(L-R): Samantha See, Lina Garcia Martin, Dean Cacio, and John Hayes

During PDCA Board & Brews, the Jan. 8, 2025 networking reception at the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort in Clearwater, FL, three pile driving industry professionals from Florida who attended announced their desire to re-establish a PDCA Florida Chapter. Together, they delivered a 'Letter of Intent' document which is a request of the PDCA Board of Directors to formalize an affiliation with their new group. The three event attendees, as well as a fourth individual who had a conflict, all signed the letter. PDCA chapters presently exist and operate as autonomous entities which gain support from PDCA through the terms of a formal affiliation. The proposition from the four piling professionals seeking to form the Florida Chapter received a vote of the Board during their 2025 Strategic Planning meeting which was held over the two days following the reception. On Jan. 10th, the new PDCA Florida Chapter was born through a unanimous Board of Directors vote to affiliate. The Chapter consists of its four organizing members; each holds an officer position in order to fulfill state incorporation requirements. We introduce you to the new Chapter leadership team:    President: Lina Garcia Martin, a BDM at Orion in Tampa Vice President: Dean Cacio, a BDM at R.W. Harris Inc. - A Goettle Company in Clearwater Secretary: Samantha See, a BDM at Apex Steel Pipe & Piling in Ft. Lauderdale Treasurer: John Hayes, a Director at Equipment Corporation of America in Green Cove Springs   The new PDCA Florida Chapter is currently inviting pile driving professionals throughout the state to join the organization as active members. They are developing a plan to hold meetings and other events they expect to offer their members in 2025 and years beyond. PDCA chapters play a critical role in growing the international organization. The Florida Chapter is the second one to re-establish in just three years, following the Texas Chapter's formation in 2022. PDCA hosts regional networking receptions in different parts of the country throughout each year, while delivering a message to attendees from the localities that the organization will be supportive of them if they seek to establish and operate a local chapter. Thank you to all current PDCA Chapter members, as well as those who attend PDCA regional networking receptions. The next event is coming on February 27th in Norfolk, VA.

(L-R): New PDCA Florida Chapter Pres. Lina Garcia stands with new VP Dean Cacio for a 'selfie' at the Board & Brews event.

 

PDCA E.D. Frank Peters (L) introduces See and Garcia

(L-R): Cacio, PDCA Pres. Buck Darling, Board members Doug Keller, Brian Heck, and Randy Kelly

Garcia with Gulf Coast Chapter Pres. Scott Williams

(L-R) New PDCA VP Chris Normand watches as now Past President Brian Heck presents the gavel to new President Buck Darling

After presiding over three consecutive, annual Strategic Planning meetings of the PDCA Board of Directors, Brian Heck has gaveled-in the proceedings one final time. When the 2025 organizational meeting began on January 9th, 2025, President Heck ceremoniously passed the traditional PDCA gavel, crafted from rare American chestnut, to his successor. Buck Darling takes the helm of the organization for a one-year term; he previously served in this role in 2011.  

Immediately following the gavel ceremony, there was a subsequent, impromptu presentation to Pres. Darling from Director Harold Baur. The Boh Bros. Construction VP, spent two decades under the direct tutelage of the late Dale Biggers. Mr. Biggers was a highly influential and impactful member of PDCA through his technical prowess and genteel personality, who became very close professionally and personally with Darling. In recognition of Darling's ascension to the presidency at PDCA, Baur presented him Biggers' pea-coat and scarf, rendering the new chief executive genuinely appreciative and emotionally moved by the gesture. And it is likely that Pres. Darling will get plenty of use of the outerwear garments, being that his Buffalo, NY home is known for winter weather.

In addition to welcoming its new president, PDCA recognized its 2025 executive committee consisting of new vice president Chris Normand, secretary Doug Keller, treasurer Rich Anderson, and past president Brian Heck. Also, new board of directors member member Condon Verble joins returning board members Baur, Greg Canivan, Jim Dempsey, Diane Fischer, Randy Kelly, Mike Juneau, David Price, and Brad Roberts. The 2025 chapter representatives are Scott Williams (Gulf Coast Chapter), Erich Kremer (Northeast), Dermot Fallon (Pacific Coast), Kent Parker (South Carolina), and Mickey Thatcher (Texas). Ex officio board member and PDCA Executive Director Frank Peters participated in welcoming the new board.


During the course of the day-and-a-half Strategic Planning meeting, the board passed a budget for 2025, considered advancements of technical matters such as the ongoing vibrations study, continued discussions on strategies for member and chapter growth, shared ideas for education and conference offerings, heard input on enhancements to web-based and written communications, encouraged board recruitment for increased committee participation, and collectively planned for the future with a discussion on association succession.


PDCA members elect the next year's leadership team each November. The executive committee and board serve terms in office as outlined in the PDCA bylaws. All those in leadership are volunteers who share a commitment to advancement of the driven pile industry. If you are interested in pursuing a path into PDCA leadership, contact PDCA Executive Director Frank Peters by email at frank@piledrivers.org, or call the office at (904) 215-4771.