PDCA Project of the Year Awards
May 2, 2019
"Putting Excellence to the Test"
Accepting All Entries - Deadline Extended to May 22, 2019
The PDCA Project of the Year Award entry deadline has been extended to Wednesday, May 22, 2019 to allow additional time for projects for both "Marine" and "Land" categories.
The submittal process is very simple and open to ALL PDCA members in the following membership categories: Contractors, Associates and Engineering Affiliates.
There is an Entry Form specifically for Contractor members and another Entry Form for Associate and Engineering Affiliate members. Entry forms and participation requirements can be downloaded by clicking on the appropriate member category link below. Be sure to submit your entry on the correct form.
Contractor Form
Associate & Engineering Affiliate Form
All participating companies must fully address the criteria outlined in the official 2019 PDCA POY Entry Form. This included indentifying your project in the categories of "Land" or "Marine", and in the appropriate contract value. Contract values only includes the driven pile portion of your project. Sophistication of the presentation is not part of the judging, but completeness in addressing each criteria outlines in the entry form is essential.
REMEMBER, the deadline for submittals is Wednesday, May 22, 2019, which still provides plenty of time to begin organizing your project entry (entries), assembling your entry package and submitting it to the PDCA prior to the deadline. Don't delay, consider all of the projects you want to submit as a PDCA 2019 Project of the Year entry. There is NO limit on the number of projects a company can submit.
All Project of the Year Award entries will be showcased in PileDriver magazine. Winning entries will receive their award at the PDCA 22nd Annual International Conference and Expo 2019.
Get Engaged, PDCA
April 8, 2019
As with anything in life, the more engaged we all become, the more our teams become energized. I have always found that the more interaction I have with my team and the more we emphasize our company's strategic goals, the greater the benefit for us, our clients and even our suppliers. Coming out of PDCA's strategic planning, I feel renewed listening to members from contracting companies, just like mine, who want to get all the benefits out of working together with PDCA and its members.
Being involved and interactively discussing common ground can and does produce a positively charged energy. I want all PDCA members to discover this type of energy by getting involved. There is no better time for all member companies to be active with PDCA. One of the easiest tricks to get involved starts with logging into your PDCA web portal. If you don't know how, it's easy:
Type in your company email address (not a generic email address such as info@yourcompany.com your own email address at your company) and click "recover password." If that doesn't work, call the PDCA office at 904-215-4771, and they can take care of you it will be completed in the time it takes you to make your coffee.
And, of course, for those of you reading this message in PileDriver magazine, there are numerous opportunities outlining how you can get more involved in PDCA in the pages. One of the most important opportunities includes attending our 2019 PDCA ExPEERience:
Read more about this year's PDCA ExPEERience starting on page 55 of this issue of PileDriver.
PDCA's 2019 vision: Where you fit in
PDCA is quickly diving into 2019 with an outstanding strategic plan that focuses on engagement, education and outreach.
Our Board of Directors has been working diligently to find the best ways to interact with other organizations involved with the driven pile industry and that are in need of our expertise to enhance their programs.
In keeping with that plan, the PDCA Communications Committee will be working hand-in-hand with the Deep Foundations Institute (DFI)'s Driven Pile Committee on several projects; and the PDCA Education and Safety Committees are considering a much-needed ground safety program to be adopted by certain training organizations.
The above efforts, when more developed, will undoubtedly pay dividends when it comes to strengthening the driven pile industry. But one PDCA committee has overwhelmingly taken the lead as far as cross-organizational outreach, and has already had a direct positive impact on our industry. The PDCA Technical Committee has been engaged in a collaborative effort with DFI to improve the IBC 1810 Foundation Section (International Building Code 1810).
This has been an ongoing partnership since 2012 and deserves more recognition than it has been given. This project continues to gain strength, again via partnerships, and the participant group has taken to calling itself the 1810 GeoCoalition Code Committee. The partners on the 1810 GeoCoalition Code Committee come from strong groups of contributors and are lead by the committee chairman (and the chair of PDCA's Technical Committee), Dale Biggers of Boh Bros.
The 37 members participating in the 1810 GeoCoalition Code Committee are from the following groups:
PDCA Technical Committee
DFI Code and Standards Committee
DFI Augercast Committee
DFI Helical Committee
ADSC Drilled Shaft Committee
ADSC Micropile Committee
If updating building codes and discussing future safety qualifications and accreditations are not what speak to you as you venture into becoming a more engaged PDCA member, there are myriad other options available to you.
All of PDCA's active committees would love your ongoing involvement, and at the very least would be thankful for your input to identify like-minded organizations that PDCA should be partnering with. Help PDCA by telling our committees what you think the most important association initiatives should be. Find a list of PDCA committees and the contact information for each chairperson on page 18 of this issue of PileDriver. And you can always reach out to me or any of PDCA's staff members to discuss your options!
PDCA Project of the Year Awards
For members looking for some more immediate engagement gratification, the PDCA Communications Committee is accepting submittals for the PDCA 2019 Project of the Year Awards. The Project of the Year Award program is open to all PDCA membership categories contractors, associates and engineering affiliates. The deadline to submit your project is April 26 and the winners will be announced at the PDCA 22nd Annual International Conference & Expo 2019 in July. You and your company automatically benefit by sharing your project; all entries will be published in PileDriver magazine.
PDCA Member Engagement Campaign and Awards
For the PDCA members that are already actively involved in our rapidly growing organization, we have something new for you. (The opportunities for PDCA members to become more involved in the organization seem to grow on trees!)
The Associate Member Council, which helps grow our organization and whose members sponsor our events, has created the PDCA Member Company Engagement Campaign and Awards! This program is a very straightforward involvement campaign whereby PDCA members evaluate their own company's engagement with the association. Check it out on the PDCA website and see if your company is a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum member!
Again, to log in, just type in your personalized company email address and click "recover password," or log in if you've previously done so. If you encounter any difficulty, call the PDCA office (904-215-4771) and they can get you access in no time.
Once you've logged in, go to the Member Engagement content and check off the boxes you have completed.
Active members will be honored at the annual conference in July, so complete your evaluations ASAP! The deadline to have your activities considered for an award at our annual event is May 1, so don't delay. This is an easy way to get you and your company recognized at PDCA's largest meeting!
In closing, thank you to every PDCA member for your support and participation. I'll see you in July in sunny Orlando, Fla. at the PDCA 22nd Annual International Conference and Expo 2019!
Pile on!
A New Strategic Plan and the Work Begins
April 8, 2019
Every new beginning has to start somewhere. A road trip starts long before we get in the car. A building project starts well in advance of the first shovel being placed in the ground. A plan, no matter how well conceived, starts before the pencil is put to paper. So it is that we have ideas, we solicit input, we challenge alternate views, we refine the process and we come up with a plan that, we hope, will take us where we want to go.
The Pile Driving Contractors Association held its annual Strategic Planning Meeting Jan. 9 to 11, 2019, in Atlanta, Ga. The PDCA Board of Directors, along with several past presidents, held intensive discussions, strategy sessions, break out groups and continued discussions during lunch and dinner in order to draft what is now referred to as the 2019 PDCA Strategic Plan. This document, comprised of core values, started far from where it ended.
You could call it the "kitchen sink approach" where everything and anything is put up for consideration. Some items might represent pet projects, some could be standing principals, while others are timely and should be considered. Regardless, they are all considered, discussed, dissected, pared down, refined, tested and, finally, put on paper to be discussed and refined even more. This process is not for the faint of heart or for someone who is easily offended. The conversations can be direct, but it is with good intent and for the purpose of challenging whether what is being discussed is something that is believed or simply there as a filler. If it is something that is believed, it will be supported and could make it to the next level.
This process continues until certain ideas rise above others and the strategic plan starts to take shape. At this point, the Board is ready for action. They dig in for the final leg of a marathon meeting to simplify all that has been discussed into workable ideas that will form the foundation for the organization's efforts over the next 12 months. That is the goal and is why the meeting is so important because the impact it will have on the organization and the services provided to members will have long-lasting effects.
The product of this extremely important meeting could not happen without the dedication and commitment of the people involved. They are to be commended for their work and the time they took away from their own businesses to devote to this important task. It is no small effort.
This year's Strategic Plan is constructed with three values: Education, Membership and Visibility. Three words that by themselves could be disregarded but in context make up the foundation for PDCA.
Education is probably one of the most important services that a trade association can provide for its members. This one value is so important that without it, the organization may not have a reason to exist. The programs and information that are provided have to address the issues and concerns of association members. These programs have to be timely, accessible and, in most cases, repeatable. PDCA has a unique challenge due to the fact that members are located in all parts of the United States, Canada and other countries around the globe. PDCA is an international association of pile driving contractors and those associated with the industry. And while the majority of members are located in the U.S., the organization has to be mindful of how its programs and services impact these other areas.
PDCA depends on its Education Committee as a primary means of vetting education ideas, programs and activities. This work never ends because education needs are always changing.
It is obvious that without members in the organization, there would be no PDCA. The importance of membership is often easy to overlook. Membership is vitally important for the support it provides to the organization. As the second priority in the Strategic Plan, we need to work harder to develop members, to nurture member growth and to provide members a reason to renew their commitment and support year over year. Understanding why a company would join the organization as well as why they won't renew their membership are both important metrics that have to be developed. Only then can PDCA make the adjustments necessary to ensure the highest level of participation.
Visibility is the final point to the 2019 PDCA Strategic Plan. This is no small task and while it may seem less important than Education or Membership, Visibility provides the branding and continuity that helps the other two points. This effort can take many forms. Using the PDCA website as the base for visibility opens many opportunities. The fact that just about everything we use to represent the association can be digitized means we are able to push all these resources to the website for access by PDCA members, other interested individuals and groups and the general public. Everything we do can and should encourage website participation. The ability to branch out to social media and other related channels is always an option and, at some point, a necessity. By using the available technology, PDCA will have the ability to track current web usage and compare that over time to determine which programs are working, what new initiatives should be started and what resources should be shelved for newer, more effective offerings. This is a dynamic, active, ongoing, continuous process. We have to begin somewhere in this effort and once started we have to continue for it to be effective. And we have to be consistent. We cannot start this effort and then stop mid-stream. It has to be done over time in a purposeful way. Visibility helps every aspect of what PDCA is doing to represent the driven pile industry. Our message that a "Driven Pile is a Tested Pile" gains more traction with increased visibility.
The 2019 PDCA Strategic Plan: Education, Membership, Visibility. PDCA members must be part of the process. Members need to tell the organization what programs, information and activities should be developed. Then when they are developed, members need to attend programs, use information and support activities. This success will breed its own success.
Members need to be active about their own membership by utilizing all the services that the organization offers and by renewing their membership each year. But members also are the best voice in telling non-members why they should join PDCA. Members have to be active in the organization to maintain a vital, healthy and growing community.
Members become the first line of visibility for the organization to the rest of the deep foundation industry. Keeping the PDCA logo visible is one way to help develop a successful brand. Using the PDCA website on a consistent and strategic basis will provide "visible" results. Helping others learn how to use the website and all the information available there is an important step. When a social media feed is posted for PDCA, a repost or tweet or Snap goes a long way.
Members have to be involved in every aspect of the association. With your engagement and active support, the 2019 PDCA Strategic Plan will be meaningful and successful.
The work begins. Let's get to it.
Growing and Strengthening PDCA
April 8, 2019
As we begin a new year, PDCA has taken the steps to aggressively pursue an ongoing and important priority: membership development. This has traditionally been a function of the PDCA national office, often supplemented by existing members. However, the efforts put forth by members and staff have previously been described as "passive" in nature, and many believe we can do even better.
Some of the methods for membership development that we have employed to date include advertising through PileDriver magazine and other publications; pitching audiences at PDCA events; circulating membership applications at industry functions; and promoting our newly redesigned web-based application system, which is now a very quick and user-friendly tool for interested parties to submit dues and enroll in the association. Collectively, all of this has grown membership. However, our leadership has determined that an additional PDCA staff position dedicated to identifying and enrolling new members will lead to further and faster association growth. Effective in January, the PDCA Board of Directors created a new position in the national office entitled director of member services, which has a defined scope of membership retention and development while also providing support to local PDCA chapters.
After a thorough interviewing process with PDCA's incoming and outgoing executive directors, I am pleased to announce that I have committed to expand the membership, become a greater resource to our chapters and assist the organization as needed to support, strengthen and grow PDCA. I offer many thanks to the board for making this important position available, to the staff for welcoming me into the office and to the entire membership for recognizing that the pile driving industry can improve and flourish when we all band together behind our common interests and mission to "effectively communicate the benefits of the driven pile through education and continuous improvement of methods, material and equipment to the industry."
A little bit about me I come to PDCA with an expansive and diverse background in the association and non-profit sector. Some of the associations for which I have worked include the National Federation of Independent Business, the Florida Public Defender Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform, the Merchant's Payments Coalition and the Dirksen Congressional Center. Functions I have performed in some or all these associations include new membership development, member retention, communications, marketing, legislative advocacy, member education and coalition building. Outside of the non-profit sector, I have also worked as a broadcaster, a congressional communications director, a public information officer and as a political/marketing consultant with an agency. My career to date has been split between Illinois and Florida.
Away from the office, I enjoy spending time with my family, which includes plenty of time on the sidelines of youth sporting events and taking in all the adventures we can find in the great outdoors. And while I presently live in North Florida, the convergence of SEC and ACC country, I remain loyal to the wonderful University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where I earned a B.A. in history. Through all my experiences, I have learned that non-prejudicial networking and strong relationship building are critical components of a healthy growth strategy for any coalition. I very enthusiastically bring this philosophy to PDCA.
My first months on staff have been anything but dull. Through the training and work completed so far, I have solidified my belief that I can be successful in delivering upon the expectations of my new position. It has quickly become apparent that this is an opportunity to continuously learn and understand a fascinating, competitive and traditional but constantly evolving industry all while doing what I believe I can do well build a deep and strong foundation of support that will enable ongoing growth of PDCA membership and ultimately succeed in promoting a healthy and sustainable pile driving industry.
It is very important that I include this invitation to all readers of PileDriver magazine I want your input and guidance when you believe it is advantageous and appropriate for the association to pursue new members of PDCA. And to those who participate in local chapters, I want your ideas and desires for achieving a symbiotic, mutually beneficial relationship with the PDCA national office. Communication is a critical piece of success in the growth of PDCA and I am very eager to collect thoughts and suggestions from all industry practitioners and strategically adopting those to the organization's advantage.
In my role as director of member services, I am eager to work with PDCA's Communications Committee as their staff liaison. A major function of this member committee is the development of content for PileDriver magazine. The committee is always actively searching for industry news and events to help our membership stay current. I will try to bring to this committee more legal or regulatory changes in your specific markets but am looking for member input to accomplish this successfully. The committee is open to all members who would like to participate and welcomes all pile driving job stories. The committee's main goal has always been and will continue to be to promote the driven pile industry and our members. I am eager for this experience as the active involvement of our members has proven very successful and I am offering to be a resource to this type of energy.
The PDCA national office would like you to add news@piledrivers.org to your company's public relations department contacts and email distribution list. This will enable our PDCA national office to better support you, our members, in your exciting endeavors. The idea is that PDCA will collect and republish news and happenings on your company as a member benefit within our member email blasts and publication options. Again, I am eager to work with PDCA members and their regional chapters while engaging new members to join us in promoting the driven pile industry.
PDCA 20192020 Officers and Directors
April 8, 2019PDCA Officers PresidentScott Callaway Cajun Industries, LLCBaton Rouge, La.scottc@cajunusa.com Vice PresidentJason Moore Palmetto Pile DrivingCharleston, S.C.jason@palmettopiledriving.com SecretaryKarl Higgins, P.E. ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLCChantilly, Va.khiggins@ecslimited.com TreasurerScott Webster, P.E. GRL Engineers, Inc.Charlotte, N.C.swebster@grlengineers.com Immediate Past PresidentLarry MooreGeoStructures, Inc.Purcellville, Va.lmoore@geoconstructors.com PDCA Directors Kustaa MansfieldPacific Pile and MarineSeattle, Wash.kustaa@pacificpile.com Brian HeckRichard Goettle, Inc.Cincinnati, Ohiobheck@goettle.com Emmett WaggenspackCoastal Bridge Co., LLCBaton Rouge, La.waggenspacke@coastalbridge.com Doug KellerRichard Goettle, Inc.Cincinnati, Ohiodkeller@goettle.com Jay BoydBalfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc.Wilmington, N.C.jboyd@bbiius.com Erich KremerR. Kremer & Sons Marine ContractorsBrick, N.J.kremermarine@comcast.net Kevin GourguesPatriot Deep FoundationsBaton Rouge, La.keving@patriot-construction.com Rich AndersonEquipment Corp of AmericaAldan, Pa.randerson@ecanet.com Rob BradenSkyline Steel Co.Springfield, Va.Robert.braden@skylinesteel.com All Board of Directors members can be reached using their email addresses provided on the PDCA website, PileDrivers.org or contacting them through the PDCA office at 904-215-4771. Please feel free to reach out to any Officer or Director to express your appreciation for their service to PDCA or to discuss any issues or topics you may have regarding PDCA. They will be excited to hear from you.
PDCA Hires New Staff Member
April 8, 2019
PDCA is pleased to announce the recent hiring of Kathy Harper as its manager of education and events. Harper brings with her years of experience working with non-profit associations, including a 10-year tenure with the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE).
"In my position at AACE, I worked extensively with doctors, which meant a lot of education programs and credits," she said. "I often worked with the chapters of AACE, planning their education, coordinating with exhibitors, hotels, program management and those types of responsibilities. I'm excited to apply my knowledge in these areas to working with PDCA."
Primarily, Harper will be responsible for planning and organizing PDCA's educational programming and events.
"I'm really excited to learn in a new field, coming from the medical industry," she said. "It will be a bit of an adjustment in terms of professional development and how the educational opportunities are presented. I think the environment will be a little more relaxed, and so I'll be learning how everything gets done and figuring out the best way to help PDCA's programming grow."
Her first project will be to dive into the planning and organizing for PDCA's 22nd Annual International Conference and Expo, taking place July 9 to 12 in Orlando, Fla.
"I might as well dive into the deep end of the ocean!" she said.
In addition to working on conference logistics and programming, she's looking forward to expanding her skillset.
"I'm eager to take on more responsibility," she said. "In terms of marketing and sponsorships, I'll be growing my own education in those areas. And of course, I'm hoping to provide the best possible education and programming to PDCA's members. The association already provides valuable technical knowledge to its members and it's exciting to now be a part of that process and to see where there are areas for improvement."
Outside of the office, Harper enjoys reading and watching movies, and runs around after her two sons, aged 4 and 7.
Harper joins the other PDCA staff members Frank Peters (executive director), Matt Bisbee (director of member services) and Marian McMillin (office manager and executive assistant) in the PDCA office, located at 33 Knight Boxx Road, Suite 1 in Orange Park, Fla.
PDCA members can be in touch with Harper if they have questions or need assistance regarding any of PDCA's meetings, such as event programming or registration. Harper can also be contacted with feedback about PDCA's website, www.piledrivers.org.
Harper can be contacted via her email address, kathy@piledrivers.org, or by phone at 904-215-4771. Please feel free to reach out to Harper to welcome her to the association.
PDCA Welcomes Three New Directors This Year
April 8, 2019
Since its formation, the Pile Driving Contractors Association's vision has been to promote driven piles as the preferred foundation solution.
Over the past two decades, the association's board of directors has changed, but has remained and continues to be diligent in its mission to "effectively communicate the benefits of the driven pile through education and continuous improvement of methods, material and equipment to the industry."
PileDriver magazine recently sat down with new PDCA board members Brian Heck, Emmett Waggenspack and Kustaa Mansfield to find out what they like best about the pile driving industry, why they joined PDCA and what their goals are as new directors. Here is what they had to say.
Where are you from originally and how long have you been in the pile driving industry?
Brian Heck: I grew up in Fort Thomas, Ky., which is right across the river from Cincinnati. I have been in the industry for 20 years. I graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering.
Emmett Waggenspack: I am born and raised in Baton Rouge, La. I've been in the industry since 2009 when I started working for Coastal Bridge Co. I graduated from Louisiana State University with a construction management degree and a minor in business.
Kustaa Mansfield: I was born and raised in Washington State and have been involved in the pile driving industry for 15 years. I graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree.
What is your current position and responsibilities?
Brian Heck: I am a vice president at Richard Goettle Inc. in Cincinnati, Ohio and head up a team of "seller-doers." We estimate projects and then manage them to completion.
Emmett Waggenspack: I am a project manager at Coastal Bridge Co. in Baton Rouge. My position entails running the job from start to finish. I line up any subcontractors that we have, order materials needed for the job, meet with inspectors and engineers for the project, make schedules and watch costs.
Kustaa Mansfield: I am a business development manager at Pacific Pile & Marine in Seattle, Wash., responsible for identifying new opportunities and working with our team and any partnering organizations to pursue those opportunities as well as help advance the overall strategic initiatives of the organization.
What do you like most about this industry and why?
Brian Heck: I like the people I get to meet and know. Everybody seems to have a great story or experience to share. The relationships that are developed are invaluable.
Emmett Waggenspack: Living in the South with soil so unique from the rest of the nation, each job has its own challenges and every job is different. I enjoy tackling the challenges and problem solving to present solutions that are tangible. Seeing a project go from words and numbers on paper and turning into a useful piece of Louisiana infrastructure used every day by the public is a great feeling.
Kustaa Mansfield: I got into the industry to help pay for school, but ended up on a path that would eventually have me trading in my work gloves for a pair of management boots. I started with Pacific Pile & Marine as a field engineer and worked my way to managing projects and ultimately joining the management group. I've had the good fortune to work with and learn from some of the most talented, hardworking men and women in heavy foundation and marine construction in western North America. While the industry is full of opportunities to advance ideas and progress conventional ways of doing things, especially with the evolution of equipment and computing technologies over the past 10 years, it's definitely the people that kept me here.
What is the main benefit of PDCA membership?
Brian Heck: Education. With continuous changes in technology, building codes, equipment capabilities, and the like, PDCA is a great resource to learn about them, whether through various relationships that are developed with other members and/or the courses that are put on throughout the year.
Emmett Waggenspack: Networking with contractors, engineers and vendors has been the main benefit for me. The membership also helps me stay up to date with industry news and advancements.
Kustaa Mansfield: PDCA offers membership into a community of like-minded organizations with resources that highlight the benefits and applications of driven pile. PDCA additionally offers an authority on the challenges and solutions addressed by driven pile useful for contractors, owners and designers when evaluating methodologies.
How long have you been a PDCA member and why did you want to become involved on the Board of Directors?
Brian Heck: I have been a member of PDCA for about 10 years. I had been looking to become more active, so when Scott Callaway asked if I would consider joining the board, I jumped at the opportunity.
Emmett Waggenspack: I've been a member for at least six years. I wanted to become a board member because when I was in college, I didn't even know PDCA existed or that there was a thriving industry. I feel that my networking and social skills can help with the educational component of the board's initiatives.
Kustaa Mansfield: I have been a PDCA member for 10 years. I became involved to engage with industry leaders across the country and bring a larger West Coast presence to the discussion. I hope to contribute to a better understanding of where the organization thinks the industry is heading.
What do you hope to accomplish as a PDCA director? What are your goals for the organization?
Brian Heck: As we transition from Steve Hall's retirement to the start of Frank Peters' tenure as executive director, I hope to help make that changeover as smooth as possible. The association has made tremendous strides under Steve's leadership. The goal is to take the momentum Steve has created and keep it going.
Emmett Waggenspack: My hopes and goals include assisting the other directors to help move the initiatives forward, bring awareness of PDCA to students at local schools (colleges and/or universities), who may be moving into the field after graduation, and gain more experience and education to continue furthering my career.
Kustaa Mansfield: My hope for the organization as a director is to achieve greater industry awareness and recognition as a leading authority on driven foundation systems and to establish an infrastructure to support education and promotion. My goal is to continue the great work that has been done under the stewardship of Steve Hall and others and maintain financial stability and ensure programming is kept in line with strategic objectives for the organization.
Membership benefits of PDCA and its local chapters
April 8, 2019The Pile Driving Contractors Association (PDCA) is the only association globally that exclusively represents the driven pile industry. PDCA offers the strength and experience of its more than two decades as an association representing the driven pile industry and provides a forum for members to promote driven piles in all cases where they are effective. PDCA members include contractors, equipment and materials manufacturers and suppliers, engineers, academicians and end-users that take a dedicated and proactive approach to advancing the benefits of the driven pile, such as environmental benefits, efficiency, cost-effectiveness and rapid productivity. PDCA membership gives contractors a larger voice in influencing and establishing procedures and standards for the installation of driven piles. PDCA members meet and work directly with all public agencies to ensure our industry is equally represented in all deep foundations and earth retention design and construction specifications. PDCA members share up-to-date and relevant industry information in the areas of equipment, technology, safety, business and more, so contractors can stay on the cutting edge of efficiency and productivity designed to increase their financial bottom line. PDCA members work with other non-competitive groups on issues of mutual concern to the deep foundation industry. The best way to gain value from your PDCA and chapter membership is simply to get involved. Ask any PDCA member how! PDCA chapters and locations PDCA chapters conduct regular meetings to provide members a local forum to be able to network, while also featuring industry keynote speakers from the driven pile and deep foundations industry. Regionally, the chapters host and conduct technical seminars and conferences to educate contractors, engineers and others associated with the pile driving industry. All PDCA members are encouraged to join a chapter. Find out more information about a chapter near you at www.piledrivers.org/chapters. PDCA of the Northeast Chapter Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont PDCA of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington D.C. PDCA of South Carolina Chapter North Carolina and South Carolina PDCA of Florida Chapter Florida PDCA of the Gulf Coast Chapter Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi PDCA of Texas Chapter Texas PDCA of the Pacific Coast Chapter Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Wyoming PDCA of the Pacific Northwest Chapter Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Alberta and British Columbia PDCA committees PDCA encourages all members to participate on a committee of their choice. Committee participation is voluntary; however, it is a great way to add value to your membership for those who choose to be actively involved. Joining and participating on a PDCA committee aligns you with like-minded industry individuals seeking to achieve common goals. Your industry and personal career will benefit. Contact the PDCA office to find out more about how to join a committee. All interested PDCA members are invited to attend committee conference calls at any time to see if that committee is right for you. PDCA committees include: Associate Member Council Chapters Communications Contracts and Risk Education Finance Market Development Membership Safety and Environment Steel Sheet Pile Technical Education PDCA members, especially those who serve on the PDCA Education Committee, have developed many educational programs aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability and safety of the driven pile industry. PDCA's current education programming includes: PDCA Annual International Conference & Expo Design and Installation of Cost-Efficient Piles Conference (DICEP) Deep Foundation Dynamic Testing and Analysis Workshop Pile Load Test Options Course Pile Driving Inspectors Course Pile Driving Professionals Development Course Steel Bearing Piles & Sheet Walls in Infrastructure Engineers' Driven Pile Institute (EDPI) Professors' Driven Pile Institute (PDPI) International Foundations Congress & Equipment Expo (IFCEE) Portable training programs about piling equipment, testing and more Communications PileDriver is published six times annually and features PDCA member companies and project stories; industry articles related to technical, legal and safety issues; and other relevant topics dedicated to the pile driving industry. www.piledrivers.org is PDCA's official website, containing a broad base of information about PDCA, its members, industry resources and other industry news. The PDCA e-Letter is emailed monthly to PDCA's subscriber list to provide up-to-date information on PDCA's activities, events, seminars, workshops and member news. The PDCA Membership Directory is an annual directory that includes contact information for all categories of PDCA members in good standing for the year. The PDCA Wall Calendar is published annually in October and distributed with Issue 5 of PileDriver. The calendar includes important PDCA dates to keep on your schedule for the following year.
2019 Strategic Planning Update
April 8, 2019
PDCA conducted its annual Strategic Planning meeting from Jan. 9 to 11, 2019, in Atlanta, Ga. To signify organizational progression, the day and a half event opened with a formal "passage of the gavel" from immediate past president Larry Moore to current PDCA president Scott Callaway; Callaway led all subsequent proceedings. Paralleling the gavel transfer, former executive director Steve Hall handed over his duties to his successor Frank Peters, who assumed the executive director role for the entirety of Strategic Planning. From there, the PDCA Board of Directors, along with several past presidents, held intensive discussions, strategy sessions, break out groups and continued discussions during lunch and dinner. At the conclusion of all proceedings, the group collectively put forth a draft proposal of what is now referred to as the 2019 PDCA Strategic Plan. This document, comprised of core values, came back before the Board of Directors during a Jan. 30, 2019 meeting. At that time, the board approved the aggressive Strategic Plan designed to guide PDCA through the calendar year 2019.
The 2019 PDCA Strategic Plan will draw upon existing and new resources to optimize three dependent, yet exclusive association values: Education, Membership and Visibility. The board adopted a plan that calls upon all members, committees and staff to carry out numerous objectives that advance current association practices in each of these critical areas. With respect to Education, PDCA is working to improve existing educational programs and develop new ideas that are timely, accessible and portable. Membership has gained new resources to proactively retain and grow all levels of support. Finally, Visibility is another objective that is benefitting from new and enhanced resources, including an updated, more powerful web presence; moving forward, PDCA will draw upon this and other strengths to optimize its brand in the marketplace. A driven pile... is a tested pile. And a thoughtfully conceived action plan... is the 2019 PDCA Strategic Plan.
2019 Piling Industry Events Guide
April 8, 2019
APRIL 2019
April 14 Annual Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) Convention Denver, Colo.
April 46 Geoprofessional Business Association Spring Conference Maui, Hawaii
April 814 BAUMA Munich, Germany
April 25 PDCA of the Gulf Coast Chapter Second Quarter Dinner Meeting Baton Rouge, La.
MAY 2019
May 13 Deep Foundations Institute SuperPile Seattle, Wash.
May 7 PDCA of South Carolina Chapter Second Quarter Dinner Meeting Charleston, S.C.
JUNE 2019
June 1013 International Bridge Conference National Harbor, Md.
June 19 PDCA of the Northeast Chapter Skeet Shoot Fundraiser Coplay, Pa.
June 26 PDCA Executive Committee Meeting
JULY 2019
July 8 PDCA Board of Directors Meeting
July 912 PDCA 22nd Annual International Conference & Expo 2019 Orlando, Fla.
July 1418 ADSC-IAFD Summer Conference Hilton Head, S.C.
AUGUST 2019
Aug. 6 PDCA of South Carolina Chapter Third Quarter Dinner Meeting Charleston, S.C.
Aug. 22 PDCA of the Gulf Coast Chapter Third Quarter Dinner Meeting Biloxi, Miss.
SEPTEMBER 2019
September 4 PDCA Executive Committee Meeting
Sept. 6 PDCA of the Northeast Chapter Membership Drive Atlantic City, N.J.
Sept. 1721 Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists 62nd Annual Meeting Asheville, N.C.
Sept. 1820 Texas Engineers Conference
Sept. 2527 Louisiana Engineers Conference
OCTOBER 2019
Oct. (TBD) PDCA of the Gulf Coast Chapter Sporting Clay Shoot
Oct. 35 Geoprofessional Business Association Fall Conference Louisville, Ky.
Oct. 911 Deep Foundation Design Testing and Analysis Course Cleveland, Ohio
Oct. 1518 Deep Foundations Institute Annual Conference Chicago, Ill.
NOVEMBER 2019
Nov. 56 Design and Installation of Cost-Efficient Piles (DICEP) Conference Cleveland, Ohio (dates pending)
Nov. (TBA) PDCA of South Carolina Chapter Fourth Quarter Dinner Meeting Charleston, S.C.
Nov. 68 Design-Build Institute of America National Conference Las Vegas, Nev.
Nov. 13 PDCA of the Northeast Chapter Casino Night Meet and Greet Newark, N.J.
Nov. 14 PDCA of the Gulf Coast Chapter Fourth Quarter Dinner Meeting Messina's Restaurant, Kenner, La.
DECEMBER 2019
Dec. 4 PDCA Executive Committee Meeting.
