3/15/24

Announcements

Blum Store Survey - Employee Feedback

Thank you to those of you who participated in the Blum Store survey from our February 2024 newsletter. Based on the responses from 24% of our employees, the following items will be added to the store:

Columbia PFG Button-up Shirts
Pocket Tees
Dri-fit, Long & Short Sleeve Shirts, Ladies and Mens Cuts (+ additional colors)
¾ Length Sleeve Ladies Shirts
Peter Milar Shirts (This brand was requested multiple times in additional comments.)
Toddler Size T-shirts

Prices: As we are all aware, in the last several years, costs have gone up on just about everything we purchase. Suppliers’ material costs have increased and that cost is passed on to the consumer. We recognize that the costs are higher than they were on the old store, and we have tried to include items on the store with multiple price points, while also getting quality merchandise no matter what the price point is.

Try-Ons: There were several comments about being able to try items on before purchasing, however, that would require us purchasing one size of every clothing item we have in the store. If there is something that you want and you are concerned about the sizing, contact Kristie Touchstone and she can likely get a sample for you to try on.

Other Updates Coming to the Store:

There will be an option for the full logo on more items, as well as a contrasting color option for embroidered items. We will keep the tone-on-tone option for those who prefer it.

The additions and changes will be made over the next month or so. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Kristie.

Out with the old, in with the new Blum Logo

If the documents you work with regularly still have the old Frank L. Blum logo on them, please take a moment the next time you use that document to update the logo to match our new brand standards.

Blum Employees can access all logos at flblum.com/logos - the brand standards page on our website. This page is not public, so for quicker access you can save it to your computer desktop or browser bookmarks.

If you need assistance with this task or the logo you need for your document has special size requirements, please contact a member of the Marketing team.

Blum University is around the corner!

Reminder to all - Blum University will be held on April 9th and 10th. Please make sure to reserve these dates on your calendar. The location will be in the Winston-Salem Blum office. (2601 Pilgrim Ct.)

Frank Factor

PRESENTATION MATTERS

Impressive Job Site on WFU Child Care Center Project

"Whether it's a first impression or the last day on the project site, presentation matters. Inspire confidence with your presentation. Business is personal so be personable."

The Blum windscreen at the Wake Forest University's Childcare Center at UCC project is making the job site look extra spectacular. This is a great example of catering to the needs of clients and internal collaboration within our company to make our construction sites look impressive. Well-done team!

Andrew Hunter • Andrew Westmoreland • Brad Lewis • Carl Lanier • Josh Pack

Sam Hawks • Sarah Neblett • Wendi Stogner • Will Ziglar

Core Values

STRONG RELATIONSHIPS

Anna Gallimore, from Client to Blum Project Manager

One of Blum's Core Values, Strong Relationships, can be incorporated into any relationship, in and outside of the company. A fitting example of building strong relationships with clients can be found in the journey of Anna Gallimore - from client to Blum Project Manager.

Beginning in 2002, Anna Gallimore connected with Blum Construction while working in the Administration office at Salem College. At the time, Blum was the campus general contractor. As Anna recalls, "It did not take long to build trusted and strong relationships with team members. While the members changed based on projects and responsibilities, I could always count on expertise, communication, and most of all, trust. I enjoyed digging into the details with Blum – whether it was a historic renovation project, new construction, or summer blitz project... I knew if I ever left Salem, that I would want to do what I enjoyed most, and that was construction, but more important, I wanted to be a part of the Blum family culture – one built on trusted relationships."

In 2017, Anna transitioned from client to Blum team member. She is an excellent example of trust, expertise, and communication in and outside of the company!

HIGH PERFORMANCE // CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT & DEVELOPMENT

Women on the Truist Leadership 2.0 Team

[Pictured above, Left to Right: Kaitlyn Smith, Gina Willis, Wendi Stogner, Holly Hodgson, Tracy Stone - Not pictured: Gisel Ramirez]

The entire project team assigned to the Truist Leadership 2.0 project exemplifies the meaning of High Performance and Continuous Improvement & Development. As a tribute to Women in Construction Week (March 4-10), we celebrate the female team members at Truist that have taken on new experiences and bigger responsibilities, and ALL have risen to the challenge.

At the Triad’s Women in Construction breakfast, Wendi Stogner, Co-Project Manager to Daniel Broussard, shared insight on just what these ladies have accomplished. Coming into the Truist project, Gina carried out the project start-up and submittals, Kaitlyn embraced the new responsibility of MEP trade management, and Wendi and Tracy took on the new challenges that come with large-scale projects, and all have cross-trained to learn multiple roles.

Highest compliments to all the Truist Leadership 2.0 ladies who have devotedly filled their roles on this project, fearlessly welcomed new responsibilities, and worked together to develop a seamless process. They are truly a high performing team!

New Hires

March 2024

Tom Irvine

Superintendent (Western)

Valeria Villarroel Venegas

Field Engineer (Western)

Employee Recognitions

Blum Women in Construction

Lizzie Zino, Field Engineer / Business Development Coordinator

"As women, we may have different perspectives or different strengths than our male counterparts. Rather than trying to force me into a mold that I don't fit into, Blum has encouraged me to use those unique strengths to create a more well-rounded team."

Candace Edwards, Compliance Engineer

"In my role at Winston-Salem Choice Neighborhood, I am empowered to outreach to minority and women-owned businesses - helping them grow and build capacity. I have had the opportunity to see a women-owned business employ a low-income worker that helped build the affordable housing that he will make home! I am grateful to be on Team Blum."

Anna Gallimore, Project Manager

"Being a part of restoring and preserving the historic Reynolda Gardens Conservatory and Welcome Center is a unique career opportunity. My experience with restoration work provided me with a great foundation for this project. Discovering more than 100-year-old details and preserving them for centuries to come brings me great satisfaction. I am honored and proud to be a part of this project."

Wendi Stogner, Project Manager

"Working in a male-dominated industry can sometimes be challenging. It’s obvious the culture of the construction industry has become more inclusive over the years. I’m looking forward to seeing the industry continue to grow and to being a part of that change.

One thing I value most in the construction industry is the relationships I build with all members of a project team. I am fortunate to have turned several of these relationships into a strong support network over the years, and I can see that I will continue that path with the relationships I have built at Truist. The Truist job has been distinctively different with Blum having (6) female employees on the project, bringing invaluable perspective and insight to the team."

Dylan Surratt - "Making it Happen"

Blum's own Dylan Surratt was recognized at the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Care Tower Topping Out Ceremony for being the "person that everyone turns to when something just HAS to happen". He accepted his "Get 'er Done Leader" award at the worker's luncheon.

Congratulations to Dylan for this recognition! A special thanks to him for representing Blum Construction so well.

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2024 Leadership Academy Classes Begin

The 2024 Leadership Academy Cohort kicked off their program on Tuesday, March 5th with a class focused on leadership and one-on-one coaching. The group of 12 rising leaders from within Blum Construction will participate in 9 full-day learning sessions over the next 16 months.

In its 5th year, the 2024 Leadership Academy program is spearheaded by Lily Cochrane, Vice President of People Strategies.

Employee Work Anniversaries

February 2024

Steve Witsaman

Dwayne Sapp

David Wall

Wendi Stogner

Paul Rouisse

Doug Coble

Will Earthman

Darren Hombirg

Lathan Kiser

Stacy Walker

Wes Venable

Candace Edwards

7 Years

5 Years

3 Year

3 Years

2 Years

1 Year

Events and Celebrations

Blum Family Night at Kaleideum Downtown

On Friday, February 16th, the Blum team and their families had the privilege of getting a sneak peek at the brand new Kaleideum museum before it opened. Kids and adults enjoyed exploring the amazing exhibits and immersing themselves in learning, fun, and creativity. We hope everyone had a blast! If you were unable to attend, the Marketing team has leftover kaleidoscopes! Get in touch with Kristie Touchstone if you would like to take some home for your kids!

Women in Construction Week Activities

We celebrated Women in Construction last week with a special treat to all of the ladies in our Triad, Western, and Eastern offices! They gathered for several activities during the week including project tours, conferences, and breakfast socials in each location with good food and fellowship. In the Triad, the Blum Team at Kaleideum gave the National Association of Women in Construction Piedmont Chapter 109 a tour of the reimagined children's museum in downtown Winston-Salem. Blum is lucky to have such a talented, hard-working team of women both in the field and in the office. Thank you, ladies, for all you do to contribute to our success!

Care Tower Topping Out

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center celebrated a major milestone in the Care Tower project on Wednesday, March 6th, with a Topping Out ceremony, Hard hats off to the Blum team, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Brasfield & Gorrie, and all of the subcontractors working on the Care Tower! Your dedication and hard work on this project do not go unnoticed.

North Carolina State Construction Conference

During the first week of March, a few members of the Blum team participated in the NC State Construction Conference in Raleigh. While there, they networked with industry leaders, exchanged ideas, and made connections with many exceptional subcontractors.

Construction in History

George Black, Renowned Brick Maker

George Henry Black, brickmaker and entrepreneur, is a foundational piece to the construction and masonry industries in the Southeast. In the early 1900s, he moved to Winston-Salem as a child and soon after began his life-long business of handcrafting the finest bricks, which would make up some of the most beloved walkways and structures in Old Salem, Winston-Salem, Colonial Williamsburg, and many places across the Southeast. His work not only led him to become a successful business owner, but also a teacher, consultant, distinguished artist, nationally recognized individual, and international hero.

At Blum, we were fortunate to have the opportunity many times to build with George Black's bricks at Old Salem, Salem Academy, the memorial at the Forsyth County Government Center [pictured], and other various places in the area. It was an honor to use Mr. Black's pieces of history to create structures that would help keep his legacy alive for many years to come.

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[Citation: Historic photo of George Black - Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection, cityofwinstonsalem.org]

The First Project Manager at Reynolda Estate

Would you be surprised to hear that Blum Construction’s Anna Gallimore is not the first female project manager to work at the Reynolda Estate? The first project manager, in fact, was the estate’s first owner, Mrs. Katharine Smith Reynolds.

After purchasing 1000+ acres of land in 1906, Mrs. Reynolds began making plans for her estate where her family would thrive. She oversaw planning, design, scheduling, contract negotiations, management, and self-performing trades – including the hiring of rock masons at $10/day for two men to lay the foundation of the greenhouses. She filled the positions of owner, project manager, and superintendent – to name a few.

She hired the architects for the estate; Charles Barton Keen (residence and village buildings), Willard C. Northup (village buildings and florist workshop), Thomas Sears (gardens and grounds), and greenhouse contractor, Lord and Burnham Company. According to letters dating to 1912, she instructed managers from Lord and Burnham to create a “well-built [green]house that would be in keeping with our bungalow” and negotiated the contract by adding a six-week completion timeframe in order to have the houses ready for spring plantings.

During greenhouse construction, Mrs. Reynolds provided direction to the foremen (i.e. field change directive) to add trench coverings and negotiated a $25 change order for the addition of a water heater to the workroom shower and sink. She also tracked materials (i.e. procurement log), notifying Lord and Burnham of when items were not on site as expected.

Over the years, Blum Construction has been privileged to work on many projects at the Reynolda Estate. Now, as we are restoring the Lord and Burnham greenhouses and workroom, female project manager, Anna Gallimore says “Katharine’s attention to every detail and constant oversite inspires me.

I’m proud and honored to continue her legacy as the first woman project manager of the 21st century at the Reynolda Gardens Conservatory and Welcome Center project.”

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[Citations: Original drawings - Lord and Burnham Co. Records (RA), Archives, The New York Botanical Garden // Historical letters, facts, and photos - Reynolda House Museum of American Art Archives]

A special thanks to Anna Gallimore for her research, writing, and communication with the Reynolda House that helped create this historical segment.

Projects Won

Skilled Nursing

Owner: Carolina Meadows

Location: Chapel Hill, NC

Salem Gymnastics

Phase I & II

Owner: Salem Gymnastics

Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Additional Projects Won:

Government Plaza & Parking Deck Repair, Guilford County

NIR 6, UNC Health

VIR CT, UNC Health

In Progress

VFW Post 5206 Renovation

Owner: Henderson County

Location: Hendersonville, NC

County Seat Renovation

Owner: Young Life's Windy Gap

Location: Weaverville, NC

Reynolda Greenhouse Restoration and Welcome Center

Owner: Wake Forest University

Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Phillips Building Demolition

Owner: Salemtowne

Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Additional Projects In Progress:

Retirement Community Expansion, Cypress Glen

Heart & Wellness Frontis Plaza MOB, Novant Health

Women's Basketball Phase 3 - Woollen Gym, UNC Chapel Hill

Cloverdale Surgery Center, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist

Show Room Renovations, Southern Motion

Projects Completed

Winston-Salem Choice Neighborhood Brown School Lofts at Legacy Heights (Phase 1)

Owner: Housing Authority of Winston-Salem and City of Winston-Salem

Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Pilgrim Court Office Renovation

Owner: Children's Home Society of North Carolina

Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Additional Projects Completed:

Manor House Renovation, Givens Estates

University City 4th Floor South Renovation, Atrium Health

Blum in the News

EXPANSION PLANS FOR PENICK VILLAGE

The Pilot

Written by: Ana Risano

"Penick Village has prominent plans underway to enhance its community and meet the growing demand for senior living in the area.

The work includes adding 44 independent living residences, a new wellness center and a new gatehouse. It also involves renovating the Village House, Garden Cottage and healthcare facilities.

“There’s a couple of driving factors,” said CEO Chip Cromartie. “One is we know that there’s an opportunity to touch more lives. We know as the baby boomers are coming of age that there’s a real need for high-quality services, and we feel like here at Penick, we can help, again, touch those lives. And then the other piece of it is we always like the opportunity to bring additional amenities to our campus.”" Read More

NCSSM-MORGANTON'S JOINER HALL: A 'GRAND OLD LADY' IS BEING LOVINGLY RESTORED TO LIFE

The Paper

Written by: Sandra Wilkerson Queen

"Her windows and roof are worn and look a bit shabby, but her stately brick exterior and her “bones,” the walls and beams that have supported years of service to students, stand strong and proud.

While some may see Joiner Hall as past her prime, administrators at NCSSM-M see nothing but potential in the historic beauty. Vice Chancellor and Chief Campus Officer Kevin Baxter said the hall will soon be alive with student activity." Read More

CARE TOWER TOPPING OUT

Yes! Weekly

Winston-Salem Journal

Triad Business Journal

Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist held a Topping Out ceremony on March 5th with great attendance and lots of media attention. (See links above) This day marked the completion of the structural framework of the $450M project!

WFU CHILD CARE CENTER PLANS TO OPEN IN SEPTEMBER

Wake Forest News

Written by: Cheryl Walker

“Beyond offering a trusted space for early education, this facility reinforces our dedication to prioritizing work-life integration and wellbeing for our campus community,” says Wake Forest President Susan R. Wente. Read More