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There is still time to join us on the ranch for the HAR SER-RM 2022 Conference. On April 12th we will be hosting participants of the High-Altitude Revegetation and Society for Ecological Restoration Joint Conference for a tour and lunch on the Guttersen Ranch. Art and Parker Guttersen and Guttersen Ranches, have decades of cattle ranching history coexisting with oil and gas development on a 35,000-acre working cattle ranch south of Kersey, CO.  

Reclamation activities have been conducted over the years with a focus on maintaining native vegetation and reducing soil erosion in sandy textures, to increase wildlife habitat and conservation, in conjunction with livestock grazing and rangeland stewardship. Projects are developing in soil carbon sequestration and storage through disturbed land reclamation and restoration on the ranch, including cheatgrass control, soil studies, and vegetation monitoring. Future educational opportunities are emerging for the community, with plans to get youth involved with agricultural and stewardship activities. The site visit will potentially include a demo of nearby reclamation equipment, as well as a variety of revegetation and restoration projects. 

Fortress Development Solutions, owned by the Guttersens’, provides reclamation and restoration activities and is dedicated to quality operations.  Kate Graves, Reclamation Division Manager, BS Soil and Crop Science and MNRS Rangeland Science, has extensive experience in reclamation projects for mines, oil and gas development, power generation, renewable energy, water resources, agriculture, and public open space. 

One of our core company values is supporting the community we serve. Today, we’re highlighting another family-owned local company. BRAX MetalWorks is doing great work in metal fabrication. They support many local companies in Greeley and the surrounding areas. They do quality work and make everything by hand! 

We were fortunate to collaborate with BRAX MetalWorks to have custom plates made for Fortress Development Solutions. We wanted to deck out some of our fleet and they turned out great. They did custom paint mixing and every detail on these plates turned out awesome. Take a look at our plates and learn more about the team behind BRAX MetalWorks.

If your business has metal fabrication needs, or if you want to commission something custom from the BRAX MetalWorks team, check out their site. We had a chance to catch up with Dalton Murphree, the founder of BRAX MetalWorks, for a full Q&A below.

What made you get into this business?
I work for my family that owns a hay farm and excavation company in Northeastern Colorado.  We are always doing fabrication work to either repair equipment or build new things.  I had always wanted to start my own business. So, I saw this as a great opportunity to do that while being supplemental to those businesses.  A CNC Plasma table was the best place to start.  I can now supply many of the parts that we were having to sub out as well as design and build parts for other local businesses, many of which are also farms.  I also can design and build metal signs and artwork, which has become a major part of my business.
    
How long have you been working in metal fabrication?
I have been in metal fabrication for 5 years or so, but I am just getting started in the CNC world.
 

How important is the Greeley community to you and your business?
I got my professional life started in Greeley in 2014 and started my family there.  We lived and worked there until we recently moved to Iliff Colorado.  Greeley and the Weld County community are still a big part of our family and my business.

What projects do you enjoy working on most?
I enjoy fabricating and building parts, but I specifically enjoy working on patriotic signs and custom signs for people. 

What do you do for fun?
My 2 hobbies outside of family and work are archery and off-roading. 

If your business has metal fabrication needs, give them a call today! (970) 590-0670
 

At Fortress Development Solutions, our team is our driving force. We are fortunate to have many skilled and unique employees! From our trucking and water hauling division to our reclamation and flowline division, we have the best construction team in the business. 

We’re excited to highlight Mike Alirez on our Quality Assurance & Quality Control team. He was nominated by our Operations Manager Francisco Ponce. He not only works hard on the job he works hard for the community. Mike owns a nonprofit gym that helps keep kids off the streets. His gym gives them an outlet to express themselves and learn lifelong skills. His gym has also trained some elite athletes that have gone on to win top titles. Get his full interview below and be sure to check out his gym. 

Q: How long have you been in the construction industry? 
A: 17 years in the Oil and gas industry.
Q: What projects are you working on? 
A: Currently working on DP- 435, I've started the new construction side of things here with atlas, Francisco Ponce brought me on as QAQC. We've now completed nine jobs. 
Q: How is teamwork important on your job sites? 
A: Very important, teamwork allows us to get the job done safely and efficiently, we are like a family and communicate well with each other. 
Q: What is your favorite part about working in construction? 
A: My Crew and Project Manager, we work as a unit, and have fun while working, always nice to look forward to coming to work. 
Q: What goals are you looking to accomplish this year? 
A: Always starving to get better at what I do.
Q: Is there a project you've worked on that stands out to you? 
A: Not one in particular however I am looking forward to DP-439, this will be the biggest job we will work on this far. 
Q: What do you do for fun outside of work? 
A: Family time, camping, hiking, fishing, and trailing with the 4x4's
Q: What inspires you?  
A: My project Manager is always challenging us to be better. 
Q: Can you tell us about your gym and how you've helped the community? 
A: My family owns TopNotch Sports Academy, it's a Non-Profit 501C3 sports complex that teaches Boxing, MMA, and Wrestling, we started this Academy to help keep kids off the streets, we keep our rates low so the under-privilege children can afford it, we also never turn away children due to finances, we currently have approximately 50 athletes and 5 volunteer coaches. Our athletes’ greatest achievements, Two Bellator MMA Fighters one is Ranked 9th in the world, Two PanAmm gold medalist wrestlers, one wrestler ranked as high as 4th on the USA Olympic ladder.