OwnersManual_Issue2_Fall2014

What is the best part about being a member of the SPT? (You don’t have to say working for Steve). Steve Iovanna : Working with Fernanda, Jack and Phil! I think we have developed a real team spirit among our group, and we have fun doing what we do. I think we enjoy taking on challenges and accomplishing goals that can only be met by The Special Projects Team! That, and cowboy boots on Friday. Jack Farrell : Working for Steve is the only “correct” answer. Fernanda Alves : The feeling of working in an “easy going” environment, even though most of our projects are quick turnaround projects. Phil Maheu : The serious, but light hearted personality of our leader SI, AKA “Scuba Steve.” What is your role on the Special Projects Team? SI : I am the leader of SPT – and I’m responsible for bringing in new projects and working with the entire team to be sure we’re staying on budget, on schedule and that all of our clients are happy. JF : Architectural drafting / design. Get the paper to the street. FA : It varies depending on the project, but I serve in all aspects of the project, whether it’s for production, design or client care. PM : My job! Not sure what that is, but, I do it. Whatever Steve says. And laugh a lot. What has been your favorite or most

memorable project through the SPT?

years or so working on School projects (Mary Hooker / Davis St.), a bunch of Walgreens and roof replacement jobs. When the Architectural department was consolidated, I transferred to Meriden. FA : I started out in what was then called the “Pit,” or where most of our production team sits right now, working as an intern. I think about five years ago or so, we replaced all the high partitions with low partitions to get more daylight to everyone’s desks, rearranged the floor layout have more of a cluster layout to create a team work environment , and soon after, “the pit” lost its value. Thank goodness. I have been with BL since out of college, so I have worked with many different teams in our architectural department before joining SPT. PM : Entire time with SPT. If you could tell your fellow colleagues one must- know fact about the Special Projects Team that they should never forget, what would it be? SI : If you have a project... if no one else can help... and if you can find them... maybe you can hire... The Special Projects Team! JF : That Steve’s eyes are smoldering? Or that Fridays are cowboy boot day? FA : We value all projects, we were made to handle the projects that are too small, or too quick of a turnaround. PM : We get it done!

SI : Although it is very difficult to ignore all the cookies we received from Mrs. Fields, my favorite SPT project is always the one we’re working on now! Because of the way we’re set up and the types of jobs we do, we are always moving very quickly from one project to the next and dealing with a new set of challenges. Those challenges, and the fast-paced nature of our work are what I think make Special Projects Team so “special.” JF : Memorable? Not sure that word can apply here because our projects are like the “fast and furious.” Quick turnaround is a must. FA : I think the most recent project, Redi-Clinics for Rite Aid. We all had our hands in it and came together as a team to get the job done with a tight schedule, which was nice to be part of and we had fantastic results, not only in SPT, but in all disciplines. PM : Rite Aid – Redi-Clinic remodels when both Steve Iovanna and Jim Lampkin went on vacation. With the exception of Phil, who has been with BL for less than one year, members of the SPT have been with BL for about 9 years, give or take. Have you spent all of your years at BL on the SPT? If not, where did you start out? JF : No, the SPT is a fairly new gig at BL overall. I was up in the Hartford office for the first 4

L-R: Fernanda, Phil, Steve, Jack

by Colette Gregoire

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