Joseph Alesia

Must-Have Tools for Cabinetmaking

An accomplished construction and aviation management executive, Joseph Alesia is an airport manager with the City of Chicago Department of Aviation and the owner of a design-build firm. In his free time, Joseph Alesia enjoys hobbies such as cabinetmaking.

The hobby of woodworking has seen a surge of popularity in recent years. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cabinetmaker, having the correct tools is essential to producing quality work. Here are three basic tools to keep in the shop:

– Table saw. Perhaps the most important tool for any cabinetmaker, the table saw is used in virtually all stages of cabinet construction. In addition to making short work of precise cuts for cabinet pieces, most table saws are connected to dust collectors for easy cleanup. However, table saws can be dangerous, so consider models that have protective features, such as automatic shutoff.

– Clamps. Essential in the cabinetmaker’s toolkit, clamps provide stability for cutting wood and holding pieces in place.

– Scribe. As you might expect from the name, a scribe helps cabinetmakers “write” designs and patterns on wood.

Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport Embarks on a Major Expansion

With a 25-year career in the airport management industry, Joseph Alesia oversees terminal operations at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Joseph Alesia’s responsibilities are involved with the airport’s $8.7 billion expansion plan.

A key feature of former mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plans to grow the city’s economy, the project focuses on expanding O’Hare’s international terminal. Demand has increased in the recent past. When the building opened 25 years ago, O’Hare’s carriers flew to 30 international destinations; that number is now 75.

In the first phase of construction, 10 gates and 350,000 square feet of space will be added by 2021, as well as 15 locations for shops and restaurants. Six new lanes are also planned for security screening. The next year, passengers will be able to use a new baggage handling system with advanced identification technology, plus new roads, parking, and a hotel.

Delta Airlines will move to the new building after 2021, joined later by United and American. The old Terminal 2 will then be replaced by a “global terminal” that will handle domestic and international flights.

Another part of the master plan, runway expansion was slated to begin in 2019. Runway 9R/27L is to be lengthened to about 11,224 feet, the same length as a new strip, 9C/27C. When these runways are in service, O’Hare’s traffic handling will be much more efficient.

Trends in Commercial Construction

The owner and founder of Joseph R. Alesia Design/Build, Joseph Alesia has been working in high-profile commercial construction for over two decades. Joseph Alesia expanded his business from a one-man operation to a national presence with over 140 employees that has completed hundreds of big-box retail construction projects.

Big-box retail, like many other retail sectors, are experiencing the squeeze of online competitors in full force as more “smart” buildings are being designed and commissioned. These are meant to adapt stores to the needs of consumers increasingly used to online shopping. This trend has a lot of potential to revitalize brick and mortar stores, returning them to something resembling their former popularity.

The green movement hasn’t forgotten construction either, as the demand for green buildings is also on the rise. Things such as LEED certification are practically mandatory in today’s construction environment for ground-up builds.

Moreover, new construction projects are slowing down. While not all firms are interested in them, retrofitting existing buildings and other renovation projects are becoming a significant part of the market as more and more stores are left empty, waiting for their next user.