AIS

Employee Highlight | USAFA Cadet Chapel Restoration

As part of our 10 Monumental Projects series, we're highlighting the people behind the work that made these projects unforgettable.

For one Hudspeth team member and retired U.S. Air Force veteran, the USAFA Cadet Chapel restoration was more than a project. It was a full-circle moment.

After 22 years of military service, joining Hudspeth and contributing to the restoration of one of the Air Force's most iconic landmarks carried special meaning.

"Working on the USAFA Cadet Chapel restoration was a truly rewarding experience. Being part of a project that preserved such an iconic national landmark while ensuring the safety of everyone involved is something I'll always be proud of. What stood out most was the level of collaboration, professionalism, and craftsmanship demonstrated by the entire team."

The project became an important milestone in his professional journey. Transitioning directly from military service into a project at the U.S. Air Force Academy provided a unique opportunity to continue supporting a place that already held personal significance.

"Having the opportunity to contribute to preserving such an important piece of Air Force history made the experience even more rewarding."

Projects like the Cadet Chapel restoration are made possible by dedicated people whose expertise, commitment, and personal connection to the work help bring historic projects to life.

10 Monumental Projects | #6: USAFA Cadet Chapel Restoration

Some projects leave a lasting mark on a company. Others leave a lasting mark on history.

For Hudspeth, the restoration of the U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel in Colorado Springs was both.
Working alongside the United States Air Force Academy and JE Dunn Construction, Hudspeth completed one of the largest environmental abatement projects in Colorado history. The team removed lead, and asbestos, from thousands of pieces of one-of-a-kind stained glass from one of the nation's most recognizable landmarks as part of its extensive restoration.

The scale of the project was monumental. More than 60 workers contributed over 200,000 man-hours across six and a half years, navigating workforce shortages, pandemic-related challenges, extreme weather conditions, and working heights reaching 150 feet above the ground.

The project also created a lasting impact beyond the jobsite. Hudspeth invested in the local workforce by recruiting and training 40 to 50 individuals with no prior experience, helping them become Colorado state-certified asbestos professionals and building a skilled workforce for future generations.

Fun Fact: Hudspeth abated 1,159,811 cubic feet of building volume during the project. That's enough space to fill more than 13 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Today, the Cadet Chapel restoration stands as a testament to what can be accomplished through persistence, expertise, and a commitment to preserving an American landmark.

As part of our 10 Monumental Projects series, we're highlighting the people behind the work that made the Maunakea Observatory decommissioning project successful.

For Bruce Burley, the project was about more than demolition. As a Native Hawaiian and a longtime member of the Northwest Demolition & Dismantling team, the opportunity to help restore Maunakea carried special significance.

"Projects like this are a blessing and bring great joy. The team in Hawaii is primarily of Native Hawaiian ancestry. Working for Northwest over the last 20 years, we have had the opportunity to do many projects like this that mean a lot to the Native and local community, which is meaningful to all of us.”

The decommissioning of the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory helped restore Maunakea to its natural condition while protecting one of Hawaii's most significant cultural and environmental landscapes. The project was completed safely and without environmental impact, helping preserve the mountain for future generations.

Employees like Bruce bring a unique perspective to projects like this, connecting the work to the communities and places that make it meaningful.

Some projects are measured by their complexity. Others are measured by their impact.

For Northwest Demolition & Dismantling, the decommissioning of the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory atop Maunakea was both. The project involved the removal of the iconic silver geodesic dome, support buildings, and site infrastructure from a remote location nearly 13,000 feet above sea level. Under strict oversight from cultural, archaeological, environmental, and construction monitors, the team safely executed the work while protecting one of Hawaii's most significant cultural and environmental landscapes.

Using a specialized high-reach demolition excavator, NWDD carefully dismantled the observatory following the successful relocation of the telescope to Chile. Once the structures were removed, the site was restored to natural conditions and will continue to be monitored as the landscape naturally repopulates.

Completed safely and without environmental impact, the project helped restore Maunakea the mountain for future generations.

Fun fact: The project site sat nearly 13,000 feet above sea level, about 2.5 miles high and roughly four times the average depth of the Grand Canyon.

10 Monumental Projects | Employee Highlight #8

As part of our countdown to the 10th Anniversary of AIS, we're highlighting the people behind our 10 Monumental Projects.

For Project #8, we're recognizing Rudy Soto of Petrochem for his contributions to the long-standing partnership with Cargill.

For more than 14 years, Petrochem teams have helped support critical facility operations, and team members like Rudy are a big part of what has made that success possible. Reflecting on his experience, Rudy shared that what stands out most is the strong commitment to safety demonstrated by both Petrochem and Cargill, where looking out for one another is part of the culture every day.

Projects are important, but it is the people behind the work who make a lasting impact.

Thank you, Rudy, for the role you play in supporting this partnership and representing Petrochem so well.

10 Monumental Projects | #8

Petrochem at Cargill

As we count down to the 10th Anniversary of AIS, we're highlighting 10 Monumental Projects that showcase the impact our Operating Companies have made over the past decade.

Coming in at #8 is Petrochem's long-standing partnership with Cargill, providing multi-craft maintenance and support services that have helped keep critical facilities operating safely and efficiently for more than 14 years.

Over the course of the partnership, Petrochem teams have completed more than 1.6 million labor hours, supporting facility operations while creating lasting employment opportunities for local workers and helping strengthen the communities they serve.

Projects like this demonstrate that lasting impact is not always measured by a single milestone. Sometimes it is built through years of dedication, trusted partnerships, and a commitment to doing the work the right way.

As we celebrate a decade of AIS, we're proud to recognize the projects that continue to make a difference long after the work begins.