RK Redding Construction

Beginning with only four member counties in the late 1990s, the Greater West Georgia Joint Development Authority (GWGJDA) has grown to represent seven area counties, including: Polk, Haralson, Paulding, Carroll, Heard, Coweta, and Troup. We spoke to Eric McDonald, President & CEO of Greater Haralson Chamber of Commerce, and Daniel Jackson, President & CEO of Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, about the collaborative nature of the Development Authority that allows members to work together on multi-county projects to benefit West Georgia residents. What are your current role and responsibilities as part of the GWGJDA? Eric: I am a supporting staff member for the Greater West Georgia Joint Development Authority. We are an economic development and business growth entity responsible for growing the region’s retail and industrial base. The Board of Directors of the GWGJDA is appointed by the respective county commissions. Supporting staff from each of the economic deve...

It is a well‐known fact that the construction industry suffered greatly during the last economic downturn. We have published several articles on the challenges facing us with the skilled labor shortage, but history shows that the construction industry is resilient. When faced with a challenge, we band together and look for ways to overcome and push forward. That same mindset is transforming today’s approach to construction through the innovative use of modular and prefabricated construction materials. Becoming more widely embraced, this method employs off‐site construction where building elements – anything from bathroom pods to exterior walls ‐ are built in a factory and transported to the site to be constructed. Employing prefabricated materials offers many benefits such as fewer disruptions, faster and more consistent production, better quality control, cost mitigation, eco‐friendly processes, improved safety conditions and the real driver, less skilled labor requirements. All ...

RKR: Tell us a little about your background. Jennifer: Prior to working with West Ga Habitat for Humanity, my work experience had always been in universities in either enrollment management or development. When my husband and I moved to Carrollton in 2000, I chose to do freelance consultant work to better control my schedule while being a full-time mom. When a position became available at West Ga Habitat, I realized that I had an opportunity to work for an organization where I could really embrace my faith and make a difference in people’s lives. The position with Habitat allowed me to utilize both my employment and life experiences and my education in psychology and public administration. Working for the organization has been a big blessing in my life. RKR: What excites you about your role at Habitat and how have your responsibilities changed through the years? Jennifer: For the first 15-20 years, the West Ga Habitat was completely run by volunteers. In 2005, I was hired throu...

In the construction world, there seems to be much conversation over the fearand uncertainty of rising project costs and the effect on budget and production. With politics and the current healthy economy playing influential roles, rising prices for materials and a seemingly everpresent shortage of workforce availability have led many to regard the industry’s future with nervous anticipation. In this atmosphere, clients with pending projects are adapting a proactive approach to mitigate their exposure. Meanwhile, selection committees are increasingly referring to the builder’s expertise, looking for ways to avoid cost escalation and minimize the  potential impact on the front end by achieving the GMP at the earliest date possible. Additionally, the workforce shortage has hit design firms, many of which are working at full capacity. This often results in delays of issuance of construction documents, thereby pushing bid solicitations and procurement dates out further than originally ...

RKR: Please share with us your background and how you came to work with the AGC as well as your current job and responsibilities? Mike: I am the luckiest person in the world because right after I graduated college I interviewed with a group of gentlemen at the Northeast Louisiana Contractors Association, a small chapter of AGC of America. They must have seen something in me because they gave me an opportunity to be their executive. I worked for that chapter for eight years and then went to work for a larger AGC chapter in Jacksonville, Florida. I spent six years in Florida and then was hired here at AGC Georgia in 1995. The person I replaced was the chief staff officer for 41 years. I’ve now worked within the AGC organization for 37 years. It’s been a tremendous career so far and my responsibilities as CEO are all encompassing, as any CEO job. As a statewide chapter, our general and specialty contractor members are big and small, perform public and private work and are from all reg...

Share with us your background that led to you founding Carrollton GreenBelt. I am from Carrollton, but left in 1990 to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Then I moved back in 2009. While I was away, I biked across the United States and then led as a European guide for Vermont Bicycle Touring. That’s when it clicked for me regarding trails. I first rode with guests on trails separated from roads in the Netherlands. There I saw people holding hands while they biked and carrying pets and their groceries to the extent that it became more than a trail, but a really busy public space. Our Greenbelt serves that role as one of Carrollton's newest parks and showcases local natural wonders. It’s a great way to enjoy the great outdoors. What’s the most rewarding part of what you do/have done at GreenBelt? To see the city of Carrollton submit its application to be a bike friendly community was the most rewarding part to me. That designation is through the League of...

School is back in session, which is the universal reminder that summer is over. While many kids will be telling their friends and their teachers all about their summer adventures – trips to the beach, going to camps, and lounging by the pool – RKR has spent the summer months on renovation, addition, modification, and replacement projects. Year after year, school systems across the state take advantage of the summer months to address facility needs. These projects may be small like replacing light bulbs throughout the school or they could be quite large such as total gut renovation and build back and everything in between. These summer renovations are common, because construction crews can work full days uninterrupted without worrying about disrupting the classroom or traditional operations of a school without any students on campus. Beyond that, summer work is a staple because of the funding cycles. Each August, school districts submit their applications to the Georgia Departme...

Q: Share with us a little bit of your background at Tanner Health System? A: I have been president and CEO of Tanner Health Systems since 1994. We certainly have grown dramatically in that time period, as our community has grown. We’ve expanded from two loosely associated hospitals to what will soon be a five-hospital system. We have grown in medical staff from less than 100 to more than 400 physicians. We’ve transformed into a regional medical center during that time period. Q:  What do you find to be the most rewarding part of your job? A: Working with the community. As a community hospital, it’s starting initiatives and programs and seeing them play out over time. Through serving patients, that helps patients and families stay close to home for high quality health care so they don’t have to commute to Atlanta. I think it is very rewarding that people are better off today and healthier because of the programs that we have started. That really is what excites me every day ...

Q: Share with us a little bit of your background with Honda. A: Mike Jett – I’ve been with Honda for 34 years. Prior to moving to Georgia, I was responsible for strategic planning for North America. My group was responsible for the feasibility studies for Alabama and Georgia facilities. However, my background primarily resided on the manufacturing side. My current role – as VP & Plant Manager – encompasses total operations here as far as manufacturing, with a focus on safety, quality and production.  As manager of the entire business of operations at this facility, I drive us towards the core characteristics which we work toward every day. These characteristics include building products of outstanding quality, delivering those to our customers in a way that is safe for our associates and our goal of being a company that society wants to exist. Q: What is the most rewarding part of your job? A: It’s working with the people. The Honda Precision Parts facility has s...

You have been planning for a new building for months, maybe years, and now the stars have aligned and you have the property you need and the funding to build your facility, but, do you know what construction system is right for you and your project? If you do not build new construction everyday you might not know that there are options out there, each with their own intended applications and accompanying benefits and challenges. In this day and age, there are three primary building systems: 1. Concrete Frame Structures Concrete frame structures are a very common and might be one of the most common modern building systems used around the world.  This type of building structure consists of a frame of concrete supported or reinforced by rebar or steel bars. The mix of concrete and steel provide a very strong and relatively inexpensive building system. Concrete structures can be built traditionally or your builder may use Tilt-up construction   process where the building...

Georgia has long been known for agriculture, namely cotton, peanuts, onions and peaches, but it’s fastest growing cash crop these days is the movie and production business. In fact, Georgia is now ranked third in the nation and fifth in the world for the number of productions on an annual basis. It is estimated that during the next 3-5 years, the film industry will generate 3,000 - 5,000 new jobs. Both K-12 school systems and higher education institutions are stepping up to provide unique education opportunities for students interested in the TV and movie making business. Two of RKR’s clients are helping to provide an educated film-ready workforce to help grow the industry. Fulton County Schools recently added a CTE facility to Benjamin Banneker High School, which features special labs for Broadcast Video & Production programs. Students from across Fulton County have access to this state-of-the-art audio metric exam room and full video production sound stage. The Univers...

Q: What is the day to day like for you as UWG President? A: It’s interesting to be a president of a university in today’s environment and it’s not what someone might think it is. It certainly encompasses many facets with the belief that transforming lives via educational obtainment being at the center. I think the most successful presidents are the ones that always remind their administrators, faculty and staff that any strategic planning or implementation of any actions or initiates need to be reviewed through a filter and lens of student success. What will this mean to focus and to allow our students to be the most successful - not only here as they enter our gates - but also beyond our gates. Our job is to prepare the students to be ready for an ever-complex world. The reality of the job is interesting, because it’s a 16- hour-a-day job, which I love and feel incredibly blessed to be a part of. And, there are multiple constituencies to serve and to help align, which can be ...

It’s late September and school is back in full swing. You can hear kids in the hallways, smell lunch cooking in the cafeteria and see the line of school buses stacking up for afternoon pickup but there is something else taking place on campus – construction. How do you keep the project on schedule, the kids focused on their education and everyone safe around all the construction activities? Having built schools for 25 years, we have learned a thing or two about working around ongoing operations. Whenever possible, separate school activities from construction zones. This extends to vehicular traffic as well. As contractors, we know how to manage what happens within the limits of the construction site, but it is the comprehensive attention to all details around the project that really ensures safety on active campuses. Share your school testing schedule and school event schedules with your design and construction team so they can plan around them. Communicate the construction pr...

We recently spent some time with Dr. Zauner to learn more about his current role, as well as to hear stories about his days on the Secret Service detail for former President George H.W. Bush. Q: Let’s begin with you sharing a little about your background and your interests. A: I was involved in my early days in athletics in high school and college and enjoyed that experience. It taught me a lot about teamwork and working with others. I moved into the education realm after graduating college and started out as a teacher of special needs students. I worked my way through the education system to three different school systems and ultimately became superintendent of the Carroll County School System in 2003. As far as my passions, I love to bird hunt and raise bird dogs, as well as love anything with a motor and wheels; which includes motorcycles and cars. I also enjoy the beach and boats, so I have a wide variety of interests. Q:   What was your role prior to your current p...

As the Superintendent of Paulding County School District, Cliff Cole is a man wearing many hats. Through the years, Cliff taught physical education for six years in Cobb County, as well as coached high school baseball, football and wrestling. He spent six years as an assistant principal and then as principal at Shelton Elementary, prior joining the Paulding County district office in 2003. Since then, he has served as the middle school operations director, county athletic director and a variety of operations positions – from assistant superintendent to deputy superintendent. In April of 2010, Cliff was named to his current role as superintendent. We met with Cliff for a short Q&A on his role, accomplishments and future goals. Current job and responsibilities. As Superintendent, it’s like I am the acting Chief Operating Officer. I’m responsible for every decision that’s made within the school district. Basically every aspect of the district from the day-to-day operations, budge...

All around Georgia, friends and family are enjoying their summers. Whether it is spending a day at the water park, exploring the city, or a nice relaxed day at home, everyone is taking advantage of the warmer weather and remembering why we are affectionately known as “Hotlanta.” As we plan our summer workweeks, we must be cognizant of the dangers that come along with the longer and hotter days. According to a report conducted by the Atlanta headquartered Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extreme heat is the leading cause of weather related deaths in the United States. The U.S. Environment Protection Agency defines extreme heat as “periods of summertime weather that are substantially hotter and/or more humid than typical for a given location at that time of year.” These events can also cause other health problems such as cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, which can become potentially fatal. Fortunately for us, heat-related illnesses are preventable. As an activ...