Gulf Coast Chapter to Host Quarterly Meeting on June 1 at Baton Rouge Casino



The Chapter is giving away fishing poles and a brand new ice chest - if you don't win this prize, you can try your
luck on the fishing slots following the Chapter's 2nd quarterly meeting at L'Auberge Casino in Baton Rouge!
 

2023 PDCA Gulf Coast Chapter 2nd Quarter Meeting

When
Thursday, June 1, 2023 from 5:45 PM to 8:00 PM CDT
Add to Calendar
 
Where
Hotel L'Auberge Casino - Baton Rouge, LA
777 L'Auberge Ave
Baton Rouge, LA 70820
Driving Directions
Join your fellow pile driving professionals for the PDCA Gulf Chapter 2nd Quarter Meeting that will be held June 1, 2023 and the L'auberge Casino in Baton Rouge, LA.

There is no charge to attend but we are asking you to register and let us know that you are coming.  Please select the "Register Now" link below to register.

This meeting we will be giving away an ice chest and some fishing poles. You won't want to miss out on your chance for the perfect Saturday setup!!

You can also share this information with a colleague who may be interested in attending.

Additional program information will be sent to all registrants as we get closer to the meeting date.
 
We would like to thank our event sponsors for their generous support.



 
Click Here to Register!
 
Thank you for your continued support and participation in the PDCA Gulf Coast Chapter programs and events. We look forward to seeing you at L'Auberge Casino Baton Rouge, LA for the next PDCA Gulf Coast Chapter meeting.

Posted in Chapter News.

PileDriver Magazine - Career Story, Mike Robinson

 
ICE wishes the best of luck to this long-time industry veteran as he enters retirement
by Debbie Reaney, International Construction Equipment, Inc.


Earlier this year, International Construction Equipment, Inc. (ICE) said goodbye to an outstanding sales leader and mentor, Mike Robinson. For Robinson's retirement, ICE shares some of his insights and memories.

Grandfather of three boys and two girls, Robinson says his 13-year-old grandson is interested in tinkering and could be the next big innovator in the industry. The others are younger, and Robinson is holding out hope that they might take an interest in the pile driving industry. 

Robinson's youngest son is an electrician and his oldest is a welder by trade, who also owns his own fabrication shop and business.

"Be a leader and not a follower," is something Robinson has instilled in his children and grandchildren ensuring they know there are consequences to every decision...

Pile Drivers Hammer Golf Balls at Annual Northeast Chapter Outreach Event


For the third year in a row, members of the PDCA Northeast Chapter congregated at TopGolf in Edison, NJ to hold a Meet and Greet social which was also an opportunity to introduce potential new members to the organization. Dozens of contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, and other affiliates of the driven pile industry enjoyed showcasing their golf swings, networking with colleagues and friends, filling up on BBQ, and hearing a briefing on the latest in PDCA news, both at the Chapter and national levels.
 

Once all participants had arrived and settled in for the evening, President David Price publicly thanked event sponsors R. Kremer & Son Marine Contractors, Junttan USA, and Clydesdale Steel, before welcoming attendees and encouraging those who are not already members, to consider joining PDCA. He also gave the group a sneak preview of the next Chapter event coming August 11th, the very popular Annual Sporting Clays Fundraiser, which will again take place in Coplay, PA. Watch PDCA Publications and your inbox for forthcoming announcements. In support of the Northeast Chapter, staff from the PDCA office attended the TopGolf function and provided an update on news from the national organization. 


The PDCA Northeast Chapter thanks all members for ongoing support of the driven pile industry and hopes to see you again in August.
See who was SPOTTED at Annual TopGolf Meet and Greet and New Member Outreach event:

Posted in Chapter News.

Chapter Hears Tech Presentation about Below-Grade Parking Garages


Ric Anderson, PE, SE presents technical project story to SC Chapter

Marty Swain, Candi Stegall, Kent Parker, Pete Adams of Parker Marine Contracting

Initially, it was an industry breakthrough for the Charleston, SC market. Now, it has become a prototype for similar driven pile projects in the fast-growing historical city on the eastern seaboard. Attendees at the Quarterly Dinner Meeting of the PDCA South Carolina Chapter heard a presentation entitled "Below-Grade Parking in Charleston" by Ric Anderson, PE, SE - Nucor Skyline. As the supplier of the structural steel for two underground parking garages, including The Bennett Hotel in 2017 and 595 King Street in 2019, Mr. Anderson discussed many of the technical considerations that builders encountered when constructing those facilities Local deep foundations contractor Parker Marine Contracting installed the driven pilings for both projects and several representatives from the company were in attendance to hear the presentation on May 11th.

In addition to the technical program, the meeting included a separate segment to honor Richard Gilbert for his years of dedicated industry contributions. Now retired, Mr. Gilbert spent decades with Nucor Skyline and was instrumental in growing and strengthening the PDCA Chapter in South Carolina up until his 2015 retirement. He was introduced by Chapter founder Harry Robbins and presented a miniature pile driving rig trophy for his years of work advocating the driven pile.

(L-R) Richard Gilbert, Harry Robbins
SC Chapter members honor Gilbert

The PDCA South Carolina Chapter thanks all attendees of the May Quarterly Dinner Meeting, the group will next convene on August 10 at the Town and Country Inn & Suites in Charleston. Watch for future announcements in your inbox and on the PDCA Events Calendar online for forthcoming registration information. All 2023 Quarterly Dinner Meetings of the Chapter are brought to you by PDCA members Koppers, Nucor Skyline, Junttan USA, Palmetto Pile Driving, Inc., ECS Limited, and ICE-International Construction Equipment. 

See who was SPOTTED at the PDCA South Carlina Chapter dinner:

Posted in Chapter News.

This Month in PDCA History...20 Years Ago, A Chapter Was Born


L-R: Harry Robbins, John King, Richard Gilbert, Marty Swain

Did you know...The PDCA South Carolina Chapter incorporated as a registered nonprofit organization 20 years ago this month and held its first Membership Meeting on May 6, 2003. The Chapter affiliated with the international organization and was designed to provide a local presence that, to this day, serves and educates the driven pile industry primarily in The Palmetto State while also reaching interested parties in North Carolina and Georgia. 

The first meeting of the PDCA South Carolina Chapter was held at T-Bonz, a former steakhouse in Mount Pleasant, SC. The charter leadership team consisted of founding member and president Harry Robbins of Palmetto Pile Driving, vice president John King of Pile Drivers, Inc., and secretary/treasurer Andrea Edwards of what was Cox Industrial and today is Koppers. The initial at-large board members included John Parker of Parker Marine Contracting Corp., Richard Gilbert of Nucor Skyline Steel, Bob Musselwhite of Cape Romain Contractors, and Keith Plemmons of The Citadel.

While some of the founding members have entered retirement or moved on in different capacities, some of them are still active with PDCA today. Several of them participated in a Charleston golf outing this month and gathered to commemorate the 20-year anniversary of the PDCA Chapter they established. And if you know anything about the PDCA South Carolina Chapter, you know that they are strong proponents of industry swag...and as you would expect, they produced a stadium cup to mark their two decades in existence.

PDCA thanks all current and former members of the PDCA South Carolina Chapter for its work in establishing a strong, singular voice for the driven pile in a critical, American marketplace. In addition to its work successfully building a robust coalition of contractors, equipment manufacturers, industry suppliers and civil engineers, it has also started and continues great industry traditions such as the Annual Oyster Roast which draws attendees from throughout the eastern U.S. to Charleston every January. Make sure to watch the PDCA Events calendar for upcoming dates for all PDCA Chapters.


Posted in Chapter News.

Midwestern Pile Drivers Attend Chicago Networking Reception



 
Dozens of professionals in the pile driving industry from throughout the Midwestern U.S. enthusiastically made their way to Revolution Brewing in Downtown Chicago on May 4, 2023 to participate in the PDCA Mid-America Meet-Up, a FREE networking reception which introduced the Pile Driving Contractors Association (PDCA) to an important industry market where the organization has a limited footprint. Executive Director Frank Peters conducted a short program for attendees which included, a welcome from PDCA President Brian Heck who traveled from Ohio for the event. Frank also thanked all sponsors and a couple guests who were instrumental in planning the evening. Then, he circulated around the room sharing the microphone with attendees for self-introductions. When introductions were through, he provided an overview of PDCA leadership, its mission, its functions and its goals for the short and long term. Many attendees endorsed PDCA's goal of establishing a formal presence in the region.
 
Mike Bronson and PDCA's Kathy Harper coordinated the details for the successful event.
Frank Peters of PDCA gives sponsors, attendees a hot-mic moment for self-introductions.

The highly successful event would not have been possible without several sponsors who came on board to underwrite costs for the venue rental, hors d'oeuvres, and the popular craft beer exclusive to Revolution Brewing. Sponsors participated at two levels; Drive 'Em Deep Sponsors were Bull Moose Tube, Hammer & Steel, and J.D. Fields & Company. The Sure I'll Pitch In Sponsors were American Spiral Weld Pipe, Hercules Machiner Corporation, Jinnings Equipment, Junttan USA, Samuel Roll Form Group, and Triad Metals Piling
 
Attendees came from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, other Midwestern states; many others were local to Sweet Home Chicago.

While some attendees traveled notable distances to join the reception, many others were from local companies involved in deep foundations installation in Chicago and neighboring suburbs. Contractors, equipment manufacturers, material suppliers, and civil engineers from the Chicago region and beyond participated in a fun evening of networking. PDCA offers regional events periodically throughout the year and opens them up to members and non-members. Watch for future announcements about similar PDCA events.

See who was SPOTTED at the May 4th, Mid-America Meet-Up:
 
 
 


Annual Scholarship Shoot Raises Funds for West Coast Students


One of the most highly anticipated events each year at the PDCA Pacific Coast Chapter is the annual Scholarship Shoot, a competitive target shooting outing which attracts members and supporters throughout California and beyond. This year's event took place on April 28, 2023 on what turned out to be a perfect weather day at Bird's Landing, the event venue located midway between Sacramento and San Francisco. 

The festivities began at 8:00 AM with registration and breakfast as more than 125 participants made their way to the Solano County gun range. Shooters were provided with 100 targets, 100 rounds of ammo, ear and eye protection, BBQ lunch, and beverages. As usual, a large variety of amazing raffle and auction prizes were also distributed to those who chose to test their luck. All money raised is distributed to rising or current college students who are pursuing higher education in a construction and/or engineering field.

The 2023 Pacific Coast Chapter Scholarship Shoot was made possible by several sponsors, including PDCA Members Foundation Constructors, CS Marine Constructors, Inc., Stroer and Graff, Balfour Beatty, Pileco, Nucor Skyline, and JD Fields & Company. Special thanks to Pacific Coast Chapter President Dermot Fallon for his continued commitment to promoting construction careers to younger generations through a coveted scholarship program.  
 

Posted in Chapter News.

Heron Wolf Wins April #PDCADriven Contest

A Pile of News - May 2023

A Pile of News: May 2023
A briefing on news and information from the pile driving contractors,
associated manufacturers, construction suppliers and affiliated engineers
who comprise PDCA.
By Matt Bisbee, PDCA

Originally sent May 1, 2023
Top of the Pile
From the Association & Chapters
Mark your calendars!
News and PHOTOS from the PDCA Blog:
Congratulations, Heron Wolf, you are this month's winner! Send an email to marian@piledrivers.org before the end of the month to claim your prize!
News from PDCA Companies
Anniversaries:
  • Scott Bridge Company, Inc. celebrated its 90th anniversary in April; among the highlights were BBQ dinners, team building events, a crane rodeo and more. The company has deep roots in the southeast starting in Thomasville, GA in 1933. A leadership transition led to the company's migration to Opeleika, AL in 1957, where it remains today with the founder's grandsons at the helm.
  • Arthur R. Henry, Inc. turned 75 years old in 2022, and reflects on a unique history in NJ. The Egg Harbor Township family business is led by third generation president, Ralph Henry Jr. The longtime pile driver has installed many foundations in the New Jersey region, particularly during the 1980s casino boom and subsequent 2000s expansions in Atlantic City. Today, they drive pipes, sheets, timber and even composites. Special thanks to PM Grant Achey for this historical submission.
  • Cajun Industries, LLC reaches 50 years. Lane Grigsby founded the company in April 1973 in Baton Rouge, LA. The company has been generous to PDCA for years, providing staff to fill important, voluntary roles on committees and Gulf Coast Chapter leadership teams. Past PDCA president Scott Callaway is a current Cajun SVP. The company has also won multiple PDCA Project of the Year awards.

Giving back:
Recognitions:
Governmental relations:
  • Mohawk Northeast leaders Allan Heinke, David Schill and a who's who in Connecticut politics announced a $7M US-DOT grant for an industrial marine complex. The contractor starts work in New London this year. US Sen. Blumenthal, US Rep. Courtney and others were on hand.
  • ICE International Construction Equipment machinery is SPOTTED on a Rhode Island job site of a $60M upgrade at the Port of Davisville. Gov. McKee visited to observe pier rehab work.
  • Nucor hosted U.S. Sen. Britt at the Tuscaloosa steel mill. Alabama's junior senator toured the facility, met with workers and learned more about the company's work and culture.
  • ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC participated in an Investing in America event in Washington, D.C. in April; as VP Harris mingled with attendees, Brian Laymen from the firm stood in a photo with her.
  • Tectonic helped make NYC streets safer by servicing a $231M infrastructure project. Several local government officials, including city council member Bottcher, attended a photo opp.
People on the Move
Transitions:
  • Scot Evans retires as SVP/CFO at Bowen Engineering Co., where he has spent 29 years. He is credited with overseeing financial operations during 17 years of exceptional business growth.
  • Yung Phang elevates to manager of U.S. operations at DFI Piling, as Warren Baker becomes VP operations. Phillip Jordan is promoted to TSD at the company's TX office.
  • Sarah Crane is the new admin at Dissen & Juhn Company on Maryland's eastern shore.
  • Jim Blaue at Bull Moose Tube's Gerald, MO plant reaches a rare 50 years with the company! Elsewhere, Richard Morales, P.E. is the new manager of field application engineering.
  • Rob Schmitt assumes a territory of eastern Ontario, Quebec and the Canadian Maritimes as new regional director at Interpipe Inc. Canada, replacing retiring Rejean Fleury.
  • Stine Knight joins ESP Associates, Inc. as new director of safety.
  • W. Shawn Sullivan, P.E. is a VP and manages the Raleigh, NC office for Geo-Technology Associates, Inc. (GTA), which relocated to 530 Hinton Pond Road, Suite 104 in Knightdale.
  • Ben White, P.E., a 20-year staff engineer, is the new manager of the Ohio branch of GRL Engineers.
  • Julia Trombetta onboards at Meever USA as Jacksonville, FL-based inside sales associate.
  • Matthew Shuler onboards as a new engineer with RACE Coastal Engineering in Connecticut.
  • Stewart Laney, P.E., DBIA, named president, chief operating officer at S&ME, Inc; director Matt Moler, P.E. elected president of PDCA partner Geoprofessional Business Association.
  • Barry Keller in the Baton Rouge office reaches 31 years with Southern Earth Sciences, Inc. Elsewhere, the firm adds Kody Knott, Zachary Revis, Dwayne Warner.
  • Kimberley Michaels named new COO at PDCA law firm member, Jimerson Birr in Florida.

Recognitions:
On the Job
Black River Solar has been installing piling for a large, public solar farm near Rantoul, IL. Crews mitigated thick farmland mud; they also dodged several deadly April storms that marched through the Midwest.

Mason Construction is expanding Valero's DGD3 Port Arthur, TX refinery to produce sustainable aviation fuel; this is believed to be one of the first projects in the country stemming from the federal Inflation Reduction Act enacted in November '21. Flexicore of Texas and DP Concrete Products are supplying PSC piles that will be driven with APE, Inc. hammers to specifications drafted by Tolunay Wong Engineers.

Massman Construction and its JV partners performing the 30 Crossing project in Little Rock, AR finished the initial demo; the interstate widening project is still on target to complete in late 2025.

Orion Marine Group finished pile driving in a limited time at Seattle's Vigor Shipyard development. The contractor used an APE, Inc. hammer to drive full-length, coated steel piles from JD Fields & Company.

Russell Marine LLC is on the Texas/Louisiana border, driving 46 ea. 18" by 75' square concrete piles as part of the USCG Cutter Pier Repair Project. Elsewhere, their crew in nearby Port Arthur installs large diameter steel pipe piles for a new Howard Energy logistics dock, completing this month.

SJ Hamill Construction begins a ditching project for the South Carolina State Ports Authority.

Taylor Marine Construction, Inc. shares video footage of a crew driving 48" x 122' pipe for a combi wall at JBS Packaging in Port Arthur, TX; see the APE, Inc. D46 hammer mounted on a Liebherr LBC.

CPS Houston needed the wide lens to get this pic of a Galveston-bound load of 150', 82K lb. pipe piles.

Junttan USA shows a rig on the job in the Philly Navy Yard; see the PMx28 drive 80-foot pipe on a batter.

Nucor Skyline pipe piling finds its way by barge to the Puerto Rican jobsite where it will be installed for a port improvement project.

Pile Dynamics, Inc. continues an active schedule training clients, conducting ongoing R&D and delivering tech support; VP Michael Morgano, P.E. joins the education team to help oversee these functions.

Trinity Products convened dozens of foundation contractors for the 14th Annual Pipe School, this year at Ameristar Casino in St. Charles, MO. Among the presenters was Rob Wendt of Sheet Pile, LLC. The three-day event provided attendees 13 hours of continuing ed.

ESP Associates provided site planning, testing, inspections and more for a new East Coast amusement park; Carowinds Aeronautica Landing is on 4.9 acres near Charlotte, features regional aviation history.

Soil Consultants, Inc. provided inspection and testing for teams building the new St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church in Charleston, SC. Doors opened at this majestic house of worship in April.
Media Hits
Crothersville Times in southern Indiana highlights a ribbon cutting at Scottburg's new wastewater treatment plant. Greg Turner of Bowen Engineering is pictured with Mayor Amick and other officials.

ABC 30 in the Fresno, CA market reports on flood prep underway in the South Valley before expected snow melt. Footage shows Foundation Constructors crews driving sheets around utility installations.

PlayMakers Talk Show host Steve A. Klein interviews McCarthy southern region pres. Bryan Kuster.

Oswego County Today in upstate New York reports Mohawk Northeast begins a seventh year of partnership with Flack Racing and driver Dan Kapuscinski, the team moves to the 350 supermodified division.

WCBI-TV in northern Mississippi interviews Kevin Morris of the Atlas Tube relief team that took the parent company's food truck to Amory, MS, to provide meals to people displaced by severe storms.

Savannah Business Journal publishes announcements from Thomas & Hutton on recent promotions; those include new VP's Trent Thompson, P.E., Jason Chambless, P.E. and Kevin Shoemaker, P.E.
Notes from the Field  Summer's comin' edition
Are you planning a family vacay to the Capitol? If so, you can observe a PDCA contractor who is "shaking up" CongressClark Construction is in a JV to update 115-year-old Cannon House Office Building, where roughly a third of U.S. House Members have offices. The phased construction plan limits disruptions to capitol business. Creatively seeking new accessDC lobbyists were seen filling out labor applications.
 
If your travel plans take you overseas  consider Japan. If you find yourself in The Land of the Rising Sun, stop in Konan City and see The Museum of Piling Machines; stakeholder Giken says the building's main structure is made of steel sheet piles.
 
Movies can help you beat the heat. If you remember the flux capacitor from a summer blockbuster of yesteryear, it might explain how a truck from one supplier's fleet 70+ years ago reappeared in their parking lot this year, complete with original body and an antique version of their logo. An online advertisement revealed the existence of a 1949 Chevy from Hoffman Rigging and CraneTim Watters, president of Hoffman Equipment Co.tells his story about this recent historical purchase.
 
Baseball is a longstanding, summer pastime  do you remember The Iron Man and The Knuckleballer?  Baseball legend Cal Ripken, Jr. was among the distinguished guests at a Baltimore fundraiser for the Boy Scouts of AmericaD.W. Kozera, Inc. welcomed the city's favorite son as an event sponsor. Further north, Red Sox great Tim Wakefield took in a game at Fenway with a group from the Boston office of GeoEngineers Inc
 
And it's not too early to start talking football  For the second consecutive year, JD Fields & Co. has signed an NIL deal with a standout, SMU Mustang; Roderick Daniels, Jr. is known as a 'speedster' wide receiver with a resumé that includes All-American credentials. At press-time, SMU WR and Fields' NIL signee last season Rashee Rice, was declared for the NFL draft and waiting to learn his football future. If your company has joined the movement of supporting college athletes through NIL deals, please tell us!
 
While we hope you find time for a summer break, PDCA will continue delivering member benefits to you and your colleagues. Watch for announcements about monthly installments of the Value Driven Webinar Series, a virtual learning program that provides FREE PDH's to representatives of member companies. Several PDCA Committees will meet, why not join in? There will be at least one Chapter meeting, while another Chapter will host an annual Sporting Clays fundraiser. Make sure to visit the PDCA Events Calendar regularly. In June, you will receive Issue #3 of PileDriver magazine and in August, the publication will reveal the 2023 Project of the Year Award winners. And, A Pile of News will continue to hit your inbox on the first working day of each month this summer. Be sure to send us your announcements that you want us to broadcast for you. If you're still not a member, it's not too late to JOIN PDCA. Enroll today and don't miss out on all that is available this summer.
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Posted in A Pile of News PDCA Monthly e-newsletter.

See You at the Northeast Chapter TopGolf Meet and Greet

 
When
Wednesday, May 17, 2023 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
Add to Calendar

 

Where
TopGolf
1013 U.S. Route 1
Edison, NJ 08817
Driving Directions
Bring your long game! The popular PDCA Northeast Chapter TopGolf Meet and Greet and New Member Outreach is coming up May 17, 2023, at TopGolf, Edison, New Jersey.  This event is open to PDCA Northeast Chapter members and non-members.  Plan now to join us for some good BBQ, a time to reconnect with your friends in the area, and of course a golf challenge.

Cost is $150 per person and you are encouraged to bring any customers, guests, or friends. Doing so, you are supporting driven pile foundation construction.

If you would like to be an Event Sponsor, you are welcome to do so with your $500 contribtuion.

Don't miss this opportunity to get together with your PDCA friends and help the Chapter share information to non-members about the advantages of membership in the organization.  Select the link below and register today.


Thank
you, Event Sponsor:

 

There are still sponsorships available that can be purchased during the registration. The PDCA Northeast Chapter sincerely appreciates the support from our sponsors.

Let us know if you need additional information, contact:
Matt Scerbak
973-460-4617

We hope to see you at TopGolf on May 17th. Thank you for your continued support and participation in PDCA Northeast Chapter activities.

Posted in Chapter News.

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