COVID-19 has changed a lot in your daily life.  More work is being done from home, six-feet apart is the new normal, and time with others is limited.  

Although it looks different this year, MCL’s commitment to our community has not changed.  Over the next few months, MCL volunteers will be building a brand-new, 2,300 square foot, five-bedroom, two-bath home for a local, deserving family.  

It is one of six homes that will be built through this year’s Habitat for Humanity Pro Build.  Out of respect for safety regulations and compliance with COVID-19 guidelines, the Pro Build is a socially distant version of the annual Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build.  The Blitz was a one-week super build where hundreds of contractors and volunteers partnered to build a block of homes in a short timeline. 

This year, each home is spaced out, Pro Builders are constructing the homes rather than community volunteers, and there is a longer timeline on the project. 

This is MCL’s 9th year participating in the build and despite changes, it’s a project we look forward to each year.  Led by MCL Project Engineers Sam Howe, Jack Nelson, and Nate Hogberg, we plan to have our home finished by October and ready for a new family to turn our work into their home. 

About MCL Construction
For many businesses, navigating the entire construction process and knowing who to trust can be overwhelming.  At MCL Construction, our people simplify the process by listening, planning, executing, and continuing the relationship to build their vision.

The first step in building a successful project is creating a strong, reliable foundation.  That same principle goes for our employees.  In construction, employees are our foundation and we rely on them to be
physically fit and healthy.
 
MCL’s Kristal Mordhorst is their physical fitness and wellness resource.  Kristal has joined the MCL team as the Director of Health and Wellness.  Her main focus will be injury prevention, creating a healthier workplace through nutrition, and modifying our existing safety plans.  Kristal is a certified personal trainer through the American Council of Exercise with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Iowa State University.  She’s worked in corporate wellness for seven years, something she sees a growing need for.
 
“Health and wellness is something that gets put on the back burner when it comes to work because of everything else you are doing, but you have to focus on it,” said Mordhorst.  “Physical activity is also important to your mental health in the workplace.”

CHECK OUT KRISTAL'S MONDAY MOTIVATION SERIES
 
Prior to MCL, she worked for John Deere and Nationwide in Des Moines, Iowa.  She moved to Minnesota to work for Best Buy and, after years of being gone, she decided she wanted to move closer to her home in Ute, Iowa - population 335.  That town is where her passion for health and wellness started.  Because Ute is so small, Kristal was never told no when she wanted to compete in multiple sports with potential for overlapping seasons.
 
To keep up with her demanding athletic schedule, she needed to prioritize wellness.  That attention to health and safety is something she will teach all of our employees.
 
“A career in construction is a physically demanding job.  Without the proper training and attention to wellness, you create increased room for error,” she said. 
 
She is already implementing new stretching and injury prevention routines every employee will begin their day with on-site.  She plans to make nutrition easy and share healthy meal options and modifications that you can manage when you work on the go.
 
“This allows us to maintain and regulate the health and physical wellbeing of our employees,” said MCL Construction President Bob Carlisle.  “Also, it allows us to negate job site related injuries that, in turn, equate to keeping competitive insurance rates.”
She plans to develop a protocol that focuses on early intervention programs and preventative treatment.  The new, fully-equipped gym located at the new MCL office building will help her create a stronger
workforce.

About MCL Construction
For many businesses, navigating the entire construction process and knowing who to trust can be overwhelming.  At MCL Construction, our people simplify the process by listening, planning, executing, and continuing the relationship to build their vision.

Cobalt Credit Union broke ground at its new Gretna branch.  The new 3,400 square foot location is designed with their members in mind. 

“As a member comes into the facility, as they are greeted by Cobalt Credit Union Staff to get all their questions answered, we really wanted that to feel warm, welcoming, and comforting,” said HDR Vice President and Managing Principal Matt DeBoer. 

The new location makes the credit union more accessible to all their current and future customers.  It will also include a drive-thru interactive teller machine that gives customers access to their accounts beyond normal business hours.  This marks their 26th branch. 

“Even though we have so much technology today, members still want to come in if they have a problem,” said Gail DeBoer, President and CEO of Cobalt Credit Union.  “They want to meet face to face and know that we are there.  That is why we are building in Gretna, to be where our members are.” 

MCL is the construction manager and general contractor for the project and was invited to participate in the groundbreaking today to share our plans for the building process.  MCL is a longtime building partner with Cobalt. 

“Having that starting point really does save time and frustration, said DeBoer.  “We know that we are going to get a good product.  We know that MCL cares about our culture to provide us a tremendous product.” 

Tony Fucinaro, Senior Vice President at MCL Construction, agrees with DeBoer.  “We know the expectations, we know the quality they are looking for, we know the demands they are asking for so we speak a common language.” 

The new Cobalt Credit Union in Gretna will open in the Spring of 2021.  

About MCL Construction
For many businesses, navigating the entire construction process and knowing who to trust can be overwhelming.  At MCL Construction, our people simplify the process by listening, planning, executing, and continuing the relationship to build their vision

MCL Construction continues to monitor developments surrounding COVID-19 and adjust our current health and safety plan accordingly. 

As part of our continuing efforts to keep our employees and business partners safe and healthy, the company is enforcing a new policy.  Infrared temperature scanning is now required before you enter the building.  The technology uses thermal imaging cameras and software to produce instant temperature readings and mask detection. 

“Safety is the core of our company culture.  These scanners enhance our commitment of keeping our employees and visitors to our office safe,” said MCL Construction founder and President Bob Carlisle. 

It is a touchless process.  The individual stands in front of the screen to be scanned.  If a temperature is above a preset number or they are not wearing a mask, the system will alert the individual with an alarm.  Anyone with a temperature higher than the Johns Hopkins recommended temperature guidelines will not be allowed into the building and will be referred to our updated employee protocol.  Safety is the number one priority at MCL.  It is our responsibility to make sure all our employees work in a safe office and are not a health risk to the sites we work on daily.  The thermal scanners will also be used on project job sites. 

“We work in a lot of healthcare facilities and we are fortunate to learn from the doctors, nurses, and administration we communicate with daily,” said Carlisle.  Taking preventative measures like monitoring our temperature, physical distancing, and wearing a mask in public are crucial to us beating this pandemic.” 

In March, MCL formed a COVID-19 task force that meets daily to address updated safety measures in the community, on our job sites, and in the office.  This task force will continue to meet daily as we work through the uncertainty of the pandemic all while ensuring quality work for our owner and business partners. 

About MCL Construction
For many businesses, navigating the entire construction process and knowing who to trust can be overwhelming.  At MCL Construction, our people simplify the process by listening, planning, executing, and continuing the relationship to build their vision.

At MCL Construction, safety is everyone’s responsibility. 
 
More than Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and open dialogue about job hazards, MCL’s definition of safety is that every one of our employees goes home in the same or better condition than they came to work in. 
 
The extra steps taken by all of our employees daily does not go unnoticed.  MCL is a recipient of this year’s Nebraska’s Safest Companies award presented by the National Safety Council. 
 
Companies awarded this recognition must meet specific safety criteria with a low number of recorded injuries each year and a limited number of workdays lost due to injuries.  With nearly 200 men and women working in sometimes unpredictable conditions at least five days a week, that is something to be proud of. 
 
“Safety is built into every part of the job from preconstruction to project turnover,” said Safety Director Jim Hinrichs.  “It is talked about and it is lived and breathed by management.  Safety is never sacrificed.  Everyone goes home in the same condition or better than when they came to work.” 
 
Over the last few years, MCL has taken steps to continue to build on an already strict safety protocol. 
 
Superintendents have the added responsibility to document safety inspections before any site work is done.  They account for potential hazards and plan the safest approach to complete projects with no risk of injury.  Reports of this plan are logged and delivered to Hinrichs. 
 
“This is their award. It is not my award.  The guys in the field that are listening, slowing down, and asking for help deserve this award,” said Hinrichs. 

We now require a once-a-month meeting per job site to build comradery and improve communication on the job.  Communication is imperative when working with and relying on other employees on complex jobs. 
 
Also, MCL has implemented increased training to refocus on our emergency action plan.  Before construction starts, our team will put together a detailed safety plan and practice our approach to it.  The plan is in response to natural disasters, criminal threats, or fire. 
 
This award motivates MCL to continue its progress toward a safer work environment.  Our goal for 2020 is to have 0 reported injuries -- something we are on track to accomplish. 

About MCL Construction
For many businesses, navigating the entire construction process and knowing who to trust can be overwhelming.  At MCL Construction, our people simplify the process by listening, planning, executing, and continuing the relationship to build their vision.

Looking from the outside in for more than 17 years, Dave Holt has been working with, learning from, and cultivating relationships with MCL Construction. 

Now, Dave is officially part of the MCL team.  

On June 30th, he joined MCL as a Project Executive.  His primary role is to be a contact between clients and MCL Project Teams, a job he is expertly prepared for. 
 
Before MCL, Dave was the General Director of Facilities and Real Estate at Union Pacific.  He was responsible for the construction and renovation of Union Pacific buildings in Omaha.  Beyond Omaha, he was responsible for small building projects and tenant improvement packages on leased office buildings. 
 
His relationship with MCL started there.  MCL was a trusted building partner on those Union Pacific projects. 

“This is a great company with some of the hardest working, smartest people I have ever met, said Holt.  “When I was at Union Pacific, we never gave them credit for how good they really are.” 
 
He coordinated with MCL as an owner on small project work and the complete remodel of the data center on Sorenson Parkway in 2018. 

As an owner, he thought he understood the process; as an MCL employee he is seeing a whole new, underappreciated side to the business. 
 
“At the end of the day I am seeing how these guys work and it really does just blow me away,” said Holt. 
 
With experience on both sides now, he offers, and has already shown, his ability to think like an owner and offer feedback specifically to their project needs as a project executive.  MCL’s executive team will rely on him for observations and evaluations on their approach to RFPs, interviews, and negotiations. 

​Fighting cancer one sip at a time.

Boo Brew is back and this year we are bringing the beer here for a backyard summer party.  The 7th AnnualScare Away Cancer Boo Brew is July 23rd from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the new MCL Construction Headquarters,14558 Portal Circle in La Vista.  The event is open to the public.

You can’t have a summer party without the classics.  This year, we will offer old-fashioned domestic beers in addition to local craft beer options.
“In the past, we have focused on beers from a local brewery.  This year we are mixing it up a lot with domestic choices as well as a wide variety of local breweries, we really will have something for everyone,” said Senior Vice President Tony Fucinaro.

Your donation will cover your evening of drinks and fun.  We suggest starting with a $25 donation.  All proceeds go to Scare Away Cancer.

Scare Away Cancer started in 2011 with a mission to be in everyone’s corner during their fight with cancer.  As a partner, we help collect and give money to patients and families to help make ends meet.  We also support programs that provide charitable care to patients to help improve their lives.  It all starts with something as simple as having a beer.

Scare Away Cancer is a 100% volunteer organization.  MCL is proud to have employees dedicated to our community who participate in several outreach opportunities year-round. Through our partnership, we strive to build hope, rebuild strength, and set the foundation for a cure.

Scare Away Cancer is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Omaha, Nebraska.  Questions and inquiries should be directed to info@scareawaycancer.org.  You can also donate at scareawaycancer.org

Scare Away Cancer and MCL Construction are committed to safety and will be taking extra steps to help maintain social distancing and health measures.  The outdoor event allows for extra space to help everyone enjoy the evening at a safe distance.
“We understand there may be some hesitation about attending an event with lots of people.  Boo Brew is outside and we have plenty of space to make sure you feel you can physical distance.  We want to make sure everyone feels safe and can have a good time,” added Fucinaro.

Come out and have a few for a good cause, there is nothing scary about it.

About MCL Construction: 
For many businesses, navigating the entire construction process and knowing who to trust can be overwhelming.  At MCL Construction, our people simplify the process by listening, planning, executing, and continuing the relationship to build their vision. 

MCL is honored to be part of family milestones at Methodist Health System’s Women’s Hospital. 

Methodist Women’s Hospital and Women's Hospital Medical Office Building, located at 190th and Dodge, celebrated ten years of their new facility last Sunday.  In those ten years, 46,849 babies were born, lives were saved, and women’s health was prioritized. 

MCL was selected to build this first-of-its-kind hospital in Nebraska. 

The 289,000 square foot hospital has 116 beds, private rooms, family space, decentralized patient check-in, decentralized nursing stations, and a 28-bed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) that helps alleviate a shortage of NICU beds in our area.  

MCL also built the 154,000 square foot medical office building on the Women's Hospital campus.  This three-story structure features office suites, clinical rooms, and a healing garden that connects the medical office building with the hospital. 

Thanks to an incredible team effort and thorough planning, MCL completed the campus in 26 months and 3.2% under budget. 

This campus was an important building block for MCL.  In 2010, it was our largest project to date and demonstrated our ability to succeed on large, detailed projects.   

“It was one of the main foundations of having MCL grow to where we are today.  We proved to the construction community and owners that we are capable of something like that,” said Executive Vice President Gary Leapley. 

​This project set the foundation for the following: 

• Creighton School of Dentistry 
• The Lauritzen Outpatient Center 
• The Cloisters on the Platte 
• Munroe Meyer Institute 

If the walls could talk, stories of families welcoming a new life or rejoicing healed lives would be shared.  We are honored to have built the walls that hold these treasured moments.  Thank you, Methodist Health System, for allowing us to create a space for specialized care. 
 
Congratulations on ten years! 

About MCL Construction: 
For many businesses, navigating the entire construction process and knowing who to trust can be overwhelming.  At MCL Construction, our people simplify the process by listening, planning, executing, and continuing the relationship to build their vision. 

The vision was clear:  the process required ingenuity, skill, and most importantly, respect. 

As the City of Omaha said goodbye to the Gene Leahy Mall and Heartland of America Park on February 28, 2019, MCL Construction was there to preserve the art that tells the stories of Omaha history and military service. 
 
Omaha Parks and Recreation chose MCL to remove and relocate seven art statues and monuments that sat on the riverfront parks, some for more than 40 years. 

At MCL, we are committed to performing at the highest level while always respecting those impacted by our work. 

In this case, the artists who created these monuments and those the monuments represent deserved great care and respect. 

“Just amazing care was taken to the best of our ability so that everybody would be happy,” said Omaha Parks and Recreation Project Manager, Tim Carmichael. 
 
Each structure had its own challenge.  Two needed to be removed from water, two required salvaging.

The Airborne Trooper and Victory ‘95 honor the valor and sacrifice of those who have served and currently serve our country.  

A brick plaza underneath the monuments was originally built with 17,000 bricks, 4,100 with the names of service members engraved on them.  For families and friends, these bricks are symbols of service and sacrifice. 

Led by MCL Superintendent Wyatt Hansen, our team began the process of relocating them to Memorial Park.  We noticed the deteriorated structure of the original bricks.  The names had faded, but not the memory of each person. 

Rather than relocating them in that condition, our team replaced each brick and placed them within five feet of their original location under the statue.  A time-consuming, detailed task that recreated the personal connection every donor had to the service member honored. 

“He wanted to give every bit of respect to the art and who the artwork was for,” said Carmichael. 

​In addition to those two monuments, MCL removed and relocated the following:

All Photos By: Architectural Photography Inc.

About MCL Construction:
For many businesses, navigating the entire construction process and knowing who to trust can be overwhelming.  At MCL Construction, our people simplify the process by listening, planning, executing, and continuing the relationship to build their vision.

Ben VanderWert joins MCL Construction as the Director of Talent Acquisition.  Ben's primary focus is to identify and hire the best and brightest to join the MCL Construction family. 
 
"MCL has a long history in the community and has been growing at a great manageable rate," said VanderWert. "The relationships they have built with the community and organizations across eastern Nebraska and western Iowa are long-lasting.  My goal is to apply that approach to attracting and retaining great talent and for MCL to be seen as a premier employer in the community."
 
VanderWert spent several years recruiting in the technology and IT fields.  He understands what it takes to identify top talent in a competitive industry and how having the right employees help organizations grow and thrive long-term. 
 
"Having the right people that will make a positive impact on the organization and do right by the customers is vital in long-term success within any organization.  Finding the person to do the job is one thing.  Finding the person that can do the job and fit within the organization with the team and culturally is what we are looking for in the people we hire at MCL Construction," said VanderWert. 
 
MCL Construction has grown substantially in the past five years, approaching 200 employees. 
 
"We want to keep growing," added MCL Construction Senior Vice President Tony Fucinaro.  "Ben will play a significant role as we continue to expand our geographical footprint and provide our relationship-based building model to clients who are looking for a partner to solve their building problems."
 
MCL Construction recently moved into its new corporate headquarters located at 14558 Portal Circle in La Vista, Nebraska.  The building has made a big impression on VanderWert and he believes it will make his job a lot easier.
 
"Having a new and welcoming facility will undoubtedly help in attracting people.  In my opinion, it is all about the opportunity and culture of the organization.  But having a place to work where there is proper/enhanced technology, collaboration spaces, and an open environment will help in growth and retention."
 
About MCL Construction
For many businesses, navigating the entire construction process and knowing who to trust can be overwhelming.  At MCL Construction, our people simplify the process by listening, planning, executing, and continuing the relationship to build their vision.