OSBORN ARCHITECTS REVITALIZES THE ELECTRICAL TRAINING INSTITUTE OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, THE TRAINING ARM OF THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS
Reusing old structures, design allows three organizations to exist under one roof
Renovating existing structures and building new ones where needed, Osborn Architects transformed three abandoned light-industrial warehouses into the official training grounds of the Electrical Training Institute (ETI) of Southern California, a division of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). Since its completion in 2004, ETI, which provides training for apprentices, journeymen and contract electricians, has seen an upsurge in enrollment.
"This larger facility allowed us to properly accommodate an increased enrollment of 10 percent," said Executive Director Don Davis. "The larger building, the consolidation from three locations into one, and especially the upgraded amenities of this new facility, significantly enhanced our ability to offer premier training to our electrical apprentices and journey-level members. Our faculty is very pleased with the improved environment and teaching conditions, and all trustees, staff, faculty and students share a sense of pride in such a distinguished facility."
ETI, which was originally located in East Los Angeles, is now based in the City of Commerce and is cohabitated by three major labor-related organizations -- IBEW, the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the IBEW/NECA Pension Trust -- in 25,000 square feet of office space. The facilities also consist of 36 classrooms, seven large laboratories, several student and staff support activity spaces, and a large high-bay area for conduit bending and traffic signal wiring.
The Osborn design team carefully assessed the condition of the unused area and capacity of the existing high- and low-voltage electrical systems, climate control systems, and plumbing utilities, and prepared a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis that led to the determination to keep, modify or replace certain systems. The thoughtful reuse of existing quality structures and systems and the opportunistic juxtaposition of finished, smaller-scale offices and academic spaces co-mingled with large, "raw" industrial laboratory and storage spaces yielded an exiting, dynamic yet cost-effective design.
"The ETI project was a tough challenge in terms of meeting the needs of three distinct client groups who were coming together in this singular, concentrated facility," said Michael Pinto, design principal at Osborn Architects. "The rhythm of open and enclosed spaces, windows into technical labs, numerous alcoves for the historical artifacts, and the main gathering space, which also acts as the entry and lobby, allow for visitors to tour the building with the facility displaying its unique program at every turn."
Kaiser Brothers Sell 70 Percent of Stock in Kaiser Electric Inc.
For more than 50 years, Kaiser Electric Inc. has been a family-owned and run business. But on January 1, the company’s three owners, brothers Robert, James and John Kaiser, sold 70 percent of their stock in the company to five long-time and trusted Kaiser employees.
Robert B. Kaiser founded Kaiser Electric Inc. in 1952 and passed ownership of the company to his sons when he retired in 1988.
“Since the three Kaiser brothers are each beginning to reach retirement age, and there are no second generation Kaisers to take over the company, we thought it was a good time to address succession in the company,” said Robert Kaiser, 65. “This stock deal was also important because it allowed us to keep the good employees that we had, while providing them with a tremendous incentive.”
Executive Vice President of Operations Steve Giacin, 45, holds the majority of the stock in Kaiser Electric at 30 percent. Four employee shareholders, and the three Kaiser brothers, now each own 10 percent of the company’s stock:
· Jerry Dorhauer, 43, senior estimator, has been with Kaiser Electric for six years.
· Mike Lundry, 40, CFO (CPA), has been with Kaiser Electric for eight years.
· Mike Murphy, 44, vice-president/project manager, has been with Kaiser Electric for seven years.
· Ken Naumann, 43, vice-president/project manager (PE, RCDD), has been with Kaiser Electric for eight years.
“The Kaiser family has owned this company for a long time and we have enormous shoes to fill as new owners,” Giacin said. “We are very aware of the responsibility that comes with maintaining the well-respected image that Kaiser Electric has achieved in this community.”
Giacin, who has worked for Kaiser Electric for 10 years, will succeed George Azzanni as president of the company in January 2009. Azzanni, 59, has been with Kaiser Electric for eight years, with 5∏ years served in the president’s seat.
“I have served in almost every role in the business other than being president,” Giacin said. “I am very much looking forward to the president’s position with the team that we have in place. I have been very fortunate throughout my career to observe and learn from some key individuals. My goal in the top position will be to continue operating and growing the company in the manner it has been done for the past 50-plus years.”
Kaiser praised the work that Azzanni has done for Kaiser Electric. Azzanni will remain with the company until his retirement.
“George’s vision and his ability to assemble an excellent staff has been a large part of Kaiser’s success and we are excited that he will continue on our management team after January 2009,” Kaiser said.
In 2007, Kaiser Electric Inc. generated sales of $34 million in commercial, industrial and communications electrical projects. Major projects have included:
· Lighting of the Gateway Arch
· Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital addition/renovation
· Metropolitan Sewer District’s Lower Meramec Lift Station in St. Louis County
· SSM St. Joseph’s Hospital expansion in Lake St. Louis
· St. Charles Community College expansion
· BJC O’Fallon (Progress West)
· Westar Headquarters in St. Charles
· St. Lukes OSB
· Vatterott College, North Park
· Emerson Auditorium
Kaiser and his brother Jim, 61, will continue to be active in the company until their retirement.
“Kaiser Electric is fortunate to have a large group of veteran project managers that are the back-bone of the company. Their expertise and relationships are invaluable. But, to bring long-term continuity to our company, I needed to build the company around our key, younger employees,” Kaiser said. “These five are extraordinary individuals that have great skills in this industry and have done a fabulous job for Kaiser. I am convinced that this new leadership will enable Kaiser to grow, continue to perform the excellent work that we do for our customers, and to carry on Kaiser’s reputation for providing a great place to work for its electricians and office staff.”
