Look for more news on ARC’s current projects in our ARCABATER Blog.

Responsible for growing ARC’s government market share, Consentino’s experience as a professional includes managing 100 million dollar construction and environmentalcompliance projects, from waste/wastewater treatment plants to roads, garrisons, logistics and vertical construction.

A recipient of the US Air Force’s “Best Project of the Year Iraq Award” in 2007 and “Best Project Manager Iraq Award” in 2008 awards, John’s was recognized by the US Air Force for his no recordable injuries in 1.9 million man hours. He is certified and trained in more than a dozen areas of safety.

“John’s knowledge in governmental contracting procedures coupled with ARC’s success and experience is a win-win,” said Ron Daniel, ARC Abatement chief executive officer. “Developing this market is part of our overall growth strategy.”

In September 2010, ARC announced plans to increase market share in segments the company already serves as well as a focus on untapped industries and expansion to new regions of the country.

“It’s clear by the team Ron Daniel has put into place, that he values experience,” said Consentino, business development director for ARC Abatement’s government division. “I have no doubt that my experience and connections will benefit ARC Abatement’s growth strategy.”

About ARC Abatement

From coast to coast, ARC Abatement provides state of the art and contamination-free techniques for selective demolition, interior demolition, infection control, mold remediation, hazardous waste disposal, lead abatement and asbestos removal in schools, hospitals and commercial properties. General contractors, private developers and municipalities rely on ARC Abatement for solutions to environmental problems. Accountable, responsive and cost effective, ARC Abatement responds on a 24-hour basis. Visit www.arcabatement.com.

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WACO, TX October 18, 2010 – ARC Abatement, an environmental assessment remediation corporation, today announced ARC’s longtime Dallas senior project manager Rick Rickels has been named General Manager and will oversee ARC’s Houston office.

Rickels is a veteran in environmental contracting with 25 years on the supply side and contracting side of the industry. In the early 1980’s Rickels worked for Lone Star Safety & Supply. In the mid 1980’s, he was hired as corporate safety director for a large abatement contractor, where he ran the Texas office. It was during his time that Rickels oversaw the very first four abatement projects that the City of Dallas did.

For the past ten years Rickels worked under the leadership of ARC’s Dallas General Manager Steve Chappell. “I could not pass up the opportunity that Houston brings to me in both client relations and growing ARC’s business in this region of Texas,” Rickels said.

Rickels graduated from the University of North Texas with a split Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA) degree in management and a BBA in marketing.

“Rick Rickels brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to Houston as well as exceptional client service,” said Ron Daniel, ARC Abatement chief executive officer. “I have no doubt the Houston office will flourish under his leadership.”

About ARC Abatement
From coast to coast, ARC Abatement provides state of the art and contamination-free techniques for selective demolition, interior demolition, infection control, mold remediation, hazardous waste disposal, lead abatement and asbestos removal in schools, hospitals and commercial properties. General contractors, private developers and municipalities rely on ARC Abatement for solutions to environmental problems. Accountable, responsive and cost effective, ARC Abatement responds on a 24-hour basis. Visit www.arcabatement.com.

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Taking a three-prong approach, the campaign will focus on editorial coverage, a brand makeover and internal communications.

“The deal with E.H. Anderson PR advances our strategy for growth, which is centered on serving untapped industries and expansion to new regions of the country,” said Daniel. “To grow, it’s critical that we have a dedicated focus on marketing both on the inside and outside of this company.”

Before hiring E.H. Anderson PR, ARC Abatement’s marketing was managed internally. “Where most companies scale back marketing in a down economy, I admire Ron Daniel for going head to head with a competitor and investing in marketing,” said Liz Anderson, president of E.H. Anderson PR. “ARC Abatement has a solid news story, and that we were selected to lead the campaign clearly demonstrates that Ron and his team value our expertise, connections and capabilities.”

Waco-based graphic designer Robert Brown, owner of McKinley Brown, will provide design services.

About ARC Abatement
Founded in 1991 as an environmental contractor serving industries including contractors, hospitals, education, private developers and municipalities, ARC Abatement develops and provides state of the art and contamination-free techniques for asbestos abatement, mold remediation, lead abatement, demolition, restoration, and hazardous waste disposal in Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Missouri, Michigan and Georgia. From full building abatement to emergency contractor assistance, ARC Abatement responds on a 24-hour basis to each client’s specific needs. Visit www.arcabatement.com.

About E.H. Anderson Public Relations
Serving organizations aiming to increase brand awareness, generate leads or strengthen credibility, E.H. Anderson PR secures news coverage for franchise and nonfranchise clients who have a story to tell. Organizations chose E.H. Anderson PR over other (franchise) marketing agencies because of newsroom know-how, news reporter connections and Emmy-winning video shooting and editing. Client coverage includes “NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams,” WFAA-TV, Wired, Entrepreneur, Businessweek, Marina Dock Age, local and trade media. Visit www.ehandersonpr.com.

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Texas Governor’s Mansion Mold Remediation
When Braun & Butler Construction was hired to restore the Texas Governor’s Mansion following the 2008 fire, a call was made to mold remediation experts ARC Abatement. The Mansion’s basement was filled with the water used to extinguish the fire, and mold was floor to ceiling and encroaching to the first floor. “We worked six months on the project removing the mold and then cleaning, disinfecting and preserving each wall and piece of trim,” said Ron Daniel, ARC Abatement’s CEO. The historical structure was 152 years old when the fire occurred.

Building Managers, Custodians, and Others Responsible for Commercial Buildings and School Maintenance – Build dry and stay dry to keep out mold.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the term “sick building syndrome” (SBS) is used to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified. The EPA cites ventilation, indoor and outdoor chemical contaminants and biological contaminants including mold as the four primary causes of SBS. Regular inspections and preventative maintenance are key actions against mold.

Molds and Health
The EPA estimates 50 to 100 indoor mold types can create health problems. People are mainly exposed to mold by breathing spores or other tiny fragments. Generally recognized health problems include:
• Allergic Reactions
• Coughing
• Wheezing and Breathing Difficulties
• Worsening of Asthma Symptoms
• Nasal and Sinus Congestion
• Sore Throat
• Skin and Eye irritation
• Upper Respiratory Irritations

Discovering Mold
Seeing mold, smelling musty or moldy odors and signs of excess moisture or water damage are three solid indicators. Mold can grow behind walls, under carpets and in attics or under floors. Mold needs only moisture and nutrients to grow and multiply. Moisture can come from water damage due to:
• Flooding
• Condensation
• Roof leaks
• Plumbing leaks
• Inadequate ventilation
• High humidity

For a nutrient source, mold can thrive on many different building materials including, but not limited to, wood, carpet, drywall, paper, plaster, tile, glue, grout, insulation and many other everyday items.

Treating Mold
Mold identification and remediation can be difficult and hazardous. The highest exposure to mold often occurs during the cleanup and a simple mold problem can be exacerbated by improper removal. In one case, building maintenance workers removed a mold-impregnated piece of drywall and carried it through an office area spreading spores throughout. What started off as a simple remediation project became significantly more complex and expensive. All mold problems are different and mold remediation is not a “cookie-cutter” approach.

About ARC Abatement
Founded in 1991 as an environmental contractor serving commercial industries, ARC Abatement develops and provides state of the art and contamination- free techniques for asbestos abatement, mold remediation, lead abatement, demolition, restoration, and hazardous waste disposal.

ARC Abatement’s Steve Chappell is interviewed about preparations for the implosion of buildings in the First Baptist Church super block in downtown Dallas. ARC oversaw the safe removal of asbestos prior to the implosion that will make way for a modern complex and new worship center for the church.

The head of a Waco company says his firm has a bright future cleaning up building mistakes of the past.

ARC Abatement Inc. does work in Texas and 17 other states and is seeking additional environmental licenses to do jobs in 27 more states, said Ron Daniel, ARC’s president.

As a result, ARC will grow from its current 324 employees to about 500, he said.

Besides Waco, ARC has offices in Dallas, Austin, Houston, and Shreveport and Baton Rouge, La.

Most of the new workers will be attached to the Dallas, Austin and Houston offices, Daniel said. ARC does environmental removal for asbestos, lead and mold. It works mostly on commercial properties, he said.

Asbestos and lead were once used extensively in construction but were banned because they both can cause serious health issues.
Mold that grows in commercial buildings and homes also has been found to cause health problems.

The 20-year-old company, which is employee-owned, does about $20 million in business annually, Daniel said.

Asbestos and lead-based paint have to be removed or safely encapsulated to ensure particles cannot be breathed or swallowed, said K. Paul Holt, President of the Associated General Contractors of America’s Central Texas Chapter. The use of asbestos and lead-based paint was banned in the 1970s, he said.

As time passes, there is more need to renovate or knock down buildings with asbestos, meaning steady work for firms such as ARC, Holt said.
Asbestos removal is about 70 percent of ARC’s work, with lead being No. 2 work producer, Daniel said. There’s a lot of work to be done, but much of it is not in Texas, he said.

Most of the additional jobs picked up will likely be in the southeastern states and North and South Carolina, Daniel said.

“The growth in the company has been spurred by the need of the client for us to travel with them,” he said.

Despite uninspiring economic news in the wake of a national recession, ARC’s business is picking up significantly, he said.

“We’ve had more work in the last three months than in the last year,” he said.

Recently, ARC finished jobs for Kohl’s department stores in California and Utah, Daniel said. The company also has done some asbestos remediation on the Baylor University Campus and does some mold cleanups in schools and hospitals, he said.

Remediations done by ARC, whether they be asbestos, lead or mold, must be done by specially-trained personnel, said Mike Daniel, Ron Daniel’s brother and general manager of remediation. Inhaled asbestos fibers can causes a deadly cancer called mesothelioma, making the work dangerous, he said.

Workers wore full-body protective suits and breathing respirators this week as they worked on the Castellaw Communication Center at Baylor University, and such precautions are typically required, said Mike Daniel.

“Work protection is critical,” he said. “Our workers are our livelihood. We have to protect the workers and the community.”

bteeter@wacotrib.com