A Pile of News - April 2021

A Pile of News: April 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
PDCA staff attended a March industry event where we met a New York-based contractor. He suggested OSHA has increased patrols for violators there, who operate LBCs and pile driving rigs without certification. Yes, certification for pile driving rig operators EVERYWHERE is now required (it'll be costly if you fail to provide it.) PDCA partners with NCCCO to administer written and practical exams; get certified today.


Industry events:
  • JOIN PDCA for a 30-minute webinar on April 15, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. EDT; it will deliver an industry update for pile driving professionals (use this link for access). PDCA members and non-members are encouraged to attend, no cost or registration necessary.

The PDCA Store now has select, archived PDCA conference sessions and educational webinars. Most are FREE to members; a nominal cost may apply to non-members. Visit today to see what is available.

Welcome (back) new PDCA members!
Contractors Black River Solar, Manson Construction Company, R. Kremer and Son Marine Contractors, Thatcher Foundations; Associates Buildbasematic, Favor Steel & Fabricating, John B. Wright Insurance, Sheet Pile, LLC, Sun Pile Foundations; Engineering Affiliates Applied Foundation Testing, RACE Coastal Engineering; Other affiliates McNeil, Silveira, Rice & Wiley, Timber Piling Council
JOIN PDCA

Chapter news:
The PDCA Gulf Coast Chapter is hosting a VIRTUAL 2nd quarter meeting on April 15.

The PDCA Pacific Coast Chapter is hosting its Annual Scholarship Shoot on April 30.

From the 'Wing T to the B-O-D: Veteran New Jersey contractor David Price, CEO at Linde-Griffith Construction Company, is the new Northeast Chapter representative on the PDCA Board of Directors. Meet the former NCAA All-American football player and 27-year pile driving veteran.

Ping-Pong, anyone? His road to Charleston had many stops, but Susheel Kolwalkar, Insight Group senior geotech, embraces it as home. Known for southern charm, he favors the unique geologic attributes for driven piles. Meet the table tennis aficionado and new South Carolina Chapter representative.
  • The South Carolina Chapter hosted its 2021 Oyster Roast on March 26, see event photos.

PileDriver magazine "Sales Ninja" Louise Peterson celebrates 20 years with PDCA publications partner!
Foundation Constructors, Inc., you are this month's winner!
Send an email to marian@piledrivers.org before the end of April to claim your prize!
News from PDCA Companies
Acquisitions & expansions:
On the job:
Atlas Foundation Co. installs a steel pipe foundation for a job in North Dakota; the photo depicts true "frozen tundra," a name often limited to Lambeau Field.

Baker GCI deep foundations staff perform test, production piling for Port Arthur, TX Valero refinery.

Black River Solar pokes holes in the Heartland; the crew installs foundation for Missouri solar farm.

Ciport & Tecnac installs foundations throughout Ecuador (see dramatic piling photos from South America); PDCA thanks the international contractor member for ongoing support.

Innovative Piering uses diesel hammer on 54 production piles for a northern Kentucky silo foundation.

Kiewit is brought into partnership for a study on concrete foundation installation on the sea floor near New York City for the planned Empire Wind project.

Logan Marine puts a test pile in the salt marsh, prepping for a new Shallotte, NC boardwalk. Fun fact the old Hardee's nearby was used for a robbery scene in the 2014 Melissa McCarthy movie Tammy.

Manson Construction Co. completed pile driving at Naval Base San Diego; they credit foreman Jeff Jenson for finishing installation of 216 concrete and 240 FRP piles a week early.

Massman Construction secures moorings in the Missouri River near Blencoe, IA as part of a new port terminal expected to accommodate 240,000 tons of ag products.

Pacific Pile & Marine can "pound it in," but diversifies like many contractors. In March, they "lifted it out" of Washington waters to assist the delivery of a new U.S. Navy tug that is headed east.

Palmetto Pile Driving has begun installing the PC/PS concrete pile foundation for a $71M, 12-story office building Morrison Yard in Charleston, SC; Insight Group is retained for geotechnical services.

Powell Foundations, Inc. drives H-pile for substation expansion and improvement of Hydro One in Ontario, a major electricity supplier to 1.4M people in the Canadian province.

Orion Marine Group engineers "take five" from ongoing work on the Maydell Bridge replacement in Tampa.

American Piledriving Equipment (APE) vibro is used to install sheet pile from Creative Pultrisions, Inc. for the Beaufort, SC Yacht and Sail Club.

ECA shows its Pileco D125-32 driving pipe at Woods Hole Ferry Terminal in Massachusetts; the final product should simplify your next trip to Martha's Vineyard.

GeoQuip, Inc. shares video of its Pileco D160-32 driving concrete cylinder piles for a VDOT bridge replacement in Franklin, VA.

PVE Equipment USA modifies the 120M to maximize the vibro's cooling while running 24/7; originally custom-built for a client, it'll soon be part of the rental fleet.

ECS Limited is the geotech of record for the forthcoming "jewel of Lake County" in Illinois; meanwhile, the firm's Orlando team consulted on construction of the new Pulse Nightclub Memorial.

Premier Geotech and Testing gassed-up the marshbuggy and dusted off the ATV; not for ol' fashioned, south Louisiana fun (this time), but for a complex testing job at a new compressor station.

Governmental relations:
  • Nucor CEO Leon Topalian repped manufacturing at reveal of ASCE Infrastructure Report Card on March 3. ICYMI, the U.S. earned a C-, equating to a need for $2.59 trillion public investment over 10 years. Congressional T&I leaders, Reps. Capito, Clyburn, Defazio, USDOT Secretary Buttigieg and a host of ASCE past and present brass appeared at the virtual event.
  • S&ME, Inc. client development leader and seasoned infrastructure advocate Sarah Martin provides analysis on the 2021 Report Card. Related, S&ME engineers Jonathan Thrasher and Melvin Williams presented Report Card findings to professionals in front of the South Carolina Capitol Building with George Washington looking on.
  • Do you live in one of 11 states with legislatures reportedly pursuing changes to fuel tax rates?

Recognitions:
Giving back:
Anniversaries:
65 and counting The Interstate highway system was born by President Eisenhower's pen when he signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act in 1956. That year, PDCA engineering members Dewberry of Fairfax, VA and Robishaw Engineering Inc. of Houston established operations. In case you were curious, others celebrating 65 years in 2021 are The Hick from French Lick, Joe Cool, Arsenio! and Marcia Brady.
People on the Move
The monthly round-up:
  • Richard Rizzo retires as SVP at Clark Construction Group "after 40 years and 50 projects"
  • Nicholas Wendell begins as new EIT at Keller New Jersey office
  • Jose Gregorio Rodriguez is a new quality control coordinator for Powell Foundations
  • Susie Ingerson named HR director at American Engineering Testing, Inc.
  • Justin Castro joins Braun Intertec as CMT operations manager in Houston.
  • Ben Gramling new in client development, Talecia Dyson joins geotech unit at S&ME, Nashville
  • James Walsh appointed new president at Universal Engineering Sciences (UES); will oversee all 37 offices around U.S. from Orlando headquarters

Congratulations!
  • Marry me, I'm a pile driver Kevin King, operator at Pile Drivers, Inc., weds Leanne Houston of Charleston, SC this month. A highlight of their engagement came in March when they modeled limited edition t-shirts from Kevin's employer in observance of St. Patrick's Day.

Recognitions:
Generations quotable: "I asked my crane operator, Anthony, 'What's the longest pile you've ever driven?' He said, 'This one!' (Fun fact: Anthony has been a crane operator longer than I've been alive.)" said McCarthy assistant superintendent Brenton Hemp while onsite at Texas' Port Freeport with Anthony and a Liebherr crane, which are installing sheet piling from JD Fields and concrete piers.
Look Who Made the News!
ABC News 4 Charleston video shows Cape Romain Contractors onsite at the New Folly Beach Pier in the South Carolina city. Also, PostandCourier.com reports on their $8M pedestrian bridge project.

The Advocate newspaper in Baton Rouge quotes local Congressman Garret Graves scrutinizing the USACE, which stated that construction of the Comite River Diversion Canal may take an extra year. In March, we told you Coastal Contractors secured a part of this project to build a $9.5M bridge.

The Daily Aztec, student newspaper at San Diego State University, quotes Clark Construction VP Albert Valdivia reminiscing on the demolished football stadium; Clark won the contract to build a new one.

ENR updates progress on the new $187M Mulkiteo Ferry Terminal for the Washington DOT; an environmentally and culturally sensitive project on Puget Sound. Orion Marine Group completed pile driving early. Manson handled later-phase foundation work. It opened in December.
  • MORE: The Daily Herald chronicles Manson's removal of 275 old pilings, calls them "Lincoln Logs"
The Geotechnical Engineering Podcast (2/25) carries an interview with Tony Canale, P.E. of Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers; it focuses on engineers interfacing in society.

Hawaii Business Magazine quotes Gerry Majkut of Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company who previews 2021 construction; Honolulu Star Advertiser highlights the company's intern program.
Notes from the Field
Patriots past and present April 18 marks 246 years since Paul Revere rode horseback at midnight in Massachusetts to warn colonists of hostile British forces approaching. Fast-forward to now, a crew from Patriot Construction & Industrial worked through the night to complete a time sensitive project as hostile Louisiana storms were approaching, a demonstration of commitment to a client.

Burning the midnight oil  March Madness keeps us up late and the Cougars' Final Four berth busted this author's bracket. Speaking of UH, we send appreciation and encouragement to Brian Hancock, a purchaser at Flexicore of Texas. The 12-year Coast Guard veteran and current reservist is also working on his degree in construction management at the University of Houston. With that kind of load, it's a good bet he stays up late!

Field and Stream Check out this video of New Jersey wildlife in action at the Manasquan Reservoir; nice capture by crews at R. Kremer and Son Marine Contractors.

Watch for wannabe space pirates! Retired deep sea oil rig foundations are repurposed to accommodate space exploration. While advocating recycling, Eustis Engineering shares the fascinating news report.

Channeling The Man in Black As part of an ongoing improvement project for the El Dorado Irrigation District in California, Vortex Marine Construction has installed new freshwater intakes at Folsom Lake. Fans of Johnny Cash might be familiar with his legendary 1968 visit to the famous nearby prison, also called Folsom. It still sits just off the lake's southern shore. "Keep on movin'," people!
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Posted in A Pile of News PDCA Monthly e-newsletter.

Gulf Coast Chapter Sets Virtual Membership Meeting

Chapter to Host Virtual Meeting in April


PDCA Gulf Coast Chapter President Kirt Jackson announces that the Second Quarter Membership Meeting will be available in April as a virtual event.  The ongoing health concerns due to COVID 19 have necessitated taking this step to provide members an opportunity to meet.

The event is scheduled for Thursday, April 15, 2021 from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM CDT. CLICK HERE to register for this meeting and receive your Zoom login credentials. You can register up to three additional colleagues.


The agenda for this this meeting will include the following business items:
  • An update regarding the PDCA Gulf Coast Chapter
  • Discussion on planning for future in-person meetings and events
  • An update on local and national programs and events
  • An open forum for members in the meeting to provide your thoughts
CLICK HERE to register for this meeting and receive your Zoom login credentials. See you April 15th!

April 30 Scholarship Shoot Aids Pacific Coast Chapter Education Fund

The Pacific Coast Chapter of PDCA is pleased to announce that the return of a popular event which supports an important cause returns in late April.

Plan to attend the "​10th Annual Scholarship Shoot" on April 30, 2021 at Birds Landing Hunting Preserve, 2099 Collinsville Road, Birds Landing, CA.

Attendees will receive 100 targets and 100 rounds of ammo, ear and eye protection and a BBQ lunch. You will need to bring your own shot gun and bag/vest to carry ammo. Event registration opens at 8:00 AM PDT and concludes with a noon lunch.

Sponsorships are still available and raffle donations are welcome. To RSVP, call Sarah McDaniel at Foundation Constructor Inc. at (925) 754-6633 or email smcdaniel@foundationpile.com. You can see the  Event Flier and additional information.
 







Modified Oyster Roast Continues 15 Year Tradition in SC

PDCA of South Carolina Hosts 15th Annual Oyster Roast

Charleston, SC (March 26, 2021): "It was really good to get out and see people from the industry, it's been a while," noted one attendee of the 15th Annual Oyster Roast, a signature industry event hosted each year by the PDCA of South Carolina Chapter. The 2021 version took place on a Friday evening in late March on the expansive lot of Palmetto Pile Driving, Inc., nearly three months later than the usual early January date that which is always before the change to Daylight Saving Time.

A diverse gathering of area contractors, equipment manufacturers, industry suppliers and engineers attended to socialize, network and otherwise enjoy fresh and locally harvested roasted oysters, among other items made possible by the generous sponsors.

A few photos from the event are below:

PileDriver magazine - 'Spring cleaning' on the jobsite

Pile Tips: It's DirtY dIRT but Someone's Got to Clean It

PileDriver magazine, Issue #1, 2020
by: Dan Seitz with Stephanie Turkot, GZA GeoEnvironmental

Digging out tons of soil, planting vegetation to support habitats and cleaning waterways may seem like inherently dirty jobs. Yet cleanliness and organization are crucial to both quality work and the safety of the job site. GZA's Stephanie Turkot, assistant project manager, talks about why.

To explain why cleanliness and organization is so important, Turkot points to the humble tarp.

"When dealing with contaminated soil, we have a soil management plan, which tells everyone on the site how soil should be moved, placed and handled," she said.

Part of her job as a project manager is to ensure the plan is followed, which often includes putting a barrier between the soil that's removed and other soils on the site. It also includes communication, which is another important key factor [CONTINUE READING ON PILEDRIVER MAGAZINE].

Popular Dynamic Testing Course Returns to Cleveland this Fall

Orlando FL (March 9, 2021): If you missed 2021's first of two installments of DFDTA, an educational event brought to you by PDCA and Pile Dynamics, Inc. (PDI), you will have another opportunity this fall. The three-day program will take place in Cleveland November 3-5, 2021 at PDI headquarters. Click here for registration and more details. 

From March 8-10, 2021, a small group of engineers (pictured) convened in Orlando to take part in the Deep Foundation Dynamic Testing and Analysis seminar (DFDTA), a program and proficiency test offered twice a year from PDCA and Pile Dynamics, Inc. (PDI.) 

Due to ongoing health concerns related to COVID-19, PDCA and PDI strictly adhered to Federal recommendations to ensure a safe and successful event for attendees. Social distancing was accommodated, face masks were required when they were unseated and the hotel implemented new cleanliness protocols throughout the public facilities and guest rooms.


The program consisted of a one-day seminar titled Deep Foundation Integrity Testing and Wave Equation Analysis, then a two-day workshop titled High Strain Dynamic Foundation Testing. On the third day, PDCA administered the Dynamic Measurement and Analysis Proficiency Test, a 90-minute, multiple choice exam on the theory of wave mechanics, case method (PDA) equations, data quality assessment, data interpretation and basic CAPWAP analysis.

###

Charleston Engineer Kolwalkar to Represent SC Chapter on PDCA Board


With a resume that includes an early civil engineering career in India and the Middle East, a completed masters degree and PhD in the U.S., and an impressive list of high profile projects in the Charleston, S.C. region, Susheel Kolwalkar of Insight Group confesses that active engagement in recreational table tennis provides him necessary relaxation and enjoyment when he needs a break from the demands of his career. He clarifies that it is known as 'ping pong' in the U.S.

Dr. Kolwalkar recently earned appointment to the PDCA Board of Directors from his peers in his local Chapter; he now serves as the PDCA South Carolina Chapter Representative. "I've been with the local PDCA chapter for five years; four as an elected board member and now Chapter Vice President," he explained. "I attend all quarterly meetings and technical seminars. And I never miss an oyster roast! It's a great industry gathering where we talk shop in a relaxed setting."


"When I attend chapter events, it provides a good networking platform where I can share and acquire knowledge from other like-minded individuals who strive to advance the pile driving industry," he said.

Noting Charleston contains a geological composition that favors driven pile foundations, his six years there have brought many welcome, professional challenges and numerous, satisfying final products. A notable example; "Insight Group recently completed deep foundation testing services at the new Hugh Leatherman Terminal and the connecting Port Access Road and Tidewater Road bridges. This is a $1B project and the most important infrastructure project that the South Carolina Ports Authority has ever constructed and the only new terminal under construction in the United States."

With more than 20 years experience as a professional engineer, Dr. Kolwalkar has also helped shape the future of the industry through academia. He conducted research at Cleveland State University and taught a variety of civil engineering courses at Ohio's Youngstown State University. "Teaching at YSU was useful while training and mentoring several interested deep foundation testing professionals."

By day, the Senior Geotechnical Consultant at Insight Group is part of a highly-skilled, collaborative team of engineers and scientists which provides consulting services to contractors, designers and owners. But he does enjoy time away from the grind. "I like spending time with family and friends...listening to different music and playing table tennis, or 'ping pong' as it's known in the U.S. Also, I've voluntarily served on the Executive Committee of the India Association of Greater Charleston (IAGC) between 2017 and 2019." Oh, and we've already established, he doesn't miss an Oyster Roast (pictured).

In his newest, voluntary role with the PDCA Board of Directors, Susheel Kolwalkar joins Association leadership which oversees all administrative, educational, advocacy and event activity for the pile driving contractors, equipment manufacturers, industry suppliers and affiliated engineers.




Posted in Chapter News.

David Price Named to PDCA Board as New Northeast Chapter Representative

With 27 years experience as a deep foundation construction contractor serving primarily the New Jersey and New York markets, David Price of Linde-Griffith Construction Co. brings his industry acumen and market leadership to the Pile Driving Contractors Association (PDCA) Board of Directors where he will serve in one of four Chapter Representative positions. Mr. Price, along with several of his colleagues at Linde-Griffith have been instrumental, not only in its establishment, but the growth and prominence of the New Jersey-based PDCA Northeast Chapter for more than a decade. Because of his commitment to the Northeast Chapter and the professional development programs it brings to practitioners in the greater New York City metropolitan area, Mr. Price says it behooves the group to strengthen its alliance with the national organization.

"We have had a loyal core of active and enthusiastic members in the PDCA Northeast Chapter," states Price. "Many of our members regularly participate in the educational and industry events that PDCA hosts on a national level, and it is always a productive experience. I believe that the Board opening for a Northeast Chapter Representative provides us an opportunity to better embrace the resources available through PDCA, as well as help influence the ongoing initiatives it makes available to the international membership."

David Price is currently CEO at Linde-Griffith, a Newark, NJ based contracting company at which there are several generations of family ties. On any given day, David is involved with various aspects of the business ranging from field work and project management, to estimating and client relations to any number of administrative functions. His four partners are family, and they proudly carry on the 111-year Linde-Griffith legacy their grandfather, fathers, and uncles passed onto them, focusing on client service and accessibility, construction aptitude and project excellence.

David is married to Kristin Shannon Price, the daughter of longtime company executive Peter H. Shannon, Jr. who passed away in 2003. David, his brothers-in-law, and cousins have taken the company helm since the recent retirement of longstanding senior leaders, John F. Shannon and Raymond Finley III. Kristin and David live in Avon-by-the-Sea on the New Jersey shore, where Kristin works as a Deaf Education Teacher and Certified Sign Language Interpreter. They are parents to three grown children including one who is a Special Education teacher in NYC, one who will soon graduate from Columbia Law School and a third who is a Business Leadership major and rugby player at the University of Delaware and is exploring a possible future in the family business after graduation.

The University of Delaware is an important institution for the Price family, it is where Kristin and David originally met and started their "All-American story about the football player and homecoming queen/cheerleader who lived happily ever after." David has additional All-American credentials; he earned the NCAA designation as an offensive lineman on the Fightin' Blue Hens Football Team under legendary coach Tubby Raymond in the late 1980's. To this day, David (number 77) is proud to have been part of Raymond's innovative 'Delaware Wing-T' offense which has been implemented by dozens of top football programs since its inception. A 1990 graduate of UD, David earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance. He spent a short time in the pharmaceutical industry before he was afforded the unique opportunity with the family business. He joined Linde-Griffith in 1994 in a role that he still enjoys immensely to this day.

PDCA welcome David Price to its Board of Directors as the Northeast Chapter Representative.

 

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.
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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.

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