Category: News

Riverside, CA – April 24, 2017 – HHCI announces the selection of Mr. Jeff Geist for the position of President of Hal Hays Construction. Mr. Geist recently served as Vice President of Ames Construction, Inc., with previous positions at Granite Construction, Los Angeles Engineering and Teichert Construction.

His notable construction projects include:

• $263M I-15 Express Lane Design Build project
• $40M San Juan Creek Channel Design Build project
• Numerous Caltrans paving projects requiring an annual placement of over 1,000,000 tons of asphalt in various locations throughout Northern California
• $400M Land Development & Residential Infrastructure programs for Centex, Taylor-Woodrow, and Meritage residential builders

As a lifelong construction professional, Mr. Geist earned his experience through a variety of positions including Laborer, Operating Engineer, Foreman, Estimator, Operations Manager, General Manager and Vice President. His extensive experience also encompasses HMA plant and quarry operations as well as fire and earthquake emergency response programs.

“With the opportunities being presented to HHCI, along with the state’s initiatives for infrastructure upgrades in the years to come, HHCI is poised for steady growth over the next decade,” said Kirby Hays. “In pursuit of our growth, I am so excited to see the positive effect Jeff will have across the company. Please join me in welcoming Jeff as President of Hal Hays Construction! Welcome aboard, Jeff!”

Mr. Geist will report directly to Kirby Hays who will retain the role and title of Chief Executive Officer at Hal Hays Construction.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 12, 2017

HHCI & Partners Complete 2nd Sherman Indian High School Beautification Project

Riverside, CA – April 12, 2017 – On Saturday, April 1st, in keeping with HHCI’s social responsibility commitment, the HHCI team and partners painted the Winona nearby areas on the campus of Sherman Indian High School. The event was a huge success! We thank all the HHCI volunteers and our many partners who helped us accomplish the mission:

• Southern California Edison – Donated volunteer labor team to help paint
• AdPro – Donated volunteer labor team to help paint and helped publicize the event
• Clear Cloud Solutions – Donated volunteer labor team of 5 to help paint
• Cal Pacific Constructors – Donated volunteer labor team to help paint
• Bank of America – Donated volunteer labor team to help paint
• Dunn Edwards – A key material donation for this project, Dunn Edwards generously donated over 60 gallons of paint for the event
• Home Depot – Donated drop cloths and rollers
• Chick-fil-A – Donated delicious lunch for the event
• Cal Baptist University – Donated the other half of the delicious lunch
• CaliforniaThroughMyLens.com – Donated professional photography services
• Wal-Mart – Donated 10 cases of drinking water

This is the second dorm that we have painted as part of our Campus Beautification Program at Sherman Indian High School. Our team looks forward to additional campus beautification projects and the opportunity to engage with our Native American youth and contribute to their learning and skill development!

Quotes from Volunteers

“Hello Kirby, your good heart and taking action to care for our Native American students at Sherman Indian High School is to be commended…I was very impressed by many of the students who worked very hard and tirelessly to paint. Our block wall detail was led by a student intern from your Hal Hays Construction and we did our best to make that wall look sharp. Your intern, Qiana, was a good boss to all of us on her block wall crew. She hustled around to ensure we had enough materials, painted and she even brought us bottles of water to keep us hydrated. Congratulations for leading everyone to take some real action to help improve the dorm situation out there at Sherman. If you are able to organize these efforts again in the future, you can count on AD PRO and the American Indian Chamber’s support. We are very proud to stand with you my friend.”

Tracy Stanhoff, President
American Indian Chamber of Commerce of CA

“To the HHCI Team, great effort and demonstrates your commitment to the Native American cause and well-being…”

Craig Hayman, Sr. Programs / Contracts Mgr.-Major Capital Construction Projects
Southern California Edison

“Team, on behalf of the Bank of America Community Volunteers, we greatly appreciate the invitation to help with this event. Thank you Kirby and Hal Hays Construction for the generosity in helping our Native American community.”

Manuel Salcedo, Officer, Customer Service and Sales Team Manager
Bank of America

Riverside, CA – April 10, 2017 – – HHCI earned EXCEPTIONAL performance ratings in Work Quality, Cost Control, Schedule Management (early completion!) and Project Management for the execution of the $1.5M Repair Roads & Storm Water Improvements project at the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Cannon Air Defense Complex in Arizona. Also, the project delivery team completed the project 100% accident-free.

This project accomplished multiple road repairs, storm water improvements, new asphalt concrete main access and primary roads, retaining walls, guardrails, concrete curbs and sidewalks, re-grading of roadway shoulders, new asphalt concrete parking lot, widening of the main entry road to allow for a new two-way turn lane, additional parking spaces, and provision of new storm water retention areas.

Doy Crouch, CADC Supervisory Architect, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, stated:
Mr. (HHCI) provided exceptional quality in the performance of the work…and was proactive in engaging for the additional requirements. (HHCI) was able to complete all work items early. This contributed to zero impact to air station operations. (HHCI) managed the work exceptionally well. They were responsive to all actions that had potential to delay the work.”

Thanks to the HHCI team for their excellent performance on this project. HHCI looks forward to providing our award-winning services to the Naval Facilities Engineering Command-CADC for future projects of various types and sizes!

Riverside, CA – April 10, 2017 – The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)’s Region 9 presented the 2016 Flood Management Project of the Year Award for California to HHCI’s Eagle Canyon Dam & Debris Basin project! Projects eligible for the California Region 9 awards were projects that received an award from one of the four ASCE Sections within Region 9 in 2016. HHCI’s Project of the Year Award was selected for one of the 20 specific project awards from a pool of 74 eligible projects.

The 2017 Region 9 Awards Dinner took place on March 31, 2017 at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, California. Kirby Hays accepted the award plaque on behalf of HHCI as the project’s Construction Contractor. The project’s owner, Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, and the project’s Engineer of Record, Genterra Consultants Inc., also received awards.

HHCI congratulates the entire project delivery team, and thanks the ASCE Region 9 committee, and our client, Riverside County Flood Control District, for this prestigious award.

About ASCE
The American Society of Civil Engineers represents more than 150,000 members of the civil engineering profession in 177 countries.

Riverside, CA – March 28, 2017 – The Southern California Minority Supplier Development Council (SCMSDC) and Southern California Edison awarded HHCI the 2017 Supplier of the Year Award in the Class IV category (representing firms earning over $50M in revenue).

The Supplier of the Year Award recognizes Hal Hays Construction for its outstanding growth and development, employment and job creation, quality of operations, business performance, community service, overcoming obstacles, innovative approaches for clients, industry awards/letters of recommendations, MBE spend and more! The HHCI team has earned nomination for this prestigious award from Southern California Edison for 3 consecutive years. Most notable, only 3 percent of SCMSDC member firms earn nominations as a Supplier of the Year.

As the Class IV winner, HHCI receives special recognition by the council, a business scholarship to Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University (sponsored by Toyota Motor North America), and now will be competing for the 2017 Supplier of the Year Western Regional Title.
The Western Regional winner will get the chance to compete for the National Title at the 2017 National Minority Supplier Development Council conference held in Detroit, Michigan.

HHCI would like to send a special thank you to Southern California Edison, Dennis Thurston, Supplier Diversity, Craig Hayman, Corporate Real Estate, Eric Fisher, Supplier Diversity, and all the Edison team for their continued support and guidance!

Also, thank you to SCMSDC for their ongoing support and for capturing this special moment!

Riverside, CA – January 25, 2017 – HHCI as a long-standing member of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of San Diego, participated in the 2016 AGC annual Warm Clothes Drive to donate sweaters, coats, jackets, scarves, and blankets to St. Vincent de Paul Village and Toussaint Youth Villages. HHCI has been an AGC member for 9 years now and has participated in the coat drive in recent years, ranking one of the TOP FIRMS to donate items. This year, the HHCI team donated over 60 items to the AGC’s Warm Clothes Drive and will now help make a difference in the lives of the homeless community and many low-income families this winter season. HHCI thanks its generous team members, donors, and acknowledges the great leadership of AGC’s Build & Serve Committee for organizing this charitable project!

About Father Joe’s Villages

As San Diego’s largest homeless services provider, Father Joe’s Villages offers a wide variety of housing services at several locations including: St. Vincent de Paul Village, Toussaint Academy, Josue Homes, and five affordable housing complexes. The service organization prepares up to 3,000 meals and provides a continuum of care to nearly 1,500 individuals every day—from infants and adolescents to adults and seniors, including over 150 children and over 200 military veterans. Their tailored client solutions address the complex needs of the homeless, regardless of age, race, culture, or beliefs with the primary goal to transform lives and end the cycle of homelessness.

Riverside, CA – January 24, 2017 –  HHCI successfully completed construction of repairing various roads in the 52-Area of Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton for the Naval Facilities of Engineering Command. This $1.5M Design-Build project included pulverization of existing asphalt, installation of new curbs, gutters, sidewalks, ADA ramps, new asphalt, road striping, grading, pavement markings, and storm drain repairs.

The project delivery team did an excellent job executing this project by providing a comprehensive safety plan, waste management plan, environmental protection plan, and extensive traffic control plan.

In addition, the HHCI team successfully mitigated the impacts of construction activities at the project sites and provided a safe environment for all project teams, subcontractors, and facility end-users. Thank you HHCI team for your outstanding performance on this project! We look forward to the next challenging project at Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton.

Riverside, CA – January 03, 2017 – Since 2006, the Wayne B. Hays Scholarship program, in memory of Hal Hays’ late father Wayne, has awarded over $84,000 in scholarships to our employee’s family members in pursuit of higher education. This year HHCI donated $6,000 during the 13th Annual Christmas Party to students committed to becoming future engineers, entrepreneurs, and game wardens. These young adults have distinguished themselves through their passionate commitment towards their future success, in their communities, and in their careers.

• Tai Juneau, pursuing a B.S. in Business Administration at Colorado Mountain College with an overall goal of running his own business
• Ricky Carrillo, pursuing an M.S. in Structural Engineering at Cal Baptist University with an overall goal of obtaining a Ph.D. and becoming a research-oriented structural engineer
• Ryan Elkins, pursuing a B.A. in Criminal Justice at Butte College with an overall goal of becoming a game warden
• Madeline Tuff, pursuing a B.S. in Civil Engineering at University of Portland with a goal of obtaining a Professional Engineer License

Each recipient will receive a $1,500 scholarship for the 2017/2018 school year. Congratulations to all scholars and good luck with your future studies and goals!

Riverside, CA – December 01, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) announced the 2016 National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week Award winners. On October 24th, 2016, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker attended the 2016 National Minority Supplier Development Council Conference to award HHCI as the Minority Construction Firm of the Year. Secretary Pritzker provided remarks during the “Power Breakfast” session to recognize the dynamic group of individuals who have dedicated themselves and their resources to ensuring the advancement of the minority business community.

“Under President Obama’s leadership, America has moved from recession to recovery to expansion, and through it all, minority-owned firms have been integral to our nation’s success,” said Secretary Pritzker. “MED Week gives us a chance to celebrate that success and to strategize with industry leaders about the future.”

The annual NMSDC Conference and Business Opportunity Exchange attracts more than 6,000 corporate CEOs, procurement executives, entrepreneurs, influencers, business leaders, and supplier diversity professionals from the top multinational companies, international organizations and minority firms. HHCI thanks Secretary Pritzker and Alejandra Castillo, the MBDA National Director for this selection and recognition of our demonstrated leadership, outstanding industry performance, and commitment to advancement of the minority business community!

About the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

MBDA is the only Federal agency dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of U.S. minority-owned businesses. Their programs and services better equip minority-owned firms to create jobs, build scale and capacity, increase revenues and expand regionally, nationally and internationally. Services are provided through a network of MBDA Business Centers. After 47 years of service, MBDA continues to be a dedicated strategic partner to all U.S. minority-owned businesses, committed to providing programs and services that build size, scale and capacity through access to capital, contracts and markets.

Riverside, CA – November 03, 2016 – HHCI participated in the annual Cell Funds Donation Partner Program for the fourth year in a row where HHCI’s surplus cell phones, iPads, laptops, and GPS units are donated to help fund the American Association for Lost Children (AAFLC). Since 2013, HHCI has donated more than 140 used electronics to the Cell Funds Partner Program. Cell Funds refurbishes and recycles cell phones in an environmentally safe manner, and donates all proceeds to the AAFLC. As an international 501(c)(3) charitable organization, AAFLC has found and rescued over 135 missing children from places like Germany, Lebanon, South Korea, Mexico and numerous cities within the United States. These missing children have endured physical, mental, and emotional abuse – and in some cases sexual abuse.

“We appreciate your support to the American Association for Lost Children, through the donation of your used cell phones.” said Mark Miller, Founder of the American Association for Lost Children.

HHCI thanks Cell Funds and the American Association for Lost Children for their continued commitment to children and organizing this charitable program!

About AAFLC

The American Association for Lost Children, Inc. is an international charitable organization that actively finds and rescues missing children. AAFLC conducts physical searches and rescues missing children throughout the United States and other countries through hands-on investigations. The AAFLC has successfully rescued well over 170 missing children throughout the United States, Germany, Lebanon, Mexico, and South Korea.