With a proven background in retail construction, Hoar broke into the Houston market with projects like First Colony Mall, Deerwood and Westwood Mall. That success led to a permanent office opening in Houston in 1997 amid a strong local economy and rapid expansion.
Looking back on our 20 years in Texas is like looking back at an old yearbook.” said Managing Director Brian Cook. “Great memories of both successes and failures as well as the lifelong friendships that were forged, all of which created this wonderful business that we have today.”
Today, the Texas Division continues to focus on diverse market projects, managing more than $220 million in work. Projects across the state include a 6-story tower expansion for Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo, the new Wildcat Football Stadium at Abilene Christian University and the Academic & Student Services Building at Texas A&M-Texarkana. Locally, Hoar is near topping out the Latitude at Texas Medical Center, a 35-story high rise on Main Street. This fall, the team also will complete Midway’s Hotel Alessandra, located in the GreenStreet mixed-use development downtown.
As a part of the celebration, the team is recognizing long-term employees, strong client/partner relationships, and its contributions to the community. Original Texas employees include Division Managing Director Brian Cook, General Superintendent Mike McKinnon, Director of Preconstruction Brian Benefiel, Project Executive Scott Thetford, Project Executive Nikolas Fowler, Project Executive Jeff Light and Senior Estimator Ray Finlayson. In addition, Director of Business Development Scott Evans was an architect and partner on one of the team’s early projects in Houston, Inn at the Ballpark (now The Westin Houston Downtown).
The Texas Division also kicked off a community impact campaign as part of the 20th anniversary festivities. One of Hoar’s core values is stewardship, and all employees, and divisions, seek out ways to add value to each other, their clients, projects and community. The “20 for Texas” campaign benefitted Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization with more than 200 food banks across the country, including in all of our current Texas project locations. Since July 1, the teams have raised more than $6,000, donated 3,500 cans of food and completed 160 volunteer shifts at food banks across the state.
Hoar’s Texas Division celebration culminated in a 20th anniversary party at the Redneck Country Club.
