Business Details
Your Trusted K-12 Construction Partner in Texas
We are Texas' premier K-12 education construction manager with over 40 years of experience delivering school facilities that foster optimal learning environments. Our comprehensive approach spans from initial bond planning through design, construction, and final handover, ensuring every project adheres to strict timelines and budgets. Rooted in core values of honesty, integrity, partnership, and value, we bring decades of specialized expertise in educational infrastructure development. Our team operates from Fort Worth and El Paso offices, managing projects across Texas while maintaining deep personal connections to each community we serve.Safety remains our highest priority, embedded in all operations through rigorous compliance standards and continuous improvement initiatives. With hundreds of completed school projects, we combine proven methodologies with adaptive problem-solving to meet evolving client needs. Our commitment extends beyond constructionwe actively partner with districts to create lasting educational legacies that benefit students for generations.
Services
New Construction
Renovations & Additions
Athletic Facilities
Bond Planning Assistance
Design Consultation
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of dedicated K-12 construction experience across Texas school districts
- Our team gets involved early from bond planning through project completion
- Core values of honesty, integrity, partnership and value guide every decision
- Safety-focused culture with proven compliance standards across all operations
- Proven track record managing hundreds of successful educational construction projects
Services
New Construction
We deliver comprehensive new school construction projects tailored to educational needs, from initial planning through final completion. Our team manages all aspects including site preparation, structural development, and systems integration while maintaining strict adherence to project timelines and budgets. With decades of experience in K-12 facility creation, we implement proven methodologies that ensure functional, safe, and future-ready learning environments that meet evolving educational standards.
Renovations & Additions
Our renovation and addition services modernize existing educational facilities while minimizing disruption to ongoing operations. We specialize in phased construction approaches that allow continued campus functionality during upgrades, with expertise in historical preservation and adaptive reuse. Our process integrates client vision with practical considerations to enhance learning spaces while maintaining structural integrity and compliance with current building codes and safety requirements.
Athletic Facilities
We design and construct comprehensive athletic facilities including stadiums, gymnasiums, and practice fields that meet both educational and community needs. Our approach balances functionality with spectator comfort while addressing specialized requirements for sports programs. Each project incorporates durable materials, accessibility standards, and multi-purpose capabilities to maximize long-term value for school districts and surrounding communities.
Bond Planning Assistance
Our team provides expert guidance through the bond planning process with transparent cost estimation and feasibility analysis. We help districts understand funding parameters, develop realistic budgets, and create implementation timelines that align with financial realities. This early involvement ensures that community-approved bond measures translate into successful construction outcomes that meet both immediate needs and long-term educational goals.
Design Consultation
We offer collaborative design consultation services that bridge conceptual vision with practical execution. Working with top-tier architecture firms, we provide constructability reviews, value engineering, and material selection guidance that optimize functionality and cost-efficiency. Our input helps shape designs that balance aesthetic aspirations with operational requirements for maintenance, safety, and adaptability across evolving educational demands.
People
Sammy Martin
President & Chief Executive Officer
With over 40 years of experience in educational construction, Sammy Martin leads Buford-Thompson as President & CEO, bringing decades of expertise in managing large-scale school projects across Texas. His leadership focuses on maintaining Buford-Thompson's founding values while driving innovation in K-12 facility development.
Mike Trammell
Chief Operating Officer
Mike Trammell oversees daily operations with a focus on process optimization and quality control. With extensive experience in construction management, he ensures that Buford-Thompson's projects maintain consistent standards of excellence while adapting to evolving industry requirements and client expectations.
Theresa Shurtleff
Executive Vice President
Theresa Shurtleff provides strategic leadership in client relations and business development. Her deep understanding of educational facility needs helps align Buford-Thompson's services with district priorities, ensuring that each project delivers enduring value to schools and communities.
Lori Gamillo
Chief Financial Officer
Lori Gamillo manages Buford-Thompson's financial operations with a commitment to transparency and accountability. Her expertise in construction finance ensures responsible stewardship of client resources while maintaining the company's long-term financial stability and growth.
Adam Shurtleff
Director of Safety
Adam Shurtleff leads Buford-Thompson's comprehensive safety program, implementing rigorous compliance standards and training initiatives. His focus on proactive risk management ensures that safety remains the highest priority across all projects and company operations.
Questions
What geographic areas do you serve?
We primarily serve school districts across Texas with offices in both Fort Worth and El Paso, supporting projects throughout the state.
What types of school projects do you handle?
We specialize in K-12 educational facilities including new construction, renovations, athletic complexes, administrative buildings, and support spaces.
How involved are you in the planning process?
We begin involvement during bond planning to ensure alignment with budget and design goals, maintaining oversight through final project completion.
What makes BTC different from other construction firms?
Our exclusive focus on educational construction, 40+ years of experience, and core values-driven approach distinguish our service delivery and client relationships.
Do you work outside the education sector?
While our primary focus is K-12 education construction, we occasionally take on other projects that align with our expertise and capabilities.
