Our APG family was excited to return to Busch Gardens on Sunday, November 6th for our 38th Annual Family Picnic. As one of our favorite family picnic destinations, Busch Gardens never disappoints with thrilling rides and close-up animal encounters. We enjoyed taking part in the numerous activities that the park has to offer and it gave employees the chance to spend time with their families and friends.

Following the park’s closure at 6 pm, the APG party got into full swing. Families enjoyed Zagora Café or Oasis Pizza for dinner and dessert, and snacked on theme park favorites like churros and caramel corn.

​Then it was off to experience unlimited rides on Cheetah Hunt, Cobra’s Curse, Montu, SheiKra, and Tigris. Some of our younger guests enjoyed testing their skills in the carnival game areas with free unlimited gameplay. In the Gwazi area, many were challenged climbing the rope ladders, while others went to shoot hoops for free prizes and basketballs. We closed out the park at 10 pm with some incredible memories to cherish.

We want to thank everyone who attended our Family Picnic this year and Busch Gardens for allowing us to bring together our families and friends for a fun-filled day! A special thank you to Bonnie Gerhart and Busch Gardens’ Nevar Campbell, Event Sales Manager, and her assistant Haley Johnson, for their incredible work in arranging this wonderful event.

​We look forward to seeing everyone again next year for another great experience!

Home to three-time Stanley Cup Champions and used as one of Tampa Bay’s largest event venues, the Amalie Arena has undergone many changes and additions throughout the years. The most recent addition to the stadium was awarded to us in mid-January. The project scope consisted of removing the facility’s existing central energy plant (CEP) and replacing it with a new modular CEP located in the player’s parking lot.

The APG BIM department played a vital role in developing this job, helping re-design and identify all potential issues within the scope of work. Once the team was settled into the new design, they were able to incorporate prefabricated conduit systems, build the systems off-site, and finally, install our work inside the modular building.

The Amalie Arena project had several hurdles that the APG team had to overcome. With the Tampa Bay Lightning going to the Stanley Cup finals, work had to commence as soon as possible. Further complications were the shortage of storage space for delivered materials and scheduling around concerts and various events. Though APG was only given 87 days to complete the project, our exceptional workforce was able to finish seven days ahead of schedule.

​Despite the difficulties, the Amalie Arena project showcased the efficiency and communication prowess of both our field and office staff. As Project Superintendent Brian Faller mentioned,

BIM Manager Artie Hackett and BIM Specialist Mike Perry were essential in ensuring everything was as precise as possible for the field. Our in-house Trimble Team was a huge help, thanks to Project Foreman John Lenges and Project Superintendent Augie Manfre. Their measurements made it much simpler to drill holes and run conduits. Other notable mentions include Warehouse Technician Mickey Mitchell for his help bringing tools from the shop to the job site, and Electrician Mario Villa Villafane for his dedication to the team and project.

​We’d also like to recognize everyone that had a hand in completing this project, especially those in the field. APG could not be successful without your skill, dedication, and can-do attitude. Thank you, Amalie Arena, for trusting APG with projects like this!

Contest Winners for the Day: 
FIRST PLACE:

1. Dale Rive
2. Vincent Palmitesto
3. Scott Wilson

SECOND PLACE: 

1. Ed Burchett
2. Mike Millard
3. Dennis Lowther

THIRD PLACE: 

1. Zeth Caudill
2. Josh Wright
3. Kevin DeWitt
4. Nate McDonald

PUTTING CONTEST WINNING TEAM:

1. Vinny Mannello
2. Cas Jakubowski
3. Robert Kelly

LONGEST DRIVE:
Sean Spires
CLOSEST TO THE PIN:
Scott Wilson
​HOLE-IN-ONE LAKE COURSE #8:
Vincent Palmitesto

​Our Technology Group is made up of highly certified and experienced professionals. These include: BICSI Certified Installers (TECH, INSTF, INSTC); BICSI Certified RCDDs; and AVIXA Certified Technology Specialists (CTS, CTS-D).

​The Technology Group has also received APEx Certification through AVIXA for the fifth year in a row, which puts them in the upper echelon of integrators in the industry from around the world. Their level of expertise has been proven through projects such as the USAA, Suntrax, the JW Marriott, Jabil and many others and their contributions have truly made an impact on our customers, partners, and community.

The Technology Group also takes great pride in the dedication and work ethic of all of the team’s hardworking field employees. “They have been fantastic — working hard under heavy workloads and compressed project schedules,” says team member, Dennis Kuhns, INSTC, INSTF. “ Even the newest employees have all hit the ground running and have been great additions to our team.” 

The Technology Group’s work has garnered many awards over the years. Recent highlights include:

• Commercial Integrator Award:
  - Best Corporate Campus: New Jabil Headquarters, 2022
  
• InAVate Award Finalist:
  - Jabil Headquarters, 2022
  - St. Pete Police Department, 2020
  - Raymond James Stadium, 2018 & 2019

APG is proud to have completed another phase of the Tampa International Airport expansion project. The scope of the project included the construction of an all-new Central Utility Plant (CUP), Vertical Circulation Building (VCB), and an Emergency Service Building (ESB) at the heart of the build.

This multi-year, multi-phase endeavor showcases the craftsmanship and exceptional services that APG provides, even in the face of unprecedented obstacles. Performing work at an active airport is always a challenge, but COVID-19 has brought new difficulties. With the pandemic disrupting travel patterns and allowable construction methods on site, we had to adapt to the airport’s changing restrictions and standards. The team had to carefully plan twenty different shutdowns to maintain critical facility functions while transferring loads to the new electrical system. Despite all of this, we managed to stay on course for the project milestones and completed the project in a timely manner.

 We appreciate Project Superintendent Chris Gobright’s efforts to orchestrate the work and keep our entire team on track. He is supported by Field Superintendent Augie Manfre Jr. and Project Foreman Sergey Kharchenko. On-site Project Manager Josh Smith was essential to the expansion and took on the enormous task of coordinating shipments to the site, as well as completing paperwork specific to the airport. Behind the scenes, Project Administrator Meoi Plummer was an invaluable asset in filing and distributing a dizzying array of RFIs, submittals, and purchase orders. 

APG Security and Technology furnished the voice data, audio visual, and security systems, which were installed by our own technicians. Their hard work has reinforced our brand as a one-stop-shop for a client’s electrical and technology needs.

While these projects were under construction, Hensel Phelps awarded additional projects to APG as work on TIA continues to expand. The craftsmanship and professionalism of our field team has been crucial to earning more work on site, and we’re proud that Hensel Phelps continues to trust us with such complex projects. To everyone supporting us at TIA: Thank you and keep up the great work! 

In February of 2020, APG was awarded the St. Anthony’s Hospital 90 Bed Patient Tower Expansion project in order to meet the demands of Pinellas County’s growing population. Since then, APG has constructed a new Central Energy Plant (CEP), a new tower to house 90 private patient beds, an expanded inpatient dialysis area, additional education classrooms, and the relocation of the existing cafeteria and kitchen to the first floor to provide easier access for patients.

The construction of the CEP included creating a new medium voltage electrical system, which Project Superintendent Ricky Thomas oversaw. Ricky and his team were challenged to install 16,000 ft. of medium voltage cabling between a new substation, transformers, and electrical switchgear lineup.

The APG Team had to overcome many obstacles during the project construction phase, including strict COVID-19 guidelines. Safety Director Sean Hendry and Safety Compliance Officer Dale Rive also played a huge part in the project, providing help with safety planning and various health protocols required by the hospital during the global pandemic.

​Other hardships came with coordinating and working through extensive shutdowns and changeovers after hours to ensure minimum disruption during the facility’s operations.