OCP is proud to have been awarded the Build Ohio Award for excellence in construction by the Associated General Contractors of Ohio (AGC) for our work on the MetroHealth Glick Center Project in the Specialty Over $15 Million Category.

The Glick Center, a new 11-floor LEED-certified addition to MetroHealth's campus, is the United States' first EcoDistrict led by a healthcare system. OCP Contractors, chosen for this significant project, adeptly managed to meet stringent timelines, safety standards, and diversity goals amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, which presented severe manpower shortages and material delays. By strategically preplanning and preordering materials, alongside leveraging prefabrication for critical components like headwall units and soffits, OCP overcame these obstacles. Prefabrication also enabled the team to achieve a level of detail not possible with standard construction methods.

Addressing the challenges of installing terracotta cladding, OCP's carpenters delivered exceptionally flat and level surfaces, with the aid of professional surveyors to meet exacting tolerances. A dedicated on-site team was essential to navigate the project's complexities, efficiently handling purchase orders, continuous change orders, and diligently tracking the project's ambitious enterprising and diversity objectives.

Congratulations to Dan Hartsel for being awarded the Construction Employers Association Craftsmanship Award for his outstanding work on the Cleveland Museum of Natural History! We are extremely proud of your dedication, hard work, and expertise.

Also, a big congratulations to Jose Barajas and Ramon Rojas-Lozano for receiving the Black Onyx Craftsmanship Award. Your commitment and excellence are truly commendable. We are proud to have such amazing talent on our build team.

Project Playhouse Blitz Build is an annual event in support of Habitat for Humanity Maumee Valley. Habitat for Humanity strongly believes in teaching children the value of homeownership at pride at a young age. Over 25 organizations are proud sponsors of this year’s event, including OCP.

Besides a financial commitment that goes towards building family homes in Lucas County, sponsors brainstorm their playhouse design based on the child who will receive the playhouse. OCP’s children’s interests included basketball, Paw Patrol, and the colors blue and yellow..

Sponsors provide a team to ensure the design comes to fruition. This year, OCP’s team consisted of the following employees:

• Pam Hepburn
• Cathy Goss
• Kelli Smigelski
• Jenni Harris
• Jim Meinert
• Thad Leinbach
• Chris Gunderman
• Matt Mass
• Richard Guiher
• Rob Harris

Concluding the event, each team meets the children who will be receiving the playhouse and their families. OCP’s playhouse this year went to Robert and Andrew. Their parents were overjoyed with the playhouse, and could not have been more appreciative! "Thank you so much again! Lil Rob likes to go outside even more now. When we first brought his house home, he asked me if I could open the curtains so he could see his playhouse! I’m sure once Andrew gets bigger, he will enjoy it as much too!" Rob-Father of Robert and Andrew

We are pleased to announce that Sean Parker has accepted the position of General Manager in our Cleveland office.

Sean has been in the construction industry for 17 years, having joined OCP 8 years ago as a project manager. Sean holds a bachelors degree in Construction Engineering Technologies from the University of Akron. Throughout his career, Sean has continually sought opportunities to expand his horizons and stay at the forefront of industry trends. He served as the lead on OCP’s largest projects to date with a specialized focused in healthcare. For the past 5 years he has been a member of the CEA future executive committee. He is known for going above and beyond, willingly sharing knowledge, mentoring others, and contributing to the overall development of the organization. He is poised to create a lasting legacy within our organization and beyond.

In alignment with OCP’s value of no compromise on safety, OCP has developed a Cleanest Jobsite Award for outstanding work.

This month’s award goes to laborers, Mike Shaffer, Jacob Bowser and the build team at Waverly and Oak. A seven story, new construction apartment building on the shores of Lake Erie (in the winter).

Although it seems simplistic, cleanliness can make a world of difference in the safety and productivity of everyone on a job. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in recent years, there are more than 800 injuries annually involving floors, walkways, and ground surfaces.

Congratulations, team!

On May 13th, OCP Columbus employees sponsored After-School All-Stars Ohio (ASAS Ohio) at their charity golf outing at Top Golf.

ASAS Ohio provides comprehensive after-school programs that keep children safe and help them succeed in school and in life. The program is currently providing approximately 750 low-income students in Columbus, Toledo, and Cleveland with high-quality care and mentorship. Nationally, the program serves over 90,000 at-risk youth.

“OCP supports ASAS because they not only believe in giving back to the community, but they also make a life-long impact on children in the Columbus area and other Ohio cities by providing necessary life skills, opportunities for growth, and education. OCP has proudly been supporting the organization for over three years,” explained Karisha Gillenwater, Administrative Assistant at OCP Contractors.

This past month ASAS highlighted OCP Contractors for their philanthropic support.

To support After-School All-Stars, make a donation.

On Thursday, May 6th OCP was the presiding sponsor for the inaugural Cleveland Builds Sporting Clay Fundraiser at Hill’nDale Club.

Now more than ever, pre-employment education and training for job seekers is needed. Cleveland Builds is an industry-led 501(c)3 workforce organization dedicated to connecting people with successful, family-sustaining jobs.

In addition to other endeavors, Cleveland Builds provides a Union Construction Readiness Program to prepare those interested in the industry with the essential skills and expertise Northeast Ohio contractors are looking for.

Brian Exl, OCP Cleveland General Manager stated, “On behalf of OCP Contractors, I would like to thank you for joining us at the first Cleveland Builds Sporting Clay Fundraiser. After the year we’ve all had, it was a joy to see everyone come together for a great cause and enjoy themselves. A special thanks to Courtney Smyser of CEA for organizing the event and to all the volunteers that made it possible. Thanks to you and the generous support of our sponsors, over $50,000 was raised to connect motivated Clevelanders with career opportunities in construction, where hard work and determination are rewarded.”

On March 11th, OCP employees including Nicole Aveni, Siccorah Martin, and Jenni Harris attended a panel discussion hosted by Cleveland NAWIC supporting women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics honoring WIC Week 2021. The event was open to high school women as well as industry professionals.

OCP’s very own Carpenter Elizabeth “Liz” Kahler was one of the panelists.

Liz explained the importance of surrounding yourself with a support group such as Cleveland NAWIC. Liz encouraged the attendees to recognize that they have a voice and deserve to be heard.

Designed to create a platform of support for women in the industry, the panelists provided tips for overcoming challenging situations. Project Assistant Jenni Harris recalled some of the best advice shared, “If someone has a problem with women being in the industry, that is their baggage to address, not yours. Do not let it hold you back.”

Join us in congratulating Andrew Beaston on his recent promotion to General Manager of OCP Columbus. Andrew has 22 years of experience and was drawn to OCP three years ago due to their industry recognition. Once with the company, Andrew quickly grew to admire the culture. “Teamwork and comradery are ingrained in the culture. It’s great to see how the different office locations support one another,” Andrew explained.

Andrew has been swinging a hammer since the young age of six. He grew up in the industry thanks to his family. His grandfather was a woodworker, and his uncle owned a homebuilding business that Andrew’s father supported.

Starting out in his career as an apprentice, Andrew worked as a carpenter through college, achieving his journeyman's card while earning his Construction Management degree. Andrew shared some of his key moments throughout his career.

• What is your favorite project you have worked on?
• The most interesting project was the ice arena for the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was a massive, unique project, and it was some of the most complicated ceilings I have ever done.

• more

The focus of Women in Construction (WIC) Week is to raise awareness of the opportunities available for women in the construction industry and to support building a diverse and inclusive workforce. Hosted by the National Association for Women in Construction (NAWIC), WIC Week provides an occasion during Women’s History Month to spotlight and amplify the women in construction who challenge career stereotypes in their field on a daily basis. During this time NAWIC’s members across the United States encourage organizations to strengthen and amplify their women team members, give back to their communities, and share their stories in hopes to inspire the next generation of women in construction.

This year the event also coincides with International Women’s Day on March 8th. Every year, a focused theme is chosen by NAWIC, 2021’s theme is Choose to Challenge, stemming from the belief that a challenged world is an alert world and from challenge comes change.

As of 2020, women make up only 10.9% percent of the construction industry workforce in the United States. Engaging more women in construction is pivotal to the future success of the industry. By diversifying our workforce we can improve processes, work smarter, and help to address the workforce disparities our industry faces.

Written by Sean Parker, OCP Cleveland Project Manager

OCP is a proud partner on the MetroHealth Transformation project in Cleveland, Ohio. The 11-story LEED-certified project is the first of its kind in the nation as it will occupy a designated EcoDistrct.

The Project encompasses all the quality services that OCP provides. The contract scope includes CFMF, Interior Metal Framing, Drywall, Insulation, Spray Foam, Firestopping, Ceilings, AVB, Metal Panels, Prefabricated Headwalls, Column Covers, Rough Carpentry, Plastering, Exterior Sheathing, Finish Millwork, Lockers, Lab Casework, and Toilet Accessories.

These combined scopes of work result in the largest contract in OCP’s 53-year history. The contract requires OCP’s field team to install a tremendous amount of material while supported by an office staff who project manages, problem solves and coordinates project workflow to benefit all key trade partners on the project.

Upon project completion, our team will have successfully installed:

• 2.5 million square feet of drywall

  more

In preparation for Toledo public school's upcoming virtual job fair, OCP’s Chris Gunderman, General Superintendent and Jesus Quintero, 2nd year Carpenter Apprentice were interviewed to showcase to the students the benefits of a construction career path.

The goal of the career fair is to introduce students ranging from elementary to high school the variety of career opportunities and paths available.

Chris Gunderman, was selected as an excellent example of how a trade school education can launch your career. Chris attended Penta Career Center as a carpenter student, graduated and entered OCP’s apprenticeship program. As an OCP employee for 23 years, he was able to advance his career and is now a General Superintendent.

One of the most appealing parts of the industry is the evolution of construction technology and personal benefits. “The apprenticeship program continues to evolve for the better just as the industry has. Technology continues to transform construction. Here at OCP we take advantage of robotics, Total Station, and ipads for blueprints. As far as personal benefits, the healthcare, retirement, and opportunities for growth are outstanding,” Chris Gunderman explained.