Changing Face of Economic Development in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
INSIDE A PUBLICATION OF NIELSEN BUILDERS SPRING 2008 Changing Face of Economic Development in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County Inside Nielsen 1 NIELSEN A Century of Service Since our company’s founding by Joseph Nielsen in 1908, Nielsen Builders, Inc., has had a history of construction excellence throughout the Shenandoah Valley and western Virginia. We offer a wide range of services and project delivery systems to our clients, including program management, construction management, general contracting, design-build and consulting. In addition, we have a vast range of experience, having completed projects for clients in the fields of health care, education, adult care and churches, as well as numerous business and commercial buildings. Our reputation for excellence is based upon our commitment to quality assurance, responsible craftsmanship, leadership, innovation, safety awareness and employee satisfaction. We are dedicated to continually setting higher standards for ourselves by guaranteeing a total quality product for each and every one of our clients. HARRISONBURG OFFICE CHARLOTTESVILLE OFFICE Nielsen Builders, Inc. 600 E. Water Street, Suite H 3588 Early Road Charlottesville, VA 22902 Harrisonburg, VA 22801 434.220.0484 540.434.7376 434.220.0486 Fax 800.205.7376 Toll Free 540.432.6134 Fax www.nielsen-inc.com A PUBLICATION OF NIELSEN BUILDERS SPRING 2008 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 1 WWW.NIELSEN-INC.COM A M E S S A G E TO OUR READERS Welcome to the spring 2008 issue of Inside Nielsen. This marks the fifth edition of the magazine. The support of our advertisers makes this publi- cation possible. We would like to thank them for their contin- uing support. We take pride in sharing this publication with our employees, our clients and our community partners. This issue focuses on technology. We have seen unprecedented change in our communities, in our workplaces and here at Nielsen. Technology changes so rapidly, it is often difficult to comprehend. We have taken a look at how technology has impacted our lives and businesses. Nielsen has worked with numerous business and industrial clients during its long 100-year history. We are pleased to add high-tech businesses, such as SRI, Comcast and Rosetta Stone, to our long list of clients. Nielsen’s flexibility and resourcefulness help us stay abreast of technology innovations and changes. We are confident that we will continue to be successful with new clients as we begin our second 100 years of service to our customers. Our goal is always to deliver the best for our clients. We hope you enjoy learning more about Nielsen. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or comments you may have. John N. Neff Chairman & CEO Inside Nielsen 3 QUALITY • EFFICIENCY • INTEGRITY Chewning Masonry, Inc. Builders • Contractors 540.672.2007 17038 Cedar Lane • Orange, VA 22960 IN THIS ISSUE 6 The Impact of Changing Technology The latest innovations continue to shape our world, and the construction industry is no different. 10 Leadership Outlook: Changing Face of Economic Development With the sweeping changes Harrisonburg and Rockingham County have experienced during the past several years, the economic development process has changed as well. 14 Arts and a Thriving Community Strong, thriving arts programs are often key factors for communities to entice potential residents. 18 SRI International: A Rich Heritage of Innovation Satellite communications. Ultrasound. Robotics. Disneyland. One company ties these disparate fields together — SRI International. 26 James Madison University Helps Cement SRI Deal Dr. John Noftsinger, vice provost of James Madison University, explains why the proximity of JMU and other area universities played a key role in SRI International’s decision to come to Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. 28 Technology Hub of the Future? Shenandoah Valley From tax credits to its prime location, many factors make Harrisonburg attractive to high-tech firms look- ing for a place to call home. Find out how Harrisonburg has positioned itself to cater to these firms and what opportunities lie ahead. 32 Rosetta Stone: Language Learning Joins Hands with Technology Today’s global economy makes learning languages a virtual necessity for those who want an edge in the marketplace. 36 Shenandoah Valley Partnership In this interview with two of the leaders of Shenandoah Valley Partnership, find out why the Valley is becoming such a desired destination for businesses, what challenges the area will face in the future and what changes are on the way. 42 Employee News PUBLISHER Inside Nielsen is published by Innovative Publishing Ink. 10629 Henning Way, Suite 8 • Louisville, KY 40241 • 502.423.7272 • www.ipipublishing.com Innovative Publishing Ink specializes in creating corporate magazines for businesses. Please direct all inquiries to Aran Jackson, [email protected]. 6 Inside Nielsen The Impact of Changing Technology The construction industry has been thriving since man built his first dwelling eons ago. Hard physical labor and methodical attention to detail are still hall- marks of the industry. However, improved technology has impacted the con- struction industry, even as it has impacted every area of modern life. 7 Fax Machine Introduced Bid Day Processes Improved Nielsen Chief Development Officer Jim Mr. Biller remembers bid day with lots of pencils and paper DeLucas remembers that there were no and an adding machine. He says, “John Neff was the bid fax machines when he started with the guy. He would write everything down by hand, then erase company in 1988. The accounting depart- as necessary and total the numbers up. He would finish ment had one computer. He recalls that all the bid by 1, then include an ‘adjustment sheet’ for addi- the project managers wrote out their meet- tions or deductions to the bid.” The estimating software ing minutes and correspondence, and one used today allows the estimating department more time secretary typed everything. Revenue in for more precision during the bid process. Changes are that year was $18 million, compared to calculated instantly, providing more precise information for Jim DeLucas $160 million last year. the estimating department, as well as providing them more time to discuss issues and strategize approaches. President Tony Biller remembers that Nielsen installed its first fax machine on “Project managers used to carry with them three-ring binders his first day of work. “I remember the old that contained all the project information,” Mr. DeLucas says. By roll of fax machine paper. It was shiny the mid ’90s, custom software, Ntech, was developed by and glossy and had to be cut. The cut Nielsen to help project managers organize their documents pieces would roll up and not stay flat. It electronically. This software was used until 2007, when the proj- almost seemed like they had disappear- ect managers began to use Timberline software, which allowed ing ink — the words would fade away them to link into accounting and estimating. Now all new jobs Tony Biller over time.” are set up in the Timberline system, integrating all information for estimating, accounting and project management. Mr. DeLucas says bids were turned in via phone and mail. “In fact,” he says, “we just recently modified the contract Scheduling has also become more automated. In the past, to take out the word ‘telegram.’ Bids used to be sent in scheduling was done by hand, and, once completed, was by telegram.” modified only if needed. Today’s software allows the project team to update the schedule as required. When a change The introduction of the fax machine allowed subcontractors to occurs, the software automatically changes all activities that fax their quotes. Faxing quotes in allowed subcontractors to be are affected. The schedule can be viewed and adjusted by more detailed in their scopes than in the past. Fax machines are people in several different locations. still the primary method of subcontractor estimate delivery; however, some estimates are starting to arrive by e-mail. 8 Inside Nielsen E-Mail, Cell Phone Scott Baxter, project manager for the JMU Performing Arts Center, has seen Communication Begins many changes in his 19 years of con- Mr. DeLucas also talked about the introduction of e-mail. struction experience. He says, “I’m still not sure about e-mail communication,” he says. “Throughout my career, I have seen “It’s great for mass communications, but not very good for many changes that have improved problem-solving.” Picking up the phone and talking through today’s industry. These include improve- a situation is often more effective for resolving issues. ments in safety, equipment and the Scott Baxter tools we use, as well as improvements Another technological breakthrough is the laptop com- in actual construction methods and materials. Because puter that allows the project manager and superintend- our industry is always advancing, we are constantly ent in the field to network into the main server. The learning new and challenging techniques and systems. managers can access their desktops from their personal computers; they don’t have to physically travel to the “But the most significant change that has impacted our office to obtain critical information. industry is the explosion of information technology. When I entered the construction industry, detailing was done with “Probably one of the most significant advances was the cell pencil and paper, and computer-aided design (CAD) was phone,” Mr. DeLucas notes. Nielsen purchased its first bag just beginning. With the prevalence of computer technolo- phone in 1992. It soon morphed into an in-car phone, then gy, we are entering a new era in the way information is an in-car handheld. To use the phone, the caller needed to managed and how it flows from the design team to the be physically near the car. Today, all superintendents have field employees.” cell phones. Mr. Baxter goes on to mention the difficulty in finding Mr.