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m a r e k f a m i ly o f c o m p a n i e s profile

have earned the reputation of producing a Conference Center project. with our customers; continuation and en-
high-quality product in a timely fashion and hancement of a structured training program
for good value. Our geographic reach from B&C: Please describe your 10-year vision for our future work force; operate from job
Austin, Texas, is about a 75-mile radius, with for the commercial division. sites in a nearly paperless environment;
branches in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. BD: (Our) 10-year vision is to find avenues that broaden our scope of work to better serve
will continue to separate us from our compe- our customers and become a more inclusive
> Cautiously Optimistic tition; build and maintain our relationships specialty interior contractor. x
B&C: How do you view the Southwest
construction market today compared
to when you started?
BD: The central Texas market is healthy in the
educational, healthcare and high-rise condo-
miniums at this time. The changes I see from
when I first entered the business is the intri-
cacy of the projects, the schedules being
more compressed and the more environ-
mentally friendly (LEED) construction prac-
tices. I see the current economic climate in
Texas as cautiously optimistic.

B&C: What major issues does Marek

Brothers Systems face in the Texas region?
BD: A major issue is going to be replacing
our aging work force industrywide with
trained qualified workers. A lot of the chil-
dren of today’s supervisors have chosen
other careers. And we, the construction
industry, need to create an environment
that attracts and retains workers with
career paths in construction.

B&C: Can immigration solve the construc-

tion industry labor shortages? Or, do you
think that there is need for labor reform?
BD: We definitely need sensible ... reform.

B&C: What are some of your quality

control measures?
BD: (It)starts with pre-task analysis meet-
ings every morning on the job sites and con-
stant monitoring by trained supervisors.

B&C: Marek has been a part of several

large projects. Are there one or two that
really encompass your scope of work?
BD: A large project recently completed
where MBS performed the drywall and
acoustical ceilings was Dell Children’s
Medical Center of Central Texas. And cur-
rently, we are in the final phase of the dry-
wall and acoustical ceiling for the University
of Texas Executive Education and

2008 fall b&c southwest 57