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August 3, 2026
Dear Members and Friends,
I hope you’re having a great Monday!
As many of you know, we’re continuing to work behind the scenes on our upcoming workforce initiative. We appreciate your patience as we finalize discussions and explore several exciting partnership opportunities to make this event as valuable as possible. Stay tuned—we’re looking forward to sharing more details soon.
In the meantime, we’d love for you to become more involved with SLC3. If you’ve ever considered serving on one of our committees, now is a great time to reach out. Committee participation is one of the ways we continue to provide the quality programs, education, and networking opportunities our members expect. Don’t let time be your concern—we know everyone has demanding schedules, and we work hard to keep committee commitments meaningful and manageable.
We’re also looking for 2nd Friday Coffee Sponsors! This is a wonderful opportunity to welcome members into your office, project site, or even another venue of your choosing while showcasing your company. These informal networking events continue to be a favorite among our members, and we’d love to partner with you. If you’re interested, simply reach out to our team and we’ll be happy to discuss available dates.
I also want to remind everyone to take full advantage of your SLC3 membership benefits. Be sure to log into the Member Portal on our website, where you’ll find access to the member directory, committees, educational resources, event registration, and much more. You can also stay connected on the go by downloading the MemberPlus app from your app store and logging in with the same credentials you use for the member portal. It’s an easy way to receive notifications, register for events, and stay connected with everything happening at SLC3.
One reminder that is often overlooked: your membership belongs to your organization—not just one individual. Unless you are a sole proprietor, every employee within your member organization is entitled to take advantage of SLC3 membership benefits. Please share our communications internally and encourage your colleagues to get involved.
Finally, remember that this is your association. We want to celebrate your successes and keep our industry informed. If your company has project announcements, promotions, awards, new hires, job openings, community involvement, or other news to share, please send it our way. We’re always looking for opportunities to highlight the outstanding work happening throughout our membership.
Thank you, as always, for being part of the SLC3 community. We hope you enjoy this week’s newsletter. As always, we’ve included original industry news, professional development resources, and educational content designed to help you and your organization stay informed and ahead of what’s next.
Have a wonderful week, and thank you for your continued support of SLC3!
Kelly Jackson
Executive Director
St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers (SLC3)
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
News & Updates
Celebrating the Career of Vern Watts
$23 Billion and Counting: The Momentum Behind St. Louis Construction
St. Louis Continues to Build Momentum
From Demolition to Development
Historic St. Louis Mural Restoration Begins
Downtown West's First New Residential Building Since the 1960s Breaks Ground
Training & Education
The AI Jobsite Has Arrived
Career Blueprint | Building Better Professionals:
BREAKING THE REVOLVING DOOR
| | ARE YOU WANTING TO BE AN ANNUAL SPONSOR? | | Want to sponsor our newsletters? Contact us! 65% Open Rates! Great opportunity for visibility and showing support! | | UPCOMING PROGRAMS & EVENTS | | REGISTRATION IS OPEN? ARE YOU REGISTERED??? | | |
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
Register at slccc.net.
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Celebrating the Career of
Vern Watts
It is with great appreciation that SLC3 recognizes Vern Watts as he retires from Washington University in St. Louis after a remarkable career dedicated to advancing one of the nation’s leading academic and medical institutions.
Throughout his tenure, Vern served as a trusted leader in Capital Projects, helping guide the planning, design, and execution of projects that support Washington University’s mission of excellence in education, groundbreaking research, and world-class patient care.
His leadership has helped transform ideas into facilities that will serve students, faculty, researchers, clinicians, and the St. Louis community for generations to come.
Those who have had the privilege of working alongside Vern know him for much more than his technical expertise.
He has built a reputation for integrity, thoughtful leadership, fairness, and a collaborative spirit that brings owners, architects, engineers, contractors, and project teams together to achieve exceptional results.
His steady guidance and commitment to excellence have made him a respected voice throughout the St. Louis design and construction community.
Vern’s commitment to the industry extended well beyond his role at Washington University. As a dedicated member of the SLC3 Executive Committee and Board of Directors, he generously shared his time, knowledge, and perspective to strengthen our organization and help advance meaningful collaboration between owners and industry partners.
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"I will miss him but wish him peace and joy in retirement. He has been a consistent member of the Executive Committee as well as my key point of contact for Washu. His support and friendship has meant so much to me," Kelly Jackson.
His thoughtful contributions have helped shape discussions around innovation, project delivery, workforce challenges, and the future of our region’s built environment.
While buildings and capital projects often become the visible legacy of a career, Vern’s greatest impact may be the relationships he has built, the professionals he has mentored, and the collaborative culture he has fostered throughout our industry. His influence will continue to be felt long after his retirement.
On behalf of the SLC3 Board of Directors, staff, members, and the entire construction community, we extend our heartfelt congratulations and sincere gratitude for your years of leadership, service, and friendship.
Congratulations, Vern, on a well-earned retirement. We wish you and your family many years of good health, happiness, and new adventures. Thank you for leaving both Washington University and the St. Louis construction community stronger because of your leadership.
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SLC3 congratulates Andrew Nelch, LEED AP, on his promotion to Vice President at Tarlton Corporation.
During more than 20 years with Tarlton, Andrew has played an important role in the company’s growth, client relationships, and successful project delivery.
“Andrew has been an integral part of Tarlton for more than 20 years and has played a significant role in our growth, the relationships we have built, and the successful delivery of our projects,” said Sondra Rotty, Tarlton president and COO.
His advancement reflects the value of experienced leadership and long-term professional development within the St. Louis construction community.
Congratulations, Andrew!
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SLC3 congratulates Gerard Hollins Jr., PhD, on joining the St. Louis Development Corporation as Executive Vice President of Development.
In this leadership role, Hollins will help advance development initiatives that build economic momentum and support the continued transformation of St. Louis.
Strong leadership at SLDC is important to SLC3 members because the organization’s work directly influences investment, redevelopment and opportunities across the region’s design and construction community.
We welcome Gerard to his new role and look forward to seeing the impact of his leadership!
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SLC3 congratulates Clayton Rehkemper of IMPACT Strategies on his promotion to Senior Project Manager.
Clayton has earned this well-deserved promotion through his leadership, collaborative approach, and commitment to delivering exceptional results for clients and project teams. In his new role, he will continue leading complex projects while mentoring team members and strengthening partnerships across the industry.
Promotions like Clayton's highlight the outstanding talent within the St. Louis design and construction community. SLC3 is proud to celebrate the achievements of our members and the professionals helping shape the future of our region's built environment.
Congratulations, Clayton, on this exciting career milestone! 🎉
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Congratulations to Tegan Wylde, MBA, on her new role at Jarrell Mechanical Contracting!
Tegan has joined Jarrell Mechanical Contracting as Assistant Account Manager, marking an exciting new chapter in her career. Returning to the St. Louis area, she shared that she's looking forward to building meaningful client relationships, continuing her professional growth, and contributing to Jarrell's continued success.
Congratulations, Tegan, on this well-deserved opportunity!
We wish you all the best as you begin this exciting new role and look forward to seeing the impact you'll make in the region's design and construction community.
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Horner & Shifrin Expands West with O’Neill & Company Acquisition
Horner & Shifrin, Inc. is expanding its reach into the western United States through the acquisition of O’Neill & Company, a respected Salt Lake City transportation engineering firm founded by Carrie O’Neill, PE, in 2012.
Carrie will lead Horner & Shifrin’s new Salt Lake City office, joined by her entire team. Their expertise in traffic signal design and traffic control operations will now be supported by the resources of a full-service, 100% employee-owned firm.
For SLC3 members, the acquisition is a strong example of how strategic partnerships can preserve trusted local relationships while creating new opportunities for growth, collaboration, and infrastructure investment.
Congratulations to Carrie, her team, and everyone at Horner & Shifrin as they begin this exciting new chapter!
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$23 Billion and Counting: The Momentum Behind St. Louis Construction | |
If it feels like construction activity is everywhere across the St. Louis region, the numbers confirm it.
According to the STL 2030 Progress initiative, nearly 400 major development projects and more than 600 infrastructure investments have been completed or are underway across the 15-county bi-state region since 2021.
Together, these projects represent more than $23 billion in capital investment—a remarkable indicator of the region’s continued economic strength and long-term growth.
From healthcare campuses and manufacturing facilities to transportation improvements, higher education, mixed-use developments, and public infrastructure, these investments are creating opportunities throughout the design and construction community.
They also reinforce a message SLC3 members have been sharing for months: the workload isn’t slowing down.
With this level of investment comes an equally significant challenge—having enough skilled professionals to deliver the work.
Labor shortages, particularly among skilled trades, continue to be one of the industry’s greatest concerns. Success will depend not only on recruiting and developing the next generation of talent but also on strengthening collaboration between owners, designers, contractors, suppliers, and educators.
These findings couldn’t come at a more important time as SLC3 prepares to share more information soon.
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St. Louis Continues to Build Momentum
The St. Louis region is gaining national recognition as one of the country's fastest-growing construction markets.
According to a recent analysis of federal labor data released by the Associated General Contractors of America, the St. Louis metropolitan area added 12,600 construction jobs between June 2025 and June 2026—a 16% increase that ranks second among all 360 metropolitan areas in the United States. Only Houston added more total construction jobs during the same period.
The growth reflects continued investment across the region's commercial, healthcare, industrial, infrastructure, and institutional sectors, reinforcing St. Louis' reputation as a thriving place to build careers and deliver transformational projects.
For SLC3 members, this is encouraging news. Strong employment growth signals a healthy construction market, increased project opportunities, and continued demand for the professionals, firms, and partnerships that keep our industry moving forward.
As the industry continues to expand, SLC3 remains committed to connecting owners, contractors, designers, suppliers, and industry leaders who are shaping the future of construction in our region.
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From Demolition to Development
A contractor long known for removing unsafe and abandoned buildings is now helping write the next chapter for North St. Louis.
After winning the bid to purchase city-owned vacant lots, the developer plans to build new homes that will bring investment, opportunity, and new life back to the neighborhood.
The project represents more than new construction—it reflects a broader vision for revitalization through thoughtful redevelopment. By transforming vacant land into places where families can live and communities can grow, this effort highlights the powerful role the design and construction industry plays in shaping the future of our region.
Why it matters to SLC3 members: Redevelopment projects like this create opportunities across the AEC industry while demonstrating how collaboration between the public and private sectors can help strengthen neighborhoods and support long-term economic growth.
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Historic St. Louis Mural Restoration Begins
One of downtown St. Louis' most recognizable landmarks is about to receive new life. Restoration of Richard Haas' iconic Apotheosis of St. Louis mural on the historic Edison Brothers Building is set to begin Aug. 10, marking the first major refresh of the 40-year-old artwork. Notably, Haas himself will return to help lead the restoration, preserving a piece of public art that has become a defining feature of the city's skyline.
The mural restoration is part of an $81 million redevelopment that will transform the Edison Brothers Building into the future Sheraton St. Louis Downtown, bringing updated hotel accommodations, expanded meeting and event space, and renewed energy to a historic downtown property.
For SLC3 members, the project is a reminder that successful construction isn't just about building what's next—it's also about preserving the landmarks that tell our region's story while investing in its future.
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Downtown West's First New Residential Building Since the 1960s Breaks Ground
A major milestone in the transformation of Downtown West is officially underway. Developers AHM Group and Broadmoor Group have broken ground on Rollick, a $24 million mixed-use development at 2125 Locust Street that will bring 74 new apartments and approximately 3,250 square feet of ground-floor retail space to the neighborhood.
The project is expected to take about 20 months to complete and marks the area's first newly constructed residential building since the 1960s.
Rollick is the first phase of the broader City Commons vision, an ambitious redevelopment effort that represents nearly $400 million in planned investment around Downtown West and Energizer Park.
Future phases are expected to add additional housing, commercial space, and public amenities, helping reconnect the neighborhood, attract new investment, and create a more vibrant urban district.
For SLC3 members, projects like this demonstrate the continued momentum of St. Louis' construction industry and the long-term investment shaping the region's future.
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The AI Jobsite Has Arrived | |
Eight Technologies Already Changing Construction
Artificial intelligence has quickly become one of the hottest topics in business, but in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, the conversation has already moved beyond theory.
AI and other emerging technologies are making their way from the office to the jobsite—helping teams work smarter, improve safety, reduce risk, and deliver better outcomes.
For many firms, the question is no longer if these technologies will impact their business. The question is how quickly they should begin adopting them.
Here are eight innovations that are already reshaping the future of construction.
1. AI-Powered Project Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is helping project teams analyze enormous amounts of data in seconds. From predicting schedule delays and identifying potential cost overruns to assisting with RFIs and project documentation, AI is becoming a valuable decision-support tool rather than simply another software platform.
Instead of reacting to problems after they occur, project teams can now identify risks before they become costly issues.
2. Smart Safety Wearables
Today’s hard hats and safety vests are becoming much more than personal protective equipment. Wearable technology can monitor worker fatigue, heat stress, falls, and even environmental hazards in real time.
These tools aren’t designed to monitor employees—they’re designed to send everyone home safely at the end of the day.
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Career Blueprint | Building Better Professionals:
BREAKING THE REVOLVING DOOR
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By: Kelly Jackson
Why AEC Business Development Keeps Starting Over
If you’ve been in the AEC industry for any length of time, you’ve probably experienced this scenario…
You receive an email introducing yet another new business development representative from a firm you’ve worked with for years.
You schedule the introductory meeting.
You explain your organization, your projects, your priorities, and your preferences all over again.
Just as the relationship begins to develop, they’re gone.
A year later, the cycle repeats.
For clients, it can be exhausting. For employers, it’s expensive. And for business development professionals, it feels discouraging.
After watching this pattern unfold throughout the St. Louis AEC community over the past decade, one thing has become increasingly clear: this isn’t simply an employee problem or an employer problem. It’s an industry challenge that deserves a closer look and frankly, some intervention.
| | | | 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.
| | | 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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Have something to share? Reach out anytime—we’re always glad to hear from you.
| | SEND US YOUR COMPANY UPDATES! | | If you are considering joining us, contact Morgan McDevitt about Membership. Don't miss our member-only activities and perks! | Let's be sure to welcome our newest members! We look forward to partnering with you! | |
PLEASE WELCOME
Highstreet Insurance & Financial Services
Highstreet Insurance Partners delivers business insurance, employee benefits, financial services, personal insurance, and specialty risk solutions through a nationwide network of community-focused agencies. By combining local relationships with national resources, Highstreet helps businesses and individuals protect what matters most while providing responsive service and expert guidance.
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SLC3 2026 Officers:
Michael Hargrave (BJC Health) - President
Vince Nutt, (BJC Health)- 1st Vice President
Mark Flannery (Bayer), 2nd Vice President
Tiffanie Toles, (Kwame Building Group)
Secretary
Danielle Thomas (Hazelwood SD), Treasurer
Frank Niemerg (Ameren), Immediate Past President
Kelly Jackson, Executive Director
| DON'T FORGET: If you are a member of the SLC3 you can access all our members in the InfoHub. Make sure to login and regularly check it out! | | |
Great Rivers Greenway is seeking an experienced Construction Director to lead the delivery of greenway capital projects throughout the St. Louis region.
This full-time, on-site leadership role will oversee internal construction managers, consultants and contractors while managing project budgets, schedules, risks and deliverables.
Qualified candidates should have at least five years of progressively responsible construction management experience, including three years in a leadership or management position.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced construction professional to help deliver public infrastructure that connects people, parks and communities across our region.
Learn more and apply
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Job Opportunity: Interior Design Professional or Architectural Design Professional – Lawrence Group
Lawrence Group is expanding its St. Louis team and is seeking a talented Interior Design Professional or Architectural Design Professional to help create innovative, people-centered spaces.
This full-time, hybrid opportunity is ideal for experienced design professionals who are passionate about collaborating across disciplines and contributing to projects from concept through construction.
Lawrence Group is known for its collaborative culture, commitment to design excellence, and work across a diverse portfolio that includes retail, healthcare, hospitality, higher education, housing, and mixed-use developments.
If you're ready to grow your career with one of St. Louis' leading architecture and design firms, this could be the perfect next step.
The role offers competitive benefits, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to make a lasting impact on the built environment while working alongside a creative and supportive team.
Learn more and apply
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BRONZE SPONSORS
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St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers
301 Sovereign Ct, Suite 101, Ballwin, MO 63011
636.394.6200 | info@slccc.net | slccc.net
Staff:
Kelly Jackson // Executive Director
Morgan McDevitt // Membership Engagement Manager
Maria Monteleone // Executive Assistant
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