2026 SAVE International Value Summit

Achen-Gardner Project Directors Christie Hall and Cody Nunez recently shared their expertise at the 2026 SAVE International Value Summit in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Their presentation, "Adapting the Value Methodology to Enhance Value Through Risk-Based Decision Making in Construction Projects," explored how integrating risk analysis into the value methodology process can help project teams make more informed decisions, improve project outcomes, and maximize value for clients.

The SAVE International Value Summit brings together industry leaders, practitioners, and subject matter experts from across the country to exchange ideas and discuss advancements in value methodology, project delivery, and organizational performance. As an employee-owned company committed to continuous improvement and innovation, Achen-Gardner is proud to contribute to industry conversations that advance best practices and deliver greater value to clients and communities.

Are you interested in using value methodology and risk mitigation on your project? Contact us to learn more.

2026 AZ Water Conference

The 2026 AZ Water Conference brought industry professionals together at the Phoenix Convention Center from April 28-30 for an engaging and informative event. We were a Silver Sponsor and an exhibitor and enjoyed connecting with clients, friends, and industry partners.

Project Directors Casey Peery and Cody Nunez also delivered a technical presentation titled “Big Pipe, Big Problems: Managing Arizona’s Most Successful Large-Diameter Pipeline Rehabilitations.” Their session highlighted the more than 46 miles of large-diameter pipeline dewatering and rehabilitation our company has completed across Arizona in the past decade. Here are some of their main points:

  • On average, there are 240,000 water main breaks across the United States per year. Condition assessments can help to identify areas of concerns before they become an issue requiring an emergency repair.

  • Always use the least invasive methods first when deciding how to safely assess damaged water mains.

  • Nothing replaces expert eyes. Enlist the services of an experienced contractor (like Achen-Gardner) to provide services related to confined space safety, traffic control, dewatering, and selection of assessment and rehabilitation methods.

Visit our Pipeline Rehabilitation page to learn more.

Other industry professionals presented on topics that featured Achen-Gardner projects:

Water for People 5k

Achen-Gardner employee-owners, friends, and family supported the Run for World Water 5K on March 28. We were also the Water Drop Sponsor. This annual event is hosted by Water for People Arizona in partnership with the AZ Water Association.

The event was held at Arizona Falls in the City of Phoenix, a facility Achen-Gardner constructed in 2004. Water for People is a nonprofit organization that helps developing countries access clean water.

Truckloads of Fun at Truck-a-Palooza!

Achen-Gardner employee-owners had a great time supporting the Town of Gilbert’s annual Truck-A-Palooza event on Saturday, January 24. We brought two large trucks to help the community learn about construction. We brought a Peterbilt 567 Lube Truck, a Ford F550 Mechanic Truck, and swag tables full of fun gifts to inspire and educate children.

This event at Gilbert Regional Park invites public and private organizations to showcase equipment from a variety of industries. Hundreds of kids attended with their families, getting hands-on time with the vehicles and taking home free swag.

We love opportunities like this to help communities explore the world of construction. Thank you to everyone who helped make the event a success!

2026 Build Arizona Awards

Congratulations to our project teams that won 2026 Build Arizona Awards from the Arizona Chapter Associated General Contractors of America! Our City of Chandler Detroit Basin/Gazelle Meadows Park Storm System CMAR and our Town of Queen Creek Crismon Road Widening - Riggs Road to Cloud Road CMAR projects were both recognized in the Municipal Reconstruction category.

Detroit Basin/Gazelle Meadows Park Storm System CMAR:
We installed more than 7,000 LF of large-diameter storm drain and completed other wet utility and roadway improvements within a residential area of Detroit Basin and Gazelle Meadows Park. This neighborhood had a history of flooding issues. We worked with the City of Chandler, Entellus (designer) and Ardurra (landscape architecture) to deliver improved storm drainage, a community park, concrete, and asphalt pavement including decorative features. This project required stakeholder coordination with local schools, churches, businesses, and residents throughout the neighborhood.

Crismon Road Widening – Riggs Road to Cloud Road CMAR:
This project built a roundabout and extended roadway access to Crismon High School with the help of the Town of Queen Creek and Ardurra (designer). These roadway enhancements improved regional connectivity, traffic flows, driver safety, and access to the school. This was the Town’s first roundabout on a collector street. We also installed storm drainage, water, and sewer utilities. Our team coordinated with the Queen Creek Irrigation District (QCID), Queen Creek Unified School District, United States Bureau of Reclamation, and area homeowners' associations to maintain safe access and scheduling communication. The southern extension of Crismon Road goes through private land that is being used for farming, so we coordinated with the property owner to address irrigation activities and tailwater management during and after our construction.

Christmas in the Park Hometown Parade

Achen-Gardner employee-owners brought holiday cheer to the City of Litchfield Park at the December 13 Christmas in the Park Hometown Parade! We shared candy and fun times with the Litchfield Park community. Our float featured two snow machines and lots of friendly faces.

This parade is part of the Christmas in the Park event series, which takes place at our completed Litchfield Square Infrastructure Improvements CMAR project. We love seeing this community thrive in its new park!

Celebrating 1,000 Job orders!

Achen-Gardner Construction is proud to celebrate the completion of more than 1,000 job orders, a milestone that highlights our position as one of Arizona's leading JOC contractors. This achievement reflects the dedication of our hard-working employee-owners and the trust of our many partners in successfully completing so many planned and emergency infrastructure projects.

Over the years, our team has worked on a wide variety of JOC master agreements for public and private owners, and many of those have been repeat clients. We appreciate the opportunities to provide high-quality job order development and construction services on so many roadway, wet utility, and water/wastewater facility improvement projects.

Learn more about our JOC services here.

Achen-Gardner Ranks in the Chandler 100

We’re proud to be recognized again as one of the City of Chandler’s Top 100 businesses. This is an honor for Achen-Gardner Construction because our office has been located in the City since the company first started in 1989. For more than three decades, we have been deeply committed to supporting Chandler’s growth and development through the essential infrastructure projects our employee-owners deliver every day.

The Chandler 100 event celebrates the businesses that employ the most people in the City, and this year we were honored to be ranked 35th among them. This year’s celebration was held at Quantum Helicopters on November 20. We’re grateful to stand alongside other impactful companies shaping Chandler’s future that continue to advance the community we all call home.

Check us out on page 22 of the Chandler Chamber’s latest Chandler 100 list.

Tempe Fantasy of Lights Street Parade

Achen-Gardner employee-owners joined in this year’s City of Tempe Fantasy of Lights Street Parade with a radiantly bright and cheery float with lots of snow. We are proud supporters of this November 29 event and the Downtown Tempe community. We were a Sparkling Supporter Sponsor for the Tree Lighting, Boat Parade, and the Street Parade.

The street parade took place along Mill Avenue, which we are refreshing through our Downtown Streetscape Improvements - Mill Avenue, Rio Salado Parkway to University Drive, Phase 2 CMAR project. Our crews worked diligently to prepare the street for safe public use before this holiday event.