http://www.mdsmaintenance.com/blog/rss/feedsSA AIR is committed to providing solutions to your needs with speed, efficiency, and attention to detail.Fri, 19 Jun 2026 01:45:59 -0700http://www.mdsmaintenance.com/blog/post/meet-our-team-senior-superintendent-colton-smithhttp://www.mdsmaintenance.com/blog/post/meet-our-team-senior-superintendent-colton-smithConstruction runs in Colton's blood. His father was a plumber who owned his own company, and it was through his dad's connection to MDSM that Colton found his way to the team. Now a Senior Superintendent for our Texas division, he's built a career full of standout moments, including his work on the nearly completed Waterline project in Austin, which stands as the tallest building in Texas at 74 stories. What Colton loves most about the job is that no two days are the same; there is always a new challenge that keeps things fresh. While most people picture hard hats and blueprints, he'll tell you the real foundation of this work is relationships. Outside of the job, you'll find him on the lake or cruising around on some sort of ATV, recharging for the next project. The best advice Colton has ever received? Listen more than you speak — you'll learn a lot more. It's a philosophy that clearly shapes how he operates. And to his team, he wants you to know he sees you, and he appreciates everything you do. Thank you, Colton, for your dedication, your leadership, and the pride you bring to every project. From your roots in the trade to the skyline-defining work you've helped build, MDSM is better because of you. We're grateful to have you on the team. Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:46:00 -0700http://www.mdsmaintenance.com/blog/post/celebrating-two-decades-of-dedication-honoring-cari-cline-and-tomas-gonzalezhttp://www.mdsmaintenance.com/blog/post/celebrating-two-decades-of-dedication-honoring-cari-cline-and-tomas-gonzalez Celebrating Two Decades of Service: Honoring Cari Cline and Tomas Gonzalez At MDS Maintenance, we often talk about the importance of strong foundations. While that certainly applies to the projects we build, it also applies to the people who help make our company what it is. This year, we are proud to celebrate a significant milestone as two of our team members, Cari Cline and Tomas Gonzalez, each reach 20 years of service alongside our leadership team. Their commitment, experience, and dedication have helped shape not only MDSM, but also the relationships and reputation that continue to support our growth today. Celebrating Cari – 20 Years of Service As MDSM's Office Manager, Cari Cline has been an important part of our organization for two decades. With more than 35 years of bookkeeping and administrative experience, Cari brings a wealth of knowledge, organization, and professionalism to her role. From managing the financial side of operations to helping keep day-to-day business running smoothly, Cari has supported our employees, leadership team, vendors, and customers throughout the years. Her attention to detail and dependability have helped guide the company through years of growth and change. Those who work with Cari know she is often the person behind the scenes making sure everything stays on track. Her dedication and commitment have made a lasting impact on MDSM, and we are grateful for the many contributions she has made over the years. Celebrating Tomas – 20 Years of Service Construction Manager Tomas Gonzalez is celebrating 20 years with the MDSM leadership team, although his history with the company stretches back even further. Before MDS Maintenance was established, Tomas worked alongside company leadership at a previous organization, building relationships and experience that have continued throughout his career. Today, Tomas continues to oversee projects, support field personnel, and help maintain the standards our customers expect. His long-standing dedication and knowledge have played an important role in the success of MDS Maintenance, and we are grateful for his contributions over the past two decades. A Legacy Built by Great People Twenty years is a significant achievement in any industry. It represents years of hard work, countless projects completed, and an ongoing commitment to the people and customers we serve. Cari and Tomas have each played a unique role in helping build the company we are today. Their loyalty, experience, and dedication reflect the values that have helped shape MDS Maintenance over the years. Please join us in congratulating Cari Cline and Tomas Gonzalez on reaching this milestone. We appreciate their years of service and look forward to many more years of success together. Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:16:00 -0700http://www.mdsmaintenance.com/blog/post/celebrating-10-years-with-mdsm-abdullah-wahidihttp://www.mdsmaintenance.com/blog/post/celebrating-10-years-with-mdsm-abdullah-wahidi This year, we’re proud to celebrate a very special milestone for one of our team members: Abdullah Wahidi has been with MDSM for 10 years! Wahidi’s journey with us began shortly after he immigrated to the United States from Afghanistan. With no connections and everything about life here feeling new, he joined MDSM just three months after arriving. What he found was more than just a job; it was a place where he felt supported, valued, and welcomed. Finding a Home at MDSM When asked what first brought him to MDSM, Wahidi shared that it was the culture. “From the beginning, I felt that this was a place where collaboration, growth, and respect really mattered. That sense of belonging has kept me here ever since.” A Decade of Dedication Wahidi has spent the last decade serving as a Project Engineer, dedicating his time and energy to fulfilling his responsibilities in the best way possible. His steady commitment and reliability have made him an integral part of our projects and our team. Looking back, Wahidi reflects with pride on the many communities he’s helped bring to life: senior living residences, student housing, multifamily developments, and mid-rise buildings across the country. “These projects are more than concrete and steel; they’re part of a legacy I’m proud to carry.” Why MDSM? For Wahidi, being part of MDSM has meant more than just being a number. He values that MDSM sees potential, not barriers, and has given him opportunities to contribute meaningfully while being part of a close-knit team. When asked to describe what reaching this 10-year milestone means, Wahidi said: MDSM welcomed me with open arms, without bias or hesitation. Their commitment to inclusion and openness to all backgrounds gave me the opportunity to grow, lead, and contribute meaningfully. That kind of culture doesn’t just build careers; it builds lives. Three Words for Ten Years Support. Teamwork. Commitment. Those are the three words Wahidi chose to sum up his decade-long journey at MDSM, and we couldn’t think of better words to describe him in return. A Lasting Legacy Wahidi’s story is one of resilience, dedication, and impact. We are grateful for the last 10 years of his contributions and proud to celebrate this milestone alongside him. Here’s to the next decade of building, growing, and achieving together. Wahidi, thank you for 10 incredible years. We’re proud to call you part of the MDSM family, and we can’t wait to see what we’ll build together in the years ahead.Wed, 01 Oct 2025 13:57:00 -0700http://www.mdsmaintenance.com/blog/post/two-numbers-one-clear-message-safety-comes-firsthttp://www.mdsmaintenance.com/blog/post/two-numbers-one-clear-message-safety-comes-firstAt MDS Maintenance, safety is ingrained into our company culture. That’s why, this National Safety Month, we’re highlighting not only the steps we take to keep our team safe, but also the numbers that reflect that commitment in measurable ways. Two of the most common safety metrics in the construction industry are TRIR and EMR. These acronyms may not mean much to the average person, but they speak volumes about how a company prioritizes safety in the workplace. What is TRIR? TRIR, or Total Recordable Incident Rate, is a number used by OSHA to track the number of recordable injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time workers during a year. It accounts for incidents that require medical treatment beyond first aid. It helps organizations monitor safety performance and identify areas for potential improvement. When looking at a TRIR number, the lower the better. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average TRIR for construction in 2023 was 2.3. We are proud to report a TRIR of 0.0 for 2024. That means we had zero recordable safety incidents, a direct result of the vigilance, training, and shared accountability of our team. What is EMR? The Experience Modification Rate (EMR) is a number used by insurance companies to evaluate how safe a company is compared to others, almost like a credit score. Based on this rating, insurance companies will determine a company’s risk and set workers’ compensation premiums. An EMR of 1.0 is considered the industry standard. Anything below this means a company is safer than average. At MDSM, our EMR is currently 0.74, showing that our team continually maintains a safer-than-average working environment. The Force Behind our Safety Numbers Behind these numbers is a robust safety program built on consistency, awareness, and proactive communication. We’ve worked extensively to establish a safety foundation that ensures the health and well-being of every worker, visitor, and partner on our job sites. Some of the processes we use to keep safety front and center include: Weekly Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) discussions Daily Pre-Task Plans (PTP) with our site safety representatives Regular site safety orientations with the general contractor Daily equipment and tool inspections 2-3 random job-site audits per week by our safety representatives Most importantly, we empower every team member to speak up and make decisions in the moment that protect themselves and those around them. Here’s to continuing to build smart, build strong, and build safe. Fri, 20 Jun 2025 10:35:00 -0700http://www.mdsmaintenance.com/blog/post/milestone-achieved-at-waterline-a-major-step-toward-the-tallest-building-in-texashttp://www.mdsmaintenance.com/blog/post/milestone-achieved-at-waterline-a-major-step-toward-the-tallest-building-in-texas We’re thrilled to share a major milestone from the heart of Austin, where one of the state’s most ambitious construction projects is reaching new heights—literally. Waterline, set to become the tallest building in Texas upon completion, has just reached a critical point in its construction: the final full floor of concrete has been successfully poured. This milestone not only signifies vertical progress—it also marks the culmination of months of highly coordinated planning, precision, and teamwork. Engineering Excellence: 5,000+ Sleeves Installed with 99%+ Accuracy This concrete pour also marked the completion of MDSM’s sleeve layout and installation process. We're proud to report that more than 5,000 sleeves were installed with over 99% accuracy, thanks to our team's use of advanced total station technology and a meticulous installation process. Achieving this level of precision isn't just a technical win—it’s a reflection of the strength of our process, the dedication of our people, and the reliability of the technology we rely on every day. In projects of this scale and complexity, even the smallest misalignment can lead to major delays. That’s why accuracy isn’t a goal—it’s a standard. Looking Ahead As Waterline continues to rise, we’re excited to be part of a project that’s not only transforming the Austin skyline but also pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in construction. Stay tuned—we’ll be sharing more updates and behind-the-scenes progress as this iconic building continues to take shape. In the meantime, check out our latest site footage to see the progress for yourself! Waterline June 2025 Uploaded by MDS Maintenance LLC on 2025-06-12. Thu, 12 Jun 2025 07:30:00 -0700http://www.mdsmaintenance.com/blog/post/introducing-the-mdsm-blog--built-for-buildershttp://www.mdsmaintenance.com/blog/post/introducing-the-mdsm-blog--built-for-buildersAt MDS Maintenance, LLC (MDSM), we believe great buildings start with strong foundations—and that includes the systems behind the walls. With over 90 years of combined experience in HVAC and plumbing, we’ve partnered on some of the most complex mid- and high-rise builds across the region. Now, we’re bringing that expertise to our newest project: the MDSM Blog. Why We’re Starting This Blog Construction moves fast—and the systems that support modern buildings are evolving just as quickly. This blog is our space to share insights, industry trends, and real-world experience from the field. Whether you're planning your next multi-family development, coordinating subs on a student housing project, or simply looking for guidance on mechanical systems, we’re here to provide value. What You’ll Find Here Expect practical content, including: Project spotlights and lessons learned from our latest builds HVAC and plumbing trends shaping multi-unit construction Best practices for planning mechanical systems in high-density buildings Tips for smoother coordination between trades Code updates, materials insights, and energy efficiency conversations Who It’s For If you're a developer, general contractor, project manager, architect—or anyone involved in bringing large-scale residential and mixed-use buildings to life—this blog is for you. Our goal is to support better outcomes on every job site we touch. Let’s Build Together We invite you to follow along as we dig into the systems that keep buildings running and projects on track. If there’s a topic you'd like us to cover or a question you've run into on a job, let us know—we're listening. Welcome to the MDS Blog. Let’s build smarter, together. —The MDSM Team Thu, 12 Jun 2025 07:02:00 -0700