July 27, 2026

Dear Members and Friends,

After spending a wonderful trip away with family in Hot Springs, Arkansas, I’m back, refreshed, grateful, and excited for what’s ahead.

Hot Springs has always held a special place in my heart. My mother’s family lived there for many years, and our family has been making the trip for generations. If you’ve never been, I highly recommend adding it to your list. The historic Arlington Hotel stands proudly in the heart of downtown, surrounded by beautiful parks, lakes, hiking trails, unique shops, and the famous Bathhouse Row. There is something wonderfully nostalgic about strolling the downtown streets while surrounded by history and natural beauty. Sometimes stepping away from our busy schedules reminds us how important it is to reconnect—with family, with tradition, and with ourselves.

Now that I’m back, let’s turn our attention to something else worth celebrating…

SLC3 is celebrating 55 years of serving the design and construction community.

That milestone is remarkable. I would be remiss not to celebrate our previous officers, board members, chairs, and, of course, our previous leaders, engineers Ed Decker and Woody Zenfell, and association leader Dennis Lavalee. These three men were the glue to keep this organization going for 47 years! It's noteworthy that it has only been four of us for 55 years. Also worth celebrating was being open to a woman leading the organization for the first time in 47 years.

In 1971, some of the region’s most influential owners and consumers of design and construction services came together because they recognized the industry faced significant challenges that no one organization could solve alone. Their vision was bold. Their passion was unmistakable.

They wanted to create a unified voice—one that would represent the interests of consumers while elevating the entire industry.

Over the past five and a half decades, that mission has evolved, but its purpose has remained remarkably consistent. What began as an effort to provide advocacy and a stronger standing for owners grew into something much greater: an organization dedicated to collaboration, education, communication, and continuous improvement throughout the construction community.

Along the way, SLC3 helped establish standards and best practices that are still referenced and utilized today. We became a place where owners, architects, engineers, contractors, specialty contractors, suppliers, and service providers could come together—not as competitors, but as partners committed to building a stronger industry.

As I reflected on our history this week, I couldn’t help but notice how many of the conversations we are having today echo those from 55 years ago.

Workforce shortages.
Technology changing how we work.
Leadership challenges.
Communication.
Inclusion and Equity.
Professional development.
Best Practices Training and Installation.
Finding better ways to collaborate.

The topics may have evolved, but the need for organizations like SLC3 has never been greater.

Today’s construction environment is changing faster than ever before. Artificial intelligence is reshaping our businesses. Hospitality-inspired workplaces are redefining office design. Professionals continue searching for ways to grow their careers, become stronger leaders, and feel valued within their organizations. Owners are preparing for unprecedented workloads while the industry works to address critical labor shortages.

These are exactly the conversations you’ll find throughout this week’s newsletter.

I also want to give you a quick preview of something we’re excited to launch in August—our new Career Blueprint: Building Better Professionals series. Each month we’ll share practical ideas focused on leadership, communication, emotional intelligence, career growth, and professional development to help individuals navigate today’s workplace with confidence. Whether you’re just beginning your career or leading an organization, we hope the series provides useful insights you can immediately put into practice.

As we celebrate 55 years, I find myself incredibly grateful—not only for those visionary leaders who founded SLC3, but for each of you who continue to invest your time, expertise, and passion into making this community stronger. Every member, volunteer, presenter, committee leader, sponsor, and attendee plays a role in carrying that original vision forward.

Thank you for allowing us to serve this incredible industry.

Here’s to the next 55 years of building stronger companies, stronger professionals, and stronger partnerships.

Enjoy this week’s newsletter!

Kelly

Kelly Jackson, Executive Director

SLC3

AT A GLANCE...

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

News & Updates

A Piece of History Preserved

Construction Forum with Speaker Steve Smith

When a Giant Came to Town: Why Union Pacific’s Big Boy Matters to St. Louis

Home Turf Sports Complex Breaks Ground, Impact Strategies Leads Project

Congratulations to K&L on Its Second Office!

Training & Education

From Cubicles to Concierge: Hospitality Is Changing the Workplace

The Talent Arms Race: Why Construction Firms Are Investing in the Employee Experience

Coming Next Month: Introducing Career Blueprint

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UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS

On the Go: Organization and Life Hacks

Ready to simplify your schedule, clear the clutter and approach life with greater intention?

Join SLC3 on Thursday, August 13, for an engaging lunch program with coach Dawn Baumgartner. Dawn will share practical organization strategies and life hacks designed to help attendees break down complex challenges, overcome barriers and navigate change with confidence.

Networking begins at 11 a.m., followed by lunch and the program at 11:30 a.m. at Bristol Seafood Grill in Creve Coeur. Registration is $50 for SLC3 members and $70 for guests.

Why it matters to SLC3 members: Construction professionals balance demanding schedules, evolving projects and competing priorities every day. This program offers useful tools to reduce overwhelm, work more intentionally and create greater clarity both professionally and personally.

Thursday, August 13 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Bristol Seafood Grill | 11801 Olive Blvd., Creve Coeur

MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS

Job Opportunity: Manager, Emergency Management, Environmental Health & Safety

BJC HealthCare is seeking a full-time Manager of Emergency Management, Environmental Health & Safety to support Progress West Hospital and Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital. Based on-site in O’Fallon, Missouri, this leadership position focuses on emergency preparedness, environmental health and safety, communications, and protecting patients and staff.

For SLC3 members and industry partners, this is an opportunity to connect an experienced safety or emergency-management professional with a role that makes a meaningful impact on healthcare operations. The listed salary range is $76,252.80–$124,155.20.

View the complete job description and apply today

Job Opportunity: Build Your Future with Jarrell Mechanical Contracting

Jarrell Mechanical Contracting is hiring across multiple departments and looking for professionals who take pride in their work, value teamwork and want to build lasting careers. This is a great opportunity for SLC3 members to share with qualified candidates seeking their next role in the construction industry.

View current openings and apply today.

Job Opportunity: Human Resources Specialist

Horner & Shifrin is seeking a full-time Human Resources Specialist to join its collaborative, high-performing team in Greater St. Louis. This hybrid position offers a salary range of $60,000–$75,000 and significant opportunities for professional development, career advancement and increased responsibility.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in human resources or a related field, at least two years of experience and a strong understanding of HR best practices. Responsibilities include employee support, leave administration, HRIS management, talent acquisition, onboarding, benefits and compliance reporting.

As a 100% employee-owned company and recognized Top Workplace, Horner & Shifrin offers SLC3 members and industry professionals an opportunity to grow their careers with an established local organization that values innovation, collaboration and employee success.

View the opening and apply at hornershifrin.com/careers

Job Opportunity: Marketing & Business Development Manager

Oculus Inc., a nationally recognized architecture and interior design firm, is seeking a collaborative and strategic Marketing & Business Development Manager in St. Louis.

Reporting directly to the firm’s president, this full-time position will coordinate marketing initiatives, support proposals and business development pursuits, strengthen client relationships, manage external agency partnerships, and help expand Oculus’ visibility across its target markets.

The ideal candidate will have at least five years of marketing, communications, or business development experience, including experience within the architecture, engineering, construction, design, real estate, or professional services industries.

This opportunity may be especially valuable to SLC3 members and industry professionals looking to bring their AEC knowledge, creativity, and relationship-building skills to a growing, WBE-certified design firm.

View the complete position and application details.

Congratulations to Rylie Miller on Her New Role!

Please join us in congratulating Rylie Miller on joining CASCO as a Structural Designer. Rylie previously interned with the firm and now returns to begin this exciting new chapter in her career.

Her transition from intern to full-time team member highlights the value of creating meaningful career pathways for emerging professionals in our region’s architecture, engineering and construction industry.

Congrats, Rylie!

Congratulations to Adam Chahulski, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB, on his promotion to Healing Practice Director at BSA!

Adam will join Paul Whitson in leading BSA’s growing healthcare practice, supporting teams nationwide, strengthening client partnerships and advancing innovative design solutions that create better outcomes for patients, providers and communities.

Leadership advancements like Adam’s matter to SLC3 members because they help shape the expertise, collaboration and forward-thinking design guiding the future of healthcare facilities. We wish Adam continued success in his new role!

NEWS & UPDATES

A Piece of St. Louis History Preserved

As demolition of the Millennium Hotel St. Louis clears the way for a $670 million mixed-use redevelopment, an important piece of the landmark’s history has been saved. Workers carefully removed the 1,500-pound axle that once powered the hotel’s revolving restaurant on the 28th floor, preserving a distinctive mechanical centerpiece from the downtown skyline.

The axle is expected to become part of an exhibit at City Museum, where future generations can experience a tangible connection to one of St. Louis’ most recognizable buildings.

For SLC3 members, this story is a meaningful reminder that progress and preservation can work together. As our industry helps shape the next chapter of St. Louis, thoughtful planning and skilled construction can honor the places that defined our past while creating new opportunities for our city’s future.

Moving the Conversation Forward

What does it take to build a stronger St. Louis? It starts with bringing passionate people together around a shared vision.

Last week, SLC3's Morgan and Maria attended Forward: Building a Better St. Louis, where Steve Smith, Founder & CEO of New + Found, led a thoughtful discussion about the future of our region. The event highlighted the importance of collaboration, bold leadership, and moving beyond conversation to meaningful action.

The message was both inspiring and encouraging: St. Louis is filled with people who are deeply invested in the region's success, and momentum is building across industries, neighborhoods, and communities.

As an organization dedicated to connecting construction owners, partners, and industry leaders, SLC3 left the event energized and optimistic about what's ahead. We look forward to continuing these important conversations and helping our members play an active role in shaping the future of the St. Louis region.

Why it matters to SLC3 members: The future of our region depends on strong partnerships, innovative thinking, and engaged leadership. Events like this reinforce the value of collaboration and remind us that, together, we can help move St. Louis forward.

When a Giant Came to Town: Why Union Pacific’s Big Boy Matters to St. Louis

For a few unforgettable hours, the sound of steam returned to downtown St. Louis.

Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014—the world’s largest operating steam locomotive—rolled into St. Louis Union Station on July 19 as part of its 2026 Coast-to-Coast Tour celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. After its public display, the locomotive continued west through Missouri, making stops in Pacific, Hermann, California and Kansas City.

For railroad enthusiasts, its arrival was a rare opportunity to see an engineering legend in motion. For the construction, design and infrastructure community, however, Big Boy represents something more: an extraordinary example of what happens when ambitious engineering, skilled labor and long-term stewardship come together.

What Is the Big Boy?

The name is fitting.

At approximately 133 feet long and weighing 1.2 million pounds, Big Boy No. 4014 is longer than two modern diesel locomotives and weighs about as much as several fully loaded commercial airplanes. Its engine and tender carry up to 25,000 gallons of water, while its massive boiler once burned coal to produce enough steam to move heavy freight across some of the most challenging terrain in the American West.

Twenty-five Big Boy locomotives were commissioned exclusively for Union Pacific beginning in 1941. They were designed to haul enormous freight loads over the steep grades between Ogden, Utah, and Cheyenne, Wyoming, during a period when the nation’s transportation system was under tremendous wartime demand.

One of the locomotive’s most impressive features is its articulated—or hinged—frame. Big Boy’s 4-8-8-4 wheel arrangement includes two sets of eight driving wheels. Because a locomotive of this length could not navigate ordinary curves using a rigid frame, engineers designed the front portion to pivot independently.

In other words, Big Boy was not made enormous simply for spectacle. Every part of its design responded to a practical infrastructure problem: how to move exceptionally heavy loads safely, efficiently and reliably across difficult terrain.

No. 4014 entered service in 1941 and traveled more than 1 million miles before being retired in December 1961. Union Pacific reacquired the locomotive from a California museum in 2013 and transported it to Cheyenne for a multiyear restoration.

It returned to service in May 2019, becoming the only operational Big Boy among the eight known to survive today.

Why Its St. Louis Visit Was So Meaningful?

There may be no more appropriate setting for Big Boy than St. Louis Union Station.

When Union Station opened in 1894, it became one of the largest and busiest passenger rail terminals in the world. Its vast train shed, extensive track system and monumental architecture reflected St. Louis’ position as a national crossroads—a place where people, products and ideas moved between East and West.

Bringing Big Boy into Union Station connected two chapters of American infrastructure history: a landmark transportation facility and one of the most ambitious locomotives ever built.

The visit was also especially meaningful because St. Louis has a Big Boy of its own. Union Pacific No. 4006 is permanently preserved at the National Museum of Transportation in Kirkwood. Built in 1941, No. 4006 is another 600-ton example of the ingenuity behind the Big Boy fleet. While it no longer operates, visitors can see it up close and appreciate the remarkable scale of the machine.

That makes the St. Louis region part of Big Boy’s continuing story—not merely a stop along the route.

A Monument to Skilled Labor

Machines this impressive can sometimes appear to be the work of a single brilliant designer. In reality, Big Boy was—and remains—the product of an entire workforce.

Its original construction required engineers, designers, machinists, boilermakers, welders, electricians, foundry workers, railroad crews and countless other skilled professionals. Its restoration demanded many of those same disciplines, along with the patience to study historic drawings, fabricate unavailable components and adapt an 80-year-old machine for safe operation on a modern rail system.

That work carries a familiar message for today’s construction industry: remarkable projects are never delivered by one person or one profession.

They require coordination across disciplines. They depend upon people who understand materials, systems, tolerances, sequencing and safety. They also depend upon experienced craftspeople whose knowledge cannot always be captured completely in a drawing or specification.

Big Boy’s return to service is therefore more than a mechanical achievement. It is a powerful demonstration of workforce knowledge being preserved and passed forward.

Preservation Is an Investment in the Future

Restoring a locomotive of this size is not easy, inexpensive or immediately practical. Yet preservation projects like this offer value that cannot be measured solely through short-term return.

They allow new generations to experience engineering history firsthand. They create educational opportunities for students who may eventually become engineers, architects, mechanics, contractors or skilled tradespeople. They preserve techniques and institutional knowledge that might otherwise disappear.

They also remind us that the infrastructure we build today may eventually become part of the story future generations tell about us.

That raises an important question for everyone involved in the built environment: Are we creating systems and structures that can be maintained, adapted and understood decades from now?

Big Boy survived because people saw value in preserving it—and because specialists still possessed the knowledge needed to bring it back to life. The same principles apply to historic buildings, bridges, industrial facilities and civic spaces throughout the St. Louis region.

Why It Matters to SLC3 Members

For SLC3 members, Big Boy represents many of the values at the heart of our construction community: innovation, collaboration, workforce development, safety and respect for the systems that connect our communities.

It reminds owners that ambitious projects begin with a clearly defined need. It reminds designers and engineers that ingenuity must work within real-world constraints. It reminds contractors and tradespeople that execution is every bit as important as vision. And it reminds all of us that maintenance and stewardship are essential parts of a project’s life—not afterthoughts.

More than eight decades after it was built, Big Boy No. 4014 can still stop a crowd in its tracks. People gather not only because it is enormous, loud and visually striking, but because it makes engineering visible. Its moving rods, driving wheels, steam and sound reveal the physical work required to generate power.

In an age when much of our infrastructure operates quietly in the background, Big Boy gives us the chance to see—and feel—the scale of human ingenuity.

Its journey through St. Louis was a celebration of railroad history. It was also a tribute to the people who design, build, operate, repair and preserve the systems that keep America moving.

Sometimes, understanding where an industry is going begins with hearing the whistle of where it has been.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Home Turf Sports Complex Breaks Ground, Impact Strategies Leads Project

IMPACT Strategies has officially begun construction on the new Home Turf Sports Complex in Fairview Heights, Illinois. The 45,000-square-foot indoor facility will offer year-round opportunities for athletes of all ages, featuring an MLB-sized indoor infield, batting cages, pitching and hitting labs, golf simulators, a weight room, and flexible space for additional sports and community events.

This milestone demonstrates why thoughtful construction matters to SLC3 members: projects like Home Turf create more than buildings—they provide places where young athletes can grow, families can connect, and communities can thrive. Congratulations to IMPACT Strategies, the Home Turf ownership team, and all project partners involved in bringing this exciting vision to life!

Congratulations to K&L on Its Second Office!

Congratulations to Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. on opening its first satellite office—and only its second location in the company’s 68-year history!

Located inside The Citadel in downtown Marion, Illinois, the new office will support K&L’s operations south of Interstate 64 and expand its construction management and design-build services throughout Southern Illinois. Vice President Jason Gasawski is leading the expansion, with Chris Kattenbraker supporting business development across the region.

This milestone reflects K&L’s longstanding Southern Illinois partnerships and continued commitment to strategic, relationship-driven growth. For SLC3 members, expansions like this represent new opportunities for regional collaboration, investment and stronger connections across the construction industry.

New office: 504 Tower Square Plaza, Office 309, Marion, Illinois

Corporate headquarters: Highland, Illinois

Please join SLC3 in congratulating the entire K&L team on this exciting new chapter!

From Cubicles to Concierge: Hospitality Is Changing the Workplace

Walk into a newly designed corporate office today, and you might wonder if you've entered a boutique hotel rather than a workplace.

Comfortable lounges. Coffee cafés. Outdoor terraces. Wellness rooms. Concierge-style amenities.

Flexible collaboration spaces. Welcome to one of the fastest-growing trends in workplace design: hospitality-inspired workplaces.

The Talent Arms Race: Why Construction Firms Are Investing in the Employee Experience

There was a time when construction companies competed primarily on the projects they built.

Today, they’re also competing on something far less visible—but equally important.

They’re competing for people.

Across the country, and here in the St. Louis region, contractors are facing one of the most competitive labor markets in decades.

Experienced project managers, estimators, superintendents, VDC specialists, engineers, and skilled tradespeople remain in high demand, while fewer young professionals are entering the industry than are retiring from it.

As a result, leading firms are rethinking more than compensation packages and benefits. They’re taking a closer look at the entire employee experience—from professional development and workplace culture to the physical spaces where their teams collaborate each day.

It’s a trend that extends far beyond office aesthetics. It’s about creating an environment where talented people choose to build long-term careers.

Coming Next Month: Introducing Career Blueprint

At SLC3, we’re committed to building more than better projects—we’re committed to helping build better careers.

Beginning next month, we’re launching a new series called Career Blueprint, designed to tackle the real workplace challenges professionals face every day. Whether you’re just starting your career or leading a team, these articles will offer practical insights to help you grow personally and professionally.

Our first feature asks a question many of us have quietly wrestled with:

What do you do when you don’t feel appreciated at work?

Maybe you feel overlooked for promotions, undervalued, stuck in your current role, or simply uncertain about your next step. Before making a career-changing decision, there are important questions worth asking—and practical steps you can take to regain momentum.

Future topics will include:

Why great employees don’t always get promoted
How to ask for more responsibility (without sounding entitled)
The difference between being busy and being valuable
Building influence before you have the title
Difficult conversations every professional should know how to have
The habits that separate good leaders from great ones

Your career is one of your greatest investments. We hope Career Blueprint becomes a resource that helps you navigate the opportunities, challenges, and decisions that shape your professional journey.

Look for the first installment in next month’s newsletter!

CALL FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS? TIME TO HELP...

Much of the work we do is driven by member volunteers, and right now our committees could use a few more voices and helping hands. Committee service offers an opportunity to influence priorities, collaborate with peers, and support initiatives that impact the industry and our region. If you’re willing to get involved—even in a small way—we invite you to sign up.

Committee Info

HELP US KEEP THE PICTURE CURRENT

The construction and development landscape across the region continues to move quickly—and keeping our information accurate and relevant matters.

We’ve recently updated our construction and development listings to reflect new projects, changes in scope, and activity across the greater St. Louis area. These updates help ensure that our members have access to timely, useful insight into what’s being built, redeveloped, and planned throughout the region.

That said, no one has a better pulse on what’s happening than the people working in it every day. If you’re aware of a project that’s underway, planned, or evolving—or if you notice something that needs to be updated—we invite you to share it with us. Your input helps strengthen the resource for everyone.

Keeping this information current is a collaborative effort, and we appreciate your help in making it as accurate and valuable as possible.

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