growth, continuing to provide opportunity through expansion is key to the company&#8217;s future and retaining personnel.
“It is essential that we reinforce our strategic plan with corporate leaders such as Michael Sant and Shaun Orr, who had proven themselves as impressive and critical leaders in their past positions, and will ensure we grow intelligently, productively, and with the appropriate risk management processes and systems in place,” Moore said.

Big-D Executives, Michael Sant and Shaun Orr were recently featured by ACP’s Rocky Mountain Construction for their new leadership roles within Big-D Family of Companies.

A BIG shout-out and congratulations to our Big-D Lindon team on receiving the Mayor’s Choice Business of the Year Award!

The honor was awarded from Lindon Mayor, Carolyn Lundberg, at the Pleasant Grove-Lindon Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Gala on Wednesday. 
Great work team Lindon!

Big-D Lindon team on receiving the Mayor’s Choice Business of the Year Award!

Recently Big-D Chief Operations Officer, Troy Thompson, was named 2022 AGC of Utah Chairman of the Board.

He was formally introduced at this year’s AGC Annual Convention where they celebrated 100 years. He was also featured in the AGC of Utah’s Annual Magazine. We are very proud and honored to have Troy not only in a leadership role within Big-D but in the construction industry for this great state. Congratulations Troy! Click here to read his full letter to AGC Utah members<a href="https://bit.ly/34qQEIu"> https://bit.ly/34qQEIu</a>

Big-D Companies Announces Cory Moore as New Chief Executive Officer

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (January 3, 2022) – Big-D Companies, ranked among the nation’s largest builders, today announced Cory Moore has been named Chief Executive Officer. 
Previous CEO, Rob Moore, will remain an influential leader as the companies Executive Chairman.
“This is a significant announcement for our company and future. We have worked on our succession planning over the last decade and this strategic move is part of that plan and is a major step in realizing our goals,” said Rob Moore.
In a unanimous decision by the Big-D Companies Board of Directors, Cory will take global responsibility for its 14 offices nationwide. His job will ensure we continue to preserve our mission of being the most sought after by our associates and customers. He will also continue to stimulate progress and drive Big-D companies’ vision of growth and investment in our future.
“Cory is the right leader for Big-D,” said Jack Livingood, Big-D’s Chairman of the Board. “Cory’s extensive experience along with his leadership and communication skills will help us grow our national footprint to better serve our customers. Big-D is in good hands with Cory.”
Cory Moore has been with Big-D for nearly 25 years and has been an especially impactful leader of the company’s growth. He has been involved in many of Big-D’s most iconic projects and in recent years has been serving as the companies National President and a member of its Board of Directors.
“I am very excited for the opportunities and challenges ahead,” said CEO, Cory Moore. “Big-D has a great business model and extraordinarily talented people. We are well positioned to become one of the most sought-after construction companies in the business.”
Big-D veterans, Jack Livingood and Rob Moore, will continue to engage in strategic leadership and are not stepping away from the company. Their continued purposeful support will help Big-D leaders confidently pilot the company through the next several decades.
“Our future is bright, and leadership is strong at each of our Big-D Family of Companies 14 offices. Already in eight states, we are in an upward trend for expansion, and refreshed leadership is important to the livelihood of our company,” said Rob Moore.

WSU was founded in Ogden, Utah as Weber Stake Academy in 1889. 
“Weber” comes from the name of the county where the university is located, which was named after John Henry Weber, an early American fur trapper.
In 1933, the academy was made a state junior college. Following World War II, the college outgrew its downtown campus and moved to the present site on the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains overlooking Ogden and the Great Salt Lake.
Weber State College awarded its first baccalaureate degree in 1964. In 1991, the college became Weber State University, appropriately symbolizing its role as Utah’s first comprehensive regional university that also retains a community college mission.
<a href="https://www.weber.edu/">Weber State University</a>

Weber State University

The Natural History Museum of Utah illuminates the natural world and the place of humans within it.
NHMU is an institution of science. As such, we accept the theory of evolution, which is the unifying concept of all biological sciences. While there remains ongoing and lively debate about the processes of evolutionary change—that is, how evolution occurs—the overwhelming majority of biologists fully endorse the idea that all organisms on earth share a common ancestry and that life&#8217;s unfolding has encompassed billions of years of time. Like gravity, evolution is one of the cornerstones of modern science, and it represents one of the key themes of our institutional mission.
<a href="https://nhmu.utah.edu/">Natural History Museum of Utah </a>

Natural History Museum of Utah

The Christmas Box International charity works to prevent child abuse. We partner with local, national, and international groups to improve the quality of life for children, teens, and young adults who are victims of abuse, neglect, trafficking or are facing homelessness or other risks that no child should have to face.

The Christmas Box International

We&#8217;re committed to family literacy! Treehouse Children&#8217;s Museum has a community-focused initiative to help parents and grandparents prepare their children for the start of school. Recognizing that many children start Kindergarten in local schools without the skills they need to succeed, and that many children do not attend any preschool programs before the start of their formal schooling, we&#8217;ve worked with educators, schools, and community organizations, and with a renowned children&#8217;s book illustrator and author, to provide new resources to both parents and teachers.

Tree House Museum

Our volunteers are a vital part of the magic for Tracy Aviary. While we certainly benefit from the time, energy, and talents of our volunteers, we want to make sure they receive an equal amount of reward. Our volunteers enjoy hands-on experiences, meet others with similar interests, and help support one of only two public aviaries in the nation. Investigate the types of volunteer positions available and choose one that’s right for you.

Tracy Aviary

UVU is an open-admission institution with a commitment to student success. We focus on teaching all students and providing them with real-world experiences.

Utah Valley University

The mission of Brigham Young University — founded, supported, and guided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — is to assist individuals in their quest for perfection and eternal life.
<a href="https://www.byu.edu/about">BYU</a>

The Dr. W. C. Swanson Family Foundation is a private charitable foundation established in 1977 by Dr. Walter C. “Doc” and Beryl Swanson. Its purpose is to benefit Weber County, Utah, and the surrounding area, through benevolent endeavors. Since its inception, the Swanson Foundation has been committed to improving education, social and veterans services, health care, arts and culture, law enforcement and many other venues locally and abroad.

Swanson Family Foundation

The Children’s Center is home to many specialized clinical services. We lead the way in working with children who struggle with behavioral, emotional, educational, intellectual and developmental challenges or may have experienced trauma.
We treat the whole child, looking at more than a single issue so we can provide the best, most comprehensive integrated care. We examine barriers in the home, school and community, working with the family who raises them and the organizations that support them.
<a href="https://www.thechildrenscenter.com/">The Children&#8217;s Center</a>

The Children’s Center

DesignBuildBLUFF is a graduate architecture program at the University of Utah focused on immersing students in hands-on cross-cultural experiences. We work in partnership with the Rural and Native communities of San Juan County in the Utah Four Corners.
DesignBuildBLUFF

DesignBuildBLUFF

Intermountain Healthcare is a Utah-based, not-for-profit system of 24 hospitals (includes &#8220;virtual&#8221; hospital), a Medical Group with more than 2,400 physicians and advanced practice clinicians at about 160 clinics, a health plans division called SelectHealth, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is widely recognized as a leader in clinical quality improvement and efficient healthcare delivery.
<a href="https://intermountainhealthcare.org/">Intermountain Healthcare</a>

Intermountain Healthcare

The Associated General Contractors of America, the voice of the construction industry, is an organization of qualified construction contractors and industry related companies dedicated to skill, integrity and responsibility.  Operating in partnership with its Chapters, the Association provides a full range of services satisfying the needs and concerns of its members, thereby improving the quality of construction and protecting the public interest.
<a href="https://www.agc.org/">Home | Associated General Contractors of America (agc.org)</a>

Associated General Contractors

Westminster is a private, non-profit, accredited, and comprehensive liberal arts college in Salt Lake City, Utah. Students experience the liberal arts blended with professional programs in an atmosphere dedicated to civic engagement.
With the goal of guiding its graduates to a life with purpose, Westminster provides life-changing learning experiences for both undergraduate and graduate students. Faculty focus on teaching, learning and developing distinctive, innovative programs, while students thrive on Westminster&#8217;s urban Sugar House campus within minutes of the Rocky Mountains.
<a href="https://westminstercollege.edu/">Westminster College</a>

Westminster College

YMCA

This week two of our Big-D offices were awarded “2021 Best Project of the Year” by the Associated General Contractors of Utah!

More than 100 award applications were received, and both our Ogden and Lindon groups are recipients, along with the many partners involved in completing these outstanding projects!
Congratulations on the following projects and categories! 
• Tyson Foods Case Ready Plant – Manufacturing 
• Orem Family Fitness Center – Sports and Recreation 
We look forward to the AGC’s Annual Awards Breakfast in January where awards will be distributed, and we’ll have a chance to congratulate all the other recipients throughout the state.

Big-D offices were awarded “2021 Best Project of the Year” by the Associated General Contractors of Utah!

Dovetail Construction, a Bozeman-based construction company, has announced a new strategic partnership with Big-D Signature and its parent company, Big-D Construction, one Of the nation&#8217;s largest construction companies. 
Dovetail Construction is owned by childhood friends Tim Rote and Kevin Sullivan, and together with their internal team Of skilled carpenters, subcontractors, and network Of architects and engineers, Dovetail has built numerous private residences and spearheaded several light commercial projects in and around southwest Montana. 
Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Big-D Construction has successfully completed hundreds Of construction projects across the country. The firm is currently working on its largest project to date — The New SLC Airport Redevelopment Program. 
The project is part Of a joint venture with Holder Construction. Big-D Signature, with Offices in Jackson Hole and Park City, 
specializes in building resorts and private estates.

While the partnership is new, Big-D and Dovetail&#8217;s connection began years ago, when Mike Kerby (now Senior Vice President Of Big-D Signature) and Dovetail&#8217;s Tim Rote worked together on a large construction project in Hawaii, developing a friendship that has lasted over the years. 
&#8220;While this is a great professional opportunity for us, I&#8217;m personally excited to be working with Mike again,&#8221; explains Rote. 
&#8220;Big-D Signature and Dovetail share a similar business philosophy that puts priority on mutual respect, clear communication, quality results — and an enjoyable process for everyone along the way.&#8221; 
Additionally, Dovetail and Big-D Signature will be working closely with JLF Architects, an award-winning architecture firm based in Bozeman with extensive experience in commercial and luxury home design in the West and across the country. Big-D Signature already enjoys a successful partnership with JLF&#8217;s Design Build entity, having built many Of the firm&#8217;s projects in Jackson Hole, Bozeman, and Park City, among other locations. 
&#8220;From our standpoint, we don&#8217;t see Dovetail straying all that far from the path we&#8217;re on,&#8221; says Sullivan. &#8220;We&#8217;re the same guys, same group, same approach to business — but now, that path has widened significantly, giving us all more opportunity for growth and shared success.&#8221; 
The design build team will begin working on several custom residential projects in the Bozeman area next year.

Post House District 8, 100 Yards concrete pour

For the second year in a row, Big-D Construction is named a winner of the state of Utah’s Top Workplaces in 2021 by the Salt Lake Tribune.
“Here at Big-D we are more than just colleagues, we are family. For over 50 years we have always lived by doing the right thing for the right reasons. Our founding principles are Respect, People, and Truth and that is for both the Big-D family and our customers. We are humbled by this award because it came through our own employee engagement during challenging times due to Coronavirus. Their feedback, voice, and happiness are critical to the company’s success,” said Rob Moore, CEO, Big-D Construction.
The Top Workplace 2021 honor is based solely on feedback gathered through a third-party anonymous survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC.

2021 Top Work Places

ENR Regional Best Projects Awards banquet at the Salt Lake City Marriott downtown

Utah’s finest in the industry gathered for the ENR Regional Best Projects Awards banquet at the Salt Lake City Marriott downtown. Over 800 entries were submitted, awards were given to winners announced back in August. A BIG congratulations to all who won, including the Salt Lake City International Airport which was recognized as the Project of Year for the entire Intermountain Region as well as being honored as the Owner of the Year. We are also humbled to have been recognized as the Contractor of the Year for the Intermountain Region.
Big-D was pleased to accept multiple awards, including the Salt Lake City International Terminal Redevelopment as Best Transportation/Aviation project, as part of our combined work as Holder-Big-D, A Joint Venture (HDJV). Additional hardware was received for the following projects: 
• US Cold Storage – Best Renovation/Restoration Project 
• Oatly – Merit Award, Manufacturing 
• Orem Family Fitness – Merit Award, Sports/Fitness
Award-winning projects and teams are a collective effort and the realization of an owner’s vision. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to work alongside the owner, design team, and our trade partners to make that vision a reality.

Salt Lake International Airport Topping Out Ceremony

500 skilled trade workers including, Holder-Big-D, A Joint Venture (HDJV), gathered for a “topping out” ceremony to celebrate a major milestone in the construction of Phase 2 of The New SLC.
During the ceremony, those involved in the project signed one of the final steel beams—weighing 3,500lbs.—before it was raised 55 feet to cap off Concourse A-east, which will house 22 Delta gates; 7 specialty retail, news, and gift locations; and 12 food and beverage options.
BIG congratulations to The New SLC and every single worker who has been part of this project.

Big-D Construction recently sponsored and participated in the 2021 NAIOPOLY

Big-D Construction recently sponsored and participated in the 2021 NAIOPOLY event in Salt Lake City. NAIOPOLY is the ultimate real estate game for up-to-date developments across the Wasatch Front. Participants included developers, investors, site selectors, brokers, industry service providers and the who’s who of industry players.
Photo Credit: Jared Kenitzer, CRSA 
For more information and pictures visit: 
<a href="https://naioputah.org/2021-naiopoly/">https://naioputah.org/2021-naiopoly/</a>

SLC International Airport Celebrates One-year Anniversary

Big-D Construction congratulates the Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) as they celebrate their one-year anniversary and announcement by the USGBC for achieving LEED Gold Certification! 
SLC International Airport Celebrates One-year Anniversary 
USGBC Announces LEED Gold Certification Achieved
Salt Lake City, UT (Sept. 15, 2021) –Today, the Salt Lake City Department of Airports (SLCDA) celebrates one year since opening The New SLC-Phase 1—with the distinction of being the first new U.S. hub airport built in the 21st Century—while announcing LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
The New SLC Airport was designed and built with a number of goals in mind: to build an airport that provides a flexible, right-sized design for the future that is more efficient, sustainable and maintains competitive costs. Additional goals were to build an airport that could withstand a major seismic event, provide more areas to plug in electronic devices and reflect the beauty of Utah—both inside and out. The New SLC has achieved its sustainability goal of LEED Gold certification for both the Terminal Redevelopment Program project and Concourse B-west.
“As two of the largest LEED v2009 gold certified airport terminal projects in the United States, the airport team faced the unique challenge of building on a large scale, while staying on-task and prioritizing health and sustainability,” said Lisa Stanley, director of technical services, USGBC. “I know just how dauting this task was and how much pre-planning was required to bring this project to where it is today, and congratulate all those involved.”
The airport achieved this certification through efforts involving emission reduction, waste minimization, water conservation and renewable energy implementation. Practicing sustainability began day 1 of construction. Prior to the airport opening, 95% of construction waste was diverted from landfills and incinerators. Before opening day, airlines began to transition from diesel to electric ground support equipment. And the layout of The New SLC plays a substantial role in sustainability with a linear concourse configuration that reduces the time aircraft idle and taxi. 
“The airport recognizes the importance of reducing carbon emissions to mitigate our impact on global climate change,” said Bill Wyatt, executive director, Salt Lake City Department of Airports. “The former airport—which was a beloved part of our community—was inefficient when it came to sustainability efforts. Everything from the boiler system to the plumbing and electrical systems were beyond repair. What is really impressive is that the new airport uses less water and less electricity than the former facility.”
For a complete report on the airport’s sustainability goals and performance, go to <a href="http://slcairport.com/about-the-airport/community-and-environment?fbclid=IwAR1JiP2J7Z0aJy_pwo9-r2Itvy9Mh7TR22m6ptVhv1HQ-jjzbzPh2l9TMtg">slcairport.com/about-the-airport/community-and-environment.</a> 
For the complete press release, go to <a href="https://slcairport.com/.../SLC-Airport-Reaches-LEED-Gold...">https://slcairport.com/&#8230;/SLC-Airport-Reaches-LEED-Gold&#8230;</a>

2021 ENR Mountains States Contractor of the Year

The ENR regional editors have selected Big-D Construction for 2021 Contractor of the Year in the Mountain States region for the Intermountain area. We are honored and humbled for this recognition and wish to extend our gratitude to all of the Big-D employees, owners, and trade partners that help to make each projects vision a reality. 
THINK BIG | WORK BIG | LIVE BIG
​​​​​​​Continue reading the full article here 
<a href="https://www.enr.com/articles/firms-of-the-year​​​​​​​">​​​​​https://www.enr.com/articles/firms-of-the-year​​​​​​​ </a>

On Aug. 11, 2021, Utah’s Commissioner of Apprenticeship Programs announced the launch of the state’s first comprehensive apprenticeship website &#8211; apprenticeship.utah.gov.
“As businesses struggle to hire enough workers, and as many Utahns are striving to earn a living wage, there is no better time to consider apprenticeships,” said Melisa Stark, commissioner of apprenticeship programs. “Employers can hire employees to start right away and learn on the job, and workers can get paid to train for a lucrative career.”
Apprenticeships are industry-driven, high-quality career pathways that are beneficial to both businesses and workers. Workers get paid on-the-job and related training, job security and portable credentials, certificates or degrees. Employers prepare their future workforce while reducing costs for recruitment, enjoying a 94% retention rate.
“Apprenticeships are an under-utilized pathway to a great, in-demand career,” said Rep. Mike Winder, who sponsored the legislation that created the new commissioner of apprenticeship role. “A four-year degree is not the only way.”
The announcement took place at the Post House project, a massive downtown construction site where apprentices work side by side with more experienced mentors to learn their trade.
“It’s no secret that the workforce is stretched, and finding qualified, skilled tradespeople has become ever increasingly challenging,” said Shaun Orr, vice-president of human resources at Big-D Construction. “Apprenticeship programs fill a critical role in attracting and retaining talent so we can continue to build the places where we live, work and play.”
While traditionally found in industries like construction, utilities and trades, apprenticeships are expanding to industries like healthcare and information technology. Utah has more than 4,200 apprentices and 265 registered apprenticeship programs in dozens of industries. Apprentices who complete their programs earn more over their career than non-apprentice participants, and upon completion earn an average of $60,000 annually. ​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​
Employers, educators, parents and future apprentices can learn more at <a href="http://apprenticeship.utah.gov/">http://apprenticeship.utah.gov/</a>

State launches Apprenticeship Utah

Weber State University Topping Out Ceremony

Big-D Construction along with Weber State University, VCBO Architecture, and other trade partners, participated in the &#8220;Topping Out&#8221; ceremony of the new Noorda Engineering, Applied Science &amp; Technology building on Monday.
Painted purple and signed by several involved in the project, onlookers including future Big-D employees, watched as the final beam was hoisted into place. Affixed to the beam was an American flag on one end and an evergreen tree on the other; a tradition which dates back centuries and, depending on who you ask, is rumored to date back to Egypt and the construction of the pyramids. 
Situated on the north end of the campus, the Noorda Engineering Building will serve as the new home for the College of Engineering, Applied Science and Technology (EAST). Stay tuned&#8230;.construction is expected to be complete Fall 2022.
Owner: Weber State University 
Builder: Big-D Construction 
Architect: VCBO Architecture 
<a href="https://www.standard.net/.../article_312df0a0-d930-5227...">https://www.standard.net/&#8230;/article_312df0a0-d930-5227&#8230;</a>

HDJV was recognized as 2021 General Contractor Project of the Year Award

CCIM’s 2021 Excellence Awards recognized the Salt Lake City International Airport Redevelopment and HDJV (Holder | Big-D a Joint Venture) with the 2021 General Contractor Project of the Year award. We are honored to be part of this amazing project.

Val Creamer Retires After 40 years at Big-D!

“Val has always been so focused on keeping our projects safe. He has really taken safety to a different height of awareness. I have a lot of respect for Val because he really started the program of making us a much safer company.”
&#8211; Rob Moore, CEO for Big-D Companies
After 40 years, Val Creamer, Big-D’s Safety Director, is retiring – and leaving Big-D much better and safer than when he started. He will be hard to replace, but we are thrilled to see him start this new and much deserved chapter of life.
“I believe he really cares for the people he works with as well as his family and friends. And that shows in his work life here at Big-D.”
-Jim Allison, Big-D Project Director
Congratulations on your retirement Val!

We are honored to announce that Big-D has, once again, been named the 2021 Utah Best of State award winner for Commercial Construction! The prestigious Best of State Awards recognize local businesses for their excellence and contributions to their communities. We are so fortunate to have the best employees, customers, and subcontractors in the business—know that we couldn’t do it without you!
The submission for this award took a lot of collaborative effort. Please know that we appreciate each and every one of you. Thank you for being part of our Big-D Family, and for continuing to help Big-D become the most sought-after construction company in the business.

2021 Utah Best of State Winner

Post House District 8,100 yards Concrete Pour

At Big-D, our approach to concrete is rock-solid.
Check out the concrete pour our team pulled off in a single day for the Post House District project in downtown Salt Lake City:
<a href="https://www.abc4.com/.../huge-cement-pour-pulled-off-by.../">https://www.abc4.com/&#8230;/huge-cement-pour-pulled-off-by&#8230;/</a>

Our Mission is to provide children and young athletes of all ages, talent levels and economic situations an opportunity to improve their athletic abilities, build confidence, learn teamwork and enhance communication in a fun and entertaining environment.
Alex Austin, A-Train’s Vice-President, and the organization’s Director brings more than 15-years professional and collegiate athletic experience to the youth that he teaches. His experience includes coaching and directing camps for many notable Universities, head coaches and professional athletes. Although his program initially focused on basketball camps, it has since evolved to include teams and training athletes. The A-Train program now includes over 300 kids, ranging in age from 6-18 years and varying in different skill development.
We have an excellent program and a wonderful group of volunteer coaches and parents dedicated to providing a positive learning environment for developing basketball fundamentals, as well as life skills. Our goal is to give guidance and strengthen youth through sports activities, education and community service. A-Train players amassed over 10,000 hours of giving back to their community during the 2011 season, and each child in the program is required to maintain a respectable GPA , with a goal of maintaining a 3.5 program wide GPA.  We also educate the kids on proper nutrition, the danger of drugs, respecting parents and being a good citizen.
Alex has a great deal of respect and knowledge for the game, which he hopes to pass along to each young athlete with which he works; helping them strive to reach their potential both in the game of basketball and in their lives.  In addition to his A-Train for Youth program, Alex’s A-Train Magic travel teams compete in the top tournaments around the country, placing young athletes in front of college scouts and coaches, giving them an opportunity for college placement. We work closely with these athletes, educating them on NCAA rules and requirements, collegiate eligibility requirements and preparing them for the rigors of college athletics. Many of our college athletes return home to donate their time to coach at our summer camps.
Alex Austin makes it his personal mission to ensure that every child who participates in his program is personally recognized and acknowledged. He has developed a system that not only teaches and improves a child’s skill in the sport of basketball, but has also learned how to reach them on an individual level to reinforce the values necessary to succeed in life. 
<a href="https://www.atrainforyouth.com/">Basketball Club | Utah | A-Train for Youth (atrainforyouth.com)</a>

A-Train for Youth

Rob Moore, CEO was asked to serve on the Board of Trustees for EDC Utah!

Autistic Teens Use Architecture Software to Build Job Skills

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Recent News

Big-D Teams Up with the Art Association of Jackson Hole

Salt Lake City International Airport Takes Off!

Autistic Teens Use Architecture Software to Build Job Skills

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News list

Recent News

Big-D Teams Up with the Art Association of Jackson Hole

Salt Lake City International Airport Takes Off!