[HOT: It’s always a pleasure to find positive stories to post here and to find reputable builders who want to improve their profession. That’s the motivation behind a generous gift from Jerry and Sheila Reese. Jerry worked around construction for 40 years and founded Bo-Mac Contractors, Ltd. in 1966. He and Sheila obviously take great pride in what they contributed to their community and in their student days at Lamar University, wanting others to have similar opportunities.

We spoke with Texas Association of Builders and found common interest in establishing a construction school, even if they didn’t support our ideas on builder licensing and abolishing the TRCC. During the legislative battle, one of our biggest complaints with the TRCC Registration process was its minimal requirements for becoming a builder: be at least 18 years old, authorized to work in Texas, and “trustworthy.” With no requirements for proving competency, we saw a need for education on two fronts: (1) to improve construction quality and minimize the number of defects that cause disputes and (2) to help contractors build successful businesses that contribute to society with well made homes.]

Gift initiates Reese Construction Management Program

Lamar University Press Release, 03/31/2009, http://www.lamar.edu/newsevents/articles/221_6410.htm

Thanks to the generosity of Jerry and Sheila Reese of Beaumont, students at Lamar University can pursue a degree in construction management beginning in Fall 2008.  The couple contributed $1.25 million to establish the program at Lamar.

[HOT: Imagine if Houston homebuilder Bob Perry had contributed his $21+ Million to builder education to improve his profession instead of contributing to campaigns of politicians to buy his own State agency, the TRCC, and influence laws that have blocked homeowners from making legitimate claims against builders who caused them harm.]

The new Reese Construction Management Program offers a Bachelor of Science degree focusing on the business aspects of construction and development.  Students will receive a solid base in management basics required by industry as well as “hands-on” experiences with construction technology.

The program couldn’t come at a better time, university administrators say, because the region is poised for unprecedented growth as billions of dollars are poured into plant expansions and new projects.

Steven McCrary, an experienced engineer and college educator, will direct the program. McCrary holds a Ph.D. in engineering management from the University of Missouri-Rolla. He is a licensed professional engineer and land surveyor.

Reese founded Bo-Mac Contractors, Ltd., in 1966. Today, after selling the company in 2007, his son Jordan runs the company as chief operating officer. The idea of helping Lamar begin the program had its genesis in father and son conversations over a number of years about needing to build up college graduates locally who were prepared to lead major construction projects. Jordan Reese “was the instigator” in talking to Lamar University President James Simmons about the idea, his father said.

“There really is a need in this area for education that fits the demands in the construction industry and the petrochemical industry,” Reese said.  “The degree can be used in homebuilding, petrochemical construction, highway construction or any type of construction.  It won’t be limited to one area.”

“The mission of the Reese Construction Management Program at Lamar University is to provide a quality program for preparing nationally competitive undergraduate students for a successful career in construction management,” said Henry Venta, dean of the College of Business. The program is designed to provide educational, research and outreach opportunities that serve both the needs of students and those of the construction industry, he said.

“Lamar University looks at new programs and initiatives through the eyes of Southeast Texas,” Venta said. “This is a new program that our area really needs.”

“The vision of Jerry Reese and the Reese family in providing funding to initiate this program cannot be over emphasized,” said Jack Hopper, dean of the College of Engineering and executive assistant to the president for economic development and industrial relations. “It will have an enormous impact on Lamar and the future of this combination of business and engineering education.”

Lamar’s colleges of engineering and business provide the program jointly.  Students must complete 48 credit hours of general education core courses and 72 credit hours of required and elective business and engineering courses.

The program will give graduates a strong background in construction engineering while at the same time providing the business background that will help graduates in working with corporations, budgets and contracts, Reese said.

Lamar’s new program is one of a “very few programs that offer this combination of civil engineering, business and construction management.  The timeliness of the program could not have been planned any better, with construction projects for the Golden Triangle being announced at $20 billion, the job market will be at an all-time high in this area for the next 10 years or more,” Hopper said.

“I think the person who will be attracted to this degree wants to be involved in the construction industry, but doesn’t want to be a specific type of engineer,” said Reese.  “He or she wants to be involved in the engineering process and the building. They like being outside; they like being involved in the construction.”

Graduates with the new degree would typically start employment in the field managing several areas of a project “keeping up with the drawings and the progress and, if they’re sharp enough, they’ll move up and eventually become project managers controlling entire projects.  They’ll understand the engineering side, and they’ll also have the business background,” Reese said.

Jerry Reese’s dedication to Lamar University has been expressed in myriad ways. He has served as a trustee of the Lamar University Foundation since 1987, twice as president, in addition to serving as an officer in several other capacities. He has been a member of the College of Business Board of Advisors since its inception in 2003, and he was inducted into the College of Business Hall of Fame the same year. He was honored at Le Grand Bal in 2002, and he and Sheila serve on the Friends of the Arts Board.

A successful entrepreneur and adroit businessman, Reese has demonstrated leadership throughout his career.  During his days at Lamar University, he and two friends founded Collegiate Diamonds of America, an endeavor selling engagement rings at a time when about 28 percent of all college students got engaged or married each year.

One of those diamond rings went to his high school sweetheart and bride, Sheila (O’Hara) Reese.  At Lamar, Sheila was active in Delta Zeta Sorority and was Homecoming Queen.  She graduated in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education. An active supporter of Lamar University and the community, she has filled vital roles in education and the arts.

“Jerry and I are both from Beaumont, so it’s nice to be able to give back to our university and to our hometown,” said Sheila Reese. “Lamar gives so much to this area, it’s such an important part of our life here.”

It wasn’t business, but basketball that first brought Jerry Reese to Lamar.  Having played as a point guard at Beaumont High School, he was a walk-on when Billy Tubbs was freshman coach under Jack Martin. “I wish I could have stayed, but we were having so much fun with the business things we were doing, and those practices that Billy Tubbs put on weren’t the easiest things in the world,” Reese said.

Basketball may have drawn Reese to Lamar, but it was the friendships and the college environment that made the deal stick.  While still a full-time student and partner in the diamond business, Reese also operated a flight school from 1963 to 1965 at the Beaumont Municipal Airport. He landed a more down-to-earth business after he graduated in 1966.

Jerry grew up around the construction business run by his father and he parlayed that experience into running Bo-Mac. At first, he focused on services to the oil fields, but through four decades the business evolved, expanding to pile-driving, paving and civil construction for the oil- and gas-refining industries, Texas Department of Transportation, and, through its marine division, construction of dock facilities from New Orleans to Corpus Christi. Today, under the leadership of his son Jordan, Bo-Mac continues to grow.

The couple has three grown children, Jordan and daughters Rachel Lawrence and Stacey Henningsen.  They have 10 grandchildren. After four decades in the construction business, Jerry and Sheila are glad to have more time to share in the lives of their children and grandchildren.

BOUQUETS and BRICKBATS

Extracted from Beaumont Enterprise Opinions, 08/14/2009, http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/opinion/editorials/53258222.html

Bouquets go to:

-- The Associated General Contractors of Southeast Texas, for donating $6,000 to the Lamar Institute of Technology to fund scholarships for students in the Commercial and Residential Construction program. Previously, the organization has had a member donate a building for classes at LIT as well as other members who have served as instructors and mentors to LIT students. AGC represents more than 300 construction businesses, including architects, engineers, general contractors, contractors and suppliers.