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Kansas City, MO. – Garney, the national leader in water and wastewater construction, announces a strategic partnership with RodRadar, a technology company specializing in real-time underground utility detection during excavation. This collaboration significantly advances excavation safety, efficiency, and utility strike prevention through RodRadar’s innovative Live Dig Radar® (LDR) technology. 

Garney is committed to leveraging advanced technology to drive efficiency and safety. Over the past year, the company has invested substantial resources in researching, developing, and implementing solutions like RodRadar’s LDR system. “At Garney, we continuously seek innovations and technologies that increase the safety of our work zones and enhance the way we build. This benefits our employees, clients, municipal and other service providers, and their customers.” said David Burkhart, CEO at Garney. 

Garney identified RodRadar’s groundbreaking technology in 2023 and initiated pilot testing in early 2024. Following the pilot’s success, Garney expanded its adoption of LDR Excavate™ buckets, evolving the partnership into a commercial collaboration supporting RodRadar’s ongoing product development, including larger bucket models for Garney’s fleet of 35-MT excavators. 

The LDR system integrates real-time radar technology into excavator digging buckets, enabling continuous detection of underground utilities across various soil types while excavating. The system generates immediate visual alerts in the excavator cabin, enabling operators to avoid hidden utilities and significantly reduce the risk of strikes. Unlike traditional Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), the LDR system delivers real-time data during excavation, enhancing safety and operational efficiency. 

“RodRadar’s Live Dig Radar® technology is transformative for our industry. In our pilot testing, the LDR system significantly reduced utility strikes, allowing us to deliver safer projects for our clients while boosting productivity. We’re thrilled to partner with RodRadar and support their mission to make utility strikes a thing of the past,” said Clay Greene, Department Manager of Construction Technology at Garney. 

Founded in 2013, RodRadar is at the forefront of underground utility detection technology advancements, continually pushing excavation safety and efficiency boundaries. “We are proud to strategically partner with Garney, a leading contractor in the United States. Together, we share a passion for innovation in the construction industry and a commitment to enhancing jobsite safety and operational efficiency,” said Moshe Dalman, CEO and Co-Founder at RodRadar. 

This strategic partnership enhances Garney’s ability to deliver safer projects and enables the company to participate in RodRadar’s ongoing research and development efforts. Garney will host on-site testing sessions to refine the LDR system further and meet the growing demands of complex infrastructure projects.

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Garney acquires Massachusetts-based companies, Warren Environmental and A&W Maintenance. Warren Environmental manufacturers epoxies that offer a cost-effective option to coat, protect, and rehabilitate pipelines and structures with minimal downtime. A&W Maintenance is Warren’s applicator and trains all of Warren Environmental’s approved applicators worldwide.

This acquisition expands Garney’s capabilities in the water and wastewater market, and for the first time in the company’s history, Garney is a product manufacturer. As a 100% employee owned company, Garney provides Warren Environmental and A&W Maintenance with significant resources and financial strength for continued long-term growth in the epoxy coating industry. It also assures their current and future employees gain a beneficial ownership interest in the combined companies without any personal investment.

“It was very important that our team of incredible employees be secure and thrive after the sale of our companies,” said Danny Warren, President of Warren Environmental and A&W Maintenance. “Garney’s employee owned structure provides that.”

Warren Environmental and A&W Maintenance were founded by Danny and Jane Warren nearly 35 years ago. The companies were established with the goal of protecting the environment and developing safer 100% solids epoxy coatings and application technologies. Danny and Jane Warren will remain in their current positions to drive continued success.

“It will be exciting to be a part of the future growth that Garney will accelerate because of their footprint in the industry,” said Jane Warren.

Garney is excited to welcome both organizations as our newest employee‐owners. Our combined strengths will enable both organizations to continue leading the water and wastewater industry.

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October 2018

Scott Parrish has been promoted to President of Garney Construction.

Scott joined Garney in 1988 as a Laborer, learning the field skills necessary to be an effective builder of water and wastewater projects. These skills proved valuable in becoming a leading Project Manager and Estimator of pipeline projects throughout his 30-year career at the company. In his new role, Scott has oversight for all company operations, including resource management, employee development, and operational strategy. Scott has been responsible for some of Garney’s most high-profile projects, including the Vista Ridge Water Supply Project – the largest P3 water project in the history of the United States. Scott’s role as President allows current CEO, Mike Heitmann, to focus on longer-term aspects of the company’s growth, such as succession, strategic vision, and acquisitions.

Matt Foster has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer of Western Pipe Operations.

In this role, he is responsible for the organization and management of Garney’s pipe operations in the Western United States. Matt oversees project pursuits and operations across multiple projects throughout this region. These projects focus primarily on large diameter water and sewer pipelines in varying ground conditions. Matt joined Garney in 1993 after graduating from Kansas State University. He is based in Garney’s Kansas City headquarters.

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JUNE 2018 – With continued growth, Garney’s succession planning is a priority for the company over the next several years. Meet Garney’s recent leadership promoted to join the next generation of leaders:

MEGGAN KRASE, VICE PRESIDENT

After graduating from the University of Kansas with a degree in Accounting, Meggan went to work for Grant Thornton where she obtained her CPA license. She spent five years there as a Staff Auditor and Audit Senior before joining Garney Construction in 2006. Meggan was promoted to Controller in 2012, where she assisted Jeff Lacy, Vice President of Finance and CFO. She was then named Director–Corporate Controller in 2014 and Vice President in 2018. In this role, Meggan is responsible for managing the company’s accounting team, including the development, implementation, and administration of accounting policies and maintaining internal controls. Meggan is also Chair of the Technology Council. 

DAVID BURKHART, DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL PIPE OPERATIONS

David has spent his entire career with Garney, after graduating from the University of Kansas with a degree in Civil Engineering. He has constructed projects in Colorado, Florida, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Texas, specializing in large diameter waterline installations and the CMAR project delivery method. In total, David has built more than $1 billion worth of construction projects during his career in the water industry, including several high-profile CMAR projects. As Director of Central Pipe Operations, David is responsible for overall management of the pipeline projects built in his area.

JOEL HEIMBUCK, DIRECTOR OF WESTERN PLANT OPERATIONS

Joel joined Garney in 2005 as a Project Engineer with six years of previous experience in the power and distribution market for a national general contractor. He was promoted to Regional Operations Manager in 2013, responsible for facilitating and administrating traditional bid and alternative delivery water/wastewater infrastructure projects in the Western United States. Joel is a certified and active member of DBIA and graduated with a degree in Construction Management from Colorado State University. He was promoted to Director in 2018.

ERIC WAGNER, DIRECTOR OF ESTIMATING

Eric’s entire career has been focused solely on water/wastewater construction since building a wastewater treatment plant in 1997 as a co-op. Eric graduated from University of Akron-Ohio with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and started working for a national treatment plant contractor. In 2004, Eric joined Encore Construction (now Garney Construction) as a Project Manager. In 2010, Eric transitioned to an estimating role. During this time, Eric has combined his field experience with estimating and considers it a true privilege to be working with the best estimators in the country. Together, this team has worked to develop estimates on many of Garney’s most prominent traditional bid and collaborative delivery projects. Eric was promoted to Chief Estimator in March 2013 and Director in May 2018.

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JULY 2016 — In an effort to better serve the Left Hand Water District’s (the District) 20,000 customers during summer peak demand, the 8 million gallon per day (MGD) Dodd Water Treatment Plant needed additional capacity. The District selected the Garney Water Partnership, a joint venture between Garney Construction and Burns & McDonnell, to complete the $29 million design-build plant expansion. This project marked the first alternative delivery project for the District. During the value-based selection, Garney Water Partnership was the only team that could meet the District’s aggressive schedule.

“The District was extremely concerned with keeping the project on schedule without compromising quality or rushing decisions,” said Christopher Smith, General Manager of Left Hand Water District. “Through the design-build process, we were able to move forward with pre-purchasing major systems and site excavation, while continuing to focus on the details of our new plant.”

Throughout the project, Garney worked closely with Burns & McDonnell to identify project phasing and value engineering options to meet the schedule and budget. During the design phase, Garney provided design reviews and work packages, in addition to developing the guaranteed maximum price (GMP). Construction commenced once the GMP was established but prior to final design. This approach accelerated the schedule and the start of construction. Garney was able to conduct design reviews throughout final design development, while simultaneously self-performing construction.

“By the time we had a final design, excavation was complete and Garney successfully met an extremely aggressive schedule with the new plant treating water by May 2016,” said Smith.

As a peaking plant for the District, the facility only operates during the summer when water demands increase from farmers and residents within 110 square miles throughout Boulder and Weld counties. The existing plant had to remain in operation until September 2015 and return online by late spring 2016. This limited the construction schedule to a nine month winter shutdown. The demolition and installation of the Pall membranes in the existing plant could not begin until shutdown, leaving no margin for error in coordinating work activities.

The facility, now rated at 16 MGD, is currently in operation providing water to the District’s customers while Garney completes final phases of closeout. Substantial completion was achieved ahead of schedule on May 12, 2016. The project was also completed below budget, which will allow the District to complete additional upgrades at their primary facility.

“We have no doubt that few teams could have met all of our objectives within such a compressed design and construction timeline,” said Smith.

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JULY 2016 — Public-private partnerships, commonly referred to as P3, are growing rapidly in popularity in many states across the country. With limited funding, an increasing number of municipalities are turning to the private sector.

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), upgrading the country’s infrastructure will cost $3.6 billion by 2020. As the nation’s infrastructure continues to decline, P3 is quickly becoming an avenue for state and municipal funding. Legislation in favor of P3 is also on the rise.

Garney is an active supporter of P3 legislation, and recently finalized the takeover of the Vista Ridge Water Supply project. This P3 venture is a significant milestone as Garney will play a lead role in overseeing the design, construction, and financing for a 142-mile raw water system. Vista Ridge will expand San Antonio’s water supply by 20 percent, decreasing pressure on the sensitive Edwards Aquifer, which is subject to Federal, state and regional pumping regulations.

Construction is set to begin early next year and last through 2019, with water flowing by 2020.

“We’re excited to help secure San Antonio’s water future,” said Scott Parrish, Chief Operating Officer for Garney Construction. “Garney has a 30-year history delivering projects for SAWS water ratepayers and we’re here for the next 30 years – you’ve got a company that can get the project to the finish line and secure the water future for this community.”

For more information on P3, visit The National Council for Public for Public-Private Partnerships.

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JULY 2016 – Garney has been a long supporter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the oldest engineering society in the nation. ASCE represents more than 150,000 members of the civil engineering profession in 177 countries, and provides the industry’s leading experts and information through their many conferences. The Pipelines Conference is recognized at the forefront of ASCE’s educational programming, and provides a platform for attendees to discover and exchange ideas related to planning, designing, constructing, and operating these lifeline assets.

Hosted in Kansas City from July 16-20, Pipelines 2016 is part of the new ASCE Utility Engineering & Surveying Institute (UESI). Pipelines will continue to provide a forum for industry constituents from all around the world to share their experiences in meeting the challenges of today’s pipeline infrastructure. Pipelines has become a premier conference for utility and pipeline owners, engineers, contractors, manufacturers, and suppliers. This year, the conference will also include surveying as it relates to pipelines and utility projects.

Garney’s involvement with Pipelines continues to expand. Employee-owners presenting and moderating for the 2016 technical program include:

• Logan CSO Interceptor Installation Beneath an Existing Improved Channel | Jordan Carrier, Presenter
• CMAR Project Delivery Method Facilitates Construction of a Large Diameter Pipeline and Treatment Plant Upgrade Project Allowing Timely Access to Much Needed Water Resources in North Texas | David Burkhart, Presenter
• Design-Build Approach to Major Crossing Avoids Environmental and Third Party Impacts…and Saves $10 Million | Bill Williams, Presenter
• Planning & Design II Track B, Session B4 | Matt Foster, Moderator
• Planning & Design II Track B, Session B9 | Mike Gardner, Moderator

With the conference set in the heartland, Pipelines anticipates attracting the highest number of attendees in history. For more information on the conference visit Pipelines 2016.

The Logan CSO Interceptor Project, featured above, will be presented at Pipelines 2016 by Jordan Carrier, Project Manager for Garney Construction.

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JULY 2016 – From 22 different colleges and universities, Garney hired a record-breaking group of 64 interns and co-op students for the summer term. This group is working on project sites nationwide and in several offices alongside project management, estimating, and marketing. During the term, undergraduates receive exposure to Garney’s culture, the employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), and a number of different business functions including safety, scheduling, quality control, estimating, and labor relations.

Garney’s objective is to provide a positive learning experience that allows undergraduates to gain an understanding of the industry as well as Garney’s method of conducting business. The internship program has been a mainstay for Garney for nearly 30 years and falls in line with the company’s consistent growth driven by new opportunities and a strong market.

Many of Garney’s current employee-owners started their careers through the company’s internship program. Garney strives to seek individuals who thrive when given the opportunity to learn and lead, which often translates to hiring directly from our internship program. Interested in building with Garney? Apply online at Garney.com.

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April 2016 — The City of Greensboro, North Carolina, faced ongoing challenges to maintain existing infrastructure while complying with current and upcoming regulatory requirements. As a result, the City’s Water Resources Department initiated two capital improvement projects to improve treatment operations and meet future regulatory requirements with the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) project delivery method.

These projects mark the first time for the City to employ the CMAR delivery method. Critical to the City’s alternative delivery selection was the desire to leverage a collaborative approach and engage a Mentor/Protégé program to increase minority and women owned business (M/WBE) and local participation. Following a qualifications-based process, Garney was selected to serve as the CMAR contractor for the T.Z. Osborne Water Reclamation Facility 56 MGD Upgrade (Package 3).

Package 3, one of four projects planned for the City’s $120 million worth of infrastructure improvements, was the first of two CMAR projects implemented by the City. Garney started working in partnership with the City at the 90% design phase. In addition to developing the GMP during preconstruction, Garney worked with the City to maximize the Mentor/Protégé program and developed work packages to meet the City’s M/WBE goals.

Construction on Package 3 is set to be complete in December of 2017, with diamond cloth filters to be used in the upgrade to the existing conventional media filtration, a new technology available to the industry. Major improvements for the 36-year-old water reclamation facility will include a new chlorine contact tank, chemical system upgrades, renovation of all existing traveling bridge filters, and site-wide stormwater improvements. Garney is also completing work at the site for Packages 1 and 2.

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APRIL 2016 — Garney has concluded an agreement with Abengoa S.A. expanding Garney’s role in the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) Vista Ridge Water Supply Project to a leadership position. Garney now holds an 80 percent equity stake as well as complete control of the project. Garney has been a member of the Vista Ridge consortium since the start of the project.

The Vista Ridge team, led by Garney, will provide 50,000 acre-feet of water to the rapidly growing San Antonio community. The total projected cost to develop the project is $844 million. Garney now plays the lead role in overseeing the design, construction, and financing of the project.

“The employee-owners of Garney Construction are excited to lend our water system expertise to this significant project for the city of San Antonio,” said Mike Heitmann, President and CEO of Garney Construction.

The 142-mile Vista Ridge pipeline remains a critical project for San Antonio, one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. Vista Ridge will expand San Antonio’s water supply by 20 percent, decreasing pressure on the sensitive Edwards Aquifer, which is subject to Federal, state and regional pumping regulations. SAWS is a national leader in water conservation, and the Vista Ridge pipeline will complement SAWS’ continued conservation efforts and development of other water resources as San Antonio adds an additional one million residents by 2040. SAWS currently provides water and wastewater services to more than 1.6 million consumers in the region.

Garney has more than three decades of experience serving as a water and wastewater contractor for SAWS, successfully delivering critical projects for its consumers, including the Water Resources Integration Program Pipelines and Twin Oaks Pump Station, SAWS Carrizo Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Project, and SAWS Water Recycling Program. Last year, as part of the Water Resources Integration Program, Garney installed 140,000 linear feet of 60-inch pipe, similar to the pipe that will be used for the Vista Ridge pipeline.

Robert R. Puente, President and CEO of SAWS noted that the new leadership is a positive step in the progression of the Vista Ridge project. “Garney Construction has a strong history with SAWS and has been involved in this project since the beginning. In stepping up to the lead position, Garney brings unparalleled continuity and skill to the table.”

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