NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2010

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tracy Mumford
Marketing Director
402.431.6308                                                                                                                          
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Birch and Heinze named Newest Associates at Schemmer

Omaha, Nebraska – The Schemmer Associates Inc. (Schemmer) recently named Patricia J. Birch, AIA, LEED® AP, and Jason J. Heinze, P.E., S.E., LEED® AP, as its two newest associates of the firm.

“Our organization is founded on the philosophy of promoting architecture and engineering excellence through commitment, leadership, mentoring, team-building, public advocacy and professional involvement,” said Schemmer President & CEO Frank Comisar, AIA. “Being named an associate at Schemmer involves acquiring ownership in the firm and provides us an opportunity to reward those individuals who have made significant, above-and-beyond contributions to the firm.”

Birch joined the firm in May 2007. She is a registered architect in Nebraska and Iowa, and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). Currently managing projects for the firm’s Architecture division, Birch has designed a broad range of architectural projects for both public and private sectors. During the past 30 years, she has completed projects in specialty areas including education, commercial/industrial, health care, senior living, sports/recreation, civic, government, housing and historic preservation. Birch received her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in architecture from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Heinze joined the firm in March 2007 as Manager of the Structural Engineering Department. He is a licensed professional engineer in Nebraska, Iowa, New Mexico, South Dakota, Kansas, Kentucky and Minnesota, and also a licensed structural engineer. Focusing on the commercial/industrial, senior living and education markets, Heinze has served as Project Manager and Project Engineer for numerous projects throughout Nebraska and Iowa, with primary responsibility for coordinating the structural design with other disciplines throughout project development. He received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Both Birch and Heinze also hold Professional Accreditation of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED® AP). LEED® is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED® APs have demonstrated an expertise in, and commitment to, sustainable design and have the credentials to serve clients who pursue LEED® certification for their projects.

Over the past half century, Schemmer has developed into a comprehensive, single-source multidiscipline firm prepared to offer clients a complete range of  architectural, engineering and planning services. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Schemmer has regional offices in Des Moines and Council Bluffs, Iowa, as well as in Lincoln, Nebraska.

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NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 29, 2010

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: 
Tracy Mumford
Marketing Director
402.431.6308                                                                                                                          
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Shane Larsen, AIA, NCARB, Named Senior Architectural Project Manager

Des Moines, Iowa – The Schemmer Associates Inc. (Schemmer) recently named Shane Larsen, AIA, NCARB, as Senior Architectural Project Manager. Focusing primarily on senior living architectural projects, Larsen will be based out of Schemmer’s new office location in Urbandale, Iowa, a progressive suburb northwest of Des Moines.

In his new role, Larsen will focus on managing complex senior living projects involving specialty services such as facility assessments, programming, master planning, architectural design/collaboration, sustainable design, multidiscipline coordination and overall project management. In addition, he will be responsible for providing key assistance on interrelated architectural projects, as well as conducting business development activities that strengthen the firm’s position within the senior living market sector.

Larsen brings nearly 10 years of architectural experience to the firm. Most recently, he served as Owner/President of Reveal Architecture, a firm that he started in 2009 in Urbandale. Prior to that, Larsen served as a Project Architect, Project Manager and Intern at two other Des Moines area architectural firms.

He has managed a broad range of architectural projects for both public and private-sector clients, and has extensive project management experience on multifaceted, multimillion dollar work. His professional career has included not only senior living projects, but also commercial, retail, residential and consulting work.

Most recently, Larsen was involved with several Des Moines area projects that included master planning for retirement communities, independent living cottages and skilled nursing additions. He also led and managed an architectural team responsible for both a major nursing home and hospital remodel and expansion. Prior to that, Larsen served as project manager for two high profile retail/office buildings that exceeded a combined total construction cost of $4.5 million.

During the past decade, Larsen’s architectural talent has been reflected in more than 1,500 new or renovated, single/multiplex health care units with a combined total construction cost of more than $200 million. 

Originally from Hastings, Nebraska, Larsen holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Iowa State University (ISU) in Ames. He is a registered architect in Iowa and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). He is an NCARB committee member for the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®), a member of the American Institute of Architects-State of Iowa, and also serves as an Architectural Mentor and Volunteer for ISU.

Over the past half century, Schemmer has developed into a comprehensive, single-source multidiscipline firm prepared to offer clients a complete range of  architectural, engineering and planning services. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Schemmer has regional offices in Des Moines and Council Bluffs, Iowa, as well as in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Schemmer’s newest Iowa office is located at 2521 128th Street, Urbandale, Iowa, 50323; PH: (515) 957-7600 or toll-free at (888) 877-8127.

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NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2010

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: 
Tracy Mumford
Marketing Director
402.431.6308                                                                                                                          
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Joel B. Rossman, P.E., Named Bridge Department Manager

Omaha, Nebraska – The Schemmer Associates Inc. (Schemmer) recently named Joel B. Rossman, P.E., as Manager of the firm’s Bridge Department. Rossman brings over 19 years of bridge design experience, and has served in several high profile transportation engineering roles while at other firms, most recently as Senior Bridge Project Engineer/Bridge Project Manager and Vice President/Senior Bridge Project Engineer with responsibility for quality assurance and technical expertise.

In his new role, Rossman will oversee Schemmer’s bridge department, which includes all services related to structural bridge design. In addition to managing bridge projects, Rossman and his bridge team will provide key assistance on interrelated highway, roadway, and traffic engineering work. He will also be involved in conducting business development activities and helping to ensure that the department’s long-range strategic goals are met.

“I am eager to put my experience to work in a capacity that allows me the opportunity to make a substantial contribution to Schemmer’s longstanding success in bridge design work,” Rossman said.

Rossman has extensive expertise designing both new and replacement structures, as well as projects involving reconstruction, widening, realignment and phased construction. His bridge designs have been primarily constructed in the Midwest, including Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Montana. Throughout his career, Rossman has also assisted with the design of several roadway and interchange projects.

A veteran of the United States Air Force/Air National Guard, Rossman holds a bachelor’s of science degree in civil engineering from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he graduated cum laude. He is a licensed professional engineer in Nebraska and Kansas, and is also a member of Toastmasters.

The Schemmer Associates Inc. is a full-service, multidiscipline architectural, engineering and planning firm focused on meeting our clients’ diverse needs. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Schemmer has regional offices in Lincoln, Nebraska as well as in Des Moines and Council Bluffs, Iowa.

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NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2010

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: 
Tracy Mumford
Marketing Director
402.431.6308                                                                                                                          
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The Schemmer Associates names Steve D. Kathol, P.E., S.E., Transportation Group Leader

Omaha, Nebraska – The Schemmer Associates Inc. (Schemmer) recently promoted Steve D. Kathol, P.E., S.E., to the position of Transportation Group Leader. Previously, Steve served as the firm’s bridge department manager, a position he had held since February 2001.

In his new role, Kathol will oversee the firm’s transportation engineering group, which includes all services related to bridge, highway and roadway, and traffic engineering. He will continue to manage projects and conduct business development and long-range strategic activities. He currently serves as project manager on several high-profile projects, including the IDOT Broadway Avenue Viaduct contract in Council Bluffs, IA, the 26th and Corby CSO project in Omaha, and the firm’s statewide Bridge Scour Analysis contract for NDOR.

Kathol has a broad background in consulting engineering, with 17 years of experience in management, design and project management. He is a licensed professional engineer in Nebraska, Iowa, and five other states, and a licensed structural engineer in Illinois. In 2003, Kathol was recognized by the Nebraska Society of Professional Engineers (NeSPE) as the organization’s Young Engineer of the Year. In May 2006, he was named principal and a member of Schemmer’s Board of Directors.

Kathol currently serves as a director for the American Council of Engineering Companies of Nebraska (ACEC/N), and also served as the Omaha Common Grounds subcommittee chair of ACEC/N’s local chapter. He is a member of NeSPE, a member and past president of the Nebraska section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and a charter member of both the Structural Engineers Association of Nebraska and the Structural Engineering Institute. Kathol also is a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers and the Engineers Club of Omaha. He also serves on community service boards, including the Boys Town Booster Club.

Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Kathol joined the firm in May 1994. He holds a bachelor’s of science degree in civil engineering and a master’s of science degree in structural engineering, both from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The Schemmer Associates Inc. is a full-service, multidiscipline architectural, engineering and planning firm focused on meeting our clients’ diverse needs. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Schemmer has regional offices in Lincoln, Nebraska as well as in Des Moines and Council Bluffs, Iowa.

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NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2010

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: 
Tracy Mumford
Marketing Director
402.431.6308                                                                                                                          
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Neoclassic Nonpareil Building Wins Historic Preservation Award

Council Bluffs, Iowa – The Nonpareil Building project recently received the 2010 “Preservation at Its Best” Award (Large Commercial Category) from Preservation Iowa. The prestigious honor, one of 10 awards in seven categories presented at the annual awards ceremony, showcases and publically recognizes the excellence in historic preservation efforts by both developer/general contractor J. Development Company and restoration architect/engineer The Schemmer Associates Inc.

Founded in 1991, Preservation Iowa is a state-wide non-profit historic preservation organization dedicated to advocacy, education and creation of partnerships that enhance the economic and cultural future through the preservation of Iowa’s historic resources.

“Each year, in partnership with the Iowa Gaming Association, Preservation Iowa seeks to honor historic preservation successes. In doing so, we hope to inspire others to take action to preserve, protect, and promote Iowa’s historic resources,” Rod Scott, Preservation Iowa President, said in a recent release.

The Nonpareil Building was constructed in 1926. The two-story, neoclassic structure was originally built for Council Bluffs newspaper The Daily Nonpareil. After a 1963 expansion, the building’s new west facade featured blank precast concrete, which covered both the original building and the new addition. Nearly 75% of the south wall of the original building, as well as brick and projecting stonework, were severely distressed by the new addition. Restoration work removed the precast facing, and the original structure’s brick, stonework and windows were restored to their original appearance. Council Bluffs Savings Bank now occupies the restored structure.

Receiving additional recognition, The Nonpareil Building project recently was honored with the “Council Bluffs Historic Preservation Award” by the Historic Preservation Commission and the City of Council Bluffs.

J. Development Company (j-dev.com), a development and construction company based in Council Bluffs, focuses on projects including affordable housing for individuals and families with special needs, historic preservation, and new construction mixed use throughout Omaha and Council Bluffs.

The Schemmer Associates Inc. is a full-service, architectural, engineering and planning firm focused on meeting clients’ diverse needs. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Schemmer has regional offices in Council Bluffs and Des Moines, Iowa as well as in Lincoln, Nebraska.

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NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2010

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tracy Mumford
Marketing Director
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The Schemmer Associates names Gary A. Norton, P.E., Senior Civil Engineer

Omaha, Nebraska – The Schemmer Associates Inc. (Schemmer) recently named Gary A. Norton, P.E., to the position of senior civil engineer within the firm’s engineering division.

Norton will call upon his extensive civil engineering experience to assist him in his new role, which focuses on helping manage multiple ongoing civil engineering projects for the firm’s engineering and architectural divisions.

He has 18 years of experience for a wide variety of civil engineering projects. Norton possesses proven experience working with owners and other professional consultants on commercial developments, data centers, hospitals, schools, public safety facilities, surface parking facilities, streets, utilities and other civil engineering projects. His diverse experience and management skills have allowed him to consistently provide clients with the high quality and timely services they expect on their projects.

Norton is a licensed professional engineer in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and South Dakota. Originally from Rapid City, South Dakota, Norton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Institute of Transportation Engineers.

The Schemmer Associates Inc. is a full-service, multidiscipline architectural, engineering and planning firm focused on meeting our clients’ diverse needs. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Schemmer has regional offices in Lincoln, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa.

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NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2010

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tracy Mumford
Marketing Director
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The Schemmer Associates names David M. Egr, LEED®AP, Assistant Project Manager

Omaha, Nebraska – The Schemmer Associates Inc. (Schemmer) recently named David M. Egr, LEED®AP, to the position of assistant project manager within the firm’s architectural division.

Egr will call upon his extensive experience in the construction industry to assist him in this new project management and construction contract administration role, which focuses on helping manage the firm’s multiple ongoing projects for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), OFMC Great Plains, based in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Pine Ridge, South Dakota.

During the past 30 years, Egr has developed a vast background in construction management, project management, estimating, contract negotiation and construction contract administration.

Holding Certified Professional Estimator (CPE) certification by the American Society of Professional Estimators, Egr is also a member of the Associated General Contractors, and is a state-licensed general contractor in several of the country’s southeast states.

Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Egr holds a bachelor of science degree in architectural studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL)’s College of Architecture, and a bachelor of science degree in construction management from UNL’s College of Engineering and Technology.

The Schemmer Associates Inc. is a full-service, multidiscipline architectural, engineering and planning firm focused on meeting our clients’ diverse needs. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Schemmer has regional offices in Lincoln, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa.

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NEW RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2009

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tracy Mumford
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Schemmer Geotechnical / Material Testing Laboratory Receives Certification

Omaha, Nebraska - The Schemmer Associates Inc. (Schemmer) is pleased to announce that its geotechnical and materials testing laboratory has met the Nebraska Department of Roads’ (NDOR) qualifications to perform testing services.

A thorough review by NDOR was completed in conjunction with NDOR’s Laboratory Qualifications Manual to confirm Schemmer’s commitment to equipment maintenance and calibration as well as certification of the firm’s technicians.

Schemmer’s formal Certificate of Laboratory Qualification/Acknowledgement of Testing Laboratory Review states that, “this laboratory has successfully completed the NDOR Laboratory Qualification Procedures for testing in the material disciplines.”

“We take our soil testing laboratory very seriously and, for that reason, we’ve achieved prestigious NDOR qualification,” said Loras Klostermann, P.E., Schemmer’s Manager of Field Services. “This certification affirms our commitment to quality, ongoing training, calibration of our equipment and employment of the proper procedures.”

Prior to his current position, Klostermann served as Schemmer’s Manager of Geotechnical Engineering. Working as a geotechnical engineer for 25 years, Klostermann earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and his master’s degree in geotechnical engineering from Iowa State University. He is a registered professional engineer in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Illinois.

“Our team’s individual experiences and training, in addition to our lab’s NDOR certification, underscores the fact that we are experts in soil conditions in this area,” Klostermann said.

In addition to NDOR certification, the Board of County Commissioners for Douglas County, Nebraska, has approved Schemmer’s testing laboratory services. Schemmer is one of only nine Nebraska firms receiving this endorsement for 2009.

The geotechnical engineering and geosciences branch of the Department of the Army has also added Schemmer’s geotechnical lab to its list of commercial laboratories qualified to conduct material tests for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

And although the State of Iowa takes a somewhat different approach to certification, Klostermann said that Schemmer’s laboratory is prequalified by the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) for geotechnical and materials testing services. To maintain certification, IDOT requires ongoing geotechnical and materials testing courses for technicians administrating these types of services.

“What gives Schemmer an advantage is that we can provide services for all facets of a project, and most projects begin with geotechnical and materials testing,” Klostermann said. “Our professionals have proven time and again that their knowledge and expertise result in the absolute best geotechnical solutions for our clients. Our depth of experience allows us to assess the situation, quickly make recommendations, navigate obstacles, develop plans for owner review, build stakeholder ownership, and obtain necessary approvals to advance the project. As a result, we’ve helped our clients save valuable time and money.”

Klostermann concluded by saying, “Schemmer is committed to extensive continuing education to maintain our geotechnical and materials testing laboratory certifications. Our focused approach ensures that our clients have access to the ‘best of the best’ practices within our industry. We wouldn’t think of providing anything less.”

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