New Senior Architect

The Art of Growth

Vivek Harris has joined TETER as a Senior Architect in our San Luis Obispo office.

Vivek’s passion for the craft of architecture—the art of making— infuses his projects. He enjoys working closely with K-12 and higher-education clients to plan and create spaces that help shape and inspire the lives of the students, teachers, and administrators who inhabit them.

Expertly integrating masterplanning, design, budget, and schedule from the earliest stages, Vivek works with stakeholders to conceive projects that balance all three and streamline the construction process. In addition to sharing his talents on our design projects, Vivek will be a mentor to our staff, helping them hone a similar enthusiasm for the art of making architecture.

Wasco’s new MOT breaks ground

Groundbreaking for new Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation Building

Wasco Union Elementary School District breaks ground for their new Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation (MOT) facility.

TETER joined Superintendent Kelly Richers, the Board of Trustees, Director of Facilities Planning Daniel Vargas, and Director of MOT Rob Sanchez at the district’s groundbreaking ceremonies.

After nearly 80 years in their current facility, Wasco Union Elementary School District’s department of Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation is eager to relocate to their new facility.

The new MOT is being constructed near the southern boundary of the City of Wasco in order to efficiently support the needs of the growing district. Relocating the main bus and warehousing facility further away from the center of town benefits Wasco. Daily school bus traffic congestion will be alleviated in an area of the City of Wasco that has developed significantly over the last 80 years.

The 4.7 acre property will be developed with ample employee parking, school bus parking with space for expansion, office, warehouse, and bus maintenance building totaling 15,000 square feet.

Thanks to funding from Measures D and E, Wasco UESD’s larger and more efficient facility will be completed in December, 2019.

Kelly Richers, Wasco Union Elementary School District Superintendent

L to R: Luis Arrezola (TETER Design Professional), Daniel Vargas, Architect (Director of Facilities Planning), Luke Casavant, Robert Thornton, Ralph Williamsen (TETER Architects), Gabe Ceja, Ana Santiago (TETER Project Coordinator), Tayler Wells (Klassen Corp. Project Engineer), Kelly Richers (Superintendent), Alex Flores (Klassen Corp Jobsite Superintendent), and Ryan Inglehart (Klassen Corp. Director of Construction).

Rod Paine (Klassen Corp. Senior Project Manager) speaks to TETER staff at the groundbreaking ceremony.

New Year, New Partner

TETER Partner Group Expands

In the spirit of the new year and the promise it holds, we are excited to announce that Lee Avila has been promoted to partner at TETER.

Lee’s two decades of medical facility design experience, characterized by his strong, long-term relationships with clients and his understanding of complicated hospital operational systems, has led to hugely successful healthcare projects throughout the Central Valley.

We look forward to the collaborative leadership spirit he brings to our firm, and to his mentorship of our younger architects. In his new role, he will continue to build our healthcare team and practice, and both existing and new clients will benefit from the expertise and understanding he brings to their projects.

Selma High School holds groundbreaking ceremony for new stadium

(L to R): Christian Defehr (Ardent GC Project Manager), Paul Green (Selma School District Board of Trustees), Jamie Hickman (TETER Partner), Larry Teixeira (Selma Unified Assistant Superintendent), Tony Pavone (TETER Project Manager) Mike Morales (TETER Construction Administrator) and Megan Armendariz (TETER Design Professional)

Selma High School’s new Stadium, designed by TETER, is featured on ABC30 Action News

Aired On January 24, 2019
Reported by Cristina Davies, ABC 30 News Reporter

Selma High School is getting a new stadium, and on Thursday they held a groundbreaking ceremony. It’s been nearly 30 years in the making.

“Our students have not had a stadium like this and now I’m proud to have one like this.” said track coach Haskell Henson.

Henson is a Selma High grad, class of ’61, and is excited to see changes are being made – especially since this was the same stadium back when he was a teen.

“I was one of the first ones on this field when it was built. I was on the football team here. I came through that gate. I can tell you it was really exciting at the time,” he said.

It’s been over 55 years. Now the paint is chipping, the track is dirt, making it hard to train on after it rains. And the bathrooms — well, they aren’t the best.

Henson is looking forward to an all-weather track, hoping to give his athletes a fair shot.

“It will give us an equal opportunity to compete with other schools, that’s the name of the game. An all weather track definitely draws athletes and makes the workouts better,” he said.

And speaking of workouts, part of the new stadium includes an updated weight room — something the football team is eager to get.

“Our weight room is a little small so I’m hoping that’s going to be a big upgrade,” said football player Michael Renovato.

The new facility will cost between $10 million and $12 million. It’s being funded through measure O which the community voted on.

Tony Pavone (TETER Project Manager) and Randy Esraelian (Selma High Athletic Director) shows a community member a rendering of the new stadium.

Superintendent Dr. Tanya Fisher says this stadium will serve more than just the students.

“We are over the moon excited. We will be able to hosts events and folks from other areas will be able to come into the community which is a boost to community and businesses. So it not only helps our school but it helps the community as well,” Fisher said.

Dr. Tanya Fisher, Selma Unified School District Superintendent, admires the donor wall rendering (designed by TETER) at the groundbreaking ceremony.

They hope to have the stadium completed by this fall.

The superintendent says she plans on having weekly meetings to make sure everything is on budget and on time.

New TETER Associates

TETER is delighted to announce the promotion of two staff members to the Associate level.

Megan Chang and Chris Nikkel have shown tremendous talent and motivation in their work, and their connections to the Central Valley drive them to live our mantra of building a better Valley.

Megan Chang

Professional engineer Megan Chang works across all market sectors at TETER, offering her projects and clients high-level problem-solving and organizational skills. Her tenacity and can-do attitude permeate all her design solutions—nothing is impossible, and the creativity involved in looking at new ways to resolve design issues drives her work. As an associate, Megan will continue to work closely with her clients and manage projects, and will also mentor other staff and bring her enthusiasm for engineering to STEM education in the community.

Chris Nikkel

Chris Nikkel, an architect on many of our K-12 and municipal projects, grew up and now works in Modesto, and his lifelong relationship with his city gives his work there more meaning. A collaborator by nature, he enjoys hearing diverse ideas and trying out solutions that might not be immediately obvious. His extensive experience in all aspects of the profession helps him anticipate issues that might arise, saving clients time and budget. He enjoys mentoring TETER staff and looks forward to being involved with internal initiatives spearheaded by the Associate group.

Isela Barcenas is 2018’s Professional of the Year

Glen Teter names Isela Barcenas as the 2018 Professional of the Year

Glen Teter, CEO and Founding Partner, selects Isela Barcenas, Project Manager, as TETER’s 2018 Professional of the Year.

“Isela Barcenas exemplifies TETER’s core values: exceptional client service, professional humility, inspirational role model to staff, and connecting with the community. With appreciation and pride, she is my selection for TETER’s 2018 Professional of the Year.”  

Sophia Nyberg is ASHRAE SJV’s new President

ASHRAE SJV selects Sophia Nyberg as its new president

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) San Joaquin Valley Chapter has elected Sophia Nyberg as its President for 2019.

Sophia, a mechanical engineer-in-training at TETER, is targeting three major goals to accomplish as president in 2019:

  • Fully fund an ASHRAE Foundation chapter-awarded collegiate scholarship program
  • Create a new chapter grassroots committee: Women in ASHRAE (WiA)
  • Connect globally with international ASHRAE chapters

Golden Valley Health Center Groundbreaking

Golden Valley Health Centers break ground for new clinic

GVHC celebrated with members of the community, local politicians, and business leaders at the ground breaking ceremony for their new Northview Clinic, designed by TETER.

The new clinic, located in Merced, will serve patients in three counties. Tony Weber, CEO of GVHC, spoke of the positive economic impact and access to quality primary health care for low income families that the new clinic will bring to the area:

“20% of the population (150,000 individuals) in the tri-county area are patients of Golden Valley Health Centers. Once Northview Clinic is completed, we will employ hundreds of people.”

Erin Sanchez, TETER Architect of Record and Project Manager for GVHC’s new building, was thrilled to be part of this momentous event and plays a crucial role in its design.

“It was a proud moment for everyone involved. To be a part of a project that benefits the community and leaves a lasting positive impression. Although TETER will have been involved with this project for only two years (design to construction), the community will enjoy its benefits and services for decades to come.”   

(L-R) Articia Rodriguez (TETER Design Professional), Lyle Munsch (TETER Architect & Associate), Tony Weber (GVHC CEO), Kassey Mosher (GVHC Foundation Executive Director), and Erin Sanchez (TETER Architect of Record and Project Manager).

Gary Henson, Director of Facilities for GVHC, warmly thanks Lyle Munsch.

Erin Sanchez greets Tammy Hevron of Simile Construction Service, Inc.

(L-R) Mr. & Mrs. Guy Simile (President of Simile Construction Services, Inc.), Fernando Ramirez (Senior Project Manager at Simile), Erin Sanchez, Gary Henson, Articia Rodriguez, and Lyle Munsch.

Erin Sanchez chats with Tom Martinez, GVHC Board of Director.

Lyle Munsch embraces Ruben Chavez, an old friend and Chief Operations Officer for GVHC.

Lyle Munsch shares a laugh with Dr. Ellen Piernot, GVHC Chief Medical Officer.

Michael Belluomini, Merced City Council Member, listens intently to Lyle Munsch explain the features of GVHC’s new clinic.

Simile Construction Services, GVHC’s Board of Directors and TETER break ground together.

Ribbon Cutting for Orosi High School’s New Stadium

Mrs. George Millhorn and Ed Coats (former athletic director) cut the ribbon.

Grand opening for Cutler-Orosi Jt. U.S.D.’s new stadium.

OROSI — Orosi High School and members of the local community celebrated the grand opening of the new George Millhorn Stadium and Ed Coats Field.

TETER’s design for the state-of-the-art stadium includes a 9 lane synthetic surface track, natural turf field, over 4000 seat home and visitors’ bleachers, video scoreboard, ticket booth, concessions, and restrooms.

Robert Thornton, TETER Partner, was excited to be part of the ceremonies.

“TETER is very honored to have the opportunity to design this new stadium. We hope this new athletic facility will have a positive impact on the students, parents and the community. The community came out in droves and genuinely showed great appreciation to Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District and to TETER for bringing them a cherished new community use facility.”   

Isela Barcenas (TETER Project Manager for the new Orosi High School Stadium), Raffi Soghomonian (Director of Facilities at Cutler-Orosi Unified School District), and Robert Thornton (TETER Partner).

Press box for the new athletic stadium.

Yolanda Valdez, Superintendent of Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District.

Girls’ Choir performing at the grand opening ceremonies.

Roberto Vaca (Orosi High School Principal) and Robert Thornton (TETER Partner).

 

PG&E still setting into new location

Tom Baker, supervisor for the Lemoore-Coalinga area, explains how the company keeps it tools organized so that all employees can find them. – Chelsea Shannon, The Sentinel

PG&E Lemoore Service Station, designed by TETER, is featured in The Hanford Sentinel 

Published On October 5, 2018
Written By Chelsea Shannon, Staff Reporter

LEMOORE — Pacific Gas and Electric Company has moved into its new Lemoore location.

PG&E staff showed city and county officials around the new site Thursday to let them see what the PG&E main outpost for Kings County looks like and how it will operate.

PG&E workers in Lemoore primarily serve the area around Lemoore and Coalinga. After some review, officials at PG&E determined that the city of Lemoore was experiencing more growth than Coalinga so they decided to make Lemoore the main outpost.

Denny Boyles, a spokesperson for PG&E, said the other Lemoore location, off of 19th Avenue and north of Cinnamon Drive, was difficult to maneuver with certain equipment because of the houses built around the location.

So after about a year of construction, PG&E is still getting settled in its second Lemoore location in the Lemoore Industrial Park.

Scott Rose, director of electrical operations, said that the prior Lemoore and Coalinga locations will remain semi-operational but the main outpost for the area will be the new location.

Boyles said that the company decided to invite city and county officials out to see the facility to continue their relationship.

Rose said that city and county officials were essential in getting this project done.

Lemoore Assistant City Manager Michelle Speer said that although the city is not involved with the private companies business directly, it is nice for them to know what they are doing. She said that often residents or other potential businesses will want to know what is going on and that with tours like these, city officials can know and potentially aid in the creation of community and business partnerships.

“It is important for the city to show that we are business friendly,” Speer said.

Tom Baker, the supervisor for the Lemoore-Coalinga area, said the facility meets their needs. During the tour, he showed the meeting room, office space, warehouse and other employee amenities like the break room and a wellness room.

One of the things Baker pointed was that in many of the office space rooms there were large windows that pointed out to the yard, which was important to him and other supervisors.

Habib Larijani, the project manager for PG&E, also pointed out that many of the desks were ergonomically structured so that employees can stand.

Larijani said that with the office the company wanted to have the ability for employees to communicate better which is why it has more of an open floor plan.

Baker also pointed out that the room where the tour began and ended was the storm room. He said that should a natural disaster occur, PG&E staff would be able to gather at the Lemoore location and obtain resources or the Lemoore crews would have what they need to take to an emergency if needed.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2458 or chelsea.shannon@lee.net

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