CFMA Presents Awards to Gardner, Ames

The Valley of The Sun Chapter of CFMA presented their annual awards at the annual Executive of The Year banquet held on May 3rd at the historic Wrigley Mansion with over 200 in attendance.

The recipient of the Executive of The Year award was Douglas D. Gardner of Achen-Gardner Inc. Gardner began his career in the construction industry back in 1973 and in 1982 opened the first of several Achen-Gardner enterprises in Arizona.

Some of the reasons stated by the CFMA for choosing Gardner included that he has always been there to lend a hand for his employees, mentoring them to continue to grow and become business owners of their own. Gardner is a leader in the construction industry, sharing ideas with other owners, and is also involved with the ABA, AGC and the ASU Del E. Webb School of Construction. In addition, through Gardner's leadership, Achen-Gardner allocates a percentage of its corporate profits annually for charitable donations and encourages employees to do the same.

William A."Wink" Ames, of Minard-Ames Insurance Group, was the recipient of the Pioneer Award. Ames is best known for his financial seminars, which teach contractors the financial aspects of construction. Ames is on numerous construction association boards, and has served the construction industry in Arizona for countless years. He is a member of the executive committee for the ASU Del E. Webb School of Construction and serves as a guest lecturer there every year, imprinting his message on a new group of young contractors.

Friedmutter Group Honored at G2E Institute

Las Vegas-based Friedmutter Group Architectural & Interior Design Studios took home several awards from the American Gaming Association's G2E Institute event in April for its architectural and interior design work on Station Casinos' $925 million Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa, which opened in April 2006.

The company was honored during the 2007 Casino Design Awards Presentation and garnered the 2007 Architectural Design Company of the Year for a Casino/Resort award; the Best Interior Design for a Casino/Resort - Retail Facility, Restaurant, Nightclub or Spa award for its work on T-Bones Chophouse at Red Rock Resort; the Best Architectural Design for a Casino/Resort over $200 million award and the Best Interior Design for a Casino/Resort award.

In addition, the company's founder and CEO, Brad Friedmutter, was also honored with the 2007 Sarno Lifetime Achievement Award for Casino Design for his contributions to the industry. The award is named for Jay Sarno, the godfather of casino designers. The Sarno Award is the highest honor for any individual involved in the design and construction of casino resorts.

Local Company Earns National Safety Recognition

R&O Construction was the winner of the Associated Builders and Contractors National Safety Excellence Merit Award. The award was presented June 12th at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. secretary of commerce, Carlos M. Gutierrez was a special guest at the awards ceremony, and R&O's safety director, Cesar Calvillo, accepted the award for R&O.

The ABC National Safety Award recognizes companies whose safety performance and programs are exemplary. Awards are based on data submitted and interviews with companies' safety directors and owners. Award categories are based on total work-hours in a calendar year and standard industrial codes.