A Pile of News - March 2021

A Pile of News: March 2021
A briefing on news and information from the pile driving contractors, associated manufacturers, construction suppliers and affiliated engineers who comprise the PDCA.
By Matt Bisbee, PDCA
PDCA recognizes Women in Construction this month, our valued female members individuals as well as women-owned and women-led companies appear in pink.
From the Association & Chapters
Upcoming events:
  • Deep Foundation Dynamic Testing & Analysis, presented by PDCA and Pile Dynamics, Inc. March 810. This three-day event, which offers a proficiency exam, takes place at Doubletree by Hilton Orlando Airport; PDHs are available and COVID-19 precautions in place.
  • CLICK HERE to submit your entry for PDCA's 2021 Project of the Year Awards program. The deadline for submissions is May 7th. New this year, entry is FREE; full terms and form at the link. 
 
Chapter news:
South Carolina Chapter: The highly anticipated, annual Chapter Oyster Roast is set for Friday evening, March 26th at Palmetto Pile Driving in Charleston. Attendance requires advance registration, will be limited per local guidelines, and will be offered to members and sponsors on a first come, first served basis. Watch your inbox for details.
  • Congrats SC Chapter on hosting a successful, VIRTUAL Quarterly Meeting in February. More than 85 industry professionals logged-in and heard "Dynamic Pile Testing: Basic Principles, Capabilities and Effective Applications" by Mohammad Hussein, P.E.

Pacific Coast Chapter: Seeks chapter secretary, at-large board member, contact Pres. Dermot Fallon.

Publications:
READ it here, first! Click for your digital copy of PileDriver magazine, Issue #1 2021.
  • CORRECTION: PileDriver magazine, Issue #6 2020 the page 51 university reference as host site for past PDCA Professor's Driven Pile Institute programs should read Utah State University. We regret the inaccuracy.
Ed Bisono, you are this month's winner! Send an email to
marian@piledrivers.org before the end of March to claim your prize!
News from PDCA Companies
Acquisitions & Expansions:
Projects:
APC Construction installs sheets and pre-cast concrete for a Southeast Louisiana bulkhead.

ASAP Group drives H-pile in construction of a permanent highway retaining wall in Weston, FL.

Baker Gulf Coast Industrial broke ground for an IMTT Project Olive Piling Package in St. Rose, LA to facilitate three renewable diesel pipelines along the Mississippi River.

Clark Construction successfully mitigates sand traps and a large water hazard to complete the new, international headquarters of The PGA Tour, in Ponte Vedra, FL.

Coastal Contractors Inc. wins $9.4M USACE contract for Comite River flood control in Baton Rouge.

H.B. Fleming, Inc. facilitates operation of two side-by-side cranes on this 1,000-foot-long work trestle over the Connecticut River.

Kiewit and Manson collaborate on upgrade to Military Ocean Terminal in Concord, CA. The $350M Navy base modernization included a bridge demo, then rebuild on 793 octagonal piles.

Logan Marine, LLC works on a military base on the opposite coast; the North Carolina contractor finishes a new marina at Camp Lejune Marine Corps base.

Pile Drivers, Inc. installed production piles from Palmetto Pile Driving for a new $50-million Charleston, SC office complex. A true collaboration of PDCA members, Parker Marine and Essve Tech supplied foundation components and ECS Limited performed the geotechnical testing.

Poseidon Dredge & Marine shows artistic flair in photos of new Central Florida Seawall in Sheet Pile; down the peninsula, they perform restorative construction on eroded Palm Beach mangrove habitat.

PRECO-MSE collaborates on construction for the major expansion of Chambly High School in Quebec; among components in their scope was installation of 6,000 driven piles.

Junttan supplied Keller the rig used to finish the foundation on an olive oil storage facility in Spain.

MKT Manufacturing fulfills new hammer order for New Jersey client, prepares its STL departure.

Nucor Skyline steel aids Boston mass transit through Green Line Extension; elsewhere its sheet pile is installed at Kingston Terminal in Ontario with a PVE Equipment 40VM driving the AZ.

D.W.Kozera, Inc. commutes by tugboat to barge-based jobsite of new Baltimore Gas and Electric tower.

Engineered Rigging devised custom lift for 110-foot-long conveyor at Valporaiso, IN industrial site.

Haley & Aldrich geotechs protect integrity of Civil War-era structures in multi-phase project to transform historic Washington, D.C. hospital campus into U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security HQ.

Insight Group, LLC and partners make progress on City of Charleston, SC Low Battery Sea Wall.

Premier Geotech and Testing at Port of Greater Baton Rouge construction site for testing.

Seismic Surveys, Inc. was part of team that used aerial drone imagery to document vibration impact on adjacent buildings during implosion of a Rosslyn, VA hotel (see VIDEO).

Tolunay-Wong Engineers tapped to perform geotech services for two University of Houston projects; The UH College of Medicine and the campus Hilton hotel.

Giving back:
Recognitions:
Governmental relations:
Anniversaries:
Congratulations to Cincinnati-based contractor Richard Goettle, Inc. which reaches 65 years in business. At its inception in 1956, a woman was seldom found in a profession like construction; those in the workforce were typically limited to so-called "pink collar" roles. Fast forward to today and Goettle relies on professional women like project manager Regina Hartfiel and estimating coordinator Heather Huth to execute critical activity both in the office and in the field. You've come a long way, Goettle!
People on the Move
The monthly round-up:
  • Donovan Crain, a 2020 LSU grad, takes job as assistant superintendent at Cajun Industries
  • Billy Naylor promoted to VP regional safety at McCarthy's Southern Region in Dallas; Greg Lynch hired as project director in Houston
  • Bryan Layman, P.E. promoted to ECS Mid-Atlantic VP; also, Liz Newcomb, P.E., Lauren Zangi, Scott Stannard, P.E., Drew Shontz, PG, Michael Bianchino, P.E. all elevate to ECS management
  • Nicholas Izzo, P.E. earns promotion to project manager at Eustis Engineering
  • Rich Lake, Dave Garbarino both rise to VP at GTA Engineering; Dan Terranova, P.E. tapped to lead new Nashville office
  • Don Hopper joins Haley & Aldrich as director of estimating and project controls
  • Todd Wager welcomed as president of infrastructure at TRC Companies

Recognitions:
Quotable: "We thank all you piledriving folks out there that do the hard work, because at the end of the day when it is time to go home, you can rest assured that your work matters to the rest of the world! Cheers Y 'all. [SIC]" American Piledriving Equipment VP Steve Cress on LinkedIn.

In sympathy:
It was 1953 in Orangeburg, SC when Cox Industries began; it quickly grew into a leading U.S. timber company. Founder and PDCA hall-of-famer William Burkett Cox Sr. passed Feb. 11, he leaves a giant footprint in the construction materials sector. Cox was purchased by Koppers Inc. in 2018.

"A long-term, devoted, hard-working employee" is how Vicente Vasquez is remembered by grieving coworkers at R. Kremer & Son Marine Contractors. PDCA sends condolences to family and friends.
Look Who Made the News!
KSHB 41 TV Kansas City reveals renderings of the forthcoming Buck O'Neil Bridge which Massman, as part of the joint venture selected for the $220M MoDOT project, will serve as the design-build contractor.

Civil Engineering Magazine pens a deep dive into an erosion controlling breakwater system built by Patriot Construction & Industrial in Southwest Louisiana's Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge.

NOLA.com publishes a photo of Canal Barge Company CEO Merritt Lane, who is part of a charity that donated $1M to local schools for annual Mardi Gras fundraising drive, despite 2021 event cancellation.

The Geotechnical Engineering Podcast interviews Cassandra Wetzel of GZA GeoEnvironmental in a February segment entitled Design and Construction Around the Water Table.

WVUA TV-23 Tuscaloosa interviews Matt Brooks, local GM at Nucor, about the company's support in opening opportunities to disadvantaged youth through the Boy Scouts of America.

American Cranes & Transport magazine covers Tadano VP Christian Bartley's work in advocacy on environmental issues and regulations.

Concrete Openings magazine interviews David Rogers, VP at Aggregate Technologies, Inc.
Notes from the Field
Dewberry U? We were honored that nearly 1/3 (29) of total attendees at the PDCA Educational Webinar Series #1 on February 2nd were associates from Dewberry. Remember, staff at member companies get FREE access to the full Series, a benefit of your membership! Join PDCA today.

Not a groupie! A familiar face and frequent presenter at events throughout the deep foundations industry is longtime PDCA friend Silas Nichols, P.E., an engineer with the FHWA. We heartily congratulate Silas on becoming a finalist for the prestigious 2021 Federal Engineer of the Year Award.

The kids are used to virtual learning, time for a lesson in construction! A Company Wrench videographer produced this informational video to teach some Ohio students about the always amazing excavator.

TEASER ALERT: Speaking of kids, we've learned one influential pile driving industry professional is expecting... but who is it? You know her, watch for the announcement this summer!

Seriously, FOUR dad-jokes in one post? We commend all PDCA members who provide company news on social media so we can fill this publication, there's always great content to glean. But we send notice to GeoEngineers Inc., FOUR dad-jokes in one LinkedIn post is pushing the limit. 😊

If the Rainbow Warriors aren't your dad's team, you might be a transplant. The Islands are home to fans of all teams; the Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. employs these fans of the Kansas City Chiefs who pose proudly in red during Super Bowl week, simultaneously supporting the American Heart Association.

How 'bout them Cowboys? On country radio in the 90's, Toby Keith famously asked the question, "Miss Kitty, have you ever thought of runnin' away?"  Well, 25 years later, Kitty Rodriguez of Sunbelt Rentals signaled "no" when she dug in her boot heels and pointed her camera at the "Construction Cowboy," guiding paired sheet pilings to the laydown area for crane accessibility.

Q: "What's your favorite position?"
A: "CEO."  Lauren Conrad famously answered the question from a 2012 Sirius XM radio host known for broadcasting misogynistic content. Don't forget, March 713 is the widely celebrated Women in Construction Week; PDCA enthusiastically tips our hard-hat to the many women contractors, suppliers, manufacturers and engineers who work daily to advance the driven pile.
FacebookTwitterLinkedIn
Copyright © 2021 Pile Driving Contractors Association, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you are an industry leader in the piling community and
may be a member of the Pile Driving Contractors Association.

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

Women In Construction: SHE 'Gets it Done' for Goettle

Heather Huth (left) and Regina Hartfiel (right) of Richard Goettle, Inc. at a Cincinnati, driven pile jobsite in January.

PDCA was fortunate to recently catch up with two women who deliver important and exemplary work product daily, for Contractor member Richard Goettle, Inc. When we found them, Regina Hartfiel and Heather Huth were on-location at the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati where they were building a new diversion chamber for the MSD Wet Weather Upgrade Project. Their scope involved both excavation and shoring.

A little background on the two deep foundations professionals: Regina Hartfiel began with Richard Goettle, Inc. as a Co-Op from the University of Cincinnati in 2009, this was a university-sanctioned program that enabled her to gain on-the-job experience in the construction field which she was pursuing. Upon graduating with a bachelor's degree in Architectural Engineering in 2012, Ms. Hartfiel transitioned to a full-time Project Manager with the Ohio contractor. Since that time, she has excelled in her profession and impacted numerous deep foundations projects from Florida to North Dakota.

"In my experience, Goettle has given me a level of confidence through assignment to a position or placement on a job that, never has being a woman, caused me any level of insecurity," says Regina. "As I progress and grow in my construction career, I feel as though my constant evolution as a professional is no different than that of any other young person who pursues excellence in a chosen discipline."

Heather Huth is nearing five years at Richard Goettle, Inc. where she delivers a reliable and timely work product as Estimating Coordinator. Prior to her 2016 start with the Cincinnati-based geo-construction company, she spent the earliest years of her career as an architectural representative with a nearby building supply company. Since then, she too has contributed to Richard Goettle, Inc. projects at the national level; her professional footprint covers a broad swath of states east of the Rocky Mountains.

Both women recognize that construction continues to be a male dominated industry. But a growing push from societal forces toward increased gender equity in the profession renders noticeable improvements on an almost yearly basis. And Heather and Regina are part of the movement that is impacting the face of construction; in addition to their days on the jobsites, they also play a big part in Goettle's ongoing Co-Op program. Those efforts involve individual outreach to students in Construction Management and Civil Engineering programs at higher education institutions in and around the Cincinnati area through campus visits, career fairs and other opportunities that arise. They note an increasing number of young women are pursuing these fields. 


"The construction industry offers young people endless opportunities for a meaningful and oftentimes lucrative career," says Ms. Huth. "When I engage with students and other young people, especially young women, I find it very fulfilling to open their minds about the excitement, diversity and professional satisfaction they will encounter when they start a career in construction."

PDCA is proud to represent Regina and Heather as member-company employees.


Richard Goettle, Inc. celebrates 65 years in business in 2021. The construction industry, not to mention the professional workforce in general, looked much different back in 1956 when post-war demographics more women in largely in clerical and more often housewife roles. Times have changed dramatically since Goettle's early days and they are fortunate to hire from an expanded talent pool which has included professionals like Regina Hartfiel and Heather Huth.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In observance of Women in Construction Week March 7-13, 2021, PDCA thanks the many women contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, and engineers who lend their talent, perspective and expertise to the pile driving industry. You are of great value to not only your individual clients and employers, but to PDCA as well. Congratulations on all your professional accomplishments!

First PileDriver of 2021 Now Available; Read it Here!

PDCA Proudly Introduces PileDriver magazine, Issue #1 2021

It's always an exciting day at PDCA when the latest PileDriver magazine is released; since phrases like 'hot of the presses' just don't apply in the world of digital publishing, we simply tell you that the full edition is now available and located HERE.

In this issue, you will find a plenty of material that addresses the many different facets of your deep foundations business. For starters, a new PDCA President delivers his first President's Message to membership. Get a detailed understanding of the vision that President Kevin Gourgues brings to the organization on Page 5. Then, on Page 9, Past President (2020) Jason Moore shares a parting note of thanks to you for the support you gave to PDCA in what was an irregular year.

Other features in this issue; two PDCA Committees get new Chairs, membership offers new benefits and the industry events calendar lists new opportunities for 2021.

In Pile TipsDan Seitz and Stephanie Turkot of GZA GeoEnvironmental present a fresh perspective on jobsite cleanliness and safety on Page 39. NCCCO representative Tara Whittington shares "Yes, OSHA Requires Dedicated Pile Driver Operators to be Certified," an important overview of an evolving consideration for contractors on Page 87. We are pleased to preview the newly-released "Recommended Industry Practices for Safe Working Platforms for Construction Equipment" by the Working Platforms Working Group which consists of representatives from PDCA, ADSC and DFI, on Page 42. And learn about an innovative and timely initiative of GeoEngineers which is addressing diversity, equity and inclusion throughout their national geotechnical engineering firm; see Page 92.

As in every issue, we bring you a Career Story, PDCA Member Profiles, Project Spotlights and two submissions on Construction Law.

Don't miss the touching tribute to the late Erich Pitz of McMullen & Pitz Construction Company; his colleagues fondly remember him as a talented construction professional, generous contributor to his Wisconsin community and valued mentor, teacher and friend to so many in the pile driving industry. See In Memoriam on Page 107.

To read the full, digital edition, CLICK HERE. And remember, PileDriver magazine encourages your submissions. If you have ideas about content for upcoming issues, please email matt@PileDrivers.org. 


Can a Chapter Host Successful, Virtual Event? 85+ say 'Yes,' attend PDCA SC

Virtual Quarterly Meeting Draws Big Crowd

The PDCA of South Carolina Chapter has been able to get an answer to a question shared by many in the construction association world; "can a Chapter that has a strong tradition of regular, live meetings host an event that is 100% virtual?" The question was answered with a resounding "yes" after the February 4th Quarterly Meeting of the Chapter.

Based on a widespread, positive response to the initial meeting announcement, then more than 85 participants accessing the two-hour meeting and technical presentation through the Zoom platform, it was clear that the paramount function of a Chapter executing meaningful engagement with its members is possible through a web-based format. While a live, in-person event which brings important networking and social interaction in addition to general meeting components and a presentation, is a preference for many who participate in Chapter functions, ongoing health concerns have forced the pivot. And South Carolina's PDCA Chapter has successfully pivoted.

The event took place from 3:00-5:00 PM EST on February 4, 2021. Using technical and organizational resources from the PDCA national office, Chapter President Jason Moore convened more than 85 Chapter members and other friends from the Southeastern U.S. region for a business meeting followed by a popular technical program (which provided PDH credit). Presenter Mohamad Hussein (pictured), EVP and Principal Engineer with GRL Engineers, gave a 90 minute program entitled Dynamic Pile Testing: Basic Principle, Capabilities and Effective Applications. Thanks to generous sponsorship, this program was offered to participants at no cost.

If you are involved in a PDCA Chapter and are interested in learning more about resources available to you to host a virtual program, please contact the PDCA offices.

Posted in Chapter News.

IFCEE 2021 Registration Opens Monday, February 15th

Don't miss the biggest event in the deep foundation construction industry that only happens every three years; it's the International Foundations Conference and Equipment Expo or IFCEE, coming to Dallas, Texas May 10-14, 2021. PDCA and industry partners ADSC (The International Association of Foundation Drilling)DFI (Deep Foundations Institute) and G-I (Geo-Institute of American Society of Civil Engineers) have joined forces again to host the event, this year at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Dallas. 

(Pictured, L-R: Dale BiggersInger DarlingBuck DarlingLarry Moore enjoy one of several social events during IFCEE 2018 in Orlando, FL.)

IFCEE is a technical conference and equipment show dedicated to the design and construction of foundation systems, using the latest geo-engineering and geo-construction technologies and practices. This one of a kind event will attract attendees from around the world, who will have access to various technical education programs and the world's largest equipment exposition dedicated solely to the deep foundations industry. For registration (opening Monday, February 15, 2021), information on exhibit sales and more about IFCEE 2021, please visit the website. See you in May!

First Installment of 2021 Education Webinar Series a Success

First program "Cone Penetration Testing and Pile Driving: A Great Combination," a success; next program April 6th

 
Presenters Gerald Verbeek, Technical Advisor CPT, Eijkelkamp North America and Derrick Dasenbrock, P.E., D.GE, F. ASCE, Geotechnical Engineer, FHWA Resource Center led an in-depth technical course for 70 attendees of PDCA's first webinar program of 2021. The two hour event took place on Tuesday, February 2nd from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM EST. It was FREE to PDCA members; several non-members who participated paid a nominal charge for the PDH eligible presentation.

"After the success of the webinars from the PDCA 2020 Annual Conference Webinar Series, we were (and are) hopeful that the success would continue into 2021," said Kathy Harper, Manager of Events and Education at PDCA. "We were very happy to receive better than expected registration numbers - and most of the registrants were able to participate in the full program. It goes to show that when you have interesting content and great presenters, that people want to attend and expand their knowledge. With a final attendance of 70 individuals a mix of contractors and engineers it really is setting a wonderful tone for the rest of the PDCA 2021 Education Webinar Series.

"
The Series continue April 6th when Van E. Komurka, P.E., D.GE, F.ASCE, Senior Engineer, GRL Engineers, Inc. presents "Components of Cost-Effective Driven-Pile Design and Installation" from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Registration is currently open, CLICK HERE to reserve your spot today.

A Pile of News - February 2021

A Pile of News: February 2021
A briefing on news and information from the pile driving contractors, associated manufacturers, construction suppliers and affiliated engineers who comprise the PDCA.
By Matt Bisbee, PDCA
From the Association & Chapters
Thank you, PDCA sustaining members, for remitting 2021 invoices and for continued support of the driven pile. Not a PDCA member? Join our growing roster of deep foundation professionals.
 
Shout-out to January's new members: Contractors Logan Marine, Baker GCI, American Deep Foundations and South Shore Pile Driving; associates MT Kaye Steel and Pipe & Tube Supplies; and engineering affiliate Smart Structures. Welcome to all!
 
Upcoming events:  
The industry-wide Working Platforms Working Group, a collaboration of PDCA, ADSC and DFI, has released the newly published Recommended Industry Practices for Safe Working Platforms for Construction Equipment guide.

Committee involvement maximizes PDCA membership Join a standing committee or attend a virtual meeting in February; Membership Committee (2/4, 11:00 am); Communications Committee (2/4, 2:00 pm); Education Committee (2/10, 2:00 pm) All times Eastern.
 
PDCA's new spring line Be sure to shop The PDCA Store for logo-apparel items. Ask us about the new ladies' blouse, stylish windbreaker or camo hat trimmed in hunter orange. More clothing and proprietary educational resources are available. Visit The PDCA Store today, and regularly for updates.
 
Chapter news:
PDCA of South Carolina will host its first quarterly meeting of 2021 on Feb. 11. It is a virtual event on Zoom from 3-5 PM EST featuring a presentation on Dynamic Pile Testing from Mohammad Hussein, PEclick here to register.
  • One of the pile driving industry's most anticipated events is the annual PDCA of South Carolina Chapter Oyster Roast. It is tentatively set for March 26 at Palmetto Pile Driving in Charleston.

PDCA of the Pacific Coast Chapter is recruiting leadership; if you are interested in serving the chapter as secretary or at large board member, contact president Dermot Fallon at Foundation Constructors.
ECA, you are this month's winner! Send an email to
marian@piledrivers.org before the end of February to claim your prize!
News from PDCA Companies
Projects:
American Pile and Foundation drove thousands of pipe and H-piles and performed other services for the Rockaway Boardwalk project in New York City.

Atlas Foundation installs a driven pile in Rapid City, SD.

Corman Kokosing dispatched "Greenzilla," an International Construction Equipment (ICE) vibro, for a marine construction job calling for the installation of 140,000 pounds of pile in Lewes, DE.

H.B. Fleming, Inc. shares new drone footage of progress on the Back Cove South Storage Facility in Portland, ME; sheet pilings help define the lower framework.

Norwalk Marine Contractors installed driven piles under the new 4D theater at The Marine Aquarium at Norwalk, reportedly saving the Connecticut city "hundreds of thousands" in taxpayer dollars.

Poseidon Dredge & Marine braves Tampa's winter to improve the Lowry Park boat ramp.

PRECO-MSE mitigates a blanket of snow and installs piles for a new residential complex in Montreal.

Sealevel Construction Inc. works to protect local boating, control flooding through the Bayou Terrebonne Lock project in Montegut, LA.

ECA captures it's Pileco D19-42 driving a test pile for a New Jersey stormwater project.

GeoQuip shows its Pileco diesel hammer in action at the Nice/Middleton Bridge connecting VA and MD; Corman Kokosing is among contractors on the $463 million joint venture.

Giken's Silent Piler installed sheet pile for a mixed-use complex on Manhattan's Upper East Side; MRCE consulted. Fun fact - Google maps displays the property as adjacent to Lou Gehrig's childhood home.

Nucor Skyline sent pipe and sheet pile connectors for a combi-wall to mitigate flooding at a Manhattan rail yard. Out west, they supplied H-pile for Washington DOT's Lundeen Parkway project.

PVE Equipment USA performs in-house hammer maintenance with a rebuild of a client's PVE 23VML; check out what could be considered a "growth chart" of the vibro.

ECS Mid-Atlantic is performing construction observation and testing on a new building at Maryland's Anne Arundel Community College campus.

Eustis Engineering is retained to provide geotechnical and CMT services for a $40 million overhaul of the Baton Rouge Zoo and Greenwood Community Park project.

GeoEngineers, Inc. is part of the team finishing a new state-of-the-art LNG facility in Tacoma, WA; it goes online early this year after 10 years of construction.

GZA GeoEnvironmental is retained by VTrans to provide geotechnical evaluation, other consulting services for transportation projects in the state of Vermont through 2023.

Haley & Aldrich is the geotech on record for a new research center at Northeastern University in Boston and a waterfront development in Portland, ME.

Premier Geotech and Testing is on the job in Port Arthur, TX, monitoring pile installation for 4,000 precast concrete piles and performing PDA testing at an industrial site.

Giving back:  
Recognitions:  
Acquisitions & Expansions:  
Anniversaries:
"A deep foundations professional who views the world the same at fifty as they did at twenty has wasted thirty years." In reverence, PDCA salutes legacy members Foundation Constructors, Inc. of Oakley, CA and American Engineering Testing, Inc. of St. Paul, MN; both celebrate 50 years in business this year.

Governmental relations:
AMERICAN VP Mike Petrus appointed by Gov. Kay Ivey to Alabama Workforce Development Board

Nucor Corporation congratulates its former board of directors member General Lloyd Austin who, in late January, won confirmation from the U.S. Senate to serve as the new U.S. Secretary of Defense.
  • This development follows Nucor's president and CEO Leon Topalian's earlier call for American infrastructure investment during ASCE's Failure to Act; he assures the new Administration that steelmaking capacity will keep necessary pace to revive the "physically crumbling" highways, ports, railroads and waterways.

One dollar of infrastructure investment becomes $4 of societal benefit; read one state's analysis of a study on governmental investment in transportation projects.
People on the Move
The monthly round-up:
  • Denis Orsini tapped to lead Keller's newly acquired Quebec team as senior engineer
  • Cole Newman returns to PVE Equipment, becomes new sales and rental manager, Southeast
  • Manol Andonyadis, P.E. is new EVP, Leo J. Titus, Jr., P.E. is COO at ECS Limited. Also, Amber Milot and Beth Ganoe earn corporate promotions. Elsewhere, Sal Fiorentino and Chris Lopez become subsidiary presidents and there are several other New Year elevations within the firm.
  • Dave Zmijewski selected as new president of Geo-Technology Associates, Inc.
  • Matthew Ruehle, P.E. is now associate at Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers (MRCE)
  • Kelly Pittman is the new assistant project manager at Premier Geotech and Testing
  • S&ME announces several promotions, including Liz Porter, Keith Brown, Meredith Keyes, Angela Musselwhite, Bill Schwartz, Shannon Sweitzer, Dave Duke, Kellie Ford, Chris Headley, Adam Marr, Kasey McWhorter, Matt Boler, Mary Scarbrough, Travis Wilson
  • James Bristow, P.E. named president of the western region at UES
 
Congratulations!
A third generation executive with Linde-Griffith Construction Co., John F. Shannon retired Dec. 31; he leaves as a manager, shareholder and board of directors member. Shannon says he has been "uniquely privileged" to work in foundations with his father, brother, daughter, sons and nephews.

Domingo and Maria Santana are recognized by colleagues at Canal Barge Company as the first married couple in company history to both reach 25 years of employment. Here's to 25 more!
 
Recognitions:  
Quotable"We are thankful that Norwalk municipal leadership chose to save the city hundreds of thousands of dollars by using driven piles over drilled micro piles."  Skip Gardella of Norwalk Marine Contractors doesn't mince words as he engages with a project stakeholder on social media.
Look Who Made the News!
Memphis Business Journal ranks Continental Construction Co. Inc. as the fastest growing company in the region, highlights the contractor's impressive resume.

The Guam Daily Post reports Hawaiian Dredging Construction Co. is in a joint venture that secured a $97.99 million contract for wharf repairs and upgrades on Naval Base Guam.
 
CNBC's "Streets of Dreams" features the revitalization of San Diego's Seaport Village; McCarthy Building Companies is among the contractors retained for the mega-project.
 
The Rock Hill Herald shares the unique career trajectory of Ida Luchey, facility manager for Koppers; you never know how getting lost on a two-hour drive could change your life!
 
Future of Business and Tech published a piece by Danyle Hepler of Haley & Aldrich; it discusses how the pandemic redefines the role of EHS&S professionals. USA Today also carried the article.
Notes from the Field "Lifestyle" edition
Not sure how your New Year's Resolution is going  but Poseidon Dredge & Marine is "Get'n Fat'r"...back in service. The South Florida contractor recently christened its reconditioned pushboat.
 
Meanwhile, on La Isla Bonita A crew from Morris-Shea Bridge Company takes a break from "bumping and grinding" the foundation and "strikes the pose" in their new PPE gear to indulge in a little voguing.
 
Considering a Baltimore penthouse? Check out Inner Harbor's Ritz Carlton, which has a vacancy. For just $30K per month, live atop the structure with a solid, concrete pile foundation, inspected by D.W. Kozera, Inc. Novel enthusiasts could boast about living in the former residence of famed author Tom Clancy.
 
Now where should we park the boat? Universal Engineering Sciences has a crew in Ft. Pierce, FL to monitor sheet pile vibrations during construction of Derecktor Shipyards, soon to become South Florida's newest marina designed for mega-yachts.

Maybe one day they'll be Super Bowl Shufflin' at SoFi in SoCal The soon-to-be new home of the L.A. Rams is the NFL's first open-air, indoor-outdoor venue and first football stadium built in Los Angeles in nearly 100 years. Atlas Tube is among its steel suppliers. But first, all eyes on Tampa this week!  
 
It's almost Valentine's Day  and your Christmas lights should be down, but do they operate by remote control? Does your child own a radio-controlled toy? Perhaps your T.V. clicker has been overworked during COVID? Pile driving also offers remote control capability; ECA shares the latest innovation.

Steel sheets surrounding Sanders You've seen them by now, memes of a mitten-fisted Bernie Sanders photoshopped into locations everywhere. Sunbelt Rentals was the first PDCA member we saw implement the viral image into its social media; nice work, Carolina Karasinski!
 
Thanks for reading today, it was a long one! If it has taken you to lunchtime, we leave you an entrée suggestion through this parting quote from Chaz - "Hey Ma, can we get some meatloaf?"
FacebookTwitterLinkedIn
Copyright © 2021 Pile Driving Contractors Association, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you are an industry leader in the piling community and
may be a member of the Pile Driving Contractors Association.

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

Archives

Powered by BRYNK® Growth Platform