IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - Looking to leverage your experience and skills with competitive benefits and excellent salary potential? Most people might need to hire an employment agency to find such an extraordinary position, or spent months or even years sending out countless resumes. But according to Teresa Johnston, Communications Director at Vista International Operations, many qualified Quad-City residents will discover exceptional positions at an upcoming Vista Career Fair.
"Vista has many positions which may need to be filled very quickly," Johnston said. "We are gearing up to begin work on multiple potential contracts, and may have to fill hundreds of jobs, locally and abroad. It's a very exciting time for both Vista and the Quad-Cities. For many individuals who are unemployed or dissatisfied with their current positions, the Career Fair will provide outstanding opportunities."
The Vista Career Fair will be held 1 to 7 p.m., Thursday, January 31, 2013, at Western Illinois University-Quad Cities, Riverfront 103-104, 3300 River Drive, Moline, IL. Employment opportunity presentations will be held at 2, 4, and 6 p.m. Vista International Operations is a global provider of enterprise-level information technology (IT) services, logistics management, and engineering support services to government and private industry. Vista is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC), which was formed in 1972 as part of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
According to Johnston, available positions with Vista include Call Center Associate, Computer System Support Specialist, Database Administrator, LAN Administrator, System Administrator, Web Developer, Email Administrator, and Application Programmer. The Career Fair will also include positions with Vista Technical Services, another BBNC subsidiary.
High-Paying Positions Here and Abroad.
"Many of the positions will be based locally, while others are overseas positions," Johnston said. "Vista is a global company, with 348 employees worldwide. The average salary is about $64,000." She added that in the last three years, Vista has paid more than $16 million in payroll to Quad-Cities employees.
In addition to Vista's work in the United States, the corporation also performs information technology and logistics on behalf of the U.S. Government overseas. Locations include Kuwait and Afghanistan and have salaries ranging from $100,000 to $190,000, depending on the position. For stateside opportunities, salaries will range from $45,000 to $95,000, depending on the position and location. Benefits offered by Vista include :

  • Medical, dental and vision insurance for employee and dependents
  • Cafeteria plan for dependent care/flex accounts/HSA accounts
  • Short-/long-term disability, company paid
  • 10 paid holidays per year
  • Annual leave: Two weeks first year, increases after five years
  • Sick leave: One week first year, increases after five years
  • $5k spouse, $2k child life insurance, company paid
  • Life/accidental death insurance, company paid
  • Emergency leave
  • Civic leave: Jury duty/voting
  • Educational assistance
  • 401(k) company match
  • Additional profit-sharing plan, contribution to 401K
"At the Career Fair, people will get to meet and talk with the actual hiring Project Managers," said Johnston, "so each attendee will have the chance to meet their potential boss, face to face. We encourage career-minded individuals to come to the event, get to know Vista, and check out the opportunities we have available."
For more information on Vista International Operations and the Career Fair, call Teresa Johnston, Communications Director, at 563-823-6657, or visit www.viops.com.
Byrum Family Dentistry Holds Screening Exams for the Community

BETTENDORF, IA - According to 2012 estimates from the American Cancer Society, about 35,000 people will get oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer annually, and an estimated 6,800 people will die of these cancers. The professionals at Byrum Family Dentistry believe that even one death from oral cancer is one too many.
That's why Byrum Family Dentistry is offering free oral cancer screenings throughout 2013 to all patients who schedule dental cleanings. "If detected early, oral cancer is highly treatable," said Dr. Mindy Hochgesang of Byrum Family Dentistry. "The exam consists of shining a special light into the patient's mouth. It's quick, easy and pain-free." No stains or rinses are required during the procedure.
"When patients diagnosed with oral and oropharyngeal cancers are examined, a small number may have another cancer in a nearby area," Dr. Hochgesang added. "It may be in the larynx, the esophagus, or even the lung. That fact helps to illustrate the importance of early detection."
Byrum Family Dentistry, the dental practice of Robert L. Byrum, D.D.S., P.C., and Melinda Hochgesang, D.M.D., is located at 3878 Middle Road, Bettendorf, IA.
The VELscope Difference
According to Hochgesang, the screening procedure uses a hand-held device called the VELscope. This device provides dentists and hygienists with an easy-to-use method for the early detection of a wide variety of oral diseases, including pre-cancerous conditions and cancer.
The VELscope handpiece emits a safe green light into the oral cavity which enhances the contrast between normal and abnormal tissue. This aids in the discovery of oral abnormalities before they become visible under ordinary light. "The VELscope is the only non-invasive device of its kind clinically proven to help discover oral disease," Hochgesang said.
In addition to cancer detection, the VELscope system can also help in finding other oral abnormalities, such as viral, fungal and bacterial infections; inflammation from a variety of causes; squamous papillomas; and salivary gland tumors.
Committed to the Community
The professionals at Byrum Family Dentistry believe in actively promoting dental health in the community. Since 1990, Dr. Byrum has made monthly donations to area charities such as the Make a Wish Foundation and the American Cancer Society. Routinely, toothbrushes, floss, and toothpaste have been donated to area causes, including shelters, schools, and overseas military personnel.
For more information or to schedule a dental cleaning and cancer screening, call Byrum Family Dentistry at (563) 332-7734 or visit ByrumFamilyDentistry.com.
-- End --
IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - "The Chick-fil-A Leadercast is about living a life of sincere leadership, in both your personal life and in the community. Last year, a record number of Quad-Citians attended QC Leadercast, and we hope to see even more in 2013. For anyone wishing to forge stronger leadership qualities, this is the perfect opportunity to learn from the world's greatest experts on the topic."

That quote comes from Todd Ashby, Managing Partner of Results Marketing. For the past three years, Results Marketing and select sponsors have been bringing simulcasts of the Chick-fil-A Leadercast to the Quad-Cities area. Leadercast is an annual leadership event broadcast live from Atlanta, Georgia, to audiences in metro areas worldwide.
A video selection of four speakers from the 2012 Leadercast will be presented at the 2013 Chick-fil-A Leadercast Recap Lunch & Learn events, sponsored by Results Marketing and St. Ambrose University. "These internationally known speakers will share exciting insights to energize your leadership skills," said Ashby. "Attendees can watch these enlightening videos and discuss their content with other area professionals. Each of the four sessions will be facilitated by a St. Ambrose faculty member and all attendees will enjoy a delicious Chick-fil-A lunch."
Only 65 seats are available at each Recap Lunch & Learn event, so be sure to register today. The events will be held noon to 1 p.m. on January 4, February 1, March 1, and April 5, at the St. Ambrose University Downtown Education Center, located in the New Ventures Center at 331 W. 3rd St., Davenport, IA 52801. Cost to attend is $15 per session and includes lunch from Chick-fil-A, or you can save by enrolling in all four events for only $45.

The following speakers will be featured at the Leadercast Re-Cap Lunch & Learn events:
January 4, 2013
John Maxwell is a renowned leadership expert, coach, and author, who has sold more than 20 million books. Every year, Dr. Maxwell speaks to Fortune 100 companies, international government leaders, and organizations such as the United States Military Academy at West Point, the National Football League, and the United Nations. His organizations have trained more than 5 million leaders in 153 countries.
Maxwell's books include The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Developing the Leader Within You, The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader, and many more.
February 1, 2013
Marcus Buckingham is a strength strategist, best-selling author, and researcher. His latest project, StandOut, is a book and strengths assessment combination, which uses a new research methodology to reveal your top two "Strength Roles." StandOut gives people practical innovations that fit their strengths, and provides managers with quick insights on how to get the best from each member of their team.
Buckingham's books include First, Break All the Rules; Now, Discover Your Strengths; The One Thing You Need to Know; Go Put Your Strengths to Work; The Truth About You; and Find Your Strongest Life.

March 1, 2013
Andy Stanley is an acclaimed leadership communicator, author, pastor, and the founder of North Point Ministries, Inc. Every month, well over a million people from nearly every country in the world choose to tune in, download, or stream Stanley's teaching content via TV, radio, podcasts, and live streaming.
Stanley's books include The Next Generation Leader, Visioneering, Enemies of the Heart, and The Principle of the Path.
April 5, 2013
Patrick Lencioni is a best-selling author and founder and president of The Table Group, Inc., a specialized management-consulting firm focused on organizational health. Lencioni's nine best-selling books have sold nearly 3 million copies,  and his work has also been featured in such publications such as BusinessWeek, Fast Company, INC Magazine, USA Today, Fortune, Drucker Foundation's Leader to Leader, and Harvard Business Review.
Lencioni's books include The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, The Three Signs of a Miserable Job, and Getting Naked.
"We will be hosting a new day-long Leadercast event in May 2013," Ashby said, "so anyone thinking of attending the Spring 2013 event may want to attend these Lunch & Learn sessions beforehand, to get a feel for the topics to be discussed. While Leadercast has a different theme each year, you can be sure that the presentations will be thought-provoking and inspiring."
To register for the Leadercast Re-Cap Lunch & Learn events or for more information, call Marcia Brandt of Results Marketing at 563-322-2065 or email Marcia@resultsimc.com. Feel free to befriend Leadercast Quad Cities on Facebook at www.facebook.com/qcleadercast.
-- End --

IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - Bush Construction of Davenport, IA, has begun work on the new MetroLINK Transit Maintenance Facility, a $33 million project in Rock Island, IL. The structure will be a green building, and A.J. Loss, President of Bush Construction, believes this project may inspire and encourage other area businesses to choose sustainable construction as an option for their future projects.

"Green buildings save money in heating, air-conditioning, electricity and water usage costs. They can offer incredible benefits for a building's efficiency and for the environment," said Loss. "They are also more comfortable and healthier for the people who use them."
The new MetroLINK Transit Maintenance Facility is planned to be a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certified Building. The 150,000-square-foot, one-story MetroLINK Transit Maintenance Facility will be located at 4501 4th Ave., Rock Island, Illinois, in Columbia Park, where a former Farmall plant used to stand.
Quad Cities MetroLINK is the primary public transportation system of the Illinois Quad-Cities, and has been a sustainable leader in the community for more than a decade, through the active use of clean technologies and infrastructure.
"We are happy to be working with Bush Construction on this project, since they have considerable expertise in sustainable construction," said Jennifer Garrity, MetroLINK's Manager of Administration. "Like MetroLINK, Bush Construction is dedicated to a greener future." The new facility will be completed in early 2014.
According to Loss, the structure will incorporate cutting-edge green building elements, so that it saves energy and functions in harmony with the environment. "We have seven LEED Accredited Professionals on-staff, including myself," he added, "and the rest of our staff is knowledgeable about sustainable construction. In addition to the green expertise that will go into the MetroLINK project, we will also incorporate an advanced safety regimen."
MetroLINK's current maintenance facility, built in 1983, is located near the new site at 2929 5th Ave., Rock Island. While the current facility can hold up to 57 buses, the new building will more than double that number, with a top capacity of 120 vehicles. The new building will feature a compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station, since 70% of the MetroLINK fleet runs on natural gas. This will allow MetroLINK to maintain its fleet in one location while still allowing for growth well into the future.

According to Tom Quinn, Bush Construction's Project Manager for the MetroLINK facility, their contract covers everything in the construction process except the building concrete, the structural steel, and the compressed natural-gas system. "Those will be covered by other contracts," Quinn said.
Bush Construction will serve as the prime contractor for the general construction bid package, while the Weitz Company, Des Moines, Iowa, will act as the construction manager.
"Outstanding Green Features"

"The new building will include many outstanding green features," said Quinn. "LEED Silver is the minimum rating for this project - we're not accepting anything less."
Throughout the project, Quinn noted, Bush Construction will recycle at least 75 percent of the construction waste. "Wood will go in one dumpster, cardboard in another, and on down the line with everything that can be reclaimed," he said. "It means some additional work, but that's to be expected. Green building isn't the easiest route, but it's well worth the effort."
Quinn noted that the facility will include a bio-swale - a place for the storage of diverted storm water, so that it can be reabsorbed into the surrounding environment, as opposed to allowing it to gush into the sewer system. "Big rain-storms can overtax a city's sewer system, and the bio-swale will make sure that the new MetroLINK facility won't add to that concern," he said. "Also, solar energy will be used to heat water for the facility's bus-wash system."
Other green elements of the structure will include :
  • Photovoltaic solar array - a linked collection of solar panels (funded by a grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation)
  • Variable refrigerant flow system
  • White thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) roofing
  • High-efficiency window glazing
  • Lighting control strategies
No Fear of OSHA Here
"With this project, we expect to establish a partnership with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as we did with our recent St. Ambrose University residence project," Quinn said. "Bush Construction will work closely with an OSHA representative who will make safety suggestions throughout the run of the project."
Quinn observed that many construction companies might be hesitant to work this closely with OSHA. "Some firms might be afraid of what OSHA will find on their jobsites," he said. "We see it as an opportunity to continue learning from their highly trained, experienced safety staff."
In addition to Loss and Quinn, other members of the Bush Construction team who will serve on the MetroLINK project are Brian Olson, Construction Superintendent; Marlayna Millizer, Project Engineer; and Stacey Rensberger and Amy Simler, Project Coordinators.
"We look forward to collaborating with the staff members at MetroLINK on this project," said Loss. "They are consummate professionals and together, we will create a facility that will benefit the Quad-Cities for decades."
Recently, MetroLINK was named as the 2012 Outstanding Public Transportation System for all agencies in North America carrying between 1 million and 4 million passengers annually. MetroLINK carried 3.5 million trips in fiscal year 2011.

For more information on Bush Construction, call (563) 344-3791 or visit BushConstruct.com. To find out more about MetroLINK, call (309) 788-3360 or visit GoGreenMetro.com.

-- End --

Treats for the Troops

BETTENDORF, IA - This Halloween, Byrum Family Dentistry is offering Quad-Cities families a chance to reward America's troops for their valor - as they help children to fight tooth decay.
From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 1, kids age 12 and under can bring their Halloween candy to Byrum Family Dentistry and they will buy the candy for $1 per pound. The candy collected will be sent to America's troops serving overseas. Byrum Family Dentistry, the dental practice of Robert L. Byrum, D.D.S., P.C., and Melinda Hochgesang, D.M.D., is located at 3878 Middle Road, Bettendorf, IA.
In addition to the cash reward, every participating child will also get a free toothbrush. Plus, if the child is not already a patient of Byrum Family Dentistry, he or she will receive a coupon for a free exam. This exam will include an initial dental examination, X-rays, and consultation.
"Our Halloween program is a win-win deal for the whole family," said Dr. Byrum. "Parents will be pleased that their children will be eating less sweets, and the kids will receive a nice reward in exchange for their contribution to America's troops. Plus, the program will also set many children down the path to improved dental health."
The professionals at Byrum Family Dentistry believe in giving back to the community and actively promoting dental health. Since 1990, Dr. Byrum has made monthly donations to area charities such as the Make a Wish Foundation and the American Cancer Society. Routinely, toothbrushes, floss, and toothpaste have been donated to area causes, including shelters, schools, and overseas military personnel.

For more information, call Byrum Family Dentistry at (563) 332-7734 or visit ByrumFamilyDentistry.com.
BETTENDORF, IA - This Halloween, Byrum Family Dentistry is offering Quad-Cities families a chance to reward America's troops for their valor - as they help children to fight tooth decay.
From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 1, kids age 12 and under can bring their Halloween candy to Byrum Family Dentistry and they will buy the candy for $1 per pound. The candy collected will be sent to America's troops serving overseas. Byrum Family Dentistry, the dental practice of Robert L. Byrum, D.D.S., P.C., and Melinda Hochgesang, D.M.D., is located at 3878 Middle Road, Bettendorf, IA.
In addition to the cash reward, every participating child will also get a free toothbrush. Plus, if the child is not already a patient of Byrum Family Dentistry, he or she will receive a coupon for a free exam. This exam will include an initial dental examination, X-rays, and consultation.
"Our Halloween program is a win-win deal for the whole family," said Dr. Byrum. "Parents will be pleased that their children will be eating less sweets, and the kids will receive a nice reward in exchange for their contribution to America's troops. Plus, the program will also set many children down the path to improved dental health."
The professionals at Byrum Family Dentistry believe in giving back to the community and actively promoting dental health. Since 1990, Dr. Byrum has made monthly donations to area charities such as the Make a Wish Foundation and the American Cancer Society. Routinely, toothbrushes, floss, and toothpaste have been donated to area causes, including shelters, schools, and overseas military personnel.

For more information, call Byrum Family Dentistry at (563) 332-7734 or visit ByrumFamilyDentistry.com.
ON THE HEELS OF A HEATED ILLINOIS FORUM, U.S. HOUSE REP. DAVE LOEBSACK AND CANDIDATE JOHN ARCHER BOTH CONFIRM PARTICIPATION; STATE SENATOR SHAWN HAMERLINCK AND CHRIS BRASE ALSO CONFIRMED.

DAVENPORT, IA - How important is the Latino vote? "According to the Pew Hispanic Research Center, there are 52,000 eligible voters in Iowa who are Latino, making up roughly 2.3% of the state's voters," said Alvaro C. Macias, Programs and Events Chair for the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GQCHCC). "With many races being so close, the Latino vote may prove to be the deciding factor. From our local races to the presidential election, the implications may be huge."
To help Iowa voters to know where the candidates stand on issues that matter to our region, the GQCHCC, St. Ambrose University, and Scott Community College proudly present the 2012 Candidates Forum. This free public event will be held 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 7, at St. Ambrose University's Rogalski Center, 518 W. Locust St., Davenport.
The GQCHCC has been working with St. Ambrose University and Scott Community College to give students an opportunity to get involved in creating questions for this landmark event.
Confirmed participants include :
- For U.S. House Representative District 2: Rep. Dave Loebsack (D), John Archer (R)
- For State Senate District 46: Senator Shawn Hamerlinck (R), Chris Brase (D)
- For State Representative District 89: Rep. Jim Lykam (D), Bill Edmond (R)
- For State Representative District 90: Rep. Cindy Winckler (D), & Mike J. Riley (Nominated by Petition)
- For State Representative District 92: Rep. Ross C. Paustian (R), Frank B. Wood (D)
- For State Representative District 93: Rep. Phyllis Thede (D), Mark Nelson (R)
- For State Representative District 94: Rep. Linda Miller (R), Maria Bribriesco (D)
- For State Representative District 97: Rep. Steven Olson (R), Ted Whisler (D)
In addition to these confirmed participants, other local county candidates will also be present. Additional event highlights include the presentation of flags by the Mexican American Veterans Association and the singing of National Anthem. The event will feature an on-site voter registration table, coordinated by Davenport's League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council No. 10.
For more information about the event, or the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, visit www.gqchcc.com or call (309) 797-8650.
Just a Reminder on this Local Event:

The Book Rack has moved from Duck Creek Plaza in Bettendorf, Iowa, to a larger store in Davenport, and on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., The Book Rack will host an Open House with refreshments at their new location, 4764 Elmore Ave., Davenport, to thank the community for all the support it has shown The Book Rack over the years.
Customers visit The Book Rack's two Quad-Cities locations (Davenport and Moline) from as far away as Clinton, Fulton, Aledo, Dubuque, Muscatine, Geneseo and beyond.
UPDATE:  The Book Rack has moved from Duck Creek Plaza in Bettendorf, Iowa, to a larger store in Davenport, and on Saturday, Oct. 6, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., The Book Rack will host an Open House with refreshments at their new location, 4764 Elmore Ave., Davenport, to thank the community for all the support it has shown The Book Rack over the years.
Bob Applegate of The Book Rack
Bob Applegate of The Book Rack.
Customers visit The Book Rack's two Quad-Cities locations (Davenport and Moline) from as far away as Clinton, Fulton, Aledo, Dubuque, Muscatine, Geneseo and beyond.
IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - After 30 years at the same location, The Book Rack in Bettendorf, Iowa, is moving to a new location on Elmore Avenue in Davenport, effective Sept. 24.
According to bookstore owner Bob Applegate, the decision to move the store's Iowa location after three decades was a matter of planning for the future.
"We had two locations - a new one in Moline and the older one in Bettendorf's Duck Creek Plaza," he said. "The larger, more visible facility in Moline quickly surpassed the Duck Creek site in sales, even though it's only been in Moline for two years. The Bettendorf store, though successful, was limited by its size and location."
The Moline store is located in Rock River Plaza at 3937 41st Ave. Dr., Moline, Illinois. The new Davenport store can be found at 4764 Elmore Ave., across the roadway from Best Buy.
Bob Applegate and his wife, Claudia, bought The Book Rack's Quad-City franchise four years ago after retiring from the Rock Island Arsenal, satisfying their entrepreneurial spirit at an age when others are thinking about leaving the 9-to-5 workday.
"Something Had to Be Done"
According to Applegate, the biggest problem with the Duck Creek Plaza location was that it was out of the public's line of vision. "It's across a parking lot from Home Depot, and really, you could only see it from Home Depot," he said. "It never benefited from its proximity to Schnuck's, even though that high-traffic supermarket was right around the corner."
Plus, the Bettendorf location was just too small. "It needed to hold a lot more inventory to compare to the Moline location," Applegate said. "Something had to be done."
After considering various sectors of the Quad-Cities for a new location, Applegate decided to move the Duck Creek Plaza store to Elmore Avenue. "The new location has much better visibility and ample storefront parking," he said.
How The Book Rack Works
According to Applegate, The Book Rack gives customers store credit on the books they bring in, for 25 percent of the cover value of paperbacks. They accept mass-market and trade paperbacks, as well as selected hardcovers. "We welcome the opportunity to look at any book," he said. They may decline a book if they have too many copies or if the book is in bad shape.
The Book Rack sells paperback books priced at half the cover price. They accept store credit up to 50 percent off the sale price of used paperbacks that the customer buys. They can special-order almost any book for a discount.
"Our customer service includes a Book Search feature," Applegate said. "If you're looking for a favorite book or author, we'll let you know when the item comes in. Our system will also tell you if you've bought a particular book before, in case you're a voracious reader and have forgotten the titles of what you've read before."
A Widespread Clientele
According to Applegate, customers visit The Book Rack's locations from as far away as Clinton, Fulton, Aledo, Dubuque, Muscatine, Geneseo and beyond.
"We have between 55,000 and 60,000 books in stock in Moline," Applegate said. "The Duck Creek location could only hold 20,000 titles. The Davenport store will start out with 35,000 titles and grow from there." He noted that his stores do not suffer from any clutter. "It's all as neatly filed as any library," he said, "and clean, with no dust." Also, The Book Rack has about 1,800 books listed on Amazon.com.
"Our tagline is, 'It just makes sense to get your books at The Book Rack.'" Applegate said. "That applies whether you're buying from us at our locations or online. We encourage folks to visit the stores regularly, since the inventory changes and you never know what great books you'll find once you start browsing."
For more information, call (309) 797-1985, Moline, or (563) 355-2310, Davenport. You can also visit The Book Rack online at www.thebookrackqc.com.
SIDEBARS:

A Bumper-Crop of Book Genres
The selection at The Book Rack includes, but is not limited to, the following genres:

General fiction
Nonfiction
New books
Special orders
Historical romance
Paranormal romance
Young adult
Children's fiction
Early readers
Mystery
Science-fiction
Horror
Western
Historical
Classic literature
Faith and value

A Program to Aid Educators
Some customers of The Book Rack have $1,000-plus in store credit. Customers can donate part of their store credit to a teacher's program fund.
Teachers, in turn, can use part of that donated fund to pay up to half their purchases for classroom libraries.
IA/IL QUAD CITIES - Bush Construction Company, Inc., has made huge strides since the firm was founded in 2008, going from zero to $18 million in revenue in its first full year of business. According to A.J. Loss, President of Bush Construction, the company has been awarded more than $60 million in projects to date. What makes the company's growth so exceptional is the fact that it took place during a nationwide recession with an accompanying construction industry slump.
The company has succeeded in its endeavors through a collaborative approach to business, Loss stated. "Through collaborative relationships with our clients, designers and subcontractors, we have established an unconventional approach to the world of commercial building construction," he said. "This high degree of collaboration is only possible in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect."
The company believes strongly in the power of teamwork, Loss noted."By embracing a collaborative environment with our project teams," he said, "we have been able to deliver some very complex projects on time, under budget and with happy clients."
Providing a high level of customer service is always a top priority at Bush Construction, Loss added. "From inception to completion, each project receives the time, skills, and attention needed for success," he said. "Clients often comment on our team's willingness to go above and beyond expectations representing their best interests."
Bush Construction is a general contractor, design-builder, and professional construction manager. Their team members have worked on a wide range of industrial, educational, government and commercial projects in the Quad-Cities and throughout the Midwest.
Teamwork on Behalf of the Community
Bush Construction maintained its early growth while handling a number of philanthropic projects, spending considerable time and resources in the community. Recently, Bush Construction was honored during the 23rd annual Hard Hat awards presentation. Bush received the Collette Hinrichsen Award for Philanthropy for their contributions to the Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation (RIEGC).
Bush Construction worked with RIEGC on the Jackson Square project, a brownfield area in downtown Rock Island, Illinois, that was turned into an attractive 30-unit apartment complex. Bush Construction acted as Construction Manager on the project. RIEGC, the owner of the property, attained the necessary funding for the project.
The Hard Hat awards recognize investment in the community and were presented by RIEGC, Renaissance Rock Island, The Development Association of Rock Island, and The District of Rock Island.
"The Illinois Oil Products warehouse used to operate on the property," said Ryan Schertz, Bush Construction Superintendent in charge of the project, who was the on-site manager for all activities on the site. "The work took about 15 months. The land had environmental issues. It was a brownfield site with multiple tanks and lots of oil everywhere. There were tanks within the building as well as underground. We had chemical infiltration throughout the site that needed to be remediated."
According to Rob Davis, Bush Construction Project Manager for the Jackson Square project, the environmental concerns were the No. 1 challenge. EnviroNET, Inc., was the environmental contractor. "Remedial action was carried out while construction was taking place, so both endeavors had to be coordinated for greatest efficiency," Davis said. "When the project was done, we received a clean bill of health for the land. The EPA confirmed that no further action was required."
"The community is ecstatic about the way Jackson Square turned out," Schertz said. "It was quite a transformation."
The success of the Bush Construction team relied strongly on the combined talents of its members, Schertz added. "The staff is highly experienced," he said. "The team really makes a difference. What we can handle is pretty limitless for us."
The Best People for the Best Results
According to Loss, Bush Construction is committed to finding and retaining the best staff members. "We give careful consideration to every resume we receive," he said. "It takes the best people to bring about the best results."
The teamwork manifesto at Bush Construction also extends to its clientele and subcontractors, Loss noted. "Building a strong customer relationship takes daily diligence, planning, care and ongoing communication," he said. "We listen to what our clients have to say, since we are helping to build the future success of their businesses. We treat our subcontractors as team members as well by working with them in an ethical manner. Our unwavering position against bid-shopping and our commitment to ensuring timely payments to our subcontractors has reinforced these important relationships and, in turn, provided a unique market advantage. Teamwork is the key to success in construction - and really, in any industry."
Teamwork Turns an Urban Brownfield into a Green Success

Bush Construction Company, Inc., recently received the Collette Hinrichsen Award for Philanthropy for their contributions to the Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation (RIEGC). RIEGC was the developer of the Jackson Square project in downtown Rock Island, Illinois. Bush Construction acted as the Construction Manager on the project and EnviroNET, Inc., served as the environmental contractor.
Bush Construction was instrumental in turning an urban brownfield area into an attractive 30-unit apartment complex. The site used to house the Illinois Oil Products warehouse and much work needed to be done before the property could be used as a residential area.
"EnviroNET, Inc., provided the remedial action plan, collected soil samples, did the modeling, and determined how the contaminated soil might migrate," said Rob Davis, Project Manager for Bush Construction. "Rainwater can drive contaminants deeper into the ground. The pollutants travel below the grade and along the bedrock, and can be forced into more porous materials along the way."
Thorough documentation of the contamination was needed. Based on the models provided by EnviroNET, plans for the ecological renewal of the property were approved by the federal and state Environmental Protection Agency.
"The contractor hauled off the contaminated soil, and work performed by Bush was scheduled around that contractor," Davis said. "This closely coordinated teamwork allowed the project to proceed at a steady, efficient pace."
The brownfield included underground tanks, Davis noted, so the contractor pumped the tanks dry, rendering them harmless, and then filled them with a flowable grout material. The site also included cisterns, and for those, they removed the walls to below ground level. They packed the cisterns with sand and left them in place.
"Architecturally speaking, the designs for the project were based on the existing buildings," Davis said. "We did not want to lose the historical significance of the area. So, storage tanks were used decoratively as planters to keep the architectural heritage intact. We wanted to keep the flavor of the past and make Jackson Square a historical point of interest."
Davis added that Jackson Square represents a major step forward for Rock Island's downtown community. "You would never guess that this attractive residential area with green spaces used to be a brownfield," he said. "The entire Bush team is proud to be a part of this project."

Pages