Texas Chapter Announces 4/11 Meeting, Networking Happy Hour

 
You're invited to join the Texas chapter for our Q2 meeting & Networking Happy Hour on April 11 from 4:30 - 6:30pm at St. Arnold's Brewing Company, graciously hosted by Service Steel Warehouse.

Please RSVP by clicking this link!

Saint Arnold Brewing Company 
2000 Lyons Ave. | Houston, TX 77020
 

Posted in Chapter News.

SAVE THE DATE: PDCA to Host FREE Chicago Reception on May 4


Watch your inbox for forthcoming details about the Mid-America Meet-Up, a FREE meet & greet reception coming to Chicago on May 4, 2023. The event is open to the entire driven pile industry, PDCA members and non-members alike. Sponsors are invited to participate at the $1,000 and $500 levels; we will open registration and announce the venue location and event times very soon. We hope to see you there!

Pacific Coast Chapter: 12th Annual Scholarship Shoot Coming April 28th

Scenes from the 2022 PDCA Pacific Coast Chapter Scholarship Shoot at Birds Landing, CA

The Pile Driving Contractors Association Pacific Coast Chapter 12th Annual Scholarship Shoot is coming Friday, April 28, 2023, to Birds Landing Hunting Preserve, at 2099 Collinsville Road, Birds Landing, CA.  Registration starts at 8:00 AM and the action begins at 9:00 AM. Stick around for lunch (included), immediately after you complete the shoot.
 
Click the image below to REGISTER
 
Thanks to last year's Shooting Station Sponsors!
 
 

How to Participate
 

Please click the button below to register for this event.  In the registration process you will have the ability to:

  • Register yourself

  • Register your team

  • Provide the names of your team members

  • Provide a list of raffle items you would like to provide

  • Purchase raffle tickets

  • Purchase Shooting Station Sponsorships

  • Upload your Shooting Station Sponsor sign logo

  • Make a donation to the PDCA Pacific Coast Scholarship fund

Raffle prizes will include:

  • There will be some amazing raffle prizes

  • Please consider donating an item
    (Help boost the success of the event; list your donations on the registration page.)

Shooters should bring:

  • A shotgun

  • A bag or vest to carry ammo

We will provide:

  • 100 targets

  • 100 rounds of ammo

  • Ear and Eye protection

  • BBQ Lunch

 

 

Lend Support, Even If You Can't Attend
 

Please consider the following options, and click the button if you can help:

  • Providing raffle items 

  • Purchasing Shooting Station Sponsorships

  • Uploading your Shooting Station Sponsor sign logo

  • Donating to the PDCA Pacific Coast Scholarship fund


Please contact us if you have any questions or need assistance to register.

Thank you for your continued support for PDCA Pacific Coast Chapter events.  We look forward to seeing you at Birds Landing.

 

Posted in Chapter News.

CONEXPO Attracts PDCA Members, Other Construction Professionals

CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 in Las Vegas took place as the 2023 NCAA Tournament began and people celebrated the religious and cultural traditions of the Irish.  The photos above depict imagery involving these events; (L-R) the PRECO-MSE team trekked to Sin City from Quebec to exhibit, PDCA distributed vintage St. Patrick's Day pins, team members from MKT Manufacturing hosted some traditional Irishmen at their booth, and one equipment exhibitor (non-PDCA member) had a unique, March Madness-related activity; backhoe slam dunks. did you try this one?

CONEXPO CON/AGG is North America's largest construction equipment show which happens in Las Vegas once every three years. The 2023 event concluded March 18th after tens of thousands of construction professionals had perambulated throughout the two, expansive outdoor lots with impressive equipment displays. The massive Las Vegas Convention Center also had hundreds of indoor exhibition booths. PDCA attended a portion of the 2023 event and SPOTTED many members throughout our visit. We appreciate those of you who stood for a photo. Also, thanks to PDCA members who provided photographic coverage of their CONEXPO-CON/AGG participation through social media. See the PHOTO DUMP below for a collection of all the pictures we have obtained:

 

 

Northeast Chapter Professional Development Course Coming March 29

 
When
Wednesday, March 29, 2023 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM EDT
Add to Calendar
 
Where
George Harms Construction Company
62 Yellowbrook Rd
Howell, NJ 07727
Driving Directions

 
Register today to attend the 2023 PDCA Northeast Chapter Professional Development Course. The course is FREE for all paid PDCA National and PDCA Northeast Chapter members.

This full day program will feature important presentations on pile driving.  The following speakers have been confirmed for this program.

Dr. Cathy Aimone-Martin has over 40 years experience as an applied researcher in vibration monitoring and structure response and will present her thoughts on Vibrations In Pile Driving.  This topic is one of the most misunderstood and misrepresented considerations about the pile driving process.  Dr. Martin will share her insights about how to properly discuss whether pile driving is actually causing damage to structures around a pile driving job.


Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers (MRCE) will also present on practical design of driven piles for foundations. The following individuals will deliver various topics:
  • Andrew Tognon: Proven Design Concepts to Improve Pile Performance
  •  
  • James Tantalla: Use of Driven Piles for Ground Improvement 
  •  
  • Walter Kaeck: Geotechnical Considerations in Selection & Design of Driven Pile Foundations  
  •  
  • Sitotaw Fantaye: Use of Driven Piles for SOE and Retaining Walls
Professional Development Hours (PDH) will be provided for participants that will apply to New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Secure your spot in this important program by selecting the Register Now button below.


Professional Development Hours (PDH) will be provided for participants that will apply to New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Secure your spot in the program today by selecting the Register Now button below.
We want to thank our sponsor for their significant support for the 2023 PDCA NE Chapter Professional Development Course.
 
Register Now!


Thank you for supporting the PDCE NE Chapter. We look forward to seeing you at the 2023 PDCA Northeast Chapter Professional Development Course.

Sincerely,
  
PDCA Northeast Chapter

Posted in Chapter News.

PDCA Salutes Women in Construction

First of Two DFDTA Courses for 2023 Completes, Next Opportunity This Fall


Pile driving professionals who are interested in completing the Deep Foundations Dynamic Testing and Analysis Seminar and Workshop (DFDTA) will have one more opportunity to do so in 2023; the final installment of the biannual, educational event will return to Cleveland this fall. Watch for future announcements.

The first DFDTA of 2023, an ongoing training through PDCA and Pile Dynamics, Inc. (PDI,) concluded in Orlando, FL in early March
. Attendees participated in a one-day Deep Foundation Integrity Testing and Wave Equation Analysis seminar, followed by a two-day High Strain Dynamic Foundation Testing workshop. The optional, Dynamic Measurement and Analysis Proficiency Test was offered at the end of the third day. Each DFDTA course concludes with the elective, 90-minute, multiple-choice exam covering the theory of Wave Mechanics, Case Method (PDA) equations, data quality assessment, data interpretation and basic CAPWAP analysis. 


This spring, PDI professionals Ryan Allin, P.E., Michael Morgano, P.E., and Garland Likins, Retired P.E., President Emeritus, instructed the 3-day event for a total of 21 PDH's available to geotechnical, structural and construction engineers, as well as owners, contractors and other professional involved in the design, construction and specification of deep foundations.  



 

Lessard of Interpipe, Inc. Wins February #PDCADriven Contest

A Pile of News - March 2023

A Pile of News: March 2023
A briefing on news and information from the pile driving contractors,
associated manufacturers, construction suppliers and affiliated engineers
who comprise PDCA.
By Matt Bisbee, PDCA

Originally sent March 1, 2023
Top of the Pile
Special coverage from the 2023 PDCA Annual Conference: thanks to all of you who made this event possible through your attendance, sponsorships, exhibition, presentations and ongoing support of PDCA. Make sure and read this newsletter to the end as we offer a special "closing commentary" on the 2023 conference. But first, there's plenty of event coverage and photos from San Diego on the PDCA Blog:
From the Association & Chapters
Mark your calendars!
News and PHOTOS from the PDCA Blog:
Industry News:
Congratulations, Marco Lessard, you are this month's winner! Send an email to marian@piledrivers.org before the end of the month to claim your prize!
News from PDCA Companies
Acquisitions & expansions:
Giving back:
Recognitions:
Anniversary:
  • ECS Limited reaches 35 years! The Virginia-based engineering firm opened in 1988 with its first project, Market Square, in Washington, DC. PDCA treasures its relationship with the firm, which has supported a volunteer board member (thanks Karl Higgins) and earned a Project of the Year Award. With 80+ U.S. offices, ECS has a recognizable and trusted brand in the engineering space.

Governmental relations:
  • ESP Associates, Inc. department manager Toynia Gibbs wins appointment from Gov. Cooper to the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors. She is the first female surveyor to gain a position on this board, on which she will serve at least one five-year term.
  •  
  • PND Engineers, Inc. co-founder Roy Peratrovich, Jr. is the son of the late Elizabeth Peratrovich. Since 1988, Alaskans have celebrated her legacy. On Feb. 16, 2020, the U.S. Mint issued a coin with her likeness. Last month, the U.S. Senators Sullivan and Murkowski passed a resolution honoring her civil rights work; she led Alaska's Anti-Discrimination Act in 1945.
  •  
  • GeoEngineers, Inc. has done some preliminary investigative work on what will become the I-10 Calcasieu Bridge Reconstruction near Lake Charles, LA, one of only nine US projects to get a "mega grant." US-DOT Undersecretary Monje is from the Bayou State... is this a coincidence?
  •  
  • TRC Companies, Inc. joined client City of Maysville, NC to receive US EPA Administrator Regan, who announced a $2B grant for the community to address drinking water problems.
  •  
People on the Move
Transitions:
  • Darin Murayama is promoted to VP Finance and Manu Bermudes elevates to VP Human Resources and DEI at Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company.
  •  
  • Jorge Otero joins Morris-Shea Bridge Company as logistics coordinator.
  •  
  • Jamie Martin appointed CEO, Shawn Dennison named CFO; both men join leadership at the Contractor's Steel parent company, UPG Enterprises, as it scales Chicago-based operations.
  •  
  • Regan Tolley elevates to Midwest South-Central sales manager at CZM Foundation Equipment.
  •  
  • Erik Ellingsen, P.E. brings extensive experience in deep foundation installation and testing to GeoEngineers, Inc., where he is a new senior geotechnical engineer.
  •  
  • Chris Brazell rises to COO at EMC Engineering Services; other promotions include Alec Metzger to SVP, Joel Womack, Kip Goodbread, Vin Pinkston, Nash Austin.
  •  
  • Jorge Robles onboards as new geotechnical engineer at GZA Geo Environmental in Connecticut.
  •  
  • Russell Nipper makes 39 years at Southern Earth Sciences, Mobile; Shaun Yeung new to Tampa.
  •  
  • "Ms. Rose" receives a warm sendoff from Aggregate Technologies, Inc. as she enters retirement.

Recognitions:
  • Jon Beck of American Deep Foundation reaches 47 years in pile driving, 22 with the Atlanta-based company.
  •  
  • Brad Bierwagen, Matt Lash, Pat Stanford earn unique annual awards for exemplary work in various areas of the expansive, diverse Bowen Engineering Corp. operation. Meantime, Brooke Chitwood, who operates the intern program, has become a certified HR professional.
  •  
  • Hunter Arrighi, Todd Shiflett of GROUP Contractors named ECC Future Leaders.
  •  
  • Vern Dettman of J. Fletcher Creamer & Son has spent nearly 25 years improving Mid-Atlantic infrastructure; he is a newly elected VP of the Maryland Utility and Transportation Association.
  •  
  • Anthony Turner is employee of the month and John Trumbull coins phrase, "safety is a team sport"; staff at RJ Gorman Marine Construction gain accolades from employer.  
  •  
  • Tom Greco and the Elkhart, IN Bull Moose Tube team earn the Lord Paul Award for Excellence for 2022; the trophy goes to the plant that demonstrates safety, quality and improvement.
  •  
  • Fred Kahn, president/CEO at Kansas City-based Kahn Steel, celebrates 40 years in the family biz.
  •  
  • Chris Carley from Eustis Engineering and his son volunteered at a "TreeCycling" event; they took donated trees out in Louisiana's Barataria Basin to dampen waves and reduce coastal erosion.
  •  
  • Azure Dee Sleicher, a VP at RACE Coastal Engineering, joins the board for the Connecticut Association of Flood Managers, which promotes subject matter education and public policies.
  •  
  • Brittany O'Sullivan, Terri DeGross from the Universal Engineering Sciences Orlando offices win second place in a local construction industry chili cookoff.

In remembrance:
  • Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers PLLC (MRCE) principals established a scholarship with the foundation at New Jersey Institute of Technology to honor the life and legacy of colleague and friend, David R. Good, P.E., who passed unexpectedly in January. A noted professional and valued PDCA member, Good maintained a close relationship with his alma mater, NJIT.
  •  
  • Dr. David K. Crapps, a towering figure in deep foundations, has passed at age 83. A renowned geotechnical engineer, he completed his doctoral dissertation under Dr. John Schmertmann on the use of wave equation theory for pile driving when it was still a new idea. Later, he rewrote the deep foundation section of the Florida DOT Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, including dynamic testing (PDA) and other major updates. Paul Bullock of Fugro USA says he was a lifelong mentor who "had a big impact on the pile driving industry."
On the Job
Black River Solar ventured away from the Midwest's plush prairies and sprawling farmlands to install piling in the Big Bend region in far southwestern Texas near the Mexico border.
 
Orion Marine Group, which is building the NASA Causeway Bridge in Florida that you read about in a past PileDriver magazine, reports that Florida State Rep. Sirios and Brevard County Commissioners back legislation that would name the new span after Sally Ride, the first woman to go to space in 1983.
 
R. Kremer & Son Marine Contractors installs a composite bulkhead along the Arthur Kill near the Raritan Yacht Club in Perth Amboy, NJ.
 
Pacific Pile & Marine completed a highly complex pile driving project at the Ketchikan Airport Ferry Layup facility, an Alaska DOT job. New dolphin structures supporting a concrete float have Nucor Skyline steel, among other materials; ICE-International Construction Equipment, Inc. machinery was on the install. PND Engineers, Inc. provided the project design.
 
EXP expands its business relationship with the City of Atlanta, wins design contract for renovations at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
 
GeoEngineers, Inc. caps nearly 10 years of geotech and environmental services in its complex scope for the "Summit" expansion at the Seattle Convention Center. Kyle Smith, Katy Atakturk and Matt Smith attended a recent open house at the facility that will host the DFI Annual Conference this fall.
Media Hits
NOLA.com|The Times-Picayune publishes a story about a substation overhaul project completed by the Cajun Industries Infrastructure Business Unit that delivers a reliable power source in Grand Isle, LA. The buildout includes mitigation design for inevitable future storms. Great write-up and job site photos.

Vanguard Law Magazine chronicles Manson Construction in-house counsel Laurie A. Pinard's visits to various company jobsites around the country. 
 
Los Angeles Business Journal names McCarthy senior manager Megan Fairley a Woman of Influence; also, Dredgewire publishes interview with company engineer Sarah Johnson on Texas port expansions.
 
Birmingham's Real Talk 99.5 FM carries a Saturday show called Truitt News Radio; on Feb. 11, Richard Shea III of Morris Shea Bridge Co. appeared on the program to discuss Alabama construction.
 
The Contributors podcast interviews Colin Osborne, president/CEO of Samuel Roll Form Group parent company. Among topics discussed are sustainability initiatives aiding talent recruitment/retention.
 
The Houston Chronicle publishes story about JD Fields' relocation to award-winning Houston tower.
 
NJ Spotlight News broadcasts a story about an initiative of local reps of the UBC Pile Drivers and Divers. Students at JFK High School in Paterson, NJ learn carpentry skills and gain a "foot in the door" on a high-demand job; local union carpenters provide instruction. The video clip features quotes from students, administrators, Mayor Sayegh, and local council representative Tomasz Wyzga.
Notes from the Field
Things we learn from SC members, #1 - how to be a pile driving alpha dog: You've got to hear the outgoing message on the office phone lines at Parker Marine Contracting in Charleston, SC; it qualifies Kent Parker as THE alpha dog. Call 843-853-7615 and listen yourself, you won't be disappointed!
 
Things we learn from SC members, #2 - how to disguise your bromance on social media: If you're a contractor who has a good relationship with a geotechnical engineer, give a shout-out during National Engineers Week. You'll convey your adoration while supporting his industry. 😉
 
A circular firing squad around the company co-owner is not typical formation for a geotechnical team, but the staff at Premier Geotech and Testing did this. It played laser tag during a company retreat with the goal to "accurize their focus" for 2023. As it turned out, all laser-shooters accurized on Mike Juneau.
 
When I was young, I used to eat ketchup sandwiches (just Google it) - McCarthy's team in Kansas City was draped in red and gold when it attended the Chiefs' Super Bowl victory parade.
 
It's March Madness time will your team be dancing? GROUP Contractors extracts dual interpretation from a quote by the late, great John Wooden, who coached his UCLA Bruins basketball teams to TEN NCAA National Championships. "Flexibility is the key to stability," said the coach; the Baton Rouge contractor borrowed the quote to caption a social media photo of a sheet piling job it completed.

And you've finished another installment of 'A Pile of News,' thanks for reading. We wanted to include a few more comments concerning the 2023 Annual Conference that completed in February. First, many thanks to Mark Weisz, one of six volunteer leaders who comprised the Past Presidents panel for the Closing Keynote at the event. During his comments, he singled out this publication as a 'must read' for him. Paraphrasing, he said he "loves to read A Pile of News!" We are humbled by this endorsement.
 
This leading West Coast contractor and Past President of PDCA clearly pays attention to what we publish, do you send us your company news? Do you purchase ad space? Maybe you should! Inclusion in this publication is FREE to PDCA members and open to a limited number of advertisers. Contact our partner Lester Publications to discuss ad sales, but send us your news tips to matt@piledrivers.org. Yes, we get a lot from your social media, but send the big items to make sure we don't miss those. Not a PDCA member? Well, you can JOIN TODAY and we promise you will get a shout-out in the Top of the Pile for the April newsletter when we thank all Q1-2023 New Members.
 
Finally, we hope you enjoyed the several photo collections we shared at the beginning. We want to give photo credit to Mark Skalny who has been a regular photographer at PDCA and other industry events for several years. We appreciate his quick work to make sure that you can see what happened...or what you missed. Please join us next time!
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Posted in A Pile of News PDCA Monthly e-newsletter.

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