Gulf Coast Chapter Names 2022 Officers; Chenevert, Andre Lead Slate

Kenner, LA (November 18, 2021) In the final meeting of 2021, the PDCA Gulf Coast Chapter gathered at Messina's restaurant in Kenner, Louisiana on November 18th. The quarterly dinner meeting was sponsored by Upperline Equipment Company. Members caught up with friends, established new industry contacts and enjoyed an open bar. Dinner and a business meeting followed the social hour. The 2022 Chapter leadership was determined through a member election. PDCA congratulates the newly-elected officers who will assume those roles, effective January 1, 2022. 

Serving one-year terms, the following deep foundations professionals comprise the PDCA Gulf Coast Chapter, 2022 leadership team:

  • President: Gerard Chenevert from Group Industries, LLC (pictured, left)
  • Vice President: Dylan Andre from Patriot Construction and Industrial, LLC (right)
  • Treasurer: Brent Guthrie from Cajun Industries, LLC
  • Secretary: Tony Sepulvado from Boh Bros. Construction Co., LLC

Check back for forthcoming announcements from the PDCA Gulf Coast Chapter which will be setting 2022 quarterly dinner meeting dates and additional events for the local pile driving industry.


 

After 85 Years, CD Perry Continues Shaping New York Landscape, Waterways


Members of the C.D. Perry team join officials from the City of Troy, New York to launch major Seawall Stabilization in 2018.

C.D. Perry's and Sons, LLC began in 1936 when Cutler D. Perry started the company as a road builder and site work provider. Over the years, the contractor's service line evolved to include work on some of New York State's most challenging waterways and the redevelopment of the Erie and Champlain canals. By the 1970s, C.D. Perry had become one of the premier heavy civil and marine general contractors in New York State; notably it had earned a reputation one of the region's most knowledgeable and efficient deep foundation subcontractors. Further company expansion in modern times has included the addition of industrial and environmental divisions and crane and rigging services; the ongoing diversification is something the company attributes to an expansive equipment fleet and a knowledgeable team of construction professionals.


Several crew members at C.D. Perry and Sons, LLC participate in promotional video showcasing the company.

The Sweet Sue: builder - John Spring, namesake - Sue Martin
Crew starts early to work under a Hudson River sunrise.

Civil construction is just one of the core competencies at C.D. Perry and Sons, the division is responsible for completing some of the most challenging projects in New York State's Capital District and beyond. The marine construction division has completed some of the largest projects on New York waterways; the company maintains easy access to the Hudson River in Troy and can easily mobilize to any project on the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers. Whether it's a massive capital project, outage/shutdown work, routine maintenance, or emergency work, C.D. Perry is capable of handling any industrial project including: pulp & paper, chemical, aggregate, food & drug, and many more. The crane service division is supported by a diverse fleet of lattice boom, hydraulic, telecrawler and carry deck cranes, as well as certified and knowledgeable operators and riggers. Their crane services include crane rentals, rigging, transportation and 3D lift plans.

Office staff participate in promotional video.

Todd Beauharnois is among the military veterans on staff.
 

Tyler Fane shown accepting PDCA 2019 Project of the Year Award for Hudson River Seawall/Green Island Condo Project

Congratulations to C.D. Perry and Sons, LLC for 85 years building in New York State and becoming one of the region's most impactful deep foundations contractors.

Dr. Caliendo, noted PDCA educator, remembered through USU scholarship

Joe Caliendo, PhD, (pictured) was an impactful, celebrated PDCA educator whose career is recognized by his past employer, Utah State University, through an endowed scholarship in his name for civil engineering students. Interested benefactors are invited to contribute to the ongoing effort. Caliendo is remembered at PDCA for his work with the Professor's Driven Pile Institute, among other programs. He passed in August 2019.The full announcement from USU follows:

You can help create a memorial scholarship in his honor! The goal is to raise $25,000 or more to create an endowed scholarship that will support civil engineering students in perpetuity.

Utah State University Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering Dr. Joe Caliendo was a beloved faculty at the USU Logan campus where he taught since 1992. He mentored hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students.

Joe was named the 2017 College of Engineering Teacher of the Year and has a long list of accolades from universities and engineering organizations. Caliendo and his wife, Joyce, raised five children, four of whom graduated from USU.

Before joining USU, he worked for seven years with the Florida Department of Transportation and served as that state's head geotechnical engineer, overseeing the design and construction of large bridges with complex foundation systems.

He worked as an adjunct professor at Florida State University and the University of Florida where he taught engineering courses. Caliendo earned two undergraduate degrees from the University of Detroit, civil engineering (1969) and Humboldt State University, oceanography (1974), a master degree in civil engineering from USU in 1977, and later earned a doctorate from USU, civil engineering (1986).

Caliendo was a U.S. Navy veteran, Navy diver and a proud former member of Seabee Underwater Construction Team 2.

Cadet Milling Wins Prestigious Nigels Scholarship from SC Chapter


Charleston, SC (November 12, 2021): The South Carolina Chapter of PDCA names Cadet Richard Milling as the recipient of the prestigious "Mac" Nigels Scholarship. A sophomore student currently carrying a 4.0 grade point average at The Citadel, Milling was recognized before the audience gathered for the Chapter's fourth quarter dinner meeting on November 11th at the Town & Country Inn and Suites. Each year, the Chapter presents this scholarship to a civil engineering student from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina who, according to his/her professors, demonstrates "strong character, integrity and exemplary grade point average."

Mr. Milling, accompanied by Citadel Professor and PDCA member Dr. Simon Ghanat, was introduced by Scott Nigels, son of the late McLeod "Mac" Creighton Nigels. Those gathered for the event learned about Milling's impressive credentials as an accomplished student; he was warmly applauded as Nigels presented him with the award consisting of a commemorative plaque and a $2000 monetary gift. The annual scholarship dates back to 2007 and is presented in the name of "Mac" Nigels who was a highly respected civil engineer in Charleston following his 1955 graduation from The Citadel.

Also from the PDCA of South Carolina Chapter's quarterly dinner meeting on November 11th, the 2022 Slate listing the newly-elected Chapter leadership was revealed. Effective January 1, 2022 the Chapter President is John King of PileDrivers, Inc., VP is Susheel Kolwalkar of Insight Group, Secretary/Treasurer is Andrea Edwards of Koppers, and Asst. Secretary/Treasurer is Jason Moore of Palmetto Pile Driving. Directors include Jim Challenger of Consolidated Pipe & Supply, Jordan Houston of Cape Romain Contractors, Greg Canivan of S&ME, Inc., Scott Nigels of Palmetto Pile Driving, Peter Adams of Parker Marine and Simon Ghanat. 

The dinner program concluded with a rousing presentation by Ben Fanning, a best-selling author, podcaster and career coach who took a deep dive into many of the dangers employers face when their employees experience 'burnout.' The timely address keyed-in on COVID-19 pandemic-related workplace alterations which have brought negative impacts to workers in nearly every career sector. Mr. Fanning offered the group tips and advice to not only mitigate workplace burnout but also overcome the challenges from the pandemic and other root causes. The presentation included humor, audience participation and access to available resources for burnout prevention.

Posted in Chapter News.

PileDriver: Protect your company image, build trust in the community

Noise and Vibration: Protect your company's image and build trust in the community

The latest PileDriver magazine, Issue #5 - 2021 includes two article submissions from public relations professionals who address various considerations for contractors who are building in populated areas. 

The first article is entitled "Public Relations and Communications Guidance for the Construction Industry," by Lisa Joselove (pictured, right) and Christine Fournier (left) of Joselove-Filson Advertising, Inc. It acknowledges that noise and vibration concerns can become a problem of public perception for driven pile contractors. The authors share a few important tips about public relations as a means to build trust in the communities where your company works in order to create more tolerance and goodwill from community members. Read more, starting on Page 91.

Offering another perspective in "Stay Ahead of Noise and Vibration Complaints," author Kelly Nettleton Kennedy of the Kennedy Consulting Firm addresses the issue and encourages contractors to employ community relations and strategic communications components for jobs that are vulnerable to public scrutiny. Read more, starting on Page 94.

Aside from public relations issues surrounding noise and vibrations in pile driving, this issue of PileDriver also includes content about solutions for contractors to consider such as testing and monitoring programs as well as equipment developments and alternatives available in the marketplace.

Posted in PileDriver Magazine.

SC Dinner Presents Burnout Prevention, Election and Scholarship Award

Don't miss the final meeting of the PDCA of South Carolina, coming Thursday November 11th at 6:30 at Town and Country Inn in Charleston. In addition to networking and social time, great dinner and industry fellowship, attendees will be treated to the following:
  • A presentation from #1 bestselling author, Ben Fanning
  • A reveal of The Citadel student who is selected as the PDCA of SC, 2022 Mac Nigels Scholarship winner
  • A Membership election for your 2022 Board of Directors.
The Board is now accepting nominations. If you're interested in serving on the PDCA of SC Board, please contact current President, Jason Moore, at 843.577.0545 or jason@palmettopiledriving.com.

Ever experience burnout as it relates to work? Ever had to coach a coworker or employee through a period of frustration in their career? Given the pandemic, election season, political and civil unrest, and the cyclical nature of our industry relative to all of the above, each of us has experienced some level of fatigue and burnout over the past 18 months! Please plan to join us for an engaging and energizing experience to help you avoid burnout and boost your motivation. Our speaker is #1 bestselling author, Ben Fanning:
 
3 Strategies You can Use to Prevent Burnout in 2022
- The Alarming Truth about COVID Fatigue and How to Avoid It.
- The One Word that Energizes and Ignites Your Career.
- A Simple Way to Use Burnout to Your Advantage.

Special thanks to keynote speaker sponsor: Insight Group

Given the ongoing health concern, we will be following all local, state, and CDC guidelines for meeting attendance and process.

DETAILS:
$45 per person includes dinner and beverages
Thursday, November 11th @ 6:30 pm



Posted in Chapter News.

PileDriver magazine - noise & vibration considerations

Don't miss Issue #5-2021 of PileDriver magazine, you will find fresh content on noise and vibrations in the industry that we have collected for pile drivers to consider.

The following five articles were obtained exclusively for the purpose of publishing in this special edition:
  • Remote Vibration and Noise Monitoring for Construction (page 72)
  • Changes to Piling Equipment (page 78)
  • What if You Really Have to Mitigate Noise and Vibration? (page 82)
  • Pubic Relations and Communications Guidance for the Construction Industry (page 91)
  • Stay Ahead of Noise and Vibration Complaints (page 94)
Also in Issue #5, you will find Career Stories on Don Robertson of Applied Foundation Testing (page 37) and Joel McLain of APC Construction (page 39).

Plus, Jeff Prattini of PDCA Member law firm Shields & Mott presents some sound legal guidance for subcontractors who face payment delays (page 97).

If you are seeking project stories, there is no shortage of those in Issue #5; read about he New Orleans Municipal Yacht Harbor Project (page 49), the Norwalk Maritime Aquarium  in Connecticut (page 54), the Matson Mill Multi-Family Condominium in Pennsylvania (page 58), the Continuous Galvanizing Line - Nucor Specialty Cold Mill Complex in Arkansas (page 62) and a cover story on Metropolitan Park 6, 7,8 in Virginia.

Of course Issue #5 brings you recurring content such as messages from PDCA President Kevin Gourgues (page 5) and PDCA Executive Director Frank Peters (page 11). You will find the latest from our Chapters, a full list of members and upcoming events, including a sneak peak at the upcoming PDCA 23rd Annual International Conference & Expo set for February 2022 in Phoenix.

Read the digital edition of the magazine here - just click the image above. Then read it again in hard copy when it arrives in your office; you're certain to find something you missed on the first review! PDCA thanks all PileDriver magazine advertisers, content contributors, members who help put the pages together and our publications partner Lester Publications.

Posted in PileDriver Magazine.

A Pile of News - November 2021

A Pile of News: November 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
Originally sent Nov. 1, 2021
Top Stories
Dale Biggers won industry-wide adoration and accolades as he was posthumously honored with the 2021 Distinguished Service Award at the DFI 46th Annual Conference on Oct. 14 in Las Vegas. His widow Virgene and Boh Bros. president Robert Boh accepted the award in his stead. He spent a 53-year career at Boh Bros. modernizing and advancing the pile driving industry. Dale Biggers, 1944-2021.

Joe Caliendo, PhD, was an impactful, celebrated PDCA educator whose career is recognized by his past employer, Utah State University, through an endowed scholarship in his name for civil engineering students. Interested benefactors may contribute. Caliendo is remembered at PDCA for his work with the Professor's Driven Pile Institute, among other programs. He passed in August 2019.

Inspiring news as we near Veterans Day 2021 Atlas Tube and parent company Zekelman Industries funded $1M toward a $1.1M mission to transport Americans and other lawful residents from Afghanistan following the August U.S. withdrawal from the war-torn country. READ MORE.
Association & Chapter Events
  • Nov. 11: NCCCO hosts Dir. Scott Ketcham of OSHA as keynote at Industry Forum where he will address revised crane operator certification requirements during live/Zoom event.
  • Nov. 11: South Carolina Chapter to award Nigels Scholarship to a worthy Citadel student; members elect '22 chapter board and a bestselling author present at quarterly dinner meeting.
  • Nov.18: Gulf Coast Chapter to host fourth quarter meeting at Messina's Restaurant in Kenner, LA; a reception begins at 5:45 p.m. CST and is followed by a dinner.
Northeast Chapter of PDCA annual Meet & Greet on Oct. 6 at TopGolf in Edison, NJ was a success (PHOTOS). Sponsors included George Harms Construction, International Construction Equipment, Consolidated Pipe & Supply and MT Kaye Steel Products.

SPOTTED in Vegas: As a cooperating organization, PDCA participated in the October DFI 46th Annual Conference on Deep Foundations. See PHOTOS of attendees, exhibitors and presenters at the Las Vegas event.

Houston Social Redux: PDCA has learned several members in Houston are gathering Nov. 2 at 5:30 PM at True Anomaly Brewing to network, discuss a formal TX PDCA presence; email armando@brcint.com for details. PDCA thanks area membership and supports growth efforts.
ASAP Group, you are this month's winner!
Send an email to marian@piledrivers.org before the end of November to claim your prize!
People on the Move
Transitions:
  • Harold Baur named new piling and marine dept. manager at Boh Bros. Construction.
  • Sean Walsh promoted to VP of engineering at Eustis Engineering in New Orleans.
  • Sean McMahon of EXP promoted to EVP; Sarah Wilkinson moves to VP of marketing.
  • Amanda Wall to lead talent acquisition team at GZA GeoEnvironmental.
  • Rob Sanders elevates to Knoxville, TN area manager at S&ME, Inc; Nikolay Boykov PG joins the firm in Charlotte, says geotechnology "is an art and science."
  • Alexandra Cormier, Jessica McBryde new sales reps at Flores Automation & Machine Control.

Recognitions:
  • Emily Jorgenson, a division manager at Clark, named "Rising Star" by National Safety Council.
  • Tracey Turner, P.E. of ESP Associates, Inc. was elected director at large to board of Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS) in South Carolina.

Congratulations!
  • Mike Elliot says 49 years earns him consultant status at Equipment Corporation of America; thanks, "F.I.G.," for your contributions to PDCA and the foundation construction industry!
  • Joseph Khaled, of McCarthy in Texas, welcomes a baby girl; his employer has good gift game!
  • Justin Lijo of Trevcon Construction and his wife welcomed a third daughter in September.
News from PDCA Companies
Acquisitions & expansions:
Governmental relations:
  • GZA GeoEnvironmental and Patrick DiCerbo Northwestern Mutual were among the sponsors of an engineer's meeting with New York City mayoral advisor Lorraine Grillo.

Anniversary:
Thatcher Foundations, Inc. has earned the reputation as a premier, specialty contractor in the Midwest for business successes during all or parts of nine decades. The late Tom Wysockey, a two-term PDCA president in the 1990s was the longtime owner of the Gary, IN-based company, now run by his two sons. PDCA congratulates Thatcher on 75 years in business.

On the job:
APC Construction engaged in two JVs winning government contracts: 1) $2.7M to drive sheet pile for the USACE in Avondale, LA; and 2) an MACC for Washington Headquarters Services in DC.

ASAP Group optimizes a coffer cell in a South Florida Flow Equalization Basin, a strategic installation contributing to restored water quality in the Everglades.

Balfour Beatty US selected by Jacksonville (FL) Transportation Authority to construct Phase 1 of the Ultimate Urban Circulator autonomous vehicle program.

Black River Solar drives 487 piles at three forthcoming solar farms; 250 in Athens, AL; 85 in Archbold, OH; and 144 in Eldorado, IL (that's el-doh-RAY-doh). Total electricity production is estimated at 1.8MW.

Boh Bros. completes major design-build job that began with $1M savings through value engineering by the piling and marine group. Read in-depth about the new facility in the Houston Ship Channel.

DFI crews from the Houston, TX branch continue installation of driven pile for a North Dakota client.

Linde-Griffith shares time-lapse video of timber pile installation for NJ, Sisters of Charity retreat house.

Orion Marine Group selected by FDOT to replace Florida road/bridge ($125M) which crosses NASA Causeway and provides ground access to Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral Space Force Center. In Texas, the contractor picked to construct berth expansion ($67M) at Port of Port Arthur.

Parker Marine drove PC/PS concrete and steel sheets while Soil Consultants Inc. provides ongoing testing at 44 Line Street, an 11-story, residential development in Charleston, SC. (h/t Taylor Johnson)

Weeks Marine, Trevcon Construction, Keller and others continue work on a transformational, waterfront overhaul in Manhattan. Coming summer 2023, the East Midtown Greenway will be a 32-mile bike and pedestrian path, complete with an elevated park.

DuroTerra supplied 145 ductile iron piles for installation adjacent to an historic Washington, DC façade; it will become the foundation for the Adele redevelopment three blocks from the White House.

Heldendfels supplies precast concrete piles and more for the rebuild of the Cole Park Fishing Pier in Corpus Christi, TX, a project likely necessitated by 2017's Hurricane Harvey.

Junttan makes a service call to replace a slewing ring on a PM25 at American Pile and Foundation.

Nucor Skyline steel and ICE, Inc. equipment is depicted in dramatic images from Tomas Cabrera at the new Howard Franklin Bridge (I-275 Tampa to St. Pete) job site.

Pile Master equipment spotted on the shores of Lake Erie in PA; a Model 36-5000 installs new sea wall.

Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering is lead design firm for JV chosen by NCDOT for a $432.7M job to widen I-95 near Lumberton; components include 250,000 sq. ft. of retaining walls, six new bridges.

Insight Group provides quality control to the contractor driving piles in the median of I-20 to construct a bridge foundation for an eventual US-1 overpass near Lexington, SC.

Shannon & Wilson performed exploration and testing for the newly operational Northgate Link, which enhances Seattle public transit with 4.3 new miles of rail from downtown to north Seattle.

Recognitions:
Giving back:
  • Powell Foundations publicly issues a land acknowledgement in observation of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation; Canada began the annual, national remembrance for Indigenous victims of decades of injustice on Sept. 30.
Media Hits
Carteret County News-Times reports on accelerated timeline from NCDOT for the Harker's Island bridge replacement in coastal NC; Balfour Beatty Infrastructure won the $60M contract in July.

Washington Business Journal profiles Clark Construction president Brian Abt for his 36-year career, which has given him oversight on several prominent, national projects. [PAYWALL].

Alaska Journal of Commerce publishes job site/equipment photos, details progress on the ongoing Port of Alaska modernization; Pacific Pile & Marine performed award-winning pile installation on Phase 1. Completion of the entire project depends in part on passage of a federal infrastructure bill.
Notes from the Field
Vintage Piles and Pigskins Geotechs a century ago listed pile load test results on billboards affixed to job site structures. Don Robertson of Applied Foundation Testing engaged on a social media post that showed an old billboard photo; the job site was at his Pittsburgh high school's crosstown football rival.

Big Pharma, Big Tech and Big Tobacco can conjure negative sentiments. But PDCA embraces "big" as it relates to the pile driving industry. Morris-Shea Bridge Company introduces us to this monster truck that carries a maximum torque of 112,000 lbs. Don't overlook Bigfoot Pipe & Piling, which dispatched a load of giant, 140' x 30" trestle piles from its Puyallup, WA yard. Dewberry also plays on the big stage; AVP Carol Holland, P.E. recently presented at the Mega Maryland Conference.

So, it's not their rap name? "T-Port" is a multipurpose, waterfront site complete with a service shop, pile splicing, steel fabrication, concrete recycling and more. Trevcon owns the Elizabeth, NJ facility.

Cosmic Kobelco apparently, they let anyone (or anything) in space... well-played, Company Wrench.

Quotable was he speaking to contractors? "It ain't as bad as you think! It will look better in the morning." Rule #1 in the late Gen. Colin L. Powell's Thirteen Rules of Leadership. RIP
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