Pacific Coast Chapter News

THREE STUDENTS EARN PDCA PACIFIC COAST CHAPTER SCHOLARSHIPS

December 8, 2020

Oakley, CA: PDCA Pacific Coast Chapter President Dermot Fallon announces that three students in California pursuing higher education in a construction field and have demonstrated an interest in the pile driving industry have each received a $1500 scholarship. The 2020 awardees are:I

Erick Medina (pictured, left)
Erick is a first generation college student attending his third year at California State -Sacramento. He is pursuing a bachelors degree in Construction Management with a minor in Business Administration. During the summer of 2020, Erick completed an internship at Foundation Constructors Inc. in Oakley where learned to assist Project Managers with takeoffs, track jobsite materials and production. He says that the experience has provided him valuable perspective on the role of Project Managers in the pile driving industry and has prepared him for a future in deep foundation construction. As an intern, Erick visited several Foundation Constructors Inc. jobsites where he learned about the different pile types such as pipe piles. He also observed their safe installation. Erick says of his time at Foundation " I have found great interest in pile driving through this opportunity and I hope that with my degree in construction management and continued experience, I can continue to become a larger asset in the pile driving industry"



Connor Free (pictured, center)
Connor Free, first learned about the pile driving industry during a tour of the Balfour Beatty Transbay project in downtown San Francisco. This was a major, heavy civil project with dewatering, CIDH pile installation, excavation and shoring. Connor became genuinely interested in the complexities he observed at this jobsite and the experience ultimately lead him to study Engineering at California State University - Chico; he is currently a third year student at the school. In anticipation of an engineering degree, Connor aspires to influence the pile driving industry. Based on some of the ideas he shared in his scholarship application, he exhibits a vision that challenges the status quo; he suggests innovative pursuits toward new and faster means to drive piles. Also, he embraces the idea of joining with developers in constructing a machine that could drive two piles at once. An environmentally conscious student, Connor indicated support for cranes to burn greener fuels such as hydrogen, electricity or even plant based oils.
    
Zander Kuthe (pictured, right)
Zander Kuthe is a first year student at California State University - Fresno. In his application, Zander indicates that as a biology major he can "influence the pile driving industry by helping to find new ways to power pile driving rigs and other heavy civil machinery so they don't burn fossil fuel like diesel." Zander believes that reducing carbon emissions from pile driving equipment as well as expanding the use of natural resources, the construction industry can contribute to a necessary reduction in pollution. He is aspirational to become involved with equipment innovators who strive for cleaner, safer and more efficient construction equipment which will benefit future generations.




Chapter Awards four $1500 scholarships 

December 2, 2019

The PDCA of the Pacific Coast Chapter awarded four $1,500 scholarships this year to the following students:

Seth Myhre  A project engineer at Shimmick for the past three years, Myhre is studying for a degree in mechanical engineering at California State Chico with a GPA of 3.2.
Sam Follett, P.E.  An engineer at Foundation Constructors Inc., Follet is returning to school to get his Masters in geotechnical engineering. In his essay, he says, "My experience working with a deep foundation contractor and my future graduate degree will allow me to design piles that are constructible. I understand the limitations that are presented by site conditions (soil, access, permitting) and necessary equipment to install various types of piles. I will be able to make sure that owners are able to pick foundation options that actually make sense. I will also be able to explain the benefits to owners that come with pile driving compared to other foundation options, such as increased material quality control, the ease of pile testing and ability to test increased amounts of piles at a time, and the schedule benefits compared to other foundation types."

Erick Medina  A full-time college student at Sacramento State University pursing a degree in Construction Management, Medina is in his first year at Sac State. He earned a GPA of 3.3. One of Medina's goals is to be the first person in his family to earn a four-year college degree. He is a hard worker and has learned that teamwork in the workplace is one of the keys to success.
Russell "Teddy" Bruin  One of the 2018 recipients of a PDCA scholarship, Bruin says he appreciated the support provided last year. He successfully completed his first year at Loyola University Chicago, where he is still pursuing a degree in environmental science. He was involved in several extracurricular collegiate activities along with having a solid academic year.

Sam Follett, P.E.
Seth Myhre
Erick Medina

PDCA Pacific Coast Releases Application information for annual Scholarship Award 

June 21, 2019


The PDCA Pacific Coast Scholarship Award is an annual opportunity afforded to high school seniors or current college students who will be enrolling in full-time in an academic institution for the academic year beginning in the semester following the date of application. The student's academic field must be related to the pile driving industry (acceptable career paths include: safety, engineering, accounting, IT, etc.). The applicant must be a Pacific Coast resident and the eventual awardee will be presented the scholarship in the amount of $1000.00.

Scholarship applications are due by July 19, 2019 for the academic year beginning Fall Semester 2019. PDCA will award the scholarship in August 2019. For additional information about the the scholarship and a copy of the application, please click here.


Pacific Coast Chapter 2019 Scholarship Shoot

April 12, 2019


The PDCA Pacific Coast Chapter raised money for the Scholarship Fund during the 9th Annual Scholarship Shoot which took place April 12,2019 at Birds Landing Hunting Reserve in Birds Landing, CA. Following a General Membership Meeting, more than 114 participants displayed their shotgun shooting accuracy during the half-day event which included a raffle and a BBQ lunch.

Several sponsors helped make the event possible, including; Pile Drivers Local 34, Pileco, the Northern California Carpenters, PJ's Rebar, Stroer & Graff, Taylor Heavy Hauling, Kiewit, Wall and Ceiling Alliance and Bigge Crane and Rigging Co. Some of the lucky participants took home raffle prizes which included a Browning BPS Hunter 20 gauge pump shotgun, a CZ 75B 9mm, a Beretta A300 12 gauge shotgun and a CZ 455 Lux 22lr. PDCA Pacific Coast thanks all who participated in this successful event. The PDCA will award a scholarship winner in August 2019.
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