Western Specialty Contractors

Master Craftsmen in Building Envelope Repair

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Steve Genovese Promoted to Region 5 Manager

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Steve Genovese, Region 5 Manager

Western Specialty Contractors proudly announces the promotion of Steve Genovese to Region Manager.

As Midwest Region 5 Manager, Genovese is responsible for overseeing the short- and long-term success of the branches within his region (Chicago Facades; Cleveland, OH; Peoria Roofing; and Springfield, IL) and ensuring profitable growth for the company. He will also provide leadership and mentoring as needed to assist the branch offices, ensure accountability of the branch managers, work with the branches to develop the local customer market and marketing plans, plus implement any new service offers, among other responsibilities.

“I am excited to begin my new role with Western Specialty Contractors as a Region Manager. I have been extremely fortunate to have been trained and developed by some of the best individuals in our industry throughout my 19-year career with Western. I look forward to working with others in a larger capacity to support Western’s CORE Values along with exceeding our current and long-term goals,” said Genovese.

Prior to the promotion, he served nine years as Branch Manager of Western’s Chicago Concrete Restoration Branch, with the last two years as the senior branch manager of both the Chicago Concrete and Chicago Facades Branches.

Genovese started his career at Western in 2006 as an Assistant Sales/Project Manager, then promoted to Sales/Project Manager in 2008 and Assistant Branch Manager in 2013. He was named Western’s Chicago Branch Manager in 2016.

Genovese has been an active member of the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI)—Illinois Chapter since 2007 and served as the chapter’s president in 2015. In 2022, he received the organization’s prestigious “40 Under 40 Award,” which recognizes 40 individuals under the age of 40 who exemplify dedication to the concrete repair industry.

Genovese has a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Illinois State University and an Associate in Arts from Triton College.

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. For more information about Western Specialty Contractors, visit https://westernspecialtycontractors.com.

Ridgedale Pedestrian Bridge | Minnetonka, MN

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After bridge restoration
Before bridge restoration

Western Specialty Contractors’ Minneapolis Branch contracted with S and S Development to restore a damaged pedestrian bridge connecting the four-story Ridgedale Office Center to its parking structure.

Years of severe winter weather had deteriorated the concrete bridge, and ultimately the collision of a horse trailer into the structure prompted its immediate repair. Western worked directly with the engineering firm Walker Consultants to design a replacement bridge railing system and estimate the repair work.

The scope of work included removing the bridge’s old steel railing system on all sides, replacing the outer concrete edge, and opening the precast plank’s outer core.

After Western removed the concrete, the structural components were inspected by Walker, who put the design into place.

Western then installed new supplemental reinforcing steel embeds into the precast plank structure and poured a new supporting edge on the outside of either side of the bridge. To create the edge, Western utilized a fast-setting, ready-mix concrete from a local plant and placed the concrete using a conveyor system to speed up the process and complete the project before winter set in.

During the construction process, Western workers ran into unexpected damage that prompted a slight change in plans.

“After we removed the old railing, we found that the outermost edge of the precast planks had a shear crack running longitudinally on both sides of the bridge,” said Western Minneapolis Branch Manager David Grandbois.

“It was determined that this had to be completely removed, and new reinforcing steel had to be embedded into the existing planks to allow for a new concrete edge to be poured before Western could install the new railings.”

David Grandbois, Western Specialty Contractors Minneapolis Branch Manager

Western performed additional concrete repairs on the underside of the bridge and the abutments on either end. After completing all the concrete repairs, Western installed new galvanized railings and applied a traffic coating to protect the newly restored concrete deck.

Western completed the project in two months and within budget.

For more information about Western’s concrete restoration services, visit https://westernspecialtycontractors.com/concrete-services/.

Have a project you need completed? Contact the Minneapolis branch today: https://westernspecialtycontractors.com/minneapolis-branch/

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. For more information about Western Specialty Contractors, visit https://westernspecialtycontractors.com.         

Meet Our Minneapolis Branch Experts

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Have a project you need completed? Contact the Minneapolis branch today: https://westernspecialtycontractors.com/minneapolis-branch/

David Grandbois
Branch Manager
Tony Marchiafava
Asst. Branch Manager
Sally Osier
Sr. Branch Administrator
Matt Drew
Sales/Project Manager
Evan Halet
Asst. Sales/Project Manager
Anthony Wald
Sales/Project Manager

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. For more information about Western Specialty Contractors, visit https://westernspecialtycontractors.com.         

Austin Kochsmeier Promoted to Superintendent at Omaha Branch

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Austin Kochsmeier, Omaha Superintendent

Western Specialty Contractors proudly announces the promotion of Austin Kochsmeier to Superintendent at its Omaha, NE Branch.

Kochsmeier started his career at Western eight years ago following graduation from Maple Woods
Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, MO. Initially hired as a masonry field laborer, he honed his skills in masonry, concrete and waterproofing and was promoted to Foreman in 2020.

“Not only has Austin become knowledgeable about Western’s services, but he has also shown strong leadership skills, integrity, quality workmanship, detailed paperwork, and a strong work ethic. Omaha is a growing market, and he will do a great job assisting the branch,” said Omaha Branch Manager Jack Schneider.

Western’s Omaha Branch was founded in 1972 and services greater Omaha, Lincoln, Nebraska, South Dakota and northwest Iowa. Services offered include concrete/masonry repair and restoration; epoxy and urethane grout injection; sealant/expansion joint replacement; structural repair/carbon fiber reinforcement; and deck/wall coatings.

Some of the notable Nebraska landmarks Western has worked on include the Woodmen Life Building in downtown Omaha, Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, NE and Neligh Mill Historical site in Neligh, NE.

Contact the Omaha Branch

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. For more information about Western Specialty Contractors, visit https://westernspecialtycontractors.com.

First National Bank | South Miami, FL

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First National Bank, stucco repairs and waterproofing by the Ft. Lauderdale branch
First National Bank, stucco repairs and waterproofing by the Ft. Lauderdale branch

Western Specialty Contractors – Ft. Lauderdale, FL branch has completed a project to restore and waterproof roof components at First National Bank in South Miami, FL.

Wirtz Realty contracted with Western in June 2023 to make needed stucco repairs to the building’s parapet wall, install waterproofing at the roof flashing, and clean the roof on First National Bank at 5750 Sunset Drive.

The stucco on the building’s parapet wall was cracking and spalling due to the salt air and severe sun, plus it was nearing the end of its useful life.

“The salt air makes everything break down more quickly. On top of that, once the material on the outside has failed and exposed the metal, like the rebar on the inside, everything will begin to rust very quickly. That is why it is so important to keep your building envelope intact through regular maintenance,” said Western Project Manager Sophia Cassidy.

Western’s craftsmen replaced approx. 400 sq. ft. of stucco. While making the repairs, crew members discovered that some of the wood beneath the parapet wall was rotted and needed to be replaced.

Western provided the owner with pricing for the additional work and completed the entire project, including the removal and replacement of the rotted wood, within budget. Western thoroughly cleaned the roof to complete the project in November 2023.

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Contact the Ft. Lauderdale team

First National Bank roof before project
First National Bank roof during project
First National Bank stucco repairs in progress
First National Bank before and during project shots

About Western Specialty Contractors

Family-owned and operated for over 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.

Hydromat | Maryland Heights, MO

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Hydromat new roof, installed by the St. Louis Roofing branch
Hydromat new roof, installed by the St. Louis Roofing branch

Western Specialty Contractors – St. Louis Roofing Branch has installed a new roof on the Hydromat manufacturing plant in Maryland Heights, MO. Located at 11600 Adie Drive, Hydromat builds precision transfer and mill-turn machines for the machine tool industry.

The building’s 125,000-square-foot sprayed polyurethane foam roof had been damaged by hail and was in overall poor condition due to aging.

Western’s scope of work included removing and replacing the existing roof with two layers of 2.6 Polyiso rigid foam insulation and a fully adhered TPO roof. Polyiso roof insulation is the most widely used product for low-slope commercial roofing due to its cost-effectiveness and high performance.

Western also replaced all the roof’s sheet metal components and installed reinforced plastic interior ceiling protection throughout the building. The new roof system brought the building up to current R-value energy codes, and it will better withstand future hailstorms.

Western started the $2.9 million project in October 2022 and was able to complete the work within eight months.

View the press release

Contact the St. Louis Roofing team

Hydromat finished roof
Hydromat finished roof
Hydromat finished roof
Hydromat finished roof shots

About Western Specialty Contractors

Family-owned and operated for over 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.