A Pile of News - March 2022

A Pile of News: March 2022
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 March 1, 2022
From the Association & Chapters
Who was SPOTTED? Thanks to attendees, sponsors, exhibitors, presenters and all others who helped make the 23rd PDCA Annual Conference in Phoenix a success. There is plenty of event coverage available on the PDCA blog, found at the bottom of piledrivers.org. To make it easier for you, use the key below to visit the photo collections available from various conference activities:
  • Board of directors meeting and past president's dinner [PHOTOS]
  • Golf tournament [PHOTOS]
  • Arriving in Phoenix, PDCA committee meetings and opening reception [PHOTOS]
  • Scenes from the exhibit hall [PHOTOS]
  • Project of the Year Awards presentation [PHOTOS]
  • Educational and professional development sessions [PHOTOS]
  • Day 2 reception in exhibit hall [PHOTOS]
  • Sessions on the final day, PDCA awards [PHOTOS]
  • Bonus PHOTOS (because everyone was having fun and the official photographer captured it!)
Congratulations! 2021 PDCA award winners who were recognized at the Annual Conference:
  • Dale Biggers posthumously honored with John T. Parker Industry Ambassador Award
  • Mohamad Hussein named Dr. Frank Rausche Professional Engineers Service awardee
  • Dr. Richard Hartman recognized with Presidential Award for Distinguished Service
  • Garland Likins named Lifetime Achievement Award winner
  • Diane Fischer wins the Committee Chair of the Year
  • Rich Anderson is Associate Member of the Year awardee
Hot off the presses PileDriver magazine, Issue #1 2022; read the digital edition.

Open for entries The PDCA 2022 Project of the Year Awards program is now taking entries for land, marine, earth retention and engineering/associate projects completed in 2021; submit by May 6.

DYK PDCA membership lets you list up to five company reps as PDCA members, regardless of their location? We removed the additional charge for multi-office listings. A per-person cost after your initial five applies for contractors, associates and engineers. Not a member? Join PDCA.

Upcoming association events:
  • March 7-9: DFDTA-Orlando is a collaboration between PDCA and Pile Dynamics, Inc. The three-day program includes a seminar and a dynamic testing proficiency test.
  • April 4-7: PDCA Contractors Foundation Institute: The Driven Pile Academy is a NEW and innovative program including both in-classroom and outdoor interactive experiences. Industry leading equipment professionals are retained to teach participants real-world applications.
Chapter events: A visionary Harry Robbins (retired PDCA member) is widely credited for launching the South Carolina Chapter in 2003. During its 75th consecutive dinner meeting, he was presented a special award.

Relevant news and opinions:
Rich Anderson with Equipment Corporation of America, you are this month's winner!
Send an email to marian@piledrivers.org before the end of March to claim your prize!
People on the Move
Transitions:
  • Scott Slaughter, P.E. brings APC Construction 31 years of deep foundations experience.
  • Darren Day named VP foundations at Patriot Construction & Industrial in Louisiana.
  • Josh Hochradel promoted to branch development manager at Company Wrench in Carrol, OH.
  • Kayla Munn joins Engineered Rigging as product specialist in Russellville, AR.
  • Amy Dowdy is new to Flores Automation & Machine Control in inside sales.
  • Matthew Eastman is the newest rep at Junttan USA; he's based in the Delaware office.
  • Madeline Murray joins ECS Limited in Atlanta as business development specialist.
  • Shana Opdyke-Carroll, P.E., LEED AP BDC elevates to president at D.W. Kozera, Inc. in Baltimore.
  • Michael Flynn, P.E. onboards to the Boston office at GeoEngineers.
  • Mitul Sisodiya, Ph.D., Jeremy Weremeichik, Megan Elwell, Wesley Swanson, Angela Kop, EIT, Isabel Gleckner and Daniel Watt, all new team members at GZA GeoEnvironmental.
  • Jesse Richens, P.E. promoted to senior associate at Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers in NYC.
  • Lionel Francois is new to the team at Southern Earth Sciences in Baton Rouge; meantime, officemate Patty Williams reaches 21 years, while Russell Nipper in Mobile, AL makes 38 years!
  • Michael Dear appointed new CFO at Orlando-based Universal Engineering Sciences.
  • Matthew Glisson departs Braun Intertec Corp. to lead technical activities at DFI.
  • Timothy Cullen joins the team at PCI to lead technical activities on PC/PS concrete.
Recognitions: Is it Father's Day?
  • Emmett and Kelsey Waggenspack assume new names dad and mom! Baby Pierce Warren was born Feb. 20 at 9 lbs, 3 oz, 22.25 inches long. Emmett, a past PDCA board member from Coastal Contractors, says mom and son are home and healthy in Baton Rouge.
  • Joshua Moore, son of Palmetto Pile Driving GM Jason Moore, repeats as qualifier in the S.C. state wrestling tourney; he finished the season as Region 7A champ in the 152 lbs. class.
  • Landon Blanco (12), son of Sealevel Construction supt. Tory Blanco, repped dad's employer in the Louisiana Motocross State Championship and placed fourth on his Sealevel-adorned dirtbike.
In memoriam:
  • Longtime Nucor partner Raymond B. Johnson III, owner of Raymond Piling Products supplying New England and New York, has passed. PDCA extends condolences to friends and family.
News from PDCA Companies
Acquisitions & expansions: Governmental relations: Recognitions: Giving back:
  • R. Kremer & Son Marine Contractors will sponsor the Manasquan River Marlin & Tuna Club's Bluefin Open in June; it supports sport fishing and waterway conservation in New Jersey.
Anniversary:
On the Job
APC Construction value engineered repairs for the flood protection system at a southeast Louisiana refinery that suffered damage from Hurricane Ida; now they're sheet piling to fix the levee breach.

Boh Bros. Construction Co., LLC installs temporary sheeting for I-10 westbound bridge construction on the I-10/I-12 College Drive Flyover project in Baton Rouge. Does this mean less postgame congestion after Bayou Bengal games?

Dissen & Juhn Company completed Phase 1 of a public works project for a new amphitheater and boardwalk at the Seaford River Walk in central Delaware. As GC, crews installed composite sheets for a bulkhead and engaged an American Piledriving Equipment drop hammer on boardwalk timber pilings.

Foundation Constructors, Inc. installed steel H-piles from Nucor at Mission Rock, adjacent to Oracle Park in San Francisco. New high-rises will bring commercial, residential and retail to the ballpark district. Perhaps retired Giants great Buster Posey will snag a penthouse to watch over his former teammates?

Mohawk Northeast replaces the pier at the Narragansett Bay Campus at the University of Rhode Island, a critical resource for graduate students in oceanography at URI. The driven pipe pile foundation is installed with a vibro and a diesel impact hammers from ICE-International Construction Equipment.

South Shore Pile Driving in coastal Massachusetts used Koppers' timber and Hercules machinery to perform fortification for a Truro home that has stood just steps from land's end since 1850; pending relocation, the house survived a major winter blast that prompted widespread news coverage.

PVE Equipment USA supplied a 40VM vibro used for test piling in Rochester, NY as a hospital expansion gets underway. A PDI Pile Driving Analyzer is spotted assisting crews gathering test data.
Media Hits
Constructor magazine interviews project manager T.J. Colombatto of Massman Construction Company about the most recent award the new structure spanning the Mississippi River between Illinois and St. Louis has received The 2021 Build America Grand Award.

The Florida Times-Union reports that a $49 million contract has been executed for Balfour Beatty to begin the first phase of a plan that, by 2023, would bring driverless, electric people movers to a portion of Downtown Jacksonville, FL. [Paywall]

Spectrum News 1 serving Columbus, OH and vicinity, profiles Company Wrench owner Brad Hutchinson. The inspirational story focuses on Brad's generosity as an employer and a Fairfield County, OH resident. He lives by the words, "Success is never owned, it's rented; and the rent is due every day."

The Tribune Chronicle of Northeastern Ohio publishes an interview with Barry Zekelman, CEO of the Atlas Tube parent company. He compares his business philosophy to that of farmers who rotate crops, stating that, "To bleed it dry by not sacrificing some short-term profits is irresponsible."

RBC Economics provides an analysis of the Canadian economy transitioning to Net Zero. As part of its series called Green Collar Jobs, the Royal Bank of Canada publication quotes Colin Osborne, president and CEO of the Samuel Roll Form Group parent company.
Notes from the Field
"The most magical moment of your career" is how one former Olympian describes her participation in the games. In the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, aspiring civil engineer Hailey Swirbul experienced magical moments in February when she competed in three cross-country skiing events for the USA. Congrats to the University of Alaska student and PND Engineers, Inc. intern for representing excellence in a chosen discipline; just wait till she joins the ranks of American PEs!

A bad day fishing is better that a good day working Logan Parks is an aspiring pro fisherman pursuing the Bassmaster and MLF tours next year. Meantime, the recent Auburn grad has Morris-Shea Bridge Company sponsorship as he hustles on the amateur circuit. He's already won Tundra and a Nitro!

Can they trick an F-150 too? Nice job to the shop on this PM23LC pile driving rig, now on a four-week, trans-Atlantic barge ride from the Finland factory to its new Quebec home. PRECO-MSE awaits its new Junttan rig adorned in bright orange with slate trim; it sure brightens a snowy landscape

There was an Outlaw in attendance when Louisiana Attorney General Landry spoke to the Baton Rouge Industrial Group. We earmarked this story for a Governmental Relations entry until we saw irony that Jerry Outlaw (note the last name) of Ardaman & Associates was among attendees for the A.G.'s briefing. We wonder if the state's top law enforcement officer raised an eyebrow upon seeing his name tag?

Thank you for reading the March edition of "A Pile of News." Check back in April when we will reveal all the new PDCA members who have joined the effort to advance the driven pile. If you or your colleague(s) are interested in receiving this publication from PDCA on the first working day of each month, please visit piledrivers.org and provide your email address in the prompt at the bottom of the home page.
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You are receiving this email because you are an industry leader in the piling community and
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Posted in A Pile of News PDCA Monthly e-newsletter.

Past Board Member Waggenspack Welcomes New Baby


PDCA congratulates 2019-2021 Board of Directors member Emmett Waggenspack, PMP of Coastal Contractors, Inc. in Baton Rouge, LA, on the birth of his first child. He and his wife Kelsey welcomed Pierce Warren Waggenspack into the world on February 20, 2022 at 11:55 PM. The newborn baby boy measured 9 lbs. 3 oz. and 22 1/4" long. According to Emmett, "Mom and baby are doing well!"







SC Chapter Honors 'Visionary' Robbins; Credits him as Founder


Charleston, S.C. (February 17, 2022): Calling him "a visionary, an inspiration and dear friend," the South Carolina Chapter of PDCA recognizes Harry Robbins as the first-ever recipient of the J. Harry Robbins, Jr. Award, which signifies a commitment to advancing the driven pile through strength of the Chapter. The ceremony took place during the First Quarter Dinner Meeting of the group - the meeting marked the 75th consecutive gathering of the Chapter since its 2003 founding (2020 is not counted due to COVID interruptions) - at the Town and Country Inn & Suites in Charleston.

As told by South Carolina Chapter of PDCA President John King, "Harry pulled together the other contractors in Charleston to join forces by establishing a localized PDCA presence through the formation of a Chapter. The idea would ensure that driven pile foundations continue to be the preferred deep foundation method in the state and beyond. Some of you might remember how Harry said - we want our piece of the pie to get bigger! He was able to build on the collegiality of the market competitors and earn their willingness to join his vision. He emphasized involving the geotechs in this area because their role in the industry directly impacts success of the driven pile foundation type. And Harry's existing relationships with the suppliers allowed him to gain the important support and influence that they bring to pile driving."

Harry Robbins spent several decades as the President at Palmetto Pile Driving in Charleston, SC. Following his retirement in 2017, his successor Jason Moore has taken the PDCA mantle and volunteered significant portions of his time on South Carolina Chapter of PDCA initiatives. He also has become very active in the national organization where he served as President in 2020.

In his retirement, Harry has maintained membership and participation in the Chapter he founded, as well as the national organization. His legacy in PDCA extends beyond Moore with his demonstrated commitment to the organization. Current Palmetto Pile Driving field manager Scott Nigels, also a Chapter president for two terms, has spent several years on the South Carolina Chapter of PDCA executive committee and joined John King on Thursday in presenting his former boss with the special award named in his honor.
 
Photo Credits: Ric Anderson, Frank Peters


Posted in Chapter News.

PileDriver Magazine: Issue #1, 2022

Read the latest issue of PileDriver magazine
Click the image for a link to the full, digital edition

Cover Story:

In Issue 1 2022 of PileDriver, PDCA highlights the family bonds at Mason Construction, a long-time PDCA member based in Texas. Read more about this heavy industrial and civil construction contractor as the fourth generation of the family steps up to run the business. Read more

HONORING DALE BIGGERS:
In a massive loss to the pile driving industry, Dale Biggers, vice president of Boh Bros. Construction in Louisiana and the long-time chair of the PDCA Technical Committee, passed away in October 2021. Read tributes and stories about Dale from his colleagues and friends in the industry. Read more


PROJECT SPOTLIGHT:
Forefront Deep Foundations helps build a new station for Port of Long Beach Harbor firefighters. ï»¿Read more

CAREER STORY:
Sarah Sava is an ambitious project manager at Clark Foundations, leading deep foundation projects from the design/estimating phase through the construction process.
Read more


ENGINEERING AFFILIATE MEMBER:
CRW Engineering Group, LLC is a multidisciplinary leader in civil engineering, taming the final frontier in Alaska. ï»¿Read more

UPCOMING EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
The PDCA of South Carolina Chapter is hosting its 2022 Driven Pile Technical Seminar in Charleston, S.C., on Thursday, March 11. The PDCA of the Gulf Coast Chapter is hosting its Engineers Conference in Baton Rouge, La., on March 30 and 31. ï»¿Click here to see more upcoming events from PDCA.

 

Thank you for supporting the 23rd Annual International Conference and Expo

PDCA Board of Directors Meeting, Past Presidents Dinner at Conference

PDCA leadership gathered for a Board of Directors meeting, followed by the Past President's Dinner which also included the available chairs of the standing committees and attending members from executive teams at the five, PDCA Chapters. 2022 PDCA President Brian Heck conducted the afternoon Board meeting and then hosted the dinner which brought together previous and current association leadership and spouses. The events were part of the 2022 PDCA 23rd Annual International Conference and Expo taking place February 9-12, 2022, at the Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix, AZ.

 
 

Vibrations, CPT, Resiliency, Association Awards Close Conference


The PDCA 23rd Annual International Conference and Expo concluded Saturday, February 13th at 2:00 PM MST, following a full morning of programming and the PDCA Awards Luncheon.

Attendees first heard a presentation from Catherine Aimone-Martin, PhD who delivered Vibrations in Pile Driving & Case Studies. Then, Gerald Verbeek presented Cone Penetration Testing for Contractors. The Closing Keynote entitled Being Antifragile: Wellness and Resilience for Leaders by David Lau (pictured, top left), introduced the audience to a U.S. Army veteran who earned a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his actions in combat during a 21-year career that included an assignment as an Embedded Counterinsurgency Advisor in Afghanistan.
Verbeek
Aimone-Martin

After completing of the professional development programming, attendees enjoyed a robust lunch buffet while President Brian Heck and Executive Director Frank Peters announced the 2021 PDCA Awards recipients and recognized several PDCA members who have volunteered to serve in leadership capacity in recent years.

2021 PDCA Awards Recipients:
  • Dale Biggers was posthumously honored with the John T. Parker Industry Ambassador Award
  • Mohamad Hussein named the Dr. Frank Rausche Professional Engineers Service awardee
  • Dr. Richard Hartman recognized with the Presidential Award for Distinguished Service (pictured)
  • Garland Likins named the Lifetime Achievement Award winner
  • Diane Fisher wins the Committee Chair of the Year
  • Rich Anderson (pictured, top right) is Associate Member of the Year awardee
Dr. Hartman
Jay Boyd
Also, Past Presidents were presented a unique trophy to thank them for their service; they included:
  • David Chapman
  • Larry Moore
  • Scott Callaway
  • Kevin Gourgues
  • Jason Moore
Finally, past Board of Directors Members were introduced and given a plaque noting their terms in PDCA leadership:
  • Erich Kremer
  • Jay Boyd (pictured)
  • Emmett Waggenspack
  • Rob Braden
  • Scott Callaway
  • Karl Higgins
  • Rich Anderson 
  • Jason Moore

MORE, Conference Day 2: PVE Equipment, Shoreline Steel Host Reception

Day 2 at the Conference - Sessions

PDCA President Brian Heck opened the educational and professional development programs Friday morning. After introductory remarks, he welcomed Keynote Speaker Casey Jones to the stage who then delivered a moving recollection of his experiences during and after his survival of the 2009, Miracle on the Hudson plane crash.



Educational Presentations:
Elective Sessions included Safe Working Platforms - The Purpose, Process and Payoff for Contractors by Peggy Hagerty-Duffy P.E. D. GE, A Day in the Life of a Solar Pile Driver by Jason Bales, Lifecycle Monitoring of Foundations by Kumar Allady, P.E., Killer Clauses: Clauses in Contracts for Contractors to Look Out For by Rick Kalson, Effective Use of Driven Piles on Bridge Foundations by Silas Nichols, P.E., and The End Bearing Method: A Soil Evaluation Method via Instrumental Driven Becker Piles by Camilo Alvarez, P.E.


The State of PDCA:
PDCA Executive Director Frank Peters was joined by President Brian Heck to present The State of PDCA, an Association Update.

 

Day 2 at the Conference - '20, '21 Project of the Year Awards

A special presentation over lunch on Day 2 at the conference attracted more than 100 attendees to a nearby banquet room where President Brian Heck was joined by Past President (2020) Jason Moore to recognize winners of the 2020 and 2021 PDCA Project of the Year Awards. (Scroll down for photos from the 2022 ceremony.) The projects that were recognized during the lunch event:
 

2020 PDCA Project of the Year Awards:
Land: Less than $500,000
Project Name: Yakima River 
Contractor: Pacific Pile & Marine, LP

Land: $500,000 to $2 million
Project Name: Riley Slough 
Contractor: Pacific Pile & Marine, LP


Land: $2 million to $5 million
Project Name: Cross County Connector Trail
Contractor: Corman Kokosing Construction Company


Land: Greater than $5 Million
Project Name: Lyondell Chemical Company
Contractor: Cajun Industries, LLC

Marine: Less than $5 Million
Project Name:  Horseshoe Casino Retaining Wall
Contractor: Innovative Piering, LLC

Marine: Greater than $5 million
Project Name: Pier 62-63
Contractor: Pacific Pile & Marine, LP


Associate/Engineering Affiliate
Project Name: South Capitol Street Bridge
PDCA Engineering Affiliate Member: ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC
2021 PDCA Project of the Year Awards:

Associate/Engineering Affiliate 
Project Name: US 21 Over Harbor River Bridge project
Associate Member: ICE-International Construction Equipment, Inc.

Land: Less than $1 Million
Project Name: Holbrook-Springerville Highway
Contractor: Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction Company

Land: Greater than $5 Million
Project Name: Sierra Point Phase 2 & 3
Contractor: Foundation Constructors, Inc.

Marine: Less than $5 Million
Project Name: Ravenswood Tower 001/007 Replacement
Contractor: Foundation Constructors, Inc.

Marine: Greater than $5 Million
Project Name: Port of Alaska Modernization
Contractor: Pacific Pile & Marine, LP

Earth Retention
Project Name:  Mill Creek Treatment Facility
Contractor: Richard Goettle, Inc.
 
Several award winners and their representatives were at the lunch program; here are some of the photos currently available:
2020 PDCA Project of the Year Award
Land: Greater than $5 Million


Project Name: Lyondell Chemical Company
Contractor: Cajun Industries, LLC
 
2020 PDCA Project of the Year Award
Marine: Less than $5 Million


Project Name:  Horseshoe Casino Retaining Wall
Contractor: Innovative Piering, LLC
 
2020 PDCA Project of the Year Award
Associate/Engineering Affiliate


Project Name: South Capitol Street Bridge
Engineering Affiliate Member: ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC
 


2021 PDCA Project of the Year Award (2)
Land: Greater than $5 Million


Project Name: Sierra Point Phase 2 & 3
Contractor: Foundation Constructors, Inc.

Marine: Less than $5 Million

Project Name: Ravenswood Tower Replacement
Contractor: Foundation Constructors, Inc.


 
2021 PDCA Project of the Year Award
Land: Less than $1 Million


Project Name: Holbrook-Springerville Highway
Contractor: Ralph L. Wadsworth
Construction Company

 
2021 PDCA Project of the Year Award
Earth Retention


Project Name:  Mill Creek Treatment Facility
Contractor: Richard Goettle, Inc.
 
2021 PDCA Project of the Year Award
Associate/Engineering Affiliate 


Project Name: US 21 Over Harbor River Bridge project
Associate Member: ICE-International Construction Equipment, Inc.
2021 Project of the Year Award
Marine: Greater than $5 Million


Project Name: Port of Alaska Modernization
Contractor: Pacific Pile & Marine, LP

*The 2022 PDCA Project of the Year Awards program is currently accepting entries for driven pile projects completed by December 31st, 2021. Click here to be redirected to the submission form.

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