Trusted Engineering and Construction Program Management
Quote: “Every successful person or firm has been given an opportunity to succeed by someone. We always keep this in mind and remember our roots and early beginnings, and in turn seek to provide opportunities to deserving persons and firms.” – Jim Rice, President of Rice & Gardner Consultants, Inc.
By Subcontractors USA News Provider
When you are a proven leader in the construction industry, it means that you are trusted. Rice & Gardner Consultants, Inc. (RGCI) stands out in this competitive arena for their quality engineering and construction program management services. Over the past 12 years, RGCI has grown from 2 founding members, Jim Rice and Kevin Gardner, to a company of almost 30 highly skilled, talented and experienced professionals serving clientele in Houston and the surrounding areas. RGCI has been recognized as one of Houston Business Journal’s fast 100 (#37 with a 135.95% revenue growth since 2012) for being one of the fastest growing companies in Houston. RGCI successfully provides core project management, commissioning, and MEP engineering services, adapting to diverse client needs and offering further services, as required.
When Jim Rice and Kevin Gardner started RGCI, they saw an invaluable opportunity to merge their years of combined construction experience and services. Sharing the same common vision to truly serve the Houston community, RGCI’s business efforts have been an influence for positive change for more than a decade. What started out as a 2 man team, is now a prosperous firm staffing over two dozen experienced engineers, program managers, architects, commissioning agents, and other key staff members.
Rice serves as President of RGCI, leading the firm with an award-winning leadership team:
- Kevin Gardner, Jr., Senior Vice President
- Claude Yoas, Senior Project Manager, Commissioning Agent
- Ron Keller, Senior Project Manager
- Scott Fendrick, Director of Construction Management
- Spencer Wingate, Senior Project Manager
RGCI serves clients in Houston and throughout Texas with dedicated engineering and construction support services on new construction, renovation, and retrofitting projects of varying sizes and scopes. While it offers a wide variety of services, it tailors their services to suit each client. Their wide scope of expertise along with specialized staff in each area means that they can meet all project needs.
RGCI’s biggest challenge is adapting to their clients’ needs and schedules. Often times, it can be difficult for clients to fully define their needs and also allow for the correct amount of time to complete a project. RGCI is able to overcome this challenge by setting realistic goals for their clients and explaining how they can help accomplish their needs, even if when they do a phased project. RGCI also informs clients and businesses about changes to building codes and technology, as well as holding training seminars to inform staff and clients. As a solution, the firm provides commissioning services to ensure code adherence and that buildings are equipped with up-to-date technological solutions. By being knowledgeable about sustainability and energy building codes, RGCI can not only provide exceptional service to existing clients, but generate new business.
In today’s world, environmental concerns should be at the forefront of most industries. However, the construction industry in particular needs to be especially proactive when it comes to sustainability. The construction industry is the top global consumer of raw materials. The industry generates between 25 to 40 percent of the world’s carbon emissions. RGCI has been mindful of this for years, and consider themselves industry leaders in this arena. The firm has been members of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) since 2006, and Rice is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited professional.
RGCI has also worked on several projects that have earned LEED:
LEED Certified
- Grady Middle School – PM Services
- Neff/White Elementary School – MEP Services
- Sugar Grove Elementary School – CxA Services
- Thompson Elementary School – CxA Services
- Walnut Bend Elementary School – CxA Services
LEED Silver
- Bellaire High School Science Addition – PM Services
- Frost Elementary School – CxA Services
- Kate Smith Elementary School – CxA Services
- Roosevelt Elementary School – CxA Services
- San Jacinto Elementary School – CxA Services
LEED Gold
- New Orleans Custom House – CxA Services
- Texas Parks & Wildlife Department – CxA Services
Pending Certification
- DeBakey High School – CxA Services
- Emancipation Park, Houston Parks & Recreation – MEP Services
- Lamar High School – CxA Services
- North Forest High School – CxA Services
- Parker Elementary School – MEP Services
- Piney Point Elementary School – CxA Services
- Reagan K-8 Education Center – CxA Services
- Southmayd Elementary School – CxA Services
- Mickey Leland College Prep– PM Services
- Furr High School– PM services
- Tanglewood Middle School – PM services
“We are only as good in the minds of our clients as our last project. We have to earn our wings every day,” says Rice. With experience, passion, and expertise, RGCI has successfully completed projects serving clients in a wide variety of industries, including K-12, higher education, commercial buildings, medical facilities, municipal projects, houses of worship, recreational facilities, and many others. Their wide-ranging capabilities and experience enables them to develop and manage overall programs for virtually any new construction, facility renovation, or upfitting project.
RGCI Awards:
- 2016 – Inc5000: Fastest-Growing Private Companies, Ranked #1304
- 2014, 2015 – Subcontractors USA Award: Top Prime Contractors, Architects, & Engineers for Diversity Award
- 2010, 2015 – Inc5000: Fastest-Growing Companies, Ranked #1735
RGCI Certifications:
- 2015 – Texas Board of Professional Engineers
- 2015 – AABC Commissioning Group (ACG)
- 2006 to Present – U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Member
RGCI makes it a focus of their business to work with and mentor HUBs and MWBEs. With a longstanding working relationship with HISD, RGCI is able to continue to utilize HUB businesses. RGCI reached their HUB goal with a 50% HUB utilization for their contract under the HISD 2012 bond program. “RGCI wanted to make sure we utilized at least 50% HUB business for this large scale project, proving our commitment to integrating underutilized businesses into the industry,” expresses Rice. RGCI partners with HUBs and minority-owned firms in the area, including Molina Walker Architects and Project Management Group, LLC.
RGCI is as committed to community endeavors as it is the business initiatives. RGCI is proud to serve Houston-area communities first and foremost. A main driver for the amount of business RGCI does with school districts is based on Rice’s strong belief in public education. However, one school district the firm won’t be involved with is Fort Bend ISD. Why is that? Rice is a long-time resident of Fort Bend County and wanted to give back to his own community in a more personal way: by founding the charity Fort Bend Cares, a charitable organization founded in 2004 to service the needs of underprivileged youth in the county. He is also a trustee of Fort Bend ISD. His pivotal involvement in the Fort Bend community precludes him from conducting any business for Fort Bend ISD, something that would certainly be within RGCI’s wheelhouse. Rice’s care for his community far supersedes his financial and business interests.
RGCI’s goals are to continue to provide their existing clients with the same quality services they have come to expect from them, while also servicing the needs of new clients. Focusing on diversity, the firm aims to continue doing as much business as possible with MWBEs and HUBs. Focusing on sustainability, RGCI aims to work on as many LEED projects as possible, and assist their clients in making their projects as sustainable as possible.
For more information about Rice & Gardner Consultants, Inc., please visit www.ricegardner.com. For additional questions, email info@ricegardner.com or call (713) 482-2300.
Testimonials
“The RGCI team were professional and hard working in their approach while working alongside with our staff and management team in a collaborative manner.” Andreas Peeples, General Manager of Construction Services HISD
“RGCI worked well with District staff. They effectively used various communication means to ensure we were never surprised by an issue. All projects were within budget and on schedule.” Kevin McKeever, Administrator for Operations Lamar CISD
