I have worked with a lot of really good contractors. I can't finish the clients vision without the contractor. I recognize that while I design project, that the contractor is a critical part of the project team. Typically, I always start every project with the approach of partnering. The first partner in any project is the client. While you may think the last partner in a successful project is the contractor, it is still the client. It is never about how you start a project, but how it finishes.

I really enjoy looking at Architecture. That is probably a good thing since I spent most of my life knee deep in it. Actually, it more like neck deep. When I get my new Architecture magazines, I look at the pictures (unlike other magazines where I read the articles). There is always something inspiring about them. I've done some projects, that I feel is really good about, I'm just not egotistical and work in creating the clients vision.

I started off on the drafting board during my first job in 1983. About 4 years later our office received its first CAD system called RUCAPS. It was a hybrid of CAD and todays BIM. The system was so complicated, that the office had to hire one of the programmers from Seattle just to make the $100,000 investment worthwhile. I've been working on the computer since 1984 and started on some early systems, including RUCAPS. But my real move to CAD happened in 1988 with AutoCAD.

Shortly after I received my Architectural license, my daughter made a joke and called me an Artichoke. I know where she picked it up, but it was funny, and I still refer to it today. While being an Architect is a serious business, I always try to interject some humor throughout the day. I've been a passionate member of CSI for almost 20 years now and dedicated to CSINext since its founding in 2009. I've invited every member of the CSINext chapter to write a Blog for the website and it occurred to me that I should being the same.

Happy New Year!

Wait, it is already February... As time marches on, I swear it is picking up pace. Yet, as I march on, I'm only slowing done. I have a greater appreciation for life and the people who are in it. But a little less of the sentimental stuff. I wanted to welcome everyone the the new look at CSINext. I've spent the past couple weeks revisiting the backend code and looking for way to improve the member experience.

Each of the following members joined CSI in Febraury. CSINext is please to congratulate the following CSI members on their continued membership.

• 5 Year - Mark Kohn, CSI, CDT
• 6 Years - Richard Poindexter, CSI
• 6 Years - Joni Zimmerman, CSI, CDT
• 26 Years - Bryan Varner, FCSI, CDT, LEED AP
• 30 Years - James Whitfield II, FCSI, CCPR, CTC, LEED AP, USGBC
• 39 Years - Terrence Lunn, PE, FCSI, CCS

We would like to do a shout out to Mark Kohn, CSI, CDT for celebrating 5 years with CSI! 

Also special recognition for Mr. James Whitfield II, FCSI, CCPR, CTC, LEED AP, USGBC... Celebrating 30 years with CSI!

Once again, really appreciate everyone's continued membership in CSI.

CSINext continues to grow! We had a new member join just last week. CSINext is please to welcome the following CSI member on joining CSI & CSINext.

• Philip Babinec, RA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP - January 2018

Greetings! We are excited to present a second program for the month of February and the presentation will be "BIM 4D Scheduling" Presented by Mike Prefling with Synchro. Mark your calendars for Febraury  28th at 12:00pm EST. We look forward to having you attend this free webinar, register today as space is limited!

Greetings! We will be conducting our February Chapter Meeting and the presentation will be "Advantages of Using Cover Boards in Low-Slope Roofing Assemblies" Presented by Warren Barber, CSI, CDT, LEED GA with National Gypsum. Mark your calendars for Febraury  14th at 12:00pm EST. We look forward to having you attend this free webinar, register today as space is limited!

Each month I review the roster provided by Institute. I'm looking for the new members and each member's anniversary date for the month. This month, January 2018 stood out. We had a new member who joined CSI in 1979. Next year will be Mr Terrence Lunn, PE, FCSI, CCS 40th anniversary with CSI! This got me to dig a little deeper into the roster.

Each of the following members joined CSI in January. CSINext is please to congratulate the following CSI members on their continued membership.

• 1 Year - Nicholas Bolton, CSI, CDT
• 6 Years - Ganapathy Nagasubramaniam, CSI, CCS, LEED AP, M. Arch
• 13 Years - Keith Robinson, FCSI, CSC, FCSC, LEED AP, RSW
• 27 Years - William Rains Jr., CSI, CDT
• 33 Years - Lee Orosco, FCSI, CCS
• 39 Years - Terrence Lunn, PE, FCSI, CCS

Special recognition for Mr. Terrance Lunn, PE, FCSI, CCS... He has wears the honor of two hats. Not only has he become our longest standing member in CSI of the Chapter, but also has joined CSINext just last week. A special congratulations and welcome!

CSINext continues to grow! CSINext is please to welcome the following CSI members on joining CSI & CSINext.

• Todd Hansen, CSI, CDT - December 2017
• Terrence Lunn, PE, FCSI, CCS - January 2018

HAPPY NEW YEAR CSINext!!!

Welcome to 2018!

Hello everyone, Happy New Year and welcome to 2018! I hope each and everyone of you had a very happy Holiday season!

Each of the following members joined CSI in December. CSINext is please to congratulate the following CSI members on their continued membership.

• 23 Years - Edgardo Cruz, CSI, CDT, M. Arch
• 28 Years - Kent Kile, FCSI, CCPR

There's often a lag between the time something new comes along and the time it is fully incorporated into our lives or work. When websites first came online, in the mid-'90s, they had obvious potential but companies weren't sure what to do with them. As I recall, many of them focused on the history of the company, stocks and market activity, and various other things useless to most visitors. The content was what the company owner thought was interesting; it was not what the prospective customers needed.

Greetings! We will be conducting our December Chapter Meeting and the presentation will be "Inside the Mind of the Specifier" Presented by Paul Gerber, CSC, CSI. Mark your calendars for December  14th at 12:00pm EST. We look forward to having you attend this free webinar, register today as space is limited!

CSINext continues to grow! CSINext is please to welcome the following CSI members on joining CSI & CSINext.

• John Koessler, CSI - October 2017
• Kevin Tish, CSI, AHC - November 2017
• Frank Fuller, FCSI - November 2017

When I became a specifier, in 1985, all of the projects I worked on used the "traditional" design-bid-build (DBB) delivery method. And when I started my current job at BWBR in 1996, all we used was DBB. That shouldn't be a surprise because, at the time, there was nothing else, at least in the building construction industry.

Each of the following members joined CSI in November. CSINext is please to congratulate the following CSI members on their continued membership.

• 1 Year - Jason Kamihira, CSI, CDT, B. Arch, LEED AP, USGBC
• 11 Years - Jori Smith, CSI, CDT, LEED AP
• 21 Years - F. Drucilla Brookshire, CSI, CCCA

How often have you seen a standard confidentiality disclaimer at the end of an email? An email I recently received ended with this:

This email together with any attachment(s) is proprietary and confidential, intended for only the recipient(s) named above and contains information that is privileged. You are hereby notified that the dissemination, distribution or copying of this email or its contents including attachments is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, or are not the named recipient(s), you are hereby notified that any review, dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is prohibited by the sender and doing so constitutes a violation of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 U.S.C. section 2510-2521. Although precautions have been taken to make sure no viruses are present in this email, [company name] cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage that may arise from the use of this email or attachment(s).