“Never give up and don’t let people tell you what you can’t do,” says Bob Albers, managing director of an information technology company in Thailand and one of 11 former students from the Texas A&M College of Architecture who earned a spot among the 2008 Aggie 100, a list of the fastest-growing Aggie-owned or Aggie-led businesses in the world.
A 1987 building construction graduate, Albers’ company, Project Solutions International (Thailand) Company Limited, placed ninth on the list, which is compiled annually by the Center for New Ventures & Entrepreneurship at Texas A&M’s Mays Business School. He attributes some of his business success to his time in the Aggie Band and Corps of Cadets, where he said he learned to improvise, overcome and adapt.
Alber’s company has been providing professional resource and staffing services to the engineering, construction, petrochemical, power generation and oil and gas industries for more than 20 years.
He and rest of the 2008 Aggie 100 honorees were feted at an Oct. 31 awards luncheon hosted by the Center for New Ventures & Entrepreneurship.
Former Students from the College of Architecture who made the 2008 Aggie 100 list, their class year, degree, company’s name and their spot on the list are:
| Former Student | Class | Degree | Company | Place |
| Bob Albers | ’87 | BDCR | Project Solutions International Information Technology (Thailand) Company Limited | 9 |
| Brian Cole | ’99 | BED | Green Grass Studios | 17 |
| Jesse Sandifer | ’00 | BED | Green Grass Studios | 17 |
| Deborah Fulwiler | ’86 | BED | Elements Of Architecture, Inc. | 20 |
| Kyle Cook | ’91 | BDCR | Meridian Constructors, L.L.C. | 33 |
| Mike Galvin | ’77 | BDCR | Meridian Constructors, L.L.C. | 33 |
| Stephanie Routh | ’93 | BED | Routh Development Group | 50 |
| Kyle Workman | ’97 | BDCR | Workman Commercial Construction Commercial Contracting Services, Ltd. | 66 |
| Paul Workman | ’73 | BDCR | Workman Commercial Construction Commercial Contracting Services, Ltd. | 66 |
| Jay B. Carlton | ’81 | BDCR | Sterling Structures, LP | 81 |
| Daryl Benkendorfer | ’82 | BLA | Land Design Partners, Inc. | 92 |
The Center for New Ventures & Entrepreneurship asked the 2008 honorees for some entrepreneurial words of wisdom to share with fellow Ags who may be following in their footsteps.
“There’s always going to be someone better than you so don’t get wrapped up in perfection,” responded Jesse Sandifer (BED 2000), who in 2003 co-founded Green Grass Studios, a Dallas animation company, with fellow Aggie Brian Cole (BED 1999). “Just focus on what you do best,” he urged.
Green Grass Studios tackles projects for the commercial real estate, entertainment and conceptual design communities.
Kyle Cook (’91 BDCR) and Mike Galvin (’77 BDCR) are president and vice president, respectively, of Meridian Constructors, LLC, a general contractor for commercial and construction management.
“Work hard and always do the right thing,” says Cook. “It’s not glamorous, but it works.”
“If ever in doubt as to what to do, look to your core values as a compass for guidance,” says Stephanie Routh (’93 BED), vice-president and part-owner of the Routh Development Group in Austin. “Start your own business early, work for yourself and control your own destiny.”
The Routh Development Group owns and operates three country clubs and 40 shopping centers in Texas. Routh assists the company, but these days she’s focusing on being a full-time mother.
“Operate your business with skill, honesty and performance,” said Kyle Workman (’97 BDCR), CEO and president of Workman Commercial Construction Services, Ltd. in Austin.
Kyle, and his father, Paul (’73 BDCR), who founded the company in 1991, have overseen the company’s recent projects, which include a prominent car dealership in Austin, a multi-million dollar daycare complex, a minor emergency center, a large church addition, and a multi-building private school.
Paul’s experience has included the construction of office projects, schools, churches, retail centers, malls, medical centers, hospitals, and wastewater treatment facilities.
“Always remember to slow down and thank those that helped you achieve your goals and give thanks for your blessings,” said Jay Carlton (’91 BDCR), president and owner of Sterling Structures LP, a commercial construction company in Houston. Never look back and say that you did not try to be the best you could be.”
Carlton is also on the 2008 board of directors of the Associated General Contractors of America’s Houston chapter.
“Always do what you say you are going to do when you say you are going to do it,” said Daryl Benkendorfer (’82 BLA), president, owner and founder of Land Design Partners, Inc. in Austin.
During his 25-year career in landscape architecture, he has worked on projects in 15 states and the Caribbean ranging from retail, hotel/resort, institutional, commercial and single family developments.
For the complete 2008 Aggie 100 list, download this PDF or visit the Aggie 100 website at http://www.aggie100.com/.
