TEMPE, AZ  Sundt Construction, Inc. names Jim Pullen Operations Manager for Sundt's Southwest District. Sundt also earns recognition by the Metropolitan Pima Alliance with the Common Ground Award for its work on the Old Main renovation at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona.

Jim Pullen

Pullen, a Sundt team member for nearly two years, previously served as a Senior Project Manager within the general contractor's Southwest District, where he oversaw a number of projects, including construction of the 56-bed Friendship House at Royal Oaks memory care facility in Sun City, Arizona. In his new role, Pullen oversees and monitors existing division processes and their effectiveness, creates strategies to improve productivity and efficiency, and manages quality assurance.

Pullen brings more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare construction industry. Prior to joining Sundt, Pullen was part of the project teams for the Banner Desert Medical Center's renovations, Cardon Children's Medical Center's new hospital, a patient tower addition at Marian Medical Center in Santa Maria, California, and a new hospital at the University of California, San Diego.

Pullen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in construction management from California State University, Fresno.

Old Main Renovation

The project was one of 11 winners selected from a field of 50 submitted for consideration as top projects in southern Arizona. The Common Ground Award annually recognizes leaders, projects and events that have demonstrated successful collaboration for the overall benefit of the community.

Sundt teamed with Poster Frost Mirto, Inc. Architects, Martin, White & Griffis Structural Engineers, and AEI Affiliated Engineers to rehabilitate deteriorated building elements to extend the 123-year-old building's life. Work included stabilizing the perimeter stone wall, resolving subterranean water infiltration issues, reinforcing the brick columns and chimneys, reconstructing the second-floor porch, upgrading and leveling the second-floor structure, replacing metal roof shingles and rebuilding the second-floor interior. The team also was involved in restoring the interiors to their original character with modern accents, and accommodating new functional uses. Old Main is Arizona's second oldest occupied building.

The Common Ground Award is one of seven national, regional and local awards the Old Main rehabilitation project has garnered since its completion in mid 2014.