The University of Northern Iowa Construction Management team consisting of four members and two alternates took a big step in their quest to be recognized as one of the premier construction management programs in the country.
In only their fourth year of competing at the ABC National Construction Management competition, the UNI team performed exceptionally well advancing to the 2nd of two rounds of competition; an honor reserved for the top eight schools in the field of twenty three. The UNI team was determined to have an excellent showing in San Diego because at the 2009 competition the team was disqualified.
This competition challenges the participants to work together for about 30 days prior to the event on a mock construction project followed by the first round where the teams face change orders, scope changes, and numerous other challenges to the project. The categories for round 1 are estimating, planning/ scheduling, and safety while round 2 is an interview with the panel of six judges.
The members of the 2010 UNI Construction Management team are Travis Augustyn, Ryan Koopman, Justin Holthaus, Chris Harris, Gavin Wicks (alternate), and Matt Burch (alternate). The team's faculty advisor in Dr. Shahram Varzavand.
ABC of Iowa members ACI Mechanical (Ames), Interstates Companies (Sioux City), and Hometown Plumbing and Heating (Davenport), sponsored the UNI team with the purchase of shirts for the competitors to wear throughout the convention.