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A Pile of News - December 2022
December 1, 2022
Early Bird Pricing Ends this Month for 2023 Annual Conference
November 30, 2022
A Friendly Reminder:
There are sixteen days left until YOU'RE OUT of time to secure Early Bird Pricing for the 2023 PDCA Annual Conference, coming February 7-9 to the Mission Bay Resort in beautiful San Diego, California.
PDCA members are encouraged to act now and receive a $200.00 discount on registration, providing you access to the Annual Conference for just $1150.00. This offer ends on December 16th. Non-members also enjoy a registration savings when you act by the same deadline, CLICK HERE to learn about the pricing options.
In addition to individual attendees, registration is open for exhibitors. The list of commitments is growing by the day so you should secure your booth space now to ensure your company gets optimal placement. If you're interested in becoming a sponsor, we have opportunities for you as well.
Perhaps we have mentioned it before, but you should be reminded that the annual golf tournament that accompanies this conference will take place at famed, local course, Torrey Pines. And once your round completes, head over to the world-class Mission Bay Resort to participate in two full days of events which include PDCA committee meetings, keynote presentations, substantive courses, an active exhibit hall, annual Association Awards, receptions and meals, and a special recognition ceremony honoring the 2022 PDCA Project of the Year Awards winners. This is just a sample of what you will get at the PDCA Annual Conference. So, don't be a chicken and register today so you can take a slightly fatter wallet to enhance your time in San Diego!
The Results Are In: Meet the 2023 PDCA Officers/Board Elected to Serve You
November 29, 2022
Thank you for exercising your Association duty and casting your vote in the November election for the 2023 PDCA leadership team which includes the executive officers and the board of directors. So, how did they do it? Was it the power of the incumbency? Now that all the votes are tallied, we want to share with you the following roster of elected industry leaders who will serve as the 2023 PDCA Officers and Board of Directors. You will notice many (if not all) familiar faces from the 2022 slate; that's because none drew an opponent, none has yet met the term limits threshold as outlined by the PDCA by-laws, AND each has chosen to commit to serving you for another year. Thank you BOD, and welcome back - we look forward to your leadership in 2023!
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Gulf Coast Chapter Names 2023 Leadership Team
November 18, 2022
The PDCA Gulf Coast Chapter has new leadership, ready to hit the ground running, as the driven pile industry prepares for 2023. During its 4th Quarter Dinner Meeting held at Messina's in Kenner, LA on November 17th, Chapter Members elected the following team to serve as the voluntary, 2023 Chapter Board of Directors:
- President: Dylan Andrè of Patriot Construction and Industrial, LLC
- Vice President: Anthony "Tony" Sepulvado, Jr. of Boh Bros. Construction Co., LLC
- Treasurer: Brent Guthrie of Cajun Industries, LLC
- Secretary: Heath Stevens of Gulf Coast Pre-Stress Partners, LLC
In addition to the election of officers, the Chapter hosted time for networking, dinner and drinks, and covered an agenda to discuss its aspirations for growth, expansion of educational opportunities, and other matters brought to the floor.
Chapter Members also heard a presentation from Meeting Sponsor JD Fields & Company, Inc. Representatives Alwyn McDowell and Joe Tridico spent some time updating attendees about steel pipe and steel sheet pile in the current marketplace. Following prepared remarks, they engaged the membership with Question and Answer time.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the PDCA Gulf Coast Chapter thanked its sponsor for underwriting the event and its membership for its ongoing participation in the local pile driving industry.
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Special thanks to our guest photographer
PDCA thanks volunteer photographer Derek Brodnax of Service Steel Warehouse for providing some 'scenes' from The PDCA Gulf Coast Chapter's 4th Quarter Dinner Meeting. Derek is SPOTTED in the mirror reflection, in the photo to the left. A recent addition to the PDCA Communications Committee, he was agreeable to helping bring you coverage of this important event for the pile driving industry in the Gulf Coast region. Thanks Derek! The Communications Committee has openings if you too, are interested in helping collect content from Chapter meetings and other events, for eventual use in PDCA Publications.Top California Course Torrey Pines Secured for '23 PDCA Golf Tourney
November 17, 2022
(L-R): Vipul Joshi of Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction and Josh Epps representing Hammer & Steel participate in the golf tournament at the 2023 PDCA Annual Conference
Back in 2008, it was the scene of the U.S. Open where Tiger Woods won a sudden-death, 18-hole playoff against Rocco Mediate to claim his third and final U.S. Open Championship in thrilling fashion. Fast forward 15 years, San Diego's Torrey Pines continues to be regarded as one of America's top public golf courses and will be the venue for the 11th Annual PDCA Golf Tournament that begins the 2023 Annual Conference taking place at nearby Mission Bay Resort. Are you interested in playing this famed track? If so, here is what you need to know:
- DATE: February 7, 2023, 7:30 AM - 1:30 PM
- COURSE: Torrey Pines North Course, San Diego, CA
- FORMAT: The format will be a modified shotgun.
- SCHEDULE: Registration check-in at Mission Bay Resort to get your goodie bag. Golfers will board shuttle to Torrey Pines at 6:30am and will have access to the driving range and putting greens at 7:00 a.m. Shotgun start begins at 8:00 a.m.
- PRIZES: Various prizes will be available in multiple categories, including:
- Team Low Net: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams
- Closest-to-the-Pin
- Longest Drives (1-Man & 1-Woman)
- TOURNAMENT FEE: $195 per golfer, includes:
- Golf, Cart, Range Balls
- Tournament Gift Bag
- ADDITIONAL INFO: Rental Clubs: $75 per set. Men's and women's right and left-handed available on-site. Dress Code: Collared shirts, long pants or Bermuda length shorts, golf shoes preferred. Equipment Rental Information The Golf Shop at Torrey Pines (shoptorreypines.com)
*** Please note that the tournament fee does not include a contribution to the PDCA Education Fund. Contributions can be made separately by contacting the PDCA Office.
CLICK HERE to register for the 2023 Annual Conference and secure your entry in the Golf Tournament at Torrey Pines, TODAY!
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Scenes from the 10th Annual PDCA Golf Tournament held at the Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix, AZ, part of the PDCA Annual Conference in February 2022
Watkins Awarded SC/Nigels Scholarship; Webinar Team Was On-Location
November 15, 2022 |
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Charleston, SC (November 10, 2022): The South Carolina Chapter of PDCA names Cadet Mary Coastal Watkins as 2022 recipient of the prestigious "Mac" Nigels Scholarship. A Junior at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, she currently carries a 3.77 GPA as a Civil Engineering Major and expects to graduate in Spring 2024. After graduation, she aspires to pursue a Master's degree in Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture. Ms. Watkins is a native of Goat Island, a sea island within the Charleston, SC metro area; she adds the Nigel's Scholarship to a growing list of recognitions she has received, including Dean's List, SC Life Scholarship and Citadel Distinguished Scholars Program.
Ms. Watkins attended the quarterly meeting of the PDCA South Carolina Chapter, she was accompanied by her father, grandparents and an aunt. During a special segment of the final 2022 meeting for the organization, Chapter board member Scott Nigels and son of the late McLeod "Mac" Creighton Nigels introduced Mary Coastal to attendees and presented her 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.
Ms. Watkins attended the quarterly meeting of the PDCA South Carolina Chapter, she was accompanied by her father, grandparents and an aunt. During a special segment of the final 2022 meeting for the organization, Chapter board member Scott Nigels and son of the late McLeod "Mac" Creighton Nigels introduced Mary Coastal to attendees and presented her 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.
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Also on hand for the annual presentation of the Nigel's Scholarship were several past presidents of PDCA and the South Carolina Chapter. Among them were John King, Dave Chapman, Buck Darling, Jason Moore and current President Brian Heck. Harry Robbins also attended and addressed the group as founder and past president of the Chapter, a distinction also held by Moore and current President King. Scott Webster, Diane Fischer, and Greg Canivan all presently serve on the Board for the national organization and were in attendance at the Chapter meeting, as well. Following the scholarship presentation, PDCA Executive Director Frank Peters provided attendees with an update on resources currently available through the organization, a preview of an active 2023 beginning in just weeks, and encouragement to get involved in PDCA.
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Value Driven Webinar Series, On-Location in South Carolina
Prior to the PDCA South Carolina quarterly dinner meeting, the November installment of the Value Driven PDCA Webinar Series was delivered live and on-location from the Town and Country Inn & Suites facility in Charleston, SC. Readers might recall that the August webinar was broadcast from Chesapeake, VA. Executive Director Frank Peters and Events and Education Manager Kathy Harper moderated the monthly, virtual resource made available to members and other interested parties. Joining Frank and Kathy was special guest and November presenter John Davagian (pictured), Managing Partner at Davagian Grillo & Semple, LLP in Sudbury, Mass., who gave a program on legal contracts. Mr. Davagian focused his presentation on Gotcha Clauses and liquidated damages.The final installment of the Webinar Series is coming to you on December 8th and will feature a program on Steel Durability in Marine Construction.
Pacific Coast Chapter Partners to Bring Two November Seminars
November 14, 2022
Contractors and engineers on the West Coast gained up to 3.5 PDH in November, thanks to a pair of technical seminars on which the PDCA Pacific Coast Chapter partnered to deliver. JD Fields & Company organized events in Huntington Beach, CA and Seattle, WA and filled each 4-hour time slot with a series of technical presentations from pile drivers and engineers who addressed various geotechnical challenges. Among the presenters were Blue Iron Foundation & Shoring, Geo Engineers, Inc., Fields, and others.
Dean Abbondanza (pictured, presenting), is Director of Engineering at JD Fields & Co. said that around 30 attendees participated in each, no-cost seminar. He continued that such events have been productive this year and that the steel manufacturer plans to continue offering regional seminars in 2023.
Dozens Attend TX Chapter Lunch and Learn; Guajardo Honored
November 9, 2022
The PDCA Texas Chapter hosted a Lunch and Learn on November 1st at the Hilton Medical Center in Houston; dozens of pile driving contractors, civil engineers, and industry suppliers attended the midday event that ran from 11 AM to 2:30 PM, and featured four presentations, lunch and networking.
In addition to an introduction and greeting from the Chapter leadership team, President Brandon Bicknell, VP Condon Verble, and Treasurer Arjin Dogan, PDCA Executive Director Frank Peters briefly addressed the group to provide an update about the national organization. Following this segment, attendees heard a presentation from Walter Van Zuthem or JD Fields & Co. who shared pertinent information from the steel manufacturer. Later, Dave Winslett of APE-American Piledriving Equipment gave a perspective from the piling equipment sector. Finally, Josh Martinez of Moffat Nichol provided a technical presentation.
This sizable, successful event was made possible by several sponsors. Those included, Table Sponsors: PileCo, Inc., Pipe and Tube Supplies, Inc., Robishaw Engineering, Inc., and APE-American Piledriving Equipment. General Sponsors: John Lawrie Tubulars, CPS Houston, Lodge Lumber, J&G Sales, Inc.
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Armando Guajardo, Jr.
July 7, 1980 - October 22, 2022
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During introductory remarks, PDCA Texas Chapter leadership asked attendees to observe a moment of silence in honor Armando Guajardo, Jr., one of the four individuals in the Houston piling industry who helped launch the Texas Chapter in late 2021. In it's November 2022 publication, the PDCA e-newsletter, 'A Pile of News,' remembered Guarjardo this way: Armando Guarjardo, Jr. (42) was a treasured employee of BRC International LLC and a gifted coalition-builder who deserves significant credit for revitalizing the PDCA Texas Chapter in 2021. He was instrumental in advancing BRC's presence in the market for high-quality OCTG and line pipe on five continents; he also organized a successful charitable fishing tournament for the clientele. PDCA salutes our friend Armando, who served as secretary of the Texas Chapter, at the time of his October passing. RIP. |
Palm Trees and Pile Driving (Contractors) Gather in South Florida
November 8, 2022
Action photo of an ASAP Group selfie, which includes representatives from Spain-based parent company, Terratest.
The ASAP Group partnered with PDCA to host the Palm Trees and Pile Driving reception in South Florida on November 3rd. Other event sponsors included Ebsary Foundation, Junttan USA, M.T. Kaye Steel, Triad Metals Piling, and Big Steel. Several pile driving contractors from PDCA member and non-member companies attended along with area geotechnical engineers and equipment and material suppliers, to gain new insight on the driven pile industry and to network in the significant Miami market.
Attendees met with PDCA President Brian Heck who travelled from his Cincinnati office at Richard Goette, Inc. He held individual discussions with many participants about the driven pile industry, PDCA membership, and even sports. Frank Peters, PDCA Executive Director, delivered a presentation to the group that gave an overview of the organization's mission and the many, valuable benefits available through membership. Additionally, he shared PDCA's vision of growing a Chapter presence in concentrated pile driving markets around the country and specifically in South Florida. Throughout the evening, an appetizer buffet and open bar were available to attendees, thanks to great service from the team at event venue, Bokamper's Sports Bar & Grill, Miramar, FL location.
PDCA thanks all event sponsors and attendees who came from near and far (including Spain!) to participate. Scroll through the following event photos to see who was SPOTTED at Palm Trees and Pile Driving:
Attendees met with PDCA President Brian Heck who travelled from his Cincinnati office at Richard Goette, Inc. He held individual discussions with many participants about the driven pile industry, PDCA membership, and even sports. Frank Peters, PDCA Executive Director, delivered a presentation to the group that gave an overview of the organization's mission and the many, valuable benefits available through membership. Additionally, he shared PDCA's vision of growing a Chapter presence in concentrated pile driving markets around the country and specifically in South Florida. Throughout the evening, an appetizer buffet and open bar were available to attendees, thanks to great service from the team at event venue, Bokamper's Sports Bar & Grill, Miramar, FL location.
PDCA thanks all event sponsors and attendees who came from near and far (including Spain!) to participate. Scroll through the following event photos to see who was SPOTTED at Palm Trees and Pile Driving:
 Marin & Marin Marine Construction |
 Baker Concrete Construction, Jones Benitez Corp. |
 Ebsary Foundation, Universal Engineering Sciences |
 ASAP Group and Terratest |
Triad Metals Piling
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Brian Heck, Frank Peters with Junttan
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PDCA President Brian Heck visits with several representatives of ASAP Group
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