First Methodist Church | Palo Alto, CA

More than 40 years of exposure to the corrosive seaside environment took a toll on this concrete structure.

(St. Louis, MO, Nov. 19, 2020) Western Specialty Contractors – San Francisco Branch, partnered with Sika Corp., was honored virtually on Oct. 22 with a 2020 International Concrete Restoration Institute (ICRI) Award of Merit (Special Projects category) for the restoration of the First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto.

The ICRI conducts an awards program each year to honor and recognize outstanding projects in the concrete repair industry. Judging is based on uniqueness, use of state-of-the-art methods and materials, functionality, value engineering, and aesthetics. Entries are received from around the world, and the winning projects are honored each year at the ICRI Fall Convention. Due to COVID-19 concerns, the 2020 Fall Convention was held virtually.

First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto is located in Palo Alto, CA in the San Francisco Bay Area. Established in 1894, the congregation realized in 1957 that it needed a larger, more modern building for services and events. Construction on a new “Contemporary Gothic” style church included 19 poured-in-place concrete columns that extend from beneath the basement-level upward and meeting 73 feet above the main aisle. The roof panels were precast and 1,500 small stained-glass windows were installed throughout. The church can hold up to 1,050 people.

Due to weathering and aging, the church was experiencing water leaks in more than 50 different locations. It was determined that the leaks were caused by the failure of the wet seals around the stained-glass windows, as well as from cracking and spalling of the building’s concrete façade caused primarily by an insufficient concrete cover over the steel reinforcement. The roof membrane under the tile was also failing. The congregation agreed to take steps to repair the church to mitigate further damage.

Western Specialty Contractors’ crew, partnered with Sika Corp., a leading supplier of specialty chemical products and industrial materials for the construction industry, were faced with several challenges on the project. First, the crew had to assemble an engineered frame scaffolding system instead of using lifts to access the façade. The next challenge was maintaining the established color pattern when ordering and replacing broken and cracked windows, plus the silicone sealant on hundreds of windows on the concrete roof had to be replaced.

The façade had many spalled areas less than an inch deep in thickness that was addressed with the proper preparation and an application of a high-performance mortar. Deeper spalls were repaired with a form and pour method. The concrete roof tiles were also removed and prior to replacing them, a rubber roofing and waterproofing system were applied. Façade cracks that were visible throughout the structure were addressed with routing and caulking with a urethane sealant. To finalize the project, the building was thoroughly cleaned and an elastomeric façade coating was applied.

With all the challenges faced in completing the project, in the end, Western was able to restore the beloved church’s sanctuary to its former glory, with much appreciation from the congregation.

“These type of unique repair and restoration projects don’t come around frequently to contractors and manufacturers and when a successful repair leaves a client thankful and satisfied, it makes for a very memorable project. The First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto restoration was one of these projects,” said Jon Carden, Western San Francisco Branch Manager. “We were honored to work alongside Sika on this challenging restoration, and thankful to the ICRI for recognizing our expertise and hard work.” The project started in spring 2016 and was completed in April 2018.

About Western Specialty Contractors

Family-owned and operated for more than 100 years, Western Specialty Contractors is the nation’s largest specialty contractor in masonry and concrete restoration, waterproofing, and specialty roofing. Western offers a nationwide network of expertise that building owners, engineers, architects, and property managers can count on to develop cost-effective, corrective measures that can add years of useful life to a variety of structures including industrial, commercial, healthcare, historic, educational and government buildings, parking structures, and sports stadiums. Western is headquartered in St. Louis, MO with 30 branch offices nationwide and employs more than 1,200 salaried and hourly professionals who offer the best, time-tested techniques and innovative technology. 

Media Contact

Jennifer Beidle
314-607-9459
jennifer@jbeidlepr.com

Andrew Hoaglund Promoted to Branch Manager

(St. Louis, MO, Nov. 17, 2020) Western Specialty Contractors proudly announces the promotion of Andrew Hoaglund to Branch Manager of its Fort Lauderdale, FL Branch.

Andy Hoaglund

As Branch Manager, Hoaglund is responsible for managing sales, daily operations and field personnel, plus developing new projects within his branch’s territory.

For the past 13 years, Hoaglund has worked as a Project Manager at Western’s Ft. Lauderdale branch. He is a member of the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) and the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA). Residing with his wife in Delray Beach, FL, Hoaglund volunteers with animal rescue during his spare time.

About Western Specialty Contractors

Family-owned and operated for more than 100 years, Western Specialty Contractors is the nation’s largest specialty contractor in masonry and concrete restoration, waterproofing, and specialty roofing. Western offers a nationwide network of expertise that building owners, engineers, architects, and property managers can count on to develop cost-effective, corrective measures that can add years of useful life to a variety of structures including industrial, commercial, healthcare, historic, educational and government buildings, parking structures, and sports stadiums. Western is headquartered in St. Louis, MO with 30 branch offices nationwide and employs more than 1,200 salaried and hourly professionals who offer the best, time-tested techniques and innovative technology. 

Media Contact

Jennifer Beidle
314-607-9459
jennifer@jbeidlepr.com

Emily Sarvies Hired as Business Development Mgr.

Emily Sarvies

(St. Louis, MO, Nov. 12, 2020) Western Specialty Contractors proudly announce the hiring of Emily Sarvies as Business Development Manager at its headquarters in St. Louis, MO.

As Business Development Manager, Sarvies is responsible for identifying sales leads, promoting Western’s services to customer prospects, and developing working relationships with new contacts.

She has six years of business development experience. Prior to Western, she worked as Director of Business Development for 4M Building Solutions in St. Louis.

Sarvies attended Southwest Missouri State University where she majored in Hospitality and Restaurant Administration. She is a member of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) St. Louis Chapter Board of Directors and CREW-St. Louis, a networking organization for women in commercial real estate. She resides in St. Louis with her husband, twin daughters, and son. During her spare time, she serves as a Girl Scout Leader and enjoys boating and running.

About Western Specialty Contractors

Family-owned and operated for more than 100 years, Western Specialty Contractors is the nation’s largest specialty contractor in masonry and concrete restoration, waterproofing, and specialty roofing. Western offers a nationwide network of expertise that building owners, engineers, architects, and property managers can count on to develop cost-effective, corrective measures that can add years of useful life to a variety of structures including industrial, commercial, healthcare, historic, educational and government buildings, parking structures, and sports stadiums. Western is headquartered in St. Louis, MO with 30 branch offices nationwide and employs more than 1,200 salaried and hourly professionals who offer the best, time-tested techniques and innovative technology. 

Media Contact

Jennifer Beidle
314-607-9459
jennifer@jbeidlepr.com

Employee Spotlight | Shawn West

Western would like to recognize Shawn West as this month's Employee Spotlight.

Kudos, Shawn—and thank you for being a valued member of the Western team!


Q&A with Shawn West

01

What is your role at Western?

I am the Superintendent for STL Roofing. I work with my team to ensure Safety, Quality, and Productivity are at the top of the list in order to deliver the best possible product and make sure everyone makes it home to their families.

02

What do you like most about Western?

I think most would say culture. I have to agree. The family atmosphere, teamwork, and the drive to succeed makes it a very easy choice to stick around long term here at Western.

03

What are three words to describe Western?

The three words I would use are innovative, collaborative, and fun. Western is continually looking for new/improved ways to stay ahead of the competition and it takes solid teamwork in order for this to happen. Of course, you have to have a little fun and enjoy the process along the way.

04

What is your proudest moment at Western?

My proudest moment was my promotion to the Superintendent role. As a former field employee, I knew I wanted to try something different. I am very thankful for the opportunity.

05

What has been your favorite project at Western?

My favorite by far was the Washington University project. It was one of the largest waterproofing projects our branch has been a part of. The knowledge and experience that I gained in new construction and waterproofing over a two year period was, and is still, priceless.

06

How did you first learn about Western?

I first heard about Western from one of Western's long time foreman. He talked me into giving Western a shot as a field employee. I did. This was in 2011.

07

Before working at Western, what was the most unusual or interesting job you've ever had?

I have really only worked in the construction industry. Although, interestingly enough, I did have a summer job at a factory that produced some of the very products that we use in the construction field today.

08

What advice do you have for prospective Western candidates?

Take it all in. Never stop learning. Love what you do. There are lots of employees that have been here for years that have knowledge and experience that you can only get with time. Trust the process. Team Western will set you up for success.

09

What have you gained from Working at Western?

Knowledge, experience, personal development, friendships, just to name a few. Western has given me every opportunity to be successful and help me grow as an employee.

10

What is on your wish list for the next 10 years with Western?

I see substantial growth in the future and looking forward to being a part of that. I wish continued success to the Western team as a whole.

11

If you could switch your job with anyone else within Western, whose job would you want?

I would switch with anyone who has a nice window view out of their office. Only kidding. Pretty happy just where I’m at.

12

What about you? What do you personally enjoy?

Family, food, fitness, golf. The list goes on. Anything, where I can be around good people doing something active, is right where I want to be. If that involves a little competition, even BETTER!

Click here to view all of our Employee Spotlights.

Shawn has an unshakable leadership style. He can maintain his tolerant demeanor without ever sacrificing quality. He is well respected by his team while continually expecting the most from them. Management has grown to count on him for his professional opinion, and his contribution to St. Louis Roofing is beyond appreciated. Thank you, Shawn!

Tom Brooks
Chief Operating Officer
Western Specialty Contractors