Star America Co-Hosts Industry Breakfast Featuring GDOT and Impressive Industry Panel on Georgia’s Upcoming MMIP Program
Star America hosted a MMIP breakfast with American Global at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta, Georgia. The breakfast began with a Keynote speech from Commissioner Russell McMurry of the Georgia DOT. The Commissioner provided an overview of the upcoming Majority Mobility Investment Program (MMIP) that will impact the State of Georgia. The Major Mobility Program covers 11 projects, $11 billion in new construction, over 300 miles of new lanes, and is expected to deliver 13,000 new jobs in economic growth for the state. You can read more about MMIP at the following link www.dot.ga.gov/mmip.
Following the Commissioners Keynote was a panel of experienced construction experts, moderated by Dr. Mit Jha, Senior Advisor at Star America Capital Advisors. The panel included Dan Garcia, President at CW Matthews Contracting; Paul Carter, Senior VP at Archer Western; Dan Stoppenhagen, VP, Business Development at Fluor; Rocky Moretti, Director of Policy and Research at TRIP; and Sean O’Neill, VP, Congressional Relations & Infrastructure Advancement at AGC National. The panelists gave their perspective on the future impacts of the MMIP program, including managing risk, size and profitability in pursuing these projects, difficulties with finding quality labor, scope and schedule challenges, delivery methods considered, and D/M/WBE and local contractor and vendor participation in these projects.
Star Co-Hosts NY/NJ State of the Construction Industry Event with American Global, Peckar and Abramson and Cohn Reznick
Star America hosted a State of the Construction Industry Workshop, a look at the future and development of New York’s Transforming Infrastructure, at Club 101 in New York City. The evening included a thought-provoking panel, moderated by Richard Anderson, President Emeritus of the New York Building Congress and included Milo Riverso, President and CEO of STV and Denise Richardson, Executive Director of the General Contractors Association. The panel was followed by a moving keynote speech Steven Plate, Chief of Major Capital Projects at the Port Authority on the transformation of the World Trade Center site and various impressive large projects led by the Port.
Mara Johnston Presents at CFMA NJ Quarterly Dinner on Public Private Partnerships and the new P3 Legislation in New Jersey
Star America Capital Advisor’s VP of Business Development, Mara Johnston, spoke at the CFMA NJ chapter’s quarterly construction dinner on the new P3 enabling legislation in New Jersey. The discussion included an overview of the history of P3 projects in New Jersey, the new P3 legislation, and typical RFP requirements that companies are required to adhere to when pursuing P3 projects in the state. The event brought various construction industry professionals together who were interested in learning more about P3’s.
Jim Merrill to speak at the upcoming Sax's Construction Industry Update event
Star America Capital Advisor’s Managing Director, Jim Merrill, will be speaking at the upcoming Sax's Construction Industry Update event in Whippany, NJ on November 14th. Topics to be discussed include an update on the current state and near term outlook for the construction industry both Nationally and in New Jersey, material cost implications, trends in mergers and acquisitions, union vs non-union, MWBE compliance and other important areas of focus. The event will bring together construction industry professionals and provide valuable feedback on key topics.
MARA JOHNSTON PRESENTS AT THE NEW YORK STATE MWBE FORUM IN ALBANY ON OCTOBER 4TH
Mara Johnston presented at the annual Grow with NYS MWBE Forum in Albany on October 4, 2018. The session was titled “Generations Talking.” The presentation dialogue included an esteemed panel of millennial and perennial women leaders and explored new opportunities for women as entrepreneurs and executives. The panel was moderated by Kathy Hochul, Lieutenant Governor of New York State along with Denise Miranda, Executive Director, NYS Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs, Crystal Rodriguez, Chief Diversity Officer, City of Buffalo, Camille Joseph Varlack, Deputy Director of State Operations, NY Chief Risk Officer and Special Counsel to Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, and Jo-Ann Yoo, Executive Director of the Asian American Federation.
STAR AMERICA SPONSORS GLOBAL BEST PROJECTS ENR DINNER ON OCTOBER 2ND
Star America is pleased to support the Global Contracting Community by sponsoring the ENR Global Best Projects Dinner on October 2nd, in New York City. The judges picked a diverse set of 22 projects hailing from 14 different countries and every continent but Antarctica. Some of the winning projects included the Island & Tunnel Project of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, located in Zhuhai City, China, the New London Embassy, located in London, the Salesforce Tower, located in San Francisco, in the US, and Sydney Metro Northwest - Skytrain, located in Sydney, Australia.
STAR AMERICA CAPITAL ADVISORS PRESENTS AT CONSTRUCTION FINANICAL MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION’S NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN MIAMI
Star America Capital Advisors presented at the National Construction Financial Management Association conference in Miami in June 2018. The session was titled “The Risks and Rewards of P3’s.” The presentation included a general overview of P3’s including recent legislation, a summary of the different P3 delivery methods, P3’s from the contractors perspective, and recent P3 case studies. Speakers included Mara Johnston from Star America, Stephen Hill from Key Banc, and Noah Jolley from ACS.
Star America Capital Advisors Hosts 'State of the Construction Market' Seminar in Houston, Texas with Peckar & Abramson and American Global
Star America Capital Advisors, Peckar & Abramson, and American Global held a ‘State of the Construction Market’ seminar on May 23 in Houston, Texas. The panel discussion included relevant topics to the construction industry such as the current labor shortage, new and innovative technologies, and the need for effective collaboration between private organizations and the government on P3 projects.
One panel provided an update on insurance and surety and the second focused on alternative delivery methods affecting both the Texas and National marketplace today. The surety and insurance panel included Paul Messenger from American Global, Scott Rasor and Robert Murray from Zurich, and Christopher Murphy and Jennifer Lee from Travelers. The disruption in project delivery panel included Star America’s President, Jim Merrill, as well as John Castilla from Welty Building, Scott Cromack from Texas Sterling, Kent Hedges from Universal Health Services and Curtis Martin from Peckar & Abramson.
Star America Capital Advisors, LLC represented Moretrench American Corporation in its sale to Keller
Star America Capital Advisors, LLC Is pleased to announce that Keller has acquired Moretrench American Corporation for $90 Million. Star America Capital Advisors acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Moretrench.
Keller released the following statement post acquisition:
“Moretrench has a strong heritage of complex geotechnical projects and in the year ended 31 December 2017 had revenue of US$168.3m, operating profit of US$11.3m and EBITDA of US$15.8m (both excluding US$2.8m of charges relating directly to the Employee Share Ownership Plan and the transaction). Moretrench’s net assets as at 31 December 2017 were US$66.4m. The acquisition was funded wholly in cash from Keller’s existing borrowing facilities.
Following the acquisition, Keller will be by far the most capable geotechnical solutions provider on the east coast and will be very well positioned for the expected long-term renewal of infrastructure in the region. In addition, the acquisition gives Keller access to new niche geotechnical products as well as new industrial customers and should result in good revenue and cost synergies. Keller and Moretrench have partnered on a number of successful project JVs in the past which gives confidence in the mutual compatibility of culture and management approaches.”
Jim Merrill speaks on AGC Highway Utility and Transportation P3 Panel
President, Jim Merrill, attended the AGC's Highway, Utility and Transportation Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona on Thursday, November 2nd. He spoke on a panel focused on Public Private Partnerships and was joined by Ken Kubacki of Granite Construction, Mike Anderson of American Global, Tom McLoughlin of UBS and Mark Melson of Star America Infrastructure Partners. The conference was attended by over 100 contractors from across the country and the panel generated engaged and innovative dialogue from the audience.
Mara Johnston Publishes Public Private Partnerships: State of the Market & Future of P3s in CFMA's Building Profits Magazine
Star is excited to announce that Mara Johnston has published an article in CFMA’s Building Profits Magazine, titled “Public Private Partnerships, State of the Market & The Future of P3’s.” The article discusses the history of P3’s in the US and current state of the market, provides state and federal legislative updates, and focuses on how P3’s are funded, details of bidding a P3, and the future of P3’s going forward.
The magazine can be found here:
http://www.cfmabponline.net/cfmabp/20170910?pg=1#pg1
Mara Johnston is selected for Women Builders Council 2017 Next Generation of Women Builders
Mara Johnston is selected for one of Women Builders Council’s 2017 Next Generation of Women Builders. The event will take place on Tuesday, May 16th at Guastavino’s and will also honor Governor Andrew M Cuomo for WBC’s Visionary Award and Cynthia Germaotta for the WBC Change Agent Award.
The award is given to women who have a commitment to increasing diversity and the role of women in the construction and professional services industries. In addition, it recognizes women’s accomplishment in the building industry and recognizes winners for being a role model to women in both the construction industry and throughout all of New York’s business communities.
Star America Capital Advisors to provide financial highlights of major infrastructure contractors
Star Capital will be sharing financial summaries of major contractors in the infrastructure construction market. These reports include financial highlights and news from top contractors both based in the U.S. and operating internationally.
Some of the contractors highlighted in the reports include: Tutor Perini, Granite, Sterling, AECOM, Vinci, Skanska, Ferrovial, OHL, ACS, and Salini Impregilo. The contractor overview summaries will be released in volumes, with the first volume highlighting the publicly traded U.S. based infrastructure contractors. Additional volumes including international contractors will be released throughout Q2 2017.
To access these summaries click here.
Mara Johnston will be presenting on panel for the Groundbreaking Women in Construction Conference in San Francisco
Star is excited to announce that Mara Johnston will be presenting on an exciting panel in San Francisco, California for the Groundbreaking Women in Construction Conference, from May 1st to May 3rd, 2017. The panel features, Jon Michael Pardo, Senior Vice President and CHRO of Dragados USA, Laura Abrahamson, Senior Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Head of Litigation for Aecom and moderated by Lisa Mingoia, Corporate Counsel for Skanska USA Building Inc.
The panel is titled, “The Diversity Dividend: the Power of the Purse.” It focuses on the business case for diversity and the potential and realized economic benefits when businesses are diverse and, conversely, the detrimental long-term financial impact that a lack of diversity can have. Panelist will discuss how the financial power of diversity incentive programs is evident through research and examples of companies that have women and minorities in their upper ranks.
Star America Capital Advisors to provide summary analysis on State bidding results
Star Capital will be sharing our analysis and findings on project bid results for various states on a go forward basis. These reports include data and analysis on various pertinent areas including but not limited to the following: top and winning bids, margin of victory, estimated available funding, and a list of current projects for each state.
Reports share both past bid results as well as projects expected to move forward over the next several years. This insight and data provides important knowledge to various contractors, engineers, and other parties who are interested in past results and upcoming projects on a state by state basis.
Mara Johnston joins Star America Capital Advisors
Star America Capital Advisors, LLC is pleased to announced that Mara Johnston has joined the team in the role of Vice President of Business Development.
Prior to joining Star America, Mara spent four years at both Zurich and AIG, where she built strong relationships with some of the largest and most influential contractors in North America. Her responsibilities included developing her respective teams, while growing the book of business in the construction divisions at each company.
Before her entrance into the insurance industry, Mara worked in the Civil Engineering department for STV, Inc in New York City and consultant to Milligan and Company in Philadelphia, PA. While at STV, she focused on delivering Environmental Impact Statements to the School Construction Authority, NYC Department of City Planning among other significant agencies in NYC. Her responsibilities also included providing robust and sound feedback through transportation studies in various states and contributing to a National FTA study on emergency preparedness while at Milligan.
Mara is the current president of the NYC Chapter of the Construction Financial Management Association. In addition, she holds her Construction Risk Insurance Specialist Certification (CRIS) and is fluent in Spanish. She graduated from Bryn Mawr College with a BA in the Grown and Structure of Cities and holds her Masters Degree from the University of Pennsylvania in City and Regional Planning with a focus on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Star America and CRM Companies Team on new State Office Building in Frankfort, Kentucky
A joint venture of CRM Companies and D.W. Willburn Inc. has successfully closed a $69MM debt financing for the new State Employee Office Building in Frankfort, Kentucky.
The joint venture had been selected as preferred bidder for the project earlier this year. Star America provided financial advisory services to the joint venture for the structuring and placement of the funds. The debt was structured as a Certificate of Participation (COP), and rated Aa2 by Moody’s. The issue was significantly oversubscribed in primary capital markets syndication resulting in a positive outcome for the development team and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Star America Capital Advisors is the Investment Banking subsidiary of the Star America Group, providing M&A advisory and project finance advisory to the global infrastructure and construction markets. Since 2002, the firm has successfully advised on the development, structuring, and financing of multiple transactions in our sector of focus. The firm’s principals bring extensive experience in corporate finance and operations to clients, as well as rich industry relationships. Star is respected for its specific focus on the infrastructure industry, and its principals are regularly featured commentators in industry publications and media.
Star America Team Selected as Apparent Successful Proposer on Portsmouth Bypass Project
Star America is pleased to announce that the Ohio Department of Transportation (“ODOT”) has selected Star America’s team, the Portsmouth Gateway Group, as the Apparent Successful Proposer on the Portsmouth Bypass Project.
The Portsmouth Bypass is a four-lane, divided, limited-access highway around the City of Portsmouth in Scioto County, Ohio. The project will be the largest construction project in Ohio’s history and ODOT’s first Public-Private-Partnership.
Star America CEO, William A. Marino, stated: “Portsmouth Bypass is an exciting opportunity to partner with ODOT. We look forward to successfully developing this project alongside our co-developers, ACS Infrastructure Development and InfraRed and Design-Build Team, Dragados USA, Beaver Excavating Company, the John R. Jurgensen Company and ms consultants.”
Formal announcement is expected over the coming weeks and Financial Close is expected in early 2015.
For the official ODOT press release, please visit this link.
Ohio DOT Makes Preliminary Contractor Selection for Portsmouth Bypass Project
COLUMBUS (Monday, September 22, 2014) -- The Portsmouth Gateway Group is likely to build the largest single construction project the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has ever embarked upon. That is, as long as everything in the team’s formal proposal checks out after a thorough review by ODOT over the coming weeks.
Read more
Star America Capital Advisors, LLC represented J.F. White Contracting Co. in its sale to Dragados USA.
Star America Capital Advisors, LLC represented J.F. White Contracting Co. in its sale to Dragados USA. J.F. White is a leading heavy civil construction company with operations primarily in the Northeastern region of the U.S. Members of J.F. White management will remain in place following the acquisition to ensure the continuity of its construction services during this transitional period.
The acquisition further expands the geographic scope of Dragados, and provides access to JF White’s substantial backlog of construction work.
Star America Capital Advisors is the Investment Banking subsidiary of the Star America Group, providing M&A advisory and project finance advisory to the global infrastructure, construction, and engineering markets. Since 2002, the firm has successfully advised on the development, structuring, and financing of multiple transactions in our sector of focus. The firm’s principals bring extensive experience in corporate finance and operations to clients, as well as rich industry relationships. Star is respected for its specific focus on the infrastructure industry, and its principals are regularly featured commentators in industry publications and media.
Star America Advises on Sale of Ground Water Treatment & Technology
Star America Capital Advisors, LLC represented Moretrench American Corporation in the sale of Groundwater Treatment & Technology to Hudson Ferry Capital.
Moretrench is a leading geotechnical construction and engineering company and Groundwater Treatment was its wholly owned water remediation subsidiary. The strategic sale provides Moretrench the ability to further focus on and expand its core geotechnical capabilities. At the same time, Groundwater Treatment has attracted a strong financial partner for its future growth.
Star America Capital Advisors is the Investment Banking subsidiary of the Star America Group, providing M&A advisory and project finance advisory, to the global infrastructure and construction markets. Since 2002, the firm has successfully advised on the development, structuring, and financing of multiple transactions in our sector of focus. The firm’s principals bring extensive experience in corporate finance and operations to clients, as well as rich industry relationships. Star is respected for its specific focus on the infrastructure industry, and its principals are regularly featured commentators in industry publications and media.
Star America Advised Team wins Cleveland Innerbelt Bridge Project
A tri-venture of Trumbull Corporation, Great Lakes Construction and The Ruhlin Company has been selected as the winning Design Build Contractor for the Cleveland Innerbelt Bridge Project. The consortium had been shortlisted for the project earlier this year, along with two other competitors. Star America provided financial advisory services to the tri-venture for the placement of $200M in private debt initially required during the procurement process.
Star America Capital Advisors is the Investment Banking subsidiary of the Star America Group, providing M&A advisory and project finance advisory, to the global infrastructure and construction markets. Since 2002, the firm has successfully advised on the development, structuring, and financing of multiple transactions in our sector of focus. The firm’s principals bring extensive experience in corporate finance and operations to clients, as well as rich industry relationships. Star is respected for its specific focus on the infrastructure industry, and its principals are regularly featured commentators in industry publications and media.
Star America advises Difazio Industries in their sale of a minority stake in the company to Cmc di Ravenna.
Star America Capital Advisors, LLC is pleased to announce that that Difazio Industries, LLC has successfully sold a minority stake to Cmc di Ravenna, an Italian based international contracting conglomerate.
Difazio Industries is a leading civil contractor based in Staten Island, NY with the majority of its operations in the five boroughs of New York City. The strategic sale of a minority position provides Difazio with the financial and technical backing of Cmc di Ravenna and will enable the team to pursue larger and more complex projects as the company continues its growth in the market.
Star America Capital Advisors is the Investment Banking subsidiary of the Star America Group, providing M&A advisory and project finance advisory, to the global infrastructure and construction markets. Since 2002, the firm has successfully advised on the development, structuring, and financing of multiple transactions in our sector of focus. The firm’s principals bring extensive experience in corporate finance and operations to clients, as well as rich industry relationships. Star is respected for its specific focus on the infrastructure industry, and its principals are regularly featured commentators in industry publications and media.
