Smith Hafeli, Inc.

10/13/2026

LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT | Happy Birthday, Aaron R. Smith

Join us in wishing a very happy birthday to one of our owners, Aaron R. Smith, who celebrated his special day this past Saturday!

Strong companies start with dedicated leadership. Aaron has helped build Smith Hafeli, Inc. on a foundation of integrity, genuine relationships, and hard work across Southern Illinois. We deeply appreciate the steady leadership, vision, and care he brings to our team every day.

With our company’s 10-year anniversary right around the corner, reaching this milestone together makes celebrating Aaron today all the more meaningful.

Thank you, Aaron, for your dedication and the genuine support you show our team. We hope you had a fantastic birthday weekend! In honor of you, here's a throwback to the beginning.

10/08/2026

🏗️ PROJECT UPDATE | Marion VA Medical Center – Ward 3B

Exciting progress continues at Smith Hafeli, Inc.’s renovation on patient ward 3B for Patient Privacy and the Intensive Care Unit at the Marion VA Medical Center.

This extensive healthcare renovation is transforming the existing 3B patient ward into an updated patient-care environment designed to support both patient privacy and intensive care needs. The project incorporates significant architectural renovations along with new and upgraded mechanical, plumbing, medical gas, fire protection, electrical, communications, nurse call, patient lift, and other specialized healthcare systems.

After months of demolition and reconstruction, the spaces are beginning to take on their final appearance. The project includes a wide variety of interior finishes that will support the nurses as they care for patients and meet the needs of ICU patients and their families.

There is still plenty of work ahead, but reaching the finishes stage is an exciting point in any project. The progress is becoming more visible every day as individual construction components begin coming together to create the finished patient-care environment.

We are proud of the progress being made by the Smith Hafeli team and all of our subcontractors, suppliers, and project partners who continue working together to move this complex healthcare renovation forward.

More progress to come as we work toward the finish line!

Thank you to Beau and his team at Stone Group Architects Inc. for the renderings showing the finished goal.

10/06/2026

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT | Work Anniversary

Today, Smith Hafeli, Inc. is proud to celebrate Colton McCree on his 5-year work anniversary with our team!

Colton currently serves as the Superintendent overseeing construction on the new Hampton Inn by Hilton project. Bringing a multi-story hospitality development from the ground up requires steady leadership on-site, and Colton has been a crucial part of keeping the build moving forward safely, efficiently, and on schedule.

Throughout the past five years, Colton has exemplified the core values of Smith Hafeli, Inc. His strong work ethic, dedication to quality craftsmanship, and sharp problem-solving skills on the job site make him an invaluable asset to our team and our trade partners.

Thank you, Colton, for five years of hard work, leadership, and commitment to excellence. We are grateful to have you on the SHI team and look forward to many more milestone projects ahead!

09/29/2026

PROJECT UPDATE | Tru by Hilton
Smith Hafeli, Inc. is excited to share the latest progress on the new Tru by Hilton project.

Spanning four floors and 106 total guest rooms, this development brings a fresh, modern experience to travelers. The dynamic first level is designed for both connection and relaxation, featuring a welcoming reception area, indoor pool, fitness center, game area, lounge, dedicated dining and breakfast space, co-working tech stations, and main-floor guest rooms. Across the second through fourth floors, guest accommodations are taking shape with a mix of King, Queen, and Accessible layouts, complete with adjoining room configurations.

Fun Fact: True to the Tru brand's vibrant aesthetic, the property incorporates 14 distinct paint colors across its interior and exterior, highlighted by bold accents on the building’s facade!

Bringing a comprehensive build like this together takes an exceptional team. Smith Hafeli, Inc. would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Oasis and Monchino Management for their partnership throughout this project, as well as Eggemeyer Associates Architects, BFW, Farley, and WRF Engineers for their valuable collaboration and expertise.

09/24/2026

🏗️ NEW PROJECT AWARD | Adams School Exterior Improvements

Smith Hafeli, Inc. is excited to announce that we have been awarded the Adams School Exterior Improvements project for Marion C.U.S.D. #2 in Creal Springs, Illinois!

This project will focus on restoring and improving the exterior of Adams School, including exterior joint replacement, repairs to existing precast concrete, painting of precast concrete and CMU walls, structural steel painting, exterior door painting, and improvements to the building's existing metal wall panel systems.

We appreciate Marion C.U.S.D. #2 once again trusting Smith Hafeli, Inc. with improvements to its facilities, and we look forward to partnering with Baysinger Architects, LLC and our subcontractors and suppliers to bring another successful project to the district.

As a Southern Illinois contractor, we're especially proud to continue working with our local school districts and investing our efforts back into the communities we call home.

We look forward to getting started and sharing progress along the way!

09/22/2026

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT | Marion Junior High School Restroom Renovations 🏗️

Smith Hafeli, Inc. is proud to announce the completion of the Restroom Renovation Project at Marion Junior High School for Marion C.U.S.D. #2!

Completed during the same busy summer construction period as the East Gymnasium Renovation, this project included a complete renovation of the existing boys’ and girls’ restroom areas. The improvements included new restroom layouts, plumbing fixtures, partitions, ceramic wall tile, epoxy flooring, ceilings, lighting, hand dryers, HVAC improvements, and associated plumbing and electrical work.

We would like to thank Marion C.U.S.D. #2 for once again placing its trust in Smith Hafeli, Inc., as well as Baysinger Architects, LLC and WRF Engineers, LLC for their partnership throughout the project.

We are proud of what the entire project team accomplished over a challenging summer schedule and are excited to see these newly renovated spaces serving Marion Junior High students and staff for years to come.

09/21/2026

09/17/2026

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT | Marion Junior High School East Gymnasium 🏗️🏀

Smith Hafeli, Inc. is proud to announce the completion of the East Gymnasium Renovation at Marion Junior High School for Marion C.U.S.D. #2!

Completed during the summer break, this project transformed the existing gymnasium with new bleacher/chair seating, guardrails/handrails, metal stairs, painting of the walls and exposed roof structure, wall graphics, signage, and other improvements throughout the gymnasium.

With a significant amount of work in a limited summer window, this project required a tremendous amount of planning, coordination, and teamwork to be ready by the start of a new school year.

This project holds a special meaning for the SHI team. Many of our employees grew up right here in Marion and attended Marion schools, including Marion Junior High. There is something special about being able to use the careers we've built to give back to the schools and community that helped shape many of us.

We would like to thank Marion C.U.S.D. #2 for once again trusting Smith Hafeli, Inc. with improvements to its facilities and Baysinger Architects, LLC for their partnership throughout the project.

We also want to recognize the entire project team for the extra effort it took to meet a challenging summer schedule. From the Owner and design team to SHI's field staff, project management team, subcontractors, and suppliers, everyone worked together to coordinate the work, overcome challenges, and deliver the renovated gymnasium in time for the District.

We are proud of the finished product and excited to see Marion Junior High students, athletes, staff, families, and the community enjoy the renovated East Gymnasium for years to come!

09/15/2026

PROJECT UPDATE | Hampton Inn by Hilton

Smith Hafeli, Inc. is pleased to report strong progress on the new Hampton Inn by Hilton.

On the main floor, work is continuing for the future fitness center, pool, and guest lounge. Across the second through fourth floors, interior finishes are taking shape with wallpaper, paint, door frames, permanent lighting, and fully operational PTAC units in place. Subfloors are currently being prepped, with tile and carpet installation underway in select guest rooms.

Smith Hafeli, Inc. is proud to be part of bringing this new hospitality space to life and extends our sincere gratitude to Oasis for their partnership throughout this build.

09/10/2026

Team Camaraderie and Competition 🚧🏈

“Let me help you. I’m going to let you have Jameis Winston for Josh Allen.”

At SHI, we know the value of being a team and enjoying each others’ company. What better way to do it than with some friendly competition? This past week we gathered together to set up our fantasy football teams. We have made this an annual event that brings company laughs, makes temporary competitors, and always has a good story or two afterwards.

We would love to hear your team options or who you’re cheering for this year in the comments.