A Pile of News - June 2020

 

A Pile of News: June 2020

A briefing on news and information from the pile driving contractors, associated manufacturers and suppliers and affiliated engineers who comprise the PDCA.
by Matt Bisbee, PDCA
 
From the Association & Chapters
Sheet pile education, available on demand! If you missed the "Steel Sheet Pile Guides Review" webinar held May 19, a recording of the program will soon be available to PDCA members at no cost. Non-members can also obtain the PDH and discounted Steel Sheet Pile Guides for a $50 registration fee. Watch your inbox. 
  • Special thanks to Dr. Dick Hartman of Hartman Engineering, Gerry McShane of Service Steel Warehouse and Richard Morales of L.B. Foster, who served as distinguished faculty for the virtual learning event. More than 100 practitioners registered for the one-hour webinar; PDCA members received the education credit and proprietary Steel Sheet Pile Guides as a membership benefit. In the absence of educational conference events in 2020, watch for future announcements about additional PDCA virtual learning events coming soon.
Silver Pile Tips: 2020 marks PDCA's 25th anniversary help us brand the pile driving industry by adhering PDCA's special edition logo to your website, social media or other collateral materials!

PDCA of South Carolina educational partner The Citadel offers a valuable, virtual summer curriculum for practicing civil engineers to consider. Read more.
 
People on the Move
After 52 years, Bruce Gilbert steps away from Ohio-based The Great Lakes Construction Company. More than a half-century ago, he began as an entry level engineer with an MBA from Harvard and quickly rose in the ranks to eventually become president and CEO. By the late '90s, he had handed off the presidency to George Palko, however remained chairman of the board until May 1, 2020 (President Palko is now the new CEO). Congratulations to Bruce on a storied career.

Mark Haley, son of the Haley & Aldrich co-founder bearing his name, reached 45 years with the company. He challenged colleagues to give to food programs for the disadvantaged around the country. Staff donated more than $15,000, which H&A matched.

Engineering Consulting Services (ECS) promotions include David Spangler and Christopher Egan, both in Florida; David Huggins elevates in Virginia; new hires include Walid Sobh in Charlotte, Robert Haney and Che-Hung Tsai in Dallas. Also, Michael Batuna of ECS in Dallas named 2020 Texas Engineer of the Year, Katelyn Foster, account manager at ECS Mid-Atlantic earns community recognition for commitment to volunteerism.
 
GeoStructures, Inc., along with partner Geopier, announces new regional support through engineers Steve Maher in South Carolina and Steve Yassem and Mat Klucina in West Virginia. Also, GeoStructures names Justin Smith the new sales engineer serving the Philadelphia region.
 
S&ME, Inc. announces changes to its geotechnical leadership team: Angela Musselwhite is director of geotechnical services and new member of the board of directors; Kasey McWhorter is the client development leader; Adam Browning, Jeff Doubrava, Matt Moler, Bethanie Meek and Kyle Murrell are all designated area managers and Timothy Cleary leads all field exploration.
 
Elsewhere Emily Kay promoted to VP at Balfour Beatty in California; Todd Parkington joins Haley & Aldrich in Denver; and Forrest Savel onboards at PND Engineers in Anchorage, AK.
 
Tiffany Harrod is promoted to shareholder at Texas law firm Munsch Hardt. The contributing legal author to PileDriver magazine is also the chair-elect of the Construction Law Section of the Houston Bar.
 
Other notes of interest:
 
David Harwood, SVP at Terracon, was named by Governor Kelly to the taskforce leading Kansas economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. Also, Cale Wilson is recognized in Ingram's 40 Under Forty list of Kansas City young professionals.
 
J.W. Lodge at Lodge Lumber encourages support for those displaced by the health crisis; donors of $100 to this GoFundMe get a limited edition print from a Houston photo studio's popular "Astrodome Series."
 
Nigel Desert, an estimator at California-based Foundation Constructors, struck the pose on the winner's podium following a race that he won during an employee appreciation event.
 
Julia Cadman, an incoming graduate engineer at Dewberry, has been named "first in class" for the Virginia Tech Civil and Environmental Engineering Department.

Stephanie Calhoun of Clark Construction named to list of Notable Women in Construction and Design. Also, Emma Farrell soon begins her career as an engineer at Clark. She recently represented Carnegie Mellon University on Jeopardy! Read her story and see the pic with icon Alex Trebek.
 
Who is John James Audubon? Apparently Michael Garvey of Universal Engineering Sciences in Charlotte favors the famed, 19th century ornithologist with his knack for capturing a bird picture.
 
News from PDCA Companies
J.D. Fields & Company, Inc. acquires California-based Alameda Pipe & Fab, positioning the company into the steel manufacturing sector; read the announcement from president Jay Fields.
 
Junttan opens Helsinki, Finland office.
 
Universal Engineering Sciences based in Orlando forms new partnership with Nevada firm NOVA Geotechnical & Inspection Services.
 
Atlas Tube created some industry "buzz" when it announced the new Electric Resistance Welded (ERW) tube mill it is building in Blytheville, AR. The company created a blog post to address some of the FAQs they've received since the July 2019 announcement.
 
Shannon & Wilson, Inc. project teams involved in two award-winning projects in Washington state.
 
The Great Lakes Construction Company awarded the 15th Annual Vince Strazzo Scholarship to students interested in pursuing a career in heavy civil construction; the 2020 winners are Danny Groudle from THE Ohio State University and Justin Thomas from Case Western Reserve University.
 
The new intranet system at Samuel Roll Form Group is also an extensive case-study for the web developer; take a look "under the hood" at Samuel's internal operations.
 
Several PDCA member companies appear in recent multi-media productions. If you have some time between your Zoom meetings, you can check out project and work site videos from the following:
  • With some impressive time-lapse videography, check out this great footage of Powell Foundations replacing an Ontario bridge
  • Pile Driving 101: check out new PDCA member Premier Geotech and Testing giving an online video tutorial on how to drive a pile
  • Sealevel Construction gets some love from Friends of Bayou Lafourche, a non-profit dedicated to beautification efforts in the Louisiana region; see the dramatic construction video
  • Shannon & Wilson shares video footage of the Colman Tunnel Rehabilitation project in Colorado on which they collaborated with Dewberry
 
Public Service Announcements
For our readers who live and work in coastal and/or southern regions of the U.S., today begins the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. Sunbelt Rentals provides a hurricane preparedness checklist. Further, Orlando-based Ardaman and Associates has developed a set of safety guidelines for working in alligator habits.
 
Look who's in the news
The Charleston Post and Courier covers a seawall modification project in the historic South Carolina city on which Soil Consultants, Inc. is collaborating.
 
Composites Manufacturing quotes Dustin Troutman of Creative Pultrusions on an expanding market.
 
ENR quotes president Robert Boh of Boh Brothers Construction in story about potential economic stimulus for Louisiana through infrastructure projects [subscriber content].
 
The Enterprise: Utah's Business Journal gives an overview of significant development taking place in the St. George area (locally known as Dixie). Sunroc Corporation is involved in several of the listed projects and the article quotes company vice president Russell Leslie.
 
The Flathead Beacon writes about a Shannon & Wilson, Inc. study for the Montana Department of Transportation which is working to optimize travel to Glacier National Park.
 
The National Law Review includes a story about safety considerations for companies as employees return to work; Brett Cox and Brian Godfrey of TRC Companies appear in the article.
 
New Pittsburgh Courier highlights partnership between Koppers and the Urban League; quotes CEO Leroy Ball and director Lance Hyde on campaign to help underserved neighborhoods amid health crisis.

Balfour Beatty media hits include The Charlotte Business Journal coverage of a project in Downtown Charlotte [subscriber content] and a D Magazine interview with Executive VP Eric Krueger on COVID-19 in Dallas.
 
Dewberry media hits; South Jersey Biz depicts a volunteer effort, Civil + Structural Engineer prints article from Leslie Barksdale on Virginia project and SNJDC's The Chronicle talks ports with Ken Spahn.
 
Nucor media hits include an annual Fortune Magazine list, CEO Leon Topalian talking "state of steel" on CNBC Mad Money and CFO Jim Frias on impact of pandemic in the Wall Street Journal [subscription].
 
COVID-19...more notes from the field
Calsak Plastics inside sales rep Peuv Lalani at the Los Angeles headquarters was contacted by a longtime friend who worked in a hospital within the Yale New Haven health system and who said their PPE was insufficient to protect them from the high-risk COVID patients; after sharing the issue with company leadership, Calsak crafted several face shields to donate to the group on the frontlines of the pandemic.
 
Corman Kokosing Construction proudly contributed $3,500 to the Community Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia fundraiser to provide 1,000 meals to area families challenged by the health crisis.
 
GeoStructures, Inc. gets new wellness support through senior project manager Stewart Staton's kids.
 
Seyfarth Shaw law offers a Return to Business and Post-Pandemic Planning Checklist for download.
 
You might recall that both the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds performed flyovers of several U.S. regions in early May to show support for health care workers on the front lines of the pandemic. Several PDCA companies captured dramatic imagery of the event, including:
 
Thanks for reading 2020's sixth installment of A Pile of News; please keep sending and posting your company announcements. And don't forget to include #PDCADriven on your social media, you might be randomly selected to win PDCA logo merchandise from The PDCA Store
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PDCA DICEP 2020
Sept. 23-24, 2020
Virtual Conference
IFCEE 2021
May 10-15, 2021
Dallas, TX
   

Posted in A Pile of News PDCA Monthly e-newsletter.

Special Edition PDCA Logo Marks 25th Anniversary


Throughout 2020, the Pile Driving Contractors Association is celebrating a quarter century providing one voice for the driven pile industry. In recognition of its 25 year anniversary, PDCA has unveiled a commerative logo marking the 1995 inception of the deep foundation construction trade association. As seen above, it is the traditional association logo with the likeness of a pile tip flanking the right side, the pile tip is silver to align with the anniversary symbol.

The commerative logo is on display in PileDriver magazines all year; watch for an upcoming issue observing the significant anniversary. Additionally, the PDCA website, social media and various other forms of electronic media are also displaying the logo. PDCA members are invited to use this logo on any electronic or print marketing material on which they list their affiliations. It is available in various sizes and formats for a free download at this link. Thank you in advance for helping brand the driven pile industry and for your support of PDCA.

Summer Professional Development for Engineers

Charleston, SC:  PDCA of South Carolina educational partner Dr. William J. Davis, Ph.D., P.E., Department Head & D. Graham Copeland Professor of Civil Engineering at The Citadel announces they the institution will be offering online graduate courses that can be taken pass/fail or audited this summer.  Dr. Davis cites several reasons why a practicing engineer should consider these courses, including: 

  1. Practicing engineers who would like to learn about advanced GIS methods

  2. Practicing engineers who would like to learn about new structural design codes

  3. Practicing engineers who are seeking high-level professional development hours

  4. Practicing engineers who are looking to expand their analytical skills and capabilities in the job market.

  5. Practicing engineers who may be interested in pursuing a MSCE degree or certificate.

 Here are the graduate course offerings:
 
Online Summer II ( June 29- August 13, 2020)
CIVL 506 81 Geographic Information Systems MW  1700  2000  Dr. Kweku Brown, PE pending
CIVL 608 81 Structural Loads and Systems TR     1700  2000  Dr. Timothy Mays, PE
 
CIVL 506 Course Description: Course focuses on data analysis and application methods for engineers, planners and related professions. Topics include spatial analysis, geostatistical analysis, 3-D modeling, and vector/raster modeling. Focus is on spatial data structures in GIS, geo-spatial data acquisition, geoprocessing, geostatistical methods; visualization, exploration of spatial data; network analysis, terrain mapping, spatial analysis, and modeling.
 
CIVL 608 Course Description: The course will provide a comprehensive overview of load determination procedures for building systems. Dead, Live, Flood, Rain, Snow, Wind, and Seismic load determination procedures will be presented in accordance with ASCE/SEI 7-16 and the 2018 International Building Code. Seismic design will include standard practice modeling and analysis procedures for buildings, diaphragms, structures similar to buildings, and foundation systems.
 
If you are interested in pursuing any of the these educational opportunities, you are encouraged to contact Dr. Davis or the staff at The Citadel Civil & Environmental Engineering, Construction Engineering Department. You can reach them by phone at 843-953-5083. 

                                                                                 ###

Webinar: Steel Sheet Pile Guides Review, May 19th



PDCA invites you to attend the webinar presentation titled, PDCA Steel Sheet Pile Guides Review to be held on May 19, 2020 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM EDT.

Attendees will obtain a comphrensive introduction to the three technical guidebooks and have the opportunity to engage with two of the co-authors, Gerry McShane of Service Steel Warehouse and Dr. Dick Hartman of Hartman Engineering. Upon completion of the webinar program, you will reveive 1.0 Professional Development Hours (PDH), as well as direct download access to the publications. You can register for this program when you click here.

Associate Member Council Keeps Focus on Membership

PDCA Committee Update: Associate Member Council
By Diane Fischer, Chairwoman


The April meeting of the PDCA Associate Member Council recapped 2019 initiatives, and discussed new initiatives for 2020.  Chairwoman Diane Fischer (pictured, left) presided over the meeting where the participants reached a consensus to continue assisting the Association increase its membership. In addition to building new membership, the committee members also talked about encouraging other PDCA members to participate in the standing committees. 

 The committee discussion turned to PDCA's response to the ongoing health crisis stemming from the Coronavirus Disease. It examined the steps the organization has put forth to provide members support, information, and resources. One committee member went so far to say that "during these times, being a  PDCA member is more valuable than ever."  The Associate Member Council Committee meets quarterly; if you would like to join, please email kathy@piledrivers.org.

A Pile of News - May 2020

A Pile of News: May 2020

A briefing on news and information from the pile driving contractors, associated manufacturers and suppliers and affiliated engineers who comprise the PDCA.
by Matt Bisbee, PDCA
 
The coronavirus pandemic continued to significantly impact humanity throughout April. In too many instances, it has resulted in illnesses, fatalities, furloughs and job losses. PDCA proudly and resiliently stands together as a united community. The following section is dedicated to the ongoing health crisis and highlights several examples of PDCA member companies contributing to easing the burdens that society has endured. We collectively tip our hard-hats to you.
 
COVID-19
Calsak Plastics manufactures aggregates for construction, but quickly pivoted in response to the health crisis. It launched production of a key safeguard for essential businesses like grocery stores.
 
CBS-2 Chicago carried an exclusive that quotes Dave Trolian and Ryan Jennings of Clark Construction, which is retrofitting a shuttered hospital in Chicagoland to house COVID-19 patients.
 
Nucor engineers in Seattle set an admirable example by repurposing company 3D printers to make face shields. Inspired volunteers from the community joined the effort to dramatically increase output.
 
Koppers, Inc. lab tech Siw Kruse whipped up a batch of hand sanitizer to replenish dwindling company supplies. The Stickney, IL office coordinated with a local hospital to donate more than 1,500 pieces of PPE.
 
Golder associates helped replenish blood banks in hard-hit New Jersey.
 
Derek Clyburn of ECS Limited leads advocacy in North Carolina to encourage designation of engineers as "essential" during the COVID-19 lockdown. Tectonic also lends support to this ASCE movement.
 
International Construction Equipment (ICE®) in Charlotte, NC compiled a web-based resource page with continually updated material related to COVID-19 impacts on the manufacturing sector and American infrastructure construction projects; it includes state by state public project breakdowns.
 
Maury Gaston from AMERICAN SpiralWeld Pipe in Birmingham submitted a commentary about the coronavirus disease and its impact on the manufacturing sector in Business Alabama.
 
Mid Atlantic Real Estate Journal published an advisory on best practices for facility cleaning and disinfecting practices by Mark Hudock, SVP at GZA Environmental. Heather Shoemaker and Marianne Payne of GZA in Philadelphia discuss how facility managers can begin adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic for InSite Newsletter.
 
New member shout-out! A proud small business itself, Premier Geotech and Testing, makes a point to encourage everyone to support Louisiana small businesses during the health crisis. Or maybe they were just hopeful to get a selfie with Drew Brees?
 
John King of Pile Drivers, Inc. is a known PDCA prankster. The South Carolina contractor also quietly epitomizes association goodwill, solidarity and loyalty. He recently spearheaded an intercontinental caper to send needed assistance to Jill Harris, publisher of PileDriver magazine, who was unable to obtain critical supplies for her toddler due to presumed consumer hoarding. Read Jill's touching account of John's gesture.
 
A Coronavirus Commentary...
In our "new normal," we can expect things will be hoarded. Also, our kids will be home schooling, (thanks ECS who shares these free and fun home-based engineering activities). In many cases, you are working remotely which means video web-conferences with colleagues, clients and customers. But you've gotten creative and tested the boundaries of Zoom and others; the folks at GZA Environmental experimented at home by combining beer and Zoom. TRC Companies, Inc. also embraced the morale boosting value of a Zoom #virtualhappyhour.
 
On a break, you might watch something on Netflix or Amazon Prime; Atlas Tube shares what they consider a collection of "binge-worthy" documentaries on architecture and design if you are seeking enriching entertainment during quarantine. Finally, our wardrobes have been modified with the addition of face masks and rubber gloves. But Equipment Corporation of America (ECA) reached back into company archives and found evidence of their employees who overcame the homemade clothes pandemic of 1919; PDCA concurs with ECA's sentiment that together, we can survive COVID-19.
 
From the Association & Chapters
Remember January when coronavirus was just a mention in an occasional news report? That's when PDCA past president Scott Callaway of Cajun Industries in Baton Rouge recorded Between 2 Piles [WATCH 5:14], a multi-media, interview transcribed in PileDriver magazine Issue #1 2020. The video contains material not in print, like when Scott accidently disrespects country music legend Garth Brooks. Production credits: set design by Scott Nigels who crafted the makeshift studio in the South Carolina yard of Palmetto Pile Driving, videography by Emmett Waggenspack of Coastal Contractors in Baton Rouge who operated the i-Phone camera, and post-production by The Ranch studios in New Orleans.

The PDCA COVID-19 Resource Center now includes a full list of Executive Orders for each U.S. State.

Save the Date: PDCA will host the webinar, Steel Sheet Pile Guides Review on May 19th at 2 P.M. EDT. Two of the co-authors, Gerry McShane of Service Steel Warehouse and Dick Hartman of Hartman Engineering will present a review of all three guides; Installation Guide, Corrosion Guide and Retaining Wall Cost Comparison Guide. Forthcoming registration is free to PDCA members; non-members can join for $50. All attendees will receive 1.0 Hour PDH and direct download access to all three publications.
 
People on the Move
Engineering Consulting Services, Inc. (ECS) promotes Tony Fiorillo to President as Henry Lucas steps down, he will finish 2020 as CEO and Chair the Board through 2022; ECS also names Evan Landis, P.E. to the Chantilly, VA office. Nucor Executive Vice President Ladd Hall sets a June retirement date after 39 years on the job; Alan Behr of Nucor Steel Texas will succeed him. Dan Brown and Associates announces recent transitions; Dan Brown, Ph.D., P.E., D.GE, assumes the role of Chief Engineer, Tim Siegel, P.E., G.E., D.GE elevates to Chief Executive Officer, Paul Axtell, P.E., D.GE becomes Chief Operating Officer,Robert Thompson, P.E., D.GE has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer, and both David Graham, P.E., and Ben Turner, Ph.D., P.E., ascend to Senior Engineers. 
 
Jeremy Cox, named AET, Inc. West Region Manager, will oversee operations in Wyoming, North Dakota, and western South Dakota; Robert Temme, becomes West Region Director of Business Development. AMERICAN SpiralWeld Pipe has placed four new sales professionals: Dustin Covington, Zach Miller, Wyatt Robinson and Stu Sanders. Dewberry elevates Ben Revette in Boston, adds Siamak Esfandiary in Virginia and Wael Youssef in New York. Haley & Aldrich, Inc. names Lynn Gresock to the Boston office, Athena DeNivo to the New York office. Gary Mang joins Holland LP as new Northeast Regional Sales Manager. Kirt Jackson is a new Project Manager at Patriot Construction & Industrial in Duson, LA.
 
Other notes of interest:
Happy Retirement to Larry Brewer who departs Holland LP after 40 years with the company.
 
Marvin Barker at Duson, LA-based Patriot Construction and Industrial named 'Safety Champion.'
 
"I never said most of the things I said." Noting his quotable nature, Junttan must consider John King of Pile Drivers, Inc. as the Yogi Berra of the pile driving world. We can think of less flattering comparisons!
 
Pro sports have been deemed non-essential, but moving pile and other goods is critical. When Captain John Lowery of Canal Barge Company, Inc. in New Orleans saw the NFL pass by 12 years ago, he embarked on a career trajectory in river transportation. Today, he regularly visits with students from his old high school to advocate exploring careers on the water.
 
Holes, Inc. in Houston hit the jackpot four years ago when they hired equipment operator Brandon Mullens; unbeknownst to HR at the time, they also secured their very own visual marketer. Brandon has been doing photography and videograpy for years; he owns Texas Style Photography. While he is comfortable with many subjects, his passion is construction project photography. Check him out!
 
 
News from PDCA Companies
Tectonic Engineering Consultants establishes Mountainside, NJ office to replace Short Hills location; adds East Brunswick, NJ office.
 
Lodge Lumber Co. in Houston reaches 80 years in business; it offers a philosophical sentiment about the ongoing health crisis. Congrats to the company and thanks for the optimism.
 
Atlas Foundation celebrates an end to dial-up Internet; that should improve the download speed of the electronic version of the next PileDriver magazine. 
 
Cape Romain Contractors subcontracted and Insight Group consulted on the award-winning Drum Island restoration project in Charleston, SC.
 
Clark Construction earns three 'Build America' Awards.
 
CZM-US Foundation Equipment UPDATE: we shared video of the groundbreaking last year when they began construction on the new Savannah, GA corporate office. Fast forward to today, move-in is complete and production is underway in the factory; congratulations... By the way, Happy 97th Birthday (4/26) Loris Clo, Founder of CZM!
 
Deep South Construction is armoring a ridge to mitigate pending damage from sea level rise and erosion; a delegation of local officials visited the jobsite near Delacroix, LA for a progress update.
 
Same issue, different waterfront Dewberry will lead resilience planning for the City of Virginia Beach as it battles sea level rise. In a different agreement, the firm continues to assist City adaptation efforts.
 
GeoEngineers, Inc. of Redmond, WA participated in an award-winning coastal restoration project.
 
Giken earns international recognition.
 
Group Industries snags hardware; a safety award and an excellence award head to the trophy case.
 
Haley & Aldrich, Inc. helps rehabilitate Navy's oldest, operational ship USS Constitution in Boston.
 
The John Lawrie Group steps up to support youth golf development in Scotland.
 
Service Steel Warehouse in Houston is a proud sponsor of the Sweet Heat Elite Mont Belvieu, a premier youth softball league for girls.
 
Newsmakers
Geostrata Magazine features an article co-authored by Ross McGillivray, P.E. of Orlando-based Ardaman & Associates which discusses controlling foundation risk in design-build projects.
 
New Orleans City Business newspaper includes Canal Barge Company, Inc. CEO Merrit Lane as one of the city's "Driving Forces," a compilation of 40 influential business leaders in the Crescent City.
 
Construction Dive published a Q&A with Monique Holley of Clark Construction, the project superintendent on Arlington, VA's highly anticipated HQ2 for Amazon.
 
Construction in Focus highlights Golder's 60-year history in consulting.
 
Albany Business Review names Tectonic to its list of top engineering firms in the New York region.


That's all for this installment of 'A Pile of News;' PDCA wishes all Members health, safety and prosperity.
 
Thanks for reading 2020's fifth installment of A Pile of News; please keep sending and posting your company announcements. And don't forget to include #PDCADriven on your social media, you might be randomly selected to win PDCA logo merchandise from The PDCA Store
PileDrivers.org PileDrivers.org
Facebook Facebook
Twitter Twitter
LinkedIn LinkedIn
Email Email
 
PDCA DICEP 2020
Sept. 23-24, 2020
New Orleans, LA
IFCEE 2021
May 10-15, 2021
Dallas, TX









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