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I-LinCP Blog

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  • October 04, 2020 11:53 AM | Carol Warkoczewski (Administrator)

    Oct. 2, 2020A LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDER

    Oct. 2, 2020

    Editor's note:  Carol Warkoczewski, AIA, is a Senior Architect, Public Works Department, for the City of San Antonio.  Carol founded the Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP) in 2010.

    I-LinCP at 10!

    Dear friends, members, supporters and industry associates:

    Wow!  This year, the Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP) turns ten years old! I founded I-LinCP with a mission to help improve the outcomes of people, projects, organizations, and the design and construction industry, in part by helping to connect and improve collaboration. As humans, we are social creatures and it should not come as any surprise that good relationships are key to our happiness and well-being.

    Research has shown that the quality of our relationships with our family, friends, and community is the single most significant driver of our happiness—and is more impactful than financial status, career status, religion, education, social status, fame, or even health. This year has tested us all--but we are proving each day that we are more resilient than we imagined we'd ever need to be.

    We are proud and gratified by how I-LinCP has helped build  connections over the last ten years, which have helped so many from a business and personal standpoint. And, we are constantly educating and challenging ourselves so that we can continue to add value for our members and the communities we serve.

    I recently had the opportunity to attend and present at the Groundbreaking Women in Construction Conference, hosted by ENR. It was a celebration of change-makers ranging from woman-owned Fortune 500 construction industry firms, to women in the field. As I watched the presentations, a wave of emotion hit me. I felt extremely humbled to be given the opportunity to connect and learn from some of the most inspiring women in philanthropy, business, and life in general. The two day conference brought together thought leaders that are committed to breaking the glass ceiling for all women and girls, globally. It was such a sincere honor to hear from women that inspire me each and every day.

    As I "virtually" saw and listened to these brilliant and passionate women share their own stories of success, failure, and how they persevered, I realized that we all had something in common. Our success was in large part due to great mentors, and experience - frequently, experience that was "hard won."  

    Let's all be supporters and mentors for each other and our upcoming leaders in the construction industry.  We are here to help! 

    Sign up for our upcoming Leadership in COLLABORATIVE Project Delivery (LinCPD) Certificate ProgramPD) Certificate Program!  Applications are due on Dec. 11, 2020, and the program starts on Jan. 11, 2021.

    Also, join us at our virtual 2020 LinCP Forum, Oct. 27-28!

    As always, stay tuned for event updates on our website, e-blasts, newsletters, and social media.

    For information about membership or getting involved, visit our expansive website.
    Or, feel free to contact Executive Director, Carla Bingaman.

    My best!


    Carol M. Warkoczewski, MSOLE, AIA, LinCPD

    Founder and Chief Vision Officer, I-LinCP


     

    UPCOMING EVENTS


    2020 LinCP FORUMUS 

    . 26-28, 2020The acceleration of “smart” technology is supporting the need for cities, industries, and facilities to adopt and integrate new trends to be efficient in many ways, stay competitive, preserve and sustainably grow economies, and build and retain talent.

    REGISTER & SPONSOR

     

    SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION HERE

    Leadership in COLLABORATIVE Project Delivery (LinCPD) Certificate Program

    Inspire. Motivate. Influence.

    Execute. Lead. Innovate.

    Our Leadership in Collaborative Project Delivery certificate program will help you build the confidence, skills and presence you need to lead your team and your projects to success. 

    MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

    Thank You to our 2020 Chapter Sponsors!

    Thanks to our Chapter Sponsrs!THANK YOU 2020 CHAPTER SPONSORS!

    CONTACT US

  • August 03, 2016 2:19 PM | Anonymous

    Coming straight off of our 2017 San Antonio Bond Update event yesterday, San Antonio Independent School District is proposing a tax increase to fund the updating of aging schools in the district. 

    Read the original article here.

    Tax increase may come to SAISD

    Board is considering about $500M in improvements

    By Elizabeth Lepro STAFF WRITER

    Faced with aging schools, some that haven’t seen major repairs in 40 years, the San Antonio Independent School District plans to ask for a 25-cent increase in taxes over five years to bring the schools into the 21st century.

    The SAISD board held a special meeting Monday night to hear recommendations from the community-based Blue Ribbon Task Force. The task force, launched in May, recommended two separate tax increases, one to fund a $450 million bond for renovations at 13 schools and another to pay for a project that would modernize classrooms across the district and add enrichment programs.

    “If our children are going to be competitive, there is no way that we can make that true unless they have the proper learning environment,” said Superintendent Pedro Martinez, citing the need to replace old air conditioning and sound systems and bring modern technology into classrooms.

    The board approved a public meeting date, Aug. 15, to hear from the community and vote on the recommendations.

    Once the board finalizes the details, the proposed increase and bond will be questions on the November ballot. As proposed, there would be a 13-cent increase in taxes in 2016 from $1.04 to $1.17 per $100 valuation, which is expected to generate about $15.6 million with matching state funds. To support the bond, taxes would increase by

    an additional 12 cents over five years, starting in 2017.

    That means that for the average home in SAISD — valued at $70,023 — the annual tax bill would go up $180.75 by 2020, from $999.62 to $1,180.37 without exemptions.

    While the $32 million would go toward all schools in the district, the task force recommended 13 specific schools — seven high schools, four middle schools and two elementary schools — to receive the $450 million bond money.

    A crowd of representatives from the Young Women’s Leadership Academy who attended the meeting Monday were already disgruntled to see their school’s name missing from the bond recommendation.

    “When I saw on Facebook that this meeting was for a new bond and our name was nowhere on it, I was heartbroken,” said Karen Harris, a teacher at the all girls school.

    Harris was one of about 15 parents, teachers and students at the meeting Monday night. Several said the superintendent had promised new paint, air conditioning fix-ups and exterior improvements that never came.

    “I apologize because we should not have dropped that ball,” Martinez said.

    After the meeting he said certain changes, such as removing the “Horace Mann Middle School” sign that’s still on the school, are barred by the Historic Preservation Society.

    It isn’t just the YWLA that needs attention, said board member Debra Guerrero, who noted that schools throughout the predominantly low-income district are all playing “catch up.”

    The meeting on Aug. 15, along with feedback from school representatives before the meeting, could change the specifics of the recommendations, but based on board members’ reactions Monday, it’s likely that voters will be facing two decisions regarding their taxes this November.

    “This vote on Nov. 8 … is really about transformation,” board member Ed Garza said. “We’ve seen our district improve in the past 20 years, but are we happy with that?” llepro@express-news.net


  • June 22, 2016 2:50 PM | Anonymous
    Corporate member Page Southerland Page has written up and excellent article about the recent Austin Chapter event Dell Seton Medical School Program:

    ------------------------

    Page Emphasizes Innovation at Panel on Dell Medical School

    The Austin Chapter of the Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP) brought together key stakeholders to discuss their perspectives on the Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas at Austin. The district is made up of the Dell Medical School, which comprises three new buildings and a parking garage totaling more than 590,000 square feet, and the Dell Seton Medical Center, another 500,000 square-foot healthcare facility including a teaching hospital and a Level 1 Trauma Center. Citing the project’s unprecedented community partnership, I-LinCP asked major players to discuss project benefits and key lessons learned during the initial phase of construction.

    Page Principal and Project Director for the Dell Medical School Research and Office Building Brian Roeder was part of the panel discussion that followed introductions by President of Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas, University Medical Center Brackenridge and Seton Shoal Creek Hospital Christann M. Vasquez and Senior Project Manager The University of Texas System Office of Facilities Planning and Construction Jim Shackelford.

    Vasquez concentrated on redefining the patient experience while “putting a little bit of Austin” into the building designs. Shackelford focused on the primary design challenges, which included complying with the Capitol View Corridors ordinance as well as solving problems presented by the flood plain and Waller Creek. The ensuing panel discussion, which Page’s Roeder participated in also included Operations Manager of Hensel Phelps Dwight Runkels and Vice President of Operations for JE Dunn Greg Euston.

    After a lively discussion, the panel concluded with Roeder emphasizing the push for innovation at the medical school. “The Health Transformation Building is approaching clinical healthcare from very much an academic approach,” he said. “It's a place for learning, experimentation and trials. Rooms are not set to standard size but rather will have moveable walls and can accommodate distinct set ups and integrated practice unit concepts. The Dell Medical School can then assess what works and what doesn’t with hard data and user feedback.  Over time the integrated practice module can adjust how medical delivery changes, all with the underlying concept to improve the patient experience.”

    06/16/2016

    ------------------------

    See the original article here.

    Thank you Page for your awesome support!

  • September 18, 2013 12:47 PM | Carol Warkoczewski (Administrator)
    September 16, 2013, San Antonio

    Yes, that is me at the bottom of the page!  Too small?  Here's what was written:

    Newsmaker: Carol M. Warkoczewski

    Last October, Carol Warkoczewski became the new city architect for San Antonio. It is a title that comes with a long list of responsibilities undefined including overseeing more than 100 projects for the city’s residents.

    So what does it take to be the city architect? Below are five things to know about Warkoczewski and her role with the city of San Antonio that will shed some light on her job and the future she is helping to build for the Alamo City.

    • Her formal title is almost as long as the list of projects she oversees

    Warkoczewski heads up Capital Improvements Management Services (CIMS)-Vertical Division. She leads a team of 25 architects and support staff. To date, her team has 133 active projects undefined including Pearsall Park, the Hemisfair PlayEscape project as well as some fire stations, community centers and libraries.

    • Warkoczewski believes in taking a big-picture approach to projects

    “The methods we use to plan, design and deliver our projects make a difference,” she explains. Therefore, she adds, it is important that her department, and those the city partners with, are taking a long-term view of these projects. “My philosophy is that the highest needs of the city’s citizens are best met when we take a long-term approach and make sure that the investments we make in our built environment are well-planned and well executed,” she says.

    • Warkoczewski is an adept juggler of projects

    She was previously the assistant director of resource management for the University of Texas System undefined which meant overseeing the projects of 15 campuses within the system.

    “Of my many ‘hats’ at UT System, I oversaw the development of the University of Texas System’s six-year Capital Improvement Program. I worked with the 15 components to help identify and clarify their project needs.”

    • Warkoczewski is a practical artist

    Asked what compelled her to a career as an architect, Warkoczewski says that she wanted to have a positive influence on people through her projects.

    “And I wanted to combine my artistic sense with a ‘practical’ purpose,” she adds.

    • Warkoczewski is excited about the Hemisfair PlayEscape

    “I can see myself bringing my now 9-month old granddaughter there in a couple of years, and it will be really fun!” she says.

    Warkoczewski is also heading up a task force to designate what she calls a “cultural zone.” This zone would be located west of North St. Mary’s Street and east of IH-35, primarily along Commerce Street.

    “We will be seeking Council approval for this designation in October,” she adds.

  • July 21, 2011 10:58 AM | Carol Warkoczewski (Administrator)
    Biggest issue facing capital projects industry? Financing, especially for the public sector. P3's are a leading topic of discussion to assist with this.  Also, optimized building operations, to fully utilize energy management systems and sustainable design.

    As far as increasing profits, facility owners are squeezing contractors a lot in this economy, so increasing profits are tough.  Owners need to realize that they cannot burn bridges with their design and construction teams, as the general belief is that the economy will improve in coming two years.  If owners squeeze contractors so much now, that decreases future competitiveness (firms going out of business) and leaves contractors with the feeling that they will "make up" for losses in future projects. Gottcha!

    When considering the basic project cost/influence curve, the fees paid to the design side are miniscule compared to the influence that design has on the ultimate life time operations of the building. Too often, project owners are near-sided on this point, looking only to lower first-costs without considering future costs. Paying architects and engineers the best fees for the best design will provide future costs benefits.

    Strategies?  I think a continued focus on effective cross-communications and collaboration is going to help everyone. The use of 4-D and 5-D BIM (better get on board with this!) will help in project predictability, and this transparency improves accountability and trust. The use of project information management/sharing tools and processes such as MySmartPlans, BIM, P3's, Partnering,  Owner's Project Requirements, to get everyone around the same table, get everyone's needs out front. Anything that helps to facilitate sharing of information and smooth the plan/ design/construct/ operate process flow will decrease time and effort and decrease the waste of our most important resource, people.  Improved, collaborative processes will decrease the "irritability" factor, and personal and organizational stress and burn-out, keeping us engaged and at our most productive in order to solve problems and create sustainable solutions.

    There is a need for owners to encourage (demand?) improvements and help lead the evolving of our industry. There are many owners (plus designers and constructors) who are at the forefront of pushing our industry to transform, evolve and improve, but also, too many who are not providing enough leadership.  This needs to change.

    We can be a catalyst for more than change in just our industry.

    Our industry can be a catalyst for change in our nation and world, in how we do business together: collaboration, partnerships, trust, communications, and shared solutions.

    Carol Warkoczewski, AIA, MSOLE
    Founder and Executive Director
    I-LinCP
    carol@i-lincp.org
    512-263-5521
  • June 17, 2011 11:09 AM | Carol Warkoczewski (Administrator)

    Austin, TX, The Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP) reached an important goal of obtaining their 501(c)(3) charitable organization status from the IRS. Funded through memberships, sponsorships, event registrations, and gifts and grants, I-LinCP supports project stakeholders, organizational partners and communities to plan, design, deliver and operate capital projects with less waste in fiscal, time, and environmental resources.

    I-LinCP formed as a nonprofit corporation in Texas in January 2010. According to founder and Executive Director, Carol Warkoczewski, “This marks an important step, upon the first year anniversary of the Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP).”

    According to the IRS, organizations that meet the requirements of Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) are exempt from federal income tax as charitable organizations. In addition, contributions made to charitable organizations by individuals and corporations are deductible under Code section 170.

    “We are excited to now be able to attract and attain additional funding such as gifts and grants in support of our mission to: Transform the capital projects industry for optimized leadership, delivery, and performance,” Warkoczewski states.

    Exempt status will allow I-LinCP members and contributors to receive tax advantages. I-LinCP will also seek grants that require 501(c)(3) status. Gifts and grants will assist I-LinCP to effect significant change in the capital projects industry. I-LinCP Initiatives, lead by the I-LinCP Board of Directors and member volunteers, such as the IPD Mockup, Public Facilities Procurement & Delivery Education, and the proposed ACED! (architects, contractors, engineers, delivery) Camp, will benefit directly from grants and charitable gifts.  

    I-LinCP stands firm on improved leadership and sustainability, and intends to support other nonprofits, community activities and projects through financial and service resources.

  • April 25, 2011 6:33 PM | Carol Warkoczewski (Administrator)
    Creativity and problem solving is better available to us when we pay attention to and manage our personal electromagnetic energy (what? Yes!).

    Dr. Sue Morter is an internationally recognized authority on bridging Science, Spirit and Human Possibility.   She can be seen in documentary films, internet television and radio interviews and live conferences worldwide.

    Dr. Sue Morter

    Here is a TED talk she did for NASA in 2009:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKqpiS9tjgQ

    My best,
    Carol Warkoczewski


  • January 12, 2011 2:08 PM | Carol Warkoczewski (Administrator)

    Branch: "No Way" to Avoid Higher Ed Cuts

    by Elise Hu, The Texas Tribune
    January 12, 2011

    Get Adobe Flash player
    As state leaders grapple with a budget shortfall that could be as high as $27 billion, state Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, who chaired the House Higher Education Committee in 2009, offers up some possible cuts to higher education.

    This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at http://trib.it/e5n1mD.

  • December 22, 2010 2:25 PM | Carol Warkoczewski (Administrator)
    Looking back on 2010, I can't help but wonder at what the Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects has accomplished.  We went from a series of "Forums" to a real organization, with a large, enthusiastic and accomplished Board of Directors, a helpful Advisory Council, and now sporting 42 (paying) members.


    I am blessed by the people who have believed in my vision and made it their own, and the power we have when we come together with focused intention.


                Amazing.


    Carol Warkoczewski, RA, MSOLE
    Founder and Executive Director
    Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP)

  • September 02, 2010 2:09 PM | Carol Warkoczewski (Administrator)
    Held in Bastrop, Texas on August 31, the Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP), strategic planning meeting, attended by the Board of Directors, produced a set of ten industry issues that will be focused on during 2011-2012.

    During a day of lively and collaborative  conversation, it was decided that some of these issues will be themes for LinCP Forums, others will be topics for shorter events, and others may become initiatives, or folded into Leadership in Capital Projects (LinCP Forums) as sub-topics. 

    Other products and services may also be developed to further the I-LinCP mission to promote leadership, excellence, predictability and sustainability in the planning, design, delivery and operation of capital projects through education, research and development, collaborative Forums, and other events, products and services.


    Ten Industry Issues:

     1.  Facilitation of Change - Theme for the 2011 Annual LinCP Forum - What's changing and why, integrated practices, seeking a world view, IPD in Texas, how change affects our industry and each stakeholder group
     2.  Integrated Practice  - IPD and "IPD-ish," legalities, Texas legislation, working with associations, pros and cons for/from stakeholders
     3.  BIM  - defining, delivering, digging deeper, 6-D, what Owners want/need, challenges to delivering, after the project is turned over, legalities
     4.  Insurance Programs - options, selecting, differences and benefits
     5.  Facilities and Program Management Technologies - Are providers delivering what's really needed? Promises vs. reality
     6.  Sustainability - Review new Texas standards, sustainability without LEED, project examples, other ways to "grade" sustainability, defining what's needed
     7.  Sub-contractor's Perspective - Needed in general, and especially with integrated teams
     8.  Dispute Resolution Processes - Preventing, dealing with disputes, recovering from a dispute
     9.  Financing Projects for State-funded Entities - getting $'s, process of where money comes from and how decisions are made, Public-private partnerships, stories of successes and failures
     10.  Construction Delivery Methods - Can include IPD, public-private-partnerships, CM@risk, etc.  Need more focus on how to do/not do CM@R, selecting the best delivery for the project

    Upcoming events are:
    • November 4, 2010: Social Event, Austin, Texas
    • February 23-25, 2011: 3rd Annual Leadership in Capital Projects (LinCP) Forum, Austin, Texas
    I-LinCP Membership is now open!

    To provide input or to assist at events or on committees, please contact Carol Warkoczewski at:
    Email: cwarkoczewski@yahoo.com
    Tel: (512) 263-5521

    Carol is the Founder, Executive Director and Board Chair of I-LinCP.

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