Seasoned Construction Cost Estimators
Esther Halford
– Owner & President -CEO
In 2005, Esther Halford and a partner founded Halford Busby, LLC. Three years later in 2008, she has become the sole owner and tripled the company’s size which now houses a staff of nine employees. Esther has over 30 years experience in business operations, cost estimation, construction and nuclear/utilities industries and possesses the experience and knowledge that allows her to work closely with her cost estimating staff to ensure efficient project completion. She has provided an environment with state-of-the-art equipment and software and staff training to provide Halford Busby clients with a quality product. Ms. Halford is a hands-on leader who gives her all to the company, her clients and her staff. She oversees the day-to-day production activities of the estimating team and has expanded staff to cover all technical disciplines. While her primary responsibilities are company operations, business development, contract negotiations and client meetings for Halford Busby, she continues to assist with project management and estimating services. She stays active in the community and holds numerous professional memberships on both the local and national level.
Our Team
Carl Breedlove, chief estimator/project manager
Carl Breedlove joined Halford Busby as Chief Estimator/Project Manager in early 2020 with more than 40 years of construction estimating, pre-construction management and project management experience. He has a successful track record in preparing conceptual and competitive estimates as well as developing and estimating large-scale change orders. In fact, he’s adept at comparing independent cost estimates with contractor proposals to quickly identify differences. Further, Carl is passionate about training, mentoring and guiding other estimators and project managers to strengthen the team as a whole.
Prior to joining Halford Busby, Carl acted as a VP of estimating at Jacob White Construction Company, a pre-construction manager at BE&K Building Group as well as a senior estimator & trainer at Satterfield & Pontikos Construction, Inc.
Carl earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial arts from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He is an avid, life-long learner and enjoys sharing his knowledge with others around him.
Connect with Carl on LinkedIn. | Email Carl
Jonathan De La Cruz, junior estimator
Jonathan De La Cruz joined Halford Busby in 2019 as a junior estimator and has since been promoted to estimator. In his first year, Jonathan says he has learned Halford Busby’s unique cost estimating services and is eager to grow within the company and industry. His career in construction follows his grandfather’s 40-year career in the same field.
Jonathan is a recent graduate from the University of Louisiana-Monroe with a degree in general studies. He secured a four-year scholarship to the university, where he played baseball for two years and completed his degree in 2018. Previously, Jonathan attended a junior college in Illinois on a baseball scholarship. In 2015, he was recognized as “Regional Player of the Year.”
Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn. | Email Jonathan
Beatriz Garcia, senior estimator
Beatriz Garcia joined Halford Busby in 2019 as an estimator and is currently pursuing her project management professional (PMP) certification. She offers more than 20 years of experience in the construction field, previously serving as a project manager and construction supervisor with responsibilities over budget control, cost analysis, project analysis and real estate consulting.
In 2014, Beatriz emigrated to the United States, where she received the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in architecture. In 1989, she earned her bachelor’s degree in architecture at the Universidad Autónoma del Noreste in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico. While in Mexico, Beatriz successfully led large-scale high-rise construction projects, while five internal departments reported to her. Of special note, Beatriz served as the construction project manager of the Tres Cumbres luxury apartments from its conception through foundation laying. She also served as the supervisor and qualifier of the Bayan Tree Cabo Marqués Hotel in Acapulco, which is an award-winning, luxury resort with an Asian touch that’s built on cliffs that overlook the Pacific Ocean. Beatriz ensured the projects secured the needed permits for construction and were completed on time.
Connect with Beatriz on LinkedIn. | Email Beatriz
Josh Harvey, junior estimator
Josh Harvey joined Halford Busby in 2018 as a junior estimator and his attention to detail has proven quite useful. He is tasked with working on estimates, inserting measurements into Microsoft Excel, ensuring the formatting is correct and looking at accounts comprehensively. He says there’s so much to learn in this business.
Luckily, he enjoys constantly learning new things and is always willing to take on a challenge.
Josh loves sports and is an avid Astros fan. His interest in surfing has taken him to some amazing vacation spots.
Samantha Harvey, office manager
Samantha “Sam” Harvey joined Halford Busby in 2013 and now serves as the office manager. She is responsible for all accounting, insurance and general office management. She also helps market the organization through requests for proposals (RFPs) and proposals.
Invested in the family business, Sam is determined to help the company continue succeeding.
Sam is adventurous and loves to travel. She enjoys spending time with her son, husband and extended family.
Michael Mallet, senior estimator
Mike Mallet joined Halford Busby in 2019 to assist with both the project management and estimating teams. His career spans 24+ years, representing both the general contractor and subcontractor levels. His skills include construction conflict resolution, contract language negotiation, budgeting and value engineering, and schedule and costs analysis. He maintains a current OSHA certification, is Transportation
Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) certified and can assist with motorized mast-climbing scaffolding design and implementation.
Mike’s focus has always been to develop solutions for current and forecasted project challenges through team collaboration to ensure budget, quality and schedule milestones are met consistently and safely. Some of his notable projects include:
• One Park Place in Houston,
• The Residences at the Ritz Carlton Crescent Circle in Dallas, Texas,
• Richard S. Arnold U.S. Courthouse and Post Office in Little Rock, Arkansas,
• The Denver Hyatt Convention Center Hotel,
• along with numerous projects for the Texas Medical Center and state of Texas universities.
Mike is a graduate of University of Houston, earning a bachelor’s degree in construction management with a minor in industrial organization and supervision. In his free time, Mike enjoys saltwater fishing, bird hunting, trap shooting, watching professional sporting events as well as non-fiction and fiction reading.
