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Metro Walls was recently recognized at the Associated Builders and Contractors New Hampshire/Vermont Chapter’s (ABC NH/VT) Excellence in Construction Awards with two Excellence Awards. The awards reception was held on November 3, 2022, at the DoubleTree in Manchester. Metro Walls received the Excellence Award in the Commercial $2 - $5 million category for their role in the completion of EMD Serono’s Horizon Building in Billerica, MA. Their exceptional craftsmanship working to frame and hang elaborate finishes throughout the space, along with their extensive coordination with the project team to overcome challenges due to the pandemic, manpower, and supply disruptions, played an enormous role in the success of this project. In addition, their ACT division completed a large scope of work for the project, including ceiling clouds, acoustical wall panels, and Tectum Finale ceiling panels which were installed in the 32-foot-tall concourse space. The 149,000 square foot, four-story biopharmaceutical research and development facility, which also received LEED Gold and WELL Platinum Certifications, is comprised of flexible wet lab space, collaborative open office space, conference rooms, and concourses with a café. In that same category, Metro Walls was also awarded an Excellence Award for their role in the Lincoln Lofts project, located in Biddeford, ME. Metro Walls’ ability to safely complete the labor-intensive scope of work in this 1850s mill brick building, while collaborating and coordinating with the other trades, required patience and the ability to constantly adapt to challenges that arose due to the age of the building. The work completed is a testament to Metro Walls’ extraordinary customer service, dedication to safety, and high-quality workmanship. The five-story, 305,000-square-foot mill building includes 180,000 SF of 148 luxury loft rentals, a state-of-the-art fitness facility, a rooftop terrace, and a restaurant, which will contribute to the future growth and expansion of Biddeford’s local community and economy. The Excellence in Construction Awards (EIC) honors contractors for their complex, innovative, and high-quality construction projects measured by criteria including safety, complexity, attractiveness, challenges overcome, cost, and completion time. The EIC awards recognize all members of the construction team, and the winning projects were selected by a panel of judges made up of industry experts. “We are excited to be recognized for our work on these two unique projects with Excellence Awards from ABC NH/VT,” said Bryan Hussey, President of Metro Walls. “We are extremely proud of this accomplishment and humbled to be recipients of this distinguished award alongside many of our industry peers. Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s 2022 Excellence in Construction Awards.” For more information about the Associated Builders and Contractors NH/VT Excellence in Construction Awards, please visit https://www.abcnhvt.org/Business-Development/Award-Programs/Excellence-in-Construction-Awards. Watch the project award videos here! Lincoln Lofts: https://lnkd.in/ejCv6PBu EMD Serono: https://lnkd.in/e_jNRxCF

Metro Walls announced the promotion of three employees to Vice President in their respective roles to support the continued success and expansion of Metro Walls. Carl Schulz, who has over 20 years of industry experience and contributed to the phenomenal growth and development of Metro Walls during the decade he has been with Metro Walls, has been promoted to Vice President of Estimating and Pre-Construction. In this new role, Schulz will oversee the daily operations of the estimating team, help drive growth, help set our Operations teams up for success, and continue to build and strengthen relationships with new and existing customers across New England. Don Lessard has been named Vice President – Maine. Previously holding the position as General Manager, Don has been instrumental in Metro Walls’ expansion of their Northern New England portfolio during his seven years with the company. Utilizing his 35-plus years of experience in the industry and ability to successfully manage some of the company’s largest projects, Don will continue to oversee the Company’s Maine branch while taking on additional executive functions in his new role as Vice President – Maine. Jay Rocha, who has been a significant player in the expansion and success of Metro Walls’ South Shore Branch since its inception in 2019, has been promoted to Vice President – South Shore. He brings decades of drywall experience, excellent customer service, and an unrivaled passion for the industry that has contributed to Metro Walls’ rapid growth and will serve him greatly as he takes on this new role as Vice President – South Shore. “We are extremely proud to announce the promotion of Carl, Don and Jay to these new leadership roles,” said Bryan Hussey, President at Metro Walls. “They have all played a vital role in the company’s enormous growth, have developed outstanding teams within their departments and branches, and are proven leaders across the company. They each bring a unique perspective to Metro’s leadership team that is extremely valuable to our future growth, endeavors and success, and we are excited to see what the future holds. Congratulations to all three on this outstanding and well-deserved accomplishment.”

Metro Walls was recently recognized as a 2022 Top 50 Contractor by Wall & Ceilings Magazine. The list showcases the industry’s leading and most progressive contractors, who exemplify the highest standard of workmanship, employee culture, safety, and more. Metro Walls’ continued growth and success, along with its dedicated workforce, contributed to this extraordinary achievement. “We are extremely proud to be among the top wall and ceiling contractors in the nation,” said President, Bryan Hussey. “This outstanding accomplishment is a testament to our team’s commitment to delivering the highest quality service to our customers each day and the values we, as a company, pride ourselves on. Congratulations to our team and to all those who earned a spot on the 2022 Top 50 Contractor list.” This is the fifth time Metro Walls has earned a spot on the Top 50 Contractor list annually by Walls & Ceilings. The 2022 Top 50 Contractor list was released in the August issue of Walls & Ceilings Magazine.

Metro Walls hosted an Open House event last week to celebrate the grand opening of our new Manchester office! With our customers, vendors, partners, and employees in attendance, we held a ceremonial ribbon cutting, savored delicious food provided by local food trucks, and enjoyed the beautiful summer afternoon. Thank you to those who attended and celebrated with us!

Along with Metro Walls’ recent transition to becoming a 100% Employee-Owned Company, we are proud to announce an exciting change in leadership! Bryan Hussey, 15-year Metro Walls veteran has assumed the role of President, and Mike Dion, former owner and President, has transitioned into the role of Chairman of Metro Walls’ Board of Directors! Over 20 years ago, when Mike opened Metro Walls, he never could have dreamed this is where the company would be two decades later. But with his vision, leadership, tenacity, and dedication, Metro has grown tremendously making it New England’s leading wall & ceiling contractor. As we look ahead, Mike will continue to contribute to the success of Metro Walls through his role as Chairman of the Board and will provide the expertise, knowledge, and guidance needed for the continued growth of Metro. In addition, Bryan is looking forward to leading Metro Walls in this exciting new chapter as President! Bryan joined Metro Walls in 1996 as a laborer and quickly worked his way up the ranks and advanced to his latest role as Executive Vice President. During those six years as EVP, Bryan oversaw the company’s sales and operations to ensure outstanding customer service and continued growth while maintaining the company’s core values, purpose, and culture. His experience, innovative approach, and leadership skills will greatly contribute to Metro’s future success. Join us in congratulating both Mike and Bryan on these outstanding accomplishments and let’s take a moment to recognize and thank Mike for all that he has built at Metro Walls since its inception in 2004! We look forward to what’s next and know the future is bright at Metro Walls!

Metro Walls is proud to announce that effective January 1, 2021, it became a 100% employee-owned company. The existing shareholders sold 100% of their shares to the employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) allowing the company to stay independent and remain focused on its purpose and values. “This transition is extremely exciting for Metro Walls, and we are thrilled to offer this new benefit to our employees,” said President of Metro Walls, Bryan Hussey. “Becoming 100% employee-owned rewards our amazing team, keeps them invested and engaged, assists with attracting top talent and allows us to continue our growth and success well into the future. The transition to an ESOP fits our culture well, in which we want everyone to work together, succeed, and feel like part of a team. I think this is another reason people can be proud to work at Metro Walls.” The ESOP is a special retirement plan that buys and holds stock for the benefit of the employees. With this structure, employees will share in the success and future growth of the company as they earn shares over time while working at Metro Walls. Employee ownership through the ESOP will allow Metro Walls to continue to grow, serve its customers, and sustain its culture while offering its employees this unique added benefit in conjunction with their existing full-suite, inclusive benefits package. With this ESOP transition, there is also an exciting change in leadership. Mike Dion, the former Owner & President of Metro Walls, stepped away from the day-to-day operations and moved into the role of Chairman of Metro Walls’ Board of Directors. With that change, Bryan Hussey, former Executive Vice President and tenured 15-year Metro Walls employee, has been named the new President of Metro Walls. No other changes in management will take place. “We have built an amazing company with an incredible team over the last 20 years. Now, with this move to an ESOP, I’m so happy to be able to keep ownership within the company, give back to our employees, and have the freedom to shape our future,” said Mike Dion, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Metro Walls. “I have the utmost confidence in Bryan and our talented team to continue to do an outstanding job serving our customers and expanding upon the company’s success.” The ESOP announcement was made to Metro Walls employees at an all-company meeting on March 18th.

Metro Walls recently announced the relocation of its Manchester headquarters. Located at 160 Bouchard Street in Manchester, NH, their new 18,000 square-foot office will allow for additional space as the company continues to grow. This new office will be home to all of Metro Walls’ New Hampshire project management, estimating, and administrative departments and will provide ample space for in-house field training, team collaboration, and future expansion. Mike Dion, President of Metro Walls said, “Having seen the company’s immense growth over the last decade, we were ready for this next chapter and I’m excited to see what the future holds. We now have the capacity to continue to grow our team, expand our service region, and build upon our already strong relationships with customers, partners, and the community.” When asked about the new office, Bryan Hussey, Executive Vice President at Metro Walls said, “This new, modern space is a testament to the hard work of our team over the years. Without them, none of this would be possible.” He went on to say, “There’s this unexplainable buzz around Metro, about the new office, and what’s in store for the future of Metro Walls. It’s all very exciting because, with this team and our new space, the possibilities are endless.” Metro Walls partnered with NorthPoint Construction Management out of Hudson, NH, for their design and construction management services on the renovation of their new headquarters. Prior to their move to Bouchard Street, Metro Walls’ headquarters was located on Hancock Street in Manchester, NH since its inception in 2004. With satellite offices in Portland, ME, and Westport, MA, Metro Walls looks forward to continuing to provide commercial framing, drywall, and acoustical ceiling services to customers across New England.

Metro Walls received two awards at the 2021 Associated Builders and Contractors New Hampshire/Vermont Chapter’s (ABC NH/VT) Excellence in Construction Awards reception held on October 14, 2021. Metro Walls received the Excellence Award in the Institutional/Public $5-$10 million category for their role in the construction and completion of Morse High School in Bath, Maine. Their exceptional craftsmanship, coordination, and creative use of efficient manpower contributed to the project being met on time and within budget. The 289,000-sf building, which will accommodate students from Bath and seven surrounding towns, includes a two-tiered auditorium, two gyms, and vocational school with cosmetology and culinary divisions. In addition, Metro Walls received the Merit Award in the Commercial $2-$5 million category for their role in The Orpheum Apartments project located in Dover, NH. This 157,000-sf, five-story building includes 130 apartment units, nearly 100 covered and surface parking spaces, a rooftop lounge and terrace, and panoramic views of downtown Dover. Among the high-end finishes, wooden ceilings were installed in the main entry showcasing the intricate acoustic work of Metro Walls’ ACT team. The Excellence in Construction Awards (EiC) honors contractors for their innovative, complex, and high-quality construction projects measured by a variety of criteria including safety, complexity, attractiveness, unique challenges overcome, cost, and completion time. The EiC awards honor all members of the construction team including contractor, owner, architect, and engineer, and the winning projects were selected by a panel of judges made up of industry experts. “We are excited to be chosen as the recipient of two distinguished ABC awards,” said EVP of Metro Walls, Bryan Hussey. “To be recognized by our industry peers for our team’s workmanship, collaboration, and dedication to the success of these projects is an honor and a recognition we are extremely proud of.” For more information about the Associated Builders and Contractors NH/VT Excellence in Construction Awards, please visit https://www.abcnhvt.org/Business-Development/Award-Programs/Excellence-in-Construction-Awards.

Last month, we kicked off the holiday season with our annual holiday field party! Guests included field workers from Metro Walls, Exterior Designs, Atlantic Prefab and Patriot Building Systems. All enjoyed dinner, drinks and socializing at Murphy’s Taproom in Manchester.

Manchester, NH, December 15, 2020 – Metro Walls is happy to help spread some much-needed cheer this year by donating $40,000 to the New Hampshire Food Bank. This donation will help provide over 80,000 meals to those in need throughout New Hampshire. Metro Walls has consistently donated to the Food Bank for years, but this year realized that donations were needed more than ever and decided to increase its contribution in 2020. Metro couldn’t be happier to give to such a worthy organization that offers so much help to local families. “2020 has been a time of struggle, uncertainty and heartache for so many in our community. Many families are faced with tough challenges and the pandemic has made it so much worse this year. Having the opportunity to provide meals and comfort for those in need is something we are truly grateful for” said Mike Dion, President of Metro Walls. The New Hampshire Food Bank reports that since the spread of COVID-19, NH has seen a staggering 69% increase in residents who are food insecure. There are approximately 1 in 7 men, women and children in New Hampshire who need meals, a projected 55,500 additional people and in total more than 181,090 across the state. “We’ve distributed more food and have seen more families in need than we ever have before. It is because of the generous and continued support from individuals and businesses like Metro Walls that we are able to face those challenges and make sure that our neighbors do not have to worry about how to feed their family” said Eileen Liponis, Executive Director, New Hampshire Food Bank. For more information about the New Hampshire Food Bank, please visit www.nhfoodbank.org.

Metro Walls, New England’s leader in commercial drywall and framing is proud to announce the launch of its Acoustical Ceiling Division. With this new Division, Metro is able to offer quality installations of Acoustical Ceilings, Wood Ceilings, Tectum, Acoustical Wall Panels, and much more to its customers. “We are excited to offer these additional services to our customers. By offering quality installation and customer service in a wide variety of Acoustical products, we feel we can add significant value to any project. These items really complement our other framing and drywall offerings, and help move us toward a one stop shop.” says Bryan Hussey, EVP of Metro Walls. Two qualified, experienced industry professionals have been put in place to run this operation. Eli Luicha, Operations Manager & Matt Duguid, Senior Estimator. Eli Luicha brings with him more than 20 years of experience in the ceiling industry. For the last several years, Eli owned and operated his own ceiling business, often partnering with Metro Walls for Acoustical installations. He started as an apprentice for Wall Tech Systems while in high school, and over the years graduated to running all aspects of work in the ceiling industry. From standard panels to mastering intricate details, Luicha is all “hands-on” in the field and loves what he does. “I really enjoy the variety of work that I get to do. No day is ever the same. The really fancy details are what I like the most about what I do. To look up and know that I created something that looks so beautiful is really rewarding”, says Luicha. Luicha is in charge of all field operations, staff and project management for this division. Metro Walls promoted drywall estimator Matt Duguid to fill the role of Senior Estimator for this division. Duguid has been estimating and managing Drywall and Acoustical projects since 1980, serving with Metro since 2017. His product knowledge, understanding of the industry, and his ability to build relationships makes him a great fit for this role. “I like interacting with customers, but I’d say that I really love working with numbers, a little obsessively sometimes”, laughs Duguid. Duguid is responsible for sales, project proposals, budgets and all the paperwork needed to start a ceiling job. When the estimate is complete and the paperwork is done, he passes the job on to Luicha who manages the project and workforce. “Metro Walls is really evolving into a one-stop shop and it’s exciting to be part of that. Here, we can offer clients framing, drywall, and acoustical ceilings and so much more.”, says Duguid. Metro Walls is thrilled to have these two industry pros run the Acoustical Ceiling Division and we will provide whatever is needed to build this team’s success.

Metro Walls would like to thank all who participated in this year’s annual “Rally for a Cause” motorcycle ride for charity that took place last Saturday. The weather was gorgeous and we had a great turnout for this event to benefit the American Cancer Society, Northeast. With the company’s match, we raised over $7,000 for this charity! We’d like to give a big thank you to the Manchester Police Department and the New Hampshire State Police who led the group from Manchester to Goffstown. A total of seven officers from both Manchester PD and the State of New Hampshire showed their support to this cause and led the way to a fantastic day of riding! The trip started at Metro Walls office in Manchester and ended at Brady’s American Grill in Peterborough. Riders from Metro Walls, Exterior Designs, Atlantic Prefab, and Patriot Building Systems all attended along with customers, vendors, friends, and family. “We selected the American Cancer Society, Northeast as this year’s beneficiary because they help patients battling cancer in the New Hampshire community. I look forward to this ride every year! It’s a way to celebrate common interests, have fun, and give back. There is no better way to spend a Saturday than riding a motorcycle to support a worthy cause,” said Colin Lane, General Superintendent of Metro Walls. Stay tuned for details on Metro’s next charity ride! For more information on how you can donate to the American Cancer Society, visit: https://www.cancer.org/