Our Team
Qualified Personnel
Smith & Aguirre has been fortunate to hire and retain exceptionally talented and experienced personnel. From our engineers to our tradespeople, our personnel is unequivocally our most important asset. Many of our employees were born and raised in this area. We aim to hire and retain the best in the industry, and we especially try to promote from within. Offering advancement for our team members helps create a strong experience-based, and a wealth of construction knowledge unmatched by many of our competitors.
A quarter of our employees have been with Smith & Aguirre for almost 20 years, or more! With experience like this, it is no secret the success of our projects and the quality of our construction is due to our highly qualified and skilled team base.
Our Key Personnel Include
As a second-generation Aguirre-President, Greg is the successful manager of a highly dedicated and skilled construction team. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from NMSU, Greg worked as a structural designer in Denver, for a few years, before deciding to return to his construction roots in Las Cruces. From starting as a laborer, to taking the reins as President in 2000…he is Smith & Aguirre Construction. When he is not burning the candles low in the office, you may find Greg riding his mountain bike through the desert, hunting, or fishing for the catch of the day.
Greg Aguirre
President
Kathryn Barela has been Smith & Aguirre’s Office Manager and Bookkeeper for 40 years. Her commitment to ensuring the company’s success and strict adherence to Federal, State, and local laws and regulations serves as an example of the work ethic she learned from her parents. As a mother herself, Katheryn genuinely cares for the people of Smith & Aguirre. She leads a team of dedicated administration staff, professionals in their respective roles.
Kathryn “Cathy” Barela
Office Manager & Bookkeeper
With 40+ years in Heavy Civil Construction, Axar has worked in variety of environments, including: Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, Kansas, Virginia, Oklahoma, Utah, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, Alaska, Iraq, and Curaçao. He has been a member of the American Association of Project Managers for 6 years, where he periodically updates his management skills through continuing education credits. In addition to project management, he has personally estimated projects with values of up to $55 Million. Because of his experience, Axar has been hired by companies to assist in finding solutions to bring projects back on schedule and under budget. When he’s not helping our field crews organize project resources, Axar enjoys a good workout at the gym – or tackling his honey-do list.
Axar F. Reyes
Vice President of Field Operations
Before earning a bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from NMSU, Aaron grew up in a family of contractors. Because of this, Aaron understands the complexities of construction, and the nuances of the industry that has been part of who he is for so long. Through his experience in construction, Aaron aims to consistently build with quality, integrity, and efficiency.
Aaron Cardiel
Manager
Bobby is a natural leader and team player. He is self-motivated and welcomes the challenge of finding solutions to difficult construction problems. Shortly after starting in construction over 30 years ago, Bobby began his own construction company. Understanding the rigors of construction, he has since dedicated 10+ years as a Quality Control Manager, for a variety of Federal Construction Projects, including Civil & Facilities Management. Bobby spends his spare time with his family – whether it be camping or sighting in his rifles for their next big hunt. He and his family are actively involved in the Special Olympics.
Robert “Bobby” Covarrubia
Safety Officer/
Superintendent
With over 40 years of construction experience, Frank started as an Earthwork and Grading Foreman, and as he gained experience he diligently worked his way up to Superintendent. He has worked as a Superintendent with Smith & Aguirre for 20+ years. With experience working in Arizona, Texas, North Dakota, and Mexico, Frank has completed a multitude of Heavy Civil & Railroad Construction Projects, from demolition, pile driving, to new infrastructure. When he’s not on the jobsite, Frank enjoys riding and tending to his horses, or the occasional target practice with his collection of firearms.
Frank Apodaca
Superintendent
Fidel has worked in construction for over 20 years. He started as a utility laborer & pipelayer, then became a heavy equipment operator before working as a concrete carpenter, rodbuster, and finisher. After working as a Foreman for several years, Fidel is now working as a Superintendent with Smith & Aguirre. In his spare time, Fidel enjoys spending time with his wife and son, and testing his swings at the golf course.
Fidel Paz
Superintendent
As a second-generation Aguirre-President, Greg is the successful manager of a highly dedicated and skilled construction team. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from NMSU, Greg worked as a structural designer in Denver, for a few years, before deciding to return to his construction roots in Las Cruces. From starting as a laborer, to taking the reins as President in 2000…he is Smith & Aguirre Construction. When he is not burning the candles low in the office, you may find Greg riding his mountain bike through the desert, hunting, or fishing for the catch of the day.
Greg Aguirre
President
Kathryn Barela has been Smith & Aguirre’s Office Manager and Bookkeeper for 40 years. Her commitment to ensuring the company’s success and strict adherence to Federal, State, and local laws and regulations serves as an example of the work ethic she learned from her parents. As a mother herself, Katheryn genuinely cares for the people of Smith & Aguirre. She leads a team of dedicated administration staff, professionals in their respective roles.
Kathryn “Cathy” Barela
Office Manager & Bookkeeper
With 40+ years in Heavy Civil Construction, Axar has worked in variety of environments, including: Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, Kansas, Virginia, Oklahoma, Utah, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, Alaska, Iraq, and Curaçao. He has been a member of the American Association of Project Managers for 6 years, where he periodically updates his management skills through continuing education credits. In addition to project management, he has personally estimated projects with values of up to $55 Million. Because of his experience, Axar has been hired by companies to assist in finding solutions to bring projects back on schedule and under budget. When he’s not helping our field crews organize project resources, Axar enjoys a good workout at the gym – or tackling his honey-do list.
Axar F. Reyes
Vice President of Field Operations
Before earning a bachelor’s in Civil Engineering from NMSU, Aaron grew up in a family of contractors. Because of this, Aaron understands the complexities of construction, and the nuances of the industry that has been part of who he is for so long. Through his experience in construction, Aaron aims to consistently build with quality, integrity, and efficiency.
Aaron Cardiel
Manager
Bobby is a natural leader and team player. He is self-motivated and welcomes the challenge of finding solutions to difficult construction problems. Shortly after starting in construction over 30 years ago, Bobby began his own construction company. Understanding the rigors of construction, he has since dedicated 10+ years as a Quality Control Manager, for a variety of Federal Construction Projects, including Civil & Facilities Management. Bobby spends his spare time with his family – whether it be camping or sighting in his rifles for their next big hunt. He and his family are actively involved in the Special Olympics.
- Robert “Bobby” Covarrubia
Safety Officer /
Superintendent
With over 40 years of construction experience, Frank started as an Earthwork and Grading Foreman, and as he gained experience he diligently worked his way up to Superintendent. He has worked as a Superintendent with Smith & Aguirre for 20+ years. With experience working in Arizona, Texas, North Dakota, and Mexico, Frank has completed a multitude of Heavy Civil & Railroad Construction Projects, from demolition, pile driving, to new infrastructure. When he’s not on the jobsite, Frank enjoys riding and tending to his horses, or the occasional target practice with his collection of firearms.
Frank Apodaca
Superintendent
Fidel has worked in construction for over 20 years. He started as a utility laborer & pipelayer, then became a heavy equipment operator before working as a concrete carpenter, rodbuster, and finisher. After working as a Foreman for several years, Fidel is now working as a Superintendent with Smith & Aguirre. In his spare time, Fidel enjoys spending time with his wife and son, and testing his swings at the golf course.
