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Online Media Kit

History

  • President Michael W. Vasbinder founded ConTrak in 1988 in response to the demand for a single, centralized source for organizing and managing complex construction projects.
  • A licensed architect, Vasbinder has worked in the construction industry for more than 37 years. His previous construction experience included a professional career as vice president of sales and marketing for a major general contractor and developer in central Ohio, pre-construction services manager for a national construction company, and director of franchise construction for a major fast food chain.
  • Starting with a single employee in offices at 4360 Tuller Road in Dublin, Ohio, Vasbinder won a $50,000 contract for the renovation and restoration of the fire-damaged Colorado Rose restaurant.
  • Following Vasbinder’s customer service philosophy, the firm won $500,000 in contracts by the end of its first year.
  • Vasbinder’s determination to offer the highest level of customer service has earned the company an outstanding reputation and a substantial amount of repeat and referral business in multi-million dollar projects.
  • In 2000, ConTrak built its new office headquarters in Dublin on Parkcenter Avenue.
  • In July of 2004, ConTrak announced its expansion into the central Florida market with the opening of its office and subsidiary firm in Longwood, Florida. The Florida office focuses on commercial, industrial and retail projects in that region.
  • By bidding on and winning progressively larger contracts, ConTrak has achieved average annual revenue of $15 million over the past five years.
  • In 2007, to offer its employees better work accommodations, ConTrak relocated its headquarters from Parkcenter Avenue in Dublin, Ohio, to 3254 Henderson Road in Columbus, Ohio, adding 3,000 square-feet of office space for improved functionality.

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Company Overview

  • ConTrak is an award-winning commercial contractor focusing on high-quality commercial construction and remodeling projects
  • An Ohio-based S Corporation, ConTrak has offices at 3254 Henderson Road
    in Columbus, Ohio and Longwood, Fla.
  • ConTrak oversees projects from conceptualization through design to final construction. Services include:
    • Construction Management Services
    • General Contracting Services
    • Design/Build Services
    • Construction Consulting Services
    • Preconstruction and Feasibility Studies
    • Real Estate Development
    • Program Management
    • Owner Representation
  • ConTrak has experience in the design and development of build-to-suit, speculative and multi-tenant buildings. The company has completed projects covering a broad cross-section of the commercial construction market. Significant areas of expertise include: 
    • Medical and Laboratory Buildings
    • Industrial/Manufacturing/Warehouse Space
    • Office Buildings
    • Commercial and Retail Space
    • Recreational Buildings
    • Government Projects
    • Data and Call Centers
    • Assisted Living Facilities
    • Extensive Renovation and Refurbishment of Existing and Historic Structures
    • Bank Branches
  • ConTrak approaches projects from a team perspective. ConTrak’s ability to work effectively in a team environment sets it apart from competitors. ConTrak captains the team, guiding the client in making informed decisions.
  • The ConTrak team concentrates on the best interests of the client and measures success by the company’s high level of repeat and referral business.
  • ConTrak’s strength lies in communicating effectively with all project participants. During the definition and planning stage, ConTrak’s project managers draw upon their development and real estate skills to ensure the project’s design meets the needs of all team members, including tenants. ConTrak actively seeks advice from all team participants and documents the decisions made.
  • As a project moves into the design and engineering phase, ConTrak draws upon the knowledge gathered in the planning stage, combines it with knowledge of construction and building systems, and builds a consensus among all team participants before proceeding to construction.
  • As the onsite leader during construction, ConTrak’s project superintendents coordinate the day-to-day activities of trade contractors and hold weekly progress meetings to ensure schedules and quality goals are met.
  • Company managers use state-of-the-art estimating, scheduling, project management and accounting software to ensure that projects proceed on time and within budget.
  • ConTrak serves as the client’s agent, controlling the project from beginning to end. ConTrak takes the lead in promoting clear and concise communication between all project participants without interfering with the role or relationship of the architect, engineer or owner. ConTrak gives clients written monthly reports documenting progress of the project.
  • ConTrak offers on-line client updates through its Web site for some projects. The service, called OnSite, allows clients secure access to a comprehensive project status report that includes photos, project documentation and other information.
  • ConTrak’s cost-control measures enable the company to work under guaranteed maximum price contracts.
  • ConTrak has extensive experience working under demanding deadlines and around client needs, completing construction during off-season or off-hours.
  • ConTrak has the ability and track record to complete projects in and adjacent to occupied areas.

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Professional Staff

  • In addition to President Michael W. Vasbinder, ConTrak employs a professional staff of 13.
  • ConTrak employees have extensive experience in the construction industry, some of which extends from a family history in the business.
  • Employees are cross-trained in different areas of expertise, giving ConTrak flexibility in how it organizes to handle large or small projects.
  • The company’s management team includes three experienced project managers who can direct a project from conception through completion, a project estimator, and a chief financial officer.
    • Brad Kendall - Project Manager Kendall has more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry. He holds a bachelor’s degree in construction management with a minor in marketing from Capital University, an associate’s degree in construction management from Columbus State Community College, and an associate’s degree in architectural engineering from ITT Technical Institute in Dayton. Kendall has a comprehensive background in architectural design applications and strong technical knowledge of construction materials and practices, as well as the development process.
    • Don Ball - Project Estimator Ball holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Franklin University. Having grown up working in his father’s construction company, he has more than 35 years of broad experience, including seven years with ConTrak. He is known for his ability to establish positive working relationships and for his communication skills.
    • Alan Starr - Chief Financial Officer Starr earned an MBA in finance from Xavier University in 1978 and a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Kentucky in 1974. He became a licensed CPA in 1976. Starr’s previous experience includes five years as an audit manager with Arthur Young. He has been working in the construction industry for more than 17 years. He has served as vice president of the Construction Financial Managers Association in 1992 and remains active in the organization.
    • Dale Kirby, Vice President As Vice President of ConTrak Construction Company LLC, Dale Kirby manages the company’s Florida operation. He has over 28 years experience in the construction industry and has been with ConTrak for over eight years. He has provided project management and oversight of many of ConTrak’s notable projects including, CompuServe Offices, CompuServe/AOL renovation and the Polaris Medical Facility. Kirby received his Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Technology from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. He is an active member of the Associated General Contractors (AGC), National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) and Rotary International.
    • Kevin Putman - Project Manager Putman has more than 24 years experience in the construction industry and is a licensed professional engineer. He previously served as director of office construction for Pizzuti Development Company, project manager for The Alter Group and vice president of development for Forest City Enterprises/Central Station. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from The Ohio State University. Putman has served as project manager for many of ConTrak’s high-profile projects including Evans Scholars and Immokalee.
    • Josh Wilhelm – Project Engineer Wilhelm has over six years of experience in the construction industry. As a project engineer, Wilhelm serves as a liaison between ConTrak’s partnering architects, developers and its on-site workers. His duties include handling any changes or directives made by a project’s developer or architect to make sure they are being executed in the field and maintaining project schedules. Before joining ConTrak in 2006, Wilhelm served as a project engineer/estimator for a central Ohio construction firm. Wilhelm received his Bachelor of Science degree in construction management from Bowling Green State University. He is an active member of the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio and is certified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA.)
    • J.R. Reynolds – Project Engineer Reynolds has over 19 years experience in the construction industry. He served as a field superintendent for seven years and as a field manager /foreman for over 12 years. Reynolds joined ConTrak in 2000 and is responsible for assisting project mangers with the development of construction schedules, assisting project managers with development and administration of the site services and security, assisting in review/approval of shop drawings, monitoring trade contractor purchasing to ensure delivery schedule compliance and preparing daily reports and all required documentation. Reynolds studied at Columbus State Community College where he received an Associate Degree in construction management. He has also taken a 30 hour course through OSHA.
    • Chuck Wiseman - Vice President of Business Development andPreconstruction As Vice President of Business Development and Preconstruction, Wiseman is responsible for the acquisition of new business and developing marketing direction and strategies for the company.  Wiseman brings 30 years of Central Ohio construction experience and 6 years of national experience to ConTrak.  Prior to working for ConTrak, he served as vice president of general construction for a major Central Ohio contractor and vice president, chief executive officer for a Phoenix, Ariz., company.  Wiseman also has extensive experience in pre-construction activities, with strong attributes toward value engineering, construction methodology and scheduling. Wiseman received an Associates degree from Arizona State University in business management. He is also a licensed contractor in the state of Arizona, a member of Associated Builders and Contractors of Central Ohio, the Builders Exchange of Central Ohio and a past member of the board of directors for Central Arizona ABC.

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Growth History and Future Projections

  • ConTrak has enjoyed consistent sales growth, averaging more than 20 percent growth per year since the company was founded, and has achieved average annual revenue of $15 million over the past five years.
  • The company’s staff has grown from two employees at its inception to 13 employees today.
  • ConTrak’s project mix has grown from a $50,000 renovation to construction of numerous projects valued at over $45 million.
  • Over the past 19 years, ConTrak has returned more than $2 million in savings to clients by working under guaranteed maximum price contracts.
  • The company plans to extend its experience in both the number of projects it completes and the scope of work over the next few years.

Contributions and Honors

  • In 2008, ConTrak President Michael W. Vasbinder was elected as vice chairman of the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio.
  • In 2004, ConTrak President Michael W. Vasbinder was elected to a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio.
  • ConTrak won the 2002 Business Integrity Award from the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio. The honor recognizes firms whose business practices and related activities in the community exemplify the Better Business Bureau’s mission and principles.
  • ConTrak has won two American Institute of Architects (AIA) Honor Awards for noteworthy projects in central Ohio. The awards were given for the company’s work on the North Market renovation and new offices for Design Central.
  • ConTrak nominated subcontractor Concord Fabricators for a Builder’s Exchange Craftsmanship Award for the steel erection involved in the renovation of Veteran’s Memorial. Concord Fabricators won the Craftsmanship Award in 1999.
  • ConTrak has a strong commitment to supporting local charities, civic groups and professional associations. The company encourages community involvement at all levels.
  • President Michael W. Vasbinder is a former board member for Big Brothers/Big Sisters Association of Greater Columbus and currently sits on the Olentangy Local Schools Development Committee.
  • ConTrak built a community lodge and renovated offices for First Community Church’s Camp Akita at cost and required subcontractors to work at cost.
  • ConTrak supports the Upper Arlington Athletic Boosters.
  • ConTrak is a member of the following professional and trade organizations:
    • Builders Exchange of Central Ohio
    • Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio
    • Better Business Bureau of Florida
    • American Institute of Architects (AIA)
    • Architects Society of Ohio
    • Construction Financial Managers Association
    • Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce
    • Dublin Chamber of Commerce
    • Art Farm
    • Logan Hocking Chamber of Commerce
  • As an active member of The Better Business Bureau, Vasbinder was appointed to a board position in 2007.
  • In support of local artists, Vasbinder also took a board position for The Arts Farm. 

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Notable Projects

  • Better Business Bureau – Central Ohio Headquarters – Columbus, Ohio
  • Evans Scholars – Columbus, Ohio
  • Owens Corning – Newark, Ohio
  • Delaware County Bank and Trust Company – Columbus, Ohio
    • Sawmill Parkway Branch
    • Home Road Branch
    • Evergreen Avenue Branch
    • Gallopers Ridge Branch
    • Marysville Branch
    • Polaris Branch
  • Tuscawilla Country Club – Winter Springs, Florida
  • Champaign Bank
    • Hilliard Branch
    • Dublin Office/Branch
    • Plain City Branch
  • Senior Living Development – Immokalee, Florida
  • 17 Brickel Street Office Renovation – Columbus, Ohio
  • The Evans Group – Longwood, Florida
  • 45 N. High Street Building Renovation -  Columbus, Ohio
  • Avery Road Veterinary Hospital – Dublin, Ohio
  • Shelly Shults Dental Office – Dublin, Ohio
  • ABB - Columbus, Ohio
  • Huntington Bank
    • Whitehall Branch
    • Stoneridge Plaza
  • Buggyworks - Columbus, Ohio
  • Knightsbridge Medical Facility - Columbus, Ohio
  • Veterans Memorial - Columbus, Ohio
  • Village at Powell Luxury Condominiums - Powell, Ohio
  • Knightsbridge Surgery Center – Powell, Ohio
  • Wedgewood Country Club – Powell, Ohio
  • Clear Channel – Columbus, Ohio
  • Nationwide’s John E. Fisher Training Center – Lewis Center, Ohio
  • Plain Township Aquatic Center – Columbus, Ohio
  • Polaris Medical – Columbus, Ohio
  • Bradenton Medical Facility – Columbus, Ohio
  • CompuServe Offices – Hilliard, Ohio
  • Mill Run Medical/Office Facility – Hilliard, Ohio
  • North Market – Columbus, Ohio

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Biographies

Michael W. Vasbiner

President Michael W. Vasbinder founded ConTrak in 1988 after gaining more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry.

He previously served as vice president of sales and marketing for a major Ohio developer, as pre-construction services manager for a major national construction firm, and as director of franchise construction for a major fast food chain.

Vasbinder earned a Bachelor of Science degree in architecture from The Ohio State University in 1976. He is a licensed architect in the state of Ohio and a licensed contractor in Ohio and Florida.

In 2004, Vasbinder was elected to a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, the Architects Society of Ohio, the Builder’s Exchange of Central Ohio and the Building Industry Association. He belongs to both the Dublin and Greater Columbus Area chambers of commerce.

He currently serves as the vice chairman of the Better Business Bureau, sits on the Olentangy Local Schools Development Committee, is a board member for The Arts Farm and is a former board member for Big Brothers/Big Sisters Association of Greater Columbus.

Under Vasbinder’s leadership, ConTrak won the 2002 Business Integrity Award from the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio. The honor recognizes firms whose business practices and related activities in the community exemplify the Better Business Bureau’s mission and principles. ConTrak has won two American Institute of Architects (AIA) Honor Awards for work on the North Market renovation and offices for Design Central.

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