Veteran construction executive Jason Smith is the new San Antonio Division president for SpawGlass, effective January 1. Chuck Calvin, who had been president since 2004, prepares to retire on March 5, and John Devaney is now Operations Manager.
 
The gradual transition began in mid-2016.
 
A 17-year SpawGlass employee, Smith worked his way up to project executive and, most recently, operations manager, while leading teams on several high-profile and successful projects throughout his career, including One Frost and the AT&T Center (formerly SBC Center).
 
“It’s a tremendous honor to lead the outstanding team of professionals we have in the San Antonio Division and to work for some of the most respected companies and organizations in Texas,” Smith said. “Chuck, John and I are prime examples of SpawGlass’s commitment to growing and promoting our own people, and that commitment bodes very well for the future of our company.”
 
Demonstrating his passion for team members and team development, Smith helped implement the SpawGlass University training program in 2007. Most recently, he led SpawGlass’s implementation of lean construction on the One Frost project in Westover Hills, resulting in the completion of a new, 434,270-square-foot, Class A office building and a 546,656-square-foot parking garage in only 451 days. He then formally established the SpawGlass Lean Scheduling Process.
 
A LEED accredited professional, Smith holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in civil engineering from The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). He also is a graduate of the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Leadership Lab. He is a member of the UTSA Construction Industry Advisory Council and serves as chairman of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Building Board.
 
Devaney’s career spans 35 years, the past 29 of those at SpawGlass. He previously has served as general superintendent and as construction manager. His portfolio includes the former Valero Energy (now San Antonio Water System) campus on Highway 281 and expansion of the current Valero campus on Loop 1604.
 
Devaney and Smith worked together on the Nationwide Sales and Service Center and the One Frost campus, both on San Antonio’s far west side. Devaney also recently worked with SpawGlass’s South Texas Division to complete the McAllen Performing Arts Center.
 
Calvin began his career in the construction industry and at SpawGlass nearly 39 years ago. Since starting as a carpenter, he served in various roles throughout his tenure, including superintendent and project executive, before becoming president of the San Antonio Division in 2004.
 
Calvin was instrumental in building SpawGlass’s extensive résumé of corporate campus projects for repeat clients such as Valero Energy Corporation, NuStar Energy, Nationwide and Frost Bank.
 
Giving back to the community, Calvin served in numerous leadership positions for local organizations, including Associated Builders and Contractors South Texas Chapter and North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. He also initiated the annual SpawGlass Golf Tournament in 2014, raising more than $20,000 each year for Respite Care of San Antonio (2014), Clarity Child Guidance Center (2015) and Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children (2016). During retirement, he plans to play plenty of golf and spend quality time with his two grandchildren.
 
In addition to a substantial portfolio of corporate campus projects, the San Antonio Division’s imprint will soon be seen in the upcoming Texas A&M University-San Antonio Science & Technology Building. The Division also recently completed the Oak Hills Church Crownridge Campus Worship Center.
 
Founded in 1953, SpawGlass is a Texas-based general contractor, construction manager, design/builder and civil contractor with offices in Austin, the Golden Triangle, Houston, North Texas, San Antonio and South Texas. With approximately 600 employees statewide, SpawGlass is 100 percent employee-owned, with ownership open to all employees. The company’s mission is to provide clients with the absolute best construction experience.